Today I had one of those nightmarish mom experiences where both of my kids were screaming at once in a public place. I was actually buying noodle bowls from the sweet noodle bowl man who asked me when the baby was due after Emily had been born. See here for a refresher.
First Lucas started wailing...I don't know what happened, I think that the noodle bowl man scared him. Then I put Emily down so that I could pay and she started bellowing. My purse contents dumped out onto the floor amid all of the chaos and I noticed a forgotten pack of Sweet Tarts. Quickly tearing off the wrapper, I popped one in each child's howling mouth and enjoyed the immediate silence.
Man, that's some powerful stuff. I don't even like Sweet Tarts yet I had to have one then, too.
Hmmmm, Sweet Tarts are a good metaphor for being a parent. Mostly sweet with a little sour.
11/23/2007
11/01/2007
Freakish Foot
Ouch!I thought that I broke my toe yesterday after accidentally kicking Lucas' Learning Tower which was left in the middle of the kitchen so that he could help me cook.
The doc was 99% sure that my bone is intact though. It's just badly bruised, looks really messed up and hurts like heck if I wiggle it or if one of the kids steps on it (which surprisingly happened quite a few times yesterday).
No running or even wearing shoes for me for awhile.
Sorry for such a grotesque photo of my unpainted, unkempt toenails, but I thought that I might give you an after Halloween scare.
10/29/2007
10/25/2007
Guts
Do I have what it takes to do or say what is right? Sometimes, I am not so sure. I often wonder if I would be like Peter and deny Christ if threatened. Or would I have the courage of the teenage girl(Cassie Bernall) shot and killed at Columbine for saying that she believed in God (perhaps an urban legend, but it still makes me think).
I was confronted with this question again when reading The Kite Runner. Young Amir finds his friend being tortured and abused by 3 bullies and hides, watching in the shadows while biting his hand to keep himself from screaming. If he had confronted the bullies what would have happened? He was just a weak little boy and they were bigger, stronger and out-numbered him. Sadly, I may have done the same thing, hidden in fear. But I hope that my reaction to my friend afterwards would have been better than his. He just dropped his friend because of his own shame. Pathetic.
What would you do? Sometimes we need a guts check.
I was confronted with this question again when reading The Kite Runner. Young Amir finds his friend being tortured and abused by 3 bullies and hides, watching in the shadows while biting his hand to keep himself from screaming. If he had confronted the bullies what would have happened? He was just a weak little boy and they were bigger, stronger and out-numbered him. Sadly, I may have done the same thing, hidden in fear. But I hope that my reaction to my friend afterwards would have been better than his. He just dropped his friend because of his own shame. Pathetic.
What would you do? Sometimes we need a guts check.
10/22/2007
A Good Read
Lately, I have been taking the kids to the library every few weeks to pick out new books and videos for them.
I love to read, but with so little spare time, I rarely allow myself the opportunity to do so. Plus when I am in the middle of a good book, my life becomes all consumed with finishing it. Finding out what happens. I spend all of my breaks/nap times reading and stay up way too late in the evenings with my nose glued to the quickly turning pages. For example, I finished the new Harry Potter this summer in less than a week, I think.
Well, it's been a some months since I reached the end of Harry (no pun intended), so a couple weeks ago, I actually picked up some much craved for fictional material for myself for a change.
One was a total junk read, but just what I wanted at the time. A book that I could blow through in a day. A Janet Evonovich, Stephanie Plum Novel called Twelve Sharp. It was ok. Just the same as all of the other ones, though. Funny, dim-witted, and frustrating. Stephanie is this moron of a bounty hunter in Jersey who is afraid of her own shadow and keeps going back and forth between the two men in her life. I just want her to settle down with the cute Italian cop already!
The other, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, was just as my sister Katie had described it....Aaaaamazing!! It was a beautiful story set in war-torn Afghanistan about two boyhood playmates, one with an undying loyalty, the other full of cowardice, a betrayal, and finally a hope for redemption. I loved the line that was spoken to Amir, the main character near the end of the book:There is a way to be good again. These words really resonated with me and I was so grateful that the character had a newfound hope instilled in him. A way to make things right.
It is a must read in my book (HA) !! In fact, I saw it on display for sale at Starbucks where it said that it is coming out as a movie. I am sure that the film will be awesome, too, but they are rarely able to capture the entire essence of the novel.
I love to read, but with so little spare time, I rarely allow myself the opportunity to do so. Plus when I am in the middle of a good book, my life becomes all consumed with finishing it. Finding out what happens. I spend all of my breaks/nap times reading and stay up way too late in the evenings with my nose glued to the quickly turning pages. For example, I finished the new Harry Potter this summer in less than a week, I think.
Well, it's been a some months since I reached the end of Harry (no pun intended), so a couple weeks ago, I actually picked up some much craved for fictional material for myself for a change.
One was a total junk read, but just what I wanted at the time. A book that I could blow through in a day. A Janet Evonovich, Stephanie Plum Novel called Twelve Sharp. It was ok. Just the same as all of the other ones, though. Funny, dim-witted, and frustrating. Stephanie is this moron of a bounty hunter in Jersey who is afraid of her own shadow and keeps going back and forth between the two men in her life. I just want her to settle down with the cute Italian cop already!
The other, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, was just as my sister Katie had described it....Aaaaamazing!! It was a beautiful story set in war-torn Afghanistan about two boyhood playmates, one with an undying loyalty, the other full of cowardice, a betrayal, and finally a hope for redemption. I loved the line that was spoken to Amir, the main character near the end of the book:There is a way to be good again. These words really resonated with me and I was so grateful that the character had a newfound hope instilled in him. A way to make things right.
It is a must read in my book (HA) !! In fact, I saw it on display for sale at Starbucks where it said that it is coming out as a movie. I am sure that the film will be awesome, too, but they are rarely able to capture the entire essence of the novel.
10/12/2007
Seasonal Squares
Fall has got to be one of my favorite times of year. I had no idea what fall was like in Florida as the leaves didn't really change and we had maybe a week of cooler, nicer weather until the heat and humidity kicked it into full gear again.
Out here it is gorgeous. Leaves started turning reds, browns, yellows and oranges at the end of September. Doesn't that seem early? The weather has been cool and crisp and today is cloudy. I love overcast days for a change as we see sunshine and only sunshine for the whole summer. No afternoon thundershowers out here.
Anyway, to celebrate the arrival of this awesome season, I made pumpkin squares yesterday afternoon. They turned out delicious so I decided to share the recipe with you.
PUMPKIN SQUARES
Yield 16 squares
1 3/4 C all purpose flour
1/3 C granulated sugar
1/3 C packed brown sugar
1 C cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 15 oz can of pumpkin
1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/3 C chopped pecans (optional)-1/3 C seemed scant. I will add more next time!!
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1 cup of crumb mixture.
2. Press remaining crumb mixture onto the bottom and halfway up sides of ungreased 2-quart rectangular baking dish.
3. In another large bowl, stir together pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, salt and allspice. Pour into crust-lined baking dish.
4. Stir pecans into reserved crumb mixture. Sprinkle the pecan mixture over the pumpkin mixture.
5. Bake 50-55 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack. Chill in refrigerator within 2 hours. Cover for longer storage in refrigerator.
ENJOY!!
Out here it is gorgeous. Leaves started turning reds, browns, yellows and oranges at the end of September. Doesn't that seem early? The weather has been cool and crisp and today is cloudy. I love overcast days for a change as we see sunshine and only sunshine for the whole summer. No afternoon thundershowers out here.
Anyway, to celebrate the arrival of this awesome season, I made pumpkin squares yesterday afternoon. They turned out delicious so I decided to share the recipe with you.
PUMPKIN SQUARES
Yield 16 squares
1 3/4 C all purpose flour
1/3 C granulated sugar
1/3 C packed brown sugar
1 C cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 15 oz can of pumpkin
1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/3 C chopped pecans (optional)-1/3 C seemed scant. I will add more next time!!
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1 cup of crumb mixture.
2. Press remaining crumb mixture onto the bottom and halfway up sides of ungreased 2-quart rectangular baking dish.
3. In another large bowl, stir together pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, salt and allspice. Pour into crust-lined baking dish.
4. Stir pecans into reserved crumb mixture. Sprinkle the pecan mixture over the pumpkin mixture.
5. Bake 50-55 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack. Chill in refrigerator within 2 hours. Cover for longer storage in refrigerator.
ENJOY!!
10/11/2007
Washed Up
This week I decided to throw in the towel for now with my marathon training. I need to see a doctor before I can continue about my messed up left knee. It has never been the same since I injured it in the marathon three years ago.
I never did anything about it back then, just stopped running for a year or so due to recovery time and then pregnancy.
I did a 10 mile long run a couple weeks ago and that same dadgum knee was in immense pain that evening whenever I stepped on the leg. It hurt me for days. I scaled back with my long run the following week and didn't really notice any pain after 6 miles.
But then I bumped the knee early this week, merely brushed it on a bookcase when crawling around with the kids and saw red. Since my injury, my knee has turned into something worse than a funny bone. I gimped around again for days and I have this huge purple bruise. All because I bumped my knee.
I never did anything about it back then, just stopped running for a year or so due to recovery time and then pregnancy.
I did a 10 mile long run a couple weeks ago and that same dadgum knee was in immense pain that evening whenever I stepped on the leg. It hurt me for days. I scaled back with my long run the following week and didn't really notice any pain after 6 miles.
But then I bumped the knee early this week, merely brushed it on a bookcase when crawling around with the kids and saw red. Since my injury, my knee has turned into something worse than a funny bone. I gimped around again for days and I have this huge purple bruise. All because I bumped my knee.
Actually She's A Girl
I've found myself needing to tell people this lately. I could just let it go when they say what a cute little son I have (when referring to Emily), but dang it...I don't want to.
But, I have actually done the same thing before, guessed a baby's gender wrong based on what they were wearing (c'mon moms, don't dress your infant girls in all blue). Ok, so I have done that, too. In fact, Emily was in blue pajamas on her first night in the hospital. I was saving the pink girly ones for the "coming home outfit." Numerous hospital staff complimented me on my handsome new son.
Being that I am not much of a girly girl myself, I typically go for comfort rather than fashion in how I dress her. Dresses are only worn to church and parties or special occasions. Most of the time now that the weather is colder, (sorry to all of you still sweaty Floridians) she is in pants and a long sleeved onsie. And I try to shy away from pink, though she still wears it quite a bit.
Anyway, after having her called a boy 3 times in one weekend (and she was in lavender two of those times), I went out and bought her a collection of hair clips.
Now if someone dares to make that same mistake again, I am going to tell them to look at her frickin' hair clip. Now I better understand why some people/cultures pierce their baby girl's ears. Not that I would do that but...
I realized today why her gender identity is so important to me. Why it is not ok for people to think that she is a boy. Funny, this is something that I had almost forgotten about until now. I had short hair from age 5-10. Not a cute sassy bob, mind you, but really short, boy hair. Hideous. I remember being called "sonny boy" by an old man in the grocery store. And I did not like that one little bit. I may have been a tomboy with short hair, but I was NOT A BOY.
Neither is my little Emily. She's a girl and she is beautiful.
But, I have actually done the same thing before, guessed a baby's gender wrong based on what they were wearing (c'mon moms, don't dress your infant girls in all blue). Ok, so I have done that, too. In fact, Emily was in blue pajamas on her first night in the hospital. I was saving the pink girly ones for the "coming home outfit." Numerous hospital staff complimented me on my handsome new son.
Being that I am not much of a girly girl myself, I typically go for comfort rather than fashion in how I dress her. Dresses are only worn to church and parties or special occasions. Most of the time now that the weather is colder, (sorry to all of you still sweaty Floridians) she is in pants and a long sleeved onsie. And I try to shy away from pink, though she still wears it quite a bit.
Anyway, after having her called a boy 3 times in one weekend (and she was in lavender two of those times), I went out and bought her a collection of hair clips.
Now if someone dares to make that same mistake again, I am going to tell them to look at her frickin' hair clip. Now I better understand why some people/cultures pierce their baby girl's ears. Not that I would do that but...
I realized today why her gender identity is so important to me. Why it is not ok for people to think that she is a boy. Funny, this is something that I had almost forgotten about until now. I had short hair from age 5-10. Not a cute sassy bob, mind you, but really short, boy hair. Hideous. I remember being called "sonny boy" by an old man in the grocery store. And I did not like that one little bit. I may have been a tomboy with short hair, but I was NOT A BOY.
Neither is my little Emily. She's a girl and she is beautiful.
10/04/2007
Blackmail Material
I got an incriminating photo of my son last night. One that I will show to future girlfriends or at least his future wife.
I bought him some cowboy boots to complete his cute cowboy Halloween costume. He is super into them. As soon as he got out of the tub and I toweled him off, he ran straight into his room, pulled them on and started dancing around, singing and clapping his hands.
Naked in his cowboy boots. Quite a funny sight for sure.
And on a similar note, the word that we taught our kids for their bottom is "dupa." It's Polish and meant behind as far as we knew. Well, it turns out that it is the more obscene form of behind, a Polish curse word. Come to think of it, I think that Mike learned it from his mother. She used to call him a "pain in the dupa." Hmmmm. So if you are Polish or know Polish and hear our kids talking about their asses, please know that we didn't mean to teach them to cuss. Whoops!
9/27/2007
One Year Later
Our little miss turned one today.We had a fun day celebrating her.
First we had a special breakfast with Daddy (he went into work a little late this morning).
Then we had our morning walk and I remembered to wish her a happy birthday right at 9:22 am when she was born a year ago.
After her nap, we took a fun trip to Toys R Us to get a her soft dolly.
In the late afternoon, we met our friends and old neighbors for a park date. We haven't been to the park in awhile and Emily loved it. She took the most steps that she has yet (5 or 6).And later in the evening we had a super dinner at the same friend's house which was followed by a special birthday cake with strawberries and chocolate (see it all over her face;-) and she got to open a gift...a big stuffed horse, which she loved.
It was a good day.
I love my girl and can't believe that she has been with us for a year and that she has only been with us for a year all at once. Does that make any sense?
We are so happy and blessed to know and love Emily!
9/19/2007
Painful Public Potty 'Pissode
Yesterday while at Target shopping, Lucas said that he needed to go potty. I hightailed it to the front of the store, dumped my merchandise at a checkout isle to pick up afterwards, and got both kids out of the cart and into a potty stall. Now came the fun part.
I had to put a paper cover the seat for Lucas, pull down his pants and remove his diaper, have him hold on to the germy seat with both hands so that he wouldn't fall in, help him aim the stream that shot the back of his pants and was mostly missing the potty, all the while holding a squirming Emily.
Once that part was done, I had to figure out how to get his non-pull up diaper back on and wash his contaminated hands without putting Emily down on the filthy floor.
My solution was to bring the cart in...the big "A" kind that you can put 2-3 kids in. Well if you have ever driven one of those, you know that steering it is no easy task. It is especially challenging when holding a baby in one arm and trying to keep a half naked toddler from streaking out the door. After several failed attempts to get the thing inside the restroom (I kept crashing into the door) and Lucas showing his business to anyone walking by the restroom area, a nice lady heard my grumbling and came to help me.
Holy cow! One of my friends had said how she was dreading potty training because of public restrooms, but I had no idea how impossibly hard it would be.
It was like a scene from a comedy, yet I wasn't laughing in the moment. Luckily, I can now.
I had to put a paper cover the seat for Lucas, pull down his pants and remove his diaper, have him hold on to the germy seat with both hands so that he wouldn't fall in, help him aim the stream that shot the back of his pants and was mostly missing the potty, all the while holding a squirming Emily.
Once that part was done, I had to figure out how to get his non-pull up diaper back on and wash his contaminated hands without putting Emily down on the filthy floor.
My solution was to bring the cart in...the big "A" kind that you can put 2-3 kids in. Well if you have ever driven one of those, you know that steering it is no easy task. It is especially challenging when holding a baby in one arm and trying to keep a half naked toddler from streaking out the door. After several failed attempts to get the thing inside the restroom (I kept crashing into the door) and Lucas showing his business to anyone walking by the restroom area, a nice lady heard my grumbling and came to help me.
Holy cow! One of my friends had said how she was dreading potty training because of public restrooms, but I had no idea how impossibly hard it would be.
It was like a scene from a comedy, yet I wasn't laughing in the moment. Luckily, I can now.
9/18/2007
Ernie's New Do
I laundered a garage sale bargain Ernie doll yesterday and his black, fuzzy hair tuft didn't fare too well in the dryer. It's not a bad look for him per say, just a whole new style for Bert's annoying, but lovable buddy. Now our Ernie has a fro. Maybe this is how he looked back in the 70's. Anyone remember?
And as a fun side note, Lucas used the potty 11 times yesterday!! I tried a new tactic for the first time-rewarding him each time he goes on the potty. Disco-tech Ernie is one of the potty prizes but hasn't been picked yet for some strange reason. Ahhhhh freak out!
9/08/2007
You Happy, Katrina;-)
I was reminded that I hadn't blogged in awhile, so I went a little crazy with the updates tonight. Sorry. It's either feast or famine with my writing. I'll try to be more consistent.
Quick recap of the past month:
Quick recap of the past month:
- Lucas was offered a scholarship and started preschool.
- Emily turned 11 months, started waving and saying Hi, and now kisses on command.
- She is considered healthy by the specialist that we had to see regarding her "failure to thrive." He thinks that our pediatrician is a "nutter." He didn't say that, I could just tell.
- I had my own Pampered Chef show and got lots of free stuff and will get paid for it, too. WooHOO!
- I'm starting to get into a running groove again.
- We had an awesome long weekend last weekend with a family movie night, trek to the state fair to watch a monster truck show and see the animals, and day trip to Bodega Bay to take in the lovely beach. We did not get eaten or even threatened by the birds.
- Mike started a new project at work and is still working on his old one, too. His job is pretty secure again. Praise God.
Running Report
I ran three times this week!! That is a really good record for me lately. Two times were on the treadmill for about 3 miles and this morning I ran a glorious 8.5 outside (half of these were with my family--Mike pushed the kids in our new double jogger and half were by my lonesome). And then this afternoon, I took an hour and a half walk with a friend. That's a lot of sunshine and cardio in one day, almost 4 hours worth. Maybe I can do this marathon, Jen!
Playmates
My kids are playing together more now and it is sooooo stinkin' cute. When I bring Emily down in the morning, Lucas says "Play with me, Em-ly." One of his favorite things to do is to have his sister push him in this hippo ride on/walker toy. He says "Push me, Em-ly" and she totters along pushing her big bro. Then he reluctantly takes a turn pushing her. I just want to eat them up sometimes. Here's a cute picture of them with Lucas doing the pushing this time. We took a video, too, which I will try to include...
School Daze
Wow, what a hectic and busy week we had!! Lucas started preschool on Tuesday and really loved it. No tears when I left him either day or the whole time there. So glad for that as I wasn't sure how he, a shy boy, would do in an unfamiliar setting. In fact on Thursday as I was putting him down for his nap, he asked to go back. He wanted to go back right then. Probably just stalling his sleep, but still...
He told me that he likes his teacher, Mrs. Spiers (pronounced like Britany's last name). Before school started, I was teaching her name to Lucas pronouncing it wrong saying Spy-ers and he thought that I was talking about bugs. He started referring to her as "that spider lady." Great. I couldn't help but laugh when he said it though and he kept saying it to be funny. I was happy to hear the correct pronunciation.
Anyway, he is now in school two mornings a week for three hours. It is going to be wonderful for all of us. He is having fun, meeting new kids, getting more exercise and outside time, and learning. And I am getting free time to run on the treadmill and take care of myself more for a change while Emily naps. The almost one year old is getting to snooze in a quieter house and some special girl time with her mommy when she wakes up. It is nice.
8/18/2007
Adding Insult to Injury
This morning my kids slept in for the first time all week. They slept until the blissful hour of 6:30. This was huge because Lucas is back to his old evil tricks of getting up at around 5:30 most days much to our delight. But wouldn't you know that today would be an early running morning for me. I had to be out the door at 6:30 (luckily not as early as I go on weekdays). It was tough to get up when I finally could have been getting a little more snooze on for a change.
Erin and I ran 8 miles again today. We did the same run last Saturday. I felt great last week...could have kept going and going like the Energizer bunny. Today, not so much. I felt my knee joints starting to ache, my toe was burning with each step as the run progressed (I discovered a nice blister when I got home), I got a friction burn in my armpit because I forgot to apply my body glide, and I felt like vomiting for some reason in the last mile or so.
And to make matters worse, after I got all cleaned up I went outside and a neighbor asked me if I was pregnant again. I felt embarrassed for her and for me that 11 months later, almost a year has gone by since having Emily, and I still look slightly pregnant apparently. Damn it, I hate what having kids did to my body. Shot to hell, I tell you.
Erin and I ran 8 miles again today. We did the same run last Saturday. I felt great last week...could have kept going and going like the Energizer bunny. Today, not so much. I felt my knee joints starting to ache, my toe was burning with each step as the run progressed (I discovered a nice blister when I got home), I got a friction burn in my armpit because I forgot to apply my body glide, and I felt like vomiting for some reason in the last mile or so.
And to make matters worse, after I got all cleaned up I went outside and a neighbor asked me if I was pregnant again. I felt embarrassed for her and for me that 11 months later, almost a year has gone by since having Emily, and I still look slightly pregnant apparently. Damn it, I hate what having kids did to my body. Shot to hell, I tell you.
8/16/2007
I'm Alive
There was an old pep phrase that I had taped to my computer monitor back in my Sprint telemarketing days.
It went something like this: I'm alive and awake and I feel great!
So that is where I am at today. Definitely better than I was a month or so ago or even last week for that matter.
I had a realization today. An epiphany of sorts. I was trying to take a much needed nap while the kids were doing the same when I heard the phrase "Bloom where you are planted." in my head.
This message really resonated with me. I spend much of my time more or less hating my life, feeling this crushing burden on my shoulders, drowning in my many responsibilities (kids, housework, cooking, Pampered Chef, marathon training, trying to be a decent wife) that I can only do halfway, and fighting daily just to keep my head above the water. I've prayed before that I wouldn't just survive (that's how my life feels, like survival mode), but thrive.
Well, I was reminded of that prayer and desire again today in a fresh new way. So tonight, instead of being ticked off if Emily wakes up in the middle of the night and screams for 2 hours like she did last night, I will try to bloom. Even though I am in a hard place, flowers grow best in manure. I want to be beautiful and flourishing in this season. I am sick of being a bitter stink weed.
It went something like this: I'm alive and awake and I feel great!
So that is where I am at today. Definitely better than I was a month or so ago or even last week for that matter.
I had a realization today. An epiphany of sorts. I was trying to take a much needed nap while the kids were doing the same when I heard the phrase "Bloom where you are planted." in my head.
This message really resonated with me. I spend much of my time more or less hating my life, feeling this crushing burden on my shoulders, drowning in my many responsibilities (kids, housework, cooking, Pampered Chef, marathon training, trying to be a decent wife) that I can only do halfway, and fighting daily just to keep my head above the water. I've prayed before that I wouldn't just survive (that's how my life feels, like survival mode), but thrive.
Well, I was reminded of that prayer and desire again today in a fresh new way. So tonight, instead of being ticked off if Emily wakes up in the middle of the night and screams for 2 hours like she did last night, I will try to bloom. Even though I am in a hard place, flowers grow best in manure. I want to be beautiful and flourishing in this season. I am sick of being a bitter stink weed.
School Days
I am so very excited for Lucas!! My big boy will be starting preschool two mornings a week in September. Ever since we visited the class a month or so ago, he has been asking to go to preschool. He loved it and who wouldn't...Thomas the Train, cars and trucks, puzzles, a playground, and snack time! What is not to love?
I found out this week that he was accepted for a scholarship to the school which makes it possible for us to afford. So stay tuned for tales of his first day of school...
I found out this week that he was accepted for a scholarship to the school which makes it possible for us to afford. So stay tuned for tales of his first day of school...
7/26/2007
Discouraged
I have been feeling a little down this week. Mainly with Pampered Chef and my supposed to be happening running training program.
Pampered Chef has me down because I've come to a road block, I've exhausted my contacts (this is not really true, but it feels like it)and my August calendar is completely open with NO business coming in as of yet. It seems like the bulk of my friends here, though I haven't really asked many people outright, are not really interested in hosting parties. I want to do well with this (well as in bring in a 3-4 shows per month), but I don't want to do what it takes to do well. Like asking people to host a show for me. Being a pushy sales person sucks, but so does not making money. It's also hard because I don't know that many people here (we've been in town for just shy of 3 years now) and I have been mostly introverted being overwhelmed with the kids. It seems so wrong to start calling people up out of the blue to ask for their business. Sigh.
I have the running blues because my partner finally quit on me this week. At least she can't train for the marathon with me which translates into she can't run more than 2 times per week or do any long runs. That is really when I need a partner for...the long runs. I called up another friend to see if she will do weekly long runs with me. Her name is Erin. It rhymes with Sharon, my current partner and Karin, my beloved Orlando partner (who quit on me too, what do I do wrong with my partners?!). No word back from Erin. If your name is Darrin or Taryn or something else that sounds similar, and you want to train for a marathon, give me a call.
Blogging has been pretty hard to do lately. I've been so exhausted and overwhelmed. I even thought that I might be pregnant earlier in the week and joyfully found out that this was not the case. NOT ANOTHER BABY!!! NOT YET! I AM NOT READY OR ABLE TO HANDLE ANY MORE KIDS NOW. I am already on the brink of insanity.
As I type, Emily is howling and starting to sound hoarse in her bed. Her new thing is not wanting to take her naps. She used to do just fine, falling asleep soon after putting her down after sometimes fussing for a few minutes. That former blissful few minutes of fussing is turning into almost an hour of outright screaming. She is a stubborn little girl, she is standing up, her face all runny and her heels are dug in. She is determined to win. And so am I. Who will be victorious?
On a positive note, I used the treadmill for the first time yesterday. I christened it with a 3.25 mile run during their naps. It felt great to be able to exercise and do something for ME for a change during the day. And I got a shower in afterwards as an added bonus.
I think that Emily will win today. Again. After going in to comfort her 4-5 times, she is not letting up. No nap for her this afternoon.
Damn, and I really needed one today.
Pampered Chef has me down because I've come to a road block, I've exhausted my contacts (this is not really true, but it feels like it)and my August calendar is completely open with NO business coming in as of yet. It seems like the bulk of my friends here, though I haven't really asked many people outright, are not really interested in hosting parties. I want to do well with this (well as in bring in a 3-4 shows per month), but I don't want to do what it takes to do well. Like asking people to host a show for me. Being a pushy sales person sucks, but so does not making money. It's also hard because I don't know that many people here (we've been in town for just shy of 3 years now) and I have been mostly introverted being overwhelmed with the kids. It seems so wrong to start calling people up out of the blue to ask for their business. Sigh.
I have the running blues because my partner finally quit on me this week. At least she can't train for the marathon with me which translates into she can't run more than 2 times per week or do any long runs. That is really when I need a partner for...the long runs. I called up another friend to see if she will do weekly long runs with me. Her name is Erin. It rhymes with Sharon, my current partner and Karin, my beloved Orlando partner (who quit on me too, what do I do wrong with my partners?!). No word back from Erin. If your name is Darrin or Taryn or something else that sounds similar, and you want to train for a marathon, give me a call.
Blogging has been pretty hard to do lately. I've been so exhausted and overwhelmed. I even thought that I might be pregnant earlier in the week and joyfully found out that this was not the case. NOT ANOTHER BABY!!! NOT YET! I AM NOT READY OR ABLE TO HANDLE ANY MORE KIDS NOW. I am already on the brink of insanity.
As I type, Emily is howling and starting to sound hoarse in her bed. Her new thing is not wanting to take her naps. She used to do just fine, falling asleep soon after putting her down after sometimes fussing for a few minutes. That former blissful few minutes of fussing is turning into almost an hour of outright screaming. She is a stubborn little girl, she is standing up, her face all runny and her heels are dug in. She is determined to win. And so am I. Who will be victorious?
On a positive note, I used the treadmill for the first time yesterday. I christened it with a 3.25 mile run during their naps. It felt great to be able to exercise and do something for ME for a change during the day. And I got a shower in afterwards as an added bonus.
I think that Emily will win today. Again. After going in to comfort her 4-5 times, she is not letting up. No nap for her this afternoon.
Damn, and I really needed one today.
7/15/2007
Thrivin'
Just look at this girl pleased as punch with her new, big girl skills...does she look like she is not thriving to you?? Emily can now pull herself to standing (she greeted me this way after a nap last week), is starting to cruise around holding onto furniture, and runs when she is clutching my fingers for balance. She is also starting to stand on her own momentarily now. She will be walking soon, we suspect.
Though her blood work came back that she is anemic (she isn't eating much in the form of solids to get iron), she seems normal in every other way. We have a few more tests and specialists to see, but at this point, the docs can just bite it as far as I am concerned.
Though her blood work came back that she is anemic (she isn't eating much in the form of solids to get iron), she seems normal in every other way. We have a few more tests and specialists to see, but at this point, the docs can just bite it as far as I am concerned.
6/27/2007
Unmotivated, Uninspired, Under Pressure...
Alright, I have every excuse in the book for not blogging for awhile, but here is a snapshot of what is going on in my life...
* Emily is 9 months old today and was labeled as a failure to thrive because of her low weight (15 something pounds). She has not really ever been into solid foods and is now teething which causes her to refuse to eat much at all. She screws up her face, eyes and mouth sealed shut when I try to feed her with a spoon these days, but is enjoying eating finger foods like banana on her own. All in all, she is a sweet natured and happy little girl. She says mama (her first word:) and often giggles and squeals with delight.
* Lucas has been on a milk strike for the past month, will not drink the stuff unless I coerce him and only then he will take a sip. He loves playing with his cars and trucks and is becoming very imaginative with his play, pretending that my bed foot board is the steering wheel of his "back loader." He is also speaking in full sentences and finally eats meat. He is super well behaved for a two year old, but is still pretty difficult for me to manage...likes to say no a lot and always wants his own way, dang it. He is still super cuddly and loving, but is getting more independent. He's a great big brother, makes Emily crack up even when he sits on her.
* I am keeping busy juggling all of the many pulls in my life: the kids, the house, the marathon training (or at least trying to get out there and run consistently), and now Pampered Chef. After our road trip to Oregon and seeing how packed full our Escape was, I am finally seeing the advantage (and getting over my pride) of driving a mini van. We are looking into what we can afford. Mike is considering selling his car, taking mine and replacing it with the ultimate mom mobile. It was my idea to consider that option by the way. And tomorrow I am 31.
* Emily is 9 months old today and was labeled as a failure to thrive because of her low weight (15 something pounds). She has not really ever been into solid foods and is now teething which causes her to refuse to eat much at all. She screws up her face, eyes and mouth sealed shut when I try to feed her with a spoon these days, but is enjoying eating finger foods like banana on her own. All in all, she is a sweet natured and happy little girl. She says mama (her first word:) and often giggles and squeals with delight.
* Lucas has been on a milk strike for the past month, will not drink the stuff unless I coerce him and only then he will take a sip. He loves playing with his cars and trucks and is becoming very imaginative with his play, pretending that my bed foot board is the steering wheel of his "back loader." He is also speaking in full sentences and finally eats meat. He is super well behaved for a two year old, but is still pretty difficult for me to manage...likes to say no a lot and always wants his own way, dang it. He is still super cuddly and loving, but is getting more independent. He's a great big brother, makes Emily crack up even when he sits on her.
* I am keeping busy juggling all of the many pulls in my life: the kids, the house, the marathon training (or at least trying to get out there and run consistently), and now Pampered Chef. After our road trip to Oregon and seeing how packed full our Escape was, I am finally seeing the advantage (and getting over my pride) of driving a mini van. We are looking into what we can afford. Mike is considering selling his car, taking mine and replacing it with the ultimate mom mobile. It was my idea to consider that option by the way. And tomorrow I am 31.
6/04/2007
Haiku
Four staples in a neat row,
Right on his noggin.
Watch out for tree limbs, honey.
Mike had a collision with a tree limb while walking this afternoon and came home with a bloody head. After I inspected his wound and found it to be pretty deep and still bleeding hours after the run in, he went into an Urgent Care clinic for stitches, which turned out to be staples right into his skull. Uhhhhh, It makes my head ache just thinking about it.
Right on his noggin.
Watch out for tree limbs, honey.
Mike had a collision with a tree limb while walking this afternoon and came home with a bloody head. After I inspected his wound and found it to be pretty deep and still bleeding hours after the run in, he went into an Urgent Care clinic for stitches, which turned out to be staples right into his skull. Uhhhhh, It makes my head ache just thinking about it.
5/31/2007
Small World
We did end up taking the trip to Oregon this weekend and it was fabulous, perhaps our best vacation yet and we have had some good ones. I will devote an entry to that soon, but in the meantime here was a random, small world experience that we had while on the road.
At a gas station in a small town in Oregon, a station where we were not even allowed to pump our own gas (apparently it is a law there?!), a woman struck up a conversation with my husband.
She commented about his UCF shirt--which stands for University of Central Florida-- where he went to college. She had attended another Florida school, UF or University of Florida. I stuck my head out the door and said mockingly, "You're a GATOR?!" UF was my college's arch rival. I went to FSU or Florida State University.
So at a Chevron station in a podunk town in Oregon, we had three of Florida's universities represented. Pretty cool. And to make it even more coincidental, it turns out that the Gator lady had also attended my high school but 10 years before me.
Wacky.
At a gas station in a small town in Oregon, a station where we were not even allowed to pump our own gas (apparently it is a law there?!), a woman struck up a conversation with my husband.
She commented about his UCF shirt--which stands for University of Central Florida-- where he went to college. She had attended another Florida school, UF or University of Florida. I stuck my head out the door and said mockingly, "You're a GATOR?!" UF was my college's arch rival. I went to FSU or Florida State University.
So at a Chevron station in a podunk town in Oregon, we had three of Florida's universities represented. Pretty cool. And to make it even more coincidental, it turns out that the Gator lady had also attended my high school but 10 years before me.
Wacky.
5/23/2007
Party Pooper IV
Well, today I did it...something that for those of you who know me well, would NEVER expect me to do.
I signed up to be a Pampered Chef consultant.
Gasp.
Yes, I am actually going to try to do the party thing as a way of supplementing our income, helping with the mortgage and hopefully even earning enough to send Lucas to preschool in the fall. Ironically, you may remember that I have always abhorred "sales" parties, often chucking any invitation that came my way. And now I am going to choose to not only attend, but to put on these parties weekly (ideally I will do one show per week).
So, if you are needing any handy cooking tools, want to throw a fun kitchen party, or just want to pass a catalog around to your friends to earn some free gadgets, let me know.
I signed up to be a Pampered Chef consultant.
Gasp.
Yes, I am actually going to try to do the party thing as a way of supplementing our income, helping with the mortgage and hopefully even earning enough to send Lucas to preschool in the fall. Ironically, you may remember that I have always abhorred "sales" parties, often chucking any invitation that came my way. And now I am going to choose to not only attend, but to put on these parties weekly (ideally I will do one show per week).
So, if you are needing any handy cooking tools, want to throw a fun kitchen party, or just want to pass a catalog around to your friends to earn some free gadgets, let me know.
5/12/2007
Conundrum
Today we were invited to go with our California family (my aunt and cousins) to stay at a small cabin on the coast in Oregon for an upcoming weekend. It sounds like a dream to me...we've never been to Oregon, I love cabins and the beach, we've wanted to show the kids the ocean, clamming sounds like fun and I am sure that Lucas would get a big kick out of it, and we love to be with the family. So many reasons to go.
BUT, how would the kids handle a 9.5 hour road trip? That could be a big disaster. They have done fine with the 2 hour trips that we have taken, but this is almost 5 times as long (and that is without breaks). I suggested that we could drive at night, but then we would be so exhausted when we get there and the kids wake up...how would we enjoy our time?
Lucas was a road trip nightmare when he was about Emily's age. See here for a refresher. We went to Yosemite, which is about 4.5 hours away and he screamed for half the trip. It sucked. This is why we hesitate.
Too the cabin is small (only 2 bedrooms) and there will be 8 people staying there if we go. I don't know what the sleeping arrangements would be. My kids might not sleep at night or take their naps and will be crabby little cranks.
Anyone have any thoughts or advice on the matter? Should we go and risk bleeding eardrums and a weekend from hell or stay home and have a boringly safe, normal time where my every day looks the same? One positive if it is an awful experience, is that it could be a really funny blog or story later on.
What a dilemma.
BUT, how would the kids handle a 9.5 hour road trip? That could be a big disaster. They have done fine with the 2 hour trips that we have taken, but this is almost 5 times as long (and that is without breaks). I suggested that we could drive at night, but then we would be so exhausted when we get there and the kids wake up...how would we enjoy our time?
Lucas was a road trip nightmare when he was about Emily's age. See here for a refresher. We went to Yosemite, which is about 4.5 hours away and he screamed for half the trip. It sucked. This is why we hesitate.
Too the cabin is small (only 2 bedrooms) and there will be 8 people staying there if we go. I don't know what the sleeping arrangements would be. My kids might not sleep at night or take their naps and will be crabby little cranks.
Anyone have any thoughts or advice on the matter? Should we go and risk bleeding eardrums and a weekend from hell or stay home and have a boringly safe, normal time where my every day looks the same? One positive if it is an awful experience, is that it could be a really funny blog or story later on.
What a dilemma.
5/10/2007
On the Rocks
This breezy family shot was taken about a month and a half ago (pre-haircut as you can tell) at our church Easter Egg Hunt. It was taken by our friend, Chris Harder, the same photographer who captured Lucas' awesome first year portraits.On Saturday, we finally take Emily to get her 6 month pictures done (she is now seven and a half months). What could I do? She was snotty and crusty her whole sixth month and is now only almost over it after finally giving in to antibiotics. I guess that she had a cold on crack or maybe it has just been allergies all along. Regardless, it is ridiculous!
5/05/2007
Reason to Celebrate
It is finally over. Our long saga of two mortgages, fear of foreclosure(s) and wondering where we will be living in the upcoming months has finally come to a conclusion. A great ending to a nail-biting, possibly financially devastating situation.
God is so good to us. As soon as we gave up control and let go of the desire to stay at our dream place, He moved in a mighty way. Almost immediately upon putting our current home on the market (I cried when the sign went up) and ironically just after firing our other realtor, we received the offer for the old place. It is truly by an act of God that we don't have to move yet again.
So you can keep our new address in your book for the time being. Hopefully we will be here for a long, long time.
5/04/2007
4/28/2007
Rapunzel
My husband, like 90% of the male population (just a wild, but probably pretty accurate guess on the %), prefers long hair. Right now, my locks are long and to him, I am guessing luscious. Tonight I am going to get 'em all chopped off. Or at least significantly shortened.
I ran into some friends today and mentioned that I was going to give my hair the ax.
"What about Michael?" they asked. "Doesn't he prefer you with long hair?"
I found myself giving them all of my many reasons for wanting my hair gone: it is all over the house and is disgusting me...our shark cordless vacuum looks like it swallowed a human head with all of my nasty hair tangled in the brushes, Lucas tugs at it (lovingly, but quite annoying none the less), eats it playfully and while doing this gets his snot, food or whatever is on his face in my hair, Emily spits up in it and pulls it not so lovingly, I feel like I am living in the 90's with my same long, straight hair as in high school (I like to change it up every year or so),it finds its way onto the dinner table, wrapped around my children's fingers and toes, and I am starting to feel like I look like a neanderthal woman all weighed down and bushy.
Some good reasons for sure. But my friends question got me wondering, am I being selfish by not wanting to be pleasing to my husband? Should I keep it long so that he will find me most attractive?
I ran into some friends today and mentioned that I was going to give my hair the ax.
"What about Michael?" they asked. "Doesn't he prefer you with long hair?"
I found myself giving them all of my many reasons for wanting my hair gone: it is all over the house and is disgusting me...our shark cordless vacuum looks like it swallowed a human head with all of my nasty hair tangled in the brushes, Lucas tugs at it (lovingly, but quite annoying none the less), eats it playfully and while doing this gets his snot, food or whatever is on his face in my hair, Emily spits up in it and pulls it not so lovingly, I feel like I am living in the 90's with my same long, straight hair as in high school (I like to change it up every year or so),it finds its way onto the dinner table, wrapped around my children's fingers and toes, and I am starting to feel like I look like a neanderthal woman all weighed down and bushy.
Some good reasons for sure. But my friends question got me wondering, am I being selfish by not wanting to be pleasing to my husband? Should I keep it long so that he will find me most attractive?
4/17/2007
My Favorite Day Part II
We had another wonderful time together as a family on Sunday afternoon. The weather was absolutely perfect out (70's, breezy, sunny and no humidity) so we took a late afternoon walk to a park and down a nearby trail.
Lucas, who often wants to be held instead of walking on his own, had a blast and ran for a good 1/2 mile or so with me (that's my boy!!). He also had fun exploring hills, trees, puddles and a creek with daddy and mommy.
Emily sat upright (normal) in the stroller for the first time, rather than in her car seat and attached in. She seemed to enjoy herself, but then fell asleep for the last half of the walk until a barking dog woke her up.
Why can't all days be this marvelous? I suppose if they were, I wouldn't appreciate them as much.
4/12/2007
Energized
Well, I am starting to get back into a running groove. It seems that I need to with an impending marathon (less than 8 months away). This week I checked a training schedule online to see where I should be at this time and saw to my horror that I should be running 4-5 times and approximately 25 miles per week. Oh yeah right. That has NOT been happening, nor do I really see that rigorous of a schedule being too feasible with 2 little ones, but...I've got to do something to train.
My new sick plan is to run first thing in the morning. Evenings weren't happening with my parter's new work schedule. Tuesday she and I met at 5 am and today we moved it to 5:20 so we could sleep in a bit(5 was freakin' insane, you have to wake up at 4 something to get dressed, though she was smart slept in her running clothes).
Exercise is supposed to give you energy, right? Not me, at least not this week. I have been feeling totally drained, bleary and impaired most of the day. I hope that I can start to adjust to this new schedule soon. For now it is kicking my tail.
My new sick plan is to run first thing in the morning. Evenings weren't happening with my parter's new work schedule. Tuesday she and I met at 5 am and today we moved it to 5:20 so we could sleep in a bit(5 was freakin' insane, you have to wake up at 4 something to get dressed, though she was smart slept in her running clothes).
Exercise is supposed to give you energy, right? Not me, at least not this week. I have been feeling totally drained, bleary and impaired most of the day. I hope that I can start to adjust to this new schedule soon. For now it is kicking my tail.
4/09/2007
Easter Update
So, here we are looking spiffy for church on Easter Sunday (everyone except me that is--I was working in childcare and knew that I would get snotted on).
We had a super Resurrection day--Easter baskets, candy and Easter bread in the morning, church, naps for all of us;) and a lakeside picnic with friends and neighbors in the late afternoon. We also had an Easter Egg hunt with the same neighbors in our yard the day before.
On the homefront, we are currently in escrow on the sale of our old place. We received an offer about a week ago and accepted it after figuring out the financing over the weekend. Why do we need to figure out the financing if we are selling, you may ask? Sadly, we are selling the place for below what we bought it for which forces us to bring a big check to closing (to pay off our loan, pay commissions and all those blasted closing fees). Today, we found out that 1/2 of our financing is falling through because our new place is currently on the market. Ahhhh, the saga continues...We are so ready to be done with all of this and hopefully still have a place to call home in the end. Please pray for this situation.
4/04/2007
Big Girl
A week ago today, my little Emily turned six months old. She's halfway to a year already. Wow, it really flies.
What's new with her now that she is such a big girl? Well, she eats solid food at last (only rice cereal so far) and seems to tolerate it. She is still sleeping pretty great at night. Last week she awoke in the middle of the night for the first time in months! And most mornings she sleeps in (compared to her brother for sure) until 6:30 or 7. I certainly can't complain about that. Her sleep is also finally occurring in her crib now, after almost 6 months in a playpen (the crib was at the old house for staging). She's rolling and bearing weight on her legs. I think that she will be sitting up any day now, too. She tries to whenever she is in a reclined position, such as in her bouncy chair or high chair. Emily also screams when she laughs, which is just how her Aunt Katie used to laugh. So cute! No teeth yet, though she has been drooling like crazy and chewing on everything in sight for months.
Today I bought her her first pair of patent leather shoes and a beautiful pink Easter dress to go with them. It is certainly fun dressing a little girl for a change! Even if she will most likely try to stick her patent leather clad toe in her mouth. Mmmph.
3/25/2007
Cheap
Last night, I went out for a night on the town with my friend, Monica. We were in South Lake Tahoe for the weekend. Our husbands snowboarded for the day and we stayed at the cabin with the kids. To make the "vacation" a little more fair for us moms, we went out for the evening once the kids were in bed.
Our first stop was K-Mart, where I found a couple really cute tops on sale for $4 and $6. Not able to pass up the great deal, I shelled out the $10 hoping that they will not fall apart after one washing. This is still to be determined.
Later that evening, while walking the strip, I noticed a Patagonia store.
"My sister is so different from me. She's such a big spender on her clothes and shops at expensive stores like Patagonia and Banana Republic. She says that she wants her clothes to last her for a while so she spends more money upfront."
Monica quipped back, "She probably tells people how you are different from her. 'My sister is so cheap that she shops on the clearance rack at K-Mart.'"
Oh. Good point.
Our first stop was K-Mart, where I found a couple really cute tops on sale for $4 and $6. Not able to pass up the great deal, I shelled out the $10 hoping that they will not fall apart after one washing. This is still to be determined.
Later that evening, while walking the strip, I noticed a Patagonia store.
"My sister is so different from me. She's such a big spender on her clothes and shops at expensive stores like Patagonia and Banana Republic. She says that she wants her clothes to last her for a while so she spends more money upfront."
Monica quipped back, "She probably tells people how you are different from her. 'My sister is so cheap that she shops on the clearance rack at K-Mart.'"
Oh. Good point.
3/22/2007
Putrid
Lucas found something that looked familiar behind a tree in the yard the other day. It was a discarded toothbrush with ragged, brownish bristles. And he did what any other 2 year old would do. "Toothbrush!" he exclaimed before shoving it straight in his mouth. When I realized this and took the nasty brush away, I felt the urge to upchuck.
Who knows what that brush has touched/scrubbed?
Now that is grosser than gross.
And what do you do with your kid after they have done such a thing? Brush their teeth immediately with their real brush? Make them rinse with rubbing alcohol or bleach;-)?
He's still healthy and happy, so it must not have been that contaminated.
Who knows what that brush has touched/scrubbed?
Now that is grosser than gross.
And what do you do with your kid after they have done such a thing? Brush their teeth immediately with their real brush? Make them rinse with rubbing alcohol or bleach;-)?
He's still healthy and happy, so it must not have been that contaminated.
3/18/2007
Moving Again?
Well, our old house has been on the market for over 6 months now with no serious action or interest. We need to make a decision soon as we can't continue paying two exorbitant mortgages indefinitely. In fact, we've had to look at all of our options including: trying to rent the old place out (the problem is that we would only be able to collect 1/2 the amount of the mortgage payment in rent), foreclosure, and now putting the new place up on the market to see what happens.
I truly don't want to pack up and move again. This new place is our dream home. But the dream is not going as we had planned/hoped. We expected that we would sell the other home with relative ease (it's a great house) and that we would have approximately the same mortgage for so much more home. It's not looking like that will be the case anymore, though, as we've had to lower the price of the old place about $50K over the course of these months.
I feel a pretty defeated over this situation. We knew that we were making a risky financial move, but really prayed about it and researched it beforehand and felt led to go through with it. We are now trying to sort out what God's plan is in this situation. What is He trying to teach us? Did we make this move out of His will? Did He want us to move only to bring us back a few months later?
So, we don't know where we will be living in the upcoming months. Stay tuned for an update or perhaps a change of address and prayerfully it won't be to a box somewhere down by the railroad tracks (or van down by the river).
I truly don't want to pack up and move again. This new place is our dream home. But the dream is not going as we had planned/hoped. We expected that we would sell the other home with relative ease (it's a great house) and that we would have approximately the same mortgage for so much more home. It's not looking like that will be the case anymore, though, as we've had to lower the price of the old place about $50K over the course of these months.
I feel a pretty defeated over this situation. We knew that we were making a risky financial move, but really prayed about it and researched it beforehand and felt led to go through with it. We are now trying to sort out what God's plan is in this situation. What is He trying to teach us? Did we make this move out of His will? Did He want us to move only to bring us back a few months later?
So, we don't know where we will be living in the upcoming months. Stay tuned for an update or perhaps a change of address and prayerfully it won't be to a box somewhere down by the railroad tracks (or van down by the river).
Turning Tricks
Emily has finally mastered rolling over from her back to her tummy. She'd been flipping from her tummy to her back for months so we were eagerly awaiting the roll in the other direction
Now that she has this new skill down, she wants to practice it constantly. It's nearly impossible to keep her on her back long enough to get a diaper on her and every time I get her from her bed these days, she is on her tummy grinning up at me with satisfaction.
She is starting to stick her dupa (her bottom) up in the air and move around a little on the floor, too. Any day now she will be off and army crawling.
I guess that we should think about childproofing again. But will we need to at this home?
Now that she has this new skill down, she wants to practice it constantly. It's nearly impossible to keep her on her back long enough to get a diaper on her and every time I get her from her bed these days, she is on her tummy grinning up at me with satisfaction.
She is starting to stick her dupa (her bottom) up in the air and move around a little on the floor, too. Any day now she will be off and army crawling.
I guess that we should think about childproofing again. But will we need to at this home?
3/07/2007
Mission Impossible
My life as a mom of two little kids (one who just turned two and a five month old) is really KICKING MY BUTT!! Saying that my days are hard would be severely understated. It doesn't help that I am living on way too little sleep lately. I have insomnia again-where I am waking up at 4 or 5 in the morning and can't get back to sleep. I bought earplugs which is helping a little (at least I don't hear Lucas waking up early anymore or Emily stirring). It's nice to be oblivious at night and not thinking "Oh crap, now what?" whenever I hear a noise out of them.
My normal break during the day is the 30 or so minutes when they are both sleeping. And then I breathe my biggest sign of relief when they finally go to bed at night around 8. By that time, though, I am pretty fried and exhausted and don't have much energy to do much of anything.
Lucas does nap for a glorious 2-3 hours a day, but Emily tends to take these little nothing 30 minute catnaps all day long. What the heck can I accomplish in 30 minutes?! It actually seems like a really long time surprisingly, though.
Anyway, just bellyaching. That is why most people don't hear from me anymore, why my house is completely dirty, and why I really, REALLY want my family or Michael's to move out here.
Sigh.
We have such precious, wonderful times, too. Like this afternoon when we were getting ready for naps and Emily kept squealing, grinning and grabbing at her brother. They love each other so much. It's awesome.
Now if I can only survive the stress and lack of good sleep a couple more years...
My normal break during the day is the 30 or so minutes when they are both sleeping. And then I breathe my biggest sign of relief when they finally go to bed at night around 8. By that time, though, I am pretty fried and exhausted and don't have much energy to do much of anything.
Lucas does nap for a glorious 2-3 hours a day, but Emily tends to take these little nothing 30 minute catnaps all day long. What the heck can I accomplish in 30 minutes?! It actually seems like a really long time surprisingly, though.
Anyway, just bellyaching. That is why most people don't hear from me anymore, why my house is completely dirty, and why I really, REALLY want my family or Michael's to move out here.
Sigh.
We have such precious, wonderful times, too. Like this afternoon when we were getting ready for naps and Emily kept squealing, grinning and grabbing at her brother. They love each other so much. It's awesome.
Now if I can only survive the stress and lack of good sleep a couple more years...
3/02/2007
Coke Bottles
I picked up my new glasses yesterday. Let's just say that I should probably go with plastic frames in the future. I went with wire ones for a change. Boy are my lenses embarrassingly and nerdily thick all hanging out behind the wire. When did I get that blind?
Snort.
I am even nerdier because I actually considered taping my other pair when they broke a month ago. But opted to wear a 5 year old pair that I could hardly see with instead.
Snort.
I am even nerdier because I actually considered taping my other pair when they broke a month ago. But opted to wear a 5 year old pair that I could hardly see with instead.
What is Your Number?
Tonight we bought a Select Comfort sleep number bed that we found on Craig's List (my addiction for the past few months) for a steal. We'd wanted one for awhile and Mike has been complaining that our mattress hurts his back every night, so it seemed a good time to get it.
Here is the problem, though...we got it home all set to pick our individual number (I think that I am a 30 and Mike is a 60) and discovered that it has just one air chamber for the both of us. Not one on each side of the bed. This means that we have to agree on a number/setting for the whole bed.
It kind of defeats the purpose of a sleep number bed, doesn't it?
That's jacked up.
No wonder it was such a bargain.
Here is the problem, though...we got it home all set to pick our individual number (I think that I am a 30 and Mike is a 60) and discovered that it has just one air chamber for the both of us. Not one on each side of the bed. This means that we have to agree on a number/setting for the whole bed.
It kind of defeats the purpose of a sleep number bed, doesn't it?
That's jacked up.
No wonder it was such a bargain.
2/28/2007
Terrific Twos
Tomorrow (March 1) my son turns 2. They call it the terrible twos, but I am determined for it to be terrific instead.
Two years ago tomorrow, I became a mama. On this night, two years ago, I had no clue what my life would become. How little of me would be left. Yet how much I would love my child and do nearly anything to keep him safe and healthy and happy.
I am tired. He was up this morning at 5:30 am. I was up at 4ish anticipating his early morning alarm.
I must go wrap his gifts now and get some rest so I can party with him in the wee hours of his birthday.
Happy Birthday, dear Lucas. My little early bird. I'll never forget how amazed I was with your eyes the first time you looked at me. You are my sweet little butter bean. My big boy. Mama loves you so much, even though I don't seem too excited when you burst in my room when it is still black out. You make me smile even then with your overly chipper greeting.
Hmmm...Maybe I will wake him up in the morning;-).
Two years ago tomorrow, I became a mama. On this night, two years ago, I had no clue what my life would become. How little of me would be left. Yet how much I would love my child and do nearly anything to keep him safe and healthy and happy.
I am tired. He was up this morning at 5:30 am. I was up at 4ish anticipating his early morning alarm.
I must go wrap his gifts now and get some rest so I can party with him in the wee hours of his birthday.
Happy Birthday, dear Lucas. My little early bird. I'll never forget how amazed I was with your eyes the first time you looked at me. You are my sweet little butter bean. My big boy. Mama loves you so much, even though I don't seem too excited when you burst in my room when it is still black out. You make me smile even then with your overly chipper greeting.
Hmmm...Maybe I will wake him up in the morning;-).
2/21/2007
Potty Humor
I often wonder what it is that I am eating that causes my daughter to poop like she is launching a rocket. It explodes straight up the back of her diaper and out onto her clothes all the time. I've even gone up in diaper size (she is only one size below her brother now) thinking that that was the problem. Nope, she still takes colossal craps even in her roomy size 3's.
Speaking of her brother...today he pooped for the first time in a couple days and boy was that fun. He literally frosted his entire leg with the stuff. It took me about 20 wipes to get him clean enough to stick in the bathtub.
The other day, he pooped while sitting on the potty. He felt it come out and excitedly stood and spun around to see his glorious accomplishment. Unfortunately, this caused it to fling to the floor instead of landing in his potty. And lucky me got to pick it up.
It stinks to be a mom sometimes.
Speaking of her brother...today he pooped for the first time in a couple days and boy was that fun. He literally frosted his entire leg with the stuff. It took me about 20 wipes to get him clean enough to stick in the bathtub.
The other day, he pooped while sitting on the potty. He felt it come out and excitedly stood and spun around to see his glorious accomplishment. Unfortunately, this caused it to fling to the floor instead of landing in his potty. And lucky me got to pick it up.
It stinks to be a mom sometimes.
Back in the Saddle
Well, I am finally a runner again. I just got back from a 3 miler with my new partner, Sharon (note that her name rhymes with Karin, my precious running pal for several years in Orlando).
We also bought a treadmill this week so that I will have no excuses anymore, valid as they were. It has been tough to get out there with sick kids, nasty weather (though we have gone in the rain several times--so hardcore;-), my partner canceling and it is too late at night or early in the morning to go by myself safely, etc.
I was beginning to doubt that I could pull off the California International Marathon (CIM) this year. But now I am feeling like it is a very reachable goal. I am also really excited to have something to challenge me and to shoot for besides taming a testy toddler whose new favorite words are "NO" and "MINE."
Anyone want to join me? Karin, Jen, Katie, Lina...you know you wanna.
It's good to be up and running again.
We also bought a treadmill this week so that I will have no excuses anymore, valid as they were. It has been tough to get out there with sick kids, nasty weather (though we have gone in the rain several times--so hardcore;-), my partner canceling and it is too late at night or early in the morning to go by myself safely, etc.
I was beginning to doubt that I could pull off the California International Marathon (CIM) this year. But now I am feeling like it is a very reachable goal. I am also really excited to have something to challenge me and to shoot for besides taming a testy toddler whose new favorite words are "NO" and "MINE."
Anyone want to join me? Karin, Jen, Katie, Lina...you know you wanna.
It's good to be up and running again.
2/09/2007
What the Hay??
Last weekend started off on a bad note. Friday was Mike's off day and I made plans in my head to have another perfect family day--a trip to the zoo. The plans were shattered unfortunately when he had to make up 2 hours and forgot his laptop at the office.
I tried to convince him to just take the time as vacation. Why drive to and from work (40 minutes round-trip) just for a couple measly hours of work? On an off day even. What a waste! He was insistent, though. He had to go in. And to make matters worse, he wanted to take my car claiming that he was going to get it washed on the way in. This would have left me homebound and I was itching to get out, so I wouldn't let him. Let my car be dirty. Who cares?
Michael said that he would be home at 11:30 no matter what. That time came and went with no phone call and when he finally cruised in sometime after 1, I was more than a little annoyed. I had just fed Emily and walked out of our bedroom burping her. He stood in the hallway with a camera aimed at me. I asked him why he was taking my picture and to please stop. He kept pointing it at me. Then I noticed a shadow in Emily's doorway and out pops Christa, my longtime best friend from Orlando. WHAT?!
My much anticipated reaction (they had been planning this surprise since November): What the HELL are you doing here?
Nice. Needless to say, she will probably never surprise me again.
We did have a super visit which included shopping, facials, a trip to the zoo and filet mignon.
Thanks for coming, my friend!! I really miss you.
I tried to convince him to just take the time as vacation. Why drive to and from work (40 minutes round-trip) just for a couple measly hours of work? On an off day even. What a waste! He was insistent, though. He had to go in. And to make matters worse, he wanted to take my car claiming that he was going to get it washed on the way in. This would have left me homebound and I was itching to get out, so I wouldn't let him. Let my car be dirty. Who cares?
Michael said that he would be home at 11:30 no matter what. That time came and went with no phone call and when he finally cruised in sometime after 1, I was more than a little annoyed. I had just fed Emily and walked out of our bedroom burping her. He stood in the hallway with a camera aimed at me. I asked him why he was taking my picture and to please stop. He kept pointing it at me. Then I noticed a shadow in Emily's doorway and out pops Christa, my longtime best friend from Orlando. WHAT?!
My much anticipated reaction (they had been planning this surprise since November): What the HELL are you doing here?
Nice. Needless to say, she will probably never surprise me again.
We did have a super visit which included shopping, facials, a trip to the zoo and filet mignon.
Thanks for coming, my friend!! I really miss you.
2/08/2007
Too Bogged to Blog
There has been no time for me to sit down to blog or do much of anything for myself lately. I have two sick kids. They have a pretty serious virus that has them congested, coughing, wheezing and in Lucas' case with bronchitis and a lung infection.
Emily has been pretty chipper, despite her fits of hacking and excessive snot which joyfully I have to suck out with a nose bulb. Her breathing is so restricted that she sounds like a purring kitten.
Lucas has been miserable--whiny, clingy and sleeping pretty badly to boot. His early morning rising continues and he has been crying a bit at night, too. The other morning he was up at 4am and the only thing that I could do to keep him in bed (he wanted to color in the middle of the night!!) was lay there and rub him until he fell back asleep. If I tried to leave, he would sit up and cry. So I lay there with him awake in his cramped bed for three hours. I guess that he needed his sleep more than me. He did sleep in until after 7 that day (sleeping in has a whole new meaning as a parent). 5:30am has been the torturous wake up time almost every day for a month or so. Waking up at 6 would be considered sleeping in.
Anyway, here's my excuse for not blogging, responding to emails or bathing regularly;-).
Emily has been pretty chipper, despite her fits of hacking and excessive snot which joyfully I have to suck out with a nose bulb. Her breathing is so restricted that she sounds like a purring kitten.
Lucas has been miserable--whiny, clingy and sleeping pretty badly to boot. His early morning rising continues and he has been crying a bit at night, too. The other morning he was up at 4am and the only thing that I could do to keep him in bed (he wanted to color in the middle of the night!!) was lay there and rub him until he fell back asleep. If I tried to leave, he would sit up and cry. So I lay there with him awake in his cramped bed for three hours. I guess that he needed his sleep more than me. He did sleep in until after 7 that day (sleeping in has a whole new meaning as a parent). 5:30am has been the torturous wake up time almost every day for a month or so. Waking up at 6 would be considered sleeping in.
Anyway, here's my excuse for not blogging, responding to emails or bathing regularly;-).
1/23/2007
My Favorite Day
The best times that I have now are when Michael is home and we have special time together as a family. Last Friday was one of those days. After a spectacular breakfast of blueberry pancakes, bacon and eggs, we went to the California State Train Museum in Old Sacramento. What a fun day! Lucas really loved seeing all of the train stuff, especially the toy trains, Thomas the Train play area and the sleeper car that you could walk through which moved and sounded like a real train.
I love all being together, getting out of the house for a change and seeing the world through the precious eyes of a child.
Tummy Time
These two definitely look like siblings, don't they?I had Emily on her tummy for exercise and she was holding herself up. I told Lucas to look at what a good job Emily was doing on her tummy. He lay down next to her to show me that he too could push himself up.
1/19/2007
Mama is Funny
At least someone thinks so.
Emily is becoming more and more precious and aware every day. She greets me with her beautiful smile every morning when I get her out of bed. Most infants scream to be fed first thing in the morning. She wakes up happy and content around 7:30 am after sleeping all night long!! That is better than her almost 2 year old brother does. He has been a crazy morning person lately, awakening sometime during the five o'clock hour much to our dismay.
The dietary restrictions may be a big pain in the rumpus, but Emily sure is a sweet, easy going kid to make up for it.
1/11/2007
Question of the Day
Why is the W not called the double V? Or why doesn't it look like UU instead?
These are the depths of my thoughts when my social interaction is with a one year old and an infant all day long.
In high school, I was accused of being not very deep by a boy I liked. Well, look at me now, Julian. I am renaming letters. How dumb does that make you feel?
These are the depths of my thoughts when my social interaction is with a one year old and an infant all day long.
In high school, I was accused of being not very deep by a boy I liked. Well, look at me now, Julian. I am renaming letters. How dumb does that make you feel?
Day Trip
We went to San Francisco for a day when my family visited over the holidays. Katie was the only one who remembered her camera, so thanks to her and her artistic eye for these great shots. I love Lucas' modeling picture and the one of three generations (me, Emily and my parents). Lucas and his daddy feeding the birds is pretty precious, too. It was a really special day. We have to get out like that more often.
The Kiddos
Emily is getting so big. At 3 months now, she is rolling over, smiling like crazy when she gets attention or is looking at the fan, squeals and "talks." I think that she is well on her way to laughing soon, too. Can't wait to hear it and see who or what causes it. I think that either Mike or Lucas will get the first laugh.Lucas is growing up so quickly, as well. He is still pretty finicky with food and seems to prefer snacks to meals. He also likes juice more than milk and dessert more than real food. I guess that he is probably pretty normal like that. It stinks, though, because he is still skinny and small and often doesn't eat much of what I prepare for him. Like today for example, I gave him a super lunch of mac and cheese with ground beef, strawberries, beets (all his favorites or at least very well liked), milk and juice. He sat there just drinking the juice and not eating anything else. Seeing this, I took the juice away. He protested for awhile and finally ate one slice of strawberry. And that's it. "All done. ALL DONE!" he kept yelling. And then he wanted a cookie when I ate one. I said, "No Way." Oh, why do I bother most of the time? So stinkin' frustrating sometimes!! I wish that I could not care, but it is hard when he is not normal sized. I know, I know...he's fine...but still...
1/05/2007
Big Boy
Perhaps it was a fluke, but this morning, Lucas went pee pee in his potty. Maybe this is the beginning of potty training and soon diapers will go by the wayside. How nice it would be to only have to change one kid's pants!
1/04/2007
Diet
I am not enjoying my dietary restrictions and am starting to get pretty discouraged with breastfeeding. If I was limited as to what I could eat, it would be tough but tolerable, but Emily continues to have blood in her diaper and a rash. So basically, I can't eat anything good and my little girl is still having problems.
Her pediatrician is sending us to a GI doctor. The same one that put me on the even more restrictive diet with Lucas-the hellish one where I couldn't eat dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, citrus,nuts and berries. I'm looking forward to seeing her again...let me tell you.
This diet makes me very food obsessive,too. When I come across something I can eat, I gorge myself. Yesterday I downed 1/2 a Trader Joe's dark chocolate bar with raisins and pecans. Yum. And then I ran 4 miles in the rain to make up for it.
Her pediatrician is sending us to a GI doctor. The same one that put me on the even more restrictive diet with Lucas-the hellish one where I couldn't eat dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, citrus,nuts and berries. I'm looking forward to seeing her again...let me tell you.
This diet makes me very food obsessive,too. When I come across something I can eat, I gorge myself. Yesterday I downed 1/2 a Trader Joe's dark chocolate bar with raisins and pecans. Yum. And then I ran 4 miles in the rain to make up for it.
New Years Day
We went to a park on New Years Day and enjoyed our last day of Mike's vacation as a family. It was beautiful out and Lucas had a ball sliding, swinging and finally exploring the nearby field with his Daddy, while Emily slept the day away.
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