So Nice to be Recognized

As a mom, it's not often that you get recognized for doing a great job, especially by strangers.
This morning I took the kids to Will's heart Dr. appointment. First, they make you check in a half hour before your appointment time. I get that they are trying to have people there on time but do they remember that they are PEDIATRIC cardiologists. Despite the wait, the kids were very good. Will decided, just as he did a year ago at this appointment, to poop while in the waiting room. It was stinky and messy just YUCKY! The technician took his weight and height (sort of) and then took us to our room. While he grabbed what he needed, I changed Will's foul diaper.
The guy was so funny. He closed the door for privacy and then apologized when he came in and I wasn't quite done. He offered me a tiny, insufficient baggy for the diaper. I informed him that I had a Ziploc bag. Lucky for me, I was on top of things that morning. Kids were being good. I had favorite books, plug (pacifier), Bright the Dog, diapers, tons of wipes, hand cleaner, Ziploc bags and a my iPod for Sarah to watch something. The guy looked around as I got Will's shirt off and prepared him for the rest of the checkup (smelling much better and with his old diaper fully contained). He asked if I only had 2. I said yup, only 2. He said really? you're like a professional. You've got everything. How nice is that!! I'm sure he has no idea how good that made me feel. I really was super mom this morning and it was so nice to have a stranger notice it.

So here's to all the Super Moms out there doing a great job and not getting noticed - including my mom too!! Thanks mom for changing not only my yucky diapers but my kids' diapers too.

PS The appointment went well. Will's heart murmur is completely innocent and is just an added sound to the way his heart sounds and the way it pumps blood. The interesting part was when the Dr. made him do a sit up. I guess using the abdominal muscles changes the pressure in the heart (or something like that, I don't remember the details of it) and so if it's innocent, then while doing a sit up, the Dr should not be able to hear it. Such was our case so all is good. Hooray for Will. He was pretty good for the Dr. listening to him and the stickers and the ECG. Our only problem was that the blood pressure machine sounds like a quieter combination of a fire engine and motorcycle, 2 sounds that FREAK Will out. He screamed and got REALLY upset. They turned it off pretty fast and then he was just fine.

It was time...

I finally got around to adding a new background. Maybe I'll go back to the Denim but for now, I needed some change. Enjoy! Now I need to add some more elements maybe.

While I'm at it - May 26 Daybook

Outside my window... dark... warm.

I am thinking... that I'm glad I finally changed the look of my blog.

I am thankful for... delicious sugar cookies on sale. Yum!

From the kitchen... tried beer battered tilapia tonight, not bad. This week I'm trying to use mostly what I have hidden in my pantry and freezer to save me a big grocery trip.

I am wearing... shirt, shorts.

I am creating... a summer plan still and a chore list for Sarah.

I am going... to bed soon.

I am reading... Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and it cracks me up. One minute you're reading the normal story and then all of the sudden this happens: "Some 20 yards below, 8 or 9 blood-soaked zombies crawled over a shattered wagon...one happy dreadful was scooping the last morsels from the broken skull of the driver." It's so out there that it just makes me laugh. I read that it might end up being a movie or maybe it was just that someone thought it would make a good movie. I think that would be the perfect date movie for me and Andy.

I am hoping... that Will does not get sick tonight with his 6th sense of Heart Dr. appointments (see below).

I am hearing... George Michael begging me to give it One More Try on Pandora. Andy made me create a Wham station.

Around the house...cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. We've been really good about keeping the upstairs clean. We did a huge Memorial Day clean up downstairs but still have to tackle cleaning out our closet and the guest room and the evil garage.

Two of my favorite things.... Sarah making her bed and cleaning her room and Will's current favorite saying - "Sure Does". His answer for anything and random statement. I don't really know where he got it but it always makes me smile and laugh a bit and I always reply back Sure Does Will.

Plans for this week... to hang out at T's house tomorrow and let the kids run wild with good friends. Tomorrow morning, Will FINALLY has his 2 year heart check up. He's been sick for past 2 (middle of the night vomit, high fevers, the usual culprits). I had to cancel at the very last minute since we had appointments first thing in the morning. Summer school doesn't start until next week so lots of pool time I guess.

A picture thought to end on.... The cover of my book.

10 on Tuesday

The 10 books currently in Will's crib (I counted and there happened to be exactly 10 at the time):

1. Moonbeamers
2. Brown Bear, Brown Bear

3. Funny Faces
4. Some Ducks

5. Barnyard Dance

6. The Belly Button Book
7. Planes

8. Time for Bed

9. Green Eggs and Ham

10. Pirate Pete

I'm not exactly sure how Will fits in there with his animals on top of that but he does.  I usually find him at 10pm on top of an open book fast asleep.

10 on Tuesday

1. Bless the makers of the Shake n Go Cars for listening to parents. I bought Will another shake n go car - this time Red from the movie Cars.  He loves it.  He was so excited about it that I opened the package right when we got to the car.  I was prepared for a 10 minute battle or more with the packaging but was instead treated to a new innovation.  I pulled off the plastic exterior easily and then just had to turn 2 "keys" to release the fire truck from the package.  It was WONDERFUL and then....
2. I was so excited about that and in a hurry to get my last errand in before picking Sarah up from school that I put Will in his seat and got his truck out and left.....  with the little blue stroller still sitting on the sidewalk outside Target!  I didn't even realize it until much later that afternoon.  The sad thing is that this is the 2nd time this has happened over the past several years.  Bless my dear husband for running up to Target last night to get my stroller which sat outside until at least 8pm and was then turned in. 
3. I'm a bit annoyed and a bit impressed at Will's attempts to manipulate situations.  He screams and cries pitifully whenever he gets in trouble.  He thinks he can play me and I have to admit, I do want to laugh at it but it also tells me that he knew what he was doing was wrong.  You can't fool me with that cry and those dimples little man!
4. We have been giving Sarah coins for making her bed each morning.  She's saving up to get a new American Girls doll.  It's going really well so far and is providing me with an easy place for our loose change!  We plan on adding chores for summer.  I'll keep you updated as to whether this lasts all summer.  PS Gammy and Pa-paw - we will be continuing this at your house in July.
5. We cleaned upstairs and I will post a picture soon of what our living room looks like now.  I hope to post an after picture within the next week too.  Wish us luck!
6. How hot is too hot to have a garage sale? 100? 110? 120?
7. I have reached the point already this year of wondering why I live in Phoenix.  It comes once a year and then it fades sometime at the end of September.
8. Come July, after summer school is over, I will not miss the sand that comes home in shoefuls every day.  HOORAY!
9. Love, love, love Will's singing and the fact that he hates it when people sing along with him.  Guess he's a solo artist.
10. I have to laugh that our genes got split down the middle when it comes to skin.  Sarah is the clear skinned, pale Finnish Daddy/G/Grandpa girl and Will is the easy to tan Mommy/Gammy/Pa-paw surfer dude.  

May 18 Daybook

Outside my window... Hot, record hot expected today.

I am thinking... that I can't believe Sarah's school is over this week.

I am thankful for... stuff - even if I do have too much of it.

From the kitchen... made fantastic turkey meatloaf over the weekend and a pie.  This week, not much planned yet except goulash.

I am wearing... shorts, shirt, flip flops (I think I will just cut and paste this every week).

I am creating... a summer plan and a schedule for the etiquette class I'm going to teach with my friend Synde.  

I am going... Sarah's school, Target, Children's Place.  A friend is taking pictures of Sarah and Will this Saturday and they need cute things to wear for it - matching if possible.

I am reading... I just got Pride and Prejudice and Zombies yesterday.  I'm SOOOOOO excited to read it.  The back cover was funny enough.  The inside's got to be good.

I am hoping... to have the kind of house that I can invite people over to with an hours notice - maybe that's more of a dream.

I am hearing... Sesame Street quietly in the background along with Will showing me "Toby, Mommy, I found Toby."

Around the house...our upstairs is cleaned out - well except a couple spots in the master bed -  but that includes the armoire, the kids closets, drawers and the office stuff.  The downside - anything currently without a place or going bye bye is in our living room, the tornado disaster zone.  Wish us luck to finish it all sooner rather than later.

One of my favorite things.... lists - I love making them.  I don't always stick to them but I love making them!

Plans for this week... Sarah's last day of school, Will swimming, working on the house clean out, pictures on Saturday.

A picture thought to end on....
I randomly entered a picture number again and found this.  Sarah playing mini golf at about 13 months.

I Voted and Other Random Things

For the first time since American Idol started years ago, I voted last night and in true Idol fashion I voted several times.  I really like Kris Allen and I'm pretty sure he'll go on to some sort of career regardless of whether he gets to the finals or even wins the whole thing.  I just like his simple take on songs and I enjoy his voice.  I only watch Idol taped and mostly on fast forward.  His performances are the few that I actually watch all the way through.  So... good luck to him.

SPOILER AHEAD IF YOU LIKE THE SHOW FRINGE

I have about 11 episodes of the show Fringe saved on TiVo.  I just haven't had time to watch them. Despite that,  I watched the last 10 minutes (sort of) of the season finale simply because I knew that Leonard Nimoy was going to be appearing as an important character.  It was AWESOME.  Sure it spoiled things a tiny bit but not as much as I thought.  We watched the main character get in an elevator where something happened, flash of people, flash of light.  She got out and met Leonard Nimoy and then they walked to the window together.  The camera angle moved to the outside of the building which I immediately recognized.  They panned out to show the TWIN TOWERS (still standing)!!!!  It's an alternate reality.  A newspaper headline on the table read that the Obamas were moving into a new white house so I guess that's the difference in this reality.  It was sort of creepy watching that final scene of NY with the towers.  Now I know that I have to catch up.  At least I have all summer to do so!

Speaking of Leonard Nimoy, Andy and I went to see Star Trek yesterday.  It was very well done.  Karl Urban who played McCoy is supposedly a HUGE fan and was spot on as McCoy.  I loved that Chris Pine didn't do Shatner except for maybe a minute at the end of the movie and then it was pretty cool.  The action and effects were fantastic.  The story was well written as long as you don't sit and go through all the time issues (which is what Andy spent the better part of last night doing!).

Anyways, that's my random thoughts for now.

My Little Princess

Aaaaaw, that's sweet, you thought it would be Sarah but no.......

Sarah decided it was "wear Sarah's jammies day".  Will thought it was great!

And one more Will picture:

Will couldn't get to sleep one evening so we brought him downstairs.  I guess he just needed Daddy.

Ten on Tues

No daybook this week but here goes....

10 on Tuesday

1. Andy and I have decided to do a sprint triathlon next July (that's 2010) in San Diego. Andy did it many years ago and I decided that I want to try it now.  We would do it this year but we are too out of shape and it's full already!
2. My last class for NCPG is tomorrow.  I've been in the group since before I had Sarah and it feels like the end of an era.  It was always nice to have a place where I could ask questions about specific problems I was having with the kids.  I'll miss it and at the same time I won't.
3. Will's swim lessons are still going well.  He doesn't scream like some of the other kids who do not want to be in the pool.  Instead, he just repeats "NO" when he doesn't want to keep doing whatever activity we're doing.  He'll do it with Coach Scott though.  I'm thinking he's well on his way to lessons without Mommy.  Our big stumbling block will be that he's scared of standing on the risers that they put in the pool for lessons.
4. We made snickerdoodles yesterday and both kids had tons of fun rolling the cookies and dipping them in cinnamon sugar.
5. I love watching the show My Boys.  I just love the characters and the humor of it.  I caught Jim Gaffigan (he's on the show) on Comedy Central in a stand up special and really liked it.  I laughed out loud and now I think I need to find some more of his stand up.  Laughing is always a good thing.
6. I can't wait to see who wins Survivor this season.  I think a final jury show with Coach having to answer questions would be hilarious. 
7. I think there should be a sibling Survivor series and Andy and his sister could be on it.  It would be miserable for me but they'd be fun to watch.  How would that work though - would the siblings be voted off together? Hmmm.....
8. I can't believe it's mid May.
9. I received a lovely necklace and handmade book for Mother's Day.  I love Sarah's creativity.  My  favorite part of her story was when the princesses saved the princes.  You go girl!
10. I am debating chopping off Sarah's hair again.  I'm sick of fighting over brushing it every day.

10 on Tuesday

1. I can tell that we bought many toys at the same time because all the batteries seem to be dying now.
   
2. I have to bob my head every time I hear Pink's song So What.  It's involuntary.  I can't help it.
3. I love license plates that make me laugh or smile.  Thank you to those people who are clever with their license plates.
4. I wish more people would reign in the reply all button.  I don't always need to see EVERY reply that comes back to an email that went out to 20 people.  Sometimes it's necessary to reply to all but mostly, it just clogs my email.
5. My father-in-law trimmed our desperately overgrown mesquite tree today and it looks fabulous.  I'm thinking he may have a future in tree trimming.
6. I really wish my dogs could just speak and tell me they're thirsty or hungry.  It would eliminate the many steps I take to figure out what the barking or whining is for.  I usually just end up doing anything and everything that I think would be wrong.  I guess they are like babies in that way.
7. Can you tell that I'm trying to make this the quickest 10 so far?
8. Since the big Teacher Appreciation Lunch is tomorrow, Andy is grabbing food and taking Will back to his office for lunch with the lovely ladies who work with him.  I'm sure he will be overindulged and a happy, tired little boy when I get him back. :)
9. I may actually have to buy a Britney album for the first time... oh no.  I just think it would be great work out music.
10. To my fellow bloggers, keep it up. I love reading all your stuff!!!

May 4 Daybook

Outside my window... It's hot and I think summer is trying to sneak up on me.  NOOOOOOOOO!!

I am thinking... I'm sick of allergy season and my scratchy throat.

I am thankful for... a little boy who likes to clean up after himself, well dishes at least.  We're still working on toys.

From the kitchen... turkey and ummmm I have no idea yet.

I am wearing... new shorts (YAY!) a shirt and old flip flops because I was out watering.

I am creating... a plan.

I am going... to the kitchen soon to get dinner together.  I know, your excitement can hardly be contained!

I am reading... more magazines. I've really been enjoying my Parenting magazine lately.

I am hoping... to surprise Andy later this week with a clean office, it's currently a pit.  Ssssshhh don't tell him.

I am hearing... the kids galloping around me listening to Stuck in Saddle Again from Beethoven's Wig for about the 4th time in a row.  You think I'm kidding.

Around the house...we pulled out the ghetto kiddie pool today and the kids LOVED it.  I think it will be out a lot over the summer.

One of my favorite things.... new clothes.  I'm a terrible shopper.  Grabbing a shirt at Target as you run by it does not count at shopping.  I am learning that lesson slowly.

Plans for this week... uniform exchange for Sarah's uniforms for next year.  Gosh that's weird. Teacher Appreciation luncheon.  Andy is bowling Friday night.  Not too much else going on.

A picture thought to end on....
I randomly entered a picture number and found this.
We went in a limo to look at Christmas lights when Sarah was 2 with the whole family. This is a picture of all the glasses for adult beverages and the sippy cup sitting among them in the blue light. Sorry it's blurry.