Seriously, kid. Sleep!

This is what Miles' sleep schedule looks like lately:

8:30 pm - Bath
9:00 pmish - Bedtime
10:00 pmish - Miles actually falls asleep
10:30 or 11:00 - I finally get to sleep
6:30 am - Miles wakes up, full of energy.  I drag myself to the coffee pot.
1:00 or 2:00 or whenever - Miles FINALLY passes out for a nap.  I'm usually too tired to actually sleep.

Count up those hours. 8 hours at night. Anywhere from 1-3 hours for nap.  This mama needs 9 hours of sleep to function.  Without the naps, I'm getting about 7 hours.  Which means that I am constantly exhausted, trying desperately to keep up with a toddler (gah! I can't call him that much longer!) who seems to want nothing more than to run me ragged.

Well, kid, it's working.  Now, can I nap? Please?

*Note: We have tried to get him to bed earlier, but he won't sleep.  If we start putting him in bed any earlier, he screams and screams until he's actually tired - around 10.

**Also, for the first time ever I am hating summer, because the sun is up so early, and Miles is up with the sun.  Even our blackout curtains don't seem to help. Sigh.

So.Very.Tired.

So much to do.  So many, many things.

So.tired.

At some point, my body will adjust, right?  Or am I always going to feel like a zombie, seeking out sleep, instead of brains?

Maybe tomorrow I will write something insightful.  For today, I'm just tired.

True Story: I wrote this at 8:30 this morning.  I just realized I never hit "Publish".  It's that sort of tired. . .

Happy Father's Day!

To my wonderful husband, who is the best dad our son could have ever asked for.

Also?  We need to get more updated pictures of the two of you. :)

Tasteful Thursdays

As part of my resolution to be healthier (and my secondary resolution to spend less money) this year, I have stepped outside of my comfort zone, and started trying to make at least one new dish per week.  Those of you who know me understand what a huge deal this is.  For those who don't, let's just say that I've met toddlers who are less picky than I am (Miles, for one. . .).  It's a big deal for me to try something new, much less cook something I may not like.  Anyhow, I've been doing it, and mostly, the recipes have been things I've either dreamed up on my own, or adapted from other places.  So, I'm going to share my recipes. Because, you know, I'm not 1950's housewife enough, yet. :)

This week's recipe:
Easy Chicken & Noodles
Ingredients:
1/2-1 lb chicken, diced (depends on how you like it - I use 1/2 lb, and save the other 1/2 for another meal)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 cup milk
1 cup frozen broccoli (optional)
1 pkg wide egg noodles
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/2 tsp rosemary
Garlic to taste (I like a lot, so I use about 2 tsp)

1) Mix everything except the noodles into a square casserole dish.  Cover.  Cook at 375 for 45 min
2) Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles according to package directions.
3) Serve the chicken sauce over the noodles - you can mix them together, or let each person determine how much sauce they want.  I do the latter.

That's it.  Seriously.  And it is SO yummy that Miles has two helpings every time I make it.  I like to add the broccoli because we don't eat nearly enough veggies, so I sneak them in where I can.  And broccoli is scrumptious.  You could also consider adding 1 cup of shredded cheese, which would add a whole different level of flavor.

Anyhow, I've given you the basics.  Now, go try it out and make it your own! :)

Singin' a Song

Miles loves music.  This has been true since before he was born.  When I was still pregnant with him, I spent a lot of time listening to the Gypsy drums, and just as much time wincing as he kept time with his foot on my ribs. For Christmas (or was it birthday?) last year, he got his own MP3 player, filled with his own songs, which he will listen to all day, when he remembers.  In recent months, we've taken to watching YouTube music videos, ranging from Itsy Bitsy Spider to We Are the Champions to Veggie Tales.  He is, as ever, entranced by music of any kind.

Yes, the child enjoys his music.

And now, at 2 years, 8 (and a half!) months,* he has begun a new chapter in his music education: singing.  Most often, you will hear him singing (mostly in-tune) "We Are the Champions" over and over again, and dancing like a wild man.  Occasionally, though, he has been known to bust out with "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Twinkle, Twinkle" and his second-favorite, "ABC's".

And then, there was yesterday, when he began making up his own song.  It went something like this:

"Semi-truck, cookies and iiiiiiice cream.  Rocket ships and race caaaaaars.  And trains, allllll aboard!"

It's times like these I wonder if he will be a songwriter.  :)

*Truth: I had to rewrite this 3 times before I actually got it right.  Math is not Mommy's strong suit, apparently. . .

Super Mommy? Not anymore.

This is how my past week has gone:

Sat-Sun, June 2-3: Special Olympics in Wichita.  10+ hours of handing out prizes to happy athletes, followed by dinner with family, and massive-huge family lunch on Sunday.  Total drive time: 7ish hours.
Mon, June 4: Miles spent the day with Ninell, while I finished up tons of last-minute stuff, and prepared for a friend's surprise birthday party.
Tue: Get up, drive Miles the 20 minutes to B's house, drive the 30 minutes to work, 7ish hours of work, over an hour drive time back to B's to pick up Miles, dinner, etc with the family.
Wed: 14+ hours of work, including over 2 hrs of drive time.
Thur: 8+ hours of work, quick dinner, various life stuff dealt with.  Finally went to bed after midnight.
Fri: My niece was born at 7:03 am, so Miles and I drove to Wichita, visited with Dad & Grandpa, had dinner with Mom and the in-laws, and drove back.  Arrival home: 10:25 pm.
Sat: Kancheskera rehearsal.  Touch-a-Truck promotional event.  Brought Miles & Patrick along so they could enjoy, as well.  By the end of the event, Miles was overwhelmed, over-tired, and mildly sun-sick.

So, I sent Maestro my resignation letter.  I am now a full-time, stay-at-home mom.  No more juggling.  No more missing out on entire days of my son's life.  No more driving myself mad trying to do everything for everyone.  It's over.

For now.

Friday Photos! (Plus, a Video)!