NYC

So. Joe's 20 year reunion is next weekend in Saranac Lake, NY.

We are all going. The whole family. Driving to Brooklyn for a few days, to see Joe's grandma, then up to the mountains.

I'm either a brave, fierce mama who is taking life by storm! Adventure! Excitement!

Or.....

I'm incredibly clueless and delusional and facing a road trip from hell.

Please, keep hope alive that number one is the correct answer.

So, the plan. The Museum of Natural History, Coney Island, Katz' Deli, a Mister Softee ice cream, Central Park. It's gonna be spectacular.

In other news:

The Squeeblis is crawling. And standing oh-so-tall in his crib. Height=Loudest Screams Yet.

The speed at which I lowered that mattress was astounding.

Jello. So sweet, yet so frustrating...

Student of the Month

Betcha can't tell who the boisterous parents are.

Update

All is well. Things are busy. Nonstop, actually.

Joe is working 65+ hours a week. I miss him like crazy. But he is doing what he loves. He is cooking. Finally in the position of head chef. And I couldn't be prouder. Joe is so good at what he does, and so good at managing people. He keeps his head about him, stays cool, gets the job done. And is respected. It is amazing to watch.

Seth is in West Virginia with his dad for two weeks. He is fishing, hiking, cooking. Rick taught him to ride a bike yesterday, and thank God. Honestly, I was dreading that. Seth fell twice, then took off and rode six miles on a mountain trail. I miss him and worry incessantly while he's gone. I also enjoy the little bits of time I've had to myself. But I want him home.

Jackson! Still not sleeping through the night. To make myself feel better about that, I've just resigned myself to the fact that I'll NEVER. SLEEP. AGAIN. Then, if it happens, I'll be pleasantly surprised. He enjoys the hours of 3AM to 5AM. Party time! WOOHOO! I sit on the sofa, waiting for him to calm down. BET happens to have jazz on at this ungodly hour, so that is nice. He is also sitting up, crawling a bit, and has two new teeth. And will eat anything you put in front of him.

He is, without a doubt, Joe's clone.

Liam

What do you say to a woman who has lost her child. Her baby. A piece of herself. With her in spirit forever, but gone in the physical realm.

Liam.

A name that is embedded in my psyche.

I do not know Kate or her family. I was drawn to her story through Amalah. Filled with all the hope in the world for Ben and for Liam. Checking a blog several times a day for updates. Crushed and sobbing when I read the news of Liam. Questioning God.

I want to scoop her up. Ease a pain that must be all-consuming. Every day, I send out what I can only describe as a mamamojo. To Kate.

To Arcenia. I have thought of you since Liam died, and thought of little Kevin. Knowing I should call you, and also knowing that I am not ready. One day, very soon, know that you can talk to me. I want to hear of Kevin. My nephew. Here in spirit, in the wind, in the trees, in the sun. Much love to you, my sister.

And to you, Kate.

Express Yourself

Seth was in trouble a few weeks ago at school.

Shocking, I know. But it happens.

He had to write about it.

The paper started with "I wish I was..." and he had to finish it.

"I wish I was happy and in nacher rite now it would be outstandingle sadiesfing."

Amen, son.

The baby, he likee the pork

BUSYBusybusybusyBUSYEEEEEEEEEEEE

Here. Here is my calendar.

Add work to it. Four days a week.

Oh yeah! And add housework. Motherhood. And yes, as it says in the corner...bathing pigs. Guinea pigs.

Um. I've been busy.

Jeanne, this one's for you.

You Are a "Don't Tread On Me" Libertarian

You distrust the government, are fiercely independent, and don't belong in either party.Religion and politics should never mix, in your opinion... and you feel opressed by both.You don't want the government to cramp your self made style. Or anyone else's for that matter.You're proud to say that you're pro-choice on absolutely everything!

What's" Your Political Persuasion?

Gratitude

Thank you, Willowtree. That was super cool of you.

And just so you know. No whining or complaining from me. Why, you ask? Because I am ABSENTMINDED AS HELL. Which means:

1. If I were you, and had missed my post, it would not have been because of computer problems. It would have been because I am ABSENTMINDED AS HELL.
2. Because of said absentmindedness (did I spell that right?), I thought I should post again about the mugs. And then promptly forgot.

Thanks, also, to all who have come by to check out my kitchenware. And the blog. I've never had sixteen comments, ever. When I saw "16 Comments," I just knew some sort of debate had broken out in my comments section. A debate over...cups? Plates? What?

This is what parenthood can do to a brain...

So what are we doing next Monday?

There are no words

Needs

Jenny has this fun little thingamabob on her blog. You go to Google, type in your name + the word "needs," and let the fun begin.

Heather needs...

1. Men! Now!
2. Two therapists
3. A childhood
4. Some bodyguards
5. Gatorade
6. A name
7. New boobs
8. Financial support

OK. Men! Now! May I pass on that one? Got enough men, thanks. Two therapists...mmmm, no...the one will do. A childhood. Nope, had that. Some bodyguards might be nice. They'd be bored as hell, though. I can always have Gatorade. Got a name. New boobs? Ohhhh alright. Financial support? Yes please.

No Rest for the Wicked

Yeah...so after a chat with my mom, I decided to begin sleep training with Jackson.

*insert scary horror movie music here*

Man, it's TIME. He is five and a half months old. He is a fat lil' chunk of baby love. He is eating people food. Is it necessary to wake up every two hours at night for milk? Or is it just the want of the boob? I think the latter. Which is cool. But.

Must. Sleep.

Work+Mommyhood+Housework=SheerAndUtterExhaustion.

So!

Last week, sleep training began. Joe and I agreed that a night schedule of nourishment every four hours was the plan. We have had two really bad nights. Nights of screaming. Constant reassurance to the Hunger Beast that all is well. He is safe. We love him.

He has slept straight through the night three times now. Ten, eleven hours at a time. Oh, how wonderful the sleep must have been, you say. How rested you must be. How refreshed!

I have woken up on those nights every two hours. Like I've done for the past...oh...six months? Maybe seven? You gotta include the incessant peeing in the last trimester of pregnancy. IT COUNTS.

Mother Nature has a fucked up sense of humor.

Thanks Mom! Campaign

I emailed everyone for whom I have addresses. For those who do not know, check it.

The link to Trevor's story is absolutely, 100% heartbreaking.

Donate. It's free.

Ready. Set. Bumbo.

Tough Love

From Cathy. I laughed for a good ten minutes.

Also, tried this with Seth. It didn't work.


Tough Love vs. Spanking
(a psychological conundrum)

Most of America's populace think it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of "those moments."

One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk. They usually calm down and stop misbehaving
after our car ride together.

I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique.

What makes 'em tick?

It is so wild, the things that can make a baby laugh. You're just sitting there, making random faces and uttering strange sounds at the baby, and they suddenly burst into laughter.

The camera shakes a bit on this one, because the strange, make-Jackson-happy sound is accompanied by a head shake.

Monday Monday

The chickas over at MamaDrama turned me on to this. Ya'll should check it out. Today's quest, from Willowtree:

I would like to see your favourite Coffee Mug. But wait there's more, I'd also like to see your favourite glasses for a) non alcoholic drinks and b) alcoholic drinks. If you want extra credit you could also post your favourite plate. Note I said favourite, not best.

Well, this appeals to me. Not only do I like to collect glassware, but I like to drink.

Coffee cups...because I have FOUR favorites.



Non-alcoholic beverage cups. Got these bad boys at the grocery store, four for a dollah. Make you hollah.

Wine glass. We have about eight of these. In different colors. What I love about these is...

1. This purple glass is one of the first gifts that Joe bought me, and...


2. I can pour half a bottle of wine into one glass. Then, when I'm stumbling around the house, laughing uncontrollably and craving cigarettes, I can justify it by slurring, "But I'f only had one glasssss."
   

Alcoholic beverage glass. Er. Glasses. Pick one. I love them all.

A plethora of wine glasses.

Favorite plate. With cow creamer for style and added effect. I have eaten off this plate since I was a kid.

Two Years

Hanging with Dad

Playin' video games and eating chicken...

In honor of returning to work

First day back at work. It was slow, thank God, because I'm a bit rusty. I was welcomed back with a delightful couple on table 25.

Me: "Hi folks. What can I get you to drink?"
Him: "I do not eat chicken. I eat nothing with feathers. I am on a diet. I do not want a lot of fat."
Me: "The portabella melt is scrumptious..."
Him: "Gimme the burger. With blue cheese. But have them squeeze the fat out of the patty. And I want one onion slice, cut a quarter of an inch thick."

On a diet. Righto buckaroo. Maybe not on a diet, but definitely a FREAK OF NATURE.

I gave him the requisite bullshit server answer.

"I'll get right on that."

If you ever hear your server say this, they are blowing smoke up your ass.