Second Shift Mommy

Layla is 2!

2010-08-17T16:38:00.009-04:00

Dear Layla, Layla Bean, Lala, Beaner,

I can’t believe you are two! I have to remind myself daily that you are now older than Mason was when you were born. You are so big, yet still so little. So independent, yet so reliant. So loud, yet so shy. So frustrating, yet so lovable. In a sentence, you are a regular two year old.

Several of your tastes have become apparent this year. The first is shoes. You LOVE shoes. I might have something to do with that. I can’t stop buying shoes for you. They are just so adorable when they are so tiny and pink and sparkly. You love to wear Converse and tell everyone you are wearing “Boma’s (Grandma’s) Shoes”. You love to play in our closet trying on all of Daddy’s and my shoes. And you especially love your red sparkle Jessie boots.

You also love monkeys. You adopted a small red/brown/purple (our family disagrees on his color) monkey from your classroom named Manny. You br

ought him with you to the playground, snack, specials, and even Shabbat. He napped with you and even came home every weekend for a bath. And even though there is a big “F” on his tag stating he belongs in Room F, your teachers knew he belongs with you and let you take him when you moved to your new class. Now, Manny goes with you to school every day in your backpack. But besides Manny, we acquired many other monkeys. There is New Monkey and Mason’s Monkey. You love to read books with monkeys, especially Caps for Sale.

We sometimes call you Monkey, as in Monkey See, Monkey Do. You copy EVERYTHING Mason does. When he kept telling you not to copy because copying isn’t allowed, I told him that you just copy him because you love him so much. So now he’s okay with it. But it’s true. Anything he does, you do. Anywhere he goes, you go. The most rewarding thing about having the two of you so close together is being able to watch your relationship unfold. You really do love him, and he you. For the longest time you called him "May-mays" and then one day all of the sudden it became "Mason". That day you said his name about 100 times. I think you were so proud that you could finally say it right!

At your end of the year party at school your teachers passed out awards to the children. You got the “Mother Hen” award. And it’s true, you love to take care of others, clean up after them, and bring them an ice pop when they are hurt. You love all your baby dolls at home. You’ve been playing with a doll house for almost a year already – murmuring to yourself as you play, just like I used to. I love to watch you be a little mommy to these dolls.

A few months ago you decided that you were not going to sleep in the crib anymore. If we tried to put you in you would scream bloody murder “OUT! OUT!” So for a few nights you slept on a mattress on the floor. We had to put a baby gate at the door to your room to keep you from falling down the stairs (and from sneaking into Mason’s bed, which you did once). When you decide something, it is the law. No ifs, ands or buts.

Your strong-willed personality is all new territory for me and Daddy. Mason never went through the tantruming and daily battles that you put us through. But without this time, you wouldn’t be you. And our world wouldn't be so fun! I am sure that you will grow into a smart, strong, independent woman. But please, do it slowly – time is marching by too quickly already!

Talking to God

2010-06-17T13:36:00.003-04:00

This morning as we turned onto Maitland Blvd. Mason noticed the clouds. They were very high up, and really just a sprinkling of white over a perfectly blue sky. Very unusual and very beautiful. We had this conversation:

Mason: Mommy! Look at the clouds!
Me: Oh yeah - they are beautiful this morning.

Mason: Who made them like that?

Me: Uh, God I guess?

Mason picks up his pretend phone, dials, and has a conversation with God.

Mason: God? I just wanted to tell you that the clouds look awesome today! Ok bye.

I swear, this kid cracks me up all the time.

The Elephant in the Room

2010-05-20T10:50:00.005-04:00

A few months ago, one of the two beloved elephants at the Central Florida Zoo died. The story in the paper said that the fate of the other elephant was now in limbo because elephants need companionship and she shouldn't be left in the zoo alone.

Mason goes to the zoo a lot with Grandma and his favorite part is the elephant show. I didn't know how to tell him about Mary's death, so until last night I just didn't. And he didn't go to the zoo.

But then last night we were talking about a book he has with an elephant in it and in the book the elephant is afraid of a mouse. He said, "When I go to the elephant show at the zoo, the elephants there aren't afraid of mice!" And so I decided it was time to tell him.

This is how the conversation went:

Me: I'm not sure if they have the elephant show at the zoo anymore.

Mason: Why not?

Me: One of the elephants went away.

Mason: Where did it go?

Me: It just went away.

Mason: Why?

Me: It got very old and had to go away.

Mason: I've got to tell Grandma! (Sad faced, picked up his pretend phone, dials and puts phone to ear.)

Mason: Grandma - one of the elephants at the zoo is dead.

Me: I didn't say it was dead!

Mason: Grandma - sorry, he's not dead, he just went away.

Me: Well, actually he is dead.

I was in shock that he got "dead" from my saying "got old and went away". I was trying to be all euphamistic with the "went away" and he totally got it. These kids are way smarter than we give them credit for!

Maybe Mom Wasn't So Wrong After All

2010-01-08T16:47:00.002-05:00

I recently wrote a post about how liberating it is to do laundry my way instead of my mom’s way. My mom was very specific about her laundry. Each family member’s laundry was done separately, darks were always separated from whites, and towels always separate from sheets which were never mixed with clothes. Even each color of towels was done separately. I started out doing our laundry this way, but pretty soon I realized I was doing about 15 small loads a week. So I started mixing colors of towels together. Then I started mixing the kids clothes with each other. And then the kids and ours. And now, laundry is pretty much a free for all. Whatever is closest to the washing machine when it is turned on is what gets washed in that cycle. And this was all working out well.

Until yesterday.

When I picked my daughter up from day care her teacher told me there was a “laundry surprise” for me in her lunchbox. My first thought (as a mom of a kid in diapers) was oh no – she pooped all over her pants. I asked if that was it and her teacher said no. My second thought was the tights I had put on under her jeans because it was so cold. Maybe they got in the way of diaper changes? No – that wasn’t it either.

What could it be?

A pair of MY underwear. My size XL, hair dye stained, Target-bought, faded, parachute (husband’s word) underwear. The static of Layla’s nap mat had held on to my underwear in the dryer on Sunday. Maybe doing separate laundry isn’t such a bad idea after all.

Hey, at least they were clean…..

Jack in the Box

2009-12-03T13:53:00.002-05:00

These are videos that I think are HILARIOUS. Mason is trying to get Layla to be a Jack in the Box. And he yells at her for not listening to him. Then he tries showing her how to do it. Just watch, it's a pretty good laugh.

The One Where She Came Back to Blogging......

2009-12-03T13:11:00.005-05:00

I haven't blogged in FOREVER. We've done a lot though. Of course, I didn't get pictures of everything. We spent a weekend at Disney with the Golds, we went to the corn maze, we spent a weekend in Atlanta with Rachel, we celebrated Halloween, Mason was a Shabbat Star, Layla got swine flu (definitely no pictures of that one), we went to the JCC Family Festival, Mason went to see If you Give a Cat a Cupcake, we went to the Playhouse Disney character breakfast at Hollywood Studios, we celebrated Thanksgiving at Grammy and Papa's big house, Cooper's first birthday party, and I'm sure there's more that I'm forgetting. Whew! Anyway, here are pictures of what I do have, which isn't much.

During our character breakfast at the Polynesian Mickey came over to say hi to Layla. Layla wasn't so sure about the life sized mouse.

Mason, on the other hand, has always been very much into the characters. Here he is showing Pluto (his current favorite) that he is wearing a guitar shirt.

Mason and Marin posed together for a picture with Stitch.

While in Atlanta, we went to Stone Mountain. Aunt Rachel walked to the car with the kids after a delicious breakfast where the waiter thought Mason was 5. And Mason was so excited about it he told everyone he saw for the next three days.

Tayler posed with the kids on top of Stone Mountain. It was such a gorgeous and clear day we could see the whole city of Atlanta.

When Rachel had to go to work we spent the morning at the Atlanta Children's Museum. Mason and I had been there before but this was Layla's first visit. Mason did a crazy dance on the stage they have for performances.

Layla found a slide to go on so all was well with the world.

And then she found the John Deere tractor and she was even happier!

We went to the park near Rachel's house in Peachtree Hills twice while we were there. We had been to this park before when we visited last year, but this time Layla was actually big enough to play.

Layla LOVES the swing. Any time you go to a park she immediately runs for the swing and never wants to get out.

Here Layla is doing the sign for again when I tried to take her out of the swing.

Laundry Liberation

2009-10-13T11:10:00.002-04:00

Are there things that you do in your daily routine that you don't really know why you do them except that is how your mom did them?

Growing up we all had our own laundry day. My mom would do my laundry (with whites and darks separated) one day, Rachel's another day, and hers and my dad's a third day. So there was always at least six loads of laundry a week besides towels and sheets. Those were done separately. There was a whole towel system too but I won't go into that now.

So this is how I did laundry. But then when Mason was born he didn't really have two full loads a week. So I did the darks and lights together. And since I do my laundry in cold water, nothing happened. So I starting doing our darks and lights together.

Then, after Layla was born, I would sometimes do Mason's and Layla's together. All mixed up. Even with towels and sheets together with the clothes. (Mom - I know you are dying a slow death right now reading this!)

And just recently, I started doing all of our laundry together. Basically, whatever makes it into the washer gets washed together. I still keep Tayler's and my towels separate - but who knows? that could change at any moment.

I bet if I hadn't told you on this blog no one would be the wiser, right? I feel so free I want to sing!

Of course, there's nothing wrong with doing it separately (mom!). This is just what works for me.

Ocean Wonders

2009-10-05T14:18:00.003-04:00

When I was pregnant with Mason I asked many moms what was the one thing they couldn't live without when their baby was born. Several women raved about the Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium. There are several different versions of this classic floating around - but the one in this picture is the one that we got for Mason.

Mason moved into his own room at four weeks old and immediately started his love affair with the Ocean Wonders. Way before he could turn over or sit up he started turning himself around in the crib every night so he could hit the Ocean Wonders on with his foot. Every single morning he would be facing the wrong way in the crib. Ocean Wonders was the first thing that Mason attached himself to - even before his blanky.

And now we are stuck. When I was a kid my parents used to joke about me leaving for college with my blanky. Well, I did. And then I got married with it and had kids with it.

Yesterday at nap time, Tayler took the Ocean Wonders out of Mason's bed and hid it in his room. While we were eating dinner Mason mentioned "You forgot to put the Ocean Wonders back in my bed." So it definitely hadn't gone unnoticed. But then we got upstairs and the Ocean Wonders was in his bed. He had found it and put it back in it's spot!

And then last night after I came downstairs from putting him to bed I heard him screaming "Mommy! Daddy!" So I ran back upstairs to see what was wrong. The Ocean Wonders wouldn't turn on. Seriously?

Does anyone have any ideas of how to wean him off of this toy? Layla is already over hers and she's two years behind him!

Super Long Post Full of Randomness

2009-08-28T09:51:00.003-04:00

First of all, thanks to Martin and Yvonne, we just got back from our first ever family vacation where it was just the four of us. We had a blast playing at the beach, burying each other, building sand castles, swimming, collecting sea shells, seeing Uncle Parker. Of course, I ended up with over 200 sand flea bites - but that's another story. We had four days where the only decision that had to be made was whether to go to the beach or the pool. It was awesome. (Don't worry - we filled the holes when we were done.) (My mom says Layla looks like she is wating for a Pina Colada.)

I might get accused of embarrassing my son here, but this is a story too funny to not tell. A few weeks ago Mason's teacher called to tell me that he had been peeing a lot and he had told her that his penis hurt. I made a doctor's appointment and picked him up early to take him to have it checked out. When we got to the doctor I walked into the urgent/sick door. Mason asked why we had to go in that side instead of the well door. I said that because we had made the appointment today, that is where we needed to go. As we walked into the waiting room he announced, "I'm not sick. We're just here because my penis hurts." I about died. As each person walked in, he would announce again that "We are here because my penis hurts." I tried to quiet him as the people around us stifled their laughs and I turned red as a beet. When the nurse finally called us back she led us to a room. Mason announced, "We are in Room 3. Last time we were in Room 4. Is Room 3 the Penis Room?" The nurse laughed. She then asked Mason, "You're here because your peepee hurts?" To which he replied, "No, my peepee doesn't hurt. My PENIS hurts." Because, of course, peepee is the yellow stream that comes out. I guess this is what I get for wanting my kids to know the real names of the private parts.....

And lastly in news in the Gold house, Chyna has been prescribed Prozac. Human Prozac. A few weeks ago we came home on a Friday night after a thunderstorm. She had broken out of her cage, made her paws bleed, and tracked the blood throughout the house. Including in our bed. Tayler called the vet who called in the Prozac to Publix. He also mentioned that if a member of the family is on anxiety medicine it is very common for the dog to need it too. So this dog that I don't even consider mine is now on Prozac and it can be attributed to the fact that I am also on medication. How's that for irony? Ha.

Let's Eat! Review

2009-08-17T22:15:00.003-04:00

I recently got the urge to purchase meals from the meal prep place Let's Eat! I thought it might be the perfect solution for us. Normally, we are very limited in our weeknight meals. We all arrive home around 6:05 and we like to be eating dinner by 6:30. That includes walking into the house, playing with the kids while we prep dinner, etc. So most nights we have tacos or ravioli or spaghetti or some other pasta and meat dish or something else similarly easy.

Let's Eat! was going to give us more variety in our routine. I chose the option where you pay a little more money and they prepare the food for you. All I had to do was pick it up, it was already prepped and packaged with the cooking instructions on the outside of the package.

The first night we chose to have a mushroom and chicken pasta. It took less than 5 minutes to prepare, including setting the table. Tayler, Layla and I all loved it. Mason wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. And he is usually a very good eater.

The second night we had shrimp with pineapple and a curry sauce. We paired it with roasted corn and peppers. The shrimp took a long time to cook - almost 45 minutes. This was mostly our fault though because we didn't put it in the fridge to thaw the day before. Tayler absolutely LOVED the shrimp and took the leftovers for lunch the next day. I was ambivalent, it was a little spicy for me. Neither kid would touch it. The veggies were AWESOME. Again, neither kid touched them.

Tonight we tried our third meal. It was chicken cakes. Tayler made them in about five minutes; before the rest of us even got home. We paired it with the green beans almondine. We all loved the chicken cakes. We make something similar with tuna. Layla and I loved the green beans. The boys aren't into green beans. Only major complaint today - the servings weren't big enough. Tayler and I were both hungry afterwards. We did split all the meals so they are three servings instead of six, but we still each had one serving and the kids shared one. It still wasn't enough for us.

I am hoping the next several meals go better than these have - because if not? I will not be visiting Let's Eat! again.

Slumber Party

2009-08-17T10:35:00.003-04:00

For weeks Mason has begged me to sleep with him. So Friday morning we planned that night to be slumber party. Actually, it was more of a bribe. The poor kid has to drink a laxative every morning. And to get him to drink it on Friday I promised I would sleep with him.

So around 8 pm we got into bed together. We read a million books. We talked. We took a trip downstairs to pee (for some reason Mason wouldn't let me pee in his bathroom).

Then we got back in bed. And two REALLY cute things happened.

1) I was asking about all the new teachers he sees on a regular basis. There are four 4's classes and they combine together at the end of the day so he has 8 new teachers that he deals with. After I asked about all of them he asked me, "And how is Martin doing?" It was adorable.

2) I was laying facing away from him trying to fall asleep. He says to me, "Turn around so I can see your beautiful face!" Where does he come up with this stuff? I melted.

I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't fall back asleep because I had no idea what time it was. I went downstairs and found out it was 1 am. I stayed down there watching tv until 4. I guess that's what happens when you go to bed at 8 pm. Then at 4 I snuck back into bed with Mason and slept until he woke me up at 8.

All in all, it was a fun night and I promised Mason that we would do it again "sometime".

Mason is 3!

2009-08-07T12:07:00.001-04:00

Dear Mason, Dude, Goldilocks, Shnookums,

You are three years old today. Three! Where did the time go? It feels like just yesterday when we spent that tender moment together in the hospital – our first moment alone – early in the morning before anyone arrived for the day. You probably don’t remember, but it is etched in my mind. You were doing a weird Elvis impersonation thing with your mouth, which I thought was totally cool because I do that too. A few hours later I realized that it just meant you were hungry!

You have done so much this year. You learned to incorporate your sister into your life, you started playing drums, you learned to swim, you started recognizing letters and numbers, you potty trained, and I could go on and on and on.

You know EVERYTHING. You usually tell me intricate parts of your day when I pick you up at school. Or sometimes we have days, like yesterday, where I ask you questions and you say “I don’t want to talk about it right now.” This also can make you a bit of a tattle tale. There are no secrets with you! Like when you wanted to hold your blankey at breakfast and I said no, you told me that Daddy let you at First Watch. And when I wouldn’t let you brush your own teeth, you told me that Grammy does.

You ask questions that I didn’t expect to hear for years. One day I was driving you to school (which Daddy usually does) and you asked me “Why does Joshua (a boy in your class) have two mommies and I only have one mommy and one daddy?” I responded, “Well, God decided that Daddy and I should love each other and have you and Layla, and God also decided that Joshua’s mommies should love each other and have Joshua.” To which you responded, “Who is God?” Really Mason? All this before my morning coffee? When you want to know about sex – go ask Daddy!

You still love music most of all and we spend a lot of time playing band in our house. We have drums that you got for hanukah, a piano that Layla got for her birthday, a real guitar, and many more instruments. We could probably have a full orchestra. You like to use the hearth in the kitchen as your stage and carry your microphone in there. One day you were moving all your instruments into the garage and when I asked what you were doing you said, “I’m taking my show on the road!”

This year we went to visit Aunt Rachel alone – just you and me. We had a great time in Atlanta going to the children’s museum and (your favorite) Stone Mountain. But then the flight home was a disaster because it snowed. We waited in the airport for four hours and we were on the plane for another 10 hours. You were SO good. You behaved better than most of the adults on the plane. I wanted to lose my shit a few times, but you kept me together!

In your room is a collage that Grammy made you of pictures of me at Disney World when I was a kid. One day you were looking at the collage and asked me, “When did I take this picture with Tigger?” I looked at the picture and I had to do a double take. It looks EXACTLY like you. We could be twins, right down to our stupid cowlick on our forehead.

One of our favorite times of the day together is right before bed. We put the pillows up on your bed and we read two or three or five books together. You change favorites often and go through phases. Sometimes you are totally into Diary of a Fly, and then you won’t want to read it for weeks. We just recently went through a On Top of Spaghetti phase. Some of your favorite books are the Child Craft series that Grammy has been bringing you one at a time. We love to read the poems and stories and sing the songs. Although some of it is outdated. You love to point out the old fashioned washing machine in the song book! One of the poems that we read often is one that Grammy read to me all the time when I was young because it was her favorite poem as a kid. It goes:

“The World is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as Kings.”

I hope that you never get sick of me reading to you and that you read this poem to your kids when you are a Daddy. I have so many dreams for you, Mason, but most of all I want you to be happy as a King.

Love forever and always,
Mommy

First Day

2009-08-05T11:09:00.004-04:00

Mason holds up the famous "1" finger for the first day of school - a Gold Family tradition. (We tried to get Layla to hold her finger up too - maybe next year!)

1st Day Breakfast - Pancakes and Fruit

Randoms

2009-08-05T10:54:00.004-04:00

Layla's First Pigtails

Layla's First Birthday

July 4th at Charlotte's House

Mason and Jonathan Rocking Out

Mason's Favorite Outfit

Welcome to Toddlerhood!

2009-07-30T14:22:00.003-04:00

Look at that face to the right ----->

Could you ever imagine that this sweet, almost angelic looking face could be the same face that had her first temper tantrum this week?

The past few weeks I have realized that my baby! is growing! up! and she isn't! a baby! anymore! Sniff. Sniff.

It started with her birthday. I now have to say she is one when someone asks. She's officially not an infant.

Then she began walking everywhere. Crawling is SO last year. I mean, come on mom, the big kids all walk, you and Daddy walk, Mason walks.

And then we had the first official temper tantrum. We've had a few instances where Layla wants something and whines about it. (Usually it is food related.) But this time was supreme. She found a snack trap with soggy, sandy goldfish left over from the beach the day before. It was in the bottom of the beach bag that was on the kitchen floor. When she found it she took off running to eat them in private - so she wouldn't have to share with her brother. I took away the snack trap and put it on the counter by the sink to be washed. She stood up and tried with all her might to get it from the counter. So I put it in the sink and told her NO. She had just had dinner! And then it happened.

She sat on the floor and started screaming and laid her head down face first on the tile and beat her fists on the floor. And continued screaming all the way upstairs and through her entire bath.

Just for the record, I didn't give in and give her the goldfish. But when Tayler got home and I told him the story his response was "I'll be honest - I would have let her have the goldfish."

Something I'll Never Forget (Rachel Too Probably)

2009-07-24T08:20:00.003-04:00

I was recently having the discussion of when are your kids old enough to be left alone at home. In the paper there has been a story in the headlines of a couple who came from Michigan to Disney World and left their 2 year old and 4 year old in the hotel room while they went to the pool for several hours. Crazy, right? But did you know that the law says you can't leave children home alone until they are 14? I think that's crazy in the other extreme.

When I was in third/fourth grade I would get home a few minutes before my mom in the afternoon. I would let myself into the house, pour a bowl of cereal and then she would be home. No big deal. I was a responsible kid. But apparently, that is illegal!

I babysat for other peoples kids WAY before I turned 14. By the time I was 14 I was pretty much over babysitting.

Of course, then there was the time I poured the coke over Rachel's head. Yes, you read that right. I want to say I was about 12, so she was 8. My parents were out, don't know where. Jackie was over. We were set up with snacks in the living room to watch the television premiere of Home Alone. Something happened (no idea what) and we started fighting. It got ugly and I poured a 2 liter of Diet Coke over her head, drowning the couch and the tv and the carpet in the process. She locked me in my room and I had to crawl through a window to get out. Jackie went home and got her mom to come over and moderate.

I think that after that it was a LONG time before we were left alone again. Kind of ironic that we were watching Home Alone, right?

Arriving at Disney

2009-07-21T09:50:00.003-04:00

What does the sight of the Walt Disney World sign mean to you?

As a kid we went to Disney a lot. But then, a lot was maybe twice a year. We lived a 4 hour drive away. Passing under this sign would evoke cheers of "we're here!" in me and my sister. Tayler has a similar memory - except his family would drive through the night from New York to reach the gates.

When I moved to Orlando I realized that my kids would probably never have that same feeling when they saw the Disney sign. It would be so common for them that it wouldn't make them feel the magic that is Disney. The purple signs on property wouldn't seem so special.

But now, since I have been working at Disney for nearly two years and go there at least three times a week, I barely even notice the sign as I pass through. I am totally desensitized.

Until yesterday, when I was pulling off I-4 there was a bit of a traffic delay. Three cars were pulled over on the side of the road and all the occupants were milling around in the grass. I assumed there had been an accident, until I looked closer. They were posing and taking pictures in front of the Disney sign. They were feeling the magic that I once felt when we arrived at Disney.

I think next time we go to Disney with the kids, we may just pull over and take some pictures. I want my kids to have that special feeling about Disney that I always had as a kid!

Layla - One Year

2009-07-20T22:01:00.003-04:00

Dear Layla, Layla Bean, The Bean, Beeshul,

Before you were born I knew what to expect from a newborn. At least physically. We had gone through it just two years before with Mason. But I had no idea what it would be like to have YOU.

First of all, you are beautiful. From the first day everyone knew it. Grammy overheard two people looking at you in the nursery and commenting that you must be a c-section baby because you were so beautiful. Everyone comments on your eyelashes. They go on forever. You will never need mascara Bean! (Not that I wear it anyway.)

You are daring - you did every physical activity early. Rolling, crawling, taking your first steps. While Mason was the most cautious of babies - you take risks every chance you have. You love to jump into the pool, explore electrical outlets, and just tonight jumped off my lap to the floor. I think this might be a normal characteristic of a second child because you have to try to keep up with your big brother.

From the time you were about two weeks old you went with me every afternoon to pick your brother up from school. The kids in his class would gather round to see you, but Mason was very protective at first and didn't let any of the other kids get near you. Now that he knows you can hold your own, when I wheel you into his classroom at the end of the day he lets the others come over to say hello to you. No matter what the kids in his class are doing, certain ones will come to visit with you every day. You are like a star in that classroom.

You only want to play with your brother's toys. Your favorite right now is the Handy Manny truck with the tools. But pretty much, anything that is his, you are happy with. And vice versa - he loves to carry around your purses and pink dolls.

You are a blankie person - just like me and Mason. It is amazing to watch both of your through the rearview mirror with your blankies to your faces.

Smiles don't come too easily from you - except when tickling. It takes a lot to earn your smiles, but that just makes them so much more special.

You are a choker - another trait your brother and you both got from me. It wasn't until you were about 10 months old that you could eat even Cheerios without choking. I'm sorry - but you can really blame Papa for this.

Lookswise - you are your father. We pull out baby pictures of him from time to time to see what he looked at when he was your age. It is unbelievable how much you two look alike, minus the hair color - yours is a little more brown. By the way, where did that brown hair come from? For the first month I was waiting for it to turn blonde like Mason's did.

I think the best part about being your mommy is seeing the way your eyes light up when your brother walks in the room. Your adoration for him is more than I could ever have hoped for. Of course, I also love when I come to pick you up at the end of the day and you run over to me and ask to be picked up by holding your hands up to me.

Language - I think you are starting to use some words, although they might only be recognizable to me. You say Mama, Dada, Hello (eh-do), Mason (i-ma), Chyna (yna), and I'm pretty sure that this morning you said "What's this?" when I was changing your diaper. But language is not so important - you can always get your point across with a point and some talking in your own language. We all know just what you want most of the time.

You spent more time in the infant seat, bouncy seat, swing and play mat than Mason had to because we had to tend to both of you at the same time. This has made you patient (most of the time - there was that time in the car with Grammy when you wouldn't stop screaming). I sometimes feel like we are letting you down because we always do what Mason wants to do - he's vocal about his needs and wants. It can feel like you are just along for the ride. I hope this is just normal for second kids and that we aren't letting you down somehow.

Layla - the last year has brought so much happiness to me and Daddy - we can't imagine a world without you in it.

PTBC

2009-06-30T15:57:00.002-04:00

PTBC = Potty Training Boot Camp. That is what we are calling it. Mason was dropped off to stay with Grandma and Pops on Sunday evening. When he woke up Monday morning it was no more diaper, only underwear (or naked tushies) in this house.

We get hourly reports and we get visitation tonight. He has been doing GREAT. Only one accident so far in two days. Lots of M&Ms and stickers and ring pops.

Now we just have to translate it to working when clothed......

Going to Grammy's

2009-06-27T23:08:00.004-04:00

One Friday evening Grammy and Papa were over playing before bedtime. Grammy made the suggestion to Mason, "Maybe you should just come spend the night at my house." Without skipping a beat Mason started running up the stairs screaming, "I've gotta get my suitcase!" I love that he loves being with his grandparents so much. Most kids his age favor their parents but he absolutely loves spending time with both sets of his grandparents. Just recently we were going to bed one night and he said, "I love Grandma. I need to call her and tell her." So we got the phone so he could call her. It was so sweet.

Boys Weekend

2009-06-27T22:42:00.008-04:00

Tayler and Mason went to Maryland to celebrate "Boys Weekend" with all the Gold brothers. The Mets were in town visiting the Nationals so the boys (and Marin) all went to the game. Unfortunately it rained and was late - but Mason had a good time anyway and has been talking about it ever since. Some of the best parts for him were hanging out with Marin and Riley, swimming with his cousins and uncles, playing with the train table in the playroom, and riding on the metro and the airplane. At least this airplane ride didn't have the long wait like our trip to Atlanta had in February.

Band Practice

2009-06-27T22:35:00.002-04:00

Long Awaited Photos

2009-06-27T22:29:00.006-04:00

Layla is totally into eating real food now. We even gave away all the baby food. She eats everything we eat and loves to explore new foods. The only thing we have found so far that she absolutely does not like is potstickers. And Mason hates them too!

MJ and Me

2009-06-26T10:11:00.003-04:00

Michael played a major role in my childhood and in my musical ear development.

The first two albums I owned when I got my first record player were Thriller and Bad.

When I was six years old my mom took me all the way to Jacksonville to see the Jackson 5 Reunion Tour. And she made us our own gloves to wear at the concert. With sequins on them!

I had the Michael Jackson action figure that I used to play Barbies with. But he came complete with a red leather outfit, silver glove, and totally bendable knees (not like the bendable knees that Ken and Barbie had).

When I was seven or eight I had a recurring nightmare that Michael Jackson was trying to kill me. I couldn’t close my eyes at night for several days because all I would see is him coming after me. That kind of ended my love for him.

Last night I watched a clip from an old interview with Michael on ABC. I truly believe that something was seriously wrong with this man. I’m no psychologist, but my thought is that maybe he didn’t get a childhood because he was making music and so he has the mentality of a child now. I don’t believe that he molested children. I think that he invited them to sleep over like any 10 year old boy would do. The clip I watched was of him climbing a tree – and he was acting just like any little kid would at the prospect of climbing a tree. It was sad to watch.

Whatever the real story is, his music and his legend will live on. Michael you will be missed.

Bat Story

2009-06-25T10:19:00.004-04:00

Last night I am sitting in our kitchen while Tayler is making lunches. Out of the corner of my eye I see something flying. I think it is a bird. I start screaming at the top of my lungs and run into the bedroom. My heart is pounding. At this point I know it isn't a bird, but a bat. The house gets very quiet. Then I hear a sound I can't pinpoint. It sounds like something bouncing. I call out to Tayler. The bat had attached himself to the ceiling in our living room - our 24 foot high ceiling. So Tayler had taken a tennis ball and was trying to bounce it and hit the bat. He is unsuccessful.

Next, he comes in our bedroom and asks me if he should kill the bat. Um, no, I think we should just live with a bat in our house. YES! KILL THE FREAKING BAT! ARE YOU CRAZY!

Tayler goes into the garage and gets his pole saw (you know, a big pole with a saw on the end of it, meant for cutting down trees?). I hear him from the bedroom attempting to "saw" the bat on the ceiling. Then I hear a thud. I call out Tayler's name and he doesn't respond. For a split second I think that he may be hurt but I am unwilling to leave my safe place in the bedroom to check on him. Finally he answers.

And he says, "I think the bat is gone." Yes, you read that right. "I think the bat is gone." Um, not good enough, GO MAKE SURE!!!!!

Five minutes later, the door to the bedroom swings open. Tayler is holding a plastic yellow cup upside down on a piece of cardboard. Inside is the bat (still alive) that was upstairs, near our sleeping children. Tayler has me open the front door for him so he can release the bat back into the wild. And so the evening goes back to normal. But now we can never again say that we haven't had a bat in our house.

Signs

2009-06-22T19:30:00.002-04:00

Sign that I may take too many work calls when I am at home:

Mason brought me a phone tonight and told me that Paul was on the phone for me. (Paul and I work together on Disney projects.)

Sign that my kid is totally backwards:

He knew brown and pink before red, yellow, and blue. He knew stars, hearts, and moons before circles and squares. And now that we are working on letters, today I asked him to tell me a letter he knows on a board at school. He pointed to the ampersand and said "I know that letter!" When I asked him what it is, he said "the letter from Barnes & Noble". Hopefully the 26 real letters will come soon.

Things I Learned Today (In No Particular Order)

2009-06-16T20:06:00.003-04:00

Waterslides are as much fun at 30 as they were at 3. So is cotton candy.
The coke machine is $1.25 on the cast side at Disney but $2.75 on the guest side. What does that say?
The name Iorio is not Asian.
While I am comfortable being naked in front of my kids, I am not comfortable being naked in front of other kids.
It IS possible to spill Diet Coke all over yourself, your papers, and your desk. Twice in one day.
They do sell Father's Day cards that say Pops.
Terra Cotta used to be used as a coping cap.
It is possible for someone to approach the same building from two different sides and think it is two different buildings and thus do a survey of it twice.
My kid loves John Tesh.
He also loves waterslides and cotton candy as much as me!

Sleeping Patterns

2009-06-15T12:43:00.003-04:00

Something happened this weekend that Tayler and I have been waiting for as parents since the day Mason was born. Remember when you used to jump into your parents' bed on a Saturday morning, snuggle and watch cartoons? We couldn't wait to do that with our kids. Mason started sleeping in a regular full size bed three months before his second birthday. He was young to be taken out of a crib, but he was evicted by Layla who was about to be born. We put railings up around the bed to make it more secure in case he rolled around a lot. But the kid never got out of the bed. In the morning he would just play in his bed, read books, fall back asleep, or if he needed something he would call through the monitor for us to bring it up.

That all changed on Saturday. I woke up to him staring me in the face at 7:45 am. (I know that isn't really early, but it is for him. He usually sleeps until at least 9 on weekends.) I asked if he wanted to climb in bed and watch tv and he said "Yes! I'll be right back!" He walked back into the living room to gather his pillow and blankie (that he had already brought downstairs with him) and climbed into bed with us. He did the same thing Sunday and then again today.

The weird thing is, no one ever told him to do this. How did he come up with the idea of bringing his pillow downstairs? Why couldn't he just share our pillows? And why couldn't he do it a little later? For now, I won't wonder. I'll just enjoy the snuggle time before he gets too old and doesn't want me to touch him anymore.

On the other side of the spectrum when it comes to sleep we have Layla. She isn't a horrible sleeper, but as I was told yesterday - our honeymoon may be over. She wakes up in the middle of the night several times a week. If we ignore her (which we tried, figuring she would put herself back to sleep) she gets so upset she throws up. Her sheet had to be changed three times on Friday night and once last night. If we feed her she is happy, but that is a bad habit to start at 11 months old. We know she doesn't really need to eat. So we don't really know what to do. Suggestions would be appreciated!

And then there is the getting her to go to sleep at the beginning of the night. Last Sunday and yesterday she DID NOT WANT TO GO TO SLEEP WAH! She was unhappy unless she was on the floor playing. We ended up letting her crawl around downstairs while Tayler watched the basketball game and I cleaned the kitchen. We tried putting her in the crib several times between 8 and 10 and she would have none of it. (Note: the throw up last night was during one of this futile attempts.) Finally at 10 she conked out and went to sleep for the night. But we know she will be super tired today. What can I do to make her go to sleep and not scream and throw up in the process. We already have a steady routine - bath, book, bottle. I don't know that there is anything else to try. Maybe it's just a phase? Because her teeth are coming in or because she is getting ready to really walk? Whatever it is, I really hope it doesn't repeat itself.

I just need to have kids that sleep. If I don't get a solid nine hours of sleep I am too much of a bitch to deal with.

Cell Phone "Repair"

2009-06-08T13:45:00.004-04:00

This morning when I got to work I took my cell phone out of my purse to find it turned off. I never turn my phone off and it had full battery power last night so I was mildly surprised. I figured the battery was getting near the end of its life. I plugged the phone in and forgot about it. About two hours later I tried to turn the phone on again and it wouldn't turn on. I wondered if maybe my charger was broken and used a co-worker's charger. It still wouldn't turn on.

I was told by several people to take the battery out, blow on it, and put it back in to "reset" the phone. I felt like I was playing with the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Remember when you used to have to blow into the bottom of the games sometimes? Yeah, well it still didn't work.

So I trekked over to a Nextel "repair" shop. I put the word repair in quotes because, does one ever really repair a cell phone? In the hour of my life that was lost there five people came in and were told that their cell phone could not be repaired and would have to be replaced. And oh - do you by any chance have the insurance? Because if you do, it's just a $50 deductible instead of the price of a whole new phone!

Well it turned out that my phone was "repairable". I could spend $100 to repair it or I can have a new one shipped for free as long as I sign a new contract. Oh please! Please let me pay $100 to get my current phone repaired!

So I pick out my new "free" phone. I put the word free in quotes because it was $18 for an "upgrade" fee. And then $12 for the shipping. So I ended up paying $30. I know I shouldn't complain but I was told it would be FREE.

And then because it was noon and the guy wanted to go to lunch, he has me sign a form that hasn't been filled out and tells me he will fill it out later. And it had all the information about how much I am paying for the phone on it. Uh, no buddy, you can go ahead and fill it out right now.

And add to that - I now have to get all new chargers. The new phone takes a micro-USB. I had a mini-USB. This is the phone company's way of always making a profit I guess.

So basically, I have a sour taste in my mouth for the whole cell phone industry. Especially Nextel. Since I need the push to talk, they know that I can't go anywhere else. And they all know we are dependent on our phones and don't have the time to shop deals.

And yes - after reading this I'm sure you are thinking that I must be the cheapest human being on the planet. And I am.

Farm Stores

2009-06-04T09:51:00.007-04:00

Does anyone know what happened to Farm Stores? It was a drive thru convenience store that we used to go to as a kid. Are they gone? Is it just a South Florida thing?

As a kid I never realized the true gem that they were. But now? With two kids in car seats? Who want to ride in that damn rocketship EVERY SINGLE TIME we walk through the door at Publix and who whine when you say no? (Thanks mom!) I would probably pay double for the convenience of a Farm Store.

I remember going there a lot as a kid - what were we buying? I have no idea. Maybe cigarettes? It was behind the Publix, but you DIDN'T HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. Hell I would probably pay double and drive twice as far!

Someone - go open a Farm Store for me! Preferably in the Altamonte area. Thanks.

System Failure

2009-06-03T11:30:00.003-04:00

Last week when I renewed my devotion to this blog I told myself I would post at least 5 times per week - once each week day. It's been six days since I have posted. I feel guilty. It doesn't help when Tayler asks every day if I posted yet. Because usually the answer is NO.

Yesterday was a different day in our house. Tayler had to be at work at 8 am. Which means I had to get the kids ready and to school by myself. I failed miserably.

I should start by saying that Layla recently decided that sleeping through the night isn't for her. She was up twice in the middle of the night on both Sunday and Monday nights. Both times she screamed until someone came in and sat in her room with her. I know this is a bad habit to get into. It's hard to convince myself of that at 1:30 in the morning. And then again at 4.

I was exhausted when the alarm went off yesterday. I hit snooze. Several times. Like until 8:20. When I finally dragged myself out of bed I went upstairs to get the kids.

Mason was already awake. I let him pick out his clothes. He chose a shirt that he usually wears to sleep in. It was a gray shirt. What color shorts do you wear with gray? Not khaki. Not jean shorts - he's getting a little old to wear those. I chose gray shorts. So he was very gray yesterday and didn't really match that well. I couldn't find his hairbrush so he went to school with party hair.

Then we woke Layla. She wore a cute outfit, only because I picked it out the night before. But her hair didn't get brushed, she wore no barette, and her teeth didn't get brushed.

We got to school at 9:50. Mason missed his swim lesson that I totally forgot about scheduling for 9 am. Oops.

I was also reprimanded by his teacher for not bringing him a cup for water or sunscreen for when they play outside.

I arrived at work at 10:24.

So basically, I am the typical dad in the family.

A few weeks ago Reilly and Brooke were both wearing navy blue sports t-shirts. Catriona said that she didn't complain because Mike actually woke up early and got them ready, something she usually does. She said she usually gets up, showers, gets ready, then wakes Mike who gets himself ready while she gets the girls ready. I said it's the opposite in our house. Tayler gets up and showers, then wakes me and we do the kids together. And my day yesterday kind of proves that.

Maybe I should start keeping brushes all over the house so I can always find one?

On a totally different topic - we bought Layla her first pair of shoes. They are totally girl and so freaking cute!

The Sign Guy

2009-05-28T09:40:00.002-04:00

In the past three years or so something has arisen as a new career. These people - usually young, good looking men and women - stand on street corners with large signs directing you to an apartment complex or condo conversion. The signs usually have a big arrow on them and display whatever the deal of the day is. Sometimes, the boys holding the signs are enthusiastic and spin the signs or throw them up in the air. More often, the sign holders do as little as possible besides holding the sign.

Every day for the last three years on my way to work I pass through a pretty bad neighborhood called Rosemont. The Publix where I used to grab lunch had a shooting in the parking lot recently. So did the Albertsons (before it closed). And the Bank of America drive thru. And a daycare across the street.

I also pass a sign guy advertising for an apartment complex. This sign guy is different. First of all, he is NOT good looking. He is missing teeth and looks like he hasn't bathed in weeks. Second, he is always wearing a costume. For Thanksgiving he switches between a pilgrim and an Indian. For Christmas he is Santa. For Valentine's Day he is Cupid. For American holidays like Memorial Day and July 4th he is Uncle Sam. The costumes are always grungy and look like they haven't been washed in years. Nothing about any of this would ever make me turn to inquire about the apartments.

But today was the holy grail. Today he was dressed as a ..... bum. I'm thinking he just didn't wear a costume. But I swear he was wearing EXACTLY what I would put on to portray a bum. I laughed out loud as I passed.

Date Night

2009-05-27T09:53:00.003-04:00

Last week we had date night. Not me and Tayler...me and Mason! One thing that's not great about having two kids so close in age is that I don't really spend much one-on-one time with each of them. I'm hoping that will change as they get older, but right now we just don't really have time for it. So when the chance arose to go out to dinner and Target with just Mason, I jumped on it.

We tried to go to Kobe, Mason's choice, but the wait was 45 to 60 minutes. Who would think there would be a wait like that on a weeknight? No recession there...

So instead we went to Sweet Tomatoes.

And it was great. We ate, talked, laughed together. I am loving that he is at this age where he is still my baby but is also such a big boy. He still thinks the world of me and his father and his teachers but he can also hold a real conversation and tell me about things he did and things he wants to do and ideas he has.

I know I say it all the time, but I really can't imagine it getting better than this.

Tap Tap Hello? Is This Thing On?

2009-05-26T21:52:00.002-04:00

So here I am. It has been two and a half months. I hope I never go that long again without blogging. I have no real excuse except maybe Twitter. I got on Twitter and it started to consume my life. So now I have stopped. And since I am no longer microblogging, I figured I would go back to regular old blogging. And so here I am.

What has been going on around here?

For one, Layla has proven she is the opposite of me and Mason in the daredevil category. I found her standing on top of a riding toy at my parents' house. She jumped in the pool and loves to be splashed in the face this past weekend. And she stole a shrimp off Mason's plate at Kobe last night. She wants to play with whatever toy Mason is currently playing with. She is just about walking - she took two single steps about two weeks ago.

It is funny - Mason IS me. He looks like me, acts like me, has my demeanor, my temper, my everything. Layla looks like Tayler - we pulled out pictures from when he was this age a few weeks ago and the similarities are striking. And I am thinking she has his temperment. And I am afraid because I have heard that payback can be a bitch!

Here are a few stories of Tayler's childhood I have heard:

When he first learned to walk he broke out of his crib. He didn't climb out of the crib - he actually broke two of the bars off and carried them in to his parents' bedroom. They had to get a new crib for Lander.

When he was a little boy he found leftover grout in the bathroom cabinet. He decided that the tile guy hadn't done such a good job and he regrouted the bathroom with q-tips and the grout he found.

He took two chocolate cakes out of the refrigerator and "ice skated" on them.

Oh no. What are we in for? Please be gentle to us little Layla - there is only so much we can take!

Ones for the Book

2009-03-11T12:36:00.001-04:00

Yesterday my mother-in-law used a term I wasn't familiar with. She told me a story about Mason and said I had to write it down in his book. I took her literally and said that I didn't have a book for him. But she just meant it was something to remember because it was cute.

So here are two stories for Mason's book. (One is the one she told me and one happened on our way home yesterday.)

Number 1:
Penny: Are you going to take swimming lessons this year at the JCC?
Mason: No, I don't need to swim. Only fish need to swim.

Number 2:
Mason: I just burped!
Me: Say excuse me.
Mason: Excuse me. Excuse me, burp. Get out of my way!

I wish I could videotape some of these and just watch them over and over. What funny things do your kiddos say? I love to hear the stories.

Potty Mouth

2009-03-03T10:42:00.003-05:00

I guess there aren't many times when I am forced to take Mason into a public restroom with me. Usually we spend the weekends together as a family and if the need arises to pee, I can go alone and leave the kids with Tayler. Of course, this past weekend was different. Mason and I went to Atlanta together to visit my sister. This trip required several occasions where I was on the hunt for a handicap stall where I could take Mason with me.

First, when our flight landed in Atlanta we found a bathroom. As we were walking by the stalls Mason started yelling out "That person's peeing Mommy! I can hear them peeing. Do you hear them peeing Mommy?"

Another time when we were sharing a stall I had to hover (stoop, not sit) over the toilet because it wasn't the cleanest bathroom. Mason stood next to me shouting, "You have pee coming out of your butt Mommy!" Luckily that time there were only people we knew in the bathroom (my sister and her friend).

Then, when we were waiting in the airport to leave we had our last bathroom experience together. As I was wiping Mason screamed out, "Mommy you're taking a bow! Mommy, you're taking another bow!"

When will he be old enough to leave outside the stall so I can pee in peace?

Packing Anxiety

2009-02-24T11:33:00.002-05:00

I have major anxiety any time I have to pack. It got even worse once I had kids and had to pack for them. I have reason to be anxious. I forget things a lot.

For example:

When Tayler and I were on our way to my parents house to take our engagement pictures I realized as we were driving down the turnpike that I had forgotten to bring his pants. Not just the pants he wanted to wear for the picture, but any pants at all. Oh, and socks too.

One year at Thanksgiving I realized when I went to brush my teeth the first night that I had forgotten my toiletries. Tayler had to run to CVS for me and buy the essentials. It's a good thing I don't wear make up.

When I was hugely pregnant with Mason we went to my parents house for the weekend. We were there for my sister's graduation party and to go out for a nice family dinner at Abe and Louie's. When we got there I realized I forgot to pack shoes for either of us. All we had were the flip flops we were wearing. The next morning when I went to get dressed for the party I realized I had forgotten my skirt.

Yeah, I really am that bad.

So, back to my understandable anxiety. Mason and I are going to Atlanta to visit my sister on Thursday. I have already started worrying about what I might forget. I have to bring a stroller, a car seat, etc. I just have to remind myself that there is always a Target nearby if I forget something.

Parenting Uh-Oh

2009-02-16T23:54:00.002-05:00

Friday afternoon I was driving home from picking the kids up at daycare. I called Tayler on my way to tell him that I hadn't planned dinner and had nothing to cook so we were going to go out. I told him I was thinking either Habana Grill or Sweet Tomatoes. He said he preferred Habana Grill, I agreed, and we thought we were set. I hung up the phone and heard a commotion coming from the backseat. It was Mason saying "Sweet Tomatoes! I want Sweet Tomatoes!" To which I said, "No, I talked to Daddy and we decided we are going to Habana Grill tonight."

I thought that was the end of it.

We got home and went in the house. Tayler got home a few minutes later. When he said hi to Mason, Mason's reply was "We're going to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner." When Tayler told him that no, we are going to Habana Grill he said "NO HABANA GRILL. SWEET TOMATOES."

We got in the car and start driving. I suggested we just go to Habana Grill. Mason instructed us that we could "pass by Habana Grill" but that we are going to Sweet Tomatoes. As we were driving Tayler told Mason that we had to go to Habana Grill because Sweet Tomatoes is closed.

When we got to Habana Grill's parking lot Mason started screaming and having a fit. He told us that Habana Grill was "closed" and that we had to go to Sweet Tomatoes. We couldn't take him into the restaurant acting the way he was.

So we drove to Sweet Tomatoes and ate dinner there.

Mason - 1, Us - 0.

After some Monday morning quarterbacking, I think we probably should have just driven home and not gone out to eat. It wouldn't have been fair to other patrons at Habana Grill to take him in there, so there was no way for us to win. But we probably shouldn't have let him win either. Hopefully I'll remember that next time.

New vs. Old Stimulus (Updated)

2009-02-12T15:53:00.003-05:00

As I've stated before, I'm kind of a socialist.

So I've been thinking today. How is this new stimulus package compared to what FDR (my favorite president) did with his New Deal during the Great Depression?

What got us out of the Depression? My answer to this question is that it was two things - both WWII and the New Deal. Would the New Deal have been enough? Because the war we are in today is not going to get us out of the slump.

How did the federal spending imposed by the New Deal compare to the proposed federal spending with this new stimulus package? Would be interesting to compare wouldn't it?

I did a quick internet search trying to find some analyst out there who has run this comparison, but I couldn't find one. I may try to figure it out myself if I get ambitious.

UPDATE: From what I have been able to find on the internet, the New Deal spent between 10 and 13% of the GDP where the new stimulus package is only 5.5% of last years GDP.

The Whys Have Arrived

2009-02-12T11:27:00.003-05:00

I know he has known the word for a long time. But just yesterday I started noticing how much he uses it. And I think this is a part of his childhood that I will try to block out.

WHY? Why? But, why Mommy?

Everything I ask him to do, everything I talk to him about, everything, everything, everything!

Is answered with a "Why?"

Is it bad that after only two days of this so far I want to sew his mouth shut?

Lost in Translation

2009-02-10T13:10:00.002-05:00

Layla has started talking up a storm. She says "Na na na." And "Da da da." And squeals and so on. She obviously thinks she is talking, but it is all just sounds.

But here's the kicker. When she "talks" Mason translates for her. She may say, "Na Da da." And he says, "Mommy, Layla says she's hungry and wants more breakfast." Or she may say, "Blbppp na na." And he says, "Layla's talking to Chyna!"

Do you think it is possible that he really understands her? Or is he just guessing like we do?

Living in a Catalogue

2009-02-02T10:18:00.002-05:00

You know how the Pottery Barn Kids catalogue has adorable childrens' names attached to the items it sells? You might find the Sophia Blanket or the Kendall Lamp or maybe the Bryce Crib. I have started to realize that we kind of live like that.

Mason associates everything we have with who else has it. It all started with a particular blankie that a boy in his class also has. It became known as Leedor Blankie, and that is now it's official name.

Then we got Audrey Cup.

And Marek Jacket.

Maybe Mason should start sending in ideas to Pottery Barn....

Crawl

2009-01-30T19:51:00.000-05:00

Layla crawled four crawls in a row tonight in her room. Tayler and Mason were there to see it. I wasn't. Still sick with the flu. How did I get this sick?

Turning 30

2009-01-23T22:13:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow I am turning 30. Lots of people have asked me how I feel about it. Honestly, I am totally fine with it. I have a house, a husband, two kids and a good career. That's more than normal for 30. I'm cool with it.

But I remember when I was turning 20 and I had a really rough time with that. That was when I first realized that I would be ordinary and not extraordinary. I wasn't going to be famous or win the Nobel Peace Prize. I was just going to be regular. It took 10 years, but I'm cool with that too. Regular is pretty spectacular when you hear a two year old say "I love you Mommy!"

Her Way / His Way

2009-01-19T11:24:00.002-05:00

Mason has a pretty bad cold. His nose is a continuous faucet of clear snot. At nap time yesterday I made him lay down on the floor in his room while I aspirated his nose. I got SO much gunk out but it was horrible. He screamed. He cried. He held his breath for what seemed like an eternity. Then he told Tayler that he doesn't like Mommy. I felt terrible and decided it would be better to just let his nose be nasty than to not be liked by my own kid.

So bed time rolled around. I had already made the decision that we would not aspirate. But then Tayler brought the aspirator into Mason's room while we were all talking in bed. Mason said "NO Daddy, NO nose thing!" So Tayler aspirated all the stuffed animals's noses. Then he used the aspirator to tickle Mason all over the face and arms and neck. And a few times inside his nose. Mason was hysterically laughing the whole time. And his nose got aspirated and he didn't even know it.

I could use a few lessons from Daddy.

Accountability

2009-01-14T21:26:00.002-05:00

I need to have some weight loss goals that are concrete milestones to look forward to. So here it is:

Right now I am 145 pounds.

When I reach 140 pounds I can use my first item on my coupon book from RDV spa (this means you too Catriona!)

When I reach 135 pounds I can buy two new shirts from Ann Taylor Loft and use my second RDV coupon.

When I reach 130 pounds I can buy two new pairs of pants and use my third coupon.

When I reach 125 pounds I can buy four more clothing items and use my last coupon.

When I reach 120 pounds I get a whole new wardrobe and a trip around the world! (I haven't been 120 pounds since I graduated from college.)

6 Months

2009-01-14T12:42:00.002-05:00

Today Layla is six months old. I wrote a letter to Mason on his six month birthday that I posted on his blog. Writing that inspired me to start Second Shift Mommy. I felt like I needed an outlet for all the things I was thinking and I had already made Tootsie Roll all about Mason and from Mason's point of view. I just looked back at that letter that I wrote.

Six months the first time is so different than six months the second (and last) time. With Mason I was so excited for him to learn new things and "grow up". This time it is bittersweet. I'll never hold a baby in the crook of my arm in the middle of the night again. I'll never get that first smile again. Or that first time when you realize that she actually knows who I am.

And she does everything faster than Mason did too. She is pretty much crawling and has been for about a month. She goes backward easily, just can't figure out the arms to go forward. She sits up on her own. She wants to stand so badly. She started to sleep through the night at about 9 weeks and now sleeps 12 hours a night. Her naps are still scattered. She loves to sit in her high chair at dinner time and has started eating solids three times a day. Still only cereal and vegetables though.

Layla's babyhood is very different from Mason's too. With Mason it was all about me and Tayler figuring out how to be parents. This time it is about figuring out how to be a family of four. And I have to say the best part of it is watching the beautiful relationship that is developing between a brother and sister.

Layla absolutely adores Mason. She smiles whenever he comes near her. She laughs when he tickles her. And she grabs for him when they are playing on the floor near each other. She stares at him with absolute love in her eyes.

Monday night Tayler was out so I was alone with the kids. I put Layla to bed and then Mason and I went in his room to read books. Layla was crying and Mason said "I have to go check on Layla." He quietly opened her bedroom door, walked to her crib and whispered, "Hi Layla. Time to go to sleep. Love you." It was the sweetest thing.

For about a week we had a problem where Mason would play too rough with Layla. After a couple of time outs and long talks about how we play with babies, his playtime roughness has significantly changed. Last night he was playing with one of his toys and Layla kept trying to grab it. Instead of freaking out, he just rolled a ball over to her and said, "Here Layla, play with your ball."

Layla probably doesn't get as much of my attention as Mason did at this age. I guess it's just that the one who talks and has an opinion gets his way more often. And this time I went back full time instead of 30 hours a week like I did with Mason. But I hope that the time she lacks with me alone is made up by the fact that she has a brother to play with right across the hall. I haven't gotten into a reading rhythm with Layla yet like I had with Mason by this time. That's probably one of my biggest goals for the next six months because I cherish that time every night.

While I knew what it was like to love a baby by the time Layla was born, I didn't think it would be like this at all. I thought my love for both of them would be exactly the same. But how can it be? They are already two totally different people with two very individual personalities. I am excited to see how Layla's personality blossoms and how my love will inevitably grow even stronger for both kids.

Judge Judy

2009-01-12T21:23:00.003-05:00

I have this crazy obsession with watching Judge Judy. I TiVo two episodes a day and watch them when I get into bed at night. It is my comic relief for the day each day.

I love to watch these people and the things for which they sue each other. I love to see the clothes that they wear to court and evidently think is appropriate attire. I love Judge Judy's nasty comebacks. I love everything about it.

Maybe it lifts me up because my life is so much better than most of the lives of the people who appear on Judge Judy. Maybe it isn't that deep.

All I know is that I hope they never stop making new episodes.

Long Time

2009-01-05T21:59:00.003-05:00

There have been so many times in the past several weeks that I have said to myself "I've gotta blog about that!" or "That would make a good blog post!"

But none of those things actually got me to the computer. Until today.

It wasn't the picture of me that I meant to post wearing a harness and a head lamp ready for a night at Disney working.

It wasn't the topic of Mason and his new drum set we gave him for Hanukah.

It wasn't the awesome 5th anniversary Tayler and I celebrated with a night at a local hotel, massages, and a nice dinner.

And it wasn't the great interaction that Mason and Layla have been enjoying for the past several weeks.

It wasn't my New Years Resolution to wear make up and wash my face twice a day.

It wasn't that I got my ears repierced.

It wasn't about the new Wii Tayler and I got for Hanukah and our nightly bowling tournaments.

And it wasn't about the catastrophe I made in the kitchen when I made Butternut Squash for Layla's first non-cereal solid.

No, it was none of these.

It was this afternoon when I took off my shirt to change when I got home and I was wearing a new bra that wasn't beige (it was black). And Mason started pointing and saying "What's that? Oooh Mommy - what IS that?" Yeah, my two year old noticed my new bra and commented on it. Maybe I need to stop taking my shirt off in front of him?

The Lucky Ones

2008-12-14T23:21:00.002-05:00

As I sit in bed typing this, I listen to the melody of my children breathing through the monitors placed on either side of the bed. It is the sweetest sound in the world.

Tayler and I took a whirlwind trip to DC this weekend where we got to spend the night with Hunter, Fara, Marin and Riley and got to meet our good friends' new baby Cooper. We had a great time playing with Marin and Riley and attended Cooper's bris this afternoon where Sandy read the most beautiful letter that she had written for him. She should post it on her blog (hint, hint!).

But the whole time we were gone, I kept thinking that we were missing the playing, laughing, reading, and fun that we usually have every weekend with our kids. I was so excited when Penny and Barry said they would bring them home and put them to bed here tonight instead of keeping them again. We got to go look at them even though they are sleeping, and we will get to see them in the morning.

I always knew I would love my kids because they are my kids. But now that we are able to interact with Mason, I realize that he is really a great, funny person that I enjoy being with. Tayler and I both can't wait till Layla is this age too. Like Catriona posted tonight, the things they say at this age are SO FREAKING cute and funny. At least twice a day I say to myself that I should write something down that is said. I keep saying that it can't get better than two, but who knows, maybe it just keeps getting better as they get older.

I hope all parents are lucky enough to feel this way.

Belly Laughs

2008-11-24T22:59:00.002-05:00

Tonight I was singing the Slippery Fish song to Layla and she started belly laughing. It went on for more than 15 minutes and eventually was just a huge giggle fest. I thought only Mason giggled like that. I've never heard another kid have that much fun and laugh that hard and that cute. Now Layla does the exact same thing I have enjoyed for two years with Mason. I'm loving the carefreeness of baby and toddlerhood!

First Ever Meme

2008-11-12T09:35:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I've been tagged for the first time. I'm having trouble coming up with seven things. But the hardest part is figuring out how to link back to other blogs. Thanks Catriona.

7 Weird or Unusual Things about Me

1. I am a third (or fourth?) generation Floridian. Not too many of those around.

2. I have a really good memory when it comes to dates. I am kind of like a human calendar. If you tell me a date in the past, I can usually tell you what day of the week it was and what I did that day. When I am in a meeting and we discuss a date in the future, as everyone else pulls out their calendars to figure out the day of the week, I can figure it out in my head just as fast.

3. I have a small urethra. This means I pee a lot. Even weirder - I told Tayler about this on our first date. And he still married me.

4. I still have (and use) my blankie.

5. I love to watch Judge Judy and make fun of the people who go on the show. But then the other day, I tried to think of something I could someone for to go on the show. Would I make fun of myself?

6. I would win a 90210 trivia contest. I have seen every episode multiple times. I might win one for Full House too. And possibly Saved by the Bell.

7. I collected turtles as a kid. It started at my second birthday when my candle on my cake was a turtle. It blossomed from that into hundreds of turtles. I got turtles every year for my birthday and Hanukah. I even had a real turtle named Licorice. When I had graduated from college and living in Orlando my mom called me one day while I was working. (In fact, I remember exactly where I was - in a bathroom in a Lake Mary office building measuring the handicap stall to see if it met ADA requirements. It was May 2002. Refer back to #2.) She asked if I minded if she gave Licorice to the FedEx guy. Of course I said she could - I mean I had been living without this turtle for five years. Then when my parents moved in 2005 my mom tried to give me my whole turtle collection. I took a few that were sentimental but told her to give the rest away. I think she still has them in a box in the garage. I feel guilty for not wanting the turtles.

I'm tagging:

Sandy
Lisa
Savannah
Jackie
Amy

Bragging

2008-11-12T08:57:00.002-05:00

I'm totally going to brag about my kids here, but if I can't do it on my own blog, then where can I? So just deal with it.

Mason:

Is quite possibly the cutest thing alive. Yesterday on the way home from school we went through our normal routine. I asked him what he did at school, what he had for lunch, who he played with. Then, for the first time ever, he asked me, "What did you do today Mommy?" I almost cried. But I got it together and told him all about my day in toddler terms. I made phone calls and did emails, worked on the computer, ate lunch (tuna), and did the crossword puzzle.

Layla:

Is crawling! Not like where someone would say, "Wow - that kid is crawling!" But she moves her body in a forward motion across a room. Maybe you would call is scooting? She pulls herself forward using her arms and then pushes off with her legs. Whatever it is, I better make sure the house is babyproofed.

Jell-O

2008-11-06T22:41:00.002-05:00

Tonight we had a Jell-O theme going on. First as we walked up the stairs for bath time, Mason pointed to the Jell-O stain that has been on the stairs for over a year (from the first time he ever ate Jell-O). He said, "Daddy did that!" We said, "No..." He said, "Mommy!" We said, "No..." He said, "Layla did it!" We said, "No..." He said, "Who did that?" Like he didn't know. Even though he points to it almost every time he walks up the stairs and says, "Mason did that."

Then later after we finished reading I was laying in bed next to him. He says, "Mommy has Jell-O on her neck. I'll get it." He then proceeded to try to pick my MOLE off my neck! Talk about upping my mole self-consciousness!

Halloween Fridays

2008-10-31T23:11:00.003-04:00

Friday Halloweens are something special. You don't have to worry about work/school the next day so trick or treating and fun can go later than other years. Tayler was upset about this year being a Friday. He (a self described curmudgeon) says that means we will have trick or treaters later than usual. For me, the date queen, it made me think back to when we had Friday Halloweens in the past. I remember the last two - five years ago and 11 years ago. My life has been totally different in all three situations.

11 years ago - I was a freshman in college. I had an early morning flight to Detroit the following morning because my Ninny was dying. I didn't celebrate Halloween.

Five years ago - I was about to get married. Tayler and I celebrated by going to buy a new car. The Honda Pilot that Tayler still drives. And that's our new car.

This year - A mom with two kids. I picked them up from daycare, made a stop at Chik Fila and then came home to dress up and go trick or treating and pass out candy. I ended the night with a glass of wine.

It seems like my life is flying by - I am in a different place every few years. It probably will start to slow down now. I will be turning 30 this year. I was asked the other day how I feel about that. I feel pretty good. If I look at what I did in my 20s I feel pretty accomplished. I graduated from college, got my first job and my PE, bought two houses, got married, and had two kids. That's quite a bit for ten years and I feel like I can be proud of it. My goal for the next ten will probably be to not do quite so much. I'm ready to settle down and enjoy my life instead of worrying about what's next all the time.

The Day Arrived

2008-10-16T20:52:00.000-04:00

Mason figured out he can get out of his bed. I found him in the bathroom when he was supposed to be sleeping. We better always make sure that gate is closed from now on!

This is you; Mason at 2

2008-10-01T21:50:00.003-04:00

Dear Mason,

A few weeks ago, you became obsessed with Cat in the Hat. We started reading it all the time and you memorized the book. Then about two weeks ago we were in the car and we had our first real full-on conversation:

Me: Do you like going to school at the JCC?

You: Yes!

Me: What is your favorite thing to do at school?

You: Sing songs. Shabbat!

Me: Do you ever play puzzles at school?

You: Yes! Room 6! (This is the room you go to at the end of the day.)

Me: Do you read books?

You: Yes! Room C!

Me: What is your favorite book to read at school?

You: Sam-I-Am! Miss Ayla reads that.

Me: You like Sam-I-Am? You like Green Eggs and Ham?

You: Yes!

That night I pulled Green Eggs and Ham off your bookshelf for the first time. We read it together. It was obvious that you knew the book since you could fill in words already. Since then we have read it almost every night.

For weeks I asked you what you want to be for Halloween. Finally a couple of weeks ago I decided that you and Layla would be a chicken and an egg. (Which came first, the chicken or the egg?) Grammy went to a fabric store looking for costume patterns she could use to make the costumes. Then the next night we were out to dinner with Grandma and Pops and I told you to tell Grandma what you were going to be for Halloween. You looked at her and said "Cat in the Hat!" So you made a choice and plans changed. You will be Cat in the Hat and Layla will be Thing 1.

Our life is all about Dr. Seuss right now. We read the books. We have the stickers. We talk in rhymes. And you love it!

Today, since you had the day off from school, Grandma and Pops took you to Islands of Adventure to go to Seuss Landing. You LOVED it! Getting to meet Sam-I-Am was the best thing that could have happened to you in your little two year old life.

Mason - you are so fun right now - Daddy and I can't get over it. We fight over who gets to wake you up in the morning and who gets to read to you and put you to bed. If I am in a bad mood I know you will cheer me up. You make me laugh and you make me realize how easy life should be. I hope you are this fun forever!

Beautiful

2008-09-23T22:02:00.000-04:00

Most days when I get to Mason's class to pick him up he leans over Layla's stroller and says something to her. It sounds something like the word "special" but starts with a B. I tried for about a week to figure out what he was saying. I thought maybe "brother" but then I had him say that and it was different.

One night when we were reading, the word "beautiful" was in a book. Mason said the word and that is what he says to Layla!

I was crying when I realized that is what he says to Layla when he sees her. She is so lucky to have such a caring and sweet older brother.

Appropriate

2008-09-11T04:59:00.000-04:00

Seven years has past since 9/11. I have gone from being a college student with a part time job to a wife and mom with a full time career. The babies who never met their daddies are now second graders.

I thought a lot about what I would do to commemorate this day. I knew I wouldn't talk to my children about it yet. They are too young to understand. But one day I will tell them all about it. Today I sat in my car at 8:46 am and prayed during the moment of silence on the radio. Then I went into work and had a normal day. No one even talked about the fact that it was 9/11.

As we pulled into the driveway this evening, Mason noticed a small flag in the garage that was left over from July 4th. He pointed to it from his car seat and asked to hold it. When I gave it to him he said "America", a word I didn't know he knew. He carried the flag to the mailbox. I taught him that we respect the flag and always to make sure to hold it high so it doesn't drag on the ground and get dirty. I taught him to wave it and be proud. It seemed appropriate to teach him these things on this day.

Goings On

2008-09-01T21:10:00.002-04:00

It's been a long time since I posted basically because I am lazy. But a lot has happened, so I think I'll use bullet points.

First and foremost, Tayler got a new job! He is starting tomorrow at Charles Schwab. He will be servicing accounts in New York for institutional brokers. Best of all, he will get a salary plus bonuses. No more of this commissions crap!
Our house basically fell apart over the last few weeks. We had to get a whole new AC (both the condenser and the air handler) and a new water heater. And then Friday we found out we have to replumb the entire house because that is cheaper than getting to the pinhole leak in our copper pipes. Needless to say, it's been an expensive week.
Mason turned 2. We got him a cute tricycle that he refuses to even sit on, much less ride. I owe him a birthday letter like the one I wrote last year. Maybe I will get around to it before he turns three.
Layla is gaining weight. When Trudy saw her on Saturday she said she was a "healthy" baby who "likes to eat". She isn't quite as fat as Mason was, but she may be getting there. I always thought he was fat because of the Nestle Good Start. But Layla is on Enfamil, so maybe it is just in their genes.
Layla has started to smile all the time. It is very cute to see.
I go back to work a week from today. A week ago I said I wasn't ready. Now I am. Eight weeks is perfect for me. I need some stimulation. I have become way too dependent on tv, my bed, and computer games.

Cute things Mason does:

He told his first joke. At dinner last week he said "Knock Knock". I said "Who's there?". He said "Grandma". I said "Grandma who?" He said "Grandma Penny" and started laughing hysterically. Funniest part - no one claims to have taught this to him. He really did make this up.
Yesterday when I asked Mason if his nose was running and he said yes, I said "where is it going?" His response - "In my mouth!"
Every morning Mason wants to "See Layla in the Plack and Play". Yes, he says plack, not pack.
He does not want us to sleep in his bed with him. When Daddy or I ask if we can stay he says "Get out!"
I'm sure there is more, but I can't remember them right now.

Goldfish Revelations

2008-08-06T20:20:00.002-04:00

For Mason's birthday my sister bought him a goldfish and tank with a filter. An $8 goldfish. Mason loves the fish and named it Dory. It came with a two week warranty. She gave it to him 17 days ago. This morning when Tayler and Mason came downstairs I was informed that we needed to purchase Dory 2. Apparently, Dory was "almost" gone.

So Layla and I made a trip to Pet Smart today where we bought Dory's (29 cent) replacement. I was informed that this one didn't come with a warranty.

As I walked out of the store, fish in hand, I had a flashback. When I was two I won a fish at a carnival that I named Allison. Allison lived for seven years. It had never dawned on me before that maybe my parents had pulled the same stunt I was now pulling on my two year old.

I called and asked both my parents. They both claim Allison was never replaced.

My family was taking odds on whether Mason would realize it was a different Dory. He didn't.

Physical vs. Mental

2008-08-05T20:27:00.003-04:00

Caring for a newborn is totally a physical exercise. It is taxing, but does not take any real brain power. You have to wake up when they cry at night to feed them, change them when they are dirty, burp them, put them on their tummy a few times a day, and .... not much else. It is mostly a game of timing - remembering when they ate last.

Caring for a toddler is similar, but a little more mental. You have to be able to negotiate and outsmart them (which surprisingly, sometimes doesn't happen). There are still diapers to change and meals to be sure are eaten and baths to give. I'd say it is about 10% a mental exercise and 90% physical.

I was thinking about it today and realized that as kids grow older, caring for them becomes less and less physical and more and more mental. To where once they leave home, I won't have to really take care of them physically anymore at all, but all my care will be mental, or psychological.

I think part of my problem over the last few weeks has been the lack of a mental challenge. It's like I haven't used my brain power at all. I haven't even been finding the time to do the crossword puzzle, something I usually make time for every day, because the physical sense of caring for Layla has been so taxing.

Even though I love this time with my kids and cherish each day (especially this time around since I know it is my last), I look forward to caring for them using my brain instead of my body.

You're Older This Time

2008-08-04T11:52:00.001-04:00

I went back to the doctor last Wednesday. I called and said I needed to come in, I feel like I am not healing properly. I told him that I remembered it being so much easier with Mason. It didn't hurt as bad in the hospital. I didn't need the pain pills when I got home. And by two weeks I was totally back to my normal self, where this time I just am not.

His response: You're older this time.

Uh, two years, not 10.

Typical Conversation with a Two Year Old

2008-08-04T11:47:00.002-04:00

Me: What did you do at school today? (On a Monday.)

Mason: Shabbat! (Only happens on Fridays.)

Me: Did you go swimming today? (On a Friday.)

Mason: Yes! Little Pool. (Only happens on Tuesdays and Thursday.)

Me: What was your favorite part of the birthday party today? (The one where he refused to eat cake.)

Mason: The cake!

But then, sometimes, he really does get it. Like last week. On Tuesday Grandma brought over the new backpack and lunchbox she bought him for the new school year that starts next week. We had this conversation on Wednesday:

Me: Do you remember that Grandma got you a new backpack and lunchbox?

Mason: Yeah. (His answer to every yes or no question.)

Me: Do you remember what they look like?

Mason: Diasonor!! (Dinosaur - which in fact, is really what the backpack and lunchbox look like.)

It was great when I was able to have conversations with him, even if they were almost always totally untrue. But it is WAY cooler when we have conversations and I can tell he actually gets it.

Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too

2008-07-31T04:10:00.005-04:00

My hormones are definitely raging. Last Thursday I took Layla back to the doctor. After a week of setting alarms to wake her I was given the green light to let her sleep as long as she wants. I was feeling very optimistic and thought maybe she would sleep through the night. Instead she woke up every three hours, more often than before. I got really frustrated and in turn it became a bad night.

When I woke up Friday morning I kind of flipped out. I felt like I had blinked and the last five years had happened. I was suddenly somebody's wife, a mother of two, and the keeper of a mortgage and bills I can't pay every month. Where did all this responsibility come from when I feel like I am still just a kid myself? I cried for two days.

I know it is totally cliche, but I am going to say it anyway. In order to sign and seal plans I had to take an exam that took six months of hard core studying. But in order to be a mother all I had to do was get pregnant. And that scares the shit out of me. What if I don't do it right? What if some mistake I make turns my kids into serial killers? How can I know I am being a good mom? What does it take to be a good mom? I find myself making mistakes with Mason all the time now. How can I stop?

About a year ago I read a book called Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. It was about a boy who walked into his high school and started shooting Columbine style. When I read the book I really identified with his mother. She was a great mom, really involved in his life. How did that happen to her? How does any felon end up that way?

(The title of this post has nothing to do with the content - it's just an old campaign slogan I can't get out of my head.)

How Did She Know?

2008-07-25T14:35:00.002-04:00

For a week I set alarms to wake Layla for feedings every 4 hours at night. It was so frustrating to have to wake her up in the middle of the night.

We went back to the doctor yesterday and I got the green light to let her sleep as much as she wanted, to let her wake me up when she is hungry.

And she did.

Every two to three hours.

Settling In

2008-07-19T13:24:00.002-04:00

We are slowly getting used to life as a family of four. Mason is an awesome big brother. He is always concerned with where Layla is, wants to hold her, and helps feed her bottles. We have been very lucky with Layla's sleep pattern and (knock on wood) have actually had to wake her for night time feedings. That will probably change once she stops sleeping all the time in the next few days. But so far, she is really a dream baby.

We have so many people here to help us and to meet Layla. This morning I counted at one point and there were 11 people in the house. Well, Tayler was actually outside mowing the lawn, so I guess there were ten people in the house. It is great because Mason always has people to play with, I am able to relax, and Layla is always cared for. Added bonus - our kitchen is always clean and anything we need from the grocery store magically appears, thanks to my mom.

Last night Mike and Catriona brought Reilly over to meet Layla and brought us dinner. She sang the Eric Clapton song to her and held her. I made sure Mason got to hold her too (I am so worried about him being jealous). At one point Reilly was in the living room with the adults and Mason came out of the playroom to get her. He yelled "Reilly Harris! Playroom!" It was cute.

It will be interesting to see how it goes once everyone leaves and it is just the four of us. I think we will do fine, based on how it went this morning. Mason woke up around 8 and Tayler went up to get him. When they came downstairs it was time for Layla to wake up and eat so I fed her in the playroom while Mason and Tayler played. Then Layla played on her gymini while the rest of us played a band. Layla got the hiccups so we named our band The Hiccups. Then Mason said he was tired and wanted to take a nap. So he, Layla, and I got into our bed and watched a little tv while Tayler did some laundry and straightened the house a little. I can't wait till we can all go out and see how we do as a family of four outside the house. I'm sure we will make it - other people do it every day.

Planning with Two Kids is Not Possible

2008-07-17T16:28:00.003-04:00

I define myself as a planner. I plan things to the minute with lists and instructions all around me all the time. One thing that I planned every last detail on was Layla's homecoming. I sent an e-mail to our families so everyone would know exactly what my expectations were for the day. Everything was going as planned. My mom picked up Mason at school and brought him to the hospital. Tayler, Mason, Layla and I were going to come home as a family of four for the first time and spend a few hours together alone before the rest of our family arrived to greet Layla. It was going to be perfect. It was scheduled to every minute detail. As my mom and Mason were walking down the hall to our hospital room the wheelchair had just arrived for transport. It looked like things were going to go smoothly.

They walked in the door and Mason asked to wash his hands. My mom squirted the foam hand cleanser on his hand and instead of rubbing his hands together to wash them, HE ATE IT! We read the bottle. It said to seek immediate medical attention and to call Poison Control if it is eaten. We called the nurse. She said she couldn't give advice since it wasn't her patient but that he needed to be taken to the emergency room. So, Layla and I waited in our room at Winnie Palmer while Tayler and Mason ran across the street to the emergency room at Arnold Palmer. They were in and out in about 30 minutes and we got to finish the rest of the schedule just a little late.

I am sure that we will laugh about this for the next 50 years. And I learned early on as a mom of two that everything can't be planned - probably a good lesson to be learned.

How is this Possible?

2008-07-17T16:27:00.003-04:00

I went to the hospital. Delivered a seven and a half pound baby along with all the stuff she was swimming in. I ate a liquid diet for two days.

And I came home only having lost six pounds.

It defies the laws of nature.

Dear Flick

2008-07-14T06:17:00.003-04:00

Dear Flick,

In about six hours I will get to see your face for the first time. I feel like I already know you so much better than we knew your brother at this point. All the extra ultrasounds have given us some insight as to what to expect. I know you will be smaller than he was since you were only six pounds five ounces on Wednesday. I know you have some hair. I know you have ten toes attached to really cute feet.

But I can't wait to find out your personality. Will you be like your brother and an easy baby sleeping eight hours straight by one week? Or the opposite or somewhere in between?Everything I know about babies is from him. I will try not to compare you two but I am sure I will catch myself doing it all the time.

Mason is so excited to become your brother. We taught him your name last night. He kissed you through my tummy for the last time. He will kiss your toes when he meets you (he told us)!

Love,

Mommy

Random Thoughts

2008-07-03T16:28:00.002-04:00

As I was falling asleep last night I decided that the pain in my ribs is definitely the worst part of this pregnancy. The heartburn is bad, but mostly subsided with Prilosec. The nausea was bad, but again, the Zofran helped. There is nothing that makes my ribs feel better.

Last night Tootsie slept with a towel and washcloth (they were clean). He begged for them when he got in bed, and who are we to argue? It isn't worth a fight on some things when there are so many things that you do have to fight them on. Like eating breakfast. Every single day. When all he wants to do is go in the playroom.

Last Night's Dream

2008-06-22T23:15:00.001-04:00

I dreamt last night that Tootsie's feet had grown to size 9 shoe from his size 7 he wears now and I hadn't gotten him new shoes. His feet were crunched up in his 7's. I was so upset when I woke up that I almost ran straight to Stride Rite to have his feet sized!

Tough Day

2008-06-20T15:41:00.003-04:00

Today was an especially tough day as a working mom. Tootsie DID NOT want to go to school/camp.

He refused to wear the jean shorts Tayler picked out for him.
He didn't want to wear his required Friday uniform - an ugly yellow camp shirt - and tried to take it off screaming "Gout, Gout! (Get out!)"
During breakfast he kept asking to go in the playroom to play his guitar.
After breakfast he begged to go outside and play in the sandbox.

So the guilt is there. I know how he feels. I want to be home too. :(

Sweetest Thing Ever

2008-06-02T20:27:00.002-04:00

Every night, for as long as I can remember, we have the same nightly routine for putting Tootsie to bed. Tayler bathes him, then I read to him while he has his milk, and then he goes to bed. When he moved to his bed we moved our reading from the rocking chair to the bed. We cuddle and read three or four or 12 books and then he gets down to brush his teeth with Tayler and then comes back to bed to kiss me goodnight. Then I get out of bed and Tayler does the final tucking.

Since I am huge, and the bed has these rails on it, Tayler has to help me get up. But tonight after kissing and hugging me and kissing the baby, Tootsie gave me his hand and said "help!" He was going to help me out of the bed! If that is not the sweetest little boy ever, I don't know what is.

Goodbye Miss Leslie

2008-05-31T14:20:00.003-04:00

Yesterday when I picked Tootsie up from school there was a letter in his folder telling us that his teacher had turned in her resignation that morning and it had been her last day. When I got there, she was already gone because she had worked the morning shift.

Tootsie absolutely loved her. He clung to her, talked about her at home, and just really trusted her. And I really think she loved him too. When Tootsie was doing something wrong Tayler and I would just have to say to him "What would Miss Leslie Say?" and he would immediately start behaving. Tayler wanted to get him a bracelet that said WWMLS instead of WWJD.

She was a real teacher. I credit most of what Mason knows to Miss Leslie. He knows his colors, number, sign language, and so much more because of her. Even concepts like hot and cold, on and off he learned from her. This year has been a great base for his future of learning.

One parent in the classroom, for whatever reason, did not like her. She tried to get other parents to say they didn't like her. She tried to band us together to have her replaced. None of the other parents were interested so we figured it wouldn't happen.

Who knows what really went down yesterday. All I know is that Monday morning when we are driving to school Tootsie will be looking forward to seeing Miss Leslie and he won't get to. I am sure he will wonder where she went. But will he ask us? I don't know if he has the capacity for that yet. And if he does, what do I say? How do I explain it to a not yet two year old? I may have to pull out the parenting books for this one!

This Boot's Life

2008-05-28T13:51:00.002-04:00

During my freshman year of college I bought a pair of brown Doc Maarten's. I don't remember why, but there must have been some purpose for these boots. Unless I just wore Doc Maarten's back then, which is entirely possible. I remember them being a little tight when I bought them, but figured the leather would stretch.

These became my work boots. I wore them in lab classes that required boots - Chemistry, Concrete, etc. I wore them when I started working for field visits. And they were always a little tight.

Then in November 2002, Tayler and I bought our condo. One of the first nights we owned it, he was working at the house while I went to Home Depot to buy paint. As I was putting the blue paint into my trunk, the lid opened and blue paint spilled all over me. My shirt, pants, sweatshirt, and the boots. One of the boots was entirely blue. The asphalt was blue too - for years until they recently repaved it. We would park at Home Depot and laugh at our paint spot.

Funny aside: I was so covered in paint I didn't want to get in my leased car with cloth seats to drive home. So I made Tayler bring me a change of clothes. We both had Nextel phones at the time. Ten minutes after I called him he buzzes me and says "Where are you?" I said "Aisle Two". He says "Me too! But you aren't here!" I said "Contractor Aisle Two". He said "Jaime - I am in Contractor Aisle Two. You are not here. Where are you?" I said "Stop screwing around! I am at Home Depot in Contractor Aisle Two!" He said "I'll be right there - I'm at Lowes!"

Back to boots: So now that one of the boots was blue and one was brown I decided to start looking for a new pair. A good pair of work boots are hard to find for a woman.

Fast forward to Fall 2006. Tootsie was just born. The boots are now extremely tight since I gained half a shoe size with his pregnancy. I make a resolution to FIND NEW BOOTS. But I continue wearing them out of convenience's sake.

A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning out the trunk of my car and came across the boots. I always kept them in the car in case of a surprise site visit to a construction site. I threw the boots away figuring that they wouldn't even go on my feet now that I am pregnant again. I resolved to buy a new pair after Flick is born.

Then this morning as I was getting dressed I realized I was on my way to a construction site with NO BOOTS. Shit! I wore sneakers and prayed that no one would say anything. And they didn't. But now Boot Hunt 2008 is on. I have to go back to this site in four weeks - so that is my deadline. Any suggestions?

Sensitive

2008-05-25T20:59:00.002-04:00

Tootsie's personality is starting to show more and more. And he is a lot like me.

When I was little, I always preferred hanging out with the adults - or playing by myself - to playing with a group of other kids. I never had a lot of friends the way my sister did. I was happy at home with my barbies. I always had a few close friends. But I never really did well in big groups.

Tootsie is starting to show the same characteristics. He has a great time hanging out with just me and Tayler, or his grandparents, or his aunt. He has a blast just playing in his playroom or the car or the bath. He is relaxed and smily.

But now twice he has been with a group of other kids and he didn't seem to enjoy it. He cries, whines, and basically retreats to play alone. Maybe this is still normal for his age. Both times he was the youngest in the group. But maybe he is just a little more like me than I realized.

I am not too worried about it - I think I ended up fine. Except for one thing. He spends five days a week at daycare. Where he is forced to be with other kids. I think I probably would have hated that as a kid. I really hope he doesn't. Because I can just see us sitting in a therapist's office in twenty years and him blaming me for his problems because I was a working mom and he was a daycare kid.

First Night Success

2008-05-24T12:56:00.001-04:00

Tootsie slept all night in his bed! He went down pretty easily after playing for about 45 minutes. He woke up once at 1 am crying and Tayler went right in. He was really still asleep but couldn't find his blanky. Tayler gave him the blanky and came back downstairs. Then he woke up this morning at 6:45 and started calling for us at 7. Tayler went upstairs and laid down with him for 15 minutes, then he asked for Mickey Mouse so they came down and Tootsie watched MMC while Tayler and slept for another hour and a half. All in all I call this a success!

And now he taking his first nap in bed. He fell asleep in less than 30 seconds and hasn't made a peep since.

I am so glad it has been this easy!

Thumb Sucker

2008-05-22T11:01:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was our latest ultrasound for Flick. She is growing very nicely - measuring right on target at 3 pounds 9 ounces. We got some great 4D shots this time. A good profile picture where her foot is up by her head, one where she is smiling for the camera, and another where she is sucking her thumb.

Is the thumb sucking an indication that she will be a thumb sucker? I think Tootsie may have become a thumb sucker if he hadn't found his blankie. I guess I can hope that Flick finds the blankie too. Blankies are wonderful - I know from experience.

I also had a regular doctor's appointment this week. He told me I have gained too much weight. He is right - I am already up 35 pounds which is the most you should gain through the entire pregnancy. He said I should try having a drink when I am hungry. Uh, yeah, I'll try that. Right AFTER I deliver this baby. After I had Tootsie I swore I would do it differently the second time around. That I would only gain a maximum of 30 pounds instead of the 43 I gained with him. I would eat right throughout the pregnancy. Then I got pregnant again. Isn't pregnancy kind of like a license to eat? That's the way I see it. People won't think I am weird if I want two items on the menu because, hey "She's pregnant!" It isn't strange to walk down Main Street in Disney World eating a hot dog and holding a candy apple in the other hand because, hey "She's pregnant!" These nine months are the only time in your life when you don't get judged for eating what you want. And I am one to take FULL advantage of that!

Peter Cottontail

2008-05-19T22:28:00.004-04:00

We are back from our trip to Disney. It was great. Apparently, the Polynesian resort used to be home to a bunny farm. We saw so many bunnies. Tootsie even thought Stitch was a bunny at the character breakfast! Check Tootsie's blog for my first iMovie. I think it is pretty good considering it was my first attempt.

We learned this weekend that Tootsie is too big for the pack n play. We woke up Saturday morning to "Elbow hurt, elbow hurt!" and Sunday morning to "Knee hurt, knee hurt!"

Friday night we went to the beach at the hotel and watched the electric light parade with the horrible music. This is one of Tayler's favorite childhood memories. Mason was kind of scared of it.

Swollen

2008-05-16T10:44:00.002-04:00

It has happened. I have cankles. I can still wear shoes. When I was pregnant with Tootsie, I got to a point where I wore flip flops. Every. Single. Day. It was much later in the pregnancy though, so I expect to get there in the next two months. My ankles can be pressed to make little divots in them. It is gross.

My ribs are hurting badly now too. So badly that I ended up taking Tylenol last night hoping it would make the pain go away long enough for me to fall asleep. I hate having a short torso!

Last night we moved the changing table into Flick's room. Tootsie was very concerned that his books were going away, and even that his changing table was going away. I wonder what will happen next week when we take the crib out. Hopefully he will be excited about his bed.

We are going to Disney this weekend. We're going to take Tootsie on the train in the Magic Kingdom and show him Mickey's house in Toon Town. I think I might be more excited about it than he is. He is all about Mickey right now, so it is the perfect time to be taking him. He can even sort of sing the theme song to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Considering that we listen to it non-stop in the car and I dream about it at night, I am not surprised he sings it.

Tootsie has started this new weird thing in the evenings. When he walks in the door from school, he wants NOTHING to do with the parent who didn't pick him up. When I pick him up from school he won't even say hello to Daddy when we walk in. He cried and clings to my leg. Then yesterday, Tayler picked him up and he did the same thing when they walked in the door. Wouldn't say hi and cried for Daddy. What is this all about?

Baby Clothes

2008-05-03T21:16:00.002-04:00

Last weekend I went through the seven bins of baby boy clothing I have kept over the last two years. I sorted out what I would use again for a girl (Flick will be wearing a lot of blue) and saved a couple of special outfits of Tootsie's. I am planning to sell/donate the rest. Since we have decided that two kids is enough, we know we won't have use for the boys clothing again.

The clothes are neatly laid out in groups on my dining room table. Every time I walk by, a different article of clothing catches my eye and a different memory is evoked. It is unbelievable what memory joggers clothes can be.

There is the "Sidewalk Hog" long sleeve onesie. That was the first outfit Tootsie wore when he was smiling in a picture. It is hard to remember when he didn't smile. Especially now that he has started saying "Cheese" when he sees a camera.

There is the Guess outfit in a size 18 months that I got as a shower gift. I remember saying something to the effect of "I can't believe he will ever be this big" at the shower. Now that outfit has been sitting in a box for six months because it is so small.

There is the long sleeve button down Polo shirt that Tootsie wore for his first Kol Nidre. He didn't go to the service, but just over to Grandma's house. And Daddy dressed to match that night.

There is the "On My Way to Florida" shirt that he wore on his first trip to Disney World. We bought that shirt when we were in Gainesville for Rachel's graduation two years ago.

There are the outfits that we played "dress up" with - just to take cute pictures.

His first pair of jeans - the ones with the guitar on them.

The JM Originals one piece that he wore to bed and left stains on the arm from when he used to suck his arm to fall asleep.

The special outfit we bought him for his first Thanksgiving - that he was really too big to wear by then.

It is hard to just give memories like these away. But the garage isn't big enough for all the memories we will have with Tootsie and Flick. I kept what I thought was important - the outfit he wore for his bris and my favorite plaid outfit that he outgrew way too fast as a baby. The rest will just have to be embedded in our memory banks.

Random thoughts at 3 am

2008-05-03T02:49:00.003-04:00

Why is it that when I can't sleep at 3 am I think to myself - I should really update my blog! Just close your eyes and go back to sleep.

My elephantitis of the ankles is back in full force. One of my ankles was so swollen this evening I almost called the doctor. I think I will wait till Monday though.

Tomorrow I am going with my mom and sister to see Wicked. The first time I saw it I was pregnant with Tootsie. It is only fitting to see it pregnant again.

Yesterday morning Tootsie woke up crying at 4:30. Tayler went in his room with a cup of water and then proceeded to tell him he "wasn't being fair" and that he "needed to go back to sleep." Who would think that this kind of rationalization would work with a toddler? Fair? But he DID go back to sleep and had to be woken at 7:30. So I won't complain (just laugh about it)!

Tomorrow morning is Tootsie's last swim lesson. I know he will miss it since every single time we pass RDV he points and says "swimming! daddy!"

Tootsie brought home an art project today that is unidentifiable to me. Reilly told her mom it was a flower. When I asked him he also told me "flower, Leslie (his teacher), paint". So I guess it is a flower. But it is brown. I don't think I have ever seen a brown flower.

Lander came over on Thursday night to visit because he was in town to go to Gainesville. Tootsie kept calling him Parker. Hey - at least he knew it was an uncle!

I think Tootsie thinks one of his teachers is his aunt. He calls her "An Macu" the same way he calls Rachel "An Rachel". My question is, where did he get this? He just calls his other teacher by her first name.

Someone at work yesterday asked me if a rabbi would be delivering my baby. When I said no, it will be a doctor, he asked if a rabbi would be present at the birth. I have weird encounters like this at work all the time. I guess that is what happens when you throw ninety strangers into an office together.

Words

2008-04-28T03:53:00.003-04:00

Suddenly, seemingly overnight, Tootsie has started to talk. It has been happening for about three months now. Every day he has a new word. But just recently, he can sort of have conversations with us. It is so weird how he has transformed from a baby to a real human being we can interact with. Examples:

As we drive down Maitland Boulevard on the way to school, he points out "Aunt Rachel"'s house, the pool where he and Daddy go swimming, and then as we get closer he tells me about Leslie and Macu, his teachers.
When I pick him up in the afternoon, he points out other parents cars in the parking lot and then points to my car and says "Mommy car".
He asks to go outside to play with the Nemo sand (his sandbox is Nemo).
He yells out "Nemo" every time we pass Home Depot because he knows that is where his Nemo lamp at Grammy's house is from.
He talks about the food he is eating, mostly naming things correctly (although he did call his eggs pasta this morning)
He yells out "Grandma!" every time we pass her school or see a van that slightly resembles hers.
He insists on wearing his "sungasses" every time he leaves the house. It was a big tragedy when they were missing for one day last week.
So much more that I am sure I am not remembering now!

This weekend we got a lot done in Flick's room. Tayler painted the sample colors on the wall and we decided to go with the pink even though I thought I would hate it. It is really a nice pink, not Pepto Bismolly at all. We asked Tootsie which color he liked best and he pointed at the pink too! Barry is going to start the painting this weekend.

It is so weird that there will be a baby here in less than 12 weeks. I am excited about meeting her and seeing Tootsie interact with her. Late at night I lie awake wondering if we made a mistake by having them so close together, especially when I think about the added daycare expense that we can't afford. Should we have given him more time with us alone? Do they both, and we, deserve better/different? But I know in the end, once she is born, I will know we made the right decision.

Flick Update

2008-04-28T03:05:00.000-04:00

I realized I didn't update after our most recent ultrasound. Flick is growing beautifully. She is measuring right on target at 27 weeks and weighing in at 2 pounds. She even has muscle tone. The 4D images are starting to look even more like a real baby since she has some fat on her now. We could see on the sonogram that she was laying back with her arms behind her head, striking a pose. She had her feet up by her mouth.

I also started to get a bunch of Explanation of Benefits paperwork from the insurance company for all the testing and high risk stuff. So far, Flick has cost about $10,000. Good thing we have insurance! Every time we step foot in the high risk doctor's office, he bills $1830. No wonder he has me coming back so regularly!

23 Weeks

2008-03-27T11:16:00.002-04:00

We are about 16 weeks away from delivering Flick, maybe a little less depending on how she is growing. Because of the two vessel cord, we scored ourselves a high risk label and so now we go to the regular doctor and a high risk doctor. The high risk doctor does an ultrasound every four weeks to check her growth. She was measuring right on target when we were there yesterday and bonus! the cysts on her brain are gone. Her head seemed to be measuring a little small - maybe to make up for her brother's huge one? It was only off by less than a week, which is nothing to worry about.

We are working to get a room ready for her arrival. We decided that Mason will stay in his room and Flick will get the guest room. Originally we planned to move Mason, but decided it would be easier on him to stay in the room he has grown to know as his own.

I am starting to get huge, and most people aren't afraid to tell me! I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone compared to the first one. I guess I am not spending all my time waiting for baby, but playing with the one I already have instead!

Flick's First Pics

2008-03-02T20:28:00.006-05:00

We had our Level II ultrasound on Friday February 22. Tayler and I were so excited to find out if Flick was a girl or a boy. After the hourlong sonogram, a radiologist came in the room and told us that something may be wrong with the baby. There were three markers that showed up that may indicate chromosome disorders. I was wishing I hadn't cared so much that she was girl and just that she was healthy. My doctor sent me for an amniocentesis. It was performed at a different diagnostic center, and the doctor there didn't agree with one of the three markers. My quad screen also came back in the meantime and was negative - good. We are still waiting for the amnio results, but we have been pretty much assured that everything is fine with Flick. It was a week from hell, and one we never want to repeat.

Strawberry Smoothie Just Isn't the Same

2008-02-05T22:00:00.000-05:00

When you don't have alcohol in it. Tayler and I spent the day Saturday at the Ritz Spa (thanks Mom and Dad!). It was a fun day. We got massages, then had lunch and sat by the pool. I ordered a strawberry smoothie, since normally I would have a strawberry dacquiri. Is it possible that without the alcohol you don't even really taste the strawberries? It was bland. And boring.

I am missing alcohol a lot these days, which is weird since I have never been a big drinker. I would love a glass of wine every now and then though. Like tonight when I was out with friends and they had wine and I had iced tea. Oh well. It's worth it.

Speaking of, I made an appointment today for an ultrasound where we should be able to find out Flick's sex. It is on February 22, which would have been my grandfather's birthday. I figured it was a good way to celebrate.

Mason had his 18 month check up today. I can't believe how much he has grown. He is doing so many new things and says new words every day. He is 33" long and 27 pounds 11 ounces, putting him in the 75th percentile in both height and weight.

Speaking of Mason, he is really enjoying his new backyard. It is like having two playrooms - an indoor and an outdoor. We have all been spending a lot of time out there. It is so relaxing to sit on the deck and watch Mason play with all his toys. The videos we have been taking are great!

Mommy vs. Daddy

2008-01-22T19:43:00.000-05:00

Tonight was the first time in about three months that I have been Mason's sole caretaker. In other words, I actually have a husband who has been home every night for the last three months. He is the bather, the dresser, and the putter downer for the night. I read books, clip nails, and give hugs and kisses.

We started off good. I picked Mason up and we went to Chick-Fil-A, one of our favorites. We came home and ate, then played outside for a little while. Then we went in the playroom and played blocks and read books. Once he started to get a little cranky we made our way upstairs.

And the mood got worse.

So I started the bath and then we went in Mason's room and I stripped him down. When I pulled off his diaper I realized he had a poop, which I was not expecting. He started to sit down so I screamed and scared the shit out of him. So then he peed all over the cover of his favorite book.

And it went downhill from there.

I bathed him, dressed him, and then we got comfy in the chair for books and milk. Finally, the part I do every night.

But it got worse.

Apparently there is a particular book that I still don't know what it is that Mason had his heart set on reading. He continued to cry and reach toward the books. As I handed him each one he shook his head and pushed it away. I never got it right. I am actually wondering if he really had a book in mind or was just trying to screw with me.

When Daddy is home the evening is full of laughs. Tayler can get Mason's mood to change at the drop of a hat. Me, not so much.

I guess I am just not the fun one :(

Hopefully tomorrow will go better.

War of the Roses

2008-01-05T19:57:00.000-05:00

Remember that movie? Where the husband and wife both loved the house so much that when they got divorced they devised an arrangement where they would both still live there but each would have their own part of the house? And then it ends with both of them dead after a fight and a fall down the stairs. I think I would have just given up the house in that situation.

Anyway, that was totally off subject.

My mom and I took Mason to Leu Gardens today. Grammy gave Mason a penny to throw in a fountain. But, the fountain was surrounded by rose bushes. Before she could help him get to the fountain, he took off into the rose bushes. The rose bushes won the battle. I will post a picture of it tomorrow. His stomach, arms, and leg are all scratched up. This is his first real injury!

IKEA - I See Ya

2007-12-16T20:33:00.000-05:00

Rachel, Mason and I braved the new IKEA this morning with Mike, Catriona and Reilly. I swore I wouldn't step foot in the store till after the new year because I don't do well in crowds. But it wasn't so bad. The store opened 32 days ago, so I guess the hype is slowing down. And it isn't really a real Christmas shopping type of store.

We started upstairs in the furniture stuff. This is a safe area because there isn't a lot of impulse buying when it comes to couches and wall units. Then we moved to the kids area, where I will admit to a few impulse (but reasonable) buys. I saw a really cute toddler bed but it was plastic and $150. So, I don't think so. I am pretty sure Mason will just move from the crib directly to the full bed anyway.

After the kids area was halftime (as Mike put it). We ate lunch - lingonberry juice, swedish meatballs and fries.

Then you head downstairs to the Marketplace - AKA danger zone. I had to think twice before I put each item in my bag. This was ten times worse than impulse shopping at Target. But I swear, I really have been thinking that I needed a garlic press.

And I ended the day only spending $27 - you can't beat that. Nor can you beat the $0.50 hot dogs on the way out the door. Yum!

A Democrat's New Hell

2007-12-02T19:49:00.000-05:00

Five nights in Mexico where the only English TV is Fox News Network. Let's just say I did a lot of reading.

1, 2, 3, What Are We Fighting For? (In Iraq)

2007-09-20T09:09:00.000-04:00

What exactly is left to win in Iraq? I heard on the radio this morning on my way to work that some Republicans are still hopeful that we can win in Iraq. Let’s step back a moment.

Almost five years ago Bush starts pushing the WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) issue in Iraq. The UN goes in and starts searching for the WMDs but can’t find them. In March we invade Iraq because Saddam Hussein refuses to give up his WMDs. Now we are in 2007, still haven’t found WMDs but we found Saddam and he is dead.

What is left to win at this point?

I somewhat agree that if we pull out now that we are leaving a country in shambles. But do they want us there fixing it for them? I have to believe that the Iraqis believe they would be better off without us. And I believe that our troops would be better off by coming home.

Mason turns One

2007-08-06T21:09:00.001-04:00

August 6, 2006 – one year ago today at this exact moment I was anticipating meeting you in the next twelve hours or so. I wondered how you would look. I was excited to tell our family the name we had chosen for you months before but had not shared with anyone but us (and you once, when we were sure we were alone). Up until that day you were Tootsie Roll, but you were about to become Mason. Up until that day you were a dream, but you were about to become a reality. Packed for the hospital and anxious to go, we laid in bed waiting. The doctor had set up a midnight check-in for me. I would be induced, and he said you would be here by noon the next day.

At 11 pm we left the house for the fifteen minute ride to the hospital. I wanted to get a Slurpee on the way and we figured there might be some traffic and we needed to park. We arrived for our midnight appointment at approximately 11:20. We waited in a very cold, small waiting room for them to call us back. Then they finally came for us.

We were led to our room and the nurse introduced herself and started taking information. I had to go into the bathroom to throw up. Just nerves I am sure. They gave me the medicine so I would start having contractions. I was already at 4 cm so I was able to have the epidural right away. Mostly, we just sat waiting. I knew I was having contractions but they didn’t hurt. Grammy, Papa, Grandma, and Pops would come in the room to visit. Early in the morning Daddy would leave to get breakfast and a newspaper. He brought back the crossword puzzle for me. I started flipping back and forth to try to force you down the birth canal. You didn’t want to come out! And we waited.

At about 3 pm on August 7 your heart rate started to drop with each contraction. The doctors and nurses came rushing in and gave me a shot to stop the contractions. My doctor came running across the street from his office to do an emergency C-section. But they got your heart rate back up and so I was able to have just a regular C-section, but it would have to be a C-section. I cried. Your Daddy threw up. I threw up.

We went into the operating room and at 4:35 pm, as the doctors talked about what they would eat for dinner that night, you were pulled from within me. At last we would see you face to face and look into your beautiful eyes. I was so excited! But then you were whisked away to the special nursery for babies born by C-section.

I was taken to recovery where each of our family members came to visit me after getting to see you. Daddy brought me a picture of you. The nurse in recovery told me that as soon as I could lift my legs and pelvis off the bed I would get to go to a room and spend time with you. So I did it right then. I don’t know how I did it, but if it meant I got to see you I was going to move those legs! And she looked shocked and said, “Well I don’t have a room ready yet, I thought it would be a while!”

When a room finally was available, I got to go but you had to stay. I can’t remember why. I did get to go by your crib and touch your hand. You finally made it to our room around 10 pm. By that time we had decided that you would stay in the nursery and Daddy would go home for the night so we could both get a good night sleep.

August 8, 2006 – 4:30 am. A nurse comes into my room and wakes me. She forces me to get up and sit upright in a chair for an hour. 7:00 am. Someone rolls you into my room where I am sleeping and leaves you at the foot of my bed. You are crying. I will always count this as our first real meeting. You whimpered and made this weird face with one side of your lips. I stood for the first time on my own (not an easy feat) and walked over to get you. I lifted in my arms and laid back down. We stared at each other while I marveled that you did the same lip thing that I am known to do. It is similar to the lip curl that Elvis is famous for. Little did I know at that time, this meant you were hungry! I came to learn that (as well as so much more) in the year since.

We had about half an hour together alone to learn each other before everyone else arrived. Over the next day or so I learned how to give you the essentials. How to change you when you were dirty. How to feed you. How to keep you warm. How to hold you without breaking you (not that I REALLY thought I would break you… no never).

For the first month, you slept in our room. The first night home from the hospital, we were up almost all night with you. We had no idea what we were doing. But Daddy and I figured it out together and I will always remember that as our sweetest time together, just the three of us, figuring each other out. Pretty quickly we got into a routine where I took care of you on weeknights and Daddy took weekends. After that first month, you moved upstairs to your own room in your big crib.

You were such a cuddly baby that second month. Every morning when you woke up I would give you a bottle in the bed upstairs. And then we would fall back asleep together, you cradled in my arms. I didn’t realize at the time how much I would miss that cuddliness when it was gone.

I went back to work when you were two months old and with that change you started sleeping through the night. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that Mason! I worked only till 2:30 or 3 each day and then I would pick you up and we would spend the afternoon together. You got so much attention at daycare that month because you were the new little baby. I know you relished it.

When you were about four months old you began to notice the world around you. You would reach for toys you wanted, usually choosing Freddy over Puppy (your old fave). You rolled over for the first time. Then just kept going from one end of a room to the other.

When you were five months old you got your playroom. You would lay on a blanket in the middle of the room playing with whatever toy we handed to you. We couldn’t wait for you to crawl and choose your own toys. We couldn’t just enjoy the good times.

At six months you sat up and started playing with toys a whole new way. This is when I went back to work full time and so started only seeing you for a short time each day. But we braved through it together. It was also this month that you went on your first plane trip to Maryland to see your cousin Marin and to meet your cousin Riley.
At seven months you started to get a real personality. You loved rice cereal but not oatmeal. Bananas were your favorite. (They still are.) You started to smile at the camera, seemingly on purpose. And found the joy of swings. And my favorite – you found Blanky! One of many things we are sure to have in common.

At eight months you started to crawl and have not stopped. You also learned to pull yourself up. You discovered more foods and love most of them. Even broccoli, or so I thought. We were out to lunch at the mall and you had chicken and broccoli. I was so proud of how much broccoli you had eaten, until 45 minutes after we left the restaurant, I realized it was stored in your cheeks. You are my little hamster!

At nine months you started waving all the time and clapping hands. And cruising. It is so cute to watch you find a place you want to go, and then watch you figure out how to get there. You went to your first Disney Character breakfast this month and you laid your head on Mickey’s nose. It was adorable.

At ten months you were already in size 12 to 18 month clothes. And they were cute, let me tell you. You were cruising everywhere. Your favorite spot is in our bathroom. You love to turn on the water in the bathtub. You were definitely learning cause and effect.

At eleven months we spent your month birthday at the Ritz in Sarasota. You swam in the kiddie pool and slept in a hotel for the first time. It was a learning experience for all of us. You started saying Hello and putting your hand to your ear like a phone. You learned some sign language at school like more and stop. You try to say stop too.

Now at twelve months, we have our family routines. Daddy gives you a bath, I feed you a bottle and read you a book. I kiss you goodnight and Daddy puts you into bed. In the morning I come upstairs to get you. I am usually greeted by a standing, smiling, happy baby. I can’t imagine it any other way.

You are ALWAYS happy. One of my favorite things is making you giggle which is not very hard. You bust out laughing at almost anything. Like when Daddy steals your blanky. Or when I come near you as the clean up monster. Or when we dance around to “Cows”. But the best giggles always come from tickling you with our noses. That just cracks you up. I hope that you are as carefree and fun loving your entire life as you are now.

Mason, the last year has been so unimaginable and unbelievable being your Mommy, I can’t wait to see what the rest of your life brings!

Boston Horror

2007-08-06T19:48:00.001-04:00

Last week I travelled for work. I don't do this too often, but when I do I usually only go for three days max. But this time it was the whole week. I started in Philadelphia and then went to Boston. Philadelphia was great. The hotel was nice, the property we were looking at had essentially no problems. The weather was beautiful.

Then we got to Boston. First, we got in an airport shuttle. The guy said he would take us directly to the hotel. What he failed to mention was that he would stop at every other terminal first and troll for more patrons. When we finally got to our hotel, I kind of wished I was back in the shuttle. I knew it would be a shithole. I booked it. I just didn't know how much of a shithole it would be. When I checked in I was given a twin room. Read: a twin bed. Read: because a full bed would not have fit in the room. It was this or a full bed on a smoking floor. I opted for the twin bed. As I walked down the hall to my room, I had trouble finding it. Maybe because it was within the fire escape stairwell. You had to go through the red EXIT door to get to my room. The bathroom had no door because while you are sitting on the pot one of your feet is not inside the room. There was a window air conditioner, but it was too high up for me to adjust the controls. And there was no chair to stand on. But I did have free internet.

I almost cried. I begged Martin to change hotels. I drank wine because I said that was the only way I was going back to the hotel to sleep. He finally agreed to let me and Nidia change the following night but said he would stay there. I didn't want to be the wimp!

Then we got to the property we were there to inspect. And there had been a previous STRUCTURAL FAILURE. Like for real. No one had been injured, but still. When you hear those words as a buyer, it usually isn't good. And then we noticed that scaffolding was holding up the pool. And that chunks of the exterior of the building were about to fall off. And they were concrete. And there were 60 non-compliance items on the handicap checklist. And there was more.

And now today, I find out that I may have to go back to quantify the exterior problems. Wednesday. As in in two days Wednesday. The only saving grace is that the hotel I stayed in has no availability. Wahoo!

Stop Bittersweet

2007-07-25T21:13:00.000-04:00

When my sister picked Tootsie up at daycare today she informed me that he now says the word "Stop" and he also knows the sign for it. Where did this come from? At school he tries to steal the other kids food and the teachers tell him to stop while signing to him. So he is learning things from school. Which is good, right? But I want to be the one teaching him things now. He has years ahead of him to learn things from teachers. Right now, he just needs his teachers for their caregiving, not really their teaching. I want to be there when he discovers something new. And I wasn't.

So we now have two words. Hello and Stop. I was asked several times today, "What about Mama and Dada?" To which I laughed. But really my heart broke a little each time I heard the question. Because it is really my question too. Why isn't he saying Mama and Dada? Why Stop and not Mommy? Is it because we only see him for a couple hours a day at best?

Tootsie is so close to walking it is unbelievable. We just watch him every second now waiting for it to happen. Today he took a step but fell on his way. But what are the chances that we will both be around when it does happen?

In other news, I got a promotion at work. I am now a Senior Engineer. Basically it is a promotion that just comes with getting a PE license. Of course, I am just seeing it now even though I have had the PE for a year. But I won't complain because it comes with a healthy raise. I have also taken on a second job. Does that make me a third shift mommy? I am teaching a class a few weekends a year to people preparing for the PE test. I am working now at night to learn the material I will have to teach. It is a type of engineering that I do not practice, so I have a lot of studying to do. But I really do enjoy it. Besides, it gives me something to do when Tootsie goes to bed.

And lastly, a good link: http://www.mommytrackd.com/hottopics_detail.php?id=9

Grammy Would Be Proud

2007-07-05T11:21:00.000-04:00

My Grammy worked at Stride Rite for 25 years in Dadeland. She started when my mom was 14 and retired when I was 14. We would go every year before school started and Grammy would size our feet and we would get new shoes. I am sure we went other times too, but I specifically remember always going when it was time for school to start. I remember when there used to be a big tall thing you could climb at the back of the store, before the renovation. I don't think I got a pair of shoes anywhere but that Stride Rite until I was maybe 12 years old. It was just what we did. When Grammy stopped working there, the owners had a big retirement party for her. They gave her a plaque that said "An elephant never forgets, and we'll always remember you." She loved elephants.

So it was only fitting that when it was time to get Tootsie's first pair of shoes, I went to Stride Rite. I tried doing it other ways. I looked at Target. And online. I even sized him using the online E-fit at striderite.com. And he was a double wide. Like a trailer. Where would I find double wide shoes? So I went to Stride Rite and got the kid a pair of white sneakers. They are so ugly they are cute. But he looks adorable in them! And I felt my Grammy was smiling down at us in that store on Sunday.

Yesterday.....

2007-06-17T20:35:00.000-04:00

To celebrate Father's Day, we took my dad to a Classic Albums Live concert last night at the Hard Rock Live. They did the Beatles Sgt. Peppers album, then did another set after a short break. I had a GREAT time. I danced in my seat, sang along, and even stood to dance. Rachel, Tayler, and my dad were embarassed. I obviously get it from my mom though. She slapped her hands and danced right along with me, in the exact same fashion. An apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

This morning we had a brunch and Barry came over too. Mason made clay pots that he painted for Tayler and his Papas. We put plants in them too. It was so cute!

Trip Procedures

2007-06-07T13:33:00.000-04:00

I was out of town last week for four days. Well more like three and a half since I missed my flight. (Yes, I missed my flight. Yes, I overslept. Yes, I am an idiot for not setting my alarm properly.) This is the longest I have been away since Tootsie was born. I was nervous about how Tayler would handle it. But he did better than I do. I think he is better at being a parent than I am. I came back and there were new procedures and rules to make the house run more smoothly. Like - we wash dishes immediately now, including the high chair tray. We put Tootsie in the rocking chair to start his bottle before we put his pajama pants on. We make the bottles for school the night before. We wake up and get ready to leave the house before Tootsie wakes up. (I still won't do that one!) He has figured out ways to make the house run more efficiently and I was nervous! That he wouldn't be able to handle it! Maybe I was nervous because I KNOW I probably couldn't have handled it. I would have had Rachel over helping me, and Penny and Barry too. I probably wouldn't have gotten to work any day before 10 am. But Tayler just made new routines, or adjusted them to make it work for him to be a single dad. It kind of scares me!

A picture for Ramesh

2007-05-22T15:15:00.000-04:00

Ramesh is a fairly new co-worker of mine from India. He has a great understanding of English, but maybe not our idioms in America. While looking at some photos in my office he saw one of Rachel and me from my bachelorette party. His comment was "You are much fatter than your sister!" And that was before I was this fat and Rachel was this skinny!

I am finally trying to do something about it though. I lost the first 30 pounds of Tootsie in the first month after he was born. That was easy. But 13 pounds lingered. I say they are the Tostitos I ate while I was pregnant. I have been doing Weight Watchers for the past two weeks. I give myself a little break on the weekends, just so I don't quit like I have every other time. I have lost 4 pounds so far, so I have about 9 left to go. Or maybe 14 if I feel ambitious. Nine would get me to my pre-pregnancy weight. I am also exercising. I am doing the couch to 5k training program. Tayler is doing it with me, and so it Tootsie. He even has a brand spanking new jogging stroller. Rachel comes with us on our runs too, even though she is way advanced for us. We are one week in. Tayler and Rachel complain because I don't want to talk while I am running. They say that I am a grump. I am too hard working!