Topic of Discussion in Therapy

I can just picture it .... In 30 years, Jack is sitting on some therapist's couch and he is saying "It all started when I watched my mother put my favorite stuffed animals in the washing machine, and it all went downhill from there."

Yeah, I traumatized the boy today. His favorite dog *Foo Foo* was down right disgusting. So disgusting in fact, that even Jack was saying "Foo Foo icky" and "Foo Foo Bath". So I thought I would make a big deal out him taking a bath along with the other animals. I thought he could handle it. However, no he could not handle watching his most beloved possession in the entire world go into the *bath* (washing machine). I told him that Foo Foo was gonna feel so much better, but nothing I could say would stop the screaming and tears from coming forth.

After the *bath* he watched me take them out of the washing machine and the look of relief on the boy's face was just priceless. As Jim said, next time we need to film the whole thing and send to America's Funniest Videos and win some cash.

So then it was time for Foo Foo and friends to go in the *Sauna* for some relaxation and drying. And down below you can see them all lined up in the sauna (dryer). Yes, I have one of those cool dryers that has the top drying area. (Nice to know people who work at Sears who gives us great discounts on floor models - got it at half off) Cool Dryer err Sauna.

The Battle of the Wills

Yay! Jim is coming home today. He has only been gone since Sunday, but we have missed him. I don't sleep as well and I need some help with Jack. He has been trying my patience the past few days. He will not listen to me at all. Just this morning, he pulled the box of cereal off the counter and wanted to take the whole box into the family room and I said no. I said "give the cereal to Mama" and my little *angel* looked right back at me and yelled "NO". I think that was the first time that he was THAT defiant to me.

He also has been hitting me when he does not get his way, which makes me grab his arm and tell him "NO you are hurting Mama". He usually then starts crying because I think he is embarrassed. But lately, he will just stare back at me, as if daring me to do something. Oh boy this battle of the wills is really fun!

So thank goodness, I will have the other parent to help with this. The 24/7 of Jack alone has been getting to me.

Who Does She Think She Is?

A friend of mine recently led me to this article. It made me so infuriated that I am sure my blood pressure, normally quite low, went sky high. It basically is this woman who had the nerve to go on tv condemning those of us college-educated mothers who decide to stay home and raise our children ourselves.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that working mothers are wrong or anything in the least. After all I was one of the working mothers until just 4 months ago. But I really take offense at this bitch who is telling me that I am wrong in wanting to stay home with my son instead of going out and working.

Here is a quote from her mouth "I think it's a mistake for these highly educated and capable women to make that choice [to stay home]," said law professor and working mom Linda Hirshman. "I am saying an educated, competent adult's place is in the office."

Who does she think she is telling me that because I am educated my PLACE is in the office and NOT with my son? Give me a break!

Part of her stupid logic states that the divorce rate is so high and she insinuating that once women leave, they can never get back into that office. I beg to differ, I know that if by some unbelievable chance that I find myself single again, that I know I could get back right into working with a decent salary in a matter of weeks. That is absolutely stupid nonsense.

She also can not understand how us *educated* people can feel fulfilled without working. Quote "I would like to see a description of their daily lives that substantiates that position," Hirshman said. "One of the things I've done working on my book is to read a lot of the diaries online, and their description of their lives does not sound particularly interesting or fulfilling for a complicated person, for a complicated, educated person."

Excuse me Hirshman, but I am MORE fulfilled being at home taking care of my family, watching my son grow and learn than I ever was sitting in an office with deadlines, headaches, problems, and stress.

"She asks why should business schools give advanced degrees to those who don't use them?" So I should give back my degree to the business school that gave it to me just because I am staying at home? Kiss My ASS. I worked hard for that degree and nobody can tell me that I am *wasting* it.

Ms. Hirshman, I feel pity for you because you obviously have no idea what it is like to be able to raise your child and watch him or her grow and thrive. I have pity for you because obviously YOUR entire self-worth is wrapped up in your title at work. For me, the only titles I care anything about are WIFE and MOTHER.

Flying Houses or Horses

Right now it is RAINING. And I don't mean the light drizzle kind either. No it is coming down in buckets and sheets sideways and the wind is whipping up into a frenzy. I think they call it a hurricane or something like that. Oh yeah and I think I just saw my neighbor's house fly by along with their horses.

And the neighbor behind us who knocked down their house and is rebuilding another very very slowly? Yeah they just put their roof trusses up and the tar paper that can be blown off with a fan, but no tile or shingles to protect the paper. Hmmm maybe they should of done that BEFORE the rainy season don't ya think?

Ta Daaaaaa

After about an hour and alot of sweat, I finally got the track laid for the new spiral that I got the other day at Toys R Us. Not bad since Jack was *helping* the entire time.

Weird Dreams

The last couple of weeks I have been having some doozy of dreams going on. No, I am not pregnant, so that is not the case for all those inquiring minds out there, but I don't know what is causing the dreaming to occur. I don't usually remember much when I wake up other than, "wow that was quite the dream", but no specifics.

However, last night was the weirdest night. Jim is gone and I can never really sleep knowing that he is not in the house, so I had that going for me also. I woke up around midnight with my heart racing because I had a succession of dreams where Jack was taken from me in a variety of situations. There was the one where we were stopped at a light and he was dragged out of the car (he was in the front seat AND not in his carseat, so I don't know where THAT came from). Also, there was one where he was snatched by somebody who climbed through his bedroom window and took him during the night. That one is the one where I jumped out of bed and went into his room to just make sure, ya know. And while I am standing in his room, I am having a *serious* conversation with myself about having his window removed and how much would it cost and how fast could we get it done. And in my sleep-induced state, I had decided that I would look into it first thing in the morning. Yay, I know, weird.

I finally did go back to sleep after coming out to the computer and going online. I removed the city of where we reside on here because I had convinced myself that the person who had taken Jack in my dream had found out where we lived and saw how cute he was and snatched him from us. So, not sure that if it was a wake-up call about being too personal on here or what, but it scared the you-know-what outta me.

Then Jack woke up about 2 and would not go back to sleep. So I went in there and the bad dreams must be contagious in this house, because I think he had one also. I had to console him for about 15 minutes in the rocking chair and a sippy of milk seemed to help also.

So I finally go back to sleep and guess what - another dream! And this one is just plain weird. I dreamt that I was on a cruise ship and got lost from whom I was traveling with until the very end when it was time to retrieve the luggage. And the person I was traveling with? No, not Jim. It was my ex-mother-in-law who I haven't seen or talked to in like 8 years. And in my dream, I was divorced from her son and married to Jim, but we just decided to go on a cruise together. Weird night.

So I woke up at 5 am and decided that was enough. I wasn't gonna try to sleep anymore. Too much weirdness.

In another development, it is pouring rain outside right now. It had better stop before we have to leave for gym class because I do not want to take my NEW van out in the rain!

Spoil the Child

I tell ya, this child is one lucky child. After finding out that we are now saving $500/year on insurance because we traded 2 cars in for 1 car, I decided to swing by Toys R Us and see what little something I could get the boy because that is so much fun.

Of course as soon as we pull into the parking lot, he is screaming TOYS, TOYS MAMA! We get out and he would not ride in the cart, no siree, he had to walk all around looking at everything. And you can guess where he landed - the Thomas section. And because I was in a good mood and willing to part with a little bit of cash, I decided to buy him a Toby train AND a new track system set-up thingy for the train table. I got the one that is 3 track layers of spiraling down and will probably require an advance degree to put together. It looks really cool and I am sure he will love it, once I figure out how to put the thing together. Wish me luck. I'll post pics when I am done, sometime in the next month or so.

Oh and a side note. Is it really bad if your two-year-old knows McDonalds and can say "McDonalds" everytime he sees the golden arches? Yeah, not so good huh? Well that is Jack. We go to the insurance office this morning and it happens to be next to a McDonalds and he is in the back saying "Mama Midonls". Uh oh, maybe too many happy meals.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Even though my birthday is a couple of weeks away, I got my present for the next 5 birthdays, christmases, mothers days, valentines days, and whatever holiday there is. But I do really like it. It is however very big compared to what I am used to and learning to park the thing is gonna take a bit of time.

Jack and I went out driving this morning. I drove to the furthest Starbucks just for coffee and chocolate milk for the boy. He really loves the dvd player, but the screen gets in the way of looking in the rear view mirror, so not too sure about that. Also, I noticed that because we got the power everything that we are lacking in some of the conveniences. For example because the passenger seat is also power, we don't get the lockable storage drawer underneath the seat. I would much rather have the drawer. But it is a great van and boy does Jack like it. Especially the sunroof. Today he kept asking me to "omay" (open) it and when I did he started giggling. The sunroof in the Rav never got used because where it was located, the sun was directly in the boy's eyes and he did NOT like it. But this is located where no sun can get in his eyes and he thinks driving with the roof open is sooo cool. He also loves running around the van, from one seat to the other. In Jack's words our "new tar" is really cool.

Never Say Never Ever Again

We did it yesterday - We bought a Minivan! I am officially one of *those* Moms that I thought I would never ever be - a minivan driving Mom. But yesterday, we went and traded in my Rav4 and Jim's truck and came out with a brand new, shiny, white Dodge Grand Caravan. I must admit however that the 0% financing is what got us to buy it when we did. Marketing geniuses I tell ya.

This thing is totally loaded with power everything. The kids loved the dvd on the way home, watching Lady and the Tramp. It also has GPS Navigation which looks REALLY complicated, but the salesman assured us it wasn't. But it was fun to watch our progress on the map on the way home hehe. It also has power doors - love that. Just click a button and the doors slide open or the back liftgate opens up. So cool! And the way the seats fold flat into the floor is totally cool. We don't have a sunglass holder in the top console because we have a sunroof instead. Hmm not sure, I am pretty sure that I would use the sunglass holder a lot more. But ohwell. And totally love the outside temp reading and compass. I have been so jealous of Jim's Cobalt for having that.

I will post pictures later. Funny, it looks like rain and I am actually thinking about NOT taking the van out in the rain. Oh boy!

On sad news, Jim left today to go to Georgia for 4 days. So it is just Jack and I and the new van. Hehehehehe.

A Jackism

Lately Jack has been doing some hilarious things that I keep telling myself that I need to write down so that I can remember it AND later have ammunition for girlfriends and such.

So I thought I would start Jackism posts, this being the first of many hopefully.

This Jackism today is about Jack and his family. Jack has to know at all times where his family is and what they are doing and this also includes his animals (real) and his stuffed animals - all FIVE of them. So during the day, several times a day, we have to run down the list of family members usually starting with Daddy and I will tell him Daddy is at work, then Sissy is at school (she is at school a lot since we only see her on weekends).

Then it is onto his animals, the real version. So he will go through and say Bob? Tosha? Sammy? Tat Tat? (he can't say Vicious so it is just Tat Tat). And I will reply that they are either sleeping somewhere in the house or outside.

After this it is onto all the stuffed animals - Foo Foo (the almighty Foo Foo that very rarely is out of the boy's hands), Mercy (Jack speak for Murphy), Wiffer, Bear, and Sissy Bear (Sissy's bear that he kinda took over).

After this, he will have to say "Find Poppa" or "Find Gammy" (Grandma and Grandpa A from Michigan). I will then show him a picture of them that sits on our end table. He totally remembers them from their visit here over Christmas. Just the other day I was sitting outside in the chair that Poppa liked to sit in and soak up the California sun. Jack walked up and said to me "Poppa's Chair"! Like I was NOT supposed to be sitting in Poppa's chair. What was I thinking?

I love that he loves his family (all 13 of us!). He is such a loving little boy.

March 24th

Today is Ben's and Connor's 2nd birthday. I want to say Happy Birthday to them.

It is funny because I was actually due on March 24th, but because of the stupid pre-eclampsia, I got to push my little munchkin out early.

It has been fun watching and reading about all the stages of Jack's blog friends. Brandon, Ben and Connor all have a special place in my heart because I feel like in some way I have watched these boys go from babies to full-fledged toddlers. And then along the way, I picked up more blog friends and watched their babies grow and heard about the trials and tribulations of motherhood. It has been an amazing ride with these other ladies and I want to thank them all for sharing a little bit of themselves and their family with me over the last two years.

Who knows maybe one day our kids will meet out there and be good friends? Weirder things have happened.

DEALS !!

We were watching the tv show Deal or No Deal last night (the one tivoed from the night before). If you haven't seen the show, it is basically where the people have to pick these briefcases and hope for more and more money. I admit that I am now addicted to the show - almost as much as Gilmore Girls and Lost!. It is so much fun to see people under pressure when there is lots and lots of money at stake.

At several intervals Howie Mandel asks the question - Deal or No Deal. And last night Jack was watching the show and I guess heard the audience yelling "No Deal" because all of a sudden he yelled right at the tv "NO DEAL". And then was clapping and yelling "YAY" with the people on the show! It was so cute to see him yelling "NO DEAL" and waving his arms just like the people on the tv. Hilarious. Jim and I were of course cracking up because he was sooooo serious about the whole thing. Too cute!

Spring? Huh?

According to the calendar it is spring, but I guess the calendar did not inform mother nature of that fact this year. It is cooollllldddd here. Even Jack is saying "brrr Mama" when we go outside. Yeah I know what you are thinking, it is California, how cold can it be? Well let me tell you in the past two days at least, it has not gone into the 50s at all. It is in the 40s and rainy and well miserable. The kind of weather that Seattle sees for 8 months out of the year. One reason I moved. I swear mother nature is playing some joke this year because it was 80s in December and January and now it is in the 40s? Cruel Bitch she is.

Poor Jack, his new climbing thing is just taunting him outside. He wants to go out and play on it so bad but Mama just won't let him. And there is the cozy coupe and the bubble machine and all that space to just run around wild. But no, he has to stay inside and be bored with Mama. He says that you can play with the megablocks only so much, ya know.

I also want to do a shout-out to my nephew Scott and a Happy Birthday to him. Not sure he actually reads this blog, but just in case, Happy Birthday Scott. Quit growing older, you are making me OLD!

Blogging Lull

It seems that I have a blogging lull. Not sure what to write about, so I thought I would write about having nothing to write about. Nothing exciting happening around here. Jack is amazing me everyday with the new words. I would say that he has at least a two hundred word vocabulary now, probably more. I am really liking the two-year-old stage, tantrums and all. He is no longer so dependent on me and it is fun to see him growing into his little self and becoming independent of me. But at the same time, I love it when he reaches up and gives me a big hug and kiss. This morning as I was dressing him he held my face in his hands and said "Mama" so cute and loving. Ahhh nice mommy moment.

Jim is going to be gone next week. Off to Georgia for a class. He will be gone only a week, but we will still miss him.

I have also learned that I will never say NEVER again. I have uttered many nevers and have come to eat my words. One of them was "I will never live in California" - Ha. Another was I will never live in the city that I do right now - Ha. And a big one - "I will never buy a minivan". The biggest HA. Because I was so adament against minivans. But I have to confess that this past weekend, that I, Miss-Never-Own-A-Minivan, actually went looking at them and test drove one. And LIKED it. Oh my gosh! We aren't going to be getting one anytime soon, but hopefully if all goes right sometime in the next year. A big WOW in my life.

Crushing of the Boobs

Yep I get to go get a mammogram today. Isn't that exciting? The crushing of the boobs isn't really what is making me excited. It is the fact that I get to get out of the house - ALONE. Yes that is right, I get to go somewhere all by myself without having a whining toddler in the backseat asking for a car that he dropped on the floor and expecting me to pick it up while driving 80 mph down the freeway. I don't have to constantly say "NO Jack" or "Jack stop that". Even if it is just to go get my boobs crushed, it is MY time. And yes I am excited about it. Sad, I know.

Irish Heritage

Okay my Irish Heritage in me would not let this day pass without wishing everybody a very Happy St. Patrick's Day.

So far it is a good one here. Jack and I went to the indoor toddler heaven called Childs Play today. It is an *event* for the mother's group I belong to. Jack, of course goes without saying, had a very good time. He gave his mother a heart attack though at one point. The place is mostly geared for toddlers ages 4 or under, but they have this one big *fort* thingy for the older kids. It has this big ladder where the steps are far apart for somebody Jack's size and a huge slide. So there I was talking to a couple of the other mothers and not paying much attention to Jack, and I turn around to see him halfway up the ladder, the really scary ladder, really tall ladder. Did I say that I hate ladders myself? Something about falling off of one during college and breaking my back (long and stupid story, don't ask). So I run over there and he has climbed his little self up the big steep ladder and is jumping around in the fort up top thinking it is the best thing in the world. Then he goes down the really really big slide that one of the other bigger kids was scared of, yelling "weeeeee" all the way down. Yeah he did this routine about 10 times - up the scary ladder and down the scary slide, loving every minute of it.

We just got home and he is napping. He said two words that I never thought I would hear him say together - "Baby Tired"!!!!!! When I opened the car door to let him out he looked at me and said "Baby tired". Oh my gosh, he actually admitted that he was tired!! Hopefully a nice long nap will follow cause this Mama is tired also. This stupid cold/sinus/allergy thingy is doing a number on my energy level. Pretty much all I want to do right now is go lay down and sleep for about 10 hours. There is the dishes in the sink and the mess in the family room, but they will still be there after nap, right?

Pictures...Finally

Yes I am still alive. Sorry, no pictures from the Vegas weekend until now. I have been battling this cold/allergies/sinus thingy for a few days now. It is kicking my butt I think. I also have to confess that I have been watching the first season of Lost dvd during naptimes and therefore I have not been on the internet like usual. But I finally got through all the episodes and am all caught up. Cool show I must say.

So here are the pictures from Vegas. Unfornately the cheerleading pictures did not turn out very well because the arena was so dark and we were so far away. Here is one though.

The FAO Schwartz pics turned out cute I think. Here is Jack picking out choo choos in the case. . . very expensive choo choos I might add.



Then it was onto car shopping. He liked the little red convertibles but...

Fell in love with the Hummer. And the price on said car for KIDS...

Shown below. Spoiled rotten rich kids I say.

Then it was off to check out the motorcycles. The boy has a thing for Harley's I guess.

Vegas Baby

We went to Las Vegas this weekend for Laura's National cheerleading competition. This was a huge thing. I mean thousands and thousands of people and girls running around in skimpy little cheerleading outfits.

It started out with us driving up there on Friday. Of course leave it to the cheerleaders to book this event the very SAME weekend that Nascar has a huge race in town also. So that means that all the rooms were booked OR what was left was charging highway robbery. I mean the Stardust crappy rooms that normally are $29 were over $200 a night. So Jim's Navy career came through for us and he booked us in the family lodging at the Nellis Air Force base in North Las Vegas. And the price for a 1 bedroom apartment with murphy beds in the wall for the kids? $31.75 a night!!!!! In Vegas! Yeah I was impressed too. It saved us probably close to a thousand dollars!

We got there Friday afternoon and when we arrived on base, the Thunderbirds were practicing. Of course Jack went crazy about all the *airmays* (airplanes in Jack-speak). Oh and Jim was just as or more enthralled with the airmays as Jack. It also allowed us to do some shopping at the base Exchange. Low prices and no sales tax - gotta love that.

On Saturday, Laura's competition started at 6 AM!!! She went on at 8 AM!!! Yeah early. Thank goodness her mother was the one to do the hair and makeup for this one. She did great as usual. There were 18 other first-place teams from around the country in her category so it was stiff competition.

After she performed we had 4 hours to kill before her awards ceremony. So we headed over to Caesar's Palace and went to the FAO Schwartz toy store. The boy was in heaven. I mean there were $30,000 Hummer battery-operated cars! For kids! I mean really give me a break. Besides the over-priced spoiled rich kid's toys, there were also Thomas tables, ride-on toys, the giant piano on the floor, cars, choo-choos, airmays. I mean it was kid heaven. Of course when it was time to leave, we had to take the boy out kicking and screaming.

We got back to the competition in time to see Laura take FOURTH PLACE in her category. I think that is great out of all the other teams. And were are really proud of her. I think she was a little bit bummed for not getting first place, but still even placing is a great accomplishment. One of the other teams from her gym got first place in their category, so I am sure there was some jealousy involved.

Anyway, we came home today. It was snowing in the mountains when we came home and was absolutely freezing. It was also freezing in Vegas being in the 30's. Brrrr Told as Jack would say. It was a fun weekend but it is always good to get home. I will post the pics a bit later. There are some of the competition and the enormity of the whole event. Also cute pics of Jack being enthralled with the toy store.

How do YOU spell Headache?

Take 75 toddlers and mix them with about 20 drums and other assorted *musical* objects that make A LOT of noise and you spell one big fat HEADACHE!!! Oh yeah and one VERY crabby Jack who is screaming in his crib right now cause he doesn't want to take a nap even though it is VERY MUCH needed. Where is that asprin again?

Mama needs a break. I think I will go watch an episode of Lost from our new Season one DVD. Even though I have three thousand things to do right now. Oh well, it will be there in an hour right?

Story Time

We went to storytime at a new children's bookstore in town. I don't know if I ever mentioned it here, but it was my dream to open a children's bookstore about 10 years ago. A friend and I were seriously thinking about doing it, but then the evil B&N (don't get me wrong I love em also, just not in the neighborhood of your bookstore) came and plopped down and we kinda figured that we would not do very well with them around. Who knows?

But anyway, there is a very cute and quaint new children's bookstore in town with storytime every Wednesday. The owner of the store is even named Dawn (go figure). About half of her inventory is used books at really good prices. Jack really enjoyed the bookstore. He had a lot of fun taking 300 books off the shelf and looking at them all. Of course with me as his "put the books back person" cause he didn't have time for that when there are books to look at.

He also picked up the guitar that was sitting in the play area. He picked it up like he knew what to do with it and held it the right way and started to strum it. Of course when I shot the picture below he wouldn't hold it correctly for me then.



After storytime, she had a small craft for the kids to do. She has a paper tree on the wall and kids were decorating leaves to put on the wall. Very cute and of course Jack thought it was so much fun.

Today we have on the agenda to go to the outlet center for the free monthly kids outlet thing. This month they have musican lessons where they teach the kids how to beat on drums. Oh joy. Just as long as the drums stay there and not go home with us.