I don’t talk a whole lot about motherhood other than the fact that I am a mom, I’m a pretty crazy one, and my daughter Ginger, well she’s what the parenting books call, “spirited.” I don’t talk a whole lot about it because for me, it’s just too sensitive of a topic. Alison has a line? I know, you’re shocked. But not so shockingly, I’m crossing my own line today.
I’m sure many moms (and caretakers for that matter) can relate to the feeling of desperation that occurs when you’re DONE for the day. You’ve fed the child, played with the child, given them toys, taken them on a play date, run an errand…but they still want more, more, MORE, and it’s only noon.
It’s that moment when I look at Gigi, as she throws her body to the floor screaming dramatically about my latest wrongdoing (giving her milk instead of juice, looking at her when she didn’t want me to, or saying no to more candy) and think, “What the hell am I supposed to do with you?”
There are only so many people you can call at moments like this—moments when you’ll probably burst into tears, or say unforgiveable things about the small person terrorizing your sanity. And there are even fewer people you feel comfortable burdening with the screaming child as raid their fridge and then hide in their bathroom checking emails on your phone.
But luckily, I had my sister. So even though being a mom can be rough, I was hanging in there. She lived one block away with a baby the same age (but with the exact opposite temperament) as mine. And we saw each other everyday.
When there was an hour to kill I called my sister. When I needed dinner, I called my sister. When I wanted a run, a drink, a lame movie, or a donut, I called my sister. First thing in the morning, last thing before bed, curled in the fetal position with Gigi screaming, or waiting at the park with Gigi giggling, I could call my sister and she was 5 minutes away. It made being a mom doable.
And then she moved.
I’m so lucky to have so many amazing friends. But it’s just not the same as my little sister. When you’re the mom of a young child, the women who are (or aren’t) in your life can make or break your day. I have a lot of fabulous women in my life. But they’re not my sister.
She’s only been gone two days and I miss her like crazy.
But I don’t like to say things like this to her face. So I put them on my blog. And when she tries to bring it up I’ll revert back to my usual guilt tripping and deflecting. But for the record, I love my sister Andrea a lot.
Which is why I threw her a good-bye party with a theme “Get the Hell Out of Here.” So here you go.
Melanie made these beautiful cards for people to write memories on. She also designed the signs!
My kid is the one with her tummy hanging out.
And sure I’ll miss my sister, but I can’t even talk about this girl without crying. I made her this shirt using a bleach pen. Just so she doesn’t forget her roots.
Anyway. I’ll stop getting all sentimental. But if you want to remember how much sisters and cousins love each other you can see our mommy/cuzzy photo shoot we took in the Fall.
Now, get the hell outta here.
Alison
"When you’re the mom of a young child, the women who are (or aren’t) in your life can make or break your day." THIS. This is absolutely true. My oldest was spirited to the max, my theory being he hated having a baby/toddler body and couldn't do the fun things he enjoys now. At 6yrs old, it's like he is a different person now that he's come into his own.
Weirdly, this made me want to be your little sister.
Jenn, I've spotted the same sentence: "When you’re the mom of a young child, the women who are (or aren’t) in your life can make or break your day." SO TRUE.
We would listen to each other and feel each other without judging. We would end up laughing about it…
I had a girlfriend back home who I could share my desperate moments with. My oldest son is a good kid (he's almost 6 now), but his grumpy, bipolar and rebellious personality often makes me wish I could just fast forward on my life. Fortunately, his little brother is a sweet pea
"And there are even fewer people you feel comfortable burdening with the screaming child as raid their fridge and then hide in their bathroom checking emails on your phone." SO TRUE AGAIN!
I've moved 2 years ago 800km away and I realized there are relationships that just can't be replaced.
I miss those moments where I was minutes away from her. We would go out for a drink to blow some steam
Just writing this bring tears to my eyes. Anyway, life! Thanks for this personal post Alison. I didn't expect these emotions this morning
Oh, how I relate to what you said about the women in your life when you have a little one. And hiding in the bathroom checking email on your phone, haha
My heart aches for you. Looks like you gave them a great send-off, though! Thanks for sharing such personal thoughts – made this mom feel a little less isolated today 
Alison, I loved reading your post today. I too recently moved and had to leave my sister with a baby and other kids all the same ages. You reminded me about how much I love and miss her. Sisters are the best! Luckily, they are not truly gone. They are just somewhere else, but still so close in our hearts. I am hooked on your blog. It makes my heart a little happier. Thanks!
Oh man, I started my married life away from my sisters and I missed them terribly every day for the 3 1/2 years I lived there. I'm so glad to be surrounded by them again!
What a cute party. Love the theme.
K, getting the hell out now …
Aw, I loved this post. I don't have a sister, but this sure makes me wish I did – if only so I could miss her the way you're missing yours! x
I live in a pretty rural, isolated are in the mountains. My mom has spent the entire first year of my baby's life living here with me, and she has been everything to me! I honestly am not sure how to do it all without her, and she is moving out in May. Her presence here really has made my days bearable. Mothering is hard, and even harder when the people who are close to you are far away. I'm really feeling this post right now, and dreading saying farewell to my mom who I have come to understand more in the last year, than the previous twenty-three put together.
i love your relationship with andrea. over the past few months especially i've been really enjoying your posts and IG photos of you guys doing stuff together and i've been trying to really make my time with my sister (who lives about 30 minutes away in virginia) count. i have two other sisters that live across the country and the huge age gap and distance add to our relationship not being as close as mine and eliza's, so it's especially important to me that i keep cultivating that relationship and not take it for granted (which i was really doing for much of the time we've been out here). i don't know how long we're going to be living this close to each other! and thinking about not being a short drive away makes me a little sad.
anyway, point is, i've always admired you guys and your relationship since i met you in college. this post was the best.
oh man, loved this post! makes me miss my sister in utah! (and lucky's terrorist beard.)
you are such a good sister alison! you guys have been lucky to live right next to each other with your baby girls… i'm jealous because I also have a "spirited" child;)
thank you guys for so much love!!! even after I swore at you!!
Alison,
I'm sorry you are going through this. While I don't have a "spirited" child (yet) my sister and I are also very close. She is the person I call a bazillion times a day to vent to, scream at, or to share good news. So I feel you and can say when sisters move it is a major bummer! My sister moved to Florida 3 years ago and sometimes I feel like my right hand is missing, but we skype all of the time and try to visit a couple times a year. I am not even lying when I say sometimes we each buy a bottle of wine and have a skype girls night where we paint our nails and gab until the wine is gone. I hope you and your sister will get to live closer someday, just like I hope for my sister and I.
Jess
I miss your sister too. There is no one like her and as soon as I heard she was moving I was sad for me but worried about you. I just love those Faulkners!
You two girls with your two little girls… Gammy is feeling your pain and we all miss you so much!
hahah what an adorable post.. & I must say I busted out laughing at the comment "that's my daughter with her tummy hanging out" Great post & I'm sorry your sister is leaving! awww!! What a fabulous party though!
um… somehow i missed this post. and grrl, i read your blog everyday. [because i love you THAT much.
] reading this made me tear up and miss andrea sooo badly.
so does the fact that i’m in a photo on your blog make me famous? that’s what i thought. yessssss.
i miss seeing you, neighbor. i’ll come bring you dinner. xo.