We have all been there. The dryer has finished and clothes need to be hung up. You have to search your closet for hangers that are buried amongst all of your clothes. You think you have found enough, only to discover that you are two short.
To remedy this small but annoying problem, I have started to move my hangers to the end of the rod when I remove a piece of clothing. This way all of the hangers are together in one spot and I don't have to go on a hanger man hunt each time I do laundry. In an ideal world, hangers would magically make their way to my laundry room so I can hanging items up when they come out of the dryer.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
She is asleep...now what.
It is very tempting to try and get stuff done while your little one is sleeping during the day. After having my first and now my second is to take a nap when your little one sleeps. Now that I am over a month in and I am getting a little bit more night time sleep, I find I have the energy to do some small things. This is a list of my top priorities for that precious little time your little one may be napping:
1. If your tired - nap.
2. If you are hungry - eat.
3. Start a load of laundry. The beauty of this is that once it is started, you can ignore it until its done. If you want a nap, start the laundry and take a nap. You are accomplishing two important tasks simultaneously.
4. Empty the dishwasher. I am finding that the kids' stuff multiplies the number of cycles we need to run. There is nothing worse that having a pile of dirty dishes on the counter and no where to put them until you empty the dishwasher. If I empty the dishwasher, the dirty dishes have a place to go.
5. Pick up a few odds and ends. You will accomplish much more in 15 minutes than you ever expected.
Don't kill yourself to make your home spotless. You have young children - everyone will understand. If they don't - boo on them. I find that accomplishing even a very small task while Emma is napping, I feel much better.
1. If your tired - nap.
2. If you are hungry - eat.
3. Start a load of laundry. The beauty of this is that once it is started, you can ignore it until its done. If you want a nap, start the laundry and take a nap. You are accomplishing two important tasks simultaneously.
4. Empty the dishwasher. I am finding that the kids' stuff multiplies the number of cycles we need to run. There is nothing worse that having a pile of dirty dishes on the counter and no where to put them until you empty the dishwasher. If I empty the dishwasher, the dirty dishes have a place to go.
5. Pick up a few odds and ends. You will accomplish much more in 15 minutes than you ever expected.
Don't kill yourself to make your home spotless. You have young children - everyone will understand. If they don't - boo on them. I find that accomplishing even a very small task while Emma is napping, I feel much better.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Leaving a child in a car
This morning, the news reported that a number of young children have died as a result of being left in a hot car. Some of these deaths were as a result of parents intentionally leaving their child, but many are a result of parents simply forgetting that their child was in the car. They were on "auto-pilot" or had slightly deviated from their normal routine like a different person taking baby to daycare.
I thought about my routine when I have one or both of my daughters in the car. I am still in the process of developing the best mechanism for getting both of my children in and out of the car. After just over a month, here is what I find helpful.
1. I put Molly in the car first and take her out last. This is for the simple reason that Molly is mobile and can "escape." This way Molly is safe and secure while I get Emma situated. It is also the reason that Molly sits on the passenger side. This way, if she does get away from me, she is at least on the side walk side of the car and not on the street side. Emma cannot go anywhere on her own yet.
2. Emma's seat is installed behind the driver's seat. I have made it a habit to open her door while I get the stroller out of the back. This way I cannot accidentally lock the girls in the car.
3. I leave the diaper bag or Molly's day care bag in the foot well of the front seat. This way I have to walk all the way around the car and have a much greater chance of seeing one or both of the girls in the back seat.
4. I used to let Molly play with my car keys. After witnessing another child lock herself in the car, I no longer allow her to have the keys when she is in the car.
5. I have a mirror in the backseat so that I can see Emma from the rear view mirror.
I have heard other tips such as leaving one of your shoes or your purse in the bag seat so that you have to open the back door. Whatever works for you so long as it works.
I thought about my routine when I have one or both of my daughters in the car. I am still in the process of developing the best mechanism for getting both of my children in and out of the car. After just over a month, here is what I find helpful.
1. I put Molly in the car first and take her out last. This is for the simple reason that Molly is mobile and can "escape." This way Molly is safe and secure while I get Emma situated. It is also the reason that Molly sits on the passenger side. This way, if she does get away from me, she is at least on the side walk side of the car and not on the street side. Emma cannot go anywhere on her own yet.
2. Emma's seat is installed behind the driver's seat. I have made it a habit to open her door while I get the stroller out of the back. This way I cannot accidentally lock the girls in the car.
3. I leave the diaper bag or Molly's day care bag in the foot well of the front seat. This way I have to walk all the way around the car and have a much greater chance of seeing one or both of the girls in the back seat.
4. I used to let Molly play with my car keys. After witnessing another child lock herself in the car, I no longer allow her to have the keys when she is in the car.
5. I have a mirror in the backseat so that I can see Emma from the rear view mirror.
I have heard other tips such as leaving one of your shoes or your purse in the bag seat so that you have to open the back door. Whatever works for you so long as it works.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
One of my favorite times of day
The other morning, I was blessed to have about an hour and a half of time where both girls and my husband were still asleep. It was one of those few times where I had "me time." The house was quiet. I was able to go around the house doing small but useful things such make coffee, empty the dishwasher, fold a load of laundry and even take an uninterrupted shower.
It felt so good to accomplish something first thing in the morning.
It felt so good to accomplish something first thing in the morning.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Pack N Play changing table
My husband and I decided that our girls will share a room. The principal reason is that we only have a three bedroom house and we use our guest bedroom enough to warrant not giving it up for an infant.
For the short term, Emma is sleeping in our room in a Rock N' Play Sleeper. This makes night feedings so much easier. My only problem is that the changing table is located in the girls' shared bedroom across the house. If I have to change Emma in the middle of the night, there is a high risk of waking up Molly. Translation - trying to comfort two crying children at 3 in the morning. Not my idea of a good time. Solution: turning my Pack N Play into a changing station. I purchased a Pack N Play that has two levels for the sleeping surface when Molly was born. Some versions have a dedicated changing station. When Emma was born, I set it at the highest level, put all of the changing necessities in a basket and voila - instant changing table. Is it a little low - yes. Is it better than waking up Molly - absolutely.
Cost: The cost of the basket. I already had the Pack N Play.
For the short term, Emma is sleeping in our room in a Rock N' Play Sleeper. This makes night feedings so much easier. My only problem is that the changing table is located in the girls' shared bedroom across the house. If I have to change Emma in the middle of the night, there is a high risk of waking up Molly. Translation - trying to comfort two crying children at 3 in the morning. Not my idea of a good time. Solution: turning my Pack N Play into a changing station. I purchased a Pack N Play that has two levels for the sleeping surface when Molly was born. Some versions have a dedicated changing station. When Emma was born, I set it at the highest level, put all of the changing necessities in a basket and voila - instant changing table. Is it a little low - yes. Is it better than waking up Molly - absolutely.
Cost: The cost of the basket. I already had the Pack N Play.
Sunday, July 10, 2016
A Toddler's reaction to a new baby
Our daughter Molly's reaction to baby Emma has been mixed. At times, she is so excited to see the baby. She wants to be near the baby, touch the baby and even gives her kisses. She even says "bye-bye baby" when she leaves for daycare in the morning. Cute as heck.
At other times, our once fairly independent daughter is clingy, particularly with Dad. Turn on the water works the moment he leaves the room, even if it is for a moment (i.e. going to the bathroom). Not so cute. When Dad holds baby Emma, Molly frequently insists on climbing all over him, forcing him to balance holding a newborn and a squirmy toddler. For some reason, I do not get nearly the same reaction. Perhaps it is because Dad did a lot of the physical parenting for Molly (picking her up, feeding her, changing her, etc) during the last weeks of my pregnancy.
We also notice that Molly, who routinely slept through the night (8:00 p.m. to 7 a.m.) before Emma was born is now waking up in the middle of the night, crying out for "Da Da." In addition, Molly, our human alarm clock, who woke up religiously between 6:30 and 7:15 is now all over the place...waking as early as 5:15 and as late as 8:30 - 9:00.
Overall, I give Molly a B+ in her transition to having a younger sister. Hopefully as we settle into a better daily routine, Molly will fully adjust.
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| Dad with Emma and Molly during story time |
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| Molly helping Emma with tummy time |
At other times, our once fairly independent daughter is clingy, particularly with Dad. Turn on the water works the moment he leaves the room, even if it is for a moment (i.e. going to the bathroom). Not so cute. When Dad holds baby Emma, Molly frequently insists on climbing all over him, forcing him to balance holding a newborn and a squirmy toddler. For some reason, I do not get nearly the same reaction. Perhaps it is because Dad did a lot of the physical parenting for Molly (picking her up, feeding her, changing her, etc) during the last weeks of my pregnancy.
We also notice that Molly, who routinely slept through the night (8:00 p.m. to 7 a.m.) before Emma was born is now waking up in the middle of the night, crying out for "Da Da." In addition, Molly, our human alarm clock, who woke up religiously between 6:30 and 7:15 is now all over the place...waking as early as 5:15 and as late as 8:30 - 9:00.
Overall, I give Molly a B+ in her transition to having a younger sister. Hopefully as we settle into a better daily routine, Molly will fully adjust.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Product Review - Milkies Milk Saver
Rating: Should Have
Price: $27.00
For any breastfeeding mom, I highly recommend Milkies Milk Saver. It is a fairly simplistic silicone container that slips into your bra. You put it on the side you are not nursing on. As you nurse, breast milk collects in the container. I have used it for one day and have already collected 4 ounces that would have otherwise ended up in a breast pad and eventually in the garbage.
I spent 14 months nursing Molly and I had absolutely no idea that one leaks that much milk. Using the Milk Saver will definitely increase the amount of milk I am able to save which will be a huge comfort when baby Emma goes to daycare.
The Milk Saver is available on Amazon for approximately $27.00. https://www.amazon.com/Milkies-Milk-Saver-Breast-Collector-Storage. Although it is fairly price, I believe it is worth every penny if I can collect an extra feeding each day without having to be attached to the pump. It also comes with a storage container that has a slot to help stand up the milk saver so it does not spill. Now some of the reviewers on Amazon indicated that they found it less useful after the first couple weeks of nursing. I will let you know how it goes.
Tip: I keep a spare bottle in the fridge. I collect approximately an ounce each nursing session. I pour the collected milk into the bottle. Once the bottle has three ounces, I pour it into a breast milk storage bag and put it in the freezer.
Tip: This is not something you wear throughout the day. I only insert it in my bra when nursing and remove it immediately after. One of the complaints is that if you lean over, it spills. I find that if I remove it (and stand it up in its storage container) before I stand up with the baby, it doesn't spill.
Price: $27.00
For any breastfeeding mom, I highly recommend Milkies Milk Saver. It is a fairly simplistic silicone container that slips into your bra. You put it on the side you are not nursing on. As you nurse, breast milk collects in the container. I have used it for one day and have already collected 4 ounces that would have otherwise ended up in a breast pad and eventually in the garbage.
I spent 14 months nursing Molly and I had absolutely no idea that one leaks that much milk. Using the Milk Saver will definitely increase the amount of milk I am able to save which will be a huge comfort when baby Emma goes to daycare.
The Milk Saver is available on Amazon for approximately $27.00. https://www.amazon.com/Milkies-Milk-Saver-Breast-Collector-Storage. Although it is fairly price, I believe it is worth every penny if I can collect an extra feeding each day without having to be attached to the pump. It also comes with a storage container that has a slot to help stand up the milk saver so it does not spill. Now some of the reviewers on Amazon indicated that they found it less useful after the first couple weeks of nursing. I will let you know how it goes.
Tip: I keep a spare bottle in the fridge. I collect approximately an ounce each nursing session. I pour the collected milk into the bottle. Once the bottle has three ounces, I pour it into a breast milk storage bag and put it in the freezer.
Tip: This is not something you wear throughout the day. I only insert it in my bra when nursing and remove it immediately after. One of the complaints is that if you lean over, it spills. I find that if I remove it (and stand it up in its storage container) before I stand up with the baby, it doesn't spill.
Here we go!
Welcome! I am the mother of two beautiful girls, Molly (21 months) and Emma (2 weeks). I am starting this blog as an outlet for sharing (and venting) all of the joys of being a full time working parent.
I titled this blog "Mom, Lawyer, Chaos Manager" because it sums up my life. I am first and foremost a mom; second, a lawyer (in order to pay the bills) and if there is anytime left over in my day, I attempt at managing the often self created chaos that fills one's life. I know that there are millions of parenting sites and blogs out there. If anyone other than me reads this, wonderful. If not, it will still serve as a great outlet for me.
In terms of my parenting style, I confess that I absolutely lack the ability to be a stay at home mom. I give women who have the ability mentally and physically to take care of children all day kudos. Don't get me wrong, I treasure every moment I spend with my children. However, having Molly in daycare enables me to work so that my family has the financial means to provide her with what she needs. More importantly, it gives me the opportunity to maintain a huge part of my life, being a lawyer. It gives me 8 hours a day to be an adult, to engage in critical thinking, and to just be me. It also provides Molly with wonderful social interaction that I would simply not be able to provide her if she were to stay home with me all day. Emma will also be enrolled in daycare at the end of my maternity leave.
Assuming I can keep this blog going, I hope to provide my insights as to what has worked and what has utterly failed. I also solicit anyone reading this blog to share what has worked for them without fear of judgment.
I titled this blog "Mom, Lawyer, Chaos Manager" because it sums up my life. I am first and foremost a mom; second, a lawyer (in order to pay the bills) and if there is anytime left over in my day, I attempt at managing the often self created chaos that fills one's life. I know that there are millions of parenting sites and blogs out there. If anyone other than me reads this, wonderful. If not, it will still serve as a great outlet for me.
In terms of my parenting style, I confess that I absolutely lack the ability to be a stay at home mom. I give women who have the ability mentally and physically to take care of children all day kudos. Don't get me wrong, I treasure every moment I spend with my children. However, having Molly in daycare enables me to work so that my family has the financial means to provide her with what she needs. More importantly, it gives me the opportunity to maintain a huge part of my life, being a lawyer. It gives me 8 hours a day to be an adult, to engage in critical thinking, and to just be me. It also provides Molly with wonderful social interaction that I would simply not be able to provide her if she were to stay home with me all day. Emma will also be enrolled in daycare at the end of my maternity leave.
Assuming I can keep this blog going, I hope to provide my insights as to what has worked and what has utterly failed. I also solicit anyone reading this blog to share what has worked for them without fear of judgment.
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