Drama at the dentist

Tuesday was Q's first trip to the dentist, and it was challenging.

I had a cleaning too and had both boys in tow. I strapped them into their giant double stroller and rolled into the office to fill out the sheaf of paperwork. When they called our names, I wedged the behemoth stroller behind the dental chair and tried to coax Q in to the seat. He was not having it. He chewed on his shirt and looked nervous. So, the hygienist suggested I go first so Q wouldn't afraid.

This tactic didn't entirely work as the image of a woman with a surgical mask on prodding at his mother with sharp objects freaked him out a bit. I am not a big fan of dental cleanings, but I acted like it was the time of my life to get him in the chair when I was finished. (R got fussy in his stroller about halfway through to add to the stress, but another hygienist came in to distract him.)

Q finally climbed into his spot and the hygienist showed him all of the intimidating tools. He liked the feel of the polisher on his finger but not in his mouth. He would twist away after each tooth was half-cleaned, and he kept demanding to feel it on his hand again. Q was also quite skeptical of the water squirter and the vacuum tool. When you see it through their eyes again for the first time, you can see how it is all a little freaky.

I am not sure he got the most thorough cleaning ever, but we made it through. A brief battle ensued over which toothbrush and which prize to take home. But we all made it out in one piece, though I was exhausted.

It is amazing how something that used to be a quick errand turns into a major chore when you throw two energetic boys into the mix.

--MM

To be a mama

I am not the best mother, that's for sure. I have my down days and my lazy days. My kids don't know two languages, and we don't do daily crafts. Sometimes I lose my temper and often I am impatient. Sometimes I need time to myself and occasionally I get tired of reading "The Airplane Book" or singing "Ring Around the Rosie."

Motherhood is harder than I ever imagined from the ache of utter exhaustion to the unending responsibility. But I would never, ever give it up. I can't imagine my life any different. What would I do if I didn't have Q and R in my life? They make me laugh and sigh, smile and shake my head. They are such huge personalities in tiny packages. They can be extremely frustrating but incredibly lovable. They represent the richness and depth of life. They teach me about unconditional love, deep patience, and great sacrifice. They are the best thing I have ever done.

On this Mothers Day, I am honored to be their mama.

--MM

Run like the wind

There is nothing like going for a run outside. I just got back from one around our new neighborhood, past the nearby Target, into the development nearby and back. It was a bit windy and brisk and made me think twice about venturing out, but I pulled on a fleece, strapped on my GPS, turned up my Ipod, and was out the door. You never regret it once you finish. You never say, "I wish I would have skipped that run," but you often say the opposite.

I diligently run on a treadmill most days of the week. It's like brushing my teeth or emptying the dishwasher. It's a necessity, and there isn't much enjoyment to it. I do it while watching Martha Stewart or Oprah and watch the minutes tick by and the tenths of a mile go up.

I much prefer running outside. I go faster and feel better. I don't lock in my speed like on a treadmill. Instead I run at a comfortable pace and when the music is fast or I feel the urge, I pick up the pace. I get that fleeting feeling of a child running for the sheer joy of it. I imagine Q joyfully shouting, "I'm going running!" as he barrels down the sidewalk at the top speed his little legs will take him, his arms flapping at his sides, giggling and out of breath.

Running should be joyful (unless you're being chased of course). I admit most days it is just a chore, but I live for the days like today when it makes me feel awake and alive. I thrive on taking deep lung-stretching breaths and feeling my heart pound strongly. I relish keeping my body strong and in shape. I appreciate how it functions in perfect harmony and endures the pounding of 26.2 miles.

Running has not always been kind to my body, from silver dollar-sized blisters to sore knees and aching hips, it has certainly taken its toll. But the good far outweighs the bad, as running keeps my heart and lungs powerful and my weight down. More than that though, it gives me a mental boost so I see my surroundings a little more clearly and feel just right on my feet and in my skin.

--MM

Clutter wars

I never wanted to have one of those houses absolutely over taken by toys, but I appear to be at that point. In our town house, we have a third floor room which I have set aside as the toy haven. My treadmill, the printer, and my scrapbooking stuff also reside there, but mostly it is a mecca for play. It is my dream to keep the toys contained to this upper locale and the rest of our home mostly toy-free with just a few enclaves of bright-colored plastic. Constantly, however, toys are carried down and strewn about to get lost under the couch, chewed by the dog, or stepped on by me. We have so many broken and half-missing toys.

So much of my day is spent putting tiny cars in baskets and mini plates on shelves. Q's half-hearted help is not very helpful. I spent two hours this afternoon carrying toys up two flights and organizing and reorganizing. I tip-toed by the boys' room so they wouldn't wake up and undo my efforts as they are wont to do. Tonight I am revelling in the orderly condition of my home. I am determined to maintain it as much as possible, but I know this is a single battle won in the ongoing clutter war.

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Finally good news on the childcare front. I found a stay-at-home mom who will watch them for several hours a week for a reasonable price. Eureka! I also got another job teaching a few more fitness classes. Two are at an ungodly hour, but I will take what I can get.

--MM

Take my children. Please.

Grr. We can NOT find childcare!

It is endlessly frustrating and disheartening. Child cares in centers or family homes can only have a certain number of full- and part-time clients, so no one wants to take my kiddoes for the few hours a week I need care. If they are willing to take them on, they want the boys to come for five to seven hours, so they make more money and don't lose a slot. That is completely unnecessary for me and far too expensive. I would end up paying to work. So it makes sense for me to just not teach the classes, but I think I need something like that to do, and I am hoping it leads to more.

The providers who do seem to be interested have disgustingly messy homes and scary habits. We whisk our children to the car as quickly as possible after meeting with them. The perfect providers with perfect daily schedules, educational toys, and Early Childhood Education degrees all charge exorbitant rates.

So what to do? I have been living on Craigslist, clicking the childcare button every few minutes hoping someone posted the perfect ad. Sooooo frustrating. We have had many meetings and interviews but nothing has worked out yet. I always leave discouraged and contemplating what the hell to do with my life.

Two more interviews this week. Keep your fingers crossed.

--MM

Fiestas para los ninos y los perros

Q tiene tres anos! Technically, his birthday is not till Cinco de Mayo, but today was the big party. I made nachos, guacamole, and salsa, with a flourless chocolate cake for dessert. The boys bashed a pinata shaped like a "3," and Q marveled over his new toys including a Thomas train set. It was a lot of work, but a wonderful celebration for our three-year-old.


The boys were't the only ones playing hard today. We started the morning with a dachshund play date. Really. We joined a Madison dachshund owners' group, and today was our first meet up. It was an absolute riot made up a lot of barking, running, jumping, and a little mounting for our poor Ruby. There were about 12 doxies there, and Rubes had a ball running and playing with canines of her stature.


Q was actually a bit confused about which dog was his. She is in the middle of the picture here with her head up. I'm pretty sure we brought the right one home.

Here's hoping for a low key week to come down from the wild weekend.

--MM

Edge of sanity

How can children be so wonderful and so trying at the same time? They provide moments of sheer joy and overflowing love and others of utter frustration and stress.

On Friday the kids were conspiring to drive me insane and nearly succeeding. On the eve of his third birthday, Q is a bright, energetic, funny little guy, but he is also stubborn, obstinate, and frustrating at times. R is already showing a deviant side by crawling at top speed toward whatever is dangerous to him. My day is completely taken up by making food for children, cleaning up after them, and chasing them around the house. And of course taking the dog out and picking up her poop. (Or cleaning it off the rug more often than not)

Staying home and taking care of two little children all day is starting to drive me slightly batty. How do you long term stay-at-home moms do it? I am impressed by you on a daily basis.

Thankfully, my sanity is restored once T returns home, and I steal a short break. I am still looking for more working hours but clearly this in not the ideal economy for that goal. Weekends are my salvation. Today I got a manicure, and we went to the farmers market. Later we picked up items for Q's third birthday party on Sunday and all went for a run.

If I ruled the world, weekends would be five days and workweeks two. Who's with me?

--MM