Merry Christmas all. Lovely day here, and I shouldn't be here at 10 pm. I was kind of too excited last night/this morning. And stayed up too late wrapping. But it was worth it. It was a wonderful day.

Apparently, a ninth reindeer travels behind Santa's sleigh, as a backup. If one of the other reindeer stubs his hoof, Perpinsia is there to step in.

Thank heaven.

This year I had to totally let go of the christmas tree thing. I wanted one sooner, I wanted to cut it myself, help choose it, all that. Weather put a damper on it and last night, my husband and son chose one without me. I drew a picture for G of 
the tree I wanted, and he painstakingly referred to it as they 
selected. He shot down a few of daddy's suggestions for this one. So it lilts to one side and is a little slim through the middle. 
So it has small white lights (half of which no longer light) and huge colored 
ones. So we had to cut a foot off the top *and* bottom. It's perfect.

It did take a while to get here though. Half the lights didn't light, I couldn't find a replacement bulb, ended up buying another string of lights, half of which of *those* didn't work, the large bulbs are so heavy they kept smashing on the floor, the ornaments smashing on the floor, I used the dustpan about 9234570 times, and the home depot tree isn't all that fresh and is leaving balsam deposits all over. But I still wouldn't trade it for anything.

It's like I need to work. Since October or so, I haven't had reliable childcare. I can get coverage for a meeting here and there, and probably 3 days in the last 10 weeks I've had a full day, but not good consistent time. I love the time with the kids, but I find myself playing lots of facebook games, eating junky food, and letting the house go to pot. So today I finally had childcare, a deadline, and somehow I"m still able to cook a real dinner and clean up the kitchen. Like I can do it when I only have barely enough time to, but if I have all day, I won't do any of it.

Oh my heart.

Not only does she tell me "I love you too momma" just out of the blue (yes, she adds the "too" even if she says it first), but she says "thanks momma!" if I give her something that she likes, like chocolate milk, and she really means it. Or she'll say "thanks momma, I love chocolate milk!"

But then, today, she walked up to me and said "merry christmas, momma". My heart!!

Oh winkflash, how I love thee. Not only are you sending my cards (which btw, are very cute and have a great design, this coming from a Design Professional) for incredibly cheap, but they are already printed and en route. I took the photo Friday night. Seriously, even if I had decided to print them myself on my little hp all in one, I couldn't have done it faster and cheaper. And other than getting the kids to be relatively cute and facing the right way, I had to do nothing.

Thank you.

Dad, is that a gingerbread house (the house is lined in many strands, as well as each tree, in different colors, not multicolored, but one red, one blue, etc)?
No, that's just a ranch.
Well, then that's ridiculous.

Oh do I love him.

"Mom, why do some people's houses smell like fish?"

I guess maybe they cooked fish?

According to facebook . . . .

You got 27 questions right out of a possible 30.

You took 7 minutes to complete the test.

We estimate your IQ to be: 140... The average person has an IQ of 100 - if you are over 100 you are above average!

Today I'm grateful for the regular old boring stuff. More turkey than I should ever eat, lots of pie, great family to share it with, lots of vegetating.

And running a 5k this morning. Holy sheep.

However, I think my husband is mad at me for leaving my purse there. Oh well.

Last night my husband and I decided that the tiger would win.

Today's gratitude is a warm fireplace and plenty of free wood.

Today I'm just grateful for my smartypantses. Today the boy asked me who would win a fight between a lion and a tiger. Stumped I am.

Again with the skipping days. It's not like I don' t have stuff to be thankful for, I sure do.

Saturday: That taking just one child to run errands can turn into special bonding time.

Sunday: Super duper friends and fun at starbucks. Nuff said.

Today: While it's just begun, I'm really grateful to the teenager at Dunks who gave us 8 free holiday sprinkled munchkins.

Oh shoot I missed another day. And we're almost at the big Thanks day.

Yesterday I cleaned my house. I'm just thankful that I had the motivation, even my office. And I went running. I'm not sure who put crack in my coffee, but it worked. Thanks DD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!1

Today I'm thankful that everyone is asleep and it's 8 pm. We're *finally* going to watch Hot Fuzz.

Today I'm thankful that it ended up being a really nice day and the kids and I could have a low key playing outside day. Also, that for my babygirl who was so late in walking that she received state services, who now is more physical than her brother. She always wants to walk or run. I haven't used the sling or stroller in I-can't-remember-how-long, whereas Brother was firmly in his until she came along. Today she just wanted to run laps around the apple tree. I hope it's something she keeps up, it'll be another good way to bond with daddy.

Today I am thankful for retail therapy. I got into a tiff last night which caused me to miss sleep and I"m quite certain it's still heavy upon the other party.

However, after all new running gear (pants, jacket, bra, sneakers, and headphones) I feel much better and don't give a rats ass about that tiff. I know that I am being the best me I can and can't worry about others.

By the way, for the last six months or so, this is how I try to live my life, and you should try it. It totally works.

Ack, I missed three days. But I mentally noted what I was thankful for.

Saturday, it was the big financial revelation that ended up not being a big deal or a surpise. Very boring, but essentially, everything's going to be okay.

Sunday was a banner day. Brother in law got a "real" job which potentially opens his wife to child care of my kiddos. Best news I've had in months, probably.  That and we designed Maine in such a way that we can have a fun place by this time next year.

Today, I'm grateful that the neighbor girl has today off and had no plans, and is outside with the boy right now at the moment. Babygirl isn't falling asleep so I need to be here with her.

Oh geez. So I didn't get to post this when they were outside and the day took an evil turn with a phone call from my evil SIL. Apparently she didn't sleep last night because of how she perceived something I said, so she made it her job to make sure I didn't sleep tonight with something she did truly say.

Today I'm thankful that dad made it down into the Grand Canyon without any issue. Hoping that tomorrow I will say the same about the return trip.

Yesterday I had a post all typed out and blogger ate it. So sad. So today I'll be thankful if I get to post this.

Yesterday I was all sappy about how I truly do have the best kids on the planet. Which is true. I just was loving on them yesterday, and when I said I love you, I got the two sweetest "I love you too momma"s in return.

Oh and want to hear a story about how much I need to fire the babysitter? She's been watching M for nearly two years, and for the last 11 or so months she's been/we've known she's lactose intolerant. So yesterday she says "I know you don't like to give her milk, but I let her try some of mine . . " um ya. It's not that I don't like to, did you notice how she stank up the place within 20 minutes? And continues to through today? And her bum is raw and red and I have to clean her up all the time? RRggg.

Thank heaven it was just a fill in babysit yesterday. She's still not on the schedule. And I need to find someone who is.

Today I'm grateful that my mom had lots of stuff in her house that I could snatch when I went to run an errand for her. Bananas and pretzels and diet coke. Good times.

Today I'm thankful that I have a smart girl who trusts in her momma. I've really been delaying vaccinations, and she was due a lead draw. So she was poked 5 times. I told her what was going to happen, she said okay and made sure stickers would happen, and then shrieked a tiny bit. She did like the pink and orange bandaids too. She took a good nap, although a bit frightful that her eyes were a smidge open, but now she's a happy girly.

Oh and welcome to the world Jacoby Arthur! We're all very excited, not the least of which is the boy. He is really into birth right now, and has been obsessed with the belly for the last few violin lessons. I'm sure he's glad that Saturday was your Celebration.

Today I'm thankful for the muppets. No one else can come out with cheesy pep talk lines and make me smile, not grimace.

"Fact is, there's nothing out there you can't do. Even Santa Claus believes in you."
"Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending."

Yesterday I did get the nap.

Today I'm definitely recovering, although coffee was a bad idea (and now that I think about it, duh). I'm surprised that my stomach is still in turmoil, because I'm generally a 24 hour bug kind of girl and we're up to 36 now.

Now I'm just thankful that we're having a lazy fireplace day.

Apparently I caught the sickies or something. Not a fun night.

I'll be incredibly thankful if I can just get a nap in. Yawn.

Today, I'm grateful for a boy who prefers fruity candy to chocolate. And lots of chocolate in house. My jeans are not grateful for that.

Today, I give thanks for Dyson customer service. I do something that puts a hole in my tube. What that is, I have no idea. So I bought one replacement, but called customer service this time. A replacement is en route, no charge!

Oh and chocolate. And kids who like fruity candy better.

Today was going to be tough. The girl was up from 1 am until about 6, throwing up. I was able to grab a few 20 minute naps here and there, but also, one of our smoke alarms was doing the "almost out of batteries" chirp. Oh and she was playing her aquarium. So I'm tired, to put it mildly. Then, she's cranky and sometime around 10 am spikes a fever. And then we had her 2 year checkup.

But that's when it's better. She's back on the chart at 21.8 lb (2%) and 32.5" tall. Her noggin is still in the 87% at 49 cm. To hold her gargantuan brain of course.

So there's one gratitude.

Another. I have my laptop back. I've only had this setup a few months but it doesn't take long. The led was dying and had a one pixel horizontal line about 1/5 down it. Not earthshattering but it's so nice. And I can get my work email again, as I don't know the password to check it online. :uh

Today's gratitude is a quickie, as I'm en route to freezing my behind at the halloween parade.

So anyway, it's the World Championship Red Sox. Thanks guys for making Massachusetts a fun place to be today.

Today I am grateful for cider donuts. And a husband that didn't mind that I could not remember how to get to the farm so a 20 minute trip took an hour. And of course, the Red Sox one game away from World Series champions does not hurt one bit.

Today I am so grateful that my son has a karate dojo that he loves and I'm totally comfortable dropping him off for a 3 hour halloween party. From which he returned sweaty and exhausted and happy.

Today I am thankful that I weigh .4 lb less than I did last week. Not a huge amount, but also I haven't lost a single smidge in 3 weeks. So yes that.

And that my boy is a new orange stripe belt in kempo karate. And that the girl slept through the whole serious endeavor.

Isn't he the best?

Today I am thankful for Chris at Ikea, the home design consultant, who is going to gather up 3 bathrooms and a kitchen for me, even though that is "not a service ikea provides" according to call center lady. He's even making sure that I have all the bits and pieces like sink strainers. I can't wait to fill that uhaul with cinnamon buns. I mean . . . green affordable furnishings. And the cab filled with cinnamon buns.

Make that 3 nights. Woohoo! This morning was early, but straight till 6:45 is really good for this babygirl.

Today's gratitude, the fact that the meeting I was bending over backward to make it to, might not require my attendance after all.

Today's gratitude: Children who go to bed easily. And a girl who slept through both of the last 2 nights. At 2, really, this shouldn't be on the list, but I'll take it when I can get it.

Gratitude for the day: Kids who will try any food presented to them. The boy ate about 234329 chunks of ginger calamari, and not even because it was squid. I didn't present that part to him, wasn't sure if it was good or bad. He asked for more, three times.

Also, a daughter who fell asleep at a "normal" nap time today and is still out cold.

I'm adding in parents who are willing to kid watch all the time, when I am having childcare issues. That is a gratitude for tomorrow actually. Hm.

Today I'm grateful that it was a beautiful day for apple picking. And my son, who is already "too old" to tell me he loves me back after I tell him, told me he loves me, out of the blue.

And that we weren't part of the multi car accident that backed up 495 today. Yow.

Thirty days of gratitude.

As Thanksgiving is about a month away, I am going to try to post every day until then with at least one thing I"m thankful for. Since this is day one, and the baby is napping, I have a few.

1. The baby is napping.
2. It's unseasonably warm out (trying not to let myself freak out about it and just enjoy it).
3. Just unloaded shite from the car.
4. Husband's client didn't freak out when his company effed up (accident, but yes).
5. I ran even though I"m immmensely sore and didn't do it quite right. But many times I take that as an excuse just to slack.

In case you're wondering, if you go to a 10:30 a.m. Imax show on a Wednesday, you will have the whole place to yourself. And your five year old won't wear his 3d glasses because he doesn't want to see things right in front of him, but he still loved every second. Especially being on momma's lap.

Can you believe it's been two whole years? Sniff.

I am a dirty target hoor. The other day, I was wasting time, so I drove past the construction site of the soon-to-open target. And I see the "now open" sign. This sent me into such a gleeful state. This was October 10. I was one of fewer than a dozen customers, and about 40 employees. I let the girl eat the goldfish she dropped off the floor, as I have never seen a cleaner floor. Even in my own home. We spent $44, I have a new closer target, and they have a not-quite-entire grocery store but better than the old one.

Yesterday, I get the grand opening package. Which says October 14 on it, which btw is today. So I was special, yes, but also, $5 off $25 coupon. So rather than say "darn, coulda used that Thursday" I 
am all "woohoo, how soon can I get back?

Other than being asked if I was pregnant (:upset), very good weekend. The hellish trip of August was a longer mileage and significantly less stressful, traffic-wise, trip of October. I was a bit pissed at the hubby who caused us to leave at noon and miss the rehearsal dinner, but the wedding was worth it. Finally got the boy on a Duck Tour, which he's wanted to do ever since he knew it was something that could be done, and it was fun for us all. Cheesy jokes work in such a setting.

Protestors at the Independence Mall, who decided they had the right to show my children graphic images, while not knowing my political views, got the finger from my husband and I. I hate people sometimes.

The wedding was lovely, kids well behaved and beautiful, and it was so fun to see all sorts of old pals. The kids room was a fantastic call and the kids had loads of fun. Sleeping was so-so for the girly, but you can't get it all. Trip home was shorter, and even less stressful. Overall, very worthwhile. Only thing is, camera was on the fritz. I hope lots of friends share their photos.

Blech. So last night I started getting sick. I have a head cold which is fine but on top of that, the girls sleep is getting worse, so last night we started hardcore sleep training. That is, re-night weaning. She used to wake up at like 5, so I'd nurse her down for a few more hours of sleep. It crept earlier and earlier until she was up at 12:30 and still at 5, and now it's like every hour. I am sore. Wish us luck. I need rest.

I have a new friend. His name is Jude and he's got a british accent, golden curls, and is 3 1/2. The first day I met him, he was dressed as a pirate. Today he was dressed as a cowboy. He cracks me up. Today, we (Jude, the babygirl and I) drew pictures of fish, shark attacks, divers with knives, and pirate ships all over the walls. Imagine if you will, a cartoony fish scene drawn by an adult, lots of knives and blood drawn by a 3 year old, and various coloring-in done by an almost two year old. If only it weren't dry erase and not to be preserved. Sigh.

Today he did tell me about Jack Sparrow and how the pirates turn to skeletons, though. He seemed to be okay with it but I still don't think I'll sit down with my 4 1/2 year old for that one.

The question of the day was "why don't men (or maybe it was phrased "daddies") carry bags, like your purse?"

And I don't know. I said "well, most daddies don't carry around as much stuff" but really, I carry a wallet, keys, cell phone, and a diaper. I'd be thrilled if my husband carried around a diaper, and he carries everything else around.

So then, why? Because it's an affront to masculinity?

I can't freakin wait to get out of this town. I hate the politics. Hate them. These people need to devote their energy to a cure for aids or world hunger. They have that much extra time and energy. Wasted lives.

My dream last night. Where I was on a long car trip with just the kids, we stopped to get gas, and I ran into the store to go to the ATM. It was across the store so I was out of sight, but it was a cool day and I'd locked them in. 3 minutes later I returned to the car and the cops were there and it was all over the news and a creepy guy was sitting in my car with my kids.

Babygirl now sings along with Tony Bennett and the Dixie Chicks doing "lullaby of broadway" and I have to say it's one of the cutest things ever. "Good niiiight bayyybeee"

The boy just told me that we're going to have another girl, then another boy. I had been thinking this - that hubby wants another son, so if we get another daughter, I might get a shot at a fourth. I'll have to covertly find some of those methodology books.

Isn't it just the strangest thing to witness an accident? One moment you're spacing out pumping gas, the next, four cars you were half watching are crunched together. It always sounds less movie like and more plastic like than I expect. Not that I witness accidents all the time.

The causer was mad, but I think mostly at himself. He was mumbly and hands-up-in-the-air, but not yelling *at* people.

Also strange is seeing someone, that you didn't know had false teeth, without her teeth. Oogy boogy. Thank God the kids were there and not the 
husband. Much easier to behave in their company.

I really need to get better about pre-viewing what I let the boy watch. The other night, we were perusing youtube 
and found a video of a shark that a man caught on the beach. Fine. But then he yanks out a pistol. Fortunately, I clicked away before it got bad.

This afternoon, he's watching animal planet, and I'm making lunch, about 6 feet away. He has me come over to whisper a secret to me - something about a fish that will swim right up in your penis if you're not careful. Yikes!!

Sitting here on my lap, nursing mostly playing, I say "are you ready to put jammies on?"

You know what the answer is? "milk".

I know that's what is occupying you right now, goofball.

Woohoo!! No traffic ticket to pay!! I rock. ;o)

Then I went to target and spent the money on cute shoes and boots and new backpack for the boy. It's very cute and says things about "futbol" which is good for a little Europoseur like himself. ;o)

I was also incredibly excited to see, on my way to the closest current target which is about 30 minutes, not one, but *two* new targets slated to open in October. If they have a photo studio I will keel right over in joy. But seriously, new target might make me do that anyway.

In the morning, I go to court to contest a traffic ticket. 16 years of driving and this is a first. Wish me luck or something. It's not at all how I pictured it for several reasons.

I've decided that I'm going to just suck it up and get the ballerina stuff I so love from old navy, and if I feel bad about the money, use it for her halloween costume. I can do a little bun or something. That is hysterical.

I think maybe the last time I was this excited about a new shopping venue was my first trip to H&M.

Today I went to the New Balance factory store. Running sneakers, cool. Sparkly purply baby size sneakers for $10, freakin fantastic. I am on like a super high over the stupid place.

It's probably also too much caffeine and not enough food, not enough down time in the last few days. I am going to die if someone comes to look at the house Saturday.

The girl has this jungle thing. She always says "Jungle beans, jungle beans, jungle beans".
None of us know what this means. 
Today while I was changing her, she commented on Jungle Poop. News to me.

Okay. So NJ is the state with the most hellacious traffic ever.

Left at 1 pm friday. Arrived (according to mapquest, 4 hrs 40 minutes) at 8  pm. And the stops were only about 2 for 8 minutes each. Seriously now.

But it was worth it. Got to see bunches of friends and make the new ones. I got to *be* the special surprise at a bridal shower. Then fun crepes for breakfast. Still an awful trafficky ride, but we got to go to ikea, which if you know me, is always a good thing.

People are such losers.

His mom is already talking about moving into his house. Which she will eventually be evicted from when it is taken by the bank for non payment.

When her daughter died last year, she didn't go to her funeral and I'd bet you fifty bucks she won't go to his either. Hell, that's probably the day she'll move in. I can't believe he got out of that family intact and now this.

My heart is breaking a million times over. Yesterday, we were breaking down camp and getting ready to head home when we got a message that hubby's best friend was in a "really bad accident". We didn't know if that meant two broken legs or  . . . well, what happened. By 10 pm last night, life support was shut off and hubby was there with him when he went.

We have miller lite in the fridge for his visits. Wedding pictures feature him goofing off in many ways. We ate our wedding dinner with each other, and him. He knows the severity of baby girl's shreiks. We used to sit in front of the tv and have our bonding time while hubby put big boy to bed. Last time it was cut short, we sent hubby away because "we were bonding".

I don't know what happened. He hit a telephone pole. That's all we know. No rubber marks, 6:30 a.m., going about 60 mph which is the standard for the road he was on. We will likely never know.

My son just came to me with a turtle found out in "the weather". Aka the toy chest. And the turtle's name? Of course, it's Perry Trotman.

For some reason there's a mile or so of abandoned highway in the next town over. It's accessible but has no parking near it, so no one uses it. So we rode bikes over there (4-5 miles maybe? easy) and took the kids out on it. Boy rode his new bike with training wheels. As we were helmeting up and all, we saw two fox. They didn't even act ascared of us. Then we saw several snakes, much graffiti and rubber marks and burned sticks. I think it's mostly for animals and screwing around kids. I propose families take it back.

Soon we will go to the other end on the "outside" and see if it's more accessible. There's a relatively new wildlife observation deck, so someone is using it.

Spent the weekend camping on a lake in Maine. Fun, but it'll be more fun when our lil house is there.

Yesterday, while running laps around the tent, little boy tripped on a stake, smashed into hubby's boot. Right, like dss is going to believe the "fell" into daddy's boot line. Not to mention I think it may be broken. Seriously thinking that if the pediatrician won't do anything for it, of not telling anyone. Mandated reporters and whatnot.

Am I a bad mom if I find a babysitter for opening night of The Simpsons The Movie?

Today I was in target, with my long list about 3% complete, when I ran into a friend I have been having trouble connecting with for about 2 years. She has never met babygirl. So I dropped the list and we went to Denny's. I finished out the list this afternoon at walmart. And replaced the screenhouse purchased at target with the walmart version for 36/103 of the price. I don't get it.

Anyhoo, it was super fun catching up. Someone who knows me as just plain old me, not from childhood or as a mom, but as a true adult person. I showed her pics of the kids, sure, but we mostly talked about architecture and long lost friends from former jobs.

It'll probably be another two years before we repeat though.

In the interest of saving some money and eating more healthily, I've decided to plan our meals. I have never, ever, been a planner. I don't even know how to do this. I guess I need a calendar or something. It is pretty fun, though, that this afternoon we made dessert for tonight. It's very exciting.

We made honeydew melon with Jello inside. I feel so 50s housewife, in that "junk food twist on fruit" way.

The senseis are back from vacation and not a moment too soon. We love each other but we need structure.

Remember this post? Her baby died having lived only 12 days.

Now her angel has a little sister. I'm just so happy. She had a beautiful, healthy baby girl on Tuesday. Congratulations B and the whole B family!

So there's this song we have that goes "shananana mommy's sleeping/getting up/running/jumping/tired/start over". It's very catchy and we all like it. M loves to sing "shananana mommy ti-yud". G likes to interpret and add things. It's hysterical.

"Mommy's cutting the grass. Mommy's hunting. Mommy's digging for rocks."

The funniest part is, it's never things I do. He never says "mommy's folding laundry" or "drinking coffee". I crack up every.single.time.

So people came and looked at our house this weekend. If they had already sold their house, they'd buy ours. Meaning we need to figure out where the freak we are moving to. The list is getting longer. And while I'm really enjoying sketching up our new house, without a site it's all kind of a load. Sigh.

My daughter is 20 months old. Sure, she's only been walking for 2.5 months, but she can count to ten. So this morning, there were some cards out, so she counted for the sitter and I. The sitter lined up 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Babygirl identified each one and told me ten was "one oh!"

I bought workbooks last week to work with big brother full well knowing that she's going to be helping plenty.

Additionally, the beach pass might have been the best $35 ever spent. Time it at low tide and it's fun, safe, and not too busy. Yesterday we got there at 1:30 and parked right at the entrance, as on a 90 degree day, those who got there at 9 are fried and heading home.

Not to mention that babygirl falls asleep and we go to karate where she sleeps in a/c comfort while I watch 4 year olds barely not kill each other.

My boy has started karate. He has now gone four times, two private and two group lessons. It is hysterical. He loves it. Hiya! I wish they had classes during babygirl's nap time, as she could snooze in a stroller, but instead I'm keeping her quiet and off the mats the entire time and not really paying attention to my boy.

Today we went to the beach, even in the rain. It was actively raining when we arrived, so we ate lunch under the pavilion. By the time we were done it was merely cloudy and drizzly, so we walked to the waterfront, where they dug. Then, of course, a game ensued with cousin A (who had her sixth birthday today, happy to you princess) which involved laying in the sand. Apparently there were child eating vermin in the sand and this is what we get:


He's asleep now under the power of Benadryl. He seems to be doing just fine.

I think the rule should be that you don't host Fathers' Day bbqs at your house on your birthday. At least everyone else brought stuff so it was relatively easy but seriously. I got no rest and the girl was up at 5. I'm pooped out.

We're trying to sort things out in the car today. Fireman Sam lives in England, and maybe that's why no firefighter has the red Captain helmet. But Bob the Builder lives in England. So I ponder that maybe if Bob has a fire at one of his sites, Sam will come put it out.

This is, apparently, the funniest joke ever. Even funnier than "why did the monkey throw the trash can out the window? he wanted a fire truck."

Somehow, I found myself in stitches as well. I'm reverting to 4 years old.

Gosh am I a slacker.

We went away for the long weekend. Camping in Acadia. The boy climbed a mountain all by himself. It was lovely. We're still putting things away.

Babysitter got sick. Niece and auntie came to visit. We went to the beach.

Today we went to the beach again and I bought the annual pass. Five trips and it pays for itself. I just wish I bought it last week.

Also, the boy started Karate today. He is having serious "respecting others" issues, particularly with regard to intentionally hurting them. Bleh. I don't want to raise a bully.

I mean, I really do love her. I just think I might love her more if we could sleep until like 7. Or at least six. I get in this punky mood at 7:30 when I've been up for two hours and no one is listening to me and how can we have 3 hours to get ready and get our butts out the door and still not make it?

I bought a room darkening shade for the window next to the crib. Maybe, just maybe, this will give me an extra hour of beauty sleep. Actually we shall call it sanity sleep.

I just need to share this. Thanks M.

"Mom, you know what I need chopsticks for? To kill dogs. I need to kill dogs because sometimes I need dog meat. Know why I need dog meat? To make medicine."

I don't know where it came from but it does sound like some ancient Chinese thing, so the chopsticks fit.

Don't let me get disconnected from reality in my old age. I'm not talking dementia, I'm talking really egocentric like old men do. These people on my street live here like 30% of the time and have now blocked the lane 4 times in the last 3 weeks. Like all day. Once they sent us a notice saying they were going to be doing this. Thanks for the notice but I have places to go morons.

"And can you put a bell on your cat? He's hanging out by our bird feeder". I did, but it's not on any more and I"m not replacing it.

Or your freakin puppy is all excited about my kids and climbing on them, and somehow this is *their* fault? "Oh he's getting too excited". My kids are walking away and mildly freaked out, you can't reel him in a tish? By the way, in the eyes of the law and the rest of the world, my kids rank higher than your dog.

I love that all it takes to get my husband in a good mood is a trip out to the beach after dinner. I hate that it is 8:53 at night and his phone is ringing while he's reading stories to the boy for bed. No wonder he was in a bad mood.

Best mothers day yet. Lovely breakfast, lovely flowers, lovely family afternoon, perfect weather. Altogether marvelous.

For weeks now, Daddy and Boyza talk about the two dogs we're going to have at the Farm, Blue and Moon. So tonight I was doing bedtime and wanted more information.

"Actually, momma, three dogs. Choker, Blue, and Moon. Choker is white, Blue is black, and Moon is fuzzy. Actually, momma, Moon is black with white spots - one looks like a half moon and one a full moon. Blue is white. And Choker has throwup all over him.. We'll paint him to look like throwup."

Poor dog. I seriously was tearing up, laughing.

Upon walking into a candy shop where fresh pralines were being made, "I want some of whatever smells so good".

Overall, excellent trip. The one thing I learned is that there is no, zero, benefit to using a travel agent. Our plane ride was much harder than it needed to be (flew from Boston through Philly to Nola, when our friend got same rate from Manchester direct to Nola), our room and car were no cheaper than I found online, and the hotel had some serious service issues. We requested a crib months ago. Pack and plays are like $40. Oh and I know we got one of the smallest rooms in the place. All 4 of us.

Anyhoo, great time was had by all. Much sun, swimming, eating, drinking. And a little volunteering by the husbands. Actually a lot.

When we got up and left the hotel at 4 am, sunday, the streets were as packed as they were at 10 when we went to bed. Everyone was just more drunk.

Tomorrah! Tomorrah! I love ya tomorrah! You're only a day away.

Because tomorrow, we are going to N'ohlins. With the parents, and the sister and the niece. Which means plenty of swimming with the kids, grandfolks wiht the kids, and cocktails.

The bag is packed, there is a little spot in there for the aquarium (thanks gals, I will be packing it and those D batteries ;o), clothes for tomorrow are all laid out, small toys and snacky things and empty sippy cups (thanks homeland security) are in the carry on. I am going to vacuum the carseats and the double stroller, and then we're airport bound at 7 am. The worst part is, 7 am is not excessively early. It actually shouldn't be that hard to be ready.

I have to find quarters for the car wash vacuum. Or drag the dyson outside. Hm.

When looking at this picture, she says "massi and ba!" Ba is her word for brother, it's his name.



Today I was informed that the dinosaurs came first, then fire breathing dragons, then pirates, then us. Of course.

Best purchase of the year so far, right here. A child proof water dispenser thingie. No more water all over the kitchen floor. No more "cup? milk? cup?"

Will it be awful if I need to bring the crib aquarium on vacation with us? Will it fit on a hotel crib? Will she sleep without it? She's become conditioned to use it to get to sleep. I have become conditioned to needing to pee when it comes on - it gets me out of sight for 2 minutes to let her settle down, while not leaving her alone.

Hm, it's been a while. The highlights of the past few days have included pinkeye, candy free egg hunt and easter baskets (all the while, still too much candy about), a developmental assessment of the girl, and ice cream in 40 degree weather. Altogether fun.

So the girl is only at 13 months in her gross motor skills (she's almost 18). But she's at 20+ months in terms of language and cognition. She sure is. ;o)

She will make you laugh right out loud. She's got her brother as a teacher.

Well the girl is now conditioned to fall asleep to the sights and sounds of her Fisher Price Aquarium. She settles down in about 3 minutes, which gives me time to go do bathroom things and make sure she's falling asleep. Apparently this has conditioned me as well, because now she turns on the music and I need to pee. Ah, the power of the mind.

The boy has been semi sick which is frustrating. He still wants to be his normal self but he can't go to school if he's thrown up within 24 hours (it was like 22, sigh), and today it's the other end so we can't be far from a toilet. He still wants to be out and playing.

Now that you know all of his gastrointestinal issues . . .

He is an amazing little kid. Yesterday he drew a plane, with a pilot visible through the window, and cut it out. All by himself. Amazing. And his trex that he drew this weekend was spot on. His initials are legible, except that the G is mirrored.

Little girl is finally walking most of the time. It's hysterical. She dragged (drug?) me all over the Flower Show this weekend. Again, hysteria. It was family night, and a blast. Other than the fact that I, apparently, was antisocial when I moved around with stircrazy kids. You know, they're not the only ones who feel left out by conversations about random coworkers that you two know. :uh

Look at her hug her baby. Perfection.

Girly is finally walking some of the time, by choice. She sleeps in her bed. I kiss her goodnight and stick her in her crib and she lays down and sleeps. I don't know how it all happened, mostly because of the sleep deprivation, but I am thrilled. She wakes again around 7.

By the end of this week, I need to be running 1 mile in a row at once. I can do it. I'm .7 of the way there. I want to run a 5 mile race around July 6.

In the interest of accountability I present:

The girl now sleeps in her crib, straight through until sometime in the 4 am range, at which point I settle her back down until after 7. I can't wait to drop that waking. It is just so nice to be in my bed with my own pillow and blankets all to myself. It is so warm.

This week was the Building Energy conference. I've never done a professional development type of conference. It was fascinating. Between that and the accompanying trade show, I can't wait to sell our house and use all of the fun new products and tips I know.

Night 2 of sleep training was sigificantly better. Yes, I spent lots of time in the rocking chair draped in a blanket that was half as big as I needed. But the girl didn't scream, didn't throw up, and slept in her crib from 7:30 pm until 7 am. I just had to get up and sit with her twice for a total of 1.5 hours. Which sounds worse than it is. She's even learning to resettle herself. Woohoo. Yawn.

I feel like I am going to keel over of exhaustion at any moment. We've begun hard core sleep training, the primary goal being sleeping in crib. So last night I was up until 3:30, with the husband out of bed, and some time around 4, she was back in my bed. Then I went to yoga which made my body feel great and my mind feel like I shouldn't operate heavy machinery.

I feel like I just need to suffer for a few days. I need to enforce the "no kids in our bed until it's light out" rule hard core. Bleh.

I need more coffee. Stat.

She also has an ear infection again. I want her healthy. I'm lucky that the ENT didn't force us to get tubes. I'd have done it but I'd rather not. I just worry that no milk and ear infection isn't the best time to be sleep training, but mostly I see that as the excuse it is.

Well it took a year of biweekly watching, but tonight the boy found out that Bambi's mom dies. Many tears. All of us.

He wants to "get those bad guys".

"Momma, I like snuggling with you better than daddy because you're so soft." Makes the extra poundage a bit easier to handle.

Girl is still sick so we're going dairy free. Wish us luck.

Remember how I said having kids was fun? I guess it is still. But doing pukey/poopy laundry for 3 days with no end in sight isn't. And getting the sitter sick isn't either. Not only is she sick, which sucks, she couldn't take the kids.

So ya the house is a disaster and I haven't gotten work done in eons. I smell like stomach acid and my hands are raw from all the washing. And I haven't slept and am living on caffeine. Good times!!

What a fun weekend. Family stuff all around.

Saturday was the Merrimack River Eagle Festival, which was so fun. Got to see some injured/captive birds (screech owl, golden eagle, and bald eagle) as well as several eagles in the wild. They were really out performing for their big day. It's so cool to live near them. They really live up to their majestic image.

Yesterday we went to the museum and saw an artist doing a painting of an atlantic cod, as well as visiting Yin Yu Tang. Real fish in the courtyard and everything. Loved it.

And the boy continues to crack us up. He had a swedish fish in the car and then went "I loved that swedish fish. That swedish fish was so good. It was so good I want another one."

Having kids is fun.

Our weekend has been a veritable laugh riot.

I washed the girl's hair, and put some spray conditioner in, and combed it out. Then she fell asleep. For the past two days we have been singing 'amadeus' to her. It's that puffy. I love her.

The boy walks around with PoorBaby up to his chest, saying "PoorBaby loves nursing".

On the other hand, not good news for D. He seriously is saying things like "I'll have a great summer".

We drove around looking at towns, properties, etc. today. Who knows what will happen. It's a strange feeling to know that strangers came into our house and assessed it while we were out. I whispered a little prayer to St Joe, who is upside down behind a photo, as the ground froze before I got him in. I did find a penny today though.

The boy got a stellar midyear progress report from school. I am really happy with his program, his teachers, all of it. I'm so proud of him.

The girl got sick. While on clavamox. Ugh. So now we have poops, snot, cough, all of the fun stuff. At least I know she can't get bronchitis or pneumonia, right?

And the house is now listed with a realtor. This weekend will be the second showing, which is twice as many as we ever had on our own (except the open house). It would be super sweet if it happened quickly and I get to be a lax housekeeper again.

Sometimes it's great having family nearby. I am so lucky that when babygirl was sick today, I could call them to bring big brother to ice skating. I have a feeling that a chilled rink isn't the best place for a girl and her infected ears.

Yes, infected again. I think we had 11 antibiotic free days. We're fortuante that our doctor is fine with trying augmentin at a higher dose and longer time before hopping on to tubes. Tubes won't be that big a deal, but I'm definitely more of the "wait and see' school. She takes the meds, she feels better. Enough said.

Look at that. Piggy tails. They stayed in for about 4 1/2 seconds, whereupon she threw a royal fit and I ripped them out.

I understand it's a pretty common thing to have crushes on doctors, but both of my kids go to the same lady doctor. She's great and everything, but I don't run on that track. However, Monday, we had to reschedule and see another doc we don't usually see. I do *not* have a crush on Dr. Tom. Never, ever, thought of him that way. Last night, crush on Dr. Tom dreams. Now, even if I still didn't have a crush on him, I have that funny-embarrassing thing going on. Sigh.

Speaking of, babygirl is doing super well. She's now 5% for weight at not-quite-19 lb, still over 95% for head, and right in the middle for length. She can still wear her 6-9 month jeans, even if they're a little flood-levelish. She's not walking yet, so in a month I need to call if she's not. Seeing as she has been testing out steps this week, I don't think I'm going to make that call.

Also had a bizarre dream with my mom in it, where she recklessly drove and got us into an accident, involving the volksvan rolling, and I reamed her out (the KIDS are in the CAR what the HELL were you thinking?). Which I suppose I would, but she never would.

2 1/2 hours nap. In her crib. Very quietly, let me hear ya whisper "hey-yoo!"

Now if she'd just sleep through the night, and walk, we'd be in business. By Monday would be great, because when the doctor asks about those things, I want to be in the affirmative. He's already going to be miffed at my shots refusal.

My pal Evan, who was born at 31 weeks at just over 4 lb, is now larger than my 15 month old daughter. I'm so happy. And so stinkin cute. And he has sticky-uppy hair, which is the best kind for a baby to have.

Upon the family's rendition of The Joker during dinner tonight:

"momma, what's a sinner?"
"someone who misbehaves or does bad things"
"like eat marshmallows (huh??)"
"no like hurt people."
"oh. what's a lover?"
"someone who loves. Like I love you."

I'm making him a mix cd for his room but it's going to be a goodie. The Joker, Satan is my Motor, Jump and Move.

Also, I felt like today might have been my last day. Icy roads, dozens of cars off the road, me stopped on a super icy bridge with several fire trucks around. I owe God a church visit this weekend. Also, God, if you're reading, sorry for negotiating. I'm a sucker when I am envisioning unstrapping my babies in an ice water filled car.

"momma, what happens if god dies?"
"god doesn't die, he's like a rock - he's not really alive or dead."
"like wood?"
"um . . .ya"
"but then he'll burn up"
"momma, jojo is like god - he makes people"
"well who made jojo?"
"jojo made himself. He's magic like that."

Today missy and I started music class. I'm really grateful for this time. Not only is it time with just the two of us, she loves it, and she's getting to see other kids. She's been around other kids since birth, but at big brother's playgroup I'm fine with her staying out of the fray and on my lap. But it's not doing much for her socialization. She was very clingy at class today, but by the end I think she realized that no Hellion-child Pirate was going to bowl her over.She loves music so this is all good. And I work up a bit of a sweat too.

My son won't let us take down the Christmas tree. He wants to leave it up until it's "really really old". I like it. It bugs me to see trees at the curb on the 27th, so I'm cool. I just have to make sure that it's hydrated. I don't really need a fire right now.