Been A Long Time....Shall we try again?

With life bringing so many changes and so much time going by I have no idea where to start so I'll start with today. It's been quiet in our small and crowded house. We still are living with my parents, since the sale of our home last year. Yes, it is crowded but right now the benefits out weigh the negatives so we're happy. B has a male role model in the house and Papa does a great job with him. Nana clearly loves B's energy and is a saint when it comes to taking care of the daily rig-a-ma-ra (laundry and what not)......not to mention bringing this mama back to sanity every now and again!

I've been brought back to this blogging concept by a good friend, Karri. She and her family stopped into Cinti. to visit. They took pictures of B, for another collage.....she and Keith (her husband - who is super artistic) started a business doing fantastic children's photo collages. (Karri send the a web site and I'll post it)! I love reading Karri's blog, her words flow so well, she can express her humor, frustration, and excitement through the text. I guess I've always felt I was better at expressing myself through my facial expressions....so blogging does not come easy! And now that I think about it......Karri you may be my only reader, so me posting a web page for you may not do you much good!

This spring has brought about some changes, as each season should. I'm working on the dating scene. Went out with a doctor last month...my enthusiasm clearly scared him. This week I'll be meeting a pilot for dinner. My spring goal is to approach the dating world less like a battle and more like a positive adventure. So I've gathered all my "self-help" books....clearly they may not really work because there are a zillion to choose from and that particular industry never seems to stall. I've read such books as "Why Hasn't He Called" and "What Men Really Want". I can say that both of these books were straight shooters, they included all the niddy-griddy when it came to a man's thinking. Tonight my worry, or hardship, is that everything I've read reminds me that men are visual beings. I'm not feeling like the worlds most beautiful (doesn't help that I've been home watching ANTM). I am finally at a point in my life where I can list my positive qualities without feeling like I'm bragging. I can even point out my favorite physically characteristics without hesitation. But I recognize that I'm not the physical fantasy woman that men are drawn to.....how then do woman like me meet the right man? Time will tell and I will continue to stick with it. I'll keep you posted...on the blog of coarse since I'm going to give it a whirl....AGAIN!

Question: All the books say the first date should include small talk. Well when is it okay for me to talk about my son? I don't want to be the annoying parent who has nothing else to talk about but clearly he's a HUGE and IMPORTANT part of who I am!

April begins this week and it will be a rocky start for us. Nana is gone this week! She'll be in Vegas with Megan. It'll be me and the boys in the house for the week. I say it will be rocky, because as my mother has pointed out the day to day routines for running a house are not my favorite part of being domesticated. Then B has surgery on the 8th. We're heading in for ear tubes, and will also get his adenoids and tonsils taken out. We're preparing with books and short conversations about it. He response "cool man" to riding the bed with wheels and breathing in air from the mask. Hopefully he'll still think it's cool when it's happening in the hospital!

Heading back to work, from a lovely spring break, tomorrow... so I'm heading to bed now!

The Gang's Back Together

We headed out to Ed and Wayne's house for a long overdue get together. Ed always has an amazing feast ready to serve. We hung out while the kids played and took a couple of hikes through the woods with Wayne the tour guide. I'm sure he pointed out all the deer dropings and critter tracks....the kids (except B) were in heaven. B was in heaven giving wet willies to the adults and slobbering zerberts on the arms of all the beautiful moms. Thank God I have friends with a sense of humor or we'd be kicked out of this "gang" for sure! A couple of rounds of corn hole with several beers started the evening. The kids partook in glow in the dark balls and sparklers before attempting to settle into a movie or two. The the Poker began. Okay Mr. David DID win a hand.....one with no money on the table. I'm not sure who took the dough for the second round but it was either Mr. Chad or Mr. Wayne. We woman didn't represent very well but there's always the next gathering.....cause we CAN play (but only with my cheat sheet)!
Guys we shouldn't let this much time pass between our visits!

Swimming with the Girls

Last summer we had weekly dates with Emily and Grace, but this summer with everyone's vacations our first visit didn't happen until July. Although the weather wasn't great the pool, the food, and most importantly the company was. We all got in the pool (except Mrs. Sherri....hummmmmmm how did that happen?). The girls went off the diving board and showed off their swimming skills....as a swimmer I was impressed! B played with his water squirter (as I'm avoiding the gun word......he's not but I am) and got into the water a bit. After swimming we headed to Mrs. Sherri's house. The kids played while we visited. Somehow we ended up taking home a trash bag full of Little People and three villages home. B was in heaven. we got home and he dumped all of his new toys onto the floor and found all the pieces that made "great" noises. You all know how I LOVE toys that make noise. Okay that was sarcastic but I DO LOVE the girls and Mrs. Sherri!

The Ballon Glow

We're building stamina! B went to school today. Cried and cried when I left, but by the time I got to the main entrance to check out the camera in his classroom he was playing with his friends. Got to LUV the guilt trip. After school we headed out to have dinner and a date with Joelle, Belle, and Josh. Applebee's for dinner and then down to Coney Island for the balloon glow and fireworks. It was a great evening, the weather wasn't too hot, the crowd was there but the line for the ice cream wasn't long, the balloon's held us over until the fireworks "boomed".
Speaking of ice cream, a hint to all you mom's who still have kids in a stroller: when handing your child ice cream and leaving them in the stroller remember that people passing by smiling at your child usually are not doing so because they think he's cute. It's more because your kid has ice cream from head to toe......LITERALLY! What a mess, but wasn't B excited to walk around without a shirt...."showin' his muscles".
As the sun set the tethered hot air balloons began to all light their fire together. It was a beautiful sight! B is still talking about the "air bawoons". The fireworks were a great end to the evening. The Rozzi (I think I spelled it right) family always does Cincinnati well. The fireworks were big and colorful. It was as if they were dancing through the sky; pictures just didn't do them justice.
Okay just so you don't think my life is all roses; we did wait in line for a full 55 minutes to get out of the parking lot, 20 of which was in the same exact spot...but who has road rage?. The good news is the kids behaved beautifully, in fact they might have dealt with the delay better than the moms!

Meeting Baby Collin

What a day! Most days we get up and piddle around and our "event" for the day doesn't happen until after our nap. Today we got up and headed for Sara's house; we had a date with Collin! B did really well with the baby. We walked to the park where Sara was the designated swing pusher while I got my baby fix. B wanted to go "up in the sky". We played for a while but it was the UDF Milkshake treat that got B into his stroller. We bought our treats and headed back to the Sara's house. B was attentive when Collin was fussing, but was definitely more interested in his toys....and sharing his! We hung for a while and then headed home. It was nice to spend time with Collin (and his mom too). It brought back memories of my guy being tiny and squishy. I've already forgotten how much work a baby can be, I guess that's God's plan...who would do that over and over if you remembered. Not to mention...how could you remember when the current age just keeps you running too! I really do love being a mom and it's great that more of my friends are joining the pack. Keep 'em comin' guys!

Oh the Pride we swallow!

It's taking all I have to blog about this, but I figure those of you who read and know me will eventually find out and those of you who don't know me need to know the reality. I've also learned that secrets don't really help my soul, and that we all have some type of financial worry (even Trump)

I had to swallow ALL my pride today and ask B's biological father for some financial support. Daycare, diapers, activities, and doing enough to foster a toddlers development is expensive. I know you find that statement shocking! I know there are people who make less than I do and can make it, but B shouldn't have to go without (within reason) just because his "father" chooses to ignore him and live it up in Australia. By the way he got a new puppy. I figure if you can afford to buy a new dog, live it up in another country, and sport the latest fashions you should be able to "spot your child a week or two (at least) of daycare". However I'm realistic so I'm approaching this with a "you can't get it if you don't ask" attitude. Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts....I'm hoping I'm not opening Pandora's box!

Summer Has Arrived!!! But School is Starting for B!

Summer has arrived! We've spent our first week getting paper work done, cleaning, running errands, visiting local family, and what not. During this first week I realized that I haven't had to spend 24 hours a day 7 days in a row by myself with my son....EVER!!! I also realized that he IS 2. I thought it was going to be impossible for "MY SWEET BABY" to become a "Terrible 2 year old". but it happened! He screams at Nana and Papa. One minute he's laying on the floor crying, the next he's saying "I'll hit you", and then he's climbing up the door frame (literally). We still have our sweet moments but there is definitely a large gap in between his cuteness! Yes I'm disciplining him, yes I'm talking to him about being polite and what's acceptable and what's not, but some days I have thought "OH MY GOODNESS MAKE HIM GO AWAY". That took guts to admit! So I've decided, for multiple reasons, but initially because of the above that he needed to go to school two days a week. He went to day for a happy visit. He spent an hour with his first teacher, Ms. (oh my goodness I've forgotten her name)....I'll have to find out next week!
B's first day was not as I had expected, I'm learning much of parenting can't be expected...in fact expect nothing because you'll never be right! B went in and didn't want to paint with the other kids he wanted to play alone. That's when I realized I was doing the right thing, he needs to be introduced to structure and "schooling" if you will. I'm hoping that the name forgotten teacher can also help this mommy with some potty training ideas...it's not going so well!