Baby Drowning in Laundry

And you think you have too many clothes?

I couldn't help it. They were all a dollar.


I now have no excuse to keep putting her in her brothers old blue onsies.

She is a chip off the ole block. Drowning in laundry like her Mama.

Foot in Mouth

I am so stupid. For lots of reasons, but I can't stop thinking about something I did and said. I was at the team meeting for my little guy's speech evaluation (the fact that we had to have a meeting is much more stupid than even I am). It was one of the mean county ladies, a very nice lady and a neutral woman that took minutes like a court reporter. I tried to be on my best behavior and just get out of the meeting without crying and without any more red marks going on my son's file. I tried to put on my best happy, positive Mommy face through the whole thing. The mean lady went over the evaluations they conducted line by line and told me at some point that I was a frustrated mother (Me in my head: "#*%!&!" ) and there was nothing wrong with my child. She also said it is not their job to potty train my child. $%^#$#@#%#$^$%^#$%@$@#!^$!!!!!!! Thinking about it now, I was way too nice. I should have lovingly told her that I was frustrated with her and the insensitivity I was shown in our first meeting. I simply said that I did not expect her to potty train anybody and made an appointment strictly for evaluations of speech. I wish I had added that most people don't make an appointment for an evaluation and wait months to have it for fun. If you do that you believe something could be wrong with your child and you are very vulnerable and sensitive. Oh, and I should have said "You are a big bad MEANIE!"

The unfortunate foot-in-mouth incident happened when I was defending myself (again) with a justification why I thought he needed speech therapy. I said he over-enunciates very slowly sometimes because people don't know what he is saying. I told them that he sounds like a deaf person and imitated how he talks sometimes. So, as I was leaving I noticed that the sweet woman had a big thing in her ear and when I thought about it she talked a little like she might have a hearing problem. I can't stop thinking about how stupid that was of me. I certainly didn't mean anything and wasn't making fun of anybody, especially her so I hope it was taken in a negative way. I am confessing here to the world (not that they will see it) with hopes that I can just forget it ever happened. As it turns out, I am just as insensitive as the Meanies.

The good news is that the little guy was super smart on their measuring scale. The bad new is that they told me he is smart enough to know how to control our home.

Watch Out Cinderella

It is only Monday?

What?

Cardboard Box and Boys

When are they old enough that playing with a box is not fun?

Never.

Horton Hears a Who

Good night, all. I have finished 90% of my taxes and I am off to bed so I can make it to church in the morning.

I took the boys to see Horton Hears a Who today. I was distracted by the little guy walking up and down the aisle, asking for food and kicking seats. He climbed over 4 people and kicked over popcorn to give me a big, wet kiss on the cheek. You can't be mad at that.

Everyone seemed to like the movie. It was a challenge for me not to fall asleep. I'm not used to sitting so still. Dad stayed home to bond with Baby Girl. He pushed her in her stroller around the block in the rain. Men are different aren't they?

No Presents Please

Birthdays Without Pressure

This is a link to some information I found about no pressure easy birthdays if you are interested.

I'm glad to have my birthdays behind me for a little while. Baby girl will have her first in October and then it is celebrations through New Years Day. Implementing the parties stress me out and I am usually relieved to have them behind me. I think I will be able to get away with just a family-only party for her.

This is the bear cake I made for the Big Guy's first birthday. It wasn't an out-of-control party by any means, but enough for me to handle. I had a bakery running out of my kitchen before I could stop myself. I wasn't able to make this same cake for son #2 until his second birthday and it was slapped together pretty quickly. I just knew one day he would look back and feel unloved if he had not had the same cake. The first several years I made and decorated all the cakes myself. I thought this great act of service would make it much more special. I have since learned that kids prefer the store bought cakes and the tackier the better.

Fast Forward 5 years later to the 6th birthday: chocolate cake and icing, chocolate chip sprinkles and a big fat Darth Vader candle. He loved it.

Don't Rain!

I logged on to write "Too tired for words-Thursday". However, after thinking about it, I think it is actually Friday.

I hope your day is going better than mine. I am hoping for good weather this weekend. If Hubby can take these boys out to the ball park, I can get my taxes done. That's right. It is just a laugh-a-minute around here.

I'm off to pick up Hubby at the airport. I hope we can just go out to eat instead of me trying to come up with another meal on my own. It looks like the little guy will be wearing red gingerbread flannel PJ's so I guess it won't be too nice of a restaurant. Just so you know; My bar has been set lower and lower with each child I have. It is one of my survival mechanisms (to keep out of the mental ward). I have so many other battles to fight so the PJ's seem minor.

Dream Jeep

He asked for a jeep for Christmas and his birthday. He did not mean a kid's jeep, but a REAL jeep. He is obsessed with them and every time we see one on the road we all get excited. I found this jeep for him at a consignment sale a few weeks ago. Today was the first day he got to drive it. He made some big improvements this week in his behavior and his potty incidents and definitely earned it. There was a bit of a fit when he had to stop riding, but that was expected. I'm so proud of him and really love this little guy. He gives us a pretty hard time and sometimes I wish I had more patience. I have lately seen God working through the challenges that we have had from this 4 year old boy. Among other things, I have become a different and better mother and have also given it all up to God because at times I can't take it. That is exactly what I am supposed to do anyway - give it all to God.

Danger Danger: Fruit

My friend that suggested I bag my Legos has been warning me about the Salmonella problem with cantaloupes from Honduras. Extra scrubbing and steps are needed to eat one. I told her I didn't have time for that and I would buy the chunks precut in a bowl at the grocery store. She suggested I talk to the manager about how they clean their fruit first. I thought to myself - if I had time to track down the manager and discuss it, I can just wash the thing myself. So, I am instead going to go on strike from cantaloupes to save some time in my life. I got the following email from her and have reprinted it below unedited.

I was in Publix and I noticed their cantelopes are from Honduras. So I asked to speak to the produce Mgr. He said there was only one distributor/supplier from Honduras who had problems with salmonella with cantelopes. The only Publix store who received from that source was in south Florida. (That info..just one supplier from Honduras had the problems was also stated in the AJC article.) I then reviewed the safe washing procedure. He agreed scrub in water with a produce brush. Then put in refrigerator overnight before cutting. The 40 degree refrig. temp kills salmonela as well as other germs. He claims when they cut cantelopes, they wash first with fruit wash solution (don't know if they use brush).Then they refrig. overnight. and if they cut up, do so at that time. I bought a whole one today and washed with produce brush and put in refrig. overnight. I will cut up tomorrow. I will bring us some Mon. for lunch.

Letter To My Husband

Dear, you are going to miss baseball practice. The car is making a funny noise. I had to take the trash out to the street by myself. I haven't had a real meal since you left. Oh yeah, and COME HOME! Love, me

P.S. I'll be going out with the girls an hour after you get home. XOXO

6 Months Old. Feel the Love.

It is the 6 month anniversary of their first meeting. It seems like yesterday and sometimes like years ago. Funny how we can't imagine life without her now. She still stares at them unfazed as they poke, hug, yell and get really close in her face. They waved rattles and toys wildly an inch from her face from day one. I'm glad she can finally bat back and get their faces wet with the hand she has been chewing on. I think she is going to be one tough cookie.