Happy Birthday Squeaker!!!

My little man is 2 today!!! How amazing/mind blowing is that?!?!?!

Little man, two years ago today, you made your presence known.

On Sept. 17th, 2011, I started having contractions. Nothing like the crazy pains your sister gave me. Just a hey, I'm thinking of coming. Then on the way to the hospital they stopped. Once we got there they checked us out and said, yeah, go ahead and head home.

I get home and have a roll, why I did this, I don't know. (I should have learned from your sister's birth not to eat when they send you home.) So, I get all ready for bed, lay down at 2am and thought, hmmmm, today might be the big day.

Well, you must have heard me. Because a few moments later, I felt a tightening and then a loosening (like a rubber band snapping) and realized that you were bound and determined to come today.

After finally getting through to the doctor on call, (an hour and a half later, though to be fair he was in a C-section the entire time) we headed back to the hospital.

You were moving around, but you weren't in any sort of hurry. You knew that someone will come get me. No worries.

Well, after a few hours of monitoring and waiting for my stomach to break down the roll I ate a 1am. They hooked me up to the epidural.

Apparently, I thought this was hilarious, because I started laughing hysterically, I mean huge tears are running down my face. The nurses and doctors were a bit surprised. The anesthesiologist said "I swear I didn't put anything funny in there!" Poor Daddy, thought I was screaming until someone flapped the door open and he realized I was laughing.

After strapping me down on the table like Jesus, they got to work. A few minutes later we had a beautiful strawberry blond, blue eyed little man. 9.3lbs. 21 inches.

The funny thing was, the doc said that when she got to you, you just raised your hand like, "Hey, come get me, I'm hear and ready."

Funny thing is, you are just the same. You still would rather someone do something for you. Instead of walking you demanded that someone carry you. Even now, sometimes you will stand and wait for someone to carry you instead of walking.

But you are my snuggly little man and I am so lucky to be your Mom!

Stuff - Good and Bad

Let's start with the bad.

So I’ve had a rough couple of weeks since I last posted. Squeaker gave himself a black eye and  fell down the stairs. (He’s okay!) Angel Baby has been more of “Demon Baby” with her whining and new potty issues. Why she has to constantly pee on her panties is beyond frustrating. I bruised a toe pretty badly and just last Sunday, I fell on the stairs. Well slipped down a few stairs and landed on my butt. So yesterday, I had a very sore coccyx. (Hubs was so hilarious when I mentioned it. “You said cock. Hee hee. Apparently, I’m married to a 12 year old. And we all had a really horrible stomach flu thing that stuck around for a full week. I’m happy to say that I lost a few pounds, but come on. There has to be an easier way.

Good news: my office’s holiday party is tomorrow. I can’t wait to go and have fun. I get to run the White Elephant and it’s always such a blast to see what present everyone fights over. 

Other great things? I’m almost done Christmas shopping. I only have my Mom and Step-Dad and Dad and Step-Mom left for buy Christmas gifts. However, I still have to get Hubs something for his birthday. Other than that it’s just wrapping and finishing up the gifts that I’m making. 

Yet more great things? I participated in the Holiday Mix Tape Swap that Meagan, Sara and Meghan were hosting.

I was matched up with Christine at A day in the life... We sent a few emails back and forth about what music we both liked/were looking for. She did a great job on my tape. It was great! Lots of oldies, newbies, and some that I've never heard before. 

1.       Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Mariah Carey

2.       Baby, It’s Cold Outside - Dean Martin & Martina McBride

3.       I’ll Be Home for Christmas - Elvis & Carrie Underwood

4.       Silent Night - Sarah McLachlan

5.       My Grown Up Christmas List - Kelly Clarkson

6.       It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Harry Connick Jr.

7.       The Christmas Song - Peggy Lee

8.       Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Michael Bublé

9.       White Christmas - Bing Crobsy & Frank Sinatra

10.   Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Christina Aguilera

11.   Jingle All the Way - Lena Horne

12.   Shake Up Christmas - Train

13.   It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Norah Jones

14.   Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong & the Commanders

15.   It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas - Harry Connick Jr.

16.   Blue Christmas - Elvis & Martina McBride

17.   Jingle Bells - Michael Bublé & The Puppini Sisters

18.   Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt

19.   Winter Wonderland - Dean Martin

20.   Joy to the World - David Archuleta

21.   Satariffic - Harry Connick Jr.

22.   All I want for Christmas is You - Michael Bublé

23.   It Ain’t Christmas - Joe

24.   Holly Jolly Christmas - Faith Hill

      I highlighted my top faves from the playlist in Green. Also, I have to say that in perusing all the other mix tape playlists I found out about a great group. Pentatonix. They are AMAZING!!! I had to go and buy their Christmas album on iTunes. If you haven't heard of them. Check them out here. 

      

     

Cruise + Halloween Follow Up + Contest Shoutout

I'm back to my smiling, ash blond, no black eyeliner self today. Happy and content with another Halloween past. Granted, I would have liked to have been able to go to a Halloween party. But when your Hubs doesn't really care about Halloween and he schedules a TON of stuff on the weekends around it. Yeah. I'm not able to go to any parties.

Though to be fair last weekend, I was in Cozumel. So I guess I'll take that over being here and freezing.

On to Halloween. The Chillin's had a blast with Halloween. Squeaker didn't go trick or treating since he was out with his Amma at the time when we had to go out. Plus it was cold and wet and I didn't want to have to subject him to that anyway.

Angel Baby made out like a bandit. She got all sorts of candy. And even a king size candy bar! I bet that house won't ever get egged or tp'ed. Like ever.

Aren't they the cutest?

And as for contest shoutout. Lisa over at A Southern Belle Misplaced in Michigan is having a giveaway. She is an amazing stitcher and I'm impressed with her output of stuff. Really you should go check out her blog. Incredible.

Cursive Writing - No longer being taught?

So, as you all know, I've decided to join in on LetterMo. I said that I love my handwriting. Not to toot my own horn, but it is nice and clear to read. In fact, at work they have me write out the stuff that needs "nice handwriting". Anyway, come to find out from my co-worker, her son's school is no longer teaching cursive writing.

I get the fact that teachers are strapped for time and that learning typing skills is necessary. However, I don't think that cursive writing should be discarded so easily. What will happen in a few years when college graduates can't read a simple note written in cursive? Not to mention that fact that I have student employees right now that have horrific writing. And it's not even in cursive either!

I understand that you need to teach the basics, but didn't the saying go, "Reading, Writing and Arithmetic"? What's next? Are we going to rely on computers, nooks, iPads, whatever reading to our children?

All I know is that regardless, my children will learn to write in cursive, and will learn to write well. I'm planning on having them write in a journal every day. That way, they can not only work on their penmenship, but they can also have a large cache of their history. What were they thinking about when they were 5. How well their handwriting has gotten over the years. And granted, I'm sure there will be times when it's more of a chore than anything. But they will appreciate it one day, when they discover how rare it is to be able to write and write well.

And no, I won't read their journals. I'll give then other things to write out. Like the Declaration of Independence, their vocabulary words, or an article on a topic they like. Something. Anything to get them to practice a much needed skill!!!

And they will also, undoubtedly KNOW how to read!

So what are your thoughts about this?

Updates and Idiots

I've been meaning to get back on here and post something. We moved from a laptop to the iPad and it's sometimes a little difficult to the on a screen. I'm getting better, but if you see major glaring typos that's why.

I think my life is finally getting back to normal. We had Squeaker in Sept. and it's been one thing after another since then. We had Halloween/ Samhain. Then Thanksgiving, Yule, and Christmas. Plus two really bad colds/ flus that ripped through our house. Now the Hubs is doing inventory at work. So after this weekend, everything should be finished and we can go about life as usual. Just with an added bundle of joy.

Luckily, I haven't had anymore issues with the Angel Baby and her potty training. And she's getting more used to having Squeaker around. He's discovered his tounge. It's quite cute actually. He will be chewing on his fists and suddenly he's holding his tounge with his fingers. So hilarious.

Not much new to report, really.

Except a funny / really? type of scenario that happened at work the other day.

So I work at a university. In an all graduate department. So we're not talking about some 18 year old idiot here. This idiot was at least 23 or so. Still an idiot age to many of us, granted.

Anywho, we've been offering more and more online courses. And of course, they fill up super fast. Like within a week of registration opening. This idiot decides at the last minute that he needs to get into a full online course. Now in this situation, we always refer the student to the professor. If the prof is willing to give you an override, we'll put you in. Keep in mind that it's already two weeks into the semester as well.

So this student comes to the professor teaching the course and says "I need you to drop someone from the course and put me in the class. Because I have a job and need the course for my position."

Really?!?!?!?!?

REALLY?!?!?

You have the balls to ask that the professor kick someone else out of the course. Someone that registered with enough time to get into the course. But because you have a job that somehow makes you better than them and therefore you deserve to get in the course.

Puh-lease.

The correct route would have been to just ask if the professor would allow you in the course and then give your reasoning.

I was very happy that the prof laughed at the request. Granted it was over email so the poor delusional individual was unable to see just how idiotic his request really was.

You know, just because you're the center of your Mommy and Daddy's universe doesn't mean that you are at the center of everyone's.

Idiot.

Adjusting to Two

No. I'm not dead. Just learning how to juggle two children. It's been really interesting, let me tell you. The Squeaker is just as sweet as he could be. My little Snuggle Buddy. Probably the easiest baby in the world. But you add a three year old to the mix and boom. Crazy hijinks ensue. My Angel Baby has had moments of being my Devil Child. She'll act out when I'm holding Squeaker. I know it's an attention thing, but it's still hard to deal with.

But now after three and a half months with the new baby, we're finally starting to come to a sort of equilibrium. She's starting to understand that he isn't going away. And become used to the idea of sharing Mommy.

Hope you all had wonderful holidays. Samhain/Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Yule, Christmas, New Year's. Never really thought about it before, but there are sure a lot of holidays squished together at the end of the year.

I haven't really been on blogger much since my last post. I'm hoping to start catching up with all of you again. Now that things have settled down.

Nice to be back.

Introducing my Little Squeaker

Here's my little Squeaker. He's such a loving, bundle of snuggles. Here he is passed out on Mommy. He was born on Sept. 18th. 9.3lbs. 20 inches, blue eyes and strawberry blong hair.

Hope you are all doing well. I'm playing catch-up with all your blogs.

Updates on the Pregnancy

So, I had an ultrasound last Friday to check on the progress our Little Man is making. (I think his nickname is more likely to become "Dude".) He's measuring at 8 lbs. Give or take a pound. Yeesh. I thought he'd be smaller since I'm retaining less water with him than I did with my daughter.

Yesterday I went in for my checkup. They scheduled me for a C-section on the 22nd if he doesn't come by then. Oh boy, I hope he does. Since in the next 5 days, I have to go to the doctor's office/hospital /lab 3 times. Ugh.

Apparently, the doc and the ultrasound tech are worried about my fluid levels. Amniotic fluid for those not in the preggers vocab know. So, I had a non-stress test yesterday morning. Should have taken 10 minutes. Took an hour because my "Little Man" wouldn't stop moving. Note: He hates to have things on my belly. So I have to go to the hospital on Saturday for another non-stress test, the Ultrasound lab on Monday for another ultrasound and back to my doctor's on Tuesday for another non-stress test.

I sat down with the Dude after my appointment and told him that he needs to come, because I don't want to spend all that time running from appointment to appointment. Maybe once he realizes that every time I have to run, it's more seat belt uncomfort-ness for him, he'll get fed up and just come already.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Nearing the Finish Line

So, I'm now at 34 weeks. The little man is measuring quite large. So, in a week and a half I will be having an ultrasound to check on his size. My doc wants to see if he's really big, if I have more fluid, or if it's half and half. After that we'll decide on delivery methods.

I'm somewhat ready for him to get here. Just a few more things I have to check off my list. And we'll be good to go.

In other news, I signed up my daughter for dance. It's a tap/ballet combo and it's for 8 months. Yep. 8 Months. Luckily, if she hates it, we can drop out at no extra cost. But the funniest thing happened the other day. We were buying her ballet and tap shoes. The sales lady asked my daughter to point her toes when she had the ballet slippers on. And my daughter looked at her and pointed to her toes. It was almost like she was thinking....

"Um, my toes are right there. Why do I need to point to them?"

After a minute or so she figured out what we were trying to get her to do. Such is the mind of a two and a half year old. LOL.

And my Angel Baby finally moved into a big girl bed. She now is sleeping in a full size bed. I'm so proud, but yet sad that she's growing up. I guess this happens with all milestones. Though, to be honest, I was really excited when she got out of diapers...and started sleeping through the night.