I asked my mom to stay with us after I finished work so that she could help me get a move on for cleaning up and getting ready for Saturday. It’s not that big a deal, this brunch, but it is something that is important to me- having people in our home. And having someone along side me to help get things more livable here has helped.

My mom left today, but she left knowing she has participated in making my house cleaner and more organized. She even found a packing slip I have been needing in order to return some gosh-awful boots. She helped me recover my dining room chairs and now they look as awesome as the rest of my dining room.

Mom kept mentioning staying an extra day to help me finish cleaning up. I had to tell her that the house really is fine and that her idea of “clean” isn’t really the same as my “clean” and really, we are good here. She got into the truck and left, a little reluctantly, but I think she thinks I am a grown up and can keep a house. Sort of.

I guess it is that kind of thing about being the parent of an adult, knowing when it is ok to let go. And on the opposite end of that thought, as the child I have to find that balance of when it is ok to accept her help and suggestions. I may be an adult and a mother, but I am still a child and a daughter.

The fact that mom got to spend time with Fuller on his own turf was an added bonus. She got to know his schedule, some of his mannerisms, watch him play at Kindermusik, and see him not eat. It was special.

I feel like I have a clean slate to jump start this new arrangement of ours. Since I don’t have a ton of stuff to wade through,it won’t be hard to leave the housework to do other things like blog and crochet. I still have a bunch of stuff to go through (paperwork and clutter) but it is contained and not exploding all over our desk and countertops.

Now, if I could just teach the dogs to wipe their paws when they come in, then we would be in business.

Saturday afternoon and evening we hung out with Esther, Luke, and Ben. While we were there Esther had the opportunity to feed Ben. Since Ben is a preemie it takes a little bit to wake him up and get him interested in actually eating.

Esther’s a great friend who doesn’t mind my questions about breastfeeding and pumping. She rented a pump from the hospital so that her supply would stay up. She said the lactation consultant said the hospital pump was better than Esther’s Pump in Style because the Pump in Style was meant to be used in conjunction with a fully breastfeeding baby and the hospital pump was meant for women who are exclusively pumping.

When I have the chance to do it again, I plan on getting a Pump in Style of my own. Even though the price is high, compared to the amount of money we used on supplementing with forumla, I think it is worth it. (Aside to Sarah-Ginny: that is some unsolicitied advice I just gave you. It is worth the money to spend on a good pump.)

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Ok, not really.

I had a really good time with Fuller and my mom at Kindermusik yesterday. It was fun to move and sing with my son. And last night we practiced with slow (Fuller: looowwww) and fast (Fuller: ast!) and he really seemed to get his slow and fast on. It was great.

The part that sucked was coming home to a message on my answering machine from my dad! Kindermusik made us miss a call from my dad! I was so sad I almost cried.

Daddy has finally made it to Kandahar and apparently his email access is currently limited because we haven’t heard very much from him since he made it to that final destination. Just hearing his voice on the machine was really great.

In other SAHM news: I finished washing and drying all the clothing in the house. Today we do towels and blankets. Very exciting stuff, I know!

My mom and I worked on cleaning Fuller’s room- weeding out old toys, straightening shelves, and there has been discussion about actually vacuuming in there. I guess if I am going to be Suzy Homemaker I need to get used to words like “vacuum”.

My kitchen looks great too. We organized the recylcling, cleaned out some shelves and stirred up lots of dust. I have a little bit of an allergy thing going on right now.

Today’s SAHM activites include my mom, Fuller, and I heading out to Bennett Salvage to see about getting a new area rug for my living room. The one we had in there is now in the dining room. It looks like after 7 years I am finally setting up house, not just playing in one!

Yesterday was good. Today should fun filled with activity. As Albert says, “This is the life.”

Where wool comes from (found via Crochet Me).

Last Friday my co-workers put together a gift basket for me. It contains the “Stay at Home Mom’s Check List” with accompanying items.

Bubble Bath- for those quiet-relaxing times
Tissue- for wiping snotty noses
Baby wipes- for wiping dirty bottoms
A chip clip- for your nose, while changing a dirty bottom
Ladies Home Journal- for recipes and great homemaking ideas
Ramen Noddles- because we know you love them
Coloring book and crayons- for fun
A Mystery Package- for life’s little surprises
Shoe Polish- to polish up on those parenting skills
A Crimson Tide Sticker- for a good laugh
A Vactaion- Because every Mom needs a break
An Emergency Coordinator Hat- To let your family know who is in charge
An Elephant- Because it was cute, for Fuller
A Stress ball- to remember the stress you left behind
A Helpdesk Weather Bird- so you will never forget us

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Full stage shot

Originally uploaded by CrumleyFamily.

We have had a great week with my mom visiting and watching Fuller. Friday night mom and I went to the Mountain Opry to listen to some real Bluegrass and we had some good (free!) fun.

I wrote about the experience (with video!) on my Chattanooga blog.

The rest of this weekend has been relaxing for me.

Saturday Mom and I went to a fabric store and Damon gathered the decking materials for the front porch project. My mom is going to recover my dining room chairs.

Damon was going to finish the front porch. He didn’t get to finish the porch because the store didn’t have the desk fastening system he wanted. We had to order it and it won’t be here until Tuesday.

Saturday evening Mom, Fuller, and I went to Esther’s house to help her with handling life while Greg was at work. Esther is doing great with two kids, but she can’t lift Luke yet so I was her extra arms until Luke went to bed.

Tomorrow will be my first day as a SAHM and I am looking forward to it. I get to take Fuller to kindermusik and do laundry. How exciting! I’ll let you know how it goes.