The Family "Guide"

So I created a Schedule for our family.  I am actually calling it a guide.  This is because I am not so ignorant to believe that this will be followed like a true schedule.  I mean, I do have a 2 and a half year old and a 12 month old.  I mean, shit happens (pun intended).  :) 

But really, I have been thinking about this,and the truth is, if I did work a full time job outside the house, we would have to have a schedule.  I think over scheduling can be a bad thing for kids, but I have included plenty of free time in the guide to be sure that we can catch up on things we may not get to. Or times where we may go outside of the house, or we might stay in.  Depending on our moods, the weather, etc.  I am excited about this, and surprisingly enough when I talked to DJ about doing something like this, he actually agreed it would be good. :)  We will see how much he really likes this guide however. 

This also has set (earlier) bed times for the kiddos.  I am starting to see how important this is, because the truth of the matter is, no matter how much Maddie does not want to go to bed when it is time... she is SOOO much happier of a kid when she does go down early rather than later.  AND, I can surely see a difference in mental happiness for myself :)  And, as much as I would love to play the part of "being all about my kid" a happy Mom really truly equals a happy husband and family!

Even after dinner, the thought ran through my mind of leaving the after dinner mess go till tomorrow.  BUT, it is not in the schedule- so if I do leave it go till then, it will just throw the day off.  So, I cleaned up tonight.  Again, if I worked outside of the home, I would do things NOW, I wouldn't put off.  So, I am going to be running this house like a tight ship.  More for myself than anyone else...but I truly know that it will make for a happier family overall.

Oh Geez!

When I decided to do NaBloPoMo, it was with the idea that I would actually write some interesting blogs. So decent, reading worthy blogs.  But here it is 10:25 and I am beat.  And that means no creativity.  So this will be a boring blog.  And I probably cannot promise that it will be my last boring blog. 

Tonight I went to see a business coach.  It was free because of the Mommy and Me Networking group I belong to.  It was awesome!  Tomorrow, it is on my plan to sit down and really go over the things I learned, and implement them.  I also have a lot of calls to make tomorrow.  It will be a busy day.  And then tomorrow night comes Biggest Loser.  WAHU!  I LOVE BL. 

I promise to do my best to get some pictures up in the near future, and to blog about our awesome weekend.  But for now, of to bed I go. 

It's HEEEERRRRREEEE!

What you ask?  NABLOPOMO! 

I am super excited.  I know, I am a dork.  It is a challenge for bloggers to post EVERY Day!  And it begins today the first of November.  I did it last year, and I really enjoyed it and at the end I felt a bit like I had finished some therapy sessions or something. :) 

This weekend was a very fun. busy, exhausting weekend.  I am very happy for the extra hour we got today.  And I actually got to enjoy it as the kids stayed the night at Nanny and Papas.  However, I probably will lose any benefit to that extra hour of sleep tomorrow, because today was so exhausting for Maddie that she went to bed at 5:30!  So... I am planning to be up at 3 tomorrow.  lol. 

Well, I am feeling a little lazy, but my intent was to post pictures of the weekend for this blog.  So I might go downstairs and post them in a bit.  But I wanted to get this blog out there to start off the NaBloPoMo fun right away! 

Guess What??!!

It's Fall. I LOVE fall! AND guess what that means??? That means many more blog updates from me. Infact, I plan to participate in the NaBloPoMo again this November, and in general, I do plan to update my blog regularly. I gotta get in practice for NaBloPoMo. :)

Till we meet again Dear Blog Readers!

They say to make something a habit you must do it for 28 days. I finally think they are right! I have tried to do many things for those 28 days in order to establish a new habit. Dieting, exercise, Cleaning, etc. And I have never made it through the 28 days. Until this NaBloPoMo. And this is why I now believe the habit. I can't help but to come on and blog. Even though I have given myself permission not to. But, it no longer feels like a complete day if I haven't blogged!

Last night, Maddie got sick! Threw up all in her crib. Poor Baby. It was 1:00 in the morning, so needless to say- I changed her, cleaned her up, and left her crib as is until the morning. I hate fighting with the matress and crib bumper to change the sheet and it is certainly not something I wanted to deal with at 1 in the morning. Not to mention, that I just couldn't let her sleep alone feeling icky and all.

So she came to bed with DJ and I. Which is a rare event for her. So, she got her second wind and had fun being in bed between us. She finally went back to sleep at... 3:00am! Ugh. It was not fun. She woke up for good at 6:00 when Cameron woke up for his feeding. Ugh again!

She seemed to do OK most of the day. But I was still pretty leary about whether she was actually feeling better or not. She was very cuddly and whiny all day. Around 4:30 she finally crawled up on the couch with me and feel asleep. We both slept until 6:30. She was very whiny when she first woke up which leads me to believe she is still not entirely up to par.

I myself, am not feeling too well.

Cameron, he has a bit of a stuffy nose too. His little nostrils are so tiny as it is, the poor boy has such a hard time breathing when he is a bit stuffed up. But, he still was pretty smiley and happy tonight! That boy I tell ya, he sure is becoming a cutie. Talking to his little dinos on his swing, and anyone else who will talk to him. Also, the best is how he will just snuggle into my chest and relax and go to sleep. Like he has just been waiting his WHOLE life to relax in my arms. Yes I realize his life is only 8 weeks long! But still, for him that IS a long time!

Anyhow, this is just one of the many things that makes being a Mom so amazing!

The Last Blog

for NaBloPoMo that is. I feel kinda sad about it. I feel impressed that I actually did it the entire month.

I am not going to kill myself over blogging everyday in December, since it is December after all. But, I certainly hope that the habit of blogging each day has stuck with me. I have honestly enjoyed it.

Today I got a lot accomplished at home. Still have much more to go though. But boy does it feel good to be getting somewhere. The room is cleaned out and ready for the crib and changing table to go in. I am hoping to just get it done the rest of the week. Tomorrow I want to go get the shelves I need for the new "office" downstairs. Hopefully I can talk my hubby into putting them together tomorrow night. Then Wednesday and Thursday I can organize all of the stuff and get them put away. We rearranged the furniture downstairs and put the treadmill back in the corner. We will be using that thing regularly in the next month. When I start training to start training for the 3-day walk.

Also, I need to get the basement set up for my home based business. I really want to win the 2009 trip. It is to Disney World and it is for a family of four. This means we can take our kiddos. January happens to be double point month for the trip, so I want to get my butt in gear and really start working my business. Well, to do that well, I need to get my "office" organized. I keep putting Office in quotes, because I consider an office to have a door, and well this does not. And, it is being set up in an unfinished portion of my basement, which does not make me happy. But we do not have the funds to finish that portion, so it is what it is. I am going to do everything I can to make it comfy and a great work space. Wish me luck!

Well, I am off to clean up my kitchen. The rest of my house has been neglected today while I worked on Cam's room and the basement.

Quick Blog

I have to do a quick blog because my computer is about to die. ANd well, I am too lazy to get up and go plug it in. Also the kid needs to eat soon, and so I need to get it in before he wakes up and starts fussing!

Today I went to my nephew's Hockey game and unfortunately they did not win :(. Maddie was over tired, and that was not fun.

My kids have had a crazy half week! But it is all coming to a close now- well at least for a while. Until Christmas rolls around. We are not doing our Sunday Family dinner tomorrow, so this means Maddie can get to bed early, and we can have a calm night at home. However, during the day, we are working on Cam's bedroom/the basement.

Wish us luck! Hopefully soon I can post some pics of Cam's room!

Black Friday

So did everyone get the deals they were looking for?

I wasn't really looking for any. Just the fun of going out shopping. A great tradition with my BFF.

This year it didn't really feel the same. We only hit a total of three stores, but it took all day this year. We also started later than we usually do, and well, it just wasn't the same. Don't get me wrong, I am still glad we did it. But there is just something about waking up when it is still dark. We also used to start out our day by hitting the McDonalds and eating some breakfast. Then we would go over to the stores and stand in the crazy lines. Then we would hit Starbucks for a PEPPERMINT MOCHA. YUM, my favorite and you can only get it this time of year :).

However, this year was quite different with 2 under 2 in tow. First last night Cam decided to stay awake from about 4-6 and had two, yes two poopy diapers within that time. Poopy diapers are never fun, but they REALLY stink between the hours of 4 and 6 am. No pun intended. I finally got to sleep by 7, and woke up at 8:15. I am supposed to pick up my BFF at 9:00 am. Needless to say she got a "Can we push it back text".

I got to her house around 10:30 am which is actually quite good for starting the day at 8:15 and getting myself showered, the kids fed, dressed and diaper bags packed. Stroller and kids loaded into the car.

We discuss the whole starbucks situation, and we decide to do a quick stop at a Target for her to run in and get us some drinks. I stay in the car with Cameron who cries everytime the car comes to a stop, and Maddie who is saying Please continuously (which sounds suspiciously like CHEEEESSSSSSSEEEEE) because she saw the peanut butter and jelly sandwhich I packed for her in the diaper bag for lunch.

I will say the Peppermint Mocha WAS super yummy, but the ambiance of the first sip just wasn't the same. :)

BOth kids did really well, and I felt like a Super star walking through Kohls with Cam in the sling. ( I am still surprised at how many people are in awe of the slings. I thought they were more common lately.) All of the people in the massively long line Ooohed and Aaahed at my cute little man. And he IS a cutie, it is not just cause they have been standing in line for the past half hour that they were so smitten with my handsome guy!

I bought only one true Christmas gift. But, I got a lot of things for me and Maddie. However, ALL of these things were very much needed. I got her a hat and gloves, I got me some new lounging pants, and some new walking shoes. (I have to start training to train for the 3-day- yes I said that right!)

I also got Maddie the one toy I wanted to get for her. I have seen it pretty much every where for $60.00 and I got it at Kohls for $40.00 I am pretty sure that is a good deal. And probably will not see it any cheaper this year. So make that 2 true gifts :) I also got her some stocking stuffers!

Anyhow, here's to the beginning of the Holiday Season! Hope you all enjoyed your day. Wether you decided to go out and brave the crowds and or stay in and put up your Christmas Decorations.

I am Thankful

I am thankful for so many things. But here are the first 10 that come to my mind:

I am thankful for my family.

I am thankful for my friends.

I am thanful for being home with my kids instead of sending them to daycare.

I am thankful for all of the support I got from family and friends when my Mom passed away.

I am thankful for the recent birth of my second child, and that he is a healthy and happy boy.

I am thankful for my very energetic, and very smart daughter and all of the smiles she brings to my face on a daily basis.

I am thankful for my wonderful husband and all the amazing things he does for me.

I am thankful for the 31 years I spent with my Mom.

I am thankful that my daughter sleeps throught the night, has since she was 7 weeks old, and that my Son seems soon to follow.

Wordless Wednesday

Her shirt says it all!



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Writer's Block?

I surprisingly have had no problem finding something to blog about each day. Until now. Call it writer's block maybe? I can't believe this thing is almost done and that I have almost blogged for 30 days straight! I will say it started to become somewhat of a habit. But it was much easier to blog in the morning. I am pretty tired and worn down by the evening time and it makes it hard to come up with something to say.

Tomorrow is the biggest bar night of the year, and I am excited to report that even after 2 kids, I will still be participating in the pre-thanksgiving day fun! My sis is taking my kiddos which is super cool of her, especially since she is the one hosting T-day. Don't you think!?!

I also am one of those crazies who goes shopping on Friday. But this year, I may be crazier than ever. I cannot find anyone to watch the kiddos on Thursday night/Friday morning, sooooo my BFF and I talked about it and decided to be crazy and take the kids with us anyway! Please think about us that day and wish us luck.

I guess you could say it is an obsession. Those of us who love to do it totally get it. Those who don't love it, do not get it. But my BFF and I have been doing it for I think the past 4 years. And now, it just wouldn't seem the like the start of the Holiday Season without doing it. So we are not going full out this year, we will be starting the day by heading out at 9:00am instead of 5:00am. We will shop for a few hours and then stop for lunch. Truthfully after that, we will probably be going home. I have a feeling Maddie will be done. But, I at least HAVE to go out, somewhere for a little bit.

I am also hosting a Black Friday sale for my home based business which shall remain nameless on the internet. So hopefully while I am out spending money, I will also be making money! That is what I love about my business... that I can even do that! Oh, and if you are interested in finding out what the sale entails, leave me a comment and I can figure out a way to get you the information.

Darn Global Warming!

That is right, it is snowing! I LOVE Snow! (in November, December and January that is)

I was doing dishes this morning and looked out the window. I got all excited when I saw the flakes coming down. And then I thought... "Why am I getting excited?" the snow is NOT like the snow we got when I was a kid! I wish it was, for Maddie's sake. But this thing called Global Warming is probably what has caused the winters to be so dull anymore.

I remember making HUGE forts with my friends. Ones we could actually crawl in. We made snowmen- ones that actually lasted more than and couple days. And then there were snowball fights. In fact, this is how I started a friendship with the "new" kid on the street. I asked him if he wanted to have a snowball fight. We stayed good friends all through High School and still see in each other when he comes into town.

But probably my favorite childhood winter memory is the year my Dad built us an ice rink IN OUR BACKYARD!! How freaking cool is that! It doesn't stay cold long enough at one time to do that now. NOT that it matters cause my hubby would NEVER get his butt out of bed in the middle of the night to keep the rink going. My Dad had to set his alarm every couple hours and go out there and spray another layer of water on the "rink". Anyhow, I remember having my cousins over to skate on our rink, and it was so fun.

I guess when it is time to take Maddie iceskating, we will have to go to the boring indoor rinks around here. ;)

It's been a week....

...since I cried about my Mom, for my Mom, for my children's loss, for my loss, for my family's loss etc.

It's interesting cause I had a talk with my Dad last Saturday and he mentioned that I needed to get over it- for lack of a better word. And I promised him that I was OK, DOING FINE. And well, I thought I was. And, I am now, but I am no longer sure I was before.

Is this confusing? Yeah, well, welcome to my thoughts.

This might make more sense (or make you more confused, which I apologize in advance about.) But, SOMETHING HAPPENED. To me, last Sunday night. And I am not going into detail. Why you ask. Hmm, cause you all may stop reading my blog because you think I am crazy. And my family and friends who read my blog might try to have me committed. But something happened, and the truth is that I am not even sure I can explain it. I am not even sure I really fully know what happened myself.

But let's just say... the hurt was taken away. I am sure my Mom had something to do with this.

But again, the hurt is gone.

No more crying randomly throughout the day.
No more feeling like I am going to throw-up.
No more having trouble breathing when I think about her being gone.
No more just general sadness and moping around.

I guess I DID need to get over it. I guess I WAS worse off than I thought I was. I think that is why this SOMETHING happened. Cause I needed it more than I thought I did.

Weekend Update

Last night we had a fun sleep over at my friends house.

Our kids get along very well. It was fun. The kids played dress-up. It was a first for Maddie, and I could tell she thought it was pretty cool.

We watched Kung-Fu Panda, and the kids went to bed about 9. Then Mindy and I watched Baby Mama. It was pretty good.

Well, I have no more to say tonight....I went to bed at 2 last night and the night before that Cam was up from 1-4.

My Little Baker

Maddie helped me bake cupcakes for Daddy's hunting trip.

So I am sitting here trying to think of something profound to blog about. But then the funniest thing happens and so I have to share.

I hear Maddie in the kitchen and by the sounds I can tell the baby gate is not shut to our landing for the backdoor. So I look and I see her pointing and saying in her little demanding voice "Sit"! To our Dog Max. He is down on the landing and she "shuts" the baby gate, but of course it is not locked. So she comes proudly (in a cocky way) walking out towards the living area. But not to my surprise Max busts through the gate to open it. This makes a much more threatening sound than what it is and suddenly the smirk on Maddies face disappears and she looks worried and she comes running into the living room.

It just made me laugh because to think she was so confidently telling him to stay out there. hee hee. She will yell at him to Sit even when he IS sitting. It is pretty funny.

Today we went to story reading time at the library. It was cute. I think we are going to move up a class though. It was for birth - 17 months. And she will be 17 months in just a couple of days. I felt like she was the bad kid in the class, but really I think it was just that she was the oldest. All the other babies sat in their parents laps and nicely listened to the story. Miss Social Maddie wanted to go over and put her hands all over all the kids. During story time, while the others were being quiet, Maddie is saying "Hiiiiiii" with cute little waving hand to each of the kids. Then laughing at herself for being so cute. She also, kicked the boy next to her while trying to get out of my hold. And she stole books from the littler kids during book sharing time. Then she ran her forehead into the table in the classroom! (she gets clumsy right before nap time which is 11:00 and the class started at 10:30)

Needless to say, I think she should do better with kids more her age or even older than her.

I think I saw a glimpse into my future for when Miss Social Maddie goes to school. *SIGH*

Wordless Wednesday

Maddie's new thing... she unzips her PJs and walks around the house like this.


And Cam, his typical face, but it sure is still cute, isn't it?

Go HERE to see other Wordless Wednesday Participants

I stole something yesterday

Yes, I hate to admit it, but I did steal something yesterday. But you see, it really wasn't my fault! (do you notice this theme in my blog lately of not taking responsibility for my actions?)

I was in the doctors office and next to me on the table was the October Rachel Ray Everyday Magazine. I am leafing through it and right in the middle is a little tear out booklet with a week full of recipes. Complete with one of those handy shopping lists. They are pretty much ALL good recipes. So I sit there, thinking about how I really just want to tear out this little booklet. I try to rationalize why it is ok for me to take the booklet home. And finally I end on it still being "stealing" as innocent as it may seem. So I decide NOT to take the booklet out.

But here is what happens and why it is NOT my fault!

I keep turning pages and all of a sudden... BAM! The booklet falls right into my lap. That is right, It falls out of the Magazine. I decide at that moment that it is meant to be that I take the booklet with me. And so I did. Ok, ok, actually I ended up taking the whole magazine. ;P (I didn't want some other reader to be disappointed when they see there is supposed to be a booklet with 7 recipes and a shopping list, and they can't read it!)

So I am going to hell in a hand basket.

But here is how I am making it better so that the booklet/magazine wasn't stolen in vain. Tonight, I am making one of the recipes from the booklet. Cross your fingers that Karma doesn't kick me in the booty and we end up with burned pork chops.

Maddie, Cam, and Me!

Well, I haven't done much updating lately. So this is just going to be a post with some baby updates.

Maddie is such a little stinker. She LOVES her brother to death. If she could she would just squeeze him and hug him all day long! I am not sure yet what he thinks of her. I hate to say it, but he already seems annoyed with her if you will. I am sure it is to early to tell, and I am sure soon enough she will be making him squeal with joy, but it is really funny. When she lays a hand on him, he already pulls aways and grunts.

Maddie only likes to feed herself, she has become very helpful too. She takes Cameron's diapers and puts them in the trash. I can ask her to pick up things and put them in her room and for the most part she will. Sometimes she gets distracted on the way there. I can tell her to take Cam's empty bottles to the kitchen and she will put them on the counter. She gets me diapers, and pillows etc. She loves to help. She also now says Mom. It is pretty cute. I mean she used to say mama now and then, but now it is a lot when she wants something. Mom, mom, MOM, MOM, mom. She also constantly wants me to pick her up. I am not sure if this is because of Cameron and having to split my attention with him. Or the fact that right after my c-section I couldn't hold her for a while. Also, she has been giving the best hugs the past few days. Full arms around my belly type hugs and snuggles. Those never get old!

Cameron is loving his swing these days. he gazes up at the little guys that dangle from the mobile. He is just starting to smile a lot now and even make some cute noises. He LOVES to snuggle. He is going to be a Mama's boy for sure. I am ok with that. ;) He is doing pretty well at night. I think it will only be a matter of time now before he starts sleeping through the night. (Maddie did at 7 weeks, which is only a week away for him now.) We still have yet to get his room put together. I am hopeful that will happen soon however. One other thing about Cameron is that he is already ALL BOY! This baby farts and burbs like a grown man! And his farts honestly stink up the room! I have NEVER had Maddie fart so bad while I was feeding her that I had to hold my breath! With Cameron this happens often. Sometimes he stinks so bad, I think for sure he has a full diaper. And much to my surprise when I change it, it is empty! Geez. Who knew!

Anyhow these days, which are tiring and exhausting are also fun, and full of love and happiness. And what more can a Mom ask for?

Just Tar and Feather me now!

Maddie, Cameron and I are listening to.......

Christmas Music!!

This all came about because Maddie turned the stereo on and for some reason it was on a station talking about Sports. Ugh. So, I went over to change it, and got the bright idea to turn it to 100.3 the station in Detroit that plays Christmas Music 24-7. :)

It is not my fault. I got a phone call from my new friend Katie inviting me to a MOPS cookie exchange, and an email from my GNO (girls night out) group talking about picking a date for our exchange. PLUS, on top of all that, when I look out my window, the trees here are lined with SNOW! :)

Oh, I love the holidays! I have to hold myself back right now from going downstairs and getting some decorations. DJ would kill me. Plus I have a strict rule about not decorating before Thanksgiving.

That reminds me... I have to set a date for my annual card signing get-together. The past three years or so I have had friends over to sign, address and stamp our Holiday cards. It is fun to do it with some friends.

Ironically enough, my Mom's favorite Christmas Song just came on the radio. Little Drummer Boy. I can actually see her singing Per-rummp pum, pum, pum. ;) If I got those words wrong, that is just me. I always just make up the words to songs. If you can't understand it, just fill in the blank.

Ok, gotta go. Maddie is NOT happy about me being on the computer! She wants to dance some more to the Christmas Songs!