Learning to adjust...

A Former Students Fame...

2010-02-02T03:05:00.005-06:00

I can't get over this....

We have missed American Idol the last couple weeks because my son has made sure we watch MacGyver instead. It helps that our antenna isn't the greatest so we don't always get fox either. Well perusing FaceBook, I wander to a friends page and see a post about a former student on the auditions.

Theo Glinton's American Idol Performance

This was one of my former students. It was my first year teaching. He was in my 4th period Junior English Class. The year was 2002. Throughout the hallway I could hear him yelling out his version of my name "Mrs. Vowg, Hey Mrs. Vowg" Theo never could say my name right, I was Miss Vaughan the first quarter, then married and became Balazadeh. For the duration of his time in FPC I was Mrs. Vowg. I gave up trying to correct him after the first semester.

The boy was always singing in the hallways, you could hear him miles away. Which meant you were always prepared for his arrival.

What a character, I see he hasn't lost his....spunk.

25 Days of Decorating... A challenge for me and my kids.

2009-12-01T16:25:00.001-06:00

I have decided that my kids need traditions. I need traditions. I want to make the holidays a festive and happy memory for my little ones. So I have decided to make every day after Thanksgiving funfilled and holiday active. To start, each day in December we will do a Christmas Decoration for our tree! We have an 8.5 foot tree and its looking a little scarce with decorations. We can't hang bulbs low or Mya will eat them. So I wanted to get some that the kids help make and that will help fill the tree out. What better way than to do this each year!! We will have a full tree in no time. :)

So Below I am going to start making our schedule of what we will be making each day. Hopefully I will be able to find 24 fun filled craft activities for the kids and I to do, and also be proactive enough to take pictures and bring it to you guys to see our trees progress. :)

So lets begin:

December 1st: Popcorn and Cranberry Garland.

Instructions: With fresh popcorn (plain), fresh cranberries, a 2 in needle and some twine, thread your popcorn and berries in which ever pattern you wish. Make sure you have a knot at one end so the popcorn berries don't fall off!

December 2nd: Traditional Paper Chains

Instructions: With red and green construction paper cut about 1 inch wide strips however long you wish. The longer the strip the larger the circle, I usually just use the width of a piece of paper. Start with one strip and glue the ends together. The next circle alternate color and glue your circle around the first ringlet. Continue on until your chain is as long as you desire. (You can also sticker, glitter, or color your chains before gluing depending on your motivation.)

December 3rd: Salt Dough Ornaments:

Instructions: Scavange up 3 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of water. Mix dough up in your mixer. Preheat oven to 275*, roll out your "dough" and cut out the shapes you would like to use. Poke hole where you want hanger to go. Bake the ornaments for 2 hours on foil lined cookie sheets. (You can also microwave until dry instead of using the oven for 1-4 minute increments depending on your microwave.)

December 4th: Paint Salt Dough Ornamnents

Instructions: Pull out your acryllic paint, glitter sticks, and paint brushes. Decorate your now cool ornaments to your delight. Let dry completely and shellac (mod podge) the ornaments to preserve them.

December 5th: Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

Instructions: Gather Cinnamon, Apple Sauce, Craft Glue, Cookie Cutters, Ribbon, Toothpick. Mix 1 cup applesauce with 1 tbsp craft glue and 1 cup cinnamon to form a dough. (You may need to add more cinnamon, in one-third cup increments, until the dough is of workable consistency.) Roll dough to a 1/4 thickness and use your cookie cutters to cut which shapes you prefer. Using your toothpick, place a hole in your ornament large enough for your ribbon. Put ornaments on a cookie sheet and set out until 100% dry (this may take a couple days). Once ornaments are dry, thread your ribbon through the hole and make sure your loop is long enough to hang. Place on trees, hang in windows and enjoy the scent!

December 6th: Easy Bead Ornaments

Instructions: You will need pipe cleaners and beads (5 - 10 mil diameter). Fold one end of the pipe cleaner up to create a stop. Thread the beads on the pipe cleaners and shape into candy canes or hook together to form wreathers starts, bells, etc.

December 7th: Glitter Ornaments

Instructions: You will need white heavy weight paper (40lb minimum), Clear drying craft glue, White glitter, Scissors,hole punch and Ribbon. Use a cookie cutter to trace the shaped ornaments you would like. Cut the shape out. Punch a hole where desired. Cover with glue and glitter, then let dry. Tie a ribbon or loop for hanging.

December 8th: Ice Crystad Bead Ornaments

Instructions: 12 inch iridescent or silver pip cleaners, clear triburst or sunburst beads, needle and twine. Cut 6 pipe cleaners in half to create 12 pieces. Hold 11 pieces together and tightly wrap the last piece around the middle of the bundle, twisting its ends to secure it. Spread the pipe cleaner pieces into a starburst shape and thread about 5 beads onto each pipe cleaner. Using the needle, thread the pom-poms on the fishing line, then tie the snowflake to one end of the line.

December 9th: Pomanders

Instructions: Grab some oranges, cloves, ribbon and some pins and lets get Pomandering. Wrapyour ribbon around your orange and push the pins in to hold its place. Stick the cloves in the orange, using any pattern your desire. Hang these in doorways, on trees, once they have dried out place them inyour wardobe or doors to keep things smelling nice!

December 10th: Candy Cane Reindeer

Instructions: You will need, candy canes, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners. Leave the wrapping on the candy cane. Glue eyes on rounded face of the candy cane. Glue red pompom on the face for a nose. Tie ribbon into a bow on the straight part of the candy cane. Cut one of the pipe cleaners in half. Wrap the full pipe cleaner around the crook of the candy cane to begin the antlers. Use the cut pipe cleaners to manipulate into antlers.

GRRRRRRR! These are the only ones I can find so far suitable for me and my kids! Well at least it gives me a starting place. My sis thinks it can't be done but I WILL succeed. ;)

Suggestions always welcome!

The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody...AWESOME!

2009-11-28T11:22:00.001-06:00

This is awesome! I love the Muppets they are totally Brilliant!

Just a peek... lol, one day I will get back here. :)

2009-11-13T10:48:00.001-06:00

of course, I realize that I need to relearn how to post pictures. :)

I love Sesame Street... and this is why!

2009-05-29T14:34:00.000-05:00

A little fun in the sun!

2009-04-27T06:00:00.002-05:00

So the sun is shining, the weather is warm. We haven't seen a hint of snow for at least a week. Could this possibly be .... Spring??

This is a new era for us. Spring. I had forgotten what is was like not having to scavenge for boots, coats, tights, socks. hots and mittens, just so we could run to the store.

The kids sure are loving it!

Can you tell who my favorite dancer is??

2009-04-26T16:13:00.002-05:00

So last year (dang has it been that long?) when my sis was here. I sheepishly realized I do a lot of impersonations from my favorite comedian on the planet. I do these inadvertently. They just happen.

My husband knows, that if for any reason, this person were to become single and fancy me, I would be gone in a whim. Sad huh? But I remind him, I have been a fan since his first appearance on Late Night TV and i just dig me the tall gangley red heads.

So can you tell that my kids are developing these habits as well???

That A-Mya-zing! Baby Girl is 9 months!

2009-02-24T05:00:00.000-06:00

I am so proud of my little girl. She is so fun to be with these days. All smiles, laughs, and giggles. Its nice having her do different things than the bubbee ever did. Here are just a few quick shorts to see my baby girl be her wonderful self.

Isn't she just a delight? Its hard to believe she spent the first half of her life just wailing and crying. I'm so glad she is a happy baby now. She and the bubs just make my day!

Friends...

2009-02-22T16:19:00.009-06:00

There is one thing I wish I could give my son right now. That is a social life. Around his 9th month we made friends with the best people on the planet. Allison and Grayson. Grayson is Machias' age and he is the sweetest little man. Allison is just as down to earth as I am, and we thoroughly clicked. We would go on playdates to all the local parks in our area of Lynnwood, the kids had a blast.
The kids had swim class together, we met on thursdays for baby and me class in Kirkland. We even took the two to the Seattle Center Children's Museum.

That was a fun day!

We soon added to our group, Sarah and Malachi. Malachi was the oldest of the bunch and was just a sweety. Sarah new all the places to go and take the kids. We all first met, by going to the zoo. We were a great group. You could have considered us the Three Amigos. :)

We all had a great time, going to parks, meeting up several times a week, and on the weekends just letting the kids have fun.

Then a blasted thing happened and we moved to Chicago. Leaving all our friends behind. We have been here since June 2007 and have not had a daily friend since. At first I don't think it really bothered Mac. But recently we get together with some of my online friends and Mac gets to play with his little girl friends.

Mac and Maren had a great time the two visits we have had with my friend Cindy. Maren is such a sweetheart too, Mac couldnt' quit talking about her for weeks.

Most recently we spent some time in Iowa with some of Boo's family. Another good online friend Sam came down to meet us with her daughter Abby. Mac and Abby had such a great time that weekend that Mac is still having trouble adjusting to her not being around.

I guess what I am getting at is. I feel in some way I have let him down a bit. This means I am letting my girl down too. By this time in my sons life, he had a friend. Someone to play with weekly and often times daily. Mya has noone. Mac has noone. I didn't realize until we made this video how much he probably does need friends.

I sure hope we can find some soon. Unfortunately I don't think there are any in Valpo. All the groups I have joined have left us still yet alone when we leave...which is probably best. I dont want to stay in this town much longer.

Old Rickety Me.

2009-02-22T12:12:00.003-06:00

Argh. I just had a terrible realization last night. I have developed a similar trait to Blo Pop. Its terrible. I don't want any traits similar to hers. But there for a while she was living in the hospital because she would wait until the aches and pains of her issues were only fixable via ER visits and then hospital stays.

Well my problems has become bad. Not ER Surgery bad (hopefully) but bad. I have finally gone to the chiropractor to start treatments and I pray they work. But its gotten to the point that I am in constant pain. Its terrible, I dont' think my back has ever been this bad before, its even affecting my knees. I swear they creak like that rickety ole rocking chair up there.

So this is why I have been neglecting the blog world. Sitting, standing, walking, bending, carrying, moving, and sleeping are all sources of pain for me. I can't carry Mya, sit on the floor and play with Mac, go for a walk even a 10 minute walk puts me in spasms. Its finally gotten to the point where I am a useless pile of poo. :( I've been a bit bummed about it. I'm 30, I shouldn't be in this much pain.

Hopefully I will find the energy and motivation to type again. We have done some fun stuff, I have taken some cute kiddy videos, I have some royal complaints to air to the world. I just need ot sit and do it. So Im sorry for you all having one less blog to read. :) I'll try to do better and make sure your online time is a bit more... thrilling. :)

I Know, Right? 100 post giveaway!!

2009-02-22T12:00:00.002-06:00

Well its that time again, another landmark posting from a fellow blogger. :) Kimber P at I Know, Right? is about to hit her 100 Mark and to celebrate is having a huge give-away!

One of the things she is giving away is a really nice basket. As soon as I saw it, I knew my knitting supplies would finally have a nice comfy home, if I were to win. Then reality struck and I figure my knitting supplies would have a nice home for a day, then my kids toys would have a nice home. Possibly with some cheerios and cheez-its sneaking their way into the bottom of the basket. Then I would reclaim the basket again for my knitting supplies, only to have to submit again to the toys sneaking their way into the basket again. So I sense if I win, that basket will have a tumultuous but loved life in my living room, as an array of objects pass its sides daily. :) It may even be the hiding place for our remote control. It likes to hide and is always looking for new places to be. :)

Well enough of my rambling...

Go enjoy Kimber P's blog. You won't regret it.

I'm Charming, and so are YOU!

2009-02-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

My friend Jennifer, over at Sigiuendo Mi Catracho gave me this award ages ago. But my lazy butt has been forgetting to get on here and pass it along. :) Well here I am and here it goes!

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Now I must pass it along to some more people whom I feel deserve it. :) Thats easy, everyone I read deserves it.

So here are the people I am passing this along too.

1. Kimber P at I Know, Right?!
2. Sam, at Why Me?
3. Barb, at Barb's Wire
4. My sis, at True Aim
5. Liz, at Mabel's House

Now the rules say pass it along to 8, but I say pass it along to whomever you feel deserves it. I'm all about breaking rules, you know. :) SO if anyone asks, just say I told you to do it.

My 2008 Booklist.

2009-02-09T16:48:00.001-06:00

I don't think I did so bad last year. I however, don't think I will do as good this year, unless I start adding all the books I read to the kids on this list. :)

love walked in - Marisa De Los Santos
Oscar and the Lady in Pink - Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt
Monsieur Ibrahim and the flowers of the Koran - Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt
Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
Pride and Predjudice - Jane Austin
Emma - Jane Austin
Family Dancing - David Leavitt
Cujo - Stephen King
Collected Ghost Stories - M. R. James
The Children of Hurin - J.R.R. Tolkien
The Mayor of Casterbridge - Thomas Hardy
Home to Holly Springs - Jan Karon
Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
Baby Laughs - Jenny McCarthy
Belly Laughs - Jenny McCarthy
*Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - J.R.R. Tolkein
*Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - J.R.R. Tolkein
*Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkein

I've been Tagged

2009-02-09T07:43:00.003-06:00

I have been tagged byKimber P over at I Know, Right?! to take part in the picture fun game. All I have to do is go to the 4th folder where I keep my pictures and post the 4th picture with a short explanation..then tag others.

Let's see, Fourth Photo Fourth Folder takes me to my Cell Phone Pic Uploads

Meet my son, the bubbee. This photo was taken sometime I would say around 4/18/07, he was 9-10 months old. He had learned to crawl around Boo's birthday beginning of April. So here he is using his newfound skill to terrorize our apartment. His hat reminds me of where we were living in Lynnwood WA at the time. My friend Val, bought him that hat when she was visiting at the end of March. He pretty much wore it daily until he outgrew it. We had finally made some friends in WA, so Mac had a couple friends we would do playdates with and I had other moms I could talk too. G-man, one of the bubs friends had the exact same hat, lol, but he would take it off constantly. It was a good time in our lives. I wish constantly that we hadn't moved to Chicago. We loved Seatle so much. But I count my blessings daily now; we have a house, a new beautiful daughter and opportunities to move again in the future! LOL.

Ok so now I get to pass this along. So here goes:

1. Sam, at Why Me?

2. Anelys, at Blooming Buds

3. Jennifer, at Siguiendo Mi Catracho

Growing Pangs...

2009-02-08T23:32:00.006-06:00

I have been mighty reflective this week. It is time for us to purchase Mya's crib and its been a hard decision for me. I want everything to be perfect for her. Yet, I don't want to let her go just yet. - While I know we have some time before she sleeps in the crib on her own, we slowly transition her there. She will start with naps, and then slowly progress to the crib.- Its still the sense of "letting go" that I weep at. I'm not ready to deal with the sense of loss, and the new sense of worry that will seep in, when she moves to her own bed. My baby girl is growing up. Now I can't constantly check her well being by just listening or reaching a hand out. It means that a wonderful smile won't be the first thing I see in the morning when I open my eyes. It means that the monitor will now soon be glued to my head all night , as I listen to breathing and rolling over just making sure they are still alive.

This has had me thinking of my kids and the decisions we have made with them in our parenting. I never grew up thinking, "Hey I'm going to be an attachment parent". I didn't even know there were different ways to do things. When we found out that the bubs was on his way into our lives, I just assumed I would do things the way they were done when I was raised. I would be just like everyone else. But thank GOODNESS for the Internet. I was put on bed rest around 25 weeks of gestation, and I didn't have much else to do but chat on my message boards and browse the Internet for baby gear. During that time period I soon learned about the vast array of parenting "styles" that exist in our world. I had never heard of co-sleeping. I didn't realize breast feeding was so widely adhered to now. What cloth diapers are still used?? What in the world is attachment parenting?? Baby wearing??? I didn't know there were so many options in child birth either. I researched, asked questions of others, analyzed what I wanted for my children, and clarified what I didn't want to repeat that occurred in my childhood. My eyes were truly opened and that's when I started to grow and learn.

So here I am, child two. We have co-slept since birth and while its been a different experience with Mya than it has been with Bubs, its been a good one. I have to keep reminding myself that these two children are immensly different. So when I think of how Mac slept the night at 2 months, and how Mya still doesn't. Its just how things go. They are both very happy and loved children. That is whats important, and while I still struggle with my lack of sleep, I am slowly getting it right. I am slowly learning to adjust to two children. I just keep telling myself...

"She may not sleep the night yet, but at least she still isn't up wailing all night either!"

Its baby steps. LOL.

So far most of our decisions I am proud of. I know those decisions will enhance their growth and feel of self worth, and decisions that make me as their parent, comfortable. Comfortable in the sense that I know I have chosen the best route for my children and family. I tell people constantly, we may not agree on how to raise our children, and that's ok, but you have to do what feels right for YOU as the parent, not what others tell you. Parenting is the hardest thing in the world because everyone comes from different backgrounds and different cultures. I don't honestly believe there is one tried and true method on how to raise your children. Its a "well that's not working, let's try this" sort of thing and you have to roll with the punches. Even though there are some avenues I won't touch, or go down until the last resort, as long as I have my children's best interest at heart, my kids will be just fine.

In the end... let's bean together.

2009-02-07T14:20:00.003-06:00

A few years ago, I really had decided that my dream was to open a coffee house. I could see Boo and I settled in a nice little town in Maine, with me running my little bookstore/coffee house. I would do community events, have Sunday Tea, and make the best darn pastries in town. I would support the schools, have Study Night for students and teachers with discounts on their first cuppa. There would be book clubs, game nights, and author signing events for free for whomever felt the desire to join. I would even try to get a literacy group going that would pair up members of the community who needed help learning to read. Of course this wouldn't all happen at once, it would grow over time as I became a member of the community.

That is still a dream I have. I don't know if I will ever actualize it or not. But its still fun for me to dream it and come up with plans for my coffee house. The most fun however, is coming up with NAMES for my coffee house. Today as I was snugglin with my bubs, I had a flash of brilliance for a name for my coffee house. I love it. It will probably offend those few out there, and they know who they are, but for me, I love it. So here goes. I will list my new name, along with some of the other silly incarnations of names I have come up with for my Dream Coffee Shop.

1. Rapture House : In the end, let's bean together.

2. Lord of the Cream

3. The Aroostook Nook (we really want to live in Northern Maine)

4. B's Book 'n Beanery

Ok, so those are all I can remember off the top of my head. I had a whole book of ideas for my bookstore/coffee shop. I doubt it will ever come to pass that I own a bookstore, but at least I can be prepared if the opportunity arises.

Inauguration 2009 : Watch it on Hulu.

2009-01-19T19:07:00.005-06:00

My sister introduced me to hulu.com as a way to catch up on shows that I can't catch because the kids are up and I don't like them seeing that sort of content. So its nice, during naptime, being able to turn on my lappy, pull out my knitting and catch up on House, SVU, etc.

I noticed tonite, that you can watch the Inauguration Live tomorrow on Hulu. com and I think that is amazing. If, you can't get to hulu.com, I have imbedded it on my blog. How neat to say, that I watched the Inaugaration on my blog. :)

I hope everyone enjoys this part of history that is occuring tomorrow. Whether you support Obama or not, its an amazing time in our history just to see another president sworn in. I remember watching Clinton swarn in and can still remember the moments of the ceremony. Which says something as I wasn't a fan of his at all. ;)

Muggle or Wizard: Santa Claus

2009-01-18T15:27:00.006-06:00

As I was drifting off to sleep the other night, i had an epiphany. I realized that Santa Claus was a wizard. Maybe he was good friends with Dumbledore? Maybe he was friends with Flamel and has eternal life? I mean, that totally explains how all the presents are distributed in one night, bah the time zones and what not. APPARATION! That is it, totally. He can apparate tons of gifts to stockings and under Christmas trees, or have his elves help out. Maybe they are actually house elves too! Maybe he even snagged a time turner before they were all destroyed in the Ministry mishap? He could have been who Time Turners were originally for! I mean, its not like he needs one to cause mischief, just to do his good yearly gift giving. Plus legilimency would totally be a way for him to see who truly was being naughty or nice. Man if i new he was doing that I would always be nice. Think of how the parents could keep their kids on track, "You better watch it Mac, or Santa will see what you are thinking..." tee hee. Beats the "Don't make me call Santa and tell him what you just did trick". Of course i guess the truly naughty kids would just work extra hard at learning occlumency. :)

That really explains a bit. Coca Cola didn't create Santa Claus, they just introduced him to the Muggle World. Wizarding children must have been privy to Santa's good deeds for ages. But Coca Cola must have known the uproar us muggles would have had if we had known a wizard was delivering gifts to us once a year, its so much more logical to think of a magical man in the North Pole with little elves, don'tcha think?

So what do you think??

Sigh, maybe I added a bit too much rum in that cake I made last night.

Stupid Human Tricks....

2009-01-16T22:01:00.002-06:00

As a requisite for passing along awards, Mrs. 4444 of Half-Past Kissin' Time requires a SHT (stupid human trick) from the person passing it along before she accepts. If you have never visited her blog, i suggest you do s0 (as well as the others I passed the award too). She is humorous, witty, retrospective and a great teacher. I love reading about her students and how she handles them, lord know she makes my teaching days look like a shamble, and I'm sure you all will as well.

It took me quite a while to narrow down which stupid human trick to share. Its especially hard as I don't have many stupid human tricks that I am aware of. I can cross my eyes pretty well, curl my tongue, sing almost as high as the piano keyboard goes, but Boo says this is by far the best trick I have.

So, lo and behold, My Stupid Human Trick.

Please ignore the double chin, and pay most of your attention to my handsome son. I'm using him as eye-candy for cuteness to deter from my lackluster performance.

Cincinnati Turkey Chili

2009-01-16T16:26:00.003-06:00

No No, not that sort of chilly. Not saying that -8 as a high isn't chilly, but thats not what I am referring to.

Long ago, my dad used to talk about a restaraunt in Nashville that served speghetti with chilli on it. He called it Cincinnati Chili. I never had the pleasure of going there with him, as chili on speghetti didn't sound at all appealing to me until I was older, like a few weeks ago, and they are closed now. But while living in WA boo and I picked up a cookbook for healthy cooking and found this recipe and decided to give it a try.

It was delish. Yummy. vunderbar. Excellent. Tastifying, wait, is that even a real word.

Let me tell you, I will dare you to tastify this recipe for yourself.

Ingredients:

Chili Spice Blend:
ground cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons
chili powder 1 teaspoon
paprika 1/2 teaspoon
pepper 1/2 teaspoon
dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon
ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon
ground allspice 1/4 teaspoon
grated nutmeg (i used ground) 1/4 teaspoon
ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon

Turkey Chili
ground turkey 1 pound
finely chopped onions 2/3 cup
finely chopped celery 1/2 cup
garlic, minced 2 cloves
bay leaf 1
water or chicken broth 4 cups
tomato paste 6 ounces

To make chili spice blend, mix all spice ingredients in a bowl, and set aside. (pretty easy so far)

To make chili:
In a heavy 2 quart saucepan, combine the turkey, onions, and celery. Cook over medium high heat, breaking the turkery apart with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is crumbly and no longer pink. Stir in the garlic, bay leaf and the chili spice blend; cook the mixture a minute longer.

Add the water or broth and the tomato paste; stir unilt th etomato paste is dissolved. brink the chili to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 hour, or until the chili reaches the consistency you prefer.

Now for us stirring frequently is when we remember we still have something simmering on the stove. LOL. I'm never to good about remembering that...but it always turns out delish.

Now with Cincinnati chili you have several ways you can eat it.

One way: is just plain
Two way: is over speghetti
Three way: add shredded mild cheddar
Four way: top with chopped raw onions (yum!)
Five way: all the above plus a heap of pinto beans!

This recipe also freezes well so I always double the recipe.

Its lowfat and extra yummy!

I'm fabulous baby...

2009-01-14T22:35:00.003-06:00

I just found out that I was given a blog award. My online friend Anelys thinks my blog is Fabulous...

Thank you Anelys!

The rules are that I have to mention 5 things that I'm addicted to and also nominate 5 other blogs.

Here are my 5 addictions:
1. Facebook: I am addicted to facebook thanks to my sister who introduced me to it a year ago. I have been on practically every day since then. I play Pull Tabs, Car Wars and chat in my groups constantly. Its terrible.

2. Ghosts. LOL, I love em. I'm so silly but i watch the Ghost Hunters on Hulu.com, I read all the True Ghost Stories from everywhere i have lived and Saum and I even used to go Ghost Hunting with our camera back in our pre-kid day. I would love to be a part of one of those Ghost Hunting teams like TAPS! How cool would that be??

3. Reading. I love reading. I would read every minute of every day if I had that sort of life. Unfortunately it looks like I won't be reading until Mya can sleep throught he night...I am just to tired.

4. My Misfits Group. I joined BBC when I was preggo with the Bubs. I made some great friends on the PSP board, but then as I got more active on the July 06 group I became a part of a thread called the Misfits and now we are all the best of friends. I chat with them daily, have met up with some of them, and plan on meeting up with the rest next summer. They are my sanity and my reason on these toddler filled days of my life. :)

5. Broadway Musicals. I always wanted to sing on Broadway, but I let my own insecurities and lack of confidence keep me from persuing it. I do however, know many many many musicals by heart and hope to learn many many more. :)

Ok here are my 5.

1. Barb's Wire
2. A Joyous Life
3. True Aim
4. Half-Past Kissin' Time
5. Siguiendo Mi Catratcho

Thanks Everyone For Reading and Writing!

A Feeling of Accomplishment....

2009-01-12T21:51:00.007-06:00

This year one of my goals is again, to lose weight. But I have decided to try something a little different. I have figured that one of my problems is boredom, which results in snacking. So this year I am picking up hobbies that will keep me occupied and hopefully keep my hands busy and keep me from thinking of cracker candy. :)

Well I never thought that, in my wildest dream I would ever learn to knit. My aunt does amazing stuff and it just seems to advanced for my attention span. I didn't have the patience for sewing, I didn't have the patience for cross stitching who would have thought I would have had the patience to knit... BUT I DID IT!

I finished my first project this afternoon, it only lacks the button for the closure. But all in all I think it turned out well.

Its the perfect size for a little change purse. The 100% finished project will have a cute little button on the front to keep it closed. I just haven't any needle and thread handy to add that now. I feel very proud of this accomplishment.

So... in my excitement and glee, i have decided to make an offer to you, my one reader, and whomever else would like to stop by. I think it would be neat to make more of these and send them to people who do good things. So, if you feel so inclined to do a good deed for someone (donate to a charity, take dinner to a invalid, help the little old lady cross the street) please leave your story here, then email me your address and whether you would like a little change purse or a cell phone bag. They will be purple, like the one above, until I run out of yarn. :) One lucky person whom I chose randomly (via random.org) will get a scarf or a purse (and you can pick which colors (2) you would like). I'm not in any way shape or form a great knitter, keep this in mind. But I promise to do my best for you.

I will leave this up until Friday (1/16/09) As it takes me a while to accomplish these knitting projects, give me a few weeks to finish and put them in the mail. I will let you know via email when its been posted.

A new look for the New Year...

2009-01-06T17:32:00.001-06:00

So what do you think? Does this suit me at all? Or is it too loud? I just now figured out how and where to grab a new "skin" and I'm happy. :)

Let me know what you think...

I think I need to change my font color.

:)

Happy New year, here is to all the welcome changes, and the ability to adjust to the unwelcome ones.

It's that time of year again folks...New Year's Resolutions..

2009-01-05T20:10:00.001-06:00

So Here is mine!

1. Lose Weight

See that picture of me up there, if you can't tell I'm the third one from the left. A spunky first year teacher coming from my college days and a UPS job that helped me lose tons of weight. Can't see me to well, well here is another one:

I'm not a super model by any means, but i was confident and down to a size I haven't seen since Jr High school, sadly enough. And while I cant work at UPS anymore, I did enough lasting damage to my back the first time, I can at least set obtainable weight loss goals that will hopefully get me back to this weight if not even lower.

1. Lose Weight (the goals/plan)

a. Jan - Mar I will eat smaller portions. I will drink 64 oz of water a day. I will not snack after dinner. I will eat only 2 sweets a day (that includes dessert, coffees, etc). I will find a back and knee doctor. I will start using splenda again, and not as much sugar (i.e. in tea and coffee, diet sodas from reg, etc)

b. Apr- Jun I will continue with what I was doing the first quarter as well as join water aerobics again.

c. July - Dec I will reevaluate my goals and see what I need to do.

2. Household Chores:

On any given day, my kitchen looks like this. Its embarrassing to say the least, I wont even let you see the rest of my house.

So I have devised a plan that will help me maneuver the chores and still have time with the kids. I have to say, i usually have no problem forfeiting the chores in order to spend time with the kids, but i think this will help with the clutter problem.

2. Household Chore (the goals/plan):

a. Each month I will focus on one specific household chore. I will work to maintain that area of the house, so it becomes a habit within that month. Meaning daily maintenance/cleaning, etc.

b. Each month I will add a chore and work to maintain both areas of the house, until it becomes a habit.

c. By the end of the year, i should have a routine set for keeping the house up to par with where it needs to be.

3. Reading

I will try to read mostly new books again this year.

4. Activities with the kids.

a. I will try to find a new and fun activity to do with the kids each week. Whether its at home arts and crafts, or going out to a museum. I will try to pick one day a week and just make it a fun time for us.

5. Blog.

I will write 4 blogs a week. 2 for my personal site, and 2 for the Misfits blog.

A Christmas Wish...

2009-01-03T20:32:00.003-06:00

I always have an ideal in my head that the Christmas Season should be this big magical time of year, where my kids go around with gum drops and constant twinkles dancing in their eyes. I realize that having a 2 year old and a 7 month old makes it hard to make memorable but every year since we have been blessed with Mac, I always feel like I haven't done enough to make it a special family time.

But I do have to say. That there is nothing like the magic of Christmas morning when you have kids. No matter how let down I was feeling throughout the season, that feeling that I wasn't doing enough, seeing my kids on Christmas Morning made up for it no doubt.

The morning started off with stockings in the living room. Santa filled them so full they couldn't hang on our fake fire place.. Its always classic, when your two year old sits there and tells you where you got all the gifts in his stocking. Even though he wasn't there when you got them. It was very hard getting him to accept Santa got it for him.

Mya got her first set of beginner sippys. She likes to chew on them. She also got a nice set of bows for her hair. Isn't she pretty?
Mac asked Santa for train tracks for Christmas. He hasn't stopped playing with them since.

Santa brought Mya a Laugh and Learn table. Its her first floor toy and she loves it. She and the bubbee sit and play with for at least 3o minutes each day. Its cute.

All in all the toys were a success. Both of our kids loved each and everything they got. They were worn out after the mornings festivities and napped very well. Mac wanted to go to Michigan City and see the Light Show that we saw on Christmas Eve, so we hopped in the car, as it was the best suggestion on what to do that was available. We even got to eat out at a fancy schmancy restaurant for Christmas dinner...
LMAO. Don't worry. Our fancy dinner is on Christmas Eve, not Christmas day!

But all in all I felt a bit better after Christmas Day had passed about our Season of family, joy and remembrance. My Christmas Wish for next year I will go ahead and make now, I wish that each year we can build on the year before so each year is even more special around Christmas time. Whether we have guests for Christmas or we are just on our own, I am not going to allow anything to deter me from appreciating my husband, son and daughter and building memories that will hopefully last a lifetime for them.

Going Green!

2008-12-16T21:50:00.002-06:00

Crunchy. People think that we are crunchy because we do certain things that aren't "normal". We use cloth diapers on our kids for the majority of the time (not for nighttime or traveling). When we had Mya we had a doula (although that didn't work out as planned, silly horomones!). I like to make my own baby food. We even had a garden this year. The list can go on and on.

But now I have found a new way to continue with our green lifestyle. We are recycling clothes.

Enough Said.

Cookies, cookies, and more cookies.

2008-12-15T22:04:00.008-06:00

Its that time of year, finally has our household found the time to make COOKIES!! Mac has been itchin' to make and decorating cookie all week but we finally had all the supplies, so we finally our acts together...and decorated half of what we had made so far.

I forgot my camera last night, so I didn't get pics of the baking process. But I did snag some for our gingerbread making today, so that will be up later. But I digress.

We made my grandma's recipe for sugar cookies that I grew up making. Its an easy recipe, but as I searched my recipe box, I soon realized it had been misplaced during one of our moves. So luckily I have a sister who never misplaces anything (ahem, headphones, ahem, chargers) and she was more than happy to email me the recipe.

The recipe:
cream together 1 c. crisco and 1 1/2 c sugar add 2 eggs, 1 t salt, 1 t vanilla, 1/2 c milk add sifter of flour (approx 3 c), 2 T baking powder, 1 t soda. sift together and add to creamed mixture when well mixed, put on well-floured board, add flour working into dough. roll out and cut with cutters (dough should be 1/4" to 1/2" thick) bake at 375 for 15-20 mins. ( I think 7-9 minutes is perfect, not the 15-20)

I ran into a cooking issue with these cookies, as the first time i followed the directions and lets just say 15 minutes it way to long, they turned brown on me. It took me until my last tray of cookies to find the perfect length of time for the perfect cookie. But they taste great, and its nothing a little frosting won't fix. :) --that's my motto for everything, there is nothing a little frosting wont fix -- I even tried to do the egg glaze, but didn't think they turned out as well as i hoped. But all our efforts culminated in a beautiful pile of sugar cookies just waiting to be iced.

I decided to half my cookies and try different icing than the normal butter cream that we grew up using. I saw a post on Mrs.4444's blog about decorating cookies and the icing she recommended peaked my interest. So we used that and all I have to say is Thank YOU, it was heavenly and will now always coat my cookies.

Mac did great with the decorating. He did two all buy himself. I'm sure he would have done more, but he was too busy eating the first one he made. Here he is working diligently at creating an angel masterpiece.

Here is what that angel looked like, shortly after he finished icing it.

Here is the train that he created, I bet Sir Thopham Hatt would just love such a diverse engine working his line on Sodor. I call him, Swirly.

Tomorrow we decorate the second half of our cookies with good ole butter cream. YUM. I am even going to attempt piping and being more decorative. We have some gingerbread men and trains to pipe and decorate as well. It should be for a fun morning.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

What do you think?

Here is the same cookie, the first pic is egg glazed, the second iced. Which do you think looks better? I remember using egg glaze as a kid and them looking neat, but these grew to much and distorted the glaze IMO. However, my sis things they looked fine. I think I prefer the icing. How about you?

Of course, that could just be my sweet tooth talking.

Hidden Talents...

2008-12-12T23:41:00.005-06:00

We are a singin family. That is pretty obvious actually if you ever catch yourself on the train with us. Seriously. I find that the best way for me to have fun and communicate with my kids is through song, usually funny made up ones to entertain them. It all started when my son was born, and I realized I could not remember a lullabye for the life of me. I tried but I could never get a full one out, they were all piecemeal. So I started just singing any song I knew. Then I would start using tunes I new and putting their name in it, or creating my own lyrics.

Its really become quite an epidemic in our household. The bubs has me singing continuously to him throughout the day. But smarty that he is, he is remembering a lot of the songs that we sing.

For instance, on the way to see Thomas this year, we created the airplane song, a rhyming song to the tune of Dradel Dradel. They really are quite bad, but fun!

Here is Mac and I singing one of the verse:

Here is Mac singing the newest verse:

Isn't he a great singer?? I should really get him to sing the ABC song for you. It's great.

Needless to say he picks things up. I sing a song to them that goes "I love you bubbee, I want to hug you tight, my little baby bubbee you make everything alright". Well the other night, i heard this delightful song coming from the living room. I loved it, and new it would be a hit instantly. So I got my camera and had him sing it again to me. I gushed, I really did. What do you think?

He is soo brilliant, whether he is being a peacock, or asking me to make him a "suitcase-adilla with salsa". You never know what sort of joy he will bring...

But alas, I realized the other night, we have two budding musicians on our hands. During dinner time, Mya and I were jamming to my ole time favorite 'the lion sleeps tonite' and she joined me towards the end and ended it with some percussion.

You better watch out, we might be the next Partridge Family!

We have a peacock in our family...

2008-12-12T12:45:00.005-06:00

Last Saturday we did our annual Christmas tree hunt. We drove down to Guse Tree Farm and searched the lot for the perfect tree. It was freezing outside, and snowy/sleety and just plain bitter. We fitted the bubs in snow outfit but forgot the pants! Of course I think it took Boo about 2 hours just to get the gloves on.

Those pesky gloves may be warm, but they sure are not easy to get put on. Not when there is an anxious 2 year old ready to play in the tree farm.

Our tree. We found it after a brief search of the farm. Its a white pine tree, 7.5 footer, to be precise. I wish we had found this tree last year.. but that is a whole other story. We had a good day at the farm. We met Santa, Bubbee road the North Pole Express with Boo, and we realized we had an amazingly comical and creative son.

I have to say, my absolute most favorite part of our tree hunting experience, was when Machias backed up to a tree, and proudly proclaimed "I'm a peacock". That just made my day.

Why I prefer to bake...

2008-12-12T10:57:00.005-06:00

So I decided to try and experiment today. I wanted to be festive, and present breakfast in a fun festive way. So I had seen somewhere, how to make shaped pancakes and I said to myself, "what the hay, let's give it a go".

PW style. LOL.

My cast of characters:

Milk is not included, its actually a bit photo shy as its half empty and feeling a little "low".

Next throw all Jiffy and milk into beautiful, wonderful, copper limited edition Kitchen Aide. My "prized" possession. My heirloom to little Mya. The reason I have a huge butt, as now I feel I have to make yummies so she doesn't feel neglected...but alas, as you can tell, she is neglected, she needs a good wipe down.

Place your metal cookie cutters in the pan, then pour a we bit of pancake batter in each. I filled the cutter up about 1/4 - 1/3 full. it expands however. Then as you sit there and look at the little molds, suddenly realize,
1. how are you going to get them out without destroying them? (I totally should have nonstick sprayed the cutters first, d'oh!
2. that you have no clue if you should flip them in mold or what. EEK! Alas, i did just flipped them in the pan, which made me realize I really really really need a griddle, a nice flat pancake flipping surface would have done me wonders. (I also realized this when i made PW's steak the other night but that's another story).

When they were finished cooking on both sides, I realized they wouldn't work so well at the moment. Since they didn't just fall out of the mold, so I frustratedly put them to the side, feeling all hope was gone for a festive breakfast, and made really nice yummy fluffy boring pancakes instead.

The bubbs couldn't wait til the eggs were finished, he had to eat right then and there, nothing better than Jiffy pancakes, with nice Country Rich Aunt Jemima Syrup on top. Yummy! (Jiffy and Jemima, if your are reading, I hope you appreciate my endorsement.... send coupons!)

Upon further consideration, once I could actually touch the cookie cutters and pop the pancakes out, I realize it wasn't totally a lost cause. They are actually quite thick and would work well as pancake dippers. Kids would like that right? We as parents might not, because that means syrup on the fingers, shirts, table, floor, ceiling, the cat (well you get my drift) but the kids would like it. :)

Because I have nothing better to do...

2008-12-06T23:38:00.003-06:00

I snagged this from my sis's blog...

SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 85 films, you have no life. Mark the ones you've seen. There are 239 films on this list.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
( ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 6

(x) The Princess Bride
( ) Anchorman
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
(x) Saw
(x) Saw II
(x) White Noise
() White Oleander
() Anger Management
() 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
( ) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 14

(x) Scream
(x) Scream 2
(x) Scream 3
() Scary Movie
() Scary Movie 2
() Scary Movie 3
() Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
(x) American Wedding
() American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 20

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
() Resident Evil 1
() Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
(x) Little Black Book
(x) The Village
() Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 27

(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
(x) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
() White Chicks
(x) Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
() I, Robot
() Robots
Total so far: 34

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
() Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
() Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
(x) KingPin
() Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
(x) KING KONG
Total so far: 41

(x) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
() The Lizzie McGuire Movie
() Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
() Dumber & Dumberer
(x) Final Destination
() Final Destination 2
() Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
(x) The Ring
(x) The Ring 2
(x) Surviving X-MAS
() Flubber
Total so far: 49

(x) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
() Ghost Ship
(x) From Hell
() Hellboy
(x) Secret Window
() I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
() The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 55

() The Day After Tomorrow
() Child's Play
() Seed of Chucky
() Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
() Just Married
(x) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
() Coach Carter
(x) The Grudge
(x) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
() Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 63

() Bad Boys
() Bad Boys 2
(x) Joy Ride
() Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
() Lone Star
(x) Bedazzled
() Predator I
() Predator II
(x) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
() Curious George
Total so far: 72

(x) Independence Day
(x) Cujo
() A Bronx Tale
(x) Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
( x) Children of the Corn
() My Bosses Daughter
() Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 81

() Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
() She's All That
() Calendar Girls
() Sideways
() Mars Attacks
() Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 89

(x) X-Men
() X-2
() X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
() Sky High
() Jeepers Creepers
() Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
(x) Reign of Fire
(x) The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
() Cruel Intentions 2
() The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 100

() Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
(x) Old School
() The Notebook
() K-Pax
() Krippendorf's Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
() Boogeyman
() The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 104

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 110

() Baseketball
() Hostel
() Waiting for Guffman
(x) House of 1000 Corpses
() Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
(x) Highlander
(x) Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
() Three
Total so Far: 115

(x) The Jacket
(x) Kung Fu Hustle
(x) Shaolin Soccer
() Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(x) Shaun Of the Dead
() Willard
Total so far: 122

(x) High Tension
(x) Club Dread
() Hulk
(x) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
(x) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
Total so far: 129

() Kill Bill vol 1
() Kill Bill vol 2
() Mortal Kombat
(x) Wolf Creek
() Kingdom of Heaven
(x) the Hills Have Eyes
(x) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
(x) The Last House on the Left
() Re-Animator
(x) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 134

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
() Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
() Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 140

(x) The Matrix
() The Matrix Reloaded
() The Matrix Revolutions
() Animatrix
(x) Evil Dead
(x) Evil Dead 2
() Team America: World Police
() Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
() Hannibal
Total: 144

WOW, Of these I have seen more than my sis, the movie queen. I guess I have my husband and his obscure movie tastes to thank for some of these, and the good ole uofm res life channel for the rest. :)

Dregs in coffee...

2008-12-04T14:26:00.005-06:00

We just got back from Florida, we took a Thanksgiving trip to see my grandparents. We also spent a day with my friend Val at Disney. It was great fun but I am exhausted, its hard going away for a week, only to come back to a house, now cluttered with stuff to unpack and alas, toys. Argh, I feel like the dregs in the bottom of a percolated cup of coffee. Its not the good stuff people seek when it comes to a cuppa, but the leftovers, the used up, and soggy. Ok I'm not soggy, but I'm definitely used up in every sense.

However, something brighten my day and the bubbee is one of them. While he is a terror at times, today is one of those times. For the most part he is a light in my darkness, making me laugh or just reflect at how lucky I am to have him. Little duckee is doing her part as well, blossoming into a beautiful colorful flower of joy. However, i don't have a video of her, just of the bubbs singing one of my created songs... about airplanes.

Enjoy, I will post more on our trip as soon as i can.

Here is me and the bubbs:

What you all have been waiting for....

Here is the Bubb's solo :

I hope it brightens your day a bit.

The Perpetual Student...

2008-10-22T00:15:00.008-05:00

See that gorgeous picture of me at my College Graduation? See that excellent smile, the pure delight in my face because I obtained a degree in one of the most worthless fields of study possible, but HELL YEAH! I did it. I would not ever tarnish that memory with a smarky, or frivilous photo. However, my sis, the perpetual student has done just so for years...

It all started back in 1956,
I really don't know what got into her. Mind you I wasn't even born yet. . But I heard she was frustrated with the education system at the time and wanted to "show them what she felt" and that up there was the product.

However, by 1960, her sentiments had changed on the education system but started to become more politically motivated. Still struggling to get out of the 10th grade she aimed her senitments at ...
... at the Senate who were reticent about voting in the Civil Rights Act in until that monster of a filibuster occured finally pushing the legislation through and starting an equal polling opportunity. She thinks the filibuster should not have been needed, every one should be able to vote and register without hindrance!

Feeling empowered by her political activism which started this decade, in 1966, she once again expressed her opinion in her sophomore (yup, still a sophomore) on the reaction in the US to the Beatles comment about their popularity versus Jesus'.

Of course, at this time she full heartedly agreed that they were more popular than Jesus. But I am sure that only was due to the major McCartney crush she had.

1972, brought back that political opinion with a vengance as Watergate broke into a scandal.

What beter way to start off her junior decade than political activism. I think it was around this time, she started pondering where she would get her doctorate when the time came. Being sick and tired of scandal in our sacred office of Presidency, she vowed to study in a land far far away from US politics.

1976, Amie's discourse with the US evolves as she realizes the ulterior motives in the higher offices.

She is astounded that the US vetoed a UN resolution that would give the Palestinians a state, which thus enslaved the Palestinians into dirty small camps and lower than low living standards under the Israeli Government sparking years of death, poverty and suffering.

Finally I arrive on the scene, its 1978 and she is no longer an only child. This about says it all.

You may think that finished it. That since she was now a big sister she should buckle down and set a good example for her younger sister. But you guessed wrong. She still have 30 more years as a student and 3o more years of expressing her opinions via the 'school photo'. stay tuned...

A Glimpse of the other B.

2008-09-30T11:26:00.008-05:00

I have noticed in my last couple of blogs that you may think we are just a family of 3. The only pictures you see are of, me, Boo or the Bubs. That isn't so, I say. There is a 4th, I promise. She is usually just being worn by the photo taker, or being pushed in the stroller, usually right out of the cameras field of vision. So here are some of the photos of our beautiful little girl from the Navy Pier night and The Dairy Farm. :)

While the Duckee was dressed to the tee for our Navy Pier adventure, it was hard capturing the great shots on camera. :) Here she is sitting like all little ladies should while wearing dresses.

Here are some random smile shots Amie captured after a full Duckee enjoyed a bit of extra attention... Don't look to closely at the bubs getting his diaper changed in the background.

So there you have it, there really are 4 of us. I promise to start taking more pictures of our little sweety having fun with us on our adventures.

The Call of the Chocolate Cow.... Chocolamoo!

2008-09-30T08:00:00.005-05:00

Sometimes, I get this hankering to do something different. Sometimes I feel like going against grain and opposing the popular plan of the weekend and throw a curve ball. For instance, we had planned on going to Chicago the day I had this brilliant idea. This wonderful idea. This earthly adventure. Ok enough. Anyway. We had planned on going to Chicago, but I really felt we should do something different. So we did. We hopped in the car and too an hour long drive to the "Fair Oaks Farm". The #16th Dairy Cow Farm in Indiana. I don't know if it was the chocolate milk, the homemade ice cream or the lattes that were calling me but something was. So, since I have been particularly moody lately, we went.

If you have been an avid reader, you would remember that we took the bubs to a Farm in Dayton Ohio back during the middle of summer. He is still talking about turkeys and feeding goats and riding a tractor, so I figured this Dairy Farm would be another notch on the Farming Adventures of the Bubbee. It actually turned out to be pretty fun. There was quite a lot to do at this farm, with a fun zone out back for the kids, a 4d movie about the dairy process (yeah, nothing more exciting than a 4d movie on manure!) and a bus tour of the dairy farm itself. So sit back and enjoy this virtual bus ride of the Fair Oaks Farm.

Greetings Fair Oaks Sign, the B's have made the journey to see you!

Meet the Adventure Center, Looks Farmsy doesn't it? This barn has the science aspect of the dairy farm in a fun little children's museum setting.

They have a nifty 4d movie that scared poor the bubbee to tears with it shooting water and air all over us. I think he would have reacted better if he had had a nap.

I believe this was the most moving part of the tour for me. I got to practice latching the cow to the machine. Being a current nursing mother, I really could sympathize with those poor mama cows getting hooked up to a machine instead of her nursling.

I was having fun until I got "wedged" into this cheese. Bah. Let's "head" outside while someone comes and "cuts the cheese' to get me out. tee hee.

Outdoors, they had a fun kid zone. There was a huge bounce zone but we didn't do that. We headed straight to the tractors. The bubbee had his first driving lesson which went fairly well. He didn't hit anyone and our insurance didn't go up!

And of course, all great farms need:

a Train. It totally made the bubs day to get to ride a train, he was so excited he forgot to ring the bell!

Soon it was time for our bus tour of the Dairy Farm Itself. So we loaded on the bus and ventured into the inner workings of the farm.

Here is the Birthing barn. If you look careful at our blurry picture, you will notice the feet of a cow being born. It seems that I also have something else in common with cows. Not only am I a milking machine, I give birth in 2 hours as well. Bah! All I can say is at least I am glad I don't have 4 boobs!

Here are new little calves. Taken from their moms directly after birth. Poor things, but they are cute.
Finally the "Nursing Mom's" room. All these cows are being milked at this moment, revolving slowly on the circular stall, chewing cud.

It was rather neat seeing the Dairy Farms inner workings. The worst part of the tour were the people we were stuck on the tour with. I have nothing against the Irish, but these Irish men were A$$Holes and rude as can be. A couple of them practically pushed the bubbee down the stairs in order to get to the front of the line. Where, when the opportunity arose, turned the innocent Q&A period into a verbal attack on economy, small farm liquidation, and other stupid does not apply to the inner workings of a farm topics. Ok, I'm still fuming over the fact they almost pushed my son down the stairs. Luckily I am bigger than they are and I didn't let them pass.

So needless to say, after the nerve racking tour, I had one thing on my mind....Cheese and Milk. Literally, it was time for the cheese tasting and to purchase our refreshments. I think it was the bubs favorite part too. He can't get enough Choco milk!

After our Lattes and Milks, I did as all cows must. I nursed my calve (aka the duckee) and the bubs did as bubbees do ...

Showed his Seattle roots and hugged a few trees. We soon piled into car and headed our could have been longer journey back home.

It must have been a good trip, it wore half the adventurers out...

Pier of Fear...

2008-09-29T22:16:00.005-05:00

Ever since we moved here to the Chicago-region. I have heard tales of wonder regarding Navy Pier. Ok quite honestly, I have not heard much about the pier. I didn't even know it existed until my dad said he wanted to go last Labor Day. But I did research this elusive Pier and decided it actually sounded like a fun thing to do. We were going to go last Halloween but the price was too steep on our budget. We were going to go to see Santa and have fun at the Winter Wonderland but the weather wasn't very conducive to travel. We were going to go for the 4th of July but family was delayed in arriving at our house, so we were unable to make the trek. We were going to see the night time fireworks (I had been promising the bubbee for ages to see the fireworks) but the times they were scheduled didn't work so well with Boo's work schedule or the Bubbee's nap schedule.

But Hallelujah! A time arose and we finally scheduled a trip to see "the fireworks" at Navy Pier. Friday, September 26, 2008 was the day. It happened. No obstacles stood in our way. After story time at the library we would be off to catch the 1:12 train to Chi-town. Well, that was the idea, but someone forgot to grab our train pass off the fridge so it ended up being the 3:07 train.

We arrived in Chicago around 4:20 and met Boo at the station where we put the stroller together and headed off to start our day running *errands. <*errands = changing diapers and feeding the baby girl, thank you Cindy for the Hooter Hider!>

We also needed to refuel the stroller so it would stay powered the entire walk to the Pier. This is a necessary step in long walks with the Phil and Ted's stroller. Especially when the stroller would be used late into the evenings and not return home until well after midnight. Our fuel of choice is:

Seriously, this is the best stuff on the planet. What you didn't realize that the wonderful Phil and Ted stroller needed fuel ? Ok, technically its the driver of the P&T that needs the fuel and this coffee is absolutely the best. Seriously, Tully's has held the top spot until the day I had Intelligentsia coffee, now Tully's sits in the Silver Medal Spot. So if you ever come visit, I will be sure to buy you a cup of Intelligentsia and convert you too!

But I digress, the walk to the pier from the federal building is not necessarily a short one. We walked from the loop, to the mile then to the pier. I would say its slightly shy of two miles. ( I am not mapquest so don't quote me. ) It was a pleasant walk actually, we got to explore a part of town we hadn't been in yet. The tree lined streets reminded me of our walks in parts of Downtown Seattle. But then finally we found it!

The sign shimmered in the late night light:

We'd made it. After a little over a year we finally made it to Navy Pier, and you know what...after all the prodding and urging we had done earlier that night... it turns out the bubbee finally listened to us..
...and took a nap. We didn't have the heart to wake him just yet, so we did the tourist thing and walked the pier. Here is some of what we saw:

The Ferris Wheel

Chicago!!

See pretty neat eh? Totally worth the trip. After we made it to the end of the pier we started heading back. The Duckee was sleeping in the Ergo, we decided to wake up the bubbee so he could see the pier a bit (plus it was 8 and we hadn't eaten yet, woops) so we were going to find dinner as well. Aunty Amie thought having a mostly sleepy bubbee would be a great time to "sneak some sugar".

He looks thrilled doesn't he. That Aunty Amie, we should muzzle her when her over active sweet tooth is on the loose. But since he was awake I figured perfect time to buy him an over priced but totally fun souvenir from our trip.

Its cool. I think it will give you a stroke if you stair at the strobe effect but its a fun souvie.

When the time for the firework show finally arrived we find perfect seats to view. We wait, excitedly for the commencement of the display. Only to be jolted by terrorific screams and blaring howls as they start the "Halloween" soundtrack for the firework show. Unfortunately the bubbee has now been terrorized beyond reason and is wailing and frightened beyond reckoning. The poor baby. We totally we not expecting that music at all. So we moved away from our seats leaving the wretchedly loud music and firework display behind us. We find a quieter place to watch and the bubs start to enjoy the show. Aunty Amie and Boo take the bubs to the upper level of the pier to watch from a better perspective. Finally he enjoys the display.

My attempt at artsy didn't work so well, but the fireworks came out pretty good.

Well that one turned out pretty well.

With the firework display ending we turned for our long walk back to the train station. It was about 9:15 and our train was leaving shortly after 11 so we could make it if all went as planned. We were lucky the train didn't leave for so long. I was riddled with Back Spasms the whole walk back (Yeah I love herniated disks!) We stopped to take a foot break behind the NBC building when my back started spasming while we rested. Of course while we were there, we got a pretty shot of the river.

Its amazing how pretty things are at night, dontcha think?

But we made it back to the station with plenty of time to spare. I was able to stretch my back out while we waited so the train ride home was not as bad as I was for seeing it to be. Since due to maintenance we would be bused from Gary, to Gary Miller (all of one mile) where we would get on a train to continue our journey (all of one mile). But we made it home by 1 and were all in bed by 2.

bwa ha ha, where is the "fear?" in this Pier blog you ask? I guess in my fear of back spasms after long walks. tee hee. No really, we originally went to Navy Pier because they were having their Halloween Festivities. We just never really got around to enjoying them. :)

Seven Things

2008-09-21T22:46:00.003-05:00

I was tagged ages ago (thanks MRS 4444) and have just now found time to follow through (sorry!) So we will see if I can find seven things about me that may be interesting.

1. In college when I moved out on my own, I found a night job at UPS. I really wanted to load truck hoping that would help me lose some weight. After the week in training they were going to put me in small sorts, so I begged for loading and got traded to PD 1 & 2. It was fun, until my 2nd day in the hub when I sliced my hand from thumb to wrist moving a box and was then sent to small sorts until my stitches healed. I did later prove myself to be quite capable of loading trucks and carrying heavy boxes. Just as good as the guys if not better. I could load a tighter wall than most, and carried heavier irreg's than most as well. Have you ever tried carrying two 80 pound paper rolls on your shoulders and dropping them in a flatbed???

2. I love to move, I enjoy moving. So far I have lived numerous places and only hope we can travel and experience more in the future. I hope to some day live overseas. Here is my traveling resume: Mt. Juliet, TN (1978); Memphis, TN (1996); Antioch, TN(2001); Port St. Lucie, FL (2002); Lynnwood, WA (2005); Valparaiso, IN (2007).

3. My deepest darkest desire is to sing in the theatre.

4. I have read the same book series practically every Christmas since the 6th grade. "The Dark is Rising" is by far my favorite book ever written. So when it was time to get my Mommy Tattoo I decided to use the "signs" as the design to hold my children's names, since they are my symbols of power against the dark.

5. I bought a refracting telescope in college and used to take it out on the "mall" at midnight to gaze at the stars. I have always wanted to have more knowledge about the stars and planets, but I can't figure out how to use the telescope properly. :)

** on a side note: an interesting thing. My son's first word was moon. He was infatuated with the great glowing orb and had to see it at all costs. Boo and I named our daughter after a place in WA, a few months ago we looked up the meaning of her name and it means "crescent shaped moon" which we thought was pretty coincidental that the moon has become the theme for our family. :)

6. I have had two 100% pain medication free labors. The first was 45 minutes long. The second was 2 hours long. The first was induced by pitocin after having had my water broken. The second was induced by breaking my water. By the time I was begging for pain meds in both labors, it was time to deliver. When I got my mommy tattoo, I tried to remember that I had no pain meds in labor so I could do this...however, I was wishing for an epidural after he started doing the outline. :)

7. Not many people know who my celebrity crush is. But I swear, if Conan O'Brien ever was single and lookin my way I would jump on that bandwagon in a heart beat. My poor husband knows this unfortunately and thats why I wish Conan a happy, healthy marriage, but secretly hope our kids meet one day and get married. tee hee.

RULES of this Meme:
First, share 7 facts about yourself.
Next, tag 7 people at the end of your blog by leaving their name and a link to their blog.
Last, let them know they're tagged by leaving a link in their blog.

I hereby tag the following (follow suit if it tickles your fancy, but don't feel obligated) :
1. Amie
2. Barb
3. Joy
4. Anelys
5. Jennifer

I dont know seven so I will stop at 5. :)

The Christenings...

2008-09-19T21:47:00.005-05:00

We had the kids Christened/Baptised two weeks ago. It was nice and they looked adorable. My mom and her Friend Kathryn came down for the ceremony and helped us make an event of the day. Of course, our battery died after church and it took us ages to get back home. But all in all it was a nice ceremony.

Before it all Aunty Amie help Semiahmoo look like a little princess.

The Bubbee wasn't too sure about his big shoes, they are a lot heavier than sandals for sure.

The Duckee didn't cry at all. They said a baby who cries during the christening is releasing the devil in them...I guess we have a stubborn one on our hands.

Bubbee is checking out the fontenal.

The Bubbee did really well, the perfect little man.

The Bubbee really liked his Christ Candle. The ceremony wore the duckee out.

Our family photo.

The Whole Kit n Caboodle of groups.

Our dead battery...

Aunty Kathryn and Duckee having fun while waiting on the car.

The bubbee hamming it up before our Lunch.

The Duckee having fun in her seat being a little princess.

I'm a junkie...

2008-08-17T12:11:00.002-05:00

See that basket up there? That is my new addiction. Its a facebook Hatchlings game. You go around to pages and find eggs. You then get points for eggs, and you can find special edition eggs, and some of the eggs hatch into cute little critters that you can feed your other eggs too. Its not just for collecting, its a competition as you compete with the other facebook hatchling addicts to see who can find the most. I have a little over 550 eggs. The top person on facebook has over 59000. Isn't that crazy? I mean I have been totally lazy and looking for eggs instead of being productive.

But what can I say. I'm not in 4th place for the NWI area. LOL

The Pierogi Festival...

2008-08-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Every year in Whiting, Indiana they have a festival devoted to the Polish Delectable called the Pierogi. Last year, we missed the festival, because it was scheduled during the time we were on the road moving to NW, Indiana. But finally SA's dream of a Pierogi devoted festival was actualized!

We arrived at the festival via a bus, a very messed up bus system. For some reason they had everything mislabeled. I guess having signs that say "route 1" but being told "route 2" doesn't help a group (namely us) figure out where we are parked, lol. But we will get back to that. But we did arrive finally at the festival, the smell of pierogi's in the air...

The kids were buckled into the P&T's and we were ready to go! We had pierogis every where...sweet cheese pierogis, potato pierogis, meet pierogis, kraut pierogis, cherry pierogis, strawberry pierogis, blueberry pierogis, prune pierogis, etc. The Bubs preferred the strawberry dipped in chocolate though and wore the chocolate proudly.
Dh got a good work out as the duckee didn't want to stay in the stroller all day, because she was tired and wanted to snuggle. So, for the majority of the festival people saw Boo and Duckee like this
We had a lot of fun. Except for the one mishap where the Bubbee got a huge goose egg on the back of his head when he fall off the back of a picnic bench. Poor Kid. He recouped pretty well though and got to play with an ice pack the rest of our time there. We drank ale (root beer, sasparilla, vanilla cream, and a couple more I can't remember) and we ate delicious pierogis. You can't beat that weekend adventure. Of course we also mourned the fact that we couldn't find a house that fit our needs in Whiting. Both SA and I would have preferred living there to where we are now. But c'est la vie!

BTW: I am miserable at taking pictures, I'm always to preoccupied with the kids. So be sure to tune in to Amie's Blog as she has a lot of great pics from the festival !!

The Evolution of a Smile...

2008-08-04T13:00:00.000-05:00

The baby girl is learning how to turn on the charm these days. Instead of waking up crying, she is waking up with the most gorgeous smiles. When she isn't fussy, she is goo'ing and ga'ing and smiling like she is the happiest little lady. I love it. She really has the best smile.

One of the best things about having Auntie Amie here visiting is that she can be getting the Duckee to smile while I get to snap the photos! We caught some really great smiles the other night while goo'ing with the Duckee on the couch. She sure is getting spoiled with attention...

The Evolution of the Smile.

I love all this attention. What is causing it?

Seriously, I haven't had this much attention in ages!

Hmmm, I wonder why they are smiling at me.

Is there something on TV that is making them so happy?

I just don't get it, surely I am not the center of attention, where is that big kid that is always running around here?

I think it is me, I think they really like me!

I could sure get used to this...

What a minute, should I get used to this? I mean they keep flashing that light at me...

Yeah, this is totally worth it!

The Arrival of Auntie Amie....

2008-08-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

July 22, 2008:

I had my first opportunity to take both kids to Chicago...on my own! My lord what an experience. I don't' know that I will do that very frequently. I was worn out. Our stroller (which I love btw) is terribly heavy, so carrying that, guiding the Bubbee and slinging the Duckee was quite an overwhelming ordeal. Luckily, the Duckee slept most of the train ride. The hardest part was getting out of the station and up to street level in Chicago and setting up the stroller while wearing the Duckee and keeping the Bubs from getting run over by buses.

But we managed and met Saum. We went to McD's for a Sweet Tea and to change the kids, then headed to the Blue Line to take the train to O'Hare. Of course, our luck has it that the end of the line is under construction so the trip was longer than we anticipated and we had to take a courtesy shuttle to the Airport where Amie had been waiting for an hour. Woops! Gotta love Public Transportation!

The Duckee even showed her appreciation of having Auntie Amie here by christening her on the train ride home, and not just with a golden shower! ;) Old times, the bubs would christen Amie at every change he got when he was as little as the Duckee is now!

But the reunion was great. We got Amie successfully home and she has spoiled the kiddos relentlessly ever since.

So many things to do...

2008-08-01T16:31:00.005-05:00

Well, I have been a terribly big slacker lately. I have so many blogs to write but I'm addicted to my Facebook applications and by the time I get to those and finish its bedtime (usually 2 am). So I am going to say Hi!

If you didn't know, Auntie Amie has arrived.

The kids are having a ball, whether its spitting up on her shoulder, christening her with the weekly "poo" on the train, making her jump to 100 on the trampoline, or singing "puttin on the ritz" repetitively. She is spoiling them rotten with attention.

Plus I have to admit I have enjoyed having an adult to talk with and just catching up. :)

So I have a whole list of blogs I am going to write this weekend and postdate. To hold me to it I will list them here.

So COMING SOON!

1. ~~Auntie Amies Arrival~~
2. ~~The Perogi Festival~~
3. Dear Santa...Can I have a minivan please?
4. Haircut.
5. ~~Look at these smiles!~~
6. Youngstown Farm
7. The Speakman Family Reunion
8. Weight Watchers...

There, that will cover me up to this weekend. :)

Happy Birthday My Sweet Machias!

2008-07-18T16:17:00.003-05:00

Its so hard to believe that my little man is 2. I keep remember his super quick arrival into our lives! He was a wrinkly little ole man!

Then last year, at his 1 year old birthday, he wasn't even walking yet! But he sure had the personality!

Now, oh man! He is the most impressive young man you will meet. He has such a great personality. Says HI to everyone, smiles at everyone, and is just so smart! Even though he runs me ragged, and drives me bonkers at times, I couldn't have asked for a better Bubbee.

I hope I do you right little man! I want to see all the good you can do in this world!

Mommy loves you!

The Birthday Presents are bought...

2008-07-15T23:53:00.004-05:00

Ah, its birthday time again in our household. I am trying to be positive and upbeat and happy. I mean its a celebration of the life of my not so little boy. But its hard. I mean, this means he is growing up and I only have a few more short years with him in the house bringing joy (most of the times) to my life. I love my bubbee and Thursday he will be .... sniff sniff.... 2!

Can you believe it??? I still can't. I mean seriously. When did he grow up?? It seems like only yesterday he started walking (sniff sniff , away from me...) at the park in Lynnwood on the day we were packing up to leave. Wasn't it only yesterday that he said his first word, MOON and pointed to it in the sky??? Sigh, so is the dilemma of parenting. You thrill to see them develop and become little independent people, but you cry over them growing up and becoming little independent people. But I have totally digressed. This blog is supposed to be about his presents!

So we have gotten his presents for his birthday. They are down in the guest room (aka Captain Jack Sparrows Litter Box or so it seems as he keeps peeing in the bed... damn that cat). We didn't go to crazy on him this year, as he is already pretty spoiled and I expect family will probably send him tons as well. But we also did something different this year too. We each bought him a gift, then Saum and I got him a joint gift. So here I go, showing you what we got.

I have been pondering for a while creating the bubs a memory chest. A place that I can keep those special gifts from his family and friends that he is too young to appreciate now. We get some neat little things from his great grandma and cousins in Iran as well as from his great grandparents in Florida and Ohio, plus my parents and Dh's mom and my sis, things that I think would be great for him to realize how loved he is. So I figured now was the time to make him a memory chest. As he gets older he can add things to it, but hopefully it will become a keepsake of his memories that he can look back on. The one above is not what I am making, but the chest is what i have bought, think basic light wood. I am going to stain it a red mahogany to match his furniture and put his name on it in little wooden pieces. Then I will collect all the things that we have that I have put aside for him for later times. While I realize he probably won't appreciate it now, hopefully at a later time he will.

I was so proud of my husband the other night. Mr. Who never offers an opinion or makes up his mind, actually had an idea for what he wanted to get the bubbee. I mean a real idea, not one of those "ideas" that I implanted. :) Albeit, he got the idea from talking with a co-worker, but its an idea that he brought to the table. The bubbee is a really smart cookie, he has been playing with his Thomas Lappy for a year now and can answer most of the phonetics, letters and number questions correctly. He knows the whole alphabet by sound and site (while he can't sing the alphabet song yet he is getting closer... a, b, c, 0!), and knows his numbers (although he can't count directly to 10 on his own, lol, but he tries!) DH though an education toy would be the way to go. So we researched and bought him the ClickStart System from Leap Frog. Its a computer that hooks up to a tv, it has a wireless keyboard and you can buy educational games to play on it. We figure this would be a good computer for him to have that we can start working with him on more advanced things that his lappy doesn't do. I think he will really like it.

We thought it would be sweet if the Duckee got the bubbee a picture frame that she can put a picture of the two of them in. The picture underneath is the pictures we put in the frame. The frame above it similar to the one we picked out but the one we have is white. The duckee just adores her bubbee so we feel this is a great present!

Finally we have the joint present. The bubbee loves Elmo. He is always asking to watch Elmo on TV (he has three favorites, Thomas, Elmo, and Pooh) So as we were thinking it would be nice to get him a seat of his own, we saw this and it had all his favorite characters on it so it was a must! He can sit in it while he plays his clickstart. He can have it in the living room. He can sit and read in it. He can relax and nap in it (I wonder if we took that on vacation with us if we could use it instead of his packnplay, hmmmm). Its now his own little couch. Its the perfect size and has his favorite characters on it.

I think we did him well this birthday. We will see on Thursday. We have a big day planned! Let's hope he is my sweet bubbee on Thursday instead of my PITA Terrible Toddler! BAH!

And Amie, yes, it is almost a full moon.

Have I mentioned that I love my Phil and Ted's?

2008-07-15T23:41:00.004-05:00

Tonite, after a stressful day with the bubbee and duckee, we went for a walk. My most favorite walk...to Pat's Ice Cream Parlour. :) BTW: we share a double scoop waffle cone three way, tonite we had Blueberry Cheesecake and Espresso! YUM).

But back on topic, my P&T's. I love this stroller. When the duckee was a newborn, this stroller allowed her to lay flat and sleep while the bubs rode above her. Now however, she is a tummy sleeper so lying flat on her back in the stroller is not her cup of tea. Since she has a strong neck now, we decided to try her in the attachment seat instead of the lying flat one. We reclined the seat so she was a bit more comfortable, and after a few tears (come on everything with the duckee involves tears) she was comfy cosy.

She slept most of the walk and while we ate ice cream. She woke up on the way home and got fussy 3 houses from ours. But all in all it was a nice walk. Now we have hope for those times we are in Chicago, now maybe both the tykes can sleep more comfy as Mac is in the more comfy upfront seat again. I was getting really worried, because I have to take the kids downtown by myself next Tuesday to meet Saum so we can take the orange line to meet Amie at O'hare. This means the kids naps will be interrupted. But hopefully now I can get them to sleep in their strollers when we are downtown!! Yippee!!

5-6 hours my butt, they LIE!

2008-07-13T17:11:00.003-05:00

So we decided to buy the kids a playset for the backyard. I found one that I really liked, not to big, not to small, perfect for backyard fun! Well the instructions say it will take 2 people building this wil 5-6 hours. So we said great, we will buy it. My dad was coming for the July 4th weekend and he offered to help so we figured 2 good days of construction and we would have a playset for the paci party for the bubs.

I should have really taken some pictures of the progress. Really I should have. But here is a timeline.

Day One: My dad and DH use their circular saw and cut down all the pieces to size. They also spread all the equiptment out on our trampoline for organizational purposes.

Day Two: My dh builds the roof. From about 10-2. My dh and dad build a roof. A mighty heavy and sturdy roof, I might add. Then at 2 it was time for my dad to leave and head back to TN.

Day Two part two: I get my DH to bust a hump and we put together the frame, the front, attach the roof from about 2-8. So a good evenings worth of work. We felt accomplished, we had a structure standing at least.

Day Three (yesterday): We put the floor into the playhouse and started working on the supports for the doors and walls.

So far we have put in about 24 hours into this structure and have only come up with this:

Yeah its lopsided and wobbly but the ground is so that is the reason... I promise. ;)

We still have tons left to do, as you can see if you compare what its supposed to look like and what we have. This is what we have left:

You see all that lumber, it has to become the walls, the swings, and the support posts! Argh! Also, lets not even start in on the rock wall steps with climbing chain, and slide installation! Its going to take ages, as we can only work on it during naptime on the weekends.

Maybe, just maybe we will get done by the time Mya is ready to play with it... Maybe.

Tomato? Tomahto? Got any great canning recipes?

2008-07-13T16:43:00.004-05:00

So we began our gardening adventure a couple months ago, thinking mainly of our bubbees addiction to the red fruit, we figured "What the Hey!". Being very selective in our veggie intake we only have 2 veggies actively growing; hungarian peppers and tomatoes. (ok, we tried corn it didn't take which is ironic as there are corn fields everywhere around here...).

But here is the thing, we don't have a small tomato patch we have a LARGE tomato patch. We weren't thinking of how many plants we were buying, just that it would be neat to try different tomatoes. So needless to say we have 24 tomato plants. Thats going to be a butt load of tomatoes.

While I am sure the bubs will eat most of those, I figure I will start expanding my canning experience from Apple Butter to Tomato Products. Anyone have any good canning recipes for tomatoes? Salsas? Ketchup? Marinara? Anything??

But I shouldn't forget my poor little peppers. These are hungarian sweet peppers. I have no clue what they are or what they taste like but we were feeling adventurous. SO any suggestions on how to use these beauties would be excellent as well!

It finally happened...

2008-07-13T14:34:00.004-05:00

The Duckee has been smiling for a while now. Its a cute gummy smile that transforms her whole face. Normally she smiles when she hears his voice or sees him. But normally we can't capture it on camera.

Most times we try to get a happy picture it ends up like this:
Or we get the wide eyed gaping stare:
And you can't forget the wide eyes pouty stare:
Sometimes she does an impression of ET:

Or is too conked out to even bother to pose:

Other times she is getting tired and yawning: But sometimes, sometimes on a very rare occasion, you get the best site in the world!

In honor of our Independence...

2008-07-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

I was wondering, could you pass the latest citizenship test for the US?

Go ahead, give it a try and let me know how well you did.

Take the Test.

We won't laugh at you too much!

I second guessed my self too much. I got a 65%, which would be borderline in my 1996 Government Class. However, if I were teaching in Florida still , I would be considered a genius.

bwa ha ha ha.

How did you do?

Mac's evergrowing vocabulary...catch any naughties?

2008-07-02T16:48:00.001-05:00

The Big Read - Stolen from True Aim.

2008-06-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

"The Big Read reckons that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they've printed."

I was a Literature Major in College mainly because I loved books and I figured it would be the way to go, I mean HELL I could always teach if nothing came of the degree. Unfortunately reading for a grade and reading for joy are two very VERY different things. Also, even more unfortunate, teaching HS English in a lower class , high risk population with out much support from your faculty isn't very fun. But I digress, I have always felt a little let down by my reading list, so I started my new years resolution to read new books. I figure this blog here will be a way to see how I am doing! Feel free to compare!

1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Reprint this list in your own blog.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte's Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Well, I sit here red in the face at my incomplete lack of reading the "classics" or "must reads" of our time. I guess I now have my reading list set and will add these to the books I will read this year for my resolution.

Perfect timing sis, as I was running low of books to read! Now I have a reason to go meandering to our crappy library!

Ode to my Lappy. . .

2008-06-29T16:22:00.007-05:00

There once was a time when I had a lappy.
I know you may all call me sappy.
But it went up and died,
and oh how I cried.
But since that day I cannot be happy.

Since the lappy departed,
My life has just farted,
Oh so many things now are amiss,
There is a big gaping hole, I can find no more bliss
since no Doctor Who download is started.

If that is not all, another tragedy struck,
One that made me cry a big "Oh Fruck!"
All memories were wiped clean,
because my pictures could not be seen,
They were lost when the hard drive went Ker-Pluck!

I guess it could be worse, although I can't see how.
We still have this compy -the big ole slow cow.
I'll try not to cry, to much anyway
I still have my blog, which makes me say HEY!
Too the one person who is reading right now!

I have a confession to make.

2008-06-28T23:32:00.004-05:00

I have had one of these every evening for the past week (minus 2 days). Honestly, I could care less about the ice cream, just give me the hot fudge.

This is what happens when you have a baby and have no willpower. I am totally going to blame breast feeding and crazy hormones for this newfound addiction. Its really quite miserable. Luckily the breast feeding is countering the negative offset of these caleries (says my scale) but we will find out on the 7th at my 6 week check-up! EEK! Please send me recipes and healthy sweet ideas! I need something to tame these dastardly cravings!

But I am making it official. I give this up right now! No more hot fudge sundaes unless I have met the following criteria.

1. It has been a whole week and I haven't had a hot fudge sundae, and in that week I have walked 4-7 days, eaten relatively healthy, and alas, not had a hot fudge sundae.

Vote For Machais!

2008-06-20T16:28:00.004-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I entered Machias into the Parents Magazine Cover Photo Contest. So please go recommend the photos (you can recommend all 6!!) so we have a chance at, at least, appearing on the monthly newsletter. :) Hopefully the judges will realize his true potential for a cover boy. :) I hope I selected the best array of photos that shows him in multiple "phases".

So go here, and recommend recommend recommend. You can rate, recommend and comment on each of the six photos I have posted. :) Let me know what you think!!

PW's Carrot Cake, birthday cake, and the potty!

2008-06-16T22:26:00.003-05:00

Ok, So I made the Pioneer Woman's Carrot Cake Recipe for Father's Day. I will have to say it was super easy to make. I wasn't that thrilled with it last night. But today, OH MY WORD. Delish. I guess sitting in the fridge and absorbing the yummy carrot flavoring did wonder for the cake. Its so moist and yummy. I think I added too much powdered sugar to the frosting (it called for a pound so I estimated from my 2lb bag) but I will do more cream cheese next time as well. Its still a great cake. It was my first Scratch cake. Yeah!

Also, I asked Machias what type of cake he wanted for his bday. He said he wanted White Cake and White Frosting. I was quite shocked. I didn't think he would have a clue, and well maybe he doesn't but thats what he said. He could have said blue and purple or anything but he chose the cake that is my favorite WITHOUT me prompting him. Saum can verify he said it without prompting. :) We also asked him what sort of cake he wanted, Elmo or Race Car and he said Elmo so I guess we will have an Elmo birthday this year...unless he changes his mind and wants "cars".

I can't believe he is almost two! ALSO today I was talking to Machias during his diaper change that anytime he needed to peepee and pooppoop and wanted to sit on the potty to let me know. Well he wanted to today, didn't need to do either but he still wanted to so I let him. I guess its now officially time to get him a potty seat for our bathroom. So it looks like potty training may be starting soon. EEK! He lets us know now when he goes poo so its a start anyway. My boy is just getting so big! SO now I guess I have to go get him a big boy potty!

This is going to be a fun few months I tell you. My boy will be starting potty training, giving up his binky AND turning 2! Where has the time gone???

Strawberry Festival or Bust...

2008-06-04T22:49:00.004-05:00

Troy, Ohio : The Strawberry Festival

Yeah the time is getting closer for us to leave for Troy. I am so excited about making the festival this year, but more excited to show off Troy to DH and the kids. My grandparents lived here during my youth and we would visit all the time. First they lived in a duplex right off of downtown. We would take walks to the "Clocktower" or at Thanksgiving take our canned goods to the "Mayflower" and see a free movie. My dad would take us to "Kays" on the square and we would have shakes and deep fried burgers. YUM! It was such a neat little town, I have always epitomized where I wanted to live based off of Troy. Troy also had the best park, IMO, with a huge wooden play set and the best part was the rope hanging from a tree that you would do "around the world" with bouncing off of the other trees around.

Every June, they have the Strawberry Festival! Its a big arts and crafts festival on the levee with other misc activities going on around town. The "sweet treats" at the festival can't be beat. My personal favorite is the "Sugar Waffles" these deep fried yummy goodness coated with powdered sugar. Plus the strawberry donuts can't be beat either. Oh My Word, I am salivating just thinking about this yummy goodness! I also recall getting several a neat bead necklace/choaker at the festival too. With so many different venders you never know what you are going to find! So this year I will be looking for cute things for the Bubbee and little duckee.

What makes this trip even more special is that I get to meet my online friend C and her family. They are driving up from Columbus to meet us and spend the day at the festival! M and the Bubbee are the same age and will get along splendidly. The worst I will have to expect is the Bubbs and his flirting with cute little girls. I have already warned C that the bubbs is a huge flirt. :) Also we will get to meet 3 month old W and DH, M. :) It should be a nice day. The only bad part of the day will be the temperature, its going to be hot and humid, reaching soaring temps in the 90's. EEK! On days like that I really miss Seattle.

Wish us luck. This will be the first time that we have traveled with little Duckee. We are going to try to leave early morning so the kids can sleep most of the way. Hopefully we can get the car packed Friday night. I'm also excited because I have gotten some accessories that we get to try out with our Phil & Teds. We have gotten the "saddle bags" for carrying out accessories since a diaper bag won't hang from the handle bars when we have the stroller in the newborn position. Plus we have the "hand bag" for the handle bars so we can have drinks and a place for our keys and wallets and the "rain shield" so the kids don't get wet when it rains! So this will be an excellent weekend to try them out! Well lets hope we don't try out the rain shield but you know what I mean! I'm such a Phil & Teds junky. :)

Well That is all for now. It is storming here .... again....which means a good night to curl up with a book!

What am I going to do with this??

2008-06-03T21:55:00.006-05:00

So today I claim a bouncy seat off of FreeCycle. DH and I are trying to get baby gear for upstairs and downstairs so we aren't always lugging the bouncy or swing hither and yon. So yeah for a free bouncy seat! Bad thing is, I thought it was a pick up in Valpo until I read it was a pick up in Portage about 20 minute away. Bah! While the distance isn't the problem, I realized it was 5:3o pm and I was really wanting to wait around for the UPS guy today. We have some things being shipped to us, clothes, Phil and Teds accessories, prizes, etc and I didn't want to miss anything! But I tucked in and resolved that we would just miss the UPS guy and I could deal with it.

Well Lo and Behold, as I am leaving and Saum is getting the kids in the car, there pulls up the UPS man! WOOT! My lucky day! I have never been so happy to see him. You see yesterday we were at the park and he arrived and we didn't know it, until Saum went to go in the back yard to take down our diapers hanging up and "What?" there was a box sitting on our back stairs! But today, I see him, I know what he has and I almost wet my pants.

You may remember that a few weeks ago (May 15 to be exact) I won a prize on the Pioneer Womans Blog.

Well here she is... my beauty!

And here is her older, feebler, "cheaper" sibling.

Not that Older Sibling is unattractive, I mean she is faithful, a hard worker, and the first. But come on should you really compare the two?? I mean why even try?? Ok lets try.

Older Kitchenaide:

1. 2 Quarts

2. Standard Grade
3. Artisan Edition
4. 300 dollars

Newer Kitchenaide:
1. 6 Quarts
2. Professional Grade
3. Limited Edition
4. 900 Dollars

Need I go on? I think not! I mean just look at them together.

The younger Kitchenaide is just by far the superior! In looks, in performance, in everything! While Older Kitchenaide will always have a soft spot in my heart, she just can't compare to the sentimental feelings I will have for this "prize" of a younger sibling. This new one will be with me forever and ever, then passed down through the family again and again from mom to daughter. I mean, its THAT special. Older Kitchenaide will collect dust, until my Older ~~Kitchenaide~~ Sibling can come give her a good home. (Bwa ha ha ha ha! I made a funny!)

Up-To-Date Photo Montage of my Clan. . .

2008-06-01T23:58:00.005-05:00

My little Duckee!!

The Cutest Yawn in the House!

See, already a good little camera model!

My cute little peanut!

What is this? Wind? Sun? Eek, I just want to sleep!

Ugh, could you put that camera up already?

Come on, how many pics of me in this silly chair do you need??

I'm hoping little Duckee is the main focus of this photo...

I sleep the same way my big bubbee does!

My big Bubbee!

Look Ma, I may be a lefty!

I love me some Cheesy Poofs!

Did you notice I got a hair cut??

It's time for Spidey Speed!

Oh yeah, you can't get much cuter than me!

Yuck! Nasty Cords...

2008-06-01T23:51:00.003-05:00

See that umbilical cord? How can something so necessary to the life of our children be so nasty after the children come slip n sliding into the world?? Seriously, I have been avoiding that sucker for the last 12 days. It glared at me. It taunted me with its blackening ickyness. Blech!

Well today, after eating at Bob Evans for dinner I needed to feed Duckee. She was getting fussy. So we decided I would just feed her in the parking lot. But as our car was parked right in front of the restaraunt I told Saum I wasn't about to pop a boob out for the whole restaraunt to see. So while he is getting the seat in the car, and Machias in the car I am holding Duckee trying to console her. Then I screech: "EW, come and get it, its touching me!" DH has no clue what I was referring too until he saw the cord lying there in the blanket. It was gross. The nasty cord in the blanket and her not quite healed belly button. Of course that opened a whole can of worries. Was it ready to come off? Did it get jostled? Did it hurt her?? My poor baby girl.

While I am glad that sucker is off. Now we can start CD'ing when it is totally healed. I hope that nothing is going to get infected or come of this early departure from my baby girls body. Plus I am not going to think about how that dead part of the life cord is now sitting in the back seat of my Focus.

Finally, the arrival we have all be waiting for... Semiah Anneliese!

2008-05-24T23:16:00.009-05:00

Here is our birth story:

We had a doctors appointment on Monday at 6pm (not seen until 8 though), I was 40 w 4 days. This was the first appointment that I had been checked. I was fully effaced and a 5. I hadn't been feeling anything but a tightening here and there, but no pain or cramping. So my doctor sent us to L&D for monitoring in case I was having contractions I couldn't feel. I was having contractions but nothing major. So they had me walk for an hour. They decided that they would break my water the next morning. -- They wanted to add pitocin to the measure but I told them no. Break my water first then see what happens. My son was a pit induced labor and it lasted a whopping 45 minutes, I didn't want to go that route again.

My doc arrived at the hospital and was ready to break my water at 6 am on May 20th. I was ready. Unsure if this would go as quick as my the bubbee or not. The contractions started off pretty slowly. I hopped in the shower as I felt all nasty with them having broken my water. They started coming more consistently. We walked a bit, my 22 month old woke up early so we all walked in the halls together. The contractions started coming closer and longer. They seemed like they wouldn't end. LOL. I sat and rocked on the ball a bit. I was starting to cave into the idea of IV meds, so we asked the nurse our options. I decided to hold off a bit longer. After 3 more contractions that lasted about 2-3 minutes each, I decided to have my dh run and tell the nurse I wanted meds. (Although I remembered with my son, which was all natural too, that when I started crying through the contractions it was probably time.) So she checked me, and said she was holding off on the meds until the doc told her what to do, I was about an 8-9 and ready to go. After she checked me I finally felt the need to push so I push a little which brought the baby down where it needed. My doc was in there, they prepped everything and at about 7:55 we were a go for all out pushing. it took three pushes, 1. head, 2 shoulders 3 baby. and at 8:02 am she was born. I will take a 2 hour labor over a 45 minute one any day. I only cursed a couple times, lol, right before they let me push.

The bubbee did great the whole time we were in labor and the hospital. We were able to put him to bed when we arrived at the hospital and he slept until about 5:30. We were able to play with him and love on him before the whole process started. He had a blast. When the time to push came, we kept him in the "family" part of the room where we had the room divided with a curtain. He wasn't scared or anything by the commotion. When Semiah arrived, and everyone was cheering and happy, he was clapping and cheering as well. It was sweet.

It took an hour to stitch me up. I was pretty miserable that whole hour. Blah, all the pushing on your stomach and stitching and just blech. I bled more than normal (which I believe I did with the bubbee as well. So they had to put in an IV of pitocin and just fluids to get my levels back up. But other than that it was an easy, no effort birth. The afterpains are worse than I remember with the bubbee but a nurse told me later that they get worse with each child. Woohoo, something to look forward to. But its all worth it. She is perfect in every way.

Everyone, I would like you to meet... Semiah (suh my uh) Anneliese. Born on May 20th 2008 at 8:03 am. She weighed 8 lbs 2 oz and was 18 inches long.

Shortly after her birth.

Posing like big brother did.

The bubbee getting to hold his little sister.

The Bubbee enjoying some sibling time.

Semiah in her going home outfit.

So there is our newest addition. We are all thrilled. The adjustment is going fairly well. The hardest part is my lack of mobility and energy due to the stitches and of course, popping out a baby. But we are getting there.

Brain Fart.

2008-05-19T14:16:00.003-05:00

I absolutely can think of not one thing to write about. I could complain about being overdue and feeling blechy but whats the point.

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the weather. Ours here is quite unexpectedly chilly again. We are in the 50-60 degree range and it totally does not feel like its almost June. I mean, is it really? Or are we really still in March and I have 2 months left in pregnancy to go???? Silly state with silly weather. I think I would be happy if we stayed in the 70 range for Summer though, that would be very nice.

Well we have a doctors appointment this evening in which I will find out more about an induction date. Unless a miracle happens between now and then, I am looking at another medically induced labor. Which I guess has its good points and bad points. I mean, if it goes like last time, it will go major quick (45 minutes or less) but if it goes like last time, it will be majorly painful. Ack. Come on baby. COME OUT!

Wish us luck! :)

Another Note to Self ... concerning hot peppers.

2008-05-16T00:11:00.004-05:00

Being pregnant has me trying silly things ... for instance ... eating more jalepenos than I normally do.

So , note to self: Hot peppers (when eaten in large quantities) burn just as much coming out as going in. Especially the last few days of pregnancy.

OUCH!

I love you Pioneer Woman!

2008-05-15T22:53:00.007-05:00

Well today was the best day of my year. Honestly. I don't remember a day as good as this in a long time... and its all thanks to Ree, the Pioneer Woman!! You have read about her before as I talk about how great the recipes I have tried are. But today is different. I actually won one of her contests. See that beauty up above? I won something similar to that!! Isn't it awesome.

So good bye our beautiful older Kitchen Aid Mixer in a beautiful shade of Pistachio!

Hello Beautiful New Professional Series Kitchen Aid! Now I have a reason to make tons of good yummies! Thanks Ree!!

Please visit her blog, it truly is the best read and brightens my life daily. Her pictures are gorgeous, her stories are so fun, and her wit is spot on! Plus her recipes are devine and oh so scrumptious!

The Pioneer Woman

And what do you think this baby will look like?

2008-05-12T22:50:00.007-05:00

Okay, so look closely at the picture above. (please ignore my double chin, remember this was 9 months ago and I was newly preggo and swollen, or maybe not but that is my excuse.)
Get a really good idea of what I look like.
What DH looks like and
What the bubbee looks like.

Keep that in your head until the end of the blog. Okay, alright, you can page back up anytime to refresh your memory.

Dh had a dream the other night. He dreamed baby girl arrived and had a big ole thick head of dark brown hair. He can't get over it. He really wants to see if his dream is a "prediction" of any sorts. I keep telling him its usually the mom that has "premonitory" dreams not the dad. But hey who knows. As I have no intuition as to baby nor did I with the bubs maybe that has passed to dh. Time can only tell. Wait, I do remember a dream I had about bubs (pre-bubs) I dreamed we adopted a baby before he was born so we had two babies. SO obviously my dreams don't count.

So here is the question I have. What do YOU think this baby will look like? Will she be another red head like the bubs? Will she have dh's dark locks? or my thick brown (or even the dirty blond of my childhood)? Will she be a plump little baby? Or a "no fat lots of wrinkles" baby like the bubs? Will she lean towards looking like DH? me? or another recessive trait?

Leave me a comment and lets see who gets the closest! Also, if you want to predict when she will actually get here go for it, height, weight, etc Go for it. (I can tell you the bubs was 19.88 inches, and 7 lbs 4 oz. But I was also on a strict no fat diet so I am sure that affected things a bit.)

Sorry i am lazy, I should have added these last week!

2008-05-10T23:34:00.007-05:00

Ok, we had an excellent time at the zoo last week! Machias had a blast, he even skipped his nap (and was not cranky at all) so we got to see ALL the animals. Ok, not ALL the animals, we skipped the reptile house and the ape house but he had already seen those. But don't worry, he got a late and short nap in while we were on the bus and at Old Navy getting him some shorts. All I have to say is that the Phil & Ted's is excellent for him napping in. Probalby the best stroller we have had for his naps! I just hope we like it for two!

So here is our little photo extravaganza! I didn't take too many pictures, and I dont' believe in pictures of the animals, we know what they look like anyway. But enjoy!

Here is my sweet little man napping in Old Navy. He was too cute I had to snap a pic... or two.

Plus on the way home on the train, Mac got the privilege of sitting the whole time in his comfy stroller, flirting with the people across from us. Saum had to stand the whole trip, I was lucky to get a spot.

He was a very very tired bubbee at this point. But with a final bound of energy we thought it would be funny to get him dancing in his 'puh pul' diaper. LMAO! We also though we could use this little video in his 'puh pul' diaper to embarrass him dramatically in his teenage years. :)

So there you have it. How we spent last Sunday. :) It was a lot of walking but well worth it. Unfortunately, labor did not begin and I am still preggo. I have now officially carried this baby longer than I did the bubs. Of course I am hoping for sooner than later. I just know that since I have had absolutely NO issues with this pregnancy (as opposed to the Bubs) that something in the end will pop up. But of course, that is another blog in itself.

Going to the zoo tomorrow...

2008-05-03T22:15:00.005-05:00

Our first season of ZOO visits in Seattle, Washington

Our second Season Zoo visits in Chicago.

Yeah a new year, a new zoo visit. Its so neat seeing how the bubbee will react at the Zoo each year.

The first year when he was about 10 months old, we went to the ZOO with his buds, Grayson and Malachi. They were more interested in the play things than the animals. But we sure got some cute photo ops. :) I think it was more for us mommies to enjoy than the kids I think.

Last year, when we moved to NWI, we learned Chicago had a free zoo. So we went their a couple times. The Bubs liked the animals but didn't have any recognition of what he was seeing. He was only about 14 months old. He stayed in his stroller mostly and napped as well. :)

However, tomorrow I am excited. He has grown so much! He loves animals and while he doesn't say their names, he can make most of the animal sounds in recognition of the animal he is seeing. So I think tomorrow will be a blast. He will be able to walk, get up close to the gates so he can see!

I hope to get some good photos. I hope that I don't go into labor, LOL. I hope that I can keep up some energy so we can all enjoy the ZOO and dh doesn't have to do 100% of the bubbee work. Which I doubt the bubbee will let him do, as he is such a mama's boy!

So I hope you all enjoy the Sunday. We are supposed to be clear and 62 so not too warm but not rainy. Which will be a blessed relief!

I'm so confused....darn these horomones!

2008-05-02T15:16:00.004-05:00

Can you believe I am about to have another one of these???

Ok, so I am miserable. I'm fat. I can't quit eating chocolate. I have no energy. I ache. I can't sleep. My hormones are raging (I mean come on, I cried at the send of on AI this week). I wobble when I walk. Noone can tell I'm pregnant, literally I just look fat, so that is depressing. Then I realize I still have TWO MORE WEEKS LEFT!

WHAT? No that can't be??? I should have this baby out NOW! Now don't get me wrong, I have no problem keeping that baby in there until she/he is ready to come out. BUT! I am so ready for her to be ready. I wouldn't cry if it happened tonight. I would however cry if it happened on the 15th. We really don't want her to be here on the 15th. That would be very very very bad. I would have to disown this child (ok, not that bad, but I would rather she share a birthday with ANYONE else other than Mammie Chickensquawk (a.k.a. my Mother In Law).

Must I remind you all that I DO NOT LIKE WAITING. Nope, I know what I get for Christmas (I'm a good guesser) I know what I get for my Bday (again a good guesser) -- No Amie, I am not still unwrapping and wrapping gifts. ha ha. Plus now its really hard. We don't have a date so to speak. Last time With Machias we were induced so we knew on July 17 we would have a baby if not before. It was nice. But I don't want a labor like that (quick sure, constant pitocin pain, no thank you!). So we are taking steps to make sure I don't freak out this time. :)

But as I think more about labor I am wondering can I really really REALLY handle a natural birth again?? I mean sure, I did it last time (not like I was offered a choice). BUT it only lasted 45 minutes. What if this time it goes slower.... I mean I have dealt with pain. I have a bad back and when it goes out every iota of my body feels it. Especially the last time, my back went out on Saturday and we were flying to Chicago to look at houses the next day. So I had to sit in a cramped plane, with my back out and every inch of me hurt. I mean hurt bad. It lasted two weeks that pain did, about as bad as when my back first went bad. Also last pregnancy I dealt with ever increasing Gall Stone attacks. From 11 weeks to 36 weeks of pregnancy I had serious bouts of pain with those attacks, the longest being 11 hours (a hospital visit, and amnio, and an almost induction as well). I mean. Surely all this pain will void out a few hours of pain from childbirth....right?

Thats my problem. I don't know. I have never had natural contractions. I don't know how bad and intense they can be. I know I had an abnormal delivery with Machias, but could the pain be that bad again? That intense? That quick? I keep telling myself not to worry you have done this before, BUT alas, I worry.

I worry that I will ignore the little subtle hints that I am in labor until its too late and I have a baby on the car ride to the hospital (30 minutes away). I worry that I will break down and get the meds which will make me feel crappy and groggy and make my recovery a bit more difficult than I want. I worry that this baby is going to weight 20lbs because as mentioned I cant quit eating chocolate. With Mac he had ZERO fat on him, he was tiny, and I think it was because I was on a strict strict GD/Gall Bladder diet. NO fat whatsoever. But now...no holds bar! I worry that something will go wrong and I will end up with a c-section and man I dont' want to have surgery. The gall bladder surgery was enough for me THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I can't imagine recouping from a major surgery while getting to know our baby. I mean 3 weeks post partum with the gall bladder being removed was enough.

I know its silly. I shouldnt be worried, but I really am confused. Which is worse, being miserable for a couple more weeks to stave off my fears of labor. OR hoping that tonight I go into labor and just deal head on with what is coming my way???

Don't even get me started on my fears of having two under two! That is a whole other cup of worms. . .

Another great recipe to add to your books!

2008-04-28T21:53:00.003-05:00

Alrighty I made another quick and easy recipe tonight for dinner. If you recall Monday is Mexican Food Night, while this is not a traditional Mexican dish, it was pretty darn good.

SO let me introduce you too....

Mexican Shepherds Pie

Ingredients:

1lb ground beef
1 can corn (drained)
1 can crushed tomato ( I had a big can and used half)
2 cups mexican cheese
8 cups of mashed potatoes.
1 packet of taco seasoning

1. Brown and drain beef.
2. add seasoning packet, corn, tomatoes. Mix well
3. Mix your potatoes (I use the boxed ones, lol, any will work)

4. In a baking dish, layer half of your potatoes on the bottom.
5. Now ladle in your meat filling
6. Cover nicely with cheese
7. Top mixture with rest of your potatoes.

8. Pop in the oven (375 F) for 40-45 minutes.
9. During last 5 minutes add a nice sprinkling of cheese on top of casserole.

10. Spoon and enjoy! It was truly yummy. I was thinking you could even add some sour cream and salsa to top maybe some olives as well. But it was scrumptious plain as well. It is definitely going in our keepers folder.

My favorite commercials...

2008-04-23T22:03:00.005-05:00

Ok, everytime I see these commercials I laugh my butt off or just plain enjoy them. I love that I can see them whenever I want! But I thought I would share a few with you!

To all you preggo mommies, or mommies, or women out there! This is the best commercial EVER! First off, yes, Blizzards can be that good. LMAO! But two, its perfect, I can say no more, just watch and laugh!

Let it be known I am not a Meatloaf fan. He did all right until he was eaten in "Rocky Horror" but there is just something about the rock ballad that lasts 23.5 minutes (an exageration) that peeves me. Some will also know that I consider Celine Dion the female Meatloaf. No offense Meatloaf. You still rank above Celine. But anyway I saw this commercial a few weeks ago and about died. It was hilarious. I guess I have a new found respect that Meatloaf can mock his own stuff. Plus I didn't realize until this video but Tiffany is the wife! Where has she been? But I digress, this is the complete version of the commercial. Usually ours just stops when the dad says he will get a go phone. But anyway. Enjoy!

You know you love this one. Its an Herbal Essence Hair Commercial. I fell off the couch laughing when I first saw it. I mean, finally a good HE commercial that doesn't have women moaning in the shower or stupid fictitious depictions of women in desperate need of Herbal Essence riding brooms or whatever.

Ok, this is the type of humor I miss on late night TV in WA. I swear the Vern Fonk Commercials were always bad but so hilarious. I mean we had the Vernpranos, The Fonk Machine, etc. It was great. Amie this one is for you...in memory of that delightful night we unsuspectingly watched Osmosis Jones on the big screen. :)

Pride and Predjudice... My apology to Jane Austen.

2008-04-23T16:34:00.005-05:00

Its time for me to admit my weakness. I hold an English Degree but I have barely read any of the classics. In college while I read what was assigned...mostly...I still never felt that I was at the level I should have been. I have always felt that pressure of not living up to my literary degree. When I was teaching, I wanted to teach the LOVE of reading, the USES you can get from reading, and just the ways to LEARN from literature. I never wanted to have my students memorize facts and quotes and what not. I wanted my students to become practical literature readers. :)

However, there was one major regret I have discovered recently that I have blundered upon in my literary ignorance. I never wanted to have anything to do with Jane Austen. She was too much (in my mind) a Harlequin type of writer. Nothing that I wanted much to do with. Girls, love, romance, blah! Luckily I was never required to read her for school. I focused mainly on American Literature. Give me a good Faulkner to figure out, or some Chandler to muse over or even a modern taste of Carver and I was happy. But let me say, boy was I missing out.

If you haven't noticed my side bar and the lists of books I have been reading. I again this year made a resolution to read mostly NEW books (to me) and this year mostly classic literature. I am trying to feel better about my literary knowledge. So I have been slowly going through my bookshelves reading old college required books that were never read, or reading books my sis left on my shelves when she moved to Scotland. That is how I finally resolved to sit down and read a Jane Austen Book. I had Pride and Prejudice laid out to read a month or so ago, but my DH hid it from me. Not on purpose but in his manly "I don't like books lying around" way. So after I put it on the table for me to take upstairs it disappeared for awhile. Thats when i stumbled upon Emma. It took me a good two weeks of reading to finish this book. While I really enjoyed it. It was very predictable but a nice story. I cheered in the end for Emma and Knightely! It was bound to happen!

After I finished my first Jane Austen, I decided I would go scour the house and find my copy of Pride and Prejudice. I knew that it was a highly acclaimed book. I also knew that there was a Colin Firth miniseries out there. For any of you who have read (or seen) Bridget Jones' Diary you would know that just having Colin in the movie as Mr. Darcy makes it worthwhile. ;) So I found the book, and devoured it. . .in three days! I swear I don't normally do that. But I couldn't put it down. I was a stupid giddy school girl reading this book. Giggling over Lizzy and Darcy the whole way through. Just anticipating the final romance (and man do you anticipate for a while). It is just a great novel. But don't get me wrong. While I am now totally smitten with Mr. Darcy, I have also grown to realize that all my past ignorance of Jane Austen's work has been misguided. She really is quite a talent at reflecting how social status effects the everyday lives of people of wealth, as well as us common folk. It even seems to me that these reflections are very viable today. I think that is what makes the story so endearing.

So being the big dork that I am. (I think it runs in the family, this dorkdom). I had to Netflix the Colin Firth Film. I got part one last weekend. I received part two yesterday! Man alive, both were great. I even had to watch part two twice! Colin Firth totally made this movie. He is such the brilliant actor. I have never seen such reflection in an actors eyes before. I mean, you can totally see his struggle with the love he is feeling, and then you can see the pain, then you can see the growth. He doesn't even have to talk, he could just look! So now I am in a Jane Austen fix. I am smitten with Mr. Darcy. I want more Mr. Darcys. I want my OWN Mr. Darcy.

Do you think its to late to train DH to be like Darcy? If this baby pops out a boy would it be wrong to name him Fitzwilliam Darcy? I am just a crazy loon, aren't I? I am going to blame the pregnancy horomones. :)

SO I found these youtube clips in dedication to Mr. Darcy. :) Enjoy!

See you don't need the words, just watch their EYES!

As if you hadn't had enough (I haven't!)

BTW. I would love to own one of these period dresses! So gorgeous and forgiving!

A Dinner Conversation...

2008-04-19T01:41:00.004-05:00

Enjoy this video of Mac and I chatting over dinner.

Did you say Earthquake or Milkshake?

2008-04-18T22:36:00.006-05:00

Well I get to add another "angry nature" moment to my life's repertoire. An Earthquake. Who would have thought, that I would have experienced an earthquake living in NW Indiana? Not I? I mean the hurricanes we had living in Coastal Florida in 2004 were predictable. You knew eventually they were going to happen (and boy did they that year). The fires in Florida the same, predictable. The tornado in Florida and Memphis ok, not so much predictable but not unheard of. The flooding in WA totally made sense. But an Earthquake felt in Valpo?? Craziness!!

But alas, this morning shortly after my habitual potty break (thanks baby girl) around 4:30 I lay in bed wishing my DH would quit snoring. Because I was having a heck of a time falling back to sleep. I heard Machias let out a whimper in his sleep and stayed awake to see if I needed to go down to him. Then I realize the bed is shaking and I get more pissed off at DH. First he snores, then he starts kicking in bed, Argh. So I slapped him. No not hard, but the usual "stop it and roll over" slap. At this point, as the shaking continues I realize I hear clinking as well.

"Aaaaah, an earthquake, awesome!" but surely not. I tell myself and roll over to try to find some sleep. I knew DH's alarm would be going off sometime in the near future and I wanted to sleep through it (I didn't however, I was still awake!) Luckily I (and the bubbee) did fall back asleep. DH never woke up and kept snoring. Never heard a peep from the cats. Plus all our clinking coffee mugs are unscathed. I think our patio cracks are a bit bigger (but that will make it easier to attack the ants living underneath.) So no real worries. I just hope I can feel some of these aftershocks. I missed that one at 10:15, I was getting the Bubs his morning juice and watching Between the Lions. :)

Ah, the smell of fresh laundry from the line...

2008-04-15T22:16:00.005-05:00

Yes, today is a landmark day! I hung my first load of diapers out on the line to dry. What a serene scene it was for me to look out my window and see them flapping in our 50 degree weather. Plus not a one fell off! I even had DH and Bubbee help collect them this evening while I made dinner. Bubbee loved playing with the clothespins. I totally should have snapped a picture of them working but I was to much in the "awwww how cute" factor with him!

**Make note though that HEMP does NOT dry soft and comfy on the line. It dries stiff and scratchy. So I was informed to pop them in the dryer for about 15 minutes to soften them back up!

I did however snap a pic of them on the trampoline earlier before they collected the laundry.

The bubs wanted to keep bouncing but DH needed a break. :) "more more more" was what I kept hearing from the bubbee as I snapped the pic of my laundry!

Happy Laundering All!

Doula!

2008-04-12T17:29:00.003-05:00

What? What is a Doula?

I know what you are thinking. What crazy thing have I gotten myself into this time. Well nothing crazy, actually very rational and appropriate. We have hired a doula to help us with labor and birth and some post partum care. We are very excited. Yes, we as in DH and I. (The bubbee is always excited when he meets new people anyway.) I had been doing some research and trying to plan out our experience as much as one can, only to realize we probably needed some help. We didn't really want to duplicate our birth experience last time so someone who could help us maneuver through a totally natural birth experience is what we wanted. So we found her. Her name is Nicole, and she is the nicest person. We had our first meeting with her today and feel confident in our decision we made.

So we now have two meetings set up with her to go over techniques and what not. She is also going to be with us the entire duration of labor (which hopefully won't be as quick as last time, nor as long as I have heard it occurs.) and will do some follow up sessions with us post partum. I think it is making preparing for this birth a less stressful event. I know with the bubs we were on edge from 32 weeks on, not knowing what to expect with all the complications we were having. However, with this pregnancy we have had ZERO issues. I mean seriously. NONE! Its been such a different experience altogether we just wanted to ensure our labor/birth was as positive as the pregnancy has been. Especially as we are planning to go again for a Natural non medicated Labor I think this is our best route!

So I will keep you updated on what we are doing, so if anyone decides to have babies (yes, amie, waiting on you!) then we can fully give you a recommendation or non recommendation on beneficial support people to include! :)

YEAH, I ordered my last diapers .... hopefully!

2008-04-06T23:20:00.006-05:00

I feel so proud. I feel so relieved. I ordered our last set of cloth diapers for the baby girl and bubs today! No more spending on diapers, no more planning and researching. I think I have a good and functional stash!

Here is what I have and have ordered!

My current stash:

12 Bum Genius 3.0 One Size Diapers
4 Imse Vimse Contour Terry Diapers One Size
2 Imse Vimse Bumpy Day Covers (size Super Large)
2 Snappis
2 Swaddlebees hemp doublers
1 Hemp Babies Bigger Weeds Insert
1 Wool Cover
2 Fleece Liners
3 Bella Bottoms Terry Fitteds (just ordered 6 more)
1 Bella Bottoms diaper cover : Blue Toddler Cover (just ordered 3 covers for Baby Girl)
1 Bella Bottoms Bamboo/hemp Fitted (just ordered 3 more)
3 Bella Bottom Hemp fitted (just ordered 3 more)
6 Haute Pocket OS
1 Happy Heiney OS
1 Baby Kanga OS
3 Bella Bottom Trifold Hemp
1 Thirsties Cover (toddler)
1 Bummis Wrap (toddler)

Whew, its suck a relief. :) If anyone wants to buy us more however I wouldn't turn em down. We are going to have to buy more covers for Baby girl as she gets bigger. :)

Updating my Diaper Stash Info. . .we almost have it all!!

2008-04-06T17:20:00.003-05:00

My current stash:

12 Bum Genius 3.0 One Size Diapers
4 Imse Vimse Contour Terry Diapers One Size
2 Imse Vimse Bumpy Day Covers (size Super Large)
2 Snappis
2 Swaddlebees hemp doublers
1 Hemp Babies Bigger Weeds Insert
1 Wool Cover
2 Fleece Liners
3 Bella Bottoms Terry Fitteds
1 Bella Bottoms Blue Toddler Cover
1 Bella Bottoms Bamboo/hemp Fitted
3 Bella Bottom Hemp fitted
1 Haute Pocket OS
1 Happy Heiney OS
1 Baby Kanga OS
3 Bella Bottom Trifold Hemp
1 Thirsties Cover (toddler)
1 Bummis Wrap (toddler)

What I still need total for Baby Girl ( We have all we need for Mac!!)

OS Contours/Fitted

6 Bella Bottoms Terry Fitteds
6 Bella Bottoms Hemp Fitteds (and or bamboo/hemp)

Covers

Size Small (for Baby Girl)

3 Bella Bottoms (10.00 each)
2 (x small) Thirsties (10.95 each)
2 Pro-wraps (7.50 each)

OS Diapers

6 Haute Pocket OS

Doublers/Soakers

3 Hemp Doublers (4.00)

Odds N Ends needed:

cloth wipes : terry cloth, sherpa, fleece, a mix of all.
more Snappis!

I hate tags... but here it goes.

2008-04-04T22:16:00.004-05:00

Thanks Jennifer, you must know how much I love these things... :P

What are your top 3 favorite foods?
Chinese, Fajita Quesidillas, and Cake (with buttercream icing).

What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
Well I am currently reading Jane Austin's Emma, and yes I would recommend it. I think the book before this was David Leavitt's, Family Dancing and I would probaby only recommend it to a few people.

What are your top 3 favorite places?
Anywhere non US. :) I love experiencing International Culture, so I guess Scotland would be my top (as that is the only place I have really been). I miss Seattle, too so that woudl be another favorite place. I love having the beach there and the weather was great, especially summer plus my MOUNTAIN! I miss you Ranier, no joy in saying "mountain" daily upon seeing you, now I just have to say "corn!" bah! and then the beach would be a final. Nothing better than lying on the beach, reading a good book with an iced tea in hand!

What was the last lie you told?
Um, I think I told someone we hadn't decided on a name for the baby girl yet, even though we have, we just aren't sharing. I really don't remember, I don't have anyone to lie to here really.

What are your favorite 3 sports (to watch or participate in)?
Blech. Does the Mighty Ducks movies count? I could say The mighty ducks 1,2,3. LMAO!

What was the last movie you watched and would you recommend it?
The last movie we watched was "Too Wong Foo" It was great, I would recommend it. Why Patrick Swayze looks prettier as a woman than I do is beyond me.

List 3 things you can see outside of the nearest window.
tons of dead leaves (we really need to rake), our upside down trampoline and a basketball hoop (with misc balls scattered about)

Where was the last place you went?
Just got back from Uno's Pizzaria. Yum I love that Mint Tea!

What are your top 3 favorite "good causes" or charities?
Me, myself and I. LMAO that is wrong. I really don't have any "top" ones. Shame shame I know. I need to assert myself in a positive charitable way.

What was the last thing you did for someone else?
Um, I bought my DH his bday present for Monday. Does that count?

Name 3 places you have never been that you want to visit.
Europe, Asia, and South Africa. (I did continents, lol, I can't narrow it)

What was the last thing you threw in the garbage/recycling?
How the heck am I supposed to remember. I guess the last thing I remember throwing away were some nicely poo'd wipes from the bubbee morning poo diaper.

Name 3 things on your bedside table.
jewelry box, water bottle, lip balm

Describe or name the last piece of art you looked at.
um, I try not to look at Art to often so not to offend my DH. lMAO, no seriously I'm sure I looked at art at the Historical Museum but I can't pick the last one I looked at.

What are the top 3 things that your job requires you to think about?
Which diaper should I use this time, whats for lunch, is his room to cold?

What was the last musical or theatrical event that you attended?
Ft. Pierce Central High Schools production of "the Wiz" in 2005.

What are the first 3 things you would do if you won the lottery?
pay bills off, move to Maine, visit Aim in Scotland.

Describe or name the last serious injury or illness you had?
I guess it was a bad cold, it was the first time I had a fever in ages. It was up to 101. Eek. Hey, wait, does pregnancy count as an injury or illness. ROFPMSL!

What are the top 3 things that you wish you could do?
sleep in without interuptions, fit into a size 6 anything, downhill ski.

What was the last thing that someone said to you that you will remember forever?
I have no clue. noone really ever talks to me in a memorable fashion.

My 30th Birthday...

2008-04-03T21:26:00.008-05:00

Well its official. I'm 30. :) I dont' feel any different and it really wasn't a big deal. Mainly because there is noone in my life that makes anything a big deal.

But my friend Val had come for a visit so I decided that we would spend the day downtown on my birthday. It was quite uneventful. My DH doesn't understand how to make anything special, mainly because it entails spending money and he just doesn't like to do that. So basically our day downtown was just another day.

1. We went to the Chicago Historical Museum. It was very neat. They had some stuff that the bubbee enjoyed (i.e. a big ole train he could climb into!). He also got to be a Chicago Hot dog, but he didn't enjoy that too much. DH however did well as a hot dog. Bubbee did enjoy the bicycle though.

Here is me plum tuckered out and the day had just begun!

After the museum, we took the bus back to the Magnificent Mile to look at the shops. We didn't shop, too magnificent for my pocket book, but we stopped at the Hersheys Store (now I have been to two! NYC and Chicago!) and it smelled delicious! They have a bakery and sell cupcakes!

Then we bought some popcorn at Garrets, I had DH get me one Cheddar and one Caramel, Val got a caramel Pecan. All were very scrumptious! I love Garrets. I think next we will try the Caramel Macadamian! YUM! From that point on we walked in the rain. The bubbee finally fell asleep so we had him covered with a poncho so he wouldn't get soaked. I was so happy that he took a nap, in our Chicco he would never sleep, but he loves his Phil & Teds!

Here are some other various shots from our walk.

And finally we made it to dinner. I would say that I walked more this day then I did my whole entire pregnancy with the Bubbee and baby girl combined. I was so crampy and sore that it hurt to move. But it was fine, I expected it. Also please don't pay attention to the date on my pics, my camera decided to play a joke on me and moved ahead early. These were all taken on March 31st. I promise. But I digress. Dinner at the Berghoff was not bad. It certainly wasn't the best German Food I have ever eaten, but it wasn't the worst either. I think i will do the Russian Tea House next time I go though. That just sounds good to me! But alas, as I mentioned above, a certain DH in my life doesn't think much outside his own needs and the Berghoff was where he chose for my bday dinner.

From dinner we made it back to the train. It was full of post Cub fans from the game. We found a seat for Val and Machias and DH and I stood. A really nice guy named Alex, offered up his seat to me and after a bunch of "no please I don't mind standing, seriously, its ok, keep your seat" I sat down. - I really hate taking other peoples seats. But of course Val had to make a big deal out of the fact I was 33 weeks preggo and all. :) Our seat mates were really nice and loved the bubbee. So the train ride was pretty calm and easy going.

Once at the car, we stopped and got my birthday cake, and made it home. The cake was dissappointing. It was NOT buttercream. So IF you go to Jewel Osco for a buttercream cake, don't believe the label. It was a fluffy whipped topping which I hate. So my night ended on a dissappointment. But oh well. I got my cake the next day and it was good! They just shouldn't do that to cake, noone likes that nasty whipped frosting crap. Blech!

Easter Pics.

2008-03-25T22:15:00.005-05:00

Updating my Diaper Stash info! Gonna be stocking up this week!!

2008-03-22T22:59:00.017-05:00

My current stash:

12 Bum Genius 3.0 One Size Diapers
4 Imse Vimse Contour Terry Diapers One Size
2 Imse Vimse Bumpy Day Covers (size Super Large)
2 Snappis
2 Swaddlebees hemp doublers
1 Hemp Babies Bigger Weeds Insert
1 Wool Cover
2 Fleece Liners
3 Bella Bottoms Terry Fitteds
1 Bella Bottoms Blue Toddler Cover
1 Bella Bottoms Bamboo/hemp Fitted
3 Bella Bottom Hemp fitted
1 Haute Pocket OS
1 Happy Heiney OS
1 Baby Kanga OS
3 Bella Bottom Trifold Hemp
1 Thirsties Cover (toddler)
1 Bummis Wrap (toddler)

What I still need total for Bubbee and Baby Girl

OS Contours/Fitted (need 2 dozen more)

24 Bella Bottoms Terry Fitteds ($216.00 total)

Maybe instead of 24, we could start with 12, and get some hemp fitteds for nights and outings. SO that would be

12 Bella Bottom Terry Fitteds ($108.00 total)
4 Bella Bottom Hemp Fitted ($12.50 x 4 = $50.00)

Difference of 58.00

Covers (for the Bubbee and Baby Girl)

Size Large (for Machias)

2 Thirsties ($10.95 each)

Size Small (for Baby Girl)

3 Bella Bottoms (10.00 each)
2 (x small) Thirsties (10.95 each)
2 Pro-wraps (7.50 each)

OS Diapers

6 Happy Heiney OS (109.20)

Maybe we can change these up a bit. Get a few to try of different types.

2 Happy Heiny OS ($18.95 x 2 = $37.90)
2 Baby Kanga OS ($16.95 x 2 = $33.90)
2 Haute OS ($16.95 x 2 = $33.90)

Difference of + .50 (well thats not much of a savings is it. LOL. )

UPDATE: I have one of each of these and I really like the Haute Pocket (with Snaps) the best, so I think I will buy some more HP and forget the rest for now)

Doublers/Soakers

3 Hemp Doublers (4.00)

We have two doubles already, maybe 2 more would be a start and I can get some microfiber towels at Walmart to use.

2 Hemp Doublers (8 dollars total)

difference of $16

Odds N Ends needed:

cloth wipes : terry cloth, sherpa, fleece, a mix of all.
more Snappis!

EEK! Grand Total : 461 dollars! ACK!

I guess I am going to have to start asking for donations. :)

Update: Alrighty, I have gone in and updated my totals trying to find savings. Lets see how I did. Original total was $461, now $387.50. Thats a little bit better. :)

Barrettes, Butts, and Bountiful Eats!

2008-03-21T14:06:00.005-05:00

Ah, I have nothing really to talk about today. Just a few musings. If you look closely at the pic you will see the bubbees new fashion statement. :) Its hard to see as it blends in so well!

Barrettes

The bubs likes my hair barrettes. Everytime he finds one he brings it to me to put in his hair. I think it is totally cute. Two days ago I had to run to Target. We came up stairs so I could get out of my pajamas and into some real clothes (I live in my pajamas, if I don't need to leave the house). So as we were upstairs, the bubs found my stash of barrettes. He brought me a nice shiny gold one and I asked him where he wanted it. He pointed to the front of his head. So I put it on him. He was so proud, and patted his head profusely! Well needless to say that barrette stayed in through the trip to Target, through lunch, and through naptime (where it finally fell out). I got a few funny looks at Target but I don't care. I don't see how a barrette in his hair is going to ruin his childhood...however, the pic I snapped might ruin his dating when that begins.

Butts

My poor bubs also has an annoyance on his leg. I am assuming from his diapers. :( We have him in sposies until it clears up. Its getting better so I think by tomorrow night we will have him back in his cute butt cloth diapers. :) Of course these things affect me more than him, he doesn't seem to notice the redness at all. But man it hurts me to look at it.

Bountiful Eats

I LOVE YOU PIONEER WOMAN! I made the twice baked potatoes last night and they were delish! I can't wait to make more of your recipes especially your favorite sandwhich which will be made tomorrow night. YUM!

Go Pioneer Woman... GO!

2008-03-14T22:28:00.004-05:00

I LOVE THIS LADY! If I were a cowboy, I would totally ask to work on her ranch so I could eat her food.

Who am I referring to you may ask? THE PIONEER WOMAN!!

We made two of her recipes tonite. We did her "Favorite Salad Ever, Ever. Ever. Ever" and it was really good. I only used one serrano pepper though. But it wasn't hot at all, just had a good oriental flavor. It made a TON though so I would defintely monitor your portions.

To go with the salad I made the "cheesy olive bread" recipe. It wasn't exactly the same recipe as hers, as I picked up the wrong cheese at the store, so as a substitute I used 2/3 mozzerella, 1/3 cheddar jack. But other than that, DELISH! Definitley a frequenter in my freezer!

Tomorrow, we are doing either her fav sandwhich or the Marlboro Mans sandwhich. for dinner, plus we have tons of leftover salad! SO GO! peruse her site, enjoy her wit, and make a few meals. SO far, I'm happy!

Note to self...concerning hot peppers...

2008-03-14T22:27:00.002-05:00

Note to self: Remind DH when he has cut hot peppers for me to wash his hands afterwards, so he doesn't regret it after using the restroom...

Curious George... a monkey innuendo

2008-03-12T23:43:00.004-05:00

So the bubs has started playing with his Curious George Monkey. Its totally cute, but hearing DH talking to him about his monkey has me in histerics. It has only been twice, but I can only imagine getting worse.

I was fixing dinner the other night preparing to bring it in to the Bubs and DH in the living room. The bubs is getting fussy and I hear DH respond " you can play with your monkey as long as you want after dinner". I was rolling.

Tonite we were sitting on the couch and the bubs was having us kiss Curious George. Again DH responds "I think its great that you love your monkey". I again was rolling.

I'm so dirty!

I told DH I hope the day never comes when we openly discuss the bubs Spanking Curious George.

Gosh I'm so Wrong!

Alarm Clocks...

2008-03-10T22:18:00.003-05:00

HA HA HA! Here is a little view into my morning. Also I should have titled this blog "why not to buy a house with a master bedroom with a bathrrom with no door." but alas, Alarm clocks will do.

Let it be known that I don't have an alarm clock that plugs into the wall. No digital time for me, no sir! However I do have two HUMAN alarm clocks. Both of these alarms are drastically different sounds and they have no snooze buttons. But I love em both, even though I could do without the earlier alarm, I like to sleep in!

My first alarm goes off between 5:00-5:15. First let me set the stage for you. Our house is a story and a half. The upstairs is a loft, the master bedroom, the master bath, and then a closet. All in that order. As this part of the house was an addition in the 40's, the bathroom is part of the attic as well as the closet. There is NO door between our bedroom and our master bathroom (but we have hung a nice thick shower curtain in the doorway for privacy). But obviously you can see where this is going. A shower curtain does not offer much privacy. It is not a sound proof barrier. Almost every morning I am awoken by the FOG HORN that is my DH. Its almost cartoonish how loud his morning muffin cutting can be! Brak would definitely be proud. I however, am usually laughing, but then aggrivated because it is alas 5:15 in the morning. Too early to be awoken no matter how comical! But I can't be too judgemental. Its a natural alarm clock that I married. :)

My second alarm clock comes in various noises. But it is the bubbee in his room playing with his toys. Sometimes its a "Meow, Meow" or "Hi, I'm leap and I play the piano!" or "It's bumper to bumper on the rainbow bridge" or "Boo Boo Choo Choo" or "God made you Special...and he loves you very much!" All of these are my bubs favorite toys or animal sounds. I always know when to get up because he is up. I usually have no other reason to get up until he does. He usually wakes around 9 and that is a good time for me to wake too. He is the BEST alarm clock ever. I love my bubbee!

Luckily it is rare that I need to get up before 9 anyway. Most of our appointments or YMCA classes are after nine so it all works out. In the event that it doesn't work out, I will bring my celly up to wake me. I have a M&M alarm clock but since we moved I just keep that in our guest room. I really don't need it quite yet.

I'm living outside the boundaries, no clock can keep me down! I always feel so pressed with a clock anyway. Like I'm always running behind. It seems that now lately, we are always on time or early. SO they can't be ALL that bad.

Nothing relevant for anyone but me. :)

2008-03-05T21:53:00.008-06:00

Ok, so I am just going through my websites (nicki's diapers and jillians drawers) and making a list of items that I need to get for my CD'ing experience. I realize this means nothing to noone but me (unless you want to buy some for us, lol) but I just need a place to keep a log and I don't have a pen or paper around. :) So this will be my LOG BLOG.

My current stash:

12 Bum Genius 3.0 One Size Diapers
4 Imse Vimse Contour Terry Diapers One Size
2 Imse Vimse Bumpy Day Covers (size Super Large)
2 Snappis (on the way)

What I still need for Machias:

* Some nighttime diapers as Machias seems to be a big night time wetter.
4 Happy Hempy Pocket Diapers with fleece lining ($13.50 each) size

* Some Prefolds/Contours
(??) Indian Prefolds ($3 each for Toddler)
4 Imse Vimse Flannelette Contours One Size ($34 dollars total/$9 dollars each)

* Some Covers
5 Bummis (Whisper or Super Brite Wraps) Size Large (12.50 each)

What I need to start getting for Baby Girl:

* 8 Bum Genius One Size (with coordinating liners) in colors pink and white (140 for total)
* 12 Infant Indian Prefolds
* 12 Infant Chinese prefolds
* 8 Newborn Kissaluvs Contour Diapers
* 4 Prowrap Classic Covers in Newborn
*(??) Some GAD pockets diapers would be great for a treat if I had extra money. (S/M/ or L)
* 10 covers an assortment of ( Thirsties, Bummis, Bumkins; and baby beehinds) (Size Small)

Odds N Ends needed:

* cloth wipes : terry cloth, sherpa, fleece, a mix of all.
* more Snappis!

Well that does it for me for tonite. I think that is all I need for Mac, Maybe a few more inserts. And some cloth wipes. I will be back to update my baby girl wish list tomorrow or so. I will be so glad when we get everything we need (but a few more covers as baby girl grows) so we can just get everything situated.

UPDATE: I went through and added links for the products for you (and you know who you are, sis) to see what they look like and give you a better idea. Plus I have added to my Baby Girl list!

Update #2: Added a Odds N Ends sections and am updating my PF needs. :)

The CD'ing experience begins...isn't he so cute!

2008-03-01T21:50:00.007-06:00

Well my strapping young son has moved into the Cloth Diaper realm. Our Bum Genius 3.0 OS arrived this week. After our shopping I was able to get the proper detergent and did the initial wash and dry. Then I stuffed and BAM, it all began.

So far the BG are great. They have held in two nasty poos (as most of the bubbees poos are nasty) and he has yet to leak or "wick". He seems fairly comfy in them as well which is a good sign. My only issue so far is that the velcro tabs are rubbing marks on his left thigh, and he is getting elastic marks around his legs. While he isn't complaining I dont' like seeing the welts there so we are still adjusting the fit.

However, we have ordered 4 Imse Vimse Contour Terry Diapers and two Imse Vimse Bumpy Covers both have high reviews so we can start rotating him from one to the other and see which we like. Each pay period I plan on buying a set of CD's (contours or prefolds) and some wraps so I can slowly build our stash for when Baby Girl arrives. I still figure its better to be learning now on one big (adorable, strapping, and wonderful) child then starting with two at once.

So far so good. :)

Another recipe...Sloppy Sloppy Joes!

2008-03-01T21:03:00.008-06:00

I am in love with my crockpot. I know these things happen, but man alive. All week we have made delishes meals that take no time to cook and are all in the crock-pot! YUM!

So tonite we had Sloppy Sloppy Joes (as found in the recipe book my crock pot came with).

Its easy, it takes about 10 minutes of prep and its delish! The recipe makes 20-25 servings, needless to say half it or whatever you need to do to it. :)

Ingredients:

4 lbs of ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 can (28 oz) tomato sauce
2 cans condensed tomoato soup (undiluted)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup of ketchup
3 TBSP of Worcestershire Sauce
1 tbsp dry mustard
1 tbsp prepared mustard
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

Brown beef in large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring to break up meat. Drain fat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onion is translucent and mixture is fragrant.

Transfer meat mixture to 4-5 quart crock pot slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients; stir until well blended.

Cover; cook on Low 4 - 6 hours. Serve on buns.

YUM. Its a sweeter sloppy joe than manwhich but it reminds me of a better version than I grew up with (sorry mom). I really enjoyed it and DH did too. So if you try it let me know what you think!!