365 in 2013

Okay my goal is to do a 365 photo & blog for the year 2013. Not only will it help me learn more about my camera but  will FINALLY stop procrastinating and do what I keep telling myself I will do tomorrow. Plus I really need to soak in the kids little moments.

 

So here we go!

 

Today is not day one but NYE. Amirah is at her friend Aubreys having a sleepover, Kai just got a nice dose of Benadryl and headed off to bed...yes, she had a runny nose...ok, ok no runny nose maybe a sneeze here and there. Heck it's 11pm I need that kid to sleep.

 

And Nate is FINALLY asleep himself. Poor guy has a 3 week long virus. We have been to the dr and the hospital a million times and the poor guy cant catch a break. Apparently he has a virus *unknown name* that attacks his lungs. Well when we started breathing treatments, he broke out in a rash. We stopped the breathing treatments and the rash faded after 3-4 days but his lungs got bad again. Dr said we have to treat his lungs in order for the virus to leave his body. So we are back on Xopenex 4x every 4 hours as well as Zyrtec 2x a day, Zantac at night, and rotation of Tylenol and Motrin every 4-6 hrs.

 

Gah, I am WHOOPED.

 

So here is to him healing quickly.  Not to mention I really REALLY need him sleep "trained" before Randy leaves.

 

This whole waking up every 3 hours for a bottle is killer. And yes, it's not my first rodeo...I know the whole, "well let him cry".

 

Look, I'm glad your kid cried a good whole 6 minutes and then curled on up to sleep in his/her bed but no...Nathan cried an hour and a half...AN HOUR AND A FREAKIN HALF.

And no, it's not me who is "aww I feel so bad"..it's more like, "OMG I AM GOING TO RIP MY HAIR OUT JUST GO TO SLEEP ALREADY".

 

so basically I need some  heavyduty sanity meds or I need a week vacation while someone else does this "training".

 

I will follow up with progress though. Hope it's day 2 or 3 that we get it down. rotfl who am I kidding. lol

 

Oh and yes, I do know I do photography and Nathan has YET to have his first birthday pictures done.

1. Hello, did you not see where I said I am a procrastinator? seriously...I could win an award for that. sad, I know

2. he's been sick for 3 weeks...I want my boyhappy

3. procratination with his clothing choice lol eventually I will find something cute.

 

And no, we did not have a "party"

We celebrated with family as I did my other kids. Yes, I LOVE birthdays...heck I am OBSESSED with birthdays. They are a HUGE deal. When I met Randy I found it so strange that he NEVER celebrated his birthday...since BIRTH. :(

So yes, we make it a HUGE deal and make the birthday person feel VERY speacial that day.

But...he's ONE...I think he slept most of the day...

And like one mom said, birthdays are becoming VERY competitive like Pinterest is awesome and all but hot dang it's  crazy. "who can have the biggest, most coolest, creative, super awesome, yummiest birthday EVER?!" and then heaven forbid two kids have a birthday 3 days apart and it's war!

no thanks, he enjoyed his OOH LA LA cupcake with mama...alone. (:

And let me tell you, it was THE BEST way I could have spent it.

just me and him...

enjoyin his birthday and eating his cupcake as I soak in each of his beautiful features (eyes and smile are TO DIE FOR on this kid).

Now, next year come his 2nd birthday...be prepared...

IT'S GOING DOWN!

rotfl kidding

 

I guess for those just reading...you MIGHT want to know exactly who I am. However I am sure you already know...or not.

 

I am Amanda. I am married to a man named Randy (though I call him Eugene)who is without a doubt my soul mate. We have been together 9 years and married for 6 ::wow that went fast:: We laugh..a lot...about the silliest of things. We have traditions...especially for holidays or birthdays. I am not at all a materialistic girl. If he bought me a piece of expensive jewelry,more than likely I will yell at him for spending too much money that could have been used towards a bill. LOL I prefer dinner, a movie, and just me and him time. ::insert heart::

Our relationship is not like a "common" one. He's the cleaner. In fact, if he is out of town working...more than likely the house is a disaster. Yeah, just NOT my thing. And cooking...well I got better. It's not that I can't..I just prefer not to. I do love to bake though. I could bake and bake all day! So yeah...cooking we rotate (that is when he is home from work), cleaning... well

he usually does the dishes because I can't stand to them and honestly they will sit in the sink and I could care less.

I do the washing, drying of laundry and we both fold and put up.

I do the "pick up" around the house and he does the deep cleaning. He loves it, he's OCD about it. See we make the perfect pair. lol

I am stubborn and sometimes mean. I am not the woman to be told by a man to "get up and make me a sandwich" or "wheres my dinner woman".

You will be castrated within minutes...my husband or not...

if you have balls

I will remove them

slowly (:

We LOVE animals. We have 3 dogs and 3 cats.

He is not a cat person but to live with me, you must love cats.

so he "lives" with em lol

He made me fall in love with him  all over again when

1. he called me one day to tell me there was someone giving away a male tuxedo  kitten. ::gah:: seriously? you dont like cats but you know I just DROOL over a precious tuxedo furball?! (Oreo is now 7 yrs old)

2. Not long ago I saw a helpless baby opossum and he got out and saved him (captured with a blanket and put it in a field) all to make ME happier. (:

God love that man.

He is seriously amazing. he is by far my biggest supporter in everything I do. He does so much for our family and for me...I want nothing more than to show him my appreciation.

Maybe I can sucker up my hatred for cleaning and just start doing it

or hire a maid and call it a day.

ha, at least its clean right? lol

I have 3 stepchildren

Jaylon, Haley, and Brandy whom we dont see as often as we would like but

enjoy the time when we do.

Together we have THREE children.

 

Amirah (UH-MEER-UH which means Princess in ARABIC)...she is 8...she is my perfect child. My first born, my heart.She is the sweetest person you could ever meet. She carries her heart on her shoulder and I knowin the future I will punch someone in the gut for taking advantage of her kindness. She thinks about everyone else...all the time. She is a giver. A giver of love, hugs, smiles, sweetness. She is tall for her age and often mistaken for being older. She is a bull in a china closet, bless her soul. She could sing and dance all day. Loves to learn anything and everything. Could live outdoors. Born a mermaid. Never used floaties. Fell in the pool at 10 mths and floated like she was born to be in the water. Has the MOST beautiful skin ever. It's like melted caramel and oh so yummy. I had the worst pregnancy with her. I nearly died delivering her. I would do it a million times over for her. I expect so much from her and too often fail to show or express my appreciation and love for her and that is changing. I will stop saying, "just a minute" or "hold on". I will listen to every word you have to say. I will hug you more, kiss you often, and hold your hand at every chance you let me. I will get in to a doctor. I will get medication to help with my depression. I will. There is no more tomorrow. It is today. For you my child I will change and be a better mommy. We will have mommy and mira days...always. I love her more than words could ever express.

 

Kailah Jade (KY-LA means beautiful in Hawiian)...5 years old going on 30.Mama's baby J. The spit fire, tornado, firecracker, little sheldon. From the moment she was born, she was a handful. I cried almost every night because this child would not sleep. Then she turns 1 and doesnt EVER eat solids until 3 yrs old. Autistic. Smart. LOVES bugs. Loves nature. Asks a million questions. Has the most expressive face. Dramatic. Will put you in your place faster than you could blink. Always teases her big sister but they are the best of friends. Doesnt do change well. Loves mac n cheese. Will make you laugh until you pee. Independent. only cuddles when SHE wants to. Mamas girl.

 

Nathan (if you cant pronouce it, please exit this blog). just turned one. Mamas boy but loves him some daddy. Has the biggest most heart melting brown eyes ever. A smile that will make you drool. And curly locks that make any woman jealous. Very independent. LOVES LOVES to dance. Goes to sleep easily if you rub his ears or play with his hair. Enjoys eating but his tummy disagrees with most foods. Attached to his almond milk in his "baba". Sneaky. Adores his sisters. Sleeps in bed with mama. giggles a lot. says "mama".."daddeeeee"..."hiiiii"..."noooosh"...and "taaaak eww (thank u)"

My last little indian. My baby.

 

So that's my kids. (: A few more things about me and I will end this novel.

 

I love my hair. I prefer it curly and get offended when people suggest I go straight. I don't do diets. I eat a lot of southern yummy goodness. I could eat seafood everyday....like raw seafood. yum. Starbucks is my addiction. Chocolate cures everything. My pets are like my kids. I hate animal abusers. I am super family oriented. My mom is my best friend. I hate letting my parents or anyone down. I am my own worst critic. I tend to let people take advantage though my goal is to get a little meaner. lol I love new movies. I dont do summer well. I love fall. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I was born a writer. I hate math. I jam to country music. I am a night owl. Mornings are the worst. I love my siblings. No matter what they do wrong...I will ALWAYS hold their back. I fight with my last breath for my kids. I vaccinate my kids and avoid those who refuse to vaccinate theirs. It disgusts me. I like traditions. I dont like to travel. The 90s were the greatest years. I always have my cell phone in hand. I recently got cable for the first time in...um years. lol I am cheap. I hate complaining. I get excited over coupons or a great bargain. I never shop for myself. I often feel guilty for stupid things. I still wear clothes from highschool. ;)

 

Ok thats enough for now...I wrote my novel.

It is now

JAN. 1st 2013

365 begins

 



One of the greatest proud mom moments ever!

I am a writer. I always have been since I was wee little. It's easy for me. As a child I struggled with speaking and understanding, something doctors call "expressive and receptive language disability". It took a lot of hardships, a lot of bullying from others, and a lot of prayers to get the answers. I don't understand the simplest of directions, so what might sound stupid to you....really is difficult for me. I am full of determination and never let my disability be used as a crutch. I push myself hard and sometimes end up in tears, not able to verbally get the words out... so I turned to writing. When I put pen to paper, it just flows...the emotions, the feelings, everything all wrapped around my brain just pours onto paper. Sometimes I just can't stop, it feels good, it's a release and I feel so much better in the end. I can write about anything and everything...even things I don't care to write about, might take me longer but I can do it. I struggled with reading, loved it and still love it but I struggle...not the actual "reading" in itself but comprehension. Sometimes I have to read a book 5 times just to understand what it is saying.

I enjoy writing about life experiences, humor and drama...you name it, I start and don't want to stop. I have gone back and forth on whether or not I should write a book or not. I aqm the WORST decision maker not to mention procrastinator. lol Just pretty much not sure exactly what I want to do. Anyways, let's get to what this blog is all about.

I went to Amirahs Reading Restraunt today. It is when first grade puts together a little cute activity for the parents where they show off their reading skills with their favorite books. I showed up and was greeted by the teacher who shouted, "Amirah, party of one!" And here came by mocha golden little princess, smiling with her beautiful gap filled mouth from recent tooth pullings all giddy and excited to seat me at my table. We sit and she can barely talk she is so excited to see me and what she has prepared! I admit I have missed a few of the parent parties as I was so sick when pregnant with Nathan so this was fun for both of us! :) She told me to pick which book I wanted to "order from the menu" and I picked her favorite, Fly Guy. She begins reading and I snap a few pictures and record her reading. She is doing so great! She too has struggled with reading for some time and we are thankful to have a teacher this year who thinks positive unlike her teacher last year (who btw is retiring, THANK HEAVENS!). Amirah loves to read although I find scraps of paper and tons of filled notebooks of her "journal writing" throughout the house more often. hehe She read from signs and really has an all out love for learning which I hope she continues to have.

So she is reading book after book, even brings me a snack to snack on (so cute!) and her teacher swings by and I tell her how proud I am that she is doing so good and reading so well. Her teacher nods her head and says, "Yes she has come a long way and is doing great with reading! But let me tell you mom, this girl has a passion for writing and she sure is good at it!" OH MY GOD....my heart stopped, tear drop fell...I beamed with so much love. I have never been more proud. Writing? You mean, she is like me? I knew she loved to write...and now that I think about it...I cant get her to stop either! She writes on everything and about everything but mostly about her life experiences. Oh child of mine, my heart is so happy and I am so proud!

Mother's Day

So Mother's Day is fast approaching...what a gift, being a mother that is. It is such a blessing and joy to be a mom. Yes, I will be the first to admit it has its crazy, hectic, and chaotic moments but all in all...it is wonderful and I would never take it for granted. My children are my world, my number one priority in life....They come before any and everything. I can't stop staring at them, looking at those features on those tiny little bodies that my husband and I created...the little pieces of me. I grew these little creatures in my womb, I gave them life, and I will protect them forever. Each one has their own little quirk and personality; nothing brightens my day more than seeing these tiny people bloom everyday, even if it is Kailah and her crazy "fits". I wouldn't change them...not one bit.

I want nothing more in this world than to be an amazing mom. My mother is...I can't even put into words what she is because she is that amazing. An angel in disguise. She is my bestest friend and I look up to her so much. I hope I can be half the woman she is. My mother is always there, through thick and thin...my saving grace when the world feels like it's collapsing below me. She is my strength.... always pushing me to do better, go further, and never settle. She has the biggest heart that sometimes gets taken advantage of but because she is a child of God, she forgives them and prays. She has a strong will and determination, always wanting to help the less fortunate. She would give her up her last penny if it helps to put a smile on someones face. She is awesome and I can't thank her enough for all that she has done. If I could give her the world...I would, in a heartbeat. <3

This mothers day I don't want anything money can buy...Lord knows I could use a shopping spree, a hair trim, a massage, and mostly my eyebrows threaded lol but no, I really just want to soak in the love and laughter of my children. They are growing so fast, too fast...and it's beginning to hit me...hard. I regret a lot, wish I did more but most importantly I promise to be better and do more with them. That glass of spilled juice...let's clean it up together, the flooded bathroom from too much toilet paper....let's laugh about it, the temper tantrums....let's all take a deep breath and hug...for a long long time. And most importantly mommy promises to take better care of herself, for the sake of her children. My number one goal is to get back on my "happy medication" so I can come out of my dark hole and be a better woman, wife, daughter, sister, and mother. I tend to focus on my childrens well being and health forgetting that my own health is declining quickly before me. So this mothers day I want to focus on getting better for my children and savoring their little moments. I love how they see small things and turn them into such big creative things using their imaginitive little minds. They don't ask for much, just to be loved and guided in the right path. If I could keep them little forever, I would but then again it is so beautiful to watch them blossom into their own independent beings. I know the day will come, as it has happened already, when anger strikes and they shout, "I hate you"....and I will do as my own mother once did and smile, responding, "oh but I still love you!"

I hope they know how much I love them and that I will always, always fight for them...with every last breath I have, I will hold onto them and fight for them. They are so beautiful, so smart, so silly and have so much wonder in life. I hope they never  lose any of it and never change for anyone.

Thank you God for blessing me with three precious children. I will forever cherish them and their little moments.

 Happy Mother's Day!

True Life: I'm a Starbucks Addict

It's true...I admit it...I'm an addict...and I need an intervention.


I once worked at a Starbucks...many moons ago when Amirah was an infant. I loved it...nothing better than free coffee all day everyday. Plus I learned so much about my little habbit. I did quit because I got into it with a manager...thats a whole 'nother post! LOL


But my love for that divine espresso stuck around. I used to get Frappachinos (never call them fraps or frappes..Starbucks law) but then I was intruduced to espresso shots. Oh sweet girl scout cookies I fell in love. That was it...my life forever belonged to Starbucks espresso. Not to mention the mocha is ever so thick and richly flavored! mm yum!

My usual drinks are:

double tall mocha with whip (whole milk only) OR
Iced triple grande upside down caramel macchiato extra caramel drizzle (whole milk only)

YUM!!!!! I'm drooling just thinking of it...although I do have one in hand at this very moment ;)

So over time I've become very addicted....I had my third baby and WAM BAM SHA-LAM Im drinking coffee like an infant drinks its milk.

Im also picky about my location and who makes my drink. I mean come on, I'm paying for it..I expect nothing but greatness. So I usually visit the Kingsland and Mason location...love my baristas there! holla!

Okay so lately I'm trying to cut back on the coffee...its just a must. I need this intervention like no other and I have come to terms that it is time. I drink coffee like my brother smokes cigs...relaxtion...control...content...everything is better once you have it. And yes, caffeine is like a drug....you can get addicted and its hard to break away...becoming "sober" is difficult. The headaches are the worst not to mention my moods go insane. So I have to break away slowly. Im not quittin...oh no...if I quit, I'll be a mean you know what and nobody wants that. LOL I just need to cut back.


Okay so Im cutting back...I go two days without one...just to see what happens. WHOA...headache was brutal and I wanted to gut everyone and everything in sight. I was not a happy woman. So the next day I went in for my "fix"...seriously this stuff is my crack.

I order my double tall mocha.....and get this, homeboy says "oh its on the house!" WHAAAAAT? great free coffee...its perfect, its a dream come true for a day but seriously I need to pay for it so I can spend my last pennies and be done. What-ev...theres always tomorrow.

Following day...I order my double tall mocha again. They place a "double tall latte" on the counter and nobody claims it....then they place my drink on the counter and then proceed to ask if I would like that unclaimed latte for free. UGH! dude Im in the middle of an intervention here...you're killing me!

OF COURSE i took that free drink. Its like asking a crackhead if they want free crack...take it and run...run like you stole something! lol

And here we are today...i go in as usual and today I ask for an iced double tall caramel macchiato. I grab my drink and the barista says, "I added an extra shot for you...i know you like three shots usually...its on the house."

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! WHYYYYYY????!!! Do they know what they are doing to me?? ::sighs::

no worries, I didnt turn it down...I drank it in record time. SCORE!....not. :/

So anyhoo, wish me luck as I break free from this insane little addiction. Im trying to get down to at least one coffee a week for now...and eventually one every so often. But until then....Im wired and always wanting more...more espresso...the taste is so...well its so good I cant even put into words. Eventually I may be left with no choice but to go cold turkey and become a mad woman.

Bleh! Oh Starbucks....why must you be so delicious?

It's like...Spongebob?

As usual, every morning I get up and take Mira to school and come home to begin the day with my youngest two before sending Kai off to school. Well Nathan has been in a good mood today...laughing and smiling and everything Kailah does he thinks is just so hilarious.

And boy does she soak it up...like mother like daughter. Get us going with our theatrical movements and silly facial expressions and we just dont stop!

As you know, Kailah doesnt each much of anything....she never ate solids until she was over two years old. Part of her OCD and autistic behaviors. Well she loves...absolutely LOVES

MAC N CHEESE :D

So I whip up one these handy little singles like usual and place it in front of her. Usually when I offer her new foods...i cross fingers and hope she likes it or at least tries it. This however is something she loves so I didnt think she would "criticize" it.

Well she starts playing with it and staring really hard at the noodles individually and Im thinking ohhh crap, now what. By the way she has started this new sideways face talk and its really weird yet so entertaining and comical. So of course she gives me this sideways face look and starts telling me why she wont eat the mac n cheese.

this is that sideways face

She begins to say, "um mom, these noodles are really spongy...you hear it? it goes squish, squish, squish...like a sponge. It's um...kind of gross. I really dont think I can eat this...this...spongy noodle thing. Somethings wrong with it." *and she flicks it around making the squishy sound all while making that sideways face.*

Of course Nathan just finds this humorous...or maybe hes just laughing at all the gas he continues to pass. But hes gigglin up a storm.

I try to explain to her that the noodles make that sound because of the cheese and whatnot...basically making up some crap just so she can eat it...but Oh no...cant fool her...by golly this kid is too smart and quick on her feet than me.

She says, "Mom I really cant eat this...its like Im eating Spongebob and thats just not right. I'm not hungry anymore but you can leave Spongebob here....maybe Tyson will eat him."

UM okay? So now "spongebob" sits on my table and Kailah goes without lunch...nothing new for her. She settled for some water and a few bites of pretzels and she was good to go.

All while Nathan is still laughing and by now I'm convinced it really is his gas thats tickling his tummy. My favorite part is when Kailah shouts in her little southern twain accent

"OH Nafin Cha'les...you are so silly!"

Let me introduce you to some new...eh hem...critters..?

Please refrain from judgement...it takes a brave mom to come out and explain this horrid situation which actually occurs to many families....they're just to scared to admit thus causing greater...well a HUGE infestation. But hey, its reality...so lets talk about it...I need to vent and maybe you can share some thoughts..? Okay lets get started!

So lets flashback about a month ago....

Hangin' out at the house and I notice Kailah is scratchin away at her head. So being the mother I am and knowing all the wonderful things kids can catch, I decide to check it out...praying to GOD its not what I think. Oh but low and behold...yes its LICE! ugh, yes you may vomit...i did too. FYI: for those uneducated about lice...anyone can get it...ANYONE! you can be the cleanest person on the planet and still catch lice. They just happen to love kids ;) especially at school where they all hang out, hug each other, share jackets, hats, you name it...lice love it! Well Im disturbed as any parent would be...then I think Oh crap...my other kids! So I check Amirah and yep...shes got em..dang! Check Nathan...nope...check Randy...nope. Check me...nothin'. So I sit and think....trying not to panic

This is me...thinking....hmmm...

Okay both kids are missing school...I gotta get rid of this...this little critter! So I shoot both teachers an email to let em know and be aware. Only to have a reply saying, "oh yeah, a kid in the class had it last week". WHAT THEEEEEE...... AND YOU DONT LET PARENTS KNOW??? This is Katy ISDs great new plan of "lets not do routine head checks and when a kid gets it...dont let other parents know"...oh smart...now let the infestation begin. UGH! Anyhoo...i head off to the store and puchase the expensive products to treat...bomb...kill...terminate...these bugs and everything else imaginable. Let me tell you, this stuff is insanely expensive!! Come home...douse the girls head in this shampoo and let it sit. After the time is up...we head to the tub to rinse and comb....OH EM GEE....*vomit* these suckers are falling out...one by one...some dead...some alive...some adults...some teeny ones. Im disgusted but continue to comb and comb...by now the girls are crying...im crying...its an awful sight. I feel like an awful parent but I know now there wasnt much I could do...the critters were gunna show up no matter what...they love my kids head. By now im wanting to threaten the school..the district...everyone. How dare they stop routine lice checks...how dare they not inform parents when kids in the class get it. Im not ashamed...it happens...just let me know so I can prevent it from spreading,etc. Anyhoo I treat the girls...bomb thehouse...wash everything you can think of in hot water...replace brushes..etc. I even blow dry and flat iron their hair...heat kills the eggs.

a week later...retreat...didnt see any but you still gotta retreat.

Its the following day..Friday...OH EM GEEEE i get a call from the school nurse, "um your daughter, Kailah, has lice" WHAT THEEEEE....ummm yeah duh lady I treated my kids because I FOUND IT, NOT YOU...I DID!! AND IVE BEEN TREATING FOR A WEEK NOW!! I get rid of them and they flippin pop back up! UGH! The joys of kids spreading little critters back and forth...only the parents of the other kids dont know because the school wont tell them or the parents gave up on treatment. Im furious....

i take Kai home and pull Mira out too. We go home...I check heads...NO LICE. Whatever Im treating again. By now my kids head is red, inflammed, itchy, and burned. UGH, now I feel awful. I treat the house AGAIN.

And its Monday...I return necessary forms (ridiculous if you ask me) and return children. Oh and by the way when I return the kids...the nurse has to check their heads...as we walk into the school, Kailah is telling everyone she sees..." I DONT HAVE BUGS ANYMORE!!!"...niiiiiice...thanks kids.

Alrighty...lice free! Oh and let me just say I have been putting grease, hairspray...you name it to keep these suckers from coming back. And for weeks I see no sign of itching or bugs...i check daily...wash their sheets, stuffed animals, hair brushes, scrunchies...everything is washed daily.

My water bill was $80 this month! :(

Okay so...hello...its today...Friday Feb 24th....I notice Mira scratchin her head....

Its a BLOODY LOUSE!!!!!!! So here i am...treating this damn house again and little heads. Poor kids know the routine now. Im beyond frustrated. Im running out of ideas. Almost desparate to dye their hair...it kills and prevents them from coming to the hair. I shoot an email to the teachers..."oh well idk where its coming from..no other kid has had it"....OH GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK...I still have the email where you said yourself another kid had it...PLUS i spoke to the nurse who said they had an outbreak with 3 other kids in the same class so dont act like its coming from my house. UGH!

Anyhoo...I just treated their heads...AGAIN....then I put an olive oil conditioner in it and Im leaving it in all day...suffocates the eggs and helps comb them out (oh yes, im a pro at this now). No worries, if we come in contact with you...my kids arent "contagious"...i killed those suckers. I cannot wait for summer...to be lice free for good and get out of that awful school!

Just when you think it can never happen to you...ohhh think again...it can. I have plenty of stories to share...joys of being a parent. Some would gross you out...some would make you cry...and others will make you laugh. I enjoy every minute with my kids. I dont call myself a SAHM...Im not...never will be...its not me. Its for others...but not me. I love my kids but I need to work...Im very independent and I need my sanity. I dont like my husband to be the provider alone for the family, although he has for the last year and I am ever so blessed. But its time for me to go back...

GOOD GOD...i got off topic...thats a whole 'nother post! ;)

But yes...I plan on traveling back in time and sharing past experiences I have had with my kids. I may even write a book...not sure.

But if you happen to see your kid scratchin at the scalp...its prolly a louse...and where there is one...there is tons more.

Didja' know in NY they actually have a salon made specifically for lice removal? pretty cool!

Well Ill keep ya updated on these critters...hopefully i knocked em out for good and I can keep them from coming back. If ya happen to have some remedies of your own that i havent tried already, please do share. Remember...it happens to the best of us! Aint it great? :D

And Mother of the Year Award Goes to.....

Sorry it took so long to get this post up, I had to get my little chickens all settled. And yes, I promise to make more blogs. Its really hard from a cell phone. LOL

So I went to JCPennys today to get an outfit for Nathans Sip & See tomorrow and it literally took me 3 hours! And here is why...

I get Nathan all settled, fresh diaper, feed him, and hes knocked out. Yay, I can actually shop without hearing a screaming baby....well mine that is. I'm looking around and find a cute top! Yay! Okay its been 30 minutes and of course Nathan wants to wake up for attention. He gets fussy and I try the paci to no avail. Im trying to figure out what I will wear with this top as I look around and wonder if this is what I should wear tomorrow. Well he starts to scream his head off. Im thinking what the heck, youre fed and fresh diaper, what is wrong kid? I pick him up and rock him as I'm pushing along the stroller hoping to find something. Next thing I know I get this awful smell and Im thinking Oh great, he made a poopy (words used only by mothers lol). As happy as I am that my infant just made a poopy because he has tried so hard all morning to have one, Im a bit frustrated because now it means I must change the stinker. I haul off towards the bathrooms, hide my adorable shirt in a rack so no one takes it since I cant obviously take it with me into the bathroom. I get back there and an employee tells me that the bathroom doors have just been painted and to be careful. Um thanks dude, just gunna stand there and watch me push this stroller with a screaming baby into the bathroom all while avoiding touching the paint? yep, he just stood and watched...typical man who obviously has a mother that did not raise him right. shame on her. Well I did it, made it in successfully...almost wanting to take a nap on the floor from the struggle I just went through but that would be gross, plus there is a baby that needs his poopy changed :) oh and this is the start of the great journey. I go to change him, talking in my baby voice to calm him and HOLY CHEESE STICKS there is crap everywhere!! It literally squished out of the diaper and was all the way up to his neck. Im trying not to vomit and cry as I pull the onesie off trying to avoid getting poo in his hair, which I failed greatly at. Then I wipe him down with wipes and put a fresh onesie on. BTW I threw that stinker in the garbage as a present to the donkey standing outside the door who didnt bother to help with the door. Maybe next time he will be courteous. Okay, baby is now fresh...lets get a move on. We head on back to continue shopping and I find some pants to go with the cute top. Of course, guess what? baby gets fussy! I check the time and discover OH MY BANANAS we have been here forever, its already time for him to eat again! which I had this all planned to where he shouldnt eat again until we got back hom but yeah right, what kid goes off a schedule? not mine! So I make him a bottle and prop it up on a blanket so I can continue to shop. Wait..I know what youre thinking. She did WHAT? yep, I propped that sucker up....I am THAT mom. Guess I dont win the mother of the year award. Oh whatever, this aint my first kid...he shall survive! me on the other hand...well lets continue this story because I almost didnt survive. Okay so we are headed to the dressing room, baby drinkin up his formula and me trying to squeeze a stroller into this lil cubicle of a dressing room. I try on the clothes and yep, I love it but I need a bigger size ( I dont like tight fitting clothes even if they do fit). Well baby begins to fuss. He finished his bottle. I go to pick him up to calm him down as hes screaming his heart out and last thing i need is a saleswoman knocking on my cubicle..eh hem i mean dressing room. Yep, pick him up and OH FRUIT LOOPS he just puked alllll over me. I start to cry, he cries more....yes i wanted this outfit but not THIS size! and he just ruined it. Oh dear, this is where I sit on the bench and cry, cursing my husband for being at work and missing out on this grand experience. I remove the clothing and we leave the dressing room. Me, being the nice person I am, find a saleswoman and tearfully pass her the curdled formula soaked clothes that I wont be purchasing and explain what happened. Bless her soul, she smiled and thanked me explaining its not the first time. Oh thank heavens, i feel slightly better. I then find the sizes I need and hurry to check out. I realize we have been at Pennys for 3 hours!! And I have to hurry to get my other two chickens. I decide that i owe myself a Starbucks for the heck I went through so I swing on in. I pull in and yes, it begins to pour down rain like no other. Literally like cats and dogs. Im thinking, crap i gotta get the baby and try to make it into the store without falling or getting drenched. I didnt want someone to call social services for leaving my baby in the car so I had to take him in. No, I would not leave my baby in the car. I parked out in an area away from other cars so I could jump out, get in the back, grab his seat and GO! Oh but this little heffer of a woman driving a BMW pulls up next to me going over the white line. grrrr I wanted to jump out and jump her like im from the hood...but I didnt....I wanted to but I didnt. Okay, on the count of 3 im jumping out and hoping in the back to grab baby and then we run. 1...2...3...and we are going...*open back door, hop in, close door* and now we get the happy little man out, grab the credit card and place in the mouth and get ready to make a run for it. *grabs door handle* WHAT THE HELL???? it wont open!!! Freakin child locked my butt in here!!! ughhh! I put baby back in carseat ( of course he gets pissed because he thought he was going somewhere) and I crawl around my car to find a door thats not child locked. Believe me, all of america in Starbucks watched me climb around my car like an idiot. I finally made it out and we ran for it. Get inside and Miss BMW says, Oh why on earth did u bring this baby out in the rain. Bitch dont test me. OOPs, no I didnt say it. I thought it...but instead smiled and said Oh i needed coffee and where there is a will, there is a way. :) I finally got my coffee, got my outfit, and we picked up the girls and made it home. the bittersweet moment of it all was when I was at Pennys, I sat in between all the chaos and fed Nathan the rest of his bottle. Two other moms with their infants, doing th same. We started chatting and discovered all three of our babies were born December 14th of 2011. We were so amazed at how cool that was and we shared stories and the babies cooed with each other. At least I wasnt the ONLY mom who heaven forbid brought her baby out in this rain! LOL

so thats my story...and Im sure we will have more to come. As chaotic as it was, its a memory that I wont forget. Gosh, I love being a mom! =)

Every mom needs red wine

I was introduced to red wine today...dont ask what kind, I dont know...it was just really good. I sipped...yum, this is delish! kids start bickering...another sip...ah heck, just gulp it down. mmm even better. And before you know it, its gone. Would you like another glass mam? Sure dont mind if i do! pour myself a nice tall one and keep sipping away. Baby begins to fuss....gulp...gulp...gulp...husband informs me baby is crying. Glass in hand, huh what baby? just kidding...feed baby and continue sipping. Lay baby back down and turn to grab glass....what the hell? who drank my wine? *pours self third glass* mm yummy! Wonder if my mom will notice the bottle missing....? Husband informs me hes ready to go. I casually ask, "but honey dont you wont a drink? pina colada maybe?" we dont have wine at home...i need to stay here. :) Kids are bickering again, baby is crying...fine i guess we better go as i chug down the remainder of whatever glass number this is...i lost count because someone, i dont know who, keeps drinking MY wine! Now headed back home and I pull out grocery list....scratch off milk and replace in bold RED WINE. yup, every mom needs red wine. :)