Outnumbered by Children

Halloween lasted four days this year. Take that Christmas!

2010-11-01T07:47:00.000-07:00

Last week Barry and the kids met up with a friend of ours with a little boy Dahlia's age at Bonker's. It's an indoor play place, and they had a Halloween party day. They had crafts for the kids. The baby and I stayed home, while the big kids got pushed around by bigger kids. I think we'll skip that scene next year.

I couldn't tell you what they're making, because it never made it home.

Gregory was not interested in a costume that day.

Friday we went to the Halloween party at Ocean Edge. It's just down the street, it only cost $3 per person and it was catered by Starbucks. Hello!

That day Barry's mother had found Gregory the perfect costume. For those of you just now emerging from your rock, he's Woody the cowboy from the Toy Story movies. Imogen is a chicken and Dahlia is a "Barbie princess" She kept correcting people all weekend.

They painted pumpkins, made bracelets and watched a magic show. This is our second year going to this event and we'll probably keep doing it. The kids had a blast, and parents watched their kids, which happens less at indoor play places.

This is how much he loved that outfit.

Saturday we went to see Nana and show her the kids' costumes.

Howdy partner.
They brought her the pumpkins they painted the night before.

I think he's going to be getting his own Mr. Potato head soon. He finds that thing within minutes of walking into that house.

After we visited we ran to the grocery store and saw that they were having a little activities table for kids and a costume contest. Since we were there and they were already dressed up we hung out for a bit. No pictures of that though.

And then there was Halloween. We swung by my mom's to say "hi" and so her and Bill could see the kids (minus a sleeping baby in the car). Then we met up with Barry's brother and we went around their neighborhood with some of their friends and their kids. It was wicked cold and windy that night so the baby and I turned back early, but Barry stayed out with the kids. They had fun, got a good haul and I've been eating it all ever since.

Happy Halloween Everybody!!

October so far...

2010-10-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

Happy October!

Boo.

New in the Viprino household; Gregory has started potty training. A little later than Dahlia, but I feel like he's finally ready.I gave him this real estate magazine and he asked me if I had anything with cars in it.
He settled for a home theater one, and told me he wanted all the phones (remotes controls).

And then my little miss turned one last week.
I think everyone should be this much in awe of a tray of cupcakes.

Mom Tip # 42: Q-tips are great for getting frosting out of baby's noses.

This was a cute crown/card from Grandma and Grandpa Bill. They had us over for a delicous dinner and the carrot cupcakes you just saw.

Dahlia and Gregory were only too happy to help Imogen open her presents. And she was only too happy to let them.

This sweater was Gregory's and now it fits Iggy. And it matches her adorable new boots from Auntie Lindsay and Uncle Patrick. Thanks guys.

She's started pushing Greggy's car toy around the grass when we go outside.

Happy Birthday my little baby girl. You really are becoming your own little person I love watching it.

PLEASE STOP GROWING!!

2010-10-10T04:47:00.000-07:00

My kids are getting huge. Maybe they grew a lot this Spring/Summer but I think it might have just happened overnight. I'm having the water tested.

Let's start with the baby.

She's mastered feeding herself. And she'll eat anything!

She plays like a big kid. That means throwing toys everywhere!

She giggles a lot.

She got a new sippy cup yesterday. Starting to phase out the bottle.

She even has her own sense of style. It's a little "Flock of Seagulls", but she works it.

Now for the boy...

He's already a little bean pole. His doctor says he'll be tall and lean.

He loves playing baseball outside and insists we all call him "Good Papi".

He loves his sisters, but is still very much a boy. I sometimes wonder if I'll ever understand him. But I love him just the same. He's such a little gentleman. He insists on kissing me on both cheeks. How very European.

Maybe it' just the turtleneck... doesn't he look taller?

And last but not least my first born...

She loves to practice her letters everyday. I'm convinced she'll have taught herself to read by the time Kindergarten starts next fall. She looks so Grecian with her curls.

August in Review.

2010-08-27T06:17:00.000-07:00

Yeah I know I haven't posted in a long while.

Here's what you missed.

Dahlia had a birthday, that seems to be neverending as gifts come from all corners of the country. I keep trying to tell Gregory that when it's his Birthday everyone will make just as much of a fuss. Don't make a liar out me!

We got her this sweet little outdoor table set.

My mom took me and the (bigger) kids to Friendly's and then to see Toy Story 3.

They loved the whole day.

My husband's grandfather died on the 6th. We had his funeral on Dalhia's birthday, so I'm glad we were able to celebrate on another day(s).

Rest in peace Ray. You will be missed by many.

In other news, one of my best friends growing up got married and I was able to (with a lot of help from my friends) get to and from Boston to be there for her. I had a great time, and got sloppy drunk.
And that was August.

Imogen likes to eat? No surprise there!

2010-05-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

Delayed due to technical dificulties

2010-04-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

Eggs eggs and more eggs.

The first FIVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

2009-12-29T05:56:00.000-08:00

Well I was going to do Christmas in one big blog, but I still have pictures to upload from days six and seven.

Christmas was long this year and big, so this post will also be long...and it's pictures will be BIG.
Day one.

Christmas Eve.

The children and I arrive at Nana's house around ten in the morning. I set up my Christmas tree for the party that night and kept the fire going all day. Here's the kids opening their big holiday train.

I moved the tree to this table and set up the train around it that night when we got home. Luckily I had already wrapped presents because I was pooped. But it was a marathon not a sprint...

Day two. Christmas.

Barry's mother joined us for presents Christmas morning.

The kids got a Leap Frog Tag Junior and little kiddie digital cameras.

There was an unavoidable Princess theme this year. I've moved past bargaining into acceptance I think.

Then it was off to Josh and Julie's for a huge Christmas dinner and all around shin-dig. Bumpa's tuna fish dip has Gregory's double dipping seal of approval.

This wasn't a present but Dahlia was having such a blast rocking out like "Hannah on Tanna"

Then Christmas exploded. I don't know who gave what but thanks for everything.

Day Three. Even MY excitement for the holiday was waning at this point.
Day three brought dinner at Mom and Bill's and more presents.

By now, my kids are pros at the opening.

Reading a new book all together on the couch. It's about belly buttons so naturally there was a lot of giggling.

We wisely got all the kids into their new Christmas jammies for the ride home. And snapped a quick family photo. Hot damn. Look at all those kids.

Then I raced home and put the kids in bed for Barry and took the baby to a Yankee swap at a friend's. I think at this point I'm just punishing myself to see how much Christmas I shove down my own throat until I resemble the fat man from Monty Python's Meaning of Life before his wafer mint.

The next night was yet another Yankee Swap at the Alvin's. It seems like I get a lot of pictures of Gregory eating. But in my defense, he seems to eat non-stop at party's such as these.

And there was dancing and music, good food and great people and another car load of presents for the kids. Thank you all.

And who ever picks the "special" number gets to swap with anyone but me!

The great storm of '09

2009-12-21T09:11:00.000-08:00

Ok, once again I'm way behind in the blogging. I blame the holidays.

So about a week or so before Christmas we got a ton of snow. Here's the playground out back all covered. Barry and I spent a whole day snow blowing and shoveling a very long drive way.

Here are the kids in the snow. Barry shoveled a nice wide path but they still found it. Go figure.

Dahlia was throwing it and then freaking out when the wind brought it back to her face. That's my girl.

Gregory was just being Gregory. I think the extra layer of pants made him a little unsteady on his feet (more so than usual).

Then we went to Nana's to make sure she could get out and to build her a snowman. Dahlia was all about adding little fist fulls of snow all over him.

Gregory was more interested in staying inside with Nana and all the toys.
We used pool toys and a mini bungee-cord for his face.

Fun was had.

Just to set the record straight...

2009-12-19T05:55:00.000-08:00

There seemed to be an overwhelming amount of support for the photo of Dahlia feeding Imogen, and I just wanted to set the record straight. That Gregory loves his baby sister too. And when he's not drunk and passing out all over the house...

Exhibit A: time out isn't very effective when the accused falls asleep.

And Exhibit B: I was trapped there for hours... not cool kids lay off the sauce would 'ya?

I just realized that he has the pillow over her lower half, and it looks like she has no legs. I assure you that is not the case.

So there you have it loyal following; Gregory is getting in his early Dad practice (you know, when he's not hung over, or hosting tea partys)

Happy Holidays!

Oh Christmas tree oh christmas tree, I'll rip off all your branches.

2009-12-11T07:09:00.000-08:00

Here's what we've been up to...
A rare moment of Dahlia giving Imogen her bottle. I only let the kids hold the baby when the other one is gone. So Gregory was out that day with Barry and Dahlia got to hold the baby. Other wise they would fight over it and I'm pretty sure the baby would land on her head.

And Gregory seems to have grown three inches over night. All of a sudden his pants are staying up on their own (most of the time). My little boy is growing up so fast.

My mom and Bill came over with Christmas trees for the kids and I to decorate. They had a blast. And after a few days and few time outs Gregory has stopped pulling the ornaments off the tree (for the most part).

Oooh pretty. I put the fake one down where they can touch it. The real one is on top of the computer tower.

The next day I made little stars out of a paper bag and tin foil for the tops.

The end.

A day in the life...

2009-11-18T04:08:00.000-08:00

3:24 - I wake up sweating after roughly four hours of sleep and apparently four hours of the broken heater working full throttle.
3:25 - I run to shut off the heat before the bed with my sleeping husband catches fire.
3:26 - I tip toe out to the other room only to see that Miss Imogen is still sound asleep and that it's 3:26 in the morning.
3:27 - I go back to bed and try to hurry back to sleep. (never works)
3:30 - Gregory is standing next to my bed with his blankie and baby doll (yes my son sleeps with a baby doll). He's all sweaty too, the head of his bed is right next to the other heater.
3:32 - I tuck him back in bed.
3:40 - I tuck him back in bed.

This was a few days ago, but it sort fits in the story here.

5:28 - I wake up to the sweet sounds of hungry screaming baby.
5:30 - Get up, put on pants, make bottle, change diaper. (yes I can do all that in one minute. Can't you?)
6:00 - Imogen and I are awoken by Dahlia standing at the baby gate crying, because she's up too early and she's tired and she wants me.
6:30 - Dahlia and I are awoken from our couch snuggling by Gregory wishing to join the party.
6:40 - Vitamins, juice boxes and a pile of generic cheerios.
7:00 - I blog about my sleep deprived morning while stopping every other minute to whisper-yell at the children to "be quiet" and "share" and "get off the printer Gregory" in my defeated sick non-existent voice.

Later today I get to drag three kids to the doctor's for the baby's one month check up.

This pretty much sums up how I'm feeling.

Story time, haircuts and Halloween.

2009-11-02T09:03:00.000-08:00

Dahlia tells stories now... it's pretty much always the same, but I love how serious she is about it.

Things have been pretty crazy here what with new baby and more diapers and less sleep. Dahlia's given up on potty training (at least for me that is), Gregory decided to turn two a little early this year, and all the TERRIBLE that's included with that. And sweet little Imogen likes to sleep all day and party all night.

Here they all are with Aunty Cheri. This is mere minutes before the umbilical cord tearing off incident. Long story short: it was awful! There was blood and tears. She has since been to the doctor and is fine. Perhaps there will be photos of her healed button soon

(it's almost 1st bath time)

So needless to say I haven't been jumping out of bed in the morning to dispense vitamins and cereal as promptly as I might have before the new addition. So one morning when I finally flopped out of bed this is the scene I stumbled upon in the hallway.
"It's cool mom, take your time. We're having a coloring party." (those words were never spoken, merely implied)

The other day Gregory got a long overdue haircut. He's even curls all over now, and looks just like me in college when my hair was growing out. Here he is getting a candy corn reward for sitting as still as anyone could really expect him to.

Friday night we went to Ocean Edge for some Halloween Crafts and games. Here are the kids with cousin Zoe eating some spooky cookies they decorated themselves.

And here's Dahlia in a Mummy wrapping contest with Zoe. She totally should have won, just as Gregory should have won for best costume (in his age group). But they judged by audience noise level and I guess we didn't bring a big enough cheering squad.

Then on Halloween we went over to Darcie and Ron's house and let the kids go around their neighborhood. It was kind of a bust, not many people handing out candy but they had fun and went right to sleep for Barry while I stayed at the party with Imogen.

Here's Dahlia dragging Uncle T.J. to the next house. She knew what was up. She'd been talking about trick or treating for days. The next morning she asked us if Halloween was over. Barry and I told her yes, it was. Her next question was "Is it Christmas now?"
priceless.

It's a Girl! ! ! !

2009-10-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

Our story begins with Wednesday night. Barry and I have always prepared for a new baby by having a little date night just before our due date. Since we've always had a scheduled procedure this has been pretty easy to do. So my wonderful husband read my mind and got us The Proposal to watch. It was cute, even crowded around the computer screen. The only problem was I was having contractions. Nothing serous or at least I was doing a very good job to down play them. It was only happening every other hour or so. This of course put Barry on high alert, where as I said a little prayer that my water wouldn't break in the night, put it out of my mind and went to sleep.

The next morning I got punched (actually kicked, but we'll get to that part later) in the cervix as I was stepping into the shower. So I said to myself..."humm" and washed my hair. Then I proceeded to run around the house like a mad woman cleaning for a surprise visit from her in-laws. Barry had to literally take some dirty socks out of my hands and escort me to the car. Side note: I think "Nesting" should be listed in the Big Book of Crazy. In my effort to not make a big deal out of the fact that I was in labor I started announcing turrets-style the time on the clock when I felt a contraction, so that we could keep a eye on it. I don't think it was until after we had stopped for Dunkin Donuts for Barry (another Due Date tradition) that we realized they were three to five minutes apart. I said another little prayer similar to the last only more about Liam's borrowed car we were in. Then I talked Barry out of getting pulled over on purpose in order to get a police escort to the hospital. I wish I were kidding. I did consent to calling my doctor's office to let them know I was in labor. They said my doctor was already at the hospital and they would put me right through. I did stop long enough to take this picture Thursday morning. I'm usually not a fan of "belly"photos, but I had never been this big before and we were all a buzz to see how big this baby was going to be.

So we got to the hospital, Barry wheeled me up to Maternity. I got checked in, went to my room. Got the monitors on. Had some one fuck up an IV in my wrist with the biggest needle ever! They checked me and said I wasn't dilated at all so no worries and no rush. Got prepped for surgery and went in. The spinal tap went smoothly. Barry stood up and watched the whole thing go down on the other side of the curtain. After a few seconds of being pushed on so hard I couldn't breathe I was told there was a butt coming out of me and she was pooping. And Miss Imogen Grace Viprino was born. Barry and I decided on the name right there in the O.R. Later Barry told me all about how they had tried to turn her so she'd come out head first, but I think I'll spare you all that little story. Let's just say my insides feel man handled.

I swear I'm wearing a hospital gown here I'm just not sure why it's being camera shy. So nine pounds and thirteen (and a half) ounces. Twenty and a half inches long. Imogen was the biggest baby in the nursery. I think she scared a set of five pound twins who thought she might steal their lunch money. She skipped preemie clothes and new born diapers all together.

This is her getting burped by one of the nurses in the middle of the night. What a great smoosh face. Get a load of those cheeks!

Here's Daddy and big brother with baby Imogen. Gregory and Dahlia are in love with her. They want to help hold every bottle and burp her. I bet Dahlia would try to change her diaper if I let her.

Dahlia came with Grandma (Barry's mom) and Zoe to visit. I'll have to get some better pictures of all the kids together some time. We had lots of visitors. Here are a few.

My mom.

My stepfather BillBarry's grandparents.
My Dad and stepmother Carol.

Liam, Imogen's godfather.Darcie, Imogen's godmother.Her husband Ron. Isn't he a natural? (wink)
And here's one more of her sweet little chubba-face.

And because my mom never got to see her awake before she went out of town for work I took a little video of Imogen when she had her eyes open for all of fifteen minutes. Lazy baby.

Thank you to everyone who came to see us. And to our family too far away, we hope to see you all very soon. Thank you for all your well wishes. I'm going to go take a nap now... zzzzzzz

NH Haighs come to town and a few weddings.

2009-10-09T05:38:00.000-07:00

Still trying to catch up on all the goings-on of the kids and I (and Barry). We've just been so busy that the list keeps getting longer.

Labor Day weekend (if I'm remembering correctly) my brother Ben, his wife Kellie and their two kids Amelia and Liam came for a visit. We only saw them for two days, but we packed a lot into those two days!

First we went to see them at Dad and Carol's house. We all went for a swim.

Then we all got dried off and dressed and got soaked some more at the beach.

It was low tide but they still found the water. To be fair, my kids were the only ones soaked. And there might be a pound or two of sand in the car (sorry unky Liam).

But they had a blast. It was Gregory's first time in the ocean. A Cape Cod Baptism if you will. I don't think he could get over the fact that I was letting him get so wet and dirty.

The kids all got a lesson from Barry about living animals and how we should leave them in the water. Of course as soon as we walked away from that spot some other kids came and scooped up the sand dollars he tried so hard to save. Such is life I suppose.

The next day they all came over to Mom and Bill's for lunch. They had some belated Birthday presents for Dahlia and some (really) early ones for Gregory.

He LOVES these blocks!

And she would wear this everyday if I let her. That dress sheds glitter, and for those of you who don't know I have an irrational fear of glitter (and hair butter but that's another story).

We do play with it, I just don't hug her while she's got it on.

*shudders*

They also each got some new books that Amelia was nice enough to read to them.

(That couch was covered in glitter for days)

After that we all walked down the street to the playground.

I think there's room for a third up there. Don't you?

Here's a video of my little man taking on the BIG slide. He did this quite a few times.
And that's it for that visit. We can't wait to see them again soon. Thanksgiving if I'm not mistaken.

For anyone who's hasn't seen me in a while, I wear a lot of bandannas. Mostly because I don't have the time or products to "do" my hair. So one morning the kids decided they wanted hats like mommy. And it turned into a pirate themed breakfast.

"AAARRRRG"

And then there is the stick mustache of course. My children have a multitude of disguises. Watch out!

Another time we went to a barbecue at one of Barry's friends' from high school. They had a little girl around Greggy's age. The two of them sat on the fireplace together and she fed him goldfish. It was love and first bite.

Also Barry's friend T.J. got married. We are so happy for them. It was a beautiful ceremony and day. Lots of kids running around. Lots of me sitting on my duff. This was about two weeks ago when the pregnant really started catching up with me. I have since become increasingly less mobile.

No she's not eating flower petals. Lily had just fed her a pepperoni slice. I wonder why other kids all think my kids need fattening up...?

Isn't she so cute in her new jumper?

And get a load of mister curls! We just got them a bunch of cold weather clothes. His are a little big, but he's due for a growth spurt so I'll keep pinning his pants until they fit!

He was so enthralled with this two week old baby. T.J.'s little brother Charlie who's big sister was born the same week as Gregory. Little fun fact for ya there.

Anyway it gave me a little hope for him for when his new brother or sister comes home.

But we'll just have to wait and see how that all plays out.

Then this past weekend our friend Darcy had her wedding. Dahlia was one of her flower girls.

Here they are at the beach getting their photos done with the photographer. She had so much sand in those little shoes.

And here's my little girl in action. All that practice the night before really paid off. Her first run she would pause for a few seconds and pick just one petal, but she kept up with Leah pretty well the day of.

The kids had so much fun dancing all night with everyone. I had to try and keep them off to the side during Darcie and Ron's first dance. They were being so sweet with each other, I didn't have the heart to break it up.

Greggy was not short on dance partners by any means. My little ladies man.

I hate that there's red eye in this picture, but it's so cute to see Daddy dancing with his little girl.

And what's a wedding with out cake?

Congratulations to all our newly coupled friends!

At the suggestion of my mother I'm starting a second blog to track the progress of our house and it's renovations. Look for a link soon.

I think my next post here will be a birthing story complete with (clean) baby pictures.

If you can't wait for that, then swing by the hospital this weekend and visit us.

In which brave Dahlia and Gregory ride TWO airplanes and our Cape Cod adventures begin.

2009-10-07T06:38:00.000-07:00

We last left our tiny adventures in Florida. But very soon we packed up all our toys and books and watched them go on the big truck.

*For anyone who hasn't heard the nightmare that was our experience with Premiere Line Movers. I'll sum it up. They low balled the price on the phone to me on purpose. Then subcontracted the job out to another company owned by the brother of Premiere. They showed up late knowing we had a plane to catch. Jacked the price up and said if we didn't agree to the new price they were leaving. So we had to get the FL DA involved and lawyers and for a good week I thought I would never see any of our things again. But they did settle and finally deliver. And I hope we all learned a valuable lesson.

And if that wasn't enough... the second we got to the airport and checked our bags Dahlia threw up all over herself. It was very reminiscent of the trip down when she puked the first night in the car. Poor thing smelled like vomit all day. I guess crossing state lines is just too exciting for some people.

We missed our first flight and had to sit around for two hours and wait for the next one. Luckily Barry had his IPod and the kids had a dance party and an entire section of airport chairs to climb all over. Then we had to haul ass in Philly to make our connecting flight, only to find our flight was delayed due to some silly hurricane or some such nonsense. Here's Dahlia coloring at 11 at night with a little girl who only spoke Russian. Considering the whole ordeal that was that day the two kids kept it together pretty well.

Grampa Bill picked us up in Boston and brought our tired crew back to Gramma's house. We settled in there and stayed for a little over a month.

All our stuff got delivered there and we finally had more clothes and toys to keep the kids entertained. Barry hit the pavement looking for work and I got all our family things in order (ie. doctor's visits for me and the kids, health insurance).

We also visited with family and friends. Here we are at Nana and Bumpa's. I call this his James Dean photo.

Between the kid's they've been to Princesses on Ice, Edeville Railroad, the Zooquariam, and playgrounds a plenty. Not to mention a birthday party for Ron, a bridal shower for Darcie, a wedding for TJ and Krystal, and we're going to Darcie and Ron's wedding this weekend. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

This is my husband poking a Bobcat with a stick.... can we say good role model?

And of course there was lots of snuggling. Dahlia is also doing very well with her potty training. Even though we've moved on to Barry's mom's house she's still going strong. We're using a sticker reward system.

Tune in next time for a visit from the NH Haighs and pictures of our new house.

Back in my blog saddle.

2009-10-05T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hello readers. I know it's been a while and I'm sorry to starve you of cute pictures of my children but things have been pretty crazy. They haven't really calmed down yet, but since we finally got Barry's computer online I can bring you all up to date. It may take a few posts, and it may be the quicky version so bare with me.

We left off with Dahlia's Birthday week long present opening extraaaa vaaa gaaaanzaaaa.

Here are a a few more. I really can't remember everything she got or who sent it at this point. But thank you every one. Dahlia loved all her gifts and getting all that mail didn't suck either.

At some point just before we left Florida the kids and I had another very nice stay at Russ and Jody's. Here's Mr Curly Q. riding a duck at the playground.

Also during that visit I showed Emily how to make friendship bracelets. Her excellent craftsmanship is displayed on top in a bracelet she made for Dahlia. Dahlia has it tied to the zipper of her Tinker Bell back pack. And the bottom one I made for Emily.

Another highlight of that visit was my first encounter with Lox. Very tasty. I even enjoyed it with the raw onion which is not something I'm usually a fan of.

A few days later everything came to a head and we made the decision to move back to Cape Cod. We are so happy to feel at "home" again (even though we aren't in a place of our own yet. more on that later), but we do miss all the family and few friends we met in Florida.

We all want to wish Ms. Emily a VERY happy twelfth birthday tomorrow. We are thinking of you and we miss you tons!

That's all I have time for today.

Dahlia-pallooza Week Part One

2009-08-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

Ok. Waaaayy behind on the posts. I know. Dahlia's Birthday was over three weeks ago. And a lot of things have happened since then. These are a few pictures I uploaded before the computer got packed up and we moved back to the Cape (yeah!).

More on all of that later. I'll try to go in order. First is the birthday cake I made for Dahlia. Not very fancy. I was playing with the letter stencils in my cake decorating kit.

Here's one of Gregory sporting a purple frosting moo-stash.

And my dainty Birthday girl forcing her pink cupcake into her face-hole.

The first of many presents to arrive in the mail for Dahlia. This doll house from Nana and Bumpa made me a little green with envy.
1. I never had a doll house this cool when I was little.
2. I may never own a house this nice in my adult life.

....sometimes I play with it during nap time.

But here's proof that I let her play with it too. And she's been sharing very well with Gregory.

Uncle Josh, Aunt Julie and cousin Zoe sent some beautiful outfits from Old Navy. I think the butterfly shirt is my personal favorite. Dahlia prefers the pinky/orange dress in the middle.

I leave you with my ever growing belly to contemplate the gender of the beast within. Some people think they can tell based on how high or low your belly sits.
Fancy a guess?

My Little Girl Turns Three Today!!!!

2009-08-10T06:55:00.000-07:00

August 10th 2006... everything changed.

I love you sweetpea. You're growing up so fast.

Happy Birthday Dahlia!

Dead things, soapy things, and squirmy things.

2009-08-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

I found a tiny dead frog in my bathroom this morning. It wasn't there when I got up to get Barry off to work at 4:30. I find it slightly more disturbing than seeing the occasional rouge cockroach out of the corner of my eye, because the mystery of this dead frog raises so many questions for me;

1.) Where was it hiding out when it was alive, and why did I never see it alive?

2.) What was it's cause of death? (and where might that be hiding out?)

3.) When should I be expecting a rain of locus?

In other news, I finally bathed the children last night. I realize that this is a regular if not daily occurrence for most mothers, but not any that I'm friends with. It's hard enough trying to wash dishes with a volleyball under your shirt, and the dishes don't try to get away. So once in a while when I'm feeling ambitious/crazy I announce to the house hold that whomever finishes their supper can get in the washa-tub later. Yes, it's become a special treat. Don't judge me.

I tried to get the shampoo all sudsy for a photo-op but it's not that noticeable.

I still was able to get the silliness of horns and swirlys, which is after all the whole point. After this everyone (read Gregory) started standing up, there by making pictures seem inappropriate.

And still in other news. I'm having a baby.

I went for my sonogram at the clinic the other day. Barry came to keep an eye on the children. I think he was just trying to sneak a peek at my fetus' junk-a-talia. But the kids got really restless and I kicked them all out half way through so no one was in the room with me when the tech looked at "that area". I turned away.

Barry made frantic gestures behind my back at the sonogram tech later, and he seems to think he knows the sex of the baby. But I'm still determined to be surprised. Even if it means I have to pick out two names, which is freakin' impossible. It doesn't help that the only suggestion my husband has is Johnny Walter for a boy or a girl. Yeah.... that's what I'm working with. So any suggestions would be wonderful at this point. Just leave them in your comments.

Lastly this is just funny. My Dr. wrote me a script for bi-weekly foot massages, because I told him I was getting foot cramps (another reason I avoid kneeling on the bathroom floor for a half hour every night, and then there's the frogs of course...)

Nice guy, I liked him up until the point where he told me I would have to wait till I was in labor to go to the hospital and get my C section.

FAT CHANCE.

So now I have to take my newly instated Medicaid and find some other, less funny, but hopefully more reasonable Dr. who is willing to make me an appointment for baby removal.

I don't need to be having contractions while someone is trying to jam a needle into my spine, been there done that, the needle broke off in me. I'm all set.

Over the river and through the woods...

2009-07-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

This past weekend the kids and I went to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Silverstein, and Aunt Emily. It was a nice change of pace, and we had a great time visiting. Barry couldn't make it because of work.

We went swimming in the pool. Here's the kids in their floats.

Grandma has the cookie hook up at Publix!

Trying to stay in the shade while we decorated their driveway for them.

"CHEESE"

Gregory seemed to sit in more chalk than he did coloring with it.

How many of those can she hold at once?!?

At Emily's Grandparent's having cake and ice cream for Jody's Birthday.

A very sleepy Dahlia looking up from snuggling with Grandpa.

Even breakfast comes with dessert when you're on vacation.

Dahlia hammed it up all weekend for everyone. Here she is singing for Grandpa.

Thanks for having us Russ and Jody. And thanks Emily for being such a big help with the kids. Can't wait to come back and see you all soon.

Week in review.

2009-07-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

Well these are to put any one's mind at ease who was worried about the state of toys in my kid's room (mostly just me but I felt the need to document it). It stayed clean for about two days with the promise of a visit from Grandma and Emily held over their little toy throwing heads.

It's not quite this pretty right now. But the basic system is still in place and will hopefully not take long to tidy up any more.

This is Dahlia's princess crown. It was in her goodie bag from the kids party at Dee's house which we forgot there and got from her when they came to visit. Dahlia's been wearing it ever since! She tenderly rests it next to her bed at nap and bed time only to happily shove it back on the second she wakes up. We've been out in public a lot with it too. Mostly just to the grocery store or to see daddy at work. She has now started to proclaim that it is her special magic crown and with it she gives magic kisses.

In other news I've been fighting the battle of stir-crazy-stay-at-home-never-do-my-hair-I have-no-life sickness, by finding things to do on Meetup.com. So far I've found a knitting group that sort of fizzled out and I can't make it to any more because of Barry's crazy schedule and a couple of playgroups. The first one I tried was having a meet up at a community pool. When I got there (after getting really lost) I found a Summer Camp had over run the place for the day and the pool was closed to the public. So the kids and I played on the playground for about an hour until the tweens started trickling over there too.

Dahlia riding a purple dinosaur.

Gregory demonstrating the proper slide dismount I taught him.

I wasn't too worried about falling because the ground was covered in bouncy rubber. Like the floor at Lego Land in Downtown Disney.

A rare shot of Dahlia sliding down the slide. After her first sticky attempt in a dress it was all climbing up.

If you look in the back you'll see an teenager being a bad influence on my children.

THOSE AREN'T FOR STANDING ON YOUNG LADY.

Oh dear I'm so old.

Monday I had my first Dr's visit. (YEAH!!!!! finally I know) I'm on temporary health care but it should switch to permanent in a week or so. I got blood drawn and it's being tested for every STD known to man. weeee. as well as a few prenatal screenings I'm sure. In two weeks I go back for an ultra sound and another check up. I will not be finding out the sex of the baby, but if you want to know if I have gonorrhea, just ask.

Jody and Emily watched the kids all day for me while I patiently knitted in the waiting room. Thank you so much. I can't imagine if I had had them with me. Barry and I drove to pick them up when he got out of work and we ended up staying for dinner and all went out for ice cream (sorry no pictures I was slacking). It was a very nice unexpected visit.

This morning Dahlia came in our room around 5ish. Barry had already left and I was on the computer. She had peed through her jammies poor thing. So I changed her and gave her one of my T shirts to wear. It was so cute I had to take a picture. You can also see just how short her hair is now.

Earlier I was on the computer in the other room and noticed how eerily quiet it was so I went to check on the kids and this is what I found. Dahlia just looked up at me and whispered "I'm watching Barney". I guess the excitment of it all was too much for little Greggy.

So that's what we've been up to this week, more or less. I have been knitting up a storm but since it's all gifts for people online photos will have to wait. Also I did go to another Meet Up with a different play group on Sunday. It was a BarBQ at one of the women's houses. I brought deviled eggs and snicker doodles. It was fun, the kids had a blast and I think I'm going to keep getting together with them.

A reason to celebrate.

2009-07-06T01:31:00.000-07:00

I was just getting home from the super market with the kids on the 4th and saw that Barry was home early from work(yeah), and on the phone with his Dad, who we haven't seen in a while(yeah x 2). So I tossed the milk in the fridge and we rushed off to Cleremont for a cookout and some fireworks.

Dahlia's was jumping up and down she was so excited by the bright lights and noises. A few of the surrounding neighbors were getting into their larger ones, so we could see them over the houses. It was quite the show.

Sitting a safe distance back with Emily. The kids were both so happy to see her. Gregory kept running up and giving her hugs. (He was not very happy about the big fuzz ball of a dog Rocko. I don't think I've ever heard him shriek like that.)

But he certainly was getting a kick out of the festivities. It was hard holding him back from investigating.

All in all it was a great time. I'm glad the kids got to see some fireworks for the holiday. I'm even more glad that we went to see the in laws. It had been too long. We won't be waiting so long this time.

Hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July.

I know they're pretty but you shouldn't run straight at the fireworks.

Bikes, and Uncle Andy's Birthday.

2009-07-03T18:14:00.001-07:00

Yesterday the kids and I took their respective wheely toys out to go get the mail. It was kind of a long trip if your scooting the whole way, so they were pretty worn out. Dahlia was trying her pedals but getting easily frustrated. I'm not rushing her.

We came across a little girl Dahlia's age. She was very interested in all the buttons on Gregory's car. And he was just sitting on it thinking he was quite the ladies man. It was very funny.

I used the promise of ice cream sandwiches to rally the troops during the home stretch. Surprisingly after all this fresh air (read boiling lung gas) and exercise they still didn't nap. They were too excited to see Aunt Dee and Andy and the kids.

They were staying in the area and dropped by for a visit. They also jumped the battery in the van. YEAH!!! Thanks guys!
They let us join them for Andy's Birthday dinner at a Chinese place in the Mall at Millenia.

Here we are trying to keep all our ducks in a row. It's mentally exhausting trying to keep tabs on all these little people, but it's totally worth getting together! The kids all had a blast playing with the toy explosion that is our apartment. I must say though that Matthew seemed very distressed that all the toys weren't neatly grouped together with those they went with. Me and you both buddy! I long for furniture and toy organization beyond diaper boxes.

The food was great! Despite me poisoning my husband with some sweet chili. (I didn't think it had orange in it. SORRY TEAM) My favorite had to be the little dessert "shots". The kids and Barry got Smores and I had Tiramisu.

Who needs cute spoons when you can eat the whole thing with your fingers? Dahlia spent most of the night singing and entertaining Andy, so I'm sure he had a very Happy Birthday. We had a great time as always.

My homework is to get a video of Dahlia singing. I also would love to get her "reading" one of her books. So I'm on it. Give me a few days.

Never Never Land will have to wait.

2009-07-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

I gave the kids haircuts last night after their bath. Dahlia's came out a little shorter than I wanted but I forgot that curly hair shrinks when it dries. Oh well I can still put it up for her and it'll grow back fast. Plus she has some cute headbands I might start letting her wear now.

The hair close to her neck was always shorter. I didn't cut that very much. I'd say I took about 3 inches off the top layer. Whatever she's cute no matter what. Barry still hasn't seen it yet.

Gregory was not very interested in sitting still so his is a little choppy in places but he still has enough curl to hide any oopses.

I think he looks very dapper and much less like Peter Pan now. And there are still some curls in the back, so I hope Barry won't be too upset. He was very against the idea of hair cuts every time I brought it up.

today... sucked.

2009-06-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

I decided to stay up after sending Barry off to work this morning and watch the new episode of Merlin on Hulu. It was good. Dahlia toddled in a little after six, blurry eyed, blanket in one hand, hot pink lamb in the other.

Her: "I just want to sit with you."
Me: "Ok" (thinking: she's the cutest thing ever)
Her: "I brought my stuff."
Me: "I see that" (thinking: Christ I want to scoop her up and hold her so tight that she never gets any bigger.)

So I crawl back into bed with her and give her Barry's pillow and turn the light off and she holds my finger until we both fall asleep.

I wake up to the dog barking and her screaming. Now the dog as some of you know, was gotten from the used car dealership where they sold us our crap cars. Before that I think he was a fighting pit bull. He has the scars to suggest it and the temper around other dogs to seal my suspicions. So because of his sorted past he's been kept on the leash at all times. I just wrap the handle around a door knob and he hangs out. I know it's not a very nice way to keep an animal, but it was better than he was used to. The kids would go sit with him and give him hugs and kisses, and when we were having a bad storm I would hold him in my lap on the couch.

Fast forward to this morning. Dahlia scrambles up on the bed crying saying the dog bit her and stepped on her. From what I can tell she was lying next to him while he was enjoying some raw hide. She probably grabbed it and he said "no puppy that's mine" the way dogs do.

Dahlia's arm is fine. She has a little bruise and two very faint teeth marks.

I calmed her down and sent her to her room to entertain her brother. I had to focus on what needed to be done. First I put his bed in the back of the van. No turning back now. The box of dog biscuits and assorted rawhide/chewy toys went on the floor in the front seat. I put the last of his food in the storage space under his dish and moved that out too. I got the kids up, changed, dressed, and gave them some cereal. Then I let him out for the last time. I don't really remember what was going through my head. Just that it needed to be done, like quiting smoking when I got pregnant, no backing out.

I called Barry at work to let him know what happened. He was worried and wanted me to bring the kids by when I was done so he could see her arm for himself.
I got to the dealership and asked the owner if he still wanted the dog back. I guess there had been a few night break-ins since we took him. He said no I should take him to the pound. My head was reeling on what to do next. I saw the former owner out side on my way back to the car. A man named Tonto who's blind in one eye. I asked him if he wanted the dog back. He loved "Black" (we changed it to Methos) and did want to take him, but he'd already gotten a new puppy. But he made a phone call to a friend who wanted a dog and thankfully he took him. I didn't really say good bye because I didn't want to get upset. But as soon as I got in the car Dahlia started freaking out that she wanted her puppy and that she loved her puppy and I couldn't hold it together anymore. We went to see Barry at work so he could kiss her boo boo and see that she was ok.

The rest of the morning was alright. No questions about where he had gone. Lunch. Nap. Gregory and I slept until quarter to six. Dahlia came in my room around two and laid down with me again. I think she was making sure I was alright. They both get very upset when I cry.

We all got up, had a snack, played/snuggled for a bit. Then supper and jammies. I was still a little down so I figured I'd bring the kids to see Barry at work to say "na-nights". I carried them both to the car so they wouldn't get their little feety pajamas dirty. I noticed that the parking lights were on and thought to myself "I'm sure it's fine, it hasn't been that long." I got them all buckled and the car won't start... great. Ok I can roll with the punches. "kids, wait here" I walked to the only neighbors we're friendly with. No jumper cables. I asked a few people I saw pull up. Nope and nope. The kids were sweating in their jammies at this point but they weren't complaining because they wanted to see daddy. So I unbuckled everyone. Now the crying starts, them and me. Well maybe we'll just call daddy and say "na night". He should be on his break right about now.
My phone's been shut off for non-payment.

That was my day. Sorry no cute photos of the kids.

Father's Day Weekend.

2009-06-22T06:14:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went to Dee and Andy's for a big Bar-BQ/multi-child Birthday party. We had lots of fun in the pool and even tested our comfort zones in the water. Here's daddy with his kids in their little floats.

Dahlia's comfort zone involved swimmies, a kick board and mommy holding her up. This girl does not like to get her face wet!! (wow I guess she kinda does look like me, I never really saw it.)

This one on the other hand... I had the two of them standing on a step right in front of me and I closed my eyes to rub the water out, I opened them and he was under water! Yikes! He just dives right in. He at least knows to hold his breath. (Dahlia tries to inhale the water) So he's our little water baby, but damn you gotta keep an eye on this one.

She heard someone talking about cake...

Me and my little man.

Sunday was pretty low-key. Barry made us breakfast (his eggs are better), but he let me serve so I could pretend I had made him a nice Father's Day breakfast. The kids and I had gone out on Friday to try and print a picture at Ritz for his desk at work but we went to the wrong mall and came home before we ran out of gas. Maybe we'll try again this week.

Also last night I went out to a knitting group. I heard about it at Meetup.com and last night was the first meeting. It was at a Starbucks in Winter Garden. About a half hour from here. I got lost and was very late, but I'm glad I went and I'm going to try and make a regular thing of it.
Met some nice ladies and it's just good for me to get out a little.

Cake for no reason but that I love cake.

2009-06-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

I made cake. Cause I like cake. After I finished frosting it I realized it was all white and I had a ton of food coloring. So all the color was added after it was frosted. Just thought it'd be more fun for the kids this way.

This is how my little lady eats her cake. She had just a smidge of green frosting on her fingers and the side of her mouth.

This one, however, went straight into the tub to get hosed off.

And lastly, baby bump 09. I can feel some kicking. I hope this one likes to be clean!

Kids and cars

2009-06-07T07:03:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, we've been having some car trouble. Some time last week Barry returned the rental car we had had for over a month and had to bring home everything that was in it with him in the taxi. Whoops. Should have cleaned it out first. So it was late and we just piled everything by the front door and went to bed. This is what I opened my door to first thing in the morning.

Dahlia has a thing for making sure everything that can be buckled is. ha ha ha.

Nana and Bumpa came to say hello for an afternoon, as they will be going back up to the Cape soon. Dahlia loved slurping Nana's "pagetti". And Gregory ate everything in site. (except the broccoli I tried to slip past him)

So in other news, Barry and I finally got our tax return checks and are breathing easy again. We are all caught up on our bills and we were even able to pick up the second car that's been waiting for us at the dealership. Barry is very happy with his new toy. I think he more than deserves it, as he has taken on a second full time job to bring a little more cash flow to our lives.

Isn't she purty. He says if I ever leave him it'll be his second wife.

Which means that this white whale is all mine.

I can now kidnap lots of little children and perform tickle experiments on them. Dahlia will of course help.

Summer treats and making friends...

2009-05-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

Well as some of you may have noticed we live in Florida now. Or as I like to call it, hell on the surface of the sun. Even when there's a nice breeze outside I just feel like God turned on his blow dryer.
So the kids and I have been trying to stay cool with some summery treats.

Here's Dahlia showing me the best way to savor a popsicle until it turns to soup. The trick is to just let your tongue touch it every 2 minutes or so.

And this was our Memorial Day Strawberry Short Cake for Lunch Celebration. Some days I just can't bring myself to make another "P and Jelly samich". And hey, it's got fruit... it's healthy.

This is a time I wish I had grabbed my camera five minutes earlier. Gregory was sitting in Daddy's lap watching the Red Sox and sharing an ice cream cone. Cutest thing ever. But I couldn't drag my eyes away to run and get the camera until it was almost gone.

Baby's first road rash.
In an effort to make my son a little more independent (as well as free up my hands a bit and save my back for early contractions) I'm trying to let him walk on his own more outside. So instead of being carried to the car he walks, and instead of me pushing him in a stroller to the laundry room he walks. You get the idea. I've even tried him out in a quicky grocery run. He's pretty good and doesn't touch too much. He's even holding hands in the parking lots. This is a photo of his first of I'm sure to be many boo boos caused by this new found freedom. He fell in the parking lot of our apartment complex.

Here we are killing some time in the kids section of Border's. This is Gregory's "cheese!" face.

Later they met a little girl named Olivia and instantly bonded over their mutual love for princess books and spinning in public. I love Greggy's face the most.

Fair Isle

2009-05-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

This is the third hat I've made from my baby hat book. I had to learn Fair Isle knitting.

I'm very proud of this and even the inside is very neat considering it's covered in strings weaved across behind the little dots. It's basically a square with tassels but it's cute. Oh and I learned do a three needle bind off. I'm getting so daring with patterns. This hat will be for my friend Marissa's little boy, Jackson.

Lions and Tigers and Hats, Oh My!

2009-05-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

Dahlia has discovered The Wizard of Oz. We bought the VHS for her at a used kids store and she's been watching it ever since. It this particular photo she is "off to see the Wizard" (although she sings it "we love to see the Wizard"). She has a pink lamb playing the part of Toto and her pink Little Mermaid purse as her diaper bag. I think it's supposed to be like Dorothy's basket but she insists it's a diaper bag. With this loot she does her best impression of skipping around the house breathlessly repeating "we love to see the Wizard". Also she thinks the Tinman is a robot, and I think she was trying to get me to play the "robot" because she told me I had to ask for a heart. I tried not to take that personally. If Greggory stands in one place too long she'll grab him by the wrist and drag him down her yellow brick road until he falls down and cries. I won't be sad when that tape breaks.

In other news. I've made a few hats from my baby hat book. The patterns called for 9 needles but I only had 10 so they are a little big. This one is for Zander, my friend Faith's little boy. He just turned two.

And this one is for Tristen, Zander's cousin. She just turned two too. I'm really pleased with these colors together.

I realise it's a little lopsided with all these pictures of Dahlia but Gregory makes a bad hat model. I have finished another one already for my other friend Marissa's boy. Jackson. I even learned a little fair isle, photo coming soon. Right now I'm working on a crochet lap blanket as one of my art sharing give aways. I had to switch to crochet, my knitting muscles were starting to cramp.

Mother's Day... part deux

2009-05-12T05:13:00.000-07:00

We left off where Barry took the kids out for a drive so I could write a grumpy blog and take a nap. Foolishly I left my phone on and next to me in the bed. The first call I ignored and then listened to the message. Some little boy wishing his grandmother a Happy Mother's Day. I get a lot of wrong numbers on that phone. The second one was from Barry asking if I could be up in a few minutes to help him get stuff out of the car. My lips said yes, but my pillow was like "yeah right". So I got woken up with children being plopped on top of me. Which is how I wake up Barry most weekends. Greggy snuggle delivery. It washed away the whole ordeal of part one.

Then there were tasty treats and presents!

Barry took the kids to the book store and let them each pick out a book for mommy (from a selection that he laid out for them). What a good Daddy. The illusion of independence mixed with things mommy will like! Dahlia got me this book of cute patterns for baby hats. Great ideas and photos! I have already used it to make a little flower embellishment for another project. (photos later)

Gregory picked a book called Pints and Purls. It's a book of patterns sassy but simple enough to make while out with friends having a cocktail. It even rates the patterns difficulty from Designated Driver, to one drink-four drinks. As in how much of your wits do you need about you to pull it off. Very cute.

Here are all my books. Barry picked out a beautiful collection of fairy tails. I cried when he gave me this, because I've been wanting something like it to read to the kids. Each one has a different illustrator, and there are a few I've never heard of. So far I've read Beauty and the Beast to the kids at nap time. They were both asleep by the end, it was long but worth it. I would read to them at night, but there's no light in their room, and I'm usually in a hurry to get back to my supper.

Barry and I picked up this work bench at a second hand kids store. They love it. The whole table flips over and there's a little engine to work on on the other side. We have extra tools from other toys so everyone has a hammer and a screwdriver to hold.

Dahlia learned how to turn the hammer over and take the nails out. They go flying every time!

Gregory banging away. Very cute.

We also got them cheap bathing suits at that store (Once Upon a Child), and some floats at Wallmart. I took them by myself on Saturday to our development's pool. And then again on Sunday with Barry. Dahlia still does not like anything above her neck to get wet. Gregory kept dunking his own face (while safely in daddy's arms). Very funny to watch.

So it started out a little crappy, but all in all it was a very nice Mother's Day. I have a great little family and I love them very much.

Mother's Day...part one

2009-05-10T06:12:00.000-07:00

5:14 am - I awoke to the girl. I could tell from the light coming through the window blinds that it was morning. But it seemed too early for her to be yelling "GEGGY WANTS YOU!". On any other day she would climb into the middle of the bed and wriggle around and kick us until the urge to get up and pet the dog overwhelmed her. But today was no ordinary day. No, today is Mother's Day.
5:16 am - I stumble into clothes.
5:17 am - I look at the clock over the oven as I walk by and let the irony wash over me.
5:18 am - I pee with one free hand, while holding the boy. His blanket is warm and bulky. His face is buried in it and I wish mine could join him.
5:20 am - I put in Aladin. They play "mommy's my favorite jungle gym", while I curl up on the floor with my daughter's pillow and blankets.
7:00 am - diapers and dressed
7:10 am - I administer the gummy-bear vitamins, red for girl. She must have red. The boy doesn't care or doesn't know the difference. It occurs to me that he has a very good chance of being color blind and I will have to love him anyway.
7:12 am - I dump small piles of generic cocoa puff cereal on the Princess table, and get last night's milk leftovers out of the fridge.
7:15 am - I put cinnamon rolls in the oven, and debate waking up my husband or risking the stomach ache of eating them all myself.
7:18 am - First round of nudging husband. Guilt him with story of my morning, and tempt him with warm cinnamon rolls.
7:42 am - There are three cinnamon rolls left in the pan. The children are sticky and playing quietly. Second round of husband nudging. Get dog out of room so he might eat the food he ignored the night before.
8:11 am - Husband emerges, children run to hug and kiss him. He has the girl come wish me a Happy Mother's Day. He suggests the same to the boy. He says "hi".
8:15 am - I invite the girl to come walk the dog. In her flurry to put on her shoes she pushes her brother over and into the coffee table.
8:17 am - I walk the dog while the girl screams in the corner and the boy sits with his father.
8:35 am - The children have "messed" themselves. I change their diapers, and wonder when I will get around to potty training the girl.
9:00 am - Husband piles children into car. They will most likely come back filthy, but happy. I am grateful.

Hey look, twice in one month...

2009-05-04T10:56:00.001-07:00

A day in the life of my oven. I'm not big on cooking so I don't know how this all happened in one day. I made blueberry muffins for breakfast for me and the kids. Barry got some the next day. Here they are checking on them.

Dahlia's very excited because I let her help (read stir) for the first time. So she is very anxious to see how they come out.

Then later that day I made a yummy roast with potatoes and onions. We need a baster to keep these things at their juiciest, but it was still very good, and the left overs were even better.

I call this series, topless/laundry day block building. Just the usual stuff we do to fill up our day.

They both reached for the same block but Dahlia is quicker. Sorry Greggy it's survival of the fittest in this house.

A little "My friends Tigger and Pooh" in the background to set the mood.

Oh jeeze. Time to put down the camera and break it up before someone gets hit in the head with a block. It kind of looks like Pooh looked up from what he was doing when she screamed.

"Oh Bother"

A mini day trip. We went to go check on our broke down van. It's still in the parking lot where we left it. We got the kids some donut holes on the way to keep everyone happy, and so Daddy could get some coffee. Here's Gregory's sugar-puss.

We felt the kids deserved a little out of the car time so we stopped at Toy's R Us on the way home. We got Dahlia some new sunglasses, because Gregory broke another pair. And because Daddy wants everything to be equal Greggy got his own pair too. But I've laid down stricter rules so hopefully they will last longer this time.

We also found them new chairs for their table. One of the princess chairs broke. Dahlia picked out Tinker Bell, and Gregory seemed to favor Handy Manny. All in all a fun little outing.

Long awaited new photos.

2009-04-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

I finally found the box with my camera cable, so mom please stop sending me death threats. Here are lots of new pictures of your ever changing grandchildren, among other things.

Here are a few shots of our new apartment, before we moved in and threw toys everywhere.

And here's what it looks like now, most of the time.

This is the newest addition to our family. We got him from the used car dealership where we got our van. Formally known as Black, we changed his name to Methos and are taking him to obedience school. So far there has been a big improvement. He was originally in a dog fighting ring before his job as a night guard at the car lot. Now he is a full time BFF to Dahlia. Gregory is taking his time getting close.

I got a great Birthday present in the mail from my sister. It's a knitting bag and needle/hook holder. Here it is closed and open. Click to check out the great fabrics. She got it on Etsy.com from Slipped Stitch Studios.
I love it!

Here are the adorable Easter clothes my mom made and sent for the kids, along with the complete first season of Fraggle Rock. We all have been watching that and getting a kick out of it. Dahlia seems determined to learn all their names.

Also for Easter we went to see Grammy and Ray. Linda, John and Cheri were staying with them too. The trip up there was a car nightmare, but it's late and I don't really want to get into such a depressing story. More cute clothes, thank you everyone, and Easter baskets too.

Here are the girls at Easter/Happy early Birthday Grammy dinner.

Giving hugs at the piano.

A somewhat nice family photo.

Our rental car came complete with someone else's sunglasses. Gregory was very pleased to have his own pair.

Just in case you've fogotten what pure joy looks like...

2009-03-19T07:30:00.000-07:00

FLYING DAHLIA!!!!!

Downtown Disney with the Levys

2009-03-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

This Saturday Barry and I took the kids to Downtown Disney with his Aunt Dee and Uncle Andy and their kids. Here's all the chaos captured in one photo. Left to Right Top to Bottom: Pooh Bear, Sarah, Dahlia, Mathew, Tigger, Becca, Piglet, and Gregory. Dahlia was very concerned that the other children weren't sitting. Gregory just chilled in his stroller all day.

Here's Dahlia giving Pooh's tummy a kiss while Sarah feeds him her tasty fingers.

We had a great lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe. I wish this was the face she made every time the lights went out and the whole place broke out in fake thunder and lightning. She was a little uneasy when that happened. And she did not like the big Gorillas on the way to the bathroom one bit. All he did was blink at her! My child is terrified of animatronics. I hope she grows out of it.

These two were inseparable all day. They rode the Carousel together later. Sadly my camera (read: husband) was MIA so I didn't get any photos.

I think Sarah was pleased to be counted among the "big kids" for a day. She'll have a little baby to play with too soon enough. (I mean mine.)

Dahlia hanging out at the Lego table. Mostly getting frustrated but happy to show off her progress none the less.

He was such a good boy all day. Thankfully he's still at an age where all the visual stimulus is enough. Just keep him moving and give him stuff to look at. It won't last much longer.

Dee brought some presents for me and the kids. Mine was a big bag of yarn. I'm still sorting through it and a photo will come soon. The kids got some nice books, some Legos, and a stuffed animal each. Dahlia LOVES this little dog. It plays Christmas music and she's taken to bed every night since she got it.

Gregory was tickled blue (it's the giddy color for men) over the Legos as well as the bucket they came in. He fills it with everything from Legos to his cup, to my phone (little pick pocket), just to dump it all out and start over.

Even though we were pooped from Saturday, Barry and I braved the park with the kids Sunday morning. Here we are waiting for the trolley. Gregory climbed up there all by himself and is relishing in his spoils.

We brought Dahlia's bike and Gregory's car for a change of pace. It kept them happy while we waited for the trolley, but they lost interest once they saw the swings. Hopefully there will be a place for them to play outside in the new apartment. Yes the big move is this weekend. I'm supposed to be packing all week in my spare time (what's that?), and turning on the utilities.

Birthday and Hide and Seek

2009-03-13T11:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my birthday. Thank you everyone for your well wishes. I got a very nice package from my Mom. She sent me some cute "Knitting Girl" socks, a Ritz Camera card so I can make some photos, and a cake decorating kit. I can't wait to use it.

Dahlia was crying because she wanted to be in the photo of my presents, so I took her picture too. I told her she had to smile so she forced one out. She's really over tired. She woke up last night and would not go back to sleep.

Gregory wanted in on the action too. He thought it would be a good idea to push the chair over and try and climb up on the bed that way.

Not really a present but it did make my day. I got this Lion Brand Yarn catalog in the mail. There are a lot of great pictures of patterns that are available online. And in the back is all the yarn they sell. Wow. I've been drooling over the pictures ever since it came.

And in keeping with our random videos, here's Dahlia playing "where's Dahlia?".

I will most likely find those shoes when I go to bed tonight.

Babys and swings and turtles oh my.

2009-03-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

I'd like to start by saying "sorry I know it's been a while. I've been sick for a couple of weeks". I had a cold that turned into pneumonia and while at the hospital my pee revealed that I'm pregnant. So it's been a busy few weeks. Before my cold took a turn for the worse I went to lunch with the kids and Linda, John, Cheri and Nana. They had been visiting Grammy and Ray and came to see us on their way to the airport. Dahlia had a blast with Cheri and her phone.

Gregory enjoyed the company and the food.

Here he is enjoying his and his sister's food. This has become the norm at dinner time.

So this last weekend was my first big venture out. The kids and I went to the park Saterday and Sunday to make up for being cooped up all this time.
I finally took a picture of the trolly we ride to get to the park.

The highlights for this trip were the turtle we saw on our walk and Dahlia's first time on the big swings. Very exciting.

Gregory climbed up a very steep staircase to the big kid's slide, but I was too busy spotting him to snap a picture. That child is going to give me a heart condition.

Here's a little video of the kids swinging. Sorry if it causes any nausia.

Lastly I would like to take a poll. Should we find out the sex of our new family member or wait till they are born?

Narcolepsy, Mickey Ears, and Chubby Bunny

2009-02-18T05:24:00.000-08:00

She refuses to nap during "nap time", so Dahlia has taken to passing out where ever in the mid afternoon. Maybe someday I'll write a book exploring all the similarities between children and drunk people.

Here are the kids with their Disney loot. Gotta have those ears.

Last weekend I took the kids to the playground. It was cut short by rain, but not before we met the resident bunny. His name is Chubby and I think Dahlia could have pet him all day.

The Happiest Place on Earth.

2009-02-09T07:51:00.001-08:00

Saturday we met up with Grammy and Ray for some lunch. We checked into the hotel with them, then we went to Downtown Disney to meet up with Josh, Julie and Zoe. On the ride over Gregory got a little sick in the car. Just the Post Nasal Drip having it's way with my children. We cleaned him up and went to check out the Lego store. Here's Dahlia at the Lego table outside. They had a very cool squishy floor out there.

There were also some very awesome displays of Lego ingenuity.

Grammy and I were walking through a store with the kids. I was holding Greggy cause I foolishly forgot the stroller in our car back at the hotel. So when he started throwing up all over my sweater vest I had to shove little aspiring princesses and excited Asians out of my way only to find out that tissues were all the man at the counter could offer me. So I spent the first night of my mini vacation strolling around Downtown Disney vomit-glued to my son. Not the most fun I've ever had.

Here he is brushing his teeth the next morning. After all you can't meet the mouse with puke breath. He's getting so big.

First order of business, get strollers. The girls rode in the double wide and Greg had a single to snooze in. Then the girls got matching Tinker Bell sunglasses. Dahlia needed a new pair since her Dora ones broke. She loves them.

Our first stop was Minnie's house in Toon Town. Here's the kids sitting on Minnie's couch. Zoe is striking quite the pose. I never checked any of this out on my first trip to Disney so I thought it was pretty neat too. Minnie had her own sewing/art studio. I took this picture for my sister.

At this point in the day Gregory was wondering when his nap would arrive. So I sat out Mickey's house and tried to keep him happy. This photo pretty much sums up how the boys felt about the whole day. In his defense Gregory, however was much happier after a lite snooze.

Next we found a playground that was all Pooh themed. I think Dahlia had the most fun here. There was even a tree that you could go in and it looked like Pooh's house.

They also had an area with water jets in the ground. We spent a lot of time here.

She didn't get close enough to get soaked and it was hot out anyway. I practically had to drag her in line to ride the Pooh Bear ride. It was a half hour wait. She was very good. Barry took this time to walk Gregory around until he passed out. The ride was a little more "intense" than I was expecting. Once we got to the Heffalumps and Woosles, everything was all black light and bordering on scary. But she loved it. Zoe, who was sitting on my other side shrunk down in her seat at one point. After Pooh there was more playground fun and then lunch.

Then Dahlia and I went on Dumbo. Here we are in our pink elephant. She got a real kick out this one. There's a little joystick so I could control if we went up or down.
After our flying elephant ride. Nana and Bumpa took Dahlia and Gregory to the Country Bear Jamboree. Barry found the only rocking chair in Disney and sat looking at the water, while Josh, Julie, Zoe and I did Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain. I got soaked!!!
We caught the end of the show at Cinderella's castle on our way out and even saw some fireworks. Sorry no pictures. I put my camera on Barry's belt so I didn't always have it on hand when I wanted it. Good lesson for next time I guess.

Then we all went back to Downtown Disney for dinner at T Rex, a huge dino themed restaurant. There was an underwater room as well as the ice cave. Barry sat under a g-normous caterpillar

For anyone who want to have a drink under a GIANT squid (I'm looking at you Alyson) I recommend the bar here.

This is the ice room behind that dino. The lights inside the walls would change every so often. It was a lot of fun. Gregory made an enormous mess and got so much red jello on himself that his skin is still stained red in some areas.

The next day Gregory had me all to himself. I think he enjoyed the extra attention. Dahlia went back with Grammy and Ray. She rode It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Aladdin's Flying Carpet, and the Jungle Cruise. Julie took pictures for me, so when I get them from her I'll be sure to post them.

I had a great time with the kids. It doesn't hurt that the tickets were free. If we did a vacation there for real though I would have planned it a little better I hope.

Stay tuned

2009-02-06T13:27:00.000-08:00

So I finally burned all my photos onto cds. We are going to Disney World on Sunday so tune in next week for fresh updates.

In the mean time finish this sentence,

I'm going to hug Mickey so hard...

Art exchange & paper towel massacre

2009-01-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

I have already posted this on facebook and myspace... I'm just trying to get the bloggy crowd too, so I can be overwhelmed with projects I have to finish. So if you've already responded to one of the other posts I have made regarding this little game, disregard. You're already getting something :)

The first TEN people to respond to this post will get something made by me.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:-

What I create will be just for you.

It'll be done and delivered this year(2009).
You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a mix CD. It may be a scarf or hat. I may make you a book or journal. I might bake you something* and hand-deliver/mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
I reserve the right to do something extremely unique.

THE BIG CONDITION: you must post this in your facebook/blog/whatever so that ten people can respond to you! It's like a big chain letter that you actually benefit from (and not in an impossible "your crush will kiss you tomorrow" way). So don't reply unless you also want to make something for ten other people!

I know a butt load of artsy people so step up and lets create and share.

Today a tragedy beset our household. In a moment of weakness I decided to go to use the lady's room all by myself. In the absence of supervision, Gregory took out his groggy frustration on an unsuspecting roll of paper towels. BEHOLD THE CARNAGE!!!!

I had to look away...only to see him, just trying to wipe the baby's bottom.

He's a good kid. He just lost his way.

(Sigh)

2009-01-20T10:23:00.000-08:00

I am not great with words. The best I can do is SIGH. I feel like there is finally hope for my family and for all the rest of the country that are struggling to make due.

This is the first time I have been not only proud to be an American but more importantly proud of our Democratic process.

In other news Dahlia was sick again this morning. But we got her some of the same anti nausea tablets, and some Gatorade. She's doing much better.

Also I'm thinking of starting my own Esty shop online. http://www.etsy.com/

But first I think I need to expand my knitting horizones beyond scarves and hats. So please I'm open to suggestions or if you would like to share a pattern with me. Please email any patterns or photos to me at mah_skewl@hotmail.com and put "knitting ideas" in the subject. Maybe something you saw in a magazine but can't make it your self. I have lots of yarn and need to start doing something with it. I can't seem to give my knit wear away fast enough.

Looking forward to your ideas.

Thanks again to everyone who voted!!

What a week...

2009-01-18T05:59:00.000-08:00

I'll start with the good stuff and work my way down the endless spiral of rotten.

I took the kids with me to Michael's last weekend to use my gift card. I got lots of yummy yarn. Mostly fallish tones. I'm enjoying this color scheme right now.

But since my yarn stash is overstepping it's one-plastic-tote constraints. I swore a solemn oath to not touch my new treasures until I finished all my other projects. This involved weaving the ends in on a few scarves. I also added tassels to this little number.

And finished a hat I had been making for Barry.

Next up is making the matching arm warmer to Ms. Fuzzy.

I made this out of a bunch of scrap browns, oranges, and greens. It has an ivy and leaves pattern that's a little hard to see through the fuzzier yarns. After this set is complete I'm going to try it again in the new variegated fall yarn I got.

So that was the good stuff and now...

On Wednesday Barry came home from work with flu like symptoms. When he woke up Thursday morning he couldn't breath and was taken to the hospital. The last time this happened they said his lungs were filled forty percent with fluid and he had chronic bronchitis. This time the EMT told me as they were leaving that there was no fluid in his lungs and he didn't have a temperature. On the trip there he heard them give a code over the radio that he was fine and faking it. So they sent him to triage with all the other runny noses. The first doctor that checked him out rushed him back to the ER because his lungs were 80% filled with fluid and he was drowning. Later we found out it was that EMT's first day. I'm ok with people needing to learn but it never hurts to double check the new guys work!! So after some breathing treatments to break up the fluid, Barry came home. He has pneumonia and needs to rest. Thanks to his family we got him the medicine he needed. Thank you! He's been getting a lot better and then...

Yesterday morning Dahlia woke up coughing. I got her a sip of water and laid her back down. Then I heard more coughing and it was the kind that leads to messy. So lets just say I need to wash her pillow case and her baby's clothes, but she figured out to lean over the toilet. This continued about every ten to twenty minutes until I got her to the hospital and they gave her a little anti-nausea pill, and some Gatorade. Good as new.

Too long of a story sum up. Everyone has the mullygrubs = dishes and laundry starting to join forces and take over.

And now for something completely different.

The park.

2009-01-14T05:59:00.000-08:00

This last weekend the kids and I went to the park to give Barry a little quiet time to study. I believe the name of it is Lotus Lake Park? We've been there before for the playground, but this time I decided to explore the trails a little. After about a half hour I thought we might not see civilization again.

She is getting so big.

So is he. I love this picture.

I thought this was just a bridge but it's a board walk the goes all through the park. Me thinks it's to keep the gator related casualties low. Once we got closer to the lake there are railings. Dahlia did a very good job pushing the stroller. I think Gregory was chewing on some mulch the whole time.

At the lake having a much needed water break. She isn't sunburned. She's just flushed from all the playing. He had water too, but I didn't want him to throw his cup in the water, so I took it away for the picture.

There were some nice benches and gazebos to stop and sit. We also found an enclosed cabin/gazebo called the window on the lake. There were benches in front of the windows and an island in the middle with pictures and info of all the animals that live in the park. Dahlia is pointing at a bird of some kind. We might have stopped to sit or let Gregory out of the stroller for a while, but at this point the kids were hungry and tired and fading fast.

So we finally found the playground and played until the trolley came back. At this park (only on the weekends) you park down the road and ride on a big open trolley to the park. It's only a five minute ride but Gregory was bouncing in my lap the whole way. I meant to take a picture of the trolley but shuffling two kids, a stroller, and a diaper bag by myself I forgot.
Here's a quick video of my newest toddler toddling.

And here's one more of both of them playing.

Long awaited Christmas Part 2

2009-01-11T06:03:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a few weeks since Christmas. But we got a package in the mail from my brother and sister in law, with presents for us and the kids. So I remembered to take pictures of all the other gifts they got that weren't in the original Christmas post. (oooh my first link.)

When we came back from Nana and Bumpa's after Christmas we had a box waiting for us from Linda, John, and Cheri. Here's Gregory with a little car. The head lights light up and it makes engine noises. Very neat. I also like that it's soft rubber. He also got a dog that rolls and sings. They have a snail that is the same but I don't know where it is.

Here's Dahlia with her new favorite purse. She keeps her sunglasses in there. I would just like to point out that I don't own a purse or sunglasses and I'm a little jealous that my two year old is cooler than me. Also she has a Snap & Style Pet named Cheri. (yes Cheri Dahlia still remembers who you are). There was also a My Little Pony, but Dahlia decided it made a good car toy so I didn't go get it for the purpose of this picture. I'm lazy. I know.

The day after we got back Barry took the kids to his Aunt's. I got a lot of repacking done around here, and there was an 80's movie marathon on TV. They gave the kids their first Chanukah gifts and Barry brought me home some more of Aunt Dee's yummy cooking. I think I have all her tupper ware at this point. Gregory got some connectible planes, trains, and automobiles. A big hit with both kids. And a variety of little trucks, dump, ice cream, tow, ect.

Dahlia got a Snap and Style baby that I was storing until I could pack away some of the older toys, but I had to open for her once she saw it again. She still thinks taking a bath is a special treat. I tell her at the end of the night that if she cleans up all the toys she can take a bath and brush her teeth. So she really likes giving a bath to the little baby. There is also a dog grooming toy, with two dogs, and a carrier. I think some rubber duckies are going to get retired, so I can open some more Christmas toys for them.

Last but not least, the package from Uncle Ben, Aunt Kellie, Amelia, and Liam. The kids both got two shirts, a pair of pants, a book and a toy. Gregory loves his little trains and I read him the book a few times too. He just didn't want to sit still for the photo. Sorry little buddy. That's why I put him in the cabinet for the other pictures. I know he likes it in there.

Dahlia loves her shirts. She was pretend reading her books to Gregory as soon as she opened them. Barry took a video of the kids and I opening all the presents from Ben and Kellie but it was too long and blogger couldn't handle it. I don't have any software to edit the videos. Dahlia also got a little Doodle Pro. I don't think she's put it down except to eat and sleep.

They sent some yummy Apply Butter and Strawberry Preserves that Kellis makes. And very nice gift cards for Barry and I, Barnes and Nobel for him and Michael's for me. They're having a 70% sale on yarn. THANK YOU!!!!! I will be sure to post what ever we end up getting.

Thank you everyone very much.

Put more fort in your day.

2009-01-08T08:01:00.000-08:00

So this morning I made a fort for the kids. Not my best work I admit, I had a pretty sweet blanket fort in my dorm room senior year until someone puked in it. I still can't rule myself out on that mystery... Anyway, Dahlia was enjoying the Christmas lights until... bum bum baaaauuum.

Along came GREGORY THE DESTROYER. (ahhhhhhh flee in terror tiny imaginary villagers)

And he laid siege to fort Dahlia in a fiery explosion, and as her shrieks of defeat filled the air I said to myself
"I wonder if those lights are getting too hot?"

So the fort was short lived, but fun was has.

Also this morning I made some Chicken noodle soup. I think it could benefit from some celery if only to pretty it up a bit, but it smells great.

All in all I'm feeling very productive so far today. Maybe once the kids wake up from nap I'll try to evict the dishes that have been so rudely squatting in my sink.

Guess what I did...

2009-01-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like a self haircut to liven up your day.

Sorry there's no before photo. Let's just say there was too much of it and I did not have the time to take care of it. This is so much better already.

Good enough.

Kids and Cups.

2009-01-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

Ok people. I love my children, but let's have a moment of honesty here. My son is a HAND FULL. I'm not talking little A cup at Mardi Gra handful. It's more like drunk double D's that attack people's faces at partys. This boy gets a bath twice as much as his sister because this is what he looks like almost every night after dinner. He could be an extra in Brave Heart with this face.

Also he gets into EVERYTHING! It's as if he can smell folded laundry and is drawn to it by unseen forces. Now that walking is old news, climbing is the new extreme sport. I'd have a heart attack but he never falls.

And can we please talk about his overwhelming need to be held at all times. I thought once kids learned to walk they were off and you had to wrestle hugs from them. Now I know babys need love and I give all my cold heart can squeeze out. But he cries like he's on fire and being eaten while he burns until I pick him up. I would normally be strong and break him of this but I'm worried what the neighbors might think.

Which is why I'm typing this with one hand and rocking him in the other. Because I wuv him. At this point I would like to remind you all that I love him very much, I just don't seem to remember Dahlia being this much work at his age.

And now she's just so helpful (when she's not beating up her brother which is every waking moment). Here she is helping me clean while the boys were out for a drive.

New topic.

I like to drink a lot of water. I don't like to do dishes. I also don't like to waste. So I have a plastic cup that I reuse for water. But I have to label it somehow so I don't put milk in it. This is where my Sharpie comes in. I call this segment:

Cup of the Moment.

Please contact me if you have ideas for upcoming cup labels for me.

A day in the life...

2009-01-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

A real conversation between my husband and I:

Barry: Could you do me a favor and wash some of the utensils while you're over there.

Me: You mean right this second?

Barry: Well, yeah...right after you're done cutting that sandwich with a plastic spoon.

Me: (trying not to laugh) I think I could manage that.

Happy Anniversary Honey!!

Christmas!!!!!!

2008-12-31T06:41:00.001-08:00

First up is a slightly belated birthday present for Gregory from Gama and Bill. It's sounds like a steel drum, and there's three small instruments that Dahlia is modeling in a very Vanna like fashion, which all fit inside the bottom of the drum.

So far there has been a lot of standing on it, but thankfully no injuries.

Now for Christmas Gama and Bill bought the kids some nice toys. Dahlia got a Wonder Pets toy which she loves and will scream bloody murder if Gregory so much as looks at her while she's playing with it. Gregory got a singing/talking tool bag with tools, that incidentally he is more than happy to share with his sister.

Also purchased with the generous gift card from my mother... four of the green totes (already being put to use, this one holding most of my yarn), 120 diapers, a set of plastic drawers for clothes, two pairs of pants for me, some multi-vitamins again for me, the new Metallica CD for Barry, and some slippers for Barry.

Thanks Mom. Thanks Bill.

Next we have a (sideways) video of Dahlia opening her present from my sister "Aunty Winzee" and Patrick. I couldn't figure out how to turn the video the right way. So sorry, tilt your head.

I wanted to take videos of the kids opening all the presents that they got in the mail, for the people who sent them. But it takes up so much memory on my camera, and Dahlia's really slow so that would get a little boring. But here's one more of her opening her brother's present from Auntie Lindsay and Uncle Patrick.

Here they are with all their loot. They also got a rugby ball (?) that unzips into a kiwi bird (?) in a Popple like way, that Patrick brought back from New Zealand.

We'll pretend he's singing here.

On Christmas eve we went to Barry's grandparent's. They live about four hours away and the traffic was terrible. I made a retarded Santa hat for the occasion. It's g-normous in a one size fits all kind of way, and it's too short, so it looks more like an elf hat. I was glancing at a pattern when I made it but I didn't follow it.

And some photos of us on Christmas morning. Gregory got an ambulance.

Dahlia opening a present.

Gregory got some new shoes.

Now this is Christmas.

It's a Cars car. Very cool.

Dahlia showing off her new baby with diaper bag, travel bed, and play mat. As well as modeling some new clothes.

Ray's son and his wife, kids, and wife's parents came over for Christmas dinner. We had pork and sour kraut. I guess it's the traditional Swiss Christmas dinner. Catiline's parents are from Switzerland. It was so good. Ray drained the regular brine from the kraut and cooked it all in the slow cooker with some wine. I had seconds and thirds.

Any way. They were so nice and brought the kids some presents and some fancy hot cocoa for me and Barry. The first one is Dahlia's "oooh" face.

I call this one "Fun with hats"

And giving Nana hugs goodbye.

We also got a very generous gift card from my father. There's still some money left on it, but so far we've gotten ; two big blue totes, a rotisserie / convection oven, a set of dishes and two glasses, some cereal for the kids, some shoes for me (my sandals broke), and two DVDs for the kids. Wall E and Tinker Bell.

Thanks Dad and Carol!

We also got some nice presents in the mail from Linda John and Cheri. I have not had a chance to take pictures of them yet. As well as the kids first Chanukah presents from Aunt Dee and the gang. But again more on that later.

So come back to see Christmas part two.

A long winter's nap...

2008-12-23T06:48:00.000-08:00

When planning to hibernate, it's important to remember to eat plenty of food.

You have to store up enough body fat to sustain you for the whole winter.

It also might help if the food made it in your mouth, rather than trying to absorb it though your skin.

Be sure to have a your nest or cave ready, with blankets, pillows, and a snuggley friend.

This will optimize your hibernation experience.

You also might benefit from building a protective wall. This will keep out any non-hibernating animals who wish to steal your snuggley friend or simply play.

And just like any period of sleep be it long or short, the young ones will be the first to rise, looking for more nourishment. Be sure to have something ready to satisfy, so everyone else can get back to their precious sleep.

Kids

2008-12-18T06:09:00.000-08:00

Just some overdue pictures of Dahlia and her second cousins.

Fun was had.

My little man turns one today.

2008-12-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Gregory!!

One year, the time has flown by.

Still not dead...

2008-12-08T06:57:00.000-08:00

Hello again avid readers. I apologize for the lapse in blogging. Our Internet was hijacked by the man and held for ransom. But we showed them, we packed up everything we could and moved all four of us into a hotel room where the Internet is included. And it's faster Internet so take that "MAN". But seriously. We did move or down size a bit, and I'm feeling pretty good about it. It's a nice room and we have everything we need. With the one exception of that woman being led out the hotel on an S. and M. leash last night, everyone is really nice and there are some families with kids. So back to why we're all here, cute pictures of my kids.

The day before Thanksgiving the kids and I went over and made cookies with Jody and Emily. They were nice enough to provide most of the ingredients, and here's Dahlia cleaning up the extra flour on the counter by applying it to her face. Good job Dahlia.

Thanksgiving morning brought breakfast at Cracker Barrel with Barry's grandparents. They had come down the night before and stayed over for some time with the kids. Gregory ate like a pig and did not stay clean for long.

I have to toot my own horn here. I did a really good job on her hair that day. All that practice on Barbie is really starting to pay off.

The boy loves his biscuits.

Maybe it was the eggnog but for some reason this is the only picture I took at Thanksgiving dinner. I hang my head in shame.

And lastly a shot of my pesky child playing in my yarn again. I would almost prefer a cat because when they have had enough they can slip out and scamper off. Mine just gets tangled and cries. Oh well she's cute.

All right I hope you all had a good holiday. I would like to pose a question to the blog-isphere before I sign off.

As a stay at home mom of two I try to control my potty mouth. I have since come up with curse alternatives, but I'm always looking for new ones. What can I say I'm not very intellectually stimulated until my husband comes home.

So far I have in rotation

"Fiddle-sticks"

"Son of a Biscuit" and if I'm really P.O.ed

"Biscuits and Gravy"

So please leave a comment with your swear alternatives to add some fresh meat to my rotation and I could just use some audience participation.

Playing catch up

2008-11-23T05:10:00.000-08:00

First and foremost. I would like to wish my Dad a Happy Birthday! And so would Dahlia...

Ok so "Hi my name is Meredith and I'm an addict" My drug of choice/guilty pleasure; Pixie Hollow on Disney.com

Dahlia likes to watch the fairies so yesterday on our walk we collected some leaves and with the help of Jody's glue gun (thanks) I made Dahlia her very own Fairy.

The wings are made of tissue paper died with water and instant coffee that I then put in the oven on broil to dry. "Paper in the oven, Meredith?" I know. I kept the door open and watched it the whole time. It wasn't until I was taking the pizza pan out of the oven that I grazed the tissue paper against the heating element and set fire to my hard work. HAHAHA . I was able to run it under some water and save enough paper for what I needed. Dahlia did get her dolly back and she loves it. And it will all fall off eventually and nothing was glued to the doll.

Ok, now we are working backwards. Friday was both my fathers and Barry's father's birthday. Neat, I know. We went to Barry's dad's for dinner and cake. So here are some kiddie cake face pictures.

He got it up his nose. There was so much in his lap that we broke out the vacuum.

Last week we had another nice visit from Nana and Bumpa. They brought Gregory his Birthday present early. Dahlia was only two happy to help him open it. She even offered to store the bulky trucks in her room for him. She's so nice.

We also took Dahlia and her bike to the park a while back. We met up with Emily and Russ. Dahlia hasn't quite gotten the hang of the pedals yet, so there wasn't a lot of riding going on.

Then she passed out on the swings so we took her home.

Also recently a local church sponsored a block party for our neighborhood. Most of the games were more geared towards bigger kids, but she did get her face painted. I told the woman "maybe just a heart on her cheek" She saw Dahlia's Dora sunglasses and got inspired. Which is fine, but I was very offended that she made her little Hispanic face pink. I wanted to slap that church lady and ask her if she prayed to a picture of a white Jesus. Sorry. We live in a very diverse neighborhood. And Dora is a role model to a lot of little girls, especially Spanish speaking ones. I felt like she was painting a little white Dora for my little white Dahlia.

Gregory sat by and sucked on a leaf, but I could tell he was upset too.

Also she had my daughter in a vice grip.

And lastly, look how cute my lil puddin is wit his wittle cup...awwwe

Not dead...

2008-11-14T06:15:00.000-08:00

Just a quick shout out to my avid reader (I think you know who you are...mom). Haven't posted it a while because I can't get my pictures to upload to the computer. Also I'm addicted to the Pixie Hollow website on Disney.com. I don't think there is anything wrong with my camera or the cable, I think I just need to fiddle with the settings. So no worries. Real posts are coming soon.
Things to look forward to seeing.

another nice visit from Grammy and Ray
we got a new bed, a real bed like the mattress kind
I set up a little sewing corner for myself

Well stay tuned.

Nana and Bumpa

2008-11-03T18:14:00.001-08:00

The kids got some Halloween cards from my mom in the mail on Saturday. Dahlia loved her pumpkin and kitty.

Gregory was intrigued.

Also on Saturday Barry's grandparents arrived from their drive down from the Cape. They live a few hours away from us here, but they got a hotel and we got to spend some time with them that night and Sunday morning.

We went out to Olive Garden. I'm very glad to be the farthest person from the camera in this photo. Dahlia always looks the best anyway.

Nana and her little girl.

Gregory eats gnash.

This is the next morning at Friendly's. Gregory's trying to have some milk, but it's a little colder than he's used to and the straw is proving less than helpful.

Dahlia is an expert at the straw.

"Here's egg on my face." haha

After breakfast we took Nana and Bumpa to the play ground we go to. Nana went down the slides with Dahlia, they had a blast.

She's a trooper.

The men hung out on the side lines. Gregory could swing all day.

Dahlia having lunch at her new Princess Table. She got it for her Birthday back in August, from Nana and Bumpa. They brought it down with them along with a lot of other great stuff. Thanks!

It's been a busy weekend

2008-11-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

Ok, we have a lot to cover here people so stay hydrated and try to keep up.

Friday I mowed the lawn and raked up the grass clippings. As I was stashing the grass in the undergrowth out back I found I lime tree. Dahlia found some dirt. She dug a hole, she bathed in it. She had so much dirt in her hair, that her scalp looked like heavy grit sand paper. I gave the limes to our neighbors because Barry's allergic.

Here are the girls all dressed up and itching to go Trick or Treating. If only Gregory would hurry up and chug that bottle.

Girl with a mission.

We told everyone he was rookie of the year Dustin Pedroia.

Enjoying the fruits of her labor.

Grammy and Ray also got here on Saturday. But I just realized I haven't uploaded those pictures yet so stay tuned.

Two kids and a sliding glass door...

2008-10-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

enough said

cards, a walk and a scarf

2008-10-29T08:50:00.001-07:00

Yesterday the kids got some Halloween cards from their great grandparents.

Very cool. Loved the pumpkins.

See my pretty pumpkin.

I love paper. tasty tasty paper.

Then today we went for a walk. We had to bundle up a bit. It's starting to get a little breezy and cool. FINALLY!

She was crouching to make her baby doll walk. Very cute.

This really would have been better on video. Maybe next time.

Dahlia was nice enough to model my finished scarf for me. I sewed the squares together with a whip stitch and edged it with a single crochet.

There's a fair in the air...

2008-10-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Barry and I took the kids and met up with Russ and Emily at the Minneola Fall Festival. It was in the big field at the playground we go to. Here's Gregory loving the swing.

Aunt Emily was nice enough to take Dahlia on all the rides. The ladybugs were a big hit.

Grandpa helping Gregory ride the duck.

The kiddie coaster was fun once, but a little rough to go on again.

Stay hydrated Gregory. Good boy.

The carousel was the clear favorite. Here's Grandpa holding on to Dahlia.

The morning after with her spoils.

It was a fun afternoon. I'm glad I took the time to drive back home and get my camera, so you all could see the fun that was had.

Git cho knit on.

2008-10-19T19:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got to go out with Jody (my mother in law), her sister Cheri, and my sister in law Emily and Dahlia. We went to the mall and to Michele's Craft Store. It was nice to get out of the house, and it was even nicer for Jody to buy me some yarn and thread for my sewing machine. I got my new treasures home and told myself I wouldn't start a new project until I finished what I was working on. I satisfied my need to play by winding my new yarn into balls. This is what I started. It's a knit scarf for my new little sister. It's a purple-green-white variegated yarn and I'm sure this pattern has a name but I'm just winging it.

This is my new yarn. The colors are a little off. But who cares because I taught myself to crochet granny squares! I'm going to sew them all together and do some edging and make myself a scarf.

These are super fun to make and pretty fast. I made these three in one night while I was learning, after half a bottle of wine. Not bad if I do say so myself. Here's a close up of one. The orange is a darker Terra cotta in real life.

I also got all my knitting in the mail from my mommy. So here is a sample of some other things I've made. The pictures aren't great but you get the idea. I've been having a lot of fun recently pairing up different yarns and knitting them as one.

Here's a purse I made. Just goofing around. I lined it with a black shirt I had. I don't like handles. I'm not sure if it's because there's two or if it's where they attach to the bag.

Another scarf. This one I used a light green wool through out and then alternated white and brown stripes with a really soft fuzzy yarn. I think this was left over from a scarf I made my sister.

Here's a better look. And I just like the detail in this picture.

This one is crocheted. It's black with a thin red decorative synthetic woven in. I made this for my friend Sara for her birthday (last June). But then they had a heat wave and I forgot to mail it. Sorry Sara. Maybe Christmas.

This is also crocheted and was also a Birthday present for my friend Alyson. Same story (their birthdays are a day apart). This one has that same fuzzy brown yarn mixed with a very bright orange. It's reminds me of Hagrid's hairy brown suit.

This is one of my favorite combos. I used a silver-blue variegated synthetic with a bright blue and a grey.

And for those of you who need their cute kid fix (you junkies) here.

She fell asleep during dinner in front of the tv.

My first Matza.

2008-10-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

We had another lovely evening at Barry's dad's tonight. Jody and Emily made matza ball soup. I haven't experienced a lot of tradional Jewish food, it was very good. Dahlia however is getting more picky with age, and had Easy Mac. I think at this point she views "Gama's house" as a place of no rules so it's hard to get her to eat what we're eating when we're there. I'm more concerned with getting her to stop hitting her brother at this point. As long as she eats something I'm satisfied.

Emily has proved quite the capable helper when it comes to the kids. And they both love her. Here she is feeding Gregory.

Dahlia and Grandma looking a Pooh and Tigger online.

Gregory and Aunt Emily.

New toy

2008-10-13T07:25:00.000-07:00

So the other day I got a very nice surprize early Christmas Present in the mail...

Isn't it beautiful. My wonderful mother, step father, sister and brother in law bought it for me. Alas I can only stare at and smile because I don't have any of my thread or fabric. So instead I will show whoever is reading this (but keeps forgetting to comment for the sake of my fragile new-blogger feelings) an old project from my old sewing machine.

I made this purse for a friend of mine's Birthday. I made it out of Dahlia's baby clothes. Jeans, jumpers, shorts. All denim and I broke a needle and my machine. But I really liked how it turned out.

The inside is a shirt that belonged to my grandmother that I always liked. And since Darcy (the friend) and I have the same phone I was able to make a customized phone pocket. Some day I'll have to make myself one of these. Right now the only purse I have is knit and not very sturdy. But since I usually have a diaper bag in tow I rarely need a purse.
I also started my first quilt. Also made from baby clothes. It's going to be for my daughter when she's in a twin sized bed (which will happen before I ever finish it). It's a rather large under taking. I dont' have any pictures. All I have is little piles of squares and rectangles. I'm saving Gregory's clothes too in hopes of making something similar yet more manly for him.
Now don't judge me. I'm sure there are naked babies somewhere that need these clothes. But I passed on a lot of Dahlia's clothes to my friend's sister for her little girl. I only kept 0-9 monthes. Plus a lot of it was handme downs from other baby's and was a little worn out. So they make great fabric, and it is recyling afterall.

Sauce face and slider wildlife.

2008-10-10T18:11:00.000-07:00

Every one loves a good messy baby face.

But if you look closely you can see his new tooth coming in on top.

Very exciting things happening in that little mouth.

Every night we are joined on the slider door by a fleet of tiny frogs.
This is a rare shot of one in the day time.
That's the screen door behind it for a size reference.

This is by far the largest one I've seen.
Dahlia and I call it "King of the frogs" followed by a hearty "YEAH".

I'm told by my husband that this is called a nole.
This one lives inside the door jam (outside though).
Very skitish.

God and bug enthusiests only know what this is,
but look it had a baby. Awwwwe...ewe.

Well I can sum up this post with three simple statements:

1. My son is very adorable.

2. Someone needs to come mow my lawn. aka: creepy-crawly-hoppy breeding head quarters.

3. I need to get out more.

Gregory being a cutie.

2008-10-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

"I think I have a pill problem.""Yeah, I'm going to call my sponser."

all natural and loving it. "I HAVE BALLOONS"
"Don't talk to me before my coffee"

(yeah he's giving me the finger)

Dahlia plays dressup.

2008-10-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

I call this one: I can put on the baby's onesie... sort of.

And this one: Hollywood starlet in hiding, complete with purse sized pet.

(it's a bunny)

Spiders and babys but thankfully no baby spiders.

2008-10-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

And now for your viewing pleasure... One of my little spider friends. Yes that is life size. Back
and front. Ain't he cute?

Now for something really cute and slightly less crawly.

This weekend we went to Emily's eleventh Birthday Party at the

bowling alley. The kids had a great time.

Dahlia was a little too small for the ten pin but that didn't stop her from

trying to help daddy get a strike.

Pizza AND cake. I could get used to this.

And what a pretty cake it was.

Did I mention there were balloons? Or as Dahlia screams it "BOOONS"

Greggory had a good time too. Lot's to look at and he even got to

chew on some pizza crust.

A trip to the horse barn.

2008-10-03T08:52:00.000-07:00

Barry's little sister takes riding lessons. We tagged along one day so that Dahlia could see all the horses. She had a blast.

What a helpfull big sister.

2008-09-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

Dahlia loves to help mommy with the baby. I think she just wants him to be like one of her baby dolls. But I guess that's normal.

Here she is pushing him in the stroller around the house. It helps that we don't have any furniture yet for her to run him into.

She's very good about making sure he always has a toy to chew on. Just as long as it isn't one of her books. That baby loves to eat books. I'll have to get him some of those waterproof bath time books.

And if mom really needs a break she would be just tickled pink to help feed him. If only I could get them to play nicely together and share toys. But I suppose every parent has that problem.

Welcome to the Sunshine State

2008-09-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

I think they should change the Florida's tag line to the Venomous Spider State. I don't even think it would take away much of the overwhelming appeal of Disney World. I keep telling Dahlia that Mickey Mouse lives down the street. So anyway we haven't been keeping up with the lawn out back, so now our yard is breeding ground for all manner of beasties. Black Widows (and their eggs) Brown Recluses, which I think I saw on the slider a week ago and it was the biggest M F'in spider I have ever seen next to a Tarantula. If I see it again I'll try and get a picture so you all can have nightmares with me!

On a happier note we found a playground in our area. Just down the street, nice big field, bike path.