Savor each day

I look forward to hearing Molly talk. What will she say? What will her personality be like when she has the vocabulary to express herself? It's hard to imagine.

Of course, with Emmett is it hard to remember what he was like when he didn't talk.

Just another reminder to enjoy every stage for what it is and where you are at. Having the second child makes you savor each stage more because you remember how quickly it went by with your first.

Super Emmett

Super Emmett

Emmett and Mommy time

Yesterday I took Emmett for a haircut, while Seth and Molly went to the grocery store. I think it's the first time Emmett and I have gone out on our own since Molly was born. I just usually have the both of them with me. I forgot how much easier it is just to focus on one kid!

Anyway, I finally got Emmett go to Great Clips for a haircut, instead of the expensive kids haircut place. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for the kids place. It was so good to have a place where the people enjoyed the kids, they had toys to play with while you wait, cool car and airplane chairs, little tv's for the kids to watch while they got their haircut, and lollipops when they were done. All of that really helped when Emmett was not enthusiastic about getting his haircut.

But now, he really doesn't mind getting a haircut. However, he was reluctant to go to a "normal" hair salon because he wasn't sure they would have lollipops. I told them they would, and he agreed to go. YEA! Only $10 for a haircut instead of $25! Score. He did great. And they did have lollipops! (I had a dum dum in my purse just in case they didn't, though).

You can have it all, just not all at once.

I find this to be so true in parenthood. And actually, I don't really want it "all." But working full time and a being a parent, particularly I find in being a mom, is such a tough juggling act. There are the daily struggles of keeping a good balance, but there are also the "bigger picture" struggles.

There are sacrifices I have made along the way so that I could be the mom I want to be. I have passed up job opportunities that would allow me higher pay and allow me to use my abilities more because the hours would have meant additional child care and less time with my kids. I have held my tongue in certain situations where BC (before children) I would not have, because I didn't want to jeopardize my position. I ultimately want to support my family, and be a good mom, and sometimes work goals have to come second to that.

I do believe as well that there is definitely still discrimination against moms although no one would admit it, and anyone would have a hard time proving it. As disappointing as all that can be at times, at the end of the day, I know what is most important. I will never regret any missed career opportunity if it means that I was a better mom to my kids.

Goodbye kiss

After having our neighbors over this evening, Emmett was saying goodbye to their daughter, a little girl who is about a year older than Emmett.

As they were leaving the house, Emmett says "I want to give her a kiss."

I said "Well, I don't know Emmett, you'll need to ask her, maybe you can just give her a hug."

"No, I want to give her a kiss" Emmett says.

Then the little girl puts the hood of her sweater over her face. Emmett's kiss is thwarted. He starts to cry and comes back in the house.

Poor guy. We told him that she was just shy and that not to worry about it and that she really liked playing with him. He accepted that. We couldn't help but sort of laugh to ourselves about it, though.

Why does "no" have to be said multiple times?

Whenever Emmett is doing something that he is not supposed to, like tipping his chair back from the table for instance, why do I have say "Stop doing that. Emmett, please stop. Emmett, did you hear me? Stop. Now!" And even then, he will probably do it one more time. Why is this? Why do I have to repeat myself multiple times? Very frustrating.

Pistachio Petit Four Cake

Today I made a cake for hubby's birthday. His birthday was actually yesterday, but since I had the day off today, and the kids were at school, we celebrated today. It was a good thing, too, because I don't know how I would have made this cake with the kids around. I think the cake turned out pretty good, however, the dark chocolate was a bit too dark for my liking. I got the recipe from Smitten Kitchen. You can see it here: http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/06/pistachio-petit-four-cake/ It was different than other cakes I have made. It was a three layer cake with ground pistachios in the batter, and between each layer was apricot preserves, marizpan and chocolate ganache.