Our friend Christine is over at our house tonight, and Ben loves to play with her. We had to make him stop playing long enough to eat dinner.
Generally, Ben eats either chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese for dinner. Tonight was a chicken nugget night. Of course, while he's eating, Ben wants to play with Christine, but he keeps being told he has to eat first.
After awhile, Christine and Ben are playing again, and she's trying to convince him that he needs to eat. Ben tickles her. She tickles Ben. Christine tells Ben he needs to eat. Ben picks up a chicken nugget and says, "Here, tickle my nugget."
Nice.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Fruit Loop grossness...
About 15 minutes after I get to work today, I get a call that Ben threw up at daycare. Ok, so I get someone to cover for me (as I'm supposed to be training a class, sorta...) and I go pick him up. He had a bath at daycare (home daycare) to was off all the grossness, and he's all clean and in new clothes. She tells me he threw up slimy purple, which I figure was the combo of Milk and Flintstone Vitamin he had at home.
So we got home, and Ben was all snuggly and lethargic for awhile, then he told me he wanted juice. So I give him about an ounce of juice, and it stays down, so about 20 minutes later I give him another ounce of juice and a saltine. Still down. Woohoo. We sit for a bit and he is visibly feeling better, and he tells me he wants Fruit Loops. Hmm...ok. And milk, in a cup, not on the Fruit Loops. Hmm...ok...
Needless to say, if you read the title of the post, I think you know what happened next, and I wasn't even PREPARED. No bucket, towel, trash can, anything... Fruit Loop grossness all over the carpet (and Ben - shirt, pants, hands, feet... andI actually did the reflex thing where you see something falling...and I reached out to CATCH the handfulls of grossness!!)
So after Ben's second bath of the day, he watched cartoons while I got out the carpet cleaner and cleaned the Fruit Loop vomit out of the carpet. He was actually pretty amused by it, which made me at least slightly more amused by it that I would have otherwise been. Luckily, he didn't actually feel that bad today, apart by freaking out while he threw up (which makes sense, it's a weird feeling...)...
So we got home, and Ben was all snuggly and lethargic for awhile, then he told me he wanted juice. So I give him about an ounce of juice, and it stays down, so about 20 minutes later I give him another ounce of juice and a saltine. Still down. Woohoo. We sit for a bit and he is visibly feeling better, and he tells me he wants Fruit Loops. Hmm...ok. And milk, in a cup, not on the Fruit Loops. Hmm...ok...
Needless to say, if you read the title of the post, I think you know what happened next, and I wasn't even PREPARED. No bucket, towel, trash can, anything... Fruit Loop grossness all over the carpet (and Ben - shirt, pants, hands, feet... andI actually did the reflex thing where you see something falling...and I reached out to CATCH the handfulls of grossness!!)
So after Ben's second bath of the day, he watched cartoons while I got out the carpet cleaner and cleaned the Fruit Loop vomit out of the carpet. He was actually pretty amused by it, which made me at least slightly more amused by it that I would have otherwise been. Luckily, he didn't actually feel that bad today, apart by freaking out while he threw up (which makes sense, it's a weird feeling...)...
Friday, September 19, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
What kind of special is that??
I went to the cafeteria at work this morning, and I saw the daily special...2 eggs, 2 bacon and toast for $3.00.
Ok, sounds good, and I order the "special."
Then, as I often do, I start thinking...2 eggs are $1.00...2 bacon are $1.00...toast is $0.50...hmmm...
So, the $3.00 "special" would only be $2.50 if I bought it on any other day. While this is "special," it's not actually the type of special I was looking for.
As I pay for breakfast, I tell the cashier (who I know and love) that I don't want the special - I'd rather pay for what I actually bought as if it's a la carte...at which point, adding it up, she also realizes the special conundrum. I'm like...is this an extra fee for people who don't do the math? I told her to keep track of how many people (if any) notice and mention it to her...just because I'm curious to see if anyone else even notices...
Apparently, today is the "extra fee for people who don't do the math special..."
Ok, sounds good, and I order the "special."
Then, as I often do, I start thinking...2 eggs are $1.00...2 bacon are $1.00...toast is $0.50...hmmm...
So, the $3.00 "special" would only be $2.50 if I bought it on any other day. While this is "special," it's not actually the type of special I was looking for.
As I pay for breakfast, I tell the cashier (who I know and love) that I don't want the special - I'd rather pay for what I actually bought as if it's a la carte...at which point, adding it up, she also realizes the special conundrum. I'm like...is this an extra fee for people who don't do the math? I told her to keep track of how many people (if any) notice and mention it to her...just because I'm curious to see if anyone else even notices...
Apparently, today is the "extra fee for people who don't do the math special..."
Sneezes do what?
Since Ben is potty training, I often have him sit on the potty and "try" to go, just in case he needs to. Sometimes he goes and sometimes he doesn't. The other day, right after we woke up, I told him to go potty, and he told me he didn't want to (he DIDN'T say that he didn't NEED to go, just that he didn't want to...stinker...)
Anyway, I told him to try anyway, so he sat on the potty for about 4 seconds and said, "Maybe next time." I convinced him to stay for another few seconds, and he sneezed, so of course, I said "Bless you."
As he started to pee, he looked up at me with surprise on his face and said, "Mama!! Bless yous make pee-pee!!"
Nice.
Anyway, I told him to try anyway, so he sat on the potty for about 4 seconds and said, "Maybe next time." I convinced him to stay for another few seconds, and he sneezed, so of course, I said "Bless you."
As he started to pee, he looked up at me with surprise on his face and said, "Mama!! Bless yous make pee-pee!!"
Nice.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The Idiot Fee
Thank you to the nice guy at the hospital parking garage who didn't make me pay the idiot fee, since I took the ticket to get validated and walked past the place to get it validated at least 4 times while thinking "I'll get them to stamp it next time..."
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Ben's Joke
If I had a prize, I'd give it to anyone who can tell me what Ben is saying!! (Ok, so *I* know what he's saying, but do you? I'll reveal the answer soon...)
Saturday, September 6, 2008
and then...the novel
I feel like I'm having an "and then" day...
I got up this morning and got the kids ready to run errands. We got in the green car (with all our stuff - including important prescriptions to pick up - our first scheduled errand) to see if we could go jump start the white car which died yesterday. I really didn't think it would start, since we couldn't jump it yesterday, but it did, so we took the green car home and took the white car to our very favorite fabulous mechanic friend who checked stuff out and told us it was indeed the battery and we needed a new one. We went to WalMart and bought a new one, and they put it in the car for us (after finishing their break sitting around eating candy. There was one guy working in the automotive section - and he was in a wheelchair. All of the fully able bodied folks were sitting around doing nothing.) James wanted to just do it himself, but they wouldn't let him use their tools, and I wasn't about to buy more tools for a time job. Since it was HOT today (101!), I took the boys inside while we were waiting for the guys to get off of their candy break to work on the car.
The auto place is in the far back of the store, and of course, all of the carts are way up front. So I took both boys (carrying Jeff who now weighs something like 1500 lbs...) to the front of a rather large Super WalMart to get a cart. As soon as I get the boys in the cart, James calls me from the automotive section (don't you just love the cell phone era?) to let me know they are done. Ok, so we trek back to the automotive section (walking by the toys, which is what we were going to look at while we were waiting except it took us so long just to get the cart, so Ben wasn't very happy that we walked by them and didn't stop and look at them...)
Woohoo, the car starts right up. We are NOW finally going to run our FIRST errand and go to pick up the medicine. And then...we have a not-surprising for us (but requires us to go home) medical issue...so we go home, and while we are there, we're hungry and stuff, so Jeff and Ben have snacks. We're finally ready to run our first errand to go get the medicine.
We go back out to the white car and go to the "movie store" as Ben calls it. (Yes, our first errand is to get medicine, but the movie store is next to the grocery store where we get medicine, so we go their first so Ben can be happy to hold and look at his new Curious George DVD (well, just the case) while we wait for the medicine.) We get our movies at the movie store (and pet the friendly dog of some man who brought his dog in...), and we head over to the grocery store. I stop to pull the prescriptions out of the bag...and...no prescriptions. I think they must have fallen out in the car, so we go back to the car first. I put both boys on the floor of the van to play, and I open all the doors to get a little air moving (yes, it's still 101 degrees), and I search for the prescriptions, which are nowhere to be found. I can't figure out where they could possibly be since I'm 110% sure I had them IN MY HAND when we walked out to the car this morning.
We go into the grocery store anyway, partially because it's air conditioned, and we actually have some other prescriptions that were called in that we need to pick up. We go to the pharmacy (and we're sad that our favorite pharmacist isn't there, because while she wouldn't give us stuff we don't have prescriptions for, she may know some secret way to get ahold of the right dr on Saturday to get them called in or something), and we pick up what was there.
And then...we go back out to the car and go home, where it is so very nap time, but we haven't had lunch, so the boys watch Curious George and I make the amazingly healthy and complicated meal of Macaroni & Cheese (though it was at least the new 50% Whole Wheat kind, which I found out is more expensive (which I expected) AND less food than the regular kind, but whatever). Boys eat, we nap. Good. And long. Until 5 pm. And the pharmacy closes at 6 pm.
And then...we go search the GREEN car for the prescriptions, since I have the epiphany that while I did have them in my hand when we went to the car this morning, we had switched cars. Lo and behold, there they are in the car. Whew.
Get boys back into the white car (and for whatever reason, Jeff is VERY anti-car seat lately, which is totally uncool). We go back to the grocery store, where the boys get to ride in the fun cart with the car on the front (and they are very well behaved, which is nice), and we get the prescription filled.
And then...I had promised Ben we could have dinner at McDonald's and play at the PlayPlace, so we're off. However, we're almost out of gas, so I tell him we'll make one stop on the way to get gas so we don't have to push the car (again, since we had to push it some yesterday when it wouldn't start...) I pull into the gas station and try to do the pay at the pump thing (which I do every time, of course), and it tells me to see the attendant. Um, if I wanted to go inside, I wouldn't be paying at the pump. I SO don't want to get both kids out of the car, etc, so I try again - knowing full well my card works since I used it 10 minutes ago at the grocery store. I try Debit and Credit, but no dice, so I give up and drive down the street to the next gas station (yes, really). I pull up and try here...please see cashier. Fine. I will see the cashier, but I will NOT like it. I get both boys out of the car and walk inside to a line of 5 people. We wait, and I let Ben make a mess of the candy while we do (not really...he tried, but I made him put it all back correctly, thought I WANTED to let him make a mess as punishment to them for making me come inside). I can't remember the last time I paid for gas inside. So I pay (and my card works perfectly inside, though she tells me she's been having with that one pay at the pump all day...great), and we go back out to the (now hot again) car.
And then...after I put the boys back in the car (Jeff in his car seat, and Ben standing next to him to play while I get gas), I try to open the gas thing (the little lever in the car) and nothing happens. So of course, I try again, and, not surprisingly, nothing happens. I know it doesn't open when it thinks the sliding door is open, so I re-open and re-close the door. Still, nothing happens. So I put the key in and turn so the electric is on in the car (and the CD comes on...Head, shoulders, knees and toes...) and open and close the door again. I turn the key off and the little gas door now opens. Yay.
And then...as I start to pump gas, I hear "Head, shoulders, knees and toes..." again. I thought I turned that off - I look up, and there is Ben, sitting in the driver's seat, having turned the key enough to turn on the radio, and pushing buttons. ARGH!! I jump OVER the gas thingy and get to Ben. Luckily, he hasn't started the car or driven off or anything, but still. I know better than to leave the keys in there with him. Ok, so I take the keys back and tell him to sit in his seat. We get all finished and head to McDonald's.
Ok, I'm getting tired of typing, and the rest was pretty standard: played at McDonald's, Ben was good - he DIDN'T climb up the slide even when other kids were trying to get him to because he knows it's against his rules. Jeff ate everything in site.
Now we're home, watching Curious George even though it's past bedtime. Especially mine.
I got up this morning and got the kids ready to run errands. We got in the green car (with all our stuff - including important prescriptions to pick up - our first scheduled errand) to see if we could go jump start the white car which died yesterday. I really didn't think it would start, since we couldn't jump it yesterday, but it did, so we took the green car home and took the white car to our very favorite fabulous mechanic friend who checked stuff out and told us it was indeed the battery and we needed a new one. We went to WalMart and bought a new one, and they put it in the car for us (after finishing their break sitting around eating candy. There was one guy working in the automotive section - and he was in a wheelchair. All of the fully able bodied folks were sitting around doing nothing.) James wanted to just do it himself, but they wouldn't let him use their tools, and I wasn't about to buy more tools for a time job. Since it was HOT today (101!), I took the boys inside while we were waiting for the guys to get off of their candy break to work on the car.
The auto place is in the far back of the store, and of course, all of the carts are way up front. So I took both boys (carrying Jeff who now weighs something like 1500 lbs...) to the front of a rather large Super WalMart to get a cart. As soon as I get the boys in the cart, James calls me from the automotive section (don't you just love the cell phone era?) to let me know they are done. Ok, so we trek back to the automotive section (walking by the toys, which is what we were going to look at while we were waiting except it took us so long just to get the cart, so Ben wasn't very happy that we walked by them and didn't stop and look at them...)
Woohoo, the car starts right up. We are NOW finally going to run our FIRST errand and go to pick up the medicine. And then...we have a not-surprising for us (but requires us to go home) medical issue...so we go home, and while we are there, we're hungry and stuff, so Jeff and Ben have snacks. We're finally ready to run our first errand to go get the medicine.
We go back out to the white car and go to the "movie store" as Ben calls it. (Yes, our first errand is to get medicine, but the movie store is next to the grocery store where we get medicine, so we go their first so Ben can be happy to hold and look at his new Curious George DVD (well, just the case) while we wait for the medicine.) We get our movies at the movie store (and pet the friendly dog of some man who brought his dog in...), and we head over to the grocery store. I stop to pull the prescriptions out of the bag...and...no prescriptions. I think they must have fallen out in the car, so we go back to the car first. I put both boys on the floor of the van to play, and I open all the doors to get a little air moving (yes, it's still 101 degrees), and I search for the prescriptions, which are nowhere to be found. I can't figure out where they could possibly be since I'm 110% sure I had them IN MY HAND when we walked out to the car this morning.
We go into the grocery store anyway, partially because it's air conditioned, and we actually have some other prescriptions that were called in that we need to pick up. We go to the pharmacy (and we're sad that our favorite pharmacist isn't there, because while she wouldn't give us stuff we don't have prescriptions for, she may know some secret way to get ahold of the right dr on Saturday to get them called in or something), and we pick up what was there.
And then...we go back out to the car and go home, where it is so very nap time, but we haven't had lunch, so the boys watch Curious George and I make the amazingly healthy and complicated meal of Macaroni & Cheese (though it was at least the new 50% Whole Wheat kind, which I found out is more expensive (which I expected) AND less food than the regular kind, but whatever). Boys eat, we nap. Good. And long. Until 5 pm. And the pharmacy closes at 6 pm.
And then...we go search the GREEN car for the prescriptions, since I have the epiphany that while I did have them in my hand when we went to the car this morning, we had switched cars. Lo and behold, there they are in the car. Whew.
Get boys back into the white car (and for whatever reason, Jeff is VERY anti-car seat lately, which is totally uncool). We go back to the grocery store, where the boys get to ride in the fun cart with the car on the front (and they are very well behaved, which is nice), and we get the prescription filled.
And then...I had promised Ben we could have dinner at McDonald's and play at the PlayPlace, so we're off. However, we're almost out of gas, so I tell him we'll make one stop on the way to get gas so we don't have to push the car (again, since we had to push it some yesterday when it wouldn't start...) I pull into the gas station and try to do the pay at the pump thing (which I do every time, of course), and it tells me to see the attendant. Um, if I wanted to go inside, I wouldn't be paying at the pump. I SO don't want to get both kids out of the car, etc, so I try again - knowing full well my card works since I used it 10 minutes ago at the grocery store. I try Debit and Credit, but no dice, so I give up and drive down the street to the next gas station (yes, really). I pull up and try here...please see cashier. Fine. I will see the cashier, but I will NOT like it. I get both boys out of the car and walk inside to a line of 5 people. We wait, and I let Ben make a mess of the candy while we do (not really...he tried, but I made him put it all back correctly, thought I WANTED to let him make a mess as punishment to them for making me come inside). I can't remember the last time I paid for gas inside. So I pay (and my card works perfectly inside, though she tells me she's been having with that one pay at the pump all day...great), and we go back out to the (now hot again) car.
And then...after I put the boys back in the car (Jeff in his car seat, and Ben standing next to him to play while I get gas), I try to open the gas thing (the little lever in the car) and nothing happens. So of course, I try again, and, not surprisingly, nothing happens. I know it doesn't open when it thinks the sliding door is open, so I re-open and re-close the door. Still, nothing happens. So I put the key in and turn so the electric is on in the car (and the CD comes on...Head, shoulders, knees and toes...) and open and close the door again. I turn the key off and the little gas door now opens. Yay.
And then...as I start to pump gas, I hear "Head, shoulders, knees and toes..." again. I thought I turned that off - I look up, and there is Ben, sitting in the driver's seat, having turned the key enough to turn on the radio, and pushing buttons. ARGH!! I jump OVER the gas thingy and get to Ben. Luckily, he hasn't started the car or driven off or anything, but still. I know better than to leave the keys in there with him. Ok, so I take the keys back and tell him to sit in his seat. We get all finished and head to McDonald's.
Ok, I'm getting tired of typing, and the rest was pretty standard: played at McDonald's, Ben was good - he DIDN'T climb up the slide even when other kids were trying to get him to because he knows it's against his rules. Jeff ate everything in site.
Now we're home, watching Curious George even though it's past bedtime. Especially mine.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Attack of the Nap-less 3 year old
I thought we were having a great Saturday. I got to sleep in while Grandma and Cindy took the boys...oh, I don't know, wherever they went while I was sleeping!!
Then we decided to go swimming at Aunt Annie's. So we made some yummy banana pancakes (and at them of course) and got stuff together to go swimming (which, with the 2 little ones, was about an hour adventure.) We got in the van and took off for Aunt Annie's. It was GREAT! We sat out by the pool and ate snacks - Guacamole & chips, crackers and smoked cheese, mango, strawberries, veggies and dip, etc. Somehow we managed not to sink to the bottom of the pool after all this food, and we had a nice time swimming.
Aunt Annie needed to get some stuff taken care of with her phone, and as she is not as cell phone savvy as I am (not that I'm a pro, but let's face it, I'm not 60-something), I was going to go with her to the store to get it all worked out.
HOWEVER, Ben had not had a nap, and it was almost 5 pm. This was NOT good news for trying to leave him with Grandma and Cindy, even for a little bit. He got in the van with him and was NOT happy when I went with Aunt Annie, but he fell asleep pretty quickly once in the van. They drove around and he napped, but they came to meet us at the store, and the parking lot driving around wasn't enough to keep him asleep, so he woke up, and was VERY unhappy and wanted his Mama. Even once I picked him up though, he wouldn't stop crying and whining and saying he wanted Mama...even though I was holding him. He was physically awake, but he was such an emotional mess...luckily, he fell asleep again once we were back in the car and the car was moving, but it was not a good time when he was awake and so very unhappy.
I forget the havoc that 3 year olds can wreak since he is usually so very well behaved.
Then we decided to go swimming at Aunt Annie's. So we made some yummy banana pancakes (and at them of course) and got stuff together to go swimming (which, with the 2 little ones, was about an hour adventure.) We got in the van and took off for Aunt Annie's. It was GREAT! We sat out by the pool and ate snacks - Guacamole & chips, crackers and smoked cheese, mango, strawberries, veggies and dip, etc. Somehow we managed not to sink to the bottom of the pool after all this food, and we had a nice time swimming.
Aunt Annie needed to get some stuff taken care of with her phone, and as she is not as cell phone savvy as I am (not that I'm a pro, but let's face it, I'm not 60-something), I was going to go with her to the store to get it all worked out.
HOWEVER, Ben had not had a nap, and it was almost 5 pm. This was NOT good news for trying to leave him with Grandma and Cindy, even for a little bit. He got in the van with him and was NOT happy when I went with Aunt Annie, but he fell asleep pretty quickly once in the van. They drove around and he napped, but they came to meet us at the store, and the parking lot driving around wasn't enough to keep him asleep, so he woke up, and was VERY unhappy and wanted his Mama. Even once I picked him up though, he wouldn't stop crying and whining and saying he wanted Mama...even though I was holding him. He was physically awake, but he was such an emotional mess...luckily, he fell asleep again once we were back in the car and the car was moving, but it was not a good time when he was awake and so very unhappy.
I forget the havoc that 3 year olds can wreak since he is usually so very well behaved.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Why you should learn to bake bread from your grandma instead of a recipe you got off the internet
I decided to make some bread this week, and I haven't really made a yeast bread, well, ever. I mean, not on my own. So, I got a recipe online for this specific bread (or a copycat of it...) that I've been craving that they have at this restaurant near my hometown. I thought, hey, I can read directions, so I can do this, right?
Things I was not-so-much right about...
Warm water is warm water, right? Um...how warm is warm? If warm is good, hot is probably better, right? Better to err on the side of too hot sounds good...OR...as you out there who DID learn to bake bread from your grandmothers...too hot will kill the yeast entirely. First of many OOPS.
Also the recipe said to knead the bread for 2 minutes. I thought this sounded like not nearly enough time, but I wanted to be a good little direction follower and do what they said. So after 2 minutes of kneading (which I DID learn from my grandmother), I put the bread in a bowl in a warm place (outside...yes, covered...it was 95 degrees outside, so I figured I was good there...) I was supposed to wait for it to double in size.
So I waited...and waited...and waited...and then I realized I had maybe increased the size by.,.oh, 10% at most. ARGH! So I microwaved some water until it was boiling really good and then put the bowl of dough in the microwave with the steam (no, I did NOT microwave the dough at least.)
Still, no more rising. I was not about to throw this bread away, so I finished it, even though it was barely risen. It's a flatbread anyway, so I broke it into some small balls and starting rolling with my amazing super-high tech rolling pin (which is ACTUALLY a piece of PVC pipe...)
It rolled out pretty well, and it actually tasted pretty good after I cooked it, but a little "heavy." I have eaten it all at this point, so I guess it's not a total failure, but...this is what I get for not paying enough attention to grandma...
Things I was not-so-much right about...
Warm water is warm water, right? Um...how warm is warm? If warm is good, hot is probably better, right? Better to err on the side of too hot sounds good...OR...as you out there who DID learn to bake bread from your grandmothers...too hot will kill the yeast entirely. First of many OOPS.
Also the recipe said to knead the bread for 2 minutes. I thought this sounded like not nearly enough time, but I wanted to be a good little direction follower and do what they said. So after 2 minutes of kneading (which I DID learn from my grandmother), I put the bread in a bowl in a warm place (outside...yes, covered...it was 95 degrees outside, so I figured I was good there...) I was supposed to wait for it to double in size.
So I waited...and waited...and waited...and then I realized I had maybe increased the size by.,.oh, 10% at most. ARGH! So I microwaved some water until it was boiling really good and then put the bowl of dough in the microwave with the steam (no, I did NOT microwave the dough at least.)
Still, no more rising. I was not about to throw this bread away, so I finished it, even though it was barely risen. It's a flatbread anyway, so I broke it into some small balls and starting rolling with my amazing super-high tech rolling pin (which is ACTUALLY a piece of PVC pipe...)
It rolled out pretty well, and it actually tasted pretty good after I cooked it, but a little "heavy." I have eaten it all at this point, so I guess it's not a total failure, but...this is what I get for not paying enough attention to grandma...
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Another conversation with Ben...
Ben: I need milk.
Me: Good to know, do you want to ask for some?
Ben: Mama, get me milk.
Me: I don't think so. Try asking nicely...like, mama, can I have some milk please?
Ben: Mama, have a milk, PLEASE!
Me: Good to know, do you want to ask for some?
Ben: Mama, get me milk.
Me: I don't think so. Try asking nicely...like, mama, can I have some milk please?
Ben: Mama, have a milk, PLEASE!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Baby Jeff "walking"
I'm a little retarded and took the video sideways...I'll work on turning it right-side up, but for now...here it is.... (p.s. let's just say we were at someone else's messy house...not OUR messy house!!)
Ben's Birthday Pictures
Ben's birthday was several weeks ago, and we had a great time. Here's some pictures...
Friday, August 1, 2008
Social Banking
I think this is a cool concept...Social Banking....check it out, they explain it better than I could...
Zopa
What do you think?
Zopa
What do you think?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Neglectful...
I'm sorry - I know I have been so very neglectful of my blogging. (If it's any consolation, I've been neglectful of a LOT of things!!)
So here are a couple of videos of my kids (who I am not neglecting, in case you were wondering!) to keep you entertained. Well, the are only about a minute and a half long each, so they won't keep you entertained for very long, but I think you get the point. I could say that I promise to post more often, but I just don't see that happening anytime soon.
Grrr...ok I don't know why, but my videos aren't showing up. So instead, you just get suspense about what wonderful videos you would have gotten to see if it was working...
So here are a couple of videos of my kids (who I am not neglecting, in case you were wondering!) to keep you entertained. Well, the are only about a minute and a half long each, so they won't keep you entertained for very long, but I think you get the point. I could say that I promise to post more often, but I just don't see that happening anytime soon.
Grrr...ok I don't know why, but my videos aren't showing up. So instead, you just get suspense about what wonderful videos you would have gotten to see if it was working...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Simplify...
Grandma: BB, Ask C if she wants some ice cream.
BB: C, want ice cream?
C: Yes.
Granmda: Does she want ice cream?
BB: Yep.
Grandma: Ask her what kind...
BB: What kind?
C: Um, you know, that one that's like English Toffee, but it's not really, in a concrete, and not the big one, you know, the smaller one...
Grandma: What kind does she want?
BB: Chocolate.
BB: C, want ice cream?
C: Yes.
Granmda: Does she want ice cream?
BB: Yep.
Grandma: Ask her what kind...
BB: What kind?
C: Um, you know, that one that's like English Toffee, but it's not really, in a concrete, and not the big one, you know, the smaller one...
Grandma: What kind does she want?
BB: Chocolate.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
When you tell your husband about his uterus…
About 3 years ago, when I was pregnant with BB, we went to a Hypnobirthing class. You know, one of those “breathe, relax…you’re floating on a calm, soothing, cloud” sort of things. We had a CD that came with it that had relaxing music and some “meditations” to listen to. Most of the meditations were the standard “floating on a cloud” stuff, but some of them were pregnancy/birth related…like – your baby is just the right size for your body, your baby will come when the time is right for your baby and your body…and my favorite: Envision your cervix opening like a flower… there were some uterus related ones too…
Ok, so last night, J is in the ER…for various reasons (all will be fine, thanks for caring), and he has to get an arterial blood gas taken. This is a new one for us, and he had already been poked about 10 times trying to get the IV in and various other taking bloods… So the respiratory specialist comes in to take blood out of his artery for the arterial blood gas test. (Which, by the way, she totally lied to us about – she said it was just like taking blood from a vain, which apparently, taking blood from an artery is harder and more painful…) So she’s getting ready to take it, and she tells him to relax because it will be easier. Unlike taking blood from a vain, it took her about 10 minutes to prep him for taking the blood. So he’s sitting there…trying so hard to relax…thinking he’s going to get poked at any second…and we just keep waiting. So I think…I’ll try to help keep him relaxed, so I start telling him to breathe in, breathe out…relax your toes, relax your feet…relax your whole body…just relax…and my brain says to me, “Envision your uterus…opening like a flower” (*note: I realize that it’s really your cervix that opens, but for whatever reason, it was uterus in my head last night). I decided to leave that one out for the time being because I didn’t think it would help much in relaxing him.
Just as the respiratory therapist was about to poke him, her phone rang! Argh…and yes, then we had to start over with the relaxing and her tapping his artery, etc…
After the evil poking lady left (stealthily, by the way…we didn’t even see her go…), I told J to relax…and that his uterus was opening like a flower…he laughed out loud…and then coughed, because he was having trouble breathing anyway…
For the rest of the evening in the ER…every time I wanted to lighten his spirits, I told him his uterus was opening like a flower… it’s one of those things that is probably much funnier if you were there (sometimes stress of the ER added to not eating all day makes things a bit funnier…), but I thought I’d share anyway.
So…next time you need your husband to relax, tell him his uterus is opening like a flower…and let me know how that works out for you…
Ok, so last night, J is in the ER…for various reasons (all will be fine, thanks for caring), and he has to get an arterial blood gas taken. This is a new one for us, and he had already been poked about 10 times trying to get the IV in and various other taking bloods… So the respiratory specialist comes in to take blood out of his artery for the arterial blood gas test. (Which, by the way, she totally lied to us about – she said it was just like taking blood from a vain, which apparently, taking blood from an artery is harder and more painful…) So she’s getting ready to take it, and she tells him to relax because it will be easier. Unlike taking blood from a vain, it took her about 10 minutes to prep him for taking the blood. So he’s sitting there…trying so hard to relax…thinking he’s going to get poked at any second…and we just keep waiting. So I think…I’ll try to help keep him relaxed, so I start telling him to breathe in, breathe out…relax your toes, relax your feet…relax your whole body…just relax…and my brain says to me, “Envision your uterus…opening like a flower” (*note: I realize that it’s really your cervix that opens, but for whatever reason, it was uterus in my head last night). I decided to leave that one out for the time being because I didn’t think it would help much in relaxing him.
Just as the respiratory therapist was about to poke him, her phone rang! Argh…and yes, then we had to start over with the relaxing and her tapping his artery, etc…
After the evil poking lady left (stealthily, by the way…we didn’t even see her go…), I told J to relax…and that his uterus was opening like a flower…he laughed out loud…and then coughed, because he was having trouble breathing anyway…
For the rest of the evening in the ER…every time I wanted to lighten his spirits, I told him his uterus was opening like a flower… it’s one of those things that is probably much funnier if you were there (sometimes stress of the ER added to not eating all day makes things a bit funnier…), but I thought I’d share anyway.
So…next time you need your husband to relax, tell him his uterus is opening like a flower…and let me know how that works out for you…
Look Mama!
A little background – BB loves Blue’s Clues. He recently got some handy dandy notebooks of his very own. In case you’re Blue’s Clues illiterate, the basic plot is that Blue (a dog), leaves paw prints on 3 things to mark them as clues for whatever the topic of the day is (more or less), and his human draws the clues in his “handy dandy notebook.” After they have 3 clues, they sit in the thinking chair and figure it out. So…BB decides to take his handy dandy notebook with us on a trip running errands – you know, to look for clues. Yeah, good luck with that, kid.
We pull into the parking lot at Big Lots, and BB gets VERY exited.
“Look Mama!! A CLUE!! Need mine NOTEBOOK!”
I’m thinking…Oh, how cute…he’s pretending he found a clue. So I say…
“BB, did you find a pretend clue?”
“No, Mama, a CLUE a CLUE” and he points in front of the car.
Lo and behold…a clue…
We pull into the parking lot at Big Lots, and BB gets VERY exited.
“Look Mama!! A CLUE!! Need mine NOTEBOOK!”
I’m thinking…Oh, how cute…he’s pretending he found a clue. So I say…
“BB, did you find a pretend clue?”
“No, Mama, a CLUE a CLUE” and he points in front of the car.
Lo and behold…a clue…
In case you can’t tell from the picture, this is an animal clinic with paw prints on the front. BB decided that the clue was “a wall,” so we drew a wall in his handy dandy notebook. He was so proud about finding the clue.
Later, we went to Target, and Dada took him to the pet stuff aisles so he could find 2 more clues. He found a jar and a pillow with paw prints on them, and we drew them in his notebook. Of course, I have no idea what sort of end game you get when the 3 clues are a wall, a jar, and a pillow, but he didn’t really care so much about that (though we did go home and sit in the thinking chair and think..think…think…)
Later, we went to Target, and Dada took him to the pet stuff aisles so he could find 2 more clues. He found a jar and a pillow with paw prints on them, and we drew them in his notebook. Of course, I have no idea what sort of end game you get when the 3 clues are a wall, a jar, and a pillow, but he didn’t really care so much about that (though we did go home and sit in the thinking chair and think..think…think…)
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
A Good Use for a Bad Thing
I went to the dentist yesterday and got some cavities filled...I have to say I don't remember the last time I had a cavity filled, but I do remember it was in a baby tooth if that's any indication.
Actually, I also have to say I don't remember THIS time I got cavities filled either. Yep, date rape drug meets dentistry...it's a good combo. Ok, so I don't actually know that it is specifically the same drug, but it does, from my understanding, basically the same thing. You go into the dentist perfectly alert, and then they drug you...you can talk, get up (with a little help, a few hours later) and walk out of the office to your car, have a conversation with your husband on the way home - even find, open, and put in new contact lenses with absolutely no recollection of doing any of the above (and you can apparently also get some dental work done in between.)
This is SO the right way to get dental work done in my opinion.
It's funny because I'm kind of a control freak, so you'd think I wouldn't like having no idea what happened, but I am so anti-dental work that loosing the control part of the experience doesn't bother me in the slightest.
Actually, I also have to say I don't remember THIS time I got cavities filled either. Yep, date rape drug meets dentistry...it's a good combo. Ok, so I don't actually know that it is specifically the same drug, but it does, from my understanding, basically the same thing. You go into the dentist perfectly alert, and then they drug you...you can talk, get up (with a little help, a few hours later) and walk out of the office to your car, have a conversation with your husband on the way home - even find, open, and put in new contact lenses with absolutely no recollection of doing any of the above (and you can apparently also get some dental work done in between.)
This is SO the right way to get dental work done in my opinion.
It's funny because I'm kind of a control freak, so you'd think I wouldn't like having no idea what happened, but I am so anti-dental work that loosing the control part of the experience doesn't bother me in the slightest.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Found me...
Ok, so I wasn't really lost, but I have been busy. Sorry...
Here's some pictures of the cute kiddos to make up for it...
BB's haircut....Before...
And after...
SuperJ and Grandma...
BB reading "his Cindy" a book...
Ok, I can't promise I'll do any better anytime soon, but oh well...
Friday, February 22, 2008
Diapers
BB and I have been talking about potty training lately. I'm all for it...he's not so sure. We were having a conversation about watching the video Potty Power about how babies wear diapers and big kids wear underpants because they go potty in the potty.
So I asked BB, "Do you wear diapers?"
BB: No. (but he does....)
Me: I know you're not really a baby, but do you wear diapers still?
BB: No, Mama.
Me: (thinking he's being silly) Come on, BB, you wear diapers, don't you?
BB: (looking at me like I'm the crazy one) No, Mama...wear ONE diaper.
Nice. Apparently it would be silly for him to wear diapers, plural, 2 or more at the same time. Of course, he only wears one diaper - where would he put a second one? He's a very literal child sometimes...
So I asked BB, "Do you wear diapers?"
BB: No. (but he does....)
Me: I know you're not really a baby, but do you wear diapers still?
BB: No, Mama.
Me: (thinking he's being silly) Come on, BB, you wear diapers, don't you?
BB: (looking at me like I'm the crazy one) No, Mama...wear ONE diaper.
Nice. Apparently it would be silly for him to wear diapers, plural, 2 or more at the same time. Of course, he only wears one diaper - where would he put a second one? He's a very literal child sometimes...
Monday, February 18, 2008
Chili Cookoff!
So we had a chili cookoff at work today, and we had 7 kinds of chili, hot dogs, fritos, cheese, cookies, etc. And it's literally 8 feet from my chair. Not surprisingly, I've had something like 12 servings of chili before 1 pm...we do have 6 oz cups, so at least I have to get up to get more chili, so I get a miniscule amount of exercise while eating so much food. I'm also drinking water today, which I usually don't...since I've been having so much chili.
I made chili for the cookoff, not really to win anyting, but just so there would be enough chili for everyone who wanted to eat some. I had a recipe...then...I just kept putting more stuff in it because it didn't look like enough chili in my big crock pot. It turned out well enough, I guess. BB "helped," which means it took longer and was messier than it needed to be, but whatever works.
I bought Fritos to bring to the chili cookoff. BB saw them on the counter and wanted to eat them. Rather than asking me, he climbed up on his step stool and tried to open them, to no avail, of course. So he opened the drawar and got out the kitchen scissors, but the corner off, and started eating them (still holding the scissors). I turned and saw him and freaked out a little because he was holding scissors, but apparently he did fine with them. (I did take them away and put them where he couldn't reach them...even with his step stool.) I'm not sure if I'm impressed that he did all that on his own (he's only 2 1/2!) or scared that he had the scissors long enough to do that without me noticing. I'm glad I'm not writing the "I'm a terrible mother because my kid cut off his fingers with kitchen scissors" post... I'm really just lucky that it worked out the way it did, but I'll take luck over severed toddler fingers any day...
I made chili for the cookoff, not really to win anyting, but just so there would be enough chili for everyone who wanted to eat some. I had a recipe...then...I just kept putting more stuff in it because it didn't look like enough chili in my big crock pot. It turned out well enough, I guess. BB "helped," which means it took longer and was messier than it needed to be, but whatever works.
I bought Fritos to bring to the chili cookoff. BB saw them on the counter and wanted to eat them. Rather than asking me, he climbed up on his step stool and tried to open them, to no avail, of course. So he opened the drawar and got out the kitchen scissors, but the corner off, and started eating them (still holding the scissors). I turned and saw him and freaked out a little because he was holding scissors, but apparently he did fine with them. (I did take them away and put them where he couldn't reach them...even with his step stool.) I'm not sure if I'm impressed that he did all that on his own (he's only 2 1/2!) or scared that he had the scissors long enough to do that without me noticing. I'm glad I'm not writing the "I'm a terrible mother because my kid cut off his fingers with kitchen scissors" post... I'm really just lucky that it worked out the way it did, but I'll take luck over severed toddler fingers any day...
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Mom math
A seemingly infinite number of things to do
+ the 30 minutes BB will be distracted by Blue's Clues
- SuperJ getting the hiccups
+ 8 loads of laundry to do
- a closet full of clothes nobody wears
= more frustration that it's worth...
I feel like there are an infinite number of things to be done and that I will never be cought up. I waver between doing as much as I can and feeling good about what I do get accomplisted and feeling like it's a waste to do anything other than what absolutely has to be done since I'll never get all the stuff done anyway. Sadly, these sentiments about all that there is to get done can waver several times in an hour...
So I sit and blog. Procrastination is an excellent addition to having seemingly infinite things to do, don't you know?
And then...I try to get some perspective. I know people who make $3 a week (not in this country, obviously.) I know people who have chronically ill kids. I know people who had their spouse die at 27 years old. I know lots and lots of people will friends and loved ones in the middle of a war. So how sad is it that sometimes a pile of laundry can drive be completely batty? I can actually get to the point where I feel sorry for myself for having to take care of my house, kids, job, etc. Don't get me wrong - I am VERY grateful to even have a house, kids, and job (and the etc...) It's so weird to be able to know how very lucky I am to have all the things I have and still be such a mopey fool about having so much to do.
Ok, so now I feel bad about feeling bad. What a crazy world. I'm going to go try to be grateful that my family has clothes...while I wash them...
+ the 30 minutes BB will be distracted by Blue's Clues
- SuperJ getting the hiccups
+ 8 loads of laundry to do
- a closet full of clothes nobody wears
= more frustration that it's worth...
I feel like there are an infinite number of things to be done and that I will never be cought up. I waver between doing as much as I can and feeling good about what I do get accomplisted and feeling like it's a waste to do anything other than what absolutely has to be done since I'll never get all the stuff done anyway. Sadly, these sentiments about all that there is to get done can waver several times in an hour...
So I sit and blog. Procrastination is an excellent addition to having seemingly infinite things to do, don't you know?
And then...I try to get some perspective. I know people who make $3 a week (not in this country, obviously.) I know people who have chronically ill kids. I know people who had their spouse die at 27 years old. I know lots and lots of people will friends and loved ones in the middle of a war. So how sad is it that sometimes a pile of laundry can drive be completely batty? I can actually get to the point where I feel sorry for myself for having to take care of my house, kids, job, etc. Don't get me wrong - I am VERY grateful to even have a house, kids, and job (and the etc...) It's so weird to be able to know how very lucky I am to have all the things I have and still be such a mopey fool about having so much to do.
Ok, so now I feel bad about feeling bad. What a crazy world. I'm going to go try to be grateful that my family has clothes...while I wash them...
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Laughing
Here is SuperJ laughing...I just can't help but share it even though most of you have already seen it...
Friday, February 8, 2008
Sick boy...
Poor BB is sick. Our wonderfully fabulous daycare provider called...he had 101.7 temperature. I went and picked him up, got some tylenol in him, and now he's conked out on the couch. Other than being sleepy and wanting me to carry him everywhere, I haven't figured out if he has any "sick" symptoms other than fever. I mean, lethargic is a symptom, but not like...nose or throat or tummy or something. I asked him if he hurts anywhere...and he pointed at his belly button. And I said, "Your tummy hurts?" And he said, "No, belly button hurts." I'm not sure what that means.
And we have one of those cool digital thermometers that Aunt Annie got for us, but I think somehow we left it "on" last time BB was sick (2 weeks ago), so...I have to try to get J to pick up a battery for it...if I can figure out what kind of battery it is.
Sadly, this is the 3rd time this week I've missed some work for health related issues. Tuesday, J almost randomly went into anaphylactic shock, and I had to take him to urgent care. His throat swelled almost completely shut. It was really scary. Luckily, he was still able to breathe, though it was difficult. We couldn't figure out what caused it, though he had Doritos that day and when he had them again the next day, he started to react again (and stopped eating the Doritos). So maybe it's something in Doritos. If you Google "allergic to Doritos," you get a suprising number of hits. It made me want to check other things...
..and then this happened...
Apparently, Doritos are a relatively dangerous snack food...
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Not a great choice...and maybe a sensitive topic...
So I had 2 Sonoran hot dogs today...in case you don't know...Wikipedia defines it for you as...
The Sonoran hot dog, found in Tucson, Metro Phoenix, and in neighboring Sonora, Mexico, is a hot dog grilled in a processor or on a griddle, wrapped in Mesquite-smoked bacon, topped with freshly-chopped tomatoes, onions, shredded yellow or cotijo cheese, tomatillo salsa or red chile sauce, pinto beans, mayonnaise, ketchup and/or mustard, and served on a bread. Often served with a fresh-roasted chile.
My addition to this is that they are served in a bun, not bread, but it's sweeter and airier than normal hot dog buns...and enclosed at the ends so stuff can't fall out the ends.
Sadly, they don't serve them wrapped in bacon anymore here in the U.S., just with crumbled bacon on top, but that's cool too. Wednesdays are 99 cent Sonoran Dog day at El Buen Pastor, a little truck that I buy Mexican food out of. So I got 2. So far, not a bad choice.
However...I had a massage appointment today. Right after lunch. Massages are relaxing...and after eating the aforementioned 2 Sonoran dogs...there are things you don't want relaxed, if you know what I mean. So the massage was good, but I had to concentrate on not letting anything OUT during the massage.
So next time...schedule the massage for a day other than Wednesday. Got it. Problem solved.
The Sonoran hot dog, found in Tucson, Metro Phoenix, and in neighboring Sonora, Mexico, is a hot dog grilled in a processor or on a griddle, wrapped in Mesquite-smoked bacon, topped with freshly-chopped tomatoes, onions, shredded yellow or cotijo cheese, tomatillo salsa or red chile sauce, pinto beans, mayonnaise, ketchup and/or mustard, and served on a bread. Often served with a fresh-roasted chile.
My addition to this is that they are served in a bun, not bread, but it's sweeter and airier than normal hot dog buns...and enclosed at the ends so stuff can't fall out the ends.
Sadly, they don't serve them wrapped in bacon anymore here in the U.S., just with crumbled bacon on top, but that's cool too. Wednesdays are 99 cent Sonoran Dog day at El Buen Pastor, a little truck that I buy Mexican food out of. So I got 2. So far, not a bad choice.
However...I had a massage appointment today. Right after lunch. Massages are relaxing...and after eating the aforementioned 2 Sonoran dogs...there are things you don't want relaxed, if you know what I mean. So the massage was good, but I had to concentrate on not letting anything OUT during the massage.
So next time...schedule the massage for a day other than Wednesday. Got it. Problem solved.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Darn American Brain...
So I'm in the drive-thru at McDonald's...yes, really...and I say to myself, "The double cheeseburger is only 99 cents, and the cheeseburger is 79 cents, so it's a better idea to get the double cheeseburger. It's a better VALUE. Otherwise, McDonald's is pulling one over on my by getting 79 cents out of me for only a single cheeseburger!"
ARGH! This is terrible thinking! In the end, of course, it means I've spent more money, eaten more fat/calories, etc. It's REALLY more money if you count the gym membership I need and the angioplasty I'd prefer to avoid.
So now to commiserate, I'm going to go have a bowl of ice cream...
ARGH! This is terrible thinking! In the end, of course, it means I've spent more money, eaten more fat/calories, etc. It's REALLY more money if you count the gym membership I need and the angioplasty I'd prefer to avoid.
So now to commiserate, I'm going to go have a bowl of ice cream...
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Comic I like...
I find this guy hilarious...
http://basicinstructions.net/
Some of my favorites...
How to Listen to Other People's Problems
How to Apologize without Accepting any Blame
http://basicinstructions.net/
Some of my favorites...
How to Listen to Other People's Problems
How to Apologize without Accepting any Blame
Silly Daddy...
BB has a little cold with a cough, so we went to the store today and got some cough medicine. I gave him some in the car...
BB: mmm...good...
J: Is that good BB?
BB: Yep.
J: Is it grape?
BB: No.
J: Is it cherry?
BB: No.
J: What is it?
BB: It's medicine, dada!
BB: mmm...good...
J: Is that good BB?
BB: Yep.
J: Is it grape?
BB: No.
J: Is it cherry?
BB: No.
J: What is it?
BB: It's medicine, dada!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
My worst nightmare...
I needed to buy jeans. I am making progress on the weight thing, but I can't wear sweat pants to work until I can fit into my jeans, so...
I went to Target over the weekend, and they had jeans on sale for $15, so I figured it wasn't too much to spend on "temporary" jeans. However, they had every size EXCEPT the size I needed. Argh. Ok, no problem, I'll just go to a different Target and buy them. Of course, I couldn't go the same day because I had to go home and take care of the boys. So today, I had a little time, and I went to a different Target. They no longer had any jeans on sale, AND they didn't even have the same style of jeans as the other Target. So I tried on 2 of the styles they had (for $23), and neither of them fit right. I wasn't about to try on the $30 jeans because I would probably like them, and I didn't want to spend $30 on jeans. I wanted to run some other errands while I was out, but I had spent too long at Target looking for the jeans, so I headed home, jeanless.
At this point, I start to wonder if the universe is against me. Am I "meant" to go jeanless to inspire me to lose weight so I can fit into my other jeans? Or am I just unlucky with jean buying? I could get on the jeans at the first Target (on sale), but they didn't actually "fit," if you know what I mean, and I didn't buy them because I can "get on" the jeans I already have, but they don't "fit" in any going-out-in-public-in-them sort of way...
On the way at home, I passed Goodwill, so I decided I'd run in and see if they had any jeans that I liked. I had very little time, but I tried on 9 pairs of jeans in less than 15 minutes. I found 2 pairs that were worthy of coming home with me for $6.99 each. (And I have to say, they are much nicer jeans than I would usually buy - as far as being nice brands that are more expensive than I would even buy new.)
So maybe the universe isn't against me. Or at least not in the arena of jeans...
On a different note...I'm thinking about joining a gym. I have always said I wouldn't join a gym because if I'm not going to workout at home, I wouldn't workout at a gym. Plus, we have a fitness center at work, and I don't use it, so...it seems like a waste of money to pay money to work out somewhere else. But here's the kicker - I have 2 kids now. It's not so easy to workout with a 2 1/2 yr old and a 3 month old. So the idea of a gym with childcare sounds good to me, and I have a friend that already goes a few times a week right after I pick up my kids from daycare. I recently realized that in the past my alternative to spending time working out was spending time relaxing - shopping, reading, watching TV, etc. Now my alternative to working out is working IN...taking care of 2 kids, doing laundry, cooking, dishes, cleaning house, etc. I think at this point in my life, it might be LESS work to work out!
I went to Target over the weekend, and they had jeans on sale for $15, so I figured it wasn't too much to spend on "temporary" jeans. However, they had every size EXCEPT the size I needed. Argh. Ok, no problem, I'll just go to a different Target and buy them. Of course, I couldn't go the same day because I had to go home and take care of the boys. So today, I had a little time, and I went to a different Target. They no longer had any jeans on sale, AND they didn't even have the same style of jeans as the other Target. So I tried on 2 of the styles they had (for $23), and neither of them fit right. I wasn't about to try on the $30 jeans because I would probably like them, and I didn't want to spend $30 on jeans. I wanted to run some other errands while I was out, but I had spent too long at Target looking for the jeans, so I headed home, jeanless.
At this point, I start to wonder if the universe is against me. Am I "meant" to go jeanless to inspire me to lose weight so I can fit into my other jeans? Or am I just unlucky with jean buying? I could get on the jeans at the first Target (on sale), but they didn't actually "fit," if you know what I mean, and I didn't buy them because I can "get on" the jeans I already have, but they don't "fit" in any going-out-in-public-in-them sort of way...
On the way at home, I passed Goodwill, so I decided I'd run in and see if they had any jeans that I liked. I had very little time, but I tried on 9 pairs of jeans in less than 15 minutes. I found 2 pairs that were worthy of coming home with me for $6.99 each. (And I have to say, they are much nicer jeans than I would usually buy - as far as being nice brands that are more expensive than I would even buy new.)
So maybe the universe isn't against me. Or at least not in the arena of jeans...
On a different note...I'm thinking about joining a gym. I have always said I wouldn't join a gym because if I'm not going to workout at home, I wouldn't workout at a gym. Plus, we have a fitness center at work, and I don't use it, so...it seems like a waste of money to pay money to work out somewhere else. But here's the kicker - I have 2 kids now. It's not so easy to workout with a 2 1/2 yr old and a 3 month old. So the idea of a gym with childcare sounds good to me, and I have a friend that already goes a few times a week right after I pick up my kids from daycare. I recently realized that in the past my alternative to spending time working out was spending time relaxing - shopping, reading, watching TV, etc. Now my alternative to working out is working IN...taking care of 2 kids, doing laundry, cooking, dishes, cleaning house, etc. I think at this point in my life, it might be LESS work to work out!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
He likes it...
So J had to have a CT scan today, and he had to drink that barium stuff before the scan (last night and again this morning.) So last night, I got it out to take to him at work (since he forgot and left it at home)...
BB: Mama, want some that.
Mama: You don't want this, it's for Dada. We'll make you chocolate milk.
BB: Dada's milk, Mama. Want some.
Mama: No, you won't like this. It's stuff...for Dada's Colon...
BB: (sly smile) Like Colon Stuff, Mama.
Nice. This is the same kid who won't try anything I WANT him to have, but he wants the barium stuff - even claims to like "colon stuff." Of course, I didn't actually let him have any of it, and he got over it. But I have to say, it's almost too much fun to hear a 2 year old say, "Like Colon Stuff, Mama."
BB: Mama, want some that.
Mama: You don't want this, it's for Dada. We'll make you chocolate milk.
BB: Dada's milk, Mama. Want some.
Mama: No, you won't like this. It's stuff...for Dada's Colon...
BB: (sly smile) Like Colon Stuff, Mama.
Nice. This is the same kid who won't try anything I WANT him to have, but he wants the barium stuff - even claims to like "colon stuff." Of course, I didn't actually let him have any of it, and he got over it. But I have to say, it's almost too much fun to hear a 2 year old say, "Like Colon Stuff, Mama."
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Spaghetti...sure...
I think to myself...let's have spaghetti for dinner...
So I get out the ground turkey (which I even moved from the freezer to the fridge yesterday so I would have it for spaghetti today), and start cooking it. I fill the large pot with water and set it on the stove to boil. I get out the pasta. I find the colander. I get out the...um...the...uh oh. I'm sure I have spaghetti sauce in here. Really, I do. Really. Or...not. Crapbuckets.
So I continue to look around for something to put with the ground turkey (happily, I had not yet put the pasta in the boiling water...) We ended up with turkey manwiches, which is fine, I guess, but of course, I really wanted spaghetti once I thought I was making it for dinner. For whatever reason, I just looked up Manwich (partially to make sure I spelled it right...I think it should be ManWitch...) and it's older than I am. It was introduced in 1969...who knew?
By the way, I think Manwich tastes a lot like ketchup, but J likes it, so I buy it sometimes for a quick meal that will make him relatively happy...as happy as ketchup covered ground turkey can make a person...
So I get out the ground turkey (which I even moved from the freezer to the fridge yesterday so I would have it for spaghetti today), and start cooking it. I fill the large pot with water and set it on the stove to boil. I get out the pasta. I find the colander. I get out the...um...the...uh oh. I'm sure I have spaghetti sauce in here. Really, I do. Really. Or...not. Crapbuckets.
So I continue to look around for something to put with the ground turkey (happily, I had not yet put the pasta in the boiling water...) We ended up with turkey manwiches, which is fine, I guess, but of course, I really wanted spaghetti once I thought I was making it for dinner. For whatever reason, I just looked up Manwich (partially to make sure I spelled it right...I think it should be ManWitch...) and it's older than I am. It was introduced in 1969...who knew?
By the way, I think Manwich tastes a lot like ketchup, but J likes it, so I buy it sometimes for a quick meal that will make him relatively happy...as happy as ketchup covered ground turkey can make a person...
Tantrum Boy
In the last few days, BB has earned himself the nickname "Tantrum Boy." (Though I am smart enough not to call him it to his face, as he may think it's his cool superhero name or something...and start to have MORE tantrums to live up to it.) Though he has been 2 for about 7 months, the "terrible" part of the "terrible 2's" is beginning to manifest itself. I'm sure the fact that SuperJ is only 3 months old and gets lots of mommy's attention is probably related to the manifestation of the "terrible" in him. BB is actually still very good most of the time, and he's got the cute factor really going for him. He has well timed, "Mama, hug please?" to save himself from being sold to the gypsies.
I told my husband(J) I was going to sell BB to the gypsies this week. I was expecting a response along the lines of, "What did he do?" or "Hasn't he been good?" but what I got from him was...
"I don't think you'd get much for him." Clearly, he doesn't understand the point of selling the boy. While I am always in favor of making a good profit (I like to consider myself frugal...J would call me cheap), that's not really the point of the whole selling-BB-to-the-gypsies thing.
Today, BB has been a little less of TantrumBoy, though it's probably because I haven't made him do much. We slept through church for multiple reasons (one being that I forgot to put the sheets in the dryer last night, so at bedtime, we had to stay up late while we dried the sheets...), so I didn't get him up and make him get dressed. He wore his pajamas until about an hour ago when we took them off to take a bath before bed (and now he's wearing pajamas again, though clean ones). We did some of his favorite things today - vacuumed (yes, he loves to vacuum), took the trash out, snacked all day, drew animals on the dry erase board, and jumped around acting crazy (ok, so that was all him - I didn't jump around much.) It would have been a perfect day to play outside (high of 65 today), but we just didn't make it, unless you count taking out multiple bags of trash and recycling "playing."
Tomorrow morning I plan to get up early and sneak away to work, leaving unsuspecting J to deal with both boys in the morning and get them to daycare. (Ok, so that won't actually happen, but I would like to. I will probably leave both boys with him when I go to work, but I won't just sneak out.)
I told my husband(J) I was going to sell BB to the gypsies this week. I was expecting a response along the lines of, "What did he do?" or "Hasn't he been good?" but what I got from him was...
"I don't think you'd get much for him." Clearly, he doesn't understand the point of selling the boy. While I am always in favor of making a good profit (I like to consider myself frugal...J would call me cheap), that's not really the point of the whole selling-BB-to-the-gypsies thing.
Today, BB has been a little less of TantrumBoy, though it's probably because I haven't made him do much. We slept through church for multiple reasons (one being that I forgot to put the sheets in the dryer last night, so at bedtime, we had to stay up late while we dried the sheets...), so I didn't get him up and make him get dressed. He wore his pajamas until about an hour ago when we took them off to take a bath before bed (and now he's wearing pajamas again, though clean ones). We did some of his favorite things today - vacuumed (yes, he loves to vacuum), took the trash out, snacked all day, drew animals on the dry erase board, and jumped around acting crazy (ok, so that was all him - I didn't jump around much.) It would have been a perfect day to play outside (high of 65 today), but we just didn't make it, unless you count taking out multiple bags of trash and recycling "playing."
Tomorrow morning I plan to get up early and sneak away to work, leaving unsuspecting J to deal with both boys in the morning and get them to daycare. (Ok, so that won't actually happen, but I would like to. I will probably leave both boys with him when I go to work, but I won't just sneak out.)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
A contest! Woohoo!
Ok, so I'm not having a contest, but I know someone who is!!
At this great blog, she having a contest for a really cool product that these cool people made. I really like this idea as I think it encourages something really important that not enough families do anymore (yes, you'll have to go check it out to find out!)
Go check it out!
At this great blog, she having a contest for a really cool product that these cool people made. I really like this idea as I think it encourages something really important that not enough families do anymore (yes, you'll have to go check it out to find out!)
Go check it out!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Goals Update
So here's an update on my goals...
I am surprisingly now only 2 pounds from pre-baby weight, but it doesn't seem that way to me. I think the body shape changes that come with pregnancy make the same weight seem bigger. Either way, I wasn't that happy with my pre-baby weight, so this is one step in a larger goal, I guess.
I took the boys for a walk yesterday in the semi-double stroller (it's a Sit-N-Stand so BB can ride sitting, standing, or hop off and walk). This is a relatively large step for me in the exercise arena, and I'm going to attempt to take another walk today.
The whole family got up and went to church on Sunday - woohoo! Our church is in a weird location transition right now, so we are having services at a different church 2 hours earlier than we usually go to church, but we made it!
On the keeping in touch with people more side, I have invited a few more folks to the blog, and I have started an account on birthdayalarm.com to remind me of folks' birthdays. Since my mother-in-law doesn't have the internet (or a computer), I am really bad at keeping up with news of the kids and pictures with her. I have semi-outsourced this, and my mom is now printing and sending pics to MIL when I email them to mom (Mom actually volunteered to do this - she is that cool.) (I am also going back to work this week, so that will keep me in touch with my work-friends more, but I don't really get credit for that one.)
I am surprisingly now only 2 pounds from pre-baby weight, but it doesn't seem that way to me. I think the body shape changes that come with pregnancy make the same weight seem bigger. Either way, I wasn't that happy with my pre-baby weight, so this is one step in a larger goal, I guess.
I took the boys for a walk yesterday in the semi-double stroller (it's a Sit-N-Stand so BB can ride sitting, standing, or hop off and walk). This is a relatively large step for me in the exercise arena, and I'm going to attempt to take another walk today.
The whole family got up and went to church on Sunday - woohoo! Our church is in a weird location transition right now, so we are having services at a different church 2 hours earlier than we usually go to church, but we made it!
On the keeping in touch with people more side, I have invited a few more folks to the blog, and I have started an account on birthdayalarm.com to remind me of folks' birthdays. Since my mother-in-law doesn't have the internet (or a computer), I am really bad at keeping up with news of the kids and pictures with her. I have semi-outsourced this, and my mom is now printing and sending pics to MIL when I email them to mom (Mom actually volunteered to do this - she is that cool.) (I am also going back to work this week, so that will keep me in touch with my work-friends more, but I don't really get credit for that one.)
Saturday, January 12, 2008
The music truck...
So there's this truck that comes by our house...we like to call it the music truck because it plays music as it drives slowly around the neighborhood.
Some people call it the "ice cream truck," but I think saying that in front of BB might cause more trouble. So, for now at least, it's the music truck. He thinks it drives around just to play music for the people in the neighborhood. So far, he hasn't even seen it stop and give ice cream out to people.
So last night, we heard the music truck on our way home from daycare, but he didn't see it.
BB: White music truck?
Me: Yep, the white music truck.
BB: Where, mama?
Me: It already drove by, we can't see it now.
BB: Hear it, mama.
Me: Yep, we can hear it, but we can't see it.
BB: Yep, white music truck.
The music truck does happen to be white, and I figured he remembered that. After we got home, we went in the backyard to play for the 20 minutes or so before it gets to dark to play outside. Lo and behold, the music truck comes back.
BB: Mama! Music truck. Hear it!
Me: Yes, I hear it.
BB: Mama, blue music truck?
Me: Um, blue?
BB: Yep, hear it, mama? Blue music truck!
I guess this one sounded blue. It was actually the same music truck, but since we couldn't see it either, he decided it sounded blue. I like that something can "sound blue" to him.
Some people call it the "ice cream truck," but I think saying that in front of BB might cause more trouble. So, for now at least, it's the music truck. He thinks it drives around just to play music for the people in the neighborhood. So far, he hasn't even seen it stop and give ice cream out to people.
So last night, we heard the music truck on our way home from daycare, but he didn't see it.
BB: White music truck?
Me: Yep, the white music truck.
BB: Where, mama?
Me: It already drove by, we can't see it now.
BB: Hear it, mama.
Me: Yep, we can hear it, but we can't see it.
BB: Yep, white music truck.
The music truck does happen to be white, and I figured he remembered that. After we got home, we went in the backyard to play for the 20 minutes or so before it gets to dark to play outside. Lo and behold, the music truck comes back.
BB: Mama! Music truck. Hear it!
Me: Yes, I hear it.
BB: Mama, blue music truck?
Me: Um, blue?
BB: Yep, hear it, mama? Blue music truck!
I guess this one sounded blue. It was actually the same music truck, but since we couldn't see it either, he decided it sounded blue. I like that something can "sound blue" to him.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Less dropped calls than any other imaginary network...
I'm talking on my cell phone, so BB decides to talk on his (toy) flip phone. He opens it, dials some numbers, holds it up to his ear, and starts talking to Dada.
Hi Dada.
What doing?
Yep.
Uh-huh...Play toys.
Dada?
Hello??
At this point he pulls the phone away from his ear and looks intently at the screen. He puts it back to his ear.
Dada??
He shrugs his shoulders and closes the flip phone and looks at me. I say, "Did you lose your call?" He says, "Yep. Lost." He opens his phone and dials again...phone to ear...
Dada?
Ok, good...and continues his conversation.
Apparently our cell phone network even drops imaginary calls. Amazing.
Hi Dada.
What doing?
Yep.
Uh-huh...Play toys.
Dada?
Hello??
At this point he pulls the phone away from his ear and looks intently at the screen. He puts it back to his ear.
Dada??
He shrugs his shoulders and closes the flip phone and looks at me. I say, "Did you lose your call?" He says, "Yep. Lost." He opens his phone and dials again...phone to ear...
Dada?
Ok, good...and continues his conversation.
Apparently our cell phone network even drops imaginary calls. Amazing.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Translating Services...
Some translations from/conversations with my 2 year old...
BB: Mama, change diaper me?
Me: How about, "Mama, change my diaper."
BB: (looking at me like I'm crazy) No Mama, change MINE diaper.
To BB, mine and my are the same exact word. My favorite phrases are the ones that makes him sound German...
Mine boots! (emphasis on boots)
UncleJ: (pretending he's "cool") What's up, my dog?
BB: No, MINE dog!
"Thank you" was one of his first phrases, and he uses it well, but I don't think he understood the concept of "No, thank you" until recently. In fact, every negative response sounded like he was being tortured.
Before
Me: Do you want some green beans?
BB: NoooOOOooooOOO!!
Now
Me: Do you want some green beans?
BB: No thank you. *smile*
While he's still not eating green beans, at least he's being polite about it.
Also, for whatever reason, in the phrase "Don't want it," whatever he doesn't want comes after "Don't want it." So instead of "I don't want this movie," he says "Don't want it, movie" or even "Don't want it, this movie," or the oh-so-descriptive, "Don't want it, this one."
Oh yeah, and he leaves the opening consonents off most words that don't start with D, M, or B. (though even M is iffy - Mama has the M, movie is "oovie," but "moo" is "moo")
So there you go, if you need to have a conversation with BB, you're clued in.
BB: Mama, change diaper me?
Me: How about, "Mama, change my diaper."
BB: (looking at me like I'm crazy) No Mama, change MINE diaper.
To BB, mine and my are the same exact word. My favorite phrases are the ones that makes him sound German...
Mine boots! (emphasis on boots)
UncleJ: (pretending he's "cool") What's up, my dog?
BB: No, MINE dog!
"Thank you" was one of his first phrases, and he uses it well, but I don't think he understood the concept of "No, thank you" until recently. In fact, every negative response sounded like he was being tortured.
Before
Me: Do you want some green beans?
BB: NoooOOOooooOOO!!
Now
Me: Do you want some green beans?
BB: No thank you. *smile*
While he's still not eating green beans, at least he's being polite about it.
Also, for whatever reason, in the phrase "Don't want it," whatever he doesn't want comes after "Don't want it." So instead of "I don't want this movie," he says "Don't want it, movie" or even "Don't want it, this movie," or the oh-so-descriptive, "Don't want it, this one."
Oh yeah, and he leaves the opening consonents off most words that don't start with D, M, or B. (though even M is iffy - Mama has the M, movie is "oovie," but "moo" is "moo")
So there you go, if you need to have a conversation with BB, you're clued in.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Misplaced pockets
Have you ever put on an outfit and thought...this would be a great outfit if only it had pockets? (Probably not if you're a guy...I don't think guys have this problem, though I could be wrong.) (Maternity clothes are the worst for this offense, and if you're a guy wearing maternity clothes, you may have other issues...) Well, I have found where all the pockets we need have gone.
They are on baby clothes. Yep, baby clothes. I mean, what 2 month old DOESN'T need pockets? I'm amazed at how many of SuperJ's 0-3 month size clothes have pockets. This child is luckily to be able to control his arms enough to not hit himself in the head, so I'm pretty sure there is no way he has the dexterity required to work pockets. And even if he did, what on earth would he put in there? Anything small enough to fit in his pockets is probably a choking hazard anyway, so even if he had the skill, there would be no use for it. BB (2 year old) is just now getting the whole pocket thing, mostly used to put his hands in, though sometimes he keeps his money there (his money being whatever money he finds and claims as his own...smart kid...)
So I was watching Oprah this week...yes, really (I'm on maternity leave!), and the current fashion guru she had on said pockets add volume, so they are bad on people who already have volume in places they don't want to accentuate - mainly side pockets on hips and back pockets on butts. I can see how you wouldn't want to accentuate those parts if they were already big, especially on pregnant ladies, but come on. Is a pocket really going to make that much difference when you're preggo belly is so big you can't see your feet? Like someone is going to look at you and say, "You know, that little side pocket really makes you look big." Please.
So if any of the 3 of you who have read my blog happen to be clothing designers, GIVE ME BACK MY POCKETS!!
Thanks.
They are on baby clothes. Yep, baby clothes. I mean, what 2 month old DOESN'T need pockets? I'm amazed at how many of SuperJ's 0-3 month size clothes have pockets. This child is luckily to be able to control his arms enough to not hit himself in the head, so I'm pretty sure there is no way he has the dexterity required to work pockets. And even if he did, what on earth would he put in there? Anything small enough to fit in his pockets is probably a choking hazard anyway, so even if he had the skill, there would be no use for it. BB (2 year old) is just now getting the whole pocket thing, mostly used to put his hands in, though sometimes he keeps his money there (his money being whatever money he finds and claims as his own...smart kid...)
So I was watching Oprah this week...yes, really (I'm on maternity leave!), and the current fashion guru she had on said pockets add volume, so they are bad on people who already have volume in places they don't want to accentuate - mainly side pockets on hips and back pockets on butts. I can see how you wouldn't want to accentuate those parts if they were already big, especially on pregnant ladies, but come on. Is a pocket really going to make that much difference when you're preggo belly is so big you can't see your feet? Like someone is going to look at you and say, "You know, that little side pocket really makes you look big." Please.
So if any of the 3 of you who have read my blog happen to be clothing designers, GIVE ME BACK MY POCKETS!!
Thanks.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year...
I always think about making New Year's Resolutions, and I never actually make any. Rather than believing that this is my extreme procrastination rearing it's ugly head, I choose to believe that it would be a waste of time to make them. Now, it's not because I have nothing that needs "resolving," because I certainly do, but I guess I feel like making resolutions just because it's the first of the year is too random.
But since it's the time of year that people share their resolutions, I'll share a few of the things I'm working on...
1. Baby weight...so it's been 9 weeks since Baby Jeff was born, and while I've lost some of the weight, I'm not back in my pre-pregnancy pants (which, honestly, isn't the size I want to be either, BUT it's my first goal). I keep saying I'm going to start walking at least, and eating better...but I haven't really been doing that yet.
2. Debt. Yep, we all have it. I'm actually feeling pretty good about that fact that we have less now than we did last year, so that's a move in the right direction. We have a new baby and some other new expenses have come up recently, but I think we're still going to be on track as long as we don't lose sight of what we're going for.
3. Exercise. Yes, it's kind of related to #1, but I also realize I should be doing some exercise just for my general health as well...
4. "Me" time. I don't do it. I have work time, taking care of the kids time, and sleep time (which includes taking care of the kids time since they both sleep in my bed), and since my husband works evenings, I don't have the opportunity to go out or even sit and read a book. I have often said that is part of what being a mom of 2 little ones IS, but I think a little me time would be a good idea. One of the challenges here will be to make sure this doesn't counteract the debt thing (i.e. Me time can't = spending money time)
5. Keeping in touch with people more. So I'm thinking that maybe this blog will help a little there. People who want to know what's going on in my life can read it and see some pics of the family if they want. In addition to the blog, I'm trying to keep up with people through email, but honestly, I've never been good at that, except in spurts.
6. Going to church REGULARLY. I enjoy going to church. I like my kids going to church. I like the people at my church, and the minister. I'm not good at getting out of bed and getting the kids ready to go to church and actually making it there, and my husband is even worse at those things.
I'm actually working on a few more little things, but I think if the list is 25 things long, you'll all think I have nothing good going for me. Ha ha. Honestly though, these are the big ones. I actually think writing them out here will help me pay attention to them. I do know that experts say that you should concentrate on one or two at a time...and that's just not how I am. I'm an all or nothing kind of person...I honestly have a very addictive personality, and I guess I've known it for a long time, so I've always stayed away from things people are generally addicted to (alcohol, tobacco, gambling, etc...)
Ok, my fussy baby boy has decided this post is long enough for today. Feel free to share some of your goals if you're so inclined.
But since it's the time of year that people share their resolutions, I'll share a few of the things I'm working on...
1. Baby weight...so it's been 9 weeks since Baby Jeff was born, and while I've lost some of the weight, I'm not back in my pre-pregnancy pants (which, honestly, isn't the size I want to be either, BUT it's my first goal). I keep saying I'm going to start walking at least, and eating better...but I haven't really been doing that yet.
2. Debt. Yep, we all have it. I'm actually feeling pretty good about that fact that we have less now than we did last year, so that's a move in the right direction. We have a new baby and some other new expenses have come up recently, but I think we're still going to be on track as long as we don't lose sight of what we're going for.
3. Exercise. Yes, it's kind of related to #1, but I also realize I should be doing some exercise just for my general health as well...
4. "Me" time. I don't do it. I have work time, taking care of the kids time, and sleep time (which includes taking care of the kids time since they both sleep in my bed), and since my husband works evenings, I don't have the opportunity to go out or even sit and read a book. I have often said that is part of what being a mom of 2 little ones IS, but I think a little me time would be a good idea. One of the challenges here will be to make sure this doesn't counteract the debt thing (i.e. Me time can't = spending money time)
5. Keeping in touch with people more. So I'm thinking that maybe this blog will help a little there. People who want to know what's going on in my life can read it and see some pics of the family if they want. In addition to the blog, I'm trying to keep up with people through email, but honestly, I've never been good at that, except in spurts.
6. Going to church REGULARLY. I enjoy going to church. I like my kids going to church. I like the people at my church, and the minister. I'm not good at getting out of bed and getting the kids ready to go to church and actually making it there, and my husband is even worse at those things.
I'm actually working on a few more little things, but I think if the list is 25 things long, you'll all think I have nothing good going for me. Ha ha. Honestly though, these are the big ones. I actually think writing them out here will help me pay attention to them. I do know that experts say that you should concentrate on one or two at a time...and that's just not how I am. I'm an all or nothing kind of person...I honestly have a very addictive personality, and I guess I've known it for a long time, so I've always stayed away from things people are generally addicted to (alcohol, tobacco, gambling, etc...)
Ok, my fussy baby boy has decided this post is long enough for today. Feel free to share some of your goals if you're so inclined.
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