Wanted

Go.See.This.Movie.

James McAvoy is the hottest actor in the world and Angelina will rock the socks of all you men out there. Plus there are cool sequences, pulse-pounding action and most importantly did I mention JAMES "Those abs made my husband a happy man tonight" MCAVOY??

Bubbles

I love the bubble machine. It's a cheap, easy and fun way to spend 15-20 minutes. Annabel enjoyed it too and I have her on video saying "bubble"! It's her first word other than MaMa and DaDa!

Things that Piss off your Wife

Throwing clean laundry from the dryer onto the couch and leaving it as a parting gift the next morning.

Annabel's Pictures!

I love these shots of her, they came out so beautiful. It was so difficult to pick and choose poses! Jimbo ordered a 8X10 of the last one for his office.

Justice

Neil Entwistle was found guilty today of murdering his wife and infant child. I was relieved to hear the verdict but saddened because even justice won't bring them back.

Stories like THIS are heartbreaking.

Mom Confession of the Week

I swear my children produce some sort of chemical that blocks out the sound of my voice. It doesn't matter what I ask, how I ask it or how many times I repeat myself. They will just carry on with life as usual and ignore me until a little light goes on and I get that strange look indicating they've finally registered, "oh she's talking to me..."

*Sigh*

Our A/C is finally finished. The children are upstairs for their naps for the first time in I don't know how long and Annabel and I are just about to head up to join them.

I can't wait to feel cool sheets against my body as I snuggle in. I'll think about the humongous bill tomorrow.

Kick in the Teeth

If you knew me in middle/high school then you know I had braces. I wore those hideous bars of metal from 8th grade until right up before my senior prom. My teeth were pretty awful prior to them and I was not only forced to wear the braces but also had to have 4 wisdom teeth removed and the top pallet of my mouth had to be stretched and broken.

It was not fun.

There are still adverse emotional scars due to this. For one I absolutely despise the dentist. I'll put off going for years if I can. And there is one particular tooth I cannot stand to have touched or messed with. Which is usually the cause of my discomfort and paranoia. It's the furthest molar on the right side of my mouth.

Back when I initially got braces I had brackets placed on all my molars. Since they covered my tooth it was impossible to see exactly what was going on under there. I just hoped proper brushing was doing it's job. Then the day came when my braces and brackets came off. Everything was wonderful with the exception of that one tooth. There was a cavity and when air hit it oh my lord, it was one of the worst pains I've ever experienced. It was packed temporarily and I was sent to a nearby dentist from my orthodontist to have it repaired. It was a terrible affair and I've never shaken it.

Over the years when I'm finally forced to do my yearly cleaning I plead with my dentist to avoid that tooth as much as possible. There is still nerve damage and just touching it causes me to jump out of the seat. I've visited numerous offices and dentists but none have taken my request seriously. Instead I'm subjected to poking, scraping and prodding and when I'm finally done I never return again.

Which brings me to today. The tooth is bothering me again. The last time it started the filling had fallen out. When I saw the dentist I asked them to just pull the entire tooth out. It's caused me so much headache and stress I'd just like it gone. I was told that wasn't a good idea and to salvage it, which I did. I was also warned I'd need a root canal at some point because the tooth had been such a problem. My Mom (in law) told me to try the dentist she is using now. She swears by him and says he will listen to me and take my anxiety about that tooth seriously. She's making me an appointment this week.

Does anyone else out there hate the dentist as much as I do? I'd rather scrub toilets than to let anyone near my mouth with those nasty metal scrapers.

Birdies

They are growing so fast!

Other side of the Fence

Today the AC repairman came out to replace our system. I'd promised when he arrived I'd take the kids to pick a DVD at the store to keep them out of everyone's hair. We packed up and drove to the local Hollywood Video.

I was nervous as this was the first time at this particular store with all the children. Arwen and Logan held hands as I held on to Vincents and balanced Annabel's car seat in the crook of my other arm. We went inside and walked to the children's section.

I had to reprimand Logan a few times for running off but for the most part it went very smoothly. When we'd made our selections we took them to the counter. I was thinking to myself that it looked like I'd survive this trip unscathed. Of course it was around this time my 3 year old decided to bitch slap me back down to reality.

I was paying when Vincent saw the gumball machine. I walked around the edge of the counter and told him I didn't have any quarters and it was time to go. Arwen pulled out a dime to try in the machine and I explained it wouldn't work. Meanwhile this pisses Vincent off even more as he wants a gumball and Arwen is touching the machine (he's having sharing issues now, with everyone but Annabel).

This resulted in a full scale meltdown. He began thrashing and screaming (just like last time) and I stood mortified. I told Arwen to take Logan's hand, it was time to go. As I grabbed Vincent he decided to use his dead weight trick on me and dropped to the ground. His screams echoed through out the store and I felt myself getting hot from embarrassment.

Then suddenly I'd had enough. I sat Annabel down and handed Arwen the bag with the videos inside. I instructed her to grab onto Logan's hand because we were leaving. I walked over to Vincent, wrapped my right arm around his waist, and hoisted all 40 pounds of him up. As I walked around the wooden security posts Vincent grabbed them with his arms and began kicking and screaming. He kicked Arwen in the face and she began to cry. I made sure she was ok before telling her we had to get to the van. She wiped her tears and walked over to Logan and took his hand once more.

I turned to the video clerk and asked if he had a video camera handy. He laughed and said no and I said it was a shame because he had the opportunity to shoot the most influential birth control video the world has ever seen.

After pulling on him Vincent lost his grip on the posts. I hurried over to Annabel who was waiting patiently (god love her) and I picked up all 25+ pounds of her and carseat and began walking to the door. (This is harder than when I normally carry her because I was forced to hold her with my hand and arm only, instead of resting in the crook of my arm, it's very difficult to carry her and even more difficult to carry her for more than a minute) Arwen opened the door while also keeping a hold on Logan and I walked out. I carried Vincent to the van before putting him down. By this point he'd calmed and had stopped screaming and fortunately the short walk from the store to my van had cooled me off as well.

I guess this is karma's way of biting me in the ass for all those times I've seen wild children in public and thought to myself, "why does that parent let that child act that way??". If any of those parents felt like I did today then believe me, they were absolutely mortified. I couldn't get out of that store fast enough and if I weren't surrounded by patrons I'd have loved nothing more than to bust Vincent's tiny hiney.

I don't know what I'm going to do with him. He can be the sweetest boy in the world and he's so nurturing and loving with Annabel. But he's also capable of being so angry and loud when he's frustrated. It's impossible to calm him during one of his breakdowns.

One things for certain. I won't be returning to the video store again when he's with me. I don't want to be known as the woman who's kid goes apeshit in the store over gumballs.

Almost forgot. I've been keeping tabs on scoreboard but haven't posted it. So to update:

Summer Scoreboard:

Mom=10
Kids=8

George Carlin

He passed away yesterday. I'm so sad right now.

August Rush

A drama with fairy tale elements, where an orphaned musical prodigy uses his gift as a clue to finding his birth parents.

This movie is simply amazing. If you haven't seen it, you need to. I loved it.

Worn Out

Today was spent cleaning, doing laundry, baking and organizing. I'm so exhausted I can barely move.

On the positive side, the laundry is almost caught up (3 loads, 4 if you count laundry from tonight and tomorrow), the house is clean (I won't say spotless and jinx myself), and the boys actually chipped in on the pie making this time around (they usually refrain from pie making as there is no icing to devour). All in all it was a good day. Maybe I can spend tomorrow finishing my book, relaxing and planning our 4th of July. I'm really excited this year, we're having some family over to eat and set off fireworks for the kids.

Oh and before I forget! Annabel had her first pictures made Friday. They came out so gorgeous! I'll share them as soon as they arrive. I have the negatives coming via email within a week or so. I hope you all are enjoying your weekend.

And Nikki, you're suggestion worked wonderfully! Thanks again!

11 Months Old

I can't believe time has passed so quickly. One more month until we celebrate her very 1st birthday.

Any Ideas?

For the last couple of weeks nursing Annabel has been more difficult than usual. Not because she doesn't want to nurse or because I'm having issues feeding her but rather because she's started doing something I have no idea how to stop.

When she ate before she would always run her free hand along my shirt and breast. But lately she has started grabbing onto the skin and clawing it with her fingernails. At first I would tell her no, then I would hold her hand (she would stop eating and fuss when I do this) and finally I'd try to cover the skin so she couldn't scratch me anymore. But she continues to do this each time she eats without fail.

Yesterday when she scratched me I almost jumped from my skin it hurt so badly. I felt the area and was shocked at the enormous lump there. I hurried upstairs to the bathroom to look and to my shock I had this nasty knot that looked infected, surrounding it of course were numerous scratches.

I know most of the people who visit don't have children they are currently breastfeeding but I'm open to any suggestions or ideas on what I might do to break her of doing this. I'll be nursing her for a few months still and I have to find a way to show her this isn't acceptable. She is only 11 months old so she's not old enough to grasp "no".

Today I'm going to try putting a baby sock on her hand and see if that works.

WOW!

Did any of you ever watch 3rd Rock? If so you'll know that actress above, Kristin Johnson. I had to share this picture because I was shocked at how different she looks now. She's lost over 60 pounds!

Break my Neck

I'm so thankful that Annabel was napping and not in my arms when this happened. I've complained about the set of stairs in our home more than once. Besides the fact they are terrible on my knees they are also very steep and potentially very dangerous. I travel up and down them several times each day as our bedrooms are located all the way at the top and the playroom is located all the way at the bottom of them. I'd say I go up and down each set at least two dozen times a day.

Annabel had just fallen asleep and I laid her on the pallet before heading on up to check on the kiddos. I'd been listening to them on the radio and figured they'd be done with lunch (they had a mini picnic in Arwen's room while watching her play Zelda). When I got up there I noticed Jelly on the sheets so I pulled them off to put into the wash.

I'm not sure what I tripped on or if I slipped. One minute I was walking down, the next I was flying. I felt my hip hit around the same time the side of my head took a thump. I kind of tumbled the rest of the way down. After I'd cleared the stars from my eyes I sat still, my hip and head aching. I stood slowly and moved around. Thank god nothing appears broken and all I have to show for the fall is a knot on the side of my head and a slight limp.

Clumsy people and stairs are NOT a good combination. I hope I can manage to stay alive until we can move.

Reporter Bug Out

This is fantastic, if you need a good laugh today, check it out!

Something Fun

Last night Jimbo and I watched Be Kind Rewind. During it I got to thinking about how obsolete VHS tapes are now and that my own children's children won't have any clue as to what a VHS tape is (much like Beta tapes were to me).

I told Jimbo I'd actually miss that technology. I can't say why for certain. The picture is grainy, it's not as easy as clicking a button to jump a scene and once a tape is damaged that is pretty much all she wrote. But I do love my old VHS tapes and plan on keeping them long past when they are considered antiques (some of mine are getting close to that mark).

As 2001: A Space Odyssey was "sweded" (term from Be Kind Rewind, which is funny as hell!) I told Jimbo I'd never seen it. He looked shocked and told me it was very good and that I had to check it out. Suddenly inspiration struck. What if I had a project for myself where I'd watch so many VHS movies in so many days and I'd review them just for the fun of it. Sort of like the Steve Guttenburg project but not limited to one specific actor/actress or genre?

Right now I'm still thinking it over. I'd have to decide how many movies, how many days/months and if I'd limit myself to VHS or if DVD's could be slipped in (which let's face it, will probably have to happen, it's hard to find VHS tapes and I can't afford to purchase every title).

I'll let you know what I finally decide, I think it could be fun. I'd like to review many of the 80's old school horror movies. Movies like The Fog, The Stuff, Creepshow, Cat's Eye, and Fright Night. Those are true old school!

Sick People

Have any of you read about THIS? Severed feet washing up on the shore...that's beyond strange and makes me wonder what in the world police will hopefully uncover.

Yesterday my mind kept wandering back to THIS trial and THESE pictures from it (warning on the second, it's a very difficult image to shake, proceed with caution!). In case you're afraid to click, it's the case of Neil Entwistle. He's the sicko that shot his wife and 9 month old baby girl while they napped together in the bed. It was hard enough to read about when the news broke but seeing those blood stained baby pajamas really brought it home.

I don't know what is wrong with the world today. You can't even trust people when it comes to their own families and children. It's too scary to even think about.

Check Up & Shake Up

Today was Annabel's check up and routine vaccinations. She did very well and the doctor said everything was perfect. He commented on her food allergy and said to continue nursing as long as we can, he also said if things persist he will want to do some testing.

We came home and I wasn't feeling well so I laid on the floor and passed out with the baby while the other children napped. When I woke I still wasn't feeling well so I went back to bed. I woke to the phone ringing at 8:30. It was the doctor calling for Mom and I was worried so after we got everyone settled I called to check on her.

Today she was rushed for testing when she had severe chest pain. They did several things and a few of them came back "bad". She was sent for a few more things and finally was told everything was ok that it was induced by stress.

When I found this out my heart sank and I fought back panic. I adore this woman, she is my best friend, my rock. She brings out the best in me and I realized today I can't even imagine my life without her and even more so, I don't want to.

Jedi Potty Trick

Yet again my DSL isn't working properly. I'll click on a site and it will work for a few minutes and then suddenly there is nothing and I'll have to sit and wait for it to come back up again. When the technician came last week he told me with the increase of people in the area that the line was too small and they'd expanded it. Apparently not enough as this problem has only gotten worse over time. Jimbo and I are seriously contemplating the switch over to satellite internet. Sure it might go out with bad weather but right now the dsl goes out with the sun shining outside.

But enough of that. I want to share my youngest child's latest tactic to get himself more snacks. He's a sneaky little bugger, I'll give him that.

He's started indicating he wants to "potty Momma" and each time I rush him up the stairs. I noticed when we got to the bathroom he would pull down his pants, literally sit on the toilet for less than a second and then inform me, "done Momma!" I would praise him for trying and some of those times he'd sneak into the kitchen for a snack. Well...

The last couple of weeks he's done this same thing, only after each trip he runs into the kitchen to pick out food. He usually asks to potty minutes after he's requested food in the playroom and has been told no. It's become a vicious cycle with me taking him upstairs to "fake" going to the bathroom to try and trick me into feeding him.

I don't know what to do. One part of me knows I need to encourage using the toilet but another is tired of treading the stairs so he can attempt to pull one over on me. I guess one positive aspect of all of this is I'm getting my daily exercise...and then some.

Baby Birds

For the last 5 years or so we've had birds come to nest in the same exact location in our garage. We keep the door open every year because of this and I noticed a Momma bird a few days ago laying on her eggs. When she flew away I took a peep and I made out 5 little speckled eggs inside.

Well today Arwen and I got to witness some of them hatch! This is the first time we've ever seen them actually come out of the egg. I rushed inside to grab my camera. The picture below shows the egg splitting in you look.

Another reason I adore living so far out in the country. Sure it sucks when you want fast food or need an ingredient for dinner but you can't beat benefits like this.

No greater satisfaction

There is no greater satisfaction in the world than when you finally nail that pesky fly who has been buzzing around your head all freaking morning.

You had it coming you little bastard. Let that serve as a warning to your little friends outside. Mess with the master and get the swatter!

I'm not crazy, I swear

The Cook's pest control people must thing I'm a crazy woman. First I was busted dancing around and singing practically naked and now I've been observed yelling at the top of my lungs at my well behaved angels.

Here's how it went down. I had meat from Friday in the fridge that had to be stored today. I brought everyone to the middle floor, placed Annabel in her baby seat and got to cleaning and packing. This is a process that usually only takes 20 minutes or so, depending on what I have to freeze. Today it was just pork and chicken...no big deal.

So as I was washing the pork the kids started. First it was running around the circle the middle floor creates. Then it was yelling at each other, then it was tag. I know from past experience this will lead to injury.

"Please stop running!" I yelled out and continued putting the pork chops away.

By the time I'd finished the first bag I'd requested nicely that they stop 4-5 times. I cleaned my hands and intercepted them midrun. I got down on their level and asked again before returning to finish up the pork. When I was done I started on the chicken.

Now, I hate cleaning chicken to freeze. It stinks and I'm terrified of raw chicken contamination. So I don't like to be pulled away with my nasty hands to tend to my little heathens. Of course they went buck wild during this time so I did what any respectful and well meaning Mother does. I yelled and I yelled and yelled some more.

"STOP RUNNING PLEASE! STOP RIGHT NOW!"

Finally I realized the chicken would have to wait. I washed my hands clean and as I was wiping them off I yelled a warning;

"Here I come, you're about to get busted!"

I rounded the corner when I saw him. On the back porch, well within earshot to my yells was the pest control man.

I noticed after the last fiasco a new man was dispatched to take care of all our insect needs. I wonder if this one will request reassignment to.

I just love my children, thanks guys.

Shared Mornings

Reminders

Oftentimes I forget I have a child with autism. Since it's something that's such a normal part of our lives we just consider our household "normal". After all, what is normal anyway?

But sometimes little things will happen and I'm reminded that my son isn't exactly like everyone else. This isn't a good thing nor is it a bad thing, it just is.

Today I found him "lining up cars". He does this from time to time. Today he just lined them up but it's not unusual to find him lining up cars by color, shape and type. He does this with blocks as well. I've seen many "rainbow" towers built where the colors are stacked.

When he immerses himself into this kind of "play" you can't get his attention and his focus is 100% on the task at hand. If someone bumps his work or disturbs it he will get extremely upset and can only be calmed when everything is back in it's proper place.

Of course, this kind of behavior is what tipped me off in the first place that something was different. I'll never forget walking downstairs that morning and seeing all of his toy cars lined from one wall all the way over to the other. If you've ever seen the movie "The Sixth Sense" when the Mother walks into the kitchen and all the cabinets are opened, that is how I felt. The hair rose up on the back of my neck and I just "knew".

He's still improving and I'm so proud of him and love him so much. Words cannot express how much he has shown me and taught me about myself and the world.

Pie!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Nathan.

Ant

We drifted apart for a time and my heart was broken. Then suddenly you where there and I didn't care how or why or about any of the events that caused us to part. Hearing your voice filled this empty void I didn't even realize I had inside me.

I'm grateful you are back in my life and I've missed you.

Big Brothers and Baby Sisters

Vincent adores her. Each morning without fail he comes into our bedroom and the question is always the same; "Where's Annabel?" He then comes into the room where she is usually in the bed with me nursing and he'll climb up to wait patiently to kiss her and pat her gently on the head.

After we come downstairs and eat breakfast he will motion for me to place Annabel on the blanket and then he will run to gather his toys which he brings back to her. Then he'll sit down and play for the next hour, handing her various things and trying to make her smile. It's a joy to watch.

I knew my children would be close but I can tell you with all sincerity that I can see this huge bond between my two youngest. They always seem to seek one another out and it amazes me just how gentle a 3 year old little boy can be with a 10 month old baby.

I had to share this picture I just snapped, she has 4 teeth now!! I can hardly believe how big she is.

Mom Confession of the Week

I love wet and sloppy baby kisses, even when drool is shining off my face.

Father's Day, Pie and a Show

So my dear husband had one request today, homemade Apple Pie. Otherwise his day was spent relaxing around the house and vegging together on the sofa tonight to watch Gremlins.

That is the one thing we all do together as a family I really enjoy. It's so much fun to watch the children laughing when silly things happen on the screen (they can't be scared when we make funny noises and say "get that gremlin!"). Logan would stand and mimic the people slowly walking around on the screen (like the Mom investigating the kitchen) only to go "BAH!!!" at the right times.

Vincent of course snuggled in with Dad, Annabel snuggled in with me and Arwen floated back and forth around us all and we laughed until we cried.

I called my Grandpa and Dad too to wish them a Happy Father's Day. I'd really hoped to see Dad today but he wanted to check out the gun show with his Dad and it's his day after all. Maybe I can get out to see him this week or this weekend. I've really missed him.

Ouch

These gas prices BLOW. It is over $60 to fill the tank of our Camry. YIKES!!!

You Rock

"Baby, don't sweat the small stuff that you can't change. All of us think you rock, we love you and at the end of the day, isn't that what matters?"

Abso-fucking-lutely baby. Abso-fucking-lutely.

Perspective

Keeping it all in focus is easy. I just go visit Mashed Potatoes for breakfast.

I hate my DSL!

It refreshes pages and sends messages and email before I'm ready. It sends duplicates of things out into cyberspace causing me to cringe and give the evil eye to my screen.

But I finally manged to get the new apple pie recipe off the net and I'm about to try it out. Apple pie can solve anything..for a short period of time at least!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all those wonderful men out there who are the hero to boys and girls around the world.

To my own husband, I love you sweetheart, thank you for everything you do. We love you.

And to my own Father. You're still the man I love most Daddy.

Picnic

Today was the annual company picnic. We loaded up the kids and took off this afternoon in what we hoped would be a fun family day. For the most part, that is what we got, with one noticeable exception...the freaking redneckville HEAT.

Oh my dear god. I broke my "no shorts" rule and purchased some capri's the night before. It marked the first time in years I've worn anything other than pants out (another topic for another day) and it's a good thing too or I'd never have made it.

The one thing I have to blog about though is the poor little girl in the blue harness. She was perhaps 3 years old and was strapped into a blue harness that wrapped around her chest and shoulders. On the back was a clasp and this was attached to a blue leash. On the other end was the girls Mom. Now I realize some people like the child leash but it reminded me of a woman on a walk with her dog. This Mom would walk a decent distance ahead of her child and then pull on the leash. The little girl would stumble at times and do an odd jog to catch up only to fall behind and be tugged at once more. I finally snapped a picture to share with you all. Let's hope they never read my blog!

After we were finished we packed back into the van and rushed to Hell-Mart to pick up the things necessary to bake an apple pie (Jimbo's request for Father's Day). While there I got stuck in a 20 minute line and by the time I made it to the Van Jimbo handed me the camera with one instruction:

"You have to watch this, I recorded it while you were gone."

Since the kids were screaming their heads off I pretty much knew what it was he wanted me to see. I have to say I'm so glad I was the one that went inside the store.