10 Things I’ve Learned in 2011

While mentally prepping to write this blog, I took a look back at last year’s post and still stand by it.  Or, more accurately, stand close to it in the triple threat position ready to take off at a moments notice to catch a crazy 2-year-old who is gaining speed on the daily.

Seriously, this kid is getting fast! On that note, let me start with my annual “10 Things I’ve Learned This Year” post:

1) DON’T go to the park to relax. There is a time in every parent’s life when the park becomes a relaxing experience. Having a 2-year-old is not that time. Do they even have benches at parks in Tulsa? I wouldn’t know.

2) DO go to the park to relax…eventually. The whole reason to actually go to the park is for you and your child to get exercise. AKA: Wear. Kid. Out.

3) My child isn’t perfect. GASP! Oh the horror! It’s true folks, my reason for breathing can be a little bit of a turd. I blame myself. For two years I jumped at every noise, catered to every “momma,” told him how wonderful he was at nauseum, and now he can’t understand why little Johnnie gets upset when his toy is ripped out of his hand. We are working on it.

4) “He hasn’t had a nap today” is legit. I used to think that using the old “he’s cranky, he hasn’t had a nap today” line was an excuse for having a bratty kid. It’s not. Naps can make or break any playdate, trip to the grocery store, etc.

5) Motherhood comes with a big side of guilt. As a working mom, I have a constant feeling that I’m failing behind in one or all aspects of my life. While I’m at work, I feel like I should be with my son. While I’m with my son, I feel like I’m falling behind at work. While I’m at home, I feel like I should be reading Shakespeare to my son, while folding laundry, while finishing up a work project. It’s an impossible conundrum and my heart goes out to all of you.

6) Parking lots are land mines. As a mom, few things can be scarier than having a kid on the loose in a parking lot. Juggling a purse, keys and a possible grocery bag can complicate the death grip that I have on my son’s hand. Even for safe drivers, it’s hard to see a 36 inch little person darting out in front of you. Just thinking about it gives me the chills.

7) PBS is the best. If you let your child watch tv, which I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t (in moderation, of course). The only channel you need to know is your local PBS channel. I can even learn things from Curious George. Did you know that compost is basically worm poop? Yup, learned it just the other day on the “Mulch Ado About Nothing” episode.

8) Let Grandma do her thing. I’m by no means an all holistic parent, but I do try to feed my child organic and fresh foods. I prefer wooden toys and atleast try to monitor where they’re coming from. I stick to a 15 grams of sugar max, even for cookies (fig newtons, animal cookies, etc.). But there’s a place that I just roll with it (or I try really hard to) that is called Grandma’s house. At Grandma’s house, ice cream bars are eaten for breakfast and bedtimes are optional.

9) You can love that much again. 16 weeks ago I wouldn’t have believed it, but as I sit here expecting baby #2 in June, I can feel my heart growing with love for this little person growing inside of me.

10) You forget how much it hurt. Minutes before delivering baby #1, I publicly stated to my husband, mom, nurse, doctor, whoever the hell was in shouting distance that this would be it for me. No more babies. I believe that coincided with what medical experts call “crowning.” Anyways, I must have forgotten all of that because this baby on the way was my idea.

Thank you all for reading my blog! 2011 has been a great year and I have so much to look forward to in 2012. Also, don’t forget to get in your black eyed peas on Sunday. I’m not a huge fan and had beans all week, so I’m mixing it up with this Black-Eyed-Pea Hummus Recipe. Be safe and have an alcoholic beverage for me!