Well, 2009 is on it's way out. It was a pretty great year I think. Well, for me anyways. I found out Grayson was coming, I turned 26, Claire turned 1, Ethan turned 7, David turned 27, I had Grayson..Eventful. Very eventful.
Well, January wasn't eventful. It all turned eventful in February when that pregnancy test turned positive. I've been excited and sleep deprived ever since. Ahhh..Motherhood.
So, in 2010, I have one resolution, and one resolution only, and that is to take more pictures. One way to do that that I know I will follow, is to take part in Project 365. One picture, everyday, for a year. If you want to learn more, I came across it through Nicolasa at Low Expectations here at Photojojo, so if you want to know more, check out Photojojo.
I'm setting up a completely different blog for this project, just to post my one photo a day, so if you'd like to follow it, I'll be posting the link tomorrow, as well as my first photo. If you are going to take part in Project 365, let me know, and I'll follow along with you. It'll be fun. You know you want to do it. The photo can be of anything. I'm actually excited to get started.
Anywho, I'm off to watch movies with Ethan. He's decided that he wants to see what New Year is all about, and David and I have decided that he's old enough to try and stay up. This should be interesting. Happy New Year everyone! See you in 2010!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
I Told Him It Was On The Chair..Who Was Right?!
For a refresher of how this goes, please refer to my writer's workshop in the subject here.
So, David thought Claire got his cell phone. He did, in all fairness, leave in on the edge of the counter where she can reach. She's small, but something's gotta be said for that extra couple of inches she gets when she stands on tip toe. It's amazing what the kid can grab onto when she's wants it. Phones, cups..She's even snatched her cousins pacifier a few times when my SIL and her hubby were over for a visit. So, naturally, he thought Claire took his phone when it ended up missing.
I told him the last time I saw and then HEARD him on it was a few days earlier. Seriously..I heard him for well over an hour talking on the damn phone. Can I just ask why it is that he is INSANELY loud when yapping to his friends? I don't even talk that loud. GEEZ! Anyways, he insisted that he hadn't used it. He left it on the counter. Why did I always have to loose everything?..Blah..Blah..Blah. I've been on a rampage looking for this phone for the past 2 days. I even went through the garbage can today. No phone, but I found a potato masher, the brand new bottle of dish soap I just bought, and my zester. Claire has been busy...Very busy. I even rechecked the couch. I didn't find it there, but I did find a gold necklace. Where it came from, I don't even know. Finally, and I don't know why I didn't do this in the first place, I reached into the left side of the chair, and guess what I found? His cell phone. Right there. All in my hand. I told him he used it in the chair. I told him he probably left it there. Makes me want to kick his tush, I tell ya. Now he can stop taking my phone to work. I bet he looks pretty manly sitting at work talking on a hot pink cell phone.
So, I was right..Again. I told him I didn't lose it..Again. Another disaster averted, by me, his loving wife.
So, David thought Claire got his cell phone. He did, in all fairness, leave in on the edge of the counter where she can reach. She's small, but something's gotta be said for that extra couple of inches she gets when she stands on tip toe. It's amazing what the kid can grab onto when she's wants it. Phones, cups..She's even snatched her cousins pacifier a few times when my SIL and her hubby were over for a visit. So, naturally, he thought Claire took his phone when it ended up missing.
I told him the last time I saw and then HEARD him on it was a few days earlier. Seriously..I heard him for well over an hour talking on the damn phone. Can I just ask why it is that he is INSANELY loud when yapping to his friends? I don't even talk that loud. GEEZ! Anyways, he insisted that he hadn't used it. He left it on the counter. Why did I always have to loose everything?..Blah..Blah..Blah. I've been on a rampage looking for this phone for the past 2 days. I even went through the garbage can today. No phone, but I found a potato masher, the brand new bottle of dish soap I just bought, and my zester. Claire has been busy...Very busy. I even rechecked the couch. I didn't find it there, but I did find a gold necklace. Where it came from, I don't even know. Finally, and I don't know why I didn't do this in the first place, I reached into the left side of the chair, and guess what I found? His cell phone. Right there. All in my hand. I told him he used it in the chair. I told him he probably left it there. Makes me want to kick his tush, I tell ya. Now he can stop taking my phone to work. I bet he looks pretty manly sitting at work talking on a hot pink cell phone.
So, I was right..Again. I told him I didn't lose it..Again. Another disaster averted, by me, his loving wife.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Spit Up In My Bed...Normal? I guess...
It seems that Grayson has taken on a new fun activity thanks to what I think is acid reflux, and this is spit up in my bed. All over my side of the bed. I've taken to washing my sheets in the afternoon after David has gone to work. I'd love to do it in the morning, but seeing as how hubby has to sleep since he gets home at 3:30AM from work, no can do. It's not little amounts of spit up either...It's major. So, what do I get to do after our bedtime feeding session where I can only get him to sleep if I lie down with him and nurse him? And, this is the time that he does it too. He finishes eating, closes his eyes and drifts off, and then I hear a *burp* and a little splash and look down to see that I have spit up on my chest, and in a puddle under his little cheek. He has pretty much slept through this. He does the sleepy, one eye open eye roll, then BAM, out like a light. This is usually the point where I move him, cover my side of the bed with a towel and try to clean myself up as best I can with washcloths because do I have time for a shower? Nope. I have to do dishes, fold laundry, trip over toys, find that thing that I swore I put over here but really it's over there because Claire decided it would make the perfect toy and she's hidden it. By the way, if you were 20 months old, and found your father's cell phone, where would you hide it? Daddy left his cell phone out where little hands could get it, and she's hidden it. Quite well. Ethan did this once, with his wedding ring. However, I think a $750 titanium wedding ring is a little more important than a $75 back up cell phone. Hopefully, we find it soon.
In other news, my living room is finally a little more normal. All boxes are gone. Out with the trash this morning. No more toy wrappers or cartons hanging out in my living room. The tree and other ornaments have been taken down and placed back in their storage containers. The storage container I bought to put all of Claire's toys in the living room into when I moved the Pack N Play back into our room is now officially overflowing. Did I mention that lots of her toys talk? Nothing can scare the crap out of you in the quiet like a princess phone ringing and Cinderella asking you to join her tea party. I also bought her a Say Please Tea Set for Christmas that keeps pouring tea and thanking the rest of the toys in the toy box. I think she also offers them a brownie. This, in turn, makes UP UP Elmo start singing, 'Elmo likes to go Up Up...." Yeah...These things have off buttons, but I can't find them for the life of me, and digging into the toy box to find the off buttons makes other toys start their singing and dancing routines, so it's better just to let them talk whenever the hell they want. I'll just wait until their done. I've also decided that I want one of those 9 cubical storage shelves that you can get fabric boxes for. I see them on Target.com all the time, and I love them. Their so pretty and organized, and I can store diapers and baby wipes in the fabric boxes, and books and games on the open shelves. I love this idea. David isn't sold on it. He will be....He will be.....
In other news, my living room is finally a little more normal. All boxes are gone. Out with the trash this morning. No more toy wrappers or cartons hanging out in my living room. The tree and other ornaments have been taken down and placed back in their storage containers. The storage container I bought to put all of Claire's toys in the living room into when I moved the Pack N Play back into our room is now officially overflowing. Did I mention that lots of her toys talk? Nothing can scare the crap out of you in the quiet like a princess phone ringing and Cinderella asking you to join her tea party. I also bought her a Say Please Tea Set for Christmas that keeps pouring tea and thanking the rest of the toys in the toy box. I think she also offers them a brownie. This, in turn, makes UP UP Elmo start singing, 'Elmo likes to go Up Up...." Yeah...These things have off buttons, but I can't find them for the life of me, and digging into the toy box to find the off buttons makes other toys start their singing and dancing routines, so it's better just to let them talk whenever the hell they want. I'll just wait until their done. I've also decided that I want one of those 9 cubical storage shelves that you can get fabric boxes for. I see them on Target.com all the time, and I love them. Their so pretty and organized, and I can store diapers and baby wipes in the fabric boxes, and books and games on the open shelves. I love this idea. David isn't sold on it. He will be....He will be.....
Monday, December 28, 2009
It Really Is Going To Get Easier...Right?....RIGHT!?
Grayson is about to be 2 months old, and I still haven't found my groove. I'm exhausted. The only time I ever get anything done is after all kids are in bed, which means I don't usually get to bed until midnight because there's laundry folding to be done, dishes to do and a kitchen and living room that need picking up. The only time I've been able to find quiet when they are awake is when Grayson takes a bath...And, he's the only one up. He's actually started to enjoy bath time. He cries when I first put him in the tub, but then I start talking, and he starts crying and actually smiles and makes his little baby sounds. If only bath time could last forever. He's so sweet and happy during his bath. Dinner is always done late. Baths are way off schedule. Toys are being stepped on more often...It's super fun.
Grayson tricked us in his first days of life as well. He was calm. Slept a lot...It was awesome. While he still enjoys his snooze, and only wakes up once, maybe two times TOPS to eat at night since coming home, he cries, a lot. I'm still thinking acid reflux. He's spitting up constantly (even though all he's had is breastmilk..EVER), he's hiccuping when he isn't doing that, and he's a major fan of being upright. He needs to see the doctor. Down side to that? My/his doctor can't see him/me until the 25th of January. He'll be almost 3 months old then, but it's the soonest he can see him. That's the downside to having a fabulous doctor. He's popular. Too popular. Oh well, I think it's worth the wait. I've been calling everyday to see if there are any cancellations for an earlier appointment though. He also HATES the carseat. Loathes it. I feed him before we go anywhere, and when I put him in the carseat, he's smiling. He looks at me and coos. As soon as we get ready to go out the door, he starts wailing. Today, he cried all the way to Wal-Mart, the whole time I was grocery shopping and the whole way back. The drive to Wal-Mart takes 20 minutes one way. It took me 30 minutes to shop and checkout. That was a total of 70 minutes of tears. Oh yeah..It was fun.
My Hotsling? It just isn't working for me. I don't know if I'm putting it on wrong or what, but I just can't get him into it. I got the biggest size available, and he is so tight against my chest that he cries because he's super restricted. I think that if he was old enough and ready for the hip carry it might work great, but the front carry and cradle carry just aren't cutting it. I've followed the book directions to the letter. I've followed the DVD several times, and it just isn't happening. I want to be a babywearer so bad, but this sling is just not working with me. I know Hotslings have just come out with an adjustable pouch, but I can't find it online, and I don't think Target carries it in store. I've tried several time to get him into it just so I could have free hands to get some work done around the house, and it just doesn't happen. I have a front carrier that makes me look like I'm about to go on a mountain climb. We got it for Claire, and she hated it, but I tell ya, I'm ready to try anything at this point just so my arm doesn't try to fall off when I'm trying to get work done. He wants to be held all the time, and my arm just can't take it anymore. If anyone else had a hotsling, did you have this problem? It's killing me..I want to use my sling so bad.
Grayson tricked us in his first days of life as well. He was calm. Slept a lot...It was awesome. While he still enjoys his snooze, and only wakes up once, maybe two times TOPS to eat at night since coming home, he cries, a lot. I'm still thinking acid reflux. He's spitting up constantly (even though all he's had is breastmilk..EVER), he's hiccuping when he isn't doing that, and he's a major fan of being upright. He needs to see the doctor. Down side to that? My/his doctor can't see him/me until the 25th of January. He'll be almost 3 months old then, but it's the soonest he can see him. That's the downside to having a fabulous doctor. He's popular. Too popular. Oh well, I think it's worth the wait. I've been calling everyday to see if there are any cancellations for an earlier appointment though. He also HATES the carseat. Loathes it. I feed him before we go anywhere, and when I put him in the carseat, he's smiling. He looks at me and coos. As soon as we get ready to go out the door, he starts wailing. Today, he cried all the way to Wal-Mart, the whole time I was grocery shopping and the whole way back. The drive to Wal-Mart takes 20 minutes one way. It took me 30 minutes to shop and checkout. That was a total of 70 minutes of tears. Oh yeah..It was fun.
My Hotsling? It just isn't working for me. I don't know if I'm putting it on wrong or what, but I just can't get him into it. I got the biggest size available, and he is so tight against my chest that he cries because he's super restricted. I think that if he was old enough and ready for the hip carry it might work great, but the front carry and cradle carry just aren't cutting it. I've followed the book directions to the letter. I've followed the DVD several times, and it just isn't happening. I want to be a babywearer so bad, but this sling is just not working with me. I know Hotslings have just come out with an adjustable pouch, but I can't find it online, and I don't think Target carries it in store. I've tried several time to get him into it just so I could have free hands to get some work done around the house, and it just doesn't happen. I have a front carrier that makes me look like I'm about to go on a mountain climb. We got it for Claire, and she hated it, but I tell ya, I'm ready to try anything at this point just so my arm doesn't try to fall off when I'm trying to get work done. He wants to be held all the time, and my arm just can't take it anymore. If anyone else had a hotsling, did you have this problem? It's killing me..I want to use my sling so bad.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Post Christmas...I Think My Tree Threw Up!
It was a fabulous holiday. The kids were, of course, up at the break of dawn. By kids, I mean Ethan, who in turn wakes up Claire, who both come running to get us up. Since Grayson is in our room, Grayson wakes up too. After I pulled myself and Grayson together, we made our way into the living room, where we put the presents under the tree the night before. See:
Ethan, was, of course, very excited. Claire was a tiny bit excited. Grayson...He could care less. But, let's face it, he's only 8 weeks old (as of today!) so I wasn't expecting a huge reaction. I changed him into his 'Baby's First Christmas' outfit:
Took a picture of all three of them in front of the tree:
And let them go to town. Grayson got lots of clothes, which, since he was a wait and see what you have baby, we really needed. He's outgrown his newborn items, and, well, he's a boy. All I had were a few boy things and lots of dresses, flowers, pinks and purples from Claire. Good we got some blue. He also got a few toys, which we put some aside, and busted out his gym. He likes it. A lot. Ethan gots lots of movies, nerf toys and all those new Crayola toys, like the Glow Station, they've been promoting in a major way. The Glow Station is actually pretty awesome. It's a glow in the dark canvas you hang on the wall, and the pen allows you to draw, or trace stencils that glow and they disappear so you can draw more. I played with it too..Ha! Claire got TONS of Elmo. So many Elmo dolls that I'm pretty sure she's set for life with Elmo. The favorite? Elmo Live. She's all over it. They were dancing together this afternoon. Cute.
After a long morning of present opening, family calling and then later that night, dinner eating, everyone went to bed happy. I was happy...Then I looked around my living room and wondered why trash day couldn't come sooner than Tuesday. Why, you ask? The aftermath:
That's boxes and wrapping paper from all the toys....I can't wait for Tuesday. Trash day can't come fast enough. At least the holiday was fun for everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday as well!
Ethan, was, of course, very excited. Claire was a tiny bit excited. Grayson...He could care less. But, let's face it, he's only 8 weeks old (as of today!) so I wasn't expecting a huge reaction. I changed him into his 'Baby's First Christmas' outfit:
Took a picture of all three of them in front of the tree:
And let them go to town. Grayson got lots of clothes, which, since he was a wait and see what you have baby, we really needed. He's outgrown his newborn items, and, well, he's a boy. All I had were a few boy things and lots of dresses, flowers, pinks and purples from Claire. Good we got some blue. He also got a few toys, which we put some aside, and busted out his gym. He likes it. A lot. Ethan gots lots of movies, nerf toys and all those new Crayola toys, like the Glow Station, they've been promoting in a major way. The Glow Station is actually pretty awesome. It's a glow in the dark canvas you hang on the wall, and the pen allows you to draw, or trace stencils that glow and they disappear so you can draw more. I played with it too..Ha! Claire got TONS of Elmo. So many Elmo dolls that I'm pretty sure she's set for life with Elmo. The favorite? Elmo Live. She's all over it. They were dancing together this afternoon. Cute.After a long morning of present opening, family calling and then later that night, dinner eating, everyone went to bed happy. I was happy...Then I looked around my living room and wondered why trash day couldn't come sooner than Tuesday. Why, you ask? The aftermath:
That's boxes and wrapping paper from all the toys....I can't wait for Tuesday. Trash day can't come fast enough. At least the holiday was fun for everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday as well!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas To You...AND TO ME!!
It's Christmas Eve. We spent a few hours this afternoon at my SIL's place with my SIL, her husband, our niece and my FIL. We usually do dinner with them, but we're expecting a major snowstorm tonight and well into tomorrow, so out plans were cut to this afternoon. It's OK though, we had a great time. Kids were laughing and enjoying their gifts, and Grayson let us know he wasn't so much enjoying that their two weiner dogs jump all over him. It's OK though. They weren't hurting him. They just love babies and are protective of them. You should have seen those dogs when they brought home our niece from the hospital.
And, something awesome that just happened to me...I won another giveaway, but this one is HUGE for me and my family because we were trying to figure out just how we were going to get one of these. I won a DOUBLE STROLLER!! Oh yeah..And it's fabulous. I can't even tell you how excited I am that we won this stroller. We really need a double stroller. Carrying Grayson in the carseat and having to hold Claire's hand just doesn't cut it for me. Trying to wrangle her and hang onto him is insanity. I am so grateful and thankful that we have won this wonderful
prize.
Just look at it. Isn't it awesome?!
It's going to be so helpful for the next few years. We go so many places that we need something like this. Especially Mall Of America during birthday week. I was just thinking about that, even though we have 9 months until that day, but it had me wondering how I was going to pull it off. Well, here it is. The answer to my questions. This super awesome prize! Thank you for choosing me..THANK YOU!!
Merry Christmas Everyone!!
And, something awesome that just happened to me...I won another giveaway, but this one is HUGE for me and my family because we were trying to figure out just how we were going to get one of these. I won a DOUBLE STROLLER!! Oh yeah..And it's fabulous. I can't even tell you how excited I am that we won this stroller. We really need a double stroller. Carrying Grayson in the carseat and having to hold Claire's hand just doesn't cut it for me. Trying to wrangle her and hang onto him is insanity. I am so grateful and thankful that we have won this wonderful
prize.
Just look at it. Isn't it awesome?!It's going to be so helpful for the next few years. We go so many places that we need something like this. Especially Mall Of America during birthday week. I was just thinking about that, even though we have 9 months until that day, but it had me wondering how I was going to pull it off. Well, here it is. The answer to my questions. This super awesome prize! Thank you for choosing me..THANK YOU!!
Merry Christmas Everyone!!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
3 Kids In Hallmark Makes For A Good Time
I did it. I shopped. Most importantly..I SURVIVED! It was CRAZY. The drive to Hudson was not bad. Not bad at all. All the kids were quiet. I think Grayson might have slept. I know Claire did. I could see her in the rear view mirror.
Funny story before all the craziness though. In Hudson before heading to Target, I had to stop at the bank. Across the street from the drive through lanes, there is a porn shop called Left Of Center. It doesn't look seedy or anything. They have a sign on a blacked out window that says a bunch of stuff about bachelorette parties. So, I'm waiting for the teller to come up on the little TV screen outside my window, and Ethan and Claire are peering their heads as much as the can next to Grayson's carseat to the front seat to see if the teller will include suckers today. Along comes this guy jaunting down the street. He stops in front of Left Of Center and reaches for the door, and notices a sign on the sidewalk outside the door. He stops to read it, and then looks across the street, right at me. I see him take a quick scan of the two little faces in the backseat glued to the front window waiting for suckers, and me, watching him, read the sign. He quickly walks to the building next to Left Of Center, and starts smoking a cigarette and looking around. Funny that he's all paranoid about me watching him, but he's getting ready to walk into a porn shop in front of a very busy street. I laughed. A lot.
Anyways, Target was not bad. We went in, grabbed what we needed, and were out in no time. I think we spent a total of 20 minutes grabbing what we needed. Then, we headed to Hallmark, where IT all began. I have to say, I was terrified to bring Claire into Hallmark. You know the rule, 'you break it, you buy it'...If she had been touching, I would have been buying that whole store. I put her in her umbrella stroller, and had Ethan push her while I carried Grayson in his carseat. My first 5 minutes of looking around were just fine. Everyone was quiet. Then, Grayson decided that he just wasn't having it, and started to wail. Hallmark is not a big store, and there were mabe 5 other people there....They all stared. I don't know why, but when I'm in a tiny store like that and my baby starts to cry, my heart skips every other beat. Like, I'm having a panic attack and I don't know why. I'm standing in front of those Willow Tree Friends that Hallmark sells now. My great grandmother loves them, so I always buy her a little box or a small angel. I pick up and angel and I check the price. What does Ethan do? He picks up the MOST EXPENSIVE angel, looks at the bottom, and I FREAK OUT!! What if he had dropped it? My heart is going to explode. I finally grab everything I need and head to check out. I'm standing there waiting in the small line, and I start hearing this shrill whisteling. I'm all, "What, in the heck, is that?" Then, I notice Ethan has a whistle that I had hidden from Claire in the small pocket of the umbrella stroller. Ethan has found it. Perfect. This is when Claire starts trying to reach the candy on the counter. She's making over exaggerated gimme noises. So, to recap, Grayson is screaming his head off, Ethan is blowing a whistle, and Claire is making really loud gimme noises. The most noise in any store on the face of the planet, and it's all coming from my kids. Awesome...No no...Triple awesome. The perfect end to a perfect day. I'm really hoping that it gets easier when Grayson reaches the toddler stage. I think I can handle two toddlers a little easier than a toddler and a 7 week old. Or, so I hope.
Now all kids are sleeping peacefully, and it's 1AM..Why am I still up? Because I had to do this:
I volunteered to make cupcakes for Ethan's class Christmas party, which is tomorrow. The only way I could get them done was to make them after everyone was in bed. Everyone went to bed at 8:30, so in between baking, I cleaned, and in between cooling, I cleaned. My kitchen is finally clean and my living room is looking somewhat normal. Ethan wanted the cupcakes to look like Christmas ornaments. I hope he's satisfied. It was the best I could do. Now it's my turn to go to bed. Night!
Funny story before all the craziness though. In Hudson before heading to Target, I had to stop at the bank. Across the street from the drive through lanes, there is a porn shop called Left Of Center. It doesn't look seedy or anything. They have a sign on a blacked out window that says a bunch of stuff about bachelorette parties. So, I'm waiting for the teller to come up on the little TV screen outside my window, and Ethan and Claire are peering their heads as much as the can next to Grayson's carseat to the front seat to see if the teller will include suckers today. Along comes this guy jaunting down the street. He stops in front of Left Of Center and reaches for the door, and notices a sign on the sidewalk outside the door. He stops to read it, and then looks across the street, right at me. I see him take a quick scan of the two little faces in the backseat glued to the front window waiting for suckers, and me, watching him, read the sign. He quickly walks to the building next to Left Of Center, and starts smoking a cigarette and looking around. Funny that he's all paranoid about me watching him, but he's getting ready to walk into a porn shop in front of a very busy street. I laughed. A lot.
Anyways, Target was not bad. We went in, grabbed what we needed, and were out in no time. I think we spent a total of 20 minutes grabbing what we needed. Then, we headed to Hallmark, where IT all began. I have to say, I was terrified to bring Claire into Hallmark. You know the rule, 'you break it, you buy it'...If she had been touching, I would have been buying that whole store. I put her in her umbrella stroller, and had Ethan push her while I carried Grayson in his carseat. My first 5 minutes of looking around were just fine. Everyone was quiet. Then, Grayson decided that he just wasn't having it, and started to wail. Hallmark is not a big store, and there were mabe 5 other people there....They all stared. I don't know why, but when I'm in a tiny store like that and my baby starts to cry, my heart skips every other beat. Like, I'm having a panic attack and I don't know why. I'm standing in front of those Willow Tree Friends that Hallmark sells now. My great grandmother loves them, so I always buy her a little box or a small angel. I pick up and angel and I check the price. What does Ethan do? He picks up the MOST EXPENSIVE angel, looks at the bottom, and I FREAK OUT!! What if he had dropped it? My heart is going to explode. I finally grab everything I need and head to check out. I'm standing there waiting in the small line, and I start hearing this shrill whisteling. I'm all, "What, in the heck, is that?" Then, I notice Ethan has a whistle that I had hidden from Claire in the small pocket of the umbrella stroller. Ethan has found it. Perfect. This is when Claire starts trying to reach the candy on the counter. She's making over exaggerated gimme noises. So, to recap, Grayson is screaming his head off, Ethan is blowing a whistle, and Claire is making really loud gimme noises. The most noise in any store on the face of the planet, and it's all coming from my kids. Awesome...No no...Triple awesome. The perfect end to a perfect day. I'm really hoping that it gets easier when Grayson reaches the toddler stage. I think I can handle two toddlers a little easier than a toddler and a 7 week old. Or, so I hope.
Now all kids are sleeping peacefully, and it's 1AM..Why am I still up? Because I had to do this:
I volunteered to make cupcakes for Ethan's class Christmas party, which is tomorrow. The only way I could get them done was to make them after everyone was in bed. Everyone went to bed at 8:30, so in between baking, I cleaned, and in between cooling, I cleaned. My kitchen is finally clean and my living room is looking somewhat normal. Ethan wanted the cupcakes to look like Christmas ornaments. I hope he's satisfied. It was the best I could do. Now it's my turn to go to bed. Night!
Monday, December 21, 2009
It's Been A Crazy Couple Of Days, But An Award Makes It Better!
It all started Friday, when I really should have gone out to finish my shopping because Ethan got out of school early that day. His Christmas program was on Friday. For a school that only has 350 students, that place is PACKED for this program. There are cars lined up for BLOCKS..I kid you not. BLOCKS people. I ended up having to park on the street in front of the school, which was just freshly plowed so there was snow all piled up next to the sidewalk. What's the first thing that happens as we get out of the car? Claire throws herself into the snow. Oh yeah. Just dove right in. Awesome. So, I have to take Claire in, covered in snow. Grayson, thankfully, was quiet as we went in. I was able to watch the program, with Claire dancing and clapping along beside me, for about 10 minutes before Grayson was all, "Hey, mom, I'm not liking it in this seat anymore." I picked him up and bounced him for the rest of the show, which was only 20 minutes longer. Claire was great though. She danced. She clapped. She spun in circles. If this was Ethan, there would have been NO WAY I would have made it through that program. He'd have been running right out onto the floor. Claire...She sticks by me, no matter what. Except for the snow thing..That was a first. She also learned her lesson. Her hand was cold because snow got in her glove, and she wasn't happy about it. Of course, when we had to dive into the sea of parents waiting to take their kids home out of the school library, Grayson was over it, and wailed like there was no tomorrow. It's a good thing all the classes that were left in the building were heading to snack.
Saturday, I attempted cleaning, which I've been trying to do for some time now. Guess how far I got? If you guess nowhere, you win a high five. Everytime I picked something up, or put something away, or wiped something down, there was Claire to put it back the way it was before I cleaned it. I only got a good two hours of "cleaning" done too, because that's all Grayson napped for, and that's all he'd let me do. I'm thinking he picked up Claire's acid reflux, because he nurses non stop, I mean, to the point of spitting up. He's constantly got the hiccups. He always wants to be propped up or in an upright position. The only time he sleeps and sleeps well is bedtime. Then, he's out like a light and up at midnight or 2AM for his usual nighttime feeding, and out again until 7AM..Then we do it all over again. I just really want this place picked up. I'm thinking that tomorrow and Wednesday night, I'm going to be all over the cleaning. Oh yeah. It's happening.
Sunday, I went Christmas shopping. By the way, I REALLY don't recommend procrastinating on Christmas shopping. Not worth it. I did order gifts on Amazon for the kids, which is awesome because it was free shipping, and Amazon was trying to compete with store prices, so I got the kids some great stuff for super cheap. However, I actually had to go to Target to get David's gift, and Grayson was not very happy to be there. Thankfully, he was the only one I took out, so it wasn't too bad. Tomorrow though, I'll be heading out again to pick up one or two more things for David, and I'll have all three of them. Oh yeah, I'm excited...(insert sarcasm here)...The one store I actually wanted/needed to go to the most, Hallmark, was closed. Every year I always buy my grandmother something from Hallmark. She's even bought a display case just for the things I buy her. She loves it, and looks forward to it each year. So, tomorrow, I head back into the last minute shopper war. Fabulous. I hope I come out alive.
Now, for my award...Cathy over at Ansty Pants gave me the Happy 101 Award. I'm super happy! For the award, and just in general. Even with all the craziness. Craziness can lead to happiness...Sometimes. Whatever, it makes sense to me!
So, there's rule. The rules are that I'm supposed to list 10 things that make me happy, and then pass the award onto 10 people. I'll list my 10 things that make me happy, but I probably won't pass to 10 people. I'll pick a few, and send it off. I think the majority of the people I follow have this award.
10 Happy Things:
1) Grayson's cute little baby laugh. It's so fun to see him smile and laugh now. He's 7 weeks and showing his little personality.
2) Watching Claire watch Elmo. Who knew a little red monster could make a kid so happy.
3) Ethan actually being able to tell jokes now.
4) Crafty stuff...Even though I'm still working on getting crafty with my bad self. Next thing to tackle: MOD PODGE..Oh yeah..I'm doing it.
5) Ghost Hunters
7) My family
8) Carter's Baby..Love that store. I think I might take what money I have left from Christmas and grab a few things for Grayson.
9) High fives. Seriously. I really don't know why.
10) David and Ethan's birthday week. David's birthday is August 27th and Ethan's is August 28th. It's super fun. We all look forward to it every year. It's the one day we spend all day at the Mall of America.
So, I give this award to:
Shea and Lovin' Every Minute Of It
Amy at Insomnatic Musings
Tracie at From Tracie
That's all I can think of right now. I'm off to watch Dollhouse with my hubby. Night all!
Saturday, I attempted cleaning, which I've been trying to do for some time now. Guess how far I got? If you guess nowhere, you win a high five. Everytime I picked something up, or put something away, or wiped something down, there was Claire to put it back the way it was before I cleaned it. I only got a good two hours of "cleaning" done too, because that's all Grayson napped for, and that's all he'd let me do. I'm thinking he picked up Claire's acid reflux, because he nurses non stop, I mean, to the point of spitting up. He's constantly got the hiccups. He always wants to be propped up or in an upright position. The only time he sleeps and sleeps well is bedtime. Then, he's out like a light and up at midnight or 2AM for his usual nighttime feeding, and out again until 7AM..Then we do it all over again. I just really want this place picked up. I'm thinking that tomorrow and Wednesday night, I'm going to be all over the cleaning. Oh yeah. It's happening.
Sunday, I went Christmas shopping. By the way, I REALLY don't recommend procrastinating on Christmas shopping. Not worth it. I did order gifts on Amazon for the kids, which is awesome because it was free shipping, and Amazon was trying to compete with store prices, so I got the kids some great stuff for super cheap. However, I actually had to go to Target to get David's gift, and Grayson was not very happy to be there. Thankfully, he was the only one I took out, so it wasn't too bad. Tomorrow though, I'll be heading out again to pick up one or two more things for David, and I'll have all three of them. Oh yeah, I'm excited...(insert sarcasm here)...The one store I actually wanted/needed to go to the most, Hallmark, was closed. Every year I always buy my grandmother something from Hallmark. She's even bought a display case just for the things I buy her. She loves it, and looks forward to it each year. So, tomorrow, I head back into the last minute shopper war. Fabulous. I hope I come out alive.
Now, for my award...Cathy over at Ansty Pants gave me the Happy 101 Award. I'm super happy! For the award, and just in general. Even with all the craziness. Craziness can lead to happiness...Sometimes. Whatever, it makes sense to me!
So, there's rule. The rules are that I'm supposed to list 10 things that make me happy, and then pass the award onto 10 people. I'll list my 10 things that make me happy, but I probably won't pass to 10 people. I'll pick a few, and send it off. I think the majority of the people I follow have this award.10 Happy Things:
1) Grayson's cute little baby laugh. It's so fun to see him smile and laugh now. He's 7 weeks and showing his little personality.
2) Watching Claire watch Elmo. Who knew a little red monster could make a kid so happy.
3) Ethan actually being able to tell jokes now.
4) Crafty stuff...Even though I'm still working on getting crafty with my bad self. Next thing to tackle: MOD PODGE..Oh yeah..I'm doing it.
5) Ghost Hunters
7) My family
8) Carter's Baby..Love that store. I think I might take what money I have left from Christmas and grab a few things for Grayson.
9) High fives. Seriously. I really don't know why.
10) David and Ethan's birthday week. David's birthday is August 27th and Ethan's is August 28th. It's super fun. We all look forward to it every year. It's the one day we spend all day at the Mall of America.
So, I give this award to:
Shea and Lovin' Every Minute Of It
Amy at Insomnatic Musings
Tracie at From Tracie
That's all I can think of right now. I'm off to watch Dollhouse with my hubby. Night all!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Flashback Friday: Why Your Husband Should Not Have A Camera In The ER
It's my 100th post!! YAY!! It's also Flashback Friday brought to you by Deb at WebSavyMom.
Click the button to play along. Leave her a comment with your picture. It's fun. I thoroughly enjoy going through all of my old, humiliating pictures.
This week, I came across a gem. When I was pregnant with Ethan, I got bladder infections. I'd never had bladder infections. But, these weren't your run of the mill bladder infections. Oh no. I got them bad. They were so bad, and came on so suddenly, that I would wake up in the morning peeing chunks of blood. TMI, I know. They were horrible, and incredibly painful. The first one I ever got though, actually happened at night while I was hanging out with some friends. I was only about 14 weeks pregnant. I went to the restroom, and saw blood and freaked out. We headed to the ER, where we called David. David came to the hospital, and we all sat in the waiting room, talking. They were trying to keep me calm, just because I had seen blood and thought the worst. A nurse finally gave me the results of a urine test they ran, and said that everything was fine, I just had a UTI and they were going to check me out in the back to make sure everything else was OK. I calmed down, and was able to start joking with my friends.
About 45 minutes later, a nurse called me back, and David and I went into a room and I was told to do the whole gown thing. I gave David my purse, which happened to have my camera inside. He, of course, started to dig through my purse as per his usual routine whenever we were at an OB appointment and he was bored. After I was done changing, I sat on the bed, looked up and saw David with my camera. He lifted it. I pointed and said, "David, if you even think..."
Don't I look just lovely? Doesn't the hospital gown give you that coture feeling? Don't you envy it and just want to try it on? He, of course, thought it was hysterical. Me?...Not so much. OK, so it was a little funny, but COME ON!! I was in a hospital gown, in the middle of the night. I wasn't feeling well. This is why your husband should not be allowed cameras in the ER. They make moments like this last forever. Then, they buy a picture frame and add this picture to it. Oh yeah..He did that. One of those collage frames. There's pictures of us, and then this one, right in the middle. When people see it, they laugh, and David tells the story. Ahhhh..memories.
This week, I came across a gem. When I was pregnant with Ethan, I got bladder infections. I'd never had bladder infections. But, these weren't your run of the mill bladder infections. Oh no. I got them bad. They were so bad, and came on so suddenly, that I would wake up in the morning peeing chunks of blood. TMI, I know. They were horrible, and incredibly painful. The first one I ever got though, actually happened at night while I was hanging out with some friends. I was only about 14 weeks pregnant. I went to the restroom, and saw blood and freaked out. We headed to the ER, where we called David. David came to the hospital, and we all sat in the waiting room, talking. They were trying to keep me calm, just because I had seen blood and thought the worst. A nurse finally gave me the results of a urine test they ran, and said that everything was fine, I just had a UTI and they were going to check me out in the back to make sure everything else was OK. I calmed down, and was able to start joking with my friends.
About 45 minutes later, a nurse called me back, and David and I went into a room and I was told to do the whole gown thing. I gave David my purse, which happened to have my camera inside. He, of course, started to dig through my purse as per his usual routine whenever we were at an OB appointment and he was bored. After I was done changing, I sat on the bed, looked up and saw David with my camera. He lifted it. I pointed and said, "David, if you even think..."
Don't I look just lovely? Doesn't the hospital gown give you that coture feeling? Don't you envy it and just want to try it on? He, of course, thought it was hysterical. Me?...Not so much. OK, so it was a little funny, but COME ON!! I was in a hospital gown, in the middle of the night. I wasn't feeling well. This is why your husband should not be allowed cameras in the ER. They make moments like this last forever. Then, they buy a picture frame and add this picture to it. Oh yeah..He did that. One of those collage frames. There's pictures of us, and then this one, right in the middle. When people see it, they laugh, and David tells the story. Ahhhh..memories.Thursday, December 17, 2009
Writer's Workshop: The Death Talk
It's Writer's Workshop day over at MamaKats so head on over, check out the prompts and write yourself a little story. When done, head back, link up and read around the blogosphere. It's fun. It's entertaining. Hey, all the cool kids are doing it, and you can too.
Today, I chose the prompt How Do You Manage The "Death" Talk With Your Kids? Let's begin.
Fortunately for me, we haven't had a loss in our lives since my children have been born. They still have everyone that loves them and cares about them in their lives. That doesn't mean that I haven't been asked questions about death though. Ethan did go through a phase when he was 3 1/2 and 4 where he asked constantly about death and dying. I also have a picture of my grandfather from 1954 that he asks about quite often. My grandfather died of cancer when I was 18, and 4 months pregnant with Ethan. Ethan has visited his grave with me, and seen lots of pictures, including the 1954 pictures, and he always asks about him.
So, I usually am quite direct and honest with him. When he asks, I tell him that my grandfather, his great grandfather, was an incredible man, and I loved him very much. When I was 16, he got cancer. Cancer is a lot harder to explain to him, but I tell him that his brain got sick, and his body couldn't fight it, so doctors helped. Then, the doctors couldn't help anymore, so he died. I usually explain that when you die, you don't come back, and people who love you are sad, and miss you. We talk about my grandfather's funeral, and he asks if it's a party, and I tell him that it kind of is. It was a celebration of his life, and it was a place for people who loved him to come together and be sad and happy together. He always seems really satisfied with this response, and carries on about his day. He understands death, but he's 7, so the questions always come up, and I'm always happy to answer them with honesty and understanding, just like I'll answer any other questions he and Claire and Grayson will come to me with over the course of their lives. I'm mom..That's what I do.
In unrelated writer's workshop news:: Grayson laughed today! His first real, not sleeping laugh. I was undressing him for his bath (which, for the first time in his 6 weeks of life he did not scream all the way through!) and when I got his right arm out of his little onsie, he just started laughing. His little belly was shaking and everything. I wish I'd had a camera handy. It was the cutest thing! All these little things he's doing is making me sad that he's the last baby we're having...But I'm done. We both are. Three is our limit.
Today, I chose the prompt How Do You Manage The "Death" Talk With Your Kids? Let's begin.
Fortunately for me, we haven't had a loss in our lives since my children have been born. They still have everyone that loves them and cares about them in their lives. That doesn't mean that I haven't been asked questions about death though. Ethan did go through a phase when he was 3 1/2 and 4 where he asked constantly about death and dying. I also have a picture of my grandfather from 1954 that he asks about quite often. My grandfather died of cancer when I was 18, and 4 months pregnant with Ethan. Ethan has visited his grave with me, and seen lots of pictures, including the 1954 pictures, and he always asks about him.
So, I usually am quite direct and honest with him. When he asks, I tell him that my grandfather, his great grandfather, was an incredible man, and I loved him very much. When I was 16, he got cancer. Cancer is a lot harder to explain to him, but I tell him that his brain got sick, and his body couldn't fight it, so doctors helped. Then, the doctors couldn't help anymore, so he died. I usually explain that when you die, you don't come back, and people who love you are sad, and miss you. We talk about my grandfather's funeral, and he asks if it's a party, and I tell him that it kind of is. It was a celebration of his life, and it was a place for people who loved him to come together and be sad and happy together. He always seems really satisfied with this response, and carries on about his day. He understands death, but he's 7, so the questions always come up, and I'm always happy to answer them with honesty and understanding, just like I'll answer any other questions he and Claire and Grayson will come to me with over the course of their lives. I'm mom..That's what I do.
In unrelated writer's workshop news:: Grayson laughed today! His first real, not sleeping laugh. I was undressing him for his bath (which, for the first time in his 6 weeks of life he did not scream all the way through!) and when I got his right arm out of his little onsie, he just started laughing. His little belly was shaking and everything. I wish I'd had a camera handy. It was the cutest thing! All these little things he's doing is making me sad that he's the last baby we're having...But I'm done. We both are. Three is our limit.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Favorite Picture Of The Day
Grayson was crying. She ran to his swing in an attempt to rescue him, but being only 19 months and unable to work the seat belt, daddy came to her aid and lifted him out of the swing. She sat on daddy's lap, and he flipped Grayson around so Claire could hug him. So sweet.(Oh, and please ignore my laundry sorting mess. Thanks!)
Snowballs Can Lead To Tears
Yesterday, Ethan came screaming up the driveway, with blood pouring out of his nose. Needless to say, but I FREAKED out. We had some trouble when he was in Kindergarten with some girls that used to live across the street being mean to him. They have since moved, but I was afraid this was a repeat of that, only with new culprits. It wasn't. Apparently, he got off the bus and said to his friends, 'Let's have a snow fight!' and launched a snowball at one friend, who was about 3 feet away, and his other friend, who was standing right next to him, hitting both in the chest. He said he bent down to pick up more snow, and when he stood back up, the friend who was standing next to him threw a snowball....In his face. His nose was bleeding all over the place, his cheek was all red..It wasn't pretty. I finally got the bleeding to stop, and David used his first aid training to check it out and it wasn't broken. He does, however, have a super awesome bruise on his right cheek under his eye where the snowball hit him. David went and talked to the kid's dad. We weren't mad. Ethan did start the snowball fight. We just wanted to let him know what happened, and make sure the other boy wasn't hurt when this all went down. He said the dad was super nice about the whole thing. However, super nice hasn't gotten us anywhere in the past. Case in point...
Ethan had a little friend that lived across the street. He was actually the brother of said mean little girls from the bus stop. He, however, was a sweet kid. Nice, polite and quiet. Well, one day, the little boy came over to play. I was at work at the time. Well, the boy's dad came to the house to tell the boy to come home. When he was getting up to leave, David noticed a toy walrus on the ground, and asked if it was the boy's. The boy said no, and Ethan said that maybe it was his own toy. Boy left with dad, Ethan went back to playing. The next morning, I saw the toy, and asked Ethan about it. He said the boy had left it. I told David about it. That afternoon, when Ethan returned from school, David took Ethan and the toy to the boy's house and explained the misunderstanding, had Ethan return the toy and apologize for the misunderstanding. The dad thanked him for returning the toy and was nice about the whole incident. However, the mom decided then that she hated us. She told the boy not to come to our house anymore, and if he came over or even talked to Ethan, he would be grounded. How did I find this out? She had her 10 year old daughter come to my house, barge right in and lay down the law. Oh yeah. She just walked right in and told us what her mom said. Are you kidding me lady? Making your kid deliver that message..Nice. When I went over to talk to the mom about it, she refused to come to the door, and had her child, once again, tell me she had no interest in speaking to me. I don't know what we did that was so wrong. We're quiet neighbors. We keep to ourselves. We do talk to our kid's neighborhood friend's parents, because I like to know whose yard my child is playing in, and whose kid he's playing with. Was it because there was a misunderstanding with the toy? If that's the case, you better never schedule a playdate lady, because toys get mixed up all the time, and you're likely to lose a lot of friends for your child if you get ticked because a toy gets left behind. Toys get mixed up, left behind or forgotten all of the time. It's not a big deal. Ugh...No worried though. They moved away last summer, so no more of her. I felt terrible for her son though. He would stand at the end of his driveway and wave to Ethan with such a sad look on his face because he wanted to play. Hopefully, where ever they move to, he's making friends that he can actually keep.
Ethan had a little friend that lived across the street. He was actually the brother of said mean little girls from the bus stop. He, however, was a sweet kid. Nice, polite and quiet. Well, one day, the little boy came over to play. I was at work at the time. Well, the boy's dad came to the house to tell the boy to come home. When he was getting up to leave, David noticed a toy walrus on the ground, and asked if it was the boy's. The boy said no, and Ethan said that maybe it was his own toy. Boy left with dad, Ethan went back to playing. The next morning, I saw the toy, and asked Ethan about it. He said the boy had left it. I told David about it. That afternoon, when Ethan returned from school, David took Ethan and the toy to the boy's house and explained the misunderstanding, had Ethan return the toy and apologize for the misunderstanding. The dad thanked him for returning the toy and was nice about the whole incident. However, the mom decided then that she hated us. She told the boy not to come to our house anymore, and if he came over or even talked to Ethan, he would be grounded. How did I find this out? She had her 10 year old daughter come to my house, barge right in and lay down the law. Oh yeah. She just walked right in and told us what her mom said. Are you kidding me lady? Making your kid deliver that message..Nice. When I went over to talk to the mom about it, she refused to come to the door, and had her child, once again, tell me she had no interest in speaking to me. I don't know what we did that was so wrong. We're quiet neighbors. We keep to ourselves. We do talk to our kid's neighborhood friend's parents, because I like to know whose yard my child is playing in, and whose kid he's playing with. Was it because there was a misunderstanding with the toy? If that's the case, you better never schedule a playdate lady, because toys get mixed up all the time, and you're likely to lose a lot of friends for your child if you get ticked because a toy gets left behind. Toys get mixed up, left behind or forgotten all of the time. It's not a big deal. Ugh...No worried though. They moved away last summer, so no more of her. I felt terrible for her son though. He would stand at the end of his driveway and wave to Ethan with such a sad look on his face because he wanted to play. Hopefully, where ever they move to, he's making friends that he can actually keep.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Target+Sunday+3 Kids+Whiney Hubby=Not A Fun Trip
David and I decided we were going to Target on Monday. We had to buy wrapping paper, tape, dog food, one more Christmas present for our niece..You know, essentials. David woke up today and announced that we would be going today, because we are expecting round two of snow. I just shoveled the driveway. I am not excited.
So, it took us an hour to get ready. I had to get two kids dressed, a bottle of breastmilk warmed up and a diaper bag repacked because Clarie so thoughtfully unpacked it this morning when I was feeding Grayson and couldn't get up to stop her rampage of book throwing, video game rummaging and all around mayhem. I do believe she's realized when I'm feeding, she has free reign to do as she pleases because I can't get up and chase her down like I used to. We finally got into the car, only for Ethan to start saying, "I'm hungry. Are we going to eat? I'm really hungry. Do we have food? Are you going to get food? I want two cheeseburgers. Can I have two cheeseburgers? I'm hungry." Really? REALLY? It never fails. As soon as we get in the car, he wants to eat. He just ate, but he wants to eat again. Super. The trek to Hudson was just awesome.
We got to Target. David let me out by the entrance with Ethan and Claire because Ethan had to use the bathroom (also, never fails). We get inside, and it was a MADHOUSE. I almost got hit with a cart about 10 times just trying to get my own cart in the entrance and trying to keep Claire from getting hit. When I was finally able to grab a cart and get over near the restrooms, David was getting in and took Claire with him to look at movies while I waited for Ethan to finish up. This is about the time Grayon decides to make himself known. He begins to cry. He cries pretty much the entire time we are shopping. We rush through wrapping paper and present finding in record time. This is the point in time where I either get the oh-my-you-have-your-hands-full sympathy look or the why-can't-you-keep-your-baby-quiet annoyance look. The sympathy look I'm OK with, because hey, I feel sorry for me sometimes. Really...I'm still trying to get the hang of this 2 under 2 thing, and I'm worn out most of the time. I'm a month in, and it's only gotten THISMUCH easier. The annoyance look makes me want to kick someone in the shin. I'm sorry my newborn is an annoyance to you, but hey, he feels the need to cry. Can't do much about it. He doesn't need a diaper change and he isn't hungry or gassy, so it looks like it's the crying hour. Feel free not to pay attention. Add a whiney hubby to this because you are apparently taking too long to shop, and you got yourself a super fun shopping experience. To make myself feel better, I managed to sneak some princess sippy cups for Clarie into the cart. SCORE!
We head to check out. This is where, after we are done paying, I make myself look like the world's crappiest mom, because I run Claire over with the shopping cart. Oh yeah. she was standing in the front of the cart, and I couldn't see her over all the loaded shopping bags and Grayson's carseat, and took her out. She fell sideways and hit her head on the wall of the check out lane next to us. Luckily, the hood on her coat is super filled, so she didn't get hurt. She was mainly ticked I hit her with the cart and gave me her mad face and cry. Everyone in our line and the cashier whose lane she hit and our cashier were staring at me...Fabulous. Please, just give me the Great But Totally In A Sarcastic Way mommy award now so I can crawl into my hole and wither away. Thanks.
I tell you, I've never been happier to get home, and I still have to go out next Monday to finish up my shopping. I'm glad David has Monday's off, because he's watching Claire while Grayson and I head out and pick up the few gifts we need. Oh yeah, I'm totally slacking, but I've been lacking and shopping motivation, and now I'm kicking myself. This is not happening next year.
So, it took us an hour to get ready. I had to get two kids dressed, a bottle of breastmilk warmed up and a diaper bag repacked because Clarie so thoughtfully unpacked it this morning when I was feeding Grayson and couldn't get up to stop her rampage of book throwing, video game rummaging and all around mayhem. I do believe she's realized when I'm feeding, she has free reign to do as she pleases because I can't get up and chase her down like I used to. We finally got into the car, only for Ethan to start saying, "I'm hungry. Are we going to eat? I'm really hungry. Do we have food? Are you going to get food? I want two cheeseburgers. Can I have two cheeseburgers? I'm hungry." Really? REALLY? It never fails. As soon as we get in the car, he wants to eat. He just ate, but he wants to eat again. Super. The trek to Hudson was just awesome.
We got to Target. David let me out by the entrance with Ethan and Claire because Ethan had to use the bathroom (also, never fails). We get inside, and it was a MADHOUSE. I almost got hit with a cart about 10 times just trying to get my own cart in the entrance and trying to keep Claire from getting hit. When I was finally able to grab a cart and get over near the restrooms, David was getting in and took Claire with him to look at movies while I waited for Ethan to finish up. This is about the time Grayon decides to make himself known. He begins to cry. He cries pretty much the entire time we are shopping. We rush through wrapping paper and present finding in record time. This is the point in time where I either get the oh-my-you-have-your-hands-full sympathy look or the why-can't-you-keep-your-baby-quiet annoyance look. The sympathy look I'm OK with, because hey, I feel sorry for me sometimes. Really...I'm still trying to get the hang of this 2 under 2 thing, and I'm worn out most of the time. I'm a month in, and it's only gotten THISMUCH easier. The annoyance look makes me want to kick someone in the shin. I'm sorry my newborn is an annoyance to you, but hey, he feels the need to cry. Can't do much about it. He doesn't need a diaper change and he isn't hungry or gassy, so it looks like it's the crying hour. Feel free not to pay attention. Add a whiney hubby to this because you are apparently taking too long to shop, and you got yourself a super fun shopping experience. To make myself feel better, I managed to sneak some princess sippy cups for Clarie into the cart. SCORE!
We head to check out. This is where, after we are done paying, I make myself look like the world's crappiest mom, because I run Claire over with the shopping cart. Oh yeah. she was standing in the front of the cart, and I couldn't see her over all the loaded shopping bags and Grayson's carseat, and took her out. She fell sideways and hit her head on the wall of the check out lane next to us. Luckily, the hood on her coat is super filled, so she didn't get hurt. She was mainly ticked I hit her with the cart and gave me her mad face and cry. Everyone in our line and the cashier whose lane she hit and our cashier were staring at me...Fabulous. Please, just give me the Great But Totally In A Sarcastic Way mommy award now so I can crawl into my hole and wither away. Thanks.
I tell you, I've never been happier to get home, and I still have to go out next Monday to finish up my shopping. I'm glad David has Monday's off, because he's watching Claire while Grayson and I head out and pick up the few gifts we need. Oh yeah, I'm totally slacking, but I've been lacking and shopping motivation, and now I'm kicking myself. This is not happening next year.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Flashback Friday: Snow!
Flashback Friday is brought to you by Deb over at Web Savvy Mom. Head on over and check her out, and take part in Flashback Friday. It's fun. I love it.
Click here to see her posts and learn more!
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In light of our snowstorm and dropping temps here in good old Wisconsin, I decided to remember the good old days of snow in Arizona.
When I turned 16, and all of my friends could drive, we made a yearly trip each January to Flagstaff, Arizona to play in the snow. We waited until the weekend after the biggest snow had fallen, and then we'd all pile into on person's car, usually loaded with snacks, water and road trip tunes and make the 3 hour trek up the mountain to play in the snow. We'd stop at Target in Flagstaff, buy a disc and head off to a secluded area to play. We didn't want to share our fun with total strangers. We wanted pictures that involved us, and not some random dude sporting shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, Santa hat and hiking boots...Oh yeah, I totally kid you not, we saw that one year. We laughed about it all the way back down the mountain that night. We'd also stop at some place where families were making their way down hills and offer up our newly acquired toy. We lived in Phoenix. What did we need a snow disc for? Besides, it's only 3 bucks.
When I was 17, we made our trek up the mountain to hang out in the snow.
Please, excuse the craptasticness that is my scanner. This is a picture that didn't quite make my scrapbook. Notice something here? Why yes, I am wearing a spaghetti strap shirt. In January. On my way up a mountain. To play...In snow. I also only wore a sweater and some 1 dollar gloves I bought at a gas station we stopped at for bathroom breaks and McDonald's. Would I ever dream of wearing such an outfit up here in Wisconsin? HELL NO!! Are you crazy?! I would FREEZE to death! I think the coldest it ever was on one of our snow adventures was 30 degrees, and that was not unbearable at all. I mean, we all did freak out that year and ran to Wal-Mart at 10PM and bought sweats to wear to Perkin's for dinner and on the ride home, but still...Not unbearable.
Up here? I freeze just going out to start the car to warm up when I need to go to Target or something. This kinda cold just isn't my cup of tea. Seriously, -30 with the windchill..No thanks. I'll stay inside under my blanket and hide from the wind. I've got books, movies and Netflix on X-Box to keep me entertained at night, and three kids, two of whom have the ability to make me laugh at the drop of a hat at the moment, to keep me company during the day. I'm set.
When I turned 16, and all of my friends could drive, we made a yearly trip each January to Flagstaff, Arizona to play in the snow. We waited until the weekend after the biggest snow had fallen, and then we'd all pile into on person's car, usually loaded with snacks, water and road trip tunes and make the 3 hour trek up the mountain to play in the snow. We'd stop at Target in Flagstaff, buy a disc and head off to a secluded area to play. We didn't want to share our fun with total strangers. We wanted pictures that involved us, and not some random dude sporting shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, Santa hat and hiking boots...Oh yeah, I totally kid you not, we saw that one year. We laughed about it all the way back down the mountain that night. We'd also stop at some place where families were making their way down hills and offer up our newly acquired toy. We lived in Phoenix. What did we need a snow disc for? Besides, it's only 3 bucks.
When I was 17, we made our trek up the mountain to hang out in the snow.
Please, excuse the craptasticness that is my scanner. This is a picture that didn't quite make my scrapbook. Notice something here? Why yes, I am wearing a spaghetti strap shirt. In January. On my way up a mountain. To play...In snow. I also only wore a sweater and some 1 dollar gloves I bought at a gas station we stopped at for bathroom breaks and McDonald's. Would I ever dream of wearing such an outfit up here in Wisconsin? HELL NO!! Are you crazy?! I would FREEZE to death! I think the coldest it ever was on one of our snow adventures was 30 degrees, and that was not unbearable at all. I mean, we all did freak out that year and ran to Wal-Mart at 10PM and bought sweats to wear to Perkin's for dinner and on the ride home, but still...Not unbearable.Up here? I freeze just going out to start the car to warm up when I need to go to Target or something. This kinda cold just isn't my cup of tea. Seriously, -30 with the windchill..No thanks. I'll stay inside under my blanket and hide from the wind. I've got books, movies and Netflix on X-Box to keep me entertained at night, and three kids, two of whom have the ability to make me laugh at the drop of a hat at the moment, to keep me company during the day. I'm set.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Writer's Workshop: Thanks for the sandwiches man!
Head on over to MamaKats to check out writer's workshop and take part. It's something I enjoy doing every week, and I think you might like it too. This week you can also take part in Blog, Bid, Hope. Proceeds will be given to The Liz Logelin Foundation and Anissa Mayhew's Family. Now, Matt I saw on Oprah, and then MamaKat posted a link to his blog, and I've been reading it and catching up, and I have to say, I can't read a post without crying after hearing his story on Oprah. It breaks my heart. I've also just come across Anissa, and have been catching up on her, and been holding a good thought for her since reading her story. So, if you want to take part in the auction, please do. It's for something wonderful.
Now, onto my workshop. This week I chose the prompt 'Describe A Moment When A Stranger Helped You.'
I've really only had one such incident happen in my life. So let's begin.
On a bright and sunny day in Glendale, Arizona, David and I decided that we would have Quizno's for lunch. Actually, he wanted Panda Express, I wanted Quizno's, we rock, paper, scissored it, and I won. Important decisions in life can be decided with rock, paper, scissors. Who knew?
Anyways, I lost the game on who was actually going to go out into the blazing heat and get it. I grabbed what I needed and headed out the door. So, here I am at Quizno's. I'm really deadset on the Turkey Bacon Club. Yeah, lunch is going to be awesome. Mainly because I don't have to cook it, and Ethan isn't going to be picky and request a hot dog. I order my food and move on down the line. I hand the debit card over, and it's declined, 3 times. Now, I know there is money in the bank. I just got paid. I just checked my account not even 15 minutes before we decided on our meal. I was on the verge of tears and panicking because this was before we had gotten cell phones. So, I'm hyperventalating thinking, "Oh no. I'm going to have to leave. I'm going to have to go home. What do I do? How do I get ahold of David to have him bring me money? What do I do? Oh no..." All of a sudden, this voice from behind me says, "Hey, don't worry, I have this." And hands the cashier a $20. I can't believe it. I look up and this young guy says, "It's not a problem. Someone did it for me once. I'm just paying it forward." Then, I really did start crying. It was the nicest gesture a complete stranger had ever made to me. I said thank you maybe 50 times. When he left the store, I asked the cashier if she knew him. She said he worked in the financial office a few doors down. I went back a few days later and paid him back and gave him a thank you card. It's still something I remember to this day. And, I've paid it forward myself. On a cold morning in Arizona, there was a homeless man on the sidewalk outside of the building I worked in at the time. He had a sign asking for money to buy something warm to drink and some food. I went to the coffee shop across the street and bought him a large coffee and a few pastries. He was so thankful. I was just paying it forward.
Now, onto my workshop. This week I chose the prompt 'Describe A Moment When A Stranger Helped You.'
I've really only had one such incident happen in my life. So let's begin.
On a bright and sunny day in Glendale, Arizona, David and I decided that we would have Quizno's for lunch. Actually, he wanted Panda Express, I wanted Quizno's, we rock, paper, scissored it, and I won. Important decisions in life can be decided with rock, paper, scissors. Who knew?
Anyways, I lost the game on who was actually going to go out into the blazing heat and get it. I grabbed what I needed and headed out the door. So, here I am at Quizno's. I'm really deadset on the Turkey Bacon Club. Yeah, lunch is going to be awesome. Mainly because I don't have to cook it, and Ethan isn't going to be picky and request a hot dog. I order my food and move on down the line. I hand the debit card over, and it's declined, 3 times. Now, I know there is money in the bank. I just got paid. I just checked my account not even 15 minutes before we decided on our meal. I was on the verge of tears and panicking because this was before we had gotten cell phones. So, I'm hyperventalating thinking, "Oh no. I'm going to have to leave. I'm going to have to go home. What do I do? How do I get ahold of David to have him bring me money? What do I do? Oh no..." All of a sudden, this voice from behind me says, "Hey, don't worry, I have this." And hands the cashier a $20. I can't believe it. I look up and this young guy says, "It's not a problem. Someone did it for me once. I'm just paying it forward." Then, I really did start crying. It was the nicest gesture a complete stranger had ever made to me. I said thank you maybe 50 times. When he left the store, I asked the cashier if she knew him. She said he worked in the financial office a few doors down. I went back a few days later and paid him back and gave him a thank you card. It's still something I remember to this day. And, I've paid it forward myself. On a cold morning in Arizona, there was a homeless man on the sidewalk outside of the building I worked in at the time. He had a sign asking for money to buy something warm to drink and some food. I went to the coffee shop across the street and bought him a large coffee and a few pastries. He was so thankful. I was just paying it forward.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Snow Day!
Well, the dumping of snow we got was enough to call a snow day, which is unusual here in Clear Lake, WI. Most of the time, every school around us will have CLOSED next to their names on the news, but Ethan's will say TWO HOUR DELAY. You should have seen the look on his face this morning when I told him school was canceled. He nearly choked on his mouthwash. Oh yeah...He was that excited. After about three hours, he started bouncing around, asking to go out and play in it. I relented, and let him out. As much as I would have loved to follow him outdoors and snap a few pictures of him rolling around in the fresh white powder, I had to stay indoors with Claire and Grayson. Grayson has decided it's time to stay awake all day now that he's hit one month of age. Claire...Well, if I leave the room to use the bathroom, there is hell to pay when I get back. By hell I mean books off the shelves, movies strewn about, crayons thrown in random directions across the kitchen floor. Craziness I tell you...CRAZINESS!! I'm sure I can catch a few pictures of Ethan this weekend though. I'm hoping to get Claire in it too, but she needs some boots and some snowpants before that happens. He winter coat is working out nicely though. We bought it on clearance at Target last year after the season was over. It was only $6 marked down from $18. Sweet! It's a little big, but I'm sure she'll be almost grown out of it by the time the season is over. We're going to pick up a winter coat for Grayson this year when they hit clearance. Right now he's got a Cozy Cover for his carseat, so we bundle him with blankets inside that. I'm actually jealous of it. I wish I could fit in it.
I also wanted to share this:
My favorite picture of the day..Even though Grayson is screaming is little head off. I just finished changing his diaper, and turned around to close up the wipes and move the diapers, and Claire laid down next to him, and was putting her arm around him and patting him on the back. It was the cutest thing. She's such a good sister.
I also wanted to share this:
My favorite picture of the day..Even though Grayson is screaming is little head off. I just finished changing his diaper, and turned around to close up the wipes and move the diapers, and Claire laid down next to him, and was putting her arm around him and patting him on the back. It was the cutest thing. She's such a good sister.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Holy Blizzard Batman!
We're getting our first real big snow...And it's a REAL BIG SNOW!! We're expecting 8-10 inches by tomorrow afternoon, with even more expected after that. So, I guess all that hand and face pressed up against the windows waiting for snow from Ethan paid off, in a very major way. When he got home from school today, he was begging me to run out and get his disc out of the shed so he could take it for a spin. We have a hill right in the back of our house that is perfectly placed for him to slide down into our yard. It had just really started to come down then, and there were only a couple of inches. When I looked out a second ago, I couldn't see the grass anymore and the wind has really picked up and is whipping snow everywhere. After reading about the blizzard like conditions and the fact that you should only drive right now if there is an emergency, I'm wanting to strangle David because he left home today without his cell phone. It's sitting on the counter. I keep staring at it thinking, "What if he has to get a hotel tonight? How's he supposed to let me know? Long distance calls from hotels are expensive. I hope he's safe. Why didn't he take his phone?!" He spent a total of 4 nights in hotels last year on nights like this. He better be safe. He better be.
In Christmas related news, we're almost done shopping! YAY! We need a few more things for our niece, and I really need to get out there and pick up gifts for both my grandmothers, my mother and David. I also have a secret Santa gifts to buy, but we're doing homemade stuff, and I just need to pick up the things I need to put them together, and hurry up and get my check cashed and into the bank so I can order two things on Etsy. Any ideas on what to buy a Shaq loving grandma for Christmas? She's already got everything under the sun Shaq...I'm thinking a real big coffee mug. She also loves coffee. A coffee mug, and some good coffee. What's good coffee though? I'm not a coffee drinker. I'm good with my teas and my hot chocolate.
In Christmas related news, we're almost done shopping! YAY! We need a few more things for our niece, and I really need to get out there and pick up gifts for both my grandmothers, my mother and David. I also have a secret Santa gifts to buy, but we're doing homemade stuff, and I just need to pick up the things I need to put them together, and hurry up and get my check cashed and into the bank so I can order two things on Etsy. Any ideas on what to buy a Shaq loving grandma for Christmas? She's already got everything under the sun Shaq...I'm thinking a real big coffee mug. She also loves coffee. A coffee mug, and some good coffee. What's good coffee though? I'm not a coffee drinker. I'm good with my teas and my hot chocolate.
Merry SITSmas....Guess what?
It's SITSmas!! So, Merry SITSmas. Head on over to SITS and join the fun! Yeah, it's a little late, but give me a break. It has been a LONG and CRAZY day. I thought I was going to have so much more time to head out and get Ethan some snow boots and a new hat for school, but no such luck. Starting tomorrow AM we are under a Winter Storm warning all day tomorrow and all day Wednesday. Super. So, I had to take all the kids to Wal-Mart on a crazy snow boot buying adventure. I also got Claire some new gloves. Oh, and here's some fun craziness. I bought Ethan a beanie for a dollar. When I went to get Claire a beanie, they were $7....WHAT?! That so does not make sense.
So, enjoy this little picture:
This proves that the box your Christmas presents are delivered in are more fun than the presents themselves..They haven't actually gotten the presents yet, but you get the idea.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a baby demanding food and cuddles. Good night!
So, enjoy this little picture:
This proves that the box your Christmas presents are delivered in are more fun than the presents themselves..They haven't actually gotten the presents yet, but you get the idea.Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a baby demanding food and cuddles. Good night!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Sunday Stealing: Can't Sleep Meme
Grayson is napping (FINALLY!!), Claire is chasing the dog and Ethan is playing a game in his room. David was up until 8AM playing Call of Duty 2: Modern Warfare, so he's also passed out. What is it about that game that makes guys stay up ALL FREAKING NIGHT!!?? I can't wait for that game to go back to Gamefly. All is quiet, so I decided to partake in Sunday Stealing again. Why not? If you want to partake, head on over and check it out.
Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed?:
No..I love getting kisses from my kids.
When is it hard to kiss someone?:
When they have gross breath.
You're trapped in a room with your most recent ex for three days, what do you do?:
Be totally awkward. But, how would I get in that room in the first place?
Does it matter to you if your significant other smokes?:
Yes. It would bug me.
Have you ever regretted letting someone go?:
No. I let them go for a reason.
Where would you go if you were butt naked and locked out of your house?:
And, why did I leave my house butt naked? I'm not prone to random acts of outdoor nakedness. I would hide. I wouldn't be trying to run anywhere.
Do you want to please everyone?:
I'd rather please my family and myself, not every person I meet.
Have you ever been called heartless?:
Nope, and I hope I never am.
Someone calls you at 3:00 AM, who do you expect it to be?:
I hope no one calls me at 3AM. I'd probably have a panic attack.
Does it matter if your significant other drinks?:
No, but he doesn't.
Could you go the rest of your life without doing drugs?:
I could, and I will.
Which is better, amazing eyes or an amazing smile?:
Eyes..I've always been drawn to eyes first.
Do you want to get married and have children one day?:
Done both.
Are you easy to get along with?:
I guess. I've never had any complaints.
Do you ever want to go to sleep and not wake up?:
No
Are you shorter than your Mom?:
I think I'm just a little bit taller, but not by much.
Describe your life currently in one word:
Hectic
Are you on medication for anything?:
I'm still taking prenatal vitamins since I'm only 5 weeks post baby.
Who would you allow to read your thoughts for one day?:
I don't know, but whoever I choose, good luck. I can hardly make sense of what I'm thinking.
Are there things in your life that you will never be able to get over?:
Uh..No.
If you woke up naked next to the last person you kissed, what would your reaction be?:
Ummmm.....Innapropriate.
Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed?:
No..I love getting kisses from my kids.
When is it hard to kiss someone?:
When they have gross breath.
You're trapped in a room with your most recent ex for three days, what do you do?:
Be totally awkward. But, how would I get in that room in the first place?
Does it matter to you if your significant other smokes?:
Yes. It would bug me.
Have you ever regretted letting someone go?:
No. I let them go for a reason.
Where would you go if you were butt naked and locked out of your house?:
And, why did I leave my house butt naked? I'm not prone to random acts of outdoor nakedness. I would hide. I wouldn't be trying to run anywhere.
Do you want to please everyone?:
I'd rather please my family and myself, not every person I meet.
Have you ever been called heartless?:
Nope, and I hope I never am.
Someone calls you at 3:00 AM, who do you expect it to be?:
I hope no one calls me at 3AM. I'd probably have a panic attack.
Does it matter if your significant other drinks?:
No, but he doesn't.
Could you go the rest of your life without doing drugs?:
I could, and I will.
Which is better, amazing eyes or an amazing smile?:
Eyes..I've always been drawn to eyes first.
Do you want to get married and have children one day?:
Done both.
Are you easy to get along with?:
I guess. I've never had any complaints.
Do you ever want to go to sleep and not wake up?:
No
Are you shorter than your Mom?:
I think I'm just a little bit taller, but not by much.
Describe your life currently in one word:
Hectic
Are you on medication for anything?:
I'm still taking prenatal vitamins since I'm only 5 weeks post baby.
Who would you allow to read your thoughts for one day?:
I don't know, but whoever I choose, good luck. I can hardly make sense of what I'm thinking.
Are there things in your life that you will never be able to get over?:
Uh..No.
If you woke up naked next to the last person you kissed, what would your reaction be?:
Ummmm.....Innapropriate.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Flashback Friday: 1991 Made Jello Super Exciting!
I have nothing super fantastical to blog about today, and was checking out blogosphere and came across a few blogs doing Flashback Friday brought to you by Web Savy Mom
So, I was all..."Wow! That looks like so much fun. I'm so doing that!" and searched my picture box for something great. I came up with this:
This was taken on Easter morning in 1991. That means I was 8. Apparently, I was really excited about Jello. I hate Jello. Why I was excited, I have no idea. However, this was around the time they were really hyping those Jello Wigglers. You know, you make jello on a cookie sheet, and then use cookie cutters to cut it into shapes. Still didn't make me want to eat the crap, I just wanted to play with it. Maybe that's why I was excited. On the back of the picture, my mother had written, "Easter Morning..EARLY!" Early was underlined three times. She did not share my excitement over the Jello I guess. However, 18 years later and a mother of three now myself, I can see where the excitement of waking up at 6AM to see someone become super excited over a box of soon the be gelatinous powder wears off. Even my brother, with his super awesome fro, which I totally forgot he sported back in the day, seems not to share my joy. Whatever homie, your totally missing out.
This was taken on Easter morning in 1991. That means I was 8. Apparently, I was really excited about Jello. I hate Jello. Why I was excited, I have no idea. However, this was around the time they were really hyping those Jello Wigglers. You know, you make jello on a cookie sheet, and then use cookie cutters to cut it into shapes. Still didn't make me want to eat the crap, I just wanted to play with it. Maybe that's why I was excited. On the back of the picture, my mother had written, "Easter Morning..EARLY!" Early was underlined three times. She did not share my excitement over the Jello I guess. However, 18 years later and a mother of three now myself, I can see where the excitement of waking up at 6AM to see someone become super excited over a box of soon the be gelatinous powder wears off. Even my brother, with his super awesome fro, which I totally forgot he sported back in the day, seems not to share my joy. Whatever homie, your totally missing out.By the way, do you LOVE the flowered wall paper and the totally 80's dining chair? I really forgot that that townhouse was so fashion forward. I forgot those chairs existed too. But, when it's free, beggars can't be choosers. Besides, the only thing I have a super clear memory of in that place was it had stairs. It was the only place my brother and I ever lived in that had stairs. That made us really excited, and we spent hours pushing each other down the stairs in boxes. Oh yeah...There were lots of bruises. Maybe a few tears. Hours of pretending to be bobsledders and race car drivers. Oh, and I got super awesome blood infection from a rotten fence in the backyard that my dad had been yelling at the landlord about for a month. Mysteriously, after my infection, a trip to the hospital, lots of IV antibiotics and the biggest bottle of liquid antibiotics you have ever seen later, all the fences in the alley of the townhouse complex were redone with brand new wood...Hmmmm....Someone afraid to get sued?
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Writer's Workshop: That Song Is So 1996
It's Thursday, which means it's Writer's Workshop day over at MamaKat's. Head on over, check out this week's prompts and maybe write up a little blog on the subject. It's fun. Link up so others can read what you have to say.
This week, I've chosen the prompt Verse By Verse Dissect A Favorite Song You Had In 7th Grade. In 7th grade it was 1996. I was a nerd. I just got braces. I had horrible hair. I was 13. It was horrible. The only good thing about 7th grade was Patrick. We tried to kill each other, but over time a friendship blossomed and he remains one of my very best friends to this day. I can't imagine him not being a part of my crazy life.
Anyways, the music also sucked hardcore. I honestly didn't remember a whole lot of songs from 1996, so I looked up the Billboard Top 100 of 1996, and man, did we ever listen to some crappy music in 1996. A lot of it was One Hit Wonders too. Remember Breakfast At Tiffany's? What the hell were we thinking in 1996? You know what the #1 song was? Macarena! Oh yeah. That dance that's a hit at weddings now. At least we aren't back in 2001 with Mambo #5...Ugh..Although, I did like that song..HA!
Now, the one song I really loved was by Jewel. It was when I discovered her. I saw the music video first, and was completley entranced. She became my instant favorite, and remains so to this day. The song was Who Will Save Your Sould. Lyrics:
1. - People living their lives for you on TV
They say they're better than you and you agree
Another burger, another hot dog, some fries
A wish in the well, hope your health don't go to hell, well
Another doctors bill, another lawyer's bill
Another cute cheap thrill
You know you love him if you put him in your will
Chorus - Who will save your soul when it comes to the flower
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy
Who will save your soul if you won't save your own?
2. - We try to hustle them, try to bustle them, try to cuss them
The cops want someone to bust down on Orleans Avenue
Another day, another dollar, another war, another tower
Went up where the homeless had their homes
So we pray to as many different gods as there are flowers
Bwe call religion our friend
We're so worried about saving our souls
Afraid that God will take his toll
That we forget to begin
Chorus - Who will save your soul when it comes to the flower
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy
Who will save your soul if you won't save your own?
3. - Some are walking, some are talking, some are stalking their kill
You got social security, but that don't pay your bills
There are addictions to feed and there are mouts to pay
So you bargin with the Devil, say you're okay for today
You say you love them take your money and run
Say it's been swell, sweetheart, but it was just one of those things
Those flings, those strings you've got to cut
So get out on the streets, girls, and bust your butts
Chorus - Who will save your soul when it comes to the flower
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy
Who will save your soul if you won't save your own?
Now, I'm not going to dissect or interperet the song, only because everyone has their own meanings for these things. A song might make someone reflect on or feel something totally different than what it makes me reflect on or feel, and I don't want my interpretation to tint that in any way. So, just enjoy the lyrics, and if you have it around, give it a listen, because Jewel is AWESOME!
This week, I've chosen the prompt Verse By Verse Dissect A Favorite Song You Had In 7th Grade. In 7th grade it was 1996. I was a nerd. I just got braces. I had horrible hair. I was 13. It was horrible. The only good thing about 7th grade was Patrick. We tried to kill each other, but over time a friendship blossomed and he remains one of my very best friends to this day. I can't imagine him not being a part of my crazy life.
Anyways, the music also sucked hardcore. I honestly didn't remember a whole lot of songs from 1996, so I looked up the Billboard Top 100 of 1996, and man, did we ever listen to some crappy music in 1996. A lot of it was One Hit Wonders too. Remember Breakfast At Tiffany's? What the hell were we thinking in 1996? You know what the #1 song was? Macarena! Oh yeah. That dance that's a hit at weddings now. At least we aren't back in 2001 with Mambo #5...Ugh..Although, I did like that song..HA!
Now, the one song I really loved was by Jewel. It was when I discovered her. I saw the music video first, and was completley entranced. She became my instant favorite, and remains so to this day. The song was Who Will Save Your Sould. Lyrics:
1. - People living their lives for you on TV
They say they're better than you and you agree
Another burger, another hot dog, some fries
A wish in the well, hope your health don't go to hell, well
Another doctors bill, another lawyer's bill
Another cute cheap thrill
You know you love him if you put him in your will
Chorus - Who will save your soul when it comes to the flower
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy
Who will save your soul if you won't save your own?
2. - We try to hustle them, try to bustle them, try to cuss them
The cops want someone to bust down on Orleans Avenue
Another day, another dollar, another war, another tower
Went up where the homeless had their homes
So we pray to as many different gods as there are flowers
Bwe call religion our friend
We're so worried about saving our souls
Afraid that God will take his toll
That we forget to begin
Chorus - Who will save your soul when it comes to the flower
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy
Who will save your soul if you won't save your own?
3. - Some are walking, some are talking, some are stalking their kill
You got social security, but that don't pay your bills
There are addictions to feed and there are mouts to pay
So you bargin with the Devil, say you're okay for today
You say you love them take your money and run
Say it's been swell, sweetheart, but it was just one of those things
Those flings, those strings you've got to cut
So get out on the streets, girls, and bust your butts
Chorus - Who will save your soul when it comes to the flower
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy
Who will save your soul if you won't save your own?
Now, I'm not going to dissect or interperet the song, only because everyone has their own meanings for these things. A song might make someone reflect on or feel something totally different than what it makes me reflect on or feel, and I don't want my interpretation to tint that in any way. So, just enjoy the lyrics, and if you have it around, give it a listen, because Jewel is AWESOME!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
December Already?! Where Did 2009 Go?
It's December. Christmas is in the air, although we have no snow on the ground, which is odd. It's all cold out right now, but no snow. Ethan's had his little face pressed against my window for day's waiting for a flake to drop, but nothin'! Hopefully something drops before Christmas, because he loves having a white Christmas.
Anyways, Ethan and I are sick. He actually missed school today due to wheezing that required me to pull out the nebulizer. I hate that thing. When I pull it out, it usually means pneumonia isn't far behind, and I hate it when he gets pneumonia. Claire was also kind enough to lose the brand new thermometer that David bought, and all we have is the tushy one. Looks like I'll be getting another one, and hiding it from her little hands.
Enough of that. I was catching up on my blog reading and came across a fun Christmas survey posted by Cathy and written by Mandy so I decided to take part. Here goes:
If you're reading this post, then you must:
(a) leave a comment and answer the below 25 questions that Mandy made up,
(b) write the answers to the questions below in your own blog post, if you have a blog, that is.
or (c) call yourself a scrooge in the comment below and refuse to answer them.
(1) What is your favorite Christmas movie?
My favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story. I watch it every year. I love that TBS plays it for 24 hours straight on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Best Christmas movie EVER!
(2) What is your LEAST favorite Christmas movie?
I'm not really a fan of It's A Wonderful Life. I have no idea why. It just isn't my thing.
(3) What is your favorite Christmas song?
I don't really have a favorite Christmas song.
(4) What Christmas song(s) drives you crazy?
Again, they don't really drive me crazy either.
(5) What is your favorite Christmas drink? (i.e. egg nog, hot chocolate)
Hot Chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows. Do I sound 5? Whatever..I still love it!
(6) What is your favorite Christmas memory?
When I was maybe 14, I spent my entire Christmas break at my grandparents house. During the tree decorating party, my grandpa hung up mistletoe between my grandma and I and announced that he was lucky to be spending Christmas with his two best ladies, and kissed us both on the cheek. I still think of that every year.
(7) What is the best toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
The last Christmas my grandfather was alive, he bought me a necklace that was a gold heart with a flower growing inside. It's my favorite piece of jewlery besides my wedding ring. I'm terrified to wear it because I always play with my necklaces, and it's so delicate, I'm afraid I'll break it.
(8) What is the worst toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
I have a great grandmother who gives things from her old home. It's a little odd. She gave me salt and pepper shakers one year that still had salt in them.
(9) What do you LOVE about the holidays?
Watching my kids open their presents. I can't wait to watch Claire rip into hers this year! It's the first time she knows what to do!
(10) What annoys you about the holidays?
My dad and his need to not be involved.
(11) Do you prefer star or angel on top of a Christmas tree? Or something else?
I alternate every year. My grandma gave me an angel that she and my grandfather bought the year I was born that was his favorite. We have a star that I bought when we first bought our tree. Last year we used the angel, this year we're using the star.
(12) What is your family favorite recipe at Christmas?
We don't really have any family favorite recipes. I make pancakes, eggs and bacon on Christmas, and that's about it.
(13) Are you a Grinch or a Who at Christmastime?
I'm a Who!
(14) Christmas light displays - Love them or Hate them?
I love them. I love driving along and seeing bright colors on everyone's houses. In Arizona, we actually used to drive around on Christmas Eve and look at lights on all the houses. Since we live in the middle of nowhere up here, it's kinda hard to do that.
(15) Santas at the mall - Fun times or Creepy?
I'm not a fan of mall Santa, and our kids don't believe in Santa.
(16) Christmas cards - do you send them, yes or no?
I send them to family and a few friends.
(17) What is the best thing about Christmas, in your opinion?
Seeing my kids faces on Christmas morning when they open presents and have breakfeast.
(18) What is the worst thing about Christmas?
Nothing really. We have a great time.
(19) When do you put the tree up and take it down?
We put ours up on Thanksgiving, and usually take it down a few days after Christmas.
(20) Out of the 12 days of Christmas, which day and item would you want your true love to give to you?
I honestly don't even know all of the things in that song..lol..
(21) Why do you think that Grandma got run over by a reindeer?
Let's just say that the grandma is mine..She was probably to busy looking for or talking to someone about some Shaq memorabilia and didn't get out of the way fast enough.
(22) Who is your favorite reindeer?
Rudolph..Come on, who doesn't love a reindeer with his own song and movie?!
(23) Do you believe in Santa Claus?
I do not.
(24) What is your favorite smell at Christmastime?
The aisles that the candy are in..They smell like mint. I love it!
(25) What would make you happy at Christmas this year?
Seeing my family happy.
Anyways, Ethan and I are sick. He actually missed school today due to wheezing that required me to pull out the nebulizer. I hate that thing. When I pull it out, it usually means pneumonia isn't far behind, and I hate it when he gets pneumonia. Claire was also kind enough to lose the brand new thermometer that David bought, and all we have is the tushy one. Looks like I'll be getting another one, and hiding it from her little hands.
Enough of that. I was catching up on my blog reading and came across a fun Christmas survey posted by Cathy and written by Mandy so I decided to take part. Here goes:
If you're reading this post, then you must:
(a) leave a comment and answer the below 25 questions that Mandy made up,
(b) write the answers to the questions below in your own blog post, if you have a blog, that is.
or (c) call yourself a scrooge in the comment below and refuse to answer them.
(1) What is your favorite Christmas movie?
My favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story. I watch it every year. I love that TBS plays it for 24 hours straight on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Best Christmas movie EVER!
(2) What is your LEAST favorite Christmas movie?
I'm not really a fan of It's A Wonderful Life. I have no idea why. It just isn't my thing.
(3) What is your favorite Christmas song?
I don't really have a favorite Christmas song.
(4) What Christmas song(s) drives you crazy?
Again, they don't really drive me crazy either.
(5) What is your favorite Christmas drink? (i.e. egg nog, hot chocolate)
Hot Chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows. Do I sound 5? Whatever..I still love it!
(6) What is your favorite Christmas memory?
When I was maybe 14, I spent my entire Christmas break at my grandparents house. During the tree decorating party, my grandpa hung up mistletoe between my grandma and I and announced that he was lucky to be spending Christmas with his two best ladies, and kissed us both on the cheek. I still think of that every year.
(7) What is the best toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
The last Christmas my grandfather was alive, he bought me a necklace that was a gold heart with a flower growing inside. It's my favorite piece of jewlery besides my wedding ring. I'm terrified to wear it because I always play with my necklaces, and it's so delicate, I'm afraid I'll break it.
(8) What is the worst toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
I have a great grandmother who gives things from her old home. It's a little odd. She gave me salt and pepper shakers one year that still had salt in them.
(9) What do you LOVE about the holidays?
Watching my kids open their presents. I can't wait to watch Claire rip into hers this year! It's the first time she knows what to do!
(10) What annoys you about the holidays?
My dad and his need to not be involved.
(11) Do you prefer star or angel on top of a Christmas tree? Or something else?
I alternate every year. My grandma gave me an angel that she and my grandfather bought the year I was born that was his favorite. We have a star that I bought when we first bought our tree. Last year we used the angel, this year we're using the star.
(12) What is your family favorite recipe at Christmas?
We don't really have any family favorite recipes. I make pancakes, eggs and bacon on Christmas, and that's about it.
(13) Are you a Grinch or a Who at Christmastime?
I'm a Who!
(14) Christmas light displays - Love them or Hate them?
I love them. I love driving along and seeing bright colors on everyone's houses. In Arizona, we actually used to drive around on Christmas Eve and look at lights on all the houses. Since we live in the middle of nowhere up here, it's kinda hard to do that.
(15) Santas at the mall - Fun times or Creepy?
I'm not a fan of mall Santa, and our kids don't believe in Santa.
(16) Christmas cards - do you send them, yes or no?
I send them to family and a few friends.
(17) What is the best thing about Christmas, in your opinion?
Seeing my kids faces on Christmas morning when they open presents and have breakfeast.
(18) What is the worst thing about Christmas?
Nothing really. We have a great time.
(19) When do you put the tree up and take it down?
We put ours up on Thanksgiving, and usually take it down a few days after Christmas.
(20) Out of the 12 days of Christmas, which day and item would you want your true love to give to you?
I honestly don't even know all of the things in that song..lol..
(21) Why do you think that Grandma got run over by a reindeer?
Let's just say that the grandma is mine..She was probably to busy looking for or talking to someone about some Shaq memorabilia and didn't get out of the way fast enough.
(22) Who is your favorite reindeer?
Rudolph..Come on, who doesn't love a reindeer with his own song and movie?!
(23) Do you believe in Santa Claus?
I do not.
(24) What is your favorite smell at Christmastime?
The aisles that the candy are in..They smell like mint. I love it!
(25) What would make you happy at Christmas this year?
Seeing my family happy.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Don't Wait Until The Last Minute To Buy Diapers
The above mentioned lesson you think I would have learned three kids later, but apparently not. Apparently, this little gem of wisdom just didn't stick in my brain. Although, you gotta give it to me, I'm a sleep deprived new mommy. Sue me. I wen to change Grayson's diaper this evening so I could nurse him and get him to bed, only to reach my hand into the bag of huggies and come up with 6 diapers. SIX!! That wouldn't even get me through tomorrow evening with this poop machine. I mean, he is not as bad as Claire, not by a long shot. Claire could poopy with the best of them. If poo was an olympic sport for newborns, she would have taken home the gold. Grayson needs a diaper change every 3 hours, just because of the poo. You probably don't want to read about poo, but hey, everybody poops. Don't believe me. Read the book.
Anwyays, so I come up with six diapers. Now, I didn't go grocery shopping today because I felt like crap. I wasn't feeling so hot yesterday during out Thanksgiving celebration. My throat was killing me, I was exhausted and I had a headache. Toady, I don't have much of a voice. My throat is still sore. I've been talking super quiet all day. I've also developed a cough. When I came up with those six diapers, I was all, "Son of a BEEP!" I was forced to go grocery shopping at 9:30PM. Awesome. I took Grayson because before I left, he started crying, and I was all, "You know, the car ride would put him to sleep. He just ate. His tummy is full, and about an hour after we get home, he'll wake up to eat." So I loaded him into his carseat and off we went in search of diapers and sustinance. I was right. He fell asleep within 5 minutes. He slept all through the store. He didn't flinch once. I was wrong about him waking up soon after getting home, which is why I bring this post to you 1 1/2 hours after my return, at almost 12AM. I finished my shopping, filled up David's car with gas, and headed to home. On the drive home, I almost crapped my pants because a deer decided to trot out in front of the car. That'll wake you right up. I was all, "You BEEPing deer!"...My my, I'm a potty mouth today.
We now have an abundance (or 40) diapers to get us through to next week, when I'm thinking we'll be moving up to a size 2...Maybe. My little guy is a month old. He hasn't lost any of his hair at all. Shocking, since by this time Claire had lost almost all of hers, and, well, Ethan was born bald, so he never had hair. He's also started to smile. He smiles right at me when I come in to nurse him at night when he wakes up for his first feeding. He usually wakes up when I come in to go to bed. I say, "Hey handsome, ready for some food?" and that big gummy smile comes back. I want a picture of it so bad, but I always miss it. Here's an updated picture from Saturday:
Claire always wants to hold him, so I put the boppy on her lap, and set him inside of it. She was excited, until I wanted to take a picture..Then I got this. Look how big and chubby my little man is! Maybe I can get a picture of Claire holding him when she doesn't do this another time.
Oh, and also:
Dear Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,
My husband feels the need to play you online when I am trying to blog. Maybe you can stop freezing my computer so I don't feel the need to break you, mmmkay? Thanks!
-Chantel
Anwyays, so I come up with six diapers. Now, I didn't go grocery shopping today because I felt like crap. I wasn't feeling so hot yesterday during out Thanksgiving celebration. My throat was killing me, I was exhausted and I had a headache. Toady, I don't have much of a voice. My throat is still sore. I've been talking super quiet all day. I've also developed a cough. When I came up with those six diapers, I was all, "Son of a BEEP!" I was forced to go grocery shopping at 9:30PM. Awesome. I took Grayson because before I left, he started crying, and I was all, "You know, the car ride would put him to sleep. He just ate. His tummy is full, and about an hour after we get home, he'll wake up to eat." So I loaded him into his carseat and off we went in search of diapers and sustinance. I was right. He fell asleep within 5 minutes. He slept all through the store. He didn't flinch once. I was wrong about him waking up soon after getting home, which is why I bring this post to you 1 1/2 hours after my return, at almost 12AM. I finished my shopping, filled up David's car with gas, and headed to home. On the drive home, I almost crapped my pants because a deer decided to trot out in front of the car. That'll wake you right up. I was all, "You BEEPing deer!"...My my, I'm a potty mouth today.
We now have an abundance (or 40) diapers to get us through to next week, when I'm thinking we'll be moving up to a size 2...Maybe. My little guy is a month old. He hasn't lost any of his hair at all. Shocking, since by this time Claire had lost almost all of hers, and, well, Ethan was born bald, so he never had hair. He's also started to smile. He smiles right at me when I come in to nurse him at night when he wakes up for his first feeding. He usually wakes up when I come in to go to bed. I say, "Hey handsome, ready for some food?" and that big gummy smile comes back. I want a picture of it so bad, but I always miss it. Here's an updated picture from Saturday:
Claire always wants to hold him, so I put the boppy on her lap, and set him inside of it. She was excited, until I wanted to take a picture..Then I got this. Look how big and chubby my little man is! Maybe I can get a picture of Claire holding him when she doesn't do this another time.Oh, and also:
Dear Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,
My husband feels the need to play you online when I am trying to blog. Maybe you can stop freezing my computer so I don't feel the need to break you, mmmkay? Thanks!
-Chantel
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday Stealing
So, while I have a tiny break from making our Thanksgiving dinner (Yes, late, I know, but we didn't have Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving, so today, we are) I've decided to take part in this Sunday Stealing bit that I've seen floating around on a few blogs. Today is Tell Me About Yourself. Here goes:
1. When is your birthday?
My birthday is March 24.
2. Where were you born?
Mesa, AZ...Super big.
3. Where do you live now?
Clear Lake, WI...Super tiny! The only thing my mom found exciting is that Gaylord A. Nelson, the guy who invented Earth Day, is from here, and buried here.
4. What is your heritage?
Hispanic and french. There's probably more mixed in there, but I don't know what it all is.
5. Tell us about a weakness.
If sparkling cider is on sale, I buy it.
6. What's a goal that you'd like to achieve?
Learn photography...Even if I have to teach myself.
7. What is the most overused internet phrase?
LOL
8. What was your first thought this morning?
Why is Ethan running in to tell me that Claire is awake at 5AM?
9. When do you usually go to bed?
About an hour or a little later after Grayson goes to bed.
10. Do you smoke? If not, did you ever?
I do not. Cigarettes are not my thing.
11. Do you like your current relationship status?
I'm married, so yeah, I do enjoy my current relationship status. What kind of a question is this anyways?
12. Do you (or did you) get along with your parents?
I get along with my mother. My father is a totally different story to be saved for a long and heated post at a different time.
13. How often do you drink alcohol?
I don't anymore. I've been pregnant or breastfeeding since August of 2007, and I really have no desire to drink anymore.
14. Have you ever tried drugs (that weren't prescribed)?
I have never tried any drug.
15. Have you ever gone skinny dipping? If yes, do tell.
Nope..Man, am I ever boring.
16. If given the choice, how would you like to die?
Quickly and hopefully, painlessly.
17. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher. Nothing's changed.
18. Have you ever been dumped?
Many a time.
19. What's on your pizza?
I like anything but onions. Onions are gross.
20. Have you ever shoplifted?
Not intentionally. I've done self checkouts and found BBQ sauce in the bottom of the cart when I'm putting my groceries in the car. Oops.
1. When is your birthday?
My birthday is March 24.
2. Where were you born?
Mesa, AZ...Super big.
3. Where do you live now?
Clear Lake, WI...Super tiny! The only thing my mom found exciting is that Gaylord A. Nelson, the guy who invented Earth Day, is from here, and buried here.
4. What is your heritage?
Hispanic and french. There's probably more mixed in there, but I don't know what it all is.
5. Tell us about a weakness.
If sparkling cider is on sale, I buy it.
6. What's a goal that you'd like to achieve?
Learn photography...Even if I have to teach myself.
7. What is the most overused internet phrase?
LOL
8. What was your first thought this morning?
Why is Ethan running in to tell me that Claire is awake at 5AM?
9. When do you usually go to bed?
About an hour or a little later after Grayson goes to bed.
10. Do you smoke? If not, did you ever?
I do not. Cigarettes are not my thing.
11. Do you like your current relationship status?
I'm married, so yeah, I do enjoy my current relationship status. What kind of a question is this anyways?
12. Do you (or did you) get along with your parents?
I get along with my mother. My father is a totally different story to be saved for a long and heated post at a different time.
13. How often do you drink alcohol?
I don't anymore. I've been pregnant or breastfeeding since August of 2007, and I really have no desire to drink anymore.
14. Have you ever tried drugs (that weren't prescribed)?
I have never tried any drug.
15. Have you ever gone skinny dipping? If yes, do tell.
Nope..Man, am I ever boring.
16. If given the choice, how would you like to die?
Quickly and hopefully, painlessly.
17. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher. Nothing's changed.
18. Have you ever been dumped?
Many a time.
19. What's on your pizza?
I like anything but onions. Onions are gross.
20. Have you ever shoplifted?
Not intentionally. I've done self checkouts and found BBQ sauce in the bottom of the cart when I'm putting my groceries in the car. Oops.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Tree Madness!
We set up our tree on Thanksgiving day. So, at 2PM, Grayson decided that he'd had enough awake time for the day and passed out. Awesome. I put together the tree, and finished just in time to hear Claire waking up from her nap at 2:15. I went in, got her out of bed and was excited because this would be the first year she could actually put things on the tree. I couldn't wait to get pictures of it. It was going to be AWESOME!
Well, it didn't go as planned. I put wrote Grayson's name on a ball and got it ready for hanging and took a picture of it as made evident here.
Also, please ignore my messy couch. I had to rearrange that corner of the living room and that's where the stuff landed because Ethan was bouncing around me saying, "Are you going to clean the whole living room before we decorate the tree? Can I decorate yet? When can I decorate? Can I hang something now? WOW!! Look at all those lights!"So, Grayson's name was written on a ball, and hung. Then, I gave Claire her ball. She held it up for a picture:
Then she hung it with care:
And then she did this:
Which resulted in a broken ball. I wasn't very happy. I tried to get her to hang more ornaments on the tree, but she just wasn't having it. So Ethan did the deocorating. He posed with his ball:
And then decorated to his little heart's content:
And, yes, he's in jammies. I was doing laundry. Forgive me.
The finished product:
I even let Ethan do the lights. That's why there are none at the top. That's OK though. It gives the tree character. And, I think it looks fabulous, and he had a great time decorating, which is really all that matters.
Today though, our tree didn't fair well agains the 19 month old wrath that is Claire. She broke two more balls, and pulled the lights. She wrecked havoc on our poor tree. So, tonight after the kids were in bed, I took all the breakables off the bottom of the tree and put them away, and put on the unbreakable balls. She can pull those off and throw them however much she wants, nothing will happen to them. Here's the tree now:
Hopefully, tomorrow, there will be much less "arguing". And, by arguing I mean Ethan yells because he is mad at what Claire is doing and tells her to stop. She, in turn, does that super high pitched squeal that makes your eardrums want to die and that could probably be heard in space. It might also shatter crystal. Then, he chases her for whatever she has, while she runs screaming, 'No No No' as loud as she can. And, here I am helpless to stop it because Grayson is nursing. Let's hope the arguing is minimal.
Well, it didn't go as planned. I put wrote Grayson's name on a ball and got it ready for hanging and took a picture of it as made evident here.
Also, please ignore my messy couch. I had to rearrange that corner of the living room and that's where the stuff landed because Ethan was bouncing around me saying, "Are you going to clean the whole living room before we decorate the tree? Can I decorate yet? When can I decorate? Can I hang something now? WOW!! Look at all those lights!"So, Grayson's name was written on a ball, and hung. Then, I gave Claire her ball. She held it up for a picture:
Then she hung it with care:
And then she did this:
Which resulted in a broken ball. I wasn't very happy. I tried to get her to hang more ornaments on the tree, but she just wasn't having it. So Ethan did the deocorating. He posed with his ball:
And then decorated to his little heart's content:
And, yes, he's in jammies. I was doing laundry. Forgive me.The finished product:
I even let Ethan do the lights. That's why there are none at the top. That's OK though. It gives the tree character. And, I think it looks fabulous, and he had a great time decorating, which is really all that matters.Today though, our tree didn't fair well agains the 19 month old wrath that is Claire. She broke two more balls, and pulled the lights. She wrecked havoc on our poor tree. So, tonight after the kids were in bed, I took all the breakables off the bottom of the tree and put them away, and put on the unbreakable balls. She can pull those off and throw them however much she wants, nothing will happen to them. Here's the tree now:
Hopefully, tomorrow, there will be much less "arguing". And, by arguing I mean Ethan yells because he is mad at what Claire is doing and tells her to stop. She, in turn, does that super high pitched squeal that makes your eardrums want to die and that could probably be heard in space. It might also shatter crystal. Then, he chases her for whatever she has, while she runs screaming, 'No No No' as loud as she can. And, here I am helpless to stop it because Grayson is nursing. Let's hope the arguing is minimal.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Writer's Workshop: An ER Moment....And Happy Thanksgiving!
First, I just want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you've all enjoyed time with your families and had some wonderful conversation and food!
Today is also writer's workshop day over at MamaKat's so head on over, check out the writing prompts and write something if you so desire. Then, link up and read what other people have written. Have fun! I have chosen the prompt An ER Moment. Let's begin!
Let's remember October of 2003. I was making dinner, and all of a sudden felt like I was stabbed in the right side of my stomach. I decided to ignore it. I ate dinner and carried on about my business for another couple of hours. All the time, I had this feeling like I was being kicked, stabbed, poked with hot irons in the right side of my stomach. After awhile, I just couldn't stand it anymore, so I called my MIL and she said she'd take me to the hospital. Just where I wanted to go..The ER. Seriously..It's October in Phoenix, which means the ER is PACKED...Six hour waits..Super. To my surprise though, it wasn't nearly as full as I thought it would be. I was triaged and called back in about an hour. Here's where the fun begins.
So, I'm laying in this tiny bed, chatting with my MIL trying to keep my mind of the hot pokers running through the side of my body. The nurse comes in and tells me that I'm going to need to change into a gown and get and IV. Super..So, I change into the gown and look down at myself. You see, at this point in the game I had honestly not shaved my legs in about 2 weeks. Totally disgusting, I know, but I was wearing jeans ALL the time, and pajama pants when I wasn't wearing jeans, and I really didn't care what David thought about my hairtasticness. This is where is gets awesome. So, the nurse comes in to start my IV, but she says she needs to check to see if I have swelling anywhere (legs, feet, ankels..blah blah) and pulls down the sheets to look. There are my hairy legs. She says, "Well, I see you haven't shaven your legs." Umm..Well, no, I haven't..Thanks for noticing.
In pops a medical student. He explains that he's a surgical resident, and he'll be examining me before the doctor comes in to see me. Super. He pokes around on my side. I'm wincing and getting tears in my eyes because it FREAKING HURTS!! He then needs to check for swelling and blah blah blah pulls down my sheets. There are my hairy legs. He also mentions them. That's people mentioning my hairy legs. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?
In comes the surgeon. After poking me and telling me I have appendicitis and will need surgery, he needs to not only check for the swelling and blah blah blah, but also do a pelvic exam to make sure nothing else id going on. Super. He pulls down my sheets to check for swelling and there are my hairy legs. He also mentions them. Is there not a doctor in this hospital that will not mention my hairy legs? I mean, COME ON!! Yeah, they're hairy. I get it. I should have shaved. I wasn't expecting everyone in the hospital to come in and poke me and call everyone they know in to look at my legs. I mean, it's appendicitis, they're not removing a limb.
I tell you what though, after surgery, when I woke up back in my room and they allowed me to shower, I requested a razor and went to town on my legs. I could barely see straight, and was having a super hard time even staying awake in the shower, but I made sure my legs looked awesome so I didn't have to hear about it from anymore nurses and doctors for the next couple of days. Especially since they made me get up and walk around the pod on the floor I was on.
Today is also writer's workshop day over at MamaKat's so head on over, check out the writing prompts and write something if you so desire. Then, link up and read what other people have written. Have fun! I have chosen the prompt An ER Moment. Let's begin!
Let's remember October of 2003. I was making dinner, and all of a sudden felt like I was stabbed in the right side of my stomach. I decided to ignore it. I ate dinner and carried on about my business for another couple of hours. All the time, I had this feeling like I was being kicked, stabbed, poked with hot irons in the right side of my stomach. After awhile, I just couldn't stand it anymore, so I called my MIL and she said she'd take me to the hospital. Just where I wanted to go..The ER. Seriously..It's October in Phoenix, which means the ER is PACKED...Six hour waits..Super. To my surprise though, it wasn't nearly as full as I thought it would be. I was triaged and called back in about an hour. Here's where the fun begins.
So, I'm laying in this tiny bed, chatting with my MIL trying to keep my mind of the hot pokers running through the side of my body. The nurse comes in and tells me that I'm going to need to change into a gown and get and IV. Super..So, I change into the gown and look down at myself. You see, at this point in the game I had honestly not shaved my legs in about 2 weeks. Totally disgusting, I know, but I was wearing jeans ALL the time, and pajama pants when I wasn't wearing jeans, and I really didn't care what David thought about my hairtasticness. This is where is gets awesome. So, the nurse comes in to start my IV, but she says she needs to check to see if I have swelling anywhere (legs, feet, ankels..blah blah) and pulls down the sheets to look. There are my hairy legs. She says, "Well, I see you haven't shaven your legs." Umm..Well, no, I haven't..Thanks for noticing.
In pops a medical student. He explains that he's a surgical resident, and he'll be examining me before the doctor comes in to see me. Super. He pokes around on my side. I'm wincing and getting tears in my eyes because it FREAKING HURTS!! He then needs to check for swelling and blah blah blah pulls down my sheets. There are my hairy legs. He also mentions them. That's people mentioning my hairy legs. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?
In comes the surgeon. After poking me and telling me I have appendicitis and will need surgery, he needs to not only check for the swelling and blah blah blah, but also do a pelvic exam to make sure nothing else id going on. Super. He pulls down my sheets to check for swelling and there are my hairy legs. He also mentions them. Is there not a doctor in this hospital that will not mention my hairy legs? I mean, COME ON!! Yeah, they're hairy. I get it. I should have shaved. I wasn't expecting everyone in the hospital to come in and poke me and call everyone they know in to look at my legs. I mean, it's appendicitis, they're not removing a limb.
I tell you what though, after surgery, when I woke up back in my room and they allowed me to shower, I requested a razor and went to town on my legs. I could barely see straight, and was having a super hard time even staying awake in the shower, but I made sure my legs looked awesome so I didn't have to hear about it from anymore nurses and doctors for the next couple of days. Especially since they made me get up and walk around the pod on the floor I was on.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
What I'm Thankful For
Tomorrow is T-Day..Thanksgiving Day that is. Our home here won't be filled with the wonderful smells of roasting turkey, screaming kids, family chatter and a crying newborn until Sunday thanks to Target and their crappy work schedule, but it will be filled all the same. Here are the things that I am grateful for this year.
-I am grateful that I had a healthy pregnancy that resulted in a beautiful and healthy baby boy. Although I'm struggling with having three kids, two of whom are 18 months apart, I couldn't ask for anything better.
-I am grateful that my body is cooperating with making enough milk for Grayson. It was a struggle with the last two.
-I am grateful for my handsome boy, Ethan and my beautiful princess, Claire. They make me laugh, even when I feel like I want to rip my hair out.
-I am grateful that I am learning to coupon better and save more money!
-I am grateful to the giveaways I won that helped me get things for Grayson.
-I am grateful that we have all avoided any major illness and been relatively healthy this year.
-I am grateful that my MIL came to help out with the arrival of Grayson. There was just no way we could have done it on our own.
-I am grateful for my family. I love them.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
-I am grateful that I had a healthy pregnancy that resulted in a beautiful and healthy baby boy. Although I'm struggling with having three kids, two of whom are 18 months apart, I couldn't ask for anything better.
-I am grateful that my body is cooperating with making enough milk for Grayson. It was a struggle with the last two.
-I am grateful for my handsome boy, Ethan and my beautiful princess, Claire. They make me laugh, even when I feel like I want to rip my hair out.
-I am grateful that I am learning to coupon better and save more money!
-I am grateful to the giveaways I won that helped me get things for Grayson.
-I am grateful that we have all avoided any major illness and been relatively healthy this year.
-I am grateful that my MIL came to help out with the arrival of Grayson. There was just no way we could have done it on our own.
-I am grateful for my family. I love them.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Messy House Is Driving Me CRAZY!!
I feel like I can't get anything done. I pick up the living room, but it desperately needs to be vacuumed. DESPERATELY!! The dog goes out and brings leaves in. Ethan comes home from school and drags leaves in, and also brings home rocks in his shoes because the school can't be normal and use something other than rocks on the playground. It's killing me. I can't even tell you how many times a day I put the video games, movies and shoes back in their proper homes only to have Claire come behind me and rip them out. My kitchen is in desperate need of a sweeping and Wetjet run over. My laundry from last week needs folding. My laundry from this week needs doing. My sink is full of dishes, and I feel like I can't keep up with them. I feel so far behind on it all.
Then, there's me. I'm all hairy legged and barely get a chance to brush my hair and teeth in the morning or even at night because Grayson demands food whenever I feel I might have a second to jump in the shower. Seriously, it's like he has a "Mommy Must Shower" alarm and it rings whenever I put a toe on my bathroom floor. I stare longingly at my shampoo and conditioner and VS body washes, and they wave at me across the linoleium while Grayson happily nurses away. By the time he's done nursing at night, I'm too exhausted to think about showering, so I usually wash my face and brush my teeth and fall asleep within 5 minutes of lying down. In the morning I'm even more of a zombie because Claire has decided that 6AM is the new 7:30AM and she must be awake to catch all the cool happenings at this hour. Grayson sleeps until 7:45 while I feed Ethan and Claire breakfeast and try and rush Ethan out the door to catch the bus. Last night I tried to take a bath with him, and he was so not having it. Bathing with Claire worked wonders. She was always calm and quiet in the tub when I bathed with her. I'd lay her on her back on my legs and use a wash cloth to run water over her. It was the only time, apart from the very few naps she took, that we would be free from her colic crying. I remember trying to stay in the tub with her as long as possible just to be free from the crying for a little while. Grayson was not that way at all. He started crying as soon as I got him undressed, cried all the way through the bath and didn't stop crying until I was feeding him and trying to get him to sleep. Good thing though, I was able to finish nursing him, get him into bed and watch a WHOLE movie with David before he was ready to get up and eat again. That was awesome. Hey, it's the little things.
On another note, we'll be having Thanksgiving on Sunday instead of Thursday. David has to work this year on Thanksgiving. He hasn't worked on Thanksgiving in almost 5 years, but this year they are making him. I'm not really very happy about it. I hate it when he has to work on holidays. A few years ago he had to work on Christmas Eve, and we have dinner and open presents at my SIL's house on that night, and when he showed up he was just exhausted. I felt horrible for him. But, at least we'll still have dinner with our family, and we'll still have a Thanksgiving. He's going to be switching his schedule back to weekends so he won't have to work on Thanksgiving again next year. Besides, he never sees Ethan during the week. He gets home from work when the kids and I are in bed, and leaves before Ethan gets hom from school. They always miss each other.
Then, there's me. I'm all hairy legged and barely get a chance to brush my hair and teeth in the morning or even at night because Grayson demands food whenever I feel I might have a second to jump in the shower. Seriously, it's like he has a "Mommy Must Shower" alarm and it rings whenever I put a toe on my bathroom floor. I stare longingly at my shampoo and conditioner and VS body washes, and they wave at me across the linoleium while Grayson happily nurses away. By the time he's done nursing at night, I'm too exhausted to think about showering, so I usually wash my face and brush my teeth and fall asleep within 5 minutes of lying down. In the morning I'm even more of a zombie because Claire has decided that 6AM is the new 7:30AM and she must be awake to catch all the cool happenings at this hour. Grayson sleeps until 7:45 while I feed Ethan and Claire breakfeast and try and rush Ethan out the door to catch the bus. Last night I tried to take a bath with him, and he was so not having it. Bathing with Claire worked wonders. She was always calm and quiet in the tub when I bathed with her. I'd lay her on her back on my legs and use a wash cloth to run water over her. It was the only time, apart from the very few naps she took, that we would be free from her colic crying. I remember trying to stay in the tub with her as long as possible just to be free from the crying for a little while. Grayson was not that way at all. He started crying as soon as I got him undressed, cried all the way through the bath and didn't stop crying until I was feeding him and trying to get him to sleep. Good thing though, I was able to finish nursing him, get him into bed and watch a WHOLE movie with David before he was ready to get up and eat again. That was awesome. Hey, it's the little things.
On another note, we'll be having Thanksgiving on Sunday instead of Thursday. David has to work this year on Thanksgiving. He hasn't worked on Thanksgiving in almost 5 years, but this year they are making him. I'm not really very happy about it. I hate it when he has to work on holidays. A few years ago he had to work on Christmas Eve, and we have dinner and open presents at my SIL's house on that night, and when he showed up he was just exhausted. I felt horrible for him. But, at least we'll still have dinner with our family, and we'll still have a Thanksgiving. He's going to be switching his schedule back to weekends so he won't have to work on Thanksgiving again next year. Besides, he never sees Ethan during the week. He gets home from work when the kids and I are in bed, and leaves before Ethan gets hom from school. They always miss each other.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Three Amigos...Sort Of..
I finally got a picture of all three of my munchkins together.
I just finished changing Grayson's diaper. Claire takes diaper change time as an opportunity to get close. She has to be right next to him, stroking his head or giving him kisses. Ethan had just finished holding him. Yes, Grayson is wearing a Halloween onesie. My SIL bought it and gave it to me in the hospital, on Halloween. He is a Halloween baby after all. I didn't get a chance to put him in it that day. I was worried about changing him out of his hospital garments and putting him in it. And yes, Claire is wearing Halloween jammies, but they were two sets of jammies on clearance at Target for $3.40..How can you beat that price for two sets of jammies?!
And, just because it's just too darn cute, here's my little princess giving her baby brother a kiss. Awwww.....
Also, 2 week update, Grayson is now 9lbs 10 oz. Our doctor said he has blown way past his birth weight, so I must have some awesome milk...lol...He's also just under 21 inches now. Growing like a weed. He's also got himself an infection too. We're infection buddies! He gets this insane eye goop, so my doctor said it's either and infection, or clogged tear ducts. He's treating an infection first, and if the goop doesn't go away, we need to take him back in to get the clogged ducts treated. The medicine is an ointment that I have to put on the inside of his eye, three times a day. He HATES it! I wouldn't like someone peeling my eye open to put slimey crap in it either. Poor thing. Hopefully it's an infection, it goes away after 7 days of this medication, and I won't need to take him in the get the ducts cleared out. I'm afraid that's going to be torture for us both!
I just finished changing Grayson's diaper. Claire takes diaper change time as an opportunity to get close. She has to be right next to him, stroking his head or giving him kisses. Ethan had just finished holding him. Yes, Grayson is wearing a Halloween onesie. My SIL bought it and gave it to me in the hospital, on Halloween. He is a Halloween baby after all. I didn't get a chance to put him in it that day. I was worried about changing him out of his hospital garments and putting him in it. And yes, Claire is wearing Halloween jammies, but they were two sets of jammies on clearance at Target for $3.40..How can you beat that price for two sets of jammies?!
And, just because it's just too darn cute, here's my little princess giving her baby brother a kiss. Awwww.....Also, 2 week update, Grayson is now 9lbs 10 oz. Our doctor said he has blown way past his birth weight, so I must have some awesome milk...lol...He's also just under 21 inches now. Growing like a weed. He's also got himself an infection too. We're infection buddies! He gets this insane eye goop, so my doctor said it's either and infection, or clogged tear ducts. He's treating an infection first, and if the goop doesn't go away, we need to take him back in to get the clogged ducts treated. The medicine is an ointment that I have to put on the inside of his eye, three times a day. He HATES it! I wouldn't like someone peeling my eye open to put slimey crap in it either. Poor thing. Hopefully it's an infection, it goes away after 7 days of this medication, and I won't need to take him in the get the ducts cleared out. I'm afraid that's going to be torture for us both!
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