A Tribute to Splash Pads.

Oh, how I wish we had one at home...
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More tributes here.

Four Weeks and Three Days Left.

Until I'm banned from airline travel by my crazy paranoid fantastically skilled and super nice obstetrician. SO. If you were planning to surprise me with an all expense paid vacation to somewhere fabulous, now would be the time to do it. Please.

Sally and me on the plane to New York City for my last air-travel hoorah before JJ was born.

My super awesome friend, Tricia, and me on the Brooklyn Bridge. About twenty minutes after this picture was taken, we found ourselves locked in the secret room of a really creepy shop in China Town. I may or may not have risked our lives for a little Dooney & Bourke action.

This Fruity Baby Loves His Mama.

Flashback Friday!

So, I've been trying to figure out who JJ looks like.
Guess I don't have to wonder anymore.
(Jessi & Me, circa 1982ish)

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More Flashbacks:
A Woman, A Wife, A Mom.
The Many Days of the DiCarolis Family
Damica
The Turkstra Family Three

p.s. Want to participate? Let me know if you do a Flashback Friday post and I'll link it up here!

Poor Little Surgery Baby.

Thanks everyone for the sweet well wishes! Surgery day sucked, but it was to be expected. The procedure was originally scheduled for when Jonathan was much younger (and therefore less mobile) but fate intervened with multiple ear infections, and so we landed here. In month fifteen. When he never. stops. moving.

Happy baby, pre-surgery.

We arrived at Nemours (love them) promptly, as our previous experience was efficient and timely (yes, apparently this runs in the family. fun stuff.). But, unfortunately, the schedule was running behind, so our 8:00AM slot turned into a 10:00AM. Boo. Try explaining that to a fifteen month old who hasn't had anything to eat or drink since dinner the night before.

We were understanding though, as last year it was Casey's unexpectedly difficult surgery throwing their schedule into a tizzy. And the staff there is wonderful. They did everything in their power to help distract and entertain little J.

Not-so-happy baby, post-surgery.

When he finally went back, the procedure was quick (about an hour) and uneventful (yay!). He was brought to us from recovery pissed as hell and wanting to go home! After a sippy cup of juice and the removal of hep locks and monitors, we were off. The afternoon was rough with a lot of screaming (he was NOT cool with the no walking until late afternoon orders) and sobbing ("mommy, hurt!"). But he was increasingly happier and more mobile throughout the evening, and by bedtime (with a little help from codeine laced Tylenol) he was nearly himself again.

Fingers (and toes) crossed for today.

Happy baby, post-post-surgery.

This is Post #301. So, Let's Give it Some Love.

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More WW here & here.

p.s. The little(r) one is having (relatively minor) surgery this morning. Healing healthy thoughts are appreciated!

UPDATES:

2:00PM; We're home and well. After a two hour screaming jag, six sippies of juice, two pieces of toast and a dose of codeine he's finally sleeping. Thanks everyone for the well wishes!

2:30PM; Nap was short-lived. Screaming again commenced and I called Mom for back-up. Mom is here, kids have calmed and I'm seriously considering a nap for myself. Very seriously.

A Tribute...

To Dads who like fishing (almost) as much as their little boys like it.

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More tributes here.

Holy Inappropriateness, Batman!

So, several months ago I encoutered a woman at the zoo wearing a skimpy little bikini. Granted, she was near the kiddie splash zone, but STILL. It's the zoo. Not a waterpark. And it's a KIDDIE splash zone. So... totally inappropriate, right?

Hah.

I thought so too.

Until I saw this.

At the mall.

In the kids' indoor play area.

Yeh.

It's a demi-cut underwire, in case you were curious.

Happy Father's Day To The Best Seat In The House!

Five Things You Should Not Say to Me. Ever. Because It's Rude. And You Should Know Better.

5. Wow, did you miss health class they day they talked about birth control?

No, I did not. I am well versed on birth control, menses, pregnancy and how the whole shebang comes together to make life.

4. So, you're done. Right?

No, I'm not. This time next year I will probably be pregnant again. But, I'm sorry... why is it your business?

3. You're crazy.

Yes, I am. Back off.

2. They must be a handful.

Yes, and a heartful.

1. You poor thing.

I am rich beyond anything you can imagine. My children are beautiful and priceless and they make life worth living.

Flashback Friday!

Hubs and (fresh from the belly) Baby Casey, November 2006.

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More Flashbacks!
A Woman, a Wife, A Mom
Damica

p.s. Want to participate? Let me know if you do a Flashback Friday post and I'll link it up here!

p.p.s. Mmmmmm... Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup!

It's Hump Week.

20 weeks down, only 20 more to go...

I'm Pretty Sure I Just Earned a Citation from the Kiddie Fashion Police

So, I never expected I'd be a matchy-matchy mommy.... but, ohhhhh! They're just so cute!

We demand discipline.

...and love.

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p.s. More WW here & here.
p.p.s. Congratulations to Amanda from 'A Day in the Life...' for winning my Father's Day Giveaway, hosted by Eden Fantasys!

I May Have an Addiction to Craigslist.

...and I may have (grossly) overestimated the size of our family room in making this purchase.

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p.s. More tributes here!
p.p.s. Today is the last day to enter my Father's Day Giveaway!!!

Ok, Monday... I'm Ready.

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p.s. Only one more day to enter my Father's Day Giveaway!!!

Reason # 9,485,395,343 Why Grampas are Cooler than Mommies

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p.s. Don't forget to enter my Father's Day Giveaway!!!

Water Bill, Be Damned.

A couple weeks ago, while my Dad was visiting, we made a trip to the local Wal-Mart and left with a baby pool.

I was worried.

The kids were going to make a mess, it was a fight waiting to happen and the pool would eventually make a quiet escape in the night.

But, alas. It's a miracle pool. There's no minimal fighting, the mess has been contained to the patio and the boys spend (literally) hours on end splashing in the water. This pool has become a welcome addition to the craigslist/yardsale graveyard that is our patio.

Thanks, Dad!

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p.s. Don't forget to enter my Father's Day Giveaway!!!
p.p.s. I do (occasionally) still cook.

Flashback Friday!

My little brother, Casey, and my little sister, Sally.
They pretty much haven't changed. (circa 1988).

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p.s. Want to participate? Let me know if you do a Flashback Friday post and I'll link it up here!

p.p.s. Don't forget to enter my Father's Day Giveaway!!!

Just Like Grampa.

Casey has his own 'kid sized' hat, but it just won't do.
He needs his Grampa hat for throwing rocks in the pond!

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p.s. More WW here & here!
p.p.s. Don't forget to enter my Father's Day Giveaway!!!

Stalling...

I'm hoping to have an exciting (yay!) contest post up later today... so for now, I'm stalling.

Here... look at this beautiful baby. Nom nom nom.

Flashback Friday!

Celebrity cruising on our last vacation. *sigh* (circa May 2007).

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p.s. Want to participate? Let me know if you do a Flashback Friday post and I'll link it up here!

Happy Birthday, Gorgeous!

Remember Baby Allie? Well, she turned ONE!!! And check out the amazing (and really really really yummy) cakes her mama made!

Big brother helping with the candles.

Can you believe she rolled fondant and everything?!
One layer was chocolate and the other layer, vanilla. YUM.

The smash cake!

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More WW here & here.

p.s. Please forgive the icky cell phone shots, I totally forgot my camera.

p.p.s. Just to be sure there's no confusion. Beautiful Allie is not my daughter. She's my very good friend's daughter (as seen in the picture with Allie, brother Jacob and dad). I have boys. Just in case you were a little drunk mixed up.

An Open Letter to Sea World.

Dearest Sea World,

We love you. Really, we do. The "pay for a day, come back all year" campaign? Brilliant. The dolphin & bird show? Fantastic. The flowers and landscaping? Beautiful.

But.

I have a few bones to pick...

1. The water features everywhere that say 'no wading'?

Mean.

2. Stroller parking with no rain canopy?

Sucks.

3. Stroller parking at the bottom of a really long hill?

Please stop trying to kill me.

4. Not having your ushers point out the teensy little 'soak zone' signs when they see a mess of babies sitting a bit too close at the Shamu show?

Shameful.

5. No water fountains?

Seriously, I filled my canteen in the bathroom. Gross.

6. Not opening the food vendors until 11:30?

I AM MY KIDS ARE HUNGRY!!!

Yours truly,
A soaking wet, thirsty mama with some seriously pissed off children.

p.s. We really do love you, though. See you next week!
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More tributes here.