Monday, July 31, 2006
Big Pimpin'
Please take a few mintues and stop by my tenants blog. While you are at it, say a little prayer for her and her little bean. She is having a tough week and could use a little prayer and support.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Alopecia Aereata
Not many people have ever heard of Alopecia areata. The National Alopecia Areata Foundation defines it as:
Alopecia Areata (al-oh-PEE-shah air-ee-AH-tah) is a highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This common but very challenging and capricious disease affects approximately 1.7 percent of the population overall, including more than 5 million people in the United States alone. Due to the fact that much of the public is still not familiar with alopecia areata, the disease can have a profound impact on one's life and functional status, both at work and at school.
I have suffered from this disease since I was 5 years old. Mine happens to be stress induced. We first noticed the bald spots on my head when I was five. I remember the teachers and doctors thinking that I had a vitamin deficiency or something. They even went so far as to talk about giving me steriod shots. Thank God my mother decided against it. I guess at that time not many people knew about it. In fact, I didn't even have a name for what was wrong until I was around 11 when a hair dresser finally told me what was wrong with me. It was nice to have a name and reason, but growing up with it wasn't easy. Often I didn't know I even had one until it was too late.
Mine always surfaces on my head, and luckily it eventually grows back. Some people are not that lucky. I was picked on mercilessly at times growing up, but I learned to find them early and style my hair to that others don't know. The trickiest time was during my wedding. Obviously it was a highly stressful time, and of course I got one rightin the front of my hairline where my part was. That one was hard to hide since I could pin, curl etc right there. But no one knew the difference and soon the baby fine hair began to grow again.
Well, I just found another one. Right at the top of my head. I was scratching my head during a meeting at work and there it was. Alpha Male inspected it and confirmed it was the size of his thumb and bald as a baby's butt. Figures. And this one is bothering me more than they have in a long time. I guess I thought that it was over. I couldn't be that lucky.
What is causing the stress? More than likely it is financial. I am so far behind on my bills and it is a constant source of stress for me. I really need to get a second job, but I know in my heart that I wouldn't be able to stand being away from my babies so I am trying to figure out a way to pay them off and save every penny I can. Of course the car taxes are due soon. Why is $220 fair? Ouch!
Anyway. Just thought that I would share a little bit of myself that I don't readily admit to the outside world. Now to decide what to do with my hair. I really want to cut it all off, but I am chicken.
Nighty night all. Alpha male is gone for the night and So You Think You Can Dance is on. Gotta go indulge in mindless reality TV!
Alopecia Areata (al-oh-PEE-shah air-ee-AH-tah) is a highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This common but very challenging and capricious disease affects approximately 1.7 percent of the population overall, including more than 5 million people in the United States alone. Due to the fact that much of the public is still not familiar with alopecia areata, the disease can have a profound impact on one's life and functional status, both at work and at school.
I have suffered from this disease since I was 5 years old. Mine happens to be stress induced. We first noticed the bald spots on my head when I was five. I remember the teachers and doctors thinking that I had a vitamin deficiency or something. They even went so far as to talk about giving me steriod shots. Thank God my mother decided against it. I guess at that time not many people knew about it. In fact, I didn't even have a name for what was wrong until I was around 11 when a hair dresser finally told me what was wrong with me. It was nice to have a name and reason, but growing up with it wasn't easy. Often I didn't know I even had one until it was too late.
Mine always surfaces on my head, and luckily it eventually grows back. Some people are not that lucky. I was picked on mercilessly at times growing up, but I learned to find them early and style my hair to that others don't know. The trickiest time was during my wedding. Obviously it was a highly stressful time, and of course I got one rightin the front of my hairline where my part was. That one was hard to hide since I could pin, curl etc right there. But no one knew the difference and soon the baby fine hair began to grow again.
Well, I just found another one. Right at the top of my head. I was scratching my head during a meeting at work and there it was. Alpha Male inspected it and confirmed it was the size of his thumb and bald as a baby's butt. Figures. And this one is bothering me more than they have in a long time. I guess I thought that it was over. I couldn't be that lucky.
What is causing the stress? More than likely it is financial. I am so far behind on my bills and it is a constant source of stress for me. I really need to get a second job, but I know in my heart that I wouldn't be able to stand being away from my babies so I am trying to figure out a way to pay them off and save every penny I can. Of course the car taxes are due soon. Why is $220 fair? Ouch!
Anyway. Just thought that I would share a little bit of myself that I don't readily admit to the outside world. Now to decide what to do with my hair. I really want to cut it all off, but I am chicken.
Nighty night all. Alpha male is gone for the night and So You Think You Can Dance is on. Gotta go indulge in mindless reality TV!
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Big Brother 7 Fans!
Do The Jase Face!
This is the funniest thing I have seen on Big Brother in a long time!
Come one! You know you want to do it!
Do The Jase Face!
This is the funniest thing I have seen on Big Brother in a long time!
Come one! You know you want to do it!
Just Shoot Me
I wish I had lost of great things and profound statements to make today, but alas I don't. Truth be told, I have a killer headache. The kind that makes you think you are going to spew at any moments notice.
I am trying to force down a tomato sandwich and a Moutain Dew in hope that it is just hunger that is making me feel this way. My eyes feel like they are going to burst from my head, and the back of my head right at the base of my neck feels like someone has shoved an ice pick in there and it tapping it every few seconds for effect. Sounds lovely huh?
If Alpha Male (Thanks cpa mom ;) ) wasn't going to a Mason training thing tonight then I would totally get him to pick up the kiddos and I would go home to bed for awhile. I can feel a migrane coming on, but am trying to avoid it at all costs since I am alone tonight. The IL's are home this week due to a death in the family, but I am trying not to call on them if I don't have to. They are only here for the week (I HAVE to post on that later) so I am trying to pretend that they aren't even home.
Anyway. Sorry I am such a bore today. If anyone has anything that they would like for me to blog about, please feel free to let me know.
Off to suffer through the pain.
I am trying to force down a tomato sandwich and a Moutain Dew in hope that it is just hunger that is making me feel this way. My eyes feel like they are going to burst from my head, and the back of my head right at the base of my neck feels like someone has shoved an ice pick in there and it tapping it every few seconds for effect. Sounds lovely huh?
If Alpha Male (Thanks cpa mom ;) ) wasn't going to a Mason training thing tonight then I would totally get him to pick up the kiddos and I would go home to bed for awhile. I can feel a migrane coming on, but am trying to avoid it at all costs since I am alone tonight. The IL's are home this week due to a death in the family, but I am trying not to call on them if I don't have to. They are only here for the week (I HAVE to post on that later) so I am trying to pretend that they aren't even home.
Anyway. Sorry I am such a bore today. If anyone has anything that they would like for me to blog about, please feel free to let me know.
Off to suffer through the pain.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Introductions Please
Introducing my newest tenant Fidget coming to you from the sunny state of Florida! Blogging since 2004, Fidget has a new bun in the oven and is hilariously funny with a few hail mary's thrown in. Come and help her pick out baby names!
Monday, July 24, 2006
Getting So Big
Dear Wildman,
You are getting so very big. My little baby is gone and you are turning into quite the little boy. Your 15 month check-up went very well. You were all smiles and razzies as the doctor looked you over. You even tried to eat the little light scope-thingy as he was looking in your throat.
You are now 21.4 pounds (9th percentile in weight) and 31.5 inches tall (5oth percentile height?) and growing like a weed. You are going to be just like your sister and be tall and thin. You gained almost 2 pounds in 3 months. I know you are not malnourished since you eat like a little piggy!
Speaking of eating. You are eating all by yourself now! I thought that day would never come. Daddy decided it was time for you to do it, since you have shown us that you could. You were very upset for about 10 minutes, but then decided it was worth a try. And there has been no stopping you since. I sometimes miss that fact that you need me to feed you. It is just another example of how much you are growing and no longer needing you mama as much. You take those little fists and grab as much food as you can hold and shove it in your mouth like someone is going to take it away from you. Everyday you get a little better at it. You really love your food. I think I will have to get a second job by the time you are a teenager if you keep this up!
You have started doing other things too. It's almost like a floodgate has opened and you are in such a hurry to grow up now. Although you still are not talking much, I can see that little brain of your soaking in all the information. In just over a few weeks you have started walking, waving bye-bye (often with 2 hands), and blowing kisses. The only thing left that keeps you my baby is the crib. Other than that there is little evidence that you are still my baby.
I can't wait for you to experience the world and all the
joys in it. Learning for you is so much fun and everyday I see you and your sister growing closer. It fills my heart with more love than I can hold to see the two of your playing together. When your sister hugs and kisses you, your face lights up with so much adoration. I pray every night that the two of you will always be close and realize what great a gift you are to me and each other. Words can't describe what a gift I have been given. I look forward to a lifetime of you.
Happy 15 months Wildman! Mommy loves you!
You are getting so very big. My little baby is gone and you are turning into quite the little boy. Your 15 month check-up went very well. You were all smiles and razzies as the doctor looked you over. You even tried to eat the little light scope-thingy as he was looking in your throat.
You are now 21.4 pounds (9th percentile in weight) and 31.5 inches tall (5oth percentile height?) and growing like a weed. You are going to be just like your sister and be tall and thin. You gained almost 2 pounds in 3 months. I know you are not malnourished since you eat like a little piggy!
Speaking of eating. You are eating all by yourself now! I thought that day would never come. Daddy decided it was time for you to do it, since you have shown us that you could. You were very upset for about 10 minutes, but then decided it was worth a try. And there has been no stopping you since. I sometimes miss that fact that you need me to feed you. It is just another example of how much you are growing and no longer needing you mama as much. You take those little fists and grab as much food as you can hold and shove it in your mouth like someone is going to take it away from you. Everyday you get a little better at it. You really love your food. I think I will have to get a second job by the time you are a teenager if you keep this up!You have started doing other things too. It's almost like a floodgate has opened and you are in such a hurry to grow up now. Although you still are not talking much, I can see that little brain of your soaking in all the information. In just over a few weeks you have started walking, waving bye-bye (often with 2 hands), and blowing kisses. The only thing left that keeps you my baby is the crib. Other than that there is little evidence that you are still my baby.
I can't wait for you to experience the world and all the
joys in it. Learning for you is so much fun and everyday I see you and your sister growing closer. It fills my heart with more love than I can hold to see the two of your playing together. When your sister hugs and kisses you, your face lights up with so much adoration. I pray every night that the two of you will always be close and realize what great a gift you are to me and each other. Words can't describe what a gift I have been given. I look forward to a lifetime of you.Happy 15 months Wildman! Mommy loves you!
Last Chance
Ok folks, its your last chance to visit my tenant before she moves on to greener pastures. Please drop by and say hello if you haven't done so already.
To My Life in the Kid Zoo: Thanks for being such a good tenant. Please feel free to use me as a reference and come back often. It has been a pleasure.
To My Life in the Kid Zoo: Thanks for being such a good tenant. Please feel free to use me as a reference and come back often. It has been a pleasure.
Friday, July 21, 2006
How Do You Feel?
I stumbled across this blog the other day.
As a mother of two young children I definately have body issues. This is compounded by that fact that I am almost 4 years post-op from gastric bypass surgery. Weight gain is a terrifying thought for someone that has lost 150+ pounds. Believe me!
With my daughter I only gained about 35 pounds and lost all of it within 6 months of having her. I thought...this isn't so bad. Due to the already loose skin, I had no stretch marks and my muscles weren't any worse for the wear really. No worries I thought.
Six months after my daughter I received the biggest surprise of my life so far. I was pregnant with my son! Shocker to say the least. With my son I gained almost 65 pounds and I have yet to loose the majority of it. I am ashamed of myself and my body at this point. But mostly ashamed of myself. I went through way too much to get where I was before the babies to be that morbidly obese again.
My husband can't understand why I can't loose the weight. He can't understand why I don't want sex. I feel so totally unsexy right now. You try looking in the mirror and seeing the person that you NEVER wanted to become again.
The Shape of a Mother lets me know that I am not alone. Other women feel just like me. Other women look as bad, if not worse than I do. Other women are way braver than me for posting their "battle scars" for all to see. Maybe some day I will get up the nerve to tell my story, but I applaud those women that wear their scars with honor. You are an inspiration.
As a mother of two young children I definately have body issues. This is compounded by that fact that I am almost 4 years post-op from gastric bypass surgery. Weight gain is a terrifying thought for someone that has lost 150+ pounds. Believe me!
With my daughter I only gained about 35 pounds and lost all of it within 6 months of having her. I thought...this isn't so bad. Due to the already loose skin, I had no stretch marks and my muscles weren't any worse for the wear really. No worries I thought.
Six months after my daughter I received the biggest surprise of my life so far. I was pregnant with my son! Shocker to say the least. With my son I gained almost 65 pounds and I have yet to loose the majority of it. I am ashamed of myself and my body at this point. But mostly ashamed of myself. I went through way too much to get where I was before the babies to be that morbidly obese again.
My husband can't understand why I can't loose the weight. He can't understand why I don't want sex. I feel so totally unsexy right now. You try looking in the mirror and seeing the person that you NEVER wanted to become again.
The Shape of a Mother lets me know that I am not alone. Other women feel just like me. Other women look as bad, if not worse than I do. Other women are way braver than me for posting their "battle scars" for all to see. Maybe some day I will get up the nerve to tell my story, but I applaud those women that wear their scars with honor. You are an inspiration.
GO.THERE.NOW!
You all need to check out my tenant RIGHT NOW if you have not done so already! She is hilariously funny, and she will be moving out soon! If you don't I'll.....I dont know but I will think of something!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Thursday Thirteen (07/20/06)
Sorry it is so late today.
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
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Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. kt cat |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Contest
I need your help.
While writing in this here blog, it has come to my attention that I am not very creative when it comes to what to call my family unit. The standard internet abbreviations are just not doing it for me anymore. Therefore, I am presenting all my loyal readers with a challenge if you will...
Name the family!
Yes, that's right. I am am giving YOU the opportunity to make blogging history (at least history in my own little cyber world) and name my family for me on my blog. The players are as follows:
Me
31 year old, full-time working mother of two young children (two and under). Enjoys reading, photography, scrapbooking, and the occassional mental breakdown.
Husband/Daddy
33 year old male. Plumber by trade. Married for 5 years. Enjoys hunting, fishing, and driving Me nuts.
Daughter
2.5 year old child of Me and Husband/Daddy. Enjoys playing, eating, diddy's and seeing how far she can push Me to the end of sanity.
Son
15 month old child of Me and Husband/Daddy. Enjoys throwing things, eating, and seeing how far he can push Daughter.
For a limited time, I will be taking ideas in a quest to make myself and my life seem more interesting. Any takers! The winner will win....something.
While writing in this here blog, it has come to my attention that I am not very creative when it comes to what to call my family unit. The standard internet abbreviations are just not doing it for me anymore. Therefore, I am presenting all my loyal readers with a challenge if you will...
Name the family!
Yes, that's right. I am am giving YOU the opportunity to make blogging history (at least history in my own little cyber world) and name my family for me on my blog. The players are as follows:
Me
31 year old, full-time working mother of two young children (two and under). Enjoys reading, photography, scrapbooking, and the occassional mental breakdown.
Husband/Daddy
33 year old male. Plumber by trade. Married for 5 years. Enjoys hunting, fishing, and driving Me nuts.
Daughter
2.5 year old child of Me and Husband/Daddy. Enjoys playing, eating, diddy's and seeing how far she can push Me to the end of sanity.
Son
15 month old child of Me and Husband/Daddy. Enjoys throwing things, eating, and seeing how far he can push Daughter.
For a limited time, I will be taking ideas in a quest to make myself and my life seem more interesting. Any takers! The winner will win....something.
I Can't Reach It
My daughter does some of the cutest things.
The other morning as I was putting DS in the car, DD and I had the following conversation:
DD: Mommy, Look!
Me: What baby?
DD: The Moon Mommy!
Me: I see it baby.
DD: Mommy, I can't reach it. (As she stretched up as high as her little legs and arms would allow)
Aww...tear! She can be so sweet when she wants to be.
The other morning as I was putting DS in the car, DD and I had the following conversation:
DD: Mommy, Look!
Me: What baby?
DD: The Moon Mommy!
Me: I see it baby.
DD: Mommy, I can't reach it. (As she stretched up as high as her little legs and arms would allow)
Aww...tear! She can be so sweet when she wants to be.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
I announce the debut of my very first renter ever! Ladies and Gentlemen, I present...
My Life In the Kid Zoo!
She's a stay-at-home wife to four, count em four!, children and her husband too! Check her out!
My Life In the Kid Zoo!
She's a stay-at-home wife to four, count em four!, children and her husband too! Check her out!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Jesse's Girl
I am back from a weekend of gambling and debauchery with the DH. We went to Harrah's in Cherokee (our usual haunt) for the weekend without the kids. WEEE!!!!!
Anymore, I only play Blackjack. Love, Love, LOVE it! I wish it was with actual cards in Cherokee, but alas its electronic. But there are still dealers (they hit buttons to deal) and chips and people that are willing to talk to you. It's really fun actually.
Friday night I hit the $10 tables. I played for several hours and ended up tripling my money. I started with $50 and left with a little over $150! WHOO WEEE! Not a whole lot, and god knows how much I actually lost. I didn't stay too long and was in bed by 10:30pm. I am a bum, but I was tired. I think DH got back to the room at 4 am.
Saturday we slept until around 9 (sleeping in! YEAH!) and then we had breakfast at the buffet. It was ok, but since it was almost 10 the food was a little old (they shut it down at 10). Food is food though. Then I went back to the blackjack tables. There weren't any $10 tables (turns out there wouldn't be for the rest of the night) so I played a $15 one. Ouch! I lost my butt and it sucked! I knew better than to do that. Oh well...that's why they call it gambling though right? The rest of the afternoon I hung out in the hotel room. I watched Passion of the Christ. All I can say is WOW! I was so emotionally drained after watching it. I'll have to post about it later.
Saturday evening we had reservations at Seven Sisters, which is there 5 star restaurant in the casino. OMG! It was sooooo good! I had the 5 onion soup and the filet minon. It was good. DH had the New York Strip and let me tell you it was the best steak I have ever had. Melt in your mouth goodness! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
After dinner I headed back to the blackjack tables. What can I say, I am a glutton for punishment. I did well though. I started out with $60 and ended up with $220! Not too bad~ yeah me! Then it was time for the show...
Rick Springfield!!!!!
I can't get Blogger to load my pictures so if you want to see a pic of Rick, click here.
WOOO!!! I know I am a dork. I just love me some Rick. At least 80's Rick and besides the tickets were free! We sat 5 row left center aisle. Great seats! The man is nuts. I had never been to one of his shows so I didn't know about the rose thrashing and the audience participation but it was great. I got several great pictures (I'll post a few as soon as I can find a computer to download them- ours is brokey!) and even a few rose petals for the memories. All in all it was a great night. I even came home with a new CD- The Day After Yesterday. Rick Springfield's covers of some really great 80's songs!
After the concert I went back to the tables one more time. BAD IDEA! I lost is all...boo hoo! Oh well. It wasn't that big of a loss really. We had a good time and that is what counted. I missed the babies like crazy and it was good to see them. As soon as I picked up DS he said "Mama"! Aww! That was the first time. Now I know he missed me! :)
Now I need to rest from my mini-vacation. haha!
Back to work, back to work.
Anymore, I only play Blackjack. Love, Love, LOVE it! I wish it was with actual cards in Cherokee, but alas its electronic. But there are still dealers (they hit buttons to deal) and chips and people that are willing to talk to you. It's really fun actually.
Friday night I hit the $10 tables. I played for several hours and ended up tripling my money. I started with $50 and left with a little over $150! WHOO WEEE! Not a whole lot, and god knows how much I actually lost. I didn't stay too long and was in bed by 10:30pm. I am a bum, but I was tired. I think DH got back to the room at 4 am.
Saturday we slept until around 9 (sleeping in! YEAH!) and then we had breakfast at the buffet. It was ok, but since it was almost 10 the food was a little old (they shut it down at 10). Food is food though. Then I went back to the blackjack tables. There weren't any $10 tables (turns out there wouldn't be for the rest of the night) so I played a $15 one. Ouch! I lost my butt and it sucked! I knew better than to do that. Oh well...that's why they call it gambling though right? The rest of the afternoon I hung out in the hotel room. I watched Passion of the Christ. All I can say is WOW! I was so emotionally drained after watching it. I'll have to post about it later.
Saturday evening we had reservations at Seven Sisters, which is there 5 star restaurant in the casino. OMG! It was sooooo good! I had the 5 onion soup and the filet minon. It was good. DH had the New York Strip and let me tell you it was the best steak I have ever had. Melt in your mouth goodness! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
After dinner I headed back to the blackjack tables. What can I say, I am a glutton for punishment. I did well though. I started out with $60 and ended up with $220! Not too bad~ yeah me! Then it was time for the show...
Rick Springfield!!!!!
I can't get Blogger to load my pictures so if you want to see a pic of Rick, click here.
WOOO!!! I know I am a dork. I just love me some Rick. At least 80's Rick and besides the tickets were free! We sat 5 row left center aisle. Great seats! The man is nuts. I had never been to one of his shows so I didn't know about the rose thrashing and the audience participation but it was great. I got several great pictures (I'll post a few as soon as I can find a computer to download them- ours is brokey!) and even a few rose petals for the memories. All in all it was a great night. I even came home with a new CD- The Day After Yesterday. Rick Springfield's covers of some really great 80's songs!
After the concert I went back to the tables one more time. BAD IDEA! I lost is all...boo hoo! Oh well. It wasn't that big of a loss really. We had a good time and that is what counted. I missed the babies like crazy and it was good to see them. As soon as I picked up DS he said "Mama"! Aww! That was the first time. Now I know he missed me! :)
Now I need to rest from my mini-vacation. haha!
Back to work, back to work.
Chocolate Pudding
Just for you Lil Duck Duck...
DD last May after we handed her a single serving of Chocolate Pudding and a spoon...
I am soo glad that it wasn't the couch!
DD last May after we handed her a single serving of Chocolate Pudding and a spoon...
I am soo glad that it wasn't the couch!
Friday, July 14, 2006
Stalling
Those of you with toddlers, raise your hands.
Do they stall at bedtime? Do they find anything, and everything, to keep you from getting their little hiney's into the bed?
If so, you are not alone.
DD has always been so good at going to bed when I tell her it is time to go nite-nite. Heck, sometimes she would even tell me it was time for nite-nite. I used to brag at how easy it was for me to get her to bed. Someone should have slapped me, bacause now it takes a nightly miracle to get her willingly into bed. Something has possessed my sweet child and has taken over!
Several months ago it was as simple as wanting a cup. DD has never went to bed with a bottle/cup but I could accomodate her. She gets thirtsy...fine. She then progressed to waking up in the middle of the night for her cup. While it makes Mommy here crazy ok. (That is a whole other blog topic in itself). Then it was after her book, she had to kiss the kitty and her rocking horse. Ok, it's mildly entertaining and only takes a few minutes.
Now bedtime consists of:
Do they stall at bedtime? Do they find anything, and everything, to keep you from getting their little hiney's into the bed?
If so, you are not alone.
DD has always been so good at going to bed when I tell her it is time to go nite-nite. Heck, sometimes she would even tell me it was time for nite-nite. I used to brag at how easy it was for me to get her to bed. Someone should have slapped me, bacause now it takes a nightly miracle to get her willingly into bed. Something has possessed my sweet child and has taken over!
Several months ago it was as simple as wanting a cup. DD has never went to bed with a bottle/cup but I could accomodate her. She gets thirtsy...fine. She then progressed to waking up in the middle of the night for her cup. While it makes Mommy here crazy ok. (That is a whole other blog topic in itself). Then it was after her book, she had to kiss the kitty and her rocking horse. Ok, it's mildly entertaining and only takes a few minutes.
Now bedtime consists of:
- Eating 2.5 crackers
- Reading 2 books
- Saying nite nite and kissing the cat, rocking horse, and any other object she feels is important that evening.
- Turning on the light to make sure that cat (that she just kissed in the living room) is not lurking under the bed
- Saying prayers, getting hugs and kisses, hi-fives and smoochy faces to Mommy.
- Wanting to read another book.
- Wanting to read same book in the dark.
- Wanting a drink from cup on night stand.
- More kisses and hi-fives
It takes me at least 20 minutes to get her in the bed and settled enough that I can get a shower and go to bed myself. If I skip any of the above, it ends in her screaming. The end result is she is freaking out and DS is now awake too. I know I need to put my foot down and just make her got to bed without all the hoopla. I am a sucker and she knows it.
Any ideas or suggestions? What has your toddler been doing/done that drives you running straight for the looney bin?
Can I please have my sweet, sleep-loving little girl back please?
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Thursday Thirteen
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2. Playing with my kids 3. Watching CBS Soap Operas 4. Driving to Boone for the fresh mountain air 5. Lounging by the pool with the radio on 6. Laying on the beach with a pina colada in one hand 7. Reading a good book 8. Working on my scrapbook 9. Cross Stitching 10. Taking a walk in the park 11. Talking on the phone to an old friend 12. Catching up on my favorite blogs 13. Absolutely anything other than work! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. http://lilduckduck.com |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Vacation, All I Ever Wanted
veraWell, I made it to Boone and back in one piece.
It was heavenly. I did get to leave right after work on Friday. Besides the fact that I think I hit every single redlight between here and there, I made it in just a little over 2 hours. I couldn't have asked for better driving weather. It was in the low 70's all the way up the mountain. With the window down and Ashlee Simpson blaring on the radio (bad I know) I loved the time to look around and see what had and had not changed.
The road up there (321) has undergone some major renovation. They are widening the road since so many people go up and down the mountain on a daily basis. While having 2 lanes for the majority of the ride was nice and certainly speed up travel time, I couldn't help but notice that it is ruining the landscape of the drive itself. So many trees and mountainous (is that a word?) rock moved for the sake of progress. They say it is making to roads safer. Maybe it is, but it still detracts from the beauty that is the Blue Ridge Moutains.
By the time I got up there, it was quite chilly. I actually had to roll the windows up! Haven't been able to say that in a long time. Ruth's parents house is up on the mountain and I have to say it is a beautiful home. All log cabin-y with lots of homey decor. One of the windows has a tree branch over it for decoration. I shouldn't expect anything different though. Ruth is an Interior Designer after all.
I said hello to the Dew-parents and they prepared to leave. After they left I called DH to let him know that I made it on one piece. Ruth and I sat and talked for a little while and then we took the tour of Boone. She showed me all our old stomping grounds as well as the new stuff. It all has changed so much. I couldn't believe it was the same campus that I went to. I almost prefer the campus of yester-year to what there is now. Too much brick all over for my taste. But I guess that it progress huh? We drove around to some of the new apartments in town. We even went into one that was still under contruction. I just knew we were going to get arrested for Trespassing. Ruth is crazy like that!
Around 8:30 pm we decided to stop somewhere for dinner. I chose Macados since we don't have one at home and it was somewhere that we ate often. All I can say is YUM! It's a great place to eat if you ever have the opportunity. Then we went back to her house and sat around and talked and watched What Not To Wear. I guess we were both worn out becasue we both fell asleep on the couch.
Saturday I woke up around 8 am and decided to take advantage of Ruth's big tub with the jets and took a bath. Then I sat out on one of the decks and talked to DH and the kids for a little while. DH has gotten DS to sorta eat from a spoon by himself. Now, if you hold the spoon in front of him he will grab it and put it in his mouth. I guess it is progress huh? After talking to DH, I sat in the living room and read until Ruth woke up. We waited for her friend Laura to get there and then we left for a day of shopping. First we ate at Mel's Diner though. Then we were off to Valle Crucis and the famous Mast General Store. I had never been to the one in Valle Crucis so it was neat to get to go. I bought a cotton woven rug for the kitchen and an entire case of Big Red soda! I was so excited to find it...they don't make it anywhere around here. (It's a childhood, Ohio thing). While driving back we stumbled upon an AMish store so we petted the horse and looked around a bit. It was really cool. One of the many reasons I love the area. Things seem so much simpler there.
We headed to downtown Boone so that I could get a tshirt for the kids. The place was a madhouse! Between summer campers, summer schoolers, and parents doing the "visting" thing you could barely walk. And boy has downtown changed. There are soooo many arty-fartsy high end stores now. For example, where the Farmer's Exchange Hardware used to be is now a retail outlet of local artist and high end things such as those Vera Bradley quilted bags. I kinda like them but I don't understand the appeal really. I certainly don't think that they are worth $60 for a simple purse. They did have a discontinued section at 60% off, so I am kinda kicking myself for not getting one just to say I have one. Oh well. Maybe next time. And then again there is always Ebay!
After beating the crowds in Boone, we went to Blowing Rock to hit a few stores there. I now remember why I never went there. There isn't any parking and way too many people during the summer. I did get a bunch of candy and a jack-in-the-box for DD. After that we went back to Boone and ate dinner. Then back to Ruth's to chit-chat. We were going to go back out, but decided to just stay in and hang out. It was really nice. We went to bed about 11:30 pm.
Sunday, I woke up and got ready to go at 8 am. I said goodbye to Ruth and Laura and headed home. I have to say that it felt bitter-sweet. A part of me wonders if I will ever be back. I was really sad that I had to leave. I missed my babies and couldn't wait to see them but it left me feeling a little sad all the same. It's like leaving home. No matter where I go, Boone is where home truly is for me.
It was heavenly. I did get to leave right after work on Friday. Besides the fact that I think I hit every single redlight between here and there, I made it in just a little over 2 hours. I couldn't have asked for better driving weather. It was in the low 70's all the way up the mountain. With the window down and Ashlee Simpson blaring on the radio (bad I know) I loved the time to look around and see what had and had not changed.
The road up there (321) has undergone some major renovation. They are widening the road since so many people go up and down the mountain on a daily basis. While having 2 lanes for the majority of the ride was nice and certainly speed up travel time, I couldn't help but notice that it is ruining the landscape of the drive itself. So many trees and mountainous (is that a word?) rock moved for the sake of progress. They say it is making to roads safer. Maybe it is, but it still detracts from the beauty that is the Blue Ridge Moutains.
By the time I got up there, it was quite chilly. I actually had to roll the windows up! Haven't been able to say that in a long time. Ruth's parents house is up on the mountain and I have to say it is a beautiful home. All log cabin-y with lots of homey decor. One of the windows has a tree branch over it for decoration. I shouldn't expect anything different though. Ruth is an Interior Designer after all.
I said hello to the Dew-parents and they prepared to leave. After they left I called DH to let him know that I made it on one piece. Ruth and I sat and talked for a little while and then we took the tour of Boone. She showed me all our old stomping grounds as well as the new stuff. It all has changed so much. I couldn't believe it was the same campus that I went to. I almost prefer the campus of yester-year to what there is now. Too much brick all over for my taste. But I guess that it progress huh? We drove around to some of the new apartments in town. We even went into one that was still under contruction. I just knew we were going to get arrested for Trespassing. Ruth is crazy like that!
Around 8:30 pm we decided to stop somewhere for dinner. I chose Macados since we don't have one at home and it was somewhere that we ate often. All I can say is YUM! It's a great place to eat if you ever have the opportunity. Then we went back to her house and sat around and talked and watched What Not To Wear. I guess we were both worn out becasue we both fell asleep on the couch.
Saturday I woke up around 8 am and decided to take advantage of Ruth's big tub with the jets and took a bath. Then I sat out on one of the decks and talked to DH and the kids for a little while. DH has gotten DS to sorta eat from a spoon by himself. Now, if you hold the spoon in front of him he will grab it and put it in his mouth. I guess it is progress huh? After talking to DH, I sat in the living room and read until Ruth woke up. We waited for her friend Laura to get there and then we left for a day of shopping. First we ate at Mel's Diner though. Then we were off to Valle Crucis and the famous Mast General Store. I had never been to the one in Valle Crucis so it was neat to get to go. I bought a cotton woven rug for the kitchen and an entire case of Big Red soda! I was so excited to find it...they don't make it anywhere around here. (It's a childhood, Ohio thing). While driving back we stumbled upon an AMish store so we petted the horse and looked around a bit. It was really cool. One of the many reasons I love the area. Things seem so much simpler there.
We headed to downtown Boone so that I could get a tshirt for the kids. The place was a madhouse! Between summer campers, summer schoolers, and parents doing the "visting" thing you could barely walk. And boy has downtown changed. There are soooo many arty-fartsy high end stores now. For example, where the Farmer's Exchange Hardware used to be is now a retail outlet of local artist and high end things such as those Vera Bradley quilted bags. I kinda like them but I don't understand the appeal really. I certainly don't think that they are worth $60 for a simple purse. They did have a discontinued section at 60% off, so I am kinda kicking myself for not getting one just to say I have one. Oh well. Maybe next time. And then again there is always Ebay!
After beating the crowds in Boone, we went to Blowing Rock to hit a few stores there. I now remember why I never went there. There isn't any parking and way too many people during the summer. I did get a bunch of candy and a jack-in-the-box for DD. After that we went back to Boone and ate dinner. Then back to Ruth's to chit-chat. We were going to go back out, but decided to just stay in and hang out. It was really nice. We went to bed about 11:30 pm.
Sunday, I woke up and got ready to go at 8 am. I said goodbye to Ruth and Laura and headed home. I have to say that it felt bitter-sweet. A part of me wonders if I will ever be back. I was really sad that I had to leave. I missed my babies and couldn't wait to see them but it left me feeling a little sad all the same. It's like leaving home. No matter where I go, Boone is where home truly is for me.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Boone Here I Come!
I am so excited! One of my closest friends, and college roommate Ruth, has invited me to Boone for the weekend. Two days with no kids and no responsilities other than to relax and have a good time. Yipppeee!!!
I hadn't planned on going or doing anything this weekend. Ruth called me on the 4th and scheduled an imprompto get-together at her house. I have not been to my home away from home since I graduated in 2000 and I have to say that I miss it so much. I have a feeling I will miss it even more after getting up there. Boone is a beautiful place. A small, quaint college town nestled in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I still kick myself to this day that I didn't take advantage of the opportunities provided there (sking, camping, etc) while I could. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now I suppose.
This will be the first time I have gone on an overnight trip without DH since I moved in with him in 2000 (except for business trips). Evidently, DH has a problem with the speed at which this trip was thrown together. Nevermind the fact that I sometimes only get an hours notice that he is headed to Harrah's for the evening. He seems to have forgotten that. When his dad is home they go at least monthly, while I am stuck at home with the kiddos. I don't mind, but it pisses me off when he can't return the favor. Is it too much to ask that I spend some time with my friends? I mean damn...it has been 7 years since Ruth and I got together. I have posted multiple times regarding my lonlieness and lack of friends and DH and I have had multiple conversations on the same subject.
When I called to ask him if it would be ok that I spend the weekend with Ruth, he said that was fine if I found someone to keep the kids Saturday since he had a Mason's thing. Fine...done. He then stated that he wanted me to have dinner with the family before I left. Ok, fine. The next day he tells me I have to be home by noon so that he can go do a side job. That means I have to leave Boone at 9 am to make it home in time. Ok, fine. Then I am leaving right after work to head up there so that I can spend a little more time with my friend. Apparently, this is where DH stops listening to me and starts treating me like a child.
I have spent the last two days practically begging him to let me leave from work instead of coming home first. I want to get up there before 5 pm traffic since there is crazy construction in the area. Not to mention the Ruth's house in the middle of the woods and I am relying on MapQuest to get me there. I don't want to do to in the dark. And besides, does it make much sense to get there at 10 pm? Then he tells me that I never told him that it was going to be for 2 nights. He would be better if it was just Saturday night, etc. What difference does it make? Who knows. In a nutshell, it boils down to I didn't give him enough notice and he doesn't like that I am going to be out having fun.
Hello? I am not your child. I shouldn't have to ask you permission to do anything. I have shed many a tear over not having any friends. Maybe this is why...I can't do anything unless King DH approves. GAH!
Anyway, I won that battle I guess. He said I could go "but I owe him 6 nameless favors"- whatever that means.
All I know if I am going to party like it's 1999 all over again. !
I hadn't planned on going or doing anything this weekend. Ruth called me on the 4th and scheduled an imprompto get-together at her house. I have not been to my home away from home since I graduated in 2000 and I have to say that I miss it so much. I have a feeling I will miss it even more after getting up there. Boone is a beautiful place. A small, quaint college town nestled in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I still kick myself to this day that I didn't take advantage of the opportunities provided there (sking, camping, etc) while I could. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now I suppose.
This will be the first time I have gone on an overnight trip without DH since I moved in with him in 2000 (except for business trips). Evidently, DH has a problem with the speed at which this trip was thrown together. Nevermind the fact that I sometimes only get an hours notice that he is headed to Harrah's for the evening. He seems to have forgotten that. When his dad is home they go at least monthly, while I am stuck at home with the kiddos. I don't mind, but it pisses me off when he can't return the favor. Is it too much to ask that I spend some time with my friends? I mean damn...it has been 7 years since Ruth and I got together. I have posted multiple times regarding my lonlieness and lack of friends and DH and I have had multiple conversations on the same subject.
When I called to ask him if it would be ok that I spend the weekend with Ruth, he said that was fine if I found someone to keep the kids Saturday since he had a Mason's thing. Fine...done. He then stated that he wanted me to have dinner with the family before I left. Ok, fine. The next day he tells me I have to be home by noon so that he can go do a side job. That means I have to leave Boone at 9 am to make it home in time. Ok, fine. Then I am leaving right after work to head up there so that I can spend a little more time with my friend. Apparently, this is where DH stops listening to me and starts treating me like a child.
I have spent the last two days practically begging him to let me leave from work instead of coming home first. I want to get up there before 5 pm traffic since there is crazy construction in the area. Not to mention the Ruth's house in the middle of the woods and I am relying on MapQuest to get me there. I don't want to do to in the dark. And besides, does it make much sense to get there at 10 pm? Then he tells me that I never told him that it was going to be for 2 nights. He would be better if it was just Saturday night, etc. What difference does it make? Who knows. In a nutshell, it boils down to I didn't give him enough notice and he doesn't like that I am going to be out having fun.
Hello? I am not your child. I shouldn't have to ask you permission to do anything. I have shed many a tear over not having any friends. Maybe this is why...I can't do anything unless King DH approves. GAH!
Anyway, I won that battle I guess. He said I could go "but I owe him 6 nameless favors"- whatever that means.
All I know if I am going to party like it's 1999 all over again. !
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Eww Mommy!
Last night after dinner, DH and I were talking in the dining room while DS finished his dinner. DD was done and was playing in her room. Or so we thought. Next thing we know she has her diaper in her hands and was thrusting said diaper at me. "Eww Mommy! Poopy!". OMG! I about died! She had decided to change her dirty diaper herself. Nice one baby girl!
I grabbed the diaper from her and ran to her room, terrified of what I would find. Fortunately, she hadn't gotten any of it on anything. I proceeded to clean her up (among protests since she wanted to do it herself) and we had a little talk about coming to get Mommy or Daddy when she wanted to change her diaper. Hopefully she understood. I have been told to just wait until she takes it off and gets poo all over herself and the walls. Here's hoping I nipped that one in the bud.
Maybe its time to start potty training?
I grabbed the diaper from her and ran to her room, terrified of what I would find. Fortunately, she hadn't gotten any of it on anything. I proceeded to clean her up (among protests since she wanted to do it herself) and we had a little talk about coming to get Mommy or Daddy when she wanted to change her diaper. Hopefully she understood. I have been told to just wait until she takes it off and gets poo all over herself and the walls. Here's hoping I nipped that one in the bud.
Maybe its time to start potty training?
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Happy Belated Birthday America!
Happy Birthday America! I know that it is a day late, but those that know me realize that I don’t post from home so I have to wait until I am work to post. At least until they catch me…
The weekend was pretty much uneventful. DH had to work a fireworks show Saturday night in Charleston SC. (That is his “new” hobby these days) so me and the kids were all alone. Other than the incessant whining from DD it was nice and quiet. Sunday, DH was supposed to do another show but it got cancelled so he was home all day. For some reason, that annoyed me to no end. I guess it was because I was expecting him not to be there. Who knows…I was just ill, but I got over it eventually. Monday, it was another show for DH, so I prepared to watch Hell's Kitchen in the comfort of my bed only to find out there would be no Brit screaming at wanna-be chef's that evening. Oh well. Who says there is something wrong with going to bed at 8 am anyway?
I had to work yesterday in replacement of taking Monday off (the daycare was closed) and DH stayed home with the kids. I received a call around 1:30 from DH stating that I would be lucky to see my children alive when I returned home. Evidently, DD and DS decided to call a truce from toy snatching and proceeded to play in the kitty’s room. DD was standing in the litter box and DS was throwing kitty food around the kitchen with all his might. Apparently, there was cat food all over the place. That's my boy :) I couldn’t contain my laughter. Where was DH when all of this took place? In the living room, watching TV. Big surprise there. So, the old saying of beware when the children are quiet holds true already in my home. So scary! DH took pictures of the devastation. I’ll download them tomorrow if I get a chance.
DH, SIL #2, and I took the kids to see the fireworks last night. I am so glad that we didn’t take them to any of the bigger shows. It would have been a waste of time. DD was scared of them (I think it was the noise) and hid from them the whole time. We tried to get her to watch, but she was having none of that. Of course, once she was in the truck and couldn’t really hear them she was all excited. The little goof! DS was afraid at first and cried for the first few, but then sat and watched the rest of them with wide eyes. His little heart was beating a mile a minute. He is such an observer of the world- perfectly content to sit and watch people and things.
I am so proud of my babies I think my heart could burst. Even on those days that I want to sell them to the gypsy’s because of all the whining, they are my everything and I wouldn’t trade a single second with either one of them.
Sorry if this post is all over the place. I have gotten behind and there is so much to tell. If anyone out there would like to see a post about any particular topic, let me know. I would be more than happy to oblige.
Gotta try to get some work done around here. Have a great day!
The weekend was pretty much uneventful. DH had to work a fireworks show Saturday night in Charleston SC. (That is his “new” hobby these days) so me and the kids were all alone. Other than the incessant whining from DD it was nice and quiet. Sunday, DH was supposed to do another show but it got cancelled so he was home all day. For some reason, that annoyed me to no end. I guess it was because I was expecting him not to be there. Who knows…I was just ill, but I got over it eventually. Monday, it was another show for DH, so I prepared to watch Hell's Kitchen in the comfort of my bed only to find out there would be no Brit screaming at wanna-be chef's that evening. Oh well. Who says there is something wrong with going to bed at 8 am anyway?
I had to work yesterday in replacement of taking Monday off (the daycare was closed) and DH stayed home with the kids. I received a call around 1:30 from DH stating that I would be lucky to see my children alive when I returned home. Evidently, DD and DS decided to call a truce from toy snatching and proceeded to play in the kitty’s room. DD was standing in the litter box and DS was throwing kitty food around the kitchen with all his might. Apparently, there was cat food all over the place. That's my boy :) I couldn’t contain my laughter. Where was DH when all of this took place? In the living room, watching TV. Big surprise there. So, the old saying of beware when the children are quiet holds true already in my home. So scary! DH took pictures of the devastation. I’ll download them tomorrow if I get a chance.
DH, SIL #2, and I took the kids to see the fireworks last night. I am so glad that we didn’t take them to any of the bigger shows. It would have been a waste of time. DD was scared of them (I think it was the noise) and hid from them the whole time. We tried to get her to watch, but she was having none of that. Of course, once she was in the truck and couldn’t really hear them she was all excited. The little goof! DS was afraid at first and cried for the first few, but then sat and watched the rest of them with wide eyes. His little heart was beating a mile a minute. He is such an observer of the world- perfectly content to sit and watch people and things.
I am so proud of my babies I think my heart could burst. Even on those days that I want to sell them to the gypsy’s because of all the whining, they are my everything and I wouldn’t trade a single second with either one of them.
Sorry if this post is all over the place. I have gotten behind and there is so much to tell. If anyone out there would like to see a post about any particular topic, let me know. I would be more than happy to oblige.
Gotta try to get some work done around here. Have a great day!
