these are the days

Back when we were going through treatment, and waiting for the day we would be parents, I remember sitting in the empty room that is now Oman's room and thinking about all the things I would never complain about when I had a baby.

One big one that always upset me when I saw other mom's complain about, was the late nights and tough days when their kids were sick. I vowed to never ever complain. I would welcome those late night, the soothing and the extra TLC.

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As I cradled Oman in my arms for the 8th time last night about 3:30am after he woke up screaming from his awful case of croup, I cried right along with him. I felt so helpless that I couldn't do more to help him ...I was exhausted from the interrupted sleep, but all those tears were shed while I smiled. As I sang "Twinkle, Twinkle" to soothe him, I remembered standing in the dark under very different circumstances not long ago and thanked the heavens I have this amazing little boy to take care of.

I caught myself at the grocery store this morning when the cashier noticed Oman's puffy eyes and runny nose:  

"Aww you all must have had a rough night with him so sick"

I almost blurted out: "Ooooh you have no idea--Im so exhausted, I wish he would just feel better!"

But instead, I said: "We had a long night, but we both enjoyed our bonding time"

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As I sat down to write, I definitely hit my wall from the lack of sleep...so I am in no way trying to project myself as a "my-kid-is-sick-and-Im-all-zen-about-it." Im definitely tired of the snot and the inconsolable crying, but this is all a part of my job description. The best job in the world. 

Remember you have a few days left to tell me how you are going to be better this year--and just for telling me here, you could win a $100 Visa gift card! Winner announced on the 31st!

January is as January does

January, I have a love-hate relationship with you.

Before I hate on you too much...I must say I enjoy celebrating Mook's birthday during this month, and I tend to be quite productive in the 1st month of the year tending to honey-do lists and prepping for the year.

But the winter blues just seem to linger after the holiday's, its COLD (I do love snow, though) and everyone hibernates.

And it goes without saying that I pretty much had a hard time with January exactly two years ago. It honestly feels like just yesterday that I was admitted to the hospital. I can still recall every nook and cranny of that room I spent 3 weeks in.

And just to remind me that all turned out so beautifully in the end, my soon to be two year old took it upon himself to show me that you just gotta pull yourself up by the bootstraps and keep moving forward.

Before you leave...have you taken 2 seconds to visit this post and tell me how you are going be better in 2011? If you do, you might win $100. Spiffy, huh?

Wordless Wednesday: Time Out

I was always wary of those mom's who used: "You need to sit in time-out!" as a way to control the tantrums.

But lord help me--it has become a very common phrase in the Jeans household lately.

I would almost rather it be me in time out....sitting in a chair with peace and quiet for 2-5 minutes multiple times a day?! Sounds like heaven.

But that little stinker, time-outs aside, is my pride and joy...this age is so much fun. Speaking of age...I am in complete denial he will be 2 years old in 3 weeks.

Also in a few short weeks, BlogHer and Jimmy Dean will pick someone to win a $100 Visa gift-card! Want that "someone" to be you? Go here to tell me how you will be better in '11. I am making slow but steady progress with my resolutions so far.

And for my time-out comrades: how are you dealing with the tantrums and time-outs at your house?

Tick Tock

Ohh I have forgotten how lovely Friday's are since I haven't been working on a true schedule since O-man was born, but now that I am back to work....wow, Friday--I love you. I am grateful for the time I had at work this week since it means I have a job, but I am also thankful for the time I will have at home this weekend.

Speaking of time....you still have time to share how are you going to be a better you in twenty-eleven. And just by sharing here, you are entering yourself to win a $100 Visa gift-card! How sweet is that?

You also still have time to delurk, since IBDW officially doesnt end until Sunday. :) It has truly made me so happy to see so many new "faces" and reconnecting with others, and I will be dropping by to say hi to you soon!

A Better Start

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Jimmy Dean, however the opinions and feelings expressed here are my own.

We are only days away from a brand new year--and every year around this time I find myself saying "I can't believe how fast this year went by!"

2011 is going to start with a running pace: I start a new job (yay!) O-man will be moving up to 4 days-a-week at preschool, Mook's birthday is in January, Oman's 2nd birthday is in early February! Lots of exciting things on the new-year-horizon...but I'm definitely spending the next few days being thankful for 2010...but ready to move on, especially due to the recent unexpected heartache.

And at the end of the year, as corny as it sounds, I look forward to the chance to press the "reset" button on life in general. I get a chance to do things a bit better than I've done them before--it's taken me many years of making resolutions to understand I am never going to reach perfection, but I can make a situation better so that's what I'm aiming for this year. I've already got my list (I told you I love lists!) of things I am going to be working on. By sharing my list, it will help hold me accountable and hopefully encourage some bettering in your neck of the woods, too!

* Better organization: my closet by color
* Better time-spending: letting go of things I can't control
* Better sleeping habits: my bedtime has gotten later and later...
* Better writing: as I mentioned, I didn't blog nearly as much this past year
* Better walking schedule: I've just got to do it, even when it's cold--after I'm done I feel so much better. Treadmill suggestions?


And my biggest betterment goal?

* Better eating habits: I've got an ace in my back pocket for this (I should say an ace in my freezer!) More on this in a minute...

He's a big fan!

So with all the new things I mentioned starting right along with the new year, I want to make sure and get my day off to a better start. My mom always, always told me breakfast was the most important meal of the day--I just nodded as I ran out the door to catch the bus with a pop tart in my hand. Then I'd be fighting to stay awake by 2nd period. I'm so excited that I've found a new breakfast meal that both Oman and I can enjoy before preschool and work: a Jimmy Dean D-lights breakfast! You can Visit the Official site  to see the full line of breakfast items. This is HUGE in our household--since I have an incredibly picky eater on my hands. And I'm not ashamed to say that one of our favorite meals is "Breakfast for Dinner", so knowing I've got options is a good thing.

I've tried multiple diets/exercise plans in the past, usually at the beginning of the year, so I'm really thinking positive about my attitude to just be better and not attempt to skip meals, go on a specific no-chocolate-ever diet. I do know that there are proven scientific ways of making smart food choices to keep me fuller longer, and not reaching for the bag of chips at 2pm: protein. So it's quite the win-win that I will be keeping my freezer stocked with the Turkey Sausage D-lights--and with 19 grams of protein to help give me energy. Yay!

So now that I've confessed all my better-me goals for next year, tell me what your resolutions are, or even if you don't make resolutions--share some of your ways to eat better and exercise--I'm open to suggestions!

The bonus of sharing with me? You could win $100 Visa Gift card, just by leaving a comment telling me about how you are going to be better this coming year. You can see other ways to win by visiting BlogHer, too! Think of all the shopping you can do for YOU with that gift card! So many great after-holiday deals will be out there, you will come home with quite a loot!


Rules for participating:
 

No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

• Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
• Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
• Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
• Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.
• The official sponsor

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

You can read the BlogHer and Jimmy Dean D-lights "Better Breakfast, Better You" official rules here.
The giveaway dates are 12/28/2010 - 1/30/2011.