I'm trying something new today (on several levels), including trying to build some new a beneficial habits.

Like writing every day and actually getting around to putting my contacts in and makeup on every day.

Today Christopher and I got up late so I missed my window for putting on my makeup. So after I put him down for his nap I went into the master to actually do my makeup.

15 minutes later I came back out to find Christopher trying to figure out how to open his bedroom door. Looks like another no nap day.

Sigh.

At least he's being distracted enough that I can get this writing done and if I'm really, really lucky I might get to unload and load the dishwasher without "assistance".

Post about scheduling. Then the schedule changes.

Good news is Chris is going into the office later, therefore we're waking up later, which is full of awesome as far as I'm concerned.

However that means the time between Chris leaving and Christopher waking up is now considerably smaller, and is better used in self-care. Things like taking a shower and actually doing that thing where I put in contacts and apply makeup.

At least that means I'm wearing makeup again, which is a very good thing.

Christopher is still taking naps, so I at least have that window, and honestly if I take care of myself properly it's the best window.

Writing is not compatible with the toddler as he is now. Therefore writing needs to happen while he's asleep.

Since the only times Christopher is asleep are at night and his single nap, I need to write in one of these windows:

1. In the morning when I'm up before Christopher is up and after Chris leaves for work.
2. Nap time.
3. After Christopher goes to sleep for the night.

I'm usually too wiped after he goes to sleep for the night, naps are extremely variable (and frankly sometimes I need to take a nap with him), so that leaves first thing in the morning.

I am NOT a morning person.

Looks like I'll need to learn to be a morning person.

I need to get back to writing again. It's a matter of life or death, or more accurately sanity or insanity.

Yes I have a hyperactive, hyperintelligent toddler who keeps me on my toes constantly. I still need to frickin write.

I'm so out of practice though, so it's going to take me a bit to find my feet and find things to write about. And there are some seriously important things I need to write about that I'm terrified to air.

So this should be interesting.

Yesterday I took Christopher trick-or-treating the first time.

Our house is on an acre lot and so are the rest of the houses on the street. Christopher insisted on walking on his own (with Monkey, his backpack/ safety harness of course) so we only made it about 8 houses or so before he started getting too tired.

The nice lady who lives at the house next to our neighbor insisted on walking us around since she didn't have her 2-year-old nephew to walk around (he was too sick).

That's when I learned about elderly Floridians inviting strange people into their houses, but that's a whole different post.

I set out our own Halloween candy on the porch while we were out trick-or-treating. As far as I can tell we didn't get a single trick-or-treater so the bowl was still filled to the brim.

So last night after the boy passed out I went to go get ice cream. Before I left I brought the big bowl of candy for the nonexistent trick-or-treaters in and put it beside the front door. I didn't care that it was within easy reach of Christopher because he was asleep.

While I was gone Christopher woke up and was inconsolable and looking for me so Chris let him out of the bedroom to run off some energy. I was already on my way back at this point. When I got back I found Christopher rifling through the candy in the (normally toddler-safe) entry way.

I didn't think anything of it until this morning when Christopher reached into a formerly candy-devoid toy box and pulled out a lollipop.

He'd pulled out several items from the candy bowl and squirreled them away in various places in the house.

I honestly do not know whether to encourage this behavior or not. On one hand he was thinking of the future and making sure he'd have candy available; on the other hand I need to go make sure we're not going to get ants.

Another day, another new challenge with a toddler.

Today he figured out how to undo the bungees that keep him from opening our back gate. Since the child requires constant supervision anyway I got to watch this process unfold.

He's got a lot of patience for an 18-month-old. At least when it comes to figuring out how to thwart something in his way. Half my job is making sure he doesn't come to harm while/after thwarting all of the obstacles meant to keep him safe.

It's an exasperating and exhausting job.

Someone's gotta do it.

It's our younger daughter's 11th birthday.