Please Tell Me I Am Not Alone

I am really hoping someone out there will validate that this is a normal phase, that I am not alone, that this too shall pass, that it is okay to be *this* frustrated with your own child. Let me explain.


Lately, Logan has been exceptionally greedy and seemingly ungrateful. Now, I am not sure he is meaning to be this way, he is just now learning what those words really mean, but it is really getting on my last nerve. Whenever we go anywhere, and I mean anywhere, whether it is something he wants to do or an errand we need to do, as soon as we leave he asks where we are going next. Now, I understand this when we are doing boring errands, but when he asks after leaving one of his fun activities, I want to lose it.


Take this morning for example. We went to see a movie with friends and then went to lunch with them, the kids played on the playground, and we had cupcakes for one of the kids' birthdays. Fun day, right? As soon as we leave, and I mean, we weren't even out of the restaurant, he asked what the rest of our plans were. I told him nothing and he got mad. I explained to him that we had a busy morning and that now is time to go home and rest. He argued that it wasn't busy, it was only 2 things. I told him that I didn't have to take him to do anything, so he was lucky and should be grateful, etc. He continued the whole way home, this time wanting to go to McDonalds (even though we just ate lunch). I told him if he said one more word about it, he would go to his room for the rest of the afternoon. So he continued to mutter under his breath, I couldn't quite hear him but I heard Chuck E. Cheese mentioned so I know he was still talking about going other places, but purposely staying out of earshot. I chose to ignore him, which worked for the moment. We had to run one more errand and when we left that place, he asked if we could go to a park or if we could do something else. I told him yes, he could go to his room the rest of the afternoon. He began to spit his tongue out and make ugly sounds, which I chose to ignore (until we got home). When we got home, he went straight to his room. Now, he has books and a couple toys in his room, and I don't mind him playing in there, I just needed him away from me for the time being. Am I overreacting to this? Is this a normal stage? This is not the only time we have had this discussion, it happens every time we go anywhere (or don't go anywhere).


Same thing with toys. The other day we were out with my dad, who, yes, spoils Logan. That's what grandpas do. I understand that. But when Logan starts talking about getting a toy as soon as T-Luv (yes, that's what Logan calls him...long story), that is not okay. That is greedy and rude. He should not be expecting to get anything from anyone unless it is food, water, or shelter. Everything else is a bonus. He kept on, whining and throwing a mini-fit, and I finally lost it when he threw a stuffed animal and it hit me in the side of the face while I was driving. He knows that is a big no-no (throwing anything in the car, much less toward me) so I quickly turned off the road we were on and pulled over, yanked him out of the car, and spanked him. That quieted him temporarily but the attitude continued even when we got to the restaurant (I know, I should have just taken my dad back home and gone home ourselves). But when he decided to eat, his attitude got better. This kid is highly affected by food, I mean, he turns on a dime once he eats. I think I have discussed this before. So then I feel bad for reacting the way I did, but nonetheless, he shouldn't act that way...he is getting old enough to control himself (at least I hope this is something he can control). So after he ate, his attitude did turn around a little, but it was still a rough day.


But that's a common occurrence with the toy (or book or shirt or anything) thing. He is constantly wanting more, more, more and he doesn't even play with all that he has (which I know is too much). Please tell me this is normal and my child isn't just being the most greedy child on earth. We talk about greediness a lot and how he should be so thankful for all that he has and for all the people that love him. But I just get really frustrated when he acts that way, but then I stop and remember that he's only 5. Am I expecting too much? I am thinking about starting some sort of marble jar or something where he can put in/take away marbles when he is acting inappropriately and when it is full, he gets a special treat. Has anyone done anything to successfully curb this kind of behavior before? Any ideas or suggestions? Or even just a reassurance that this is all normal?? Anyone? Anyone?

Logan-isms

**I just found this is my drafts folder from back in September, not sure why I never published it**


Logan generally cracks me up on a daily basis...wears me out, but cracks me up nonetheless. I have been thinking that I need to write more stuff down, and I figure now is as good a time as any. And I also understand that these things might not be funny to other people and that I am sure I am biased toward my own child...but in the moment, coupled with Logan's attitude/facial expressions/gestures, these things are pretty funny.


To Chris last night: (whispering) "I have a sweecwet (secret--I love how he says this). I hate this town. There's not enough room for the both of us."
*he is testing us on the use of the word 'hate' lately. He knows we don't like it, so he's seeing what he can get away with. But...there's not enough room for the both of us??? Where did that come from? 


Just this morning: "Do you want to go somewhere today? Maybe to the park and then QT to get gas and a slurpee?" 
*sly little kid...too bad we got gas yesterday. Nice try.


As I was turning his suggestion down for a slurpee yesterday (yes, this is a common conversation) due to lack of cash, our conversation went something like this:
Logan: Can we please get a slurpee?
Me: Not today. I don't have any cash.
Logan: Well we could get some. I have enough in my lion bank.
Me: No you don't. Daddy works hard for our money so we have to save it.
Logan: Well, get a job. Or we could just go to the bank today.
Me: You are my job. So maybe you should get a job and pay me.
Logan: I never get money for my jobs.
Me: What jobs do you do?
Logan: You know, riding my scooter, digging in the garden...
*maybe it's time to start coming up with a chore chart for him...


"I don't even get it..." (with hand on forehead, shaking his head)  
*In response to anything he doesn't understand


"Hey, babycakes." *while slapping my cheeks with both hands


I know there are more, and that's probably why this was still in the draft folder, but it's all I got for now. 

Freezer Cooking!

My sister Heather and I have talked about freezer cooking for a long time. We used to do it with a group of girls at a Dinner Station place, but it got to be more of a pain because it was so far away (Highland Village) for us and coming up with a time that worked for everyone was hard. So we got out of the habit but have continued to discuss it, just not do anything about it other than pin a bunch of recipes that look good (because isn't that what we all do?).


Well, now we are getting ready to go out of town on a girl's trip (yay!!) so we are trying to save money by eating out less but also have some meals ready for our families to eat while we are out of town. Heather was off work today so we each picked 3 meals to make and went to the store to get the ingredients. We each spent about $50 and came out of it with 7 meals a piece! We cranked down the A/C in my house and entertained Logan with a movie from the library and we were done in about 2 hours. We will definitely be doing it again and maybe adding another meal or two since it was so easy.


Here is what we made:


Unstuffed Shells

Source: onceamonthmom.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Chicken Broccoli Rice (I've made this before--it's excellent)

Source: onceamonthmom.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Spicy Sausage and Pepper Penne

Source: onceamonthmom.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Cranberry BBQ Chicken

Source: wegottaeat.com via Heather on Pinterest

Hawaiian Kielbasa

Source: freezermealsforus.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

IKEA Swedish Meatballs (there was no picture for this one)

Source: myfreezermeals.wordpress.com via Heather on Pinterest

And here is what our haul looked like when we were done!

So excited to have meals ready to go! And there will still be plenty of leftovers for lunches, etc.

Logan's Preschool Graduation

I have been dreading this day since Logan was born, or at least since I started staying home. I am not ready for him to go to Kindergarten, but he is SO ready. Maybe not quite maturity-wise but since he is an only child, he needs more interaction on a daily basis with kids his own age. He has loved preschool this year and I am just not ready for it to be over. Despite my wishes though, it is. They had the Spring Program and 4's Graduation this past week and I was preparing myself to be an emotional wreck. I handled it better than I thought I would but I think that's because we still have 2 more days of preschool. The last day may be a different story. And the first day of Kindergarten, well, I am just going to be a mess.

Logan's Zebra class singing "King of the Jungle"

My little ham

Getting his certificate from his teachers

My Pre-K graduate

Logan and his buddies, Jacob & Keegan

Jacob & Logan have become great friends and are already planning sleepovers...

Our family

Logan with Aunt Heather & Uncle Kevin

Ms. Michelle, Logan, & Ms. Sallie...he loves his Zebra teachers

Happy

That's the word I would actually use to describe myself at this point in my life, despite my current fertility issues. This is my 2nd year staying home and I have absolutely loved it this year. Last year, it was more difficult for me. We were still adjusting to the change in income, I was still adjusting to not working full-time, and I was struggling with not having friends to talk to. Most of my friends were still working (most of them teaching) so it wasn't like I had a group to get together with on a consistent basis. My husband, sister, and close friends could all tell I wasn't loving staying home but I just couldn't figure out how to be happy and then I began wondering if I made the wrong choice by staying home, which made me feel like a horrible mom.


Fast forward to this year...I started subbing at Logan's new preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays and LOVED it. It is an awesome preschool (Southlake Christian Preschool at The Hills Church, if anyone is wondering) and I really enjoyed getting to know all the women there. They brought me on as a permanent sub in October, which meant I came every day (T/Th) and they just put me in whatever class had a teacher out. So it varied from day to day but it was an awesome way to get to know everyone there. It's very hard to get on there because no one leaves, so I jumped at the chance to become permanent. In December, I started working on Mondays as well, cleaning and sanitizing with a few of the other women, which added to my paycheck and helped me and Logan get even more social interaction. Then I started working Wednesdays for a bible study and Sunday mornings in the nursery. So I am basically working Sunday-Thursday but I love every minute of it. It just feels right. Logan is comfortable there (maybe too comfortable) and we have both met some wonderful friends. For the first time since I have started staying home, I actually have women to hang out with that have kids around Logan's age and it is so wonderful. Just today we took all the kids up to Central Market and let the kids play for a couple hours and we are already talking about summer trips to the waterpark and movies.


All my family and close friends have commented on how happy I have been this year and it is true, although the addition of Prozac may have something to do with it. I am sad for preschool to be ending but I know I will stay in touch with everyone over the summer. It has been a perfect balance of staying home and working. Logan can always come with me and it's not all day, every day.


As far as fertility issues, IUI #3 was unsuccessful. I was disappointed, of course, and I was realizing how emotionally and physically (and financially) drained I was feeling. But I pressed on, not wanting to give myself a break. I went to the doctor this past Saturday for my day 2 sono and we discovered I had 2 cysts, too big to allow treatment this cycle. So I am being forced to take a break whether I like it or not, which, I have to admit, is kind of nice. I think someone up above knew I needed a break but wasn't going to take one on my own.


So, despite all that, I am still happy. Sure, I desperately want another child but for now I am enjoying my job, my friends, and my family.  Sure, money is still tight and Chris seems like he is always working but we still have family time and are able to do fun things together. Of course there are days where Logan is wearing me out but then I think about next year when he is going to be off at Kindergarten all day (and he will be wearing out his teacher) and realize I *might* actually miss that. Yeah, my house isn't as spotless (or even close) as I pictured a SAHM's house being, but my hatred of cleaning hasn't changed since I began staying home. I really need to work on that...or figure out how to fit a maid into the budget (ha!).


This is the way I pictured my life when I thought about staying home and I am so glad I am finally there.

Our family at the zoo on my 32nd birthday

Logan's Dinosaur Party

Warning: This is a picture-heavy post!


Logan had his 5th birthday party this past Sunday, over a week after his actual birthday which really confused him, at the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science. It was dinosaur themed and the most expensive party he has ever had, but not completely crazy for what we got and the amount of people we were able to invite. But he had definite ideas of what he wanted to do this year and we figured 5 is a big milestone so we went for it. I am so glad we did. It was a great party and we had a great turnout. He has been helping me plan this party for a couple months now, surfing Pinterest with me and picking all his partyware out. It's been fun for him to be involved this year and I love how opinionated he is (in this case, at least).

His dinosaur cake, he wanted it brown with dinosaur eggs (seen on Pinterest).

The birthday boy

He saw these on Pinterest and had to have them...Bugles as dino toenails.

These were a Pinterest find as well...pretzels, mini marshmallows, and almond bark.

These were on sale at Sprouts, so why not?

Logan wanted to have strawberries

We snagged a family picture before the party got started

All the kids got foam dinosaur masks to wear/take home. They were hit!

The museum provided a party host and she talked to the kids about dinosaurs and was very interactive and engaging!

All the kids got to make their own fossil imprints

And dig in their dino dig (which was a dusty mess)

Ready to blow out his candle

The birthday boy got to help erupt a volcano at the end

All the kiddos with their masks

After the party, we still had some time before the museum closed so several of us stayed and let the kids play. I love the Dallas Science Museum (more than the Fort Worth one), I wish we could have stayed longer. They are having a Magic School Bus exhibit soon and Logan LOVES that show, so we will be going back.

Logan and some friends

Climbing the rock wall

Working their way through the spider web (this picture cracks me up with everyone falling)

Perched on top of an ant hill

Logan and his BFF Jacob

Milking the cow

After the museum closed, my dad took our immediate family and a couple close family friends out to dinner at La Calle Doce in Oak Cliff. It was a perfect night to sit outside and the food was excellent. Logan was exhausted, though, and didn't want to eat. He was in a pretty foul mood and later we discovered he had a fever, which explained a lot. So in these pictures he's not feeling so great.

Me and my handsome boy

My long-time friend, Jennifer, and her son, Jacob

T-Luv (my dad) and his two grandsons (Jacob is a surrogate grandson)

Two silly boys

It was a wonderful birthday and we were all exhausted by the end of it. Logan fell asleep on the way home and then went to bed quickly once we were home. I hope he remembers this birthday for a long, long time. I know it was probably my favorite one of his so far.

IUI #3

Ugh. I hated even typing that. Who would have thought it would be this dang hard?? I went to the doctor yesterday for my day 11 sono to check the status of any follicles. I was really hoping there would be a ton since we added 2 more shots this round to be more aggressive. But I have been battling a cold/allergies and sometimes that can mess with it. Anyway, there were several follicles (3-4) but only a couple of them were large enough that he thought would mature in time. Seriously?? Five freaking shots in a row of pure hormone and I barely get 2 follicles? So ridiculous. What I wouldn't give to be a fertile mertile right now...just getting pregnant by looking at their spouse. Ugh.


We will go in on Monday for IUI #3. I am hoping it's lucky #3...otherwise we are going to have to sell some stuff to do it again. My family has been very generous in helping us with all of the treatments, but even with their help we are having to shell out extra when we add extra shots, etc., so it's running about $1000 every month we do this. That's hard on one income and I *hate* asking for financial help...I prefer to call them donations (for a great cause). Chris is working his tail end off to make extra money, so I hope it works this time so he can relax.


And tomorrow is Logan's birthday party at the Dallas Science Museum. He is so excited and I can't wait to see how it all turns out as well. I will post pics afterward.