On the Road Again

The peanut and I are road tripping it again. We're heading up to NC for a relaxing, week-long visit with the family.

Well, relaxing once I survive the six-hour drive with a toddler by my lonesome. If you know me, you know I've been obsessing about this for about a week. I've traveled alone with peanut before. There have been two airplane trips to NC solo. No big deal. Quick flight. Totally doable. There was the drive to the mountains for a long weekend with the sister. But that was only a four hour drive and he was in the habit of sleeping in the car then.

Now...well, we'll see.

I've got the portable DVD (thanks, Jess), snacks, books, a plan. We'll totally be fine...right? Right?

But once we get there, ahhhh! My parents will be armed with a bottle of wine with my name on it and they will be more than eager to take the little one off my hands. Every day of the next week has a visit with a family member or friend. The fall weather should be perfect for walks and exploring. Afternoons (provided peanut actually naps) on the deck with a book or a journal will be restorative for mommy. Evenings of just me and my folks.

I'll miss the hubby like crazy and I know peanut will, too. But the excitement of watching peanut interact with his family...well worth a potentially painful drive and stressful week of routine management. Most of the family hasn't seen him since June. And my, my, he's growing up so much.

So it might be dark here at High Heels and High Chairs for a few days. But just think of all the fun stories I'll have to share on the flip side?

(They will be fun stories, right? Not horror stories of a crazed mom, white knuckles gripping the steering wheel, tossing sippy cups and board books into the back seat while speeding up I-85, right? Right?)

Must See TV

Tonight is the final event. The last time we'll see them before the big decision. I'm so excited to see the posturing, the spinning, the arguing. There's bound to be a few angry words and maybe a few moments of finding common ground. The families will be there to offer their support to those working so hard to fulfill their dreams. And the best part? The moderator.

Oh, you thought I meant this? Nah, chances are they won't say anything new. I'm hoping for some real drama on Bravo. Although if Bob Schieffer actually pushes the candidates to "make it work," then it might get interesting.

(Note: Don't get me wrong, the presidential debates are an important part of our voting process. If you are still undecided, please tune in so you can make an informed choice in November. I'm High Heeled Mama, and I approved this message).

Update: I caved and watched the debate. Project Runway's on the DVR and will be watched momentarily. But debate drama? At least it was interesting this time around.

Retail Therapy

The economy is in ruins. So I did what every red-blooded American with a kid and only one income does when times get tough. I went shopping.

(Don't tell Suzy Orman. She scares me. *shiver*)

Shopping as a stay-at-home-mom has got to be one of my biggest challenges. I know I'm not alone. I've seen enough episodes of "What Not To Wear" to know I'm not the only one scouring for bargains, stocking up on capris/flip-flops/hoodies, and choosing comfort over style. I know I'm not the only one who finds it easier to justify a purchase for the peanut or for the home before I can justify buying a new pair of jeans at Old Navy.

For me, though, the clothes still make the mom. I feel better in my nicer duds. I don't have a style, per se, but in summer, you will often find me in a skirt and flats at the playground. Don't get me wrong, for every day I'm in a skirt there is another day where I haven't showered after a workout and you'll find me five hours later at the playground in my workout clothes (although I do prefer the running skirt over shorts - hate the short-induced ride-up) or a day when I'm in a ratty tank top, shorts and flip flops. But the days I'm in the skirt and flats, I feel better about myself.

So, I've been thinking about what I need to spruce up my jeans and long-sleeve T winter wardrobe. Black pants. I don't know what happened, but all my old work wardrobe black pants just don't work anymore. How could I not have a nice pair of black pants? They can go to Target or on a date night or to Alphabet Club. Two stores and 8 pairs of pants later, I have a beautifully versatile pair that were totally ON SALE! So I bought a second pair of trousers in a very versatile tan. Also ON SALE!

Real clothes. Ah, how refreshing. I forbid myself from feeling guilty for spending a little bit more on quality items that will help eliminate the "I have nothing to wear because I'm a mom and not worthy of going anywhere" panic that tends to proceed an adult evening out. (I can almost hear the hubby whispering a silent thank you as he reads this.)

Then we popped in the shoe store. I have in my mind's eye the perfect pair of boots for my mommy wardrobe...unfortunately, the only ones I can find are $500. A bit out of my current price range. I struck out again today, but did find (ON SALE) a sassy pair of Joan & David brownish/bronzish patent peep-toe pumps that spoke to me.

And do they ever make me feel like me in them.

These are some rough times we're in. But I don't have to look it.

At least not every day.

Routine or Rut?

Every day it's the same old routine. We wake up, eat breakfast, run our errands, do our activities, eat lunch, nap (well, peanut does), play outside, eat dinner, bath and bed all at the same time each and every day. I know this routine provides comfort for peanut. Knowing, in general, what to expect throughout the day makes the day run smoothly for both of us. An established routine also means that I can abuse said routine when I need to for special activities and not pay the price with a complete meltdown...as long as we're back on track within 24 hours, that is!

I'm beginning to wonder, however, if all this routine is putting me in a bit of a rut.

I'm planning a trip to see the family for a week and it's starting to stress me out. Not because I'm nervous, although a six-hour solo drive with peanut is a bit of a nerve-wracking thought, but because it's outside the normal day-to-day routine. And how will peanut, and I for that matter, react to establishing our routine in a different place with totally different time pressures?

I know deep down we'll be fine because we've done it before. But I am hoping that this little jaunt will help inspire a rejuvenated routine when we return. Certainly the routine will stay the same, the wake-up, the mealtimes, the nap times, the scheduled classes. But in those down times -- the two hours of nap time, the after bed time evening time with the hubby -- I think I need a change. Sure, checking my feed reader and monitoring my friends' Facebook status while catching up on the DVR is fine for giving my brain a rest, but I think I need a little bit more. Things are good...but can't they always be better?

So, when I get back from my trip later this month, a few things are going to change around here. First of all, I'm busting out the paint cans. The kitchen and breakfast area need a serious face lift and have since the moment we moved in four years ago. I keep putting it off and putting it off, but I'm going for it. If I can cut off nearly six inches of hair, I can certainly paint a few rooms in a pleasing apple crisp orange and relaxing, soft sage (aptly named for this project "rejuvenate").

While I'm gone, I'm going to work up some ideas on shaking up my routine in the little ways that will give me a better glimpse of me in my mommy day. Maybe dedicated reading space and a new box of teas for nap time. Maybe putting the DVR in overdrive in the evening with a chosen night of TV catch-up time so that evenings can be better spent writing or watching movies with the hubby. I don't know. We'll have to see.

The good thing about a rut is that the view is so much better when you climb up to the top. Here's to a new perspective.

My Son the Comedian Strikes Again

During a phone conversation this weekend, High Heeled Mama's sister taught peanut how to say "Happy birthday old man" in anticipation of our father's birthday this week. The giggles that followed on both ends of the phone line after peanut repeated it accurately cemented this as a funny line in peanut's mind. While chatting with my mom on the phone last night, peanut shared his new funny phrase with her. She, of course, thought it was hilarious.

Today during lunch, out of the blue, peanut piped up:

"Happy Birthday old man."

"Is that what you're going to say to grandpa on his birthday tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Happy birthday old man."

"Do you think Grandpa will like that?"

He paused.

"Grandma like it!" Which then sent him into a giggle fit through the rest of lunch.

Sorry, Dad. Looks like peanut will do anything for a laugh. On the bright side, at least he's not calling you "Poopa" anymore!

I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing

All those music classes are finally paying off! Peanut is currently obsessed with singing. He has always loved music - listening, dancing, trying to name the instruments we hear. Even in utero he would respond to the organ during Sunday Mass. Lately, however, he's started to try to sing along with a few ditties.

We noticed awhile ago that he would fill in the last few words of a phrase of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" if we paused. Recently, we've added the Carolina alma mater to his fill in the blank repertoire. Why? Because we're shameless, that's why! In reality, I sang it to peanut during lullaby time after a recent big football win and since that moment, he's started asking for "the Tar Heel song." Today, he sang his ABCs! He needed a nudge at around H, but still managed to get through.

And although the singing is great, he's not exactly 100% accurate. So, today, I present to you a few songs as interpreted by peanut...

From "Hark the Sound" (the Carolina alma mater):
The real version: "Hail to the brightest star of all..."
The peanut version: "Hail to the brightest star all done..."

From the Alphabet Song
The real version: "L-M-N-O-P"
The peanut version: "animal pee" (I swear, that's what it sounds like)

Alternate Alphabet Song
The real version: "A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P..."
The peanut version: "A-B-C-D-E-F-G, How I wonder what you are..."
(Really, it's the same tune, can you blame him?)

From "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"
The real version: "Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream..."
The peanut version: "Row, row, row your boat, down there..."

From "Happy Birthday to You"
The real version: "Happy Birthday to you..."
The peanut version: "Happy Birthday cake..."

At least he's singing, right? Another benefit: the more he sings, the less I have to sing. And I think we can all agree (right, High Heeled Sis?) that that is a very good thing.

Crazy Toddler Habits? Get in Line.

Peanut is great at playing alone. He'll stand at his train table and run his trains, cars, boats along the tracks. He will sit and look at books for a half hour. He will bang out a tune on his xylophone.

But lately, he's also been organizing his toys. He'll be happily playing by himself while I do the dishes/prep dinner/check my email and when I look up, he'll have lined up whatever he's playing with. He lined up all his train people and proceeded to tell me how they were going to the store to buy "vegetables, flowers and birthday cards."



He lined up all his people on the entertainment center. Not sure what they were waiting for, but peanut insisted they stay there all day.



He lined up all his animal toys on top of his cubby bench like he was Noah directing them two-by-two through the storm.

What does all this lining up means. He's orderly? He's geometrically inclined? He's obsessive-compulsive? He wants to work in the post office/DMV/grocery store/bouncer at a hot club?

Not really sure, but it's quite entertaining. Now, if only I could figure out how to parlay this new talent into a Halloween costume, I'd be set!