Sunday, November 30, 2008

The First Snow


Finnegan was horrified at having to wear layers of winter gear. It took him several minutes to take just one step in snow. In no time, though, he was throwing clumps of snow with great gusto.

Maeve loves the snow and would have stayed outside until she couldn't feel her face. 

And, yes it does bother me that none of their snow gear matches, but most of it was purchased second-hand so I'm trying to let go. 

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

O Christmas Tree

Typically I am the person making fun of everyone decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving. Not this year though. I just couldn't help myself. 

Holidays are so much fun with kids. I love hearing them squeal with delight as I get out their little Christmas trees. When I told Maeve that we were going to get a tree after dinner she shouted "oh JOY!" and took off down the hallway on her scooter. It's worth noting that she happened to be Scooter Girl at the time and was wearing a much too small Strawberry Shortcake stocking cap, a ladybug backpack and sunglasses. 

We headed to Lowe's and it took Mathew what seemed like two hours to decided what kind of rainbow lights to get for the tree. I have always been adamantly opposed to the ghetto looking rainbow lights, but Maeve loves them and I won't have to listen to her complain about how boring it is to look at plain white lights

The kids ran up and down the tree isles shrieking and pointing to all of the perfect trees. Then Maeve found "the ONE". It actually happened to be a series of "the ONE" because once Mathew picked up the tree she found a few more that seemed to fit the bill. Thankfully, we were able to avoid a Christmas tree tantrum because Maeve was distracted by the "smoke" coming out of her mouth each time she spoke. The tree fit nicely in the van (which I love, by the way) and we headed home.

It is a tradition in our household to listen to Christmas music as we put up the tree. Unfortunately, DJ Finn hid our only Christmas CD. Our substitution? Johnny Cash. Folsom Prison Blues didn't exactly put me in the Christmas mood, but Finn danced regardless and it didn't deter Maeve from asking Mathew every two seconds if it was time to put on the star.

The star was eventually put on and the ghetto lights looked fantastic. So fantastic, in fact, that we couldn't help but sit around the tree and sing Christmas songs. Maeve's singing Cookie Monster stocking also joined us for his rendition of Jingle Bells. 

Every night when we tuck Maeve into bed we tell her "sweet dreams". Tonight she corrected us and said, "sweet Merry Christmas dreams". 

Co-Sleeping

If you would have told me prior to having children that I would be sleeping with both of them in spite of having a four bedroom house, I would have laughed in your face. 

It baffles me now to think that a new mother is expected to place her brand new child, one that she's been nurturing in her womb for nine months, in a separate bed and room. Here baby, you won't be able to see or smell the only people you've known your entire life, but this is a very expensive crib and a nice firm mattress and see the lovely paint on the walls? All in the name of safety, of course. Because new parents will inadvertently suffocate their child or forget they are there and roll over on them. Please. *

I do agree that there are safety precautions involved with co-sleeping. Obviously, it's a bad idea to come to bed highly intoxicated or on any kind of illicit drug. Covering your baby's head with a think blanket is also not advisable. And letting them sleep face down on a very soft mattress is not very smart.

Co-sleeping, at least for me, has mostly been a matter of convenience. I like sleep. I like being warm. I despise having to get out of bed in the middle of the night. There's nothing easier than having the baby right next to me while I sleep. It makes breastfeeding easy and I love knowing that our baby is safe. No need for weird propping devices, cribs, thick sleepers, or expensive baby monitors. 

Granted sharing a bed with children isn't for everyone, but we are all happy and there's nothing better than waking up together and watching the kids jump on Mathew's head. 

*I do want to acknowledge bassinets and co-sleepers as good options for those who don't want to co-sleep. A co-sleeper was still too far away from me though. 

Thursday, November 20, 2008

A Housewife in the Making

When asked what she wanted to do today, Maeve replied, "I just want to sit on the couch, eat fudge and watch some tv."

Disgusting, but True

When Finnegan was born, I became lazy and stopped washing my face before crawling into bed. I never got back into the habit and have noticed that my face is not greasy. In fact, my skin looks great. 

If my face is feeling exceptionally dry, I rub in some olive oil and wipe it off with a damp cloth. 

I should probably mention (for those who haven't read all of my posts) that I don't wear make-up. 

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Best Friends


An amazing thing has happened recently in our household. My children are friends. They have finally joined forces and are united against me. 

The instigator is almost always Finnegan. 

Maeve, by nature, is peaceful. She doesn't like to upset people, behaves poorly only when she needs more attention and doesn't think about doing something just for the sake of getting in trouble. 

Finn, on the other hand, is a trouble maker. He climbs, he eats dog food, he dumps markers, crayons, etc all over the floor and he loves every minute of it. Yes, some of it may be attributed to his age, but he has a "look" and that look is called trouble.

Now that my children are friends, Maeve will often times join in on Finn's "fun". And while I don't like having the entire contents of my potted plants all over the floor, I love seeing them enjoy one another.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Sewing

I just finished two patchwork skirts for Maeve. I was going to save them for Christmas, but she'll have five other skirts to open so I'm going to surprise her with them tomorrow. The skirts would have been less time consuming if I would have used my serger, but I'm still in the getting to know you phase.

When I first got my sewing machine, it sat in the box for over a year. My mother would often ask if I was planning to use it and I would always answer "yes". One day I was finally ready and opened the box and started sewing. It was as simple as that. 

My serger looks more complicated than my sewing machine. I read the instruction manual and plan to look at it up on my shelf for a little bit longer. I have a million projects planned so I doubt it will be on the shelf for too long, but for now I am still taking it in. I am fully confident that when I decide to start using it I will be a serging pro. 


Friday, November 14, 2008

It Will Never Be Clean

The kids were happily playing and behaving themselves so I snuck into the office to check my email. Just as I was sitting down, I heard this high pitched screech coming out of both of them. The screech is the newest thing they do to drive me insane and usually means they are up to no good.

I was in the office for maybe a minute and when I came out there was dirt all over the floor. The kids were digging in my bird of paradise plant. I threatened and swept. 

Then Finn threw more dirt on the floor. I removed him and swept. 

I turned around and Finn threw more dirt on the floor. I removed and swept. 

In the time it took me to wash my hands, Finn dumped his bowl of popcorn, peed all over them on the floor and then ate some of the popcorn. 

I have no idea how people with small children have clean houses. 


Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Baby Making

A book that every woman (well, possibly everyone because there are men who might benefit from knowing more about female anatomy and reproduction) should read is called Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. It is a fabulous book and full of useful information. 

Another good tool to use if you are trying to conceive (or avoid conceiving) is fertilityfriend.com. It's an online chart and helps you determine your most fertile days. 

My last recommendation is Preseed. Their logo is to "replenish your moisture without harming sperm". I don't think that needs any explaination. 

I told you I had baby on the brain. And no, I am not pregnant.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Two Down...


Yesterday I decided that two kids is my limit.

But look at that face. 

I can probably handle one more. 

Boy Gone Wild


I asked Finnegan if I could take his picture and this is what he did.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Tie One On


I made my mother an early Christmas present. 

Yes, those are pajama pants I am wearing and yes, I am aware of the fact that they are hideous. You may also want to note the stockings on the wall. We got an ever so slight dusting of snow so we decorated a wee bit early.

Speaking of Christmas, this year we are making all of the ornaments for our tree. We've made two batches with this recipe and the kids have been having a ton of fun. A ton of messy fun, but is there any other kind?

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Update

For those who are deeply interested in the state of my drains, they have been fixed. However, I am not allowed to use the garbage disposal until spring, or so says my husband. 

A Tutu for You Too, Take Two


These tutus need a name. Preferably something fun and with two syllables. Leave me a suggestion and if I use it, I'll send your little girl a twirly skirt. You're out of luck if you have boys, unless you want rainbow flannel pants or maybe fleece pants. 

This is my next project and I'm very excited. What little girl doesn't want one of these?

I is for Ice Cream

Puffy paint ice cream cones. Surprisingly, Finn's turned out better than Maeve's. 

 
Maeve has taken an interest in writing her name this week. I told her that the letters in her name need to go in order and this is how she wrote them. She then asked how to spell Finn so that she could write his name as well. 

 
Prior to this week, we reviewed all of the letters we've talked about so far. Maeve had fun turning the letters into art and just so you know...
A is for apple tree
B is for bumblebee
C is for caterpillar
D is for dog
E is for everything (we used glitter, I couldn't figure out how to make an elephant and we had new glitter we hadn't used yet)
F is for flower
G is for Gus (Maeve's favorite dog that we had to find a new home for, I still feel guilty)
H is for Halloween 
I is for insect (she made a grasshopper)

Monday, November 3, 2008

Downward Spiral


I have a habit of clogging the kitchen pipes. Mathew could shove a week's worth of food down the garbage disposal and have no problems. I, on the other hand, put two noodles down there and the whole thing backs up. 

I loaded the dishwasher today and decided to finally clean out the sink since it was starting to take on a life of it's own.  Then Finn vomited all over the floor. Fine. Lots of vinegar and some new clothes took care of the mess. 

As I went to wash my hands in the kitchen sink I noticed that there was standing water in the sink. I ran the water and garbage disposal. Nothing. Still water. Fine. I called Mathew to see if he'd be coming home for lunch to take a look at the sink. 

I went into the bathroom to wash my hands and what did I see? Disgusting sink water in the bathtub. So disgusting, in fact, that the dog had to sneak behind the tub to lap up the bit of nastiness that had leaked onto the floor. Normally I wouldn't have let her go back there, but I was busy plunging the bathtub and trying to prevent Finnegan from climbing into the oh so disgustingly fun water. 

The dog was stuck. It's happened before, but this time was problematic because a) Bridget has stitches on her belly and b) the tub was filled with shit. I called Mathew again, but he was nowhere close to home and probably not coming home for lunch. Fine. 

I tried to coax the dog to jump into the tub. Doesn't that look good, Brigdet? No luck. The stubborn bitch was still stuck. I gathered all of the strength that I had and  lifted the 66 lb dog up like I lift Finnegan and got her out. 

The dog was freed, but the sink and tub are still clogged. I'm a shower person anyway.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Baby Stuff

Nothing gets me more excited than baby products. I especially love strollers. At one point earlier this year I had eight. I am now down to just two (a Quinny Buzz and Valco Twin TriMode for those who share my passion), but have had baby on my mind and have started looking at strollers again. 

The irony of it all is that I also love baby carriers (mei tais in particular) and don't even use a stroller for an infant until they are at least six months old.

Blah


This is how we have all been feeling this week. 

Mathew and I were sick last weekend and the kids have been sick all week long. I am not quite sure I am strong enough to take another day of whining and vomit, although it does make for interesting conversations.

Maeve: "Mom, did you see my huge vomit? It looked like that alphabet soup except the letters were all mixed in."

"Yes, Maeve, I had to clean it up and you haven't eaten any alphabet soup. Can we talk about something else?"

"Well, then it was probably apple juice and grape juice."

"You haven't had either of those in a very long time"

"That's okay. There was water in there too."

"Yeah, it was gross."

Maeve smiles proudly.