Night! Night! Don’t Want To See You til Morning!

Sometimes as a parent, I honestly wonder if I will ever have a good night’s sleep again?   It’s no secret that the initiation into the esteemed parenthood club is a little brutal.


My daughter at two weeks of age


Newborns are up a lot during the night, and when you have your first child, you just want to know if there is an end in sight to the sleepless nights.  Experienced parents try to prepare the newbies for the club hazing that lies ahead of them after a baby’s birth, but it not until the club newcomers are thick into the trenches of sleepless nights before they truly understand why people tell expectant parents to
“GET YOUR REST NOW!”





My son shortly before he turned three



That is really a silly and absurd thing to tell a third trimester pregnant woman before they give birth.  If you’ve ever been pregnant then you know that sleeping is a tall order.  And if you have a queen size bed or smaller, there is a good chance your spouse isn’t getting a good night’s sleep either before the bundle of joy arrives in your household.

Veteran parents will quickly tell new parents that it won’t be long before the baby is sleeping through the night, and many may offer sleep suggestions, books to read, scheduling, and feeding advice to help parents get through this trying time.  Once your baby is a toddler though, the talk of sleep quickly ceases, and everyone is HUSH-HUSH.

There is a sleep secret that parents know, but they prefer to stay mum on the subject and keep it under wraps.  It’s like a Top-Secret file that no one mentions!   Being the rogue secret agent that I am, I’m letting the cat out of the bag in this post for everyone to know.    


Not one parent told me that once your baby sleeps through the night, and you’re catching some much-needed zzzzzz’s again that you may be one of those unlucky parents that have to face the pre-school sleep years.   For some lucky parents, these sleep years may be a breeze, but for others, it may just be the worse sleep nightmare ever.





Our nightmare started when my son turned three.  It is such a traumatic experience for me that I quiver when I talk about it, but basically, my husband and I went sleepless for almost two years.  Count with your fingers!  Not one, but two and that is counted in YEARS, not days, weeks or months.   
Things have improved greatly in our house the last six months.  Thank goodness!  As a result, I’m almost too superstitious to talk about this terrible sleep issue in fear of jinxing things.  
We'll  touch on this top secret case file as quickly as we can. 


In the fall of 2008 shortly before our son turned three, we moved him into a new room, and into a new bed.   He was so happy!!  Things were great.  In January 2009, he became 100 percent potty-trained.  He wore underwear to bed rather than nighttime pull-ups.  A couple of nights here and there, he would wake to go to the bathroom.   We didn’t love it, but he didn’t wet the bed, right?  We just dealt with it, however, things started to go downhill quickly.  He started popping out of his bed repeatedly.  I also was newly pregnant with my daughter.  As the weeks went on, my son started waking more frequently at night saying he was scared or he didn’t like his room.  It became one issue or excuse after another.  We would change nightlights, add nightlights, and take away nightlights.  We would add blankets, and take blankets away thinking he was too hot or too cold.  We bought stuffed animals, did reward charts, and filled marble jars. 
 

Courtesy of Classybutsassy Gifts on Facebook

We sprayed away monsters, checked closets, and looked under beds.   We did about everything except stand on our heads and let him sleep in our bed.   As the weeks went by, we had less and less days on the calendar where he didn’t wake at night.  Sometimes, we saw him two, three, maybe four times a night.  We were not only exhausted, but also angry.

Our daughter arrived in November of 2009, and it was as if we were in the Twilight Zone when she was sleeping all night as a young baby, but yet our four-year-old, was coming into our room and waking us up for various reasons.   It was like being on a roller coaster ride that wouldn't let us off.  

Fortunately for us, we somehow got back on track with his sleep after my daughter turned about six months old.   We’re not sure how it happened, but we are glad it happened.  Perhaps it was a heaven sent miracle in order for us to become caring, loving parents again.  The doctors say it was just a stressful transition period, and a lot of change at once.  Who knows?   Maybe we gave him the support and nurturing he needed to feel secure, or perhaps the monster spray bottle finally made all nighttime monsters extinct or maybe it’s the new vitamins with DHA that helps him rest better at night.   Or it could be that he just matured!  Whatever the reasons, we’re just glad that he is sleeping all night again.  He still wakes on occasion, but it’s more rare these days.   Those nights aren’t fun for us when they happen, but like most parents, we know it goes with the territory.

Before I end this goodnight story, there is one more sleep secret I must also reveal to you. When you add a child to your family, they talk in advance and alternate nights for waking so that you get two bad nights of sleep in a row and  then they take turns waking on the same night.  Once you get one child back to sleep, and get in your comfy bed, the other one gives you a wake up call.  I’ve come to realize now that it is just part of being a parent.

My children are still young, but I also heard it doesn’t get any easier for parents who have kids that go out with their friends, and are driving at night.   Parents can't sleep until the children get home. Maybe the answer to my question on ever getting a good night’s sleep again is just simply NO.  

Once a parent, sleep is never the same.    The secret is no more.  What do you think?

Til next time, I'm off to get a cup of tea so I can awake.



 




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Doughnut Dare


I love living in a college town.  I grew up in the town of Cullowhee, home of Western Carolina University's Catamounts in the mountains of North Carolina in Jackson County.  I learned from that experience that anytime you live near college kids that you can always expect the unexpected.   Jackson County has a population of about 38,000 people, and when I lived there, the numbers were much lower so basically the University was the town of Cullowhee.

I haven't lived in Cullowhee for 24 years, but now I feel blessed to have my children live near three North Carolina Universities all within thirty miles of each other.  It's Tarheel, Blue Devil, and Wolfpack country in the Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh area.   And whether you're a fan of just one or all three or perhaps even live in a mixed marriage like me (I went to UNC and my husband went to NC State), living near these universities is a nice perk.  The three campuses together are bigger than the entire population where I grew up.   And it is not surprising that with bigger universities, you get even more zaniness and fun.

Today's water cooler conversation in the workplace and classrooms will not only be about the Packers SuperBowl win, but people in this area are going to talk about our Wolfpack this morning.  

This past weekend marked the 7th annual Krispy Kreme Challenge.   This zany , renowned event is an annual student operated race in Raleigh, North Carolina benefiting the NC Children's Hospital.  Beginning in 2004 with a mere 12 participants who did it on a DARE, the race has now grown  to more than 7,000 runners. Beginning at the NC State Belltower, each runner runs 2 miles to the Krispy Kreme store located on Peace St. in Raleigh. After downing a full dozen of the famous Krispy Kreme doughnuts, the runner must run the 2 miles back. All in one hour.


It's not just a student race any longer.  I know several people who braved the chilly rain to run in this event that raised $100,000 dollars this year for NC Children's Hospital.  They may not have eaten a whole dozen doughnuts,  but they ran the full four miles, and perhaps took some doughnuts home.  

Our local newspaper photographers did a great job covering this year's race.  Let's look at some photos.   I call this a zany race because you'll notice that people dress a little wacky.  It's all part of the fun!



Wonder if Doughnut Head put on any shoes?  See what I mean about college kids?  Gotta love them!


Of course,  a former President loves Doughnuts!




Superheroes, too!   Looks like Batman ate one too many.



Only a college boy would wear cartoon briefs with temperatures in the 30's!



And this is what it looks like after about 84,000 doughnuts are consumed.


And for the record, if you've only had a Dunkin Doughnut in your life then you have not had a real, southern doughnut.

Until Next time, I'm off to have a doughnut with my tea.




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Putting Your Own Cherry On Top!

Another parental milestone took place yesterday. With perhaps a small tear in my eye, I registered my son for kindergarten.   It is hard to believe he will grace the doors of public school in August.



Where has the time gone?   It seems like yesterday, he was crawling, learning to walk, going to pre-school for the first time. 





Now he’ll be in public schools.  I’m excited for the new step in our lives, but at the same time, I know I’ll never get these pre-K years back even though I say he drives me crazy at home about every day.





For the past three months, I have obsessed over public elementary schools in my county, and toured at least five schools, and some were toured twice.   My first tours focused primarily on magnet elementary schools where the schools offer extra curriculum in order to draw you to that particular school.   On those tours, it’s been mostly about what the schools offer and why as parents we should sent our children there for their elementary education.   It wasn’t until I started touring non-magnet schools that I got into the real nuts and bolts of what to expect in public school kindergarten, and how I should prepare my child.   In our county, we have magnet, year around and traditional calendar schools as part of our selection process. 

My husband has only been on a few tours, and I report back to him on my findings. I told him the other night that this entire school search reminds me of a waiter dangling three ice cream bowls in front us.   


The first dessert choice is vanilla ice cream with a cherry on top.

Photo by D. Sharon Pruitt


The second choice is vanilla ice cream with some sprinkles.


Photo by PanNan on Food.Com
 The third choice is just good old-fashioned plain vanilla. 

You may see the ice cream bowl you want, but depending on where you live in the county, you are assigned to a certain bowl.   In other words, you can’t have your real ice cream choice unless lady luck is on your side.   A random yet weighted lottery with a lot different variables will decide if you really get your final choice.   If we happen to get the ice cream bowl with a cherry on top then it will be a nice, sweet surprise.   It took me a long time though to get to the point where I was happy with plain, traditional vanilla for the upcoming school year.  Once I did though, the stress lifted, and I was happy to register him this week.  Now I can focus on getting him ready for the fall.
When I listened to one of the school’s principal talk about how to prepare you child for this coming year on one of my last tours,   I was feeling fairly confident that my son was ready.

Can your child dress himself?  Check!
Has your child learned to raise his hand in pre-school?  Check
Can your child go to the bathroom independently?  Check!   Does he know his ABCs, and can count to at least ten?  Check! Check!

But then we walked into the cafeteria, and looked at the self-serve line filled with the school’s lunch menu that day.  There were vegetables, burgers, and salad fixings. So many choices!   The principal said, “Can your child go through a self-serve line, pick his food, and pay for it?

My eyes got wide, and my mouth probably gaped open, and I felt a little squirmy.  I could not say, “check!"  I thought, “Oh, we’re not ready!” 
The principal advised the group that we should eat at some cafeteria-style places to help our children prepare.  

I came home and told my husband about our new eating assignment, and what we have to do.   Our son has been waited on like we are his servants for the past five years, and he does fumble around in the pantry sometimes for a snack, but that is about it.  We've served all his meals.  We've been in control, and it has been easier for us to make his breakfast than to deal with his messy aftermath.   He has never gotten his own bowl, poured his own cereal or milk.  UH OH!  I foresee some big changes ahead as we prep for kindergarten the rest of the year. 

We need to guide him toward more independent meal preparations,  and we also need to spend a lot of time at an Ice Cream Bar where he go down the topping line, and fill his vanilla ice cream bowl with sprinkles,  and a cherry on top all by himself.  

People may see us a lot at our favorite place, Skinny Dip Frozen Yogurt Bar this Spring and Summer.  Once he masters the topping bar, he’ll be ready to start Kindergarten.

Until next time, I’m of to get a cup of tea!





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Pack Your Bags: The Greenbrier

Nothing says America like apple pie, red, white, and blue, the White House, and of course, the Super Bowl which I’m sure some of you may be watching this weekend.     I thought about sending us to Dallas, the host city of this year’s Super Bowl XLV for today’s “Pack Your Bags” post, but I decided to change our course of travel at the last minute and head instead to what is often referred to as “America’s Resort".




All Hotel Photos Courtesy of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Website

Pack your Bags: We’re heading to The Greenbrier in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia where we can just watch the Super Bowl on TV in luxury, be pampered in the spa, play golf on one of three championship courses, take culinary lessons, dine in one of nine restaurants, or try our hands at blackjack in the most sophisticated venue that revels in the warmth and comfort of southern hospitality.  Now that is what I call a SUPER VACATION!

You can do as much or as little as you want. And kids are welcome, too….that is if you want to take them.

The Greenbrier is also a member of  Preferred Hotels and Resorts.   I have stayed in many hotels that belong to this exclusive group.  As a result, I  tend to the look for the “Preferred Pineapple” when selecting a hotel based on my experience because I have to come to know I can expect a great stay.

I know you all are going to be surprised, but I’ve never stayed in this historic resort myself, but it is a property that has always been on my long list of places I would like to check-in so to speak.   In 2004,  I got an unexpected taste of the Greenbrier after an unplanned stop off of Highway 77 in West Virginia where we were on our way to a wedding in Athens, Ohio.   Let’s just say that one stop really wet my appetite for an extended stay.   While driving,  I saw a sign for the Tamarack, which is a one-stop shop for the artisans to sell their merchandise.   While there, we decided to have lunch in the Tamarack’s food court.  As I went through the cafeteria line, I said to my husband, “This food looks really good!”   
Not Same Pie, but Close (A Taste of Home)
As I was reaching for this beautiful, perfectly browned slice of coconut pie, I noticed a sign that said the Food Court was managed by the Greenbrier.  I stored that information, and we sat down to eat lunch.    Our food was delicious!   As I took the first bite of my all-time favorite pie, (I know I said I was a cake girl in Icing on the Cake, but there are a few pies that I like as well.)  I screamed in delight, and people stared.   I don’t think I had tasted a pie that wonderful since my childhood.    I knew at that very minute that I had to experience the Greenbrier one weekend in the future.

Unfortunately, we’ve been a little busy since that pie-eating time seven years ago, and frankly, if I had not loved my friend so much, I would have just gone straight to the Greenbrier after leaving the Tamarack , but the guests at the wedding definitely got an ear full about that coconut pie and my desire to visit this West Virginia resort.
The hotel’s dessert menu has changed through the years, and I no longer see coconut pie on the menu at the resort, but you can still get a slice of apple pie.

The Greenbrier has 682 rooms and 10 lobbies

A National Historic Landmark, The Greenbrier represents 230 years of history with its classic architecture, exquisite interior design, carefully sculpted landscape, impeccable service and outstanding amenities.  The most interesting fact about the hotel is that during the height of the Cold War, the U.S. Government built a relocation facility for Congress at The Greenbrier. This 112,544 square-foot bunker, although never activated, remained a top secret for 30 years.  Now, that is what I call a five star bunker!  Daily tours are now offered to the general public and hotel guests for ages ten and up.

In one day in White Sulphurs Springs, you can learn about some of America’s history, relax, rejuvinate, and restore at the Greenbrier Spa, embark in family activities, and even watch TV if you wish.

As for the Superbowl this weekend,  I'm going to have to go with the Green Bay Packers over the Pittsburg Steelers simply because it has GREEN in its name plus I have a childhood friend living in Wisconsin.

Let's give three cheers for Green Bay and the Greenbrier.

Until next time, I'm off to grab a cup of tea!



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Write Image

Since becoming a parent, I’m slowly learning that children do as their parents do. That’s why if I leave my computer keyboard exposed for any length of time, I will find this when I return.


My daughter may be the youngest blogger in history, but hey, she’s just trying to express her thoughts, right?  My son also loves the computer, and he begs to type e-mails.  If I write down what he wants to say, he will type it in an e-mail to his grandmothers.  He loves to communicate verbally, and very loudly I might add, but, he does not share my love for communicating on paper through handwriting like I did when I was younger.

Writing was one of my favorite activities.   Could it be because typing was so HARD back in the 80's when I was growing up?

Smith-Corona Electric Typewriter

Typewriters were electric in those years, but there were ink ribbons, and unfortunately, you could not hit the back space button when you messed up.  Instead, you needed those little bottles of white out.  Typing class in high school was probably my worse grade. I received spanish and journalism awards, but yet, could only type less than 30 words per minute. 

What a nightmare! So, I personally turned to an ink pen and monogrammed stationary as my preferred tools to express my thoughts. 
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

My Grandma Powell lived six hours away from me, and she wrote me a long letter each week by hand.  She was a very descriptive writer, and in some ways her letters perhaps resemble a e-mail I would send today to a close friend or relative. Grandma would write a little bit of her letter each day then send it at the end of the week. It was not uncommon to read something like this that she penned with her blue inked ball-point pen while watching CBS soap operas.  

Dear Leigh Anna,

I miss you. We’ve had a good week. Papa is working on that old stove in the shed. I don’t know when he will finish it. My corn is about dried up from this hot weather so I don’t know if I will have much corn this year. I hope it rains soon. I have been watching the Young and Restless.  Nikki and Victor are on the outs again. Those two just can’t seem to stay together. I guess you are still watching those other ABC shows. What’s up with Erica Kane, and that Luke and Laura? Are they still on the run? 

She would end her letters by telling me to tell my parents hello. They didn’t get her letters. Just me! I would write my grandma back almost immediately and then I would look so forward to my next handwritten note from her that my dad would bring home from the post office.

Besides writing grandma, I also wrote pen pals, and anyone that gave me gifts just so I could pull out my stationary.  This brings me right to the topic of thank you notes. 

Princess Diana, circa 1983
 
In my early teens, I read somewhere that Princess Diana of Wales, handwrote her notes to her dinner hosts as soon as she got home in the evening no matter what time she returned. Apparently, she was a big advocate of writing thank you notes in a timely manner. Several of these notes now have gotten top dollar on the auction circuit.

One note to fashion designer Bruce Oldfield, who is currently rumored as the designer for Catherine Middleton’s wedding dress, raised 800 pounds for a charity last year.





Diana and note photos courtesy of Princess Diana Remembered Blog

In the handwritten note above, Diana thanked Oldfield for the Christmas sweater he had given her in 1988. At my young impressionable age, I, too, decided to become prompt with my thank you notes in hopes of emulating the style and grace of a princess.  I still aspire to that goal, but I must admit that having children in my life has slowed me down a little. I’m not as prompt at writing notes like I was in 2002 when I wrote a few notes on my wedding night so they could be mailed before we flew out to London the next day. In my “Hines-Sight,” that may have been a little nuts, but I did get rave reviews from my husband’s side of the family and was labeled as the fastest “thank you” note writer they had ever met.

I am hoping to pass that  infamous “thank you note” title to my children, and teach them the importance of handwriting a note to anyone that was kind enough to give them a gift.  For the past five years, I’ve written all of my son’s thank you notes, but since he is slowly mastering the art of handwritng, I decided he had to write his own notes to thank everyone for his Christmas and Birthday gifts this year.  It’s expected of him. No excuses! Also, he needs the handwriting practice rather than wanting to type of my computer keyboard.

I made it easy for him this year by buying fill-in-the blank thank you notes that can be found locally or at Paperbuzz.  My son doesn’t have the skill level yet to write an entire  formal note. His fine motor skills are still too weak. He tires easily so these fill-in-the-blank cards meet my expectations now.

He had to write two notes a day until he was finished with the project.  Some days he didn’t want to do it, but he knew it had to be done and if he skipped a day then he had to do more the next day.  It was a very slow process, but we have now mailed all his notes.  I think he was proud of his accomplishment, and he showed my husband each card  when he arrived home in the evening.  Now that his thank you notes are complete, we’ve moved on to some love notes.  He has seventeen valentines to send this year.  We better get busy if we are to seal them in time for his class party.




Until next time….I’m off to get a cup of tea!



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