20 week ultrasounds

Week 18 I went in for my 20 week ultrasound.  From the moment the ultrasound tech called me into the room, I knew there was going to be an issue.  She didn't say "hi" or make small talk, she started with "Why are you here so early?"  Really?  I didn't choose this, the doctor tells me when to come and in and I do. If he requested a 20 week ultrasound during week #18, am I supposed to tell him, "no, it's too soon?" She then comes back with "You know we aren't going to get everything, right?"  I sweetly said, "I'm sure you will do your best."  She didn't!  She was cold and quiet during the entire ultrasound and ended up not getting everything and didn't even give me a picture to go home with.  I asked if she was able to see the gender and she says, "Can't tell but I am going to guess it's a girl cause you have 2 other girls."  Come on lady!?!?  What is the science behind that?  Anyway, she tells me that my fluid is low and I need to take it easy and drink lots and lots of water.  Take it easy?  I am leaving for Disney World tomorrow!!!  I went into an examination room to wait for the doctor and I am totally freaking out.  Picturing myself riding around Disney in one of those "rascals."  Doctor comes in and tells me everything looks good and I should have a great time on my trip and come back in 3 weeks.  I have a family friend who works at the office so after I got home and googled everything about low fluid I called her to ask just how low my fluid was.  She checked my chart and didn't see any mention of low fluid.  The tech told the doctor my fluid was normal.  What!?!?  What is her problem!?!?  

Week 22 I go back in for her to try again.  I should have known when I saw her, we wouldn't get anywhere.  Once again, she was cold and quiet and wasn't able to see the spine.  Now, I'm not a ultrasound tech and I don't get paid the big bucks but I could see the spine!  Again, she tells me she couldn't get any good pictures to print one for me and she couldn't tell the gender but she is guessing it's a girl.  Guessing?  Why the hell do we pay for all this great technology if she's gonna guess?  Her logic, again, is because I already have 2 girls.  Well, gee, why didn't I think of that?  She tells me again that my fluid is low and I watch her put it in the chart.  When I see the doctor he tells me it's not dangerously low, I should just be sure to drink more water that usual.  

So, I have to go back on New Year's Eve to have another ultrasound so they can see the spine and maybe get the gender.  If I have her again, I am going to scream but I am not hopeful there will be 2 techs since it is NYE.  If I don't find out (with a picture!) then I am going to just chalk it up to Baby #3 wanting to be a surprise and go with it.  So few things in life are surprises anymore, why not? 

Hope everyone is well and enjoying the holiday season.  Can you believe 2013 is just 3 weeks away?  

It never gets old

This is my 3rd pregnancy and it never gets old for me.  I felt baby #3 move today and I was mesmerized.  I couldn't move cause I didn't want it to stop.  It is the most wonderful feeling in the world and it will always feel that way, for me...even when I get a little foot to the ribs. 

I have been "down and out" with a stomach bug since Sandy hit and it has been kicking my ass!  Doctor put me on the B.R.A.T (Banana, Rice, Applesauce and Toast) diet and I was finally starting to feel human again. Silly me got my Flu shot and it knocked me down again. :(  I am hoping, after a good night of rest I will be feeling much better tomorrow.  

No matter how bad I feel, I cherish every little kick this baby wants to dish out! 

Can I really be this old?

Ok, so maybe "old" is the wrong word but I have a 6 year old daughter?!?!?!?  Where did the time go?  I feel like I just had her and was "enjoying", for lack of a better word, the joys of having a newborn...you know, colic, lack of sleep, crazy hormones, all the fun stuff!  Jenna has grown into such a little lady, a diva even.  She is strong-willed and determined (even if it is to just to get under my skin) and she is a wonderful big sister.  Some days she drives me completely nuts but I know the best days are ahead of us still.  I love her with all my heart and wouldn't change her for the world!   

Losing my sanity...thanks Sandy

8pm this evening marked a whole week of no power and I am DONE!  I know we are among the lucky ones because we still have a roof over our heads and, for that, I am very grateful.  I am not grateful, however, for PSE&G.  I understand they have a lot of customers and we all want our power back and that's fine.  What I don't understand or even like are the way they are dealing with restoration times.  Let me explain...

Oct. 29, 8pm - power goes out
Oct. 31, 3pm - Estimated time of restoration is Nov. 5
Nov. 1, 3pm - Estimated time of restoration is Nov. 9
Nov. 2, 8pm - Estimated time of restoration is Nov. 3, 3pm
Nov. 3, 3pm - Estimated time of restoration is Nov. 3, 11:59 pm
Nov. 4, 8am - All customers will be restored by Nov. 9

See what I mean?  

Anyway, we are very lucky to have my parents.  They have a full house generator which kicked on 1 min after their power went out and we have been in and out since then.  The girls and I are on day #4 of sleeping here and I use the word "sleeping" loosely.  The girls have been sharing a bed and Em loves to talk to Jenna till she falls asleep...usually around 11pm.  My sister has been sleeping here too with C & R.  Well, her children are not sleepers and were wide-eyed at 5am, which meant the whole house was also up at 5am.  Needless to say, we are all legless.  My parent's power came back on on Sat. am.  My sister got her power back last night and here I am with 2 girls who are very cold even going to the house for an hour.  Again, I know we have it better than some people, I'm just having my own little pity party.  

As I type this, the girls are sleeping in separate rooms and I am catching up on some shows.  Matt is holding down the fort at home and, if nothing else, I look forward to seeing him again...at least for more than 5 mins at a clip. 

Jenna's 6th birthday is coming up and I am sad to say we had to postpone her party due to Sandy's arrival and having no power.  She understands but she's also sad and keeps asking when we are going to have power so she can have her party.  :(  We can't give her an answer, of course, because we are at the mercy of PSE&G.  Hopefully, next time I post, I will be posting pics of her 6th birthday cake....it's gonna be soccer related.  

My lack of sleep is catching up to me and I having trouble typing this.  

Goodnight all!

Week 15 Visit

When I went to the doctor to confirm my pregnancy back in week 8, I believe it was, they found a subchorionic hematoma.  That's a gathering of blood between the membranes of the placenta and the uterus. Some doctors will also just refer to it as a blood clot.  I had to go back to the doctor every 2 weeks to get ultrasounds to check on the status of the bleed.  I was also put on pelvic rest (no exercise, no lifting anything over 20 lbs (i.e Emily and R), etc...).  I do not remember having this with the girls but apparently I did. Of course when you hear something like that you do all your research (i.e. you "Google that sh*t") and you worry.  Every little twinge makes you worry.  Well, I shall worry no more (about that at least) cause today they told me it's GONE!  

I also got the results from the blood test for down syndrome and, after much worry, everything is great.  

I also had the pleasure of having my Glucose test today.  If you've experienced this test, you know I am being sarcastic. That drink takes me back to when I was a little kid drinking that orange drink from McDonald's.  Holy sugar, Batman!  Normally, that test is given between weeks 24 & 28 but because I have a history of Poly-cystic Ovary Syndrome, they like to be cautious and do the test early.  If I remember correctly, I may even have to do it again between weeks 24 & 28.  I haven't had Gestational Diabetes with either of the girls so the doctor isn't too worried.  

Today was the first time I got to hear the baby's heartbeat and it was wonderful!  :)  The Ultrasound Tech tried to see if she could tell the sex of the baby but the baby was being stubborn.  He/She was sitting Indian style and the tech couldn't get a good look.  Have to wait till my next visit which will be the big 20 week ultrasound. 

Till then...

Mommie x 3

Yup, I am a glutton for punishment!  Baby #3 is on the way and due April 19th. 

A friend of mine suggested I blog about my pregnancy so here's the first installment...the announcement!

I found out on Matt's birthday and of course, had to go find the most perfect card.  Found one that talked about family...fitting, I think and signed it <3 Me and Baby #3. He loved it and said it was the best gift I could have ever given him which is good considering it was the only gift I got him. :) 

Been a tough 15 weeks but I am getting through it.  Jenna is super excited to be a big sister again and Em doesn't really understand what's going on yet.

We waited a while to tell the girls cause we weren't sure how Jenna would take the news and we wanted to wait till I was safely in the 2nd trimester.  All has been good, just haven't been feeling 100%...still!  I started to feel better week 11 and then week 12 hit and I was feeling sick again.  This week it has been evening sickness.  I have the hardest time trying to make dinner without getting sick and forget about eating it. It will all be worth it in the end!

Off to another doctor's appointment in the morning so I will write about it tomorrow afternoon.  Till then...

My long hiatus

I know, I know...you are wondering where the heck I have been.  Well, this summer I was busy with the Fab 4.  Thankfully, my brother-in-law's sister and mother helped me a bit but trying to keep 4 children aged 1-5 busy was no easy task.  We had many fun day trips.  We went to the zoo, many parks, the Crayola Factory and other things that have slipped my exhausted mind.  I think it's safe to say we had a very fun summer.  Jenna was sad to have it end and go to school..guess that's good sign of a good summer. 



Just an update on what we have been up to....
 
We are now in full swing with school and activities.  Jenna decided she wanted to try soccer this year instead of dance.  She is quite the soccer star and enjoying it.  She has practice twice a week and a game every Sat.  Don't know how she isn't run-down tired but...wait, she is!  Soccer will be over soon and then I am going to make her sleep for a few days. :)  Wishful thinking, I know.  She is doing great in Kindergarten.  Actually, she is "Star of the Week" this week.  She was so excited.  All summer she talked about hos she would have homework and she couldn't wait for that.  Now that she has homework every night she is eating her words.  I told her to get used to it cause it won't end till she graduates college.  I, on the other hand, am failing Kindergarten!  Yes, I am a college graduate but I can't handle these simple directions, apparently.  For example, Jenna comes home with a sheet of paper and it reads (word for word) "Directions: Trace the shapes. Then find the shapes in the picture below."  Simple enough, right? WRONG!  I had Jenna trace the shapes and then she found all of the shapes in the picture.  She hands it into her teacher the next day.  It comes back with the dreaded red pen "Next time, color the shapes".  WHAT?!?!  Where in the directions did it say to color the shapes?  To really make her point, the teacher colored 2 of the 4 shapes! As if I wouldn't understand her directions.  Come on now!  UGH!!!  Makes me so angry.  If you wanted the shapes colored then tell us to color them to begin with.  Kindergarteners (and their parents) aren't mind readers.  So frustrating!  

Enough of that nonsense....

Emily has begun the Terrible 2 tantrums!  I know it's normal and it's because she can't communicate with us well enough but it's still getting to me.  She will go on and on and on for a good 5 mins.  I am great at ignoring them but she wants to be held sometimes during them but when I do she doesn't want to be held and then she wants to be held and you get my point. I am looking forward to this stage passing and quickly!  Emily did not take well to Jenna going to school.  For the first 2 weeks, every day at drop off, Emily would cry and cry that she wanted to Jenna.  So sad but we have gotten passed it...till next year, I'm sure.  

Think that brings us to present day....I promise I will write more. 

Bye Bye Binky

Bye bye Binky! 

Jenna was a Binky baby and I was not looking forward to taking it away. BUT, like Jenna does, she surprised me and was wonderful.  I took her to Build-a-Bear and she said "Bye bye Binky" as she put it inside of her new "Binky Unicorn." Now Matt will argue with me on this next part, but she was WONDERFUL with giving up her Binky.  Of course, I wasn't home that night at bedtime, so, to me, she WAS wonderful. :)  As Matt tells it, Jenna was scolding him saying, "How could you do this to me?" and such.  Either way, she was great and I couldn't have been more proud of her.  

Emily, on the other hand, is a thumb sucker.  I have no idea how we are going to break this habit.  I can't simply take her thumb away. She is a tough cookie and I know she will put up a fight BUT I have faith that Matt and I will be able to help her break this nasty habit.  If anyone has any ideas or tips, please share!

Anything but predictable

A friend of mine saw this today and thought of me.  :)  Love it!  Thought I would share this on this very rain day here in NJ. Now it's time to search Pinterest for ideas for what to do with 4 little ones.

The Bare Bottom Method

WARNING: Bragging to begin in 3, 2, 1...My daughters are potty training ROCK STARS!  A few of you asked me to share the potty training method I used with the girls.  Em is on day 2 and didn't have any accidents today. ** Ok, so I wrote that first part too soon.  Em had an accident, a MAJOR accident.  She POOPED in the playroom!  Of course, reading all things potty training will tell you that pooping is always the hardest part of potty training. Jenna had issues too so I am not worried about this little set back.** 

Ok, back to the method.  It's called the bare bottom method and in three days, your child can be potty trained.  It's simple...no diapers or underpants or tight pants or pull-ups or anything....just your baby's bare bottom.  Also, plan on being home for at least 2-3 days.  You will have accidents the first half of day #1 and you will most likely want to give up...DON'T...it will get better.  The first day at nap, I put the girls in a diaper which I took off as soon as they woke up and put them on the potty.  The first night at bed, I put them in a diaper as well.  The 2nd day you will see less accidents and at nap, I didn't put a diaper on the girls and I moved the potty seat up into their rooms for nap so it was there if they needed it.  At bedtime on day #2 I still put them in a diaper but they are less wet than before we started potty training.  Now, the method I read about says to use bare bottom for at least 3 months but I feel like you don't need to do it for that long.  Plus, I usually just put the girls in nightgowns or dresses and if we want to leave the house, that's not appropriate.  By day #3 you should be accident free and having a wonderful time not changing diapers!  :)  

A few other tips:
*Give treats for going on the potty.  Jenna got M&Ms and Em gets chocolate chips (I didn't have M&Ms)

*Do a dance and sing a song when they go potty. Pee Pee on the Potty! Pee Pee on the Potty! :)  It works!

*Don't punish for accidents...just correct.  You don't want them to be afraid to go potty.

*If you have wall to wall carpeting, hang out in a room without carpeting. :) Makes accidents less stressful. We hung out in the kitchen and we baked cookies!  

*Like Freddy says, RELAX!  If you are stressed, your child will be stressed.  

Good luck and enjoy the wonderful world of no more diapers!!

Potty Training Begins Again

And here we go again...


We are half way through day #1 and I can tell it's going to be a success.  Em is doing fantastic and gets so excited after going on the potty. Of course, it could be the chocolate chips she gets when she goes on the potty.  She has gone on the potty 6 times and has had 2 accidents.  I shouldn't be counting her 2nd accident because she caught herself and finished on the potty. Let's call is 1 1/2 accidents then. :) She is taking a nap right now with a diaper on and when she wakes up she will continue kicking potty training's butt! <fingers crossed>

One of my worst nightmares...

As many of you know, Jenna is my 5 year old teenager.  Talking back and being sassy are her life's work these days.  It's very trying and I just don't know how to rein that in.  Her sassiness knows no bounds!  We were at Chase's soccer "game" the other day and she just wasn't listening.  I had had enough and told her if she does xyz again, we were leaving.  Of course, not two seconds later, we were headed to the car...her screaming and crying behind me.  In the car, I am trying to talk to her about her behavior and she says, (insert knife in my chest...) "I wish I didn't have a mother!" It took everything in me not to cry my eyes out right then and there.  I know, I know, she doesn't know what she is saying, she doesn't mean it and all that but that doesn't make it hurt any less.  My friend, Cindy, told me her son said it to her around this age too and she told me how she had the "words can hurt" talk.  She suggested I use Jenna's fear of shots (needles, not drinks) and explain how sometimes words can hurt like getting shots hurts her.  After I calmed down, I had the talk with her and I think she understood but, of course, I know this won't be the last time I hear her say that.  Guess I just have to grow some thicker skin. 

20 Ways to Reset When Your Child is Having a Hard Day

I found this article while I was "playing" around on the internet and I could not have found it on a more perfect day.  I feel like the last two days have been so rough and this is just what I need....a reset button!  Hope this helps some of you like it has helped me. 


20 Ways to Reset When Your Child is Having a Hard Day

My 5 year old has insomnia???

Is this possible?  Can a 5 year old suffer from Insomnia?  I have not gotten a diagnosis from her pediatrician yet but I am at a loss for what could be keeping Jenna up every night till 11!  We have a had her on a 730-8pm bedtime every night since she was born and she hasn't had much of a problem with it.  Of course, during the summer we keep her up a little bit later each night but I can't, for the life of me, figure out why, all of the sudden, she can't seem to fall asleep till 11.  I thought it was the allergy medicine but I switched her to the 12 hour medicine and I give it to her in the morning AND she hasn't had it in 2 days!  In the past 2 weeks, she has put ME to bed a couple of times.  I am hoping that with her being back at school today after a week of Spring Break, she will go to sleep in a heartbeat tonight.  Fingers crossed...

Tips from the Jersey Diva

A few weeks ago I got the best email!  Kristin from Tips From The Disney Diva asked me to write for her blog!!!  She stated she read my blog and likes my writing style.  Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to get my writing and blog out there.  I just finished my first article and I can't wait for it to be "published."  I wrote an article about military discounts offered at Disney World.  We are heading to Disney in December and I am already writing down topics that I can "research" while there and write when I get back.  I hope you all will check out Tips From The Disney Diva if you are planning a Disney trip. When my article gets posted I will put the link up on my blog!  By the way, my "diva" name is Jersey Diva ;)

 

Never A Dull Moment

Sickness seems to have settled itself in nicely here at our house.  If I remember correctly, one or more of us has been sick for the past 2+ months.  It's Emily's turn again...she has pink eye in both eyes and a throat infection.  Of course, today was not a day we needed sickness here.  It was R's 1st birthday party and I had to make the cake.  The cakes were baked, just needed to be decorated.  Something told me to not wait till nap time to start decorating so I started earlier.  Good thing...Emily didn't want to nap.  Her poor eyes were bothering her.  I had the cake assembled but still needed to add the final touches but I took Emily to medemerge to get her checked out.  Of course, we get there and she's Miss Personality and all amped up.  :)  Get home and Matt takes Jenna to R's party.  Emily wanted to cuddle so it was extremely hard for me to finish the cake.  I had to call Matt home so he could sit with her and I could finish the cake.  I did it!!!

 I was going for the Caterpillar from the "Baby Einstein" videos...I think I got it. :)  This one was a tough one for me because I wanted it to be "textured" but I was also making my own buttercream and that would have taken me FOR.EV.ER!  All worked out, Emily is on medicine and sleeping (hopefully through the night) and I am getting ready to get to bed myself....yes, at 9pm on a Saturday.  Don't judge me!

Class Birthday Celebration to the EXTREME!

‎One of the parents in Jenna's class has taken the birthday thing to an extreme now.  It's way out of hand. Let me explain...2 weeks ago we get an email from Jenna's teacher telling us that x's parents are throwing a pizza party in class for x's birthday.  A pizza party? For a child's birthday? During school?  Last night we get an email from x's parents telling us that the birthday invite we got earlier in the week was incorrect and x's birthday party is actually on Sat at 530 at Bounce U. (Jenna was out of school for 2 days and we didn't get the original invite) This is ON TOP of the pizza party which is being held today....with personal pizzas for each child!  I bring Jenna to school today and x's father is there to hand out the corrected invites (don't even get me started on the grammar!) and doesn't even give me an opportunity to thank him for the invite and decline, just tells me he will see me on Saturday and proceeds to give me the directions to the place. Whatever happened to a simple box of munchkins and maybe a jug of juice?  We all survived class birthday celebrations like that why can't our kids get the same thing?  I am interested to find out what will be in these goodie bags today...maybe a personal shellacked cake so we can remember x's 5th birthday forever. Am I off base here or are some parent's just out of their minds?

Props to Working Mothers

**For this post, working moms (mothers) means a mother who works outside of the home**

I have to give props to working moms out there. Actually, let me clarify...working moms who also cook dinner for their families.  :)  I don't know how you guys do it.  Making dinner for me is an all day affair.  Now, that may actually be because I have all day to cook dinner but I don't know if I would be able to throw together a meal (or in our case, 2 meals) in say 30 minutes. Dinnertime around here is crazy.  It's usually the time Emily decides she wants me to hold her or dance with her or just pay attention to her.  This is why I tend to do all my prep work either in the morning or during nap time.  I try to keep as little work as possible for the hour before dinner because I know I will be holding, dancing with or giving all of my attention to Emily.  So, if you are a working mother who cooks for your family every night (or most nights) my props go out to you...for what it's worth.

10 Things I Loved About being Pregnant

NO I AM NOT PREGNANT!

Ok, now that I got that out of the way...  With Emily turning 2 next week, I realize I haven't been pregnant in 2 years....I miss it.  

While reading my April Parents Magazine I came across their list of 9 things they love about pregnancy and I thought, hey, I can make a list like that, so here goes...

1. My hair never looked better.

2. Ditto for my nails. :)

3. No heavy lifting for this mama! 

4. I had a nice place to rest my ice-cream bowl and an excuse to use it!

5. I loved the feeling of the private dance party that was going on inside of me.

6. I never felt more beautiful!

7. Holy Boobs! 

8. Elastic waist pants 24/7 for 9 months was ok.

9. I got to wear comfy shoes for 9 months too.

10.  For 9 months, I didn't have to suck it in! 

 

33 things you probably don't really care to know about me

In honor of my 33rd birthday I've decided to give you a list of 33 things you may not know about me.
1. I am a twin.
2. I wear a size 12 shoe.
3. I can tie a cherry stem into a knot with my tongue. ;)
4. Emptying the dishwasher is my least favorite chore.
5. I have had surgery on my left foot twice....not fun!
6. I am scared to swim in the ocean...unless it's calm like in Aruba ;)
7. In high school, I was a member of the fantastic Superchiefs, for one day! :)  
8. I "played" the Glockenspiel. 
9. Birds scare the crap out of me.
10. I am terrible at math.
11. I got a D in 5th grade math...see, I told you!
12. When I was growing up I would always say, "I want to major in Business Management or Accounting" cause it was on that commercial with Sally Struthers for online school or whatever it was.  
13. I actually majored in Business Management. 
14. I didn't get drunk for the first time till I got to college...it was all downhill from there.  ;)
15. I worked in NYC for 6 months after graduating college.  
16. I was an Office Manager at a Diamond Manufacturer...a girl's best friend!
17. I once dated a guy in high school for one whole day...seems to be my thing from high school. (Some girls showed up at my house and threatened to beat me up if I didn't break up with him.)
18. I love attending weddings!
19. I've wanted to be a mother since I was a little girl..my girls are dreams come true.
20. I love pictures....taking them, looking at them, having them all over the house.
21. I'm 100% Italian
22. I didn't own my first cell phone till I was in college...I was 20.
23. The Fugitive is one of my favorite movies.
24. I can't whistle.
25. I can't crack my knuckles...thankfully, cause I don't like that. 
26. I love hosting parties.
27. If I do not sing in the car during long trips, I get car sick....true story. ;)
28. I HATE flying! I once chewed a WHOLE pack of juicy fruit gum (the yellow package) on a trip to the Bahamas when I was 12 cause I was worried about my ears popping and I ended up throwing up from the gum.  To this day, I can't chew that kind of gum. I can't make this stuff up. ;)
29. I was a licensed Insurance Agent back in 2003.
30. Matt and I were married twice in 11 months. ;)  
31. My first daughter is a Georgia Peach.
32. I have never watched an episode of Jersey Shore and I won't.
33. I had a tough time coming up with this list.
There you have it...33 things you didn't know you wanted to know about me. ;) 

My least favorite times of the day

I know you are probably thinking..."she's home all day, what's so bad about that?"  Well, I have 2 times of the day that I do NOT look forward to....2am, give or take an hour & dinnertime.  

Em has been getting up every night around the 2 o'clock hour and I can't, for the life of me, figure out why.  Actually, I have two theories...nightmares or force of habit.  I can't remember the last time I've slept through the night!  She's slept through the night twice that I can recall in I don't know how long.  The first night I was up with the stomach bug ALL night and the second night, Jenna woke me up when she had the stomach bug. :(  

Now, I know you are wondering "why would she dislike dinnertime?"  Well, let me tell you...Emily!  ;)  Emily eats from the second she gets downstairs in the morning till the second I put dinner on the table (slight exaggeration).  I know, you're probably thinking, "well, duh...don't feed her so close to dinner!"  I wish it were that easy.  She goes from one snack to the next and is very persistent when it comes to wanting something.  When we sit down to eat dinner she takes a couple of bites, drinks her milk and just starts having a tantrum.  Every night when we sit down, I think to myself, "this is going to be a good night...we are going to make it through dinner without a fit" but I haven't been right yet!  My sister reminded me that we went through this with Jenna too but I guess I blocked that out.  I'm going to start regulating Em's snacking and see if I can at least make dinnertime more tolerable.  2am (give or take an hour) is another story....I have no idea how I am going to solve that.  Although, Matt did say "Who do I have to pay for you to get a good night's sleep?" so I may have to figure that one out and take him up on that.

As the stomach turns

It's been quite an unhealthy few weeks in the Phelan household.  2 weeks ago, Emily woke up around 930 one night covered in puke....I know, great picture, right?  Not so much... We were up all night with her head in the garbage can...poor baby!  She was herself again by 930 the next morning which I was really happy about.  A week later, Jenna woke up complaining of a sore throat.  Take her to the doctor to find out she has strep!  I guess I should be ok with this since the doctor did mention if the strep was negative they were going to test her for MONO!  What?!?!?!  I'll take the strep thanks! Thinking all has calmed down and then I get the stomach virus that Em had....a WEEK later!!  I don't wish for the stomach virus but why can't I get it during the day so I don't end up losing a whole night of sleep...of course, that was THE only night Em has slept straight through in weeks.  Figures!  Well, here we are almost 2 weeks since Em started with the stomach virus and Jenna was up all night throwing up!  How many times do we have to Lysol this house before the nasty virus leaves us alone.  Now that I think about it, I have been sick with this stomach virus the same time every year for the past 3 years!  What a way to spend my birthday, huh?  Yeah, not fun!  Here's hoping this year's birthday is not completely ruined by sickness or I am giving up celebrating! 

A Good Mother

"Because a good mother loves to be with her children.  A good mother wants nothing for herself. With rules like that, a good mother...quickly turns sour, like milk left on the counter on a hot summer day. And I've been on the counter too long. On the counter with 2 children and no emotional space."  - Jane Rubietta, The High Chair Day, The Mommy Diaries

 

My Left Foot

So I went to the Doctor today for a large bump on my foot.  Leave the office with a soft cast and a walking shoe!  Apparently, I had a cyst on my foot and the tendons underneath the cyst are "damaged."  Anyway, the Doctor told me the cyst would not go away on it's own so he gave me a shot of steroids and a soft cast for a week.  Not really what I have planned for "Mommy/Emily Day."  I didn't realize how much I use my left foot.  You know, on a good day, it's just there....in step with my right foot.  Today, I am having trouble walking up the stairs, turning around in the kitchen and even getting out of the car.  Who knew I would miss the full use of my left foot so much. :(  Feel like it's going to be a very long, wobbly week. 

To Cut or Not to Cut...that is not really the question

I need to cut my hair.  I am not a long hair person and I have never been a long hair person.  I keep trying and keep cutting. :)  Here are some ideas I had.  What do you guys think?  Which one would work on me?  I am looking for no fuss, no muss!  If you have any other ideas, I am open to suggestions. Thanks!

12

345

Please comment with your choice # or a pic of your choosing! Thanks!

"I Don't Like Saturdays"

You guessed it, Jenna strikes again!  

Me: "So I think I will take you to get your hair trimmed on Saturday."

Jenna: (In her sing song voice) "Saturdays, Saturdays, I don't like Saturdays."

Me: "Why don't you like Saturdays?"  

Jenna: "Cause I can't go to school on Saturdays."

Me: "Jenna, it makes Mommy and Daddy sad when you say you don't like to be home and have family days."

Jenna: "I know, but I see you everyday Mommy....every morning!" 

She's got a point, I guess.... 

My own Groundhog Day

Unless you live under a rock, you know what I am talking about.  For those of you who DO live under a rock, thanks for coming out and checking out my blog. Here's the short version...you wake up everyday and everything is exactly the same.  

I don't even know which day is which anymore.  Wake up, drop older two off at school, hang out with younger two, put younger two down for a nap, pray they sleep long enough, pick up older two, make dinner, put girls to bed, go bed and start all over again.  

I was catching up with an old friend from high school a few weeks ago and she asked me, "What do you do for YOU?"  I couldn't answer that cause I don't know.  Does this blog count?  Yeah, probably. But what else do I have?  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being able to stay home with my girls and watch them grow up and I LOVE being able to have this bond with my niece and nephew but I need more Jackie time. I need a break from Mommy/Aunt Jakie.  Ok, now that I admitted it, anyone have any ideas?  Suggestions?  I am open to ideas.  Remember, my time is a bit limited.  

50 Things That Make Me Happy

So as I stated in my last post, I wanted to make a list of 50 things that make me happy.  Here goes...
1. My husband
2. My daughters
3. My family
4. My friends
5. Hearing Emily say "Mommy"
6. Hearing Emily say "No."  I know this one is weird but the way she has been saying no is so cute.  
7. Sleep.  More importantly, when my daughters sleep well, I am one happy mommy!
8. Watching Jenna and Emily play together.
9. Watching Matt play with the girls in the backyard.
10. Snow!  Yes, I know most people hate snow but I love it! I think it's beautiful and relaxing...when I get to stay home and watch it, of course.
11. Singing!  I love singing and I am super happy when I am doing it.
12. At Last by Etta James.  It's our wedding song and whenever I hear it, I smile because it brings me back to that wonderful night.
13. Giving gifts...I love seeing the joy on the person's face when I've gotten the gift JUST right.
14. Cooking...I know this one may come as a surprise but I just love it!  It makes me so happy to be able to put a bunch of things together and make something delicious.
15. American Pie by Don McLean...brings me back to our ZBT days and always makes me smile.
16. The look on Emily's face when I come in the door....priceless!
17. Hearing Jenna sing...she's the next American Idol people!
18. When Jenna really "gets it" when we are having a conversation.
19. Taking pictures...I love capturing moments that matter and even some that don't.
20. Looking at old pictures. I love to see how much the girls are really growing.
21. Watching football with my husband.
22. Pizza!!!  I love pizza and could eat it 24/7/365!
23. Blogging....I love being able to "talk" about things that come to my mind. Since the majority of my day is spent with toddlers, I need someone to talk to and blogging lets me do that.
24. Catching up with old friends.
25. Reading...it's my quiet time.
26. Swimming
27. Musicals...RENT, Les Mis, Miss Siagon...love them all!
28. Choirs....Concert Choir was one of the best times of my life (so far) and I miss being a part of a choir.  Hearing them now just makes me happy.
29. Christmas time.
30. Christmas Eve...all of my family being at my parents house, seeing the anticipation on the girls' faces, A Christmas Story on TV for 24 hours!!!  Need I say more?
31. Accomplishing a task...love being able to check things off of my to-do list.
32. Holding a sleeping newborn
33. Hearing Jenna say "I love you mama"
34. Cuddling with Emily and Jenna
35. Having an uninterrupted dinner with my husband.
36. Jenna cleaning up after herself and Emily.
37. A clean and organized playroom.
38. Baking! Cookies, cupcakes, cakes, brownies...love making them all!
39. Cake decorating...as much as I stress about it and as hard as it is sometimes, I love doing it because I love seeing the finished project.
40. Movie Theater Popcorn....the more butter the better.
41. Getting a new haircut/style...always makes me feel like a new person.
42. Getting flowers, just because.
43. Hugs
44. A long hot (quiet) shower.
45. Bedtime
46. A pedicure
47. Family time
48. Fitting into an old pair of smaller jeans.
49. Smiles
50. Paying it forward

40 awesome things I want to do in 2012

1. Build a snowman family. (Mother Nature didn't allow for this one!)
2. Tell knock-knock jokes with the kids.
3. Go ice-skating. (Mother Nature's fault again)
4. List 50 things that make me happy.
5. Write a thank-you note to someone I appreciate.
6. Organize my photos.
7. Surprise Jenna and Emily with balloons and streamers in their bedrooms when they wake up on their birthdays.
8. Examine a snowflake with a magnifying glass. (Yet again, I blame Mother Nature) ;)
9. Do something entirely unexpected on Leap Day. (Does getting a Stomach Virus count? Why yes, yes it does!) :(
10. Prank my girls on April Fool's Day.

11. Go TV-free for a whole day.
12. Decorate a shirt with "puffy" paint.
13. Crank up the music and dance. (We do this one a lot in our house)
14. Plan an elegant dinner party for Jenna and Emily.  Serve milk in martini glasses.
15. Bake some cookies for an elderly friend or neighbor.
16. Declare a backwards day: eat breakfast for dinner; start the day with bedtime stories.

17. Bait a hook and go fishing.
18. Sing my heart out. (Do this one EVERYday in the car!) :)
19. Delete all those spam emails that keep clogging up my inbox. 
20. Call an old friend and catch up.
21. Count the stars on a clear summer night.

22. Watch the Macy's Fireworks in person!
23. Ride a few roller coasters.
24. Catch fireflies and let them go.
25. Construct an impressive sand castle.
26. Press wildflowers in a book.
27. Just laugh. (The kids help with this one...everyday)
28. Squirt your kids with water guns.
29. Fill 100 water balloons and prepare for battle.
30. Drive to a new town and explore it. 

31. Go to more Rutgers Football games.
32. Picnic indoors on a rainy day. 
33. Go apple picking.
34. Organize a low-tech family game night.
35. Laminate a colorful fall leaf.  Write the date on the back.
36. Get lost in a corn maze.
37. When Jenna is home sick, I will read her as many books as she wants.(Unfortunately, we have had many days to do this one) :(
38. Make a handprint turkey with Jenna and Emily.
39. Praise Jenna and Emily for something.

40. Take a family trip to DISNEY!!! (Happening in Dec!  Can't wait!)

What is with the goodie bags?

I know it will come as a shock to most of you, but it's been about 25 years (give or take a few years...take, please) since I've been in preschool/kindergarten but I haven't lost much of my memory yet.  I can not, for the life of me, remember ever getting goodie bags when a classmate had a birthday.  What I do remember was said classmate's mother sending in cupcakes/munchkins and maybe sippys to celebrate the birthday.  Jenna's birthday is in November and the last two years she's been the first birthday of the new school year.  Her first year, I brought in some munchkins and was able to be there when they celebrated.  This year, I bought cookies and sent them in for the class to share.  Well, it seems I am the uncool mommy!  Apparently, I didn't receive the memo about full blown class parties...some with balloons and all!  Some parents are bringing in full sheet cakes, bunches of balloons, presents for the birthday child and goodie bags for all the classmates.  WHAT!?!?!?!  So now we are expected to throw our children 3 parties...one for the family, one for the friends and one for the class?  I'm sorry, but I am sticking with the old school way of celebrating a birthday in class.  Unfortunately, I feel like my children will be the ones to suffer. :(

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They Like Me...They Really Like Me!

I have been accepted to Top Mommy Blogs.com!!!  Blogging was just something to do to pass the time but I am really getting into it.  To be accepted to Top Mommy Blogs.com is awesome!  It is a viewer voted website that has all Mommy Blogs on it.  I am among a very wonderful group of bloggers and I couldn't be happier!  Please take a moment to vote for me!  Thanks in advance!!

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Potty Training...FAIL

Emily - 1, Mommy - BIG FAT ZERO!
We were doing so well!  Emily went on the potty 4 times yesterday morning and we were rocking and rolling!  Well, I made the mistake of letting the kids go into the playroom and she had 2 accidents in there.  I put a diaper on her for nap and was hoping for a fresh start after nap.  She didn't go on the potty once after nap...she went on the floor 9 times and on me 3 times! 10 times of that was within a matter of 10 minutes.  I totally thought I was being punked!  I decided to take a break and start fresh this am.  When I put a diaper on her, it was FULL within a matter of minutes.  She woke up with a FULL diaper and went on the potty. YAY!! We were off to a great start.  We hunkered down in the kitchen again ready for a full day of going on the potty.  I had to leave to take J & C to school so my uncle came to sit with Em.  She had an accident but ran right to the potty to finish.  Ok, I can handle that.  She went one more time on the potty and I was convinced we were going to get it right today.  Well, egg on my face.  She proceeded to have 3 accidents within minutes of each other and that was it.  I think she still might be a bit young and I don't want to push her to do it.  She will be ready when she is ready and, I know, she will let me know when that is. 

Potty Training time for Emily

The time has come for Emily to be potty trained...at least that is what I am telling myself.  I am SO done with diapers.  Yes, I know R is still in diapers but I only have to change her 2-3 times a day...that I can handle.  :)  Plus, we got the wrong overnight diapers and Em is soaking through her clothes every night (2 times last night) and I am done with all the extra laundry too. I know, that doesn't seem like a reason to potty train an almost 2 year old but I am giving it a shot.  I am using the same method with Emily that I used with Jenna.  It's the bare bottom method and it worked wonders for Jenna.  The first day was HELL but the 2nd day was heaven (she even took a nap without a diaper) and she was fully potty trained in 3 days! (no diapers for nap or bedtime!) :)  Matt's sister-in-law had trained our niece and was my go to mom with potty training.  I remember calling her after only 2 hours of training Jenna, ready to give up.  She assured me it would get better and it did! :)  Ok, so we are less than 2 hours in with Emily and she has gone on the potty 2 times already!!  WOO HOO!! My only concern  is the whole keeping her bare bottom for at least 3 months.  It's cold out there! We will see how it goes. So far, so good..keeping fingers crossed!

Google that sh**!

I love Google!  I do!  And I'm not even getting paid to say that. :)  I wish I had Google at my fingertips at all times because whenever I don't know the answer to something or need to find some information, Google is my go to search engine.  Matt always laughs at me because whenever he asks me a question about something my answer is, "I don't know...Google that sh**!" :) Come to think of it, I SHOULD get paid for this!

MDE Vacations Update

So I emailed a nice email to the company letting them know of my experience.  Received an email today with a "coupon" for a 5 days/4 night vacation in Orlando.  Of course, they must think I am a total idiot because it requires I take a tour or listen to their timeshare spiel (haven't I listened to enough of their spiels?) or pay $498 to forgo the tour.  Come on now...like I wasn't going to read the small print?!?  This isn't over mde! 

'Tis the Season for Scammers

Now, I don't necessarily know that MDE Vacations is a scam but it's one of those "too good to be true" things.  Matt received a phone call this afternoon from MDE saying they had a wonderful promotion to offer him with a trip to Orlando.  Of course, being the wonderful husband that he is, Matt gives the woman permission to talk to me....whadda guy!  I got on the phone and listened for about 20 minutes to this chick explain the great promotion she had for us.  I am sure she was reading from a script because she took few breaks and just kept the information coming.  I was taking notes the best I could and was planning on asking her to send me the paperwork on this wonderful promotion.  When she finished and explained how much this wonderful opportunity would cost us, I asked her if I would be able to speak with my husband and call her back (since she informed me, in the beginning of her spiel, that they only call once to accommodate all of the lucky people to get this promotion.)  She put me on hold to see what she could do for me.  Then comes Robert, one of the promotional directors, on the line to lower the cost of this wonderful promotion and include another cruise (that's 2 cruises people!) as well as Companion Airline Vouchers (cause how else can we get to these wonderful places?).  That sounded great and I asked Robert if I could possibly call him back after speaking with my husband and he said "what's the issue?  Isn't he there right now?".  I really didn't feel like discussing this with some stranger on the hold.  As I was explaining this to Robert, he hung up on me while I was mid-sentence.  I did not appreciate that.  I called the phone number on the website that Robert had given me when I asked for this wonderful promotion in writing and had to leave a message. Apparently they are a "green" company and do not do mailings. Another one of the Directors called me back within 20 minutes which I really appreciated.  She told me Robert is an exemplary employee and would not hang up on anyone, we must have been disconnected.  I told her she should go back and listen to the recording of the conversation that Robert and I had (which he also told me when I asked for the promotion in writing) because I know when I'm hung up on and I didn't appreciate it.  I told her that Robert, the exemplary employee, did not even know the license number of the company when I asked him for it and he was annoyed when I asked for it.  She said that was a Directorial thing and he has only been a Director for a few months.  All she had was a bunch of excuses and was making me feel stupid.  I explained we would not be taking her up on this wonderful promotion and requested we be removed from their database. Beware of MED Vacations!!  We filled out an entry form at a Somerset Patriots games back in July and the small writing on the back (who reads the back of those things) apparently said they would be calling us. This is sad too cause it WAS a great deal! ;)