Wednesday, February 28, 2007

the girl who is such a mom

Who else but a mom would be so proud of her son's potty accomplishments? lol! Really, I just wanted to share!

So--for those who want to know--Matthew's normal potty routine is to first get completely naked (I'm telling you, this kid loves being nude) and then place his feet firmly on either side of the seat and squat down, hovering his little tushie over the hole in the seat. He then will make some random faces and sound effects (without actually doing anything at all--this is purely for effect), drop a smidgeon of toilet paper in the bowl and flush, proclaiming, "I'm doooooooooooone!!!"

And then ten minutes later I'll be changing a diaper.

And as a note, let me assure you, this will repeat itself even if I make him stay on the potty until I"m forced away by some scream from the other room. So at a newly minted three years old we're still trying to figure out this whole potty thing.

Tonight he started to make exaggerated faces and sound effects and I asked him if he was going stinky. He said yes so I encouraged him to go stinky in the potty, not in his pamper. (Yes, tmi, but this is proud mama talking--wait for it)

Moments later I hear a jubilantly triumphant cry..."Mama! IT'S WORKING!!!!!"

lol, that's the punchline, you can stop reading now. Yep, he finally achieved full potty status! And he continued to announce (and flush) after each little pellet. (Ok, so that's really tmi.)

Proud Mama moment over.

And if you are wondering about his face in the picture (what a cute expression!) this is what happens when you catch someone in the act. Any new mothers out there, let me just give you a piece of advice: when you catch your toddler in the middle of a potentially dangerous act--say climbing from the step stool into the open freezer to use it as a stepping stone to the stuff that is out of reach on top of the refrigerator--DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT yell at them from across the room! This will have the effect of startling them into losing their grip and (if they are anything like my son) hitting everything possible with their face on the way down before landing with a thud on their--yes, you guessed it--face. If you find yourself in this situation, sneak up on your child and deftly remove them from their precarious perch. THEN feel free to admonish them as much as you'd like.

I promise you, it actually looks worse in person.

And, might I mention, he started a new daycare on Monday and did this on Saturday. I was afraid that they would think I beat my child, but when they asked me on Day 2 if he had any balance problems, I knew they understood. To borrow a phrase from the Princess, he trips over dust molecules. He then cries for about a minute, gets up and is fine. I assured him, he has been given a clean bill of health (from a pediatric neurologist no less) and is merely clumsey and has no fear. A dangerous combination.

He inherited his grace from his mother, who inherited it from her mother. Hopefully he'll discover grace when he starts playing football. (He's the one I've chosen to be the pro-footballer.)

Friday, February 23, 2007

the girl who is missing


her furbaby. He went missing sometime on Tuesday and it took me until yesterday to realize it. I feel terrible and I miss him! I hope someone returns him, I put up fliers, hopefully someone will see it and call. In the meantime, I'll just hope it turns out ok.


Tuesday, February 20, 2007

the girl who is having a...

c'mon! You really didn't think I'd know already? Nope, sorry. At least two more months until we get to find out what this little bean is. But, for the time being, let's just assume that its a boy, since everyone else has been a boy. Anyway, so here is Eli's first picture:

All is well and I my ultrasound matches the Dr's prediction of Estimated Due Date to the day, so pencil in August 29th!

Sunday, February 18, 2007

the girl who swears (again) to organize

I'm thinking that organization is not my thing. Some friends I have might laugh at that since they consider me to be a touch anal retentive, but when it comes to my house, it's a mess. I can't keep any system in place. Mainly because nobody seems to adhere to my system once I put one in place. DH has the same complaint. Of course, his organization system is to get rid of everything so there's nothing TO organize. Great plan, but he shouldn't have married a pack rat.

So I've made a list of things to buy to help me get this place under control. I'm considering a storage unit. Not that that would help the pack rat issue, but some things NEED to be saved and closet space is at a premium in this tiny place. So why not put the stuff like the Christmas decorations and clothes that are saved for hand-me downs and such away somewhere off site and clear up that space for the stuff I need here?

Of course, I think I just like buying organization stuff! That, too is my pack rat nature!

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

the girl who is down

Hmmm...last post January 26th? And that one was a cheat anyway. I suck at this, lol!

So yeah, I'm down. Lots of uncertantity at work. I don't like uncertainty. I like things spelled out. These are your goals. These are your tasks. This is what we expect of you. None of this, "Just wait..." I suck at waiting. So it has been a little bit stressful.

Oh yeah, and Jen isn't there to make it any better! She moved. I'm sad. It sucks. Girl, don't think you are getting out of throwing me a baby shower THAT easy! You still owe me that! (lol, like you owe me anything, I owe you for being so cool!)

But, on the up side, we did have a fabulous final day out: me, Island Jen and Princess Jen. First, we went to First Watch and had a yummy breakfast/brunch/lunch. It was breakfast food, but it was closer to lunch time. The first time we all met to scrap together we went out to eat there. Memories! The girls totally got on my case because I ordered TWO breakfasts, but I was VERY hungry and the food was really good! Things I'll always remember: How much Island Jen talks with her hands, how much Princess Jen enjoys making Elsie faces, and "a-salt and battery" of the cantelope! Laughing this hard when you are pregnant is not recommended unless you have clean pants somewhere nearby!
And lets not forget the obligatory run to Starbucks! We all nearly mugged this girl for her coat from Anthropologie. Yeah, it rocked that hard. Princess Jen was disappointed there were no black and white cookies, but managed to suffer through their absence by taking pictures of us on this chaise in the corner. I don't remember what had Island Jen laughing this hard, but I promise you, it was HILARIOUS!

Next we went across the street to Studio 6. It's a fun little paint your own pottery place. Fun! Island Jen broke out the Heid Swapp mask, Princess Jen got funky (and glittery!) and I...well I made a mess. I'm better off when I plan things but I just tried to do too many things with this teeny little creamer jug, lol. The Jens were super nice telling me that it'll look great when its fired, but its sorta a mess now. Oh well, it was time well spent. And talk about time! We spent at least three hours there and never realized it! The birthday party starting, going on, finishing, leaving and the next one coming in to set up and start welcoming guests may have been a clue now that I think about it. I'll post our lovely creations sometime next week.

So the day wasn't over yet! At least it wasn't supposed to be. We headed to my van to go to our next destination, only to find that I had a flat tire! Closer inspection revealed a rather sizeable slit in my sidewall. And this is in a NICE (aka...$) part of town. Nice. But, no fear! I know how to change a tire! Yup! I know nothing about oil changing, tire pressure, air filters or any general maintenance at all. (that is what Daddies and Husbands are for!) But I *DO* know how to change a tire.

At least I can change a tire who's lugnuts weren't orignally fastened by a Formula One Racing pit crew. Damn! Those things were tight! Come on, sing it with me! "Loosen up my lugnuts baby" If you look amongst the three of our cameras, you'll get pictures of each us trying to loosen those damn nuts! And the English guy who helped us out when we couldn't manage it on our own. And the Latin (?) guy who helped us out again when the spare that the English guy put on was flat and we had to take it off again. I should have taken pictures of Larry putting on the newly bought tire the next day when I returned having given up and been brought home by Island Jen. Then I'd have the complete set!

So Island Jen brought me home and I kept telling her I was too embarassed to let her into the hellhole that is my home. But she wanted to meet my kiddos, so in we go. Matthew comes running up, "Mommy, Mommy!" Yeah, his face was COVERED in something. Turns out while Daddy was watching the boys while I was out and about (ie: sitting at the computer playing World of Warcraft) Ian the Artist and Matthew the Human Tornado got into my craft cabinet and proceeded to paint their bedroom door, Ian's bed, the wall and themseves. Ian only got it on his fingers and toes. I think he was going for nailpolish. Matthew had it all over his face. Luckily it had dried because he attacked Jen with demands to be picked up and hugged. She melted. (They always do.) She told me later that she "understood" now. Understood why that kid is trouble, because he does this really destructive stuff, but then charms his way out of it because he is so gosh-darned cute! I am so in trouble when he turns into a teen! No way am I EVER letting him drive my car!

Anyway, Dr's appt tomorrow to find out what's up with the little bean in my belly. I am going to ask about a more permanent solution to this "don't sneeze around me, I'm THAT fertile!" problem I have. I'll also get an EDD, so I'll share that. Oh and if anyone has some maternity clothes you don't need anymore, could you please send them my way? I'm already in need, lol!

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