Sorry About That

I did not mean to take a vacation from this blog.  It just happened.  Kinda like the earthquake.  And then the hurricane. 

There's nothing new to report, really.  I still run, loosely follow Weight Watchers, lament over Leah's behavior.  For a couple of days last week, there were actual times that I didn't want the world to open up and swallow me while dealing with sticky Leah situations, but then Friday night turned out to be the worst yet behaviorally-wise, and we are back to some days sucking and some days not sucking.

We fared okay through the storm yesterday, only losing power for 6 hours and having some downed tree branches and closed roads today.  I've lived through quite a few hurricanes and the only thing that truly worries me are falling trees.  I mean, if there's water flooding my house I have time to get out and I know how to swim.  You don't have time to move out of the way of an enormous tree falling on you.  Because you're dead.

So, on that note, I leave you with an idea how yesterday went when we didn't have power for 6 hours.

Exhibit A: The face a kid who gets to watch TV makes.

Exhibit B: A face a kid who is told there is no power therefore no TV makes.

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(Not Very Good) Ode To My Weekend

Took Leah to the museum, she was quite naughty,

Went into the gift shop, a keychain's what I boughty.

Who knew it would take a fossil, just to make you docile?



Hung out with friends from college, food and drink I did dole,

lots of kids jumping off the coffee table; thank god for birth control.

Now it's back to business, school, cleaning, and running,

As you can guess, it's not very fun..ning?

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A Rare Occasion

I'll just sit here quietly while you pay at Pathmark.

Really, do not worry about me.

I won't move, won't run, won't talk, won't try to leave with someone else.

Just sitting here, minding my own business. 

Won't try to take this chair home...or the one next to it, nope.

No need to worry about me.



In Deep Sleep

Usually Leah is running at 115% all day long and there is not much that slows her down.  It's non-stop from 5:30 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. with a two hour nap in between.  However, every once in a while she goes balls to the wall for hours upon hours and crashes during the day on the couch.  It happens so infrequently, I've been able to catch all occurrences on film!  Here they are:

and fin.

That's it.  Just once.

OT: My Shoes

Before I had Leah I wore a size 6.5. I had amassed an enormous amount of shoes and most of them held a special place in my heart. I am not a shoe snob—meaning I don’t care what brand or store they come from—if they are attractive and don’t hurt (much), I’ll wear them. And love them.




Once the aftermath of what I call pregnancy and its related fallouts settled, my feet stopped shrinking at a size 7, which is where they are today. While most of my summer shoes still fit, thanks to the backless varieties, most of the winter boots and loafers had to be replaced.



Three weeks ago I went to my basement where I keep off-season clothes, found the bag of summer shoes, and brought it up to my room. As I opened the bag and peaked inside, I knew immediately that something was very wrong. The smell alone was my clue, but the shoes—covered in a green and black moss-like substance confirmed my biggest fear. The shoes had gotten moldy in the basement and it looked like it might be the end for them.



Not quite sure of what I should do, I quickly closed the bag and shoved it into my closet, as the best way to put something out of your mind is to hide it in the back of your closet. But every time I opened the closet door, despite the fact that I couldn’t see the bag since I had shoved it really far back, I was reminded of the memory of the bag of sad shoes and the idea that something had to be done.



I decided to wash the shoes. Like in the washing machine. And surprisingly only two pairs didn’t make it! Two of my most beloved pairs, but this gave me a reason to replace them. Which I did. At a half off sale at--and I am not embarrassed to admit this--KMART!



So, there’s really no point to this post today, other than to say that shoes are shoes and life goes on, and also as a reminder to my husband that there’s something wrong with the basement and I’d like for him to fix it immediately. And also to solidify the notion that my washing machine is the best appliance in the house. I’ve always believed it, and I think that this story proves it.

The Fairy Princess and The Wicked Witch

Lan and Baby Tai Yu came to visit over the weekend and, in addition to going to Costco and the parade and hanging in the back yard by the pool, we played a little dress up.

Leah and I got a kick out of this.  Baby Tai Yu--not so much.

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Listen

Please listen to me, you need to listen to me.

No whining, no throwing, no crying,

I'm tired and I have a migraine,

and you need to listen the hell to me.

When I ask you to clean up your room,

or to come and set the table.

All I want you to do, is to eventually stop what you're doing,

and just listen the hell to me.

Your father and I have a feeling,

you might be an alien.

You scream for no reason and freak out all the time.

Oh, and you never listen the hell to me.

I like that you make your bed,

and it's great that you can dress yourself.

Now stop hitting the dog with your shoe,

and just listen the hell to me.

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A Good Weekend

Despite not food shopping and having nothing more than three pickles and some barbecue sauce in my house, and despite not doing even one of the eighty loads of laundry awaiting me in the basement, we had a really good weekend.

I had some much needed girl time and got a lot off my chest.  And I got to spend an entire Sunday with only my husband and my daughter and not one single solitary committment other than being together.  We haven't had a Sunday with only each other in a very long time, and I really enjoyed it. 

Despite the raging hangover after drinking 24 points of wine (!!), I had a really good weekend.

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Le Weekend

Hmm, where shall I start?

Gymnasties on Saturday morning.

Followed by marshmallow roasting at night.  (Oh, it was just soo much fun not eating these since I had completed my daily points intake for my stupid diet.  Er, I mean lifestyle change.)

A little cuddle between Mommy and Baby...

Followed by Matthew's birthday party on Sunday.

Mmmm, cake.

And we rounded out the weekend checking out the swing set at Adriana's new condo complex. 

Two feet up!

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Dream On

Yesterday Leah told me that Pop Pop John took her to gymnastics with Ana.  Then, after that, they went to Dunkin Donuts.  And then, she woke up! 

That's what she said. 

I think that she recounted her first dream. 

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Eff the Recession

THE THIRD AND FINAL THIRD BIRTHDAY PARTY



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Quick Update

~Greg got a new job.  His last day at his old job was Sunday, and he took this week off to do yard work in preparation for Leah's birthday party next week.  It's rained every single day.  No yard work has gotten done.

~Leah starts her new school on Monday (provided that I actually sign her up for school.  What?  I'm busy!)  While I am excited for her to be in an honest to goodness school, I want to cry because we are sending her to an honest to goodness school.  With big kids and teachers and lessons and stuff.  She's only a little (3 year old, sassy, smartpants, fiesty) baby!

~Leah third and final birthday party for this year is on the 29th.  There is a LOT to do and not a LOT of time.  I will be freaking out from now until then.  Probably a lot on this blog.

~I joined Weight Watchers.  My sweaters were tight, my rings were tight, my shoes were tight.  Something had to give and it wasn't going to be my pants. 

~I'm going to miss wine.  It's no fun if I have to account for it and stuff.


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Everyday I'm Shuffling

Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring.  SLAP.

Gonna be late. Make the coffee…pee…brush the teeth. Shower. Holy crud it’s cold! Where’s my towel, dang, where’s my towel??!! Oh, crap, wearing capris, need to shave. Back in the shower, shave. Back out. To the bedroom. My god it’s cold! Cover Greg’s head with blanket. Someone watching just this part would think I’m trying to kill him…hehe, funny. Ok, not really. Head’s covered, put on light. Open closet. What to wear? What to wear? What to wear? Everything sucks! Hate all my clothes! Am huge and fat! What to wear? What to wear? Oh fine, this will do. Underwear. Bra. Shoes. Jewelry. Give Greg a kiss. Sneak past Leah’s room. Oh man, why is that one floor board so friggen loud?!

Bathroom. Q tips. Deodorant. Face lotion. Perfume. Mousse. More hair crap. Blow dry blow dry blow dry blow dry-I vow to cut all of my hair off tomorrow!

“Hi Mommy!! I wake up!! You go to work?”


(Dammit! Dammit! I'm running late--WHY?!) “Hi Leah! You’re awake! Mommy’s in a rush so no juice right now. Ok?”

“I have juice I have juice I have juice I have juice I have juice I have juice I have juice?”

“Oh my lord, ENOUGH. Fine. Let’s go get your juice.”


Get juice. Back to bathroom. Concealer. Foundation. Don’t touch Mommy’s makeup, sweetie. Bronzer. Blush. Please don’t touch Mommy’s makeup, Sweetlove. Please. Highlighter. Leah-Makeup-NO. Eyeliner. Eye mousse. LEAH! Mascara. Geez, why do I need so much makeup. When did I get so old?

“Back to bed, Leah, here lay next to Daddy. Timmy Time!” (Worst show ever.)

Kitchen. Make coffee. Get lunch. Get cell phones. Get laptop. Get planner. Get purse. Get jacket. Get keys. Get gas money. Get out the door. Get in car. Get on road.


-------HOWARD STERN---------ohmmmmmm. ohmmmmmmm.

Park. Grab cell phones, briefcase, purse, lunch bag, coffee cup, jacket. Into office. Morning, Gentlemen! Empty bags. Answer emails. Answer phone. Return emails. Return calls. Meet with Super and Assistant. Deal with boss. Deal with co workers. Deal with customers. Take three Advil. More email. Unruly vendors.

Lunch: run to Walmart. Get gas. Get eyebrows waxed. Run to bank. Stop at Shop Rite. SHOVE lunch in mouth in 5 minutes. Back to work.

Answer emails. Answer phone. Return emails. Return calls. Meet with Super and Assistant. Deal with boss. Deal with co workers. Deal with customers. Take three Advil. More email. Unruly vendors. Pack up bags. Get in car. On the road. Rt. 78. Rt. 287. Rt. 206. WHY ARE YOU DRIVING SO DAMN SLOW! More traffic. Make phone calls. Charge cell phones. Check emails. MOVE OUT OF THE WAY YOU STUPID HONDA SOME OF US HAVE TO GO HOME.

Pick up Leah. Go home. Throw everything on counter.

“Go pee.”

"I no hafta go."

“Go pee.”

“No.”

“Go pee.”

“No.”

“Fine.”


Omg get these clothes off of my body. RIP bra off. Put on pajamas. Let dog out. Put tv on-find something Tinkerbell related. Let dog in. Wash off makeup.  Put hair up. What’s for dinner? Everything frozen.

“Pasta?”


“No.”


“Pastina?”


“No.”


“Macaroni and Cheese?”


“No.”


“Banana?”


“No.”


“Berries?”


"No."


“Candy?”


“YES!”



“Ha ha. NO.”



Ring. Ring.

“Beef fried rice and two vegetable spring rolls. 14 Birch Tree. Thank you.” Click.


“Mommy, I had an accident.”

(Ohmygod Dana, do not lose it.) Breath. Breath. Breath. 1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10.

“That’s ok. Let’s get you cleaned up. I’ll start the bath.”

Water running, toys dumped, shampoo, bubbles, soap, wretched bathtub markers, Mermaid Dora. Wash the hair, please stop crying. Rinse the hair, please stop crying. Time to get out, please stop crying. Food’s here. Where’s my money? Keep the change. Comeon, out of the tub. Pajamas on. Brush hair, please stop crying. Put on slippers; you’ll hurt your feet.

Sit down. Time to eat. Please sit down. The TV is going off. Come sit down. Leave the dog alone and come and sit down. You want a different bowl? Coming right up. You need a different spoon? Ok, here it is. You don’t want milk? Have some water. You want the napkin with the butterflies. Here. Please just take a bite. How about you take a bite. Just one bite, please, now? ONE BITE LEAH ONE STINKIN BITE JUST ONE OH MY GOD JUST TAKE A BITE. You’re done? Fine. Just go watch TV.
Clean up dinner. Empty dishwasher. Make my lunch. Make Leah’s lunch. Put dirty dishes in dishwasher. “Yes! I did see that! Caillou is so cute!” UGH. Feed dog. Feed cat. Give animals water.
“I hurt my foot!”


Do not scream. Do not scream. Do not scream. Let me see it. I’ll give it a kiss. Let’s put your slippers on so that it doesn’t happen again. (Just like I told you a half hour again.)

"And I want a snack."


10 MORE MINUTES TILL BED!

Run downstairs. Put clothes in wash. Run back up stairs.


5 MORE MINUTES TILL BED!

Gather toys from around the house. Put in play room.


2 MORE MINUTES TILL BED!


Gather 6 (really, 6?) pairs of shoes; bring to their respective rooms.


OK, LET’S GO!! TIME TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH!

Brush your teeth.  Brush your teeth.  Stop pinching the dog and brush your teeth.  Please just a little faster?  Please.  Ok, great, now go pee.  I don't have to, yes you do, I don't have to, yes you do, I don't have to, if you don't go I won't read you a book, but I don't have to, sit on the toilet, but there's nothing there, just let it out, but, Oh, look at that--I'm peeing, Oh dear lord don't lose it.  Ok, done?  Toilet paper, pull up underpants, ok, great!  Let's go!  To the bedroom!!
 
Here's your pull up; put on your pjs.  Get in bed, get in bed, get in bed.  Put down the lip gloss, just get in bed.  Ok, please leave your hat where it is just get in bed.  Oh, the very same book we've read every night for the past two months!  Who Stole that Damn Cookie From the Cookie Jar??!!   Not Ethan, Jacob, Isabell, Aiden, Samantha, Matthew, or all the rest.  Spoiler alert: it's the mouse.  Ok, lay down.  Here's your teeth medicine.   Lip gloss.   Lotion.   Lay down, rub your back, rub your belly, rub your legs, eyes, nose, teeth.  EVERYTHING IS RUBBED DEAR LORD PLEASE LET THIS BE ENOUGH RUBBING.  Walking out, closing door.
 
Ok, half hour.  Here we go: facebook, fold clothes, update blog, pay bills, fill out deposit slip, vacuum living room, mop kitchen, clean toilets, brush teeth, face lotion, Wordfeud, brush teeth, dog in cage, cat fed, doors locked, text Greg, run down hallway, close blinds, grab blanket, pull down covers, get in bed, set alarm, set other alarm, plug in phone, turn off light, put down headzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
 
Ring Ring Ring Ring Slap.

Reminiscing

I know that these may not be the most interesting posts out there, but I love looking through my old videos and seeing how much Leah's changed in such a short time.

Dance Fever

Over the weekend, we attended Grandpa Enzo's dance recital. 

Leah loves the stage so she had to jump on up during intermission and perform a little one-girl dance routine.

It was fun waiting for Grandpa to come and take his flowers. 

All in all, a great time was had.  We can't wait until both of them are dancing on stage together.

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Easter Recap

Sorry about my absence.  I was sick and had a busy week.  And, it didn't start out great. 

So, I'm back!  With an Easter update.

Surprisingly, it wasn't 30 degrees!!!  I mean, it still rained and all, of course,but we didn't need winter coats, only umbrellas.

We got to hang out with family and have egg hunts, go to dinner, see the Easter bunny, have a caricature made, and get our face painted.

And, in keeping with a theme, the target may be different, but the picture never changes.

Onyx The Penguin

Our library had a demo on penguins the other day. 

It was exciting waiting for it to start.

We met Onyx.  He was really cute.

Leah's a budding photographer so she grabbed my camera and took about 40 pictures of Onyx and another 40 of the trainer's feet and butt, so I have a surplus of pictures of this event.  You will thank me since I've decided to edit them down and only post a few.  Enjoy!

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Clothes Encounters

We try to let Leah pick out her own clothes.  There are time when I must intervene--sometimes put the kibosh on the entire outfit--but we want her to be independent and proud of what she's wearing.  So, for the most part, I'll let her chose.  She's pretty good at it.

Until she's not.

My sister calls this Ace Ventura.

**If anyone cares, nine years ago today, Greg asked me to be his girlfriend.  

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While I'm At Work

On Mondays and Fridays Leah spends the day at home with Greg.  I don't know exactly what they do when I'm not around, but periodically I'll get a pic to let me know that the house is still erected and they are both still breathing. 

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Progress

Anyone who knows Leah knows that this is a big deal.  She's not big on holiday-themed, life-sized characters.  But on the way to lunch the other day we passed the Easter Bunny.  And lo and behold, she touched him!  TOUCHED HIM!!  Long enough for me to find my phone, turn the camera on, and take a picture.  Despite the fact that the Easter Bunny is making some vulgar hand/mouth gesture. 

I'm not holding my breath for Santa or anything, because I don't want to get my hopes up, but maybe I will get to proudly display a picture of Leah with Santa this year.    As opposed to a picture of Leah with a statue of Santa.  Which is very lame.




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