No Average Mom

We are about a week away from closing on our new house and our old house. It is nice to be at this point because I honestly never thought we would be here. The sale of our house has been such a blessing. Aside from getting us away from a crummy neighborhood, we have made enough money to pay off some debts. Sure, our house payment will be more but it is going to be okay. About the time our first house payment is due we will qualify for group health insurance through my husband’s job. Instead of paying $400.00 per month for insurance we will be covered for free. This is more than enough to cover the difference in our house payment today and what is to come.

With everything that is going on in our lives I almost forgot that this weekend is Father’s day. My husband could really use some new golf shoes. Things are a little tight right now because of some other unexpected expenses so I am going to have to search around for the best buy possible. We have so much going on that I don’t know exactly when or how I am going to get it all done. He may just end up getting a card promising a new pair of golf shoes when things have settled down a bit more.

I have never been what you would call graceful. That hasn’t stopped me from dreaming about someday moving with the grace and elegance of a dancer. In college I actually took a course in dance thinking it would help. At the conclusion of the course I received a “C” for my hard work. I distinctly remember the instructor commenting that I “had no style or rhythm”. You can probably guess my response when my husband suggested we take a couples dance class together. Without some serious practice beforehand there is no way I am attempting any dance moves in a public forum.

This is why the idea of Salsa BootCamp appeals to me. Without setting foot outside our home we can learn to Dance with Salsa Dancing BootCamp. Salsa BootCamp is perfect for people of all dancing skill levels but especially for someone like me. Having dance lessons on DVD means that I can practice a move over and over until I am absolutely comfortable with it before moving on. It also means not having to endure the scrutiny of classmates or instructors. Salsa BootCamp takes the pressure out of learning Latin dance in a classroom environment. By providing clear and professional in-depth instruction even the most novice of dancers can become proficient right from their own living rooms.

Trying out Salsa BootCamp is as easy as signing up for a free 3 day membership. Joining Salsa BootCamp automatically includes 3 free DVDs to start learning to dance immediately. There are so many different dances lessons available such as Salsa, Merengue & Bachata Dance BootCamp and more lessons are added every week. With thousands of lessons to choose from and affordable monthly membership rates Salsa BootCamp is a great way to get up off the couch. I think this is the perfect way for my husband and I to spend some quality time together, have fun, and for me to rid myself of my two left feet.

Adapting to a new family member has taken a bit of a tole on our house. It is amazing how much you take for granted your “well oiled machine” of a family until a littel chaos hits. Our family is very structured and we like it that way. We are happier and better people when things move along in a routine manner. Our lack of routine has left me feeling a little stressed. These are a few ideas to deal with stress:

1. Take your time. Give yourself extra time to avoid the feeling of being rushed. Your children will react better in a low pressure setting.
2. Think about whether an issue is really worth worrying about? Save your energy for issues which really matter to your family and let the little things go by.
3. Think positive. When self talk is positive, you are likely to be calmer and more relaxed. For example if you say to yourself “I can do this” or “I’m good at making decisions”.
4. Include relaxing activities in your daily routine. Your children benefit from a period of quiet time every day and so will you.
5. Try a simple relaxation exercise. When you feel tension building, use a quick technique to calm down, such as this breathing exercise.

Our newest addition has been an incredibly high needs baby to say the least. While I haven’t sought to engage in attachment parenting per say that seems to be what is taking place. He really needs constant reassurance that we are there for him. After 4 months of colicky behavior and crying 4-10 hours a day being able to calm him simply by holding him is a welcome change.

FEATURES OF A HIGH-NEED BABY according to Dr. Sears:

1. INTENSE
2. HYPERACTIVE
3. DRAINING
4. FEEDS FREQUENTLY
5. DEMANDING
6. AWAKENS FREQUENTLY
7. UNSATISFIED
8. SUPER-SENSITIVE
9. UNPREDICTABLE
10. CAN’T PUT BABY DOWN
11. NOT A SELF-SOOTHER
12. SEPARATION SENSITIVE

 I will try to post more about how to raise a high needs baby in future posts. THIS is my child every single point describes him perfectly.