This time last year...

I had just given birth the night before to a little girl. She weighed in at 6lbs and 5 oz. She was a little peanut! I stayed in the hospital for two days. It was the first time I spent a night away from my son. And now I have two little babes. They are 16 months 3 weeks and 2 days apart (to be exact).

And in that year, we have endured unending sleepless nights, new teeth, phenomenal growth (mostly on my daughter's part) And many sibling arguments. We sure can pack a lot into one year!

I know there have been so many stressful times over this past year for me, and for well... for me. But tonight while my kiddos were eating dinner I just sat there and watched. Eddie sits next to Lacka and she was taking food from his plate. They had the exact same thing, I guess his just looked better. He noticed, but didn't get mad. Instead, he began feeding her. It was so sweet! And surprising at the same time, because Eddie won't share anything! And then she dropped her spoon and he got down to get it for her. Again.... sweet.

Something tells me though that there is always a calm before the storm. I do forsee more sibling issues ahead. I did get a glimpse at Lacka's party. Eddie pretty much came unglued because we wouldn't let him HAVE ALL of Alexa's birthday balloons. He thought that because they were pretty and he liked them, that they should belong to him. We let him have all but one, but seriously that was just way too much to ask of him. He dropped to the floor and screamed with all of his might. They would all be his or he would just crumple to the ground.

Eddie spent some time in his room before he began to behave. It was quite the chore though. And Alexa really didn't seem bothered one bit. She's quite used to his shenanigans.

So I'm hoping that if we begin to buy two of each toy that we plan on giving to the kids, that will cut down on the arguments. We are hoping. So far things seem to be progressing well. With two under the age of 3 in my household and one potty training, the other massively teething, and both having sleep issues... we are doing quite well to be functioning at all. We'll see what this next year brings. I wouldn't trade this for the world though!

I still remember what I was doing.

I was driving to work at The Falls of Pembroke apartment complex. (a 3 minute drive since we lived on the complex) and I heard the news on the radio. I immediately called my husband to tell him to turn on the t.v. When I got into the clubhouse, I quickly tuned in our TV to a news program. I also forcefully broke up the small chat that was going on and alerted everyone to the situation at hand. I will never forget this day, like so many others, it is etched in our hearts forever.

So today it is 6 years later, but only seems like a blink in time. The memories are vivid. I spoke to my father-in-law that day. (He lives in Brooklyn, NY) and I spoke to my other family members as well. I also rented an apartment too. I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to see an apartment when all of this was happening. After work when I got home, we watched TV all night long. I hated seeing the images, but I couldn't tear myself away. It was all so sad. And for the people that actually lived through this nightmare, they are the lucky ones. Although the memories will burn with them every day for the rest of their lives. I hope that they all have healed, or are still healing. My heart goes out to each and every one of them. The survivors, and the familes who lost loved ones on that day.

I would also like to say a very heart felt thanks to all of the men and women who served our country before and in the days since September 11. You guys are awesome, thank you!!

Said by my husband, "Mommy, we have a biohazard..."

I was starting to believe that I was going to be able to escape mommy-hood without having one of those moments. You know the ones, and you've heard the stories. It was either you or your baby brother or sister, or maybe a cousin, but somebody somewhere that you know has played with their poop as an infant. Now amazingly enough we don't remember this wonderful time of play. But I assure you, as do your own mothers, that it did in fact occur. I had to consult with my mom about this as well. Apparently I played with poop as a baby, as did my older sister.

Now for some reason, we come to discover such small and unusual substances in our diaper. Perhaps because we are awake, or bored, maybe even both. It usually happens in the early morning hours when the parents are trying hard to get just a few more minutes of much needed sleep. So frequently while mom and dad are snoozing away, unbeknownst to them, their sweet angel is about to create the world's stinkiest masterpiece ever.

I am sorry mom for the mess I made. And sorrier still that you had to go through this several times before.

Well, babies play with poop. Sometimes smearing it on themselves as well as the walls, bed and whatever else could be in their reach. It happens.

So here I am with a two year old son who has never once discovered his poop, or even tried to paint with it. I thought, Lucky me! (Maybe that's why he isn't wanting to go poop on the potty.....?) He has also never pooped in the tub. Once again, lucky me.

Now I know that I wasn't totally out of the woods just yet. I still do have another child in diapers. She could still be my little Picasso yet. So there I was thinking I was so lucky, going on with my day to day business of washing dishes. The kids are playing with their rolling popper machines. My husband is milling around doing, well, whatever it is that husbands do while their wives are busy cleaning. (I'm assuming that it is pretending you are busy and staying out of their way.) I hear him come up behind me and start talking to Eddie.

My husband raised his voice a little, but it did not not cause a sense of concern in me. Eddie is frequently getting into things that he shouldn't. So I hear my husband ask Eddie, "What is that Eddie?" and my son responds, "It's ca-ca." (or poop) And then my husband, "OMG....... Mommy, we have a biohazard!" I basically dropped everything to investigate. I rounded the corner of the kitchen to see my son rolling over, forwards and backwards, some poopy balls with his popper toy.

He did an excellent job of covering about 4 large tiles. Oh and I must mention that he was trying to vacuum it up with his other favorite toy.

Ok, now Eddie had taken the center piece out (the handheld vac) and was actually trying to suck it up through the tiny nosepiece on the vacuum. Now let's ponder this for a moment. He made a mess. And now he was trying to clean it. And even though he created more work for me to do, I honestly have to give the kid points for attempting to clean. I had to laugh. Silly boy. So I've joined the ranks, I'm not getting out of this unscathed.

Today my child inducted me into the poop hall of fame. Eddie, I thank you. I love you very much, but please don't ever do that again!

A conversation with my mom.

me: Hi mom, I called because I wanted to share what Eddie just did.

mom: Hi baby! What did he do?

me: EDDIE GET DOWN FROM THERE RIGHT NOW!!!! Well I'm pretty sure he just made poop on the potty.

mom: Oh my goodness! That's wonderful! But what do you mean you're pretty sure?

me: EDDIE DON'T PLAY WITH THE LIGHTBULB, IT GETS VERY HOT!!! EDDIE, I SAID NO! DON'T STAND UP THERE, YOU ARE GOING TO FALL. Well, I'm pretty sure because I didn't see it happen. Alexa fell into the bathtub after she turned on the faucet. She was leaning in to get some toys and she fell in. I had to rescue her from the trickling faucet and she was screaming and wet, so I didn't actually see him go. I just saw a small poop fall. GET OFF OF YOUR SISTER! YOU ARE HURTING HER, STOP THAT!

mom: that's so great! Maybe me and your dad should have come over to help you out.

me: me? yeah, anytime you want.... PUT THAT DOWN, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY WITH MOMMY'S CAMERA. DO NOT THROW THAT, EDDIE!!!!!!!!!! you know you guys are welcomed here, anytime. DO NOT STAND ON THE DOLLHOUSE!

mom: You let that baby stand on the dollhouse.

me: Mom, it's a toy dollhouse, it's plastic and not meant to hold a two year old child. He could break it and get hurt.

mom: oh.

me: {throwing the phone down} STOP IT. STOP IT. DO NOT, NO. EDDIE. NO. DON'T SCRATCH YOUR SISTER, SHE'S PLAYING WITH YOU, YOU NEED TO SHARE YOUR TOYS. EDDIE, THAT IS NOT NICE. BE NICE TO YOUR BABY SISTER. mom? you ok?

mom: yeah

me: I meant, you still there? ugh.

mom: I think Eddie has a while before he really learns to share.

me: EDDIE? WHAT ARE YOU EATING? NOOOO, DON'T EAT THAT. THAT'S YUCKY. EWW, DON'T WIPE IT ON THE WALL.Mom, he's licking the Desitin. And then he smeared it on the wall. At least it's white. Oh and he's eating the baby lotion.

mom: What was he standing on before?

me: the diaper changer.

mom: ok, is Ed going to be home soon?

me: I think he's on his way. mom: At least you got dinner out of the way.

me: EDDIE, GO PICK THAT UP. He's throwing legos down the hall, and Alexa is chewing on a diaper.

mom: Do you want us to come over?

me: KNOCK IT OFF. STOP THROWING THE DIRTY CLOTHES AROUND. Oh. thanks, but Ed shouldn't be too much longer. You guys can come over tomorrow.

mom: that sounds good. I'll leave you to your baby wrangling.

me: ok, talk to you soon!

mom: bye!

Daddy's Girl.

Note the front of her shirt. I'm trying to brainwash her into thinking it's ok to be held by other people. Even daddy, for instance. I'm sure she couldn't care less. Though cute and adorable, clothes will not change her mind. It's all about the mommy. mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy. The sun sets and rises with me. I guess I'm pretty important.

Though wiped out from lack of sleep last night, I still managed to function. Diaper the kids about a dozen times today, put the laundry away and do all the dishes. There was some lunch in there sometime today.

I wonder when my two year old will begin to eat like a human again. At present he eats like a bird. He pretty much pecks at his food and then leaves as if he'd been to a $30 dollar brunch. Silly boy. And his sister can eat enough for the both of them. I haven't seen her turn much of any type of food down. I'm not kidding.

So, daddy's girl is a big eater, she's almost going to be one! (September 18th.) And neither one of the kids wants to be daddy's girl. lol...... Eddie gets mad at me sometimes and he stands at the door and cries for daddy to come home. But then when I get up in the mornings and take a shower (when daddy is here) I close the door and try to have a moment to myself. Well, Eddie throws himself on the floor and cries inconsolably until I come out. Go figure. These kids are strange. Someone should have written a book to warn me about these things.

I have to go. We actually rented a movie. We are going to try and watch it before we fall asleep. We don't have much time. It's 7:42 right now!

Here's a couple more of daddy's girl: lol!

Happy Labor Day. I think.

Of course it's way too early to care about that right now. My baby girl is having tooth issues. It's the second time that I've been awake, and out of my bed to comfort her. Ah.... mommyhood. I love her messy little head. You other mommies know what I'm talking about. When you get to them in the middle of the night and their hair goes in 8 different directions. It's flipped to one side and sticking out on top and in the back.

I'm thinking that Monday is Labor Day. Yay. That means that my husband had a 4 day weekend. Gotta love those long weekends. Well, I need to take some new pictures of the kids and post them. They seem to be growing more and more every day.

I'm just way too tired to function right now. In fact, maybe I am really sleeping as I type. I mean, I could do that you know. I am after all, a multi-tasker. Shame I didn't multi-task that large stack of dishes still taunting me in the kitchen. Or the pile of clothes that mocks me sitting on the counter. (Mind you.... they are all folded at least.)

I still have a million things to do. Eddie made a huge mess of Alexa's closet. I have to clean that up, and then there's my big project: Getting some auctions going on ebay! It's going to be huge as I have quite the inventory to start with.

Well at least I can look at the bright side: My mom and dad are bbq'ing tomorrow. Delicious! Can't wait. Oh and I think I just realized that we have about 8 months and some weeks left in the United States. So much to do. And our house hasn't even shown one time. Can you say, "Bummer?"

I am going to try and sneak back to my bed now. I think that will be the official "cue" for my daughter to awaken from her sweet slumber and say.... "Oh no you didn't....." And then she will scream for me to come back. Even though at the moment she is quietly sleeping. As soon as my physical presence moves more than 3 feet away from her, the mommy sensor in her little body goes off. She stirs. She cries, and sometimes even throws herself defiantly on the floor when I walk away. (not from the crib, but anytime I move out of her reach) So somehow, she knows when I am not there. Let's hope this sleep is a lasting one. I'm really tired.

Can't wait til' tooth #4 gets here. I need some rest. She's been a crank lately. Going to make a try for my bed.....Wish me luck!

Why do I torture myself?

Could it be for the cereal? Or maybe it was because I knew that my son would absolutely throw a complete and total 2 year old tantrum F-I-T if we didn’t have any more syrup. God forbid. Pancakes and waffles are a major staple for breakfast. Oh and french toast. Anything that you can dip into syrup, it’s in. Well, we ran out. And wouldn’t you know it, they sell some at the grocery store. They sell lots of it. Maybe I should start buying things by the case so I don’t have to go so often. But then again, that presents a new problem as we don’t have a truck, van or SUV to carry it all in. Instead, we have sold our van and have purchased a lovely newer smaller car. Would you like to know what will fit into the trunk? This:

That is our exact stroller. It fits nicely into the trunk. And not much else. I mean, maybe a few small plastic bags or something, but certainly not any decent amount of groceries. We could definitely fit more in if we didn’t take along the stroller. But I love my new stroller. It works well for my two kiddos. That is, when they stay in it.

So, we went to the grocery store today. Luckily, we really only needed some syrup and milk. It cost me $62 dollars. Just going in for two things, come on! You ought to know better than that. You see Stove top stuffing for .69 cents and you need two boxes. Then you remember that you are almost out of cheese. And if you ran out, well, what would the mice eat? I sometimes think Eddie and Alexa are part mice. They couldn’t survive without some kind of cheese product. So I’m walking and thinking, good, I only have 3 things in my cart, excellent. And then I get to the cereal aisle. Oh man. I get in trouble down that aisle. They have coupons and sales. What a winning combination. I see Berry Burst Cheerios (or some variation of that) and it’s only $1.75, and then there is a .75 cents off coupon. So of course I have to get that.

So, we went to the grocery store today. Luckily, we really only needed some syrup and milk. It cost me $62 dollars. Just going in for two things, come on! You ought to know better than that. You see Stove top stuffing for .69 cents and you need two boxes. Then you remember that you are almost out of cheese. And if you ran out, well, what would the mice eat? I sometimes think Eddie and Alexa are part mice. They couldn’t survive without some kind of cheese product. So I’m walking and thinking, good, I only have 3 things in my cart, excellent. And then I get to the cereal aisle. Oh man. I get in trouble down that aisle. They have coupons and sales. What a winning combination. I see Berry Burst Cheerios (or some variation of that) and it’s only $1.75, and then there is a .75 cents off coupon. So of course I have to get that.

Well, that worked out for the next couple of aisles. And then they started touching each other. Pulling each other and then they both simultaneously began to hang their heads out the opposite sides of the cart. Then their hands were dangling very near to the floor. My son was trying to pull in everything that was in his reach. He grabbed at a few things. Most of which were taken away and replaced in another (though wrong) spot by my father. As soon as he took something away, I’d have to correct Alexa and make her sit up, stop biting her brother or get her leg off of him. Then he would start. He was laying on her, pushing on her and telling her things. Such as, “No, Lacka. I don’t like you scratch my face.” Pretty good sentence I thought. lol…. my kids are beating each other up, while I am shopping for things I’m not sure I really needed in the first place. And there I walk down the aisle with an empty, and very large double stroller. A man walked passed me and looked at my ride with no babies. He said to me, “It appears you are missing something.” “Yes,” I smiled, “I believe I am.” But how did he know I was missing my sanity??? Ah geez. I just needed to get out of that store.

When we finally made our way to the registers, there was a HUGE line. of course. It always happens when you need to get out of the store quickly. So, we waited. And waited. My children seemed to amuse the other patrons of the store. At least Alexa was friendly and repeated "Hi!" to everyone she saw. "Hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi. hi." Well, I much prefer that to the screaming tantrums that Eddie tends to throw

I made it out of the store and to the car with my large ride, and my two kids. Oh and I made them both sit in the stroller this time. As we said goodbye to the car buggy, I thought Eddie might cry. He didn’t want to leave. They both got in the car and went promptly to sleep.

I made it out of the store and to the car with my large ride, and my two kids. Oh and I made them both sit in the stroller this time. As we said goodbye to the car buggy, I thought Eddie might cry. He didn’t want to leave. They both got in the car and went promptly to sleep.

Well, I’m glad to be home. But I still haven’t unloaded the groceries yet. They are all still sitting on the counters in the kitchen. Eddie is sleeping right now and I do not want to wake him. (I of course put away all the cold stuff first)

Alexa is playing, pooping and entertaining herself with Eddie’s diapers and a plastic bin. Ah the easy days. I only imagine one day not too far off in the future, she won’t be so easy to please.

So why is it then, that I torture myself this way? Because I have to. Because I’m the mom, and because we needed syrup!

omg.

Seriously. Calgon, take me away.

Actually, I’m quite certain that I’ll never get to have a relaxing bath again. Ever. For the rest of my life. I spent a short five minutes in a cold shower. Well, cold in the sense that room air was freely flowing into my shower. My daughter no longer sits quietly in a bouncy, or in a swing, bumbo or exersaucer while I take a shower. Instead, she walks confidently, as if with a purpose, over to the side of the shower and she wisks open the curtain. She stares in amazement at the stream of water magically flowing out of the wall. WOW! How cool that must seem to an eleven month old. And as she stands there, the water is splashing off of me and onto her head. She leans in closer to get a better look at what I am doing with a white bar of dial. Indeed it is captivating. The front of her shirt is getting wetter and wetter by the second. Though cute and curious, it only means I am going to have to change her entire outfit once again. She pulls the curtain open, I say Lacka close that. (We call her Lacka because my son so affectionately attempted to say her name on the day of her birth and came up with Lacka instead of Alexa.) Cute. It stuck. Anyway, she looked at me as if, “You can’t be serious. I’m trying to watch here.” The water is pouring onto the floor. I pull the curtain closed once again. Eddie walks in and sees the cat on the bathroom counter top. Sadly, this has become his new home to eat in privacy. Oh and for the betterment of Alexa’s diet as well. Since the cat food was in the kitchen, Eddie kept taking little pieces of it and putting it on Alexa’s high chair. In essence, my son was feeding my daughter cat food. And so many times I had to investigate what was in her mouth. I would be cleaning the kitchen and see her still chewing, when I knew well and good that she was finished. I had to poke around her mouth with my finger. Oh and what did I find??? A piece of cat food. Oh man. Poor baby. Eddie thought that was pretty cool too. He’d give her something, and she’d eat it. How incredibly amusing. Poor baby. Poor cat. *sigh*

So now his food is on the counter, because still on the floor it looks very appetizing to my baby girl. (I’m wondering if she developed a taste for Friskies???) So here is Corona minding his own business, on the bathroom counter, eating his food. I’m taking a shower and Alexa is admiring mommy freezing and rinsing as fast as humanly possible. I see Eddie walk into the bathroom just as I say, “Lacka, close the curtain.” His little hand reaches for the cat’s tail. “Eddie, STOP THAT! You’re going to hurt the kitty! Eddie, Eddie, Don’t pull his tail.” It seems to fall on deaf ears. It’s too irresistable. He pulls at the tail, the cat wobbles and nearly falls off the counter. He loses balance but he doesn’t go over. OMG. I’m nearly at my wit’s end.

What does that mean anyway?? to have wit? I am nearly without my wit.

Let’s see, according to Mirriam-Webster’s online help, it says something about: reasoning power, mental soundness, mental capability and resourcefulness…also at a loss for solving a problem. Oh definitely. That’s me. To a capital T! All the wit is gone. Out the window, bye, bye. Elvis has left the building.

Oh and it’s nap time.
Let me share a picture of the “Wit Stealers”.

Someone tell this kid to go to sleep!

My back is itchy, it’s got little baby hairs all over it, (I’ll explain in a moment) and my little booger won’t come out from underneath the computer. I’m sure she might have actually been tired around this time had my father not sang her “row, row, row your boat” like 100 times. He made her fall asleep. Or maybe he squished her and she passed out in his arms. lol….or maybe she got overheated. He’s always hot. So maybe the heat and the repetition lulled her into a deep semi-comatose state. Anyway, she slept when normally she would not. It was like 5:30 or so and we had just finished with some dinner at my mom’s house.

Lord that woman can cook. I’d be lucky enough one day to maybe remember a few things that she makes. I think my husband will like me more if I do. Poor thing, I don’t feed him enough. (according to my mother) He is still pretty thin. We had a lovely beef brisket that was ever so tender, home cooked pinto beans with yellow rice, and a crisp fresh salad with feta cheese. Yum! There is just something that my mother does to her food to make it taste just out of this world. I think she laces it with cocaine. No. I’m kidding. She’s just a good cook. I think she went to some cooking school like many moons ago. But I’m totally loving it. Oh. Except for the raisin bread thing. Now, don’t get me wrong. I can stand to eat raisins, just not with anything else. I like my raisins alone. Yes. I know. I’m weird. I honestly can’t help that. It’s funny though. That inside of that, what was it called?? Raisin bread? Rice pudding bread? Cake? I don’t know. I’d have to call my mom to ask her. Well, inside of that bread thing she made, she told me that she didn’t put in very many raisins. I said, “good.” Well in the slice that she gave me, I had just about the entirety. No. I’m not kidding. And super picky me, I pulled out every darn one of them. Mostly while my son was demanding that I give him some ice cream (in between picking out raisins, taking a small cautious bite for me and giving my son some ice cream that was layered over the top of this cake thing.) Ok, now in the piece that my brother got, I believe he said he had like 1 raisin. My dad also got 1 raisin. And me?? yes, mine was saturated. And my father looked longingly at the raisin covered napkin in front of me. Poor dad. My mother just rolled her eyes at me. Sorry mom. I tried to get my son to eat them. He wanted no part of that.

{{just like mommy}}

Well, I’m still itching. Mom is also an amateur hairstylist. ( I know you are wondering how those two statements are even remotely related to one another.) I’ll get to that soon. Now I say amateur only because she doesn’t now nor has she ever worked in a hair salon. She does however, have her cosmetology license. So she has been doing some side work through the years, like say since the early 70’s. She’s given my brother a number of handsome chili-bowl cuts, and also given me and my sister some straight edge bang jobs. Not so cute on an adult though ‘eh?? I had to find a new stylist. She likes to do what she likes to do. And although she’s never ruined my hair or made any of it fall out. I think I really like to have other people cut my hair now. I’m grown, I think I can handle it. ok, I’m straying from my point though. I took my 2 year old son over to have his hair trimmed. She does a fabulous job on him. And boy does he ever look handsome! I’ll have to learn how to post some pics in this blog soon. I absolutely need to show off my babes. So here’s where the little hairs come in. As parent, guardian, mom, I must sit with the little man in my lap while she trims and I help to steady his head. And now, all of the little hairs have made their way to my lap, arms, hands, feet and I’m not quite sure how they got down my shirt or on my back, but I can feel those little itchy things all over me and I am about to go nuts. I need to get in the shower and wash them off like ASAP! Now I totally understand why my dear husband must get right into the shower when he gets home from any and all haircut trips. (I don’t plan on disclosing this information, I’m just going to try and shower quietly.)

I put her in her crib. My computer is right next to her bed. She likes it when I’m in here with her. I think she also falls to sleep easily when she knows I’m right next to her. yay, I think sleep may be coming soon. Nope. I was wrong. She cries. Oh I don’t think this is a good sign. Maybe she wants some more milk?? Of course. Wouldn’t you want some more milk if you were her? And you were about to go nighty night? Milky poo for you? baby, waby?? mommy will get it…. hold on…..
gotta run! Duty calls~