Wordless Wednesday

Costumes

For me, as an adult, I don't spend a whole lot of time and/or energy on a costume.

However, I have decided that my truly great costumes generally start with a pair of awesome socks.

Throw in a pillow case, a hot glue gun, a kid toy... who knows what the end result will look like!

I would like some eyeliner... too bad I don't wear makeup.  Maybe I'll snag some tomorrow, anyway.

Happy Halloween, all!

Wedding...

So, I just learned there is (possibly, if we make the guest list) a wedding in our future...

Baby G has never been to a weddng!

Pumpkins are Coming!

Somehow.... We've been into pumpkins around here, lately.  Can you believe it?  Sunday, it was a trip to the Pumpkin Patch!  (And no worries... I've been in picture taking mode lately - so there will still be plenty of pictures for Wordless Wednesday!)

Extra pics, now what?

As October is coming to a close, I'm trying to decide what to post for November!

I was at one time successful with thank-yous, so I may try that again.  Or not.

sometimes it's stressful if there is something you feel like you "have" to post.

So this week, I posted some extra pictures.  And for once, they are actually of ME, and not the munchkins!

We tried a wine "flight" last night, but weren't impressed with any of them.  Other than, I suppose, that they darn near put me to sleep.

All of the neighbors are going to Octoberfest/Costume parties. We're boring tonight.  Tried a new restaurant (which did not have a kids menu, and was fairly sub-par in our book).  Did a tiny bit of Christmas shopping.

And I stayed in the car with two sleeping kids while DH went into target.

Somehow, Kiddo has decided that he can do "quiet time", but he really doesn't want to take a nap.  He's 3 now.  the verdict is still out a bit on whether he really needs it.  Today seemed to be a good day, with very little tantrum throwing.  As much as I have heard about terrible twos... I think in this house, for this kiddo, it's more about the (not quite so) terrible threes!

Color Pics!

Color me Rad!

For a few months now, I've been looking forward to this race called "Color me Rad!"

I have my shirt, and sunglasses (in pink!).

I'm up... can't sleep anymore.. and I've been debating what breakfast to eat.  (Banana, nuts, and chocolate milk!)

Next, I get dressed in my "white" clothes - specifically purchased for the occasion - and each kilometer of the 5K race, I will be doused in color.

Added bonus:  I have a running partner going with me!

So today?  Bring on the Color!

Non-Golfing

Once per year, I attend a company event where there is golfing.  Lots of golfing.

I don't golf.

For the last two years, though, I have "participated" by riding around in a golf cart watching others.

And while this may not sound all that exciting.... it has been really fun watching others golf! I get to know the "group" a little more.

Will I take up golf one day?  Probably not.  But I do enjoy spending the afternoon outside!

Superhero

Most mornings, I get up and go before anyone is out of bed.  I take the dogs out, but otherwise have little other morning responsibilities.

Which means that some mornings, when I do get the morning routine, I feel like a super hero.

Getting two kids up, fed, dressed, pottied/diapered, and out the door is no small feat!  Add in a shower for yourself, packing for a trip, a load of dishes, cupcakes for daycare, paperwork, cereal for baby G, clean blanket for Kiddo, and preparing bottles... it's a super-human feat!

What all this really means is that my hubby - who does the getting the kids up, fed, dressed, pottied/diapered, and out of the door on a daily basis... he is a superhero.  On the rare occasions where I get to take care of the regular morning responsibilities, I appreciate him just a little more.

Wordless Wednesday

Do you Yelp?

One of the cool sites I've been getting the hang of and using lately is Yelp.

I've done a few reviews on there now.  Most recently, for cupcakes.

Cupcakes seem to be the "in" thing.  I had a Groupon for a local bakery, so I tried them.

It was a bit of a fiasco to get them... and we have way too many.. but they taste pretty good.  It just seems they are never ending- even after we gave several to some friends!

And a coworker also got cupcakes for her son's birthday, which was also a fiasco.

So my advice is:  If your son is having a birthday, don't get him cupcakes.  At least for me and my friend from work - it means the birthday will not turn out like you expect.

Of course... maybe that's just what it means to have kids, period.  That nothing will quite meet your expectations...

Love with Food

I have a passion for food.  And stock piling, but that's a story for another day.

I recently discovered (via a groupon or some similar thing) this company called "Love with Food".

It's a "membership", where you sign up for a certain number of months.

The concept is - they send you 8 "sample" types of items to try each month.

And it. is. awesome.

I've tried vegan cookies, freeze dried fruit, tea and honey.  There have been candies and pretzels with "key lime" mustard (So good!)

I look forward to my little box every month.

It's a "splurge" - but one that I really enjoy.

An added bonus?  I used the boxes for the robot feet/shoes when Kiddo and I made a robot recently.

I'm in love... with love with food.

Confession

I don't like running.  Believe me, I don't.

I dread it every time I "force" myself go and do it.

Granted, I feel better (not physically, but emotionally) after I do it.  But it definitely isn't something I do for "fun".

Races are sometimes fun.  I've got two "fun" ones coming up - The Color Run, and a Filthy Fun Mud Run.

I guess the races keep me motivated to actually do something. Particularly those days where I really lack motivation.

Of course, running with a friend also helps the motivation.

But really?  I don't like running.

Time to put on my shoes, and do it anyway.

Uh-oh...

Two days in a row of skipped post-ing!  Whatever will happen to me in the blogger-world?

I'm tired.  I've been busy.  And it's just downright hard to be a mom of two, some days!

Thursday night, the kids took turns sleeping.  So when Baby G woke up about 12:30am, I had already been in Kiddo's room, so I just moved from his bed to holding Baby G.  And then when she calmed down, it seemed like it was time to move back to Kiddo's room.  About 5:30am, we all got up... dressed and fed... and got everywhere really early for the day!

So mostly - I've been just a tad on the tired side.  But thank goodness for a Saturday- to catch up with a few friends, carve a couple pumpkins, do a little shopping... and then start a crazy week all over again!

Enjoy your weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

Be spontaneous!

Today, I left work early.

I also got a call from an old friend- and for the 2nd time in mere weeks, had company this evening!

So, that leaves me exhausted.  And did I mention Kiddo turns 3 today?

I've had many blog topics in my head lately, but they will have to wait for another day.

Just a quick post tonight to say... Goodnight!

Sleep

This morning, I got to sleep in.  Until 7:15.  Wow. It was awesome.

Kiddo was redirected to his "computer" - where he can watch videos all by himself.  And Baby G decided she thinks it's okay to sleep in.

Life with two kids.... awesome. :)

Awesomist...

Orange

Normally, the word "orange" doesn't spark anything for me.

But combine it with other words, and there are some definite feelings evoked!

For example, burnt orange.  In our house, this only means Texas.  And while this doesn't make me ecstatic, I pretend to like it because I'm a good wife.

Another example:  Orange Zest.  Perhaps not the most common phrase that includes orange, but it takes me to the best. running. group. ever.

There were 12 (or so) of us.  Ana, Lisa, Mary, Robin, Melizza, Merri Su, Dan, Ralph, Julie, and I apologize for those I've forgotten.  We ran together.  Every week.  For almost 6 months.  Some of the best runs of my life.  I miss you guys!

Two of this crew have visited me in NC.  It's great to do something spontaneous on occasion.

That's it for now.

Wordless Wednesday

Sick..part 2

DH woke me up at 4:45am to ask me not to go to work today.

I guess, to be fair, I had just gotten back from checking on the baby.

Yes... it's going to be one of those days at our house.

I'm crossing my fingers- so far, breakfast has stayed down for the three of us that ate it!

Sick Kid

One of the few things worse than being sick?

Having a sick kid.

Poor boy is throwing up.  I was sick earlier (and likely passed on my germs), but didn't have the puking.  And mine didn't last long.

So, we're crossing our fingers that Baby G and daddy don't get sick - although DH has already proclaimed that he is starting to not feel so well.

Why is it that sickness has to take over the whole house?  It's not like everyone can get it all at once so it's over and done.  Or that it doesn't take over a weekend.

Blech.

Stay healthy, friends!  Drink your OJ!

October before election

Every four years, the election rolls around for the next president.

And the October before is AWFUL.  At least, for me.  I do not like politics.

Crazy people showing up on my doorstep, a mailbox full of "trash" instead of interesting mail... yuck!

I'm not sure how I am on the "list".  I should hang up on people, or slam the door in their face.  I don't mind voting - after all, I feel that part is my civil duty.  But I don't want to commit - to anyone - who I will be voting for.

I don't want to watch a "debate" on television.

I don't want the topic of conversation - just about everywhere you go - to be politics.

Thank goodness, there is relief in sight.  November can't get here soon enough!

Family Pictures

We haven't done family pictures since Baby G was born.  Today, it was finally time to have someone (other than me) take pictures.
The whole event was just full of stress!

4 people, showered and out the door...

But mostly... the stress seemed to be prior to the actual picture-taking event.  The "girl" stress... about clothes.

What are we going to wear?  How do you coordinate outfits for 4 people?  And more importantly, can I find any baby clothes that will "go" with the rest of us?  Doh!

 The pictures posted today were some of the options that I considered.

Kiddo had a great teal shirt, which he insisted on wearing to bed the night before.

And otherwise, everyone in the family had something for most of my ideas.. except the baby.

Baby G has plenty of clothes, but nothing very plain.  It's impossibly difficult to find plain baby clothes!

 Everyone had long sleeves, except the baby... her only "acceptable" long sleeve shirt had writing on it (Love!)

But somehow, we managed.

And then I got sick and spent the rest of the day in bed.

Nothing like spending a weekend day sick.  I even have a fever- kiddo insisted on checking!

Wow, what a whiny post.  I think tomorrow will also be a rant (about politics) - since that is one of the things I seem to do best.
At least today was a rant with pictures!

This is it!

I walked into the office today, without a certain bag that has been attached to me since maternity leave ended.

This certain device... contraption... that is the mark of a nursing and working mom.

Have you guessed it?

Yep, it's also sometimes called....a pump.  And not the kind you use to  fill up your car with gasoline.

There is nothing... I repeat... NOTHING... fun about pumping.  I could try to be positive and say something like, "it's better for the baby".... but I can't make the jump from that statement to the pump.

Closing doors, "escaping" and "hiding" in various restrooms and/or mom-friendly places (family restroom at the airport, mother's room when visiting a vendor's offices, etc) - SO. NOT. FUN.

So today?  I'm feeling a little more free.

I'm still going to "try" doing the nursing thing in the mornings and evenings.  And even though the pump didn't come to work with me today, I may wind up bringing it with me if I travel for any length of time.

But... at least for today... I feel like a free woman.  Not that I'm totally "back" to being myself again - but I feel like I'm one step closer along the journey.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy October!

So... have you been staying tuned all year, and you just can't wait to here what the "topic" will be for October?

Me too.

Oh, wait... I guess that won't work.

I've had many ideas.  But I continue to ponder.  I can wait to decide, right?  Maybe I'll even rebel from my own plan.  Only time will tell!

So... in the meantime...

Happy World Vegetarian Day!