Tis the Season

We are sick. Well, not all of us, but enough that makes it crappy. Plus, I am one of the main sickies, so that may be why it is so crappy. Chad started it, and then had the ill graces to sneak off to Wichita for the rest of the week today. Bastard. So I have a whiny, teething and sick Charlie, and a brattish almost 3 year old, who isn't sick....Yet.

Anyway, I also wanted to jot down some random things that are happening right now.

1) Jack is potty trained. My sister asked me if I would say that he was, and my first thought was to say "No". I mean, he still has accidents. Frequently. But they are usually every other day or more. Wherever we go, he goes without a diaper on. Without underwear, too, but that is his choice. And after the last time I tried to force it on him, and we went completely backwards for a week, I have decided to let him have it.

2) How is it that Jack inherited Chad's tendency to cross his toes while he watches TV? Seems a weird thing to inherit, and I doubt Jack has noticed that Chad does it and is copying him.

3) Charlie has 6 teeth, with about 7 to pop through any day. No wonder he is being voted out of the new house!

4) My ability to keep a house clean has nothing to do with the size. It is all me. But I think 6 months of having to live really cleanly has helped matters a lot. Now I wish it would encourage me to unpack the last few pesky boxes.

That seems to be all I can think of in my fuzzy brain right now. The couch calls.

Storytime

Well, today was my first foray into life in Shakopee. Yes, we have ordered pizza and visited a local restaurant, but this was the first DAYTIME thing with OTHER PARENTS. I am slowly working myself up to ECFE.

Anyway, we went to Storytime at the local library. We left ridiculously early (1.5 hrs) and learned that the library didn't even open for another 20 minutes. Whoops, drove around and found a community center, so it wasn't a total waste. Anyway, the boys investigated the books for a half an hour (was a bit dicey when other kids started coming in, but Jack got through it) and then went to Storytime. Since Halloween is coming up, it was all Halloween related, which Jack loved. They were generally good; Charlie was a bit squirrely and ready for food and or nap, and Jack was kind of scared of the other kids and needs to work on his storytime voice. But all in all, it was really good. I hope to make it a regular outing!!!

Playroups and Such

About once a month, I get together with some friends of mine from high school, who are all SAHMs and all have kids around the age of mine. It has really changed from the first visit, less of us talking, more of THEM talking (the them being our kids). But today was nice in that there was a little window of then. During lunch, we were actually able to chat a bit! It was amazing!!! It was fun!! I makes me think I am crazy for wanting another.

At any rate, they all go to ECFE with their kids. And I don't. And I really feel the "bad Mom" feelings about it. It is just so NOT ME. I hate meeting new people. I hate feeling like I am left out! Ugh. But we have to do something. Jack is ready for more to his week. He needs the interaction. And what with him starting preschool (hopefully, gotta find one first!!!) next year, we gots to get him into the groove.

This is just all so not what I was looking forward to as a parent.

We're Here!

Well, 11 days in the New House (as Jack still calls it) and it is going well. The main level is all painted. There are still 2 pieces of wallpaper to hang in the 1/2 bath, as well as chairl molding to go up and the pictures. Then that will be done (unless I decide to move around the towel rack, but I am not counting that). The living room is done, I just have to fill out the bookshelf, but since we don't have everything here from the other house OR Lin's, that will just happen when it happens. The dining room needs the light changed out and the 2 extra chairs put together, and then it will be done. Family room is good; it needs another picture maybe and Chad has to put together the surround sound stuff, but it is almost there. Kitchen needs the crown molding up, and then it might be done. Playroom needs the wallpaper hung and a light and some general organization. Master BR needs to be finished painted, a light, and just generally put together; same goes for its bathroom. Our closet is a disaster and needs to be put together. Jack needs the shade fixed in his room, a light and some general organization, as does Charlie (except his shades are fine). We also need the garage door opener in and the rest of my plants planted. Whew! Lots to do, but now that I have it all there, it seems manageable. Oh yeah, and getting the rest of our crap here and unloaded. Ugh, not so pleasant anymore.

Despite all of that, the new house is really good. We are really loving the space and life here in general. I just wish we didn't have the other house hanging over our heads. Not much to do about that.

Jack and Charlie are adjusting well, for the most part. Charlie is great, although he seems to take less steps here. We thought the carpet would encourage him, but it doesn't seem to. It will come, right? And Jack is having random sleeping issues. He was obsessed with the light switches (ok, still is, but we took the light out of his room for the time being) and would turn the light on and not go to sleep. He wouldn't cry, and didn't necessarily make any noise, but wouldn't sleep, either. He did it at mom's this week, too, so we aren't really sure what is up. So far they have been pretty random incidences, although getting him to nap (or do anything) is getting tough. He is starting to really want to control things, and I think being with grandparents and doting aunts lately has given him the impression that the world is his oyster. Maybe some stability around here will help with that. One can only hope.

Run-on sentences

Chad turned 30 yesterday. Only 16 more days until I pass through those days as well. God may not be getting my house sold at the moment, but he is damn sure making sure that I have more than I need on my plate so that I can (barely) obsess about that fact.

Chad is also, conveniently, out of town. Until late Thursday night. And we move on Monday. Lucky dude, hey? He has yet to pack a box. Is it only fair that I do all of that, since I don't work? Should I shut my inner voice off about how I get all the grunt work, and he all of the paid work? It was a lot easier to be indignant when I had a (meager) paycheck coming in, but that isn't the case anymore. Talking doesn't seem to help, either. Progress really is slow.

Due to all of these things, the boys are driving me batty. I am fairly certain that Charlie is getting molars, so he is just a barrel of laughs. I long for him to be able to tell me what is wrong (so I stop confusing teeth pain with needs a nap) but the talking stuff is over-rated. Jack is incessant with the talking. Actually, with the demands. Juice, milk, kisses, pretzels, cookies....AHHHHHH! 5:00 comes around and I am ready to stab hot pokers into my eyes. I am sure that one day I will look back and wish I had these days back. I wonder which part exactly I will want back!

Yuckies

Today is a BIG day in the Slipka household. Jack went poops on the potty for the FIRST TIME. I feel like potty training is 2/3rds over! YEAH! This really is not my forte.

After a week with Granny, he was peeing on the potty great (if he was naked from the waist down. Apparently the kid doesn't mind sitting in his own urine) but still no stools. I didn't know how we were ever going to get to that, since his new trick was to poop right when he woke up (the guy needs a little privacy, and frankly I don't blame him). Chad told me to relax, it will happen, so I did; kinda. This morning, wifely guilt took over and I got up to get Charlie a bottle for once, and on my way to the kitchen, I heard Jack singing in bed. So I went in there to see if he had pooped already; he hadn't, so I stripped him down. Little guy was NOT happy, but what can you do.

I wondered how long he would hold out - 2 1/2 hours is how long! I was on the computer, Charlie is napping, and Jack ran into the office yelling "Yuckies!!!". I knew what that meant! Went in, and sure enough, there was poop. Poop on the living room floor, in the doorway to his bedroom, his bedroom floor, and a little bit in the POTTY!!! I am guessing he started there and got scared or grossed out or something. Poor little guy. Anyway, 5 m&ms were his reward, and lots of cheering, and a call to Granny and to Daddy. Let's hope this continues!!!

Moments Later...

It got so bad, I had to bungee cord his door shut (otherwise he opens it). 2 or 3 more hours until Daddy comes home!!!

This is HELL

Nothing nice to report today. Many tantrums, playdate filled with orders and tantrums, no napping...you get the drift. TYG that my Mom is taking Jack for the week. Hallelujiah.

Two Days of Tidbits

Ok, so posting everyday is rough. Many days I want to nap. Or have to clean. Anyway, I am gonna post two days of tidbits here now.

Yesterday (or was it the day before? Oh my, how many days has it been now?) I put Jack down for his nap naked, in attempt to get him to poop in the potty (oh, um, yeah, we are starting potty training. Mom's idea). What is the worst that can happen? Ok, well, the very worst didn't happen, but he definitely missed the potty. Little lad managed to get a big, adult shapes poop nestled on the edge of his bench. And no, he didn't pick it up and move it. It was too soft. TMI yet? Amazingly, I handled it well and so did he. I think that was Thursday.

Yesterday...hmmm....Well, it was a stellar parenting day for us. We took the kids to TARGET for dinner. Swell, hey? Yeah, we needed to go to Target and they needed food. But we bought Jack some big boy underpants, and he was so excited. He asked me to open them and he carried one around the store. I think Chad was really embarrassed. And apparently, the need to stick them on their heads is ingrained on them from birth.

Today I took Mr. Jack to the park while Charlie slept and Daddy cleaned. He was hilarious; loved the see-saw, the swings and especially the slides. There was one really big one that he was very fascinated with, and when he went down it too fast he would explain "TOO BIG". Too cute, I say.

And Charlie, I swear that someday soon, your stories will be as prevalent as Jack's.

Just a Shell

I created this blog to record the little day-to-day happenings in the life of my kids. The things that I probably won't remember in a month, much less 10 years. But somehow, I got so sidetracked with this moving thing. I have been feeling like there is nothing for me to record. I don't talk to my friends often, because I feel like there is nothing to say. I feel like all that I have going on right now is trying to sell the current house and planning for the new house. And you know what? That simply isn't true.

Jack and Charlie don't know that we are moving. They aren't consumed with finding the perfect paint for the kitchen. They are still plugging along, growing and laughing, and I am missing it. I find that I am so impatient with them, so much in a rush to get them to go play by themselves, or take a nap, or eat their dinner, and I really am not enjoying them. Now, I will cut myself some slack by saying that this house selling business is very stressful, so obviously one would consume themselves with it. But I need to step back and enjoy life with my boys, too. So from here on out, I want to find something to record here everyday about the dudes. Can be good, bad, funny, sad, whatever. No one reads this blog; it is purely for me and my memories. So here goes.

Today we had a showing, so we had to be out of the house from 10:30 to 11:30. Now, Jack needs to be in bed by noon these days, or he ends up skipping his nap. As we were walking out the door, Jack tells me that he needs to be changed (and boy did he EVER). But I didn't want to stink up the house, or waste anymore time, so I decided we would do it at the restroom at Wal-Mart. Good plan, except the restroom was CLOSED. ugh. So, walked around with the stinky pants the entire time, but at least the kids were well-behaved.

As it wasn't even 11 yet, I decided lunch was in order, so we could stick to the timetable. We went to McDonalds across the street. Right away, we went into the bathroom to change Jack (and Charlie could use one, too). As I am changing Jack, Charlie is crawling all over the joint. It was a fairly clean bathroom, but still. The kicker was when he went to play in the toilet. Ewww, eww, eww. Got them both changed, all ok. Lunch went well, they ate great and it was fun, too. Charlie is so big, yet such a baby, and Jack is just too grown up. We had a good day.

Bits of Me

Ten years ago: I was 19. Had just finished up my sophomore year at UMD. I was dating the guy I dated before Chad, and it was going well. I working as a hostess at the LE Inn. Nothing interesting had really happened to me, yet!

Five years ago: Now, this was exciting! Chad and I were newlyweds. I was going to a musical festival with some friends, and on the ride up, Chad called me about this job oppurtunity in England! It was the last day to submit resumes, and luckily we both had one current, and he sent them off. I had NO idea how fantastic it really all would be.

One year ago: Charlie was only a couple of weeks old, and it was all settling in. He wasn't a great sleeper, always wanted to be held, and I just never felt like I had any time off. Luckily, Jack was great. I don't think I could have handled newborn Charlie and a naughty Jack. Also, my 10 year high school reunion was just about this time last year. It was a blast, probably not even half of the class, but loads of people I wanted to see.

Yesterday: Chad and I spent a chunk of the day taking apart the kids' kitchen that I bought from a thrift store. We painted the "appliances" stainless steel and black over some of the other items, like cabinets. Chad cleaned the inside, or tried to. It looks pretty spiffy, if I do say so myself! Then, Jack napped and Chad took Charlie with him to Home Depot. I had a bath and some alone time. Then I worked last night. We had a corny little competition, but it was a bit of fun and my team won!

Five snacks I enjoy: chocolate, popcorn, nachos, ice cream and chocolate.

Five songs I know all the words to: Hmmm, not sure if I know all of the words correctly. There are some C+C Music Factory from way back, some Gin Blossoms, some Wallflowers (first album), some Bryan Adams (early stuff), and Gavin DeGraw's new stuff.

Five things I would do with $100 million: Build my dream home, pay off houses for my sis, BIL, ILs and anything grandparents want, set ourselves up for life, TRAVEL and something charitable for others, like my sister thought of building these cabins somewhere, and granting artists 6 month stints to use them and any supplies they need. Not just painters and such, but writers or pottery or flair bartenders (cos that is an art, you know. I saw it on the Food Channel). I liked her idea.

Five places I would escape to: Italy. Greece. Dubrovnik (Croatia). Tahiti in a glass bottomed hut. New Zealand.

Five bad habits: Biting my fingernails when I am nervous/stressed. Being bitchy when nervous/stressed. Not wiping up the floor properly after the kids have eaten (I miss the dogs). Picking at my eyelashes. Snapping at the kids.

Five things I like doing: Reading, traveling, enjoying a moment with my kids, zoning out on the computer, daydreaming.

Five things I'd never wear: Belly shirts, Capri pants, most things Carrie wore on Sex and the City (mostly cos she is tiny and I am not), Shoes with ridiculous heels, bikini.

Five TV shows I like: Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Gilmore Girls, McLeod's Daughters, Everwood.

Five biggest joys of the moment: Going to the farmer's market with my sister, planning out things for the new house, watching my boys enjoy each other, Jack volunarily kissing me and being able to spend alone time with Charlie (Jack and I get more alone time right now than Charlie and I do).

Five favorite toys: the computer, Ikea catalog, books, gardening aparati, credit card.

All Growed Up

My sweetest, Charlie, is one year old today. And I am in WA while he is in MN. He won't remember, but I always will. I got a little cuddle in at 5:30, and I am comforted by the fact that he is with people who love him and maybe doesn't even notice that I am gone.

This trip will be the longest I have ever been seperated from him. With Jack, we took off when he was 5 months old, but it was different. I felt so tied down, things were just so different going from no kids to 1. There were different challenges, I guess. With Charlie, I already was tied down, so I didn't feel that way. I nursed him longer, so it was a lot longer until he spent the night away from me. And he has always been more dependent on me. Jack was independent from the start, and I always loved that. I am not saying that I like either of these facets of my children better, they are just different.

I just wish I could be with Charlie today. I am sure if I was, it would be much like any other day. I am sure that would get easily frustrated, or lazy, or just want time to myself. And maybe there wouldn't be any "special" time for me and him, just those moments I want to cherish forever, moments that are hard to explain. I just feel like I should be with him on his day.

But I am not, and I am doing something that is important to all of us. Some alone time with his daddy, which we really have needed. We are both so stressed with the house, and just have been connecting because of it. But I am literally and figuratively so far away from that right now, and it feels great. I am liking my husband, and getting reacquainted with myself again. I think all people need this, but in different ways. I think my good friend, Jenny, gets it when she goes for a pedicure. I truly think that a couple of days away from her kids might make her more stressed at this point. Hey, it takes all kinds, right.

Anyway, I want to honor my Chucker right now. He is such a little gem, and he breaks my heart in so many ways. He really is such a sweet boy. He loves, loves, LOVES to give kisses. He even cuddles a bit (you try to get a 1 year old to sit still for a cuddle). He is so cute, with how he throws his arms up when he wants to be carried, to how he picks up a toy and gives it to me (over and over and over again), and how he has the cutest little grin that lights up and scrunches up his little face. Oh, I never knew that I could be this happy with two little boys. They give me so many rewards, and I really am so lucky. They are already each other best friends, well, maybe all three of us are our own little gang right now. They get along so well, I really can't imagine them fighting. I know they will, but I am glad it is a little way off from now.

Happy Birthday, Charlie baby. I love you and miss you in ways you will never know.

Checking Out

We are going on vacation in a few days and I really need it. We both really need it, in fact. We are so burnt out and fried at this point, it is scary.

House selling is not going so hot. We had an open house over the weekend, and 5 showed. That was ok. But then our agent went around to other open houses and asked around, and every agent seemed to say the same thing: Where are all of the buyers? That does NOT bode well for us. Our plan is to drastically drop the price and pray to the good lord that we can get enough out of it as we need, and still close right around the same time as the new house. HAH. Like that will happen. Not really sure what the plan is if it doesn't happen. Curl up in a hole and die, I suppose.

Charlie turns 1 tomorrow. And I am leaving him. I am feeling really horribly sad about that. And then I remember that I get to sleep in for 7 days, and I feel a bit better.

Stressball

I am feeling like a total stressball lately. It is over the house, of course. Something I can't control, and usually I do not condone stressing over situations such as these, but without any control, well, all there is to do is stress.

The (current) house has not sold yet. No one has come to see the house in over a week, and even that was only 1 appointment. It is deadsville around here, and frankly, difficult to keep in showroom quality when you never have anyone to show. Anyway, there is no Plan B if this house does not sell. I am not sure what happens. I assume we don't get the mortgage, cos God knows we cannot afford two houses. Chad and I need to talk through a Plan B.

Yesterday was our pre-sheetrock walk-through. It was really cool to see, but we also got The Date. The completion date. September 19th. A week earlier than we had expected. STRESS. And the field manager, Brandon, went into details about what happens next, and it was just too much. My stomach was rolling, and I don't think it has stopped since. It is even giving me insomnia.

Meanwhile, I cannot stop spending money on the new house. Granted, they have been sale items (really good sale priced items) but STILL. I feel like if I stop the spending, a buyer will appear out of nowhere. But then something else pops up, and I HAVE to have it. The price is SO GOOD, and it something we were planning to get before we move in, so why not??? Ugh. The worst yet was a duvet cover. I really over-spent on that one. It was probably not something we would get right away. Ooops. But it was pottery barn, it was clearanced, it was gorgeous, and it was going away. What could I do? And no, of course I didn't tell Chad. If you think I seem stressed, you should see him.

Ok, well, now I feel a little bit better. The King size duvet cover is GONE people! So, it really wasn't going to be there long. I would have been sad. Anyway, here it is:
http://ww2.potterybarn.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=shpcsalbdg%7Crshop%2Fshpcsalbdg%7Crshop%2Fshpcsalbdg%7Crshop%2Fshpcsal%7Crshop&pkey=csalbdg&gids=p5094

Hmm, that was my first attempt at a link. Wonder if it will work. (edited to add: YAH!! It worked!)

Anyway, if we don't get this house sold, I am starting to wonder what I will do with all of my new stuff. I could sell it on eBay (maybe not this duvet cover, tho......I am really feeling warm and fuzzy about it), or just re-use it in this house. Actually, if, for some reason, we lose the new house, I would think that we will leave this on the market and just wait a sale out. And then find a new house. Sound good?

Ok, I know this is jumbled, but that is just how I am right now. Anyway, my mother is not helping matters much right now. Sometimes, she can be a steamroller, and sometimes that is good. But right now, she is really driving the stress factor UP. I CANNOT MAKE SOMEONE BUY THIS HOUSE!!!!!!! She is really pushing things, and not hearing us. She just called, and talked to some realtor guy about this house, and was just about to tell me what HE thinks (some bloody stranger, who has never seen this house, may not know the area, and does not know that my mother often gets facts WRONG!!!) when, thankfully, her other line rang. I did hear enough to know that she TOTALLY got wrong how long this has been on the market. Even though I told her last night. Even though she tried to ARGUE WITH ME ABOUT IT. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. See, stressball.

If Today Were Your Last

I have been thinking for a week about this subject. I think about it often, in fact. I am totally going to paraphrase all of this part here, since I don't know how to link. But, on one of the blogs I read, this person linked to a recent graduation speech given by Apple's big dude, Steve Jobs. In it, he said something about living each day as if it could be your last. No wait. More like, at the end of the day, take stock. If it was to be your last day, would you be happy about it? Was it a good day? And he said that when he gets a few in a row where he says no to those questions, he makes a change. I found this profound.

Now, granted, he has bajillions of dollars, and can do things like that. Change on a whim, I mean. But I really like his premise. And far from needing/wanting to change my life, I am finding that I am appreciating it more and trying to enjoy moments more, instead of just working for the weekend. For me, it is fairly easy to start these kinds of things, but usually after a couple of days, it all fades away and I start to try to fast forward my life. But so far, this is really haunting me (in a good way).

Take today, for example. An absolutely nothing really special day, but a good one nonetheless. We are having some diaper rash problems as of late (the boys, of course, not me!) and so there is some harriness as a result. The boys spent half the day diaper and short-less, just to try and air them out. But it was really cute! I don't know, maybe it is a Mom thing, or maybe just a me thing, but I got a kick out of it.

It has also been one of the few days where we didn't run off somewhere. In typical Jack fashion, around 9 am he said "Store?". I told him no, that we were staying at home today. Poor little guy, I guess he just likes to get out and about.

Charlie didn't take an afternoon nap, what with the butt problem and an impending tooth, but he wasn't really fussy, he was quite adorable. I played a little game with him, where I would put a leggo on his head, and it would fall off and he laughed, rinse, lather, repeat. It was so cute, and if I wasn't fast enough, he would try to do it himself. I love those little moments with him.

And Jack took a bath with minimal screaming. M&Ms really are magical.

Chad is playing golf tonight, so I get a little time to myself. Probably will spend it watching HGTV, rather than anything productive, but hey, it is me time.

So, like I said, nothing spectacular, or even out of the ordinary. But I guess that is what makes it a good day.

What Was I Thinking?

When we put the house up for sale, we shipped our dogs off to my parents' house. We didn't want to have to maneuver 2 kids, 2 adults AND 2 dogs when/if there were showings. But, a few weeks into this, I am wondering if it wouldn't have been easier with the dogs.

You see, they are vacuum cleaners, or at least mine are. I think a dog is crucial, starting about when your first born can eat table food. Jack never caught on to sign language, but our dogs sure did. I would sign "Food" and they would go running over to his highchair. I guess you can teach old dogs new tricks.

Now that they are gone, I am really missing those times. Especially today. We had chicken rice for lunch (and other things; I do try to get a balanced meal in 'em!) and Charlie got it everywhere. I am not sure how, but he did. Jack's tray looked fairly clean, so I was very impressed at his abilities, but then I took it off, and noticed that a large portion was on his lap.

So, what to do? The dustbuster scares them (ok, we don't own one, but the vacuum does, so I imagine that would, too), the dogs are gone....so I just shake them off a bit. Let all of the food fall to the floor. Naptime is just around the corner, so I will vacuum then. And keep them out of the dining room so I don't have to vacuum the entire house!!!!!!

Ugh, I wish someone would just buy this house already.

Something to Remember

Today was one of those days that I dreamt about when I pictured my life as a stay-at-home Mom. It was only a couple of hours that were completely picturesque, I was still frustrated with the whining this morning, but the afternoon made up for that and more.

My sister and her friend stopped by during naptime. In total Charlie fashion, he awoke soon after they arrived, but he was in a good mood. Jack woke up just as they were leaving, about an hour sooner than he usually did. The weather was gorgeous, 80 degrees, sunny and a little bit muggy. Perfect sprinkler weather, I thought. So I got the kids into their swimsuits, lubed up with sunblock (those two alone were huge jobs!) and got everything set up outside. I even remembered the camera and video camera.

Anyway, the kids really liked the sprinkler. I got the first couple of minutes of Jack discovering it. He kept running near it (of course not IN IT) and yelling "it tickles!!!". It was so cute and so funny. He was running around like a madman. Charlie was off in his own world, so I brought him over and sat him nearby. Just like my little man, he crawled over the the sprinkler and stuck his hand in, unafraid. So different are my little dudes. Charlie was often sprayed by the sprinkler and didn't seem to mind, but did crawl away. Meanwhile, Jack kept getting the tiniest bit braver with each run through, and his hair was wet and he was laughing and so sweet. It was so wonderful.

My next bright idea was to get the kiddy pool. Ours is nice because it is smaller than most, so it is so easy to maneuver. I filled it with an inch or two of water, and Jack hopped right in. He kept calling it a tub, and would call it a pool once in awhile. Charlie didn't want to sit in it, it was too cold, but he was totally happy to sit and splash from the side. Jack was wearing his water shoes, so he had great traction, which he used to jump and splash all over. At one point, he kept sticking his face in and taking a drink. Everytime, it would take his breath away, but he never cried or got upset, no matter how much of his head he stuck in. He was so cute, they both were.

Other little fun things were: Charlie climbed the steps (ok, not fun, per se, since they are concrete, but that was his first stairclimbing activity EVER), we found a worm and watched it burrow back into some soil (Jack even left it alone!!!), they ate ice pops (whatever those tube things are with flavored water inside) and loved it. It was only 2 hours before we came back in, but it was lovely. I even got some sun and reading in for myself. Lovely day.

Overload

Wow, I hadn't realized that it had been so long since I last posted. I guess time just gets away from you when you are consumed with 1) house selling 2) house building and 3) kiddies.

Let me elaborate:
1) This house has been on the market for two weeks (today). We have had 9 or 10 showings, 7 or 8 of which was the first week. Yup, definite drop-off. So, we have been busy running around doing little things to see if it won't catch SOMEONE's eye. (and to think I was nervous that someone would buy it on the first showing. HA!). We put carpet in Charlie's room (his hardwood floors were horrible), painted our once red dining room to a boring taupe, striped and re-stained some trim, and other little odd bits here and there. I guess the next move is to drop the price.

2) New house is going Grrrrrrrreat! The started framing already! We were there the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, and the basement was framed and the floor joists were on!!!! That was almost 1 week ahead of when they were supposed to start all of that! Yipppeee! So, of course, we went back last Friday, and the whole main level was up and framed, the concrete for the garage was poured, and they had one lonely wall on the upper level up. It was quite a lovely sight.

3) My kiddies are good, grating on my nerves, but good. Charlie is pulling himself up a lot (mostly on the stairs; I wonder why he prefers them?), babbling like a fool and just generally fun (when he isn't whining about being hungry or filling his pants). I can't believe that he will be a year old next month. Nor how much our lives have changed! Jack is good as well. He is such a little person. You can carry on conversations with him, he knows so much and is really a good kid (except around naptime). I do wish he preferred me to his Granny, but I suppose the fact that I don't allow M&Ms into his body would naturally give the arrow to her. Oh well.

So that is about it from here. Plugging along and all that.

BAD Mommy

Oh man, Charlie turned 10 months old, and I failed to commemorate it. I am really failing at being a Mommy right now. I also failed to get 9 month pics of him taken. UGH.

Things are just really nuts around here. How long have I been saying that for? We failed to get the house on the market this past Monday. We have our realtor coming over THIS Monday to get it all going. TG we (probably) aren't having open houses. It would just be all of our neighbors, anyway. At any rate, we are madly trying to finish things up. It seems to be we finish one project and another pops up/is created/is remembered....The list goes on.

And I am still working. I mean, I like it, it is fine. I just miss that time. It feels so much more go, go, go right now, and I am really craving a little STOP.

Ok, enough complaining, I want to remember my lil Charlie, just as he is TODAY.

Charlie is a master crawler now, nothing stops him. He has no problem going far away, and also enjoys following me around and trying to crawl up my leg. Go figure. He is pulling himself up, but not to standing yet. Still the two bottom teeth, and I gotta say, they are so gorgeously sweet.

He is also starting to babble a lot. Last week, he crawled over to me saying "Mamamamama", and last night he crawled to Chad saying "Dadadadadada". Apparently I had neglected to mention the former to Chad, and he was all thinking he was the first one! HA! But, nonetheless, he was over the moon to hear those words out of Charlie.

He is playing a lot, too, although he isn't the greatest at playing by himself. Jack and he have a game, where Charlie "chases" Jack around the house. It is very cute, and Jack is so good with Charlie, and so patient. Charlie also enjoys holding things up to me and grunting. Especially the roll of masking tape. Kind of like "Hey Mom, see me holding this up? Cool, huh?".

He is really growing up. I can see the toddler future in him. It is kind of bittersweet, but I think more sweet than bitter. I am also thinking a third is not such a crazy idea anymore. Not that I am rushing out to try, but fall is still looking like a possibility. 'Cause one can never be too busy, right? HA!

I Need More TIME!

Things are reaching a fevered pitch around here. The month of May is pretty sucky, to be honest. We are (hopefully) putting the house on the market on Monday, but I think it will be more realistically Friday or something. We neglected our own mothers on Mother's Day, to get the house done, and spent half the day sorting out my missing wallet. Wallet never turned up, so now I am without a bank account, access to money, credit cards OR a driver's license for 7 - 10 business days. Like I needed this. House is still a bloody disaster, boxes and tools and projects to be finished everywhere. We really only have 1) the floor in the half bath 2) little bit of molding in the staircase 3) switch a couple rooms around and 4) cleaning left, but we have had that since Sunday, and here we are on Wednesday. Most of the problem has been that I worked Monday night, Chad had a job last night, and now I work tonight and tomorrow night. Friday is our 5 year anniversary, and I selfishly want to celebrate it, so we are going to a hotel and other things for the night. Saturday night we have to do make-up Mother's Day with Chad's family, and Sunday morning make-up Mother's Day with mine, and then I work again on Sunday night. Oh, and Monday night. So, do you see where this is going?!?!?!?!?! Ugh.

I am trying, really trying to do my part, but it is hard with an almost-10-month-old with separation anxiety. The kind of separation anxiety that doesn't allow me to paint the bathroom with him sitting and playing on the floor, 18" from me, but allows me to sit on my ass while he crawls around the backyard. Please figure that one out for me. I am at my wit's end here. I love the summer, and am excited for this summer. So many wonderful things are happening. We will be able to use the boat a lot; Charlie will be 1 in July; Chad and I are going on a happy little vacation to WA (and a big chunk of it is work related for Chad, so less dosh out of our pitiful coffers); seeing the house being built and all that excitingness; and 3 of our very dear friends are getting married (not all to each other, each to another). But really, I would I Dream of Jeannie it all away for it to be the beginning of October right now. I now, wishing my life away.

Oh, and here are some updates I have failed to blog about, because all I can do is obsess about what needs to be done/why am I not doing it/when will it get done/money/////////

• Charlie's heart murmur is nothing. Our appt with the pediatric cardiologist was supposed to last and hour and a half. After 3 minutes with him, he said "We don't need to go any further. This is completely harmless, may come and go until he is 8, but it is really nothing. He is so healthy, it is sick". Ok, I paraphrased a bit, but it was the gist.
• Work is going well. I am in a groove, and have some people I like. I worry less about getting fired everyday. Would still like to quit, just so I wasn't so stressed, but the money is so nice. Am actually thinking that I may stay on when we move. But haven't discussed that one with Chad yet.
• The (supposedly) dug the hole on Monday, and are (supposed to) pour the foundation today. I am hoping Chad and I will swing by on Saturday to check it out.

Think that is all. I must go, Charlie has been doing his whinge/cry for far too long now. I really should just accept that he had a 20 minute nap and forge ahead. I can't wait until nap time.