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.

I'm finding hard to work these days. I sit at a computer and just keep checking on K. And today, not being a good day, not good.

Here she is for you pray-ers:

















I also smell like pickles. Good recipe, stupid instructions to put it in a ziploc bag. Then transfer to tupperware? Thanks, but next time I'll make it directly in the tupperware. Sheesh.

Tonight we're making sour cream ice cream. I'm totally excited about it. I'm stealing the recipe from Oprah magazine but using lower fat stuff. And I love sour cream and strawberries, so we'll have it with strawberries and I'll even try my hand at a brown sugar glaze. Wonder if dinner first is a necessity?

Nino had his first overnight last night. We were all traumatized driving home without him, seeing his empty bed, not having to contain him or worry about the computer screen waking him.

He was fine. I showed up and he was all "oh hi mom".

Here are some recent gems:

"He's being nice and patient" about our 11 year old cousin. Funny that he said it, funny that he recognized the need for patience with himself.

"I'm an adult now. I can use this ice cream scooper!" Who knew that was the definition?!

I've been freaked out for 3 days now by C, K and V's situation. It's all I can think about. It was hard to watch G at swim lessons yesterday. I've never said so many prayers for both them and my own family.

Not to mention that my house is a disaster. I have spent most of the last 6 days using it for only sleeping, and the ants have taken over. And the toys. I don't care what lessons I'm not teaching my son, I'll put his toys away so I can vacuum the cheezits.

I already miss W and Fia. I love having them close. I love just sitting around poking at the kids with them. I love picking up on conversations as if it hasn't been six months. I am already planning a trip to Ga and the aquarium.

The beach was super duper uber fun. What a charming little beach. No public access really though. Actually that's not true. Access is public. Just no parking within a few miles, and at that point, you're closer to many other beaches.

That girl cousin is getting so big and beautiful.

Thomas the train was fun as well. It was so stinkin hot. That place needs to seriously invest in some fast-growing shade trees asap.

Well, I'm 31 now. Its funny how I walk around all entitled on my birthday. "I can eat french fries cause it's my birthday". "I shouldn't be mopping, it's my birthday." Or just the fact that random strangers don't know. Like I wanted the councilors at the meeting to know and let me speak first. Well, that and the fact that I'm holding a fussy kid and it's 88 degrees.

Speaking of which, you're allowed to take a shower for no reason and wear sweats on your birthday right? Cause that's what's next.

I think this is fantastic. I'm instilling just the right values in my son, sometimes. I mean, he had just finished rock candy when he said it.

But I digress. He was falling asleep and gets super-lovey. He kept going "momma, I *really* love you." *yawwwwn* Then he says "momma, you're so smart". Like that's the grandest compliment he knows. I don't really know/care if he meant it, but the fact that *that's* how he chose to flatter me. I hope he keeps that priority forever.

Anyway, we had a blast at the aquarium. He was asking when we could go back on the ride home.

Here he is with the seals:

I'm remembering all my old WW standbys. I've lost 2+ lb unofficially. I'll find out Thursday what the official measure is.

Nino had his last skating lesson today. He's hysterical. We're taking the summer off with most of our activities and re-adding them once school starts and I see how he is with that.

When it's warm out the rink gets steamy so this is the best we get:


Also, we borrowed Lady and the Tramp from SIL who told us to be careful with it. Nino learned to remove dvds recently and did with this. I can't tell if it's scratched or has yuck on it. The one godforsaken dvd he can't ruin, he did. Sigh.

Hm, it's been a while. Lets see, it's rained a lot. We saw Cars. That was fun.

"momma, why do you have two bums?"
"momma, can baby elephants jump?"

Houses are going well. All's working out with that.

Oh and I've joined WW. I have been on for 3 days. I am remembering all the old tricks. Primarily, I haven't stopped eating like I'm pregnant for 4 years. That needs to change.

Highlights of the weekend:

• Traffic with screaming kids
• Vietnamese food with good pal
• Breakfast at 9:30 still too early for nyc
• Vomit all across the Judge Leonard suite
• Ironing when all smells like vomit
• Lovely wedding
• Noisy boy-train at reception
• Red wine all over new lime green sweater set
• Four of us sacked out in king size bed by 10:15
• Super-dark hotel curtains keeping kids asleep until 8 (must find some for Nino's room asap)
• Trying to wash out vomity clothes/ironing them dry, unsuccessfully
• Smiley cookies for breakfast
• Boy eating lots of new things at Dim Sum
• Wet car floor en route home
• Beautiful new parkway route
• Record time drive home, considering pee/boob/stretch stops en masse
• Altogther very fun, lots of time spent with old friends, making me want more
  

Um . .. . okay.

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Shh don't tell anyone. Aren't they cool?

So we're preparing for a weekend that involves a 6ish hour drive each direction. Including something I never said I'd have, a portable dvd player. Really, Nino isn't the one I'm worried about - if we just see a backhoe every ten miles or so, he's good.

I'm kind of insanely excited about sleeping elsewhere. I hope the travel on the long weekend isn't sheer hell.

I'm also really glad to be licensed, when I'm going to see so many archifriends. I'm 20 lb heavier with big lactating boobs but hey I have a stamp!!

"momma, what's god?"
"god is a big guy that made everything"
"what does god look like?"
"um . . ." (interrupted)
"does god have a dump truck?"
"yes."
"is it yellow or orange or red?"
"all dump trucks are god's dump trucks."
"huh?"
"You know what god is, when you see a beautiful thing, like the sky or a butterfly, or you hear music you love. When you love something, that's god. God is that feeling."
"Momma! I see the blue sky!! Right there!!"

So it's been raining for like ever. Ark jokes abound. And rumor is, we're going to get some sewage from upstream. Thank god we have a case of poland springs. Helicopters overhead, we don't usually get that. I'll have to watch the news.

Mothers Day was nice, I got some nice things. I guess if you tell your husband what he's giving you, he comes through. Yes, he found a place that frames in a day, but he did it. We had everyone over for brunch, which my mom had catered, but for the meat and juice. Success.

And today schools were closed, which means skating was cancelled, which I had no idea about. So we showed up, and Nino was excited because we haven't done much of anything for days. So we went to the pool this afternoon, where he is now swimming all.by.himself. with a bubble. I will get photos.

Thanks Corey. ;o)

Your Birthdate: June 17

You tend to find yourself lucky - both in business and in life. And while being wealthy is nice, you enjoy sharing your abundance with others. You put your luck to good use: you are very ambitious and goal oriented. Often times, you get over excited and take on more than you can manage. Your strength: Your ability to make your own luck Your weakness: Thinking you can do it all Your power color: Bronze Your power symbol: Half Moon Your power month: August

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

So the girl was up all night again. However, I do feel the upper right big toothy, and can see the other 3 up top to make a steak-chewin' smile. And I think the yogurt did something to her tummy. Poor girl has poop issues now.

Speaking of poop, can I just say that changing your own child's diaper isn't gross. Changing some other kids makes me want to vomit. Still, a shower and hours later I feel diiirty.

I'm going to use this to share all the wonderful 3 year old questions that come my way. Yesterday "momma, is Santa Claus old?" yes "is he going to die?" no.

Had my first working meeting with real sketches today about The Houses. Very exciting, very good feedback. It's so cool to really be architecting how, where, when I want to be. I want to build one.

Nino has been asleep for 2 1/2 hours. He must be growing. Thank god I bought all new clothes for him at the closing down lord and taylor. His legs are getting so long and skinny.

Thank god I have M thighs to pinch and bite. I've updated her pic above.

"momma, Molly's hair is round and looks like poop". I then had to explain dreadlocks to him.



Girly had her half-year checkup today. She's wonderful, beautiful, perfect, and has a gigantic head. To the point where they actually said "we'll just keep an eye on it".

Like grownups, we went to see Cake this weekend. We were all afraid we'd be the oldest by far and the soberest. Neither was true. It was super fun. They started with "the distance" and ended with "I will survive". Both got everyone in the mood for sure. I was bummed, they didn't play any of my top 3 - Opera Singer, Alpha Beta Parking Lot, or Let Me Go. However, I still had a blast. And when we went to pick up the kids at 11:30, Nino was still asleep. Little stinker. He had a mellow-sleep-filled day the next day.

He's finally getting into skating. The first session he was fearless and did great. Then he learned that he just might fall, and last time barely moved the entire time. Now he's realizing that even if he falls, no biggie, and is getting back into it. It's so funny that he's doing this skating thing, because neither of us is into it. God knows where the idea came from.

Oh ya! Want to hear about the bizarre dream I had? There was this epidemic going around and I was pregnant. So we decided that we were going to go to Maine and wait it out where we wouldn't see people and hopefully stay healthy. So I was begging my doc to give me a c-section right then so we could leave. I was full term. Well then Nino gets the disease. But the disease was zombie-ism, and transmitted through eye contact. My poor baby was sick and I couldn't look at him. Fortunately, my OB let me in that the docs (like all doctors were in cahoots) had nearly found the antidote, and Nino's case wasn't that bad.

Weiiiirdddnesssss.

Please join me in the happy dance. Nino got into the preschool we were vying for. Vieing? Anyway, the best in town. It's at the public elementary school, an "integrated" SpEd program, where he's a "model" child. No clue what they look for, but only about 1/10 get in. Four days a week, with Miss Florence as a teacher.

Now we get to find a thermos and school clothes and all that fun stuff.

My neighbor had her twins on Tuesday with a grand total of 13 lb 15 oz of baby. And even at her most pregnant, I probably had 30 lb on her. Yow.

Speaking of which, tomorrow I'm starting the Sacred Heart Medical Diet. It's a week that will get me jump started I hope. If I want to, I'll alternate one week on one off for a while, but one week and 10+ lb will be enough for now. And the week off won't be all cake and butter. I think the hardest part will be teh weekend, but I'll be on beef and brown rice by then.

From here on out I'm calling him pigpen. He finds dirt anywhere and just gets in it. He has no concept of dirty = yucky. Which drove my 5 year old niece batty at the zoo yesterday.

Gotta love three-year-old's questions.

"Where does the Easter Bunny sleep?"
"Does Owl have a bum?"
"Where does dirt come from?"

We just dyed eggs, and I only ruined one. Nino ruined another, for an even 10 remaining. I think I can pretty easily make 12 eggs worth of cookies to bring to easter. Fortunately, one of the ruined ones, I was able to separate for a recipe that needed that. And we let them sit long enough for fantastic color - not an easy feat for an "instant gratification" 3 year old.

Off to iron and masking-tape hem his easter garb.

When I laugh as he's taking ice skating lessons, I'm not laughing at him. I'm laughing because his little snowpantses self doing the frankenstein skate is so damn cute. He was the youngest skater there but handled it like a champ. He only fell a few times, and the teachers were fantastic. The first thing they teach is how to stand back up, so all 33 lb of himself was pushing himself back up on his skates. I'm kind of bummed that we don't have class next week.

Look out! The EB is right behind ya!!



And of course:

Last night went out with the moms. That was super duper fun. Kids were okay, even with M having two ear infections. This restaurant sits about 25, so there were 2 groups of 10, and then one single table. Poor other non-drunk table. We were noisy, raucous, brought our own margaritas and glasses, ate too much, and got kicked out when they closed. We were all moms and although we love our kids, we weren't in much of a hurry to get home. It was a totally fun place - you choose your entree from the 3 choices (chicken, steak, or fish), and they include salad and dessert. Three people working there, and you can see them the entire time. There was the chef, dishwasher/plater, and the emcee. And I'm only half joking. He was perfect.

This morning we have an easter egg hunt at Arthur's house. I'm sure I'll have photos to share.

Windex works great for micro-ed on spaghetti sauce, or whatever that was in there for years. I had the windex out so I gave it a shot.

The windex is out because there are ants. Already. It's snowing a few miles away. Make up yer mind.

Nino wanted to make cookies for the Garbage Truck Man. So we did. And neighbors. She's pregnant. She needs cookies. That way, we get like 2 and pass them off.

Isn't this the cutest easter bunny you've seen in a while?

"I really love you momma, but I don't really like you". I know exactly what he means. He's a freakin riot. That alone caused me to give him a huge hug and say "I love you so much". I think that added to the not-liking. ;o)

Is it bad that I really like the spunky Carly Simon versions of the Pooh songs? "and then the-yur's owl!"

We've been watching a bit too much of Heffalumps and Piglets lately.

Went to the beach today. It was like 70 here, but it was much chillier and breezier at the beach. G was absolutely soaked. Like wring-out-his-clothes soaked.

He's gonna sleep like a log.

Additionally, Netflix shouldn't let you get the "bonus features" dvd for a movie unless you've already rented the movie. Stupid. Now we have to wait another week until we get it. Rrrg.

Isn't it funny how you look back at baby pictures of your toddler, and they look like cute funny mini versions of themselves? Right now I think M is the cutest thing ever (and she is of course) but someday I'll look back at her pics and think "wow she looks like a small bald version of herself with sticky-outy ears".

Today I instituted the "sanity drive". It consists of plunking both kids into carseats, driving through mcd's for a diet coke (although a coffee would count too) and driving the 14 mile bridge-to-bridge loop. It worked and by the end I was excitedly pointing out street sweepers again to Nino. Although he did start making *that* awful noise again (you know it, it goes a little like "maaaahk" in order to wake the baby) and the trip to the buffalo store was truncated. "momma, why are we almost home? What about the buffalo store?" "you made that eardrum-shattering noise and now we're going home". He's not too scarred.

He's hysterical. We were just outside, where he used a garden shovel to fill up the bucket loader which filled the dump truck which filled a coffee can which filled the backhoe bucket. I love him. He's filthy now.

Drove to New Haven and back Friday afternoon. The reason all four of us were in the car was so that we could have an adventure. Instead, the backhoe was enormous and hubby didn't want to just leave it somewhere so we drove 6 hours with two small kids. Not ideal, but you know they weren't that bad. Slept most of both ways, up for dinner.

My dishwasher is leaving little specks all over everything. I think it's time to break out the Tang. I bought it for this purpose and still haven't actually made/tasted it. I'm tempted every time, but just can't do it.

I nearly forgot! I met Evan yesterday. He is 8 weeks old but was 9 weeks early, so right now he's about newborn size. He looks it. He's perfectly adorable. Such a peanut. Makes my 15 lber seem enormous. I love his little dark fuzz and daddy's heavy lids.

Oh so many things. This weekend was the Southie St. Pat's day parade. That was fun. I didn't spend much time outside, I was mostly inside on the couch with the boobs out. Nino wanted to stay out in the 36 degree weather for "one more guy". He loved the Clydesdales, the policemen (and their guns, *sigh*), the bagpipes, every single bit of it.

Hubby turned 40 on Monday. We hosted a little shindig. By little I mean "not many others than the family" but even with just local family, it ends up at 20 people easily. I made *lots* of meatballs. It was a hit.

Yesterday I worked all day. I have to figure out what I'm going to do. I like getting away and making money for a few hours a week, but only being a few hours a week means I'm relegated to kind of crappy work.

And today we start swimming lessons. He's really excited, but our only option was 4:30 pm, so he needs a nap. I am perfectly willing to drive him around to get that. I need a stamp pad for my new stamp (woot) so I'll just get it a bit further away.

REI is dangerous. I went in there to buy some $.30 webbing and some $1 clips and walked out $79 later. Nino is going to have a great Easter basket though. They had an orange fleece vest. How could I not?

A lady at the grocery store yesterday said "what a beautiful baby. oh! and what a beautiful boy! You are a lucky woman."

And you know what? I am.

I have two awesome kids, even though right now both should be asleep and neither is.

I've just started reading (and starting to fall in love with) this book. It's published by LLL about Gentle Discipline. My poor Nino is being affected pretty majorly by his little sister, and we're all feeling the effects. What's great so far about this book is that it's not self-righteous like many sources I've seen. It's practical and it just flows with my lifestyle and parenting style. It's funny because just recently I've started responding to his naughty spells with either snacks or cuddle time, and it works. In the first chapter those are both sort of set up as prerequisites. I really hope that we can all get back on the happy track.

Meanwhile, it's gorgeous here. We're all sniffling. Something is blooming.

Oh and little miss has her bottom in cloth right now and she will for the forseeable future. It is keeping in her explosions, and keeping those nasty crystals off her perfect skin. I don't remember this with Nino but she gets them all the godforsaken time. It oogs me out. I'm okay with washing her poop. It's not that exciting yet though. Ask me when she starts eating food. ;o)

Our experiment in "doing something on Wednesdays" is going well. This morning we went to the pool. The best part about that is that it's the gym - where I've prepaid for childcare, so the girl is happy while we're a-splashing. Last week was ice skating which I feel will be another favorite. Storytime is at the same time, which is the only bummer. I wish storytime were a different day or something.

Speaking of the gym, I am back. I re-activated Monday, and have been each day since. I'm trying just to have 20+ minutes of aerobic activity until I feel that's not doing anything. I did 25 min on the bike at first, then 30 min on the elliptical, and today was 15 min on the elliptical, but dragging a 3 year old around the pool must count for something. Besides, it's nice enough we'll go for a walk later.

Our garden seeds have arrived. I am going to dig out those little greenhouse-tray thingies and Nino will help me load them up. We're just doing a few things - strawberries, cucumbers, broccoli.

I've decided I'm really offended by the trailer for "the hills have eyes". At the end, a little girl who has a malformed head, says "can you play with me mister?" or some such thing, and that's supposed to be SOOOOO spooky. Good God! Play with this incredibly ugly child? Hell no. God forbid she get some joy in her life living with serial killers and having picasso-like facial structure.

Not at all sure where his interest in ice skating came from, but we've now been twice. If I'm the one going with him, I may just learn too. Although I'm not sure leaning over a toddler and sliding him back to the bench for snacks is really a learning experience.

Anyway, he should sleep well. "My tired momma".

Just returned from a local API meeting. My first visit, and it was so great to be in a room where everyone else knows what a sling is and how to use it, and are nursing their toddlers, and all have babies in bed with them. It's so refreshing.

Then the girl went for her four month appointment and jabs. 60% for weight, 75% for head and length. I guess my milk does her good. And she recovered pretty well from the four sticks. Poor bub.

I am finally a genuine architect. I just received my final pass letter. I am so excited. I guess the stuff in the crockpot is going to be in tupperware till tomorrow, because I am going out and having wine.

Now we're trying to figure out celebration. We were going to find a sitter and do a grown-up thing, but this is my party and I want those kiddos there. I like going out with them and showing them off, and I can still have a glass of wine with them there.

Additionally, Nino is totally into Bambi right now. Of all weird things. We got it free at the movie rental place, and we've watched it like nineteen times. He doesn't mind the mother dying bit, because he loves the daddy deer and his big antlers, and that's how we get to see him. He does constantly talk about the fire.

And we've been totally into making ice cream. Yes, it's single digits out but we like it. We made strawberry on Saturday, and today was mint chocolate chip. Fresh mint. Mmm. Sounds so much fancier than the actuality - we had fresh mint but no extract. So fresh it was.

There is no one else in the world who I'd do that for. I just rubbed apricot oil into Nino's scalp, then used the fine baby comb to remove an amazing volume of yellow crusty flakes. I mean it was all over my shirt, his clothes, his hair, everything. Tiny cornflakes. It's working though. And since he wouldn't let us buzz it, I have to be more diligent. At least he loves the bath. I'm not sure, until this incident, I'd ever combed his hair before. So if you have a toddler with raging cradle cap under a full head of hair, that's the ticket.

Quiche is like a perfect food. All four food groups in one yummy bite. I had a dozen mini-quiches for dinner.

Aren't they just the cutest? :D

Today the girl had her first "solids" - I shared an animal cracker with it. She chomped and sucked like she knew exactly what she was doing. She had about a thimblefull of mush. I'm a bit worried that Nino saw me do it and now will be "sharing" everything.

I was put into a rotten mood last night by three thoughtless events by my husband, one of which (onions on a sandwich) gave me a headache so I felt even worse. Bleh. I need a good nights sleep. He's out on a walk (yes, in the single digit temperatures, so sue me) with Nino, who I hope will be in bed moments after the dinner I'm preparing, and we can talk like adults and watch silly tv or something.

Today my daughter is four months old. I can't believe it. With Nino, I was all ready at 4 mos exactly with the rice cereal. Now, no hurry. I want to wait until 6.

I also took him ice skating today. I was worried since I had to put skates on too, but it was fun. I need a nap and a backrub though. I carried both of us awkwardly around the rink.

Today I took Nino to the theater. First time ever. We saw George the Monkey, as he says. He is still talking about Africa, and the rocket ship. It was fun. Good to go to the 12:20 show, when there are only 7 other people in there, half of whom are also in the 3-5 range. He's so sensitive - he didn't like George in the dark cargo ship. But with such a small audience, his crying was fine. And I didn't mind at all when he climbed into my lap.

I love these stolen "dates" we get. I need to have him in my lap with no competition.

On the way home as they both slept, I was struck by how absolutely I love them. It hurts my heart or something when I think about it. And when he cried in the theater, I was on the verge of tears myself. It hurts me for him to hurt. I'm such a sap sometimes.

And this little girl who needs me so very much. To wiggle a laugh out of her gets me every.single.time.

Even on days like today, when I have to change her and (literally) hose her down in the kitchen sink because of the havoc amoxicillin is wreaking on her GI system.

Well. okay.

3 names I answer to:
momma
hil
wifa

3 parts of your heritage:
german
irish
swedish

3 things that scare me:
driving into water
harm to my babies
thunder + lightning

3 of your everyday essentials:
chocolate
sloppy toddler kisses
toothy baby smiles

3 things you are wearing right now:
wedding band
slippers
baby

3 of your favorite songs:
Atlanta - Alison Kraus
100,000 miles - spearhead
Opera Singer - cake

3 things about the opposite sex that appeal to you:
Smile
sense of humor
wit

3 things you want in a relationship (other than real love)
Laughter
Honesty
Great sex

3 of your favorite hobbies:
Sewing.
Sketching.
Snowboarding.

3 Places you want to go:
Italy with the fam.
Philly for the shindig.
Mt Rushmore.

3 things you want to do before you die:
Have another kiddo.
Be a hot skinny momma.
See my kids success - wahatever they want it to be.

3 ways that you are stereotypically a female/male:
I love babies and puppies.
I eat pickles and ice cream when pregnant.
My hubby gets the brunt of my abuse.

Somehow I got 8 lb into this weight loss thing and something happened. My cheeseburger and diet coke turned into spicy chicken sandwich with free fries today at McD's. Stupid guy handing out coupons to waiting cars. Never.again.

I really want to want to eat better. I can do it. Hubby brought home one whoopie pie for the whole family for dessert, and you know what? It was plenty. My four bites of gooey calories. It was fine. I need to remind myself that's all it takes. I need to be happy in a bathing suit this summer. I want to see fellow alum at that wedding and be smokin'.

My poor baby is sick. She's got this runny nose and junky cough, and I brought her to the doctor where the official thermometer says 102. She keeps falling asleep just any old place. At least she's not *too* miserable, but when she's awake she's not her usual sunshine. No ear infection though which I was afraid of. Thank goodness Nino is going to Sue-sue's today.

Well, I'm officially taking over the guest room with fabric and sewing. Of course, it will will be fully functional as a guest room, but I just don't have the space to store all of our files as well as 30 yards of fabric. And of course now I've decided that I'm going to try to make a dress for the girl for Easter/spring wedding. We'll see how far I get.

Trip was fantasmo. I was healthy in time for travel, kids were decent on the plane - the best I could have asked for. Only one day of real rain, and not even that hot. Like 80 the whole time. Great.

Here are the boys on the beach.


And the girl poolside.

We're back from sunny Puerto Rico. Fun, but I'm so glad to be home. More tomorrow.

Thank God I am better in time for the trip. Still no clue as to what it was, but amoxicillin killed it. Now I'm just itchy with the healing sores.

See you in February!

The medical peeps need to get their act together and figure out what I've got. I have five days to get healthy before we hit the sun. And no one has been able to even tell me what it is. Someone needs to invent a symptom checker tool website. Like 20 questions. Or at least give me a trick so I can eat/pee/live comfortably for a little while.

Dayum it's cold out. Yesterday it was 60, today I don't think it has broken 20. One of those hair-freezes-before-you-scrape-the-windshield cold. And in such a wonderful way, the slidey door on the van froze. So to the grocery store, swinging the baby bucket over the passenger seat, because of course it will thaw en route. Or not. Ugh. And did she screech!

My sweet boy today, said "I want to tell Santa thank you". Could I love him any more? We colored a Bob the Builder picture to send to him. What child wants to thank Santa? :adore

We baptized the little girl yesterday. She fell asleep about 10 minutes into the service and slept through it all - including the water on the head. My princess. ;o)

I'm also going to work tomorrow for the day. At least I think the day. We'll see how it goes. I hope she does okay with the bottle. She isn't all that great about it yet. I'm just too lazy, too. Sigh.

Here we all are:

Today at playgroup the kids were upstairs without moms. Maybe not the best but they had fun and we would call up to them. Suddenly, Nino calls down and says "momma! I brushing my teeth!" and he was. He'd taken *someone's* toothbrush and used the better part of an entire bubblegum flavored tube of toothpaste. Yum? I think he's made up for the last week of my laziness/his gumdrop off the gingerbread house eating.

I took an exam yesterday. Hopefully I'm done now. Finally. And the girl and I were separated for about 5 hours. She sort of took a bottle but happily snuggled with my boobs for much of the afternoon.

So yesterday I called my boss to ask if there was a really part time job for me. No he says, but call back in a month or two. Fine. I tell my babysitter, etc.

Today, he called back to have me come in asap. Fortunately I'm still set for sitting.

He had his three-year checkup today. My big boy. They weigh him on the big scale and measure him standing up. Where did the time go?

Anyway, no shots. 32 lb, 37". Perfectly healthy, 50%, and she was overall impressed. "Other than a bit of dry skin, all's well". Apparently at 3 they should be pedaling a tricycle but it's not exactly tricycle weather, so he can't quite do that.

Perfect.

Last night we made Nino's day. We took the train (two stops and 11 minutes) to dinner in Ipswich. Wonderful greek food, took the train back home. He was telling our waiter, the host, the water girl, everyone about the train. I love doing things for him that he loves.

This weekend, we saw the seals at the beach. It's sort of an "around Christmas" tradition. They winter in the (relatively) warm water nearby. Maybe not the best time to see them is the morning after you watch "March of the Penguins", but we still saw them as cute. Very fun and frolicking. It was raining, but Nino still wanted to be in the sand with his trucks.

And the little girl is so happy. I love that now she can be awake and fun and not just wanting boob or diaper or rocking. Although she still wants that a lot.

New babies are the best, aren't they? Her first and my older son are just a week apart, and she just had a daughter last night. I'm over the moon for them. Welcome to the world, Anna Jane!

I can't believe it's been three years!

The girl is up to 11.5 lb on momma milk alone. So happy. She got four shots yesterday though, poor bub. She was mad or sleeping all day. I'm not ready for her to get whooping cough though so there we go.

Tomorrow we have two birthday parties for the big boy. Hard to believe he'll be three Saturday. We've got our playgroup with cupcakes in the morning, and dinner and orange cake in the evening with family. It's not too late to be deciding on a menu tomorrow right?

I'm loving this. I think Massi will get it since she'll hardly get any new toys of her own.

Pretty sure I'm done shopping. I bought some stuff online, but one of them says I'll have it by the 3rd of January. I sure hope it's like a week sooner. More than that. Sigh.

Nino has an imaginary friend, JoJo. I love it. We do lots of things for JoJo. The hardest is opening the door to let him in in a blizzard, but I'd want to be let in too.

And the downstairs is done. Every room now just has one single purpose. We can now watch movies at night and not wake the boy. I'm beyond excited.

New favorite mall. This from not a mall person. Said mall has a) fewer stores b) good santa (too late for us this year) with no line c) indoor toddler play area that rules, is clean, and free and d) torrid. I didn't get to enjoy that last as children were melting down before my eyes, but I had no idea. And close. If we move, it will certainly be the closest mall.

I'm so in denial about christmas. I've bought like 30% of my gifts, if that. I'm hoping I can do a lot more online. What does one get for a fifteen year old boy anyway?

I'm dying here. So Nino has the fisher price little people nativity.

And he is playing with baby Jesus, Married, and all of his other little people (the tow truck driver, the construction worker) as well as them. Apparently the wise men need help getting their gifts to the baby Jesus, and the animals don't feel like walking, etc. It's hysterical.

I'm also totally bummed since I ordered some stuff on November 28 that's not here yet, and probably won't be before Ethan's birthday on Saturday. Darn super saver shipping.

At least I'm still really excited about the photo session with the 3 cousins. Cute sweaters, coupon, good frames. Can't go wrong.

Today we saw Santa. Overall it was good, although Santa was feeding his reindeer when we arrived, so we had to blow some time. Lunch, a carousel ride, and jcrew later, we saw him. Girl wasn't at all fazed by being held by strange bearded man. Thank you, daddy, for getting her used to facial hair.

On the way home I call my mom and say "now I've started shopping". She says "started?!" A. It's the FOURTH not the TWENTY FOURTH and B. I have an infant and toddler. She's lucky I didn't do online with overnight delivery.

Good weekend. We went to the Santa parade, went to the local toy store where Nino found the yellow truck that he has repeatedly asked Santa for (thank god it's close and cheap), and saw the UNH ladies beat UMass's. Super fun, going with Ethan and his Momma to see his Mommy coach. G still calls her Ethan's daddy.

Anyway, here we are.

Just look at her. Sigh.

I'm a bit cabin feverish. I mean I get out every day, but oftentimes the only adult I talk to is my husband, or my mom on the phone. And now that it's getting too cold for the park, I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do. I guess I have to start showing up to the NS and Nino meetups. Or start eating lunch at places like Brujitos.

Also, because it's just as easy to have it here and edit it, I'm going to make my christmas lists here.

G-man:
March of the Penguins
Hess Truck

Massi:
Play gym

Myself:
A big bag that is more a purse than a diaper bag, with shoulder straps
Neil Diamond's 12 songs. :uh

Family:
Target chairs. On sale this week. Must buy 2.

Today I got something awesome to be thankful for. The little girl gave the cutest little chuckle. Yes, she was asleep, but in my arms, she gave a big grin and then . . "huh heh huh". Oh man. :adore

Tomorrow I have to go shopping for some fleece, so I might hit a store or two also. Depending on how I feel about it all.

It was a lovely turkey day, with the beautiful, well behaved children, and me getting some quality free lap and arm time, what with all the relatives. We made the call not to trek to Auntie's house, as it was snowing, and wouldn't you know that it stopped just before we sat down. I have leftovers galore.

We're trying to stay up to watch Nemo, but I'd like to be in bed before it even begins (8:30). I hope Nino falls asleep early. Massi is already asleep on me right now. And now my husband of all people is shopping. He and his brothers (all of them) went to Freeport. 24/7/365. Good for them. Last time I got a new vest out of the deal. :D

My son cracks me up. We're working on letters, he's really curious about how one reads. So he wrote a G on his turkey as seen here:



Then he says "G P S dot com - that's me!" I don't know what this means, but he knows he starts with G, and somehow this phrase flows. I crack up every time.

Anyway, happy turkey day.

So big!



Thanksgiving has been moved to nearby. It's supposed to snow up to 4". I'm not packing my babies and driving 90 miles. Sorry Auntie.

Possibly hosting here, which I'm kind of happy about. I can make a turkey and set out plates, if everyone brings a side or dessert. It could be fun. And having the kids in their own home is priceless.

A teething five week old sucks. That left tooth is a white straight line and I can imagine it just kills. It is starting to have that sandpapery feel, so I'm hoping the anguish for the girl is nearly over. She's so little she doesn't even know why she's miserable. And up till this week she was such a happy girl all the time that's the only thing I can think of. Sigh.

I can't believe it's thanksgiving already. I'm becoming a bit worried about the 3 hours of travel on the big day with the new girl, but she's so mellow (when not teething) that I don't see a huge issue. Fingers crossed.

This article had me in tears this morning.

And the girl rolled tummy to back for my dad today. Hooray - witnesses!

So it seems that Nino has outgrown his carseat. I'm kind of a nut about these things and research the heck out of them. But really, this time, I've decided that regulations wouldn't allow an unsafe seat on the market, and I'll get a brand that I know, and have him test-sit them. Especially since I need two or more of them. At least now I know that the seats he's currently in will be available when little girl needs them. Additionally, we're about to get the double stroller. Very excited. Can't wait to go for a long walk where Nino isn't on his own power.

Not sure why, but I've been craving hot dogs lately. Like I can't crave something that's actually found in nature. Ah well, of to nuke one. At least if I'm having something artificial, I can artificially prepare it as well.

Isn't it amazing how we're pregnant, and we say "it doesn't matter, so long as s/he's healthy" but then even if they aren't, it doesn't matter. The second they are born we'd do anything for them. Heck even before that.

Happy one year post surgery Dillon!

Let's see. Lunch with B Friday was fun. Boy was a ball of fire, but it was okay - it was TGIFridays. Anything goes. And cousin and auntie were in town for the weekend. That was super fun. To see Fia a toddler and Massi the baby, and Nino the big boy . . .

Today she is a month old. I can't believe it, but looking at the hospital photos, she sure is bigger. Chubbier and all. Up to 9 lb 4 oz. Just one shot today. Next time will be the big bad appointment with lots of shots. And she's getting such hair. I hope it all hangs around.

Today I also made mini-shannon, who with her sling will head out tomorrow. And at some point, soon, I'm going to the new Ikea. Maybe thursday. I want to get the little gym for the girl.

Here she is snoozing in brother's bed today:

Today is a very exciting day. First and foremost, Amanda meets her daughter. She's in China as I type. Actually, with time differences, she has her in arms by now. *sniff*

Secondly, it's election day. While it would be nice for Tom to win, no matter what, campaigning is over. I get my husband back. If Tom doesn't win, though, it might start the great house hunt to leave town. I really don't want that.

I just put away my maternity clothes. I will use them again, so no ebay for us, but I did manage to pare out about a dozen things for salvation army. There are only so many pair of black stretchy pants a pregnant woman needs. And really, if I didn't wear that melon colored shirt this entire pregnancy, the odds I'll wear it next time are super slim.

We've discovered the wrap love. Best $5 and 20 minutes spent.

Today after coming out of the shower, I decided to try to see if my hair is long enough to put up. Yes it is, for those who are wondering.

However, Nino was unsure. Giddy smile, he says "Momma, what you did with yours hair?" and then said "don't do that again, momma".

Omigod I died.

Last night my daughter, not quite 3 weeks old, rolled from her tummy to her back. So I put her back there, thinking "no way man". But yes way. She did it again. She generally doesn't hate her tummy the way her brother did, but I think with this cold she's miserable. Speaking of, I have some breastmilk in a dropper waiting for her to wake up so I can squirt it up her nose. Good times.

And she had her hip ultrasound this morning. Because she was delivered breech, they want to make sure. She was fine with it all. The doc was so cool - "if you need to feed her, go ahead". They would have scanned her hips in my lap while she suckled. She didn't need it though.