Mourning the loss of mommy's hair

Well I have been feeling frumpy lately and have needed to do a rehaul on myself. In hopes of getting into shape, I have started working out twice a week at The Boxing Club with a personal trainer. I absolutely love it!! I have hot pink boxing gloves and a tank that says "Cut me Mick"---a line from Rocky. My dad teases that I would be in the "balloon weight" since I am 5 foot 4 and weigh 100 pounds. If I were to spar, I'd have to comb the grammar schools for an even partner :) My husband teases thAt " I am so cute when I think I am tough". We'll see how cute I am when I knock him out :) Anyways, I have no desire to spar anyone, I am no dummy, getting hit is not my idea of a good time. I just want to do the workout that a boxer does and I am seeing wonderful results after only 2 months!!

When my Goose was asking questions about the Boxing Club while we were snuggling before she went to bed, I started to explain some of the exercises I did and the sets I do on the bags. She immediately started to laugh out loud and claim, "ha ha ha, mommy fights a big bad grocery bag". I started to laugh then too, because that made sense. She has never seen a boxing bag, so she'd have no reference. To her a bag is typically a grocery bag and that would be a funny visual of mommy punching a plastic bag. So the other day I took her and her brother to the gym so she could see where mommy went 2 days a week and what kind of bags mommy hit. It was cool to see her face taking it all in. Little man got into the car swinging in the air saying "boom boom boom".



Besides the working out, I needed a new doo. Ever since I had my babies, my hair doesn't grow well and it always looks frizzy for some reason. I decided to get a pixie cut and go short! My hopes was an easy doo where I could look sheik like a young Audrey Hepburn. My husband wasn't too sure but he always claims he'd love me even if I was bald...well this was going to be close enough to test that theory. Before leaving for my appointment, I showed Goose a picture of the cut and she really had no reaction either way. (As a side note, Goose has the most beautiful hair ever. It is past her waist, healthy and a gorgeous brown color. Everyoen compliments her daily and are amazed at the length when they compare to other girls her age). So when I can home from the hairdressers, I wasn't shocked that she wasn't thrilled with the doo, but I was a little dumbfounded when she took one look at me, ran to her room, climbed into her bed and cried for the next hour. Daddy tried to talk to her and she came out to be brave, took one look at me and started to sob hard all over again. I reassured her it was ok not to like it, but I did, and hopefully she would get use to it. She replied, "I think you look nice, but I hate it! I want my old mommy back." This was said as her voice was getting higher and higher and starting to crack all over again. Round 3!

I think she is finally use to it and can look at me without breaking down. Poor girl was traumatized. It wasn't the warm welcome I was hoping for with my sassy, sophisticated new doo.....but what can you do, kids are brutely honest. Luckily my Moose didn't mind! He had nothing but lovin' for me and kept rubbing my head.

End of an era

Today was Goose's last swim lesson at Murray Callan swim school :(
She has been taking classes there year round for 4 1/2 years. She started when she was 6 months old. She is an amazing swimmer and I am in awe whenever I see her dive in and glide through the water with ease (front stroke and back stroke). She will be starting pre-K next week full time and this makes continuing her lessons difficult. Moose also started at the swim school when he was almost 6 months. He has become quite the fish himself. Grandma and grandpa showed up to watch their lesson this morning at Goose's request. They too were amazed at Goose's skills and how much Moose has learned since the last time they watched.

Start a new

It has been a long time since I blogged. A lot has happened and many stories I have missed out on writing on :( So I need to try and start this up again...bare with me.

My Goose and Moose have picked out there Halloween costumes. Well, Moose is only 1, so mommy got to decide that he would make the perfect Yoda. Goose, after watching Star Wars with me ( a planned event with the outcome in mind) decided to be Princess Leia. YEAH!! She is 4 and will make the perfect Princess Leia since she has hair to her bum bum and it will make awesome signature Leia buns! Halloween is a BIG deal at our house because it is also Goose's birthday.

Oh well.... my attempt to restart blogging is coming to a quick halt. I hear Moose yelling for me from his crib. Nap time is apparently over.

Would the Real SpongeBob Please Stand Up?

Wisdom? Well maybe not wisdom but certainly some memorable quotes and fun can be found in the most unexpected places. In my house in seems that SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends (Mr Krabs, Squidward, Patrick, Sandy and yes, even Plankton) are the great philosophers of our time. They are often quoted by my 3 (almost 4 year old daughter). It may be as simple as leaving for an errand and having her recite, "I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready" or when she drops something and declares, "Oh Tartar Sauce!" or "Barnacles!".

She wanted to go to the aquarium to learn about jellyfish because SpongeBob likes jellyfishin' and she loves showing us her new karate moves like SpongeBob and Sandy Cheeks.

As soon as my 1 year old hears: "Are ya ready kids?" He stops what he is doing, gets a smile on his face and starts to groove as his sister continues with the rest of the lyrics (and I must admit, my husband and I often sing along too).

Aye, Aye captain!

I can't heeeaaar yooouuu!

AYE, AYE CAPTAIN!

oooooooooooo.........

What can I say, after my daughter had her tonsils removed and the only thing on in the hospital was 11 hours of SpongeBob episodes while cuddling my 2 year old in a small crib surrouned by bars while 6 months pregnant with Little Man , the yellow, porous little sponge with the innocent,all though be it naive,outlook on life grew on me. I may have lost some sanity that day, but I must say, sometimes I think SpongeBob and Patrick have the key to happiness all figured out. SpongeBob me boy is happy, honest, hardworking, and a friend to all. I guess learning some lessons from the friends in Bikini Bottom isn't all that bad.

Squidward: "I always thought the most important rule was don't do today what you can put off 'til tomorrow!" (laughs)
Mr. Krabs: "What is today but yesterday's tomorrow?"
Squidward: "Huh?"

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday afternoon, after my parents got back from a world wind weekend trip back to NY for a wedding, we all headed out to the pumpkin patch. Goose rode the ponies (of course), took turns on the blow up slide, climbed the hay/straw stacks and pet the rabbits in the small "petting zoo". Little Man squealed at the animals, rode one of those mechanical tractors (25 cents), shared some honey sticks with grandpa and walked through the rows of pumpkins. The weather was beautiful and we got some funny photos for the afternoon. I love watching my kids enjoy these small pleasures (although I could do without the fine feathered friends lurking around the petting zoo).

Little Man Little Man what ya gonna do, what ya gonna do when they come for you?

The day started off early, 5:30am to be exact. The sun wasn't even thinking of rising yet. After about an hour of trying to function coherently, I packed Little Man and Goose into the car and headed straight to Starbucks for a Grande Vanille Latte. From there we went to the local Donut shop and grabbed a dozen mixed donuts. I figured between the caffeine and the sugar I would be good until at least noontime. After getting a much needed kick start, I dressed the kids, called a friend and met them at the neighborhood park so they could run around and play for an hour or so. From here, ( not even noon yet) we headed back home to check on daddy and hopefully get Little Man down for a nap. However, Little Man caught a second wind and was all amped up to see his dad. I decided this was the prime time to hop in the shower for my 5 minutes of alone time. As I get out of the shower and am drying off, I hear my hubby on his cell phone asking, "Did I call you or did you call me?". Apparently Little Man was playing with daddy's cell phone and called the work number. As my hubby is explaining that Little Man dialed by accident, Little Man got a hold of the house phone and started pushing buttons. My husband hangs up his cell and then proceeds to take the landline phone from our boy (who is not at all happy about this). Immediately our home phone rings and caller id says "Private number or blocked call", so we don't answer it and let the machine pick it up. I go to check to answering machine and hear, " This is 911, your baby just called us. If this is an emergency please call 911 again. If it is not an emergency please call your local police department and give this x reference number so they know it is a false alarm because the police have been dispatched to your house." YIKES!!! Little Man called 911. We immediately call the local police number and are on hold for what seemed like forever, I am staring out the window waiting for the cops to pull up. Meanwhile, Little Man is screaming and crying because he is exhausted. I pass the phone (still on hold) to my husband and go to lay Little Man down. Finally I hear him on the phone explaining the situation and apologizing up and down for the inconvenience and saying that we realize this is not a matter to be taken lightly because the dispatchers and officers have more important calls to be dealing with than our 1 year old's. The dispatcher is very nice and says she was the one who took the call initially and it sounded like our baby was having a grand old time.
Well, with that settled, a couple minutes later we hear a heavy knocking at the door....yep, the police. They received the message that it was an accidental call but they must follow through to be sure the caller wasn't cohersed into saying that everything was fine. (I think that is wonderful..however it was embarrassing). The officer stepped inside briefly to see my husband, myself and Goo standing there all safe and humbled. I told the police officer that the culprit was now taking his nap and would be making no more calls and he just laughed. After we aplogized again, and thanked him for his time, we said good-bye and closed the door. Goo immediately grabbed my leg tightly with tears in her eyes, looked up at me and said, "Mama, what's the police going to do to (Little Man)?" She was nervous he was going to get into big trouble. I had to reassure her the police weren't going to arrest her brother because it was an accident and the nice police man understood. He was just coming to make sure we were all safe and sound.

Well I made it until noon on my caffeine and donuts. What the heck could my afternoon have in store. I went to the frig and grabbed a Red Bull!

Zipper Clinic

Goosey was invited to attend a "Zipper Clinic" today at her swim school. It was an honor for her to be asked because it was mainly older children who swim pretty well and are working on their "zipper stroke". It was a clinic for the instructors, they were being trained on technique and 11 kids were asked to come so the instructors could practice. Goose had a ball. She was able to swim for about 50 minutes doing different drills and showing off her stuff. I must brag for a minute and say she had, by far, the best dive. She listened so well and waited for her turn so patiently. I was a proud mama.

3/4 through the clinic, Goose had to go potty. I took her to the bathroom and while she was sitting on the potty, she said, "I cannot believe I am teaching them how to swim today. I am like a teacher but I am still a kid." She was beaming. It was very, very cute.

SLEEP!!!

YIPPEE!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!
Little Man was in bed at 7:15pm and did not wake mommy up until.....
(drum roll please.....) 5:30 am. I am a happy camper. No the sun was not up, yes, Goose woke up 15 minutes later, yes the day started really early, BUT...I was not woken up several times so I am awake and ready for the day. I actually slept for hours and reached REM. I am a very happy mama.

My Little Man is 1

My goodness this year flew. I cannot believe my handsome little man is no longer an infant. He is now 1 years old!! He walks, plays hard, makes his wants and needs known and has even gone potty on the toilet twice!! I don't think I am ready for him to be growing so fast. He is now officially weened as well. I am paying the price (ouch!!) but he has gone over 24 hours without nursing. It is a bitter sweet feeling. I am sick of the infections and clogged ducts but I get a little sad that I will never look down and see his cute little face snuggling close and nursing again. I will never again feel that incredible, indescribable closeness (teary eyed and a big sigh). If you have never nursed, you will not be able to comprehend this feeling.

Anyways, last Sunday we celebrated his birthday with 40 plus friends and family. It was truly a wonderful afternoon. The party started at noon. The weather was perfect. I figured by 2-2:30 Little Man would be exhausted and go down for his nap. NOPE!! He was a party animal. He played with all his presents, especially his push popper, until he finally passed out at 6:15. He never got crabby or anything. I never saw a 1 year old enjoy his/her birthday party so much :)

Our good family friend brought a pinata and all the kids enjoyed the game and treats. All the kids also helped Little Man open his never ending pile of gifts as he was off playing with the tissue paper.

Tuesday, the party was over....it was well-baby check-up time and shots! Yuck! He was a trooper but a little fussy today and sleeping more than usual. His height measured in at 30.5 inches (75 %ile) and his weight is 19 lbs. 14 ozs. (10 %ile). He is a skinny Little Man but healthy. The doc attributes the slow weight gain to his extreme activity- walking, running, kicking a ball all day since 9.5 months.

I love you buddy!!