Eemia's Life

Not Good at Good-Byes

2009-01-14T22:57:00.006-06:00

I can't bring myself to officially shut 'er down - yet - but can y'all please start visiting me over at my other and now main blog, Deadlines and Naptimes?

For three reasons:

1) Isn't that an AWESOME mommy blog name? Yeah, I know, I'm not creative by nature so when I hit something good I am proud.

2) I HATE the name of this blog, always have and there's no clean way I can think to tinker without basically starting over. No, wait, yes ... there's no way (subtext: at least not an easy way for a only very part-time web geek like me).

3) I cannot maintain two blogs and long ago the reason for STARTING a second one - documenting Rachel's birth - luckily wrapped up (i.e., she popped out). So now I'll just have one life, two kids and the ONE BLOG. Some of which is evidenced by my last photo post to Eemia's life...my kids at my mom's for Thanksgiving. Yes that's right, not Christmas, peeps, those are still on the camera. HENCE why I'm STREAMLINING a bit.

This blog will remain in cyber-wherever for a while I guess, I hope, so maybe someday when I've got spare time (whoo HOOOO can you believe I said that?) I can print off the posts.

Or as EEJ and I have fervently been discussing, maybe I can transfer them over to populate my other blog someday when Blogger gets a clue and makes that possible (COME ON, BLOGGER EMPLOYEE #18 WHO IS IN CHARGE OF SECRETLY MONITORING OUR BLOGS FOR 'USER INPUT' - MAKE IT HAPPEN!)

Anyway it's sad to say good-bye. This was my first foray into blogging and it's been cathartic, fun, and most important, given me great connections and insights into this new world of moms and blogs. I know so many people better now - IRL and online, I've learned so much from everyone here, and look forward to continue and hopefully even step it up, over there.

I've been postponing this post because I thought I'd do something more fantastical to say Bye but instead I'll say CLICK HERE NOW and be on my merry way. Sniffffffff.

And Now, a Little Levity

2008-11-07T10:17:00.005-06:00

The last few weeks have been intense. This made ME laugh, so hopefully it'll do the same for you even if you've seen it before ... I took the liberty to bold my personal faves.

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?

BARACK OBAMA : The chicken crossed the road because it was time for change ! The chicken wanted change ! And he wanted to share the eggs with those that have no eggs of their own... eggs for everyone!! The rich people will pay for them.... we will spread them.

JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

SARAH PALIN : Where's my gun?

JOE BIDEN : [silence]

HILLARY CLINTON : When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.

GEORGE W. BUSH : We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

COLIN POWELL : Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.

BILL CLINTON : I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of chicken?

AL GORE: I invented the chicken.

JOHN KERRY : Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

AL SHARPTON : Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

DR. PHIL : The problem we have here is that this chicken won 't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.

OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

NANCY GRACE : That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty ! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks .

PAT BUCHANAN : To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART : No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

DR SEUSS : Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY : To die in the rain, alone.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS : Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE : It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES : I have just released eChicken2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never reboot.

ALBERT EINSTEIN : Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS : Did I miss one?

YESSSS!

2008-11-05T09:07:00.004-06:00

I am thrilled, I am proud, I am excited.

I am also nervous and not convinced the world's now perfect. There is a tremendous if not unmanagable need for Obama (would have been the same for McCain) to perform, lead, at such a high level, in such a time of unrest, concerns, fears and yes, I guess, crisis, in our country.

I believe he is up for the task, truly. But I know he can't "fix it all." And who can imagine in today's world of terrorism and economic turbalence, how the next 4 months, much less 4 years, will really unfold? What his administration will have to respond to? How they will really juggle all those balls at once, as he famously told McCain during the campaign suspension? How he can really live up to all those campaign promises? (Side note to Pres Elect: At least focus on healthcare and education, and I'll let ya off the hook on taxes and clean energy for a while...)

But regardless. Regardless. Something amazing ... truly, amazing and historic as historic GETS ... has occurred. Juan Williams said on FOX, this isn't just FOR the history books, it might be the COVER of the history books. He may be right. (By the way, his comments after the announcement were very emotional, sincere and touching. Glad I've braved FOX lately to catch them.)

Like many, it brought tears to my eyes. It made me truly joyous and optimistic. And, most powerfully, it previewed how different the world will look when my kids can vote. What will and won't be "normal" for them is so vastly different than what our parents and even we have grown up with, I am hoping they almost will not believe us when we tell them about it.

We've crossed a line that I believe we will never go back over. (Next up: the ladies!!!) It wasn't the reason for my vote. But it is the reason my vote meant so much. And the reason for which I was so proud to have my 10 week old daughter with me, in her Daddy's arms, as we was able to vote for someone we both feel very good about. Who also is black.

Side note: I was also very proud that I brought her home from the hospital on the day the second woman in history was nominated for VP. No matter how violently I did not support her as a candidate, I respect that Sarah Palin too will go down in history for this election - and who knows what others to come. And, that she stepped boldly up to the plate, took the hits, and worked her ass off to take another step forward on behalf of not just women but our country.

Congratulations, President Obama. God bless you and keep you and yours safe. And please do the kick ass job that I think you will.

My Other Boys

2008-10-27T13:20:00.000-06:00

Because we mostly spend more time with our St. Louis friends, and our closest family is O'Fallon (and we don't even see them much - the rest are Warrensburg, MO, Chi town, Colorado and Arkansas), I don't post as many photos of them as I should.

But these are my OTHER boys - Connor, 7, and Logan, newly 9, my "little brother" Bryan's boys. They live in Warrensburg and my parents, who live there too, took this during what I hear was a lovely fall walk.

These kids are a preview of what I expect my still soft skinned, chubby and semi-controllable toddler boy will become someday: wild, loud, skinny/muscled, with skinned knees...but also super smart, funny, kind hearted, and just plain fun to be around.

Can't wait to see them at Thanksgiving and watch Matthew follow them around like Gods.

What a Beautiful Sight

2008-10-21T10:15:00.004-05:00

Obama speaking in St. Louis on Saturday.

Wish we could have gone but combination of my eyesight and back row and two kids probably equals, CNN viewing was better ...

Fall Fun, Take 1

2008-10-13T21:56:00.010-05:00

We hit Rombach's pumpkin patch this weekend with all the girls ...

From 2008 October

Kim, Amelia, Erin, Bridget, Rachel and moi.

All the guys ...

From 2008 October

Mark, with no kid (HAHAHA), Tim, Shane, Mike and Matthew

And all the yellow school buses.

From 2008 October

Defying gravity are Rachel, Shane, Amelia, Bridget and Matthew

Nice photo shopping, EEJ. It seriously does look like our children are prodigies able to sit/stand by themselves and even drive the bus. Even Rachel looks like she can hold her head up, hooray!

Doesn't it look like we had fun?

From 2008 October

Actually, we did. A ton.

Sure, these outings are now very different than they used to be. They are no longer beer soaked, smoking and darts and Golden Tee 3 a.m. nightmares. Instead, we're doing bottle and spit up and tantrum and sticky hand laden afternoon kidfests. But I have to say, having these five kids hang out is fantastic. Loving every minute of this next step of our lives.

And of course this post wouldn't be complete without a pumpkin pic.

From 2008 October

(Thanks EEJ. That was a LOT easier than uploading and digging through my own!)

Possibilities

2008-10-10T09:13:00.003-05:00

Sunday will be Mike's and my seventh anniversary. SEVEN!!! We'll celebrate the occassion by taking two probably grumpy babies to my work picnic and carting them around in crowds and heat.

Ha ha, just kidding. Well, we WILL do that. But first we'll celebrate for real. Because Libby is a saint on earth, she agreed to babysit Saturday night so we could go out. WITHOUT KIDS. WITHOUT PREGNANT BELLY. And, so help me, WITHOUT GUILT.

Erin and Tim had done this for us just before Rachel was born, and that was great. But there's one thing this date night will have that was missing before. Just one little detail...ALCOHOL.

So, internet friends, what should we DOOOO??

Because we don't go out and because if we do it involves the worlds "sports" and "bar", I don't know where we should eat or what cute little place we should go for drinks after?

Or, if we go the more high brow route, what good movies are out now? You know, that you would go see, if you could, if you weren't at home caring for one or two babies (my readership is as housebound as I am, I fear).

Or if you don't have comments, at least vote in my poll. Need all the help I can get after seven years.

Here We Got Again

2008-10-07T16:19:00.005-05:00

I am excited for tonight's third election 2008 debate, although I don't know why. I've decided when any of these 4 open their mouths, it means hours of work for me to fact check any damn thing they say.

On a REALLY GOOD day I might spend one. And that's ONLY because I'm on maternity leave and have access to my laptop every few hours when I'm stuck on the couch for an hour feeding baby Rachel. During my "normal" life, if I spent an hour or two a week tackling this stuff, it's a good week.

So here's why this post is labeled "annoying": Why can't politicians not vacillate between talking in empty hyperbole, and then borderline (or in some cases flat out) lying? Can't they talk straight, in specifics, without bending the truth?

The American people just don't have time for this. People are busy raising the kids that the healthcare debate's out, and working the jobs that the economic debate's about. It sucks that we can't just tune in and listen and know who our preferred candidates based on our meshing with their politics.

Not who's whipped up the most inspirational speech or worse, the biggest tall tales.

And everyone, one last request. Please let's drop the affected accents when you're talking to us "regular folks." Obama's got his and I know for damn sure Palin's got hers. Maybe Biden should debate McCain because at least I could focus on their words not whether they're dropping their g's.

P.S. Okay NOW I'm Stalling

2008-10-02T10:30:00.004-05:00

But you have to watch this oldie but goodie from the Daily Show (thanks Kate!).

The spirit of American civil disobedience at its best. Or at its most pot-smoking-ist.

Yes I AM Super Busy Over Here

2008-10-02T08:49:00.003-05:00

Which is why I just spent 20 minutes on and off taking this cool memory test. I did pretty well and now feel smart for the day. So it WAS productive and DEFINITELY not a stall tactic as I contemplate how to avoid putting away laundry, feed infant, shower ...

Mood Swings

2008-09-25T09:57:00.001-05:00

This pretty much sums up life lately. One minute even our trains can't make us happy.

The next minute, we're loving life.

And by "we" I mean Matthew and me. Well, and baby Rachel.

I'm pretty sure Mike and the dogs are holding their own providing meals and sleep keep occurring in some way shape or form.

p.s. To prove I haven't off'd either kid or myself yet, check out our latest photos. And yes, there ARE way too many, so don't feel guilty about clicking past the six exact same shots of her starting off into space.

John McCain is a Major Buzzkill

2008-09-25T09:23:00.003-05:00

To me, it's a weird, uber political and kinda weenie move for McCain to talk about cancelling the presidential debate Friday.

But mainly, I'm just disappointed. Because I have been looking forward to this for weeks, pretty much ever since Rachel came home and I've been watching more CNN than I thought humanly possible.

I was all excited for a big Friday night complete with ordering Domino's pizza and ranting aloud at the TV. But mainly with having 2-3 glasses of wine and feeling like a normal adult person enjoying some alcohol and feeling pleasantly, err, "relaxed" for one of the first times in ten months.

And now he has threatened that. C'mon, JM...even if I forget Palin and your positions...I can't forgive you for killing my potential buzz!

Palin Post

2008-09-04T12:36:00.003-05:00

I am dying to capture some of my thoughts around this VP choice. But in my post-partum emotional and sleep deprived roller coaster, I'm not sure I've got it all clearly outlined and buttoned up enough to express yet.

For now I will just say that she needs to stop the finger pointing. I don't mean the Obama criticism - go for it. It'll keep flinging back and forth.

I mean, the literal finger pointing and air stab gesticulating - when she talks. SO annoying.

She also must be a robot/alien combo. Which honestly is perhaps a reason TO vote for her? Because I cannot imagine how one can physically return one's self to work 3 days after birth. I could barely physically return myself from the couch to the bed. Or I should say, I could, but not without tears, which I assume wasn't part of her first day back.

As for her record and qualifications, I am not nearly up to speed enough yet to really comment. But I do wish she'd stop repeatedly reminding me how she used to be "just a hockey mom from Alaska." Not really the "take over as head of state in a pinch" quality I'm looking for. Please, GOP campaign peeps - more about her time as governor, and less about hockey and moose wrestling.

Bye Bye, Olympics, We Hardly Knew Ye...

2008-08-25T22:29:00.002-05:00

So last night I'm ironing and thinking, okay, I can have the closing ceremonies on in the background. But NO, that was not enough. I quickly realized the giant human flame tower, the 8,748,994 costumed dancers and, yes, the many MANY flying people they whipped out for the closing, required much more of my attention than I could split with ironing.

I hate to think what it cost and how many people that could feed or clothe or do something else more productive with. But G.D., China had some STYLE. They were preparing that for nine months. THAT IS HOW LONG IT TAKES TO COOK A HUMAN! Their ceremony was probably more refined/elegant, though, I betcha. No offense, kiddo.

I also can't believe it's over. Kind of relieved - last few days of track, diving, BMX didn't have the same hold over me as swimming and gymnastics and volleyball. But it was comforting knowing that it was always on, and since it is so limited and special, well, it was just kind of this "thing" going in our household at all times for the last two weeks, probably like everyone else.

It is also very mentally tied in my mind to the arrival of this kiddo. So now that it's over, I SUPPOSE SOMEONE WILL TAKE THE HINT and come on out.

Unless, God help me, I hope she's not timing her delivery to the wrap of the Dem convention.

One of My Faves

2008-08-23T06:15:00.005-05:00

There are SO many mommy bloggers out there, but somehow Alexa of Flotsam has captured me lately and more than most.

First, she is hilar. WISH I could write like this. Second, she is honest. But third, it's not just that she's honest, it's that she just nails it.

Warning, this one's kind of sad, part of a string of posts that are VERY sad, reflecting on the loss of her second twin before birth. But it's also captures WHY mommy blogs matter and WHY we should all feel free to post what the hell we damn please so say:

I think sometimes we try too hard to fit our lives into the shapes of the
stories we know. I doubt we’ll ever really stop doing that, so I believe the
best we can do is to make sure there are as many stories out there as
possible. The women who have written honestly about motherhood—the
good and the bad—helped me through moments of my pregnancy when I wonderd if I’d be too anxious and overwhelmed to be a good mother. Whatever I felt, I knew that it would be ok, that others had felt it too, and had sent their reassuring lighthouse beams out into the murky waters for me. After I brought Simone home, I almost felt guilty posting about how much I adored motherhood (this is VERY ADVANCED GUILT—don’t try it at home), because I didn’t want someone who enjoyed it less to feel bad. Obviously, I was missing the point. In elementary school we had a program called U R UNIQUE, a sort of cork-board precursor to a blog. Each week a new classmate would festoon the appointed corner of the room with artifacts of herself: pictures, favorite toys, trophies. They would give a presentation of everything Them, and the display would remain up for the rest of us to look at, to see all the little ways we were the same
and different.I like French fries dipped in blue cheese dressing. My house? Is
FILTHY. Having a baby was the best thing that ever happened to my sex life. I’m
a morning person. I wish I didn’t wish I were thinner. I drink my coffee black.
My daughter was a twin. I’m sad about her brother sometimes, but not as much as
you’d think. Right now, I am happier than I have ever been.

I just love that I can sit here on an early morning before anyone's up (can't sleep - late preggo mom stuff - that I'm sure 100 other people are blogging about now). And drink my coffee and read awesome stuff connects me to other women this smart.

THIS is why Dooce was so right on the Today show, and why Kathy Lee needs to learn how to use a &$^%'ing computer.

What NOT to See

2008-08-18T21:18:00.004-05:00

Stepbrothers. It's as dumb as you'd think but worse.

Even if you have a babysitter and you have planned on seeing a movie forever, and Dark Knight it what you really want to see, but it's not remotely at any sort of time that works. But you really want to see a movie, out , with adults, and popcorn and sodas and NO Steve from Blues Clues. And your heart is just SET on it.

And Stepbrothers is there, like a beacon, starting 10 minutes after you get to the theater.

Even then. Just. Don't. See it.

Hot Topics in the Muldrow Household This Week

2008-08-12T21:20:00.003-05:00

Bernie Mac passed away. We really liked him. We got into his Bernie Mac show reruns for a while. Did you ever watch them? "America, I tell you ..." this is a loss, and he was only 50, geez.

The Olympics. I love that they're on now ... if baby girl hurries up, they officially will mark her birth, but either way, I'll connect the two. Also, clearly Mike and I both love flopping down to watch TV after kiddo #1 goes to bed, but usually it's a fight on choices or sadly, we may retire to separate areas. Suddenly we're not only -

OKAY PHELPS JUST GOT HIS WORLD RECORD AND THE GREATEST OLYMPIC RECORD OF ALL TIME. HOLY CRAP!!!

Ok, back to it ... now we automatically agree on what to watch - volleyball, gymnastics, swimming, whatever! I have to say I'm loving it all - and God knows this is not an athlete typing. I just find it really inspirational and just, cool. I scheduled my night around women's gymnastic finals. I am teaching Matthew the difference between Kerry Walsh and Misty May. We are passing out in bed at night to medal ceremonies, and waking up to all this great, positive coverage on the Today show (such a nice change from war coverage and gas hike stories, isn't it?). What a positive, cool thing we get to witness every four years. (Yes, definitely biased for Summer over Winter games, sorry ski bums.)

The baby flipped! Guess my sad little homegrown baby flipping stretches worked. Either that or she really is a good baby after all. I was shocked when two seconds into the ultrasound, the tech said, "Okay, the head is ... DOWN." Well I'll be. I don't think my womanly senses are honed because I had no clue when she flipped, either way. Are there people that know this? Perhaps you also know how to do your hair and pluck your eyebrows properly. I must have missed a few How to Be a Lady classes along the way.

A lovely white vinyl fence now exists around our yard. Dogs are contained, toddler contained, yard looks good, neighbors happy with fencelines, all is well on West Old Watson. Except for my checking account after I write yet another giganto check associated with our move/this house. But if this ends our constant dog walking/dog in the yard monitoring, it is worth like 20 gabillion dollars more than we're paying. The idea of opening the door and letting dogs out to run around aimlessly for an HOUR if I want ... oh, I am just giddy at the thought.

And none too soon ... because our final family topic is our induction date, August 26th at midnight, we jumpstart the process to bring about the newest Muldrow. I'm certainly hoping it could happen spontaneously sooner, but if not, I am totally fine. Because now, there's an end in sight, and if it goes as smoothly as Matthew's did (KNOCKKKKK ON WOOD) it shouldn't be too bad going through an induction again.

Basically, we're doing it because I'm dying to be done and my doc is happy to let me, once I cross 39 weeks and since she's so healthy and it's my second and blah blah. I know some people aren't into induction, but I'm loving this plan. It gives us two weeks to mentally prepare, get in all our "last time" events with just us and Matthew, take advantage of a KICK ASS babysitting offer from TPD and EEJ this Sat. night, wrap up work (for me) and start the school year (for Mike). Oh and choose the name ... though I think we already did; they certainly are returnable, but we DID purchase some initials to hang on her wall. OOOH THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING YOU, I know, I know.

Da Duh DUH

2008-08-05T22:11:00.002-05:00

How many Law and Order reruns can one person watch while beached whaling it on the couch in late summer, late pregnancy?

Answer: A LOTTTTTTTTTTT.

To be clear, this is a step up from what my husband would select if allowed (he's not). Which on Tuesday nights, are all the new (and probably not long past this summer rerun season) Japanese game show related shows.

I suppose he considers them a cultural version of America's Funniest Home videos (his fave, YES, I know) given there's lots of falling down. I am not a huge physical comedy person myself, and could do without.

Though Matthew is pretty funny pointing out every 30 seconds, "He fewl down! He fewl down, Mama!" Yep, they all do, honey, it's in the contract.

I Thought I Grew Up When I Stopped Watching the Real World

2008-07-29T22:17:00.004-05:00

But I realize I have not because I am still addicted to bad reality TV. As evidenced by the fact that I just got up, left the room where my husband's watching TV, so I could come into the bedroom to watch the second episode of the night of Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood.

It's odd how simple demographics can make you feel like this (crossing my two fingers together, ala we are tight) with B list celebs you have never met. They have a toddler son and are expecting (well, now have, as of June I guess) a new daughter just like us. Also they were moving in the middle of her third trimester.

Thought interspersed with discussions about Tori's jewelry sales on QVC and what color to choose for their real silk tailored curtains and how many millions they can afford for the new house...well, the rest of the discussions could be right out of house.

When you're pregnant no matter who you are or what hot sh*t life you lead, there's a lot of boring and leveling talk about contractions, doctor visits, eating too much, gaining too much weight, and, if you're pregnant with #2, how are you gonna manage it all. Former 90210 mogul daughters are no exception apparently and I find some odd comfort in that.

Though I do know, oh yes, that it's so wrong to watch it and especially to justify it and philosophize about it.

Why You Need a Flat Screen

2008-07-28T21:26:00.002-05:00

Because even the scary awful shark show looks so cool I'm forced to watch it and learn stuff.

So far I've learned how to not buy a bathing suit with a pattern that tempts sharks to eat me.

On My Mind

2008-07-21T22:22:00.003-05:00

I wanted to tell you guys something I've been thinking about a lot lately, that I've come to realize is actually really very important to me. I don't know if you'll agree or not, but I feel I have to share.

Here goes:

SUMMER TV BLOWS AND IF I SEE ONE MORE MADE UP "WATCH PEOPLE EAT KETCHUP THROUGH THEIR NOSE" REALITY SHOW OR THE SAME G.D. CSI WE'VE SHOWN YOU 8 TIMES OR ANOTHER UPDATE ON HEIDI AND SPENCER, I'M GOING TO SMASH MY FANCY NEW TV THAT I SWEAR TO GOD, HASN'T VIEWED ONE GOOD PROGRAM SINCE WE BOUGHT IT LAST MONTH.

I hope you are with me, but if you are not, well, we will just have to agree to disagree. I feel very strongly on this important matter to myself and my family. Thank you for listening.

And if it's a help to you and yours, my husband and I find comfort knowing that, with September and the blessed arrival of my daughter, the just as blessed arrival of new fall TV will shortly be upon us, praise be to NBC, Tina Fey and Steve Carrell.

I Rock and So Does Snapfish

2008-07-17T21:46:00.009-05:00

So according to my scientific poll, you're all as delinquent as I am at actually printing photos on actual paper for actual frames or God forbid, actual albums. It's a virtual world and we are virtual girls. But allow me to inspire you: tonight I ordered real live photos - a disgusting 186 of them - from Jan. 1 through my last July download.

So NOW when my computer crashes or I spill coffee on it, I won't have to throw myself off the nearest bridge. Because I will have my child and family and friends captured on PAPER not just megabytes. At least, the last six months. We won't talk about the lion's share of Matthew's first two years of life, just right now.

First, let me point out that at $.o9 a photo, vs. $.19 a photo, Snapfish beats the pants of Shutterfly. EEJ, I know you already are a fan...

Second, let me note that I love Picasa enough to marry it. Was SO easy to run through hundreds of photos, tray the ones I liked, connect to Snapfish and one short Visa order later, have our last 6 months of existence be put in the mail within 3 to 5 business days.

Third, do I have any takers on how long I'll procrastinate to actually PUT them into an album? I say if I can do this pre-baby, I'm a hero. Realistically, if I do this within 2008, I could die happy.

Either way, that's hardly the point, people. I can at least take 2-3 and put them in frames. Because judging by what you see displayed around our house, Matthew is still a newborn and Mike and I are still appily engaged to be married.

Okay, to wrap it up with a bow on top ... in my photo search/queue/order process, I ran across some kiddo shots too adorable not to share:

Matthew and Bridget, Superbowl, acting like goofy little kids (not babies) for one of the first times that I noticed.

Matthew and Max, our frienda Steve and Renae's son, during their last visit to us in June. Acting like the sweet angels they always are. Uh huh.

And the entire Steve/Renae clan - Anna, Aidan and Max - on an earlier visit this spring, at their old favorite haunt (before they became Little Rockians), Kirkwood Park.
The utter boredom of meeting Baby Shane at the hospital forced both kids into the closet, apparently?

Oh come on, you kids don't know from fun. Just LOOK AT HIM!

Naturally, I finally post a newborn photo right about the time he's turning 1. Ok, two and a half months, but might as well be 1, this kiddo has already grown more than I care to think about. Stay small, little guy, stay small ... you break mommy's and aunties' hearts when you grow too fast.

Miss Amelia, that all goes for you too.

I have to say, Matthew appears a little more lively visiting you. Guess he just likes the pretty ladies, and who can blame him. Though I certainly did not take a close enough picture of this baby girl, and I will be rectifying that when I can. Trust me, she is gorgeous.

Grama Shout Out

2008-07-12T09:03:00.003-05:00

I feel it's time I dipped my toe into the video posting pond. Especially since my kid and his sweet little voice are so g.d. cute I can hardly stand it. Documentation must commence.

Enjoy, gramas!

Guess What You Can Do for An Hour?

2008-07-07T22:14:00.005-05:00

When you are two, apparently for an hour, you can happily and silently look through the science and learning toy catalog leftover by our prior house owners. Carefully, painstakingly, page by page, back and forth.

But then sometimes you do have questions and comments. "Car? Cars. CARRRR!!!" "Trains, mama? Trains!!! TRAINS! Tracks? Where tracks?" "What's that mama? And that? What's THAT?"

For an hour.

Then you look through it again for another 1/2 hour that qualifies as your bed time story. And you sure can charm the pants of your mama while you're doing it.

Well, That's Just GREAT (from BabyCenter.com email today)

2008-07-07T10:10:00.001-05:00

Only 24 percent of U.S. companies offer some form of paid family leave, according to a 2004 poll by the Society for Human Resource Management.

And why WOULD the other 76 percent offer proper family leave? Really, why? Dumb women wanting time off to raise stupid babies. Can't they just shuffle off to the break room, birth the kid and jump back on their 1pm conference call? Where did the power moms of the 80s go?

This whole topic makes me ill.

Still Here

2008-06-24T23:14:00.003-05:00

One of my loyal readers ordered me to update my blog tonight. I was going to cheat and post pictures - you know, of my son, Matthew? The one I used to talk incessantly about and have recently abandoned talking about all together? I have very sweet photos of him.

But Blogger's being a little biyatch and it's not working, so we'll have to try something else. Since I'm feeling a little guilt for not updating various Gamas on the goings on of their boy, here goes:

Some cute things he's done: Run and hug my legs when I got home, "Mama, mama!" with a huge smile. Order me and NOT daddy to push his stroller. When presented with option of eating or going to bed, get a grin, whispter, "Eat..." and begin fake eating his yogurt. Sing Rock a Bye Baby with me - word for word - for the last few nights in a row. Three times in a row, per night. Color all over his arm with markers. Play all weekend with his cousin Danny - giggling and chasing each other taking up 90% of that time. Hug and kiss the dog and say "Sorry" after the dog knocked him over tonight. Name his cabbage patch kid "Baby Shane" (nice ring, eh EEJ?) and insist on putting it to bed, in his crib, with his trains and his blankeys. Then climbing in to cuddle him.

Other stuff he does: Have a fit if we mention food to him when he's not interested in eating. Insist on riding his "motorcycle" when we come back from walks and woe be to us if we remind him 7:30 is bedtime not motorcycle time. Have a fit if we put on brown shoes and he wanted green shoes. Hoarding all cars/trains while visiting cousin Danny, cradling them to his chest and frequently punctuating the situation with "Mine! My trains, MINE!" Have a fit about once a week where he is inconsolable. Then just as suddenly wipe his eyes and say "Matthew's HAP-PEEE!" Right in the middle of my nervous breakdown.

Hopefully I can show you evidence soon that we've actually still got him running around here somewhere. I promise I didn't trade him in for the girl model.

The Never-Ending Dilemna

2008-06-11T22:33:00.004-05:00

Most of you know I've struggled a lot with the working FT/working PT/not working "decision." In quotes because financially, it feels more like a path (full time work to pay bills and occassionally bust a move down to Florida for a week once a year) than a decision (driving a car that works, with gas in it/not driving a car that doesn't work, without gas in it. Health insurance covering doctor visits vs. self-diagnosis or delivering this baby at home ourselves. The little things.)

I have to say, it's gotten easier. Much. Having a little man vs. a tiny baby has made me much more comfortable with the balance. I can spend time at work, and still come home to someone who remembers me, knows I'll come home each night, knows I'll tuck him in and be here to get him up (most days, at least). Someone I have jokes with, who can even start to now tell me about his day.

In short, we've got a routine, an understanding. A kick ass nanny and a daddy who's home at 4 daily. And we're all used to it. He's growing, he's talking, he's smart, but most important, he's happy. This makes me happy and more confident in my "decision."

Okay, so I'm way paraphrasing what has been two years of personal growth and back and forth deliberation ... but basically, the point is, I got it, I'm good, finally.

Now with impending you-know-who on the way (don't want to hurt her feelings, but it's the aby-girl be in the elly-be), I'm of course wrassling with it all again. And let me be clear - nothing will change. Fear and doubt are rearing their ugly heads again, but I know I will continue working full time because that's our deal and we've got it going, and we need it, and blah blah. We both work, that's our family. We'll both keep working.

But set as I am, I continue to be fascinated by the dialogue - elevated to oh-so-many new levels through the blogosphere. Today I read this post from a stay at home mom about the "dirty secret" that it's great to be home. IS this a secret?

I certainly know it's not easy to stay at home. I know it's hard. But I also have never imagined it sucked either. I think it's a gift to raise your kids, to be there for everything for them. To plan your own day (okay around naptimes), keep your home, to run errands, to be the true hub of your family.

Sure, maybe stay at home moms would trade a bad day, or several weeks from an especially noxious part of toddlerhood. Certainly there's the drag parts of it. But working moms would also trade an especially long biz trip, or missing a doctor appt to have your husband or sitter go instead. There are definitely drag parts of that, too.

Who IS the one idiot working mom who ruined it for the rest of us and apparently at some point back in the 80s said, "I couldn't stay home and eat bon bons and be lazy and watch soaps all day, I'd go cuh-RAZY!" Because duh, that is clearly and absolutely not what any sane person would assume stay at home moms do. I don't know anyone who's a working mom, who says that shit and believes it.

Working moms I know all have sisters or friends who stay home and we learn from that, and so we know it's not about being bored, its more about being constantly busy. Crazy busy.

Isn't this obvious? Why do we ALWAYS feel the need to keep challenging, comparing and badgering each other? Working at a workplace has challenges. Working with kids at your home all day, ditto. Who the hell knows if they're even steven? One day or week or year might be better/worse at the one or other. Why do we keep doing this dance?

I know this is a way cliched topic ... the Mommy Wars and all ... but I can't believe that we cannot accept there are different options. Pros and cons to working FT, working PT, working out of your home for an employer or for yourself, or working at home raising your kids/taking care of your home.

And that, oh just perhaps, each of this situations might possibly fit one human better than another. And that MAYBE IT EVEN CHANGES AS YOU GET OLDER/HAVE MORE KIDS/MAKE MORE OR LESS MONEY/OTHER LIFE CHANGES OCCUR. That one size really truly does not fit all.

That is why I was pretty tickled reading how sane most (most) of the responses to her post were. Most talked about choices, and what's right for one might not be right for all. But yes, some were fairly obnoxious and judgmental - on both sides - and so I enjoyed even more the Sundry Mourning response to the whole thing. Because really, it's just not that simple. It's just really not.

And incidentally, I apologize if I have offended anyone by using "work" to refer to my situation which is working at an employer, outside my home. It's just for brevity. It is not remotely referring to the fact that any of the other situations are not LOTS AND LOTS OF WORK and in some cases, more hours a week than I put in.

And I am ONLY even making this annoying clarification because I was sort of, err, corrected by a neighbor we met tonight on this topic. Wet met him on a walk, he had kids, we had kid/belly ... started chatting, oh, when did you move in, welcome, when are you due, where did you move from ... I mentioned yep, it's been crazy with the move, a toddler, being pregnant and working full time ... he promptly got a look, I swear to you, he straightend up taller, and then he said, "Well my wife H. works full time too (jerks thumb back toward house) right here, being a 24/7 mom to these two kids. That is a FULL TIME JOB."

I could go a lot of places with that, but it's late and I don't want to belabor this further. So I'll just end this post here. Much like we ended our brief conversation shortly thereafter, funny ...

Mindless Fun, for a Cause

2008-06-11T21:51:00.002-05:00

Tonight, I am relaxing. That is my new thing. Old thing = stressing. New thing = ree-laxxxx-ing.

So that's why I just spent about 10 - 15 minutes playing on this site, which will supposedly donate food (grains of rice to be specific) for each vocabulary word you get right. Yep, that's right, that's what I said.

Odd combo? Yes. Addictive? Oh yeah. Just try and stop testing yourself.

Highs and Lows

2008-06-02T22:16:00.005-05:00

That's what life's like these days.

High - I am in my third trimester! The arrival of our baby is in sight.

Low - I suddenly feel like s**t a lot of the time. Swelling has set in. Contractions happen when I bend over or lift anything. I am a hormonal crazy lady about 60 percent of the time. CRAZY. My husband might suggest that estimate is a bit low.

High - We have unboxed 80 to 90 percent of our main floor. Some pictures are on walls. Lamps are setup, with bulbs. Kitchen is functional. Matthew seems relatively unfazed. Dog 1 and 2 finally settling in.

Low - Realizing our dogs aren't the problem. That would be the neighbor's dog who was inexplicably left outside all Saturday night. Barking at 12, 1, 2 and 4 a.m., respectively.

Oh, and our CAT. Who is apparently protesting our move by relieving herself in various parts of my house that are not her litter box. Tonight it was my son's basket of baby blankies. Sweet.

High - Our buyers have stopped calling us every five minutes with some other f'ing complaint.
It's officially their house and not our problem.

Low - It's their house. Not ours.

High - Driving Saturday nighth to pick out of big flat screen LCD TV we promised ourselves for two years that we'd buy as a treat when we moved.

Low - Driving to Best Buy and Sam's, we took our old Murdoch exit. Matthew gets excited look on face and says, "Home! Mathew's house!" Oh God. He's seemed happy, but only because he thinks we were on a trip, and that now we are finally going home.

Mike and I just look at each other, and I want to cry. We force ourselves drive right on past our street, with Matthew craning his next to look down it, and us talking excitedly about "new house! new house!" But with our little hearts broken.

High - Having move behind us, which means time to blog, read blogs, surf for crib sets, think about my new baby, and just flipping relax on the couch. Mike having time to go hit golf balls. Our boy really honestly enjoying his "new house"...snuggled in his crib happily every night since we've lived here, including tonight. And me having the house/TV/computer to myself peacefully for a couple hours tonight. And not one box in my immediate eyesight.

We'll just end on that note, shall we?

WE ARE IN!

2008-05-29T21:13:00.002-05:00

So I'm sick with a cold, and over tired from not sleeping from said cold. Surrounded by boxes, three non-working, non-cabled-up TVs and fast food wrappers.

Our living room decor is a fresh eclectic mix of "stuff the movers weren't sure where to put" - a painting by my professional artist sister in law Michelle, along side Matthew's first finger painting, next to a hideously stupid collage I made in junior high school ("no, honey, you CAN'T throw it away, I made it, it's coming with.).

My dogs are continually circling and panting, wondering when we're going home.

I've started having nostalgic flashbacks of my family room; my front stoop; my flowers; my kitchen and (sigh) new fridge we had to leave behind.

But here's why I'm still surprisingly happy: I am not longer under any deadline to wrap and stuff every piece of crap I own into one of 200 boxes to be ready for movers coming at a very certain point in time. If I choose to live in BoxWorld for the next 3 weeks, that is my choice. I am also no longer living in constant anticipation - or fear - of my realtor calling with something else I have to do/pay for to buy/sell my house.

I am a new home owner! Neighbors are dropping off banana cake. Mattew is referring to the yellow bedroom he's sleeping in right now as "My woom!" I am listening to my beautiful new full sized black and whisper quiet dishwasher washing - as opposed to my old and midget sized and banging gongs loud dishwasher.

This morning Mike and I both had room to get ready in our new bathroom with double vanities at the same time vs. the divorce inducing proceedings that usually occurred in negotiating morning routines in our old one horse number.

Tonight I bathed Matthew in his new bigger and as Libby pointed out, lower down (i.e., less back breaking) tub. Hey people, it's the little things.

Last - miracle of miracles, as I was sitting here debating do I try to get online tonight... I looked down and saw that lovely wireless icon already going. I am online! I am joyous! I am settling in.

P.S. One Thing That Doesn't Blow About Moving

2008-05-27T22:18:00.002-05:00

When your mom drives 7 hours round trip in one day, JUST to help you clean, lend moral support with the movers because your husband had to work, because she just wanted to see your new house so badly, and mainly just because she's my mom, I'm her baby, always will be, despite being a 33 year old preggo mom myself.

Oh - AND she brings two giant boxes of Crispy Kremes with her.

Moms ... are amazing. They just love you THAT MUCH.

My House: Love it or Leave it? Both

2008-05-27T21:41:00.007-05:00

Here I am spending the last night in my house of the last seven years. Tomorrow will be the first night in the house that will keep us for the next seven, or more. I still can't quite take it in despite sleeping on an air mattress surrounded by blank walls, no furniture, no dogs (kennel) and no husband (the poor guy is STILL out dealing with unloading the garage onto our trash heap and/or into our SUV).

I feel I should post pictures of our house filled with boxes and mess. Or maybe all empty and sad. But I have none - damn batteries died and if I even had any, they're packed on a truck a few miles away, waiting to be delivered to our new side of town. A sad yet appropriately disorganized ending to our last few months here. (Read: moving really blows.)

I can't really get into all I want to say about the move. Exciting for what it will bring - our new daughter to her new home in 3 months. Sad for what we're leaving - the house I brought my son home to, had countless nights with friends, had countless beers with friends (and apparently spills - hello, my poor carpeting that was hidden under the furniture until now!), and to kick it off, the house I moved into with a different last name, just 3 short months before we got married and began building the family of seven (yes I count the cat) we have now.

This afternoon I got emotional saying good-bye to a neighbor. Thinking I won't live on this street - my street - anymore tears me up. I am happy I'll remain part of it a bit, as we'll continue bringing Matthew to our neighbor's for our shared daycare several days a week. But also scared I'll be jealous its not me living here...

And yet I know that soon I'll probably grow to love my new neighborhood just as much. After 3 months off for maternity leave, hopefully I'll know the streets intimately from walking with TWO kidsm in beautiful fall weather. Once our basement's finished, we'll definitely feel we've gotten the step up house we've waited a long time for. Having the kids in rooms where they have space to have a crib AND turnaround without bumping into something will be neat. And, it'll just be fun to pick paint colors and rearrange furniture again - to start fresh.

But walking out of here tomorrow is gonna hurt like hell.

Not to Steal Your Thunder, Amelia...

2008-05-20T22:13:00.003-05:00

...But there are three other babies that The Management has been remiss in welcoming.

First, miss Rosalie Pearl, born on Mommy's day to my Me a Mom? friend Cara. Beautiful Miss Rosalie arrived early also - 6 weeks, I believe - but as she did throughout her mommy's pregnancy, rallied to the occasion, showed up at 4 lbs and 11 oz and nearly 17 inches long (good girl) and is doing just great from what I hear.

She will no doubt be home giving Mommy, Daddy and big sister Lila a run for their money sooner than later. All of us are pulling for that sooner, knowing it's gotta be hard hard hard for Cara to be in two places at once these days - mentally and physically - with Rosalie spending time at the hospital for a while. Our love goes out to this sweet new girl, and we'll wish her home, soon. Welcome, Rosalie!

Second, miss Riley Jane, born last Friday to my college BFF Sarah and her husband Bryan. Again, an early riser - what is with you babies, I swear it's really comfy cozy in there comparatively - but miss Riley, much like her momma, could not be stopped. She arrived via a totally natural water birth as Sarah had planned and wished for for many months.

The downside was while Riley took in her new world - perfectly happy and healthy - Sarah had some post-partum recovery issues including what sounded (to her worried friend over email) like a scary hemorrhage. But everyone is doing well now, and the rest of us are oohing and aahing over the beautiful new arrival highlighted in her artistic daddy's birth announcement. Which of course I can't figure out how to post at 10:20 p.m. when my eyes are shutting but trust me peeps - she is a looker and will be a strong, smart, accomplished young lady just like her mommy. Welcome, Riley!

Last but not least, Cole William entered the world and his mom Sarah and dad Ryan's hearts on Sunday. He was 7.5 lbs and perfectly healthy, perfectly perfect. My ever-so-on-top-of-it friend Sarah emailed us about 1.5 hours later to give us the update. Sarah, even from labor and delivery, you are my super-mom hero (I knew there was a reason I hired ya back in the day :)

Mom has been waiting for Cole to get here safely for a long time, and we are so thrilled that he obliged. I simply can't wait to meet you, congratulate your parents, and your awesome big sis Evie. I am quite certain she's as excited as the rest of us that you're here - and I do know that girl love babies. Welcome, Cole!

It's hard for me to take in that five little miracles have arrived in just under one month. It's overwhelming actually (you can't see the tears swelling) and also still not registering that I'll be joining the ranks again in three months.

For now, I'll celebrate your little ones with you ... get your pictures up when I can ... and gladly babysit anyone of you darlins' at any time. Post-double-closing date, that is.

Welcome, Sweet Amelia

2008-05-20T22:04:00.005-05:00

I met the newest member of my inner circle today ... beautiful miss Amelia Mabel, born earlier this morning to dear friends Mark and Kim.

This little girl was long anticipated - and yes, I KNEW SHE'D BE A GIRL AND I BEAT THE 50/50 ODDS OF BEING RIGHT AGAIN SO I AM CELEBRATING. Anyway, she must have known we were about over waiting for her because she make her appearance about 4 weeks early. But she's big and healthy and doing just great, thank you very much.

Mommy and Daddy weren't at all surprised - think this weekend she started tipping them off she might be coming. Her bluff really collapsed when Mommy's water broke last night. Then I kinda think it was, "Crap, is that what I think it is?" and once determined "YES MY WATER BROKEN", off to the hospital they went. Dilating, epiduraling and pushing ensued...Kim was a champ...and then our sweet new baby girl arrived

We could not be more excited for you guys. It's a blast, it's the best, and it's all just beginning.

Your precious girl is very lucky coming into such a loving family ... having two super fun cousins/built in BFFs in Shane and Bridget ... and having two pseudo cousins/built in BFFs over here in the Muldrow clan.

Welcome, Amelia!

It's About Damn Time

2008-05-16T08:53:00.004-05:00

Don't know what all the fuss is about, or why it took until yesterday for CA to approve gay marriage. Two states down ... 48 to go.

Sadly, our Dem candidates don't see it the same way:

Same-sex marriage has been a highly contentious issue in presidential and Congressional elections, but it was not immediately clear what role the ruling would have this year. The Democratic and Republican candidates for president have all said they believe marriage should be between a man and a woman, but Republicans could use a surge in same-sex marriages in the most populous state to invigorate conservative voters.

Somehow, Ah-hold gets it right and they don't?

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, said in a statement that he respected the ruling and did not support a constitutional amendment to overturn it.

Don't mean to offend anyone who disagrees - that's your right. I just think its everyone's right to form a committed and legal union, with health and financial benefits for your family, for life. So today I'm pretty happy with those crazy liberal judges out West.

What a Difference a Day Makes

2008-05-15T22:33:00.005-05:00

I made an executive decision tonight to skip the two fun events I had planned, send Libby home earlier than we'd arranged, and take MY SON WITH ME shopping. To let go of moving and work stress and obligation for a night and just get out in the car with my boy.

And it was great.

First we waited in line together listening to my awesome new Mother's Day mix CD from BFF (thanks, Lisa!!) Our patience in the drive through line (1/2 hour wait - what up, Steak and Shake?) was rewarded with an amazingly delicious Frisco Melt. We hadn't minded waiting - "chatted" the whole time and had moved onto singing when the food finally showed. Still, felt it was karma when turns out they forgot the fries, ran them back out and "so sorry, ma'am" supersized them AND tossed in double cheese sauce. Good night.

Then we drove to Babies R Us to pick up a shower gift. I got to park in the Stork Parking, then Matthew got a turn on the Barney train out front. Luckily he had the good sense to be terrified and that didn't last too long. Good night.

We quickly found a gift off the registry, then picked up gifts for two other new babies we know. Went on to peruse the Thomas and Cars themed baby beds - "Cars, FAST!"

Matthew had fun locating a few other necessities, too... I'd him out of the cart while I pondered gift wrap. He goes to look at some toys a few feet away. Next time I look over he is loading the SECOND of two mini-construction sets into our cart. Which is higher than his head. I can't imagine how we got it in there so fast.

I cracked up and seeing it was on clearance anyway, decided tonight was buy my sweet kid a toy night. A good night.

We drove home and sang some more. We detoured through Webster to visit the new house. When we parked at home, we looked for the moon (found it) and the stars (no such luck, cloudy). Then we talked to Daddy on the phone at his school's camp; we wrestled our way into dinosaur p.j.'s.; and we snuggled up with books, which we took turns reading as he knows lots of Dr. Seuss by heart now.

To cap it off, we stood in his room in the dark, him snuggled up on me... and I swear, helping me sing - like, along with me - his Rocky Baby song. I have never heard our two voices singing together before (he can sing?) and it was the highlight of my day, week...

To think last night I nearly chucked it all and tossed myself off my window ledge (empty threat, it's 3 ft. high) due to moving stress. Work deadlines. MIA husband (ok, he was working). And a terribly cranky two-year-old that was still awake (long story) at 10 p.m.

And tonight. I am feeling a blessed mother of one helluva sweet boy (snoring quietly in other room) and one precious little girl on the way (kicking me like crazy this whole time I'm writing). Ah, perspective - what a difference one good night makes.

Stuff I Don't Wanna Forget, v1

2008-05-13T22:22:00.004-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted much about Matthew. You remember him, that short person that lives with Mike me and the dogs.

I haven't been doing well lately with the picture taking, the milestone recording, the documenting. But thought I'd steal one post and just list out the cutest stuff lately that I hope I don't forget.

When you ask a question and get "YeeeaaaSSSSS!" in the most excited squealy voice.
How he likes to line up cars - on shelves, along the couch, on window sills. It's his calling card, I can tell where he's been throughout the house.
Calling our dogs Murphy girwl and Bogey boy.
Wanting to buckle himself into his booster seat - "Matthew do it" - and being so careful to not pinch his hands, doing it in fact just like Mommy and Daddy do it.
Chasing the cat throughout the house, never giving up, and never getting that his screaming "COME HERE MAYA!!" is exactly what's sent her on her way.
How every time we use the phone, he yells out, "HI GRAMA!"
How he names one of our family as wanting to drive all the trucks in the truck book and all the trains in the train book. "Mama!" "Yes, Mama likes the giant excavator." "Dada!" "Yes, Dada likes the dump truck." And "us" includes him, me, Mike, Bogey, Murphy, Maya, and House.

How just today, he told me he had "echos" (excavators) on his p.j.'s (he did, they are construction themed) and how they dig and how they dig dirt. I have never had this conversation before with this kid.

God, I sure love this kid.

TomCruise.com

2008-05-10T23:21:00.003-05:00

With my family asleep, and me for some reason piddling away online delaying it, I just spent 20 minutes on TomCruise.com.

And naturally, entirely predictably, I am now left thinking, well, shit. That's 20 minutes I can't get back.

So I'll just pay it forward by saving you the same amount of time to use for something else more useful, more meanginful, more pleasurable. Such as nosehair plucking, toenail trimming, earwax digging, or the like.

Lest you be tempted to visit, I can tell you the contents right here. Ready?
Stupid intro letter from Tom about how he loves to make movies
Stupid video clips of his movies strung together with stupid mission impossible theme song
Stupid stupid TigerBeatesque photo gallery
Link to oh-so-candid (yeah, right) Oprah interview
Complete lack of a point whatsoever

Just don't, don't, don't bother. You won't find a peep about Brooke Shields, postpartum or Scientology. You will also realize Katie and Suri don't exist, because they aren't mentioned anywhere. And you will realize Tom is for sure hetero because there's lots of clips of him kissing lots of girls.

All it took was one $200K website and some Flash and now I know I should listen to him when he says to take my vitamins. Because, you know, he's such a SERIOUS AND IMPORTANT movie star.

Travels with Aimee

2008-05-06T19:40:00.006-05:00

In no particular order, here's what's made me chuckle from the road this week:

Monday morning, 5 a.m. ish at Lambert. The nose-pierced girl behind me suddenly asking (in an oddly slow, not-panicked-I'm-gonna-miss-my-flight-way) if she could go ahead in the security line. Me saying, "Well, I guess..." sensing this wasn't a true emergency, which I am always happy to accommodate. And her validating me by saying, "That's OK, I don't have to. I'm just so000 tired, and I want to get on the plane." Me thinking, WTF?????????? Me snapping, "Well, aren't we all" and standing my ground.
Multiple people at my client commenting, on seeing me in my more advanced maternity state and clothes, "Oh, I didn't know you were pregnant?" followed by "You don't look very big." Well, but remember how you just a minute ago said...so I must look...oh, never mind.
The front desk guy at the hotel pointing me toward cocktail hour in the bar. Me snottily informing him I didn't think the baby would appreciate that. (And knowing my misdirected anger is a direct result of HOW MUCH I WANNA GO IN THAT COCKTAIL HOUR!)
Me ordering dinner last night from a combination KFC/A&W restaurant. Ordering off both menus. Eating half on the drive home. And feeling incredible disappointment when my Lil' Bucket parfait somehow did not make it into the bag.
Me calling the KFC to get a credit for the Lil' Bucket parfait (they agreed).
Me ordering $10 room serve "chocolate dome" to make up for missing $1.79 Lil' Bucket.
Driving my rental Nissan Altima out of the airport, and having to pull over several times within the first two minutes, wondering why it's driving so darn funny. Before I call the rental company's roadside assistance - from side of road, hazards on - at which point I figure out I have been driving 50 m.p.h. in first gear. Because Altima's have manual and automatic mode, and guess which one I was accidentally in? (To my defense, what genius labels a stick shift "+" and "-" instead of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5?)
My wild little boy becoming inexplicably obsessed with me singing him "Rocky Baby" (aka Rock a Bye Baby) which I never sang at all until last weekend, and suddenly, it's his fave. So he's now requesting it by phone. Eight times tonight.
Me, physically singing my son Rocky Baby, but in reality, watching Jason Castro butcher Bob Marley and Bob Dylan on Idol. (What the heck WAS THAT?)
My son, requesting "Mama, home? Mama, home?" last night as I was reading him books by phone.

Okay, that one wasn't funny so much as heart wrenching. I might need to start another list...

I'd Get 5 1/2 Hours of Sleep...

2008-05-04T21:35:00.004-05:00

...If I went to bed right now.

What in dear God's name was I thinking agreeing to a 6 a.m. flight?

I can tell you. It's like I forgot there's 3 hours of wake up, drive, get there early time. It's not 6 a.m. your alarm rings, you roll over and board.

Wish me luck on my alarm clock going off, my back-up going off, my coffee auto-brewing, and my car service showing up at 4:15 a.m.

Oddly enough, they didn't laugh or even question remotely that pick-up time. Which almost makes me suspicious, it was too easy, do they even intend to show up... "oh SURE we'll be there, and did you want donuts?"

Welcome, Shane Patrick

2008-05-02T14:08:00.003-05:00

Bridget's Mommy become Shane's mommy yesterday at 10:08 a.m. at St John's when she delivered her new 7 lb, 9 oz baby boy!

Well, actually, she became Shane's mommy this morning, when Mom and Dad finally got off their duffs and named him after nearly a day.

Just kidding guys, believe me when I say I wouldn't be surprised to be doing the same delayed naming come August 29th.

Erin and Shane were both doing great. Well, I think Erin was - they certainly hand out the good drugs right after Mom's been through her ordeal, as they should, so hopefully she's still hanging in there today.

Shane is ADORABLE - we met him last night. He makes this awesome little squeaky noise, they said it's from breathing, but rest assured he is perfectly healthy, and in fact, seems pretty much perfect in every way. Even his sweet noise was NOT enough to distract me from how CUTE and good looking this kid is. Especially for a newborn boy. Who can of course, resemble an 80 year old shrunken up elderly man. But this kid's kinda a looker... must have gotten that from his mom's side, right TPD?

A proper post with sweet baby pictures, coming soon. But I couldn't wait any longer to say...

WELCOME TO THE WORLD, Shane Patrick! We love you already.

Motivation

2008-04-28T21:07:00.003-05:00

Guess what I'll be doing the last weekend of May, assuming the move/moving/close 1/close 2/giant deposit checks/boxes/packing/unpacking/cleaning doesn't kill me?

Watching the Sex and the City movie - alone with my popcorn, or with whatever girlfriends will join me. I don't get to name my daughter Carrie BECAUSE of this show (Michael says it reminds him too much) so this movie better be damn good to make-up for it.

The noly thing missing will be Cosmos - oh well, I'll have double the Sno-caps instead.

Buying a House Rocks!

2008-04-27T18:47:00.012-05:00

What a difference a weekend makes.

After lots of looking...hours of discussion amongst Mike, Kevin our rock star realtor, my mother-in-law Dale (who had the mistfortune to visit this house-a-thon weekend, poor woman) and I... two offers on two different houses on two ends of town...one counter offer on the one...and one happy phone call from our realtor...we have purchased a lovely little three bedroom, two bathroom ranch house in south Webster Groves on Old Watson Road.

We close on both houses - this one and ours - well I guess both are ours - so we'll say House 1 and House 2 - on Wed. May 28. As in next month, before June, within 30 days, just a few weeks away - and icing on cake - the day before Mike's last day of school.

"AH!!!!!" doesn't quite cover how I feel.

I am already plotting our Pod strategies to get out of the one house, store our stuff, then into the other one. And am very thankful that Memorial Day weekend gives us a leg up on packing said Pod.

I am already stressing about inspections. Worried, what if closing costs are twice as much as I'm estimating and it cuts into The Basement Fund, otherwise known as a portion of the proceeds of our current home sale that are earmarked for building a 4th bedroom and a family room/play room/recreation room (aka drinkin' room) in the currently unfinished basement.

I'm already mentally listing who we'll shamelessly recruit to help us move. I'm fretting that the Simple Moves costs - they move the heavy stuff - will be as reasonable and worthwhile as I hope they'll be.

But for one brief moment - I am also realizing it really is okay to be excited, and happy. We bought a house! We will not be homeless May 28! And, we will not be stuck here August 29 and forced to move with a screechy, crazy newborn!

Mike and I agreed on the house! Our moms agreed with us! We managed to keep our buyers, but still land a house that we didn't feel we "settled" too much for!

We don't have to keep our house clean anymore, waiting for the next showing! We found something ready to move in, but with enough projects to make it out own! That we can actually imagine staying in for five or more years! That is close to 44, the Rec Center, Walgreens, the Chinese buffet!

That we like, a lot.

Me happy, me a homeowner once more.

Househunting Sucks

2008-04-21T07:08:00.003-05:00

Did you know Webbie Groves is filled with houses that look reasonable but then have the master bedroom on the basement or off the kitchen? Or the Brady Bunch green tile upstairs bathroom that you can't stand up all the way in for fear of poking your head through the 6o degree pitched ceiling? Or rotting wood peeking out underneath the "new siding" it looks like someone added with their arts and crafts staple gun last week? Or is located next to major construction? Or appears to have a chicken coop next door?

In other words...there is something wrong with every one of them. At least in our price range.

If there's not, you can bet it's on the wrong side of the tracks. Or adjacent to the tracks - and both trains come through every ten minutes. Making the earthquake look like a heavy door slamming.

Now that we've sold our house - oh, did I not mention, we've sold our house and have 7 more days to find one to make the deal happen? Yes. Yes yes. So, now that we've sold our house - its as though realtors throughout 63119 have gone on strike. NOTHING in our price range is even popping UP the last few days.

"This is a good problem to have" will be my mantra.

"$&"%*'ing house better come up soon" will be my reality.

Death and Taxes

2008-04-15T08:03:00.004-05:00

We completed the second and felt like the first last night.

$1200 to the government later ... I could not be more grateful for my refund check coming to balance things out.

But also left wondering what the $&%# is going on that we owe that much money?

I don't even expect refunds anymore. But to owe? In a W presidential year? I thought he was too busy siphoning cash from our public education systems and mailing it to corporate trusts and the uber-rich, to figure out to stop and ask our middle class butts for more.

How to Have a Happy 2nd Birthday Weekend

2008-04-13T22:01:00.012-05:00

Start it with bubbles. Lots of 'em, that shoot out of a Machine that only a Daddy would buy.

Then crash your Aunt Erin's 29th birthday party. While there, really make your mark. Just because the party's at Bridget's grama's house, and it's Bridget's ball, doesn't mean it's hers tonight. It's YOUR BIRTHDAY! Finish 'er off with a raging kegger. Or, if your square parents say no, a Gymboree party with slides, balls, cake and way too many generous presents ought to suffice. (For full documentation, see my Picasa photo account to the right.)
To my birthday boy:

You make us laugh every day now, and this weekend was no exception. It was SO fun watching you jump, climb and be adventurous with your friends. You're quite the two-year old already - demanding this, demanding that, demanding even louder NOT to do this or that ...

Pointing out planes and "tractors" (helicopters) in the sky with so much excitement. Running at top speed with your legs almost in front of your body. Kissing the dogs, cat, Daddy, me and now your babies good night. Patting the baby in my tummy - then patting your "baby" in yours ...

Saying please and thank you in your tiny little voice - often in the right context, but even sweeter when you're thanking me as YOU hand ME your used sippy cup ...

Not just giggling, but screaming with joy now when we tickle you. Just like I did when I was a little kid ...

Learning to draw, learning to count. Screaming out letters when you see them in signs. Telling me there's a triangle on Dad's shirt (when did you even LEARN THAT?) Loving your Gramas, your Daddy, your friend Jackson, Bridgey ... loving everyone around you, really.

You are my sweet, sweet boy, and I wish I could keep you this way for another few years. Well, most days, that is.

I love it all, and I love you. Happy birthday, big boy!

Yes! Double YES!

2008-04-08T21:54:00.003-05:00

We listed our house yesterday!

We had one showing yesterday, and two today!!

Got a friend or neighbor looking for a charming two-bed, one bath in Shrewsbury? I can TOTALLY hook you up.

My Hormones or His Brain Farts?

2008-04-05T23:14:00.006-06:00

I am SO sorry for the crass title. But that's the real question I have. Twice this week my DH has pretty much made me question whether its his judgment that's flawed ... or my ability to withstand ANY type of frustration in my 1/2-way-through-being-knocked-up-and-long-way-to-go condition.

Item #1: Wednesday night I come home to find my house full of paint fumes. Oil-based fumes. The ONE thing my doctor told me to avoid completely. Besides smoking. Turns out DH wanted to "touch up" our epoxy tile paint in the bathroom. THAT NIGHT. Before our realtor came over to take pictures to put our house on the market. Pictures centered around close-up pictures of our bathtub, of course. Oh no wait! He only took one half-assed show of our bathroom that I think maybe caught an edge of our shower stall.

Did I mention all the windows were closed and my son with his tiny baby angelic lungs was running around in this funk which was practically like a green haze from a Scooby Doo cartoon?

Item #2: Our electric dog fence broke. I don't know when. It takes the dogs (and us) a few days to figure it out, but once they do, they are Born Free on at least a once daily basis. So today we decide it is a Priority for DH to fix it. A process that usually takes between 20 and 60 minutes depending how hard it is for him to isolate where the line broke. Mr. Squirrel is usually the culprit, and once you twist in extra wire to continue the circuit and rebury it, boom you're done.

Here's what occurred, today ...

3:30 Matthew and I (REMEMBER I AM PREGNANT) lay down for a nap when DH goes outside to fix fence.

4:10 Wake up to doorbell and fervent knocking. Sweet little girl down the street informs me Murphy and Bogey are "playing at the park."

4:11 I oh so patiently inform my husband (who is outside, mind you) that the dogs are not 10 feet away and invisible as he must have suspected ... but are at the part 2 blocks away.

4:12 Back to sleep in a huff.

6:30 Wake up to find DH chatting with neighbor. Upon request for a progress update, I learn we have "isolated a break in the line" but not fixed it.

Then proudly tells me how he HAS however raked the yard and picked up the dog poop. You know, those mission critical items.

6:31 Sigh heavily, stomp around, go get Matthew up from nap.

6:40 Join Michael across the street talking to neighbor. (Break in sarcastic tone: Found out our neighbor Jackie who's been trying forever is PREGNANT and due just a couple weeks after us. Yahoo!)

7:00 Go back to irritated when Michael and Jackie recount, "Do you know where those dogs were today?" "At the park." "No! They ran up to the train tracks! I/Mike was running down the tracks after them." Stricken look from me. "My adrenaline was pumping. I just kept waiting for that train to come." I patiently take it in - because I am already mentally trying to block this information that several important members of my family could have got killed by the choo choo while I napped. And that my husband knew this, yet instead of fixing the fence to prevent it in the future, focused on scooping the poop.

7:10 DH finally goes back to work and fixes first break but then realizes there must be more than one break. Line still not working. Outside now in near dark.

7:30 Poke my head out to let DH know I've ordered takeout and will be leaving to get it and taking Matthew. Find him chatting with different neighbor. This one's a musician and is showing Mike his ukele (no comments, please) and the broken strings.

I momentarily lose it. "How's it going? FIXED YET? Just don't want those dogs on the TRAIN TRACKS AGAIN."

It gets boring after this because I go get food and RedBox movie, and come home to find he fixed the fence. Lovely family story. All's well.

But still. You see my points. You are on my side. right, girl-powered-blog-readership?

Blessings

2008-04-01T21:35:00.009-06:00

Today we found out the news we've been waiting to hear since Dec. 25, the day we found out we were pregnant. We found out we're having a little baby girl.

And, we found out she's developing perfectly. She was wiggling around, perfect size, and appeared perfectly healthy.

So I just posted about this on my other blog. And turned the blog template pink, and posted cute pictures of Matthew wearing his special big brother t-shirt. And was just really happy and just la la la, I'm posting about having a girl, isn't this fun?

And then, as I'm cruising through my regular blog reading list ... I stumble across this post on Not That You Asked.

And now I'm sitting here in tears, barely able to talk to Michael about why I'm crying. About a stranger's story, about still more strangers - and their sweet 16 month old baby girl who's very very sick with cancer.

So here comes the cliche but my God, it makes me realize how blessed we are.

And it's not because I'm getting the girl I was so publicly hoping for. It's because I have a beautiful healthy kid sleeping peacefully in the other room, in the nursery we are able to financially provide for him. Because he was cared for today by the loving nanny we're able to hire. Because we both have steady jobs.

Mostly though, because Matthew's been perfectly healthy for these first two years of his life, minus his rvery minor little surgery. For which I had financial coverage, and good medical access.

I guess this post hit me so hard tonight - well, besides the heartbreaking photo - maybe because it reminds me how even the blessings you do have can seem like an illusion that falls apart in one second, with one doctor visit. How the world can just suck to unbelievable levels sometimes, and tends to hit the wrong people.

And how, until the day it hits you, and maybe even when it does, you have to work as hard as you can to keep yourself honest and just appreciate every single thing you have going for you.

Ignore the daily bullshit like work and deadlines and househunts and dog hair that just doesn't matter. And count your blessings, every single tiny and seemingly insignificant one. I guess it's not a cliche for nothing.

Bright Spots

2008-03-30T15:11:00.007-06:00

So by Thursday night my peppyness was a bit done. I was tired and ready to be home, but still had a long day of work and traveling ahead Friday.

Woke up Friday and various things set me off to a bad start. So texted Mike, "Off to a bad start, better send me a good pic [meaning of Matthew] quick."

I didn't get a pic, but got an even better text message back:

A plane just flew overhead and matthew looked up and screamed hi mama hi mama

The day improved markedly as did my mood after that.

Travelin' Woman

2008-03-25T20:37:00.002-06:00

Greetings from Philly! I'll be here all week, folks, catch the midnight show. Feels like I've already performed it - twice. Why is it no matter how smoothly business travel goes, it just leaves you ... utterly exhausted? Oh duh, it's the bags, the lines, the shoes off (probably a killer fatigue/foot disease spread to me on Lambert's vinyl floor this morning) and the take out food (fries, chips, lattes, oh my!)

My phone conversations with Matthew really help me get through the week now, though. When he was a baby and I traveled, I couldn't tell him night night, send him kisses, and have his Dada relay that he's kissing the phone in response. I couldn't hear him tucking his babies in, or yelling "MAMA!" when Mike first puts me on speaker. Or have him describe that he ate "orangies" for lunch, or what he's doing right now - "gold car, dwive!"- which of course means driving home from the store in Daddy's gold Pathfinder.

I'm sure it's not exactly easy on him when I'm gone. But he's having a great spring break week with his daddy, so this was fortuitous timing. And now that we can "talk" on the phone, I have direct evidence that he's happy, he's okay, every day and every night, until I'm back to make sure of that again myself.

"Oth Side!"

2008-03-17T19:44:00.005-06:00

That's how Matthew says "other side" - which you'd be surprised to know can OFTEN be worked into conversation. Like when we're reading books (turning pages/other side), when we give hugs (first hug/other side/new hug on other shoulder) or really, you know, anytime we're holding something with two sides. Gotta check out the "oth side!!"

That's how I feel about getting past his surgery - glad we're on the other side.

Most of the day was waiting - 2 hours before the surgery, about 50 minutes for the surgery, another hour with him still away from us in the recovery room, and then another hour or so all hanging together in our room eating popsicles and animal crackers so make sure there's no tummy problems from anesthesia (none).

The only time I got at all emotional was seeing his actual incision - it's about 1 1/4 inches, and RED. It's taped up with a big clear bandage (like a second skin) the doctor will remove in a week. It's not bothering him at all; we do call it his ouwie. But we even could get it wet, and he doesn't seem bothered.

So it was obviously a very smooth experience. The only time HE got upset was when they were removing the IV (being held in his left hand below by the blue wrap aka his bowling glove) and the tape holding it on. Fair to say we were proud of our trooper.The St. John's pediatric surgery nurses were fabulous. It reminded me of St. Luke's nurses when I had Matthew - visiting constantly, offering meds, making sure you're comfy, bringing you Sprites... just total care givers.

Anyway - we certainly felt lucky to have something so minor, when there were kids in there having real illnesses going on. Just breaks my heart to even think of it. But, I'm certainly glad it's over and that since Friday he's been climbing on stuff he shouldn't and running through the house like a wildman - back to normal.

The Sun'll Come Out, To-mor-row

2008-03-13T21:44:00.003-06:00

And we'll all be up to see it - dawn, that is.

Tomorrow's d-day - as in, de-hernia-ing day for Matthew.

I have focused intently on NOT focusing on this moment for weeks. Now, tomorrow, my son will be wheeled away in a wagon after being given "happy juice," after we arrive at 6:30 a.m. at St. John's with nothing in his tummy and his jammies and dirty diaper still on (aka hopefully he's sleeping).

He'll then be given anesthesia, operated on, and returned to us promptly within 45 minutes.

Forty-five long minutes, in which I've already been warned by a well-meaning colleague that I may "just have to let it out." I feel guilty but I'm not sure what "it" is really? I am so focused on not worrying, I can't really predict if I'll get emotional?

But I do know when I was reading to him tonight, I was kinda going in for extra kisses, extra hair brushing off his face. I was disappointed when he wanted to go right in his crib vs. demanding extra cuddling time like most nights.

And yes, I am still awake when I shouldn't be because yes, I guess I'm nervous.

Yes I Watch It and I'm Gonna Start Posting About It

2008-03-12T21:44:00.002-06:00

AMERICAN IDOL: one of my guilty "I'm pregnant and I'm gonna lay here and watch it" TV shows.

So:
Anyone else loving Jason?

That Australian is getting on my last nerve all of a sudden.

Has a black person EVER won this show? Did Fantasia win? I like Syesha and Chickeezie, although he truly needs a new name.

That country hoochie must have been CRAZY to sing 8 Days a Week, honky tonk style and think it was even bearable, much less good. I can't believe she's still here.

Last - I think I have a crush on Simon.

What Month is This?

2008-03-05T21:42:00.010-06:00

How did we go from 77 degrees and this at Forest Park on Sunday:

To 7 inches of snow and this on Tuesday in Shrewsbury:

So far in March, I'd say we got that lion part covered. Now I am ready for soft fluffy lambs.

Results are In

2008-03-05T12:16:00.002-06:00

And YES, I am excited Hillary won OH and TX. And surprised, go Hil!

I definitely credit the Tina Fey SNL clip. Which apparently NBC will punch me in the face for posting here, so I won't even try. But it's worth finding on YouTube.

How Many STL Blog Posts Today are ... SNOW DAY!

2008-03-04T17:14:00.003-06:00

Well, phooey on them. I didn't have one, but Mike and Matthew did.

I had a snow drive, snow work, snow drive home early and now snow work from home.

This is when being a teacher goes from underpaid raw deal, to sweet A setup. Mike is still in his jammies.

Still, getting my picture message of my son grinning in our front yard snow, playing with his Daddy unexpectedly on a weekday made me appreciate our Snow Day just as much.

And can I just SAY our little 1994, pushing past 200K miles Acura, is one helluva snowcat! Must be its Colorado roots (where Grama Dale and Grampa Bob live, it used to be theirs).

Like PostSecret For Houses

2008-02-27T21:11:00.007-06:00

As you my loyal readers (if I haven't lost you completely by now) surely know, the Muldrows are a-house-huntin'. Tonight I wanted to do some digging on a couple possibilities. So I discovered how completely fascinating the St. Louis County real estate records are.

I am telling you that seeing sketches of my house, having my sale price listed, my taxes paid, my square footage (so puny!) and lot size listed publicly is just, well, weird to me.

Weirder still that I could find out the same for every house we're looking at. AND FOR ALL OF YOURS, HA HA HA. Just kidding. I swear, I am far too lazy for that.

But I did scope out one we're already loving, and one we might be loving. Comparing the taxes, size, recent sales prices and so on was really eye opening (aka Webster taxes truly are just kooky talk compared to Shrewsbury taxes).

And it was also sorta sweet to see that our purchase of our home was the only "sale history" she's ever had.

Mrs. Richardson's uncle built this for her new husband and her in 1955. She raised her son her - his whole life! - and now we're raising ours.

And though I will be sad sad sad to leave my sweet little bungalow one day soon, it's neat to think we'd hand it off to the next little family waiting to happen.

Juxtaposition

2008-02-26T21:58:00.011-06:00

How's this for the wide range of craziness on the web? Here were the two videos that caught my interest today.

First, I found this a compelling feminist appeal for Hillary. ***Note I am not necessarily decided, or endorsing this view that you vote for The Woman, to get A Woman in office. But I did hold it at one point in college; and something still resonates for me. Though I can say the same for non-whites. There are several glass ceilings to break; and so we have just one part of this November's dilemna.

And then...on a much much lighter note, and one probably not endorsed by the makers of the prior video...here's SNL's take on the latest pharma breakthrough: Annuale, for the Once-A-Year Period. Tina Fey in the wig alone made me laugh, but the whole thing had me rolling over my Lean Cuisine at lunch today.

P.S.

2008-02-25T20:56:00.002-06:00

His hernia surgery is postponed until March 14. My business trip last week bumped it ... then never even materialized.

That probably gives you a sense of what it's been like.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I Can't Take it Anymore!

2008-02-25T20:43:00.010-06:00

I so don't have time for this but my barren blog needs posting. Also, my poor mother in law must be dying for a Matthew update.

Here goes.

Everything's not just "no" it's "No Way!" As in, "Mtthew do you want an orange?" "No Way!"

Everything out of his eyesight is "hiding." Daddy's in the shower? Hiding. Remote control partially under a magazine? Hiding. Red Fish, Blue Fish Dr. Seuss illustration of cartoon arms and hands reaching across the page? Naturally, hiding.

He runs everywhere, and is fast.

He nightly goes around kissing all animals on the lips. The cat especially gets the treatment, with him gently manouvering her head around like they're on their first date.

He and his buddy Jackson across the street have moved past biting and hitting to giggling, playing and getting into trouble together.

He learns what seems like five new words a day. He knows his letters and we're working on numbers.

He is enamored with Xuxa, a Brazillian woman who makes children's DVDs. Thanks Aunt Fernanda! As we cart him around househunting the last few Sundays, he's happy in "Shosha!" land in the backseat.

He labels things "Funny!" when he makes use laugh. He knows when he's being silly.

He LOVES his new play area we setup in the basement and demands to go "Down, down!?" constantly. I barely got my bye bye kiss today, he was practically hurdling the safety gate.

He simply loves taking showers!

Since no guilty belated update would be complete without visuals, here he is wearing his AWESOME big brother to be shirt from Aunt Erin (and available to the paying public ZoeysAttic.com).

Hopefully I have broken my blogging block. More to come soon, my peeps.

So THAT Explains It

2008-02-04T21:45:00.000-06:00

Reading my prior post about how my crabby baby wasn't sleeping, I feel terrible. Since Matthew has been on antibiotics for his ear infection, he has:
Been sleeping
Been eating
Been happy
Not been a bad crabby apple baby

So THAT is what not being in semi-constant pain can do for a child's demeanor!

To our defence, we'd had him in to the doc the week before, suspecting something was wrong. But she sent us home saying some kids have coughs all winter, and his ears were clear, blah blah. What a difference a week makes - she spotted it as ear infection right away when he was in the following week. Mike said she almost got defensive, "this wasn't like this last week." Hey lady, I'm with you. It would kill me to think he suffered like that a whole week, so instead let's believve it just came on. Which I really think it DID, but, the precursors must have been there and made him, if not in pain, at least uncomfortable.

Anyway, three cheers to Pasteur or Newton or whoever it was - heck, it probably a mom - that came up with penicillian and it's babyfriendly cousin, amoxicilan. Within 2 days he was better, and for the first time in weeks, we sent him to bed without his copilot, baby Tylenol cold tonight. Though he still have his wingman, Humidifier, aka "Fier? Fier?"

My Little Man has a What?

2008-01-30T21:23:00.000-06:00

A HERNIA! Yes.

A couple times in the last week, we felt a lump and noticed a bluish swelling in his you-know-whats (the beans, not the frank). After a pediatrician visit and surgical consult today (plus a couple frantic calls last night, including to the after hours line) we are scheduled to have our sweet little baby's privates operated on to fix his hydrocele hernia on Feb. 22.

Inguinal hernias form as a direct consequence of normal events in fetal development. At about 12 to 14 weeks of gestation, the gonads (testicles or ovaries) are formed near the kidneys. They gradually descend through the abdomen as the baby develops. If the baby is a boy, the testicles pass through an opening low in the abdomen and into the scrotum ... In about 5 % of children in the United States, this opening does not close properly. This happens more commonly in boys than in girls ... The failure of this opening to close potentially allows the contents of the abdomen to travel down into the scrotum (in a boy) or the labia (in a girl). The contents of the abdomen include the intestines, the ovaries, and the clear fluid in which the intestines normally float. If the scrotum or labia are found to contain intestines or an ovary, this is termed an inguinal hernia. If they contain only fluid, this is a hydrocele. The difference between the two is usually just the size of the opening; the basic anatomy is the same in both cases.

Lovely! I know!! Aren't you glad I shared?

This is not an emergency, but everything I'm reading backs up the doctors' advice to fix it now. Left untreated, it could be fine for years, but could eventually become a full inguinal hernia - where the intestines push through - and then eventually become strangulated, where the intestines actually get trapped, and the blood supply is cut off. Apparently in adults they take their chances sometimes and avoid surgery, but with kids, because their organs are small, there's a greater chance that strangulation occuring.

He's not in pain - thank goodness - but the lump sure does look painful.

I hate that I didn't get to meet the surgeon today (it's at St. John's) but Mike liked him. It's 45 minutes outpatient surgery, but full anesthesia, which unnerves me. The doctor's saying it's not risky, and that the trauma of holding kids down and using a local is far worse. Apparently this is like, the most common surgery for kids. Matthew's uncle Scott had one as a kid and so might his little son, Matthew's cousin Danny - literally might be having surgery for the same thing next month, we just learned.

So this is all reassuring. But also seems odd that they can cut into my little son, and put him down, and bring him out of it, all in forty-five minutes. I almost want to tell them to take their time.

The cherry on top: while at the doctor's, we had her recheck his nagging cough ... to learn he's got his first ear infection.

IT HAS BEEN QUITE A WEEK AND IT'S ONLY WEDNESDAY, PEOPLE.

What the ...

2008-01-25T22:41:00.000-06:00

Matthew is asleep now. But has already done the scream/whine three times tonight, the one that won't stop til go in and pat him.

Which has been happening for the past three nights, all night. What the ?!!??!?!

He has been, I think, both teething and congested. The combination has caused him to wake up crying every 15 minutes at different points. Then we might catch an hour, then every 15 minutes. Then a 2 hour stretch until 5 a.m., bring him to bed with us, and THAT is when the kid finally sleeps hard.

Last night we ever tried our bed for the whole night, but that actually freaked him out. "Dark! Bed!" so back into his crib. Only to summon us across the hallway all night long with squeals, sobs and various other "someone's poking me with knitting needles" noises. That don't stop. I'm fine with crying it out - but after 30 minutes, when none of us are getting sleep, it seems a bit redundant. So I go pat him and after about 4 seconds, he's fine and back to sleep. For some TBD period of time.

It was an all too familiar reminder of the horrible sleep deprivation of newborns. And I actually found myself having that same ridiculous ability to get up and deal with it, every time. And even get through the days okay. But also thinking OH MY GOD, this is what I'll be doing for 6-10 weeks in a few short months.

Meanwhile, dear husband was right LOSING IT on night two, much less last night. We took turns getting up, but I will share, he was a bit more panicky and impatient with it than I (a rare occurence in our household). He is actually tucked into bed now, trying to catch up on his Zzzzzs. With any luck, Matthew will give us both 8-10 sweet hours of them tonight.

Yea - We've Crossed the Picket Lines!

2008-01-14T21:05:00.000-06:00

No, not the writers; alas, Golden Globes was not meant to be this year. No, I mean me, picketing my poor blog.

Because it's been busy since Christmas. And crazy, and exciting. And I've been exhausted, and moving a little slower. And going to doctor appointments.

And updating my new blog.

Because ...

I AM PREGNANT!

Most of my six loyal blog readers except Sarah G. knew this by now. And Sarah, I'm sorry for not telling you personally! You are a better preggo than I ... the personal phone calls have been at a minimum for me this time ... fraid e-mail updates have been the standard fare ... but I know you'll forgive me. And we can both order giant lunches with abandon together at Elephant Bar this weekend!

Anyway, I started the second blog to more focus on my pregnancy experience this time, and especially how it'll be different with a new job and you know, a Kid. And, I want this blog to stay focused on the rest of my life, and Matthew.

Feel free to read both - or to skip what will undoubtedly sometimes be an uber-boring documentation of preggo symptoms and yes, you know it's coming, preggo complaints.

For the top-line on symptoms: I have morning sickness, and fatigure, but that's it. Neither are killing me, and both come and go. I am healthy so far, and my first ultrasound went great!

I am overall more nervous this time. My doctor is treating this pregnancy more cautiously because of being pregnant/not pregnant back in October. So I'm, well, very respectful of the whole process this time. And appreciative of every blood test that goes back to my doctor, telling her I'm still knocked up.

So with that - I will be fixing a fattening but feels-physically-necessary snack and off to bed. God, feels like just yesterday I was sneaking to bed at 8 p.m. to feed unborn baby Matthew and me a bathtub sized bowl of chocolate ice cream ...

And Now It's Time for Some Bragging

2007-12-26T21:08:00.001-06:00

So we are playing with one of our many new wooden puzzles from Christmas. It was an alphabet one.

Oh sure, he knows the A and the M and the K and a few others. We always do those first as the ol' self-esteem builder. And naturally we whip that out like a parlor trick around company and family every chance we get.

But tonight he shows me he knows X. O.
The W, for God's sake, the W!!

Where is he getting this?

We do have these great foam alphabet letters for the bathtub, and we practice them a lot. But I swear I don't remember an X ever coming up. And he knows it. I assume that means Libby or Mike taught him - but still - wow, my baby, knowing letters, just like I know letters.

Kids
are
AMAZING!

Our 2007 Christmas So Far

2007-12-24T11:06:00.000-06:00

Well, Christmas has kicked off. We opened presents at my parents last night and it was GREAT.

We finally stuck to our promises to dial it down with the gifts - a little - which no one but us can probably tell.

Cousins Conner, Morgan and Logan are THE best thing Matthew's gotten since he's been here, though.

Hanging with Morgan and Logan learning Webkins was the best gift he could get.

Though of course we're missing our Muldrow family and STL friends ... we're having a great time, especially watching Matthew have a blast with so many toys, kids and COOKIES (thanks, Aunt Erika).

Merry Christmas, everyone!

My God What Have I Been Thinking

2007-12-20T21:49:00.000-06:00

Anyone who knows me knows get stressed. About work. Constantly. Just can't shut down, not worry, let it go.

It's more my problem than anything probably. Maybe. But regardless I've found a new solution.

When you come home late and just have time to put read 1/2 a story and then put your baby to bed and you're feeling a little bummed about that...and you're having to wait 20 min for your stupid stupid frozen pizza...

And your husband offers you white wine...

You say YES!

I am not a big weekday drinker. Between wake ups, headaches, chores and Points, it's just not been my thing. Until now.

Two glasses in (yup) I feel better than I have in days. Weeks. After a hellaciously stupidly long day, I'm now happily blogging with no cares in the world. Sure they'll be there tomorrow and probably double from whatever I'm neglecting tonight.

But right now - all's right with the world - Merry Christmas to all, and to all a helluva good night.

Anyone else have this? (Libby I'm talking to you here)

2007-12-16T21:37:00.000-06:00

I'm getting a little work done. It's quiet (Mike's doing the same and Matt's in bed and dogs are having a snow party outside).

And all I can hear ringing in my head is...
uppee uppee uppee UPPEEEEEE!
uppee UPPEE!
UPPEEEEEEEEEEE!

We taught him cutesy words like "uppey" for getting picked up and "milkies" for, well, milk.

But my how the too cute luster fades when screamed 800 times a day in your general direction. Not sure what's going on with him but all of a sudden - and all weekend long - he is all "I NEED UPPEEES and I need them NOW. NOW being EVERY 10 SECONDS. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE DOING THE DISHES OR PULLING HOT THINGS OUT OF THE OVEN. Like, NOW MOMMY!"

For one brief moment, I'll admit the quiet peace of my office is not sounding too bad tomorrow.

Humpfh

2007-12-15T17:46:00.001-06:00

Not to steal Erin's thunder from her likely impending Weather Off post ...

But 4 - 6 inches, my butt!

YESSSS

2007-12-12T22:06:00.000-06:00

Just ordered my Christmas cards. The level of accomplishment and relief I feel is paramount to getting a raise and going on vacation all at once. My pride is as though I hand painted the damn things myself.

I gotta get a grip. It's CHEAP PRINTED PHOTO CARDS not the Mona Lisa.

Holidays make us ladiez go crazeeee.

Well It's About Time for Some Holiday Cheer

2007-12-11T21:35:00.000-06:00

It's been a long time between posts and tonight doesn't hold much more promise for a meaningful update as I need to stop soon and pack for my trip tomorrow.

(Side note: thought I'd catch up on my posting while I traveled last week but somehow between catching up on e-mail and dinnner each night, I just ran out of steam around 9 every night. Somehow just being out of town took it out of me. I think my body sensed there's no baby husband or dogs around to need anything ... and just shuts down ... and demands that I self-soothe (being away sucks) by laying in the hotel bed in my p.j.'s eating ice cream from the hotel shop while watching HBO movies.)

Anyway, since I returned it's been a flurry of holiday fun before I left again. Including a visit to Santa (photo, tears and all TO COME once I figure out my scanner), a pre-Christmas visit with Grama LeBaige and not one but TWO trips to Toys R Us (and I know I'm not done) for various kid gifts.

And then - da da da DA - we got our TREE!

Matthew was pretty interested for a while. "Ball, ball!" and liked to shake them. And two broken as a result.
He got most excited about hanging his little teddy bear ... which was actually MINE when I was a kid. Ah, does it get any better than that?
Must have taken 20 photos to get one showing the lighting decently. A photographer, I ain't.
One cheery holiday task down, 892 to go!

Mack Truck

2007-11-28T21:41:00.000-06:00

That's what I feel like hit me tonight. I know there's lots of stuff going around, including whatever Matthew, Mike and Libby are all fighting in various degrees. Matt's coughing, Michael's got a sore throat and Libby's got a little dose of everything.

Maybe I'm next? Because it took alllllll my energy tonight to order two Christmas gifts online and now, to get ready to roll into bed. I feel FINE but this has gotta be a flu coming (no, it's nothing more interesting than that making me tired, I assure you).

Sure is GREAT TIMING, hope it hits just in time for my biz trip next week. Or wait - better stil! just in time for my weekend BEFORE my biz trip. YES - that'll be it.

Kinda pessimistic I know but ... really, I feel like one of you came over and took all the bones out of my body today.

Off to ooze to bed...

A Great Little Thanksgiving

2007-11-25T10:29:00.000-06:00

A little ping pong

A little fun in Grama's new tub

A lot of photo shoots in matching outfits
And a lot of cousinly love. Matthew and Danny hope it was a happy Thanksgiving for you, too!

GoooooOOOOO, ME!

2007-11-19T22:13:00.000-06:00

Not even Turkey Day, and I've ordered seven, count 'em, gifts online AND started an obnoxious but functional Christmas spreadsheet.

Maybe all my years of project management in the workplace have finally sunk into some legitimate part of my brain. Because I am determined to be organized and ahead (or at least, on) time with holiday stuff this year.

And by God, there will be a finely decorated Christmas tree in my front window within seven business days after Thanksgiving this year. (Or else my project tracker will turn "red" and mark the tree "at risk" for non-completion.)

MMMMmmmm

2007-11-18T20:40:00.001-06:00

There's a first time for everything with a toddler...
Tonight it was spaghetti!

Why I Hate the Internet and Technology in General

2007-11-18T13:11:00.002-06:00

Because somehow it's taken me one hour and 15 minutes of my precious Sunday to:
Call Shutterfly and alert them that my picture order had an odd white border that I didn't order.
Learn they recommend that I upload them again but direct to Shutterfly this time vs. through Picasa.
Upload them.
Wait.
Wait.
For 28 minutes.
Finally review photos and fix red eye on several. Wait for that. (The little hamster in my laptop is running super slow today, it seems).
Painstakingly make decisions on the ones I want/don't want.
Get error screen.
Get back to main screen - AH.
See "O" in the Halloween 2007 photo folder - oh no!.
Realize all pics are unexplainably gone.
Get cursing mad ... realize must start all over.

THIS is why I never get anything done like, oh, print photos from the last 10 months. Two weeks ago I boldly decided that I'm going to order pictures as I take them! And I will start with Halloween, YES! Only to get the technology smackdown.

Next on my to do list was checking our online bank statements but ... God forbid that system's down ... my laptop screen might not survive it.

What a Week Can Do

2007-11-17T14:11:00.000-06:00

I was out of town this week and I swear my son grew. He also turned 19 months (Michael had to correct me when I said 18 last night).

He also learned how to initiate patty cake. Started doing it himself during my Welcome Back, Mommy dinner at Chevy's last night.

He has gotten even better at building with blocks.

And he's more regularly asking for the dogs by names - if their names are Body and Miphy.

AND he's sitting still on the changing pad now ... IF you let him pull it out from under the bed, and also let him open the cabinet to pull out the diapers and wipes.

And, finally, he was even more full of overgrown blond cowlicks than when I left, I swear. So off we went to Cool Cuts today.

This ideallyic scene belies the chaos that is about to ensue upon Ms. Nikki's first snip.

Does he look like he's plotting a giant struggling fit?

I couldn't get any photos of the main event because I was too busy pinning his arms down.

After much screaming and many giant crocodile tears, Ms. Nikki accomplished her goal and my son's head is tidy again. Followed by new, equally pathetic tears when I tore him from the Thomas the Tank train playset in their waiting area.

We left the shop with me leading him reluctantly by the hand, through the parking lot, him bawling and telling me "No, no, no, NO!" like I was tearing his little 19 month old heart right out.

NOW I get why kids are spoiled. Because, especially after work pulls you away more than you like, you just want to make them happy. And you'd do anything to avoid a face like THIS.

Anyone Else Hate This?

2007-11-14T21:23:00.000-06:00

I love it when nice older ladies call me hon, or babe. I feel cared for, in good hands, like they know wordly things and they'll just handle whatever comes our way. Hey Babe, how you doing? Love it, love it.

But for some reason, when women my age or - gag - younger than me call me Honey, it makes me want to punch something.

I guess I take that back. If you are my very good friend and we are having a deep heart to heart and out of sheer concern you say, Oh, I'm so sorry you're having a hard time, Honey. Well, I can appreciate that.

But calling me Honey or Sweetie, multiple times in one passing conversation, when discussing non-personal - and in fact, business-related - matters, and when I suspect that I was in second grade on the day you were born ... well now, come on, that is just a little bit MUCH.

And Now for Something Lighter (sort of)

2007-11-11T11:00:00.001-06:00

Profanity aside, my God, this "dramatic reading of a real break-up letter from a real person" made me laugh.

Post-Halloween High

2007-11-04T19:57:00.001-06:00

We've been having a pretty good fall week here at the Muldrows, starting with Halloween and through this weekend. On Wednesday, I got home just in time for a marathon pumpkin carving session.

We also found time to admire our handiwork ...

Oh yeah, did anyone see my chicken around here?

Then, per tradition, we packed up said chicken and met the gang at Trainwreck like we do every year. (Note to self: why would we EVER question the location? We always say expensive beer and bad service. But there are two other much more important words: Mexican ravioli).

And we had new friends join us this year - Mike's friend Brad and his girlfriend Dawn, who are both big Matthew fans, and vice versa.

AND we got some very awesome incredible and just so amazing news ... that I maybe shouldn't share here - but to the readers who know who they are - YAHOOOO!!!!

We had a great time, and you'd have thought it was Valentine's not All Hallow's Eve, the way the love was in the air that night between our oh so coordinated former lion (beautiful Bridget) and former chicken.

(Hey Matthew, her eyes are up here, buddy).

So it was a great Halloween, and through this weekend, we've been on a post-Halloween high ... could it be the weather? The pumpkins still on the porch? The crisp golden leaves decorating our lawn? Or perhaps, might it be the vast soup pot full of Halloween candy we're been stuffing ourselvevs with whenever we pass through the kitchen?

I think the number "six" was involved when counting up chocolate bars yesterday. Those mini Kit Kats just TAUNT me so.

p.s. For the complete Muldrow 2007 Halloween EXPERIENCE, check out our Picasa album (to the right). Grandmas, you can easily download high resolution copies for printing or screen shots - neat trick with Picasa you can't do with Shutterfly, so it's worth the free software download.

Fabulous Fall Fun

2007-10-29T21:04:00.000-06:00

After a long week of Work, we finally let our hair down at the Pumpkin Patch this weekend. The boys stomped around the patch.

Matthew toted his "laloon."

And of course we were lovin' the punkins ...

... Punkins ...

...Punkins ...And more punkins!

We had a wonderful day - blue sky, nice crisp weather, and a fabulous funnel cake. It was a happy day to be a Muldrow.

Happy Halloween week, everyone!

P.S. Here's the very giant album of all our fall fun last weekend.

Time to Make the Donuts

2007-10-21T22:07:00.000-05:00

That's how I've felt and that's why I haven't posted. For two weeks or more I've been in to work 1 1/2 early, staying 2 hours late - and sometimes bringing more home for a night shift. It's productive, and appreciated by my team, and lots of great opportunities and responsibilities right now. Just, ya know, a sh--load of work. And no so much on the balance.

I can't believe it's been three weeks since I've posted. In that time we've attended Danny's first birthday party and celebrated our annivesary. And Matthew spent the weekend with Aunt Kim and Uncle Mark. AND we had dinnner with Don, Rosanne and Morgan (my brother's family), which involved trying a new restaurant - one of those cool Japanese places where they cook it right in front of you.

So it's been busy, and I can't even get into it all here. But suffice to say blogging has been lower down on the list past showing up for work, sleeping, feeding Matthew and washing my hair - not always in that order. And sometimes not that hair part.

Erin commented on her blog how hard it is to jump in once you've not posted and there's mountains to talk about. I agree. So I will pull the plug on this post - Hey, I posted! And just add the link to Danny's bday pictures once its available. On that note: At 122 photos long, it's voluminous. But you gotta at least see the two cousins in their PJ's. Our sweet little angel boys.

In the photos are Fernanda, my sis in law and Danny's mom, Scott her husband and Mike's brother, Fernanda's parents Maria Lucia and Fernando - up from Brazil no less - and to that end, a number of Brazilian friends they have in Chicago. I don't think I snapped one of Carole, Fernanda's sister. They are Matthew's third family and such a blessing in our lives since Fe and Scott got married. If it weren't for that whole, on another continent across two oceans thing, we'd love to see them more often.

Grandpa Bob and Grandma Dale, who flew in from Colorado for Danny's day and our visit. Due to travel schedules, we only got to cross paths briefly, so we're really looking forward to big fun over Turkey Day out at their place.

And if you can't wade through the pics - and I really don't blame you - these are more for the two mommies than anyone - here's just ONE capturing the spirit of that cousins weekend: Danny's in love with Matthew, and up for a friendly cousins cuddle (or wrestling match?) anytime. And Matthew is studiously, like, soooo over caring.

I'm Not Superstitious, Just a Little Stitious

2007-09-27T21:11:00.000-05:00

Obviously, I'm posting post-Office premier. And what a perfect entre Mr. Michael Scott gave me.

Although I'll also share my alternative name, "Whew! Parts 1 and 2."

Because I am happy to report that I am finally on the other side of several doctors visits and basically two rounds of tests, and have a clean bill of health. Well, more or less. Okay all that sounds worse than it really is.... but hey, this is the dramatic build-up, savor it.

So I know now that I don't have diabetes, after two rounds of blood tests. My first results "tested high" so my doctor asked that I come back after fasting 12 hours. It was apparently totally fine the next time. I think my first results were affected because I hadn't eaten all that day (a rarity) and had just downed a protein bar on the way to my appointment. So maybe that spikes your blood sugar (nurses???) Thank goodness, because I was all prepared to be totally outraged that I'm at the healthiest weight in 15 years and NOW I'd have it? Anyway - Whew #1.

For #2 ... the reason I had the first blood test was so my doctor could make sure nothing was wrong systemically, after I went in about my Dead Leg. Kinda like a peg leg, and I enjoy saying it and feeling like a pirate. Anyway, my Dead Leg is the combo of the left side of my left calf, which is basically numb all the time now - ditto for the right side of my left foot. It (the numb spot) runs down and crosses over my ankle and foot and up my toe. Since June. I noticed it just before vacation. By late August, and two months of the peg leg, I thought, hmmmm, maybe we just better see what's up doc.

Multiple sources guessed - and I believed - that it was probably just a pinched nerve. But it didn't go away and so I finally thought, well, just WHAT IF it's not. And knowing that if something was wrong, it's with your nerves, well, it's just not a comfortable situation.

After visiting my nice new doctor (thanks, Cara!) he said right away it probably wasn't anything serious and immediately agreed with the pinched nerve vote. However, he referred me To A Neurologist Just To Be Safe. Umm, scary!?

That appointment was Tuesday. It's been over a month since I got the referral and made the first available appointment. A looong month. With my mind going to the worst case scenarios the whole time. Naturally. I practically had Matthew an orphan by the time she finally walked in to the exam room Tuesday.

She administered "a full panel of neurological tests" which apparently means wiggling my piggies, playing pattycake and giving me a drunk test (follow my finger with your eyes...). Not exactly the technological breakthrough I'd wanted to confirm I was fine. But she ultimately did not disappoint. Today I went back for follow-up tests: electromyopathy and a nerve conduction study. Which consisted of little pokey needles and electric shocks.

So from about 9 to 10 a.m. today, first she buzzed me, then she poked me. I totally prefer the buzz - seeing your leg kick up is pretty cool, and it's an uncomfortable feeling but not bad. Needles, however, are needles. Plus she has to not just stick it in there but WIGGLE it around, and sometimes it makes that muscle cramp (YES SHE WAS TOUCHING MY MUSCLE, EWW) . But it's neat. She could see with the electric shocks where the "blockage" was, and with the needles, she learned that my left foot and toes were a little weak due to having the blockage for a while, but my leg muscles were not weak at all and overall, there's not really any damage.

So I no longer have a Dead Leg, I have a "perineal obstruction at the fibular head." Or to you lay people, a pinched nerve on my left outer knee. And I need surgery on it.... (insert violins).

I suspect it will be orthoscopic and I know that it's outpatient, with very minimal recovery time needed. My doc said it was "no big deal." Naturally I am disappointed that I have to deal with it, but ... I know I'm lucky there's nothing really wrong with me. I am officially very very grateful it wasn't anything serious which for whatever reason I was worried it was. (Hence why I didn't post about it before, hence I wanted to feel reassured first and now I do ... hence, I am apparently a little stitious.)

I am a Lean Cuisine Commercial (subtitle: Stouffer's owes me)

2007-09-17T21:36:00.001-05:00

My original post idea was to point out how I'm just like, on the Lean Cuisine commercials, the "other" women. The ones eating 32 jellybeans or half a tomato with a can of creamed corn for dinner.

Because, with me on Weight Watchers, our cooking has become practically non existent. And our dinners are things like:

Me: 1/2 cup of leftover tortellini from last Tuesday night. Hummus and pita. Hostess light cupcake.
Mike: 2 pieces of pizza from last Thursday night. Refried beans.

Last night was a step up: orange chicken from Trader Joe's on a big pile of spinch. (No not a wrap - just the chicken sitting there on the spinach.) All-Bran crackers.

It's not unhealthy I guess, and it's doing the trick, diet wise. But I wouldn't say we're into "healthy cooking" since we've started dieting. Unless you count Trader Joe's heat and eats as cooking. (Which incidentally I do. Because, hello, they are sooooo good. Every time we try a new one and it's better than the last, we are so eternally grateful for that place. How could I have ever thought I did NOT have time for an extra stop for TJ's in addition to Schnuck's? Given most of the meals we buy there take under 7 minutes to cook, over the course of a week it is sooo worth the extra maybe 40 minutes to drive there, shop - in small friendly little carts, with Matthew pushing his baby one along side - pay the always nice hippiesh check out people and come home with our cute mini-brown bags of frozen deliciousness.)

So I was going to compare myself to the "I at 3 bowls of cereal with no milk" girls on the Lean Cuisine commercials when I realized I am actually the ying AND the yang of the commercials. I eat Lean Cuisines EVERY DAY. Every day. (Buy stock in Stouffer's today people, I won't let you down). Every couple weeks of course I realize I simply canNOT eat one again - and then Bread Co. gets to see my smiling face. But in general, it's a bonanza of Four-Cheese Mannicotti, Southwestern Chicken Panera, Chicken with Veggies (only 4 points for weigh in day, whoo whoo!) and, my new fav, Butternut Squash Ravioli.

I know I'm probably getting pickled slowly from the inside out. All that salt and those preservatives can't be something you should eat, like, for 30 years, five times a week. But let's hope 10 years in your 20's and early 30's won't kill you. Because I've been scarfing these babies down since day one at work out of college - and even IN college when I wanted to lose weight. They are fast, easy, and HOT (hate cold smushed turkey sandwich in the middle of winter for lunch when you work so hard all morning and are starving and then blech, smushed sandwich). And they put the WW Points ON the box, pretty much giving me no excuse not to eat healthy all week long.

Course, I avoid them like the plague on the weekends. Such as this last one ... it was a Red Robin - biscuits and gravy - kettle corn - delight of a weekend.

No worries, LC stock holders. It'll go back up, starting today.

GOD I LOVE TV (and fall)

2007-09-11T21:30:00.000-05:00

Watching re-runs of The Office on TBS is the BOMB. Not only do they run them back to back with NO breaks and no I'm-not-watching-The-Office-sadness for even one minute. But the first night I discover they run them ... it's the put-Dwight's-stuff-in-Jello-episode. Love it!

AND NOW I WANT TO SEE THE NEW SEASON RIGHT NOW!

Thankfully I don't have to wait much longer. The new TV season is a-comin'. Yet another reason I LOVE this time of year.

Here are a few others:
Talking walks is finally a habit I can sustain during fall. I love how it smells, how it feels. I have so much more energy. Tonight the Fam took a walk together. I was practically sprint-walking. It almost feel like I could have RUN (don't get crazy people, I did NOT). Mike and the dogs were eating Matthew's and my dust.

Fantasy football's in full swing. I am already more into it now that my first week was solid and I am a (very close) fifth behind my better half.

We are coming up on October which brings Danny's first birthday and our anniversary. For the former, it'll mean another road trip to Chi town and seeing friends and family. For the latter, it'll mean at least a few hours out on the town for Mikey and Aimee to take in a nice dinner and a few toddler-free (love you, honey!) hours as Aunt Kim's already graciously volunteered to do a Matthew night.

It also means probably a few fun friend outings, like the balloon race at Forest Park this weekend, or next month maybe the wineries, or a trip to the Jones lake house. It also hopefully means at least one traditional fall golf outing to Wolf Hollow. I HOPE!

(And it means the end of one and eventuallye two of my giant projects. So I've got THAT going for me, which is nice ...)

Basically, despite working crazy hours and never having enough time to do half these things I'm dreaming about, just walking outside into crisp weather this morning, and legitimately wearing a cute fallish sweater instead of scraping together another summer outfit, made me very happy this morning. In fall, that's all it takes!

Yes I Still Have a Son

2007-09-04T20:56:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've done a general Matthew update since, well, work doesn't pay me to. So Grandma Dale, here's your grandson's latest ...

LIKES:

Snuggling the kitty by putting his big noggin on her and smiling and quieting saying "Awwww." Then pulling her tail hard and repeatedly.

Vacuuming. With the REAL vacuum.

Playing with his toy barn and farm animals and sometimes making the proper animal noises. Don't you know ducks say "Neigh"?)

Running through the house at top speed with absolutely adorable big diaper bottom wiggle.

Pointing and saying "Ga ga!" when he wants something/more of it.

Cuddling his stuffed animals.

Repeating parts of his books to us, like the "Shhhh" part of Pajama Time or "Oh no no no" part of Moo Ba La La La.

Pointing out and yelling out "Truck!" when we're driving or really when we're anywhere and even sense there MIGHT be a truck nearby. Only it's "Crock!"

Repeating almost any word we really work with him on. Which mostly all sound like "Cruck!"

Spinning on his sit and spin.

Using a spoon to feed himself oatmeal, yogurt and rice.

Coloring outside with his sidewalk chalk. After letting us know by walking to the door with the box of chalk and pointing at it "Aeuugh! Aeughh!"

Hitting golf balls (and our armoire and the walls and as I'm sure time will tell, any living thing within striking distance) with his REAL metal golf club from the Joneses.

Screaming "NOOOoooooo" at just about anything we want him to do. Minus above items.

DISLIKES:

Horses. Tonight he got scared of a photo (of himself with Grandma's horse mind you) as well as the embroidered horse on his quilt.

Eating. Lately it's only on his schedule, the amount he wants and what he wants. And pretty much that's just yogurt, aka "Go-go!"

Sitting on his bottom in the bathtub.

Being on the changing table for longer than four seconds.

Having anyone else use a spoon to feed him oatmeal, yogurt and rice, or eating these without getting them on the floor, (as Grandma LeBaige found out.)

Not vaccuming when dammit, he wants to vacuum!

He has been alternately a toddler monster (oh GOD what happens to their tempers when they turn two?) and the most fun he's ever been. He will do stuff lately that just makes you roll laughing, not that I can think of any one thing right now. The constant obsession with putting on giant shoes and walking around (this weekend it was Grandpa's, OVER his own) doesn't hurt.

But in general it's just his delight with everything. Peek a boo is suddenly ten times more exciting as he can really pull the blankey totally over his own head. And he will WAIT. When you finally say "Where's Matthew?" and he pulls it off and you yell "There he is!" he just goes crazy and lets out this screech of pure delight that is so genuine and adorable it makes me laugh out loud, so then he laughts, and it just goes from there. For months I've been jealous of the cat's singular ability to get this much animation out of him.

And so, here are some recent photos capturing life with Matthew in late summer 2007.

Big boy spoon!

You gotta love that cheese face.

Last day for the pool (you can tell he's heart broken?

Two shots on his 15 month visit, ouchee!

At work.

At play.

It WAS a Happy Birthday!

2007-08-28T22:16:00.000-05:00

I am very late in wishing Miss Bridget a happy birthday out here. HAPPY WEEK AFTER YOU TURN ONE, BRIDGEY!

I can't believe I didn't blog this weekend when all I could think about was how a short year ago, we went from no extra Delantys to ONE EXTRA DELANTY NAMED BRIDGET AINSLEY!

Miss Bridget, when you arrived, I was nearly as over the moon excited as I was for Matthew. Now our little "St. Louis family" had a matched set - boy and girl - and naturally you would be best friends (I'll stay out of the arranged marriage territory until you're three.)

And now your parents' heads could be spinning from your arrival - just like ours.

Getting to know you and watching you with your family has just been amazing. You are a beautiful, sweet, funny, wonderful little girl.

We are so happy to be part of your life to witness the cutest moments in the world, like this. Love you, girlie!

p.s. Matthew says thanks again and no hard feeling about that cake?

He's One Going on Thirty-One (Year Old Woman)

2007-08-28T21:37:00.001-05:00

Isn't it funny when kids want to start dressing themselves? They just get their own tastes and well, just demand that they MUST wear the orange shirt with the purple socks.

Impressively, Matthew's fashion demands are quite high brow.

It's called Mommy, circa 2005 black squared toe heels.

We think they're quite fetching. DON'T YOU?

(Note: The editors would like to point out that he walked from our bedroom to the living room and yes almost down the steps. In the heels.)

D Day

2007-08-24T23:14:00.000-05:00

Today was Draft day for fantasty football. I looked forward to this as though I was getting dressed up and going out somewhere. Like a ball. Driving home I had butterflies.

This is our four year tradition now. It's the official end of summer and introduction to what's become one of the best times of the year - four months of friends, football (food) and fun.

I can't say I feel that butterfly effect about my team, post draft. Think these little boys are gonna have to grow on me this year. Which they will the minute Team Mandelbobby starts WINNING!!

Today was also Driver's license day. As in, AS OF THIS MORNING (at least for a few hours) I WEIGH WHAT IT SAYS I WEIGH. For the first time since college or maybe high school. Don't know when I, er, departed from the truth on that document. It's been so long, it's laughable. And it's not exactly a fancy hollywood starlet type number we're talking.

But to weigh it is just, well, a real accomplishment. Hopefully I'm making some cranky old lady at the DMV proud.

It's Business Time

2007-08-23T21:55:00.000-05:00

Actually, lest you think I'm ALL business ... THIS just made me laugh. Song lyrics from the Flight of the Concords song, "Business Time." About, well, taking care of bizness. (Dale, sorry in advance ... )

Flight of the Concords is this new show on HBO that Mike's obsessed with.

These guys are (supposed to be) two folk singers from New Zealand, coming to America to get discovered. The show's so goofy but funny and it grows on you.

And of course, technically its cultural for me. Since they come from as Mike would say, my homeland.

Just One More Thing to Say on This Topic

2007-08-23T21:45:00.000-05:00

I just would like to say I TOTALLY LOVE AND AGREE WITH THIS GUY.

My two five day vacations (which are now a distant memory) simply weren't enough to recharge batteries. See, it's not me being spoiled to want long vacations. It's SCIENCE.

What I wouldn't give for a week - one week - off to just ... not DO.

Or to live in France. Cranky lazy Parisians may have it right after all.

Marathons Suck

2007-08-22T23:20:00.000-05:00

I knew there's a reason I'd always fantasized about training for a marathon (or a 1/2) and never made one inch of attempt toward it. Because they SUCK.

Work right now is a marathon. And I'm in the 21st mile or whatever the hell feels like you're near the end and about to die but DAMMIT you're not done. And you're out of that squishy stuff and your shoes hurt and the guy running next to you smells and keeps cutting you off and Kramer throws hot coffee on you instead of water and ...

Anyway. I will survive. I will survive.

Wish me good "final approval and to the printer next week!" vibes. And I'll be having the happiest freaking Labor Day ever.

Budgetpalooza

2007-08-18T22:10:00.000-05:00

All this year, I have been keeping a meticulous detailed budget. We really needed to get on track with our spending. Somehow though I am never buying half of what I want to, we're always, er, tight.

Today was catch-up-my-poor-neglected-budget day. I haven't really maintained it fully in a couple months. During both of Matt's naps and for the last two hours since same went nigh-nigh, I have been entering receipts and reconciling months of spending.

I probably have carpel tunnel and my legs are asleep but it's DONE, it's caught up.

Most of the missing entries were July and August. But for April - June, I also had to compare my list of already entered receipts to our final actual credit card and bank statements. It's anal and time consuming, but if I don't the one I miss will naturally be some little tiny thing ... like our new dryer or Libby's two-week check.

So after all this I see that we are ... well, still tight. We HAVE improved, big time. I can tell and thank goodness and GO US. Our spending in general is down, it's just that we've taken two mini-vacations this summer plus some weekend trips.

But we are, day to day, doing better and it's thanks in part to this budget. Seeing the numbers add up really helps curtail my impulses the next time I'm at Walgreen's or Target. (The key is I have to do it every week or two, though. The impact of my errant Easter-overpurchasing is less impactful now.)

So I finish and I tell Michael proudly we are exceeding our budget for the year but not by TOO much. And that I can see hope for us of places to tighten up a bit more and do better.

And then, to reward myself for my fiscal buttoned-up-ness, I close my horrible budget file and open the Internet to do my daily blog check of my fave mommy blogs.

And I see this post which represents this blogger's ode to (1) unnecessary IKEA purchases and (2) the $400 strollers she's narrowed her stroller search down to. And I think almost want to make my husband read it (though he'd probably sooner run to the store and buy boxes of lady products. He's not quite part of the blogosphere yet).

The point is, this girl PROVES the point I make EVERY time we talk about money.

"If I am overspending at Target ... or have a few too many shoes ... there are a 1,000 women out there doing ten times worse than me at any given moment."

Course, he never buys it.

Neither does my Excel budget sheet.

New High/Low

2007-08-15T13:25:00.000-05:00

I am pretty sure Weight Watchers understands that their participants don't all stick to the "35 extra points a week" rule. I haven't for a while yet continue losing.

But I wonder what part of "the program" THIS fits into:

And God help me, I have two more days left before that bastard counter zeros out.

A Peeping WHAT?

2007-08-08T22:30:00.000-05:00

Imagine my surprise when Mike hands me a bright pink flyer the other morning and calmly announces that we have a Peeping Tom in our neighborhood.

A WHAT? Didn't that phrase go out in the '50's, along with poodle skirts and greasers? What the heck is that anyway?

According to my scary pink flyer, it's a man in a black trench coat slash cape, with a big black hat on. That looks like he MIGHT be FBI if he weren't a peeping Tom. And he's black too, the same color as his coat and hat. Kinda like this guy, who is apparently peeping on us all through the computer screen:

But on the flier he's got snake like slits for eyes and they're hot pink from the flyer background. So he's more like Lord Voldemort in a Halloween detective costume.

Since my PC isn't working, I can't scan it for you tonight. So I'll improvise, ahem:

Alert!

Our neighborhood has been experiencing problems with trespassing, "Peeping Toms", and vandalism over the past few weeks. Police are aware and have been patrolling over night.

We will be having a neighborhood meeting at the Shrewsbury Police Station in the courtroom ... (don't want to say when, what if the Peeper shows up to our unguarded home? Oh yes, our "guard dogs" would wiggle on him to death.) A police detective will be there to answer questions and listen to concerns and we can share information.

Let's send a message that we won't accept this in our neighborhood. Leave your exterior lights on if possible at night. Please be aware of any unusual activity or strangers and report it to the police immediately. Let's help solve this problem.

I am thrilled with the initiative taken to set up to create and distribute this notice. And the police efforts for us. Yet again, I love my neighborhood. (I would point this flier isn't signed or reference to anyone so hopefully it is not indeed The Peeper himself crafting a master plan that will have us all scratching our heads wondering where our TVs and laptops went after the meeting's over.)

I'm also obviously pleased with the police efforts and the meeting, which we will be attending. But come ON people, how CREEPY is this? I haven't seen anything or noticed anything. But this is NOT what I want to hear! It upsets me that my neighbor(s) had to get upset and feel insecure ... and now we all do. You just never know what's going on ... someone casing the neighborhood for burglary would be the best of it, you know?

This is so cliche, but I have always felt so safe here. To walk by myself at night or early in the morning. Yes I am careful, watch over my shoulder, take the dogs, prefer to take Mike ... as W would say, I am vigilant. But I never really thought twice about it. Now I am thinking just once about it. No more for me. And that STINKS stinks stinks.

Not that taking a walk or really moving, at all, for any reason, has been on my agenda lately. But I'm always waiting for the urge to strike and now it only probably should during the daylight hours.

(Matthew, don't read this.) I do miss the days before having a baby when Mike and I could get the dogs out and go for a nice 9 p.m. walk after dinner and 8 o'clock hour TV. I couldn't always wrangle him, but when I could it was so great. A time to catch up and get the dogs out there (and sooo much easier with us both; even with the Gentle Leader, I am not the biggest fan of herding them both at once by myself). But now those days are gone. We either round up all the troops together and go before Matt goes down. Or I go by myself later.

And natch now that Mr. Peeper's lurking, maybe it'll be a while longer. I am going to blame him for these last 15 lbs.

(Don't you like all this light humor about a (hopefully) petty criminal roaming my street at night? I hope so, because it's helping me not be freaked out by it.)

Who's Trying to Sell Da Murphdawg?

2007-08-06T10:27:00.001-05:00

What is THIS?

Are Mike and Murph not getting along this summer? Or whoe else is trying to pawn my dog?

I can't believe there's such an exact Murphy twin running around and moreover, that someone doesn't want him or her.

Seriously ... here is the close up:

If I wasn't 100% confident Murph was at home snoozing on the front couch where she shouldn't be right now, I would be worried!

We Wouldn't Even Have to Forward Our Mail

2007-08-05T20:24:00.000-05:00

...If we moved across the street to 7617 Suffolk Avenue, one number up from our address, to the big house across the street that's for sale for a pretty great price.

It leaves a bit to be desired on the outside. But the inside is 2,000 square feet (that would be about 70% more house than we have now) and its FAB. It's got a great lower floor plan, it's sort of circular and just flows nicely. From the entry you see the little sitting room (aka playroom, aka office, aka place for the piano) on the right, and to the left, you go from a nice living room with fireplace, to the dining room (all of which is light and updated with redone wood floors and white trim) back to a big kitchen with big pantry and big eat in, and room for an island.

There's a little back porch that's covered in this cute red trellis, but you could screen it in also. That's IF your dogs don't repeatedly ran their heads against it like current owners' did. Wait, what am I saying ... Bogey would be coming with us, wouldn't he ... Anyway, it has a fully fenced yard, leading back to a two car detached garage.

Back inside on the main floor, there's also a master bedroom downstairs and (here's one hitch) the one full bath that's in the finished part of the home. Upstairs, no bath, but three bedrooms. One's big, one's medium and one's smallish (but oh so perfect for a nursery or my eventual home office; sadly, does look across the street right at ours which COULD give me mental problems, but I'm willing to risk it.) The bigger BR's have two closets each. Plus there's a big crawl space (supposedly a "selling point" because apparently lickety split - at least, according to the agent - you could just whip up another bathroom right there. I'm sure.)

In the basement, there's another full bathroom with shower but that's the only finished part. The rest is huge but unfinished, with that cellar feeling thought it's painted a clean white. There is some "dampness" that comes in during heavy rains (aka, you could easily see the wet spots, but to Tim's point, this sucker's 85 years old. She'll have her little issues, I imagine. At least it's got copper not knob and tube wiring. It's a start right?)

Okay, so ... I don't know why I'm typing all of this. It's not like we're going to run out and buy it. Timing wise, this is all wrong. We are supposed to fix ours up to sell ... all the while continually St. Louis neighborhoods for a potential fit, and fine tuning our list of "must haves," by visiting open houses for a few more months. Then list ours next spring and THEN find our perfect dream home in the Shrewsbury/Webster/Kirkwood area. Right? That's how it'll go, RIGHT?!?

In any case, we are NOT supposed to find something now. Someone took that order down wrong.

Anyone who knows me knows I love my street and wish I didn't have to move from it. I've said before, if I could wake up tomorrow and have a much bigger mortgage and a second story ... or an add-on master bedroom/bath where part of our backyard/patio are now ... I would be a very happy camper. But I also know there's lots of nice neighborhoods and I shouldn't be so attached to this one just because i'ts familiar.

I just, well, am, and so when this house came up (which I'd always threatened to Mike that I'd want to snap up the minute it went on) I was like, OH! Course, I was always half kidding, because I figured it'd be kinda dated and "okay but not great" inside like the outside. But now of course (like so many Sunday open house "browsers" have fallen into the trap before me) I am thinking, I sure wish we could do this house.

It would just be, er, challenging financially to take on a bigger payment, just yet. We'll be in a much better position by next May once our ginormous (for us) car payment ends. And semi-better even after December when my GE Penance Payments end. (Sidebar: The story is that GE kept paying me for a couple checks after I left. Because despite bringing good things to life, they are apparently idiots. I convinced myself (against my goody goody nature) that I was justified to, well, keep it. Because they also sca-REWED me on my incentive comp when I left and basically didn't pay me according to our gentleman's agreement of a comp plan that never got nailed down. (Hint: Don't ever do that. Make people write things down.) So natch, once they realized they overpaid me, we all had a difference of opinion, with their opinion being I owe them every penny and mine being I sure don't want to pay them but can't remotely think about hiring a lawyer to fight something I am probably on paper in the wrong about anyway.)

And so we've paying basically the value of an extra ginormous car payment since spring, through December.

Oh little house across the street. I wish no ill on you or yours. But maybe you will CHOOSE to sit stagnant on the market, for at least a few months ... the owners are just downsizing because all the boys are in college now so they're not necessarily in dire straits.

Maybe they will be hit by a giant wave of nostalgia and wrestle with the idea of really selling it, their sons' boyhood home (well, kind of, they moved their in high school. NONETHELESS!) and turn down all the reasonable offers that come in. Right up until the moment they realize, crap, we must sell this albatross. And to who better than that lovely young couple across the street, who really do look a little cramped but like they'd take great care of our former home ... and who clearly could use about, oh, a $30,000 discount. "Krisantha (yes that's their agent's real name), write up the papers!"

Realizing from the Television that I Am Blessed

2007-08-01T22:21:00.000-05:00

Now I'm quite certain, what with my whining about being "sooooo BUSY" lately, the last thing I should have done the last two hours is what I did. Which is watch two hours of Tivo'd Babies: Special Delivery which airs on the Discovery Health Network.

Now, I only learned about this show as I was setting my "Baby Story" Tivo Season Pass this weekend. Because I have decided it's time to get reobsessed with that show. And NO it's not because I'm pregnant or close to it but YES it is because I'm heavily thinking about that topic just lately again.

Again: NOT pregnant or close to it, YES have babies on the brain. Okay ...

So Babies: Special Delivery was right there winking at me in the alpha list of shows to be Season Passed and so I did and WHOA what a fascinating show. In two shows I saw like nine families undergo what might be some of the most traumatic s-h-t-you know what that you can. Your TINY infant, in some cases your FETUS basically is born and needs immediate urgent care. In some cases the MOTHER is at risk as well and is swarmed with doctors checking her LIFE AND HEALTH.

This is instead of just getting to sit there and bask in your "I made a baby!" glow and have nothing more to fret over than the "Should I try to breast feed in the first half hour? Can I finally order some room service? How CUTE IS MY BABY?! How soon do I get my push present?" stuff most of us get to enjoy.

Even if your birth experience is less idealic or like a few friends of mine, even nauseous, barfing and in pain from your C-section ... I imagine some part of you is still elated knowing your baby is HERE and is off being cared for or maybe even being snuggled by Daddy. And in all cases is healthy and well until next you cuddle him.

But not these new moms. They and the dads (and to some degree, entire waiting rooms full of families) are as worried as worried can get.

It makes me think, in order:

How lucky I am to have has such an easy birth and healthy newborn son and overall, great pregnancy experience.

How much emotion and fear and just - EVERYTHING - my friends Renae and especially Eileen, who have had babies in the NICU in the past year and a half, must have felt. Renae's Max was there for about 10 days and Owen, closer to a month, I think. (Sorry guys if I have those dates wrong.) It's a whole different world to experience your newborn and becoming a parenthood, in that NICU, with the not knowing what's coming next for your baby, your sweet teeny little thing, and the wires, beeping, machines, nurses, and constant and I have to imagine, sometimes just piercing, worry.

And how lucky I am that Matthew today is a healthy, strong little boy growing up right on track. We just had our 15 month appointment with Dr. Jagler tonight. Aside from discussing how do we begin to tackle discipline, and are we ready for only one nap? I had nothing on my mind worrying me, and she was extremely happy with him. And he was happily driving his truck over the wall and loving life. The way all kids SHOULD get to be.

I think of that, and then compare it to the sweet beautiful little baby I watched tonight on TV that was born with spina bifada, who had to have surgery to basically tuck his spine back into him, in his first hour of life. In a specialized children's hospital across town from where his recuperating from her C-section mommy was.

I don't mean to get all drama, for people I don't even know, on a carefully edited to tug at the heart TV show. But it really was emotional watching what some of these little babies had to go through in their first few hours of life. And watching what ALL the parents went through, fearing for the worst but hoping for the best. I guess once you've had a little baby pull at your heart, you just can put yourself in their shoes (to some degree) and just ... imagine what they're feeling.

It makes you wonder why some people go through what they do. And it makes you stop and THANK GOD or whoever you please, for your 100% healthy little baby snoring in the other room peacefully.

And to realize that you don't KNOW from stress until you have a sick child.

Okay, that was my upper post for the day. Anyone want to talk about clowns or rainbows or puppies riding on unicorns now?

Finally a Break

2007-07-28T11:41:00.000-05:00

It has felt like a whirlwind since a week before vacation, and here it is a week after, and I'm just NOW posting about vacation.

Work has been WORK since before and since I've been back. But today is Saturday and now .... Matt napping, Mike golfing out of town, me happily drinking my cold coffee, downloading photos and finally updating this blog.

The rest of the vacation, well, was about as smooth as the first part. Unfortunately, my family got in a car accident on Friday of vacation. They are OKAY, they are, but they are sore and having to be careful from the fallout of a bad five car accident. It's pretty scary to think about obviously and no one got seriously injured. But when I think about what could have happen, if the (God help me) golf clubs hadn't been in the trunk to cushion the blow, well, it's just not worth it to go there, is it.

Anyway, my poor Mike was in the back seat and got the brunt of it. Now he's feeling alternatively sore/painful in his back, then neck, then stomach, then back ... etc. We're ready to send him to the chiropractor next week so get him checked and possibly X-rayed, just in case. He's also has PT buddy who's going to check him while they're on their golf trip this weekend.

He is OKAY but still, the whole thing still sucked. Did I forget to mention, Bob and Dale's (my in-laws) car was totaled? The trunk was smashed to about 6 inches.

And I know I did mention but shall say again: the golf clubs SURVIVED! The will power of this family to golf is incredible.

SO, needless to say, the trip was a bit hampered. Luckily Bob and Dale were able to get a loaner car from a co-worker who's out of the country, so I hope they're still able to use that to get around to manage their very busy, doesn't-stop-for-a-car-wreck real estate businss. (Side note: It was a sweeeet white Escalade. It was like a swanky lounge on wheels. My bed is not as comfortable as that back seat captain's chair.)

Overall it was a good trip for seeing family and getting lots of baby/aunt/uncle/grandparent time. Just not the stress free relaxation you'd hope for. But that's life, right? Speaking of "life," the whole accident, and the luckiness of the outcome, was emphasized by the fact that we'd all gone in to set up our WILLS the day before. Yes, day before giant traffic stopping for miles on the highway accident they had.

Bob and Dale had arranged kindly to let us and Scott and Fernanda (my bro and sis in law) use their lawyer to document our wishes for Matthew, power of attorney, etc. It's something any new parent probably knows they should do but doesn't get around to, so it was a very healthy exercise.

But as my Muldrow family knows, the experience (especially the health care/living will parts) freaked me out big time. And to put an exclamation point on that, they get in this accident the next day ... Deep breath. They're fine.

To shift gears and LIGHTEN THE MOOD of my first post in over a week, so you'll come back again in the future, here are photos of all the FUN family and baby cousins moments:

Cousin Danny has his own Brazilian/Fernanda style but he is definitely a Muldrow through and through (and in his expressions, at least, a doppleganger to his older cousin).

He is a sweet, funny, happy and ACTIVE baby right now. And despite Mandy and Tucker's best efforts to rebuff him, a natural (sorry, Fernanda) dog lover. I believe that although his parents live in a clean dog free zone, this kid is destined to be covered in hair and sneaking kibble just like his cousin. A future of dog lovin' vacations at his grandparents' and aunt/uncle's definitely lays before him.