And Then My Name Was MAMA: Family

Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Day out with Daddy!

I have started my morning out pretty supremely.....2 Stinky Diapers, spilled milk, 2 loads of laundry, G-Man sitting on his sister and a cafe con leche later here I sit.

Yesterday, my hubster took a personally day and we had a family day!! It was a day much needed for him and the kids, Grayson specifically. We headed out to our favorite breakfast spot First Watch, only we decided to try out the Boca Local this time. Starr immediately head banged the table as soon as I git her into the high chair. My kids are built like solid stone I swear! The waiter kindly brought a bag of ice to which she loudly protested....Of Course!

After breakfast we headed to Toys R Us to explore the aisle upon aisle of toys per G-Man's request. It is amazing to me how every single kids movie MUST have toys, cars, and plushes manufactured! Thus leaving me schlepping to the toy store to try to negotiate with my twoddler why he REALLY wants the toy for $7 bucks as opposed to the $30 larger toy which isn't even age appropriate. Those manufactures know who they are TARGETING! In the end my negotiations are not an attempt to compromise with my overly spoiled child, but instead an opportunity to help him find his independence in having options where options are permitted. Initially he wanted to go to the store to get a Ripslinger plane from the movie Planes. Of course once he stepped foot into that marvelous Toy Haven.....his eyes wide with possibility....of course he changed his mind. As always he chose a toy that was much more expensive and for a child twice his age. I grabbed two planes that I was okay with purchasing and gave him the option, they were Ripslinger (His Original request) or Skipper. He happily chose Ripslinger and away we went.

Our next stop was the Boca Mall. We visited the Apple store per David's request, I went to Lush to purchase a Facial mask but they were all SOLD OUT! I did get a sample of some facial wash to try though, but left with a better luck next time mentality. Grayson was more than happy to sit and watch the waterfall in the mall. His eyes were lit with excitement. A simple pleasure, a huge smile, and a tug at my heart. My children are often reminding me to STOP and take a breath. (I am still practicing this!) Look around and revel in the everyday simplicities that surround all of us but often are glossed over with the other unnecessary "Urgencies." He probably could have sat at that fountain all day. We stopped twice to let him enjoy before heading out for lunch.

Popeye - YUMMY!!!

For lunch we stopped at the new Raw Juce that I had just recently heard about. They are an Organic, All Natural, Cold Pressed Juice Bar offering juices, smoothies, and some healthy solid choices. When we walked in we were greeted by two friendly staff members behind the counter. They allowed us to taste a few of their juices. Grayson LOVED this!! We ended up getting the Berry Peary Chia for Grayson - Bartlett Pear, Blueberry, Strawberry, Alkaline Water, Pineapple, and Lime blended with Chia Seeds. This was his favorite of the 4 he tried. David ended up selecting the Green Apple Chia - Spinach, Kale, Granny Smith Apple, Aloe Water, Chia Seeds and the Popeye Smooth-E-Lixir - Pineapple, Peach, Granny Smith Apple, Cucumber, Kale, Ginger, Spirulina, and Vega Protein, garnished with Bee Pollen, Honey, and Hemp Seeds. I originally chose the Raw Green -Parsley, Spinach, Romaine, Kiwi, Lemon, Green Apple, Kale, Chlorella, and Ginger. After tasting David's Popeye I headed back in to purchase one for myself too!!! Soooooo.......YUMMY!
The bottles list the ingredients and benefits of the ingredients with a little disclaimer on allergies and bacteria due to the juice being unpasteurized. They have a 3 day shelf life due to having no preservatives to maintain for longer. It is a small quaint little place inside a shopping plaza close to Boca Mall. They are a little on the pricey side in my personal opinion, ($11/$12 average for a bottle of juice) on the flip side I do believe in certain/most circumstances, you get what you pay for. Eating healthier isn't a cheaper option initially, but the long term benefits outweigh the initial sticker shock.
For all you health conscious people this is the place for you. Raw Juce aims to help people start healthy, stay healthy and be healthy. Their Juice is yummy and filled with feel good goodies with a purpose. I for one am Loving Raw Juce!

Our Boca adventures were over after our Raw Juce visit. We headed home for naps before going to the park to play soccer with G-Man. This kid would play ALL DAY kicking a Ball if I let him!

One Little member refused to nap and so by 6:30pm she was OUT!

I'd say a day out with your family, a nap, some sunshine and ending your night with a hour massage is a pretty damn good Personal Day! We all got some much needed time with each other with no interruptions. It was a Great day and a day that my hard working hubster needed like blood in his veins!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

E.N.E.R.G.Y.

Can I borrow some energy from my Twoddler...PLEASE!!!! G-Man has off the wall, chart topping energy that I wish I could bottle up for resale! I would be rolling in that disgustingly dirty "Dolla Dolla Bills Ya'll!"

I have NO energy. Maybe I should eat better...Probably! Maybe I should exercise a little more....Definitely! Maybe I should get more rest.......(Love to...If it were possible!) Maybe I should just give G-man a big bear hug squeeze and try to absorb some of his energy...LOL! I, being his mother, can most definitely do this!
As for all you lovely elderly people who try to touch, grab, kiss, hug my G-man as though in a desperate attempt to STEAL his youth.....Well you MAY NOT!!!!

(Sorry Ally McBeal Moment escaped my head and went to the keyboard!!!)

This new Year has started off great and I can feel in my bones it will be a FANTASTIC Year!! Yes...I say Fantastic. I just really hope that I can step up a notch on the energy factor because both of my children are growing at a dangerously rapid pace.

G-Man has so much energy it literally takes me an hour to hour and a half to get him to settle down and nap. Why go thru all of this frustration??? BECAUSE...if he does not nap he will run around in an over stimulated, overly exhausted adrenaline rush that will undoubtedly end in a crash that is much too late in the afternoon thus resulting in a late bedtime which then will be accompanied by an overly tired and "Cranky" (That is polite) Twoddler the next day.

*Take breath*

Though he is semi transitioning into the No Nap zone, he still desperately NEEDS a nap. He just doesn't want to miss a beat. He is learning at warp speed and everyday I look at him and not only see his physical growth but his developmental growth as well. As I stare at my once baby boy, I now see a growing little person, and I am saddened by how fast time is ticking away.
He wants to do everything by himself now. From brushing his teeth, getting dressed/undressed, putting on his socks and shoes, taking his plate to the table, putting his dishes in the sink to changing his own pull up (sometimes and only when pee pee). I watch him do these "Big Boy" things and desperately rack my brain for the photographic memories of him just learning to walk or eat with assistance. I sigh and then hope that I am doing a good job raising him. I hope that my imperfectly perfect lessons will be instilled. I hope that the day where he will be so angry at me that he shouts"I HATE You" will never come. I hope that he uses the tools we teach him to make good choices and "right" decisions. In the end he will unquestionably become his own person, make his own mistakes and successes, learn and live how he feels is right for him. I just pray that I can muster up the energy to keep up with him along the ride!!!!

Just 7 Months old - Learning to cruise

Now at Almost 3!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Oh..The Magic of Disney!

We embarked on a Disney Trip much earlier than I had originally wanted for numerous reasons which all proved to be valid.

We were invited by my husbands coworker to go to her husbands bosses lake house... Still with me?

We were getting into the park complimentary because her brother in law (my husbands co worker) works at Disney and could get up to 6 people in. The kids were free of course because they are so little. We were hesitant to accept the offer for numerous reasons and as anyone knows traveling with a group of people, though fun, things never go as planned. For someone like me with OCD...just a tee whittle bit...irritable is not my prettiest side.

1) Money - Disney is crazy affordable. NOT! A bottle of water is $4

Little fact- our Disney World in Orlando, FL is one of the most visited places in the world!! WHAT??!

The place of Magic and "Dreams coming True" and all that Jazz.... Is really just all fluffer nutter.
There is nothing "Magic" about thousands of people completely invading your personal space when walking or in line just to get that "ONE" step closer to the attraction!

2) Kids age- though 2 1/2 - 3 is a fantastic coming into personality age, it does have some wickedly evil Horns!

3) Weather- too hot or for my Floridian ass too Cold!

4) Memories..... Or lack their of. Who really remembers there Disney visit at age 2?..3? or even 4?

Our trip started out in mass chaos. Allow me to elaborate. From the time my husband got off work Friday afternoon until 7:30pm or so we were running like crazy. To the bank... for about 45 minutes!! We won't go there! Walmart in a desperate attempt to get some warm attire for what ended up being a uncomfortable cold day and evil cold evening. To pick up dinner and then eat at the house, pack, and at least do the dishes, etc.

What I learned is to pack one week prior, cook dinner in the am and heat that shit up before hitting the road and go to bank a week ahead of time! Next time- don't go on a weekend when our normal Floridian weather decides to take a plunge into the deep pits of the polar ice caps! oh and NEVER go on a Holiday Weekend! Disney is crowded enough on an average day. Add a Holiday weekend to the mix and you just have a recipe for strangers shoving, and touching you in places you would never give authorization for. Not to mention complete invasion of personal space!

When we arrived at our destination, the Lake House in Lake Placid, it was cold, dark and we were exhausted. But guess what? Starr and Grayson weren't because they slept the majority of the 2 1/2 hour drive. So in their beautifully growing minds.NAP TIME WAS OVER!

The day of our Disney Trip began Saturday January 18th. After going to bed around 1-1:30 am, I awoke feeling hung over, but well rested. We ate and then headed on our way with the whole group of us-9 including us and baby Starr. David's coworker and her family were a party of 4 and they were celebrating 3 of their recent birthdays, add their brother in law, and us just along for the ride.

After an 1-1/2 drive, We were finally at our destination! The wonderfully magically, Magic Kingdom.

First stop was lunch! After that it was nursing the baby and changing diapers. It wasn't very long before we decided to split and go our separate ways so as not to ruin their birthday trip. Meeting up late before heading back to the Lake House.

We got to watch two parades. Went to see Pluto but were told he was done visiting guest for the day. We rode on some rides with Grayson in Tommorrowland and Fantasyland. We had corn dogs, David for first time. We got to experience the Starbucks experience, Disney style. Had some stranger convos, got a McQueen light toy and Mickey balloon, Rode the Carousel, got a Disney sticker from one of the "Cast Members", and froze our tushes!

Reasons why I never wanted to take the kids before age five all proved to be valid.

1) 3 corn dogs, a bag of chips, and a soda was $20. Yup. $5 a corn dog! Mickey balloon G-Man wanted so bad from the entrance when he first laid eyes on them- $12 and Up! In addition to several other purchases food and other. So why are we wasting away all this money on a day that they will never remember? Oh yeah....its for us...That's why?!

2) Grayson had some sort of fit every couple hours. Though I know being over tired from the night before and lack of nap on Saturday definitely were contributing factors, add in sugary treats, cold weather, and extreme system overload and you have a disaster just waiting to unravel.

3) it was FREEZING! I am talking can't feel my legs because my blood had frozen and the only feeling left is a sharp burning sting kind of cold. Thank goodness we were able to borrow a hat from Grayson's friend. Starr had about 4 layers on and a blanket on top if that. Grayson about 3 layers.

4) We did not get many pics of us together, always need to have a photographer on hand if you want family memories! Though Grayson had a great time, he won't ever remember this trip and Starr def won't .

We left he park at around 9/9:30 pm arriving back at Lake House around midnight.

I would say despite being overly crowded, getting shoved -with my son in my hands- into someone else's rear end as though I am an accessory to their body, it being bone crackling uncomfortably FREEZING, the park costs being outrageous, Grayson being overly tired, & stimulated, having to stop to change diapers and nurse very frequently , not getting family pics and knowing the kids will never remember this day, oh and let me not leave out, dropping my cell phone onto the brick pavement AND whole screen shattering! I'd say we had a great time and really did have fun! Grayson had a blast! And seeing those little eyes though exhausted, filled with such amazement and joy , makes all the other details non existent...... Just not non existent enough to make another trip to Disney before Grayson is 5/6!

Sunday came and the Lake house was beautiful. The weather wonderful. Where was this weather the day prior?! The Lake house was warm and inviting filled with tons of photos and my favorite, quotes all over! This was a Home filled with Love so tangible you could see, feel, taste and inhale it! It was in the air. Not to mention their was so much character in this house.

Grayson and David learned how to fish and both caught their first Fish! This was Priceless! We had a nice relaxing afternoon ending with lunch and their celebratory Birthday cakes before heading back on the road.

It was Home Sweet Home at last and though we enjoyed the company and our trip, I have never been so Happy to walk into the doors of our tiny one bedroom apartment!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

The "Picking" Phase continues

The last few days have gone by so fast I can barely remember what day it is! What I thought was Friday turns out to be only Thursday. With the weekend quickly approaching we have two Birthday parties (1 adult and 1 child).

In the Friend news.....two of my friends have recently announced that they are expecting.....And.This. is. Fabulous!!!! I am so excited to be able to be a part of their journeys and quite honestly live vicariously through their experience and journeys as well. no more baby bumps here...Nope! Only Bump you will see on this belly is from the Cookies and Mojo donuts, red meat (I Know!) breads, rice, wine, beer, chips...well everything not good for you!! I do eat healthy..I just also give in to my cravings.

With the twoddler...well He has gone from picking his butt and inside his diaper to picking his nose! I would warrant this another bad habit from school. Along with SPITTING!!!! I.Can.Not.Stand.The.Spitting!! He spits on me, David, his sister, friends, our friends etc. It is completely out of hand and disgusting. Quite frankly so is the nose picking but we have all been known to dig in deep to get that pain in the ass, stuck like super glue, hard dried like cement, Booger or the huge gooey globs from time to time. So, I just encourage him to pick in the bathroom with a tissue. I let him know that picking his nose spreads germs and if he needs to blow his nose or get a booger he can go to the bathroom and get a tissue. This is something new. Maybe it is along the "Self Exploration" of his body, a bad habit picked up by a kid at school, or from me getting his "boolers" (What I used to call them as a little twoddler) myself. I did get quite excited when I would get those stubborn boogers out! I guess nose picking is a rite of passage. I mean I have seen grown ass adults digging in deep in their cars while at a traffic light.

Side Topic: Isn't it hilarious how people think they are invisible in their vehicles?! Similar to my Twoddler who thinks if he covers himself with his blanket or closes his eyes, he too is invisible.
On the other hand maybe those people just don't really care.

Now, I guess I should be happy that he is no longer fascinated with his poop and picking his butt when he has poop in his pull up. So I guess we will just have to wait out this nose picking phase and hope that it will pass just as the other phases did.

Now with the spitting.....I have tried everything and he still spits. He says his friend at school spits so now he is a spitting machine! We make him apologize, explain that we only spit in the sink after brushing our teeth or outside if we have to, or if we are sick and need to spit in the sink or toilet. We have tried putting him in a 2 minute "Cool Down", taking him away from the situation and explaining that we don't spit on people because it is gross, spreads germs, is not a nice thing to do to someone etc. Nothing seems to be sinking in. Sometimes he just does it and thinks its funny! If he is picking this up from school...What is next?? If this is just a phase..I am READY for it to pass now! Please and Thank You!

As for the littlest in the family. Well she has decided to keep us up at night for hours because she wants to practice her new skills, crawling and clapping....all while babbling and carrying on conversation with "Dada" being her prime word. So sweet, really, but figures I am the one who she spends the majority of her time with and she says Dada first.

My wonderful hubster is working on a website for me..Yay! Only because I started this blog to write and I really want to write about so many things (sub Categories, if you will) of this main blog. A website will enable me to create different sections and do a little more than my blog site. I will keep my blog site though because I am a fan of Blogger. On a personal level I am working on a project that I hope to get self published by the end of this year or very latest beginning of the next. It has already been a work in progress since mid 2013. This New Year is going to be my year to let go of Fear! The Fear that has disabled me from trying so many things.

"The Mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent." - Arnold Schwarzenegger

The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Monday, December 16, 2013

Another Weekend Come and GONE
Stationery Card
View the entire collection of cards.

First and Foremost ---8 Days and counting--- Happy Holidays! Our photos were taken by Lindsay @ You Are The Roots... a Young Woman with many talents, and a welcomed new friend! The cards were by Shutterfly, which I use every year and for everything, mugs, photo books, invites, etc. because I really like their product.

Weekend whirled past us faster than a Tornado took Dorothy to OZ!

Friday afternoon G-Man had his Holiday show at school which was promising because he came into the room with his bell and hat all smiles. He saw Mommy and bolted toward me. I gave a warm reassuring hug and told him to follow his teacher. As soon as he reached the stage he cried. No songs from him. Although, he wasn't the only child in his class to not sing, he was the only one who cried and had to be removed from the stage. Though I am not disappointed or sad, unlike some who may have been just that or even angry. I am fortunate and blessed that he is in tune with his own feelings and will not tolerate or adjust to a situation that he may not be comfortable with. At least that is how I choose to perceive his actions that afternoon. I have hopes that he never will mold himself for a situation or others to fit in or make them happy. My hopes are that he stays in tune with who he is and if he doesn't feel comfortable he gets out of the situation or makes it known he isn't comfortable. I am perfectly happy having a son who is in tuned to his feelings!

Hmm...Don't know whose camera I was looking at!

Friday night was my husbands Holiday Party for work. It was at the Hyatt Pier 66, BUT not in the much anticipated top Spinning Tower part of the hotel because his company is larger than that room could accommodate. Instead the party was held at the Panorama Ballroom, which was very large and had a nice outdoor balcony area where Bartenders and starters happily awaited guests. With 2 drinks complimentary per guest, I was, well let's just say...my husband saw me and then I was gone. The sweet warm lovely feeling of a buzz filled me faster than an "Exotic Dancer" gets filled with ...uh...hmm....dollar bills...??!

My husband was ever so kind to give me his tokens and happily I trotted over to the same bartender reminding him sweetly that, "I am a Mother of two." "A very stressed Mother of Two."
I like to think my statement helped in receiving just a wee little bit more Cabernet in my glass but by my second glass I wasn't keeping track! Having a babysitter was such a relief, and by the end of the night, just 2 1/2 large glasses of Cabernet.....I was warm and giggly and ready to hit the town. Reality of the situation was the only town I was hitting that late evening/early AM was Mom Town!

Overall, despite an ankle blister AND almost breaking my neck tripping twice in my heels! The evening was a nice break from Mommy hood. The dinner was good. Starters were bread with a iceberg wedge salad. Main dish, my choice, Filet, but was a little rare for my liking, served with a yummy rice pilaf...? Yummy Alfredo rice concoction and broccoli. David had the Mahi with some type of rice alternative..little balls, and carrots. His Mahi was delish. Dessert was best, a trio sampler with chocolate mousse cake, cheesecake with some unidentifiable topping, (passion fruit or grapefruit was my bet...? I ate it anyway) and an amazing banana topped Crème brûlée!

Here is what I wore:

Dress, animal print stockings (to hide my pasty bruised legs and add a little spunk) and shoes were all bought at Kohl's

Yummy Dessert

Centerpieces

Grooving to the beat

Night Out = Happy Wife! Happy Wife = Happy Life!

Saturday morning we met a friend for brunch, before heading over to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. We went last year also and seems this will be our traditional go to for a few reasons: 1) Santa looks authentic 2) Photo is Free and 3) we get a photo in Santa's sleigh with reindeer and huge Tree as back drop...Bonus!

****Side Note*** (Santa's came up underlined for spell check and no word Santa in Spell check list but Satan and Satan's was.........CREEPY!!!)

After a cat nap Saturday...well my husband and Grayson cat napped; we headed out to the Park for a Movie in the park......which got cancelled! Bummer as it was our first time attending. However, that did not stop Grayson and his buddy Ethan from playing and making the most of the open field!
We ended our night taking a drive to a house in Parkland with Christmas lights that out shined neighbors to the extreme! The kids admired and ran around the magical lighted display taking in Santa's workshop, equipped with Ferris wheel, ginger bread men jumping, a choo choo train, nativity set, Santa in hot air balloon, candy canes, and music etc. It really brings out the spirit of Christmas. That is until you have to chase your little one whose pants are filled with quite the aromatic poopy diaper and owner of home pulls into driveway with not so Joly look on face. So what is expected when you practically Magic Kingdom your house Christmas light style???? Do you not want anyone to stop and look? Do you not want little dream filled eyes wondering around your driveway in pure amazement and excitement? Maybe, you just had a bad day? Either which way I'd like to say from my Family, especially my little G-Man, to yours..Thank You for such a beautiful Holiday Light Display!

Grayson and Ethan playing in the field

Christmas Lights

Sunday crept up so quick I barely had time to think of what was on the agenda. First was cleaning our apartment. Though very very small, still quite the task as I haven't cleaned in weeks! After the kids napped we FINALLY went to get our Tree! With only 8 days left until Christmas it is better late than never! We ended our evening last night by going to Re-visit Bethlehem. It was a live reenactment of Bethlehem City. There were the three Wise Men, Mary , King David, Roman Guards, peasants, different shops inside the city, and finale was the messiah, baby Jesus surrounded by Angels. It will be the beginning of yet another Holiday Tradition for us. Along with making Ornaments, Bass pro Shop Santa photos, Cookies and fruit snacks for Santa, Christmas PJ's and a Birthday cake for Jesus! (requested by Grayson)