...randomness on a Sunday

my last blog post was about self care and how we ALL need it. These the last two weeks have been a true testament to that statement. My home is filled with ill people. My two children have been sick on and off for almost 2 weeks. Colds that have turned to stomach bugs, or stomach bugs that have turned to colds, then fevers happening at random. I have changed vomited covered bed linens about 4 times in the last week (my poor boy). It is always so awful when the kids are sick, they don't understand what is going on. It's a heart breaker. Not only are they sick, but my husband who just flew back from NC informs me on his ride home that he too is sick. Sure enough all day today he has been in bed. In between he is slugging Gatorade and sipping on Lipton Noodle Soup. At night he is downing the Alkaseltzer. This mama is the only one who has not caught the bug. I am trying with all that I have to  not catch it. I opened the windows today and let the air in....it was a balmy 60 degrees here, perfect for such a thing. I am drinking tea, eating citrus, washing my hands a bazillion times and diffusing oils. I do have a small tickle in my throat and I am hoping that it disappears before turning into something nasty. If I am sick than this house is screwed.

All of this brings me back to my main point of self care and taking care of me. I have made a decision in this and have already informed my husband. He probably thinks I'm kidding...but I certainly am not. I have decided that once a month I am taking a ME day. I will choose the day based around what is happening that month, he will be taking the kids (or one of them and my mother can take the other) and I am going out alone. It wont be all day b/c of course I am still nursing so that makes my time short (I have no saved milk). I may go get a pedicure, I may go to Target, maybe Ill go out to the bookstore, maybe to visit a friend...who knows. All I know is that I deserve a day...at least part of a day to do what I want. I don't feel bad about it either. I may not bring in a paycheck, but I do my fair share around here and taking care of two kids under 2 . 5 is a job itself. You mamas know what I mean! If you don't yet, you will. 

So I think that any other mamas out there who are SAH moms or working moms should get in on this if you don't already. Pick a day, put a big bold circle around it. Tell your significant other it's YOUR day. Tell em way in advance so they know not to make plans. My husband is a hard worker and he busts his butt to bring in money to support us financially, but he gets to have his fun after work. He golfs in the nice weather, he ice fishes during the winter, skis when he can, he hangs at his local watering hole a couple times a week with his buds...you know what I do? Nothing. MAYBE I get to go grocery shopping alone! (Don't get me wrong, I actually love it hahah) But it's pretty sad when a solo trip to the grocery store seems like a vacation. Puttin my foot down on this one. It's mama's time. Boom.

xo

 ps. check out a recipe for Thieves tea on the EO Recipe tab....good for anyone who wants a natural way to fight off the germies!

self care saturday

...you know that old saying, "if mama aint happy no ones happy"? Well I have realized just how true that is, especially after having my second baby. I have always been a happy and bubbly person. Always the one to make people laugh and put people in good moods. I still am that person, but I have never experienced true stress until having kids. Oh my gosh. I have worked with kids all my working life but it sure is a whole new ball game when you can't clock out at three. I am home all day every day with my littles and I am so blessed to be, but it is a rare occasion when I get a break during the busy day. My toddler naps the same time every day but the baby is not on a set schedule yet, so dual naps hardly happen. Truthfully even if I could get some time alone I would spend it cleaning. I do...spend it cleaning. When my kids are crazy, and the house is a mess, or finances are real tight or god forbid we are OUT of coffee, a mama can start to lose her shit. I have a lot of patience dealing with my kids because I worked with children for so long, but I will be honest...sometime I flip. I give my toddler more chances than my parents ever gave me and still he can be defiant. I eventually end up yelling at him because it is the only way he will listen. Not every time...there are times when he gives me no problems at all. But he is two and a half and this is completely normal. It is mostly when he is bored too...he is a boy that likes to be on the move (ever since in the womb lol) so when it's a day where we are stuck inside or the baby is being very needy, my toddler will act up. I do my best to keep him busy and do activities other than TV, but sometimes nothing helps. Thank goodness for my Stress Away roller bottle. It helps ease the tension (most of the time lol)  Since there is only so much I can do for my children, I decided that perhaps I need to do more for me. I mean, in order to be able to take care of my family, I really need to take care of myself. So....

I came across this list on Pinterest and I thought that it couldn't be more perfect for my dilemma. 

These are great. And simple !! I can do all of these things I just have to make time. The best part is that these are not all physical things you need to do in order to relieve stresses...they are little things that will just brighten a day. Number 3 is buy yourself flowers. I mean come on! I never think to do that, and I love flowers in the home. Peonies are my favorite and last Spring I had some in the middle of the kitchen table and they were gorgeous. How can you have a bad day when a vase of your favorite flowers are there to greet you when you walk in the room? 

Number 12: cook a new dish. I do love to cook but with two kiddos under foot most the time, I try and do the quick and easy dinner routine. Still making healthy meals, just with the usual ingredients. I have not cooked "outside the box" in forever. Guess I can take out my cook books again and find something I have never made and give it a whirl, the hubs would love it. 

Anyways, just seeing this list brightened my spirits a bit. I think parents (not just mamas) forget that they need to take time for themselves. I know many parents are working parents and there is probably less of a chance when you work. But honestly...if it can be fit in somewhere on a weekend or during the week we really should try. I know, easier said than done. But I wish I had thought about this more when I was pregnant. I had more time then than I do now. But I am determined to give it a try...if I am not stressed than my family as well as myself will benefit. 

Also, there is nothing wrong with having a third iced coffee at 430 in the afternoon...absolutely nothing! ;)

xo