Migraines suck

Let's talk about the absolute nightmare that is a migraine. The all encompassing "headache" that messes with vision, the nausea, the inability to look at the screens that surround us. Migraines make me a bad mom. My beautiful daughter wants to do everything that makes it worse. Touch me, play with noisy light up toys, watch Daniel Tiger, run around. I want to lay down in silence, in the dark. 

Resisting the urge to give in to the migraine and following the part of me that never wants to miss a moment of her childhood. 

I only blog in the summer.

Ok. Not really but it seems like it. This summer is filled with writing he masters thesis and a squirmy worm of a one-year-old. 

Pretty sure my not so much tv approach to parenting is failing as Daniel Tiger makes a daily appearance so I can shower or do laundry. 

Today's daily peace is also brought to me by Grandma. Yep, she is staying with us for a few days to alleviate the daycare costs. Wahoooo!!!

Life hacks- four month old edition

Tater tot is having a tough time with naps lately. Life is just to fun to observe.  Today's afternoon nap success is brought to you by a stretchy wrap and a wubbanub. The morning nap was brought on by a LONG walk to the Starbucks and back. 

Here's to you, fellow teacher moms.

To the women who go back to teaching after baby:

Pumping during your precious plan periods

Thinking of your LO while you see their faces in the children of others

Maintaining your composure with THAT KID even though you were up at 3 and 5 am. 

Crying with the other teacher who was there last year. 

We've got this. We teach because we have all those other kids. That class who gives us those same feelings as our own babies. 

Life savers

It is no secret I love things that save me time and/or money.  I have discovered two things that make being a working mom/grad student a little easier. 

Who likes cutting baby's nails? Anyone? Anyone? 

Yeah didn't think so. That tiny plastic surrounded baby nail trimmer never seems effective and big trimmers won't do. I have discovered that my cuticle trimmer works wonderful. I can see what I am doing and the sideways approach is a little less awkward. 

Bumble and bumble hair powder

This product has saved me so many times. I can skip washing my hair and still look like a professional at work. It is a little pricier than the spray dry shampo but it lasts forever and smells super good. Bonus for summer travel- not an aerosol to worry about on airplanes

End of Leave

Today was the last day of my maternity leave. 

First, I am ashamed with our country for not having paid maternity leave the way EVERYWHERE ELSE does. But, that is a different rant for a different day. 

I am incredibly lucky because I am a teacher and was able to bank sick days to help pay for leave and will have the summer free. 

I go back to work for 12 days. 12 days then summer break. (Autocorrect just changed summer to dumber. Totally perfect for all the forgetting students do)

To prepare myself, DH, and Tater Tot, I set up a Blue Apron delivery to take care of a few dinner preps and stocked up on dry shampoo powder.  I am partial to the one from Bumble and Bumble. It makes me feel a little cleaner and smells nice. My clothes are hanging in outfits to lessen the morning scramble to get dressed. 

Wish me luck. 

Why the baby needs a bath

Today marks the beginning of the end of my maternity leave. I am excited to go back to work and also terrified to leave Tater Tot during the day. She has fabulous caretakers. There is no logical reason to worry. 

Why do I worry? #1 because it is my nature #2 my nephew. 5 years ago, we lost my nephew to SIDS just mere hours after I babysat him. There is a deep, ingrained fear that if I stop watching her, she will stop breathing and that will be it. 

Other mamas, have you dealt with this? Being practically unable to look away out of fear? 

I have one final week left before I head back to the classroom for the final three weeks of school. I keep reminding myself that I will have all summer break (minus grad school) to have our long snuggles and babble sessions. 

Now to wash the baby. Tater Tot got some lukewarm vanilla latte on her head. Nursing and drinking coffee simultaneously is not for the uncoordinated.