Traveling with toddlers can have cute times and really bad times, this is one of those bad times.
While on the road, hubby and I got a craving for some ice cream. This happens often, I think it has something to do with living in England for 3 years and not having any opportunity for ice cream on a whim. They sell ice cream at the grocery stores but they have never even heard of an Ice Cream shop. And grocery stores were maybe the worst experiences of living there, it was rare if we found it worth the trauma of a quick stop for ice cream. We basically went without for 3 years.
Anyway, back to the ice cream. We quickly found and stopped at a Sonic. That is one thing I love about the midwest, there is a Sonic in every town. It would seem there is no population minimum, all you need are 2 houses and that is considered worthy of a sonic. We stopped the car and got an Oreo blast for hubby, a snickers blast for myself and a small ice cream cup for B (A would just take a few bites of mine). Sam and I were talking nicely in the front seat, enjoying our blasts while B is in her car seat going to town on her cup. A was enjoying her bites of mine, giving cute little "mmmm" sounds after each bite and cracking the biggest smile after we would laugh.
Sam: "Wow, she sure is happy"
Me: "I know, I guess she really likes ice cream!"
Suddenly, through the giggles in the back seat and our pleasant conversation in the front it hits us like a brick wall.
A smell so bad it caused us to cough a little. I quickly roll down my window, annoyed that hubby must have let one off in the car.
Sam: "What is that smell?"
Me: "I thought it was you"
Sam: "No, is that why you rolled down the window?"
Me: "Yeah"
For a brief second it hits us that we already know what that smell is... our eyes lock and we slowly turn to look in the back seat at the culprit.
There she is, my littlest angel.
The one I carried for 9 months in my belly. Had ripped from my abdomen by surgeons. Happily breast fed at 2 in the morning. Cuddled and rocked to sleep for hours. Kissed those kissable chubby cheeks and tickled that adorable little belly.
My Baby.
She is holding her legs high in the air with the biggest, happiest smile I have ever seen on another humans face. A smile of pure joy and happiness. A smile that still couldn't keep my eyes from focusing on the insane amount of poop flowing from her diaper onto her seat.
It was everywhere, up her legs, on her clothes and shoes, hands, seat... EVERYWHERE!
We were in complete shock for a second. What do you do in that situation?! We cant just throw the kid, car seat and all her clothes in the trash like we secretly wanted.
After staring at her poop covered smiling self for a few seconds longer than necessary we both chuckled nervously and got to work. I cleaned the kid while hubby cleaned the seat. 10 minutes and about 300 wipes later we deemed her the cleanest child ever and got back on the road. Both feeling a little traumatized by what we had just been through neither hubby or I said much for the next few minutes. My wonderful husband broke the silence by saying
"No wonder she was so happy. I would be that happy too if I had just shit my bench press weight!"
And then it was all ok.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Traveling with Toddlers
Traveling with kiddos can always be hard. At times it gets so bad that you think to yourself "why do we ever try to leave the house?" But without putting up with those bad times you would miss out on the truly wonderful times. Times like...
It is around 12:30 am, we have been driving for 5 hours and B is still awake. I can tell she is getting close to sleep but it could still be an hour away. That is one thing that is truly amazing about that kid, she has the will power of an olympic athlete, if she wants to stay awake and watch mommy drive, then she will! And she is NEVER quiet, she may hush her voice because sissy and daddy are sleeping but she doesn't ever stop talking. And it rarely makes sense, mostly little stories to her self, singing, counting, occasional giggles and a million times she will say "Mamma, I not tired".
This night she is spouting off lyrics to songs one minute and the next she is counting...something. I tune out every once in a while because her hushed little voice would lull me to sleep easily if I would let it. I am pulled back into her conversation when I hear this half sung conversation.
"Mary had a little lamb... ten, eleven...twwwelve... white snoooow... fifteen, sixteen... sixteen... sixteen... .... .....sssixteen... ... ... ... ...sssssixteeeeeee"
I looked back to find her completely passed out.
It is around 12:30 am, we have been driving for 5 hours and B is still awake. I can tell she is getting close to sleep but it could still be an hour away. That is one thing that is truly amazing about that kid, she has the will power of an olympic athlete, if she wants to stay awake and watch mommy drive, then she will! And she is NEVER quiet, she may hush her voice because sissy and daddy are sleeping but she doesn't ever stop talking. And it rarely makes sense, mostly little stories to her self, singing, counting, occasional giggles and a million times she will say "Mamma, I not tired".
This night she is spouting off lyrics to songs one minute and the next she is counting...something. I tune out every once in a while because her hushed little voice would lull me to sleep easily if I would let it. I am pulled back into her conversation when I hear this half sung conversation.
"Mary had a little lamb... ten, eleven...twwwelve... white snoooow... fifteen, sixteen... sixteen... sixteen... .... .....sssixteen... ... ... ... ...sssssixteeeeeee"
I looked back to find her completely passed out.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Sometimes I just have to laugh
I have come to the realization that the real reason we had kids is because of their entertainment value. The hard times are quickly outweighed by the sometimes hilarious things they say. And it isn't always WHAT they say, more the fact that they are tiny little people with tiny little voices saying big people things.
This morning I walked into the girls room when I heard them wake up. Immediately B ran up to me and said
B: "Momma I real hungwe"
Me: "Yeah, well what do you want to eat?"
B: "Umm... just food"
Me: "Just food huh? Well how about some cereal?"
B: "Yeah that'll do"
And off she ran to the kitchen... I just had to laugh.
This morning I walked into the girls room when I heard them wake up. Immediately B ran up to me and said
B: "Momma I real hungwe"
Me: "Yeah, well what do you want to eat?"
B: "Umm... just food"
Me: "Just food huh? Well how about some cereal?"
B: "Yeah that'll do"
And off she ran to the kitchen... I just had to laugh.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Why I hate Modern Warfare 2
Hate? Really you ask, is Hate the appropriate word.
The answer is a resounding YES. I realize that hate is a strong word, no one should ever have to use the word hate. Well I did and I do!
Let me first preface this by stating that I am not one of those wives who hates video games. I really don't. Though I have zero interest in playing them myself, I never mind when hubsters plays. It is how he chooses to let off some steam after a long day and I don't mind. He can play video games as often as he wants, and he usually wants quite often. But there are lots of things I like to do that don't involve him, like reading or nosing around on the computer, or there is always stalking people on Facebook or messing with the wonderful world of blogging, and he just isn't in to any of that. Video games are his outlet, his relaxing take-my-mind-off-things task.
So how is this game so different? How does this game take me from "I don't care if you play video games" to "I might pull my own hair out if I have to listen to that game for 2 more seconds"? Well, lucky for you I have compiled a little list...
First I need to explain what Modern Warfare 2 is... its a video game. It must be about war because it is loud, guns are firing, there is lots of yelling, whatever you get the point = a loud waste of time. On with the hate list!
1. Apparently this game must never be played without the volume level set at deafening.
2. When asked nicely to turn the volume down to "a level that wont leave the neighbors to wonder if there is an actual war going on in our home", the response is along the lines of "I can turn it down a click but really this gaming experience can not be fully enjoyed at a volume less than this".
3. Along with the sounds of gunfire, war, airplanes, bombs and killing there is also all the commentary of the fellow players. Some of whom have altered their microphones so they sound like annoying chipmunks screaming lines like "KILL HIM" or "DONT KILL ME".
4. Those annoying chipmunks usually never just scream the afore mentioned lines, in actuality they spew streams of profanity about others players mothers or sisters. Really valuable vocabulary lessons for my 3 years old daughter who is currently perfecting the art of repeating everything she hears.
5. Apparently Sam is not very good at this game. Or at least I cant imagine he could be when all I have to judge this on is every 2 minutes he throws the remote in frustration over being killed.
6. Sam doesn't just throw the remote, he usually punches the couch or yells at the TV "I KILLED YOU FIRST". Then after seeing that his beautiful girls have been distracted from their world of rainbows and butterflies and are looking at him, forces a smile and says "Daddy is terrible at this game and I hate it! But I love you". (End forced smile)
7. Sam HATES this game but LOVES this game. Please don't ask me to explain, there is a relationship between man and game that I don't think I will ever understand.
8. There is a whole world dedicated to this game. You are either a player or not and anyone who is not is automatically considered the enemy. Heaven forbid you should actually refer to the game as Call of Duty 2 (which by the way is what is says on the box) because it is MODERN WARFARE 2.
9. There is a whole boring back story to explain the correct title MW2 vs COD2. It is boring and I tuned out half way through, I am convinced it is all a twisted plot to weed out the true players from the enemy.. who must be destroyed.
And number 10! (cue drumroll please)
This game has taken over the television in my house! My husband is beyond addicted and when he gets a spare moment I can guarantee it will be on.
Example: Its a typical Saturday morning. The family has plans to run to the farmers market and maybe the playground so the kiddos can burn off some energy. Mom dresses herself, dresses the girls, finds shoes, changes a diaper, packs some snacks while Dad is getting dressed. Dad exits the bedroom ready to leave. Mom announces she needs to get different shoes from the closet and will be right back. No more than 20 second later she returns to find him completely immersed in a game while child number 2 has taken off her shoes and child number 1 is pulling her bow out of her hair while they fight over the snacks they have pulled from Mom's purse.
Mom: What are you doing playing? We are ready to leave!
Dad: You weren't ready so I am playing a game until you are.
Mom: I am ready, lets go.
Dad: Ok, this game will be over in 5 minutes.
Flash to Mom seething in a corner while she attempts to corral the girls, put shoes back on, wrestle the snacks away and redo child number 1's hair.
Dad finishes the game 12 minutes later and they all walk towards the car.
Mom secretly realizes she has to pee... decides to hold it forever if she has to.
End scene
And that is why HATE is the only appropriate word for MW2.
The answer is a resounding YES. I realize that hate is a strong word, no one should ever have to use the word hate. Well I did and I do!
Let me first preface this by stating that I am not one of those wives who hates video games. I really don't. Though I have zero interest in playing them myself, I never mind when hubsters plays. It is how he chooses to let off some steam after a long day and I don't mind. He can play video games as often as he wants, and he usually wants quite often. But there are lots of things I like to do that don't involve him, like reading or nosing around on the computer, or there is always stalking people on Facebook or messing with the wonderful world of blogging, and he just isn't in to any of that. Video games are his outlet, his relaxing take-my-mind-off-things task.
So how is this game so different? How does this game take me from "I don't care if you play video games" to "I might pull my own hair out if I have to listen to that game for 2 more seconds"? Well, lucky for you I have compiled a little list...
First I need to explain what Modern Warfare 2 is... its a video game. It must be about war because it is loud, guns are firing, there is lots of yelling, whatever you get the point = a loud waste of time. On with the hate list!
1. Apparently this game must never be played without the volume level set at deafening.
2. When asked nicely to turn the volume down to "a level that wont leave the neighbors to wonder if there is an actual war going on in our home", the response is along the lines of "I can turn it down a click but really this gaming experience can not be fully enjoyed at a volume less than this".
3. Along with the sounds of gunfire, war, airplanes, bombs and killing there is also all the commentary of the fellow players. Some of whom have altered their microphones so they sound like annoying chipmunks screaming lines like "KILL HIM" or "DONT KILL ME".
4. Those annoying chipmunks usually never just scream the afore mentioned lines, in actuality they spew streams of profanity about others players mothers or sisters. Really valuable vocabulary lessons for my 3 years old daughter who is currently perfecting the art of repeating everything she hears.
5. Apparently Sam is not very good at this game. Or at least I cant imagine he could be when all I have to judge this on is every 2 minutes he throws the remote in frustration over being killed.
6. Sam doesn't just throw the remote, he usually punches the couch or yells at the TV "I KILLED YOU FIRST". Then after seeing that his beautiful girls have been distracted from their world of rainbows and butterflies and are looking at him, forces a smile and says "Daddy is terrible at this game and I hate it! But I love you". (End forced smile)
7. Sam HATES this game but LOVES this game. Please don't ask me to explain, there is a relationship between man and game that I don't think I will ever understand.
8. There is a whole world dedicated to this game. You are either a player or not and anyone who is not is automatically considered the enemy. Heaven forbid you should actually refer to the game as Call of Duty 2 (which by the way is what is says on the box) because it is MODERN WARFARE 2.
9. There is a whole boring back story to explain the correct title MW2 vs COD2. It is boring and I tuned out half way through, I am convinced it is all a twisted plot to weed out the true players from the enemy.. who must be destroyed.
And number 10! (cue drumroll please)
This game has taken over the television in my house! My husband is beyond addicted and when he gets a spare moment I can guarantee it will be on.
Example: Its a typical Saturday morning. The family has plans to run to the farmers market and maybe the playground so the kiddos can burn off some energy. Mom dresses herself, dresses the girls, finds shoes, changes a diaper, packs some snacks while Dad is getting dressed. Dad exits the bedroom ready to leave. Mom announces she needs to get different shoes from the closet and will be right back. No more than 20 second later she returns to find him completely immersed in a game while child number 2 has taken off her shoes and child number 1 is pulling her bow out of her hair while they fight over the snacks they have pulled from Mom's purse.
Mom: What are you doing playing? We are ready to leave!
Dad: You weren't ready so I am playing a game until you are.
Mom: I am ready, lets go.
Dad: Ok, this game will be over in 5 minutes.
Flash to Mom seething in a corner while she attempts to corral the girls, put shoes back on, wrestle the snacks away and redo child number 1's hair.
Dad finishes the game 12 minutes later and they all walk towards the car.
Mom secretly realizes she has to pee... decides to hold it forever if she has to.
End scene
And that is why HATE is the only appropriate word for MW2.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
My Baby is starting to talk! Sorta.
I knew this day would come eventually. We are at the terrible point in communication where Lele knows that there is a way to tell me what she wants but doesn't yet have the ability to do so. As we can all imagine, this is incredibly frustrating for her. She usually just points in some direction as a clue that she wants something and whines which then turns into throwing herself on the ground screaming when I didn't hand it to her immediately. This whole time I am usually offering everything in sight that was in the general direction of where she pointed.
It has a taken me a while to figure it out (much longer than necessary), but the thing she wants most is milk. Sometimes she runs up to me with an empty cup and I know she wants more milk. But usually I am only alerted when I hear her crying in the kitchen after she has been in there for who knows how long reaching for the counter.
A lot of these words aren't exactly clear to anyone but me and some she doesn't exactly "say", more like acts out. I tried to teach her sign language (and i am still trying) but she really has no interest. Every time I make a sign she turns her head away in defiance.
No seriously, she does. I can tell she is going to be a peach to work on homework with. And remind me to never even consider homeschooling that one!
But she is communicating a few words to me, and that is all that matters, I cant wait to expand this list.
Some words she is "saying" now at 13 months.
More-Pronounced Mo
Milk-Pronounced Ma or throws and empty cup at you, or screams in the kitchen
No-Pronounced Na with a defiant head turn away. She will then look from the corner of her eye to see if you are still looking, if so, she will do it again.
Yes-Never spoken it but claps, or nods her head up and down. The nod cant be done without her whole body bouncing a little, the whole thing is really more of a dance.
Chip-Pronounced Cheeb, she will copy anyone when they say it but never says it alone.
Cup-Pronounced Umm, repeated many many times. Never refers to it without it in hand or sight so it makes it pretty easy to understand.
Kiss-Pronounced Muah followed by an unmistakable pucker that is all bottom lip with her chin jutted out.
That's all for now, updates coming soon!
It has a taken me a while to figure it out (much longer than necessary), but the thing she wants most is milk. Sometimes she runs up to me with an empty cup and I know she wants more milk. But usually I am only alerted when I hear her crying in the kitchen after she has been in there for who knows how long reaching for the counter.
A lot of these words aren't exactly clear to anyone but me and some she doesn't exactly "say", more like acts out. I tried to teach her sign language (and i am still trying) but she really has no interest. Every time I make a sign she turns her head away in defiance.
No seriously, she does. I can tell she is going to be a peach to work on homework with. And remind me to never even consider homeschooling that one!
But she is communicating a few words to me, and that is all that matters, I cant wait to expand this list.
Some words she is "saying" now at 13 months.
More-Pronounced Mo
Milk-Pronounced Ma or throws and empty cup at you, or screams in the kitchen
No-Pronounced Na with a defiant head turn away. She will then look from the corner of her eye to see if you are still looking, if so, she will do it again.
Yes-Never spoken it but claps, or nods her head up and down. The nod cant be done without her whole body bouncing a little, the whole thing is really more of a dance.
Chip-Pronounced Cheeb, she will copy anyone when they say it but never says it alone.
Cup-Pronounced Umm, repeated many many times. Never refers to it without it in hand or sight so it makes it pretty easy to understand.
Kiss-Pronounced Muah followed by an unmistakable pucker that is all bottom lip with her chin jutted out.
That's all for now, updates coming soon!
Upcoming Posts
The problem with taking some time off from blogging is that life doesnt stop and there are always things I want to share so now I have to play catch up! A list of a few post I want to share...
*The Perfect Cookie Recipe. It is finished! Not trying to build it up too much but it is AWESOME!
*Trip to Tulsa
*Why I need to remove "Gardener" from my resume.
*Why Chicken Fried Rice may never be in my list of perfected recipes. I guess this doesnt need its own post, I can sum it up in 7 words "The Chinese restaurant just does it better".
*Why I hate Modern Warfare 2. That can not be summed up in 7 words.
*A list of A's new words.
I'm sure there will be more by the time I get around to it but these are musts. Hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend.
Peace out!
*The Perfect Cookie Recipe. It is finished! Not trying to build it up too much but it is AWESOME!
*Trip to Tulsa
*Why I need to remove "Gardener" from my resume.
*Why Chicken Fried Rice may never be in my list of perfected recipes. I guess this doesnt need its own post, I can sum it up in 7 words "The Chinese restaurant just does it better".
I'm sure there will be more by the time I get around to it but these are musts. Hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend.
Peace out!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Time for catch up
It has been a few weeks since my last post.
What kind of blogger am I if I cant find time to blog???
Things have been a little crazy here. Not necessarily busy, but I haven't found the extra time or desire to sit down and blog. When the girls are awake we are gone. Trips to the park or pool, running errands or just playing outside in the backyard. The lawn has never looked so good... except for that tree that's dying, and the graveyard of vegetable plants that I call my garden. Spring cleaning fever hit a little late this year and I have been doing everything inside and outside from scrubbing the baseboards and vacuuming the porch ceiling fan to scrubbing windows and the fridge.
Side note: does anyone ever notice how spring cleaning usually ends up with an incredibly messy house minus a few spotless appliances or closets? I usually find myself halfway through a job and up to my elbows in clutter when I get distracted and pulled to another task. Then I have 2 messes where I previously had a neat house with a few small crumbs in the pantry.
Much like what I just did with this post! Now I have 2 stories I am trying to tell.
Just stick with one at a time Sara!
Ok I promise I will, but I just have to say one more thing...
How do baseboards get so dirty in the first place? I can honestly say I have never even seen them touched, yet once a year I take notice and find them caked with crap. Well, not literally caked with crap, but dirt, food, smudges, dust, you name it.
Ok, I'm back.
Aside from the spring cleaning we have been focusing on family time. Sometimes it gets hard to spend time together if I am hunched over in front of the computer or the hubby is doing his favorite pastime, playing Modern Warfare 2.
1 more side note: I have never cared much when WM plays video games, I know many women do but I just dont care that much. Well his obsession with MW2 has changed that, I have started to get a twitch whenever I hear that intro music starting. I have thought about this and i think I can explain why this time is so different. Maybe I should save that for its own post, it might take a while.
I'm not really sure if this post is salvageable after all these side notes but here is the jist of what I am trying to say.
These last few weeks have been less about taking pictures and blogging and Facebook, and more about family time together. When WM and I weren't playing with the girls and basking in their giggles we were working on the house or hanging out with friends. Just some family maintenance time. I think we all needed it.
*If you made it to the end of that post I applaud you... and perhaps question your sanity.
What kind of blogger am I if I cant find time to blog???
Things have been a little crazy here. Not necessarily busy, but I haven't found the extra time or desire to sit down and blog. When the girls are awake we are gone. Trips to the park or pool, running errands or just playing outside in the backyard. The lawn has never looked so good... except for that tree that's dying, and the graveyard of vegetable plants that I call my garden. Spring cleaning fever hit a little late this year and I have been doing everything inside and outside from scrubbing the baseboards and vacuuming the porch ceiling fan to scrubbing windows and the fridge.
Side note: does anyone ever notice how spring cleaning usually ends up with an incredibly messy house minus a few spotless appliances or closets? I usually find myself halfway through a job and up to my elbows in clutter when I get distracted and pulled to another task. Then I have 2 messes where I previously had a neat house with a few small crumbs in the pantry.
Much like what I just did with this post! Now I have 2 stories I am trying to tell.
Just stick with one at a time Sara!
Ok I promise I will, but I just have to say one more thing...
How do baseboards get so dirty in the first place? I can honestly say I have never even seen them touched, yet once a year I take notice and find them caked with crap. Well, not literally caked with crap, but dirt, food, smudges, dust, you name it.
Ok, I'm back.
Aside from the spring cleaning we have been focusing on family time. Sometimes it gets hard to spend time together if I am hunched over in front of the computer or the hubby is doing his favorite pastime, playing Modern Warfare 2.
1 more side note: I have never cared much when WM plays video games, I know many women do but I just dont care that much. Well his obsession with MW2 has changed that, I have started to get a twitch whenever I hear that intro music starting. I have thought about this and i think I can explain why this time is so different. Maybe I should save that for its own post, it might take a while.
I'm not really sure if this post is salvageable after all these side notes but here is the jist of what I am trying to say.
These last few weeks have been less about taking pictures and blogging and Facebook, and more about family time together. When WM and I weren't playing with the girls and basking in their giggles we were working on the house or hanging out with friends. Just some family maintenance time. I think we all needed it.
*If you made it to the end of that post I applaud you... and perhaps question your sanity.
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