Sibling rivalry

Someone asked me a couple weeks ago if my kids play well together. For the most part they kind of ignore each other until one has something the other one wants, or one takes something from the other. A few examples of some early sibling rivalry:

Ethan likes to pick at Emma but she doesn’t really care unless it entails him stealing something from her. We call him Swiper (for the non-Dora watching set that is the fox who steals Dora’s stuff, we have to say “Swiper, NO swiping” with our hand out in a stop sign when he comes on the screen). But the other day his efforts were futile. They were wrestling around on the floor and he sat on her chest. She was laughing her little butt off, and was not bothered by it at all. Fast forward about 10 minutes. He’s laying on the floor and she comes up and sits on HIS chest. He gets ticked and starts yelling, Mommy- help, mommy- Emma Mahkins!. He always uses her full name when he wants to get her in trouble. I told him that turnabout was fair play, and besides, he outweighs her.

This morning, both were on our bed watching Jojo, and I’m doing the dishes in the living room when I hear Emma yelling, then Ethan yelling, “Mommy, Emma Mahkins! Mommy, Mommy!” I walk in and he’s pointing at her diaper, which is unhooked on one side. I assume he did this in retaliation, as I see that she has swiped Lovey Bear. So I return Lovey Bear, close the diaper up and I’m done. Lovey bear and Bun Bun are off limits to the other sibling, as those are the most valued possessions in the house, and when they go missing, it’s an all out search effort to find them. Although it is cute for Ethan to come into the living room and say, with his hands out to the sides, palms up, “Mommy, where beah?” with the cutest confused look on his face.

Oh, and one more story for those of you who doubt the level of my WVU fan-ness, every time Ethan and Emma see the Flying WV on ANYTHING, they start yelling, GO GO GO! Hehe. I guess I rubbed off on them.

The saga of the night and AI

No pics today, sorry, but I do have a story to share.

So, last night about 7 pm I’m hanging with Michael, Jane (MIL), and the kids, attempting to convince the kids to get in the bath tub. All the sudden our doorbell rings, which is odd since most people just walk into our house who know us. Jane looks out the window and says, “It’s a cop!” So we’re like, oh, they must be looking for someone or something. Yeah, they were looking for MY HUSBAND.

You see, over a year ago he got a speeding ticket in Mercer County. He failed to pay it, claiming he “forgot,” which in his defense he was working at least 80 hours a week at the time. Anywho, come about April 2006, we get certified letters two days in a row threatening license suspension. He still keeps forgetting to fix it, and then the license gets suspended. Finally, after endless nagging by me, his mom, and my parents, he gets it taken care of, pays the reinstatement, etc. Fast forward to February 2007- I get a call at work from my mom telling me Michael and I each got a certified letter from the DMV saying that our licenses and his license plate were going to be suspended for no insurance. I call him immediately and start bitching him out. He says he already took care of all that, but then contacts the DMV who says that the insurance stuff and the license suspension stuff are two different departments and he had to contact each one to be sure it was all processed. He does this before the Feb. 28 deadline, so allegedly no licenses or license plates are suspended.

We hear no more about this til Mr. State Trooper comes to remove his plate last night. Now Trooper D was a super nice guy, and I totally think that he was going to “forget” he’d been there and come back today after Michael had straightened it out, til he calls the barracks and finds out that MICHAEL’S DRIVER’S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED. By this point Jane and I are ready to beat him. I TOLD him that DMV is slow and stupid and once his license got suspended it’s like pulling teeth to fix it. Hello, I worked there in college. You have to stay on them to be sure they pull the suspension off. So he takes the plate and Michael and I have to ride to work together. Thankfully nice Trooper D called to be sure MY license was valid. And it is. So there’s my saga for the night. Of course my kids are peeking over the baby gate and over the side of the couch at Mr. Trooper in the foyer. Nice. Oh, and did I mention the neighbors were outside having a party? We are officially rednecks.

On another note, I watched most of Idol last night and it was super good! I cried through like the whole thing and kept thinking, what is wrong with this world that some people have so much, yet others have nothing? I can’t even write about it, it makes me too sad. Think of the money we’re spending on this war, and how it could virtually eliminate things like hunger, AIDS spread in Africa, kids dying of diseases like malaria that are curable. I cannot imagine my kid dying of a completely preventable and curable disease because I don’t have access to a doctor. Crushing.

I wear my sunglasses...

So what is it with sunglasses that makes them a toddler obsession? Heaven forbid my kids wear their OWN sunglasses; no, they’d rather steal an adult’s. The ones in these pictures are from Alaina’s friend Chris. Unfortunately they are a nice pair of Oakleys as opposed to my cheapo Target ones that they generally put tiny little sticky fingerprints on. They did survive the visit, through some miracle. So now the kids, especially Emma, are back to stealing my sunglasses, which they then wear wherever we are, including in the car, outside, or at the local Shoney’s. The most embarrassing place Emma has donned my sunglasses? Oh, how about while the pastor was praying over the children at CHURCH. Nice. I’m sure people there are questioning my parenting skills. Sigh. She looks a bit like Nicole Ritchie in my sunglasses; should I send her to reform school when she turns 2?

New Look

Ok, I’m trying out a new look for the blog. I don’t 100% like this one but my other one wouldn’t let me put a title at the top. So I’m still in search. Leave comments as to suggested changes! If only I knew HTML…

The final Easter installment

Ok, here is the final installment of Easter pictures. Sadly these are the best I could get of them in their actual Easter attire. They were NOT in the “let’s take pictures” mood. You can definitely see that in the first one.


Here is Emma in her new game, let's jump off the couch!
Emma in her Easter Bonnet, that stayed on .45 seconds.
Ethan trying to open up his bath bubbles and pretend that's not what he's doing. (you might remember his proclivity for soap and shampoo).

More Easter...

So here are some more pictures from Easter. Someday I’ll have the pictures actually caught up to the present day, but bear with me. The first two are Ethan and Emma with Auntie Lala. We tried and tried to get pics of them together with her but they aren’t cooperative with together pictures anymore. I can never get them both looking at me, if I happen to manage to get them to sit long enough to actually take a picture.

The other two are pictures of the “indoor” Easter Egg hunt since Easter was freezing this year. They sort of “got it” but I’m not sure they knew they were supposed to be looking for eggs for the first 5 minutes, and by then a lot of the eggs were swiped by the older kids. We’re going to have to go into training next year starting on St. Patrick’s Day.

FINALLY....

I have moments when I curse the rain

Then complain when the sun's too hot

I look around at what everyone has

And I forget about all I've got

But I know I'm a lucky man

God's given me a pretty fair hand

Got a house and a piece of land

A few dollars in a coffee can

My old trucks still running good

My ticker's ticking like they say it should

I got supper in the oven, a good woman's loving

And one more day to be my little kid's dad

Lord, knows I'm a lucky man-

Montgomery Gentry

You know, I've realized that I spend way too much time focused on what I don't have or what I want, when I should be spending the time thanking God for what I actually do have. So I'm going to try to focus more on the good. I have a life a lot of people would want: good job making above average pay; a gainfully employed and sometimes overly ambitious husband; smart, healthy kids; a sometimes crazy but still supportive family; a mother in law I actually like; great friends who are as crazy as I am; a house; a car that runs good; a little extra money here and there for wants, not needs; a beach vacation this summer; a college fund for the kids. Yep, Lord knows I'm a lucky woman. (P.S. the full lyrics to this song can be found at http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/montgomery-gentry-lyrics/lucky-man-lyrics.html)

My brain was working on 7 out of 8 cylinders this morning, so I remembered the pictures from Easter! (And my sunglasses, although it was foggy, but I forgot my coat).

Anywho, here are some pics of us coloring eggs.

Emma decorating her egg with stickers
Ethan decorating his egg.
Emma deciding to taste her egg, then gagging because of the vinegar in the egg dye solution
Ethan attempting to hide that about 3 seconds after the egg was colored and decorated, he managed to crush it. I have a pic of the crushed egg but Blogger would only allow me 5 pics on here. I'll get to that one later.

I'm losin it...

I’m not sure when it began happening, but I’m pretty sure I’m losing it. I often find myself in a room in my house (which believe me, isn’t very big) and wondering, why did I come in here again? I’ve now left my house 3 mornings in a row without my sunglasses, and since Mr. Sun has finally decided to rejoin us, that’s a bad thing. So I’m relegated to wearing the sunglasses that are broken on one side in the car just so I can see to get to work. I yet again forgot to put pics on the computer or bring the camera to work with me. And just ask Katie and Jenny how long I’ve had their candles, which they finally got yesterday. Um, since about late January. Don’t even get me started on remembering birthdays. I think ahead and remember them, but when the actual day comes, I totally forget. Nice. I think I’m going to start buying cards and sending all cards for each month at the first of the month. (Then again I have a giant stack of unsent birthday cards in my house, so that’s probably a no go too).

I thought for a while it was “twin brain” but I don’t think the hormones from their birth could possibly still be screwing with me. So I’ve come to the conclusion I’m just losing it. I’m sure I don’t have to tell most of you that! LOL. Read a few pages and you’ll agree.

Ok, so I do have a humorous story for you. This weekend, Emma had napped all the way to church so when it came time for her actual after church nap she slept for about 10 minutes and was done with that mess. I planned to go grocery shopping while the kids were asleep, but since she was up, I took her with me. Let me tell you how weird it is to only have one kid with you. Anywho, we’re shopping in the Evil Empire and she’s been pretty good, mostly because she’s getting a pair of cheapo fairy stompers to play in and a Dora pillowcase, which is all it takes to make her happy. She’s playing with the list, and then says “ink pen.” This child loves to draw, especially with a pen. I say, showing her my empty hands, “mommy doesn’t have an ink pen.” She looks at me, considers this statement, and says “Pocketbook.” The little squirt KNEW I had a pen in my purse and outsmarted me. So I had to give in, but the drawing didn’t last long since I had to take the pen away after she drew on her hand. We spent the rest of the trip with her helping me push the cart and saying “Scuse me, scuse us!” loudly to anyone within earshot. That’s good manners, even if she’s yelling it, right??

YESTERDAY'S BLOG

Ok, so I offended some people yesterday, and for that I am sorry. Those who personally know me clearly knew what I meant in my blog since I know darn well they ALL would have called me out if not. I apologize for the disrespect that some felt.

For those inclined to make threats toward me anonymously, know that I now have a tracker on this site. I really don’t want to have to close the site to the public as I know that many non blogger members look at this page. (Ok, probably not MANY but you know what I mean.)

So, onto regular blogs about the kids and a few random thoughts here and there.

EDITED TO ADD: THANKS for the support from those of you who have emailed and posted! It's not the numerous anonymous emails in and of themselves that bother me (most of which never posted because I had my comments "moderated" status yesterday), it's the freako who thought it was proper to threaten me that was bothersome. Thanks again everyone!

A new I wonder...

I haven't done an I Wonder in a while, so here you go!

I wonder...

1. why truckers feel the need to honk at me. Now, I sort of understood it when I was 19 and driving a sports car. But then I bought a "big girl" car (Grand Am) and still got honked at. Totalled the Grand Am, bought a Jeep Liberty, still honked at. Now I'm in a Mommy Mobile (Expedition) with two car seats in the back, and this morning I get honked at. Odd. Maybe I'm way hotter in a car. I should check this theory.
2. if the red truck who kept swinging into the right lane trying to pass everyone, then getting blocked up and ending up back behind me (and about 50 other cars) yesterday saw me laughing at him. I hope so.
3. why people don't get over when you're trying to get on the interstate, when there is no car in the fast lane for like 5 miles.
4. why I didn't buy a Dora pillowcase earlier, since it is clearly magic enough to make Emma just ask to get in her crib at about 7:30 - 7:45 and go to sleep. No cajoling or rocking or cuddling, she just goes to bed.
5. Why the Diego pillowcase does not have the same effect on Ethan.
6. why the poor professor from VT who survived the Holocaust had to be gunned down by a psycho
7. why I feel the need to have a birthday party for my children again this year.
8. why I have "cut back" from last year's party yet it appears I'll be spending nearly as much.
9. why I will never remember to download my pictures from my camera to post some new ones on here
10. how different my life would be if I had listened to that nagging little voice my senior year of college that said, don't go to law school! Get a masters and doctorate in English and teach college somewhere.
11. how great it must feel to start your life without any student loans. I hope I can do this for my kids.
12. why I spent $76 on a super duper spa pedicure 3 weeks ago and haven't been able to wear sandals ONCE since then. What a waste.
13. where I can get a pair of cute but dressy white sandals that don't belong on a 16 year old or a 60 year old, since mine are on their last legs.
14. why my wedding and engagement rings always look so dirty
15. why all radio stations seem to take commercial breaks at the same time

Ok, that's all for now. I'll really really try to remember to put some new pics on the computer tonight!

Back to your regularly scheduled blog...

Hi all, I am returning you to your regularly scheduled blog. I’ve made it so no one can post “anonymous” (read= pussy, I won’t tell you my name) comments on here, so to people who really want to post a comment, please just sign up and do so. To others, find another blog.

So, anywho, below find a picture of Emma holding the first flower she found this spring. Notice the yellow on her chin where she tried to EAT said flower! The vacant look in her eyes is because she is watching a Dora video. Try to turn it off and she’ll gnaw your arm off!

I keep forgetting the Easter pics! Will these do?

Don’t yell at me, I yet again forgot to put pictures on the computer or bring them to work. Someday soon, I promise. I’m busy pricing items for a yard sale that may or may not happen Saturday at my mother in law’s subdivision. If you’re around, go to Indian Head in Saint Albans, off Coal River Road. SUPER huge yard sale for the whole subdivision. As in, they have to have police there to direct traffic. I’m planning to find a way to sell and shop at the same time. And corral the kids. Should be interesting.

So, anyway, here are some old pictures of Ethan on the slide. First picture, Ethan on top, Easter Egg in one hand, ball in the other. He always has to have something in each hand. Actually there are two balls in the lower hand.

I guess he didn't figure on not being able to catch himself at the bottom with his hands full! This one is so funny, with the ball flying up in the air.
2 outta 3 made it to the bottom, not bad! Here's hoping that the spring weather comes back soon!

Not so long weekend, Part I

Ok, so I took a ton of pictures this weekend but they’re all at home. I’ll try to post some tonight.

Am I the only person who has all these grandiose plans for those rare 3 day weekends (don’t even respond to this Kim since you have 3 day weekends almost every weekend!!!)? I always think I’m going to get sooo much done, and I swear, after this weekend I’m even more behind. So I’m renewing my vow to make better use of my time. Any bets on how long this will work?

So, here are some highlights of the not so long weekend:

I was first lulled into a false sense of security by two kids in great moods on Friday morning. Ethan wanted a banana after breakfast and even nicely shared it with Emma rather than running from her with it or shoving it in her face. It was sweet the way he took a bite then fed her a bite. I should have known something was up. About an hour later I’m chatting on the phone for apparently way too long, and Emma was watching Disney and eating a snack. I realized that I hadn’t heard Ethan rearranging the playroom like he was doing a little while back, and it was eerily quiet down the hall. Bad sign, as all mommies know. Somehow, he had gotten into his room, which I swear the door was closed, so either he can now open doors and I’m totally screwed or somehow it hadn’t fully latched. Well, he’s figured out our high tech “keep the drawers closed” system we have going on the changing table, which consists of two stretchy headbands hooked together and around the knobs. He had opened the door where we keep the baby lotion, powder, oil, baby wash, shampoo, etc. He had then proceeded to dump mass quantities of lotion and baby soap on the floor and ottoman. Then my little Monet was painting the carpet with it, but it was only pale yellow so I guess that was disappointing. I did refrain from killing him because in truth it was my fault for not paying close enough attention but he did get a time out. I don’t think he really cared and I’m pretty sure he thought it was worth it.

A few lessons came from this:

-quiet is always bad unless they are asleep
-don’t talk on the phone for more than 10 minutes with 2 almost 2 year olds in the house
-Johnson’s hair and body wash will remove green crayon from an ottoman
-it is very hard to clean soap out of a carpet since the more you rub the more suds appear
-if you want a nursery to smell good dump a bunch of soap and lotion into the floor.

More on the weekend later…

Our Easter pictures really stunk this year thanks to two kids who refused to smile in any way, shape or form, so I took these the other day in our yard. Let me tell you, that $10 blow up bunny was one of the best purchases I have made. The kids LOVE it. So here they are, kissing the “Eter Bunny”. It’s pretty funny how they hop around when they talk about the Eter bunny because, well, you know, bunnies hop.

I’m totally bummed that it’s going to be freezing cold this weekend for Easter. The kids have an egg hunt Saturday, and it’s supposed to be a high of like 44. Nice. Hunting Easter eggs in winter coats and hats. That’s just wrong. Glad I bought long sleeves for Ethan and a sweater to go over Emma’s dress for Sunday.

I am back up to about 70% health now. My head and face still hurt but it’s bearable. Unfortunately because I haven’t felt well I’ve indulged myself more than I should so the weight loss has totally stalled. I’m at 21 pounds lost. I will recommit this week though, and even try to throw some exercise in the mix!

Facial explosions and hoarding twinkies

So, as you may have read on the famous 3 Carrs blog, I went out of town with the girls for a weekend. I had been fighting a sinus infection for a week and the addition of the elevation kicked it into full, kick my ass, feels like my face will explode and teeth will fall out strength. So I broke down and went to a Doc in the Box who I’m convinced I could have told I was a space alien who needed Prozac and Lortabs and he would’ve given it to me. But I came out of it with Augmentin which he tells me I can continue taking the cold medicine with. So I’m pretty doped up right now and the left side of my face still hurts, but I’m surviving. Other than the near facial explosion it was a good time!

I realized this morning that my kids are becoming little people and are not babies anymore. Nanny was asking Emma about her weekend, and Emma told her that she went to the doctor (which she didn’t, I wouldn’t subject them to the Urgent Care for my illness!), and Nanny asks her why, so Emma says her back hurt. Where she got all this I don’t know. I didn’t even realize she knew I was going to the doctor but I guess my little sponge absorbed it without me knowing. I was a little surprised to discover that Ethan has been using the vacuum hose attachment as a storage space, since when I pulled it out several goldfish and cheerios fell out. Then again, this is the same child who saves ½ of his Krispy Kreme portion in their play kitchen microwave and then eats it the next day. I guess he’s like a squirrel, he has to hoarde his food in case we run out.