New Year/New Me

I am happy 2007 is over it wasn't that great anyway!
yes, we made a human being that is still cooking away but besides that? Nothing that terrific happened.

Here is to hoping that in 2008:

-I deliver a healthy baby. (being one of those women who simply wince at the labor pains, get to the hospital and deliver within 30 minutes would be a huge bonus!)

-E gets a new job that he loves. Minus the bitchy, jealous boss and more money would be terrific.

-I wean myself off all of my asthma and allergy medications.

-I have enough money to bring the kids to my homeopath so they can get the right detox for all the stupid, ridiculous, money making vaccines the state of NJ say they need, but I don't want to give them, to start kindergarten.

-That I make at least one friend in this stupid town.

-That my kids transition well to a new baby being in our home.

-That I eat healthier and go to the gym more.

-That you guys are still around to hear what stupid things I have to say about my life on a daily basis! I hope you guys all have a great 2008.

Recuperating

Christmas is over. Now I do what every person does after Christmas, put together toys, listen to kids beg to open this or that, eat gross amounts of leftovers, clean and wallow in depression.
What? You don't get depressed after the holidays are over? You are strange.

I always get a little depressed after the holidays, back to the daily boredom, no more holiday magic, wishing I hadn't eaten that much and knowing I have to pack all this holiday crap up, gets to me. Add to that my husband still hasn't had any job offers, I assume because of the holidays, and it is more then my little pregnant head can handle. I am worried about everything. Bills, insurance, the cost of my perscriptions, my doctor's appointments, the list goes on and on. Not great for someone who is pregnant.


My kids had an amazing Christmas. They received so many lovely gifts and some I even love. Amazingly only one is loud enough that I want to smash it into a million pieces.
That itself is my Christmas miracle!

Hope Yours Was Great Too!

After being awake and moving for 19 hours yesterday, I am finally so tired. I made it, the kids had an amazing Christmas, I ate waaaaay too much and I fear for my gestational diabetes test I have to take this week.
We had a great time with family and friends and I will provide more details when I finally get some rest!

Merry Christmas

Today I am baking like a mad woman, orange cranberry mini muffins, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, peanut butter kiss cookies, peanut butter balls rolled in coconut. I bake cookies every year for my neighbors and since I am crazy and slightly nesting this worked out well for me this year. I just have to resist eating them all!

Tomorrow morning I have to blanch and peel boiler onions for Tuesday and make a pumpkin cheesecake. Then we are off to our hometown* for church and our annual party at one of my Aunt's house. We will try not to stay too late because we have a long drive home, have to put gifts under the tree and get some sleep before my son, the rooster, wakes us up at the crack of dawn.
Christmas will be spent with family a fire and good food.
Nothing is better.

Have a great Christmas everyone. Keep yourselves safe and I hope you get everything you never knew you wanted this year.
Loves, Tuesday Girl


*before church I am going to my favorite pizza place/restaurant to get a meatball Parmesan hero and eat it in the car before church. Then I will get a second one for another day. This is my newsest pregnancy craving and any family member that ventures to my home must bring me one to gain entry into my house.

WWBJD?

I have one small gift left to buy for my mother. I knew what I needed, packed up my coupon for the store and headed out. This particular store was farther away then I would like to travel these days but for my Mom, I made the trek. When I got in the store, I circled it a few times looking for my item or someone who could help me. Neither were easy to find. When I finally found someone they told me the item I wanted was never sold it in that store. I had mistaken this store for the store where E & I both worked as managers, and met.
The store which broke us of our spirits and made us cry before we had to go to work each day.
Lets call this store, bloodbath & beyond.

So I went to bloodbath & beyond which is right by my house but is a place I never frequent because, well, the store itself almost killed me.
I called on the way to make sure what I wanted they had in stock. Some rude old lady told me they did, but when I go there I couldn't find it. Of course the only salesperson I found was the one I had already spoken to on the phone, she pointed out what she thought I was looking for.
It wasn't it.
Of course, I wanted to kick this lady in the vagina because making a pregnant woman go from store to store and find parking and actually lap these stores looking for something that apparently bloodbath & beyond likes to dangle in front of you in its stupid catalog but is sold out of it, is just crazy. (Of course I am partly to blame in this situation, but I am pregnant and tired and cranky, therefore everyone know that the blame is to be placed on someone else.)

I asked myself "what would baby Jesus do?" and since it is his birthday we are celebrating with gifts and such, no vagina kicking is allowed.
But! On Lincoln's birthday watch out, because if one person makes a false move, I am kicking something!

Perhaps She Can Call Dr. Phil?

Wow, lots of people hate Walmart. Then why is it the biggest retailer in the U.S.? I did notice Walmart had fabu prices on pantry items, but since mine is small and doesn't have a full grocery section I never go there.

Am I the only one who laughed when they found out Jamie Lynn Spears, who is 16, is pregnant? I don't mean to be cruel, but c'mon, who raised these girls? After Britney flailed and is still flailing wouldn't you take the youngest daughter, quit show biz and Fly your asses home to Louisiana? I love it that mama Spears is writing a parenting book, which understandably has been put "on hold". What gives her any authority to write a book about anything?

I just love how Britney was the poster child for a such a "good girl" as a teen and how she was a virgin. She broke up with one good guy and her whole world has been a hot mess ever since. That girl is just a hot mess.
If you are reading this mama Spears, my advice to you is circle the wagons, my friend. Gather ALL of your family together, out of the spotlight and circle the wagons.

Target So Kicks Walmart's Ass

I do not ever go to Walmart. So when the events of last week lead me to that store not once but twice, I got to recall why my ban on Walmart exists.
What is that place anyway? It is filled with people and situations I never see in real life, while I am out and about.

I had to buy something for a gift and I had seen online that Walmart had it the cheapest and they had it in stock, big bonus. So I headed there and had a relatively easy experience. Yesterday I had to go back to return it because my sister found the same item I bought $10 cheaper. So I went to return it.

The customer service desk was located right near the front door so I entered and got on the long ass line. I was then yelled at by a young lady in a wheelchair who was pissed at me that I didn't see her with my return when I walked in the door. Was I supposed to know this rule?
I had not and I didn't even see her when I walked in. I apologized for my lack of Walmart knowledge and crisis was averted.

The aisles are crowded, there seems to be an abnormal amount of people who cannot walk unassisted and there are no prices on the shelves.
I picked up the last ponyville teapot castle for my daughter, and couldn't find a price, (surprise!) I had checked online earlier, and had seen that it was at least $10 cheaper then anywhere else. So, I brought it up to the register and it rang up regular price. I told the woman that I saw it online for a different price and asked if they didn't have the same prices online as in the store or would they match the online price I saw. She mumbled something about online to store deals but clearly had no idea of what I was asking.

I left the stupid toy there.

Seriously what is up with this store? Are all Walmarts created equally as bad?
I love my Tarjay and promise to never cheat on it with it's redneck cousin Walmart ever again!

Gross

Things that gross me out about being a mother #43589:
I found a nail clipping from one of my kids in my hair last night.
I had clipped their nails hours before that.

So gross.

New Digs!

A HUGE shout out to Ro from The Blog Cafe. She did my old template and fitted me with this new one when my old sidebard went buggy for no reason.
They have premade templates and will work with you on custom orders too. Ro is fast, amazing and didn't kill me when I stalked her aboutmy blog problem.

Thank you Ro!

Questions Unanswered

My head is spinning with worries, holiday stuff left undone, strange cravings that go as fast as they came and pregnancy brain. I have so many questions that I can't answer. Maybe you can.

Do people really think Michael Vick got too harsh or a punishment?

Why do all of my maternity tops have 3/4 sleeves? Really, all of them!

Even though it can be such a great place to live, why does NJ suck so very much sometimes?

Why would my sister own any maternity shirts with horizontal stripes?

Can my ass spread that fast? Can I blame the wide ass on these pants?

How can my daughter only be four but acts like she is fourteen? I am in real trouble when she actually becomes a teenager! I am planning my escape now.

Why would my adorable blog just get all funky on me for no reason one day? I miss you sidebar! I am sorry I cannot fix you myself.

Consumerism at it's Best

I think I need to go back to my all TV is banned rule because my four year old daughter asked for a High School Musical DVD for Christmas this morning.

Where did she get that from? And, no, she is not getting it.

The Days Run Into Each Other

Our house is officially decorated for Christmas. The garland is hung, the tree was purchased and decorated, the cookie jars are placed just so.
I am not sure why, but I decorated half heartedly this year, I just wasn't into it. Well, I can guess why.
I have kids who are very into it though and so I did it for them.

Having E home every day was nice for the first 10 days. Now? Not so much. He is bored and depressed, I am bored and depressed but I am trying to fake it for the family. If I let these recent setbacks affect me then the whole family will be in the dumps. I need to keep my mood up for E and for the baby. I hope all this worrying, stress and holiday madness does not transfer to this baby. I don't want to go into premature labor and I really want a healthy child.

How is that for a cheery Christmas update?

Lunchbox Treats

This weekend I found myself at Walmart, which is an oddity since I rarely ever enter that store. I wasn't feeling good and I wanted something to eat, the sugary, the better. I stumbled on Hostess pies! I hadn't seen them in years. It brought me right back to being in elementary school. Sometimes those pies would find its way into my lunch box as a kid.
Those were good days. Cherry was my favorite followed by lemon and apple was my sister's favorite.

Then I started thinking about all my favorite treats my mom would send for us for lunch. Those were long before the school lunches you can get in elementary school now. Although the lunches my mom prepared were always healthy occasionally we would get a "treat" with our healthy snack. Individual bags of doritos, ring dings (when they were individually wrapped in foil, the best) and homemade, tiny cherry cheesecakes. Sometimes I would even get a special note on my napkin from my mom.
I toted those special lunches with care in my metal lunch boxes* and then later, my much lighter Strawberry Shortcake or Muppet plastic lunchbox.

What was your favorite treats that you got for lunches? Did you carry them in lunchboxes or were you too cool for that and used a paper bag?



* A stupid boy named George hit me over the head with his even more stupid Star Wars metal lunchbox one day on the bus. I was in third grade and it was the only time I saw stars from an injury. What a dick.

Santa is the Best Parenting Tool I Have Right Now

My hair looks fabu and I am so thankful I don't have to stare at my roots and my greys on a daily basis. At least for another 8 weeks. My green salon was cool but different, I am now used to big huge hair salons and this one is small with a small staff. It reminded me of the NYC salons I would frequent when I was a DINK and had lots of money to spend on my hair.
I didn't have anything to eat, I have no idea why, I was hungry.

I went to the doctor's yesterday for my monthly visit and I was scared about how much weight I have gained in the past 5 weeks. You have to account for Thanksgiving and leftover Halloween candy, so I was really nervous for that stupid weigh in. I don't know why because I never look at the scale, I always avert my eyes. I can't handle the truth. I am a wuss.
My doctor didn't peep about it, so I feel fine. The only one who gave me a hard time was this nurse practitioner I see sometimes. She never had kids so I take her "advice" to lay off all fruit and I discard it as soon as it leaves her mouth.

My Mom is having her annual Christmas party tomorrow and Santa will be there. This is enough ammo for my kids to behave for the past week. I wish I thought of that sooner. I wonder if it will work for the 51 weeks after Christmas? I better not, when you get a new one that works like that you have to use it sparingly.
That is an FYI to all you new parents out there.
You are welcome.

Hair and Big Bellys

This is from my view. Feet still visible, but barely. Any day know I will be asking my kids to tie my shoes for me.
Not to self: teach children how to tie shoes.

My hair came out awesome. I have sufficient blondness to disguise my grey hairs the kids gave me. Kudos to Tara my hair girl. That now her new title: hair girl.
Also? How much do you admire me for posting this picture of myself without makeup? Really, I should win some award.
Lets hope E get s a job soon because I think botox is calling my name. Hello, forehead wrinkles!

Green Hairgasms

I didn't sleep at all last night due to the fact that the wind outside sounded like it was going to tear the roof off. That coupled with the sound of our Christmas lights banging against the house the entire night. E slept like a rock and I wonder how that is possible.

Today I am going to the salon to get a touch up on my highlights. I feel extremely guilty about this because I shouldn't spend the money on my stupid hair but my roots are horrible and I can't stand looking at myself for one more day. My colorist and stylist moved to a "green" salon where they don't use terrible chemicals and leave out the formaldehyde in nail polish and such. They used environmentally friendly building construction, have energy efficient lighting and every packaging is in recyclable materials. I am excited because I feel like I am doing my small part to help the world and because it doesn't look any more expensive then my former salon. I am also looking forward to the shampooing of my hair which will give me a hairgasm.
OK fine, I am mostly excited because I read they have "butlered hors d’oeuvres".

I will just make up for the guilt on spending money we don't have on eating my body weight in hors d'oeuvres.
That is going to be a lot of mini quiches!

It Never Stops

Me: I haven't been feeling the baby move that much yet today and its making me nervous. Do something to make the baby move.

E: Sex?

Me: Your first instinct is to have sex to make the baby move?

E: Yes.

Me: You never lose that drive in any circumstance, do you?

E: Nope.

Me: I was thinking more along the lines of putting your ipod on my stomach

E: I guess that can work too.




Sometimes I think I get men and it is exchanges like these that remind me I am clueless.

Christmas Meme

This is a Christmas meme from domestic chicky. I don't usually do memes but I really like this one and it is better then writing about how my husband fell through the attic into the garage yesterday. My blood pressure will be back to normal one day, right? Right?!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper
2. Real tree or artificial? real, I love the smell of a real tree
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually two weeks before Christmas
4. When do you take the tree down? after New Year’s
5. Do you like eggnog? It is O.K.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A Mandy Doll
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? no
8. Hardest person to buy for? My in laws
9. Easiest person to buy for? My daughter
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I never got a gift I didn't like somewhat
11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail usually, this year, email
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? usually right after thanksgiving
4. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? nope
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's roast beef
16 Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
18 Travel at Christmas or stay home? We usually stay home and for once [people come to us
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A angel, we always had an angel growing up so that is what I bought for my house
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Mean people ruining the reason of Christmas
23. Favorite Christmas tradition? Playing Christmas music and dancing as we set up and decorate our tree and house.
24. Up early or sleeping in? My kids are EARLY risers. Really Early!
25. Who hands out the gifts? E
26. Does Santa wrap your gifts? All of the gifts are wrapped.
27. Do you tell the Christmas story? No
28. Do you leave cookies for Santa? Yes, cookies and milk. He usually leave a note to the kids thanking them.

Just Another Day

I loved reading about your favorite names and name suggestions in the last post. Many of your favorites I like as well.
Being I have such a large family many of them are taken already! Really picking a name for someone to have for the rest of their life is hard for me. I wouldn't want to name our child something that E hates, but I know I have the final decision. I told him when he produces something from his body, he can name that whatever his heart desires!

*****************
We let the kids help us decorate the house for Christmas and I know E is regretting it and I am getting there. The constant touching of the musical Christmas items in our house is enough to drive anyone batty and when they touch them all at once, I want to run from the house screaming! E hates Christmas music so it is even worse for him. Most of the things we took out needed new batteries and I replaced SOME of them, but the others will have to go without until maybe next year.
There is only so much a person can take.

The Name Game

My children have decided we need their help on deciding a name for this baby. Of course I am willing to listen since I am the worst with names and so is E. We are so picky and if we make a list of baby names we like, in the end we figure out that we hate them all.
The one name we both really like for a girl is classic but has turned popular in the last few years. That turns me off to a name. I never wanted my kid to be like the 15 Jennifers in my classes, known as Jen lastinitial. That is why I am so glad I didn't name R, Emma, which is SO popular right now. She came very close to being Emma and although I like R's name I wish I went a little more traditional with her name. I love L's name though and would never change it. I couldn't it was the only boy's name we could agree on.

This time if it is a boy he will be named after my father, so that decision is made. We are still on the hunt for a girl's name and the one I really like Charlotte, E hates. He is a pest.

Here are some of my children's suggestions:
R: For a girl we could name the baby Pink or Aria (wft?)
Me: Those are nice names.
L: If it is a boy we could name him Frankie
Me: Frankie? Where did you hear that name?
L: After Frankenstein!
Me: umm, I don't think so.

So do you have any suggestions for girl's names for me, or do you have a name that you heard and was so terrible it made you laugh? I mean like naming your baby after a monster?

Cry Me a River

When you are going through a crisis (i.e. losing your job, the only income coming into a home with 2 kids and one on the way) it would be best to go through it when you are not gestating. Not that E is gestating, I am.
Of course bad things happen all the time even if they are at inopportune times, but really when my hormones are going crazy, and I cry over the fact that I hate what my husband made for dinner, it is not the best time to be supportive.

I am trying to be supportive, I really am, but I break down and cry at least once a day. I am starting to get uncomfortable in bed these days but that is not the reason I am up tossing and turning in the middle of the night. My mind wanders and I worry about something happening to the baby before the supplemental insurance kicks in, I worry we have enough money to pay our bills, I worry about buying gifts for my kids never mind my family, I worry E will never snap out of this depression. I worry about it all.

Now I wish I cried over fun things like Hallmark commercials and Bush's inappropriate facial expressions.
So, what made you laugh today? Cheer me the f&ck up!

Stupid Mistake

I am financially challenged for obvious reasons, so I decided to go and get a few things for the kids on Friday.
Yes, black Friday.
Yes, I am stupid.
E set the alarm for 5:30 and I woke up, dressed, put on some minimal makeup and drive to my local Target.
Worst. Mistake. Of. My. Life.

Those people were animals. I was not going near the electronic department but everyone else was and nearly shoved me down to get there faster then well, maybe me. Being visibly pregnant did not deter people from pushing their carts into my stomach, stepping over me and pushing. I was just there for a few toys, and these people acted like there was a pot of gold hidden somewhere in the store!
I will not do that again, those people made me sick.

Did you go out on black Friday? Is there a special something you do to not get trampled?

Thankful

I am thankful for my kids even though they woke me up very early with their fighting over something stupid.
I am thankful for my home, the one my husband and I made together.
I am thankful that my beautiful kids are sweet, caring, loving and so smart, E and I raised them. Nobody can take credit for that but us.
I am thankful we have food today and even in rough times like the one we are going through now we know we have family that would help us out so we always would have food.
I am thankful that my kids are quietly enjoying the Thanksgiving day parade.
I am thankful my entire family is healthy.
I am thankful to have a husband that worries about us so much and all he wants to do is be a great provider, I am thankful he didn't kill his boss last week because he would be in jail right now.
I am thankful for my flabby, stretch marked belly because it is currently housing a healthy fetus and provided a warm safe place for two other beautiful big babies!
I am thankful for my life no matter how many ups and downs I have. It is my life and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Turkey Day

I am glad Thanksgiving is upon us because Thanksgiving dinner is my pregnancy craving. Funny enough it was when I was pregnant with my twins also. It was much more pronounced then because I would call my mother every day confirming what we were going to have for dinner and making sure she bought enough because I wanted A LOT of leftovers and asking her opinion on dessert a million times.
I don't know how I only gained 19.5 lbs that time around!

I am a huge fan of white trash green bean casserole and sweet potatoes. Or yams, what is the difference anyway?
I also HAVE to have cranberry sauce out of a can. I will make homemade but the jellied kind out of the can with the lines on it? Well, that is just old school and that is how we kick it.
Tell me, what do you look forward to most on Thanksgiving?

Just Another Monday

My in-laws were here for a long weekend so we had some added stress with that visit. It wasn't this bad this time around because they stayed with my sister in law and her family instead of with us. Some people asked what did I end up giving my mother in law for her birthday after I put out a plea for help. I ended up giving her a gift certificate for a local knitting/fabric store. She loved it.
Thank you, peeps.

We are having Thanksgiving here at home with just the four of us this year. I didn't want to travel the 2+ hours to my family's house for dinner so I will just cook for us. E and I are looking forward to it.
We are also trying to keep our spirits up because we know this is going to be a slow week for resumes, interviews and phone screens. E is much better then he was, I did allow him a two day mope/feeling sorry for himself/woe is me/let me drink to numb the pain fest and then I cut him off. It won't do any of us any good, we are going forward now. Everyone says bigger and better will come of this and we just hope so.
He really deserves it.


Go enter my contest.

Another Day...............

Thank you guys, really. Thank you for your comments, emails and internet love. It still amazes me strangers care about my life and feel for me, but it shouldn't surprise me because I get involved in your lives too. I feel for you too.

E will get a job, hopefully soon. He is a great worker, his home office even told him he was the best in his district in a ton of areas.
The best.
But their hands were tied, she got him on something she knew he couldn't defend, something that everyone does, something that she told his district to do if they needed to, but used it against him when she had nothing else.

This is a terrible time of year for anyone to be out of work. The fact that he cannot just take any job, he needs one with a car like he had or with a huge pay increase to buy another car is tough. He is the best and he and I have been working on all the leads we can. I can't imagine the stress he is under being the sole supporter of our family. I know my stress levels are crazy.

In the meantime, we are trying to be thankful for our health, the health of our children and our little one growing in my body. We are thankful for what we have but we still just want a break in life. One year without something life altering happening. Just one.

People have asked me how they can help, just being here and lending support helps so much. Keep writing on your blogs because I need all the laughter I can get. Visit my other sites as much as you can because I get paid on visitors, maybe you can even link me up, let me know if you do and I will reciprocate.

From Bad to Worse

So after a year long witch hunt by my husband's boss she finally got him a technicality and fired him yesterday. Fired him because of something stupid, something he told HR was going to happen because he knew for months she was out to fire him. HR didn't protect him and I had to pick him up like a dog on the side of the road yesterday after she ambushed him and confiscated his computer and car.
Right before Thanksgiving, knowing I am pregnant and we have 4 year old twins.

Nice.

I have not one nice thing to say about this lady after I have been hearing for months what she says to him, how she talks to him and what goes on. She wanted the top salesman in her area fired because she didn't like that he knew what he was doing and didn't need her help every little step of the way.
he is a hard worker, never calls out sick and does his job very well, has even received awards, but I guess that doesn't matter. How did we know this was coming, well she has done it to his coworkers before.
It is taking everything I have not to go to her house and beat the crap out of her. Really.

Since neither of us have ever lost a job we had to figure out how to collect unemployment while I watch my husband push back tears wondering how he will buy Christmas gifts for his kids or how he can pay for my doctors visits.

I wonder how those things will happen too, but I have to be strong for him.


Does anyone want to hire a pregnant lady?

The No Good Very Bad Day

I am having a very stressful, worry filled day. Perfect for any pregnant woman! I can't discuss it partly because of I am not sure what I think is going to happen will happen and partly because I think if I speak of it or write it down it will come true.

Sometimes I just wish my family and I could catch a break. I really, really do. When does continuous bad luck turn into just having a crappy life?
I may very well be at that point.

Happy Monday

No real post today because my friends are coming over for a visit. One of them has never visited me in the almost 5 years I have lived here. The other two only have been here twice.
I have been up since 6am baked orange muffins, baked cheesecake brownies and finished cleaning the house.

I am already tired and it is 9:15am.

Go check out my other site and enter to win a cd!

Stinkin' Strike

Wow, you ladies go to long lengths to get groomed during your pregnancy. I am impressed. You know I think we groom more for our doctor's then our husbands, but whatever the motivation, our men have it made.

***************
Let's talk about the writers strike, shall we? It is all over the news and as disturbing as it is for me not to have my new shows on, what is more disturbing to me is the footage of these striking writers. No, I am not talking about Jay Leno bringing them bagels. (bagels? Jay, you are worth billions of dollars, hows about a full catered breakfast?)
Have you heard them chanting on the picket line?

"Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Management can’t write the show!"

"Webisodes and DVD, we won’t write ‘em, not for free!"
and my personal fav:

"We write the storyas for Eva Longoria"

Storyas??? These are writers? They can't come up with anything better?
This cannot bode well for them. No wonder Grey's Anatomy sucks this year.

Also? If Lost doesn't come back with all new episodes in February after me waiting forever, the writers are going to have more to worry about then getting paid for webisodes.

I'm just sayin'.

That is What They Mean by "Bad Times"

I know I shouldn't be so hard on myself.
I knew it was just a matter of time.
It can't be helped, it happens to the best of us.
I just didn't know it could happen to me........so soon.

It is OK to admit it, I know I am not alone. I know you, the blogging community, will support me.
People, my belly is now so big that I cannot :ahem: groom properly.
Ladies you know what I am talking about. I am not the agile woman of yesteryear and combine that with me being bigger this second pregnancy and you have yourself a potent cocktail.
Indeed.

My usual grooming habits have fallen wayside and I have now resorted to doing a blind shave in the shower. Yes, it is risky and I know it is not long before I have to give this up too. This time around I am going to have to ask for help sooner. I am going to have to send in reinforcements.
I have to get E to help me.

I felt bad about this last time around, I felt like I was making him do this heinous act. This time around, I feel like it is his duty.
It is the least he could do.
If I have to squeeze a large object out of a small hole then he can at least make it look pretty.

Can I get an amen?

Crafty Lady, I Am Not

I have told you all about my fascination with recipe books and blogs, that I like to call suburban mom porn, but I have another fetish.
Crafting blogs.

Oh, how I yearn to sew and crochet and knit like these bloggers. I want to make my kids clothes, costumes and curtains like my mom did with us. I want to make them hats, mittens and sweaters like my mother in law does for my kids. The little bit of knitting I know how to do is because my mother in law taught me, and although I will deny every saying this and erase it immediately if you try and use it against me, sometimes I wish my mother in law lived closer so she can really teach me these things.

My mother doesn't sew anymore, she is too busy. I haven't sewn anything but a missing button on pants in years. In fact I would love a sewing machine, but I never find the money to buy one, what with kids needing clothes and shoes and FOOD all of the time!

I wish one of you crafty ladies lived near me to teach me these cool things. I would love to have someone take a knitting or crocheting class with me.
Instead I wonder if I will be stuck always knitting pot holders.

My Life on the Skidz

I have said it before and I will say it again, daylight savings time is for the young and childless. For the mothers, the elderly, for the people who have to work early in the morning, and for some fathers, DST is torture.

We are going to change the subject to poop now. Don't say you haven't been warned.
Why am I having to clean poop stains from not only my son's underwear but also from my husband's? Now my son is too busy to wipe well. He has been instructed to call for an adult to wipe his hiney when a poop is involved. He does this, sometimes. Although I am with him 24 hours a day sometimes I am not aware he is pooping. Thus sometimes there is a skid mark of sorts in his underwear.
Now my husband on the other hand, is a grown man. This morning a saw a stain on his linen pants* he put on when he woke up. I guess procuring a pair of underwear before putting these pants was too much work. Thus a stain was born.
Was he embarrassed? Yes, but not enough to never let a wet fart out again, I am sure.

Please let me know that I am not the only wife and mother that has to throw away stained underwear and scrub the ones that are not that bad off.
Please tell me that skid marks are a part of your life too.


* I don't know why either.

Two Words: Jersey Hair

I just wish I could find pictures of my biggest beauty blunder. Of course growing up in the 80s there were so many to chose from. The crimped hair, the stretch pants with shirts short in the front and long in the back, keds with wigwam socks, the colored mascara (why??) the big clips we wore on the side of our heads, and the big ass Jersey hair.

Although my hair was not the biggest in New Jersey or even in my school for that matter, it still was big. I am not sure how the trend of "ratting" your hair out as far as it could go then spraying it with half a can of aqua net came from, but Jersey girls had it perfected. It required many cans of hairspray, various combs, combined with extra long bangs and a steady hand. This hairstyle was no joke. We are solely responsible for the holes in the ozone. Jersey hair was a phenomenon. It was everywhere, on MTV, in magazine heck even Madonna had Jersey hair at one point, and she was Madonna, she could do no wrong.

I look back at those pictures of myself and cringe.
Why didn't someone intervene?
Why couldn't we just say no to the hairspray?
Why couldn't we let our bangs fall as they may?

I wonder what the craze will be when my daughter becomes a teenager. I know one thing though, I will never laugh at her, because I know deep in my closet hidden below many piles of junk is proof that I was a teenager once too.
And I did not know better either.



This post was for the new book Beauty Confidential (which I will add to my Christmas list) and Parent Bloggers Network. Go check out other people's worst beauty moments. Lets hope some are worse then mine!

Halloween Fun

Candy coma. Too much fun. Send veggies to try and counteract the sugar.

Too much candy leftover. May throw it all out.

Boo

Boo!
Thank goodness no Halloween candy came in this house until last night because I have already eaten enough for a week! I also cried because E put the mini peanut butter cups in with the candy to give out instead of in the freezer for my own personal stash. Stupid hormones!

Dash and Minnie Mouse are ready to go out and get more candy then they have seen in their lives. We will be eating a bowl of veggies for lunch and dinner to combat the junk we will be eating the rest of the week. It is good that I still have my strange asparagus craving. Speaking of asparagus, how much do I need this?
Parents can't trick or treat but everyone knows we beg for our kid's candy or steal some after they go to bed. What are you hoping your kids bring home for you this year? I would love a nice Baby Ruth.
I know you want to come by my house for candy we are giving away full size candy bars. Coveted by every trick or treater!

*Check back later for our trick or treat pictures. Also you can get Halloween tips and tricks here and don't forget to leave me your ghostly experiences here.

Scare Me

Yeah. I couldn't see any genitalia of any sort. Oh well, only 20 more weeks to go before we find out.

I love this time of year because there are great scary movies and haunted house shows on television. I love that stuff and always have. I am the girl who would scare herself to death by reading scary books while babysitting alone in a strange house. I have no idea why I would do that to myself but I loved to be scared. Now that I am older and slightly wiser, real life is scary enough so I try to slow down on the scary movies, but a good ghost story always thrills me.
I have never had any real ghostly experience but of course some of you have right?
Scare me, tell me about your ghostly experiences.

20 Weeks

Yesterday we went to this fine place. Storybook land is an amusement park for younger kids with rides they can all go on, especially my tall kids, they met all the height requirements. Having there been some height restriction failures in the past, I know how distraught they can be when denied access to a ride.
This was our first time at this particular park and the kids had a ball but I have to say some of the attractions were creepy.
It is an older park, so things are not brand new but there is something about an old stuffed animal wolf who "comes to life" to tell how he ate Grandma and is now dressed in her nightgown.
No wonder kids have nightmares.

Tonight is my 20 week ultrasound. This parasite and I have made it halfway through and it was rough but here we are. It feels like I have been pregnant forever.
We decided when we had the twins that if we ever had another child, we would not want to know the sex of the baby.
That is terrific in theory. I am a person who needs everything to be just right. I am a planner, a thinker, a person who worries that if we do not find out the sex of this baby how on Earth will I know what clothes to wash or which color crib sheets to buy? My husband, the kind soul, told me to find out but just not tell him.
How would that work out? It wouldn't.

So tonight we will go and make sure our baby is growing OK, the heart is beating, and the baby is healthy. I will of course, be checking out genitalia. That is if I can see or tell anything, something I have no hope in. I couldn't even tell I had two babies my very first ultrasound, it could have been a cat's ultrasound for all I know.
Did you find out your baby's sex and why or why not?

Checkup

My doctors want me to rest because of the pains I have been having. No lifting, no picking up my kids, no sex (ouch) and resting as much as I can for the next week until my next checkup.
Oh, and I gained 6lbs in 1 month. I celebrated by eating a piece of cheesecake after my salad. What a disgusting big fatty I am!

I am depressed about my weight now and I guess it will stay that was until after this baby comes out.
Lets hope it is a REALLY big baby and along with that lets also hope I decide to have a C section.

On Such a Rainy Day

I am so glad to hear that my body will never be just mine again. So reassuring.

Speaking of poking and prodding around my bod, I am going to a doctor's appointment today (I know you thought I was going to get dirty, ha, I tricked you), my scheduled appointment isn't until Tuesday, but I have been having bad pains in my stomach and back all day.
I shouldn't say ALL day because it goes away when I lay down but when I stand up or do anything, it is back.
Of course now that I turned into one of those pregnant ladies, you know the ones who call for any little stupid thing, I am sure the pains will go away.
I want to be safe so I will go.
I actually have been worrying because I have not felt the baby move yet. My 20 week ultrasound is not until Monday but it will be reassuring to hear the heartbeat today.

It is always nice to hear a heartbeat.

Can My Boobs Ever Be Just Mine?

Thank you guys for your gift suggestions on my last post. There are some great ideas that I think I will use this upcoming year.
I also think I have to just remind myself that maybe she will never like my gifts or me. Is that OK? Well, it will have to be because I can't control it.

Of course there are far worse mother in laws out there then mine. But I do have to give up my dream in law situation because that is just not the family I married into.

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

My daughter pokes my boobs every morning and says "wow, Mom, your baby is getting so big"
Then I explain (again) that the baby is growing way south of where she is poking.
It makes me wonder when will I get my body back and when do people stop poking my breasts and inspecting my body?

Accept My Gifts, Accept Me

It is that time of year again, the one I dread. No, it is not because Halloween is around the corner, and it is not that the leaves are falling. What is upcoming is worse then Thanksgiving with no cranberry sauce.
It is my mother in law's birthday.

This year my in laws will be here in NJ for her birthday. Every year since I have dated E, I have given her gifts for mother's day, christmas and her birthday. Every year I get shot down. I fail. I don't get "it".

Cardigans like I always see her wear? I get a "that is nice".
Perfume? She doesn't wear it.
New Knife set? (I know, I was reaching) Nada.
Golf shirts? Wrong size
Manicure/pedicure/ massage gift certificate? She doesn't like anyone touching her body.
Custom made gorgeous topiary for her house? How will she get it home on the plane?
Let E buy the gift? He is as clueless about his mom as I am.
Pictures of the kids? BINGO

Pictures of our kids have been a popular and well loved gift since our kids were born. Of course they would be, she is a doting Grandmother.
I have given these gifts in every form: framed, personalized books, photo albums and collages. I think her comment last time I spoke to her was " I am running out of room on my walls and tables" was a hint to knock off the prints. You cannot blame me though, I was on a roll, she finally liked my gifts.
If she liked my gifts that means she liked me, right?

I want my mother in law to like me. I have know idea why after some of the things I heard her say about me. I know I am a good person, I am a good wife, I love her son and I know I am a good mother.
It must be hard to have another woman in your son's life, I am not looking forward to it myself, but don't you want your son to be happy?
I guess at the root of it, I just want to be accepted.

Now, now my friends, I have a dilemma. her birthday is in three weeks and I am desperate. I turn to you wise, internets for help. What should I get my mother in law for her birthday? She is retired, lives in Florida, likes chicken "things", likes to play golf, knits, doesn't wear makeup or perfume, is active, likes bad TV sitcoms and has three kids and four grand kids.
Any ideas?

Sniffing Markers

I was reading a post over at Kerflop where she was writing about her love of all things paper. She reminded me of those markers that you had in grammar school. You know the ones, that came in a styrofoam case and smelled like fruits? I remember just sucking up as much smell as I could be cause they smelled SO GOOD AND FRUIT LIKE. I am sure me snuffing marker fumes did nothing for my overall health but oh how I loved using those markers and always wanted a set for home but I never saw them in any stores.
I can smell them right now and it brings me back to my elementary school art room.

Other things that can transport me back to being young and where days were strictly spent playing are silly putty, play doh and anything with a heavy plastic smell reminds me of baby dolls at Christmas.
Lazy days of watching shirt tails, playing with my non ho dressing Barbies, higlights magazine, coveting of Gloria Vanderbilt and (oh, la, la) Sassoon jeans and licking our ring pops. We also loved rubber bracelets and would wear them all up our arms in all colors but black was the best and big clips on one side of our head.

All of these things are still fresh in my mind and it makes me wonder what fads, shows and smells will remind my children of their childhood. I am sure Dora will be in there somewhere.
So, I want to know, what smells bring your right back to childhood or what was your favorite childhood "thing"?

My Kids Crack Me Up

E: what kind of cake should we get Grandma for her birthday?

L: Lets get her ice cream

R: I know what grandmas favorite kind of ice cream is!

E: what kind?

R: Rock N rolled!

(she means rocky road)

Just Another Random Tuesday

I have many things swirling around my head today it is hard to formulate thoughts. Can you say, pregnancy brain? The only one thing I can continuously think about is cooking and baking. This season brings it out in me, the farmers markets, the crisp air, apple picking the festivals. I love it all. This weekend I made delicious and fairly nutritious pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, easy quick(er) lasagna and beef stew. My family is loving me right now.

Today I called Canon just to see if I could troubleshoot this problem I am having with my digital before I bought a new one. The good news is that they will fix it for me for free! The bad news is the "customer service" rep was a dick and was eating(!) while he was talking to me. If I wasn't overjoyed they were fixing my phone for free I would have said something about him chewing in my ear.

I have to pick something out of Jessica Seinfeld's new book to make for a review I am scheduled to do on Thursday. I really am not excited about going to the market again this week for ingredients, but I am in the market for some lemon blueberry muffins or an apple tart, so I will go.

I have a favor to ask of the ladies, if you would like to share what to expect after a vaginal birth with me over here, I would appreciate it. Believe me, there will be more vagina question from me in the future and you will have to give it up.
The info not the vagina.

Playdates

"Mom, can you help me write something" L said as he carried a blue crayon and a post it into my office.

"sure, what is it that you want to write" I asked.

"Playdate for L" he replied very seriously

I took his small hand in mine and wrote the letters slowly so he understood how each were meant to be written stopping briefly to steal some kisses.

"there, all done" I said
"what did you want to write that for?"

"I want to put it outside so everyone can see it and have a playdate with me"


My heart went into my stomach as I blinked back the tears. "great idea" I said.
He skipped out of the room to show his sister and I started to cry.
Hard.

E and I made a life here, without our family & friends because we had no choice. I joined the local gymboree, the kid's gym, took them to the park, brought them to preschool, all the things good mothers do. The kids made friends, I made acquaintances.

I have no idea how they heard the term "playdate" but I know they want friends to come over, to have someone other then themselves and me to play with. To finally be the one to show off their toys instead of always playing at other people's homes. It made me feel like a failure. I felt like a terrible mother.
I felt like shit.

I know my kids are smart and healthy and will continue to thrive even if they never had a playdate. I know setting up dates to play is a contrived, new idea in motherhood, one that I am not even completely comfortable with.
Still, at the heart of it my son wanted something that I did not provide for him. He wants to put a note on our house so other kids can come and play with him.
Just writing about it makes me want to start crying again. My sweet son.
I want to give him that.
I want to give him everything.

Pants Off Dance Off

I was perusing my yellowpages this morning for some tap shoes for my daughter, R. I am having a hard time finding them for young girls, which surprises me because she has some big feet.
So there I was between Miss Sally's Dance Shop and The Shoe String when I see Exzotica- For exotic dance wear and adult novelties.

WTF? Who need exotic dance wear? Strippers? Because, I always assumed they just cut strategically placed holes in ugly bathing suits. I means these girls actually pay money for those hooker outfits? Someone is in the business of designing such monstrosities? Wow.
I am sure someone is glad they sell adult novelties there also. I just hate to make two stops when I need crotchless dance wear AND a glow in the dark, waterproof, 14 speed vibrator.

Bra Blues

My breasts are so big at this point it is a huge task for me to wrangle them into a bra every day. I end up sweating and cursing under my breath. I am in denial about their larger size but when E walked into R's dance class yesterday and his eyes pooped out of his head upon seeing me, I can't deny it even more. Also? His "whispering" "your breasts are SO big today", in a room full of mothers, does not help.

Truth is I have always had an ample bosom, as my grandmother would say. I went from no boobs to a C cup in what seemed like months. I always was fairly proportionate so it wasn't a gross display. I am not one of those women who show off their breasts every chance they get either. I love a nice, supportive bra and believe me, I need a supportive bra. I can only hope I can find one that will expand with my ever growing boobs, but really can they get any bigger?
Wait!
Don't answer that.

I am too scared to know the truth.
Instead you can just find me lifting and stuffing, working up a sweat every single bloody morning.

Ebb and Flow

I feel so restless these days. I am bored but do not want to start a new project. I want to do something, although I have no idea what that "something" is.
I get like this once in awhile, I feel like I am tossing and turning in bed even when I am awake. I go through the motions but I want more out of my days.

I crave adventures and surprises. I want to finish old projects and start new ones. I want to remember all of the things I still have to do around the house without giving myself an aneurysm trying to remember what they are (thank you, pregnancy brain).
When I go to cross something off of my list it is not a good time to buy all the supplies I need, when the extra money is available, I am not in the mood.
Please tell me I am not the only person who goes through this ebb and flow of life?

I want to start two new books I have, but I am not into them instead choosing to wander around my mom porn web sites. I want to start a pregnancy journal even at this late stage but I still haven't found one I like. I hope these are purely hormonal changes and I will be back to my project loving/baking/cooking/cleaning self soon.
Well....... maybe I can hold off on the cleaning part.

Mistakes and Accidents

The worst thing I do as a parent, as a person, a mistake I make every other week is bringing my kids with me while I go grocery shopping. It is a cruel punishment I inflict on myself week after week never learning a lesson.
Sometimes waiting until E gets home and getting to the grocery store at 4pm and then rushing home in traffic and making dinner the minute I step in the door is a terrible choice too.

My kids don't want to be at the store, I can't concentrate, I always end up forgetting things and yelling at them for acting up. It is a vicious cycle and I refuse to bring them unless I need 1 or 2 things, ever again.
They were fooling around enough to miss out on making caramel apples with me today.
I, just earned 2 free early, early afternoon coctails, too bad I cannot use them in my condition.

****
On our way to karate yesterday (L loves it!) a women hit my car from behind. She was just rolling and the kids and I were OK, but it shook me up anyway. My neck hurt right from the start but has been fine since last night. Thank goodness for seat belts!
There was no damage to my car except a bent license plate, and for that I am thankful.

Suburban Mom Porn

I discovered something about myself this weekend. Something I tried to deny for awhile, I never thought I would be that obsessed with it but it is time to admit that I truly am.
I love porn.

There, I said it. Not your regular hotel porn, or playboy magazines, I have my own porn and it is: recipe blogs.
I have written before about how I love food and recipe magazines but I have moved on to recipe blogs and websites. I have my own, although it is shanty, and does not compare to those I read religiously.
I pour over the recipes that look and sound so good. I will go back to them over and over. I am not an expert baker or cook by any means. I love to cook good things for my family as much as I love to eat them. I love to try new things, and I love all types of foods. I aspire to make more complex things and to bake my children birthday cakes that look as good as the ones we order from the bakery.

So I love foodie porn, what's it to you? I know there are worse things to be addicted to.
What is one thing you like a little too much?

Slumber Time

I couldn't be happier that E comes home tonight. I need some sleep!
I really can't complain because my kids have been sleeping like angels since we took them out of their toddler beds (it was about time, R was so long her feet were through the slats!) and put them into their "big boy & girl" full size beds. In their own rooms.
I thought that sleeping apart would be harder for them then it was. They had resisted the idea before and I know they depend on each other for security. They took it like troopers though, and are sleeping great.
That is, except that they have E's sleeping habits which means at least one child wakes up by 6:30 am every day. It is usually my early-to-rise son.
No matter what time you put him to bed he is up by 6:30. So why put them in bed later then 7pm? I don't and I never have. Actually, my kids went to bed by 6pm for more then 2 years with a nap during the day!


Anyway, I am needing some more sleep and E coming home will give me that. Not to mention I miss that man.
So do his kids. We really miss him.

Points of the Day

Delurk today and say hi!

How about I bullet point some items for you today? Too bad, I am doing it anyway.

• R starts ballet today and she is the most excited 4 year old I have ever seen. Today may be better then her meeting with Aurora.


• Pregnancy has so many gross facets, it is no wonder they never mention them in any pregnancy books. Seriously, some really gross things go on!


• I just heard that two of the five most fattening fall treats are the things I have had already this season. Oops! Starbucks pumpkin spice latte and apple cider. I am living on apple cider right now. I have to quit you, delicious, yummy cider, I don't want to get gestational diabetes.


• I am super excited for all the haunted houses/hay rides/prisons around here this time of year. I feel like I am 10 years old again. I want to go to all of them.


• Pregnancy craving of the day: asparagus

Love is TiVo

Sweet lord! My kids have figured out how to pause TiVo and it is the end of the world as we know it. They are allowed to watch a couple of shows in the morning ( and more then that when Daddy's away so mommy can rest in bed!) and now they pause the television to go and eat breakfast.
Even my four year old children know that eating a yogurt in the kitchen will ruin the ending of Little Einsteins or Sesame Street! Like, duh?!


Overheard today:
R: Mom do you ever say "fucking shit?"
Me: "Um......what? Um. Uuuumm. Don't say that!"
In my head: Fucking shit!!!!!!!!!

I Alone

Did I mention that E is going away for business this week? He is, and I am bummed. It is just he and I in this parenting thing, I do not have family or friends close by to get breaks or to visit so when he leaves, it is just me and the kids.
It is lonely.

I feel like a failure to even admit that. I am lonely, I depend too much on my husband for help and for companionship. He is it for me on a daily basis. Sure I talk to my friends and family daily and I can write here as an outlet, but it is just not the same. I am a pack animal, I need my peeps to make me happy. I rarely want to be alone. I am a person that needs people.
Does that make me strange? No, but it is not something I particularly like about myself either. I want to be stronger, more independent, like to be alone with myself more.

What is it about yourself that you would change if you could?

Then go check out my post on banning portable love.

Fur Baby

Really, how many injustices can Scout the cat endure?

This isn't the first time he had to be strolled around the house, it is the 8374 time.
That we know of. You would think a good mom would know her baby has exceeded all weight limits for this stroller!
Pffftt

A Girl Can Dream

I have always been a big drinker. I drink all day long, I always have a full glass in the kitchen and I always bring one to bed at night. I love to drink. That may not be surprising to any of you but what might shock you is that what is in my cup is usually water or juice not alcohol.
I know you presumed otherwise!

So I am a huge fan of liquids. I need a full glass when I sit down to dinner while it is not uncommon for E to sit down without a cup and not even get up parched after eating his meal. What is that about?

With all this drinking comes peeing. I am a person who goes to the bathroom often due to the water consumption. They go hand in hand, so I really cannot complain. What I can complain about is the fact that I have to go to the bathroom at least 15 times a day since I became pregnant. Last night I was up at least three times. I try and go right before I fall asleep, and I always go at least by 7am and during the night? I am lucky if I wake up one time.
So frickin lucky.

I went to the bathroom often when I was pregnant with the twins, but a bit later in the pregnancy when the kids were doing the jig on my bladder (as witnessed on ultrasounds!), not from week 4. If you have been reading this blog for awhile you will know I am germ phobic and a public restroom is my worst nightmare. I know it is just a matter of time before I am hitting up every public restroom in sight if I leave the house for longer then 20 minutes.
I dread that time.

Really, what pregnant women need are "pregnant lady" public restrooms. With a large door to fit our big asses through and high toilets so we can actually get off of the seat with ease!
We would promise to keep it very clean for each other and we would have Tide to go pens in there so we can wipe off the stains we make on our shirts because our stomach no longer fits under any table, or allows us to get within 3 feet of said table. We could have skinny mirrors that made us all look as pretty as we were pre-pregnancy! We would have a massuesse to rub our tired backs while we are washing our hands. We would nod in pasing when one of us sneezed because we knew that she just peed in her pants a little.
Then she would nod back when we coughed because she knew we just did the same.
Life, would be wonderful.

1974

I saw this on a blog awhile ago (I am not sure which one) and I thought I would try it. I put in the year of my birth 1974 into google images and looky what it spit out:

I have no idea who this baseball player is. I do know my sister and I would collect baseball cards when we were little because all the boys on my street did. Plus the gum rocked. I guess they were all thrown out at some point, you would thing some would be worth quite a bit of money now.

I really love Lucy. I still watch I Love Lucy reruns on the weekend. E can't stand it because he hates all black & white shows. He thinks none of them are funny.

He is wrong about my Lucy.

Who doesn't love Chicago? The band not the city. I mean Chicago is a lonely teenage girl's dream. Songs about unrequited love, lost love, love that never was. Some good ice cream, candles, tissues and Chicago Greatest Hits cd and you can never go wrong.

I worked with some people who were all into the Rocky Horror Picture Show when I was in my early 20s. They all dressed up and acted the movie out on the stage as the movie was playing. If you have never been to this show, you should once. If you liked being sprayed with water, toilet papered, forced to dance in public and love looking like the most normal person in the room.

RGB

Ive hundred years ago Domestic Chicky deemed me worthy of this award:





So sweet of you Chicky! I will follow tradition and send this to 3 of my many favorite female bloggers.
Twisted Chick is a rocking female. She has great advice and from reading her blog it makes me know I could stop by her house for dinner with no notice and she would welcome me in.

Kristin is honest and is a wonderful mom and wife. I wish she lived next door.

Amanda and I have so much in common it is a shame she lives 3,000 miles away. She would make an awesome drinking buddy and I would never mind a play date with her.

Now go forth and nominate.


I have had my two year old nephew here since Friday, therefore I am even more tired then I thought ever possible. Add a birthday party, some hardcore cleaning, a visit to the local farm and crabby kids this weekend and you can just imagine how fun my life has been.
Oh and my newest pregnancy craving....champagne. Strange, no?

You're Still The One

September 22, 2000.
We vowed to stay together forever.
Seven years down, forever to go.

I love you.

If I Wanted Seeds I Would Buy a Packet

I got my hair all done up pretty fancy and I feel like a million bucks.
Well maybe half of a million on account of these constipation issues. Don't want to hear about my constipation? Aww shucks.

For those of you who asked, I am 14 weeks and I am due March 19, but we will try and shoot slightly earlier. I am NOT going to talk about this pregnancy/baby every day, I promise. What I cannot promise you though, is that my posts won't have me complaining, asking for baby name help and the general grossness that happens to your bod when you are pregnant.
You can't say I didn't warn you.

For now, lets discuss watermelon. I bought some the other day and there were no seedless watermelon left. I wondered if there is seedless watermelon and watermelon full of seed, who is buying the seeded one? Who picks up the one with seeds over the one without? Why are we even selling seeded watermelons at all?
I have to contact someone because the seeds in my watermelon are ruining the whole experience for me, and to be honest, I find it quite outrageous.
What is getting on your nerves today?

ONE!

Thank you for all of your congratulations, we feel very blessed.
Do you know what I am VERY happy about? That there is only ONE baby. ONE, people, how great is that? I was very scared that there was going to be more then one with good reason, I have never been pregnant with just one. I made the ultrasound technician swear there was only one baby and then made another technician swear on her swear. I wanted them to check all crevices where a second baby could hide.
Just one. The best two words ever spoken at an ultrasound.

One of the worst parts of being pregnant is my roots. I don't highlight my hair the first trimester, so today is the day where I get these pesky roots taken care of. I am also going to lop off a couple of inches, I can't deal with this long hair anymore. I LOVE my hairdresser and I love getting to chat with her. She always gives me the scoop on the best places to go out to eat and all the cool places to hit. As much as a pregnant mother of two can be "seen" at cool places.
Obviously at this point in my life it is the little things that make me happy.

Our Journey

When I first met E, I never wanted to date him. I was over dating people I worked with, I had been there and done that and it didn't work. I became friends with him and quickly I feel head over heels in love with him. It was fast for both of us, we worked 14 hours a day together and then we would go out for drinks. We couldn't spend enough time together.



We were engaged two years after we started dating and married 1.5 years after that. Life was easy, living together was easy. E is not a hard man to live with, he is neat and thoughtful. He will clean the cat litter for me because I gag and I will iron his shirts for him because it bothers me that he does one a day instead of doing them all once a week. I will get a new battery for his watch because he can't find the time to do it for 2 years. He will scrub toilets and cook dinner when I just can't do it one more time.



I never though marriage was work, it just wasn't like that for us. I was wrong, it is work. Hard work. We have done a lot of that hard work this year. Our marriage is worth it and so is our family. We have had deaths, health scares, a miscarriage, moves and enough crap for one lifetime already.

That should mean we have had our share and the rest of our lives should be smooth sailing, right? Well, we can hope.

We are always open to a new chapter in our lives.

Fortunately we just turned our page and our new chapter is starting. You will be along for the journey.



We are expecting a new baby next year.

Life With Kids

My daughter had an amazing time meeting Sleeping Beauty. "this is the best day of my life" I think was her exact quote. She is the tall one with her back to the camera. The next day she got to meet Barbie, and preview the movie Barbie, Island Princess. She really had the greatest weekend a four year old could have. Top that off with TWO carnivals we attended this weekend and both of my kids were officially in heaven. E & I were too, it was a great family weekend.

Speaking of E here is a sample of a typical conversation we have:
Me: would you rather lose your penis or a leg?
E: a leg
Me: would you rather lose your penis or your hearing
E: hmm (pondering)
Me: Why wouldn't you save your leg, you are done with having kids and really you have had sex many times in your life, do you really need to have more? Isn't that greedy? You have been there done that.
E: point taken.

What if You Got to Meet Your Idol?

Today is an exciting day in the Tuesday household, we are going to meet Aurora. Don't know who Princess Aurora is? Well then you must not have a little girl who is obsessed with Disney princesses. Aurora is sleeping beauty, you silly little freaks.

Today one of us, (not me, shucks!) will dress up in an elaborate Aurora costume and get to meet her idol. The excitement is palpable.
I promise to post pictures. I have to go curl hair and lay out costumes and shoe choices.



Oh and I need some advice, please help.

Open Letters to God

Dear God,
Why can't I poop? Ever?
Love, Tuesday

Dear God,

Why is Kanye so bitter? He is famous, rich and told people the truth about Bush. He can even sing with his jaw wired shut! Why does he want a silly moon man trophy so bad, doesn't he have it all?
Please cheer him up.
Love, Tuesday

Dear God,
Why does my daughter talk oh so very much? She just never stops talking God. Is this a punishment for that caramel I stole from the pharmacy down the street when I was 7? Because you know, I never ate that caramel God, I was so guilt ridden.
Is it because I lie about my age when I take surveys? I never thought it really mattered to check a box below the age group box I am really in. Everyone lies about their age.
Anywhooooo, Can you make my daughter quiet down a little, like maybe she can only talk 15 hours of the day instead of 19?
Thank you!
Love, Tuesday

My Favorite New Video

Have you seen this?

Now I know who I want to invite over for Thanksgiving dinner.

But it Gets There in 30 Minutes or Less!

Have you seen the commercial for Dominos' Oreo dessert pizza? Can you explain to me how that is appetising in the least? Who is ordering this and are they wondering why they are fat?

I never order pizza like Dominos or Pizza hut because to me it is not real pizza. I live in NJ where some of the best Italian food in the country is, where pizza places are on every corner and it is amazing, not cardboard with sauce and fake cheese. I can understand why people who do not have such access to great pizza may order a pizza from places like Dominos, but they are just going over the edge with this orea pizza. Hot oreos? Gross.
What is next, twinkie lasagna?

Experiments in Sleep

I am about to go all mommyblogger on you now, so hold on.
I am a good mom, I am fair but strict. One of the things I have always been strict about was our schedule. It is because when I brought these two extra large shrimps home from the hospital, I was alone. E had to go back to work a little early, my mother in law left and my mom had to go back to work.
So, I had to get my babies on a routine that I could do alone. Bed/sleep time is one of those.

I have a confession to make: I have given up on naps.
My kids napped twice a day until they were about 18 months, then they went to one afternoon nap, right after lunch. It was perfect, time for me to get things done, relax, make calls etc. and they were on the edge by that time of day.
Now they are 4.5 and as many of their peers have abandoned naps a long time ago, I believe most children still need them. I napped until I was in 1st grade, and I needed it. I still went to be early as my kids do. If I don't put them in for a nap, they are in bed by 7:30 the latest.
I have just been slightly more busy lately and we are sometimes out when it is nap time, or too late to get them in for one.

I would love for them to still nap, and some days I put them in for one because I am on the verge of mixing pills and liquor. As for now, we are nap free and living on the edge.

The edge of sanity.

Black is the New Black

Since having children you can say I have been in a slump fashion wise. I don't go out in sweatpants or clothes with holes in them but I always go to my "standard" outfit. Jeans/pants/shorts/capris and a black top. My favorite color to buy anything in is black. I consider it my signature color.

You know how it is when you are a new mom, you don't have the time or energy to buy new clothes. When you can go shopping you buy clothes for the baby. You are not working anymore, so you can wear all of your comfy clothes every day. What a revelation!

Believe me, I have some fashion DO NOTS in my closet but I wanted to share with you my "blacks".

These are my black shirts from my closet. There are many more in my drawers but I think you get the picture. If I find a shirt I like in black, I buy two so I have a spare. I admit it, it is easy to pull out my black shirt and pair it with anything and go. I think I need to get out of my rut and get some color in my closet, maybe something in grey............


This post was brought to you by Parent Bloggers Network and the new book, The Little black Book of Style. Do you think Nina Garcia's new book has any advice for a black-a-holic like myself?

Long and Short of It

I am overdue for a touch up of my highlights and a cut and I am debating what to do. I went grey early partly due to my parents both going grey early and my pregnancy which whipped my follicles up in a frenzy and they all started going grey on me. Terrible!
I usually go a little bit lighter then my natural hair color to mask my greys until I have so many I need to dye my hair every stupid month. I am sure I will do the same on this trip. As for my hair cut, I am thinking of cutting my hair short again.
I go from long to short, to long again from the time I was 20. I always had long hair, but shorter hair is so much easier especially in the winter because it takes me 30 minutes to fully blow dry my thick hair. Who has that time? My hair now is to the middle of my back, I like it long and so does my husband but it really becomes a pain sometimes. I wonder when you have to stop having long hair. I mean you never see older women with long hair, it is like some unwritten rule. Is that something you do in your mid forties? Fifty? At what age do you think you have to go appropriately short?
Is this post about my hair as boring as I think it is?

I am sure that it is, but I am not feeling well and sometimes you have to take what you get!

It is 8:25, Have You Fed Your Giraffe Today?

Dogs

I was at the grocery store with the kids the other day and my daughter spotted a dog in the store. I looked expecting to see someone carrying a purse dog, but instead I saw a big seeing eye dog. This brought up many questions for me.

This woman with the seeing eye dog was alone, there seemed to be nobody with her or following her. She had to only be partially blind because if she was blind, how would she know what to buy? The dog certainly was no help with that.
Why was the dog wearing a jacket with a ton of pockets? What was he carrying with him? The most important question I have, was how did she get there?
I prayed she wasn't driving, I would rather have the specially trained dog drive.

Speaking of dogs, we went to a small zoo yesterday which also is attached to a dog breeder. We have a philosophy in this family, we never pay for dogs, there are too many that need homes, we don't believe in pet stores and even breeders are iffy with us. BUT, I fell in love with this Pomeranian puppy. I have always had medium to large size dogs, I was never a small dog person but this tiny Pomeranian melted my heart. Her face was the size as a quarter! Her paws were so tiny. Her price tag melted my wallet ($1200).
Will I ever find a Pomeranian puppy in a shelter? Probably not, so I will have to get myself a mutt from the shelter when the time is right.
Good thing I love mutts and saving lives.

A Life Worth Living

I watched a documentary on Wednesday night called Crazy Sexy Cancer. Really I only watched the middle, I had missed the beginning and didn't watch the end because E came to bed and I thought I could tape it when it was on again, so I can see it in its entirety. Bad move on my part because it is not airing again as far as I and Tivo can tell.

It was about a 31 year old single woman who was diagnosed with a rare and incurable cancer. She was told it was slow growing, but incurable. Eventually she would die from it. Just for a second, try and imagine that.

I wondered what I would do faced with this knowledge. Would I use my fight or flight instincts? Could I live the rest of my life, however long, with the thought that nobody would want to be my partner in life. Who would want to marry damaged good with an expiration date? Would I look for alternative means to help save my life? Would I ever find peace in knowing that there will be an end, and I have lived my life, however short, the way I wanted.

Faced with your own mortality maybe would get people to do what they always wanted, but put off. Climb a mountain, dive from an airplane, learn to speak another language, tour the world. Soak everything in, so as to try to remember all your sights in eternity.
Why can't we live like that now? As if every day was our last? It is great in theory but that is not who we are, mundane life gets in the way, chores, work, just....life.

No matter how long you live, especially for people who have died so very young, could it ever be enough? Could you have lived enough, experienced enough, touched enough lives? That is what I think the filmmaker was going for, to leave her own legacy, to say "you are not alone" to so many other people out there, to make you think. It certainly made me think about how I want to live my life. It was a fantastic film and I really hope the air it again.

So, I ask you besides spending time with your family, which is obvious, what is one thing you would you do, if you had all the resources, before you die?



I know by your comments on my last post you peeps think I am depressed, I am not, I am just in an extreme lazy period. Akin to Picasso's blue period. I am a true artist at laziness.
If that depression commercial doesn't make you feel well, depressed, I want whatever you are drinking, because no matter how good of a mood I am in, it is depressing as hell!