Update

So it had been awhile since I've updated my blog.  For the past several weeks I have just been too busy to try to write anything.  Here are a few of the things we have been up to.

• My uncle was diagnosed with acute lukemia and has been in the hospital for the past several months.  It has been a very difficult time for our family seeing someone we all love so sick.  Aunt DeAnn and Uncle Ralph have been such an important part of my life.  Thankfully he is recovering and is coming home today!!!
• About a month ago my grandmother passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's.  Even though her health has been deteriorating over the last several months, it was still very difficult to say goodbye.
• Leo started playing baseball.  What an adventure that is!
• Nora still isn't walking.  She is now taking more steps but prefers to crawl.  At her 15 month checkup the doctor said he was a little concerned but was willing to wait and see what she was doing at her 18 month checkup.  I'm trying not to worry too much!
• I'm still trying to lose weight on the Weight Watcher's program and I'm exercising each day.

The biggest update for me is that I have decided to go back to school this fall.  I have a Bachelor's of Social Work and now am going back to get a degree in elementary education.  Yes it's official, I've lost my mind.  What am I thinking?  While I was trying to complete the online application, Nora was in the trash, threw paper around the room and dumped her container of crackers all over the floor.  If this is any indication of my future success, I'm in trouble.  Oh well, I figured it's now or never.  It is time for a change and I hope that I'm making a good more for our future. 

I'm really going to try to get back into writing on my blog regularly.  I have missed the saninity that comes with writing down some of the wild and crazy things that are going on in my life.  There are lots of big things on the horizon for us, like a fun summer filled with camps for Leo and hopefully a long overdue family trip to the beach, Leo starting kindergarten and me going back to college this fall.  I'm sure with new adventures will come many funny stories and mishaps along the way!



Nora is so proud she climbed into the chair all by herself!





Our trip to a train museum in Chattanooga, Tn



Sad but True

Yesterday morning as I was trying to fix breakfast, Leo came into the kitchen and said something in a funny voice that I didn't understand.   When I asked him what he was talking about he said, "You know what that computer at Walmart says 'press OK to pay.' "  I just die laughing.  I use the Walmart self checkout so much that my son knows what the "computer" is going to say next.  It's sad but true I spend way too much time in Walmart. 

This got me thinking about other sad but true facts about my life right now.

1.  I still watch way too much QVC for a person under the age of 70.
2.  I found a whole patch of gray hairs this morning.
3.  I spend too much time on the computer at night when I should be sleeping.
4.  I'm that mom that lets her baby chew on everything - keys, cellphone, etc.
5.  I kept my "lounging around the house" pants and tshirt on all day today, like I do at least 2-3 days a week.

Oh well, I'm sure I'm not the only mother in Alabama today that wore cotton pants and a tshirt in her backyard as she blew bubbles with her children.  Here's hoping for more pretty weather and trips to Walmart!

Nora's Baptism

Sunday was Nora's baptism at Christ Church Episcopal.  It was a great day.  I was so happy to finally get her baptised.  Leo was much younger when he was baptised so I wasn't really concerned about how Nora would do during the church service.  Of course, I didn't think about the fact that Nora doesn't really like people holding her and that the priest would have to hold her to baptise her.  All week I have been focused on the numerous projects going on around our house, including replacing our windows, and trying to clean up the house.  By the time Saturday rolls around and we are trying to practice the servicem, I realize that Nora is going to scream her head off. 

Sunday morning I'm trying to think of everything I could bring with me to keep not only Nora happy but to also keep Leo occupied.  Leo usually goes to the nursery with Nora so neither one is use to sitting still for the entire service.  I pack the biggest tote I can find full of a new puzzle book and crayons for Leo, Nora's favorite Cookie Monster lovey, several Hotwheels for Leo, and a sippy cup for Nora.  I feel like I'm getting ready for an overnight trip.  Thankfully I was prepared because we needed all these items plus some!

The children are use to attending church with only me so it was a treat to have Nana, Daddy, and the two godparents, Heather and Kenny, with us.  This was a big help because Heather entertained Leo while Nana and I entertained Nora.  Everything was going well until it was time for the actual baptism.  It was like Nora remembered the practice because was soon as we got to the front of the church she started fussing.  At practice, the priest told us that Nora's fussing and crying always bothers the parents more that the congregation.  He was right.  Everyone was very nice and ooohh and aaahhed over Nora and Leo.  Leo did great as the big brother.  He stood very patiently with us while Nora's was baptised.  Again, overall it was a great expereince.

Frankie the Fish



Nora loves Frankie



My children are obsessed with Frankie the Fish.  For those of you who don't know, Frankie is the fish from the McDonald's Fillet o' Fish commercial.  It is the ugliest fish mounted on a plaque on the wall.  It sings the craziest song and both my kids think it is the funniest thing.  Leo loves to watch the commercial on Youtube and Nora will sing and dance right along.  A few weeks ago Nana found a toy Frankie at CVS.  I have never seen my children go so wild over a fish before.  Nora has now learned how to push the button and play the song.  This morning I listened to Frankie sing his song at least 2 dozen time while I cleaned house.  Who knew that I would be using a singing fish as a babysitter!  Again I find myself asking the question is this normal?!

Here is the link to the Frankie the Fish commerical on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bJOIqVAD-s

Old Lady Purse



Contents of the old lady purse

 Last night I was cleaning out my purse/diaper bag when I came to the sad realization that I have turned into an old lady.  Yes it's true, I need to carry enough supplies to last me and the children forat least three days.  Since when did I became that lady, you know the one who can't hardly walk because her purse is so heavy.  Is this normal?  Do all mom's feel the need to bring at least one of everything their child/baby might need for a simple trip to Walmart?

So here are just a few of the items found in my purse last night:
2 extra diapers and wipes in a flower diaper pack
2 monster trucks from McDonald's Happy Meals
container of Goldfish
2 dragon toys
1 teether
extra outfit for Nora
extra food and bib for Nora
Weight Watcher's book
Small bag filled with lip gloss, tissues, hand sanitizer, Bandaids, Advil, and a brush
wallet
sippy cup
Matchbox toy airplane
3 action figures
lotion
2 receipts
My Little Pony again from a Happy Meal
notepad and pen

As I look at this list I can see two facts and me and the children.  Number one, the children eat too many Happy Meals and number two, we could live out of this bag for at least two days.  Maybe I should also look at this list and see that I really do try to be the mother of the year.  By toting all this junk around I feel like I'm prepared for anything that the kids might throw at me!

I would like to say that this is a new thing or that all moms carry around a overnight bag everywhere they go.  The sad truth is that I'm an old soul.  As a child I felt the need to carry extra of everything I might need.  If I needed a #2 pencil for a test I brought 4.  If I needed paper, brought a whole pack.  In college I had a backpack that was full of every type of pen and pencil imaginable.  I'm that person in class that everyone knows they could borrow paper or pens from.  Truth be told, I was nerdy like this from birth.  I wonder if being nerdy is genetic or something that is learned.  Either way my children have little hope of avoiding this type of nerdiness!

Super Bowl Sunday



Nora barking at the dogs outside

 Yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday so I decided to make taco soup and have our own football party.  I told Leo we were going to watch a football game and have fun.  That lasted about 15 minutes before we were bored with the game.  I decided to turn on the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet.  Nora was sitting in the living room quietly pulling toys out of her toy box.  When we turned the channel, Nora turned around and started scooting to the TV.  She stood up and started woofing at the puppies.  She was barking like crazy and yelling "dog" at the TV.  I have never seen a child go wild over dogs on TV before.  Then the kitty halftime show started.  This was too much for Nora.  She literally laughed so hard she lost her balance and fell over.  Nora loves, loves, loves cats.  Her first word, besides mama and dada, was kitty cat.  Cats playing and music to dance to is Nora's dream show.  It was the funniest thing I have ever seen.  Leo and I couldn't stop laughing at this wild girl meowing and woofing at the TV.  This morning when Nora and I walked past the TV, Nora started barking.  I think I've created a monster!  When Nora grows up to be a vet I'll have to remind her of this. 

Early today Leo asked me if he could take some pictures with my camera.  He loves to go around the house taking pictures.  Leo is very serious about this.  It always makes me laugh to see what he will take a picture of.  Here are a few of his masterpieces.



Leo took 3 pictures of his new monster trucks!




Leo always takes of picture of himself



Nora crawling around the kitchen



Leo was so mad Scruffy wouldn't smile fo r the camera!



My Sweet Valentine

Today Leo and I were at Walmart when he asked me to look at something.  He was pointing to a stuffed bear and said that he needed to get that for Nora.  When I asked why he said, "because she is my Valentine."  How sweet is that!  Leo loves Nora so much that he literally smothers her with hugs and kisses.  Earlier in the week when I gave Leo his lunch he told me that I need to work in a restaurant.  When I asked why he said because I was a great chief.  I was so proud!  Where is my little baby boy and who is this big kid? 

Nora is growing up fast too.  Today I noticed how tall she seems.  When she stands up, she looks like a toddler.  Nora is also talking so much.   Nora talks from the minute she gets up till the minute she goes to sleep at night.  She has quickly learned that she has be loud to get heard in our house.  Her favorite game is to talk on the phone.  She also loves to get the remote and push buttons till the channel changes.  She then looks at me and says "oohh." 

The kids have also started playing more together.  Leo gets all the pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals off his bed and brings them into the living room for a "pillow party."  Leo and Nora crawl and roll around all the pillows and blankets.  It is so cute to see Leo hiding under the blankets and Nora trying to find him.  It's all fun and games until Leo starts getting to rough.  I have to constantly remind him that she is still just a baby and he can hurt her.  For the most part it is lots of fun. 

Now I just need to remember these fun moments when I'm stressed!

Crazy Things

So today I was trying to exercise using a workout DVD while Nora was crawling around the living room.  The whole time I'm trying to avoid Nora who thinks it is a fun game to chase me around the room.  I can only imagine how crazy I look.  As I look up to see what the woman is doing on the DVD, I step on Nora's finger.  This got me thinking about all the crazy things I have done since I became a mom.

Here are just a few crazy things I have done:

1.  I have left my purse in the buggy while shopping (this have happened more times than I care to admit).

2.  When Leo was a toddler he wanted to sing songs about he favorite things like mac and cheese, basketball, and his stuffed lion named Baby.  I could often be heard making up crazy songs to the tune of classic kids songs.

3.  I've worn my shirt backwards at work for half the day before I even noticed.

4.  When Leo was potty training he would refuse to use a public toilet so I would have to beg/threaten him to use the bathroom in a public restroom. 

5.  I have told Leo wild stories to get him to do chores like if you don't clean up your room Santa may trip and fall and superheros always eat all their veggies.

6.  I once left the house and got into the car before I realized that I was still wearing my house shoes. 

7.  I have fallen asleep sitting upright in a chair. 

8.  I have told my children that Mama needs a time out and shut my bedroom door.

9.  Nora loves to dance anytime she hears music and I can't help myself, I have to dance too.

10.  There isn't anything I wouldn't do for the kids including making Halloween coustumes, listening to stories that seem to last forever, embarass myself by singing and dancing in public or even carry a screaming child out of the store because he is pitching a fit.

I often wonder if I'm the only one who has done these or other crazy things since becoming a mom.  Surely I'm not alone in sometimes believing that motherhood makes you lose your mind a bit.  I'm so glad that I'm a mom even if I occassionally forget things and look silly in public.

Total Random Thoughts

So this past week I have been sick with the worst cold.  It totally knocked me out for three days.  Unfortunately, the job of mommy doesn't come with sick days.  I had to call in reinforcements, Nana and Grandad!  For two days, the kids were with my husband or Nana and Grandad. 

While I was drugged out on Benadryl, I had a few random thoughts.  One being how excited Leo gets over the little things in life.  One day last week, before I came down with the plague, I dropped Leo off at school.  Now normally I don't go in with him (yes I'm that mom that drops her kids off in her pj's) but that day I had to tell the teacher something.  Leo went into his classroom to put up his coat and started yelling "Come look Mom!"  I came into the room and he just exclaimed "Look!"  I have no idea what he could be talking about.  He then points to the tables covered in old tablecloths and says, "this means we are going to paint today."  I drove home that morning and tried to remember the last time I got so excited about something like that.  I made a promise to myself to try to look for more small things to get super excited about.

Random thought #2 - Nora may never learn to walk.  Nora is now 13 months old and is still just happily cruising around the furniture.  While I was laying on the couch coughing my head off, Josh and Leo both get so excited in the bedroom.  They both tell me how Nora took two steps.  Thankfully, I was still loopy from the Benadryl to really get too upset that I may have missed Nora's first steps.  Of course, she will not repeat this miracle for me.  Will I still be carrying her around when she is 18 months old?  I'm not really concern that there is something wrong with her development, I just don't see any desire to walk.  She can carry toys and her sippy cup with her as she flies across the room scooting on her bottom, so why walk?  If she doesn't want to be bothered with trying to reach a toy, Nora has a big brother who is more that willing to get it for her.  When I asked the doctor about her lack of desire to walk (she wasn't even cruising at 12 months) he tried to reassure me that he didn't see any physical reason why she wasn't walking yet and that we would see what she was doing at her 15 month visit.  Ok Nora the clock is ticking, your 15 month old checkup is March 10th.

Random thought number three - I had no idea how messy our house can get in a few days of not cleaning.  The job of mommy also doesn't come with a substitute to clean while you are out of comission. 

Random thought number four - There are lots of crazy shows on TV and I have watched them all this week, including a marathon of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Animal Hoarders.

Random thought number five - I really need a hair cut and a new hair color while I'm at it. 

Well it's Sunday night so I need to get ready for another week.  They are prediciting snow here again this week.  I think I could live my whole live without seeing another snowflake and I would be just fine!

Music and Other Embarrassing Facts

Leo as Elvis

The past few days had been stressful for me and my family.  Normally when I'm stressed I relieve my stress with lots of ice cream.  I'm really trying to break that habit so I've turned to my healthy stress reliever, singing and dancing. 

Now I'm the first to admit I know nothing about what is popular today.  I do love country music but as far as the Top 40 list I usually have only heard of a few songs.  This is the first sign of getting older and I'm definitely feeling this one.  On my ipod you will find a strange mix of Elvis, 80's, early 90's and country.  Yes I love Elvis.  I'm a member of an Elvis fan club and even have a 16x20 famed picture of Elvis in my bedroom. 

I have passed down my love of music to Leo and Nora.  Leo was Elvis for his second Halloween.  When Leo was two, he thought everyone who played a guitar was Elvis, including the man who played guitar at our evening church service.  In the middle of church, Leo stood up and said "Look Mama Elvis!"  Leo can spot Elvis a mile away! 

When I'm stressed and really need to dance,  I listen to Britney Spears.  Yes, I'm embarrassed to type this.  I sure hope the neighbors don't look in the window as I'm dancing and singing.  Of course, Leo asks who is singing and I tell him that it's Britney.  Not that Britney Spears isn't great, especially if you want to escape reality for a few minutes, but loving Britney isn't something I go around telling people.  Now Leo is telling everyone he meets that he loves Britney and "It's Britney baby."  He thinks she is so pretty because she has yellow hair like he does.   I think I have created a monster! 

Cabin Fever

It's day 3 of the great blizzard of 2011.  I haven't left the house since Sunday afternoon and I'm starting to lose my mind.  Monday, the snow was pretty and it was nice to just relax in the warm house.  Yesterday, I was starting to get bored but remembered that I really need to clean the house.  Today, the house is clean and the laundry is done and I'm so bored.  Leo and I have played every game I can think of, including ones were we pretend to be superheros.  We have colored pictures, made cookies, played in the snow and built castles out of Legos, all before 2:00 pm today.  I'm now completely out of ideas and we are both stir crazy.  Leo asked me today if he was going to ever go back to school.  I have no idea what to tell him.  I'm pretty sure school will be closed for the rest of the week.  I'm not sure Leo and I will make it without a trip to Walmart soon.  So far Nora is enjoying the time at home, that is until she realizes that she ate the last of the Goldfish for lunch today.  Here's hoping for warmer temperatures to melt some of this snow tomorrow, we really need to get out of the house!

Snow



   This morning we woke up to a winter wonderland outside.  It snowed 8 inches!  For Alabama this is a huge deal.  Of course, like most of Alabama we are stocked up with plenty of bread and milk.  Why is it that bread and milk are the first two things everyone wants to by when there is the threat of snow?  I mean really, you can't even make a meal with just those two things.  I thought I was smart because I made sure we had plenty of peanut butter but forgot to buy extra jelly.  If the power goes out I guess I'll have to make do with a pb minus the j sandwich.

Leo loved the snow.  He has been begging to go out and play in it since 7:30am.  When Nora took her morning nap, we all got dressed in two layers of clothes and went out to play.  Leo thinks it is hilarious to throw snowballs.  Whenever Leo is up to no good he has the most devilish laugh.  He was laughing so hard at one point he feel over.  I had to make a snow angel but was the only one who thought that was fun.  Leo tried to sled on a homemade sled, the lid to our trash can!  I guess the snow was just to thick and the hill wasn't steep enough so it didn't work to well.  We stomped around in the snow and had a blast.  When our hands got numb it was time to come in.  Here is where the not so fun part started.  Taking off snow covered clothes and shoes left a huge plie of snow and water in the kitchen floor.  Also walking the dogs in snow that covered half their body wasn't much fun either.  They tracked in snow all through out the house, including the snowballs that formed on their fur.  I wish we could just play without the mess.  Thank God this is a once in a decade kind of thing.  I would hate to have to get out in messy snow everyday. 

Puzzles

As I was cleaning up Leo's room, I found his old wooden puzzles.  I have no idea why I have kept them for the past four years but they did bring back sweet memories.  Leo loved those puzzles and still loves puzzles.  Then it hit me like a ton of bricks, Leo played with these puzzles when he was a baby and could at least try to do most of the 3-piece peg puzzles by himself at a year old.  Nora is 13 months old and has never even seen a puzzle before.  I felt like the worst mother ever.

Am I the reason there is such a difference between Leo and Nora?  I had never really questioned this before.  Leo and Nora's personalities are very different.  Leo as a baby was very laid back.  I taught at two different preschool programs and Leo attended both while I worked.   Literally, he was at a different preschool every other day.  He never once cried for me when I dropped him off.  Nora, however, was a different story.  If I walk out of the room she would burst into tears.  I couldn't leave her with anyone for months, including her own dad, because she would cry the entire time(thankfully, she has now out grown this stage).  There are other differences too.  Leo never met a stranger and Nora was terrified of new faces.  Leo crawled on his belly like a snake and Nora sits on her bottom and pulls herself the her arms and legs.  At 13 months Leo skipped walking and went straight to running but Nora has just starting to cruise around the furniture with no desire to walk by herself. 

I never really considered the fact that I treat them differently.  Leo was my only concern when he was younger.  I felt sense of pride every time he took a step or learned a new word.  I feel that same sense of pride with Nora but it's not a new feeling.  I now have two children to take care of.  I almost forget to let Nora do things on her own.  It's just easier to do it for her or help her along.  Am I the one holding Nora back?  Honestly the answer is probably yes and no.  I try to remind myself not to compare Leo and Nora.  Nora is her own person and definitely does her own thing in her own time.   The differences are fun and in some ways I feel like a new mom taking care of Nora.  This must be the difference between the first and second baby.  With Leo I was scared of everything and was worried that not reading a book every night would hurt his future academic career.  With Nora I have relaxed a bit, although I do still worry about most everything.  I know I can be a good mom and I'm concerned less about damaging her future and more about having fun with her. 

New Year's resolution #2 - get out the wooden puzzles and let Nora have fun!

Purge Day

Tomorrow is one of the toughest days of the year for me, the day I clean out and purge the kids' rooms.  Leo is a collector of junk.  If I would let him, he would keep every Happy Meal toy he has ever been given.  My husband is the same way.  They both hate to throw things out.  I am the exact opposite.  I regularly go through my things looking for items that need to be donated or trashed.  Thankfully, Nora is too little to have collected too much junk and doesn't know when I'm getting rid of her stuff.

Here is my plan of attack for purging Leo's room.  As soon as I get home from dropping him off at school, I will start.  Leo has a shelf of small binds that are full of little toys.  That is my first stop because if a toy is in that area it is rarely played with.  I separate the toys into plies of keep, trash, and donate.  Here is where the challenge begins.  What to get rid off?  Will he miss this when it's gone?  My mommy guilt goes into overdrive.  Who's to stay what is junk and what is a prize possession?  If someone came into my room and started getting rid of my stuff would I notice?  Of course Leo has more toys than he could ever play with especially the small junky toys that come in kid's meals or other prizes.  I try to remind myself that this is for his own good.  He doesn't have much area to play in his small room and when his room gets to cluttered he starts bringing his toys into my room.  That's right, focus on the feeling of rolling over on Hotwheels cars in the middle of the night or stepping on Leggos. 

About four months ago, I tried to involve Leo in the process.  I explained that there are some boys that don't have lots of toys and we should share some of our extra toys with them.  Leo sat on his bed very quietly for a minute then looked up at me with tears in his eyes.  He said "Please mama don't give away all my toys.  I really love my Hotwheels."  I was heartbroken.  I tried to explain it again that we would only give away old toys that he didn't want anymore.  It was too late he was crying now because he was going to miss his toys and he just wanted to bring the boys with no toys over to his house to play with his toys.  I really thought I was doing a good think by teaching Leo to share and care for others but in reality I had a crying son and was no closer to cleaning out his room.  I learned my lesson that day, I will just continue to sneak around and get rid of a few toys when I can.

Back to Normal

For the first time in two weeks, I'm starting to feel like life is normal again.  There are no more Christmas parties to celebrate or presents to open.  New Year's came and went (for the first time in years I didnt' stay up till midnight).  Now it's back to reality.  Back to school tomorrow and back to a normal routine for mama.  I'm just like the kids, without a schedule I just can't function.  These past two weeks I haven't exercised once and definitely didn't stay on Weight Watchers very well.  I'm ready to start the new year fresh. 

I'm also doing something that I haven't done in a long time, trying to enjoy some alone time.  Both the kids are in the bed asleep and I'm going to make the most of this time by doing nothing productive.  Sure there are dishes that need to be put away and clothes that need folding but right now I'm going to enjoy the peace and quiet.  This is my New Year's Resolution, I'm going to take more time out for myself.  I'm going to get out more without the kids.  I'm going to take bubble baths again.  I'm going to read books and listen to music I want to listen to.  Being a stay at home mom is the job that never ends.  It seems like there is never a time when I'm not at work.  When I worked full-time, I would come home from work and relax a bit before I would cook dinner or start cleaning up.  Without that routine it can feel like some days I don't take that time to relax a bit. 

Whenever I feel overwhelmed with the children I'm going to remember these sweet faces.  This is why I'm up making breakfast at 7:30 am and still cleaning at 9:00 pm.  This is why I'm happy to stay at home with them.