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.

My son just left for an overnight. Yes, he's 4. Yes, this is at least the third time. Yes, it's just as hard this time. Okay?

Okay so I'm getting a very weird vibe from my former employer.

I left there when missy miss was born, with the option open to work days 2ish a week. So I called when she was 3 months old or so and we had it set up that I'd call when I wanted to work, or they'd call when they needed help, or something. Turns out the only work that anyone wanted me to do was crappy stuff like maintaining the website and virus proofing the boss's home computer. But it was paying and for 6 days a month it wasn't so bad. No one said/did anything more than "congratulations" when I became registered. But then, one of the more frustrating times I was working (removing poker programs from said home computer), I saw a proposal going out - with my name on it as a staff architect. Oookay.

So I didn't call and offer myself for a while. And I started working on designs for another company - more in line with what I "want" to be doing.

I was slowly pulling away. And then I ask one more time if they want help, and I get the "no, we're putting up a whole new website!" line. So I don't contact for a while.

I thought boss was also a personal friend - I used to chat with his wife (a doula) all the time on all things baby/boob/birth. I sent them a Christmas card, and have for the last 5 years.

Yesterday I dropped an email to him asking how things were, yadda yadda, and by the way, can you send me contact info for these 2 window guys for our fun!! vacation house which we're finally building!!

Today I get a terse email from some new employee there whom I've never met with just one guy's info.

If I was pissed first, why do I feel dumped?

Today I was told that Bambi isn't real, that he doesn't talk to rabbits, and that talking birds are silly. Sigh. I guess 4 makes you a really big smart kid.

Today we got a card telling us "your boys are beautiful". 

Four years ago today my life changed. I became a mommy. I can't believe it.

We've had lots of cake in the last few days and he spent yesterday largely in bed. 
I guess just burning off the cake?

 

Learn something new every day.

Today I learned that 2 giant lobster pots and 2 kettles full of boiling water still do not even begin to heat half a tub of cold water. But my hair was nasssteeee.

Day 2 of no hot water. Thank heaven it's 53 out and we have fireplaces.

Oh my. It's been a while.

We were preparing for the holiday house tour locally, and then had an open house. 1200 people wanted to see it just to see it. Four wanted to see it to buy it. Hey it only takes one right?

Anyway, I've been making snowflakes. They give money to the salvation army.

Much more success today. I love this one but without his face so directly in it we found a better one. Still aren't they perfect?

I need to update after vacation. Two days in Charleston, 2 in Savannah, 3 in Atlanta. Very fun. The first vacation in a long time where I wasn't dying to get home at the end. Rented a "rockin, rockin Crown Vic", saw alligators and rednecks, ate lots of turkey and southern food, much sweet tea. We're finally all back in place with clean laundry and a day at school and skating lessons. I think life has settled.

Just in time for me to have jury duty tomorrow. Sigh.

Oh and how do people get super cute pictures of two kids for their holiday cards? I need to trick them. I'll enlist my husband's help for the second attempt. They primarily turned out like this. Maybe I use it and call it artsy.

I hope I don't jinx us by saying that we're mostly healthy now. Babygirl still has the stuffies, so she can't eat/drink and breathe at the same time, but compared to a fever of 104.7, this is easy peasy. Still on nasty Augmentin, which causes even nastier diapers, but we'll live.

Nino is done with his antibiotics and is no longer complaining. We've had many head knocks all around this week but other than some starting-to-brown bruises, we're fine.

I'm also in much better shape this year for christmas already. I have found some wonderful things and am hoarding them. The kids are getting a play kitchen. I ought not to buy a single other thing for them, but know that's impossible. I've also discovered how much I love H & M's kiddo stuff, so if you're in the buying mood for my kids, go there. I only bought socks and gloves because I was running late. I'm going back.

On the other hand, I have no clue what to buy anyone else. I want to buy things that are fun and not clutter. And not spend so much money. Not so hard, right?

Upon watching Curious George order 100 dozen donuts.

"Momma, some donuts have frosting on them?! Can we try those some time?!"

Sometimes it's nice to control a view over the counter.

I think we had about 13 hours without illness. Nino is still on antibiotics, but feeling fine. Missymiss ran up a pretty good fever today and has the telltale head lumps. Everyone is asleep now.

I'm in the process of watching the really long Thorn Birds. I just read the book. It's a bit weird to watch a movie in several days.

And the Carter's outlet rocks. Expect to see photos of Ms Thing in her new $3.99 Turkey outfit. Pants *and* shirt for that. And several other christmas treats.

Wonderful weekend, too much food, fun time with visiting friend. "Momma, I sure do miss Julie" about 3 hours after she left.

Happy Halloween!

First event is already over - Nino and his school had a parade. It was rockin'. Now I love him going to a big old public school, they get totally into it. My niece's school doesn't even reference halloween. They won't even read books about Jack O Lanterns.

When I dropped him off this morning, halloween music was playing over the PA system (outside too!), the principal was a lion, every kid was in costume, and Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty are teaching today. I just love it.

Look at this adorable, erm, scary, bat! One of his ears doesn't stand up quite right. We'll work on it before tOt.

Only my child would ask to see a picture of a house with a waterfall in it. And when I show it to him (fallingwater), he asks to go there some time. And I say "okay". No big whoop. I've been there like ten times, what's one more?

I'm just heartbroken for two strangers.

While waiting for a car repair, I met Mary. She was saying something to me about how hard she finds it to make decisions, like about her car battery, without her husband. And not that she is a pushover, but just emotionally knowing she couldn't run it by anyone. He died a month ago from Alzheimers. And her son has kidney cancer that's running through his whole 41-year-young body.

Then in walks newlywed, new homeowner lady, who was shopping online for her new house. Her 58 year old mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers two years ago, and she already has forgotten how to eat and speak.

I actually cried driving away. And then called my mom.

Today, I got everything done (four slings out, vacuum the main floor, try to kill some worms, go to gym) early so I went to the mall. I kind of hate the mall, but there's this smallish mall nearby that has gymboree and the children's place, and I had $100 american express gift cheque. Did you know that they give you cash? So $21 at gymbo, $14 at the cp, $3 at dunk's, and $62 in my wallet. Woohoo. And I suppose I've started christmas shopping. Each child has a new outfit now.

I am also on a quest to find a case to put my ipod mini in while I exercise that keeps it on my person somehow. Damn having a discontinued ipod size.

Today we found a cup with milk in it under Nino's bed. It stank. When I say stank, I mean that I had to open windows, put rose water on all the lightbulbs, run the dishwasher with baking soda, twice, and several candles are still burning. Anyway, at the peak, he came in and told me it smelled like hippopotamus. I about died. He clarified, saying sea water, which was kind of true (in the worst possible low tide way) but hippo is funnier.

He has also already put in a request to Santa for a SpiderMan spin brush. Now, looking at the ad, I see a fire truck and space man as well. I'm sure Santa will be able to find one.

Babygirl is one (and 2 days, now). Internet connection was royally effed up, and the technician told us it was a big fix. Turns out he's a moron and we're fine.

Annnyway, she's now up to 17 lb 13 oz (that's the 6%, so she's not forward facing any time soon), 29" long (48%) and has a 97% head. According to the doc, that's part of the reason she's likely not walking. She pulls up but doesn't want to get that melon going too fast, it'll take a girl down hard. Several younger babies in the waiting room had pounds on us. But the doctor cited a new study linking large head size to higher IQ. Of course.

Meanwhile, big brother is thriving at school. Has a zillion friends, is pooped every afternoon, comes home with more artwork than eight fridges could handle, it's all good. Teachers are really good at working with what he gets and what he doesn't. I love when they tell me about little parts of him that I know and love too.

Underpants on the head

Apparently they're a "helmet".

Anyway, I know for sure of two things for birthday/christmas for the big boy. A scooter, and Blueberries for Sal. We are definitely abusing the library's renewal policy.

And did you see the girl's ticker above? That's four days from now. Such a big girl.

Eating play doh for medicinal purposes

Sometimes I want to give my blog a silly/quirky name like that. So today I'll use it. Today M was under the table, chewing mostly dried up orange/pink/red/yellow playdoh lumps, among other things.

Went to the attic and the ghost shirt is in hand. As well as a really cute other halloween outfit. No vest but we'll deal.

Firstly, if you would go up in to the attic and find the black spooky ghost shirt in size 18 months, that'd rock. I have photos of Nino wearing it but your guess is as good as mine, as far as location.

Secondly, while you're up there, can you find the green fleece vest in similar size? Thanks.

Thirdly, thank you to the bank for setting us up with overdraft that directly charges to our credit card. And for erasing two overdraft charges. It is not my fault. I leave $500 in our account for unforseen buffer. If you are going to write a $600 check on the 29th of any month, please check.

Remind me what a great thing journalling does for my waistline. 7 days in a row writing every morsel down, 2.2 lb. Direct relation, no doubt. Even when at least 4 days start with cider donuts.

Working on keeping the house clean. I feel like it's starting to spiral away from me, and we haven't even had a single speck of interest yet. Two active kids is just too much. Little Miss is now standing up, pulling up, and occasionally letting go. I've been counting on her walking as late as her brother, which leaves me 3 more months. She doesn't seem to know of this plan. I'll work on that.

Lots of apples at home, what with 2 trips to Cider Hill Farm under our belt. Lots more to come, one more trip this weekend. Come over next week for apple pie okay?

Congratulations Kate and welcome Boston! He's just a beautiful completion to your family.

Tomorrow the house goes on the market. I've set up a photobucket album just for it. The listing isn't live yet but will be. Tomorrow. We want loads of money and no commission, okay? Oh and fast. Thanks.

Very weird dream last night where I was pregnant, with the mirena still in place. So I went to the doctor for a weird procedure causing my body to expel it. Followed by an ultrasound, where turns out "she" was just fine but that she had a small scar from said device. Cuckoo.

Today we're driving to Falmouth to see a house be loaded into place by cranes. Then some seafood and beer. Woot!

I don't feel six years older.

Happy Anniversary to us.

So we've had this "rewards card" for years and are just sitting here getting points. We used it for a plane ticket once, I think.

In the car, I remembered this and linked it mentally to the Charleston/Savannah/Atlanta trip this fall. We are staying in two *sweet* historic hotels for free (sort of)!! Give me a woot. Sadly, now that we're taking advantage, we're not using that card as much. Darn kids and the college savings card.

Also, we're getting the house ready to sell. I have been cleaning and organizing for a while and I'm not nearly done. I need to do things like wash the windows. Sigh. The hardest part is going to be keeping it clean. At least shoving toys into baskets doesn't take long. I hope that if I wash the windows now, a quick windex fingerprint swipe will cover me.

I'm probably not really itchy, or feeling worms on my skin, but the bugs in the pantry are creating that impression. Blech. I disposed of both the baby rice and baby oatmeal, which apparently are big hatching nests of disgusting yuckiness.

School is going well. I haven't had this much definition in my weeks in months, at least. Getting up and out the door at the same time 4 days a week is a big thing. And it's totally wiping him out. I'm so glad we didn't sign up for too many activities this fall, he needs just regular old downtime.

It's just over a month untnil the little girl turns one. It was such a huge deal when Nino turned one. And it's a big deal for her, I'm just having a hard time fitting in the time to plan a big shindig.

I think we'll have playgroup party early in the day here, and then dinner and cake here for the family. I'm going to use orange and hot pink as the "theme" as well as the number one on everything. An orange cake with a giant hot pink 1 on it perhaps?

I'm going to call curious creatures as well, to find out what their rate is for kiddos parties. Nino loved it. Maybe I'll see if Ethan's mommy wants to go in on it with me for playgroup.

We have bad "hire somebody to color your house" luck. About 6 months ago, we hired a guy to paint the bathroom. We weren't really thinking we wanted the bathroom painted, but it was a favor for a friend. So we said "same blue as the upstairs closet". Somehow that translated into "old can of neon blue paint and don't confirm that's the right color before applying several retina-burning coats to tiny bathroom". It was fun using my babysitting time to repaint it. I do love the new mushroom brown color though.

So anyway. We again hired someone sort of as a favor, to redo the kitchen floor. I loved it as is, but with two dogs and two kids and life, it was a bit scratched. We had stained it. They sanded it to pretty much bare wood and then finished it. It's much too blonde for me. I'm sure I'll get used to it and it looks great in that real-estate way but it's not what I wanted. At all. And we even went away camping for this. At least we caught him after 3 coats and him saying "but it's not that shiny I can apply another" because we *bought* satin finish and we don't want it any shinier, thankyouverymuch.

I just want to be able to walk across my kitchen. Now.

I'm now the mother of a schoolchild. Yesterday we went to orientation. Today I stayed for half an hour, and picked him up two hours later. Tomorrow, I will drop him off at the curb with his little backpack and snack and change of pants for unseen mud emergencies. It's all so normal and ordinary yet it's huge. He's out there, in the world, doing things that I don't know. I watched him for a while today, and he is hysterical at sitting there listening, and learning all the signs (it's an integrated special needs room) and answering questions and palling around with new kids that I don't know. It's craziness. He loves it.

The moths have taken over the flour and sugar cabinet. Worms, sticky webs, moths. Nice.

I just put all of the stores into glass containers. All the while grossed out. Some of the things didn't fit so we'll be making cookies. Much cereal is going stale, so some of that will go in the cookies too.

Because I have not received a genuine comment in a while, if you are reading this, please comment and use the verification word in a sentence. Thank you.

Still trying to figure out where we're going to live. Short term, long term, all of it.

If things work out perfectly, we'll have no mortgage, a new house, and a vacation home. I don't see that happening, but if we have no mortgage and a new house, it'll make building the vacation home easier.

I want to go kind of nuts with the solar stuff up there, since it's entirely off the grid, but hubby wants to just keep it simple. Simple is good I suppose but I don't want to have to do anything screwy to the toilet for the winter. Sounds dumb.

Plans are underway for the I dream house. 4+ bedrooms, 2 offices, playroom, library, media room, fireplace, den, 2 car garage - oh and did I mention it's just 2100 s.f.? I rule. ;o)

Okay. From Mary, as I can sit here and take my time to do this between sibling tiffs.

1. Yourself:
mom to two

2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend:
my husband is napping

3. Your hair:
pigtails inspired by dream

4. Your mother:
gets it done

5. Your Father:
awesome guy.

6. Your Favorite Item:
architecture license

7. Your dream last night:
weird braid extensions.

8. Your Favorite drink
regular coke if calories don't count.

9. Your Dream Car:
stationwagon with 4wd and great fuel economy

10. The Room You Are In:
office, a bit of a pigsty

11. Your Ex:
got me

12. Your fear?
driving into water

13. Where you want to be in 10 years?
right here, mothering at least one more.

14. Who you hung out with last night?
the fam and the boatbuilder and the hubby's old pal.

15. What You're Not:
tall

16. Your Best Friend:
I can't say there's just one now. highschool, she died. 13 years ago.

17. One of Your Wish List Items:
some sort of baby's first year book.

19. The Last Thing You Did:
nurse a baby.

20. What You Are Wearing:
life is good tshirt, jeans, bare piggies.

21. Your Favorite Weather:
cold fall air, sweaters and jeans.

22. Your Favorite Book:
The Red Tent.

23. The Last Thing You Ate:
reese's pieces.

24. Your Life:
excellent. love the fam.

25. Your Mood:
tired, still have work to do.

26. Your body:
flabby but working on it

27. What are you thinking about right now:
going to lay down with the book and the babe.

28. Your Crush:
I'm so out of touch I'm not going to even try.

29. What are you doing at the moment:
this. And watching the kids play decently.

30. Your summer schedule:
It's pretty well over now. We're going to see Real Dinosaur Bones at some point.

Today we met Nino's preschool teacher. They have this very defined process for starting school, which begins with a home visit, then the kids and parents visit the class, then we drop off. I'm so excited about this program. They've thought of it all and know what to expect from 3 year olds. She didn't bat an eye at his crazy showoffy behavior. It's also nice when someone calls your child "very bright". ;o)

We went camping for the first time. It was really nice but I was glad to be home. I woke up the next day with a splitting headache, and I think it was all of the stress of the dirt, the bugs, the not bathing, the lakeside site/3 year old/campfire combination just slamming into me the moment I got some rest. Hubby wanted to go back this weekend, but I'm thankful that the holiday has it all booked up. We'll go the following weekend, after I've had my fill of screens and showers.

So here it is. Vacation week.

We played miniature golf, which lasted 3 holes and 45 minutes. The place was packed.

We also went to old sturbridge village. Kids had way more fun than I expected. Blacksmiths are cool.

When you go to target for portraits with a coupon and don't have an appointment, expect to get what you pay for. They made me wait, and now I have to wait 15 days to pick them up. "Why does it take so long?" "It takes 7-10 days". "um . . . 15?" "the holiday?"

Right. A one day holiday makes it take 5 more days.

Oh and I changed the photos above. Aren't they just the cutest things?

See?

Found the camera. Just in time for some hysterical photo taking, of course.

I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do next week. Babysitter is going on vacation, but I still need to get some work done. I'm thinking of finding a neighborhood girl to hang out with them a few hours for a few days. I hope they're cheap, because I still pay for vacation time. The arrangement sucks.

Seriously. Take me off your invitation list if you're planning to invite me to your wedding, kidfree, at 5 pm Friday in Boston, and I hardly know you. Your fiance/husband's parent company's vp is nice and all but really.

And then into Boston again tonight for a cocktail/schmooze hour. It was beautiful and fun but I missed the rugrats. I now have a good structural engineer contact though. Speaking of, I need to make business cards.

Speaking of making things, I made Nino's backpack for school and it's sooo cute. I really love it and think I might just make and sell a few. It's so simple and old-school. And toddler sized. I'm not putting a full sized one on his little back. But it will still hold full-size artwork.

I would take a picture but I can't find the camera. I remember the last day I had it but no clue. I'll keep looking.

Our neighbor has a fish pond. She let us use her pool for a few weeks for swimming lessons, and the pool is always open to us. She mentioned that she wanted a frog for her fish pond. So this afternoon, we went to Uncle's house, got out the nets, and grabbed her three tiny frogs. And luck of all lucks, they are different patterns - stripey, spotty, and mostly plain. So we delivered them. I hope they flourish there. It was a fun adventure and I hope it worked out.

Fortunately, the chinese soup tub stayed shut the entire ride and the only thing that smells of frog water is the tub itself. I drove in a tizzy all worried.

Both kids also have a viral rash. No telling what it is, but they have a lacy but not bumpy rash primarily on their cheeks. Also present on arms, shoulders, and bum. In the sun, it gets nice and red and streaky on the cheeks and they look like I should have them shuttered up with chicken soup or something. But they're really fine.

It's been a while huh? Just life, nothing very exciting. Lots of pool-beach-park-sprinkler stuff going on. Not to mention a few illnesses. Nino had this awful cough for over two weeks (finally gone? knock on wood), I got a lovely case of mastitis, and M currently has the poops either related to the antibiotics and/or the tooth. I can't even figure out where she's teething but she definitely is. She's already got the front eight so your guess is as good as mine.

On another note, good luck today Stacy. I can't wait to see pics of that beautiful baby girl!

So after 3+ years of nursing (not continuously, but not that far off), I guess I have mastitis. No one even had to see me, the prescription will be waiting for me. Lets hope it kicks in quickly.

Welcome to the world Moira Catherine!! My friend from high school, who now lives in Hawaii with her husband and 2 year old daughter Ella, had her second on Wednesday. I'm so happy for them.

I'm just heartbroken for a college roomie. Her son died after 12 days with his mommy and daddy. It's just not fair. Say a little prayer for B, D, and baby B.

My dad had a segment of his colon removed today. He seems to be doing well. I'm going to see what the hospital's policy on 3 year old visitors is.

I was supposed to have 3 houses done by today. 1 is really done, 1 is very close to done, barring some plants and the like on the rendering, and 1 needs some minor changes that still will take half a day. Wonder when that day will come?

Hubby has been working nonstop as well. Until 8+ pm, leaving at 7. If I weren't able to find him so easily, I'd think he had another family. Hmm . . .

My daughter cracks me up.

When Nino was a baby and he nursed to sleep, he'd nurse, his eyes would slowly shut, he'd doze off and his mouth would go slack. This is what I thought was normal.

She, on the other hand, nurses vigorously, clenching my hand but eyes closed. Gobble gobble gobble like there's not much more milk, ever. Then she decides she's done, snaps herself off (noise and all) and rolls away. Then she's asleep. She does everything with such fervor, even sleep. I crack up all the time at her little sleeping onesied back turned to me seconds after she was nursing.

"momma, what has foor?"
"four?"
"no not four, foor"
"floor?"
"no not like a wooden floor, foor! like a deer has foor?"
"four legs?"
"no not four legs. a deer has foor on his legs, on his back, you know"
"oh FUR!!"
"yes *sigh* foor."
"oh. well lots of things have fur. racoons, deer, dogs, horses"
"birds?"
"no birds have feathers"
"swans?"
"swans are birds. they have feathers."
"jojo says that swans have foor."

That JoJo. He's a rascal.

By the way, the spaghetti squash was good. More squash and less spaghetti than I expected but still good.

The other day we were flipping around the channels, which are pretty much limited to 3 pbs stations. Nino (in true momma boy fashion) wanted to watch a cooking show. And to a 3 year old, spaghetti squash is rather cool. But here's the thing - he wanted to *actually make* it. I watch cooking shows all the time but make it? That's best left to professionals.

Anyway, two medium spaghetti squash are now cooling. I've never had. I hope he likes it.

By the way, my favorite cooking show is Everday Food. They actually make stuff that I *can* make. And they're ordinary people, just with a better kitchen and better knives than me.

Let's see. It's been a while.

The fourth parade was fun. Nino was somewhat subdued - just taking it all in. Loved the firetrucks.

Here is the miss in her red white and blue:














We also had ten kinds of fun at Bradley Palmer State Park. This enormous wading pool, where I can sit with the bambina in about 3 inches of water while Nino runs into the "deep" (about 18 inches) and under the mushroom waterfall. He fell asleep mid-tofu dog at about 6 that night. If we buy a state parks pass for $35, we can go to the beach (the tidepool one) or there, any time we want. Seven trips to either pays us off. Might just.

She's going to be crawling before we know it. Nino dind't until 11 months, but she's not even 9 and close.

Oh and thanks to Zaboomafoo for dropping an ice cube down Martin's back. Tell a 3 year old that a) it's not cool and b) melon chunks, although cold, are much , much grosser than ice.

Sometimes Thomas needs to go poop. And he goes on the track. And he makes the track rusty.