Florida

We had a fantastic time in Florida! Despite cool weather and various illnesses (mine, mostly) we ended up enjoying ourselves and feeling rested. The highlight of the trip for me was getting to spend time with my college roommate and her family. We had not seen each other in almost four years! Again, the weather wasn't ideal, but we had a great time catching up and getting to know each other's kids. We mostly spent time at the beach, not in the water, though, and in the pool at the house we were at. It was heated, so it was nice while you were in it, but getting out was pure torture!

I have decided that vacations are great, but getting ready to leave and coming home at the end of the trip are too stressful for me. Almost not worth the vacation itself. We always have some sort of catastrophe upon our arrival home. Last time we went to Florida, we came home to a house that had problems with the heat while we were gone and many of Joel's pet frogs ( yes, frogs) were dead! Oh, and our rent check had bounced because Joel's work didn't pay him for his vacation time. This year we were greeted with a flat tire! Nothing better than a flat tire after a long day of traveling with two children under two! We ended up having to get two new tires put on the car in order for it to pass inspection. Sweet! And, I ended up sick again when we got home. I had a major ear infection before we left and now I have bronchitis. The joys of working in the school system. I hope all these things run their course quickly. I am so done with being sick! I just don't have time for it. Here's me the last time we were in Florida. Preggers with Oliver. Look at us now!
Anyway, that was our trip. Next time I will tell you about how anal I have become about putting away my children's toys. Oh, and about how Joel has mentioned twice in the last few days about wanting child number three...

I'm Still Here

Ok, first off, my apologies to my readers (do I have any readers?) for my lack of blogging lately. It's not that I have nothing to say, I guess I just have not been able to find the time to write. One would think that having Joel around would make it easier for me to find some time for myself. Well, one would be WRONG! It's more like having 3 kids to take care of. I've decided that it is not appropriate to whine about my husband on this blog - but if it was, whew, this would be a long blog. This winter layoff thing is killing us. OK, enough about that. Ok, one little whine...why can't he replace the toilet paper roll?
We're gearing up for our trip to Florida next week. Can't hardly wait for that. I am beyond excited to play with Oliver and Morgan at the beach and in the pool. It is going to be a blast. I will try to post some pictures when we get back - or maybe while we are there if we decide to bring the computer. I bought a bathing suit the other day. Holy expensive, Batman. But, I guess it was worth it. Hopefully I won't need to buy one again for a long time.
I watched Morgan fall asleep lastnight. There is nothing cuter than that. She was fighting it so hard. Her little eyes would flutter shut and then pop back open to make sure I was still standing there. Finally she succumbed to her tiredness. Ahhhh...peace for a while. She did pretty well lastnight. Only woke up twice. Once at 12:30 and once at 4:00. Especially good since I am battling a cold and need as much rest as I can get. Hopefully our trip won't throw her off again.

Time Flies When You're Having Kids

I was looking through all the pictures we have stored on our computer tonight. I can't believe how much the babies have changed in such a short time! When you have a baby, people always say to cherish every moment because it goes by so fast. When you are in the moment you think that it can't go that fast, but then you look back and you think, where did the time go ? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was cradling my little Oliver in my arms and rocking him to sleep? Now we are playing pretend and having conversations! And isn't Morgan still supposed to be a tiny newborn? Now she is crawling, and teething and pulling herself up. Next thing you know they'll be talking on the phone and getting their licenses! Oh man... So really, when people tell you to cherish every moment, do it! It really does go so fast. Sometimes I want to freeze time and keep them just the way the are now (minus the waking up during the night). On the other hand, I can't wait to see the next stages and how my babies will be when they grow up.

Back To Life...Back To Reality

So, I'm working now. First week under my belt. I still haven't come to terms with the fact that I have to go there every day. Working sucks. The job is fine, it's the leaving my babies that is the hard part.
Christmas was great. Oliver got so many gifts from the assorted grandparents that he actually got to the point where he refused to open any more. He loved his play food and has been cooking up a storm. Morgan has become completely mobile in the past month. She is scooting all over the apartment. Still no teeth, though. I remember waiting a while for Oliver's teeth to appear, too.
We have this new laptop and I am having a hard time adjusting to it. I don't like typing on it at all. And, the pictures from christmas are all on the other computer. So, I'll try to get them up here sometime soon!

The Princess Sleeps...sometimes

Since Morgan was born, my dad has taken to calling her the Princess. Well, she certainly is living up to that these days. Little Miss refuses to sleep unless she is rocked, bounced or otherwise cuddled. Sometimes she refuses to sleep unless she is in my arms or in my bed next to me. Me only...not daddy or anyone else. And if she is in the bed with me, she has to be touching me somehow. At the moment she is laying here next to me on the bed (we got a new laptop from Joel's dad) sound asleep right up against my leg. I know, I know, someday I will miss my little girl all snuggled up close to me, snoring her little baby snores, her fingers twitching...but right now, oh man, I could use a good night's sleep. I have been sick for what feels like weeks now. Colds, conjunctivitis (yuck!) and now a strange itchy rash-type thing on my fingers. I'm sure all these maladies would be cured with a few nights of uninterrupted sleep. I know what you are thinking, "Just get Joel to take over for a few nights." Ah, if only it was that easy. One - Morgan cries even harder if the person picking her up from her crib is not Mama, and escalates until Mama is fetched and she is placed in her arms, at which point she stops crying immediately and snuggles in and falls asleep. And B- Joel is pretty much comatose at night and doesn't really function well if he is awakened . Sometimes I fear for the children's safety when Joel is tending to them in his mid-night state. Most of the time he has no recollection of what happens, too. So, I am awake the whole time anyway making sure he doesn't put the baby in fridge and tuck the milk into bed or something strange like that. Anyway, any advice would be lovely for getting the princess to sleep all by herself.
Merry Christmas everyone!

Third Time's the Charm

So, after three applications and three interviews, I finally got a job! Hooray!! I'll be working for an after school program in the town I grew up in. The hours are great (2-6 most days) and the pay is good, too. I am so looking forward to being able to pay all of our bills with no problem. I just wish I had some of that money now so that we could pay our rent this month...
In other news, I am ready for Christmas. All my shopping is done except for my gift for my parents which is turning into quite a project. I am trying to make an appointment to get a professional picture taken of all of their grandchildren. Hard to coordinate with 4 families and find an open appointment. It is looking like Saturday is going to be our best bet. Cutting it a little close if you ask me. Oliver and Morgan opened their first stocking gifts today. We are carrying on a tradition from Joel's family of opening one stocking gift a day for the week leading up to Christmas. Fun for the kids and good for me because I cannot wait for Christmas morning. I might be tempted to let them open all their gifts early otherwise. I think I enjoy the anticipation of seeing someone open the gift I got them more than opening my own gifts. Especially my kids. I just can't wait to see Oliver's face when he opens his giant set of play food or his stuffed Elmo that Grammie got him. Ugh - can't I just give it to him now?!
This Christmas season has been great with Oliver being a little older now. He can really understand and participate. And with Morgan here now, I just feel like our little family is complete. While we were decorating our tree, I almost cried with joy because of my sweet little family. We had Christmas music playing, Joel was stringing the lights, Oliver was placing ornaments in the tree, Morgan was playing contentedly in her Exersaucer. It was so Norman Rockwell.
Best Christmas season moment thus far: Oliver kissing the Christmas tree goodbye when he was going out with my sister for a while. He's too much!

Chicago Recap

We had a good time in Chicago. 2 weeks was definitely too long, though. On one hand , it was good that the kids were able to settle into a routine and get to know their aunt, uncle and cousins very well, but it was a LONG time to be away from home. The kids did so well on the plane that I am actually looking forward to flying again with them. ( February to Florida. Merry Christmas to us!!) We had a nice mix of down time and busy time while we were there. Our hosts worked alot, so we had that time to chill at their house, also known as Junk Food Central, and play video games while the kids were sleeping. We went to the aquarium and the zoo (twice) and that was so fun, especially since Oliver is old enough to enjoy it now.
I will say, though, that it is so hard being a guest at someone's house, especially when it is your in-laws and there is that weird in-law dynamic. My MIL and two SILs talked (read:guilted) me into going shopping with them at 4am on Black friday. There 's a reason it's called Black Friday. I think the closest thing to Hell that I have experienced is standing in line at the world's smallest K.B. Toys with about a million people around me at 7am. Not worth the buy2 get 1 free Fisher Price toys if you ask me. I will NEVER do that again. I think I would rather spend the full price on something than get up that early and fight the crowds. Ugh - I am not a shopper anyway. I have to really be in the mood and that is rare. When I do my Christmas shopping, I have to know exactly what I am getting and where I am getting it. Then I get in and get out. My family this year has decided to do some homemade gifts. I do believe that I have come up with the best homemade gift idea. I have made fabric covered bulletin boards, criss-crossed with ribbon. They are so cute, so easy and so cheap (shhh..don't tell) . 5 gifts crossed off with these beauties! Woo Hoo! My biggest dilemma is what to get for my hubby. He has mentioned a bunch of things, but I like to come up with something really thoughtful. So far, I haven't thought of anything fun - just boring things. I did have a great idea, but then I realized it was what I wanted, not him.

Anyway, I will try to be a better Blogger now that we are home and settled in. I promise!

Help!

I'm stuck in in-law land. Be back soon...I hope.

Lots to Talk About

Part 1 For the past two weeks, my babies have been runny, coughing, phlegmy, all around slimy kids. We ALL had this cold, but with the kids it is hanging on FOREVER. We took them both to the doctor today because Morgan has not been sleeping well and I kind of suspected an ear infection. Since we will be flying next week (more on that in a minute) I wanted to make sure all was well. I expected the doc to tell us that Oliver was fine and we just need to wait it out with him and that Morgan had the infection and needed antibiotics since she seems worse to me. It was just the opposite!!! Oliver has an infection in both ears and Morgan's are totally clear. Good thing we brought them both. Anyway, she recommended some over the counter stuff to help with the runny noses and coughing. Apparently there is a new law here in MA (not sure if it is everywhere) that limits the amount of products containing psuedoephedrine you can buy at one time. I went to the store to pick up Oliver's prescription and the Children's Motrin Cold. The Motrin was behind the counter in the front of the store and they wouldn't let me pay for it at the pharmacy counter. So, I went to pay for the Motrin first and also picked up some Nyquil for Joel who is still coughing a bit, too. I had to show ID and sign a form in order to get the Motrin and then they wouldn't let me buy the Nyquil because that exceeded the limit for psuedoephedrine. So what are people supposed to do when everyone in their famliy has a cold and needs medicine? I guess they do what we did - go to another store and buy the Nyquil there. Could it be any more difficult for sick parents with sick kids? It's not like the people who are buying this stuff to make meth (which is what I learned when I questioned the poor CVS girl who was just doing her job) will be thwarted by these guidelines anyway. They will just go from store to store instead of getting it all at once. It just makes life more difficult for good, upstanding, law abiding citizens like me. Part 2 We went to a friend's wedding on saturday night. It was so much fun! I got to see alot of people I have not seen in a long time. People I spent a whole lot of time with in high school. It was so fun to think back to all those times. Just seeing these people again made me smile. Plus, it is always nice to go to a wedding when you feel very happy for the couple. I mean, you always are happy for them - who doesn't love a wedding? - but I think this couple is really great and I care so much about my friend that I was just so happy to see him so happy. Know what I mean? The funny part is - there was a time that I thought I was going to marry this guy. Pretty much all through high school and part of college I thought for sure he was The One. I'm glad things have worked out the way they have. We're both happy and that's what is important. I did have some strange dreams about this wedding. I don't know why. Nothing happened that happened in my dreams, though. I didn't cry every time he kissed his wife and my bridesmaid dress did not get stuck in an escaltor and get ripped off my body. Sometimes I wonder about myself... Part 3 We're going to Chicago next week for two weeks to visit the in-laws. I have mixed feelings. I am looking forward to seeing them and to them seeing the kids. Some of them have not ever seen Morgan and have only seen Oliver twice. So, it will be nice for the kids to connect with Daddy's side of the family. But two weeks, man that is a long time. What will we do with ourselves for two weeks with no car and no money in Chicago? Any advice on flying with kids? How about on flying with a kid with an ear infection? Should be a blast...

Luxury

I hope you are all still alive after the deluge of cuteness in the last post. Guess what I did today? I painted my nails! Fingers and toes! I haven't done that in...hmmm...a long time. Maybe close to two years! (Wait, I take that back, I did get manicured and pedicured once during each pregnancy) But today I did it myself. Managed to get both kids down at once. Well, in their beds at least. (Oliver is still whimpering in his crib.) They look pretty good, too. We are going to a wedding tomorrow and I am so excited to get dressed up and go out without spit up or snot on my clothes. I might even do my hair, too. I'll let you know about that one.

He's a Giraffe

Halloween was fun. We went to Scituate Harbor with the cousins and their friends. That is the best place to trick-or-treat, if you ask me. They close the whole street down and the stores and shops hand out candy. Fun and safe! If I do say so myself, my cherubs were so darn cute. I couldn't stop looking at them and laughing at the cuteness. I'm thinking next year I might dress them as a bride and groom. Is that too weird? Warning: don't look at these pictures too long - you might die from the cuteness...really.

I can't help but think back to my trick-or-treat days and how they were so much different. I would get together with a big group of friends and wander the whole neighborhood, going to every single house. Things were so much more innocent then. Not as much worry about kids wandering around alone, going into people's homes, literally taking candy from strangers. Never in a million years would I let my kids do that now. But, back then that feeling of freedom and independence was the best. What are your favorite halloween memories?
Oh, and I was sorely lacking in the creative costume department. I always thought I was creative, but it never amounted to anything. I always ended up as a baby or something easy and boring. I always envied my friends who were super creative and fun. I remember one year, I had a friend who dressed up as a tomato. That was funny. What was your best Halloween costume?

Sick Day

I think one of the hardest things about being a stay at home mom is that you never get a sick day! I could really use a sick day today. Sore throat, headache, tired, cough, runny nose...the whole nine. I wish I could just lay in bed all day with a cup of tea and a book, dozing off when I feel the need, only to be awakened when I have to go to the bathroom. HA!!! Reality is that I woke up with Morgan at 6, fell back asleep with her at 7, woke up again with both at 8:30, now they are napping and I need to fold laundry and put away some toys, then they will wake up and need to eat and want to play and listen to Raffi. (By the way, Nathan, if you are reading this, we have been listening to Banana-phone these days and it makes me miss you so much it hurts.) Ugh, and it won't be much easier when hubby gets home either. There's dinner and clean up and baths and bedtime and more cleaning. He's not the most helpful these days. But that's a whole other blog in itself...
Anyway, any ideas on how to keep an 18 month old and a 5 month old occupied while I lay on the couch and wallow in this cold?

A Kid Again

Do you have people in your life that instantly transport you back to your childhood whenever you are with them? I do. I am reading a book in which the main character talks about a friend that always makes him feel 8 years old and it made me think of the people in my life that make me feel this way. It's the good kind of feeling like a kid, not the "You're only 8 and you don't know anything" kind - which I have plenty of also, especially being the youngest. Anyway, my grampa was one of those people and so are my godparents. My grampa always made me feel like a little girl again. I loved the way he would always refer to me with either a nickname (ReeBee, Baccala or Pooh to name a few) or my full name, never Becka which is what everyone else calls me. And he would try to get me with the same jokes and stories that he did so many years ago. I miss him terribly and I wish my kids had the chance to meet him and hear the stories and jokes.
Also, my godparents, good old Auntie Flo and Uncle Frank. I never fail to feel like a little girl when I am in their presence. Even when I introduced them to my husband and my children. The first time they saw Oliver I felt like saying "Look what I made! Don't you want to hang him on your fridge for everyone to see?" I love that my Auntie Flo works in the nursery and takes care of my babies while I am at bible study. To see Morgan asleep on her lap, in the same way that I was so many years ago is amazing and wonderful.
Sometimes it is good to feel like a kid again. I wonder who those special people will be in Oliver and Morgan's lives.

Cleaning House

You know when you are having company and it inspires super-human cleaning power? You clean and de-clutter and dust and sweep and scrub so that your company is fooled into thinking that your house always looks like this. Well, I'm feeling this way about my blog this week. I got an e-mail telling me that my kiddos and my blog are going to be featured in the Fabulous Friday over at Diary Of a Playgroup Dropout. Basically there will be a little blurb about us, some pictures and a link to this blog. I'm excited. (It's the little things, people!!) But, I feel this incredible pressure now to make my blog interesting and witty and worthy of millions of comments so that I feel loved. So, if you have any suggestions for how to improve my blog before Friday, let me know!

Torn

I had a job interview today. It was at a school for children with autism. I am completely overwhelmed and confused. On paper, everything seems great - I'm qualified for it, the pay is great, the benfits are good, not too far away, etc. but I'm just not sure. I've never worked with kids like this before and, to be honest, I was a little uncomfortable . These kids can be violent and have some strange behaviors. For example, they bite, kick, punch, pull hair (which I observed today), undress, touch themselves, and one even smears his poop all over the place when he goes. I'm not 100% convinced I can handle that. I also am struggling with not really wanting to go back to work full time because I just want to be at home with my babies. That's why I had them, so I can be with them. Unfortunately, if I want them to have a place to live and food to eat, back to work I go.
So, I'm torn. I think I'll take some time to think.

I'm Too Sexy For My Shirt

Check out my nephew! He's modeling for a friend's new t-shirt company. The pictures are great, but Im not sure about the shirts. Funny "small world" story about this guy. He went to Wheaton at the same time I did and my roommate and I were in love with his roommate. So, we hung out a bit all together. I remember going to see The Net with both of them and feeling so cool that we were out with sophomores! Anyway, fast forward nine years and I start hearing Matt talk about this new cool youth leader he has with the same name as my college friend. "Hey, I used to know someone named (new youth leader)!" Sure enough, at church one night I saw him and it was the same guy! Now Matt is really good friends with him and hangs out at his apartment. Everyone sing, it's a small world after all, it's a small, small world...
By the way, isn't my nephew a cutie?

I Should Blog But...

My children have been keeping me awake at all hours of the night. Therefore, I have mush-brain and I cannot put together a sentence, never mind a whole blog entry. Really, it has been bad! Monday night I got about 4 hours of sleep and half of that was on their bedroom floor, wrapped in a Sesame Street comforter, using a Boppy as a pillow. The problem is, we moved little Morgan into her crib in Oliver's room. The first few weeks were fine and then Oliver decided that he can't live without me - even for a minute. Everywhere I go it's "Mama, mama." (Not that I am complaining, I love hearing that little voice call me Mama. Melts.My.Heart.) BUT, at 2am when Morgan wants to eat, little Ollie decides he needs his mama and Mama just wants to be back in bed. So, most of the time I stand in there until he is back asleep, or almost asleep so he doesn't realize that I'm gone. But, Monday I was so desperate for sleep that I just crashed on the floor. They were tag-teaming me - one up, one down, the other up , the other down and so on... until I felt like I just wanted to yell at them, "You're being such a baby, stop crying and go to sleep!!" Oh, right, you are just a baby. My bad.
We bought Morgan a Pack-n-Play for our bedroom and she will be joining us again in there until she can sleep through the night. Lastnight was the first night with that, and I was only up twice to feed. Glorious!

Anyway, there's more to say, like how awful that shooting in the Amish schoolhouse was and how I can't get over it, and how I've been having weird dreams lately and wondering why we dream, and how Oliver (and Joel) had roseola last week, and how I have already started thinking about what to get (or make) for people for Christmas and how my famliy has decided to do home made Christmas gifts this year and I need help, people, BUT it will have to wait. Now, I shall get dressed, finally, and try to get something done while the kids are asleep.

Shave and a Haircut

Well, a haircut, at least. We did it, we finally got the boy a haircut. Now maybe people will know he is a boy. Though, thankfully, he still has his curls. They just aren't as unruly. I held it together well. I thought I might cry. Here are some pictures:

"You're doing what?!"

He wasn't too thrilled with the process.

On the other hand, he was very thrilled with the lollipop.

5 Foods To Eat Before You Die

I saw this "meme"* on another blog and for some reason I find myself thinking about it at night when I should be sleeping. (Although, lately, I am not allowed to sleep, apparently...) I guess it stems from my obsesson with food. I do love to eat. I don't think I have "food issues" though. Anyway, I digress...

1. Lobster - preferably eaten with melted butter, in NewEngland, outside, in the summer. The deliciousness is the reward for the hard work and messiness. Oh, that's another thing, you must be responsible for getting the meat out yourself, none of this sissy pre-shelled crap.

2. Lobster Tail Pastry - not related at all to the lobster in #1. This is a pastry from Mike's Pastry shop in the North End. I don't know, they might be made in other places, too, but as far as I am concerned, Mike's is the only place. Here's a description if you are interested. How wonderful, indeed! Basically, it is a light, crusty shell in the shape of a lobster tail, filled with a little bit of heaven. If you want to score points with me, buy me a lobster tail.

3. Cheese Pizza from Pizzeria Regina - Also in the North End. (The mall versions are NOT the same). Thin crust, yummy sauce, perfect amount of cheese. Get some!

4. Mama's Meat Sauce - I need to have something homemade on here. My mom makes the best spaghetti sauce. (Don't ask Joel, though. He disagrees!) Preferably served on ziti with lines.

Only one more! How do I choose?!

5. Ben and Jerry's Mint Chocolate Cookie - There are whole Oreos in this ice cream! Love it!

So, those are my five. I'm sure I could come up with a new five every week. I showed you mine, now you show me yours!

* What exactly is a meme? I looked it up, but the definition didn't help.

S.O.S

Save Our Sleep!! Please, we are desperate!

For the past two nights, Oliver has been unable to stay asleep. Saturday night he was awake (and screaming) from midnight to 4 am. Lastnight, he was up from 11:00 to probably 1:30 or 2:00. I stopped looking at the clock. I can't figure it out - he seems like he is afraid of something. He also seems to be getting a stuffy nose. Maybe that wakes him up and then he is afraid to be alone. I ended up camping out on his floor lastnight until he was asleep. Not fun. What is also not fun is trying to be civil to my husband when we are operating on no sleep. I'm pretty sure it is just separation anxiety and the cure is a good dose of tough love, but that's not as easy as it sounds. At the moment he is in his room crying because I left. It breaks my heart, but he's got to learn to go to sleep. Hear me, Oliver? Go. To. Sleep.