Over the past few years I’ve learned not to take things so personally. Okay, so it’s self-taught and it hasn’t been going all that well but whatever. I am better at not taking everything to heart; I don’t lay awake at night worried about why someone dislikes me or if they’re mad at me and for whatever reason. I  think I’ve somewhat accepted the fact that if you don’t like me, then tough shit: I can deal.

But that doesn’t take away the fact that I am still an over-analyzer and overly emotional. I have yet to find a cure for those traits so if you have an idea how, please, enlighten moi.

I started this Rookie (Mom) Challenge with the best intentions and honestly I’m a little bit crushed. I toiled and strategized and planned my wee heart out.  I have AMAZING support, AWESOME participants and (what I thought was) a good plan, then I began to worry… How can I improve it? Get it out there?  Gain some interest? But sometimes shit doesn’t fly, yanno? I get that. I can accept the fact that it’s just not internet gold and for that reason, I’m going to put it out of its misery. C’est la vie sometimes and that is the fact of life for this little nugget of poop.

Rookie Moms still rock and I still love their book and their site, it has nothing to do with that, it’s just that either this feature sucks, I suck, or both because it just ain’t flying. Not even if I threw it into the winds of a hurricane would this baby take flight.

So, with that my girl Vic at Glowstars takes the finale with this wickedly awesome picture:

She is officially my new Internet BFF.

And for that I also bestowe on her the I’m Hooked on Your Blog Award given to me by Jen @ Blissfully Caffeinated. For being hilairously witty and so awesome, because Dude. Did you see that picture?!

So here’s for you Vic and I will also be sending along your $20 gift card for Amazon.com (or Amazon.co.uk in your case I guess.)

So that’s it my friends. Rookie (Moms) Challenge out. (Shit. Seacrest. I should have thought about getting him to pimp this. That lucky little troll seems to have the magic touch. Eeewww the thought of being touched by Seacrest skeeves me out.)

I think that’s why I’ve been feeling a little down and out the past couple days. That, combined with the lack of sleep (FOR THE LOVE OF GOD BABY - SLEEP!) and the changing of the season (which always seems to fuck with me) I’ve been a little lackluster and dare I say extremely boring! lately. But never fear, once I double my dosage of anti-depressants and caffeinated beverages we’ll be back and more irreverant than ever.

Speaking of being down and out; check out this diddy I wrote on Saturday… nevermind, can’t find it. But, I promise you it was ultra derpressing about how tired I was and resentful about my husband sleeping and snoring while I was sitting up with a child that wouldn’t sleep unless I was holding him. You would have totally rolled your eyes at me. I swear. Then, through osmosis the kid finally got it and went to sleep for four consecutive uninterrupted hours. It rocked. Then he decided to start chatting at 6am and woke up Carter. That? That did not rock.

[insert transition here - I can't for the life of me remember how to spell segway...Yes, I realize that's the spelling for the two wheel motorized stupid thingy... but is it the same for a segway. I don't make any sense, I realize that, thank you.]

You remember those “Let’s make like a….” sayings?

Let’s make like a baby and head out.

Let’s make like a banana and split.

Let’s makes like a bee and buzz off.

Let’s make like a tree and leave.

Let’s make like a horses dick and hit the road. (That’s my favourite. Am twelve)

Know any different ones? I’m curious.

Words have been failing me these days. They’re jumbled in my brains but I can’t get them out - writer’s block I suppose. I’ve been overwhelmed with parenting duties over the past week and a bit since Mike’s been working about 15 hours a day, seven days a week until this project is done. I have a ‘to do’ list about a mile long and don’t really feel like doing any of it.

Sometimes I just want to hang that ‘Back in 10 minutes’ sign on my forehead, but then forget to take it down so people still think I’m gone and they’re wondering how long ten minutes really is because damn she’s been gone a long time.

Because, seriously? Webcams are scary.

I have emails and posts I should be writing, research, photo-editing and designs to complete and lately I just feel like that KRA-ZE bag lady walking down the road pushing a shopping cart with my worldly possessions while smashing myself in the forehead with my fist whilst screaming about the soup that burned the roof of my mouth as I pet my imaginary cat.

[Run-on at its best.]

I’ve resigned to making my life more organized. I’ve cleaned up my personal organizer - which is not a snazzy new iPhone or SmartPhone like I would LOVE! but rather a leather binder with a notepad and paper. Old Skool.

[All the paper - or caffeine - in the world can't make it better, I fear. I try and try, then FAIL.]

Maybe start with myself then move on to the house? I dunno but something has got to give.

Moving on.

Last week’s Rookie (Mom) Challenge’s winner?

Congratulations to Abi from Baby Monkey Tree

Go check out Abi’s post with her little guy Wills asleep in the Mai Tei carrier. So adorable!

[Though I had many options to take pictures of sleeping babies and I did get to sleep in while my mom watched my boys, I just never had my camera at the right opportunity. Am FAIL.]

For week five here are your three challenge activities:

Activity #28: Drink a beer

If you’re nursing this can be a great way to help with milk production (so They say) and if you’re not nursing? Well. Enjoy!

Activity #84: Wear your baby

This may not be hard for some of you that wear your baby often, but try and take a picture of yourself while baby is in a carrier or a sling!

Activity #205: Ride a real bus or a train

I know some moms around here that do this and it really sounds like fun! Get out and take a bus ride / train or subway if you can!

So go on! Do a challenge, take a picture and post it on your blog. Come back here and sign the Mister Linky and you’re on your way to winning: $20 amazon gift certificate!!

If you’re new here and doing the challenge for the first time check out the rules and buttons HERE and for past challenges check HERE.

If you’re having trouble with the buttons: all you have to do is select all the code within the box and paste it to your post or in your sidebar!

Have fun!

Being a Rookie (Mom) Ain’t So Bad, we all know that! Now that we’ve had a couple (two) challenges, there are a couple bugs to work out and maybe some more explanation, but I’m not giving up on this one! I’d love to get this thing off the ground: I feel really passionate about it - it’s a great way to introduce ourselves and our children to new activities and even though it’s called a challenge, it’s really not! So, as passionate as I am about this, it’s nothing without you! I want you to enjoy it, have fun and make it easy to participate.

First off. The buttons are now linked to the category so when you or someone on your site clicks it, you’ll be directed straight to ALL posts related to the challenge. My large sidebar button is also linked directly to the category so if you arrive here looking for the challenge, click the button!

Second. Prizes! Because we all love to win stuff, no? Each week’s challenge will end with a winner! Awesome, right? So why not try some activities!?

Third - If you’d be so kind, please take a moment, leave a comment and let me know what you think. It’s all for you, I want you to LOVE! it because I love YOU! I’m open to suggestions, have your say!

Last Week’s Winner: VICKY from Secret Mom Thoughts!

Congratulations Vicky! Go check out her post of everyone have milkshakes together!

Week 3 Challenge: (Remember you only have to do ONE!)

Activity #18: Take a Picture of your Sleeping Child

Everyone loves picture of sleeping babies so try and snap a couple when they’ve passed out! Even sleeping older children and teenagers are good for a laugh!

Activity #34: Rub Your Baby Down with a Message

Applying lotion after a bath can really help the kids mellow out for sleep time! Try and capture this moment! Or - just find a quite spot and rub down baby or toddler!

Activity #69: Sleep Late

Trade off when you can, and the weekend might be best. Trade off with your partner and have a day to sleep in! Have your partner take the kids out for breakfast or to play outside while you catch a couple more Zzz’s. (And if you’re like me… kick ‘em out after you’ve finished the first nursing session!) Wondering how to capture this one? Take a picture of yourself first thing when you get up, your bed, your clock, whatever!

** Remember the rules!

1. Complete a challenge - take a picture while you’re doing it!

2. Post to your blog

3. Sign the Mister Linky at the bottom of this post - that’s it!! And with that you’re entered to WIN!!

If you have a question, please contact me! I’m more then willing to help!!

You got until Sunday at 12pm EST!! (That’s the 21st if you need numbers) Have fun!

xox