are you there God, it's me Jack.

Today we were in Trader Joe's picking up a few essentials like organic hot dogs (it's important to get organic junk food, you know). The Trader Joe's man gets on the PA system and with a loud booming voice announces their latest contest to win some kind of tasty candy if you have the correct answer. Jack turns to me and says, "Mommy is that God?" Yes, Jack, God would like to know who brought the tomatoes to Europe and wants to give candy to whichever shopper knows the answer. God's cool like that.

geriatrics and gin.

ummm I cannot be old enough to be attending my 10 year reunion this weekend. No way no how.

I am in need of a stylist...

don't forget your jacket!

Despite my three year old not feeling severe cold or hot temperatures, I still feel the need to say things like "Don't forget your jacket!" as we leave for school (No shame in admitting, it is mostly so I don't get the "Your child doesn't have a coat on" nasty looks from the other moms. You know the ones who are showered and fully dressed and their children have bows in their nicely brushed hair. Opposed to my nasty yoga pants and ponytail. Yes, Those moms.). Jack's response:

"I'm not wearing a jacket. That's my story!" (I can't blame you, I hate jackets too, buddy, but it's 41degrees out and PUT ON YOUR JACKET (and, tout suite, before mean mommy shows her ugly face)!)

Back talk from my three year old. Nice.

quick ?

What did mother's do before coffee and wine?

back to the baby factory for you!

Today Jack asked when we were taking Thomas back to the hospital. HUH? You can imagine that that caught me a bit off guard. One might think he doesn't like him and wants to return him for a better newer model, but it really wasn't said in a malicious he's getting into my toys now kind of asking. It was more just the sweet innocence of a three year old not knowing where this baby that was dropped into our lives will fit permanently. I am glad he was glad that Thomas is here to stay!

this is what's right with my life.

Jack teaches Thomas the "sleeper hold" (poor Thomas)
An infrequent tender moment (he's already forgotten)

bibbity bobbity boo

Today... I feel like
Where the H is my

spread wallet.

There is a little shopping village near us that is called Spread Eagle Village (weird, I know). AJ calls it Spread Wallet Village and STRONGLY discourages going anywhere near it because I never seem to be able to get out of there with out dropping some dinero. The unfortunate part I get my eyebrows waxed there at Spread Wallet. And the more unfortunate part is that I have to drive by the J. Mclaughlin store to get to said eyebrow waxer. And well... because eyebrow waxing is a MUST to avoid looking like I have catepillars growing above my eyes, I usually end up going to J.Mclaughlin. And the worst part is they totally trick me into thinking there are actually sales.... but then I go in and either I can't find the sale merchandise OR the sale is not sale enough for me to consider it a sale but usually end up buying something anyways. Tomorrow I will be strong. Promise.

And to think... I just got praise for my low credit card bill that came today. Oh well April is another month :).

you're just not that into me.

Dear J.Crew.com,

Our relationship is not working anymore. I think I need some space, perhaps we should see other people.

I thought we were going to be able to work it out. You really were showing such effort with that Extra20 % off sale and all. But alas, it's not me, it's you.

Honestly, I just can't take it anymore. The constant technical difficulties. The repeated false advertising sale colors. The put it in your cart only to find out at purchase time that it is no longer available. And now, the waiting, waiting, waiting!

I thought we were meant to be, I really did. But I get it, you're just not that into me. We're done.

happy st. patty's day

*Pic courtesy of columbiaadvising.wordpress.com

May the luck of the Irish be with you all day long!...And, Happy Birthday Nana! (She will probably kill me if I put her actual age! :))

best 20 bones I ever spent

OMG. If you are a mom with young children (ie. Erin, I am talking to you). Run to the nearest target and buy some plastic balls. Break out your old pack and play and wallah! You have a ball pit. The boys played for upwards of an hour in this today.

*T-man no need to hold your breath - this is not a pool!

I even got some good treadmill time in thanks to the "ball pit". Whoever is responsible for telling Jack this is not an actual ball pit will be buying him a real one!

good friends. good times.

Some of our bestest friends, Uncle Jim-John and Aunt Ana, came for a quick visit this weekend. We always have such fun with them and they are SO good with our kids.

Jack knows when Uncle Jim John is coming... there will be lots of silliness and playing any game he wants outside (which has been way too cold for mommy). Instant hit! We can't wait for more fun with them at Easter... maybe some grown up fun at a restaurant downtown...

ain't right

My husband ain't right... Boys, your dad is unbelievably funny and makes me fall off the couch with laughter, but he is not (I repeat, NOT) right.

breaking my heart.

How many months ago did we move? Jack is breaking my heart. He still talks about our "red door house" and when are we going to move back there? I just don't have the heart to tell him never. :)

stressed out.

My 9 month old has a serious teeth grinding probs. Is it possible that he could be stressed out!? Wahahahaha! What in his simple sheltered little world could possible be stressing him out. Thomas, what is it, did you have to wait 30 seconds too long for your last bottle... are you worried your favorite basketball team isn't going to get a good seed in the tourney? Could it be it's the Doodlebops (they stress me out too!) or maybe it was that your food that was cooked and SERVED to you wasn't quite the right temperature...

The most likely answer is that your brother doesn't understand the word gentle and is all up in your face. We're working on that. Promise.

no meat for you.

Oh heavens. AJ and I were giving an elementary explanation to Jack (on our way to get pizza) why we don't eat meat on Friday's during Lent. I believe the convo went a little something like this:

Dad: Well, we are celebrating a time called Lent. Before Easter, we are getting ready to celebrate Jesus going to heaven and we give up eating meat on Fridays.
Jack: Ohhhh. So we get to eat pizza.
Dad: Yep, Pizza tonight.
Jack: Yeah, cause Jesus' friends ate all the meat.
Dad: Um, yeah, I guess.

Wow. That's all I got.

not a creature was stirring

Raise your hand if you LOVE simultaneous nap days! I do! I do!

wishful thinking

i am here.

*pic courtesy of moi.

i wish i was here.

*pic courtesy of splendia.com

Go away winter.

a quick visit

A very quick jaunt to Nana and Pop Pop's

Watch my downward dog Nana

Chillin' with Pop Pop


Found some drift wood for "Ho & Tell"

It's a little cold for the beach y'all.

Chef J- Dog

We can't wait to go back when the weather warms up!

you've got some 'splainin' to do.

Oh, snap. Bonnie Hunt totally went there with the crazy bach today! I thought the Bachelor (old what's his name) was dead to me. But then I saw him and the girl he likes this week, Molly, on Bonnie Hunt today. She made me lol with her interview today. She was shameless and I loved it. I definitely caught myself feeling embarrassed for them at times but then I remembered they brought this on themselves. She basically told Molly to run, and run fast. I don't usually watch Bonnie Hunt but I am at my mom's and she does and I just might have been converted. I might start because, ummmm, she's awesome. Top 5 things about Jason that make me want to barf (and, yes, a part of me can't believe I am still wasting brain cells, the very few I have left, thinking about this!)

5. Unbelievably CHEESY kick off apology to Bonnie (kiss up) as well as all the viewers and of course, Melissa for the jerky thing he did breaking up with her on national TV.
4. He totes himself being a single dad. But little Ty's mom is still in the picture and fairly participatory per Jason himself. Bonnie actually asked him if he would ever tell Ty that he was a single dad or if he would say he always has himself AND his mom-- No Bonnie di'int. Oh, yes, she did-- He obviously said the latter.
3. His naive response to the tabloid's portrayal of the happenings. Uh, Jason, have you never picked up an tabloid mag before... do you think the truth sells???
2. Insinuating that he contractually had to do the break up on camera when that isn't the case at all. He is just THAT big of a jerk and thought it sounded like a good idea. I guess it did extend his 15 minutes of fame. Don't worry, Molly, he said he'd do it different next time, so I guess you don't have to worry.
1. He might have heard that Molly was going to be the next Bachelorette! Hello!? And that "might" have something to do with the quick change of heart.

I think my Team Jennifer (Aniston) T-shirt just got replaced with Team Melissa. Mel (yep we're that tight) is now one of the Dancing with the Stars contestants. I think I will vote for her.

music monday

I love how music can evoke such strong memories. When Jack isn't listening to the likes of Beyonce and Bruce Springsteen he loves to rock it out to Ralph's World. Our cousins in STL introduced us to Ralph and we have been fast friends ever since. Ralph is one of the few children's artists that I can be 15 minutes into a car ride, BY MYSELF, and not realize I am still rocking it to my friend Ralph (let's be honest when I do realize, I put on some mommy music, but the fact that it isn't Music Together or Raffi GRATING on my very last nerve says a lot).

The boys current favorite is (Do the) Bellybutton:

http://www.rhapsody.com/player?type=track&id=tra.10309025&remote=false&page=&pageregion=&guid=&from=&hasrhapx=false&__pcode=
Mom's current fav. is The Coffee Song

http://www.rhapsody.com/player?type=track&id=tra.11860465&remote=false&page=&pageregion=&guid=&from=&hasrhapx=false&__pcode=

a well set table.

its no secret to the boys living at my house that I love to entertain. Whether it's pizza, brunch or a formal dinner party, I love when friends come to visit and break bread. I love having people around. And I LOVE my friends Rachel and Juliet's company, Lorcom Lane Designs. Love them. I have a bunch of their stuff: runners, napkins and the like and have never used them without receiving compliments! Perfect housewarming/hostess gifts. My fav is this pattern from their "Dine" collection cause it makes our somewhat bare (until we get "grown up" dining room furniture- hopefully by the time we are 40 I will make a decision) dining room more presentable.

Also am coveting these pillows from their "Nest" collection... how fun to dress up any couch or chair (my boys won't let me dress them up so i have to resort to dressing up my furniture).

You can find them at Lorcom Lane Designs OR their super cute ETSY site. Hurry fast - some of their stuff is 50% off! Happy Spring!

how cute are these!?

I saw these on Leaving and Loving on a Jet Plane. I just got one of these for my boys rooms. So affordable and SO super cute! There are a bunch of cute ones to choose from or you can even personalize your own! And most are less than 20 bones (if you go to the "Christmas Tree Shoppe" for your black frame you could do the whole thing for less than 20 bones! haha) Love them!

*Pic courtesy of nella designs esty.

dr. seuss on the loose

I went into Jack's preschool class to read today. It was such fun. They are learning about Dr. Seuss. The pictures below are of their "silly collages" because Dr Seuss is one silly guy. I took a picture of them finishing their artwork but I wish I had a pic to post like the one in my head of them sitting and listening to Hop on Pop. They were SO good.... all sitting on their "story bottoms" so sweetly and listening with their "listening ears" so quietly.

arrghhhh matey

... this might be what I mean when I say we are "one clown short of a circus!""Walk the plank you scraggly dog!" Jack dressed T-man up as a pirate. Why are my children never wearing pants?!

please feed the animals

"Dr., is it possible that my son can subsist on hotdogs, cheese, yogurt and blueberries and peanut butter waffles??" Because he refuses to eat anything else!

Jack is a KILLER when it comes to eating. If I wasn't the one who delivered him, I wouldn't believe he was mine (oh right, except for that part where people say he looks just like me!) He hates to sleep and hates to eat... he did NOT get this from moi! The only thing I LOVE more than sleep is to eat. The only thing jack hates more than eating, is losing. I know psych people would beat me with a wet noodle, but maybe I have said, "Thomas is going to finish his dinner before you" once or twice. Poof! Dinner is gone! It's magical, really.

Thomas is me in and out. Loves to sleep and loves to eat and he even grinds his sweet little seven teeth that he has just like his momma. Seriously, I have yet to find something that he doesn't like. At this point it is a game. I am like he will never eat this spinach, oh yep, not only does he eat it, he FINISHES Jack's. Surely he won't like this stewed tomato, omg, he ate that too! I love it - its a dream after having picky jack.

Great recipe for kiddos: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/30-minute-shepherds-pie-recipe/index.html

boring post alert.

Just want to capture a few things from Thomas' 9 month Doctors Appt.
Weight: 21.2lbs (50th%)
Height: 29.5 (75th%)
Head: 19 (95th%! Big noggin = big brain, right!)

He is crawling all over - totally wants to walk, with help of an adult (read: broken back), ALL day. He is an AWESOME eater. Did his first wave "bye bye" to Dr. Harkness. Its so funny to watch him do things with his hands - he looks at them like, "Wow, OK, I get it, I AM moving you!" I think he signed "bottle" the other day. I am so excited that he is getting more interactive and picking up on the sign lingo. Jack is really sweet teaching him. The other day I caught Jack standing in front of Thomas' high chair signing "more." Moments like that make me melt. I love watching when they don't know you're watching!

i don't ask much

My darling boys, I don't ask much, I really don't. I ask that you don't get up before 6:30AM -- I ask that you try one "courtesy bite" of each thing I put on your plate for dinner (yes, J-dog that includes the vegetable)-- and, for the love of all things Holy, I ask that only ONE of you cry at a time....

WHY IS NO ONE FOLLOWING THE RULES TODAY! Grrrrrrrr.

the best day

I love this song. I pretty much get teary everytime I hear it. I pray that my kids remember their childhood with such sweet memories (it's weird.... she never mentions yelling "leave your brother ALONE" being part of the best day! ha!)

** since I can't figure out how to load a song... here's a link to youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpVo1hntbY0

stop the madness

* Photo courtesy of ABC.com

Alls I got is a big O.M.G! Are you kidding me, Bachelor!? Really? In front of alllll of America (cause you know everyone watches the Bachelor- with it being such quality and thought provoking TV and all!) you decided hmmmm... after tricking us into thinking "I am just a normal Joe from Washington State", I am going to break out my crazy on national tv. I feel tricked.

Melissa, I liked you, I really did. "Tramp stamp" and all (you did see her back tatt on the last date, right-- not so much into tatts - boys, don't bring home any girls with visible tatts, mom won't be happy!).

Molly, disappointing at best. You know he wants you. Save face for the sake of all single girls out there. Give him the heave ho on national tv and then if you really think you want to be with 7 ways from crazy, Jason, privately contact him. He's probably going to leave you for DeAnna in a week anyways. Or maybe that is what tonight's After the Final Rose is about!? Maybe he dumps Molly and brings back DeAnna just so he has "no regrets."

I think i need to get my crazy-dar checked... I just didn't see this one coming! :) Or maybe, I am equally crazy for posting about this!?

Hysterical.

Good Gawd. Chelsea Handler makes me laugh. out. loud. Usually famous people who promote their political views annoy me but she is so funny I can even look past her political rants. I bet her book is hilare-- If only I had more time to read...

"There are two kinds of people I don't trust: people who don't drink and people who collect stickers." — Chelsea Handler

Holy Snow Day, Batman!

Wowza we have some may-juh snow at our house. Supposed to get a foot by the end of the day! Whoa! Don't be jealous, but we happened to move next to the "Nicest Neighbor" (I am thinking of making him an award), Mr. Rick you rock! He totally snow blowed (is that a word?) our driveway this AM. He even let Jack try out the big snow blowing "vacuum".

Jack then decided he needed to do some snow blowing of his own...

We also did some "boogie boarding". Because this is our first winter living in a climate with snow, Jack can't get past the fact that his sled bears a striking resemblance to his boogie board with which he has "surfed" every summer.

Dad and Jack played lots (read: hopes for a long nap!) this AM. Shoveling makes me tired... it should make him tired too, right?

green thumbs

Raise your hand if you have ever been to the Christmas Tree Shoppe. (Mom, settle down...Trixie on cashier 3 was wondering where you've been. She's worried about you.) Basically you can walk into this store, spend 2 hours of your life mulling through random crap and walk out with 25 items that have totaled 46 cents. (just for the record, I'm not hatin' on the CTS, don't get me wrong, I too love this place).

I digress... anyway, Jack and I have been talking about how we are going to plant a garden in our new back yard and we have been talking about some of the things we eat that we can grow when the weather is warmer. So when we walked in to the CTS and saw their huge garden display- with flowers, seeds of all kinds, planters, garden gloves, crocs, etc. I told Jack when it was done snowing we could come back and start getting stuff for the garden. Then we went through some of the seeds and said, "we can grow this; we can grow that"... and he turns to me and while pointing to the crocs bin that is sandwiched in between the flower bulbs and seed display, says, "And, mommy, we can EVEN grow crocs!?" Hmmmm, I don't have much of a green thumb, but even if I did, I think that would be hard to do, no?

i kinda love these

Aren't these super cute? They would make the perfect mom gift with your kids initials on them. I kinda love them. *pic courtesy of www.stelladot.com

Too bad AJ thinks the blog is silly-- i probably won't be getting them for mother's day. :)

Why do I...

.... buy toys, again? Out of the bin of "T-man toys", this is what Thomas prefers to play with... WIPES!?

Paging Dr. Jack

This is what I found in my playroom today. Just in case it's not obvious... That is "Patient Daddy" under all those "bandages" (read: toys). "Dr. Jack" was fixin' him up real good.

The Biggest Loser

Is it weird that when I watch the Biggest Loser all I want to do is eat?

Seriously.