Sunday Night Ramblings

In an effort to beef up my blogging stats, I decided to commit to 3 days of the week in which I MUST blog.  Tonight is the first!  *grin*  So welcome, to my very first installment of ::::drum roll:::: "Sunday Night Ramblings". These are just a few thoughts that I've been ruminating on for the past hour or so. 

• I'm so glad I started jogging.  I mean, I can't jog very far.. in fact I probably jog for about a minute straight, then have to walk for a bit, then jog again.  I'm also pretty sore most days, but I'm still happy I'm making an effort to get more fit. I downloaded an iphone app called 5K Runner that's helping me improve my running capabilities.  I'm really excited because I've struggled so long with weight issues, and the pounds are finally melting off.  Hmm, who woulda thunk.. weight loss is a lot easier when you add exercise to a healthy diet. *blink* Ya I know, not rocket science.  In any event, it's a great way to get into a shape, and release stress.  Love, love, love it.  And who knows, maybe a 5K run will be in my future.  ;)

                             

• I love Words w/ Friends, and Scramble w/ Friends.  You know, those word games that are played on smart phones and tablets.  I can play for hours, and I swear I'm getting smarter.  Some of the words I get points for, I've never even heard of.  But then out of curiosity I look it up and BINGO.. I strengthened a brain cell.  And by the way, I am not a supporter of those Words w/ Friends cheat... er.. I mean help sites.  Shame shame shame for those who use them.  It's like steroid use in baseball.  It ruins the integrity of the game!  *shakes finger at laptop screen* 

• Marriage is hard...  Oh wait, were you expecting an elaboration?  Let's just leave it at that.

• My son is at the precious age (2 1/2) where he now is communicating more than ever, and can share sentiments all on his own.  I love when out of the blue he says "Love  you, mama!" or "Miss you, mama!" It melts my heart each time.

• I've always wanted to go on a missions trip.  I totally should have gone before getting married and having a baby.  I'm thinking that it's still a possibility once the little one gets a bit older.  I'd actually like to bring him along when he's a pre-teen in efforts to help him grow into a selfless human being - which happens to be extremely hard out on Long Island with everything you want at your finger tips. 

• As much as I loathed riding subway trains when I was at my previous job, I do miss one thing: reading books.  I used to read two new books a month because of my long commute.  I learned so much in those two years.   

• I hate student loans.  The whole reason I took out loans and went to school, was to improve my chances of getting a good job, becoming financially stable, and achieving the American dream of owning my own home.  Now, how ironic (or sadistic) is it that the very thing that I signed up for to help me attain my goals, is now hindering me from reaching them?! A pox on you Sally Mae!  Arghhh!! 

What are some of your Sunday Night Ramblings?    

"He Sees Me" - a Poem

Ok ya'll, don't be too hard on me.  It's the first poem I've written since 2010. Hopefully it's not too bad.  Enjoy!

He Sees Me

He sees me,
so clearly.
A perfect image
of what I am,
and what I am to be.
And it's scary
to know that
he speaks my truth so vividly.

He sees me,
even when others
think there's nothing to see.
He sees the me
that I love to be.
He inspires me.

He sees me.
Incites my creativity.
And like
an open book,
He reads me. 
Provoking the person
I'm ready to be.
He sees the real me. 
He sees me.

Our Toddler's Sleep Problems Solved!

Remember when my little one was 6 months old and we were going through some MAJOR Sleep Regression? Well here we are, two years later, and he started doing it all over again!  This time, it wasn't so much regression, as it was defiance when it came to going to sleep alone and at a reasonable time. 

The straw that broke the camel's back was when, two months ago, the hubster and I found ourselves sitting on the floor by our son's toddler bed - because he wanted (no, needed) one or both of us to watch him until he fell asleep.  Here we were, two grown adults, sitting kriss kross apple sauce, staring at a 2 year old as he played with his stuffed animals.  If we dared leave the room, he'd scream, cry, run into the living room, fall to the ground, kick his feet.. ya it was that ugly.  And this was becoming a daily routine!

It was a 2 hour ritual that left all three of us exhausted.  That's when we decided to do some research on improving our toddler's sleep habits.  After a few days of reading up on Dr. Sears, watching Nanny YouTube clips, and pondering on our own son's habits, I created a 3 week plan to help our toddler sleep peacefully. 

So we tried it.  We tried this plan on our "spirited" little guy and guess what?  ... It worked!  We were so shocked!  Our son went from screaming at the top of his lungs, kicking, running away, hiding, whining, and even spitting (yes he's quite spirited I tell ya), to now being able to go into his room, lay in his bed, and entertain himself quietly until he falls asleep.  ::blink::blink:: YES.

Bedtime is now probably a 20 minute routine by the time we give him some warm milk, read him a book, and pray. We then leave the room, and can get back to our adult lives, have fulfilling conversation, and watch TV that isn't Fresh Beat Band or Bubble Guppies.  It's been amazing. 

Yes friends, for the past six weeks it's been wonderful and I've been thinking, "Hey, maybe my plan can work for other families too!"  So I'm contemplating writing an e-book about improving toddler sleep, which will include my 3 week plan ::shriek!:: I'm pretty siked about this little project o' mine, and I'm looking for some mamas who would like to test out my plan {for FREE}.  In return, I ask that you write a review for me so I can a) get some constructive feedback, and b) add the positive testimonials to my book! 

So, ::drum-roll:: calling all exhausted and desperate mamas out there!  Send me your e-mail address and I'll send you my 3 week plan to review!  I'm confident that it'll have everyone in the house breathing a sigh of relief.  Here's to a future filled with peaceful, sleepy, nights!