Come on down!

You're the next contestant on "What's wrong with that toy?"

Once again, I find myself wondering WTF? while comtemplating the kids toys. The culprit this time is that Little People chicken. Do you see what's wrong with it? (besides the lighting in the picture making it look blue)

Rock and Roll

anya discovered Ally's Rock and Roll Elmo last night. We were cleaning out Ally's stuffed toy bin. Ally was doing a great job "picking out toys to give to some kids who don't have many" and keeping the ones she really liked. We got a pretty good pile going.

And then we ran into the Elmos. The Chicken Dance Elmo, The E-L-M-O Elmo, The Shout! Elmo, The Alphabet Elmo, The Tickle-Me Elmo (that is actually mine from long ago), and of course the Rock and Roll Elmo. I think he is the loudest. So of course he's the one we listened to over and over.

the first time Ally pushed the button Anya immediately started bobbing her kness dancing. She shook her butt. She waved her hands around. She twisted her hips. She really liked the music. So now, it seems I'm doomed to live through another Elmo era. Not that the Elmo part of it is so bad. He a cute little monster. But the toys are so dang loud.

Go check out youTube to see the cuteness of the dancing for yourself. (oh, and I just put gobs of pictures form April out on Flickr today.)

Bits and peices - Part discontinued

I'm so far behind, I don't even know what I've talked about and what I haven't. So, here's the short story of the last - oh whenever

1. Anya's still sleeping better. We had some rough nights, but last night was wonderful. Of cuorse, she was run ragged yesterday, but we'll see.

2. We went fishing last Sunday. Ally even caught a fish. Sadly, I was chasing Anya and didn't get to see the fish, but I was told it was a magnificint one. Giant at the size of about 4 inches. She refused to touch it. But she had a blast.

3. Tuesday was pajama day at day care. I set 3 or 4 sets of summer weight pjs out to let Ally pick from, and She got distracted and wouldn't pick, so I grabbed a pair and started putting the top on her. As soon as she realized what I was doing, she started yelling. "I don't WANT to wear pajamas! i wnt to wear real clothes"I told her that all her friends would be wearing them and it was silly, but she couldn't be swayed. She told me she didn't want to be like all her friends. Who can argue with that?

4. I'm thirsty.

5. I got my first crocheted name framed. Check it out. (That link dones't work at the mmoent, because I haven't uploaded the picture, but it will work soon. What are you doing reading this so fast? I think it looks great. Rick did a good job framing it and he did it within a day of me sticking it in the mail. Wow.

6. We did nothing for most of the weekend. We sent the kids outside to play and slathered them up with sunblock (Do you call it sunblock or sunscreen? just curious) Ally came back with sand stuck to her everywhere. So I threw her in the bathtub and hosed her off before dinner after which she went back outside for more playing. Rob and I read a lot this weekend. It seems like when we get started reading, it takes over for a while. When we run out of books, it's over and we go back to normal life.

7. Sunday we went to my grandma's (Yes, grandpa too, but really it's her house. It's his pond) house. We stoped at my mom's and picked up Naomi and Marisa (my nieces) to go with us. We went back to grandpa's pond and fishe3d a little, but the gnats were out in full force, and we didn't stay for long. Marisa, Grandma, Ally, Anya, and I all headed back while Rob and naomi toughed it out a little while longer. Ally got a bite, but she was too busy finding rocks to throw to notice. I was chasing Anya. She really wanted to jump in the pond and was also very interested in the rocks. tasty. And Rob was helping with the other girls' worms. So, we caught nothing. But we got some fresh air and sunshine. And had a nice walk with grandma. I'll upload gobs of pictures today. (It's the last day of the month and I haven't met the limit for April yet, so might as well try it today, huh?)

8. Today is the last week of my class. I have 1 more program to write and 1 test to take. Which is good. I'm really slacking off. I'm not all that interested in Cobol. This is my second semester of it. yuck. I'm ready to be done. I might even take the summer off. I'm tired of classes again.

9. I'm pretty sure we're going to pull Anya out of the day care soon. Her teacher is wanting to stay home after she has her baby, so she might watch her for us. It would be cheaper and Rob could quit Memorial if we sent Ally too. But we're still undecided about that. if Ally could get into pre-school we'd do it definitely, but I think Ally needs the interaction of learning with more kids around.

10. I don't really have anything else to say, but can't leave this list at only 9.

Sneaky like a fox

Ally told me the other day that Maggie was acting like a fox. um, ok? what? Apparently, she was swiping things. Swiper is a fox, therefore, all foxes swipe things. The logic of a 3 year old...

Ally is quite sneaky herself. the other day, she wanted to bring her dog upstairs with her, but she wanted to hold my hand, so she asked me to carry it. Later when it was time to clean up I told her she needed to take it downstairs. Her reply? "But Mommy, I didn't bring it up. You did. You need to take it down."

"His name is Robert Paulsen"

Ally's friends at day care have long called me "Ally's mom." As in "Hey, Ally's Mom! Look at my new shoes" I've learned to respond to it.

Ally's stufffed puppy* just called me "Ally's mom" He was tattling on Anya for climbing on him.

This is getting ridiculus. :)

 

 

*Oddly, he sounds just like Ally.

The Interview Thing

Amy W sent me some interview questions. I'm supposed to answer her questions, and then invite anyone to play. If you want to join in (with all the cool kids :) Just -

1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” If I don’t have your email address, leave it for me in the comments.

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

So, here are my questions (And yes, I know that they are out of order. I thought it much better to leave on the book question that the death one. I depressed myself with that one) 

1.  Do you ever wonder what it would be like to have
two sons instead of two daughters?

I can't even imagine it. When I first got pregnant, I thought it would be neat to have a boy, but didn't really expect one. All the girls in my family end up having girls, and I think we're biologically set up that way. I know, I know. They all say that's up the the guy's biology, but I don't think so. The guy determines if there are any little y's there. I think my family's bodies kill those little y's (if present) before they have a chance. I have no scientific evidence of this, but regardless, I'm convinced. Therefore, the only time I've really thought about having boys was theoretically. And I can't wrap my mind around it. I don't know what I'd do with one. I'm sure I'd figure it out, but haven't had to yet (and most likely won't)

2.  What is your earliest childhood memory?

I've mentioned before that I don't have a good memory. Most of the things I try to remember, are really hazy. I'm left with general impressions. I know these were before my mom and dad split up which was the year I turned five, but that's as much as I can pin it down. Some other memories, I don't really have a time frame for.

I remember

• The police lights flashing in the driveway when they brought my brother home after someone backed into him on his bike while leaving their driveway. He was fine. I saw them through the basement window.
• There was a place that sold flavored popcorn nearby the office where my parents worked. (I don't really care for it that much now, though)
• A bunch of plastic hanging in the office building where maybe they were doing some construction? It was like a maze.
• Our neighbor's little grandson(?) sleeping on a lounge chair outside with his pacifier in his mouth even though he was too old to have one.
• Rolling down the hill in the back of our house with our neighbors.
• My sister standing on the bed with her friend (and neighbor) Amanda singing into a microphone "Maneater"
• Hockey games in Peoria. We had seasno tickets and would go watch The Rivermen play.

4.  If there is one thing you could change about your
husband, what would it be?

I'd love to be able to say "Nothing, He's perfect" but it's just not true. He does lots of things that most women complain their husbands don't. He cleans, does laundry, cooks and all that stuff. But he doesn't communicate well. He thinks you should only have to talk to convey information. I wish he had the capacity to listen without action. To say "I know" and then shut up and listen some more.

5.  If there is someone you could bring back from the
dead, who would it be and why?

I am lucky in that there aren't a lot of people close to me that I've lost. Most of my family is still living, and I'm so thankful for that. Also, I'm pretty self-centered and hate history, so historical figures are out. Honestly, the first person to pop into mind was Tim. We weren't really that close. We were just friends. But we had a connection. His death made a huge impact on me. Possibly because it was so pointless. He didn't have to be out that night. He didn't have to feel so alone. growing up sucks, but if you can just get past that, it can get better. And it would have for him. If only he had that chance.

3.  What is your favorite book you read to your kids?

Sandra Boynton's Birthday Monsters.

"You're not awake.
It's 6 o'clock.
You hear a ring.
You hear KNOCK, KNOCK.
You hear the door come crashing down.
The Birthday Monsters are in town.

They rush you down before you're ready
and use your breakfast as confetti.

OH LOOK! They shout.
It's 6:08!
You're present opening can't wait!

They've brought the gifts that they like best.
You get the wrap.
They keep the rest.

And now they say,
It's HIDE-AND-SEEK
you go hide and we won't peek.

You find a hiding place that's great.
And wait and wait and wait and wait.

You realize twenty minutes later,
they're raiding the refrigerator.

It's time for cake, the monsters shout.
hurry blow your candles out.

You close your eyes and make a wish
And blow upon an empty dish.

And now GOOD-BYE
it's been a thrill.
And out they go.
The house is still.

They took your gifts,
They ate your cake.
They made the mess that monsters make.
there's nothing more that could go wrong.

And then KNOCK, KNOCK
And then DING DONG.

One last surprise is here for you -
The BIRTHDAY MONSTER cleaning crew.

They fix they sweep,
They scrub the floor.

(something missing??)

And on the kitchen shelf you find
The birthday things they've left behind"

Maybe I don't actually read it anymore, though. I love this book mostly because it's one of the first ones Ally read to me. Plus, it's was just the cutest frickin thing in the world to hear her say "raiding the refrigerator"

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday Anya! Today you're 1 year old. At this time last year, you were laying under the warming light, only 3 hours old. You had crinkled up little ears that have since straightened out. I knew they were going to, and I made sure to take pictures. I loved those little crinkly ears. Everyone says that baby pictures all start to look the same as the years pass, but I can definitely tell the difference between your hospital pictures and Ally's. I see the same expressions on your face now. (especially the ear picture and this one) You look so much like your dad. I don't know yet whether that will be an asset or not. ;)

You've had quite a year, and I'm so happy to have shared it with you. I'm looking forward to many more.

Love you babe!

Little Bits Part 2

Uncle Rick and Aunt Cara arrived on time around 1:30 (Thanks, guys). You may not know how remarkable that is, but they are my family - not Rob's. My family NEVER arrives on time. Example: My mom* arrived around 2:30 as did my grandma. The party started at 1:30. Rob's family was there on time.

 A good time was had by all. Anya loved her cake icing. (Yum, Walmart cake is delicious) We let her dig in and she made a large satisfying mess. She even managed to get her foot on top of the table into her plate a couple times. (I was such a mean mom. I didn't even give Ally cake for her first birthday. Anyway...) We got her all cleaned upand changed clothes. She ran around visiting everyone. We just left the door to the back deck open and she ran in and out and laughed the whole time.

She was running around with her little bitty blanket and chewing on it. Rick asked her for it and she ran over with her arm outstretched to give it to him until the last minute when she whirled around and ran away laughing her head off. He "chased" her and she ran into Grandma's arms for safety. 30 seconds later, when he asked about her blanket again, she started the game over. They were cracking us all up. She had a giant smile on her face.

We opened presents and I am happy to report that the general level of junk in our house didn't go up very much. She got some toys, but mostly clothes and some money for her piggy bank. The toys she did get, she was thrilled with. Rob's dad got her a ball (and other things) She loves balls above everything! Darra got a Little Poeple castle that she sat and played with for quite a while. She doesn't usually sit that long. We got a little learning thingy from rick and Cara. Plus, lots of clothes. I got her a couple of soft cars, because I've seen her driving things at day care. Ally never really did that, so we didn't have any to hand down to Anya.

Ally played outside for the greater portion of the day. Most of the time, she and her cousins were all in the massive sandbox playing together. They ran around with balls and bubbles just like kids should in the springtime. She came in and helped with the present opening and didnt' et very possessive. She called Anya "birthday girl" and loved on her. She did good.

Anya's afternoon nap was greatly delayed, and she finally fell asleep around 5:30 or so. I was worried about her sleep, but she didn't sleep too long and was still tired for bedtime. All in all, it was a great day.

Sunday couldn't get better, but it sure wasn't worse...

 

*to be fair, she did tell me that she wouldn't be there way ahead of time.

completely off-topic

This has absolutely nothing to do with what I was just saying, but I thought I'd share with you another reason I'm a little happier lately. (And also you can get a glimpse into just how obsessive and anal I am) Rob agreed to let me try to sleep train Anya again. His idea of me going in to comfort her immediately EVERY time she woke up was NOT working. in fact, I can safely say it was a total disaster (as I'm sure all of you could have guessed) She's not having seperation issues. She just doesn't know how to go to sleep on her own.

So I'm trying to teach her again. It's getting better already. We started on Thursday (Friday didn't really count, because I wasn't there to put her to bed and get accurate times). She screamed her head off forever. Last night? I nursed her. laid her down. patted her back for a minute and walked out. 3 minutes later, she was alseep. Only 3 minutes of half-hearted crying. followed by 7 hours and 26 minutes of quietly sleeping. As I said before, I'm trying to lessen the nursing, so I put her off when she woke up and let her go back to sleep. which took 7 minutes. She slept for another 40 before I had to nurse her and went back to sleep without any crying for over an hour after that. this "comfort" time includes my nursing at night and in the day time. So it's grossly overstated. WOOT!!! keep your fingers crossed.

 

 

 

busy busy busy - Little Bits Part 1

The more I stay away from here, the harder it is to get back into writing. Things pile up and I don't know where to start. I'm still working no a project at work. I'm actually in the testing phase, so I get to use my brain to figure things out, and so far, it's not really working well. Kinda dusty from neglect, I'm sure. I'm getting there though. So anyway, since I'm working, I don't have time to kill all day anymore. My blog is suffering. To make up for it, I'm going to post lots of little bits throughout the week and catch up little by little (mostly because I'll only have time to write little bits).  

Lots has been going on, but the most exciting thing for me? I'm finally getting to wear a real non-nursing bra today! Woo-hoo!. I'm so sick of those things. Anya is only nusing a little at night and some in the morning now. Mostly, she's switched over to cow's milk (no comments from the peanut gallery on that one. I mean you - Uncle Rick!) We'll have her switched over entirely soon, and I don't think it'll be long after until she ditches the bottle. She seems like she'll have an easier time than Ally did.

Ok, ok. I'm sure that wasn't the kind of info you wanted to hear about. back to the kids...

Friday night, it was gorgeous weather. I was heading to my mom's house for a stamping party, and needed to get some stuff cleaned up in preparatino for the next day's birthday party, so I sent both kids with Rob on a walk. Darra was coming up to stay that evening. i got a bunch of stuff cleaned up and was getting ready to leave when Rob headed back. Darra and Rob got to the house about the same time, and I left. They were preparing to go to the little pond for Ally's first fishing trip. And I missed it. Boo-hoo. oh well. Darra took a couple pictures with her camera phoen that I'll put up later. I keep forgetting to bring in my camer a to download pictures of this weekend and post them to Flickr. grr. It's because I'm not carrying my pump bag anymore. i used to use that bag for all my stuff, but now I have to remember to gather it up. Not happening. Oh wait... I got back on that subject again somehow. I'm so glad to be done wiht that. anyway...

Saturday, was just wonderful. The kids played outside most of the morning. Darra and I cleaned the house up a little. Thanks Darra! Rob got home from his re-certification for BTLS (Basic Trauma Life Support - do you know how many brain cells are wasted with all those stupid little acronyms? (Warning - tangent coming) The other day when we were sorting through the garage sale clothes, I told Rob to just pile them by sizes, and I would match outfits together, because I remember what shirts have matching pants, etc. He looked at me like I was insane and said "If that's true, that's just sad. Do you realize how many brain cells you're using to store that useless information? No wonder you can't remember anything." Um, yeah. it's true. I dressed those kids in the clothes everyday for 6 months and did all their laundry. I remember. </end tangent>) really early. Much earlier than we thought he would, so he even had toime to clean the bathroom. I went to Walmart for the cake and some other party stuff without the kids. (Oh so good. I love Wal-mart cakes) When i got back, I saw Bill (Darra's husband) out at the park with Ally wakling around, so I drove over to say hi. Ally wanted a ride back. I think she saw the cake in the front seat and decided that she wanted to stick with the cake. Takes after me she does.

We were originally worried about the weather for the party. It's been so cold, we had considered having it somewhere else where we could be inside (I have a small house). No worries. It was a breezy 75 degrees. Kids got all lathered up with sunblock and had a blast outside. Anya wouldn't cooperate with an early nap. we threw her in the swing and she had a relazing time until the party started. She started out a little cranky, but settled down when people started getting there to play with.

...later

random kid stuff

Anya has learned to blow kisses. She sticks her hand over her mouth and slobbers on it before extending it to you. She must not believe that kisses can be blown, because she insists on touching her kissed upon hand to yours much like a high-five.

Ally has learned her birthday. She's kinda obsessed with ages right now. She's been talking about what will happen when she's 4 and not 3 anymore and how she'll go to preschool when she's 5 (uh, I don't know about that one) and how Anya's zero but she'll be one soon (next week!). She's also learning about the days of the week. Every morning we have to talk about what day it is and what day it was yesterday. And the plans for the upcoming days. The day care taught her the days of the week using a song, so everytime you ask her what day comes next, she has to sing the song to run through them all. It's to the tune of "Oh my Darling, Clementine" it gets stck in your head all day if you hear it early in the morning.

"There are seven days
There are seven days
There are sev
ven days in the week.
There are seven days
There are seven days
There are seven days in the week.

Sunday Monday
Tuesday Wednesday
Thursday, Fri
day, Saturday
There are seven days
There are seven days
There are seven days in the week."

This morning I found 2 little toy stuffed chicks that Ally had been playing with carefully arranged on the floor. on plates. hmmm... very odd. I don't know what that was about. It's especially interesting to note that there was only 1 plates upstairs at last count. She had to make a special trip down to her room to get the second one.

Anya fell on the patio last night and scarped her head. She got bruises on her shins. She had a big scratch on her cheek that is just starting to fade. people are going to think we actually beat her (instead of just thinking about it), but  I swear, she's just very active and clumsy still. She's walking better in shoes though. Almost got it mastered. We only put them on her outside still though until she gets really good at walking.

Ally uses the term "yesteryear" to refer to almost anything in the past. I try not to laugh, but I love it when they interpret language and make up things like that. It's always a little sad when they figure out the right way to say stuff like that.

I started letting Anya cry again last night. I'm going to keep better records of our progress this time, so that I can prove to Rob that things are getting better. Last night we spent a total of 1 hour comforting/nursing (in small increments) 2 and a half hours screaming and 6 and a half hours sleepiing. She was tired this morning when I had to wake her for day care. Keep you fingers crossed that things improve.

Ally is getting really good at reading certain words. When we read stories, we usually pick a little word and ask her to find it on all the pages. you know, something like "in" or "is" or "the". she knows mom and dad and drip and worm and zoo. She can even read very simple sentances if I spell them out with her magnetic letters. I put "The dog is big" up there the other day. Unfortunately, Anya is bound and determined to remove any magnets within reach, so Ally didn't get to see it there very long. But, it really makes her smile to be able to read a whole sentance like that.

Anya has started picking up stuffed animals and grunting. it's like she's trying to woof or quack, etc. it all sounds the same though. She hasn't developed any attachments to animals like Ally did at this age. Yet. But she loves her blankets. This kid IS Linus. She sucks her thumb with the ltitle corner of the blanket in her hand and half in her mouth. the corners to her blankets get nasty and crusty really quick too since she's had a runny nose a lot lately. yuck. So anyway, I had grandma sew the edges of a little 15 in. by 12 in. fabric blanket that she can carry around if needed and not have to trip over her big one. We only get it out for her when she's really cranky, but it's not bedtime yet. I'm proud to say she actually likes it. usually ideas like that i like they should work, but fail miserably when I try them out.

And the winner is...

For any of you who were wondering how I figured the winner (I'm sure none of you are, but I'm going to post this anyway) this is my tiny little program that picked it. It's Java if you cared. it took me a whole 45 seconds to write (if that). The problem was getting time to actually sit down and do it.

public class random
{
  public static void main(String args[])
  {
    Random random = new Random();
    System.out.println(random.nextInt(37));
  }
}

And irony of ironies, guess which comment won? The one from my Uncle Roger asking not to be included in the contest:

"(cough *no thanks* uncough)

 But that's really nice of you."

I found that pretty amusing. So I ran the thing again and it picked Erin whom I have yet to notify, but I know she'll be happy when I send her the email. Congrats Erin! I'll make sure to post a picture when I get the thing done and before I mail it. Now, the question is whether she'll want her last name, or the first name of one of the kids done...

**But, if you would like a crocheted name for yourself, email me. They are for sale too!

oh, yeah
somebody did win the contest. I just don't know who yet. I'll get right on that. Hopefully tomorrow, I can squeeze it in there somewhere.

You like me, You really like me!

OK, so I've had a couple people wondering where the heck I've been, and I just have to say that it feels good. I don't really have a lot of friends, and I like keeping in touch with people through the blog. It's, um, homey or something. (Gosh, I'm so eloquent) Plus, no one used to notice I was missing if I went 4 or 5 days without posting. Anyway. I'm still here. Just as busy as a whore in church - No wait, that's something else - as a one legged man in an ass-kicking contest.

I probably just offended all of my faithful one-legged men and whore readers. Um, sorry you guys. You know I didn't mean anything by it

No, I haven't been sleeping all this time. In fact, I'd have to say that I've been sleeping precious little of it. Anya seems to have decided that that one blissful night was just too good for me and might have given me some rather high expectations, so she's bound and determined to dash my hopes to the ground and break them into little tiny shards that she can pick up and shove up my nose in the middle of the night just to make sure I'm paying attention (or maybe I should cut her fingernails). Anyway. Sleep has deserted me and left me with a tiny little (25 pound) monster. You'd think I could take her. I'm much bigger. But alas, I'm no match for her. I've come to accept it. sort of.

Things I've been doing in my copious awake time:

1. Checking into Lasik surgery. Nope. Maybe next year. Crap. And also the doctors office I talked to are great big assholes and wasted my time. Fuckers. (I'm harboring a little resentment here. I really wanted surgery this year, and since I can't have it, I've blaming them because it's convenient.) Pig Fuckers!
2. Went to a nice dinner at the home of one of Rob's co-workers. Soup, salad, prime rib, and the works. Delicious. And a very nice time away from the monsters (Yes that's plural. I'm getting there) The hosts were nice too, if a little nutty.
3. Said "Ally do it NOW!" approximately 534,246,761 times a day. The little shit has decided that she's got better things to do than actually to listen to anything Rob or I have to tell her. Luckily she thinks that "I'm going to beat her" means that we're going to race.  She might run even faster if she knew what we really meant.
4. Didn't have to pay for a babysitter for above night out, because my friend Amy (Not the Amy that comments here sometimes, although that would be cool, 'cause that would mean we worked together instead of living 1000 miles apart and not ever having met) knew all the answers to a radio show contest, but she isn't qualified to win, because she is a contest junkie, and there's a limit on how many prizes you can win per month. So she had me call in instead, and I won her husband 2 tickets to the Cubs on Monday night. So bonus free babysitting.
5. Got so little sleep that we both called in sick to work on Monday and took the kids to day care. Scratch that. He called in sick. I used a personal day. We weren't sick. I did the right thing. I didn't lie. Did you hear that karma!??!! Then why, oh why did you give me a killer migraine 5 hours later? huh? You got the wrong person! Uncle Fucker!

Now I've probably offended any aunts who read this. Not that fucking uncles is bad, per se. Only if they happen to be your uncles, you see. If they're your husbands, if all good, even if they happen to be someone's uncle. Better?

6. Made the decision that everything (except what Anya can use in the future) goes in the garage sale soon. Our neighborhood has one every spring, and this year we're selling off massive loads of crap. Um, I mean good quality stuff. Really. There's a lot of really nice things in there, because I'm a sucker for cute little dresses, and they never get worn except to pictures, because I'm a dirty heathen and don't go to church.

Now I've... aw screw it. The dirty heathens can just go fuck themselves too. I've got enough to worry about. :)

So Rob and I have decided that the possibility of having more kids is remote enough that it's not worth saving all the 20 or so tote-fuls of stuff we've got in the attic. This makes me very sad, and I've got a post brewing on it too, but it's still kind of a sore subject for me. I had kind of thought there would be another, but it just doesn't look like the circumstances are going to allow it. So anyway, sad. But, that decision created a butt-load of work to do. So we dragged everything out of the attic, sorted by size, taped the outfits together and organized for the upcoming sale. It took forever thanks to that bitch Karma. (I'm still bitter about that too. I'd better get something good coming my way soon) but we've got all the clothes sorted. Next comes the toys. Hooray. I love throwing crap away. And it's even better if I'm not really throwing it away, but have the chance to make some money on it. get crap out of my house and get money for it? Woot! Yes, I'm a capitalist pig. oink.

(And I know that didn't offend anynoe, because us capitalistic pigs are too busy drooling over the prospect of money to be offended)

7. Got a project to do at work. It's a small project, and I have to share it with Amy, because we started there at the same time, and have been without work for the same amount otf time, and it wouldn't be fair to give it to me alone, blah blah blah. So anyway, we have to share it which means it will take about twice as long to do since we have to check in with each other on stupid little shit just to keep from duplicating work and stepping on toes. I'm not all that great at working in a group, so this may take some real effort to avoid actually offending her. Because I DO like her. I just like to work by myself.
8. Turned in my last homework assignment 4 days late, because I got too lazy to bother with it. I explained that when I submitted it and took the blame entirely upon myself. My teacher thought it was refreshing that I made no excuse and excused me the late penalty. Pretty awesome. I doubt she'll be that forgiving this time though. I really need to finish last weeks assignment. But now I've got this project to do at work and stuff... Procrastination is a fine art. You've got to practice to be any good at it. You know, whenever you get around to it that is.
9. Am working on weaning Anya. She's taking milk now, and I'm just about ready to start leaving the pump at home. Yippe! I really hate that thing. The nursing, I'm going to miss a little, but really? I'm over it.

And that's it. Well, not really, but that is the Readers Digest Condensed Version. My god, who knows how long the long story would have been. Good thing I shortened it. That's why I haven't been emailing, blogging, etc. I'll be back soon. Promise. You couldn't get rid of me that easily

Oh how I've missed you!
Sleep! Glorious, heavenly REM sleep? Oh where have you been this last year? Oh nevermind that. You came back to visit me last night and rejuvenated me. After having you I can forgive anything. You lift my spirits. I am almost giddy with excitement. Do I dare to dream that you will be back again tonight? Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. I should just be grateful to have had your presence for one night, but I am greedy. I want more. I revel in the blissful quiet. I'm like an addict. After that first little taste of it, I yearn for more. i'm addicted to you REM sleep! Please don't leave me now.

one more thing

I'm registered for blogHer. Yay. a little mini-vacation. um sort of. I'm taking at least Darra and the kids with me and maybe my mom and nieces, but I get to talk to adults and meet some of my internet friends (Except Erin. crap. if you could get here, you (and your then 2 week old little Lucy) could totally stay with me) So YAY!

oh, and also

Last night I wouldn't let her sleep in the tent her dad bought for her. I read her stories in it, then made her go downstairs to her room for bed. She told me "I don't want to." I told her that it was bedtime anyway, and she came back with "I don't want you. I want Daddy." Then this morning, I woke her up and she said the same thing when I started to get her dressed. This kid is developing some serious attitude. We've got to nip this in the bud.

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Only 4 days left!

Easter fun and troubles

So, I got this phone call on Thursday from Rob's mom. "Katie, have you got the girls Easter candy yet? Because I just realized that I bought way too much, so you don't need to buy any, ok?" um, ok. I had planned on being a mean Mommy and only getting the girls toys this year, because we still have Halloween candy left. but, since we all know how I feel about candy, I wasn't about to turn it down. Love me some chocolate.

She wasn't kidding. Way too much. She didn't even bring me all of it, but wow. I've got to pull some out of Ally's basket, because she'll never decide what kind to pick if she has that many to choose form. Thanks Darra! That means I'll get to eat a bunch of it too. yum.

So Anyway, Saturday during nap, we put all the candy in plastic eggs (for hiding the next day) and gathered all the stuff we had bought for the kids. Then I realized that we would need some BIG easter baskets, so I had to dump one of the baskets that regularly holds some of Ally's toys and requisition it for the job. (See flickr.) There were bubbles, books, sand buckets, chalk, fingerpaints, stuffed stuff (mostly rabbits), this weird little chick that chirps when you hold it, and more. Ally was thrilled. Anya's basket, of course, had a ball in it. She loves balls of every kind. Most of the stuff I got for them was carefully picked out by them at Dollar General a couple days before. not a surprise, but guaranteed to be wanted. What was my point? oh yeah, Big baskets!

Sunday, we started the day off with some candy. Just a piece or 2, and it wasn't really a big deal. We went to Grandma's house and dyed eggs. And then some peeps were eaten. Ally and Marley went outside afterward and hid and found for quite a while. It was very cold, but they didn't seem to mind. My uncle Steve went with them. The kids took turns with him hiding and them finding and vice versa. Everytime they hid them, he'd come out and say something like "I wonder where they could be" and one of them would run to an egg and yell "I found one!" well, duh. you just hid it there 30 seconds ago. LOL Very funny! They played outside until there hands were about frozen. Ally ate practically nothing at lunch. She played with her cousins and had a great time. Anya was busy chasing the dogs around if they came inside. And just generally wandering around. She actually managed to get an entire plastic Easter egg in her mouth, so we had to outlaw them. She has a big mouth! Ally utterly failed to have a nap. instead, she went for a walk with Rob and his mom out in the "deep, deep woods" (which was mostly empty field, I think.)

I learned to make the crocheted names myself, and we took a 4 generations picture and had to leave. Ally had some more candy before we left. (Does anyone see where this is going?) She asked for another peice when we got home. I gave her one and told her it was the last one until she had a good supper. She asked me again, and I repeated myself. lather, rinse, repeat. I told her to stop asking. If she asked again before she had eaten a good supper, I would throw away a peice of candy. So she asked me. And I threw one away. She was shocked. I explained myself and reminded her that she doesn't get treats when she doesn't listen. blah, blah blah.

So, then for supper she eats her chicken, but not her corn. Said her tummy was full. I warned her that she didn't have a good supper. We talked about it and she wanted down anyway. 10 seconds later, what does she ask me? You guessed it. So I threw away another piece of candy. It broke her heart. She started bawling. Ran over to the couch and threw herself down crying. Oh my god. So I explained again why it happened and that she needs to listen when we tell her things. Then I had to go put Anya to bed, and Rob talked to her about it for a while. Since he's not the one who did it, she listened to him a little more and I think understood. She calmed down at least. We made sure she went to bed early that night.

Some people that I have told about this seem outraged and think that I've lost my temper. (which I didn't. I told her the cnosequences and when she didn't listen, I followed through with them calmly) Others told me I was being a good mom. I don't know which is true, but I think it was the right thing to do. I know that it made me feel like shit. I hope that I won't have to do it again.

*And Darra, I'm not blaming you for this at all. I only mentioned your part in bringing it because I thought the phone call was funny. I'm actually really really enjoying the chocolate. It was the holiday and the mood that Ally's been in lately, and the no nap. Please don't misunderstand.

Monster in the House

There has been a monster living at our house lately. It leaves a green wet trail where ever it goes. Everything it touches is left covered in slobber.  It peirces the eardrums of all who attempt to thwart it. It is teething. We call her Anya. Or sometimes "that one". As in "I'll deal with this one if you can just shut that one up for a minute"

But last week the monster started to fade. She started playing with toys again without the now-normal screaming. We are now able to be seperated for more than 5 seconds occassionally. She has a tooth. It poked through last week finally. I attempted to take a picture of the tooth, but instead got the monster. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a piece from the Mr Potato Head alien set

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And don't forget to enter the contest!

ughh

I feel like shit. Well, mostly it's gone away, but I still feel like I've felt like shit for 4 days which is also a bad feeling. Thursday, I started to get sick. Many many bathroom trips later, I realized it wasn't jsut the brats I had for supper. Friday I came to work, but my mind was completely out to lunch. (Not that that is a problem at my job). Nasty. When I got home, I collapsed on the floor in the living room, and just let life go on around me until I was neded. Ally was so cute. "Do you have a tummy ache Mommy? My tummy hurts too" not that I noticed at the time. I was just wishing she would get off me, so that she wouldn't get whatever bug I had picked up. I am not looking forward to her having it if it comes. Saturday and Sunday, I mostly felt better, but still had numerous trips to the bathroom.  was able to finally have something besides crackers and Sprite (My husband was so kind. He even ran out to the gas station to get me some soda at like 9:00 Friday night to help make me feel better. he had offered to do it earlier and I declined, because I didn't want to be left alone with the kids awake. i figured he'd be annoyed that I wanted him to go out that late, but he didn't say a word and ran right out for me. Sometimes I love that man!) at lunch Saturday. And I felt pretty good Sunday at Easter at grandmas house. Mostly better in fact. Just a little weak still. But when my stomach started dealing with lunch, it got bad again. not terrible, but enough to make me sure eating wasn't the best idea I'd had all day. I lost 5.5 pounds in 4 days. Yuck. So if you've been wondering where I am, that's it. I've probably been reading you're blogs/emails and stuff, but not really in the frame of mind to have anything interesting to say about them. It's better, and I'm sure I'll return to my scintillating self again soon. And when I do, I have lots of good things to say about Easter. It was great fun. I love watching the kids play with family. and I didn't feel to bad to enjoy it by then eaither. But, then we had the candy whining start. grr.

~ cya later