Happy Mother's Day!!!

Third Time is the Charm

I keep thinking about Mother's Day. Mostly because people keep reminding me that this is going to be my first Mother's Day. "Oh, your first Mother's Day...how special". My mouth says "Yes, very exciting" while my heart feels cheated and I physically have to contain myself from screaming.

I was pregnant with Angela on Mother's Day 2007. I recieved some special cards, and even a gift. I was pregnant with Danny on Mother's Day 2008. And I remember people telling me sweet things about pregnancy and Motherhood and that for Mother's Day 2009, I would be celebrating with the real deal.

Well, the big day is almost upon us. And I will enjoy a brunch with my family, but more importantly, I will be embracing my son and thinking about Angela. She may not be with me today, but David and I are her parents, and last year, Mother's Day and Father's Day was hard for us, even though we were expecting Danny.

I would like to note though, that a very dear friend of mine sent me a beautiful card last year, telling me what a wonderful mother I was to Angela, and many more thoughtful words. And that recognition felt so rewarding. She is an amazing friend and an even better Mother.

Back to my point...You shouldn't have to be a "Mom" to celebrate Mother's Day. I have so many friends that may not have children of their own or here with us, but they have experienced pregnancy, they are the Aunt any child would dream of, the stepmom to a spouses child, the girlfriend of a boyfriend with children. A role model. Someone who loves others children unconditionally as if they were there own.

I am counting all of my blessings this Mother's Day. This is the best job, and I couldn't be more appreciative to enjoy all of the ups and the downs that this road I have traveled has brought me so far.

This year, celebrate all the women in your life and the contribution they make to loving and parenting children.

Week 5 or 6?? I don't know

It's quite possible that he is entirely edible! I mean really, look at those cheeks! Most people could survive off of them for a week. I am that person that is constantly squeezing his cheeks. Poor guy. He doesn't know what he's in store for. This picture was taken after running around the driveway in his hot wheels (ie. walker) and then going for a walk. Wouldn't it be nice if falling asleep like this was socially acceptable in our everyday life. I'll admit it, I'm jealous.My life has become full of lists and post-it notes. I can't remember anything. To the point that last week I left a post-it note in my car, on my speedometer, so that I would not forget the sour cream that was in the fridge at work. This was of course to make the ranch dip to go with the veggie tray for Leah's First Communion Party. This guaranteed that I would not leave work on a Friday with out the sour cream. I remembered the sour cream. I made the dip. Only to get to the west side on Saturday for the party and realize that I forgot the veggie tray at home!!!!

Seriously, what is wrong with me?

I've even taken to leaving myself messages at work to remind me to do stuff. I call myself, and in a friendly voice tell myself not to forget to do XYZ and then say good-bye. To myself. And then in the morning, I get to work around 7:40-ish and see the red light voicemail indicator on my phone only to think, "My God. Who the hell already left me a message. It's seriously 7:30 in the morning." Only to listen to myself saying "Good Morning. Don't forget to do XYZ. Good-bye."

All the time I think of things I need to post on my blog. For example, Danny is sitting up on his own. This is a milestone, and it happened about a week or so ago...I can't remember (go figure).

We are in our 5th or 6th week of living with my in-laws and so far it's going great. Really. And I'm not just saying that to pacify the people that read this and know them and would love to bust their chops about whatever I write. It's true. It's been very easy so far, and I imagine as the weather gets better, it will be even easier since we can spend more time outside.

We have not broken ground yet. This is another question I am asked frequently. I will post some pics of the dirt and where our future front door will be. I meant to do that last week, but forgot. Hopefully, Kraig (builder) will break ground next week. We are very excited. The blueprints have been finalized and we are in the process of selecting our siding/stone/shutters/brick/roof. I think we've narrowed the stone down to two colors. We did that on Saturday and then drove around on Sunday to look at homes that have selected the same colors. These are tough choices. I want to make sure that I love whatever we decide because this is the house we plan to live in FOREVER.

I am also super busy at work. Which is wonderful. I would rather be busy then bored, and the key in this economy is employment. I am just lucky to love what I do and really enjoy my daily work relationships. Good work and good people. However, I have to "check it at the door" sometimes and make sure that when I am home, I am home. Because there is always a voice in my head that is telling me to do more.

So, I will continue to post, as I can.

Pictures....

Facing West on our dirt. We stop just short of the white house.

Facing East on our dirt. We stop just short of the red barn.

Dave wondering what he was thinking when he committed to so much lawn maintenance.

Me standing at the location where our front door will be.

A friend and coworker of mine is taking an entreprenueral adventure, and I wanted to support her! I'm envious of her talent...

She has a beautiful little girl, Riley, and being the fashionista that she, has designed some too cute hair accessories. The ones sold in stores are usually too big and too goofy. Honestly, half the time they look like garter belts that have been strategically placed on a poor little girls head.

Well, fear no more...Megan has created Little Miss Designs!

I encourage you to shop the site and the adorable hair accessories! These clips would make excellent shower gifts for that little girl that is on the way or the beauty that has already arrived. And considering the clips and bands are custom, they can be coordinated to go with any little outfit!

Please share this link with your friends and family!

That's How I Roll...

When I was in college at Ohio University, one of my favorite professors, Dr. David Chappell, told a story about a toilet paper case study that he had reviewed. I don't know if it was a Harvard Business Review or what, but to this day, every time I use the restroom, I think about it. And if the bathroom I'm using has the toilet paper facing the wrong direction, it irritates me. I'll go as far as correcting it when I'm at someones house...but not when I'm in a public restroom. When I'm at work, I often think that if our cleaning people were educated on the matter, we might just save $1,000's each year in toilet paper.

How you put your toilet paper on the roll determines just how much you'll use. Last night I decided it was time to pay it forward and share the knowledge, so I tried to Google the case study. I couldn't find the one that Dr. Chappell shared, but this link will give you the jist of the study.

Toilet Paper Study

You have officially been educated on the correct toilet paper installation method. Now go and fix your bathroom!

Some additional images have been provided for your viewing pleasure.

What I know so far.

I know the following...and these are not ordered by priority and may not have any relevance.

1. My pinky nail is the best booger scraper. Better then any squeegee. And when it breaks, well that just sucks because Danny always has "clouds in his sky".

2. Danny is expressing his temper a little bit more. Don't get in the way of his biter biscuits, or he'll squeal like a pig and bat your hand away. I worry about public temper tantrums.

3. I don't get to chat with my friends on the cell as much as I would like to. And I like to talk. Playing phone tag with friends like Dawn and Amy sucks.

4. I cut my hair (5"-7"). And it is not a "Mom" cut. And I'll grow it back. It just needed "cut".

5. Many lunch hours consist of running errands and not exercising. Sometimes that's ok. Sometimes it's not.

6. I buy Enfamil formula checks on eBay. And right now I'm irritated because most of the kind I need expire April 30th. Annoying.

7. We're doing a good job. I'm not bashful about feeling that way. My son is fat and happy and smiles everyday. So I know we're doing something right. And when everything else feels like it's going to shit, I remind myself that at least we have that going for us.

8. After 3-days of pinning Danny down to give him his antibiotic (sinus infection), we figured out a way to trick him. Give him a bit of warm bottle then slip in a little medicine thing that resembles a pacifier...Before he knows he's tasting crap, it's time to swap the bottle back in. Works like a charm.

9. My version of doing my hair is going to bed with a wet head and using a flat iron in the morning. That's about as good as it gets lately.

10. When Danny doesn't feel good, and it's the middle of the day or the middle of the night...he somehow knows the difference when you are holding him and standing up or holding him and sitting down. He does not accept the sitting down. This usually occurs around 3:30 in the morning as I pace the basement carrying what feels like a 20-pound sack of potatoes. (see #8)

11. My son has sausage feet. Because of this, socks that should fit him, cut off his circulation. To the point that he actually has scars from when he had socks on that were too snug and they rug burned marks into his legs (Mom of the year award). Because of this, my piglet is wearing size 2T-4T.

12. I've taken to wearing my pants even if they're a bit snug. It's the suttle reminder that I have some work to do and not to eat crap. I'll get there.

13. Danny goes into a trance if you trace your fingers along the side of his face. He eats it up. It's fantastic and the highlight of my days.

14. Baby Einstein = Baby Crack

15. Last but not least, even at 6+months into this, I still get the "Mommy, Danny has a surprise for you" which translates into "he shit and he needs a diaper change". Never mind if this is during my 5-minutes to get ready in the morning or when Dave is up with him and I'm sleeping in after pulling multi-hour potato sack tour of the basement. As trying as this, Danny is always so proud of himself and his big smile makes it worth it. Gags included.

Lucky Number 5

The number is 5 is my favorite number. Always has been. I was #5 when I played soccer. Maybe that's why? I don't know, but it's the best.

Why I am talking about my favorite number? Because right now, FIVE very special people in my life are due to have babies. I love celebrating pregnancies. And while I'll keep their names under wraps, this is a big deal. At the end of this year, I will be loving and squeezing five more little people.

I found out #5 yesterday. Hearing this news moved me to tears. And again this morning on my way to work talking about it with Dave. To understand how special the news from #5 was, I saw tears in my husbands eyes when he said to make sure I told her congratulations for him.

It would take me a novel to share how special each of these friends are. For some, these are babies #2, and #3. For others, these are babies #1. But for all of them, these pregnancies are so welcome and celebrated, and the journey has not always been smooth and clear of bumps. Something I am familiar with.

So, I ask, anyone that might be reading this, even though you might not know my friends, please say a prayer for them and their babies. My heart is overwhelmed with love and hope that all five friends enjoy an uneventful and healthy pregnancy with the rich reward of a happy and healthy bundle of joy.

This year, Christmas is going to be a celebration of babies...the best gift of all.