June 2009

June 01

What Dreams May Come...

I've been doing some reflecting lately.  The topic of careers past and present has come up on a site I belong to.  It's no secret on this page that I have no clue what the hell I'm going to do once the kiddos start school.  However, this site has sorta forced me into the past.  I don't like to dwell there.  The past is just that...the past.  I do like to visit every once and a while.  Anyway, the subject of theatre came up.  I miss it.  I miss it a lot.  When the kids and I are playing we listen to Pandora radio on line.  I have my Quick Mix on Pandora set with a lot of Musical Theatre music.  When songs I love come on, it's very difficult to not drop everything and just start singing... in fact, many times that happens and we have a little dance break.  There are days I wish, no, long, to be back on stage.  I am totally jealous of those that are there.  Sure, there is the possibility that I will go back, but it won't be in the same capacity.  My life focus has changed drastically over the last four years.  I love that it has changed.  I expected it to change.  It doesn't mean that I don't miss it.  Has it changed who I am?  Maybe.  But I love the person that I have become.  It was part of what used to define me, and in that aspect, I guess it makes sense that it feels like a part of me is missing.  But I move on.

Jerry and I were talking about his goals.  He had planned on pursuing a PhD in Physics after UNCW.  And now... will it happen?  Probably not.  Maybe if we win the lottery.  But does it make him less of a person?  Not in my eyes.  Not in our kids' eyes.  Are there moments of jealousy of former classmates that are doing what he thought he would be doing?  Possibly.  But he is here. Now. For us.  What we have is what makes it all worth it.  There is always the want for more... more money, more education, more space.  But we live.  We are healthy.  Our children are healthy.  We are able to pay our bills.  We have a roof over our heads.  We have a world of possibilities in front of us.

Having to settle seems to be a fact of life.  But I'm happy with settling.  I was recently going through my baby book.  There was a page in it that I filled out.  It pretty much asked some silly questions.  But the last one was what did I want to be when I grew up: a mom.  So I guess that I am fulfilling my own prophecy.  And in all honesty, I wasn't putting as much effort into the acting as I could have.  But it doesn't mean I don't miss it.  It doesn't mean that I wish I could ignore my kids at night and go to rehearsals and sing and dance and play and let someone else take care of them during the day.  BUT, I couldn't do that.

So I will settle living vicariously through friends, Pandora, dreams, and movies.  I am content to dream.  Because in the grand scheme of things, what I have now is priceless.  My dreams are in the making and I am living them right now.

"Got no silver, got no gold, what I got can't be bought or sold.  I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night!" --Annie Get Your Gun

then

                                               now

June 04

An anatomy lesson by Elijah

Last night at the dinner table Elijah started pointing to my and naming body parts, so I started pointing to them and he kept on naming them:

eyes, ears, teeth, tongue, lips, nose, chin, forehead, shoulder, elbow, knee, toes... we were giggling and I thought that we were all done.  I said, "Good naming Elijah!"  He said, "Thanks mom!"  We started eating again.  Elijah suddenly looks at me and points to my chest and yells, "MOMMY'S MILK!!"  Jerry and I started laughing!  It was priceless!  I'm really glad we were at home, though being out may have made it even funnier!

can't imagine where he learned it!

June 26

Ahhh, the mountains

It's been a while.  I'm at my folks house in the mountains and I'm super glad to be away from the heat of the coast.  While it is still warm here, 90 degrees here is ALLOT different that 90 degrees on the coast.  So far, we've been fairly relaxed.  We've played in the creek and discovered a GREAT pool, spent time with my friend Laura and ridden bikes, hung with Oma and Opa and walked through the forest.  Overall, very nice time.  The sleeping has been rough, but new place and whatnot.  We are all missing Jerry, but we'll see him next week.

We started out in Charlotte at Jerry's sister's vow renewal.  It was a very nice, simple, ceremony.  The kids had fun staying in a hotel and we had a nice time visiting with family.  My folks came down for the ceremony and the kids and I went back with them.

I have to say that facebook has allowed me to connect with people from high school that I haven't seen in 15 years.  It's been nice (for the most part) but still at arm's length.  Laura and I have been friends since 5th grade.  Our friendship has withstood the test of time and distance.  From all the people I went to high school with, she is the only one that I have kept in real contact with.  She is not on facebook (though she should be....hehehehehe!)  However, I relay stuff to her that I find.  Tonight we met for dinner and I invited a mutual friend of ours.  IT WAS AWESOME!  Time changes people...well, one can hope.  I mean you have to grow right?  Some people tend to grow in a direction I don't understand, but ya know.  Anyway, we hung out and it was good.  We all seemed comfy in our lives and with each other.  Facebook as a whole is a really cool idea.  I do get annoyed at everyone publishing the results of EVERY test they take, but I filter them out.  I do however, (sorta) wish, that if you get ignored they the ignore-er would have to state a reason.  I'm SO curious about why this one person ignored me.  Whatever, but ya know...

There is more to say, but I'm tired and this weekend will be busy.  I will wait and post pics when I get home.

August 2008

August 03

HOT HOT HOT!!!

That's how the festival was yesterday.  And I must say that I sold nothing.  Nevertheless, it was fun and a good experience.  Kristie (who brought along wonderful Dawn to help set up) and I had a blast.  I brought a hand held fan that spritzed water and kept Grace in the shade and (naked) cool throughout the day.  She was soooo good!  Kristie made a few sales and that was a big bonus for her!

There is a private company here that is for rent for security called Interpol.  Every time I saw them I kept thinking of "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" and would laugh.  I didn't know they were a security company until I got home and talked to Jerry and Kristie and I were all curious and wanted to ask them about Carmen San Diego...but never had the nerve.  Anyway, we had a blast (Kristie had a little help from the wine...hehehehe!)  And even though it was 90million degrees we had fun just talking and listening to good music.

So here are some pics of the preparations and of the day:

I'm also going to add an album with explanations.

I think over all we would totally do this again.  Maybe we'll hit a few festivals this fall and a Christmas thing-y too?  We'll see!

August 09

a great way to end the week!

This week has been extraordinarily hot!  Heat indexes were in the 100s almost all week long.  I did try to get Elijah and Grace out of the house almost everyday, but not for long.  Yesterday I got a message from my friend Kristie to come over for a cook out, so instead of enjoying the very nice weather, I stayed home to clean the house and get at least some laundry done.  I guess this made a difference in Elijah's life.  He decided not to take a nap yesterday, but I did let him come sit with me and Grace and watch some TV and rest.  I think that made a difference.  I was really worried about going out with him without a nap.  But he did GREAT!  We got to Kristie's around 5:30 and then Katie and her family arrived shortly after.  So all the kiddos played and we ate guac and chips while Dave cooked and the boys (I mean Men) hung out.  Everyone had some beers (sans me...alas alack) and we had great company!  I think we will try to make this at least a monthly thing.  We ate a little later than normal, but it was all good.  We left about 8:45 (almost an hour after Elijah's bedtime...) but Elijah was sooooo good throughout the whole evening, even when we told him it was time to go.  He did really really well!  Grace was a little fussy with all the excitement, but she also did well (until the ride home... then not so much...)  At home Elijah feel almost immediately asleep and Grace went down okay.   Jerry and I watched a little of the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, but I was beat, so I went to bed.

I have to say, though, that I did not sleep well.  I kept having weird or bad dreams.  Our area of NC is having a bad out break of black widows.  We have them all around our house, but Kristie found some in her car and around her house and it was a major topic of discussion last night.  Elijah came into my room at 3:45 last night and after I put him in bed with Jerry and resettled Grace, I could not stop thinking about those horrid creatures!!!  So I was up until almost 5...sigh... oh well...

Speaking of Grace, I think she is getting ready to do something developmentally.  Probably roll over.  But lately she has been squirmy at night.  To the point she wakes me and herself up.  Then she doesn't want to nurse, she only wants to be held on my chest.  Not a biggie, I can sleep like that (I have a whole set up) it's just not the coolest position.  Yesterday though she almost made it all the way over.  She can get over onto her side and is soooo close to rolling over.  I guess I need to go on and put up the guard rail on the bed.

I have to say that I am (overall) happy with Grace's sleep habits.  She will nurse to sleep, but she doesn't have to nurse to sleep.  I think this will make night weaning much easier than it was with Elijah.  Not that this isn't a long way done the road, but it's good to know that this challenge won't be so bad.

okay, Jerry's making breakfast I think it's almost done.  There are new pics on the month 4 album!

August 13

You want some cheese with that?

First to answer questions:

I don't check my shoes before I put them on because we haven't found any spiders inside.  If my shoes are left outside (to dry or whatnot) then we shake them.  I don't like the idea of having black widows around the house, but we just check everything (sandbox, playhouse, slide, etc.) before playing on/in them.

We do, however leave Elijah's galoshes outside when they are wet and dirty...so after every use.  So I always knock them around a bit.  I was on the phone with my mom a while back and Elijah wanted to wear his galoshes into the sprinkler, so I knocked them on the ground to get any spiders out that might of crawled in...out.  I was expecting something small and creepy to come out, instead out HOPPED a TOAD!  It scared me (and probably burst my mom's ear drum, since I screamed!)  Elijah was totally enthralled.  After my heart slowed down, I couldn't stop laughing about it...

Last weekend we went to Sears to have our oil change and tires rotated.  While there we went on the never ending hunt for a Wii Fit.  Our last stop was back at Sears where Elijah spotted a Max and Ruby DVD from miles away.  We decided that we would splurge and get this video as we were both a little tired of the Curious George DVD (he gets to pick two to watch before bed.)  So Jerry took the kids to check on the car and I went to pay for the DVD.  Now I have seen this woman at Sears before.  She is older and a talker.  (Let me just say here: I have been working out 20 minutes a day with 10 minute Solutions Dance DVD ...2 workouts a day... plus playing the Wii....SIGH) I step up to pay for the DVD and stupid woman asks, "When are you due?"  WHAT??!?!?!?!??!  First off, unless you KNOW someone is preggo, it is an unwritten rule that you NEVER EVER ask EVER!!!  I looked at her (and in hindsight should not have been as nice) and said, "Oh, I just had a baby."  (3 months ago, but thanks for making feel bad about myself JERK!)   She then proceeds to talk to me and asks about the birth and all...I don't want to talk to you lady...Please shut up and finish this transaction with your head hung down in shame... sigh... stupid woman.

On Monday we needed to go grocery shopping.  We found out that a food lion close to Jerry's work carries the diapers we like to use when not using cloth, so I decided to go there for a change.  As we got out of the car, I saw a woman with 2 kids unloading a cart that Elijah likes to ride in.  So I took my time getting the kids out of the car in case that was the only one (like the Food Lion closer by.)  While I'm taking my time I'm sorta spying on this woman.  First of all the woman was yelling at her kids for, what seemed to be, no apparent reason.   She picked up the baby (in a carrier) and put it in the car, then let the toddler just crawl in.  Then she proceeded to open door after door and stuff the (I'm not even lying here) 20 bottles of Diet Dr. Pepper into whatever nook and cranny she could find.  It was seriously taking a REALLY long time.  I mean there is only so long I can pretend to adjust the sling.  So I start walking over to Elijah's side of the car and I hear this, "Put that cigarette down!  That's Mommy's!!!!"   Are you freakin' kidding me?  Sigh... Not that's really bad for you, that's gross, but That's mommy's?  I got Elijah out of the car and we went into the store (with Elijah whining about the car cart) where we, luckily, found another car cart.  I was just floored...sigh...

The other day Elijah woke up from his nap.  I had heard him moving around, but then he seemed to settle  down a bit.  So when he woke up I wasn't too surprised, but sometimes he'll come call in the chair with me and Grace and go back to sleep for a bit.  ANYWAY, he comes out of his rooms and this is the conversation:

E: Hey buddy.  Did you wake up from your nap?

e: Uh-huh.  'Ijah little wake up.  'Ijah big wake up now!  PLAY now, mommy.

E: You woke up a little but now you are awake?

e: uh-huh, little wake up, PLAY now mommy!

I guess he woke up and realized it and then went back to sleep.  It just tickled me....

And now for the girl child... She has, what looks like, three teeth coming in on the bottom and one coming in on the top...sigh... her eczema seems bad one day and then better the next then worse the next...  Her sleeping has not been good lately.  She wakes up around 1:30 will nurse and go back to sleep for 15 minutes and then wake back up.  The only way I can get her to go back to sleep is to hold her while sitting straight up and patting her back.  Eventually (like an hour later) I can scooch down in the bed a little and eventually (like another hour) roll her off onto her side.  I guess it could be worse.  I can fall back asleep in all the positions and I have the boppy under my arms to help support her and me.  My problem is I have been having HORRID nightmares after waking up and then going back to sleep.  To the point I have to get up and check on everyone to make sure they are alright.   I am sure this is all a combination of the teeth, the eczema, and a growth spurt and it too shall pass, but I am so tired in the morning that I am sick to my stomach.  Yesterday I went to the library and then we went to walk along the river to look at boats (it was such a nice day weather wise) and by the time I got home, I was so sleepy and tired that I couldn't even eat lunch.  But alas alack, no nap for the mom.  Grace and Elijah's naps overlap for about 15 minutes and that's it...sigh...

Today it is rainy and supposed to be all day.  We aren't going anywhere and I really have no plans at all.  There are a ton of things that need to be done around this house, but I'm not doing anything.

And yes I would like some cheese with my whine!!!

August 18

seriously...trampoline?

The trampoline is an Olympic sport?  Seriously?  WHAT?!?!  Obviously my Olympic dreams are not over, I can still get there...

In all seriousness, I'm sure it is quite difficult, I just find it humorous... even more so that they have different trampolines for men and women.  I just found that amusing...

On a not so amusing note... sigh... Our washing machine broke.  It stopped spinning, so instead of paying someone to come out and fix it we looked up the problem on the internet...clogged drainage pipe.  Everyone that commented on the problem said that it was an easy fix...stupid people...probably undercover repair people.  We undid everything easy enough and cleaned up the water and cleaned out the pipes (though we found no blockage) and then went to put things back together...SIGH...not so much.  I guess at least when the repair person does come they won't have to disassemble the machine.  There is just this one clamp that we cannot get back on to where it should go.  I hope that Jerry can get someone out here soon though.  I am down to one pair of shorts (just bought a bunch of new underwear, so at least I'm good in that department) and two shirts...sigh...  Also was getting ready to do a load of diapers...not so much a nice smell now in the small bathroom (especially since some toddler boy will not leave the freaking diaper pail alone!!!!!!!) sigh...

BUT...on Friday the kiddos and I met our Wednesday/Friendsday friends at this local woman's house to pick pears (don't be mad mama Jones, I'll pick some of yours when we come up I promise!)  The kids had a blast.  But Elijah and I got super eaten up by bugs.  I put on bug spray too late.  Nevertheless, the lady had toys out for the kids to play with and they had fun picking the pears as well.  I found a good recipe for apple/pear butter (the freezer kind!!!) so I'll try that later today.  It involves a bit more work than the other freezer things I've made, but not a ton, so we'll see.

Okay, there is an infant child wanting some milk...so I'm off...

August 21

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday...full of friends!!!

On Tuesday:

We went to a friend's house to meet with some other moms as a sorta laid back home school preschool.  It was nice to get together with friends and do learning activities (this week we talked about growing things and the importance of bees.)  Next week we will follow up with a field trip to the arboretum.  We only meet for about 2 hours.  I think it's good for Elijah to get as much socialism as possible, the learning environment is even better.  We will all sorta pitch in and figure out each other's strengths so that we are all "teaching".  It's also nice that the mom's stay there with the kids.  Then no one is responsible for all the kids.

Also on Tuesday, we had the repair guy come look at our washer...sigh.. our motherboard is shot and has to be replaced.  We can still wash clothes, there is just no final spin, so the clothes are pretty wet at the end...sigh...  we contemplated buying a new washer (it's a 300 buck fix) but decided we will just pay to get this one fixed and start saving for a washer that we really really want (close to 800 bucks.)  While it's annoying, I'm getting over it and moving on.  I'm still hesitant to do our diapers in the washer because i really need all the detergent out of the diapers, so Jerry is going to take them during nap this weekend to the laundry mat.  sigh...

On Wednesday:

Kate and her gang and my kiddos and I went to the Farmer's Market where it was kid's day!!!  We went on a hay ride and walked around the farmer's market and watched the ponies (wasn't paying 5 bucks for my kiddo to freak out on the pony, but they were fun to watch.)  The also had pheasants, chickens, and rabbits.  Oh my!  I have briefly discussed with our WD/FD friends about a preschool co-op and that's a possibility, but I don't want to commit to anything until I figure out what the heck is going on with grad school next year for both Jerry and myself.   Elijah is a year older than these kids, but he gets along with them very well and I adore these moms.

On Thursday:

We went to the park, took a very brief walk and then played.  I brought Dunkin Donuts (mostly because I am lazy, but also because I wanted some!) and I think they caused a little stir, but alas, alack.  I love my Thursday group of friends as well.  It's interesting to be a part of two groups are have many differences, but are similar in that I feel comfortable in both.  Granted our Thursday group is much larger than the Wednesday one, but still...

I have a whole other blog entry in my head that I am hoping to get out soon... but sometimes that doesn't happen, so to make sure (probably) the title will be "Unapologetic"...hopefully, I find time tomorrow or maybe Saturday during nap time, to blog it.  I've been thinking about it for a while and it's starting to keep me up, so I need to write it...

Okay, that's all for now.

August 25

Okay okay...unapologetic

While this is an unapologetic blog post, I'm going to start out by saying that I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, but you should get over it... I know I will.

I will not apologize for:

1) vaccinating my child.

2) being annoyed that other choose not to vaccinate their children.  I am not saying those that choose, for whatever reason, to delay vaccines, I'm talking about not vaccinating at all.  For many reasons it annoys me, but things like this piss me off and scare the crap out of me.  My girl child doesn't get the MMR vaccine until she is a year old.  Yet, it seems not to phase people that their child may expose my infant to measles.  I find this selfish.  I understand that some believe that there are homeopathic cures for any disease.  I choose to go the way of the FDA and risk it.  Seeing as my kids are allergic to many "organic" cleaners, I'm not going to risk giving them something that may be worse than the disease.  I feel that if you don't want to vaccinate your kid, it's your choice, but please don't complain about getting your child into school and all the organic remedies out there.  It annoys me.

3) giving my child a plastic container to drink/eat from.  While I think that plastic is not the best thing in the world, right now it is the cheapest.  I have a feeling that will all change as oil becomes less available, but for now, it's what I can afford.  I am really tired of being made by companies to feel like I am some HORRIBLE mother for giving my child plastic.  I guess I make the choice to not spend 14.95 on a sippy cup.  But i feel that if the plastic was really that HORRID that these, oh-so-great-companies would make a product that was affordable for everyone not just the middle to upper class of America.  Apparently we only value the fragile lives of children whose parents can afford such things.   Which leads me too...

4) not constantly feeding my child only organic food.  Again, I feel like there is not enough organic food in the USA to feed all it's population.  It's impossible.  We have to use fertilizers and insecticide in order for there to be enough food.  Of course, there in lies the problem right?  Over population and consumerism.  We have to have food to survive.  I don't really believe that all the food is as organic as one might think.  you don't know what was on the soil before it was "organic" and the stuff that's dangerous, doesn't go away.  Not to mention how the fields are plowed.  By horses?  Probably not.  Probably by diesel or gas powered tillers or plows.  What do these things put in the air?   What do the plants intake?  Or where do your "organic" bananas come from?  Are they transported by clean burning trucks running off recycled oil or hydrogen or compressed air?  I think that some people are more concerned about the food they eat than the air they breathe.  I mean by using gas powered lawn mowers you pollute the air you and your kids breathe.  But it seems to not phase people that this is the stuff that is dangerous, not the pesticides that can be washed off our fruits and veggies.  It is your right to eat organic and not use plastic (though how you buy shoes is beyond me!) I wish you all the luck in the world.  Please stop making me feel less superior to you.

5) not buying new clothes/toys for my kids.  I buy used everything except for shoes and underwear.  I see no point in buying new.  I refuse to pay more than 15 dollars on a pair of shoes for my kids.  I won't buy Stride Rite because I feel they are over priced and again... the whole class thing pisses me off.

6) owning a reel lawn mower and electric weedwacker and complaining about the work.  Because it is harder, but I feel better about letting my kids play outside.  In fact, my kids can play outside while I mow the grass and I know I'm not hurting not only their lungs, but their ears.

7) supporting all moms regardless of the following: having a natural birth, epidural, c-section, work, stay at home, cry it out, co sleep, use disposable diapers, use cloth diapers, spank, use time out, coddle, spoil, breast feed, bottle feed, formula feed... and many more.

8) for breastfeeding my child on demand.

9) sleeping with my kids.

10) not spanking my kids.  While it's fine if others want to, I believe that by spanking you are instilling a certain fear in the kid.  We both were spanked as kids.  We turned out just fine.  This is not a criticism of how we were raised, it is simply a choice we are making.

11) feeding my child fast food.  He loves it.  He gets it about once a week.  I think that life will go on.

12) letting my two year old watch TV.  He rarely, if at all watched it before he turned two and Grace will be the same way.  But he gets to watch limited amounts now.  I don't think that it will hurt him.

13) allowing my child to entertain himself.  In fact, I encourage this.  As long as he is having fun and not hurting himself or anyone else, I am content to allow my kids to play with each other and friends with limited supervision (in the house or in the back yard...not like the playground or something) and I encourage them working things out on their own.

14) being annoyed with my toddler.  He does things that annoy me.  I am sure that the feeling is mutual.

15) not cutting Elijah's hair.  EVER!  If he chooses to have his hair cut, then I will take him.  Until then, nope...

16) allowing my child to eat sweets.  I believe in everything in moderation.  He gets sweets.  He understands the words "No more, all done."  He doesn't pig out on sweets since he gets them on a regular basis.

17) feeding my child foods with corn syrup in them.  It's the EXACT same chemical make up as sugar.  Most products that have eliminated the corn syrup have more sugar in them.  See, I do read labels... I also read ALL research.

18) not buying into research provided by non-scientific companies.

19) only buying biodegradable cleaning products that have their ingredients CLEARLY printed ON THE BOTTLE.

20) being me and writing this post.  If I have offended you, chances are you have offended me first, so back at ya.  I did not write this to intentionally piss off people or even start a debate.  I have just had this all on my chest for a while.  So there.

August 28

So FREAKIN' Mad!!!!

So I have been getting calls from some 888 number and finally they left a message (because I won't answer.)  It's a financial service calling about our membership to a fitness club.  ummm, WHAT??????  I canceled our membership to a gym 3 years ago this October.  Apparently, our contract renewed itself.  We apparently are dumb and didn't see that our account was being debited until last month.  so Jerry put a stop on the account.  Now we get called 5757858675 million times.  So today I answer.  The club they are charging us for doesn't even exist any more.  Had I known that before I answered the phone the poor customer service rep would have gotten even more of an ear full.  So we are under review with the club...whatever.  The bad thing is that we don't have our original contract or the cancellation notice, because, have I mentioned, I WAS THREE YEARS AGO???????  She couldn't even find the original name of the club (it has changed names 3 times!!!)  I told the CSR that we would be discussing this issue with a lawyer.  They didn't even have a even quasi- correct address.  I mean the address they had was two addresses ago!

I feel if they can't find our original agreement then we are all in the same boat.  Obviously, we are at fault for not realizing sooner that stuff was being drafted from our account, but who the HELL renews something like that.  If they can't find our original documents then they have no leg to stand on.  I'm still sooooooooo mad.  I don't understand how they can charge us for a place that doesn't exist.  I can't believe that didn't catch this sooner, and I can't believe that they think that I'm going to give them another penny.  Sigh...

okay... that is all for now... end of rant...

July 2008

July 01

Made it 2 months!

Grace is two months today!  That's pretty exciting!  She is growing (up to 3-6 months clothing wise) and smiling and all around pretty decent kid.
Her brother (I will say) in order to celebrate decided to spray the inside of the dining area with a hose that he was told to keep outside.  I take partial blame for this, as I was working in the kitchen and (heaven forbid) turned my back on him for .00004 seconds, which is apparently enough time to  decide the garden no longer needs water, but the dining room floor (including, but not limited to: the table, three chairs, Grace's car seat, my cell phone, part of this computer, my brand new tennis shoes, and some craft supplies I had on the table.)  I must say that my initial response was that of death to toddler, but I was very impressed with how calm I stayed and I supervised his cleaning up every drop of water.  Grace calmly stayed enthralled by her mobile (I might really have lost it if she were screaming...) while the clean up took place.  Elijah has apologized (and immediately asked to play agua again... don't think so kiddo...maybe when you are 16...) and has given hugs and all is forgiven and I will probably be laughing in a few days time about this...still...  what possesses a almost 2.5 year old to do such things...sigh...
So here are my two favorite pictures of my two favorite kids.
This shirt needs a little change:
Party
in mom's bed
4 AM
At least she's happy at 4, but I would rather it be 7...oh well...beggars can't be choosers right?

Elijah's thing when he sees me feeding Grace, he thinks it's fun to feed his baby "elijah's milk."  How sweet!

I'm uploading pics to the album as well.  Happy Grace's two month birthday!!!!
July 03

Hot, but oh so much fun!

So the rain gods kept the day dry and rather hot, but we had a blast tie dying this morning.  There were seven moms and our kids.  I wasted a ton of water with the sprinkler pool and the baby pool, but it's just one day.  Jerry and I set up the tent and the moms all ended up over there after the dying was done.  I hope that everyone's projects turn out nicely.  It was nice to hang out and talk and not really worry about where the kids were (thank you fence!!!)  Elijah kinda kept to himself and Grace was just as charming as ever winning people over with her smile.  I also got rid of 6 jars of jam!  No one was allowed to leave without taking a jar!
Over all, it was quite fun.  I have a ton of dye left over, so I either have to pour it out or go get some shirt.  Jerry found this new site so maybe I can put some things on there and sell them as a test market.  Though Carmen mentioned that there maybe a place for some tie dyes in her store... we'll see.  I had cobalt blue, fire red, dark purple, and a denim blue.  10 bottles of dye in all.  It was a lot, but I wanted to people to make sure they were able to dye what they wanted.
SO now, I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep.  Elijah is napping peacefully and Grace is here in my lap talking to me, fighting off sleep...silly girl... and that's all she wrote...hehehehe!
July 04

About Elijah -- a 2.5 year retrospective

Conversations in the car:
E: Here comes the choo choo track.
e: 'ijah ride choo choo?
E: One day maybe.  You had your birthday party in a caboose.
e: 'ijah ride choo choo?
E: One day you will ride a choo choo.
e: (long pause) no 'ijah ride caboose choo choo yesterday. (didn't even know he knew the word yesterday.)
E: You rode the caboose yesterday?
e: uh-huh.
E: (giggling) Okay.
e: 'ijah ride engine choo choo NOW.
E: You want to ride in the engine now?
e: uh-huh.
E: Where are you riding the engine to?
e: Ride choo choo to airtport (not a typo, he puts a t in the middle of air port.)
E: That's not a long ride. (as the traintracks run right beside the airport.)
e: Ride choo choo to airtport.  (very final.)
E: Alrighty!
Later while passing a McDonalds:
e:Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy!!!!
E: Yes Elijah!
e: chickenfries
E: Not today buddy, sorry.
e: (long pause) Mommy? Chinkenfries pleeeease?
E: I like how you asked, but not today buddy.
e: (sighs) okay.
The newest songs:
"The wheels on the bus go round and round, up and down, wah-wah, shhshh, move on back, beep beep. Twinkle Twinkle little staaaaaaaaaaar."
"Row Row Row Your Boat. Twinkle Twinkle Little staaaaaaaar."  (Do you see a pattern?)
"Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Twinkle Twinkle Little Staaaaaaaaaaaar."
"Lassy, lassy, this way and that way. twinkle twinkle little staaaaaaaaaar."
"Happy momma (instead of happy birthday) happy momma, twinkle twinkle little staaaaaaaaaar."
Pretty much anything he starts to sing, ends in a rousing rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  And it's oh so top-of-the-voice-rousing!  But it never fails to crack me up.
He still is having trouble with the beginning sounds of some words.  We thought it was just "ch" "th" and "sh", but it's many letters.  The thing that I don't get is that he can say the letters in other sections of the words.  For example, he says "'uppy" for puppy.  Obviously he can say "p", he just doesn't on the beginning of the word.  He still is new at the whole speaking thing, but we will talk to his doctor about it if it doesn't improve by the time he's 3.
I can't believe that he is going to be 2.5 in 9 days.  It's amazing actually.  So I am including two pics of the kiddo.  One from two years ago, a year ago and one from yesterday...sigh...

July 07

Grace's 2 month well check!

My little girl is 12.6 pounds (90%) and 22.5 inches long (50%) and I don't know about her head circ, but it must be okay since they didn't say anything about it...
She is a healthy little bit.  She has eczema (big surprise there) and cradle cap.  Both are nothing to worry about.  She smiled at the doc the whole time...well, until the doc messed with her hips and then not so much.  She handled her four shots as well as can be expected.  I nursed her immediately after and it was a little pathetic with the sniffling and tears, but she is fine and happy once again.  We didn't dose her with Tylenol and so far she has no fever, so I'm thinking that she may not need any at all, we'll see.  We decided to forego the Roto-Virus oral vaccine.  If she were in childcare or around more children that were, then I might reconsider.  It's a newer vaccine and Elijah didn't get it.  Although, it's not one we can put off.  I don't want her sick and apparently roto virus is highly contagious.  I'm actually wondering if that's what I had last September (when we found out I was preggo with her.)  Elijah and Jerry didn't get it, but I was insane about washing hands during that sickness.  I don't know.  We have a two week window.  But I think we'll just hope for the best.  She is moving her head all around and responding to sound and sight stuff.  So all in all a perfect baby.  The doc did grumble a little about her sleeping in bed with me, but I just brushed by it.  I am aware of her at all times.  Mostly she sleeps on my arm because that's how we fall asleep at those midnight feedings.
So here she is in all her glory.

July 11

Naps, guilt, and growth, oh my!

Naps:
Or lack thereof.  sigh... I have had to fight Elijah down for his nap lately and it's been getting later and later.  Then he totally didn't go down for a nap at all on Wednesday and Thursday.  I need that break.  Both days he ended up in his room until I told him he could come out, but he was not quiet and I got no rest.  I don't need a nap, I just need down time.  Grace is low maintenance.  Even if she isn't sleeping, she is chill... I mean seriously, she's 2 months old... not a whole lot of trouble.  But when she's crying and I'm trying to get Elijah asleep... sigh...
So I was beside myself.  I don't like being in a bad mood in the afternoon and I don't like being snappish toward Elijah, who was crying at the littlest thing because he was soooo tired.  Anyway, Jerry came home today and I took Grace and laid down with her and Jerry got Elijah to fall asleep in his own bed.  Sigh...  At least our afternoon was better because we all three got some rest.
Guilt:
So the issue seems to be that Elijah won't go down for a nap because he wants some undivided attention.  I want to give it to him, but I also want to give undivided attention to Gracie.  I feel very torn.  On one hand, I feel like I haven't gotten to bond with Grace as much as I want and on the other hand when I give her complete attention, I feel like Elijah acts out because I'm not giving him enough.  I know it's not going to be easy.  I know that the kids are fine.  I'm not neglecting either one.  I know that Elijah will get over it, it's an adjustment to suddenly have to share your folks (I had trouble sharing my folks with my friends when I was in middle and high schools, I can't expect a 2 year old to adjust super quick...) but I still feel guilty about it.  I feel like I'm not being the super mom that I should be.  It's an unrealistic standard that I have set for myself.  I did this with Elijah and I've done it again with Grace.  I need to relax and not worry so much about what's going on around me and be the best mom I can be.  There are days when I let Elijah watch too much TV, because I am just beat.  I function best on a schedule and I'm thrown when I have really busy weeks, like we have the last week or so.  But today went well and I hope that these days continue.  I know that eventually the guilt will pass and I'll feel better about being a mom and chill a bit.  Things will either get better or they won't and I will be the one that will adapt.
Growth:
On a MUCH lighter note...the girl child apparently grew overnight... we put her in a sleeper last Friday.  It was a bit big, we had to roll up the feet and the arms.  We put the same sleeper on her on Tuesday and no rolling was required.  I really forgot how fast they grow!!!  I'm going to add a video as soon as it finishes uploading... for now, there are new pics in a new folder...
July 16

Wednesday Friendsday

We have had a great two days!  Yesterday Angela came over and we finished up the dye from the tie dye party.  And today was Wednesday/Friendsday with Kristie and Kate.  We had a very nice time.  We love our Thursday playgroup too, but this is just the three of us (a fourth may be added) and we get a little more of chance to sit and talk.  With our Thursday playgroup it gets a little more difficult to do that, but still it's manageable.
My parents (and possibly my aunt) are coming on Sunday!  I'm excited to see them.  We're going to the beach and play lots while they are here.  I hope the weather holds and nothing tropical comes our way.  They are doing a house exchange with a friend of mine, so it's nice they don't have to pay for a hotel.  Though mom mentioned bunk beds.  Right now we have no place for them.  I think that when Grace is in her own bed we will move her into Elijah's room and move all the toys across the hall as a separate play space...we'll see.
Jerry got his summer bonus at work the other day and we are talking about things we need for around the house.  We both realized that for the past bonuses/tax returns/stimulus checks we have gotten things for the house or for the kids (i.e. fence, play set, yard tools....) and that we should do something for us.  First we are doing something for Grace, by setting up a savings account for her.  Then we are buying something for just us...
i have exciting news, but I'm waiting until my folks get here first...no I'm not pregnant...  I'll post on Sunday I promise!!!

T-minus 4.5 hours and counting....

...I honestly am making this out to be bigger and it is... hehehehehe... I made my mom promise to not look at the blog after tonight, so I'll probably post tomorrow.  It's a big deal to me...probably not so much for the rest of you... but hey, it's my blog!!!!
July 18

Okay... I simply can't wait...

Okay...so the big secret, which in all reality isn't that big...
I decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love.  10 inches.  That's allot for me.  I was really really nervous, but I think it all turned out okay.  I belong to a mom's group that will be doing a fundraiser in March and I think I will donate again. So here are the pics:
BEFORE

DURING (that's 10 inches... doesn't look like it, but it is)

After

After tucked behind the ears.

I like the cut.  I'm a little worried abotu what's going to happen when I wash it and then don't take the morning to flat iron it, but the stylist lady promised it would look okay curly.  So we shall see.  But I'm happy with it.  Jerry likes it and neither of my kids are too scared of me.  Though Elijah kept looking at me all weird when I came home...ahh, well, he'll adapt.
So that's the big news.  I hope it wasn't too anticlimactic.
July 26

What a week!

Okay...
So I got my hair cut on Friday.  We had a tropical wave hit us on Saturday.  In between bans Jerry and I went out to Costco....and.... bought a Wii!!!!!  I'm so freakin' in love with this thing.  It rocks!   We wanted to get something for just us with Jerry's bonus.  The last bonuses/stimulus check/tax refund have gone to the house or things for the kids and we decided to treat ourselves.  We want the Wii Fit too, but it's sold out EVERYWHERE!  But regardless, I have lost 3 pounds on this thing just playing the tennis game.  I love it.  We only use it when the kiddos are asleep.  We are not letting them play...it's ours... not theirs.
Anyway, on Sunday my folks and aunt arrived.  They had been visiting a relative in SC so they only had a 2-ish hour drive up.  They all loved the hair.   And, of course, the kids!  I thought I would get so much done with three helpers here, but I really didn't do that much.  We went to the Blue Moon Galleries on Monday (since it was scorching hot!) and I think that a friend and I might start selling stuff there... we'll see (side story on that: Carmen is not accepting consignment sales anymore, so I had to pull all my stuff out of her shop...sigh... I hope that she can continue to keep the shop open, and I disappointed to not have an outlet anymore, but maybe this is for the best.  Depending on rent at the BMG, I may come out better...we'll see...)   On Tuesday, we hit the beach in the morning.  I'm always so tired after a beach day.  It's exhausting getting up and out the door with two kids.  My folks took all the beach stuff the day before, so it was already set up for us when we got there.  The water was perfect, as was the weather, but it was still tiring.  Our playgroup met there last week, but Elijah is still a little scared of the water, so it was pretty much paying 3 bucks for Elijah to play in the sand.  It's only worth it if I can get in the water...not that possible with two kiddos... but with extra hands to help out, it was worth it.  Wednesday we went to the Farmer's Market and got some yummy fresh veggies to grill out that evening and have with lunch.  Thursday, Jerry had the day off, so he and my dad did stuff in the yard, mom played with Elijah outside, Mavis held Grace and I made Grace a super cute dress!  It was so easy (the dress that is) and it's reversible.  So I will be making them to sell (if we go ahead with the BMG thing) with matching reversible sunhats (how freakin' cute will that be?)  I have a pattern for overalls that I'll make for boys (and girls too!)  Then on Friday they went home.  I was so sad to see them go.  My friend Amy and her fam switched houses with my folks for the week.  It was nice for them to not feel they had to stay in a hotel, and have their own space for sleeping.
After the folks left we took Elijah to Fit For Fun and let him play for a bit, picked up my stuff from Carmen's and came on home.  Today we took the (abundance of) recycling to the drop off and went in search for a Wii Fit.  No luck... but c'est la vie.  We'll get it eventually.
Okay... I'm going to add some pics...and yes, mom I got your e-mails (I wrote the thank you letters already) and the pics are on their way!
July 28

Big Yawn

I guess Miss Grace is hitting a growth spurt.  She wanted to eat alllllll freakin' night last night.  Oh well.  I shouldn't complain.  She went back to sleep after each feeding.  And really how hard is it to roll over and feed the child and then go back to sleep... not so much.  Elijah is still coming into my room to tell me that he's going to sleep with Jerry.  Night before last he came in to tell me it was dark (we usually leave a light on in the kitchen, but didn't that night.)  Last night Jerry left the light on in his room and had put a pillow over his head... Elijah was worried because he couldn't see Jerry... Helllllo do you not hear the snoring?  Silly boy!  Did I mention that Elijah can wink now?  Just one eye, but it's really funny!
ANYWAY, so we all slept in the big bed for nap today and it simply wasn't enough for me.  I'm exhausted.  And I have a heat/sleep headache that won't go away.  I think we will head out to play in the pool in a bit.
This weekend, I put on a piece of clothing that was given to us as a hand me down.  I just forget about our kid's skin issues.  I didn't pre-wash the clothes.  I didn't ask the donor what type laundry detergent they used... Grace broke out EVERYWHERE!   Poor thing.  SO now I am in the middle of a massive clothes washing!  One friend gave us 4 huge boxes of clothes up to 2T, so it's taking a bit.  I'm on the 18 month stuff now.  Sigh...  Oh well, better to do it now than later I guess.
Okay.  That's really it... I added new pics to the month 3 album as the girl child will be 3 months this week!!!!
July 30

Wednesday/Friendsday

We had a great day today!
We'll start with yesterday and move on...
We went to a baby shower yesterday.  It was quite a shower and nice to hang out with other moms in support of a mom to be.  Elijah ate WAY too much sugar, and hence no nap... BOOOO!  I also decided yesterday that I would sell my stuff at The Cape Fear Music and Arts Festival with my friend Kristie.  We will have a booth there and just chill.  I'm excited about it, but I have a ton of stuff to do.  I need to finish sewing on the faces of the snuggle buddies, make some hats to match the super cute new dresses I have, AND I need to sew the buttons on said dresses... then I just have to label and tag everything... Doable, but time consuming.
Anyway, today was a great day.  We met our friends Katie and Kristie at a local pool and had a great time.  I love hanging out with these women and their kiddos.  Elijah is the oldest of the bunch, but he's pretty good around them.  After a GREAT nap today Elijah and Grace and I have been hanging out in the nice AC.  It is just too hot to be outside right now.  I know that sounds horrid, but it really is too HOT!   95 with a heat index way above 100... not so much for the outside.  But we are playing and having fun inside!
Cute Elijah story:
Sometimes on the way home we go by the airport and over railroad tracks. Elijah is well aware of this and points it out every time we go this way.  The other day Elijah was playing with a toy that he was pretending to be an airplane.  Here is the conversation:
E:Where are you flying?
e: To the airport.
E: That's a good place to go.
e: Yup. Over the choo choo tracks and down down down to the airport.
It just tickled me that he thinks there RR tracks in the sky.
I LOVE MY KIDS!!

May 2008

May 01

WELCOME GRACIE!!!!!!!!

Grace Hannah Jones was born this morning at 10:02 a.m.!

I started having contractions at 3:30 this morning and we arrived at the hospital at 5:30.  We were 6-7 cm.  After not much progress we had the water broken at 8-ish and then progressed quickly.  Around 9:50 my midwife got me to turn over on my hands and knees and Grace thought that was the cat's meow.  She actually started to come out on her own much to everyone's surprise.  I rolled to my side and gave two big (and rather painful) pushes and Grace was born at 10:02 (Jerry called 10 give or take...)

We are all doing well.  I'm a bit sore as I had a small tear and well, she wasn't small.

So her stats:

8 pounds 9 ounces

21 3/4 inches long

13 inch head circ.

She was exactly one week early!!!

We'll add pics tomorrow after we get home!

May 05

2 day check (really four, but who's counting?)

So we went in for a check up this morning.  Grace is almost back up to her birth weight.  She is, however, having a little jaundice.  Jerry and I don't think as bad as Elijah, but it's hard to tell.  We've had her in the sun and what not and hopefully, the levels won't be too high.  She is a breastfeeding champ and, while I am rather sore (forgot about all this!) her eating habits are only going to help.

It's funny about your second kid.  You're not as concerned.  I've actually slept.  She wakes up and I roll onto my side and feed her (didn't get that down with Elijah until he was MUCH older!) and go back to sleep.  Granted she's only 4 days old, and things will definitely change, she's very good.  She likes to be cuddled, but is also content hanging on her own.

Elijah loves to hold her, though gets over it a little faster (unless it's bed time...) but he tells us "all done holding baby Grace."  At least he doesn't just stand up with her still on his lap.  not that we are ever far away, but still.  He is still adjusting to not being the center of attention, but this too shall pass.  Or not... (he just threw a straw at me... punk!)

Anyway, we are doing well.  I'll update about the jaundice after we hear from the doc!  At least it's nice out!!!!

May 06

yeah, so....

Her bilrubin levels were fairly high.  Normal would have been around 12... her's were around 21.9.  So we went to the hospital yesterday and into photo therapy we went.  I stayed the night at the hospital with Grace while Jerry was home with Elijah.  I have to say that both our kids were troopers.  Elijah was dragged around the whole day to the doc's and then to the boring hospital... though we did discover the really cool playroom on the peds unit and Elijah had fun playing in there.  So over the night her levels went down and this morning they took her completely off the lights.  She did so well.  She would come out to nurse and then back into the little case with her little shades on...really sad, but she did well.  It was great to be able to take her out permanently this morning.  We tried to keep her in the natural light of the windows as much as possible today.  her levels still dropped!  So we are home.  Tomorrow we have to go back to get her levels checked and meet with the ped.  I hoping, beyond hope, that this is over.  I'm ready to be home and work on adjusting to being a four person family.

Our playgroup has rocked and they are providing us with lots of yummy food!  So, that's that for now.  I'm beat and will probably turn in after American Idol (though I haven't been that impressed yet and I may end up passing out in the recliner... that would be okay too!

May 08

up and down and up and down

Grace's bilirubin levels went back up with yesterday's check.  SO this morning it was BACK to the doc's for the orders to have more blood drawn and then BACK to the medical mall (with all the sick people hacking up lungs and wanting to look at my baby...are you KIDDING me with this?) to have Grace's heel pricked AGAIN.  This afternoon the results are good.  The levels went back down.  They should have considering I was nursing her constantly yesterday and we had her in sun for the majority of the day.  So we are done until next Thursday when Grace will have her 2 week appointment.  I was so freakin' tired this morning.  I was having to talk to myself in the car to stay alert.

At the medical mall the lady who took Grace's blood told me her life story, or rather the story of her brother's life and how she is a great great aunt at 40-something because everyone starting with her brother is having babies at like 14 or something stupid.  I just wanted to tell her that I really didn't care and just wanted to go home and maybe someone should talk to these kids about condoms... I mean seriously... I'm 32 and both of our pregnancies were planned (though Jerry says he was tricked with Grace...WHATEVER!) and we feel like the timing was right.  Why on God's earth, would I want to hear about this woman's family?

ANYWAY, that's a quick update on the first week of Grace's life (Happy one week baby girl!!!)  I'll post pics soon.  I promise...

May 11

HAPPY MOMMY's DAY!!!!

Since my birthday, Elijah has been going around singing Happy Mommy (to the tune-ish of Happy Birthday) and today was no exception.  Jerry (and the kids) got me the complete Gilmore Girls series!!!  Wahoo!!!  I love Gilmore Girls!  We were going to go our for breakfast, but it is pouring rain, so Jerry went and got me cinnamon raisin biscuits from Hardess (Love 'em!!)  Which was nice, since I really didn't want to get dressed either....hehehehe...

Now we are just chilling.  Jerry's folks got Elijah this matchbox cars car wash toy thingy a while back, and we thought that he was too young at the time.  But he's proved he's a big boy, so he got to have it today (sans the bubbles...bubbles are for outside!)  And he is quite enthralled by it.  GREAT!

Grace is doing well.  She sleeps, eats, and poops, with a few hours of awake time thrown in.  Overall, so far (all 9 days of her little life) she's pretty mellow.  Her hiccups that she seemed to have constantly in utero have followed her into her little out of the womb life.  poor thing.  Though it doesn't seem to bother her really.  She's all wrapped up like a burrito right now and making little mouse-y noises... very cute!

so Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there!!

May 13

I'm the mother of a toddler and an infant...

How did this happen?  sigh...

Let me explain, that I was eating breakfast in the small window of Grace's morning nap.  Elijah had already eaten.  When he has markers and says he's "playing choo choo"  it usually means that he is putting them together end to end and moving them as one big unit.... not this...

sigh... what am I going to do when Jerry goes back to work?  I still haven't figured out nap time yet... I'm trying not to stress, but I NEED Elijah to take a nap, so that I can get some rest too... we'll see...

For now, I just have to laugh and be thankful that I spent the extra dollar to get the washable makers... At least he cleaned it up without a problem... why didn't we get a picture of that?

May 15

2 week check up

So the girl child had her 2 week check this morning.  She is weighing in at 9.2 pounds.  She has Mongolian spots, Stork bites, and Baby Acne.  All these are fine just baby things.  Her jaundice is better.  She's still a little yellow, but her eyes are almost completely clear which is really good!!!  She is healthy.  Elijah was more of a hassle during the appointment than Grace.  He's just got so much energy.

So we went to the park to meet up with the playgroup after the appointment.  Jerry came too so that was REALLY helpful.  I don't think I'll be up to going by myself anytime, but we'll see.  I'm really not supposed to be lifting Elijah, but as of tomorrow Jerry is back at work (though he is at home) and his schedule is changing for reasons that will be a whole different post at a later date, so he is now working four 10 hour days (Friday- Monday) and I'll need to lift Elijah for various reasons.  (That was a total run on!)  ANYWAY, it was fun seeing our friends.  Rachel and Erin also came with MR and the twins, so that was good (Erin and Jerry got to hang out and not be bored by the ladies.)  It was really nice.

That's about it.   Elijah's naps are not going well... but again another post.  I will leave with this picture.  It's in the album, but I just love it.   Elijah's baby holding time was cut short due to Grace wanting to eat and whatnot, so he got to snuggle her in bed while he had stories and songs.  It's just too freakin' cute!!!!

May 21

8 years and counting

Today is our 8 year anniversary!  Wahoo!  How are we celebrating one might ask... Well, Jerry is sick, as is Elijah and I fear that Grace may have gotten this cold-ish thing too...sigh...  Jerry is working today (long story about his schedule continuing to change... once it's all settled I'll post about it all...)Elijah is playing with Play-Doh and Grace is chilling on her play mat.  So that is how the day is going thus far.  Not really a big deal.  Since Jerry worked this past weekend, he is taking tomorrow and Friday off.  Maybe we'll do something fun.  We are going to a cookout on Saturday (pending the wellness of everyone in the fam) so that'll be fun.

That's it really.

I'm working on some gifts for Mother's Day (I know we're late), Father's Day, and my folks Anniversary (38 years!!!) And there's a little girl crying for some mama's milk...so I'm off!

May 23

Friday Friday!

So, Jerry is off today.  We went to Fit For Fun this morning.  It was nice.  We ran into some friends of ours.  It was a nice day outside, but I really needed to get out of the house and I had a ton of yarn to donate to them.  I went through all my yarn the other day and cut it down by half.  I needed the storage container for clothes that Grace can't fit into yet.  Also, I think it would take me years upon years to actually use all that yarn.  Anyway, they were thrilled to get it and gave us a free pass for the day.  Really nice!  The place was not crowded and Elijah had fun playing and I didn't feel like everyone was staring at me when I (discreetly) nursed Grace.

So some cute things that have been happening around the house lately:

--Elijah comes into my room at 1 in the morning (may not sound so cute, but wait for it) crawls in bed next to me and Grace and says, "mommy, hold baby," lies down and goes back to sleep.

--Elijah was watching the end of Reading Rainbow, in which there was a video of an older sibling reading to a younger one, Elijah jumps out of the chair runs to the library book bag, grabs a book, and says, " 'ijah 'ead baby 'racie."  Almost cried at that one.

--Grace makes little pterodactyl noises and if Elijah is holding her, he makes the noises right back to her.

--While lying in bed Elijah had his arm under Grace's head.  She started to stir and he reaches over and gently pats her tummy to soothe her.

--While putting Elijah to bed, we sing songs (Twinkle Twinkle and Row Row Row Your Boat) and sign them.  Elijah has been allowed to have Grace in bed during this time.  Last night, he picked up sleeping Grace's hand and tried to help her do the signs to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... little teary eyed at that too.

--Elijah was in the room the other day while I was changing clothes.  He walked up to me and pointed to my chest and said, "Mommy!  Two mommy's milks!"  I about passed out from laughing to hard...he was soooo serious about it.

--Every time we pass a truck/train track/school bus/airport... Elijah says, "Oneday, 'iljah ride [insert mode of transportation]?"  I seriously doubt that by the time he actually rides the school bus, he will be as excited about it.

--Grace's acne is starting to clear up, she throws her arms and legs around and is overall, a peaceful baby.  She can hold her head up and look around while we are holding her in the upright position.  She is definitely gaining weight and is just a cute little kiddo.

--Elijah and Grace and I all take a nap in the big bed.  I love being in there with my two sleeping kiddos.  I've been watching Gilmore Girls while they sleep...but it's hard to concentrate on the TV, when I am surrounded by such cuteness!

--Elijah will come and tell us before he going to poop, whilst he is pooping, and after the fact, BUT still not on the potty...though I guess it's progress.

--Wanting to play in the pool is " 'iljah p'ay in the poos!"  Which is hilarious...and a little disturbing to an outsider... but seriously, he just wants to play in the pool.

I have to remember these moments when I'm about to loose it with Elijah.  I know that most of my annoyances with Elijah are due to being tired and having a newborn here as well.  Of course, it is also in part that Elijah is two and acting every bit of it.  His little memory is so good and he is really starting to push buttons.  I know that he really wants attention, regardless of if it's negative or positive attention.  There are things that I ignore, but if he is doing something that will hurt him or something expensive (like the computer) he does get 3 warnings/chances to make good choices and then it's off to time out.  We both try to give him undivided attention during the day, but that's difficult for me with an infant attached to the boob.  This too shall pass.  He is really good with Grace and wants to hold her and rock her and everything else.  I don't want that to pass.

May 28

there now...

new pics added...

the weekend was fun.  we went to a cookout on saturday and that was about it.  elijah and grace are doing well.  we're all tired i think.  but that comes with the territory.  that' it for now.  just wanted to appease some people that have been asking for them...ahem...

May 31

i survived!

I made it two whole days on my own!  We even went to playgroup on Thursday...with brownies I made that morning!  HA!  Friday my friend Amy came over for a quick lunch and to meet Gracie.  She brought Elijah sand pails with shovels and goldfish.  It's all he talked about the rest of the day!  Thanks Amy!

Today we went to see Erin and Rachel and their kiddos.  Man the twins got big!  I miss hanging out with them!  But as I feel more confident with both Elijah and Grace by myself, I can go over and hang.  Jerry helped with a computer problem and we had lunch.  Elijah and MR hadn't seen each other in sooo long, so that was good for them.  Grace was totally chill the whole time, which was good too!

My folks get here on Tuesday.  I am sure we will hit the beach a couple of times (if I can possibly function in the morning at all...) and hang out here during the heat of the day.

(Going backwards here!) Kate and Kristie came over on Wednesday with their kiddos to play and see Grace.  Kristie and her sister have an online store with the cutest freaking kid's clothes!  Check them out!  She brought me a tie dye, a long sleeved onesie with leaves on it, and another onesie with her name on it.  I'm sure I' will take pics of them sometime...  Anyway, it was a good day and the kids all played well.  Elijah talked about them the rest of the day....though he clung to me the first half hour they were here.

Jerry will be back soon with dinner.  We have been really bad lately, so this weekend is the end of it all.  Starting Monday we are back to only eating out once a week (he says on free kid day!) and eating more salads and stuff here.  I mean I'm losing the weight from the breastfeeding, but I need to eat better.  We were really doing well while I was preggo....then we just stopped.  Maybe my folks and I can go to the farmers market while they are here and I can get some yummy fresh veggies.  That would be good!

Okay... that's all...well, it's not, but for now.  I added pics...before anyone could say anything (anyone that will be here in a few days!!! WAHOO!)

January 2007

January 08

AHhhh a new year...

So far....well... I guess this years going okay.  I've ridden the bike twice, so that's good.  the last time I rode with weights, so I did my arms whilst I biked.  We are eating better.  And we're doing okay with the not eating out or spending money.  Jerry is enrolled to go back to school to learn computer programming.  He has to take a couple courses at the local community college and then he'll enroll at State to take on-line classes.  I think it will be really good for him.
I can't believe that Elijah is going to be one on Saturday.  It's just crazy!  However, he's driving us nuts right now.  For the past two nights he has awoken at midnight and we could not get him back to sleep until after 3 both nights.  IT's not that he wants to be up and play, that I could deal with.  He screams almost the whole time.  We have tried putting him down (I mean he's already crying right?) but that agitates him even more and he ends up throwing up.  We thought maybe it was his teeth or growing pains and gave him Tylenol, to no avail.  We rock him, sing to him, cuddle him, put him down...nothing.  We can't figure out what's wrong.  I looked up this stuff in our handy D.r Sear's book and he says it might be one of the following:
teething (though I would think that the Tylenol would help...but maybe not)  it would be his molars, so maybe they hurt more?
growing pains... apparently once they are walking these happen more and more at night when the muscles have a chance to relax.
GERD (a form of acid reflux...) he doesn't throw up unless he's been crying and screaming for an hour or so, but we are taking steps to see if this may be the problem.  We've gone back to mushing up his food...this kinda annoys him.  He really likes to feed himself chunks of food, but he seems to be okay if I give him Cheerios to play with.  We keep him calm for 30 minutes after eating.  We already have him quasi-propped up in bed....sigh....
I hope that it goes better tonight.  I can see where people get violent with their kids though.  I had to hand him off last night.  I was losing my patience.  I went back into my room and just cried.  It's hard to not feel like it's something you have done to make your kid act like this, especially at 3 in the morning when you haven't been asleep in MANY MANY hours.  So, here's to hoping it goes better....
A bit ago I said that there was big news.  Well, here it is, but don't get too excited....
Rachel and I were planning on opening a childcare center in her house.  We have since decided not too.  It was fun though planning and thinking about it.  But right now it's just too much.  Though we are both passionate about childcare and down the road we may look into investing in a house to be used only for a childcare facility.  I think we would make great business partners and after we are through with the baby thing...well we'll see.
However, a friend of mine, Carmen is opening up a store in a local retail place called the cotton exchange.  She is going to have a "made by moms" section in her shop, so I am knitting some hats and making some slings to sell there.  I think it will be a nice little pocket change.  The hats take me a couple of days a piece to make and the slings take about an hour to make, so I am hoping to have about 10 slings and 5-6 hats ready to go by her opening day.  Carmen is amazing!  She teaches natural birth classes, is a doula, and now is opening up this store.  She has so much energy!
Okay, I think we are going to watch Little Miss Sunshine.  I hear that it's pretty funny....we'll see....  Oh yeah, and Lisey's Story (I'm only about 125 pages in....) is freaking awesome!  Stephen King is just an incredible story teller....
I'm on Jerry's new laptop and I can't get to my pics, so I'll wait until Elijah's b-day to post new ones.  Be well and send good sleeping vibes to my kid!
January 10

Little Miss Sunshine and stuff

We watched Little Miss Sunshine last night.  I think this is a great movie!  The family the movie centers around is crazy and yet lovable.  The family consists of a heroine sniffing grandfather, a son who has taken a vow of silence, a husband who is failing at his "9 steps to success" program, a suicidal brother, and a little girl whose dream is to be Little Miss Sunshine (well, Miss America really, but who's counting?)  All parts are acted well.  You feel these characters pains and triumphs.  While the family is rather dysfunctional, you realize that they would do anything for each other and love each other unconditionally.  The ending is freaking hilarious, Jerry and I were laughing so hard we almost cried.  I highly recommend it. There is some strong language, so not so much a family movie....
On the note of sleeping, (or lack thereof) Elijah slept better last night.  It was Jerry's night and he brought Elijah to bed around 1-ish.  He stayed asleep (for the most part) until 4 and then I took him back to Jerry at 4:30.  I still woke up completely exhausted, but feeling better about the whole thing.  Mom sent us a thing about night terrors.  While the info was good, I don't think that's what was going on.  Four times yesterday and couple times today Elijah has pulled himself up and let go of whatever and walked on his own to some destination.  I really think this may be the cause...that and I believe a molar is trying to push through.  Thanks for all the sleep thoughts and the suggestions.  I forgot I had bought any Motrin a while back, Claire, thanks for reminding me.  If this night thing happens again, I will pull it out.
Jerry starts classes today so that's exciting.  I hope that this endeavor proves to be a positive thing in his life.  Okay, I need to scrounge for some food.
January 13

HAPPY ELIJAH'S BIRTHDAY!!!!

We had a fantastic party!  Elijah did really well and ate his first cupcake in record time.  He got lots of really cool loot and is currently evading a nap to play with it.  Oh well, he only turns one once right?
Okay, just wanted to announce his b-day!  I'll update after his 1 year check up on Tuesday!
January 16

1 year check up

So the man is now 23.8 pounds (he actually lost weight now that he's a walking fool) and is 31 inches long and has a head circ of 44 cm.  Over all he is the average size of a 15 month old (about 85%.)  He is healthy.  The doctor wants us to keep an eye on the food allergy thing and continue to treat his eczema with over the counter stuff.  He said that there are new studies linking food allergies and eczema to possible youth asthma.  He wants to make sure to catch it and treat it if that looks like that's where Elijah is heading, though he didn't seem too concerned about it right now.  Elijah was fine until the doctor made him lie down (even though I was holding him) and then, of course, didn't care for the finger prick or the shots, but was fine almost immediately after (didn't even comfort nurse.)
We're starting the process of weaning as well.  I'm just exhausted from the whole thing and his teeth are cutting into me (I'm starting to develop bruises...sigh...) I'm a bit sad as I wanted him to wean himself, but we made it a year and I'm happy about that.
Okay, the little guy's eating some chicken and apples, I had better pay attention before I get some thrown at me....
January 27

yawn

What a freaking long week.  Sigh... Last Thursday after group I come home and Elijah has...well let's just say gross poop.  Thinking this is a one time thing, I don't really think about it....yeah right...sigh.  He was sick all last weekend and most of this week.  You would never know to look at him, but man he smelled.  He never ran a fever higher than 99.6, so who can say.  I am thinking it may be his molars?  Anyway, he's  been fighting going to bed and doing the waking up thing this week.  I think on average I have gotten about 4 hours of sleep a night.  Last night was better, though still not great.  Right now Jerry's trying to fight him down for a nap.  It's not really working.
I spent this morning working on slings to sell at Carmen's store (which opens next Saturday.)  Jerry took Elijah out and they came back for lunch.  It was the first time Jerry's been OUT alone with Elijah.  Everything went well.  I still have lots to do but I thought I would take a moment to write and update some pics.
Let's see last Thursday was Jerry's b-day.  The big 3-1.  We were going to have a small party on Saturday, but Rachel was sick, so we had it on Wednesday evening instead.  I gave Jerry Boondocks Season 1 and a mug with a painting by Elijah in it.  He also got some N-64 games.  All in all a good birthday.  I've just been trying to keep Elijah's clothes clean.
okay, I'd better go help....
January 30

almost there

So as I mentioned before I am making slings and hats to sell in a friends shop.  I have started a Windows Live Page for reference for the consumer.  Eventually I would like to start a web site to sell everything from, but I don't have enough inventory and Carmen isn't pushing having a set amount of product.  So I'll create as the need comes.  I have to pay her a commission, which is fine (and expected) but it means I have to sell things for a little more.
Anyway, here's the site!  Let me know what you think.  Eventually I will have pics on how to use the slings... (by eventually I mean this weekend before the grand opening of the store.
Elijah is walking very well now and into freaking everything.  It's really cool, but he's a cheeky little twit sometimes.  He'll look at us and smile and then go do something he's not supposed to and then laugh when he gets caught.  CHEEKY!
The weaning is going okay I guess.  We are down to about two feedings in a 24 hour period.  That changes sometimes.  His nights are kinda rough, but I am hoping that once he's weaned he'll sleep a bit better...we'll see.  That may be wishful thinking.  Since he's weaning, I'm giving him snacks more often.  I have moved his little table out into the area between the two rooms and I buckle him in with a sling (see the new pics) and he has a snack of fruit twice a day.  He's really doing well with signing what he wants.  He can sign more and pear (which is what we have mostly right now.  He calls dried apples pears too...It's pretty funny.)  I went to the dollar tree and got a bunch of clear shoe box size boxes and have separated his toys into them.  This way the floor isn't covered with toys.  He has about 3 boxes out a time and I plan on switching them out every other week or so.  It was driving me crazy.  Now it's all organized.  Still a mess after everything is out, but much more manageable.
Okay, little cheeky guy is making me a present to change so I'm off to do that.....

December 2006

December 01

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas?

I must say that with the weather being more like early May it's a bit hard to get into the Christmas mood.  I am playing Christmas music though.  I will finish up my shopping on Saturday afternoon.  Bonnie and Will are coming over for a play date in the morning.  Then we'll get the tree.  Then the afternoon is mine for the shopping!!!  i only have to buy for Jerry, but I must make several stops.  Everything is almost done.  I have a cookie exchange next weekend and then I am hosting a cookie exchange for playgroup on the 14th.  I made cookies for relatives so I've already done some baking.
Okay...let's see... Thanksgiving was good but Elijah was running a fever of 103.  He had no other symptoms, but it made for a sort of fussy baby.  We actually bought baby food for the trip, not knowing what kind of storing options we would have a t the hotel.  Yeah, he wouldn't eat it.  And I must say that I don't blame him.  The chicken and rice tasted the same as the oatmeal and apples...eewww... Anyway, we gave him mashed up banana and he was much happier about that.  He got a ball from Aunt Marge and two books and a Racoon from Anna and Larry.   We got to meet the newest addition to the family.  And the most exciting thing....drum roll.......Elijah took his first independent step the day after Thanksgiving (which is actually the day we celebrated)!!!!  So we had witnesses and everything.  He hasn't done another step (and really I'm not rushing it...he's only 10 1/2 months for Pete's Sake!) But it was very exciting.  My little guy is growing up so freaking fast!
I'm sure there is much more to write, I'm sorry I haven't been writing as much lately.  Elijah is into EVERYTHING right now and I feel like I am running around like a chicken with head off....I'll add some more pics (thanks for not nagging mom)
December 07

Back up and running...stupid Microsoft

So last Friday Jerry was working from home and he needed to download some software from Microsoft.  Our computer totally crashed.  I mean turned on and turned off, but that was it.   He ran the recovery disc and NOTHING.  We hooked up our old computer and he looked on-line and finally got some answers about what to do.   It took until Tuesday evening for everything to get back to quasi normal.  Our outlook express lost everything.  This is frustrating because I used the calendar and the address book so all saved b-days and addresses of people are gone into the infinite cyber space.  But at least we have the computer back.  It's a little sad that I'm this dependant on a machine....sigh....
ANYWAY, on Saturday Bonnie came over for a play date while Jerry went and picked out our Christmas tree.  The tree is beautiful and it makes the whole house smell like Christmas.  Elijah is very curious about the tree, but we have (so far) kept him away from it.  My parents got Elijah a little table and chairs for Christmas and I went and picked it up on Sunday.  Elijah loves it.  He's still to little to sit in the chairs, but he loves playing with toys on the table.  He has started putting things back into baskets.  This is really cool, he "helps" clean up (sometimes....)  He is also pointing now and thinks it's fun to point at noses.  He's taken another independent step, but again I don't think he'll be walking on his own for quite sometime.
I finished my Christmas shopping on Saturday.  I now just have to finish making gifts.  Hopefully I can do that this weekend.  I am hosting a cookie exchange with our playgroup next Thursday.  That should be lots of fun.  I love some cookies! My parents arrive 2 weeks from today.  I'm really excited about this!  They have agreed to baby sit at least twice!  Before I was all nervous, but now I REALLY need to get out of the house.  I love Elijah and all, but I need Jerry time.  Jerry said we could go to a movie AND out for STEAK...mmmmmmm.....
Okay, I need to go get the boys up.  I turned off Jerry's alarm, but he's gonna get mad if I let him sleep too much longer....
December 17

It's almost Christmas!

I can't believe it!  Today it was 75 degrees so I feels more like April than Mid-December.  These weeks have been CRAZY!  I haven't done most of the stuff I needed the have done yet.  I have two presents that have to be done this week.  I just have to buckle down.  The cookies exchange went off with great success.  It was lots of fun and there were many yummy cookies to eat!  Jerry got a Christmas bonus on Friday and so we spent yesterday and today getting stuff for the house.  We assembled and installed storage things for the garage.  We were going to get an outside room because Ideally we want to turn the garage into a room of some sort.  BUT that won't be happening for a bit.  So we decided that it was cheaper to just get stuff to organize the garage.  We got a cabinet for the Master Bath and a rack that can hold our towels and robes.  We finally bought a system to hang a curtain in front of the laundry area.  Also we got cordless shades for Elijah's room.  We had stupid black out shades but they kept coming down on our heads, so I am REALLY happy about the cordless shades...they are so pretty too!  Elijah was great both days, but his nights are worse than ever.  We really think he's going to walk soon and I have heard that when they are ready to do this babies wake up often.  Last night was the worst though.  He just lost it.  From about 1 til 2 he was crying his head off.  Nothing would settle him.  Jerry tried, I tried, I offered to nurse (which eventually worked, but not at first)  it was CRAZY!  I ended up sleeping with him the rest of the night.  Usually this is a pain because he has become SO active in bed that I don't sleep, but after he finally passed out he slept until 6:30 and I nursed him again and he slept until 8:30!  That was exciting!  Granted I hadn't gone to sleep yet when he woke up the first time, but he was OUT for the duration and that's nice.  I think though that we are going to start the weaning process.  I really wanted him to wean himself, but his mouth is so small and his teeth are so sharp that breast feeding has become a bit painful.  I think that it will be hard on both of us.  I really cherish this time with him and I think it's just another sign that he's growing up so fast.  I can't believe that he's already 11 months old!  My little snarky butt!  Anyway, we'll get through and we'll be fine.  I think for the most part he's only comfort nursing anyway.
Okay, Jerry's been out there playing with EJ and I can hear the sleepinees in Elijah's whine.  So It's off to get the little one to sleep (hopefully better tonight...sigh...)
December 23

'tis the season to be jolly

My parents are here!  We've been hanging out for a couple days now.  It's nice to have someone to help out with Elijah.  I was able to finish some Christmas presents (of course, it was after Elijah was asleep, but still....)  Elijah is having MASSIVE separation anxiety.  I can't even run to the bathroom without him pitching a fit.  Mom gave him a bath last night and he was fine until mom made him sit down in the tub, then he screamed until she finished washing him and diapering him and then brought him to me.  Then he clutches on for dear life.  Ahhh, this too shall pass (I HOPE!!!)  Mom and dad say that they will be okay if we go out.  I just feel so bad for him, but man I need a break!  I think we will try and early dinner and then later this week a movie.  I really want to see The Nativity Story.
We are going to go to Sweet and Savory this morning...YUMMY!  They have the most awesome food!  Then Jerry has some Christmas shopping left and we are going to go look at fabric to make slings.  I absolutely love mine (thanks Rebecca!!!) and I think that they should be fairly easy to make.  So we're going to get some fabric and see.  If they are easy, then I will try to sell some at a friend of mine's store.  I think I will also try to knit some hats to sell there too.
I need a haircut in the worst way.  The ends are crazy gross.  Mom said she'd do it so I think I'll let her.  I just want the bottom 2 inches hacked off.  I have to be able to pull it back because some little munchkin thinks my hair is his own personal pull toy.
I kept him last night (speaking of the munchkin.)  I think we did quite well.  He's such a mover.  I went into check on him and his feet were on the floor and his body was on the bed.  I didn't dare move him for fear of waking him.  At 2 I did bring him to bed with me, but didn't nurse him back to sleep.  I did however at 5:00 and at 6:30 I took him into Jerry where they are still sleeping.  I can't believe that Elijah can sleep through that snoring, but he seems to do very well in bed with Jerry.
Oh yeah, we got confirmation of our vacation this summer.  Mom and dad gave us a week of their time share.  So we are going to Edisto Island. This will be our first real vacation with just the three of us since Elijah was born.  I'm excited.  We think we'll spend a day in Charleston and maybe go back to Beaufort.  I think it will be fun!
Okay, I'm getting a bit hungry.  Oh did I mention the crazy weather?  Tracey is under 5000 feet of snow and I was considering putting on shorts yesterday.  It feels more like spring than winter.  Today it's supposed to be near 70 degrees...sigh.... Oh well....
Okay, food......
December 26

A Merry Christmas indeed

We had a fabulous Christmas.  It was very relaxed for sure.  We woke up and had some coffee cake and sweet potato biscuits.  Then we opened presents and stockings.  Elijah got some very cute outfits and some toys (mostly re-gifts of presents that were given to him when he was too small for them.)  My parents gave him the table already, so we put it to good use yesterday evening by trying out his new finger paints on it.  Very fun!  I got a candy thermometer, a candy cookbook, a dispenser for the shower (it dispenses shampoo and what not), Stephen King's new book, a canvas bag, a pocketbook, a share of goats from the Heifer project, and a bunch of other stuff.  I can't even remember now.  Needless to say it was a very good Christmas.  Elijah is taking more and more steps everyday.  He walks about 5-10 steps independently.  It's really cool, but also a bit nerve wracking.  He flies behind his little pusher cart.  It's insane!  Speaking of insane...the weather yesterday was INSANE!!!!  We were under a tornado warning all day.  It was pouring rain and windy all day.  We stayed in all day (not that there was anywhere to go.)  We had beef stew in bread bowls for lunch, so it was very warm and yummy.  The thing is that the temp outside wasn't cold.  But we couldn't really open any windows because the wind would have blown the rain in.  It was weird...
We took a bunch of stuff to Goodwill this morning. Our garage is so close to being clean!  Tomorrow we will take the brass bed to a consignment store and so that will be out of the way.  We need to figure out what to do with the crib.  We may put it back in Elijah's room once he's walking and use the toddler bed part of it.  Elijah and I had a rough night last night.  He slept really well until about 12:30 and then was a crazy child.  I finally gave up trying to get him to sleep in his room at 1:30.  And ended up nursing him.  sigh...however, that didn't even put him to sleep.  He got much quieter, but then he was start talking to himself and then laugh this punchy little laugh he has.  I would pull him to me to try to cuddle him and he was feel all over my face and then crack up...nutty boy.  He finally rolled over on his tummy and went to sleep.  Then he woke back up at 5:30.  This is when I usually nurse him, so I went ahead and he slept for another hour, but wanted to nurse again, I gave up and took him into Jerry and then went back to sleep for an hour.  He's passed out right now.  sigh... I hope this gets better soon.  I guess it can't last forever right?
MY folks are here and will check into a hotel this afternoon.  Not cause we're kicking them out, they are doing this voluntarily.  It's great to have them here!  Jerry and I went out to dinner on Saturday, just the two of us.  It was really nice.  I was nervous because Elijah had been going crazy if I just went to the bathroom while my folks were here.  But they took him on a walk and we left while they were gone.  They said a couple times he got upset, but overall he was fine.  It makes me feel a bit better.  I think we may try to go see a movie one afternoon and then maybe another dinner.  It's nice to be able to go out without Elijah in tow constantly.  Rachel has offered to baby sit and maybe we'll take her up on it after the New Year.
Speaking of which: Erin, Rachel, and Maya Rose are coming over to spend the night on New Year's Eve.  I think I may even have a drink.  Our goal is to stay up until11.  I think we can do it...  I can't believe that Elijah is going to be 1 in just a few weeks.  It seems he was JUST born.  But a whole year has already gone by.  We're going to have a little party on that Saturday with his little playmates.  It should be lots of fun.
Okay, I think I'll go be social with my folks unless they are napping and then I'll read!!  So far this book is quite good!  Hope everyone is having a GREAT holiday!  I added our Christmas pics to Elijah's 11 month pics.
December 31

The New Year

I cannot believe it is the eve of the new year.  It seems just yesterday that I was in the hospital having Elijah.  Now in just a couple of weeks he's going to be ONE!!!  It's just crazy.
So here are my goals for 2007:

• ride the bike (stationary) at least 10 miles 3 times a week.
• continue to walk daily (weather permitting)
• eat better (I refuse to cut out sweets...I end up gorging myself when I do that.)
• loose enough weight to feel comfy in a cute new bathing suit for our vacation in May.

I think that all of these are attainable.  As I am getting ready to wean Elijah( though he's doing a pretty go job of this himself...) I won't have that extra help to burn calories.  I can already feel the weight adding on, so I want to nip this in the bud right now.  I didn't care over the holidays because (in my humble opinion) it's pointless, at least for me, to try and watch what I eat.  So tonight (and probably tomorrow) will be the end of overindulging.  We are thinking about jumping back on the Compact wagon (not going out or buying new stuff) until our vacation.  It think it will keep us from eating out as much.
Jerry and I had two dates while my folks were here.  If Jerry hadn't had to work as much I think we would have gone out more.  We went out to eat once and went to see The Good Shepherd (Fabulous movie BTW).  We were going to see Happy Feet, but it was almost sold out and there were 2 buses from day cares there, so I think it was a much better choice.  Both times Elijah (reportedly) did well.  I was really happy to hear that.  Yesterday we went up to Jerry's parents.  His sister's kids were there and Amanda (Matthew's girlfriend (Matthew's Jerry's brother)) was there too.  Elijah was tired, but warmed up to everyone after a while.  We played on the back deck a bit.  This weather is crazy warm!  I think I like it, but I would like an actual season sometime too.
Tonight Rachel. Erin, and Maya Rose are coming over to spend bring in the New Year and spend the night.  I think we will have fun.  Rachel and I are both having a drink, so I am hoping that Elijah doesn't want to nurse until the morning.  I'm sure it will all be good.  As I said he's pretty much weaning himself.  He nurses about 3 times in a 24 hour period now.  Once mid morning, once before bed ( but doesn't nurse to sleep) and once at about 4:30-5 in the morning.  It's rather bittersweet as Claire said, but it's just a new stage.  He's walking more and more independently and when he's behind the walker, you better get out of the way.
Okay, I gotta go finish getting the house ready for our guests.  Have a Happy and Safe New Year!