Can you believe we are actually going to take a toddler and an infant on a 12 hour road trip?
If you can't, you are wrong.
We have a important family function to attend that happens to be 12 hours away, so we have to go. Yes, a plane ride would be easier and only an hour ride but who can afford that. Can you imagine the cost to have 4 people fly for a one hour ride. If I had money to burn, that would be a different story, but I don't.
I know, I know we will be burning a pretty penny in gas. We did the calculations and it is pretty steep, not as steep as airline tickets, so on the road we go.
So we are going to try and leave while the little angels are sleeping, we have the in car DVD(Thank God for Toy Story and Cars), and I even mapped out strategic stops.
Who thinks it will all go smoothly?
Who thinks I will return with a full head of gray hair?
We shall see. I will definitely let you know how it goes.
I will also be grateful for any advice or tips on traveling in a car with a toddler and infant, extremely grateful.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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Monday, June 23, 2008
Best Shot Monday
My newest creation, not to shabby!
For more gorgeous shots, head to Mother May I and see what every one else has to share!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Photo Challenge: the gory details
Andrea over at Shutter Sisters wants to hear all about the gory details that lead up to a great shot. This picture is one of my favorite but was not come upon easy.
Every year (being only 2 now) I want to take a picture for the Christmas cards. Francesco was not in the mood, not cooperative and just downright impossible and I only had one day left to get it down and sent out. Prior to leaving for work and daycare I tried to get a few shot in the house, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. So as we are leaving at 6:40 in the morning the cars are running with the headlights on. He is trying to get down the front steps on his own (he won't let you help him) as I snap as many pictures as I can. He wouldn't stand still for nothing. I was so frustrated until I got to work and looked at what I had.
I was surprised to find this one.
I know you can't see his face but I captured his best feature, those gorgeous cheeks, everyone always comments on his big pinch-able cheeks. I also like the way the light is hitting. My husband doesn't understand why I like this picture since he isn't even looking at the camera (he just doesn't get it)
Crafty
I promised my niece I would post about our terrarium building. I was inspired by Creative Thoughts by Chelle .
We had a ton of fun shopping for the supplies and then getting out hands dirty. I also got out my box of knick knacks so she could choose some figurines. In the end she decided she wanted to take the big one home. She did a great job and when I look at mine I remember her visit.
Thanks Chelle for an awesome idea, you rock!
Friday, June 20, 2008
And so it begins...
potty training!
I had decides that I was going to wait until after Francesco second birthday to start the whole potty training ordeal. That sort of got nixed by school. The class he is in now, most of the kids are 3 years old, some are already potty trained and others are in the process. Francesco is the same size as the other kids but he is the youngest in the class. I had my reservations about him moving to the older class but I was reassured that they would not expect him to be potty trained nor expect him to act like a 3 year old.
So far all is going well. One thing they do is take the whole class to the potty together. They let him sit on the potty and try but there is no pressure to actually go. I have also gotten him a potty chair at home that he likes to sit on an read.
Last Sunday (Father's Day) I went to change him after his breakfast and realized he was dry, I figured he would be going any minute. I don't know what possessed me but I sat him on the potty and we read a book. He made a face and them he looked down. I had him stand up and low and behold he pee peed on the potty. I made such a big deal out of it and he was so happy. We even woke daddy up to tell him.
So we decided to make it a routine to sit on the potty after breakfast. We have had mixed success. One day he goes, one day he doesn't, one day he even poops. We praise him when he goes and tell him good try when he doesn't, no pressure.
This morning he sit there after breakfast and nothing. So we got dressed and started to pack up for the day. He then started to grunt...a sure sign he has to go. So I take him in to the bathroom and sit him on the potty. In the rush of things I forgot to attach the little splash guard the come with it for little boys.
Let's just say that as soon as I cleaned up the bathroom floor I myself required a shower. He ended up going on the potty and again we gave him huge praise. I on the other hand need to get with the program and keep the splash guard attached.
Why is it that when the baby spits up he gets it all over me and not a drop on himself and when the splash guard isn't attached Francesco some how manages to pee all over me and not get a drop of it on himself?
Motherhood, gotta love, gotta take a shower!
I had decides that I was going to wait until after Francesco second birthday to start the whole potty training ordeal. That sort of got nixed by school. The class he is in now, most of the kids are 3 years old, some are already potty trained and others are in the process. Francesco is the same size as the other kids but he is the youngest in the class. I had my reservations about him moving to the older class but I was reassured that they would not expect him to be potty trained nor expect him to act like a 3 year old.
So far all is going well. One thing they do is take the whole class to the potty together. They let him sit on the potty and try but there is no pressure to actually go. I have also gotten him a potty chair at home that he likes to sit on an read.
Last Sunday (Father's Day) I went to change him after his breakfast and realized he was dry, I figured he would be going any minute. I don't know what possessed me but I sat him on the potty and we read a book. He made a face and them he looked down. I had him stand up and low and behold he pee peed on the potty. I made such a big deal out of it and he was so happy. We even woke daddy up to tell him.
So we decided to make it a routine to sit on the potty after breakfast. We have had mixed success. One day he goes, one day he doesn't, one day he even poops. We praise him when he goes and tell him good try when he doesn't, no pressure.
This morning he sit there after breakfast and nothing. So we got dressed and started to pack up for the day. He then started to grunt...a sure sign he has to go. So I take him in to the bathroom and sit him on the potty. In the rush of things I forgot to attach the little splash guard the come with it for little boys.
Let's just say that as soon as I cleaned up the bathroom floor I myself required a shower. He ended up going on the potty and again we gave him huge praise. I on the other hand need to get with the program and keep the splash guard attached.
Why is it that when the baby spits up he gets it all over me and not a drop on himself and when the splash guard isn't attached Francesco some how manages to pee all over me and not get a drop of it on himself?
Motherhood, gotta love, gotta take a shower!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Love Thursday
This a picture I took a while back of my husband playing with our oldest son. I love the look on Francesco's face, he is just so happy to be with his Dad.
Rich Recipe
I have an "almost" 6 year old niece that came to visit for a few days last week. Her older sibling were away at camp and I offered to have her come here for a few days to get away. Her mother was more than glad to let her visit.
The first day she was here she meet the neighbors little girls who is also "almost" 6 (I would never say I am "almost 3 *cough,cough,hack,hack*). They decide to paint their nails a glittery purple, she then comes to me to show me these "beautiful nails". They were a mess, not even and only had one coat. That night we remove the polish and I promised to repaint them the next day.
The next day she reminded me numerous times we were going to paint her nails. I dig out the one bottle of nail polish I have, its red and called "Chick Flick Cherry".
Here is what we started with:
Me: No, you have to wait 2 minutes and do a second coat.
Niece: Whats a second coat?
Me: Another layer of polish.
Niece: Why do you do that?
Me: It make the color deeper and rich.
Niece: Okay.
So after 2 minutes we put on the second coat and let them dry for 5 minutes.
Niece: Why do we have to wait five minutes?
Me: So the polish dries without smudging and they will be more chip resistant.
Niece: Whats chip resistant?
Me: Never mine, just let them dry.
So here is what we had:
The first day she was here she meet the neighbors little girls who is also "almost" 6 (I would never say I am "almost 3 *cough,cough,hack,hack*). They decide to paint their nails a glittery purple, she then comes to me to show me these "beautiful nails". They were a mess, not even and only had one coat. That night we remove the polish and I promised to repaint them the next day.
The next day she reminded me numerous times we were going to paint her nails. I dig out the one bottle of nail polish I have, its red and called "Chick Flick Cherry".
Here is what we started with:
Me: No, you have to wait 2 minutes and do a second coat.
Niece: Whats a second coat?
Me: Another layer of polish.
Niece: Why do you do that?
Me: It make the color deeper and rich.
Niece: Okay.
So after 2 minutes we put on the second coat and let them dry for 5 minutes.
Niece: Why do we have to wait five minutes?
Me: So the polish dries without smudging and they will be more chip resistant.
Niece: Whats chip resistant?
Me: Never mine, just let them dry.
So here is what we had:
After all was said and done she loved them. That night she came to me and told me I had to give her Mom the recipe for rich nails.
Here is goes:
1. Apply first layer in an even coat, let dry 2 minutes.
2. Apply second coat and let them dry 5 minutes
Results: Rich Nails and a happy "almost" 6 year old!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
He is quick!
I never realized just how quick a toddler can be. Well, it is more like G didn't realize it.
He went to change Francesco the other day and decided to put him up on the changing table. First off, he doesn't fit on there and second he won't leave the stuff on the side of it alone. I leave things like diaper cream, sunscreen, Vaseline and isopropyl alcohol on the top. That was it is handy for the baby but out of Francesco's reach. If you lay him up there you have to constantly take something out of his hand. He was (notice I said was) never able to open any of it, he just liked to pick up all the time.
So as G is changing him, he turns to deposit the diaper in the bin and hears a "ack, ack, ack", he looks back and Francesco has the isopropyl alcohol with the lid off in his mouth. Even under "supervision" he manged to get the cap off and put it in his mouth. G said he looked away for a second only, he also didn't think he could get the cap off.
These toddlers sure do pick up new skills without warning.
So, thanks to my doctors office I have stickers on the phone with Poison Control number. Let me just say how nice and knowledgeable they are at the Poison Cntrol Center.
He only got a mouthful and due to his age and weight she said he would be fine. She told me to look for signs of intoxication and that if nothing occurred after 2 hours he would be OK to put him to bed.
After all was said an done he was fine. I don't think he even swallowed the mouthful but I called anyway. Better safe than sorry. G felt really bad about the whole thing. I told him not to worry, we all learned fron the exprience and need to move forward.
Note to self, don't leavetoddler with your husband stuff on the changing table.
He went to change Francesco the other day and decided to put him up on the changing table. First off, he doesn't fit on there and second he won't leave the stuff on the side of it alone. I leave things like diaper cream, sunscreen, Vaseline and isopropyl alcohol on the top. That was it is handy for the baby but out of Francesco's reach. If you lay him up there you have to constantly take something out of his hand. He was (notice I said was) never able to open any of it, he just liked to pick up all the time.
So as G is changing him, he turns to deposit the diaper in the bin and hears a "ack, ack, ack", he looks back and Francesco has the isopropyl alcohol with the lid off in his mouth. Even under "supervision" he manged to get the cap off and put it in his mouth. G said he looked away for a second only, he also didn't think he could get the cap off.
These toddlers sure do pick up new skills without warning.
So, thanks to my doctors office I have stickers on the phone with Poison Control number. Let me just say how nice and knowledgeable they are at the Poison Cntrol Center.
He only got a mouthful and due to his age and weight she said he would be fine. She told me to look for signs of intoxication and that if nothing occurred after 2 hours he would be OK to put him to bed.
After all was said an done he was fine. I don't think he even swallowed the mouthful but I called anyway. Better safe than sorry. G felt really bad about the whole thing. I told him not to worry, we all learned fron the exprience and need to move forward.
Note to self, don't leave
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
6 Thing about meme!
Christine of Blenders Galore wants to know 6 things about me.
The rules: Each participant answers the 6 questions about him/herself. At the end of the post the participant then tags 5 people. Their names will be posted letting them know they have been tagged. They then have to read the participant’s blog and comment when they have posted their answers.
Here it goes:
What was I doing TEN years ago?
I was just graduating High School (oh wait that was 20 years ago). My memory is failing me in my old age.
I was getting ready to return to academia. I decided that my current profession was no longer for me and I was looking to further my education. I had decided to quit my job take out enormous loans and throw caution to the wind. Fortunately for me it worked out and on my first day of classes I made a new friend. This new friend now happens to be my sister-in-law.
What are five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today:
1. Try to read as many post as I can before the baby wakes for his bottle.
2. Clean all the bottles and load the dishwasher.
3. Get dresses and brush my hair (this a daily goal that doesn't always get accomplished- LOL)
4. Get to the grocery store (see how I said get, not go, that way the pressure if off if I don't actually make it there).
5. Go to my brother-in-laws homecoming ceremony (Now I said go, cause I will make it there! He is coming home, home (to his wife and kids and his house) today.
(what I should put on this list is buy a dictionary, every time I hit the spell check I get at least 5 mistake...see I can't spell in my old age either)
5 snack I enjoy:
1. Cheese and crackers
2. Reese's Peanut Butter Cup (the Big ones)
3. Cheese curls/puffs/balls (if it made of puffed corn and smother in cheese power I will eat it)
4. Trader Joe's "Joe Joe" cookies (way better than Oreo's)
5. Fruit - especially if someone else has it all cleaned, peeled and cut for me.
Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
First, I would higher a Nanny/Maid, that way she could clean my big house (with a 4 car garage for my husband) while I played with the kids and then she would clean the kids while I went shopping (probably for the kids).
I may or may not quit my job, maybe work part-time. That way I could get out of the house but still be able to quit at a moments notice if anyone really pissed me off.
I most definitely would travel the world and take my kids with me, the Nanny would come with us of course.
Places I have lived:
New Jersey (South)
Delaware
Pennsylvania (Eastern)
Job's I have had:
Mommy (best job ever!)
Clinical Analyst
Physician Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant
now I get to tag:
Holly at Anglophile Football Fanatic
Mrs. Mustard at Cheeze Whiz and Mustard
Chelle at Creative Thoughts
Kathryn at Seeking Sanity
Lost in the Sauce at The Three Fruit
The rules: Each participant answers the 6 questions about him/herself. At the end of the post the participant then tags 5 people. Their names will be posted letting them know they have been tagged. They then have to read the participant’s blog and comment when they have posted their answers.
Here it goes:
What was I doing TEN years ago?
I was just graduating High School (oh wait that was 20 years ago). My memory is failing me in my old age.
I was getting ready to return to academia. I decided that my current profession was no longer for me and I was looking to further my education. I had decided to quit my job take out enormous loans and throw caution to the wind. Fortunately for me it worked out and on my first day of classes I made a new friend. This new friend now happens to be my sister-in-law.
What are five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today:
1. Try to read as many post as I can before the baby wakes for his bottle.
2. Clean all the bottles and load the dishwasher.
3. Get dresses and brush my hair (this a daily goal that doesn't always get accomplished- LOL)
4. Get to the grocery store (see how I said get, not go, that way the pressure if off if I don't actually make it there).
5. Go to my brother-in-laws homecoming ceremony (Now I said go, cause I will make it there! He is coming home, home (to his wife and kids and his house) today.
(what I should put on this list is buy a dictionary, every time I hit the spell check I get at least 5 mistake...see I can't spell in my old age either)
5 snack I enjoy:
1. Cheese and crackers
2. Reese's Peanut Butter Cup (the Big ones)
3. Cheese curls/puffs/balls (if it made of puffed corn and smother in cheese power I will eat it)
4. Trader Joe's "Joe Joe" cookies (way better than Oreo's)
5. Fruit - especially if someone else has it all cleaned, peeled and cut for me.
Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
First, I would higher a Nanny/Maid, that way she could clean my big house (with a 4 car garage for my husband) while I played with the kids and then she would clean the kids while I went shopping (probably for the kids).
I may or may not quit my job, maybe work part-time. That way I could get out of the house but still be able to quit at a moments notice if anyone really pissed me off.
I most definitely would travel the world and take my kids with me, the Nanny would come with us of course.
Places I have lived:
New Jersey (South)
Delaware
Pennsylvania (Eastern)
Job's I have had:
Mommy (best job ever!)
Clinical Analyst
Physician Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant
now I get to tag:
Holly at Anglophile Football Fanatic
Mrs. Mustard at Cheeze Whiz and Mustard
Chelle at Creative Thoughts
Kathryn at Seeking Sanity
Lost in the Sauce at The Three Fruit
Monday, June 2, 2008
Best Shot Monday
This was my mother-in-laws favorite picture from our weekend at the shore.
Mine too!
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