Kid will be starting school here shortly. We just got our list of supplies (kind of assumed the 8K covered that... silly me) and the lunch/food rules. You know I'm pretty serious about feeding the kids a healthy diet (okay Kid... not Baby her diet is admittedly 50% "cook cook"). I make most of our food from scratch. I'm at 100% organic food. And still these rules made me nervous and feel like I might look like the "bad mom". This is a private school and they don't provide any food (or water for the Kindergarten room... what?!... the 8 grand cannot fund a drinking fountain or a box of dixie cups?!!!). So we need to send in a snack and a lunch with drink and a water bottle. They need reusable silverware & cloth napkins (fine we've got that covered). Reusable containers... fine....but what I've got are glass and VERY hard for me to open let alone Kid. Obviously I'd like to use a "safe" container. And I've got to fit it all into something. Their food needs to be at the temperature they'll be eating it no heating it up.
Last year at Kid's preschool she went for "Lunch Bunch" once a week before her program started. I dropped her off so I was able to set up her lunch and open her containers. We came right from home so hot things were still hot and cold things were still cold. they were all about the lunch dessert and I felt like crap the first day when I hadn't sent one. Kid's new school?... yeah not big on the lunch dessert. In fact you can send no chocolate or cookies or refined products of any kind. What about a homemade cookie?... NO (I think this will be harder on me then her).
Okay but I digress... the real issue I'm having is what to pack her food in. So while strolling the aisles of Earth Fare (think local Whole Foods) I stumble upon this: Lunchopolois. Hmm... could it be perfect? Cute? check. Big? check. Made of lead free & PVC free plastic? check. Comes with reusable containers? check. Comes with a reusable bottle? check. But why is it made of hard plastic? Why is it in a health food store with the Sigg bottles when it is clearly made of polycarbonate plastic (even the label says so)? Now Whole Foods does not sell any plastic with BPA so I was kind of thinking Earth Fare would be similar. Is there something I don't know? Have they made a "new" kind of BPA free polycarbonate? I rushed home to research.
NO. They do not make a "new" food safe form of polycarbonate. While it would be great to buy the lead-free/PVC free lunch "box" what the hell difference does it make if you are packing your actual food in BPA laden plastic? This is the terrible plastic people! The kind that does in fact leech chemicals into your food and drinks. Why is this being sold as a "green" choice? It appears the fact that you can reuse the containers is what qualifies them as "green". The marketing of environmentally "friendly" products is about to send me over the edge. There are no clear labeling standards or regulations. This product isn't "green" it's factually toxic! And what's worse is it is being actively marketed as the thoughtful parent's lunch box of choice for their child.
So I'm back to the drawing board. If you have any ideas... and I mean really legitimately "green" products... let me know. I will need to send hot food some of the time (obviously not sending that in polycarbonate thank you very much!). Are there divided hot & cold lunch boxes? What about the badass construction crew style?
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Getting Back To My Roots
Today is August 11th. I almost let it slip by and then I remembered that today is the day my best friend is going to start her diet plan. What's exciting about that is that she wanted little old me to come up with her meal plan... like I'm her very own personal Jenny Craig! Now truth be told we've tried this arrangement before and it hasn't worked... but this time I do believe she's ready. And I'm very excited because I would love for her to have the same success that I have... and I believe anyone can when they are ready to stop sabotaging themselves and really, really, take accountability for their choices.
Curious what I've laid out for her? Well here is some important background info... she has Celiac disease (no gluten) which of course has been a huge stumbling block for her in the past, she works full time with a significant commute into the city, she doesn't like to "handle" meat, due to her health issues she tends to eat separate meals from her boyfriend... which is nice in this circumstance since she really can have an individualized meal plan.
I'm a big believer in eating small meals through out the day. She typically pushes back food (since she's busy) until she is ravenous and then that spills over into all night eating. Sound familiar? I find, for myself, if I get too hungry I become like a bottomless pit and I never feel like I can get full enough. So I favor eating 6 times day with one of those being a straight up treat. I'm pretty consistent with my meal times (kids will do that to you) and I always have an afternoon snack between 4-5 pm so that I don't pick the whole time I'm making dinner (or get so hungry I freak out and tell Mr F to bring home pizza). One thing that held her back from succeeding in the past was her old job position, her hours were crazy and random and it really was impossible for her to be consistent. She has a much more consistent schedule and she's ready to commit to a food plan but she doesn't want to calorie count and meal plan.
So here is where I come in. I want her to succeed. I understand her particular hang ups. While I think food journaling and calorie counting are surefire methods for consistent weight loss... they'll only work if you'll do them. So since she can't dial up Nutrisystem or something else I've made a fairly inflexible plan. Inflexible on purpose. When she gets bored we'll change it up... but the hard weight loss portion is what it is and I don't know that having tons of choices makes it any easier. I actually think the more you run on autopilot food-wise the better. This isn't permanent but for now she's going to be eating the same types of food everyday. Think about your own diet... don't we all sort of do that anyway?
Breakfast: 1 brown rice cake w/ 1 T peanut butter
1 flavored yogurt
300
Snack: 1 piece of fruit
Tea w/skim
90
Lunch: frozen Amy's meal in the 300-400 calories range
400
Snack: Nectar bar
Tea w/ skim
190
Dinner: huge salad w/ unlimited veggies (except corn)
3 oz meat or 3 oz tuna or 2 hard boiled eggs or 1/2 c beans
1/2 c shredded cheese (or 1/4 avocado)
2 T lite dressing
300
1 piece of wheat free toast 100
400 total
Dessert: 1 Sherbetter popsicle or pudding cup 120
120
Total for day: 1500 calories
Now we worked this plan out of food she already likes and eats often. Obviously due to her Celiac disease she can't have many prepared or conventional foods. While she's eating basically the same thing everyday she can vary the flavors of her yogurt, snack bar and dessert as well as choose different frozen meals and completely change the taste and texture of her salad every night. I'm excited and she is too. This is a doable plan for her which doesn't require a lot of cooking (any really). We're going to let this plan work its magic over the next few weeks and add in exercise when she feels she has gotten this part down.
After working all that out for her I was so excited that I got recommitted to streamlining my own diet and getting back on a daily schedule. I really find that sticking with a routine helps keep me within in my calorie range.
Curious what I've laid out for her? Well here is some important background info... she has Celiac disease (no gluten) which of course has been a huge stumbling block for her in the past, she works full time with a significant commute into the city, she doesn't like to "handle" meat, due to her health issues she tends to eat separate meals from her boyfriend... which is nice in this circumstance since she really can have an individualized meal plan.
I'm a big believer in eating small meals through out the day. She typically pushes back food (since she's busy) until she is ravenous and then that spills over into all night eating. Sound familiar? I find, for myself, if I get too hungry I become like a bottomless pit and I never feel like I can get full enough. So I favor eating 6 times day with one of those being a straight up treat. I'm pretty consistent with my meal times (kids will do that to you) and I always have an afternoon snack between 4-5 pm so that I don't pick the whole time I'm making dinner (or get so hungry I freak out and tell Mr F to bring home pizza). One thing that held her back from succeeding in the past was her old job position, her hours were crazy and random and it really was impossible for her to be consistent. She has a much more consistent schedule and she's ready to commit to a food plan but she doesn't want to calorie count and meal plan.
So here is where I come in. I want her to succeed. I understand her particular hang ups. While I think food journaling and calorie counting are surefire methods for consistent weight loss... they'll only work if you'll do them. So since she can't dial up Nutrisystem or something else I've made a fairly inflexible plan. Inflexible on purpose. When she gets bored we'll change it up... but the hard weight loss portion is what it is and I don't know that having tons of choices makes it any easier. I actually think the more you run on autopilot food-wise the better. This isn't permanent but for now she's going to be eating the same types of food everyday. Think about your own diet... don't we all sort of do that anyway?
Breakfast: 1 brown rice cake w/ 1 T peanut butter
1 flavored yogurt
300
Snack: 1 piece of fruit
Tea w/skim
90
Lunch: frozen Amy's meal in the 300-400 calories range
400
Snack: Nectar bar
Tea w/ skim
190
Dinner: huge salad w/ unlimited veggies (except corn)
3 oz meat or 3 oz tuna or 2 hard boiled eggs or 1/2 c beans
1/2 c shredded cheese (or 1/4 avocado)
2 T lite dressing
300
1 piece of wheat free toast 100
400 total
Dessert: 1 Sherbetter popsicle or pudding cup 120
120
Total for day: 1500 calories
Now we worked this plan out of food she already likes and eats often. Obviously due to her Celiac disease she can't have many prepared or conventional foods. While she's eating basically the same thing everyday she can vary the flavors of her yogurt, snack bar and dessert as well as choose different frozen meals and completely change the taste and texture of her salad every night. I'm excited and she is too. This is a doable plan for her which doesn't require a lot of cooking (any really). We're going to let this plan work its magic over the next few weeks and add in exercise when she feels she has gotten this part down.
After working all that out for her I was so excited that I got recommitted to streamlining my own diet and getting back on a daily schedule. I really find that sticking with a routine helps keep me within in my calorie range.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Rejoice Rejoice
It's not perfect, people...
BUT it is a hell of a lot better than it had been. Remember the crazy bomb shelter look? With the bed broken apart and strewn around the very small room? Yeah that was a nightmare.
So in the end I did lay down our old dining room rug (which just fit) and hung the velvet curtains (also from the dining room) over the bed. The white bedside tables I had been using in our old house looked WRONG in here so I'm using a little dark stained sewing cabinet from my grandmother (will search Target for something for the other side). I'm resisting the urge to fill this space with furniture. I've got a beautiful antique cherry secretary, that had been my great grandmothers opposite the bed, that functions as my dresser. Still to come... a new paint job (thinking a pale pewter color) and some kind of subtle window treatment for the other set of windows which over look the screened in porch.
BUT it is a hell of a lot better than it had been. Remember the crazy bomb shelter look? With the bed broken apart and strewn around the very small room? Yeah that was a nightmare.
So in the end I did lay down our old dining room rug (which just fit) and hung the velvet curtains (also from the dining room) over the bed. The white bedside tables I had been using in our old house looked WRONG in here so I'm using a little dark stained sewing cabinet from my grandmother (will search Target for something for the other side). I'm resisting the urge to fill this space with furniture. I've got a beautiful antique cherry secretary, that had been my great grandmothers opposite the bed, that functions as my dresser. Still to come... a new paint job (thinking a pale pewter color) and some kind of subtle window treatment for the other set of windows which over look the screened in porch.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
And The Winner Is...
Quiche!
I made one spinach & onion and one tomato & basil. They were a HUGE hit. Thanks for everyone's suggestions... this is clearly a potluck heavy group so I'll have many opportunities to try them out.
At the end of the day I guess I couldn't pass up the opportunity to showcase my beautiful pie basket:
border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232573112491918002" />
It's old fashioned charm cannot be denied!
sorry don't know why those pics are sideways!!!
I made one spinach & onion and one tomato & basil. They were a HUGE hit. Thanks for everyone's suggestions... this is clearly a potluck heavy group so I'll have many opportunities to try them out.
At the end of the day I guess I couldn't pass up the opportunity to showcase my beautiful pie basket:
border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232573112491918002" />
It's old fashioned charm cannot be denied!
sorry don't know why those pics are sideways!!!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Important Updates (Of All Sorts)
First things first:
Remember the crystal? I think I can safely say I've put this baby to the test over the past 2 months of moving & packing & heat & whatnot. It works people. It works better than the name brand deodorant/anti-perspirant that I had been using. And YES in both departments. Totally badass. Totally smell free. Totally not killing you slowly.
Secondly:
After my breakdown with Kid the other night I realized I needed to get some "me time" ASAP. So I managed to get in to get my haircut last night. On the way there I went to good old Barnes & Noble and got myself a new Amish romance novel. Believe it.
Added bonus of the night is that the hairdresser and I got along famously. I counseled her on her relationship issues... she warned me about the nighttime rapists of Asheville (great!). I think we sat around talking for a good hour after my cut and then she asked me out on a friend date! Excellent.
Third and final photo of the day:
Kid lost her second tooth. Check out that cute toothless grin!
Remember the crystal? I think I can safely say I've put this baby to the test over the past 2 months of moving & packing & heat & whatnot. It works people. It works better than the name brand deodorant/anti-perspirant that I had been using. And YES in both departments. Totally badass. Totally smell free. Totally not killing you slowly.
Secondly:
After my breakdown with Kid the other night I realized I needed to get some "me time" ASAP. So I managed to get in to get my haircut last night. On the way there I went to good old Barnes & Noble and got myself a new Amish romance novel. Believe it.
Added bonus of the night is that the hairdresser and I got along famously. I counseled her on her relationship issues... she warned me about the nighttime rapists of Asheville (great!). I think we sat around talking for a good hour after my cut and then she asked me out on a friend date! Excellent.
Third and final photo of the day:
Kid lost her second tooth. Check out that cute toothless grin!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
HELP!
We've got a Brunch Potluck for Kid's new school on Saturday. We're supposed to bring a dish to share. I don't want to bring fruit salad (as I assume many will) and I'd like to take something that is more of a main course. Any suggestions? It is going to be outside at a park.
You Know What They Say About Measuring Twice...
If you're going to drill 4 holes in my hardwood floors is there a reason you couldn't have done it behind the TV armoire?!?!
Mr F will probably be pissed... but then again he did do this last night:
Mr F will probably be pissed... but then again he did do this last night:
Move Over Joan Crawford
Last night I lost my temper. I yelled at Kid. I said things that weren't nice. I regretted it, even while I was doing it, but was too immature in the moment to stop. We all have this inside of us. I'm not putting this out there so someone will try and make me feel better about it. I putting it out there so someone might feel better about themselves.
We all mess up sometimes. It's what you do about it that makes the difference.
We all mess up sometimes. It's what you do about it that makes the difference.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Cause You Never Know What Hand You're Getting Dealt
After arriving in Asheville a few weeks ago I immediately went to meet with the principals/directors of several schools in our neighborhood. Every single one of them (private, public, & charter) were full for the coming school year. Every single one. The school system is different than a typical public school system. Here the city schools are run on a Magnet program and you get in by lottery. This means that desirable schools fill up quickly and those may or may not be in your neighborhood. If you want to have control over what school your child attends, and in what neighborhood, you may be out of luck. The same goes for the charter schools and the private schools. Relocating a month before school starts and attempting to get in anywhere has been a nightmare!
I had resigned myself to homeschooling for Kindergarten and taking the time to research all of our options and apply for next year. Then while on vacation Up North (which is technically what the region is called I'm not juxtaposing to the South!) we got the call that there was an opening at the private school in our neighborhood. I was so relived I could have cried. As much as I think homeschooling can be both doable and rewarding, I was very worried about being socially isolated in a new place. This school is maybe a bit more "hippy" than I would choose for myself socially but it is perfect for Kid academically and hey that's what school is for... right?
Okay so I've been juggling all the new student paperwork and writing checks up the wazoo (it is NOT cheap) and generally stressing about Kid's first step out into the big world. And then...
Not one week after we committed to this placement and paid our fees and 2 months of tuition (and signed all the paperwork binding us to the entire year's tuition) we get word that Mr F's main freelance client is pulling out and he won't have that work anymore. You see where this is going right? If I had known that ONE week ago I would have turned down the spot. We had been counting on the freelance work for things like... oh I don't know... private school. I'd be wringing my hands right now if I still wasn't still so relieved that someone else will be teaching Kid to read and that maybe (just maybe) I'll find a friend of my own. That just might be worth 8K right?
But this is our life, this is how everything turns out. It has become almost laughable... for every up there is a down. It's hard to ever feel like we're moving forward. We felt good about being able to put extra money down on our mortgage and then, after signing all the papers, we discover that we needed all new appliances... how much did that cost?... exactly as much as the extra we put down when we closed on the house. And now with this we've gone from feeling as financially secure as we've ever been back to exactly where we started... overnight.
It's hard for me to process all this. I mean we just made a huge financial commitment (which may still be for the best) and I'm not sure how we'll make it work. We can make it work... but it will require very careful budgeting (which will be done by you know who). The upside to all this... and it is a huge upside... is that Mr F will not be working 2 jobs anymore. Mr F still has a couple of projects but for the most part our evenings will be family time... which we haven't had in 4 years (seriously). So it's not all bad, in fact I think in some ways it's better, just a bit more stressful.
I had resigned myself to homeschooling for Kindergarten and taking the time to research all of our options and apply for next year. Then while on vacation Up North (which is technically what the region is called I'm not juxtaposing to the South!) we got the call that there was an opening at the private school in our neighborhood. I was so relived I could have cried. As much as I think homeschooling can be both doable and rewarding, I was very worried about being socially isolated in a new place. This school is maybe a bit more "hippy" than I would choose for myself socially but it is perfect for Kid academically and hey that's what school is for... right?
Okay so I've been juggling all the new student paperwork and writing checks up the wazoo (it is NOT cheap) and generally stressing about Kid's first step out into the big world. And then...
Not one week after we committed to this placement and paid our fees and 2 months of tuition (and signed all the paperwork binding us to the entire year's tuition) we get word that Mr F's main freelance client is pulling out and he won't have that work anymore. You see where this is going right? If I had known that ONE week ago I would have turned down the spot. We had been counting on the freelance work for things like... oh I don't know... private school. I'd be wringing my hands right now if I still wasn't still so relieved that someone else will be teaching Kid to read and that maybe (just maybe) I'll find a friend of my own. That just might be worth 8K right?
But this is our life, this is how everything turns out. It has become almost laughable... for every up there is a down. It's hard to ever feel like we're moving forward. We felt good about being able to put extra money down on our mortgage and then, after signing all the papers, we discover that we needed all new appliances... how much did that cost?... exactly as much as the extra we put down when we closed on the house. And now with this we've gone from feeling as financially secure as we've ever been back to exactly where we started... overnight.
It's hard for me to process all this. I mean we just made a huge financial commitment (which may still be for the best) and I'm not sure how we'll make it work. We can make it work... but it will require very careful budgeting (which will be done by you know who). The upside to all this... and it is a huge upside... is that Mr F will not be working 2 jobs anymore. Mr F still has a couple of projects but for the most part our evenings will be family time... which we haven't had in 4 years (seriously). So it's not all bad, in fact I think in some ways it's better, just a bit more stressful.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Under The Weather
Woke up feeling terrible. Light headed, shaky, weird. I fear I might be coming down with something (terrible timing), or maybe I've just been over exerting myself...
However sickness would explain why Baby has not been eating the last few days and waking all night.
Ugh.
However sickness would explain why Baby has not been eating the last few days and waking all night.
Ugh.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Someone Save Me
"I mean it! Stay Out Of The Kitchen!!"
"For real... you already ate... do not come in here AT ALL!"
"For real... you already ate... do not come in here AT ALL!"
Sunday, August 3, 2008
This Week The Plan
I'm back. I think it is a very good sign that I am even attempting to get back in the organizational saddle.
I'd give you the week in review but lets be real you know what it was... hell.
Menu:
Monday - hamburgers
Tuesday - quiche & bagged salad
Wednesday - chicken & pasta primevera
Thursday - ?
Friday - go out to eat
Saturday - pizza, potluck brunch... hmmm
Sunday - tomato & meatball soup
Diet & Exercise:
This week I'm going to stop freaking lying to myself and start doing something.
6 days this week I am going to do some kind of exercise. You can track it along with me in my left hand sidebar.
I'm going to go for 1600 calories 5 days and have 2 slightly higher days. I'm doing it.
Move Related Tasks:
Monday - take obviously basement items down, finish kitchen, assemble kids beds
Tuesday - get stove delivered, hopefully get stove & dryer hooked up!
Wednesday - Do laundry, get master bedroom set up
Thursday -Target run, hang curtains
Friday - unpack clothes
Saturday - Kid's Kindergarten potluck! Yay!
Outlook Is Improving
Well things have a very different feel around these parts on the weekends. I'm not sure entirely how to account for that but it is true. The sketch factor is replaced by families and the vacant buildings are less noticeable (maybe since it's quieter and more stores are closed anyway?). Maybe there are more 2 parent working families in our neighborhood and so they just aren't around as much during the weekdays?
We still don't have a stove or oven so we've been going out to eat and getting around our neighborhood a bit more. I think I can have the walkable community I wanted and in that regard think we made the right decision to move here. The unfortunate parts of downtown West Asheville is that really only one side of the street is being reclaimed... and of course it is the other side from us and Kid's school. There are about 2 blocks of mostly new businesses and then on our side (where clearly most of the original architecture was torn down) is a gas station, some misc odd stuff, a parking lot, a self serve car wash, a gas station, an abandoned gas station ,and then things pick up a bit with 2 restaurants before you reach Kid's school. On the other side of the drag there is a grocery store and then it is kind of touch & go with some new stores and some old stores.
One issue the contributes to the run down appearance of the downtown for me is that we're walking in front of all the shitty stuff and that there are no easements between the sidewalk and the road or the sidewalk and the gas stations... which not only looks grimier but feels more dangerous while walking your two little kids along the edge of a busy road. I'm actively looking for an alternate route that isn't too much out of our way. I do think if West Asheville had grassy easements (especially w/ trees) the little downtown would seem a lot more like a destination and a lot less like a drive thru area. I think for those locals who come to shop they park by the bakery or market and most likely stick to that smaller area where things do in fact feel a bit reclaimed. It would take a big developer to come in (which isn't desirable either) and have the money to tear down the gas station and build something else, and I don't think that'll happen anytime soon.
Outside of all that I have been delighted (slash disappointed) to discover that you can actually see the mountains from West Asheville... just not from our block! I think once the trees lose their leaves I might be able to see them a bit while walking around with the kids. It was a hard choice for me to make between living some place more naturally beautiful and living some place more walkable... I'll be really happy if I can have a bit of both.
We still don't have a stove or oven so we've been going out to eat and getting around our neighborhood a bit more. I think I can have the walkable community I wanted and in that regard think we made the right decision to move here. The unfortunate parts of downtown West Asheville is that really only one side of the street is being reclaimed... and of course it is the other side from us and Kid's school. There are about 2 blocks of mostly new businesses and then on our side (where clearly most of the original architecture was torn down) is a gas station, some misc odd stuff, a parking lot, a self serve car wash, a gas station, an abandoned gas station ,and then things pick up a bit with 2 restaurants before you reach Kid's school. On the other side of the drag there is a grocery store and then it is kind of touch & go with some new stores and some old stores.
One issue the contributes to the run down appearance of the downtown for me is that we're walking in front of all the shitty stuff and that there are no easements between the sidewalk and the road or the sidewalk and the gas stations... which not only looks grimier but feels more dangerous while walking your two little kids along the edge of a busy road. I'm actively looking for an alternate route that isn't too much out of our way. I do think if West Asheville had grassy easements (especially w/ trees) the little downtown would seem a lot more like a destination and a lot less like a drive thru area. I think for those locals who come to shop they park by the bakery or market and most likely stick to that smaller area where things do in fact feel a bit reclaimed. It would take a big developer to come in (which isn't desirable either) and have the money to tear down the gas station and build something else, and I don't think that'll happen anytime soon.
Outside of all that I have been delighted (slash disappointed) to discover that you can actually see the mountains from West Asheville... just not from our block! I think once the trees lose their leaves I might be able to see them a bit while walking around with the kids. It was a hard choice for me to make between living some place more naturally beautiful and living some place more walkable... I'll be really happy if I can have a bit of both.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Good Fucking Grief...
I am really not happy about how my body has ... um... changed the last few months.
5 pounds and 5% more body fat has made a visible difference and I am not happy about it!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Homesick
I knew it was going to be hard. Moving and unpacking is hard even if you aren't changing jobs and cities much less entire states. Moving and unpacking when you are a stay-at-home mom is even harder. It's easy to say "just get out and explore your new area"... but that is difficult to do with Baby even when I know exactly where I'm going and what I can expect. This is a kid who you really can't take out and about, and I'm saying that as a mother who was able to take Kid anywhere and everywhere. My point being it is not that I'm opposed to doing it... it is just the reality of doing it with Baby is more than I want to handle on a typical day. I was homebound most of the time in Ann Arbor but at least there I already had friends.
Making "mom" friends is hard. It is a lot like dating (except you can't count on alcohol to get you through the rough moments) and it takes the same amount of time and energy to find the right fit. And I'm going to let you in on a little secret (new moms close your eyes) it is even harder when you have more than one child. When you are a new mom and you have a baby there is some kind of pheromone you emit that attracts all new moms with the same age child... you see them EVERYWHERE and you are all obsessed with baby development and whatnot and it doesn't even matter that outside of that you technically have nothing in common.
When you have 2 kids it isn't like that. You need to find someone with kids in similar age ranges who get along with your kids (6 year olds seem to want to have a say in who their friends are those stinkers). You no longer want to talk about your baby you want to talk about laser hair removal and permanent birth control (or is that just me?). You don't care if your baby is drinking your iced coffee, let alone if they are developing "on time", if it buys you some time to talk to someone about something other than My Little Ponies for 10 minutes uninterrupted. It takes time to find someone who can be your friend and not just the mother of your kids' friends... and in the meantime I miss my friends tremendously.
Making "mom" friends is hard. It is a lot like dating (except you can't count on alcohol to get you through the rough moments) and it takes the same amount of time and energy to find the right fit. And I'm going to let you in on a little secret (new moms close your eyes) it is even harder when you have more than one child. When you are a new mom and you have a baby there is some kind of pheromone you emit that attracts all new moms with the same age child... you see them EVERYWHERE and you are all obsessed with baby development and whatnot and it doesn't even matter that outside of that you technically have nothing in common.
When you have 2 kids it isn't like that. You need to find someone with kids in similar age ranges who get along with your kids (6 year olds seem to want to have a say in who their friends are those stinkers). You no longer want to talk about your baby you want to talk about laser hair removal and permanent birth control (or is that just me?). You don't care if your baby is drinking your iced coffee, let alone if they are developing "on time", if it buys you some time to talk to someone about something other than My Little Ponies for 10 minutes uninterrupted. It takes time to find someone who can be your friend and not just the mother of your kids' friends... and in the meantime I miss my friends tremendously.
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