Day 1 Summer Blog - For Goodness Snakes!

well, actually its Day 2 - but i need to get through the day to write about it soooo i guess each post will be a day behind if you will....
Anyway, the morning started off a little rocky - with the three young children crying, screaming, pestering and poking at one another. I did my best to duck and dodge their childhood ritual of wall bouncing - I've noted that the little youngin's seem to suffer from an intense case of selective hearing loss - also called "idontgiveashitwhatmomsaysitis." It was then that i reached for my secret Mom energy drink that brings both clarity and fortitude. The smell of the brewing elixir cut through the air clearing the minds of those in the house. Just as i took a sip of this magic potion, or "Coffee," the sneaky little-uns ran outside into the wild to escape the hypnotic effects of Folgers brewing. "Dash-it-all!" The youngers made not attempt to conceal themselves in the open - as they let forth their distinct childreny war cries of glee - and all for enjoyment of the neighbors at 8 in the morning. (At least it wasn't on a sunday morning.)
My attention was briefly interrupted by a telephoning from one Katy (of Kim and Katy fame). She too was in strange land facing unfamiliar territory and two strange furry beasts - I Believe they were called Mutt and Geoff with G (or something like that). Katy sat through a grueling 45minute hail storm of words (aka me bitching) when one of the children had escaped the compound...THE HUNT WAS ON!!! How exciting and by exciting i mean terrifying. Where could this lost child be!?! Locked in the family transport of course! After screaming the child's name yielded no results, i shrewdly checked the transport holding facility.
After the drama in the morning, all small ones were loaded into the car and dropped off for what was to be an hour of play while I exercised - a true Motheress must keep up her strength and agility (and get a break for sheer sanity), but alas, there was a poo incident with the youngest of the young and my training was cut short by 30min. After a wash down in the trunk of the transport with left over bits of water from half empty canteens - we were off again. The littlest fell asleep and was laid in bed while the boys entertained themselves with more backyard digging adventures and a round of He-Man - because they clearly need ideas for conduct. After a brief feeding - all were loaded back into the family shuttle and taken to a nearby glen for a walk and good romp on a playground. The sun was high and hot but the children could not seem to be slowed. By four we were on our hike back when along the path, while gathering "tickley weeds" the eldest let out a shriek "SNAKE!"
"Pfft" said I. "I know this game and will not be diverted little one." (or something like that).
But he was persistent in his ploy "SNAKE MOM!"
I turned slowly and there a foot away from my own foot was the beast!!! 3 feet long, curled and prone, with green and gold skin and a black tongue it was rudely sticking forth - I exclaimed "Oh." Gathering my herd we slowly backed away from the foul creature, ya know, then i ran back again just to have a better look, but then we backed away some more - lucky to escape.
On the way home the eldest sat wide eyed and whispered "Well, that freaked me out."
A little TOO much nature for one day i would say.
After a pasta dinner of bacon, fresh veggies and tomato cream sauce with cheese the children ran their cares off through the sprinkler while mother sat around to reflect on the mess in the kitchen.
Books were then read, foreheads kissed, and children tucked in bed, while I flopped down exhausted to watch high entertainment So You Think You Can Dance followed by some Craig Ferguson.
Oh Summer Vacation - how you test me - but I shall overcome! Day 1 was certainly an adventure - I will keep you posted on the days to come. Day 1 brought a Snake - what will Day 2 bring???................

A word of Thanks

     So, I was watching The View today, yes, occasionally i catch Whoopi Goldberg, because i love her (the other women kinda drive me insane; who's too liberal, who's too conservative, who's too Barbara Walters...) and they discussed an article in New York magazine called, "I Love My Kids.  I Hate My Life."  Now, let me preface this rant with I HAVE NOT READ THE ARTICLE...i am responding to the discussion by the women on The View...

Apparently, more and more parents are coming out and admitting this "truth."  For them, there is a direct correlation between having children and their unhappiness.  I canNOT relate to this.  Jokingly the other day on my FB page, i said, "how can one minute my children make me so insane i want to scream and the next cry because they are growing up so fast i feel like its all slipping away; and i want to squeeze them and hold them and never let them go. Parenthood sucks. I mean its amazingly joyful blah blah blah."  This is a good opportunity to qualify that remark.  My children are air to me.  They are what makes the sun come up and go down.  They are why i get out of bed, put my best foot forward, try each day to be a better person...they are the glue that keeps my heart held together.  Thus, you may understand how they are the first and quickest to break it.  When my child is left out of a game of tag on the playground - when he is teased for his speech - when they have to monitor her respiratory rate because she "isn't thriving" - when when when - and God Help Me - IF IF IF (dont even get me started on the world of IF's)....its enough to bring you to your knees.  On top of that you worry; you choke on thoughts like, "am i getting this right?  Doing a good job?  Teaching them to have a good moral compass?   Am i screwing them up completely????  What are other mom and dads doing?"   And finally, lets face it, they are not always little rays of sunshine; "who chipped their brother's tooth?  You fed the baby WHAT?  Why, WHY would you think its o.k. to use your SOCK as WIPE YOUR ASS?!?"  So, what I'm saying is...every day, in every way, you feel like an emotionally worn out dish rag - so yeah, it sucks sometimes.  But then - they put their hand on your cheek when you're sad, (really), they kiss your boo boo's better, they tell you "good job" for cooking dinner, and you watch as they hand their baby sister her binki and dolly when she cries...they giggle until they cry, run like there is nothing holding them back, smile at you like you make their sun come up and go down....and you know, you know that if there is no heaven its because you've been given this time.  With these children.  And though there are days when you shatter apart, theirs are the little hands that pick up the pieces and hold you together.  They drive me insane, and keep me sane.

But though i cannot relate to these parents who "Love their kids. Hate their lives..." I have seen how there are responsibilities and anxieties and needs and unfair lots dealt and obstacles that can keep the joy away - so this is not a critique or a judgment of others....i guess its just my way of saying how grateful i am.  I am unfamiliar with this sad sentiment (and it is sad indeed) - and I am fortunate enough to Love my kids. Love my Life.  Thank you my babies, thank you.

Blessings and Books for Moms-to-be

So, babies seem to be on the brain and in the air lately.  Many of my friends are preggers, or trying,q1e3 or thinking of trying or just thinking of thinking.  Now, children is one of those things that people KNOW they will or wont have....there is rarely a wishy washy feeling when it comes to kids (and thank goodness for that, cuz if your thinking they might be fun to have around occassionally, then you should probably wait til those feelings go somewhere a little more concrete before diving into the role of parent)...anyway, having said that, i realize this post will only appeal to half of you (the half that know they will be having kids, or at least are interested in the idea). 
Im often asked, as a mom and an aspiring midwife and doula, about pregnancy and birth - and while i could honestly spend hours discussing both, i often start with a few simple suggestions for reading, outside of the mere What to Expect When.. of course...heres my list of must haves for moms-to-be...
Birthing from Within, Pam England
Hypnobirthing (A celebration of Life), Marie F. Mongan 
Now, understand these books lean toward the more natural side of pregnancy and childbirth!  This is important to note because not everyone will love what they have to say....BUT, i think they are important because they open women's eyes to a picture of childbirth outside of the preconceived norm most of us have, a picture that most of us didnt even know existed, or could be.  I would also like to state that i did not swallow 100% of what the authors had to sell, but i dont think any one book or philosophy would - we are all individuals with our own hopes and desires for our birthing experience (much like our wedding day, we all have an idea of how this is going to go, what we want and like, and no wedding book/magazine would get it all right.  Think of clippings you take from here, pictures from there, and add them all up together to make your perfect wedding picture- its the same for childbirth).  So i recommend taking the bits and peices you like, work them into your birth plan, and leave the rest.  For example, Hypnobirthing claims labor can be pain free...ok...but i did like their breathing and focusing techniques, as well as how they broke down the physical explantion of contractions.  There were even diagrams.  And once i understood the way my body was working, more than just "pushing the baby out" i was able to let the contractions come, because i understood the process behind them.  Finally, WARNING, some stuff in these books you might find shocking - facts and figures about childbirth that might seem scary...if you are a worrier, LEAVE THESE, skip them - although, you will find them in most books about childbirth, unfortunately, as they like to lay out the often frightening statistics.  We can all understand why, but a pregnant mommy does not need the added stress, savvy?
Now, if you liked these books and are interested in learning a bit more, taking it a bit further in the way of natural childbirth and all that (as i was), here are a few more titles to consider....
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Ina May Gaskin
The Birth Partner, Penny Simkin
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering, Sarah Buckley
The Thinking Womans Guide to a Better Birth, Henci Goer

I was like any other mom-to-be - wanting the best for my baby.  Afraid of labor.  Nervous about, well, the whole thing....and i had a picture in mind - the stereotypical Mom on the table, legs in stirrups, screaming bloody murder, smacking her husband, epidural, episiotomy, doctors, nurses, the whole shebang...i had no idea it could be peaceful, intimate and worth remembering.  The mom could be strong, in control, drug free and even happy.   If you have any question, please dont hesitate to ask, and ill answer as well as i can, and honestly as i can.  Happy Birthing Moms and many Blessings :)

~Kim

Boorific

So Kim finally gets internet connection.  And joins facebook.  And we decide to start a blog.

And then, BAM, her computer dies.  NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  Sadface.

Why Computer Gods, why?!  Do we not please you??  Do we not sacrifice on the Altar of the Interwebs on a regular basis??

Bah, I say.  Bah!

In other news, I'm missing the Kim's three kids like whoa.  It's so weird to wake up and not be bombarded (in a good way) with kiddies jumping around all over the place.  I miss pretending to be Commissioner Gordon to her oldest's Batman.  I miss my Godson's adorable little "NO" when he gets frustrated.  And I miss the baby's smiles that take over her whole face and cause her little nose to crinkle.  While my hubby is quite adorable, it's just not the same.

~Dorkopotamus (aka Katy)