Salon Mama

Micah got his first haircut yesterday. I decided to try it myself instead of paying someone else to do it. Here's the before pictures:

The mid-way through-because-he-fidgeted-too-much-to-let-me-finish picture:

And the end result (even though he still wouldn't let me completely finish):

It's a little gapped up, but, all-in-all, considering I'm not a hairstylist, it turned out okay. I've always thought it's a little weird to save a lock of hair, but I find myself unable to throw away his little curl. I may at least save it for a little while.

Decisions, Decisions

So, I recently interviewed for and got a job with the local school system. It's a contract position so I'm kind of working for myself, which means I get to make my own schedule. I've decided I'll probably only work about 3 days a week so that I can still be home with Micah a couple days a week. Now that I'll be working, Micah will have to go back to daycare. It's not all bad. It gives him a chance to interact more with other kids and really have some good learning experiences.

Micah was in daycare before...from age 10 weeks to 10 months. Finding a daycare then was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. There are some really awful places out there. I thought this time would be different because I've done this before. Well, the church we've been attending has a daycare and they had an opening for Micah's age. By the time I figured out I had the job and when it would start, the spot was gone. I had visited a "backup" daycare which also had a spot. Same story....already gone. I called around several other places that looked like they were in a decent area of town and found ONE center with a spot open. I had driven by the place earlier, and it looked decent from the outside. WRONG. I cried when I left the place yesterday. What was so wrong? I can't put my finger on it exactly other than I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving my son there. It was dirty chaos. The lady showing me around was very friendly, but his would-be teacher could hardly be bothered to say hello. I mean, I know you're busy and all, but when you have potential income walking in the door, you can take 10 seconds to be friendly.

My job starts Monday. What was I going to do with my son? All these thoughts were going through my head. There was one place on my list of centers that I hadn't called because I thought it might be too far. I got back in my car, proceded to dial, and discovered they had an opening. I immediately drove there. The center is at a church and is one of the nicest centers I've ever seen. They were cheaper, too. The staff was so friendly, and they made me and Micah feel comfortable. The children were having fun but learning as well. Micah went right to the lady who would be his teacher. He didn't want to leave, he was having so much fun. So, we went back today and enrolled him in the program. It's a little farther than I had planned but worth it to have peace of mind. He starts next Tuesday.

As far as the job, I'm excited to get out of the house some, but I have enjoyed my time with Micah these past 7 months. In ways, I feel like this might be better for him. The best of both worlds. Being a stay-at-home-mom has been hard for me in a lot of ways. Not just the ways it's hard for every SAHM, but I'm not crafty and creative and feel like I'm not "teaching" him enough or socializing him enough. I know so many SAHM's who make it look so easy. They are so wonderful at it...you can tell it's their calling. Me...I feel so incompetent every day. I know I'm a good mom in the ways that count, but part of me wants to be THAT mom...you know, the one that has it all together (or so it seems) and makes everything an educational opportunity for her child. I don't REALLY think that mom exists except in our minds when we compare ourselves to other moms. Like I've said before, there seems to be this inherent guilt that comes with being a mom. Hopefully, this will be good for our family. I think so.

I've noticed...

-that I always get the worst cart at a store that has carts. Either the noisiest one in the store or the one with a wheel that won't turn. Maybe all carts have problems.

-that my son won't poop until I've changed his diaper to a clean one. Can't say I blame him but it would really save diapers if he would do it all at once :)

-that the terrible twos really starts much earlier. My once go-with-the-flow son has transformed into a fit-throwing toddler. Rolling-on-the-floor-fit-throwing toddler. Head-banging-fit-throwing toddler.

-that no matter how much training you've had (i.e., masters degree in school psychology), it is really hard to discipline an 18 month old. Not because he's cute (and he is) but because he's at the age where he understands some of what you say but not everything and trying to explain why he can't stand on the dog when it seems so fun just goes over his head.

-that however you discipline your 18 month old (or whatever-age-old), be consistent and follow through on whatever your latest threat is.

-that no matter how hard you try, you will always feel guilty for something as a mother, or a parent for that matter.

-that, as parents, we'll never get it all right, but as long as we're keeping our kids safe, happy, and healthy, we're doing a pretty darn good job.

Weekend Getaway

This past weekend, Joe, Micah, and I took a last minute trip to Gatlinburg, TN for the holiday weekend. We were hoping that Joe's parents would be able to come see us for the weekend, but his dad wasn't able to get off work on Monday. So, we decided to meet in between. We rented a cabin, and me, Joe, Micah, Joe's parents, Joe's sister and her family, and my parents all met there on Friday night and stayed until Monday. We spent Saturday at Cade's Cove, where we saw the most deer I've ever seen in my life. The scenery was so beautiful, even in the winter. The river had ice on it, and that made it that much more beautiful.

Then we had dinner at the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge. If you've never been here, you are missing out! The Apple Barn is a restaurant/general store/winery/cider mill and so much more all in one. The farmhouse restaurant serves a family style meal. Whatever you order comes with apple julep, apple fritters, salad, soup, main dish, mashed potatoes, veggie, bread, and dessert. The restaurant is an actual farmhouse and you are seated in different theme rooms such as the parlor or the backporch. The backporch actually has tables that has porch swings to sit in. They have wonderful apple butter and the most delicious apple wines. Definitely check it out, and get there early because you will definitely have to wait.

We spent a lazy day in the cabin on Sunday, and played games together in the evening. When we woke up on Monday morning, it was snowing. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful weekend.

Dance Dance

Micah loves to dance. He'll do it on command. While in NC, he and his cousin Aidan discovered my sister-in-law's keyboard. Of course we caught it all on video. Enjoy!

Holiday Adventures

So I promised to share our holiday adventures with everyone. I was so excited about this Christmas because we got to go back to North Carolina for the first time since we moved. Granted, it had only been 2 months, but when you've lived somewhere all your life, being away for 2 months is a long time. We left Tennessee on the 23rd and arrived at the Uptons' house at 2:30 in the morning on Christmas Eve. We thought traveling at night would be easier on Micah because he could sleep, but we neglected to think about the fact that we could NOT sleep. As tired as we were, it was beautiful driving through the part of the mountains just past the Tennessee state line and on to Asheville. If you've never been through this part of the state, there is NOTHING around. I could see more stars than ever. We spent Christmas Eve with Joe's parents as well as his sister Susan, her husband Jon, and their son Aidan. Santa came to visit Micah and Aidan, and they had a good time opening their presents after Aidan got over a little stomach bug he had Christmas morning.

unwrapping gifts

unwrapping more gifts (notice Aidan lying in the floor...he was still sick. poor thing)

Aidan feeling better and enjoying his cozy coupe, a hit with both boys

making Micah ride his 4-wheeler so he and Aidan will quit fighting over the cozy coupe :)

Micah and his lawnmower. Notice how he is squating. His butt is not actually touching the floor. I don't know how he does it. I've tried :)

Now, Aidan and Micah did not get the same things for Christmas which instigated a little jealously among the boys, particularly over the "cozy coupe" and the 4-wheeler. Whatever Micah got, Aidan wanted, and whatever Aidan got, Micah wanted. Eventually, they shared a little and had a good time.

We left the Uptons' house mid-day on Christmas and headed to Charlotte to visit with my parents. Micah opened more presents.

pajamas

basketball goal

a book (he LOVES books)


The day after Christmas, we celebrated in Greensboro at my aunt's house. This is tradition for us, and I'm glad I was able to make it this year. It's funny how much the tradition has changed, mainly because of the makeup of the families. Several of my cousins have children now as well. There were 7 small children there, including Micah. The oldest just turned 7 in September, and the youngest is 3 months. And my cousin's wife announced that they are expecting baby #2 in late summer. I think it made all our parents feel old, but it makes Christmas that much more meaningful with all the children around. Micah opened more presents. By this time, he really had the hang of it, so I think we'll be good to go next Christmas.

We spent several more days at my parent's house, then headed back to the Uptons'. We brought in the new year with them and saw old friends, one who is now engaged (congratulations again Martha). We left on the 3rd. It was sad because, again, I don't know when we'll be back. I never knew exactly when we would see our family before either, but we could really see them whenever we wanted. Now it takes PLANNING. Planning to go to North Carolina, planning for Micah, planning for the dog. My life is so different than it was just 18 months ago, but I'm so blessed and so happy. I wouldn't want it any other way, even if it means being out of my comfort zone for a while. I'll leave you with a few more random photos from our trip.

wearing daddy's boots

playing guitar with daddy

one last round of fun with Aidan

Welcome to 2009...

13 days later. I know you all have been waiting for me :) We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year in North Carolina. We returned to Tennessee on January 3. Then I had the stomach flu until Friday. So, I haven't been very interested in bloggin lately. Just wanted to say we're still here, and I'll have more postings about our holidays soon.