A new tool

This pregnancy must be really inspiring me. Either that or it's making me realize that I only have 8 more months to get caught up on Little Man's scrapbooking pages.

In the past couple of weeks, I've managed to complete several different projects including a few pages for Little Man's album. Deadlines usually do that to me. And let me tell you. This is a good thing.

The other thing that has inspired me to get more layouts done are quick collages from Scrapbooks Etc.. Not only can you use these to just drop elements into each square, you could use them as a guide if you need to know what to place a particular element. Rotate it 90 or 180 degrees and you have a completely different look. I've used them as a quick way to make a digital layout. Add a few lines of text for journaling, a title, drop in a transparency squiggle frame, and Voila!


Another layout for Little Man's Little Moments album.

Although I do have to admit, it took me over an hour just to be able to figure out HOW to drop the photos in and delete the portions of the photos that were overlapping, but I still figured it out.

Just what I'm looking forward to

When to start Cussin

A 6 year old and a 4 year old are upstairs in their bedroom. 'You know what?' says the 6 year old. 'I think it's about time we started cussing. The 4 year old nods his head in approval. The 6 year old continues, 'When we go downstairs for breakfast, I'm gonna say something with hell and you say something with ass..' The 4 year old agrees with enthusiasm.

When the mother walks into the kitchen and asks the 6 year old what he wants for breakfast, he replies, "Aw, hell, Mom, I guess I'll have some Cheerios."

WHACK! He flies out of his chair, tumbles across the kitchen floor, gets up, and runs upstairs crying his eyes out, with his mother in hot pursuit, slapping his rear with every step. His mom locks him in his room and shouts, 'You can stay there until I let you out!'

She then comes back downstairs, looks at the 4 year old and asks with a stern voice, "And what do YOU want for breakfast, young man?"

"I don't know", he blubbers, 'but you can bet your fat ass it won't be Cheerios!'

So now you know

Wasn't sure I could keep my big secret any longer. At least from the blogging community (even though some of you who lurk really don't care). We've already told most of our family and friends.

There are those women who tell people as soon as they know. Then there are those who don't like to splurge their news until after the dreaded first trimester is over. AmyBow kept her secret for awhile... at least from the blogging world anyway. A few other friends I know have done the same.

I would have liked to have been one of those people. Just keep things low key until you really start to show. Because when you tell people you're only 7 weeks along, they say you're barely pregnant. Yeah, well. That doesn't change the fact that I am still pregnant. And watch out! Hormones are already starting to rage (especially when you say I'm ONLY 7 weeks pregnant).

And in all honesty, how the hell would I have been able to keep something like that from my mother? I know it would have been easy to keep since I really only talk to her on the phone, but I would have been nervous every time she called.

So, there. Now you know. Now I can complain and whine spread the joy about my pregnancy. Number 2.

I have a secret...

...what could it be? I have a secret, come look and see.













I'm pregnant!


Dear Lord, what am I doing?

A good secret keeper?

Are you a good secret keeper?

If you had some really exciting news, but was hesitant to share it - would you??

Who would you share your exciting news with first?

To see how good you are at keeping secrets, take this little quiz.

Let me know if you're a good secret keeper. I may just tell you my secret.

Just remember...

"It Won't Be Like This for Long" by Darius Rucker

He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all night
Laying there in bed listening
To his new born baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
It gonna be OK

[Chorus]
It wont be like this for long
One day soon we'll look back laughin'
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
It wont be like this for long

Four years later bout four thirty
She's crawling in there bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says now dont you worry
This will only last a week or two

[Chorus]

Some day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times you'll he'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the isle
And he'll raise her vail
But right now she up and crying
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers

He lays down there beside her
Till her eyes are finally closed
And just watching her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows
It wont be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah this phase is gonna fly by so
He's trying to hold on
It wont be like this for long
It wont be like this for long

If you want to hear what it sounds like: Click Here

This song gets me every time.

A little sidetracked

I realized yesterday I got a little carried away in my post. By the time I was halfway through, I just wanted to vent and had gotten completely sidetracked on the original idea for the post.

The real intention of the post was to give an update on the progress LMA has made without his beloved Paci. AmyBow had given me a great suggestion to "trade-in" Paci for a new toy. I had attempted to do that with the bus we purchased the week prior, but I realized he needed something he could hold on to while sleeping.

Instead of going to the store and buying yet another toy, and probably get distracted by trucks and trains, hubby came up with an idea. LMA has plenty of stuffed animals here already, why not trade-in Paci for one of those? So Thursday morning, I got out only a few stuffed animals, as not to overwhelm him with options, and asked him to pick out another friend for nap time. He was so excited about the idea that he "introduced" Piggie to all his crib friends.

Then when Gramma and Pop-pop sent a new teddy bear for Valentine's Day, he was even more excited. Now all I have to say after we finish reading a few books before nap time is, "Piggie and teddy bear are really tired now. Keep them company while they take a nap."

So, now I am happy to report that Paci has been officially replaced. He doesn't really even mention it anymore either. LMA is still taking a nap. And Mommy is still getting her beloved me time.

I love it when things work out in the long run.

Back to routine

Thank God things are back to normal this week. Last week was a little messed up. Little Man ended up getting another cold after Little Sprouts birthday party. So not only did I have to worry about us not getting sick, I had to worry about possibly getting Little Sprout and the rest of the friends at the party sick too.

By the time Wednesday rolled around, it was a full blown attack all over again. Thankfully, I had called the doctor the day before and told her that once again he is sick and his superficial cervical, or throat lymph nodes have not decreased in size at all. For the fourth month in a row!

Hubby had a neurology/pain management appointment for his back Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, we had to drive all the way out to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Unbeknown to us, the President wanted to go south into Springfield that morning. When it normally would have taken us 45 minutes, it took us 1-1/2 hours to reach our destination. We saw cop car after cop car and motorcycle every 500 meters or so on I-95 and I-395.

Thankfully, Little Man was so patient on the way there. I knew enough to stack up on extra snacks, books, and a few trucks in his bag the day before. However, no one told hubby that because he was going to be receiving a local anesthetic prior to the cortisone injection, he wasn't suppose to eat 8 hours prior to his appointment. The doctor at least evaluated his back and even changed some of the pain management plan.

By the time we left the hospital it was lunch time, but I didn't think that LMA was going to make it all the way back home. I was right. He made it just until 1pm (schedule baby), so we stopped by Wendy's on the way in for take out. We were hoping since he had just fallen asleep 10 minutes prior that he wouldn't budge when I placed him in his bed. Wrong! He didn't want anything to do with a nap.

So we tried offering lunch, which he really wasn't interested in either, and when he started pitching a fit, I placed him back into bed. For 15 minutes, us going in every 5 minutes or so to wipe his nose and console him, he cried.

Now, I hate listening to my child cry, let alone scream bloody murder, but I knew he was tired. The more he kept crying though the more frustrated I would get. So hubby went him to console him and next thing I know LMA is talking like nothing even happened. I knew we had missed our window of opportunity for a nap. However, I really needed one. While I laid down, LMA and daddy were playing in the leaves outside and to their amazement found spring bulbs already popping up through the ground. That was the highlight of the day. The only one.

We still needed to get LMA checked out by the doctor. Turns out he has a double ear infection! Fan-crap-tastic! Another round of antibiotics please.

When we finally made it back home, we tried our best to keep LMA occupied and moving, but you could tell that 15 minutes of sleep was not going to cut it for him. We tried to lay down with him on our bed while we watched tv, but 10 minutes in he wasn't interested anymore. As soon as I turned off the tv when he walked away he started crying. We thought maybe we should just lay him down in his bed, even if it is just for 20 minutes while we get dinner ready.

I think if LMA's beloved friend, Paci, was still around this would not have been a problem at all. Since it's not though, it didn't work. I still gave him 5 minutes or so just to see if he would settle down, but no go. When I went in to get him, I tried to be extremely cheerful. "Mommy and Daddy are going to have dinner. Would you like to join us?" "Yeah!"

But when I walked away without Jeffrey, he started to cry all over again. Then he started with "Bugga!" So when I walked into the bathroom to get a tissue, I was slapped in the face. I was so furious and totally done at this point, I walked back into his room, threw him back in his crib, and yelled, "You do not hit your mother!" and stormed out of there.

I took a time out myself, came back and apologized, while LMA was apologizing as well through tears. But that didn't stop the crying. For 45 more minutes he continued to cry, even though daddy was holding him and walking around with him. He had gotten so wound up, he couldn't calm down. My head was about ready to explode. See, this is when hubby and I make a great team. It always seems as though when the other one is flustered, the other one is calm.

Unfortunately, I was missing a small piece of the puzzle that daddy finally figured out. His ears were killing him. Because he was crying so hard, he was snorting through his nose, and practically hyperventilating. Every time he snorted, it would hurt his ears and make it even worse. And here I was thinking, he was crying every time he looked at me. Like he was still upset at me and couldn't stand the sight of me.

We gave him some motrin and decided we just needed to change things completely. By now it was 6:45pm. LMA didn't eat lunch, had been snacking all day long, and now was about to miss dinner. We sat down and offered applesauce which would hopefully help, and it did.

By the end of the day, we were so exhausted. I have to admit, when we have days like this, which with this kid really are few and far between, I wonder what the hell was I doing becoming a mother? Am I really a good mother or do I have no business what so ever being one? What would ever happen if we brought another one into our family? Would I kill myself before they turned 5 years old? But then, I realize, tomorrow is another day. And more than likely, it WILL be better. It has to.

Finally. Another project complete

Little Man A just turned two years old... 2 months ago. During his first year, every month I took a picture of him with a teddy bear that a good friend gave him. I loved to watch him grow compared to the teddy bear and he always managed to make the cutest expressions. Sometimes, it took over 24 shots to get it right, but that's what digital photography is for.

I used to have all twelve photos displayed on a shelf in our living room, but I wanted to display others. I decided to make a large collage of the photos and make it scrapbook-y as well.

Although the project really only took just over an hour to complete, for some reason I just kept putting it off. I finally finished it Saturday!


Now I just need to finish his first year album and I'll be all caught up... somewhat.

A Day of Hearts

Made with love by Little Man A

Valentine's Day treat

A couple weeks ago, my friend Isdhara and our families got together for a "Love Shack" party. Yeah, I know that sounds kind of kinky, but I swear to you, especially since children were involved, that it was not at all.

It was a "LOVE" gingerbread house party. Instead of making a gingerbread house with Christmas decor, we used Valentine's Day candy. This was the coolest idea I had heard in a while. Plus considering I couldn't recall EVER making a gingerbread house myself (correct me if I'm wrong, Mom), I was so in.

Here's some great highlights:





LMA is not a candy kid - not sure who's kid he really is - but he loved licking the frosting and eating the valentine peeps. Most of the time, LMA and Little Sprout were playing while the women constructed the house, but it was fun!

Here's what the final project looks like:






Happy Valentine's Day!

The Odd Couple

Sorry for those of you, especially Wenderina who have trouble viewing videos while at work, but I had to share this one.


Watch CBS Videos Online

Trucking Duck

Is this not the funniest thing??

Is Not Is Too

We hear this song on satellite radio and can't get enough of it. Although it is better when Bill Harley sings it.

Apparently, it's time

Yesterday, I talked about how LMA's beloved "Paci's" nipple was lost bitten off during nap time. I contemplated about just going out a buying him another one so MY beloved "Me" time doesn't vanish as well.

Alas, I was informed by both my mother and a wonderful blogging Mom, AmyBow that it was time for LMA to give up the pacifier all together. Amy had given me some wonderful ideas on how to transition LMA through this phase. Like throw him a going away "paci party" - not as great sounding as "potty party", but it sounded like a good idea. Or sending paci to Grandma in California. Or trading Paci in for a new toy.

All these ideas sounded great, but I wasn't ready to do them last night after we came home from dinner out. Besides, he doesn't need paci when he goes to bed at night, so no need to upset him before he goes to bed.

After Gymboree today, I decided to go to Target (also because I had been promising LMA to go to "That Toy Store" all week long to look at new trucks. Like always, we stop by the Dollar Spot to find new and exciting things. Somehow, he always manages to find something that sparks his interest that is buried underneath all sorts of other goodies. This time, it was a wooden school bus that was around during Christmas time. While I finished my shopping, he carried that little school bus around and wouldn't put him down or out of his sight.

When the time came to finally check out, he placed the bus on the conveyer belt and watched the cashier scan it. When he watched it disappear into the bag, he asked for it back. As we were walking out of the store, I remembered Amy's advice about trading Paci in.

A's Mom: That's a nice school bus you found.

A: Uh uh. School bus.

A's Mom: You know who wanted you to have that school bus?

A: (Looks at me with curiosity.)

A's Mom: Paci. Paci wanted you to have that nice school bus.

A: (Looks at me with total shock) Paci? School bus?

A's Mom: Yep. (As I'm trying to choke back tears) Paci wanted you to have the school bus because Paci broke yesterday.

A: Paci broke. School bus.

A's Mom: Yep. Maybe you can hold onto School bus and Jeffrey to keep you company while you take a nap today.

The entire way home. He kept saying, "Paci broke. Mommy fix." "Paci broke. Daddy fix." "Paci school bus."


So it seemed as though the idea possibly worked... until we went down for a nap.


When he asked for Paci lie he always does, I showed him paci again. Paci was in two pieces and the small piece could NOT go in LMA's mouth because he could choke. He proceeded to take the two pieces and try to put them back together. "Paci broke. Baby fix."

I was heart broken. So ready to just run out to CVS to buy him another paci, but instead I said, "Paci can't be fixed, Buddy. LMA can hold Jeffrey and Monkey to go to sleep for nap time." Not remembering that I promised him at the store that he could hold school bus during nap time.

I don't know if it was because I put school bus on his dresser, like we do every other toy that he was holding onto prior to bed time, but he broke down when he couldn't put paci in his mouth. I let him "kiss" his school bus "good-night" so bus could take a nap too. About 5 minutes later, I hear him bonk his head on the crib slats (we still haven't put back his bumper pad from when he was sick last month) and I go in to console him. I ended up just handing him paci to hold onto, since he really couldn't put it in his mouth, and within 2 minutes he was asleep.

So, I'm not sure where to go from here. I was thinking of just letting him hold onto Paci until he gets sick of doing that after a couple of days, but now I'm thinking of sending it to the "Paci fairy" who can use it for another little girl or boy or better yet, a teddy bear to help him sleep during nap time. Not sure either if he really even understands anything I'm saying.

Farewell Beloved "Friend"

I had a feeling it was coming sooner or later. I was just really hoping it would be later than sooner.

Or that he would eventually just not ask for his beloved "friend" for nap times.

However, today is the day that we say good-bye to Little Man's beloved friend...

"Paci"

Yes, today when he woke up at 2pm crying because said friend was not in his mouth, I retrieved Paci for him. No more than 45 seconds later, he was crying harder. When I went upstairs to console him, figuring his nap was officially over, I found Paci in two pieces.

Now what?

Do I go out and buy him another?? Or is he truly old enough to give up paci and get to sleep on his own during nap time (he does it on his own at night time)??

I really hope this doesn't mean he's going to give up his naps entirely, because that would truly suck and constitute another Paci immediately.


P.S. Thank GOD he didn't choke on this.

Stupid Rodent

I'm sure everyone, including me, were really hoping for a short winter. Alas, the stupid Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning meaning there will be another long six weeks until spring.

Last year, I remember doing a Groundhog Day entry with different facts about the groundhog and this special day, but this year...

I just want spring to be here.