An afternoon at the pumpkin patch

Please enjoy the following photos and video from our afternoon at the pumpkin patch.  You'll get to see how utterly adorable our little cousin Nics is (we call him Nics for short - pronounced "neeks").  It was 85, dry, and breezy.  In the shade is really lovely, but even in the sun wasn't too bad today...I guess fall is starting to kick in.

 

PumpkinPatch

Did you notice how well Littleman shared???  I was proud.

Here's the classic Texas Longhorn.  They were really gorgeous and gentle.

Pump1

 

Pump2

 

Pump3

 

Pump4

 

Pump5

Check out my light hair...thank you Texas sunshine...maybe here it will stay this color all year!  The sun is so much cheaper and convenient than a salon.

Pump6

There's nothing like wrapping up an afternoon of hayrides and pumpkins with hotdogs and Grandma! Good times.

Earlier this morning I took a short video of Littleman "whistling."  This is something new he has picked up from Papabear.

 

Whistle

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Ms. W

Did any of you learn your abc's with "The Letter People?"  I did.  I remember being Mr. Violet Vest in the school play in kindergarten (I also remember being pissed because he was a guy and I was a girl).  Well, apparently that curriculum is still used today - updated, of course!  There are more women letter people and all the junk foods have been replaced (Mr. C - Cotton Candy is now Colossal Cap, Mr. D - Delicious Donuts is now Dazzling Dance, and so on...).  My Littleman is enjoying it.  His preschool spares no expense on the program and has bought every manipulative imaginable - the blow up "dolls", the hand puppets, the posters, the little books for kids to take home. 

This week was Ms. W.  I brought in Norwegian Waffles for multicultural snack.  It was fun. You can see that Ms. W has snack with the kids.

Waffle

Later that day, Littleman discovered the dress-up drawer in his closet.  It's been there since we moved here, but he didn't show any interest until this moment:

Superboy

Can you stand it????????

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33 and happy

The coach purse pictures are finally here!  Enjoy!

Coach1

Did you recognize me?  I know it's difficult.  Look closely.  Aahh, you see all that belly?  That was taken AFTER I ingested quite a bit of cholesterol-filled, perfectly delicious birthday pizza. I think some of the pizza grease must have gotten on my face...MAN, I am shiny!!!  See, still me!

Coach2

You'll notice, the facial dandruff is impossible to detect.  Oh, it's still there, not quite as bad.  However, I'm not sure how you can see anything as my face is SO DAMN SHINY! Okay, focus - isn't the purse gorgeous???  As my Aunt B put it, "You have arrived."  I feel it when I'm swinging that bag over my shoulder! ;)

So, thanks, thanks, thanks to all the wonderful friends and family I have that wished me a happy day.  I love you all.  In many funny little ways this was one of my best birthdays...I probably say that every year...the one four years ago, when I found I was pregnant and got to share the news with all my friends that night was pretty awesome...okay, that was definitely the best, but this one was pretty good, too.

Here are some reasons why: I did not ask for anything - I'm getting to that age when the only presents I want are toys or swim lessons for Littleman and the occasional gift card so I can buy a new shirt or pair of underwear.  However, this year, I received a plethora of unexpected presents that either touched my heart or made me giddy.  We all know the Coach purse did both, see above pictures. :)

Pancake

My sister, LH, sent me these awesome Halloween pancake molds.  This kind of present is right up my alley!  SUPER FUN.  I also really love the Halloween cupcake kit she sent - I can't wait to unleash those yummy puppies at the October playdate!

My BF provided me with over an hour of side splitting laughter by sending me the fourth season of The Office.  I live for watching those blooper reels and had completely forgotten about them until the DVD arrived the other day.

My hubby gave me one of the greatest gifts ever - a large, super delicious pizza and no grief about eating as much as I liked!  That might have been the only thing I asked for.

My friend, LR, sent me this quote that made the "shinesalot" in me really feel extra shiny today: "Youth is happy because it has the ability to see beauty.  Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old."

All of my siblilngs, well the older ones, called me today, in addition to all of my parents.  My email inbox and facebook page are full of well wishes.  It's so nice to feel special and remembered, especially when I'm so far away from the ones I usually celebrate with.  I really miss all you party people back home...you know who you are - we had some really good times in September and October....

And finally, the most surprising and touching present of them all.  It came from my mom in an email...as you would have undoubtedly guessed after reading it.

"First: Happy Birthday!

I still vividly remember the day you were born. The room at the old SI
hospital in Castleton where your father and I spent many hours. The labor
was long, I think 30 hrs, you just would not come out. In those days they
gave women in labor scopolamine - well I've since learned that any drug
ending in "mine" does not agree with me, I hallucinate and get crazy. Your
poor father, I can't say which one of us had it worst? Anyway, when you
finally decided to arrive, you came out pink and screaming. A 10 on the
Apgar, perfect, absolutely beautiful, and healthy. That was the greatest
moment in my life."

I'm pretty sure I am "good" with everything in my life now.  There will always be things - I'd like a house of my own again one day, another baby, things like that, but I can say, that all the important things are good.  My friends, my family, my loves, are all closely tucked around my heart (even if some are physically far away) and when the sun rises each morning I greet it with a smile.  Thanks every one and happy birthday to me.

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Five down, festivities, and photos

Okay, so five pounds down, fifteen to go...birthdays and festivals are NOT helping, but it's paying off to be vigilant.

We have been SUPER active - September seems to be festival time in Texas.  Also, Papabear has bought numerous concert tickets as being at live rock shows makes him feel, and I quote, "like myself."

Friday we went to a balloon festival in the evening.  Athough we had to park nearly a mile away and we forgot to put a stroller in the mini, it was totally worth it.  Kettlecorn (I only had soup for dinner, so I was allowed!) and hot air balloons lighting up the night sky were amazing.  Littleman loved it...AND food vendors were giving away balloons - who could ask for more? I mean really!

Saturday we three met up with Maday, Aunt J, Uncle D, and Nini for one of multiple Oktoberfests we will be attending this fall.  Although it was way too hot in the sun, Papabear claimed it made the beer affects hit home quicker and harder.  I think we calculated that he drank nearly or just over 2 liters of beer! (Gross.)  I stuck with water and drove.  I had the pleasure of taking Littleman on his first roller coaster ride (you know, the little ones at traveling amusement parks?)  He loved it!  He was cheering and "whoo-hooing" the whole ride.  When we got off he was giddy with laughter and asking if we could go again.  I'll see about getting the video up.  Papabear was a little "affected" while shooting it...

Today Papabear joined a group of local MiniCooper owners - they were having a picnic at a park nearby.  We spent the afternoon there.  They arranged for a gelato guy to come and serve homemade gelato!  I cheated on the diet at that point.  Totally worth it, plus the portions were small. :) 

Hmm, let's see what we've got coming up this week: Monday: massage, Tuesday: turn 33, Thursday: CPR and First Aid training/certification, Saturday: Oktoberfest in early afternoon, Black Keyes concert in the evening, Sunday: massage.  October is chock full of camping, Tapas cooking classes, REM concert....crazy.

Here are photos from this weekend's adventures:

School's out, let's party like kings!

Crown

Oktoberfest here we come!

Fest1

First roller coaster ride - we sat in the dragon's tail!

Fest2

Papabear really enjoyed the beer...

Fest3

 

Fest4

Does Aunt J really think she's going to get a kiss out of me????

Fest5

Here's Littleman in classic three-year-old fashion.  Throwing a fit for no apparent reason.

Cranky

We celebrated Aunt J's and my birthday at a hibachi steak house.  As you can see by the photo below, Littleman was ready to go home.  However, once the chef came out and started his cooking magic, Littleman was much happier.  The restaurant took that photo and put it on a cake - I got to eat his screaming little head.  What a birthday treat!

 

Kobesteak

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Insomnia

I think I have it.  I have been lying in bed for over an hour and I simply cannot fall asleep.  I'm tired, exhausted to be exact and yet sleep refuses to grace me with it's presence. 

I'll let you in on a little secret. A few months ago, around May, I think I had become a little bit addicted to Lunesta.  Papabear brought home a bunch of free samples.  His snoring was keeping me up - seriously.  I'd be sound asleep and then an hour or so after he conked out, the bed would begin to shake.  No, not from what you'd hope or think, but from his immense snoring!  I'd lie there for hours poking him, smashing a pillow over my head, ANYTHING for some relief!  SO, some nights, when I had a particularly busy day ahead, I'd take a Lunesta and get a wonderful night's rest.  Well...by May I found that I was having trouble falling asleep without the damn drugs, and I think that technically is "addiction." 

My dad and stepmom tried to help by buying Papabear a very expensive pillow that cured my dad of his snoring.  That pillow has yet to work so well in our house...

In June, when I went on my trip to NY, I decided to nick the habit.  I did not pack any sleep aids and by the time I got back to Texas, I did not need them anymore.  I was sleeping just fine.

Enter new job.  It's the only thing I can think of that is keeping me awake.  I had a migraine for two days over the weekend and, yes, I took some AdvilPM - the sleep was delicious.  And now, it's 11:37 pm, I have a very long day ahead of me, and I am nowhere near feelings such as, restful, tranquil, sleepy, or at peace.  Ug.  It's too late to take any drugs as I want to be at the gym by 8:15. Double ug.

Well, I hope everyone else is getting a restful night's sleep. I think I'll play some Word Challenge on Facebook....or stare at my beautiful new purse some more....

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I'm in the club...

Today, all the gals at work "oohed" and "aahhed" over my purse.  (They all had Coach purses, too!!!!!) I feel like I have been invited into some secret club.  The super cool purse club.  It's amazing how something like a new purse can make you feel a little taller, more confident, and just cooler in general.  I don't necessarily want to be in this "club"...but, as a frequenter at the oddball table, it's nice to feel like I fit in, for a change.

Thanks, Mom.

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It's official

NO, I'm not pregnant, although, that post will have the same exact title.  I'm officially a grown up.  (Okay, before I go any further I know this post is going to read a lot like Goddesslibrarian's most recent post, but I swear I had this done before I hers!)

Anyway, how do I know I am officially an adult?  It's not my child or my car payments or my ridiculous inability to stay up past 10:30 pm.  I am all grown up because my mother sent me a COACH purse for my birthday...and it made me a bit giddy. I had not asked for one.  I don't drool over other womens' designer purses - you guys know me, I'm really not a purse person, BUT, with a child, cell phone, etc, I really need one.  Anyway, I am giddy because my mom bought me something really nice and completely thoughtful and very cool.  My mother is by far one of the busiest people I know and the fact that she went to the mall/store, picked out and paid for something she knew would fit in with my Texas crowd, AND sent it a week early AND sent a separate package for Littleman so he'd have something to open too...well, kids, I'm actually crying writing this, because it makes me so happy.  Crap...does that mean I'm not officially grown up?

No.  I have a COACH purse.  A real one.  It is pretty darn snazzy.  Even Papabear approves, and you know he is the ultimate critic.  I'll have him take a picture of me with it...I'm sure you won't even recognize me.  I am totally grown up.  You'll have to wait for the picture, though.  I've only officially been "dieting"/changing my eating habits/lifestyle for 9 days - way too soon for you to see any progress.  Maybe next week, on my actual 33rd birthday....

Don't fret.  I still do embarassing jigs in the aisles of the grocery store.  I still shop mostly for toys (only now with a super awesome purse).  I still play with puppets and glue guns.  I still go on the swings and crawl through tunnels at parks and bounce on the bouncy-bounces.  That will never change. 

Oh...did I tell you that I don't sleep with the elephant anymore?  The dust out here is something wicked and I literally could not breath if it was anywhere near me.  Now I bunch up the corner of the comforter...I am totally grown up.  Seriously, dudes.  oo, I should call my mom and thank her!

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Really good and really bad

The really good is the video posted below.  Two whole years ago I asked my mom to buy Littleman this fancy, expensive bike for Christmas (only the best for my baby!).  Of course, he was too small back then to really ride it, but as he grew bigger, he still did not seem very interested in the bike.  I felt horrible, especially since I made such a fuss about getting that particular bike.  That kind of horrible I think all new-ish moms feel from time to time, like, "how could I be so dumb???"  However, in the last few months Littleman has figured out the whole pedaling conundrum and practically rides the bike everywhere in the house - to go to the bathroom, to the dinner table, to his room to get a new toy, and so on.  In the video you'll notice the little "trunk" is full of his precious goodies procured from all round the house.  In the end, I am glad he has a high quality bike because I know he'd destroy one of lesser value in just a few weeks...he's just that kind of adventurer.

 

Biker

And now for the really bad.  Well, it's not that bad...it was just the worst thing that has ever happened to Littleman, physically.  Yesterday, being the independent little guy that he is, he went to the bathroom to pee...and in his haste, dropped the toilet seat AND lid on his...well, precious parts.  At first I thought it would be just that really bad initial pain that guys get when kicked there...but on closer inspection, I could see that the tip had been badly pinched.  He was screaming.  It was so awful. There were some tense minutes when Papabear and I weren't sure if he needed to go to the ER or not.  It was SO purple.  But, after a bit, when the crying calmed down and Littleman stopped crying, too, he peed, and it was clear (blood-free) so we treated him with an ice-pop from the freezer.  It was so horrible to know he was in such pain and we couldn't do anything.  He's fine now...although, the tip of his penis has an unnaturally purple bruise going across it and it's still sensitive to touch.  Ack...pain for the little ones is just awful.

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As promised...

Here are some pics of Littleman's first day of preschool.  So far, the biggest change I've seen in him since he started is that he sings all the time now.  I love hearing him sing all day long...

Pre1

 

Pre2

He got new, adorable sneakers and a "safety violation" cone which had to be included in the picture.

Sneaks

Next, we took Littleman for a haircut and the girl butchered his hair...I'm not sure you can tell how awful the haircut is because his radiant smile is so distracting...but the bangs are a wretched arch over his head...ug, it's really awful. I tried "styling" his hair in the morning with a little mousse for that "messy-spiked" look - Littleman would have none of that.  He screamed like I was torturing his soul.  I can't blame him, I don't style my own hair, why should he have to suffer.  We're waiting for it to grow out...well I am, I'm not sure Papabear can handle it, he might take the boy in for a trim this weekend.

Badhair

Finally, here we are with Cousin Nini, Aunt J, and Maday at the lake.  Everyone is partaking in Littleman's famous "flamingo" move, also known as "SA-MIN-GO."

Flamingo

As I wrap up this post, it is 9 am here in Texas and the sky is gray and the wind is picking up.  Welcome, Hurricane Ike.

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The storm and something priceless

I know many of you are wondering if we are in the path of Ike.  And no, we are not.  We have "tropical storm" advisories in effect through the weekend because we will get a few inches of rain and some pretty serious wind.  My cousins in Houston might have to come up here because it's expected to get pretty bad down there, but for now, they are on stand-by.  I will keep you guys up to date.  But, thanks for your concern. 

And remember that post about Littleman in a princess dress?  Well, here are the photos from that.  I promise to get his "First Day of Preschool" picture up tomorrow.  Tonight, this is all I've got...and they are pretty darn priceless, especially the last one. 

Check out the necklace and stroller - pretty hot!

Pretty

 

Pretty2

Pretty3

Isn't this one the BEST????  And wouldn't he have been such an adorable little girl???  Yes, yes, he will want to kill me in ten years for this...but...oh well, I didn't force him into the dress...OR ask him to pose like that!

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Yonder years...

A friend, one of my dad's best friends, in fact, reads this blog and actually had pictures of one our camping trips from the early 80's!  The pictures below were taken in South Carolina.  I am about 6 years old and CE is about 2.

 

Campme

 

Campce

Can you believe what a porker my brother was?  My mom told me she was still nursing him at this time!!!  Well, he's still cute as a button...and he looks so much like my dad.  I'm lucky to have such handsome men in my life.

 

Campmom

Yep, my mom has always been HOT.  All of my guy high school friends drooled over her!  Although I did not inherit her super thin frame, I did get a decent pair of legs and relatively good skin (minus my current facial situation...).  There's me in the background, sitting in the sand inside the screen tent. 

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Facial dandruff and other health related issues

Yes, people, I have facial dandruff.  I mean, can things really get any worse?  I've had this little rash above my lip for a little over a week - too high to be a cold sore, but too red to ignore.  When I had my blood work done last week I asked the doctor to take a look.  Yes sir, it's facial dandruff caused by, you guessed it: STRESS and possibly the Texas air.  Treatment, "Buy some intensive formula Head&Shoulders and put it on your face for 5 to 7 minutes every day."  How much am I loving this??????  I've only treated the spot twice, because that stuff burns, and I suppose it's getting better.  You should see "the site" after aerobics, when I'm sweating like a pig and I'm all flushed from...well, the aerobics.  The thing looks like a landing pad for a helicopter. JOY.

Oh, did you notice I had blood work done?  Wondering about the results?  I am sad and ashamed to report that in six months I have lost only 5 pounds and 6 points on my overall cholesterol.  AND, I ADDED 4 points to my LDL - the bad cholesterol!!!!!  What am I doing to my body??????  The doctor prescribed a grade B cholesterol drug that I am to take along with a strict(er) diet and report back to him in 3 months.  The grade B means that it is kind of okay to take if I get pregnant (Papabear is still doing research on that).  Lucky for me, that whole "getting prego" bit won't be happening for 3 months. (The gloves come off, so to speak, January 1, 2009.)  Anyway, in my current state, I am just asking for gestational diabetes.  

I know, you'd think that alone would be inspiration to lose the weight I need to be healthy.  It sucks to be a stress-eater.  Do you know what I did after that first day of work?  Baked blueberry muffins...from scratch, they were quite good.  AAAAAAACCCCCCKKKK!!!!  See what I mean?

And, so, I begin again, an attempt at a healthier me.  And do you know what's sad?  The job thing is actually good because that is three and a half whole hours I CAN'T eat.  Pathetic..but seriously, I should have one of those ankle-things prisoners have and shock myself every time I go near food.  

Well, off I go...

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ugly

So, I've calmed down a bit.  The new job is clearly...going to take some time to win me over.  While watching my six "students" (I use quotes because they are 3 and 4 years old and hardly what one could call a student) play on the playground I had some ugly thoughts about myself.  Let me sum up: I love kids, I really do, but I DO NOT love being their teacher.  Their librarian?  The silly lady with the puppets and wacky games about taking care of books? Yes, absolutely, that is ME.  That stuff makes me shine, fills my soul and makes me feel complete.  Being responsible for six children who are not my own...and expected to teach them how to write their names and identify all the letters...and then clean the toilet they have managed to miss by a clear three feet...SO NOT MY BAG.

Could I fill the entire Internet with whining and moaning and groaning? INDEED.  Did I come home and put on a Little Einsteins video instead of playing with my son so I could privately cry my eyes out in my room? Indeed, I am ashamed to admit.  Am I going to suck it up and stick it out a bit longer? Yes.  And I'll try not to complain too much, I mean, after all, it was my own stupid big mouth that got me here.

I want you all to know the conversation I had with Papabear when he called on his way home from work:
P: Why do you sound like you've been crying?

Me: Because I am crying.

P: Why?

Me: I hate my new job.

P: Well, quit.  It's not worth it if it makes you this upset.

I can't tell you how much it helped to hear him say that.  I will stick it out.  The extra money for the holidays will help...and then...well...we'll see...let's just hope I can stick with it.  I've never quit a thing in my life.  Never.  It's hard to even imagine...well, not too hard...resigning from Ichabod was a little like quitting, but not quite.

And finally, I should mention that Littleman LOVES preschool.  He loves his teachers, he loves the few little friends he's making, and he loves the drum they let him march around the room and bang on.  He loves his backpack and learning new songs.  I am so happy he is having so much fun.  He is EXHAUSTED, though.  It's right at naptime and he's been too keyed up the last two days to sleep in the car or when we get home at 3:30. (I'd be happy to let him sleep for an hour...I hope he'll do that after he gets into the routine.  In the meantime, we've been putting him to bed a full hour earlier.)  I have a couple of pics from the first day - when I get over myself I'll post them. 

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The new job offically started today.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

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