Mother's Day

My kids are the best. I woke up to breakfast in bed from Maggie. She had crafted a menu and told me to check the boxes of what I wanted. I ordered pancakes and bacon, toast with jam and tea.

We didn't have any big activities planned. After breakfast, I went for an easy 3 mile run while Benny scooted along with me. When I got home, Maggie showered me with some gifts. Most notably a cupcake from Vanille #yum!

Later, I went for a long walk with Maggie. It was a beautiful sunny day. We ate lots of treats and spent the day together. Very low key, but that's EXACTLY what I wanted. I hope all of you had lovely a Mother's Day as well showered with treats and surrounded by your little ones ;)

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My little bun head

I am NOT that mom who knows how to do hair. Which is kind of a bummer because my daughter and I have so much of it.

Cut to this weekend. We were in line to pick up a couple of things and these odd little bun makers were on sale. Maggie and I were discussing whether or not she'd let me do her hair, when the woman behind us chimed in. She told us how great they were, and showed us how to use it. SO...we picked one up.

How CUTE is this?!

I could not get over how easy they are to use.

I have so much hair, I'm not sure if I'll try one myself, but it sure looks good on my little Peach. She's worn it every day since we got it.

She's becoming such a big girl now...I still see a hint of little girl face though ;)

1

One Liners

This was taken with my friends iphone. D*mn you iphone...I want one!

Anyway...here's the deal...It's new project time. I have a writer lined up for this one. Problem is...he's a single guy, with no kids:/ I need to send him a list of Mom stuff/words.

Get what I mean here? Give me a word, or a line, or a description...something that is mom, or mom blogger esq.

Like, I'll go first..."Boo boo kisser", "Bottom wiper", "Short order cook", "Laundry woman", "Chauffeur", "Don't eat dirt!", "Don't make me come upstairs!", "Yoga pants"....

I need to make a long list of words he can draw from...you guys are a sharp bunch, so help me out here, m'kay?

23

Slacker Mom

I feel like a total slacker mom. There, I said it.

It's weird, because actually, I'm there for my kiddos every moment of the day. Before preschool, I took the kiddos to the zoo, or the museum, or the park every week. I really don't have any mom friends, so it's just us...

Cue preschool. In the city, preschool options are expensive. Not only could we not afford some of the private preschools, but I it would have been quite a feet to get in even if we could. Literally, at the last minute, we got Miss Peach into a great preschool. It isn't cheap, but it's doable.

Now, I am surrounded by all these moms who make me feel like a total slacker:( They are all worked up about homework for the preschoolers, and whether or not their 4 year old is being held back by some of the 3 year olds in the class. Ummmm...what?

I was just happy to have her in an environment where she could learn to spell her name, and socialize with other kiddos. These moms seem to be gunning for Harvard! Don't even get me started on the wardrobes...

Most days, I drop Miss Peach off in running clothes, since I go for a run after I drop her off. Slacker that I am...some days, I haven't gotten the shower in by the time I pick her up (I am not a total dirt bag, I do shower every day, just not always before I pick her up). Usually, I'm perfectly comfortable in workout gear...until now. These moms pick their kiddos up in full on make up, with hair done, knee high boots tucked into perfect fit jeans...the whole shebang.

No matter how I slice it, I can't rationalize doing my hair and makeup to pick my daughter up from preschool! Am I wrong? I mean, good Lord people...what bad Stepford Wife episode have I wandered into here?!?

Now if you'll excuse me...I have to go change out of my sweats, and into my pajamas...

26

Sour Peach

Talk about jumping right back in...I got home at 7:00 last night, and this morning it was toddler time. I am tired, my legs are sore, and it is so hard to keep up with the tots!
Now, don't get me wrong here...Miss Peach is my sweet little girl. It's just that she can be so obnoxious. Is it horrible for me to say that? Is this just what it's like to have a three year old? I feel like if there was something else I could be doing, maybe she wouldn't act this way. I don't know if that is fair to say. I just find myself wondering...
Every day is a constant battle to get her dressed. Does it always have to be a war to get clothes on her? She takes away her brothers toys, not because she wants them, just because she does. If I ask for them back, she will throw them down the stairs, scream and run away. Why is my sweet little peach acting this way?
I have made a pact with myself not to yell. I don't think yelling does anything but escalate the situation. That being said, how the heck to I get her to do anything? I swear, everything is a battle! Again I ask, is this just three? I try so hard to be consistent. I have conversations with her about how her actions make me, or her brother, or her Daddy feel. I try to calmly diffuse situations as they arise...but it is really hard navigating with a three year old. What am I missing here?

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Finally, a Day at the Beach

Did you have a good Memorial Day weekend? We kinda did...took the kiddos to the beach today. It's a private beach, and I kid you not...no one was there, and the weather was surprisingly fabulous:) So, I don't know what it is about toddlers, but the minute they saw the water, and the sand, off the swimsuits came. It was naked day for babies all day, such fun. Now they are at home, in bed, totally conked out...yay!
Before we headed out, I was laying on the couch in the morning watching Cinderella for the nine millionth time with Miss Peach. I'm watching, and thinking "poor Cinderella has to do all that work"...Then I realized..."do the dishes, do the washing, cook the meals..." I am Cinderella! I do all her chores and more every day! All I'm saying is, if my Fairy Godmother is out there, I could use a day at the spa...and some new shoes (preferably not glass). I'm kinda digging' these...hint, hint!

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Random Thoughts Volume V

I might be going crazy...has this ever happened to you? I am totally sick of food. I don't mean that in some "I have to lose weight" kind of way. I mean, I am sick of thinking about what to make for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I am sick of making breakfast, lunch and dinner. To top it off, I am sick of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner! I don't know where this came from? I am just sick of food. Weird, I know...
I started a MySpace page. Again, I don't know why. I just found myself on it...next thing I knew, I had a page. Now, I am not sure what the point of it is. So, I tossed some of my illustrations on it. So if any of you are MySpacers, befriend me or something, cause now that I have it...I'm not quite sure what to do with it...
On the running front, it is going better than I expected. I suppose taking care of two toddlers kept me in better shape than I thought. I ran three 5K's on my own last week, and topped it off with a five mile run. I'd say I kept a pretty respectable pace. No one is more surprised by this than me, I literally haven't run in a year! On days when Husband gets home late, I pile the babies into the stroller and take them with me. Soooo hard! We are talking about 80lbs of kiddo and stroller! It makes me feel like a Clydesdale, but I keep chuggin' along...
Did anyone watch DWtS, or AI? I thought they were both really boring finales:( Kristy Y. won (big shocker). Looks like David A. will win AI (again, big shocker). Too bad, I was rooting for David C...amend that, yay David Cook wins!!!
Lastly, holy Horatio got shot on CSI Miami! I do have a spoiler, so don't read on if you don't want to know...Apparently, H. is going underground to take care of "some business", so he faked his death. Seems pretty fishy to me. I mean, how do you come back from that? Plus, he's doing it to "protect" Saved by the Bell girl (who I can't stand, big ole' bucket of bad casting there) and the kid. Last time I checked, she was a criminal and belonged in jail (didn't she kill a witness?)...So why is H. going out on a limb for her? I suppose I won't get any answers until the fall. Boo hiss!

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Updates-n-Stuff...

Well, I could not pull the trigger on the laser hair removal. It was just to much money for something so frivolous. "What did you do with the money Warden?" you ask. I joined the health club. Miss Peach is taking her first dance class, while The Little Man and Mommy go swimming:) I invested the rest of the money in stocks (boring I know,I am a former trader...remember). Joining the health club is totally the right answer for me and the team. While I was there, I ran into my old tennis coach. I don't know if any of you are tennis folks? I played from grade school all the way through college. I have had good coaches along the way, and some really bad coaches. Marc, the coach at the club is one of the best I've come across. I was so psyched to see he is still there! We had a nice chat to catch up, and he got to meet The Little Man. Then he gave me the full court press to get back into tennis. I really, really want to...right now, all I a can give it is an "I might". I love tennis, and when I play regularly, I am really quite good at it (if I do say so myself). I just don't know if I can work it into the schedule with the kiddos...Plus, it ain't cheap. Something to think about.
I am loving Lil' Mac! I really had no idea how the switch from PC to Mac would go...Let me tell ya'...smooth sailing:) I don't miss the blue screen of death at all. It really is a great machine. Blog designing has been a breeze on it. I thought the switching to a smaller monitor would be a problem...not at all. Say it with me everyone...."Yay Mac!"I don't know how many of you care about this, but it's my blog, and this is what's going on in my life...I did a blog recently that really pushed me as an illustrator. I was shocked at how well it turned out. Go check it out...then come back here so you know what I am talking about. I drew everything on that blog! The beach, the horse, the car, the dog, the woman...the background, I'm tellin' ya', I drew it all! So this has me thinking..."What else can I do with illustration?" I don't really know the answer to this. I don't know if there are other markets for me to explore? I mean do MySpace folks pay for illustrations, or Facebookers, print...I just don't know? Don't get me wrong, I love blog designing and I am so going to continue doing it:) I just wonder if there are other things I can be doing as well. Thoughts...I am open for suggestions:)

31

Cabin Fever...

I have been being a SAHM for 2 1/2 years now. I have been married for 4 1/2 years. Happily on both fronts:) But man, I just have an itch to go out and blow the doors off the joint! Do you know what I mean here? I want to put on a cute, sexy little outfit, go out with the girls, have some yummy drinky drinks, and dance on the table! Where did this come from? Have I just had to much winter? I mean, I never...and I mean never go out. Occasionally, I have a glass of white wine with dinner...maybe, once a month. When I was single girl, this seems like another lifetime, I would go out every Friday and Saturday night. It wasn't about meeting boys, I was always dating Husband (we dated forever...my Mr. Big). Still, it was fun to get dolled up and go out with the girls. I can't even remember the last time I went out...Oh wait, I do...it involved a French maid costume (relax...it was Halloween;). Good Lord, I haven't been out since Halloween! Holy moly...what about you...do you guys get out? Am I the only perpetual SAHM? I gotta get out more...

36

Rush

You all know, I've been trying to find some "Mommy" friends, right? I swear, the whole thing feels like sorority rush at UGA. I go to playgroups, and sing a longs, you name it, and it feels like an audition. Is it me? Are you guys feeling this? Let me give you an example...I take Miss Peach, and The Little Man to a siblings sing a long on Tuesdays. There is a little girl (Jan) who jumps and sings, and hugs Miss Peach. Their version of great friends. After a few weeks, a woman who I assumed was Jan's Mom approached me and asked if we would be interested in a play date outside of class. Sure I said. She then took my number and told me she would have Jan's mother call me. As you have probably guessed, this woman was the nanny. Two days later, I get a call from Jan's Mother. She wants to meet me for coffee before she will let the nanny take Jan over for a play date. Is it me...how weird is this? I mean I get it, I get that she doesn't want her daughter taken to a strangers house for a play date, but still, I feel like I am on an interview. Long story short, our whole family came down with the flu, then colds, I lost Jan's Mom's number and we never got together. So, tonight I am on my way to the salon to get a haircut, something I never get the time to do....and I get a phone call. You guessed it, Jan's Mom. She says she will be taking Jan to sing a long tomorrow since the nanny is on spring break and she hopes Miss Peach and I will be there. Well, yes we will be there, so I am finally auditioning for Jan's Mom. Now I am sitting here thinking "thank goodness I had my hair appointment tonight...now what am I going to wear to sing a long...". I swear, this is almost as bad as dating....am I nuts?

38

Buff and Brite

You know I bought my new Mac Book Pro (lil' Mac)...Well, I know that was a splurge. Truth be told, I sold some stock that had been sitting around for ten years. I kind of look at it as found money. So, very against my nature, I am thinking about doing something crazy. I want to do professional teeth whitening, and laser hair removal. Something that ordinarily, would never be in my budget (Husband doesn't have me on a budget, I am just very frugal). I have wanted to do both of these for years, but I am so conservative when it comes to spending. Seriously, Husband really lucked out with me. I think I can pull the trigger on the teeth whitening. I called my dentist, she does it and it's $500...That I can do. The hair removal, if I do the whole ball of wax (upper lip, under arms, lower leg, and bikini) I am looking at an easy $3,000! I just don't think I can pull the trigger on that, found money or not...Lay it on me peeps, have you done these? Am I crazy? Do you know how far $3,000 can take me? Maybe I should stick to Gillette...

25

Welcome Home

Have I mentioned how exhausted I am? I am absolutely exhausted. I didn't tell you all that, not only did the babies and I have the flu last week, but Husband was in India...yes, India! I have said it before, and I'll say it again...My hat is off to all single parents out there, it is hard endless work. The babies are finally in bed, and after twelve days of single parenting for me, Husband is supposed to get home early tomorrow morning. Thank God! I had my moments of completely loosing my mind. After twelve days, I deserve a vacation...

On a side note, why is it that every time I turn my back, The Little Man has found his way into the cat food? I can't get him at all interested in dinner and yet he is double fisting the cat food into his mouth as fast as he can! Should I just give up and serve cat food for dinner?

26

Parenting Advice Needed...

Let me start by saying it was a long day. Lots of car time for the toddlers. Husband had business out of the city that would take him past Grandma's pony farm. So, we took the tots for a little day trip. Lots of pony and kitty petting, then a long ride home. I think I made a mistake by letting Miss Peach start the Aristocats movie while I made dinner. The kiddos ,I thought, needed some unstructered run around time. Dinner was ready and there was no dragging her away from cute cartoon kitties, so we left her downstairs. Shortly after, she came to the table on her own to eat. Then it was tubby and bed time...meltdown! What do you do when they are screaming at the top of their lungs "I want to watch the Aristocats!"? I sat in the dining room with Husband while she melted for a while, screaming all the way. Do you ignore it, I mean, there was no way I was gonna let her watch that movie after screaming at me like that...bedtime or not! I just don't know how to handle it when it hits top volume? I put it to you...what do you do with the crazy toddler tantrum?

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I Will...

Well, you are just going to have to allow me to get sappy...Husband was at work all day today. This afternoon, I had both babies with poopy diapers just screaming after naptime. Talk about jumpin' right back into it! Well, I don't know where it came from, but in the middle of just about loosin' my mind, I started to sing...

Who knows how long I've loved you
you know I love you still
will I wait a lonely lifetime
if you want me to I will

Love you forever and forever
Love you forever still
Love you forever and forever
forever and ever I will...

You know, the Beatles song. The babies both stopped dead in their tracks and listened to me. It was like a scene in a movie. When I was done, Miss Peach said "I love you Mommy". *tear* Sometimes I think I know what I am doing:)

Then they went back to screaming...

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OK, You are Cooler Than Me...

Blog makeover contest...click here!

You know I have been kinda forcing myself to go to these playgroups, right? Well, the group met Tues. in what I would consider Mongolia, but I went, since I have committed to do this and try to meet "Mom friends". All the same girls were there. Usually twelve people RSVP yes, and then the same four Moms are there. These four Moms are nice, we get along, but we never get together outside the playgroups. This time, a new girl actually came. She was from the US, but had just moved back from a seven year stay in London. As usual, we get shuffled to the basement by the host, and watch the baby mosh pit while the Moms chit chat. Me, "So London Mom, what did you do in London before you became a SAHM?"...Her, "Oh, I was the video effects editor for the Harry Potter Movies."...Me, "Doh!"...It's official, London Mom, you are way cooler than me...

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Two Things...

1) Why is it that I can change all the poopy diapers in the world, turn around and change the kitty litter, and clean up the cat puke without so much as a cringe...but when it comes to the boogies, I buckle at the knees and I am not sure if I am going to pass out or throw up???

2) Why is it that I own 13 pairs of jeans, and yet every time I walk past the True Religion Store, or Lucky Jeans, or Abercrombie & Fitch, or The Blue Jean Bazaar I want to go in and buy more? When is enough, enough??? Help!!!

18

No Sleep Zone...

Ugh, The Little Man has the sniffles, and a small cough. He doesn't have a fever. Last night was unbearable. He woke up around 11:30 pm and just cried. I went in changed his diaper, checked for a fever, tried to give him a bottle. Everything seemed fine, other than the fact he would not stop crying! I kept going in and checking on him, maybe every 20 min. I would go in, calm him down (I don't usually do this, but he was so upset) then put him back in his crib. I would say he got about 4 hours of sleep and then started up again around 5:30 am...What do you do when the little one just won't go down! I am willing to try anything...help! We need sleep in this house, what works for you???

26

Doggon'it People Like Me!

So, I joined NaBloPoMo. Check out my new badge in the sidebar...You know the drill, I post every day for a month. What that means is, I will be buggin' you all on weekends as well as during the week...Got it, good!You know I have been starving for friends who are Moms right? So, last night the playgroup I take the kiddos to had a Moms night out for sushi and martinis. I threw my hat in the ring...let's do it! I am giving these girls a try. We are all different ages, we all have different degrees of education, we are all very different. The one common thread, kiddos. I had a pretty good time. I think I will just keep signing up for the outings, and keep trying. There isn't any "click" with any of them, but it is still nice to go out just as me, not as a wife, or a mom...I mean seriously, no kids, sushi and martinis...Where is the downside?

22

Reunited...

and it feels so good! Reunited cause we understood, there's one perfect fit, and sugar this one is it! We both are so excited cause we're reunited hey, hey! Yeah, you know it...Thanks Mom 'nuff said!
Redid my header...Just for fun, spoooky!
Here is this years Halloween costume...I think about six single cuties and Mommy (me) are all going as french maids. I will take many pictures and blog about it Sun. or Mon.! (That, btw is my drivers license face on hot maid costume bod...) What's everyone doin' for Halloween???
And, here is your McDreamy fix...Yes, I watched Grey's Anatomy. I actually rushed to get kiddos to bed so I wouldn't miss any of it (Husband was at work). Makes me sick that I wanted to watch it, I don't enjoy it. That said, it did have it's moments this week. Love, love, loved Cali dissing Izzy at the beginning of the show (score one for Cali!). Great rant by Dr. Bailey on the rooftop, very well said...I think she is great! Loved heart surgeon Dr. (can't remember her name) putting the smack down on what'sherface...Yang! That will be fun to watch. That was about it for me. I have decided I can totally do without Merideth Grey all together. Don't care, don't care, don't care about you or your mother's ashes. Don't care, don't care, don't care about Izzy and what'shisname...George. While I think Alex is a hottie (jerk, but a hottie) I don't want to see new Mom Eva getting involved with him. Just don't want to see it. That's it, all I've got on the Grey's front...hate it, but keep watchin'...Don't know why, I just do!

10

SAHM in The City.

OK, so here's the thing. I have no girlfriends who are mom's in my city. It is a total bummer. I went to another playgroup through the meet up organization. It was really nice to go to some one's house and just set the kiddos down and let them play while the girls gabbed. Problem is, I have absolutely nothing in common with these girls...I mean if we didn't have kiddos around the same age, our paths never would have crossed. Yes, I am watching Sex & the City reruns which is why I am in this longing for girlfriends mode. Anyway, the kiddos and I go to the park a lot...I am not kidding you, all nannies. I am not kidding you, no moms. Sometimes I feel like an alien for being a SAHM! Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with nannies, it's just that they all hang together and speak another language while the kiddos beat on each other in the sandbox. Needless to say, there isn't much for me to add in Polish. I keep trying new things...playgroups, zoo activities, sing alongs...these are all great things for the kiddos to do, it would just be more fun if I didn't feel so alone all the time. I guess I just wonder, do you make new friends as an adult? I am sittin' here trying to think of my last new friend. Oh, now I remember...That went really badly. What's a girl to do with no nanny in the city???

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