child abuse at the gym

I had such a good work out and diet day yesterday that I was really excited to go to the gym this morning. I had gone about an hour earlier than usual and had the children's room to myself for the first few minutes. Today I showed up and there were tons of unruly children and the treadmills were in use so I had to do the elliptical. It's okay, but I feel like I accomplished something if I run for 30 mins. Anyway, I set Ralphie, buckled in his carseat, next to me instead of in the corral. If I put him in the corral without Schmitty he screams the whole time.

Back to my story. I put his carseat next to me and started my little elliptical workout when I heard a commotion followed by a screaming Ralphie. The carseat had somehow tipped on its side while he was still strapped in. I stopped and set him back up thinking that I'd put him too close to the pedal and kicked him over. (Very embarrassing in a room full of other mothers.) Afterward, a woman told me that he'd actually reached out and grabbed the pedal and that's how he flipped over.

smarty pants

It looks like (unofficially) we're moving back to Offutt in the summer, probably early June. It's coming fast and I'm already getting nervous. There's a lot to do.

I'm a genius today. I went shopping and bought some Easter candy only to forget and leave it on the counter for Schmitty to discover. He's usually all over that kind of stuff but I managed to yell at him to get out of the kitchen before he saw it. I also bought some German candy to send my neice and nephew only to discover it's filled with brandy and whiskey.

I went to the gym, as I usually do, but the treadmills were taken today. There are only two so I was kind of mad, especially because the people on them were walking. I don't know why it irritated me so much but it did. That whole room annoys me. I was thinking that I have my own treadmill, I could save myself the frustration but it's downstairs facing the circuit breakers. That's unbearably boring. Running in place in the basement staring at the circuit breakers. Maybe it'll be a better set up when we move.

a bird? a plane?

Who the heck knows. Schmitty and I went to the optometrist today. I need reading glasses so I stopped by the BX and picked up a $12 pair. I also have to go back for glaucoma tests because my "cups" on my optic nerves are too big. (It should be noted Yago couldn't stop giggling about my big cups when I called him.) Schmitty has a slight astigmatism but the dr doesn't recommend glasses yet.

Now I feel like an old lady with glasses perched on the end of my nose.

Retraction?

I was considering writing a retraction to my "evil" comment but I think it's clear to anyone who knows me that I wasn't actually insulting the program, more my willpower.

I don't have much interesting going on today but I'm a little sad about Clinton's fledgling campaign. I was really rooting for her, I still am but I'm becoming discouraged. I really think she has more to offer and a solid vision backed by plans of action. Obama is inspirational but I don't think he'll be able to do what he's claimed capable of. He's beginning to understand that as evidenced by his backpedaling on the campaign reform agreement he had with McCain.

Also? Castro has stepped down. I've been waiting for that for 15 years. I've never understood our policy with Cuba and don't understand what the Cubans in Miami are after. It's never made sense. I don't foresee a whole lot changing under Raul but it's still a big deal that Fidel's not in charge anymore.

I wish I had more interesting things to post but I don't. It's almost lunch and I'm still in my jammies procrasting a shower.

Another embarrassing moment

Today I went to the alterations shop because I ordered a skirt and it's a little big in the waist and a teensy bit longer than I wanted. I stopped by to see if it could be fixed on base because they wouldn't touch the dress I wore to my wedding. (Keep in mind, the dress wasn't a "wedding dress," just a party dress.) Anyway, I was wearing jeans and a sweater with some cute new kitten heels so I had knee-high stockings on. Well, they ushered me in to a little fitting room to put the skirt on and I had to walk out in front of what seemed like dozens of guys waiting in line wearing a black skirt with my big white knees showing over my old lady knee-high stockings. To top it off I got to pull up my shirt so the guy could pin the waist.

The worst part (besides showing off my white whale belly that housed two children) was I'd just eaten the big lunch mentioned below so the skirt wasn't really that big. Embarrassing!

Diet Power (or Diet Weakness)

A while back Yagopuchae purchased a program off the web called Diet Power, I'm convinced it's evil. You have to log every morsel you eat and it calculates the calories and your metabolism. In the morning it asks for your weight and then measures it against your goal to tell you how many calories you're allowed. Did I mention it's evil? I went out to lunch today and now I've eaten 1,000 more calories than I'm allotted. Of course, Yago has to turn everything in to a competition which means I'm losing against Diet Power AND him.

That also reminds me of the recalled beef. I'm reading The Omnivore's Dilemma and seeing the footage from the cattle processing plant is disgusting. Gross gross gross. They're claiming it's isolated but I'm sure it goes on everywhere.

Ralphie's chewing on a hairbrush, I'm not sure it he thinks he's brushing his teeth or not.

Introduction

Schmitty started a blog of his own today. We invited some readers but if you can't view it and want to just send me an email. He was excited today but I anticipate it waning shortly. I should also warn you that he chose the color motif himself...

I really think the worst part of posting is trying to figure out a title. It's like the subject lines of emails. I spend more time trying to synapsize the body into a couple of words than I do writing the dang thing. Of course, you couldn't tell that by reading my titles or subject lines because I give up.

The house is a disaster and I have a lot to do but housework is so BORING. We're having company for dinner tonight and I'm going to make chicken breasts stuffed with herbed goat cheese on top of some buttery polenta. Sam picked the menu. I don't know what to make for dessert. I made cookies yesterday but they turned out awful so I ate them all. Pitiful. So I have the housework, grocery shopping, dinner prep but I'm still in my sweats. I have managed to try to torture my new pimples and pluck a couple of eyebrows. Very productive.

To add pressure to clean the house our landlord is bringing over a potential renter to show our apt. We'll be leaving in about three months, that seems unbelievable to me.

I need to go get dressed and start my chores. Ugh.

Valentinstag

Today is Valentine's Day and I'm not wondering what Yago will get me. We don't really exchange gifts. I'm happy knowing that he loves me and I think he knows I love him. (Even though I haven't been very nice the last couple of days.) We got Sammy a little something but we celebrate it mostly as a children's holiday. I told him last night that despite the hokey sound of it, I really like our family. Of course that was before Ralphie woke up at 5:20 this morning.

I just downloaded the new Suze Orman book from Oprah.com. It's available until 5:00 pm PST today if you want to download it. I'm not sure I'll ever read it but it was free.

Something really stinks over here but I can't figure out what it is. It smells like old garbage but I'm only getting occassional whiffs at the dinner table.

I've really been trying to workout again in another effort to drop a few pounds. I sabotage it with my diet though. The nightly ice cream isn't doing me any favors.

spam

I've been emptying my junk mail at Yahoo and discovered I've been spamming myself. I've been sending myself notifications that my prescriptions are ready. Sweet.

The terror (church mouse) is uncommonly cute today. He's sitting around chewing on his index finger.

Ooh la la

Last Saturday morning, on a whim, we went to France. Yagopuchae decided we should have an adventure so I got in the shower and we settled on a trip to Strasbourg. I'll miss that when we go back to the states. There's no laying in bed on a Saturday morning and discussing a drive to France. We ate pastries, I had a Quiche Lorraine. Schmitty and Yago had a pastry that smelled like swamp feet.

no olympic medal on the horizon for him

So it seems my time with Isaiah has come to a close. His mother has enrolled him in before and after care on base. I was pleasantly surprised at how well he listened to me and followed my rules, not to say it was roses every morning... Schmitty is accustomed to running to the bus stop with me in the morning. Isaiah? Not so much. But he did run in the rain with me one day when we were late so I can't fault him.

Have I mentioned I'm digging the wireless? To hell with housework and laundry!! I have the internet back!

my babbling brook

Yago just set up our wireless last night so I'm not longer having to write and fight Ralphie for the trash can at the same time. He just woke from his morning nap and is upstairs babbling (loudly). I'll let him babble for a few minutes...

I spent the last few days trying to squeeze a pimple on my lip, it's finally exploded to a full blown coldsore. Yuck. They're so gross and I hate the stigma attached to them. The first one I got was in fourth grade or something, it's not like I was doing nasty things. Why does a person feel so ashamed to have a coldsore?

Last night I made homemade focaccia again, that stuff is evil good. I can eat the entire loaf/batch whatever. Sam helps me and we have a good time making it. He pokes the indentations, brushes it with olive oil, and sprinkles the parmesan cheese on top. It's so tasty.

Well, the babbling has turned in to crying and shouting. Time to go.

Sometimes kids are a real pain...

I'm sitting here watching Ralphie get in to everything he possible can. Cords galore in the drawers of the desk.

A few minutes ago I was trying on the new clothes that just came in and caught him eating a clump or dirt he'd pulled out of a plant. Grrr. Can't a girl try on her new clothes without her baby eating dirt?

I just finished bathing him... He pooped ALL over himself and the changing table so I gave him a bath. During the bath he puked (spit up) so I had to start over. I finished and took him out and carried him to the changing table I had just cleaned when he spit up down my back. Which reminds me, I forgot to change my shirt. I cleaned him up, AGAIN.

Schmitty's piano teacher loaned him a metronome but he lost it. I've searched all over this house and can't find it. Today I went and bought Schmitty and his teacher each one (to replace the lost one). Sixty Euro!!! That's about $100!!!

Ralphie's messing with the trash can now. Busy busy busy. He's like a dog that pulls out the dirty tissues and eats them. Really. I'd better go change my shirt and try to make the house look like I did some work today.

The kids...

The mornings with Isaiah have gone well, he hasn't misbehaved at all. I was ready for a battle but it never came. Ralphie on the other hand is a different story.

He figured out how to open cabinets and pull things out. Yesterday he broke my medium sized mixing bowl. He knows how to turn off the tv even though we never use the button on the tv. How did he figure that out? On the plus side, he's quit biting my fingers when I try to brush his teeth with the finger puppet toothbrush thingy.

He's ten months old and I was thinking that Sam was 10 months old when he last saw his biological father. It's strange to think about, it doesn't seem that long ago.

Speaking of fathers... Today was job shadow day. I tried to talk Sammy in to shadowing a housewife but he wasn't interested. He went to work with Yago again this year. He wore a tie and nice pants but not a full blown suit, he was adorable.

What have I done?

This morning at the bus stop I offered to start taking a Kindergartener in the morning. His mother was there for the first time and I was thrilled there was another mom to talk to. Unfortunately, she starts a new job on Monday.

It was her first time taking Isaiah to the bus stop and she was surprised how dangerous it is. (I watch Isaiah almost every morning run around and not listen to the high schooler that's supposed to be babysitting him.) I told her that even though Sam's in second grade I go with him every morning and make him stand away from the bus stop. (As evidenced during our conversation, Sam was the only kid a decent distance from the busy road.) I was actually happy she was concerned because I always wondered why she didn't walk with him in the morning when I knew she wasn't working.

Anyway, I told her she could drop him by our house in the mornings on her way to work and he could walk with Sam, Ralphie and me. Now I'm wondering if Isaiah will listen to me any better than he listens to the other babysitters. I hope so. I think I'm meaner.

Please, let it be tired.

I'm having a problem with my eyes again, I keep losing focus. The same thing happened to me when Sam was a baby. I went and got glasses but a few months later my eyes were fine. I blamed it on being tired and having a job where I just stared at computer screens all day.

Well, it's the same thing. I can't hardly pluck my eyebrows. I can't read directions on packages and I can't read my books. If I rub my eyes I get a few seconds before I lose my focus again. At night, I just read by guessing what the words are.

I don't know if that's how one loses vision. I thought things just got fuzzy and you couldn't see anymore. Not that you could see them for a few seconds and then it felt like your eyes were crossing.

Anyway, I spent ridiculous amount on two pairs of designer glasses when Sam was a baby but when I moved to TX they never made the trip. I didn't care because I didn't need them anymore. I've decided I'm either getting old and need glasses or I'm just tired and need to rest. I really wish more sleep helped.

Now I'm trying to make an appt at the optometry clinic and not having any luck. I called about a month ago and they were booked. They told me to call back and try again in a few weeks. I called today but they're closed on Wednesdays. Of course. That's how it always is. If I show up to get the baby vaccinated it's always on a day the immunizations clinic is closed. Whatever. Thank you military health system.

Oh baby!

My little baby is turning in to a big terror. He's a crawling machine that recently learned how to pull himself up.

He's in to everything and if I thought I didn't get much rest before, it's worse now.

He sprouted several new teeth since Barcelona, he now has six.

Soon, he won't be a baby anymore.

And? We're still fighting The Garmisch Gurgles.

The Garmisch Gurgles

The inlaws just left on Sunday. It was fun having them but I'm happy to have the house back to normal.

We all went to Garmisch, Germany, for a few days while they were here. Yago and I were concerned that his brother and fiancee would be bored sitting around the house in January so we booked some rooms at Edelweiss. It was wonderful. Yago's parents had an adjoining room and it turned out better than you might think since it wasn't planned that way.

His parents volunteered to watch Ralphie so the rest of us could all ski together. I feel like I finally learned to ski and Sam did great. We didn't stick to bunny slopes this time, we went down actual runs. Like real skiers! It was the family ski trip I've been trying for years to achieve. It was really, really fun. Even the accidental detour was funny--afterward. And the, "No pizza! No pizza!" I'd have to explain that in person, it just wouldn't be funny on the blog.

It seems Schmitty and I came home with a stomach virus of some sort. Schmitty's is REALLY bad. He's spent most of the last couple of days either curled up in a ball or on the toilet. My tummy hurts, but not as bad as his. Yago dubbed our condition "The Garmisch Gurgles."

That's about all that's been going on over the past week or so...

Barcelona

I should talk a litte about our trip but I'm not really sure what to say. We had a nice time, went to the aquarium, zoo, Guell Parc and La Sagrada Familia. We ate tapas and drank sangria.

One thing about Barcelona, there aren't any high chairs. That makes it a little complicated for those traveling with babies. Also? Restaurants are hard to come by. Especially family restaurants. On New Year's Eve and Day.

We had a good breakfast at a place across from the train station and went back for dinner on NYE. We were served pork tripe. Yago and I choked down a couple of pieces but Sam loved it. Said it was the best pork he'd ever had. Hmph.

Oh! I almost forgot my ROOKIE mistake. I still can't believe I did it. I ordered hamburguesas for Sam at a restaurant. I saw hamburguesas on the menu, they came with fried eggs and potatoes. I asked the waiter for a hamburguesa and papas fritas thinking I'd get those items a la carte. Not so. Out comes a plate with two hamburger patties (sans buns), two fried eggs and fried potatoes. Jason insisted I didn't know Spanish and hamburguesa must really mean breakfast. I spent the rest of the trip having him nag me every morning not to be late for hamburguesa. I should have remembered that hamburgers don't come with buns!!!

The choices...

For some reason I feel the need to write about the primaries. Yago keeps asking what I see in Clinton, looking for an explanation of her appeal. I can't really give an answer but I've been mulling it around for about a week or so.

I think it's because she's what I wish I could have been. I don't like to whine about the gender gap and all but it does exist. I know it and she knows it.

I didn't give it much thought until I got out of the military and saw people less qualified than me getting paid more. Men (one man in particular, Dwight Cole) used to sleep on the job but was favored over me by management. I was his shift supervisor but he made the same pay. I was appalled.

I think back to when I was an A1C. During shift change,everyone was at the table doing change over and my supervisor (Nate) and another NCO (Denny) were talking about something they saw on TV. My supervisor said it was evidence all women were whores. No one said anything, including myself, because who wants to be that person? The one whining about equal treatment. It's a label you'll never get rid of.

When you're a woman you can't be too pretty or too ugly. Your hair has to be a certain way. Men just wear it short but women have to do something else. You have to look polished but not severe. You can't wear too much makeup but you have to wear some. You can't be silly but you have to have a sense of humor. You have to directive but not bitchy. Friendly but not flirtatious... These are all difficult things to navigate. It can be done but it's not easy. She knows.

Also, I remember when she published the book It Takes a Village. I was trying to raise Sam and depended heavily on my family. It did take a village. I remember 15 years ago when she was pushing for health care reform, this is not a new platform for her just because she's running for president.

I admire her ambition from a young age. She worked on the Watergate hearings. I never would have had the confidence to put myself out there in my 20s. Hell, not now in my mid 30s. She had a very successful career at Rose Law Firm (I think that was the name of it). She had bigger ambitions though that she gave up to live in Arkansas with Bill so that he could run for Attorney General and Governor.

She's worked and raised a daughter and sacrificed for her husband's career. I'm sure she's had to miss some of Chelsea's moments and regretted the time away. Men miss things too but I don't think it sticks to their conscience the way it does with women. I think we're wired that way.

Her mother lives with her. Again, I can relate. I see it as another issue she has direct experience with.

While I love Obama also, I feel like Clinton knows more about my life. I wish they could both win because I find myself rooting for them both. I think they could both do extraordinary things.

A traveling we will go...

Tomorrow we'll be on our way to Barcelona. I'm glad we're going but rethinking spending a week there. A week is too long almost anywhere, except maybe Disney World. I love Disney World.

I'm supposed to be showering but had to post quickly because I won't have the opportunity again for a week or so.

We had a great Christmas. Sammy made his Christmas list on Christmas Eve, not a good idea for any little boy or girl. Luckily, Santa already planned on getting him about half of what was on there. Unfortunately, he was a little low on "suit to make me invisible" and "robot to do my chores." Santa also forgot to make sure he left batteries for the all-important RoboSapien. Darn Santa. Dad went out this morning and got the batteries, so all is well.

It was a really good Christmas. Schmitty came in our room at 4:30 and asked if he could open presents yet. I sent him back to bed until 6:00 but then Yagopuchae decided he was awake and we might as well get up. Hmph. I can't complain too much, he did make dinner. We had a tasty roast and relaxing day.

We went to the local Christmas market on the 23rd, it was bittersweet because it was our last. We only got to go to one this year and we only went once. Christmas markets are a highlight of the season. There are food booths serving local specialties (sausages on fresh, crusty rolls) and gluhwein. There are also local gifts for sale. Little toys and trinkets, it's all very quaint and gives you the happy holiday spirit that you don't get shoving your way through a packed mall looking for a bargain. Maybe the gluhwein contributes to the happy feeling...

Anyway, off to Spain tomorrow. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and has a Happy New Year!

Am I Wrong?

I think it's wrong that I wish the F-15E was grounded or in danger of falling apart midflight.

Finally

Yes, Yagopuchae is finally back!! I would post a picture of him at the PAX terminal but I forgot my camera, of course. His commander and a person who I think is the squadron deployment guy were there too.

He got back about 8:00 Saturday morning. We're all so happy to have him home, things feel normal again. Or at least as "normal" as they were before. Yago took Schmitty out bowling for a man afternoon and I'm making some apple cobbler stuff with the angry baby.

Well, maybe I'll post more tomorrow because I'm also done with work for FY 08!!!

What a Break

Well, tomorrow is my last day of work. I'm pretty excited about that. I worked with some really interesting guys, I was the only girl representing A6. It was fun.

Ralphie has been sick and is very congested but I'm hoping once he's out of the CDC he'll be back to his normal self.

I'm exhausted and going to bed. There was a lot I was going to write about but I think I'd rather go to sleep. Hopefully, Yagopuchae is starting his trek home. Which reminds me, one of the guys at work wore a Star Trek tie tack last week. I've given him endless crap about it ever since. How funny. It looked like he sent in $3.95 and four UPC symbols off of a cereal box.

Oh. And I took my PT test, I scored an 88.75. That's my personal best so I'm happy with it. (75 is passing, I think)

Cliche

I know it's cliche but it occurred to me that I didn't post anything that I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for my family. All of it.

I'm thankful for my friends. Both of them.

I'm thankful that I don't have to work anymore. (Except the next three weeks.) It's now someone else's job to make sure Sam doesn't have to sleep with the bugs.

A Home Gym

So, I haven't posted in a long time but I've been working and blogger is blocked at work.

In my office the guys all do pushups and situps about 3 times a day. I do about 25 of each and I've been trying to jog 3 times a week. I didn't realize how much I missed moving around until I started again. I feel great afterward, not always during. ANYWAY. When I change clothes at the gym I can totally see my abs and from a distance it looks good. The problem is, when I get home I can't see anything. It's something with the lights at the gym so I wish I could bring home the gym lights. It'd really be good for my self-esteem.

Dazed and Confused

I woke up this morning at 7:00, way late. I usually start hitting snooze at 6:00 and get out of bed at 6:30. When I opened my eyes and saw it was 7:00 I panicked. From my bed I yelled, "Laurie! Laurie! We're late, get up!" I kept shouting, "Laurie!" knowing it wasn't right. I was looking at Sam's bedroom, envisioning his face but I couldn't think of what name I should have been calling. Isn't that funny? It finally came to me, but the fact that I woke up shouting, "Laurie!" amused me.

The Great Pumpkin

We went to a pumpkin patch on Monday with some cub scouts. We had a really good time running around a corn maze and eating lunch together.

Whew.

I worked last week and all I can say is, "Whew." It was nice being back in a work environment with adults and whatnot but I don't know I couldn't do it on a permanent basis. It's way too hard to do anything at home.

Everday my house would get a little messier and I'd think I'd fix it that night but there was never time. I'd be so stressed out if I stayed in the AF, I wouldn't enjoy anything. I kind of feel like this way I can have my cake and eat it too. It'll only be a few weeks of work but I'll get to talk to people and meet different people and then know that when it's over I can go back to taking care of things at home.

I'd say it's a pretty good arrangement. Now if I could just get the husband home...

I'll spare you the picture... for now.

I went rollerskating with Sammy last night and forgot my camera. Why do I keep doing that? I charge it and then forget to bring it. ...But that's not the picture I'm talking about.

The skate was for kids of deployed parents. I went expecting to watch (and listen) to Sam whine all evening but someone generously offered to keep an eye on Ralphie so I could skate with Schmitty. I nervously donned my skates, something I hadn't done in many many years.

We got out there and after a couple laps of wall hanging he agreed to hold my hand. We zipped around the rink but eventually my luck ran out. I fell right on my kiester. I forgot how much that hurts... Anyway, I'm sure it'll bruise up nicely and that's the picture I will spare you all.

We had a really good time, it was the first time in a long time that I got to interact with Sam without Ralphie taking priority. I think it was important, I forgot how much fun we have sometimes. I even told him maybe we could go back just the two of us when Dad gets home. He was pleased, he thought Dad had to be deployed for us to do that.

What the Heck??

I just came home from Schmitty's football practice. I spent the hour laughing and talking to the other parents. As I was logging in to Blogger I realized my shirt is unbuttoned from the chest down. I've been walking around since God knows when with my shirt unbuttoned from Ralphie's last feeding!!! I'm completely *Agh* I can't even think of the right word! Well, I'm sure all the ladies enjoyed the peeps at my white fleshy belly.

Yagopuchae ordered me some fair trade coffee. I haven't been able to try it yet because I have to use up the rest of our unfair trade coffee first. I'd just like to validate my addiction to Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch ice cream by saying they use fair trade coffee.

I'd also like to blame Mickity and StuckinMD for falling off the wagon. The Ben & Jerry's wagon. Mickity got me back in to eating ice cream with her proclamation of Creme Brulee yumminess. I thought it was innocuous enough since I couldn't buy it in Germany. But then StuckinMD reminded me of my Coffee Heath Bar Crunch habit and I just bought one little pint... What could go wrong? Unfortunately, I started looking for reasons to go to the commissary and I couldn't pass up a pint of ice cream. Each time I promised myself I would only have a scoopful per serving. But every night one thing would lead to another and I'd be scraping the bottom of the container wishing I had more. Thanks.

It's been almost two weeks since I've had any but I think about it every time I stop by the commissary.

Runaway Fingers

I read my last post and wonder what the heck my fingers were doing when my brain was telling the what they were SUPPOSED to be typing. Holy crap, I sound like a retard. Whatever, I'm always in a hurry with the background "music" provided by Ralphie. I'm lucky anything makes it to the keyboard.

I thought of something cool that I could send Yago today but I didn't write it down and now for the life of me I can't remember what I was going to fill the box with. Hmmm.

Disruptions...

I haven't been able to blog or email much because I moved Ralphie's "crib" in to the computer room in hopes of a better night's sleep. Now when he naps and sleeps it's in the office. That's when I normally would used the computer, when it was quiet. Hence, no emails or blog entries.

Little Ralphie has a cold, poor guy. He tries to eat and blows snot in and out. Very gross since he's still nursing. I've been trying to get him to take a bottle more with mixed results. We was doing all right until he got sick.

Anyway, I had plenty of amusing antecdotes but can't remember any of them now. I'd better go watch Judge Judy, er, I mean do some housework.

The Green Green Grass of Home

I realized last week the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Again.

I've been kind of looking forward to a chance to work again, even if it's as a Reservist. I fantasized about interacting with people where the commonality wasn't our children. Our children wouldn't be the foundation of all our conversations. I could interact with people that would make jokes and perhaps even pull a prank.

Then I went to put Ralphie on the CDC waiting list.. Later that day I watched him start to doze in his carseat and he was so adorable. I didn't want to leave him with anyone else. I didn't want him to have a day separate from mine, if that makes sense. I didn't want to fret about what or how he was doing. Was he upset? Crying? Screaming?

It's good to have a reminder every now and again that I made the right decision to get out of the AF, even if I did give up A LOT of money over my lifetime.

Of course it's easy to say now because Ralphie's sleeping...

My Little Buddy

Little Schmitty is so smart and makes me proud. He had cub scouts last night and they were supposed to talk about their state flag. (They're military kids so they don't really have a home state.)

I told him I'd look up some stuff online and go over it with him after school. We chose the Oklahoma state flag because it was more interesting than the Nebraska one. I was rushing around while we talked about it and he asked me to write some of it down for him. I jotted down some quick notes and we went to the den meeting. Unfortunately, we left the notes and the little flag at home.

During the meeting we went around the table so the kids could talk about their flag. There were pictures in the book of the flags but only 2 other kids even knew what state they were supposed to talk about. When it was Sam's turn I could tell he was nervous but he remembered everything. The other parents were looking to see if he had all the information written down and were amazed that it was from his memory.

The shield is from the Osage warriors and is made from buffalo hide.

The six white crosses (stars) represent high ideals.

There are seven eagle feathers that hang from the shield.

The peacepipe and olive branch represent peace.

The blue background represents the flag the *Choctaw soldiers carried during the Civil War.

*He forgot the Indians were Choctaw.

Identity Crisis Part II

Guess who I met at the commissary today? That's right, Ms. Hall. Schmitty pointed her out in the parking lot but I couldn't see her, her back was to us. I studied her back side (not her derriere) and thought her hair was pretty yellow but maybe that was because she was wearing a yellow sweater. I decided to give her (me) the benefit of the doubt and think the sweater wasn't flattering to her hair color.

Inside, I got to see her close up and saw her face. My God! She must have been 50!! I was very disappointed. Stupid me, spending all those years trying to get a suntan. Yagopuchae would still be peeing himself laughing if he had been there.

Identity Crisis

Thursday night was Open House at Sam's school. When I entered his classroom his teacher, Mrs. Whalen, looked taken aback. I greeted her and she told me I looked just like a Kindergarten teacher named Ms. Hall. Hmph. Didn't think too much of it.

After talking to Ms. Whalen we went to the free spaghetti dinner put on by the PTO. We ate and left the cafeteria. A little kid followed us in to the hallway and yelled, "Ms. Hall! Ms. Hall!" I looked around and realized he thought I was Ms. Hall. I told him I wasn't her and he went back in the cafeteria.

I grinned and shrugged at Sam. He said, "Well, you do look a lot like her." I said, "She must be a very pretty lady..." Sam gave me a sideways look and didn't answer. I don't think that was very nice of him. Yagopuchae thought it was hilarious.

Whiny Kids

So much for a holiday today. I was looking forward to taking Sam bowling and hanging out but we battled instead. I always feel like I'm losing the war.

The thing is, I think Sam is genuinely a good kid but he has spells where I just don't know what to do with him. In the middle of it I would just like to throttle him (but don't). I try to stop the yelling match and make him calm down and I think we're making progress until he loses control again. He starts talking (yelling) back and it sets me off again. It's a downward spiral. He screamed and hollered so loud today I was humiliated because I knew people down the street could hear him. I couldn't get him to stop. God. He used to be so cute.

Aging Rock Stars

Anything more pathetic than an aging rock star? You bet. An aging fan. I watched part of the Diana concert earlier and when Duran Duran hit the stage I had to laugh. Middle-aged women dancing and singing along. Poor Duran Duran. I bet they think about all the hot women that attended their concerts 20 years ago every time they perform. I'd give up performing just so I wouldn't have to watch the old ladies swing their hips. They look like they're barking at the moon. Hooowwl. (I must admit I sang along with Ralphie on my lap and he look quite puzzled about my singing.)

Sammy went skating with a neighbor that he can't decide if he likes or not. Now I'm sitting here lonely with a lemon bundt cake I just made from scratch. I know how it'll turn out and it's not pretty.

Baby cries and momma signs off.

Buried in my own crap

The unpacking isn't going so well. I'm buried and can't dig my way out. It's making me super irritable too, I'm constantly snapping at Sam. (Like it's his fault.) Even when I get a suitcase unpacked I shipped myself a boatload of boxes so then I have those to unpack too. I can't keep up with it all. Plus? Two and a half months of mail? It's a lot. The counter is covered and I can feel Yago cringing at the thought of the kitchen counter covered in paper.

I got my hair trimmed yesterday and Petra cut the "style" out of it. Now it's just a really short bob instead of being angled. I'm disappointed but I'll let it grow a little and try again. As soon as I sat down she looked at me and said, "You lost a lot of hair, didn't you? I can see it." Um, yeah. That's great. I'm going to look like Mary the secretary. (Only Mickity knows who I'm talking about.)

Time to go dig some more. See what I can find in my mountains of crap.

Not a Love Machine

Ralphie is a toot machine. A great big smile-wearing toot machine. Watching him smile and toot makes me laugh.

I put him down for his morning nap while he was awake and he went to sleep in his bassinet. I'm so excited. I put him in the bassinet last night and he hollered for 40 minutes and then slept for 50 mins. I guess it's baby steps. At least baby steps in the right direction.

I'm really tired today and I look it. I have a zillion things to do but can't remember what they are now that I'm ready to go. I hate that. I'll run the errands I remember and then tomorrow I'll kick myself for not taking care of B and C while I was right there taking care of A. (If that makes sense.)

Compliment?

So what am I supposed to say when people comment on Ralphie's "perfectly shaped head"? I've been responding with, "Thank you." It seems weird and feels like it's dangerously close to an insult. I guess I can't complain after Yard Dart.

I'm Ba-ack!

I was just feeling all victorious that I got Ralphie to sleep in his bassinet but then the coffee pot turned itself off and now I hear him starting to fuss. Darn it. I need to win the battle of wills but I'm losing miserably. He senses my weakness.

Sooo, what a summer. What a trip back. I finally got home yesterday. I wasn't sure I'd ever get here, I was starting to think there was some vast conspiracy against my travel. The military couldn't get me home and then the commercial airlines couldn't get me home. I was getting desperate.

I have never been so happy to be in my own bed. Never. There is an indescribable pleasure derived from laying on your own mattress looking at a familiar ceiling. For the first time I stayed awake after flying home (well, pretty close) and then was able to sleep last night. Maybe the jet lag won't be bad after all. Sam went to bed last night without a problem. He woke around 2:00 am and told me he couldn't sleep. I told him to get in bed with me and he went back to sleep fine, so fine he didn't want to wake at 6:15.

I went to the bus stop this morning hoping to meet another mom but it was just me. It made me feel like I'm an overprotective loser but let's call a spade a spade.

I have to say, this could have been my best summer ever. I feel like I saw everyone I wanted to and had a good time. I visited family and friends that I haven't had a chance to visit in quite a while. I wish Yago could have been there (for parts of it) but I don't think he would have been able to hang.

Well, Ralphie's decided to not nap without his pacifier (me). I don't know how to convince him that sleeping on his own would make everyone happier. Apparently, not everyone would be happier.

My deepest gratitude to the friends I put out with very short notice, I love you guys.

Catch up

I haven't posted in a long time. I'm home visiting family and don't have a whole lot going on. The baby is getting better, not quite as cranky as usual. He's actually been good, so good it's irritating because (darn it!) I swear he was a grouchy little guy before I got here.

I've been trying to keep Sam busy but it can be challenging. He's resisting the morning routine of getting up and doing workbook pages. I'll have to beat him in to submission.

I've been trying to pump and it's not going so well. I'm disappointed on that front. I was hoping it'd be the secret to my freedom. Not really freedom, more like an occasional conjugal visit. Something to keep me going.

I'm running out of steam, mostly because I've been going to bed so late. I get up late and tired, don't get my shower early and then the next thing I know the day is almost gone.

I have taken Sam swimming and to the library. He checked out a book and then never touched it again. Grr. He wants to do things only if his cousins are too. It's funny and not a problem since we don't live here and I'm not working. I just pick them up and take them along.

That's about it for now. To Mickity: I'm reading your blog but haven't commented because I can't think of anything clever to say.

Because I think it's funny...

This is an email from Yago a while back...

So I was going to blog about this lady who wears sort of a burqa thing,but she gets around on a Segway. I googled for about an hour before Iremembered those things were called segways. But then I think my paintpicture may be a little too culturally insensitive, plus I'm not as goodwith paint as you all...

Robots

On Tuesday morning I woke Sam up for camp. (In a gentle way, not by flipping on the light...Dad.) I told him it was time to get ready for day camp. He said he was having a good dream. I asked what it was about and he said he was building a robot. He showed it to me and I was very proud of him.

Now he's on this robot kick. They made door placards yesterday at camp and his says "Warning! Do not disturb while working on robot or else!" Complete with a skull and crossbones. Last night when it was time for bed I wanted to put Ralphie down in his room thinking if Ralphie sensed a warm body to cuddle with he wouldn't wake up. (wrong) When I asked permission to enter Sam's room he said I wasn't allowed to look at the robot still under construction. I promised and was allowed entrance.

Buzz buzz buzz buzz

For those of you keeping track and writing my Mother of the Year submission, here's some more fodder:

This morning when my alarm was going off, I frantically groped Ralphie's forehead looking for the snooze button.

Raining, not pouring

They say when it rains, it pours. I think there might be a little something to that. Or maybe my car has been cursed by a garden gnome.

This morning while dropping Sam off at camp I locked my keys in the car. Brilliant. I spent a good two hours stressed trying to keep the "church mouse" quiet. I don't know how I managed to keep him quiet all that time but people kept commenting on what a happy baby he is. (I hurt myself supressing the eyeroll and biting my tongue.)

Someone finally broke in to it but now I think I'm a little bit afraid of my car...

Wearing the Pants

Dear Jacob,

When you're sitting on my lap naked while I run your bath, my pants do not become your diaper.

Love,
Mummy

Gee Mom, I wanna go home...

I checked the weather last week and it was supposed to be hot all this week. Things have changed. It's been raining. A lot. During Sam's day camp. That stinks for him, they're outside all day with no respite. It's going to be raining and in the 50's. That's not bad if you're outside for a few minutes but when you're outside the whole darn day it's freezing. I feel bad for the little buckaroo but he's not complaining so I'll keep my sympathy to myself. Lest I give a reason to complain...

If I had gonads, I'd be adjusting them right now

Because I fixed my car that died last week shortly after Yagopuchae left. I figured out that it was the battery and replaced it. (A little tidbit of information for Volvo owners out there--your battery is in the trunk next to the spare tire.)

I didn't tell Yagopuchae beforehand that I planned on changing it myself because I knew he'd fire off an email to his superintendent ordering him to look at my car. I wanted to at least give it a whirl myself. My sister told me a long time ago that she changed a battery so it gave me some confidence that maybe I could do it too.

Although Yago's car may be nicer than mine I still prefer mine. I know where everything is and how it handles. And it feels right when I sit in it. Driving someone else's car always feels funny. So yea! I got my car back!

Conversation with Sam...

Yagopuchae had his conversation with George, I offer mine with Sam.

Last week we bought a birthday gift for a kid from Sam's choir. It was a Superman toy that cost $6. A couple days ago Sam discovered his Boy Scout wallet with $8 in it.

Sam: Mom, can we play a game where you're Suze Orman and I'm calling to see if I can afford it?

Me: Okay.

Sam: But we're really playing, you can't laugh that what I want only costs $6.

Me: No way. Let's go. Okay. Sam, I have you on the line. Tell me what you want, let's see if you can afford it!

Sam: I want a Superman toy that costs $6.

Me: Let's see your stats. How much money do you make?

Sam: A dollar.

Me: How much credit card debt do you have? Do you owe anyone money?

Sam: No.

Me: How much in savings?

Sam: $355.89.

Me: How do you plan on paying for it?

Sam: Cash.

Me: Well, Sam. Since you're not using a credit card and your savings looks pretty good... You're approved! Go ahead and buy your Superman toy!

Non-believer

Yago's never going to believe this but I've swept, mopped and done laundry today. Pity he isn't here to bear witness because these things may never all be accomplished in one day again. (not by me anyway)

So the victory feels a little... well, empty. He's not here to appreciate it and Schmitty could care less.

As if on cue, Ralphie's awake and crying.

It Came Back Around

What goes around comes around...

Last year I washed a tube of Chapstick in a load of laundry containing Yago's favorite pair of pants. I ruined them and have heard about it frequently since. Every time we go somewhere and he wants to wear khakis I have to hear about how he doesn't have a pair of khakis anymore. Those were the perfect pants, they fit him just right and were comfortable.

I washed a load of laundry yesterday and Sammy had a tube of Chapstick in one of his pockets. A couple of my shirts are ruined and I couldn't bring myself to thoroughly chastise him because all I could think about were those dumb pants.

Uncalled For

I was at the pool yesterday and saw something uncalled for. Actually I saw several things uncalled for because it's Europe and men wear Speedos but that's a different story.

Anyway, a family arrived around 6:00. I noticed they were American because the kids (teenagers) were wearing wife beaters in to the pool. Europeans don't cover themselves up, they just don't care. (It doesn't matter how bad they look, they're not modest.) They get in the pool and I notice the girl, about 14 yrs old, is wearing shorts. Not even a swim suit. Her brothers finally take off their wife beaters when I realize she's just wearing a bra with a wife beater and not even a nice bra. It was a cheap, unlined bra made out of t-shirty material. Who on Earth would take their daughter to a pool without a swimsuit? I mean, stop by a store and get some cheap ol' suit. Not even a German would have sent their girl out for a wet t-shirt contest.

ANNOUNCEMENT!

I want all my readers (both of you) to immediately check out Yago's blog. He's attempting reentry into the blogging world and may need a bit of encouragement.

USAFR Punks

I'm kind of losing my mind with the Reserves. The IMA dude wasn't answering my questions via email or answering his phone so I packed up the kidlets (Dr. Laura) and went to drop in on the dude. Turns out he's on leave/tdy until 2 Jul which means he won't be in to work until after the 4th. Reading what I could find, I don't think I'll be able to get my credit towards retirement this year. Especially since I can't coordinate anything until I get back the end of Aug. Damned Reservists. They don't answer phones or return messages.

Sam had a swimming lesson today that went pretty well. Except the goal at the end of the two weeks isn't to have a swimming kid. It's to have a floating kid, they should call it floating lessons for $150. Plus? The instructor totally requires goggles. Since when are goggles necessary equipment for swimming and going underwater? Goggles were a luxury when I was growing up. I'm not sure I ever owned a pair. So people's legs are blurry, why is crisp vision so important? Especially with my kid who borders on being a pansy in a pool.

My baby was driving me a little bonkers today. He's better now, because he's sleeping.

I stopped by the gym earlier to check out the family workout area. Lame-O!! There are about 5 cardio machines crammed in to a little area without a tv or anything to look at or listen to. ...I mean besides my kids. Kids. That sounds weird, I have kids now. Hmm.

Back at the NOSC

Arghh! I swear it's like working in the NOSC again. I'm checking my email incessantly to see if I got anything new from Yagopuchae and I'm driving myself crazy. It's not that he isn't emailing me, it's just that I'm being completely compulsive about it. It was the same thing when I worked in the NOSC. I'd sit the 12 hour shift and check my email every few minutes to see if he'd sent me anything new. I think I need a schedule or something for checking email but who am I fooling? ...I'd never stick to it.

The Church Mouse

My dad calls Ralphie a church mouse, nothing could be further from the truth. I took Sam to mass today for the first time since the baby was born because they're closing down our 8:30 mass. Today was the last one and the Choir Director had some award thingies she wanted to give Sam.

Ralphie was good until the mass actually started and then he began fussing. I had to hang out in the bathroom and nurse him for about half an hour. The good part was I JUST missed the collection, a little extra money in my pocket this week... More good news? The Choir Director, most of the choir and lots of volunteers are Philipino so guess who made the brunch? That's right! A bunch of philipino ladies. We had noodles and lumpia and rice... Ralphie behaved until I was done eating and then started up again. A perfect excuse to eat and run. I guess he came in pretty handy today.

Last Call

I can't wait for last call... I got my first call today. My first call from Yago "downrange." All I can say is it's going to be a long 6 months.

Yago left a dog tag for Sammy and I bought him a chain the other day so he's been wearing his dad's dog tag around his neck. It's cute.

Anyway, I'm busy ruining dinner. I was going to grill some jerked pork tenderloin but we ran out of gas and now I'm baking it. It won't taste as good...

Jake is hollering so I better go tend...

Quiet

It's very quiet here. Sam's out playing and the baby's sleeping. I've showered, applied makeup, cleaned the bathroom, dusted the office and made my bed. It's crazy. It's also quiet, did I mention that? Too quiet. My reduced tv summer is in effect so there's no tv on making me feel less alone. I use it as a companion a lot.

I was just thinking I was hungry and I see it's lunch time, I'm going to go heat some leftovers. Eating is sure to wake up Ralphie, he HATES it when I eat in peace!

New Milestone

Today Ralphie rolled over for the first time. He was laying on his belly and I was down on the floor with him and he rolled over. He did it another three times to show his brother. Before we know it nothing will be off limits. Eesh. It was nice plopping him down knowing he couldn't go anywhere...

The First Night...

I was dreading my first night alone but it was okay. I went to bed an hour later than usual procrastinating... Then Schmitty laid in bed and read with me for a while, I made it clear he couldn't sleep with me though.

The real reminder that Yago wasn't here came around 2:00 in the morning with a killer thunderstorm. I remembered I left my sunroof open, he usually dashes out in the middle of the night and takes care of that stuff before the thunder wakes me. Well, last night I had to run out in the pouring rain and fix my mistake all my lonesome. I was drenched.

Other than that it went okay. Today is better than yesterday...

And so it begins...

We said our goodbyes this morning and it was... it was exactly how I expected it. Now I'm just wandering around looking at all the reminders of him that, before long, will be gone. His washcloth hanging on the shower, his shorts on the floor. I've decided to leave his space on the towel rack empty even though it'll be off balance. I was considering putting Schmitty's towel there but once Schmitty develops a habit it's hard to break it. So, we'll save your rung on the towel rack Pooky.

Tomorrow I'm going to a dinner/b-day party at Sam's choir director's house. Then on Sunday is Sam's swim lesson orientation, lessons begin Monday. The week after is boy scout camp and then I'm going home. Plenty to keep me busy for a while...

I'm going to run errands and see how to get a flight back to the states.

The time is near...

All I can think about today is tomorrow.

I woke Yago up at 4:45 this morning and told him he was late for work. I thought it was 6:45. Oopsy. We were both having ridiculous dreams, his a little more ridiculous than mine. We told each other what we were dreaming about and laughed together. That's what I'll miss.

Sam gave Yago a Father's Day card and wrote in it that he wished Yago could take him (to Iraq). That was a little sad. We got him a Dwight Shrute bobble head and a Dunder Mifflin "World's Best Boss" coffee mug. Sam was SO excited about the gifts! Our family night is watching The Office together...

We went to our landlord's house for dinner Sunday evening. Holy crap they have a nice place. They have a sauna, exercise room (complete with massage table) and one of those indoor pools were you turn on the current and kind of swim in place. They had two fountains in the backyard and beautiful landscaping. Crazy. Now I'll be even more embarrassed when he stops by.

Gotta go check out what advice Dr. Phil is dispensing today.

Commissary Check

I was in the commissary yesterday with Schmitty and Ralphie when it hit me that Yago is leaving next week. Leaving. Something about having both the boys with me, just me, that made it all click. This is going to be my life until December.

I don't frequently mention all the stuff that Yago does to make things easier for me and I think I take him for granted a lot. That's what I realized in the bread aisle trying to keep Ralphie from crying while keeping Schmitty from running people down with the cart.

I haven't thought about it much because there's nothing I can do. I don't dwell on it or dread it, just accept it. The bright side is there are a lot of Army families I know that have to do it for 15 months. We only have 6 to get through.

Buried Treasure

Here's a pic I just snapped of Schmitty. Yep, he's outside in his underwear hiding the "crystals" (read: rocks) in the backyard. You can see the rash from the scarlet fever.

FEVER

As in Scarlet Fever. (Scarlet Fever--Strep Throat with a rash) That's what Sam's been diagnosed with over the telephone, he'll be able to see a doctor tomorrow. Now I kind of feel like a jerk for telling him to knock off the whining and buck up, it's just a sore throat.

Sick Days

Today is Sam's second day home from school. I knew he was sick when he seemed lethargic about going to see Spider-man 3. He still wanted to go, don't get me wrong, but he wasn't his normal excited self. Then, when he passed on chocolate cake I became concerned. He just woke up and says he feels better.

I gave up milk for Ralphie because we decided he was fussier when I drank milk. I just had a small bowl of cereal and my tummy hurts. Not fair. I've read that when you eradicate something from your diet and reintroduce it you get a bellyache because your body isn't accustomed to digesting it anymore. Which is why vegetarians always say they get sick when the eat meat, as if it's the meat. Evil meat. Really it's just their body takes a little while to get used to digesting it again. Anyway, it think that's what's happening to me with the milk.

Ralphie's been sleeping for about two hours and I'm nervous. It's unusual for him to sleep during the day without being held. I've done a load of laundry, ate breakfast, and even took a shower and put makeup on in quiet solitude. Oh, and blogged. Hmm.

It's been a blue moon...

I talked to stuckinmd today for the first time in a LONG time!! We didn't spend much time on the phone because I had some errands to run but it made my day. We've been friends forever and even if we don't talk for a while it's one of those friendships where you kind of pick up where you left off. It's hard to believe (VERY HARD TO BELIEVE) we were at DLI 15 years laughing at Luecke and von Heiland. Last I checked von Heiland was a GS-15 in San Antonio.

Anyway, Schmitty's got to email some family. Yago set him up an email account so they can write each other during Yago's deployment.

Time is Flying

I get up almost every night with Ralphie for about an hour. Not really because he's up that long but because when he falls asleep after 20 mins I'm still wide awake for another 40 or so. Cuddling with him in the wee hours makes me think of when Sam and I used to cuddle. We don't anymore and it's sad for me. It's a somewhat recent development. He doesn't kiss me goodbye at the bus stop anymore unless I ask and I can tell when he holds my hand he'd rather not.

I knew the day would come and it'll only get worse. He won't want to go bowling together or go to the movies with his parents anymore. I also know the day will come with Ralphie and it's sad. One day I won't be the one who can calm him down (eventually he'll lose interest in my boobies!).

Everyone tells you that they grow up before you know it but to see it happen is different...

Just a minute too late...

I'd just gotten home from walking Schmitty to the bus stop and put Ralphie in his swing. He was just chillin' though and looked pretty cute. (Chillin' is an unusual state. Normal is eating, sleeping or crying.) I decided to run upstairs and get the camera for a picture when I heard the beginnings of a tantrum. By the time I returned he was on his way to a full-blown cry but I snapped the picture anyway. After all, I still think he's cute!

Venezia

We're back from Venice. We spent four nights there and we were all ready to come home.

It was a nice trip to take before Yago's deployment. We spent a few days sleeping in and traveling in to the city. Our hotel was actually about 20 km outside Venice because we didn't want to spend $300/night. Really. We also didn't eat in the city because that too was WAY overpriced. We were going to get a drink and some ice cream for Schmitty but each drink was $8 and the ice cream was $12 so we strolled around and bought snacks in little bodegas instead. In the picture we got off the ferry and found a little grocery store then ate our snacks on the steps of a church.

Sam bought the dragon necklace as a souvenir and it has become his prized possession. More on that later...

A Little Trip

This weekend we're leaving to go to Venice for a few days. Since we married we haven't gotten to travel a whole lot and we may not be able to really go anywhere again before we leave due to Yago's deployment and then his brother's wedding in OK. Before you know it we'll be back in the states.

We chose Venice because Sam's been wanting to go for a while now. He wants to see the "water world." We're all very curious what it'll be like. Unfortunately, Venice costs a FORTUNE!!! We're actually staying about 20 km outside of the city.

I have a dr appt tomorrow to get physically cleared for duty. What a pain in the behind. Duty, I mean. I'm not sure how I feel about it, the timing is bad. I won't get paid and it'll be a huge hassle with my cranky baby and Schmitty. We'll see.

Well, I gotta go do something around the house. Oh yeah, and brush my teeth. Definitely gotta get to that today.

Screaming Meanie

Here's a picture of the screaming meanie. This was taken the other day on our way out to run errands. I'm posting it because he's hollering now and this gives a visual...

Scroll down to see the nice baby.

Nuggets of Knowledge

I learned a couple of things over the weekend...

Sam's cub scout hut is moving because the building they're in is being turned in to a Shoppette. Last Saturday morning Yago and Schmitty were at the new building (term used loosely because the building they're moving to looks like it should have been condemned 10 years ago. really.) cleaning. Zach was there too, he's in Sam's class and very recently joined cub scouts. I sat in the car and nursed.

After a while Yago came out and asked if I could take the boys to lunch because everything was such a mess the kids shouldn't even be in there. I took them to Popeye's and that's when I got my education. I learned about WWE. I learned about what The Undertaker does when he wins and how John Cena enters the ring. I also learned that Zach's little brother drank soil milk when he was a baby, just like Jesus. Even Jesus was a baby once and had to drink soil milk. Apparently I drive like Zach's dad when he's drunk. Hmm.

We had another t-ball game on Saturday and it's ridiculous. No score keeping, no out keeping, everyone gets to bat. Sam was out there running like a goofball fairy because you can't get out so there doesn't seem much point in running your hiney off to get to the next base. It's frustrating and there's no way to motivate a kid to do well or try. I remember in gym class playing softball and getting that sick-to-my-stomach feeling everytime it was my turn to bat. "Please God. Don't let me make a fool of myself in front of everyone. Just let me hit the ball, I don't have to hit it far. Just don't let me strike out."

Sam has lost his motivation for a lot of things lately. He dawdles and fools around instead of doing what he's supposed to be doing. By the time I notice he's not working on what I told him to do it's time for dinner or bed, or whatever. It's very annoying.

I'm going to miss Dr. Phil today and take a shower instead because little Jacob is sleeping. (happy happy) Usually I wheel the bassinet in to the bathroom and just listen to him scream while I shower and dress. Maybe today will be different.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm, and a Cheeseburger...

After a rough night last night Ralphie is giving me a brief break, hence the blog entry. I know it won't last...

Sam's got his piano lesson this afternoon and I have a ton of errands I want to run but I don't know how much I'll get done. Sam can play Old MacDonald now, it's cute. It also reminds me of how he used to call McDonald's (restaurant), Old MacDonald's. ...As in, "Mommy, can we go to Old MacDonald's?" It was another one of those things that I thought was cute and didn't correct.

There isn't much going on that I can think of, mostly preoccupied with getting a shower before Ralphie wakes up. Oops, I waited too long.

GOOOO Lugnuts!

Sam's team is the Lugnuts. We just got back from his game and he's doing REALLY well. He throws, catches and runs well. Of course, they don't keep score or get out. It seems a little silly that if they tag a kid out at first they keep playing as if nothing happened (or maybe I'm being a uber-competitive mother living vicariously through her children).

Jacob's sleeping so I want to get some house work done, you wouldn't believe the state of the kitchen floor. It's gross. The bathroom isn't much better and my baby smells like sour milk from spitting up so much. Jacob's grown a lot and really does smile occasionally, it's sad that the extended family hasn't seen him yet. I feel bad for Yago that he won't even be there when his family meets the first grandkid (and great grandkid). They are all so excited with it being the first and Yago won't get to see their face.

My time is limited so I need to get to work...

Gardens, t-ball and baby

It's been really warm here during the day, the flowers are blooming and the sun is shining. Jacob and I met Sam at the bus stop this afternoon and we all walked to the German supermarket for a few items. It was really nice.

The Germans are HUGE in to gardening and everyone has a beautiful garden in bloom. It makes me want to learn to grow things but there's not much point since we'll be spending a couple months in the states. It really is enchanting though.

Sam has his second t-ball game tomorrow, he's doing well and seems to like it more than soccer. Maybe it's just that he's older and has a better attention span now. He's grown so much lately, I can't believe he isn't my cute little three year old anymore.

Jacob's been doing pretty well. The best we can figure it's my diet making him grumpy but if I cut out all the stuff they recommend I'd be miserable. No garlic, onion, spicy food, citrus, pineapple, dairy and a bunch of other stuff that I can't remember. I pumped a little milk today and let Yago try to give it to him. Jacob needs some more practice...

Jump! Jump!

Criss Cross will make ya wanna jump! jump! Oh, nevermind.

Ralphie is one jumpy baby. He startles easily which makes me startle. I have him strapped to my chest and every time I move he jumps and hits me in the ribs with his little fists.

He's changed a lot already. He's really putting on weight and doesn't look like a scrunched up old man anymore. (at least not as much...)

Last night we went to a potluck with Yago's squadron. We ate at a picnic table with another family and I kept dissing what I was eating, much to Yago's annoyance. He had to keep reminding me that we didn't know what the other couple brought and I could accidently offend someone. "These brats taste weird." "I always forget that I don't really like chicken wings." (with a mouthful of wing), etc. I'm a little socially retarded like that.

I put a note in Schmitty's lunch today that said his family loves him. I hope it makes him smile.

Keukenhof

We went to Keukenhof in Holland last weekend to see the tulips. Ralphie travelled well except for the constant pooping. Day 2 (of 3) he squirted poop all over my pants at a train station while I was changing his diaper. In my effort to pack light I didn't bring a change of pants. The morning of day 3 he pooped on Yago, the hotel bed and floor... while diapered! He shoots it out with such velocity Yago thinks we should start calling him "Shooter".

Quickie

I'm really short on time right now, I have a ton to do and am working on borrowed nap time. I would just like to say thank you for everyone's support during my difficult time. I don't (didn't) mean to be a drama queen. I was expecting a much easier transition into mothering a newborn and I don't know if it was the hormones or expectations I had but it was difficult for a couple weeks. Anyway, I'm grateful for such great family and friends.

A Respite

Ralphie is offering me a brief respite this morning. He's down for a nap and I got some stuff done (bathroom clean). He's been difficult to put down to sleep, as soon as you set him down he wakes up, unhappy I might add.

Today some friends are coming to spend the afternoon. They have a baby that's about 15 months old so they'll be understanding.

Sam started his spring break yesterday and he's been really good. He's outside playing right now. That's all I really have to report...

2-Wk Well Baby

We took Ralphie to the dr today for his 2-wk appt. He's gained back the weight he lost and is exactly his birth weight again, that's good news. We talked to the dr about the problems with nursing... Namely, that he nurses for HOURS STRAIGHT and I barely get time to pee or shower during the day. She said he was using me as a pacifier and we had stop that by only letting him feed 15 mins on each side and then waiting a couple hours. We're giving that a try today but I'm not sure how long I'll be able to do it if he becomes too fussy. She also said he should be done with a growth spurt in a couple more weeks and then the feeding schedule will be more normal.

Hiccups

This baby has the hiccups more than anyone I've ever known! Even in utero he had them all the time. It's strange. His jaundice is getting better. Has anybody ever heard of a baby that wants to breastfeed seven hours straight?

One Handed

I haven't written or done much of anything Since Jacob Henry's arrival. It's because I get about an hour a day (it feels) with both hands free and I prefer to spend the hour showering or going to the bathroom. The baby is constantly feeding. If he falls asleep, it's while being fed and he wakes up within two minutes of being put down or handed off.

A Ralphie by Any Other Name...

Yago and I were talking about Ralphie's reluctance to leave my cozy womb and he mentioned Sheldon from Garfield and Friends. Sheldon was the egg that refused to hatch because he was afraid of the outside world, I think it's a perfect analogy. Plus, it's a little funny that my Grandpa's middle name was Seldon. (wasn't it?) Anyway, Sheldon's shell will be broken Tuesday so I hope the little fella is mentally preparing now.

He Loves Me...

I've decided Ralphie isn't coming out because he loves me SOOOO much. He's happy as a peach knowing nothing of the outside world, just me and our special connection. (umbilical cord?)

I went to the dr yesterday and nothing's changed since last week. I made an appt for next Tues and at that point the dr said she'd admit me and start inducing. I REALLY don't want a Pitocin drip or my membranes ruptured but if that's what it takes... I still haven't completely given up hope on a natural labor but I'm also starting to wonder just how long this baby is will to stay. Which reminds me...

In bed the other night I wondered aloud what the longest human gestation ever has been. Yago replied, "Not one day past due..." I know! I wasn't suggesting I'm experiencing the longest human gestation ever, it was just a thought.

Two Days Old

Yes, for those of you keeping track I have a two day old baby in my belly. Here's the best part though, on my due date I came down with a nasty cold courtesy of Sam. Yesterday I felt like poo and just tried to pass the day in a state of unconsciousness. I feel better today but I have the thickest, grossest, most vile tasting phlegm and it hurts to cough. As if the chore of breathing wasn't bad enough before... For the record I have to give Yago some props for his patience with my irratibility. I really wasn't very nice yesterday.

Today I'm taking Sam for his first piano lesson. For some reason he calls it pianto. It's strange but I correct him a couple times and figure he'll eventually get it. Kind of like when he used to say Lamps Armstrong (as in the Tour de France cyclist), askident (a car askident) or hosipal (the place where the ambulamps goes).

I was wrong about my hair color, it does have the funky red/eggplant hue to it. I was hoping it'd fade a little faster than it has, although it's only been 3 or 4 days... I'm really pale and have to wear makeup and paint my eyebrows now. My eyebrows have always been a little lighter than my hair but it looks ridiculous if I don't brush some mascara stuff in them. The worst part is I have to wait a couple months to get it fixed or my hair will fall out. (Remember Mistress? When I got the perm and my hair broke all around my face and you called my Spanky for a couple months?)

Disfigurement

I have this weird thing on my face that I just made worse. I thought it was a bothersome zit that's been slowly growing for the last few days. I figured I'd give it a little help along and then discovered another tiny bump SSW of it. I tried to help that one out too and found another smaller one to the SSW of the middle one. Now they've ballooned up and turned all gross and red. What were little, barely perceptible bumps are now little pustules filled with bright red blood. They are not innocuous pimples... I don't know what it is but I'm guessing some sort of freak bug bite that nibbled down my chinny-chin-chin. Gross.

My Favorite Paperwork...

This ranks up there with the statement I had to write in 1991 admitting to marijuana experimentation... In order to get the baby a passport Yagopuchae and I have to have sworn affidavits stating it's his baby because we've been married less than 10 months. It's kind of funny and kind of sad. Will I ever have a baby where the paternity isn't in question?

I got my hair cut and dyed today, that's pretty fun. It's really dark, darker than my natural color for sure. I was nervous right before the lady started because she's German. I was scared to death that I was going to wind up with the "German red" hair. I can't really describe it but it's very German and very popular. I haven't seen anything like it in the states since about 1988. I was prepared to go outside and whoop my own ass afterward for letting a German color my hair but it's not the funky red color so I'm happy.

This Little Piggy...

For Christmas Yago bought me a gift certificate to a spa and if you recall from a previous post I can't really reach my toes anymore... That's what led me to get a pedicure yesterday.

It's hard to believe how immature you become when someone (a paid professional) starts messing with your feet. Despite my best efforts I couldn't stop twitching and hiding my giggles behind a magazine. I had contemplated shaving the little patch of fuzz on my toes before going but it gets back to the I can't really reach my toes anymore thing. So the pedicurist got the added bonus of playing with my toe fuzz. I figured what the heck, it wasn't that long ago that women didn't shave their pits here. What's a little fuzz on a big toe?

Mistakes

I made an awful mistake, I went to babygap.com for newborn boy. I started gushing out loud to myself. Soooo cute! I have a love/hate relationship with the internet when it comes to shopping. Love to shop and hate to look at the total in the cart. Still no Ralphie, his paternal grandmother thinks he'll have curly red hair. I wonder... Maybe I'll find out next week.

No Change

Just got back from the dr and there's no change. She seemed a little disappointed. While trying to strip some more membranes she asked, "Doesn't it hurt?" I replied, "Not as much as last time..." That really discouraged her for reasons unbeknownst to me. I figure it's not good news for an early birth, I'm guessing St. Patrick's Day.

Recent Reads

So I always imagined what I'd read if I had the time. It took me forever to finish college where I never had time to read anything but textbooks. Then I had my little Sammy.

I have probably 60-70 of the 100 Greatest Books Ever Written (according to the Easton Press). I used to look at them adoringly and dream of being retired, I'd picture myself curled up and reading each one of those beautiful books. I've read a handful of them now and I just began The Three Musketeers last night. I don't think I'm going to enjoy this book even though I'm only on page two. I know nothing about French and there's a bunch of French and references to French things. My knowledge doesn't really extend beyond Pinot Grigio. I get annoyed reading names that I don't know how to pronounce too. It trips me up, eventually I just read over it and recognize the combination of letters as a character but it makes it more difficult to connect.

I just finished 1776, Yago recommended it. It's an amazing story and makes me wonder how on Earth we managed to become a sovereign nation. I never knew anything about Washington either but he's become one of the people (living or dead) that I'd invite over for dinner. I just want to meet him.

Well, off to my dr appt. Wish me luck, my dad wants this baby born tomorrow. (His birthday)

Still Nothing...

Still no signs of impending labor... pity. In fact, I could swear he was laying sideways today. I don't think that's good news at all for an early labor. He should be head down ready to go at a moment's notice! Now he's got the hiccups which don't really understand, how do you get hiccups in utero? He gets them a lot, everyday. It's cute the first couple hiccups but after 20 mins it loses its charm.

I have another dr appt tomorrow where I'll get my membranes stripped again. When I left last week I was two centimeters dialated. Yago wanted statistics on when we could expect labor after stripping to two centimeters, he was disappointed in the lack of research on such matters. (But then, he thinks a good poop push should trigger labor.) With Sam I was three centimeters dialated before I went in to labor.

As you can see this is how my days are filled, thoughts of, "Is that a contraction or some weird gas?! Is my entire abdomen hard? It could be a mild contraction! Maybe the time has come! Oh, gas." Sigh.

Good to Know...

Today I learned Suze Orman is a lesbian and I found myself excited for her. I guess she was never "in the closet" but I wondered about her personal life, as if it's my business. I just wondered if she was married, divorced or what. Now I know.

I think my excitement stems from when I suspected a great friend of being gay. I must say she is honestly one of the best, most admirable people I've ever known. We were good friends for years but I was afraid to ask her about it. I resolved to just let it be until she felt like telling me. It was awkward though, we both always used genderless pronouns and I felt like I had to be careful about what I said. Using "their" and "they" instead of "him" or "her" just made conversations cumbersome. When she finally came out I was so relieved!! She was afraid I wouldn't want to be her friend which was silly, considering we'd both spent so many years playing the pronoun game. It just makes me happy now when people are openly gay because it's too much stress lying or hiding it.

For Crying Out Loud

Can someone make this baby stop jumping around in my belly? If he finds the accommodations cramped why doesn't he just make his way OUT already? The little sucker is strong and determined. Apparently he really enjoyed the pork cutlets we had for lunch. Geez.