Magical Donkey

Here I Go Again, Meow Meow, How Can I Resist You?

2008-12-03T12:44:00.005-05:00

Tess, at nap time, trying not to fall asleep (with perfect lyrics, tune and rhythm to ABBA's Mama Mia):

Mama Kitty, here I go again, meow meow,
How can I resist you?
Mama kitty, does it show again? meow meow
Just how much I've missed you

Meow meowmeow meow-meow meow-meow
Meow meowmeow meow-meow meow-meow

Deo Gratias

2008-11-26T12:33:00.002-05:00

Ella
Tess
Brendan
Family
Friends
Humor
Love
Grace
Patience
Forgiveness
My computer
Steam rising from the pond across the street in the morning
The pillowtop mattress
Chicken stew
Coffee
Living in a State that has access to the best medical care in the country
Ginny
Strength
Courage
Dora the Explorer
Knitting
Music
My ipod & itunes
Starbucks
The Library
State Parks
Cooking
Baking
Scrabble
Bubblebath
Facebook
Reading
Books
Magazines
B23
Footed-pajamas
Black & White Movies
Curiosity
Gus
Ella
Tess
Brendan

I'm Betting There Was No Serpent.

2008-10-25T17:27:00.005-04:00

I bet she didn't need a snake to tempt her. I'm sure she came upon the fruit while wandering alone. On a day when the low clouds were purple-gray and promising rain. On a day when the wind was strong enough to whisk away the scent of everything except wood smoke and the occasional pungent fermenting apple. On a day she had nothing on her mind, particularly, and therefore was surprised by the poignancy of the sight of the forbidden.

There it was, crimson against the dull green-brown leaves. There it was weighing down the branches. Beautiful. And too precious to rot on the branch, wasted.

She knew it would be crunchy, sweet, and nothing to regret. She had sense enough to see she deserved it. Everyone deserved such a thing.

And so she bit.

Flasks are cool and fit easily in diaper bags.

2008-10-24T08:03:00.003-04:00

I'm A Big Kid Now!

2008-09-19T09:59:00.002-04:00

To Do List:

2008-09-14T13:19:00.005-04:00

Also known as things I aspire to:

1. Move the folded laundry from the back of the couch to the proper dresser drawers while still folded.

2. Clean out dresser drawers of old clothes that are too small/ don't get worn so that newly folded laundry will fit.

3. Vacum so that I can take off my flip-flops in my own house.

4. Start a sensible diet program.

5. Start a sensible exercise program.

6. Finish the book I'm reading. (And have been reading for about four weeks).

7. Get my girls to eat sources of protein other than extra-firm tofu.

8. Take better care of my skin.

9. By January, find a class in which to enroll so I can do something to feed my brain.

10. Learn to sew.

11. Fulfill my own expectations.

12. Find creative and fun and free activities to do with the girls this fall and winter.

13. Help the girls relate to each other

14. Find time for my husband and me.

15 Paint the kitchen.

16. Learn to listen better.

17. Find and block the hole in the attic the squirrels are using for access before winter comes.

18. Write one of the many short story ideas that have been knocking around in my head trying to get out.

19. Reconnect with my friends. (Kim? are you out there?)

20. Commit myself to my place of worship.

21. Volunteer at a non-profit.

22. Continue to put my children first.

23. Feel a sense of accomplishment.

24. Breathe deeply.

25. Be quiet.

I Have A New Haircut

2008-09-05T12:12:00.008-04:00

I have a new haircut. I love it. It's short short with a longer piece on top that sweeps to the side over my forehead. It is freeing, hip and a change of pace for me.

But when I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror I felt a sickening jolt of fear. I mean real fear. I didn't recognize myself. At all. And it is not just the haircut. I do not know the woman looking back at me. In my mind's eye, I see myself as I looked when I was about 22 - 26yrs: size 10, long blond ponytail, clear skin, smart with unfulfilled potential, sassy, unsure of myself, and wondering (and hoping) where I would end up when I "grew up."

Newsflash: I'm grown up. And I'm not who I thought I was or hoped I would be. I'm not a size 10 (or 12 or 14), no more long ponytail, I look tired, I'm still smart with unfulfilled potential (this is disorienting because I expected by now to have been well on my way to fulfilling my potential - an activist, an artist, a teacher or scholar). I'm still sassy and unsure of myself but that's not enough to define identity. And so I take stock.

The woman in the mirror is brave. Or can be for others. I've beat back the demons of infertility, multiple pregnancy, emergency birth complicated by tentative health of my children. I've faced down a devastating postpartum depression and a shattering diagnosis for one of my children. But like I said, I was brave for others. I've dealt with these issues for people I love. So that my husband will have a wife who can unlock the doors and go outside. So my daughters can have full lives and can live without the weight and consequence of a mother who was immobilized by fear and grief. So my daughter can learn and interact and reach out that others may experience her pure joyfulness.

I will conquer this fear I felt this morning using this courage I've wielded for others. I can do this. I'm going to face down lethargy and inertia. I'm leaving my fat suit on the floor with all the hair that got cut off yesterday. I'm going to have the courage to do something for myself without apology. I bought a yoga DVD and am joining Weight Watchers. I will drink lots of water and eat right. I will take a class on something that interests me and feeds my soul. I will volunteer. I will show my daughters how to live a righteous life for me (so that they can live one for themselves). And maybe soon the woman in the mirror and I will come to know and love each other. With or without the long blond ponytail.

Sense of Humor

2008-09-01T14:05:00.003-04:00

Tess: "Knock, Knock"

Grandpa, Grandee, Mommy & Daddy: "Who's there?"

Tess: "Woodpecker."

Grandpa, Grandee, Mommy & Daddy: -- Stunned stunned silence followed by loud "GUFFAW!!!"

No Way, No How, No McCain.

2008-08-27T07:13:00.003-04:00

She did it. GANGBUSTERS! I'm so proud to have supported her. She entreated her constituency to support Obama with power, with grace, with inspiration, with humor and with dignity. I think it was a speech for the ages. If you have yet to see it, please watch.

Greek Tragedy 21st Century Style: The Medean Complex of the Democratic National Party

2008-08-26T16:56:00.006-04:00

Hillary Clinton better pull out ALL the stops tonight. We need her to support him. We need her to lead us back to ourselves and to each other. We need her to gracefully, gratefully encourage her people to set aside their disappointment. We need an embrace, not an evisceration. And we need her to have a big smile on her face while she does it. Don't get me wrong: I supported Hillary Clinton from the beginning. I appreciate her dedication to women and children's issues. Her stature as a woman leader is invaluable to be able to show my daughters. And I fervently wish it was she who will accept the nominations in the INVESCO Field on Thursday. But she isn't. And so we have to rally. As the Queen said, "U.N.I.T.Y!"

I do NOT accept Hillary supporters that reject Barak Obama. It is sickening to think of died-in-the-wool Democrats intentionally hurting our party for the sake of . . . what? For ego? For unfulfilled expectations? For a sense of rejection? For not playing the game well enough? I refuse to allow MY children to become the victims of petulant, rage-filled, misdirected and shameful conduct of those that refuse to line-up behind our party's new leader. If we destroy ourselves, weaken our party, cloud our dream we will only have ourselves to blame when there is no longer a valid American Dream. I will not be able to look my children in the face and explain to them why our country no longer offers them the majesty, the opportunity, the safety, the expectations that it offered me.

Are Hillary's feelings (and Bill's ego) really worth it to allow ANOTHER four (or eight or twelve) years of war-mongering, environmentally devastating, educationally corrupt, and economically inept glad-handing? NO NO NO NO!!

How can we expect non-partisan work to be done to heal the cluster fuck that W. created when we cannot even get ourselves to agree that sometimes, you have to suck it up for the greater good? Let's all get over it and VOTE OBAMA!

Girlpower Playlist

2008-08-20T11:08:00.004-04:00

After two years of Raffi, Sharon Lois & Bram, Ralph's World and the Putamayo World Music for Kids (partial list of artists on the "Ella and Tess Playlist" but I think you get the gist), I'm ready to introduce the girls to my world of music. I'm making a playlist of all my favorite powerful women musicians. I'm looking for your suggestions to add to the list. Here are the artists I have so far:

Aretha Franklin
Annie Lennox
Madonna
Joan Baez
Joni Mitchell
ABBA
Blondie
Crooked Still (you MUST visit their site or look them up on iTunes.)
Sade
The Puppini Sisters (PLEASE give them a listen - they will blow your mind or make you laugh - or both)
Peggy Lee
Sinead O'Connor (with the Chieftans)
Indigo Girls
Tori Amos
Carole King
Amy Winehouse
Carrie Underwood
Dixie Chicks
The Tribe
Dusty Springfield
Alicia Keys
Billie Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald
Etta James
Sarah McLachlan
Janis Joplin

So, who did I miss?

I am not, I repeat NOT, looking for snide or pithy commentary on who I have included (Amy Winehouse and Carrie Underwood are perfectly wonderful voices that sing fun and sometimes powerful songs so keep your judgement to yourself!)

And yes, they are listening to men too - The Beatles, Dean Martin, Sting, Elvis, The Temptations and Depeche Mode (just kidding) among others.

When I miss her, I read her diary.

2008-08-07T13:30:00.004-04:00

But, the missing becomes so acute after I read, it's like sticking a sharp stick in your eye to distract yourself from a toothache. So I don't indulge that often.

When I do, I'm rewarded by a new gem of her thoughts which allows me to keep up the fantasy that I still can interact with her.

Here's the one that touched me today:
"Feb 17, 1977
This morning I have been thinking of my blessings, first I had good parents, then Bob came into my life (He is still with me) two good sons who gave me two daughters, they must be a part of me, because I love them so very much. From their love came life, my beautiful Amber and Patrick. "

Mannywood

2008-08-01T08:00:00.002-04:00

I woke up this morning to the news that Manny Ramirez will now be playing for the Joe Torre-managed Dodgers in California. If that isn't something out of a script, I don't know what is: Torre, the proud slandered New York master of baseball slighted and humiliated by the evil empire, goes to the Los Angeles to keep working in this game he loves so much. His team is of middling success UNTIL Ramirez, the proud egocentric lazy hero of Boston is traded a hair's breath from the trading deadline to play for Torre. They were ultimate rivals and had a history of trading insults but bring it together to shake up their team and end up beating the east coast juggernauts (and their cross town rivals - the newly christened best in baseball) for the world series.

Ok, I might be overly dramatic here, but don't tell me it is that far fetched.

Eavesdropping

2008-07-17T17:24:00.003-04:00

Ella was talking to her kitty recently. (Her orange kitty is her "lovey") She was sitting him on her lap, stroking him and saying, "I love you. I'm so proud of you. You are so sweet. Good helping."

When Brendan told me he overheard this, my knees almost buckled with gratitude. Every time I want to speak sharply to her, every time I lose my patience and reprimand her, every time I'm ready to lose my cool and give her an old-fashioned yelling-at I will try to remember her parroting to her kitty.

I try to parent with love, praise and acceptance. I try to model patience, understanding and gratitude. It is very difficult sometimes. Living with two two-year olds does not naturally lend to a peaceful household. With this eavesdropping incident, I can see, just maybe, possibly the restraint is worth it. And the grace is rubbing off.

Finally! Earning Their Keep. . . Sort Of.

2008-07-13T17:00:00.003-04:00

More Beach Bunnies

2008-07-12T00:01:00.004-04:00

I could not resist to share these two pictures. They are the epitome of the difference in my daughters' personalities.

Why Would You NOT Do This?

2008-07-11T17:12:00.005-04:00

Free text messages to your phone for missing children:

http://www.wirelessamberalerts.org/

Life's A Beach

2008-07-09T14:46:00.005-04:00

We went down to Rocky Neck this morning with my father-in-law "Pampa", and the girls loved it!! They declared themselves mermaids, built dribble castles, played in the waves and were happy as pea clams (even though we went at low tide). Sandbars rule!! Thanks to Pampa, who checked the paper daily to determine the best time for his girls to enjoy the beach.

Check it out:

Strawberry Sisters

2008-07-07T11:02:00.006-04:00

I'm super lucky that Paul's Patch does not charge extra for the strawberries that get eaten in the field!!

What Is The Life Span Of A Cricket?

2008-06-22T14:58:00.012-04:00

Remember the narrator in the Tell Tale Heart by Poe? He goes crazy after he thinks he hears the beating heart of the man he murdered and dismembered and hid under the floorboards. Well, my life has devolved into a similar grotesque farce.

There is a cricket in the floorboards of my house. I've employed all the people who live here (including my two-year-old twins and the damn useless cat) to try to find this ceaseless chirping fiend. At least I have the comfort of knowing my family hears it too. I spend time paralyzed, mid-stride, like a game of freeze tag trying to locate him when he starts his tortuous stridulation (that's the technical term - I've spent time researching crickets online to see how long my sentence with this auditory jailer is.)

I try desperately NOT to convince myself that this endless chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirping is NOT driving me crazy. (Because, as we all know, if you must convince yourself that you are not crazy - then you are, in fact, crazy).

Apparently, I've got several weeks to go before he starves to death. And that is assuming he isn't eating and surviving on whatever detritus has accumulated in the walls and floor of my 110 year old house. Which is probably another tale for Poe.

Singing In The Rain

2008-06-19T17:04:00.002-04:00

We go outside when it rains. Sometimes we put on raincoats and stomp in puddles. Sometimes we go outside in our jammies. Here's this a glimpse at raincoats:

Great Expectations

2008-06-18T17:59:00.005-04:00

I had a wonderful birthday recently. B took the day off and we whisked the girls off to the New England Aquarium in Boston. Dinner at my cousin's house followed (BIG CITY THAI FOOD!!!!). We had a grand ole' time.

But I have to admit that the day was kind of anticlimatic. How could it not be when it started like this:

Ella woke me with a kiss (like the birthday princess I was). And when I told her it was my birthday, she sang me "Happy Birthday" and then asked:

"Is Old MacDonald coming?"

Oooof. Great expectations indeed. We're going to have to get Dora to make an appearance at their party next year. Cinco De Mayo party, anyone?

Too Good Not To Share

2008-06-06T19:51:00.002-04:00

We have a pizza place almost across the street from us. We're regulars, well, take-out regulars. Tonight, we had a showing of the house at dinnertime. So we brought the girls across the street to eat there. All was well, but Tess was finished early and antsy. So Brendan woofed his pizza and walked home with her. Ella and I stayed and enjoyed our meals.

We chatted and laughed. We pointed out the waitress about fifteen times. We pointed out the girl who WASN'T our waitress about twenty times. We finished eating and were just being silly and enjoying each other. I was considering ordering ice cream as a treat when . . .

Her facial expression changed from playful silliness to horror. She grabbed her diaper and screamed, "MY VAGINA HURTS! MY VAGINA HURTS!!!" For once, her annunciation was perfect, clear as a bell. No toddler lisping or slurring. Chuckling could be heard from the otherside of the booth wall.

(She does have a nasty diaper rash from a bout of diarrhea - poor thing is the color of a fire engine).

Anyway - I picked her up, greasy face, slimy fingers and all and just carried her out of the restaurant. By the time we were at the car she was ok.

God bless Balmex.

About me

2008-06-06T15:02:00.002-04:00

(with deference to James Lipton, and his hero Bernard Pivot):

What is your favorite word? Snuggle. It is fun to say and do.

What is your least favorite word? slit

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Quietness, a backrub, my husband's sense of humor.

What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Willful ignorance, apathy, entitlement, cruelty

What sound or noise do you love? "Snuggle mommy" (but only spoken by E or T)

What sound or noise do you hate? Sirens (especially behind me)

What is your favorite curse word? CocksuckermotherFUCKer. (it's one word and I don't get to say it out loud anymore, so that felt good. Actually, this whole post is an excuse to "say" it.)

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Classical professional musician/ successful polititian.

What profession would you not like to do? Walmart greeter.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Good work. Wanna go again?" OR "George Harrison is opening for Elvis at 7pm, followed by dinner with Walt Whitman, Elizabeth I, Katharine Hepburn and Janice Joplin"

Baa, Neigh, Cock A Doodle DOOOOOO

2008-05-10T08:21:00.003-04:00

The girls turned two this week, and we threw them a big party featuring a horse pinata (after it was broken, there was an unfortunate incident with a dangling horse head, but we'll leave that for another time), pin the tail on the donkey, farm animal cakes, barn decorations, farm animal party hats and a personal appearance by Old MacDonald himself. It was great. Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated our girls.

It Was Twenty Years Ago Today . . .

2008-05-07T17:05:00.002-04:00

Not really, just two. But they seem like old friends, so the title seemed to fit.

Happy birthday to my beautiful, wonderful, magical girls. Thank you for being my daughters.

We're Your Best Friends - Our Tickets Are Outrageously Priced

2008-04-25T10:14:00.005-04:00

Once, I bought two tickets to see Sting. My brother and I got to sit in the second row for $250.

I just spent the same amount (granted, four tickets) on this. Maybe, just maybe, Ella and Tess will develop a life-long love of live theater and it will be worth it. And besides, anything described as a ROCKTACULAR Medieval Adventure must be right up my alley, right?

When Girls Play With Trucks

2008-04-22T15:48:00.002-04:00

I'm very careful not to "gender condition" my daughters. It would be so easy to succumb to the Barbie/pepto pink world. And yet I resist. (I almost had a hemorrhage when Santa gave them a play kitchen). We get them Hess Trucks. We provide hammers and blocks and dirt and shovels. And we joyfully gave them Tonka trucks.

And they turned them into baby carriages.

Uncle Remus, Anyone?

2008-04-20T19:53:00.004-04:00

I love sharing all kinds of music with my girls. I play them classical, choral, hymns, folk, classical rock (not classic rock, I mean classical - like the Beatles, Elvis and the Temptations)

Here's the thing, I adore "Children's Music." It's fun. You can dance around and be silly. You can shake your tailfeathers and sing the wrong words and everybody who is anybody just giggles and makes up their own wrong words. I have downloaded over 50 hours of it onto my ipod. It plays nearly all the time in the playroom. Ella and Tess each have their own favorites.

Ella's favorite is El Gallo Pinto, by Claudia Gomez (it is in Spanish which I don't speak, so I'm guessing by the clucking in the background that is it about a chicken). Tess' is At The Bottom of the Sea by Ralph Covert. It's about, well, life at the bottom of the sea.

I have a friend, Susan Reed, that has put out her own CD's of children's music. We love those too.

But what I really love is sharing my own personal favorites from my childhood. Raffi is a favorite. Who doesn't remember sitting in a circle in kindergarden singing The Sharing Song?

My all-time, ultimate bestest album ever was Uncle Remus/ Song of the South. And I can not share it with my children.

I cannot believe that our political correctness has whitewashed even the Disney archive. All I want is to share "Everybody's Got a Laughing Place" with my girls. I cannot, I will NOT download the vocal stylings of Miley Cyrus' "Zip A Dee Doo Dah." This is a dissappointment. I could, for $115 dollars buy a pirated copy of the original album that was made into a CD. I want my girls to know why the pig has a curly tail!

The NAACP calls the Song of the South racial stereotyping. I can't argue with them. I wouldn't even if I could. Who am I to say?

This is all I'm saying: I remember as a child, wishing Uncle Remus was my grandfather (I grew up without one). He told the BEST stories and butterflies landed on his hat. I wish I was able to share it with my children.

Whatever Happened to Malfunctioning ACME Rocket-Skates?

2008-04-10T19:58:00.007-04:00

I have fallen from grace and **GASP** let the girls watch some television. Not to be defensive, but I feel I must explain. I need to be in the bathroom by myself sometimes (even if the door is open) and so: Noggin or Playhouse Disney.

Here is my quandry about their television watching. In the secret cockles of my heart (yes, I have cockles and yes, I have a heart) I am SICK SICK SICK of these goody-two-shoes cartoons they play. I mean seriously, I have gotten out of the shower to hear the following:

Ella and Tess chanting (arms in the air) "DVORAK! DVORAK! "

or

"What's gonna work? TEAMWORK!"

or

"Oh Tootles, the HAMMER!" (deciding which tool is needed to pry something out of Goofy's nose or whatever)

or

"Oh NO! Help baby redfish!"

or

(singing) "We have to wait in line, it's only fair to wait right there"

What kind of parent am I that my children will never see Wile E. Coyote propelling himself off the side of a cliff to certain doom while trying to murder and eat the Roadrunner OR depriving them of the experience of seeing Tom's face flattened into a shape of the iron that Jerry dropped on him? My husband said recently "Can't somebody blow somebody up or something?"

What will our world be like with a generation of children learning the importance of cooperation, environmental conservation and good citizenship? Oh wait . . .

How Lucky Am I?

2008-04-02T08:18:00.001-04:00

Meditations on "Because I Said SO!" and Other Nonsense

2008-03-31T20:23:00.005-04:00

I've only been a mother a very short time. However, I have learned that once you become one, there is a clarity to many ambiguous, frustrating things that may have been said to you B.C. (before children).

For example, "Because I said so! (a.k.a. Because I'm the Mommy)" is nearly unparalleled to make you feel powerless. But, I learned a secret. Here's what that phrase really means:

Because if I can control your actions, I can control everything that touches you and you will stay safe.

Because I am tired. I am physically tired from caring for you throughout the night and emotionally tired from worrying about you all the time.

Because when I gave birth to you, you took a piece of my heart with you and I can't imagine being without my heart. So, please take advantage of what small amount of wisdom I have acquired on this earth.

The above being said, it doesn't take much to see who really has the power and who is vulnerable.

Lobelia Proudfoot

2008-03-30T20:01:00.002-04:00

I am a Tolkein nut. I've read The Hobbit no less than ten or so times and the trilogy Lord of the Rings about six or seven. I prefer The Hobbit but not by much. I have even read the Silmarillion and the "lost" and uncompleted tales. (Not that I understood them - and I may have had a glazed aspect to my reading, but at least my eyes traveled over the words.)

At any rate, as you can see, I've found a Hobbit Name Generator that has told me my identity in the Shire. (Granted, I used my maiden name to get the surname for Proudfoot. I just don't see myself as a Brandybuck of Buckland.)

Enjoy.

More Than I Thought

2008-03-27T19:57:00.003-04:00

Randomness:

Today, I counted the health and beauty products I use. I used to thing of myself as being low maintenance. Being a stay-at-home mom that only has to impress people that sprung from my own loins, I do not get what you would call gussied up. Far from it. Sometimes, it's ten or eleven o'clock before I remember to brush my teeth.

So, here goes:
(Every day)
Shampoo
Conditioner
Bar soap
Facial Cleanser
Facial Moisterizer (day)
Body Moisterizer
Body Powder
Deoderant
Toothpaste
Hair Gel (the new haircut is KILLING ME)
Facial Moisterizer (night)
Total: 11

(On a fancy day that I go to the grocery store or playgroup, add)
Mascara
Total: 12

(On a SUPER fancy day that I see friends or have someone over to the house, add)
Eye liner
Lip gloss
Total: 13

(On a miracle day that B and I go out to dinner, add)
Eye Shadow
Blush
Face Powder
Perfume
Total: 17

That's a WHOLE lot of products. Maybe I should avoid the effort altogether and be a proponent of "Natural" living. Just toothpaste and rock crystal deoderant. No, nevermind. I will just make myself feel better by pretending that if I use 17 products somebody super glamorous and pretty MUST use like, 50 or 60. (Right, Leah?)

I'm Starting to Appreciate Rollercoasters

2008-03-25T08:05:00.007-04:00

I realized something recently. No matter how old my girls are, I'll always be a first-time parent. There will always be that white-knuckled feeling of rushing into the unknown with each new stage of development. I'm being seduced right now by the nonchalance of some of my fellow moms (seasoned by more than one birth) about things like potty-training and pre-school. "They'll be fine - don't worry about it" isn't something that occurs to me. If I don't get it right every time, my girls' lives are one the line. Everything. Single. Thing. Every. Single. Day.

At the very least, the quality of their lives are at stake (both present and future), and for that the stakes are very nearly the same. My poor daughters will always be the Guinea pigs to whatever parental technique I, in my naivete, decide to apply to a given situation. They will not benefit from my wisdom gained from experience (I do not think there is anything that will prepare me for first sleepovers, first bad report card, first car, first boyfriend, first rejection, first fight) - I will not have any.

So, we strap on the safety bar together. Just when the roller-coaster safely levels off after a particularly terrifying rush plummeting down to disaster (or so I think at the time) I realize that we are chugging up the incline again toward a new challenge with its own untold adventure.

But, oh my, what an exhilarating ride!

Easter Eggstravaganza

2008-03-22T15:43:00.002-04:00

We had a great Easter Saturday. I won't narrate. Pictures speak louder than words.

It's Just THAT Easy

2008-03-19T19:19:00.004-04:00

(With apologies for the Ronco reference.)

Today, on a lark, I brought the POTTIES up from the basement. Tess helped me clean and dry them.

Ella sat on it in her diaper. Then I took the diaper off her and sat her back down.

She said "Poopie?"

I said "Sure!"

She peed. And clapped.

It's just THAT easy.

PS - if you aren't into lots of posts about child cuteness or bodily functions, stop reading this blog for about 18 years. See you in 2026.

Quickies

2008-03-18T07:06:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I reached a new low: I wore jeans out of the hamper. That Ella peed on four days ago.

_________________________________

Ella eats her rice one grain at a time. Dinnertime took longer than usual.

_________________________________

I couldn't find my car keys. So I put the girls in the stroller and walked them to playgroup. It was cold and we got stuck in the mud. My keys were in my jacket pocket.

_________________________________

Tess snores louder than Brendan. I am now searching for a place to sleep in the basement.

_________________________________

Confessions of a Bad Nighttime Mommy

2008-03-15T22:36:00.004-04:00

Bedtime is hard for me. By the time the girls are ready for their nighttime ritual, I'm spent. My patience is gone. Getting them to sleep is just not a battle I can fight after fighting so many skirmishes during the day (examples: 1. learn to use a utensil - no, don't fling yogurt at the cat 2. hold my hand - no, don't run through the parking lot at bumper level 3. use your words - no, don't scream at me and increase volume until you get your way). And so, after bath and bottles, Brendan takes care of getting the girls to sleep and settled in for the night (or maybe not "for the night" but at least for the two hours they sleep before they demand to sleep with us - anyway that's another post).

Here's the thing: sometimes, they reject him. Sometimes, it's only me (the human pacifier) that will do at bedtime. And I panic. I literally panic. I get that "Fight or Flight" response. I have to literally force myself to be still.

I've developed some strategies for keeping my cool under the strain:

I think about the time in the future when I won't have the privilege of soothing all their anxieties and hurts by rocking them and singing. This works with intermittent effectiveness.

I breathe deeply to relax. Pretty reliable tactic.

I close my eyes and pretend to sleep (like prey that plays dead and hopes of surviving the predator). This serves dual purpose of letting me pretend I'm not there and lulling them into the drowsy land of Nod.

And when they, miraculously, fall asleep I sit and rock them and watch their faces in sweet slumber and find that I can't quite bring myself put them in their beds but prefer to sit and rock a few minutes more and enjoy the blessing of being their mom.

Talent: The Generation

2008-03-13T12:25:00.006-04:00

This is Will, my cousin's son. He could read (and I mean, like architecture magazines - with comprehension) when he was 3 years old. Now he's 6 years and a rock star. Or Blues star. The Snow Day Blues, lyrics by Will. (cameo appearance by sister Gwen - 1yr.)

Public Service Announcement

2008-03-12T16:01:00.002-04:00

This will scare the bejebus out of the parents that read this blog -- maybe even non parents.

Enter your address and see a map of registered sex offenders in your neigborhood.

Information is power.

Johnny Rotten, Eat Your Heart Out!

2008-03-07T10:11:00.001-05:00

Gang aft a-gley

2008-03-07T08:10:00.006-05:00

We had a house showing at 5:45p last night (anybody want a lovely craftsman style bungalow in beautiful Mansfield?) so I thought, "Let's go out to dinner."

Lot's of people take their children to restaurants. I know this because I hate to be seated next to them.

There is a family style restaurant in our town that serves great food for adults and will make a grilled cheese and sweet potato fries for the kiddies. It also has a really fun kitchy gift shop with everything from paper lanterns to scrapbooking stamps to penny candy.

Miscaluclation 1. I convinced Brendan (against his better judgement) that we have to teach the girls how to behave in public sometime.

Miscalculation 2. The girls rarely go out in public when they aren't strapped down in their stroller. So rarely taste sweet freedom.

Miscalculation 3. I chose a table next to the wall of beanie babies for sale.

Miscalculation 4. We met Brendan there, meaning I was outnumbered until he arrived.

Miscalculation 5. Several months ago, we spent considerable effort teaching them to walk.

Imagine the difficulties. Screaming for beanies, running around (while shouting "I'm running!"), not eating, or splashing in the minestrone soup. We were the object of hostile stares and head shaking.

Take out isn't so bad. We'll be shut-ins for a while longer.

Don't Forget to Change the Batteries in Your Smoke Detectors

2008-03-06T13:40:00.004-05:00

Daylight savings time kicks in this weekend. I have the smoke detector batteries covered.

You want to know what I'm really worried about? Bedtime. Spring Ahead Fall Back. Ok, so when they wake up at 6:00a it is 7:00a? Is that right? And when we want to put them to bed at 7:00p it is 6:00p? Is that right?

Neither of those really work for me. If they wake up late, they won't nap. If they don't nap, they won't go to bed at bedtime (counter-intuitive, I know). And if it is even earlier at bedtime than it really is on the clock then I'm screwed.

Can someone explain to me why the hell we still need Daylight Savings Time?? And I don't want to hear about farmers or kids waiting for the school bus. I bet we can come up with solutions for both of those.

Bedtimes and naptimes are hard enough as it is. I long for the days when I would just complain about my lazy cat sleeping all the time. And he doesn't care what the hell time it "really" is.

Making my case

2008-03-05T15:06:00.008-05:00

This will be neither adequate nor very articulate. But I will try to explain my strong feelings in support of Hillary Clinton for President.

You think you know her, right?

Did you know that while at Wellesley College she organized a two-day strike to force the college to recruit more students and faculty members of color?

Did you know that in law school, she took on cases of child abuse in conjunction with her work at the Yale Child Study Center?

Did you know that she worked pro-bono for years for the Children's Defense Fund? (Going on to chair their board.)

Did you know that historian Gerry Wills cited her as "one of the more important scholar-activists of the last two decades" for her work on children's rights specifically related to abuse and neglect?

Did you know that she served as the first woman chair of the board of the Legal Servies Corporation? And over saw its increase in size from a $90 million to a $300 million corporation and fought off a change in agenda and reduction in funding from Ronald Regan's administration?

Did you know that she served as the first woman on the board of directors of Wal-Mart and succeeded in getting them to adopt more environmentally friendly practices?

Oh yeah, she also was the first female partner at the Rose Law firm, headed the taskforce to reform education in Arkansas (successfully) and the taskforce to reform healthcare nationally (still working on that one). Not to mention her work as a senator for the state of New York.

One of the ways she wants to stimulate our economy is to support "Green" businesses. She says that we should take advantage of this trend and turn it into an industry thereby tackling environmental issues, dependence on fossil fuels, development of new technologies/ joblessness - a pretty comprehensive policy.

She's smart. She's an advocate and she's a mom (same thing, really). She's gotten her uniform dirty. She know's how to throw a few elbows and slide with her cleats up.

I met her once when I was at Trinity. She spoke about the idealism of youth and how not to let the fire for change diminish under the drugery of real life. (I got to shake her hand and she looked me in the eye and said "Thanks for coming")

Who said experience and hope are mutally exclusive? She, who has worked her whole life for women, children, the overlooked and the underserved is someone we need in that oval room right now.

That's all I got. Except this: I believe in her. I really do. I believe.

I'll Reach For Profundity Tomorrow

2008-03-04T13:32:00.002-05:00

But for today . . .

Happy Birthday Uncle Arlo!

2008-03-03T07:25:00.006-05:00

Recently, we celebrated my uncle Timmy's 60th birthday. My family rarely gets together en mass and it was so great to gather together to eat drink and be merry. I love having the girls around our family. They soaked up the attention like crazy!

We missed those of you who could not be with us.

Enjoy.

Bing (aka Grandpa), Ella, Uncle Timmy (aka: Uncle Arlo - can you tell Ella is a bit afraid of him?)

Megan, Danie, Gwen (seated) Brendan, Tess (standing)

Gwen, Erin, Will, Mary Lou (Lu Lu), Tess
Ella, Diane (Grandee), Amber

Pants on Fire

2008-02-28T17:38:00.001-05:00

I hope they get him.

Ella Knievel

2008-02-27T07:32:00.004-05:00

On Friday, we took the girls sledding in our side yard. We fully intended, after 45 minutes of snow suit battles, mitten and hat searches, boot negotiations and other crying and carrying on that accompanies fun family activities to be outside for about 5 minutes. We lasted quite a bit longer than that. They both loved sliding down the snowy hill with Mommy or Daddy.

And then Ella decides that like my friend, Lena, who slid down the hill face first on her belly that it would be a great idea for Ella too. This is my daughter who didn't walk until she was 17 months old because she was scared. This is my daughter who likes to hold hands to walk around the house. This is my daughter who insists on a "huggle" when she spends too much time on her own in the playroom. In otherwords, a cautious human being. So it took Brendan and I completely by surprise when she layed on her belly in the snow and tried to slide face first down the hill. I put her on the sled and sent her down. By herself. Fast. She loved it! My heart was in my throat. And so it begins.

Real Men Do Spa

2008-02-24T16:34:00.008-05:00

For the first time, Brendan and I left the girls overnight (Thanks to my mom and dad who were brave enough to stay with them).

We spent the night being pampered at the Spa at the Norwich Inn. For a whopping amount of money, we were massaged, scrubbed, soaked in volcanic mud, trimmed (I have a new haircut) and generally overly indulged. We drank more in one night than we spend on groceries in a week. There was romance, but then spoiled ourselves by allowing eachother to each stretch out in our own big bed and sleep. (Not one night has passed in 21 months where we have had a full night of uninteruppted, comfortable, restful sleep - we deserved it). And we ate pancakes, bacon, and coffee in bed watching Sunday Morning on CBS. (As opposed to negotiating bites of breakfast between Wiggles songs)

Brendan's favorite part was rolling around in the mud saying "Oink, Oink" to the attendant. I can only hope that he is jerking my chain for scheduling him a mud bath.

I loved walking by the many stiff-neck glitterati from New York and New Jersey who were there for the weekend all reading "Eat, Pray, Love" (as if reading someone else's travelogue of soul-searching and self-discovery will detoxify their conceit like a sea-weed wrap detoxifies their skin) with my GLAMOUR magazine and Norwich Bulletin. Not to mention the crones in the hottub amazed at all the young men who were dragged by their girlfriends and wives, claiming to have a good time. "My Frank would NOT stand for someone to manipulate him like these folks do." Right.

We took a couples massage class. Not as sexy as you think its going to be. There is a large masseuse named Louise insisting that Brendan "Really lean into it! She likes deep work."

I got a Coco-Mango rainforest scrub. 25 of the most blissful moments of my life. Picture laying on a massage table with a series of showerheads above you misting you with warm water, while someone scrubs you all over with a loofa then dries you off and slathers you with yummy lotion. Holy heaven!

Luckily, we had some gift certificates so my scrub does not preclude us from buying diapers. Or coming home and changing them. Speaking of that . . .

Rarely Seen In A Zoo!

2008-02-23T09:41:00.002-05:00

The Siamese Elephant

and it's close cousin, the pink and orange trunked elephants!

The NEW "Om"

2008-02-22T08:00:00.004-05:00

Being a parent, you are required to learn how to do more than one (or two or seven) things at once. Usually, getting to think your own thoughts is not one of them. One of the multi-taskings I have perfected is the "Sing a lullaby/ accomplish something else." I can sing Rock-A-Bye-Baby in repeated succession for hours. Literally. And while doing this, I can:

1. Read a book. - I believe that Ken Follet's new novel "World Without End" is too derivative of his "Pillars of the Earth" to be a considered a serious work, let alone literary. Even the entertainment value is low.

2. Learn to knit - Granted, I can just do one stitch and my first "scarf" will probably by a potholder, but I'm getting there.

3. Contemplate theories of LOST. - I'm pretty sure there is some time/space continuum anomoly coupled with evil do-ers at-large trying to harness the power of the time/space continuum. And I want Kate to end up with Sawyer, even though I know she won't.

4. Draw blueprints for improving our house (in my head)- an upstairs half-bath, another double window dormer, and an addition off the kitchen, and a fence along the road would make it possible to comfortably live here for the forseeable future.

So, if meditation is continuous contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature then "Rock-a-Bye Baby" is as good as "Om" when Elmo is your deity.

Obligatory Cuteness

2008-02-21T09:23:00.001-05:00

Breaking Radio Silence

2008-02-21T09:12:00.002-05:00

It has been quite some time since I've had the energy, or the heart, to sit down and write any pithy (or attempted pithy) stories of our family for your amusement.

In early December, we lost Brendan's mom, Linda. Her death shocked us by it's unexpectedness. Thankfully, she was spared a long and painful illness. We will miss her.

With the relentless advent of the holidays and other demands I needed time to focus on the care of my family. Brendan is sad, missing his mom, but doing ok. For those of you who sent condolences, thank you so much. It got us through the rawness of the grief to know that we had people who love us.

I've missed this space to record the triviality and profundity of our lives, but I needed to honor our loss before moving on.

ELF YOU!

2007-11-27T16:32:00.000-05:00

In the spirit of the holidays, click here. Enjoy.

"Stop Fighting With Ella!"

2007-11-25T17:39:00.000-05:00

That's what Brendan yelled into the living room. And he wasn't talking to Tess. Ok, I admit that I have a hard time admitting when I am wrong. But when I KNOW I'm right, I'm not backing down. I don't care how hard she insists that Eeyore is a "Baaa" and Pooh is a "OOO-OOO" (monkey). Ok, the classic drawings are far from sophisticated. They are more like sketches. But come on, Eeyore? A Sheep? PLEASE!

Random Silliness

2007-11-21T20:20:00.000-05:00

So, I'm avoiding finishing the prepwork for hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year. I'm surfing the net (also avoiding putting the girls to bed, but keeping one ear open for Brendan's cries of frustration). Anyway here is what I found. I think it is pretty cute. Especially # 3.

"*"

2007-11-16T07:56:00.000-05:00

I hope he goes to jail.

Let's Get Ready to Rummmmmmmmmble!!!

2007-11-13T20:50:00.000-05:00

Ok, I've held off long enough. I love politics. I love political debate. I love the presidential season. I think I'm one of the few people I know that actually watch both presidential conventions on CSPAN in their entirety. Not because I don't already know who I'm voting for, but because I love the idealism, the enthusiasm, the power of people joining together to change our nation through their ideas.

That being said, I have no tolerance for small-minded, bigoted, war-mongering, wasteful, selfish, egotistical, greedy, sneaky, foul-mouthed lying politicians.

And so, I hereby articulate my political leanings:

Bring it on!

Twin Mom Rant v2.0

2007-11-08T17:23:00.000-05:00

I swear that I'm going to buy this on a tshirt so we will have more peace when we are out in public.

Halloween Costumes v 2.0

2007-11-01T12:19:00.000-04:00

In honor of BOTH of their first words being "Kitty": MEOW!!

Who's afraid of black cats?

A Halloween Miracle!!

2007-10-31T13:11:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T11:14:00.000-04:00

Costumes, V1.0 (Check back later for updates)

THANK YOU!!!!

2007-10-29T00:21:00.000-04:00

Exactly!:

Anybody who doesn't credit this guy for the Series win doesn't understand how a baseball game works:

2007 Major League Baseball World Series Champs Boston Redsox!!

Good Luck Charms

2007-10-28T12:48:00.000-04:00

Did you know?

2007-10-26T20:42:00.000-04:00

1. That personal electronics are one of the leading sources of environmental pollution? Because of the speed of new technology being introduced, they are being thrown away at alarming rates. They contain mercury among other toxic chemicals that are leaching into our ecosystem. Do us all a favor and donate your used cell phone or personal device to a local domestic violence shelter or visit this site to learn of other charities who accept donations.

2. That if every household in America replaced just one bottle of petroleum based dishwashing liquid (most brandnames you recognize) with a bottle of vegatable based dishwashing liquid (now widely available) we could save enough oil to heat and cool 4500 homes for a year(82,000 barrels)? You could make your own cleaning products (yeah, right! - just in case, click here).

3. You can save a life, just by moving your hand slightly and clicking here: www.thebreastcancersite.com

Too Much Of A Good Thing

2007-10-25T07:58:00.000-04:00

Maybe I've been steeped in Red Sox lore my whole life and it has effected my sense of destiny. Maybe I've read too much Greek tragedy or too many fairy tales where the hero isn't specific enough in his wish to the genie so the riches he is granted is at the expense of some tragedy.

Anyway, Fenway nation, my point is: don't be too gleeful about last night's victory. Accept the gift from the gods with humility, grace, and gratitude. It was a wonderful game: exciting, exuberant, gratifying. It was the games dreams are made of. And if we aren't careful, it could be one of a kind. Wouldn't it be just like the Sox to lose four in a row after the splendid showing last night?

Go Schill. We'll be rooting for you with our whole hearts!

Fall Classics

2007-10-22T07:44:00.000-04:00

I love Autumn. The beautiful leaves, the mist rising off the lake near my house, the gorgeous sunrises, apple picking, pumpkins, cider, sweaters, playing in the golden, orange and crimson leaves and THIS and collecting my money from this guy.

Apple - Dapple - Doo

2007-10-16T21:15:00.000-04:00

The girls loved applepicking. Tess ran among the apple trees with her Daddy. Ella helped Mommy pull the apples off the tree.

At The Bottom of the Sea, Where the Mermaids Murmur

2007-10-13T07:31:00.000-04:00

We visited the Aquarium with our friends and had a great time. It was the first outing where I allowed Tess to roam on her own. It looks like I'm going to have to learn some new skills too. Like how not to scream with frustration and fear when Tess is running toward the Beluga tank to swim with Keiko and Ella is left behind in the stroller with my keys and credit cards among a sea of strangers. I might have to break down and be one of those parents we all talk badly about and get leashes for the girls. (At least I'm not thinking about muzzles. . . Yet.)

Anyway here are some highlights of our adventure with Angelo and Benjamin.

No need to be concerned . . .

2007-10-01T07:47:00.000-04:00

That alarming sound eminating from me is just the hysterical, manical laughter of a mom released for the day to a Red Sox game. The weather was perfect, the Sox lost (who cares at this point - it was the last game of the season and they had already clinched the Division over the dreaded Yuckees). I got to spend time with my Dad and my brother and his girlfriend and actually have adult conversation. I drank a beer and ate ice cream out of tiny plastic Sox baseball hats. I saw Tek hit a home run. I remembered what it felt like to be just ME for the day. I even came home after the game was over.

Don't you wear your fairy wings to the Rennaissance Faire?

2007-09-29T20:45:00.000-04:00

And these pictures don't even do justice to the singing executioners Ella danced too and the Royal joust Tess cheered at.

Walk This Way

2007-09-24T11:11:00.000-04:00

Obvious title, but hey what do you expect?

He He He

2007-09-17T09:11:00.001-04:00

Silly things make me giggle.

What's Gonna Work? TEAMWORK!

2007-09-16T09:00:00.001-04:00

Tess, Ella and their friend Angelo decided that after a long walk at the park, they would take matters into their own hands and operate the stroller themselves. Ella, never one to push herself too hard, decided that riding was better and let her sister do all the dirty work.

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

2007-09-02T12:57:00.001-04:00

I haven't posted in quite some time. Mostly, this is because I am frickin' busy. Also, our digital camera broke and we haven't fixed it/ gotten a new one. So I don't have a glut of "oh, my god this is such a cute picture I have to post it!"

Here's a brief update: Ella has about two dozen words: "Kitty, donkey, ball, yes and no" among them. So, she has all the essentials. Tess has said her first words:" Kitty and On" so she's well on her way to bossing us around too. Tess is nearly walking without assistance of anykind and Ella demands to be carried around like the queen of sheba so she's a little behind Tess on this one. But she's coming along. We're all well and I'll post more funny stories later.

That being said, here are some pix of us so you don't forget what we look like and how damn cute the girls are.

Yes, yes, me too!

2007-07-25T12:09:00.000-04:00

Ok, if anyone still reads this tired, old abandoned blog. . .

What did you think of Harry's last adventure? Or, more accurately, the conclusion of his adventure? I'll post my thoughts once I've slept some after my reading marathon.

Through the Looking Glass

2007-07-03T09:55:00.000-04:00

Millionaire Audition Results

2007-06-24T20:19:00.000-04:00

First things first: I passed the timed test. So, I didn't have to slink home with my tail between legs and lie about passing. I actually passed.

Now, to go back. I went to NYC alone, taking the train. It was really fun to be on my own for a day and have people NOT look at me. I loved being ignored. I was just another average woman without two adorable TWINS to stare at and ask ridiculous questions about.

I got to the ABC Studios and they made us wait in line on the street like some kind of weird hazing. I think they were testing us to see how long we would stand around with no information, no guidance and no bathroom.

After being ushered into the cafeteria of the building through the backdoor (I didn't see anything or anyone remotely interesting -- except the handsome producer I got to talk with ;-), we were given a timed multiple choice test of 30 questions. I KNOW I knew 25 of them. 2 more were questionable and 3 I just guessed with a Hail Mary. They called out my number as a passing grade and then I got to get my photo taken and stapled to my application.

THEN I had my interview. I said to the gentleman (who was about 25 years old) "I don't know whether to be cute and sassy or thoughtful and smart." He wouldn't give me a direction so I said "Darn! I guess I'm going to just have to be myself." That was probably a mistake.

He asked me the questions on the form and I answered him with gibberish, I think. I bet I was talking at about 20 times normal speed. I was nervous!

Results: I'll get a postcard in two to three weeks to tell me if I am in the contestant pool.

Don't touch that dial.

PS: click here if you want to see how I answered the questionaire.

The Good Samaritan

2007-06-18T07:35:00.000-04:00

There are still good souls in the world. Kind people who deserve to be recognized.

Saturday, we went down to my parents (an hour away) to celebrate birthdays and Father's Day. On the way, we stopped at a roadside stand to buy flowers and a pie. I went in and paid for them. We happily continued on our way.

About half an hour after we got to my parents, my brother called to say that we were lucky fuckers. He had my husband's wallet. My brother lives an hour from us in another direction; not near my parents. My husband said, "No, I just used it to pay for stuff on the way down." Wait. "No, AMBER used my wallet to pay."

Apparently, I had put the wallet on the top of the car while arranging the things in the car after paying for the pie and flowers. An old man in a red Mazda pick-up truck from Bozrah (this is all the info my brother got from him) found it in the middle of the road and drove it ALL THE WAY down to my brother's house. A 45 minute drive from where he found it, at least. It still had every credit card and dollar. Not to mention photos of the girls on their first days home from the hospital.

Why my brother's house? Well, we used to live in that house and it is still listed as my husband's address on his license. (Addition info: Brendan is going out of town for a few days for work tomorrow. A lost wallet would have seriously been a problem. And last Fall, I lost our digital video camera the same way. There was no miracle find that time.)

Thank you, Good Samaritan.Thank you so so much.

The Milkman Cometh

2007-06-15T07:58:00.000-04:00

For weeks now, I've been planning to get up early enough to photograph the Mountain Dairy milkman in my driveway so you will all believe me: We have a milkman. They deliver milk, OJ, and eggs every Friday morning. This is a feature of life that makes me want to go back to 1950 and see what else that era has to offer. (I'm already a housewife, so what the hell!)

I get to go out onto my porch in my pajamas at 6am and bring in 2 gallons of milk, a gallon of OJ, and a dozen eggs. Not to mention being able to call them and ask for tons of other dairy products if I want: cottage cheese, yogurt, butter, etc. And no, it isn't any more expensive than the store prices. AND the cows that our milk comes from are literally less than a mile away as the crow flies and we can go visit them.

So, in lieu of getting up at 5am to photograph the truck in my driveway (accurate photo of our milktruck from their website above) you will just have to make do with a photo of our milkbox on our porch.

Who Wants ME To Be A Millionare?

2007-06-10T21:00:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I'll fess up. I'm going to audition for Millionaire on June 23rd. It's just an audition. No one get excited. Here's where I need your help. I have a questionnaire that I have to bring with me completed.

Family and Friends, I need help. Tell me what's interesting enough about me to include. Here are the questions they ask.
(Be kind)

1. If you make it to the hot seat, what's the first thing you'd want to tell Meredith about yourself?

2. How would winning $1 million change your life?

3. What is one thing you do that makes people laugh?

4. If you were on a deserted island, what 5 things would you want with you?

5. If you could vote yourself as best-_____ or most-likely-to_____, what would be your vote?

6. Have you ever appeared in a newspaper, magazine or on TV before? If so, where and why?

7. Why do you want to be on Millionaire?

Life's a Beach!

2007-06-09T10:55:00.000-04:00

Here are the girls on their first time at the beach. (Tess, Richard, Angelo, Ella) We took a trip to Old Lyme with our friends. Everybody had a great time. The water was too cold to swim, but we ate lots of sand.

By the way, I know I haven't been very good about updating this space very often. I have a lot to share, so check back more regularly now that I have my motivation again.

Nostalgia

2007-05-24T17:06:00.000-04:00

In light of the previous post, I thought I'd share this (For the record, the YOUNGEST person in this photo is 20 - and I'm certainly not the youngest.):

I'd also like to mention that the commentary was provided by back-row second from the left. And as unlikely as this seems, this photo was taken in England.

Old Age

2007-05-22T15:58:00.000-04:00

I feel old age coming. Here are my symptoms:

1. I was at the park today with my girls, having a picnic, and someone pulled up, opened his car door and BLASTED his radio. I was PISSED. And he was playing things like: Journey, Aretha Franklin, and Elton John. Not exactly threatening, aggressive music. This idiot wasn't even that close to us, and I didn't mind the tunes, I just resented my peace and quiet interupted.

2. I saw a boy, about 20, with a girl, same age-range, lying together on a blanket in the sun. She was reading aloud to him. I felt all nostalgic for my youth.

3. My eyelids sag.

4. 7:00pm seems like the middle of the night for eating dinner and 6:00am is a reasonable wake up time.

5. I might, I said MIGHT, appreciate an elastic waistband now and then.

A Sigh Of Relief . . .

2007-05-21T20:10:00.000-04:00

After much debate, then, we settled on Slate's "America's Best Place to Avoid Death Due to Natural Disaster": the area in and around Storrs, Conn., home to the University of Connecticut. It lies in Tolland County, which was not part of the 1999 federal disaster declaration for Tropical Storm Floyd. It's a safe 50 miles from the sound and not close to any rivers. It also has relatively easy access to a major city (Hartford) in the event an evacuation or hospitalization becomes necessary.

Like I'm not enough of a pansy-ass chicken. They had to go and officially label my hometown.

Hilarassing!!

2007-05-20T12:37:00.000-04:00

Hilarassing = painfully embarrassing, yet too hilarious not to share.

Brendan, the only male in a houseful of females, attempted to assert his masculinity the other day by farting quite loud and long.

Ella, not to be out done, looked at her father and produced a raspberry equal to the power and duration of the fart.

Tess, with her competitive spirit, likewise joined in the bodily musical number.

This, I am told, went on for several rounds.

I, luckily, was napping with the cat and we were spared the humiliation of knowing we are the leaders of this band.

Equal Due

2007-05-15T20:11:00.000-04:00

In fairness to Tess (see previous post re: Ella's first word), although she hasn't spoken a clear word yet - "YAEGGIE" doesn't count and NO, Brendan she isn't saying you can have another Jägermeister and NO, Scott, it's not "YANKEES" - Anyway, to give her her due, she is crawling, and today she pulled up to a standing position on her mommy's fat hips (I was laying down on my side).

It's Official

2007-05-15T17:23:00.000-04:00

Ella's first word. Now before I tell you what it was, I have something to say. It wasn't "Mommy," it wasn't "Daddy," it wasn't "Tess" but it was cosmically (and comically) appropriate when you consider all factors.

Ella's first word: "Kitty-Cat" Considering that I put this beast first for so many years, just to dump him (emotionally, that is - he still lives here), it serves me right for Ella to set my priorities straight.

Ahoy Mateys

2007-05-11T16:27:00.000-04:00

We all had a picnic at the Seaport (thanks to free passes from Brendan's vendor), then Aidan, Ella and Tess spent time at sea. Aidan steered the ship, Tess was the lookout and Ella had to swab the decks. (Leah, Noah, Sam and I weren't even allowed aboard ship.)

Birthday Celebrations

2007-05-09T21:53:00.000-04:00

We walked in the park, we had friends over to eat cake on Sunday, we had family over to eat cake Monday. We opened presents, we were spoiled and we celebrated. We enjoyed each other and started wonderful family traditions.

Because their are two of them, we needed two days of celebration. And if I can figure it out, I'll post the movie I made of their first year.

Happy Birthday to the loves of my life: Ella and Tess. Thank you for letting me be your mommy.

5200 Diapers

2007-05-07T12:53:00.000-04:00

500 loads of laundry
$3200 in formula
All well worth while when considering it was the cost of our first year.

Happy Birthday to my girls! We survived! And thrived!

(Will post photos of birthday celebrations tomorrow. )

Living In The Moment

2007-05-02T17:26:00.000-04:00

Or at least trying to. That is what I've spent today doing. My house is a wreck. We are in the middle of a painting project, we are preparing for the girls 1st birthday celebrations, and all the normal chores have to get done. I've been counting on nap time for the past two days to get major accomplishments crossed off the list.

Tess has had other ideas. There have been no naps for her. I spent the time between 1pm and 3pm today soothing, kissing, rocking, lying next to, and otherwise trying to convince her to sleep. No go.

While desperately trying not to show her my frustration about the laundry, the vacuuming, the misplaced furniture (because of the unfinished painting project), the dishes, the uncooked dinner, and many other things I wanted to get done, I realized something.

In a very short time, she's not going to be happy just spending time with Mommy. She's not going to want to stroke my face, giggle when I open one eye then another, play with my eyelashes, jingle my necklace, and stick her fingers up my nose. She's going to want to explore this world which will open for her in ever-quickening steps. And her sister too.

So, I took a deep breath, put the chores (mostly) out of my mind and giggled when she tried to pick my nose and make me eat it.

It Takes Pains To Be Beautiful . . .

2007-05-01T17:20:00.000-04:00

That is what my grandmother always told me. Well girls, at least it's an old family tradition. (First time with hair accessories)

A Worthy Celebrity Cause

2007-04-25T16:26:00.000-04:00

The One Campaign is a global campaign to fight poverty and global AIDS. It is not about raising funds. Their mission is to raise awareness. One.org

Ok, So They Lost

2007-04-24T11:13:00.000-04:00

But, we had a great time! Drank beer, ate disgusting/ awesome food, bought way too much Red Sox merchandise for our children and were blissed out!

Starting the Season off Right!

2007-04-23T07:29:00.000-04:00

7-6

7-5

7-6 versus the Yankees in their first meetings. This, of course, will mean when I go to see them tonight that they will get their asses kicked.

And my boy isn't even playing. But, I'll be at FENWAY . . . so all is well.

My favorite Red Sox player

2007-04-21T09:54:00.000-04:00

This guy has been incalcuably valuable to the team over the past couple of years. Last night included. Let's give him a warm round of applause.

First Nice Day!

2007-04-20T18:25:00.000-04:00

Magical Donkey

Here I Go Again, Meow Meow, How Can I Resist You?

Deo Gratias

I'm Betting There Was No Serpent.

Flasks are cool and fit easily in diaper bags.

I'm A Big Kid Now!

To Do List:

I Have A New Haircut

Sense of Humor

No Way, No How, No McCain.

Greek Tragedy 21st Century Style: The Medean Complex of the Democratic National Party

Girlpower Playlist

When I miss her, I read her diary.

Mannywood

Eavesdropping

Finally! Earning Their Keep. . . Sort Of.

More Beach Bunnies

Why Would You NOT Do This?

Life's A Beach

Strawberry Sisters

What Is The Life Span Of A Cricket?

Singing In The Rain

Great Expectations

Too Good Not To Share

About me

Baa, Neigh, Cock A Doodle DOOOOOO

It Was Twenty Years Ago Today . . .

We're Your Best Friends - Our Tickets Are Outrageously Priced

When Girls Play With Trucks

Recommended Reading

Uncle Remus, Anyone?

Whatever Happened to Malfunctioning ACME Rocket-Skates?

How Lucky Am I?

Meditations on "Because I Said SO!" and Other Nonsense

Lobelia Proudfoot

More Than I Thought

I'm Starting to Appreciate Rollercoasters

Easter Eggstravaganza

It's Just THAT Easy

Quickies

Confessions of a Bad Nighttime Mommy

Talent: The Generation

Public Service Announcement

Johnny Rotten, Eat Your Heart Out!

Gang aft a-gley

Don't Forget to Change the Batteries in Your Smoke Detectors

Making my case

I'll Reach For Profundity Tomorrow

Happy Birthday Uncle Arlo!

Pants on Fire

Ella Knievel

Real Men Do Spa

Rarely Seen In A Zoo!

The NEW "Om"

Obligatory Cuteness

Breaking Radio Silence

ELF YOU!

"Stop Fighting With Ella!"

Random Silliness

"*"

Let's Get Ready to Rummmmmmmmmble!!!

Twin Mom Rant v2.0

Halloween Costumes v 2.0

A Halloween Miracle!!

Happy Halloween!

THANK YOU!!!!

Good Luck Charms

Did you know?

Too Much Of A Good Thing

Fall Classics

Apple - Dapple - Doo

At The Bottom of the Sea, Where the Mermaids Murmur

No need to be concerned . . .

Don't you wear your fairy wings to the Rennaissance Faire?

Walk This Way

He He He

What's Gonna Work? TEAMWORK!

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

Yes, yes, me too!

Through the Looking Glass