Leila, in her excitement after seeing someone baking on television, runs to me and says, "Mommy, I want to make chocola chop-, chocola chope-, chip chocola, chocola chippy coke-,  cook-,  chocola chippy chop cookies!"

Today, It's About Me!

I saw this on another blog (obviously with someone else's answers) and decided to fill it out today.  If you have a few minutes, you should do the same. I'd love to read your thoughts as well.


-I am... a woman who wears many hats.

-I think... I am a good people-reader.

-I should... write a book.

-I dream... of being a guest on Oprah before her show goes off the air. Maybe for writing that book! :)

-I want... to fit back into my pre-pregnancy clothes A.S.A.P.

-I know... I have a lot of work to do before that happens!

-I don't like... inconsiderate people. I could go on for days giving examples, so I will just leave it at that.

-I smell... coffee.

-I hear... the birds outside (read: my kids are sleeping).

-I fear... losing who I am in this whole process.

-I usually... look forward to my kids' bedtime.  C'mon, parents, you know you do too.

-I search... for new ways of doing old things online, and I LIVE for Real Simple magazine.

-I miss... the "dating" stage of my relationship.

-I always... try to find the humor in a situation. It may not always be appropriate, but it's almost always funny.

-I regret... not doing my homework in college. Those B's could have been A's.

-I wonder... how my girls will turn out as adults. Only then will I truly know how good a mother I am.

-I crave... tortilla chips and salsa.

-I remember... a time when I always second-guessed myself.  Those days are over.

-I need... validation.

-I forget... a lot of things these days, but never the things my husband does wrong  ;)

-I feel... like I can conquer the world when the sun is out.  Rainy days, fughettaboutit.

-I can... get a lot more done throughout the day if I have a little help.

-I can't... make something to eat just for myself anymore.  Not even a cup of coffee.  Hi, I'm Cinderella, nice to meet you.

-I am happy... spending time with the people I love. Unless they're making a mess that I will have to clean up later. That does not make me happy.

-I lose... EVERYTHING lately!  I don't know what's wrong with me.

-I sing... in the car.  And after I watch American Idol. I get inspired.

-I listen... very well.  Hubby and kids, on the other hand, not so much.

-I shop... way less than I used to.  Damned priorities.

-I eat... healthy meals.  Now if I could only do some healthy exercising... maybe tomorrow.

-I love... being happy.

Leila came up to me today and said "Hey, this is a stick up!"
"This is a stick up?" I repeated, wondering where she got that phrase from.
Then she pressed a sticker into my chest.

Toothbrush Brawl

Mia hates to brush her teeth.  From the moment she got that first little white spot on her gums she has abhorred the idea of anything going into her mouth other than food.  Quite frankly, I am surprised that she even still has teeth, considering that they have never been properly brushed (at least, to my standards).

I have tried putting toothpaste on a rag and rubbing it along her teeth to clean them, but in the struggle (Mia is unexpectedly strong for her size) she will tightly close her mouth, usually right on my finger, and purple bruised nail beds are so not in fashion right now.

I have tried letting her do it by herself first (although all she does is suck the toothpaste off the brush) and then going in after her to do it the right way, but she will have none of it.

I have even tried holding her head, prying her chin open and doing a high-speed brush-by but she is able to wriggle free before I can finish the top row.

Is there anything I can do to prevent my daughter from looking like a rotted-toothed hillbilly from the sticks?

Let Your Voices Be Heard!

Parents, we need to take action. I have come to the conclusion that the executives at Nick Jr have found a way to digitally transmit crack cocaine in order to hook little children onto their shows, particularly Dora the Explorer.  I base this conclusion on extensive hours of observing my children's reactions to the mere thought of Dora.  Leila will run around in circles and jump up and down once she finds out that is what she will be watching, and Mia will sing the theme song at record speed.  However, if there is no recorded episode for them to view, and it is not being played on live television, my girls will begin to exhibit withdrawl symptoms.  This almost always begins with a fit from hell, followed by an almost ritualistic chant of  "Mommy, Dora. Mommy, Dora.  Mommy, Dora."

I know I am not the only one who has children addicted to Dora the Explorer.  We need to take action now.  We need to let these television executives know that we are on to them, and we will not take it anymore!  ...right after this episode of Dora.

Something To Look Forward To

I am beginning to realize more and more that my babies are growing up. Leila is three, and Mia will be two in May, and she is already doing so many "big girl" things now that I can't even rightfully call her a baby anymore.  Although I do miss (some) aspects of the "baby stage" like the cuddling and cooing and chubby cheeks to squeeze, there are things that I will not miss, and I am looking forward to the days where I can enjoy:

1. A floor that is not perpetually covered in crumbs.
2. Not finding at least 4 random mismatched socks a day, usually in places where socks don't belong.
3. Not having to wipe a butt other than my own.
4. Not having to drag around a big ol' bag full of extra everything (clothes, bibs, socks, diapers) that I don't use half of, but need to have handy "just in case".
5. Children that can eat a Happy Meal without dropping two of the four nuggets on the floor and squeezing the juice box so hard that the juice sprays out of the straw and onto the surrounding area.
6. Being able to finish a meal without having to get up a minimum of 3 times to fetch drinks, cut meat, or rinse a utensil that has been dropped on the floor.
7. Not having to secure a car seat. (Am I the only one who hates strapping my kids into those things, especially when it's raining and I'm getting soaked because the strap is twisted or the kid is sitting on the middle part and I can't fish it out from under them??)
8. Walking freely while barefoot, without fear of stepping on a small toy that will cripple me with pain.
9. Being able to paint my nails without worrying about someone touching them, or having to change a diaper right after I painted them.
10. My Favorite: Being able to use the bathroom without someone following me and/or crying and banging on the door until I come out!

A Balanced Diet

I am a big advocate of healthy eating. I don't give my kids sugary cereals, fatty foods or soda, and they actually enjoy eating their vegetables (except for the fact that Leila, for some strange reason, will not eat a potato in any form except that of a french fry).  Don't get me wrong, I am not a complete Food Nazi.  I bake cookies and cakes from time to time, and once in a (long) while we'll go to McDonald's, but I am happy to say that my kids eat balanced meals.  And Mia, being the little explorer that she is, has found a new addition to her her personal food pyramid: Crayons. Yes, crayons.  Apparently she finds something comforting in the waxy, crumbly nature of the colorful creations, and she has an affinity for blue, brown and orange.  I have noticed that she likes to enjoy her delicacies in private, because I am never aware that she has indulged until I see her emerge from her hiding spot with tell-tale wax crumble all over her mouth.  I don't know what the appeal is--they don't even smell good!-- but all that matters is that she likes them. Therefore, I need to hide them.