Raising Liam

I've Moved!!

2006-03-13T21:23:00.000-05:00

Blogger has been a toxic friend and so I have decided to drop the dead weight and move to WordPress.

Find me HERE. It's a new URL so update your blogrolls and favorites! I don't want to lose you :-)

It's still under construction but feel free to look around.

See you there! Open bar! Bring your own lampshade... and some waffle sticks for Liam.

Photo Friday: First Warm Day

2006-03-10T15:08:00.000-05:00

Today we hung around outside for a bit before and after lunch. Here are some photos.

Why I Work as an At-Home Mom

2006-03-09T22:13:00.000-05:00

You know there are many times when I'm doing some distasteful task like changing a particularly disgusting diaper or staring at the fridge... pleading with it to make dinner that I wonder what the holy HELL am I doing.

There was a time when I thought myself "important." I held positions with others reporting to me. I did productivity reports and wrote recommendations. I traveled and presented. I billed back and expensed. I innovated and expanded offerings. I shook a little. I moved a bit.

But there are these moments in motherhood that bring you to your knees. And to the veteran's out there... I know that I'm just on the brink of many many days ahead of such moments...so cut me some slack and the "You have no idea..." I know that the challenges change as the child does. And as my "skills" do.

But still. There are days that I look at Liam and pray to God that I'm not screwing him up in some way. When I think of the jobs I've held and the positions of power or titles. The client companies from Fortune 25 that I interacted with. They were so much easier.

Now this isn't to belittle. Definitely not. It's just... to be fair - many times you can leave work at the office. You can have your weekend. You can go on vacation. At least I could. People like Dan have a different story. He works all.the.time. He has this Goddamn Blackberry that I would like to chuck far far away but also happens to affords us the opportunity for me to be at home. In fact during his review, Partner A thanked him for helping out on Christmas Eve with his son's To-Be-Gifted iPod. Christmas Eve, people. Anyways, I know out-of-home work is hard. But for me - I could leave it at the office more often than not - if I chose.

I sometimes think of how compentent I felt at the office. How in charge of myself and my output. Stressed? Yes. Irritated? Sometimes. But overall I knew what the hell I was doing MOST of the time. Now?

I truly feel I'm faking it about 50% of the time.

To be honest this number has gone down. The first 3 months? Oh Lord I would say I was faking it about 75% of the time. I had never changed a diaper before Liam. I was nervous to say the least...but I faked it.

Liam has this requirement that after his nap there be a drink and the choice of two snacks available to him on the end table in the living room. The end table is pretty close to the bottom of the stairs so it is one of the first things he sees when we come downstairs. We discovered this requirement when he started screaming after naps. I knew he was hungry and usually would get him first and then get the snack wehn we came downstairs. No... this was not good for the little mister. He wanted, of course, the immediate gratification of the snack.

So we started this new routine of two snacks (small offerings) - a bowl with diced fruit and a bowl with either cheerios/goldfish/puffs/etc. Then a drink - usually milk or water. Yesterday when he came down, he saw the offering and screamed. Big fat tears. Honestly I think he woke up too soon - not a long enough nap and he was super cranky. But he did it again today. But today. He cried off and on til dinner. A change in the rules perhaps.

Now in my head I know - he's hungry, he's probably still tired and so he's cranky. Additionally, his teeth have really been bothering him this week. His nose is like the Niagra Falls of snot and the coughing from it is disrupting his sleep. I know all this.

But the overpowering thought is Oh my God what can I do to make.the.crying.stop. Because it's the whiney sob. The standing in front of me, blocking me, and demanding to be held. He usually wakes sometime between 3:30-5pm. I start prepping dinner around 4:30-5. The crying, the wanting to be held/read to/climbed over, this inhibits me making the dinner which will make him feel better.

So the crying and whining continues as I try to pull dinner together... of course one of the sides fails miserably... and my head is pounding feeling like it may blow. And I speak a little too loudly or curtly and it just makes it all worse. I feel bad, he is worse.

I'm not faking anymore...I'm just not managing well. The feedback I'm getting is that I'm failing to meet the need. I'm not innovating. I'm not presenting fresh ideas or turning tides.

I don't feel compentent in these moments. I feel lacking. Very very lacking. And this lacking kills me and I end up apologizing to Liam because I don't know what to do to make him happier/less like he is chewing on nails. Typically we look at each other... and if I'm really losing it I start to cry too.

And guess what Liam does?

He leans way in and hugs me. And simply says, "Mama."

March Wk 2 Results

2006-03-08T20:45:00.000-05:00

Alright dawgs...woof woof I'm feeling you man. Can you tell I'm watching American Idol? Yeah Randy and Paula annoy me to no end and Simon always makes me laugh. Oh and I heart Taylor Hicks who is the reincarnation of Joe Cocker when performing. He writhes and twitches just like Joe. It's disturbing to watch yet he sounds amazing. Yeah he's very cool.

Oh yeah... the game the game... yeah it was good. Glad it's still tricky for you all...and it seems to be doing so.. but in a good way.

So I'd go on and on but I'm kinda tired...I minded 2 toddlers today (yes including my own) and while it went fine I'm a little D R O O P Y tonight. Not my boobs... my brain. Well the boobs are droopy too but c'mon! I breastfed Liam for a YEAR for God's sake.

Wait...what was I talking about again?

Oh the game.

Answers and Point Takers...
1. We’ve shared the laughter and the pain and even shared the tears
Against All Odds – Phil Collins; Points to Jody!

2. We take the pressure, and we throw away conventionality, belongs to yesterday
Grease – Bee Gees; Points to BJ!

3. So many times, it happens too fast…You trade your passion for glory
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor; Points to BJ!

4. With auburn hair and tawny eyes; the kind of eyes that hypnotize me through
I Ran (So Far Away) – Flock of Seagulls; Points to Carrie! Gotta watch those numbers BJ!

5. I can cast a spell… With secrets you can’t tell…
I’m Every Woman – Chaka Khan; Points to Claire!

6. I done told you once you son of a bitch… I'm the best there's ever been
Devil Went Down to Georgia – Charlie Daniels Band; Points to Bridget!

7. Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
Dust in the Wind – Kansas; Points to Bridget!

8. I keep a close watch on this heart of mine, I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash; Points to Claire!

9. Power and the money, money and the power…Minute after minute, hour after hour
Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolio; Nobody got this right for points, but apparently Bridget and BJ figured it out after the fact.

10. In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
Season’s of Love - Cast of Rent; Points to Jody!

Bonus Points: These people earned an extra bonus point just by going to Carrie's blog and leaving a comment. Angela! Bridget! Laina! Jenni! BJ! Claire! William! Jody! Carrie!

Bonus Question: Jody gets the 2 point conversion. These are all songs on movie soundtracks.

Awesome play, internets! See you next week when the game will be posted sometime between 9-9:30AM ET.

Now I need to update the points tally in the sidebar.

Why Do the Loudest Trucks Pass the House at Naptime?

2006-03-08T15:38:00.000-05:00

After 18 months of motherhood... I have a couple questions. So off the top of my head...

Why is it the hard star-shaped block must be underneath the soft instep of my bare foot as I walk across the kitchen? During playgroup? And while I want to scream "Fuuuuhhhhhhhk! Oh my Goddddddd" I must quietly whimper "ah ah ah..." while two little parakeets chirp "ah ah ah" over and over again behind me.
Why is it right after I change his diaper, he poops?
Why do I forget my cell phone yet remember to bring the Elmo-phone?
When does "me time" not mean the opportunity to do laundry, dishes, make dinner, pick up toys?
Why does my "free time" from 8pm-10pm go so fast?
Why does Liam get his hand stuck inside a shape sorter and when I finally get it out he puts it right back in?
Is there an end to the amount of snot and drool he can manufacture?
What's with those 2 chin hairs...uh mine, not his.?
Why can I now smell poop 3 rooms away?
Why does Dan pass gas right before I enter a room?
Are the last two related questions connected somehow?

March Wk 2!

2006-03-08T09:15:00.000-05:00

So here's where I do the blah blah blah - play the game! Have fun! Rock it out...

First timers: READ THE RULES or be subject to point deduction and much ridicule.

Last week started the new March Game... but also ended February which gave us CARRIE as the Rock Star...

Will YOU be the Rock Star this month? Let's roll.

The Lyrics...
1. We’ve shared the laughter and the pain and even shared the tears

2. We take the pressure, and we throw away conventionality, belongs to yesterday

3. So many times, it happens too fast…You trade your passion for glory

4. With auburn hair and tawny eyes; the kind of eyes that hypnotize me through

5. I can cast a spell… With secrets you can’t tell…

6. I done told you once you son of a bitch… I'm the best there's ever been

7. Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky

8. I keep a close watch on this heart of mine, I keep my eyes wide open all the time

9. Power and the money, money and the power…Minute after minute, hour after hour

10. In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.

Bonus Points: Sorry, no referral points this week! But I'll give you one point if you go to Carrie's blog and leave her a comment congratulating her for being February's Rock Star.

Bonus Point Question: What do these songs have in common?

TIME LIMIT: YOU HAVE UNTIL 7PM TONIGHT TO COMMENT.

Have fun!

Why are you looking at me? Go play!
Did you just say something about my hair?

The post where two girls holler at me for linking the picture at the end

2006-03-07T21:17:00.000-05:00

So I had my photography classes this weekend and they were - in a word - GREAT. Totally amazing and totally inspiring. Seeing the images captured by these professionals..and the incredible presentation...set my mind afire.

I want to dig in but alas two days out of the house have set me back in household management tasks. So while I pine to use my camera and flit around the house and great outdoors...it'll have to wait.

I do know the new speedflash I got as a surprise from Dan - isn't he GREAT?? - totally changes the pictures. And a lot of the changes I've made in my photography...simply changing those previously misunderstood areas like white balance, aperture and shutter speed - make changes that improve the pictures in ways you don't even know they can be improved until you see them. Blows my mind.

So I'm currently researching camera back packs for my DC weekend in a couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to getting jiggy with the D70 on the trip. Expect lots of pictures like this...but better lit! And sharper! But hopefully without the wine stain on my jeans.

A Message to Jeff

2006-03-07T14:02:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday, Highlander!

So Yes Some Post-Class Snaps...Yes Yes.

2006-03-07T08:44:00.000-05:00

Can you see how bored they are with the photographer?

2006-03-07T08:43:00.001-05:00

Tired Lily?

2006-03-07T08:43:00.000-05:00

Drowsy.

2006-03-07T08:42:00.000-05:00

Sleep.

For the Why? Files:

2006-03-07T08:28:00.000-05:00

Dana Reeve loses her battle with cancer at age 44.

Photo Friday: Liam Turns 18 Months

2006-03-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Liam turned 18 months old on Wednesday. Happy Half-Birthday, Liam!

At Gymboree last Friday we did tumbling...which basically included guiding the kids as they rolled down a soft ramp. Liam liked it so much that Dan made one out of the couch at home.

Climbing up!

Rolling down!

Resting!

More resting! (I like his style)

Later in the week we did the normal stuff...errands, playdates, and of course...snacking.

And the snack is good.

Finally...bubbletime!

My Love is Better than Ice Cream

2006-03-02T21:51:00.000-05:00

So yeah how's about a post NOT about my game. That'd be good, huh? Mayyyybe...maybe not.

How you doin' out there?

I'm doing ok. Well...actually really well cause things are cruising along here on the homefront. Granted we still don't have our home on the market because the goddamn DEP hasn't cleared the pre-existing order on the house.

Long story - REALLY boring; short version - we live on land that is part conservation land/wetlands. Previous owners did a small amount of clearing and stone wall building in the conservation area...we found out hours before signing papers on the house...part of the money we paid them for the house was kept in escrow to pay for reparations at the discretion of the local conservation commission (lcc). The lcc got off their asses about it in September (our 3rd YEAR in the house) but the state DEP didn't approve their reparation plan and made up their own. (Can you say "pissing contest"?) Yadda yadda yadda... we are stuck waiting for paperwork and action that is hanging out in red tape. We could try to sell the house anyway but who wants to buy a house with a pre-exisiting order on it! Red flag! We did because we were green first time homebuyers and we found out RIGHT BEFORE SIGNING THE FRIGGIN PAPERS. So anyway - we aren't going to market the house til it's resolved.

Dan finally had his review from work and while of course raises are great and all...it's been in limbo for about 3 months waiting for meeting times and rescheduling etc etc...so while we are jubiliant! about the raise we are more relieved it is finally done. Plus it's retroactive. Hooray!

This weekend I'm attending two seminars on photography hosted by Nikon School. I'm hoping to finally get some insight into the basics then some advanced features of my D70. It's not specifically for D70s but rather for SLRs. There will be talks by professionals and photojournalists. I'm really excited! Plus two days of me being by myself - Susie the woman who has interest in photography. Not necessarily just Susie the mom who takes lots of pictures of Liam. And around adults! for 6 hours on two days in a row! Madness.

To my GLEE my husband brought me home a surprise tonight... a SB-800 speedlight for the camera. Can't wait to see how it changes the quality of my pictures. I'm so spoiled!

So spoiled that Dan is caring for Liam this weekend and in 3 weeks when I got to DC for a weekend with two girlfriends. Two weekends for me in one month! I can't even wrap my brain around it yet.

But yet...these weekends are coming...can I get a HELL YEAH?

Tomorrow...some pics of the boy.

The Rock Star for Name That Tune: February!!!

2006-03-02T08:21:00.000-05:00

Carrie!!! of Cze-Johnson Fever

Carrie is also the proud recipient of the above first Name that Tune Rock Star badge for her blog.

Isn't it juuuuuuuuuuuust gorgeous?

Isn't she just the RockStarBagger of them all...for February?? Carrie will also be the recipient of a lovely prize which will be sent to her via the U.S. Postal Service. The thing with the prize is...you won't know what it is unless you win it and it comes in the mail all shiney and EXCITING!

So here are the FINAL standings for February. I still need to update my sidebar with all the good stuff for March and to give Carrie some WINNAH love.

Carrie 17 pts February Winnah!!!
Ang 16 pts
Jody 16 pts
Diana 13 pts
Claire 9 pts
William 9 pts
Jenni 9 pts
Kelli 9 pts
Johnny Mac 9 pts
BJ 9 pts
Bridget 6 pts
kep 6 pts
Laina 6 pts
LotionBarBunny 5pts
onangelwings 5 pts
Grant 4 pts
Gina 4 pts
ZuphChic 4 pts
Toronto Erin 4 pts
Erin 4 pts
Kerry 4 pts
Maria 4 pts

See the correct answers for yesterday's game below!

Feb Wk 6/ Mar Wk 1 Results!

2006-03-01T21:05:00.000-05:00

February Players! We have a WINNAH!!!!
But first...
clap
Clap!
CLAP!!!!
Give yourself a round of applause for kicking off my game in style and a little drama. Thank you for making the game so much fun for me! I hope you are enjoying it too.

So William played via absentee ballot which shows creativity (really you should be reading his blog if you aren't already.) William even has a STALKER! He also needs some help tracking down an Oncologist in Houston for a dear friend so click here if you think you can help or want to show some support.

Jody has gotten the knack for getting in early! First crack today - way to go momma! And the spelling? It was good. Mac popped back in this week - he seems to like to take a week OFF in between knocking down some points. Nice! Nice for the other players anyway! Ang is consistent and two weeks getting the bonus points. That's 3 pts each week people...nice little system she has going.

Kelli ran behind her firewall to play again and got another point for herself. Laina's 2nd week and she knocked down a point - way to go! Laina also has a fun song THANG she does every Tuesday so stop in there and check it out. Carrie breezed in on Benny's jet to score as well. Now BJ. This girl is going be the one to stop in March. She's all kinds of d-a-n-g-e-r-o-u-s. Nice play!

Claire played even though she had newborn Jacob wet burping on her shoulder (have you seen that little O'Neal yet?? Go on! Click her name back there)...kep came even thought play was out...even Jenni tried - girl you should have entered a guess for the Strait song... you might have gotten the title right! Ok then on with the show...

Answers and Point Takers...
1. Look at him, walkin around grabbin his you-know-what, flippin the you-know-who
The Real Slim Shady – Eminem; Points to Johnny Mac!

2. Hey kids, shake it loose together, the spotlight’s hitting something that’s been known to change the weather
Bennie and the Jets – Elton John; Points to Carrie!

3. And then stood there on those tremblin’ knees and waited for the worst
Love Without End, Amen – George Strait; Points to Laina!

4. We live an’ learn from our mistakes… The deepest cuts are healed by faith
All Fired Up – Pat Benatar; Points to BJ!

5. Her friends are so jealous You know how bad girls get
Don’t Stand So Close to Me – The Police; Points to Jody!

6. Before this river becomes an ocean… Before you throw my heart back on the floor
Faith – George Michael; Points to Kelli!

7. She does the car-pool, she PTAs… Doctors and dentists, she drives all day
He Thinks He’ll Keep Her – Mary Chapin Carpenter; Points to Jody!

8. Hey Andy, are you goofing on Elvis? Hey baby… are we losing touch?
Man on the Moon – R.E.M.; Points to Jody!

9. Hello. Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me. Is there anyone home?Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd; Points to DJ Johnny Mac!

10. And a trouble that can’t be named… A tiger’s waiting to be tamed
Clocks - Coldplay; Points to BJ!

Bonus Op! Nobody wanted to send me some love by making a new referral. This makes me grouchy!

Bonus Question: A performer of one of the above songs got his/her start in opera. Who is it? Two points to the first correct answer. Ang got this one! 2pts! Pat Benatar sang with the New York Opera before kicking it arena style.

And 5 points to LotionBarBunny for acknowledging Liam. People! Melt the ice from your hearts! I posted a cute picture AND I said he was 18 mos old TODAY. Could I drop a bigger hint to throw shameless love on my baby! Thank you LBB.

Now don't hate me but I have to wait to announce the winnah late tomorrow. Y'all have probably figured it out but I need to wait. Sorry!

I'd do it in the morning but! Alas! I am taking Liam to his friend Mikayla's house so I can get a haircut! And color! The greys...they are bad. And anyone remember my drama from the previous cut...I get the newer stylist Wendy again because my previous has drastically reduced her availability and I HAVE to see Wendy now. So sad. Hope she's proud of my progress growing out my bangs... not that I care or anything... but do you hink she'll say anything? What should I wear....?

February Week 6/ March Week 1

2006-03-01T21:00:00.000-05:00

Yeah so I screwed up with the dates and last week probably should have been it for February but I said there was one more week in last week's recap and so there is. Cause I said so.

SO to be fair - this week's points - and this week's points only - will carry over to your March total. So while it may feel like the end... it's really the beginning! *Cue the angels!*

If you are NEW - read the RULES. If you are old, follow the rules and wear glasses and take your meds ...cause you are old and all.

TIME LIMIT: YOU HAVE UNTIL TONIGHT AT 6PM ET TO ENTER YOUR COMMENT.

The Lyrics...
1. Look at him, walkin around grabbin his you-know-what, flippin the you-know-who

2. Hey kids, shake it loose together, the spotlight’s hitting something that’s been known to change the weather

3. And then stood there on those tremblin’ knees and waited for the worst

4. We live and learn from our mistakes… The deepest cuts are healed by faith

5. Her friends are so jealous ...You know how bad girls get

6. Before this river becomes an ocean… Before you throw my heart back on the floor

7. She does the car-pool, she PTAs… Doctors and dentists, she drives all day

8. Hey Andy, are you goofing on Elvis? Hey baby… are we losing touch?

9. Hello. Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me. Is there anyone home?

10. And a trouble that can’t be named… A tiger’s waiting to be tamed

Bonus Op: I will give one extra point to YOU for every NEW player referral you bring to the game. In other words... if Ang gets Jamie to play, he comments and says Ang sent me! AND takes guesses.. Ang gets an extra point. New player means never played before. New players can also participate. So using this example...Jamie could then get Joe to play and Jamie would get an extra point. BUT THE NEW PLAYER HAS TO GUESS. No fly bys...So-And-So sent me.

Bonus Question: A performer of one of the above songs got his/her start in opera. Who is it? Two points to the first correct answer.

Results will be posted by Thursday morning. There will be much adulation for the February Rock Star.

GOOD LUCK! Liam throws some shamrocks and love at ALL of you.

All new players get the obligatory "No really we are glad you played" 3 pts. Everyone gets one pt for making a guess.

And finally, a Liam picture because this blog is after all ALL ABOUT HIM.
And today he is 18 months old.

Liam can't bear to watch the trainwreck about to occur! Will Jody massacre another artists name? Will Carrie refer MORE people like her own version of Ellis Island? Will Ang come from behind for the win? Will BJ contradict the Lyric Wizard of Oz again? So many questions...

Hi? Yeah... I'm the Asshole...

2006-02-28T15:13:00.000-05:00

...who tried to pass a Euro off at Starbucks as a $1 coin.

See when I go to the postage machine at the mall, if my change includes more than $1, it spits out a $1 coin. Why don't I go to the post office? Hm cause bringing Liam to the post office is about as much fun as a bikini wax.

::tangent:: And why is there always only ONE person working the desk at the post office? No matter what time of day there is always a line of EXTREMELY irritated or SLIGHTLY comatose people. And they don't like children. NONE OF THEM. It's like a line of kid-haters. And currently Liam likes, well, almost everyone... so you can imagine the tension!
::/tangent::

So I thought what I had in my pocket was a $1 coin, until the drive thru lady held it up like I was trying to rob the joint and said "That's a Euro."

I'm all "uh...oh...hold on a sec...ha ha...oops!" and she's all *long suffering sigh*.

Yes that's my mocha, thank you, have a nice day, next!

PS Be sure to sign up to play Carrie's GAME! You have til 7am tomorrow morning to get your Cze-Bingo card! It looks like it's going to be so much FUN!

This One Time...At Band Camp.. NO, THAT NEVER HAPPENED, PEOPLE! That was a MOVIE.

2006-02-27T14:24:00.000-05:00

Man I have a raging case of PMS and I'm sitting here eating 2% cottage cheese? WTF is my problem? Oh right, there is a side of chocolate chip cookies. Heavy on the chocolate.

Yeah, so I was a band geek...guess that cat shot it's ass out of the bag in last night's post. What am I gonna do - lie and say I was a super duper cheerleader? Pullllease. I'm sure there were a great many perky and friendly cheerleaders out there...but at my school...well let's say the movie Mean Girls is pretty accurate. And I'd rather be remembered as a nice Band Geek than an uptight mean slut. Ooops?! Did I say that in my outside voice??

Details...I started playing the flute in 4th grade. It stunk until about 8th grade when dum dee dum dum - I joined the junior high band. Don't get me wrong - there was NOTHING worse than junior high band because #1 we sucked, and #2 our director was geekier and nastier than any other teachers in the school.

I swear I almost quit in junior high but my mother guilted me into keeping up with it. "Oh so you want to be a quitter?" And my private lesson teacher was really good and got me hooked up with the high school band in 9th grade even though I was still in junior high.

I was pretty nerdy anyway. I had some physical difference with my hands (discussed here) that isolated me from the cool kids. Cause, as you know, being different doesn't fly with kids. And so in looking for an identity, music found me making some friends. I was a little brainy too back then (not sure what happened??) so it was pretty much nerds-ville for me anyway... and I had some friends in the honors classes too.

Only problem is I stopped being quite so smart and most of those friends didn't, so we parted ways in high school where the only subject that still made me look good was English. Probably couldn't tell that by my grammar! I swear to God knowing what I know now - I probably wasn't that far away from ADD - I have an infinitely hard time focusing on one thing for too long. But I think the teachers said it was my inability to "apply myself." Yeah those progress reports caused some painful after-dinner "discussions" about parents being disappointed and me applying myself more.

Anyway, the band geekiness. In high school I got some mentors through the music program and eventually I really came out of my shell because there I was accepted 100%. No one ever even asked me about my hands or my differences. Or snubbed me. The differences didn't matter. And that rocked.

I would say that once I got into that environment, I started focusing in more on my music talent and I got pretty good around my junior year and was first chair in my senior year. Um for those of you NOT in the KNOW regarding orchestra - First Chair = The Shit. The Princess Flutist. The Best On that Instrument. Soloist. Taking bows and crap. It was sweet.

So yeah, be a little nervous if your kid becomes a band geek...but know they will make GREAT friends. And STILL do stupid ass shit like toilet paper houses, drink (oops!), and break curfew.

Geeks can be rebels too!

I Didn't Play Piccolo in a Clown Car

2006-02-26T20:57:00.000-05:00

I was going to post something witty but I'm shocked and immobilized by the freak show also known as the Closing Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

A marching band was marching around - as they oft do - and my husand - per usual - took the moment to lovingly mock my past life as high school band nerd.

We were discussing the size of my plume (personal question, really, please forgive if I don't get into it here) and if I got to keep it (it was returned, sadly, but only after the bright orange son-of-a-bitch ran all over my white topped hat and white gloves when we got caught in rain storm. The Band Major yelled "Take off your plumes!" ...but was too late. BASTARD!)

Any way, I looked back down again at the laptop monitor and he said "Or was your band more like this..."

I looked up to see about 100 clowns in band gear prancing into the stadium.

There's a lot of love here, people. You just can't buy moments like these.

Ok, must go as, reported by Dan, 1,000 Amerlia Earharts are doing "YMCA."

Scary part... it's true.

Mmmmm It's Still Warm!*

2006-02-23T20:30:00.000-05:00

Well it was no sooner I posted my last entry than I checked my mail box and received this card from my best friend.

Timing.... is everything.

Liam woke up chipper from his nap and we read and looked at pictures together until it was time to make dinner.

The teriyaki pork loin, noodles and carrots came out perfect. And Liam ate some of each. Even 3 or 4 baby carrots. Rock on!

Then my husband made this.

Yeah that would be chocolate chip banana bread. Yeah. And he doesn't even LIKE the chocolate chips in there ! Those are Just. For. Me. He put them in because I asked. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH.

So things are looking up. And while my ass expands...so does my smile.

So excuse me while I get some warm chocolatey bananery yumminess.

*Aren't you relieved to see I was talking about the bread?

Sometimes You're the Windshield, Sometimes You're the Bug

2006-02-23T14:14:00.000-05:00

I really wish Liam would send me a memo the night before he was going to have a morning of meltdowns so I could get to bed early and rest up. Mother of GOD did he hate LIFE today. I checked his temperature and it was about 99. A little higher than normal but nothing too bad. So like a mother of any toddler/baby I chalk it up to teething. He has 16 teeth but still has a gap through the front two big enough to drive his ride-on car. So I figure they have got to be moving around in there and some of them may even still be pushing through.

On top of that I have a gimpy pug. That's right, Lily, the middle child (Jan Brady syndrome and all), somehow hurt her leg Monday and has been gimping off and on ever since. The vet said that pugs are prone to dislocating their KNEECAPS. Who knew pugs HAD kneecaps - never mind dislocated them.

Lily is on the left.

So the vet gave us some pain meds for the next 4 days. And Lily is doing a lot more laying than anything. Poor girl!

And the house saga continues with a visit from Keyspan Nutbagger regarding our heating system. It's been turning itself off during the night and we've been waking to the house being about 63-65 degrees. Which is nothing to my friend Ang who goes all sub-Arctic at night and turns her temps down to like 55 or some shit. And it's not been effecting Liam as we have a separate electric heater because his room runs colder anyway.

So yeah first the new water heater at about $750+ and then the Keyspan Nutbagger charges $100 just for entering my house. I think in many states they call that PROSTITUTION. Anyway - the only thing he did was clean out the manifold and attached ducts (does that sound right?). When I was getting the lowdown from him, I was TRYING my best to FOCUS on what he was saying, but it still mostly sounded all Charlie Brown "Wah wah wah wah.. debris blocking air... wah wah wah wah... cleaned it out... wah wah wah... that'll be $110."

My eyes glazed over and rolled back in my head till I heard the fee after which I repeated it 3x like a moron and went upstairs to get the checkbook. Liam was yelling and the dogs were barking and it was all turning into a circus. But it was warm in the house and we like our circus to be toasty.

So after a stupid disagreement with a friend last night (read: two girls feeling crappy and saying dumb things at the completely wrong time) and Mr Joy-to-the-World this morning and Lady Gimps-a-lot and Keyspan Nutbagger. I'm a little tired.

What was that bitch's name that said "Tomorrow is another day?" Yeah her. See ya tomorrow.

PS Close friends and family, don't go getting all freaked out. I'm fine - everyone has these days...I just get to write about them!

Week 5 Results

2006-02-22T21:23:00.000-05:00

Well I think I've found a chink in the collective armour of my Contestants! Can you say Late 70s-Early 80s? Yeah it's probably when half of you were born...WHATEVER! BJ saved your asses with coming through with some good - and correct - calls. Listen up on some classic rock, people! I still heart you. I HEART YOU. There I said it. It's out there.

Welcome to our new PLAYERS!!! So happy to have you and to roll out the red carpet we will give you THREE FREE 'I'm not a loser' points and and extra point for guessing... That's right - you ahvent even gotten one right yet and you got 4 pts. Can I get a woohoo? So WELCOME! to kep, Grant, ZuphChic, Gina, Laina, BJ, and Peggy.

Way to go Kelli for being a mom AND knowing a Top 40 hit. She's the real slim shady. Jenni was the first commenter and walked away with her pts. Ang came later than usual but nailed the commonality of the songs first. Carrie racked up referral points and both kep and Bridget gain a bonus point as well. And Jody? Yeah the petite girl from the big city rocked you all OUT this week. Oh and don't even think William didn't interrupt his travel to post a comment JUST to get his point. Oh yeah. He did.

Answers and Point Takers...
1. These days you might feel a shaft of light make it’s way across your face
These Are Days – 10000 Maniacs; Points to Jody!

2. My father yells what you gonna do with your life
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper; Points to Jody!

3. If your life was bad to you, Just think what tomorrow will do.
Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac; Points to Bill Clinton cause you all missed this one. So don't stop thinking about tomorrow..don't stop it'll soon be here...

4. And it turns out he was a missing person who nobody missed at all
Goodbye Earl – Dixie Chicks; Points to Jenni!

5. Your love is better than chocolate… Better than anything else that I’ve tried
Ice Cream – Sarah MacLachlan; Points to Jody! Even thought you butchered poor Sarah's name all to shit....a 'g'? Really?

6. If I’m acting so distracted… I’m thinking about the fireworks…That go off when you smile
Don’t Get Me Wrong – The Pretenders; Points to BJ!

7. Love just don’t come easy…No it seldom does
Dim All The Lights – Donna Summer; Points to Carrie!

They travel in packs of two or three… With their itsy bitsy doggies and their teeny-weeny tees
Stupid Girls – Pink; Points to Kelli who is being chased down the hall by her IT dept for bypassing her company's firewall to play! Oh and my favorite guess of the week is Bridget thinking mabe this song is Short People by Randy Newman. LOVE YOU, B!

9. Color me your color, darling…I know who you are.
Call Me – Blondie; Points to BJ!

10. I’ve had to work much harder than this for something I want don’t try to resist me
Open Your Heart - Madonna; Points to Jody!

Bonus Point OP #1: Carrie referred 4! Bridget referred 1! kep referred 1! Each will be awarded an equal number of points.

Bonus point OP #2: Ang scored TWO bonus points here. These are all songs sung by female artists!

Everyone gets 1 point for playing. Newbies get 3 points so they don't look so pathetic.

Claire gets 1 point for giving birth. Yes if you give birth in a game week you also get 1 pt. Name your child after me and get automatic 500 points.

The current stats can be viewed in the sidebar!

We are in the home stretch for February's Rock Star. Next week will round off the contest for February. We will start from scratch in March.

You could still WIN IT ALL! The Referral Bonus will continue next week. Get a new player to the game and say they sent you...bonus point, baby! There will also be a new bonus question.

Welcome again to the newbies...you aren't newbies anymore! See you next week.

Next Wednesday the game will be posted at 9 AM ET.

Week 5

2006-02-22T09:30:00.000-05:00

Yeeeehaw! Welcome back to the only game that makes you sing the same song in your head all friggin day long.. yes you are WELCOME!

Yeah mad props to my girl Carrie for jazzing up the game with these sizzling logos. She is the schiznit. Go visit her and share the good love. Also note the stats listed in my sidebar...also the SCHNIZZLE. Thanks, Car.

Welcome to new playas! Hopefully you are here because someone referred you to gain some extra points... PLEASE read the rules. Cause just cause you are new doesn't mean you are SPECIAL. HA Well you do get the 3 FREE 'I'm not a loser' points and if you guess you get another free point just for being YOU. Kinda like writing your name on the SAT getting you the 200 pts. But NO! No 200 pts here so don't ask. Liam won't budge and he is the man behind the curtain after all.

RULES RULES RULES...
1. Be honest and don't Google the lyric line I posted, ok? I mean the prize won't be THAT stellar to warrant cheating. Now I never said team play was illegal. But there is only one prize. And most people are playing on their own... so it does sort of pose an unfair advantage. But I still won't rule it out.
2. First come, first correct answer, points earned! That means only one person gets the points for getting the song/artist right. Whomever guesses the correct answer first!You have til the deadline [declared day of game] ET to take guesses.
3. ONE comment entry per person per game. So no guessing one then coming back and guessing on the rest. One shot to get them right. Otherwise we've got ourselves a free-for-all!
4. You can guess on all or just one or two. You get a point for each one you get right - IF you were the first commenter to get it correct.
5. You have to guess both the Song title AND the Performer. If you guess only one or the other you get no points, even if it's right. AND you give another player a chance to get it right!
6. The game is played every Wednesday - the game will be posted by 10AM ET.
7. Lastly, if it looks like someone got them all - guess ANYWAY! It's fun! And you could end up with some points due to a technicality. Sucky to one, joy to another - that's life!

TIME LIMIT: YOU HAVE UNTIL TONIGHT AT 7PM ET TO COMMENT.

The Lyrics...
1. These days you might feel a shaft of light make it’s way across your face

2. My father yells what you gonna do with your life

3. If your life was bad to you, Just think what tomorrow will do.

4. And it turns out he was a missing person who nobody missed al all

5. Your love is better than chocolate… Better than anything else that I’ve tried

6. If I’m acting so distracted… I’m thinking about the fireworks…That go off when you smile

7. Love just don’t come easy…No it seldom does

8. They travel in packs of two or three… With their itsy bitsy doggies and their teeny-weeny tees

9. Color me your color, darling…I know who you are.

10. I’ve had to work much harder than this for something I want don’t try to resist me

#1 BONUS POINT OP for this week!! I will give one extra point to YOU for every NEW player referral you bring to the game next week. In other words... if Ang gets Jamie to play, he comments and says Ang sent me! AND takes guesses.. Ang gets an extra point. New player means never played before. New players can also participate. So using this example...Jamie could then get Joe to play and Jamie would get an extra point.

#2 BONUS POINT OP: What do all these songs have in common? First player to get it right gets 2 bonus points.

Results will be posted by Thursday morning!

Last note: Contestant Claire may be absent this week as she just HAD A BABY! Go check out her gorgeous addition to an already beautiful family. Congrats again, Claire!

Brooklyn Takes Over (did you hear me say "ovAH" not "ovER"?)

2006-02-21T20:21:00.000-05:00

This is Dov and his mum Jody. They came to visit us and play today! (What you see is Liam trying to push Dov off his mother's lap so he can get back on).

2006-02-21T20:20:00.000-05:00

I sat back and ate bon bons and drank wine as Jody nannied my son with books and cuddles and Dov vacuumed my living room. Over and over. And over.

2006-02-21T20:19:00.000-05:00

Then Jody sat back and had some wine and bon bons with me and Dov changed Liam's diapers and, YES, did more more more vacuuming. He is THAT good.

2006-02-21T20:18:00.000-05:00

Dov was tickling Liam and Liam thought it was SO FUN! They were both giggling quite a bit. But not enough to drop the cinnamon raisin bread apparently.

Clean! We are all CLEAN!

2006-02-20T21:45:00.000-05:00

So Guy and Son said he'd come between twelve and 12:30 to replace our hot water heater. So we didn't plan on much. I figured I'd do the grocery shopping later on after they left, during Liam's nap.

Well noon came and went. Dan stood by the Guy and said he would be there. Will he call? He'll be here. Will he let us know if he can't come? He'll be here.

Dan called him at 2:30 to find out where the living holy HELL he was. Running behind.

So as our dishes piled up and our bodies created more stank...we waited. He said around 4pm.

At 5pm, Guy Nutbagger and Son showed up and replaced our water heater in about 45 minutes. Hot water will be up in about an hour! Ya! Hoo! Yahoo!

Showers for everyone! Even the dishes in the brand new stainless steel dishwasher Dan installed in yet another move to improve the house for sale! I grit my teeth and smile enthusiastically!

Now excuse me I need to tidy a bit as we just confirmed one of Liam's friends is traveling in from out of town to play* tomorrow. We are VERY excited!

And there will be hot water! And clean people to greet them!

*Ok so he isn't traveling all the way here just to play but he can fit us into his schedule. Yippie!

New week, new attitude, new water heater?

2006-02-19T20:45:00.000-05:00

So as we start a new week here at Raising Liam I realize that the CEO needs to shake out the drearies and snap a bit more to it. It's time to breathe in and out and laugh again.

I know not everyone can do that but I know a certain someone who reads my blog needs more laughs and so I must oblige her. After all, what are friends for? If not to mock themselves to make you feel better.

Is anyone else BORED TO TEARS by the Olympics this year? For the love of drug-testing and clubbing ice skaters, could we get a little more EXCITEMENT? Perhaps if they let us see a few more non-American dominated events so we could see and example of country vs country adrenalin rush? The cooler moments are the high drama Davis who was all bitch-faced when he won his gold metal for speed skating. And that dipshit Jacobellis who did some showboating BEFORE she crossed the finish line, fell and lost her gold. Oh and right now I'm watching and it's snowing like a BASTID and that is pretty sweet - after all it's the Winter Olympics.

In other news today I woke up and the heat was out - again - had to "reboot" the furnace. Then when Dan went down to "reboot" it a second time he noticed that Holy Shitbaggers! Our water heater is leaking. That's right. Leeeeeeaking. Super! So the house is now getting toasty warm but we have no hot water. Friggin fantastic. And yes, check your calendars because it's a Sunday on a holiday weekend. Lovely. I'm sure we'll have NO PROBLEM getting some guy over here... we don't even have a regular guy because we have been fortunate enough to never NEED a GUY to begin with. But of course the house hears all this talk of SELLING and REAL ESTATE and kaBLAM - the water heater is spontaneously creating a fountain in my basement. We were supposed to spend the day at my parents... they were making a big dinner and all. So Liam and I left Dan at home to deal with the heater.

Oh and instead of my leisurely two-parents-preparing-child-stuffs-to-leave-the-house-for-the-day routine... I was switched into the higher gear of oh-shit-I-planned-to-leave-in-45-minutes-and-I'm-still-in-my-pajamas. So I changed, broke into a sweat dressing the boy, packing his 2 bags, chopping some food and jamming it all in the car (along with the possessed pack n' play). No no no don't switch to a visual of poor Dan in the basement breaking his back draining out the heater... back to me... sweaty and irritated! There you go...ok...

We were on the road, with a stop for my Venti 2% Mocha (don't I sound like SUCH a bitch?) in no time. And we played nice at Nana & Papa's. And no one even noticed I hadn't bathed and forgot to comb my hair.

Also...strange new things afoot here at Raising Liam... stay tuned the next couple weeks. (No I am not pregnant!)

And the guy couldn't come until tomorrow - OF COURSE.

Relying on Faith

2006-02-16T21:46:00.000-05:00

Today I went to the graveside service for Karen and Derek's son. There were just a handful of people invited to attend and the love and support was palpable. The faces genuine in grief, support and faith.

It was sad yet utterly peaceful. Though we had blizzard conditions just 5 days ago, today was like spring... sixty degrees, crisp and clear. As if the heavens were opening doors... waiting for his arrival and the warmth unfurled like a red carpet.

Today was the day to say goodbye. To thank him for the joy he brought to many hearts in his short existance. To show tenderness and care as his body was returned to the earth. To pray and express hope that he may find greater love now in the arms of heaven. To show faith that his family may grow stronger just because he was once with them.. and now always will be.

In memory of Brian Christopher.

Bueller...Bueller...? Name That Tune Results

2006-02-15T19:00:00.000-05:00

So this week was harder, eh? Not so many guesses... and not so many right answers... but points were had by all who tried! And there were definitely points given for right answers too. As always, thanks for coming and playing!

Ang and William were here, bright eyed and bushy-tailed this AM refreshing like mad. William is stalking the game and has more excuses than Peyton Manning. Diana strolled in a bit later in the morning and nabbed a few points for herself. As always we had Carrie and Claire guessing as well. Many no shows... or maybe just no guessers. Either way - here we go!

Answers and Point Takers...
1. Love me or leave me, make your choice but believe me... I love you...
I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do - ABBA; Points to Carrie!

2. This is the book I never read... These are the words I never said... This is the path I'll never tread...
Why - Annie Lennox; Points to William!

3. I could hide out under there... I just made you say ’underwear’... I could leave but I’ll just stay... All my stuff’s here anyway.
Pinch Me - Barenaked Ladies; Points to Diana!

4. What am I gonna do if my mom finds out... I’ve got a green gorilla... She’ll ground me for a week...
Red Banana - Ralph's World; points to the sky - no one got it. This is a children's song. I think it's been on Noggin but not sure...

5. And for my nineteenth birthday I got a union card and a wedding coat...
The River - Bruce Springsteen; Points to Diana! This is CLASSIC Bruce...the dude in the song always gets screwed.

6. She feeds him well his concerns he forgets them... And remembers being small... playing under the table and dreaming...
Ants Marching - Dave Matthews Band; Points to Ang!

7. From the high to the low to the end of the show for the rest of their lives...
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - Billy Joel; Points to William!

8. In sixty-nine I was twenty-one and I called the road my own... I don’t know when that road turned onto the road I’m on...
Runnin' on Empty - Jackson Browne; points to my head cause no one got this one either. Which was a bit of a shocker to me... think of the scene in Forrest Gump where he is RUNNAN...'looking out at the road rushing under my wheels...'

9. But when you talk about destruction.. Don’t you know that you can count me out?
Revolution - The Beatles; Points to Claire!

10. Can’t you see the sunshine... Can’t you just feel the moonshine...
Carolina on My Mind - James Taylor; Points to Jody!

And the standings...
(remember 1st time players get 3 "I'm not a loser!" points; additionally players get ONE POINT for showing up to play even if they fail to score - first and only game you'll get points for THAT.)

Diana - 13 pts POINTS LEADER
Ang - 10 pts
Carrie - 9 pts
Jody - 7 pts
Claire - 7 pts
William - 7 pts
Johnny Mac - 6 pts
Jenni - 6 pts
Kelli - 5 pts
onangelwings - 5 pts
Toronto Erin - 4 pts
Erin - 4 pts
Kerry - 4 pts

PROGRAMMING NOTE: NEXT WEEKS' GAME WILL BE POSTED AT 9:30am ET.

BONUS POINT OP for next week!! I will give one extra point to YOU for every NEW player referral you bring to the game next week. In other words... if Ang gets Jamie to play, he comments and says Ang sent me! AND takes guesses.. Ang gets an extra point. New player means never played before.

Enjoy your flight!

HEY YOU! Name that Tune Week 4

2006-02-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

How YOU doin'??? Are you ready to rock out? Liam is... he's jamming as I speak to the Wiggles. Of course jamming means he is looking at his feet and bouncing his butt up and down to the beat of "Dancin' with Wags the Dog." He has added a couple moves in the past week. The flapping of the arms, shaking of the hands and the stomping of the right foot. Totally getting jiggy with it!

Here are the STANDINGS from last week...
Diana - 10 pts ***NEW POINTS LEADER ***
Ang - 8 pts
Carrie - 7 pts
Johnny Mac - 6 pts
Jenni - 6 pts
Kelli - 5 pts
Jody - 5 pts
onangelwings - 5 pts
Claire - 5 pts
Kerry - 4 pts
Toronto Erin - 4pts
William - 4 pts
Erin - 4 pts

SOOOOOO Kiddies we are KICKING IT UP A NOTCH - BAM! - this week. I think most of these are HARDER. So maybe think them over - don't jump the gun! And remember the RULES... (and that the winner at the end of February gets a coolish prize of my choosing....)

RULES RULES RULES...
1. Be honest and don't Google the lyric line I posted, ok? I mean the prize won't be THAT stellar to warrant cheating. Added: Now I never said team play was illegal. But there is only one prize. And most people are playing on their own... so it does sort of pose an unfair advantage. But I still won't rule it out.
2. First come, first correct answer, points earned! That means only one person gets the points for getting the song/artist right. Whomever guesses the correct answer first!You have til the deadline [declared day of game] ET to take guesses.
3. ONE comment entry per person per game. So no guessing one then coming back and guessing on the rest. One shot to get them right. Otherwise we've got ourselves a free-for-all!
4. You can guess on all or just one or two. You get a point for each one you get right - IF you were the first commenter to get it correct.
5. You have to guess both the Song title AND the Performer. If you guess only one or the other you get no points, even if it's right. AND you give another player a chance to get it right!
6. The game is played every Wednesday - the game will be posted by 10AM ET..
7. Lastly, if it looks like someone got them all - guess ANYWAY! It's fun! And you could end up with some points due to a technicality. Sucky to one, joy to another - that's life!

TIME LIMIT: YOU HAVE UNTIL TONIGHT AT 7PM ET TO COMMENT.

The Lyrics...
1. Love me or leave me, make your choice but believe me... I love you...

2. This is the book I never read... These are the words I never said... This is the path I'll never tread...

3. I could hide out under there... I just made you say ’underwear’... I could leave but I’ll just stay... All my stuff’s here anyway.

4. What am I gonna do if my mom finds out... I’ve got a green gorilla... She’ll ground me for a week...

5. And for my nineteenth birthday I got a union card and a wedding coat...

6. She feeds him well his concerns he forgets them... And remembers being small... playing under the table and dreaming...

7. From the high to the low to the end of the show for the rest of their lives...

8. In sixty-nine I was twenty-one and I called the road my own... I don’t know when that road turned onto the road I’m on...

9. But when you talk about destruction.. Don’t you know that you can count me out?

10. Can’t you see the sunshine... Can’t you just feel the moonshine...

And there you go... once again... you have 'til TONIGHT AT 7PM ET.

Rock on, my good friends. Rock ON.

HEY YOU - PSYCHE!

2006-02-14T22:58:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for this weeks Name That Tune lyrics game??

The new list of 10 lyrics will be posted at 10AM ET Wednesday.

Nighty night! MUAH!

Hope You Spend Some Time on Valentine's Day...

2006-02-14T15:02:00.000-05:00

Valentine getting

2006-02-14T14:59:00.000-05:00

Balloon bopping.

2006-02-14T14:58:00.000-05:00

Toy playing, treat greeting

Empathy Woman! Squeeze Her and See Real Tears Fall from Her Eyes!

2006-02-13T14:50:00.000-05:00

Many of you have been following the story of my friends Karen & Derek. They are doing better - the best under the circumstances I guess. Spending some time together. Taking turns with bad moments and good moments.

I have a hard time with pain brought to me by people close to me. Like really hard time. I empathize to the point where I'm physically drained and spent. And what is kicking my ass currently is the realization that I haven't had to exert much of this emotion for Liam yet. His first schoolyard ridiculing? His first major injury? His first heartbreak? All ahead.

I was speaking with my friend Jeff and joked that if I had a superpower it would be the Power of Empathy. I feel things so deeply it can set me off for a week. Katrina left me wasted for well over a week. The sudden death of my cousins' father... depressed. Karen and Derek...complete sadness. Weeping whenever I think of them both or discussing the situation.

Of course this also works to the opposite extreme. I get so happy and excited for others happiness and good fortune. My sister is getting a new kitchen and I'm so excited for her to have such a nice new thing! My friend Ang is pregnant and I feel almost as excited (maybe even more to an extent?) as when I got pregnant.

While my superpower can be a curse and a blessing I guess I have to take it as a blessing. Because I know there are many people out there who don't or can't feel things so deeply. That don't truly live in the moment.

And that is enough to make me cry.

Daffodil Yellow

2006-02-13T11:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we painted our kitchen. While Mother Nature dropped 12 inches of snow outside.

If Only It Were Pink Floyd in My Head... or no... that would be something different entirely, wouldn't it?

2006-02-11T20:38:00.000-05:00

What the HELL has happened to my brain?

I have to say that lately - I feel my brain is what they took out of me when Liam was born, not the 8lb 6oz perfectly shaped headed love monkey that I call my baby.

I remember nothing. I know nothing that is new.

Current events? What?

Seriously. I am a person that used to be the Queen of Pop Culture. The Diva of Disco. The Movie of the Moment Mrs.

Not. So. Much. Anymore.

I am embarrassed to admit that I saw NO MOVIES that are nominated for any type of awards. I have not even seen the gay cowboys. People! I need to see me some gay COWBOYS!

I MISSED the Grammy awards. The conversation between Dan and I: Did you know we missed the Grammy's last night? They were on last night? Shit.

And the most recent jaw-dropping development...my husband has started filling ME in on celebrity gossip. This is just not good, people. Because I'm starting to look forward to his nightly dish from the stories he's picked up around the water cooler. You remember the telephone game right? By the time it gets to the last person, the message is completely distorted. Well by the time Dan brings the gossip home to me, Oprah is pregnant with Kevin Federline's love child.

I don't know any songs in the top 10. I can't even keep up with a friggin SOAP OPERA. Is Marlena still with Alex or is she with John? Would someone slap Chelsea cause all she does is cry. Who is dying this week? Port Charles has a deadly disease sweeping through? Is that Scorpio? AAAAH!

I DO keep up with my evening shows but mostly because I'm so damn tired I can't move from the couch and the heat from the laptop is keeping me warm.

So I don't have the tv on much during the day because Liam gets glassy-eyed and starts watching. We do see some Wiggles and Sesame or Barney. And that, my friends, combined with playdates and Gymboree, is where the problem lies.

My brain? Is filled with toddleroni (copyright Claire O'Neal).

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr Golden Sun, shine some light on me.

Fruit salad, yummy yummy, fruit salad, yummy yummy

Elmo's has a goldfish, His crayons, too... That's Elmo's World, Lala la la, Lala la la Elmo's World

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands! Stomp your feet! Yell hooray!

Gymbo the clown goes twist twist twist, twist twist twist, twist twist twist...

Hot potato hot potato...hot potato hot potato...potato...potato....potato potato potato...

I sing these songs all day. And if I'm not singing them, I'm humming them. Or thinking them. They go around and around my brain like two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl. Year after Year.

Is there a cure? Anyone? Anyone?

And That's How We Spent Our Week

2006-02-10T13:54:00.000-05:00

Liam alternates breakfasts. One morning is oatmeal with some fruit, next is yogurt with a couple mini pancakes and fruit. Every morning he gets a handful of dry Cheerios to munch on while waiting for me to prepare his main course, between bites of other stuff, whatever.

A while back, maybe a couple of months ago, he initiated putting a Cheerio on the loaded spoon (either on top of oatmeal or yogurt). I always found this very cute and amusing. Not that long ago he upgraded to dropping a handful into the bowl of oatmeal or yogurt. Like this:

I think he likes his breakfast crunchy.

As you may have noticed from the menu, we had some people over for the Super Bowl. This was Liam's 2nd Super Bowl. The first one in which the Patriots were not involved. Boo. Hiss. The first superbowl he celebrated like this:

This Super Bowl he was running around Mantown like he OWNED the joint. Looking all like this:

And this:

Also this week Liam joined the drumline. He wailed.

Mikayla came to play Thursday. They conned Mummy into pulling them around the house. They like the Red Wagon... that's how these kizzies roll.

Today we had Gymboree and Liam SCORED his first Valentine! A girl named Lindsey gave him a Valentine for a free cone at Friendly's. He also ran like he had nothing to lose. All class. Or at least for 30 minutes then he said "buh-bye" hand motion and all and headed for the door. Gymboree is 45 minutes long. He hates the last 5-10 minutes because of the parachute. Is it the sound? No idea - but he's not a fan. Like at ALL. So when the braver kids run underneath... we sit together (along with a couple other moms and kids) and watch the 'chute go up and down above us. I kinda dig it.

Afterwards we went and got our valentines, some things for the Valentine playdate we are hosting next Tuesday, and a new pair of kicks for the boy (no they were not that expensive - they were $17 at Kohl's! Way cheaper than Stride Rite sneaks, too.) All he needs now is a board.

Happy weekend to you... I'll be around. Just do me a favor and keep praying.

Oh and this is the photo we sent in to the contest. They announce the ten finalist on Live with Regis and Kelly on February 20th. If he doesn't make the cut then obviously they are all morons at that place. HA!

Many Thanks

2006-02-10T13:19:00.000-05:00

Thank you internet - you are wonderful. I am hoping all those well wishes, thoughts and prayers for Karen and Derek are channeled right to them... providing them strength... even if it's for something simple like eating. Karen is most likely home today. I'll be checking in with her tomorrow.

Many thanks again, from the bottom of my sad heart.

Please Pray and Be Humble Today

2006-02-09T09:51:00.000-05:00

Updated: See end of post.

I have a friend. A very very good friend. Who has been trying to have a baby for a long time. Since I started trying to conceive Liam over two years ago. She is on her third pregnancy... the others didn't survive.

This week she is about 22 weeks along. The longest she has ever carried a child. She started having contractions this week. You can imagine the escalation of fear given the other experiences she has had.

She was monitored and sent home to rest.

She ended up back yesterday and is now in the hospital with an infection. I don't have all the details. Only the devastating news that for her health and safety they have to induce her.

There is little hope the baby will survive.

I can barely type this as I am crying and just at a loss as to why these things happen to people and to babies. What God does this? I just cannot even wrap my brain around it, it just isn't fair.

IT'S NOT FUCKING FAIR!

So all I ask of you, internet, is to pray for strength for my friend and her husband. Karen and Derek. I love you guys and will be thinking of you and praying for you and wishing I had answers.

Updated: I spoke with Karen earlier today. She was induced this morning because of the infection which would threaten her own life. She said her baby boy was perfect and he was alive for a couple hours. She and her husband are doing the best that they can and have a long road ahead. Please, if you can, continue to pray strength for them. They deserve so much better.

It's Getting Hot in Herrrr; Name That Tune Results.

2006-02-08T20:52:00.000-05:00

Woooohooooo it got a little smokey in here today. That's good! I like things a little spicey!

First Jenni got all rapid fire premature shooting. Da ruleeeez girl! You gotta read da rulez. They will be reinterated below. Diana cleaned UP this week due to technicalities! Jody finally got her hat in the ring! We also had newbies drop in: Kerry, Erin and Kep. Ang showed up a little late for the party but got a groove on. Carrie's still bitching and moaning about missing the Wednesday bus. When she isn't doing that, she is lobbying for extra points by snitching! Dream ON, sistah. Claire came but perhaps little Isaac's Thomas train sets tripped her up on the way here. William brought his game but seems like he barely made it to the 3rd quarter before collapsing from Florida heat exhaustion.

Somebody remind me that this is supposed to be a mommy blog cause I'm having fuuuuuuuun.

Ok so let's reinstate the rules... I only posted a link to the rules this week - guess I should post them clear as day every week.

RULES RULES RULES
1. Be honest and don't Google the lyric line I posted, ok? I mean the prize won't be THAT stellar to warrant cheating. Added: Now I never said team play was illegal. But there is only one prize. And most people are playing on their own... so it does sort of pose an unfair advantage. But I still won't rule it out. Hell I'm sure if I were playing I might ask Dan if I were stumped on a rap lyric. Yeah, rap. Don't ask.
2. First come, first correct answer, points earned! That means only one person gets the points for getting the song/artist right. Whomever guesses the correct answer first!You have til the deadline declared day of game ET to take guesses.
3. ONE comment entry per person per game. So no guessing one then coming back and guessing on the rest. One shot to get them right. Otherwise we've got ourselves a free-for-all!
4. You can guess on all or just one or two. You get a point for each one you get right - IF you were the first commenter to get it correct.
5. You have to guess both the Song title AND the Performer. If you guess only one or the other you get no points, even if it's right. AND you give another player a chance to get it right!
6. The game plays every Wednesday - the past two weeks I've been posting the game at 9am ET This may change - if it does I'll let you know AT LEAST the day before.
7. Lastly, if it looks like someone got them all - guess ANYWAY! It's fun! And you could end up with some points due to a technicality. Sucky to one, joy to another - that's life kids!

Ok enough bullshit... let's get to the results portion of the show. Cause even I'm falling asleep here.

Answers and Point Takers...
1. A little more bite and a little less bark; A little less fight and a little more spark
A Little Less Conversation - Elvis Presley; points to Diana!

2. Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone; I hear you call my name; And it feels like home
Like a Prayer - Madonna; Points to Diana!

3. Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man; Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
Tiny Dancer - Elton John; Points to Diana!

4. You’re playing so cool, obeying every rule; Dig way down in your heart, You’re yearning, burning for some
Footloose - Kenny Loggins; Points to Ang!

5. And now... I’m glad I didn’t know... The way it all would end, the way it all would go.
The Dance - Garth Brooks; Points to Jenni! Welcome to the game!

6. It’s obvious you hate me though I’ve done nothing wrong; I’ve never even met you so what could I have done
People are People; Depeche Mode; Points to Carrie!

7. And I’m a bad boy cause I don’t even miss her, I’m a bad boy for breakin’ her heart
Free Fallin' - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers; Points to Jenni!

8. You nodded off in my arms watching TV, I won't move you an inch even though my arm's asleep
Gracie - Ben Folds; Points to Jody! Welcome to the game!

9. And in the master’s chambers, they gathered for the feast; They stab it with their steely knives, but they just can’t kill the beast
Hotel California - The Eagles; Points to Diana!
Jenni - I'm sorry but you matched the wrong number to this song!

10. I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face -but I’ve come through...
We Are The Champions - Queen; Points to Carrie!

So yeah! There you go...

And the standings...
(remember 1st time players get 3 "I'm not a loser!" points; additionally people will now get ONE POINT for showing up to play even if they fail to score - first and only time you'll get points for THAT.)

Diana - 10 pts NEW POINTS LEADER
Ang - 8 pts
Carrie - 7 pts
Johnny Mac - 6 pts
Jenni - 6 pts
Kelli - 5 pts
Jody - 5 pts
onangelwings - 5 pts
Claire - 5 pts
Toronto Erin - 4pts
William - 4 pts
Erin - 4 pts
Kerry - 4 pts

PROGRAMMING NOTE: NEXT WEEKS' GAME WILL BE POSTED AT 10am ET.

Be careful out there.

HEY YOU! Name that Tune Week 3

2006-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Last weeks game was great! The heat! Fury! Indignation! I LOVE it!

As a reminder... the Standings...
Ang - 6 pts (Somebody stop her!)
Diana - 5 pts (She knows country!)
Johnny Mac - 5 pts (Beastie Boys sing with Elmo!)
Kelli - 5 pts (She could take it all!)
onangelwings - 5 pts (She knows hair bands and The Wiggles)
Carrie - 4 pts (She keeps saying she "forgets" when the contest is)
Claire - 4 pts (She thinks Bob Seger sucks! and likes pop rocks and Coke!))
Toronto Erin - 4pts (Sneaky little Canadien!)
William - 3pts (He woulda whooped ass last week but he had a hall pass or business trip or...)
Bridget - 3pts (She lives FAR away from me.)
Maria - 3pts (She's pregnant, in nursing school and has two daughters. Back OFF.)

Hope we get some new players this week!!!

The Rules!
Exception to the Rules: The contest keeps getting shorter! Haha! I'm evil! This week you have until 9pm TONIGHT. Ya, huh! Tonight 9pm - game OVER.

The Lyrics...
1. A little more bite and a little less bark; A little less fight and a little more spark

2. Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone; I hear you call my name; And it feels like home

3. Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man; Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand

4. You’re playing so cool, obeying every rule; Dig way down in your heart, You’re yearning, burning for some

5. And now... I’m glad I didn’t know... The way it all would end, the way it all would go.

6. It’s obvious you hate me though I’ve done nothing wrong; I’ve never even met you so what could I have done

7. And I’m a bad boy cause I don’t even miss her, I’m a bad boy for breakin’ her heart

8. You nodded off in my arms watching TV, I won't move you an inch even though my arm's asleep

9. And in the master’s chambers, they gathered for the feast; They stab it with their steely knives, but they just can’t kill the beast

10. I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face -but I’ve come through...

Allllllrighty then...game on! See you tonight for the results show!

(Oh and if you have an extra sec vote for a pic of the boy below. Thanks much!)

Which is the cutest little baby face?

2006-02-07T20:22:00.000-05:00

I've been encouraged to submit Liam's picture for this contest. I thought these 3 pics were cute... which one would you submit? (You can only submit non-professional photos - or believe me I'd be sending off one of those gorgeous ones I paid through the nose for a couple months ago).

Number 1:

Number 2:

Number 3:

Chariots of Fire

2006-02-06T14:40:00.000-05:00

Dan took today off for Super Bowl clean up and recuperation. So I suggested, because he was so busy most of the weekend preparing, that we maybe go to an indoor playground or the like with Liam to make up for all the mind-numbing television we had on to amuse him while I cleaned bathrooms and Dan decided it was a good time to hang leftover drywall in the basement (!? I love you, honey!)

Dan thought that although that sounded great, we probably should do something more timely in regards to prepping the house for sale. We had decided we wanted to update a couple of light fixtures and paint in efforts to make the house sell quicker.

So first we took Liam to On the Border where he had one of his favorite meals of a cheese quesadilla with a side of diced tomatoes and avacado. Afterwards we headed to the store where men are men and the women are more efficient shoppers... Lowes!

We got two feet in the store and Dan put Liam down and proceeded to follow (run) after him through out the store for 45 minutes. I followed them with the shopping cart and in the first 5 minutes Liam headed straight for the John Deere and Troy-Bilt tractors. He thought they were the coolest thing like EVER. Daddy even put him on one for a while. When he got back to the floor he started running again so Dan just told me to go pick out my paint and he'd meet me there.

When they finally met me, Liam was still running (Run, Forrest, ruuuhhhn) he was sweating! I told Dan that maybe perhaps taking the fleece coat off him might be a good idea. Then they were off again.

Liam ran and ran and ran. Dan said later people smiled at him and commented at how cute he was then usually said "He really likes to run, huh?"

He likes to run, yes.

When we met again in the lighting section, Dan was a bit winded (haha) and put Liam in the cart where I handed him a much needed beverage. The boy was THIRSTY.

I had to sing songs and talk to him on the ride home so he wouldn't fall asleep. Then it was nap time for Liam. YA. Hoo!

Super Bowl Menu (a.k.a. what you missed)

2006-02-05T21:13:00.000-05:00

Chili – 2pm

Homemade Meatballs and Sauce – 2pm

Veggie Platter with Veggie Dip – Anytime in Afternoon

Fruit with Raspberry dip – Anytime in Afternoon

Buffalo Chicken Dip – Pregame (5:30ish)

Lil Kielbasa wrapped in bacon (Artery Clog Wrap) 1st Q

Marinated Chicken Wings – 2nd Q

Cookies and Brownies for Dessert – 3rd and 4th Q

Tums Parfaits - As needed

Blogger = Anti-Christ?

2006-02-04T11:31:00.000-05:00

Is it me or has Blogger been ~~a pain in the ass~~ unstable lately? Last night I couldn't access my site at all - it was "Restricted."

Today we are prepping and planning for our Superbowl party tomorrow night. There is roughly 273 lbs of ground beef in my refridgerator right now awaiting a pot for chili. Or meatballs.

My ass will be awaiting a few new sizes up in elastic waist paints.

You are welcome to come by... the menu will be posted tomorrow. We expect the chili and meatballs to be ready around 2pm.

Bring your own Tums.

Rock on! Follow up to Name that Tune

2006-02-03T12:32:00.000-05:00

Sorry this is belated - I swear I had my act together and wrote out a big blog post last night with answers and all that jazz but Blogger shit the bed on me and lost my post and I just wasn't feeling it to do it all again.

So that bring me to this morning when Liam woke crying at 6:30am. I brought him back to bed with me - I've never done that before (at least not since he'd been an infant). He snuggled in to my neck and slept another half hour - I on the other hand of course, did not. I had an itch here, a loss of blood circulation there, the need to stroke the downy soft hair on his sweet little head which smelled like Johnson's baby shampoo from his bath last night. How I didn't immediately call Dan to order him home to make more babies is beyond me.

So anyway... here I am... and you want answers. You want answers? I want the truth. The truth. You can't handle the TRUTH! Ah sorry - movie lines are for the next months game.

Answers & Point Takers....
1. ...I said, "Do you speak-a my language?"He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich...
Down Under - Men at Work; points to Johnny Mac!

2. I'm 33 for a moment, Still the man but you see I'm a they, A kid on the way, A family on my mind...
100 Years - Five for Fighting; points to Kelli!

3. Don't save a prayer for me now, Save it 'til the morning after... No, don't say a prayer for me now
Save a Prayer - Duran Duran: points to Diana!

4. I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes... And the wonder of it all...Is that you just don't realize how much I love you.
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton; points to Johnny Mac!

5. ...ate a burrito with tobasco...they put it on their rice...they put it on their beans...on their rutabegas..and on their collard greens...
Victor Vito - Laurie Berkner; points to Kelli! (but Johnny Mac, I'd love it if Beastie Boys started signing on Noggin!)

6. I didn't mean to miss your birthday, baby... I wish I'd seen you blow those candles out
No one got this one! I'm OUTRAGED! not really. Kelli almost got it! so close!
I'll Be There For You - Bon Jovi; NO POINTS!

7. 'Cause the players tried to take the field... and the marching band refused to yield
American Pie - Don McLean; points to Diana!

8. And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression...Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."
The Gambler - Kenny Rogers; points to Toronto Erin! (I loved all the southern girls going back and forth about this only to get stumped by the girl from Canada! How aboot that, eh?)

9. When we said our first hello, little did we know...Love was just a glance away... a warm embrace and dance away
Strangers in the Night - Frank Sinatra; points to Carrie!

10. Out there in the spotlight your a million miles away, every ounce of energy, you try and give away... As the sweat pours out your body like the music that you play.
Turn the Page - Bob Seger; points to Claire - late in the game but a winner none the less!

And the Standings... (first time guessers get obligatory 3 points to make them not look so loserish)
Ang - 6 pts
Diana - 5 pts
Johnny Mac - 5 pts
Kelli - 5 pts
onangelwings - 5 pts
Carrie - 4 pts
Claire - 4 pts
Toronto Erin - 4pts
William - 3pts

Commentary...
Ang is SO lucky she got 3 last week! She is still in the lead! Welcome to the game Diana, Johnny Mac, and Toronto Erin. Carrie needs to get her groove on, come on, girl!Claire, I'm so impressed you got Bob Seger! Kelli moved up this week! She could be a contender! Bridget, William and onangelwings were no shows this week.. though Bridget just celebrated her daughter's first birthday (Happy Birthday, Riley!) so she is excused.

Tune in next Wednesday for Week 3!

The Meme Must Go On

2006-02-02T14:49:00.000-05:00

Four jobs I’ve had
1. Phone operator for a woodworkers supply chain
2. Candy girl for movie theatre
3. Popcorn popper for same movie theatre (and no you NEVER get sick of eating it)
4. Resident Hall Director for over 300 freshman men at a state university

Four movies I can watch over and over
1. BBC's Pride and Prejudice
2. Overboard
3. Steel Magnolias
4. Noises Off

Four places I have lived
1. Woburn, Massachusetts
2. Lowell, Massachusetts
3. Alexandria, Virginia
4. Washington, DC

Four TV shows I love
1. The Office
2. How I Met Your Mother
3. 24
4. Lost

Four places I’ve vacationed
1. Aruba
2. Park City, UT
3. Las Vegas, NV
4. San Diego, CA

Four of my favorite dishes
1. Chicken tortilla soup
2. Italian dishes with ricotta cheese (lasgana, ravioli, manicotti, etc)
3. Thai lettuce wraps (Cheesecake Factory)
4. Penne Rustica (Macaroni Grill)

Four sites I visit daily
1. Cze-Johnson Fever
2. Poop & Boogies
3. Nov Newbies Message Board (moms group)
4. Friday Playdate

Four places I would rather be right now
1. Basking on a beach, toes in the sand, sipping a fruity cocktail
2. Seeing Ireland for the first time
3. Doing something fun with Liam and Dan
4. Eating any of the above favorite foods because thinking of that list made me hungry.

I'm supposed to tag some people but hate doing that so I'll just say:
Hey you there, leave a comment and tell me your Four for any one (or more if you like) of the categories above!

Hey You, Name That Tune Wk 2

2006-02-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

If you are just joining us, I'm running a spectacular little game of lyric recognition. I supply the lyrics, you supply the Song title and Performer.

To recap The Rules:

Be honest and don't Google the lyric line I posted, ok? I mean the prize won't be THAT stellar to warrant cheating.
First come, first correct answer, points earned! That means only one person gets the points for getting the song/artist right. Whomever guesses the correct answer first!You have til the Thursday night 6pm ET (following the new post) to take guesses.
You only get one comment/guess per game. So no guessing one then coming back and guessing on the rest. One shot to get them right.
You can guess on all or just one or two. You get a point for each one you get right - IF you were the first commenter to get it correct.
You have to guess both the Song title AND the Performer. If you guess only one or the other you get no points, even if it's right. AND you give another player a chance to get it right!

Ready, players?
1. ...I said, "Do you speak-a my language?"He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich...

2. I'm 33 for a moment, Still the man but you see I'm a they, A kid on the way, A family on my mind...

3. Don't save a prayer for me now, Save it 'til the morning after... No, don't say a prayer for me now

4. I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes... And the wonder of it all...Is that you just don't realize how much I love you.

5. ...ate a burrito with tobasco...they put it on their rice...they put it on their beans...on their rutabegas..and on their collard greens...

6. I didn't mean to miss your birthday, baby... I wish I'd seen you blow those candles out

7. 'Cause the players tried to take the field... and the marching band refused to yield

8. And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression...Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

9. When we said our first hello, little did we know...Love was just a glance away... a warm embrace and dance away

10. Out there in the spotlight your a million miles away, every ounce of energy, you try and give away... As the sweat pours out your body like the music that you play.

Ok that's pretty diverse AND some tough ones and not so tough... I mean it can't be too easy, right?

Ok note the time limit difference from the last game - this time you have until 6PM Thursday nite. Good luck! And please, no cheating! :-)

Seen Liam Lately?

2006-01-30T15:10:00.000-05:00

Liam - almost 17 months.

2006-01-30T15:09:00.000-05:00

Handsome boy... probably making that wonderful ehhhHHHHHHH! noise he loves.

2006-01-30T15:04:00.000-05:00

Dan gives this exact same look. Very "How YOU doin'?"

2006-01-30T15:03:00.000-05:00

A little reading...

2006-01-30T14:58:00.000-05:00

Chillin' like a villain...

The Post Where I Take a Tangent to Rant About the Joys of Pug Ownership

2006-01-29T21:13:00.000-05:00

Mother of God Liam has a lot of toys.

A lot. Very blessed. It is like a daycare here for a class of one. And frankly, I like him having a lot of toys because technically this is like a daycare and some days... well... we need a lot of diversions.

Problem with a lot of toys - they end up everywhere. He does have a playroom. My house is a colonial. The first floor is basically an open floor plan with the stairs in the center. The two front rooms on either side of the stairs are play areas. One is our family room/living room. The other was most likely a formal dining room or formal living room in another life. We don't roll that way, so it was a computer/anything room and evolved to the baby gear room to playroom as Liam's toys got bigger and bigger and began to suffocate me while I sat helpless eating bon bons.

Liam can roam the first floor, spending most of his time in the playroom, other time in the family room, and then the dining room and kitchen. Oh and let's not forget about the bathroom. Perfect for when you need a little private time. Liam, of course, not me. Mother's get no private time. I am lucky if I go to the bathroom alone more than once or twice a day. Occasionally I find Liam in there sitting under the toilet reading a book (like father, like son) or playing with a toy or banging the toilet seat like a drum. Whatever... it's not like he's playing with knives, right?

All this endless roaming typically happens with one or two toys in hand, which are dropped when something else catches his eye. The dog's water dish. The newspaper. The sippy cup. So at the end of the day the house has been taken by toys.

Oh have I mentioned we want to buy a new house in the spring? Uh yeah. So long story short we live in a house which abuts conservation land. We have no backyard. Well we do - 1.67 acres of wetlands that we can't touch. And we have no frontage and the speed limit on our street is 40mph. Are you smelling what I'm stepping in here? 2 slow thinking pugs + 1 fast moving boy = Nightmare on My Street. Yes, come spring Liam is going to be hellbent on running Forrest Gump style from one end of the town to the other... I would like a yard with a dog run or maybe a fence to contain him.

So we need to de-clutter and tidy and get ready to sell, sell, SELL. Watching too much Sell This House on tv and getting all motivated and crap. So I bought a couple things to contain the boy's crap and also make the playroom less "Pigpen's Playhouse" and more "Pottery Barn Docile Kids." So I bought this and this. LOVE THEM. And I didn't realize til they got here that they are both made by KidKraft so the wood matches exactly. Dan put them together this week and we actually think we will buy one more of each because they really look good and they aren't too complicated for throwing stuff in quickly when we know prospective buyers are coming by. Liam loves his books and I made a little comfy spot in the corner of the playroom with pillows and the bookshelf right next to him and he adores it. I actually would like a spot like that myself. I laid back into the pillows today and Liam thought it was so hilarious he had to jump on top of me and give me lots of kisses while squashing of the last semblance of breasts I was cherishing.

I'll be doing that tomorrow as well.

So the O'Neill house will be in a state of something over the next month... we'd like to get in the market by the end of March. I'm excited to look for a house! Scared shitless to have strangers wander through mine criticizing my crap (c'mon people! you have crap at your house too!). Of course Dan is toying with selling it himself which makes me want to vomit. Especially living with two wiley pugs that need to be contained (they are crate trained, thank God).

::tangent::
People, if you have never actually met a pug you have NO IDEA how psychotically crazy and hyper they can be - they don't get lapdogish til the arthritis sets in. The pug people selling the pugs don't tell you this. Oh sweet puggies - so sweet, they'll sit on your lap! Yeah if you have a piece of meat and a harness around their sausage bodies! Otherwise they are too busy chasing cars going by from INSIDE the house. And having asthma or issues regarding anything touching their butts! Yes! I seriously want to get Daisy on some Pr*zac. Seriously.
::

So I am doing pretty well with mentally being in gear to de-clutter and throw away! It's quite cleansing actually! So when I'm not doing the decluttering! Or throwing shit away! Or blogging my angst all night long! I'll be curled up in the fetal position in Liam's reading corner turning the pages to find out how BIG Baby Elmo is while Liam laughs maniacally with his knee in my chest.

Do you have a half hour?

2006-01-27T14:22:00.000-05:00

These days a poopy diaper change goes something like this.

A green cloud of eu de poo permeates the air and my fine nostril hairs catch fire and fall out.

"Liam, do you need 'change diaper'?" *signed and spoken*

"Nah Nah! Naaaaaah!" as he hastily retreats to the playroom.

Roll up my sleeves and fetch a clean diaper. Put out the pad on the floor, open the wipes.

Liam runs by once.

"Change diaper time!"

Liam runs by twice, "Nah nah nah nah nah nah!" He busies himself in the playroom. Very important work studying the wheels on the bus that do indeed go round and round.

I pick up Liam and the kicking of the legs commences. The whining begins. The writhing peaks.

Put Liam down and put a toy in his hands which he feigns interest in while I take off his pants and unsnap his onesie. Take a deep breathe and open the diaper, briefly regard contents, and use first of 20 wipes to remove poop from his bottom.

He senses he is halfway clean and attempts to flip over. A HA! I don't fall for it and get him squared back down.Wipe poop off the back of my hand and finish cleaning his bottom. Dodge a kick to the chin. Don't dodge the hair pull and kick to the left boob.

Liam seizes my momentary wind loss to roll over and high tail it into the kitchen. Apparently being bare assed means lots of running! Quickly! Tap tap tap through the kitchen. Yelling too! I'm naked the way God meant me to be! I shun your clothe ways! Naked me is the way to BE! The dogs - ALWAYS very interested in poopy diaper changes - follow immediately behind him. Click click, tap tap, click click through the kitchen they all go. Liam goes into the playroom and plays as if the diaper change never happened.

I give him a few minutes before finally dragging him back for the closing ceremonies. Safely covering the unpredictable peepee nozzle and saving my carpets and furniture for few more hours. Pants back on.

"Ah duh? Ah duh??!!" *also signs*

"Yes, Liam! All done!"

20 minutes later.

2006-01-26T20:48:00.000-05:00

Rock on friends! You did great! But only a few of you walked away with points. But in recognition of good sportsmanship I'm going to give everyone who tried this first week 3 free points! Then to the victors go the rest of the spoils.

The Answers for This Week:
1. But I won't heed the battle call.... It puts my back up, puts my back up against the wall.
Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2
2. Sweet Loretta Martin thought she was a woman... But she was another man
Get Back - The Beatles
3. Fruit salad, yummy, yummy... Fruit salad, yummy, yummy... Fruit salad, yummy, yummy... Yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy fruit salad
Fruit Salad - The Wiggles
4. Tumbled out of bed and stumbled in the kitchen, Poured my self a cup of ambition, Yawning stretching trying to come to life
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
5. You can hide `neath your covers... And study your pain... Make crosses from your lovers....Throw roses in the rain..
Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen

And the results:
Angela - 3 free pts + 3 earned pts = 6pts!
onangelwings - 3 free + 2 earned = 5pts!
Bridget - 3 pts!
Claire - 3pts!
William - 3pts!
Carrie - 3pts!
Kelli - 3pts!
Maria - 3pts!

This was wicked fun you guys! Awesome! Thanks for playing! So next Wednesday I'll have the music posted for Wednesday morning. Same rules. But next week there will be TEN songs. TEN songs = more opportunity for points! And if you are the first one and get all the points you'll sliiiiiiiiide into 1st place! And dont worry if you can't here by Wednesday morning. You never know I might put a song that you know and no one else does.

Ok people! Susie out.

Hey You, Name that Tune!

2006-01-25T13:18:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned before my attempts to musically educate my child. So while I have been listening to all sorts of music I've gotten to thinking about all the lyrics to songs that I know. Honestly - it's mind boggling that I know the lyrics to every song on Springsteen's Born in the USA album but I can't name half the Presidents. I'm sure it's the same with most people.

So I thought I'd try a weekly game where I put some lyrics to some songs and you try to guess them. Some will be real easy - others will be harder. Whoever guesses the most right over the course of the next month (We'll go to the end of February for starters) wins a prize. First come, first right gets the points! And here we go! READ THE RULES BEFORE YOU PLAY

Oh by the way - try to be honest and don't Google the lyric line I posted, ok? I mean the prize won't be THAT great to cause cheating.

Rules:
Like I said above First come, first right gets the points! . That means only one person gets the points for getting the song/artist right. Whomever guesses the correct answer first!
You have til the Thursday night 9pm ET following the initial post to take guesses.
You only get one comment/guess per game. So no guessing one then coming back and guessing on the rest. One shot to get them right.
You can guess on all or one. You get a point for each one you get right - IF you were the first commenter to get it correct.
You have to guess both the song title AND the performer. If you guess only one or the other you get no points, even if it's right. AND you give another player a chance to get it right!

This Weeks' Lyrics:
1. But I won't heed the battle call.... It puts my back up, puts my back up against the wall.

2. Sweet Loretta Martin thought she was a woman... But she was another man

3. Fruit salad, yummy, yummy... Fruit salad, yummy, yummy... Fruit salad, yummy, yummy... Yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy fruit salad

4. Tumbled out of bed and stumbled in the kitchen, Poured my self a cup of ambition, Yawning stretching trying to come to life

5. You can hide `neath your covers... And study your pain... Make crosses from your lovers....Throw roses in the rain..

That's it this week - Good luck! I'll post points on Thursday night.

Hey You! Name that Tune RULES.

2006-01-25T13:12:00.000-05:00

No seriously..it is the coolest and totally rules but these are the RULES for the game. Read the rules or else your mistake may be the subject of much mocking.

RULES RULES RULES...
1. Be honest and don't Google the lyric line I posted, ok? I mean the prize won't be THAT stellar to warrant cheating. Now I never said team play was illegal. But there is only one prize. And most people are playing on their own... so it does sort of pose an unfair advantage. But I still won't rule it out.
2. First come, first correct answer, points earned! That means only one person gets the points for getting the song/artist right. Whomever guesses the correct answer first!You have til the deadline [declared day of game] ET to take guesses.
3. ONE comment entry per person per game. So no guessing one then coming back and guessing on the rest. One shot to get them right. Otherwise we've got ourselves a free-for-all!
4. You can guess on all or just one or two. You get a point for each one you get right - IF you were the first commenter to get it correct.
5. You have to guess both the Song title AND the Performer. If you guess only one or the other you get no points, even if it's right. AND you give another player a chance to get it right!6. The game is played every Wednesday - the game will be posted by 10AM ET.
7. Lastly, if it looks like someone got them all - guess ANYWAY! It's fun! And you could end up with some points due to a technicality. Sucky to one, joy to another - that's life!

There is ALWAYS a TIME LIMIT. It will be posted with the day's game.

And Shortly Therafter I Discovered His Temperature Was 101.3

2006-01-24T21:43:00.000-05:00

But I don't WANNA!! MAMA!

2006-01-24T21:41:00.000-05:00

Please, Mama, please?

2006-01-24T21:39:00.000-05:00

Thank God I can move my arms again.

Note: To bring truth the pictures, he had fallen down a few minutes before I took the picture. He loves being outside and as soon as we went out, he was a happy boy indeed.

And what's new with you?

2006-01-24T10:30:00.000-05:00

We got a little snow yesterday.

Good News, Lose the Bangs, and How Do You Feel About Infidelity

2006-01-22T17:30:00.000-05:00

Well today I got a call with some good news from a dear friend and it has, in fact, renewed me. Sometimes it just takes something like that - to feel really happy for someone else. I'm not going to get into details of the story they shared... and maybe isn't always the story but the fact that sometimes feeling something strongly for someone else can drive you right out of your own bunnyhole, so to speak. Ok the story is pretty damn good too so maybe it is the story but I'll get to that in another post.

It's no secret that I've been feeling a bit of the Blahs. Getting a bit too mired in the day-to-day minutia and feeling tired all the time.

But today I feel good. And like somebody I like pinched me. Actually the feel good started yesterday. I got my haircut. The stylist has finally talked me into growing out my bangs. I knew it was time. Our conversation went something like this.

"Have you thought about growing out your bangs?"

"Yeah I know I should - they are totally not in style. I'm just not good about my hair being in my eyes and face. I'm not sure I'll suvive it. But really, I know they are just not IN now."

"Oh sure they are... lots of people still have bangs."

"Yeah, but there are people who still have mullets and Aquanet hair poufs too."

"That's true."

Losing the bangs in a big deal. I think I've had bangs of some sort since I was in 7th grade. See I have a small forehead and I'm sort of self-conscious about it. But she didn't think it was as FREAKISHLY SMALL as I seem to think it is and told me that the smallness would just help my bangs grow out all the quicker.

So people - join my "Free the bangs" ticket 2006.

I didn't have my usual hair stylist yesterday. She is on her maternity leave. She gave birth shortly after my previous appt so I will only miss one appointment with her, since she is only taking 8 weeks for maternity leave. She works part-time.

Here's the thing. The woman who did my color and cut yesterday, Wendy... she's Original Stylist's cousin - they work at the same salon. I liked Wendy's job BETTER! She was faster - only 1.5hrs... Original Stylist always takes AT LEAST 2 hours - she's a bit slow on the production end of things. And I liked the overall cut and style better! The only thing we did "different" was the style for the bangs.

So what do I do? Do I stay with Original Stylist? I'm not sure what to tell her to do different to make it more like what Wendy did. Or do I go to Wendy again? I already made an appt to go back to Original Stylist in 6 weeks. (Ugh she was booked at 5 weeks - my roots are going to be juuuuuust lovely.) I could probably figure out the days Wendy works and Original Stylist doesn't and maybe say I need to do those days?

Ugh it feels sooooo....illicit. Oh what a tangled web we weave....

Iceberg, dead ahead!

2006-01-18T13:42:00.000-05:00

Is the apocalypse eminent? Did I miss finding the End-of-the-World-as-We-Know-It blog? Because the weather in these here parts (suburban Boston area)... people, it's getting a little WEIRD.

Last week we experienced a faux spring. It was complete with warm temps up to almost 60 degrees, melted ice and snow and lifted spirits. People were smiling and nodding at each other during errands. New Englanders were making EYE CONTACT.

This ended abruptly Sunday when it snowed and temps dipped to 18 degrees. Yes I said eighteen friggin degrees. Brrr. Ice was abundant, people got grumpy, and no one could make eye contact because raising ones face causes eyes to tear then freeze on the eyelashes.

Today it is 60 degrees. And the day is packing more wind than Star Jones. Tree limbs are breaking and falling, ice is melting, and people aren't wearing outerwear. No outerwear makes me SO HAPPY. I actually had to tighten Liam's carseat straps because they are slacked more to accommodate his coat.

I better check and see how many trees have fallen out back. Hopefully there is enough wood to get started on the ark because I'm not sure we want to stay around to see what's coming next.

After I licked it, I thanked him very much.

2006-01-17T22:50:00.000-05:00

It's a well-known fact that my husband is hard to shop for. Dan pretty much has access to any gadget he desires, either for work-related reasons or because he knows someone who can get him a deal. There are only so many sweaters a wife can buy. Or sports memorabilia. Or Love Sacs.

So you can imagine my dismay (ok, and buoyant happiness) when Liam walked into the kitchen holding an early 60GB Valentine's Day gift.

I'm spoiled. By the unspoilable.

DAMN IT!

And hooray! Unlike my old one it holds pictures and videos and more! more! more! music. Hooray!

For William's Poop Study

2006-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

No, William, Liam did not poop at the library. Therefore skewing your research data. I will let you know how it goes next time. Perhaps assign Liam to the control group?

We may try Barnes & Noble in the future, I'll keep you informed!

Surely there is a Nobel Poop Prize out there for you? A Best Daddy Blog Finalist for 2005??

And That's How I Got the Footprint on My Chest

2006-01-11T21:09:00.000-05:00

So Liam and I are trying to adjust to his new choice of nap schedule. Lately he prefers one. From about 11-1:30pm. But since it's new I haven't been straying from the house before the 11am nap much. When he wakes around 1:30 - it's late lunch time and by the time he's done and cleaned up we are looking at 2pm. So at that point to go anywhere, I need to determine if I want to deal with after-school chaos or evening traffic. Because I've been tired lately, I opted to stay at home the past two days.

Today we NEEDED to get out. So a bit before 3pm we headed out. Where? To the local library.

We arrived, headed in and asked where the children's room was - of course it was downstairs. I recalled that was the location of the children's room at my library growing up. I brought Liam past the computers and the big kid books, back to where the window seats were surrounded by comfy chairs and huge stuffed animals. Then I put him down.

He thought the place was pretty cool. He squeezed a couple of the stuffed animals and fell on top of a big Raggedy Andy doll and gave him kisses. Then he decided...

It was time to run.

I guess he hasn't really been in a big open space since he has gotten as proficient in mobility as he is. And those little legs... they were made for arunnin'. As much as an 16 month old can run I guess. He kept me moving, that is for sure.

So we ran around the bookshelves til we spotted something interesting. A rocking chair needing rocking. A bead game needing playing. A real live parakeet needing talking to. And of course the other children. Who needed to be stared at. Very closely.

Interestingly enough, children who looked at me like I was STRANGER DANGER yet were happy to talk to Liam. Until he grabbed for their crayons. And people, we all know schoolyard ettiquette on crayons. No STEALING!

So I unhanded the bandit and he screamed and everyone stared... kids looking at me like I was kidnapping him. Other mothers smiling encouragingly and relieved it was me and not them.

I brought him back to the picture books and we read one and had a drink and snack and then the legs flailed and he said "dahn" several times. So I did and off he went again. This time directly to the bead maze game. Where we hung out until approached by an older man with a plastic badge that said Library Volunteer. His first comment to Liam, after hello, is "Well this little guy doesn't look like he misses a meal!"

I digress for a moment to ponder than more often than not, older people comment on Liam's size. "Oh he's chubby" "He's eating well!" Or the elderly woman folding fliers at another table who later said "If I had a pin I would pop those cheeks!" Really? HOW ODD. Liam is big for his age I know but pretty proportionate. I think people think he's older and assume he shouldn't have baby fat? Aren't babies SUPPOSED to have round cheeks? Does anyone WANT to see a gaunt baby?

Anyway, while the older man was closing in, my head was ticking the countdown until Liam feaked out. I am not sure how to handle these moments. Is it ok to say "Please don't get too close, he thinks you are scary?" The man reached a hand out to the toy we were playing with and Liam reached zero. Crying. Lunging for my neck. Crawling up my face.

"Did I scare him?"

Hrm... no.. I think he is afraid of tiny Tweety bird over there. "Yeah I think a little."

I know, I know... he was trying to be nice. I think. He kinda looked pissed off at Liam for getting upset and then just stalked off. WHATEVER DUDE! After I finally calmed Liam down, he was watcing for the guy and would point him out whenever we saw him. Yes Liam there is the Stranger. It's ok. We are ok. OHHHH KAAYYYYY. Yes. Us. Really. OK.

We ran some more, Liam kept stopping to stare at some little boys playing a video computer game. (Yeah the signs are a go for future video nerd like Dada). He would get real close almost touching them. I was just afraid he would slap at the keyboard like he does to our laptops and ruin the poor kid's game.

Just trying to keep the local library peace, people.

The Eyes Almost Make You Miss the Red Runny Nose

2006-01-11T12:26:00.000-05:00

Blue Eyes and Pink Cheeks

Set This Load on the Sleep Cycle

2006-01-10T09:45:00.000-05:00

Why oh why did I mention sleeping and Liam's good day in the same post?

So he woke this morning crying at 1:30am. Now I haven't blogged much about it, but my sleep has been very poor since the holidays. I am waking every night/morning around 3am and I can't fall back asleep until about 5am. Then Dan's alarm goes off at 6am most days. Then I fall back asleep around 7am and Liam wakes between 7:30-8am. I have no idea why I'm waking. But my brain has a hard time shutting off from an endless spin cycle of "Things to Do" and "Dumb Things to Fret About" in the wee early hours of the morning.

So last night I medicated with 2 sleep pills (just over the counter stuff from T*lenol - nothing hardcore), and was into the Land of Nod shortly thereafter.

Until 1:30am. When the crying began. Now I have typical dealt with these rare, RARE awakenings from Liam. They have happened when Dan was away. Or they have happened only a couple hours after his bedtime. So for some reason or another I have taken the lead.

Last night Dan popped out of bed and went to see to Liam. This went on for a few moments before I realized lights were on so I sprang from bed to find Dan reading Liam a book. I totally understand that Dan was feeling all those feelings I had experienced the first couple of times this happened on my watch. He must be sick! He must be sccared! He must be something! But he isn't really. We always check for fever, sickness, dirty diaper. He may have had a bad dream or whatnot but once he realized he could have company, he keeps crying whenever you put him down.

So I turned out the light and put Liam back into his crib with his binky with much MUCH protesting. But shortly after we left he quieted. He was awake til about 3am. Crying a bit here and there but mostly just trying to get back to sleep. I think Dan fell off around 2:30.

I had to get up at 3am and walk around. My restless legs were acting up and I needed to move. I eventually conked out on the couch downstairs around 3:30-4am. I woke up at 6:45am and went back to bed. Liam woke at 8am.

He seems fine - but I am EXHAUSTED, of course. He is watching The Wiggles now and bouncing up and down.

I cancelled out of playgroup because I knew Liam wouldn't last until noon without a nap. OR is it me who won't last?

Closer to Fine

2006-01-09T21:29:00.000-05:00

And this too shall pass... thank God.

We have entered a new week and Liam seems to be on the mend. He was the most wonderful boy ever today. Yeah like EVER.

So we happily played and shouted and made googley-eyes at each other all day long. We are again... in love.

So in honor of this... I am going to bed early! Because tomorrow is another day.

Under the weather??

2006-01-09T12:40:00.000-05:00

Liam's laughter is the best medicine. Turn up the sound and drink up!

Someone send me a copy of the new Playbook!!!

2006-01-06T23:01:00.000-05:00

Ohh happy day to come to the end of the week coming off holidays. Was this the longest week like EVER or is it just me? I know I know, it's just me or the wine talking. No. Seriously. It's just the wine talking.

After having two people to constantly entertain him for over a week, Liam was stuck with just Mama again and the first couple of days were not all that pretty. He is manufacturing snot like a kid making Kathy Lee Gifford clothes in a sweatshop. He does make the sweetest little nose bubbles. Ugh... excuse me.. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

We had some struggles this week. The first day was over the dog food. He wanted it. Bad. While the dogs were eating. It's soft and hard food mixed. A bit yucky. He was not to be deterred. I felt my blood pressure rising. A bit of yelling. A bit of crying. From both of us.

The next day we bickered about lunch. He was tired and hungry after playgroup. I chopped up his favorites and put him in his chair. Unacceptable, Mama. None of this food is right. NONE OF IT. BLUEBERRIES ONLY, YOU MORON! If I see something OTHER than a blueberry on this tray... YOU ARE SO FIRED! I got fired. Then he took a nap.

By the following day we were ok until I wouldn't let him have my cellphone. ALSO UNACCEPTABLE. You will pay dearly for this infraction, Mama!

Friday my friend Jeff came over and by having someone OTHER THAN MAMA around he was pleased. Until dinner when I guess I was sitting too close. I WON'T eat while you are watching me! AND I will push everything out of my tray. Don't tell me what to EAT! Is THAT a cupcake over there? Why don't I HAVE A CUPCAKE!!!!!!

So tomorrow is Saturday. Saturday means Dan is home. Hope he plays by the new rules.

Resolute

2006-01-03T11:17:00.000-05:00

We are starting the new year down a couple notches. Liam coughed off and on through out the night and I am still going by "Thumb Nub." It is getting better and probably because I'm babying it like it's a severed limb.

Dan went back to work today after many days at home. So the house feels a bit empty. Liam only stayed awake for two hours before asking for a nap. So either he is bored to exhaustion or it's the bug he's got.

I'm pondering my new year resolutions. One of which is be more appreciative and show gratitude for my life and the world around me. Dan tells me this sounds a bit like a canned response. But it's sincere. The voice in my head tends to be a cynical one. A critical one. And I'd like it to tone down a bit.

I'd also like to take a camera class this year. I have a gorgeous wonderful Nikon D-70 which I love love love. I would like to know more about how it works and take my photos up to the next level.

And I would like to have more time with my husband. Dan works very hard and that is one of the reasons I am able to stay home with Liam. But he works late. And he is on call. Every day. He has this Blackberry that I would like to drop in the toilet. But it affords us our current lifestyle. So I have to accept it. But I would like to have a date night every once in a while. We never have dates. Like ever. So I also need to find a trusted babysitter close to where we live that can come for a couple hours here or there. So there's another resolution.

So I'm not going to make myself some false promises about losing weight and exercising cause honestly Liam has me going from a brisk walk to a light jog these days. I anticipate by spring we will be in a full run. And once the Christmas candy and chocolates and whatnot are gone, I won't buy more and if it's not in the house, I'll be fine. Gnawwing on my arm, but fine.

So until then... know I'll be appreciating you, eating chocolate, while taking candid snapshots of my husband alone. Wait a sec.... that sounds a little....

Happy Observed New Year!!

2006-01-02T16:26:00.000-05:00

So we here wish you there a very happy and healthy new year. The past two days were mostly spent eating and chasing a half nekkid child. Sometimes all nekkid. He is VERY into nekkid. He has figured out how to not just pull his socks off - but peel them off the same way I do. He is pulling at the pants so I figure those are next.

So because I am still figuring out my resolutions and year-end thoughts and such. So I thought I'd offer some photos of how we spent our New Year's.

Liam met our dinner before our dinner met it's fate. Note Lily hiding under the high chair.

He wasn't even remotely afraid. Unlike when I was younger and I ran screaming from the kitchen "BIG BUGGIE! BIG BUGGIE!!"

I almost dropped the camera at this point because he picked the friggin thing up by it's claw and the lobster was waving it's little pincers at him like, "Come CLOSER little boy." So Dada picked it up. Liam wanted his little friend back. Reaching for it as if it were a little puppy. I believe that the look on Lily's face would be something like "Are you shitting me with this thing?"

Liam had meatballs. We had lobster. Happy New Year!

There was a last bath of 2005.

And there was a great chase before pjs and bed. Happy New Year, Liam!!

On New Years' Day, Grampy came to our house with a hat. Sometimes Liam liked it, sometimes he didn't.

Who can turn the world on with his smile? Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile? Well it's you boy, and you should know it. With each glance and every little movement you show it...

I'll Be Wounded For Christmas

2006-01-01T20:03:00.000-05:00

What is it about the holidays that warrants bloodshed?

Sure new toys beget new injuries... we all know what happened to Ralphie when he got his coveted Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle (Deck the halls with boughs of horry, ra ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra).

But maybe it isn't the specific toy that brings the pain - maybe it's the season? And I'm not just talking injuries either. I'm also thinking of my friend Jody who emailed me on Friday with this comment about her trip with her husband and 17 month old to see family for Hanukkah, "Let me just say these two words: stomach flu. Add that to travel and let your mind go."

And it isn't discriminating - these things happen to everyone.

We escaped Christmas with nary a scratch. However, 3 days later Dan was testing out his new mandolin slicer. *cue dark foreboding music*

You see, the O'Neills... we like us some kitchen gadgets. And Santa was very good to us this year. Gadgets a plenty. Shiney and new!

So back to Dan testing out the mandolin slicer. And. Not. Using. The. Safety. Device.

So yeah, the mandolin slices amazingly well. Just check out the lucky-to-just-be-a-skin-abrasion on his middle finger. He'd be happy to show it to you. Especially if you cut him off on Route 128.

That same evening I was hastily trying to open the Aquadoodle box for Liam. We decided to let him do some "drawing". What could be better for a toddler with limited hand control than a pen that is filled with water and makes marks ONLY on this plastic mat. How did Ron Popeil miss THIS one?

So back to me opening the Aquadoodle box hastily and feeling the cardboard box slice directly into the skin of my left index finger. I KNOW! Disgusting! I said to Dan, "Do they give stitches for paper lacerations?" He directed me to the sink and assured me that they did not.

Now normally an injury to one hand would just make one lean more heavily on the other. But as I explained in THIS lengthy post - my right hand is limited in many ways so losing even a bit of function of my left hand is a BIG PAIN in the ass. But I'm lucky to have what I have to suck it up sister and move on. Besides I was completely Type A about keeping it clean and putting on Ne*sporin and bandaids so it healed pretty quick.

This brings us to today. We had my father-in-law over to watch the game with Dan and we were making many scrumptious snacks. I was throwing together a salad and needed to dice some tomatoes. We got nice new Henkels knives for Christmas!

*cue dark foreboding music*

Yeah so I turn to look at the shrimp in the grill pan and slice a chunk out of my left thumb. YES my LEFT thumb. It hurts like a mother and I can tell it keeps opening and bleeding. I KNOW! Gross! Anyone who has injured a thumb knows it's a BIG PAIN in the ASS. So I'm being a big wimp about it and whining a lot. I know you can't tell that here...

Plus, as a bonus, Liam woke up with a runny nose. And if there is anything he likes less than a diaper change - which is worse by day as he now runs when he sees a diaper or I say the word "change" - it's getting his nose wiped.

Wiped with a tissue covering a thumb with a big old band aid on it.

Wah.

Life humbling moment #1,324,436: Cleaning poop* out of the bath tub

2005-12-29T22:00:00.000-05:00

*Not mine. Not mine. Not mine.

My good friend Jeff got Liam some gifts for Christmas. Among them is a Fisher Price Little People Floaty Boat with a Captain and a lobster and a fish ("dishie!") that squirts water. Liam had it in the tub for the first time tonight and would probably still be in there had we not pulled his kicking pruney legs out.

As Dan picked him up, he said, "Uh oh - somebody pooped."

"You pooped?"

"No! Somebody else!"

"The Captain pooped? Fisher Price is AMAZING."

Much sighing and motioning for a wipe, because, of course, the poop defies water and what didn't stay stuck to the bottom of the tub, was stuck to the bottom of the boy.

"Ok Liam let's go get jammies on so Mama can clean up the poop."

"Mama's cleaning the poop?"

Santa brought Susie some !!!exclamation points!!!

2005-12-26T21:03:00.000-05:00

So Santa came, Santa dropped some gifts, and Santa gave the O'Neills a whole lotta love. Especially the littlest O'Neill - not Lily (though she got lots of Christmas love too).

While Liam hasn't quite gotten the hang of tearing open a present - he understands seeing a new toy for the first time. With lots of pointing and grabbing we figured out really quickly which toys were on the Wishlist in his head. And which toys he is starting to discover now, a day later.

We spent the Eve at my in-laws like always. We ate wonderful food! And goodies! And drank wine. Or rather *I* drank wine with Uncle Ryan's girlfriend and my mother-in-law. We exchange gifts. HO HO HO! Indeed! Liam got a big Elmo...

and something to bang the crap out of.

Among many other great and wonderful gifts Including books! Yay for books! Cause the boy likes his "buh." And clothes! Cause Mum likes the boy to look goooooood.

After Liam was nestled snug in his bed - Santa pulled up in his sleigh. Of course a few shots were taken of his handiwork.

As you can see, Santa did not leave wrapped gifts this year. From what I hear some families never wrap Santa's gifts (except for big things like bikes, sleds and such). Did your family have wrapped gifts from Santa? Now or in the past? My parents wrapped everything but the biggies - bikes, sleds, dollhouse, desk, etc). AND our stocking gifts were wrapped except maybe for candy. Must have been quite a night for my parents when they had all four kids under the same roof.

So Santa decided after observing Liam's lack of interest in tearing paper Christmas Eve, to not stay up til the wee hours wrapping. So Santa actually got a decent night's sleep!

Christmas morning we awoke to discover that Liam's diaper overfloweth onto his fun festive pajama bottoms. After a quick change I practically had to drag Liam downstairs as that morning of all mornings he had discovered his voice echos in the stairwell. While Dada is videotaping! So we "eh!" "ah!"-ed for a bit before I finally gave up and carried him the rest of the way.

Wow he was impressed with his stash and went straight to the wagon. Inside he saw an Elmo phone that two of his friends have and he had been coveting on every playdate. After that, he went for Dusty the Vaccuum. The Elmo phone is discarded to the right in the picture.

Christmas Day brought my parents and sister and her family to my house. We exchanged gifts! And had fun! And headed to my cousin's house across town to consume mass quantities of food. Cause it's Christmas. And it's the law.

These photos do not cover the full range of food which included many appetizers like chicken with 3 dipping sauces. And shrimp. And scallops wrapped in bacon! That's right! I SAID BACON. And homemade salsa and chips.

There was much prime rib had by Dan. Much.

Someone enjoyed his ham, mashed potatoes and homemade mac & cheese a whole LOT. Had fun with his Auntie too.

And his Papa.

This morning was spent discovering the Little People A-Z Zoo!! 26 individual animals! And a zookeeper with a little car! And things that make animal noises! The hippo was immediately thrown on sight. Not sure what THAT was about. And Mama did not always put the right animal in the right place which caused more animals to be thrown. Mama! Eh! But all in all we had fun!! And I learned that there was an animal called a Urial! I missed the Urial chapter in life science.

And Liam pooped. Finally. I guess his Christmas didn't include much fiber.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah to all my family and friends!!

And tell me, did Santa wrap your gifts - now or back then??

Happy Anniversary M & D!

2005-12-26T10:33:00.000-05:00

Mum and Dad,

Happy 35 years of marriage.

And they said it wouldn't last???
Thppppppppppt!

Much love to you both!

The Quarterly Report: 15 months for Liam

2005-12-22T21:01:00.000-05:00

So here we are... nestling in to the next quarter of Liam's life and I haven't even done the good mum deed of documenting any of his milestones and achievements for the past quarter. The quarter in which Liam has exploded as a little person.

He was out of the gates at his one year birthday in September by upping his communication attempts. I had been signing to Liam for about 6-7 months when he finally started signing back. First with "more." Then "milk." Then "eat," "drink," and "hat." Now he also signs "sleep" when he is tired, and "more sleep" when he wants another nap. He signs "apple" and "all done." He knows to run away when I sign for a diaper "change" but attempts the sign himself. Yes, thank you we will accept the Book Award now, in advance. He blew my doors off tonight when I realized he had signed for "help." He will try to learn any sign, it's just a matter of making it practical for him. He knows the sign for "snow" - but it's easier for him to understand when it is actually snowing.

Liam's verbals are improving. He can chant "Mama" or "Mummy" minutely and cheerfully shrieks "Dada! Dada! Dada!" when he hears Daddy opening the door when he's home from work. He was saying "Dah-DEE" for a while but has gone back to "Dada." He says "Day-ZEE" (Daisy) And what sounds like "Gih-gee" for Lily. He used to say "Duggie" (doggie) a lot but doesn't as much anymore. He has been able to say Nana, Papa and tries to say Nonni. Grampy is a hard one. Working on it! Liam yells for "geeez" (cheese), "ah-bees" (apples) and "guh-gahs" (cookies/crackers) from his high chair. He says "ah dah" (all done) and "dahn" (down) to get out of his high chair. He likes "bee-uhs" bears - and perfect Bostonian pronunciation of such) and "puh-peee" (puppy). He points to his rocking chair and says "rah, rah, rah" (rock). Both his binky and blanket go by "bobby," cause that's how we roll in the O'Neill house. We read a "buh" (book) before bed and say "nigh nigh" (night-night) light. He waves "buh-buh" (bye-bye) and is starting to do it sooner than 5 minutes after someone leaves.

The feet were finally made for walking in late October as you can see here. He hasn't stopped for much since. Things at his eye level are SO MUCH more interesting as is carrying something while walking. He falls less and less and can get quite a bit of speed up when he is motivated, by say... and open door to the great outdoors.

One of my favorite developments has been Liam's increasing ability to play and to show affection. When I provide him with a snack he finds particularly tasty, he will first stand before the snack, waving his arms up and down and smiling. After having a bit, he will come to me and pat me and lay his head against me. Can you EVEN STAND IT?! We ask for kisses and get them.

We get hugs. He likes to hug his pugs... but only one of them will sit for it - of course - Lily.

He has just started trying to play with the dogs. When they tussle playfully, he makes noise and throws himself at them. Daisy runs away, but Lily will start with the licking. As he tucks his head under him, she sneaks under and licks his nose, cheeks and ears. He laughs and waves his arms at her. And...Ultimately he OPENS HIS MOUTH and lets her have at it. YES, I INTERVENE. It's gross! But he doesn't mind - I wonder if he is try to lick her back. Brrrghlsh. Gross.

Liam bounces his bum up and down to dance when he hears music - it's a riot because it's how his dad dances. He can throw the ball as well as a great many of his toys. We are working on that.

Liam likes to put stuff into containers. He likes to carry bags around - any kinds. But especially my small black Coach bag. He gets fascinated with things and must carry them with him, sometimes all day. A pocket pack of Kleenex. His sock. His shoe. His pants. My deodorant. a water bottle. Diapers. He LOVES to carry around an unused clean diaper. He knows where they are in the diaper bag or caddy and when I take one away, he gets another one.

Liam likes to shake bells and rattles if they make a big noise. He likes to hit the table with his palm and to clap his hands. He can do the Itsy Bitsy Spider song. People! He was a BLOB a year ago today. Now he does Itsy Bitsy Spider. Is he not amazing? He is starting to experiment with his shape sorters and nesting toys. I'll see him, at the end of breakfast, put his sippy into his dry cereal bowl.

Major stranger anxiety going on over here. Mostly with men. It seems to be the trend with his friends also so we will just go with it and hope for the best for the holidays.

Liam,
Funny bunny. You are the best kid EVER. You are turning into a REAL BOY by the day. People are starting to notice. And you are doing boyish things.

When I ask you to point to your cousin, Andy, in a picture, you do. Your Uncle Ryan? Yes that's him. And in this book - that's a circle. That's a square. That's my nose and here is my belly button. My sock goes on my foot and this here is my leg. Can I help you get that shirt on me, Mama? See me stick my arm through by myself? I like to have you put one mitten on me and I will walk around with it for a while. Ok, how does this shoe tying work? Can I help?

Two words - SLOW DOWN!

Oh buddy it's great to have a little person in the house with me, but do you have to be so UP IN MY GRILL? I mean yes I have to go to the bathroom, but do we have to all of us -you, me, Daisy and Lily have to be in there together? And that pushing thing you do to me when I'm cutting your food. NOT my favorite. I know you're hungry - it's coming. What's that? Oh - my lunch looks good too. Great. I didn't want to eat anyway.

My favorite thing now that you is to show me the love. You hold me back when I carry you. When you get a little nervous, you grip onto my arm. When you want some affection you put yourself in my lap. You lay back and your soft hair hits my cheek and feels better than any cashmere sweater. When you lean forward with your lips slightly sticking out for a kiss - I want to grab you and put you in my pocket forever!

So as we toddled down the hall today to Gymboree class, with you holding on to my hand, all I thought of was how much more fun is to come!

Love, Mama

O' Christmas Tree

2005-12-21T22:44:00.000-05:00

This one. This is the one I choose for the toilet bowl.

Season's Greetings

2005-12-19T13:15:00.000-05:00

The above is our 2005 holiday card. I will probably get sued by the photographer for posting it but, hey, not like I'm getting crazy web traffic so I'll chance it.

I'm working on part 2 of my work project. It involves diving headfirst into Microsoft Word and manipulating various integrated templates which is enough to make one's eyes cross. I'd get into what specifically is involved but I don't want to pass out while at the keyboard.

Still astonished daily by a boy who is turning into more of a Real Boy every day. I owe the blog a Quarterly Report as Liam recently turned 15 mos. Perhaps later this week.

I am looking forward to the holidays as Dan's company generously closes it's doors for the week between Christmas and New Year's. We will get some nice family time together.

I spent much of the second half of last week fending off another nasty bug. Pretty much the same as the last one and luckily I had leftovers of the cough medicine with codeine to help out. One night Dan got the pleasure of listening to me cough for one solid hour when we lay down to sleep. And he stayed. Could this be love?

Peace out. I'll be back.

Door Bells and Sleigh Bells and Schnitzel with Noodles

2005-12-15T20:44:00.000-05:00

On one of my favorite blogs, Friday Playdate, Susan had a great idea. And she invited readers post a list of their favorite things. Very Oprah... except you don't actually have to give the shit away. So please, if you hosted your very own 'My Favorite Things' show - what would you list?? I'm going to list some of mine, and stealing from Susan once again, I'm going to categorize them.

Indulgences

Cashmere. I can almost hear my mum saying something about getting it dry cleaned... but EVERYONE should own a cashmere sweater. Wrapping-up-in-soft-cozy-warmth. The stores all have cashmere this year, even Target. The only cashmere sweater I own was given to me by my brother-in-law when he worked for The Limited. It was completely unexpected. It's a zip-up hoodie and I love it.

GAP low rise bootcut jeans. I love Gap clothes. And I love their jeans because they have an ankle length which fits my short legs perfectly. There is nothing worse than finding jeans that fit but are wayyyyy too long for a 5'2"-er like me. GAP jeans aren't cheap so that's why I consider them an indulgence.

Coach bags. I've always been drawn to label bags but Coach is one of my fav's that is an indulgence but not a scary indulgence that would feed my guilt for years.

Pedicures. Take care of your feet people!

Concerts. See your favorite band or musician live. Your body will hum.

Professional photography. The best money I've spent has been on going to a professional children's photographer who formed a relationship with Liam and took the most engaging photos of him. Wait til you see my Christmas card! I cherish photos and I will consider these photos an investment in comfort for when he's an angst-ridden teenager who curls his lip at me.

Things I Can Afford

Lands End All Weather Mocs. I live in these shoes from November-March. Best part is they are super easy to slip on and off so I can drop them at the door and easily slip them back on when needed. I have them in brown, red and black.

Walmart.com digital prints. You can upload your snaps and pic them up in the store. You can get 4x6s for just 12 cents each. The quality is above average. Makes it worth entering the store.

GAP Outlet. We have one at an outlet mall. I always get amazing deals. They also have GAP children's, babies' and maternity outlets.

DVR - One of the best gifts Dan ever gave me was signing us up for our cable company's DVR. Pausing live TV! Recording shows without a VCR! Rewinding for all the "Did you just see/hear that?" moments my husband and I share. I heart our DVR.

For Toddlers

Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Home. we got this for Liam for his birthday this past July and he STILL plays with it. Door to open, lights to turn off and on, music, mailbox, window shade! hooray!

Stride Rite shoes for boys with EXTRA WIDE feet. I have come to discover that I will be paying through the nose for shoes because of my son's size. Those cute shoes you see in Kohl's and Target... yeah - not so much.

The Children's Place. I've found the best deals for well-made kids clothes here. And great sales. Also, when you sign up for their mailing list you get reusable discount passes for 15-30% off. They also have EQUAL amounts of boys and girls clothes (take note Gymboree and BabyGAP).

For my Bellllllllay

Lasagna. I can't make it well but I LOVE to eat it. My favorites are my mother-in-laws and my cousin Donna's. Love ricotta and meat in it. YUM YUM

Penne Rustica from Macaroni Grill. Perfect blend of chicken, penne, creamy zesty sauce and baked so it has a crunchy coating. The could throw a few more shrimp in there to make me happy - 3 pieces of shrimp is just a tease.

Entenmann's Coconut Macaroons. Like a box of Mounds bars. Real. Good. Stuff.

Ferrero Rocher. The hazelnutty goodness with melty chocolate middles. I keep buying them to give as gifts and they keep disappearing. It's not just me... I'm just saying!

Can't Wrap These Ones

Puppy smell

Feeling Liam press himself against me

Newborn baby clothes

The middle of a good book

Chatting with good friends

My family, I'm lucky to say

A nice glass of pinot grigio

Reaching out my foot to touch Dan's leg in the middle of the night

Christmas Eve in my house

Seeing Daisy and Lily tussle playfully

Chubby smiley babies

Waking up in the morning knowing I get another day with Liam

Liam meets snow: A short story

2005-12-12T23:31:00.000-05:00

This is my way of apologizing for being trapped inside an endless PowerPoint presetation and being unable to update my blog sufficiently.

Saturday we dug out from the 15" of snow we got and brought Liam outside after wrestling him into a pair of boots. I have two black eyes from punching myself in the face when pulling boots on him but HEY he didn't get hurt!

First he walked around like he owned the joint.

Then he walked some more. And he saw a clean nice flat shelf of snow. He decided to take a closer look.

A closer look? ...or is that FALLING! Snow too soft!

And a face angel is made (rest assured Daddy was right beside him).

Oh no. Not such a happy moment in the snow. Lily looks on at Liam like he is a big powdered donut.

But things were soon ok and there was much [more] to learn about snow.

Daisy and Lily go crazy chasing Daddy's snowballs.

Snow tastes cold.

It's fun to play with Dada outside.

Snow is fun. Liam didn't want to go inside. And when we did.... he cried really hard.

The end.

In and Out of Love (or Lay Your Hands On Me [please?])

2005-12-11T15:22:00.000-05:00

Before I start - the parents and the inlaws may want to skip this entry. Lots of inappropriate comments from married mother of 1)

Last night I was blissed out. BLISSED OUT PEOPLE! And very little alcohol was involved.

Last night I saw one of the few men in my life that I have known since what I figure MUST be about 1985. My brother Gerry pretty much handed him over to me because once I looked at the cover of the 7800 Fahreheit album I was done.

Our love affair, Jon's and mine, has run hot and cold over the years. However when we see each other - it's magic baby. Puuuuuuuuuuuuuuure magic.

Last night no different. The seats Karen and I scored - which in turn were my husband's handiwork - were REAL good. This picture above does not do it justice. Like... I could see the sweat, ladies. Lovely yummy Bon Jovi sweat.

My true love really bloomed in the late 80s... when of course ALL the girls discovered him as well... but I knew he only had songs for me. After all, I spent lots of time staring out my window in my room. daydreaming, listening to them over and over and over. Wondering when he'd show up to spring me from this joint. My brother took me to see him in concert twice that year - in the winter and in the summer. Every song he sang was directed to me and I was sure he spotted me over and over again out of the 40 billion people in the audience.

I had a black nylon flag with his face silkscreened on it in white hanging above my bed on my ceiling. Posters covered my walls. My jean jacket flaired with pins. MY notebooks were covered with the words "BON JOVI" and all kinds of cursive and arty lettering.

Last night I KNEW he saw me and smiled, "There she is again," Jon thinks. "My girl." So he's married and has four kids?!? Yeah so? We had to go on with our lives because our schedules just never matched up. But we'll always have "Always."

At one point int the concert. Jon appeared, I kid you NOT - 6 DEGREES OF BODIES SEPARATING US. They had a platform set up at the end of the row behind us. He popped up there and sang "Blaze of Glory" and of course "Always," ... for me. I SAW CHEST HAIR he was so close. CHEST HAIR. JON BON JOVI CHEST HAIR. AND THE SWEAT, OH MY GOD THE LICKABLE SWEAT. So in between screaming like a school girl, I tried to take pictures with my camera phone and I was a little shaky as you can see.

So, for all these photos show, it could be ANYONE standing there. But trust me. It was him. Jon. Bon. Jovi. MEEEE-OWWWW.

We were sitting next to several older couples, and by older I just mean older than me which is AWESOME - they were probably in their 40s. But lately when I go to concerts I feel ancient so it was great to see so many older people. Anyway, they let me and my friend Karen scoot down past them to get closer to Jon and I about LOST my every loving mind. I couldn't hardly work the camera.

Today it seems like a dream. A lovely PHENOMENAL dream in which I have them man with the best teeth outta New Jersey singing "I'd Die for You." Over and over. And over.

I heart Jon. True love 4-eva.

Feeling like a Monday but Someday I'll be Saturday Night

2005-12-08T22:13:00.000-05:00

So yeah. Here I am typing away. Working. Worky work work. This stuff isn't happening people! It's not fun. Did I think technical documentation was fun? Hm. Maybe I was drunk. Wait a minute! My boss took me out twice and cockails were encouraged. DAMN IT. She got me.

My work brings to mind a song with the line, "My life's a bargain basement; all the good shit's gone." I just can't conjure any excitement here. Even the money... blaaaaah.

But in a more interesting light, it looks as though we are expecting a snow dump here in Massachusetts tomorrow. SNOW DAY! Liam has not had much exposure to the white stuff and I'm looking forward to wrestling him into a pair of snow boots, bundling him up so his arms stick straight out and all you can see is his eyes and nose. Oh and then we'll go outside.

Any bets as to how long the mittens last? How about total time spent outside before he cries?

Sadly, it appears that the weather will put a damper on the holiday razzle dazzle that is Dan's holiday party. Unfortunately that means I have to forgo the beef tenderloin and open bar. On the plus side once Liam is in bed, I can go straight to my work, just like the right jolly old elf and the stockings,* and wrap up these PowerPoint slides I'm creating for a web class. Speaking of dazzle - I'm dazzling you with my work talk, aren't I? Aren't I!? Yeah well I'm not done yet. Wait til I start working with some templated Word files that are about as easy to manage as getting Liam's extra wide foot into his regular sized snow boot. He likes them! Really! They light up when he walks. Until he falls over from lack of circulation. Like an impression of my mother-in-law's cairn terrier, Brandy, who keels over when her paws get too cold.

Ah thank God the snow will be cleared before Saturday. When I go to that place and do that thing. Rock on! Oops.

*Now that I think of it, minus the stump of the pipe in my teeth - not a smoker. And as far as the round little belly and shaking like jelly... weeeeeell, let's just leave that one alone, shall we? Yes, we shall.

The Price of Love

2005-12-07T23:11:00.000-05:00

Attending your spouse's holiday office party.

That's right, Friday night is the holiday dinner party for Dan's company. So I will spend the night being uncomfortable in my new shoes, drinking two much wine before the meal is served, and smiling uncontrollably and getting increasingly flushed in the face due to beforementioned wine drinking.

On top of that, we are expecting a snow storm Friday. Which means no party which will negate my one opportunity to dress like a woman this year. No I know. I dress like a woman in my favorite jeans and t's. But people I got a new outfit for this affair. I spent some money at 8am on Saturday at Macy's "Please, Dear God Come and Spend Money at our Customer Appreciation Employee's Discount and a Free Bag of Chips Sale." Because who doesn't love chips? I was gonna be looking goooooooooooood. But not too good. We don't need the Partner's wives thinking the Senior Network Analyst is making too much money.

You know, the wives! Most of whom have been beyond generous when Liam was born, sending gifts and cards. Wonderful people. Really! Being honest here!

But then there are the wives, who, when Dan travels to their oppulent estates to figure out what is wrong with their husband's wireless connections (yes there is a joke in there somewhere), he finds them getting manicures from the housekeeper/massage therapist/beautician. Yeah the ones who will greet me cautiously before dismissing me with The Up-and-Down.

I didn't go to the holiday dinner last year as I was home with a 4 month old and leaky boobs that could not be contained by any sort of pretty girly outfit. Seriously I would have needed something in the Delta Burke Special Occasions line with those puppies knocking around. Plus I couldn't self-medicate with wine while breastfeeding, so really... what would be the point? The year before that Dan worked at a different company. So we were at their party at another posh place that had me shifting weight from one sore pinched toe to the other and smiling widely as I downed another glass of pinot grigio. "What? My cheeks are pink? HEEHEE."

So we will do the cliche things like, "sit tight," "keep an eye on the weather," and "wait and see." Darn I'd hate to miss it! It is going to be at a lovely place like this.

Runaway*

2005-12-06T23:45:00.000-05:00

Or should it be "Run away! Run away! Fast as you can!"

That's right people I'm working outside the home while in my home. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Ok even then it didn't but please people, let me get on with it.** As I sit here surrounded with technical documentation, release notes and confidentiality agreements, I ask myself one question...

What the hell was I thinking?

Because this shit... it's not doing it for me.

Ah the things we will prostitute ourselves for to get a little money. Hopefully I won't go all George Bailey by Christmas. Or is it Heidi Fleiss?

So while I sit here without a caffe mocha (or as they say at Starbucks - a mocha, no whip), I am up WAY past my bedtime. Listening to Liam talk on his monitor. The poor kid has been awake for about a half hour and God bless him he hasn't done much more than moan and make little noises. I can tell he's awake and having a hard time getting himself back down. Not sure why it's tonight that he is awake. Maybe he senses my frustration with my work or perhaps he can hear me loudly exclaiming, "What client wanted THAT enhancement?" and "This product has gone to shit [since I left]."

Since I started my paragraph above he has quieted a bit more.*** I can picture him doing as he often does to comfort himself to sleep. It involves laying on his belly, tucking his knees underneath him, head down against the mattress, and gently rocking while doing soft "uhhh" noises. Oddly, after creating 3 pages of content, I feel like doing the same thing. But I might be muttering something more along the lines of "Dear God WHY?"

*Starting today, right now, my blog titles will be clues as to what TOTALLY WICKED AWESOME place/thing I'm going to Saturday night. Those of you that know me and already know what it is I'm so excited about are not allowed to guess. However you can still! please! comment as it feeds my ego which is so very fragile like glass.

**Look forward to more mindless posts from me as I seek to procrastinate this project even further! Joy!

***Hm not so asleep again. Pray for us all.

Happy Birthday, Mum.

2005-12-06T14:01:00.000-05:00

And happy birthday to Nana from Liam.

We love you very much!

Photo Friday: What's In Right Now

2005-12-02T13:33:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our quarterly issue of What's IN with Raising Liam.

Blankies and diapers. In.

A fine bolognese. Or Ragu. Very IN - can't keep it on the tray.

Traditional greetings. I mean how cool - it's like a little book you get in the mail.

Accessories that reflect your inner spirit. Or your good taste. In, baby.

Turkey legs. Even though they are also a little weird.

Whose Woods These Are I Think I Know

2005-12-01T12:48:00.000-05:00

Can you find the neighbor in my back yard?

Waxing* Nostalgic

2005-11-30T13:52:00.000-05:00

Why is it that while we don't host Thanksgiving, my house becomes a casualty anyway? My Fabulous Baker Boy husband does some damage. I fail to put away all the non-perishable groceries due to my severe housekeeping ADD. Add to it two pugs who track muddy paws and cookie crumbs and a son who is walking so he likes to "reorganize" by carrying an item from one location, say... my wallet, and deposit it in another, say... the toilet.

So whilest I scrub like the scullery maid my sister dubbed me as when I was 13, I've been listening to my holiday music.

I HEART holiday music. A wicked lot.

To you non-New Englanders - that means I really really love it.

Anyway as I listen while making the kitchen glisten
And I wax* as it wanes
And I shine as it winds...

I was thinking of my favorite holiday songs.

I must have my Baby It's Cold Outside with Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark. I must have several versions of O Holy Night - Josh Groban, Martina McBride and maybe even Celine Dion. That is my favorite true Christmas song. It can actually bring me to tears if I've had a little wine... I need me some Sleigh Ride with the Boston Pops Orchestra. And do not leave out Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives. Oh and throw in Looks like a Cold, Cold Winter by Bing Crosby. And if you put that in you might as well include Bing and David Bowie singing Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth.

Ok I need to stop because there are many more. In fact, Pottery Barn has a fantastic CD set which includes a great selection. Many of my choices come from that. A great gift!

I wonder as I wander, Internet: What is your favorite holiday song? What makes you feel good and/or festive?

*Please do not entertain the thought that I wax anything other than my eyebrows on occasion.

Flushed from Thanksgiving

2005-11-28T10:21:00.000-05:00

It was with much rejoicing that I pushed my husband out the door this morning and resumed back to the routine. Does that sound bad? A little too much togetherness. I mean with all the breathing... in and out... over and over. It gets on the nerves, don't you think?

In all seriousness I love my husband dearly. Madly even! We had a great weekend with the families. Two turkey dinners. Two tables of desserts.

One day spent on the toilet.

Ah yes. Sunday, the day of rest... my bowels decided to party without my permission. I haven't been in that much pain since I went into labor. (Ok it wasn't AS painful - but it sure gave me a friendly reminder!)

But! All that Thanksgiving eating didn't cost me anything - in fact I lost 3 lbs! Woooo for stomach viruses. Wooo.... woooooooo.... Whoa.

Liam was truly a prince for both family visits, basking in all the attention, cranberry sauce and apple pie. He was also sure not to poop for either grandmother - he saved those just for me.

Thank you

2005-11-24T08:26:00.000-05:00

The staff at Raising Liam would like to wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving. We are grateful for your support and readership. Even you lurkers who never give us the benefit of a comment. We are thankful for you too. Selfish bastards. Said with love.

Eat, drink, and be merry. For tomorrow there are more diapers to change.

The Wolf in Santa's Clothing

2005-11-22T20:27:00.000-05:00

In case you didn't hear him yelling yesterday, Liam has declared "Santa is the DEVIL" across all the lands! Hide your children! Do not let this scary man in your chimney.

Though I should probably pleased that Liam didn't want to sit with him. If Liam could speak, I imagine he would have been shouting, "STRANGER DANGER!!! STRANGER DANGER!!!" And to be honest, can I fault him for thinking Santa is the Devil? Red suit? Gleaming eyes? I mean if we learned nothing from The Church Lady, we learned that moving the letters in "SANTA" spells "SATAN."

Here is a link to some other kids who did not particularly enjoy their visits with Santa. Example*:

It's the most wonderful time.... of the year.

*Not the Liam.

Well Hello there...

2005-11-21T07:43:00.000-05:00

Is it me or is this completely creepy??

The Hug Me I've Never Felt So Alone Pillow*

Dude. Besides the creep factor... and the fact that I've been lonely in my life - but never THAT lonely... Who the hell would buy an arm to sleep in the most uncomfortable position like EVER?? Seriously. Snuggling is lovely. In fact I ADORE a nice snuggle. But sleep for the night like that? Forget it. That's for rookies! The sleep partner's arm behind the neck has to be one of the most uncomfortable sleeping scenarios imaginable. It screams, "I'm so excited I have a warm body next to me, I don't mind being paralyzed with pins and needles and awake all night!!"

Dan and I... we snuggle. We pillow talk. But then we say goodnight and get into our preferred sleeping position. Typically facing away from each other - ugh cannot breathe the same air! I need to BREATHE! My! Own! Air! I also need to have the comforter between my knees. I can't sleep right with my knees touching each other. Or I sleep on my stomach, something I missed dearly when I was big and pregnant.

But the idea of buying a man-arm to sleep with? Even one which is detailed with a lovely pocket nonetheless... I'd rather Wake Up with the King.

*Ok, so it's not really called that.