Maddieism of the Day

Me: "Are you pooping?"

Maddie: "Check in my diaper."

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to take a moment and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I have been baking up a storm. I don't mind bragging that I have managed to become quite a competent cook, however baking/desserts are not my strength. So why did I volunteer to handle the desserts this year? Who knows. Last night I made a pumpkin cheesecake, and this morning I baked an apple crisp. I'm not sure how the cheesecake will turn out as I've never made one, and you know there is a lot of room for error on that one. That is why I went with the apple crisp for the second one. Hard to mess up, that one is. I hope. It's in the oven right now. In a few hours we will be heading to my Mom's house.
Just a few things I am thankful for this year:
~four healthy children
~one supportive, sweet, affectionate, hard-working, unconditional-loving husband
~plenty of work available for my husband despite the economic uncertainty
~all extended family
~the ability this year to look back at the year and feel with complete certainty that we are a stronger family in a better place than this time last year

Have a great day all!

Ode to Conair Soothing Sounds Machine

This little machine is perhaps the best the best purchase I have ever made. I ordered it from eBay, and including shipping it was only $32. Seriously, if it was possible to love an electronic gadget, I love this one. Every night I use the "ocean waves" setting, but there are nine others. After a comment I received on my post about the neighbor's music, I should clarify that the music is not loud enough to bother the other neighbors. With the exception of the one time I was called a nasty word, the music can't be heard outside. Only in my master bedroom when all is quiet and I am trying to sleep. So, calling the police to enforce the noise ordinance is not really a solution. Something about the way the walls were built amplifies the music. Yes, I can still hear it all night long, every night. It's like there's a nightclub nearby and I am only hearing the beat of the base, but there's not one anywhere near here. Anyway, this little cheap machine is wonderful. The waves are so soothing, and the music doesn't bother me anymore. Sleep on, sleep on.

Proud

Yesterday my gorgeous 12 year old daughter competed at the state level in gymnastics. She is now ranked #9 in the state of Texas (for her age group). This is a girl goes to school for 8 hours and then works out at the gym for 3 or 4 more hours, depending on the day. She works so hard, and I am so proud of her.

I need a break. I need a break. I need a break. This has been my mantra for the past three days as I have seen hide nor hair of my husband. He has been busy at work, to say the least. Right now both little girls are with their Grandma, and it is quiet here. I have my break. It was great. I say "was" because now that five hours have passed, I miss them! Terribly! I want them back! Can any of you other sahm's relate? Or am I just crazy?


***edited: I should add that after I handed them over to my mother, I went to the mall with a friend and then out to dinner with her. I haven't been to a mall since before Maddie was born. I guess that's why I feel like ok, break's over.

Neighbors

Well. Hm. I sure am glad that we are renting this house. We couldn't have bought it anyway, had we wanted to, for we are diligently trying to rebuild our credit after several extremely tough years. But I sure am glad, sitting here today typing this, that we didn't. Because our neighbors are successfully chasing me away. We don't live in a "rich" neighborhood, we don't live in a "poor" neighborhood, but rather somewhere in between. The german shepherd next door barks continuously, especially at night and at 6 in the morning when other neighbors are starting to get into their cars to head to work. This same neighbor plays very loud, very annoying music every.single.night. Bump bump bump goes the base and/or drums, in my head as I'm laying in my bed. I'm the type of person that needs complete silence and zero stimulation when I'm trying to fall asleep. I can't even have the television on low volume. My husband? He falls asleep to the point of snoring within 90 seconds of his head hitting the pillow. A monsoon could be raging right outside the window and he still can fall asleep and stay that way. And I am not exaggerating. So irritating. Before you think of it, yes the irritation stems from jealousy. I have to concentrate to fall asleep. Ridiculous, I know. My mind is very hard to turn off so that I can start to drift off. I think about my problems, what is good and what needs improvement in my life. I pray, I process my day. When there is irritating noise that gets my blood boiling? Forget it. Corey can't even really hear it, but then he was in the military and also sets off fire alarms near his ears many times a day, so it's no wonder. A few nights ago the music was so loud that even Corey could hear it. I worked up the nerve to go next door and knock on the door. It didn't go well. I reasonably and politely told the woman (I think it is the single male owner's mother) that I could hear the music in every room in my house, and especially in my baby's room and pointed to Maddie's window. She tells me that maybe I should move my baby into another room then! Then she proceeded to call me a b****, slam the door in my face, and shut off the front porch light. Nice, huh? You know how later, after a heated conversation, you think of things you wish you had said? Well, I wish I would have told her to act like an adult since she's at least 60 (she only looks about 50) and also mentioned the fact that moving the baby wouldn't help since I already told her I can hear it in every room. Take that!!
I really had planned to stay here for 3-4 years, until we won't be laughed out of the room when we approach a bank for a mortgage. Now, I'm not so sure about this. Loud music only on the weekends would be bad enough (I'm really old and grumpy, apparently), but every night? Come on. I guess I belong in a senior living community.

Maddie Is Two...And Acting It

Today is Madison's actual birthday. Since her birthday party was on Sunday she had already opened her presents, but I saved a couple for today. A girl has to have something to open on her official birthday day. Wouldn't you know that the cheap spinning light toy she opened up today would be the favorite of them all.

And to celebrate Maddie turning two, here are two Maddieisms. They are real gems.

~"Your boobies are sticking out. Put on a towel." (I had just gotten out of the shower)

~"You know my happy birthday? Taylor don't give it back." (She was referring to the light spinner thing)

I can't believe that the last baby I'll ever have is no longer a baby. That thought simultaneously makes me sad and happy. A whole new phase of our lives is upon us. Goodbye baby years, hello teenage years (ack..how do I have a tween? I'm too young.). Fortunately, the loss of the wonderful things having a baby includes--constant snuggles, toothless grins, first laughes, tiny feet, amazing milestones, rocking--is replaced by equally awesome things--the return of a social life, alone time, using the bathroom in private, more sleep, more money (goodbye diapers and baby paraphernalia), and alone time with your husband (wink wink).

Happy Birthday Madison!

I'm running the A/C in November. Really? Seriously? Is anybody else having unseasonably warm weather?

On a completely unrelated note, have you all seen those widgets on the sidebars of blogs for ChipIn? Apparently, it is now considered socially acceptable to solicit funds over the internet from complete strangers. We can now beg for money to finance anything from adoptions to household bills. I was thinking of putting one up on my sidebar to request money to buy a new computer. How about it folks? Is is worth a forking over a little of your own hard earned money to see again pictures of my lovely littles?
(insert snark here)

From All You Mothers Out There...

Can I get a "daylight savings time sucks?"

Check Up

Today one of our playgroups visited a little "ranch" that touted a petting zoo, pony ride, and a balloon for $5. Taylor is a horse fanatic, and every time we drive down the street near our house where there is a stable advertising riding lessons complete with horses grazing in the front, she begs to ride a horse. In fact, she eats her vegetables and fruit religiously so she can "grow strong and big and ride on horsies". Based on all of this, I figured this would be perfect. Well, she did get to ride a pony. They both did. In a circle. Very slowly. About 4 times around. They were also presented with a dixie cup of goat pellets when we got there, so they fed the goats and held some rabbits. It was weird. But, Taylor loved it. The little boy in front of her had his mother walking the circle with him, holding on to him. Right up front Taylor made it clear she did not want me to go with her. I wish I could show you the look on her face. She was thrilled.

Yesterday we celebrated Maddie's 2nd birthday with a small party. Yesterday was also the 3rd anniversary of my Dad's death. It was a fun time on a rotten day. I was so busy cleaning and shopping (yes, I wait until the day of the party to do all this) that I didn't have much time for sadness and reflection. Which is good, I guess, but with the relief comes a little bit of guilt that I didn't. I'm making up for it today, though, because my Dad has been in the forefront of my thoughts most of the day. I miss him. He would really enjoy Maddie, she is so smart and sassy. When Brittany was this age, they were inseparable. He was such a good grandpa, and I hate that my Maddie and Taylor will not ever know him.

Potty training is moving ahead full force, despite Maddie still being 4 days shy of 2 years old. The good--she is recognizing the urge to go and successfully using her little toilet. Yay for fewer diapers! The bad--she heads into the bathroom on her own, shedding her diaper somewhere along the way, and before I've had the chance to even notice she is in the bathroom, she is carrying the pink plastic bowl, shouting and sloshing pee on the carpet (the bowl is shaped like the mouth of the frog, complete with tongue..a little weird).
**I'm just kidding about the pee on the carpet, there's not enough in there to actually go over the edge. But there is definate sloshing and there have been several close calls.

Everything else is going along just swimmingly. We are looking forward to a visit from Corey's mother in December. I am loving the fact that the weather is cooler, and getting excited that the holidays are approaching. My favorite time of the year. You all lucked out, because as I am still without a computer of my own, you have been spared a picture of the first ever poop in the little potty. Bah I'm just kidding. Did you really think I would take a picture of that? I could barely stand to look at it.