Whack-a-Mole

Is anyone familiar with this game? A favorite at Chuck E Cheese, the little moles pop up all over the board, as soon as you whack one a few more pop up. You are given a soft mallet to whack as many moles as you can in your given time! Fun, right? Well, my sweet little Hutch is playing this game with me....and it isn't so much fun! As a heel pushes out in my right side and I push it in, out pops a elbow in my left side, I push that in and out pops a bum right smack dab in the middle of my stomach. I absolutely LOVE to feel him moving around, but this Whack-a-Mole game he is playing with me is actually a bit painful....he is a strong little booger! I think he has way too much room in there right now, and who can blame him for taking advantage of that? Especially since over the next 10 weeks he is really going to get squished up in there as he starts packing on the pounds. I definitely am not upset with him for playing this childish game with me, I just wish he wouldn't do it quite so hard!!

3 Cheers for Spring

Hip-Hip-Hooray x 3!!! What an absolutely gorgeous day!! It was cool this morning, but warmed up just in time for us to have a perfect afternoon outside. Riding bikes, popsicles, sidewalk chalk, playing at the park, a trip to Target cruising in the hail damaged ride with all the windows and sunroof open, a nice 4-mile walk for me, golf for Les, visiting with neighbors....we packed it all into one afternoon.....and it was a blast!! I love this weather. I can't imagine sitting inside on such an amazing day and I want my kids to feel the same way....I think it is working! Especially now that Cannon is really enjoying riding his bike, it's actually hard to keep him indoors....I couldn't be happier about that. I welcome Springtime with open arms....good bye Northface jacket and Ugg boots.....hello tank tops and flip-flops!

Where will Hutch come out???

Cannon, Neely and I were laying in bed last night and they were loving on my belly, as they often do. They feel Hutch kicking, talk to him and kiss him....it is such a sweet little time for us! Well, leave it to Neely to take this sweet moment into the gutter!!! She says, "Mama, are they gonna pull Hutch out of your belly button?", I say "no", Neely says, with her dirty little laugh, "is he going to come out of your bum?", I say "something like that"....hoping she will be happy with that answer...so much for hoping! She then looks over at me and says "how bout your tee-tee...is he coming out of your tee-tee?". My response "yep Neely that is where he will come out...it is way past bedtime, we need to close our eyes and go to sleep." This is the first time in my life I ever wished that I had had C-sections!! C-sections are much easier to explain!!

Woo-hoo....Third Trimester!!!

I am officially in my third trimester (as of last week). I went to the Dr. and did my glucose tolerance test this week....and I am assuming that no news is good news! I have never had a problem with gestational diabetes before, so I didn't expect to this time either. I AM on the other hand expecting a gestational diabetes sized baby (these babies are usually 8.5++++ lbs). In the last month Hutch (and I) have gotten much bigger!!! As usual, I look at my belly and wonder how much more it can stretch without popping....I feel HUGE! I still feel great though...and have had a wonderful pregnancy thus far. According to all the "Your Pregnancy" emails I get, Hutch is approximately 17 inches (already!!!) and 2.5-3 lbs. That is just amazing!! So, he will probably grow a few more inches...and will definitely be packing on the pounds over the next 11 (or hopefully less) weeks. I see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

A letter to a friend....What you need!

I have a girlfriend that is going to be a first time Mommy in July. Yesterday she emailed me after reading my "Let the Nesting Begin..." post. She said that she realized that she wasn't at all prepared either, and would love for me to send her that list I was making. Well, I did....and then some. Maybe a little more than she wanted to know. Hey, what are friends for? Well, I got a reply from her hoping her baby would stay in her tummy for a very long time after reading the letter :)....but I think she will be better prepared now! These are some things I wish someone had told me!!! Here's the letter......

Hey Girlie, You really don't have to pack much "stuff" for the hospital....as they supply everything while you are there....and charge your insurance out the wazoo for it :). I would suggest packing him 2 or 3 outfits and a receiving blanket for going home.

For you....you will just need comfy clothes and all you toiletries....don't even think about packing something that you didn't wear a few weeks before delivering b/c it will only depress you that it won't fit. I suggest packing a long shirt or dress....the pads you wear at the hospital are ginormous and will show through pants....I know...lovely! They will supply the pads and the lovely bottle that you spray your privates with b/c they will be too sore and swollen to wipe.....ouch!!! Make sure to take a loose sports bra type bra....you'll need it for those knockers when your milk comes in!! Oh, and snacks. You will be hungry after all that work Mama! Also, they will only give you ice chips during labor, but I sneak Altoids or mints....do it! Make people go out and get your food after you've worked so hard....Boo hospital food!! Below is the list of some things you will need when you get home.


baby lotion (I like Baby Magic the best)
baby soap "" ""
rubbing alcohol (to clean cord stump)
q-tips...get the ones in the baby section
formula (don't know if you plan to breast feed, but good to have some on hand)
breast pads....you will be leaking like crazy when your milk comes in
maxi pads...big ones sister...SUPER!!
get a notebook or journal to use the first couple of weeks....will help you to keep track of when you nursed, when Jack pooped and peed....yes you do keep track of this!

My fav bottles are the Playtex drop ins.....I have used all the super expensive ones and these are the best. You will only need the 4 oz ones till he is a little bigger.
The wipe warmer is nice for the first month or so...then you prob. won't use it, but it's nice to have at first.

Get tons of burpie clothes. The cute ones are great when everyone is looking at you, but buy a couple of packs of the plain white ones....think they come 10 or 12 in a pack.....you will use the heck out of these....esp if he is a spitter! I can send you a link to these so you know which ones to get.

Girl, get some tucks pads and hemorrhoid cream...just in case (HA)....if you do get the lovely hems (which you prob will...unless you are one of the few lucky ones)...you'll be glad you did!!!

Stool softeners.....yep, that is what the bottle says. Not laxatives...STOOL SOFTENERS....take them liberally... they won't hurt you or the baby...the pain meds make you constipated and the last think you want when hurting down there already is to have to strain.....no bueno para your privates!!!


You will get a suction bulb from the hospital....take it home and keep it next to you all the time. Little Jack will get milk all in his nose....and you will have to use the bulb...or if he gets choked.

I am sure I will think of 100 more things....but this is a good place to start. If you have ANY questions...please feel free to ask me...I'm an old pro :).


Love ya, Hope I didn't scare you too bad....if I did it's a little late for that :). xoxo J

Sweet Sleep....Poor Lola

I finally got a good sleep under my belt last night. Most of the time I am an excellent sleeper...no insomnia...no trouble going to sleep. Well, not right now. It has been taking me an hour or more to get to sleep every night...and I am having difficulty staying asleep and going back to sleep. I start on my right side, then go to my left side....then get the bright idea to lay on my back....well, that doesn't work well when you are 7+ months prego. I have to have all the pillows just right...and then, maybe then I can get a few z's. Trips to the bathroom, adjusting pillows, finding that perfect position, a noisy c-pap mask on my hubby, 2 pugs trying to find their comfy spot, 1 pug that is extremely itchy at night....ALL of these things are driving me CRAZY!!! So, last night after a very traumatic evening I was completely pooped! I got in bed at 9pm and was out pretty quickly...after going over the car damage in my head 10 times! I tossed and turned a little...then Les came to bed and at some point decided itchy little Lola was going in her crate....Ooo-la-la....I slept...and I slept good and hard! Has it been Lola all along or was I just completely and utterly exhausted from sleepless night and the events of the day? I don't know, but guess who is probably going to get to sleep in her crate again tonight? That's right...Poor Lola! While I do feel bad about this my sleep is super important right now..and Lola will live. She was extremely happy to be let out this morning and wagged her whole body when she saw me! She will probably be back in the bed soon...she probably isn't the "problem" with me sleeping, but she's my scapegoat. She is the sweetest little puggie in the world though....and if anyone can forgive it's Lola!

Oh Hail!!!!!!!!

I got stuck in a hail storm today! My car, my sweet car that I love so much is damaged goods!! It was truly the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. I was about 1/2 a mile from home when huge raindrops started hitting my windows, then came the hail. I pulled over and got under a tree....I had absolutely no idea what to do under these circumstances. OK, we are not just talking pea size hail......we are talking CRAZY hail...golf ball size!! It was awful. I called Les and was having to scream at the top of my lungs for him to hear me over the hail pounding my car. Then he couldn't hear what I was saying because at this point I lost it....I became a total basket case. Seriously, screaming, crying and shaking like a leaf! Les tells me since I am so close to go ahead and drive home. It's not as if I had time to sit and ponder this decision....so I pull out from under the tree, I am sliding all over the road. I am still on the phone with Les screaming and crying every few seconds he says "are you OK"...."yes, I am OK, but I'm not OK". As I slide into Twin Creeks it sounds like my car is crumpling around me. Cars are pulled onto sidewalks under trees and it looks like a war zone....I keep on driving. I was so close to home, yet I was accumulating damage by the second.

I made it home and am so happy to be unharmed, and so thankful that my family is all safe, but I am so sad about my car....and forever traumatized by this experience. It was so scary....this blog does not do it justice....poor Les had to talk to me through the whole ordeal....so he is well aware of how scary it was for me....and never wants to see me in a "real" emergency. I really thought that the windshield was going to cave in on me....really!

I am so thankful that I was in such a big strong car. I am glad Les turned around and went the other way to avoid getting hail damage on both of our cars in the same day....and I am glad he made it home safe. I am so glad that my kids are safe! BUT, I am super bummed to have waited so long to drive my dream car....and now I do....and now it is totally beat up. I know my sweet hubby will take care of it, like he does everything, but it is such a pain to have to deal with the insurance company and actually getting the car fixed.

What an awful experience!! AWFUL!!!

little things

Yesterday I came home from the grocery store and was surprised that my two kids ran out to help me unload groceries! Now, I don't want to make you fellow Moms jealous....this is a first! It was probably prompted by Les, but I'll take any help I can get. I handed each of them a bag to take inside and they did. When we got inside I decided to milk it and asked Neely to please take "this bag" up to Hutch's room. "This bag" happened to be some baby lotion, soap, bottles and q-tips (as noted in the "Nesting" post). She walked off with the bag and I didn't think about it again until bedtime last night. When I put Cannon & Neely in bed I thought about the bag I had sent with Neely to who knows where earlier in the day. I decided to check it out. I walked into Hutch's room and found the empty HEB bag on the floor. On the changing table were the bottles I had bought, but the lotion, soap and q-tips were no where to be found. I looked around the room....no goods. Surely my 5 year old didn't think to actually put something up??? I walked into Cannon & Hutch's adjoining bathroom and looked under the sink on Hutch's side......there I found, very neatly organized, were the lotion, soap, q-tips and a few other items I have bought. OK, I know this isn't that big of a deal, but my heart melted. I was so proud of her at that moment. I can't explain it...I'm pretty sure most of you Moms out there can probably recall something your child has done that is totally insignificant, but touched you in such a way! I have to admit....I had one of those moments!!! Such a little thing.....that meant so much!

Spring Break

Today is the first time I have really sat down at the computer, except last night when I downloaded all of our Spring Break pictures. I have not been on a computer more than a minute or two since my last blog. I must say, it has been kind-of nice! My phone hasn't really rang and I haven't been attached to my email! Although I will be right back into the swing of things tomorrow I have enjoyed the time off from work and modern science.

We left last Wednesday morning for Lake Tyler and did not return until late last night. We spent a great deal of time riding bikes, taking boat rides, going to parks and the zoo....we spent very little time indoors....and VERY little time watching TV or playing on the computer. By the time we actually came inside in the evenings we were all in bed crashed by 8-9 o'clock. It is amazing how much being outdoors can wear a kid (and adults) out!!

Cannon had just started riding his bike on his own (no training wheels) a week before left town (but very timidly). Now he looks like he has been doing it for years!! It is amazing what riding a bike can do for an ALMOST 7 year old.....can you say major self confidence booster? He rode that bike up and down Meme and Poppie's drive-way and over into the neighbors drive-way like he owned the place.....so darn cute! Neely is really doing a great job riding her bike too! It is just a matter of time before she will be riding with no training wheels too. So much fun as a Mommy to watch your children accomplish such a task (I remember learning to ride a bike like it was yesterday).....it is just the beginning...but we all know that riding a bike is a big one!!

I think the kids had a great Spring Break and now we are ready to conquer yet another task....the last 12 weeks of school! So it begins tomorrow...the final countdown to the last day of school....which also happens to be the time that Hutch is due! We have had a wonderful break and have a lot to look forward to over the next couple of months!! So, here we are facing the Monday after Spring Break....we are well rested, ready and are up for the challenge!

This Big

We went to Waterloo to have dinner tonight. It was a beautiful day and we wanted to go somewhere that the kids could play outside and we could sit outside. Neely was playing with "the little girl in the pink shirt"....this little girl informed Neely that she was "this" big...."this" big is Neely holding her little pointer finger and thumb slightly apart so that you can barely see light. Neely is small for her age....and although she expresses that she doesn't want to "get big", she doesn't like to be told that she looks like a 3 year old...or is "this" big. So, she comes to us to tell on the "LGPS" and proceeds to tell Les the reason she is so little is because she doesn't have as much skin as he does. When she does get as much skin as she needs to "get big" she is going to be a Rock Star! Big dreams for this little skinned girl!

Let the nesting begin.........

I realized last night that I am not ready! I know I still have approximately 12 week before the arrival of our sweet little package, but I am a planner...and I usually have everything ready to go much sooner! I was listening to the radio a couple of weeks ago and one of the DJs here in town has a baby due at the same time we do....and they are ready to go...they have it all! Trust me, come May 1st I will have the infant seat in the car and a "just in case" bag packed for the hospital for me and one for Hutch! I have lots of baby things from Cannon and Neely, but there are definitely some essentials that I am lacking. I started making a list last night and was in a bit of a panic at how lackadaisical I have been with getting ready for Hutch's arrival. Now, my husband would probably scoff at this! He thinks I am such a crazy planner...and he thinks since we have a baby bed in Hutch's room that we are set to go....wrong! I don't have the pink bottle of Baby Magic lotion that makes them smell so sweet, I have no alcohol to put on the umbilical cord stump, I have no formula (in case he doesn't nurse well), I don't have a stroller or a newborn carseat (I do have one that was a hand-me-down from someone when Cannon was born....not my #1 choice)...I am ill-prepared! So, I will let this be my last week of procrastination (since it is Spring Break), but next week it is ON! I will be stocking up on all of the essentials. I will have at least 2 or 3 packs of diapers and wipes in reserve. I will have that pink bottle of Baby Magic baby lotion and the soft little baby brush. I will start washing all of his clothes and linens for his bed. I need to start getting his room looking like a baby room rather than a junk/storage area. So much to do to get ready....let the nesting begin!!

Inclement Weather

Due to the inclement weather all activities that we had planned have been canceled...and I am secretly thrilled!!! Les had a 9:30 softball game tonight....canceled! Cannon had his first soccer game at 11:30 tomorrow....canceled! All canceled!! 8am tee time....canceled! 9:30 was entirely too late for a game...and with temperatures in the 40's, Les was going to be on his own for that one. I was a little worried about Cannon's first game because they have only had 1 practice...and Cannon doesn't know the first thing about soccer...so hopefully this will give us a chance to get a few more practices in before our rescheduled first game on the 28th. Too cold and too wet for golf...hee-hee-hee! So, due to the inclement weather I get my family all to myself this weekend! I rented some family movies, I think we'll order pizza, make popcorn w/lots of butter and salt, hot chocolate w/extra marshmallows (all of these treats for the kids & Les....I will be having my Weight Watchers Smart Ones and hot tea) and get in lots of snuggle time....and I couldn't be happier about that!

Slightly Obsessed

I EAT! Don't anyone think that I am starving Hutch! I eat all day, but I am pretty sure I have become slightly obsessed with a few things. First, grapes (90 cals for 1 1/2 C), yes, grapes (love them frozen)....gotta have them everyday! I didn't have them yesterday and I just wasn't right. Les came home with 2 huge cartons of them from Costco last night and I was in green grape heaven! I washed them all, pat them dry, kissed them and put them into individual baggies...ready for me to grab anytime (now I think Cannon is a little obsessed with the grape too)! Weight Watchers Smart Ones meals! Love them...love the Mac & Cheese (270 cals) and the Tuna Noodle Au Gratin (250 cals). I have a freezer full!! Steak and cheese Lean Cuisine Panini (340 cals...my dinner most nights), string cheese (50 cals), Cheerios (110 calories for 1 cup), my new snack of choice...after grapes...of course. Sugar free koolaid (0 cals)....approx. 112 ounces of it a day....I have told my supervisor I may be a little more productive if they would move my machine into the ladies room! Sweet tooth? Spoon full of peanut butter (71 cals) or chocolate covered Mr. Salty Pretzel pack (100 cals). 15 unsalted almonds (104 cals). Boiled eggs..need I say more? 78 delish little calories packed full of protein!! Seriously, these are things I eat almost everyday. You see how this could be considered obsessed?

I feel great!!! I feel healthy and satisfied. I am by far healthier than I have been with my previous pregnancies. Slightly (or more) obsessed? YES, definitely! A good thing? Yes, I think so. I am pretty sure my husband thinks I'm a little crazy....but he doesn't have to hear me complain how I feel like a cow everyday. Don't get me wrong....I am still big and prego....but I feel a lot better about myself than I felt a month ago....before I became "slightly obsessed". When I take a bath and lean over to shave my legs...everything is still touching....ick! You girls that have had a big ole belly and boobs know what I'm talkin about! I do try to steer clear of baths these days though. Why do they have to put that little tiny round mirror on the side (inside) of your tub? I don't know if everyone has this, but unfortunately I do! I look at myself as I am trying to lean over and shave my legs...and it scares me every time...which in turn....makes me continue to be very good and continue to eat healthy...and yes obsess!

Austin Traffic

Austin traffic is notoriously awful!

This morning I woke up to the sound of wind and rain hitting the window. Rain, glorious rain!!! We need it so badly, and I was so glad to hear it! I also immediately dragged myself out of bed although my alarm had not gone off yet. I know if 2 drops have fallen in Austin that there will be traffic backed up like you would not believe (unless you live here and commute in it). So, I got up around 5:15and got myself ready...knowing that I would need to leave the house extra early to get my spot in the wonderful "March to Mopac". I dropped Neely off at 7 and was on the road by 7:05. Now, on a non-rainy day it takes about 30 minutes in traffic for me to get to work. This morning it was double that! By the time I got on the road it wasn't even raining, but the damage was done. These crazy Austin drivers were all acting as though we had black ice all over the roadways. I always like to call Les and update him as to how incredibly long it is taking me...and where I am in my commute! One of my landmarks is the Arboretum area....so I called him and said that it was 7:45 and I hadn't even made it to the Arboretum. He said he KNEW I was going to say that. Did he know I was going to tell him that I was about to wet my pants? I had to pee so bad!!! I seriously was looking around for a towel...ya know...just in case!! You will all be happy to know I made it to work with dry panties, but I am pretty sure my blood pressure was up! It is just so frustrating!

So, it will probably be the same song and dance on the way home today! I will have wasted 1 more hour of my life in Austin traffic! We are forcasted rain again tomorrow....so same story tomorrow..I will limit my coffee consumption tomorrow morning...so I can make it to work without an accident...and I don't mean a traffic one! While I am grateful for the rain, I wish Austin people would learn to drive in it! With all that being said, I do look forward to getting home, putting on jammies, eating soup and drinking some hot tea tonight...perfect weather for that! Yesterday in the high 80's and today in the 40's....crazy Texas weather...as crazy as the traffic!!

Happy Anniversary!!!

Happy Anniversary Les! It just keeps getting better. I love you more and more everyday.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

Really, I have very little jewelry, but what I have, I love! Last night Les and I went to dinner at one of our favorite places, Eddie V's. It is where we had our first date and it is a fine dining experience to celebrate any occasion. This occasion happens to be our 2nd anniversary! About a week ago I informed Les that he was not to get me anything for our anniversary...for many reasons. Number one reason is that I am about to be off work with no pay for 3 months...and we are going to have 3 crumb snatchers to take care of now....instead of the two that we are use to. That is reason enough...I thought! So, we settled on just going out for a nice dinner on Saturday night (our real anniversary is Tuesday the 10th, but we will have work, school, kids, homework, soccer....the weekend was a better choice). We get to Eddie V's early...because they have an amazing 1/2 price appetizer happy hour that I could literally make dinner...and pretty much did. Les valets the car and we go into EV's. We have a wonderful dinner....a total splurge in so many ways and have a very nice time. When we finish dinner and Les rolls me out of EV's we give the valet our ticket and Les' car is brought around. There is a generic looking green bag in my seat. I pick it up and ask Les if he knows what it is???? He says he does not....so I lay it in the floor board....it must be some complementary mints or maybe they did go ahead and pack up the rest of that colossal twice baked potato and put it in our car. Les picks the bag back up and puts it in my lap. This is when I realize there is a little green box nicely wrapped inside the generic green bag. Ah yes, everything from our jeweler is always in this nice little green box! I tear open the wrapping to find the beautiful matching diamond band that completes my wedding set!! Oh my gosh!! All I can say is...."you weren't suppose to get me anything"....as I am pulling out the ring and putting it on my finger! He really shouldn't have, but I am SOOOO excited to have my beautiful diamond band. Les has once again knocked my socks off! I absolutely love this man....he is the best!!!

Double Digits

99 days to go!! Hip-hip-hooray!! Something about being in the double digits makes me see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thus far this has been an unremarkable pregnancy. I feel great!!!

I can't wait for Hutch to be here! Will he have hair or not? Will he have dark brown eyes like my first two? Or will he have blue eyes like his Daddy? Will he be a big brute like his brother (Cannon was 9lbs 4 oz) was? Or a little squirt like his sister (Neely was 6 lbs 15 oz) was? I know he will be a wiggle worm...because he already is! We are all so excited to meet him and welcome him into our family....in 99 days (or less :).

Exist

I don't know if all kids do this, or it's just my kids! When my kids are going to bed at night...that is when they tell me their deepest, darkest secrets. This is when I get all the scoop! I don't ask for the scoop, it just spills out of their little bodies! A 5 and 6 year old have things to get off their chests too...and trust me...they do. Sometimes it is of the silly and funny nature, and sometimes it is of a very serious nature. Last night after the armpit poots were called off the "spilling" was of a more serious nature. Cannon, Neely and I were laying in my bed last night (a lot of times the night before they go to their Dad's for the weekend I let them go to sleep in my bed and Les carries them to their beds after they are asleep) when Cannon asked me a very serious question. He said "Mommy, what does exist mean?" I said "it mean that you are real...you exist". He thought for a second and then floored me with "Mommy, I wish Laurie didn't exist". For those of you that don't know, Laurie is their stepmom. I, for once was completely speechless! What could she be doing to make them feel this way? After he said it he asked me "do you wish L didn't exist?" I again not knowing what to say said, "I don't wish that she didn't exist, but I do wish your Daddy was married to someone you do wish existed". I know, not the best answer....but what the heck do you say to a 6 year old??? He then proceeded to ask me if I wish that his Daddy was married to Sheri (Sheri is his Aunt, his Dad's brother's wife)...I just told him that I wish that his Daddy was married to someone as sweet as Sheri, but I am glad Sheri is married to Seth...because she is a great Aunt!!!

Wow, that was a tough one!! I still have not gotten over it this morning. My poor little babies should not have to deal with these worries at such a young age....at any age for that matter. There are so many things wrong about this!

Positive Thursday

I was listening to the radio this morning and one of the stations here in Austin declared Thursday to be "Positive Thursday". They were tired of hearing all of the negative stories last week, so they decided to try something new...and it worked! Their phone lines lit up and people called in to tell about the good things in their lives. We (and me being a huge "guilty parker" on this one) tend to focus so much on the negative that we bring ourselves (and everyone around us) down! So, here's to Austin's KASE 101 and "Positive Thursday".

I am married to an amazing Man! He is way too good for me, but somehow I fooled him into thinking he is perfect for me....so I am going to ride that wave!!! He is so brilliant, fun, goofy, tender, loving and kind. He is a wonderful Husband, Dad and Provider for our family. He is everything I could have ever imagined in a best friend and partner for life! Yes, he chews too loud and I wish he exercised a little more and played golf a little less, but I think that these things balance him out. If he were super fit and chewed as quietly as me :) then he would be perfect..and no one is perfect. So, I could rant and rave (as I do so well) about all of trespasses against me this week, but today I choose to be positive and be thankful for the good things in my life. The good far outweigh the bad. I have a wonderful life with a few speed bumps!

Bad Word

As stated in a previous blog, it is known to family and friends that I can have a little bit of a potty mouth. I have tried to clean it up since I had children, and think I've done a pretty good job. I know that they hear it elsewhere though, and we try to use funny words in lieu of bad words in our house, where I use to use the real "S" word...I now use "oopsy". Luckily, thus far, the "S" word is "stupid" (according to Cannon) and the "F" word is fart. When Cannon told me what the "S" word and "F" word were I said "OOHHH those are not nice words and we shouldn't say those. He agreed they were not so nice words....so we don't say them!

This morning we are in our mad dash to get dressed, hair brushed, breakfast eaten, lunches packed and get everyone out of the house in a somewhat presentable state (Neely's outfit was very questionable, but that's a different whole blog within itself). The kids were watching cartoons, eating their poptarts and cereal and teasing Lola with Coco Puffs! I was helping Cannon get his sweatshirt on when I heard Neely say something to Lola that got my attention. I turned around and snapped "Neely, what did you say?" Neely sheepishly said "I said Lola, down". OOOHHHH, shhoooo, I was thinking to myself...I thought she said Lola damn!! Just then Cannon turns around and looks at me and says "Mama, I thought she said Lola Damn"!!! Damn, I thought we had escaped a bad word...but I guess not!

Deadbeat Dad that wants all the credit!

dead⋅beat   /n. ˈdɛdˌbit; adj. ˈdɛdˈbit/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [n. ded-beet; adj. ded-beet]

–noun 1. a person who deliberately avoids paying debts.
2. a loafer; sponger.

–adjective 3. being a parent who neglects parental responsibilities, esp. one who does not pay child support: deadbeat dads.

I usually try not to write directly about my Ex, but today I have to get this off my chest!! I am constantly amazed by this person...and I'm not saying "Man" because he has never proven to be one of those!! Les, my husband, is a Man. He works hard and supports his family. We need something, he provides! This is the way God intended for it to be! Read "The Hidden Value of a Man" if you disagree! I am not saying women should stay at home and expect the husband to bring home all the bacon, but I do believe that if there is a need that the husband should find a way to make it happen. I know many Men that work second and third jobs to provide extra for their families. Not my Ex. He walks around with his hand stuck out as if he is owed something in this life. He is more than willing to let Les pay for everything and provide for his children, but he is front and center when it is time to take credit for being the "Dad". I am more convinced everyday that being the "Dad" does not means "donating" half of the child's DNA. Being a Dad is supporting your family, even when you don't get all the credit. Les is everything I could have ever dreamed that a Dad for my children would be, what I had hoped that my Ex would be. He doesn't have to have recognition or credit for anything. When he sees that we are happy and well taken care of....that is credit enough for him. He does not have to get down on a knee in front of the children in a crowd of people and get hugs and kisses from them to know that he is loved by them. It is the little things....like this morning. Les walked us out to the car (he always does) and I rolled down the window and kissed him goodbye. As we were pulling out of the drive-way Neely yells "I love you Les". It is the unsolicited hugs,kisses and I love you's. It is the crawling up in his lap in the evening to read a book or watch a cartoon. These are Les' rewards and credit...and they are plentiful...and they are enough.

I won't go into particulars because they aren't even important! I just hope that as my kids get older that they will "get it". I have been criticized by my ex and his wife for the way I am raising the children. I am sure that they will be told things "over there" that are inaccurate. I just have to remember that actions speak louder than words. I know that my kids are intuitive and already understand a lot more than we give them credit for. I don't want to tell my kids what a loser he is, and I won't. I know that if he continues to live the life he is living that they will figure it out on their own. I don't want to wish my children's childhoods away, but the way things are, I just wish they were old enough to stand up for themselves and speak their minds. It is so hard to watch them count the days until they "have to go over there". It is disturbing to have them cry and tell me how unfair it is. They are right, it is unfair...and absolutely no fault of theirs...which makes it even more unfair! Cannon told me last week that it isn't fair that he has to go back-and-forth...yes, that is exactly how he said it! Poor babies! I hate this for them. I hope that they will rise above this someday and be better parents for it. I pray that they learn from my mistakes and make sure that the person that they marry is legitimate! You better believe that I will be making sure of that for them too!!

Turtle Speed

My kids hardly ever have a sense of urgency about anything. It is really odd that they are this way...because I am exactly the opposite. Granted, they are 5 and 6, and I hope that they will learn from me how important it is to be prompt....but currently there is one speed...and it is turtle!!! I am usually telling them we need to get in the car about 5-10 minutes before we actually need to be in the car. I have to tell them about 10 times to put their shoes on and get their things. At this point I don't have enough patience to wait on Neely to get all of her things so I usually have them all gathered up and put in the car for her. About 50% of the time she decides that she needs to "get someping" and it is usually "someping" that does not need to be gotten. This "someping" is usually upstairs..which by the way takes even longer because she always takes her sweet time getting up there. Then she comes back down tearfully(after me screaming up the stairs that she is about to be left) and has her "someping(s)". Here are a few examples of a "someping", Lammy (a stuffed animal), lipgloss, a purse full of things that will inevitably be dumped and left in my car, a yo-yo that will be left to roll back and forth in my car till it drives me crazy, my little pony, Pollypockets, Barbies...the list goes on and on! Usually by this time Cannon is even frustrated and yelling at Neely to come on. Poor Cannon gets lumped into this slow category of people in our house...even though he isn't the real problem. He is slow, but at least he is pretty good about moving towards the destination!

Yesterday we decided to walk to the park. I always know how this is going to end up! It takes us twice the time it should take to get there because Miss Slow Poke drags her feet and if there is a rock or a stick on the ground or a rosemary plant you better believe she is going to have to check it out....and collect the rock, stick or pull a sprig of the rosemary. So, we set out to the park. She always asks me to hold her hand. I love to hold my children's hands, but I know very well that I will be annoyed this time. For some reason when we are walking up to the park and she holds my hand, she doesn't just hold my hand, she pulls on my hand...and puts all of her 36 pounds on my hand! As I am trying to walk at a fairly normal pace she is pulling and stopping and dragging her feet! By the time we get to the park I am usually DONE!

Another aspect of this slowness is at bedtime! I tell them 30 minutes before it is time to go to bed every night! When that 30 minutes is up you can bet your bottom dollar that someone is going to need milk, water, juice or a snack (or they will parish during the night). A poppie (blankie) will be lost and the search will be on. Then when drinks are drank and poppies are found and everyone is snug as a bug in a rug....someone will need to potty....again!

I love my kids more than anything in this world, but just getting out the door on a school morning, going to the park and bedtime can be such a test of my patience (which by the way as each week of my pregnancy goes by gets less and less...and I am generally a pretty patient Mama). Does anyone have this problem?....or is it just me and my turtle speed offspring?