Bragging Writes

The Joys and Pains of Change.

2009-01-27T14:14:00.003-05:00

It is nearing half a year since I have posted on this blog. Funny to look here and see that nothing has changed. And some things in our lives have not. We still are trying to sell a home, trying to afford what we have. We still love each other. We still eat, sleep and laugh...sometimes. On the other hand though, many things are changing faster than we can register. Or, maybe it is too slowly for us to notice. Either way, six months pass and things once familiar feel foreign. My girls look nothing like these pictures. They change between naps and episodes of "The Little Einsteins." I have had many people ask why I no longer post, a surprising number to me. I have no good reason. So, perhaps, I should try again.

Potty Training, Day 356

2008-08-03T20:57:00.003-04:00

By golly, I think she finally has it. Aveline has been uber stubborn when it comes to potty training. I have sat through many a discussion with other mommies, cycling through shades of green and red, listening to them chuckle as they mention how "effortless" or "surprisingly simple" this phase of child development passed for them. Meanwhile, coming up on the anniversary of the first potty success for Aveline, we are pleased to announce that she is Day Trained. Ok. So she's not fully trained yet, as we still don the pull ups at night. She puts panties on in the morning and if all goes well, they don't come completely off until night. We have had number one AND number two in the loo, a feat that allowed Ave's toes to be painted pink.

I didn't realize how long the potty training was taking, until I pulled out some panties we bought her at it's onset, and they are way too small! I guess we will have to save those for Scarlett. Speaking of the second born, she has started to show interest in our potty chair and has told us she needs to go, with no success. One time, she sat buck naked on the potty for nearly an hour, standing up only to pee on the carpet. That's my girl.

Flamingos and Antique Tractors

2008-07-11T20:55:00.004-04:00

We had a family day today, as Dan and I both had it off. The local park hosted a guest appearance by the Columbus Zoo along with free lunch from Wendy's. There had to be more than 300 people there to see the traveling menagerie. We had gotten there late and were waiting in line for our food when they took the first guest, a Chilean Flamingo named Marty, out of the truck. A truck that was parked not five feet from the line. Marty trotted around until his handler could herd him towards his intended target. Aveline got a close up look at the pink bird and even collected a pink feather he had left behind. That was certainly a prize! We had gotten there too late to get a good seat, but munched on our free lunch atop a hill overlooking the show. An armadillo, sloth, legless lizard (isn't that a snake?) and some kind of monkey thing later, we had full bellies and had learned a few things about animals. Aveline even learned something about local government, as we entered the nearby city building in search of a restroom (no potties at the park and Aveline with a serious attitude toward using one!) We walked into the cold, deserted building. Aveline asked where everyone was. I told her that I didn't know, distracted by my desperate search for a restroom. Without blinking, she decided she knew where they were, when she told me she thought they were probably "on a break." I had to chuckle at that observation.

After the nomadic zoo at the potty-less park, we headed south to the Yesteryear Tractor Show. Aveline and Scarlett have been obsessed with the movie Cars as of late, so we thought this might be fun. Dan was interested and I knew there would be good ice cream there. That and it was free. We wandered through the antique tractors and other implements. Dan paused here and there to look more closely. Scarlett was content in her stroller. Aveline held Daddy's hand. We opted to take a wagon ride through the adjoining park, guided by a conservationalist (notice I did not say conversationalist, because his tour guide skills were nothing special.) We did get to see some interesting things, like the second largest Green Ash tree in Ohio. I am a tree geek, so I really enjoyed learning and seeing all the different species. Once off the wagon, eyelids were heavy while parental patience was growing thin. I suggested we find the ice cream and head home for nap. We shared a bowl of strawberry, all of the ladies taking turns feeding Daddy. He liked that.

Once the ice cream was devoured, we meandered through a row of old tractors as we headed to the van. The girls napped when we got home.

"Berry, Mine!"

2008-06-25T14:03:00.004-04:00

This is the phrase of the week here at our home. Scarlett has discovered what succulent, red strawberries are, and she's not sharing. The astonishing and disturbing thing is that she eats them hulls and all. When we are at the farm, she usually has a tell tale red streak racing down her shirt and crimson-stained lips uttering the words : "Berry, MINE!!"

Blowing Out Three

2008-04-21T00:35:00.002-04:00

Here is a picture of Aveline blowing out her candles on the cake. I thought she would be shy during the birthday song, but she looked around and soaked it all in.

Aveline's Third

2008-04-20T20:43:00.002-04:00

We started the big third birthday a day early with a blue and horsey themed party, per Aveline's request. She wanted blue balloons, blue presents and a blue horsey cake. We opted to have a very small gathering this year, due to the fact that our place is tiny. In fact, even our limited guest list had us all rubbing elbows and bumping behinds all afternoon. Good thing no one is really shy in our family.

Have a look for yourself at all of the fun we had.

Lauren and Ben playing peek-a-boo with Aliya

Aveline, Kelsey and Everett playing hard.

Scarlett proving she's a party girl!

The Blue Horsey Cake--apparently frightened by his intended destiny.

Look closely...Scarlett is double fisting it.

Aveline meeting Aliya for the first time with Grandma Wilhelm.

Aveline giggling with Grandma and Grandpa Wilhelm.

Scarlett and Mommy pre partying.

Everett meeting Aliya.

Aunt Kelly amidst the party debris.

Everett having gotten the balloon away from Scarlett.

Avelinisms

2008-02-07T23:27:00.000-05:00

Aveline has just hit that stage when she has mastered her words and some logic to be able to share her understanding of the world with me. I hope I can remember all of the gems I hear during our time together.

Me: My Aveline! You sure are getting big! And so tall!

Aveline: Watch out! My bump my head on the sun!

Me: Yep, that would kind of hurt.

********************************************************

Aveline: Me sad.

Me: Why are you sad, Aveline?

Aveline: I had dreams.

Me: You did?

Aveline: Yeah. (sigh) Me see them in my eyes.

Dry Day

2008-01-29T20:30:00.000-05:00

Aveline had a dry day today. That may not sound like much to some of you. But to those who have a toddler/preschooler, it is the best news in the world. Now if we could just get number 2 in the loo too.

The Playdate

2008-01-20T23:58:00.001-05:00

Some of my close friends from college gathered last weekend, kids in tow. It was so fantastic to hang out with those special people and their spawn. Here are some snapshots I snagged during our visit. Can't wait to see all of you again during the Royal Birthday Bash! (also this weekend at the restaurant!)

Click on any of the photos to make them larger!

Mac and Cheese, table for eight!

Not only were they dining on the best stuff ever (to a preschooler) the entertainment was top notch too! Disney channel on the big screen was essential in controlling the lunch crowd.

Stella and Aveline snuggled in a princess sleeping bag.

Drinking buddies

Grant and Scarlett cozied up and sipped.

Grant, M.D.

Aveline giving Stella her special headlock hug and kiss.

Game Day

2008-01-16T09:29:00.000-05:00

Scarlett, pure Buckeye, head to toe!

Aveline showing off before kickoff

Lauren, Everett and Aveline
Aveline expressing what all the Buckeye faithful feel.

Kung Fu is not for Sunday School

2008-01-13T23:04:00.000-05:00

We learned an important lesson today. As the title says, Aveline needs to keep her skills to herself during church. I got pulled out of worship service because Aveline decided to kick(!) a girl for taking a toy vacuum. After being mortified that my child is bad, I dealt with it and Aveline said she was sorry and kissed the other girl. The teacher assured me that because Aveline was new to having so many kids around, it would take some time and patience to get her acclimated to how to behave in these situations. It made sense to me. She needs to practice her social skills, something that she has not had much opportunity to do since I have been a stay at home mom. We had some fun times at a play date this last weekend with some incredibly patient and loving friends in Central Ohio. We had a few issues with sharing and hitting, but she mellowed out after a few hours. Like dogs in the wild.

BTW. My camera is not broken, but our battery charger is. I will have some new photos up as soon as we repair/replace the charger. Lots of good ones.

Pillsbury Doughboy Dancing on the Piano

2008-01-11T23:13:00.000-05:00

Does she look like she is guilty or what?

First Truly Compound Sentence

2008-01-09T20:54:00.001-05:00

"There are cookies in the closet and I want to eat them." Aveline, as heard by Dan this morning before breakfast.

The apple did not fall far, did it?

Ugh.

2008-01-08T00:47:00.000-05:00

So, watching the game tonight was awful. But on the bright side, we are better than everyone else but LSU in college football. Who else can say that?

Looking forward to the 2008 season now. What else can I do?

Bowl Bonanza Blurbs

2008-01-02T15:06:00.000-05:00

You know how you can't stand some members of your family? You fight, argue and complain about being touched or breathed upon on long trips. Even though siblings are the mortal enemy while growing up, if anyone outside of the family picked on them, you would be first to their defense.

This is the only analogy that helped me to understand my need to root for both Wisconsin and (*gasp*) Michigan yesterday during the bowl games. The talk lately about how the Big Ten is a weak conference and can't compete with stronger faster conferences like the SEC forced me to turn my inner crank outward. I rooted for MICHIGAN. Yep. And it felt good to see them give Urban Meyers and his juvenile delinquents all they could handle.

Some notes from yesterday:

***Ok. It is agreed that Bret Biliema has done great things in Madison during the past two seasons. But what was he smoking yesterday? Going for it on 4th and 2 with 4 minutes left in the game when you needed 4 to win?

***Apparently, Tebows can wobble and fall down.

*** Illinois should have played Hawaii and USC should have taken on the Bulldogs. Those two match ups turned into yawners before the first quarter had expired.

***Could Fox cram anymore commercials into the game? It was so frustrating to watch the Sugar Bowl last night. It felt like I was watching commercials with football interruptions.

***The commentators last night for the Sugar Bowl were awful. I muted them for the short time I did watch.

***Lllllloyd. It was good to see him go out on top and to avenge our loss last year. I hope someone thanks him for that. That would definitely irk him.

Riding the Range

2008-01-01T23:39:00.000-05:00

Aveline's love for horses is hardly a secret. Maybe that is why Santa brought the girls their very own pony to perch upon. It is fuzzy, bounces and even sings a silly little song--every toddler princess' dream come true.

Aveline has to wear daddy's hat while she rides Lucky, bouncing up and down, giggling while he sings his jaunty melody. Scarlett is our little rodeo queen in the making. She plopped onto him like a natural, tucking her legs behind her like a jockey and standing in her stirrups, posing in various trick riding positions. As you can imagine, Dan and I have been part of the Equine Equality group that has to closely monitor all horsey-toddler interaction, so that neither rider has accidents or too long of a turn.

The New Face of Evil

2007-12-17T23:10:00.000-05:00

Out with the Old and Crotchety and in with the New. Now that Lllllloyd has left the Big House, it seems scUM has decided to fill the hole with Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia's head coach. Talk about class, he is not even staying to coach his team in the Fiesta Bowl in less than 3 weeks.

Holiday Photos

2007-12-15T22:44:00.000-05:00

Thank God I opted to tackle these myself. I can only imagine what kind of scene we would have caused if we had gone to a professional place. I even enlisted my niece and my mother to assist in child wrangling.

Some of these will be showing up in a mailbox near you. Scarlett was just having a very bad day, she really is a funny, ornery baby.

Holiday Photos and Holiday Cards

2007-12-06T13:15:00.000-05:00

I have been trying to get some sort of a holiday photo taken of the girls. Usually easier said than done. Last week, I trekked to Rural King to take advantage of a mildly publicized Santa. My logic was a short line and photos out of the way. But, alas, he had headed back to the North Pole before we arrived. So I shifted my focus to take the pictures myself. I have been waiting for the perfect moment with two healthy, cheery children, a helper and a beautifully decorated house. This plan is slowly coming to fruition, but we have had some set backs. Both girls have had either bright red noses, scrapes and bumps on foreheads and cheeks or a combination of these, all blemishes I hope will not be gracing our holiday photos. I am ready to wrap them in bubble wrap and quarantine them until I can get a single fresh faced photo. My goal is to get the traditional holiday cards out with the bragging perfect photos of our children sometime before the holidays. Though I only think that those who have some overly complicated secret scoreboard going in their head, tallying the faux pas of others that violate some surreptitious code unknown to most real people, would notice if they came in the new year.

So I will trudge on to try to get those cards out. Be looking for them in a mailbox near you!

Under Siege

2007-12-05T12:58:00.000-05:00

Tis the season of coughs and fevers. We are full of the holiday spirit, in that sense. This is our first real illness attack on two fronts, sneaky foe. Both Aveline and Scarlett are fighting the bug du jour, which seems to be a snotty, fever-vomit concoction. Woo. Hoo. So much fun. I am also down with a similar bug, to a lesser degree. We are all not sleeping well and are very cranky, so beware. Visit at your own risk.

Not so Fast my Friend....

2007-12-01T20:08:00.000-05:00

Ok...so maybe Jimmy T is still kicking the tires and has not actually gotten the new Carr yet. I still think it will happen. Just wait.

Looks Like Tressel is Getting a New Carr with Les Miles

2007-12-01T07:31:00.000-05:00

Good for Jim! We had run that old beater of a Carr into the ground. It was time to upgrade. It only remains to be seen: will a team with Les Miles be as reliable to the Buckeyes as the old Carr?? Too bad we couldn't have given him a test drive in a bowl game. I guess only Bo knows. Can't wait to see.

Autumn Fun

2007-11-29T19:10:00.000-05:00

Dan and I took the girls out to play in the leaves on one of the nicer autumn days. I think all of us enjoyed the romp.

The Game Eve

2007-11-16T21:43:00.000-05:00

I have been mulling over this post all week, what I would write. I am still unsure. I am nervous for The Game, like any year. I dread the end of Ohio State football, which is what the game's end brings for a time. I just want to enjoy this day while it lasts.

Llllloyd will retire on Monday, undoubtedly trying to motivate his troops ala 1987 with Earle Bruce's untimely firing. Hart, Henne and Long, all back for one remaining reason: To beat Ohio State. Will these tactics finally be enough to push scUM over the edge?

I am mildly hoping that Oregon's loss last evening will be the first domino tipped in a long line that eventually leads to the Buckeyes returning to the national championship game. But, to be honest, I just want to see them go to the Rose Bowl this year. Much better parade. More tradition. Fantastic match up: Ducks vs. Bucks. We won't get tired of hearing that one, will we?

Of course, I may be ahead of myself. We still have to go to the Big House, beat the snot out of them and then I can start this silly bowl game talk.

Sorry so random. Brains smooshed by toddlers all day. More tomorrow.

Score:

Ohio State: 31
scUM: 23

Halloween Pictures

2007-11-15T23:34:00.000-05:00

So we are closer to turkeys than pumpkins...who cares! I finally got my pictures uploaded. Check out our Halloween cuties on their first Trick or Treating expedition. Dan was working that evening, so I had to enlist my father to help with the trek.

Aveline went this year as a cowgirl, due to her obsession with horses and Dan's hat. I was unable to get a good picture of her holding still because she just doesn't.

Scarlett went this year as an octopus. No reason, just stinking cute.

My father went as, well, you guess. I think he went as Juan.

This is my sister's family. Note Everett wedged into the stroller. He literally could not move. We later put him in the wagon with Scarlett and Aveline walked with her other cousins, Owen and Kelsey, also cow folk.

A New Use for My Cell Phone

2007-11-12T23:32:00.000-05:00

I guess it isn't really a new use, as I (and many other savvy mothers) have been doing this for years. Aveline has become impossible to diaper. She writhes and wriggles and suddenly a simple task has morphed into a dreaded, work-up-a-sweat kind of chore. Now I have used my cell phone as a pacifier of sorts, some forbidden fruit that entrances my child into a state of semi-paralysis so I can wipe a static target safely, without smearing you know what everywhere. But I have played that card so many times it no longer works. She merely beams it back at me (usually at my head) and continues struggling out of my grasp.

Today was a breakthrough day. I discovered that my phone can play live Disney Channel on demand. Hallelujah! I cued up Tinkerbell, handed the gadget to Aveline while she was flat on her back and went to work. This worked so well, I probably could have given her a pedicure and she would have not moved. My only concern is...what do I go to when the luster of Mobile Mickey Mouse runs dry? I hope that she will be potty trained before that happens.

Licking our Buckeye Wounds

2007-11-10T23:28:00.001-05:00

Please forgive if this post is short. We are busy tending to our wounds.

Ok. It is now officially Michigan Week. Game on.

Scarlett, 10224 hours old

2007-11-09T11:38:00.000-05:00

Looking back through some of my older posts, I realized that I have not bragged about my children in quite awhile, thus causing my blog not to live up to its name. I will end the bragging drought now with news of our second born. It really is true what they say about the second born having less recorded information about her. I noted the color of Aveline's poop each day and I didn't even mention that Scarlett is now walking! God help our third child...he/she will have no record of existence at all. (Note to everyone that we are NOT expecting another one anytime soon. In fact, we aren't expecting any new family members until at least 9 months after Scarlett is potty trained.)

Scarlett is 14 months old today!

Things that she is doing:

She is walking! She rarely crawls and is working on her running skills. Usually away from Aveline. Or toward the fridge. My genetics are strong in this one.

She definitely an eater. She complains if she is locked into her high chair for more than 3 minutes without the offering of consumables. And forget about cooking with her watching (im)patiently from her chow perch. She is like a shark. If even a molecule of food escapes its container and wafts through the air, she wants it now. She loves cheese, oranges, bananas, peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti and tacos. Really, she is my little cookie monster and will eat about anything that I put in front of her.

She has discovered that the trash can is a treasure cove for her. She has discover discarded gems like empty soda cans, egg shells, used napkins, all of which go directly to her mouth. Yummy.

She also has learned the fine art of the second child, surprisingly at a young age. That would be the art of blaming it on the first child. Specifically, doing something naughty and then while crying, toddling to mommy all the time leering at Aveline through her tears. This causes me to scold the first born and snuggle the second born. Sneaky.

She loves to cuddle. She will trot up to me just to be held and to give me a hug. She also gives her special kisses--wide open mouth, tongue out and press on whatever is exposed. I have started carrying a paper towel with me for post snuggle clean up.

Scarlett is now sporting 4 teeth. Not the cute two on top and two on bottom, all in a neat row. Instead, she has her two middle bottom teeth and then one of the center top teeth and one of her canines.

Scarlett is also learning to talk. Not quite as quickly as Aveline, but she is learning. She can say Dog, Bottle, Ball, Dad, and No, which is what she usually calls me. She also makes amazingly realistic motor sounds when she plays with her toy car or tractor.

Scarlett is growing tall and big. She was 21lbs and 30 inches tall at her one year appointment and is wearing all 18 month clothing.

Well, that is all for now. If I have time later, I will try to upload the backlog of pictures on our camera to show you how she looks now.

Teething Pains, Eye Goobers and the Scars of Childhood.

2007-11-07T23:30:00.000-05:00

Poor Scarlett has been fighting both of these for the last week or so. She seems so miserable. She wants to be held a lot, often putting her head on my chest for comfort. I found two new teeth this week. And the eye boogers have been a constant nuisance since birth.

Add to this tandem a third irritant, Aveline and a fourth, the dry air forced out by our furnace. Life is rough when you are one.

She has also made the transition from all fours to primarily walking during the last week. She is not good at that, so she is sporting numerous bruises and scrapes from her bipedal adventures. I will have to take a picture of the poor girl. Though, I would be hesitant to post it, as someone would mistake her for an abused child.

Aveline had a run in with the broom yesterday. She was being a big girl and helping me sweep. The evil two year old in her took over and decided to use the broom to reach all things above her 3 foot grasp. I grabbed the broom handle and told her no. She turned quickly to escape, still clutching the handle, and the bottom part of the broom whacked her on the cheek. She has a lovely bruise there. Add to that her three inch scratch she has down the middle of her forehead,I presume from her fingernails that she will not allow me to clip, and she also could cause a social worker to knock on my door.

The Advantages of being a Female Football Fan

2007-11-06T23:20:00.000-05:00

Here is my current football crush...Mr. Kirk Barton, Co-Captain of the Buckeyes this year. And to think, he looks even better after the game.

I love you, Mommy.

2007-11-05T21:26:00.000-05:00

Yes. The phrase every parent longs to hear. Aveline uttered these words to me after I place a bowl of mashed potatoes and chicken and noodles before her. Of course, she also uttered that she loved each member of Yo Gabba Gabba this afternoon as the opening credits rolled.

Wisconsin Notes and other Thoughts

2007-11-04T22:00:00.000-05:00

So the Bucks swatted pesky Wisky on Saturday afternoon. Falling behind in the third was enough of a scare for our weak hearts as fans. The last time the Bucks were behind in the third was at Washington in September. I wouldn't be surprised if Tressel orchestrated the entire third quarter so that his team could grow from that experience. The way the man is nearly always in control is maddening. It felt like a cat playing with a mouse, taunting and teasing it, knowing that in the end, the mouse is lunch. How cruel.

Sparty almost took care of TTUN for us. Not that I particularly want a scUM team with nothing to lose stepping onto the field the 17th, but it is always nice to see them lose.

Has anyone else noticed how much Alex Boone, number 75 is celebrating after touchdowns? He leapfrogged Brian Hartline at Happy Valley, and Hartline was standing! He goes nuts when they score and Boone Jumps whomever is responsible.

I know that all of the Wisconsin fans will say that they could have beaten OSU if they would have had PJ Hill healthy. Maybe if you didn't blow all of your trick play cash the first time you stepped up to the register, yeah. Two fake punts? C'mon. Seriously.

I have a BIL that is a UW alum. I know exactly what he is getting for Christmas this year: a SACK full of Buckeyes. Thanks OSU Defense for making my shopping list a little bit easier this year.

Oh! BTW....I have a new football crush.... Kirk Barton is sooo dreamy. Caught him in the post game news conference.

Hiccups

2007-11-03T23:24:00.000-04:00

For those of you who know me in the real world, you know that when I get the hiccups, I get the hiccups. Not the cute, dainty giggle as you hiccup kind, but the loud, embarrassing silence a room kind.

I found myself in this condition at one point this afternoon. Aveline, the astute observer in charge of the toddler inquisition, asked me a simple question shortly after their onset.

"Mommy, you have the hiccups?"

I was proud of the question she posed, being so observant and inquisitive. I rewarded her curiosity with a cheerful response.

"Yes, Aveline. I have the hiccups."

That satisfied her and she focused again on scribbling orange circles on a piece of scrap paper.

"Hic."

"Mommy, you have the hiccups?" she queried, not breaking her gaze downward at her blossoming artwork.

"Yes, Aveline." I replied. "I have the hiccups."

She did not respond, but rather changed her circles to dots.

"Hic."

"Mommy, you have the hiccups?"

"Yes, Aveline. I have the hiccups."

"Hic."

"Mommy..."

This exchange continued for at least 10 minutes while I crafted her turkey on whole wheat with cheese and grapes, her favorite lunch. No matter how many times I told her that I did indeed possess a case of the hiccups, she doubted her diagnosis of me.

Badger Stew

2007-11-02T19:17:00.000-04:00

I have been afraid to post anything Buckeye related, as not to upset the fragile balance of the universe that has my beloved team ranked as king of the BCS hill. Watching all of the other number ones and twos tumble from that high perch has created a paranoia in Ohio. I know while the Badgers started the season strong in the rankings, they have since found themselves wallowing in the mud, providing a stepping stone for other teams to climb.

I have to say that I will tempt fate and predict that Chef Tressel will have his pot ready to make some badger stew. Wisconsin's top receiver is out for the season and their main course, P.J. Hill, the lumbering running back, is questionable for the game due to injury. Hill's back up has been banned from traveling thanks to a summer altercation. I doubt the Badgers can come into the Shoe and upset a # 1 team that is still trying to rid its mouth of the taste from that bitter loss in the desert. Our defense will swallow what paltry offense they have left, while the Wells slice and dice their front four for long runs. Boeckman and his Brians will garnish the finished product with some deep TD's. Sounds appetizing.

Prediction:

Buckeyes: 41
Badgers: 13

NaBloPoMo

2007-11-01T19:40:00.000-04:00

I will announce this so I will be more likely to adhere to this. I am pledging to participate in this, NaBloPoMo, or National Blog Posting Month, where I will post something new each day on my blog for the month of November. I was inspired by Uncle Crappy, my Buckeye-loving Pittsburgh bound blog pal. I too have been lazy about posting this year. I have let my two young daughters, a nearly full time job and a recent move get me down. I don't know about what I will rant, but I promise I will rant. This may not be for the easily offended. If that is you, check back in December.

Parental Lesson #281

2007-10-30T21:59:00.000-04:00

When both children are out of sight and quiet, only bad things are happening. Never will you turn the corner to see both of their clean (ha!) smiling angelic faces peer up from the blocks they are stacking or the picture book they are perusing.

I learned number 281 the hard way. I was rinsing the last of the breakfast plates, lost in thought about a grocery list I should write when I acknowledged the deafening silence. No fighting. No crying. No incessant toddler babble about this or that. Numbing quiet. First I smiled, imagining that Scarlett and Aveline had finally learned how to share that one toy of their hundreds that they both must have. Then the knowing dread crept up from that part of the pit in my stomach where you know something is not right, but not dangerously wrong. Just messy wrong. I slowly placed the last dish in the rack and turned to the playroom. Imagining the worst, I peered around the corner.

"Look Mommy! SNOW!!!!!" cried my first born. Scarlett's smile flashed beneath a white powdery beard. She was busy scooping up the flakes as quickly as possible, shoving them into her mouth.

Aveline (I presume, being the taller and more criminally experienced of the two) had reached onto the counter and taken my Splenda container to her lair, sprinkling the "snow" all around her playroom. Scarlett, my sweet toothed child, was eating it as fast as she could without sucking it directly off of the floor.

I cleaned up the mess (who knew that Splenda got sticky when wet?) and the children, thankful she had not reached the syrup that sat two inches farther back on that same counter.

You know you need to go on a diet when....

2007-10-17T22:50:00.000-04:00

...your toddler tells you your "boyyom is sooooo bigggg!

Mmmm. Pass the bean sprouts.

Still Kicking

2007-10-12T12:52:00.000-04:00

We have had a busy month. First birthdays, moving, new jobs, new town, new house. New schedules, new routines...I think you get the picture.

Now we are starting to finally get settled into some semblance of order. We still have boxes of stuff tucked here and there, but it is neatly tucked. Here are a few photos from the last 5 weeks, now that I have found the USB cord for my camera.

Aveline helping PaPa at the Farmer's Market.

Aveline meeting one of PaPa's Belgians.

Aveline navigating the straw maze at the pumpkin patch.

Aveline "riding" Bailey.

Scarlett and Kelsey celebrating their shared birthday.

Aveline trying to feed the horses

Aveline showing off her favorite hat.

Scarlett showing off hers.

Scarlett's first ice cream cone

Pack Up the Kids...We're Moving

2007-09-04T23:18:00.000-04:00

That is right friends and family. You may be wanting to start avoiding our phone calls right about now, unless, you have some strange affinity for packing, lifting, loading, painting or watching our adorable daughters.

We have found a job for Dan and we will be moving here soon. Dan starts on Thursday as a manager for a store in Wooster. We will be relocating to the Ashland area, closer to family, which was our decision after Dan was displaced in July. We are very excited for the new area and start. We just have so much to do until life will get back to normal again. Dan will be moving up there before the rest of us, staying at a hotel and then with family. The girls and I will be hanging around the old homestead, as I need to work and we don't have a place to move into yet up there. Hopefully we will get to join him by October. Until then, it will be me an my two shadows, all day, everyday. Here's praying I can stay sane.

The Sweet, Sweet Smell of Victory (Appalachian State that is!)

2007-09-02T10:17:00.000-04:00

HA!

Few things in life have brought as much joy into my life as the final few minutes of this last week's Michigan game. To see the Wolverines get pummeled numerous times during the last quarter of the game, to watch the hopes of all of the fans rise and fall like the last putrid breaths of their national championship dreams, was in a word, priceless. Do you smell that? That is the acrid odor of Llllloyd's behind being singed by his red hot flaming seat. The axe is up, mid-swing and ready to fall.

But, as gleeful as it would be to witness Llllloyd being shown the door, I hope it doesn't happen. As a shrewd Ohio State fan, I want to watch Jim and the boys take him down EACH and EVERY year. We have got to keep Llllloyd employed. Watching the Buckeyes dash the Wolverine's hopes of roses and BCS championships each year will just never get old.

Family Corn Maze

2007-08-16T13:12:00.000-04:00

This picture was taken on Tuesday. Each year my family creates a theme for the corn maze based on current events. This year, the maze reflects a volunteering trip that my father and many of his siblings took to Tanzania. Part of the proceeds from the maze will be donated to a small organization called LOHADA, which sponsored the orphanage my family worked at while in Africa. The money will go to directly help pay for the care of the orphans.

The corn maze opens weekends in September. For more information, visit Honey Haven Farm's website.

Scarlett

2007-08-15T22:08:00.001-04:00

I just love this photo I captured at a family reunion this summer.

Potty Girl

2007-08-15T22:02:00.000-04:00

Well, one more day of completely dry diapers. She really loves using her potty. She especially loves the ritual of dumping the freshly made tinkle into the adult potty and flushing it. She squeals in delight when she gets to wash her hands after the job is done. She made tinkle 11 times today. Not kidding. ELEVEN! Some of those times were just a teaspoon or so. She just wanted to splash around in the water. Whatever it takes.

I'm not sure how long it takes for the second phase of potty training, the second movement, er, number twos in the loo. I hope soon. That is my least favorite part.

So we are full steam ahead on the potty training. I didn't even have to attach U of M decals to the seat at all. Dan and I discussed doing this as added motivation.

Check back tomorrow for more scoop on the poop. (ha!)

It's Potty Time!

2007-08-14T20:43:00.000-04:00

Yep. That's right. It's time to potty. We are pottying it up big down here in M-town. Dan and I have both been anxiously awaiting the onset of toilet learning. We bought the potty chair, panties and pull ups. We read the books and have asked anyone with a successfully trained tot what their trick was. We feel we are fully prepared.

We have had the potty chair in our living room for the last few months. Beyond being a point of contention and battle for the sparring siblings, it has just collected dust or has been a jacuzzi party site for a slew of Little People. That is, until this week. Aveline, with no prompting from us, stripped down to her birthday suit, perched herself upon her plastic throne and twinkled. "Look! Look!" was all she said. That was Friday. She did that twice more yesterday and each time (four!) she twinkled today. All on her own. We are shocked.

After each success, we make a parade to the bathroom to deposit the deposit. We then ceremoniously flush and wash our hands. I think Aveline does it all just to play in the water for a few minutes.

Now neither Dan and I expect this to be it. We expect a few more months of hard core potty time until we have complete success. But it is a start, and we are starting to see the light at the end of the diaper tunnel.

Aveline, Pizza Chef

2007-07-24T22:56:00.000-04:00

We have a tradition of making pizza each week. This last week, we decided to let Aveline try her hand at creating the pie. Instead, she tried every topping.

Be sure to watch this next one until the end for a nice Buckeye surprise!

Should We be Scared?

2007-07-23T01:14:00.000-04:00

I snapped a few photos on the Fourth of this pre-nap toddler summit. I wonder what they are plotting?

In the Market

2007-07-18T14:38:00.000-04:00

Dan's company did a market wide restructuring this last week and decided to let about 7-8 managers per store go. Dan was one of the lucky ones. He was given a nice severance package, thanked for his 6 years of service and shown the door. So, he is in the market for a job again.

While this was very unexpected, we are welcoming the change. I know that he wanted to take his career in a new direction. We also wanted to move closer to our families. Now there is nothing that is physically keeping us here in Southern Ohio, we can head north.

So, if you hear of a nice job opening, let us know! In the meantime, I have a strong list of projects that we are going to tackle around the house, including a massive garage sale. We have also found more time to cook, go to the park and take walks. It feels like a vacation so far!

Guacamole Love

2007-07-10T14:35:00.000-04:00

We made some guacamole for lunch today to go along with our quesadillas.
Aveline thought it was all right, gingerly dipping her cheesy-chicken triangle corner into the pile of green goo before bites. Scarlett loved it. Dan and I took turns giving her small spoonfuls. When she felt even a drop on the corner of her mouth, she would stick out her tongue and sweep over her lips, searching frantically for the wayward morsel. She loved it more than bananas. Even more than vegetable beef dinner. That's huge, for her.

What's in a Name?

2007-07-07T22:29:00.000-04:00

I have been hounded to change the name of my blog since Scarlett was born. I even asked for some suggestions. Those of you who know me, know that I am slow to change. Most good things are.

I will be trying out a few new names on the blog. Let me think what you think.

Sounds Like a Winner

2007-07-06T22:31:00.000-04:00

I was interviewing a person over the phone the other day. The job in question was for a very well known and prestigious company. The position was entry level, but to get hired with this company would make many people's dreams come true.

The candidate was not doing badly at all on the interview, until I heard a very distinct noise in the background.

DING!DING!DING!DING!DING!DING!DING!DING!DING!.............................

Having spent my dearest friend's birthday amongst the "one armed bandits" down in southern Indiana, (imagine if Las Vegas honked a loogey east, that's describes Belterra!) I knew that sound cold. Sure enough, I heard a voice ask her if she wanted a stack of ones and a new cocktail.

A casino sounds like the perfect place to conduct a serious job interview.

Cut on the Fourth of July

2007-07-05T19:46:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to let all of you adoring fans know that Scarlett has finally cut a tooth. She actually seems pretty proud of herself. I think she may have gathered some motivation from a tiny piece of steak that Dan fed her. She is our child, you know.

Baby Dentures

2007-06-22T15:09:00.001-04:00

Dan and I are convinced that Scarlett with be toothless for life. She is 9 and a half months old and we still don't have a tooth. The teething drama still plays out everyday, complete with the fussies and what I call, the "flail and wail."

We may be buying her dentures for her first birthday, at this rate.

Our Own Kool-Aid Girl

2007-06-15T19:52:00.000-04:00

Aveline has started using a familiar expression lately. It is not odd of her to pick up wacky phrases she hears, mostly from the mouths of Dan, I or her favorite Nickelodeon/Disney channel cartoon character. What is strange is that I haven't heard this phrase said this way in a very long time.

Whenever I ask Aveline a question, if the reply is affirmative, she lets out a deep ,"Oh, Yeeaahh!" Her almost perfect imitation of the Kool-Aid Guy is uncanny.

Happy Birthday, Daddy.

2007-06-14T20:07:00.000-04:00

Dan is 33 today. Wish him a happy birthday if you haven't already.

Bad Habits

2007-06-06T21:04:00.000-04:00

When it comes to how you act and what you say, there is no magnifying glass more powerful than a two year old. She is the human form of the instant replay button on our TiVo remote. If we say it, she says it too, just seven seconds later.

I, allegedly, have a habit of calling Dan "Honey." I usually utter the phrase when I am trying to get his attention or preparing to ask him a question. Dan has brought this quirk to my attention many times, but I would laugh it off, blaming the selective ears somebody gave him as a wedding gift. It wasn't until today that I realized how often I must do it.

Aveline was in the living room and she wanted Dan to come play with her. Rather than toddle in and grab him, or call for "Daddy," she, in her sweetest voice, looked right at him and said "Honey. HonnnnEEEEE, cah-meeeer."

I now understand.

The Throes of Teething

2007-06-04T21:34:00.000-04:00

It has been a rough few days.

Scarlett is in what I hope to be the final throes of teething, at least for this tooth. She is nearly nine months old and has yet to break one through. This teething thing has been going on now for about 5 months. The slobbering, gnawing, drooling and jawing. We have been waiting with baited breath to see this whopper of a pearly white pop through already. This week has got to be the week. She has seemingly saved her best performance for the finale. She flails in my arms, crying and whining. She throws her entire upper body back, arms in the air, with a distinct look of anguish dripping from her face. Then, ever so dramatically, she flops back forward, burying her tear stained face in my chest. Then she starts the cycle again. If you sit in one place, she screams. If you put her down, she screams. The only thing that (sort of) appeases her is rocking, which she only moans through. I take that back. She has been chowing like a champ.

I can feel the bump beneath her swollen gums. I have many bald patches on my head from her kung fu grip. We both have many scratches and bruises from her wailing lap dances to the dental gods for a quick eruption. We both have continuously been dosed with Tylenol for the last two days. I have rubbed so much Orajel on the bump that I no longer have feeling in my index finger.

Please. Whomever is in charge of tooth emergence. In this universe, or the next. Please. Please. PLEASE get on the stick and pop this one through. My sanity is at stake.

Here's What We've Been up to....

2007-05-31T20:17:00.000-04:00

Being cute.

Dan painted our fence.

Aveline's 2nd Birthday

Newport Aquarium

Scarlett's Eating Solids

PawPaw and the two youngest, Everett, 7 months and Scarlett, 8 months

.

We got a new grill.

Bathtime, together.

Trip to a cool park in town.

Being silly.

Contemplating life.

My apologies to anyone who used to read this blog. Blame the one who used to write it. I've regressed to picture books. More to come soon. I hope.

Happy Ordinary (Mother's) Day

2007-05-13T21:08:00.000-04:00

With my second mother's day almost in the books, I have to marvel at how ordinary the day was. Dan had to work, so I was the caregiver today. My agenda:

I fed children. Cleaned children. Diapered children. Rinse, repeat.

This is the normal routine in our household. I did abstain from any housework, trying to give myself some semblance of a break. Sad thing is, it just means I have twice as much to do tomorrow.

I did realize one thing as I lazed with my girls today: I should do it more often.

******************************************************

Aveline's new thing is pointing in a direction and crying out "Wolffff! WWWOOOOLLLFFFFF!" I turn to look, and nothing is there. She has her eyes fixed on something. She has even started looking for the infamous Wolf out the windows, under her crib and in her closet as we conduct our bedtime routine. She is starting to creep me out.

Why I Will Never Get Portraits Done of the Girls Ever Again

2007-04-30T16:18:00.000-04:00

Because they have already been done, apparently. Never mind the cheesy props or the polyester. This is scary....

My sister Jill at 9 months

Scarlett at 7 months

Me at 26 months

Aveline at 24 months

Thanks to my mom for saving me a ton of money at photo studios in the future!

Doctor Day

2007-04-29T22:19:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday of vacation, we had a day of Doctor visits. Aveline had her two year check up and Elvis met his vet for the first time.

Aveline's visit went smoothly. We made it a family day, with all of us packing in the car to attend. Aveline was very good about walking and holding my hand and waiting while I signed us in at the desk. She made thirty trips down the indoor slide before our nurse guided us to the exam room. She weighed in at a few ounces shy of thirty pounds and measured 35 inches, both 80th percentile for her age.

Knowing the stats of your children is a mother's addiction. I could not resist weighing and measuring Scarlett. She weighed 18 pounds and 4 ounces and was 28.5 inches long at 7.5 months.

Dr. Hein joined us in the exam room and hopped onto the table beside Aveline. Our two year old pulled out all of her tricks to impress the good doctor. He was pleased with her development. He advised us on toilet training (yeah.) and discipline procedures and sent us on our way. Aveline only had to get one shot, which she didn't even notice. We left the office in good spirits. We picked up Chipotle on the way home to celebrate.

After lunch, I loaded Elvis into the van and met with our new vet, Dr. Bremer. Apparently, his father had started the practice in the mid 1940's, and had stayed in the family since. Elvis was very well behaved, considering the lure of a playful Springer Spaniel in the lobby. He weighed in at 46.5 lbs, a healthy weight for a shar pei. I lifted him onto the exam table, and he was calm and relaxed for the entire visit. The vet gushed about his demeanor and his obedience. He took blood, updated all of his shots and started him on some fancy medication that prevents basically any kind of critter from bothering or infesting him. We also got some meds for a bacterial/yeast infection in his ears, a common problem of the breed.

We had a great Doctor Day and all of our children are in wonderful health.

Back to Work

2007-04-28T21:53:00.000-04:00

I will again apologize for my complete lack of communication with the blogosphere during the past few months. My new job coupled with my determination to remain a stay at home mom to the girls has completely sapped my time. After some schedule juggling, it looks as if I might have some time to spare.

Dan and I just finished our vacation. With the exception of one shift at Bravo, this was the first time in a few years that our vacation was not spent either pushing children from my body or working for someone other than ourselves.

We did work about sixty percent of our week. Dan and I started some (and completed a few) projects around the house. Most of our efforts went to cleaning and organizing, two activities we neither enjoy or excel at. With both of us working full time, and only employing a babysitter for 5-6 hours a week, we just ran out of time to do the measly little tasks. Laundry and mail piled up. Decluttering was shoved aside in favor of sleep. Our house is now more orderly, both inside and out.

We still have a few unfinished projects that we are chipping away at. Aveline's new room is almost completely finished. Our privacy fence has been entirely power washed and a third of the way painted. Plans have been drawn and supplies have been gathered for the landscaping projects, but no ground has been broken. The weather was not cooperating.

We did make time for fun during the vacation. Aveline turned two on April 21st. We had visits from Dan's mom and her husband, and also from our friends. We had two small birthday parties for our monkey. With each new card she received in the mail, Aveline would shout "BirtDay! Birt DAY!" She loved all of the fuss. We went to the Newport Aquarium on Friday and enjoyed a nice dinner at Brio. The girls loved the fish. When you ask Aveline what a shark says, she now bares her teeth and chomps a few times. We saw many sharks that day.

Now we are back to reality, back to work. Back to caring for children solo. Back to spending long days with just the monkeys and little other adult interaction.

Photo Shoot

2007-04-17T21:56:00.000-04:00

Life here in our household has been crazy busy. We had the girls' pictures taken this morning. Here are a few of the highlights.

Broken Toe

2007-04-08T22:43:00.000-04:00

I broke my ring (do you call it that on your feet?) toe Friday night as I was walking barefoot down our hardwood stairs. I seemed to miss the final step. It is gross and sausagey, purple like a blueberry and annoyingly painful.

Did you know that you can basically do nothing for a toe break, especially one as trivial as your ring toe?

I guess I will just hobble through the pain.

Slipping into Something More Comfortable

2007-04-05T20:33:00.000-04:00

If you've ever spent any amount of time at our home, you have probably spent time on our couches. Dan and I spend most of our time at home on these fine pieces of furniture. We've fed our babies on these, nursed sick tummies on these, even shoed a spoiled Elvis off of these more than once. We've watched BCS championships won and lost on these couches. I watched President Regan asking Mr. Gorbachev to "...tear down this wall," while perched on the arm. I waited for my prom date at the edge of one cushion. These couches have been through many moves, following us like nomads, city to city and apartment to home. We've lived a lot on these couches. Despite the thread bare center cushion or the puppy gnawed corner of the loveseat, these weary settees are family.

We know that one day we will have to send them up to sofa heaven, or maybe they will make the fabled trip to the furniture farm to live out their days happily. But we are not ready to give up on them yet. (Besides, our children have many, many more spills in store for them.) I found some slipcovers on Ebay and hope that this will help extend their stay through the messy years. So next time you come to visit, be sure to say hello to our furniture friends and check out their new duds.

Worst Multitasking Ever....

2007-04-03T15:07:00.000-04:00

I just conducted a job interview with a guy over the phone while he was teaching his little brother how to drive.

No wonder there are so many poor drivers on the road these days!

My Baby is Turning into a Barbie

2007-03-27T20:32:00.000-04:00

Dan offered to bathe Scarlett if I took the toddler to the drugstore. So, Aveline and I ran to Walgreen's last night to pick up some bar soap.

Perched atop the shopping cart, Aveline surveyed the lay of the land as we entered the building. Aveline was babbling in a normal almost two year old fashion: gibberish interspersed with recognizable words. I would repeat the words I could, trying to reinforce her budding vocabulary. We passed through the cosmetics section to get to the soap. It was her profound explanation at this point that stunned me.

"OOOOHhhhh! Make-Up!!!!"

I glanced at a bored teenage employee behind the perfume counter, who returned my shocked expression.

"Did she just say-"

"Make up. Yep. That's what I heard too," the girl answered.

I am at a loss for how she knows that word. I occasionally wear make up, but certainly not around the house. And it is not so much that she knows what it is, but the excited "OOOOHhhhh!" that preceded it that really concerns me.

Dan and I will have our hands full with this one.

Out of Doors

2007-03-20T23:06:00.000-04:00

Here are a few images from our outdoor adventure last week!

What I Learned Today....

2007-03-13T22:59:00.000-04:00

The love of collecting rocks must be a genetic trait. I love to pick up stones that catch my eye and save them. I have all sorts of interesting rocks that remind me of certain places and times in my life. Today was a gorgeous day, so Dan and I took the girls outside to work in the yard. While we raked up sticks and leaves, Aveline scurried about picking up what I thought was rocks. But they weren't. So I don't have to be blatantly graphic, I will remind everyone that we have a lovely dog named Elvis, who loves to spend time in the yard. With a magazine. Making "rocks." A-hem.

That picture is definitely making the scrapbook.

Girl Scouts=The Devil

2007-03-11T21:17:00.000-04:00

I have very little will power. I admit it freely. I was not blessed with a stalwart sense of self discipline, especially when it comes to food. Thousands of years ago, my ancestors flourished thanks to this genetic "flaw." Nowadays, normal people sneer at those whose knees weaken by the mere thought of scrumptious sustenance. I don't remember learning the commandment in Sunday School that forbade over-indulgence of chow, but I do remember Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman finding a bloated guy's rotting corpse lying under canopy of pine tree air fresheners, in a movie about the seven deadly sins. Supposedly, gluttony is not godly.

Now, I am far from gluttonous, just serious about my eats. I love many different kinds of food. Sometimes, a bit too much. I enjoy indulging in gourmet meals as well as basic nourishment. It is my drug of choice.

Now I do have some control, as I do not eat everything I see, but even that is challenged during this time of year. A roaming band of cookie brandishing imps are ruining my feeble attempts to keep my calorie consumption in check. It is difficult to resist their temptation when you cannot escape their presence. A few of these imps live in our neighborhood. Dan must avoid all eye contact with coworkers who have spawned these temptresses, lest he feel obligated to buy cookies. My own niece has succumb to the evil, becoming a Girl Scout this year. I couldn't say no to her and before I knew it, my lips had ordered seven (!) boxes to "support" a good cause. That was my rationalization. I was supporting my niece, and young girls with dreams everywhere. Young, evil imps who wish to torture me with luscious Thin Mints and Samoas.

So my house is now a dieter's obstacle course, littered with purple and green boxes that will only make my thighs more thunderous and my arms more jiggly. I am weak. And with two young daughters, and a few nieces, I will probably be fighting this temptation for many years to come. Now if only I could learn that the boxes aren't single serving portions.

Up and Over

2007-03-06T17:03:00.000-05:00

I was wondering when this day would come.

All of the baby books mention this milestone. Other parents proudly announce when their baby accomplishes this feat. Aveline finally jumped this hurdle Sunday night. It wasn't a gleeful "Me do it!" that tipped me off, but rather a dull and distinct thud from upstairs with a woeful "WAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" blaring over the baby monitor. She learned how to climb (fall) out of her crib.

For those concerned readers, Aveline is just fine. I think it just knocked the wind out of her. Nothing a little Mom and a sippy of milk couldn't cure. I, on the other hand, am a bit panicky. Aveline is very stubborn and persist ant. When she gets an idea in her head, she continues trying until it is done. Toddlers are a resilient bunch, sporting thick skins and skulls but a paper thin memory. I am worried that the memory of this fall will not quell her need to escape for long.

So, like many businesses, we decided to throw money at the problem. We went to our local Wal-Mart (*gasp*) and purchased a toddler bed. Originally we were going to transition her from crib straight to a full size bed, but decided to get the trainer bed instead, as she inherited my clumsiness and sleep-thrashing genes, making her genetically susceptible to falling out of bed. Once we get the bed set up, I will post pictures of it.

Posers

2007-02-27T22:17:00.000-05:00

I haven't taken many pictures lately as I am still adjusting to our new schedule. Zapping thirty hours or so out of your week sure puts a wrinkle in things.

I did happen to snap two pictures today. I am surprised for as little as I photograph my children, they are more than able to smile on cue. Scarlett is just starting to perk up for the camera, while Aveline practically mauls me chirping "SMILE!!!! SMILE!!!" as I scramble to snap the shot.

This is Scarlett in her new command center. She loves being in this plastic fortress. It provides her with the upright view of the world she demands and protects her from over zealous toddler love attacks.

Aveline is settling down for the night in this photo. Notice the precise placement of both Snoopy and Bear. We have recently introduced a pillow into her crib as well as blankets. During our tucking in routine, we have her lay down and we place the blankets over her and wish her goodnight. She responds by making a fake snoring sound after wishing us "Night, night." She will often announce during play time that it is time for bed and proceed to either lay down herself with a blanket, or require that you lay down so she can place a blanket on you. After you are tucked in, she begins to make the fake snoring sound. It is truly precious.

Dan's Update

2007-02-24T18:17:00.000-05:00

Hello everybody!
I just thought that I would help Kristi out today
She's been very busy with work and the girls. I also put in about 60 hrs this week, but I have a few moments. After talking with some of you, it has been a while since any photo's of the girls work posted, so here you go here's a couple to keep the Grandma's happy. I don't have any stats, however, Aveline is talking her own language. Sometimes we hear english but most of the time its just parts of words or phrases that Kristi and I say alot. Scarlett is getting a lot of tummy time and also rolling back and forth. I think that she will be mobile in about 2 months. That's it for now, Enjoy the photo's.
P.S. That's my hat on aveline. She likes to run around screaming Haaa Haaa (Hat) pulling the hat on and off.

Melting Away

2007-02-22T21:30:00.000-05:00

Well, after being buried beneath 15 inches of snow, we finally have some temperatures that will do what our shovels could not. Slowly, the white blanket disappears to reveal the brown, soggy sod below. I just wish my worries would melt away too. Like an M&M in my mouth (and in my hand...that candy coating is such a marketing ploy.)

The Act of Valentine's Day

2007-02-15T23:43:00.000-05:00

Servers tend to be very cynical in nature. We can't help but be. We watch mini dramas act out in front of us, meal by meal. The players seldom realize they are on a stage, quietly being viewed by their helpful audience. We are the unseen, but hear all.

Watching the blather that went on during last night's dinner shift was enough to make me wish I hit the Pepto bottle before work. Some things were cute, like the old Jack Sprat couple, dressed to the nines (even though their product would be far less than that number,) in a gray tuxedo and a sequined gown. Some things were sweet, like the triplet boys each handing their obviously exhausted mother a foil wrapped chocolate rose. Others were stomach churning, like the immature, way obvious allusion to some salacious act using a cannoli as a prop. All gave us, the unseen audience, a window overlooking humanity.

Some couples dined out of obligation, as if it posed some matrimonial threat to ignore the holiday. These joyless tables littered the restaurant floor. A few couples seemed to glow, exchanging casual conversation, almost as if it were just Wednesday. I liked those couples.

Dan likes to say that Valentine's Day is a "Hallmark holiday" created by the greedy execs of that company. Maybe retail has made him cynical as well. I can't help to think how too much consumerism and commercialization has pushed romance over an ordinary edge, but that is another entry on a different day.

To truly feel obligated to celebrate Valentine's Day is to admit that it is an act. Love should be celebrated everyday. The joy of love should not be limited to a single blustery February day, but each meal, each day. It should be almost ordinary to enjoy your spouse and family. Life is too short for acting.

It's a Busy Life

2007-02-13T17:49:00.000-05:00

Sorry we haven't updated in awhile. We moved our home office upstairs to accommodate my new job. As a full time working mom now, I am super, uber busy. I thought I was busy as a SAHM with a part time job. HA! Moms who work full time with young children are crazy!!! They are very busy. I had it easy with a measly part time job before, hence the reason I have not been able to update the blog.

We will definitely post something more interesting than a lousy excuse for not blogging in the next day or so.

I can now say that I have a ton of respect for working mothers. Not that I didn't before, but I wish strictly SAHM's would get off their backs and give them the props they deserve.

What Drives Me Nuts...

2007-02-05T16:43:00.000-05:00

Before any of you make some witty comment about it being a short trip, I will fully admit that I could probably walk there.

I will rant for a moment.

One thing that drives me nuts is when someone complains about their situation without considering how good they might have it. Some people are never thankful or grateful of what they have. I sometimes catch myself doing this very thing. I am always appreciative when someone reminds me how blessed my life is.

A recent example happened to me at work. A fellow server, a young man I will call Harry, is a father to a beautiful four month old daughter. Every week, he is begging someone to work for him so he can go four-wheeling or to a concert or to a sporting event. While attending these activities, he leaves his darling newborn daughter with his freshly wed wife, alone. But all of this is besides my point. This is a whole different layer of irritation. My apologies for the digression.

One day in early November, he practically skipped up to me, bragging that his uncle had gotten him tickets to the Ohio State- Michigan game, an event that I would have loved to have attended and would have cherished the memories for a lifetime, but could not afford. He began to complain that he would have to leave right after his shift the night before the game, leaving him no time to rest. And complained that he would have to sleep on the hard bed in his uncle's RV. And that he would have to get up at 6 am on game day to tailgate. And that the seats were in South Stands, not very favorable for any kind of perspective.

I am not rude to other people, unless I get tired of their ungrateful whining. I walked away mid sentence. The lack of gratitude ate a hole inside of me. Here, this young, selfish NON ALUMNUS was bitching about the trials he would have to endure to attend a game I will maybe only see four times in my lifetime, and would savor each uncomfortable, unfortunate event that got me there.

Once I regained my composure, I kindly explained to him what an honor it was to go to that game and how I would love to be in his shoes. He took offense and got angry with me. You see, he likes to be a victim and thought I was attacking him, even though I chose the kindest words.

I don't know if people like Harry will ever be truly satisfied with life. I think they will roll through life complaining rather than enjoying their situation. I am sad for the Harry's of the world.

Best Bib EVER!

2007-02-02T11:01:00.001-05:00

I don't usually plug products unless they astound me. Anything that keeps mealtime mess to a minimum is astonishing.

This bib rocks. We used other large bibs that were put on like a shirt. They protected her shirt, but we always eventually had food on her lap and rear. We also had to launder those in the machine, which was a pain. This bib is a durable vinyl and cloth. You can wipe it off with a sponge for a quick clean up, or in the dishwasher or the washing machine if you like. The plastic snaps are secure enough that a frustrated toddler is unable to rip it off in a fit of passion, yet a parent can easily remove it when necessary. The bottom of the bib snaps/unsnaps to form a pocket that really catches everything. We rarely find any food on Aveline's clothing. It has been a real sanity saver. And it comes in many cute designs!

I highly recommend that anyone with bib wearing children get this bib. It might change your life. We found ours at Meijer's, but I'm sure fine retailers anywhere carry this quality bib.

The Morning Ritual

2007-02-01T18:37:00.000-05:00

Aveline watches Daddy start his daily commute.

Aveline, Twenty-One

2007-01-23T20:57:00.000-05:00

Warning: This post may contain mild bragging. Suitable only for adoring grandparents. Reader discretion is advised.

Aveline is now twenty one months old. It is difficult to believe that she will soon be two! Each day she is learning so much on so many different fronts. Here are just a few highlights:

She is speaking in phrases and short sentences. "Daddy's at work." "I want book."
She attempts numerous new words everyday. When I realize she is in a mimicking mood, I like to throw out some doozies. I love hearing her try to pronounce "helicopter" or "monitor."

She says nearly everything she hears. We've only had two incidences of swearing so far. They were short lived. She loves to run away when pursued yelling "Help me! Help me!"

Can identify4-5 colors when asked.

Can walk up and down the stairs while holding a hand.

Beginning to use eating utensils more. Her hands are still her favorite tool for food consumption, though.

Loves to find things in pictures. We ask her to find a flower or a bug. Or where a tree is. Or what is this. She can verbally identify quite a few things in books.

Loves to pretend. We pretend to be birds and she flaps her wings and says "Fly!" She also plays out little scenes with her Little People and stuffed animals. I caught her acting out a scene of the mommy saying no to the girl. Funny, that was right after I disciplined her for something.

LOVES to dance. Still. She is Solid Gold and Soul Train all rolled into one. It doesn't matter what kind of music or where it is. She was shaking her rump to a Kraft commercial today.

All men on TV, in pictures, Little People are daddy. All women are mommy. We were reading from her Princess book and she pointed at Sleeping Beauty and said "Momma," and Prince Charming was "Daddy."

Is still incredibly busy. All. Of. The. Time. It can be exhausting to watch her.

She is learning to brush her own teeth and wash her hands.

She is very spirited and is flirting with tantrums. She is learning what "no" means. Discipline seems to be a slow learning process. She is still a handful when we go places. I will probably start taking her more places to get her more accustomed to this.

She loves other kids and adores Scarlett. She tries to give her blankets, kisses, toys, etc. all of the time. They light up when they see each other. It is breathtaking.

Sleeps like a dream. She really spoiled me.

We have so much fun everyday with Aveline. She is such an energetic ball of sunshine. We enjoy every second she is awake (and rest nearly every second she is not.)

The Confused Snow Shoveller

2007-01-21T18:16:00.000-05:00

A pesky winter storm blew through last evening, littering our community with around 3 inches of snow. Dan made his way to work this morning, leaving the girls and I to play house. The day was unfolding rather uneventfully until the doorbell rang, shortly after two.

I had just gotten both girls to nap, and was settling onto the couch for a make up wink. Not expecting anyone, I opted to feign absence, hoping the stranger would leave. I had made the mistake twice of answering the door to find the same manipulative Jehovah Witness each time. I was not going to allow a lecture on my poor religious choices to interrupt a much needed snooze.

Then it rang again, followed shortly by a harsh rapping. Elvis began to bark. Seeing my fragile napping opportunity beginning to crack, I considered answering the door. Ok. This could be the police. Or girl scouts. MMM. Thin Mints. I reluctantly arose from the couch to see what was the matter. I peeked out the window, hoping to size up my visitor's intentions without his knowledge. He happened to be looking my way and smiled. Damn.

A wiry man stood on my doorstep. His clothes were layered and dirty. Chunks of grimy blond hair blew in the breeze, escaping the maroon hood. He appeared to not like his dentist or a razor. He looked strung out.

I cracked the door and asked how I could help him. He offered, for a small fee, to shovel my walk. I declined, citing that the warmer temperatures and rain forecasted tomorrow would probably do the trick. I really just wanted him off my doorstep. Where was his shovel?

He pleaded with me, and again, I apologized and declined. I shut the door and returned to the couch, and a much needed nap. I called Dan to tell him of our visitor. He tells me that I did the right thing. Pangs of guilt creep up. I should have let him shovel the walk and give him some money. Or food. He looks as if he needed it. I think back to all of the sermons I endured throughout my teenage years. Maybe I should have done the Christian thing and helped a fellow human being out.

Scarlett wakes up as soon as I lay down (Damn.) so I flip on the tv and feed her. Part way through (insert random procedural crime drama here) I hear a faint scraping sound. I pause the show and look out the window. The scary snow shoveller is back doing his thing to our walkway. At this point, I was a bit leary. I worried that he would shovel the walk and then demand the money. I hate confrontation. I also don't want this guy getting my door open or getting a good look inside. I call Dan, again. He tells me to call the cops immediately. I differ with him. I didn't want to call the cops on someone who is just doing something nice. I compromised and told him I would call the cops if he knocked on the door again.

I checked all of the locks. With everything locked up tightly, I perched on the sofa again, Scarlett in one arm and cell phone in hand. The scraping continued. Thoughts of serial killers, rapists, kidnappers and the ilk raced through my mind. I wished the scraping would just stop.

And it did.

I let out a breath and listened. Silence. Whew. He went away.

Ding-Dong.

At that moment, my heart raced. I just wanted him to leave. I did not want to go to the door and risk him forcing his way into my home. I'm sure all of those nice people who did nice things for unbeknownst-to-them-at-the-time serial killers wished they were not so nice just that once. I'm sure they would tell you that if they were ALIVE. I made my choice. I flipped open the phone and dialed the three numbers I hoped I would never dial.

DING-DONG. DING-DONG.

The dispatcher assured me that officers were on their way.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

I hung up and squeezed Scarlett.

POUND. POUND. POUND.

Silence.

I carefully went to the window and ever so slightly lifted the one blind, not far, just enough to see if the predator was off of my stoop. He was. A moment of relief turned into panic. If he wasn't on my stoop, where was he? The backdoor? The basement? Climbing our rain gutter to get to the second floor?

After a few minutes, a gentler knock came to my door. I peeked out to see a police officer on my stoop. He asked to come in.

He then explained, with a smirk, the comedy of errors that transpired into my own private horror show. Our next door neighbor had agreed to the shoveller's offer. The shoveller went home to get his shovel and returned to fulfill his obligation. It seems he got confused as to which house had hired his services. The officer, still grinning, said they checked out the story with our neighbor and it was true. I apologized and explained my fear being home alone with two small children. He assured me, still smiling, that it was okay and bid me good day.

I am glad that it was a total misunderstanding. Even though, it was still incredibly frightening. I believe, even in retrospect, that I made the correct decision. Though I wanted to help a person so obviously in need, I needed to keep my family safe more. The unknown was just too great to overcome. It is unfortunate that the world has evolved to that point. It is unfortunate that my mindset has too.

Hot Food Syndrome

2007-01-20T19:54:00.000-05:00

HFS is a serious, potentially life threatening illness, found in most homes with children under the age of two. Many babies are afflicted with Hot Food Syndrome (HFS,) seemingly from birth. Curiously, while newborns exhibit the symptoms associated with HFS, only their parents seem to suffer from its effects.

Symptoms of HFS include:

Sudden arousal from deep sleep
Crying
Whining
Explosive diapers
General fussiness
Need of immediate attention

Note that it is not truly a case of HFS unless these symptoms coincide with the readiness of a hot meal meant for the parents' consumption.

The immune systems of fathers are more able to fight off an attack of HFS, especially if a mother is in close proximity. In rare incidences, mothers have been known to be resistant, but only in a few cases globally.

While this epidemic has been ravaging families worldwide for years, no cure has been found more effective than the passage of time.

Real Heroes

2007-01-19T13:28:00.000-05:00

My husband's best friend, a deputy sherriff, made the local news after apprehending two people attempting to flee a simple traffic stop. It is good to actually see the bad guys getting taken off of the streets.

Watch the video.

I knew we chose a good best man for our wedding.

And ladies...I believe he is single. Just saying.

Ego Deflation

2007-01-16T19:50:00.000-05:00

Scarlett had her four month check up this morning at twenty til ten. It was going to be my first planned trip out of the house with both monkeys, alone. It seemed simple enough: load kids in van, drive to office, do appointment, load kids again, drive home. Direct. Simple.

I really don't know how mothers of more than two go anywhere by themselves. Hell, I don't know how mothers of two do it. (I am considering failing my next driver's license exam so that I will have to be chauffeured everywhere.) I got up at 7 am and it took everything I had to leave the house by 9:20 am. That was after I sacrificed my shower, hair and breakfast.

We arrived only 10 minutes late. I hate being late. I dislike waiting on people who are late. I need to suck it up, because, I can never make anywhere on time anymore. It is driving me crazy. I unloaded my crew, bulging diaper bag over one shoulder, Aveline on my left hip and Scarlett's carrier in my right hand. Nearly fifty pounds of baby baggage thundering toward the door. I had to be a sight. I negotiated the two doors leading into the waiting room, sheepishly avoiding the receptionists scolding glare. I hate being late. I signed in and herded my entourage to a secluded corner. Proud that I had survived the first running of the gauntlet, I settled into a seat to watch Aveline play on the slide. It was then when I noticed my fly had been down the entire time, exposing my brightly colored unmentionables.

Resolutions Defined

2007-01-14T19:55:00.000-05:00

So now that we are two whole weeks into the new year, I've decided to finally get my resolutions in order. Good thing that eliminating procrastination did not make the list...or I would already be a failure.

My husband hates resolutions. I haven't quite figured out why, but I did get him to commit to a few. I will spare you most of the mundane ones, and just highlight a few.

Read a book to each child each day. I read somewhere that this is the single best thing you can do for your children as a parent. And last time I checked, their books are pretty simple and fun to read. Easy resolutions are good resolutions.
Eat a more nutritious diet, including whole grains, whole foods and lots of fruits and veggies. I know this is not very specific. I guess I want it that way. Dan and I both come from the husky swimsuit side of the gene pool. We know that every deck in Las Vegas is stacked against our girls being trim, so we decided to try to help teach them healthy habits. To do that, we need to practice what we preach.
Connect as a couple at least one night a month. No. Not THAT way. Keep your minds up here on street level. We can't accomplish #5 if that happens. More or less to have a date night where we can be alone, without the kids is the aim of this resolution. We spend so much time working and caring for our monkeys that we often forget to nurture the most important relationship in our lives: our own.
Keep up on house chores and maintenance. We need a new roof. We are also very tolerant of clutter and dust...almost too tolerant. As it goes now, the only time we really clean is if someone is going to visit. Weekly to bi-weekly would be ideal.
Read my lips: No new tax deductions. Two kids in sixteen months is enough for us, for now. Maybe we will have more in a few years. Maybe we won't. I just want to get these two out of diapers before I have to start buying Swaddlers again.

So there are just a few that I wish to share with you. I hope to update our progress throughout the year. I would love to hear yours and how they are going too!

What I Learned Today....

2007-01-12T20:31:00.000-05:00

...the best way to get the worst care ever is to visit a pediatrician's office at 4:30 pm on the Friday before a three day weekend. Desperate parents litter the waiting room, hoping their presence will prevent a visit to urgent care during the weekend. Overworked nurses shuffle their feet, dreaming of the super strawberry daiquiri they will consume at the twenty-one and over bar in about an hour. Doctors impatiently enduring an explanation of symptoms from a mother who feels increasingly stupid, fearful she is wasting her time and money, since she knows that all the flippant doctor is going to say that it is a just a virus.

I bet you can't guess how I spent my afternoon.

Halftime at the Championship Game

2007-01-10T12:37:00.000-05:00

This was sent to me by a dear friend. Though a clever photoshop job, it is remarkably close to the truth. That sentiment ran through every Buckeyes mind during halftime.

What else is truly funny, during the actual halftime show of the National Championship game, the marching band unfortunately revisited one of their numbers from the Michigan game. The selection was music from the music "Titanic" complete with a marching reenactment of the ship's infamous demise. The performance was stellar, but too close to the truth of the situation for comfort. Here is a short clip from the act during its debut performance, to give you an idea of the feat.

An Offer I Can't Refuse

2007-01-10T12:20:00.000-05:00

If you are keeping up on my ongoing job interview saga, I have been given a offer for a part time position...exactly what I had hoped! I will be working part time from home, using my college degree, doing something which I both love and excel. Yea!

The orientation is at the end of the month. Two days away from my family (frown) but they will put me up in a hotel for a night. That just may be a wonderful mommy "vacation." I wonder if I can pack enough bubble bath for the night.

Scarlett Olivia, Four Months

2007-01-09T19:55:00.000-05:00

Scarlett is now four months old. Sadly enough, Dan and I didn't realize it until we were switching out our old calendar for the new one. Here are some highlights from the last month:

She is officially a roller girl. She did the front to back stunt shortly after she turned 3 months old. Anything to get out of tummy time.

She is able to tripod for a brief time as well.
She always has a finger or a fist in her mouth. Yes, she can get the entire fist into her mouth. It is funny when she tries to laugh like this.

She's laughing. She laughs hysterically when you tickle her toes or her belly.

She loves to flirt.

She is enamored with Aveline. She watches the toddler's movements very carefully.

Talks all of the time. Happy or sad, she lets you know. She is incredibly vocal. Most of it is garbled though, with her hand shoved in her mouth. Sometimes she is so loud on your lap, your conversation with another adult just across the room is compromised.

She drools in pools. I change her bib at least 3 or 4 times a day.

Loves playing with her hands, grabbing and swatting at rattles and other toys.

Wants to be wherever you are, almost to a fault. It is sometimes hard to use the restroom alone.

Started using her exersaucer, or as Dan and I call it, the Circle of Neglect or NeglectoSaucer. She loves the upright vantage point. It is like Homer Simpson's nuclear control panel. She has always loved sitting upright.

She has a wide range of emotions and the ability to shift from one to another rather quickly. She lets you know the instant something is not absolutely perfect.

Her sleeping has regressed a bit. She goes down around 8 pm at night and wakes to eat a six ounce bottle at 1 am and at 5 am. She also eats quite a bit during the day. We may have to start cereal soon.

Is much better after her first cold. She is still coughing a little, but she feels great.

She is a much different baby than Aveline was. We enjoy the new challenge, though. Aveline was way too easy. It's a good thing she was a starter baby. We've moved up to the moderate parental skill level model.

Human Afterall

2007-01-09T05:17:00.000-05:00

Not the best game to chose to have your worst game, but, hey, it happens.

The game last night was not fun to watch. In fact, it made me nearly physically ill. Drowning my sorrows did not work, so I opted for some much needed sleep rather than endure anymore of what would be the worst game of Buckeye history. At least I could dream about the sixteen seconds of glory the Buckeyes had.

I just woke up and checked the score on the internet. My instincts tell me to go ahead and erase the game off of my TiVo, sight unseen, and avoid any more heartache. Apparently it didn't get any better after halftime.

So our team showed its human side. We lost. That is a risk of playing the game. Hopefully Buckeye fans will recognize that we got to play the game, and that second place is still better than everone whose not a Gator. (Pssst...that includes Michigan!)

Looking back the season is not a loss. We beat Michigan, a feat taken by itself, is a source of happiness and pride. It just sucks when your last bite of a scrumptious meal is a bad one.

So when is Spring Game again?

The Big Game?

2007-01-08T12:45:00.000-05:00

So tonight is the BCS Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Championship Series Bowl presented by FOX. Pretty long name, huh? I guess the name needs to live up to the expected hype of the game. I admit that this is a big game, reportedly for the whole enchilada, but I am not that amped up. I don't know if it is a calm confidence or a weary dread.

Having attend to Ohio State during most of the Cooper years, I would approach big games imagining the worst possible outcome of the match. I would then multiply that by how many points we were favored, and then divide that product by the number of on-air analysts that predict an easy victory. The result often matched the number of points by which we would lose. Only three times did my theory not prove true: Michigan '94, Rose Bowl '97 and Michigan '98. Forget confidence. Forget optimism. It was a protective strategy for the title hopes and dreams of the Ohio State fan of the time.

Tressel has drawn me from my "duck and cover" position normally assumed during big games. He has proven many times that I am safe to have hope and confidence when it comes to the outcome of big games. For tonight's game, I have no worries, which, ironically enough, sort of worries me. I know that we have clearly the better team, as we usually did during Cooper's reign. The difference is that I know this coaching staff will have the team meticulously prepared and working as a single football unit, not a group of talented primadonnas wanting their Sports Center moment.

I think the weary dread stems from the fact that after tonight, the Ohio State football drought begins. I will have the game on TiVo to quench my thirst from time to time, but it will not be the same.

The game will be big tonight, but my anxiety will not. The Gators are talented and Coach Meyers is clever, but the night will belong to the Buckeyes.

Prediction:

Florida 13 Ohio State 31

Dr. Aveline, Medicine Toddler

2007-01-07T18:42:00.000-05:00

Apparently some of our household fruit has caught the plague. Our resident fruititician ran many tests, including the popular taste test, the smell test and the throw-the-patient-at-the-dog test, one I would have strongly advised against if I had been consulted. She was even so thorough as to take the temperature, which was dangerously low. Dr. Aveline, now in the third month of her citrus rotation, gave this poor navel a grim prognosis. He met his demise precisely at snack time.

A Star is Born

2007-01-06T08:22:00.000-05:00

Aveline, being 20 months old, has finally started chipping in on her living expenses.

A few months ago, we were contacted by someone producing a holiday special on TLC that would highlight the antics of people around the holidays. They found our video of Aveline opening Christmas presents on YouTube, and promised us $400 if they used the clip. I consulted with Dan, and after examining the paper work, decided to go ahead and give them permission. We sent them a hard copy along with the various release forms in mid-October. Having heard nothing about it since, we assumed they decided against using our clip.

Then we got a check in the mail for $400 on Tuesday. They must have used our clip.

We are searching TLC, but realize that since the show was geared for the holidays, it will probably not be rerun until next year.

So, keep your eyes peeled for our firstborn monkey ripping open presents on TLC.

A quick side note: When I uploaded the Christmas videos last year, I had only wanted to upload one clip. Fortunately, I uploaded two wrong videos before finally getting my intended video online. The clip that was used was one of the mistakes. It pays to screw up!

This is the clip that helped fix the transmission on our car!

Two Car Family

2007-01-05T19:56:00.000-05:00

We are now back in the land of the Dual Car Families. Thank goodness. It had been since July since we owned two operational vehicles, and quite frankly, I was going crazy. I could not go anywhere farther than walking distance while Dan was working. It was also incredibly inconvenient if the girls had a doctor's appointment. Dan would have to leave work, which could not happen, or I had to load the girls into the car, drop Dan off at work, go to the appointment, then pick him up later that evening. The worst was when Dan had to pick me up on New Year's Eve after my shift. He loaded both girls into the car at 1:00am to get me.

It took us nearly six months due to my pregnancy. The transmission went kaput, and that is not exactly a cheap repair. I went on maternity leave shortly after its demise and did not return to work until October. So, as a single income family, some things had to wait. We finally got the money around and were able to get it fixed.

So now I am independent again. I can do the grocery shopping, pick up gifts or go to the library. I am no longer a prisoner in my own home. We can be social again. That is, once the plague leaves the premises.

Interview Complete

2007-01-04T21:43:00.000-05:00

For those of you keeping score, my job interview was today. We won't know for a week or two what the outcome is, but we will keep you posted.

I personally thought it went well. It was the longest interview I had ever encountered at nearly two hours in length. It didn't seem long to me, though. I found the entire process invigorating and intriguing. In fact, I found myself wanting the job even more after the interview. That being said, the process itself was rewarding in the fact that it forced me to take inventory of my life and view myself with confidence and pride. Go me.

Besides the actual interview going well, the two-hour car trip each way was a nice break from my two most demanding customers and their never ending needs and critique.

Resolutions

2007-01-03T22:52:00.000-05:00

I am mulling over a post that includes my resolutions for the new year. Of course, to do that, I would need to actually sit down and make resolutions for the new year. Since the fog of the plague is finally starting to lift, I may have a chance to put some gray matter behind that task. Though no formal list has been created, I know it will most definitely include the popular, almost requisite diet/weight loss resolution.

Perhaps a do-over for New Year's Day? Perhaps January 10th? Maybe for no other reason than I must eat horrible-for-you appetizer type foods during the National Championship game or my team will lose. The last time they lost, I was at my in-laws and the fare was fairly healthy. Correlation? I think so. Coincidence? I think not.

So January 10th will officially start the new year off for me, and my resolutions.

What I Learned Today....

2007-01-02T23:14:00.000-05:00

I learned, while shoe shopping, that my feet are not the same size. In fact, my left foot is a 7 1/2 while my right foot is almost a 7.

Pork and saurkraut is even better the second day.

Sick and Sicker

2007-01-01T07:55:00.000-05:00

The proverbial weather has landed it's big, fat behind right on my entire family. And like a Greyhound bus driver whose fallen behind schedule on the Cleveland to Atlanta route, it doesn't appear to be getting up anytime soon.

Last week, I was naive to think that there could be nothing worse than having sick children during the holidays. There is, as I now know. You can have sick children during the holidays and get sick yourself. Both of us.

So, we will lie here pitifully and hope a day of rest will help clear the skies above our home.

Twas the Day after Christmas

2006-12-26T19:56:00.000-05:00

'Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house,
my children were puking, and so was my spouse.
My stockings had runs, and there's snot in my hair,
and I paused to consider when I last changed my pair.

Their cheeks and their noses glowed feverishly flush,
and strangely the room held an atypical hush.
The ailing, all scattered cross chair and cross couch,
managed only meek moans and an occasional "Ouch."

Cutouts and chocolates remained on their plate,
while tylenol and pediatlyte assumed their grim fate.
On the floor, toys laid silent, new gadgets, unfettered.
Santa's loot must be patient 'til the family feels better.

So we must apologize to all in this season of caring,
if more than mere presents our family was sharing.
And those who missed us, feel neither sad nor blue,
because our gift this Christmas was a horrible flu.

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-24T20:47:00.000-05:00

We hope you all have a joyous holiday!

Face to Face

2006-12-20T21:15:00.000-05:00

Yeah! I got invited in for a face to face interview the first week in January. Ack! I have to find a suit that doesn't make me look like a hippo, now. Shoot, the interview should be a breeze if I can do that!