Toddler Wake-Up Call

There are things in life that only a mother gets to experience. Take for example, my short-lived nap yesterday.

First, I'll admit I shouldn't have been taking a nap on the couch because Mr. Bean wasn't home and String Bean was wide awake. Second, I'll admit, I shouldn't have poured a full cup of ginger ale and put it on the coffee table beside me before falling asleep.

Despite my mistakes, I should mention that it was not my intention to fall asleep with a glass full of ginger ale on the table. Early morning + late night + pregnancy = One tired mom.

I can't say for sure, but I think my nap lasted a total of 1 minute. I awake to String Bean standing over me, a sensation of cold wetness on my arm, and the screams of "Pill! Pill! Pill!" echoing in my ear. Seems I looked thirsty and String Bean was giving me a drink, but spilled it all over me, the couch, the floor and herself in the process.

What a lovely way to wake up from a nap!

I can give you an exact count of the number of times Mr. Bean has been spilled, on peed on, pooped on, puked on or otherwise led to demise by our toddler. Two. The one and only time String Bean flung her poo, he stepped in it. The one and only time she pooped in the bath tub, he was in there with her. (Thank goodness I do not have any poop stories such as these to share.)

Can I even begin to count the number of times these same maladies have hit me? Not even close. Too numerous to count. Too dreadful to remember.

Oh, motherhood.

Working (from Home)

At work we have an inspection coming up on Friday. Nothing like a deadline to light a fire under your butt and get you moving. I'm going to be putting in some extra hours this week in preparation for it.

As a stay-at-home mom, deadlines and other work issues aren't quite the same...

• Rushing to finish a project happens when you hear the baby waking up from the nap and you aren't quite finished with whatever you planned to do during nap time.
• You hear your "boss" having problems with a "project" and you race into the bathroom to clean up the mess before it gets worse.
• Getting to an important appointment on time is a great day. Getting there a few minutes late is par for the course and getting there early is virtually unheard of.
• When your "boss" makes you redo something it usually was done correctly the first time such as the laundry, the carpets...you get the idea.
• Dressing for success equals clean clothes that are preferably stain-free.
• Your boss calling you at home in the middle of the night is typical.
  
• It is pretty easy to leave your work worries at work since you rarely leave work anyway.
  

Rate My Day

Mr. Bean's Facebook status yesterday:

Rate my day--Pros: Friend bought us lunch, got a nap, went to birthday party of another dear friend, curry rice for dinner. Con: Stepped barefoot in String Bean's poop.

Sleeping Fails

String Bean never ceases to amaze us with her talents.

Fail #1: At 4 am, she woke up screaming at the top of her lungs because she'd taken off her clothes and diaper (despite the tape I'd put on it) and peed on herself and her crib. I suppose with a fan blowing on you when you're wet, it feels pretty awful. Since there was a pooping incident earlier in the week, we are on our last set of un-soiled sheets. Here's hoping we make it to laundry day.

Fail #2: I failed to mention to the babysitter that String Bean was due for a nap. After playing hide-and-seek for a little while, the babysitter started leafing through the GRE Study book she had while String Bean was playing. Noticing how quiet it got, she checked and String Bean had zonked out on the floor. That's a first.

Don't Do It!

Have you ever had a day where you did not let your toddler sleep? It really is a sight to behold. Despite your best intentions, this is not advisable. Here are the reasons why in no particular order:

1. Crying
2. Whining
3. No time to finish a thought or sentence.
4. Mischief
5. Other kids asking you what's wrong with your kid.
6. Strangers giving you weird looks when you pull you kid out of the car without their coat on and rush in the store because that's the only nap your kid got was en route to the store and you're afraid putting their coat on will wake them up. (It is 35 degrees out! A heatwave!)
7. Not being able to sit without a child on your lap who is probably whining or crying.
8. Diaper changes become a hassle because they bring on the fits of rage (in your child, not your own, I hope).
9. Fits of rage
10. This always ends up being the day dad works late. Even if it isn't scheduled that way, it will happen.

Take it from me. This is unpleasant and you do not want to have to do it. Wait...what is that I hear? Oh, fussing and whining. Better go.

Football and Golf

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My husband is a huge football fan. We watch Da Bears every Sunday. Ironically, he had to go to a meeting at church today and is missing the Bears Packers game. They are huge rivals and it is probably for the best that Mr. Bean is missing it since the Bears are...well...lets just say it isn't pretty right now at the end of the 3rd quarter.

My husband also loves to watch golf. He's a fan of Tiger Woods; I cheer for the underdog (usually Phil Mickelson) just to spite him.

I'm not much of a sports fan. I generally know the rules of the game, I just don't enjoy being a television spectator. I do OK if I am at the game. For me, sports, especially those played on the weekends, are for naps. It is Sunday, the Bears are playing, String Bean is asleep. I'd better go and... Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!