Monday, January 17, 2011

Is he trying to make me look good?

I was wary to start blogging because I thought it would just be an online complaint-fest about things my mom and husband do. They are hands down the two people on the planet that do the most for me, so it seemed like a jerk move to air my grievances about them, online or otherwise. I didn't want to appear ungrateful.


But, seriously, my husband seems to be on some covert mission to make my life more difficult. He puts the girls to bed some nights. I appreciate it. Bedtime is not a favorite task around here. I wish it was. I like reading books. I like snuggling, but it is a pretty drawn out process at our house. Macy had been bedsharing with us since birth. I was a little worried that the new baby would wake her up. I didn't want to make any changes in March. Plus, she is kicking me, and I am not sleeping great. So, we made the transition to her sleeping in the same bed with her sister. It sure is cute to see them snuggled in the same bed. Plus, just one person can put them to sleep since in a couple months the other one will be with the baby.

It's been going ok. Well, Claire fell out of the bed the other night:


It's about an hour and half from bedtime to sleeptime at our house. So, the parent getting them to bed usually is up in the girls' room from 7:30-9:00pm. There are books. There are songs. There are patient requests. There is the passing back and forth of water. AND (the big selling point for me wanting to get out of this duty) there is an adult on the bed between the girls on a not-so-comfortable full size bed.

So, I do enjoy it when my husband puts them to bed. Sometimes it's more work to have him do it, though. Macy comforts more quickly with me. I think she prefers me singing. Sometimes he doesn't hear what she is asking for (she's requesting Itsy Bitsy Spider and he'll break into Baa Baa Black Sheep). And last night he forgot to put a night diaper on Claire. Granted, the girl likes to put on underwear with her pj's at 6:30. So, it's something extra to remember (not Bob's forte) at bedtime. Anyway, at 11:30 she woke up crying and soaked. I got her out of her wet pj's and underwear. I got a night diaper on her while Macy slept a couple feet away. I took Claire into our bedroom and threw replacement pajamas at Bob to put on her while I got a wash cloth.


Let's put it this way, if there was a fire at night, I would be the one running around saving kids while Bob would be snoring. I had told him that he forgot to put a diaper on her and that he needed to get her dressed and calmed. Well, I came back he had taken off the diaper! This didn't calm Claire. Her crying had escalated and from a room away, they have woken up Macy. The girls' bed isn't any more comfortable if covered in urine, so the four of us jumped in our king. That was fine; that's why we got the king. But, Bob was seriously back to snoring before Macy fell asleep. I got the hot spot where both kids could kick me (as well as the in utero daughter who was kicking up the storm).


I would have rather just put them to bed than to have that commotion at 11:30 at night and changing sheets as my first-thing on the morning to-do list. I make lots of mistakes as a mother. My husband is a smart guy. Does he do these sorts of things as some sort of confidence builder for me? That way I am the more competent, organized person of the house? Does he do a kinda cruddy job so I don't want his help? Does he do it to remind me to take care of myself because their life would leave a lot to be desired he was widowed?


All I know is he has to step up his game for #3....

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Craigslist

The husband is kind of rubbing off on me, and not in some hot way.

He has always been the one in our marriage with the closer relationship to EBay and Craigslist. In fact, his idea of a good time is looking at Craigslists in various cities. Often I will come downstairs in the morning to an annoying conversation with a friend about some find. I think it's pretty sad that they call each other to report some deal, and the other guy has already seen it. Why waste your time with something you aren't going to buy?Inevitably some deal will actually be a piece of junk. For their years of cruising the site, how can this come as a surprise to them? However, that vehicle stuff isn't even on my radar of annoying Craigslist traits...

So, here's my list of how the good people on Craigslist have been getting my goat as of late. In no particular order:

1. My husband leaving the computer on a different, larger city's Craigslist and getting my hopes up. For a week I have been looking for a maternity swimsuit (to wear probably once, so yeah, I am gross and don't care and will wear someone else's swimsuit if it's cheap and fits). When the one XS (ha!) swimsuit that has been popping up lately is replaced with a host of XL swimsuits I got a little excited. Not excited enough to drive to Milwaukee for a used bathing suit... The only good thing about the different cities is when I realize it is on a different city it reminds me of the time he got all excited to buy something in Rochester. But he was looking at Rochester, NY, not Rochester, MN. I found it funnier than Bob...

2. People with high expectations on the free postings. Earlier this week I posted a dog food & water table for free. I had a pretty detailed description for what is essentially a stool with holes in it. I had lots of people e-mail me. Then, somebody asked me for a picture. I was a bit annoyed. It isn't like someone is going to have to rent a trailer to come and get the thing. If posting a picture was convenient for me, I would have posted a picture! It isn't like they need to check it out to see if it's as least worth NOTHING? When people are looking for free stuff, too, I just get amazed when they have preferences. Someone was looking for a high chair once, and they wanted a pink one. Really, you have a color preference for a high chair you want someone to give you?

3. Buyers trying to get delivery on super cheap or free items. I don't live in the sticks anymore, if you're spending less than $5, and I got other people interested, I am not carting my kids to downtown Appleton so you can decide if you want to buy the item or not. You'll probably try to dicker, too.

4. People asking for directions to my house after I have given them my address. What's the best way to get there from your place? Whatever, mapquest or your Garmin tells you! You have access to the internet, that's how how you saw my listing.

5. People who don't delete their posting. You can't be annoyed at me inquiring if you still have an item if you continue to leave your posting up.

6. People just asking if I still have the item. Propose a time to come buy it, ask a question, but if I posted it within the hour that question just annoys me for some reason!


I still check Craigslist like it's a job requirement, though.

Blogging, easier than a puppy, right?

I think I need a blog. I like reading blogs. I have some winter doldrums, and it seems like a better idea than a puppy.

The husband came home the other night after a happy hour with the maintenance guys from work. Apparently, they all have black labs. It made him miss 'ole block-headed Oscar. I think we're a one-dog family, but when Bob is getting puppy love, it sure makes me want one. He says he wouldn't actually want a puppy, but just the prospect of another pet makes me think puppy.

But a blog, I can ignore for months at a time. Lincoln won't get jealous of a blog. And maybe it will help with the sanity a bit...

The problem is I don't really have some mad skills to blog about, a real interesting "story", or even hardcore opinions I want to defend. I think my kids are hilarious and adorable, does that necessitate a blog? Probably not, but there are worse vices...