What was I Thinking!?

On Thursday, May 26th, Olivia and I boarded a plane for a two week adventure in Arizona! That's right.... TWO WEEKS, IN THE SUN! Oh yeah, and our purpose for being here is to babysit, EEEKK! I have never been to Arizona and I am excited to explore and soak in the sun.

     Security                Waiting at the gate        On the plane

 

Let me back track. While I was at Whitworth University, I was introduced to this wonderful family and was blessed to be their babysitter up until I was 8 months pregnant and they moved to Arizona. It broke my heart! Even though I knew I probably would not have continued to babysit, they meant the world to me. Last summer, they were back in Spokane for a visit and invited me over so that they could meet Olivia. While we were visiting, the mother asked, "so, what are the odds that we could fly you and Olivia down to watch the kids for two weeks while we go to South Africa?" 'Yes! That should not even be a question!' I had made up my mind, I was going. I was moving to the west side and had no plans to get a job at the time.

It wasn't until last week when it really hit me what I was getting myself into. Five kids. That's right, five. Olivia (1 yr 9mo), Henry (6), Rita (9), Anna (12), Shelby (14). Oh man, oh man. Going from being a fairly new mom to a mom of 5, one of whom is a teen, is quite interesting. There are also two dogs, a poodle and a purebred Great Dane (who is 2). And two horses. I sure do have my hands full! But these kids are great. Actually, they are the best. It will be a challenge but I am hoping to come away with Olivia knowing how to share and talking some more.

As you might imagine, I had to give myself a pep talk before coming down here. I told myself to not let anything happen because I am not able to pick up the phone call the parents. What do I do? When I got home yesterday from dropping them off at the airport, I broke one of the drawers in the kitchen... -_- Yeah, I will be calling the landlord on Tuesday to find out what I should do. Then today, one of the girls informed me that she tweaked her knee and that she was in pain. Great! I am trying not to panic but I know that knee injuries are nothing to mess with. The dogs caught and killed a large lizard. The girls were worried that it may be a poisonous lizard, so of course I had to dispose of it. I went and got a plastic Then Olivia broke the cute little bowl they bought for her :(

On a happier note: Olivia was a trooper on the plane! She was squirmy but not loud at all. She has pooped already! YAY FOR NO CONSTIPATION! And she LOVED being in the pool today. Pretty sure it is going to be hard to keep Olivia away from the pool. Look at this cute swimsuit they had waiting for her! <3 I would love to get Olivia into swim classes this summer. I should probably learn how to swim myself :/

Well, it is getting late and I need to head to bed. Here is a good night shot from Arizona. I want to find a place were I can get a really good shot before we leave.

Rookie Mistakes

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the moms out there!!

My Mother's Day did not go as planned. I found myself making some rookie mistakes. Yes, this is my first child so technically I am still a rookie at many things... but these mistakes could have been avoided.

My whole purpose for going to Spokane last weekend was so that I could attend the graduation of some of the first Act Six Scholars I had the privilege of training. I had made a promise when they were in training and again when I told them I was leaving that I would be there at graduation. They will always hold a special place in my heart. I never actually go to graduation, unless it is family. Three hours of boring speeches and names called? No thank you. It just makes more sense to show up at the end to congratulate them. One: they will not know if I am in the stands or not. Two: they probably do not really care that I am there. So the plan was to show up at the end to see them. It has been customary for the cadre to meet up after the ceremony for a photo.

That morning Olivia and I took our time getting ready for the day. We made our way downtown not long after the graduation started (9:30 am). Olivia had not been sleeping well and I was hoping that I was going to time things properly. We got downtown, took our time finding parking, and then made our way into River Front Park. It really is a beautiful park. The clock tower never gets old to look at. 

We stopped at a park to play, took our time looking at the river, and then made our way to the Arena. Yeah, we were really early. Thankfully I had the stroller and had lathered her up with sunscreen. I decided that it may be smart to see if I could get her to sleep. We took a walk around the neighborhood. Success! She fell asleep! It was then that it hit me that I had not eaten yet. I had to pull a u-turn and walk the four blocks back to the corner store for a drink and something to eat. 

She probably could have stood there all day <3

When we finally made it back to the Arena, I found a bench to sit on. Of course it was not in the shade so I had to flip the stroller around to make sure baby girl did not get burned. 

Rookie Mistake #1: You know how they tell you to never wake a sleeping baby? Yup.... NEVER wake a sleeping baby. I knew this one! And somehow I managed to do it -_- I knew that she had not slept long enough. BUT, she slept enough that she was not going to go back to sleep. UGH! We still had a while to go before the graduation was over. So I had to find a way to entertain her. Hmmmm... "Wee wee???" Olivia lingo for movie. A move it was! Well, it did not last long. The service wasn't great and it was so bright, even in the shade, that she could hardly see anything. 

Rookie Mistake #2: "Eee? Eee?" (While pressing her little fingers together and back and forth from her mouth). Oh no!!! EAT!? UGH! I had only gotten a muffin for myself, forgot her apple in the car, and she dumped her other snack all over the sidewalk in the park. I tried my best to distract her. 'Please baby girl, just a little bit longer'. Nope... it was not going to happen :( I was heartbroken but with her going into cranky mode, I had to make the decision to put Olivia first and leave. As I was walking away from the Arena, Olivia was screaming as I passed this lady and she said, "Ooohhh, she says, 'that's a lot to ask of me mom!'" and then chuckles as I force a smile and walk away. I know she meant know harm and probably could relate, however, I was not in the mood for her comment. No, I did not make my child sit and suffer through a three hour graduation. I probably should have though with how hot it was. 

Each day is filled with teaching moments and learning opportunities.

~~~~~~~~~

I apologize in advance to anyone who may take offense to this next part, but as a stressed mom of a very active almost 2 year old, I need to share.

When we visit people, it is not a time or place where we want to have teaching time with our child. Please, do not be shocked by her tantrums or offended if we do not deal with them the way that you would. If you invite us over, please pick up and move anything that you do not want to be broken. She is not looking to destroy things, but she is curious and loves to explore. Please do not parent my child. She already has two parents who are constantly getting on her, she does not need more voices telling her what she cannot do. Please do not be shocked at the amount of "tv/movie" time we let her have, especially when visiting. It really is one of the few things that will get her sit still. We get it - it is your house and your belongings. We are just asking that you have some understanding, grace, and patience. If not, we will see you in a few years when she is better behaved (Lord willing) :-) 

I have read quite a few articles about moms being judged for the way that they parent and treat their child. At one point I was the same way. Now that I am walking the path of motherhood, I get it. There is no room to judge how someone parents (unless of course abuse is involved). I think it is a blessing that Mike and I had the first baby on either side of the family. I can be very quick to judge and think that I am right and Mike has little to no patience and is working on his understanding. Well now I am constantly concerned with what others are thinking of us and our parenting. Mike has had to learn patience with Olivia, and me, and has seen what a blessing it is to have others around to help. I love to help people and know that I will be there for my family as friends as they have kids. I am pretty confident in saying that if others had kids before us, Mike would complain about the amount of time and energy I give to helping them out. I have a new found respect for all parents and the struggles they go through on a daily basis.

Mammy

"Mammy?"

A couple weeks ago...

The sweetest and best sound to wake up to in the morning. I woke up to Olivia rustling around in her crib. I found myself trying to lay still in the hopes that she would fall back asleep. It was around 6:00 am. Then I heard it.... "Maaaaammy... Mammy, Mammy". Over and over. There were no tears or crying. She knew I was in the room, as her crib is at the end of my bed. I could not help but smile from ear to ear. I'm a mommy! Someone needs me! I laid there for a few more moments before jumping up to snatch her out of the crib. I was tired but it didn't matter. She was calling for me and I could not wait to hold her. What a joy she is to us! <3

This year for Mother's Day, Olivia and I will be in Spokane and will get to have a fabulous mother-daughter day. I am at the beginning of planning the day and hope that she is rested enough to enjoy it. I am ecstatic to add Mother's Day to my list of favorite holidays. 

Creating a masterpiece and cleaning it up! 

Today...

I have been eager to get Olivia weaned as it is tiring and she is getting big. Today is did not nurse before her nap or bed. We are going on a couple days with no nursing! However, I cannot help but give in in the middle of the night. Last night I found myself in a moment of panic at the thought that she may not be nursing much longer. I told my family I was going to nurse her until she is 5 if she wants to! (Okay, that is a little much). It is crazy to watch how quickly she grows. Every time we see someone after a week or more, they are amazed at how much she has grown. I am realizing that it is time to go shopping again for new clothes.

She has learned how to say, "poop!" And she will tell us when she thinks she has made it :) We may be getting close to potty training as well. It may be overboard but I would like the fancy potty that looks like an actual toilet. The "water tank" is just there to hold books. Annnnd Mike wants the $10 on Amazon. The debate is on... or maybe I'll just buy the one I want. 

Making daddy run!

 Two peas in a pod <3 <3

Trying to take a nap, but the kitty was there!

Drinking water and watching Nana cook dinner

It has taken time but I am finally at a place where I am switching my mindset about parenthood. I am accepting that most days I am going to wake up tired, there will probably be 2 or 3 meltdowns a day, there will always be a pile of things from her diaper bag to pick up, bedtime will sometimes be a struggle, and like today there may be days when I am up in the middle of the night. Somehow I have found that I have more energy. I have found a way to make the most of days that I am up before her and nap time. We are getting out and taking walks, trying to explore the city. She definitely makes sure that the focus is on her. My schedule/priorities and Olivia are not always friends. 

Balance.

Each day I am working on balance, not only for me but for Olivia as well. I define myself first and foremost as a christian, a wife, and a mother. I feel that I use the excuse that I am a mom, have mommy brain, and will occasionally use Olivia herself as an excuse. What I need to try and remember as we continue down this road is that I am Alyson Atwater. I am my own person underneath it all. What are my passions? What are my interests? How do I want Olivia to describe me other than her mom? It is all a work in progress.

Olivia needs balance in her life too. TV time, nap time, outdoors vs indoors, learning new skills, working on vocabulary. I say outdoor vs indoor only because the poor thing is very white and burns easily.... definitely gets that from her daddy! I love you Mike :)