Being...

Reading

2012-02-04T11:47:00.003-06:00

One of my resolutions this year was to blog a bit more. I haven't really felt like it lately and on some level it seems like an exercise of the mind to write just as much as it is to read.
I decided that one of my subjects should be a commentary on the books that I have read. Now, I am absolutely not qualified to be a book reviewer. Most book reviews that I have read seem so eloquent and lovely, even when the review is negative. I am not eloquent, I am not even a good writer, I have a dry scientific brain. Hey, I can try.

Read in January:

The Language of Flowers - Written well and easy to get through. Certainly gave me a different perspective on floral arrangements.
The Art of Racing in the Rain - Seems like more of a book a man would like... car racing. It was a book that raised so many different emotions in me though that any woman would like it as well. Such a unique point of view, it was hard not to enjoy it. The Stephen Hawking thing at the end was a bit too much but quite painless in the overall entertainment value.
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy - My original goal was to compare and contrast Little Women with this current version of four girls and their adventures. I tried to read Little Women and it was difficult for me to get through. I can't exactly point out why I didn't like it other than to say that it just didn't' "click". All I can say is that I found it boring and corny and even 100 pages into it I couldn't find a plot. I never finished. The Penderwicks is a series of four books. This one is about a third as long as Little Women but it was easier for me to read. I read it in a day... it took me days to get 100 pages into Little Women. This was the first of the series and was certainly similar with the characters and development of the characters but there was a plot. A tale was actually told and I am looking forward to the next ones.
The Night Circus - Simply magical. I thought it would be too 'over the top' for me to get into. I heard an interview with the author on NPR and she said that one of her influences was Einstein's Dreams. That was certainly clear in the early chapters. Still quite unique and so lovely.
Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #2) - Oh, young adult fiction! You are such candy! After Twilight, I thought I would never be able to stand another book about vampires or werewolves. This one is about the latter and it isn't bad... Twilight is bad. There is one more in the series and I am excited to see how it turns out.
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - I am a huge fan of Barbara Kingsolver. I put off reading this book for a long time. I tend to check out many books at once and work my way through the pile. This one was at the bottom of my pile and I finally gave in. I was seriously afraid that this book was going to be incredibly self indulgent. Like M. Night Shyamalan's "Lady in the Water" or like the last chapter of Omnivore's Dilemma... enough to get me all riled up inside. It was incredibly good though. I have read so many works on food that are informative, scientific and dry and of course I really like them for that reason. This book was informative, personal and gave a good insight into what a little bit of land, sweat, and determination can get you.
Gathering Blue (The Giver, #2) - Just as the first (award winning) book in the series, it gives an interesting view of a different version of society.
Chasing Fire - I got this book as an entrance to romance fiction. Nora Roberts seemed like a good and popular author to start with. It was certainly an exciting book with all the Missoula fire jumping. As a mystery, it was quite predictable early on. As a romance, it could have been steamier. I have certainly read steamier things in the historical fiction genre. I'll give the genre and the author another shot though.
Possessing the Secret of Joy- A re-read. I love Alice Walker's works. Even when writing about something so horrible she writes so beautifully.

February has started off as a slow reading month. I have been afraid to start A Game of Thrones. It has been at the bottom of the pile for a while now. Most of the time books end up there because I am afraid that I am not going to like them, that they will be a struggle to read, and/or that I will not be able to finish them. So far, now that the characters have been formed, it has been exciting. I am certainly interested in starting the HBO version one of these days.

The Christmas Miracle... Bra

2012-01-22T14:22:00.002-06:00

For many years I have enjoyed running. Yes, it has been on and off during the kid years but I really do enjoy it. Everything about it... the quiet, the pace of my breath, my thoughts while running. I run without an iPod so I can clear my head. Hence the common bumper sticker, "Running is Cheaper than Therapy."
One of the biggest obstacles that I faced early on was finding the right shoe. I would run and then hit a wall with knee pain. The wonderful experienced runner's at the Trak Shak took one look at my stride and fit me with a shoe that has alleviated me of all knee problems. I can tell when the shoes have gone 'flat' when my knee pain flares up. I order my new shoes and I am off once more.
The other obstacle is finding the right bra. I am picky about my bras to begin with. I like full cup minimizers that could function as a sports bra but they are too expensive for me to trash them like that. For running etc. I was just using an old expensive running bra that pre-dated children along with another really snug jog bra. While that did contain the girls, the problem is that having two bands around your ribs makes it hard to breathe. And they were just too old to function as they once did.
I have been drooling over the Title 9 catalog for years and finally ordered a couple of their 4+ dumbbell bras for around $50 each (plus shipping.. seriously who charges shipping any more). I deemed it my Christmas gift from my SIL. Now, very few of Title 9's items are their own. They simply rename them... "Three Reasons Bra" and "Seven Wonders Bra" were in my cart. What came to me was Moving Comfort's Fiona and Juno bras. $29 on Amazon by the way. Anyhow, both bras are wonderful! I need only one and I can run with either. The Juno, however hard it is to get on and off, is worth the trouble. I wear a 34DDDD(G) or 36DDD, so I ordered the 36DD because they don't make DDD. Yes, I spill over but a 38 would have been too big, so be it. I am just out there to work out. If you still look good after running you didn't run hard enough.

Foiled!

2011-11-11T19:06:00.003-06:00

Yes, I always try to do my best, but there is evil and Murphy's law lurking around every corner.

I set up David's fish tank last year for his birthday. I read up on tanks and learned more than I need to know about community fish and how to keep them. We added our fish slowly, methodically and then we got to our big fish... the gourami. It's only a ten gallon tank. Small tanks take more care, oddly enough. But we had a happy community. Then we left for summer vacation. Jeremy always turns the air temp up to save on energy, but we forgot that the boy's room is the hottest in the summer (coolest in the winter). It didn't take long before the temp got above the "green zone" on the thermometer and it was that way for about a week. Ugh, we had only three fish left when we got back; the gourami and two zebra danios. I knew that the tank needed to balance out so I had given it some time before I bought more fish. I was about to get David some fish for his birthday until... the other day I came in to feed the fish and noticed that it was oddly warm. I checked the temp and it was 110 degrees! The thermostat on the heater went haywire and was cooking my fish. The gourami was going berserk and his colors were all wrong. After a trip to the fish store and only one dead fish, the tank was back to normal. The gourami was laying on the bottom of the tank for two days, exhausted, and the last zebra danio was acting like nothing happened at all... they managed to survive! I still need to let things balance out once more before I get more fish. What can you do?

On Halloween, I took the kids to the grocery store. Normally we go to the store after breakfast. I tell the kids that if they don't eat a good breakfast they cannot have one of the store's free kid cookies. Yes a cookie before noon... I never have cookies in the house, so what the hell. Anyhow we went to the store late, closer to lunch time. I told the kids, "no cookies." They understood and did not have a fit. Nathan pouted but no fits. We got to the cash register and the cashier handed each of them a Reese's Halloween Pumpkin. Never asked, didn't hand them to me... straight to the kids. UGH!!! I know that there is something mentally going on with this cashier, he's worked there for a long time. He is a bit off but capable enough to do his job. I could not get mad because it made him so happy. Reese's are the worst candy though!!! I smiled and gritted my teeth and went home to make lunch. Dammit.

I was on a good reading streak until I started reading The Hobbit and simultaneously found out about Pinterest. I flushed a couple of days down the drain sitting on the computer because The Hobbit was boring me, not that it is a bad story. I knew from reading the first couple of chapters that I wasn't going to be 'all about it' but I stuck it out and wasn't going to start reading anything else until I finished it. I went pinning like crazy for a few days, then things settled, I finally finished The Hobbit and have moved on to something more worthy of my time.

I had once heard about the importance of sending regular old batteries to an appropriate waste thoroughfare. So once we had kids and AA batteries became like beer cans, I put them aside in an appropriate place. Twice a year Jefferson County has an environmental/hazardous waste 'recycle day' to get rid of the odd things that don't normally go in the trash. I missed the first couple and accumulated our batteries for over a year. FWIW, we don't replace batteries in many of our toys... it's up to imagination after they are gone. Anyhow, after *really* looking into the battery recycling... they don't take the regular old Duracell, energizer, rayovac battery. Most battery recycling is for the cell phone or the lithium type of battery. I looked into Alabama Environmental Council and found that there is one place, miles away from us that will take these batteries at a huge price per pound! Now, we had saved many pounds of these batteries and most web sites discussed how this form of recycling is obsolete since the heavy metals stored in the current batteries are so low. So Jeremy and I found ourselves shoveling our piles of old batteries into the regular old trash. It made me sick... all I know is that we tried. Dammit!
All I know is that I try, sincerely 'try'. What we eat, what we do, what I wish we did do...

Oh no she didn't...

2011-11-04T10:35:00.002-05:00

My post yesterday had me thinking about new recipes. Don't get me wrong, I love trying out new ones but few make the cut into the "trusty" category. David and Caroline are good eaters. They will eat anything, fruit or veggie. We often call Caroline the "fruit bat" if there is fruit around she will sniff it out and eat it. David is a bit more picky but he will try anything... that's all I ask. Nathan is called the "anaconda", he can eat a good breakfast, decent lunch and never touch dinner. Jeremy also groans about eating his veggies. He only likes green beans, asparagus, and salad coated in ranch. He will also tell me that he likes onions but who serves up a plate of onions?
Anyhow... looking for new recipes. Monkey bread caught my eye and I had immediate memories of being taught how to make this childhood treat at my best friend's house. We took a can of biscuits and tore them to bits. Then melted butter and brown sugar together. Mix the biscuit balls and sweet butter mixture together. We took a large glass bowl and placed a glass in the middle (think homemade bunt pan) then put that in the microwave (yes the microwave) and zapped it till it fluffed up. This mess had to cool forever because coming out of the microwave this stuff was hotter than napalm. Flip it out on a plate and voila... monkey bread. What a treat!!! I came home and showed my mom. It was awesome!
The monkey bread recipe I came across was this though. OMG, can I do that with can biscuits and a homemade bunt pan in the microwave????
I really don't like baking. Yes, I will turn on the oven to cook a pizza, or bake a potato but bread and cookies??? No, I don't do that. These look so yummy this adult version of monkey bread may be worth a try.

Recipe Roundup

2011-11-03T16:15:00.002-05:00

I tried two new recipes this past summer that have stuck around in my recipe repertoire. Many new recipes fall into several categories... kids didn't touch it, Jeremy didn't touch it, it wasn't worth my time, or any combination of the above.

Zucchini Basil Soup - Oh my, this soup was so simple and so dreamy. I feel horrible that I am posting this now... months after the height of summer squash season. The recipe is incredibly simple and very tasty. Blending the zucchini really does give a rich creamy consistency to the soup. I honestly believe that given the right pans and modifications, I could have easily made this a raw meal. I don't know much about "raw" cooking but you can heat to a certain degree. I made this for lunch several times on small scale, the proportions are forgiving (not that I ever measure anyway). I made it for the family as well with compliments. I will admit to going all out one time and used homemade chicken stock instead of water and added a dollop of cream... yes it was even better but in no way necessary.

Turkey Meatloaf - I was watching a pbs cooking show and my ears perked up when they were making something with ground turkey. I love cooking with lean meats and happened to have just bought some ground turkey breast with another recipe in mind. I didn't have any leeks and substituted some celery and onion; I used regular old pre-sliced button mushrooms instead of the cremini; I used half as much cheese and often substitute havarti for fontina to save money. The fresh sage with the creamy cheese make this so yummy. I honestly think you can put anything you want in it as long as you have those two things. Not your run-of-the-mill ketchup and bell pepper meatloaf... different is good and the family approved.

Farming

2011-10-26T11:24:00.004-05:00

We went down to my brother-in-law's farm recently with the kids. The Davis family has thousands of acres (5,000+) with cattle, peanuts, and things to feed the cattle (fields of hay and a bit of corn). They also have horses and some of the family breaks them for others. It is a true working farm on large scale with all the large equipment for baling tons of hay and digging peanuts.
I mostly talk with Randy's dad, Neil, about farming and such... he thinks I am a hippy ding-a-ling. This is the time of year that he sends his steers off to auction for feed lots, then slaughter. He does give them sweet feed (that contains corn) but he does not give them enough to get sick from it. He never uses antibiotics or hormones but once they are sold, that is another story.
I am working on convincing him to save a small herd of steer for grass feeding only and we take them to slaughter ourselves with a local butcher. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks though. I wouldn't even know what to do exactly since all the farmer's markets are Memorial Day to Labor Day. Slaughter in the spring and freeze or take pre-orders? Bulk or small scale sales? We would never go "organic" because of the bureaucracy but all the government oversight gives huge credit to the term 'organic' in a big way..... He feeds his own cattle his own hay... I have no idea what is done to the hay pest/herbicide wise either. Making feed organic is another ball of wax.
Grow Alabama (our CSA) has options for local "organic" chicken. They keep talking about pork but it has yet to happen. Beef is not an option.
We have tons of seasonal farmers' markets, many are not organic, some are technically but not certified by the government anyhow. I try to be a locavore as much as possible more than organic. If it is grown in the proper climate during the right season, it needs less. That is if the small farmer is practicing good permaculture methods.
Anyhow, I am becoming family by default and am headed down there for a long weekend to burn off fields and so some serious farm work... sans kids. I really does sound like a vacation though and I am excited to get a bit dirty. If I keep going down there I will need my own cowgirl boots. You can't really ride a horse in hiking boots.
Of course I am going to be reading much more about farming now that I am curious AND have a reason. I am slowly working my way through Oceana. Farming on a totally different level. Read a book... read a chapter in Oceana... then read another book, etc. Sometimes I really am reading three books at one time. I can't believe my brain can keep up.

Besides reading...

2011-10-22T21:00:00.006-05:00

Yeah, I do other things too... the tv and computer are things that I do when I am REALLY bored...
Ok...
Nathan has learned to pee outside. Once J showed him, he has been pretty cool with it. But... now he thinks that any spot is ok. Peeing down the slide is one thing, but he has now peed in random corners in the house too. Not so bad when you find them right away, but when you are wondering for weeks why something smells funny and then you find it. He has also taken the outside bathroom a step further by pooping outside as well... anywhere. I think we have things under control now but for a while it was getting to be too much.
Caroline also enjoys outdoor elimination and now pees outside, anywhere and usually all over herself. It's not easy being a girl.

J got into a fender-bender that ruled his Subaru totaled. It was just a freakin headlight!!! Well, fender and hood too... all cosmetic. Of course this happens after we had a new clutch put in, timing belt, water pump, new tires, full tank of gas, etc. Man, I am going to miss that car. We just bought another Subaru this past weekend, 2002 Outback this time. All is returning to normal once more after dealing with insurance companies and rental cars.
Now for the good part, the paperwork. Our bankrupt county (in this position because of politicians that are in jail now) has closed all the DMV satellite offices, that leaves only one place to get tags now... People line up starting at 4:30am. I have seen the FB pics of my friends standing in that line that is out the courtroom door and continuing on into the middle of Linn Park. Even worse is that our effd up governor has screwed with the immigration laws to the point that I actually need to be with my hubby to get our tag. WE have to show our birth certificates!!! Lord, this state is a mess!

Fall is here and it is wonderful! The kids are excited for Halloween. David is Darth Vader, Nathan is Superman & Caroline is Tinkerbell. Our neighborhood is great for trick-or-treaters and every year there are more and more kids out and more neighbors participating. The gentrification of Crestwood has been going on for over 15 years. Even though the B'ham schools are the least desirable, many families are staying and opting for private or homeschooling.
I love that our neighborhood is so diverse. I thought I would say that Seattle would have been the most diverse place I have lived... that is on a much larger scale though. Neighborhood wise, it is here in B'ham. We have neighbors who are elderly & young, gay & straight, black & white... We actually know all of our immediate neighbors and several around the block.
We are having the family over for Halloween this year and cooking chili, roaming the hood, and doling out candy.
I am still trying to think of a theme for all of our pumpkins. We have been going to Old Baker Farm to get our pumpkins and enjoy the farm. My mom and dad go too and give us their pumpkins, so we end up with 7 all together. Last year I made a pumpkin monster (think snowman style) chasing the other scared pumpkins through the yard. Year before were floating jack-o-lanterns in the crepe myrtle. Quite a sight at night! This year I am thinking of zombie pumpkins in a graveyard. It will require headstones, potting soil, and dry ice at the very least.

David will be five soon and has been asking for everything for his birthday. He really can't make up his mind! And then there is the whole Christmas thing too. I am so behind... really my kids just don't need any more stuff.

We are taking on our bedroom as a project. We have hideous closets that are in the weirdest spot. I want to get rid of them and install some IKEA closets on a different wall. That will be $3-$4000 though, so, instead, we are working with what we got... for now. Our bedroom is the only room in the house that hasn't had anything done to it, not even a coat of paint. Now that the kids are older, I really want it as a sanctuary. It needs baseboards, crown, paint, and the closet thing. The plan is to knock out the vanity and install drawers. What to do above???? Such wasted space, but we don't want to get rid of the window. One step at a time...

Reading

2011-10-17T12:12:00.003-05:00

What to Eat - Marion Nestle (no relation)
I am not stupid when it comes to biochemistry and the nutrition labels but there are also politics when it comes to what is in the grocery store and how it is squeezed into the labels. She lays is down chapter by chapter and aisle by aisle.
Before I thought of reading the book I felt pretty cavalier about the subject but while out in Wyoming this past summer, the whole fam was at a McDonald's. We got our kids a hamburger with apples happy meal. Jeremy's sister had said something about 'what they put on the apples' (I think meaning the chemicals) and thought the better choice for her kids were the fries. It did make me think in circles and I wasn't sure what was right. There really isn't a right answer when you are at a McDonalds and my kids had some of Jeremy's fries along with the apples. More than this occasion, I have wondered what is better, does organic matter. I mean really... organic fruit loops, come on. There are so many political/environmental/health concious choices to make when it comes to food, it is hard to not feel somewhat confused or guilty when shopping.
Yes, where did those apples come from? They are certainly not organic. I am pretty sure in the processing of apple slices they wash those apples in something similar to my dishwasher and then they are peeled (taking off that nutritious skin), citric acid is added (no big deal), and then packaged in some bag filled with a gas that is not oxygen. Odd... Even more odd is the french fry scandal that erupted in India a few years back. Why in the world did McD put beef in the fries, how did they put beef in/on the fries, wtf else is in/on the fries besides beef? What happens inside the body when you eat apples/fries is very different too. Yes, the best thing is to avoid all that McD mess but, it happens.
This book gave me some answers to some of the more confusing shopping dilemmas. I will say that we do not buy organic. My hubby is a SOB about it and he brings home the money. I have done my best to convince and explain, but he is not budging. There was even a small time when I was buying organic fruits and veggies and taking the stickers/packaging off to hide. That didn't last for long because, well... it was bad. A lot of the decisions are political though. Organic does not necessarily mean environmentally sound... which do you want? Often, you cannot have both.
The book also talks about the huge problem with fish. Oh my!!! I cannot even begin to explain. I am following up with Oceana to see if things have gotten better. What to Eat was published in 2006 and Oceana was released this past summer.
Yes, I love a book that makes me think and that is why I must have a good non-fiction piece every now and then.
The Temple of My Familiar - Alice Walker
I love Alice Walker and have been reading her works since high school. Some of those works I was not ready for. I read Temple of My Familiar in high school and was lost; I had no idea. I re-read it with so much more perspective and appreciation this time around. I really had to put it down just to think for a while and then proceed again. I want to read it again in a couple of years after it has simmered in my brain. Moving... the only way I can describe it right now.
Under the Banner of Heaven - Jon Krakauer
Mormon history and fundamentalism... that's all I am going to say. Read and judge for yourself.
Someone Named Eva - Joan Wolf
Can Hitler get any uglier? Yes. Story of a Catholic, blond hair, blue eyed girl being kidnapped, along with others, by Nazi soldiers and placed with a German family.

I have also discovered a liking for young adult dystopian fiction... Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, Divergent... all good and most are trilogies.
I have re-opened a passion for historical fiction with the Outlander series and plan on fully reading Pillars of the Earth asap (third time is a charm) I tried to read it when the kids were little (twice) but I am going for it once again.

Decisions...

2011-07-27T19:09:00.007-05:00

Not a lot of posting going on these days. The kids rarely give me a moment's peace and when I do have some peace, and I am at home, I don't want to be on the computer. Seriously, I know that there are people out there that sit in bed on their laptops and sip wine... what the hell is on the internet that I don't know about?!?!?! It has to be really good to consume people like that. I really do feel a sense of grief when I am out and I see friends/families/couples together, each consumed in some electronic device. Truly not with the person they are with. I forsee higher divorce rates....

Anyhow, shortly after getting the offer to return to teaching, I came to my senses and realized that after putting three kids in full time pre-school/daycare that came to roughly $700 a kid, that I would barely break even. You don't get paid much at a private school and after Uncle Sam takes his cut of $36k, you don't get much. On top of all that, I was being required to finish my masters degree. We do not do loans. I still have student loans looming from my first round in college that (I pray to God) will be finally paid off before I reach 40. There was the money and then the time it would take to also get that masters degree. Two night classes a week, that end around 9pm. I didn't want to hear it, but it really didn't make much sense. I am sure next year will be that way as well and hopefully when they are all in 'big school' I can get back to the grind.

We have also chosen to keep the twins out of pre-school this year. They are such a big cost... two of them!!! I knew as soon as we had to buy a minivan, these kids would never be cheap. We could afford to send one, but of course that is not fair. I am sad and mad about it. David learned so much in 3k and I know that he is going to flourish in 4k. Anyhow, I am adamant on sending them to 4k next year. That is an even bigger cost. So this year is the time to save up a bit to make it through the '12-'13 school year.

Anyhow... now for some rambling updates...

I found the goodreads.com site and have been posting my books that I am reading and a few that I have read in the past. They had me rank books before I began on the site and many of them I had read in the waaayyyy past. At least the ones that I remembered reading. I know that I read a box full of Stephen King paperbacks because my grandmother was a fan and an avid reader, but I can only recall a handful. Anyhow, the site has recommendations (kind of like Netflix does for rentals) and I have been reminded of many books that I have wanted to read for a while. It is keeping my library queue full!!!

It has been hot and rainy here. The garden is spectacular!! The tomotoes are amazing and everything is so fresh and yummy. My Uncle's blueberries did very well this year too. I can't stop myself from tomoto cucumber sandwiches! And we just grilled a margherita pizza tonight! There is no turning on the oven in this heat!! If I was only resourceful enough to make my own mozarella! (LeighAnn lives very close to Wright's Dairy and gets some great raw milk.) Jeremy has been taking produce to work and I have been giving it to neighbors and friends. In a swap for tomatoes, I have received a jar of honey from a friend who has a colony. A few people have formed a "swappers" group that I plan on going to next meeting. I will bring something... produce, or pesto, or compound butters, or pickles, or something canned... or whatever I have and see what everyone else has to offer to trade.

Next week is my favorite week on television... It's "Shark Week!" I wonder how many times I can watch Jaws???

A binge

2011-07-24T18:07:00.002-05:00

This usually happens when I start reading a book. I can't stop reading. I was just going to read the 7th Harry Potter book again since the movie was coming out but we were going on a couple of vacations so I decided to start at the beginning.
Three weeks later I was done with the whole series. While we were in Wyoming, Debbie lent me her Kindle to take a break from HP to read Hunger Games, the first in a series of three. So off to the library... well I actually just log on to the library co-op and requested the second book. They don't take long to read, so I also pick up the first book of the Chronicles of Narnia series while I am there. I am on a roll!
Anyhow, I have hung out in the young adult and juvenile section of the library for a while now. Those books seem like the only thing I can read with so many distractions. I am done with the Hunger Games series and I am working through Narnia but I have also picked up and requested some of the popular books from this year. Eat, Pray, Love; The Help; Water for Elephants; Someone Named Eva; Bossypants; The Lies Chelsea Handler Told Me...
I love getting on a reading binge, I feel like my spare time is not wasted. Eventually, I can't figure out what to read next and it is all over.
Any good books out there that y'all recommend?? I particularly like non-fiction but anything will do.
I also have to say that my experience with the Kindle was quite nice. I never really thought I would like one but is was really convenient to use and I never got sad that I wasn't turning pages or holding an actual book. I wouldn't mind having one but our library system is so amazing that I rarely have to wait very long for any title. And it is delivered to "my" library overnight if it is at another location in the county. Not paying for books... way better.
Hopefully I will work my way into reading Pillars of the Earth and actually finishing it one day soon.

Beat up...

2011-06-14T14:32:00.002-05:00

I have been wanting nothing more than to get back into the gym. It was an impossibility while I was working. Well, I could have gone after picking up the kids. But after dropping them off at 7:30 and having them spend all day at 'school', I could never bring myself to drop them off at the gym babysitting after all that. Anyhow, this was my month...
Then I got a couple of cuts on my feet that crippled me and they stayed infected for several days, probably from being in the pool and the summer heat.
Then I sliced off the tip of my thumb because I tend to do those sorts of things when I wield kitchen knives. Even after two days, when I changed bandages, it poured blood.
Then I got some random infection and have had a miserable fever since Sunday morning. It was 102 all day Sunday and Monday even with a shot in the behind and four doses of antibiotics later. This was the first day that I have felt somewhat normal in a while until ...
I felt a fever blister coming on this morning.
And I got stung by a wasp at my parent's house while getting beach stuff out of the shed.
I hope it is all rainbows and glitter from here on out. I can't take much more.

Living for the Summer

2011-06-05T16:06:00.003-05:00

It has been almost a week since I left work for the summer. Last Wed, Thurs and Fri felt like a never ending weekend!!! It feels good for things to be getting back to normal.
Normal is only temporary though. I have been hired on at JCCHS to start in the fall. We start back in less than two months... sigh!! It is truly bittersweet. I was talking to a friend for a bit, her husband wants her to go back to work. I honestly had to say that it is not worth it. I really do struggle with the fact that the kids' childcare expenses leave me with just enough money to pay for the gas it takes for my commute.
But when do jobs land in your lap? There were formal interviews for my position and many people applied. There have been so many cutbacks that even the 'good schools' are letting people go. The days of thinking that science and math teachers few and far between are over. They are everywhere and need a job.
We have hit up the pool three times so far. The weather here went from spring rain and storms to unrelenting heat. We have had record highs for days now. The pool is perfect!! David was swimming and jumping off the diving board last summer and he still enjoys the water. I started the kids in swim lessons about a little over a month ago and David is progressing to doing real swim strokes and the babies hate their lessons. For several weeks they were good and then they both hit a wall. They enjoy the water though and will gladly dunk themselves, not for coach though.
A new movie theater opened in a previously abandoned theater that had been empty for years. It is only a mile down the street!!! They, like many theaters, offer free children's movies during the week at 10am. We are going to see them all summer to get in from the heat.
McWane opened a few new exhibits that I am excited to check out. We used to go to the science center on a weekly basis but haven't been since I went back to work.
I am also excited to visit the Zoo and the splash pads in Gardendale and Trussville.
I am super excited about a couple of the vacations that we are going on this month!! We head to the beach on the 18th and then we are off to Wyoming on the 29th!! The babies were 2 months old the last time we were at the beach. Last year would have been a great time to take everybody but the oil spill was disgusting. I can't wait to see the kids in the sand & surf, checking out all the life found on a piece of seaweed or even taking a walk at night with flashlights to see all the crabs!!!
We have not been to WY during the summer since David was 6 months old. I can appreciate the significance of spending Christmas with your family but Cody, WY is not a fun place to be during the winter with kids. Jeremy wanted to skip the summer and opt for Christmas again. I really couldn't take it... how can we go to WY again and not be able to show the kids Yellowstone??? The 4th of July is a big homecoming in Cody and seems just as significant as Christmas in many ways. This time we are going through the park, hopefully staying at Deb & Jer's cabin, going to a rodeo and we are having the babies' birthday party out there!! Tons of fun!!! Much better than being couped up in the house.
Speaking of the babies' birthday... we are not doing much here. I think I will have my parents and brothers over for cake and ice cream and then we are planning on going to the much anticipated Cars 2 movie. The big party will be with some cousins out west.
The month of July will be reserved for me dreading going back to work for ten months... until next summer!!!!

??????

2011-05-01T18:40:00.004-05:00

For the most part, I feel that I have vanished from the e-world. I never post on facebook and since I have been back at work, I have let my blog posts slide. Well, I was letting them slide before too...
I certainly don't spend much time on the internet and I don't even have my phone on during the day. Not that I am a big fan of texting but it's funny how 'connected' we are now. Hell, if I don't answer a text from certain folks within a couple of hours, I will get another text and even a call with a message wondering if something is wrong. Simma' down y'all!!!
Anyhow being back at work has been quite a transition for me, Jeremy, the kids and even some friends.
I am so very thankful that I was able to stay at home with my kids. Before David was even born I knew that there was no way that I could or would ever leave him at 6 weeks. I even recall the day that David turned 6 weeks and thought "How in the world could anybody do it"??? I just saw a friend's four month old and the same thought crossed my mind. They are so little and tiny!
People come from all walks of life though. I do know parents who have zero interest in staying at home and gladly hand thier babies over to get back to the grind. And there are others who want to but can not afford it... or (more likely) choose not to afford it.

Anyhow, I am fully aware of all the working mamas out there and know that there are plenty of moms and dads who juggle the day, the kids, the cars and do all sorts of crazy things to get through the day.
We are succeding at both but which do we prefer? BIG querrrrrstion!!!

Update

2011-03-14T09:50:00.005-05:00

Spring is here and it doesn't seem like it is going away. We had such a cold winter that seemed to last forever and then all of the sudden it was lovely and warm. I keep thinking it's going to freeze one more time before April, but who knows.

Dad and I are planning for the garden and we are itching to get things in. He has been prepping the soil and we should be getting seeds going soon.

I start work next week and got a copy of the Physical Science text. A lot of these kids have already had physical science in 8th grade but don't have the math skills to be in Biology. I know, makes zero sense... not a lot of math in biology. Anyhow, they spend the first semester working on lab skills and critical thinking in science then they move through the text pretty fast.

The kids are well and becoming more and more independent. I have been letting them help in the kitchen more lately. We make pizzas quite a bit and they make their sandwiches. We made some frozen banana treats that involved melted chocolate and coconut that were a hit. David has cracked and scrambled eggs and even grates cheese.

Nathan has been talking up a storm! It seems like it has taken him forever to be understood. Caroline is speaking more clearly as well.

Both of them are going to the bathroom and can do it on their own for the most part. I still haven't gotten Nathan to poop in the potty though. I have offered sweets and hot wheels as a form of currency. I really thought that the cars would be the ticket, but no.

Caroline's hair is out of control. It is about 6-8 inches long on top of her head but it piles up in swirls that lay flat on her head. If it's not swirled on her head it's frizzy. The other day she sprung a swirl and there was a long spiral of hair sticking straight out the side of her head. I put some photos of this hot mess in the album.

This past weekend I took on the task of rotating clothes. I put away most of the winter clothes that will be saved for next year and passed along the outgrown things to friends. I sorted through the summer clothes and have most of them put away in drawers and on hangers. It is quite an undertaking!! Caroline is especially difficult because she is so tiny. She's almost as tall as Nathan but very skinny. She will be 3 in June and will be wearing sizes 18month and 2T. One of her winter shirts that I passed on was size 12m! The good thing is that she will often get to wear her clothes for two years. The bad part is that she ends up with way too many clothes.

The boys have a fish tank in their room now. We set it up for David's birthday. It is a small ten gallon aquarium with community fish. I have found some enjoyment in taking care of the tank and I almost want a bigger one for the living area. They are so peaceful.

I have been going to hoop dance classes that are taught by my friend Vicky. It is a lot of fun to play and dance and learn new tricks. I am getting a lot better at arm hooping and can lift from the waist. Next weekend there is a hoop jam and drum circle gathering at one of the local parks. I can't wait!

I am super excited for the summer and cannot wait to go to the beach! I was also hoping to make it to Cody. It's been a long time since I've seen Wyoming in the summer. Jeremy wants to go to Cody for Christmas instead though. Traveling at Christmas time is such a pain. Ugh! I am also working on a trip to see one of the shuttle launches. There is one in April (Endeavor) and then Atlantis in June. June is a lot more feasible. The tickets to watch from KSC are more expensive and difficult to get since they are getting rid of the shuttle program. There are plenty of places to watch from along the coast though. I will probably take David and leave the babies with Jeremy. We will be way too close to Orlando to not make a stop by WDW!

T Minus "Oh My God!" and counting

2011-02-11T20:17:00.004-06:00

In a week, I will begin my job as a teacher. I taught before David arrived, so this isn't totally new to me. I honestly did not like teaching and said that I would not go back. I am not quite certain what I am doing other than giving it one more shot. Everyone says it's a great job to have when you have kids. The position is temporary. I will be taking over for a teacher who will be out on maternity leave. I will have five Physical Science classes... all freshmen.

On one hand, I feel so lucky that this job has landed in my lap. My old school called me and wanted me back! It will only be for ten weeks or so and then I will have my "normal" life back. This will be a test for me because I will have the opportunity to start back full time in the fall... if I can. The kids' preschool is changing how they do things and will no longer offer extended care. They still do extended care but it is only for the kids who have siblings in the elementary school.

Now, I know damn well that there are tons of moms who work. I know it can be done and we will get in some sort of groove eventually. But the transition is scary. I am already stressing & worrying about the logistics of it all.

*The kids can't be to their school any earlier than 7:30. My school starts at 7:50. The first bell is at 7:40. How am I going to get across town in traffic in 10 minutes?

*OK, so Jeremy can take them to school... We have one vehicle that can hold three carseats.

*OK, so Jeremy takes the van too... How do I pick them up? Trade cars? Yeah.

*Well, if I don't pick up the kids by 3:15, we will be charged for extended care. The high school doesn't dismiss until 3:15. I was told by the previous Director of the Early Learning Center that she would give me half price, a common practice for teachers since I would pick them up well before 6pm. That director is no longer there. So we will be charged an extra $600 a month. After paying for the kids' care, we will be barely coming out on top. A whole lot of pain in the ass for a few hundred dollars.

*We are all going to have to be up at 6am. No more sleeping til 7:45 and flying out the door for Jeremy. He will have to help out in the mornings.

*Will my kids even get in a nap? What are our evenings going to be like? What am I going to be like at the end of the day?

Sigh....

So me...

2011-01-21T14:56:00.004-06:00

I continually read things about *me* and they are sooo *me*... It never fails! What is it???

I am a Capricorn and so very Capricorn. Even though I was *supposed* to be a Sagittarius by due date and I am on the cusp of being an Aquarius. Capricorn, I am. This is figured out by a single day in time.

Kapha Dosha... it is an Ayeurvedic thing. There are three doshas and we have a bit of all three in us and the goal is to try to balance them. I am strongly kapha... figured out by several questionnaires that took about 30 min to fill out.

I reluctantly took an e-mail quiz the other day. One of those forwarded quizzes.
Ten questions, add up your points in the end. It was so me...

*Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful, and practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented but modest. ****Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who is extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expects the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you, realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally it takes a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.*****

I really don't know how other see me but the 'friend part was right on.

Anyhow, Myers-Brigs has me pinned as ISTJ. Kiersy calls me an "inspector".

They are all me!!! No matter what test I take. I guess I am glad of it, otherwise I guess I would be crazy. And as least I know myself and am honest about who I am.

I am pretty sure that this is what all the e-harmony and other dating sites thrive on. As far as I can tell it seems pretty reliable! I can answer a few questions and I am figured out. On so many levels!!!!!!

But what the heck?!?!?! I would like to think I am much deeper than a 10 question quiz. Oh well!

Being free...

2011-01-10T14:23:00.003-06:00

I am happpy to report that my parents have been picking up all three kids (using our minivan) on Saturdays for the past month or so. We skipped a few weekends with the holidays but we have had a number of Saturdays all to ourselves!

I got Jeremy to go out shopping with me one day. We were getting pants for him from Eddie Bauer, he kinda had to go. We have had peaceful lunches together and sometimes out. Yes, like a date.

The funny thing is, is that there is no turning back for my parents. They used to take David *or* the babies. Now that they know that they all can go, they refuse to be left behind.

In the new year...

2011-01-09T15:42:00.003-06:00

So far, the year has gotten off to a great start for me. It was great to see my family from Wisconsin for Christmas and was excited of their plans to eventually get back to Bama.

I got a call before Christmas about taking a teaching position where I used to teach before having David. They needed somebody asap to start in Jan. I was really not ready to go back and needed some time to mentally prepare for such a transition. I was relieved that they found someone else but I will be subbing for a maternity leave in March and then be permanently back on for the '11-'12 school year, when another teacher retires. I can't tell you how lucky I feel! It is not every day that a job comes knocking on your door.

Nathan and Caroline are potty trained!!! Well, Nathan still has yet to poop in the potty. Caroline was easy and potty trained a month or two back. Nathan got "potty bootcamp" over the Christmas break and was receptive to the pee part. In fact there were many times that he just went without me knowing, pants down & back up... he even dumped the pee from the little potty into the big one, replaced the reservoir, and flushed. The only way I knew was that his pants were crooked and there was pee all over the floor and toilet seat. I just have to get him to poop. He only goes once a day, it is the *when* part... who knows. I try to hover as best as I can and ask every ten minutes, but this kid is stealthy with his poops. All in time...

We were lucky enough to see snow on Christmas and we are supposedly getting 3-6" overnight. Most schools are already closing, some of my Facebook friends have posted pics of the empty bread aisle at various grocery stores. I am planning on seeing a friend and having a glass of wine during the event... forget bread, give me alcohol!!!

There are so many things that I cannot wear any longer. I had so much hope that my boobs would shrink after weaning, not so. It doesn't help that I have yet to shed my "baby weight". I had just started to fit back into my 'skinny' jeans when I got pregnant with the babies. Never lost that last 15 after having having the twins and I have not been doing a good job of taking care of myself this past year... I have gained another 10.

I had a rough time last year on so many levels. I haven't gone through my closet in years but I did and I feel like I really have nothing to wear. I have swept out a lot of things recently. Mentally, figuratively, emotionally. I have not regretted it one bit. Should have done it long ago! I wish this weight was as easily swept off.

just another rambling update...

2010-12-07T12:04:00.005-06:00

I had a lot of fun with the 'Dear..." post and now I have inner conversations with everything. Dear Dishes, Go away! Dear Husband, Quit playing the XBox. Dear Auburn, It would be really cool if you could get us another National Championship.

No, I am really not into football. I could care less... but when one of my Alabama teams make it this far, it's hard not to cheer a bit! BTW, who are they playing and when does this happen????

This winter is looking a lot like last. The cold surprising you like Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation. No average temps... either oddly warm or really cold. It is usually in the mid 50's in the winter here but all we are getting is 30's... teens for the lows. I guess we are just going to start bundling up for the park. I will go crazy staying in the house. I will probably be wearing shorts and a t-shirt on Christmas day...

David is really in to Iron Man but has never seen the likes of him in any form... His friend, Austin, has. I am learning that kids are quite impressionable.

We adopted a kitteh. A good friend and her partner broke up, leaving her with three kittehs. It took a long time to decide and we took a couple of visits to see if he would be a good match for us. He is hanging out in the basement now and is tolerating the attention from the kids. He is still getting used to his surroundings and a little timid. Hopefully he will eventually make it upstairs and be part of the family life.

Jeremy's parents came for David's birthday. It is funny how the kids just know who they are. David and Caroline are a bit shy around strangers but they warm up to Nana and Grandpa very fast. Nathan warms up to everybody. Debbie decorated David's cake... it was almost a disaster but I know that nobody really cares. David could have cared less, all he wanted was the plastic action figure that we stabbed into the cake. I even called the grocery store bakery to find out how much an Iron Man cake would be... $30. Sorry but my Betty Crocker cake cost me all of $4, plus time and quite a few laughs.

I applied for my first job in years. It sounds like a perfect job. Very part time and very flexible, salary plus bonuses... wish me luck. I'm sure many applied for it as well. It is a position for a glorified secretary at Northwestern Mutual. I would love to have it, the extra money, the interaction with adults, the responsibility, the extra money. Sometimes I feel like this break to be a mom has harmed me in the professional world. Who wants to hire a stay at home mom... it screams unstable. Anyhow, my old job at John Carrol is waiting for me... I could always fall back on being a teacher.

The only good thing about the xbox, and the only reason that I don't throw it under my minivan and repeatedly run over it, is the streaming Netflix. I have enjoyed the instant movies, all the kid stuff, and especially the HBO/Showtime series. I streamed Dexter, the first two seasons... now season three is still on DVD only and I have to wait for it *sigh* three episodes at a time. I am patient, but it is funny to think that for the first 20 years of my life I had no idea what the internet was now I'm streaming movies to my tv through the internet. I've watched Weeds and thanks to pirating, I got to watch this season too. (BTW, I am not that savvy, I went to a friend's house to watch my illegal Weeds). Even though they aren't streaming I am giving Mad Men and True Blood a try too. I feel as if I am getting lung cancer by watching Mad Men but it seems pretty good, I'll keep watching. I'm not so sure about True blood though. Twilight was my first 'Vampire' experience. True Blood is so similar, but maybe there are just things about vampires that is textbook and common to all fictional vampires. Not sure if I am into it though.

Caroline is potty trained. She still needs to get the hang of pulling her pants up and down but that's it. She goes to school in panties and we only do dipes for sleep. Nathan is just not quite ready. He still lacks the bladder awareness. We still get him to try as often as he wants, mainly before bath, but he only manages to get a few drops or dribble out... then pees in the bath. It will be soon enough!

School registration for next year is coming up. It is really hard to think about next August right now though. There is a long waiting list for their school though and current students get dibs, so we have to 'get while the gettin's good'. David will be in 4K, which means that he will go 5 days a week for half-days and the babies will go 3 days a week in 3K. I'm not quite ready for David to go every day but apparently they have curriculum to go through that requires more time. Who knows, if I begin work teaching next year they will all be going every day, all day, even extended days.

I am continuing to sub yoga and enjoying every minute of it.

Things I am thinking about for the next year (resolutions i guess):

* I really want us to travel to Cody, WY for the 4th of July.

* I want to do some more road trips with the kids and even

* I want to camp more with the kids and spend more time outdoors with them

* I want to run more

* I want to teach more yoga and have some classes of my own

* I want to have more dates with my hubby

* Oh Lord, this list could go on and on and on.....

Spontaneous ear combustion...

2010-11-16T16:22:00.002-06:00

Yeah, it happened. To me. I had a sudden onset of inner ear pain late Saturday afternoon. By the evening, it was really hurting. I've had ear infections before, the last on being when I was 20. My eardrum had also ruptured then, but it started with a head cold and progressed from there. I haven't had a head cold for a while.
Anyhow, I woke up with blood on my pillow on Sunday morning and went to the doc-in-the-box. I had to see two physicians because they were so perplexed and they even put a page into an EMT to see if I needed to go to the ER. I left there with a painful shot in the butt, a prescription for a pain killer and some antibiotics.
Got in to see an EMT on Monday. She said that this is something usually associated with SCUBA diving or flying or even being knocked upside the head. So... I got another shot in the butt, ear drops and some decongestant. I don't think I have ever been on this many meds at once! And what a variety... shots, drops, pills. All I need is an IV!!! I'm glad it's getting better.
I feel like a little old lady to turn my head to the good ear and say, "Eh?" It is so hard to find my phone with one ear too.

Big girl...

2010-11-08T10:19:00.002-06:00

So... Caroline is mostly potty trained. We have been introducing the potty concept just before bath. The babies immediately pee as soon as they hit the water, so we've kinda tried to stop them from peeing on one another by sitting them on the potty beforehand.
I was only trying to introduce the concept so I could focus on it over the Christmas break.
Caroline ran with it... she has dry days now and still has some issues with pooping in the potty but WOW. Girls are easy... I thought David was pretty easy too. He started pooping in the potty first. I did a lot of EC with him though. Something I never did with the babies.
But hey, I can't wait to be free from diapers! And her little baby butt looks so cute in panties.
If I ever see a thong hanging out of her jeans though.... damn, they are never too old to get a whoopin! Right???

Dear....

2010-11-01T09:19:00.003-05:00

Dear Blogger,
Please remember me. I click the box every time but still have to sign in to my own blog every time.
Annoyed,
K

Dear Nathan,
Please don't throw up today. Yesterday was enough.
Your sweet mother,
K

Dear Children,
Please don't throw up today. Nathan was enough yesterday.
Your sweet caring loving mother,
K

Dear Dora the Explorer,
Thank you for keeping my children entertained while I am blogging. Although your screaming voice makes me cringe, my kids love you and I'm keeping things easy today while we are in quarantine. Scream on you latina bitch... vamanos!
Una mama loca,
K

Dear Ass,
Please stop getting bigger. I go to the gym, I run, I do yoga... what more do you want from me? Is there a DVD on "How to Stop Your Out of Control Ass?" Please let me know.
Asssssssss,
K

Dear alcohol,
Please stop contributing to my out of control ass. I love you! You make my evenings so much better. I love being with you but you abuse me.
Cheers,
K

Dear Gay Men,
Happy Halloween to you! I absolutely love all your half-naked costumes. Please post a few more on FaceBook. I can't get enough of S&M guy, Chippendale guy, or Cocaine clown. Seriously, how much are you working out these days? Dayum bitches!
Love you mean it,
K

Dear 5:30am,
Why do you make Nathan think it is wake up time? It is not wake up time! It is mama sleep time?
Duh,
K

Dear Baby Wipes,
Why do my children think you are a toy? Quit being so beguiling to my children who love to dispense you all over my living room.
Staring you down,
K

Dear Black Banana,
Please stop being so squishy in my fruit bowl. I am afraid to touch you but don't want to dump all the other fruit in the trash. You are leaking now and that is just not polite. Can you just stop?
Thanks,
K

Dear Chuck-E-Cheeze,
Why does my oldest son want to see who you are? You need to go away. Every week there is a new crazy person in your establishment that gets you in the news. Your carpet is old and everything about you creeps me out.
Up yours,
K

Dear David's Toenail,
Why are you so weird? No kid needs a troll toe. It's just gross.
Thank you for your attention to this matter,
K

Dear Ruby and Max,
Where the hell are your parents? I am about to call CPS on your furry bunny asses. Naw, nevermind, my kids are entertained by you.
Screw it,
K

Dear Bra,
I hate you. I can't live with you and I can't live without you.
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr,
K

Dear November,
When the hell did you get here? A phone call would have been nice, but here you are. Geeeezzz, I hate when you do that. You and your time change are about to eff with me in a big way.
Go to hell,
K

Dear Trick-Or-Treaters,
Where the hell were you last night? I had 5 pounds of candy waiting for you and my kids brought home three more.
OMG,
K

Dear Halloween Candy,
Please go away. My out of control ass is so mad at you. My kids are crazy for you. It's like one big re-hab in my house.
Jonzin big time,
K

Dear Tiny Socks,
Why are there so many of you? Why are you everywhere in my house? You vex me!
Dammit,
K

Dear Robot ME,
Where are you? I need you to do some cooking, cleaning, diaper changing, and thinking. According to the 80's, you were supposed to be here by now. All there is a sorry ass Roomba and I don't even have one of those!! Get here now... I'm sitting on my out of control ass waiting on you!
Mwa,
K

OK, enough... it's been fun though! Hope y'all enjoyed!

Jeremy's un-vacation day

2010-10-27T09:32:00.002-05:00

Jeremy has had to work a couple of weekends. It's just the nature of research. He has also been climbing several times and as the weather lets up, I am sure that he will do more. So... he took a vacation day to give me a day off!
I chose today, even though the kids are in school, because oddly enough, those are my most hectic days.
He had to get up with the earlybird at 5:08 this morning. Then fix breakfast, lunches, get bags packed, get the kids dressed and out the door to be at school. I was in bed for all of it!!!! And I am grinning big as I type this!
He's got until 1:00 to be free. Our oven needs to be fixed, the heating coil went out. I am not a big fan of baking and we make a point to try not turn the oven on all summer. Now that it's cooler I am ready to make pizzas, cook Nathan's favorite fish sticks, roasting a few chickens, and baking a birthday cake for David.
At 1:00, Jeremy then has to take everyone to soccer and then come home for naps. I agreed to help with dinner and bedtime.
I should be at the gym right now but I decided to make a pot of coffee, sip and enjoy, and write a bit to give some props to my sweet hubby.

Fall is here...sort of & a random update

2010-10-18T06:52:00.004-05:00

It took a while to get here and the day time heat is persistent but the nights are cool and the humidity is gone. I got all the fall clothes out and put away the summer items but it is still shorts and t-shirt weather during the day, especially if you are in the sun. I am ready to break out the long sleeves. Really though, the days have been beautiful. It is lovely to sit in the shade and enjoy the outdoors.

My parents and I took the kids to Old Baker Farm this past weekend. It is the best pumpkin patch around. Not just a tractor ride to the field to pick out a pumpkin. Corn maze, hay maze, pedal tractors, horse rides, cotton jump, petting zoo, hay mountain, and of course the tractor ride and pumpkin pickin. You actually have to cut the pumpkins off the vine! So many "pumpkin patches" around are just a field with randomly placed pumpkins... wtf?

I finally uploaded more photos to the album. Including the farm. We were without a camera for a while... Nathan broke the flash. We could use it outdoors but we finally got a new one and didn't spend as much money this time. He can still manage to get a hold of the new camera. Even with our best efforts to put it out of his reach... I may have to resort to beatings.

Speaking of money, it's that time of year again. Birthdays and Christmas... Jeremy has already purchased his/our Christmas present. A new plasma TV should be arriving soon. It's for the basement, not upstairs. I thank the xbox for that. There is nothing wrong with the old one but J has a hard time reading the dork-speak on his games. We stream movies from the xbox as well, but I could care less about HD. I'm not even sure if I can tell the difference. I will never get my grill!! Is it sad that I want a grill so bad?

I'm still debating what to get the kids this year. We have never gone big, mainly because the grandparents spoil them rotten. I like to try to get things second-hand if I can but I am at a loss. I need to start selling off things as well.

We bought this house knowing that we would have to sink some money into it. We have already had some major projects completed and now that the kids are somewhat older, we are thinking about finishing off a couple more. At least one day in the future... it's fun to think about it though.

The hallway is tiled, well the walls are tiled.... at least 3/4 of the way up. Weird eh? We remodeled the kitchen from tile to modern and would love to do the same to the hallway. We have 8 entryways in that hall. Meaning moulding for 8 entryways and there is also a cove for a bookshelf. It will be quite an undertaking but I can't wait to be able to hang photos in the hall.

A project that I am in favor of doing sooner than later, is our bedroom. Oddly, it is the only room without crown molding, the walls need a fresh coat of relaxing/dreamy paint and our closets need to be destroyed. What do we do with those closets???? I am stuck... Anyhow, I would love to make it more 'our' space. I would love matching furniture in there. AND a real bed... like a headboard and footboard. I haven't had a complete bed since I left home. AND curtains too... Those damn closets though. It would be easy to figure out if there wasn't a window above them.

Our lives have been mainly stroller free for a while. It is huge to not have to get that thing out. Or load it up with snacks, diapers, drinks and such. They can do without most of those things now and are good at getting from the parking lot to an entrance without incident. No more getting it through doors or crowds either.

Blah, blah... all for now

De-lurking

2010-09-23T10:24:00.002-05:00

So, national de-lurking day was a while back. I know a few people who check out my blog and I am ok with it. But I have had some issues with lurkers that have made it hard for me to post what I like. This used to be a blog about my journey through pregnancy and motherhood with David but it has now become an outlet for me.
As a mom of three, I often feel that nothing is for me. I give and give, and everybody takes and takes. I come in last all the time, even with myself. I want something that is mine and something that I have control of.

How do I make myself a morning person?

2010-09-12T07:15:00.000-05:00

Nathan has always been a great sleeper. He started sleeping through the night, on his own at about 3 or 4 months old. Well, he woke up once at 2 or 3am to nurse, but for a little one that IS sleeping through the night. I felt so relieved, especially since there were two babies in the house. All that baby sleep has created a little morning monster though. For over a year, he is the first one awake... early! Like 5:30am!!! The other two sleep until well after 7. That is, unless Nathan wakes someone up... he gets bored and wants someone to play with. Sometimes I catch him steamrolling David in the upper bunk to wake him up at 5:30 too.
To let the others sleep, I let Nathan watch some Disney because that is the only channel with kid stuff on that early. I check my e-mail and stuff and then I sit with him trying to fall back asleep in the chair. I never fall back asleep but at least everybody else gets a chance to sleep.
My morning really revs up around 7 when everyone is awake. I get breakfast going, start making lunches for the kids, get backpacks together, get my gym stuff together, serve breakfast, clean up after breakfast, get people dressed, discipline, say "no" a million times, break up squabbles, trip over little ones who are always at me feet in the kitchen, and try to get the kids to school by 9am.
I really don't know where my morning goes! I often wonder how working moms do it and I am curious as to how I am going to get everybody (including myself) together when they are in real school that starts at 8am. Will I have to wake them up? That seems an odd thought since all I want right now is for Nathan to sleep longer.
I did use to be a morning person. I could wake myself up quite early to be at the gym by 5:30am. That was before I had a boyfriend (Jeremy) and the short period of time when Jeremy and I lived way apart... him in Seattle and me here in B'ham. The days of morning snuggles are far gone, I'm up insanely early, but I can't go to the gym.
Jeremy sleeps as long as he can and squeaks out of the house in 15min from shower to driveway. I have thought of going on early walks with Nathan in the stroller. Every time I make that mental commitment, something goes wrong. Nathan sleeps in (til 6), David wakes with him, just something... David + Nathan + stroller = 110lbs!!! I know that I am build like a workhorse, but I don't want to actually be one. I don't have a triple stroller.
I would like to be more productive in those wee hours while the rest of the fam sleeps, but I can't quite figure out what to do. Nathan will not let me do anything but hold him. I've tried yoga, reading a magazine/book and even hiding downstairs to get in more sleep but he finds me and makes all that impossible. Laundry is usually done, cleaning is loud... hmmm?? Can't I just go back to sleep?!?!?

Independence Day

2010-09-06T09:45:00.003-05:00

I know that many moms think that their kids getting bigger is bittersweet. I'm not sure if it was the dose of twins or that I'm just not that sentimental, but I love seeing my kids getting bigger and becoming more independent.
The babies (I will always call them my babies) have an older bro to look up to and want to do the things that he does. So I let them... they drink out of 'big' cups and spill and make messes but it is one step closer for us to leave the straw/sippy cups behind.
They take the lids of the snack traps now which makes for an expensive snack cup, so I gave them to a friend with a one year old. They all eat with big silverware, so the kiddy silverware was handed down as well. Shedding those layers... what a good feeling!
They wash their hands on their own, brush their teeth at the sink with a little help from mama. I still love to hold and snuggle them but they get themselves into bed for naps and at night.
David didn't potty train until he was 2.5 so we are talking a lot about how Santa is going to bring them lots of potty stuff. I'm not really sure what that is since we already have things from David, but I'm going to make a big deal out of it. It took David about two weeks to get it and I plan on devoting Christmas break to getting these babies to go in the potty. I am so looking forward to being out of diapers!!!! OMG, I can't believe it's just around the corner!!!!
Last night Jeremy and I were talking about the boys mowing the lawn one day... what a dream for him!!! We already involve the kids in our chores; they help with dishes, try to fold the towels, they sweep & vacuum with me.
I have some friends who don't want their kids doing chores, for whatever reason. Yeah, I didn't like it when I was a kid either but it made me a useful human being. Doing things that you don't like is life, it's work, that's why we get paid to work, it wouldn't happen otherwise. I had a conversation with my "other brother's" mom about "kids these days" and I 'got it' and I hope I was living up to her standards because I love her son and her other boys are pretty cool too.
Anyhow, I love throwing the kids in the backyard while I cook dinner. They play and have fun on their own. I am enjoying my life when they are in pre-school. I've been quite social lately and I love it! Next week, I'm having a lunch date with my hubby!!! I can't wait!!! I can't wait for what is ahead!!!!!!!!!

Cheers!

2010-08-18T09:34:00.003-05:00

Well, the kids have been at school for a week (M/W/F). I am still trying to find a new balance. Every day has been different and I am looking forward to settling in a new routine. Hopefully that routine will involve some more regular yoga teaching. I have been meeting with friends and talking to people about teaching a few mornings. I am already getting myself added to studios for more sub opportunities. I am becoming more of a regular at the JCC and my willingness and attitude towards teaching has helped. I have always been excited about teaching every opportunity I get! Apparently people sigh and groan when asked... I guess if I taught 10+ classes a week, I would probably groan too.
I would love 4+ classes a week and have been thinking of talking to Kate and John at Heartwood to set up some seminars. Something like a 6-8 week session with a solid theme. Most yoga teachers in B'ham have gone to Atlanta for training. Atlanta is big on the Astanga type yoga. I am one of the only Iyengar trained teachers in the area. I would love to have an Iyengar set-up but that would require a space. Maybe one day...
Anyhow, I taught before I had David and yoga has changed so much in that small time here in B'ham. I feel like now, is not only a great time to set myself apart from many of the current teachers but a perfect opportunity to start making money on my own terms.

Holy Hell...

2010-07-30T18:29:00.006-05:00

So I laid off the oil spill news for a while. I had enough, and apparently it has become "old news." I decided that I would actually watch the news tonight and I saw this and thought, "Holy Hell!" I am fully aware that the media will blow some things out of proportion, but it still had me thinking and contemplating enough to blog about it once more. Sigh...

The news clip basically reports that the long chain hydrocarbons that were disintegrated into short chain hydrocarbons by the dispersant Corexit are more dangerous in the long run.

Let's forget about the toxicity of Corexit itself, because almost 2 million gallons have been dumped into the gulf since the spill began. And let's forget about the oil on the surface that is harming everything on the Gulf Shores from the wetlands, beaches, and wildlife to the tourism and fishing industries.

But now the combination of both has led to even more nastiness. In my previous rant, I posted a radio commentary about the health problems created by the Valdez spill. I thought that most of the inhalation was created by aerosolization via pressure washer but now I have learned the the dispersants actually create more of the "oil" that can be inhaled unintentionally. I am certain that the pressure washing exacerbated the inhalation, but still... people's lives have been ruined by the Valdez clean-up efforts.

These nasty hydrocarbons can be inhaled, accidentally ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Lovely!!! There aren't too many things out there that can attack your body on three different fronts.

The water has been tested in various spots along the coast from Florida to Louisiana and it's not good. Truly sad...

I completely understand the "support the gulf" mentality, so much of their economy is based upon tourism. I still see that people are still going and putting up beautiful photos on Facebook. Many are saying that their stay was beautiful with only a few tar balls seen. Good ol' Jimmy Buffett threw a big party to get people to come and more free concerts headlining big names are in the works. Going to the beach is a way of life in the south. I haven't been since the babies were tiny and I miss it so much.

I really want some clarity. BP isn't saying anything. The EPA has been hoodwinked into believing that the dispersants were safe to use but nobody has ever used anywhere close to 2 million gallons of it. The government seems to be in a fog. Researchers along the gulf are reporting doom and gloom. And tourists say the beaches are beautiful.

I don't like to call myself an alarmist but I like to be fully informed. I have many environmentally conscious friends of all types. There are people who are concerned with BPA, microwaves, cell phones, vaccines, herbicides, pesticides, plastics, cleaning products, etc. I inform myself and make my own conclusions and decisions. Others will come to different conclusions and decisions and that's alright. As much as I read and watch about the spill and state of the gulf, I still don't feel like I have enough information to assimilate any conclusion.

At least the oil has stopped flowing and recovery can begin. Hopefully some new and more enlightening information will surface soon. It is hard for me to believe that the beaches are still "beautiful" though. The sand may be sugar white, but what about the water and what is unseen in the sand? I would like to know what that is though...

Another week...

2010-07-30T14:43:00.002-05:00

Another week of summer has passed... it does fly! Summer shouldn't mean a lot to a stay-at-home-mom other than the fact that I have my oldest two more days a week. It does though, because everybody else, big & little, is out of school as well.
Our safe havens to play have been bombarded with learning camps, church camps, Y camps, homeschool camps. There are tons of kids all over the place! When you are trying to keep track of three kids, one who will run off (I mean far), having hundreds of kids around drives me crazy with fear. I have lost Nathan for about ten minutes. I was frantic! So going out in all the busy places really stresses me out.
I have done it though, all summer. We get up, eat breakfast, and then head out. Five days a week. It has mentally and physically worn on me a bit and I think I have finally had it. We have been hanging around the house a bit more the last two weeks.
It really isn't a good thing. They get bored, I get bored, it's way too hot to be outside for too long (they really don't find interest in the little backyard splash pool), and 'mommy camp' is futile. In 'mommy camp' I try a bit of homeschooling, a bit of arts & crafts but it turns into kids fighting, wanting what the other has, wanting to get down with the crayons to probably color on the walls. I circle the table, going from one kid to the next, trying to make everybody happy but nobody is happy. Me especially...
Last year I would let them play in the bathtub, they are all too big now. I used to love to make forts when I was a kid but I don't think they are quite old enough. The babies just tear them down and David gets mad. One of my friends posted a photo of an indoor pool that she brought inside and filled with pinto beans. I'm sure some moms thought, "What a cute idea!" I thought, "Oh my God, I will never do that!" At even my most excellent attempts to keep beans in the pool, they would still be ALL over my house for months. Am I looking over some form of indoor fun?
School is a week and a half away though and things will be back to normal. Well not really normal... I won't have to occupy three little ones three days out of the week. It will be my first time to have any regular break. No kids three days a week for four hours! I will get to go the the grocery store without having to push one of those huge carts that hold two kids. I can eat lunch alone. I can go for a jog without pushing a 100lb stroller. I can go to the gym without feeling like a Sherpa. I can go anywhere without having to load/unload/load/unload... three kids in three carseats. Oh, I am looking forward to so many things!!!
And I will have my normal Tuesdays and Thursdays without every camp in the metro area cluttering my lines of sight to my kids!

Bragging a bit

2010-07-11T22:17:00.002-05:00

I am so proud of David!! Today we were at the pool and he was jumping off the diving board over and over!!! He was even running and getting a little bounce at the end! It was so cute. I wished I had brought the camera to get some video... next week!!!!

Random update...

2010-07-06T11:36:00.005-05:00

Summer has been great! Last year I had David in 'camp' two days a week but this year the church didn't offer it. I've had all three every day! I usually ran errands and did the shopping when D was in school. I was dreading having to take all three but it hasn't been bad. David is really good at walking close and not going crazy in the store. The babies sit in the cart.

We go to the pool about every other day. Last year was quite rainy and the pool was too cold for the babies but we have had great weather and the pool has been great for cooling off. David is a great swimmer and the babies love the water too. David still needs to work on his back float and lifting his head to take a breath but he's a fish!!!

The kids all have little brown/white tan lines and their skin is as golden as a butterball turkey! I love their little ghost white butts!

David has gotten some special mama time and has been to see Toy Story 3 with me. He also got to stay up late to see the fireworks on the 4th.

Jeremy just bought me a NEW washing machine!!!! He bought the last one for $25 used after our first used one started going wonky. He finally broke down, went to Home Depot and bought a brand new one! All I wanted was something with a large capacity. We thought about going with the front loader but unless I'm getting a new, way more efficient dryer, it didn't make sense. The clothes come out of a front loader more wet than a traditional top loader.

The new washing machine means that I will have to wait til Christmas for a new grill. The grill was much more exciting to me. I do like the new washing machine though, very nice!

I am so excited for all three kids to be in school! So freakin excited!!!! They go back in a month! It starts a new chapter in my life. Sounds corny, but it's so true...

Updated: Ack!

2010-07-05T15:00:00.004-05:00

Update:
I don't know why things keep surprising me or why I am continuing to rant about it. This honestly didn't make me gasp. Mainly because no one but BP seems to know what is going on down there and that's not a good thing. Yes, bacteria can digest it better but cleaning it with skimmers should be the first option. Get most of it out then look to other options.
I've been trying to find an article that I read in Wednesday's paper about how the EPA and local Health Departments are collaborating and starting long term research on the effects of the oil spill. They are already taking data on babies being born and documenting respiratory cases that show up in the hospitals along the gulf coast. Nothing significant yet but the fact that they are tracking newborns is somewhat scary and thought provoking.
When trying to find the article, I came across way too many similar articles and blogs on the topic. Sigh... I don't think I can bear to read them. I need to get my mind off this whole topic!

I forgot to mention in my previous rant about the heavy metals in crude oil. This is not motor oil that has been refined. It's polluting the sand and the water and the fish, shellfish, and other marine life on a much different level. Cadmium, probably being the worst (in oil), is closely related to mercury. Think: the recent McDonald's Shrek glassware recall. Heavy metals can also attack the body in various ways; skin contact, inhalation. Meaning, if it's on the beach it is quite dangerous. If it's on the beach invisible to the naked eye where children are allowed to dig and play and bury themselves in what parent's think looks like clean sand, it's even more dangerous. I don't want my beaches polished, I want them clean!

Yes, I know that there are parts of Florida that have been untouched by the oil or by chemicals. Right now anything east of PC beach is probably the safest but not for long. If there has been a washup, it's just doesn't seem that safe (to me) to go play in it... sand or water. Also, they just expanded the fishing to include 1/3 of the entire gulf.

I remember thinking how ironic it was when Jeb wouldn't allow drilling off the coast of Florida when his brother 'W' was in office. Now, I am realizing that he just knew better.

Previously:
Oh good grief...
Check this out
and then...
Check this out

I have some friends who are at the beach right now. Environmentally conscious people... Prius driving, LEED architect, organic buying people. Before going to the beach, I talked to one of them about some of the oil washups in Destin. I was wondering if that was going to affect their stay. She said that she contacted a friend in Gulf Shores and the washups are random. One will come in, they take away that part of the beach and replace it with new sand. They still went down there and I see on Facebook that the kids are playing in the sand and look like they have been in the water too.
These are smart people but the tourism industry that is putting out commercial after commercial about how "our beaches are still clean" are down right deceitful and are putting people in danger.
After seeing these two links that were also on Facebook, all I can think is that I would neither get in the water myself nor play in the sand. No matter how "clean" it looks.

* The dispersant/solvents that are being used are under some sort of 'ownership' of BP and they (for some reason) do not have to tell anyone what is in them. Solvents are usually pretty bad by nature and can even be absorbed into the skin.
* Because some of the oil is being dissolved into water you will not see it on top, it's blended in everywhere (water & sand) in tiny little drops. This makes clean-up for skimmers impossible. And the oil is invisible to the naked eye this way. Yes, there is plenty still floating on top which is getting washed up on the beaches.
* Notice how clean the water looks even though the beach is nasty. Hmmmmm? It's in there somewhere...

If you look at the photos of Pensacola you see that even though they have removed the sand and attempted to clean up, you can still see tiny specks of oil under the black light (invisible to the naked eye) that have remained or that wash in. The photo of the oil layer that was covered by an overnight tide is somewhat disturbing because you have to dig down to see it. Otherwise the beach could look fine. Kids are the ones usually digging in the sand.

The video of the radio interview is crazy. Exxon had the clean-up workers sign their life away for $600. There is a photo that is displayed of the workers pressure washing the rocks. They were basically aerosolizing the oil and inhaling it. I'm not sure if the same thing will happen in the gulf since you can't pressure wash sand but waves crashing in can also aerosolize particulates.

I cannot help but to wonder what the long term effects will be. Not only on workers but the sea life, the fishers, shrimpers, oystermen, tourism, the idiots that are letting their kids play in this stuff [If you check out my FB, I posted a video of kids walking through it and the little girl is crying for her mom to get it off], the people in the future that may be consuming seafood from the gulf (China isn't looking so bad right now - I can't believe I just wrote that)

I'm feeling a little Martha-ish...

2010-07-02T16:35:00.004-05:00

Martha Stewart that is...

I will never have her time, money, creativity, troop of 'thinkers', or a farm with a bunch of good looking gay men tending to everything. But when I start the garden, I really try to use all my food that I harvest and start to get a bit creative with it all.

I have tried new recipes with my fresh herbs that I have enjoyed quite a bit. Jeremy didn't really like the lemon tarragon chicken salad but I thought it was wonderful! To each his own...

I also try not to waste anything. Yes, I have a big Ziploc full of cherry tomatoes that I keep looking at, using here and there, and still wondering "what now?"

I harvested three pounds of sweet basil last weekend. Yes, I weighed it stems and all! We gave a lot away and then I got the food processor out and made pesto to freeze. I also had tons of Thai basil that I made an Asian pesto with to freeze. I used the stems of the sweet basil and made basil infused olive oil.

The fresh zucchini, eggplant and squash have been excellent. I forgot how sweet fresh summer squash is! We grilled a bunch of it the other day and I mixed a cube of pesto in after it was done. It was so yummy! Of course I have some ninja zucchini that did an excellent job of hiding in the leaves and are huge. Guess what? Zucchini bread will be made this weekend! Lots of it to freeze!

I've been snacking on refrigerator pickled cucumber & peppers that are so easy to make and quite yummy & crunchy!

We've even gotten the Food Saver out to vacuum pack and freeze. I am ever thankful for our deep freezer. We've used the heck out of that thing since we got it!

A friend is lending me his food dehydrator in trade for some basil. I may get in a lot of trouble and end up wanting one for myself. I am already wringing my hands and planning a weekend of sucking the water out of anything I can get my hands on, mwa ha ha!

Last year I was able to pick about four gallons of blueberries at my uncle's house. I'm about to go out there to pick again this year. OMG, more baking... I really don't like to bake and I totally understand why the older houses in B'ham had their stoves on the back porch. Thinking of freezing blueberry pancakes and wishing I had a waffle iron for a weekend.

We planted late this year and soon, we are going to have tons of corn, okra, beans, tomatoes, and peas to go with the endless supplies of squash, cucumber, zucchini, eggplant, and herbs! Love it!

I know it's hot outside...

2010-07-01T08:40:00.003-05:00

But I made soup.
I made a vegetable soup that totally reminded me of my Granny. The taste was spot on and the only thing I was missing was some okra.
I used Cento crushed tomatoes and this recovering vegetarian used chicken broth (I make my own & store it in the freezer). Then, everything but the kitchen sink went in. I scanned the fridge and started chopping.
There was, of course, onion, celery, & carrots. I had some corn on the cob, yellow squash & zucchini from my garden, cabbage that came from a neighbor's garden, potatoes, a can of beans, some left-over pesto noodles, mushrooms... I know I am forgetting something because there was tons of stuff in the pot. I always start soup off in one pot and then have to graduate to a bigger pot. I will never learn! Or maybe it keeps me in check.
The cabbage was key in replicating Granny's soup and I really didn't miss the okra but I missed the okra seeds.
Mmmmm, it was sooooo good! And even though it's summer and soup sounds so wrong, it was so summer-like with all the fresh veggies. As a leftover, I couldn't do it completely chilled although the flavor was still yummy. So, I had a luke-warm bowl the next day and it was fantastic!

WOW!

2010-06-20T22:01:00.003-05:00

I just had an amazing weekend! I was able to leave the kiddos for two whole nights and almost three days!!! It was a much needed vacation!
I went to a yoga workshop with Ramanand Patel & Mukesh Desai called Yoga and Sound. Lots of chanting and working with chants in poses. It was fabulous! Not only that, but listening to Ramanand's insight on various topics was also wonderful! I love getting into philosophy!
I decided to stay on Vanderbilt's campus at an old dorm that they now rent out to travelers. It was relatively cheap and I opted for the no TV room. The silence was exactly what I needed.
Friday evening was the first session. I got a nostalgic light dinner at Sam & Zoe's beforehand. When I went through SIYI (my yoga training) over seven years ago, we often walked to the little cafe for breaks. My favorite was the SAWF (Strawberry, Avocado, Walnut, Feta) Salad; that is what I had for dinner that night.
The next morning, class didn't start until 11am. I slept in til 7:15 (yes, that IS sleeping in) and walked to a bagel shop to get breakfast and coffee. I chatted a bit with the employees and asked about the flooding and recovery. There is a lot of interesting facts about the flooding that I had no idea about. Everything that went on in Nashville and the other 30something counties in TN was overshadowed by the BP disaster in the gulf.
The dorm I was staying in is on an older part of campus and the buildings in that area were somewhat older as well. The small individual panes of glass that made up the windows of the old buildings made somewhat of a sparkling reflection just as the individual facets of a gemstone reflect different qualities of light. It was very campus like with the sidewalks and grassy areas. It was also very weird to be walking around a college campus at my age.
I went to Trader Joe's after breakfast and had enough time to drop my groceries off at the dorm and then go to class with 30min to spare.
That night I tried to have dinner with some other students, but the world was against me. The girl at the restaurant gave me wrong directions. I called one of the women that I was to meet and still got the wrong directions. Seriously, the interstate system is a bit crazy in Nashville. I gave up and went with my original plan of going to a small Indian restaurant. I am not afraid of being by myself; so, I had dinner at a table alone. I enjoyed every minute of not having to share my table with three small children and loved my meal. The funny thing is that the Indian men who ran the place kept giving me free things since I was all alone! I gave them a great tip!!!
The next morning, I only wanted coffee since I was still stuffed from all the free Indian cuisine from the night before. I saw my sweet gay boys at the bagel shop again. We chatted a bit more and they gave me free coffee!!! They got another good tip! All I could think is that these Nashville people are sooooo nice. It only made an already good weekend GREAT!!!
I love the methodology of Iyengar teaching. We were moved into deeper and deeper poses through a series of well thought out postures that prepared us for the deeper work. I would never take any one of my students through many of the things that we did this weekend. My body was barely ready for some of these postures.
I have wanted to attend Ramand's workshop since 2003. I finally got to and he announced that this year is his last to give workshops. I am grateful that I was able to attend but at the same time I feel that I can learn so much more from him and I am sad that this was my only opportunity.
He will be at Arshra Vidya ashram in PA in September for a week and then Rishikesh India for two weeks in February. I have heard that the India trip with him and Mukesh is incredible! Rishikesh is in northern India on the upper Ganga River and in sight of the Himalaya mountain range. Oh, I can only wish and fantasize...
I am thankful that this trip was not only restful and rejuvenating for my mama self but it has also sparked the fire for my yoga self as well!

So big...

2010-06-14T13:55:00.002-05:00

I am so impressed with David's swimming. He hasn't had a lesson yet and he is holding his breath and gliding through the water. Yesterday was his third time in the big pool and he did awesome! He wore his goggles and was swimming to me! I was working with him on jumping off the side, turning and swimming to the side by the end of our swim session. He is going to his first lesson with Coach Rebecca tomorrow. It is so amazing to see tiny little people actually swimming! I am already daydreaming of swim and dive team summers!!!
David/I/We are also ready to give up the nap. Unless we have done something that requires a lot of energy, it takes forever for him to fall asleep. He rolls and plays in the bed if I am not there and I am personally tired of spending 45 minutes to an hour of my time laying down with him. Sometimes after that hour, he is asleep; and many times we just give up and proceed with "quiet time." I really never get a nap because I am dealing with him and as soon as he falls asleep, one of the babies is up. My nap was nice for a while, I've only gotten to actually nap for about 9 months. I loved every minute of it!!!
The basement has become a wonderful play room. We have the train table and the kitchen down there. Jeremy's XBox is now streaming Netflix and that is the best thing about the XBox!!! I have some kids movies, PBS cartoons, Thomas, etc. Of course I have the adult stuff on there too. I am finally catching up on episodes of Weeds, Sopranos, and getting in a few movies and indie documentaries here and there.
AND of course, the games... Jeremy was supposed to work on getting some educational games for the XBox but right now David's favorites are 'Splosion Man' and 'Sonic.' Nothing educational about these games. He can make it to level 4 on 'Splosion Man' all by himself! I can barely make it to level 4. He only gets to play for about 20-30 minutes at a time. I am upon the realization that my three year old will soon beat me in a video game. Before I know it, he will be making fun of me when I try to play on the XBox. Thank God for Nathan! I can avoid gaming all together if I just pass the controller to Nathan!!! Too bad he's not old enough right now.

Feeling good

2010-06-08T15:18:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I went for a five mile trail run. It was the first time that I have ran since the epic half-marathon. Not training and then running 13 miles did my body in. My hips were sore for weeks!
Then my battle to find balance after the time change. Go back a few posts. It happens every year, I really dislike the spring time change...
Anyhow my run was very nice. Trail running isn't meant to be fast since you can easily break an ankle. I walked the rocky downhills and tip-toed through the overgrown poison ivy. The trail itself winds/switchbacks up and down the south side of Red Mountain behind the JCC (my gym). It was so peaceful, cool, and beautiful. I enjoyed it a lot! I have been trying to figure out a way to run and this may be it. I can still use the JCC babysitting and I take my phone with me, just in case. I seriously cannot stand the treadmill, it mentally beats me down. I barely make it 3 miles on a treadmill but I can run as far as my body will take me on pavement/dirt. Awesome!!
Afterwards, I tried to do some laps in the outdoor pool to cool myself off, but the lanes were taken up for dive team practice. I tread water with one of my yoga teachers and talked.
I am having a hard time making it to the 8am classes lately. My mornings are so busy! Holy Cow, what am I doing?!?!? This morning I tried to make it again and failed so I decided to just swim laps in the indoor pool.
I haven't swam in years. The thing about it is that I have had tons of people ask me if I am a swimmer because I have broad shoulders. Even people who told me they were swim coaches will say, " you look like a swimmer." Well, broad shoulders mean nothing. I never have had any formal swim training. I learned to dog paddle and that has been good enough for me to enjoy the water for most of my life. I decided that I would teach myself to swim sometime in college and that was the first time I swam with my face in the water. I have been given advice by a number of people who were on 'swim team' in college and everybody has different advice on what to do with your stroke. I even paid for a swim coach through the YMCA one time, she wasn't very good though. I still am not very efficient or fast. Right now it isn't about speed, it just felt good. I went about half a mile/16 full laps using different strokes as to not get completely bored. Niiice!!!
I am subbing quite a bit of yoga these days at the JCC and people seem to enjoy my classes. I have gotten in the loop for the Sunday morning class and people are getting to know me. I have either been doing/teaching yoga about three times a week and it is making my body stronger. I am going to a workshop in Nashville in a couple of weeks. Not only will it be my first vacation away from the kids but it will be my first time to go to a workshop in years. I am looking forward to it.
Other than me getting back to the gym, we have been to the toddler pool at the J a number of times already. It is so nice to have a way to cool off in the summer! It is also convenient for me to work out and then go to the pool rather than make another trip to a park, McWane, or the Zoo. The kids love it, they love the water!!! I have dunked and splashed the babies and they are just fine with it. I need to work with David a bit more one on one with his swimming... he should be swimming by the end of summer.
Well... getting back to the grind. Quiet time is over!

Graduation

2010-06-01T10:30:00.004-05:00

It has finally happened, I seriously have to STOP calling my little cousins little. They have both graduated high school.
Elizabeth is about 2 1/2 years older than Michael but she was born premature with cerebral palsy. People with CP are completely mentally intact. Some have speech issues, some have physical disabilities, others have both. She walks with a walker and Lord knows her speech is no way effected. She will talk your ear off and always has something to say. She actually graduated a semester ago and is walking in this year's ceremony. She only took one semester longer to get her diploma as to not be stressed last year. Love that girl!!! I really, really, really wanted Caroline to be named Sarah Elizabeth so I could call her Sarah-Beth... J had a bad 'name connection' with Sarah though... boo
Michael had to live a bit in Elizabeth's shadow. Even though he knows no different (just as David knows no different having two babies instead of one). I know that he was traveling to Physical Therapy sessions, dealing with her surgeries/recovery, and seeing some of the special treatment and attention that she got. They really aren't any different than any brother/sister though. I've seen them fight and take jabs at one another... he certainly doesn't cut her much slack in that area.
Anyhow, I just found out that Michael is going into the Marines!!! OohRah!!! I think that's right???? As a high school teacher, I know first hand how boys physically turn into young men. They start at tiny baby freshmen and by the time they are seniors, they have grown two feet but still have that 'baby face'. Michael is skinny and tall... I am pretty certain that the next time I see him he will have added about 8 inches to his height and about 50 pounds to his physique... it will be unreal!!!! I am a bit freaked out just thinking about it.
They are my youngest cousins and no longer 'little' by any means. I am looking at my own age and where I am in my life... both of my parents are retired now... Jeremy parent's are about there too. Wow, time flies!!!

Retired

2010-06-01T10:04:00.002-05:00

My Dad is officially retired!!! He will never stop working but he is no longer employed by FedEx.
All of my life he has owned his own shop. It is a little cinder block structure on a slab of concrete that was built on my grandparent's property, a block away from my parent's current house. That little shop has grown and grown over the years. It went from one bay and manual jacks to three bays and three lifts... among other things (equipment wise).
Even though he has maintained his shop he has also usually had another job. He worked an earlier shift and then came to work at the shop. The man is a work-a-holic.
The past 21 years he has worked at FedEx maintaining Birmingham's fleet of trucks. He most recently worked from 2:30am to 11:30am at FedEx and then came home to work at the shop until about 5pm. Yes, you read that right... 15+hours a day. The man has the best work ethic of any man I have known. He has only taken sick time when he got cellulitis (some sort of staff infection) and couldn't walk and when he had open heart surgery. He rarely used up all his yearly vacation time; he was up to 6 weeks vacation when he retired.
His last day at FedEx was 5/28. They had a couple of parties; one at a local steakhouse and one at the station. We were went to both.
Now it is all over! Of course he is now working 'full time' at his shop but an 8 hour day without having to get up at 2am has to be a bit like vacation for him.
I used to be so proud of him for having his tireless work ethic but I am more proud of him for finally retiring. He needs to enjoy himself, find some hobbies, and most importantly... become my babysitter!!!!!

Disaster Strikes Rant...

2010-05-21T08:27:00.004-05:00

I haven't been to the beach in almost two years. We *were* planning a trip for September. But now... well I guess everyone in the world knows. Our sugar white sands of the gulf coast are not so sugar white any longer.
Well, there have been some sticky tar wash-ups from the explosion/fire but no oil yet... in Alabama anyway. The first signs of the oil wash-up has been in the Louisiana marshlands. I wonder if this will be mostly swept up by the Gulf Stream and carried away to the Atlantic rather than land on the Gulf's beaches. Probably a lot of both.
Selfishly, I am pissed because we will probably not be able to go to the beach this year, maybe next depending on the damage.
The whole thing makes me sick though, everything about it. It is wrong on so many levels. Yes, BP is paying fishing/shrimping/oyster boats to help with clean-up, they are supposedly going to pay up on some lawsuits, they are paying for whatever clean-up they can manage.
But as the oil seeps into the gulf stream how much of it ARE they going to be able to clean up?? Is this stuff going to end up in the UK or Europe??? Bottom line is that it just should not have happened. It definitely should not be taking more than a month to fix it. We've been through Plan ???. oh yeah, what plan... eff, we need to think of something!! To Plan B (box), Plan C (siphon), Plan D (plug the damn thing up). We'll see how that works. Plugging up a two foot pipe at the bottom of an ocean that is erupting oil with a robotic arm doesn't sound easy.
What makes me even more sick is that they will get away with it... just a slap on the wrist. Yeah, they paid billions for clean-up and lawsuits... what about fines??? If we fine BP, will we ultimately be paying for it at the pump... I guess we already are. Look at their profits, look at our government's debits. I bet their CEO's and all the upper management will still get their huge pay and insane bonuses this year. How much of this will taxpayers end up paying for as well?
Never mind that we are loaning money to Greece (that we loaned from ourselves) to bail them out from their own loans. Now that's more mind blowing and sickening than the underbelly of an iceberg.
Or the whole Nazi-ish thing going on in Arizona. "Show me your papers," just sounds a bit creepy even though I really do 'get it'. I've driven through the Mexican border. We went to a climbing spot in Hidalgo that would never be considered a 'tourist trap' by any means. Only a few business owners spoke bad English. There were some climbing ex-pats that made things better than they would have 'normally' been (like one coffee shop). I totally get why anybody from Mexico would want to live here though. How they manage to do it is another thing.
It's all so effin confusing, I think in circles about this stuff all the time. I never know who to vote for any longer. I seriously don't know if I am a Republican, Democrat, Independent or Libertarian. I don't know who to be more pissed off at... Government or Oil.
I want to scream!!!
Rant over

Garden!!!

2010-05-19T09:27:00.003-05:00

This is the second year for my Dad and I to have a garden. Last year's garden didn't do to well because we had an unusually rainy summer. We strategically planted in a lower part of the yard near some drainage ditches. This part never floods but it usually stays a bit damp. Good for a hot dry summer... not so good for last year. Lot of the squash plants ended up with root rot.

I seriously doubt that we will have another summer like last one but we have spent a lot of time building up the lower parts. Dad got a load of topsoil delivered and we have been pushing wheelbarrows back and forth from the dirt pile to the garden. We finally got all the prep-work done and we planted most of the garden Mother's Day weekend and we finally finished everything yesterday! Including staking the baskets for tomatoes, green beans, and peas.

The soil in the garden is already much different than last year. Every year will get better and better!!

My herb garden is a raised bed and that has been planted for a while. I got my first harvest last weekend and have been cooking with my fresh herbs. Mmmmmmm!!!!

Here's what we have:
Corn, Okra, Tomato, Eggplant, Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Cucumber, Hubbard Squash, Green Beans (two varieties), Thai Peppers, Banana Peppers, Red Bell Peppers, Jalapenos (two varieties), Sugar Snap Peas, English Peas.... I know I am forgetting something...
Herb Garden: Basil, Dill, Thai Basil, Sage, Mint, Oregano, Thyme, Tarragon, Cilantro...

My dad is retiring at the end of the month and I am excited that he has found a good hobby to occupy himself with. We are already making plans for next year. We want to put hedgerows of asparagus and strawberries in the front yard along a ditch. There are plans to clear out a spot and make a few rows for blackberries, raspberries, grapes, muskadines, who knows what else!!!

Another rambling update...

2010-05-19T07:26:00.003-05:00

It's 7:30am and Caroline is still asleep. Nathan wakes up at 6am or before. He has already been fed and is happy watching PBS as I wait for Caroline to get up.
David spent the night with Pappy and is going on a big fishing trip this morning. Jeremy took the day off for the fishing trip too. David has been fishing before in the local catfish pond and has brought dinner home several times. This will be his first time on a boat out in open water. He was so excited when he got his life vest; he wore it all day every day for a while. For his birthday, he got a real tackle box and lots of lures, bobbers, split shot, etc. Sounds like a day of fun for everyone!
In my last post, I said that I will not be getting mom of the year award but things may be turning around. Last week we were at a playdate at the Botanical Gardens. All the kids were stirring sticks in a fountain. The edge of the fountain goes straight down. All three of my kids fell in at once!!!! Sploosh, sploosh, sploosh.... My friend Kristin was next to me and we were dragging kids out by the legs, clothes, whatever we could get our hands on. No other kids fell in, just mine. David and Nathan were next to one another and I am pretty sure one dragged the other in but I'm not sure who. Caroline had no good excuse to fall in except that she just decided to join the party. Crazy!!! So, I had the redneck babies who were only in a diaper and a little boy wearing girls panties and a tank top of the girlie type. It was almost embarrassing to leave as we walked past a number of people giving us funny looks.
David's last day of school is tomorrow and then the pool at the J opens on Sunday!!!! We are going to spend a lot of time at the pool this summer! I can't wait!!!

So...

2010-05-07T19:53:00.002-05:00

I'm totally not getting the mom of the year award...
I was looking into Caroline's mouth (as she was screaming at me) and noticed an extra molar on the bottom right. Her two year molar. Fully through! Then I noticed another on the bottom left. Not fully through, but noticeably there. So I felt her upper gums and both were barely poking through. When did that happen??? My child got FOUR teeth and I never noticed. This same neglect has been reflected in her empty baby book as well. SIGH...

Update

2010-04-30T09:52:00.004-05:00

My babies are going to be two years old in less than two months. Where does the time go???

Their language has exploded in the past couple of weeks. Nathan has a lot of words but Caroline is stringing words together to make sentences.

We started 'time out' with David pretty early. He had to grow up pretty fast when the babies came along. We have finally started 'time-out' with the babies. Consequences are such an important part of discipline. Not easy though...

Nathan is in his 'big boy' bed now... the bottom bunk. We still need to get the crib out and get rid of it. Caroline is ready for her 'big girl' bed, we just need to buy her one and haven't gotten around to it. It's a nice feeling to be getting rid of cribs!

Caroline loves her stuffed animals and is usually seen carrying one or more around at all times.

They both love to give kisses. Caroline has a funny exaggerated pucker and Nathan grabs your face and squishes his lips (and gums) all over your lips and won't let go. It reminds me of some of those bad high school kisses from way back in the day!

Now that it is nice outside and lighter later, we play outside all the time!

We didn't know how awesome our back yard was until we had kids. Our driveway wraps around the back of the house to a basement garage that we never use. So the kids have a huge flat area to ride bikes, scoot, skate (when they get older); it's where we set up a pool in the summer or one of those inflatable water slides. We also have a nice grassy area and lots of big shade trees that give us pecans in the fall.

We have been working on potty training with the babies. Mainly just introducing the concept. When I hear Nathan grunting, I ask him if he wants to go potty. He gets excited and runs to the bathroom. He says "potty." I have a harder time catching Caroline in the act but she follows Nathan to the potty and sits on the little potty while Nathan is on the big potty. I know that 2 1/2 is a better age to start but I really want to try to do it this summer. Summer is so much better than winter for potty training. I really don't even want to think about being in diapers for another year, ugh! They will be the ones to decide though.

Nathan is still our early bird and is the first one to get up around 6am. We used to coerce David to sleep longer by bringing him to our bed. Nathan will not have it. We have tried to snuggle with him but he ends up bullying his way out of bed. That kid...

Caroline used to be the 'bad sleeper' when she was a baby. It was really co-sleeping at it's worst. I kept trying to force the co-sleeping concept... thinking that is what any baby wants; more snuggling from mama. We finally moved her into her own room and for the first time EVER she slept through the night!!! And has done so every day since then!!!!!!!! I was thinking that night was going to be hell on earth but she just wanted her own quiet space. She now goes to sleep very easy and stays asleep the longest of all the kids. Beauty sleep!

David is just such a big boy! Once kids can talk and are potty trained, there's just not much more when it comes to milestones. He has some big words and often tells me, " I am frustrated with you mom." His imagination is big and he's got some good stories to tell. He mainly tells tales of robots, bad guys, and flying. When I ask him do help or do a chore, he will put his hands on his hips (in some sort of super hero pose) and say, "I'm on my way!" He is ready to give up his nap but I am not ready for him to give up his nap. They are hit and miss these days. He gets dressed by himself and now wants to pick out his own clothes. He spends the night with MiMaw and Pappy every now and then and does well. He still make some excuse to end up in the bed with them though. He is the most spoiled of of all my kids, rightfully so! His best friend is Austin, a school friend. He wants Austin to be a part of his every day life and talks about inviting him over all the time. He has a 'girlfriend' but does not know it. Sophia Robicheaux adores him and wants to sit next to him all the time. Sophia's mom and Mrs. Debbie (his teacher) know that she is his 'girlfriend' but David has no clue. I had no idea until they told me how much she loves him (he never talks about her). When I asked him about Sophia, he just said, "Yeah, she sits next to me."
All for now....

Vacation

2010-04-22T10:34:00.002-05:00

This past Monday and Tuesday, we went on a family vacation. It was our first real vacation since the babies were two months old. Yes, we went to Wyoming for Christmas but this was a real vacation where we were complete tourists.
We went to Chattanooga, TN. A two and a half hour drive away. We visited the aquarium then took naps at the hotel... yes they took naps! After naps, we went to a park where the fountains were running and David got soaking wet, and cold.
We even got to see a very good friend who lives in Chattanooga. Lee is one of Jeremy's climbing partners and great friend, he is very much like a brother to me... it was great seeing him even if it was only for a couple of hours!
Normally, hiding in the bathroom drinking wine would be considered a low point in one's life but after all the kids fell asleep, that is exactly what Jeremy and I did. The hotel room was dark and silent while the kids slept and we hung out in the bathroom and drank wine and talked about our day, our family and our plans for the next day. WIN!
We went to the Creative Discovery Museum the next day... epic fun for the kids!!! It had an art section, a music section, a dinosaur section, a water-play section... and four or five more areas that were insane fun for the kids! David said that it was his favorite part of his vacation!
After the museum, we ate lunch and headed home in time for car-naps. David is more and more reluctant to take naps these days. While the babies slept, he saw Thomas (the one that travels around the nation for "Day out with Thomas") on the back of a flat bed. David just saw him in B'ham and Chattanooga was Thomas' next stop. David started screaming in the back of the van (babies asleep), "I just sawed Thomas, I just sawed Thomas...." yes, he was excited!!!
We are hoping to take our next vacation in September... to the beach! I love, love, love the beach!!! I can't wait!!!
Check out our photo album for pics of our vacation!!!

Balance...

2010-04-09T18:36:00.003-05:00

Every year for as long as I can remember, I cannot regather myself after the "spring forward" time change. I lose all footing on my life in some way or another... or in many ways.
Last year, I had just started going to the gym and after the time change, things went upside down. Part of it was the babies' morning nap; trying to coordinate that with my activities and taking David to/from school. It wasn't an easy schedule with two small babies.
I ended up making it back to the gym more consistently during the summer and kept it up... Until now.
It has been a month since the time change and I am still off, still not going to the gym consistently, and just generally out of whack. Part of it is that everyone is sleeping later, making it hard to get to the 8am classes, the other part is that I feel all out of sorts. It is also finally nice outside and after having such a harsh winter, it is very nice to spend some time outside.
I need to get back to the gym... just NEED to. Hopefully this year's break is not as long as last year's.

Everything is Green... and Yellow...

2010-04-07T17:55:00.003-05:00

It's funny how it happens but one day you walk out your door and everything is green and leafed out. Blooms are gone off ornamentals and replaced with leaves. Then all at once, everything is covered in yellow dust... pollen. This year seems especially bad. It was so cold for so long that everything is blooming all at once. David's allergies are really bad, poor kid. Even my eyes are itching, uncommon for me. Everyone is hoping for a spring thundershower to rinse it off everything.... making streams and pools of what looks like lemonade.

This is a photo someone took in the 'south of town' area. Not sure where, but I see the mall in the background. It was posted on a local weatherman's blog. What you are seeing is a yellow haze of pollen. Mainly pine pollen.

Seriously everything is covered in this stuff. I took the kids to the park today and all the playground equipment is coated in it. The kids are even coated in it. I have been wearing sandals and noticed that me feet were covered in it.

Rain is predicted for overnight and tomorrow. Welcomed rain!!!

Something's going around...

2010-04-03T19:05:00.003-05:00

And around, and around... my body that is!!! So, I have taken up some hooping, hula-hooping... yes!!! I good friend of mine has been hoopin for years and made me a hoop. I have been hoopin it up every chance I can get. It has been awesome to have something fun to do outside while watching the kids.

I have been watching hoop tutorials on youtube and can spin in any direction, do lifts either way (front and back) and vortex... fun stuff. I just need to get some music outside :)

Here is my friend Vicky doin' it right...
http://www.youtube.com/user/Vicoria446#p/u/10/uPwl0FpQGTY

Why can't I embed the vid??? Oh well

Oh. My. Goodness.

2010-03-26T16:21:00.002-05:00

PIGTAILS!!!!!

Blessings and Burdens

2010-03-20T14:50:00.003-05:00

I know a number of people who have struggled to even have one child. Struggled through adoption. I got to have two babies at once.
I have had a number of people tell me that having twins is a blessing but I have struggled to accept it and have difficulties seeing the blessings for all the burdens.
Once we found out we were having twins, my first coherent statement to Jeremy was, "We have to get a minivan." I knew that our wagon would not hold three big carseats. We bought a minivan... we do not buy anything that we cannot write a check for. A minivan was a huge chunk out of our savings. HUGE!
We really only planned on having two children. I really do feel like the 'last child' is something to relish in. Your last pregnancy, your last baby... something to get all sentimental about. My last pregnancy was with twins and a very young David in tow. All of my friends freaked out for me, complete strangers freaked out for me... people would ask if I had any family in town to help. I didn't relish in my last pregnancy, I feared what was to come. Everybody feared for me, which didn't make me feel any better.
The last baby... didn't happen in my case. I really do feel like I have not been able to enjoy (and relish in) the last baby "thing". Having two at once, everything has been a blur. Not only that, but all the bittersweet milestones are not bitter at all. I just want them to get older. No matter what age they are, I just want them older.
The main reason for this post is that I see a number of my friends living out the 'one child at a time' thing and I am jealous. Being able to tote around one baby in a sling while your toddler plays at the playground... nice... In the beginning, and even now, everything was/is an epic production to go anywhere. And I see before my eyes exactly how easy it is to just have ONE tiny baby. I am so jealous of my singleton friends. I know that 'those' moms don't know how easy they have it... but WOW, they have it easy!!!!
I really don't know the purpose of this post. I love my babies, I don't know what life would be like without one or the other. I am just jealous right now and have to get things off my mind.

Ah, Spring!!!

2010-03-20T10:03:00.002-05:00

One thing that I love about living in the south is the fact that we truly have four seasons. This year we've been cheated out of spring a bit. It's been cold, cloudy, and rainy. Usually be mid February, we've seen some warmer weather but we had to wait until mid March.
I think that it is safe to say that spring is here! We have warm beautiful weather in the forecast! For a couple of months we get spring... and then it gets nasty hot. Summer!
I plan on taking the kids on tours of all the parks in the area. We have been so couped up this winter, I just want to play and be outside. We were just at Ward park yesterday. Very cool park with lots of wooden structures built like castles... bridges, slides, swings. It's a big park and I kept losing the kids. At least it's fenced in!
We are very lucky to have a very cool back yard. Our driveway wraps around the back side of the house to a garage in the basement. It is pretty much flat and makes for a very cool riding area for bikes, skates, trikes and whatever else. We have a fort that we have been slowly adding on to and it looks like our next project is a big swing set. The kids are starting to fight over the swings.
David is very excited about fishing. He has already caught several catfish out of the local catfish pond. He loves his tackle box and sorts through all his lures. He wants to go bass fishing and Pappy and Jeremy are planning on taking him out on a lake in the next couple of weeks. He just got his first life vest and loves to wear it everywhere!
Our summer plans are to stay at the pool. David's school is not having a summer session this year so I plan on putting the babies in the babysitting and spending some one-on-one time with David in the pool. Last year, he really took to the water and even spent some time holding his breath under water. Once he gets comfortable again, I think he will be swimming in no time! He's already wearing his goggles around the house.
I am already thinking about the babies' birthday party. Summer birthdays are so much fun!! I really just want to have a big party with lots of friends... grillin' & chillin'! Jeremy's Mom will be here too!
Already planning on a small family vacation in April. We're going to Chattanooga to see the aquarium, and the children's museum. We are also looking at going to the beach in early September. I LOVE the beach!!!! David had a great time there when he was little, much more fun to be had this time!!!!
Off to play outside and soak up the sun!!!!

My three rules...ahem, kids

2010-03-08T21:11:00.003-06:00

So, as soon as we needed "rules" with David, I tried to come up with something that was broad, easy to remember, and all inclusive.

1) LISTEN
2) BE NICE
3) BE POLITE

It seemed to fit all of our needs and David really took to it. Even after the babies were born.

Now I find that these three rules were actually made for each of my three children.

LISTEN
Nathan: Very jolly, runs around screaming because he can, runs away from any authority. Redeems himself with hugs, luvs, and kisses. He only eats breakfast, dabbles in lunch and screams about dinner. Loves anything that anybody else has. Has a couple of words... RUNS AWAY FROM AUTHORITY, dammit...

BE NICE
David: Rules the roost. Makes sure that everything is his. Loves to wrestle, kick, and stiff-arm. Redeems himself by sweetly saying, "I love you Mommy" as he gives a big hug. He eats whatever you tell him to. He is a great 'listener' and will mostly cooperate... until you are not looking. Very sneaky... yes, a sneaky snark! He amazes me with his vocabulary every day!

BE POLITE
Caroline: Is the most needy, maybe she actually rules the roost. She just wants everything to go well. Loves cheering on the crazy wrestling matches but rarely gets involved (unless solo, God love her, she tries so hard to squish her Daddy)! Redeems herself with kisses and dramatic snuggles. She cleans her plate at dinner and makes all sorts of rude noises as she is doing so. She would still rather shove food in her face with her hand rather than using a fork/spoon and she has to add audible 'muppet' sound effects. Rude. I often think about 'Rudy" from the Cosby Show with her! CrazyCute!!! She is also a great listener and is usually aiming to please. She will do anything that you ask her to do. She is talking so much more than Nathan and is getting better each day with her words... all done, bye bye, night night, thank you, Daddy, NaNa (Nathan), DaYid (David), BehBuhh(Bellybutton).... I could go on and on translating toddlerisms...
She is such a sweet little girl with such a kind spirit!

For My Husband

2010-03-07T15:13:00.003-06:00

We have had a week from hell. The boys came down with the stomach virus and it is still going strong five days later. Caroline just got it and the saga continues.

Thursday was the worst. Jeremy had to work, he even had to work late. I was home alone cleaning up vomit and changing diaper after diaper, even David was in pull-ups for this one. I did seven loads of laundry before the day was over. Jeremy got home 30minutes before bath/bed time and has been home since, taking a 'sick day' on Friday. He has been keeping up with the endless laundry, helping me with diapers and vomit, did some cleaning, and did the usual weekend tasks as well.

I have been thinking about his birthday this month; mainly because we get to go on a date and we will even grill some steaks for dinner one night. I am also thinking of other ways to celebrate him... with him. We are going on our 7th year of marriage and we have known one another/dated for almost 13 years. We have had our ups and downs over 13 years and we are still together and strong!

I know that some people have a really hard time making their marriage work.... even their second/third marriage. Some people just aren't good at getting along with others, and bridges are burned. We are really good at getting along with one another though. For the most part, things are easy.

I know, just as many couples, we have to work at some things, we get in our tiffs, and things aren't always hunky-dory; but we are a great team. The past three days of dealing with really sick kids has highlighted that in my mind. Kids don't usually solidify a marriage. Kids, especially young toddlers, tend to wear anybody down. By the end of the day I am glad that my husband is downstairs playing his xbox because that leaves me to be by myself and indulge in bad tv. But this weekend we have been strong together and that makes me happy! Happy in the misery of vomit and diarrhea...

I am not the patient one, especially when it comes to the kids. Jeremy has always had more to offer in that realm. Somehow we have both managed to remain patient and calm this weekend, especially with each other. Somehow it is so easy to take frustrations out on the ones that we love but we haven't. We just look at one another (with the most exhausted body language), sigh, and smile at each other, lovingly.

In the midst of misery, I am reminded of how much I still love my husband. It's funny how that happens...

Oh Spring...

2010-02-19T14:15:00.002-06:00

Where are you?????????
Last weekend we had three days of snow. We got over two inches the first time and then dustings after that. I have lost count the number of times we have seen snow this season. It may not be much but still snow... Not typical for Alabama at all.
I don't mind the snow but it is the cold that drives me crazy. It has been cold (without any snow) and/or rainy; rarely getting above 50. Last year was perfect and I recall going to the zoo and the park a number of times over winter. We have been to the zoo twice and park *maybe* three times. I am tired of it!!!
Today we have had wonderful weather, low-to-mid 50's and sunny! We went to the zoo and ran around all over the place. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice too, then the 50's for a while. Maybe it is near?????
I have three daffodils blooming now and much more to come.
I have been thinking of the garage sale we are going to have and how it is going to clear out tons of space in our storage area and workshop. I usually put pool/outdoor toys & things in Easter baskets and have been getting together swimsuits and thinking of this year's pool season. I have cleaned out some outgrown winter clothes and am preparing to make room for the incoming summer clothes. I am thinking of cleaning and wishing I had time for flower beds.
I am ready for warmer weather but Old Man Winter isn't budging very far. Hopefully March will be better...

Happy (late) Valentine's

2010-02-16T08:17:00.002-06:00

For Valentine's day, I ran in the Mercedes Half Marathon (13.1 miles). When I signed up for this race, I really thought I was going to be able to train for it. I set a goal of 2hrs 10min... a ten min pace. Running three days a week seemed quite doable. The weather hasn't cooperated, having three kids makes everything more difficult, and my attitude of "I'll get around to it later" didn't help either.
I only really focused on training for the past three weeks. It was hard on my body. I can easily run 3/4 miles with out any training but I hit the pavement starting with 5/6 miles and 7+ long runs in this three weeks. Then I got a stomach virus Thurs/Friday before the race. My body was already mad at me before the race began.
I started out the race holding on to my 9 min pace for about 6.5 miles. My brain was never in the race and I was never able to achieve any sort of focus. The pain started setting in and by mile 9 that pace had dropped down to a 10 min average... and more pain. I relented and walked through a water stop. I decided to use the bathroom (I really could have waited) which required waiting for a port-a-potty. The girl in front of me mentioned that she had been there four minutes. I saw a dear friend that I ran Columbus Marathon with cheering on the sidelines. All this running had me thinking about her and when I saw her, I stopped and talked with her for several minutes. Jeremy (my awesome supportive hubby) even brought all the kids to the race course to cheer for me. I stopped and kissed on everybody for a bit and then finished the race because the end was in sight. I really wanted to pick up the pace but every time I ran faster the pain shot up and down my right leg.
My final time was 2hrs 25min. Now that I look back on it and take into account all the time I goofed off towards the end socializing and using the bathroom (it had to be at least 10 minutes), I didn't do as bad as I felt about it. Hell, I finished it!!!
Now, I want to try to do Country Music Half in Nashville. Just to redeem myself. It is in April. I need to recover first.
I have also signed up for my first triathlon, a sprint, on Memorial Day. 200m swim, 8mile bike, 2mile run. Super easy!!! The race season is upon me and I am addicted again... what to do?!?!?!

As for the rest of Valentine's Day...
We want this to be our special family holiday. It is a holiday without other (extended) family commitments, like Christmas or Thanksgiving. Birthdays are special but not as solidifying as a family event. It is hyped up in the media as something special and kids 'get it'. David has been talking about Valentine's Day for a couple of weeks now. He has been watching Caillou's Valentine's Day on YouTube over and over (he loves Caillou). He knew that he was going to make his friends something special, that he was going to have a party at school, and that we were going to do something special as a family.
Poor guy got the stomach bug the evening before his school party. He was so sad. We ended up decorating his cards and doing Valentine's Day stuff the day he was out of school. Since my race was on Sunday, we had an early Valentine's day breakfast on Saturday. We ordered a Dutch Baby for the kids and David enjoyed the powdered sugar part the best! Nathan ate an insane amount of food (growth spurt ON) and Caroline was along for the ride and had a little bit of this and that (growth spurt OFF). The kids got a box of chocolates and a ball from Mom and Dad that day as well. There is nothing like a ball... kids love them no matter what size, shape, or color!
David brought his school friends their Valentine's cards/treats today and took his teacher a beat-up Valentine's card and a flower. Nothing like turning one special day into almost a week's worth of special days!!!

Photos...

2010-02-11T15:41:00.002-06:00

I finally took some time to update the photo album. I put a couple more movies in the 2008/09 movie gallery and I created a gallery for this year's photos. The sad part is that we have taken very few photos. Hopefully this spring will inspire us to take a few more.

Alone...

2010-02-09T15:38:00.006-06:00

Some people have a hard time being alone. I am quite good at it. I love being alone! All by myself, me and my thoughts. I have no trouble getting inside my own head and exploring. I like being in silence... still, quiet, feeling my heart beat and experiencing the energy running through my body.
Now, I am not saying that I want to be alone, alone. I love my husband and I love my kids. Everyone needs a little alone time, no matter how you spend it.
I am rarely ever alone any more. Yes, I still get lonely and crave adult interaction. But having three young kids leaves no room for me to be alone.
Recently, Jeremy has been keeping the kids while I run in the evenings. I forgot how much I really like running and I feel that one of the reasons that I enjoy it so much is that I am out there alone, just me and my thoughts. I tried running with my iPod for a bit and I enjoy running more without it. I would rather run in silence so I can hear my breath, my feet hitting the pavement, I can get in my brain and be with myself. I think that is one of the reasons that I am blogging more.
For my birthday, Jeremy took all three kids to the McWane Science Center and I got to be alone in my own house. It was so nice... ahhh, to be alone!!!!
There are times that I am without my kids, but I am not alone. My time at the gym is actually quite social. I have a number of 'gym friends' that I see every day there. We take the group fitness classes together, commiserate when it gets hard. Since I have started teaching some classes, I am becoming more well known. I once thought that I was going to drop the kids off in babysitting so I could get some work done... not so. I chit-chatted with so many people, that time flew by and I got nothing done. I will get a massage and love talking with my massage therapist. I have been to a movie all by myself but that's not the same thing as being truly alone. I get out to go to the store sometimes and I get to be alone in the car. I immediately turn the radio off. I need the silence so I can be all by myself.
Sometimes Jeremy takes the kids downstairs to play in the basement. I hide out upstairs. It's the closest thing I can get to being alone in a house with three kids.
I know that there are plenty of people out there that do not understand. They may not even understand what it is like to be alone. I certainly know of people that do not do well being alone. People that busy their minds with so many things that there is no room to truly be with themselves. Maybe they are afraid to be alone with their minds for fear of what they will face or come to terms with. Maybe it is just not their thing, everyone is different.
Lately, it seems that as soon as I get some alone time, I crave more. For over three years now, I have had very little alone time. By the end of the day, I've been talked to, fussed at, crawled all over, diapered, fed, held, hugged, kissed, loved, scolded, and refereed three little people. The loner in me is in overload by the end of the day. I can't wait for the day when I get to take a vacation!

Race Day Approaches...

2010-02-08T11:14:00.003-06:00

OK... it's almost here... the half-marathon that I signed up for.

I really thought that training was going to go better than it has. I needed a reality check when I signed up for this race. Doing anything for yourself when you have three small children rarely ever happens. I was hoping to run with the babies in the stroller a couple of days a week but it has been cold and rainy this winter. I will certainly not run in the rain with them and I won't run with them unless it is 45 degrees or warmer. They are just sitting there in the cold. No matter how bundled up they get, I still feel bad dragging them out in the cold... and I really don't want to run in the cold either.

I cannot stand running on a treadmill... it is mentally exhausting for me to make it a mile on a treadmill. I can have a blast running 5 miles on pavement though. Two totally different experiences.

So, I see next Sunday in the forecast. Low's in the upper 20's, highs in the upper 40's... no precip. It will be a cold run but at least it won't be cold and wet. I have run this race several times and the weather is a toss-up. I have ran this race when it was 22 degrees outside and I have also ran it in shorts and a tee-shirt, ran in the rain as well.

My body hurts from the short term training. My hip starts hurting around mile 6 and my knees are always tender these days. My feet have started hurting too. I will be glad when it is all over but I will be sad to stop running. I really like getting out and running... I just like it. It is a great work-out and I also enjoy the time alone. Currently, Jeremy is watching the kids while I run Tues/Thurs evenings and then once on the weekend. The evenings will be the times that I will stop running. I hate to throw the kids on Jeremy as soon as he gets home. I plan to keep the weekend runs going but they will be short runs... 5/6 miles. It would be nice to keep myself in shape for a 10k.

So Two Thousand Late...

2010-02-07T21:47:00.005-06:00

SO, I am at a play-date with a few friends when a good friend that I don't get to see very often starts up a conversation with me.... mid conversation, she stops, looks at her cell phone, smiles, and then starts texting. Our conversation was over. She was more engaged with her text conversation than with me. The initial conversation was over. She didn't even remember what we were talking about. I wasn't even sure if she even remembered that she was once talking to me. SIGH... I definitely felt a bit hurt. Certainly shows how unimportant I am. And then I just get mad.... How rude!!??!!

Round two... While on our Christmas Vacation, we sat through a family dinner with young teenage cousins texting their friends. It's like wearing a hat at the dinner table... texting at the dinner table. You just shouldn't do it.

Both of these scenarios are quite typical these days.

There really is nothing wrong with it. The younger generation certainly doesn't see anything wrong with it and my generation probably should see something wrong with it but keeps on rolling.

This is coming from a person that still has trouble with call waiting. I still don't "flip over" to the other line very often. I feel like you are basically telling someone that they are not as important as another. I will do it though and have my own mental rules. When I know it is important, when it is a person that I rarely get to talk to, or when I'm on the phone with my Mom (we talk every day). Sometimes it's just a good way to end a boring conversation with her.

I have also not embraced texting. I will send some quick messages to certain people but I have never had an ongoing conversation in that manner. It's a pain to do with my current phone... I would much rather call than text. As much as I think that an iPhone is a neat toy, I would have no idea what to do with it. I have never gotten on the internet with my current phone. I can't imagine goofing off on my phone as much as I goof off on the home computer. It would make it easier to text though!

It took me forever to relent to Facebook and I still will not do any FB applications. I rarely post, rarely comment, yes... I lurk. I have linked to people's "follow me on twitter" button and I honestly have no idea what is going on there. I know what twitter is supposed to be but I really have no idea what's going on when I get there.

How are things going to be when my kids get cell phones? How old will kids be when they get one? Now it's about middle school age. I hope to pass on some etiquette about cell phone use but will it be a useless waste of my breath. There is proper phone etiquette... "Hello, may I speak to___?" Instead of "Haaaay!" This is one reason that I want to get a land line before anyone gets a cell phone. Not only can you practice 'how to answer a phone' but Mama and Daddy can also see (and speak with) who is calling.

I want to say that I am just showing my age, but people my age (and older) are out there texting, iPhone owners, Facebooking, twittering?, twitting?, twit-faces:), call waiting flippers, transferring all sorts of data on their phones. I am the one who is behind. Am I just old fashioned? Will I eventually give in? Am I the only one who thinks it's rude to ignore the person in front of your face to fiddle with a phone?

The iPad just came out... I prefer to call it the Iblet. Another toy. It really is amazing to be living through all the advances in technology. We had computers in high school but not internet. We wrote our papers on those computers and shift+F7 was the "save button." I got my first e-mail account when I was about 22 and the internet was still very new throughout college. Now (only a decade later) I do just about everything on the internet. Shop, blog, communicate, mail, Facebook, play games, read news, check weather, research... it goes on and on. I often wonder if my kids will even know what currency is. I rarely have actual cash on hand. I use our card, electronic money. It is all a bit crazy, amazing, and fantastic! I just wish there way to intertwine it in our lives and still be truly with the person that you are sharing time with.

It's February???

2010-02-01T11:34:00.005-06:00

Time flies!!! I usually post about the migrating birds by now!!! And all the signals of spring are showing themselves. We had a yard full of robins last week, the migrating black birds were soon to follow, my bulbs have sprouted leaves (and one blossom for now), the camellia has buds that are soon to burst open and I am awaiting the bees that will soon be visiting our red maple. February in Alabama is all about thoughts of Spring!!!

Other signs of spring... We have already filed our taxes, registered all three kids for school for next year, and thought about buying tires for both vehicles.

We file our taxes early because we know that we will usually get money back.... three kids! It helps when we know that we will be forking over the money for tires for the Sub and the van. Jeremy's tires are actually starting to dry-rot, ack!!! Mine are almost bald on the front and back.

School for the kids is an insane expense!!! David has flourished in the Early Learning Center and many of his "school friends" will go on to the Private School along with him up to 8th grade. I so badly want to babies to go as well. I wish I was more of a home schooling type but I am not. I know that the kids learn from me and Jeremy in more ways than I know but I think that Nathan and Caroline will LOVE school, probably more than David! I need to take on some part time work to afford this but I am willing. I am hoping to pick up some more classes to teach at the local gyms.

It crossed my mind the other day that the babies will be turning 2 this year. I know, still half a year away, but 2!!!! Wow! I really can't call them babies any more... they will always be my babies :) This time next year I could have everyone potty trained... no more diapers! Caroline has a number of words and she will be talking before Nathan but soon both of them will be able to "use their words" instead of fussing at me. We always say, "David is easy." We said that from day one with the babies (when David was 19 months old) and we still say it. The babies are 19 months old now and I am ready for the easy parts!!!

We are in a good groove right now. We go to the gym M-F from 8-10 on M/W/F, and 9-11 on T/TH. Even though the gym only offers glorified babysitting, they all love it! David is with us on M/W/F and after the gym, we usually go to McWane Science Center, one of the local parks, or the Zoo. Sometimes we stay long enough to have a picnic and I absolutely love that McWane has a Subway in their cafe! I get a footlong and we all split it. I usually add chips to share, drink (soda for me), juice box, and one cookie to share and we all get fed for under $8!!! The Zoo will rape you for $25 by the time you get everybody fed... and it's nasty food... chicken fingers, hot dogs and french fries... we pack a picnic on Zoo days. Everyone naps at 1:00 and then on to dinner and night time routines.

David has successfully spent the night with MiMaw and Pappy a couple of times now and I think it is safe to say that he feels comfortable on the nights out now. We did have a spell last fall where we tried, but he ended up coming home around 10:30. I am glad that he gets to do something special, but soon Nathan and Caroline will be in the fray and want to spend the day with the grandparents as well... good luck to them!!! I can't even imagine a day without kids... Yes, I send David off to the ELC but I still have two babies, David spends the night but we still have two other people... we don't really get a break.

I am still running the half marathon on Valentine's day. I have basically trained for two weeks now. Yes, I have ran here and there but nothing dedicated. I ran 9 miles yesterday, kept a 10min pace. It hurt though, my legs were dead afterward and they are still dead. I really wish I could run more. I really like it and think it is a great work-out. I am not going to push my 100lb double stroller though. That is stupid! Jeremy has been a great running partner, meaning that he lets me run while he keeps the kids during the witching hours. I wish I could keep it going but I feel bad dumping the kids on him after he has worked all day.

I had a random thought this morning while I was listening to NPR. There was a brief mentioning that Maine may be the first state to require warning labels on cell phones... they may cause cancer. I have a number of friends that freak out about vaccinations, even the ones without thimerisol. None of them are about to give up their cell phones. They even let their kids play/talk with them. Let me say that I am not bashing non vaxers AND I am not giving up my cell phone. I did an adjusted vx schedule just because I thought it was crazy to give five injections/seven vxs to a two month old. We have skipped the non required ones as well just because they seem to be more about money than necessity. But when you look at all the things that people can become "alarmed" about, cell phones are not at the top of anyone's list. Teflon, microwaves, plastic, non-organics... BTW, I do find merit in the concern surrounding these things. It's just not convenient to give up cell phones, even if they may cause cancer. The convenience of alarmism... that's all I'm sayin'...

AND I am now rambling... time to sign off!

I guess I'll just stay here...

2010-01-18T12:28:00.003-06:00

Looking into moving the blog but I am too lazy. I may install some security settings though... long story.

We have had a great weekend... date on Friday night, we entertained on Sat night for birthdays (one friend's b'day celebrated on Friday and a dear friend shares a b'day with me)! Today, J took the kids to McWane while I got some peace at home. I went for a 6.5 mile run because I haven't done a thing to prep myself for the half marathon on Valentine's day. I completed the run in 61 minutes... not bad, considering that the most I have ran is 4 miles AND I can still count on ONE HAND how many times I have ran to prep myself for this race. UGH, this is going to be ugly!!!

My super awesome birthday present to myself is a body bugg... well this. Same thing, same company different names. I am stepping my fitness up to a new level with this thing. I may not look like a Shape Magazine model but I can knock the spray tan off her ass in any fitness challenge!!!! Hoping to start dropping the lbs with the help of my little bugg too. We'll see, I'll try to post some stats. It should get here tomorrow!!!!

Speaking of fitness challenge... my b'day request for J was to go to a BodyPump and RPM class with me. He always asks questions about my group fitness classes and I was hoping to have them all answered by having him experience them. He went with me on Sunday and I think he has a grasp on what I do at the gym now. I think he was impressed... at least sore!!!

J is now passed out on the top bunk with D... poor guy, he had a big weekend with the gym and the kids. Thanks to him, I had a great birthday weekend... date, party, sans kids, working out together... all good!!!

New blog

2010-01-09T20:29:00.002-06:00

hey y'all I'm changing locations... I'll let y'all know where I'm headed ASAP...

The new version... and a bit of vacation details...

2009-12-28T12:40:00.006-06:00

Well, I used to think that vacation was something that should be relaxing. No work, sleeping in, doing what you like... I have been really holding on to that reality until just recently when I realized that it was not reality. New version...

We flew to Cody, WY for Christmas. It started off with United completely screwing up all the flight plans there and back. I was angry, mad, upset, crying at one point, and left completely afraid to fly ever again. They cancelled flights without noticing us, they lost out luggage, and left me wondering if I was ever going to get home. That was enough for me to say that I doubt that we will be travelling any time soon. I honestly don't think that anyone can even pay me to travel at this point. Home is good... Vacation?????

While on 'vacation' I was still working at parenting, feeding, changing diapers, putting to sleep, bathing, etc... not really sleeping in... There is a new version of what 'vacation' means in my head now. It is no longer associated with relaxation, decadence, or a general sense of ease. Vacation is now for my kids, not me. Many things are that way now but I was thinking that vacation was still somewhat sacred. Not so. The stresses of motherhood were compounded by being out of our element, off schedule, and all out of sorts. I can't wait for our first vacation away from the kids!!! Years away though.
Oh well... It is nice to see your kids having fun and it was pretty cool to see David experiencing flying through the eyes of a three year old. I still don't think that I will be the parent that takes the epic journey to Disney World for some fleeting moment of childhood joy but we will still go to the beach and make trips to Wyoming.

Aside from the flight and not being able to turn off "mommy mode", once we were there things were awesome. I learned that kids are quite resilient and they easily napped and slept in their new environment. They played well with their cousins and were generally happy the entire time! The new toys, and environment were somewhat of a vacation for all of us!
I even got to go to the gym a few times and went for a run while the kids were napping. I have to say that I was pretty impressed with my cardiovascular fitness. I was able to ride though my spin classes without dying and I kept a 10min run pace over 4 miles. A 10min run pace isn't that great for me, but neither one of those things is easy when going from 500' to 5000' in elevation. I still haven't kept up with my running and that was only the third time I had run since Race for the Cure (10th of Oct) and it was also my first time to run more than a 5k in about two years. I am pretty sure that I will somehow make it 13 miles to the finish, it may not be pretty though.

We even made it there and back without a DVD player. Proof that kids don't have to be in front of a tv all the time. To be honest, that wasn't our intent. We brought the DVD player but for some reason it didn't charge so it was dead for the flight out and then Jeremy forgot it in the billings security check... yes he lost our DVD player... FAIL!!!

We had to drive two hours to Billings to get on a flight that could take us home. This was something that I wasn't initially happy about because we should have already been HOME when we were boarding the plane for our flight to Denver. It turned out nice though... I actually enjoyed watching the scenery roll by. Eagles, migrating geese, rolling hills covered in snow, Beartooth slipping away behind us... it was beautiful and had me thinking that it was about nine years since I had set foot into Montana. Bittersweet!

The flight back was good, mainly because we all got home and all of our luggage came with us. The babies were awesome and there was no fussing. All the flights were delayed but we still had time to make connections and we ended up home around midnight. Santa still had to make an appearance at our house so Jeremy & I were up til about 2am.

It hasn't taken long to unpack, figure out what to do with all the new toys, get all the laundry done and get back into our routine. It has been somewhat cold for Alabama so we haven't been to the zoo or to the parks like normal. Already getting cabin fever... still not up for vacation though :)

They're gonna kill me...

2009-12-07T15:02:00.002-06:00

As I was picking up a prescription for David, I decided to check my blood pressure while I waited. It was something like 145/95... and then it hit me. This is for real!!!!!
I had my BP checked by a nurse in September. It was high then and I laughed it off, "Kids will do that to you, ha!" The reason that I let it roll off me was that my BP is usually 110/70. It barely got up to 120/80 when I was pregnant with the babies. I assumed it was just a fluke.
It was checked again in September by my internist and it was still high. I had gone out the night before to listen to some indie rock and have drinks. We were out til 2am... it was a rough morning and I chalked the high BP up to feeling miserable.
So, my BP is high... hypertension. It's like I ran into a wall. Blam, when did this happen??? A year ago, it was fine and now it isn't.
Anxiety??? Oh yes, by the end of the day, I am on my last nerve. Is motherhood physiologically affecting my body? Do other mamas have this happen to them?
This, on top of my high cholesterol (which has plagued me since I was at least 18 & had been a vegetarian for over 4 years) is not good.
I am now worried that I am going to be "one of those people" who drops dead before 35. The person who was in the gym everyday and doing everything right. The one that catches everyone off guard and causes people to say, "Just goes to show you... You never know when your time is up."

Update

2009-11-17T16:00:00.006-06:00

Well, as usual, I sit my butt down at the computer to do something "productive" (is blogging productive?) and someone starts screaming... I have found that if you ignore it long enough, it will go away... and so it has stopped. I have also found that if you close your eyes, they can't find you. I may be officially going crazy!

Seems all I do these days is post incoherent ramblings about whatever comes to mind. At least it's something.

Nathan got up at 5 this morning. I really can't complain too much... but 5am, damn! They are great sleepers and go to bed around 7:15 for Nathan and 7:30 for Caroline. So they sleep for 10-11 hours straight... I guess *I* am the one who needs to go to bed earlier.

I have become addicted to a couple of shows lately. This hasn't happened since Amanda and I had pizza and ER nights back in Bozeman. I really make a date with the TV! One is 'The Biggest Loser'... I love seeing how those people have completely changed their lives. The other is 'Glee'... I still can't understand why I *have* to watch it... brain candy???

Speaking of candy... New Moon comes out this weekend and even though I thought the books were horribly written, I still read them all (even if I completely suffered through making myself finish Breaking Dawn... it took weeks) AND even if I thought the first movie was horrible (I downloaded a bootleg version of it on the computer)... I am still going to go see the second one. Even Jeremy doesn't understand why I want to see the movie. He also had to suffer through me reading the books... I complained the whole time. I still don't understand how these books got to be so popular, especially with women in my demographic. It's just a good excuse to get out of the house. Everyone else is doing it, so why can't I?

It seems that everyone also has an iPod and I got my first one a few weeks ago. I mainly got it to teach some spinning classes. I am currently trying to get ALL of our music loaded on the computer, then I will need to go through it because my iPod *only* holds 16GB and I am over 20GB into our music collection. A lot of it is stuff that I just don't listen to any more and there are also a number of CDs that are Jeremy's that I never listened to anyhow. Then... playlists!!! This thing is likely to consume my life...

David will be three at the end of the month. We are having his party this weekend since many of his friends will be out of town for Thanksgiving. He wants a Thomas cake and we have rented a small moonwalk for the occasion. He's had to do a lot of growing up fast since the babies were born and I continue to raise expectations of him. Sometimes I wonder if I push him too hard. He really amazes me though! He's been potty trained since May but still wears a diaper at night and for the most part has dry naps, he can do 50+ piece puzzles, he knows all his letters and can tell you what letter something begins with, he is insanely polite and when he tells me "No!" he actually says, "NO thank you!", he can get fully dressed/undressed but sometimes a particular shirt will give him trouble... he's so big!

There are a number of things that he loves to do but the babies complicate the situation. [Ex: He loves working puzzles but the babies take and eat the pieces... so we work them at the table... it makes the babies mad that they can't have the puzzle so they both throw a fit... so, we sit them at the table with their own puzzle... they still want David's and continue to throw a fit because they are trying to get out of their seats to crawl across the table but they are buckled in. Sigh!] So, he waits to do things until the babies are in bed. Most of his real educational time with us is when he is the most tired. I am so thankful for his preschool!

I so desperately want to send the babies to preschool next year but I think I am going to have to find a part-time job to fund it. The sad thing is that I just want some time to myself... getting a job (more than likely a BS job) to send them to MDO is somewhat self-defeating.

There is no telling how many toys, cups, etc. have ended up in the trash. I constantly catch these babies in the act of throwing something away. I recently found a baby doll in the trash. Caroline was playing with it. She is barely big enough to lift the lid though... how did she manage that?

Caroline is talking a bit and has many words that only I can distinguish. She has lots of teeth and has been out-eating Nathan for the last several weeks. She loves her baby dolls and stuffed animals. She always points the animals out in books and makes noises. She still loves kisses. She is the most needy and it's probably just a girl thing but we don't tolerate it much. I just cannot and will not hold her ALL the time.

Nathan is just a brute. He is average for size but David was always so skinny (usually 10th percentile for weight) and Caroline is tiny as well... he just seems big to me. He is incredibly good natured and easy going. He likes to run all over the house laughing & screaming, continuing to do all the things that we tell him not to do, randomly texting & calling people, having a complete fit when I try to hold his hand in a parking lot and running in the opposite direction that he needs to go. I see a number of parent/teacher conferences in my future!

It is so hard to go anywhere these days. The babies want out of the stroller and I want them to explore but between David running forward, Nathan running backwards, and Caroline being slow and having no idea who to follow, I am certain that I will loose someone soon. We are limited to places that have a fenced in area. I am now one of those people who wants to get a leash for Nathan... I am resisting though. Shock collars would probably work better.

Halloween was really cute this year! I didn't expect David to really get it yet but he GOT IT and he was into it!!! He looked like he was on a mission!!!

I have been trying to lose 20 pounds for the past five months and haven't budged on the scale. This is mainly baby weight that never came off. I didn't allow myself to diet or push myself in the gym as I was nursing two babies. I probably should have but I told myself when they turned a year old that I was going to wean and get back on track. AND I DID... as soon as they turned a year old, we were in the process of weaning and I have been *really* at it since the beginning of July. I have been logging my food and doing quite well with lowering my calories. I average about 1200 calories in food but my downfall is when it comes to beer and wine. That stuff is soooooo bad but it is soooooooooooooooo nice to unwind at the end of the day. I have also been going to the gym and working HARD at least four days a week. Spinning, weights, pilates, running, yoga... I work out at least 10 hours a week. I can tell that I have 'shaped up' but when you run, every pound counts. I have never had great knees and thank God they haven't given me much trouble but I am about to begin my official training for a half marathon. I easily ran the race for the cure, without much effort, in a sea of 15,000+ people, in 30 minutes... I am in great shape and I know it! I want to lose pounds! My knees do not know what I look like, they only know how much weight is being pounded into them with every step. I am living proof that stress will inhibit weight loss... that's my guess. I so badly want this!

I have a little hypochondriac on my hands lately. David had fever a couple of weeks ago and his new thing is to tell me that he doesn't feel good... he even follows that up with, "I have a fever. See it. It's right here." as he points to his forehead. Kinda cute, but he actually doesn't feel well right now and I only believed him when I finally took his temp and he had a low-grade fever. I hope all is well before his party.

I feel like a human piece of toilet tissue... poop, pee & snot. I generally feel like I am covered in any one at any given time. My shirts often look as if I own pet tree slugs.

Last weekend I went to a training to teach some spin classes. I was gone about 8-5 each day... that is the longest I have been away from my children in almost three years. It was awesome! The sad part is that as soon as I get a bit of freedom, I immediately crave more. I stepped back into my world after being on a bike all day and was immediately jumped on and cried at by two people (David was with his grandparents)... I wanted to leave again.

I've gotten a lot of Christmas shopping done. I have to send a box of items to Jeremy's parents soon. It's going to be quite the trip! We still aren't sure if we are going to take a stroller with us. We still aren't sure what the carseat situation will be once we get there. Hell, we aren't even sure what the car situation is... three big carseats equals minivan. I guess we will have to take two cars where ever we go. Then there's the sleep situation... this is the babies first vacation. The house isn't childproofed and it is winter in Wyoming... ack! Snow doesn't accumulate much there so sledding is probably out. OH and there is the absolutely terrifying flight on a tiny prop plane into Cody. Dear Lord! Last time we did it with David, I really thought we were about to crash & die... Jeremy said it was typical. I throw up a little in my mouth just thinking about it! I know it will be a great trip in the end but every mom worries a bit.

I guess that's it for now...

I guess I should post something...

2009-10-28T06:20:00.005-05:00

I have about four unfinished posts that are now a little too outdated to finish. I guess I will start over and hope that this one actually gets published.

I am teaching a yoga class every Monday now. I am also signed up for a training class for spinning. I will start as a sub and go on to teach as well. There is a lot of me that wants to do this and then there's the part of me that is scared to have any responsibility other than my kids... I can barely make it ANYWHERE on time these days.

The babies have no sense of photoperiod. I honestly thought that they would start sleeping in a bit more once it became darker out. Not so. There was a tiny bit of time where Nathan was getting up at 6 but they have fallen back into the routine of getting up between 5-5:30. Either one of the babies is up by 5:30. It will be C... then it's N's turn. I swear they are conspiring against me!! I am not kidding when I tell you, "If it is not one, it's the other." I do not get a break from the 5am BS, but they take turns sleeping in.

J & I tend to work with their schedule before the time changes so that we aren't totally screwed up when it happens. Up until last night, C starts screaming around 6:45. We hold off as long as we can to put her in the bath... once she is in the bath, she knows that bedtime is around the corner. Last night, we put them in bed 30 minutes later than normal. Hopefully we can continue to work with that strategy. Nathan still woke at 5:30. If they start waking up at 4-4:30 I will begin to fear for their safety!

Jeremy got an xbox as an early Christmas present. I now rarely have any idea when he comes to bed.

My insomnia has gotten better thanks to my little blue friend called the OTC sleep aid. I started with a full dose (two pills) which left me crazy drunk in the morning. I can take one and actually sleep! I will still have a hard time getting back to sleep if someone wakes me up at 4 or so and I do need my coffee in the morning to shake off the loopy feeling. I am so happy to be getting some sleep. I really hate that it is taking chemicals but I was desparate. I fully expect that by the time I am 40, to be eating handfulls of some Judy Garland Trail Mix! HA!

We are going through the "boundaries" stage with the babies, and David is still going to test his as well. I feel like all I do is scold & redirect all day long. No, no, no, no, no, no........... My relationship with my kids feels so negative right now.

My morning: Up at 5-5:30, make coffee, wait on the others to wake (my computer time), cook breakfast, feed three kids, feed myself, change at least two poopy diapers, clean up after breakfast, get clothes on three kids, clothe myself, drink coffee, discipline, get snacks & juice ready, pack a lunch (sometimes), pack diaper bag, load three kids into the van, try to get out the door by 8 to go work my ass off at the gym (bodypump & spinning).

Jeremy's morning: Up at 7:45, shower, grabs lunch & granola bar, pours coffee and leaves for work. This takes him 10 minutes.

Even when he gets up with them, I still have to do 90% of the things on *my* morning list.

I have a number of friends who seem to really enjoy mommyhood. They spend so much of their energy on their children. Homeschooling, sewing/knitting/smocking clothes for them, lots of babies, all the "Mom Groups" and message boards... So much of their world is for their kids. It's honorable and selfless. I truly wish I could be *that* mom but "those" moms make me tired! How do they do it ALL?!?!?
I am finding so much more happiness in my world knowing that my children are growing up and need me less and less.

David is going to be Elmo for Halloween. He does not watch Sesame Street, he has never been interested in it either. Not sure where Elmo came from. He wants Nathan to be Bob the Builder and Caroline to be Bob's partner, Wendy.

I am gearing up for the Birthday/Christmas season. Our nephews were born in Nov & Jan, David is also a November birthday. Christmas on top of it all. Last year I was so bad about sending gifts. This year we are all going to be in Cody. I plan on shipping a box of gifts several weeks in advance. I can't believe it's only two months away. Caroline is getting a kitchen, Nathan is getting a trike, and David is getting a Razor scooter. None of those things are coming to Cody with us, so Santa has to visit Cody too... I'm having a hard time coming up with gifts for these kids as it is!

I OMed...

2009-09-16T20:52:00.002-05:00

So, I taught my first yoga class in about three years. I know myself well enough to know that I tend to put too many irons in the fire... I quit teaching yoga when I found out I was pregnant with David. I wanted to concentrate on being a mom... and I was a mom.
For over three years I have been focused on mommyhood and all that comes with it. I am now at a place in my life that I can go back to things outside 'mommyland' and visit with the things that I used to find so much solace in.
One of those things is becoming a teacher again... a teacher of yoga. It is where I want to be with my life, and I CAN be there right now. I feel so fortunate to be able to explore this as an option for my family's livelihood right now and want to try to move as much as I can in this direction.

I taught for years before becoming pregnant... for over five years. I am coming back into teaching yoga with such a different perspective on life. I want to teach how I want to learn... I am not so focused on asana as I am many other aspects of yoga. Chakras, chanting, pranayama...

I did it all during my sub class tonight just to see where I *can* take things in a studio setting. I taught a bit of pranayama... I touched on the Muladhara chakra... and I OMed................... For some reason, nobody will OM here in the south. I have been to Kirtan classes/satsung and classes where there was a chant of some sort, but not OM (AUM). Tonight I OMed... I OMed alone... (in a yoga studio no less) all five students were silent. I will OM again!!!! I am at a place in *my* practice and teaching that tells me that is what I am to do... forget the judgement, forget the shyness. I am putting myself out there as a *real* teacher of yoga and everything that comes with it!!!! Teaching at a studio is different than teaching at the local gym (YMCA or JCC). I think I would be much more inhibited by teaching at a gym that is religiously affiliated but a studio... I am going as far as I can!!!

Ahhhhh....

2009-09-03T15:33:00.006-05:00

Caroline is walking!!! She's been at it for a couple of weeks and has been at it full time for about a week! More importantly, she can wear a dress now!!!! I am so excited to be able to put her into a dress. FYI you can't crawl in a dress, so all those dresses I bought her are all going to be worn at least once!!!

The other thing that I have noticed recently is that I can coerce Nathan to the van. That means that I have to take one less trip to the car! For a year now, I have been making at least two (more often than not, three) trips to the van to load up... or unload. It's was such a pain. But I can now get everyone out the door and convince Nathan to come to the van (he's walking on his own) all in one swoop! It may not sound like a big difference but in my world it is HUGE!

That's more like it...

2009-08-16T20:58:00.002-05:00

A few posts ago, I mentioned that we needed a new washing machine and I was surprised that J was talking about getting me something new... something nice. I couldn't believe it! We looked at Home Depot and we went to hh gregg this past weekend. I just started to believe that he was actually about to buy us a brand new washing machine!
Today he bought a used one from a guy in our neighborhood for $50... he splurged on the matching dryer with another $50 because the guy would only sell them as a set to get them out of his house. Yes, much more like my dear husband... sigh!

Goals

2009-08-10T20:46:00.002-05:00

Get my paperwork in for Yoga Alliance. I will be certified as a RYT-500... Registered Yoga Teacher with 500 hours teaching/learning experience (the maximum that they recognize).

Sign up for some races... Race for the Cure (5k in Oct), Vulcan Run (10k in Nov), Mercedes Half-Marathon (13.1 miles in Feb), Tri-It-On Triathlon in May (my first triathlon).

Ahem... start running. If I am going to be road ready, I guess I need to figure out a way to run. I had a plan at one point in time where Jeremy would feed the kids dinner while I ran. It happened twice and then other things took over.... J being out of town, J being very busy at work. I know the last thing he wants to do when coming home from a day of work is have all three kids thrown in his face. I will figure something out. I am quite fit cardiovascularly and could easily run three miles but not 6 or 13!

Dabble in some yoga teaching. I have talked with one of my teachers here and we are working on an aerial yoga class that could be taught at the J. She has been doing it for years and I have only just begun my exploration into it.

One of my completed goals... the babies are weaned. Yup, since Friday!

Now to get Jeremy to start putting them down at night. I think we are going to rotate... he will have one a night and I will have the other two. All I have to do is not get pregnant again and freedom will be mine!!!!!

About time for a new post...

2009-08-03T20:26:00.003-05:00

I'm still going to the gym and have even given up my Sunday morning sleep-in for a couple of hours of working my butt off at a spinning class and yoga afterwards. I haven't been able to sleep in anyway.
I have been dealing with terrible insomnia. What gives?!?!?! My kids are all finally sleeping through the night and I am awake. If Jeremy comes to bed later and wakes me up, I will be awake for a couple of hours after... if I wake up at 4am, I might as well start my day. I close my eyes and just pray that I can squeeze in a few more minutes of sleep before one of the babies wakes up. I was awake a bit before 5 this morning and the babies actually slept past 6!! I've tried drinking a glass of wine to unwind, not drinking because alcohol disrupts sleep, I took NyQuil this past week (I was a bit congested so I wasn't completely abusing over-the-counter meds)... my kids didn't get the message that I took the NyQuil though. They were up more than they have been in weeks and I was hungover the next day from it.
Nathan has been banned to rompers since he can't keep his hand out of his pants. We even had to start putting him in onesies at night because he would wake up soaking wet from sleeping with his hand down his pants.
David starts every sentence with "Because,..." now.
David caught his first fish this past weekend with Pappy. They went to a catfish pond in Bessemer. He caught two on his tiny "Taz" rod & reel!!! We ate the fillets for dinner on Sunday. I wish I had pictures!!!! I think that we are all going to go as a family in the next couple of weeks.
The garden is spent and we are getting ready to start something for the cooler season. I really would like to spend some time studying permaculture. I live in the perfect climate to grow year around. I am somewhat jealous of my homesteading friends... mainly because they are so dedicated. It takes a strong person (mind & body) to work the land and raise livestock.
I have been trying to include a meatless meal in our weekly meal plan. I have even tried to do it on Fridays... being Catholic and all.
My parents kept the kids while Jeremy and I had a date last Friday. We went to LaPaz... YUM. I had fish tacos and Jeremy had carnitas??... it was so nice!
Gotta run!!!

Summer fun...

2009-07-24T20:27:00.002-05:00

So, Nathan is totally walking now (for about a month now) and I have finally put him in some shoes. It's like taping a cat's feet... like learning to walk all over again... so funny to see him trying to figure things out!!! He's getting to actually play outside as a walker and he's all over the place.
Nathan has also found his penis. I have had to dress him in rompers and onesies for weeks now because he will pull his penis out over the top of his diaper... David never did this... to *this* extent! GEEZ!!!
We have been going to the park, playing at the pool, and having fun outside until it's time for bed!!
This summer hasn't been too hot or too dry. We even had a couple of days last week where it almost felt like fall, especially in the mornings! Oh my, that was nice!!
We are still doing things on our own for the most part. I try to incorporate David's other friends in things that we do, but we are all in such different places at this point that we might as well be visiting a different country. It's funny (and sad) how much kids can polarize a "friend dynamic."

Staying busy...

2009-07-20T07:10:00.004-05:00

Lately I have been making it to the gym as much as possible. I wish I didn't feel guilty about leaving the kids in there for the maximum two hour limit though. I try to stick to an hour to an hour and a half at the most. Jeremy has even let me run after he gets home from work. It means that he has to feed them all dinner and it means that I have to run all these hills in my neighborhood... my knees are not a fan of running downhill.

Having J feed the kiddos means that dinner has to be on the table at 5. The babies already demand it by 5 as well. I have been really good about getting prep work done early and have been able to accomplish this for the most part. It helps to know what you are making. For a while, I was in a daze when it came to the big "What's for dinner?" dilemma!

The babies are sleeping great these days! Caroline is still sleeping through the night in her room. Nathan will still get up at 5 to be nursed (I need to stop though) and then go back to sleep. David and Nathan have worked well in their room together. David even got his "big boy" bed this weekend. It is to be a bunk bed but we ran into a little problem with the mattress not fitting the bed... we should have gotten a twin long. We are trying to make it work though. Poor kid fell out of the bed this morning too... what a thud!

I am re-reading Harry Potter 6... Jeremy is going to let me go to see the movie this weekend. All by myself!!!! It is going to be such a treat!!! Even when we get someone to watch the kids when we go on a date, we have to make sure that we are to dinner early so we can eat and then we have to make it home by 7 to start with bedtimes. I am going to be out with no worries!!! I plan on getting popcorn with butter (eating all of it) and washing it down with a soda!!! I hope $20 is enough!!! I haven't been to a movie in forever!!!

UPDATE...

2009-07-07T21:08:00.004-05:00

We had our 12 month check up yesterday...
Nathan now has five teeth and is walking a lot... still crawling a tiny amount but he has decided that he wants to get around on his feet. He is 21lbs10oz and quite average. David was such a light weight, it's hard for me to believe that Nathan is average!
Caroline has 12 teeth and is standing/pulling up but no where near walking. She is 16lbs11oz... five lbs lighter than Nathan. That gap seems to be getting bigger and bigger. She is only 5th percentile for weight but no one is worried. She eats a LOT and has only recently began scooting around, using tons of energy. She is still average for height though... string bean, like David!

We finally moved Caroline out of our room. She wasn't in our bed any more but still in a crib way too close to us. We have been avoiding it for a while out of fear. We were going to have to pair two of the kids up to accomplish this but we couldn't quite figure out what to do. Instead of talking, we just did it and have been figuring out things along the way. David and Nathan are sharing a room as they will do for a very long time. So far so good on the night times as they both tend to sleep through the night. David will still have nightmares and Nathan will still wake in the middle of the night as well, but all is good for now. The first night that Caroline had her own room (and for the first time ever) she slept though the night all the way to 6am. I always knew that proximity was an issue with her sleep. We are both so glad to have our room back. David is using our bed for naps now... he was waking Nathan up way too early from nap when he was tossing and turning, trying to go down for a nap. I've even gotten to lay down for some cat-naps recently. Nothing longer than 15 minutes but at least it's something!

David will soon have his bunk beds. The mattresses should be here on Wednesday. His first big boy bed!!

We officially need a new washing machine. I was under the assumption that my cheap husband would just get me a "new" used one. He's actually talking about getting me something kinda nice... huh?!?!? I'm not really sure where to go with it... he's even talking front-loader... WHAT??!?! Who is this guy?

We have been spending bookoos of money lately... tickets, mattresses (and all the linens), a new AC for David's room, we added a climbing wall to the fort, new washing machine... I feel like such a consumer lately! It comes and goes I guess.

David has been cracking me up... everywhere he goes in the house he has to make motorcycle/racecar sounds and when he stops, it's with a screech of the brakes!!

He has also been repeating some lines from movies that I am not thrilled with. Why are kids movies rated PG... what happened to G??? I thought I wanted Toy Story for him until we caught a glimpse of it at the Dr's office during a scene when Woody repeatedly told Buzz to "shut up." Now that we are listening a bit closer to the movies, we have heard... idiot, stupid, holy shoot, oh my lord, shut up, hillbilly hell... who knows what I am not catching in the movies, but I still don't want David to emulate many of these expressions.

I've had some serious issues with insomnia lately. It's hard for me to get back to sleep. Jeremy got up last night at 2:30 to use the bathroom and it was over for my sleep. I tossed and turned for an hour, then thought I heard David up around 3:30 so Jeremy left the room to go sleep with him... still tossed and turned. The last time I looked at the clock it was 4:30. I think I got a wink of sleep until Nathan woke up at 4:45. I thought he was back asleep in his crib until Jeremy brought him to me at 5:30. No sleep in between and he still was restless for a while... Caroline was up at 6:30 though. She actually slept the whole way through!!! I don't think I can scream any louder when I say, "I JUST WANT SOME SLEEP!"

The garden is doing quite well... at least for our first go. My herb garden is doing well and I am getting huge amounts of basil. I made refrigerator pickles with the dill and cucumbers. David sat on the counter and ate almost all of them!!! They were so good! There will be tons more cucumbers. The tomatoes are ripening AND we have a ton of them... yummy!!! I should be getting some eggplants soon, poor Jeremy! He's not looking forward to the eggplant. I just cooked up some of the purple-hull peas last night and we have been eating a number of green beans lately too. We've only gotten a couple of zucchini though... weird for a zucchini not to proliferate. Who knows...

Well, it's 9 and I am going to bed... seems to be my new bedtime now that 5:30 seems to be awake time around here for one or the other of the babies. It's been going on for weeks now, but I still can't get used to 5:30am.

$hit...

2009-06-28T16:51:00.002-05:00

So... I went off to the store with Nathan to pick up some things for meals for the week. Jeremy kept Caroline and David was still asleep but should wake up within the next 30 minutes or so.

I come home to Jeremy telling me, "You don't know what you have missed while you were gone." I'm thinking that Caroline just screamed at him for 20 minutes... not so... it was $hit.

Poor David had complained about his tummy hurting all day but never had his "morning poop"... well... His poop was EVERYWHERE (according to J) when he woke up from his nap... EVERYWHERE!!!

This is something that you hear about as a parent and wonder when it will happen to you. Jeremy was all alone when it happened and handled it like a champ... except for saying the word $hit over and over.

I can't blame him though... poop is kinda a cute word. Once that stuff gets everywhere, the only word for it is $hit!!!

Oh, the party!!!

2009-06-27T20:21:00.003-05:00

N & C had their birthday party today! I'm glad it's over but also sad that we will never have a first birthday to celebrate again.
What a year, what a ride!!! We have been sharing memories of the year and are pretty confident that we would never do it again (by choice.) Still to this day, I have way too many nights of being awake at 3:30 (C)... then 4:30 (N)... then tossy-turny C at about 5 until she's finally awake at 5:30. I still wonder if I will EVER sleep through the night... sigh!!! But things are still way different and way better than they were nine months ago!!! At least I usually get to sleep all the way through to about 3:00 now!!
I put the photos up on our photo album... we had a splash party! Tons of water balloons, an inflatable slide, water guns... David's friends were the ones having all the fun!!! The babies were sleepy from waking up at 5:30 so they slept through most of their birthday but they did have their infamous cake moment. Caroline won for messiest & for most cake eaten... poor Nathan, he was a bit too sleepy to enjoy the moment.
Time to wind down now that everyone is asleep. I'm looking forward to going to bed early and getting to sleep in tomorrow!!!

One year!!!

2009-06-26T09:30:00.002-05:00

Yes, we have ALL made it a year!!!

Nathan is now about 22 lbs (just a guess), he has three teeth, he plays peek-a-boo, he stands all by himself and he can walk several steps at at time.

Caroline is probably about 18 lbs, has 12 teeth, plays peek-a-boo, can sign many words, gives out kisses, and loves her daddy!

They now only nurse three times during the day, once at night. The night nursing is on the way out.
Weaning is the goal, always working on it... I want my body back in more ways than one!

We have ALL been having lots of fun this summer!!! The zoo has a splash area, the JCC pool is the most awesome toddler pool ever, and the McWane center is great when it is just too hot to do anything else!

David has decided that dunking himself is quite fun!! He's not afraid of the water at all.

Caroline is not afraid of water either. She loves to splash!

Not sure about Nathan... he likes it and is unsure at the same time.

David has goggles now... he's a fish!!!! I think he will be "swimming" by the end of the summer.

David has been potty trained for over a month now! It just kinda happened and we haven't looked back!

David is in "summer school" on Tues & Thurs... I need that time!

I am actually using cloth diapers again!!!!

I just uploaded a bunch of photos to our photo album!!! I'll post the babies' birthday pics asap!

Out with the old...

2009-06-25T23:53:00.002-05:00

in with the new!

Yes, I deleted all my blog posts. I did save them on word but I needed them to be gone... for some reason.

Being...

Reading

The Christmas Miracle... Bra

Foiled!

Oh no she didn't...

Recipe Roundup

Farming

Besides reading...

Reading

Decisions...

A binge

Beat up...

Living for the Summer

??????

Update

T Minus "Oh My God!" and counting

So me...

Being free...

In the new year...

just another rambling update...

Spontaneous ear combustion...

Big girl...

Dear....

Jeremy's un-vacation day

Fall is here...sort of & a random update

De-lurking

How do I make myself a morning person?

Independence Day

Cheers!

Holy Hell...

Another week...

Bragging a bit

Random update...

Updated: Ack!

I'm feeling a little Martha-ish...

I know it's hot outside...

WOW!

So big...

Feeling good

Graduation

Retired

Disaster Strikes Rant...

Garden!!!

Another rambling update...

So...

Update

Vacation

Balance...

Everything is Green... and Yellow...

Something's going around...

Oh. My. Goodness.

Blessings and Burdens

Ah, Spring!!!

My three rules...ahem, kids

For My Husband

Oh Spring...

Happy (late) Valentine's

Photos...

Alone...

Race Day Approaches...

So Two Thousand Late...

It's February???

I guess I'll just stay here...

New blog

The new version... and a bit of vacation details...

They're gonna kill me...

Update

I guess I should post *something*...

I OMed...

Ahhhhh....

That's more like it...

Goals

About time for a new post...

Summer fun...

Staying busy...

UPDATE...

$hit...

Oh, the party!!!

One year!!!

Out with the old...

I guess I should post something...