A Happy V-Day Weekend & Day 58. 307 Days Left.

The weekend was filled with photos, laughter, tears and fun (just as any other weekend would be spent).

we spent Saturday eveing with a great friend. He came over for dinner, drinking and much needed catch up time before leaving to Cambodia for 50 days. An evening well spent.

Sunday we decided to take the kids to a portrait studio for some Valentine photos. We left there disappointed and vowing NEVER to go again. We were given 20 minutes for a photo session and with two toddlers that is hardly enough time to get a great shot let alone even a decent one. So the hubby and I set out on a mission to get great Valentine’s Day photos of the kids. On our own. We took them to a park, we each grabbed one camera, each a kiddo and began snapping away. After a little photo shop we managed to get some great pictures and bonus the kids got to run around and play.


The hubby managed to have today off (not that we celebrate Valentine’s Day). I worked in a restaurant for many years; you could not pay me enough money to go out to dinner on Valentine’s Day. Crazy. And with two kids it is easier to spend the extra money (when there is extra money) on them rather than ourselves. Instead we took our lil’ guy to get his CBC and lead test (I know we are great parents) but he was long overdue and the fact that he has eaten half the paint off his crib was haunting the back of mind. So we took him. On Valentine’s Day. We were there for 2 ½ hours before he was taken back. Afterwards, we brought the kiddos home for a much needed and deserved naps. What little troopers.

They finally woke up from their three hour long naps, with the promise we would take them to the mall for new Disney friends. We did just that. Loaded them up and headed out. Our first stop was a jewelry store so the hubby could replace his wedding band… he had a little accident at work. While he was paying I took the kiddos over to the Disney store to pick out their new friends. Addison immediately grabbed Eeyore and Jackson grunted for Goofey. Everyone was happy. You are probably thinking “what about you”… well, since you asked; the hubby surprised me with a Pandora bracelet. He is such a wonderful hubby. Not just because of the beautiful gift (but including that) but because of his unconditional love 365 days a year, because he is such a hard working and awesome hands-on dad, because he has blessed me with two beautiful children and because he supports me with every decision I make. Really, who could ask for more (except for maybe a Pandora bracelet)?

So Happy Valentines Day to each of you. Hope you are filled with love today and everyday.
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Day 58
Valentine Pictures in the Park

Up Butt Coconut & Day 57. 308 Days Left.

For Christmas Auntie M got Addison her very own digital camera… but that was not all.

Addison loves surfing around on YouTube with us. She loves watching the various music videos from Nick Jr and other preschool favorites. When mommy is not around the monkeys (which include Daddy and Auntie M) will play. The hubby found some not-mommy-approved music videos that he and Addison were rockin’ out to and later discovered Auntie M reinforced. I did not know any of this until Addison was walking around the house singing “Up Butt Coconut”. I asked her where did she get that and her response was “Daddy and Auntie M”. Fantastic.

Well today, Addison & Jackson were playing with their dancing monkey toy when she suddenly got the urge to grab her digital camera. She pulled it out and started to "snap" pictures of all her stuffed monkey butts; the entire time signing “up butt coconut- hahaha butts are funny!”

Her pictures were not limited to monkey butts. No, she decided to include the pug butt, Jackson butt, plastic toy butts, Maggie (our other dog) butt, jellyfish butt and even mommy butt (I will spare you the visual of the mommy butt). Why? Well because “butts are funny”.

Oh my. Maybe she's going to have a gallery of art someday only of butts.

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Day 57
When she is not taking pictures of butts and saying bad words she is my girly little princess

Fairies, Wings and Bad Words & Day 56. 309 Days Left.

“Damn it”... a few seconds later I hear “Arrrgh, Damn it. I can’t get them in there.” I go into the nursery to see what is going on; “Addison what is the problem?” She is playing with Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. “Mommy, I can’t get them in the damn school bus.” Being mother of the year, I of course couldn't help myself from laughing. "Mommy, are you laughing at me?" "Yes, pumpkin I am." "You're laughing because I said damn, right?" (Laughing harder at this point!) "Yes, I am!" “So, it is fine to say damn?” Now I am scrambling to figure this out. “No Addison, it is not okay to use those words; they are bad words.” She pauses… “Oh, just like shit is a bad word?” I am trying to hold back the laughter, in disbelief that I am having this conversation with my three year old.“Yes, they are both bad words.” I can see she is thinking… “But mommy you say shit and damn it.” more thinking “so when I am big like you I can say shit and damn it huh?” Trying to turn the conversation, I tell her "fairies do not need to ride the school bus they have wings, they can fly.” She looks at me and says with the most serious face, “No mommy, they don’t have wings. You took the bad word wings off.” Really can’t help but to laugh… because the fairies clearly don’t have their “bad word” wings.



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Day 56
Breakfast: I am mother of the year

Plum Addict & Day 55. 310 Days Left.

Jackson stopped eating pureed baby foods at six months. It was a war to feed him; he refused to be spoon fed. He would throw, spit up, hit the spoon out of my hand, scream, cry, ending with the container on the floor, a baby to wash and giant mess to clean. It was a battle; so I gave up. I gave him fresh veggies and fruits in mushy, tiny bites which he tossed off his tray to the greedily waiting dogs. I always felt that he was not really getting full; I supplemented bottles in between meals.

I saw a commercial for Plum Organic and didn’t think much of it. Friday I noticed them on sale at Target and decided to grab a couple. On our way up to our condo, Addison spotted her bestie and we were chatting for a bit. Jackson got fussy so I decided to give him one of the Plum pouches. I opened the pear mango and handed over expecting him to toss it on the ground. He finished the pouch in a minute. I stood there in disbelief. The next morning I ran to Target and purchased a hand full.

The pouches are awesome and the combinations of fruits and veggies very tasty. He can eat it by himself straight from the pouch .It’s less mess, portable, so easy and healthy! Jackson loves the Plum Organics baby food and I love that it's organic, no fillers, no toxins, and not one thing I can't pronounce. It comes in a BPA-free pouch with a twist off lid and they come in great flavor combinations. Jackson’s favorite snack is the pear & mango.

Addison is all about the Plum Organic Super Puffs. They are bright colored, yummy, nutrious, organic nibbles that both my little ones can enjoy on the go. They make great snacks that are full of flavor, color and best of all healthy!

Check out the entire line of baby & tot foods http://www.plumorganics.com
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Day 55
Jackson enjoying

Day 54. 311 Days Left: Jackson's 1st Haircut

Mohawk Baby!

Easy as Pie & Day 53. 312 Days Left.

I remember bringing Jackson home from the hospital; Addison wanted nothing to do with him, I was exhausted and knew in five days the hubby would be returning to work. I remember thinking it was difficult enough dealing with Addison when she was a newborn how in the hell am I going to do a newborn and a one in a half year old?!

I was frightened that the needs and demands of a newborn and toddler would not mix well. I knew I would be changing diapers and handling feedings almost all day. Addison was not yet potty trained and I was not going to start while trying to adjust to life with a newborn.

As the months past I kept asking “is this going to get any easier?”…
it never did.

Addison hated Jackson. She became so resentful. As he started moving around, if he touched her, she screamed. She threw the biggest pint sized meltdown you have ever seen. She did not want him any where near her; except for nap time. She loved sleeping with him. I remember thinking, maybe there is hope…

That was until Jackson began crawling and pulling himself up. Addison wanted no part. She would throw various toys, hit, push, scream in his face or run him over with her cozy coupe car. She spent a large portion of the day in time out. This is not how it was supposed to be… raising two children was extremely hard. I was exhausted. I wanted to pull out all my hair and scream. On days when both kids were crying I would start crying too. Seriously, what were we thinking?

The most difficult part of the day seemed to be walking our three dogs.
People always stopped me just to say things like…
"You sure do have your hands full."
"I know you didn't plan it that way, did you?"
“What came first the children or all the dogs?”
“How many times a day do you have to do this?”
I got angry. Really? You need to stop me to ask these stupid questions. You can obviously see I am busy!

I was terrified to leave the house; fearing I would never be able to handle the two of them out at the same time.

I woke up one morning and Jackson was one. In a few short weeks, Addison was three and life just seemed to be easy as pie.

Addison is amazing with Jackson. You see the love and concern in her eyes.(When did this happen?)

The days of that frustrated sad mommy who thought her life was spinning out of control are gone.

We enjoy our daily walk with the dogs (rain or shine… Addison, Jackson & the pug more so rain). People still stop and ask me how I handle it but now I respond with “I have two amazing children who make it very easy.”
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Day 53
A Lazy Afternoon

Girl in the White Shirt & Day 52. 313 Days Left.

Just when I think I am the most unreasonable parent some dim-witted mother comes along…

I decided to take the kids to the park for a little weekday fun and get the hellions out of the house to burn off that pent up energy. Addison found a little girl around her age to play with. They were having so much fun together. The mom was sitting close by with her newborn twins. Jackson was climbing up the stares and sliding down the slide on his belly- I don’t know; he just likes to slide that way and why would it bother me? Well Addison brought her new friend over to play on the slide with Jackson. The three of them took turns climbing and sliding down on their bellies. After a few minutes the little girl’s mom looked over and said “No, don’t slide down on your belly you are going to get your shirt dirty, slide on your butt.” The girl’s mom dressed her in a white shirt and told her not to get it dirty…AT THE PARK! Really? So the little girl decided she did not want to get in anymore trouble and left Addison and Jackson behind. Stupid mom.
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Day 52
A Day at the Park

Growing up & Day 51. 314 Days Left.

Addison was looking for one of her loveys today. The “friends” that are not being used are lovingly arranged in a huge basket. They wait for her return… which is never a long wait.

She decided she wanted two friends given to her by her Uncle. They were named Bruno and Sly by her cousin Erin; amazing, even at three years old the names stuck. She came running out with Bruno in a panic because Sly was missing. “Come mommy, we have to find Sly.” She runs into her room “Sly where are you? Sly come out, come out where ever you are.” Huh, where did she learn that?

Jackson, on the other hand, has discovered a new word- entirely my fault. As I went to kiss him on the cheek the other day, he pushes my face away and says “GO” as he points to the side. Perhaps I should find a different way to yell at the dogs. Maybe I should remind him he is still only one and those fat chubby kissable cheeks still belong to me at least for the next 17 years.
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Day 51
They Will Always be My Babies

A Day with the Not So Potty Trained Toddler & Day 50. 315 Days Left

Toddlers are gross.

I wrote about some of my most disgusting toddler experiences thus far.

However, none can compare to this past weekend…

We went to a good friends baby shower. It was at a park so I packed a diaper bag accordingly. I must say after two children I am a diaper bag packing pro- I digress.

I decided to not only pack Jackson a spare set of clothes (he would definitely need it) but I packed Addison one just to be safe. It must be mommy’s intuition.

I will elaborate in a bit.

Addison is potty trained- she has been for a year; mostly accident free and very good about telling us when she needs to go potty. In addition to packing the change of clothes I decided to throw in a pair of pull-ups (which are only used for nap & bedtimes. Just taking precaution. I figured if she did have an accident (I was thinking more along the lines of pee) wet underwear and pants combined with dirt would make an awful muddy mess… little did I know what she had in store for mommy.

We get to the park and I remind her to let us or an adult know when she had to go potty- she was doing great. I was enjoying my time with my girlfriend, Justin was hanging out with Jackson and Addison was playing with her new friends. It was a gorgeous day. Perfect.

Suddenly I hear Addison… “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy hurry I got to go poopies.” I grab Elmo potty seat and take her into the surprising clean bathroom (which was five feet away from the party pavilion). She goes, I wipe her, she sit back and I notice shit on her shirt. After a certain age it is no longer poopies, it is shit. It is not cute. It is gross. Well, how the hell did that happen? I then notice her underwear, her pants, her leg, her Elmo potty…what is going on? She had shit everywhere- all over the inside of her pants, her clothes were covered. It. Was. A. Mess. A disgustingly huge and smelly mess. We were in a tiny cube and there was shit covering everything. I run and grab the diaper bag while Addison is waiting and crying about being covered in poop. I begin the clean up process which takes 20 minutes. Finally, getting her clean, putting her in a change of clothes (which were soaking wet because one of the sippie cups leaked all over… so much for my pro status) and cleaning the Elmo potty seat. Women coming in and out and laughing hearing the conversation Addison and I are having. We leave the cubical and I begin drying her juice soaked change of clothes under the hand dryer. Addison is standing there in her new pull-ups when my expecting girlfriend walks in and asks “what happened, you guys have been in here a while, is everything ok?” I ask her “do you really want to know?” I get her dressed and it is as though nothing happened.

An hour later, my hubby comes up to me. “We have another problem.” Are you fucking kidding me. What the hell is the matter with this girl? The bathroom is literally five feet away. So here we go again. Me, Addison, a tiny bathroom and more shit.

I have had my fair share of poopie moments, as most mothers have. I have been pooped on, cleaned up a dog poop eating infant and my share of finger-painting experiments; but this by far was the worst. I can handle "when shit happens" while at home. No one sees the mess; I have a shower, change of clothes and washing machine fully available. At the park I had nothing but the hope that no one smelt the remains of shit on Addison or me.

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Day 50
January Water Day in South Florida

Lets Play Catch –up & Day 49. 316 Days Left.

It has been an adventurous, perhaps even hilarious year. Just when I think I have finally hit a Mommy rut, life throws me a curve ball that keeps me on my toes.

2010 has brought me so many experiences, good and bad.

I have experienced a few bah-humbug moments this Christmas and vow to do better and be less stressed over the 2011 holidays. Allow me to elaborate… as with most stay at home mamas routine is the key to a happy home. Routine! However, with all the hustle, bustle and excitement of the holiday’s routine becomes a bit obsolete. Except for naptime. Naptime is enforced. Always.

I discovered my UPS & FedEx delivery times were roughly between 12-2pm (naptime). The doorbell rang (at least twice…why?), the dogs barked, the kids woke up (cranky) and me, I shouted FUCK. Finally, after receiving all the packages, it was back to our naptime routine, uninterrupted. No such luck…

One afternoon (five days before Christmas) the door bell rang; three times; WHY?
The dogs carried on, the kids woke up and I shoved everyone away from the door to accept a random package I was not expecting. I finally get outside and the UPS guy asked if I would accept a package for my neighbor. Suddenly I morphed into this Grinch… “Are you kidding me? You woke my kids up to have me accept a package for a neighbor I do not even know?” He is starring at me pen still held out. “Why, would I take a package for someone not knowing when they will come by to pick it up? I have SLEEPING BABIES!” He was still standing there as I closed the door. Poor guy.

That perhaps was my worst holiday moment.

So where do I see this stay at home mommies adventures going in the next twelve months? How will I survive, enjoy life to the fullest with the maximum amount of enjoyment and the least amount of embarrassment and stress?

I will not embarrass myself by setting a stupid goal to lose weight. It is not going to happen. I will instead try and embrace who I am, enjoy all that life has to offer, in moderation, while perhaps doing a little more TV watching from the bike vs. the sofa.

I could set a goal to be a better mom and wife but I think that is something I strive for everyday. Maybe I could vow to yell at the kids and animals less...but that would benifit my neighbors more than me. Perhaps I could try and actually write a post everyday but I have to admit I am pretty darn lazy and rather be sitting on the sofa, sipping coffee and playing catch-up on any TV shows I missed.
What are your resolutions and how is your progress?

Meanwhile there is so much to look forward to and be thankful for!
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Day 49. Christmas Photos.
The Train set