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)