Hope your Easter is a scream

We are off to my parent's beach house for the holiday weekend. Because I've been so sick and becaue I'm lame, I didn't get around to taking the kids to see the Easter bunny this year. So I will leave you with this little gem from three years ago. Happy Easter!

Only 34 weeks left

Just an update on what I've been up to -

This pregnancy is kicking my ASK. I'm either sleeping, trying not to hurl, spending loads of time deciding what I want to eat, throwing out what I just decided I would eat, popping back Tums. Rinse. Repeat. I do sincerely love being pregnant, this is just not my favorite part. I'll deal with it though because hopefully it means that little sweet pea is getting nice and cozy.

We decided to tell the kids - they were excited for about a minute but didn't seem terribly impressed. They both did tell us, however, that they want a girl baby, and that her name should be Sara (Bubba's pick) or Dora (MJ's pick). Maybe we will go with Dora in the hopes of having a more Mexican looking baby friend.

My parents also know now courtesy of MJ and the big mouth she inherited from me. They came to visit this past Saturday, barely had time to take off their jackets before MJ blurted "Mommy has a baby in her belly!" In retrospect, expecting a 4-year-old to keep is secret is pretty ridiculous. Not the best strategy on our part.

So that's what is new on my end. It's hard to believe that something the size of a grape is wreaking such havoc on my body. Sweet little Dora is just hard at work.

Princess Potty Mouth

MJ: "Mommy, bubba said a bad word."

Me: "What did he say?"

MJ: "He said 'ask.'"

Me: "Well that's not a bad word honey.

That's what you say if you have a question.

Like when I ask you what you want

for dinner. Or when I ask you if you want to color."

MJ: "Ohhhh OK. Like 'I'm going to kick your ask.'"

Seriously no idea where she got little gem from. But I'm so glad to see my little chat with her answered any ambiguities she had about the word "ask."

My Calm, Relaxing TTC Story

It's been quite a whirlwind since I last posted. I had forgotten all of the lovely symptoms that go along with the first few weeks of pregnancy. I have zero energy which doesn't really go well with having two rambunctious kids and a horse-sized dog. I am thankful though for each and every symptom because it's a sign that little sweet pea is getting nice and cozy.

We had decided to unofficially start trying to conceive in January. I'm too much of a spaz and way too forgetful to take my temperature every morning, so we took a more relaxed route. I planned to stay completely calm during my TTC journey. Well, it's a good thing it didn't take that long because I was the furthest thing from calm.

On Al's birthday (CD 11 to you fellow TTCers), I thought "wouldn't it be nice to give Al a positive pregnancy test as a present?" So I took a test and was greeted with this result:

Holy tiny, pale line!! I freaked out, wrapped it up and presented it to Al later after dinner, all the while giving myself major props for such an awesome birthday present. Al's response: "what am I looking at here?" He thought I had hallucinated a line because he saw absolutely nothing. For realz? In case you are in Al's camp, here is a slightly edited version of the above picture:

(Don't hate on my penmanship)

Al, being the entirely too logical person that he is, didn't want to get his hopes up by getting all excited about a line he couldn't see. This really interfered with my excitement. So I waited a few days, retested, and got my clear as day positive!

I kid. That's what a normal, rational person would do. What I did was pee on many, many subsequent tests, and then scrutinized them under direct light. I also googled "evaporation lines" "home pregnancy tests" "first response" "faint positives" in every imaginable combination. I also may or may not have uploaded a picture to this site. Dear friends, I wish I was kidding. And it probably wouldn't surprise you that I also stalked this site.

Al saw me on the verge of insanity and had the common sense to hide my remaining pregnancy tests, and limit my use of google. Four days after my first test, and two days after my mild psychosis, Al gave me a test and that sweet second line showed up right away. And Al saw it too.

In November we will, God willing, become a family of five. I am so ridiculously happy! I am also hoping just a teeny bit that this one resembles me. It would be nice to not be mistaken for the Mexican nanny anymore.

*This post is linked to Rage Against the Minivan's Keepin It Real*

Expecting Al Clone # 3

=)

Bring on the rain. I kid.

Roof leaking again. Need a drink.

Almost one year ago, we noticed that the wall and ceiling in our bedroom were leaking. Long story short, we called our insurance company, they cut us a check, we paid our $1,500 deductible (SO sucky), hired degenerate general contractor, and he gave us a brand new bedroom.

We are entirely too naive and trusting, I'll be the first to admit it. General contractor screwed us over and didn't fix the cause, just put a little band-aid over it. That held up for about 8 months until the problems started all over again. With all of this lovely weather (over 70 inches of snow!), our bedroom has gotten worse and because of all the snow and rain, our new, trustworthy, wonderful contractor has been unable to begin work. Our insurance company hasn't been the best either - can you believe it? An insurance company dragging their heels to pay out a claim? Unheard of, I know.

So I have had to live with this:

and this

But on the plus side, at least my husband found a purpose for that pot that I haven't used since receiving it at my wedding shower. He's so creative.

And at the current moment, we are in the midst of a monsoon that will not let up until Monday. So until then we will have our own customized sound machine and I can fall asleep to the sound of the rain falling in my bedroom. Literally. I have managed to stay pretty positive throughout this and continue to be thankful for the roof over our heads. Even though it's a leaky one.

*This post is linked to Show My Face: Six Word Saturday!*

House of Sick

It figures that the first full week of nice weather we have, we are all sick. Well, everyone except for Al. Can someone please explain to me how a man who eats no fruits or vegetables and does not take vitamins always manages to avoid getting sick? Maybe I should look into the meat and carb diet he strictly follows. Seriously though, I've had a dry, nagging cough for two weeks, and the amount of snot and phlegm I expel from my body every morning surely qualifies me for some Guiness Book of World Records title. Just keepin' it real.

We have been doing a lot of this

and this

We did manage to make it out of the house to attend a cute Philadelphia Zoo-On-Wheels event where MJ was picked to hold an elephant ear.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't grossed out by that. I mean, it's the ear of a dead animal. Kind of creepy. (Remember, I'm the gal who is scared of raw meat) MJ thought so too and insisted on leaving the event to wash her hands. Luckily, a mom next to us overheard and loaned her some hand sanitizer. It's funny because MJ has inherited nothing from my genes other than my neurosis. Poor girl.

If you've popped over from Friday Follow, I promise I don't always write about being sick and dead animal parts. Stay tuned for next week when I discuss bubba's obsession with butts. Riveting.

Wordless Wednesday

Retro pic of Al, the birthday boy.
And further proof that my children are clones of him.

Top Ten Tuesday: All Things Al

Here is Al spooning MJ when she was brand new. Be still my uterus.

In honor of Al's birthday tomorrow, here are the top ten things that make him the unique and wonderful specimen that he is.

1. He is such a wonderful father. He is a kid at heart and loves to get on the floor to play with the kids. You can count on him to be the biggest goofball at the playground, flying across the monkeybars.

2. He has an incredible work ethic. He is completely devoted to being the best at his job so he is able to provide for his family. His hard work has allowed me to be able to stay at home with my babies - I don't think he'll ever know how truly grateful I am for his sacrifices.

3. He may be the biggest dog lover that ever existed. We joke that he should have been a pet psychiatrist because his connection with all animals, but primarly dogs, is just unreal.

4. He can always make me laugh.

5. He does cute things like ^that^
(To see the photographer who captured that sweet moment, click here)

6. He has always been so supportive of me. Let's face it, not too many people would understand a gal going to law school, accruing insane amounts of law school loan debt, working for three years, and then deciding to stay at home with her babies. He has never once made me feel guilty about this decision, and even encouraged it because he knew it's where my heart is. I love him for that.

7. He is a closeted romantic. Remind me to tell you about how he proposed to me.

8. He is the least pretentious person you will meet. He doesn't know how to be fake, and he gets along with everybody.

9. He is a homebody. He much prefers to hang out at home, in his comfy pants (that I wish he would let me throw away), watch a movie, and eat pizza rolls.

10. He makes me the happiest gal in the world.

This post is linked to Oh Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday

32nd Street Blog Parade

I'm way late to this party, but better late than never, right?

1. What's your favorite time of the day, and why?
Early in the morning, when I can drink my coffee and catch up on my blogs in peace before everyone wakes up.

2. If health wasn't an issue, what food could you live off of?

Guacamole and chips. Definitely. When I was pregnant with MJ, I would polish off two whole avocados in one sitting. That picture makes me want to lick my computer screen.

3. If you could have one wish granted (besides wishing for more wishes), what would it be?
For our house to sell quickly when we put it on the market.

4. What's one thing that you get teased about a lot?
I tend to make up words and I mispronounce words all the time. I'm also awful at spelling. How I graduated college and law school I will never know.

5. If you could choose one movie, book, or TV show to spend your life in, which would you pick? What type of character would you be?
I would definitely want to be a student at Hogwarts, a Gryffindor of course.

6. If you could have one talent that you don't already have, what would it be?
I wish I knew how to knit and that my sewing skills were more developed. I also wish I were more crafty. Ohhh, or that I was better at designing websites. I would love to speak html more fluently.

7.If money were no object, where would you go on vacation?

Koh Samui, Thailand

or

Bora Bora

8. If you were an awesome singer, which genre would you sing?
I'm not sure what genre Sarah MacLachlan, Jewel and DMB fall under, but that would be it.

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, what would it be?
Target. I have the hearts for Target and I'm pretty confident I could stretch that money o-u-t.

10. If you could live in any point in time, when would it be?
That's a tough one. I would have loved to live in the pre Civil War era, circa Scarlet O'Hara days just so I could wear those huge dresses.

11. If every outfit in your wardrobe had to be one color, what would it be?
Black. I don't mean to, but I usually end up purchasing mostly black clothing. So it's just a color I'm used to seeing myself in often. And it's the reason why my mom calls me Morticia.

12. If you were one of the seven dwarves, which one would you be?
(Doc, Grumpy, Sneezy, Sleepy, Bashful, Happy, or Dopey)
Definitely Sneezy. I have had a cold for the past week that I just can't shake. I coughed up a lung and a pound of phlegm this morning. Not pretty.

13. What's the last album you listened to?
Glee. The kids and I are obsessed with Volumes 1 and 2 and we are constantly singing songs from both albums. Much to the delight of Al.

14. What's something we'd be surprised to know about you?
I love tacky reality shows and goofy movies. Zoolander is one of my favorite movies - that's not something I'm very proud of.

Friday Follow

I'm always looking out for new blogs to read, although I should probably stop. My google reader count is up to 80. I can't help it - I love "meeting" new people and being able to catch glimpses into their lives =) I spotted this blog hop on A Mommy's Blessing and thought it would be fun to participate.

This is my first Friday Follow but here is what I have gathered - it is hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades.

You link up your blog with the MckLinky at any of the sites listed above (just add it on one blog and it will be seen on all of the blog hops). Follow the 3 Friday Follow hostesses (listed above) listed in the first 3 slots, and as many other blogs as you would like. Comment on the blogs you follow telling them you're from Friday Follow, and follow back when you get a new follower.

Easy!

"Look Mommy, big sticker!"

Yes, that is my son playing with a panty liner.
I think it shows real creativity on his part.
Yup, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Retail Therapy

My little dude is giving me a hard time lately. I've really been struggling with ways to get through to him, and I know he's only three but trust me, he knows how to push my buttons.

Al, God bless him, heard the despair in my voice and came home early so I could escape the house by myself. That didn't exactly work out as planned because as I was putting on my boots to leave, MJ came over to me with puppy dog eyes, asking if she could come. Of course I said yes. I'm such a sucker.

My idea of good, quality shopping is probably very different though: the closer my bill comes to zero, the more fun I have.

I scored all of the above for $7. That and the cute quality time with MJ helped me completely forget that bubba was a gremlin today.

Happy Monday

It's going to be one of those days.

Running 5 minutes late this morning trying to get the kids out of the door to take MJ to preschool. Car door wouldn't open when I pressed the automatic door opener. Scared to open door with key because then car alarm will go off. After ten minutes of frantically pressing buttons, finally decide to unlock car with key. Hold my breath waiting for alarm to go off. Alarm doesn't go off. Realize that door opener and alarm are not working because the battery is dead. Flag down a neighbor to see if she will take MJ to preschool (her son goes there as well) and flag down another neighbor to help me jump my car. Realize how much my neighbors must hate me.

Car successfully starts with jump. Drive bubba around the neighborhood for 20 minutes because I'm scared to turn the car off. Realize that the radio/CD player are not working. After ten minutes of frantically pressing buttons, decide to consult the car manual. Discover that because the car battery died, the radio/CD player are disabled as some kind of anti-theft device. Further discover that they will start working if I enter a 6 digit code. Bang head against steering wheel. Call Al for the 20th time and complain. Discover that the code is written in the back of the manual. Do little victory dance and enter the code. Get an error message, wrong code.

So that's where I'm at friends. No working radio/CD player just in time for a road trip to NYC tomorrow with MJ. Not to mention that I'm now scared my car battery will just decide to go on strike again *knock on wood* My day would be at a complete loss if it weren't for this cute guy giving me peanut butter and fluff kisses.

Tundra Fun

It is officially the snowiest winter ever for Philadelphia. Over 70 inches of snow (so far), and I'm so glad I was here to witness it.

*Please note the sarcasm*

I like to think I'm a pretty creative and fun mom, but with all of our days snowed in, I'm running out of fresh, exciting ideas. Here's what we have been up to the past few weeks - hold on to your seats.

Activities/Crafts - I filled empty wipes containers (I knew those would come in handy) with opposite objects (hard and soft, circles and squares, people and cars, etc.), blind-folded the kids, and had them sort the objects by touch. Bubba preferred to dump everything out on the floor and play with it, but my little gal LOVED this.

Coloring/Activity Books - I have no idea where this book came from but I am oh so grateful for it. It is full of mazes, connect the dots, and hidden picture activities. Even my active little dude will sit down to do this with MJ and I. Happy kids + hours of quiet, educational fun = priceless.

Dance parties - this is one of our favorite activities, even when it's not cold outside. Considering I exercise, ummm, never, it's a good way for me to get moving. Another thing we have just discovered is the exercise section on OnDemand - MJ and I love the yoga section and the Bollywood work-out under the "Dance Your Butt Off" section.

Tent houses - another one of our favorite things. This was one of the most epic tent houses I have ever created. I'm pretty darn proud of myself. I always make the kids separate little areas so we can cut down on the in-tent fighting and ultimate tent destruction.

Snuggling - this one is my favorite. There is nothing quite like having your two babies on your lap, covered with blankets, and watching one of our favorite family movies. I wonder if they will still want to sit on my lap when they are in their teens...

We are always looking for new, fun activities to do - if anyone has any they would like to share, we would appreciate it.

Wordless Wednesday: Why Mastiffs Rule

the most patient/laziest dog in the world