Restless Blog

A.D.D. my *ss

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:05:00 +0000

I can't believe I'm writing this again when "Yo Gabba Gabba" is on again. THIS is the post that should've been called "Write Again" dangit. I think there's something about the sound of the show & of course the zombie-like trance my daughter gets into while watching it that must inspire me to write.

"It's fun to make a snack. It's fun to make a snack. It's fun to make a snack!"

So, as moms, we become professional multi-taskers, jugglers - my husband thinks of it as A.D.D. I think nooOOOoooT! Dear Restless Hubby: "If I didn't do 20 things at the same time, you would be living in a disaster zone and Child Services would take our kids away because their appearance and behavior would resemble wild monkeys." Today I have: picked up all the rooms, made beds, vacuumed, made breakfasts, put away left-over (not-perishable of course) groceries, cleaned off tables and counters, changed diapers twice, nursed thrice, dressed one kid, put one to bed, 2 loads of laundry and who remembers what else in my way of spinning in circles. Now, I'm ~~stalling~~ getting ready to work on this business we're hoping to launch in the next month here. I will reveal all later. (Not because it's secret only because I'm too lazy to explain at this time).

I remember once talking to RH on the phone with one hand while brushing my teeth with the other and bouncing the baby in the bouncer with my foot. A.D.D.? Um, no. It's called survival.

Write Again

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Fri, 07 May 2010 22:10:00 +0000

I don't know if you've noticed, but I have sort of a "love/hate" relationship with this blog. I've even thought of starting completely over with a new one thinking maybe I'd be more inclined to write without whatever the "thing" is that keeps me from writing in this one now. That "thing" is checking to see how many hits I've gotten, how many subscribers I have, feeling intimidated by the rockstar Mommy Bloggers out there and feeling that I'll never measure up. That "thing" becomes writing for the reader and not for myself. This has been my problem my whole life with most everything I do. I look too much to the outside for approval. If I don't get it, I get discouraged and usually quit. Or, I get too stressed out by pressuring myself to be better. Then, I move onto something else, and the cycle repeats.

Anyway, I've decided to at least stop checking my subscriber list. I don't have the service that counts hits anymore and I'll deal if I don't get any comments. I know, I sound so pathetic, but it's the truth. I am going to just start writing for myself. Maybe my writing won't measure up, but I really just need a place to - you know - do this.

So, now what I really want to write about:

MY STOMACH - or shall we say - "BELLY". I owe it all to the frckn Winchell's that opened up 5 blocks from our house. Seriously annoying. I was doing so good too! Back at my fighting weight, feeling normal when I sit down with maybe a little overhang, but a reasonable amount. Now, it's major overhangage. Like the kind on an overweight man that maybe is wearing his belt a couple notches too tight. I was going to illustrate it, but I'm too lazy. Probably part of the reason I look like an overweight fella.

Speaking of lazy, I really don't enjoy "Yo Gabba Gabba". What's the relationship you ask? That I'm too lazy to get off my now, squishy bottom, to play or do a craft or something with my daughter so she is not, yet again, watching Nick Jr.

Btw, don't know why I named this post what I did.

LIpstick Every Day

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:56:00 +0000

I quit my job while pregnant with my 1st about 4 years ago. Since then, I've lived in my pajamas, workout clothes, my hair in a pseudo bun/ponytail type thing, no powder, and - no lipstick. Sorry Mr. Restless.

I have not only enjoyed the fact that I haven't needed to "dress-up" for anything, I think I even had a little pride in it. The same feminist sort of pride I would have for not shaving my legs only when I was in a relationship of course - never when I was single - you kiddin' me! The thing is, is I never was a primping sort of broad anyway. I didn't need to wear a bunch of makeup to the store, or do my hair etc. , so it wasn't a huge stretch for me to not be "dressed up" all the time. Besides the party days when I was always dressed ~~like a hoochie mama~~ to the nines. But, I ALWAYS wore - lipstick.

Just recently, after having my 2nd baby, after looking homeless for the past 4 years, I actually started looking at myself. I also started thinking about who I used to be vs. who I am now. Always the same person on the inside, but vastly different from when I ~~dressed like a hoochie mama~~ cared about how I looked. Facebook and reconnecting with people from when I looked human might have played a part in this thought process.

So, I decided to start wearing lipstick everyday. I must confess, I haven't been doing it every day, but more often than never.

In the Indian culture, it's customary for women to be dressed up post-marriage. I always attributed to male chauvenism. Equivalent to the American culture before Equal Rights and unshaved armpits, when most housewives looked like Stepford Wives and Leave it to Beaver moms. Perfectly manicured, nicely dressed, perfectly groomed...to clean the house. Which I never understood, till now.

It's not about the husbands, and giving into society's standards on what women should look like or not look like. It's about feeling human. It's about feeling good about yourself while doing the most difficult job in the history of man...& the herstory of woman.

So, here I am, showered I know, hair blown-dry and straightened, powdered, wearing real clothes, smelling good, feeling human, & wearing lipstick.

Now, on to the dishes!

Coconut Bowl

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:32:00 +0000

PREFACE: My apologies to any and all football fans out there. This is my problem, not yours.

All my life, I have tried - o.k. - not ALL my life, but the parts of my life which include a male figure who I am attached to, that watches sports - and that I care about I believe Mr. Restless is the only one who fits all 3 criteria - I have tried TRIED to understand football. I'm not an idiot. I just think I have a mental block the way some people do with math. My brain just tunes out Charlie Brown style every time someone tries to explain it. "Wa wa wa wa wa". The draining sound of it in the background reminds me of how I'm not white American. I'm American, but not apple pie/blonde/cheerleader/WHITE - American. I am Indian-American not American-Indian/ Native American/tribal type - born in India, raised in American, coconut type. BTW, I'm not saying that all white Americans are apple pie/blonde/cheerleaders, but I'm sure most have grown up either hearing football in the next room, watching it on TV, being involved with it at school in the games or on the sidelines. Us Indian-Americans grew up hearing Hindi music in the next room, watching Hindi movies on TV, and maybe by chance heard our scotch-drinking, "pakora"-eating dads rooting for the team of their choice once a year at the annual Super Bowl party we all went to at Dr. Patel's house.

For me, the large, bubbly, over-grown men running around in shoulder pads and shiny tights from one end of the field to the other throwing a ball to each other, the draining static drone of it on TV; is not only boring as hell, it's a reminder of how alienated I felt in a predominately white-American school in the middle of the Bible-belt that was fueled by sports, athleticism, and extra-curricular activities that seemed to be happening everywhere around me & without me. I'm pretty sure this is the reason for the mental block that tunes out any sort of football education that comes my way.

Anyway, the draining static drone of Super Bowl was on today at our house...accompanied by Mr. Restless and my dad bonding while rooting for the Saints (I know, I actually knew the teams - impressed?), my daughter's and her friend's squeals and laughter, & my baby's happy gurgling in the background. Maybe it's time for new football memories. Maybe some day, I'll actually understand ~~why these super-sized meatheads~~ what these professional athletes ~~take an hour to get the ball from one side of the field to the other and waste 5 hours fighting over who gets to do it~~ are skillfully doing on the field in this complex game known as "football".

I doubt it.

Annual 10 Fashion Trends That Remind Me of How Old I Am

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:01:00 +0000

I don't understand. NOTE TO READER: More power to you if you ~~are skinny enough (I hate you)~~ can pull any of this off btw.

1. Piercing literally on the BODY (Like on the chest. Like the Rhianna look-alike on last season's The Real World. Yes, I watch it. And like it).

2. Girls jeans on boys.

3. Hair side-swept across and covering half the face.

4. Ugly stuff.

5. Why in the hell the 80's are back.

6. Skinny jeans (o.k. - I used to REALLY not understand them, now I just know I'd never be able to pull them off).

7. The pump/boot look crazy shoe that Gwyneth Paltrow always seems to ~~showing off her legs with~~ sporting.

8. Farrah Fawcett hair.

9. I don't know enough

10. to put anymore on here.

Intervention

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:58:00 +0000

My 3 1/2 year old, as most babies, has been unwittingly orally-fixated since she was born to #1 breastfeeding, #2 the pacifier, #3 the bottle (milk that is), and then finally, #4, her sippy cup. For some reason, I don't remember why, instead of filling her sippy cup with milk, I decided on juice.

I have prided myself on breastfeeding her, her 1st 11 months of life, her loving fruits and veggies, not giving her candy, making sure she gets enough protein, carbs, fat in every meal if possible. Oh, and giving her as much juice - diluted with water of course - as her little palate pleased. "Juice juice - more juice" she would cry out in her little cartoon voice we thought was just "so cute"! And would happily refill her sippy cup 8, maybe 10 times a day! Like good bartenders, keeping her cup filled to the rim at all times never letting our little juiceaholic go thirsty. Slightly reminiscent of my "college" days that lasted a bit longer than college and made my college years last a bit longer;-/ Sometimes, not even diluting it! ahem Mr. Restless... Oh what great parents we are! NOT. While making sure she wasn't eating too much candy, fast-food, & desserts, we were loading up our 26 pound little girl with a mind-boggling amount of sugar. The funny part is, is that I didn't even have a little voice inside my head - nothing - I literally was just - not - thinking.

Since she was 2 about the time we got her hooked & sunk into her sugar-induced world...o.k., going a little overboard on the drug/alcohol references... she's been a little spit-fire to say the least. Sweet, intelligent, kind, funny...but a little fire-cracker. Always on the go, constantly on the move, needing activity, attention, going from one thing to another, not being able to sit still: in our society people call it: ADHD. On top of being "this way", just recently she's been on an emotional roller-coaster, up and down, bursting out in tantrums for no reason, saying that we're not "loving" her...seriously, a teenager in a 3 year old's body.

So, it all occurred to me when I was researching hyperactivity in kids on the internet & came across an extremely informative article talking about SUGAR - duh!!!! - influencing behavior etc. DING DING DING - Holy crap! We were going through 1/2 gallon sized bottles of juice every 2-3 days, keeping her on a steady supply of fructose, and blindly enabling an actual ADDICTION TO SUGAR. Our daughter might as well have been hooked up to an IV connected to a bottle of syrup! In that moment, I threw away her juice and replaced it w/a bit of Sugar-Free Kool Aid and water. I know, the artificial sweetener is probably not a great idea either, but one thing at a time.

Overnight, a different kid. Happy, calm, focused - don't get me wrong, she still a little firecracker & has her moments, but nowhere NEAR what was going on pre-intervention. Not only has her behavior changed, she's eating more & sleeping better.

Who knew this "nutritious" beverage heavily marketed to parents in a variety of flavors, fusions, and concoctions with added calcium, Vit A, B, C, & D; loading up shelves at the stores; in convenient little boxes stamped with our childrens' favorite characters & perfectly sized straws for their tiny little mouths; in heavy doses was silently altering our child's personality. Forgive me for being dramatic, but when you think about it, & from what I've read, it's a bit disturbing.

Anyway, I'm just glad we caught it and will be able to avoid this problem with Restless Baby #2. It sucks that the 1st is always the guinnea pig & has to endure all our mistakes and inexperience. Sorry RB#1.

Let's just hope this is the first and last time we'll need to perform any sort of "intervention" involving mind-altering substances.

UPDATE: I might've spoken too soon. Our little "firecracker" is back. We're still refraining from the juice, and there is a slight difference, but I have to admit, it's not AS much as I had thought. I'm finding that it could be a perfect balance of sugar instead. I don't know...it's always a guessing game.

Top 10 Things I Feel Guilty About Today

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:57:00 +0000

1. Blogging (& and now I can add Tweeting!) while I feel like I should be at my childrens' constant beck and call.

2. Not vacuuming/cleaning the carpets & floors - yet again. Instead, I blog.

3. Turning on Nick Jr. every time I didn't know how to deal with my 3 1/2 yr. old.

4. Feeling relief when my husband took my 3 1/2 year old to her playdate. Ahhhhh....now I can blog in peace!

5. Eating.

6. Having "Jersey Shore" on in the background as I type this. BTW -I have no idea what's going on. Why does this guy call himself "the Situation"?

7. Now, blogging while my husband is doing the vacuuming I told him I felt guilty for not doing and feel like I should be doing, while having "Jersey Shore" on in the background as I type this.

8. Blogging while I feel like I should be holding my baby instead of bouncing her in her bouncy seat with my foot. while my husband is vacuuming and I have "Jersey Shore" on in the background as I type this.

9. Neglecting the dirty laundry which apparently decided to never be done...and blogging instead.

10. Oh, and not blogging. Well, now, no - but before this, yes.

New Baby, New Tricks

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:35:00 +0000

So, I just gave birth to our 2nd baby this last August. She is a JOY. Seriously, she is. She's the kind of baby that I can lay around with, smile with, gaze into each other's eyes with - Johnson & Johnson's baby commercial style. Don't get me wrong, we have our days, but overall, esp. in comparison to Restless Baby #1, wow. In fear that RB#1 may read this one day and get a complex: "Sweetheart, I love you more than words can describe, but at no fault of yours obviously, although the most precious, adorable little baby, you were... somewhat...challenging as a baby."

This poor child's life (RB#1) for the 1st 4 - 6 months of her life were absolutely miserable for her, for us. There was one point while practicing one of Harvey Karp's 5 S's ("The Happiest Baby on the Block"), I looked at Restless Hubs in the eyes and said: "would you say she cries 90% of the time she's awake?". Without blinking, he said "yes". Hours, days, weeks, which turned into months; Swinging, Shhshing, Swaddling, Sucking, Side-positioning...while in the process finding that besides nursing her, walking her around and around for hours upon end, our infamous bathroom vent was the only other thing that quieted the storm. Many hours were spent sitting upon my porcelain chair, looking into her helpless but thankful eyes, rocking her to sleep. It was a c o m p l e t e n i g h t m a r e. BUT BUT BUT, I realize now, why this tiny little helpless thing was screaming in pain most her waking hours, arching her back, couldn't be put down....I (believe) have the answer to the cold case we assigned the ever-popular, ever-annoying, no-solution, blanket, suppose-to-give-you-relief-but-doesn't term: colic. She was allergic/intolerant to the dairy in my breastmilk. The reason I know this? Because RB#2 is also, allergic/intolerant to dairy in my breastmilk. And the reason I know this? Long story short yeah right: she too cried 90% (o.k. more like 75%, sorry RB#1, I can't completely blame the diet) of the time she was awake before I cut dairy completely out of my diet. I'm talking ANYTHING with ANY TRACE of milk/cow protein including milk (duh!), whey, or casein; cheese, creamy stuff including but not limited to coffeemate (yes, it has dairy), alfredo sauce, Ranch (it's possible), hamburger buns! (white ones); reading every label before, after, during consumption *oh & BTW: EVERYTHING contains dairy* is what I have come to realize. Hello Soy Dream!

Anyhow, I know I'm missing quite a few details of this dairy-free journey including introducing it back into my diet and having fussy baby syndrome, and then being back on it. Oh, also, my own digestion which has COMPLETELY changed and has contributed to weight-loss I couldn't achieve before all this. Quick side-note: for people that are allergic or intolerant to dairy, it can cause one to retain 5 - 10 lbs. of water weight! (Food Addiction, Food Allergy and Overweight, Sephen Levine, Ph.D.)

In summary: Dairy-Free Baby = Happy Baby = Happy Mommy = Happy Restless Household.

All is well.

Now, I just need to find a solution for the mysterious fussy-preschooler-syndrome.

Caaan't Keep uuuuuuUUuuuP!

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:26:00 +0000

O.K. - so it's only been like - a century since I've been here. I've decided to start "tweeting" when I don't have time to full-on BLOG, which I imagine will be most of the time. Anyway, I miss you guys (all 3 of you:-) and am going to try harder to keep up with this thing, the babies, the house, my brain...aaaaaagh!!!

An Update

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:44:00 +0000

I've been horrible at keeping up with this thing lately and keeping up with all of you and your blogs. Anyway, I thought it was important to at least give you an update of our situation since I had mentioned my husband lost his job (among the 5 1/2 million other fellow Americans) about 5 months ago.

Well, he did it! He got a job a couple of weeks ago! In his field! Which I have to say was looking a bit scary since his industry (television production) is slim pickins even when the economy is "normal". And, we didn't have to relocate. WHEW!

It's been QUITE a relief to say the least. Plus, he's really been liking it and that makes it a million times better.

Like many out there, although the job is great, he has suffered a major paycut. BUT but but - it's o.k. We're just SO lucky he found something. We're nothing but grateful these days seeing the horror stories out there of families that used to be "normal" and are now on welfare or some even living in tents. It's scary out there.

If anyone who is reading this is going through or knows anyone going through a similar situation, please know, there is hope. And know, I and 5 1/2 million other people know how difficult it is to go through it.

And FYI, the best job search utility I have found is Indeed.com. You can sign up for e-mail alerts as well. I'm still getting them for ME under the illusion that I would be able to work right now - HA. (6 1/2 months pregnant with a 2 1/2 year old at home).

Anyway, good luck and for what it's worth, keep the big picture in mind. In a couple years (or sooner!), you'll look back and say "Wow, that was REALLY difficult, but we're o.k. now".

I Fell Into the Toilet Last Night

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:55:00 +0000

Kind of.

I'm pregnant, so of course, I have to go the bathroom on an hourly basis. On my 1st trip to the bathroom, halfway asleep, stumbling over toys on the way there, as I entered, knowing where the seat is located, I sat down without looking. To my dismay, the toilet seat was left up. Luckily, I didn't hit any water, but I did fall a few more inches further down the bowl than I'm accustomed to.

What boggles my mind is that after 4 years of marriage, how my dear husband FORGETS to put the seat down?! How?!

When we were 1st married, since we didn't live together beforehand, I "discovered" many household habits my husband brought to the table. Neglecting to take out the trash, having 2-3 open bottles of the same condiment in the fridge, leaving Tupperware at work for days on end to name a few. But forgetting to put the toilet seat down was top on my list of habits that needed to be changed. He argued "why don't women leave the seat up for us guys?". Oh, you poor man. Do you have any idea what you just started?!

Needless to say, after 4 years of marriage, he does remember to put the seat down 98% of the time.

But last night, was not one of them.

Toddler Grocery List

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:45:00 +0000

This is a list of items Restless Daddy and our 2 1/2 yr. old Restless Daughter made together before going to the store:

Jewelry
Clothes
Tomotoes
Hot Dogs
Ice Cream

it gets better...

Glasses
Couch
Leaves
Minnie (our family dog)
Chalk (for Mommy's lips)
Computer
Exercise
Chair
Bed
Flowers
Squirrel
Chipmunk
Bigger Shirts (for Daddy's tummy)
Crayons
Pasta
Fish
Medicine
Swimming
Dolphin
Raju (our other family dog)
More fish
Backpack
Baby Car
Pizza
Jacket
Birdies
Daddy Socks
Couch for Baby (she calls herself "baby")

The question I pose is: where the hell are we going to put the dolphin?!

When Your Husband's Unemployment...

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:06:00 +0000

, being 5 months pregnant, insomnia, keeping up with your extremely "energetic", precocious 2 1/2 year old, unsuccessful potty-training attempts, failed attempts at breaking away from co-sleeping, severe withdrawals from the absence of "Lost" DVDs from Netflix (waiting for Season 5 on DVD...no spoilers please:-)!).....oh, and did I mention I.N.S.O.M.N.I.A. from H.E.L.L.??!! .....

gets in the way of blogging -

I'll be back soon - promise.

Miss you!

Oh What a Night...

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:58:00 +0000

Restless Hubby scored free tix to The Jersey Boys last night and asked me out on a date! It could not have happen at a more perfect time as you might agree after reading my last post (no, you don't have to read the whole thing...the title says it all).

I felt HUMAN again! Not only was the show FANTASTIC, I ~~didn't look like a homeless person~~ dressed up, before the show we went out to dinner (which for us these days was going to Happy Hour for half price appetizers - seriously, don't feel sorry for us - we're in Las Vegas = you can be unemployed and eat like a high-roller).

Anyway, the show the show the show! So, I am not proud to admit that I am NOT a fan of Broadway musicals (Avenue Q aside). So when RH told me about the tix, I was like: "well, I'd rather see a movie or something...?" After our experience watching The Phantom of the Opera (sorry fans) which was absolute TORTURE for me, he completely understood. But was told by another non-fan of Broadway that she LOVED it. Also not being a huge fan of Frankie Valli - but also not knowing how many songs were by the Four Seasons I didn't know of - I thought well, at least it's not that Westside Story type (sorry again fans - like I said, not proud to admit I have no taste) type of music.

The singing, the show, the music, the story was awesome....I didn't know they did "Oh What a Night"?!

RE: the Restless Date

After initially coming down from our anxiety talking about whether or not we'd be able to afford preschool, if it's necessarily...blah blah blah - cut to - killer sushi restaurant where we unapologetically scored half-price appetizers while joking around about how our waitress probably thought Restless Husband was a cheap-skate (which he was, but I was right there with him!). I invented a married couples' date test sort of thing I highly recommend for any and all couples that can actually GO on dates: keep a running tally/rating system on "if the date was your 1st date" how the other person would score.

For instance, I started him at an 8 for his presentation - well-groomed, handsome, nice hair-do (I guess it's not called a "hair-do" for dudes huh? ), good outfit, but...the same one he wore on our last time out, and the last time before that, aaaand the last time before that. He went up a point for making me laugh - down a point for cussing at another driver - so on and so forth. It was awesome. And as you can see, it was mostly one-sided anyway therefore keeping the male counterpart in check as that half seems to be a bit more "relaxed" after being married a few years anyway.

Of course after about 20 minutes of this, in the midst of pork gyozas, calamari and laughing my head off, I lost track. But looking back, I'd say Restless Hubs fared well. The fact of the matter is, he had me at "will you go out with me tonight?". "Oh What a Night...."

Stay-at-Home Mom Sings the Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:42:00 +0000

PREFACE: First of all, don't get me wrong. It is completely my choice and desire to stay at home w/my daughter and I feel very blessed that my husband "allows" it even in our condition (yes, we are one of them) these days. He not only "allows" it, he encourages it. His mom stayed at home with him. Mine didn't. I've told my mom that I would've traded living in a big house for living in an apartment if I could've had her at home. But, my parents did what they thought would be best for the family, therefore, no regrets. Just an example by which I live by and have always known I would live by when I had my own children.

Having said all that...I have the "stay-at-home blues" which I found is an actual term I was able to Google! In my research, I found a couple of very helpful articles.

What a relief it was that other people feel the same way I feel! On top of feeling the going stir-crazy at home, Groundhog Day, feeling like I'm getting nowhere - feeling: the guilt that accompanies these feelings pushes it all the edge. I mean, shouldn't I be just overjoyed every minute of the day being able to spend every minute of the day with my amazing 2 1/2 year old daughter?! Shouldn't I be treasuring every one of these minutes as I know that they will only happen once?!

No. I miss my career. I miss feeling like I'm getting somewhere in life. I miss bringing home an income! (Especially when we REALLY do need it!). I miss getting dressed and looking like "a person" every day for work. I miss socializing at work.

BUT...

I would SOOOOOO MISS everything I have with Dora every day, every minute of the day. Restless Hubs said I'd last 2 days at the most: he's right. Plus, realistically, who, in their right mind, would hire a 4 month pregnant woman knowing she would be taking maternity leave in the very near future? And with the cost of daycare/preschool, it would be a wash. But more than anything, I DO treasure all these moments...I just may not always be treasuring them in those moments.

Anyway, the articles are really good and they made me realize that I'm NOT the only one out there that gets the "Stay-at-Home Blues". Now, if I could just get rid of them!

Bye Bye Binky!

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:37:00 +0000

Before motherhood, I thought I would NEVER have my child use a pacifier. I also thought I would NEVER let my child continually watch TV (what she is doing right now/the only way I could write this), I thought her baby book would be filled with milestone dates, her favorite foods, and 1st words (the only pages that have anything written on is the title page and the family members' names page); and I thought I would still have a career (does part-time blogging count as a career?).

Four months into her life and the realization that I knew NOTHING before motherhood, four months into living the nightmare of breastfeeding with an infection, and four months into doing cartwheels to get her to stop crying...four months after the the birth of our beautiful child, I TRICKED our baby into using a pacifier, and am ashamed to admit - have not only enabled her addiction to it, but encouraged it.

Two years later, this child not only NEEDS her "fire" (pronounced "fieya" much like the Pointer Sisters track from the late 70's) which she coolly named herself. She needs "2 fieya". One attached to her mouth and one to casually toy with much like an executive would with his Montblanc while on the phone, and feet crossed on his desk.

As much as I've justified her binky-addiction, turned my nose to what the experts say about orthodontal problems resulting from prolonged pacifier usage, and honestly - was too scared and lazy to even think about stopping the "fieya"-madness, the little mommy voice inside my tough "outside-the-mommy-box" exterior has been saying "it's time".

After hastily seeking advice on the internet on binky-weening, this morning, I dove in head-first. I explained to my little Dora while peacefully watching her show, "fieya" in mouth, that "big girls don't use pacifiers". That "see, Mommy doesn't use a 'fieya', Dora (the real Dora) doesn't use 'fieya', DADDY doesn't use 'fieya'. " I asked her to hand it over.

She did.

Not only did she hand it over, she goes on to say "Papa (her grandpa) doesn't use 'fieya'", "'Nani' (grandma) doesn't use fieya"....full-heartedly agreeing with her, while in complete shock at how well this was going, I couldn't believe what was happening. My tiny little baby girl was growing up before my very eyes - I couldn't be any prouder.

Before getting ahead of myself, it's only been 9 hrs., but she's only asked for it maybe 4(?) times. And every time, I just say "remember, you're a big girl now!" she briefly pauses, but moves on. In those moments, I realize she's moved on...but, have I? (sniff sniff)

We're putting her in preschool - when? (sniff sniff)

Toddler Buffet

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:43:00 +0000

Peanut butter toast

+ Apples

+ Goldfish crackers

+ Nachos

+ Taquitos

+ Cake

+ Oranges

+ Pasta

+ Giant M&M cookie

= all the things I have attempted to feed my 2.5 yr. old Dora in the past 24 hrs., but INSTEAD
= all the things that ended up sitting on the kitchen counter (20%), back in the fridge (10%), or in my stomach (70%).

What I wouldn't do to have her appetite.

NOTE TO READER: Please refrain from judging this mother's healthfulness by the items listed above.

Bad Hair Day After Day After Day....

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:56:00 +0000

My hair before moving to Las Vegas (dry, hot, dry, no humidity, hard water, and did I mention dry?) 6 years ago:

My hair after moving to Las Vegas and having a kid:

Any suggestions?

This would possibly be the only time I could compare myself to Penelope Cruz by the way...

Now Why Did I Decide to Do This Yet Again?

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:05:00 +0000

I am feeling...

1. ULTRA eMoTiOnAl.

2. Nauseous.

3. Exhausted.

4. G.R.U.M.P.Y.

5. Like I just want to sit wrapped up in the comforter on the couch all day and not do anything. (Exactly my position at the moment btw)

6. ~~Fat~~ I mean "bloated".

7. ~~Ugly~~ I mean "unattractive".

8. Hot - then cold - then hot again - then cold.

9. Annoyed.

10. Over it.

...and I'm only in my 9th week. Ugh.

But other than that today, is a great day.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention....11. Sleep deprived!!! I remembered the insomnia, but "remembering" is so much different than living it! AAAAAGHHH!

My Excuse THIS time...

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:55:00 +0000

If you know anything about my blog, you may know that I've been absolutely HORRIBLE about keeping up on it. This time, I feel that I have a good excuse...

I'm happy to announce that...I'M PREGNANT! I was going to cautiously wait till the end of my 1st trimester to announce it, but - I like to live on the wild side. So, I'm in my 1st trimester = OMG, I am SO TIRED all the time. And having a 2 1/2 year at the same time?! I'm barely surviving. Not only tired as hell, a general feeling of apathy towards most everything. Not only are you pregnant when you're pregnant, NO COFFEE???!! AAAAGGGHHH!!! How am I going to make it?!

Anyway, I don't have time to really write more, but I at least felt like I owed you (all 3 of you) - an myself that much.

Oh, and my homepage?! UGH. I have to call Go Daddy and see what the h is going on over there. I swear, I don't know how I'm going to do it when I can hardly get myself into the shower every day.

HELP!!!

And I wanted to have 3?! NOT!

Domestically-Challenged Housewive's List of 10 Lessons Learned (not necessarily practiced) from Christmas This Year

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:07:00 +0000

Yes, I too hate the way my titles come out on my blog. If you know of any HTML gurus out there, send them my way.

Here we go:

1. Don't get your 2 year old any presents. All they'll end up wanting to play with is the digital coin machine your mom got you (to count the very last of the savings you have!)

2. Do not be afraid to tell your husband EXACTLY what you want. You will never be disappointed...again.

3. Christmas on a budget can still be tons of fun: "Ross Dress for Less" rocks! (No, this is not an advertisement for Ross; but if Ross wants to consider it one and compensate me, it is! it is!)

4. Wrap up ANYTHING for your 2 year old's presents. They're overjoyed with anything they can unwrap and feel like it's a present (enjoy it while it lasts!).

5. ALWAYS decorate the outside of your house. Avoid feeling "neighborhood house envy" and just DO IT.

6. Participate in EVERY holiday activity/event you are invited to; including the cookie exchange you turned down in your vain (and failed) attempt to stay away from Christmas goodies. It's only once a year and it's fun!

7. Do NOT throw away ANY boxes throughout the year under whatever pressure your hubby is putting you under to "throw 'em out! They're taking up too much space!". You will be extremely grateful and then can gloat and parade your perfectly packaged presents come Christmas time.

8. ALWAYS send out Christmas cards. You'll get a ~~enough where you don't feel like a complete loser with no friends~~ BUNCH back!

9. Throw a Christmas party. Again, it's once a year, and it's ~~a lot of frickin' work for a couple hours of more work - no really, it's really~~ fun!

10 If you do have a party, think twice about serving a myriad and abundance of appetizers. You may be stuck eating spinach dip sandwiches, seafood dip wraps, and cheeseball soup (? I don't know - I couldn't think of anything els) for the next month.

A Giddy Negative Nancy

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 07:01:00 +0000

Blogging has become a place for me to vent frustrations. Because of this, it may seem sometimes that I am somewhat of a "Negative Nancy" that complains a lot and is never happy. This is so far from the truth. Plus, I've been feeling a bit guilty reflecting back on a few of my posts where my poor family has taken the brunt of my blog (?). It's fun, but I feel totally bad about it.

This time, I decided I'd rather make it a point to be positive and "be nice". (No, they didn't put me up to this). The fact of the matter is, if you met me, you probably wouldn't see me as a "Negative Nancy" and might even find me to be a tad bit....giddy.

5 Things About My Family and My Life That Make Me Giddy:

1. My 2 year, 4 month old daughter saying "I Wuv You So Much" at least 17 times a day.

2. That my husband is the first and sometimes the only person I want to tell anything to.

3. My daughter's laugh. I will never get enough of it.

4. My daughter's perfect face that I can't stop staring at sometimes! (and it's so little!)

5. That my husband makes me laugh...all the time.

Before you throw up all over your computer, I won't do this all the time. Only when I feel guilty. Now, back to our regular scheduled programming.

Top Ten Ways to Maintain a Perfect Household

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:37:00 +0000

10. Do not sit down. Ever. If you do, be prepared to feel anxious, guilty and unproductive.

9. Bite your tongue. Always. If you don't, the 10 million things your husband and kids do to annoy you, that you don't keep to yourself, will only cause an "unhappy" atmosphere.

8. Do everything yourself. If you don't, be prepared for the things that you are NOT doing yourself, to not be done to your standards. Let me revise that: be prepared for the things you're not doing to not be done at all.

7. Do not sleep. You don't have time.

6. Do not do anything for yourself. If you do, be prepared to feel anxious, guilty, and unproductive.

5. Create and maintain several lists you go back and forth looking at and for, checking off 2 - 3 items at a time. Because you're nothing if you can't do 4 things at the same time.

4. Keep everything in tip-top shape at all times. If you don't, be prepared for the one thing that is out of place to reflect on your household skills and how disorganized you truly are.

3. Look good. If you don't, be prepared to look as if you are overwhelmed, can't take care of yourself, and...not good.

2. Smile at all times. If you don't, be prepared for the bottom falling out. Because if you're not happy - no one is!

1. Put all your hopes, dreams and desires aside. Your only desire should be to have a perfect household.

NOTE TO READER: The author of this post has succeeded in fulfilling only one of the above: #4. (Not by choice.)

Writer's Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 07:11:00 +0000

One of the reasons (besides the usual running after a 2 yr. 3 month old) I haven't been writing that often , is that I sort of - can't! It seems that I always had stuff to talk about when I started this blog earlier this year. I probably still do, but for some reason, when I click on "new post", see the blank field staring at me, with the blinking cursor tapping it's foot, as if to say "c'mon, I don't have all day", I have nothing to say. I guess I mean - "entertaining" to say.

Anyway, I decided that I would write anyway. Thinking that maybe by writing, getting back into the groove of it, I could break through this blog "block" I've been blocked by for several months now.

In my last post, I wrote about what was "really on mind" and that seemed to work. Tonight, what's really on mind is really not that fascinating quite frankly: "Could my daughter still be teething at this age?", "what do I need to get done tomorrow?", "Keanu Reeves looks way better w/o a beard (he's on a Tivoed Letterman Restless Hubs is watching)"...not so interesting.

I could write about my day: I refilled out some paperwork to get health insurance. I took a much-needed long-*ss nap. My aunt is visiting my parents', so we went over there for dinner. See, not so interesting.

Anyway, like I said, I AM just going to keep writing and at least I'll feel good about keeping up on this thing. I hope you all (all one of you now!) can bare with me through my Writer's Blog.

In the meantime, check out this blog. I just discovered it and think it's pretty funny. I wonder if SHE ever has writer's blog.

Screw the News

noreply@blogger.com (Restless Housewife) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:35:00 +0000

So, I said I would do it - so here I am. I said I would keep up with my blog and I'm GOING TO DO IT!!! The catch is, is that I have to start writing about what's REALLY going on.

A LOT has actually been going on the Restless Household that I haven't yet had the opportunity to write about and kinda didn't feel like it since it's SUCH a big deal and I didn't know if I wanted to actually "go public" with. But the fact of the matter is, is that so many people these days are going through the exact same thing or worse.

My husband's company went out of business a week and half ago. He got completely side swiped and to top it off, our health insurance also got canceled without the opportunity to continue it through COBRA. So yes, we are uninsured as I am writing this. AND, I have pre-existing conditions that will not get covered by individual health insurance. It's so scary. But actually, after my major meltdown last week when I found out about the loss of health insurance, I have been amazingly "at peace" with everything. I went though all the motions I think, and finally realized that it is out of my control and we haven't done anything wrong. So, there is nothing we can do and the situation WILL get better. Everything WILL work out.

We are looking into other options for health insurance and am sure something will come about.

Restless Hubs has a few job leads and it's only been a week.

But, the thing that aggravates the situation is that as I try to maintain this positive attitude and outlook, is the friggin' news. "The economy this", "the economy that",,"the economy" SUCKS RIGHT NOW AND WE KNOW IT DOES FOLKS!!! Enough already and lets move on!!!

I feel the nation, the world, is OBSESSED with it and I - am - so - over - it!!!

It's the same thing with the gas prices. Seriously. I got so sick of hearing about the gas prices and a few months later, we're paying $1.76 per/gallon!

THIS is why at the ripe age of 14, the 1st time I took interest in the news, I heard it, and decided that it wasn't for me. That's it. It may sound ignorant, but it is still - just not for me. There's little, if anything, except for voting (and I did and he won!), that I can do to help these big nationwide, worldwide issues when I can't even keep up with the dishes in the sink! Unless I had the amount of money Brad and Angelina had in their bank accounts, there's not a whole lot I can do for anyone else - besides recycling, donating what we can here and there - let alone the nation's economic situation. All that listening to the "economic situation" pounded into our heads does for my poor Restless Hubs (who by the way has been tormented by this subject for MONTHS), and me is make us feel hopeless, scared... and more restless.

So please news people, can you find something else to talk about besides how to celebrate Christmas on a budget, or how many people were laid off at GM?! Or how we may be entering the 2nd Great Depression??!

Can we just move on and instill some hope in people and not the negativity you are bringing into our homes as we're all already struggling with our own circumstances?

Anyway, I've taken the news away from Restless Hubs and told him I think it'd be best if he stayed away from it. We have to deal with our own situation without the discouragement the news is feeding us. I KNOW everything WILL work out for us. But it's gonna happen with or without the current economical situation. Of course it has an effect on us, but it always has and it always will and there's not a damn thing we can do about it!