Friends

Friendship is a rare and precious commodity. If you have a friend, who truly understands you and accepts you despite your shortcomings, then you are the luckiest person in the world.

I just wanted to say thank you to my friends. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Whether you left me advice, took me out for a girls night, brought me cookies or let me vent to you on the phone I really appreciate it. Over the past few days I have been surrounded by friends who seem to understand and accept me for who I am. Women who have gone out of their way to let me know they care and that I am normal and will survive this journey called Motherhood. Thank You, Thank You, these two little words do not do justice for my gratitude I feel towards you. I also want to say Thank You to my BF Jas who is always and will always be there for me. Thanks for me letting me have a night away yesterday, I really appreciate it.

On a happier note... Alex is sleeping better, throwing less tantrums and eating his food. Hallelujah!!

Pinocchio

" And when he was naughty he grew ears and a tail."

Don't bother calling him Alex anymore it's now Pinocchio. The famous words above from one of Alex's favorite books has rang through my ears more than once in the past few days or even weeks. He has sprouted ears and a big bushy tail.

My sweet boy has officially hit the terrible twos. He is NAUGHTY!! He fights me with ever diaper change. He is all boy throwing things, hitting people and having tantrums. He refuses to eat anything and everything I give him. One day he will eat say roast and the next day he gags on it. Even his old stand by food he is refusing to eat and throwing it on the floor. Every meal has become a guessing game as to what or if he will eat. At dinner time he usually has a meal and full sippy cup of warm milk. Since he has cut back on eating dinner guess who is no longer sleeping through the night because he wakes up hungry. I refuse to feed him in the middle of the night of a daily basis because he thinks he needs it. As strict as I am or as mean as I am I guess I should say Jason is a push over. Alex has his Daddy wrapped around his pinkie finger. Jas loves cuddling with Alex drinking his milk and watching TV in the middle of the night while I sleep. One or twice while Alex is teething is fine but nightly doesn't fly with me. Last night I told Jason enough was enough and he was not allowed to go in to Alex's room. I was up from midnight to four because I refused to give in but then I finally caved. I was tired and sick of fighting him. At 4 am I sat rocking my baby watching the guys shovel the snow off my sidewalk and the plow in front of my house. I tried for a moment to just cherish Alex being little and healthy rather then being upset at myself or him.

Tonight we will try again to just let him cry it out. I know he is a not starved and it's only become a convenient habit. It's so hard however when you know a quick fix.

He is very smart and knows exactly what he is doing. The other day I was cooking dinner and told him to leave this tray alone. He would pull it out a little but as soon as I looked at him he would push it back, and grin at me while laying on his tummy kicking his feet. He did this a few times before I pulled him away from the situation and put him in our version of time out.

It's almost like he is so smart that he is thinking up his next naughty move all the time. Now don't get me wrong he has his good moments too.

So why has all of this changed, who knows. I believe he has been teething on and off but I can't say that's the excuse for everything. It's amazing how one minute I am so overwhelmed with frustration and the next he is bringing me such joy. Being a Mom is such a roller coaster ride.

I have not gone completely insane yet but only due to my amazing husband. Whether it's calming me down, taking over before I loose it, letting me sleep, cooking dinner or babysitting kids so I can have a impromptu girls night out he is incredible. I am very lucky to have him as my BF and hubby and Alex is even more lucky to have him as a Dad. I really don't know what I would do without him.

I asked Jason yesterday if it would be okay if we cut out bed time, feeding and changing Alex's diaper from our schedule. I am thinking that would make my life a day bit easier. He didn't think that would work too well.

I really don't mean to complain I know I have it good. My baby although naughty is healthy and adorable. I have a roof over my head, am able to stay home and have an awesome husband. I just struggle with how I can't handle one when other friends are balancing multiple kids or adding them to their family so close together. For now one is plenty for me!

Besides venting I am writing this for advice from the many incredible Moms out there who are reading this. Please tell me I am normal for feeling like I am at my wits end. Please tell me I am not alone that this is normal and this too shall pass. For now I am will get through day to day with my Dt. Coke and perhaps a little chocolate. It's a snowy day and besides napping and my mile long to do list I think I may stamp or bake in my jammies. =)

Well thanks for letting me vent if you have read all the way to the end of this post. I hope something changes soon before we have to change his name to Pinocchio OwYoung, doesn't really sound good.

2009 Resolutions

Here is a marathon post.. you have been warned. I've got to catch up even if it kills me. First off I have to share the exciting news of the day. My BFF (since the age of 2) Laura had a precious baby boy today. No name yet but he is stinkin' adorable!! He was born at 4:48 this morning and weighed in at 8 lb 12 oz and 21 inches long. He is a big baby with full head of red hair. I can't wait to hold him. When I get more than a mobile picture I will be sure to post one so everyone can see how cute he is. Congrats Laura & Chad and to Eve the new Grandma =0)

January is coming to an end and I haven't posted about my 2009 resolutions. As the year came to a close I looked over my list of New Year's resolutions for 2008. It remembered me of where I was at when I wrote those. Baby blues had gotten the best of me and although I had the whole world at my fingertips I felt very alone. Sadly this is very common but still not a ton of fun.

This year things are looking up. Alex sleeps through the night or at least most of the time. Sharie with sleep is much different than a Sharie with no sleep. I haven't really made any drastic resolutions for this year. Of course I vow to be a better wife, mother, friend, daughter sister etc. but I don't have a bunch of things I want to be different. My main goal is to take some time for me and to not be so hard on myself. I am by far my own worst enemy. Who needs enemies when you have yourself to fight with.

I will continue on with a majority of my 2008 resolutions. Here is a review of them, what I have done this past year and what I will continue to do throughout 2009.

-Read to Alex daily

This one started as a chore because Alex had no desire for me to read to him. In the past few months we have spent hundreds of hours reading. He has really grown to love books. His cousin Shae grew tired of a book and since I told her how much I loved it she decided to pass it on to Alex. It's one of our very favorites. We read it daily if not a couple times a day. It's an adorable book for many reasons. A classic tale with a twist, the use of numbers, the pictures, the way the Wolf hides in each page and the way she has included numbers to search for throughout the book. I love asking Alex to find things like a piggy who wears glasses like Mommy or a hat or necklace. If you don't have this book in your collection I would recommend picking it up. I think I will order a few more of her books, they are fun and educational.

-Read two books a month if not more.

Well I failed at this one. It lasted a few months but then I put reading a book on the back burner. I would like to try and ready more but setting a limit of books a month is more pressure then fun for me.

-Stay updated on my blog.

A work in progress!! Did you notice I changed out my background, that's an improvement right? I try to do my best to keep it updated and overall I think I do okay. It started as a journal of sorts and unlike any other journal it's still going so that's a good sign right? I need to stay on top of it so that I have more posts, shorter and can eliminate the words Catching up when referring to my blog.

-Have a date night in or out once a week with Jason. Just spend more quality time together.

I think I have a pretty good marriage and an amazing husband. Anyone who knows me knows I adore spending time with Jas and overall I think we do pretty good. I guess what I would like to change is putting our marriage as more of a priority. I want more PLANNED nights without Alex whether that's getting a sitter or staying in and putting Alex down to bed early. We are currently planning a night away in the next few months so we are working on it.

-Take at least two baths a week again this is to keep my reading going and my me time in check. My showers are usual quick often while Alex is napping, screaming on the floor or after Jason gets home. It's not often that they are relaxing so bath time is a must.

I don't take near enough baths however I don't feel like my showers are so rushed now. Alex has grown up a ton in the past year and is able to shower with me. If I need a break I will often shower while he is napping which also works. I usually end up showering with Alex though. For some reason Alex makes showering more of a play date than a chore.

-Stamp once a week at least, I need to get back in the habit of taking time to stamp. I love it but it's hard when you have a little one. I need to get going on my classes which will help get me stamping.

Well... I definitely stamp more but perhaps not once a week for myself. I am offering classes more often and have a few in the works as we speak. I also just finished up a class last week and made a few homemade gifts this year. Valentine cards are on my list next so I'm working on it. I really need to reorganize my office before I play.

-Mail Random cards out to friends/family once a month. This is a way to put my cards to use. I love to randomly send a pick me up, thank you or thinking of you card. It makes me happy!

Not doing this as much as I would like but I've done it. I sent cards to some family/friends who had some rough times this year. I also have been better lately with thank you cards and hope to continue on that this year. If you need a card, holler.

-Last but not least is to work on my self esteem, try not to be so hard on myself. Have you watched the new show on lifetime called how to look good naked? If not I would highly recommend it. Strange show, wonderful concept. It has really changed my opinion of myself.

This will always and forever be on my to do list. I have my days but doesn't everyone?

Goals to add to this year's list:

Exercise 5 times a week- I have been pretty faithful with this one. I love having workouts on demand and have told myself even 20 minutes a day is better than nothing at all. It has definitely helped with my self esteem which rolls over to other areas of my life.

Cook new things- I have also been pretty good lately with cooking at least 5 days of the week and thanks to two new cookbooks I have been trying some fun new recipes. Need any?

Speak my mind now- Sounds strange but I have tried more lately to say what I am thinking. If I like some one's shirt.. I tell them. If think someone looks great.. I tell them. I have even gone out of my way to write people sometimes total strangers to tell them thank you. If someone has touched my life in some way I let them know. I guess I just realize how short life really is and why hide my gratitude or compliments inside so with that said...

If you are reading this odds are you have impacted my life for the better. In some way I am a better person because of you, so thanks.

Happy New Year!

20 months old going on 2

Alex is 20 months old, just shy of turning 2 and he knows it. Although he has been a fabulous sleeper lately he has been a pill during the day. Laura wanted to see his short "older" do. Here are some recent pictures I took of him after his latest haircut at cookie cutters which he royally hated. He is getting bigger and smarter everyday. I am amazed at what he understands and replies to. He is such a stinker one minute and bringing joy to me the next. I have also included a video of him getting a kick out of his Ducky. He has recently figured out how to pull the string himself and let me tell you it's pretty exciting. Have a great weekend, I will be back again soon with more posts to come. Will I ever catch up?

Lots of memories, lots of pictures, little time

Yup playing catch up slowly with many posts, see below as I slowly play catch up of our Holidays fun