Official Beginning of the SAHM Adventure

So I know that I've "been" a stay-at-home mom since the first, but so far Tyler has pretty much been at home most of the time. But beginning tomorrow, December 12, 2011, at 8 a.m. (well, call it 7:45) Tyler is off to his 40-hour/week job for the university. Oh, boy!

Update on the Linkster (and, for those playing the home game, this is one of the ONLY acceptable nicknames involving his name. Some of you [I'm looking at you mom and Greg] have taken to calling my baby LJ which is not cool): Still on the medication, but his eyes look all but back to normal, and as to his ears, it's difficult to update since he doesn't really give us a clue that anything is wrong in the first place.

The latest update on his overall development and attitude, for those who deem this interesting (I'm looking most at future me here): His speech is developing fairly nicely, say for the absence of understanding to call me "mama." He words he uses most: Dada, bye-bye, up-a (I worry that I have forever tainted his ability to say up because when I was teaching him, I emphasized the P with an "ah" sound, as in Uh-PAH so he wouldn't say "uh" when he wanted up), no, hi, and uh-oh. He's learning please, cheese (which sound very familiar, but he seems to point to his ribs when he says please for some reason), and puppy, although especially with puppy anything that's furry and on four legs is now a puppy.

As to his attitude: he's a very mild-tempered baby, but he seems to enjoy getting on our nerves. As my mom will tell you, his naughtiness seems to be payback for the little sh*t I was growing up. He likes to stand up on the couch, and when he does this we sternly tell him "no," to which he either smiles or outright laughs, which apparently is very similar to how I once reacted to punishment. He does have a wicked little sense of humor, which is adorable and he uses as a weapon. He knows that if he makes mommy and daddy laugh he can get away with stuff.

He has learned to give hugs, and when he's sleepy he gets particularly cuddly, which is heart-melting and adorable, all at once. I maintain that even though he can be a pain in the butt sometimes, he still is one of the best things I have ever had happen to me.

Well, I think I've droned on long enough to get most of you to fall asleep and drool on your keyboard, which is exactly what I was going for. :) You're welcome.

And Now for Something Completely INSANE!

Houston, we have a sick baby.

Link has an ear infection in both ears AND pink eye in both eyes. The pediatrician told us to watch for fever and coughing, because that could be a sign Link has pneumonia. Awesome...

I must say, however, that Tyler and I are lucky to have a child who is extremely mild-tempered. With all of this wrong, I know I would be crabby, but Link doesn't seem to phased by any of it. He's been a little naughty lately, but that's just part of growing up. It has nothing to do with this.

The only time he's been a little difficult to be around was earlier this week when we were down visiting my parents, and the biggest problem then was that he wouldn't nap and didn't sleep well at night, not that I can blame him.

I don't know who all is out there reading this, but if you are comfortable doing so, would you pray for a speedy recovery and for a healthy baby?

I hope to post an update sometime soon.

And it Begins...

Day one, already halfway gone. The entire day all I've been thinking in my head was: I think I can, I think I can... So far he's been pretty amazing; not too crabby, except for when he desperately did not want to take his nap. Well, there was the bit about him first waking up at 6:30, but then I laid him in bed with us and the "alarm" didn't go off again until 8.

I've already made some concessions. I told myself that I didn't really want to rely on TV for entertainment, but then, this morning I found myself putting in some Christmas Veggietales (but, hey, it's Christmastime!). I also found myself playing a game of Sudoku on my phone while Link played with his toys, but I am only human and I put it down the second he seemed to be getting bored.

I also feel like today didn't fully count as my first day because Tyler just had lab from 9-12 so he's been home most of the day also. Really, I probably won't start feeling this new "position" and all of its stresses until Christmas break, when Tyler will be working for SDSU and there a little more frequently. But even then, family will be visiting, so I'm sure the demand to see Link (and, therefore, the potential for helpers) will increase.

Now, he's down for his nap, Tyler's playing a video game, so I figured, what the hey, I've got time and this IS why I started this blog in the first place. I must admit that it's been both wonderful and frightening to not have a job anymore. It's nice to make plans with people and not have to tell them that it all depends on my schedule.

All in all I still completely stand by my decision. It's like I read somewhere (though can't remember where to make the association for my avid readers): You will never talk to a mother that wishes she had more time away from her kids, but you won't have to look too far to find one that wishes she had more time with them.

Okay, I really feel like it's time for that grand finale exit that I've been teasing in my previous posts, so without further adieu...

Always live life like there's strobe lights on. (I haven't figured out quite what that means yet, but I said it to Tyler in the car and he found it humorous)

Getting Closer...

I know in my heart of hearts that the decision we made is the right one, but it's still just something that I have to get used to the idea of. I mean, don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore my son, but then again, I enjoy times like today where Link's at daycare, Tyler's at work, and I'm home, watching TV and playing games on my computer. And in a couple short weeks, this will no longer be how things go.

I completely trust that we are doing what we're being called to do, so I know that things will work out in the end, and I feel like right now I'm just going through the trials and tribulations that come with all major life decisions.

The thing I am most looking forward to with this change is the easier time we'll have come Christmas. Instead of stressing about having to choose carefully about time, we'll enjoy time with everyone.

See, even this post can't decide how I feel about this. It's awesome but it's stressful. It's the best decision and the most stressful decision. Oh, boy.

Still working on that catchy phrase to end my posts. Stay tuned!

What Am I Thinking?!?

It's funny how every time I tell someone about Link or think something about him, he chooses that time to go completely against what I've said or thought. Case in point: as we were discussing this transition, I kept saying and thinking, "Now that Link's older, he only cries when he wants something and is typically in a really good mood. I don't think this will be difficult at all." Well, I haven't even STARTED yet and I'm already questioning my sanity, because today he has been a little fireball.

When we picked him up at daycare they mentioned that he had been somewhat crabby that day, although they speculated it may have been that they moved him down to the Infant II room from his usual Toddler I for the day. But at home, it was the same story. He was really crabby all night and at one point cried for ten minutes or more, with no clue as to why.

I'm personally hoping this is all just a sick joke on the part of a 15-month old, but who knows.

Introductions

Link was born August 3, 2010, after a little over 38 hours of labor. He was 10 pounds, 4 ounces, and 21 inches long. From the instant I saw him I knew that he was the most handsome thing I had ever laid eyes on -- aside from my husband, that is. =0)

After spending about a month at home, we decided that it was time for me to get back to working, so I got a job at Culver's, a quick-service restaurant (meaning, slower than McDonald's but faster than Applebee's). After a year there, I decided the hours and pay were awful for my family, so I switched to a local, independently-owned coffee shop. After a little over a month, it seemed to make more sense to us (both financially and as parents) for me to stay at home with Link.

So, beginning Dec. 1st, I will be a stay-at-home mom. And that's really what this blog is about. I don't expect anyone outside of my family to read this, but being as my degree is in writing, I figured this would be a good outlet for me to practice my craft.

I hope that this blog will help me stay sane, maybe help a soul or two that stumbles on here, or just serve as a fun memory for me to share with Link someday.

Well, I guess I'll have to work on some sort of finale to each blog post, but until then...