Ari and Amber 2-Day

Yikes!

2010-02-28T10:58:00.000-08:00

So, I made the mistake of looking at my calendar for next week. I have 23 meetings - 23 meetings! - scheduled for next week, including eight on Monday alone. That is insane.

Here is the breakdown:

Shortest meeting: 15 minutes
Longest meeting: 1.5 hours
Slowest day: Wednesday, with only 3 meetings
Most meetings on a single topic: 5 (over the course of a week)
Best appointment on my schedule: a post-sales conference celebratory luncheon on Thursday
Worst appointment on my schedule: um, no comment...

And I am expected to get work done? I'm scared.

On being happy.

2010-02-25T17:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was not one of my finest days. Daycare was closed so the kids were home, we were having our new furnace installed, and I was trying to manage a nonstop barrage of work emails in between reading Thomas books, playing Elefun and trying to entertain an unhappy little Elijah.

Needless to say, I was stressed. And this fact was confirmed when someone mentioned to me that I seemed to be in a grumpy mood.

That comment really made me think. There is so much in my life that I cannot control. Things aren't always what I wish they could be. I get annoyed. My feelings get hurt.

I have a choice. I can either let these thoughts drive me crazy, or I can focus on what makes me happy. It's the difference between looking at the cup as being half-full vs. half-empty. The difference between appreciating the way things are vs. focusing on what they could be.

So, I spent some time thinking about my day in an optimistic light. Yes, I had to be up at 5:30 to catch a train, but at least baby Elijah slept until 6:00 (for the first time in months!). And I had to spend 6 hours on a train, but at least it was comfortable, and gave me time to catch up on work and my reading. And I didn't get home until after 7:00, but at least I made it home before bedtime and was greeted with hugs and wet toddler kisses.

I am so lucky. I have people in my life who I love, and people who love me. I have a job where I am happy and busy and people respect me. I have a fantastic family and friends, and two little boys who mean everything to me.

I need to focus on the things that make my life full, to better appreciate my little world.

Self improvement.

2009-10-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

Ever since Harrison was born, I have felt like my life has been in a holding pattern. Don't get me wrong - between my job, family, friends, and the dogs, things were pretty crazy even before adding children into the mix. But having Harrison (and Elijah) made me re-examine my priorities.

My family? The most important thing in my life. My job? Also very important - although I hate being away from the boys, I would also hate not having a paycheck. My friends? Even though I don't get to see them as much as I used to, I still love them. The pups? They're still around, and they still like me to pet them and play with them once in awhile.

Something had to give - and I felt like that something was me. My days have fallen into a routine: wake up, get ready for work, get the boys up, get Elijah fed and dressed, get the boys out the door and dropped off at daycare, drive to work, work, eat lunch at my desk, work some more, drive home, cook dinner, feed Elijah, eat dinner, clean kitchen, play with boys, get boys ready for bed, read Harrison a book, get Harrison a glass of water, put Harrison to bed, feed Elijah, change Elijah, put Elijah to bed, get bags packed, lunches made, coffee ready, watch some TV, fall into bed. If I'm lucky, Elijah will wake up once during the night. If I'm not, Elijah will wake up four times. It's like treading water.

My free time is non-existant. But I realized that I need to make some time for myself, or I am going to go crazy. So I'm working on making some positive - if small - changes in my life. For example:

* Until recently, I was lucky to make it through the latest issue of Parenting magazine. Now I have been turning off the computer and taking the time to - gasp! - open a book and read, I'm currently in the middle of "The Devil in the White City," a historical account of the World's Fair. And I am loving it.

* Having two kids in two years meant that most of the new clothes in my closet are maternity clothes. So I have been buying a few new pieces for my wardrobe. And it feels great.

* Hubby and I have been doing things and going places - without the kids. In the past month, we went to a party at a friend's house and went to a local bar to hear a band play. Both times, kids were not invited, we had a couple of drinks - and it was fun.

* And I have been working out every other day. Do I wish that I could devote more time to getting back into shape? Of course. But this is a good first step.

Don't get me wrong - being a mom is my number-one priority. But it is so easy to lose yourself in the process. Taking the time to take care of myself has been awesome. And spending a few minutes a day doing something for myself has not caused my world to fall apart.

Now I just need to try and stick with it...

Hmmm.....

2009-10-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been feeling a bit... off. I can't explain it - I don't feel sad, but I just don't feel like myself. I'm going through all the usual day-to-day activities, but something just feels different.

(Okay, I re-read the paragraph above and realized that I sound like the voiceover in one of those anti-depressant commercials. I am not depressed. And no, I am definitely not pregnant!)

Maybe it's the change of seasons. Or the transition from one big project to another at work. Or the fact that I have had exactly one decent night sleep since August.

Too much on my mind, I guess. I'm definitely guilty of worrying too much about everything. And over-thinking everything.

I think that I need to go shopping. Forget my worries and focus on sweaters and shoes. Retail therapy solves everything, right?

An open letter (or eight).

2009-09-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

Dear elderly driver - Thanks for driving 25 mph in a 40 mph zone at 8:30 on a weekday morning. I didn't want to get to work on time anyway.

Dear coworker - Thanks for using the one room in the entire building with no windows and a lock on the door to make your personal phone calls. I'll just come back and pump breastmilk to feed my baby later, okay?

Dear Greg Gutfeld - Thanks for making "Red Eye" the most enjoyable television program airing at 3:00 am. Now I have something to watch every night while feeding my six-month-old who no longer wants to sleep through the night.

Dear immune system - Thanks for the cold. Now I have something to keep me company on my drive to and from New Jersey on Saturday.

Dear Town of Clifton Park - Thanks for starting road construction during the middle of morning rush hour. Gives me time to enjoy seeing my taxpayer dollars at work.

Dear person who coined the phrase "no use crying over spilled milk" - Thanks for that gem. Obviously, you have never accidentally knocked over a full bottle of pumped breastmilk.

Dear Facebook - Thanks for the fun, but my relationship with Twitter is much more fulfilling. It's not me, it's you.

Dear Asher Roth - Thanks for writing the song, "I Love College." Now I miss college... and I feel old.

Week-end update.

2009-09-11T17:04:00.000-07:00

First week back to work following our "staycation" - and what a hectic week it was! Some highlights:

*We celebrated back to school week with a little party on Tuesday night. Cake, candles, and a custom-made "happy back to school" song. Made the transition back into our normal routine just a bit easier.

*In other Harrison news, we are on Day 3 with no paci. We weren't planning on cutting him off cold turkey, but it just happened. He is doing okay without it, especially since the "paci fairy" brought him cars and some money to buy a train in exchange for the paci.

*Elijah is doing awesome (he just agreed with me by spitting up in my lap). He has been babbling up a storm and rolling around like a madman! His favorite activities include spending time in the exersaucer and playing with my hair.

*Things baby Elijah doesn't love? Sleeping through the night. I haven't had a good night's sleep in weeks, maybe months. And bottles. (At least today, when he decided to starve himself at school.)

*Speaking of school, Harrison came home today and told us how he watched videos at school. Great. I spend $200/week for him to watch videos. If I wanted the TV to babysit him, he could stay home with Ari and we could subscribe to Netflix.

*Even though it was rough going back to work, I am fortunate to have a job that, for the most part, I love. My coworkers are hysterical - and some of them don't even know it. Add a steady stream of entertaining emails to the mix and my days fly by!

On deck for the weekend? Cleaning tonight, in preparation for company next weekend. Great Escape tomorrow (hoping for a quiet day). And picking up a new jersey for Harrison to wear on Sunday - go GMEN!

What are your plans for the weekend?

Help!

2009-09-07T04:41:00.001-07:00

Since September is finally here, I guess that it is okay to start talking about Halloween costumes.

A couple of weeks ago, I asked Harrison what he wanted to be for Halloween. "A fish," he said.

Awesome! My mom already bought Elijah a little inchworm costume and at least the two costumes would coordinate. And a fish costume should be easy to find, right?

Wrong. With the exception of a Nemo costume on DisneyShopping.com, I haven't been able to find a single fish costume out there (and I have been to every corner of the Internet). It's not that I have anything against character costumes, but I would rather have a more generic, cute fish costume.

I have already tried to get Harrison to change his mind by tempting him with dinosaur, shark and spider costumes - no dice. He still wants to be a fish.

Any ideas?

Vacation week.

2009-09-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

Daycare is closed this week, so hubby and I took the week off from work to spend 10 days of quality time with our little guys. Instead of going somewhere this year, we decided that this will be our "staycation" week, where we will take advantage of everything that upstate NY has to offer. (Thankfully, staycationing is hip around here, since we have no money or desire to go anywhere else.)

I am tired.

Seriously, I think that it is the fatal flaw of working moms like myself. Knowing that my time with them is limited, doing anything that I don't consider quality time in the hours that they are awake is not an option. (Reason #1 why neither of my children watch television.)

During a normal week, I try to work out, shower, go grocery shopping, stop at the dry cleaners, make lunches and clean while the kids are asleep. This way, I get to ensure that I am meeting my quality time quota with them.

But this week has been quality time on steroids. Maybe if it wasn't so cold around here, we would be spending more lazy days by the pool. Maybe if it wasn't so nice out, we would be forced to hang out in our pajamas, coloring and reading books. But no - instead, we are cramming a summer's worth of fun activities into one week.

We have already been to Build a Bear, the Great Escape, Saratoga Race Track, and Lake George. We played mini golf, took a boat ride, rode on our trike, took long walks, went out to breakfast twice (including once with just me and the boys) and dinner once.

And the week isn't done - plans for the second half include Elijah's half-birthday tomorrow, apple picking, outlet shopping in MA, the Great Escape (again!) and out to dinner to celebrate Diana's graduation. A trip to the Children's Museum in Saratoga and a pony ride may also enter the mix. And don't forget all of the yummy dinners that I plan on making since I have the time (unlike most weekdays, where my key dinner criteria are quick and healthy).

I need a vacation from my vacation!

A day in the life.

2009-08-19T18:06:00.001-07:00

Life with two kids=never a dull moment. Case in point:

* I was getting Elijah dressed for school this morning and I couldn't understand why they would include such thick socks with a summer outfit. It wasn't until we got to school and one of his socks fell off that I realized that I forgot to take the cotton out of the toes. Oops.

* Harrison hates going to school this morning. The only time that he gets into the car without a fight is when I promise to stop at "Doctor Mark's" (the gas station) on the way. Mark - who owns the gas station - always comes over and talks to Harrison in the mornings, and Harrison is in awe of the cars in the garage. By the time we leave the gas station, he is grinning from ear-to-ear, and I feel like a hero - at least until I have to leave him at school and he starts crying, "Don't go, Mommy!"

* This afternoon, I picked the kids up after school. Harrison was playing outside in the sandbox with his friends. He comes up to me with a weed and said, "I picked this flower for you, Mommy!" My heart melted. On the way home, he asked if he could hold my flower, and I gave it to him. We get into the house, he sees hubby, and says, "I picked this flower for you, Daddy!" Traitor.

* The second I picked up baby Elijah this afternoon, he broke into the biggest smile ever. Made my day.

Now Harrison is in bed and Elijah is asleep on my lap, and all is well. Ready for more adventures tomorrow...

In defense of summer.

2009-08-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I feel like I am the only person on the planet who doesn't love summer. My hair gets frizzy way too easily. Mosquitos and other bugs creep me out. And I would choose sweaters and jeans over bathing suits and shorts any day.

But summer does have (a few) good qualities. Swimming. Taking baby Elijah for long walks. Enjoying a cold drink outside at night.

As baby Elijah and I took our evening walk today under a beautiful sunset, I thought about summer's redeeming qualities. And I realized that summer was the backdrop of some of the best times of my life. Like:

- the summer before my senior year of college. I lived on campus as an RA, worked a part-time job at a bagel place, and spent all of my free time with my friends, hitting the Morristown bars (especially the Palm Grill). My favorite days were Sundays spent down the shore with Marie. We would stop at Quik Chek and grab some lunch, then hit the beach together - getting tans and avoiding jellyfish in the ocean. We would come home tanned and exhausted. Awesome times.

- the summer after my senior year of college, when Ari and I started dating. There is nothing like summer love - or even a summer crush. Again, I was working part-time and enjoying my last summer between college and adulthood. I spent time with friends - but I also spent a lot of time getting to know Ari. We would take weekend trips, go out for ice cream at Denville dairy, and spend evenings watching movies and talking until we fell asleep.

So, while I would prefer to skip over summer altogether (fall has cooler weather, cuter clothes and apple picking!), I guess that it isn't all bad. As long as I can skip the frizzy hair.

Curing my writer's block...

2009-07-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

... with a meme. Thanks, Terri!

Where are you?
Sitting on my couch in the family room

Who are you texting?
Nobody

What was the last beverage you spilled on yourself?
Not sure, probably water

Are you in a good mood?
I will be in about an hour, when I get to see my boys

Do you believe in true love?
Of course

Do you like to wear sweatpants?
Not really - would rather lounge around in pajama pants

Are you wearing them right now?
No

Would you ever want to swim with sharks?
Nope

Have you lost friends in the past year?
No, thank goodness

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
Green eyes would be nice, but I am happy with my brown eyes

How is your hair?
Frizzy - thanks humidity!

Do you believe in love at first sight?
Definitely

What do you usually do first in the morning?
Hit the snooze button

What do you think about the weather?
Eh

Are you ticklish?
Yes

What is your natural hair color?
Dark brown

Have you ever sang in front of a large audience?
No, thank God!

What's your favorite smell?
A freshly-washed baby

What are you thinking about right now?
Work

Do you wear eyeliner?
Yes

When was the last time you really smiled?
This afternoon, as I was apologizing for hanging up on my boss (it was an accident!)

Did you go to sleep last night smiling?
No - I went to sleep last night with a headache

Who's car were you in last?
My own

How many cigarettes have you smoked today?
Zero

Do you currently have a hickey?
Eww

What Jewlery are you wearing?
Earrings, watch, rings (and a ponytail holder on my wrist - it's practically jewelry to me)

Are you a heavy sleeper?
Not since I had children

Where does most of your family live?
New York and California

Have you ever slapped someone?
Not that I can recall - I'm not much of a fighter

How many people do you trust with everything?
Only a few...

Whats so special about what your wearing?
It doesn't have spit-up on it

Ever felt like you're not good enough?
All the time

What was the last thing you drank?
Diet Coke

Who is the last person you got in a yelling fight with?
Probably hubby (sorry!)

Have you ever walked on the beach at night?
Yes, on my honeymoon

Anything you would change about your life right now?
I'd love to be wealthy enough to stay at home with the boys; otherwise, things are good

What did you do today and what are you doing later?
Woke up, fed and changed Elijah, made a "big circle" with Matchbox cars for Harrison, drove the boys to school, worked out, worked, picked up lunch for me and hubby, still working. Later, I will be eating dinner with the family, giving Elijah a bath, finishing up laundry, cleaning, then spending quality time with hubby. Whew.

Do you think two people can last forever?
I hope so!

Have you held hands with somebody in the past three days?
Yes - Harrison is big into hand-holding

Is there someone who meant a lot to you at one point, and isn't around now?
Yes

What do you do when you're having a bad day?
Sing along to the radio in the car; vent to my hubby

Was this new years enjoyable?
As I recall, it was

When you're sick or sad, do you want to be alone or do you want someone?
Alone

Do you care if people talk badly about you?
Yes

Do you get jealous easily?
I try not to, but I do

Are you afraid to tell your true feelings?
Sometimes

Would you rather text or IM?
Text

Is there anyone you want to come see you?
I have a lot of friends that I miss

What do you look forward to in the next 8 months?
Spending time with my boys and my hubby, our vacation week in August, having friends visit next month, Elijah's baptism (if we ever get it scheduled), Elijah's half-birthday, being finished with work travel for the year, Christmas, Harrison's birthday - too much stuff to mention!

Did you get a full 8 hours of sleep last night?
That's funny

Have you ever thrown your cell phone in anger?
No

Are you self- conscious?
Yes

Who would be the first person to know if you got pregnant?
Hubby

When was the last time you laughed REALLY hard?
Yesterday, in a meeting at work

Do you write notes on your body?
Nope

What did you do yesterday?
Worked out, worked, made spaghetti for dinner, spent time with the boys, went to bed early with a headache

Is there something you're looking forward to this month?
Seeing Huxy!

Is there anyone you would seriously punch right now if you had the chance?
No

What do you think of short hair?
It's fine, I guess - I just prefer mine long

Do you wish you were somewhere else right now?
Maybe Disney World? Otherwise, no

When was the last time you cried from laughing so hard and why?
Yesterday's meeting at work (same as above) - there was a seriously funny comment said that still makes me laugh just thinking about it

Have you ever had someone pick you up off the ground & carry you?
I can't recall

When was the last time you cried?
Earlier this week, dropping off Elijah at school

Where is your phone?
On the table

Is there something from your past that you really hate talking about?
There are many things that I would rather not talk about...

Cool baby gear alert!

2009-07-16T18:26:00.001-07:00

So, back when I was home on maternity leave (and actually had time to devote to online shopping), I came across Wrapadoodles. Both of my boys are great sleepers, and I completely attribute this to the fact that I swaddled them every night before bed. However, I stink at doing the whole receiving blanket thing, and am always looking for products that make it easier to make my "baby burritos."

That's where the Wrapadoodle comes in... not only do they make it easier to wrap up your baby, but they are so darn cute! I mean, they are really cute. The only bummer is they are only for babies up to three months, and by the time I found them, baby Elijah was hitting the limit.

Victoria O'Neill, the genius behind the Wrapadoodle, also makes Burpadoodle burp cloths. She does a contest on her blog where she periodically selects a commenter to win a Burpadoodle, and I was lucky enough to win one.

We got it in the mail awhile ago and it is so darn cute! Here are a couple of pictures:

Baby Elijah gives his Burpadoodle two thumbs up! So, go and check out her blog - especially if you have any babies to shop for...

What makes a great father?

2009-06-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

I know that I am fortunate to have an awesome dad. Although I am extremely close to my mother, I have always been quite the daddy's girl.

Growing up, my dad was always the fun one - making up silly dances and nicknames to keep us laughing, doing his mean Bill Cosby impression - but he also had a serious side. My parents were pretty broke when we were little, so my dad would work days and be home with us in the evenings while my mom worked nights. He would cook us dinner, play with us and get us to bed relatively unscathed (not including the time where I fell out of my chair and knocked my front tooth out when I was four or five). And our good relationship continues today - he is always willing to help us out with things that need to get done around the house, and we have him over for dinner and to hang with the boys anytime, especially when my mom is out of town.

Based on my experiences, I could never imagine anyone else living up to my high standards of fatherhood - but my hubby has. He is a wonderful father, and he shows it in countless little ways each and every day. He cooks Harrison his favorite breakfast - eggs - even though the smell makes him sick to his stomach. He takes care of the boys so I can shower and blow dry my hair uninterrupted on occasion. He changes countless stinky diapers. He plays basketball and choo-choos and reads "Peef the Christmas Bear" a million times without a word of complaint. He gives Harrison his "water baths." And he does it all with a smile on his face and a heaping dose of patience (well, most of the time - nobody is perfect).

Today, I was reminded many times of what a great dad my hubby is. When we were at the Great Escape this morning, he waited in line at this one particular ride with Harrison at least three times, even though he knew that when it came time to actually go on the ride, Harrison would change his mind. He kept us entertained and made us laugh by doing a silly dance while we were on the (painfully boring) train ride. And he found the humor in the situation when an overtired Harrison refused to let go of his breadstick that he brought home from the restaurant where we had dinner tonight - leading us to adopt the "no breadsticks in the bathtub" mantra. (Seriously, the breadstick thing was out of control - at one point, he was pretending that it was a car and even named it "Fancy Lady.")

My boys are lucky to grow up with a wonderful dad like him, and I am fortunate to have him as my husband. Happy Father's Day, Hubby!

Time flies...

2009-06-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

Things have been crazy around here lately. I am back at work part-time, Ari was away last week for a tradeshow and the little ones have been keeping me on my toes.

Every time something interesting happens in my life, I think, "I should really blog about that." And then I promptly forget about it. So, here's a look at what's been on my mind - today:

* Why is it that babies wait until they are squeaky clean to have the most explosive poops? It never fails - 5 minutes after I finish Elijah's bath and give him a clean diaper, he erupts. Good times.

* Elijah got a bath today because I took him to get his three-month photos taken at The Picture People. I used to love them, but lately, I have had better photos taken at JC Penney. Of course, it didn't keep me from buying a bunch.

* So I finally signed up for Facebook. I must be the last person on the planet to do so - even my MIL is on there. I need to gerup to speed on social media for work, though. It seems like it has the potential to be a huge time suck.

* I have been so emotional lately. I was cleaning Harrison's handprints off our glass door this morning when I thought about that poem that talks about kids growing up and no longer leaving fingerprints everywhere - and then I started to cry. I also cried on my way to work yesterday when I heard Bon Jovi's "I'll Be There For You" on the radio.

* In more lighthearted news, has anyone seen the video of Mark Paul Gosselear on Jimmy Fallon? As a diehard Saved by the Bell fan, I loved it! (And yes, I recognized the Friends Forever song from the Zack Attack "documentary" episode). Here it is:

Fail.

2009-06-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

I hold a lot of guilt about being a working mom. As a result, I tend to overcompensate by trying to make every moment spent with my children "quality time." Poor Harrison hss never seen a movie or even an episode of Sesame Street at home, as I don't want to waste our precious time together watching TV.

Every free moment I have is spent with my little ones, unless they are asleep. Date nights? No way. It has probably been two years since I have had a manicure. And I even schedule haircuts during naptime or bedtime hours.

Anyway, I am home with Elijah in the afternoons this week and I decide that today would be a great day to do a fun little project together. Now, I should have remembered that:

1. I am the least crafty person on the planet.
2. Elijah is three months old; he is happiest just being held and talked to.

But I didn't. So, I decided to open up this cute little plaster handprint set that my cousin bought me before Elijah was born. I had something similar for Harrison that Terri and Darren bought me, but it made handprints with ink, not plaster. They turned out adorable, so I wanted to do something like that for E before he got two things.

This is what it was supposed to look like:

And this is my final product:

Um, did I forget how it is nearly impossible for a three-month-old to open his hand long enough to take a print? Seriously, it looks more like a hoof than a hand. At the very least, it looks like Elijah is giving everyone the finger. And we were so covered in plaster by the time we were done, I had to do a load of laundry and give Elijah a bath. It sucked.

Maybe I will just stick to taking pictures of my little ones. I am no photographer either, but at least the final product comes out cute. Here's baby Elijah at three months:

Argh!

2009-06-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

Three months ago, I gave birth to my second beautiful baby boy. Since then, I have been trying my best to focus on the blessings in my life (like the little man sleeping in my arms) and not to dwell on the other stuff.

That being said, I'm no saint - and occasionally I need to vent. Like now.

First, the baby-related vents. None of which are about my little lovebug, of course. No, I am talking about the morons who inhabit this Earth for the sole purpose of making stupid remarks. So, without further ado:

1. Yes, my baby cries. He's a baby.
2. Yes, he stops crying when I hold him.
3. No, he doesn't want you to hold him.
4. Yes, he is a big boy.
5. Just because he is crying doesn't mean he is hungry.
6. No, he does not take a pacifier. (That comment is especially rich, considering all of the comments I received because Harrison did take one.)
7. No, you cannot touch him, Mrs. Stranger-at-the-mall.
8. No, he does not have nipple confusion. He's not confused at all - he just doesn't want the nipple on the bottle you are trying to give him.

And about the breastfeeding - it's going great, but with it brings a new set of stupid comments. Yes, I breastfeed. I plan on doing it until Elijah weans himself - or until he starts driving, whatever comes first (kidding!). No, I am not anti-formula. Yes, it is possible to breastfeed and be a working mom. Yes, I pump at work.

And about work - I had to go in one day last week for training, and now I am back in the office for half-days over the next two weeks. Yes, I am happy to be back at work - in the sense that I am happy to have a job in this crappy economy, I am happy that I have a job that I actually like, I am happy to see my friends at work, and I am happy to get paid. Would I rather be at ome snuggling with my crying, breastfed baby? Of course!

And finally, if you are ever tempted to start a sentence with, "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but..." - don't.

Any more questions?

Deal of the day.

2009-05-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

Right now, our sleeping arrangements are in a state of flux. Elijah is sleeping in a bassinett in our room (where he will stay until he is at least six months) and Harrison is still in the nursery. In the coming months, we will be transitioning him into his new room and his "big boy bed" (the bed has been ordered, the bedding has been purchased, and our next step is to clean out the furniture currently in that room and move his clothes/toys/armoire in there). I am looking forward to getting this done, especially since most of Elijah's belongings are in plastic storage containers in the spare room (poor kid).

Anyway, I have been coveting this lamp from Pottery Barn Kids since before Harrison was born. However, I was not loving the $149 price tag. So imagine my surprise when I saw them online for only $49! I bought one for each room - they were delivered today and are beautiful!

I love a good deal...

10 years.

2009-05-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hsppy date-iversary to my darling husband!

I can't believe that it has been an entire decade since we first kissed on the steps of the reception hall, me in my blue satin dress and you in your tux (I would share a picture, but - gasp! - those were the days before digital cameras). Since that day, some things have changed (our conversations no longer focus on whether Felicity will choose Ben or Noel), and some things have remained the same (Huxy is always welcome to crash with us!).

We have been through a lot in the past 10 years. Two kids, two dogs, new jobs, new homes in new states. But I knew in my heart that day that I would spend the rest of my life with you, and that hasn't changed. I love you more and more each and every day.

On a related note, I want to thank Terri and Darren for getting married 10 years ago. Without you, there would be no us. And thanks for always knowing that we were perfect for each other...

(And happy 5th anniversary to Marie and Dan!)

10 weeks.

2009-05-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

Baby Elijah turned 10 weeks old yesterday. Where does the time go? I just want to tell him to stop growing up so darn fast already!

He has changed so much in the last 10 weeks. He still has his blue eyes and dark hair, but he is staying awake for much longer periods of time, he coos and gurgles, and he graces us with an occasional smile (serious baby!). It is becoming easier to entertain him - he will sit in his swing and he tries to bat at the animals on his activity mat - but he still prefers being held by mommy more than anything else.

One thing he does NOT like? Long car rides. We took him to visit my mother-in-law on Saturday, and I am not joking when I say that it was the most stressful trip ever. The little guy cried almost the entire way home. We stopped at every rest stop for diaper changes, feedings and fresh air - and while he was happy when we stopped, the second that we put him back into his car seat, the crying would begin. I am not subjecting us to that again anytime soon...

Here's a look at baby Elijah, then and now...

Recipe for a perfect day.

2009-05-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

2 children who slept until 9am (first time ever!).

A yummy breakfast (French toast souffle, bagels, fruit and homemade muffins) at home with my whole family.

Long afternoon naps for both little ones, giving me time to read the paper and watch copious amounts of Lifetime television (God, I love TV movies starring Tori Spelling!).

Beautiful flowers and cards from hubby, the boys and the pups.

And ice cream, of course!

I love my boys...

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Had to share...

2009-05-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

I had some one-month photos of Elijah taken last week (okay, so he was closer to two months, but who's counting?). They were taken at JC Penney - not only did they do a great job, but they were very inexpensive!

Some are in his coming-home outfit and the rest are naked-baby pics:

This and that.

2009-05-04T17:58:00.000-07:00

Typing one-handed, in the dark, while Baby E sleeps on me. Excuse the typos.

* Baby Elijah is 9 weeks old today. Where has the time gone? He has started cooing and occasionally smiles at us, but he is a very serious little guy. We were at the doctor's office twice last week, as he was diagnosed with bronchiolitis. Oral steroids and nebulizer 4x daily, but he is a million times better. Fun times.

* We also visited my co-workers last week to say hi and have lunch. I was thrilled to see them, but it was a sad reminder that my maternity leave will be over before I know it. I am not going back until June, but my VP invited me to attend a managers training session that starts on May 27, so I will be going into the office that day as well. I am going to miss my little guy so much, it hurts.

* On a happier note, one of my favorite people in the whole wide world is expecting! Yay!

* I had an awesome weekend with all my boys. Nothing too exciting, but we did go to a birthday party for Harrison's BFF, Kendall. It was a lot of fun - the kids get along so well, and Kendall's mom is having a little boy on May 11, so Elijah will have a little friend as well. Other highlights included eating chocolate-chip pancakes for dinner, playing with bubbles outside, and having Miss Stacy come over and give Harrison a haircut.

* So, when Elijah was born, my parents offered to buy me something special that I needed for him, since they bought Harrison his crib (and a million other things). We have pretty much everything we need, but I was thinking that a double stroller may be nice. Right now I plan on using the stroller for H and the sling for E when I need to take them out together, but a double stroller may be better for day trips and stuff. We have a hand-me-down Evenflo, but H hates riding in the back. I was thinking about the Baby Trend jogging stroller - love the MP3 player, but am concerned that it is a little wide. But my mom and I were at the mall today and saw someone with a Phil and Ted stroller - we fell in love with it. The only downside is that they are super-expensive - $500 or so. Anybody have advice/opinions?

I'm officially exhausted from typing one-handed, and Table for 12 is on TLC...I'll be back to add photos tomorrow.

You know you're a mommy when...

2009-05-01T17:27:00.001-07:00

... you spend your Friday night doing laundry.

I just pre-treated Elijah's Trumpette sneaker-socks, as they are covered in poop. So are my jeans.

Don't ask - trust me, it wasn't pretty. Just hoping that everything gets clean...

WTF?

2009-04-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

* It's 82 degrees out. On April 27. At 10:21 at night. In upstate NY. Ick.

* I was watching an episode of Maury today (yeah, I know). They were doing a show on paternity tests (completely unheard of, I know) and there was this one woman on there trying to prove that her exBF is the father of her two kids. Right away, I knew that this wasn't going to work out in her favor - she was white, her kids were white... the exBF was black. Ha.

* I can't tell who has more attachment issues - me or baby Elijah. My little guy is only happy when I am holding him (typing one-handed now), but I have major separation anxiety too. I had an appointment in Albany on Friday where I had to leave him for two hours. He was fine with hubby, but I actually considered cancelling the appointment - the mere thought of leaving him put me into a panic. How on Earth am I going to go back to work?

* Speaking of baby Elijah, I am more paranoid with him than I was with H, if that is possible. This weekend, I dropped $140 on an Angelcare monitor - not only is it a baby monitor, but an alarm goes off if your child stops breathing. Probably not all that necessary, since he sleeps right next to me in our room (where he will likely stay for the next 4 months or so), but you can never be too careful, right?

* I cleaned out our pantry today and found seven packages of Peeps from Easters past. Right away, I put a call into the Easter Bunny - no more Peeps for hubby unless he eats his package from this year. He loves them, but never actually eats them... go figure...

* This afternoon, I spent two hours cleaning our downstairs - including scrubbing the kitchen floor. Want to know how long it stayed clean? Gotta love living in a house full of boys.

The one in the bubble!

2009-04-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

I have a total love/hate relationship with this commercial. It is so annoying, but I have to watch it every time I see it - then say to Elijah, "no more bubble for you!"

Other things I have a love/hate relationship with:

* Babies R Us - the fact that they are related to Toys R Us is enough to make me want to boycott them (terrible return policy!); plus, it is always super-crowded in there. But, I could spend hours in there, looking at bath toys and clothes and swaddle blankets...

* The Duggars - I don't agree with many of their practices (blanket training, having 18 kids), but I love watching their show and admire the fact that they stay true to their beliefs

* Ice cream - love the taste, hate the fact that it is likely going to be the obstacle standing between me and the last 5 pounds I need to lose to get to pre-pregnancy weight (at least I have been able to wear most of my "normal" clothes since about 2-3 weeks post-partum). Damn you, chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream from Stewarts!

How about you? What do you have a love/hate relationship with?