Attention Shoppers:Code Red

In the fall, warehouse sale shopping runs rampant. Mr. B's, William Ashley, Procter and Gamble, Umbra etc....all these and more have conjured up good and bad memories. I'm a veteran of the warehouse sale...I have the scars and wounds to prove it. My pocketbook carries the symptoms of "combat fatigue" and "shell shock". The psychological and financial damage of sales are immense but the adrenaline rush is even more astronomic. Armies of bargain hunters storm the frontlines for the latest finds...mothers are no novices when it comes to discovering a great sale. My system of intelligence and data retrieval has consisted of mailing lists, word of mouth and websites such as Red Flag Deals and Best Buys. Along with my partners in crime and fellow comrades, me and my friends scope out the competition. For every sale, our mission and target is to seek out the "best deals". Gaining entry is always a challenge...rain, snow or shine, long lineups in weather where Mother Nature takes no prisoners is a feat in itself. Our plan of defense and method of combat is to infiltrate and outline the key areas of the building and proceed to attack and defeat the enemy... beating out the other shoppers to the limited supply of the doorcrasher specials. It is guerilla warfare at its finest. Fully equipped with a complete arsenal: a shopping buddy, a good pair of running shoes, a shopping cart and a credit card are the preferred weapons and artillery of choice. Female shoppers and a good sale equals collateral damage. Amongst the skirmishes and hostile aggression, enemy surveillance and monitoring the activities of other shoppers is vital to the success of the operation..."Where did you find that?" Resorting to espionage you say? "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer" and "All is fair in love and war" are fundamental truths to ensure survival. To alert the general public and the civilians of these warehouse sales is for the common good but it is not for the weak-hearted. Shopping is a constant battle and ongoing struggle. Ever hear of Christmas shopping...now that is another minefield.

Superwoman Syndrome

If someone can answer the age old question, "Are women able/allowed to have it all? Please let me know.

Procrastination is my word to describe the past few months. Throughout my pregnancy, I daydreamed what motherhood would entail. Long walks with Kaelin, crafting scrapbooks, baking cookies, joining a mommy's group and documenting every part of her journey through infancy were just some of the activities that I assumed that I would be participating in during my maternity leave. Boy, was I ever naive. In the first few weeks of Kaelin's birth, reality set in. I was a tired mom and the picture perfect Martha Stewart glamourized life that I promised myself was only a farfetched fairytale. "I'll do it tomorrow" was my mantra.
Latching difficulties, nightfeedings, physical, emotional and lifestyle changes were on the daily agenda. Brushing my teeth, eating breakfast and changing out of my pajamas had to be incorporated into my routine and regimen. If one of the items on the list was accomplished, I concluded that the day was a productive one. My days consisted of feeding, burping, changing, consoling, playing and napping with my daughter. Anything else that did not involve the baby like cleaning house and cooking meals would be placed on the backburner...even my relationship with my fiance suffered a bit. As things got easier, I found more energy to do more things and to get out more. For the first month, I felt like a prisoner in my own house. Depression, resentment, loneliness and disappointment filled my daily life. Postpartum depression? No not really... more like reality just sinking in.
Allowing yourself to be lazy once in while and giving yourself permission to be imperfect is the best advice that I can give to all new moms. I've only been at this mommy thing for only a few months now and I bet that I will have more grievances once I start working again. Balancing work with motherhood will be my next future challenge. Writing has been my therapy and an outlet for my rants. Don't get me wrong, I do not have any regrets about being a mother...Kaelin is my pride and joy. I just want to express that we should not feel guilty about not being able to fulfill the superwoman mold because after all we mommies are just humans in disguise.

My Favourite Things

Just a few of my favourite things...you can't find them on Oprah's list but they are all mine and they don't cost a thing! In no particular order...

#1 on my list

10. Her little noises: "Goose" sounds to be exact
9. "Moro" (startled) reflex: She's a little scaredy-cat!
8. Eating her fists: What a insatiable appetite!
7. Sticks out her tongue: Oops...her mommy taught her that!
6. Excitable flail of the arms & legs: Dance moves...what a display of showmanship
5. Body parts: eyelashes, chin, cheeks, legs and feet... genetic and hereditary of course!
4. Sudden outburst of spontaneous reactions: burps, yawns, sneezes, hiccups & farts...it's a symphony to a mother's ears.
3. Her assortment of funny facial expressions when she sleeps: multiple personality disorder?
2. Bathtime: ahh...baby fresh!
1. Her smile: Priceless