Miss You, Dexter

I'm sitting in my hotel room (pictured above, pretty swanky) on my third day of four days away from Dexter. I'm at a Regional Sales Conference (large meeting with about 200 or so other Marketing Consultants and such that work for my company from various areas of the southeast). My Mommy guilt is killing me right now. I have to constantly remind myself that I'm not a terrible person or Mommy for working, that many really good Mammas are working Mommies. 

Another thing to note: Being a working mamma makes me a shitty blogger. I always think about things I want to blog about then I never have time to do it. Lots of people use the phrase "I just don't have the time", but seriously when I say that it's literally true. Every minute of my time is occupied with something. 

During this conference I have def been that person that talks about their kid and shows pics at every opportunity, haha!

I can't wait to see his smiling face. I'm hoping my flight gets in early enough on Friday to see Dexter before he goes to bed! 

In other news.... My Sitter is moving to Raleigh (2 1/2 hrs away).....arrgggg! So, now on top of a very stressful work month, I need to find a new child care situation. We are really leaning towards putting him in a child care center. We are going to go check a couple out soon. Besides being freaking expensive, there are a couple other things we are worried about: 

What are the sick policies. And, is he going to get sick even more, or has his immune system built up enough now from being sick so much that he would catch every little cold?

Also, we are really concerned about the foods they offer. 

Time to do some work before bed! 

Gnite.

Keeping my Toddler Fed

One of the things I truly dislike about being a Working Momma is that I'm not with Dexter for the majority of his meals. I use his meals on the weekend to try try out new foods. He is a super good eater. He LOVES fruits and veggies!

Ever since he started eating foods I've tried really hard to make sure that he is getting a well balanced diet.  (Dexter is a vegetarian, like us.) If I was with him all of the time giving the best foods would be a lot easier. I pack his foods for each day the night before. Since I started my new job a couple months ago I have been unable to make dinners very often. I'm working a ton, rushing to pick up Dexter, then trying to get him fed. This makes me a shitty wife. Poor Justin. I used to make dinner most nights of the week.

When I need to give Dexter packaged foods I try to give him mostly organic products. 

Here are some things I keep on hand...

2 in a pack!

These are great to have when we are out shopping or whatever and he needs a snack.

Lately his daily menu has also consisted of oatmeal with blueberries, fruits, veggies, hummus or pb&j sandwiches, raisins, cheese, applesauce, and loves Lentils!

Easter

Mom and Paul (Grandma & PaPa) came down from PA for a few days for Easter. Dexter had so much fun! Of course we have a ton of pics of Dexter playing outside with his new water table from Grandma and PaPa, but they are on Justin's camera and need to sorted and resized. 

"No" Means "No" (And "Yes")

Dexter is starting to say a few more words, including "No". Sometimes it's "No No" and he knows that means bad, or don't touch. He's also doing what a lot of toddlers do, he's saying "No" when he means "no' and when he means "yes". Over the past week we've really been trying to teach him "yes" and what that means. 

Spring has arrived here in NC and Dexter loves being outside. Hopefully we can get a move on our house upgrading plans soon. Our yard is super small and isn't really toddler friendly. The house we've been watching and wanting lately has a giant yard that would be perfect for a swing set play yard thingy. But, before we can make a move on the house two things have to happen: 1. Justin has a classic car that his Dad gave him for his 30th birthday that we are trying to sell for money for our down payment. Once the car sells the money has to sit in our account for 45 days. 2. We need someone to rent our current house. We are keeping it as a rental property in the hopes that in a few years maybe the market will be better and we can sell it and at least break even. 

Hopefully the house we like right now will still be on the market when all of the above falls into place. 

In other Dexter news he loves to love (harass) Spitfire.

First Haircut (One Week Ago)

Once again I'm super late with this update, and I don't have the really good pics from Justin's camera yet, but it's an update none-the-less.

Last weekend we made the trip out to Wilmington to visit Justin's side of the family and to get Dexter's first haircut. Justin's Grandfather, Dexter's Great Grandfather is a barber. He owns this old barbershop where he still works everyday. 

Dexter sat so still while getting his mullet cut off. There really wasn't anything to take off top, just the back, ha. He looks like little boy now, less like my little baby. 

Here's what's new with Dexter:

He's loving playing outside.

He says: Please (Pees),  No No, Hot, Milk

He has started throwing major tantrums when he doesn't get his way (Good times).

Me & Life Update:

My new job is keeping me super busy, but it's good and I like it so far. I'm a bit more stressed out, but I'm trying to keep it under control. I get most stressed out on weekday mornings when I'm trying to get ready for work while entering Dexter and getting him ready for school (the sitter's, we call it school). There are mornings where I just want to completely give up. 

The morning always starts off nice. I get up with Dexter and we watch cartoons, he helps me eat my cereal while he drinks his milk, and we cuddle. Then we head upstairs to get ready. Justin is still sleeping but I need to bring Dexter in the room.  Then I have two choices, both of which sux. 

First option, pack-n-play. Sometimes Dexter will play in his pack-n-play for a good 1/2 hr before freaking out because he wants to get out. Second option, let him run free in our room. This is what he wants to do, the problem is, even though our room is pretty much child-proofed I still have to chase him. And, either way after 45 min (about how long it takes me to get ready, post shower) he is cranky and whiny. Which makes me really frustrated because I'm not giving him the attention he needs and I end up looking like shit because I can't focus on getting ready either. (I'm in outside sales, I have to look decent, and feel good about the way I look.) 

Once I'm somewhat put-together, I get Dexter ready to go.... Then the morning goes on from there. 

My point is my life is hectic. Everyday feels like a marathon. Mornings are hard, I work my ass off all day, I pick up Dexter, get him home, fed, bathed, pack his meals and such for the next day, get him to bed, some nights head to Yoga class, other nights try to whip up something for Justin and I for dinner, work a bit more before bed if needed, wake up and start the marathon again.

All of that said, I am very grateful for my son that gives this marathon purpose, my husband that helps me stay sane, and for my yoga practice that balances it all out.