Happy is a Choice

This much I know is true

2010-10-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

1) Stress is a great weight loss tool...Since picking up 2 new clients for work, I'm always in a tizzy and now my pants don't fit.

2) The perfect time to decide to have a 'Home Made' Christmas is NOT in October. I should have started planning all of my crafty projects back in January.

3) Those parents that have perfectly groomed, neat children really, really have my undying jealousy. It doesn't matter how many nice clothes that I buy, or how much conditioner I put on their hair...they will still want to wear the same tacky outfit everyday of the week and be rumpled with their hair sticking straight up 5 minutes after they are dressed. This morning I even noticed that my 7 year old had a nice toothpaste smear ALL THE WAY down the side of her pants as she walked away from the car to go into school. Ugh!

4) It doesn't matter how much I pay to have my carpets cleaned OR how nice it looks, the dog will find it necessary to pee on it within three days of the cleaning.

5) My anti-smoking brainwashing is evidently working on my girls. My oldest saw a girl on the side of the street the other day and told me, "That girl is probably gonna DIE!" I was shocked and asked her why in the world she would say that. She said, "Because she's smoking a CIGARETTE!" Oh, dear...

My Sorta Mini "Sophie's Choice" Moment

2010-09-29T14:08:00.000-07:00

I'm always thankful for the fact that I'm not a single parent. Some days even more than others...like today, for example.

At about 3 pm I was living the good life...youngest one down for a nap...still had about 40 minutes until the oldest two got home on the bus...emails answered, work caught up, dishes done, laundry going, house relatively straight...

Then...BAM...I get a call from my oldest daughter's teacher. She's sort of talking around the fact that the Princess REALLY had to go to the bathroom...the #2 kind of going to the bathroom...and basically hung out in there trying to go and totally missed her bus home!

Now, on the one hand, I'm REALLY pleased with the fact that they didn't force her on the bus, because we ALL know that a kid will NEVER, EVER live down the fact that she pooped her pants on the school bus. Like...Senior year in high school, people will still be writing about it in your yearbook kind of never living it down. So, I don't have a problem with the fact that she missed the bus. What I DO however have a problem with is that they waited to call me until 3pm! She missed the bus at 2:30, people. I have another child that will arrive on the bus at home at the same time that they are telling me that the Princess needs to be picked up by!

So...what to do, what to do?!? It's a good 40 minutes round trip with traffic...the neighbor isn't answering the phone, the in-laws are out of town...so, the only thing I COULD do was call my dear husband IN A PANIC!

Thankfully he's a mostly chill-mode sort of a guy with a flexible work environment, so he was out of the office in a flash to trek the 30 minutes home...so everything worked out fine.

Which makes me SO. VERY. THANKFUL. that I have a wonderful husband to be there to help me figure these things out...God has truly blessed me.

Kids are crazy

2010-09-21T06:33:00.001-07:00

My kids are nuts... I guess it could be in their genes, but I don't know. This morning, the little one was yanking off all of the open flowers on my potted mums. I asked her exactly why she was doing it and she informed me that she was "feeding the kitepiller"..which I take to mean a caterpillar. On one hand, I'm so proud that she's such a sweetheart that she would be worried about a little caterpillar. Especially since said caterpillar was right in our very high grass that hasn't been mowed in two weeks, so he wasn't exactly hurting for food. On the other hand...I drove all the way to Costco for those mums.

Walt Disney World

2010-09-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that I am actually in the planning stages of our girls' very first trip to Disney World! First of all it is hard for me to believe that everyone is actually old enough to go. We always said that everyone had to be potty trained, and now that we are officially are out of the diaper years, it is time to get crackin'!

Honestly, I'm a little overwhelmed by all of the info out there. Three tiers of accommodation choices, multiple dining plans, numbers of days of tickets, hopper pass or no...it has been a bit of a confusing process.

The littlest one is so excited already. One of our potty training motivators was that we couldn't go until she went poo-poo in the potty. Now that we have success, every time that she goes, she pulls up her big girl panties, flushes, washes her hands...and then says, "Let's go see Mickey!" Poor kid...now every morning she wakes up thinking THIS is the day.

My poor husband is also in for a bit of a shock, I think, because he doesn't fully realize the extent of my evil plan to go "all out" on this trip. He is such a cruise-lover that now that I have him locked into Disney, I need to make the most of it. Plus, the Princess is 7 now. In a few years, she will be totally out of the "everything is magic" stage...one more reason to do it "right". Princess makeovers at Bibbity Boppity Boutique, breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table, and matching personalized Mickey Mouse ears for the WHOLE family...LOL!

Anyway...I'm so excited, and the girls are excited, too. Now to find the perfect tutorial on how to make handmade Autograph books. I think those might make a fabulous Christmas gift.

Crafting Crazy

2010-09-15T10:00:00.001-07:00

I'll admit it...I'm a little crazy about crafting. I love making something awesome from nothing. My problem is that I don't often come up with fabulous ideas on my own. I have to see something and then decide to make something similar. There are several blogs that I follow that have inspired tutorials. Tea Rose Home is one of them. This blog has only recently come to my attention, but this lady comes up with the greatest ideas! She also makes things that look just like she got them right out of an Anthropologie store. With my love of all things Anthropologie, she quickly ran right to the top of my favorite crafting blogs list.

For example, look at these fabulous t-shirts. Not only did she come up with a way to make one version, she did FIVE different versions of these shirts! Here are my favorite three...

The Original

Pink

Lavender (My favorite!)

I cant wait to try out her tutorials. I'm having visions of a whole closet of Anthropologie-like shirts for the Fall ;0)

My very next project, however, is this one from a blog called Make It and Love It:

Doesn't this dress look soooo comfortable? I've got the perfect shirt. It was just lying in a pile, destined for Goodwill. I hated to part with it, but for some crazy reason the designer put pockets in it, which made my hips look WAY too big. I'm so excited to get started...the tutorial can be found HERE.

Well, I'm off to get to work on at least one of my many projects...

100 Days until Christmas!

2010-09-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it is only 100 days until Christmas! Last year I all but missed Christmas because of walking pneumonia and bronchitis...so I'm doubly excited about this year. I'm praying that this year will be so much better. It is pretty sad to sit in Urgent Care by yourself on the day after Christmas while your whole family is in Chattanooga celebrating. I felt so bad after my shots that I just sat in a corner and sobbed while I waited for my prescriptions to be filled. I was pretty pathetic!

Surprisingly, I've gotten a nice start on my shopping already. I always run out of ideas once the pressure is on, so this year, I've purchased things as the inspiration hit me.

My big problem this year is going to be getting ideas for my kids. With the economy the way it is and when I look around and see the mountains of toys that are rarely played with...I have no desire to go out and purchase more.

Sooo, this year I am trying to focus more on the experiences. Our Polar Express tickets are already purchased. My husband is hooking me up with a trip to the Southern Lady Celebration
and the girls are super excited to be meeting a new cousin who is due on Christmas Eve.

Etsy love...

2010-08-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned on this blog how much I love crafting. Really, if my life had gone another direction, I would have loved to have been a costume designer for movies (or an archaeologist...but that is a whole other post).

I've just gotten back into the sewing habit by opening a store on Etsy called Wee Southern Gentlemen. I'm making classic neckties for little boys. I was inspired by the fact that my neighbor, who is an AMAZING photographer, seemed to have TONS of props for little girls, but not very many for little boys. I'm just getting started and slowly photographing my items to sell, but have already had several sales just from word of mouth! I'm so excited.

Anyway, while I am new to Etsy selling, I am NOT new to Etsy shopping. I laughed to myself the other day after realizing that while I have been buying on eBay for 10 years, I have been on Etsy for only 2 and have half as many feedback ratings already ;0)

That is why I am so very excited that the people at CraftGossip.com, are hosting a "Win Your Etsy Wishlist" giveaway!

I suddenly feel like a little kid at Christmas! If I had $100 to only spend on Etsy...what goodies would I get?

My all-time lust-for item is this Petra Collection Gold Vermeil Amethyst Ring. Sadly, it is above the limit for this giveaway...but I'm gonna post it anyway because it is so pretty and I like to look at it ;0)

Here is another item that I've had on my Favorites list forever in some form or fashion. I love to cook and love pretty cooking oriented things. DBabcock makes the prettiest aqua salt pigs. Perfect for sitting on your counter.

My absolute favorite one that she makes has a little curlique on top...but she isn't offering one of those in her shop right now.

Keeping with the aqua theme, my next lovely favorite (from Julie's Adorabowls ) reminds me of the sea glass I found on our vacation last year to the Outer Banks. The breeze...the sand...watching my kids playing in the tide pools...

Next, I'd go for something practical...like this Busy Mom Organizer from Monkey Cheeks. I'm really into couponing these days, and my coupons are always in a plastic Ziplock...which usually leads to coupons flying all over the place and me running down the aisles to catch up with them. This would keep all my coupons, cell phone, and shopping list all together in one place.

Hmmm, what else?...for my crafting stash. These beautiful millinery flowers. I love making little girly things for my girls and these have always been on my To Buy list. This is from Sugar Pink Boutique.

Then there is this paper fringe, also by Sugar Pink Boutique. I've used this at the bottom of painted banners and around birthday party decorations and it is one of my favorite crafting supplies. I was sad when I ran out...and this color is so bright and cheerful.

Lastly, from Gathering Splendor comes this awesome French seam binding. So many uses...gift wrapping, crafts, home decorating, ribbon embroidery...love!

I hope you enjoyed a peek into my Etsy wishlist. Thanks to CraftGossip.com for this awesome opportunity...

Wow! Can't believe it has been so long...

2010-08-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

I CAN. NOT. believe it has been almost two years since I updated this blog. Several people have asked me why I let it go and I'm not exactly sure why it was. Partly it was because I realized that I had inadvertently posted a picture of Bruiser with her preschool's name and address very prominently displayed right behind her. That scared the bejesus out of me. And now, reading my last few posts I realize that I probably had my hands full with Bruiser's TERRIBLE THREES.

Actually, I know I had my hands full because the littlest one has just hit that stage herself and it is frustrating the hell out of me.

We are in the throw-down, kicking, hitting, screaming terrible threes...and Mommy is the one getting the time-outs. Add to this the frustration of a potty training experience going NOWHERE and I really need a margarita ;0)

Anyway, I hope to get going on this blog again. It is a nice release and creative outlet.

As a welcome back, here are some current pics of the kids...I can't believe how much they have changed in two years.

The Princess

LaLa

Bruiser (I can't believe she just started KINDERGARTEN!)

Missing Bruiser

2008-09-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

I think I've professed my crush on Bruiser on here before. The fact that she was MY girl and that I really just wanted to "eat her up".

Well, lately she has starting telling me "Mommy, I don't love you anymore", which, I know is just her trying out her newfound 3 year old independence, but it still hurts nonetheless.

She is also turning just a tad bit MEAN! She has temper tantrums and kicks and, at times, has an all around bad attitude.

So, I'm depressed. I miss my sweet, funny Bruiser. I really want her back. This Bruiser has me imagining all sorts of future scenarios, most of them including a 16 year old Bruiser who dates 30 year old men on motorcycles, cusses like a sailor and drinks whiskey straight-up.

I really don't understand it. I've been very cognizant of the whole "middle child" syndrome ever since we found out Little Lovely was on the way. We don't compare Bruiser to the Princess. I know all of Bruiser's favorite things and make sure she doesn't only have hand me downs. She gets plenty of alone quality time.

Please God, just make this be a stage!!!

So, to give Bruiser AND us a break, she is currently having her very own sleepover with her grandparents...and it is killing me. I miss her like crazy...tantrums and all.

It was so peaceful and quiet without her here. Not a single tear was shed. The Princess played games with her dad and then got her OWN pjs on and said she was tired and went to bed. Little Lovely was grouchy, but the poor thing is cutting all of her incisors at once. She never once cried from being knocked down or having her hair pulled.

My husband and I looked at each other last night and at the same time said, "Isn't it TOO quiet around here?" So, we now know who the rabble-rouser is in the family...and I miss her.

Dear Mainstream Media

2008-09-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

(Please bear with me...this is a rant of my opinion...so you can just skip on by...)

Dear Mainstream Media,

I noticed on my news headlines this morning that the top story is about Gov. Palin's pregnant teenage daughter. I think the actual video headline was "Who Got Bristol Palin Pregnant?". Newsflash, people...this is not the 1950's. Teeneage girls get pregnant sometimes...it is a fact of life. They don't even have to go stay at a convent and have their babies swept away from them at birth. If they are lucky and have the support and love of their families...they can even finish school, go to college and have wonderful fulfilling lives.

I have to admit that I've been on the fence regarding who I'm going to vote for for President. I was very impressed with John McCain's choice to downplay the RNC due to Gustav...but I will guarantee my John McCain vote if one thing happens...

I want Governor Palin to answer a media question about her daughter by saying this:

"It is not what I would have wanted for my daughter at this young age, but it has happened. I love my daughter, and I will love my grandchild...and we will deal with this as a family."

...And that's it...It doesn't have to be those exact words, just the idea behind them...don't use this as an opportunity to wax philosophic about Pro-Life/Pro-Choice. I'd like to see one politician stand up for their family even if they may not agree (uhum...Cheney and his daughter, anyone? How hard would it have been for the man to say, "She's my daughter and I love her...we may not agree on some fundamental things...but that is what this country is all about" Sheesh!)

That's it...rant over...

Oh, to be ten years younger for one day...

2008-08-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

Youth is wasted on the young...

Am I the only one who thinks the Olympics should be every day? I mean, really...isn't
it the only way that self-respecting happily married women with young kids can unashamedly watch half naked men parade around on TV...with no complaints from our husbands?

Here's one vote for the 24 hour Olympics swimming channel.

Five Examples (this week) of Why I am a Slacker Mom

2008-08-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

1) The checkout guy's face at McDonald's when he realized that it was the song "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It" that Bruiser was singing at the top of her lungs.

2) The email I received yesterday from the Princess' Kindergarten teacher that stated: "I wanted you to be aware that I spoke to [Princess] and a little boy in our class today about kissing. I saw them kiss once in the classroom and was told that they were kissing on the lips on the playground. They admitted to me that they were kissing and I told them that we don't do that at school. I also told them I was going to send a note to their parents. I just wanted you to know that we had discussed this today."

3) There is a pile of laundry waist deep in my laundry room that I am too intimidated to dig into. Granted, most of it IS bedding/comforters...but still...waist deep?

4) I STILL haven't replaced the IOU in my girls' piggy banks from when I needed cash for an errand run.

5) Thanks to us going ahead and having Princess and Bruiser's birthday party even though I had been sick the previous day, at least 4 people are now sick. Even though I stayed away from everyone and Cloroxed almost every inch of the house...I have a feeling that there is now a target on my forehead.

Why I am now an obsessive Olympics watcher

2008-08-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

Helloooooo, Ryan Lochte!

Ummm...need I say more? I guess I'll have to expand my "Freebie list" to two Ryans now...

Aren't they pretty? *sighhhhh*

How to have fun in a car for 13 hours...

2008-08-13T17:55:00.000-07:00

I know that I still haven't blogged about our big Maryland trip, but I had to post a quick pick of how my two younger girls entertained themselves on the way to MD.

I swear that we fed them and provided toys...but I guess the ole toes are as good a toy as any!

World's Cutest Coldplay Fan

2008-08-13T17:45:00.000-07:00

Look out Gwyneth, because my baby girl is obsessed with your man. Yes, that's right...Little Lovely is in love with Coldplay.

We happen to have a TiVo recording of MTV Hits that includes a two-play of Coldplay's "Fix You" and "Violet Hill". Since Bruiser is now a Madonna fan and loves her "Hung Up" song, we play it pretty often so that Bruiser can bounce around the living room like a Mexican Jumping Bean...but as soon as that song is over and "Fix You" comes on...here comes the slap-slap sound of LL's crawling hands and knees as fast as they can carry her.

When she makes it to the living room, she rocks back and forth as hard as she can to the rhythm of the song. Sometimes she even adopts her "Captain Morgan" pose (upright, with one knee down and one knee up) and bounces up and down. It is friggin' hilarious!

I've never seen a one year old as enthralled by anything as she is with this video. It is like nothing I've ever seen...not Elmo, Baby Einstein, or any Disney cartoon could hypnotize a child like Coldplay.

So, it looks like the one thing Santa can count on buying for LL this year is a Coldplay CD. She will be in heaven!

Retroblog Photoblog: Little Lovely's 1st Birthday Bash

2008-08-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

Little Lovely had a fabulous birthday with lots of decorations, cake, and family and friends...

As you can see, she was pretty happy about all of the attention!

This is a girl that isn't afraid to tear into some cake, that's for sure...

She didn't mind sharing the spotlight with her favorite group of girls, though...

Sadly, this means there are no more babies in our house anymore. She is pulling up and cruising like crazy and will be walking and running pretty soon. Makes me a little teary eyed with all the changes going on at our house :0(

First Day of Kindergarten

2008-08-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

Sniff, sniff...my baby started kindergarten this week. She was so excited...until she got to school and then I think she was a little unsure of herself. She got a fabulous report from her teacher, though.

The same day was also her birthday AND a very stormy afternoon. The school bus driver said that, for the first time in 18 years, she had to pull over and do a tornado drill in the bus. This means that the Princess' first day was quite a lively one. The bus driver also mentioned that the Princess was a "back seat driver"...she gets it from her Daddy!

A very happy birthday to my big 5 year old girl!

Birthday parties, Snaggleteeth, and severed fingers...oh my!!!

2008-07-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

You could say that things have been super busy in our neck of the woods. That is why I have been slacking on my blog upkeep.

We took our big 13 hour trip to Maryland, which went amazingly well! The Princess lost her first tooth in a hotel in Frederick, MD. Thankfully the tooth fairy was prepared and kinda knew that we were going to be there!

The first week back was so busy with laundry and cleaning and just getting settled back in.

Then this past week we had been going crazy with "Little Lovely's First Birthday Extravaganza". It seemed we were all on track, and even early with cleaning and decorating, but then, the night before, the Princess slammed her hand in the back patio door and almost severed the tip of her finger from the bottom of the fingernail to the tip. This prompted a 911 call, a paramedic visit, and a visit to Children's Hospital until 1 am. Needless to say, we were all dragging on the day of the party.

I have plenty of pics to share...but I'll spare you any pics of the severed finger ;0) Hopefully I can get them all up sooner than later.

Meet Teresa from Peru

2008-06-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

With the world feeling like it is going to Hell in a Handbasket, do you ever wonder how you could possibly ever make a difference...as just one person?

I did...and oftentimes still do...but last Christmas, I found a small way to feel like I could make a difference in someone's life...from across the globe.

Meet Teresa:

Teresa is an applicant to Kiva, an online International Microfinance organization that is committed to helping those of us with so much, help people in developing nations make a good life for themselves.

Kiva is based on the principle of "if you teach a man to fish...". It is a website where you can loan as little as $25 to help a person buy equipment, refurbish a shop, buy cattle, etc., that will allow them to better support themselves and their family.

Teresa's story, as listed by Kiva:

Teresa is 44 years old and a mother of four. She used to work hard to sell groceries, which also generated no income because there was no big supply and demand for these products in her city. Three years ago, she gave up selling groceries. Now, she sells clothing to various houses: she sells clothing seasonally, leaving her customers the products and getting paid at her next return visit. She works in the same company her husband Juan Manuel works. He is also responsible for the administration of bill collection from his customers every 30 days. Teresa, like all mothers, wishes that her children become professionally successful. That is why she works very hard with dedication to this job. Currently, she has her own store which is not used because there are many repairs that need to be done to display her clothing. With this goal to refurbish this place, establish her business, and sell her products, she seeks a loan to develop and utilize the space that she has. With your help, Teresa will be able to materialize her goal in a short time.

Teresa not only made all of her payments on time, but today I received an email saying she had paid in full (Yay Teresa! Hope your shop is thriving...) and that my initial loan was waiting for me to reinvest in someone else's future.

Soo...meet Diana Duah from Ghana:

She currently sells plastic home products door to door by hauling her goods in a basket on her head! She wants to find a place to open a shop so she doesn't have to do that anymore. Bless her heart...here's hoping my piddly little $25 gives her a nice shop and a much needed break!

Halleluiah! We have a working DRYER!!!!

2008-06-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Lord (and the Best Buy repair man)!

Overheard recently at our house....

2008-06-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

Day 1:

Princess (as she ran through the living room): "I'm Wonder Woman!!!"

Bruiser (as she ran through the living room): "I'm Wonder Woman!!!"

Princess (stops and puts hands on hips): "Actually, Bruiser...YOU'RE just a sidekick!"

Day 2:

Setting - Hall bathroom where the Princess and Bruiser are waiting for Bruiser to "make a deposit"

Bruiser: "Princess...you need to LEAVE...its going to be stinky because I'm goin' poo-poo"

Princess: "Actually, Bruiser...only Daddy's poopoo is stinky"

Day 3:

Princess (as we pass a cemetery): "Mommy, why do some people go to Heaven when they die, and some people go in the ground?

Day 4:

Princess (as she overhears a song by Katy Perry): "Mommy, why did the lady in that song say she kissed a girl and she liked it?"

Note to Self 2018

2008-06-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

Hey...Remember that time when Bruiser was potty-training...and she had an accident while she was sleeping and peed all over her blankie? And the dryer was STILL broken with no repairman or part in site....

And it stormed and got kind of chilly that afternoon...therefore the blankie NEVER dried...and it was bedtime and still stormy...and Bruiser cried and cried for her blankie, because she LOVES blankie and the THUNDER was SCARY?

So you stood in the bathroom and HAND DRIED BLANKIE with your HAIR DRYER? For close to 45 minutes...and she still cried because blankie was still DAMP?

Yeah...good times...

Random Thoughts from a Baby Wrangler

2008-06-10T07:04:00.000-07:00

1) Why do I have to be called a "Stay at Home Mom"? Why can't I be a Baby Wrangler? I mean, let's face facts here, kids this age NEED to be wrangled because they act like wild animals most days. More like chimpanzees actually. Have you ever wrestled a slippery toddler out of the bathtub who doesn't want to get out? Then you know what I mean...

2) Why do all the newspapers and magazines I read lately keep giving "helpful hints" that say you should let tea cool before you put it in the refrigerator to keep it from being cloudy? Who the heck cares if it is cloudy as long as it is SWEET...do I hear an Amen?

3) What does "Gettin' jiggy with it" really mean?

4) Now that my husband is on a mission to lose weight, why am I suddenly eating everything I can find? Is it because he can lose 15 pounds in one week, and when I GAIN 8 ounces in 24 hours, the Wii Fit computer asks me if I it is because I ate too much last night...or because I have indigestion?

5) Why do people oftentimes rave about clothes dried "in the great outdoors"? The freshness, the smell of sunshine...blah blah blah...What about the stiffness and the crunchiness that makes it feel like you are drying off with sandpaper? I like my towels Downy-fresh...thank you very much.

6) Anyone feel richer now that they have their "Economic Stimulus" check in their pocket? Yeah...me neither...sadly it will be going towards taxes and $4 a gallon gas.

7) Why is friggin' Mario Kart for the Wii so hard to find after it has been out for MONTHS? And why did the clerk at Best Buy laugh in my face when I asked where I could find one in the store?

8) What do you get a guy for Father's Day who has EVERYTHING? I mean, seriously...EVERY GADGET EVER MADE? My answer was Mario Kart....but see #7 to see how that is coming.

9) Am I delirious from talking to no one but kids all day every day...and because my husband has been traveling A LOT lately...or is Go, Diego, Go's dad kind of HOT?

Re-owwwrrrr! I've got your Aye, Papi right here...

10) How did it get to be a little over a month from Little Lovely's first birthday? And I haven't planned a FRIGGIN' THING! Poor baby, what could we even possibly buy her that we don't already have? Maybe some more squeaky bathtub books...she really likes those.

Random Bruiser Love

2008-06-08T21:26:00.000-07:00

Introducing....

Super-Bruiser

Pool time fun for the Little Lovely

2008-06-08T21:22:00.000-07:00

First popsicle:

Letting the water run out of the pool is FUN!

Dear Neighborhood Homeowner's Association

2008-06-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

Multiple choice question:

What does this picture say to you?

a) Our house has been taken over by rednecks camping on our backporch

b) I've gone "back to nature" with my newly found environmental consciousness (and what you can't see in the picture is my washboard and washtub)

Or...

c) I am the mother of a toddler in the throes of potty-training...with a broken dryer...which was supposed to be fixed on Friday...but NO...they had to order a part...which won't be in until later this week. Therefore, I haven't been able to wash the "Mommy, I had an accident" underwear and they are stinking up my laundry room...

If you haven't figured it out yet, the answer is C.

So, if someone starts writing those complaining catty letters...like people like to do...just throw me a bone and tell them to chill out and give me a break. It won't last much longer.

Not wanting to jinx ourselves...

2008-06-08T20:46:00.000-07:00

but I think we are on course for a major potty training success story...(*knock on wood*)

Not only have we gone with no diapers for over a week, but we went poo-poo on the potty on the SECOND DAY! With poo-poo success on almost every day since.

I won't horrify you with actual poo-poo success pictures, but I will show some "before and after" shots.

Before: (notice that she needed some hy-dra-ti-on for the big task ahead)

After: (This was right before the Princess and I did the "happy potty dance" and I ran to make pancakes. She looks pretty happy, right?)

The trouble with Little Lovelies...

2008-06-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

is that you turn your back for two minutes to answer the door for the mail lady...

...and they hide from you UNDER THE COFFEE TABLE...

Which is enough to scare Mommy into a heart-attack.

My newest project

2008-06-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

Today, I FINALLY found a use for something that I bought at the World's Longest Yard Sale...Three Years Ago...

An antique frame...that was dirty, cracked, and with paint chipping everywhere...

...is now a very useful wipe-off board for the kitchen.

Who knew that home improvement stores sell wipe off board by the sheet for less than $10...and you can have it cut to size? Pretty nice, huh?

My Ambitious Summer

2008-06-04T06:56:00.001-07:00

Well, folks...there are a lot of things that have been piling up that I keep *meaning* to do...but just haven't gotten around to...so now I'm going to put my list "out there" so I will feel obligated to get it done.

On the top of the list is potty training Bruiser. It shouldn't be so hard, but I barely have a chance to go to the bathroom with all the kids at home, much less chase an almost 3 year old around asking if she "needs to go potty" every 30 minutes.

Luckily I have found that my biggest help in this department comes via the Princess, who I have drafted in my quest. Once I told her that I would make pancakes for everyone the second that Bruiser poo-pooed in the potty...she was all about cheering Bruiser on.

So, we are on our second day (in a row) of Bruiser going pee-pee in the potty. We've had quite a few successes so far, and she doesn't want Pull-Ups...she wants to wear big girl panties...so here's hoping!

My To Do List for Summer 2008

1) Potty Train Bruiser

2) Break Bruiser off her nap/bedtime bottles (Done! We are now 2 weeks into this)

3) Introduce milk to Little Lovely

4) Break the Princess fully off sippy cups

5) Break Bruiser from the pacifier

6) Schedule and take the Princess to swimming lessons

7) Mail off 3 Crafts for Kids swap packages (sorry guys...I haven't forgotten)

8) Get a haircut - prior to going to Maryland

9) Fully move Little Lovely to table food (Done!)

10) Finish going through the boxes of stuff from my mom's house so hubby will stop "reminding" me every couple of days

11) Paint kitchen (Done!)

12) Paint hallway

13) Clear out the overgrown island in the backyard and grass it in (Done! Hubby finished last weekend)

14) Dig out all the weeds and dead shrubs in the backyard and plant my seed garden kit that has been sitting on my kitchen counter for 3 months

15) Plan birthday parties for all of my kids...whose birthdays are all within a month of each other (well, technically a month and two days...but who's counting?)

16) Buy and wrap 4 Father's Day gifts, 13 birthday gifts, 2 wedding gifts, and 2 baby shower gifts...by the end of September...

17) DON'T HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWN

Gratuitous Displays of Cuteness

2008-06-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

I call these Mac N Cheese is Yummy or First Time Using a Baby Spoon

Bruiser, Mac N Cheese, and Blankie...A Somewhat Still Life

Chubby Baby Arms of Loveliness

My Big Girl, but Still My Baby

Love for Reading Shown at an Early Age...Portrait of a Genius

No more "Baby LaLa"

2008-06-02T08:11:00.001-07:00

Since LaLa is no longer a baby...I've been thinking of changing her "blog name". My current favorite alias is "Little Lovely" because, in a rush, I can always call her "LL".

Besides, even though she isn't a baby, she is still my little one. Also, she has to be called little somewhere...because a 10 month old wearing 2T/3T clothes is hardly ever called little by anyone...

Usually she is called "Chubs", "Chubby Wubby", "Butterball", or "Screechy McScreechypants"...and I think Little Lovely would be much more flattering for a public forum.

"Kids are Weird" Monday, Part 2 (and a motherly dilemma)

2008-06-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

The Princess is currently playing "wheelchair"...well, to be honest, this is the SECOND day that she has been playing this.

It involves her sitting in a babydoll stroller and asking people to push her around...rolling the wheels on the stroller with her hands...or pulling herself into chairs using her arms.

My first reaction was to fuss at her and tell her it wasn't an appropriate game to play...and was disrespectful to people who actually NEED to be in a wheelchair, but then wouldn't that be making being in a wheelchair something "not to be discussed"?

I asked her what happened to her legs for her to be in a wheelchair, to which she replied that they were very, very hurt and they wouldn't be better for one-thousand years.

So, do I just write this off as an imaginitive and learning activity and not make a big deal of it? Kids learn by imaginitive play, so might this help her be a kinder, more empathetic person by pretending to live her life for a day in someone else's shoes? Learning that it isn't easy to do the things you want/need to do when you can't use your legs?

By telling her it isn't appropriate, do I do more harm than good? For now, I'm going to let it go.

"Kids are Weird" Monday

2008-06-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

Bruiser woke me up this morning by asking me:

"Mommy, do you smell my privates?"

Mommy: "WHAT?!?!? Noooo, Bruiser I DON'T smell your privates"

Bruiser (clearly confused): "You don't smell them?"

Mommy: "Uh, nooooo, I don't....what do they smell like?"

Bruiser: "They smell like strawberries..."

Uhhhh, OK....my kids are sooo weird.

Anyone else pumped about FRINGE?

2008-06-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

OK...I admit it, I am a bonafide sci-fi nerd. I loved the X-Files, am currently loving Lost and Heroes...I've even become a late fan of the series Firefly, so I am SUPER excited about this Fall's Fringe on FOX.

A critic by the name of Kristin Sample, described the series this way:

If The X-Files and CSI had a baby and that baby's godfather was Heroes, then that would be Fringe

Oooh...can you say "Fabulous"?

Here is a little sneak peek:

Who's with me?

What I am loving NOW

2008-05-29T08:22:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to make up for lost time with a couple of posts...so here is my newest list of "obsessions"

1) Blue Mountain Wasabi and Soy Sauce Almonds

Thanks to K. for the new snack obsession...who knew healthy could taste so yummy? Not for the faint of heart, though, because these things have a kick.

2) PB Loco Peanut Butter

OMG! Liquid candy that actually has nutritional value...I can't quite understand the appeal of the peanut butter and sun dried tomato version, but the peanut butter white chocolate raspberry ROCKS!!

I also hear they make a peanut butter caramel version, and that sort of makes my heart go pitter-patter. Their website says that the local SuperTarget sells it. I may have to make a little stop there tomorrow...

3) Lulu's At Homeport Margarita t-shirt

The first installment of my T-shirt obsession. I figure I might as well wear cute t-shirts even if I am at home all day.

4) Southern Belle t-shirts

Some of my favorites:

So true...but love it in white so the design colors aren't washed out...

Also true...

Love the color...love the saying...

5) SweeTea shirts

There are so many of these that I love that I wouldn't be able to decide. I have uttered these sayings many times over the years...some of which my husband has no idea what they mean.

For example:

My current fave for me is:

For Bruiser:

For LaLa:

6) Pink Wonder Woman Costume

For the Princess' upcoming superhero party that she has been invited to...

That's all for now...I'm off to sell things on eBay so I can feed my t-shirt obsession...

My blog has lost its funny...

2008-05-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

I was looking over my old MySpace blog the other day and realized that I've lost my funny streak since I moved over to Blogger.

I'm not sure why this is, since my kids are still pretty hilarious and I do still get myself into some crazy situations...maybe its just that I'm too tired to write it all down now that I have 3 mobile children who constantly need something.

So...I've thought long and hard about what new funny story I could post today...

And I came up with nuthin'...

I guess I COULD tell you about how the Princess and Bruiser actually REQUEST for people to give them wedgies...

...and Bruiser also asks for me to give her a "nuggie"...when she actually means a NOOGIE.

Then there is LaLa who shrieks soooo loud that I've taken to referring to her as the "Screaming Banshee". You would think she is in terrible pain, but no...she just wants you to pay attention to her, because as soon as you stop what you are doing and ask, "What?"...she's just a sweet innocent little love muffin with a big smile and a scrunched up nose.

Or, there is the fact that Bruiser likes to streak the house and yell as loud as she can that she is "NEKKID like a HEKKID." (Don't ask me what a hekkid is, because I have no idea...)

As for me, I've moved on from my Guitar Hero obsession to a new Wii fad...the Wii Fit. I am obsessed with Super Hula Hoop. It has brought to my attention some muscle groups that I never knew existed. Dear hubby has also caught on and we are now in a dead heat to see who can hold the Super Hula record.

I wish I could share a video of the hilariousness that is witnessing someone else play Super Hula. I got quite an eye-full when I busted my husband trying to beat my record. I'll hold off on the video, though, because I'd hate for you all to get hot and bothered over the internet...the guy has moves!

I'm such a slacker

2008-05-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a looong time since I've posted, but it has been kind of crazy around our house.

I had a weird case of pneumonia that came right out of the blue...this was right after I was warned by my doctor that my cholesterol is still high and I might have to start taking medication for it...unless I can control it by diet.

This all seemed to coincide with dear ole hubby having a couple of week-long business trips almost back to back.

Have you ever taken care of 3 small children while having pneumonia and worrying that you are about to keel over from a heart-attack? Well, it wasn't exactly happy time at my house.

Then there was the garage sale I participated in, which involved me spending a lot of my quality time hunkered down in the garage. There were also a college graduation, trips to the coast, an impromtu trip with my mom to go gambling and to hit up Antique Alley. Various school art shows, painting classes, etc., etc, etc.

Oh yeah...and I painted our kitchen IN A DAY...with ALL THE KIDS AT HOME...and ALL BY MYSELF.

Well, hubby did the trim up by the ceiling. I have to give him SOME credit.

So, now we are all back home...and I mean ALL BACK HOME...because the older girls' summer preschool doesn't start for a month. This means I have almost NO alone time.

So, don't feel neglected, even though you ARE being neglected. I've got lots of new pics of the kids (which I'll upload sometime in the next century).

As for new developments, LaLa is now waving "bye bye", can play "So Big", and has 7 teeth. She also tried to say "Cheese" today when I took her picture. She was also sitting up in bed when I got her up from her nap the other day...so she can now get up from lying down...Woo hoo!!!

Bruiser actually went tee-tee in the potty the other day, but soon threw a fit wanting her diapers back. Sadly I've been too busy to push the issue. She can count to 10 and sing the entire ABC song.

As for the Princess, she is about to start swimming lessons and is learning to spell more and more words all by herself. I also noticed the other day that she now has the exact same dimples in the front of her nose that I do. So weird to discover things like that!

That is every new development that I can think of right now...Hopefully it won't be another month before I update again!

Why didn't I think of that?

2008-04-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

Big news at our house! Baby LaLa is almost crawling... Well, I suppose you could say she IS crawling, if you count her dragging herself around by the elbows as crawling.

Let's just say that she can get anywhere she wants to go...

Because of this I am now in a frenzy of childproofing.

I admit it, I've slacked off this time around. I really need to add vacuuming twice a day to my schedule, considering the number of Polly Pocket toys we have accumulated.

I also need to buy some sort of very wide baby gate to keep her from getting near the downstairs door, because I know that I can't trust The Princess and Bruiser to always keep the door closed tight.

The thing I dread the most, though, is the outlet plugs. We actually have most of the outlets covered, but there are a few prime spots that are not covered because those are the ones we actually USE...and anyone with a kid knows that those things are a PAIN IN THE BUTT the remove.

Sadly, (and I am horrified to admit this) I have actually used a butter knife to remove one in my more desperate moments. I know, I KNOW!! You can call me a dummy, it is okay with me.

How excited was I to find WedgEZ this morning? (Shout out to Mommy Goggles) While the name cracks me up (pun intended)...the idea is BRILLIANT!

It is basically a plastic doohickey that helps you remove your outlet covers. No more risk of electrocution, no more broken fingernails, no more ruining the prong on your plug...

And most importantly, no more teaching your kids REALLY NAUGHTY WORDS!!!

Even better, at $3.99 a piece, or $9.99 for three...here's my new favorite baby shower gift add-on.

Now, why didn't I think of it?

BPA is Stressing Me Out

2008-04-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

My biggest stressor over the last few days is the whole issue of the chemical BPA in baby bottles.

I don't want to be one of THOSE parents who freak out about every little thing, but I actually read some articles about the whole issue the other day and it has me worried. Evidently the chemical, when leached out of the bottle, acts like the hormone estrogen and can cause early adolescence in young girls.

This gives me a niggling feeling in the back of my head...because the Princess is already as tall as a 2nd grader and she isn't even 5 yet. She is also already about to lose her first 4 teeth. I've often wondered why this might be happening. It isn't like we have overly tall genes...and the doctor claims she is on course to be 5'11" to 6 feet tall as an adult.

I've always blamed it on the gallon of milk she drinks every few days.

So, now my dilemma is whether or not to toss the Avent bottles we have been using for LaLa. It isn't as if those bottles haven't been used. The bottle parts have lasted through three babies, and we have only had to replace the nipples. Evidently this could be even worse, because as the bottles are used more and more of the chemical can be leached.

Luckily we don't heat our bottles...BUT they do get exposed to high heat in the dishwasher.

So, do I risk it and keep using the same bottles or do I buy a whole new set for just a few more months until LaLa weans off the bottle? She is already on course to be taller than the Princess.

What to do...what to do?

In Honor of Earth Day: Part 2

2008-04-19T16:11:00.001-07:00

Today, I helped save the Earth by shopping at YARD SALES!!!

I'm probably showing my small town country roots, but I LOVE a good yard sale. It is like a treasure hunt where you have no idea what you are looking for.

By purchasing used items, you can feel good about the fact that a few less things are ending up in landfills...plus you are helping the local economy. ;0)

Plus...today, I had some fabulous luck!

Lucky find #1

Potted faux orchid

I thought this was really cute at only $2. At Target I would have had to pay $19.99 or something crazy like that. It goes perfectly on our hall table.

Lucky find #2

A stair basket

I've always wanted one of these for the stairs, but am glad I waited, because this puppy only cost me $3.

Lucky find #3 and #4

Cute necklace

This will be so cute with a tan and a cute strappy sundress.

Funny shirt

This one is going to be gifted to my brother-in-law who wears some pretty funny stuff. I was a little disappointed to see that this was from Old Navy and not some artsy independent label, but oh well...it was only 50 cents.

Lucky find #5
Woodkins

These are the coolest things ever. Basically they are like paper dolls but on wooden sandwich boards. You pick which doll you like

Open it up and place your choice of fabric scraps in the middle

Close it back and you are now a fashion designer!!!

I got a whole storage bucket full of these with lots of fabric scraps for $7. I looked them up online at the Woodkins site and was pleased to find that they run $15 a pop. I got 9 dolls and lots of scraps for $7, so you do the math...

Lucky find #6
The best find of the day is actually something I bought for my sister, who is restoring an old house.

Look at this fabulous William Sonoma pot rack that I got for a STEAL for $25!

She's lucky I have absolutely no room for a pot rack or this would be MINE!!!

I had the best time today and spent less than $50 with half of that coming back to me when I turn over the pot rack. You can't beat that...

In honor of Earth Day: Project Number 1

2008-04-19T15:42:00.001-07:00

For those of you who haven't heard by now, Earth Day is coming up this week...so I decided to tackle a couple of projects in honor of the big day.

Number one: Recycling

Used crayons, that is...

This was actually a kill-3-birds-with-one-stone sort of project in that it gave me something to occupy two rambunctious little girls for a while, helped me clean up an overflowing craft supply shelf, and saved the Earth by recycling used items for a new purpose.

The most tedious part of the whole project was taking the wrappers off the broken crayons...but then we started rolling!

Pretty crayon pieces all waiting to go

After designing some combinations of our favorite colors

We're melting, we're mellllltinggggg...

How neat are they? I actually played with these more than the girls did, but hey, who really cares?

10 Life Lessons for an Almost 1 year old

2008-04-18T19:56:00.000-07:00

Little Connor of Seven Dogs and a Baby is about to turn one.

This made me think of what sort of life lessons a one year old really needs. I'm glad that I'm thinking about this now, because it won't be too long until our very own Baby LaLa also hits that particular milestone.

Soooo, here it goes, in no particular order:

1) For the next 12 months, enjoy the freedom to double-dip. I know you are probably just getting the whole "eating table food" down and all...but there is a very short window where getting to double-dip your food in the community dip/ketchup is still cute.

2) Relish the ability to nap as much and as often as you want. You may want to stay up and party with your family, but, trust me...there are a lot of us that would love to be in your shoes. In fact, I could use a nap right now.

3) Now that you are about to develop some amazing vocabulary skills...milk the cuteness factor for all it is worth. Moms LOVE the mixed up baby words. My own Princess called milk "Woop" until she was almost 3. Bruiser called the dog "Bubba" when her name was, in fact, Brandy. Using cute words will almost always get you lots of hugs and maybe an extra cookie.

4) Don't eat sand...it can give you worms...seriously. Look it up if you don't believe me. And Mommies and Daddies do not want to have to go searching for them in the middle of the night with a flashlight...trust me.

5) Boogers are not tasty...so when you discover how fun it is to pick your nose...don't even try to eat it. I don't know this from any experience that I can remember, but still don't try it. I'm just looking out for you. No one wants to be referred to as "booger-breath"...just ask my girls.

6) Now that you are going to be walking, remember that just because Mommy is in the bathroom, does not mean she needs your help...not to get her some toilet paper, not to flush the potty. Sometimes Mommies need privacy, too.

7) When you discover your "privates", just remember not to "discover" them too often, or too agressively, or IN PUBLIC. Yes, they are "yours" and it is perfectly natural...but there is a reason they are called "privates." No one needs to see them unless they are changing your diaper or giving you a bath. Especially no one needs to see them on the playground or at a birthday party or at a family dinner.

8) I know that this one contradicts the one before, but...this is probably the last year (maybe two) you can get away with streaking. At least until you go to college anyway. Naked babies running through the house is still pretty cute to most people. Make the most impact by waiting until all your grandparents are around and you are supposed to be getting a bath or getting ready for bed. Just leave your "privates" alone and you'll be okay...and be prepared for the paparazzi.

9) Always remember that, although it probably doesn't seem like it at times...Mommies and Daddies just want to feel like they are doing a good job raising their babies. So, a well-timed "I wub you Mama/Dada", or "You da best Mama/Dada" will pretty much get you out of any sort of trouble. Make sure you say it with real feeling and a big hug and sloppy kiss.

10) Enjoy your life. Childhood and all the fun that goes with it goes by so quickly.

Happy Birthday, Connor! The Princess, Bruiser, Baby LaLa and I wish you a hundred more happy, safe, and healthy years.

And I wish your parents an amazing, funny, exciting year of the calm before the storm. ;0)

If you are a blogger and would like to join Connor's Birthday Bash, please check out his mom's blog at Seven Dogs and a Baby.

Yale student crosses the line claiming artistic intentions

2008-04-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

While I really, really want to write a very long tirade about the insensitivity of this particular Yale college student:

Yale: Student's artwork purporting to show abortion a hoax

I'm simply going to say that I would not wish multiple miscarriages on my worst enemy. I hope that someday Karma doesn't bite her in the arse when/if she decides she wants to have children.

I really, really don't...

Sheesh...college students these days...

*shakes head*

Another fabulous giveaway: Fleurville Diaper Bag

2008-04-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

I'm very torn about speading the word about this particular giveaway...because if YOU enter, doesn't that lower MY chances to win? Especially since I am totally drooling over the Fleurville Mothership: Sprig diaper bag.

But...I guess I'll go ahead and tell you, because by sharing with you, I get another entry.

Don't say I'm not all about my readers...

Chic Shopper Chick is giving away a Fleurville Mothership diaper bag in the design of your choice. This is pretty awesome considering this is a $150 diaper bag.

The deadline is April 30th, with the winner to be contacted on May 1st.

So...now just forget about this giveaway and don't enter, 'kay? ;0)

A Year of Crockpotting

2008-04-17T07:09:00.000-07:00

I found this awesome site last night while trying to figure out what to cook for dinner today.

I LOVE my crockpot, but with my husband being the picky eater that he is, it usually only comes out when it is time to make pot roast.. :0(

But luckily I found A Year of Crockpotting which is made by a woman who is dedicated to using her Crock Pot EVERY DAY in 2008.

How fabulous is that? Surely she has come up with SOMETHING that dear ole hubby will eat.

Tonight we are having her Crock Pot Korean Ribs. Since he has been really happy with my Hoisin chicken recently (grilled/cooked chicken or steak tossed back in a pan with a sauce of Hoisin sauce, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and ground ginger), I figure this might appeal to him.

I mean, they ARE ribs, after all.

After this, I'm gonna have to have people over so I can make her Buffalo Chicken Dip.

Uh, can anyone say YUMMY???

I wonder if hubby would like her Easy Chimichangas?

Ehh...probably not, he'll just want tacos...

Sometimes my kids actually get along

2008-04-16T15:48:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to post these pics for posterity as proof that they don't always chase each other around the house screaming...

One comment, though...why is Baby LaLa always making that dirty-old-man-with-his-tongue-hanging-out face? I'm glad she's a girl or I would be a little worried ;0)

Fun with Mega Bloks

2008-04-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, as a mom, you just have to allow yourself to say, "Screw the laundry, the dishes, and all the other housework...I think I'll PLAY with my kid for a while"

So, today, Bruiser and I built skyscrapers with Mega Bloks.

I had forgotten how much fun it is to just play. It IS frustrating to do little kid things when they want to do those things over and over again 100 times...but occasionally it is just plain fun to see if you can build a Bruiser-size skyscraper.

I didn't get a picture of the building that was taller than Bruiser, but we did get a picture of our "kitty playhouse" that we built.

There is something very satisfying to me to fit all those colorful blocks together...seeing if they will topple over.

We also briefly played "Taking our Baby to the Store", which involved Bruiser getting her purse, her baby, and her play cell phone...and having an imaginary telephone conversation with her sister (who was at preschool).

The conversation went something like this:

B: "Hey, Princess...how was school today?"

Pretend P: Silence

B: "That's so good, what letter did you learn today? Did it make a t-t-t puppy sound?" [she's trying to sound out words like her sister is in school, she just hasn't gotten the jist of it yet ;0) ]

Pretend P: Silence

B: "Okay...we are doing good...Baby LaLa is sleeping, we are taking the baby to the store to buy some raisins...okay, bye-bye, love you"

I was so proud to hear her little conversation. Makes me think Phil and I must be doing something right.

Welcome to Storm Central

2008-04-16T14:50:00.001-07:00

Most of my readers know what I'm talking about since you live where I do anyway...but is this weather crazy, or WHAT?!?!

Today it is in the 70s, but we took the kids to the carnival last week and I darn near froze my tushie off. Thank goodness I remembered coats for the kids...too bad for me that I forgot my own.

Anyway, for the past couple of weeks, it seems every Friday or so we have tornado weather. Two weeks ago, I was glued to the TV and this is what I saw off our back porch:

That is literally "the storm rolling in", as they say...

I just thought it was pretty neat to look at until the wind almost knocked me down, the carpet on the back porch started to hover off the ground, and I became soaked in under 2 seconds. All of a sudden my heart started pounding away and I snatched up the kids and ran downstairs to the den.

So, we turned on the TV down there and spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the dark...watching all the red and green blobs floating across the screen and listening to all the new Tornado Warnings and Possible Sightings that kept getting closer and closer to our neck of the woods.

Luckily, I had entertainment to keep me going...

Such as...Little Miss Sassypants Bruiser (whom we are trying, with little luck, to get potty trained.) This is a picture of her before I suggested we go sit on the potty:

This is a picture AFTER I suggested we go sit on the potty:

Later, after the storm had passed and everyone was getting baths and winding down for bed, I entertained myself by trying out new hairstyles on Baby LaLa.

This is my current favorite:

I like to call it "Elvis, the early years..."

Then, since Bruiser was such a good helper while Mommy was freaking out about the Tornado that I was SURE was coming our way...and since she actually ate more than AIR for dinner, she asked if she could have a snack. She wanted some of her cheeseballs that she got for Christmas from her grandmother...

I know, not very smart to let her have them AFTER she bathed...and they are quite stale since they were bought at CHRISTMAS...but she didn't care.

And, after all, when it is a Snow Day you get to drink hot chocolate...so I guess on Tornado Days you get cheese balls.

The Cactus Cuties

2008-04-16T09:26:00.001-07:00

OK...so I'm probably the last person in the world that has seen this, but I thought it was pretty amazing, so I'm posting it anyway.

I admit that I do get a little teary-eyed at a good performance of the American Anthem, but this particular performance got me full-out choked up.

Will the Cactus Cuties be the new Hannah Montana? Probably...I guess I should start saving my money now...

Things I'm Loving Right Now

2008-04-09T13:46:00.000-07:00

Well, the girls are sleeping and I'm bored, so I thought I would share my current favorite things 'a la Oprah...

1) Betty Crocker's Ultimate Fudge Brownies

OMG, I made these last night in an 8x8 glass pan which made them extra thick...and I cooked them about 5 minutes less than recommended, so they are REALLY chewy. Any brownie mix with a whole extra package of the chocolate syrup has to be good....YUM-O!

2) My new Ergo Baby Carrier

Darn you, Keri Russell with your cute hair and white teeth and big floppy hat...looking like you are having the best time in the world shopping for fruit while carrying your little munchkin around with you at the farmer's market. I was already considering this baby carrier, but by gosh...you are so cute that I HAD to find the exact same color Ergo...which kept me up until 2am until I finally found an online store that wasn't sold out of the blue/green combo. Maybe now my hair will finally grow long and curly and I'll mysteriously lose the last of my baby weight and have perfect white teeth. One can hope anyway.

But seriously folks, wish I had known about this thing back in 2003. LaLa had a blast yesterday at B&N sticking her fingers up my nose and trying to grab everything out of my hands. And I really enjoyed the slobbery fingers that I kept getting wiped on my face. Now if i can just figure out how to use this thing as a back carrier without dropping her on her head in the parking lot, we'll be good to go.

3) Gold Crown Hallmark ADHESIVE wrapping paper

Supposedly this stuff is a little sticky on the back, kinda like Post-It notes. I am PUMPED that they have an online coupon for a free roll with a $5 wrapping paper purchase and am heading out tonight to get some.

4) Skippyjon Jones

Sometimes reading to the kids gets pretty tedious...especially when they ask for the SAME Blue's Clue's book about making orange juice pops for the zillionth time, but I bought this book yesterday and cracked UP! How can you beat:

My name is Skippito Friskito.
I fear not a single bandito.
My manners are mellow,
I'm sweet like the Jell-O,
I get the job done, yes indeed-o.

I did have a nervous little thought in the back of my mind about perpetuating Mexican stereotypes to my kids, but, let's get real folks...it is a kid's book about a cat pretending he is a chihuahua...why do we have to read something in to everything?

5) I Spy Bag by aebaby

We are about to attempt a 13 hour car ride to Maryland with our girls and I REALLY REALLY need some good ideas of ways to keep my girls entertained. I had heard of the Kids Version of the FindIt game, but it still requires READING. This one is perfect because you can read what to find, or match the items to the pictures...plus it comes in PINK!

And lastly,

6) The Daring Book for Girls

When I saw this when it first came out, I HAD to have it. I think it is the must have book for anyone for daughters. It has a section for famous women in history, jump rope rhymes, how to play slumber party games. I was actually able to use it the other day when the Princess asked to make a "fortune teller" which I always called a "cootie catcher" in school. I was so excited, because I never learned how to make one in school, but all the "cool girls" knew how. Now, MY girls might actually think I'm cool...so no one tell them I have my secret Cliff's Notes.

Well, that's all for now because I hear some kids starting to wake up...and I am off to get ready for a girls' night out eating Cajun food and taking a painting class...woohoo! PAR-TAY!

What I Want for Mother's Day

2008-04-08T08:54:00.001-07:00

I really love being a mom. I know it seems hard to believe sometimes, but that's just because I'm at home alone and need to vent when I'm having a rough day with the kids...so I come on here and blog about how they are driving me crazy.

But, now that I am pretty adjusted to being at home with the kids and we are in a routine...things are much better.

I don't know if it was the vacation...or just that the girls are growing up too fast and I happen to NOT be PMSing and I just want to cherish this time while they are small...but the past few weeks have been fun.

We've been blowing bubbles and learning new songs. "Little Bunny Foo Foo" has become a big hit...also "I'm Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee."

Then there is also the 2nd verse to "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" which is always good for giggles since my sister taught it to them at Easter.

Don't know it? Well, here it is...

10 days la-ter
Floatin' down the Del-A-Ware
Chewin' on his un-der-ware
Couldn't find a-nother pair
5 days la-ter
Bit-ten by a Po-lar Bear
That's why the Po-lar Bear cried

(Well, actually it is supposed to be "died" instead of "cried", but my sister was kind enough to edit it for the under-5 set.)

Soooo, I'm looking forward to Mother's Day because I'm actually feeling like a pretty good mom these days...making brownies, teaching the Princess how to play Go Fish, and putting together lots of puzzles.

(I really want to say "Life is Good" but I'm a big believer in not jinxing myself.)

Anyway, I originally told hubby that I wanted a cherry tree to plant in the yard for Mother's Day, but I think I've found what I want even more.

A Family Tree necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs.

I love that necklace. I'm not sure all our names would fit, but I can always figure that out once I get hubby to agree to get it for me ;0)

Even better, if you like giveaways, Seven Dogs and a Baby is giving away the Sparkle necklace, also by Lisa Leonard Designs. The contest ends April 12 at midnight.

It's hard bein' a Bruiser...

2008-04-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

Poor Bruiser...I don't know what it is about being her, but it just screams for lots of boo-boos and Band-Aids.

I swear I was JUST thinking last night that it would be nice to get through a whole year without taking her to the emergency room.

Dumb, dumb, me!

Today, after being nice and fresh out of the shower and being wrapped up like a "beeto-weeto" (burrito), she went running through the house and tripped and fell. Since her arms were wrapped up, she couldn't catch herself and therefore fell flat on her face.

Her daddy was closest to her...and I remember thinking "she's got a hard noggin, she's fine." DH said he thought she was fine, too, until she stood up without her towel and started messing with her chin. Then he saw the blood.

So, our little Bruiser was off once again to the Emergency Room. This time for stitches.

This is her 3rd trip and she isn't even 3 years old.

There was the rolling off the bed onto a hardwood floor incident at the beach when she was 9 months old.

Then there was the throwing herself down on the ground while her Daddy was holding her hand...which resulted in nursemaid's elbow and another trip to the ER to pop her elbow back in place.

I swear, her baby book is going to be full of nothing but hospital bracelets.

Here are the pics that DH sent from the hospital.

Bruiser and her "special Band-Aid with medicine on it"

This wasn't even the "glue" that they used to close her up...that was just the numbing medicine. Then they had to wait 1.5 hours before someone could come in to close up the wound.

Then, evidently she had to be put into a "papoose" which sounds a lot like a straight-jacket to me. Thank God Phil went, because I would have freaked out.

Poor baby finally got some much deserved rest...

Uggh...hopefully this is the last ER trip for us!

Advertisement goofiness

2008-04-05T12:53:00.000-07:00

Today I set myself up some ads on my blog.

Supposedly, the powers that be will tailor the ads based on the content of your blog.

I see that we've got some Gatlinburg ads on here pretty hot and heavy already, so I'm going to test this thing out.

Well, let's see...

Random Thoughts from Jamie

I really like the clothes in J. Crew, but most of the time can't afford them. I also like Anthropologie and Banana Republic.

I wish there was an Ikea and H&M in my neck of the woods. Luckily there is already an Ikea in Atlanta and there is supposed to be an H&M coming soon.

I love my Sony Cyber-shot camera. It takes better pictures than my big professional-type digital camera. The color is fabulous and it is so small I can put it in my pocket. Too bad I don't have it in pink, but I'm happy with what I have ;0)

Why are kids' shoes so expensive? I've been looking for a quality pair of sandals for the Princess and Bruiser for all these Spring and Summer weddings coming up, but they all cost $40-$60! Since the Princess is starting to stay in a size longer, I might consider it for her, but for Bruiser who will be in several sizes this year? No way, Jose'.

In my dream world, if I were to spring for a tummy-tuck, should I go ahead and get the breast augmentation, too? I mean, why not? It's just money...

Is it inappropriate to wear a somewhat backless, halter-style dress to a wedding?

I can't wait to see what pops up in my AdSense box now...

I'm a WEINER!

2008-04-05T07:36:00.000-07:00

Excuse me, I MEANT to say WINNER!!!

You'll notice my nice little link buttons on my blog...all of them give lots of links to giveaways.

Well, I just won my 2nd prize yesterday and I am PUMPED...

These are 5 Organic ECOBAGS in Fiesta Colors. I LOVE them.

Aren't they pretty?!?

Special thanks to Prizey and Green Mom Finds for making this possible.

I can't wait to take them to flea markets, and yard sales, and consignment stores, and the BEACH!

*happy dance*

My babies are growing up too fast!

2008-04-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

It seems like only weeks ago that Phil and I were test driving an SUV 3 weeks before our first baby was due. I remember thinking that by the time we paid that puppy off, we would be getting ready to send that baby off to kindergarten.

Well, here we are, filling out school papers and getting our Blue Immunization card ready for next week's big REGISTRATION.

To add insult to injury, we thought the Princess had messed up her tooth while yanking on a Sunny D sports bottle with her teeth...but a quick trip to the dentist and one x-ray later tells us that our baby is about to get four (count 'em) FOUR permanent teeth in. This means our 4.5 year old is about to be a snaggle-tooth!

Isn't this kind of early? I mean, I know she is as tall as a 6-7 year old, but does this mean we will be shopping for training bras next year, too?

Poor thing cried and cried about her loose tooth. I kept thinking maybe she cracked her tooth and exposed a nerve or something, but we had a little conversation and I discovered that she was just scared about her tooth wiggling.

I felt pretty bad that I hadn't prepared her for this. I thought I had more time. Makes me want to have the "period" talk with her today, just so it becomes something normal and even if THAT comes early, too...she isn't freaking out thinking she's about to die.

Oh, well...at least LaLa isn't walking yet. Maybe she and Bruiser will take it easy on me and take their time.

...but LaLa did start clapping yesterday...so I'm thinking this is just the calm before the storm.

Gatlinburg, the Holy Grail, Weird Museums, and Jellyfish Porn

2008-04-01T13:51:00.000-07:00

Whew! Sounds like quite an entry, huh?

Last weekend, Phil and I decided to take the Princess on a trip without the rest of the kiddos...seems like a kid's dream, huh?

Well, not so much...she spent most of the trip telling us that she didn't like going on special trips, asking for ice cream, and asking how long until we could go back to the hotel and go swimming.

Anyway, here are some of the highlights of our trip, Jamie-style:

Weird Museums

Where else could you find the world's only Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers right next to a packed-out Pancake House? That would be Gatlinburg, TN...

Pancake House

The Princess actually took a moment to pose here with Momma and put on a happy face for the camera.

I think it had something to do with the fact that we were about to eat pancakes with lots of syrup and she had her brand new walking, squeaking kitty cat to keep her company...of course, her name is Sara, just like all the other 50 cats that she owns.

Here is a pic of me and Sara #51 that the Princess took

Putt-Putt and GoCarts

We also played Putt-Putt while we were there...because a trip to Gatlinburg isn't a real trip without Putt-Putt and GoCarts.

Here is Philly recreating one of his favorite movie moments..."Just taaaaap it in, just taaaap it in..."

The Princess did LOOOOOVE go-carts:

The Holy Grail

Another highlight of the trip for ME, was that I actually found my Holy Grail...the Apple Stack Cake!!!

This is something that I grew up eating in the mountains of East Tennessee...but no one outside of there seems to ever hear of it. I even asked someone in a store in Gatlinburg where I could find one, and they confirmed my worst fears by replying, "The only way I know of to get one is the bribe someone's great-Granny to make you one."

That's what I thought...

But then, I went in the Cider Bar at The Apple Barn (another great Gatlinburg-area institution) and they had it, BY THE SLICE!!!

Ooohhh, apple-buttery cakey goodness that just melts in your mouth. This is the only thing that I craved while I was pregnant with LaLa...and yes, it was as good as I remembered.

Other Food Moments

We also ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., which brings us up to 6 of them that we have visited...Maui, New York, Charleston, New Orleans, Orlando, and now Gatlinburg.

Aquarium

We also took the Princess to the Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg, which I really enjoyed. The Princess ran through it like it was a race, but she did take the time to climb up the the big bubble, which was supposed to represent cocooning reptile egg-like environments, but she just thought it was a McDonald's-like jungle gym.

Notice we were back to a frowny face because we were trying to get her out of there and on our way to "pet" some stingrays.

Jellyfish getting it ON!!

On the way, I was enthralled by a jellyfish exhibit. It was something about the bright blue background and the bright orange of the jellyfish, but I couldn't tear my eyes (and camera) away from there...

Let's just say I was pretty shocked when another jellyfish swims up and wiggles right up under the other one....hmmm....

The more I watched, the more uncomfortable I got...wondering, "Uh...what the heck is going on HERE?"

I think I heard a little "bowchickawowwow" music playing in the background....

And Lastly,

Princess Memories

If you were to ask the Princess what her favorite part of the trip was, she will tell you that it was the swimming in the hotel pool, going to the Arcade (think Chuck E. Cheese) and eating "hot chips" (Doritoes) in bed.

At least she has SOME good memories of the trip...

The crazies at Easter

2008-04-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

I have to say that, with three kids, holidays are a little crazy. This year, it was even crazier with me deciding to take off with the kids by myself to my mom's house and being sick as a dog...luckily the Easter Bunny did all his shopping early.

The Princess' basket

Bruiser's Basket

LaLa's Basket

Yes, I know...Bruiser's was the most cram packed with stuff....but before you go thinking that it is favoritism or something...you might go back and notice that nice expensive Diego Safari Rescue Wii game smack dab in the middle of the Princess' basket.

As for LaLa...there is physically no known baby toy that exists that we don't already have at least one version of...so, she gets lots of extra cuddles to make up for the lack of toys.

These extra cuddles also make up for the fact that Mommy is in love with that Jellycat panda...and is planning to secretly steal it for her very own.

All of the girls got their very own dress up headband, too. Here is one of our Spring Flowers:

Somehow I need to steal my mom's camera and get a really cute pic of LaLa with her bunny ears...when I do, I'll post it on here, too.

There was also a lot of time for sisterly and cousinly bonding on this trip.

Notice that Bruiser looks pretty happy to be there, while LaLa seems to be sending me ESP messages saying, "Get me AWAY from her...NOW!!!"

The big getaway cruise

2008-04-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

I know you are all DYING to know about the big cruise. Well, it was fabulous...but it has been so long since it happened now...and so much has happened since, that it is hard for me to remember a lot of exciting things to tell you...

The Norwegian Dawn:

My favorite part has to be the big ATV Adventure in the Dominican Republic...which is funny since, if we had not taken the excursion...I wouldn't have gotten off the ship. Why? Because the locals were dishonest and tricky and the roads were horrible and I didn't feel very safe.

But, my first time driving an ATV was AWESOME...here's proof that I actually did it!

Yep...that's me, cruising along BY MYSELF.

Here is Philly, too...

Look at these views from the ride.

We also hiked to a waterfall and watched crazy kids jump out of trees into the water.

At one point it felt like we were on the island from the show Lost.

My other favorite day was lounging on the beach at Cane Garden Bay in Tortola...here was the view

Pretty heavenly, huh? Not to mention the fabulous Mango Daquiris that were flowing freely.

Updates on the girls

2008-03-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

I thought since it had been almost a month since any updates, I would let you know what was going on...

The Princess is obsessed with puzzles...the jigsaw kind. She can whip together and 25 piece puzzle like it is nothing and even did a 63 piece one the other night.

She is also starting Kindergarten this Fall and ON HER BIRTHDAY!!! I filled out all her paperwork last night...which was very extensive and kind of tricky. All sorts of questions about what she can do, her temperment, permissions to use the Internet, and whether or not her information, picture, or any work that she does can be put on the school website.

These were hard for me, because I don't even post my children's names on the Internet, so why would I want the school to do it? But, then again, I don't want her to not be recognized if she wins an award...so I agreed to pictures, but no names.

Another big question is why the heck does the school need her Social Security Number? All its gonna take is some disgruntled school worker and my poor baby is going to have her identity stolen...

Also, I am torn about her riding the bus. She has already made it abundantly clear that she WANTS to ride the bus...I'm just scared for her. What if she gets on the wrong one? What if she gets bullied...and think of all the bad information you get on the bus. I, personally, can remember the sorts of things that used to happen in the back of the bus! Not to mention that they showed a video on the Today Show this morning of a boy getting beaten up on the school bus while no one did a thing about it!

Speaking of...Matt Lauer actually asked that boy, who was being bullied, what it was about him that caused other kids to beat him up...

FOR SHAME, MATT LAUER...I have a mind to write a nasty letter to the Today Show. If I was ever going to start watching the Today Show regularly, I certainly wouldn't now.

In better news, baby LaLa is getting a real attitude. She's a firecracker, that one. I'm thinking about changing her nickname to LMA for Little Miss Attitude...or maybe El Grumpo.

I do feel for her, though, because this teething stuff is kicking her booty. She doesn't pop one at a time, she pops 2 or 3 at a time. She doesn't even have her 2nd front top tooth yet, but her incisors are already looking like they might be here anyday.

As for Bruiser, she has starting her hitting and throwing things stage. The bad thing is that she is so stinking cute that I have to be extra sure to punish her...and then I giggle to myself later...not when she pops LaLa, but when she gets angry and smacks the couch or table when I tell her she can't have ANOTHER piece of candy.

I'm off to make Bruiser's blue kitty house!

I'm Baaaaack!

2008-03-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

Where the H-E-double hockey sticks have I been, you might be wondering...

Well, there was the week of our fabulous get-away cruise (which I will post some pictures of soon, I promise)

The the week back with DH out of town for work and ALL three kids were sick...fun, fun...

Then there was Spring Break with the kids out of school and ME being sick...which also included Easter and an impromtu trip out of town with all three kids...ALONE, all by myself, and sick enough to warrant two happy shots in the derriere...

Enough about all that...what I really want to mention is what happened to me earlier today.

I know that I live in the South and all, but I've always thought racism wasn't as much of a deal as they make it out to be around here. I guess it is easy to say when you aren't the one typically faced with it all the time.

But, I found it extremely sad today when the Salvation Army guy thought I was going to sic my dog on him!

I was going out the door to let him now that everything was in the basement. In the meantime, the dog was going crazy (because she's just a loud-mouth and likes to bark at even the leaves flying by). The guy literally stopped in the middle of my yard with this weird look on his face and begged me in a shaky voice not to send my dog out after him.

What?!?!

Anyway, I told him I wasn't...that I was just letting him know everything was in the basement.

Too sad...poor guy.

Way to go, hubby...

2008-02-27T13:37:00.000-08:00

Just thought you would like me to share that my dear husband got an A+ on his first post-Vasectomy "test."

This means that my dear, sweet darling is officially shooting blanks.

He does have to go back in for another follow-up test, but he's pretty proud nonetheless.

Speaking of the big "V", I don't think I ever mentioned that, after the "procedure" the doc told us that DH should come back in after 20 "emissions"...in his words, "You know, in about 2 weeks..."

Um......WHAT?!?!? Ex-squeeze me?!?!? 20 times in 2 weeks??!?!?!...and this is 2 weeks WITH recovery time?!?!?

Obviously, I almost snorted at him, but I kept the shock to myself.

Who is HE married to? Jenna Jameson?

Sisters...a picture blog

2008-02-27T11:06:00.000-08:00

Big news, folks....

Baby LaLa is officially a sitter-upper!!!

She is so proud and has the best posture...

(No funny comments about her outfit, please...at least she was out of her pjs today, people!)

Bruiser is super proud, too...

I don't know how long the sisterly bonding is going to last, though...as LaLa is already "eyeing" Bruiser's sippy cup...

...and going for it as soon as she gets her chance...

Oh, well...I'll enjoy the comaraderie while it lasts...

My next project

2008-02-27T06:59:00.001-08:00

I'm really excited about my next big project...if I ever get the chance to get it started...

I bought the cutest pattern from a lady who has a fun blog called Wee Wonderfuls.

(Thanks to Tracy for pointing me in her direction!)

She has a picture book online with all the adventures that "Olive and Archie" get into as they start the 3rd grade.

Anyway, with 3 little girls, I thought this would be a project that at least one of them would fall in love with.

So, I bought my fabric:

Of course, Bruiser had to throw a crimp into my plan by declaring that she was going to have a BOY doll...

I guess he is going to be a metrosexual, because all the fabric is pretty girly. Maybe I'll even make him a mini-sized issue of "Men's Vogue."

I'm not sure that Bruiser understands what that means, but she didn't seem too excited about it...

Cowboy Rodeo Day

2008-02-27T06:43:00.000-08:00

Today the Princess is having "Rodeo Day" at school.

I only realized this on Monday when she informed me that she had to have a cowboy costume.

(That's what I get for not reading the preschool calendar in advance.)

So, I was in a tizzy, because...its not like its Halloween...so how the heck do I find a cowboy costume?

So, I finally got a brainstorm when I remembered all the felt I bought for her lion costume last year for her circus. (If you used to read my MySpace blog, you might remember all THAT drama.)

If not, here is a pic:

Well, here is the finished rodeo costume. I was pretty proud of my felt vest with the bright pink star...no tin star for us...

Oh, and here is a SCARY FACE picture of Bruiser...just because she wanted me to put it on here...

Feeling unsure...

2008-02-27T06:14:00.000-08:00

So, this is an embarrassing post...but maybe someone out there has some words of wisdom?

Who ever knew that little girls could have so many issues with their "privates?"

I didn't know until I gave birth to the Princess that baby girls can have mini periods a few days after they are born?!? Evidently it is the mother's hormones coursing through their little bodies.

Then...I didn't know until Bruiser was about 18 months old that if little girls get irritated "down there" that they can completely "close up". Evidently it can happen during high fevers, too.

The newest shocker is that bubble baths are a "no-no" and can cause bacterial infections and yeast infections...in LITTLE GIRLS. Seems nuts to me.

Well, we have now run the gamut of all of these, with the Princess now recovering from either a yeast infection or a bacterial infection. The doctor couldn't tell me exactly what was going on. He just wrote me about 4 prescriptions and told us to fill them all.

The unexpected side effect of all of this, is that since she was allowed to go COMMANDO for a week and a half, she now has an aversion to underwear!

Even better, evidently she has told her teacher that her MOMMY forgets to put underwear on her the other day at school...WHAT?!?!? Did she conveniently forget the hour long argument we had that morning before school?

We kind of let this go for a few days, but now I'm getting concerned that all of that running around in JEANS with no undies is just going to either cause other problems, or make the current ones worse.

Especially since she loves to play in the sandbox at school...um...OUCH!

So today I put my foot down and told her she HAD to wear undies. You would have thought that I was purposely putting that child through HELL when I wouldn't let her take them off today.

"They ITCH, they ITCH!!!" And this was with them hanging down around her knees...no where near her "privates."

So, I'm left at home wondering if I'm doing the right thing, forcing her to wear underwear. I mean, it HAS been over a week on the antibiotics, Monistat, and hydrocortisone.

My biggest fear (beyond making sure that this is nothing more serious than what we are treating it for) is that all this drama with her privates is going to cause her to have all sorts of issues as an adult. All I can think about is how she is going to be so afraid of her "privates", that she is going to be a little old woman with 15cats and no spouse and children. I don't want this to affect her having a healthy attitude towards her body.

I mean, what about my grandchildren?

I guess we'll see if her teacher sends home another note about how the Princess can't keep her hands out of her pants. My fingers are crossed that she doesn't!

Needing Calgon to Take me Away

2008-02-23T18:37:00.000-08:00

I think that a whole generation of people owe stay-at-home moms a big "I'm Sorry" for perpetrating the myth that all a woman who stays at home with her kids is REALLY doing all day is sitting around, watching her "shows" and eating bon-bons.

Do you KNOW why stay at home moms eat bon-bons and watch soap operas? The bon-bons keep you from drinking and/or popping a bunch of Xanax...and the shows are just so you can actually hear other adults having actual conversations.

I'm starting to equate staying at home to raise 3 rambunctious kids to being an Air Traffic Controller where all of your pilots are actually chimpanzees. It doesn't matter if you have the schedule down and a rock solid plan for getting all those airplanes to their respective places on time and safely...your pilots will ignore you, do the exact opposite of what you say, and will probably just be goofing off and throwing their poop around the cockpit.

After a particularly trying day the other morning, I found myself actually contemplating plopping down on the sidewalk outside of the girls' preschool and having a good cry. If it hadn't been raining like crazy, I might have done it, but I had on my brand new "buttery soft" chinos from J. Crew that cost and arm and a leg, and I didn't want to ruin them. Plus, I've JUST sort of just pulled myself out of sucky preschool mom-dom...no reason to head back there again.

The thing that caused my really bad morning was that DH had been out of town for work for several days, I had a sick 4 year old that had been home all week, and the last straw was the fact that my 2.5 year old has become a songwriter...her very first lyrics? "I don't love Mom-my....I don't love Mom-my"

Thank God that DH and I are going on a cruise soon...a mommy and daddy only, fruity cocktails on the top deck, sleeping in and goofing off vacation. It really is the only thing keeping me going.

Plus DH finally got home...which usually sets the world back on its axis...and I can be fun Mommy again.

Valentine's Day...wish it was EVERY day

2008-02-15T06:03:00.000-08:00

In my last post I mentioned all the great stuff I got in the mail, but I didn't mention all the great stuff we all got from each other for Valentine's Day.

DH and I decided to get a joint gift for EACH OTHER, which is a very nifty fire pit for our back yard. Nothing too fancy, just a stainless bowl for a nice romantic fire while we are playing a rousing game of Cornhole after the girls go to bed.

(This is not a naughty game for Mommies and Daddies, I swear...it is actually a very fun beanbag game that only requires one hand...leaving the other hand free for the adult libation of your choice. Click on the link if you don't believe me...)

Anyway, with it being warm one day and freezing the next, it will be nice to be able to be outside no matter what the temperature.

Aside from this, I also received from Bruiser some be-autiful tissue roses, and a handpainted paper plate and doily heart.

From the Princess, I received a handprint heart sign, and some pretty awesome hand written love notes.

DH and I gave the girls some heart shaped candy (candy is ALWAYS a hit at our house) and a book called Fancy Nancy with the coordinating Fancy Nancy Loves Loves Loves sticker book.

Because at our house, we are nothing if not FANCY.

DH also surprised me with a fabulous box of Russell Stover chocolates. While this may sound a little old fashioned, I was SO friggin excited, because the only way I ever got a chocolate from a chocolate sampler when I was growing up was if I swiped it from my mom's box....after I had stuck my finger in all the bottoms to see what they were...which usually resulted in having to run away as fast as I could and hide until my mom got over the whole "dirty fingers in her chocolates" ordeal.

As for LaLa...she gave me plenty of drooly kisses and belly laughs to round out the day.

But, for myself, you might ask? Well, I have to admit that I did give myself a little present. Something special for losing a full dress size...for birthing 3 kids in 4 years...and, well, just because I wanted to...

This beautiful bag from Kitsch'N Glam that I had been thinking about since Christmas. It will be PERFECT for our cruise that we leave on in a few weeks.

That thing is so big that I think Bruiser could sit inside of it.

So, it was a pretty amazing Valentine's Day at our house this year...Hope yours was great, too...

Swaps are FABULOUS!!!

2008-02-14T16:21:00.000-08:00

Today was an awesome day! I felt like it was Christmas with all the packages that came in the mail...and only one of them was something that I paid for...a little furry kitty for Bruiser's very own...let's just say that she has been quite jealous of the Princess lately. Now I just have to make a BLUE KITTY HOUSE and buy BLUE stickers...but that is another blog entry.

Back to my packages...I signed up for a Valentine's Swap at a blog called Good Intentions. I met a really nice person named Kristy, who happens to be a Master Scrapbooker...which makes me jealous because, although I like to dabble in scrapbooking sorts of things...I'm not THAT good.

Well, look at all my LOOT!

And while I adore everything that she sent me, I was quite teary-eyed when I got to this...

The pictures don't do it justice because I'm still not very good at taking digital pictures...but it is GORGEOUS in person.

Thanks so much Kristy...you are THE BEST!

Baby LaLa is a Rolling Stone...

2008-02-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

I hate to equate my child to a rock, but seeing that she wears clothes a year and a half bigger that she should...she IS pretty sturdy....

Add to that, she is a rolling MACHINE! I went to answer the door today and turned around and thought she had disappeared. She had rolled all the way to the wall and was blending in with all our multi colored blankets in the blanket bin.

For a moment, all I could think of was how the heck someone could have snuck in a taken her in the 30 seconds it took me to answer the door.

Anyway, thought you might like to see her "in action"

Pretty darn cute, huh?

The things kids love can never be predicted...

2008-02-14T15:02:00.000-08:00

If you are a parent, I'm sure you've had those things that you buy your kids, thinking that they will go crazy over them...and then its sorta like "Ho hum...next present."

That has happened to me quite a few times. The weird thing is that it seems the smaller the gift, the more excited they are to receive it.

For example, I had thought to make something like this at one time...for MYSELF. As you can see, I am pretty taken with all things made by Sweet Eye Candy Creations

So, I had gathered all the needed materials in my "craft room." The problem was, that the Princess found my stash of little furry kittens and requisitioned them for herself. This cat has become her BEST FRIEND.

As you can see, she now has 2 of them. Because she loves this cat so much...she bugged me until I made her kitty a "Kitty House" and a "Kitty Bed" and a "Kitty Blanket."

I can't take all the credit, though...I just purchased the house and painted it pink. The Princess did all the decorating.

Actually, it was perfect timing for making a "kitty bed"...it gave me something to do at the Urologist's office while I was waiting for DH to be "spayed and neutered."

Interestingly enough, all those kitties live comfortably well with "Coconut, the American Girl puppy" that she got for Christmas.

Who knew?

This kitty has become such a "VIK" (Very Important Kitty), that she even had her very own birthday party last night.

I had to stop the madness when she asked me to make her a kitty robe and slippers...it is pretty hard to make fuzzy slippers for a cat with no feet ;0)

Barefoot Contessa, why are you doing this to me?

2008-02-11T20:42:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that I'm the horrible parent that always has the TV on as background noise. When I'm home by myself with the kids, I just like the constant buzz in the background. I guess it comes from my old life when I had a full time job in a corporate environment.

Anyhoo, when I don't have Dora the Explorer on the TV, it is usually on the Food Network...I figure that, unless it is Paula Deen (the only person to have ever been censored on the Food Network) there is little chance of anything popping up that I have to explain to my kids...no bad language, no nudity, no drugs....

Plus, I REALLY like to cook.

The fact that I like to cook kind of sucks, though, because no one in my house will eat anything that isn't meat and potatoes except for Bruiser and myself...and have you ever tried to cook homemade Chicken and Dumplings for 1.5 people?

So today, the Barefoot Contessa caught my eye. She was cooking Coq Au Vin. I've heard of this dish before, but it never caught my interest.

I don't know if it is the diet talking or what, but OMG that looked so yummy that I was literally drooling by the end of the show.

All of that mushroomy, red winey, pearl oniony goodness...and it looked fairly simple to make. I'm dying to make it, but have no one to make it for...and as much as I love myself, I can't rationalize the cost of a whole chicken, a basket of cremini mushrooms and a half a bottle of good red drinking wine all for my own selfish pleasure.

So, anyone want to come over? I'll cook...

I love Valentines

2008-02-11T20:30:00.000-08:00

The best Valentine in the world isn't chocolates, or flowers, or even jewelry...

really...the best Valentine in the world is just your first construction paper heart with the word "Mom" written on it from your 4 year old...

How awesome is that?

Or, it is a splatter painted penguin picture from your 2 year old...

My kids may drive me nuts sometimes, but I sure do love them...

Goodbye sucky mom...Hellooo fabulous!

2008-02-11T20:23:00.000-08:00

Because of the great "I AM THE SUCKIEST PRESCHOOL MOM EVER" moment of 2007, when I sent the poor Princess to school with homemade crayon and construction paper valentines...that only contained one lone Dum-Dum sucker Scotch-taped onto each piddly little valentine...then she came home with 7 professionally-put-together, birthday-party-looking, full-of-candy-goodness goody bags...

I'll be damned if I'll be "SUCKIEST PRESCHOOL MOM 2008"...

Uh huh...I know...pretty darn cool, right? Those puppies are chock full of sparkly glittery sticker, Blow Pop, Pixie Stick, and Fun Dip goodness. Who is the overachieving mom now, baby? I'm just sayin'...

My kids are crazy...but they get it honestly

2008-02-11T20:03:00.000-08:00

My husband yelled at me last night to hurry into the living room...as he said, I "HAD to see this"

What was he yelling about, you ask?

Doesn't look all THAT odd, does it?

How about this?

What WAS she thinking? I mean. I KNOW that pile of blankets looks comfy, but was she also enjoying the rhythm of the bass on her bootay or something?

Crazy kid.

Then there is the Princess who wanted to "Vogue" while she showed off her newest, tallest, and all around BEST castle EV-ER.

She's so darn cute, but why does she want to be Paris Hilton? I thought this phase didn't hit for at least 3 more years. I blame Bratz dolls.

Cancer Sucks!

2008-02-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

If any of you reading this are religious sorts, would you please say lots of prayers for my friend Mary Ann, who found out recently that her cancer is back for the 4th time. She isn't even out of her 20's yet and has been dealing with this for years.

Even if you aren't the praying type...just please send out some positive vibes and crossed fingers that she beats this thing and the 4th time is a charm...she's about to start 6 weeks of chemotherapy again, combined with an oral round of treatment.

Thanks for your help!

Random Thoughts for the day

2008-02-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

I wish all this Valentine's chocolate would quit calling out to me..."Eat Me...Eat Me"

How is it possible that a Vasectomy has made my husband MORE "friendly"???

Where did Bruiser learn the word "Boner"? And why does she think it is so funny?

Is there anything in the world nicer than a freshly bathed baby?

Why the H-E-double hockey sticks can't my house stay clean for more than 10 minutes?

Is it ironic that my blog is named "Happy is a Choice" when mostly I just bitch about things on it?

Why don't people think I'm cool? I think I'm cool...

All of a sudden I am drooling over yarn and I don't knit. Why the heck does this this pretty yarn cost $40?

My husband is pretty cool...I really like him.

My new favorite children's book is Fox in Socks...I really enjoy reading:
"When beetles battle beetles
in a puddle paddle battle
and the beetle battle puddle
is a puddle in a bottle
...they call this
a tweetle beetle
bottle puddle
paddle battle muddle"

I think I would like to make homemade marshmallows, but I don't eat marshmallows.

I wonder if it is fun to spin yarn?

When am I ever going to take LaLa's christening pictures? Does the dress even fit her anymore?

How is it that my 6 month old is now wearing 18 month clothes and being a 3rd daughter, why the heck don't we have a winter dress for her to wear to a friend's baby's christening on Sunday?

I wish the Princess wasn't so whiny all the time these days.

I wish the writer's strike would be over...I'm bored with TV.

I wonder if my girls would sit still for a family portrait.

I wonder when my "Mommy Needs a Cocktail" shirt is coming in the mail?

I need a cocktail...

I want some brownies...

I can't have brownies...pppllllppphhhttt...

I want to go see "27 Dresses"

Is this blog post too long?

Yeah, waaaaay too long.

Feelin' bitchy...just a phase?

2008-02-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...it isn't really unusual for me to be in a bitchy mood, but here I am again...except I actually am feeling yucky which only compounds things.

Part of it comes from the fact that the Princess and Bruiser must have PMS this week, because I have never seen more whiny moody children in my life. Part of me thinks it is a little funny...but only a small part.

They are both so friggin melodramatic these days and it is driving me nuts. Princess had a meltdown durng her preschool circus the other day...all because one of the teachers kept her from smacking another kid in the head with her tightrope walker umbrella.

Granted, they DID make the 4 year olds sit on the gym floor for almost an hour while the other kids on the other side of the gym performed...and she WAS just trying to keep herself entertained by using her umbrella as a golf club to smack some feathers that were falling of another girl's feather boa around the floor. (The Princess is nothing if not creative when it comes to finding something to do when she is bored.) The problem was that her golf backswing was coming a little too close to another girl's head.

Then there is Bruiser, who has found that the best way to get mommy's attention is to yell...."Halp, halp, my FIN-GER" (or "my TOE") or whatever other appendage she can pretend is stuck in some sort of random crevice. Yesterday it was her foot "stuck" in between the slats in the crib...and last night it was her finger that she had wound a string from her blanket around. There has also been her fingers in the holes of the safety gate. Mind you, none of these has been something she couldn't get out of herself except for the blanket string.

So, here I am, feeling poorly, and just wishing LaLa would take a nap and rolling my eyes at Everyday Italian's Giada because her fake Italian accent is getting on my nerves.

To top it off, my usually sweet natured husband is in a mood, too. I think the whininess has gotten to him, too...but you know how it is...when your husband is in a bad mood, it just constantly feels like he is pissed off at YOU personally.

All this together just makes me want to throw myself a big pity party. Too bad I am on a frickin diet, so I can't even cuddle under a blanket, watch girly movies, and eat a pint of ice cream.

At this point I would even settle for a big bowl of pasta...baked spaghetti, shrimp fettucini alfredo, tuna avocado pasta salad, Kraft macaroni and cheese...ugghhh! I want you so bad right now!!!

But NO...I will NOT break my diet...I will fit into my new clothes...I WILL not look 5 months pregnant in my bathing suit. I will not have flabby thighs and embarrass myself in my new shorts on the cruise.

Man, I hope it is worth it...

I'm a dieting serial monogamist

2008-01-28T21:59:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would update you that I have now dumped the Special K diet and started on the Health magazine "Lose 15 pounds in 6 weeks" diet and exercise plan.

Not that I don't love Special K, I just decided that looking good on my cruise wasn't JUST about losing weight, but also about toning up "the jibbly bits".

It hasn't been as bad as I thought keeping up a low/no carb diet. This particular one allows LOTS of fruit and veggies...and it had some really good recipes, too.

Plus, I'm now starting my 2nd week of it and I can already see a difference form the exercise...and it is all things I can do while I'm watching TV with DH after the girls go to bed.

So, I've now lost about 8.5 pounds between the Special K diet and this new one...so I'm still committed....

At least until a better diet comes along...

The Big V...and I don't mean Valentine's Day...AKA "Say Goodbye to my Little Friends"

2008-01-28T21:45:00.000-08:00

Well, folks, DH is finally taking the plunge and having himself snipped on Friday...and is totally happy about it?!?!

That's right, no more little baby Ws for us.

I'm actually a little down about the whole thing...which is crazy, because I have no desire to be pregnant again. I've been immensely blessed with 3 healthy children, which is more than a lot of people can say.

It was just something about the cover of the vasectomy literature that had a man in a cardigan sweater and a woman in a 1980's PTA mom dress holding hands on the beach that made me realize that a good chunk of my life is now officially O-VER.

Am I really this old to be thinking about PERMANENT birth control options? No more worrying about being careful...stressing about taking that daily birth control pill...double and triple checking the condom wrapper expiration date?!?!?

I AM right on the cusp of PTA meetings and soccer practices...Girl Scout cookie drives, and eventually, shopping for extremely expensive prom dresses. But...but...where did my own youth go?

It is so true that youth is wasted on the young.

Yay! I'm officially a swapper...

2008-01-28T21:19:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking about starting a new blog just about my crafty stuff, because I know that most of the people who are reading this really are just all about the kids and couldn't possibly care less about what I do with my childless free time...unless, of course, it involves being asked for condom sizing advice in Wal-Mart or other crazy things that happen to me.

But, until I do actually set up a new blog, please bear with me...because I just finished my first big swap!

I have finished a couple of smaller Valentine's swaps already...mainly because I was new to swapping on Swap-bot.com and wanted to get my rating up. I don't have a lot of free time to myself, so I would prefer to be in the larger swaps so that I can take more time to do it right.

Anyway, I had such a good time making a Valentine's heart shaped decorated box for the "A Heart for Crafting" swap. The Princess even helped me pick out buttons and glued them on.

Here is the outside of the box:

I carefully studied my partner's profile and saw that she was a big fan of pink and black. It all turned out very "Rock and Roll", which is totally different from my usual style...but that just made it more fun to make.

Then, we were supposed to fill the box with lots of goodies for crafting.

Do you see the Shrinky Dink pinup girls in the center of the photo? Shrinky Dinks totally make me happy...

Thank goodness the person that I did this for can take good pictures...I totally stole these from her Flickr album since my pics basically sucked. I have got to work on my lighting or something!

So, now I'm off to finish up a non-swapbot swap called a "Crafty Cupid" swap where we fill a box with craft supplies and other tidbits for each of the 5 senses...touch, taste, smell, sight, hear...very fun!

Libby Lu, Part 2.

2008-01-20T22:10:00.000-08:00

The girls were invited to a birthday party the other day. It was at our new favorite place, Libby Lu at the mall.

Libby Lu is all things pink, glittery and Hannah Montana. Since my girls are very into make-up these days...they were pretty pumped about going again.

This time, though, they both chose to have "Rock star" makeovers...complete with updos and pink headsets...and of course, lots of glitter.

I LOVE that picture...I think it is actually one of the few really cute pictures I have of both of them cooperating and standing close together.

Bruiser is really becoming quite the little lady and loves a good manicure.

The girls were very patient and waited their turns...which was pretty amazing to me for a 2 year old, especially.

The only bad point of the day was that, as I was standing with all the other parents to watch their big rock star performance to a selection of Hannah Montana songs, the Cha Cha Slide, and the Chicken dance...some little college age twit and her mother walked by and the twit exclaimed, "Look, Mom, that's where all the yuppy moms take their little darlings to dress them like whores!"

Uuurrgggh! I honestly had to stop myself from snatching her by the hair...so I settled myself down with the thought that Karma is a bitch and tends to come bite you in the ass.

Hope she enjoys it...

The Great Snowstorm of 2008

2008-01-20T20:47:00.000-08:00

Well, maybe I'm exaggerating by calling it "The Great" Snowstorm...or even a "snowstorm" at all...

but, IT SNOWED!!! And my girls went SLEDDING!!! And built a SNOWMAN!!!

...and it was fabulous!

Actually I should call it "The Perfect Snow" of 2008, because it snowed just enough to play in, sled in, build a snowman in, and make snow angels in...and then melted 3 hours later so that the roads were all nice and safe.

If you don't live here in the South, then you probably don't understand why this is such a big idea. To put it in perspective, I can't remember seeing a significant amount of snow since around 1995 when I was in college and my sorority sister broke her nose while sledding down a hill on an industrial size cookie sheet.

The Princess saw snow briefly when she was about 4 months old...and Bruiser has NEVER seen it, except on TV.

Those girls had so much fun.

The neighbor helped them build a snowman:

Bruiser learned that snow is "really, really, yummy":

LaLa didn't really see what the big deal was:

The Princess was just all about having fun:

I actually took a turn on the sled down the neighbor's hill, but never quite made it to do snow angels. I was too busy enjoying watching the girls play with "Frosty" and take their turns down the hill.

I love you, Special K

2008-01-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

I think that I briefly mentioned in an earlier post that I have been on the Special K diet for the past 2 weeks?

Well, I can't say that it has been all that bad...especially since dear hubby has been out of town...and with three little kids running around, it is just too much trouble to figure out what to eat and fix it all the time.

Plus, their Chocolatey Drizzle snack bars are so good, it makes me feel like I'm cheating...they really ARE that good...and only 90 calories. (No, I'm not getting paid for this, but I would NOT be opposed to some free coupons or something...uhum...anyone listening?)

And I would enjoy them even more if Bruiser didn't keep stealing them from me. "Just a WITTLE bite, Momma."

Well, the other day I noticed that my new khaki pants were drooping a bit as I was walking the kids into Preschool.

And, my scale was saying I had lost 5-6 pounds...but it is so messed up that we already have to deduct 10 pounds to get to the "right" ballpark.

But, today...I got a wild hair to get out my favorite sage green cord pants that I couldn't even get past my hips a few weeks ago...much less get the buttons within a few inches of each other.

And? Sweet Lord above...not only did I get them over my hips, but those puppies buttoned right up!!!

(Me doing happy dance, right now...La la la la la woo woo woo)

Granted, I DO have some major muffin-top action going on, but I CAN still breathe...so I think I deserve my moment of shameful bliss.

And, if they fit with a muffin-top with no special "unmentionables"...just think what some Spanx will do?!?

Looks like I'll be trying out the Red Berries Special K for the next 2 weeks...I'm a little tired of the plain. Maybe I can even get in those pants with NO muffin-top...

A girl can dream, can't she?

Shrinky Dinks

2008-01-15T19:57:00.001-08:00

How fabulous is it when you are roaming around...minding your own business...and something you loved as a child just jumps right off the shelf and yells..."Look at ME!!! You LOOOOOVE me....You should BUY meee!!!"

Well, this was what happened to me just today at Michael's. I was roaming around with a Christmas gift card burning a hole in my pocket...and Shrinky Dinks called my name.

Not only is this a packet of Shrinky Dinks, but it is printer friendly -blank page Shrinky Dink "paper" which means that if I want to...I can TOTALLY print off, cut out and bake my favorite pictures of the kids.

I haven't been this excited since I found an exact replica of my much loved and missed Miss Piggy watch on eBay!

Way to go Burger King

2008-01-15T19:07:00.001-08:00

I have to say that I'm rarely the type that lets a television commercial affect my spending in any way...but Burger King has changed my tune.

Have you seen the newest Whopper daddy vs. Whopper Jr. commercial where Whopper Jr. asks his dad "Whatcha gonna do, Dad? Spank my buns?"

I think that commercial is so freaking hilarious that I find myself giggling to myself quite often...and today? I actually went out of my way to go buy a Whopper Jr...just because all that giggling made me start thinking..."Wow, a Whopper really sounds good right now".

And...it was quite tasty and totally worth the extra quarter mile of driving it took to get one on my way to pick up the girls from Preschool.

Too bad that I've been on the Special K diet for 2 weeks and I now have to eat nothing but cereal for the next 2 days...but I like to think it was worth it.

Wish I was a Crafter...

2008-01-15T18:38:00.001-08:00

Sweet Eye Candy Creations' shadowbox

Not sure if any of you care, but I am a crafter wannabe. I am addicted to this website called Etsy where people make handmade stuff and sell it. And it REALLY REALLY makes me wanna MAKE things.

I've always been a little crafty...like making Barbie furniture out of shoeboxes and mom's fabric scraps out on the carport when I was 8.

The bad thing is that I'm more of a copier than an innovator. I see something that someone has done and it makes me want to make it, too.

For example, I saw this shadowbox that a blogger made for her daughter...and being obsessed with girlie things...I immediately wanted to make one for the Princess and Bruiser.

So, I finally made some for the girls for Christmas...specially tailored to their particular interests...

Here is Princess C's:

It contains all things pink and Princess related with lots of sparkles. Please disregard the bad photography. I couldn't get my lighting right OR the right angle...and it isn't nearly as cute as the original one done by the lady at Sweet Eye Candy Creations...but the Princess was pretty excited about it.

Then there comes Bruiser's. Hers is full of her favorite color "Buwue" with cupcakes and Cinderella.

You'll notice that Bruiser loves hers so much that she promptly installed a dollhouse sized kitty cat in her baby doll cradle and I THINK that is a cracker safely stored behind her yellow telephone.

So anyway...I have now caught the crafting bug. Even better, I have discovered that there is a whole world of bloggers out there who actually make stuff just to swap with each other through the mail! A reason to make things AND gifts in the mail? SWEET!

It isn't favoritism...not really

2008-01-09T09:32:00.000-08:00

I think that for most people who have sibling, they usually feel like one sibling has always been their parents' favorite. I know that I have always felt that way about my sister, anyway.

Now that I am a parent, I try hard not to play favorites because I would hate for my girls to grow up thinking that I would always choose their sister's side.

But, I know in my heart that the Princess has never been a Mommy's girl. She is firmly a Daddy's girl. She has always been about her father and her grandmother.

This doesn't make me love her any less...on the contrary, it makes me a little sad and longing for a day when she will go through a stage where I am her favorite...but until then, I just want her to be happy and will cherish the times when she does want me above everyone else.

Then, there is Baby Lala...who is so chubby and cute...and at that baby stage where she will cuddle and coo at whoever will love on her and play with her at that particular moment. Everyone is her favorite.

But then, there is Bruiser. Beyond her Uncles R.J. and Gaga...she LOVES her mommy. And I LOVE that. I take advantage of it every time I can...cuddling on the couch...tickle fights...I mean, who WOULDN'T be crazy and in love with this?

So, maybe favoritism isn't about who your parent loves most...but about who the child favors at a given time? Just a thought anyway.

When the man fix the lights, mommy?

2008-01-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

Poor, poor, dear sweet husband....he finally gets a night free of all his extra baggage (namely, me and the girls) to go watch football....and what happens? The power goes out.

And it is dark...REALLY dark.

The kids are screaming, the baby is howling, and we can tell by the smell that the dog has literally pooped herself in fright.

To make it worse...it doesn't just go out...it flickers and goes off and on, off and on. Which wouldn't be so bad if that didn't mean the electric doorbell kept going off AND the carbon monoxide detector didn't keep squealing again and again.

I mean...the poor man was literally almost out the door.

But, being the good guy that he is, he stuck around and helped me settle everyone down.

Can I just say...Thank God for the Black and Decker Storm Station? If we didn't have that thing, we might STILL be stuck in the dark, stepping in doggy doo doo and fumbling around looking for candles.

So, we found the candles, equipped the older girls each with their very own flashlight and/or electric battery operated candle and had a family night piled on the big smushy chair in the living room.

While the baby was asleep in her swing...we all cuddled and told knock knock jokes by candlelight.

Speaking of...have you ever HEARD 4-year old versions of knock knock jokes?

"Knock-knock"

"Who's there?"

"Poopy"

"Poopy who?"

"Poopy butt..."

Then comes the waves of laughter...

My personal favorite, though, was this little gem...

"Knock-knock"

"Who's there?"

"Daddy"

"Daddy who?"

"Daddy has a hairy butt"

My kids are friggin hi-lar-i-ous...

Photo blog for my husband

2008-01-04T23:08:00.000-08:00

You know...my husband rarely gets the love on my blog. Usually I'm just complaining about his Guitar Hero prowess...but he is a really great guy.

I haven't moved my blog entry over from my old blog yet about how I stalked him until he decided to date me...but I like to think that he isn't complaining about being stalked these days.

He is so fabulous, that when he lost a bet with my sister over the Tennessee/Arkansas game, he didn't even complain about having to wear that nasty ugly Tennessee orange shirt for our entire family Christmas party.

He is such a fabulous father. So hands-on...diapers...no problem...no matter how gross and OOZING they are.

Heck...once when the Princess threw up all over her clothes in the car, he even gave her his shirt and drove back home topless with the windows down just so she wouldn't have to ride in stinky clothes.

Now, THAT is love...

A month or so ago, he thought it was so cute that Bruiser fell asleep in the office in the middle of their conversation, that he called me downstairs to take a picture.

So, here's to you, my love...your very own entry...just about you.

My New Year's Resolutions

2008-01-04T21:25:00.000-08:00

1) Show more love to my husband ;0)

2) Lose the rest of my baby weight and get back to the weight I was when I got pregnant with the Princess

3) Clean and declutter the whole house

4) Save my money and finally get patio furniture for the back porch

5) Pay off my credit card and keep my balance below a certain point

6) Rearrange things and make the downstairs bedroom a playroom for the girls without spending a lot of money

7) Take a class (not sure what sort of class, yet)

8) Finally sell all my maternity clothes on eBay

9) Sadly...get rid of all old baby stuff and clothes (as Lala grows out of them) except for a few special things I want to save

10) Use up things that are still brand new with Lala from the older two girls

11) Make a close friend...the kind that will tell you to kiss their ass and you really don't care. Or the kind that will actually tell you if something looks crappy on you or makes you look fat...but you don't mind, because you know they are just looking out for you. Are there any people out there like that anymore?

12) Kick my husband's butt on Guitar Hero

13) Play more games...Taboo, cornhole, Clue, Tripoley, Spades, Gin Rummy

14) Be more patient with the girls

15) Quit letting the girls eat so many sweets...and train my husband to do the same thing!

16) Potty train Bruiser

Maybe Sylvia Plath really did just have severe PMS

2008-01-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

You ever have one of those days where you feel like you have a dark cloud hanging over your head? My past few days have been like that...

I'm not sure if it just hit me that I only have 7 weeks to get cruise ready...which isn't very long when you want to lose the rest of your baby weight. I mean...its not that I am expecting to EVER wear a bikini again, but I'd really rather not have 100 people ask me when I am "due" and have to answer "last July."

Or maybe it is that I've started having borderline panic attacks at night...with full on sense of dread and racing heartbeat. Bad enough to the point that I keep waking the kids up at night when I go check on them 100 times and have an intense urge to move large pieces of furniture in front of their windows so the boogey men can't scale the walls and come steal them out of their beds.

It could also be that I can't find my USB thingamajig so I can upload my holiday pictures and finally post the mutiple huge and highly entertaining posts that are sitting in my Edit folder waiting to be shared with all my friends...

Or it could also be...that no longer how hard I try...I STILL can't beat my husband at Guitar Hero. I guess he will always be cooler than I am.

Oh, well...I'll just be in the corner having my own personal pity party and searching endlessly for my uploader thingy ;0(

If you can't stand the comments, don't let your kids shower with you

2008-01-02T09:43:00.001-08:00

I KNOW that at some point your kids become too old to shower with you. I'm not sure at exactly WHAT age that is...but when you have 3 kids, it is just plain easier to get in a shower yourself if you bathe 2 of your 3 children also.

Especially when you have been sick as a dog, sounding like a frog, and doped up on NyQuil for 3 days.

So, the other day while we were out of town at my mom's house...I figured it would be easier if the two older girls and I take a shower together.

We are all goofing around and I was washing their hair, when the Princess comments...

"Mommy...I can see your PRIVATES"

So, I croak out...

"Ha Ha, I can see your privates, too...."

The Princess: "Yeah, but mine don't have THAT on them"

(If I have to explain, you don't need to know)

I was so shocked that I started to horse laugh...which isn't so easy when you don't have a voice.

So, the Princess and Bruiser get very concerned and ask me why I am crying....which makes me laugh even more.

Maybe 4 years old is the time to stop showering together...

I should just be thankful that she didn't critique my stretch marks.

Holiday Craziness, New Year's Resolutions

2008-01-02T09:22:00.000-08:00

Honestly I don't even know where to begin to talk about the holidays. We all received way too much loot and I gained 10 lbs...the house is a total disaster and I am now a Guitar Hero addict.

Our biggest news is that Baby Lala got her first 2 teeth on Christmas Day and New Years Day. She's already been eyeing the girls' Goldfish crackers and actually tried to grab my Christmas Bloody Mary out of my hand. They grow so quickly these days...

She also had her first big girl sink bath...which was long overdue...but, hey, at least I remembered to write down her first tooth in her baby book... Actually, at least she HAS a baby book...she is the THIRD child after all!

As for Princess C and Bruiser...they discovered the joys of makeovers at the Libby Lu at the mall. My sister and I took them and my niece AA for a Christmas present. All I can say is that there is a special place in heaven for those lovely young ladies who spend day after day in Libby Lu preschooler makeup and hairstyle Hell. I can hardly get my kids to sit still to comb out their hair...much less for intricate Princess and Club Diva curli-ques and glitter hairspray. Then they got to cap the experience off with a nice little "Cha Cha Slide" out in the middle of the mall.

Aren't they lovely?

As for Guitar Hero...it was MY present from Santa....but guess who opened it while I was napping on Christmas Day? Yep, that would be dear hubby. By the time I got ahold of it, he was already battling the devil to the sounds of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia"...which means he was pretty much on Expert level, while I got Booed off stage 5 or 6 times.

Thankfully I am now much better and I've even made enough "money" to buy my skanky avatar a nice new slutty leather bustier and some leather pants. I also dyed her hair red and got an electric blue guitar

...very nice.

Family Fun

2007-12-22T19:49:00.000-08:00

Woo hoo! Found my USB camera thingy...

From December 22

Today was an extra special day...our sweet Princess C had a sort of a rite of passage for a Southern gal...she went to her very first football game!

As a lot of you probably know, you can't really live in the South and NOT be a huge football fan. Weddings are planned around SEC football schedules...HELL, the day I got married the guys had a portable TV in their dressing room because Mississippi State was playing Auburn.

My girls have a PLETHORA of choices in the family of teams to root for. I'm a Mississippi State Bulldogs fan and DH is a hardcore Arkansas fan...but within our extended family, we have Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Southern Miss, Florida, and Cincinnati.

While I haven't really pushed the issue about the girls being MSU fans...their father has been teaching them how to "call the Hogs" since they could make anything close to "Pig Sooie" come out of their mouths. He has a "Pig on a Stick" for them to play with...and the baby even has a Razorbacks mobile over her cradle.

Sooo, when we had the chance to take her to the PapaJohns.com Bowl...we jumped at it.

While I have a soft spot for Mississippi in general, having gone to college there...I didn't have any Southern Miss apparel, but I DID have a spankin new Cincinatti sweatshirt from our last trip to see my brother-in-law. And then we get there and Cincinnati had a virtual kiddie wonderland of bouncy houses and lots of freebies...T-shirts...bead necklaces...face painting...and blow up bangy sticks.

So, who do you think the Princess rooted for?

Just call her the "Princess of Cincinnati"

I adore Christmas

2007-12-19T18:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas is so wonderful when you have the kids running around. I love it that my girls get so excited about all the lights and the decorations.

This also gives me an excuse to do all the things that I love that I always thought I was too grown up to do anymore.

For example, I taught the girls how cool it is to lie under the tree and look up through the branches. I'm proud to say that I could actually fit under there this year (although I DID have to adjust the branches a bit ;0) )

The girls were nice enough to cooperate for a picture.

I also was able to put tinsel on the tree this year. I know most people think tinsel is tacky these days, but I love the sparkliness...and it just makes the tree so shiny.

Another perk of Christmas is that I get to indulge my love of glitter. I ADORE glitter, but have finally realized that at this time of year, I can indulge my little dirty secret. I've got glitter Santas, glitter stars, glitter birds...

But with all this glitter, I still cannot compete with my friend "T" who must have been born with the gorgeous decorator gene. Today she sent out an email with pictures of her Christmas decorations that made me drool worse than my 4 month old.

Some examples:

When I saw that picture, I knew I was going to be green with envy as soon as I finished the slide show...

Take a look at this amazing tree. I've actually seen this in person and it is even more beautiful than it looks.

This picture makes me want to have it printed and frame it to put on my wall:

Here are just a couple more for fun:

So, so jealous!!!

Flashback to summer...Another old pregnancy post...

2007-12-19T18:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, I admit it...I'm a slacker. It has been forever since I added a blog.

It's not like lots of funny things haven't happened around here...a few examples:

I'm cuddling with Princess "C" the other day at her "nap time" and she lays her head on my side and asks, ever so sweetly..."Mommy, why is your booty gettin' so big?"

Lovely...

Speaking of the growing state of my "booty" and other areas of my body...um, let's just say there is definite growth. Can you say 16 lbs in 2 months does not a perky mommy make. Not only has that hampered my energy, but makes me a borderline gestational diabetic. Add this to my borderline cholesterol and developing lactose intolerance...I'm a walking disaster. After discussing what exactly I could eat with my OB/GYN, it seems that the only thing I should snack on is unsalted handfuls of pecans. Y-U-C-K-Y...

In other news...let's not forget Bruiser, whose vocabulary has exploded lately. It is nothing for her to pipe up with "make-up", "hold, too", "pool", "backpack"...or any other random previously unused word at any given moment. My current favorite Bruiser words are "O-we-oh-we-oh" for Oreo and several very Southern sounding words, like "Halp" for Help and "ohnt bite-bites" for "I would very much like something to eat right now, Mommy...please".

Speaking of Bruiser, it is becoming more and more difficult to call her by that nickname...take a look:

I know I am biased, but Dang!...thats a beautiful girl...I may have to start referring to her as Princess "A."

Not that the other Princess isn't beautiful...because she definitely is:

I may not do very many things really really well, but I must admit that I can make some amazingly beautiful kids...

Speaking of this particular Princess, she has become quite the artist. One of her latest artworks she named "Me falling in love." I'm actually thinking about having some stationery made with it because I am amazed by her creativity and love the goofy smile...

Well, hopefully I'll have more to say soon. I hope you saw our latest pic of Baby Rudolph on my profile page. I can't believe he/she will be joining us so soon...

So much to do...so much to do....

Pregnancy Post/Old:Fred Flintstone Feet, hot teenage boys and other craziness...

2007-12-19T16:21:00.001-08:00

It's official, I have cankles and I'm not lovin' it at all. I was so proud of my weight gain and the fact that I hadn't gotten my 3 extra chins this time around...but then the fat foot syndrome kicked in....UGHH! Oh, well...who am I to complain?

In other ramblings, how sad is it that I am seriously drooling over teenage boys who work at grocery stores lately?

The other day, I was minding my own business, shopping for DH's Father's Day meal at Whole Foods (I know...that makes it even worse) and I seriously couldn't get the words out when I saw the boy behind the counter. He was seriously yummy...and probably only about 18.

I am such a sad hormonal pregnant lady...not that I wanted to take him home with me or anything, but I will admit he was nice to look at...and he was awfully nice to me...which gets big bonus points when you feel like you look like a whale.

I'm sure that kid went home and told his buddies, "Dude...this old pregnant lady was SERIOUSLY checking me out today!" Maybe I raised his "street cred."

In case you are worrying about how my husband would feel about my newfound interest in teenage boys...I've asked him about that and he really doesn't care. As long as when I'm in the mood...I come home to him

Besides...he has about 15 women on his celebrity "freebie" list (meaning if he ever gets a chance to actually hook up with one of them...I just have to understand and be happy for him)....me? I only have 1 name on my list, so I can drool over whomever I want.

What's going on with us these days? Princess "C" has developed an obsession with the Ice Cream Man. As soon as she hears the tinkle of his music...she's running through the house, yelling "ICE CREAM MAN...ICE CREAM MAN!!!!" Thank goodness he only comes down our street on Sundays, or we would be broke.

Bruiser has expanded her vocabulary by about 15 words a day. She loves to tell everyone her name. She likes to name everything in her room before she goes to bed at night "Bed, piwow (pillow), chair, wall, window, books, need battewies (the toy that needs batteries)"

She also has discovered the word "Why?" which surprises me...I thought this was something that came later. Here is a typical "Why" conversation:

Husband: "Bruiser, come here...I'm gonna change your diaper"

Bruiser: "Why?"

Husband: "Because you are very wet"

Bruiser: "Why?"

Husband: "Because I don't want you to leak everywhere"

Bruiser: "Oh, otay (OK)"

As for Baby Rudolph...this kid is kicking my butt...literally...sometimes I think he/she is trying to bust their way out of there. The latest fun thing to do is breakdance on my cervix...

"C" is convinced that this baby is no longer Baby Rudolph, but is Baby Lila. She is adamant that she is having another baby sister...and I'm guessing she is probably right.

Other than that, we are doing great...just working our way til July, when we expect our newest member of the family. We can't wait to meet him or her...

...and I also can't wait to hit the nearest sushi bar, have a big glass of wine, go shopping for skinny girl Fall clothes, and get my hair colored...but who really cares about that?

Old Post: The differences between babies 1, 2, and 3

2007-12-19T16:17:00.000-08:00

Checklist for 1st child:

1) Professional pregnancy pics done: Check

2) Brand spankin' new baby clothes, carefully laundered in gentlest possible detergent...carefully folded and arranged by size: Check

3) Nursery perfectly finished, matching pictures hung on wall, all toys put away: Check

4) Hospital bags (3 months in advance) packed with everything that will fit. Everything packed from every checklist on the internet. Takes 4 trips from the car to get into the hospital...portable DVD player, enough movies for a month, bottled water, fully packed diaper bag, CDs of music, snacks, tennis balls for massage and deck of playing cards: Check

5) Last minute pedicure scheduled: Check (Gotta have pretty toes in the delivery room)

6) House immaculate, windows washed, floors and baseboards dusted, mopped, etc: Check

Checklist for 2nd child:

1) Professional pregnancy pics done: Well, the first child is getting her 2 year old pictures done...I guess we can go ahead and do one of us, too.

2) A couple of new outfits, carefully laundered in gentlest possible detergent...carefully folded and arranged by size...along with some pretty gross stained burp cloths and a bunch of ratty receiving blankets: Check

3) Nursery perfectly finished, matching pictures hung on wall, all toys put away: Check

4) Oldest child in her own big girl bed 6 months before new baby arrives: Check

5) Hospital bags packed a month in advance. Learned our lesson with hospital trip 1. No DVD player since all we watched was Judge Judy anyway...plus we have plenty of Hurricane Katrina coverage to catch up on. DH can eat in the cafeteria...Did we remember the camera?: Check

6) Last minute pedicure consists of a slapped on half-assed job by DH: Check

7) House pretty clean...a couple of food splatters on wall in kitchen beside C's high chair: Check

Checklist for 3nd child:

1) Professional pregnancy pics done: Huh? When's the last time I saw my make-up? Did the girls eat it?

2) A couple of new outfits, still with tags on (someone can run home and wash them once we know if it is a boy or a girl)...the least yucky outfits from the other 2 kids are carefully folded and arranged by size...along with some extremely gross stained burp cloths and a bunch of ratty receiving blankets: Check

3) Nursery painted, no pictures hung on wall, toys all over the floor from the girls' latest playtime, because baby toys are suddenly MUCH more interesting than anything they have in their room: Check

4) Middle child in her own big girl bed?: Ummm, no...still in the crib 36 hours before this baby being induced...Thank Goodness we have a cradle and Pack N Play to use until Bruiser decides to sleep in a big girl bed

5) Hospital bags kinda packed a few weeks in advance. Bad thing is that I can only fit into 3 outfits and keep having to pull out stuff from the hospital bag to wear. Girls keep getting into the bag, so I'm not even sure if I still have a toothbrush in there? Crap, I think I forgot shower shoes.

6) Last minute pedicure: Why bother..its so cold in there I'll have my socks on...

7) House? Well, it WAS clean, but I can't keep up with my little Tasmanian devils. The handprint smears from the front windows mysteriously reappear 5 minutes after I wash them, so why even bother? Besides, that involves bending over, which isn't in my best interest right now.

Old post: Hello from Crazyland

2007-12-19T13:36:00.000-08:00

Well, we are all settled in now and we are now a family of 5...who would have ever believed it?

I have to say that the foremost thought in my mind right now is how in the world do women find time for Postpartum Depression when you have this many kids? I barely have time to go to the bathroom, much less feel very sorry for myself.

So, other than giving BIRTH and trying to remain sane, what have I been up to, you might be wondering? Well...let's see...

Princess C had a birthday recently and I have to say that DH and I throw the best ghetto fabulous Chuck E Cheese birthday party that you can find anywhere.

What do I mean exactly?

Well...picture a party at Chuck E Cheese where 20+ people show up and all you have are 12 generic cupcakes from Publix (with Barbie crown rings shoved on top), no themed paper products, no party hats, no balloons, and 4 pre-used candles on top.

That's right...no paid for Chuck E Cheese birthday party for OUR kid...but we did spring for the pizza and the drinks...and lots of tokens...

To be fair, only 5 of the attendees were children...and 2 of them were 6 months and under...and 3 of them were OUR children. So, I don't think the adults were TOO disappointed...I mean, they DO serve BEER at Chuck E Cheese for pete's sake!

Princess C seemed to be pleased. She got lots of Princess stuff and when she got home she got the Aurora dress, Aurora shoes, and Aurora crown that she had been DYING for...although the 3rd thing out of her mouth was "But where is the Aurora magic WAND?"

What about Bruiser, you might be wondering? Well, she is terrified of Chuck E Cheese. If he was dancing, she was whimpering in a corner. Poor little thing wasn't exactly living up to her nickname that night...but she was sporting some cute new bangs and some pigtails. Hey, who cares if your scared as long as you LOOK GOOD, am I right?

And as for our 3rd, as yet un-nicknamed child? She's just trying to survive an overabundance of LOVE. Almost 2 weeks old and still the newness hasn't worn off for her Big Mommas...uhum...I mean Sisters. Lots of rough pats on the head, lots of fighting and yelling over who gets to help feed her, change her, get a burp cloth. Crazy how they don't exactly fight over who gets to pick up the toys in the living room, or clean up the water they spilled on the floor during "painting time."

Anyway, all the little ones are asleep and I am starting to wonder why the hell I'm blogging anyway, when I could be in my nice comfy bed sleeping...I guess I am going crazy...