What a difference a year makes.

Every once in a while I get these huge reality doses that strike me so hard in the chest it's a wonder I am still breathing. This one happened exactly one year ago. It was one irresponsible night. A night my husband and I acted like carefree teenagers. The night that Harper was conceived.

It is so clear for some reason and I am not sure why. I knew the timing was right on schedule and I worried immediately. Then I blocked it out, for 7 weeks. My friend even called about a week after "the night" to tell me she had had a dream that I was pregnant. I told her "she was on crack" verbatim. In only six weeks I would find out that I was indeed pregnant. I would cry when I got the results because I was not ready to have a baby again. I am ashamed to admit that.

The nine months where filled with emotions and so much fear. How could I possibly split all the love I have for Mason with another baby. I've been told everyone experiences those exact feelings. And everyone tells you "you just do. You find a way and you just do." And they are right, sort of. I've never had to split it. I feel like a am able to give more love now. As if once my baby was born, I filled up with love ready to give instead.

So now one year later I look at my most perfect baby girl and wonder how I could have ever been unsure about having another baby. She is sweet and smiley and easy going, the perfect addition to our family. So now looking back exactly one year all I can think is, "Thank God for our one crazy, irresponsible night."

What up Grinch!

What is my problem? Just 2 weeks ago we put up all our Christmas decorations. Today I am taking them all down. I want the tree out tonight. This time of year is so stressful and exhausting that I just want my regular life back. How exhausting? So much so that I didn't take a single picture of our Christmas. I didn't send out a single Christmas card. And so completely exhausting that all the cut-out cookies are gone, and that takes a lot of energy to eat that many cookies.

So I am moving on and you won't hear another blub about Christmas until next year.

Happy New Year!

Another Birthday...

To my college crush,
my bestfriend,
my babies' daddy,
my lover.
Happy Birthday Mike!

Happy Birthday Mason!

Dear Mason,
Yesterday you turned 3 years old. My gosh, where is the time going? It feels like just yesterday that I sat down and wrote to you on your second birthday.

The past year has been crazy. You have become so much more independent yet you still need a bunch of snuggle time throughout the day. Don't worry about me, I love that about you and drop everything when you just want to snuggle because I know deep down that you won't be like that forever. I'm taking it all in. You still nurse once a day during the week, right before nap time. The weekends almost never since your Dada puts you to sleep then. We've nursed a looooong time now Mason, so when your ready to be done just let me know. I never thought I'd be one of those people that nurse their kids until 3, but I am proud to say now that I am. It's amazing, the things we do for our kids.

Last year I talked about all the things you could say and the cute things you did at that time but that would take me forever this year. This year you say everything and are able to do just about everything an average person can do. You are by no means average though. You have got personality plus! A few weeks ago your Dad did something that really made me mad. He went to play basketball like he does every Wednesday and the hour that he is usually gone began to get a little longer until he was gone just about 2 hours. I was mad, really mad and I lost it a little. Not my proudest moment. I think I said something like, "This basketball stuff is really starting to Piss. Me. Off!" You then did an Oscar worthy performance of "Dada you really Piss. Me. Off!" with hand gestures and all. The tense situation turned immediately to tears of laughter. It's nice to know you've got my back!

One of my favorite memories of the past year was the week we spent in Mexico. You loved the airplane, you loved the beach, and you slept like a champ. Even though your dad and I got a little sick, you made sure we still left our room because you were healthy as a horse and ready to party like a rockstar! That would be our last trip ever as a threesome. You were awesome and made the trip one I will never forget.

Sometimes I feel a little guilty about spending much of your last year pregnant. My patience left little to be desired and as your dad says, "I was pretty hormonal." I feel like I should have spent more time with you before we became a family of four. I was telling someone about the guilt I felt and they assured me I was giving you the best gift anyone could ever give, a sibling! That instantly made me feel better and has ever since. I hope someday you'll agree.

Your sister loves you to pieces. Even when you squeeze her a lot too hard and do cannon balls that end up partially on top of her, she almost always ends up giving you the hugest smile that your Dad and I work so hard to get. I hope everyday that the two of you will grow up to be as close as a brother and sister can be.


Although you are no longer an only child, you still hold a very special place in my heart. The day you were born was the most amazing day of my life because it was the day I went from being a woman to a mother. Something that only happens once in lifetime and something I've wanted my whole life but I never knew. So thank you Mason, Thank you for making my most amazing dream come true! I can't wait to see what the next year brings.



Love, Mama

The factory is closed!

I've been having these weird emotions lately. I love my babies more than anything. I'd do anything for them and cannot imagine them not being part of our little family. But, I am pretty sure the factory is closed and that makes me a little sad. Today I got the Mirena, birth control that is good for 5 years!

The fact is I love having babies. Really I do! I even love the delivery part, ask Pedro. I am not sure I have ever heard someone else say that, but I loved it for both my babies and they were worlds apart. Yes, it is damn hard work, it hurts worse than anything you can imagine, but I loved it. I'm a freak now, aren't I? I think part of it is how amazing I think my body is for just knowing what to do. I think we under estimate our bodies and this is one of it's truly amazing abilities. However if having babies never got any harder than the delivery, I'd probably have 10, maybe 12! Ok maybe not, but definitely more than 2.

But here's the catch. Raising kids is really damn hard. It is exhausting and challenging and at times can put a big stress on a marriage. I love what I have. I feel so fortunate to have the healthy, spunky kids I have that at times get freaked out to think about tempting fate. So for now I'm shut down for business (or until 5 years is up).

O Christmas tree...

This weekend we decorated for Christmas. Pedro went and picked a perfect tree again with a little less girth than the one from last year. We spent the night on friday decorating until it was perfect while listening to Christmas music. We all went to bed at a normal time after having a great night. Harper woke up at 4 to eat. We went into the living room, plopped down on the couch and she went to town. After about 5 minutes I looked over to my left and noticed the Christmas tree lying on the couch next to me. The tree had fallen completely over at some point during the night and we hadn't heard a thing.
The next morning we redid a bunch of the orniments that had fallen off and Pedro made sure the tree was a whole lot more sturdy.

Potpourri for $400, Alex

I just needed a little blogging break,I guess.

* The space key is broken on our computer. Too much excitement watching noggin online for someone in our house hold. Also reallydamnhard to type.

* Friday was my 29th birthday. I felt very old while watching a Real World rerun and they were all, "Ohmagod, You're 22? I'm 22. We are all 22!" Whatever that was so 7 years ago.

* Harper is freakishly tall(what up Pedro genes 6'6"). We are getting a new carseat stat. The carrier that snaps into the base is totally unsafe for her. We have the shoulder straps adjusted to the highest notch and they fall right around the middle of her arms. I am guessing it would not be pretty in an accident.

* I have a new site, but I have issues. The template on it can only be used with a Mac, and I am not sure I am ready to commit to only using that. I am still a PC girl I guess.

* Mason made me laugh today. He does everyday but today two things stuck out.

First, he was playing with a doll he just got. It was for Harper, but he loves it and I have no problem with that. He went and got two more from Harper's room and had them all together. He was playing so sweetly, putting them to sleep and such. I thought I'd encourage him farther by telling him he could name them. They were all girl dolls so I started giving him ideas.
Me: "You could name one Sally or Suzie or Molly or Harper..."
Him: "or racecar or dump truck..."
I guess he really is a boy.

Next, I was nursing him before his nap and then laid him down.
Mason: "Love you Mama, thank you for the milky, I drank it all. Just like juice!"
God I love that kid!

* Tonight I start teaching yoga again. Wish me luck. I hope my bladder functions have returned to normal...

That is enough for today. Wanna know what's on my Christmas list? I think I just might post it. Tomorrow.

A Day of Thanks.

I was reading a bunch of my favorite blogs and read a beautiful post by Ms.Mamma. It inspired me to write about the things I am most thankful for. Often I find myself having internal pity parties. Dwelling on how naughty Mason was for the entire day or how long it took to get Harper down for the night. Another thing I tend to whine about is the lack of time I get to be with my husband.

Thankfully though I am able to pull myself up and smack some reality into my head. I am damn lucky! I have an amazing little boy with a tremendous spirit. Nothing he does is meek, he is always full of life. What an amazing quality to have, to be Full of Life.

And my little girl, she spends a lot of the time she's not asleep looking right into my eyes smiling and making the cutest throaty gurgles as if she is trying to tell me something. How could I ever get irritated by that? She is perfectly healthy and is happiest when she is in my arms, looking in my eyes.

And my husband. Because of how hard he works and takes care of us, I have been able to fulfill a dream that not everyone gets to live. I've been able to stay at home with my kids and watch them reach every milestone. Because of him. We may not get the time together that we crave, but there will come a day when all our hardwork of raising amazing little people will pay off. We'll have all the time in the world together and hopefully we'll be able to say, "we wouldn't have done it any other way."

I love you, my amazing little family. I am thankful for having all of you in my life.

Ho Ho Ho Holiday Meme

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Egg Nog- spiked with rum is delish too.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
All the presents are wrapped.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
All White.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Sure do.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
The weekend after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Turkey Stuffing and Taters with gravy baby!!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:
When I got a cabbage patch doll.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don't remember.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Always.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
Lights and ornaments. I like them to match too.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it until it's ovestayed its welcome.

12. Can you ice skate?
Sure can.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? nope

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Making memories for my kids.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Christmas cookie cut-outs.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Getting up and opening a full stocking.

17. What tops your tree?
A star.

18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving?
Both.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
We Three Kings- BNL and Sarah McLachlan

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Yum! Crush them up and mix with melted white chocolate.
** If you do this let me know so I can check your list out too.

It's all about Harper!

You've heard about Mason and my cervix, but I think it's time for a Harper update,no?

Where do I start...

The girl is huge! She has way out grown her newborn stuff and 3 month stuff and is wearing all 6 month clothes. At 8 weeks. The pimples are finally gone, but we are still dealing with a clogged tear duct in her right eye. Does anyone have any secrets on what to do with it? My ears are open. I had never heard of it before and was sure she had an infection of some sort. My friend (Hi Megan!) then told me that it was very common for babies to have them. I googled it and sure enough, that what it is, orange and green eye goop and all.

She has gained a pound a week except for the first week and is at 14 pounds. Big Girl. (Don't tell anyone about the t-bone steaks I've been supplementing my breastmilk with.)

I've been hesitant to tell my internet friends about this, afraid I'd jinx myself, but from day one Harper has gotten up only once a night to nurse. Once! Love It.

She is a very "chill" baby. Unless I eat chili, baby does not like chili.

I love her. My pretty, pretty girl.

Am I What????

"Are you pregnant?" my midwife asked.
My heart started beating 200 beats per minute and my breath was taken away from me. A million things raced through my head in a fraction of a second. I had just given birth to a perfect little girl a mere 7 weeks earlier. Apparently my cervix is very blue, something that usually only pregnant women possess. It represents a very vascular cervix.

Then reality set in.

"You have to have sex to get pregnant, right?...So no, I am not pregnant."

Phone sex whether or not he wanted it!

This morning I made phone calls that I've been putting off for weeks. First calling the insurance company. Call me crazy but I was unaware that I had to be the one to call them to let them know we had a new family member. During that call Mason comes into the kitchen where I was with his trusty cement truck, only this time apparently the cement truck was his skateboard. Not so much! The first time he stood on it, smack! onto the tile floor he fell. He proceeded to cry the rest of the conversation and I am sure the lady couldn't wait to get off the phone with me and my screaming child.

Next I had to call the cable company. We are all about family in this house, switching from the crappy Showtime channels the Noggin channels. This time I was going to be prepared. I got out a dog coloring book and crayons and sat Mason at the kitchen table. I finally got through to a person when Mason wanted me to color. Okay, fine, sure! Anything to make the call less stressful. While the guy was looking up my account I picked up the red crayon.
"I'll color the dogs tongue. What color is Otto's (our dog)tongue?"
I started to color the dogs tongue. Just as the guy comes back on the line. Mason blurts out.
"What color is Otto's wiener?"
I try to ignore him. Stupid, stupid me. I should know by now that 2-3 year olds don't respond well to being ignored. Instead they get louder and louder.
"Maaamaaaa, What color is Otto's wiener?"
I considered explaining the situation to the cable guy, but then thought, Naaa. Give the man something to do today. He can brainstorm about "what color Otto's wiener is."

Six weeks ago...

I started the day looking like this:


then later in the day, this:


then I brought home this 24 hours later:


and now I have this!

isn't life amazing?!

Halloween

The Scarecrow

My Babies together on the couch. One with a chocolatey face the other with a bunch of pimples. Can you guess which is which?

Method to my Madness

You may have noticed that my posts are getting fewer and fewer. There is a reason for that. I'm packin' up and heading out. Of course I'll let you know where I am going, I just have to figure that out first. Stay tuned for some Halloween pictures.

You're Invited...

Everyone likes to Potty, right? Well it is Pottytime at our house. Thats right, this weekend was the start of Potty Bootcamp. On Friday after two disgusting adult-like-huge- poops-mashed-all-over-leg diapers, I had had enough. We had been talking about it for a few months already, but never followed through. This time we are. We are doing it in a nice way, just cold turkey. Saturday morning Mason woke up, I asked him if he wanted to pee on the potty, he did, he got 3 Skittles and we put big boy undies on.

The rest of the day he peed on the potty. We were expecting a few accidents but We've only had two, one Saturday night and one Sunday morning. Maybe it is the ultra-cool skull and crossbone undies, who knows but we are on a roll.

To give credit where credit is due, Mason has not minded going pee for months now. It has been the poop factor. Apparently it is very scary. So we did the noble thing and bribed him. We told him, the minute he'd go poop we'd get into the car and go to the store where he could pick out ANYTHING he wanted.

Saturday no poop. This is so not normal for Mason. Sunday throughout the day he asked for a diaper obviously when he had the urge to poop. This was when we started to wonder if what we were doing was cruel and unusual punishment. We kept reminding him that as soon as he would go, we'd go to the store. Much of the day for Mike and I was spent sitting on the tub reading books as our little potty warrior sat on the potty holding in his overdue poop with all his might. So, we up'ed the anty. We decided we were going to buy a cake too and have a "Poop Party". Finally at 7:30 last night, without warning or any assistance from us, Mason came out of the bathroom clapping saying he "did it, yay!" Off to the store we went and came home with this and cake too.

Of all the thing he could have had, John Deere got his vote. We had a potty party complete with singing, "happy poop day to you..." (to the tune of Happy Birthday of course).

So now we are at day 3, still only the 2 pee accidents and still only the one poop. He has been asking for a diaper all day but at this point, I feel like that would only give mixed messages. I just hope he is not going to give himself a horrible tummy ache!

You want to hear more about my boobs?...with pleasure.

Really, some people have wondered what is happening with my heavily lactating boobage, so here goes!

Harper started out as a horrible nurser. Really. Bad. The things I had to do to get her "on" were pretty extreme and made my LLL leader sort of cringe. I actually had to stretch my nipple out with my fingers then point it up toward the roof of her mouth to pick sure it would hit the spot that would make her suck. Sometimes the whole process would last over an hour until she got a good latch. The whole thing was just not very smooth. (Waves goodbye to all the non-nursers who are now bored to death!)
I needed constant reminders that she was a newborn baby, not a 2 and a half year old "professional". She has gotten better, way better. Thank God!

Mason on the other hand is finally starting to get used to seeing my naked boob and not demanding milk every time. I've stuck to my (mean) guns and still only let him nurse at naptime. That is what we were down to while I was pregnant, so I saw no reason for him to regress. Plus, my sanity! Need I say more? Nursing him once a day has been going just fine, for me. I don't at all mind it. There are many days that I feel I have done nothing but yell and tell him what he is doing wrong, (which is a whole lot)so I feel like the 5 minutes we spend nursing in a quiet room just with each other is absolutely needed by both of us. He still askes for it throughout the day when Harper is nursing, but I just can't go back to nursing both, All. The. Time.

I was quickly brought back to Porn Star boob status day 3 post-partum and I had forgot about the pain. My god the pain! I whined to my clearly boobless husband about them to which he replied, "They look nice!"
Why yes they do, but they feel like bowling balls. Thank God for Mason. I broke my rule twice that day.

To stall walking him to the curb.

Ahhh. Sometimes I need a reminder of how darn cute my little "long hair" can be. And lately, I need them often. For the love!!!



Mason and fellow "long hair".



Thankfully when we have really rough days, there is always something ultra sweet that he has done that lingers longer than the naughtyness. Just Mason and I were in the car the other day to run an errand. I was belting out a favorite song when Mason blurts out, "Good singing Mama!" Can I tell you how much I love to have a personal little cheerleader.

The Ass Kicking X2

Having two kids is lots of work both Physically and Emotionally. First of all, it is a juggling act trying to help one while the other is crying without freaking out. Next, there is the constant nagging in the back of your mind wondering if you are giving the other enough attention. I can't imagine what it'd be like if I had a "hard" baby, because shhh(while crossing fingers)...this baby is a pretty easy baby. She sleeps really well, up only once a night to nurse. She was an awful nurser at the beginning, but after a week is totally getting the hang of it. And now she eats like a little piggy, filling herself up until she literally bubbles over. And the chub, it is filling out those soft cheeks by the day. I love watching that happen, all because of my milk.

Yesterday, I decided to venture out to a La Leche League Meeting close to my house. I started to get all of us ready 2 hours early and still was 15 minutes late. It was in a small room with lots of boy around 3yrs. None of them still being nursed except my little guy. They were just there because they were siblings to others. Anyway, There was this little boy, Joey who you could just tell was a brat. He spent the meeting going around to all the other kids taking away whatever they were playing with. Fine. Whatever, kids will be kids. Then, I noticed him carrying another boy who was 15 months around by HIS HEAD! I couldn't resist and alerted his clueless Mom. Thank God the boy he was manhandling was his brother. She blew it off by saying,"He likes to bring his brother to me." Ah, yeah and stretching his neck out a few extra inches. Don't get me wrong, Mason has done a few things to Harper already, and I am sure there will be many more, but by the time the "baby" is 15 months shouldn't some of the aggression die out? Maybe I am just clueless.
So on with the meeting. Everything was fine until I see this Joey-brat smacking Mason, my Mason, in the face over and over. I was pinned behind the table with Harper so I couldn't get there in time. Finally another woman took this kid away from Mason, not even the boys mom. She was pulling this boy away and Mason finally went and hit him on the top of the head. The Mama Bear in me was raging! I refrained from telling my son to go hit this bratty boy again, but I wanted too. Mason came over to me for comfort with huge tears welled in his eyes and looked like he had been in a street brawl. He had red marks all over his face and under his eye looked like it was going to be black. The LLL leader looked at him and said "Oh my Gosh!" Don't get me wrong, Mason does his fair share of hitting and pushing, but never has smacked someone in the face. It was like this kid was out for blood, it was just weird. The mom never did a thing or said anything to me. My poor boy got his ass whooped.

**Now Sunday, my poor little boy has a cold from those other nasty boys that come to LLL always sick...people! I think this time I may have learned my lesson. 8 out of 10 times he gets sick with something when we go there. It is too much to handle for me right now.

** I wrote this post on Friday but didn't post it.

My Short and Sweet Birth Story

Preface: Mike just jotted down notes whenever he could. Once the contractions got really bad, he couldn't anymore because I am bossy that way. The ironic thing is that the night before all this went down, I was still unsure I was going to go thru with the whole induction. Although I am not religious I wanted some sort of sign that I was making the right decision and not forcing something that was not ready to happen. I am now certain that I made the right decision. Oh, and the smiles, they are all fake except for the last one. I was hurting like a mofo and Mike kept taking my picture. Enjoy!

·Got to the hospital late for a 7:00am appt, checked in around 7:30am.
Ended up with a nurse that has been friends with Jeanne (Ann’s Mom) for years


·8:30am Lynn(midwife) came in and gave Annie her dos of Cytotec – the drug that will induce labor Lynn is expecting labor to begin in the next 1/2hr-4hrs

·Annie feels good, and is calling home right now to talk to Jeanne and Mason. Mason was upset when we left the house at 7:15 but quickly got over it. He had a huge smile as he waved out the bay window to us as Jeanne held him.

·I’m pretty nervous, I felt much more confidant prior to deciding to induce and not knowing when the baby would be born. Being able to plan the birth builds much more anticipation

·Annie 8:40am Nervous (extremely) – how long the labor will take is foremost on her mind

·9:10am – Lynn came back in to check on Ann – not much movement. Ann is having some small contractions but nothing significant. Her blood pressure is higher than it usually is, they don’t seem too concerned. 148/102 blood pressure

·9:42am – Sandy (nurse) stopped in to check on Ann and have her finish some paperwork.

·9:54am – Sandy came back in to draw blood – blood pressure related

·10:13am dilated to 3cm – Cytotec didn’t dissolve and was removed. Ann asked to have her water broken instead of another pill. I walked out of the room following the midwife and nurse – both of which felt Ann would be done by 2pm (they didn’t realize I was behind them. Lynn is booked with apts right up until 2pm.

·10:45am photos of Ann and I taken (by self)


·11:12am – Ann is having some stronger contractions, realized that walking around and swaying her hips feels better than laying down

·I’m starting to feel better, Ann is much more in control with this baby than she was with the last. I think almost all of my concern is for her, I don’t want her to have a long and painful delivery. It’s hard to concentrate on anything right now, Ann is watching TV but I’m too restless to sit.

·11:45am – Photos of Ann on the birthing ball – no exam in the last hour to determine dilation


·12:16pm – Contractions getting very strong, and happening every 2-4 minutes,Ann still positive and looking forward to being done.

·12:37pm – Another visit from Lynn and Sandy – lunch came and Annie’s contractions are very close and painful

·1:15pm Annie called the nurse and gets in the shower after being checked she is at 5cm

·2:12pm out of the shower

·2:18pm Lynn checks Ann who is at 8cm, she touches something that immediately makes Ann have to start pushing.

·2:34pm Baby Harper Born totally drug free after 16 minutes of pushing!

Harper Ann
9/21/06 2:34pm
7lbs. 10oz.
20 inches

Here she is...

Harper Ann
7lbs 10oz 20inches
born 9/21/06 at 2:34pm



Notice the shirt? Um, yeah. You get the picture.

We're Home!

...and with us we brought our new baby Harper. She was born on thursday at 2:34pm totally, I mean totally drug free. I can't wait to tell you all about it! Pedro had his new computer with him and documented the whole thing, with pictures. Check back later today. I'll try to post once the kiddos are both asleep. Thanks for the good vibes.

The Baby that wants to stay in!

Thursday is the day. I am being induced at 7am. I still am not sure about how I feel about the whole thing, but I am really afraid of having a huge baby too. I wanted to do everything as natural as possible, but I know with an induction pain drugs are almost a nessecity. I guess I just need a few hours to wrap my head around the whole thing. I'm very nervous and a little disappointed that this is how things are panning out.

Today I am thankful...

that my baby girl doesn't share a birthday with one of Britney Spears offspring. Thank You God!

It is White Trash Central!

Today after my appt. (where she told me I was ready to be induced) I decided to venture out to pick up a few neccessities. I needed laundry soap and english muffin toasting bread (which I eat for every meal) and other odds and ends. So where do you think I went to get it all? That's right, the store that brings out America's finest, Wal-Mart.

I am over 39 weeks pregnant, my fuse is pretty damn short and I was ready to do some bitch-slappin'. But someone has to be the bigger person in a situation, so today I tried my best to be the better and of course bigger person since I am hugely pregnant. Here is how the situation unfolded...

We are done picking up our few things and are heading to the checkouts. Mason spots a new Thomas movie that comes with a free train. It is a crate that says, Wal-Mart. So now apparently Thomas the Train and Wal-Mart are partnering up, NICE! Mason immediately starts freaking out about the movie, and I am totally unwilling to give in. He squeals a ear piiercing squeal and I am still not budging except for looking for the quickest checkout isle. Unfortunately there were two very old ladies infront of us that were witnesses to the screaming and they stopped and turned around to stare. One of them actually covered her ears and said, "Oh Gosh!" Three feet in front of me, to my face!

Oh no she didn't.

It boiled my blood and I lost it. I looked at the two women and said, "He is a child!" in a not very nice tone. The lady looked back at me and said, "And so is his Mother!"

There were so many things that I wanted to scream back at them, but I bit my tongue. I had pity because they were so old, don't ask me why. I just knew I needed to get the hell out before I went even more hormonal on them.

When Pedro came home for lunch, I sheepishly told him what happened. He said, "Good thing I wasn't with you, I would've said something really shocking." After that, we sat around brainstorming all the awesome things I could've said.

*Look Mason, Halloween brings out all the witches!
*Maybe you just need to turn down your Miracle Ear!
*Mason, I hope you never let me get that old and crotchety.

Again, remind me why I still shop at Wal-Mart?
Bitches.

39 weeks and counting!

I am still here. I am throwing up every morning. I have crazy bad diarrhea when I do finally eat something. It is really not good at all.

I have so many emotions running through me that I am sure are totally normal, but I still am scared to death. How am I going to be able to do this? I know that all the love I have for Mason will still be there. But thinking about it realistically, he will have to take a "back seat" often to the new baby. It kills me to think how much that is going to hurt his feelings. I try to tell myself over and over that it is probably a good thing, we have all been through it, and that it is probably the first real life lessons, but it doesn't help my heart from breaking a little each time I think about it.

Mason has been really hard the past week. He is hitting and defiant and pretty much wakes up telling me to "go-away!" Part of me wonders if he is feeling my insecurities. It is hard already, really hard. So this morning my Dad is working from home and came to get Mason for a couple of hours to give me a break. As much as I want to soak up every last minute I have alone with my baby boy, I just can barely function right now and I am sure Mason is having a whole bunch of fun with his Grandpa.

Who needs some comic relief?

I think my first reaction was, "Is this a joke?" Then I jumped on line and sure enough look for yourself.

Barbie has a pet Tanner and she takes him for walks and he poops just like a real dog. Luckily, Barbie always has her handy dandy pooper scooper with her. Because really, what kind of model citizen would Barbie be if she took Tanner out for walks and left his little nugget poops behind? I'm not sure, but I think the package comes with everything you need, which pheew, good thing! Because who wants to check out at Wal-Mart with accessory poop for Barbie's dog! You think I am kidding, I only wish.

Still Here...

I haven't gone yet, but I have a feeling it may be today or tomorrow. I have been completely pukey for the past 24 hours and can't imagine feeling this flu-ish for the next week. Has anyone else gotten barfy right before having a baby, or is it all in my head? I am so miserable! I can't eat, I slept awful, and I just feel so nauseous. If I don't start to feel a little better later this morning, I am calling my midwife. It is that bad. Wish me luck.

The way over-promised belly shot.

I promised you long enough, so I had to follow through, right? My friend Ms. Mamma came over last night and took a few pictures. She's got mad skillz, yo. Lucky for me she loves to take pictures and is really good at it. She sent me this one late last night, you like?

One more thing, you make fun of my pregnant nose, I kill! I am sensitive that way.

Puffy Lips and Noses.

Seriously, am I the only one who at the end of pregnancy gets a fat nose and puffy lips? Weird, yes. Attractive, no. So on with the updates. Yesterday I saw my midwife who had gave me a full exam and guess what? One centimeter dilated and 50% effaced and straight from her mouth,"The head is way down there." So that explains the shooting pains in my hoo-ha. I am ready to be done and sleep even less than I am now.

For all who were wondering about the dogs wiener, and I know their are a ton of you, Mason has stopped touching it. We may have confused him, but the dogs penis needed a break. Pedro decided to tell him that there was poop on it. So, whenever he touching it Pedro would freak out a little and say, "Gross there is poop on there, quick, lets wash you hands!" And it worked like a charm. He hasn't touched the poopy wiener in over a week.

And last but not least, anyone up for a little contest?
How about a due date and size of Baby Sister.
I need a little encouragement these days. Let the bidding begin...

A week 's gone by...

Today I am 37 weeks. I am full-term and relieved. Last week was rough. My parents who will be taking care of Mason when I have baby sister were in Texas. When my Mom left, she came running back in the house to tell me to keep my legs crossed until they get home,Tuesday which is tomorrow. So now I am happy. The day they left, I was sure I was in labor. I laid on the couch teeth chattering, having contraction after contraction. I was freaked out! Tomorrow I see my mid-wife for a full exam. Then Pedro and I will be having sex every night until this baby comes. Now there is the juice you've been waiting for, right? I'll tell you all about it on Wednesday. Or maybe just a little.

Friday was our 5 year anniversary. We stayed home and had steak and shrimp. Our most low-key anniversary yet, I think I was in bed by 10, alone, eh.

Even though this pregnancy has been easier than with Mason, I still am getting uncomfortable now. I keep having these shooting pains in my hoo-ha, and braxton-hicks all day long. Those things suck! They aren't painful, but they are exhausting and irritating. I feel like I have a basketball in my stomach that is about to shoot out through my skin. Oh, and the stretch marks are back in all their glory. Those pretty, pretty stretch marks! Last week my midwife also told me that she doesn't think this is a huge baby. She thought 7-7.5 full term. Sounds fine to me.

I have so many other things that I have been promising too, pictures of the nursery. My two slings which I can't tell if they fit because of this huge belly in the way. Belly pictures. Anything else I am forgetting? Because I forget a lot these days and my thoughts are pretty scattered, no...

If only there was a get-away car.

Part 1
Today was one of those days. Ugh. The day started out before Pedro left for work, Thank God. I am all about letting the child lead as far as potty training, but this boy of mine needs to be TRAINED. His new thing, each morning is,
"Here comes big poop!"
Then I chime in as quickly as a I can,
"Ok Quick, lets go on Dada's potty!"
"No Thanks."
"Mason, if you go poop on the potty, we'll go to the store and you can get a new truck, or motorcycle..."
"Or train..." Pedro chimes in.
But no, the boy proceeds to poop himself and asks to be changed immediately following.
Now, multiply that times 6. Oh no, I am not exaggerating. We had 6 poopie diapers today. Pedro only was home for one of them.

Part 2
Next, have I mentioned my sons obsession with the poor dogs penis? It is absolutely an obsession that I am almost too embarrassed to talk about. If the dog is resting peacefully, Mason is strategizing his way to get to Otto's dog-hood. The problem is the dog is so passive, he practically opens his legs up for Mason. It is all very sick and wrong, I know. The problem is I don't see it every time. When I do, I stop it immediately. Today he did it once, I threatened a time out. Second time, he got a time out. Yet the problem got worse. I was removing him from his timeout spot, explaining that we never touch Otto's peepee because it hurts him. Just then the dog walks over to us during our little heart to heart and Mason reaches underneath Otto looking for his penis and pets it ever so gently, "Nice Otto's Peepee."
God help me, my point is not getting across. Then he asks "I kiss Otto's Peepee?"
"Ah, No (in a horrified half yell)! We don't ever touch his Peepee."
I wish I were exaggerating, God, I wish I were making this up, but I am not. Just tell me my son is starting to be very in tune with his penis (and the dogs) because he is starting to potty train. That would make me feel so much better.

Part 3
Then there was the hitting, the constant yelling, "Mama go way!" and the never ending meltdowns. I can assure you one thing. Had a not been pregnant, I'd be drunk as hell right now. It was a day that bad!

What being a parent is all about...

I had no intentions of writing a post like this today, but I just read the most touching post ever! If you have a minute please read it. I had to wipe more than one tear away while reading, just so you know...in a good way.

Links.

I have decided that my links need to be updated, bad. Some of the sites I look at, I have to surf to other sites to get there off their links. I think I've found some good ones to update, but I am always open to others to check out. Let me know if you know of any blogs I HAVE TO READ! Thanks.

You bought a wha...

I've been married to Pedro now for nearly five years. Still, I figure more out about him each day. Yesterday, I bopped upstairs to see what he was doing on the computer and saw a screen that said, "Thank you for your purchase."

"Uh...what did you just buy?"
"A new computer."
"Why? Our computer is fine."

It is too late. He bought a new Apple Powerbook, I think. Whatever. I don't have the energy to fight these days. We've had these issues before, remember?

Next, for the past couple of days, he's been talking about his blog. I thought he was just poking fun at my past-time, but last night he showed me his. My husband has a blog. Nice. So I guess this would be the time to tell him that I bought an expensive impractical...something. But I didn't. I am too practical.

Today I am 35 weeks pregnant. I am a little over a week farther than I made it with Mason. What a relief. Tomorrow I see my midwife who starts working at a new clinic. I also have an exam to see if I am at all dialated or effaced. Exciting stuff!

Guilty Skeletons

I am not sure which is worse, being ashamed about the way you feel about someone in your family or the way that person in your family acts. This weekend was my shower. It was wonderful. It was nice and small and made me excited all over to be a Mama to a new baby girl. Except there is always something looming over head. The way someone in my family will act.
First, no one has talked to this person in 3 days, meaning she isn't and hasn't been sober. So, will she even show up.
Next, once she walks through the door, the drama starts. Oh, the drama. I am not sure my family would know what to do without the drama.
Then the inappropriate, attention getting comments, stories that never end.

I know I used to be an extrovert. A definite extrovert, but over the past 5 years I have changed a lot. I have become comfortable with who I am and I don't feel like I need to start every conversation or always have the focus on me. In fact, I like to listen a lot. I don't like to always talk about me. I am a person though and like all people, I like to have relationships of all sorts. The problem is a relationship no matter who it's with is always about give and take. I have given and given, and dropped things that were happening in my own family to try to help out and now, I AM TIRED. I have given for too long and really have never received anything in return except anxiety. As awful as that sounds it is reality and sometimes reality bites!
At my shower, conversations were interrupted so this person could tell me about the new man in her life. Except, I have been hearing about this man for the past month she has been dating him, she just doesn't remember. I heard about other family issues that were discussed on the phone just three days before which only led me to believe that she was drunk during the phone conversation too. All of which was made the focus of my shower. Embarrassing and Exhausting!
I wish I knew the next steps to take but I don't. At this point I just feel like I am tired of it all. I don't have a perfect life, but I am usually pretty happy and optimistic about the way my life is going. But, I too have challenges. I have a perfectly naughty 2.5 year old who most days requires every bit of my patience. I have a husband who I am very lucky to have but like most of you know, making a marriage work takes a lot of effort too. And I happen to want to be married forever. I have a new baby on the way that I know is going to overwhelm me, but I am trying to mentally prepare. And I have friends, really good friends that I want to be there for just like they are for me. I don't have the time or energy to take on additional drama that only brings me down. I am tired of the lies, tired of the excuses, and tired of the selfishness.

So what is next? I am not ready to cut this person out of my life, but I can't take the drama anymore. Even if she is my sister.

Nothing to say...

It has been a boring week. I have really nothing to talk about, except that I haven't left my house. I am getting to the point where I walk a few feet and I am pooped. Or, even better, I walk a few feet get kicked in the bladder and feel like I am about to wet myself. I run to the nearest bathroom to relieve myself only to release about 3 dribbles. Too much info? Sorry ladies it is all I have to talk about these days.

Other than that, the county fair is going on right now. As much as I love how close my house is to a very nice park, I hate the "fair week" each summer. My uncle describes it well,
"People come out of the woodwork. They save up their money all year to spend at the fair on rock band mirrors and oversized stuffed animals."
You'd have to really see these toothless folk to understand.

I am having a baby shower on Sunday. My mom is having it at her house for me. I never got to have on for Mason since he was so early. The day my Mom was dropping off the invites at the post office, I dropped my water. Ironic, no?

Enough snark from me, I'll try to post some pictures of the belly and the shower.

I'm still here...

I'm just in the midst of spontaniously combusting! It is fricking hot here. Today it is supposed to be 101. I know it is hot everywhere right now, but Friday night I couldn't help but curse a little when it was 96 in Wisconsin and 88 in Miami, Florida. I am sure it doesn't help that my big pregnant body doesn't handle the heat well.

Today I am 33 weeks. One week from today. I had Mason. God, does that freak me out. I keep reminding myself how different everything is this time. I was really swollen already with Mason and it was December. This time my wedding ring still fits! The next time I see my midwife will be the 15th, the day she starts at a new clinic. I think I am her first patient.

This weekend we painted baby sisters room, BLUE! Yes, I know. I have to admit though too much pink gets a tad nauseating and makes me think of Pepto-Bismol, so I wanted to counter act. We bought the bedding and it came last week. It is pretty colorful, so I wanted the walls to be kind of plain. Yes that is coming from a person who has an olive green dining room, a terricotta living room and an avocado little boys room! So I am home today, trying not to melt.

Ice Cream! I hear it does wonders for hot, pregnant, crabby ladies!?

Busy performing exorcism.

My son has been a nightmare. If it isn't pinching it's throwing toys. If it isn't pulling the dog around by his poor weiner, it is kicking him. I am scared for my unborn childs life!
This weekend a few friends, Mason and I went to a "crunch" festival. Honestly, the hippies put me to shame. They were completely oblivious to the dirt under their nails and the smell they were emitting from their pits. I wasn't. Total wannabee I guess, or maybe not. I had to go to my "happy place" to eat the food they had prepared me with those hands.
The highlight of the trip was the blueberry picking. Since Mason loves all things fruit I thought he'd love an all-you-care-to-eat buffet of blueberries. He did, but then got bored. He wandered over to two little girls probably 3 and 4 who were watching their little brother, probably 4 months, who was strapped into a bouncy seat while their Mom picked berries. I watched Mason out of the corner of my eye and finally decided I didn't trust him around the baby. As I walked over to get my son who had a twinkle of the devil in his eye, he reached down to the bottom of the bouncy seat and flipped it over. Yep, with the baby it. I was so angry and embarrassed it took every bit of patience I own to not beat my son. I am sure I made I small scene when I got in his face and screamed, "What are you doing!" at the top of my lungs. But atleast it didn't get CPS called on my ass. I waited for the mother hen to come over then and ream me, but it never happened. She is a way better person than I.
That night I couldn't do it anymore. Mason does things everyday that make me angry, but this had topped the cake. I had flashes of having a new baby girl and my son hurting her with no remorse. It was awful and I couldn't get it out of my head. When I got home, nearly in tears, I had Pedro take over, for the rest of the night. By the next morning I was better, but still I haven't gotten the fear out of me about this new baby and how she'll be treated by her brother.

The Boob Saga - part 645,379

Take two. I wrote this big long post this morning and had it all spell-checked and everything. When I clicked publish it went to a 'unavailable at this time' page. Once I clicked the back arrow, Poof it was gone into internet never,neverland! So this is my second attempt.

Since I've decided to let Mason continue to nurse throughout the pregnancy, it has not been all pleasant. In fact, I've found myself irritated pretty often.

Around 4 months pregnant, the pain started. I mean pain, like the kind that makes you scrunch your face up and curl your toes, pain. But I pushed through to the next stage. The absence of milk stage. This stage lasted for about 2 months. I am sure Mason was getting almost nothing, I couldn't even squeeze a drop out. The hardest part about this stage is the extreme sucking that went along with the milk shortage. Mason would suck so hard trying to get milk out that I was sure when he finally let loose my nipple would be a freakish 5 inch nipple. Thank god they resume their natural state after a few minutes! Then there was the night Mason commented that it "tastes yucky!" I thought this may have been the end only to have ask for it the next day.

Now my supply has come back, but I have found myself so not "into" nursing. Why have I decided not to wean? A few reasons, but mainly because Mason will not take a nap without nursing. Bedtime Mike can do, but naptime is non-existent without me nursing him. And when I do, it takes around 5 minutes of nursing to have him out-cold for 3 hours. Seems simple enough to me, and I know I'll be needing those three blissful hours a whole lot once Baby Sister comes.

Every once in a while something amazing comes out of Masons mouth that confirms the decision I've made to continue. A few weeks ago after a bedtime nursing he said in the sweetest voice, "mmmm, tastes good." Then off to sleep he went. This may sound weird to someone who hasn't nursed, but it is an amazing feeling to know that you are doing something so simple and natural and being appreciated for doing it. It is a hard thing to explain. Monday night was one of those nights that my heart just wasn't into it. I had let Mason nurse for about three minutes then told him we were all done. As I layed him into his crib, he said "Thank You Mama." It made my heart hurt. I felt awful and amazing all at once. "How could I be rushing something that is still so important to my son?" And "How awesome that I've let him decide when he wants to end our nursing relationship." It was very bittersweet and I wish I could put it into words better.

So there you have it. For now, I am putting aside my pregnancy hormones for my little nursing toddler. I still think that when he is done he'll be sure to let me know. For now I am willing to give him what is still very important to him, he doesn't ask for much.

Reunion Recap

The reunion is done and over. It was great to see old friends and catch up on what was going on in the lives of others. Of course there were people who have only gotten sweeter and more sincere, but also those who wouldn't come to the "pay portion" of the night because, "why bother, I don't drink tap beer anyway!" Excuse me while a barf into my paper class of '96 napkin. It makes you wonder if some people will ever grow up?

Saturday night a bunch of old friends started out at my house. Some, I literally hadn't seen in 10 years. We had a drink (I mixed fancy N/A's for some of us) and poceeded onto the big event. It was a prom gone bad! Pedro and the other husbands immediately headed to the bar, and that's where they stayed. I guess someone needed to drink-up for the price we payed for the night. By dinner I think the guys were feeling a little "happy" already, but the status of the men quickly went in a downward spiral.



Pedro took over the D.J.'s job and microphone for the entire night. Not just a song or two, but the whole night. Things really started to get interesting when Pedro started to sing Kareoke.

"Wow, you had Kareoke at your class reunion?"
No, but if you take away the D.J.'s microphone and sing into it louder than the music playing, Kareoke can be done anywhere! And this is what I learned. Some people probably thought this was pretty funny. I however did not. Had I not been sober, possibly. Had it been someone elses spouse, absolutely!

We left around midnight. I informed Pedro it was time to "punch-out" his shift was over, and that was it. We were in bed by 1am and someone was snoring an alcohol induced snore by 1:02am. Great times, great times.
THE END

Heat Wave

It has been hot here, really hot. As in 94-96 degrees hot! Yesterday I got despirate and called my retired uncle who has a beautiful pool.
"Do you mind if I bring Mason over to swim for a little while?" He of course said it would be no problem. We went over there at around 11 and stayed until about 1:30. It was pure heaven. While we were there. Mason started a conversation that floored me. He was on the pool entrance steps with his hands pushing up the rest of his body to float.
"Mama I flyin'!"
"You are Mason. You are flyin' like SuperMan!"
"Umm...how 'bout Buzz Lightyear?"
"OK! You are flyin' like Buzz Lightyear, Awesome!"
Some days it amazing to see the connections that just seem to click in his little brain, amazing!

Other than that, I had my 30 week mid-wife appt. on Tuesday. Everything is still going perfectly. My blood pressure is a tad low, but I am sure it still will sky-rocket by the end. I haven't started to swell either. I think by this time with Mason I was starting to get puffy, you know the very pretty stage of pregnancy.

Last night I couldn't sleep. I was up from 1:30-3:30am. I debated even getting up and doing something, but at some point after 3:30 I fell back asleep until Mason woke up at 6:15am, Uuggghh! I've had a lot on my mind again.

Tonight I have two girlfriends from High School coming over. We have the "cocktail/ classmates ONLY" portion of our reunion. Hopefully I won't float away from all the Sprit I drink. Then tomorrow night is the big dinner. I hope it is a good time. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures!

Picture Page

I think this is 28 weeks, but I am not sure. I feel like I am carrying this baby like a barrel, I son't feel like I am sticking out anymore but getting wider everyday, lovely!


My handsome boys. Have I mentioned that pictures of my husband on flickr get the most traffic out of all my other pictures. NICE! Good thing he stopped reading my blog, I'd hate for him to know.


My Family.


It is a good thing he is so cute, otherwise I'd put him out with the trash alot of days!


At the park. My pretty purse in the background.

...back from sabbatical!

Hey everyone. We went on a mini vacation. I have a bunch on pictures to share, but it has been so long I seriously have forgotten how to upload them, I swear. To be included: the ever expanding belly, the hair, the boy with zoo animals, the (hot, naked) husband with big fish. I kid, he is really clothed but is holding his, I mean, A big fish. Later today...

Holla to all the Fashonistas out there.

I thought I should let all of you know that I decided against all other previous outfits for my reunion. And I ordered something else. Have you heard of Isabella Oliver? I hadn't, but they've got some cute stuff. Expensive yes, but cute. I bought this little top to wear with plain black pants. I like it way more that the black outfit. I just didn't like the asymmetry of the black top.

Also breaking news, no, nothing about Star Jones, today is the day I am saying goodbye to my hair. I think I'll be going all Natalie Portman. OK not quite, but I think I'll be getting about 5 inches off. I need something new and fresh. My hair is getting to long and skankified stringy. I'll try to do before and afters. Wish me luck!

How would you respond???

Yesterday was the day that all women dread. How do I put it without sounding like a complete sex-crazed pervert?...Mason found this one thing that I have in my top drawer that umm, buzzes. Whatever, Mason found my purple vibrator.

We were getting ready to meet some friends at the park. Mason was dressed and ready to go, but I was picking up the kitchen quick before we left. Apparently I wasn't moving fast enough because Mason went into my bedroom and was going to grab me some clothes to throw on, the same thing he does with my shoes when he wants to go outside and play. I was wiping down the kitchen counters when Mason walks into the kitchen holding "it".

"Mama what's that?" he asks.

"Oh My God!" was the first thing that came out of my mouth. Then I grabbed it out of his hands, fast!

"That's a candle." A candle. A candle? Where the hell did I pull that object from?

Apparently I was on the fly and couldn't think of anything else to call it. I guess it did the trick because he never asked anymore about it. Now I just thank God that I was home alone with him and my in-laws weren't over or something!

She is my Prozac

Yesterday I met with my midwife. God, I love her! I left my house sweaty and panicky just knowing that something was going to be terribly wrong. I know, how pessimistic, right?

Once I saw my midwife, I started spilling my guts (a.k.a. whining) about how miserable I have started feeling. I told her everything! The spotting, didn't phase her. She said she gets a little nervous if the mothers blood type is negative, but mine isn't. Of course if it lasts a few days she wants to know about it, but apparently it was no big deal. She told me the anxiety about having another early bird was totally legit. She told me to just remind myself that the pregnancy up to this point has been pretty much "textbook" and that it is completely out of my hands and hers. Then she asked if I wanted some Prozac or Wellbutrin. I declined.

Everything else is right on. I gained 4 lbs last month and my blood pressure is still right where it should be (120/63). Now I start visits every 2 weeks, Thank God! She is like a big 'ol dose of Prozac for me. I love her.

Class of 1996

I don't think I have mentioned it yet, but I have a class reunion coming up in 3 weeks. Thinking three weeks ahead, I should be right at Orca status since I am currently at simply "whale" status right now. I am having issues with what to wear. A few weeks ago, my mom and I went to Minneapolis and I thought I'd be in a perfect place to buy a cute maternity dress. I had picked a few out at Nordstrom. Unfortunately, Nordstom Maternity is only an online deal, beh. It sucks to order an expensive dress online and hope that it fits a strangely mis-shapen 31 week pregnant body.
I have a few ideas though. I have this simple little black dress. Ok, scratch "little" who am I kidding; It is very plain, but I think I could do something sort of cute with it. But...There is this picture of this pregnant woman wearing this adorable outfit. Maybe I just long to look like her. I think I may order it. Do you like?
I meet with my midwife today. Wish me luck that everything goes smoothly. I also do the fun glucose test today! Gotta love the way too sweet orange pop. (I just totally gave away my midwestern side. Yes, I just called it POP!)

Get it while it's hot!

...we'll see if this post makes it past a half hour. I am totally in a funk. I am starting to feel like crap. I think I may be one of those lucky people that gets morning sickness at the end of the pregnancy. Every morning for about the past five days I could puke on command from the time a wake up until about noon. Good Times!

Pedro and I are at each others throats because I am so hormonal. I am driving him crazy, but how could I not be? I am driving myself crazy. Oh and a tiny secret, I didn't get hormonal all by myself. I am pretty sure there was a Y chromosome involved.

Part of my hormonal craziness is stemming from the stress I have with this pregnancy. Not a day goes by that I don't think about having another preemie. I is scaring me to death. With just about every kick or punch I feel in my belly, I wonder if my water is going to break again. And the icing on the cake, I spotted last night. I haven't since, but anytime you see blood while you are pregnant it makes you panic with fear. I go to see my midwife on Monday so I can hopefully have some of my fears reassured. But until then, I'll probably be locked out on the porch being crazy all by myself.

Witty isn't always Wise...

Him: Oooooo, those who live in stone houses shouldn't throw rocks...

Me: It is glass houses, dumbass, GLASSHOUSES!

Him: Oh yeah. oops!

I'm Lost...

* I took down the post this morning. It was a little too heart felt. For those of you that commented, Thank You! It does help to know you are not alone. Thanks.

Friday Night Fire!

Friday night we decided to go out for pizza. The actual sit down kind that no one does anymore. The pizza was great but the whole experience nearly sent me to an early grave.
It was one of those places that has the red dimply glass candles lit on the tables, along with the very classy paper napkin dispenser. Can you see were this is going?
We sat down and Mason immediately said,"Happy Birtday Mama!" It is some correlation he has with candles and birthdays. Then he started trying to blow out the candle. We talked about just blowing it out but we never did, we just moved it away.
The next item to play with was the paper napkin dispenser. He started pulling out the napkins and all was fine until he started reaching across the table trying to put them into the candle. The first one, success! Up in flames it went! I quickly reached into the candle, pulled out the ball of fire and began blowing. IT acted like those trick birthday candles, it would go out for a second then re-ignite itself. Meanwhile Mason is yelling, "Yay, Hotdogs!!"
I finally got the flame put out and began laughing hysterically. I am not sure if it was sheer embarrassment or the fact that my son has another correlation between campfires and hotdogs, but I laughed so hard I had tears steaming down my face.
We blew out the candle after that.

Songs that Make Me Blush Meme

I was tagged by the fabulous Ms. Mamma for this meme. It is 13 songs that I love, embarrassing as they may be...So I am doing it, but don't poke fun OK?

1. The Mountains Win Again by Blues Traveler. I just love it. It is one of those songs that I like to turn up really loud until I actually feel it!

2. Kiss by Prince. Not very original but who doesn't jam out Pretty Woman style whenever that song comes on?

3. Galileo by Indigo Girls. So I am in touch with my inner lesbian...still love this song.

4. Beautiful by India Arie. Her voice is calming and I could listen to her for hours.

5. Graceland by Paul Simon. It is one of those catchy songs I can't sit still to.

6. Don't Know Much by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville. Go ahead, laugh away. I don't know what it is about this song, maybe it is the Cocoa Puff on Aaron's face. I do have a thing for cocoa puffs, I thought Enrique Iglesias was way hotter before he got his trademark removed. I digress.

7. Love Ridden by Fiona Apple. Only in small doses can I handle her anger but I love this song.

8. You and I Both by Jason Mraz. Sweet love song and he's so darn cute, I like to pretend he's singing to me, just kidding, sort of.

9. She Will Be Loved(acoustic) by Maroon 5. This song drives Mike crazy because I coiuld listen to this song over and over and never get tired of. I love to belt this song out in my car, poor Mason!

10. Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. I know you have all heard this version on movies and TV, but it is the neatest version ever.

11. Mountain Music by Alabama. Probably the only country I'll ever admit to liking. I'm just not a country girl, but this song reminds me of summer vacation in jr. high, or maybe high school.

12. Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root. Totally reminds my of High School, no I didn't have poofy bangs anymore either.

13. Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls. Geeze, now I can't stop thinking about my "girls" I think I should go looking for my CD's.

So there you have it. Some of them are not embarrassing, but other ones definately show off my inner geek. And let's never mention the whole Ronstadt/Neville duet again, 'mkay? SO now I am tagging my friend from college Laura, and Mamac-ta. And anyone else who does it, just let me know!

FYI This took me a looonggg freakin' time!

Another Post? Wow!

I am going to try to write more, I swear. I found this blog that I can't help but describe it as freaking hilarious. It is called, Poop and Boogies. It is a blogging Dad who tells it like it is, funny! And the funniest entry ever...Purple. Go check him out!

Just a day late ...666 !

Today started out like one of those perfect days! Mason woke up at nearly 8am which never happens. It meant that I was up before him and had time to almost finish my morning cup of Java. He woke up in a great mood. We went to the Farmers Market where a vendor caught Mason eyeing up her strawberries. She asked me if she could give him a strawberry, "sure!" So I bought asparagus from her. Once she gave him the strawberry they were fast friends. Mason was talking a mile a minute, some of it making sense, some of it not. But the important stuff like "Thank You", and "More strawberries?" where crystal clear and his charm was heard for miles. So much so that other vendors where offering him things. "Can I give him some peas?" Mason gobbled them up and ate up all the attention he was getting too.

He was being so good that I decided to take him to the park that was just up the road, he was an angel there too. There were no "battle of the wills", nothing, just a perfect boy. We came home, and I made the two of us lunch. He ate like a champ and I started thinking,"God, maybe the terrible two's are over?" Just in time, three months before the baby comes...

Bahahahahaha

Well, you know my awesome napper? Yep, no nap today. And with no nap comes the crabbies. I lost track of how many timeouts he had in a two hour block. Let's just say a whole lot. Between seeing how much dog hair he could successfully pull out of the dog in one hand and throwing a puzzle at me because I wouldn't make him another bag of microwave popcorn, there where many. Oh and lets not forget going over my newly dusted tables, dusting them with baby powder, NICE!

So now Pedro is home from work. He planned on playing basketball tonight, but I begged him in "favors" to take my son away. Ahhh, silence. All I hear now is the sound of my washer running a rinse cycle and my dishwasher cleaning the dishes. Pure bliss. Until my terror comes home that is...

No Excuses! Just Lazy.

It's Thursday and I am writing for the first time since oh, last Thursday. I know, I know, LAZY! I'm pregnant and chasing a "tornado" of a two-year-old around, cut me some slack.

Exciting News!!

I am almost 25 weeks pregnant and met with my midwife today. I gained 6 lbs since my last visit, oops! What's even more scary is that I had Mason only 9 weeks from now. God, I hope all goes well this time!

Saturday I went with a friend to get pierced. She had both nipples done, OUCH! She had major balls and I was shocked that she proceeded to do the second after the first needle puncture. She took it like a trooper!

Pedro has decided to take me on a date tomorrow night. . .wonder what the occasion is? Pedro and Romantic, not so much. . .hhhmmmmmm??

Ms. Mamma and I took the boys to the park on Tuesday. We fried, the boys didn't get a thing. We can't figure it out?

I have a bunch of pictures to share, I just need to get off my lazy ass and upload them. Stay tuned. . .

Goodbye Norma Jean...

Is it strange that I got misty saying goodbye to her yesterday? She's been so faithful, so fun, and let's not forget, she's been through a whole lot! But, the time had come for her to be replaced. So swiftly she was gone. I forgot to even take a picture.

It was time for her to go. We as a family had out grown her. Part of me feels guilty for giving her up so easily. In time I had her, I never had to have her fixed, ever. So does this mean that now I am in for it?

Bye baby girl, you will be missed 7/02 - 5/06. May you find your way to nice new home!

So now, I have this hot Mama! She's stone white with beautiful black leather interior. She's got all the goods! She is my first car ever that is an automatic, meaning, I can do so much more while driving (wink). Maybe once I get really comfortable with her I can even learn to change a diaper while on the road! My only question is... What should I call her?

What the hell are you saying?

It is here. We have gotten to that stage; the one everyone dreads. The embarrassing-statement-stage that makes you look like you are letting your kid listen to hardcore rap and watch The Sopranos instead of The Wiggles. All I can do is think, "Where is he learning this stuff?"

We've moved on from the original "Ga-dannit" stage and now we are onto more bratty phrases like "Go way Mama!" Ugh. Where does he learn it?

Yesterday Mason was in the tub playing with his zillion bath toys when he picked up his blue rubber ducky, squeezed it and said, "look! ducky's peein'" at the water steaming out of the hole in the bottom.

Of course it isn't all bad, just most of it. With the bad comes the good too. He talks all the time about his "frens". We have all turned into Masons friends lately. Even the dog is a "fren".

There is also the funny as heck stuff. Like when my sexy husband walks around shirtless and Mason can't help but point to his chest and say, "Dada's milky!". We also can't help but laugh at the kids impeccable hearing. The kid can pick out the tiniest flatulence from a mile away. Apparently we all have distinct sounding ones too because the kid is rarely wrong when he points out, "Dada fart!" or even on the very rare occation, "Mama fart!"

So until this tell-all stage passes, you can find me at home reciting bible verses out loud and listening to classical music. Oh, and I'll probably have gas pains from holding in a tad bit of pregnant gas.

All About Meme

I am - unique
I want - to be able to let things go.
I wish - I could still sleep-in once in a while.
I miss - college days.
I fear - having another premature baby.
I hear - lawn mowers outside.
I wonder - what my baby girl will be like.
I regret - things I say in the heat of arguments.
I am not - shy.
I dance - to kids music now!
I sing - like I am in church, says Mike.
I cry - almost everyday at nothing, damn pregnant hormones.
I am not always - into writing.
I make with my hands - killer salads.
I write - when I need to get things off my chest.
I confuse - North, South, East, West.
I need - to exercise more.
I should - clean out my closets.
I start - projects I don't finish.
I finish - whole jars of Clausen pickles.

meme from Mamac-ta

A day late...

but still, Happy Mother's Day! I was away for the weekend with my Mom and Mason. Mike stayed behind. As usual, I had anxiety about staying a night with Mason somewhere other than home. I did for Mexico, too but Mason was a dream come true. This time, not so much! I feel awful saying this but the trip was a total bust. Mason was ah-hem, HORRIBLE! The first night he fell asleep at 11pm. Just a little more than two hours later than 2 hours later than usual. He fell asleep after screaming that he wanted olives for an hour. Sorry kid, no-can-do at 10pm in a hotel. Once Mason fell asleep it was my turn. My Mom didn't have a problem. Her sleeping was signaled by the sawing-log sound that shook the pictures on the walls. By 12:45, I was so irritated and over-tired I got up, went into the hallway and called Pedro. Crying, I asked him if he could come and get me the next day. He said he would if I needed and that I should call him the next day. I fell asleep with a pillow over my head sometime after 2am. Mason was up at 6:30am.

But, that wasn't the worst of it. We went to go shopping. Pedro even gave me the "OK" to spend a reasonable amount of money since I never get to do things like this, with the instructions, "have fun!" BAHAHAHAH!

We encountered meltdown after meltdown. Mason arched and kicked and screamed and threw himself out of his stroller. You think I am exaggerating, I am not. I was so exhausted I even cried and told my Mom we needed to go home and for-go our second night in the hotel. I was exhausted and couldn't fight with him anymore. Somehow she got me to stay another night. I couldn't wait to get home.

We got home yesterday around 3:30pm. I came home to a little silver box. Of course, mine only has 2 beads, but that is part of the fun, adding to it. Thank god my husband reads this sometimes. My mom got me a very pretty necklace, I got her a card. Ugh I hate when that happens. I also came home to a newly painted terracota living room. Thanks Pedro.

I am home now. I slept in my own bed last night with my husband who doesn't even snore. I went to bed at 10 and got up at 7:30 this morning. Ah, life is good.

Pink Frilly Stuff

Since I've found out that baby #2 is supposedly a girl, I have found some super cute thing that I thought I'd share. I really never had the problem that lots of boy-parents have with finding cute boy stuff. It is definately out there, you just have to look. But cute girl stuff, it's EVERYWHERE! I'm not talking clothes yet, just the other stuff for right now, so take a look.

First there is the sling. I haven't made my ultimate decision on which one, but as you can see, slings aren't just navy or beige anymore. Fun huh?

Next, this car seat cover a-dor-a-ble! Yes, this one is a pricey bugger but I've got to cover up the "navy and beige" checkers some how. I love the diva dot and the disco brown.

And finally, these! Mamac-ta is a big time lover of these for her little guy, but the girly ones that I love are just so girly and cute.

So how am I doing. Is there anything else out there that I still just have to get?

I'm Crazy Pickle Head...Gimme Some Pickles.

I know , I know you are all dying to know what kind of crazy food I've been eating in my pregnant food crazed moments.

First of all, let me tell you that with Mason, I wanted Hot, as in make your nose run and eyes water, spicy HOT! I remember leaving work while pregnant with Mason and instead of going home, I drove directly to the store to buy a whole jar of jalapenos to smother my nachos with. No wonder he has a fiery streak, huh?

So this time as I have said a zillion other times has been so different. I love pickles, mmmmmmm...pickles. WAIT, not just any pickle though. Now along with being a coffee snob it turns out that I am also a pickle snob. Only Clausen pickles for this mama! You know, the ones you can only get in the refrigerator section. Mmmmmm...The salty, garlicy, taste gives me near the satisfaction of pregnant sex! That. Good.

I also love lemon ice. Sour and sweet all in one, makes my mouth water like a waterfall. Culver's has the best. Unfortunatly you southern girls probably don't have Culver's but if you do, try it.

That's enough before my 'puter starts shorting our from the puddles of spittle on the keyboard...

Hi, I'm Bored.

I don't know what my deal is lately, but I have been bored. I feel like I have nothing of importance to write about. So how about a quick recap of the weekend, shall we?

Friday night Pedro and I decided that we were officially old. We spent the night at Barnes and Noble each with a coffee,reading magazines while Mason played on the train table. How exciting are we?

Saturday we went to Pedro's parents lake house. I wish I had as much fun as Pedro up there, but I don't. It is never relaxing for me, Mason fights napping so I am the one left with a sore boob after an hour of trying, and I always end up looking like the "bad guy". No details needed, the ride home was nasty, my feelings were hurt bad enough, no need to rehash. I just wish I could be understood sometimes. I think the agreement stands at taking separate cars in the future, period. The End.

Sunday, Pedro worked on our flipping house. No really, the house we are re-doing to sell. I promise to post pictures when all I complete, huge changes have been. We ended up going to Home Depot and coming home with among other things,3 gallons of terricota paint for my living room. I am changing my red living room to terricota. It has to be done in the next week before our new furniture comes. I'll have to take before and after pictures of that too.

So my exciting weekend in a nut-shell. Next weekend my mom and I and Mason of course are heading to the Mall of America in Minnesota. I am hoping it is a smoother weekend than this one was.

The Lull.

Hi everyone. I am at that point again, nothing important to talk about. Not that this site ever has "important" things, but you know what I am saying. Now that we all know I am having a girl, that curiosity is over and I have begun to sleep again. So that drama is over until sometime in mid-September.

My mailbox has been an excitement lately. I know, I need a life if my mailbox excites me, but I've gotten some really cool mail lately. I got an order from Old Navy including a Maternity swimming suit. It is a cute style but I am not sure about the pattern--It should work for the summer when I am a beached whale, and that is all that matters, Right?

My friend Laura sent me a book to read too that I just received this week. I love Jodi Picoult, so does Laura and so she sent me a copy of the newest J.P. book, The Tenth Circle. I cannot wait to start, but I have to get new glasses. I have been putting it off for months, but it is time, and this book is my motivation. I'll have to do a post on my glasses someday, they are blog worthy, pictures and all.

Mason has been so amazing lately. Two days ago after his bath, we were looking in the mirror making funny faces when he said, "mama's cute!" God, I love that kid. I wish he had a little button on him that I could push whenever I need an ego boost. Then yesterday, I was upstairs on the computer when he yells to me, "Mama, Otto sick!" I ran downstairs and sure enough, the dog had yacked a big'ol pile. Lovely!

So there you have it, the excitement happening here is incredible. Tune in for more mindless babble later! CIAO!

The Suspense, It's Killing Me!

Today is the big day! I am so nervous, like never before. I slept horrible, tossing and turning just waiting for morning. It is now morning and I still have to wait. I guess I am not sure what I am so nervous about. It is either a boy or girl, no in-betweens (God, let's hope!) Could it be that I have said numerous times "If it's a boy I am done." I have my reasons, a whole other story. But maybe I have jinxed myself, and should not make things so black and white. It's a whole lot of pressure that I have no say in. So now I wait. And wait, and wait. My appointment is at 1:00. I'll update later. Maybe I'll go do Yoga. OOooooooommmmmmm

Edited:
So I am back from my appointment. Looks I am not packing on the weight this time, hell yeah! Everything is totally where it should be. That's All!

Oh and I suppose you are wondering what I am having? It is a GIRL!!! YES,YES, YES! I couldn't be happier and neither could Mike! There you have it, our perfect little family in the making.

Totally lame post, but check it out!

Raed Tihs....


Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch procejt at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosnt mttaer waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe!


Pretty interesting huh? I read through this just as fast as I do normally?

Alright, alright here is the scoop on the Tiffany necklace story. A total boner move on my part!

I think it was three years ago for our anniversary, Mike got me a very simple, very pretty necklace with an "A" on it. I loved it and still do, but I go through phases with Jewelry and I forget about things I own for months at a time. This was one of those times. So fast forward probably six months. We were at a cheesy department store and I found a necklace (not nearly as pretty) with a big gaudy "A" on it and told Mike I wanted it! He was pretty offended, rightly so, and reminded me of the nice one he had bought me. Oops! I still feel bad about it, but I had just completely forgot about it! So there you have it. How terrible, right? Ugh.

Post for Pedro. . .

Last night Pedro was on the 'puter and yelled downstairs,
"Why did you quit blogging?"
I yelled back up and said that I quit because he "never comments anyway!"

I thought that he looked at this maybe once or twice a week, and maybe he does, but I am going to run a test. A few weeks ago, I had written a whole big post about a new obsession I have and "poof" it vanished. Who knew Mother's Day was right around the corner. Let's just see if Pedro is paying attention, shall we.

I am not a big jewelry person, but I found this stuff I love. It is called Pandora and I want a braclet. I think the thing I love about them is how you can personalize them. I am not a gold girl so I'd like for mine to be all silver, with color from the murano beads. Another cool thing is that you add the beads as you go. So say for now, I wanted an M for Mason, or Mike. Well, twenty-five kids later, I could have the whole alphabet on there! I love how they are affordable too, but when you are done adding the beads, you have a nice piece of jewelry. Minus the nails of course.

So how easy should shopping be this year for Mother's Day?

Who's Crazy...Me?

**This post is not for the faint of heart, trust me!**

Even though my friend lives just a few houses a away, last week we were into a little crazy web discussion that kept getting more strange and wrong and funnier by the minute. It was so funny when it was going on, that I thought I should try to re-cap for you all!

It started innocently with a post about pizza. If you read the comments, I was the one to cross the line. But then the "always eager to learn more" part of her took over and she found this, but was a tad let-down because she thought they were only a man's dream come true. Well how wrong she was, because when I thought I crossed the line before, psha! I really crossed it now, I found Charlie!

So now, for those of you who are totally intrigued, you too can have "Charlie" for a mere $7,000 dollars! He comes straight to your door in a coffin size crate, and wow, just think of the great conversations "he" would start being a centerpiece in your living room. But seriously, this business is freaking bazaar. We were even looking into all our options and wow, are there options. So, I know you are all going to run out and get a Charlie of your own, right? Or, would you tap into your inner-freak and go with an Anna Mae?

TMI times 10!

If you can't take talk about girlie parts...see ya!

Today we began our day as normal: Mike gets ready for work, inserts a fresh piece of gum into his mouth, and he is out the door. Have I mentioned that my son LOVES gum. It is a great plug too when he is having one of those extra whiney days too. So anyway, today when Mike ate gum, Mason needed some too. Never mind that it is 7:45 in the morning. He got his wish! Somewhere during the 8:00 hour I decided it was time for the boy to have a bath. I put him in the bath tub with all his toys, left the door opened and let him play while I picked up. (Can you see where this is going? Just wait, you have no idea!) I went to finish giving him his scrub down, took him out, and got him dressed for the day.

About a half an hour later I decided I should really get ready since I had a few errands to run today. But, we had plans for tonight so I want to be "fresh" for the night. You know, fresh hair and make-up, a rarity these days. So I made a compromise with myself. I'd just quick jump in Mason's bath water and wash the parts that needed to be washed. I don't think I need to go into detail about the "parts" you are girls, you know. And the whole thing about reusing bath water, bah, he's my son and he has pooped on me before. . .It doesn't gross me out in the least. So to my quick under-carriage scrub turned disastrous! I found gum in my pubes! Yes, a wad of gum clumped into my pubes from my gum addicted 2-year old. After a few minutes of trying to remove it, and brainstorming how the hell I would be getting it out, I gave up and got the scissors. A clump of my girlie hair is gone.

I debated whether or not I wanted to write about this. I mean, it is definitely TMI, but who has this shit happen to them? Oh yeah, I do! This is my crazy bazaar life, WELCOME!