I am a raging stalker

If you went to Blogher this past weekend, first, you suck. Second, if you see a bazillion page hits they were from me. I stalked anyone I knew was going, hoping they were going to write tiny little updates during the day. I wanted to be there so bad! Next year I am going. I swear. Even if it's in Hawaii. Sweet! It totally should be in Hawaii because, Awesome!

Instead of posting pictures of myself drinking with a bunch of cool internets, I am posting pictures of my daughter. With dirty pants. Playing with her boyfriend Kael. Who was born the same day. Enjoy!

Kind of like a choose your own adventure from 5th grade Reading.

Hi. Remember me? Last week was kind of like spending a week in hell that I kept hoping would end. Harper started to decide that sleeping was totally over-rated. She just didn't want to have any part of it. It was driving me insane!

One of my favorite things to do here in the summer is going to these local family concerts. They are just these little concerts with small time performers that are almost always pretty good. There are always people I know there and it is just kind of nice to be able to get out of the house and talk to adults while listening to music. These concerts are also on the nights that Pedro plays basketball. Except basketball goes all year and the concerts are for 2 months. Are you seeing where this is going? Last Wednesday we went to the concert for a half an hour then we left so Pedro could make is game.

Pedro came hobbling in the house less than an hour later. He wrecked his ankle. Bad. I was having a hard time being sympathetic. Even more, it was downright annoying.

"Ow, ow, ouch."

"Hmmm? You got hurt again?"

"Yeah, bad! Ow, ow, ow. Probably the worst ever, ow, ouch."

"Okay. Enough with the ow stuff. I think you've said "ouch" 247 times since you walked in the door. I understand it hurts."

" I listened to you say that for 9 hours!"

"What?! When?"

"When you were in labor."

OH NO HE DIDN'T!

Oh Yes. Yes he did. Isn't it written somewhere that a man is never allowed to compare his pain to that of childbirth, Un-freaking-medicated!? Unless of course he has had the unique opportunity of shooting golf balls out of his pee-hole, which? Doesn't happen ever!

So today we are one week after the incident. Pedro has been to the Dr, has been referred to a Bone and Joint specialist and still has no answers except that he is in fact sporting one hell of a cankle.

Harper on the other hand is super sick. We think it is from all her floor licking. She licks every surface before she'll crawl on it. Strange, no? She gets it from Pedro. All she has is a runny/stuffy nose but it is severe. Last night I finally got her to sleep some time after 1 am. She was up probably 3 more times during the night and up for the day at 6 am. Party! I have not complained once about being tired today. Pedro? Every single time I talk to him it is about how tired he is after the "rough night". I am pretty sure he hasn't started lactating and it wasn't his boob she tried to soothe herself with all night long, but I cold be wrong. Wow, is he in my list today. It's a good thing he looks so good in his Speedo or I may have already gotten rid of him!

Pimpin' out the fam.

We made the cut! A bunch of our family pictures are up on this website. They are in the family gallery, #20 and up. I don't think I've posted any of them that are up at Grace in Design so take a look and tell Megan she took totally awesome pictures.

I've got more to tell you later, once I finish my post I started 3 days ago. I love chaos!

Recipe Anyone?

I made this salad on Sunday and it was FAB. I am not a huge bean person but something about the combination of things in this salad made this so tasty and summery. It started as a "bumblebee salad" but I tweaked it so I'll give you my recipe.

Confetti Salad- cause it's like a party in your mouth! ( no cheese just corn-iness!)

1 can black beans
1 can garbanzo beans
1 bag frozen corn (get good frozen corn)
I green or red pepper chopped fine
1 red onion chopped fine
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tbs. olive oil
salt and pepper

Drain and rinse beans and corn in colander. Chop onion and pepper so everything is roughly the same size ( as beans and corn). Chop fresh cilantro. Throw everything into a big bowl and add oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss and refrigerate.

I was skeptical with the lack of seasoning and almost added some of my own, but it needs nothing extra. It is seriously a great salad and very healthy. Mason couldn't get enough of it, and I ate it on tortilla chips the next day. Go on and try it, then tell me how much you loved it!

Do I need to mention what day it is?

Have I ever mentioned how superstitious I am? I am crazy superstitious. I believe in Karma 110%, or for the religious ones out there my friends mother-in-law says, "God'll get ya!" Or for the lay person, What goes around comes around.

I would have a nervous break down if I ever broke a mirror because Good God, 7 years of bad luck! When things have been going really well in my life, there is always a tiny little spot in the back of my head waiting for my luck to run out. It's kind of sad isn't it?

About a week after I had Harper I walked down to the park across the street. I met this lady who had three sons and we talked freely the entire time our boys played. It turned out that her husband is a Walk-In doctor who I had seen years earlier when Mason rolled off the bed at around 7 months old. I remember thinking to myself that I felt no judgement from him when I was expecting to be scolded for leaving Mason on the bed without my eyes glued on him for 10 seconds. He just assured me that "these things happen". When we were leaving she told me to call her sometime to get together. I never did but always thought about it.

A few weeks ago (fast forward 9 months) I ran into her at the pool. I went up to her and asked if we had met months ago at the park. We had and chatted again easily. I've seen her twice since then at random places.

Last night Pedro and I were talking before bed.

"You probably are going to think I am crazy but I feel like I am supposed to be friends with Lyla."

"Who's Lyla?"

"The lady with three boys that I keep running into. Our paths just keep crossing."

"hmmmmm?"

You probably know that I am not very religious at this point in my life, but I feel like there is some reason we keep meeting and I just haven't figured it out yet. So the next time I see her I am going to ask her for her number. I mean, I have to, right?

So today is the 13th, Friday the 13th. Do you walk around with your fingers crossed? Or am I just a total superstitious freak?

WooT!

Did you see that? I got nominated for a Rockin' Girl Blogger award by Rachel. How cool is that? I'm totally flattered and for the record, I think Rachel is pretty Rockin' too. It only took 4 days for me to figure out how to put that little pink image up there. I may be slow but at least I'm rockin'!

Harpy, Snarps, Harperina

I just realized I write very little about Harper. Maybe because my naughty, adorable, high-maintainance, quirky son is at such a funny stage that he gets all the glory. But Harper is pretty darn great too and I'm going to tell you all about her.

Over a month ago we went to the doctor for her 6 month visit that I am two months behind on. So whe was eight months old, exactly. She was 18 lbs 6 oz. and 30 inches tall. Basically, she is really tall and pretty skinny in comparison to her height.

Also at this time she started crawling. And standing up. I shit you not, on the same day. She is pretty close to walking; standing without holding on to anything for 30 seconds at a time. It is crazy to think she'll be walking soon since Mason was well over a year.

Last Sunday she started saying "bye-bye". The first 3 times I thought it was a fluke but by the 12 time I realized that she had made a connection. Of course I got all teary and proud like a total mush.

The girl hates food. Her doctor couldn't believe it when I told him that she eats just a few teaspoons of food a day. I wouldn't normally care in the least, but I feel like she barely nurses either. I guess she's just efficient.*

Over the past couple of weeks Harpers top two teeth have been working their way though. Good God I forgot how much that sucks. It really, really sucks. Thank You to the gods at Hilands. I love you and would make out with you all if given the opportunity.

Her sleeping leaves a lot to be desired. She is up a ton during the night. Stuck to my boob. *(Duh, or she gets all her food then!) Seriously most nights I lose count and am willing to bet she wakes up around 10 times. Remember when I would brag that she only got up once a night to nurse when she was just days old? Karma. It's a bitch.

She still will not go to anyone except for Pedro and I. And Mason. She LOVES Mason even when he is pinching her. Loves him. We kind of though all this would change this past week while on vacation( did I tell you we were on vacation?) since we were in close quarters with Mikes family. Nope. Not a chance. She cries like her heart is breaking that we let someone else take her. It gets hard but I remind myself that it is actually a really positive thing that she is that bonded to us and it won't be like this forever. Before I can blink twice she'll be telling me to get out of her room. *sob*

It really is amazing how different siblings can be yet be so very similar in other ways. Jeese! I am one lucky Mama.

Welcome Home.

We are home. We are still married. Both my eyeballs are still intact. Who knew?

Were there goodtimes? Yes.

Were there things that were bothersome? Hell yes.

Will we do it again soon? Probably not.

We've decided that vacations with family tell you just how different family members can be. Thank God for my little quad. I love them to pieces.

Still Alive.

I haven't tried to poke my eyes out yet. That's a good sign, right? A few backhanded compliments now and then in which I reply with a simple smile and knod and a hidden middle finger behind my back. But it's OK.

"This is really good for your kids. Now the next time you go somewhere it'll be easier."

Because we store them in a cave and they never see the outside world, NEVER! What the fuck?

We are in Traverse City, MI. Just blocks from the beach. It's beautiful here. But it's not the tropical vacation my snobbish side adores.

Now how about another picture?



My very tall, handsome husband and squirrely son.

Just Another Manic Monday

There are few things that I don't talk about on my blog. One of them, my in-laws. Tomorrow we leave for a 5 day vacation with them. This scares me, but I am hoping for a nice week. The End.

Now, how about some more pictures? I need to give credit where credit is due. I am super lucky to have two great friends that take amazing pictures. These were taken by my friend and next door neighbor at Grace in Design. She done takes some purty pictures, no?












Happy Fourth! I am not sure if I'll be able to update during the week, but If I can, I will.


Happy thoughts...

I had to have done something right to get kids this cute.

Just Chillin' or not.

It has been really hot and sunny here, beautiful! The kind of weather that makes you want to eat watermelon and cold salads and turkey sandwiches. I can't. Why? Because our refridgerator took a big crap. So tonight? To Sears we go, hopefully returning with a new fridge.

Am I the only one that thinks spending hundreds of dollars on a new fridge is a total waste? A new washer/dryer I'd be excited about, but a fridge? Gah.

Judge Judy

We all know that this parenting thing comes with a whole lot of judgement, yes?

"Oh, you bottle feed."
"You breastfed your son for threeeee years?"

"Your daughter sleeps in a cage, I mean crib?"
"You sleep with your kids? How do you get any sleep?"

-you want more?

"Crying it out is just cruel."
"If you would've just let him cry a few night, he would be sleeping through the night!"

"I won't let someone else raise my child."
"What do you do all day staying home?"

Good God people are harsh! We 've all felt the judgement and probably dealt it too. After having two kids and being pretty confident in the way I parent, I still feel it. I have to say I have recently figured out that the area I've felt the most judgement. POTTY TRAINING! It has been a struggle and I let myself feel the pressure.

We started working with Mason when he was two and a half. We had some success, then Mason decided he'd start holding his poop until it made him sick. We stopped all together. He'd let us know when he was ready. He didn't.

About a month ago, I had enough. He was old enough. He knew better. And this shit was getting gross! We did the cold turkey method that works for "everyone". We just put him in undies. He wasn't having any accidents. He wasn't pooping either. After four days he was in pain again. This time was worse though. Now had held it so long and was in so much pain that he wouldn't even go in a diaper. It was time for a suppository.

"Great! Now I get to traumatize my son by putting something up his butt that makes him poop Jeff Daniels style a la Dumb and Dumber. "

The poor kid was so relieved after the fact he was nearly thankful. And I had my old Mason back within 10 minutes.

"All my kids were potty trained by 2!"
La-ti- fricken-dah! I bet non of your kids were half as cute as my kid. So there!

I just wanted my happy little boy back. I started doing a ton of research and gave it all the finger. We are doing things our own way now. We are doing what works for us. Guess what, it's working! Mason wears undies all the time. He hasn't had an accident in weeks. When he notices the urge to poop, he asks for a diaper. When he is done, he wants his undies back on. He isn't holding his stomach in pain anymore. He isn't crying or throwing fits over sitting on the potty and "trying". He tells everyone that comes to our house that he is a "big boy now" and shows them his undies. He is truly proud.

Of course I wish he could've been one of those kids that was potty trained in two days, but he's not. It may take another month or more but we're on our way. And guess what? We are all the least stressed we've been throughout this journey and I think that is why it's working. Hopefully one day he'll just run over to the toilet like he does to pee 15 times a day to poop. Until then, we are letting Mason run the show, and that he is, helmet and all.

Alternate Title: ''Shit Happens!"

McDreamy, McDonalds, McGermy and a side of verbal diarrhea

Where have I been you ask? (huge dramatic sigh) Over-freaking-whelmed! I feel like I am carrying the 25 lbs I lost from my ass on my chest. Thank you all by the way. Badonkadonk rocks!

Mason started getting a sore throat on Friday, was a little stuffy over the weekend, and was rolling on the ground holding his ear yesterday. POW! Double ear infection with a side of pink eye, anyone? Not a pretty combo for my germiphobia. The only thing that could have made things a little better is if McDreamy were my doctor. Damn TV got my hopes up once again. A girl can dream can't she? . . . Oh God that hair!

What was I talking about again? Right, my sick boy. After our hour and a half jaunt to the doctor, Mason was starving. I told him if he was good we'd go to McDonald's. Unfortunately I have the most un-food motivated kid ever. He'd rather have shrimp cocktail or steamed broccoli. Weirdo. But I still try.

"Mason, if you are a good boy and stop hurting your sister, we'll go to McDonald's and get a double cheeseburger. And if you can't finish it Mama we'll help you, m'kay?"

"What? You don't want to go there? Sure you do, just wait, you'll love it this time."

Score!

Are you guys aware that McDonald's carry different items in different regions? When we lived in South Florida, they had a McCuban. I have also seen a McBratwerst way north. Yes, I am serious. Did you know this? So now my question for you is about their new Iced Coffee. . . there is a God.
It comes in Vanilla, Hazelnut and Regular. Do they have this at your McDonald's and is it delicious? All right, forget it. I am going to get myself one now. I talked myself into it. I'll let you know if it is worth the double cheeseburger temptation.

In which I boast of budonkadonk.

Today is beautiful and magical and all that stuff. Today I decided to get brave and start trying on some skinny clothes. Let's just cut to the chase shall we?

Today I am wearing a pair of jeans I haven't worn in over 5 (count 'em FIVE) years. I decide I was going to try on my old Abercrombie jeans and they fit with ease. Now Abercrombie? I am pretty sure they don't carry big girl clothes, but I wouldn't know since I haven't stepped foot in that store forever! They are wrinkled and certainly haven't been washed in over 5 (count 'em FIVE) years but once I put them on I became way too excited to take them off.

So for the record I've probably be wearing these jeans until they rot off or until they are so funky they can take themselves off and jump into the washing machine.



Because I am keepin'em on!

Holy Moley!

If you haven't thought I was crazy up to this point, here is your ultimate proof.

Today I am having minor surgery. On a mole. I am scared shitless. I don't know why. There is no threat of cancer or anything. Basically it is just really ugly. Want to see? Sick-o's. The picture really doesn't do it justice. It sticks way out like a little balloon and it is "vascular" meaning it is full of little blood vessels, making it a gorgeous shade of red.

I think I have figured out what is freaking me out. I am scared that when they take it off I am going to see blood squirt and shoot me in the face. I would freak out and pass out right there. And also quite possibly have a heart attack. Why? Why do I think this way? I have had two babies which I am almost certain is a pretty messy sight and I am freaking out about a mole.

Just keep your fingers crossed that the mole removal is simple and squirt free!

My Favorite Things

If I would've written a post yesterday, the title would've been The Day My Kids Made Me Drink By 5pm SHARP! The day wasn't a very smooth one. But today? is better! So now I'll tell you what I am currently obsessed with because Ashley wants to know .

1. Lip Venom courtesy of Metalia. It is supposed to give your lips a bee stung look. I think it smells fab and feels awes!

2. Lean Cuisine Spa Meals, Butternut Squash Ravioli. I understand not everyone is on Weight Watchers, but these are fantastic! My only issue, like with all these freezer meals is that I am hungry within an hour. I am all about quantity and I 'd like about three more ravioli.
I can't leave out this dynamic duo either. This green olive salsa (which, what a rip, $28 for 3 jars? I buy mine at Wally World for not even $3 a jar!) with these multi-grain chips, mmmmmmm... Mason and I can't get enough of the stuff. Pedro thinks its nasty but doesn't like olives either, weirdo.

3. Regina Spektor.

4. Honey I Washed the Kids Soap and King of Skin body butter. I've never had to really hold back from tasting something so often. This soap smells so good it has to taste good, right? The body butter just gives my super dry skin a ton of greasy moisture that I love.

5. Margaritas!! It's summer! Is there a more summery drink? And sometimes you just need a drink by 5 pm!

Let me know what you love right now, m'kay?

Edited: I wrote this post on Friday and just had to add the linky love. And on that note, Doesn't all this linky love knock your socks off?

Bonus! Two Part Edition

Part one:

As if crawling wasn't enough this weekend, someone thought it would be fun to kill two birds with one stone. Woot!
"I don't want to nap! I want to pull up on things and be a big girl!"

Oh My God! When did she turn into a big girl? Wasn't I just in labor?

I guess not. At least she's cute.

Part Two:

Mason on the other hand is in love with his helmet. Go ahead, you can laugh. Yes, my son likes to wear a helmet. In public even. On the way to my parents house for dinner, check. To Target, check.

I am kind of relieved though. This way he can protect his brain and forever say awesome things.

This was our conversation this morning as we went to get Harper as she was waking up from her nap.

Me: Mason, don't get in her crib. Mason get out of her crib!

Him: mmmmmm, she smells good.

Me: What does she smell like?

Him: like punkins.

Me: Oh, like pumpkins. That's cause she's a girl and girls smell good. What do boys smell like?

(without hesitation)

Him: like grilled cheese.

Awesome. Just Awesome.

Why everyone should come out to dinner with my family. Just once.

We are a pretty open family. Very open in fact. I may or may not have asked Pedro if I was getting hemorrhoids during my last pregnancy. He may or may not have agreed to check. And we all jumped for joy when he informed me that "No! No Hemorrhoids for Ann!" I mean we maybe jumped for joy, errr something.

We have no issues talking about farts or pooping. In fact those two are probably two of our very favorite topics. We try to be responsible though too (chuckle, chuckle). We are trying to teach Mason the appropriate times to talk about said topics. We are getting an F+, the + for the effort. We are failing miserably.

Tonight we ate at a local greasy spoon and were seated in a booth closest to the bathroom. We were just about finished when a older man walked by us to use the restroom. Mason blurted out in his three-year-old voice which only works on LOUD, "Is that man going to go POOP?" As if once wasn't enough for the entire restaurant to hear, he repeated himself until I finally answered him.

Awesome. So who's up for taking us out tomorrow night?

7 Things

I was tagged forever ago to do this by these two ladies. One thing about me...when I promise to do something, I do it. Quite possibly tardy, but I always do it. Also, I have tried to post it two other times, so hopefully 3 is a charm?

1. If I could have a second home anywhere it would be someplace tropical, on the beach, feet from the water. It would be small, just big enough to be comfortable for us but small enough to clean up the sand with one Swiffer wipe.

2. Figure this one out...My two favorite junk foods: Good & Plenty candies and White cheddar Cheez-its. But...I can't stand black licorice and I'll always pass on the regular cheez-its.

3. A big pet peeve of mine is the overuse of all the Internet geek-isms. LOL, ROFLMAO, you know them. You will never see me use them. Sometimes they are fine because you really are laughing out loud but COME ON! Are you really rolling on the floor? A little dramatic, don't you think?

**edited: I am a total hypocrite! I totally use OMG all. the. time. And probably a WTF now and then too.

4. I secretly want to be just like Martha. Minus the jail time. Really she's the craftiest, classiest woman ever and you can't deny the woman has got fantastic taste!

5. I recently noticed that I am strangely drawn to all things striped and hooded.

6. I am not a cat person at all. I once had a Siamese cat Dusty, who was a boy. He died of breast cancer. I will never have another cat.

7. If I could choose my daily schedule. I'd go to bed very early and get up very early. Unfortunately my bosses don't allow that. They have different ideas about ideal waking hours.

I am going to leave it up to whoever is interested to do this; just let me know so I can check out your geek-isms, I mean answers. Holla!