Write this one down, folks. As I type, all three kids (yes, even the 5 year old) are napping. I know! It's a miracle. They've been sleeping since about 1:00, too!
So what did I do with my time? Clean? Cook my mom a birthday dinner? Bathe? Nah, I surfed eBay. Important stuff.
Lots of eating, pooping, and sleeping going on here. I can't even describe how many diapers and wipes we are going through between the 2 babies. I won't lie, it's hard, but it's getting better every day. Sorry updates are virtually nonexistant!
ETA: Sorry this picture is so crappy...I didn't turn on the light so the baby wouldn't wake up. Result = sucky, grainy cell phone picture. Oh, well!
Things that may or may not* be said between the hours of 5:30 and 7:00 a.m. on any given day:
Southern Mom:
Your alarm clock! Turn it off! It's loud, you're going to wake up the whole house! TURN IT OFF!!!
(a few minutes later)
Your cell phone! It's your cell phone! No, not your alarm clock! YOUR CELL PHONE!!!!!
(when he finally stops the noise)
I don't know why you set an alarm clock when you can't hear it! It wakes everyone up BUT you!
Southern Dad:
Shut up! (still quite asleep, mind you)
Southern Mom (round 2):
Turn that *%@^%$! alarm clock off before I beat your @$$!
Soutern Dad! Southern Dad! SOUTHERN DAD!!! I SAID TURN IT OFF!!!!!!
(possibly some hitting may occur at this point, either on the head, on the back, or kicking of the shins)
You have a problem. Quit setting your alarm clock! You never use it to get up, I'm the one who gets you awake when MY alarm clock goes off!
Southern Dad:
You want some cheese with that whine?
Southern Mom:
Oh, that's nice. 1988 called and wants it's snappy putdown back!
Southern Dad:
Shut up!
Lather, rinse, repeat every GD morning!
*who am I kidding, we actually say all of this. Every. Morning.
I have an update on the big first birthday party from Saturday...I just don't have time to post it right now. (That pesky job thing getting in the way again...) I'll just have stick up a picture or three as a placeholder until I get home...that is AFTER work and AFTER the 12 month check-up and AFTER cheerleading practice (yep...I'm doing that again...) So, here ya go.............
(sorry for the not so great quality...these are scans from pictures I printed off of my PictureMate printer)
Just wanted to let y'all know!
So much for that moblog thing, huh? Oh, well!
We had a great time, and even though we drove south-ward, it was still colder than cold! It even spit snow and sleet Saturday afternoon/evening. We had ideas of places to take Southern Boy so he could play and explore, but ended up not going because of the ARCTIC! chill in the air. Instead, we let him spend his birthday money he had been saving for a whole 2.5 weeks. He did pretty good...Star Wars Legos, an Incredibles video game (on sale!), a Star Wars Transformer, 2 Star Wars Lego t-shirts (he insisted on that one and one with R2-D2 and C-3PO). It was like 5 year old heaven! Also, Gymboree was having the best! sale! ever! and I scored Southern Girl several pieces for her birthday (which is FRIDAY!) and for next year, too. I even found Southern Baby a cute little outfit - It's the first thing we've bought for the baby!
It was quite funny that Southern Boy kept singing "we're going on vacation!" as if we were headed to Disney World. His highlight was staying in a hotel and going to Toys-R-Us...MY highlight was him falling asleep 20 minutes into the drive home, and actually sleeping the ENTIRE WAY! That boy talks non-stop!
Weekend realizations:
• we have GOT to purchase ourselves a king size bed, especially when this baby comes.
• Southern Girl can now go a whole weekend without baby food, and boy does she love chicken!
• I have a sincere hatred of the Heely’s shoes. Sincere. Hatred.
• Our son is a poop machine. And? He will always need to go when the conditions are less than perfect. I'm just saying...
• People are CRAZEE. When you wake up and it is freezing outside, DON'T wear flip flops or sandals...I really don't care how many jackets you have on. Also, shorts and a polo shirt? I'm telling ya, crazy!
• I need a new cell phone. This is not a want, it is a need! Preferably one that will hold a charge and not have sound issues.
• I can't resist the power of Babies-R-Us.
Really, y'all know how it is...sometimes just getting away from the same 'ole, same 'ole does wonders for how you feel. It's a good thing, because now we are in full-out 1st birthday planning mode. The actual big day is Friday, but we are having her party on Saturday. Let me just say...pink and green everywhere! That's where we are...
Today is one of those RARE days when I don't have school, but the kids DO have preschool. :cue angels singing: I am just so thrilled to have leisure time! Yes, I have oodles of stuff I need to do, but I'm just not going to do it! Just call me a daredevil! Actually, I thought I might go to a neighboring town and do a little shopping at a cute store I just love...something I haven't done in a while! Even if I end up doing absolutely nothing, I'll still be blissfully happy because this week is finally over! I hate weeks like this one. My co-workers and I have a little saying at school "short weeks are the longest weeks ever." I guess it's a certain excitement in the kids or impatience in everyone wanting the week to just end already, but usually the most bizarre/crazy/awful things happen during the weeks we have one or more days off. This week did not let us down...and thank God it's over! In fact, Southern Dad actually wants to go somewhere this weekend! YAY! He usually huffs and puffs when I mention wanting to get out of the house and just galavant, so this is a rare happening, indeed! At first we thought we might go north and find some snow that Southern Boy could have his way with...he's just dying to build a snowman, but I think we might actually go south-ward. Nothing like heading out of town with no plans and no reservations. We usually do this a couple of times a year, and it is always one of the happiest times we spend as a family. What a wonderful ending to a tough week! I'll moblog some pics (something else I haven't done in a long time!). Have a great weekend!
I'm telling you a week can just fly by without even a blink! My work week has been filled mostly with preparing for yesterday's observation (which went WELL) that I have to endure twice a year every 5 years. (Southern Dad rolls eyes at this) But it's over now, and all I have to do is grade 20 bajillion papers to prepare for parent-teacher conferences next Thursday. (I roll my eyes at that).
SO...yeah, it's been quiet around here - but I just haven't had the time to write, or frankly anything "special" to write about. I realize I have a loose end from a previous post, so I'll just update on that...
Southern Girl's daycare issue has become SO much better. Turns out that the teacher was just copying down the menu on the "what I ate today" spot her daily report instead of what Southern Girl really ate...also, the director did some staff shuffling, and Southern Girl has a new teacher - that I know and really like! I am much happier now, and I am glad I was able to talk to the director about my concerns without seeming like one of "those" moms (never happy, always complaining, etc). You know, I don't remember being this aprehensive when Southern Boy went to preschool, but of course he was 3 already. This is a whole new ballgame, and sending an 11 month old is completely different than sending a 3 year old. It's just hard on everyone when she is at this in-between stage of eating, table food vs. baby foods vs. bottle. And you know? Just when I get through it with Southern Girl, I'll have the baby following right behind. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
But, damn, at least I have a tunnel...as I was typing this, the news about Anna Nicole Smith just came on the TV....I can't say I didn't see this one coming (can you say drug problem?), but I really hate it for her innocent baby girl. Huge shocker for the day!
(Southern Girl had to stay inside...she's been battling croup all week)
five years ago, to be exact, a little boy came into my life and changed it forever. I can't believe how fast time has passed, and I know that very soon (when "real" school starts) it will move into warp speed. I no longer have that baby boy, but in his place is a smart, articulate, imaginative young boy...much like his daddy was as a young boy, I've been told. I do know one thing, if he continues to follow in his daddy's footsteps, he will be one hell of a husband and father. Happy 5th birthday to my firstborn son!
**NOTE: I don't know why comments aren't working on this entry (they seem to be working on previous entries). I'll look into it...**
I don't know if it was true nerves or the fact I had to pee like you wouldn't believe, but I sat for 45 fidgety minutes in the waiting room, waiting to meet my little baby...
Finally, after watching 2 families come out all giddy giddy over their little set of black-and-white thermal pictures, the sono tech called us back to the tiny room. I plopped up on the table, and she placed the wand on my tummy...the very first sight we saw was two legs spread apart. She quickly confirmed that we did, indeed, want to know the sex, but we already knew...
We had a second little boy joining our family.
Having that huge question out of the way, the rest of the visit was fantastic. This little guy posed and did tricks like he knew he was being filmed. He was also quite active, as he kept banging his head on the walls of his warm and cozy home. We never got that great profile shot like we had with Southern Boy and Southern Girl (we could tell they were going to look a LOT alike, and they did), but we did get several cool pictures to show off to the family. I'll just leave you with one of my favorites...my little acrobat!
Today is THE day!!!
At 2:30 I have the big ultrasound, where hopefully we will find out if we will be a one boy, 2 girl family OR a 2 boy, one girl family. I am more nervous than I ever dreamed, and I don't know why. It's not like it matters one way or the other, but as this is (hopefully) the very last baby we will bring into this world, every one of these "lasts" are big to me. That sounded wierd, but I think you know what I mean! We decided to leave the kids at home for this visit and just make it the two of us...I just don't think Southern Boy understood last time (he was 3 1/2) nor would he this time, and I KNOW Southern Girl wouldn't have a foggy clue if we were to try to take her, as she's not quite at that year mark yet. Actually, I'm excited that it's just the two of us - and I think baby3 is too, because for about 24 hours he/she has been doing baby gymnastics in my belly practically non stop. It's weird to go from random thumps to such active movement. At any rate, keep your fingers crossed that baby3 cooperates to give is a peek at the gender; it should know that mama is an impatient soul, and wants to know already!
Speaking of fingers crossed...
We finally have some hope for winter weather
(no, I don't live in Memphis, but "somewhat" close...)
*praying for no school tomorrow!*
I had a slight (use that term loosely) panic this afternoon after picking Southern Girl up from daycare. Well, first, things were going from bad to worse because Southern Boy woke up from his nap with a terrible earache and was SCREAMING with pain by the time we got to the car. (this lasted all the way home and, oh, about an hour after we got home, BTW) Anyway, Southern Girl has been in the infant room for the past few weeks, but since she is turning 1 in a month, and since she and one other boy exactly her age are at least 6 months older than the other 4 babies in her room, the director decided to go ahead and move her and the little boy to the one year old class. Well...(this is getting wordy - sorry) she always gets a sheet stating mood, diaper changes, what she ate, etc., and I noticed on the afternoon snack line it read "peanut butter and crackers."
Um...she's still 11 months old.
I don't know about any of you, but I tend to really stick to the "feed item X at this age, and don't feed items A, B, or C until after the first birthday." I dropped the sheet and began to inspect her...for what? I had no clue! Her cheeks (I noticed when I picked her up) were very rosy, and her nose was a leaky faucet - but it did run a lot yesterday. That's about all I could distinguish as being "different" from any other day, but I am just PISSED! The more I have thought about it tonight, the madder I have become. What if she DID have an allergy that I didn't know about to notify them of because she WAS UNDER ONE AND HAD NEVER HAD PEANUT BUTTER BEFORE! What if she had a severe nut allergy and I wasn't there and something HAD happened? OH MY GOD MY BABY COULD'VE DIED AND I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THERE! I'm not a shit-stirrer, but I am going to the director on this one. I can't think of a situation where serving PB and crackers would be appropriate in a one year old class. Am I over-reacting? I don't want to make an ass of myself, and I realize that some people don't follow the what to feed your baby when guidelines. However, on this one, when I send food for my baby - including a snack - I don't feel like liberties should have been taken with her menu without consulting me first.
I do love this facility - I am friends with the director and they are working out many kinks as a new daycare, but this is one error that had the potential of being fatal. I am just devastated.
Here I sit, still in my pajamas at 3:30 in the afternoon. Man, no-school holidays are the best!
Luckily it has been pretty dark all day so Southern Girl slept in until 9:00 - which means we all slept till 9:00! And...she has taken a 3+ hour nap this afternoon. The icing on the cake would be to actually get those flurries the weather people keep teasing about and have a snow (or ice - I'm not picky) day tomorrow. Of course we won't get that lucky, because it never snows here...wishing never hurt anyone, though!
We got some disturbing news this morning - hubby's mom has been admitted to the hosp. and is doing very poorly. He's been with her all day, but her kidney's aren't functioning properly - which is a very bad sign for her. She is in poor health anyway, due to several strokes she suffered a few years ago, but this seems to be a major backslide for her.
*as I was typing this, Tim called. His mother passed away about 20 minutes ago.
Please keep us in your prayers.
For the first time, I have the opportunity to have Southern Boy and Southern Girl at the same child care place on the same days, but there is a big dilemma.
Here is Southern Boy's pretty simple schedule:
MWF: Preschool
TT: Babysitter, who is an elderly woman whom we ADORE. She only keeps about 5 kids, ages 3-near 5.
Now, Southern Girl is a different story. In this small town I live in, infant child care is in very short supply. You pretty much need a relative or friend to watch your baby when you go back to work, or be one of the very FEW lucky ones to score a babysitter who will watch an infant. Daycare facilities are just not here, that is until about a month after Southern Girl was born when a local church decided to open a child development facility and accept babies. I was on that like white on rice, and Southern Girl was third (out of 4 spots) in the coveted baby room. This poor facility has had one bump in the road after another in it's quest to open it's doors, and finally went live, for just 2 days a week (Tues/Thurs), this week. Southern Girl has adapted very well in the two whole days I've dropped her off. The other three days, Southern Girl goes to the same babysitter she's been going to, who coincidentally is also a teacher at the new child development center.
It's all a piece of cake as long as Southern Dad and I can remember who goes where and which one of us is in charge of the drop off...because what day is it again?
So, long way to get to my dilemma, but here goes...
Southern Girl's school has been asking me to bring Southern Boy, too, on TT, which would be SO EASY to just have one stop on those two mornings. However, I simply can NOT tell the sweet elderly babysitter whom we LOVE that I'm pulling him and putting him in the new facility. It's simply that I don't want to hurt her feelings or take away any income she might be relying on each week. I am in such turmoil over this decision...
Why is being a mother SO HARD?
...whether we like it or not!
I can distinctly remember the night Southern Dad and I bought Southern Boy his ExerSaucer. We couldn't wait to get back home and see how our little angel, our pride and joy, would respond to this new experience. Now, you tell me...how do you think he liked it?
Happy little fella, huh?
That was the end of May/first of June 2002.
Fast forward to tonight, when I had Southern Dad pull the ExerSaucer from storage so I could clean it up for the growing-faster-than-you-can-believe Southern Girl. Y'all, I can NOT believe she is getting so big! It's not supposed to happen this fast...she's my BABY! We went for her check-up today and she weighs over 16 pounds! (Look out Jamie...I've got a Fat Bug, too!) In some ways I'm sad to see her grow into a toddler, but in other ways I can't wait to see how she changes. She already has the best disposition you could ever ask for in a baby. During our 4th of July family get-together I couldn't turn around without hearing "I do believe that's the best baby I've ever seen!" because, y'all, she didn't cry even once...ALL WEEKEND! (Southern Boy was much the same way until he became mobile, then he became ALL. BOY.)
Watching your babies grow up is very much bittersweet. You try to keep up with it all, you try to remember everything, but despite all your best efforts they grow up. They become long-legged boys who don't like baths in the summer and don't want their fingernails trimmed. They become 4-going-on-14 princesses who don't want you to brush through the tangles and want to pretend their baby sibling is their own-personal-real-life baby doll. No matter what, though, they'll still climb in your bed in the wee hours of the morning, stroke your hair, and whisper "I love you Mommy." Then you know it's all been worth it.
Despite the "negative" reactions to today's 06-06-06 date, I had a very lovely 8th anniversary with Southern Dad! We even got to go out to eat sans kiddos, which was actually heaven-sent, so pbttttttthhhhhh to the omen-schmomen stuff. The place we went was one of my absolute favorite places to go to down by the lake, and an extra added bonus - it was "Tropical Tuesday" (live band and loads of fun). It is hard to believe how fast eight years has gone by. I swear, I still feel like I'm the 16-year-old who's the one of the only non-seniors at the senior field party up at the pavilion, trying to look all cool so the future Southern Dad will notice me. Boy, times have changed, because I sit here now in my oversized gray lounge pants and a pink nightgown with pictures of pajamas on it. I'm quite sure he still thinks I'm hot, though...wink wink. Y'all have a good night; I'm going to bed!
**I am about to flippin' lose my mind! I had my entire post typed up, had been working on it for a while, and when I hit publish *poof* it was gone. Farking (thanks Mrs. Flinger) DSL! I'm going to throw it into the TN River! Here is what I had originally written, to the best of my tired memory:
Did you know that this is my first week of Summer vacation? Yessiree it is! Last week was so chaotic, that I am relieved to be able to do absolutely nothing this week. I think it is so odd to be out of school a full week before Memorial Day. Not to mention we have to go back the first week of AUGUST! WTF! I'm already dreading it.
We took Southern Boy swimming yesterday for the first time this year. I was sort of afraid that he would be scared or not remember all that he learned last year, but he took to it, well, like a fish to water. I still think I'm going to send him to swimmig lessons, though, because a boy can't wear floaties all his life. (well, I guess he could, but I would have to point and laugh) He has been doing great with his cast; he hasn't complained about it at all. He got it off today, thank goodness, because it was starting to look pretty gnarly. I can't imagine what it would have been like if he had been "sentenced" to 6 weeks in the cast. S Boy has also been playing in the Parks & Recreation T-Ball league for the first time. I'm telling you, it is absolutely hi-larious! It's fine entertainment for those of you who have never experienced 3 and 4 year olds playing T-Ball.
I've lugged my camera to each ballgame, and I just realized tonight that I have taken some great pictures of the chain link fence, and some mediocre pictures of my son. I'm good like that.
Itty Bitty Southern Girl turned 3 months Tuesday. I can't believe how fast she is growing! She's just a little chub-monkey.
She has been enthralled with her feet this week.
I'm sure it won't be long until she'll have them in her mouth, but we haven't gotten to the "I've gotta put that in my mouth, NOW" phase.
I've been wanting to order her one of those...umm...unique Bumbo seats for a while, and finally bit the bullet last week and ordered one. It just so happened that it arrived on her 3 monthday. She likes it a lot, but gets tired quickly. (wouldn't you if you had jiggly-neck?)
S Boy had just as much fun with it as S Girl did - probably more, if you really think about it. He ran around for the longest last night with it on his head. He took it to his bedroom to play with, he put it on his toy chest when it was time to go to bed. I'm sensing trouble in our near future.
Well, I'm going to try to post this and get to bed. It was 2:10 when I finished it the first time, and now it's 2:52. I have just about had it with this DSL...you see, about a month ago the hubs upgraded our DSL, and since then, every time it rains (yes, rains) in West TN out DSL goes out. We have called the phone company several times, but it's still happening. It is driving me CRAZEE! And we all know that crazy & the middle of the night equals nothing good.
Oh, I almost forgot! I got my crafty hat on tonight and made some burp cloths!
I've been itching to decorate some cloth diapers with some cutesy grosgrain and trim, and I think they turned out great. I'm going to get them monogrammed, oh, sometime. ( I never seem to get things done in a hurry) It's just too bad that I'll always remember the awesomely bad fight that the hubs and I had on the night I made them. That's all I'm going to say about that!
Heading down to Mississippi for the weekend, so I'll try to moblog some. Ya'll have a great Memorial weekend!
**Edited: Can not connect to DSL at all. I'm beyond pissed. I'll have to post this later. Between the DSL and not being able to post a comment at R*Belle's site, I'm starting to develope a twitch.
While watchting the end of the Kentucky Derby, my very southern, proper aunt announced that "the Red Hot Chili Peppers had just won." ??? All I can guess is that she saw the Saturday Night Live commercial where the RHCP were the musical guests that night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Mom (after a sending a little gossip my way): ...but he didn't want [family member]to know he told me, so let's keep that on the Q-T
Me: Ummmm...you mean the D-L?
Mom: ??? Q-T...you know, quiet.
Me: Um...okay?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Southern Boy (pointing to a local nursing home): Dad, what's that place?
Southern Dad: That's a nursing home where people can live when they get a lot older.
Southern Boy: Pause (evidently for dramatic effect) Mama's getting older.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I let my baby - my 2 month old baby - fall off of my bed this morning! I have no idea when she became mobile, but I had laid her in the middle of my bed while I got ready in my bathroom that was 3 feet away. She was quarreling some and doing the grunt she does when she's getting hungry, and I was talking to her while I put on my make-up. Next thing I hear is a "thump" then a scream. She was laying face down on the carpet (thank GOD my bedroom is carpeted). I scooped her up and soothed her, and she seemed to be alright except for one thing...her birthmark just faded away. I paniced, thinking all the blood was leaving her head, called my mom, then called the dr. Of course I had to speak to his nurse, and as I was telling her about the port wine stain fading away, she said "a what?" in this you-are-an-idiot tone. I explained what a PWS was, how it always turns blood red when she cries, and how it was white right now. She said she was probably shocked from the fall, but told me things to look for to know if I should take her to the ER. Luckily she's ok, no iffy signs or anything...just a "normal" baby! Plus the nurse redeemed herself in my eyes when she called to check on us about 30 minutes later. She even said she asked the Dr. about the PWS, and he said that her blood vessels probably just constricted from being so startled. I don't care what it was, it freaked me out! Oh, but that's not all I did to my daughter today...I scratched her forehead when I was getting her out of the Bjorn...you guessed it, she screamed bloody murder. AND if that wasn't enough...we had church tonight (our spring revival) and I knew she would be hungry before church ended, so I made sure to pack a bottle for her. Sure enough she got restless, but when I went to warm her bottle I realized I had no nipple. Nice. I decided to leave church and run to my mom's to get a nipple there, but as I was putting her in her car seat I bumped her head on the door facing. At that point I considered just driving myself to DCS and turning myself in. How many things can go so horribly wrong to one mom in one day? If tomorrow is anything like today I'll never make it!
I am having a tough time making it to work on time. This morning I even woke up 30 minutes earlier (woke the baby up to nurse!) plus I didn't have to take SB to school, and still was late! How do you moms do it? Please let me in on a few pointers. In my rush, I tried to place the blame on my hubby...and I still think he could have done a few things to help...but it's not entirely his fault. It also really doesn't help to have your mom sitting there telling you over and over "you'll never make it" "you're going to be late" "you just need to get up earlier." Here I am going to bed at 12:30 because I'm packing lunch, etc. so I don' t have to in the morning; I can't get up much earlier and function properly. To make matters worse, I forgot to change out my contacts and they are dry as a bone. (how dry is a bone, btw)
AND, this is the kicker, I had 15 bucks yesterday that has mysteriously disappeared. I don't know if I left it in my car, or if the hubs took it (not at all unlikely), but I have literally 43 cents to my name today. Not even enough for a coke. Damn this day has already gone to pot. I miss maternity leave!
I mean, really, where did March go?? There's nothing like having a baby to remind you how much you had gotten used to just having a 4 year old around the house. Mama was spoiled! Needless to say things have been a tad bit different for all of us, but we are getting into a rhythm now (thank you infant carrier!)
So much has happened since baby made 4. One thing that is consuming a ton of our attention is that "southern girl" (my blog nickname for the baby, SG for short) was born with a birthmark on her lower jawline (called a port wine stain)that we have had to see a pediatric dermatologist about. She will have a series of laser treatments starting this summer, and hopefully by her first birthday it will be mostly, if not all gone. My outlook on her birthmark is so much more optimistic now, after all these weeks, than it was for at least the first 2-3 weeks after she was born. I felt so reassured to meet with her Pedatric Dermatologist 2 weeks ago; it's like a weight has been lifted. We go back for a consultation with the surgeon on June 1, who will then set up an appointment for her first treatment. If you are so inclined, please keep my sweet baby in your prayers. Hopefully we'll only have to have the lesser number of the estimated treatments.
Today is my first day back at work. I can't believe my maternity leave is over, but at least I only have until May 19 until I'm out for summer vacation. My mom is keeping SG until school gets out. THANK GOODNESS! It would have been much harder to leave her in someone else's hands. Mom will even keep Southern Boy (SB) on Tuesday and Thursdays when he doesn't have preschool. Of course all of this isn't without a guilt trip every once in a while from her. What else would you expect from a mom?
Tennessee has been all over the news for the past month! Luckily we missed all of the bad storms in our area, but they hit VERY close to us. It is unsettling. And, what about that woman murdering her preacher husband! That was a wee bit too close to home, as well. You would not believe the media that was in that town for several weeks. I had to drive through one day, I think it was the day of her court date, and there were no less than 15 TV vans with big dishes on the top parked around the criminal justice complex. A strange sight indeed for rural Tennessee. THEN, as if TN hasn't had enough tradegy, that bear killed and mauled a 6 year old and her mom and brother in East Tennessee. So very sad!
I really hate that it has taken me so long to finally put up a post, but I knew that all you moms would understand. Free time is a luxery those first few weeks with a newborn attached to your boob. Posts should become more frequent now, as well as pictures. Speaking of..........
And I love you more than ever. Thank you for being a wonderful father and a loving husband.
Here's to many, many more years of happiness!
Happy Anniversary!
We are trying so hard to get Chase to go to the potty. We have lengthy talks about big boys don't use a diaper, big boys go poopy in the potty, etc., etc. He seems to like going to the potty at the babysitter's house, but will scream bloody murder when we even hint about the potty at our house. We hit a major milestone on Sunday when we were at my mother's for lunch: He ran to the potty and went! ALL BY HIMSELF!!! We all cheered and made utter fools of ourselves, and he was so proud. That was it for the day. No more potty. Oh well, Rome wasn't built in a day.
Fast forward to yesterday. I pick him up from the babysitter's house, and she tells me that they had gone grocery shopping and were just about to leave when he tells her he has to go "poop." She finds the bathroom and he does it! This has to be good, right?
I had to head right back to school for cheerleading practice (I always take Chase with me - it's just easier that way), and he tells me again that he has to go potty. I'm thinking "WOW! It has finally clicked!" We go to the teacher's lounge and he stands there (and stands, and stands, and STANDS!) - he refuses to sit. After a few minutes (hours it feels) he says "mama I cold." Before I can respond, he reaches down, pulls his "peepee" and says "pecker, you cold down there?" I thought I would die! He didn't have a stool, so his "peepee" was resting on the toilet brim. Out of the mouths of babes...
How ironic is it that this came out in our newspaper today:
Peter Potty gets standing ovation from toddlers One of the most difficult challenges that parents face during their child's early development is potty training. Although some children learn faster than others, little boys tend to take longer to potty train than girls. This is primarily due to the stand-up factor. Since most boys between 2 and 3 years old are too small to reach the toilet and their aiming skills are just not there yet, they start their potty training by sitting down. However, when little boys sit down to go potty, they still have trouble aiming down into the toilet bowl, and the traditional potty training seats with deflector devices simply do not work. When boys grow tall enough to use a toilet or a urinal, most parents have to retrain them to stand, which requires balance and can make a little fellow uncomfortable, especially when using a public restroom. The solution may be the Peter Potty, from Visionaire Products, a flushable toddler urinal that makes it easy and fun to train little boys to be little stand-up guys! The Peter Potty is made of durable plastic, and designed to look and function just like a real grown-up urinal. It even has its own toddler-friendly flush system to keep the potty sanitary and teach good hygiene. Parents simply have to fill the reservoir on the top and empty the liquid waste from the tray below. No plumbing, tools or additional attachments are required. Most important, it's sized to fit little boys, and it adjusts to a toddler's height, so there is no need for a step stool. The Peter Potty can either mount directly on a wall or to the sturdy, free-standing base that comes in the box. Parents can set it up in a bathroom, in a child's room, or anywhere in the house. Since traveling often puts a temporary halt on the potty training process, the lightweight design makes it easy and convenient to transport wherever families go. The Peter Potty was conceived by mother and entrepreneur Marcia Hauflaire and is being introduced to the marketplace by Visionaire Products. It is available at select retail outlets and on the Internet at www.visionaire products.com. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $39.99.
Comments are fixed, thanks to my wonderful host! It sure helps to have someone smart around! :o)
I am so irritated because I missed Wickedly Perfect last night! I had a ballgame to go to (no choice in the matter), and was so rushed to leave at 5:00 that I forgot to set the recorder. Just another check on the reasons we need a DVR. Up until now digital cable (and TiVo) have been one of the things to do without for the sake of "the budget." I am slowly creeping to the "I want it real bad" phase. Especially when American Idol starts in a couple of weeks. I just have to convince the hubs that it is necessary. Ha! Maybe soon, though.
Not much planned for my weekend. I tend to get bored this time of year. Christmas (and all the hubbub that comes with it) is over, and I feel like there's nothing interesting to get out and do. Not that sitting home is bad, but man, there's only so many times a person can sit through Spider Man (1, 2, and various cartoon versions). We rotate them constantly. I'm quite sure Wild Child can quote them by now. Speaking of Wild Child, his new favorite word is "sideways." However, he thinks it is the replacement word for backwards, inside-out, and around. Everything needs to be turned sideways . Quite funny. And, the other day I walked in the living room to him standing on the ottoman changing SpiderMan DVD's out (a big no-no). I told him "Mommy is not happy with you!" and he put on his "charmer" face and said "Yes you is!" How are you supposed to deal with cuteness like that? I've got my work cut out for me here!
Viral Infection (Chase)
Severe eye infection (the hubs)
sinus infection (me)
sinus infection (the hubs)
now...
stomach virus (Chase)
All over the course of the last 3 weeks. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Tim and I get the latest round. Shit. There is still shopping to be done, presents to wrap, family to visit. Why, oh why, must my family be stricken with the sickies over and over?!?
And, dadgum, I have my Knit-In party tonight! You'll just have to overlook this pity party. It'll pass soon enough.
Well, not literally bald. You see, Chase has come down with what is evidently a viral infection (aka don't even think they're gonna prescribe medicine). He ran some pretty high temperatures, and Monday at the Ped it was up to 103.8! He was showing no other symptoms except fever until Monday night when the nasal dam evidently broke. Poor baby has been in a shape. We were up until 2:00 last night because he couldn't breathe. The thing about him being sick is he has to have his hands in my hair constantly. It's one of the only times he does it anymore. I swear my head is sore from it. I hope and pray that he is on the way to feeling better. It is so sad to see your very active baby listless from a nasty fever.
And...just because I had to:
Congratulations! You are Lynette Scavo, the
ex-career woman who traded the boardroom for
boredom, mixed with moments of sheer panic as
the mother of four unmanageable kids.
Which Desperate Housewife are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
My town does a little thing called Victorian Christmas the first weekend in December. They open some of the historic homes/churches for tours, offer carriage rides, perform a play in the old theatre on town square, stuff like that. It just so happens that I live in the downtown historic district...but not in an aforementioned type home. That doesn't stop the excitement on our end, though! We still get the luminaries lining our street and driveway, and there is excitement like no other when the horse and buggy go by (for Chase, that is). I'm sitting here with the fire going sipping mulled apple cider. Devine.
Speaking of Wild Child, I took him to see Santa this morning at another event that is held the first weekend of December, Breakfast with Santa. He was *so* excited when he woke up this morning, all ready to tell Santa what he wanted. We got there, still excited, stood in line, still excited, reached the front...scared to death. Needless to say, no pictures with Santa this year!
Well, I did go to the doctor yesterday and had a heart to heart on this not getting pregnant thing. He believes that I'm not ovulating, and wants me to take medicine to stimulate egg release. I'm wanting to know, have any of you done this? I need helpful (not hurtful) advice.
Gotta run, I'm off to take a carriage ride...
We had a huge scare this morning at school. A small group called Students for Christ meets every Wed. morning (before school begins) for short devotionals led by local pastors/priests/youth ministers. They always have a light breakfast, doughnuts or sausage and biscuit, etc. Well, this morning a sixth grader got choked on a piece of doughnut and almost died! Our basketball coach and then one asst. principal (a certified first responder) did the Heimlich on him until his lungs bled, but that piece would not come out! The ambulance finally got here about the same time as his dad, but he had been w/o air for at least 6 min. He was solid blue and of course passed out. I believe they ran a tube down his throat to give him oxygen, but he still couldn't be revived. Finally his mom got here by then and she said he needed his "shot" because he's severely diabetic. The last we heard he's ok...but he was sent to the same major medical center that Busy Mom works for because of fluid and doughnut particles in his lungs (which could cause pneumonia). His 1st cousin was in my room, and she was scared to death. Heck, it's scary stuff for anyone! I am so proud of my fellow faculty!
Another scare - but substantially less important happened to me yesterday. One of the first things Wild Child tells you when you ask what Santa's going to bring is an Incredible car. He wants it BAD. I decided yesterday that I would just go ahead and order it online because I could keep it in the shipping package and not worry about him finding it. I went on the Disney store website and the estimated shipping time was 15 weeks. 15 WEEKS!!! I went to Toys R Us and they didn't have it...KB Toys - nope, some other random toy stores on the 'net - nada. Panic started to set in. This is the first Christmas that he has actually asked for anything. The hubs got mad at me and told me that I was not going to start acting batty over silly toys, but I was just heart-broken about it. I had the hubs call his sister in Memphis, who called the Disney store in the mall. Luck! They had a few in stock! She bought one this morning, so all is well in the world. Well, for today.
Have a very happy Halloween!!
It's bad when you're ready to go to work to get a break. I've had a sick baby at home, and it's been just exhausting. Last night was awful because you just can't talk logic to a 2 year old. I could not make him understand that if he ate a hot dog and chips (which he was begging for) he would have a sick tummy again. I was bad mommy, and he was on the floor crying. I had a killer headache, but I could not eat anything around him since he was already having a fit over food (or lack thereof). I ended up not eating until after he went to bed, and felt so guilty the whole time because I knew he was hungry - just too sick to hold the things he wanted down. Thank goodness he didn't have an episode all night and felt good this morning.
In other "non-sick" news
I have finished my scarf from below, and I have also finished a reddish purple one for my niece's birthday Saturday. I'll post a pic of it this afternoon. Today I am starting one for my sister's birthday, which is next week. It is so cool...it's GGH Gracia in a pale blue with black flecs. It is super soft! I think it look fab with her black leather coat. Speaking of new yarn...I bought it at the new yarn shop that opened this month in a neighboring town. It is still trying to build its stock, but I loved it! I bought myself 2 skeins of Muench Furrari Mohair . I can't wait to get started on it! Pics soon - I promise!
Whew, Monday again? It feels like I've had no break at all. The hubs has been on the road all weekend with football games, and then this morning (at 3:00! am!) he left for Baton Rouge, LA and Tyler, TX - all within 48 hours. He has to go for work (found out Friday at lunch). I have parent-teacher conference tonight, which makes for a l-o-n-g day.
I'm coming right along with my basic garter-stitch scarf. (I'll post a pic soon.) I frogged my first attempt (I was making it in the stockinette stitch, but I didn't like it), and started over yesterday. I find myself just itching to knit. I can't wait to pick it up again every day. But, you see, I am very impatient. I want to be finished so I can start something else, just as I am beginning what I was starting in the first place. Does that make sense? Well, humor me please. Today is not the day to tell me I'm not making sense. Ya'll have a good one...
This tent is where we spent most of our time at the hot, crowded, but fun Day out with Thomas. You can view all of our pictures here (I hope this link works, I'm at school and Ofoto is blocked by the state as "inappropriate content." Whatever.)
Have a great Monday!
Here we are in Nashville this weekend to shop, eat, have a break, and mostly go see Thomas the Tank Engine! Chase is so excited...it is about to drive us crazy (but in a good way). My mom had bought Chase a few things for fall, and a cute denim pea coat, but she got them all in a size 4T. Chase just now grew into a 3T pant, so I had to exchange them this afternoon. I completely forgot all the Labor Day sales that have been plastered on the telly and newspapers, and I paid for it dearly. The crowd was unbearable! Gymboree didn't even have 3T's in most of his stuff. Baby Gap was packed. I had to wait 20 minutes in line to check out. What is it with me and stores? Why do people seem to have a dumbass attack when they are in front of me in a checkout line? We bought a few things, then got the heck out of there! We are staying downtown Nashvegas tonight (because the train station is downtown, too). Chase loved walking around 2nd Avenue with all the people. Well, we're off to jump in the bed and watch the rest of the Notre Dame game...I'll post pictures from the train station tomorrow or Monday (yay! Monday is a holiday! NO SCHOOL!!).
whew, so tired, so busy! I've started the Dr. Phil plan, but no good news to report as of today. Chase is having a grand time at the babysitter's. My big debate right now is whether to put him in pre-school 2 days a week. Several of my friends who have 2 year olds are starting them in the school's brand new 2 y.o. class. How did ya'll pick the age at which to start your children in preschool?
To preschool or not isn't the only troublesome thing in my life right now...
I've been a bad blogger! I swear there needs to be at least 5 more hours in a day. Why 5? I don't know...I'd use up that time too and still not have any bloggy time! I have been so extremely busy and stressed...I even conjured up a fever blister with all the stress from starting back to school last week. It seems like there is just so much to get done, but no time in which to do it! Believe it or not, teachers have to attend a lot of meetings during in-service (or at least I do!) I think everything is finally back in order and I'm ready for the kiddos to come back tomorrow.
I didn't learn to knit this past weekend like I had hoped. Not a soul knew how to knit (well, one girl could do the knit stitch, but not purl...I didn't pursue it). Speaking of this weekend, the family reunion/cabin outing thing was just o.k. I had a little tiff with by BIL because he told his 2.5 y.o. son not to play with Chase "because he doesn't know how to share!" EXCUSE ME!!! Is this the same child who has eaten my baby alive by biting him so hard there are bruises?!?! I have never told Chase not to play with someone else for any reason. I may cringe when he gets bitten/hit/pinched/etc. by my nephew (and my sis and BIL don't do anything about it), but they are 2 YEARS OLD! Really, it's just something all the time...
Well, this is really all I have time for, folks...I hope to get back into the swing of things soon. Maybe then I will be able to resume visiting all my bloggy friends and give some much needed love to my own blog! Ya'll have a great week!!
I'm sorry I haven't had anything to say for the past few days. It's been a pretty quiet week/weekend. I did get to do a little shopping last Wednesday (mostly for birthdays). I did buy myself a couple of things for work since I GO BACK THIS WEEK! I know I keep saying it, but I just can't believe it is back to school time again. I am going to have such a hard time getting up in the mornings, especially since I have to take Chase to the babysitter's this year (the hubs took him last school year).
Speaking of Chase, he is still sleeping in his "big boy" (read: his OWN) bed. We're getting ready to put up a twin for him this week. I've been lusting over a quilt from PBK, so I'm going to use my yard sale money and get it. (Is it even possible to lust over children's bedding? Sounds bizarre, don't ya think?) He has been the cutest thing this week...shocker of all shockers, heh? He has developed this habit of saying "all queen" (all clean) whenever we finish something...for example, when I snapped the buckle after putting him in his stroller, he said "all queen!" After hooking all of his (6) Thomas the Trains together, he said "all queen!" (you get the picture) He also developed a (bad) habit of saying "look mama, shit" and pointing to his poopy diaper that I am changing. (yes, I'm a bad mama...this whole thing came from a tragic potty training episode last week when he pulled down his poopy pull-up to use the potty. You can guess, poop everywhere! You can also guess what I said...) And, perhaps the funniest, he has developed a deep affection for the song "Cheeseburger in Paradise." You haven't lived till your 2.5 year old is singing Jimmy Buffett!
Last night we celebrated my mom's 60th birthday. I'm sharing a few pictures with you in the extended entry. One is of the flower arrangement I made for the centerpiece. I was quite pleased with how it turned out, and my mom loved it.
I'll be around some this week, but it'll be hectic. Ya'll have a great week!
We're on day four of "who took my child and left me with this alien." Last night we had the first day of VBS, at which my little lovely was an absolute horror. When we got home, some type of altercation went on between the hubs and the alien, which made the hubs send the alien to bed (HIS OWN BED!) to go to sleep. I could kiss my husband, because this is the best thing that could have happened! Chase slept until 10:00 this morning (did I mention IN HIS OWN BED!?), and when he did wake up he played quietly in his room until I got off the phone and had the chance to go in there. Maybe (maybe???) there is hope, but I'm on guard...waiting for his next alien move.
Now for your viewing pleasure, snagged from Amber, but also noticed at Kate's:
Take the What High School
Stereotype Are You? quiz.
(Ed. note: I have never been, nor will ever be, blonde...just so you know)
I've always loved July 4th. I think it's just knowing that my family always comes together to eat and have a good time - without any other stresses. This year my parents hosted a weekend-long celebration with my dad's two sisters and their entire families. Lots of people! We had a fabulous time, but I'm thankful it's over. I have an extremely busy week ahead of me (I'll be posting about that later).
Hope you had a very enjoyable day!
Here it is Tuesday evening and I'm just now posting. Truth is, I logged in to post last night, but Chase lured me away for something or another and I forgot. Ummm...tired much?
I had a really good weekend, and a really good day today. Most importantly...I bought a new camera!! I am so thrilled, and I haven't stopped playing with it since Saturday. It is leaps and bounds above my old P.O.S.
Today we (My mom, grandmother, Chase, and I) went to my sister's (pictured above) apartment. I managed to get a chance to sneak off to this cool little shop to get some fabric for a couple of purses I want to make, plus a smocking plate to start on this weekend. And to top the good day off...Chase was an angel baby! (however, I'm paying for it now, because he's pitching a fit as I type. Oh well, can't have it all, can we?) One more wonderful, fabulous thing before I go finish the diaper bag for my friend...I officially have child care lined up for when school starts back in August! WoooooHoooooo!!!!! (you SAHM have my respect...I would so love to be at home watching my baby grow up than someone's pre-pubescent mongrel) It's Chase's old babysitter who had to stop keeping him last November due to being put on bed rest with her second pregnancy. He loves her, I love her, she loves Chase...T
