The Deep End's August 2007 Archives

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August 30, 2007

Am I addicted to my kids?

Ok, I have a question for all of you stay-at-home moms who actually read this (I realize there is only probably one of you, but I thought we'd share the discussion:))... Is it possible to be addicted to your children? I never had this problem while I was working and not with them so much, but ever since I've been staying home and with them every breathing second I find it much harder to leave them. Here is the situation: yesterday while I was swimming at the Y I had this incredibly strong urge that I needed to plan a getaway for Duffy and myself. I could not shake the feeling, and even though we have less than zero extra money lying around the urge was so strong that I felt that even if we have to take money from our emergency fund or put it on a credit card, we need some time to ourselves, especially before this baby comes. (My usually gung-ho Dave Ramsey side utterly crumbled). So, when we got home I emailed our favorite little b+b in the N.Georgia mountains and found out they had some availability. The next step was lining up some incredibly sacrificial friends to watch our munchkins. Some friends emailed back saying they could do it, so we should be all set, right? Well, now I start having second thoughts. If it was just one night away that would be fine, but I think two nights away and I would be miserable. So we decided to look into getting a cabin and all of us going away for a weekend, which would be way way too expensive, but I spent hours looking anyway. This morning, I feel like "Oh well, it was nice to dream" and it looks like we may not get-away to anywhere---(to which the budget is breathing a huge sigh of relief).
SO, does anyone else experience this kind of *anxiety* or *unsurety* about leaving their children (mind you, we've already left Owen lots, but again it was while I was working)? It's not because I am not certain about who we are leaving them with either--these are people I trust. It's kind of like I will be partially gone if I am away from my kids. Do I just need to do it, or is it something that will come easier when they get older?Even when I take them to the Y childcare while I am still in the building, after about an hour I feel this need to be back with them. I did have a thought the other day that it is kind of strange to leave little ones (maybe under 3 or 4) with someone other than mommy or daddy, as they really have no voice for themselves and no control over what happens to them, but I don't think this is my main concern.
Any insight friends? There are probably two real issues here---the leaving the progeny problem and the desire to rebel against the budget. I am open to thoughts or advice on either issue. This is much easier than seeing a psychiatrist, I must say.

Posted by amy at 11:09 AM | Comments (6)

August 29, 2007

A little more news from the potty

In addition to the poopoo success yesterday morning, Caroline did a peepee on the potty last night. I'd say we're ready to roll with this thing. I was in the bathroom with her last night, at her urging, and she was on the potty and then got up and hid behind the hamper. I thought, "Oh no," but didn't say anything. And then, as if a light clicked on, she went and sat on the potty and did her thing.
I haven't pushed this with her at all, but hey if she wants to be out of diapers before the baby comes in approx. 7 weeks I'd be okay with that.

Posted by amy at 07:11 AM | Comments (0)

August 28, 2007

A Worthy Celebration

Posted by amy at 12:19 PM | Comments (1)

August 22, 2007

It was so much fun, Mommy!

That is what Owen kept saying at the end of the day. He loved preschool and I am so glad. He was definitely on the nervous/unsure side when I dropped him off, but he sat right down with the other kids and played blocks, and there were no tears. I wish I could've stayed and watched the whole day. He made some friends and told us all about the things they did. Owen's world grew today and he was ready to have some new adventures.
Here are a couple videos from the morning, and a few pictures of our little friend Owen.

Those are his feet in the middle. He was so excited to wear his Mickey shoes, even though they are still a size too big.

Leaving at the end of the day. A preschool success!

Posted by amy at 08:28 AM | Comments (5)

August 20, 2007

Big Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Owen's first day of preschool. He has never really been in a "formal" setting with other kids so we are very excited for him. I do think he is very ready for the structure and the interaction. I remember a lot from my own preschool days and loved it, and I think he will too. Tonight at dinner during prayer we prayed for Owen's day at school and immediately following the "Amen" we saw him sort of pump his fist in the air like, "yeah!" like he was getting pumped before a big game or something, and then he said, "That's right Mom!" Here's rootin' for Owen tomorrow.

Owen and I finished a 300 piece puzzle of the United States yesterday that my friend Amy gave him. We finished within the same day, at his insistance, and he did very well. He has been very interested in the geography/locations of the US lately, and knows that his friend Gid-Gid lives where the potatoes are on the puzzle, his grandparents live where the apple trees are, and that his Aunt Annie and Uncle Masa live where the big city is, and that we live where the peaches are.

Posted by amy at 10:26 PM | Comments (0)

Rock Video #2

Owen's second "song" made into a video. The dancer who makes an appearance is his sister Caroline :) Due to our low-budget for this project, the lighting isn't the best.

Posted by amy at 09:26 AM | Comments (0)

August 13, 2007

Summer Pics

The little ones and I arrived back from NY almost a week ago. It was so nice coming home to our house after being away for 5 weeks--I realized how much I like our little abode. Owen walked in with wide eyes and excitement to see all of his toys again. It felt good to be back in Atlanta even though extended time with our families always forces us to think about why we live so far away. I think the year will be one of evaluation about all that.
Here are some of my favorite pictures from the summer. I think I will add some more after I get copies of my mom's pics.

Duffy at about the 7 mile mark in the Boilermaker. I vowed that I wouldn't miss another one.