ePregnancy.com

Flutters

Asteria — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:40:00 GMT

Up until around Thanksgiving I had nothing new worth posting. Since Thanksgiving I haven't had time to post anything :) However, the numerous airport delays I've experienced today have given me ample time to relax and write a couple of paragraphs. At first, the delays were almost nice as it allowed me a chance to do absolutely nothing. However, now I'm ready for my journey to be over.

Everything is going well with the pregnancy. Towards the beginning of November I had my 20 week anatomy scan and learned that we are having a boy. The pictures from the 13 week ultrasound were much clearer than it was in the 20 week. It must have been because he was bigger and it was harder to get all of him within the screen. I know the ultrasound tech isn't allowed to say anything indicating whether or not there is a problem. However, throughout the process she kept saying things like, "and your 13 week ultrasound was normal?" The first time didn't make me nervous. However, around the third time she asked I started to get worried. I'm still not sure why she was asking but at my latest doctors visit they confirmed that everything on this ultrasound did look normal :)

I started feeling little flutters of movement around the middle of November. However, within just the last couple of weeks, I've started seeing him move. It's odd, yet comforting, to see my stomach ripple. This usually happens as I go to bed and so my husband hasn't had much of a chance to observe this yet. Up till just a couple of days ago, Baby mostly moved when I got up or went to bed. However, yesterday he was very active in the middle of the day too.

My husband's sister is getting married right after Christmas so last Monday I had to go shopping for an appropriate dress to wear for the wedding. I had really been dreading the shopping experience. In my unpregnant state, I enjoy shopping, especially at a thrift store where it turns into a treasure hunt. Since becoming pregnant, shopping has become much less exciting. However, my shopping experience Monday turned out to be great. There were quite a few "normal" dresses that fit me. In fact, I somehow managed to fit into a normal, non-maternity, size 6 dress. It was a little tight around the bust but I could have worn it. My main problem was finding a dress that didn't show too much of my breasts. By necessity I've had to become a little less self-conscious about showing cleavage Apparently, maternity outfits assume you want to show off your newly enhanced cleavage. However, I did manage to find a couple of dresses that I felt comfortable in. The dress I finally bought didn't even cost as much as my husband's tux rental did :) Of course, I haven't shopped for shoes for it yet so that'll probably eat up all the difference.

I'm still not use to the idea of being pregnant. Most of the time I just feel like I've gained a lot of weight. I assume at some point my disbelief will lift and this will start feeling like reality?

Home sweet home?

My Daughter's Father — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:30:00 GMT

I live roughly 45 miles from Maddie. While it's a heckuva lot better than the 1,100 miles when I lived in Denver, it still isn't close enough — especially for her.

About two years ago, Maddie often talked about me moving in with her. While it was incredibly sweet to hear her talk about us as one big, happy family — the way, I suppose, she sees it and wants it to be — it was also quite funny, and I would share the stories of the different scenarios with her Mom whenever she'd bring it up.

On the drive from picking Maddie up for Thanksgiving last Wednesday night, we passed a string of semis and she asked what was inside. I explained there could be any number of things, from clothes to school supplies to food, that the trucks were moving things from one place to another. I even mentioned they can move people — well, their belongings, anyway.

This seemed to pique her interest and she took the line of questioning further. "Do people ride in the truck?," she asked. I told her no, a moving truck or van would generally meet the homeowners at their destination. And then I made my mistake.

I had noticed, when pulling up to her house earlier in the evening, the neighbors next door had their house up for sale.

As an example, I told Maddie if I were moving into the house next door, the movers would load up my furniture, etc., I would tell them where my new home was, and then I would drive the Jeep and meet them there.

The subject changed entirely.

Maddie told me that, in fact, the next door neighbor was moving and that I could move in if I wanted to. "You'll have to wait until they move out," she explained, "but then you can feel free to move there!"

I chuckled to myself. "Feel free." How do 7-year-olds learn to talk like that?

She went on about how great it would be for me to live next door, that we could see each other every day. Anytime I wanted to see her, I could just walk over. It wouldn't take very long.

"There's just one thing," she added.

"What's that?"

"I'll have to tell my Mom."

Indeed.

The Elf on the Shelf answers a question

Mommy Milestones — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:44:00 GMT

Christmas in one of those holidays that brings up a lot of questions and even more excitement. It is a time of year to believe and hope, take a leap of faith and trust, give freely for the sake of giving and rejoice in that which we have and will receive.

As the mom of 2 young boys, I am blessed to see Christmas through their tiny eyes and huge hearts. I get to experience the bright lights in our neighborhood with elation and joy, I sing songs even if I don’t know the words, I bake cookies and eat advent chocolates, and best of all I get to share in the hopes and wishes of my young boys and they dream about presents and Santa.

Last year Boo did not understand Christmas, Santa or any of the holiday decorations and AJ was afraid of a man coming into our home while he slept. We spent a lot of time driving through neighborhoods looking for the best lights and decorations because, before Christmas Day, that seemed to be the best part of Christmas.

We have already begun the search for the coolest holiday house and might have already found it 2 blocks away. AJ is excited for Santa to come and has been making his list for months. Boo caught on quickly and stops me whenever a commercial comes on and says, "Me too, Shrismas lis, me too!" I acknowledge the toy that he wants and tell him that I will make sure and put it on his list.

Boo is not yet afraid of Santa but we have not gone to visit him and sit on his lap yet, he may change his tune but since AJ is so excited it might be fine to tell a man in a red suit all of the presents that would be wonderful to get this year.

We have watched a few holiday movies and AJ has begun to ask how Santa knows who has been naughty or nice. One explanation was a magic snowball made from Christmas snow and another was a giant computer system that tracked every child. Neither seemed reasonable to AJ and he wanted to know how Santa made his list and how he checked it twice.

Just as we began to derive possible solutions, a friend called with the answer. Low and behold an Elf on the Shelf would come to each house and watch over the children. He would stay all day long and keep track of the good little boys and girls and let Santa know about the naughty behaviors. He would use his magic to go to the North Pole each night and return in the morning. He would go from room to room each night as he watched over the family. On Christmas Eve he would make his final report and Santa would know who was naughty or nice.

AJ was shocked that Santa could send an elf to each home and that they had special magic to travel so fast. But, after all, Santa does make a trip to each home on Christmas Eve so why couldn’t the elf on the shelf make a trip to the North Pole each night?

He and Boo listened to the story and wondered if an elf was in their home too. We looked and we looked and finally found him sitting on top of the kitchen cabinet looking down at our dinner table. "There he is!" exclaimed AJ and Boo jumped with glee as we found our own elf watching us eat.

Now the boys are on their best behavior because our little elf is watching and AJ is happy to finally know how Santa knows who is naughty or nice. Plus, it is a little extra help to keep the sometimes overzealous boys "nice" during the hectic and exciting holiday season.

You can get your own Elf on the Shelf for your home. I looked online at www.elfontheshelf.com and found it at a nearby store. The elf comes with a book about the tradition, letting your child know why the elf is so special. We read it at night and are trying to come up with the best elf name for our new found friend.

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.

MIA Cell Phone ... No one is HOME!!!

Oh Mama! — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:20:00 GMT

How many times have you said, "I wonder what I did in the days before my cell phone?"

Well, I've been finding out this week -- the hard way.

My in-laws dropped me off in the Phoenix airport and within minutes the sixth sense kicked in -- the one when you know your child has to go "potty" or if you think they might be about to vomit... suddenly I felt stark naked as we neared the line for security. I rifled through my purse and my cell phone was gone.

"Tim," I asked my husband, trying to mask utter panic in my voice, "could you please call my cell phone?"

This is my normal method for finding my MIA cell -- except this time, no cheerful ring tone, nothing.

"Call your parents, I must have left the phone somewhere!"

I have a bad history with my cell phone in Arizona. Two years ago, I dropped it in the garage and my father-in-law ran over it. It looked like an Etch A Sketch screen gone crazy. This time I left it in their car, at least, but it won't arrive until Thursday at the earliest.

I spent the better part of Monday e-mailing all my friends and family telling them of my plight. I would have called them on my land line; however, all the numbers are programmed into my cell. Sigh. Plus, who calls someone's land line first? That is SOOOO for telemarketers.

My responsible mom take on this is the main reason I miss my cell phone is that if Dylan's school needs to call me -- if he were to get sick at school or if there was a problem -- they can reach me any time, any place. But for a few days this is not a colossal problem. They have alternative numbers to call. Truth be told, I miss my chit-chatty conversations with my family and my mom and running buddies. When you get right down to it, none of these conversations are really THAT important.

Cotton is NOT the fabric of my life as the commercial would like you to believe. No, I've learned, it's my cell phone -- my way of staying tied in and constantly connected. It's typically mundane conversations (news flash, life isn't always that exciting!), but as I can't help but eavesdrop on others who talk WAY TOO LOUDLY on their cell phones in grocery stores, I'm not alone in delivering daily news of the ordinary.

None of this stuff is important enough to take time to write about in an e-mail, but somehow it moves up the priority list while I find myself stuck in traffic or at a stoplight. Then suddenly it becomes something that has to be shared ... immediately.

Don't worry though, I'll be back chatting it up with a vengeance in a day or so.

Obviously I've had WAY too much time to think about this since I am without my phone.

JCPenney Recalls Arizona® Newborn and Infant Pants Due to Choking Hazard

All ePregnancy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:56:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with J.C. Penney Corporation, Plano, TX, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately.

Name of Product: Arizona® Newborn and Infant Denim Pants

Units: About 24,000

Importer: JCPenney Co., of Plano, Texas

Hazard: The metal snap at the waist can detach posing a choking hazard to infants.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves Arizona® brand newborn and infant girl’s and boy’s denim pants. They were sold in sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-9 months. Only those pants made in Bangladesh are affected; pants made in China are not included in the recall. The country of origin is located on a label sewn into the waistband.

Sold Exclusively at: JCPenney stores nationwide and at www.jcp.com from July 2008 through October 2008 for about $15.

Manufactured in: Bangladesh

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled pants and return them to any JCPenney store for a full refund. Pants purchased through the firm’s Web site may be returned to the Catalog Desk at any JCPenney store.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact JCPenney toll-free at (888) 333-6063 anytime or visit JCPenney’s Web site at www.jcp.com.

Boy’s Denim Pant

Girl’s Denim Pant

ImagiPLAY Recalls Bead Maze Toys Due to Laceration Hazard

All ePregnancy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:02:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Bead Maze Toys

Units: About 500

Importer: ImagiPLAY, of Boulder, Colo.

Hazard: The trees on the toys can detach, exposing a metal screw. This poses a laceration hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled products are painted wooden toys with beads that slide on a curved metal track. The product was sold in three styles: the Apple Tree Bead Maze, the Cactus Tree Bead Maze and the Palm Tree Bead Maze.

Sold by: Toy retailers nationwide from August 2008 through October 2008 for about $13.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and return them to the retail store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact ImagiPLAY at (800) 882-0217 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.imagiplay.com/Recallweb.pdf (pdf).

Near Strangulation of Child Prompts Recall to Repair Window Blinds by Green Mountain Vista

All ePregnancy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:54:00 GMT

Name of Product: Insulated Black-Out Roller Shades and Insulated Roman Shades

Units: About 7,300

Manufacturer: Green Mountain Vista Inc., of Williston, Vt.

Hazard: The black-out roller shades and insulated roman shades have a continuous looped bead chain that when not attached to the wall or floor, hangs loosely by the blind, posing a fatal strangulation hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC received a report of a 2-year-old girl from Bristol, Conn., who suffered a near strangulation, June 2008, when she placed a loose bead cord loop around her neck and then slipped off the radiator where she was standing. Her 5-year-old brother lifted his sister, who was gasping for air, from the cord entanglement. She vomited and had deep neck bruising, but has since recovered from her injuries.

Description: This recall includes all insulated black-out roller shades (colors: white, cream, harvest, light sage) and insulated Roman shades sizes 48, 60 and 72 (colors: white, natural, sage, sienna, blue, goldenrod, mahogany, terracotta). The shades have RN number 107875 printed on the care label of the shade and identify the manufacturer on the “Installation and Care Instructions.”

Sold at: Country Curtains, Plow & Hearth, The Linen Source, Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, Ann & Hope, The Sportsman’s Guide, Target.com, The Curtain Shop of Maine, and Solutions Catalog. Sold nationwide from June 2005 through September 2008 for between $60 and $200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately check their window coverings to see if the tension device is attached. If not attached, immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Green Mountain Vista Inc. to receive a free repair kit. If the consumer is not able to install the tensioning device, contact Green Mountain Vista for further instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Green Mountain Vista at (800) 639- 1728 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.gmvista.com/

Note: CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman Blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords.

Children’s Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings Recalled by R&D International Due to Strangulation Hazard

All ePregnancy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:49:00 GMT

Name of Product: Young Colors Children’s Hooded Jackets

Units: About 1,500

Importer: R&D International Inc., of Salida, Colo.

Hazard: The jackets have drawstrings through the hood and at the waist. Children can get entangled in the drawstrings that can catch on playground equipment, fences or tree branches. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstring in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts. From 1985 through June 2008, CPSC received reports of 27 deaths and 70 non-fatal incidents involving the entanglement of children’s clothing drawstrings.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The cotton knit and woven hooded jackets have a drawstring through the hood and waist. They were sold in sizes 12 months through size 10 in a variety of solid colors and prints. “Young Colors” is sewn into the jacket tag located at the neck.

Sold at: Specialty children’s stores nationwide from April 2004 through September 2007 for about $45.

Manufactured in: Peru and Indonesia

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the jacket to eliminate the safety hazard.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact R&D International Inc. collect at (719) 539-3812 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site www.youngcolors.com

Strangulation Death of a Child Prompts Recall of Roman Blinds; Sold Exclusively at IKEA

All ePregnancy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:14:00 GMT

Name of Product: IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds

Units: About 670,000 (an additional 4.8 million were sold outside of the United States)

Distributor: IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa.

Hazard: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck in an exposed inner cord on the backside of the roman blinds.

Incidents/Injuries: On April 4, 2008, a 1-year-old girl in Greenwich, Conn. became entangled in the inner cord of an IKEA Roman Blind and strangled. The child was in a portable playpen that was located underneath a fully lowered roman blind. She was found partially suspended with the inner cord of the blind wrapped twice around her neck.

Description: This recall involves all sizes of IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds in white. The blinds have a sewn-in label at the top edge of the blind with the IKEA logotype, article name (IRIS or ALVINE), 5-digit supplier number 19799 or 21369, four digit date stamp (YYWW) and the words “Made in India”. On the bottom edge of the blind there is a sewn-in orange/white safety warning label. The blinds are made from 100% cotton.

Sold at: IKEA stores nationwide from July 2005 through June 2008 for between $7 and $30.

Manufactured in: India

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman Blinds and return them to any IKEA store to obtain a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/social_environmental/recalls.html

Living it up in Sun City, AZ

Oh Mama! — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:21:00 GMT

Just returned from Thanksgiving in Sun City, Arizona, home of my in-laws.

I love seeing them; however, I leave Kids Kastle for a place where Seniors Reign Supreme. For those not familiar with this Del Webb retirement community, you have to be at least 55 to live in Sun City, and the local hot spot would be Furr's cafeteria.

Among my observations: This is a place where people drive their golf carts to church on Sunday and consider anytime after 4:30 p.m. to be dining late. The economic downturn doesn't stop the Bingo crowd. If my father-in-law wins big, he just might buy something off Jewelry Television, which my in-laws have been watching for a while, but have yet to actually buy anything. But they make a game out of guessing how much something might cost. They say they've gotten good at it.

It's always funny for me to go running in Sun City. Even on a cold day, it's 50+ degrees as the sun is rising. For me, this means I'm usually out in my running shorts and a shirt. Most of the other walkers I encounter are wearing parkas, gloves and have their dogs dressed in little sweaters. On Friday, I had to run 16 miles, and I knew I'd warm up quick, so I was out in my shorts and jog bra and some guy actually had the nerve to ask me where my shirt was.

We took Dylan to see the new Disney movie Bolt, and my father-in-law moaned as we drove into the parking lot at 4:00 p.m. "Look how BUSY this place is! I hope we can find a place to park!" he gestures at a half empty parking lot. "Hope the movie isn't sold out!"

We arrive and find ample seating, but when he goes at 11:00 a.m. during the week, it's NOTHING like this.

While it's easy for me to see the humor in all of this, I better watch out. I can only imagine what college-aged kids (when did they become "kids?" when did I become old?) and Dylan's generation will make of my moaning about not knowing how to program my phone, figure out my IPod, and work the most basic computer programs.

Oh wait... I've already been making those complaints. So, I show my own signs of aging in a less than graceful manner. My only hope is that Dylan will be 6 as I turn 40, and part of his job, though he doesn't know it yet, will be to help keep me young. Perhaps I can keep my "quasi-with it" style going, at least a little longer. At least, I'd like to think I'm still a little bit "with it!"

Just don't let me eat at Furr's, OK?

Some Whine for the Road?

MicroCosmicMama — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:17:00 GMT

In my ongoing attempt to control the whine factor, I’m really working to accentuate and reinforce the positive, while ignoring the negative behavior and redirecting him towards a better activity.

But when you’re locked in a car where the heat is either full blast or none at all, packed so full of the very many travel items required of every parent who ever chooses to take the show on the road and a dead iPod, it’s time to pull out the stops. Any and all of ‘em.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way – it really, really wasn’t. Yet, in the throes of an extraordinarily elongated stretch of full-out of Pterodactyl-in-heat screeching, you’ll do anything to stop the pain.

I am, in fact, coming to you from the passenger seat of our family sedan, alternating typing one word with rationing one Cheerio at a time to the species Kaiserptylactidus riding unhappily restrained in a seat behind me. With each high-pitched outburst, the volume and my blood pressure/pulse are escalated to dangerous levels, and I find myself increasingly willing to do whatever it takes to Just. Make. It. Stop.

At this very juncture – approximately 1/6 of the way through our trip home from our Thanksgiving weekend away with Gage’s family – I am wavering, in every sense of the word, from sanity to behavioral modification concessions, and every dreadful point between.

So we just stopped at a Comfort Inn for a diaper change in the hopes of there being some objective purpose for our predicament. No poop there, but there was a wedding ceremony taking place at the very moment we decided on that bathroom. Of course, the officiant’s proclamation of “I now pronounce you husband and wife” was punctuated with Kai’s loudest, shrillest shriek to date, to which I immediately replied by plucking the lollipop I had just kiped from the conceirge’s desk out of my pocket and into Kai’s mouth. A lollipop! Way to go, natural-living mother of the year. ☹

Still. Of all times, places and bathrooms to choose … wow. I think I do need some wine for the road.

Moral of the story …
You never know what kind of parent you’ll be until it happens to you, and if it hasn’t yet happened to you, guess what, Dear Friend: You’re in for a shocking little surprise.

Unmade in China

Pregnant Pause — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:42:00 GMT

New Year’s Day may be a mere month and a day away, but I need to take serious action now. There’s something I’ve been meaning to do for years, and haven’t really gotten around to it... a dastardly demon which, if I can banish once and for all, promises to change my life and my family’s life for the better forever.

Since I already quit smoking years ago (my annual girls’ weekend notwithstanding), and my plan to drop those last 10 pounds is too mundane to mention, this year I have upped the Resolution ante to go beyond my body and mind and extend into my immediate environment.

I am going to declutter my house. And I’m not going to wait till January. I’m going to do it now. One room a week, maybe two. By New Year’s Day, I’ll be ready to take on 2009 with a more feng-shui-like, zen-eriffic, streamlined essence. I expect that once my house is in hand, my inner clutter will dissipate as well. At least, that’s the idea.

Because I seriously cannot take it anymore. I am completely overwhelmed by Stuff. Stupid, useless, crappy stuff. Baby clothes and puzzle pieces and mugs and blankets and picture frames and stickers and paper and plastic and so much dollar-store pollution wrought upon me by my well-meaning mother that I fear she may have singlehandedly been supporting the Chinese economy for years.

I will have no mercy. I will throw it all out, give it all away, donate it, decrease it, never think about it again. We will survive without all this odious Stuff because we have each other and that is what is important. I refuse to be attached to anything besides my kids and my husband.

In this matter, I resolve to have more resolve. By this time next month, every surface will be clear and every toy in its place. And I will be happy and carefree and unencumbered by the weight of the world...

Favorite November Memories - Photos

Mommy Milestones — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:41:00 GMT

Another wonderful month!

Happy Thanksgiving and I wish you a joyous holiday season!

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.

Walk in someone else's shoes?

Mommy Milestones — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:26:00 GMT

The old saying "do not judge someone unless you have walked in their shoes" has lost a bit of meaning on a 4 year old.

AJ met someone that is considered a special needs child. I am not sure what that means with regards to this child but he seems to blurt things out and appears disruptive if you do not know the situation.

At first AJ thought that he was very rude and had bad manners. I asked him not to judge the boy because he did not learn or act the same way as AJ and might be a little behind in age.

AJ looked confused and told me that the boy was older than he was and just did not learn his manners right. So, we sat down and had a talk about judging people and that we can not know what they have gone through unless we have walked in their shoes.

AJ looked puzzled and asked why he would ever walk in someone else’s shoes? Did it make a difference in how they acted or how he would see them? What would walking in their shoes do to him?

I tried to explain that it was a way of saying that you never know what someone has been through and judging them is not fair.

I asked him if he wanted someone to judge him because when they met him he happened to be in time out. They might judge him as being difficult, bad mannered and rude because his mommy had to put him in time out when in reality it was a just moment of not listening that put him there.

He agreed that it was not fair to judge him that way and realized that he might not know the whole story. He still does not understand the shoe analogy but does understand that judging others is unfair.

The moral of the story got through and I learned that some analogies don’t make a lot of sense when you look at them through the eyes of a literal thinking 4 year old boy.

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.

Home on the range, where Opa and his horses roam...

Mommy Milestones — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:51:00 GMT

Our boys are pretty lucky because they have an Opa (Grandpa) with a horse, actually 2 horses, 5 llamas, 3 dogs and 3 cats. We do not get up to Opa’s house very often but when we do the boys love to go horseback riding and feed the llamas.

Recently AJ had a board breaking class for Karate up North so we decided to make a day of it and go see Opa (Joe’s Dad). The last time that we went, the boys rode a Llama and this time it was the older horse named Faith.

I did not ride any of the animals but I did make friends with a black llama named Yolanda. She was so pretty with her long eyelashes and mouth that looked like she was smiling all of the time.

Opa and Marie said that Llamas tend to get closer to children than adults and were surprised that Yolanda took such a liking to me. She came very close and stood nose to nose with me. I had gotten my first Llama kiss. I had never been that close to a Llama before and it was kind of cool.

The boys loved horseback riding. Boo did not remember riding the Llama and was so excited to get up in the saddle. I know that as the boys get older they will enjoy the horses and Llamas more and begin to learn what it means to be a real cowboy. Their Daddy grew up in Texas and used to go roping so I am sure that some of the cowboy blood made it into them and they will love the rodeo too.

Here are a few of the photos of the boys as they ride off into the sunset.

Off to Make another Mommy Milestone.

Gifts for the Holidays – FREE - definitely in any budget!

Mommy Milestones — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:59:00 GMT

Thank you VistaPrint.com for offering so many free gifts for the holiday season! I needed return labels for our Christmas cards and stumbled upon VistaPrint. They had really cute labels with caricatures of each family member. I got to create the images of all of us, including the dogs, with the option of candy canes, Santa hats or an Angel’s halo.

http://www.vistaprint.com/christmas-caricature-0.aspx?xnav=LeftItem&xnid=HolidayCardsCalendars&dng=1090149

The best part about the labels was that 140 were free, yes completely free; all that I paid for was shipping.

The products, ease of ordering and customer service were awesome. The labels arrived within 5 days and were perfect. I also received an email telling me about other free offers, I know, it is all marketing but hey, it worked!

They offer a free long or short sleeve t-shirt with your design or one of theirs. You can make a t-shirt with the caricature that was made for the address labels or upload a photo and add a caption. It is pretty neat and did I mention that it is FREE?

http://www.vistaprint.com/t-shirts.aspx?xnav=LeftItem&xnid=HomeFamily&dng=1061561

Some of the other free products were: a baseball hat, a poster calendar, 100 postcards, 250 business cards and other business related items like a web site. I was impressed with how easy it was and more importantly the price – shipping only!

Since we are cutting back on our expenditures this year and I am totally into personal gifts, I ordered a long sleeve t-shirt, a baseball hat, and a poster calendar. All great gifts at a price that we can definitely afford!

I hope that you can find something that fits into your Holiday too!

http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/studio3.aspx?pf_id=641&combo_id=82952&gallery_id=301&category_id=16164&referer=http%3a%2f%2fwww.vistaprint.com%2ft-shirts.aspx%3fxnav%3dLeftItem%26xnid%3dHomeFamily%26dng%3d1061561

Have fun!

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.

Banshee Baby: Fostering Talent during the Terrible Twos

MicroCosmicMama — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:57:00 GMT

As it was recently oh, so pointedly stated to me: The “Terrible Twos” don’t begin when our babies hit the 2-year-old mark, this stage is commenced in their second year of life … and on, sometimes until after 36 months. Yikes.

But falling in a most formative part of our children’s lives, what’s a mama to do to continue fostering the spirit of learning, even when the intended recipients of this learnin’ we yearn to lavish would rather run around, screaming incoherencies, instead?

I’m doing my best to balance the authoritative end of my personal parenting spectrum with the part of me that sometimes just wants to concede and let the boy run wild until he collapses nightly of sheer exhaustion.

Where I used to possess the potential to carry on a daily curriculum for Kai, I have most recently found this becoming increasingly difficult. Did I burn bright and out, too soon, or is this the way it is supposed to happen?

So far, I’ve for the most part followed this instinct that I didn’t even know I possessed until after I had Kai, and it seems to be working out well, but there’s also that faintest of voices in the very back of my mind that admonishes my ability to be a good parent.

So, does this sense of self-doubt disappear with the more we pop out, or what?

I just want to do the best I can to always foster Kai’s inherent talents and strengths, but it’s like I can’t pin him down long enough to even find out what those are right now!

Is it being a banshee baby? Is that what he’s best at doing right now, and should I just stop trying to teach? My mother-in-law says she is sometimes reminded of Rick Moranis' character in Parenthood when she sees me whippin’ out the flashcards of Kai, so, maybe I should just lay off the boy?

Suggestions from survivors of toddlerhood? Was the concept of curriculum just cast to the wind during these toddlin' times?

Her Name is Rio...

Pregnant Pause — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:57:00 GMT

Okay, so Dan and I had our first real date sans enfants since the baby was born... and we almost didn’t come home at all. What with all the stress we’ve been under lately, we figured it was time to get our butts back out into the real world and leave the spit-up, diapers and tears behind for a few hours.

The big event? Abby’s school had a big 40^th-anniversary gala thingie last night. Though we thought it would end up being a bit stuffy, we had a really great time. Of course, we’re an easy crowd – we could have been watching paint dry at the water-filtration plant and we would’ve had a blast, so deprived have we been lately of grown-up conversation and diversions. Or, maybe it was because we got a wee bit tipsy (okay, drunk!).

The lone dark spot, aside from a series of boring speeches from 18 of the school’s past presidents, was the fact that I had to excuse myself halfway through the meal to pump in the ladies’ room, lest my slowly engorging bosom cause the top of my dress to explode. It was an extremely inelegant feeling, milking myself like a cow, all dolled up in my holiday finest, but I suppose it was the price I had to pay for freedom.

It only took 12 hours of preparation to make it all happen. I got a much-needed haircut, bathed the kids in the afternoon, started dinner at 4, got dressed at 5, and pumped like a demon so that Jonas would have enough milk, all in order to be ready to leave the house at 6. My mother – bless her soul – agreed to take on all three of our little darlings for what I figured would surely end up being the last time we’d ever get the chance.

In the end, the kids were angels. My mom now thinks I’m a big fat liar when I call her to complain about how rotten they’re being and how hard it is to have three. On the upside, although I will no longer be getting any sympathy from her, she has agreed to babysit again sometime soon.

Incidentally, I just found out that Duran Duran is coming to Montreal next week and I think I may need to see in person if the years have been kind to John Taylor...

One Flew Over Hollywood Hills

MicroCosmicMama — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:41:00 GMT

I never thought I would even fathom writing a blog on a TV show, but Celebrity Rehab has affected me so profoundly, I feel as though I have a duty to express it here, not only to find out if I am alone in my affinity, but also to implore those who haven’t seen the show (or written it off as yet another mindless reality-TV manifestation) to TiVo and catch it when you can.

Celebrities like to party, yes. Obviously fueled by an almost endless flow of money from the onset of their addictions, they had all gone far and beyond their means; many had most recently resorted to stealing to maintain their respective highs.

So, there’s that piece. Fascinating, true, but we already know that story all too well … their poisonous paths have become the rule rather than the exception in the lives of the rich and famous.

What has been as of until now, wholly unexploited, were their roads to recovery. We’ve all become so accustomed to crazed-celebrity soundbytes that we don’t stop to consider the lives that lie beyond.

The overarching theme of a painful past is extraordinarily telling of the fact that when trauma is induced, post-traumatic stress and self-abuse will ensue.

Of course there’s a part of me that feels a slight twinge of guilt at gawking. Nevertheless, Celebrity Rehab is an amazing study of human nature. While it may be true that those that appear on the show are feeding their personality disorders that feast on the lime of the light, perhaps this will also foster within them the spirit to heal, knowing that they have the support of so many.

Even still, moments of inadvertent comedic genius often prevail ... positively theatrical, but no one's acting -- at least, I'm pretty sure no one is.

And actually, as reality television has come into its own, moving from being comprised mostly of the exploitation of truly stupid people for cruel, crude entertainment value, towards a genre that has settled on serving a much more valiant social purpose: to help struggling people.

Whether the issue is one of weight, as in The Biggest Loser, of extraordinarily unfortunate circumstance, as in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, or the inherently addictive personalities possessed by many, many celebrities, the common thread of providing both help and hope remains.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Mommy Milestones — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:31:00 GMT

Thanksgiving was a wonderful day. The boys were so excited to spend the day and Grandma and Grandpa’s house, eat turkey and watch more holiday movies.

AJ had been talking about Thanksgiving every night before bed for about a week and was glad to finally get to tell everyone "I Love You! Happy Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my family." He said it when he woke up, when he saw Grandma and Grandpa and as a prayer for dinner. He smiled a big smile as he said it and it made my heart smile too.

It was a small group this year, really small, like a normal get together that happens at least once a week. It was my Mom, Dad, Joe, AJ, Boo and Me. That’s it; my immediate family was all that could come this year. In some ways I was glad to have a day that was mellow and without schedule but I felt bad that Joe did not have any of his family around and for my parents because my brother did not come.

At one point my heart broke for my Mom. She sat looking at the boys and smiling at the joy that they had but yet a tear came down as she thought about he own son, my brother, who is an alcoholic and could not participate in the holiday. She was torn between happiness with the grandkids and memories of her own son. It was heart wrenching and sad but I have learned over the years that I can not change another person's decisions and they still hurt the ones that love them the most.

I know that I would go through the same pain and heart ache if it were one of my sons but can not help but wish that she could find some peace about it all. Unfortunately a parent loves their child unconditionally no matter how much pain they cause you and you pray for a miracle when times seem bleak.

I used to get angry with my brother, not for what he was doing to himself but for what he was doing to my parents. The pain and suffering that they experienced was unfair but he was not thinking of them and they can not stop thinking about him. It’s a horrible circle that was painful to watch but as I grew into an adult, with my own family and children, I began to understand that life may not always seem fair but if we can learn from what we experience and grow we will have new and better experiences to follow. I pray that he can find a way to learn from all of this and have a life to live and if not I pray that my parents can find peace in it all.

Tonight as I lay in bed I am grateful for all that I have; my wonderful loving husband, my precious boys, my parents, family, and our blessed lives.

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.

Holiday Movie Favorites – Old movies in a new way

Mommy Milestones — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:04:00 GMT

I remember looking forward to watching the special holiday movies. My mom would look in the TV guide every week to see when they would be on and we would plan our dinner around TV trays and holiday movies.

They were so special because we only got to see them once a year. We did not have TIVO, a VCR or DVD. TV specials were events that if you missed them were over until next year.

My kids don’t understand the concept of waiting, watching a movie only once or even the need for a TV guide. On Demand rules our home and AJ is confused when he can not pause an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to go to the bathroom.

He owns most of the movies that he likes to watch and we rarely go to the theater to see a movie, we usually wait until it comes out on DVD. It is a different way of living, movies at the theater cost as much per person as the DVD and watching a movie only once seems silly.

I had a glimpse of holidays past as my mom called to tell me that that the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special was going to be on tonight. She knows that we do not own it yet and how much I loved to watch it as a child. I missed the Great Pumpkin at Halloween but have already watched Frosty, Rudolph and the Grinch and it is not even Thanksgiving yet.

I plan to sit in front of the TV tonight and reminisce about my childhood as I enjoy the commercials that I usually overlook. The 30 minute movie will last an hour and my boys will learn about Snoopy, Woodstock and the Red Baron.

Times have changed so much and I am grateful for DVDs, On Demand and our wonderful lifestyle but I am excited and filled with anticipation about a night like those in my past, a night all about family, being grateful and enjoying each others company.

I thank my parents for making these movies seem so important and the love that I still feel when I watch them. Tonight Charlie Brown will express his gratitude and the meaning of Thanksgiving. I too am grateful and looking forward to Thanksgiving and a weekend of family, food and fun!

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.

Holiday Haggling: Sometimes things fall into place

My Daughter's Father — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:45:00 GMT

There are few things I loathe more during the holidays than hustling about, rushing from one family scene to another, inhaling an endless stream of lunches and dinners while tacitly acknowledging my loved ones as I excuse myself and race on to the next culinary pit stop.

Though my folks divorced when I was seven, I still remember this time of year as a time to relax, play and enjoy my time with my family. And, of course, eat until I can't move. Save that last bit, it isn't quite the same anymore.

This Thanksgiving, Maddie and I have been given a reprieve. Her Mom called to let me know they're staving off the madness until the weekend.

I'd geared up with anxiety over how things would play out Thursday; rarely is it this easy. Of course, I get Maddie often — that is, often for a single father. And having her in my home is my joy.

But my heart is filled and I am warmed when, together, we visit our family, when she gets to run and play with her cousins, when her aunts and uncles and grandparents and great-grandparents get to love on her and ask her about school and, well, just be together.

It's going to be a good holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's all in the JEANS!!!!

Oh Mama! — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:15:00 GMT

For the last 5 years, by choice, I have drawn a paycheck of hugs and kisses. But taking the stay-at-home mom path was more coincidental than strategically planned.

My husband Tim took a job in the Dallas area, and I accompanied him, already 5 months pregnant. When we moved, the University of Missouri, my former employer, allowed me to work remotely through my August due date. When school started, I obviously was in Texas, so I left my position. I worked until the week I delivered -- at which point I became officially a "homemaker" -- though my husband might vote for maker of household disarray.

I remember being in tears at a post-partum medical visit, realizing I had to label myself as a "homemaker" on some form. My C-section scarred body limped to the information desk and explained my current situation. I was gently assured this was the box to check. I would have taken "stay-at-home mom" or "unemployed but born to breastfeed" as a better option.

Homemaker?!? That was some '50s throwback -- black and white TV, women who wore aprons and slept in twin beds alongside (certainly not with) their husband.

Wasn't there a more dignified way to classify a stay-at-home hormonally raging new mom?

So now I'm writing, and I am drawing some form of spending money. Granted, it's a meager paycheck, but it's something... so I've been saving this money like a squirrel hiding nuts for winter. I would not spend this on Cascade, toilet paper or groceries unless absolutely necessary.

I spent part of it on my vacation from my family when I went to Austin with two girlfriends.

The rest went to... (OK I am SO embarrassed to write this) -- JEANS! I was down to one measly pair purchased three years ago that was too big in the butt, too short in length and fraying on the ends. This is my regular "work" uniform these days, so I bought two pair in a store where I actually was served bottled water while shopping.

Does this mean I can now check the box as "fashionable freelance writer who happens to drive a crumb and milk laden SUV?"

I'll take that over "homemaker" any day...

Oh how the photos have changed!

Mommy Milestones — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:48:00 GMT

I came across a disk from my honeymoon and had to laugh at how different the photos from 7-1/2 years ago are from those taken today. Back then my photos were all about us, where we were, what we were doing - us, us, us.

We took them of ourselves or had other people take them for us but we were together in almost every shot.

Now, I look through photos and see pictures of the boys, Joe and the boys, me and the boys; boys, boys, boys but rarely a shot of just Joe and I. Oh how times have changed.

We have family shots but no longer have many shot of just us. I guess that goes to show that our focus went from me and Joe to us as a family and how proud we are of our kids.

I looked back through the albums and saw photo after photo of us in a seemingly standard pose, so much in love. Now I look and we still seem posed, as a family, just as much in love with each other as ever and with our kids too.

Here are a few photos from our honeymoon and 1 that was taken about 2 weeks ago, a night out without the boys.

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.