Morning after Christmas

It was just the kids and I. Michael and my brothers went out to the desert to go shooting. But we had a good time sleeping in late and having a yummy sausage and egg burritos for breakfast. Mmmm!

A little Christmas for you...

Don't you hate it when all your Christmas photos are crap? I mean really, between all the festivities and being in the kitchen and tending to children and nursing, when and how am I supposed to be snapping pictures? REALLY!

I would have to say Madison, James and I win the award for cutest Christmas eve sleepwear. Everyone else's were kind of boring. Just the same old stripes, checker prints, etc.

This morning I made waffles instead of the usual cinnamon rolls. I dunno. I just wasn't feeling it. The waffles just seemed easier. But they weren't because I messed up the recipe not once but twice and it became just a big, huge mess. I was totally off today, doing really dumb things, completely brain dead. It was bad. Really bad. I blame my cold.

James got lots of fun gifts. The usual cars and trucks, clothes, you know. The typical stuff a 2 year old gets. The one gift we didn't get before Christmas is a reading cushion. I'll post about it when it comes. We decided not to do the trampoline this year because the shed is still kind of in the way. Michael wants to do fake grass but I really don't. Not in the back yard at least but I don't know if the HOA will let us put it in the front yard.

I got some nice gifts from Michael; A toy story game for the wii and some new kitchen knives that I'm pretty excited about. Kind of sad when you get happy about things like that. But this year I didn't really want much. Michael got a glock from "Santa" aka himself. And my "Santa" gift was a scarf and gloves. I am looking forward to going to the desert to shoot with him. The last time I went was almost 3 years ago.

We had a prime rib dinner, ranch mashed potatoes, rolls, salad, carbonara, and my dad's wife made chinese stuffed tofu, egg omelet appetizers, and eggrolls. Then of course all the pies and stuff my dad likes. Ick. I still have 4 sitting on the counter. I'm just not a pie person.

So now everyone is gone and Christmas is over and I'm pretty excited to revert back to normal life. Next week is the last holiday week and then I'm back full time to work. Thinking about it makes me tired but I don't know if it's the cold talking or what. This is the 2nd one in two months. James got it first then Michael, Me then Madison. James seems better already but he's got an ear infection too. His first ear infection ever!

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Michael's been anxious for me to post the final pix of the outdoor fireplace; painted, sealed, and with pavers.

Now to finish the backyard which includes moving the shed, installing grass (we are thinking of the artificial stuff), greenery, the herb garden, and patio furniture.

My big plans are slowly coming a reality. I'm looking forward to actually using the backyard! Which kind of brings me into another predicament. Our neighbor's kids always throw crap in our backyard; their dog's chewed up toys, trash. My breaking point was last week when they chucked an egg and a glass ornament over and it was all over the patio. I was FURIOUS (still am). I decided to wait a few days before I busted down their door and grabbed them by their tiny little necks and shook them like turkeys. Any ideas what I should do? Of course I have no proof & I didn't see it but I have been outside and have seen them throw stuff over. GRRRRR...

A Christmas Lights Walk - Open Invitation

Last night Michael and I noticed that there are a lot of Christmas lights up now in the

neighborhood. So we would like to invite you and your family to a Christmas Lights Walk.

When: Monday, December 21 @ 6:30pm

Where: Saratoga Lakes Recreation Center, Dobson Ranch

2345 S Saratoga, Mesa 85202

Details: Join us afterwards for cookies & milk by the fireplace.

If you wish, bring your favorite holiday cookie.

A stroller & good walking shoes would be a must

as we will walk a few miles!

RSVP in the comment room. I would love to know who plans on coming!

(p.s. i have stollers if you need one)

Back to Work

Holy cow, these last few weeks have just slipped through my finger... like a slimy slug. I was in frantic mode on Monday because I needed to purchase a few gifts via the internet and still hadn't done so. I woke up at the (butt) crack of dawn to buy them before I headed off to work.

So let's see... here's the run down. I started back to work part time after Madsy was six weeks. Then I go back full time after Christmas. YIKES! At least the week after is only a 4-day work week with the holiday in there for Friday. But still. It's gone by way TOO fast. It would be nice to be part time for 6 months but I'm lucky I was able to work the arrangement I have now. No complaints or regrets.

Madison is growing up too fast. I can see that she is quickly growing out of clothes I SWEAR I just bought her two weeks ago. What?!? She is just a doll. A perfect little angel. Now I'm glad I had a girl. She's got so much hair and I can't wait to slap some bows/headbands on her. Tastfully of course.

James is just a maniac. That's all that can be said of a two year boy. Most times I can bribe him with a "popsicle" aka frozen gogurts.

Michael is a lot of help with the two. LOTS. Now that we kind of hit a groove, two kids aren't so bad. It's the whole falling into some sort of schedule that is working for us pretty well.

I'm back running and am loving every minute with BOB. He's pretty darn amazing. I'm looking forward to starting up our running club again. I'm weaning myself off the sweets. I've been on a sugar high ever since Thanksgiving. It's HORRIBLE. I'm like a crack addict... looking for my next chocolate fix. But I'm being real about it and am not going to really get into a diet/rigorous exercise until after the New Year.

This week is packed with lots of appointments, errands, and showing off the kids to coworkers, meaning a FULL schedule Thurs and Fri. I'm hoping to somehow shop for the rest of the christmas gifts, aka the majority of the remaining gifts, stocking stuffers, etc. I'm once again reaching panic mode. This year was supposed to be the year I was going to do it all early and have it all together.

Oh well! I'm hoping the kids will cooperate nicely for some photos. Family photos never work anymore. I might just have to take some of James and take some of Madison and randomly throw them together somehow. I'll make it work... somehow. No pressure!

Oh and look, it's already almost 10pm. See? Life is just falling through my fingertips. I can't believe how fast things go. If I had one more kid, I'm pretty sure it will all be just a big blur. Jana, I wonder how you must feel.

Wish me luck!

He turned TWO

It started with invitations James picked out last week,

A little of crayon, since they were looking quite bleek.

He personalized several cards by hand, one by one...

Until he drew sleepy, and then he was done.

Then the big day finally arrived...

He wondered, could this be? All this ruckus just for me?

Then the excitement settled in!



Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jumping Play Pen!!

He bounced and he bounced...

and he slid and slid...

until it was time for ice cream and cake, that silly little kid!

A Toy Story cake that momma made from scratch,

with little figurines just like the movie, to match.

James had lots of fun opening each and every toy,

Look, even Buzz Lightyear, the spoiled little boy!

His favorite: Woody, of course!

He hauled him to and fro...

..

....

Now I'm all out of rhymes and pictures I think it's time to go!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY LITTLE RABBIT!

Love, Mom & Dad

Xerox Copied

My mother in law said I make one type of baby. I said the first one came out so good, I decided to make an exact copy. Last night Madison looked so much like James - so much that I actually thought it was James. So weird. I must be delirious from lack of sleep. Can you tell who is who?

1 Month

Madison turns one month today. Each day seems to last forever, but the weeks fly by. Crazy isn't it? Pictures never seem to turn out, so you get a picture of her feet. Sorry. Maybe I'll try and take some photos tomorrow. Yesterday we took Madison to the doctor because Michael found a lump under her right breast. Turned out she is lactating. Weird huh? Apparently it has to do with my hormones. The doc used the term witches milk. Sounds so urban legend. Lately M has been really fussy. I can't put my finger on what it could be. She only weighed 8lbs 8oz on Wednesday. Apparently she's supposed to weigh a lot more than that but James was always on the small side. I must produce fat free milk or something. She has grown 1/2 in (21 inches).

I wish I had more to write. Newborns really aren't that fun and it's not my favorite stage. But I'm really trying to enjoy it more and I have learned all new kinds of patience; especially with two kids screaming their heads off.

23 Months in Summary

Today James is one month shy of being TWO. Holy Moley. Sometimes I forget it's already November. So things about James: when Madison gets upset he gets upset. He tries to console her by rubbing her arm and making this ticka-ticka noise. It's pretty funny. So far he has picked her up and dropped her all in one swoop. He likes to lay on top of her and jam the pacifier in her mouth, play in the dogs bed, chase Bimmer around the house and torture him when he stops, slap people, yell at you when you tell him "no" (we are working on the last two). We have gotten him to stop bopping Madison in the head with his toys. He has been a big cry baby these last few weeks and is starving for attention; just wants to be held and babied. His favorite movies are Toy Story, Coraline, Finding Nemo, and Cars. James loves to jump and since Coraline is his #1 all time favorite movie, he thinks he's one of those jumping circus mice. He jumps everywhere. All he needs is a mouse tail. We've been getting along with nap time - he actually lies down when I tell him! Exciting for me. We are almost there with bed time. That could be a post all in itself. I love spending time with him and playing with him. He's at that point where he is so much fun. We are working on communicating. He understands things we tell him to do very well like "throw it in the trash" or "time to pick up your toys". James loves to help so much; cleaning, tending to the baby. When grandma was here he walked the dog all by himself! I need to remember to start giving him more responsibilty. He also likes to help feed the dog; dumping the dog food in his dog bowl. Despite all the crying he is such a good boy. I'm glad I had him first, it makes Madison seem like such an easy baby.

I don't recommend it.

There's too many reasons why I haven't been able to blog. But our little house projects have turned into monsters of their own. We decided to build this little outdoor fireplace (ok, it was really my idea). And also stucco the front of the house (Michael's idea). We started these projects a few weeks ago. With Michael going back to work after Madison turned 3 days old, I've been yanking my hair out right and left. You should see me. I'm almost bald.
Contractors here, there, everywhere. Coming, going. Banging, sawing, etc., etc. I'm running out of steam and motivation for waking up in the morning. I just want to SLEEP. I didn't think I would be babysitting not only my OWN children but our projects as well. Like being pregnant; it doesn't last forever. Things are slowly starting to wind down and I just can't wait for everything to be complete.
Added for your viewing pleasure is a picture of the almost done fireplace. Hurray! As you can tell I'm picking out paint :)

Happy Halloween

Grandma and Grandpa West were able to spend Halloween with us this year! James was a cowboy... a very shy cowboy. At the trunk or treat he would not even walk around without wanted to be held. What's that about? I have no idea. We left Madison home with Michael since I'm still being a mama hen about her being around people.

Pretty boring this year... we had five trick or treaters; two buzz lightyear's, woody, a goblin and batman - and they came in one wave. I'm so dissapointed. What am I going to do with ALL this CANDY?

Are you the next Iron Chef?

Last night after dinner, James decided to play grocery shopper. For some reason, he loves to haul around the powdered sugar around the house. He grabs it by the little nubbie at the top (I just use a hair tie to keep it nice and tight) and hauls it to and fro. It's a good 2 or 3 pounds that he muscles around with one hand; switches to the other hand when necessary.

But last night he got into the pantry and started handing me all these items. Michael and I have been watching a lot of cooking shows lately; Iron Chef America, Drive-In, Dinners & Dives, The Next Iron Chef, Chopped, Hell's Kitchen, Top Chef, Throwdown w/Bobby Flay. So I got to thinking, if James were the Chairman (Iron Chef) and he gave me these ingredients, what would I make?

Just to make it fun, what would YOU make?

(Powdered Sugar, Cream of Broccoli, Pumpkin, Honey, and Bread Crumbs)

If you don't know how this goes, these are the key ingredients you must use. Then you pair them together with whatever ingredients you want but the dishes must all "go" together.

Madison Paige

Here she is! The little bundle of joy held out until the very end. Induction was scheduled for Tuesday, October 13th and she came Monday, October 12th at 11:01am weighing 7lbs 13oz and 20 1/2 inches in length.

I woke up to contractions Monday at 4am, timed them for an hour, took a nice, long hot shower. Woke up Michael at 6am and told him to get ready. He kept asking me, "are you sure?" Oh yeah. I was SURE. The pain just didn't go away and they were getting stronger. Our friend Jenny saved the day and came to our house super early to watch James (who was still asleep). Thanks so much Jenny! I tried talking to her and just wanted to start jumping up and down every time I had a contraction to get rid of the pain. It was hard concentrating even thru conversation.

We checked into the hospital around 7am. I had to stop a couple of times because I couldn't walk through the contractions. I forgot my purse and all my insurance/id info. But thank goodness I pre-registered! So everything was set and I didn't need to give them anything. Not even my ID. (Kind of crazy, huh?)

After they hooked me up to the monitors and finished up with admittance they scheduled me right away for an epidural - that I couldn't get fast enough. Then after that it was wonderful, sweet, painless labor. My doctor was sick so we went back and forth between on-call doctors at the hospital and the back-up for my doctor. It was a fiasco at first; so-and-so is coming to break your water, just kidding so-and-so is not on call anymore a new so-and-so is on call, oh wait this is actually your doctor delivering your baby and he said not to break your water, blah, blah, blah.

I kept feeling like my water broke so I had the nurse keep checking every half hour. Then towards 11 o'clock the nurse said "Oooo, yeah you're at a 9/10. I'm going to call the doctor and let him know you're ready." Five minutes later the cigarette smelling doctor was in - total turn off, but I didn't exactly have time to say, "No sorry, you smell. Please send in someone else to deliver this baby." So he broke my water and felt this huge gush and then just as the nurse said, "she rode the wave out."

And that my friends is Madison's story.

No news

Sorry.

I'm leaving you high and dry this weekend.

No baby.

No contractions today. I'm not being fair. I guess I should say some contractions today. Maybe less than 5.

I'm beginning to think my body is just going to reabsorb her. Like she's going to just dissapear next week and it will be like I was never pregnant. OR that she is decaying inside for being in there too long and is going to come out all decomposed. Morbid? Maybe. Frustrated? Definitely. Did I tell you Oct. 10 was the due date by ultrasound and that Oct. 1 was my due date by the calendar (you know first day of your last cycle, yada yada yada). So that's why I feel this way. I just feel overdue.

She's not moving as much either- most likely because she's practically between my knees and drops further everyday. I want to cry because I feel like I'm being ripped open at the very bottom of my belly. To make matters worse, Michael said I have a huge fatty stretch mark right where it hurts. So I literally am being ripped open at the seams.

Today I decided to keep busy. I moved some heavy rocks. Hoping they would start something. This body is more robust than I thought it was for childbearing. *Hmph* Loser body.

BEFORE

These are the house colors. Like a light greenish beige and green trim.

AFTER

The new colors; beige (almost white) trim and a muted green (?)

I don't know. It's missing something. We don't love it, but what else can you do with grey shingles?

It's here... FINALLY!

My 20% off REI member coupon came in the mail this week! I have been waiting for it ever since I got pregnant to get this:

http://www.rei.com/product/750871

I just can't decide what color to get; blue or orange? I just love the orange. But blue is safe and normal. Do I go with mainstream or look at me I'm a BOB?

Baby Frustrations

I can't believe I'm still pregnant. It's October 4th and her due date is October 10th. I'm so depressed I ate a bowl of ice cream and doused it in chocolate syrup. It can't get any worse than this. I wake up 3 times at night to go to the bathroom. James is having a hard time adjusting all of sudden and refuses to stay asleep in his bed. So we are greeted by little hands and feet in our faces. I surround myself in pillows, which saves me from getting kicked in the gut (poor husband).

I don't know what to do. I told work I was done for several reasons 1) I'm so exhausted from the false labor signs that keep me up most of the night (well now they have gone away), 2) My hips hurt so bad, I feel like I need a walking cane, 3) I'm tired of people asking "you are still here?" and 4) I'm completely unfocused and don't feel like it's fair since I have to get up every half hour to go to the bathroom or talk a short walk around the building to loosen up the legs.

But what's more frustrating is all the labor signs since I hit 35 weeks and now absolutely nothing. I get contractions here and there but nothing like before. Sometimes I wonder if she's even still alive in there because she doesn't really move anymore. Well she's moving right now, but it just probably seems that way because there is not much room in there. I told my Dr. this baby is coming out on the 12th. So if anything I will be induced by then. But my intent was to let her come out on her own so if I have to get induced on the 12th I will be sooooo mad, because I could have gotten induced on the 5th at the earliest (tomorrow).

I just don't know what to do with myself. The house is clean, laundry is done, all the babys stuff is complete, the room is set up. Everything is READY.

Our friend came over yesterday to help Michael dump the remaining trash from the backyard; the rest of the security bars (when we bought this place it was like a prison - bars on every window), some tree trash, old baseboards, an old wheelbarrow, and other such nonsense. Now that we've cleaned it up, it actually looks bigger than I thought it was. Michael has the biggest project of all; moving the shed. It will have to be taken apart and put back together on the side of the house. And all that has to be done before I can trench for sprinklers. And the sprinklers have to be done before we do pavers. I've been thinking about building up a retaining wall for a small garden. It'll have to be like a foot tall so the dog won't eat it or pee on it.

Things I have lined up this week out of boredom: 1. paint the shed to see what our colors look like, 2. pick out the stone for the outdoor fireplace, 3. plan out rock/plant/grass areas, 4. design the irrigation system, 4. move some river rocks from the backyard to the front yard, 5. buy a new wheelbarrow, 6. look for new leather couches for the family room.

The Kids' Room

This is as done as it's going to be. Madison's side of the room. Yeah, yeah I know the wall is pink. And for those of you who know me, pink is NOT my favorite color. BUT I think it goes well with the light blue already on the wall. Plus the bedding is so bright and colorful I wanted to keep the walls pastel to showcase it.

I just loooooove this fabric. James and I went to Ikea last week to get more of this print so I can make a matching boppy slipcover and a matching quilt for James. (I have Madison's baby quilt getting machined together)

Some wall decor. The flower is actually a night light.

Changing station. I made this from some material that came with James' bedding. It was just two sheets of fabric. I have no idea what they were supposed to be for.

I was so glad that I didn't have to make curtains this time. I found the cute little red lamp at Target.

James' corner. He is full fledged sleeping in his bed now. He was waking up crying in the middle of night and we would have to go get him. Now he braves the long walk down the hallway and climbs in our bed without a peep. Then one of us will transport him back to his bed sometime during the night (actually early, early morning). The sheet is from his old bedding set I made. He loves that fabric. LOVES. I mean super duper in LOVE with that fabric. It's his "ni-night" blanket as he calls it.

I love this little shelf. It keeps all James' crayons and markers and other things he is not allowed to have unsupervised with. I was thinking about putting up a chalkboard under it but I'm having second thoughts. Chalk dust is so dirty.

My favorite are the little stars for his hats. I bought them at Joanne's and sanded, painted, and clear coated them. He hung up his buzz lightyear jammies because it's not cold enough yet to wear them. His favorite movie he loves to watch on his psp is Toy Story.

I'm so ready for her to be here!

Concrete Patio - Check

This backyard project is moving along. On Sat we had the patio poured. James just loves going up and down it with his toys on wheels. I can't wait until we can get it all done. But one thing at a time!

Toastmaster Waffler Iron Giveaway

Yeah, I'm giving away more stuff. Got a belgian waffle maker and don't need this anymore. It's free. Throw your name in the comment room.

At this point...

I'm tired; tired of bending over and squishing the belly so hard it hurts, tired of being clumsy, tired of the contractions in the wee hours of the morning that keep me up all night, tired of trying to pretend like I'm just having a ball at work, tired of all the stomach cramps, tired of the anticipation. I'm just exhausted from it all. If I have contractions all night again I think I'm going to scream. It's killing me at work. I just can't do it anymore!!!! I can't. I really can't. I think this is it. Next week is definitely my last week at work even though she is supposed to be here in two weeks.

Completed Wall

This is where we are going to hide the shed if we can take it apart and move it. Otherwise Michael is going to build a shed/workshop back here. It's perfect because it's tucked away!

Give Away Winners!

Congratulations!

The WINNER of the EASEL is SHANNON!

The WINNER of the GLIDER is LORI!

Now hurry and come get it before I put them outside.

(And James really did draw from a hat. It was so cute except the part where I had to take away the number from him kicking and screaming....)

Hello New Wall....

Nice to meet you. Can't wait to see what it looks like tomorrow!!