Happy Halloween!!!

Or Samhain, for those who celebrate that, too.



Last night I had to go to Wal-Mart (yes, I know it's an evil place that is horrible to their workers and runs small - or even large - business out of business, but I'm having to pinch pennies here) for diapers, toilet paper, and Halloween candy. The place was packed! I went to browse the Halloween aisles and found that it had all been consolidated (or crammed) into one aisle. There was absolutely no way I could drive my cart down the aisle because there were so many people trying to pick up last-minute Halloween decorations and costume essentials. It was nuts! On the aisles that used to house the Halloween stuff, you know what I found? CHRISTMAS STUFF! Already! Later I found a small bit of Thanksgiving decorations and items on a clearance aisle, but even Thanksgiving had been moved aside to make way for Christmas!

This is Tree Faerie's first Halloween, and I didn't even buy her a costume. I did buy her a couple of really cute Halloween pajama sets, though, and I sent her to daycare today in one of the pajama shirts, a pair of jeans, and a pair of jack-o-lantern socks. I just couldn't bring myself to spend $20 on something she would wear once! I plan on letting her wear the pj's until she grows out of them, not to mention they were only $5 a set.

This is our second Halloween in this house, and also the second year to give out candy. Last year we had a blast scaring the kids. This is what they saw when they came to the door (only all the lights were out in the house, so we were only lit by the streetlights):

People actually thought he was fake, and when they were at the door getting candy from me, he'd speak and move, scaring everyone. One little girl (who wasn't even in a costume, so this totally made it okay), was so scared that she ran away! She kept coming back, though, because she really wanted the candy! After about the fourth time, I figured she'd been entertaining enough that she deserved at least one piece! We had a blast, and we were blaring Midnight Syndicate, which made it that much creepier.

I was kneeled down in the floor where the candy bowl is in the picture. I would upload a picture of me from last Halloween, but I was really bloated and pregant all over, which is pretty scary!

I'm not sure what we're going to do differently tonight, but I'll be sure to tell you all about it tomorrow!

Have a safe and happy holiday! MUAHAHAHAHAHA

Missing in Action

I've missed blogging. Tree Faerie was sick last week, so I had to take off of work and tend to her. She's better now, though. Until last week, I thought it would be nice to be a stay-at-home-mom. Now I know better. Kudos to all the ladies who are SAHMs - your job is much more difficult than my job as a career mom (as DTTF so nicely stated). When I'm working, it's definitely a lot more fun spending time with Tree Faerie because I've missed her all day and am not burned out. When I'm home with her for several days in a row, I get no time for myself and it really takes a toll on me. I know I don't want to do my salary job 24/7, and now I realize that as a SAHM, one is a mom 24/7. The work just never ends!

So, to all you SAHMs out there, bless you for being able to stay home with your children and not completely go bonkers (with a few exceptions, of course)!

The festival was wonderful. I actually had a great time and wasn't overly critical. I didn't step in and take over. I enjoyed myself and got to visit with a lot of friends I haven't seen in a year or more. Tree Faerie was a delight, though she wouldn't eat any of the food and stuck to breast milk and sweet puffs all weekend.

Of course, everyone just fawned over her, which she really didn't like much. Tree Faerie communicates very well, and it was blatantly clear that she didn't like people in her face or strangers touching her, at least not without permission from her. She didn't fuss much, but I was also following her cues with what she was comfortable doing. She loves watching people, but she wants them to stay at a comfortable distance. It was very interesting to watch her interactions. I'm kicking myself at the moment, though, because I didn't take a single picture.

She has started doing one of the cutest things, though. I've been trying to teach her that there are just some things she's not allowed to play with, even when it's within her reach. The laptop is one of those things. DTTF's school books are another. Strange things she picks up off the carpet or ground do not go in her mouth. It's going surprisingly well, and she's proving more and more that she knows what's on the off-limits list. She started by shaking her head no every time we made the negative sound (kind of an "aant" sound) or said "no" or "stop". Now, when she reaches for something she knows she shouldn't play with, she'll shake her head no before I can even say anything and pull her hand away. Last night, she was even saying "aant" before I could!

It's good to be back... :)

Disclosure

This blog is written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact momtothefey at gmail dot com.

All of the posts on this blog are my personal thoughts, views, and opinions. Occasionally I write posts for which products or revenue has been exchanged. The words expressed in this blog are my own, and the opinions here are honest regardless of compensation.

Festivals and Family

This weekend is our annual Festival of Souls. DTTF and I are usually co-coordinators, but we've taken this year off to focus on more important things, like Tree Faerie. I've been a little nervous about this weekend for many different reasons. In no particular order:

• Because I consider this one of my babies, I tend to be overly critical when things don't go right (and of course, when I say 'right', I really mean 'the way I would do it'). I don't want to be overly critical. I want to relax and have a good time.
• Tree Faerie has been sick and not sleeping, therefore I have not been sleeping. No sleep for Mommy means a cranky Mommy. Cranky Mommy means I'm less likely to bite my tongue. See #1.
• I'm fat. Or at least I'm fat compared to 2 years ago, and especially compared to 5 years ago. Not that I really need to impress anyone there with my beauty and grace, but it would sure make me feel better if I weighed less. So, I'm self-conscious. Thankfully the people who love me do so for my personality, not just my looks. DTTF still tells me I'm beautiful, even more-so now that the baby weight is coming off more and more.
• Speaking of self-conscious, I got my hair cut again in the same style as last time, but the bad thing about natural curls is that I have no control over which way they curl. Thus it doesn't look the same. It looks better now than it did a week ago, but it doesn't look as good as it did the last time.
• As I mentioned before, Tree Faerie has been sick and not sleeping. What am I going to do if she's up every 45 minutes at FOS? What if she's keeping everyone around us awake? Thankfully, the people in the cabin next to us are like family to me, so I'm sure they'll forgive me.

Okay, now that all of that is out, I actually feel better. My hair and my weight - it could be worse. Looking at last year's pictures, I was pregnant and bloated, and my 'family' still loved me, so I'm just being silly. As for those few people who will criticize me because I'm not slim, who cares? Their opinions should not count.

As far as Tree Faerie goes, I know we'll handle it just fine. We always find a way to make things work. And thankfully I have a beautiful and loveable child, so it makes it a little easier for people to forgive me. She's usually full of sunshine and laughter, so hopefully all will be wonderful.

So, here's to having a wonderful and stress-free weekend! In case I don't post again before the weekend, have a great one!

Ball Phobia?

This morning when I was dropping Tree Faerie off at daycare, I put her on the floor like normal, and she started playing with one of the balls. This particular ball was abou the size of a softball. As I started to head out the door, Tree Faerie's teacher got out one of the big bouncy balls, kind of like a beach ball. Tree Faerie started backing up and ended up crawling under one of the cribs while trying to get away from the ball. She kept waving bye-bye with both hands at it. I was watching all of this through the window in the door, and I kept waiting for her teachers to realize that she was obviously scared of it.

They didn't seem to be catching on, so I opened the door and whispered in my best stage-whisper, "Tree Faerie is afraid of big balls!"

She is also afraid of the balls that make noise and roll around. Her Nana bought her a ball that rolls around and makes noises, and she runs from it every single time.

I must admit - I've been laughing off and on all day because my daughter is afraid of big balls and balls that chase her. I wonder how long this fear will last...

(And you know my mind is in the gutter...)

Funky Sock Friday

We finally made it to Friday, and the weather here has finally dropped below 80 degrees for the high. This morning I sent Tree Faerie to daycare in size 12 month pink corduroy pants, a size 12 month white and pink shirt that had some cute saying on it (but I can't remember exactly what it said), and PURPLE SOCKS WITH SPIDERS that in no way matched what she was wearing! So, I've now dubbed this Funky Sock Friday and hope to have started a tradition with my daughter. I wear funky socks a lot. The ones I'm wearing today have kittens all over them. I have a pair with monkeys, cute holiday socks, and I will soon purchase Halloween socks, too.

Today is going better than the rest of the week has. I took Tree Faerie to the doctor again yesterday afternoon because I was afraid she had another ear infection. Turns out it's not an ear infection yet, just fluid in the ears and a head cold. So, the doc wrote a script for amoxycillin just in case things got worse (i.e. if she continues pulling on her ears and doesn't seem to be getting any relief) and told me to give Tree Faerie benedryl to relieve some of her stuffiness. Last night was the first night this week that she let me actually get more than an hour of sleep at a time. Of course, if I wasn't aware of how bad she's feeling (clearly stated by my sunshiny baby being a storm cloud), her benedryl-induced daze might be funny.

An old friend of mine Sooj was in town last night and dropped in to see us. While I knew I missed her since she's been hopping all over the country playing shows and spinning fire, I didn't realize just how much I had missed her until I actually got to see her. Sooj is an absolutely amazing woman with an awesome voice, and her abilities on the guitar are purely magickal (spelled that way intentionally). I will always be able to say I knew her before she was famous and even get to sing with her on occasion, which I love doing and can do pretty well as long as there's not a microphone involved (I'll explain my fear of microphones another time). She has a show tonight in Missouri and one tomorrow night in downtown Memphis. Check out her website, http://www.skinnywhitechick.com/, for more information and to hear some of her music.

I also taught my first Outer Court class last night, and I didn't do too bad of a job! I even managed to breastfeed while teaching! Thankfully the group is a very open one and can handle such things. I actually rolled several interrelating topics into one class and even had time for exercises at the end. I know we will expound upon those topics again in the future, but I feel that it will be more on an individual basis so that we can help each person find what works for them.

My plans for the weekend were scrapped by someone else, so I decided to make my own. I'm still waiting to confirm the new plans, but even if those are scrapped as well, I have a Plan C as well! So, the weekend is mine to conquer!

So Now We Know

I always wondered...

The Sun Is Shining, But...

...it might as well be cold and dreary. I'm just having one of those crabby days where I'd love to go home, lock all the doors, close all the shades, and crawl into bed, covering my head with the blanket so that only my nose sticks out. Of course, I'd be laying there feeling guilty for leaving my daughter at daycare while I could be spending time with her, or feel guilty because DTTF would be at work while I'm at home, or feel lazy and useless because there's a thousand other things I need to be doing instead of laying in bed with my head covered.

(This post seems to be full of run-on sentences, but today I don't care.)

DTTF occasionally suggests I take Tree Faerie to daycare then take the day off to have a bit of time for myself. I just don't have the time to do that right now. I'm taking a day off in a week and a half because we'll be playing in the woods, but I hesitate to take time for MYSELF because I'm afraid that as soon as I do and I no longer have the personal time available, Tree Faerie will get sick again and have to stay home from daycare. When Tree Faerie has to stay home from daycare, that means I have to stay home from work.

I know this won't be forever. I know that as Tree Faerie gets older, I'll have a bit more time. I think right now I'm just tired and need a little break.

Breast Fest

Since I can't actually breastfeed at 10 AM because of work, this is my contribution to the Breast Fest!

9 Months

Pictures will be added later.

Dear Tree Faerie,

On Saturday, you turned 9 months old. To celebrate (and because your daddy had to work there), we went to the zoo. We met your daddy for lunch and walked around with him for a little while before he had to go back to work. I got a couple of pictures of you with your daddy and a few pictures of you and the animals. You were more interested in watching the people than the animals, though. You fell asleep in the night creatures exhibit, which I must admit I was secretly hoping for when I decided we'd check it out. I had a lot of fun spending the day at the zoo with you.

You had bologna, cheese, and french fries for lunch on Saturday because this month you decided you were done being fed and wanted to feed yourself. It took us a week and a half of you refusing solid foods before we figured it out. Your doctor suggested we try giving you finger foods after she checked you out for your case of thrush. She said her 2nd daughter did something similar around 9 months. I hadn't tried giving you anything more than the Gerber Sweet Puffs because you didn't have teeth and I wasn't sure how much you could mash up with your tongue and your gums. Turns out you can eat just about anything! I still haven't given you regular milk, honey, or peanut products, but pretty much everything else is a go! You love waffles, which is your new breakfast food. You've also finally figured out how to use your sippy cup, though we're still nursing. If your decision to feed yourself is any indication of what is to come, hopefully you'll just decide you're done nursing one day, too. You will be weaned by the time you're two, though.

Speaking of teeth, you finally cut your first tooth! I am so proud of you, but I must admit I cried a bit. My little girl is growing up! I found it on Sunday night when you decided to gnaw on my finger. When I felt something poke me, I had to investigate. Sure enough, you have your first tooth! It's the lower right tooth. You didn't seem like it was bothering you on Sunday, but yesterday evening you were in a mood. I just kept rotating teething rings for you, and that seemed to keep you happier.

This month you've mastered climbing the stairs in our house. I went out and bought a gate for the bottom after looking away for a couple of moments and finding you at the top of the stairs. No wonder my hair seems to be going grey a lot quicker! You've also been practicing what I like to call, "Look, Ma, no hands!" You'll pull up on something (anything, really), then get your balance and let go, both hands raised in front of you. You balance there for a few seconds then fall on your butt and giggle, sometimes applauding yourself.

You never fail to find new ways to make sure I'm totally in love with you. You've been saying Dada for a couple of months, and then you added Bye-bye. This month you decided to add one more word to your vocabulary - Mama. My heart swelled to maximum capacity when you said it! You've only said it once (though Daddy says twice, but I don't count the second one because I think you were just fussing and accidentally used the Mm sound), but I know you'll use it more as time goes by. Until then, you still call me Ah, which I think is adorable.

I know I've said this a thousand times already, and I'm sure I'll say it a thousand times more - You are one awesome kid. Thank you so much for choosing to be my child. I cannot put into words how much I love you, so I promise to try to show you in every way I can. I only have one request, though. Please don't be in too much of a hurry to grow up! While you'll always be my baby, I'd like to enjoy your baby-stage just a little longer.

XOXOXO,
Mama

Friday's Fleeting Thoughts

I've got a lot going through my head, so this post is going to be a bit random and cover a lot of topics.

• We're going to the zoo tomorrow! I can hardly wait! I hope Tree Faerie loves it half as much as I know I will.


• Manic Mommy made me feel loved. :) She let me read her novel 40 Weeks, which I absolutely loved! I laughed, I cried, I held my breath. So, I talked to my publishing friends about it, and they told me to have her contact them. She has, so now I'm waiting (as I'm sure she is) with crossed fingers and bated breath! I can hardly wait to see where this goes! You can read the first few chapters of 40 Weeks here.


• I hate being broke. We're not penniless, but we're way below our comfort zone. I think daycare is having more of a financial impact than we originally calculated. But I'm still going to the zoo!


• In a few weeks, DTTF, Tree Faerie, and I are going to a retreat. This retreat is one I've helped coordinate for several years now, and this is the first year in a long time where I'm not one of the co-coordinators. It feels odd. I'm not sure how the weekend is going to go. I have faith in the person running it this year, but this is her last year (of her own accord). The person shadowing her to learn how to run it is a person I don't have a lot of confidence in when it comes to pulling off a big event like this. I think I'm also harboring a few selfish feelings because I've worked long and hard to be the next person to take over the festival coordination, but I feel I don't have the time, energy, and resources to be a new mom and run a festival yet. But SHH! Don't tell anyone.


• There's a church function scheduled for Sunday, but I'm not sure we're going. There have been disagreements lately between us and a couple of the people who will be there, and I don't know if I have the strength or fortitude to keep my mouth shut. We'll see how things pan out. I'm the type that usually tries to please everyone, but lately I've become more... what word am I looking for? Let's use the word REALISTIC. That will work. I've become more realistic, so when a person has their head up their butt, sometimes I find it necessary to tell them - especially when the current position of their head is affecting my view of the world.


• Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, please make it a point to go click on the button on The Breast Cancer Site to help make sure all women have the opportunity to get this exam, especially since so many people these days do not have health insurance. I've become a little more aware this year since my wonderful mother-in-law is now considered a breast cancer survivor.


• If you want to know a dozen or so ways to use lemons besides for lemonade, visit Fey's Tricks of the Trade.

That's all, I think. Have a wonderful weekend, bloggerland! Peace out! :)

A First Time for Everything

I just love it when I tell someone something and they tell me in a know-it-all tone, "Well, I've never heard of that!" or something similar, then they end up telling me how right I was later.

For example, Tree Faerie refuses to let anyone feed her, whether it be from a spoon or from a finger. She wants to do it herself. If I had not tested and re-tested this theory, I would not have stated it as fact. I've only experienced one exception since she made up her mind, but there were several factors that made the experience unique. (I was eating yogurt from a regular spoon while holding Tree Faerie, and when I saw that she was intently watching me eat the yogurt, I offered her a bite from my regular spoon. She took that bite, then let me know when she wanted another bite, and she was the one who decided when she wanted a bite and when she was done.)

This past Monday when I took Tree Faerie to daycare, I explained to her teachers that she refuses to be fed but will feed herself. This was met with a very familiar, "Well, I've never heard of that!" So, I told them to try it out.

And I waited.

This morning, it happened. "You were so right! She simply refuses to eat anything you try to feed her, whether it's from a spoon or your finger! She just shakes her head no and clamps her mouth shut!"

Someday you will all learn to worship me and we will all get along much better.
MUAHAHAHA!!!

New News for the Day

Tree Faerie said Mama intentionally for the first time today!

Of course, just as my eyes were tearing up and I was saying, "Yes, Baby, I am Mama!" she had to follow it up with, "Dadadadadada."

The important thing is that she said it!

Oh, and I just created a new blog to showcase the wealth of tips and tricks I have aquired over the years. Check it out and let me know what you think: Fey's Tricks of the Trade I only have one tip posted thus far, but rest assured that more are coming soon.

Procrastination

Manic Mommy recently made the comment that one reason for procrastination is the FEAR. She's absolutely right! I am one of the world's greatest procrastinators, and a good portion of the time it's because of fear! (The other times are usually because I just don't want to do whatever it is that I'm putting off, otherwise known as laziness.)

Now, this is not news to me. In fact, I will freely admit to the right company when I'm procrastinating because of fear. The right company is usually DTTF, partially because he knows me best and partially because he's my sounding board for a lot of things.

I think my book is in its incubation period, though. When I talk about it, I get goosebumps, but it's not quite ready to be birthed forth into the world yet. Or maybe I'm not ready for it to be born yet. Either way, every time I've sat down thus far to write the book, it just doesn't feel right.

Parenthood Can Be Scary!

Tree Faerie has been fascinated with the stairs lately. I’ve been allowing her to crawl up them with me right behind her, and she’s done a really good job. She can make it all the way to the top and keep going now! Well, I should have been more aware that this fascination may lead to disastrous situations.

Sunday afternoon, I was trying to get Tree Faerie’s lunch ready, so I sat her on the floor at my feet. She crawled into the dining room and started playing with one of her toys. Since I could hear her, I didn’t go peek at her. A few moments passed before I realized everything had gotten quiet. When I peered around the corner and saw she was missing, I headed straight for the stairs, my breath held!

I was right! When I got to the stairs and looked up, she was at the very top step pulling up to the landing. I gasped and stumbled up the stairs to her! I didn’t snatch her up but instead let her pull up to the landing on her own while I took a moment to let the adrenalin that was currently causing my heart to pound and my breath to come in short gasps run its course. DTTF was in the office at the top of the stairs. He heard Tree Faerie clomping up the stairs but thought I was right behind her until he heard my gasp and exclamation. He met me at the top of the stairs, and we shared our moment of panic together while Tree Faerie clapped and looked at us expectantly. I told her that yes, she did a great job, but she’s not allowed to climb the stairs by herself because Mommy will have a heart attack!

Needless to say, I kept a MUCH closer eye on her for the rest of the day, and I have Baby Gate written at the top of my shopping list for tomorrow. While I’ve probably grown a few more grey hairs over the incident, I’m extremely thankful that SOMEONE was watching over my baby, even if I wasn’t!

Chalk one up to Stupid-Things-Parents-Do.