Today's lesson

Dirty diapers are NOT flushable :)

How do you split up the household chores?

As a SAHM I am often left with proactively tackling a ton of household chores.  Some days I'm happy to do them but other days, I get annoyed and frustrated that my proactive, type-A personality gets trapped into handling so much.

I just read this post by Gretchen Rubin (Author of The Happiness Project).  I plan to apply so much of this to my marriage!  For those of you who know my husband, he's a very laid back guy.  I'm, well, the opposite.  I seriously cannot relax if there are chores to be done!  This causes stress in our relationship.  "Please empty the garbage now", "please clean up the dogs' mess"...

Things that drive me up a wall, don't bother him.  And I'm beginning to think it's because I take care of things before he can get bothered by them.  I could go on, but read here: http://www.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2013/10/resentful-overworked-face-these-painful-facts-about-shared-work/

The truth about my blog posts

This year my goal is to post something everyday.  It's a lofty goal and one that means scrambling at the end of the day to put something up.  I don't always find my posts to be terribly entertaining but I am amazed that, aside from a few days, I've really stuck with it.

As my newborn grows into a toddler my goal will expand to writing more thoughtfully and eloquently....maybe.

Can't believe my little guy is going to be 1!!

Last Memorial Day Weekend I was enormous....seriously- just about to pop! My in-laws were here and everyone was just waiting for baby boy to arrive.

It's amazing how fast it flies by.  He's grown so much!

Lysol Wipes...Really?

So I recently thought I had discovered a nice little life hack in Lysol Disinfecting wipes.  I bought two packs figuring I could leave one in each bathroom (the only rooms in my home that I actually take the time to clean frequently).  While the toddler splashed away in the sink and the baby ransacked the drawers, I would wipe down the bathroom.

So happy with this quick cleaning trick, I went online to Amazon to purchase a bulk order.  Unsure of what scent to go with I decided to check out the reviews to see if one scent was more favored.

Immediately I noticed the split-screen reviews- one positive and one negative.  Already happy with the product, I had to see what warranted only one star.

Mind blown...

Apparently these wipes only sanitize if surfaces are left wet for 10 minutes...TEN MINUTES!  Surfaces are sanitized if left wet for 30 seconds...30 SECONDS! 

Who on earth has that kind of time?!

One might think it's just a matter of wiping down and walking away.  No.  A quick wipe and within seconds the solution evaporates.  So in order for the surface to remain wet, you must wipe, re-wipe, repeat for 30 seconds.

Here I am thinking I've just cleaned my entire bathroom in 30 seconds....NOPE!!

Lo and behold....

Truthfully, I'll probably continue to use these to clean the bathroom.  They are convenient in that they come in a child-proof(ish) container, store easily, and they are pre-moistened with cleaning solution (saves me a lot of steps).  Attempted cleaning is better than no cleaning at all, right??

We just had our first picnic in the park!

This means it's officially summer!  Since the second boy came along, I haven't quite mastered the time management skills to pack a lunch and get out but today the stars aligned and I was able to prep during his first nap (which was nice and long!!!).

I hate to wish time away but I'm so excited for when he officially walks and we can really run wild at the park!!  

He's so close and I can't wait to spend the summer days outside, capping our morning with lunch,maybe some ice cream if we can coordinate with the ice cream man, and then home for naps!

Yay for summer!  Yay for dining al fresco!

So I ran a half marathon!

My goal was to finish and I succeeded!!  Im really proud of myself for stick to a decent training program.  The day I ran 8 miles was such a surprise to me and the fact that I averaged 8:30 min miles really impressed me.

As race day approached, I started to get nervous.  The longest distance I had ever completed was 8.5 miles- that's very different than 13.1 miles!

But once I made it to mile 10, I knew I was going to finish- no turning back!   

As a full time SAHM, this was huge for me.  I struggle with balance and finding time for myself.  Training for this race and reaching the finish line was the first thing I had done for myself in a very long time.

Before parenthood, I'd dread workouts.  I could think of a million other things I'd rather do.  But now training is a release.  It's an opportunity to let off pent up steam and agitation.  And a chance to get out of the house without kids!!

On that note...I need to sign up for another race so I can get away, er, I mean train!

Take a picture...it lasts longer!

On the rare occasion that the kids are both asleep by 8 and when my husband has a work dinner, SOMETIMES I use that time to catch up on housework.

I'll throw in some loads of laundry and wipe down a few toys.  Perhaps the most fulfilling chore is tidying up the playeroom. Why?  Because I can actually keep it clean for more than 30 seconds and without my kids undoing my progress as I work.  

Once I've completed the task, sans babies, I'll take the time to admire my handy work, knowing full well that it will be destroyed come morning.  Already, ten minutes into our morning, it looks like this...

Actually...that's not too bad.  By the end of the day, it will be a disaster.  Mark my words.

Next time I clean, I'm going to take a picture of each room.  Maybe I can use it as some sort of visual therapy when the house is a mess and I'm all out of motivation to clean...again.

Just my random thoughts

I'm sitting here with my baby who needs nebulizer treatments for a cough that just won't go away.

He's asleep in my arms.  At one point my toddler was sitting next to us playing quietly with the iPad but once I turned on the nebulizer, it was too loud.  So he left...closing the door behind him.  My initial thought- that's so grown up and thoughtful.  My parenting thoughts..

Shit, I can't see him nor can I hear him over the nebulizer...well, it's sort of baby proof up here....was that a thud!?....I don't hear crying.....oh, phew, he's back...wait, why are you leaving agaAINDON'TSLAM...the freaking door....ugh....I should go check on him but I really don't want to wake this baby up!...oh hello, again- you went to get your cars...cute....(slams door..baby wakes up)....SON of a.... 😝

Mom can't win.

What I really want for mother's day

Here's my list...

1.  Sleep in without interruptions (no, "babe, where's the X?" Even if you whisper you are still waking me up!).

2.  Quiet, all morning quiet.

3.  Husband to proactively respond to children's needs without my having to glare at him to get him to act

4.  Alone time to clean the house...weird, I know, but I love the progress I can make without kids walking/crawling behind me undoing what I've done.

Almost time to run!!!

I can't believe I only have one week left before my first half marathon!  I'm hoping to get one more good long run in (pushing for double digit mileage!!) and then it's time to taper and stride my way into 13.1 miles!!  Yikes!!

They say "never wake a sleeping baby"...

So here we are, nearly upside down :) and it means peace and quiet for mom as well as rest for my sick bubby :(

Who knew what fun the recycling could be

Why I don't go grocery shopping with my husband

We always come home with random purchases.  While pineapple may be a staple on some grocery lists, I generally will reserve these for, well, never....

Talk about timing

Last week I had one of my most productive kid-free days!!  I was apprehensive while I laid awake the night before wondering if my itinerary was even humanly possible, but amazingly all went well.

Sitter arrived at 9

Out the door by 9:15

The Gap- belts for the boys at 9:25

Nail Salon at 9:45- out by 10:15!!

Dentist at 10:20 (I was a minute late and felt bad but still ended up waiting for a few minutes so all evened out)

Dress shop at 11:05- we have a first communion this weekend!!

Starbucks for mom fuel- 11:30

Bank at 11:46

Massage at 11:50

Back to Dentist for my toddler at 1:20

I am so amazed out how productive I've learned to be now that I know how limited kid-free time can be!!

It's almost Friday...

You know it's going to be a great day when the cereal bowl falls face down...on the carpet....