5 Days of Outfits by a Four Year Old

I have had this incredible urge to start blogging again for quite some time. I take ridiculous long breaks between posts and I figured out what my problem was. I blog when I feel there is something to tell that happened to me. But I used to blog about everyday situations and current events. That was good. I felt it was an outlet for me to get out my opinions on various topics. Then I hit a wall and no more blogging happens. 

Well, yesterday I got the inspiration I needed to start blogging again. I saw a post on my newsfeed about a woman who let her 3 year old dress her for 5 days. It was everything you thought it would be. Cute, fun and a great bonding experience for the mother and son. I was intrigued by this and after agonizing over what to dress my 4 year old, we'll call him J, I wanted to see how he would pick out clothes for mommy. Would he agonize? Would he try to match colors or patterns? Does he yet realize

How could this guy not have good taste in fashion! 

He dons fake facial hair!

pajamas are not to be worn in public? The answer is a big fat no. When I explained to J that he could pick out what Mommy had to wear, he immediately got to work. He walked into my closet, looked around, actually put his little finger to his mouth and said, "Hmmmmm." As if he was contemplating the best look for a red carpet appearance. He noticed my lovely turquoise scarf with white polka dots (I have a scarf addiction) and his face lit up. "This Mommy!" Ok. We have one piece down. I told him I need a little more than a scarf for the day. He moved over to my dressers. I helped by opening up the drawers with shirts, sweaters, leggings, and reminded him jeans were in the closet. None of those items made the cut. J beelined for an impulse buy/gift. I had mentioned to my husband, A, that I saw these onesies for adults at Walmart (this was around Christmas when my rationale on items flies out the heavily fake snow decorated window). I went on and on how cute they were and how comfortable they looked. You get it. So A, being the attentive and pleasing husband he is, brought home an adult onesie for me the next day. There were several types including characters, patterns, old fashion ones with butt buttons and more. I was lucky enough to get a Mickey Mouse onesie. Not just a onesie with Mickey pattern but a onesie that actually is made to look like Mickey's outfit. Huge white buttons, the whole thing. Oh, did I mention it came complete with a hood and Mickey ears! 

This of course, was J's choice. I hesitated, but I hadn't told him no on pajamas, though technically, I never wore these to bed. More on that later. I asked J for some socks. He grabbed an old pair of baby blue slipper socks (do they still make these?) and said, "Here! Boo Socks!"

I have my outfit. After a long and contemplative shower, I knew I couldn't back down. I had posted on Facebook and teased this is what I was going to do. J was so excited about my outfit, he continues to point it out all day. He's been doing a lot of laughing so I'm just a little concerned he is actually laughing at how ridiculous I do look. 

I tried to do the skinny arm thing, but this is one unforgiving onesie. I even did my hair and makeup. Didn't help. But the kid is happy!

Problems with outfit number 1:

1. Biggest problem. You have to remove the entire thing each time you have to go to the bathroom. No butt buttons on this one. Just two gigantic face white buttons in the front. This means unzippering from the top and peeling it off. The most challenging was not letting the hood drop into the toilet. I began to have flashbacks of the jumpers my mom made me where as a kid that were just one piece. You had to be totally naked from the waist up just to use the bathroom. The stone washed jean jumper with the hot pink frills and buttons haunts me to this day.
2. Not a lot of breathing room in this thing and no access to arms, legs, back anything if you have an itch or want to use lotion or something. 
3. It's 70 degrees today. And I'm wearing some kind of synthetic fabric I'm convinced was assembled by a disgruntled worker who was pissed that Americans are buying adult sized Mickey Mouse onesies while he makes 10 cents an hour sewing on the ears. This is not a natural fabric but some kind of hybrid between velour, polyester and maybe a cotton blend? Can't be too sure. 

So, I suppose it could be worse. I have decided to rule out pajamas for this week. Or anything that is too much like pajamas. I'm not going anywhere to day except to pick up my other son, AD, and I won't be exiting the car. I do have places to go this week so I'm hoping J will pick up on color trends and matching patterns. When I explained the blue slipper socks did not match the onesie or the scarf he simple said, "But I LIKE BOO." Fair enough. Kid likes blue. I can only imagine what tomorrow will have in store for me. 

Thanks for reading and have a happy day! Please follow and share my blog! Please comment your thoughts! 

Anonymously, 

Alex

Geez Lady, Control your Kid!

It has been a little more than a month since I gave birth to my second son, Jude. Life has been coming full circle and we are really enjoying being a family of four. Well four humans, four cats, two dogs, and two fish (still learning the fish tank). Lately I've been struggling to find a happy medium with the two boys as far as attention and time. Now Jude obviously needs my undivided attention as I am breastfeeding him and pretty much on demand 24/7. Any moment that Jude does not need me I try to give Aaron my undivided attention which I can tell he is craving. Not even mine so much but Adam's as well. He loves his dad and when Adam has Jude things can get ugly. Lambeau gets a sippy cup to the face, my cup of water gets thrown across the room, and Aaron hangs on Adams legs wailing and hitting. Sigh.

Aaron is quickly approaching the "terrible twos". I do resent that term as he isn't terrible just inexperienced! He is learning his boundaries and pushing his limits. He seems hell bent on seeing my every reaction to a multitude of situations. Like most parents I try to address his outbursts or tantrums with patience. It is difficult especially when I'm tired, he's tired, Jude is crying, and my dogs are looking at me like "Why did you do this to us?". We are still struggling with the hitting fits although it is getting a little better. I've approached it with patience, persistence, and lots of time outs. Mostly it works. I also have used techniques that I have used on my dogs as far as discipline. Don't judge me. This is how I see it. When I'm training or working with dogs I use lots of patience, assertiveness, control, and understanding. I want to get a mutual understanding and respect going. I do not want the dogs to fear me nor will I use hitting back or spanking as a way to correct the same behavior. I don't want to send mixed signals. Many people compare having a baby to having a puppy. So, when Aaron hits me I don't want to spank him. I think he would not understand why I can spank him and he can't hit me. Not yet anyway. I am not opposed to spanking your child. In certain situations and certain behaviors a quick pat on the butt can be a good way to get a point across. That's as far as I can justify physical punishment. With Aaron and his stubborness, I'm even more careful how I address his outbursts. Like most toddlers, he is an opportunist and if given an inch will take a mile. I just hope we can curb this behavior sooner rather than later.

If you ask my family they would say karma is coming back to me. I was a pretty good kid but man did I have a set of lungs and I could throw record breaking tantrums with never ending crying that could easily go for hours. Ask my fam, they will be MORE than happy to tell you these tales of woe!

My biggest fear is being in a public place and have Aaron throw one of his infamous meltdowns. I don't mean a little crying, I mean ear piercing screams, one would think I must be injuring him and flailing about with what has to be superhuman strength. I've learned (the hard way) that we will not be going anywhere if Aaron is tired or has missed his nap. Meltdown is imminent. The few times I have pushed this I've been sorry. I am very aware of the stares and glances I get from other people. And I know what they are thinking. For at one time, before children, I had these thoughts too. "Geez Lady, Control Your Kid" or "My children would never act like that". Oh, but they will. I do get a sympathy looks from other parents as if their eyes are saying "I've been there". I've also realized my patience for other people's children has grown. These tiny little people who act purely on impulse will be unpredictable and at times feel uncontrollable. I try to be a considerate parent. Adam and I won't bring Aaron to places that are clearly inappropriate for toddlers and we are considerate of other people but we also feel we can't keep our child in a bubble so he doesn't growl at nearby patrons at a restaurant. He will do this and I feel if we where sitting here first and you choose to sit near a toddler than suck it up.

I think once parent and child are able to communicate with each other it might get a little easier. Until then I have to stick with one word answers and stern looks. The other tricky part is how quickly the behavior gets turned on and off. Sometimes I look at Aaron and I can't believe how adorable and angelic he is. I think he is such a wonderful little guy and so well behaved. Then comes out "the devil in disguise" and I can't believe this child was just kissing a baby in a magazine and is now trying to headbutt me because I've grabbed his hands so he doesn't hit me. But I guess that's all part of it. Many more things to learn and everyday I learn something new.  Hopefully Jude will benefit from what we are learning now and Aaron isn't too traumatized from it all.

So if you are in a store and a kid is throwing a fit, don't judge the parents. Believe me, they are mortified and are doing everything in their power to control the situation. Unless the child is being completely unruly and the parents are turning a blind eye, save you glances and looks for those disrespectful teenagers. Realize that we can't keep our children locked up all the time and we make many sacrifices for the sake of others. As if on que, Aaron is awake now and calling me from his room. And by calling I mean screaming "Ma" and kicking the crap out of the back of his crib. But he's just so adorable!

Jude is Here! New life begins and here is the Story!

Well, it's been 15 days since I gave birth to Jude Eric Dahlstrom. What an eventful two weeks! We are finally settling in and getting used to our new routine. Aaron is an awesome big brother even if he gets a bit jealous now and then. I think he really is excited to have a baby brother.

Jude Eric Dahlstrom 

With all the challenges with this pregnancy I was hoping and praying for a "normal" delivery. Aaron's delivery was anything but, and I was terrified of having to go through that again. I just didn't know if I could spend that much time in a hospital again and I did not want Jude to spend weeks in the NICU. When I reached 35wks and it was clear I would deliver at Lakeland near my home I cried with joy. Each week after was even better. Finally at 38wks it became clear it was time to have Jude. My blood levels, blood pressure, and protein where slowing increasing and I was starting to show signs of preeclampsia which we had been looking for all along. Instead of waiting for it to get worse, my OB decided to go ahead and get Jude out so that we both would be safe.

I was originally due on March 22nd and had a c section scheduled for March 15th. Jude Eric Dahlstrom was delivered via c section on March 8th at 3:55pm. He was a healthy 7lbs 2oz and 18.5inches long. Instead of rushing him to the NICU, he was cleaned, Adam got to cut the cord this time, and the nurse placed Jude on my chest so we could look at each other for the first time. It was like we where old friends meeting again. After awhile they took him back to our room with Adam so I could be finished getting put back together and go into recovery. The whole operation took a little over an hour and I felt pretty good. Much better than the first time when I was in excruciating pain and couldn't see Aaron for almost 8hrs after I gave birth. In recovery my blood pressure began to rise. I tried to explain this happens everytime I have a surgery and am in recovery. Happened with my wisdom teeth, gallbladder, and with Aaron. I assured them it would go down and it would help if they took me to my room so I could be with my new baby and my husband. Well, they had to err on the side of caution and continued to pump me full of blood pressure meds. Didn't really work. At this point I was becoming increasingly irritated and anxious to get to Jude. This wouldn't help my blood pressure though as they told me to relax and I just wanted to get out of there. My good friend, Chrissy, who works at the hospital came by my bed. She began to talk to me and really put me at ease. Low and behold shortly after her arrival my blood pressure began to decline. This is the proof I needed and finally got to go back to my room to see Adam and Jude. Our whole family was waiting to see us and they knew Jude and Adam where back but not me. Adam kept everyone out of the room until I came back and got a chance to hold Jude and try to nurse him before all the visitors. After about an hour it was time for family to visit. My room was packed! Everyone was there and so excited to meet the new arrival. Unfortunately, Aaron and Grandma D weren't there as it was getting late and Aaron was in cranky mode and we felt it was best if he came the next day after he was well rested.

We stayed in the hospital for two days and then went home. Jude was to go back in the next morning for a procedure and to check his bilirubins. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let him come back home. Back to the hospital we went. He had lost 14% of his body weight and his jaundice was getting worse. We spent the rest of the day with Jude in light therapy and me nursing him constantly. By the next day he had already gained back 4oz and was doing well. So off we went back home. 

Jude is now thriving very well and is getting bigger everyday. We recently had newborn pics of him taken and so far, what I have seen has been amazing. Besides a few set backs and a quick trip to the ER (nothing more than nasal congestion but to me his breathing sounded scary) we are doing well. Jude is eating often and because of his initial weight loss, I put myself into "have to feed the baby" mode and am now producing enough milk for several Judes. My doctor has taken restrictions off of me and I am fully in Mommy Mode.

I have started my new "job" as Stay At Home Wife and Mom and to be honest, I love it. I never thought I would but to be with my boys everyday, take care of my house and family, and not have the stress of returning to work has been amazing. Adam tells me everyday how happy he is that I am home with the boys. We are establishing a routine and so far so good. I don't know how long I will stay at home and frankly that's fine with me. I refuse to put a timeline on this because all that will do is stress me out on how much time I have left to be at home. I tend to be a very anxious person and to focus on the present is much better for us. 

I am looking forward to walks with the boys, summer activities, and visits with family and friends. I never thought of myself as a person who would be this "domestic". I've always prided myself on being independent, hard working, and determined to succeed. It never occurred to me I could still be those things and be a mom and a wife too. I never thought in a million years I would ever not have a "job" or a typical 9 to 5er. I never saw myself as a woman who would be fulfilled staying home and tending to things like cooking, gardening, coupon clipping, and raising kids. Surprised the hell out of me that I would embrace this and actually enjoy it. I know there will be challenges and financially be more difficult and that is fine because you should always be challenged. Maybe I was under the impression that SAHM where shallow house wives or boring or not as respected as a woman who works. I'm so sorry if that is offensive but that is how I think I felt. I have begun to realize how wrong that stereotype is and that there is no shame at wanting to stay at home and be with your kids. I'll admit that I've always portrayed myself as the "I am a woman and can do anything I want and just as good as any man". I never could picture myself in a more "submissive" role. I always thought that was so 1950's.  Just as there is no shame as wanting to work outside the home to help provide for your family. I think both are fine and it is up to each individual family to decide what's best for them.

Well, I just wanted to get some thoughts down but I hear a ruckus from the next room which means Aaron is up from his nap and causing a small amount of destruction. Til next time!!