Our Family of Five

a fresh start!

2011-01-05T18:04:00.002-05:00

ok so I do kind of miss blogging. It's nice to just talk to yourself. I was going to start a new blog but then I couldn't think of a name. So draw a line here - this is a fresh start. I am going to make a new banner, choose a new design and keep going with it.

K, I am done now

2010-03-18T09:09:00.002-05:00

This isn't something I normally say, but... I am over the cold weather. It's not frigid snow cold, its just cool and gray and unpleasant. I am not saying bring on the 95 degree heat and 99 percent humidity, I am just saying...75 and sun would be fab.
I am really tired. For some reason I am having a hard time adjusting to the time change this time.
I promised Elaina I would take her out for some girl time this weekend. I think I am going to take her to Mimi's for breakfast. I need some time with Andrew too but not sure what I will do with him. John and I are going to go out Saturday night. I am hoping to get us into Magic Kingdom in the next few weeks. A friend is getting us in, but there are a lot of blocked out dates because of Spring Break, so we are working on it. I dont want to wait too long because its going to get hot. I also want to take the kids to the Science Center. Maybe next weekend.
This was a very random post, wasnt it? But at least I posted something!!!

Picasa Web Albums

2010-03-17T12:06:00.002-05:00

So I have started using Picasa, and I am loving it! I dont know what my problem was - I had used it a few times and it just seemed to busy. But the best part is that I can take my Picasa albums, upload them directly to Snapfish and order from there. I LOVE it!!! So now I am on a photo organizing kick.
Today I got Elaina's school pictures back today. Unfortunately she is in that very awkward, fake smile phase. They are terrible. I ordered one sheet of her school picture (mainly because she was standing with me and I felt bad) and one sheet of her graduation picture - cap and gown, its her last year of preschool. I am going to frame the grad pic, as I have the same one for Andrew, but the other will go into an album. Its really awful. I am planning on doing pictures of all 3 of them soon anyway. Still kind of a bummer.

Back with an update and a partial house tour

2010-03-15T20:35:00.006-05:00

Hi ... been gone a long time... a LOT has gone on ... but instead of going through all that... I am just going to start fresh... Here is a PARTIAL house tour... I will do the kids rooms and our bedroom soon. I am keeping it real here - no picking up for these pictures! What you see is how it really is with 3 little kids and a dog.
There are still some things that I want to get done, but other than the mess, these areas are done!!!

Long time no see

2009-11-29T21:06:00.001-05:00

So it's been a while. A lot going on here. John is super busy with work. The kids are all doing fabulously. Liam is now in a toddler bed, and generally stays in there pretty well. We are about a week away from closing on a new home. I am going to try to keep this better updated.

Birthday Traditions

2009-08-30T09:05:00.002-05:00

We have a couple. I would like to have more. These are ours:
-I dont think kids really care about cards. So each year, I buy a card for the age that they are, and I write them a mushy gushy love note inside. Then I seal it and put it in a box. When they are older (18? 20? getting married? having their own baby?) I'll give the box to them.
-We have cute birthday hats - the boys share a blue one and Elaina has a pink one- and each year we take a picture of them wearing it. When they are in their teens they wont even fit anymore but that's the point. One year I forgot with one kid - I actually think it was Liam's first - DAMN! - but I was horribly sick so I give myself some slack on that one.
-I saw another on a blog and I am going to adopt it. The parents each kiss the child on the cheek and take a picture of it. It's cute.

So all this is brought up because in 3 days my baby girl turns 5. FIVE. Words can't even express how I feel about her. I get kind of mushy and introspective as my kids birthdays approach so I'll post on her actual birthday. Today is her party. I'll have pics then!

Painted Lady

2009-08-15T20:32:00.005-05:00

Elaina went to a birthday party today. Among lots of other fun things (including a pony!) they had face painting.

Beach

2009-08-09T14:57:00.002-05:00

Why is it when you go to the beach, you never notice you are sunburned till you get home? I haphazardly put on some sunblock in various places, but of course my kids were fully coated top-to-bottom. Even the baby knows to close his eyes when it sprays on. Although I have to say, the kids are just a tad redder than I like to see them. But me, I look like a lobster. Oh well. We had a blast at the beach today with friends. Now we are home and nice and tired. I have already washed the salt water out of my hair and am relaxing with some iced coffee now. Hopefully everyone will sleep well tonight!

projects

2009-08-06T07:44:00.002-05:00

I am sure if anyone actually read this blog they would be very annoyed that I haven't posted in a while. I have had projects. I painted the front door and storm door black. It has been keeping me busy. I will definitely post a picture as soon as its done. The front door was previously red and the storm door, inexplicably, was green. Not very nice. But now it looks awesome. I keep opening it to look at it.

TA-DA!!!
The storm door isn't done yet so I haven't included it. Check out my beautiful fall wreath. I know its early but I dont care. I painted and glittered an old wreath and I love it so its up.

Beautiful

2009-07-24T13:11:00.000-05:00

Places

2009-07-20T21:52:00.001-05:00

Places I Would Not Want To Live:

California
Arizona
New Mexico
Nevada
Nebraska
North and South Dakota
Kentucky
West Virginia

Beach

2009-07-19T20:17:00.002-05:00

We just got back from a weekend at the beach. We had a great time. Good family memories. Can't wait to go back!

Toddlerhood

2009-07-14T08:31:00.001-05:00

I love how toddlers completely freak out when something is stuck to them. Love it.

Summer Book Reviews

2009-07-09T13:05:00.002-05:00

Year of Living Biblically - good, as I said earlier.

The Kite Runner - fantastic as everyone said it was. Also, A Thousand Splendid Suns by the same author is excellent. I read that earlier this year.

Life of Pi - sorry hon. It was good till it ended and then I was like WTF? It should have just been a pamphlet.

Love in the Time of Cholera - cant get past the first 2 pages. Ho hum. I wonder if it gets more interesting?

Secret Life of Bees - haven't read it yet.

snuggly boys

2009-07-08T21:14:00.004-05:00

BFF

2009-07-08T21:03:00.002-05:00

Here is my girl and her best friend at dance camp.

Pictures

2009-06-27T20:46:00.003-05:00

Our new tradition - on the last day of school the kids get to stay up late and watch a movie. This year was Bolt.

Andrew playing with his clay

Elaina after her recital

The cutest baby boy in the world. Seriously. Look at that kid.

I havent really posted any pictures recently. Here are a few recent ones:

Update on booklist

2009-06-27T20:43:00.002-05:00

I finished The Year of Living Biblically. I enjoyed it. Funny and interesting. Two thumbs up.
Next up is Love in the Time of Cholera. I am far more interested in the Cholera part than I am in the Love part, but it seems to be more about love. Hmm. I'll keep trying. I also enjoy reading about Ebola and other assorted contagions. I am just wierd that way.

aaahhhhh

2009-06-25T13:29:00.002-05:00

I don't know why exactly, but Facebook is irritating me these days. So, I made a comment that I am taking the summer off, logged out and deleted the bookmark. Of course, I know where to find it but I feel so free!!! Anyone who needs me can call, or email, or come to this blog (IF I have let them know of it's existence...bah hahahaha)so it's not like I am turning off the computer. I just dont want to know what everyone is doing all the time. It's too much.
So I just took an online test - 99%, got one wrong dammit. And I am done with my tests for this week. I just have to participate in some of the online discussion BS.
A&E are swimming at my moms house but will be home soon. I have to figure out what to make for dinner. Liam is asleep. We'll see how that affects bedtime. He hasnt been sleeping during his naptime (boo) but has been going to bed at 7:15 to make up for it (yay).

My Summer Reading List

2009-06-24T09:37:00.002-05:00

Life of Pi
the Secret Life of Bees
the Kite Runner
Love in the Time of Cholera
The Year of Living Biblically

Any other suggestions?

Kids

2009-06-23T14:19:00.001-05:00

I am always amazed at Andrew & Elaina'a ability to cope with a screaming
baby/toddler in the car. Liam had a total meltdown today and cried in the car for about 20 minutes. I was losing my mind and I looked back and there are A&E, just looking out the window like nothing was happening. Of course then Elaina swatted Liam in the face with a book which did not help him and I did not condone but did understand.

I wonder how many times in a day

2009-06-10T16:44:00.003-05:00

I say the following:

Sit down when you're on the couch.

No jumping on the couch.

Get off the table.

No running in the house.

Get your shoes.

Shut the door.

Seriously, if I had a device that had these 6 statements recorded and all I had to do was press a button and hold it up - I'd never have to speak again.

how I plan to keep my sanity this summer

2009-06-09T08:38:00.001-05:00

Weekly themes! Every week will have a theme, such as dinosaurs, butterflies, ocean, etc. Each week we will do:
-a craft
-read a book
-watch a movie
-cook/bake
-have an outing
And all of these will relate to the theme. I dont have details on each week yet but I am definitely doing it.

I am also keeping quiet time sacred. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. they have 1 hour in their room to play quietly, read, nap, whatever while the baby sleeps. It keeps me sane.

hate it

2009-05-25T14:22:00.001-05:00

I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate waking sleeping children. It's so wrong. Whether it's to pick up a sibling at school, or just because they have slept a long time and need to get up ... I just hate it.

saw Earth today

2009-05-23T19:33:00.003-05:00

It was really good. Some amazing photography. Some scenes where I cringed just a little - but the kids handled it fine. Elaina was pretty oblivious to the whole thing. She kept asking when the Transformers were coming on. LOL There was a big Transformers movie stand-up in the lobby. Andrew really enjoyed it and got it and we talked a little about "the circle of life" ... so it was good. Definitely recommend it for ages 6+ as long as they aren't oversensitive. Even I don't like watching the scenes where the lion is chasing the gazelle, etc. They were very good about it - there was no blood or anything but it was generally pretty obvious what was happening..to me and Andrew. Like I said, Elaina was oblivious.

Suffer the children

2009-05-21T19:55:00.003-05:00

It is just overwhelming.

Caylee Anthony
Haileigh Cummings
Jessica Lundsford
Sandra Cantu
Shari Coleman and 2 sons strangled by their own father
baby boy thrown from car window and killed
man on PCP bit out his 4-year-old son's eyes
boy buried in sand at park
father threw kids off bridge
Laci Peterson with unborn baby boy killed

I know I need to stop watching Nancy Grace but whether I do or not doesn't change these stories. And these are just the ones at the top of my head. It is so sick and sad. I am almost crushed by the weight of gratitude that my children were given to ME - a mother who will not hurt them and who loves them and will protect them - and not some sociopath. Not all of these kids were killed by their parents but most were.
It's been on my mind a lot and I just had to get it out.

A Prayer for the Children… by Ina J. Hughes

We pray for the children

who put chocolate fingers everywhere,

who like to be tickled,

who stomp in puddles and ruin their new pants,

who sneak Popsicles before supper,

who erase holes in math workbooks,

who can never find their shoes.

And we pray for those

who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,

who’ve never squeaked across the floor in new sneakers,

who never had crayons to count,

who are born in places we wouldn’t be caught dead,

who never go to the circus,

who live in an X-rated world.

We pray for children

who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,

who sleep with the dog and bury goldfish,

who give hugs in a hurry and forget their lunch money,

who cover themselves with Band-Aids and sing off-key,

who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink,

who slurp their soup.

And we pray for those

who never get dessert,

who watch their parents watch them die,

who have no safe blanket to drag behind,

who can’t find any bread to steal,

who don’t have any rooms to clean up,

whose pictures aren’t on anybody’s dresser,

whose monsters are real.

We pray for children

who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,

who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food,

who like ghost stories,
who shove dirty clothes under the bed,

who never rinse out the tub,

who get visits from the tooth fairy,

who don't like to be kissed in front of the school,

who squirm in church or temple or mosque
and scream in the phone,

whose tears we sometimes laugh at and
whose smiles can make us cry.

And we pray for those

whose nightmares come in the daytime,

who will eat anything,

who aren't spoiled by anybody,

who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,

who live and move, but have no being.

We pray for children who want to be carried,
and for those who must.

For those we never give up on,

and for those who never get a chance.

For those we smother with our love,

and for those who will grab the hand of anybody
kind enough to offer it.

day of deals!

2009-05-20T19:56:00.009-05:00

I recently took Liam to JCPenney for his 2 year pictures. But Tina, you ask, aren't you a photographer? Well, yes I am. But you know, sometimes I get tired of chasing around children (especially my own) and then spending hour upon anal-retentive hour in photoshop in my quest for perfect photos. Well you get what you pay for. LOL These 2 pictures are cute - the big one is freaking adorable and I LOVE it- but the rest of the pictures were crap. Oh well. $8 right? And hey - I didnt have to do it.
So but anyway, today I picked up the pictures and so begins the Day Of Deals. When I got them, I saw that their frames (some of them) were on sale. So I got the 5x7 frame here for only $5!!! And I liked it because it matches some other frames I have. It was originally marked $18 which it is not worth but it's still a steal at $5!

OK So my next deal is actually FREE. I needed a 10x13 frame for this bigger picture. Being the queen of pictures I knew I had to have something laying around. I found this one in the garage but it was oak. Blech. So I took out my white spray paint, gave it a few coats, then I sanded it a bit to rough it up and voila. A shabby chic frame for FREE.

(oh, and hello?!!?! how stinkin' cute is he?!!)

I cant really take credit for this one. I ran into 2 friends at Kohl's and they told me about these great memo boards on clearance for $13 in the back, and loaned me a 30% off coupon. So I got it for about $9!!!

Happy Birthday Baby!

2009-05-16T09:12:00.005-05:00

ok I am a few days late on this post, but Monday was Liam's 2nd birthday. I don't know how 2 years have passed since that moment I kissed his squishy little face for the first time. He is such a joy, so much fun, with such an incredible personality right from the start.
On the Friday before his birthday, we had cupcakes at the park for our playgroup.
As you can see from his expression, he wasn't sure what to make of it all.

On Monday morning, his birthday, he woke up to find some toys. Andrew & Elaina picked out a Mickey Mouse Racetrack for him. John and I gave him a VTech computer and a sand and water table. I initially set up the sand and water table in the living room - minus the sand and water of course - just so he could see it. I didnt want to put it outside right away because it was a school morning and we were in a rush. So after I got home from school drop-off we took it outside and put the sand and water in. He LOVED it. He probably stood there playing without even moving for about 45 minutes. I knew he would love it.

That night we went to Chili's for his birthday dinner. Yummo.

Tomorrow we are scheduled to have breakfast with Mickey. This will be a huge treat for Liam since he LOVES Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. Last time I was there, they had all 3 of those. I will definitely post pictures of that. You never know how character meetings are going to go. He might love it - he did like the princesses at Disney - or he might completely freak out. Either way, it will be fully documented with pictures!

back with muffins

2009-05-01T13:25:00.002-05:00

Yeah it's been a while. But I am back now. Kind of over Facebook. LOL I am not going to do any kind of big update sort of thing. I am just going to pick up where I left off. And so with that, here are some muffins that I made today. Elaina loooooves these. In addition to the ingredients in the recipe, I also add a little shredded carrot and some ground flax seed, which I add to almost everything. So here is the recipe for Disappearing Zucchini Muffins! Enjoy!

Note: You don't have to peel the zucchini before shredding it for this recipe. It won't affect the taste and the peel will provide some extra fiber.

Prep time: 30 minutes

What you need:

1½ cups shredded zucchini (about 2 small)
2 cups whole-grain pancake or biscuit mix
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
2 eggs
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
powdered sugar (enough to dust the muffins)

Wash zucchini and remove ends.
Shred zucchini using largest holes on grater.
Place grated zucchini on paper towels and squeeze to remove water.
Measure 1½ cups of squeezed-dry zucchini.
Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large bowl, mix whole-grain pancake mix (or biscuit mix) with spices.
In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, applesauce, and lemon juice.
Fold the egg-sugar mixture and shredded zucchini into the pancake-spice mixture; do not overmix.
Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full with batter.
Bake 10–15 minutes or until golden.
Remove muffins from tin and cool on a wire rack.
Sprinkle muffins with a dusting of powdered sugar.
How much does this recipe make?

About a dozen muffins.

See ya 2008

2009-01-02T07:20:00.001-05:00

I hate iTunes

2008-12-29T23:01:00.005-05:00

I mean for real. Apple is known for their sleek lines and easy interface. And ITUNES is the best they can come up with? Seriously? It is so crowded and busy and confused. Granted, I have had some wine tonight and things may not be as clear as they normally are, but I always have some issue with iTunes and generally speaking I am not a total retard when it comes to computer stuff. (ok hubby may disagree but he is a bona fide geek so he doesnt count). I was just organizing my playlists and trying to get some songs on my iPod that I currently have on CD. I am all done now and just enjoying some music and wine.

11 years ago today

2008-12-28T08:52:00.003-05:00

Excuse the picture of a picture!!! We got married back in olden times, before digital cameras. I do have one picture scanned somewhere but I dont know where I put it. We have an anniversary tradition that we started on our first anniversary. Every year we take a picture of the two of us. Can be formal (but it never has been), can be casual, can include kids or not. Just a slice of life kind of picture. I print it out and put it in an album. It's a set of three albums. One has our wedding proofs, one has the candid pictures that guests took with the disposable cameras, and the third are our yearly anniversary pics. This pleases me, as anyone who knows me well knows I like sets of things. LOL Anyway, just thought I would share that little tradition because we really enjoy it.

What I got for Christmas!

2008-12-26T08:26:00.005-05:00

I recently broke my hand mixer, so my mom got me a new one.

She also got me this cookbook

to go with the breadmaker she got me!

John got me these yummy snuggly sheets.

I have this for my two younger kids. I have a footprint from Andrew but the frame it was in is different and ugly, and I wanted them all to match, so he got me one.

a book

another book

a card reader

This is a laptop desk thingy so I dont burn my legs or have the laptop overheat (I tend to lay it on the bed)

This is a flexible tripod for my point-and-shoot camera.

2008-12-22T22:54:00.001-05:00

Here comes Santa Claus!

2008-12-20T21:09:00.005-05:00

A picture is worth a thousand words...no need to explain this.

Christmas treats!

2008-12-19T21:29:00.005-05:00

Today the kids made a gingerbread house. They had a good time and it came out really good! Its the Wilton brand, which comes all built - all you have to do is decorate it. Last year they did one that you had to glue the walls together with frosting and it kept falling apart so I will be sure to get this one again in the future.

This one I like because it shows how there was some argument over where to place the doorknob (the little purple candy), which you can see with the present location and the little dent where it was earlier in the process.

I had to laugh when they were done at the random placement of the oddly shaped purple candy on the front door. It looks like they ultimately abandoned the doorknob altogether in favor of the wierd purple candy.

Blog slacker

2008-12-10T20:54:00.003-05:00

Yeah I know. We have a lot going on right now, as does everyone!!! I will post pics this weekend of some holiday events!
For those of you who are as obsessed as I am, the Anthony's are on Larry King tonight! Get some popcorn and watch the denial.

So much to do...

2008-12-04T10:37:00.002-05:00

I am going to share the picture of all 3 kids. Liam and Andrew both have a little bit of wierd hand placement, but all 3 have such natural real expressions that I LOVE this picture. Yes, that is a natural real expression of Liam's. LOL He makes that face ALL the time, so that is why it is so perfect. Elaina has a little bit of a polygamist hair-do but whatever.
Beyond that, I have cookies to bake, a few last remaining gifts to pick up, and LOTS of wrapping to do.
Plus we took this convenient time to repaint our living room, and I got new blinds, and I am working on our master bath. Hey why not make it even more hectic right? LOL

SUCCESS!

2008-11-30T13:53:00.001-05:00

(Insert Rocky theme music here)

I got a good picture of ALL 3 KIDS!!! And cute individual shots as well. I am happy.

It is done

2008-11-30T11:57:00.003-05:00

The pictures are done. I am uploading them now. There had better be something good of all 3 or I am going to scream. I know I got some cute ones of them alone, and a few of Andrew & Elaina...but 18 month olds are a tough crowd.

Today is The Day.

2008-11-30T08:57:00.001-05:00

The Day that we are going to do Christmas pictures. I got some adorable outfits for the kids, not Christmasy though. I wanted to do non-holiday holiday pictures this year to give as gifts to the grandparents. I also need to do our Christmas card picture which is separate from that but haven't really come up with a plan for that yet. I am running late this year.
Anyway keep your fingers crossed for me! I know I can get a good shot of each individual kid but all 3 together is a CHALLENGE!!!

I must be getting old

2008-11-29T20:47:00.002-05:00

I seem to remember painting all day long when we bought our first home 8 years ago. Today we painted our living room - which really involves one big wall and two half walls - and I am wiped! Oh yeah, I spray painted something too. Now I am exhausted and need to go to bed immediately. The fumes probably aren't helping either.
Tomorrow is Christmas picture day for sure. I can't put it off any longer.

Baking Thanksgiving cookies

2008-11-28T22:07:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T22:00:00.002-05:00

We had a great Thanksgiving. We went to a friend's house (Hi Cathy!) and we all had a fabulous time and the food was wonderful! Our kids are all friends and they all play so nicely together. We love having a family of friends like them.
In other news, today we got the Christmas decorations down. All 10 bins. Oy vey. I need to organize and condense this year. I dont even use them all. We are getting a REAL tree this year and I think we will get that next weekend. I thought I would be bummed that we weren't doing it this weekend but actually it's nice to focus on Thanksgiving and doing all the rest of the decorating. Then next weekend I can just concentrate on the tree.
Other tasks to do this weekend - paint the living room, bake Christmas cookies and take the kids' Christmas pictures. Busy!

Sharing some pics

2008-11-21T06:52:00.002-05:00

Or not ... I just logged in to put up some pictures, as I haven't in a while, but Liam is awake now and yelling for me. His new thing when he wants me is to yell as loud as possible "MA!" Maybe I can get it on video later.
Anyway I will put some pictures up later on today. I am off to buy a fake tree today!

Fake or real?

2008-11-18T06:47:00.002-05:00

We have always had a fake tree. Well as a kid of course we had real, since we lived in a real place. But here in Florida where all things are fake, we also have the fake tree. However all the lights were kind of crapping out and we got rid of it last year because we wanted to try a real tree. Well now that the time has come, I am torn. Here is my pro and con list.
Pros of Real Trees
-the smell
-the realness

Cons of Real Trees
-needles and sap
-the fact that I cant put it up as soon
-that they are less cost-effective than fake
-I have to actually put the lights on it

So I dont know. Reading this list I guess I am leaning towards fake. Help me decide, people.

Obsessed!

2008-11-17T12:51:00.003-05:00

I am so obsessed with this case. Firstly, I am so sad that this poor innocent child is dead, and at the hands of her own MOTHER. Secondly, how freaking fascinating is it. I can't recall another case as psychotic as this one. I followed both Laci Peterson's case and JonBenet Ramsey's case very closely as well but this one I think is even more bizarre.

There's no place like home

2008-11-12T12:54:00.003-05:00

Elaina is watching the Wizard of Oz... you know, the movie where Dorothy is swept away by "the big giant tomato".
I love four-year-olds.

Today

2008-11-06T13:25:00.002-05:00

So I did end up being able to vote after all! After all the early voting lines and madness, I spent 10 minutes in line on Election day and got to vote. I was upset at the thought of not being able to! Not that it matters really. I wrote in a candidate so I knew he wouldn't win, but that is besides the point.
Today Elaina asked me for a shorter Tinkerbell dress, one that only goes to her vagina, like Tinkerbell's. Nice huh? I always knew Tink was a hoochie but even my 4 year old noticed? Sad.

Voting and kids clothes

2008-11-03T10:36:00.004-05:00

1. Voting. Apparently, I am not going to do it. The lines for early voting were INSANE! So I waited. This morning I was resolved to get it done. I drove past the library on my way to drop Elaina off at school - no lines but still an hour and a half till it opened. So I dropped her off and went to Target for a bit. Around 9:20 I arrived at the library. No line. Fantastic. It opens at 10, I figured I could entertain Liam for 40 minutes. So I am sitting in the car for a minute and a guy comes over and tells me there is a sign that says no early voting today. DAMMIT! So maybe I will be able to vote tomorrow, I dont know.

2. Kids clothes. Just because my older son wears a size 7 or so does not mean that I dont ever want him to match the baby! Not all baby clothes are babyish. I dont get this. I recently found 2 shirts on Gymboree.com that had the same thing in baby and big boy sizes. I was so excited. AND they were on sale AND I had a coupon! A rare treat. It is just hard to find big boy, big girl and baby boy clothes that match that aren't some gay sailor suit or something. Not that I match them all the time, but sometimes its fun and of course for pictures you want some coordination.

ok so I guess I am back

2008-10-26T21:50:00.002-05:00

LOL... why not. So today Andrew lost his first tooth! And his second. I cant believe he lost both in one day! So cute. I remember when they first came in ... we were so proud and excited... and now they are in a baggie in my jewelry box... and we are so proud and excited that they are out. Time flies.
In other news, Liam is now able to climb to up to the fort on the swingset. Without help. Or even supervision. No more letting the kids out to play while I get things done inside!

Playing with kids

2008-10-21T13:33:00.002-05:00

I just dont like it. I love to have conversations with my kids, and to make observations with them - like on a walk or drive. I (usually) enjoy doing actual things with them, like baking. But playing? It is torturous. I can barely keep my eyes open and focus on the playing that I am supposed to be doing. Elaina right now keeps trying to get me to play fairy/mermaid/somethingorother... and I keep losing focus. Of course it doesnt help that she is super bossy, and her version of playing involves telling me exactly what to say and do. We did a puzzle and that was fun, and we had a tea party, and that was good too. But I am now looking forward to Andrew coming home and they can play.

Taking a break

2008-08-29T10:56:00.001-05:00

Taking a break from blogging for a while ... there is just a lot going on right now and I am really busy with the kids and things.

4 ... the best age

2008-08-28T20:40:00.002-05:00

I love 4 year olds. They are old enough to reason with, but still young enough to be little. Elaina will be 4 in a few days, and I just love the things she says and does. She is in her own little world of fairies and mermaids and butterflies and bats that wear nightgowns. I love listening to her play and talk and sing and imagine. She loves this commercial, and it totally reminds me of her, so I thought I would post it.

First day of school!

2008-08-27T20:01:00.003-05:00

First day pics, as promised. I have to note that Andrew is in a very awkward photo stage... even when he is very happy and excited, he has a wierd look on his face. I have found that both A & E will go through a goofy-photo-face stage, and then mercifully it ends. Hopefully it will be soon because he does not look happy here, although he really was very excited.
My girl ready for her first day of preschool!

Ready to take on Kindergarten!

Such good sports, tolerating their mother's dorkiness

I can't believe how fast they are growing up.

Awww they know I love that sibling love.

Just sharing some pics

2008-08-26T21:37:00.006-05:00

I really don't have a whole lot to say, so I am just going to post some pictures to keep people happy.

Here is the new shelving unit John installed this weekend, to organize the toys. Don't worry, it's all attached to the wall, and the tv is anchored to the wall too.

Here are A & E painting pottery this weekend:

That's it for now.

a complaint from a reader

2008-08-22T13:31:00.003-05:00

Apparently I have been a blog-slacker. I know, I know. It's just the RAIN. It is sucking the life out of me. GO AWAY FAY. GO. AWAY.
Let's see. School has been cancelled twice this week. Of course, the worst two days we had school. But today school is out. Today the wind is not even strong enough to blow over a cheap plastic chair, and the rain is just rain. Man up, people. Good grief.
Elaina is dressed up in costume jewelry that her friend let her borrow... Andrew is playing with clay... Liam is asleep...
that's it really!

Phew!

2008-08-19T16:54:00.003-05:00

I feel like we are really safe now, because Jim Cantore took off his storm-hunter goggles and has returned to normal eyewear.

I hate the media

2008-08-18T20:12:00.004-05:00

OK.. so we are expecting what amounts to a tropical storm. Very windy and rainy. With the media coverage we are getting here, you would think we were expecting a direct hit from a category 5, or perhaps an invasion by the Russians. And they wonder why people have "hurricane apathy" ... good lord.. Right now they are having some sort of round-table discussion on the Weather channel, detailing all the various horrors of hurricanes they have been through.

BTW, I totally think real hurricanes suck. We had Charley and it was scary! Plus I was like 39 weeks pregnant and contracting while waiting for the house to blow away, so that was kind of sucky.

In other news, Andrew & Elaina started school today!!! Lots of fun. Of course, they aren't going back tomorrow because of the ~~breeze~~ massive hurricane. But hopefully school will be back in on Wednesday. I'll post pics later.

Look who's smoking crack!

2008-08-16T22:17:00.004-05:00

It's Pottery Barn Kids, who ask us to spend $79 to dress our kids up as a box of french fries this Halloween.

Umm.. no thanks.

Adorableness

2008-08-15T13:50:00.001-05:00

Only 134 days till Christmas!

2008-08-12T05:53:00.002-05:00

Do you hate me for that or what. LOL Even with two kids birthdays to plan, back to school stuff, I can't help but to start thinking of Christmas just a little!! I love Christmas. This Florida weather really puts a damper on my holiday joy, know what I am saying? You all who grew up in the northeast, group hug.

*I was just looking for a picture of pine trees covered in snow to post and now I think instead I'll just cry.

getting close

2008-08-12T05:37:00.004-05:00

to school that is... I am feeling a little better because we got a letter this weekend from the kindergarten teacher, and Andrew got into the class we were hoping for. The teacher is a friend of a friend, and that makes me feel better and less meat-grindery about the whole thing. She seems very sweet, and Andrew is pretty psyched that she knows her Transformers, having two sons herself.
Yesterday Liam had his 15 month appointment - where did that time go!??!! And Elaina had her 4 year appointment and got her exam for school and all that.
I love being the mother of school-age kids. It really is fun. I adore babies and all their soft sweetness, but I really like all the logic and reason that come with 4 yr olds and older.
Right now its about 6:30 am and I am sitting in the dark drinking coffee - aahhhhhhh. Andrew woke me up at 6 asking me to please put Liam back to sleep because he was "scweeming"... I was so out of it I didn't hear him on the monitor and it took poor Andrew about 5 tries before I grasped what he was telling me. LOL So I went in and got the baby to go back to sleep for a bit, and Andrew fell back to sleep in my bed. Now I am sitting here hissing at the cat to "Shut the ___ up" because she is sitting at the bedroom door meowing in that horribly loud meow of hers.
Well I will include a few random pics from this weekend since I hate posts that are all text.

That would be Liam, coated in sunblock, making his "beastie face"

I need a fake remote for the Wii

2008-08-09T08:13:00.003-05:00

I cannot call it a wii-mote. Do people actually call it that? I dont like to use non-words.
Anyway, Liam really really likes the remotes. So much so that in the morning when he gets up, he gestures wildly at the top of the armoire (where all the wii crap is) until (John, stop reading now) I stop pretending I dont know what he wants and I give it to him. My husband doesn't like this because the Wii is precious. But I always put the wrist strap on him. And lately he has been accepting the nunchuk... which is cheaper. So that is a step in the right direction.

Once again, I called it!

2008-08-08T16:25:00.004-05:00

I always said he was an asshole.

OMG this is so funny

2008-08-06T11:25:00.002-05:00

In Case of Terrorist Attack

This is how I feel today

2008-08-05T15:07:00.002-05:00

In case you aren't familiar, this is the scene from The Wall where the kids become faceless and walk into the meat grinder.
I registered Andrew for kindergarden today.

New blog title

2008-08-05T11:38:00.001-05:00

I decided to rename my blog...so I came up with a nice catchy name... and then googled it and found out it was a book. Oops. Can you say copyright infringement lawsuit? So that had to go. So now I am stumped and am taking suggestions.

Complaining with a disclaimer

2008-08-05T09:32:00.002-05:00

*This post in no way implies that I do not love and adore my children, and does not mean that I am wishing this time away. I love all the cuteness that comes with this age.

BUT.

O.M.G. The Whining. Liam is just about 15 months and it is in full swing. Yesterday I was trying to cook dinner (trying being the operative word) and he was between me and the counter, whining and moaning. It makes it very hard to open the oven and to even open a drawer. I was able to distract him for a moment with something, and then raced back to open a drawer and he was prety fast and naturally got there the same moment I got the drawer open and banged his head into it. Sigh. I just needed a freakin spoon. This morning I was around the far side of the table wiping the table and he was clinging to me, Elaina was cornering me asking me something and I couldn't move and I was just like, "OMG I just want to wipe down the freaking table."

Of course he is totally adorable with his kisses and dancing and waving and "talking"... but sometimes a mama has to vent, kwim?

I love bags!

2008-08-02T12:45:00.008-05:00

All kinds ... diaper bags, pocketbooks, miscellaneous... doesn't matter. And apparently, the bag doesn't even have to be for me in order to get excited about it! Here is Elaina's new backpack. It's the same one Andrew got when he started preschool, except his is red.

Then last week we were shopping at the mall, and I found this backpack and lunchbox at Children's Place. I had not been planning on getting him a new one, as his old one has stood up wonderfully, but I just loved how the lunchbox slides into the backpack and gets clipped in, so it won't get lost, which I have documented below. We had some minor disagreement over whether to get red, blue or camo, but we ended up with red and I love it. Oh yeah, so does he.

Now the last bag is one for me. I have been wanting one of these for a long time and I finally got one. I am always carrying so much stuff, especially in the summer when we go swimming at friend's houses. I had them put "Mom" on it instead of my initials because my nickname and my real name start with two different letters. (This has caused a lifetime of initial confusion. Thanks mom and dad) So I went with MOM.
This bag is HUGE! I love it. It is the large size, for those of you contemplating the purchase. I put the kids backpacks in so you can really see how big it is.

August!

2008-08-01T05:11:00.002-05:00

It is August 1! I am very happy to announce this, as it means that school starts in 17 days. It is also 6 am, which I am not as happy about. I was sleeping, and there were all these feet all over the place and I couldn't sleep. I realized that Elaina was in bed with us, which I normally don't mind too much, but her feet were all over me. So I took a blanket and went on the floor in front of the fan. But, being that it is 6 am, I couldn't fall back asleep so I got up to make coffee and saw that Andrew was in our bed too and John was gone. Freakin musical beds here.
Anyway so now I am up and at least I have a few minutes of quiet and relative sanity before the chaos begins.

How lucky am I?

2008-07-31T21:30:00.001-05:00

I get to kiss this adorable face all day long.

Random Thursday thoughts

2008-07-31T13:16:00.002-05:00

I am sitting here listening to my kids play in the other room. My daughter has a friend over and my son just cannot stand that there is someone here for HER. In reality, he gets along with this little girl just fine and they were playing together. Now I just heard him say "Anyone who is nice to me gets to come to my birthday party." Nice bribery.
Anyway I am EXHAUSTED, having stayed up till 1 am reading online and browsing through Flickr. I am having a ratehr large cup of coffee right now (cup #3) and hoping it will get me through till tonight.

Brush up on your recent Saudi history

2008-07-30T12:40:00.001-05:00

This is the opening credits sequence of a really good movie, the Kingdom. I thought it was really well-done and a good brief history lesson. So I am sharing it with y'all. (You'll have to watch a quick commercial first, sorry)

The Kingdom - Opening Credits | Movies & TV | SPIKE.com

100 things about me

2008-07-26T23:01:00.003-05:00

I had seen this on a few blogs and decided to give it a shot. You wouldn't think so, but it is HARD coming up with 100 random facts about yourself!!!! For those of you that read this blog, you REALLY MUST do it. It is kind of fun!

1.I do not like cheese.

2.I do not like chick flicks.

3.I love the ocean at night, but I do not want things brushing up against me.

4.I want to travel to India and Italy, and maybe the middle east if they would calm their shit down.

5.I do not like shows where people decorate their neighbors house. Who in their right mind would do that.

6.I can't sing

7.I love to swim.

8.I don't understand adults watching kid movies for their own pleasure (Disney) or reading kid books (Harry Potter)

9.I am annoyed easily but I get over it quickly (usually)

10.I have 2 tattoos

11.I took French in high school

12.I am fascincated by polygamists

13. I find buttons disgusting and don't own any clothes with buttons.

14. I do not like Florida.

15. None of my grandparents are alive.

16. I have had 2 root canals.

17. My first car was a Subaru.

18. I was an extra in the movie "Strange Days" with Juliette Lewis

19. I am Irish and German.

20. I like beer (see #19)

21. I am very sentimental and keep all kinds of things for my kids

22. But I do not scrapbook.

23. I walked across the border into France from Switzerland, just to get the stamp in my passport.

24. I drove to Amityville to see the house of "Amityville Horror"

25. I like to make lists.

26. I have a sister who is 13 years older than me.

27. I always wanted to have 3 children.

28. I will read anything or watch anything about JonBenet Ramsey.

29. I have lived in New York, COlorado, California and Florida.

30. I am a Libertarian.

31. We do not listen to kid music in our house or car.

32. I delivered each of my children at different hospitals.

33. I am not a morning person.

34. I have been to Canada but not Mexico.

35. I am a hypochondriac.

36. I dissected a shark in school.

37. I graduated high school in 1993.

38. Other than the occasional margarita I do not like mixed drinks.

39. My oldest child was in the NICU for 3 days after he was born.

40. I cry at Johnson & Johnson commercials.
(Come on, "having a baby changes everything", you know you do too)

41. I took ballet for 14 years.

42. I can neuter a cat and eat a sandwich at the same time, but I can't watch any procedure involving eyes.

43. Pictures of Antarctica freak me out. Something about the edge of the ice dropping off into that dark water.

44. I can't look at pictures of the front of huge ships, especially if they are black with the red bottom. The white cruise ships are not as bad.

45. I love the weather before a thunderstorm, when its all dark and windy. I wish it was like that all the time.

46. Palmetto bugs make me scream.

47. I love the look and sound of bamboo trees.

48. I love staying in hotels.

49. I check my email all day long.

50. I have been to Disney twice in my life.

51. When I was 16 I crashed my boyfriend's car into my parents front porch.

52. I was born with a broken collarbone.

53. I kill all plants and flowers, I have a very black thumb.

54. China (the country) freaks me out.

55. I have no feeling on the skin of my left knee, from a car accident.

56. I have gone deep-sea fishing.

57. I have worn contacts since I was 13 years old.

58. I like Vera Bradley bags.

59. I love Christmas.

60. I had postpartum depression.

61. I have never seen a tornado

62. I keep a journal.

63. I drive a Toyota Sienna minivan.

64. I don't like beige cars.

65. I watch too much cable news.

66. I will most likely vote for Barack Obama.

67. Though I wanted to vote for Ron Paul.

68. I saw Uma Thurman in a pizza shop in Woodstock, NY

69. I smoked pot in high school.

70. And college.

71. Fajitas are my favorite food

72. I love Starbucks Frappucino's

73. I do not like clear soda's like 7-Up, Sprite, etc.

74. I have a horrible memory.

75. When I was little I went to Germany with my mom every summer.

76. I once put up a Christmas tree in July in my bedroom.

77. I grew up in a town on the Hudson River

78. My favorite color is green.

79. I was a certified veterinary technician before I had kids.

80. I breastfed my daughter for 16 months.

81. I do not own an iPhone.

82. Blu-Ray irritates me. We just got used to DVD for gods sake.

83. If someone cuts me off in traffic, I will wave them in like I let them do it, so that they have to wave back in thanks.

84. "Ridiculous" is one of my favorite words.

85. I do not like broccoli.

86. I went snorkeling in the Florida Keys.

87. I don't trust people who never, ever curse.

88. I feel extremely uncomfortable discussing God or religion.

89. I have driven cross-country 5 times.

90. I do not trust the pharmaceutical companies or the FDA.

91. I am an Aquarius.

92. I have naturally curly hair, and hate it.

93. My mom accidentally slammed the car door on my entire hand when I was 7.

94. I love to read.

95. I can not juggle.

96. I used to sing the Star Spangled Banner to my oldest child as a lullaby because it was the only song I could remember the words to.

97. I had chicken pox when I was 6.

98. My extended family in Germany owns a beer brewery.

99. I am 33 years old.

100. I don't like poetry.

If you enjoyed

2008-07-26T09:43:00.003-05:00

this:

Then you will appreciate this:

ok he only dances for a couple seconds but he is so cute doing it!

New look

2008-07-25T20:37:00.001-05:00

I like this one. I will add my list of blogs and sites this weekend.

I guess it will do, for now.

2008-07-25T16:23:00.002-05:00

It is growing on me. I am kind of burned out on the blog templates right now, so this will do it for now. I just got back from Toys R Us. I noticed earlier that Liam was pretending to clean the bench with a napkin and I felt really bad, so I decided to go up and buy him a toy or two. But the good stuff was overpriced and the rest as crap. For example, I wanted to get him a toy shopping cart. A&E had one but it was crappy and they didn't really like it. But Liam would like it I think. But the decent one was freaking $26. I think that is insane personally. So I will check Craigslist or maybe hit up some friends whose babies have outgrown stuff (waving at Audra).
I have some chicken in the oven that is smelling fabulous. I will post the recipe later if it turns out to be as good as it smells.

Hmm

2008-07-25T13:02:00.001-05:00

Well I like the simplicity of this one but not the colors. So I will work on it later.

Not happy with this

2008-07-25T12:52:00.001-05:00

I am not liking this template at all. Too busy and it deleted all my blogs. Plus I can't get rid of those little ads at the top. I am going to have to work on this.

They're here!

2008-07-23T09:36:00.002-05:00

So I have an ear infection right now, and everything sounds very tinny and far away. So when Elaina calls me, it sounds exactly like Carol-Ann calling her mom from inside the tv. Let's hope I don't turn around and find all the chairs piled on top of the kitchen table.

this is why I love my husband

2008-07-22T13:28:00.003-05:00

He cracks me up every day. We are in the process of buying a fridge off of Craigslist for the garage. This is our IM conversation:

ME: did you call the fridge guy ?

JOHN: yeah

he's busy

expecting his "first born"

whatever

I need that fridge!

ME: whatever!

so what, are they just sitting at the hospital waiting for the kid? How does that affect our fridge sale?

JOHN: I don't know

I told him it's no big deal

we have kids all the time

You can't just put your life on hold

what kind of an example do you think he's setting

Barbie En Espanol

2008-07-21T12:58:00.002-05:00

You know what's kind of sad? When you put on a movie for your kid and then leave the room and then 20 minutes later come back in and somehow the language selection got switched and it's been on in Spanish the whole time, and your kid is just laying on the couch looking confused. Not that that happend. I am just saying.

weekend news

2008-07-20T09:47:00.001-05:00

There isn't much to tell. We have a house showing at 3 pm so we are trying frantically to catch up on all the crap we let slide. Naturally Liam is choosing today to be the clingiest, whiniest thing ever. Poor baby, I think he is tired. But still. Get off now. After I give the kids lunch and I put him down for a nap I am taking the big kids and meeting a friend and her kids at one of those indoor bounce house jumpy slide places. So the kids can get their energy out, and with Liam at home, I might be able to complete a thought, maybe even a sentence. We'll see.

I am so freaking tired.

2008-07-18T13:09:00.002-05:00

Don't these children realize how much NICER and HAPPIER I would be if I could just take a little nap? Just an hour, nothing crazy. Sigh. I have been on this kick this week of staying up till 1 am watching stupid tv and surfing the internet. Yeah. So now I am exhausted and bitchy. I think tonight I will be going to bed at like 9:30. I also ran out of COFFEE this morning! Yikes. I ended up going through the drive through at Bad Ass - I had the little card that had 10 punches so this one was free - and you know what ... it was AWFUL. Why can't the Starbucks here have a drive though? Actually it's better that they don't. That would be entirely too tempting.
There is no food at all in this house so when the baby wakes up I have to drag all 3 of them with my exhausted self to BJs to go grocery shopping. Woo hoo.

Holes, anyone?

2008-07-17T22:14:00.001-05:00

So the other day we were wandering Target, spreading some germs, and Elaina got all bedazzled by the jewelry and started asking when she could get "holes" ... I was a little surprised that she asked, but then again, whenever I wear earrings she is extremely interested, so maybe I should not have been so surprised. So for all of you moms of girlies, how old was your daughter when you got her ears pierced? Her 4th birthday is coming up but I am thinking that's a little young... like you should either do it when they are a baby or wait, but wait till when? I think I was 10.
Also would the father of this child please weigh in on this?

On a lighter note

2008-07-17T09:05:00.002-05:00

I have decided that I really like the show Jon & Kate plus 8. Did you know there is a whole blog about what a bitch she really is? I choose not to believe it. I mean yeah she is kind of a hard ass sometimes, but the woman has EIGHT children. Who can blame her. And her hubby gives it right back to her in his own way.

Things that have been on my mind

2008-07-17T07:48:00.009-05:00

So it seems to me that there is some level of not "getting it" when it comes to cesareans. For those of you have not experienced this particular thing, let me enlighten you. I apologize in advance if any of this comes off as snarky. This is a hot hot topic for me. First of all, don't assume that a woman who has had a cesarean has not experienced labor. Most have, myself included. Most women do not have scheduled cesareans for their first baby. Second of all, it is not "pain-free" or an easy way out. I can assure you that having your abdomen cut open, all through your abdominal muscles, is not pain-free or easy. The procedure itself can be painful for some women, if the anesthesia doesnt work properly, and for almost all women, there is a great deal of pulling and tugging, which is a very wierd and sickening sensation. A big thing is having that curtain up. You are totally separated from the event of your child's birth. Think about that.I would take a torn vagina over that any day, I really would. And for those of you who have had that, I am not disparaging your experience or your hard work. I just think that there is a natural expectation of your mind and body and if that continuum is interrupted it can have long-term physical and psychological effects. If you are lucky, the OB might hold the baby up for two seconds for you to see. After all this is done, you get taken to recovery where you get to shake for an hour and if you are lucky and if you know that you have rights, you can demand to have your baby brought to you. But if you dont, you probably wont see your baby for a while. Then you get to deal with recovery. You might not be aware of how much you use your abdominal muscles until you cant use them! Sitting up, rolling over, coughing, sneezing, laughing, using the bathroom. Everything involves them.

I am not saying vaginal births are a party. I know women who have had traumatic natural births. But I also know a lot of women who have done it both ways, and the vast majority choose vaginal birth over cesarean birth. I am also not saying c-sections are the worst thing in the world, and yes of course the disclaimer is that they save lives. For a woman whose baby is in real distress, a cesarean is a life-saving operation. But they are way overused. Our cesarean rate in this country hovers around the 32% mark. The WHO target is 5%. Vaginal birth is the natural and optimum way for a child to be born. A child who is not born vaginally often has respiratory distress and may have to go to the NICU because they dont get the fluid squeezed out of their lungs on the way out of the birth canal. C-sections are safer today then ever, to be sure. But they still carry all the risks of major surgery, like:
heavy bleeding
damage to the bladder or intestines
major infections of the uterus, kidneys, lungs, or other areas
injury to baby's scalp
opening up of the skin incision
blood clots around the uterus or in the leg veins or lungs
an inability of the blood to clot
damage to the uterus.
The uterus is a large, muscular organ that has an enormous blood supply. When an incision is made into the uterus, there can be a lot of bleeding. medications and stitches can stop this, but even so, there are some women who need a blood transfusion during a C-section. the blood loss is at least twice as much as during a vaginal delivery.
A number of women develop uterine infections, requiring extra days in the hospital and powerful antibiotics.
Not all problems occur during a C-section; some occur later. These include pelvic pain or pain with intercourse from scar tissue (adhesions), difficulty using "sit-up muscles," and development of scar tissue between the afterbirth and the uterine lining in later pregnancies (which can lead to hemorrhage or emergency hysterectomy).

Did you know that approximately 95 percent of women in the U.S. give birth under the care of an obstetrician in the hospital and with this care, the U.S. has the second worst newborn death rate in the world, and ranks 41st in maternal deaths among all nations? Infant mortality is related to c-sections. Then of course you have the lies perpetrated by the obstetrical community regarding VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). VBAC IS SAFE. Do your OWN research. IT IS SAFE. Doctors are NOT God. It is so safe that I felt totally comfortable planning a homebirth for my third child. It did not work out (long story) but I would do it all again. I did not plan or schedule any of my three c-sections. The first was after 33 hours of labor, the second was at 42 weeks (labor didnt begin on its own) and the third was a planned homebirth that didnt work out, which is a long long story that I just dont feel like getting into right now. Liam was born at 42 weeks and 3 days and I am damn proud that I gave him the chance to come when HE was ready, not some OB.

I think I am done ranting for now. I may address it again in the future. I guess my whole point is, dont judge a cesarean mother for being unhappy about it. The majority of cesarean mothers are not happy with the fact that they gave birth via c-section. Some of the moms I know are thrilled about it. Everyone is different, so dont think a woman is crazy and ungrateful for a healthy baby.

My other point is, please do your own research and reading before trusting yourself, your baby and your body to other people.

Turn your speakers on

2008-07-16T22:47:00.001-05:00

Dancing

I see crazy people

2008-07-16T19:30:00.006-05:00

So today I did this really cute interview with Andrew & Elaina on video and I was going to post it here on the blog. It was just him talking about this game they play where they sneak up on me, and then Elaina talking about that *#@*& band-aid (yes it is still on her nose). Anyhow, Elaina was wearing a dress in this interview, and unbeknownst to me, no underwear. So when I pulled the video up on the computer to post it, I discovered that she was flashing her britney all over the place, and it was totally unusable, unless I felt like being arrested, which I did not.

Sigh. We will try again tomorrow with undies in place.

Leaving the house today

2008-07-16T07:55:00.001-05:00

Pretty exciting stuff! The sickness and germs appear to be almost completely gone, so now it's time to go out and get more! WOO HOO. We are going to JoAnn's because I am going to get fabric to make some curtains for the playroom, and then going to lunch with Grandma.
I will be sure to document my curtain project.

McCain does not stand a chance

2008-07-15T11:28:00.003-05:00

Which is a-ok with me. Don't misunderstand... I am not a huge fan of Obama either. But MAN McCain stinks. First of all, the man is WAY TOO OLD. Government employees retire at age 65, do they not? So how does that all make sense? He is 71 for pete's sake. And he doesn't even know how to use the internet. I mean come on.
Also, his speeches are incredibly boring. He has no oomph, no chutzpah, nothing. I want to go to sleep when I hear him speak. I appreciate that he is a war hero. That is great. That doesnt make a great president. Plus, he strikes me as being a bit of an asshole.
Obama.. well. He is a huge liberal. But I think he represents a changed America, one willing to move forward and think differently, and I think that's a good thing to present to the world. So while he is far from MY first choice, I will probably vote for him. My #1 choice was Ron Paul but that's not really going anywhere. So I guess if it looks like Obama will win for sure, then I will vote for Ron Paul just to make my voice heard... but if it looks like we are in danger of getting McCain, then I will vote for Obama.

Don't leave your kid in the car!

2008-07-14T11:29:00.003-05:00

OK so I am sitting here watching the news, and there was ANOTHER story of a child (2 years old) dying in a car because some jackass left him in there.
PEOPLE. It is TOO GODDAMNED HOT TO LEAVE KIDS IN CARS. What in the hell? How many of these do we have to hear about before people clue in to the fact that YOU CANT FREAKING DO THAT!?!!

Let me share a little story with you. Way back before I had kids, I was a veterinary nurse. Certified, ok? Give me some credit. So anyway, we were sitting out back one day after lunch when a woman came tearing up to us in her car. Turns out she had turned the clothes dryer on, not knowing her cat was in there. Well, the cat got cooked. I can tell you by looking at this poor creature that it died in a horrible way.

So the moral of this story is that being cooked/overheated/LEFT IN A CAR is a horrible horrible way to die.

So dont leave your kids in the car.

Random Friday thoughts

2008-07-11T12:10:00.005-05:00

1. Liam is 14 months old today!!! I just love that boy so much.

2. I have never had a real Starbucks Frappucino before. Oh I had the kind you can buy in bottles but never the real deal. I had a giftcard so I got one in Target this morning. WOW What I have been missing! It was SO SO SO delish.

3. Netflix is awesome.

(I know I know ... welcome to 2008 on both of those, right?)

4. I would like to, one day, insert a tampon without children hanging on me and/or sitting on the floor staring at me. That would be neat-o.

5. How am I supposed to take this face seriously? There is no injury on her nose, she just really likes her band-aids. She says she is going to leave it on "for-evah"..

Yeah... that pretty much sums it up

2008-07-10T10:25:00.001-05:00

This is how we all feel this week.

a sad discovery

2008-07-08T09:47:00.002-05:00

So this past weekend we were at my inlaws, and John bathed the baby with Johnsons Milk Bath (Milk Wash? Whatever). Liam smelled DIVINE. Oh it was soooo yummy. So in the 2 days we have been home I have been to BJs, Target and CVS (buying all the cold remedies, see below post) and NO ONE has it. So I went on Johnsons.com and it would seem they dont even make it anymore. Very sad day for the stinky babies of the world.
I did do some illicit peeling-off-of the-safety-seal on some other ones, and this smelled pretty nice too.

So we'll give that a try.

the bitching post

2008-07-07T23:03:00.002-05:00

ok, so I am fully aware that there are many worse things in the world. I am totally hyper-aware, overly paranoid mom when it comes to health issues. HOWEVER I would just like to whine briefly. At least one person in this household has had a cold or flu or some sort of infection or issues at every moment since FEBRUARY. Let's count back shall we? This is July. That would be SIX months. Six months of green boogers, running snot, hacking coughs, ear infections, diaper rash and other diaper-area skin issues, allergies, eye infections, and other assorted problems. This weekend we foolishly attempted to go away. I should know that every time we go away, the children get sick. And they followed through as expected. Elaina, naturally, was sick before we even left. (We were just visiting the inlaws so its not like we dragged our sick kids on a European vacation, ok?) On the 4th of July she started having some serious green discharge from her eyes. Blech. Then Liam had it. Last night Liam had a fever and was miserable. Of course with the coughing and misery he wakes up Andrew. Then Elaina is crying in the night that she has a rash. Then she cant fall back asleep because of her hacking cough. So here I lay on the couch. I know shortly she will be in my bed with John and Andrew and there wont be room for me, so I may as well get comfy. Plus this way I am in the middle of the house so I can go easily to whoever needs me at 3 am.

Well that is unfortunate

2008-07-07T20:12:00.002-05:00

I signed on here to share some cute pictures except when I actually got them on the computer they werent so cute. What appeared to be a great shot of Andrew actually revealed quite a lot of peanut butter in his mouth, once it was all enlarged on the computer screen.
But I did catch a quick snap of the sweet noodle while he was sleeping this afternoon. The poor thing has a bad cold and is recovering from a very short bout of pink eye. Short because I do not tolerate pink eye and I had medicine in his eyes before the first ball of green goo hit his cheek.
So here he is, in all his germy cuteness.

Funny

2008-06-29T22:14:00.002-05:00

Random thoughts

2008-06-26T13:22:00.002-05:00

My mom picked up Andrew & Elaina at camp today and took them out for pizza. I guess she wasn't all that impressed with it. (American Pie, for you locals) They served soda with the kids meals, and if you wanted milk or juice it was extra. My kids dont drink soda. And she said the sauce was really really salty. Blech. I bought a pizza stone a few weeks ago. Maybe one of these days I will get it out of the box and actually make a pizza on it.

So what else. I met John and some coworkers of his for lunch at Chili's. Do you know that they no longer serve the Awesome Blossom? I dont know if that is all Chili's or just this one but I thought that was, like, their signature thing. Interesting.

I am trying to hook up the new cable box to the new tv and its a pita because the tv is on the wall and I cant friggin see the back of it. So that is going to have to wait till later.

So really that's it. Totally random and not even really all that interesting, is it? I just wanted to get that Neil Entwistle crap lower down on the page. It is pissing me off.