The Lolo Chronicles

Inspiration, memories and insight from the life of a twenty-something mama

[lolochronicles]

"I mean holy shit lady-- I gotta do everything around here?" #toddlerproblems #momproblems #momlife #mommyblogger #momblogs #luccabear #breakfasttime #thelolochronicles

[lolochronicles]

Snacks & window gazing. #thelolochronicles #momblogs #mommyblogger #vscocam #luccabear

[lolochronicles]

The Hangover

Do you know what's worse than being hungover?

Being hungover with a kid.

This past weekend I was reminded that I am no longer 22, can't binge drink for one night and expect to be a fully functional human the next day. Oh hellll no.

Greg and I had a great night out with friends on Saturday. We knew we'd be taking full advantage of the evening by planning on getting a cab back (and not fight over who would be DD) and had Mags (my mom) babysit. 

What we didn't know is that instead we would crash at the party, not come home until 11 a.m. the next day, and we'd be the cast from The Walking Dead all day on Sunday. We're awesome parents. 

All I can say is I've definitely had my "going out" fix and I think I'm good for at least 2 months while I continue to recover. After Mags left us on Sunday, we had to endure lots of toy-throwing, face-smacking, super loud beepy, musical and annoying things to increase our hangover headaches. Boy was I glad when bedtime rolled around. Lucca was in bed by 7:30. I was down for the count by 8:30. Done and done.

It's definitely difficult to balance the "I'm still young and want to go out with my friends" with having a baby. You don't want your friends to desert you all together just because you have a babe, so you plan and plan and plan to make sure you can spend time with them. And if those plans involve a good ol' college game of flip cup, well, you better be damn sure you have a babysitter for the next 24 hours. 

We survived yesterday but now I'm dragging through this Monday still trying to go back to my "normal" self. There's an award for this, right? The "I survived a hangover with a baby" award? If not, there should be. 

[lolochronicles]

Teaching a kid how to ride a bike might be the most frustrating AND gratifying thing ever. So much patience involved, but the "Lolo I did it!" is so worth it. Proud of my niece. #saturdaymorning #thelolochronicles #momblogs #mommyblogger #teach

[lolochronicles]

There's just nothin' better than puppies and babes. He gets on her nerves. She's loud and barks all the damn time. But I like to think they love each other. #friendsforlife #thelolochronicles #doggybff #pupsandbabes #mommyblogger

[lolochronicles]

I'm Totally Like That

I never thought I'd be the mom who cried her eyes out when their baby had their first haircut. In fact, I'm pretty sure the exact words I said in a conversation with a fellow mama were, "No, I'm totally not like that."

Yep, I'm totally like that.

After everyone kept asking if we were getting Lucca a haircut, and his hair did kind of resemble a bit of a side-swept mullet, I finally made a plan to take him for his first cut. Huge mistake. 

It's not that I was crying over this "milestone", but because this chick totally jacked up my son's hair. "Just a trim" apparently translated to "I'm going to chop off two inches from the front, and take out a chunk on the side."

I get it, cutting a one-year-old's hair can't be the easiest thing in the world--they are swatting at your scissors, moving their little heads back and forth, all while the mom is watching every snip. I held my breath the whole time. She was really sweet, and Lucca was actually very good, so I didn't have the heart to totally chew her out for ruining my son's impeccable head of hair. I just smiled through my teeth, took the "first haircut certificate" from her, and complained about it for the rest of the day. Lots of curse words. And tears. And verbally committing to putting hats on him everyday (because I don't want people thinking how the hell could I do that to him?) and a vow to never cut his hair again.

So there. I'm like that. I cried over a haircut.

Don't say you wouldn't either...

[lolochronicles]

There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all. //Jacqueline Kennedy #booksandbabies #readtoyourbaby #thelolochronicles #momblogs

[lolochronicles]

Yea, it's tough. Yea, I complain how much it sucks sometimes. But it's these moments that make it all worth it. Being a #SAHM is the hardest, but also most rewarding thing I've ever done. Ever. And every day I'm learning: about myself, my baby, my family. I need those tears and tough days to really appreciate these few minutes of the day. #motherhood #momblogs #thelolochronicles #gratefulmama

[lolochronicles]

Because you can always wonder what it's like for someone else, if they are handling #motherhood "better" than you are. Or, you can use that time to be thankful for what you have and giving your love & attention where it's needed most: your #family. #truth #thelolochronicles

[lolochronicles]

Halloween Recap

This past weekend was one of those times I wished I could just blink my eyes and freeze time. I swear, the week drags along as we go through our daily routines and once the weekend is here it's over as soon as it began.

Of course the excitement of Halloween made this weekend something to really look forward to. This was our first year of truly participating in the Halloween thing in our neighborhood, and I have to say, even though Lucca couldn't officially trick-or-treat yet, it was just as fun dressing him up and handing out candy. We took him around the block in the wagon, came back and posted up in our driveway as all of our neighbors do. Cocktails in hand, we passed out candy and still (unfortunately) had candy left over.

The highlight of the night (or the absolute low, depending on how you look at it) is when a group of middle-school aged girls stopped by and one of the girls dressed as some kind of girly princess thing with full-on makeup says to me, "Ohh I love your lipstick!". I was at least 3 solo-cups in of red wine, I smiled and said thank you and waited until they were at the end of the block before I  busted out laughing.

Was this girl seriously complimenting my shade of Malbec? But then-- I instantly had an anxiety attack thinking this chick was making fun of me. Greg and I were seriously in tears laughing about it. He was trying to reassure me that

a.) she probably really did like my lip color

b.) she might have been really clever and knew it was wine

c.) if she was making fun of me they would have all busted out laughing.

Still, I felt old and only wanted to drink more after that. And I did. And ate about 12 Twix bars. Sprinkled with a few Snickers bars, some Kit Kats, basically anything with chocolate as an ingredient.  Let me just say that it's not as cool to eat so much candy your stomach hurts. I had an incredible Halloween hangover the following day..

And now, back to reality. Someone get all this damn candy out of my house...

[lolochronicles]

"Her Juggle" story featured on Breadwinning Mama

Happy Monday!

Head on over to Breadwinning Mama to see me featured on today's "Her Juggle" series! It's a great series spotlighting working mamas of all types of careers with kids of all ages. 

Check out our story here.

I love Breadwinning Mama and I'm so thankful for this opportunity to try and reach out to other mamas going through the same challenges we face in our house. 

Especially today-- where it's 5 a.m. and everyone in the house is awake and wanting something. Seriously, Daylight Savings, you suck. You suck for all parents everywhere. 

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work in my dungeon basement I go.. 

[lolochronicles]

This is what happens when you try to take a cute picture with the family dog. WTF is going on guys? #familypicturefail #halloween2014

[unbrokenbygrace]

[lolochronicles]

7 pm last night & realized I hadn't carved the pumpkin yet. My inner pre-k teacher emerged (and I was running out of things to do to keep him busy before bedtime) so I let him play. But then he tried eating all the seeds & chewing on the pumpkin. Ah well, we tried! #halloween2014 #thelolochronicles #babiesandpumpkins

[onlinecounsellingcollege]

When it comes to being gentle, start with yourself. Don’t get upset with your imperfections. Being disappointed by failure is understandable, but it shouldn’t turn into bitterness or spite directed at yourself.

St. Frances de Sales  (via thatkindofwoman)

[lolochronicles]

Susie Homemaker (I am not)

This week my level of domesticity has been raised: I, my friends, have begun meal planning.

To be honest, I laughed at people that did this. Like really? Do you put on a little polka-dot apron too? I hate cooking and really did not see myself as planning actual meals. I can't even follow recipes correctly. WTF is a measuring spoon? Just throw that shit in, it'll be good!

But, after countless trips to the grocery store (sometimes on a daily basis) and so many "what do you want for dinner" phone calls, we needed a change. I told Greg about my little plan, told him to pick out 3 recipes from my Pinterest, and we'd go from there.

And so far so good! I'm for 3 for 3, all successful, all delicious, and I haven't been to the grocery store at all this week. We have tons of leftovers for tonight and even tomorrow, and I haven't had to even mutter any words about dinner plans. 

However, I still don't follow recipes. Maybe one day I will. I'll actually buy the leeks (whatever the hell those are) that are listed in the ingredients, I'll actually simmer on medium-high heat, and I'll actually put in 1/4 tsp of salt. This week, I did not. And that shit was delicious-- so who needs a recipe anyway?

So, in case you are wondering what we made this week, here's our "menu":

Monday: Mushroom & Asiago Chicken

Tuesday: Vodka Penne with Tomatoes & Prosciutto (family recipe)

Wednesday: Slow-Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Hmm.. maybe I am on my way to becoming Susie Homemaker? 

[lolochronicles]

My sunshine. My only sunshine. #luccabear