{FIVE ON FRIDAY} 1-24-2014

Happy Friday Everyone!  I decided to join the Five on Friday link-up because it looks quite fun;  plus, I haven't done a link-up in quite some time...  Thank you for visiting.  Here are five things that I'm loving this week!

 

  

{ONE}  My New Blog Design

I've been on blogger since 2009, and well, let's just say that blog designs have changed a lot since then.  My first blog design was very decorative--it focused on my cheerleader cartoon, had lots of widgets, and a very busy background.  I've been wanting to change my blog for a while, and well, now in 2014, I've finally did it!

I'd like to give a shout out to Kreated by Kelsey who did this new design for me.  (She also did my old one five years ago.)  Her blog design business has been around awhile, and I know why...  She's creative, personable, quick, and very thorough.  In less than a week, my blog was instantly transformed, and she allowed me to make change after change after change until I LOVED everything.  (I know it wasn't easy for her to work with me; being a Libra, I have difficulty making decisions on just about everything.)  Finally, Kelsey's blog design service is very affordable.  It was a pleasure working with her again.

{TWO}  Snow Days
On Wednesday, the college I work for actually closed, and I had an unexpected day off from work!  It was pretty cold outside, but I did manage to take a few pictures of my little boy in action.  Here's my favorite:

{THREE}  Valentine's Day
Okay, I know I may be getting ahead of myself here, but I'm looking forward to transforming my living room into a sea of red and white heart decorations.  (We still have our Christmas tree up - gulp- which means lots of pine needles to clean up this weekend.)  I look forward to making heart shaped cookies and especially heart shaped chocolate chip pancakes within the next few weeks too.  Yum!!

{FOUR}  Doreen Virtue's Daily Guidance from Your Angels
A friend of mine introduced me to this book.  It offers a "healing" message for all 365 days of the year.  Here's an example.  Day 351 is called "Listen to Your Inner Child," and the meditation for the day is "I listen to my inner child, taking the time to play, sing, dance, and rest.  I give it excellent care, and as I fulfill its needs, I'm rewarded with energy and joyfulness."  I love the simple yet profound messages Doreen Virtue provides.  Every day this book seems to give me the exact wisdom I need to make it a great day.

{FIVE}  Yogi Tea
Over the last few years, I've been seeing a naturopath who's introduced me to the world of vitamins, supplements, and medicinal teas.  I love Yogi tea...I have one for "Calming," "Stomach Ease," "Cold Season," "Positive Energy," etc. etc., and I have to say that they work like a charm.  I have others too that have a permanent home in my cabinet.  My son doesn't particularly like these teas...yet.  One day I'll convince him.  (Oh, did I mention that each tea bag has a wonderfully enlightening quote too?  I love reading each one of them.)

It's a Social Parade 8/6 & Other Friday Blog Hops

I love blog hops. They give me the opportunity to read new blogs, make new friends, and share funny stories, advice, parenting tips, and more.

If you are new to my blog, I am a 34 (soon to be 35 year-old) mom of one 23 month old little boy and one forty year-old husband. (Yes, at times, I feel like his mother, too.) I like to write about special mommy moments, but I also like to rant about daily life (the good, the bad, and the plain boring), going green, eating healthy, exercising, toddler activities, traveling, and celebrating unique holidays (like National Ice Cream Day). I also like to laugh.

I look forward to meeting everyone and sharing our adventures. Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Tuesday Blog Hop

I love blog hopping. There's nothing better than making new friends and reading new blogs, especially ones that are creative and fun. There is so much talent out there--outstanding cooks, excellent photographers, inspiring crafters, thoughtful writers, stand-up comedians, and amazing mothers. If you stop by my blog, I hope you will comment so that I can visit/follow you as well. It's so much fun to meet new people. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Friday Blog Hop

I love blog hops. They give me the opportunity to read new blogs, make new friends, and share great stories, advice, product reviews and more.If you are new to my blog, I am a 34 (soon to be 35 year-old) mom of one 23 month old little boy and one forty year-old husband. (Yes, at times, I feel like his mother, too.) I like to write about special mommy moments, but I also like to rant about daily life (the good, the bad, and the plain boring), going green, eating healthy, exercising, toddler activities, traveling, and celebrating unique holidays (like National Ice Cream Day). I also like to laugh. I look forward to meeting everyone and sharing our adventures. Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Tuesday Blog Hop

I love blog hops. They give me the opportunity to read new blogs, make new friends, and share great stories, advice, product reviews and more.

If you are new to my blog, I am a 34 (soon to be 35 year-old) mom of one 23 month old little boy and one forty year-old husband. (Yes, at times, I feel like his mother.) I like to write about special mommy moments, but I also like to rant about daily life (the good, the bad, and the plain boring), going green, eating healthy, exercising, toddler activities, traveling, and celebrating unique holidays (like National Ice Cream Day). I also like to laugh.

I look forward to meeting everyone and sharing our adventures. Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Friday Blog Hop

I'm so excited to be participating in several blog hops again this Friday. I love reading new blogs and developing new friendships along the way. I also love sharing experiences and commenting. Thank you for visiting my blog. Happy Friday!

Tuesday Blog Hop

It's so much fun to read and follow new peoples' blogs.

If you decide to become a new follower through Tuesday Tag Along, please leave me a message, and I'll happily follow you back. It's so important to support each other, and it's even more fun to make new friendships in the process!

Happy Tuesday! If you have a chance, please stop by my Top Ten Tuesday post, Ten Clues that Your Life has been Overrun by a Toddler!

Friday Blog Hops

I've decided to join a few new blog hops this Friday. I love having an opportunity to meet new bloggers this way. Feel free to join me at the following listed below.

It's a Social Parade 7/9

Please come join me for Social Parade Friday!

Fumbling through Daily Life with a Two Year-Old

Today, I fumbled out of bed, completely unaware of the day or time. It took me awhile to remember who I was or what the plan was for the day. I fumbled for my alarm clock. It read 6:15 a.m. Not bad. Since my little boy still appeared to be sleeping, I might actually have a chance to do my twenty minute Pilates workout. Then, maybe, just maybe, I can even fumble around with Twitter and send out some interesting tweets.

The excitement grew as I fumbled down the stairs and grabbed my Pilates mat. I was just about to start my DVD when I heard a slight moan coming from the upstairs nursery. Would my husband be willing to help me? I glanced over and saw that he was still sleeping soundly in his recliner. (The poor guy was having back issues last night. I heard him fumble out of bed and go downstairs to get comfortable.)

The moan sounded again. Crap! Do I just try to fumble through the exercises and wait until the moans get louder, or do I go upstairs to rescue my hungry, little boy? I fumbled for an answer.

When the moans turned to laughter, I couldn’t resist. I had to pick up my little boy. He was in a good mood and eager to start the day. “I’m here, Lil’ Lewie. Mom’s coming in to get you.” I bent over the crib and fumbled to pick him up along with his favorite blanky that he was not ready to relinquish yet.

“Hi Lewie. Good morning Sunshine!” He laughed as I fumbled to kiss his forehead a gazillion times. “Let’s go downstairs so Mama can warm up your milk and change your diaper.” We fumbled down the stairs together as he likes to practice walking down the stairs and using the railing like a big boy. “Don’t get ahead of me,” I reminded him as his little feet fumbled to find each stair. He needed mom’s support for balance.

As we reached the bottom step, I gave Lil’ Lewie permission to wake his daddy in the recliner (I’m such a good wife) while I fumbled to find Lewie’s milk in the refrigerator. While warming up the milk, I picked up Lil’ Lewie and brought him to our make-shift changing table. He squirmed and squirmed, hoping to win the struggle. Although I fumbled, I was not letting him get out of this one. He had a big, nasty, poopy diaper. One fumble, and the Hershey squirts would be all over the table, me, and possibly the carpet. “You have to stay still, Lil’ Lewie,” I said calmly as my right arm fumbled for the baby wipes and my left arm fumbled to keep his body still. I wiped up the poop as quickly as possible while fumbling to get his diaper cream and a clean diaper at the same time. This wasn’t a balancing act; this was a fumbling act, as there was nothing graceful about the struggle. “Keep still,” I said, fumbling to fasten the last Velcro strap.

Once we were done, Lil’ Lewie eagerly ran into the living room. He knew his morning routine. Mommy would place him in his high chair while he drank his milk and watched his favorite morning cartoons. “Come here,” I directed Lewie while fumbling with the straps to the high chair. He grabbed the remote and fumbled with the channels. “Here, let me take care of that,” I told Lewie as I fumbled to grasp the remote control from him. He knew this was one of the items in the house that he was not allowed to touch, which made him want to do it even more.

I tapped Daddy on the shoulder, waking him out of his sleep. “It’s time to go in the shower, hun,” I reminded him as I went back in the kitchen and fumbled with his lunch. There were not a lot of choices; we were out of food.

I could bore everyone with additional trivialities of daily life with a two year-old, but I’m going to stop here. Toddlers are unpredictable. They get excited, they take temper tantrums, they get stubborn, they get inquisitive, and they fumble. Until my little boy is older and doesn’t need to rely on me for everything, I fumble right along with him. We have plans to go to the park, to meet up with a play date, and to go grocery shopping later in the evening, but none of my goals for the day go exactly as planned. For now, I fumble through my days with an open mind and an open heart.

This post is for the word game, Word Up, Yo! hosted by Natalie (Mommy of a Monster), Kristin (Taming Insanity) and Liz (a belle, a bean and a chicago dog).

If you like words too, you should play along! This week's word is fumble.