Let it Snow!

The greater D.C. area is finally getting its first snowstorm of the winter. Gabriel was ecstatic. He loves snow. Nick wasn't sure what to think. Although I'm worried about both of them being outside in this weather with the bad colds they're coming down with. Nick had such a hard time sleeping because of it. Which means I also didn't sleep much.

I felt bad for Gabe this morning. I don't like driving in the snow, even the short distance from my house to my MIL's, but I had to this morning. Gabe kept trying to ask me questions and I had to keep asking him to be quiet so I could concentrate on driving. I know he was just excited about the snow, but I needed to focus on the road. I think it hurt his feelings, which wasn't my intent, I just didn't want to lose focus and slip on the road. Perhaps I might have asked him to be quiet a little more harshly than I intended after the 3rd or 4th question.

I do like snow, I think it's very pretty - to look at. Driving in it and walking in it, even just being in it, isn't high on my list. Although, when I do have the time I don't mind playing in it. When the boys get a little older and we have a decent back yard, I can see having a great time building snowmen and having snowball fights. Right now I have neither the time nor the backyard to pursue fun in the snow, plus they are really too little to be fully enjoy it.

My workouts are still going well. I should certainly be in bikini shape by this summer, although I'm not sure that I will have any reason to wear a bikini. I moved up to level 2 on the 30 Day Shred, and ouch! It is much harder than level 1. I couldn't quite do the explosive cardio moves the whole time, but I figure if I do a few each time and gradually do it for longer by the time I've completed 10 days of level 2 I should be able to do them for the full time. That, along with my treadmill work outs should help ensure that the weight keeps coming off. I really like the iFit cards, and even though I'm only on level one of the cards, a 10% incline at 3.5 mph is still hard.

Blast From the Past

So I finally joined Facebook. I had been resisting, but I thought maybe it wouldn't hurt to just peek, see who is on there. It can be addictive. I've found a number of really good friends from high school that I haven't talked to in years. It's weird, too. My last memories of my high school friends are as teenagers, from the perspective of a teenager. We lived with our parents. And now, some of us our parents. And married. And we have real jobs.

I don't know why I was so hesitant to join the networking site. I guess I was just worried about having the time to keep up with it, but really, it's nice to talk to old friends. There was a reason we were friends in high school, so it's not unrealistic to think that we could be friends almost 10 years later (wow, has it really been that long?). My life is so consumed by my family and my job and my degree, that having an easy way to stay in touch and catch up is nice.

It's also nice to remember that I am still my own person outside of my role as a mother. Sometimes I forget that I am more than just Gabriel and Nick's mom. That's another reason I really enjoy when Pigpen and I go out on kids-free "dates". We get to connect and talk and remember why we fell in love and had children in the first place. Next Saturday we are going on a date and I'm really looking forward to it. We're going to a Japanese Steakhouse, which is always fun, and we'll still be home at a decent hour to put the babies to bed.

Feel the Burn

Yesterday, Nick started his first gym class and he loved it! He was the youngest baby there, being 4 days shy of 10-months, so I wasn't concerned that he was one of only two or three that were not yet walking. The age range for the class is 10 to 19 months, so there can be a huge difference in skills. One of the little girls in his class, who is only 11 months, has been walking since 9 months, and she is TINY, much smaller than Nick. She looked so cute toddling around, although it just doesn't seem possible for a baby that tiny to be walking.

Nick loved that he had so much space to crawl and so many things to climb. He especially liked hanging from the bar and working on his upper-body strength (with Mommy holding onto his bottom) as we played peek-a-boo with the bar. He did very well maintaining his grip on the bar. Overall, I think his favorite activity was crawling around on the parachute. He loved being pulled around in a circle and bounced up and down.

The only thing he really wasn't interested in doing was walking. In the warm-up we were supposed to assist our children in walking, if they were not doing it on their own yet. Nick refused to participate and instead just crawled for the warm-up. He did like the clapping part and the pounding of the mat. Also the bells, he was very mad that he had to give the bell back.

And poor Gabe... He insisted on coming with Nick to class, which meant Pigpen came too, not understanding that he wouldn't be allowed in the gym to play. Not understanding that it was just or Nick, not for him and Nick. I felt bad for him, although we did try to explain and convince him that he would have more fun at home with Daddy. Luckily he has his sports skills class tomorrow afternoon and his regular gym class Saturday morning.

I'm doing fairly well with my own workout time. I'm managing to be consistent - 5 days a week for about an hour. Although this is only my third week of even having a workout routine. Tonight I did 30 Day Shred and Jillian's weight training portion on the Biggest Loser Power Sculpt. I am also staying within my calorie goal on TheDailyPlate. That site is really useful, even without paying to upgrade to gold. I should be able to easily meet the goal weight I set for Nick's first birthday.

There are so many nights that I just want to skip working out, but I remind myself that not only is it important for losing weight and getting toned, it's also important for my health. I also remind myself that if I work really hard M-F, that I can take it easy on the weekends. Tomorrow night I do another iFit workout and then 30 Day Shred again. I'm on day 10 of Shred. I don't do it everyday, so on Monday I will finally start Level 2.

Working hard during the week also gives me more time on the weekends to tackle my statistics homework. This class is making my head hurt. The amount of work required and formulas to understand makes me feel like I'm going cross-eyed. I'm about half-way through the class and then I have a short break before I start my next class - a non-math management course. Thank goodness! I am convinced that should never pursue any profession that involves math. I'm too stubborn not to do well in the course, but it is taking much more time and energy then I usually devote to my studies.

The Obama Dance

"That my President" and "That Barack Obama" are Gabriel's two favorite sentences and they are uttered whenever he sees a picture of President Obama in the newspaper or on TV. We even have the children's book titled Barack, which he loves to have me read. He has buttons, and place mats, and decorations. Today, he created an Obama dance, which involved running around singing Barack Obama. It was cute. He watched the whole Inauguration with my MIL and loved it.

It is adorable and amazing. I am so proud to live in a country where my child can get that excited about the leader of our country and have no understanding that even last century this would never have been possible. I am filled with hope and excitement at the possibilities of this new Presidency. I watched the Inauguration at work and felt my eyes well up during parts of Obama's speech. It was wonderful to hear.

I really don't have a good transition, but I do want to write about Nick's expanding vocabulary. Not only can he say hi and wave. He can also say DaDa (in reference to Daddy), Do (in reference to Dog) and bye with a wave. It is very cute. He can also understand short commands and identify a picture of both a dog and a cat in a book. He can also identify Elmo. This weekend I put on Sesame Beginnings for him this weekend, and as soon as he saw Elmo he stopped what he was doing to say hi and wave at Elmo.

I can't believe how quickly the last year has gone. Tomorrow Nick starts his first gym class, and I'm sure he will be more than ready to go, as he showed during Gabriel's class on Saturday. Both my boys are beautiful and amazing and I feel so lucky to be their mother.

Pancakes with a Strawberry on Top

Today was Gabriel's last gym class of fall session. Although, his next class starts next Saturday, today they put on a big show to show off all the skills and routines that they have been working on through out the fall session. This is Gabe's first non-parent/child class and he's doing really well, but it was nice to able to go inside the gym and see close-up what he has been learning.

However, before the show we picked up Pigpen's parents, so that they could see the show as well, and went to IHOP as a special treat for breakfast. It was a long morning, as both Pigpen and I were exhausted because neither of the boys had slept well last night. Plus, Gabriel's class starts at 10 a.m., which meant we had to pick up Pigpen's parents by 8 a.m. so that we would have enough time to eat breakfast before the show. Plus, I wanted coffee from Starbucks.

I was happy, IHOP still had their pumpkin pancake special, and I love just about anything pumpkin flavored. I also had Starbucks, so all was good. The show was very cute. They had even practiced an entrance that involved running into the room jumping on a spring board and then doing a forward roll down a wedge before standing at the front of the room on a dot. Gabe had a bit of a hard time listening, but I think it was because so many people were in the room. He did very well on the skills they were exhibiting.

Nick was ready to go. As soon as you put him on the floor he would take off. He was eager to explore. Luckily his first class starts this coming Wednesday. It's for 10-19 months, which is the age range we started Gabriel. Although Gabriel had just turned one, and Nick will be a few days shy of 10 months. It's an evening class, so Wednesdays will be rushed for me. I will get off work at 4, come home and grab something to eat and then rush Nick to his class at 5:30. However, it is worth it, and I know he will enjoy it.

Well, I suppose I should go. I have so much homework to do, and I really want to watch last night's episode of Psych.

Sleeping Beauty

Last Friday we started sleep training Nick. In other words, we are trying to get him to go to sleep on his own, rather than being nursed to sleep. He's allowed to have one more feeding - usually around 10:30 pm - and then for any other night wakings we're supposed to have him go back to sleep on his own. Bedtime works beautifully. We usually only have to go into Nick's room once or twice before he goes to sleep on his own. It's the other wakings that are the issue. He is still getting up at 10:30, 1:30 or 2:00, and 5:00 before getting up for good at about 6:15. And I usually fall asleep for 2 hours or so in the big green chair in his room during his last feeding.

My goal is to start eliminating wakings, starting with the middle of the night one (1:30ish). That is more challenging than it sounds. Not only do I dislike hearing Nick cry, it is even more painful in the middle of the night when I am tired. Plus there is the added dilemma of not wanting Nick's crying to wake up Gabriel, which is especially hard since their rooms are right next door to each other. Still, it has to be done. Nick needs to be sleeping through the night, not just for his health, but for my sanity. I really am done with being tired all the time. Not that I don't love cuddling a snuggly baby, I just would prefer to do it when we're not both supposed to be sleeping.

The start of sleep training is why I did not work out last Friday, so I missed one of my three iFit treadmill workouts and my third day of 30 Day Shred. I am making up for it this week by doing four treadmill workouts and four days of 30 Day Shred. My break will be Wednesday, and I will do Biggest Winner: Cardio Kickboxing and the stretch segment from Slim in 6. Cardio Kickboxing is another Jillian Michaels' video and it is a good workout, if a little boring. I really want to be consistent and a work out a minimum of five days a week. If I can add another day or two of working out on the weekends, so much the better, if not, oh well, at least I got my five days in.

I don't watch a lot of TV, there are only a handful of shows I watch, and there are almost all shows that Pigpen watches with me. Usually we catch up on the weekends, since we typically don't have time during the week. However, The Biggest Loser is one of the shows that I watch when it comes on, otherwise I won't catch up with it on TiVo, and usually without Pigpen. My dilemma is that tonight is the premier of American Idol, and they will be up against each other.

I am curious to see American Idol, especially with the changes they have made this season, and the auditions are usually entertaining, but I love The Biggest Loser. What to watch? I could flip between the two shows, but I also have to work on homework, which I usually focus on during commercial breaks. So what to choose? I find The Biggest Lower motivating, so I will probably choose to watch it over American Idol. I know I could TiVo American Idol, but doubt I will find the time to watch it when I have other shows to watch this weekend. Oh well, I will be fine without following the stories of this season's crop of Idol wannabes.

Also, I forgot to mention - Nick now has two teeth. His second front tooth broke through a couple days after his first tooth.

Sesame Beginnings

Pigpen and I are starting to plan Nick's first birthday party, and it just makes me think how fast this past year has gone. How can he be almost one? I was just pregnant. And yet, I'm not and he's growing and learning and changing... It makes me sad sometimes. Especially since I'm not the type of person who can capture it in baby books and scrap books. Mostly it's in my head or in pictures, none of which have made it into a picture book. Also, whenever I reflect on the past year I hear the song Seasons of Love from Rent in my head, which really is fitting.

I originally wanted to do Baby Einstein as the theme and had researched how to make the Caterpillar into a cake. I found some great ones here. However, after talking it over with Pigpen and taking into account Nick's fondness for Elmo, we have decided to do a Sesame Beginnings theme. We're going to purchase the main cake from Costco, which makes excellent cakes, BTW. Nick's smash cake will be homemade and made to look like Elmo - I can't wait to see him dive into an Elmo cake.

The party is going to take place at the Little Gym. Since we plan to invite children of varying ages, we decided to not attempt a party at home since our home isn't particularly large and spring weather is unpredictable. Nick starts classes the week after next and we hope to invite a couple of the babies that are in class with him. We didn't start going until after Gabriel turned one, so I didn't have that option for him. I know birthday parties for babies are supposed to small, but I also want it to be memorable and for Gabriel to have a good time.

Birthday parties were always so important when I was growing up and I want them to be important to my children. I want them to have good memories not about the gifts, but about the event. The celebration of their birth and how important they are to their family. Pigpen and I both feel so lucky to have them and want to ensure that they have wonderful memories of their childhood.

At Last, A Tooth!

Today was Nick's 9-month check up and clever baby that he is, decided it was a good time to show off his first tooth. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Nick has a tooth! I'm not sure when exactly it poked through, either overnight or this morning, but it just appeared, so that's good. At 9 and a half months he is no longer toothless.

As for his other check up statistics he is 29.5 in, which means he is officially too long for his infant carrier, which has a maximum height limit of 29 in. So we were instructed by the pediatrician to get a new one asap. Since my MIL will also need a new one, we will get two of them this weekend. He is also Just shy of 19 lbs, weighing in at 18 lbs 15 and 3/4 oz. His height puts him just shy of the 90th percentile and his weight puts him in the 25th percentile, which is a decrease from where he was at his last check up - in the 50th percentile for weight, although height and head circumference (25th) have stayed on course.

He did not need any shots today, which pleased Gabriel, who didn't want them to hurt his baby. He did have to have a little blood drawn - just a toe prick - for an iron test, which bothered Gabriel, but Nick was more interested in the band aid they applied afterwards and didn't cry at all. He was happy to show off just how energetic he is, and all his skills - sitting, crawling, pulling himself up, clapping. He got good marks, which is always nice to hear.

I am doing well, so far, with my workouts this week. I have done 30 Day Shred twice, workout 1 and 2 of my Jillian Michaels iFit cards, and level 1 and 2 of Biggest Loser Cardio Max. Hopefully it makes a difference in my weight. I have also managed to stay right around my calorie count on The Daily Plate, so between the two...

School started up yesterday, so I will again have very little time. I am now taking RES342 through University of Phoenix. However, blogging as a break from homework, is an easy transition since everything is online. This course looks like it is going to be a heavy workload, and of course, team assignments are always my highlight, what with people not participating, not understanding the assignment, or waiting until the last minute to turn in their portions, it makes it an adventure... but I suppose that is part of life, which I guess is a good thing to learn.

Well, I better go finish my homework for the night. Plus Nick will probably wake up soon. We are now trying to sleep train him at the doctor's suggestion, so this next wake up will be his last feeding of the night, then well, have you ever heard a banshee scream? Yeah, it will be a little like that when Nick doesn't get his way, i.e. Mommy as a pacifier. Sigh, oh well, it has to be done. We all need to sleep more.

Wedding and Workouts

It's Tuesday, and I returned from Seattle early Friday (via a red-eye, ouch), so I have no excuse for why I haven't posted. So I will now write my synopsis of the wedding. It was beautiful and my brother looked so happy. And isn't that what is important? That he's happy? The ceremony was short, but it was nice because it included specific comments about why they loved each other.

The bride's dress was gorgeous and the bridesmaid dresses were very pretty, I loved the color - a purple called Lapis. And did you know that Men's Wearhouse is tied to David's Bridal? I didn't either, but the Groom's vests and ties were the exact same shade as the dresses. The reception took place in the lobby outside the chapel. The church is the one the bride has gone to her whole life and it is huge. Poor Nick. He was fine until Pigpen and I walked in to the chapel and then he started crying because he wanted one of us, rather than my mother, to hold him. I felt so bad, it had been a long few days for him. My mom's friend took him outside the chapel for the service and I felt really bad for her. He SCREAMED the entire time she had him. In his defense he had never met her before, but I know it must have been difficult for her, plus she missed the ceremony. It was really really sweet of her to do that.

I had a nice time at the reception. Three of my mom's siblings came (she's one of six, and two do not live in the area) and I was finally able to introduce them to Pigpen. I know, we've been together for five and half years and they had never met him. We spent much of the reception at our table playing this convoluted movie title game, which was fun. They cake was lovely, very simple - three tiers with purple flowers, white cake, butter cream frosting and I believe raspberry filling. The best man and the maid of honor were the only ones to toast. I really enjoyed the best man's toast - he and my brother have been best friends since 4th grade (they're 24 now) and it was both funny and sweet.

Moving on to other topics I started my Jillian Michaels workout routine last night. I did one of the 20-minute iFit routines on my treadmill (BTW, iFit cards only work with Nordic Track treadmills) and then I did Level 1 of her 30 Day Shred video, which was a good work out but not too hard for someone who is still a little out of shape. It did not feel as hard as her Biggest Winner videos. It took me a long time to decide to buy 30 Day Shred. I Googled it and read a lot of reviews, which were mostly positive, before I made the purchase and I'm glad I did. It's a nice solid work out, although I do agree with some of the negatives - the big ones for me are no triceps work and no ab stretching, but I can do that on my own.

My goal is to work out 5-6 days a week for about 40 minutes. I know I'm only supposed to do the iFit routines 3 days a week (each card has 24 work outs, so its an 8 week program if you do it 3 days per week), and I think I'm supposed to do the 30 Day Shred every day. So I'm not sure if I plan to do additional cardio on my non-iFit days or if I'm going to do some sort of stretching. The Slim in 6 series has a good 15 minute stretch segment on the videos and my Moms into Fitness has some nice yoga segments, so I might follow it up with one of those. I could also do pilates for extra ab work. So many options. I still have about 10 lbs of baby weight to lose and 3o lbs to be where I want to be, which may be unrealistic, but it can't hurt to try as long as I'm eating well and not overworking myself.

Speaking of Jillian Michaels - the new series of Biggest Loser starts tonight. I am hoping I like these contestants better than the ones from last season.

New Year's Quiz

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Finished my Associates Degree the day before I had my second child, and then started my Bachelor's Degree three weeks later.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I did not keep my New Year's Resolutions - my goal was to lose my baby weight before the New Year, and I did not succeed. However, I have a long list of resolutions for 2009, to include losing the last of my baby weight and getting down to my "ideal" weight.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I had a good friend give birth in addition to myself. That was fun... Mr. Nicholas had to have a more traumatic birth then his older brother.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My Grandmother passed away after suffering a massive stroke. I miss her a great deal. She had only been retired for three years (she was 81) and had been a nurse since WWII. She was an on-call nurse and raised six children at a time when most women did not work outside of the home. After her initial retirement she became a traveling nurse to see the country. She was amazing.

5. What countries did you visit?

I did not step foot outside of the U.S.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

In 2009 I would like to have time to relax (I know, who am I kidding, two children, school, and work, plus a husband, where would I find the time). Also some girls-nights-out.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

March 23rd and 24th. March 23rd I completed my Associates Degree and March 24th I delivered Nicholas via c-section.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I would have to say having my second child. Although I also got a raise and a promotion in November.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not losing all my baby weight.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had a few bad colds, nothing major, although recovering from my c-section was painful.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My Nordic Track iFit capable treadmill.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Our troops overseas and Barack Obama (whatever your affiliation, he ran a fairly clean campaign, and I personally am I excited for his Presidency).

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The media - can't we get unbiased coverage of news?

14. Where did most of your money go?

After bills it went to my children (Damn you, Baby Gap!)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

My new Jillian Michaels iFit cards, my new Coach purse (first designer purse), my baby's birthdays (birth and 3).

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

I don't really have a specific song - but I think I'll go with Taylor Swift's Our Song or Britney Spears' Womanizer.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier - I have another beautiful baby!
b) thinner or fatter? thinner - I'm no longer pregnant
c) richer or poorer? richer - I did get a raise, as did my husband

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Working out while pregnant, also writing in my children's baby books (so bad at that)

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Stressing about things, especially school, my lack of time to organize pictures and write in baby books.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Locally with my husband, children and in-laws. Went to see Yes Man (silly plot, but very very funny).

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

I was already in love.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Bones

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Nope

24. What was the best book you read?

I didn't read any memorable books last year - I only had time for fluff (aka regencies), textbooks and magazines

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

iTunes playlists (okay so I'm a little behind)

26. What did you want and get?

New Coach Purse, Jillian Michael's iFit cards

27. What did you want and not get?

Wii and Wii Fit (I actually bought both at one point and returned them due to my lack of time for pretty much anything)

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

My favorite film of this year was probably Yes Man, just because it made me laugh the most.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I went out to Red Lobster for my birthday and I turned 27.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

More time.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

New mom (it needed to be easy put on, easy to clean and camouflage my post-pregnancy figure)

32. What kept you sane?

Baths

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I was most interested in Barack Obama and the Pitt-Jolie Family

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The election.

35. Who did you miss?

My family - it's hard living on the other side of the country.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I didn't really meet anybody new except my son.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Life is short and your babies grow up quickly, enjoy them while you can.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

My Baby lyrics (Britney Spears)

Tiny hands, yes that's you
And all you show, it's simply true
I smell your breath,
It makes me cry
I wonder how,
I've lived my life

[Chorus:]
'Cause without you,
How did I get through
All of my days, without you?
Now living with you,
See everything's true
My baby it's you
My baby, my baby, my baby

With no words at all,
So tiny and small
In love I fall,
So deep, so deep
My precious love,
Sent from above
My baby boo,
God I thank you, God I thank you

(Chorus)

'Cause without you,
How did I get through
(How'd I get through)
All of my days, without you?
Now living with you,
See everything's true
My baby it's you
(My baby it's you)
My baby, my baby, my baby

Trains, Planes, and Treadmills

Christmas was very nice. The boys got way too many gifts, as usual. They got to open a ton of presents from Santa, Mommy and Daddy, and later, from Grandma and Grandpa (aka MIL and FIL). And of course, Gabriel was more interested in Nick's toys than he was in his own. Toys like music rattles, a squeaky hammer, and little people arctic animals. Of course Gabriel did get playdoh. Lots of playdoh. Way too much playdoh. Not to mention numerous puzzles, books, and games. My mom got him two of the games, the Lady Bug game looks really cute, but I'm not sure about the other one. It looks like it involves way too much effort on my part. But we'll see. However, keeping with tradition it is a bee game, and well my mother loves bees, and Gabriel is good with calling her Grandma Bee. My dad got them gifts from a wish list I created at a local educational toy store. It was better this way. The toys are age-appropriate and mommy approved. My brother picked out his his gifts with the help of his fiance.

Oh and let's not forget the train set from Grandma and Grandpa. It's not the [super expensive] Thomas the Train set, but it is on the same scale. It was a [much cheaper] Target version. We got him a 120-piece set to go with it, that included cars, track, buildings and people. It's very cute. Nick thinks that the pieces are perfect for chewing on. However, my MIL makes sure that there are numerous age-appropriate toys nearby so that she can distract him when needed. He gets rather angry if you take something from him that he wants to play with or chew on.

I'm very excited - For Christmas (from my MIL and FIL, SIL, and husband) I got the Lose Weight and Bootcamp iFit cards from Jillian Michaels and am ready to finally not only lose the last of my baby weight, but also get down to my "ideal" weight. I have a NordicTrack Treadmill, that is wonderful, so the cards just make it even more so, since you don't have to think about the speed or inclinde. I also purchased Jillian Michael's 30-day Shred video. I'm not going to start my new routine until next week due to the Seattle trip, but I will post stats and let you know how its going once I get started. I have high hopes. I just need to make time. Not sure where since Santa didn't bring me that 25th hour of the day like I requested, so I will have to make do with the 24 I've got.

As for Seattle, Pigpen, Nick, and I leave tomorrow morning. Luckily the we have straight flights, unluckily that means LONG hours spent on an airplane. My MIL is spending the night so that she can drive us to the airport and then take Gabriel to their country house for the week. She'll come back Friday to pick us up from the airport and take Nick home with her, so Pigpen and I can get some sleep after our red-eye. Sounds like so much fun, doesn't it? I mean who doesn't want to travel cross-country with a 9-month-old on their lap?

Oh and for those that were keeping track Nick is 9-months, 5-days and still has no teeth, not even part of a tooth. None. But he'll eat anything, so he has that going for him.

Milk and Cookies

Yesterday, Gabriel and I made frosted, sprinkled, sugar cookies. It's a family tradition, one I remember fondly from when I was growing up and want to continue doing with my family. However, unlike my mother I do not make my dough or my frosting from scratch. The dough was courtesy of Toll House and the frosting was courtesy of Duncan Hines. And you know what? It's still a lot of freaking work.

I still had to divide out the frosting and color it - I went simple only red, green, or white (also known as not colored). Then there's the dough, you still have to use flour so it does not stick and break out the rolling pin if you plan to use cookie cutters. I don't spend a lot of time in the kitchen (mainly because I don't have a lot of time, partly because I have yet to have a decently sized kitchen), so I have a grand total of one baking sheet, which could fix a grand total of 6 cookies. So it took a while to just get the cookies baked.

Then of course there was the entertainment that was Gabriel frosting and sprinkling the cookies. Also the mess (SPRINKLES EVERYWHERE - I'll be probably still be finding sprinkles at Easter). I'm not a patient person by nature, I've had to really try since becoming a parent. Gabriel tests every shred of patience I am able to muster, and sometimes fail to muster. So cookie decorating was quite a trial, between my lack of patience, and his. Still it was fun, if messy, and he enjoyed it, which was the point, so I guess it was a success. He still needed help with the decorating as he managed to glob frosting on the center and dump way too many sprinkles on each cookie.

As for the milk, I really I am getting tired of pumping. I like breastfeeding my baby, I really do. Especially our cuddles before bed, but the pumping is getting old. I'm working at a different location this week and don't have my office or the spare office to pump in. So I am having to pump in the locker room, in the basement. The only bench in this locker room is on one side of the room and the only plug is on the other and my cord is not long enough to stretch between the two. However there is a little closet just big enough for me to sit in right next to the plug. So that is what I have resorted to - sitting in the closet on the floor while I pump.

I am starting to introduce some formula, just so that Nick is used to it when there are times I don't have enough milk pumped for him. I still hope to have him partially breastfed until his 1st birthday, but foresee formula becoming a little more frequent. However he was still completely breastfed up until his 8th month and has had very little formula since then, only the occasional bottle. My job is starting to get more demanding of my time, so if the time comes I don't want to cold turkey breast milk without him being familiar with formula.

I love nursing Nick in the evenings and I will miss it when we stop. He is so warm and cuddly and content when he is nursing. It's hard to believe he's already 9-months. Time has flown by so quickly and before I know it my babies will be graduating high school, and as eager as I am to see what kind of men they grow up to be, I can't help but ache for the babies they will leave behind. Gabriel is already almost 3 and a half and it just breaks my heart to think of how quickly he has grown. That's part of the reason I can't completely rule out a third child, since I am not yet ready to give up my baby days.

Morning Observations

5:55 Gabriel wakes up and calls for Daddy, who is already at work. After getting no response he then calls for Mommy. Mommy is in bed with Nick, who she brought in with her when he woke up at 3:30. Mommy carefully moves Nick to the middle of the bed and surrounds him with pillows before going to check on Gabriel. Gabriel wants her to sleep on the floor with him. Mommy says no, she is going back to her bed, since she has to get up soon to get ready for work, tells him it's too early to get up, gives him a kiss and goes back to bed.

6:00 Mommy's alarm goes off. Mommy hits the snooze button.

6:05 Gabriel calls for mommy again. Mommy turns off her alarm (clock, not preschooler) and goes to see what Gabriel needs. Again he asks her to sleep with him. Mommy tells him she can't, she has to go get ready for work, but please go back to sleep, it's too early for you to be up.

6:10 Mommy brushes her teeth, and rinses with mouth wash.

6:15 Gabriel comes into the bedroom. Mommy gives up hope that he will sleep or even rest any longer and turns on Playhouse Disney. Usually the TV does not get turned on until 6:30, when Johnny and the Sprites comes on.

6:16 Nick tries to attack Daddy's laptop, which is sitting on the floor.

6:20 Nick tries again to attack Daddy's laptop. Mommy goes to get him. Realizes he has a smelly diaper, so she changes him and gets him dressed.

6:25 Returns to bedroom to try and get ready. Gabriel hops up and tries to launch himself at her, so Mommy gives him a hug and then decides to dress him too.

6:30 Mommy finally gets dressed

6:35 Mommy removes Nick from Daddy's laptop yet again (why is that darn thing still down there?)

6:40 Mommy realizes that doing anything "fancy" with her hair is not happening and pulls it back into a ponytail.

6:45 Mommy picks up Nick and takes him downstairs with her while she turns on her coffee and brings her lunch and the boys bags (Nick's diaper bag and Gabe's Handy Manny back pack) to the car. Mommy turns on the car so it will be warm when they leave.

6:50 Mommy takes Nick back upstairs and brings Gabriel his banana.

6:55 Mommy finally has on some makeup (concealer and mascara) and puts Nick in car seat.

7:00 Mommy, Gabriel, and Nick go downstairs. Mommy pours her coffee and everybody goes out to the car. Gabriel gets his shoes and the Christmas lights get turned off.

7:05 Mommy pulls out of the driveway. Gabriel asks Mommy (as he does EVERY morning) why we turned the Christmas lights off. Mommy replies because it is morning. Gabriel then states that its still dark out. Mommy replies that we have to leave when its dark out, so we unplug the lights before we leave since we will not be home when its light out. Gabriel then states that those people over there (pointing to whichever random house with lights we happen to be passing) still have their lights on. To which Mommy replies, well they are probably still sleeping (which is what Mommy still really wishes she was doing).

7:08 Drive by "Secret Squirrel Road" (nickname Mommy gave an alternate route to Grandma's and really wishes she hadn't) and have Gabriel ask why can't we go that way. To which Mommy replies we are leaving early enough that the normal way will be quicker (the normal route is a shorter distance, however if you don't leave at the right time, it gets backed up and takes much longer than the alternate route).

7:10 Drive by local farm. Gabriel asks why we can't see the lights on the windmill (which are faint and can only be seen when it is really dark). Mommy replies because it is getting light out. Gabriel then points out that he can see all the other lights at the farm (which is decorated to the nines).

7:15 Arrive at Grandma's (a.k.a. Mommy's MIL) and drop off Nick while Grandma gives Gabriel some juice and feeds him some apples.

7:20 Arrive at Gabriel's preschool. Drop all his stuff off in his classroom and get his cheerios and and water cup out of his bag. Also his snack, which Mommy leaves at the front of his cubby and reminds him that he has. Mommy has Gabriel help her fill up his water cup and then they go in the "eating room", which is what Gabriel calls the room where his age groups sits if they arrive before 8.

7:25 Mommy kisses Gabriel goodbye and drives to work.

7:32 Mommy arrives at work - is it time to go home yet?

Cuddles and Conversation

If it were up to me, I would not get out of bed until 10 a.m. on most mornings. That would be followed by a leisurely breakfast consisting of pancakes, eggs, and bacon, and some coffee, preferably a latte from Starbucks. In fact that was pretty close to my routine on the weekends before I had children. Now I am lucky to be in bed past 6:30 a.m. on any given day. So I am probably not the best person for Gabriel to have a conversation with on the way to my MIL's in the mornings. But I am his only option since Nick hasn't quite mastered the fine are of comprehensible speech. Still, he does try and I do try my best to answer.

Many of our conversations revolve around Grandma and how she does X,Y, and Z better than Mommy. These conversations ultimately end in, "Well, I'm not Grandma." And sometimes, "Well I'm not Daddy." This may indicate where I stand on Gabriel's list of favorite people. On all probability Grandpa, Nick, his six-year-old female second cousin, his aunt, and my in-law's two Chihuahuas probably rank higher - most of the time. Occasionally he wants me above everybody else, but those times are few and far between. Mostly I just hear about Grandma.

This morning he decided to complain about his car-seat (which he has been since he outgrew his infant carrier) and how it was "scratchy" (it's actually very soft and plush, almost like an easy chair) and how it wasn't like the one in Grandma's van. We also had a conversation about school buses. He wanted to know why the buses had a blinking light on top. I believe my answer was "those lights are to make sure people notice them even when they are not stopped to pick up children because they could stop at any time to pick up children."

We also usually have to talk about the local farm (or rather local flower-stand/Halloween extravaganza/Christmas tree merchant), as I think it stopped being just a "local farm" years ago. It is currently selling Christmas trees and has just about everything covered in Christmas lights, to include an old rusted truck and their windmill. Yesterday he asked me why the old rusted tractor didn't have lights on it. Oh and why don't the trees have lights on them? And why are the lights over the trees on?

The entire time Gabriel and I are talking or attempting to talk Nick is either talking to his reflection in the mirror on the front of his seat or yelling about being in his car seat and not having anyone entertaining him. Luckily it is only a 10-15 minute drive to my MIL's, so even if he does decide to yell the whole time, we don't have long before I am at my MIL's and can get him out. I am rewarded with a nice cuddle when I do. He dislikes his car-seat with a passion and feels betrayed whenever he is put in there especially when I pick him up at the end of the day.

Nick is a very cuddly baby. I think he would happily sleep a lot more than he does if only he could sleep on me. Last night, for example, he fell asleep on the way home from my MIL's, and when I went to get him out at dinner time, he promptly buried his face in my shoulder and went back to sleep. He is also more than happy to sleep on me after nursing or with me in the bed in the morning. It's nice sometimes, as I didn't have that with Gabriel. Gabriel was not a cuddly baby, to to say he didn't like to be held, he just didn't like to be cuddled, least of all by me. He was just much to fidgety to be able to cuddle. It was hard at night because often I was his only option, since Pigpen was working nights at the time, and he didn't want me, he wanted Daddy or Grandma, neither of whom was there. I am tired now with Nick, since he still doesn't sleep through the night, but with Gabriel I was exhausted. Nick I can easily get to go back to sleep. I would often spend half the night trying to get Gabriel to go back to sleep.

These days Gabriel loves to get hugs and kisses and wants either Mommy or Daddy to sleep with him, but no cuddling. He may want to hold your hand or your arm while he's going to sleep, but he doesn't want to be cuddled. He really just wants somebody there. And there are very rare occasions when he sleeps well in our bed, so usually I try to avoid it, since nobody really sleeps well when he sleeps with us. He also likes to sit in my lap during story time, and sometimes when he's watching TV. It's nice, as I like to have him close to me.

Progress Report

My three-year-old:

• Is understandable when he speaks 95% of the time.
• Uses long phrases when speaking
• Can count to ten, and often to 20
• Recognizes most of his letters when asked
• Can identify the letters that words start with, even when looking at just a picture (such as a cat)
• Knows all of his colors
• Knows all of his basic shapes, as well as octagon (thank you Mickey Mouse Club House)
• Likes animals, particularly monkeys and cats (but not kittens)
• Likes cooking, especially when the result is something sweet, such as cookies
• Likes building, either with blocks or "helping" with tools
• Likes playing doctor, and really likes wearing band aids
• Likes to play with play doh - particularly his Word World set that can smells fruity and comes with shape molds
• Likes to put together puzzles and is pretty good at the large 30 piece puzzles
• Likes to play games - the Cranium games for young children are a favorite
• Loves to read, although he is not able to actually read whole words yet
• Is a very picky eater (meals usually consist some combination of peanut butter either plain or on a bread, macaroni and cheese, plain whole wheat spaghetti noodles, cheerios, animal crackers, corn tortilla chips, plain hamburger without the bun, french fries, pepperoni pizza, bananas, strawberries, grapes, apples, orange juice, chocolate milk, apple juice)

My 8-month-old (okay 8 months, 3 weeks):

• Can sit up (6 months)
• Crawl (6 months, 1 week)
• Pull himself to standing (6 months, 1 week)
• Says something that sounds like hi (6 months, 3 weeks)
• Says Dada (7 months)
• Says Mama (7 months 2 weeks)
• Clap (8 months, 2 weeks)
• Wave (8 months, 2 weeks)
• Loves to cuddle
• Loves to "attack" his older brother (usually involves hair-pulling)
• Likes red, particularly red furry things, such as Elmo
• Likes Giraffes
• Likes books, particularly touch and feel books
• Is fascinated by electric cords, particularly those attached to laptops
• Will eat anything (he has tried to eat pizza, hamburger meat, and pancakes - all courtesy of his big brother who abandoned them within his reach)
• Still has no teeth

I'm Getting Better

First off, I am starting to feel better. The cold has settled mostly in my sinuses, so the fact that Nick really didn't sleep last night, didn't affect me as much as it would have a couple nights ago.

Sunday evening we took Gabriel and Nick to see Elmo Goes Green. It was very cute, with a large cast of characters besides Elmo. The show was about where to plant Elmo's sunflower named Sunny, which had grown too large for its pot. It was very cute, and while I am certainly not a huge fan of Elmo, my children are, especially my baby. There were lots of songs to dance to and the characters would regularly come out into the audience, much to the delight of Gabriel (although he is more of a Playhouse Disney kind of kid).

Despite the fact that the show was an hour and a half, Nick was more than happy to stay on my lap the whole time. Sometimes he played with me (also known as bounce on mommy, bat at mommy, grab mommy's face, blow raspberries at mommy, and cuddle mommy), other times he happily munched on cheerios, and others he looked at the stage and giggle at Elmo. He wasn't really interested in what was going on unless Elmo was on stage. We had floor seats and Pigpen sat on the end with Gabriel so that he could make sure he didn't wander too far away. At the very end Gabriel went up to the stage (with Pigpen following) and was able to get hugs from both Cookie Monster (my favorite) and Grover. Nick was too busy being fascinated with the giant Elmo balloons that were sold during intermission.

We brought their pajamas with us, as well as a mini meal and toothbrush for Gabriel, so that we could change them after the show and have them both fall asleep on the way home. I brought a couple of bottles of pumped milk with me so that I could feed Nick while we were driving and then pump after he fell asleep. It worked out well, the show was over at about 6:30, and we were on the road by 7:00, so they we kept them pretty much on schedule for bedtime.

Bedtime is really important as I try to ensure that the both get as close to 12 hours of sleep at night, minus night wake ups (rare for Gabriel, regular for Nick). Naps are hit or miss. My MIL has a hard time letting either of them fuss for even a second, so usually that results in them not napping. Gabriel gave up his morning naps at 6 months and his afternoon naps at about 18 months. Regardless of my consistency with naps on the weekend with Nick, it will eventual be a futile task, as it is hard to enforce in two days, what goes unenforced the other five. It was the same way with Gabriel. Not that I don't think he still needs a nap. Once we hit the 5 O'clock witching hour... watch out! Not a fun way to spend the evening. As much as I love him, it is hard to keep my patience when he is doing everything he can to test it.

After Elmo, we still had the fun of getting ready for work on Monday. I also had a lot of homework to do. The fact that I wasn't feeling well did not help my brilliance in responding to my classmates postings. Why, I thought finishing my degree while working full-time, with two small children was a good idea, I don't know. Oh wait, I didn't. Pigpen did. Not that I don't want my degree, I do. I also started taking classes again a year before Nick was born, and thus three months before he was conceived, so my time wasn't as constrained when I started. I even planned Nick's birth around the last day of my last class for my Associates Degree. My class finished on March 23rd. He was born on March 24th (scheduled induction, which ended as an emergency c-section).

It has been so long since I have had the opportunity to read a book, but I have a break coming up over the holidays, so hopefully I can get through 1 or 2, plus get caught up on the pile of magazines I have on my nightstand. Although, I do have that trip to Seattle over New Year's for my brother's wedding. So that may curtail my plans to get much reading done before I start classes again.Yes, my brother is getting married on New Year's Day.

Yes, his wedding is on the opposite side of the country from where I live. Yes, I just found out about it the week before Thanksgiving. And yes, both Pigpen and I are in the wedding. Doesn't that sound like fun? However, we are only bringing Nick with us, and staying with my mom. Gabe will stay with my MIL while we're gone. As much as he would like being in a plane, the length of confinement and the quick pace of the time in Seattle, just would unpleasant for him. And really unfair. So we decided to only bring Nick, since he is still nursing.

Pigpen's consolation prize for flying on his birthday to Seattle for my brother's wedding with a baby is Jack in the Box - namely an Ultimate Cheeseburger and Mozzarella Sticks. The bonus prize for me is wearing a dress that I have never tried on, and guessed on the measurements, in the wedding. And no, I have not regained my pre-baby figure, so I am not exactly enthused about wearing a bridesmaid dress. But hey, new shoes.

I'm Not Dead

So the fates conspired against me on Thursday. Not only did I come down with a very nasty cold courtesy of one darling baby, I also started my first post-pregnancy period. And, since I am still breastfeeding, and thus still on progesterone-only pills, it came complete with cramping and breast tenderness. The sore throat and coughing are so bad, that I am starting to lose my voice. So between the two, I feel like I was hit by a semi.

Unfortunately there is no taking a break to recover for me. I have homework to do and babies to care for. Also Elmo to see. Tomorrow. At 4:30. Yay... In a pre-child world I would spend all day in bed recovering. Unfortunately Gabriel will be up no later than 6:30, and that's on a good day. And Nick will get up no fewer than two times between 10 and 5, also on a good night, and well he has a cold, so probably not going to be a good night.

I am debating on whether or not I should go to urgent care in the morning. On the one-hand it is more expensive than just waiting to go to the doctor, and if it's just a cold, there is really nothing they can do for me. On the other hand, it is more convenient than my primary care, and my pharmacy is in the same shopping center, complete with a Starbucks, and it is possible I have an ear infection... Did I mention Starbucks?

If I do have an infection of some sort, it would be nice to get antibiotics. I have such fond memories of the bottle of pink-stuff (also known as amoxicillin)that seemed to have a permanent place in our fridge when I was a child. I guess I will see how I feel in the morning and make the decision then. Also, did I mention Starbucks?

Watching You

The relationship that is developing between my boys, is the reason I always wanted to have more than one child. They adore each other. Nick just lights up when he hears Gabe or when he notices that Gabe has entered the room. He will immediately crawl over to Gabe and try to attack him, although I think he is trying to give him a hug and then engage him in play, but he's only eight and a half months old, and well, still working on his fine motor skills. So it really just ends up being him lunging at Gabe and grabbing whatever he can - usually hair. And then giggling, because he's so pleased to be playing with Gabe.

However, one of the cutest or saddest, depending upon how you look at it, displays of his adoration of Gabe are when he is staring at Gabe playing in his playroom. Originally the playroom was a place to keep Gabe, and his stuff, contained, even for a moment. Gabe quickly learned how to open the doors to the playroom, so that didn't last long. However, it is now a place to contain Gabe's toys, many of which would be hazardous to a baby. Nick, however, desperately wants to be in the playroom playing with Gabe, and loves to watch him play.

' Tis the Season

Sorry for the gap in posting. I have been really busy lately - between decorating for Christmas and tons of homework. Also, I was sick for part of the weekend, but I'm better now.

Gabriel is so excited about Christmas. In his opinion our outside Christmas lights and our Christmas tree lights should be on all the time. Then again he also thinks sleeping is only for dark time, unless it is like 5 in the morning and dark, then he's not tired anymore. Personally I'd happily sleep in until 10, maybe noon, and take naps.

Our tree is covered in ornaments, including small non-breakable ornaments on the lower branches that Gabriel put up. What this means of course is that they are at the perfect level for one small baby child to pull them off the tree and stick them in his mouth, as that is where EVERYTHING must go. Not that he doesn't have plenty of age appropriate toys perfect for putting in his mouth, he does, I assure you, but his toys are not nearly as interesting as those hanging from the Christmas tree. Hence the gate around the tree. So festive...


The stockings are hung by the chimney (er gas fireplace, no chimney) with care. The Christmas movies are stacked next to the DVD player in the family room. The manger scene is set up (all the inn, and the Three Wise men with their caravan) - very cute, its Fisher Price Little People, which translates into chewing for Nick and noise making to Gabriel (when you press the angel on the manger it plays the tune to Away in the Manger). We also put up a Little People Night Before Christmas set, which consists of the North Pole, an elf, Santa's Sleigh, Santa's toy bag, Santa, and nine miniature reindeer, the ninth of which, is most certainly not Rudolph (no red nose).

We also put up my advent calendar, or rather the advent calendar my mother made me when I was little and I inherited. It, however, is by the front door, which is gated off from the living room and playroom. If it were too accessible, it wouldn't last long - between Gabriel consistently wanting to rearrange the ornaments and Nick wanting to chew on the ornaments (see picture of baby with toy in his mouth, above)... so Gabriel can only put up an ornament when I am with him and Nick can't get near it.

Our next trick will be to wrap their presents. We have them all gathered in the basement, along with the wrapping paper, and bows, and name tags, but not one has come anywhere close to being wrapped. I also still need to get a few more little things for Pigpen, to include stocking stuffers. Not that he really understands the value of stocking stuffers. But it is a thing with me, as it was always important when I was growing up.

We, or I should say Pigpen, have successfully sent out our Christmas cards, as well as the presents for my parents, my brother, and his brother. So that's one thing done. We also have the appointment made and the outfits bought for the boys' Christmas pictures. Although we did take a home picture for the Christmas cards. We have been going to the same place since Gabriel was three-months-old, and I plan to continue until the boys are grown. They are more expensive than other studios, but I am always satisfied with the quality, and they allow us to digitally view our pictures and provide the prints the same day.

If I Only Had a Heart

Gabriel had an appointment with a children's cardiologist today. It was very convenient as he comes once a week to our pediatrician's office. Gabriel had a heart murmur at birth, which resulted in many trips to the NICU during our three-day hospital stay. However, we were told that it went away before we left the hospital. A couple months ago, however, he came down a really bad cold with a hacking cough and fever (not pleasant, poor thing, he was having a hard time sleeping). It got really bad over a weekend and a brought him into the local urgent care. The doctor there mentioned that he had a heart murmur and recommended we follow up with our pediatrician.

The pediatrician said he didn't think it was anything serious, but he recommended that we make an appointment with the cardiologist that visits every week just to be sure. They did both an EKG and an ultrasound and while he does have a heart murmur - three different ones, actually - none of them are serious and will not affect his ability to play sports, should he desire to do so. Gabriel was so good for the appointment. He wouldn't talk to the doctor or his nurse, but he was very cooperative, despite the fact that he had to be very still for long periods (a couple minutes for the EKG, about 15 for the ultrasound). He was rewarded with stickers, which are always a hit. I am glad we got him checked out and even more glad that it was nothing serious.

Today is also my birthday. Yes, I share the same birthday as Britney Spears, and coincidentally, I am exactly the same age. It was nice. I actually got the new Britney CD from Pigpen (have you heard her Womanizer single, it's pretty catchy). And Gabriel made me cupcakes. Well, he helped my MIL make me cupcakes - chocolate, with chocolate frosting. We dropped him off at my MIL's after his appointment and they made cupcakes. It was so cute, they had me close my eyes when I walked into the house and then they put a party hat on me, Gabriel, and Nick and had me blow out the candles (matches) in two cupcakes while they sang me happy birthday. I also got a present from my mom (pumpkin candy and candle, always a hit), a gift card from my dad, an e-card from my brother, a candle and Burt's Bees products from my SIL, and a nice card from my MIL and FIL.

We didn't go out to dinner tonight, but we are going out in a couple of weeks. Pigpen's birthday is on the 30th. So we're going out to lunch, just the two of us, on the 13th and then that evening we're going out to dinner with his parents. The next day we're going to Elmo Live. I'll have to remember to tell you how that goes.