Vowing to slow down

We have had an incredibly busy week.  It has been a fun week filled with adventures.  I was with my boys all week - there were no playdates at other people's houses.  We ventured to a birthday party, the zoo, ECFE classes, ski lessons, errands, played outside, and hung out with friends.  We had friends over to play and we watched a friend who needed care because their daycare closed down for the day.  Charley did go to preschool two mornings this week -but other than that we were go-go-going as a family.  We got Chipotle take out for dinner TWICE this week...which is more eating out than we did the entire month of January!  The laundry got to be out of control.  I never got to sit down with Charley and play a game or do any 'mama' school.

Many evenings when Ed arrived home he could tell I was 'done' and I think I said a couple times that I felt stressed...my heart was racing and I just didn't know why because there really wasn't anything stressful going on.   And he tipped his head and made the point, "You do it to yourself.  You have a choice."

I do this to myself every once in awhile...and while we are participating in a week of crazy commitments we enjoy it.  But as soon as the day has settled down and I take a moment to reflect, I feel very uneasy about the choices I made.  Were we go go going to much that we lost some of that quiet time to just be?

  I LOVE going on adventures with my boys.  When we are out and about - even sitting in the lobby at the car shop waiting for our car to get an oil change - I sometimes feel more engaged and present with my boys because I am not at home surrounded with the list of chores that could be done today.  So getting out with them is good.  But the every morning getting out of the house in a rush can be too much. 

Daily friend play dates can start to be too much too.  Henry idolizes his brother and when there is someone else here all the time taking him away I can see the impact.  Charley gets overwhelmed with too much fun going on - even though he LOVES it.

So next week I am vowing to slow down.  To make the quiet and relaxed atmosphere of our home the priority.  I will find more balance with playdates, outings, errands, and classes.  I will try and say yes to what is healthy for our family and no to the stuff that doesn't give us happy balance.

Spring is around the corner and with it comes even more possibilities for outside fun.  More energy will be burned.  And in some ways things slow down because a simple park visit can offer a chance to run, play, and catch up with friends.  So before the green grass appears and the massive snow piles melt away, I want to get a handle on what is a priority...because these days of being home with my two little guys are going so fast and I don't want to miss them because I am over committing us. 

I don't want to miss out on curling up with books, a good game of Sorry, building block towers, sorting match box cars by color, building forts, baking cookies, and stumbling around outside exploring nature...and this week we missed out on a lot of that because we were so busy.

Note:  All the busy that we were involved in was so important and fun...it just needed to be spread out a bit...we didn't need to do so much each day!   

Two of my favorite blogs these days are SimpleMom.net and Simplekid.net.  Both remind me daily to slow down and enjoy life.  These two posts really hit home this week. 

The first on Simple Mom is titled Fighting the Tyranny of the Urgent Home. 

The second is from Simple Kid and is called Slowing Down:  Taking the Time to Make Some Time.


I hope as your week winds down you can say you felt fulfilled by the choices you made.  Letting the dishes pile up so you could go outside with your little ones and let the sun warm your face was worth it.  Not folding the laundry immediately because there was a tinker toy ship to build was worth it.  Letting the piles of paper get a little high because you called a friend and had a good chat was worth it.  Having your husband pick up dinner so you could put your feet up and listen to your boys play was worth it.

Make your weekend worth it.....Whether it is go go going or relaxed and cozy at home in your pjs.


How do you slow life down when it gets too be too much?

For the Love of Naps!

We are struggling over here today. It is hard to write about some of the not so good days or moments on here. When do you cross the line and share too much. But I need to vent. This week has been full of whining. Mostly by my five year old but by Tuesday afternoon it is hitting me and I can't seem to push it down and let the sunshine shine through. I am so frustrated.

I wake up every morning thinking today is a fresh start - but five year olds don't get that idea. I wake up thinking how can I organize the day so that it goes smooth and happy. I wake up ready for the day. The boys have been sleeping until 7 lately, which gives me time to wake up and have a few moments to think and take in the day ahead.

This morning when we rolled downstairs, Henry wanted to play Go Fish...so I got out the cards and the three of us played a few rounds. I was pumped - I know when I give them my 100% attention things always go great. But when I stood up to go make breakfast the whining started by 5 year old Charley. Luckily, the heart oatmeal seemed to make him smile. I managed to get them outside. But after that everything out of his mouth was a whine or a stubborn attitude.

I got to have Saturday all to myself and for part of the time I brainstormed and researched fun things to do with the boys. I have a whole long list...and I have even told Charley that I have projects, games, cakes to bake, etc. But yet, he whines. HE. WHINES! And I honestly, CAN'T STAND IT anymore. There is only so much patience that can pour forth of this tired from shoveling body.

I am doing well with the walking away instead of biting and getting into a back and forth crab fest with the kid. And today I figured it out - he needs a nap. He needs to catch up on some sleep. I have this feeling- and usually us moms are right on...but now it is 2 o'clock and if I have him nap now...then bedtime will NEVER happen. He has gotten in a habit of using this head lamp he got for his birthday to read a few books after we put him to bed. Last night he chose to strip out of his pjs and wet his bed...WHAT! ANNOYING! It was NOT an accident. It was a manipulation to get daddy's attention.

Anyways, tonight there will be no more flashlight. He will go to bed timely and tomorrow WILL. BE. A. NEW. DAY.

Because gosh darn it. If it isn't - then there will be a nap time reinstated tomorrow. And it will happen because I am the mom. And I. Know. BEST.

FOR THE LOVE OF NAPS!

How do you get through the days when your little ones pull you into their funk of a mood?

Be honest....

Okay, let me set up the scenario...

You get the kids up.
Keep them busy while you get yourself presentable today.
Get breakfast made and down the kids' hatches.
Bundle them up.
Get out the door.
Do a Target shop.
Run home and throw it into the house...putting the cold stuff into the fridge.
Then head to a MOMS Club meeting.

I have been a member of MOMS club since staying home with my boys.  It has been a wonderful way to meet moms and children.  It offers entertainment that is affordable, free, and fun!  Love it!  Haven't been to much lately due to the ages of the boys and other commitments (preschool, library, ecfe, etc.) 

Today they had the monthly member meeting (No one ever goes except the board - I know this because I was on the board last year.)  This month they were getting people to come by offering a speaker experience.  She was going to tell how she saves money and feeds her family for only $400 a month!  LOVE IT!  So I showed up at the church that usually houses our meetings and the parking lot had quite a few cars there.  But everyone was still in their cars.  The church was locked.  We were locked out.  So we had to find a place to have the meeting...and the speaker - it wasn't like we could reschedule.

So a friend, we'll call her Jessie, volunteered to host it at her house.  Keep in mind this is only 9:30 am!  Everyone said great and headed to her house...possibly arriving before she did!

COULD YOU DO THIS?  When you leave the house in the morning do you think...I might have to host over 20 moms and children...maybe I should----

wipe up the spilled cereal and toast crumbs

          empty the dishwasher that ran the night before,

so you could put the dinner dishes and breakfast dishes away.

Do you have your boys put their clothes in the hamper...since they got dressed in the entry way...due to the rush of trying to do too much before 9:30am.

Are toys picked up so that 15 kids can find a space of their own to keep busy...

             while 15 moms sit around and try to absorb good information that brought them out on this FREEZING MORNING!?

I DO NOT consider this possibility.  

I did not go to her house because I couldn't imagine being in her position.  I could not even imagine it.  And after getting home from our morning out and about the reality sunk in and sat heavy in my stomach.  I COULD NOT have done what she did...because everything I mentioned in the last paragraph....

• the toast crumbs
• the spilled milk
• the cereal spoon on the floor
• the dinner dishes out and all over
• toys not put away
• last nights pjs laying in the entry way
• a dirty (just pee) diaper wrapped up and sitting next to the pjs
• a toilet that needed flushing (does anyone else have this issue with their little boy)

And the list can go on.  Maybe this friend would say she spent yesterday cleaning or having someone else clean...it doesn't matter.  It isn't the deep cleaning that I have even started to think about... I am just talking about the morning tornado that happens when you have to get out of the house and get somewhere at a specific time.

I am just saying..

I.  COULD. NOT. HAVE. DONE. WHAT. SHE. DID.

And for that - she deserves a huge hug...and an afternoon to herself....and a moment to breathe.  And I am helping give that to her.  Love you....we'll just call you Jessie - You AMAZE me!

So be honest...do you leave your house each day ....ready to host.... I can proudly say...no!

Peaks and Valleys

Peak:  Got my boys bundled and out calmly out the door in enough time that we could do a Target run from 8:10-8:30 before the 8:35 preschool drop off!  YES!  The boys were down to business and moved quickly and we didn't see anyone we knew.

Valley:  I wasn't showered so my hair looked Gorgeous!  Which I luckily forget about until I get back in the car and look in the rear-view mirror to back out...then BAM! AHHH!  I scare myself! 

Peak:  Henry had some nice quiet together time putting together a puzzle and playing the Cranium game Cariboo.  He also helped me make a double batch of banana bread...in mini loaf pans.  We. are. stocked.

Valley:  Henry adding the sugar means half the sugar goes in the bowl and half the sugar doesn't quiet make it.  ugh.

Peak:  Even though Henry doesn't go right down for a nap...and sometimes has to show he has the power by throwing all his nuks and blankets out of the crib, he goes up for nap without hesitation.  After flaunting his power he curls right up and goes down, every afternoon, for a good 2 hour nap.

Valley:  Today he called for me after putting him down.  When I entered he held up his hands, with a disgusted look and said, "poopy?!"  Yes, he had poop on his hands! UGH!  Thankfully, he seemed just as disgusted and agreed NEVER to do that again.

Peak:  After putting Henry down for a nap and dealing with the poopy hands, I came down and could here "tinkering" and blocks clicking together in the guest/toy room.  I decided to let him be busy without interruption and Charley entertained himself for a good 30 minutes.  I got a good start on my meal for meal group.  Of course I washed my hands thoroughly!

Peak:  I got four chicken pot pies made for meal group...which met today...

Valley:  I am late on passing out my meals...which means I am late receiving our meals...which means...I am not sure what we will have for dinner...

Peak:  Even with an overwhelming evening last night experiencing Charley's Kindergarten orientation...I have felt very at peace and calm today.

Valley:  I have not worked out yet and I have not showered....and we are verging on the hour when I just want to shower...

Peak:  There are so many fun things that I look forward to in the evenings...my husband and I could play a game, I have books to read, tv to watch, blogs to read, bubble baths to take, or a pillow that calls my name.

Valley:  There just isn't enough time to fit everything in and for me...the choice is so important because I want to make sure I spend that time doing what will revitalize me for tomorrow.

Peak:  As I drift off to sleep, I know that tomorrow is a new day - new peaks and valleys.  Blessed.

And all of this seems so silly and trivial compared to the tragedy that occurred in Haiti yesterday afternoon.  Keep all those who are living through these circumstances in your thoughts and prayers.  My heart is heavy for this part of our world today.  

"MAMA! Out."

So our day was going along smoothly   Henry had ventured upstairs...he had a poopy diaper - wow, I was impressed that he actually WANTED me to change it and was taking the first step towards getting that accomplished.  But then I heard a door close...odd...normally he doesn't close doors.  And then quiet.

I finished picking up our lunch dishes and then Charley hurried down to inform me,
"Henry is locked in MY room and I don't want him in there.  I want to be in there." 

WHAT!  WHAT!  WHHHHAAAAT!

So I hurry upstairs - calmly of course.

I say, calmly, "Henry?......Henry?.....no response....HENRY!?"

I am freaking out now...

Finally,  Henry responds meekly,  "Mama.     out."

My first calm response, "Honey, turn the little thingy on the knob."

Henry's response - spoken very shortly and firmly, "NO!" 
The back and forth of trying to calmly get him to unlock it resumes.  I also grab the little key type needle thing that comes with these dumb doors.  When it isn't working I turn to Charley who is doing his own thing and yell, "GO GET THE PHONE!"  He slowly goes and gets it so I yell at him all the horrible things that could happen at this moment, "Henry freaks out...like I am doing ....there is a fire and we can't get him out...he gets hurt and we can't get him....Charley's eyes widen and he gets it."  Good!  I feel better.  Ugh.  At this point Henry is going back and forth crying, "Mama, out!" and silence. 

So I decide calling Ed at this point would just cause him panic - since he works 45 minutes away.  So I call my trusty friend Lynelle...and just being on the phone with her calms me..and I am able to get the needle/key thing to catch...or Henry finally figures out how to turn the lock back and WAA. LA!  The door opens and a very proud little 2 year old emerges and says with a smile, "Hi!"  in a yippy skippy little happy voice. 

And to think it was going to be a blog-less day. 

Today I was reminded how much I HATE the gold door knobs in our house.  Add that to our to do list. 

Early Saturday

Henry woke early again and Ed, bless his heart, went and got him and plopped in between us.  He fell back asleep...but I couldn't.  The air is dry and all I could think about was a nice glass of cold orange juice.  So I slid out of bed...thinking...

I will just get up and go down and sit in the dark and putter around on m computer in peace with my small glass of orange juice before all my boys are up and the chaos fun of a Saturday begins. 

As I creeped out of my room and stood in the hallway - of course - Charley's door slowly opens.  "Mama, I have to go potty." WHAT ARE THE CHANCES!  I respond, "Good boy, go potty - and then go back to bed."  He quietly says, "Okay!"

Oh my gosh!  My chance for a few minutes of peace are still there.

It has been 10 minutes and the clock says 7:06 (We encourage him to stay in bed until the clock has a 7 in that first spot but it doesn't always play out that way).

Sigh.  Sigh.  Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh!

No matter what transpires this Saturday.....I got a few moments, sitting in the dark, of "me" time.


And this is what I enjoyed:

My One New Years Resolution by 6512 and Growing

Two Vital Elements: for a Peaceful Household by Zen Family Habits

most days...  by Everything I love

Every Mother Has their Thing and Future by Clover Lane

He loves me....

but he sure doesn't like me very much. 

I have been reading a parenting book to try and gain a few tricks for my back pocket to start the new year off with a bang.  After some good time in the car this weekend I was able to talk about some of the strategies with Ed. 

Tonight we were given perfect examples to try out the language that was suggested in this book.  So tonight I put Charley to bed and when he started pulling his normal whiny bedtime routine stuff....I decided to give the strategy a try.  Here is this nightly battle:

After reading several books to Charley we say goodnight and ask him what he wants to listen to.  He has a cd that talks about the moon that hangs on his wall; he has two cds with longer book on tape stories (Mercy Watson); and he has music.  Of course he can always choose nothing. 

EVERY.

SINGLE.

STINKIN'.

NIGHT.

He has to draw out his decision - hem and haw about the decision and ultimately Ed and I lose our patience and end up switching cds two to four times.  Tonight, when he said he wanted Mercy I clicked it on and said goodnight.  As I walked out the door he started throwing a tantrum about not wanting Mercy. 

This is one of the changes we want to make because it leaves Ed and I returning downstairs in a fit of rage over the changing mind of a five year old.  So tonight, I explained to Charley, that he chose Mercy - he has the same choice every night - and maybe tomorrow he will pick something different. 

He of course has been crying - HE IS OH! SO! TIRED!.  But then he started yelling:

"I don't like mama!  I don't like mama - THAT MUCH!"

The thing is when a parent has a struggle with their child on a nightly basis.  And that power struggle has them leaving the child frustrated and annoyed - well to be honest- I don't like that mama very much either.  (Or that daddy)  The bedtime routine has been one of our strengths - or at least we will admit to be lucky with boys that enjoy bath, books, and night night time. I love saying goodnight to my boys - knowing that they are safe and sleeping. I love knowing that tomorrow is a new day for more fun, more patience, more creativity, and more challenges.  So I want to get past this "stage" because remember - everything is a stage. 

Pleased to announce that:

Charley is now yelling " I DON'T LIKE DADDY EITHER ANY MORE!"

Ed isn't looking so smug at the moment.

Seriously....

So tell me...what is your tree trimming experience like. We always pick a really cold moment to go pick it out. We are all excited and get bundled and after looking at 2-5 trees we get impatient and just settle on one. Then I put these huge expectations on a cozy decorating experience with the boys. Seriously...tell me yours is similar...or what the heck are we doing wrong...

First off my husband has to sit for hours and figure out which bulb is out and get all the lights working. Annoying to me...and probably to him but at some point I think he actually enjoys it...he is an engineer. This year he got some tool that actually tests them and then fixes them. WOO HOO!

Getting the lights on goes fine....however, once it comes time to decorate ... I don't know...it is just never how I dreamed it would be. First off Henry starts grabbing like the ornaments are toys. Charley continuously says shouts, "HEY MAMA LOOK AT THIS blah blah blah." I swear, the "Hey Mama" thing put me on edge after like the 10th time. After Ed finally finished some task in the basement and came upstairs, then at least 50% of the time it was "Hey DADDY! HEY MAMA!" Don't get me wrong - love the excitement...but to respond to every single ornament that he pulls out of the box is a bit much.

At one point "Bah Humbug Daddy" pulled me aside to share a brainstorm.  He suggested, "BAH! Next year we should let them pick out five ornaments to put on the tree and then eventually they can have 10 someday."  WHAT!  NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.  And as I sit here and type this I remind him he suggested this and we both laugh.  In the moment it sounded so good.

Once we got it mostly decorated, we realized it was leaning a bit and seemed tippy...so Ed hunkers down and tries to fix that. 30 minutes later after Ed has pine needles smashed into his cheeks, and I have looked at it from every angle a million times and am trying to confidently say that it is straight...we have this:

Mom and Dad...I know you are SOOO jealous of our angel on the top of our tree.  For those of you who don't know...until I was married my parents put this angel on the top of their tree because:
a.  Their little preschool daughter made it years ago and they wanted to support her creative expression.
b.  It was just so darn gorgeous.
c.  Their daughter who became a kindergartner - college graduate demanded it.
d.  All of the above!

You will notice the use of recycled material: the toilet paper tube.  

I think the day we got married my parents presented this baby to Ed and wished him well. 

We are soooo close to giving up the "REAL" tree thing and going for a fake one. We both grew up with real trees and for some reason we really value the real tree. However, the lights, shape, straightness, tree stand, etc...is just starting to make us rethink this whole thing. Not to mention the fact that we travel quite a bit around the holidays and can't keep it watered (however, this year we have a handy 2 liter bottle contraption that my mom and dad used to use).

Yet, when it is all said and done....the smell of pine and the chuckle over the entire experience was well worth it.

I am just hoping that our household isn't the only one who takes the possibility of a cozy morning with coffee or hot chocolate, Christmas music, excited little boys, and comfy pjs...and turns it into a morning where I wanted to pour myself a large cocktail....

There's always next year to have that perfect family moment....or not...because that just wouldn't be right - the holidays are all about exactly what we experienced this morning.  I love my family and I love our tree.

Three days down...

Last year at this time these were my thoughts. For some reason this year the weekend of being a hunting widow has been harder for me...maybe it is the fact that the boys aren't 100%, maybe it is that I am not 100%, maybe it is that last weekend was supposed to be my weekend and it wasn't. Maybe it is the fact that I don't have my camera. Ed is guaranteed 3 weekends a year of fun getaways - to revitalize, replenish,and recharge. These weekends are planned and all he has to do is confirm and go. When he goes hunting he is essentially unreachable - I can't pester him with emails or phone messages. Bless this time for him and I hope he understands the value and importance. I am so glad he gets it.

I guess, you will notice I have written quite a bit about this topic - of "me" time. I think because this time of year hits hard. It gets darker earlier - the ease of a change in scenery by heading outside for those long two hours between 4pm and 6pm is no longer an option. The holidays are upon us and the stress of fitting everything in - stretching the normal monthly dollar to manage extra groceries for things that need to be baked or cooked...and then of course the ever stressful present shopping. Add to that the energy that your children have about all the excitement of the season. All of it weighs heavily on a mother's shoulders. So it is around this time when I realize that "single" parenting is an enormous job that I am so glad I don't have to do daily.

One of my new years resolutions ( I know it is early but I want to remember this one)is to find time where I can replenish my soul, recharge with mama energy, and remind myself that every moment is precious with these two little buggers who make me smile one minute and grit my teeth the next. It might not be golf outings twice a year or hunting in the woods...but something that allows me the feeling of "I can't wait to get home and see my family."

Today was about not doing my hair and wearing sweats all day. It was about playing 10 games of Memory and 6 games of Go Fish (thank you to the bowling party goodie bag). It was about dumping toys out of every bin and making a mess out of the house (but that is the sign of a good day). It was about having the neighbor girls over for some fun, eating hot dogs for lunch - again, and and an extra Dora cartoon. It bothers me on days when the house is a pit and my hair looks like it did when I woke up (I did shower I just didn't follow through with the rest). Yet, I realize that what matters today is that we had a fun day.

And you ask...who protects us when daddy is gone...my knight in shining armor! Can't wait for your return tomorrow Ed. Love you!

What makes my week sane?

As we near the end of the week I always think back and wonder how we got through the week, faster than expected, happy, and healthy. When I started staying home I knew it was going to be a challenge not to feel isolated. I knew I was going to work REALLY hard not to spend money like I did "before". When I had a day off of work we would go all out: a pricey activity, lunch out, dinner take out, a little shopping for myself or Ed or Charley...it added up fast. But since making the decision to be home I have had to pinch a bit more and think about things.

One of the areas that I have really cut back on is shopping - why do I need to shop for myself when I just wear t-shirts and jeans daily. I do know I do not want to be one of those mom's that is submitted into Oprah for a mommy makeover, so I do try to not wear cozy pants every day of the week - and I hardly ever wear sweat-like clothes ALL day.

In the last month or so I have really tried hard to enjoy the kitchen so that we weren't tempted to eat out as much. My meal group also helps with this (tonight's Cheeseburger soup is like eating take out - thanks to Gwen!). After spending a few weeks really watching what I spend at the grocery store I realize that for us to have a yummy salmon dinner (all four of us) we can do that for 15 bucks if we make it ourselves (and Target has some great fresh salmon already seasoned). I will admit that going out to eat is still a treat for the person who makes decisions and cooks most of the meals...and then cleans up. However, to see the bill arrive and to think that I could have made each of the meals the four of us ordered each night of the week for all of us - drives me crazy....I actually feel yucky for the next few days because of this. Guilty. So eating out for lunch or dinner is occurring less often.

Getting back on the subject. At first staying home was scary because there wasn't an automatic group of coworkers I could chat with around the "water cooler" or in the "lunchroom." I wondered if I would have to live without friends. Would I find women to relate to and be able to talk about my babies with. But no worries, I got involved with MOMS club and other activities...and have made some lifelong friends.

Staying home can feel confining but I really feel lucky to be surrounded by other moms that have the same goals because this week - I spent our grocery money and then $2 for a tiny pizza for myself today (since the boys got theirs for free). That's it. The rest of the week was free fun. And we weren't confined to our house...

We walked to a park with Jessie and her girls.
We walked to the park with Heather and her kiddos.
We stopped at park just us.
We went for a long hike with Melody and her two boys.
We had Henry's class.
Charley had preschool.
Charley had a playdate and went on a playdate.
We went to storytime at the library.
We had lunch with Lynelle and Elly after touring the Papa Murphys.

So some people can't imagine being home daily with their children...because they would feel isolated, secluded, alone....and I HAVE MANY DAYS LIKE THAT! or because it costs to much to entertain ourselves...I am surprised often. But this week - because of friends, we had a busy, almost overwhelming week. All for the cost of $2. Thank you friends for hanging out with us.

So, how do I stay sane?
The quick answer: Friends!
Love you all!

Let's just imagine...

You are a mom of ...well at least one child... which means you are constantly thinking about someone else...their sleeping, their eating, their entertainment. As you wander the house during the day you bend down numerous times to pick up toys, often the same exact toy that you picked up 10 minutes ago - and you often wonder why you even attempt. In your ear you hear, "Mama...Mama....MAAAma!" All day long. If you are in my house you hear, "Mama, do you know what?" millions of times a day.

But imagine if you had a day (JUST A DAY - because they are your life!) to have the house all to yourself. Imagine if you had two evenings to occupy yourself without the bedtime routine and the feed the whole family deal (which I do love but day after day it can get exhausting). What if you could wake up when you wanted to? Play your music! Watch what you wanted or have silence!

Wouldn't it be overwhelming! I have experienced this...once or twice...maybe three times - and though it is a gift it also is so overwhelming that it is hard to enjoy. A friend said, when she thinks of things she would do if she had the time she writes them down. Then when she gets a moment she knows where to look. So what would you do...with a day, an evening...a WEEKEND!

A parent thinks she has it all figured out...

and then daylight savings time hits!

Sleep is one of the biggest challenges a parent deals with. At first it is getting them to sleep, racking up good sleep hours, and catching a few zzz's yourself. Later it is about routine, putting them to bed so that you can have some evening time to yourself. Then the focus is napping, how much, when to put them down, how long to let them sleep - do you dare ever skip the nap?! Then you get in a groove and you know what to expect every night. You might not be happy with the hour of rising in the morning but you at least know what to expect. But then Daylight Savings time hits and

SMACK!

You are once again obsessed with sleep and how you are going to get back to good.

Henry has been waking up around 6-6:15 (prior to Saturday's clock change). His body clock is firmly set and there is barely any variance to his morning routine. When we turned the clocks back this year I knew it was a possible life changing event. My hour of wake would soon be 5:15! Sure enough, the first morning he was up at 4:57. Yesterday it was 5:09. Today though - 6:15! Yes, those are bells you are hearing, angels rejoicing, a parade marching down our street! We'll see if it was a fluke or if it only disrupted us for two mornings! Charley on the other hand is still a little mixed up but he is at least able to lay quietly and rest when he sees that his clock doesn't have a 7 on it.

Daylight savings time is not my favorite thing.