Weekend Recovery

Chatty Cathy had a minor surgical procedure yesterday to have her umbilical hernia repaired (belly button). She did very well and was pretty good even though we had to wait 3 1/2 hours at the children's hospital. The surgeon put six stitches on the inside (that will dissolve) and skin glue on the outside. The hardest part for Chatty Cathy (aka Fish Girl) is she can't swim for 3 to 4 days. I have to say as annoying as it was to wait, I looked around and was so thankful and felt so blessed by God that my girls are so healthy and that we were in there for a very minor procedure! I was also very thankful for our medical system (doctors, nurses, etc.), yes I know there are flaws but I really don't think nationalized health care is the answer. In fact the whole idea of nationalized health care scares the heck out of me. I pray that Congress will come up with a better solution than that to assist those without health care. OK - enough of my soapbox ... it was a topic of conversation last night when Nana and Poppa came over for pizza & beer/wine. The girls had fun playing with Nana and Poppa and Bia even ate her pizza slice (shocking I know!) and a 1/2 pint (at least it seemed like that many) of blueberries. Here are a few pics ... have a good weekend. We are off to Oregano's tonight with my BFF's family! That's why I am heading to the gym in a little bit to run and take a strength training class!

Chatty Cathy recovering in the recliner while she watches movies

Bia searching for toys in the toy box

Jumping right in to find them - look at those skinny little legs!

Too Much Too Early Thursday

Thanks for all of the sweet comments on my last post - I didn't write it for that intent - basically just to vent - but I so appreciate your support (and clever ideas) - it means the world to me. So yesterday when I picked up the girls I had a renewed sense of patience, Chatty Cathy behaved and Bia ate OK. All in all a much better day. Went to the gym and had a good workout. My goal was to get home and in bed by 9:30 ... well that didn't happen ... cracked toilet tank in the master bathroom kept me from getting to sleep on time! So I get up this morning at 4:15 get ready, have my call, then get the girls ready and try to open the garage door and it is stuck - will not open - even trying to open it manually. Ugh! So now I am working from home today along with Mr. ESPN and two wild children waiting for the plumber and garage door repairmen! If I wasn't so frustrated I would have died laughing about it - it is pretty comical that we are stuck in here and can't get either car out and only one toilet in commission! OK I better run, I have another conference call this morning ... good thing they put everyone on mute in this one otherwise they would hear the girls in the background!

So Much for Mom of the Year

Not that I was really in the running or anything but the last two days have solidified the fact that I will not win this year or any subsequent year for that matter and here's why ...

I don't like to and don't do it all the time but I do spank my kids (gasp!). I do it because my kids don't always respond to other forms of discipline (i.e. timeout, stern voice, etc.). That being said, I have had to spank each of them in the past two days. Chatty Cathy has been extremely argumentative/defiant lately, whenever you ask her to do something she responds with no and sassy/whiny behavior. It doesn't matter what you ask her to do, she responds like this. Then when you punish her (example - going straight to bed after her bath with no playtime) she goes into a sobbing whiny fit.

Speaking of whine, Bia has captured first prize in that category (I am thinking of giving her the nickname Princess Whiny Pants), especially in the morning. Yes she is like her mom, morning is not our favorite time and I get that ... In the morning she whines about everything from the type shoes she wears, brushing her teeth, breakfast, etc. To make matters worse her happiest, goofiest time of day is at dinner where she insists on putting on a performance (playing with utensils, food, her clothes, making faces like she is posing for pictures, etc.) rather than eating . It is like eating at the zoo.

In addition to losing out on Mom of the Year, I am out of the running for Wife of the Year too. Misbehaving kids makes for cranky mom and cranky wife ... especially when cranky mom/wife doesn't get enough sleep. Due to lack of sleep, this morning when I got up I headed straight for the fridge for a handful of peanut butter M&M's and a Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper. To top off that healthy early morning snack I stopped at QT for a fountain Diet Coke - don't judge that's the only way I was going to make it through today! Anyone have some patience/energy/happy potion out there? I will order a case of it STAT! At least at work today my boss told me in my mid-year review I am a very valuable employee and am highly thought of by management - so yeah I could be in the running for Valuable Employee of the Year Award (if there was such an award - a continued paycheck will suffice as an award to me)! Woo Hoo!

Let me close this by saying I am so very blessed to have two happy healthy girls who like to show their independence! I am hoping God will grant me a little more patience to deal with them though, because most days I feel like I am working in a three ring circus where the animals are all running in different directions!

Random Tuesday Ramblings

So I found out today I have a conference call Thursday at 5:00 - not p.m. but 5:00 a.m. - is that insane or what? The joys of working for a global company (yes I am thrilled I have a job too!). At least I can take it from home, but knowing me I will need to get up and shower before the call in order to be awake for it. Mr. ESPN just told me not to wake him - hopefully he can sleep through the blow dryer!

Those of you who know me know my brother is in the Navy. He was a hovercraft navigator and now is an instructor. Anyway, he sent me the following link to some guys who were in his "craft" (as he and his fellow Navy comrades refer to a hovercraft). I have listened to it a couple times and really like it and especially like the video. In the beginning they show a hovercraft (in case you weren't sure what it was) ... my brother says the guys are on the verge of getting a recording contract. I always like to hear good stories like this. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

Jimmy Buffet and the Pool

Is it a bad thing when your 5 year old and 2 year old know the chorus to "Volcano" (I don't know .... when the Volcano blows) by Buffet? We were swimming in the pool on a hot afternoon when the song came on - next thing you know the girls are acting like they are singing karaoke ... honestly Chatty Cathy can sing a lot of DMB, Jack Johnson, Black Eyed Peas and Kenny Chesney. She has a varied taste in music!

Update - BMB reminded me that Chatty Cathy loves "Summertime in Michigan" by Kid Rock ... her version goes something like this "Drinking whiskey from the bottom ..."

In honor of our upcoming trip to Florida the girls were swimming with AL the alligator today!

The sisters posing for a picture

The girls and AL the alligator

Vacation Recap and Picture Overload ...

So are you ready ... our big trip started out with a bang or should I say a bust with Bia getting sick the night before we left. I have mentioned in previous posts how my girls are good sleepers. When they are fussy at night it means they aren't feeling too well. Bia woke up several times last Saturday night and I finally brought her into bed with us (which I never do unless they are sick) and she proceeded to puke in our bed at 1:00 am! Lovely! Needless to say Mr. ESPN and I didn't get much sleep that night and it didn't help when Chatty Cathy was up at 5:00 ready to go! Bia acted fine on Sunday during the car ride but was a little more mellow than normal (which was good for my sanity level since Chatty Cathy was on overdrive) during the vacation. We went to Legoland Monday and Wednesday and to the beach on Tuesday. Random funny side note - remember the Friend's episode where they go to the Caribbean and Monica has an afro because of the humidity? Well my hair resembled Monica's in that episode the first day we were in Cali - gotta love the humidity when you have naturally curly hair, especially when you are used to the dry heat in the desert! Mr. ESPN and I had a good laugh about it!

Most of you know I am from central FL and am biased when it comes to beaches. I prefer the warm waters and white sand in FL and the Caribbean to California beaches! Even Mr. ESPN agreed with me on that one. Chatty Cathy had a blast though and Bia enjoyed the sand prior to taking a nap in my arms (still wasn't feeling 100%). All in all it was a good trip and we had a great time with our neighbors. We will be home for two weeks and then we fly to Florida to see all of my family there (not sure how these vacations got scheduled so close together). Chatty Cathy is excited to play with her cousin JL at the beach (warm white sandy beaches here we come) and I am excited to see my family on a happier note (last time I was there was for my Pap-pa's funeral). My grandmothers and the rest of the family are excited to see the girls and I am hoping my aunt (who is an awesome photographer) can get some good family pics on the beach! He are the much anticipated pics from Cali!

Sisters playing in the hotel! Do you see Bia's stash of stuff she sleeps with every night - puppy, monkey, small blankie, big blankie 1 and big blankie 2! She's a hoarder! Big sis is the same way!

Bia listening to "Bear Down" playing from the bottle opener. Yes - we have indoctrinated our children with our alma mater's fight song. Chatty knows the entire chorus! By the end of the next basketball season I suspect Bia will know it too! Sad but true! Bear Down!!

Could she be any sassier? She looks so old in this picture!

Sweet Bia and Mommy

Bia enjoying the sunset on the beach

Always going, never stopping!

Loving the sand at the beach

The helicopter ride at Legoland

Bia (just like her mom) fixing Bob's outfit!

Mr. ESPN and Chatty Cathy on the Aquazone ride

Chillin and enjoying a beverage (notice the curls???)!

Sweet way to end the day - Chatty Cathy and her buddy JRS! SMC, LOB and DJB - you have some tough competition for Chatty Cathy's hand!

We're Back ....

We made it back safe and sound last night. We had a good time but I was ready to get home to my own bed, I don't sleep well with a two year old who likes to spoon! I will try and post some pics and a recap of our trip. Chatty Cathy commented several (hundred) times on the drive home that she didn't want to leave Legoland California, it drove Mr. ESPN and I absolutely nuts ... but there were some funny moments mixed in too so I can't complain too much! Will post more soon.