Wednesday, September 21, 2005

More Quips from my Mother

Mom: Pointing to the kids. Do you ever wonder how all their stuff fits in there? You know...their guts and stuff?

________

Mom: I bought some slippers for the kids. Tossing them on the floor. I don't know who this blue Elmo is.

Me: That's Cookie Monster.

Mom: Shrugged and kind of made a face like I didn't know what I was talking about.

Me: Blue Elmo....geesh.

No title...just a bunch of randoms

AR's surgery went well. She was so good. The nurse warned us that at her age, children are usually bears when they come out from being under, but she was a doll. She fussed a bit when she woke up - confused, not knowing where she was, but settled down really quick. We're still awaiting results on the biopsy, but the good news right now is that she is recovering well. She's as spunky as ever; you'd never guess she just had surgery.

____________

We have a busy weekend ahead of us. We're going to my cousin's baby's birthday party Saturday afternoon, then we're having some friends over for a BBQ that night, then Sunday we're having RD's family over for dinner - sort of an informal birthday party for him. His sister is going to cut the kids' hair when she's here, so we can FINALLY get some pictures done! We haven't had professional photos taken of them since they were SIX MONTHS OLD! Bad mommy! I know!

____________

I've been out of my Sarafem (a.k.a. Prozac) for over a week now. I didn't think it was that big a deal, but I can tell the old paranoid me is making her way back. I really need to be more on top of my medications. I'm awful about taking them. It's amazing I haven't wound up pregnant or in the hospital due to an asthma attack as bad as I've been. There's a drive-thru pharmacy right up the street, so I have no excuse. Just being lazy. You know the routine...keep the house up, keep the kids taken care of, (try to) keep hubby happy, and forget about me. It's the same ole' Mommy Mantra.

__________

Speaking of routines, I really need a new one. I'm bored...I think the kids are bored. It's so hard taking three out by myself. I'd love to take them to the park, but how on earth can I keep all three in line?! I'd love to let them run around in the back yard, but we don't have a fence yet and live on a corner lot, so I'm not comfortable letting them run loose back there. For now, the extent of their outside-play is hanging out on the deck. We're having a fence put in next Spring, but that doesn't give me any solutions for what to do now. It'll be easier when they get older (right? ha!), but right now when I say stop or come here, they think it's hilarious to run the other way, laughing hysterically at the top of their lungs. Maybe I could get one of those child harnesses? Do you remember that old Saturday Night Live sketch with Mike Meyers and Kim Bassinger? They were little kids at the park and he was strapped to the playset. He kept trying to run and kept getting jolted back to the ground as he hit the end of his lead. It was hilarious! That's how I picture an outing with my kids using those things. I don't think they'd be too happy.

Anyway...I'm rambling and I'm tired. Who knows if I make any sense. I'm getting over a cold and my head has that doped-up-medicine-head feeling.

Maybe I'll try going to Target tomorrow. We all know how well that's going to go! :)

Friday, September 16, 2005

We're not THAT old

After a nice session of foreplay, RD and I just laid there.....

....
....

....waiting for the other to - shall we say - assume position. After some awkward silence...

RD: My back really hurts.

Me: You know my muscles have been aching all over. Still aching from when I was sick.

RD: sigh...

You know it's bad when you start bickering over who has to get on top.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

I guess Target wasn't meant to be today.

I've been waiting for this day. Pay Day. All the projects we've had going on, it's put a lot of the fun little purchases on hold for awhile. Then today came.

I got the kids up from their naps, gave them snacks, and changed three poo-filled diapers. I noticed AR had strawberry stains all down the front of her shirt from lunch, so I was scrambling around to find another t-shirt that would match her pink pants. Finally, after going through every drawer, found one! Then it was time to put on the kids' shoes. I found five shoes - there was one missing. After looking every place imaginable, I found it in the laundry room. Go figure. I run in the bathroom, glance in the mirror...what's that? Oh, God...please tell me it's not. Poo. I somehow managed to get a smear of poo on the front of my shirt during the diaper derby. For a brief moment, I actually considered just wiping it off and heading on our merry way. I then came to my senses and realized that if I didn't want to head out with AR having strawberries smeared down the front of her shirt, what on earth makes me think poo is okay? I quickly change and carry everyone downstairs to make our way to the van.

I rush around turning the tv and lights off when I hear, "Uh-oh." I go to see what uh-oh's about when I see AR holding my Diet Dr. Pepper can, soda dripping down her belly. Time for shirt #3. I change her shirt, no longer caring if it matches her pants, and clean up the floor. Now time to go.

We hit the road. I get about a mile when I realize I forgot my wallet. Just brilliant. I start wondering if maybe something or someone is trying to tell me this trip isn't meant to happen.


We finally get to Target, I get the stroller out of the van when I notice a white powder substance all over the seat. hmmmm. Great. It was on the floor of the garage when Pest Shield came by. The stroller was covered in pesticide. I look around for a double-seated cart, contemplating carrying the third, when I realize this trip just isn't worth it. I jump back in the car and head home.

After the hellish preparations that went into this shopping trip that never happened, I decided I better make a stop at Dairy Queen to make all my trouble worth it.

I guess we'll try again tomorrow!

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Lessons in Building

Going into building, we heard all sorts of horror stories. So many, that we went into this on the defense, ready to have all sorts of hurdles thrown our way. Overall, it was a very easy, very pleasant experience.

Now, RD will go on and on about how much work it is moving into a new house, but going from experience at our last house, moving into an older house is much harder work. But that just goes along with my theory that RD isn't happy unless he is complaining about something. I love my glass-have-empty man. :)

It took quite some time to feel like home, but I have quickly come to love this house. It's such a wonderful feeling loving everything about it. How can you not when you get to pick out every detail yourself. Everything from the shingles, brick, siding, cabinets, flooring...down to the little things like door knobs and thermostats.


We started off throwing in all the bells and whistles, then seeing the pricetag, started weeding out all the things we thought we really didn't need. Hindsight's a bitch they say. Overall, there aren't a lot of things I would change, but there some things I would've done a bit differently or would have added.

  • Larger deck - we've been in the house just shy of two months and we're already adding on to the deck.
  • Bay window in bonus room.
  • Ceiling fan in bonus room.
  • Bay window in basement.
  • Heating lamp in ceiling right outside master bath shower.
  • Window for (future) bedroom in basement.
  • Run electrical wires under sidewalk for landscape-lighting in front.
  • Would've done some sort of fancier front porch. Maybe exposed-aggregate...I don't know...something.
  • Stained glass in master bath.

But there's a reason we don't have all that. Money...or lack thereof. So, I can't complain.

I love our house and given the chance, I'd do it all again.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

It's not fair *POUT* *POUT*

I babied you while you were sick. I held you. Rocked you. Sang to you. I gave you all the TLC you needed and more. What do you do when mommy's sick? You're pulling out all the vents, you're jumping on the couch, pouring your milk on the floor. I can see you conspiring in the corner to kick me while I'm down.

This hurts, kids. Really, it does.

Monday, September 12, 2005

One more week to worry

AR's surgery has been rescheduled for next Monday. I was afraid this was going to happen. She came down with a fever Friday - it was gone by Saturday - and all three had a red rash from head to toe by Sunday morning. The doctor thinks it's Roseola. I called the ENT Doc Friday and this morning, and the nurse said that it would be okay to proceed. After making the poor thing go all morning and part of the afternoon without anything to eat or drink, having RD's mom take the day off work to watch the boys, and spending two hours in the waiting room (let me tell you how much fun THAT is with an 18 month old!), we were told they wouldn't do the surgery due to the rash.

SO...this is the third time we've had to reschedule. I sure hope this isn't a sign. I told you I have an over-active imagination!

Sunday, September 11, 2005

What exactly do you mean by EVERYTHING?

We were outside talking to the neighbors behind us yesterday when we got on the subject of window treatments.

Neighbor: I really like the shutters you put up. I wish we would've done something like that.

Me: We're really happy with them. It's helped so much with the heat...and we were anxious to get them up...having a corner lot. (The back of our house is visible from the street. Lots of windows...you get the idea.)

Neighbor: Yea, before you had your blinds up, I could see everything. And as if to add for emphasis, repeated... EVERYTHING.

Me: I'm sure. Nervous laughter...

What exactly did she mean by everything? It wasn't what she said as much as it was how she said it. Now I know it couldn't have been anything THAT bad because we had temporary treatments up on the bathroom and bedroom windows. Humph.

Could be a number of things...

  • Maybe noticed I point and yell a lot around the kids.
  • Maybe noticed I'm often picking my underwear out of my butt.
  • I often wiggle my butt back and forth when at the computer in the playroom. (We don't have a chair yet at this desk)
  • I really need to wear a bra more often...even if I'm just hanging around the house.
  • I kiss my babies...A LOT.
  • I lie my big butt down on the floor any chance I get when the kids are playing quietly.
  • I snicker a lot when RD leaves the room. Our yard looks great...but a great yard means lots of time for him outside...outside, meaning not inside helping me with the kids. Can't wait to get that fence!
  • I snack way more than anyone with my size thighs should.

Whatever it was, I hope she enjoyed the show!

Pray for my baby

AR is having surgery tomorrow to remove a cyst in her neck. It's not uncommon for young children to have cysts, so often they go untouched, but this cyst is in the front center of her neck. They're concerned that as it grows it would make it difficult for her to swallow food and/or make it difficult to breathe.

I know I sound overdramatic, but as a mother, that's my job, right? It's a very simple outpatient procedure. I'm not as nervous about the surgery itself as I am about the anesthesia. I find the idea of her being knocked out completely totally overwhelming.

Then there's the biopsy...ugh...the imagination of a worried mother is endless.

I'm sure everything will go smoothly, but keep all crossables crossed for my sweet princess. :)

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Out of the mouth of Grandma's

Grandma (my mom): Why are XX's testicles so much larger than XX's?

Me: Blank Stare

It's one thing to compare the accomplishments of each grandchild, but...

Friday, September 09, 2005

Year-End Projects

My list of things I want to buy is endless - no, I don't actually have a list of things I want to buy...though that's not a bad idea(!) - so I won't fill up cyberspace with that long list, but there are many projects I'd like to complete in the new house before the end of the year...and some that will spill over into next Spring.



  • Finish painting
    - Guest Bedroom - light beige
    - Foyer - reverse ragrolling w/neutral colors (hiring someone)
    - Master Bath - Venetian plaster...light browns w/hint of olive (hiring someone)
  • Get new switchplates and receptacles for all rooms.
  • Get boxes organized in basement. You know...all that junk we have no idea what to do with. Maybe a Spring garage sale isn't a bad idea...
  • Get digital camera fixed. We're missing out on way too many photo opportunities.
  • Start Christmas shopping. Quite an arduous task now that we have kids.
  • Get some Fall/Winter clothes for the kids.
  • Get some Fall/Winter clothes for me.
  • Glue broken-off piece onto kitchen table.
  • Fill nail holes with wood putty. The chair-rail had to be removed when the shutters were installed in the Dining Room.
  • Deck addition. late-September/early-October
  • Installation of remaining shutters (play room), blinds (laundry room), and shades (kitchen/breakfast room).
  • Storage/work station in garage

Spring Projects

  • Backyard fence.
  • Installation of irrigation system.
  • Play set for kids.
  • Get bids for finishing basement.
  • Built-in bookshelves one each side of Family Room fireplace.
  • Big-kid furniture for kids.
  • Paint boys' room (dark, slate blue)
  • Paint girl's room (bottom pink, white chair rail, top yellow)

Long-Term Projects

  • Crown molding in Powder Room
  • Cabinets in laundry room
  • Ceramic-tile backsplash in kitchen

Making a list is one thing, actually making these things happen is another.

Thursday, September 08, 2005

DARF!

My husband is quite intelligent. Very smart cookie he is. Sometimes...however...I just don't think he thinks things through.

Due to busy schedules and the usual monthly visitor, we hadn't had sex for over a week. He was off work yesterday, we had no plans for the evening, so I was looking forward to some nice - let's call it - adult time. We had a pretty good day. We were tired from...well life I guess - no better way to put it - but it was a good day. We had some screw-ups with our prescriptions and once again I forgot to take the deck-addition plans to the Assocation for approval. He starts nagging at me an hour before bed.

THINK IT THROUGH, BUDDY!

B*tch at me before bed and you know what's going to happen? Nada. That's what.

Lucky for him - and me - we avoided each other for the next hour and come time for bed we acted like nothing ever happened. As a matter of fact, this sweet, loving, man showed up for bed.

I knew he was a smart cookie!

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Prairie Dogs Rock!

I was desperate to get out of the house yesterday. I had been stuck without a van (in shop for repair) for too long, and the weather was gorgeous, so I needed to get out. We decided to head to the mall to go to ZGallerie in search of some framed photos for the dining room and breakfast room. Half way there, after commenting on how awesome the weather was, we changed direction to head to the zoo. On such a beautiful day, how could we go to the mall?

It was the kids' second trip. We took them earlier this Spring, but SA had some crazy reaction to his sunscreen, so it was a very brief jaunt. Last time we went, the kids seemed more interested in all the people there and could care less about the animals. My how things change!

They were enamored with all the sights! They were unimpressed with the zebras...even the monkeys...then came the giraffes. They were all leaning forward in their stroller and in unison they all started...barking at the giraffes. What can I say? They're obsessed with dogs.

I laughed at their silliness and kind of shrugged my shoulders at the mom next to me, and she said, "My son's been baa-ing at everything all day." Aren't kids precious?

We checked out the penguins, where AR let out an excited shriek making the ladies ahead of us jump. Then came the best part. THE PRAIRIE DOGS. The prairie dogs were always something to glance at and pass. What's exciting about a prairie dog? I failed to find a single thing. But our sweet children opened our eyes. They went nuts!! What it was about these little things that was so dang exciting is beyond me, but our kids thought they were the neatest things. We probably spent 15 minutes staring at our children, cracking up, watching them stare and crack up at the prairie dogs.

I always enjoyed the zoo. I'm an animal nut and always enjoyed a day at the zoo. Now it's not about the animals, it's about the kids. We had the best time. You couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces. Watching the joy on our kids' faces was priceless.

It was a perfect day.

Bad Blogger!

I know I haven't posted much since we moved in. I don't have a good excuse really...just haven't felt like it. I'm constantly writing blogs in my head - they just never make it to the computer.

I've even fallen behind on all of your blogs. It's sort of like that book that's been sitting on my bedside table for over a week. I'm really excited to read it...I really want to read it...but to find a moment to kick back and clear my head enough to concentrate on one thing....

Isn't that the hardest thing for moms? Making time for ourselves? Don't even get me started on the condition of my feet. eek! I missed my last pedicure appointment - and let me tell you - these toes ain't pretty! Next appointment - my nail tech better where a mask and some full-body armor. But...enough of my failure in grooming. Can you tell I'm in a whacky mood? I'm on my period...I'll just blame it on that.

The excitement of the new house has kept us busy, but our projects are slowing down, and I should find more time for me now.

Now Raffi is singing about a spider on the floor...and I'm really finding it hard to concentrate...so off I go.