Toolio was fat

ONE YEAR AGO

I didn't get a chance to post this earlier in the weekend, but Saturday was my one year Bloggiversary (another one of those damn words).  Actually, I did try and post, but like many mornings while trying to post on this blog, I was called away for Mommy duty.  That's okay, it reminded me of what has changed in the last year.

My first blog posts one year ago were pretty light; the weather, eating, friends, etc.  Well, let's face it, nothing on this web site is exactly Crime and Punishment, now is it?  But still, I didn't start getting all bitchy until later.  Was that before or after the baby came?  hmmm.  I know people who would argue both sides.

A year ago I was happily pregnant and preparing for the arrival of Deso.  Bubby and I were hanging out a lot and enjoying our early Summer.  We just started interviewing contractors for the remodel and I was dreading the upcoming tests that preggo woman take these days.  I remember really worrying about the glucose tolerance test - I was sure I was going to get really, really sick.  But nope - all went well.

Then there was the "Quad Test" and we showed positive for a genetic defect called Trisomy 18.  Well, we tested 'very high risk'.  I don't think I wrote about any of this.  I hardly talked about it.  Either way, Deso was fine and we can move on.  Click and read the link if you want to know why we freaked out.

Last year's Memorial Day Weekend was a nice one.  Hubby worked hard all weekend and we helped two different families move that weekend.  Okay - he helped and I just pretty much ate food.  One of the people we helped was pregnant also.  We compared our swollen feet and shared lots of pizza.

We never started the actual work on the remodel - for a couple of reasons.  Mostly because we spent an ungodly amount of money on the new car this year.  This was unplanned and so the remodel will be looked at again next year.  We've decided not to dip into our savings/stock/whatever because the markets are pooh for us right now.  So we'll wait.

In all, the past year has changed me more than ever.  For obvious reasons of adjusting to having multiple offspring.  I couldn't be happier or more tired or more frustrated or more excited. 

Hopefully there will be 2nd Bloggiversary and all we'll do this again next year.  Hopefully there will be a new word for it, too.

Happy Holiday, all.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

No theme today, just what's running through my mind...

Why are so many people so passionate about who wins American Idol?  It boggles the mind.  Even mine. How come so many people can say they absolutely HATE or LOVE someone based on watching them sing on TV?  The web sites out there are unbelievable! I usually try and wait until I meet the person to make such decisions.  Unless they keep doing ridiculous shit like your President or Britney Spears.

Sugar free candy pretty much sucks.  I've tried every kind because I'm not supposed to have sugar.  Well, not supposed to have corn syrup, really.  Pure sugar is usually okay.  This is why I love donuts and they love me.  Sugar free Reeses is shit. Not The Shit. Just plain shit.

Katie Couric is leaving the Today show (duh).  How come she keeps comparing herself to Edward R Murrow?  Is that why she's going to CBS?  Does she think she's that good and people will respect her as much?  Sorry hon, but your interview skills will not bring down Cheneyism.

Maybe we'll go to the carnival tomorrow and check out the kiddie rides.  We'll definitely go to a Memorial Day Weekend BBQ at our friend's house on Sunday.  Not sure what we're bringing except for spirits.  I'm good at bringing stuff to get-togethers.  I'd like to say that it's all out of generosity, but I must admit, there is a little competition to it, too.  I always bring the best <whatever>.  Besides, I LOVE to cook.

It's nearly 11:00 AM and I'm still in my jammas.  Got up at 6:30 with Hubby and made the usual coffee and breakfast.  Deso woke up at 7:00.  We saw hubby off to work and then hung out and ate more breakfast.  Deso is now napping, but Bubby hasn't yet risen for the day.  There are rumors he was up until 11:00 PM last night watching the new Goofy movie with Dad.  hmmmm...

Today is a free day.  I might try hitting the Macy's sale with a side bribe of mall playground to keep the kiddies smiling.   There is a Ben Bridge jeweler at the mall so I should really drop off my ring.  DID I TELL YOU I LOST A DIAMOND?  Yes - there are 32 in my gorgeous wedding ring, but one has gone missing and needs to be replaced.  Luckily, we have a super duper great jeweler and they will replace it for us. 

Now I must eat.  Have a great weekend, all!

20 things that will never bug me

No - I am not in a bad mood lately, though it must look that way from my recent blog posts!  So - by suggestion from my BFF, I will now list 20 things that I totally *love* right now:

1. my kids and family
2. new makeup
3. totally unique shoes
4. sandwiches
5. drivers who wave
6. Bubby's preschool
7. trail mix
8. JAZZLA - an acronym, a blog, a family, an entire entity - which I love
9. baby hair
10. vacation planning
11. my brother bought a house in San Francisco (you go, big bro!)
12. my sister in law just got married Friday
13. Bubby chose the carrots and watermelon over the goldfish and Go-gurt at school today
14. Nutter Butters
15. Deso has 4 real words
16. the sun came out
17. Madagascar (the movie)
18. Alaskan Summer Ale
19. my new friend, "BensMom"
20. my new hiking clothes with *built-in* bug repellent

20 THINGS THAT BUG THE SHIT OUT OF ME RIGHT NOW

1. words like interwebs, widgets, blogosphere
2. people who use common acronyms and (arrgh!) make up their own
3. The 4-year-old still having "accidents"
4. Things put back in the wrong place and
5. having to feel guilty because someone else decided to put things back to help me
6. repeating something to someone because they don't get it
7. stupidity in general
8. people who blame others for their own faults
9. me being sensitive
10. DISHES IN THE SINK
11. talking about budgets
12. dirty diapers
13. long days
14. committing to a new skin care regimen
15. sick kids
16. flakers who don't show up
17. gas prices
18. waking the kids
19. everything makes me bloated
20. being tired

SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE!

You Are Miss Piggy

A total princess and diva, you're totally in charge - even if people don't know it. You want to be loved, adored, and worshiped. And you won't settle for anything less. You're going to be a total star, and you won't let any of the "little people" get in your way. Just remember, piggy, never eat more than you can lift!

Which Muppet Are You

....

this figures, don't it?

THIS REALLY GETS ME

Fresh off the presses from Citymama; this post has me fuming, again, about so-called "parenting experts" telling the world how they should care for their children.  See the whole story here.

What gets me is how anyone can claim that their method of raising children is the best.  Or would even work for another kid, for that matter.

Not a lot of people know this, but when I first had Bubby, I carried lots of guilt for his babyhood problems.  His birth was very difficult for us both and because he was a preemie, he was developmentally delayed with a few large motor skills.  I took all the blame for this and figured it was my fault because I was pregnant and obese.  Actually, it was my fault.

So add that to the already low self esteem I've lived with my whole life and my strange need for acceptance by others and I was a walking billboard for Under Confident Moms Weekly.

Raising children is the most important job anyone can/will ever do in their lives.  And so I used to read all the books and listen to everyone about how I should be doing something.  I used to feel really bad if I wasn't up to par with the more confident moms with the feeding, playing, reading, playgroups, etc.  Being a woman is hard enough without the added pressure of having to be a Supermom.  Try being a mom who waited to breed until after the career and travel and partying...Doesn't exactly scream "dedicated parent", does it?

I remember feeling so much guilt that I had a hard time breastfeeding Bubby.  I used to cry whenever he got sick.  I used to hide the fact that I let him watch Baby Einstein and eat non-organic baby food.  These things and others (that I do) are not what good parents do...or so I've been told.

Four years and another boy later, I have lightened up - and stopped listening to others insult me about my own parenting choices.  Why is it that so many parents (esp woman) think they know what's best for you and yours?  I realize now that I felt so much guilt about Bubby because I was told by others that I was wrong.  Other woman told me that I shouldn't feed him Goldfish or give him a bottle or cry in front of him or feed him with a smaller spoon or give him yogurt...WHATEVER!!

Now I follow the Jules Method because it really works.  My boys are really, really happy and seem mostly well-adjusted.  We do have our concerns about Bubby's emotional issues (potty, thumb-sucking, bedtime), but we will work them out.  If we need help, we'll ask.

I am glad that I nurse Deso whenever he wants to now.  I am glad that he can sleep in his own crib or sleep with me and he is equally happy doing either.  Bubby loves him some Disney Cartoon Classics and I will continue to let him eat Goldfish, if he so chooses.  Believe me, the last thing I will do to my kids is pressure them about food and eating.  I will present them with mostly good choices and hope they take advantage of them (Of course, Bubby is crying at this moment because we won't let him have some 7Up...heh).

So I guess I'm saying that I think it's wrong to assume one size fits all.  I will raise my kids the way i want, using my skills (or lack thereof) and we will definitely be The Happiest Kids On The Block.

AFTER 9 MONTHS AND 3 DAYS...

Me:  Do you like that cracker, Des?

Des: mmm. Momma?

Me:  What, honey?

Des:  Momma?  Maaaah-maahhh!

Me:  Did you say Momma, honey?

God, I love this job...

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HAPPY MOMMA

almost makes me forget how much poop I had to clean up today...

The Day After (long one)

Mom's Day was great around here, as usual.  I didn't post on it because we were busy, but, without going into all the details, I can say it was just as it should have been.  I dressed up, ate, had a great bloody mary, kissed my Hubby and kids, ate, played at the beach, ate, and went to bed.  No diaper changing, no dealing with crying, no cooking.  Got great presents.  I love Mom's Day.

So skip to The Day After:  Let's just say it was apparent how flexible we need to be sometimes...

DEEP BREATH -

Last Friday you may or may not have seen Oprah get on TV and talk about airing her special for that huge Legends Ball she threw last year.  It was an event to honor all of the influential woman in her life.  Anyhoo - it was a big deal.  So on Friday, she gets on several different shows and tells people she will be airing the TV version of the Legends event on Monday night and suggested that we all get together with our girlfriends to watch it.  I liked her suggestion because she said "let's not wait until they're in the casket to celebrate <them>".  Good idea.

Grandma C and I agreed that it was a good excuse to get together with some girls and have drinks and all the wonderful food that Oprah gave us recipes for.  Her show last Friday provided a full menu for the party, including Oprah's Famous Lemon Drop Martini's.  Good.  We're doing it.

This plan required a little messing around with our schedules for Monday morning, since we both wanted to shop together for the party supplies.  We had to get Bubby to preschool, Deso to the doctor (check up only), Grandma to the doctor, go the the fancy market, go to the shoe store and then pick up Bubby at noon.

We decided to do all these things together since the appointments were in the same building and we should be trying to save on gas money.  Okay - so we get ready for school and I remembered that I had a chiropractor appt that morning as well.  Called Dr. Crunchy at about 8:30 to reschedule the appt from 10:AM to later at 3:30.  Fine. Done.  Grandma offers to come back to my house to watch the kids for a small time so I can go to the appt child-free.  Thanks.

We are supposed to leave for school at 9:AM, but not before we get a call from Deso's nurse.  Seems Doc has called in sick so we have to reschedule Deso's check up for Friday.  Well...okay...no other choice, right?  We still stick with the "ride with Grandma" plan because I have already rescheduled the chiropractor for later, anyway.  We left for school and Grandma's appt and the <new> plan was to get breakfast at the cute little coffee shop while Grandma was seeing her doc. 

Grandma runs to her appt and Deso and I walk to the little coffee shop.  I skipped breakfast and coffee that morn because I was running late, but when I realized that I'd have to eat time while we waited for Grandma, I felt better.  And if you know me, you know I NEED TO EAT and I NEED COFFEE.  Okay - guess what - Cute Ass Coffee Shop closed down last week.  Shit.  Now I had changed Deso's appt, changed the chiropractor, didn't get food or coffee and was sitting in the lobby with a bunch of sick people ( this was also the Urgent Care facility).  Nice morning, hah?

But Grandma didn't take too long and we promptly headed to food and coffee.  It was nice; it worked.  Even if it was STARBUCKS.  We even rounded out that portion of the morning stopping at the shoe store and found 2 pairs for Grandma that she was very happy with.  I should have know the day wasn't quite right yet when I left the shoe store with NO SHOES.  Yeah. I know.

We went to the fancy market and bought all the ingredients for the perfect Oprah Legends Party.  We followed the recipes and got exactly what they suggested.  Then I looked at the time and realized that we had to be at Bubby's school in 10 minutes and if I'm not there when all the other moms are, then he will cry.  No kid likes to be the only one without a mom.  It's sad.  We raced through the line and arrived with 5 minutes to spare.  Of course, Fancy Market is next door to school, so that helps.

Then Bubby's friend Ben announced that they were supposed to go to his house to play after school and his mom said it was okay if I agreed.  Okay - I guess that's fine.  Well, Ben'sMom hadn't heard of this plan, either, but also kind of went along with it.  The 4 year olds were scheming, but we thought it would be fine.  I just needed to rearrange things with Grandma since her babysitting would no longer be needed for my appt with the chiropractor.  Great. Done.  OH WAIT!!

Here comes Luke's mom reminding us that the kids were going to the beach park today for a play date after school at 1:30.  Oh, Really? Ummm.  Now what? 

OKAY - so we worked it out:  Ben'sMom would feed her son and get cleaned up and come back to pick up Bubby for the playdate.  I would clean up my house for the Oprah Party and then go to the chiropractor.  I'll call Ben'sMom after Dr. Crunchy to see where I need to pick up Bubby's apres play.  Good.  Fine.  Thanks.

After lunch and seeing Bubby off with Ben, baby and I got ready and cleaned and tried to nap.  We were about to leave the house for my chiro appt. when Ben'sMom shows up with the boys.  I guess she tried to call to warn us she was bringing them back early, but her phone was not getting a signal.  She had a look on her face and the boys were absolutely filthy.

To paraphrase:  Bubby has just gotten in his first fist fight with another boy.  With his best friend.  Over a rock.  They got in a fight over a rock.  Fine.  Good. Thanks.

Thank God Ben'sMom knew I had to see Dr. Crunchy, because by this time, my CHI really needed come focus.  I needed some really good swooshing to deal with this one.  She was cool and stayed at my house with the boys while I zipped over to Dr. Crunchy's.

The rest of the afternoon went fine while we played and prepared for our Oprah Party.  At least after this dumb day I had my little get-together to look forward to.  I knew by now I'd be loving those Lemon Drop Martinis, no matter how they turned out.

WHOOPS!  I started to count those damn chickens again...

Grandma C calls and says she's gonna be late for the whole come-over-early-to-help arrangement.  "Oh.  Okay - can you pick up Hubby at the ferry instead?".  Fine.  Good. Thanks.

Everyone comes home, food gets done, martini station set up, dinner prepared for the non-party-goers (the males), and I'm feeling pretty good about how it all ended up despite today's problems. AND WOULDN"T YOU KNOW...

"Oprah's Legends Event will be rescheduled for Monday, May 22"

What?  What?!?  WHAT!?!?

Yeah  - President GW Dumbass kicked her off the air so he could do a primetime press conference about the whole immigration issue.  Ass. Hole.

So there it is.  Hope he was happy with himself. Fucker.

IT'S A GOOD DAY

Life is good today.  We hung with Grandma C this morn' - hit a yard sale and the farmer's market.  Hubby bought me the most beautiful blown glass piece from a local glass artist at the market.  We ate homemade barbecue from the "ShoNuff BBQ" stand at the market, too.  They pretty much beat anyone's barbecue.  ever.

We went to the next cutest little town and got Mom's Day goodies for Grandma C.  Bubby loved picking out presents for his Gram.  We got the groceries, we did naps and now we're preparing for a nice little BBQ of our own.

Even though today has been pretty uneventful, it's still amazing.  I thought about this alot because my globe-trotting, danger-loving girlfriend, Heather, is spending her Spring in the Middle East.  Poor thing can't even get water.  Check out her adventure here: sandninja.com.

Yeah - The reminders of how great my life is really come easy when you read about Jordan, Israel, etc.  Thanks, HEATHER!

Happy Mom's weekend, all.