Cuz you're a baby!

Yesterday as we were driving, Son looked at Daughter & pointed to his seat belt & said in a very nice but matter-of-fact tone, "Daughter, do you why I'm wearing this?"

To which she looked at him & replied "Huh?"

He simply said, "No Daughter, because you're a baby & you don't anything."

How's that for simple honesty among siblings??? Enjoy your weekend all!

Zooing It!

This past Sunday afternoon, Hubby & I took the kids to zoo where it we ventured into unfamiliar parts enjoying the perfect weather - not too hot & not too cold. Kids loved the dinasour exhibit so had to see that again! I painted Daughter's face like a butterfly (during which she was very excited about & held very still for) while Son did his as a 'monkey'. Daughter & I listened to story time while Son & Hubby made a homemade bug craft. I was quite impressed! Before we left, we walked through a mini-forest that made us feel worlds away from the zoo. What a wonderful day...

A Work of Art

We love our new patio that my Mom, Matt & I made using our old frame (that got destroyed last June a tornado watch & some winds that touched down - along w/some neighbors' tables). It took forever to get to but this sucker is heavy & looks great! Thanks Mom & Matt for making it happen!!!

Having fun in life

One of the things I love about my Dad is his ability to be silly & have fun. Sometimes you just have forget all woes & have fun! Mom & Dad, you're the best & I'm thankful for everything you do so selflessly. We are so blessed to have you for family!

Trekkin' along...

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. Life has been busy & I'll have to bring you up-to-date with some events & pictures soon. Who knows when...

We realized halfway through April, that our weekend schedule was booked through end of June if you can believe it! Crazy!!!

Here's the most recent recap: Son is registered for Kindergarten (where did the time go???), Daughter mimics everything (which is a hoot), Hubby's busy w/his company & I'm finally getting over my post-concussion headache (yeah, I'm a clutz!).

This weekend we have one of our close friends visiting for the weekend which we have been looking forward to for months & going to see the new Star Trek movie. It's more of Hubby's thing while I like the 'Star Trek: The New Generation'. I mean Jean Luc Picard w/his sexy accent, smooth bald head & commanding yet personable presence with his various & passionate crew. It's been forever since we've seen them & we're so excited!!!


Although the laundry monster has once more challenged me I'll postpone that til next week. Some things gotta give... & right now it's bedroom space for clean laundry in hampers. :-) For now, I'm going to enjoy life & time with good friends!

What we do for fun when shopping!

Sometimes when all is right with the world, a shopping trip with my two young kids can turn into a fun adventure for us all - as you can see for yourself! Oh what fun we have on those!

Here kitty kitty!

Happy 10th Birthday to our favorite feline! We hope Mother Nature doesn't have anymore pranks to pull & that Son will give you a day of peace. My how time flies...

What did you just say???

Although we haven't had too many instances with bad words around our house with Son, I'm sure they're on the way. In the meantime, I hope you find this post from another blogger as humorious as I did!

Happy Birthday Hubby!

I grew up wishing on falling stars for a prince hoping to find a prince one day... but I found something better than I could have ever dreamed - my husband. He is truly the man for me & I count my blessings every day that we were fortunate to find each other so early in our lives. After so many years together, we still have never taken each other for granted & have complete trust in each other. He is a wonderful husband, friend, partner & father (not in any particular order) - just like I thought he would be when I met him. I could go on & on about him but will stop so I don't bore you all. :-) Anyway, happy birthday to my biggest supporter of all! I love baby - now & forever!

Lights out!

So for 'Earth Hour 2009', Hubby & I turned off all lights (nightlights included), & reminisced by candlelight all cuddled up together for 3 hours (versus one) while Mother Nature was playing an early April Fool's prank & giving us an all night snowstorm outside blowing 3" of snow on the ground! Thankfully the kids slept through the night & although we didn't make it to the city as planned, these images are pretty amazing.

Some people protest it saying what difference does one hour make? The point is start making a change in your daily life, even small ones & become more aware of your impact on the earth. It's to make a statement that you're willing to try & make a change. That is the difference that Earth Hour makes.

Alas, some things never change...

Recently, we had a nice time spending a week visiting some relatives. The final outcome was... different than expected. Anyway I'm happy to be back home with Hubby & we're excited about 'Earth Hour 2009'! Even Vegas is participating, which is huge given all the electricity they use. Now that would be a cool site to see!

You want to stay & see what?

A few days ago Son turned five! Unfortunately all day he was acting up far more than usual, so to say that it was stressful would be putting it lightly. His aunt & uncle got a coldstone ice cream cake, some cool t-shirts (he was very excited about) & a couple cool toys. Grandma & Grandpa got him some paints, bead supplies, a plane transformer & a Cars sleeping bag (that came in handy after an early morning bed-wetting accident). His Dad & I got him a small gift until our family celebration together. He loved it all!

Funny enough though he said had a terrific birthday, asked to play some of his new toys today & then said he wanted to stay a few more days so he "could see the baby come out of Aunt's belly cuz I didn't see Daughter come out of yours"! After a moment of awe, I told him how "birth was a private thing for mommies & daddies... plus it's kind of messy." He replied with "Can you tell about it?" As I inwardly groaned, not sure what I got myself into, I told him "Tomorrow, sweetie!" Hmmm... he DID want to talk to Daddy so maybe I'll let Hubby have that talk with him! <LOL>

"Don't touch that button!"

During the past few months, Son has discovered the garage door button & while trying to be helpful (or sometimes just in a hurry), he's been pushing the button without asking. A few weeks back, this occurred as we were unloading groceries with my trunk open, that resulted in scraping up the back of my minivan. Since then he's been pretty good about asking beforehand... until a few weeks back.


Son was walking ahead of me while I'm carrying Daughter out the garage door. Before I know it, Son has pushed the garage door button which resulted in immediate screech & groans filling the air. Son has already hit the button a second & third time as I notice Hubby's trunk door open & caught on the garage door itself.


Neither door would budge. This was not looking good; not to mention very expensive to fix! Luckily there was enough room & we managed to pull the car forward & separate both doors from each other without any damage! Unbelievable!

One these times though, I'm afraid Son could do some serious damage!

I Like Fireman!

Earlier Son didn't want to wear his seat belt. I calmly explained the reasons (safety, legal, etc) & he put it on. Later as a fire truck was racing past to answer a call, I told Son how if he wasn't wearing seat belt that he could have been in an accident & needing help too. He said, "I'll tell you what though... I really love firemen!" Ah to have the worries of a kid again somedays!

Feeding time!

Obviously her baby is thirsty!

Yogurt dreams...

Daughter has been a good eater from day one & the other day was no different, except for the mess of course! Maybe she does because of the baths she loves to take afterwards...

My little ski dude!

A few weekends ago, Son went skiing for the first time & did very well in ski lessons. By the end of the day, he was actually turning from side to side without any help. Even when he fell, he laughed it off & got back up to try again always wanting to have more fun. We are so proud of him! Looks like Hubby is going to have his little ski dude after all!

If only everything was that simple...

Today Son heard a dog barking through the windows so he looked through the blinds & said "Dog, you're annoying me." At that time, the dog quieted down & Son replied calmly, "I think he heard me." Then back to his toys he went. Now if only everything was that simple...

Eenie, meenie, minnie... mold???

Right before we unexpectedly cancelled Vegas trip, I was doing some cleaning when I made an unexpected discovery along the exterior wall in our guest closet, which is also where I store all my crafts & surplus clothing. Tucked deep into corner, was mold! Parts of the baseboard are rotted through while the rest creeps up & along the wall. Supposedly it'll only cost about $50 to repair & we've only had to throw out two boxes so far. Sad but better than all my supplies!

The only reason I managed to discover it in the first place was because something dropped behind it & I had to move the storage units to retrieve it. Now we just need to get it out before it gets even worse!

My Daughter's Weakness

Every cat loves catnip... Well my daughter loves these homemade 100% frozen juice popsicles. If she even see them, she will scream like a banshee to see if she can coax one from you!

Very different from the original!

Today I had my Mirena IUD removed because of the increasingly aggressive migraines I got after having it for only just over a year. I agonized the removal process simply because the insertion was so painful for me & basically laid me up for a few weeks. I've never taken to those things well. Ironically, it was exactly what they said it was... a five minute procedure with a little pinch & aside from slight cramping, it was great! According to the doctor, a small percentage of patients


The medications I've been taking have actually been reducing the migraines & now I can actually use some of the lights on in the house. I've even start opening some blinds bit by bit. Unfortunately natural sunlight still hurts like the devil so I still need my 'special' sunglasses. I'll take any progress I can.


Now hopefully my migraines will be gone & I'll be back to 'normal' (as normal as I was - wink wink) by mid April. We were forced to postpone our Vegas trip because of my migraines. I mean, how much fun could we possibly have walking around the brightest town in the United States & go clubbing til the wee hours of the morning when I can't even handle the suburbs? I really do believe everything will work out sooner rather than later.


Now we wait & see...

Just wait about ten years!

This evening Son was watching a 'Baby Einstein' dvd about 'Things That Go' & suddenly exclaimed, "I'm sad, Mom."

"Why are you sad, baby?"

"Because I can't drive!"

Responding with a slight smile & small chuckle, I replied "It's ok baby. Just wait a few years."

"How about when I'm five? Can I drive then?"

"No, you'll just have to wait a few years..."

Please let time pass slower than it has already, I thought.

I'd rather be sleeping...

Ever since my migraines have taken over my life (not to mention my health), quality time with the kids has been hard to come by. So earlier this week after I had put Daughter down for a nap, Son wanted to finish his school valentines. I was so tired (partly from the medications & migraines) & the bed was calling me. Instead I helped Son write his valentines & was floored by the difference a year makes in Son's writing! My baby is getting so big...

Now doesn’t this explain a lot???

Early last week I started taking a different prescription (Topomax) to try preventing some of my migraines. At the lowest level, I still got the migraines along with some nasty side effects. I didn't realize this though until we saw the neurologist early this week who raised the dosage more aggressively (as we had asked). Although the migraines started to make improvement, the side effects kicked into hyper drive! I was only on the higher dosage for a few days but during that time, I was a complete mess. I was talking like a three-year-old with no ability to put my thoughts together, complete loss of appetite (which ironically has made me lose give or take 10 lbs since then), body is constantly weary, bouts of dizziness, nausea & floating feeling. It has minimized the migraines from lasting all day to 2-3x daily which are thankfully usually brief because of the pain medication (Treximet) which also has some nasty although temporary side effects (dizziness, foggy/out-of-body floating feeling, occasional nausea afterwards, heavy head feeling with muscle tension in shoulders & neck). Although all of this is helping me, I am supposed to raise my dosage of Topomax back up again in a few days & I don't want to keep taking the Treximet daily. Bottom line, I don't think I can handle it & will need to try another preventative & pain medication treatment for migraines. Yesterday was the first day I could actually form a sentence without sounding like a complete numb skull!


Soon I'll have my IUD out earlier than planned, which is what I want, but I am not looking forward to the recovery time. I do believe it has a lot to do with the cause of my migraines & hope to see a difference hopefully within a few months time.

My Celebrity Disguise!

So... What do you think of my new look? It reminds me of the celebrities who are trying to disguise themselves without any success, doesn't it? Hubby thinks its simply ridiculous although necessary. The sunglasses have become necessary inside the house as well as outside as the results of my recent migraine attacks which have become now daily (not to mention more severe) making me highly sensitive to light. Now our house (which we built with lots of windows so it's always bright) is always darkened with closed blinds & minimal lights. Medications aren't working so we need the neurologist to get aggressive & do whatever testing can be done to find out & treat the cause as soon as possible! I am definitely not a celebrity & don't want to play or look the part of one.

Dreams of a cleaning army!

Since my kids have so much fun cleaning & love to help (who would turn down help???), we started having Son earn an allowance of fifty cents each day he helps with chores. Hubby says I'm starting to train them early so I can have an army of cleaners as they get older or perhaps I just love the company when cleaning. Actually I want them to learn responsibility early so I'm not picking up after EVERYTHING they do when they're older. Although if I want an army of cleaners that means a lot more kids so maybe we should consider getting a bigger house & finding the fountain of youth... I mean sanity! Thankfully for Hubby, myself & grandparents (not to mention finances) I'm quite satisfied with two children!

Pretend birthdays

A few weeks back, Son made a table out of a box complete with a pretend 'birthday cake' for the three of us to celebrate together. He does love his birthday celebrations.

So he had a blast at his friend's seventh birthday party today. They played games, ran all over the gym (resulting in a few minor injuries), ate lots of cake & opened gifts. Son loved seeing what the gifts were. The dude loves birthdays!

Tasty delays

Son & I bought a gingerbread house down to my nephew's house where everyone pitched in to make this yummy creation. Son & nephew had a ball doing most the decorating!

No sleepy time needed here!

It's so sweet watching the kids sleep. It reminds you of the innocence that thrives in all of us as children. Such a contrast from when they're cranky & tired!

Ready to go home

This week my Mom & I took my two kids to visit my oldest brother, sister-in-law & nephew. It was relaxed week where the kids had a great time playing together & the adults hung out. The evenings were surprisingly busy with various projects. My brother & his wife went on a date night while we watched the kids. What a nice chance for a relaxed visit with family!

The trip is reserved!

Yesterday we reserved our flights & hotel (with reduced costs compliments of my parent's timeshare) to Vegas. In order to save costs, we may have to skip the Grand Canyon tour but are really looking forward to a nice couple vacation together in the future!

For now, we're staying indoors avoiding the plummeting temperatures outside especially with the kids. We have food, warmth & each other to have fun with til the weather decides to 'warm up' to a 'heat wave' of 20 degrees in a few days. Time to break out the crafts!

Not there yet...

Although I'm not there but someday I will probably be then feeling how this video describes... It was a hoot to watch though! Yes, you heard me right... I said hoot.

To new adventures!

Eight years ago (during the pre-kid era after we got married), Hubby & I were planning a week long trip to a cabin in the Smoky Mountains. The six months later he was laid off & we decided to postpone the trip for a couple of years. Two years later & one IVF cycle later, we were pregnant with our first child. Two additional IVF cycles & four & a half years later we had our second child. When you have one or more kids, it's hard to find the time & money to take a vacation alone with your spouse. We managed to get a weekend away alone before our daughter was born which helped us really reconnect.

Before Christmas, we discovered we earned two free airplane tickets. Knowing we hadn't had much time alone or even together during the past few months, we started to plan a trip & considering a cruise (since airfare wasn't a worry & babysitting was arranged). Since then some events have transpired & we have decided to put the cruise on hold for another time. Instead we're considering a couple possibilities including a day trip to the Grand Canyon with a laid back trip to Vegas. Either way, I'm looking forward to spending 'adult time' with Hubby!

The wild ride continues...

Two & a half weeks ago, we were started to celebrate Christmas. Unfortunately our wild ride has continued into the new year.

The beginning of last week, we attended my grandmother's heartbreaking wake & funeral where I somehow found the strength I needed to get through it to support my family. Afterwards we had a luncheon with my relatives where my brothers, youngest sister & our significant others found some laughter & happiness being together again. I was staying strong but grief over losing my grandmother kept creeping up & overwhelming me. I was tempted to just stay home & reorganize the house but decided our family plans for the Adventure Guide weekend to a water park resort would be good.

So last weekend, Son had a great time playing with the other kids & I really enjoyed meeting the other parents. While he didn't enjoy the water slides so much because they were dark & cold, he loved the kids' indoor play area, indoor water park & riding the tubes in the wave pool. Saturday night, Son kept waking up ALL NIGHT crying & kicking probably from a reoccurring nightmare (we think). Unfortunately we were both woken up repeatedly & Hubby kept getting kicked each time Son woke up. Sunday morning we were both exhausted physically & emotionally so we spent the afternoon at the indoor play area where Son played & made the most of the tickets he'd won.

After a long drive home, we unpacked & then Hubby started feeling off. So I let him do his thing while Son 'took care of Daddy' & then I put the kids to bed. Now normally Hubby's fine after about 20 minutes but 2.5 hours later he wasn't improving. A neighbor came over to watch the kids until my in-laws arrived while I took Hubby to the hospital where they admitted him. Luckily it was something fixable but it still scared me until Hubby started getting his color back & feeling himself yesterday afternoon.

When the kids to visit us at the hospital (so Son wouldn't worry) they did pretty good & were entertained by the cheerful staff & a 'doctor outfit'. I insisted Hubby stay (while the nurses & doctor agreed) that he stay for another day just to safe, especially since my mom & Hubby's parents were staying with the kids while I watched over my man. Yesterday he checked out & we both came home. Thankfully he's back to normal without any problems so far.

Did I mention how I'm ready to get off this 'ride' yet? I really hope the new year doesn't continue this way.

Thankful for small moments

Last week I had a fabulous day. After taking Son to preschool, Daughter had & I had a fun morning playing hide-n-seek & chasing each other around the kitchen. After picking Son up, the kids & I all took naps. Son woke up from his nap in a great mood & crawled into bed with me where we came up with a game plan for the remainder of the day. He watched a short cartoon & I finished a book until Daughter woke up. We had a late lunch, played 'band' (we all play pretend instruments) on the way to the grocery store (where Son was pretty good for a 4.5 year old) & sang songs on the way home. I was feeling absolutely overjoyed when I got home, thankful for the reminder of the simple joy felt during these simple happy moments with my kids (especially with my grandmother's passing). Just goes to show you that sometimes the sun does shine through clouds.

Doesn't Daughter & her new baby (compliments of Grandma) look like twins??? And this is what we call Son's 'creepy smile'! Try to relax boy.

Holiday moments to remember

Welcome all to 2009! The end of last year (boy, does that feel weird saying!) was a wild roller coaster that I'm still recovering from.

We braved the weather & traveled to have a fun Christmas Eve with Hubby's relatives;

Then Christmas morning we opened presents & had a breakfast casserole (prepared by Hubby this year) at our house (when immediate family is invited to join each year to share Christmas morning with us).

That was followed by massive amounts of presents & a delicious dinner at my parent's with my family.

I've never met anyone who does Christmas like my parents, especially for ten people including kids, grandchildren, my great-aunt & grandmother. Check out the fifteen stockings hung from the fireplace. Santa had his work cut out for him!

Surprisingly three of my siblings (plus a few significant others), almost all the grandchildren, a few of my uncles, & my grandma even joined us.

Let me say as the oldest of five, that it is no easy feat to get three or more of my siblings & I (plus significant others & kids) in the same place at once (especially with two siblings out-of-state). Unfortunately that's common these days with a large family.

There was a moment between my youngest sister & Grandma where they were both laughing so hard. Looking back, remembering my Grandma so happy, makes me especially thankful for the wonderful last memory of her. Little did I know it would be our last one with her.

We then went to my oldest brother's for the weekend (where most of the family met us there) to celebrate Christmas there with them as well since they couldn't make it up.

The kids had a fabulous time together, especially when everyone played hide-and-seek with them in very unique spots!

A few days after Christmas, Hubby & I went to a Broadway show with my sister-in-law & her Hubby, compliments of in-laws. What a great Christmas present! The show & music was amazing.

The night before New Years Eve, we were getting ready for the big night when a cannonball dropped on us. My mother called about midnight with news that my Grandma had passed away that evening in her in her sleep at 82 years old. I was devastated (as were other family members) & fell apart. Yes, she lived a long life & went peacefully & I'm thankful for that; but her health was improving so much that nobody expected it. Then again I guess nobody really does. How were we supposed to celebrate the new year at a party? I tried to block it out temporarily but thoughts of her kept me crying all night & throughout the day as we got ready for the party (which we already paid tickets for). The next morning my eyes were so puffy that they it looked like I was getting silicon implants in my eyelids! Did you know it is easier to apply eyeliner when you're eyelids are swollen? Oh yes!!!

After we dropped Son & Daughter off at my folks (who welcomed the distraction) on New Years Eve day, we drove to the city with my youngest brother & his girlfriend where we met my sister-in-law, her Hubby & their friends. There I managed to forget for a while, dance & enjoyed a fun evening out. That was until after the midnight toast when I made the mistakes of having three shots of tequila, all within 30 minutes! For the third or fourth time in my life, the last few hours were a blur. Definitely not the smartest thing I've done, so obviously I won't be repeating anytime soon. All in all though, it was a great night laughing & dancing with family & friends.

Santa can only be so cool...

The other day, Son was watching a commercial (that happened to have been on his christmas list) when he turned to me afterwards & said, "Santa's great Mom, but he didn't get me that toy.". It was all I could do to turn my head, stifle a surprised laugh & reply, "Oh really?"

Such honesty in kids!