100 days

It's only 100 days until Madeline's due date AND Benjamin's 2nd birthday. I am not sure which scares me more, having another baby, or having a 2 year old in the house.

Trials of Motherhood

I left Mass on Friday morning and this morning in tears. I wish I could say it was because I was deeply touched by Mass itself, but that is not the reason. The reason was my son. I have made an effort to bring him to Mass every day, despite his behavior. I usually am able to just deal with it and accept the cross of a rambunctious toddler that God has given me. Lately though "just dealing with it" has been harder. Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones, or maybe it's the fact that I can't hold Ben in my arms due to my growing belly and shrinking back strength. Whatever it is I just can't seem to handle his behavior. I suppose it is nothing out of the ordinary for his age (or so I am told by other moms with older kids), but I find myself wondering when this stage is going to end.
So this morning after a full blown tantrum during Mass, being slapped in the face several times, and a failed attempt at a time out in the corner, I lost it. I could not hold in my frustrated/embarrassed/hurt tears any longer. As much as I just wanted to storm out of church and never come back (with Ben that is) I am so thankful for the support I received from two moms. They were my angels today, giving me hugs, offering help during Mass, and just letting me know that Ben is normal and I am normal for getting so frustrated. So, I will be at Mass tomorrow morning and hopefully there will be no more tears... from me or Ben.

Happy Valentine's Day!

In our family we have several traditions, kind of to go against the whole commercialization of Valentine's Day. While it is nice to get gifts and show how much you love someone, last year I was searching for some deeper meaning for Valentine's day. I found out that the pagans used to use Valentine's day to draw names out of a hat and that would be their "partner for the year. The Christians then took that idea and changed it to drawing the name of a Saint out of a hat to be their patron for the year. I really liked this idea so instaead of choosing a saint out of a hat, I chose the Infant of Prague, the patron of good finances and family life, for my husband last year. I tried to pray for the Infant's intercession each day for my husband. This year I think it will be Saint Joseph.
On top of this, we do a five dollar gift exchange. It is always interesting to see what five dollars can get you. My husband and I also have a nice homemade dinner together (after the wild child is in bed of course). This year, because we are major nerds, our dinner of roast chicken, garlic mashed potatos, green beans, and chocolate mousse will be eaten at a card table while watching LOST. We are so romantic :) I hope you all enjoy your Valentine's day and don't be afraid to reject the commercialization of it.

So much can change in a few hours...

Jacob has a job! He will be a general recruiter (not just IT like before), and working in the city. This is perfect for several reasons. He can take the train to work, so we can sell his car, he will be makin more money, and he will be working with a good friend of his. God is so good. Only one week without a job, and no lag time with our income. And, we are getting a "new' couch and ove seat fro y aunt to replace our current couch that is as old as my husband. And, even better, LOST is on tonight... what a great day!

It's been awhile...

I realized today that it has been quite a while since I last posted anything. Nothing too exciting has been going on here. Jacob is still looking for a job and everyday we are having to put complete trust in God that things will work out and He will not leave us stranded. Benjamin has been obsessed with Mega Blocks recently. We keep them in a closet so we don't have a huge mess all the time. Well, Ben knows where we keep them and all day we hear "blocks, blocks." And, if we don't get them in a certain amount of time, it is tantrum time. I love the terrible twos. The baby is still doing great. Yesterday I had a doctors appointment and they had a hard time getting her heartbeat because she kept moving and kicking the doppler. It seems like she has a little attitude already. Lastly, Jacob taught Ben a new phrase today... "mean mom." Hopefully he doesn't remember it.