Owner: Up in the Night URL:http://belknapkids.blogspot.com Join Date: Sun, 09 Sep 2007 00:26:23 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: I am a single, work-at-home mom trying to raise healthy, happy kids. I freelance to pay the mortgage and fill the fridge. If you know where I can blog for food, let me know--I would love to earn a living writing about vomit and poo. It is what I know best Site statistics:Click here
A Name Change and Google Searches 2007-09-07 00:39:00 I have decided to change the name of my blog to “Poo Memos, Venomous Spiders, and eBay” because those are the favorite post topics thus far as determined by the comments of you, my dear beloved readers! And can I just say that you really are dear and beloved! If I went on a quest for the best support group EVER, I don’t think I could find such amazing, compassionate, and wise women in one zip code. Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments to the difficult post about my separation. And this week I’m feeling like your positive energy alone will carry me over the ugly. Bless you!Now on to a lighter topic. I finally have the means to see what’s driving those Google
rs to my blog. Here are some searches that bring people to Up in the Night:“pink pee death”: Well, for a moment there I was worried. But luckily, our pink pee was caused by a Crayola fetish.“scratch and dent surplus”: This one’s popular. In fact, I think I get one visitor per day on this search alone. Read more:Change
The Bad News 2007-09-04 20:00:00 My husband and I are separated.And now I’m not sure what else to say. I’ve rewritten this post repeatedly,and even held onto it for nearly a month, timing it with Blogher so that it wouldn’t be broadcast over that network, and now this is all I can manage. I’m sure everyone can appreciate that this is extremely difficult for everyone, especially my kids, as we all stagger through this experience, trying to grasp something hopeful and secure to steady us.I’ve wondered whether or not it was even necessary to share this with the blogosphere. It’s strange announcing something so private and painful in such a public forum. But I decided to do it for a number of reasons. One, I’m selfish. In blogging I’ve discovered the most amazing support group full of compassionate, wise and genuine women. And I thank you all for that. Two, I can’t not write about this experience; I’m a writer (who uses double negatives, okay?) and this is an extremely therapeutic medium for me. Three,
Takin' Care of the Girls 2007-09-03 16:48:00 One day I was getting into the shower when Zack pointed at my breasts and asked, “Are those the bests, Mama?”“I like to think so,” I answered.That was back when I was immune to any breast-worry. But now that I’m in the WhyMommy-know I’ve been thinking about the girls in a whole new light. In fact, I’ve become a little obsessed.I’ll admit I’ve performed maybe five breast exams my entire life. I never knew what I was looking for and felt self-conscious poking at the girls so sloppily. And while my family has a history of breast cancer (via my grandmother on my father’s side) I always thought nursing my children somehow made me immune to any breast ailment (well, shouldn’t it?!). So I’ve never given my girls the attention they truly deserve.But just last weekend I got to go on a quick trip to Utah sans children to visit my family. As I was driving I noticed that my left breast was a little sore. So I spent nearly three hours poking and prodding at my boob trying to Read more:Girls
, Takin
Is someone coming over? 2007-08-30 16:11:00 Here's my latest column (although, just between you and me, it's really just an old post...).People who know me are well aware that I'm not very domestic -- that's a nice way of saying my house is a mess, I'm always behind on laundry, and my children eat a lot of macaroni and cheese. But I thought I had my kids fooled.That is, until a couple days ago when Kaleb asked, "Mom, who's coming over?""No one. Why?""Because you're cleaning the house."It was one of those rare days when I was cleaning the house just because. Because I wanted to clear a pathway through the playroom and to clear my mother-conscience.But apparently my children are onto me. I'm beginning to wonder how long it will take me to get it. I'm a grown person with an advanced college degree who just can't apply the whole optimal time management thing.Case in point. When we lived in Utah I would watch twin 5-year old girls every Thursday from noon to five. From nine to eleven every Thursday morning I'd madly clean
The Birthday Girl 2007-08-29 10:04:00 Last week Leah turned five and regardless of my somewhat distracted state she managed to have one wing-ding party (well, three wing-ding parties, but who’s counting).The CakeShe wanted a butterfly cake and, having made one for her second birthday, I thought “no sweat.” What a silly, silly woman I am.Two containers of frosting later I had created this hideous orange, pink, and purple butterfly cake (it even sounds bad, doesn’t it?). I was a little worried that she would go diva on me like she did on her third birthday when I attempted the Barbie cake (with the cake posing as a skirt). When she saw THAT one she cried, “But Mom, I wanted the cake from the store!” Forget that Albertson’s uses a dollar-store Barbie while mom used the real deal. Anyway, so I showed her the butterfly cake pre-party to prevent any cake fits. What did my blessed daughter say when saw this ugly cake from butterfly hell?“Oh, Mom, it’s BEEEautiful!” in this awed voice that nearly made me cry. O Read more:Birthday
Nice Matters! 2007-08-28 20:30:00 Gustogirl, the Queen of Nice, gave me this Nice Matters Award so I am completely flattered (and a little surprised!). Thanks so much!This sounds absolutely cheesy, but I am lucky to know more than a few fabulously nice bloggers. I'm going to nominate the uber-nice here:Candygirlflies from I Can Fly, Just Not UpRachel at Three Day BlogKaren at PediascribeThese ladies are fabulous! But it seems so unfair to narrow it down like that. This blogosphere is an amazing place--I am impressed by the clever, kind, and dedicated bloggers out there. Thanks for letting me blog with y'all!
Mamma Meme 2007-08-28 01:28:00 The Zen of Motherhood tagged me with this fun middle name mime. Here are the rules:You have to post these rules before you give the facts.Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts.At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.Okay, so this is forcing me to be creative. Thank heavens my mother didn’t give me a ridiculously long middle name.M – I’m very religious—Mormon, in fact.A – When I was just a kid I wanted to be an actress, and then in high school an artist. Now I’m an author (of accounting newsletters, no less).R – Rich. I’m so not rich (I’m sure this violates one o Read more:Mamma
Hobos, Spiders, and Piles of Dirty Laundry 2007-08-23 18:45:00 I admit, I’ve been a delinquent blogger. I’ve also neglected putting my columns online lately. So I’ll post the latest one here, inspidered (get it? in-SPIDERed? haha) by the Hobo Spider. They’re all over the place here. Ew!When I first called to set up our phone service here in Idaho Falls last October, the nice lady I talked to was a virtual welcoming committee, sharing all things good and bad about the area.“Hobos are horrible here,” she said at the end of our conversation.I imagined scads of homeless people filing the sidewalks of old downtown, complete with smudged faces and polka-dot bindles. I said something silly about not knowing Idaho Falls had a problem with the destitute.She laughed. “No. Hobo Spiders. They’re nasty!” She explained how the Hobo killed entire populations and kept most Idaho residents entrenched in fear. Okay, so I’m exaggerating. She said something about them being poisonous and drawn to large piles of unfinished laundry. Just what I need Read more:Laundry
First Day Faux Pas 2007-08-21 20:35:00 Remember me? I’m the proud mama prude trying to keep her daughter modestly dressed at all costs. Well, I have a confession to make. I sent my daughter to school in hoochie-wear. On her first day of kindergarten.I know. It’s shameful. I should be banished to live on the Island of Misfit Mothers where I can mingle with Dina Lohan. But in my defense, it was an accidental, completely unintended protistot ensemble. And there’s a moral to this story, so pay attention.I bought Leah this cute little dress at Walmart for just six dollars. It was one of those belted shirt dresses reminiscent of the 1960’s. Simply adorable. In addition to that dress I also bought knee-high tights. It’s Idaho Falls and not only are tights practical, but there’s nothing cuter than a little girl in a dress with knit tights.And that was the outfit Leah chose to wear the first day of school. And it wasn’t until we were ready to leave that I realized the tights were not quite as high as I expected while t Read more:First
, First Day
The rest of the story… 2007-08-16 00:51:00 My daughter made the front page of The West section in the Sunday edition of Idaho Fall’s Post Register. And she looks cute as a button. It was Saturday and she was wearing her rainbow swimming suit when caught skipping through ankle-deep water at a local event trying to catch fish. And true to Leah-form she saw her picture in the paper and exclaimed (palms cupping cheeks), “I didn’t catch a fish but my picture is on the paper…” as if the cosmos had finally realigned, restoring karmic justice.As Paul Harvey would say, and now, for the rest of the story
…We were down by the Snake River enjoying a big shindig in preparation for the great Duck Race, an annual event where people adopt rubber ducks which are numbered and then dropped into the river in a race for different prizes. So sans stroller (note to self: never again) we walked the river and enjoyed lots of kid-friendly activities. We made sailboats at the Home Depot tent, noodle necklaces, sand art, and maracas with th
We interrupt this blog... 2007-08-13 07:23:00 I haven’t posted in awhile and there is a good reason, although I can’t share it now. Our family is going through something that’s knocked me off my blog a bit. It’s prevented me from posting to my own blog and from reading those blogs I love. I apologize for being neglectful. Blogging is therapeutic for me and I’m guessing everyone will learn far more than they ever wanted to know as soon as I feel it’s fair to begin posting about our icky ordeal. So until I catch up with my life a bit, my posts will be sporadic. Thanks for stopping by—I’ll be back soon… Read more:interrupt
MEMO to my son 2007-08-07 20:24:00 TO: Zackary WilliamFROM: MommyDATE: 8/7/07RE: Saturday night’s “activities”Now would be a good time to assess the activities that transpired the night of Saturday, August 4th, 2007, since we (i.e. me) have had amble time to cool down and reflect.Understanding that you are not yet ready to deposit your poopies and peepees into the potty (having tried 4 vigilant attempts at “training” thus far), I appreciate your need to further acclimate to the big boy method of going to the bathroom. However, I would ask that given the current diaper-friendly situation, you consider the following the next time you need to fill your drawers (i.e. pampers, the generic brand).Do not remove said diapers once you have taken a juicy dump.Do not place your soiled buttocks on the carpet or furniture once you have removed those diapers.Once placed in the bathtub to remove the poopage that resulted from the unauthorized diaper-removal, do not sneak from the tub and leave poopy butt prints on the porcel
We all scream for ice cream... 2007-08-05 17:49:00 My mother-in-law is visiting and last night she treated us to some ice cream (I know—this woman is wonderful). As I went to open the Blue Bunny Pralines and Cream carton I found a safety tab on the lid. Eating my ice cream I wondered, Was that tab supposed to protect me from the ice cream, or the ice cream from me?Either way, it didn’t work…
An Ecosytem of Love 2007-08-03 06:36:00 I’ve mentioned my daughter’s love of ladybugs. And for those of you who don’t know, she loves them to death. Literally. Everyday Leah finds a ladybug and carries it in a fisted hand while she plays (“No, Mom, she’s not dead. She’s resting.”) As a result she was killing approximately one ladybug per day (or more, when our ladybug population was especially unlucky). And for whatever reason, this past week I was struck with the sudden urge to stop the pesticide.So instead of killing them off, we took them in as pets, putting them in a grass-filled jar with a vented lid. Now, I’ve never been good with pets. I’m a cat person because they’re low-maintenance, snobby pets that don’t require much on my end. Luckily ladybugs run a close second to cats; all they need is a handful of grass, a wet napkin and some moistened raisins in their jar, and voila—you’ve got a ladybug paradise.I thought so, at least, until I went to replace their moistened toilet for the firs
One Crazy $2500 Contest! 2007-08-03 06:00:00 Over at Ashwin’s blog, you will find one crazy blog owner!! You can win $2500!! To enter just copy this text and paste it in your blog!! But hurry, this competition will not last long! So get posting! Read more:Contest
, Crazy
Inflammatory Breast Cancer 2007-08-02 12:35:00 The following post was writting by Whymommy over at Toddler Planet. She recently discovered that she has inflammatory breast cancer and as she fights for her life, she's working to fight for yours too. Here's a post she's written to inform us about the nature of this type of cancer. And because this is really her post, I'm closing comments on my blog to encourage you to leave your words of love and support on hers. We hear a lot about breast cancer these days. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, and there are millions living with it in the U.S. today alone. But did you know that there is more than one type of breast cancer?I didn’t. I thought that breast cancer was all the same. I figured that if I did my monthly breast self-exams, and found no lump, I’d be fine.Oops. It turns out that you don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer. Six weeks ago, I went to my OB/GYN because my breast felt funny. It was red, hot, inflamed, and the Read more:Cancer
, Breast
, Inflammatory
My Six Year Old: Persistent and Gassy 2007-08-02 01:23:00 I know I wrote about Kaleb being loving and defiant, but I should mention that he has lots of other great qualities I treasure. One especially is his persistence, a trait that didn’t come through my DNA strain. I’ve learned a lot just watching him.For example, he taught himself how to ride a bike that’s bigger than what you’d find most seven-year olds riding simply because he believed me when I said, “You’ll get it if you practice long enough.” He’s done the same with swimming, basketball, reading, chess and, yes, video games. The kid keeps pluggin’ away until he gets it. Well, he’s done it again. This week he’s been practicing and practicing and practicing. And just today he got it. That’s right, folks, Kaleb has mastered the armpit fart. *sniff* It does a mama proud. Read more:Persistent
Yep, this is my life (part 3) 2007-07-31 15:11:00 The Napless NapOn Saturday afternoon I tried reinstituting The Nap because the night before we had all enjoyed a late and raucous evening watching “Shark Boy and Lava Girl” (a campy movie my kids loved).Thinking all he needed was a little encouragement I laid down with Zack trying to psych him to sleep. But my eyelids were so heavy they became blinking hazards and when I did manage to open them my eyes would cross. I’m sure my wiz kid was onto me. I'm sure he was thinking to himself, She’s almost out. Just a li-ttle bit longer and I. will. be. free.Fifteen minutes later I awoke in a panic. His bed was empty and I couldn’t hear him nearby. Knowing that without anyone standing between him and the great beyond (the Hub was running errands and my other two were playing in the backyard) I ran to the front. He was sitting on the street corner in his diaper and a t-shirt, his Elmo trick or treat bucket full of Disney Cars in his lap. My heart was in my throat seeing how absolutely
Yep, this is my life (part 2) 2007-07-30 19:52:00 All my kids show signs of being good swimmers. Good listeners? Not so much. In fact, in their mid-session report cards for swimming lessons issued just today, all my kids were told they needed to work on their listening skills. Backstroke? Nope. Going under water? Nope. Diving into the deep end? Nope. They need to PAY ATTENTION. If you’re curious, no, this wasn’t news to me. Although I did need teenage swim instructors to help me feel as tall as, say, Dora the Explorer’s backside. But, heh, that’s a topic for another post. So on with the second installment for (cue the music) “Yep, this is my life.”On Friday, after swimming lessons, I had this silly thought, and it went something like this: I know how to help my inattentive little swimmers be on-task during their lessons. Give them the chance to play in the pool, unchecked, for a good two hours. That was my reasoning for attending Family Swim last Friday night. Sounds good, right? You would think.I’ve al
Yep, this is my life (part 1) 2007-07-28 19:26:00 It’s been one of those weeks where everyday I have a new you-won’t-believe-this story for my mother. When I say to my sister, “Do you want another reason to procrastinate childbirth?” When I consider gawking at my own children like they’re complete strangers (elbowing the person next to me, “Can you believe that? Where is their mother?!”). And because I have so much to share, I’m going to reveal these little gems in a series called (cue the music) “Yep, this is my life…” Here’s the first installment.We are currently going napless at the Belknap home for completely valid reasons I no longer remember (for more information on the napping dilemma, visit Jennifer at Playgroups Are No Place for Children). And I’m sure my napless crusade started this insane chain of events that has given me so much to blog about.It all started Thursday night. It was the end of a successfully napless day, meaning that neither of my nap-friendly children had fallen asleep on the stairs
Blindsided by Parenthood... 2007-07-28 19:00:00 This week's column was a rerun of one of my previous posts (Your Six Year Old: Loving and Defiant), so I didn't think to post it. But just so you don't think I've stopped that other gig, here it is. Read more:Parenthood
Balcony Parenting 2007-07-27 01:13:00 The Idaho Falls Aquatic Center has out-parented me. And don’t get me wrong; I’m not complaining. In fact, I’ll be implementing some of their techniques shortly. But first, a little back-story.All three of my children are taking swimming lessons. Last year, my youngest Zack, was old enough to take a Mommy/Tot class at the local swimming pool where we lived in Utah. He hated it. While all the other toddlers complaisantly bobbed in the water with doting parents, my child would have none of it. For the length of his lesson I would stand in the shallow end while he would climb the stairs, jump into the water, climb, jump, climb, jump, until someone blew the whistle to cue the blessed end of swimming lessons (because surprisingly, standing idly in my swimming suit before watchful parents and teenage lifeguards is not my idea of a good time).Now you’ve already heard a handful of Zack stories and can imagine my trepidation at registering him for a parentless class this summer. Read more:Balcony
, Parenting
Blogher Envy 2007-07-26 15:42:00 Wow. It’s quiet around here. In fact, I think there’s an echo. Boundless bloggers have left the blogosphere to attend Blogher (say that five times fast). Although, I’m sure they’ll be back for a bit after they check into their hotels. And maybe again, here and there, between conference sessions. And then again before they go out tonight. And tomorrow night. To PARTEH like rock-bloggers! (Or Mommy Bloggers sans children.) *sigh* Can you tell I’m jealous? very. very. jealous.Oh, well. Maybe next year.Speaking of Blogher, you’ve probably noticed the Blogher ads in the margin over there. I hope it doesn’t offend anyone. I’m a freelance writer who doesn't want to write newsletters and copyedit brochures forever. Not that I’m delusional enough to think the ads are going to make me rich; but I’m hoping that this blog (through the great and wondrous Blogher network) will promote my column which will in turn promote the blog, which will promote the column, etc
The Binky Purse and a Lost Lightning McQueen 2007-07-25 11:59:00 Have you ever had one of those moments when you would do anything to keep the peace, to stop the crying, to keep your children from killing each other, to keep from killing your children? (figuratively speaking, of course!) Well, I have. And last night was one of them.Zack was a titch sick and overtired from a long day of summer play sans nap. And when he realized that his Lightning McQueen
, the Disney Cars matchbox, was lost, he lost it. Now some kids have blankies, lovies, stuffed animals, and even binkies. Zack has Lightning McQueen, and we’ve probably bought and lost five thus far, all to keep the peace. And those odd times when Lightning doesn’t make it with Zack to the end of the day, I can say, “We’ll find him tomorrow, Son,” and he will, begrudgingly, go to sleep. Not last night.First Zack fell to the floor and thrashed, crying until he nearly hyperventilated. And then, for 30 minutes, he screamed until his sister and brother started to yell, “Mom, make him stop. We
What Remains 2007-09-22 20:31:00 On Thursday I retained my lawyer and experienced first-hand how one tallies a life. My husband and I have been married eight years, an entire lifetime shared, the result of which are three young, beautiful people. Simple math tells me our marriage represents 30 birthdays, 8 anniversaries, three pregnancies, three births, two apartments, two houses, over 150 Christmas cards, one car accident, three surgeries, two therapists, and now, one divorce decree.And as I sat at the long lacquered table answering my lawyer’s questions, I couldn’t help but wonder how you divvy out a life. Could we really calculate all the spiritual debts and assets that have accrued within that time? Could we tally what’s yours and mine and theirs without ripping, unnaturally, at the center of our lives? As my lawyer applied this surreal formula of delineation I anticipated years of emotional hemorrhaging for all of us. This moment, drawing the lines and boundaries between us, preparing a chart of alternating Read more:Remains
Phone Etiquette, Part One 2007-09-21 13:05:00 The other night a client called to talk business at 5:15 pm. Now I don’t know about you, but if I were a businessman calling a soon-to-be single, work-at-home mom I probably wouldn’t call at dinnertime. But that’s just me.I was in the middle of making spaghetti and my kids, plus one, were playing in the house. It took awhile to clear them from the kitchen, but quite soon I was carrying on an adult conversation about my freelance work. That is until I heard water running.I asked my client to wait while I checked on my kids. Sure enough they had turned the hose on in the middle of a fair-sized patch of dirt on the side of my house. The water had been on long enough to flood an area big enough for an alligator. A giant, mutant alligator. “Sorry,” I told my client. “My kids just flooded my yard.” Now I’m not sure, but when does proper phone etiquette require you to say, “Is now a bad time?” Apparently not after your children flood your side yard. We continue Read more:Etiquette
Weigh in, People 2007-09-18 16:21:00 I’m such a delinquent blogger these days (this freelancing thing is killin’ me) so I thought I’d try to multi-task in this post. Bare with me, folks.My dream (yes, I’m blushing) is to syndicate my column. (Sometimes I wonder if I’m one of those tone-deaf singers auditioning for American Idol. You know the ones. They’re either dressed in drag or uber androgynous performing some frightening dance moves while they sing on, oblivious. That’s me. Only I’m submitting column queries, in drag, oblivious…)So anyway, I’ve gotten positive feedback from two papers so far that have yet to give me a definitive answer. Now I’m of the opinion that editors are not the string-‘em-along type. They don’t know me personally so if they didn’t like my stuff they’d probably just say, “We’re not interested,” and get it over with, right? (I know, I’m such a sucker). So I’ve written a couple follow-up emails with no luck. And that’s when I concluded that since I’ll pro Read more:Weigh
A Soon-to-Be Single Mom Manifesto 2007-09-15 00:58:00 These last few months I feel like I’ve had to turn the Winnebago of my life around and head in a completely different direction. The landscape has changed and I’m trying to become accustomed to this new view. During a consultation with a lawyer I was told the people who best endure divorce do so by looking forward, not back. “You need to have a vision,” he said. “Of what you’d like your life to be.”I’ve thought a lot about his advice. So much so that I’ve decided to create this, my Soon-to-Be Single Mom Manifesto
. It’s only a draft, as is my life.1. I will continue to work from home.I want to minimize the impact of this divorce on my kids. Divorce is one of those major life changes, right? As is moving. As is going from having a stay-at-home mom to a working mom. As is suddenly having to spend lots of time with a sitter or daycare provider. I figure my kids should only have to endure one of those at a time. The truth is, I’m not raking in the dough as a freelance
Gee, thanks, Bananas! 2007-09-15 00:00:00 Jenny from Absolutely Bananas gave me this awesome award: Gotta love the graphic (and big, fat, wet kisses--who doesn't love those?). Thanks, Bananas!
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