Saving For Psychotherapy

Where Did The Time Go?

2011-09-09T18:08:00.000-04:00

So I'm not even going to apologize for the serious lack of blogging. What can I say? I'm a busy girl :) But I'm not going to try to update, there's just too much. So here is today.

Ethan's first day of SK

Quick pose on the stairs with his sisters

His "Zombie Walk" down the hall after dropping his sisters off on the other side of the school

His BBF's waiting for him - Seriously, how CUTE are they??!

... and hiding behind his Daddy when the new teacher comes out to meet them ...

Did I mention he fell asleep in class? On his first day. First. Day. .... wow.

2011-03-15T03:33:00.000-04:00

Tessieboo,
My crazy-beautiful girl with the evil little laugh;
who eats like a horse and is built like a bird;
who has been known to devour a bag of Cheetos in less than a blink and not to mention her fair share of drywall;
the hoarder and hider off bright objects ie. cameras, iPods, cellphones;
the destroyer of countless shoes and toilet plungers;
the only person who can get her father to sit down for a tea-party in full accompanying tea-party-attire;
she who runs out of the house in the morning to give her bare toes a mud bath, EVERY morning;
you who just couldn't wait and was almost born in a Tim Horton's drive-thru;
you whose fingers - if aren't in electrical sockets - are up her perfect little nose;
who sneaks into my bed at night stealthier than a ninja;
who can sleep through an apocalypse because she snores louder than an apocalypse;
you who make giving a bath to a jacked-up orangutan seem easy in comparison ... and less hairy;
...
who still smells like a baby;
and who hugs me like she hasn't seen me in years when I pick her up from daycare;
and smiles a sleepy smile if you wake up next to me;
and whispers bedtime stories to your dollies;
and sings your little sister to sleep,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY.
I. LOVE. YOU.

Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold

2010-09-03T00:47:00.003-04:00

It's after midnight and I'm happily scheming!
I'm not a vengeful person.
Really, I'm not.
Well, maybe atleast not anymore.
So this really isn't "retribution" per say ...
Okay, okay maybe it is.
(Epilogue) So I came home from my casual/part time waitressing job last week. It was late and I was tired. I climbed out of my car and made my way to the porch muttering something along the lines of "... he could have atleast left the porch light on so I can see the lock..." While fumbling for my keys in the pitch-black dark, I heard a loud animal-like snarling!Something jumped out at me on the porch and was going for my legs!!!
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkk!!!!!
Now anybody that knows me, knows I am not a jumpy person. But when you're exhausted and outside in the dark after midnight ... well y'know.
Anyways, James (my bastard husband-to-be) thought it would be funny to scare me. He was on his hands and knees ducking behind the porch railing waiting for me for an hour (he said) just for the chance to startle me. Ass! Hole! The twit was lucky I didn't kick him in the face.
He's been waiting for my retaliation ever since.
Expecting it.
But I'm about to get him good.
Sooooo good.
Okay (explanation) so we picked up his tuxedo today (he'll be standing as a groomsman this week-end in a good friend's wedding) and he accidentally left it in the car (and I took the car to work). He called my work to ask me to bring it in the house when I got home. No problem. Sure.
Oh where to put it?
How about hang it up in the basement? In his bathroom. Yeah, right here ..
... hmmmm that kinda looks like ...
IDEA!
*giggling to myself*
... now where is that mask? Ahhh here it is ...
... now just hang it here, cover it hup a little bit here, and a clothespin should keep this in place ...
PERFECT!!!

James is so DEATHLY afraid of Michael Meyers. I wonder if he'll be pissed ... or maybe he'll scream ... BAHAHAHAHA!!! He should be up for work at about 6:30am. I'll keep you posted ...

I Can Do This ... I Think

2010-08-13T00:38:00.000-04:00

DIY ... scary thought. For me, that is. But I'm gonna try. I have loads of time to practice. And I'm going through a bajillion ideas everytime I google "DIY wedding".

I mean this can't be that hard, could it?

Paper Hydrangea Balls

And what about these? As if cupcakes weren't cute enough.

Printable Cupcake Wrappers from Paper & Cake

And my sister (I am soooo lucky to have my sister) can totally do this as a reception sign -

DIY Wedding Banner

*sigh*

I think I'm getting ahead of myself.

I don't even own a glue gun.

Scavanger Hunt: Item #2

2010-08-12T23:19:00.003-04:00

I've been looking for ways to "funamize" the wedding. In the "bouquet category" I'm almost positive I want to go non-floral. According to my sister (... geez I use that phrase a lot ...) the real bride(maid)szilla, the bridesmaids will be toting these instead of flowers -

Cute! I know, right?

Buuutttt ... I saw these on Etsy (love love LOVE Etsy) and now I'm drooling for one for myself.

So here's another scavenger hunt challenge for what's fast becoming my very own DIY wedding - flower brooches. Enamel, plastic, vintage, yard sale, whatever. And once again, reimbursements and plethera of gratitude in return.

Oh, and just so you know, there'll be NO bouquet toss with this puppy ;)

Scavenger Hunt

2010-08-10T23:17:00.002-04:00

To all my fleamarket-finding-friends (and family), I'm challenging you with a scavenger hunt. I will reimburse your expense AND reward you with copious amounts of gratitude!

First thing on the list: Blue jars like so:

Lids or no lids. I'll take anything. I think for centerpeices and perhaps something (according to my sister) like this:

Although ... where I'm going to find a baoba tree is beyond me.

J. Crew Wedding?

2010-08-03T20:46:00.003-04:00

... And some Monolo's for fun!

Something Blue?

2010-07-22T23:52:00.000-04:00

Paris Hilton Destiny - Turquoise Croc

2010-07-11T23:16:00.000-04:00

I so love this font/design.

Talently made by Ivandy27 found on Etsy

Let the Chaos Commence

2010-07-11T21:09:00.005-04:00

So this will be my innaugreal post as "Surpressing Bridezilla".
Ever since James proposed, there have been 1,986,252 ideas running thourgh my head per second about, oh let's see, wedding themes, dresses, colors, venues, guest lists, if I should slowly gauge my eyes out with a spoon or a fork ....
I have decided to take a repose and give all those who actually read my blog a 2 year break from my life with the great, wonderful, charasmatic (maniac, heart-breaking, chaotic) children and record all the questions and ideas I'm sure most bride-to-be's have.
So to all those who only read this blog to catch up on Ethan, Tessa, and Tylar's newest creative ways to spill my brains on the floor, fear not! For I'm sure there will be plenty of proud posts regarding Ethan's butt-bombs or Tessie' 24-hour long temper tantrums or Tylar's newest favourite flavour of furniture.

The Start of a Sizzling Summer

2010-06-25T19:03:00.002-04:00

No Filter

2010-05-02T11:22:00.000-04:00

I've never been one for censorship. I usually say what's on my mind ... as it passes through my mind. Not always a good thing. Maybe my 3 1/2 year old has inherited this characteristic.

Ethan to strange large lady (with obvious dental issues) in the park smiling at him because he's so cute:

Your teeff broken?

Ethan to creepy old man in MacDonalds staring at Tessa:

Dat's my Sessa. Not your Sessa. Myyyyyyy Sessa.

Ethan to woman who stopped her shopping cart to admire Tylar who is fussy and cranky:

TyTy no like you. You stanky! (I hadn't noticed.)

Ethan to man walking yippy little hairless chihuahua:

Too loud. You be quiet, hamster!

James usually ushers him away in total disbelief and embarassment. I just usually look at Ethan's victim and shrug - maybe if I'm feeling generous I'll mumbe an apology of some sorts. But I laugh about it later ... and then post it on the world wide web.

Not According To Plan

2010-05-01T10:25:00.002-04:00

So four days later, and the toy is finally out of it's packaging and in my sons chubby little hands. I'm so proud of him!
The bribery seems to be working ... with unforseen complications.
Although there was a lovely long poo in our toilet this morning courtesy of Ethan, there has also been 2 "accidents" on the floor. *Sigh* And he was doing so well with the peeing-in-the-potty thing. And he seemed so diappointed in himself, I hadn't had the heart to take away his new toys.
Guess I shouldn't be throwing out the Pull-Ups quite yet....

I've Now Resorted To Bribery

2010-04-28T16:24:00.007-04:00

Aaahhhh ... the joys of toilet training.

With James home the past few weeks, we have finally started "seriously" potty training Ethan. And so far, it hasn't been all that bad. There have been a few days when he uses the toilet each time, days when there are one or two times only, and days where I need to follow him around with a shop-vac. Either which way, we weren't pushing. But now, with Junior kindergarden looming - and they NEED the children potty trained in order for them to be enrolled - we are feeling the need to step it up a notch.

Surprisingly, he really (really) wants to go to school - we've been psyching him up since last March. And we explain to him that he can't go to school if he doesn't use the toilet.

Now here's where the problem is.

He went.

Once.

At Lolo and Mama Chic's house. Now he won't "poo potty" again. When I tell him he needs to poo in the potty, he tells me (actually screams angrily)

"Etan already did it! I went poo potty at Nono's house!!".

So here's my new game plan: bribery.

This little man is obsessed with cars. It was hotweels for the longest time - the dvds and the diecast cars. He's already played out his first DVD set so much that they actually skip. Thank goodness for eBay. I can buy the whole boxset for under $10 bucks and the cars are only a buck at the big box stores. But now, he's "upgraded" to the Disney Pixar Cars. $6 per dinky car??! Ouch. eBay to the rescue. I actually ordered 14 at once (for $7.50 for all and free shipping - score!). And we plan to give him one each time he poos in the potty. I also bought him one of the larger toys today to get the ball rolling. It's just sitting on top of the toilet tank, in all it's packaging, waiting for him. He's already sat on the toilet for 20 minutes trying to push one out in order to get a hold of it. I had to eventually kick him out of the bathroom for fear of him giving himself a hemeroid. I did, however, give him one of the smaller cars just for his tremendous effort.

Anyway, wish Ethan luck! And I hope he doesn't expect a car for every visit to the bathroom for the rest of his life ...

Angry Shrek Baby

2010-04-24T15:45:00.004-04:00

We Finally Have a Tooth!

2010-04-18T12:53:00.002-04:00

Baby Tylar has finally poked out a small sharp tooth! This is the reason for the recent sleepless and miserable nights. Ahhhhh! Now we've only got a dozen or so more to go .... yay.

Little Sun Worshipper

2010-04-13T18:03:00.004-04:00

If there's a patch of sunshine on the floor, you can bet Tylar will make her way there. She loves to sit and wallow in the rays. She's my little sun worshipper.

I Haven't Slept for 9 Days

2010-04-11T12:44:00.005-04:00

Whoever took my nice quiet newborn and replaced her with a crotchety 6 month old, can stop with the cruel joke already and give me back my happy baby.

This girl is a horrible (horrible!) sleeper. Every hour on the hour, she's awake and making sure the whole house is awake and miserable with her. The only person who doesn't seem affected is her roommate. Tessa snores away as James, Ethan, and I are wondering what the gawdawful screaming is all about. Hungry? Nope - bottles literally are flying out of the crib and at our heads if we even try. Wet? No. Nightmare? Honsetly, what does a six month old have to be afraid of? If I pick her up and rock her, she's still angry and fighting. If I had the guts to leave her in her crib to figure out her own problem, I know she wouldn't stop crying until daybreak. The thing is, I'm not fully convinced she's actually awake. Her eyes stay closed for the most part of the ordeal. She bites at her blankets, rolls around in despair and spits in frustration. Then if (if) we can get her to settle, she only sleeps for an hour then replays the whole scenario again. Do babies at 6 months old have night terrors?

For Kylie

2010-04-10T17:03:00.005-04:00

Hoping to make you feel just a little bit better. Love Kate, James, Shine, John, Mama Chic & Lolo.

No Excuses

2010-04-09T18:54:00.003-04:00

Okay.

So I've been neglectful.

I've been a little scared-off of this blog because I can't even imagine how I'm going to get caught up with all the posting I've missed lately.

So I'm not going to.

Update, that is.

I'll just start fresh.

This is what happened today:

Tessa POOPED on my couch.

There.

Is that "fresh" enough for you?

The Proposal

2010-04-09T17:42:00.000-04:00

So I've gotten engaged!

And people are asking how James proposed. So here's my story.

In true "James" fashion. He couldn't wait for Valentine's Day to ask, so he did it the day before. With a plant (I'm not too partial to flowers).

And a ginormous ring.

It fit around my wrist.

And a card that is only funny if you know what happened the week before ...

My mother told me I needed to marry James. I asked her why. After all, I've never been a believer that a piece of paper (a.k.a a Marriage Certificate) would make a relationship stronger. I'd always be with James - no matter what. To this, my mother answered, "So your children can have a real mommy and daddy." Yhmmmm .... Then after she saw the look on my face (the one where I'm not sure to lash out in rage, or laugh at the ridiculousness of the comment) she giggled at how funny that sounded. Mom, I love you.

Anyway, I went home and told James. He had a good laugh. .... and he also had an idea.

So this is what the card said when I opened up my Valentine's Day plant:

LOL

Clever boy.

How could I refuse?

Aaand ... two weeks later we picked this up:

Clever boy again. He let me pick it out.

Too Fast

2010-03-15T00:17:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday baby girl.

Don't grow up too fast.

2009 in a Nutshell

2010-01-03T23:37:00.001-05:00

Jan. - Mmmmm ... well that's weird.
Feb. - Again? Really? I'll wait until next month to be sure.
Mar. - Yup. James don't tell anybody yet.
Apr. - What the heck - tell everyone. James couldn't keep his mouth shut for more than an hour and everybody already knows. We're pregant again!!!
May - Start looking for a bigger house Jamie. This family is expanding.
Jun. - What does the doctor mean by "You're not due until October, Kate" ... I was betting on late August. We don't need to buy a house, we can just move into my ass - it's that big.
Jul. - Found the house! Bought the house! Yay! .... What do you mean our closing date is October? Boooo ....
Aug. - I'm hot and MISERABLE!!!! And faaaaatttttt!
Sep. - Ugh! I can barely lift my swollen ankles James. Better get your friends to help us move. Did I mention I'm fat and miserable?
Oct. - Hiccup ... Oh! The baby's here!
Nov. - Where did November go? Busy, busy, busy!!!
Dec. - Christmas time again! And with a new house and a new baby!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!

Family Introductions

2009-12-29T15:09:00.000-05:00

This Christmas I finally got to meet James' brother Shaun, his finace Shanon, and thier two beautiful boys. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the Foley's - which is what we do the years we don't go to Cleveland to spend the Holidays with my American family.

Shaun and Shanon made it safely to Ontario and with maybe a few more grey hairs from bringing an almost 2-year-old and a 5-month-old on a plane for the first time. I took like a million pictures on Jame's mother's camera but his Dad erased most of them because he said I took waaaaay too many. I say, what's a 4gb memory card for if you can't fill it up?

This is Tylar and her closest-in-age cousin (only 2 months apart) Jonah. Jonah was born 7 weeks premature but you'd never guess it because the wee man is just massive! He's like picking up a bag of bricks. He has to wear mits because he gets frustrated and sratches at his head. Ethan loves this picture. He says " Drona got boo-boo on his head. Twylar no gots boo-boos. Twyar's hair tooooo big!!".

And this is Jonah's big brother Micah. I love his hair. It's exactly like Ethan's. It sticks up this way and that. Must be Foley trait.

I'm very happy the cousins got to meet. Hopefully it won't be long until they see each other again.

My Little Monsters

2009-12-02T20:43:00.002-05:00

58 Days

2009-11-29T09:11:00.004-05:00

58 days

8.29 weeks

1392 hours

83,520 minutes

Tonight's Parade

2009-11-29T01:42:00.010-05:00

I live in a small small town. Just under 15,000. And tonight I have realized that 14,575 of the 15,000 people I share this little community with are children.

We went to the town Christmas parade tonight. Little faces everywhere! The usually quiet streets were filled to capacity with rosy cheeks and runny noses - all waiting for the jolly old elf to make his appearance. Tylar passed out in the car on the way (even though we could have probably walked it in less than 4 minutes) and didn't wake up until we were home and done dinner. E-man and Tessie watched roadside all bundled up in thier little red wagon. They loved the Shriners zipping around in thier mini-cars, the fire trucks all decked out in holiday lights, and the clydesdale horses pulling a jingle bell adorned sleigh. They loved the people handing out candy even more! They were having a great time. All smiles!

But when Old St. Nick came along at the end of the 8 minute parade (as I said, it's a small small town) Tessie had decided that she had enough. Enough with being strapped in and confined. Enough with the thumbless mittens that didn't let her eat her candies. Enough with mommy snapping pictures of her in the dark and blinding her every 5 seconds. Melt-down time! And as Santa slowly rode by waving at all the happy little boys and girls, Tessie let out a barrage of what I can only interprate as toddler tourrettes.

Soooo angry.

Soooo loud.

Santa doesn't need to check his list to see who's been naughty or nice tonight.

Good Sleepers

2009-11-29T01:06:00.003-05:00

Girls Night

2009-11-21T22:50:00.004-05:00

I kicked James out.

... just for the night, of course. He needed to take a night off and just have a moment to enjoy with old friends.

So it's just me and the girls tonight.

It started off quiet and calm.

And then Tessie noticed her dad was gone ...

Bedtime!

Another Innapropriate Laughter Moment

2009-11-17T14:32:00.010-05:00

I should know by now that when the kids are quiet, there's some major disaster about to occur.
There is one of those automatic air fresheners - you know one of those battery powered ones that spray every 30 minutes or so - in the toyroom downstairs. It is hung on the wall high enough to touch the ceiling. I can't even reach it without a step stool.
Buuuutttt ... if one little scheming 3 year old were to place the heavy four foot slide by the wall ...
Let's just say Ethan came running up the stairs screaming in some foriegn baby language. He jumped into my arms crying and wailing something along the lines of "ALL BETTERRRR!!!! OUCHIE!!!" and "POOOOOOOR ETHAN!!! POOOOR ETHAN!!!". And when I asked him to tell me what happened - "POOR ETHAN EYE!!! EYEEEEEE!!!!!!".
And from this I deduced that the air freshener got him directly in his curious little eyes. I was wondering why he smell so citrusy fresh! Poor poor Ethan.
The canister said to flush thouroughly if it got into eyes.
I tried.
It was hard.
I mean pinning down a distraught 3 year old and pouring water into his tearful irritated eyes and then trying to put some eyedrops into them WHILE laughing really hard everytime he cried "Poor Ethan!!!" is not an easy task. Especially when my confused little Tessa, who is now parakeeting everything she hears, is slapping at me for causing her brother so much unhappiness and repeating "Poo Etan!! Poo Etan!!".
Aaaaahhhhhh ...
He's calmly napping now. It only took lots of hugs and reassurance that the Air Freshener Monster was all gone - and 3 bottles of chocolate milk ...

My Hatred For a Certain Stuffed Animal

2009-11-14T16:01:00.005-05:00

This is Ethan with his beloved "BeeBee Bloo".

This nasty decrepid bear has been best friend since he was able to grasp it in his chubby baby hands.

Baby Blue has lost his satin bowtie. Ethan used to suck on it until the nastiness got to me and I chopped the moldy thing off. There were many arguments between mother and son over this decision. Ethan has since forgiven me and still lugs around this ugly vile creature like a secuirty blanket. It's with him in his bed, at the dining room table for supper, outside in the yard, and if I'm looking or if I'm not quick enough, it goes into the bathtub with him. He loves this thing soooo much he even asks for band aids when it gets "hurt".

I suppose I should be grateful. Tessie's "security blanket" is sticking her finger up her nose ...

What A Nice Day!

2009-11-14T15:12:00.004-05:00

The weather is in the 70's today and not a cloud in the sky!

After having a hectic summer with the move and the new baby ... and being humongous ... I feel like I've missed my favourite season. No shorts and tanks - just tent dresses and unflattering maternity clothes. It's still too chilly for my tropical taste but atleast I don't feel the need to hibernate or curl up on the couch with 50 blankets.

James is even getting some yard work done. It needs a lot of work. Hopefully it will be ready to sod by early spring. It's just a giant dirt pile right now. I'll need more yard space by Spring. there will be 3 little Foley's tearing it apart by summer time and to save my sanity, I'll need to be able to kick them out of the house and make them play out side.

Tylar is adjusting well. She's a treat to have around. She blocks out all the noise and sleeps most of the day. Ethan and Tessie fight all day long (just part of life I guess) and when they don't, it's usually because they're doing something they're not supposed to be doing. Like dousing the toyroom with baby powder (three times now) or ripping apart books - BTW if any books are being bought for Christmas, please make sure they're the cardboard kind. They still get destroyed but atleast they take a little longer to mangle.

I love days like today - the house is clean, the yard is being taken care of, and BEST OF ALL - all three children are napping at the same time!

Fall Fun

2009-11-08T22:53:00.014-05:00

Ethan and Tessie came home late this morning from a sleepover at Grandma and Papa's house. Tessie went straight in for a nap. She was more than a little cranky. My bumblebee needs her beauty sleep. But Ethan was all wired to spend this beautiful day outside while his dad did yard work. At first it was the leaves. Who knew a pile of crusty dead leaves could be so much fun?

Then we rolled around on the driveway talking to ladybugs.

When the bugs wouldn't talk back, Ethan progressed to playing with his shadow.

Then back to the pile of leaves.

We were a little concerned that Ethan wouldn't have much fun without the regular neighbourhood kids when we moved last month but, as you can see, Ethan can find fun just about anywhere.

This is Me Today

2009-11-07T08:43:00.004-05:00

My name is Tylar.
I am 34 days old.
Mom waited for me for a looooong time even though, technically, I was born 5 days early. Mom says that elephants have shorter gestation periods than mine.

I like to eat a lot. I was the smallest out of my siblings at birth (only 6lbs 13oz) but I'm gaining fast. My eyes are a curious blue (Mom is still waiting for them to change soon), my nose is perfect and pointy (like Daddy's), and my hair is insanely out of control.

I like to be cuddled and talked to. Mom thinks I always look very serious because I furrow my eyebrows all the time but I smile whenever Dad sings to me. I like my bathtime. I love shopping. I'm quiet and content and can sleep through anything - including my brother and sister fighting, screaming, and jumping off the walls.
I am good baby.

Drama, Drama, Drama

2009-11-06T23:50:00.007-05:00

"How is Tessa adjusting to the new baby?"

I get asked this all the time.

For the most part my busy little bumblebee Tessie, for lack of better words, couldn't care either which way about her little sister. Compared to Ethan , who cannot seem to be more than a foot or two away from "his" Tylar at all times, there really isn't much interaction between the sisters.

Most days Tylar is ignored all together. Other few and far between days Tessie will generously allow a quick burst of affection towards the baby.

Then there's the days when she's just not in the mood ...

Or days when having a little sister sucks ...

And days when it's just plain devastating.

The Imagnation of a 3 Year Old

2009-11-06T22:38:00.008-05:00

So here's our new bedtime routine for Ethan.

We put him in bed, tuck him in, read a book if he asks, kiss him goodnight, turn on his nightlight(s), then tell him we love him.

5 minutes later ....

"Daaaaaaadddddd .... monster ..."

James stomps into his room: "Where?! I'll get him!"

Giggling Ethan: "Over der!" pointing in some general and vague direction.

James struggles with the air for a moment, eventually getting the air in some awkward Boogeyman head-lock: "Got him! Where should we put him?"

Very excited Ethan (jumping for joy on his bed by now): "Time Out! Monster go time out!!!!"

James using his tough-guy voice: "Okay! It's time out time for monster!!" ushering out so-called monster from Ethan's room "There you go Ethan. Monster all gone. Good night!"

Amused and satisfied Ethan: "Thanks Dad. Nite nite!"

Another moment later ...

"Daaaaad .... More monster over der!"

James jumps back into Ethan room. I don't follow this time but I can tell you there's many karate-like "Hi-Ya's" involved, elaboate thrashing about, and copious amounts of clapping and laughter from Ethan. By the end of this Emmy award winning show, there's a monster being thrown in the garbage, one getting flushed down the toilet, and yet another going for a time-out.

James comes out of Ethan's room sweaty and triumphant.

Ethan settles back in bed, safe from all monsters thanks to the acrobatics of his father.

When it's my turn to do the battling, I just use my "Monster Mace" (also known as Fabreeze Air Effects) and spray his room. Monsters hate that stuff - didn't you know? Clears them right out ... not to mention requires less exertion on my part.

I guess this post should've been titled "The Imagination of a 34 Year Old".

Ummm ... A Little Busy Over Here!!!!

2009-11-01T21:45:00.007-05:00

Yes I know I haven't posted in like forever but honestly ...
Can you blame me?
Here's some pictures.

I'll post the stories with them as soon as I have a minute away from a maniac 3 year old, a 1 and a half year old with selective hearing, an insatiable newborn that needs to eat 24-7, and when James isn't limping around recoving from surgery so I NEVER have another baby .... EVER.

At The Farm

2009-08-15T21:31:00.000-04:00

"Fearless" Is Not Always a Good Thing

2009-08-03T20:55:00.003-04:00

WTF??!

2009-07-28T17:56:00.003-04:00

My glucose test came back today and Doctor Dave (my OBGYN) says it's "on the high side".
What does that mean?
It means another glucose test - this one 3 hours instead of 1. It also means if this next one comes back on the "high side", I will have to take insulin because it's what you call Gestational Diabetes.
No more sugar.
Booo ...

Little Man

2009-07-25T16:50:00.000-04:00

Still my baby boy

I like Noodles

2009-07-25T16:12:00.002-04:00

Quick! Get The Video Cam!!!!

2009-07-17T21:23:00.006-04:00

A VERY rare "Sweet-Ethan-Moment"

Picture this:

Family comes home from daycare. Daddy gets sleeping Tessa out of car seat and puts her gently on the couch so she doesn't have too long of a late nap. Ethan barrels into the door and turns the tv on full blast then starts screaming for chocolate milk.

Then he spies my quiet Tessie on the couch, just waking up.

*quiet*

He walks over to the couch. Looks his baby sister in her sleepy eyes. Gently pushes stray hairs out of her face. And in a sugar-coated soothing tone says:

"Good sleep Sessa? S'Okay. Ethan right here."

Grabs her blanket off the rocker and covers her up with only her confused little face showing.

"Sessa need juice? Okay. Ethan be right back."

Holds up one stubby little finger to his baffled sister.

"One minute."

Runs to the fridge. Grabs her juice bottle. Hands it to her and gives her a big smile. Carefully, as not to disturb her space, sits down on the couch close to her and proceeds to calmly and quietly watch his tv.

Mommy, Daddy and Tessa stunned into silence.

That was two days ago. Today he close-lined her and took her down WWF style because she had one of his hotwheels.

Name That Baby

2009-07-06T18:12:00.006-04:00

This is the new generation of babies in my family.

They are: Jackson, Maya, Ethan, Micah, Wyatt, Ali, Tessa, Griffin, and Nameless Baby Foley ... but can you put them in order?

Single Mom

2009-06-26T21:50:00.004-04:00

Thus starts the first day of my annual week of single motherhood.

James is gone on his yearly fishing trip with his dad.

Anybody know where I can hire a "baby-daddy" for a week? :)

Pretty

2009-06-23T15:39:00.003-04:00

This is the last house our realtor brought us to see last week. It's soooooo pretty. Everything is renovated and updated inside. The plot is huge - but unfortunatly for me, it's FULL of flowers and shrubs and hedges (all excellently maintained, though) that I will kill within a matter a moments. My mother is pushing for us to buy it but I think her intentions are not exactly "pure" - she wants all the garden stuff that comes with the house :)
The only issues we have are the rooms are a little on the small size and James has no garage here. I can live with the smaller rooms - our children are small after all. But I don't know about the garage - I need James to have a place to tinker around if not to save his sanity but to save mine.
Anyway, when James comes home from his week-long fishing trip next week - we'll consider a little more carefully.

James...

2009-06-21T10:37:00.004-04:00

Happy Father's Day

to the guy who will always be there to catch us coming down the big slide - even if some of us aren't ready to come down yet.
We love you,
Ethan, Tessa, and Baby#3

Pint Sized Picasso

2009-06-19T22:17:00.004-04:00

Note the bottom lip pushed out in deep concentration - sure sign of genius.

It's A GIRL!!!!

2009-06-18T18:50:00.000-04:00

Can't you tell?

Before we found out, James said that the dark spot is "his" bladder. I kept telling him it's "her" vajayjay.

Yay Team Vajayjay!!!

New Superhero On The Block: The "Squirm"

2009-06-15T19:25:00.000-04:00

She goes at a constant mach 90.

She can leap tall buildings in a single bound.

She has super-power-persuation ... even to the most fickle of "non-sharing" people.She will melt a grown man into mush.She is fearless.She can gnaw through steel. She's never met a meal she couldn't defeat. She'll stop you with her super-power-I'm-so-cute-stare-of-death.
And if all else fails ...
She'll just ignore you and pass out.

Fishymen

2009-06-13T22:44:00.000-04:00

Yes, I Am Still Alive

2009-05-28T02:15:00.006-04:00

You'll have to forgive me.
I've been pre-occupied.
And lazy.
And pregnant.
So here's a quick run down of May so far for me.

May 10 - Happy Mother's Day Mama Chic and Grandma .... and Tita Shine and Aunt Shannon and Mariel and Leslie and Kylie and Trish ... any everyone else I forgot. Thanks for all my presents Tessa and Ethan (and James of course).
May 11 - Happy Birthday Shaun!! (Sorry it's late)
May 12 - Happy Birthday Shine!! (Sorry I'm late)
May 13 - Completely incompetent Ultrasound Tech tells me that this baby won't be ready until October the 8th. Really? ... I was betting on August.
May 19 - Happy Birthday James!! Hope you like the concert tickets and an all day pass from your whiney better half! Don't call me from jail! No public nudity. And try to come home with both your flip flops and most of your buttons ... a little self-respect would be good too ;)
May 20 - Tell one boss to drop me down to one shift a week. Getting a little worn already even though won't be having this baby for another 16 months apparantly.
May 21 - Tell other boss I'd be "glad" to take on his son's business bookkeeping too because I CLEARLY don't have anything else to do with my (lack of) time !!!!!

So as you can see - I'm just a tad bit crrrrranky.
How was your May?

Sick Week-end Can't Stop The Foleys

2009-05-03T22:07:00.005-04:00

Thursday night James woke up at 4 a.m. and scooted to Ethan's room to find him in a pool of his own vomit.

... yay.

Friday James took the day off work so I wouldn't have to and nursed a feverish 2 and a half year old all day long. Then I came home and he had to take care of me because I was sick too.

... yay.

Ethan and I spent all day Saturday in bed under as many blankets as James could find. Sick and coughing and whining and sniffling and sore and miserable.

Then Sunday came and I wasn't about to let another beautiful day go by. Ethan looked much better. He even got into some trouble. I found I felt much better if I stood up too and so we packed up the kids for a picnic and a trip to the Animal Farm. It was a day well spent. Ethan and Tessa rode around in thier little red wagon for a bit.

Then we let them run free for a bit. James and Ethan fed the ducks and fish in the pond and chased the geese. Tessa was confined to her wagon after three minutes of freedom because I caught her eating goose turd (again) so she just sqeaked at all the animals as she rolled by.
Then we had some fun in the playground for a bit until Tessa started eating sand (again). Back in the wagon she goes. Daddy kept her occupied with bubbles.It was a nice day all in all. And I'm glad I finally got out of bed. Even though I'm still coughing up a storm and feel like my nose will fall off if I blow it one more time.

... yay.

Busted

2009-04-17T13:52:00.001-04:00

Just a quick little story of what Ethan was up to this morning ...

I watched my two and a half year old son take a half empty box of Keenex off the kitchen counter this morning, proceeded toward the heating vent, pull up the vent grill, then shove all remaining tissues down the vent. I didn't say a word as I crept up behind him. He carefully replaced the grill into it's proper place then turned around. When he saw me with my arms crossed standing over him, he sweetly smiled at me and said " Tessa did it ".

Where Did A Whole Year Go?

2009-04-16T23:20:00.006-04:00

This is me a whole year ago. And this is me today. Mommy never would have imagine a year ago that this sweet, quiet little hairball would:

cause her to have all garbage cans on top of tables because I like to pick in them and eat whatever I find.
be noisier and more rammy than my brother.
be the reason Daddy has to wash all the windows with chemical-free cleaner because I like to lick them.
make Mommy want to invest in a rubber band company because my hair is utterly out of control and if she doesn't put it up, it sticks to my snotty nose all the time.
still smell like a sour pineapple a year later.
be going through her third pair of shoes because I'm walking around like a madman and keep wearing them out.
have Daddy invest in a steam mop because I like to also lick the kitchen floors.
have Daddy hunt behind computer desks and under sofas nightly for uneaten stale cookies because I always seem to find them and eat them.
be the reason Mommy and Daddy had to buy a wagon that had seatbelts because when I go for a walk I like to eat rocks so now I'm confined to staying in the wagon and I'm not allowed at the park anymore.
drive Ethan crazy by sneaking up on him and stealing the cookies right out of his hands, then dropping to the floor with the cookie tucked under me in a ninja death grip while my brother LOSES HIS MIND!

Mommy never would have imagined ...

What If It Had Been An Emergency??!

2009-04-16T00:30:00.004-04:00

This comment was left in my last post by Lolo.

today at the house, Mama Chiqui was sitting:

RingRing:
Ethan: Hello?
Lolo: This Is NoNo, is Nono Chiqui around?
Than: Hi Nono, Okey Bye....(click)
Tried again: RingRing....
Ethan: Hi Nono, I love you...Bye (click)
Tried again: RingRing
Ethan: Hi NoNooooo, I love you, Okey, I love you.....BYE!!!!(click)

By the tenth time...I gave up.
I gave up happy. By the time the right person answered, I forgot what I called about!!!!!!

I love him! What a quiet, uninteresting, and utterly boring life I would have without him! :)

As Long As He Doesn't Try To Eat Them

2009-04-14T14:41:00.008-04:00

A beatuifully orchestrated Easter Egg hunt was organized by my Martha-Stewart-Sister this past week-end.

Maya and Jackson diligently searched for the silver and golden eggs (that had money in them) and dutifully left the chocolate ones for the babies to find. Ethan and Tessa and Wyatt had lots of fun searching and scavanging in Lolo's and Mama Chiqui's garden. Wyatt followed around his Kuya Jackson. Ethan broke open plastic eggs, ate the chocolate inside, and discarded any coins found. Tessa tried to eat the coins. And Annie calmly observed the chaos.

When all was found and no more eggs were hidden, Ethan decided he still wanted to hunt. He started to pick up garden rock and stones and placed them in his Easter Basket. Whatever. As long as he had fun. And as long as he doesn't try to eat them.

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

Hunger Strike

2009-04-14T11:40:00.006-04:00

James calling me at work last night around 8pm:

Me: Hey how's the kids?
James: Tessa fell asleep on my shoulder about an hour ago.
Me: What about Ethan?
James: I dunno.
Me: What do you mean "I dunno"?
James: Oh well appareantly he's teaching me a lesson.
Me: Huh?
James: He wouldn't eat steak so I made him Mr. Noodles. He wouldn't eat his Mr. Noodles so I made him peanutbutter and jam sandwiches. He wouldn't eat that so I said "Ethan no eat? Then Ethan go night-night." And he looked up at me with the most defiant little face and said "E-tan go night-night!". Then he stomped up the stairs and shut his door. So now Ethan's been in his room for two hours ignoring me and refusing to come out.
Me: Ooohhhh ... Can you put him on the phone?
James: Ethan come talk to Mommy!
Ethan: Hi Mommy. Ethan time-out. No eat.
Me: Okay ... why won't you eat?
Ethan: No like.
Me: Ethan you need to eat.
Ethan: Okay Mom bye.
James: See what I mean?
Me: Where'd he go?
James: Back in his room. He shut his door.

I don't know what to do. Everybody's telling me that he'll eat when he's hungry but I still find it hard. Eventually he WILL get sick and I cannot keep feeding him Oreo's and Freezies. What do I do?

Hearing Voices

2009-04-09T00:55:00.005-04:00

I'm wide awake at 1 in the morning and I can't stop giggling.
I can hear my Ethan and my Tessa in thier seperate rooms.
Ethan clearly talking in his sleep:

Nooooo ... nooooo.... all done ...
Choo-choo twain all done.
Kee-bee wook!
Noooo ....
Tawk-kee-mowk ....

"Kee-bee" is his buddy at daycare. His real name is Avery but Ethan calls his "Kee-bee". As for the other stuff (choo-choo trains and chocolate milk) - really don't know what kind of dream he's having.
And out of Tessa's room, all I can hear is

Hiiii! Tet-ta! Hiiii! Tet-ta!!!

(It's her saying "hi" to herself)
- she's wide awake and playing in her crib in the dark.
I'm dead tired but I'd still rather listen to this. Maybe it'll give me good dreams of choo-choo trains and chocolate milk too!

I Like Rice

2009-04-08T16:45:00.000-04:00

Sniffle Sniffle

2009-03-30T21:19:00.006-04:00

Happy 11th Birthday Jax!

***

You're ELEVEN ??!? .... slow down already! :)

Oh The DRAMA

2009-03-30T14:48:00.006-04:00

Okay so Ethan now refuses to bathe.

Let me explain why.

A few weeks ago during bath time, Ethan and Tessa were splashing around happily when I decided to pull Tessa out before she turned into a raisin. As I got her out, Ethan let out a squeal of fright and leapt out as well.

There, floating around all innocent-like, Tessa had left her brother a little parting gift ....

And if you know me at all, you'd know that I do not handle these situations very well. So picture this: Ethan bawling, Tessa wet and giggling and wandering away, and me screaming for "HELPPP!!! JAMES HELP!!!" while I stare helplessly at the floating turd my sweet daughter left in the tub.

Gross.

Ethan hasn't been able to stop talking about it since. He called his Lolo, Mama Chique, Grandma & Papa, aaaand his Tita that night to tell them:

Sessa big poo-poo's baff. Eeeew. Goss! Big poo-poo's. Daddy Help!

He will no longer bathe with his little sister. He FREAKS out if there is anything alien in the tub - this includes pieces of rice left over from dinner, bubble bath suds, and lint. James had to crawl into the tub with him last night. I had to wash him down with a wash cloth outside the tub the other night. Tonight I'm just going to try the shower.

Any other suggestions?

Wigging Out at Tessa's 1st Birthday Party

2009-03-27T12:40:00.005-04:00

Finally!

I've gotten the pictures from Tessa's party. I didn't even have my own camera. It went mysteriously missing and so my sister and my mother had to take all the pictures for me.

It was a really great time. I still can't belive she's been with me for a whole year. This little girl is just an amazing little blur.

Thank you to all who attended and shared this milestone.

Comfy Papa

2009-03-10T10:08:00.007-04:00

If anybody's spent more than a day with my little Tess, you'd know that this girl does NOT sleep with people. She needs her own space. Even as an infant, this girl would not be cuddled to sleep or rocked. Just plop her down and leave her alone.

So when Gramma forwarded me these pictures I was very surprised... and maybe even a little jealous. Because everyone knows, having a baby fall asleep on you is probably the most peaceful feeling in the world.

Favourite Picture Of The Week

2009-03-06T21:41:00.002-05:00

Why A Flashlight is Better Than a RC Monster Truck

2009-03-02T19:51:00.003-05:00

Remote contol trucks can be complicated ... especially to a two-year-old. And Especially if the truck is made for six years and older....
Remote control trucks don't always go - or stay - in the place where you want them to. Veeeery frustrating.

The batteries in the truck don't last long and as soon as you change them, the batteries in the remote go too.
Flashlights are our friends.

1st Birthday

2009-02-24T18:34:00.000-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICAH MAN!!!

My Sister: Creative AND Crazy!

2009-02-22T14:08:00.001-05:00

2009-02-15T00:06:00.001-05:00

My Lola

Victim

2009-02-13T13:40:00.005-05:00

I am a victim of identity theft.

I was served with a Supeona To Witness last Sunday morning to appear in court today. I racked my brain to place the name on the supeona but couldn't. How would I know someone who was being charged with over 40 counts of Possession Under $5000, 2 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Breach of Parole? Just what kind of people do I associate with??? So after two weeks of scanning and discarding anonymous faces through my brain, I was ready to go to the courtroom today and ask someone to refresh my memory because, honestly, I really don't know this dude. But James reminded me about the visit I had from the Police just after Tessa was born. A man had gotten a hold of a credit card number of mine. After I assured him there was no unexplained activity on my account, he politely thanked me for my time and went away.

So when we went in to court today (I made James take the day off so I wouldn't get lost or too nervous) I was thankful that a young man reaffirmed my suspicion. He had gotten the same supoena and it was about the same incident. And another family (that drove 2 hours out of town) was there too about the same man.

BUT, we were the ONLY ones there for this case. And we were the only ones there because we were the only ones who were not informed that the hearing had been CANCELLED and moved up to another date. Grrrrr ....

So James took the day off and I took the day off for no particular reason. Except to sit in a waiting room for 2 hours before we found out we were the for no particular reason.

But oh-no.

It's alright.

We DID get compensated.

$9.65

Gee ... thanks for paying for the parking meter.

Needing A New Do

2009-02-08T20:45:00.002-05:00

I'm tired of brushing out this tangled matt of mine in the morning and I'm thinking if I had less hair, I'd be more inclined to actually brush it.

What do you think?

Superbowl Cookies

2009-02-01T12:56:00.018-05:00

In keeping with tradition, James and Ethan made Supebowl Sunday a fun day with new activities.

At first there was a little PlayDo party on the kitchen table. Ethan looooves PlayDo. All was good and fun until Ethan started eating it then feeding it to his little sister. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get blue PlayDo out of teeth? Right then, enough with the PlayDo.

So James moved onto making cookies with Ethan. Veeery messy! Veeery fun! Lots of squishing and mashing. Plenty rolling and bashing. And oodles of spinkles for Ethan and James to fight over. Most of the edible confetti landed on the floor where my little scavenger Tessa waited to gobble them up. And although they didn't come out looking quite "right" (that's a fish on the top left, a skull and crossbones on the top right, and a few mangled and co-mingled hands and feet everywhere else), they were delicious and fun to make.

Now Ethan and James are taking a nap to rebuild energy for the big game. And Tessa's passed out from all the food she ate off the floor.

Happy Superbowl Sunday everyone!

Don't Answer That!!!!

2009-01-23T17:16:00.011-05:00

I was looking forward to a quiet night after a veeeeeery long week.

I worked Sunday at the bar until 4 am. Then up for the office from 9 to 4. Then back at the bar on Tuesday and Wednesday night after working at the office.

So today, when I got home from the office at 5, I knew I shouldn't have answered the phone. Because now I'm going back to the bar for my third extra shift this week. I agreed to one shift a week but apparantly am the girl to call when somebody doesn't want to work thier schedule.

Because I can't say no.

And because I always answer the phone.

Boooo ...

Ta-Kee-Mowk

2009-01-17T21:03:00.008-05:00

Ta-Kee-Mowk!
Ta-kee-MOWK!!
TA-KEE-MOWK!!!

Imagine hearing this at 4 o'clock in the morning from a screaming 2 year old. Full out temper tantrum. At 4 in the morning. Can you guess what he's screaming for?

We used to give him a lot of it. Probably way too much. His little stomach just can't handle it. He ends up throwing most of it up. My poor minivan can attest to that.

A few nights ago he stayed with Lolo and Mama Chiquie while we caught a flick. He confused his grandparents by opening the fridge and asking for "ta-kee-mowk". A very puzzled Lolo started handing him off edible objects unsure of what he was saying, each time Ethan angrily shaking his little head a "no" in response. No, not a pear. Not a mango. Definitely NOT an eggroll. A frustrated Ethan, figuring it was not in the fridge, proceded to the cupboards. No Lolo. Not chips, not a cookie, not even candy. Ethan gave up. Aparantly Lolo and Mama Chiquie don't have ta-kee-mowk.

But he KNOWS Mom and Dad have ta-kee-mowk.

And it's twice now he's woken up out of a dead sleep to demand ta-kee-mowk.

So now we're quitting ta-kee-mowk cold turkey. The entire family. Or else I'll have to send my son to ta-kee-mowk rehab.

Because goodness know I WILL NOT get up at 4 in the morning one more time to give my son a bottle of CHOCOLATE MILK!!!

Personal Ad Reply

2009-01-17T20:24:00.004-05:00

My name is Tessa. I'm a Pisces. I'm two and a half feet tall. Brunette. Brown eyes. Six teeth. Lots of rolls.

My hobbies are eating my toes, licking the windows, couch surfing, and ocassionally couch diving. I also enjoy long crawls along the carpet and eating lint. I'm easy, outgoing, and sweet. But please don't play with my hair or kiss me too much. I need my space.

Response to this personal ad

Peek-A-Boo!

2009-01-10T23:35:00.002-05:00

As if her hair wouldn't give her away a mile out ...

Holiday Thank-You's

2009-01-01T16:22:00.009-05:00

I've always loved Christmas but I never realized how wonderful it could be when there is six little pairs of feet (not so little in my 10-year-old nephew's case) running around excited and happy.

I want to thank everyone.

Thanks Grandma and Papa for Christmas dinner and for our new digital camera. Please e-mail me some pictures from our Christmas #1 at your house two days before we left for Ohio.

Thanks Lolo and Mama Chic for the Christmas dinner the day before we left. It was wild and Ethan's sorry he broke your ornaments and Wyatt's also remorseful about the tassle.
Thanks to Aunt Pat and Uncle Steve-O for hosting, yet again, our Christmas this year in Ohio. You never disappoint and I LOVE being there.

So thank you to all of my family(s) because without you, the presents wouldn't mean a thing!

Cheers!

2008-12-31T23:37:00.002-05:00

Here's to a wild and crazy New Year!

Have a good one!

Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow

2008-12-20T22:07:00.003-05:00

... um, okay ...You can stop now!

What I Did Not Teach Them To Do

2008-12-15T22:12:00.004-05:00

I did not teach Ethan to swing volitile objects at people while screaming "Back off! Back off!!!"
I did not teach Tessa to pull down a Christmas tree ontop of herself then scream like a burning banshee.
I did not teach Ethan to rescue her. Or maybe he was trying to "rescue" all the candy canes now within his reach.
I did not teach Ethan to sit on his sister's head every time I start paying more attention to her.
I did not teach Ethan to open painstakingly perfectly wrapped Christmas presents.
I did not teach Tessa to eat painstakingly perfectly wrapped Christmas presents.
I did not teach Tessa to hover around the bottom of Ethan's highchair during dinner time like a starving vulture so she could pick up and gobble down any food he drops.
I did not teach Ethan that taking one of Tessa's new toys away from her while she was quietly playing with it and "trading" it for a roll of toilet paper is acceptable.
I did not teach Tessa bolt for the refridgerator each time it was open so she could get her hairy head continually banged or stuck.

Gosh ... some people's children, eh?

I Think He Wants A Hug

2008-12-15T19:20:00.003-05:00

You may want to lower the volume on your speakers before you press play ...

Cool Guy Gamma

2008-12-15T19:03:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday Gamma!!!!

We are awful, awful relatives for not posting this on your birthday last Wednesday but we love you and we're so very, very sorry!!!

I'm Sill Alive

2008-11-26T14:46:00.002-05:00

Hi All!
As you've prolly noticed, I've been neglectful of this blog.
Things are getting all rangy around here. The house hunt has stepped up and James and I are saving like crazy to put our own down payment instead of borrowing for it. I have taken up a second part-time night job. And although, I vowed NEVER to work in a bar again, I have renigged and am slinging booze yet again. But only a couple of nights a week and I'm home before 11 p.m. as opposed to 4 a.m. I'm actually not having such a hard time adjusting to moonlighting.
We are, however, having a TERRIBLE time adjusting to my son's new sleeping pattern which is practically non-existent. The little monster will fight sleep and then crawl into bed with mom and dad. Then there's this whole terretorial thing going on between James and Ethan in the middle of the night. Who knew a 2 year old needed so much room? I don't have any problems with him cuddled up next to me but poor James always seems to get little toenails in his back and pint-sized knees in his groin. I have to admit I find it quite amusing to wake up at 3 a.m. hearing "ETHAN!!! Move over!!!" and a little voice screaming back "NO DADDY! NO! Daddy moob!". Poor James.
My sweet little Tessa is also turning sour. She hasn't poked any teeth out since she was 3 months old and now we think there's a couple more fighting thier way out. She's miserable. She won't sleep during the day but always seems to sleep through the boys' nightly battle. Guess I shouldn't complain.
Something uplifting? I'm almost done my X-mas shopping! Just some little things here and there. It's going to be a great Christmas this year with 2 kids, 4 babies under the age of 2 and a half, and another bundle of joy coming right after Tessie's 1st birthday!
So, although life's a little hectic, spirits are high and Christmas decorations are going up this week-end. I'll post some pictures of my children pulling down the christmas tree and eating decorations soon!

Lost In Translation

2008-11-11T13:57:00.004-05:00

Example #1: Mummee, mo' dance.

Translation: Turn up the music Ma!

Example #2: Sessa broken baff-baff.

Translation: Tessa pulled out the plug in the bathtub now the water's draining away.

Example #3: No mo' yo-yo. Mo' pees. Mummee! Broken yo-yo!!!!

Translation: I'm finished my yogurt. More please. Ma!!! There's no more yogurt and I want more so you'd better come bring me some before I spaz out!

The phonetics of my young son are developing but there is still much lost in translation. He clearly does not understand some of the words I use and I most definitely don't get what he's saying sometimes. But we're working on it.

By the way, does anybody know what a "mote" is? He's been trying to tell me something for a week now and he's repeating "mote". I can't figure it out. How about "hee-how"? That one's causing some frustration too.

Hierarchy

2008-11-09T16:06:00.010-05:00

A certain person in this household has learned about this thing called "hierarchy". He knows he's no longer the smallest person in the house. He is aware that there's someone else who's smaller and he can boss around ... atleast when Mom and Dad aren't looking or listening.

There are many many arguments because of this new-found knowledge. Not between parents and little son, but between bossy brother and confused sister. I have a feeling Tessa's first words will be "No, Sessa! Don't touch! Mine!". Toys that he clearly has lost interest in months ago suddenly are off limits and become prized possesions. And the chain of command is strictly enforced by General Ethan.

And it's not like Ethan doesn't know the fundamentals or even the concept of "sharing". He gladly hands over his half eaten cookies, empty juice boxes, and anything else likely to cause some sort of violent bowel movent in his little sister. Tessa will even get commission of his tissues after he's blown his nose in them. Stellar of him, no?

Hopefully, soon he'll get the picture. This little family is too small to even build a totem pole, let alone be on the one on the bottom.

Which Of These Don't Belong?

2008-11-05T21:51:00.007-05:00

Personally, I prefer the crazy hair.

Thank you Kylie and Kennedy for all the clothes .... including the red velour head garter!

Days Like Today

2008-11-03T18:37:00.005-05:00

I lost my car keys this morning and had to get James to come home and give me his.
It only rained for 5 minutes today and, of course, that was the 5 minutes I had to get the kids out of the van and into Mama Chic's house.
I didn't hang up the phone at work properly so all morning anybody who was trying to get a hold of me could not. Therefore the afternoon was spent dealing with a lot of annoyed people.
My fax machine ate everything I tried to feed it.
Tripped and fell in the parking lot at work. Many many folders need now to be sorted.
Ethan fell asleep on the way home and slept on the couch for an hour after. Now I'll be lucky to get him to bed before 10pm.
Found out Ethan could reach the thermostat if he crawled ontop of his toybox and came home to a blistering hot house.

Then ... the kids gave me a rare happy picture together...
And then they gave me another ...And I'm all good now.

Full Moon(s)

2008-11-02T17:18:00.004-05:00

Although I will never be one to complain about that extra hour of sleep during Daylight Savings Time, I must say that it's only just after 5 pm and it's already so dark out.

But here's something that always brightens up my day...

In Need Of Parental Contol

2008-11-01T15:12:00.007-04:00

Last week-end's latenight scenario goes as follows:

Ethan, who has been in his bedroom for hours sleeping with his little t.v. on, comes running out his room wildly with arms flailing and copious amounts of tears streaming down his chubby cheeks ...

Frantic Ethan: "Mummeee!!! Mummmeeeee!"
Puzzled mommy: "What happened? Are you okay little man?"

Ethan clings to me for dear life.

Very serious Ethan: "Teeff mummee! TEEFF!" pointing to bedroom.
Perplexed mommy: "Teeth?"
Distressed Ethan: "Teeeeffff!" covers eyes (he does this whenever he's really scared).

Mommy (ready to do some serious Boogeyman ass kicking) enters Ethan's room with unsettled little son.

And this is what I see on his television ...

Needless to say, he slept with me that night and the t.v. is now out of his room.

What's the Buzz?

2008-11-01T14:43:00.000-04:00

My Pitiful Little Chicken

2008-11-01T14:16:00.003-04:00

Why is Ethan wearing his Halloween costume from last year, you ask ...

Allow me to explain.

We bought him a cowboy outfit. Sherrif's badge, 10 gallon hat, etc. etc. aaaand the stuffed horse that fits around him so it looks like he's really riding around. So cute!

Ethan, however, who has never been quite exactly "fearless", took one look at the horse and freeeeeeeaked-out. Aparantly, ponies are quite scary.

Anyway, I stuffed him in last years chicken outfit (I even had to pull out all the stuffing in the arms so he could fit though) and this Halloween was a repeat of last's. We ended up at the hospital again where the doctor examined him and said he might has a little pnumonia. James took him back to the hospital this morning for a chest x-ray and Dr. Sam will get back to us soon. My poor boy, no luck with Halloween so far. Hope next year's is better!

Ever Wonder What Babies Are Thinking?

2008-10-15T22:27:00.003-04:00

Coffee Beans and Camel Toes

2008-10-09T13:38:00.002-04:00

She's laughing at me like she looks better than I do.

Birthday Wish List

2008-09-28T14:39:00.003-04:00

In two days my maniac son will be 2-years old. (You have no idea how much it pained me to actually type that out.) This is a birthday wish list for anybody inquiring:

Anything SpongeBob Squarepants
Rubber Boots
A bike helmet, knee pads, full body protective gear (preferably in reflective or neon colors), a giant flashing red light for the top of his head so his mother doesn't have a heart attack everytime he wants to go for a bike ride.
Pants
Trucks, cars, boats ... anything that moves
Books

And in two days is my 33rd birthday. Here's my birthday wish list for anybody inquiring:

Filipino food
A cheesecake
A giant flashing red light for the top of Ethan's head so I don't have a heart attack everytime my son wants to go for a bike ride.

And The Situation Escalates

2008-09-25T17:45:00.004-04:00

You'd think any reasonably witted, some-what responsible mother would stop her son here, wouldn't you? Yeah no ...

Didn't Your Mother Teach You Not To Point?

2008-09-24T19:46:00.007-04:00

Wonder what he keeps pointing at? Maybe some sound effects will help...

(Seagulls)

Sweetness In The Sunlight

2008-09-24T19:18:00.000-04:00

Ali-Bear's First Birthday

2008-09-24T17:38:00.001-04:00

Happy birthday Ali!
If you must keep growing, please be sure not to grow out
of your chubby cheeks! They're faaaaabulous!

Monkeys On His Back

2008-09-23T22:19:00.000-04:00

Saying Good-Bye To Summer

2008-09-23T21:21:00.004-04:00

Booo...

With the first day of Autumn already here, I will say good-bye to summer. Here's some pics of the last days of outside fun ... well, atleast for me. I HATE being cold!