Spur of the Moment...kind of

So I knew about this race for about a month but didn't really plan on running it because I was having a hard time getting through the three miles since I had Lucas. But today I bit the bullet- woke up, got the kids dressed, woke Scott up, got dressed, and went to the 'Bohemia- Run for the Bus' 5K run. I tried to enlist my gym buddy but she was whooping it up with Big Bird.

So it took me a bit longer than my last run but I was definitely more trained that run. I still give my self a big hoooo Rahhh for doing it. It was hard and I feel verrrry tired right now! I had to stop a few times to walk. Till next time...
my time this time was 34:02
my time last time was 33:40 (this was two octobers ago)

Goal for next run...make it through the whole way without walking.


Mommy trying to hold back throwing up....Brooke being proud. She was such a sport screaming "Go Mommy" as I came in!

A Week in Review

Each night when I lay my head down on the pillow a million, maybe a zillion thoughts go running through my mind. Tonight, I ran down to get the computer because I felt some of the things would be good to share and that sharing would get me to sleep quicker than trying to muddle through them on my own. I know this seems like a lot for one week but I do believe that some of the things I have learned and realized are things that will stay with me forever...kind of like a growth spurt of the mind and maybe a bit of the heart.
Some things I have learned ....
1. My kids are awesome. I don't think I ever slowed down enough to realize how fun, compassionate, loving, caring, funny, and silly Brooke is. She says the funniest things and really thinks when she speaks. For every "tiny" naughty thing she is capable of (and sometimes follows throught with) there is wonderfully loving thing she does to replace it. Lucas, although only two months old seems to have such a mellow, calm, cool, funloving personality. He just chills out and watches everything around him. He will laugh when you are talking to someone on the phone...he just sits there with this HUGE grin on his face. Adorable!

2. Sometimes things that happen to you that aren't good or when "tough" situations arise you realize although they are tough and scary they are a blessing in disquise or this one problem solves another (even though it is a shitty problem). I've questioned everyday since I have had Lucas whether or not I want to stay home for till January. It has always been my option, my choice. Some things have come up that I might not have the freedom of that choice. To my own surprise when I found this out my first emotion was to becomem upset that I wouldn't be able to stay home with the kids. Whether or not I will be able to do this is to be foreseen but I am happy that I now know where I stand on the issue and I am going to TRY and not worry about how I will feel about this a week from now, or months.

3. Learn to be happy and only care about what is happening right now.

4. First person you should always talk to when dealing with a problem is with whom the problem is with.

5. EVERYONE has there own issues, no one is perfect, and if someone is making it look like they don't have issues or that they are perfect...they're lying.

6. Last but not least...it sucks to jumprope your weight!

Yes some very serious, and some silly. But all things I have realized to be true this week

Going to Teach the Class

Apparently this is how I am in the morning when I am "going to teach the class". Please excuse the constant movement in the video, I was feeding Lucas.

Boy Clothes-a Realization

It never really clicked with me why I didn't love baby boy clothes until the other day. I do think a lot of boys clothes are really cute but there is one little something that has been bothering me about them that you don't find with girl clothes.

To understand what I am talking about you will have had to visit a nursing home some time in your life. If you can,in your head, visualize an older man with an adult diaper (i'm talking really old) sweatpants, and velcro shoes sitting in a wheelchair. Now, think of a young buddha belly baby wearing sweatpants, a diaper and socks. Very similar right?

I have a thing about letting boys be in sweatpants all the time. I was going through Lucas' drawers when I realized that all he had were sweatpants and soft legging type pants. I went out that day and bought Lucas some nice khakis and jeans. (FYI On sale-buy one get one 50% off scott). Finding these 'real' type pants was no easy task! But something that needed to be done because every time I looked at him I would see the old man nursing home image....lol. Okay-I'm weird...never denied that did I?

A simple but sincere Thank you

I wanted to thank my hubby for making my birthday such a special day. He didn't miss a beat and showed what he's all about...
balloons,5.00
cards signed by the kids..with a #1 mom sticker that I got to wear with pride all day,2.50
awesome night at Citifield with delicious finger foods, 60.00
spending time with him- priceless (cheesey but true!)
Love ya babe.

Special Impromptu Gift from Lucas

Lucas' first "very close to laugh" laugh

This day 35 years ago...

Miss Annette was born! As much as I can sometimes get the birthday blues I am a really lucky person to have two healthy, beautiful and happy children that might I add have a lot of patience for the crazy mother!

Signs you know you need to slow down and take a break:
1. You are at Trader Joes and you daughter is screaming in the back: "mommy your pocketbook- the lady has your pocketbook".

2. You are putting white flowered sandles on your son when your daughter says "mommy! Those are mine!"

3. You get to a birthday party and realize oh Crap! I can't find the bottles! Knowing you had them when yoyu walked out of the house......then when you get home finding them on the driveway...


I will use this day to relax and enjoy two of my favorite gifts. My third one will be coming home at 6!
Two of my favorite gifts!

Costanza Pose

Click on the title of this post to see the "Costanza Pose" or go to see this...
a few people didn'/t know what I meant by Lucas doing the "costanza pose" great episode..don't mind the captions!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NL5wSs-9kI

Follow-up : "Take Uh Nap" with Commentary from Brooke

Sleeping problem- Yesterday we went to the outlets and on the way home Brooke fell asleep in the car. When we got home I left her in the car witht the windows open. I think this rejumped her nap trigger (or whatever else you want to call it). 'Today, after an hour of talking to her my little ponies'...I went and checked her and goodness gracious we have a SLEEPER!

In need of serious help...advice...anything!

Okay so Brooke is in the naughty corner as we speak. She just tried to push me because I tried to stop her from harassing her sleeping brother (normal behavior for a two year old i think). What I need help with is trying to get her to take the naps she so adamently tries to refuse. I understand that some kids grow out of them...BUT she is SOOOO tired and miserable by 4 that it is driving us all crazy. I will try anything so any other tidbits besides...
1. using a "prize item" for when she wakes up from a nap...
2. giving a treat to take a nap
3. playing music
4. giving her a doll to sleep with
5. letting her read her books before she naps
6. driving in the car (she dosn't transfer wll so i would have to be in the car for hours-
7. ????
Please! She fights it like no other- and severly needs it!

The Boy with many Expressions...

I call this first one the "George Costanza"

Who Knew...?

Apparently everyone and their mother! It had been years that people would ask me if I wanted a cup of coffee that I have replied, "No, thank you". When I replied I never had had coffee they sat in shock. I always wondered why this was so shocking? Why were people so into it? I thought they were weird for thinking I was weird for not liking it! UNTIL...I decided mommy needed a 'safe' vice. I forced myself to try it out one day. It took a few tries to get my cup the way I apparently 'like it' and BANG! It hit me...the caffeine, the warmth of the coffee and apparently the power to make one a bit happy and cheerful when not so happy and cheerful!

Scott finds this very funny-he thinks I am a bit obsessive (which could be true!)...because I have pretty much purchased a can of coffee from every place I visit...Trader Joes, Uncle Giuseppe's etc... There are so many types of specialty coffees and different flavors! Why not try them all! If you have any favorites...feel free to share!

Hide n' Seek Brooke-Style

Brooke- "MOM!"(while I am putting away dishes)
Annette-"Yes, Brooke?"
Brooke- "Where is Lucas?"
Mom thinking- What does she mean where is Lucas...he's right behind me sleeping?
Brooke- "Mom, we can't find Lucas..."
Annette- I turn around...and she says "Ya can't find him!"
Apparently we were all playing hide-n-go seek Brooke Style!

I won't see you in September...

When I returned to school after having Brooke I was devasted for the first week. I wondered what effect this would have on my daugher, myself, my family... Now that I have the opportunity to stay home I wonder what effect this will have. It may sound weird but I feel that being a working mom has a lot of benefits (and some negatives of course). I feel that Brooke learned how to be more independent, not as needy and clingy, and more appreciative of the time we spent together. I felt I learned the same. I liked that she was 'raised by the village' per say. I like that she will grow up knowing that her mother worked and handled many different things. I like to think that she will be proud. At the end of the day , I appreciated every golden minute I had with her when i came home. I made the time I spent with her count. It may seem that a small child (over a year) doesn't know any better but I feel they do.

The biggest negative or shall i say most difficult part of being a working mom, i find, is the juggling. You have to be so, so organized , you have to be a planner and you HAVE to be able to multi-task . You also have to be able to let go of somethings...like the hairballs in the corner of your bedroom, or laundry piling up for more than hmmm...4-5 days? It can get a bit tiresome sometimes...but if you are good at it (and i believe we all get good at it at one point) it is not so bad. I just always had to make sure I had scheduled some downtime for myself, and for Scott and myself (this we actually slacked a bit too much in...but we are working on getting better with that)!

Being at home Brooke and I can't get a little, lets see how do we say it nicely, tired of eachother. You can love your child soooo much but spending every minute with someone (especially if they are whining) can get to you a bit. It becomes more of a job (again these are my views and may not be the views of every stay at home mom!) and a task. I think having something else to go to keeps more of 'you' in the equation. You don't lose yourself in your children's lives as much....does that make sense?

Anyway, this is what is usually on my mind in September. New beginnings, new choices. I am happy with my choice to stay home and spend some time with my children but as I am sure you can see with this post- unsure and curious to see how it will all pan out! It is new to me...but a good new. Somedays I am sure just like my 'other' job - I will jump at the opportunity to get out early...

Back and ready to write...

So I haven't blogged in a while. Some updates...
1. Baby Lucas Scott was born on June 22, 2009 weighing in at 8lbs 15oz
2. Brooke is now a speaking, wise talking, little lady ready to throw many a loops for her mom and dad
3. I am not going back to work in September - a first for me. I am going to take some time for my other "full-time" job as a stay-at-home mom.
4. Guest room and den piece are almost 'completed'.
5. My brother Rocky and sister-in-law Marie are expecting a baby in February! CAN'T wait to be called Aunt Annette or Aunt Nettie...whichever he or she prefers. Plus can't wait to see the adorable chubby cheeks that I predict him or her to have.

I'm sure more is happening and will update...but for now I have to go intervene- Brooke is trying to feed Lucas a blueberry because "they are so yummy!"