35 years ago today, a little japanese woman named sachiko gave birth to a 10 lb baby whom she named robert. who would have thought he'd grow up and be where he is today? married to a white woman with 3 kids, a mortgage, 2 cars, and a cat and a dog. ha! happy birthday, rob!
in honor of his birthday we decided to purchase a george foreman grill. i wanted one that could be used outside because i hate the smell of cooking meat in the house, seems like that greasy smell lingers forever indoors. this arrived on friday and i talked rob into opening it on saturday. i couldn't wait for his birthday today. we christened the grill yesterday. i had a turkey burger (with the bun! i'm weaning myself off of weight watchers.) and rob had filet mignon. my parents had shipped him an order of omaha steaks last week for his birthday. i know i don't feed him enough meat so he has to dose himself occasionally. *rolleyes*
anyway, it worked well and rob didn't smell like a big charcoal briquette afterward..always a plus. the turkey burger turned out yummy, too. i really want to find some salmon steaks and try those out on there. i LOVE salmon, but i haven't been shopping in a store with a seafood counter lately. and the one superwalmart i was in that had one, smelled like someone left a dead fish out. i didn't think it was safe to get seafood from such a stinky place. ugh. i also want to try doing veggies on there too. i think maybe i bought the grill for rob so i could eat healthier. hm. oh well. kind of funny that i bought him a little dirt devil vacuum that is used for computers, keyboards, and the tight spots of a car. seems like we'll both be able to use that too.
and a little update on cade...after talking with a college friend who went through the same things with their 3 year old son, i think i'm going to research preschools/daycares for cade. i'm thinking just 3 mornings a week? i haven't gotten any further on research other than telling myself that it might be ok if i let him out of my sight. funny how on the day i decide this, he's having a pretty good day behavior-wise.
and of course, since we're decided to take on this extra expense, now is the time for a neighbor to invite me to an arbonne party. i've never tried arbonne before but it seems that my dark circles and bags under my eyes get a little worse looking everyday. so this party is coming at a time when i'm feeling a little old & desperate. and yes, i'm only 31 but these kids have run me so ragged that i think i look about 41. i'm overdue for a cut & color too. and an eyebrow wax and pedicure. maybe i won't need a costume for halloween after all!
10.29.2007
10.18.2007
mommy confessional...
what to do, what to do...
over the last few days i'm realizing how my son and i do not get along. i know i've been pretty touchy lately, but i've been noticing that his favorite activities consist of: bothering elisha, bothering me, bothering the cat or dog, and bothering reese.
he floats from person to person, taking away toys or generally interfering with whatever they're doing at that time. he makes requests right when i'm in the middle of something (which i'm used to, kids don't always know to wait). he refuses to share, even though his older sister shares with him all the time, she's a really excellent model, imo. i hear "MINE" from him at least 20 times a day. he cries loudly and whines when he doesn't get his way (almost theatrically so, big huge tears and all).
it's almost impossible to discipline him when we're in public. i have been letting things slide though...not following through on my threats because i want to finish my errand instead of having a wasted trip. nothing frustrates me more than going somewhere to get something done and not completing the task. if we did use that approach, i'm afraid that i'd really be too hard on him because i'd be personally disappointed that the errand was left undone.
on the other hand, if cade has a game plan for the day, then he's completely happy. he's helpful with assigned chores and if he has a task, he follows through. he helps with the dishwasher, laundry, vacuuming, sweeping the sidewalk, anything! if i let him i'm sure he'd try and scrub the toilets and cook the meals. (hm, not a bad thought...)
it's to the point though, where i feel like i don't challenge him enough. he loves his ABCs and counting and games but i cannot keep him busy enough to keep him out of trouble. i've thought about homeschooling him in preschool but if he went to real preschool next year then he'd be really bored and apt to get into trouble there. he's only 3 years and 3 months old. if he went to a private preschool right now, i think it would be good for him, even for a few hours a week. but then what would i do with just elisha and me????
and then the thought comes...am i just pawning off my behavior issues on someone else? reese was a really good 3 year old. she was very obedient and didn't talk back very much. cade is just the opposite. it's to the point where i don't even like being around him b/c everything we do is met with a 'NO' from him. horrible things for a mother to say, i'm afraid. and really, i've had a difficult time with his childhood so far. for some reason i don't even remember his first year of life. i doubt my memory has been reprogrammed 'total recall' style, so what's up with that? he was a fine baby, as i remember. nursed fine for 13 months, had the same sleeping habits as reese, walked a bit early at 11 months...i don't know why i feel this block with him. ???
over the last few days i'm realizing how my son and i do not get along. i know i've been pretty touchy lately, but i've been noticing that his favorite activities consist of: bothering elisha, bothering me, bothering the cat or dog, and bothering reese.
he floats from person to person, taking away toys or generally interfering with whatever they're doing at that time. he makes requests right when i'm in the middle of something (which i'm used to, kids don't always know to wait). he refuses to share, even though his older sister shares with him all the time, she's a really excellent model, imo. i hear "MINE" from him at least 20 times a day. he cries loudly and whines when he doesn't get his way (almost theatrically so, big huge tears and all).
it's almost impossible to discipline him when we're in public. i have been letting things slide though...not following through on my threats because i want to finish my errand instead of having a wasted trip. nothing frustrates me more than going somewhere to get something done and not completing the task. if we did use that approach, i'm afraid that i'd really be too hard on him because i'd be personally disappointed that the errand was left undone.
on the other hand, if cade has a game plan for the day, then he's completely happy. he's helpful with assigned chores and if he has a task, he follows through. he helps with the dishwasher, laundry, vacuuming, sweeping the sidewalk, anything! if i let him i'm sure he'd try and scrub the toilets and cook the meals. (hm, not a bad thought...)
it's to the point though, where i feel like i don't challenge him enough. he loves his ABCs and counting and games but i cannot keep him busy enough to keep him out of trouble. i've thought about homeschooling him in preschool but if he went to real preschool next year then he'd be really bored and apt to get into trouble there. he's only 3 years and 3 months old. if he went to a private preschool right now, i think it would be good for him, even for a few hours a week. but then what would i do with just elisha and me????
and then the thought comes...am i just pawning off my behavior issues on someone else? reese was a really good 3 year old. she was very obedient and didn't talk back very much. cade is just the opposite. it's to the point where i don't even like being around him b/c everything we do is met with a 'NO' from him. horrible things for a mother to say, i'm afraid. and really, i've had a difficult time with his childhood so far. for some reason i don't even remember his first year of life. i doubt my memory has been reprogrammed 'total recall' style, so what's up with that? he was a fine baby, as i remember. nursed fine for 13 months, had the same sleeping habits as reese, walked a bit early at 11 months...i don't know why i feel this block with him. ???
10.12.2007
assorted topics
i think i'm all ready for the baby shower. i haven't picked up a gift for the mommies, but i'm thinking of going with gift cards to local restaurants that deliver. for one mom, this is her 4th baby and for the other mom, it's her 3rd. so i think they would come in handy for before their babies come or after.
i just need to clean clean clean. favors are assembled, crafts are ready for the kids, i'm going to make the dip & pumpkin cheesecake bars tomorrow (in btwn cleaning sprees)....i do need to print out the baby games i've selected though. i'm doing pumpkin trivia, baby Michelangelo, and one other...i think charades would be fun but maybe too 80s for everyone. everyone that is coming is a mom already so we'll have a fun time.
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our neighbors are putting up a fence. i'm not sure why. they had their house for sale last month and since then they've started getting chemlawn service and now the fence. i have to think it's not us, we're barely in the backyard and if our dog starts barking we bring him inside. they don't have any kids and their dog is so teeny that he couldn't navigate the grass even if they let him outside.
maybe it's because the lot behind their house has sold and so house construction will be starting soon. no better time to put up fences than before the neighbors move in. that's what our neighbors in connecticut did. jerks.
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i hate the appliances that are in this house. i don't know why ANYONE would choose such cheap-ass items for a new house.
the stove is electric with old-fashioned burners. it's all dial-controlled, NOT self-cleaning, and the heat from the oven comes up through the burners...enough heat so that you cannot rest anything on the burners as you're baking. the outside of the oven door gets hot enough that i need to keep they kids away from touching it. i don't think they'll get burned but it does get warm enough to be uncomfortable.
the microwave is such an aggravation as well. it won't defrost any given weight, only weight in .5 increments. rob tried to defrost a breakfast sandwich at .4 of a lb and it just sat there & beeped at him. and if you use the pre-programmed buttons (like for popcorn) it won't let you push the 'add a minute' button. and there is no quick-cook button (like a 30 second button).
i *might* have gotten spoiled with our appliances in our CT house, they were very nice. however, these are convenience features that in the long run aren't that much more expensive to purchase.
i think i'm just annoyed because the owners told us that they were building this house to move into, but the husband will be transferred soon. (they had been trying to sell the house without much success.) if they were going to move into the house, why would they buy such shitty appliances???? they sure don't help the resale value of the house...in fact the whole house is pretty standard...no wonder they couldn't sell it. people are looking for upgrades where possible.
personally, what i think happened with the owners is that they signed the papers on this house and when it was completed realized they couldn't afford to live here so they had to sell it. just on our street there are 4 or 5 houses for sale. and that's just in a 2 block distance. on the cul-de-sac 3 out of the 4 houses are for sale. then there's one that i think was forclosed on. i'm thinking the housing boom around here is slowing down a bit. enough griping about the house...it's a roof over our heads and we don't have to pay FL hurricane insurance on it, so it's all good.
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elisha has started sleeping through the night! it's hit & miss, usually just a few times a week but last night she did it, sleeping from 8:45 til 5 this morning. i kinda like getting some sleep. the best part is that she's sleeping in her own crib! not in our bed. so not only am i getting sleep but i'm getting plenty of space...well, except for the husband and the cat. but they won't cry if i push them back. :)
i just need to clean clean clean. favors are assembled, crafts are ready for the kids, i'm going to make the dip & pumpkin cheesecake bars tomorrow (in btwn cleaning sprees)....i do need to print out the baby games i've selected though. i'm doing pumpkin trivia, baby Michelangelo, and one other...i think charades would be fun but maybe too 80s for everyone. everyone that is coming is a mom already so we'll have a fun time.
------------------------------------------------------
our neighbors are putting up a fence. i'm not sure why. they had their house for sale last month and since then they've started getting chemlawn service and now the fence. i have to think it's not us, we're barely in the backyard and if our dog starts barking we bring him inside. they don't have any kids and their dog is so teeny that he couldn't navigate the grass even if they let him outside.
maybe it's because the lot behind their house has sold and so house construction will be starting soon. no better time to put up fences than before the neighbors move in. that's what our neighbors in connecticut did. jerks.
--------------------------------------------------------
i hate the appliances that are in this house. i don't know why ANYONE would choose such cheap-ass items for a new house.
the stove is electric with old-fashioned burners. it's all dial-controlled, NOT self-cleaning, and the heat from the oven comes up through the burners...enough heat so that you cannot rest anything on the burners as you're baking. the outside of the oven door gets hot enough that i need to keep they kids away from touching it. i don't think they'll get burned but it does get warm enough to be uncomfortable.
the microwave is such an aggravation as well. it won't defrost any given weight, only weight in .5 increments. rob tried to defrost a breakfast sandwich at .4 of a lb and it just sat there & beeped at him. and if you use the pre-programmed buttons (like for popcorn) it won't let you push the 'add a minute' button. and there is no quick-cook button (like a 30 second button).
i *might* have gotten spoiled with our appliances in our CT house, they were very nice. however, these are convenience features that in the long run aren't that much more expensive to purchase.
i think i'm just annoyed because the owners told us that they were building this house to move into, but the husband will be transferred soon. (they had been trying to sell the house without much success.) if they were going to move into the house, why would they buy such shitty appliances???? they sure don't help the resale value of the house...in fact the whole house is pretty standard...no wonder they couldn't sell it. people are looking for upgrades where possible.
personally, what i think happened with the owners is that they signed the papers on this house and when it was completed realized they couldn't afford to live here so they had to sell it. just on our street there are 4 or 5 houses for sale. and that's just in a 2 block distance. on the cul-de-sac 3 out of the 4 houses are for sale. then there's one that i think was forclosed on. i'm thinking the housing boom around here is slowing down a bit. enough griping about the house...it's a roof over our heads and we don't have to pay FL hurricane insurance on it, so it's all good.
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elisha has started sleeping through the night! it's hit & miss, usually just a few times a week but last night she did it, sleeping from 8:45 til 5 this morning. i kinda like getting some sleep. the best part is that she's sleeping in her own crib! not in our bed. so not only am i getting sleep but i'm getting plenty of space...well, except for the husband and the cat. but they won't cry if i push them back. :)
10.05.2007
what have i done?
i am just not a party person. i'll attend them to be polite, bring a dish or whatever the hostess requests, help tidy up afterward...but i hate hosting them. i worry way too much about what people think of my choices.
well, i've really stepped in it now. in order to get the captain's wife off my back about my non-attendance at family group meetings (blush), i offered to host a baby shower for 2 of the junior officer's wives. eek. it's just a few hours on a sunday afternoon, and hopefully i can talk rob into taking cade & elisha out so they're out of my hair. having them out of the house really reduces my stress.
but like any good hostess, i stress anyway. i have no clue what to do. guests are bringing a dessert/sweet treat to share. so i guess i just need to plan on some punch and other drinks, and maybe a few back up sweet dishes just in case.
i should prep some party games, organize some gift ideas, oh and of course start cleaning. some of the wives are bringing their older children so reese will be here to play with them, however i guess i'll have to scoop some pooch poop out of our backyard too, in case the weather is nice enough to boot them outside. we've been a little lazy about poop patrol.
and the ironic part? the captain's wife won't even be here, she's hosting her own little birthday for her middle son at that same time. ha!
well, i've really stepped in it now. in order to get the captain's wife off my back about my non-attendance at family group meetings (blush), i offered to host a baby shower for 2 of the junior officer's wives. eek. it's just a few hours on a sunday afternoon, and hopefully i can talk rob into taking cade & elisha out so they're out of my hair. having them out of the house really reduces my stress.
but like any good hostess, i stress anyway. i have no clue what to do. guests are bringing a dessert/sweet treat to share. so i guess i just need to plan on some punch and other drinks, and maybe a few back up sweet dishes just in case.
i should prep some party games, organize some gift ideas, oh and of course start cleaning. some of the wives are bringing their older children so reese will be here to play with them, however i guess i'll have to scoop some pooch poop out of our backyard too, in case the weather is nice enough to boot them outside. we've been a little lazy about poop patrol.
and the ironic part? the captain's wife won't even be here, she's hosting her own little birthday for her middle son at that same time. ha!
10.02.2007
how much will old age suck?
i see all the troubles my mom is going through and it really makes me dread getting old. hip problems, knee problems (my dad has them too), and a family history of back problems are on my horizon. high cholesterol and high blood pressure are thrown in there too. oh, and the joys of menopause. although the current joys of menstruation are too numerous to be mentioned here, too. at times i think the best part of my life was before 5th grade when i had to start wearing a bra. it all went downhill from there.
i'm feeling pretty good these days, ironically. with the weight gone, i'm being a little activity junkie...dancing around the house, jumping on the trampoline, roller blading down the street with reese next to me on her bike (which was really a nice mommy-daughter moment last night), running the 2 blocks back from the bus stop in the morning, chasing the kids around the backyard...it just feels good to be moving. a year ago i thought i was too old (or too fat) to enjoy moving. how sad is that? my daily amount of exercise included walking around the house, going up & down the stairs, and getting fired up about cade's tantrums (although that surely burned about 300 calories per tantrum :)). i can't believe i wasted so much time being sedentary. :(
my knees still creak & pop and my hips hurt here & there though. so i guess that's something to mention to my doctor at my next exam, to see if there's anything she suggests for prevention. some wonder vitamin or supplement, maybe. i don't want to be where my mother is in 29 years. maybe that's the most valuable lesson she's taught me? i hate to put it like that, but i don't want to take my health for granted any more. and i don't want to be facing hip replacement surgery at age 50 (she's been in hip pain for the last 10 years).
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on recommendation from some ladies on my mommy board, i downloaded an album by colbie caillat (which rhymes with "ballet", i just saw that!). i feel like i'm listening to the full soundtrack of 'greys anatomy' but i like it. nice soothing stuff with one or 2 songs that are a little more angry. the perfect soundtrack for a grey day like today, i think.
right now i'm listening to 'taking you home' by don henley. i recall downloading that when i was pregnant with my first child, in 2002. listening to the lyrics, i sobbed and sobbed, imaging how i would feel with a newborn in my arms, the pain of labor already a memory. i have no clue what the song truly was written about but i think it could apply to childbirth.
i'm feeling pretty good these days, ironically. with the weight gone, i'm being a little activity junkie...dancing around the house, jumping on the trampoline, roller blading down the street with reese next to me on her bike (which was really a nice mommy-daughter moment last night), running the 2 blocks back from the bus stop in the morning, chasing the kids around the backyard...it just feels good to be moving. a year ago i thought i was too old (or too fat) to enjoy moving. how sad is that? my daily amount of exercise included walking around the house, going up & down the stairs, and getting fired up about cade's tantrums (although that surely burned about 300 calories per tantrum :)). i can't believe i wasted so much time being sedentary. :(
my knees still creak & pop and my hips hurt here & there though. so i guess that's something to mention to my doctor at my next exam, to see if there's anything she suggests for prevention. some wonder vitamin or supplement, maybe. i don't want to be where my mother is in 29 years. maybe that's the most valuable lesson she's taught me? i hate to put it like that, but i don't want to take my health for granted any more. and i don't want to be facing hip replacement surgery at age 50 (she's been in hip pain for the last 10 years).
----------------------------------------------
on recommendation from some ladies on my mommy board, i downloaded an album by colbie caillat (which rhymes with "ballet", i just saw that!). i feel like i'm listening to the full soundtrack of 'greys anatomy' but i like it. nice soothing stuff with one or 2 songs that are a little more angry. the perfect soundtrack for a grey day like today, i think.
right now i'm listening to 'taking you home' by don henley. i recall downloading that when i was pregnant with my first child, in 2002. listening to the lyrics, i sobbed and sobbed, imaging how i would feel with a newborn in my arms, the pain of labor already a memory. i have no clue what the song truly was written about but i think it could apply to childbirth.
Taking you home -
(don henley/stan lynch/stuart brawley)
I had a good life
Before you came
I had my friends and my freedom
I had my name
Still there was sorrow and emptiness
til you made me glad
Oh, in this love I found strength I never knew I had
1st chorus:
And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known
Take my hand, love
Im taking you home
Taking you home
There were days, lonely days
When the world, wouldnt throw me a crumb, no no
But I kept on believing
That this day would come
And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known, no no baby
Take my hand love
Im taking you home
Im taking you, home
Where we can be with the ones who really care
Home, where we can grow together
Keep you in, my heart forever
Instrumental (keyboard)
2nd chorus:
Oh and this love
Is like nothing I have ever known, oh no no baby
Take my hand love
Im taking you home
3rd chorus:
Oh this love
Is like nothing I have ever known, no no baby
Take my hand.
I'm taking you home
I'm taking you, home
Yes I am, mm, mm, mm, hey baby, hey baby
Taking you home
Short instrumental w/background vocals
Im taking you home baby
Im taking you home.
(don henley/stan lynch/stuart brawley)
I had a good life
Before you came
I had my friends and my freedom
I had my name
Still there was sorrow and emptiness
til you made me glad
Oh, in this love I found strength I never knew I had
1st chorus:
And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known
Take my hand, love
Im taking you home
Taking you home
There were days, lonely days
When the world, wouldnt throw me a crumb, no no
But I kept on believing
That this day would come
And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known, no no baby
Take my hand love
Im taking you home
Im taking you, home
Where we can be with the ones who really care
Home, where we can grow together
Keep you in, my heart forever
Instrumental (keyboard)
2nd chorus:
Oh and this love
Is like nothing I have ever known, oh no no baby
Take my hand love
Im taking you home
3rd chorus:
Oh this love
Is like nothing I have ever known, no no baby
Take my hand.
I'm taking you home
I'm taking you, home
Yes I am, mm, mm, mm, hey baby, hey baby
Taking you home
Short instrumental w/background vocals
Im taking you home baby
Im taking you home.
and now my ipod has moved onto 'never smile at a crocodile.' which is good advice.
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