You can vote for me (after 5/29) by clicking on the link above! Thanks!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Weekly Photo Contest
I have been thinking about entering a photo contest on a few blogs for some time now. Not really because I am a photographer, but mostly because I take so many pictures! I have decided to start with the one on Exposaroonie because the subject interested me. And because I thought of this picture of Justin. The challenge was to take a picture from a different perspective and I think that this one definitely does that!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Future Golfers
These pictures are from a week ago, but I forgot to post them. Brian and Sean got to go to work with their Dad and had such a great time! It is so nice that he has a job that can accommodate a four and a seven year old once in a while! They got to hit golf balls, take rides in the golf carts, eat lunch, and pretend to work in the pro-shop! I guess in a few years, there will be one more part-time employee when Justin begs to go too! Brian may have to start bringing one kid at a time!
Brian Jr. is getting to be a pretty good golfer. Sean still wants to do it his way and has more of a slap shot than a golf swing, but he is happy and this is all that matters! They both want to wear khaki pants and golf shirts to dress like Dad at work! It is too cute!
Sean
Brian
Sean
running the shop
Brian Jr. is getting to be a pretty good golfer. Sean still wants to do it his way and has more of a slap shot than a golf swing, but he is happy and this is all that matters! They both want to wear khaki pants and golf shirts to dress like Dad at work! It is too cute!
Brian
Sean
Brian
Sean
running the shop
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Squirting Fun!
Lucky for Sean, Justin is a good sport and actually liked being squirted in the face by a rubber duckie! I am not sure if Sean or Justin had a better time! And if you know Sean, then you know that, yes, he did squirt his Mom too! Sean and Justin have such a different relationship than Brian and Justin. Brian takes on more of a big brother role; he takes care of Justin, teaches him things, and protects him. Sean plays and wrestles with Justin. He teases him and ... squirts him with water. He doesn't treat him special and thinks of him more as one of the boys than as a baby. So, I guess that is good for Justin - he gets the best of both worlds!
and again - love Sean's face
Justin is still smiling...
and laughing...
even after Sean does this!
right in the face!
and again - love Sean's face
Justin is still smiling...
and laughing...
even after Sean does this!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
It's My Party!
Yep, today is my birthday. I was born at 10:28 am exactly 36 years ago. I was about 5 weeks early and weighed in at 4 lbs 12 oz! My Mom woke up to a puddle of blood and went straight to the hospital. They didn't have ultra sound so the best guess was that there was a tear in the placenta somewhere. I did have to stay in the hospital for a few days to learn to eat a little better. My parents still tease me about how small I was! They used to bathe me in a cooking pot because even the sink was too big!
It is beautiful, sunny, and in the low 70's in NJ today. That is because there is no party planned. It rained on my party day for most of my childhood. And back then there were not all of these cool, and expensive, places to have a party. I think I remember my brother having one at McDonald's though.
I filled out a form to win something this morning and it hit me that I am now 36 . There were boxes to fill in for name and address, a box to check for gender, and then a box to check age group. I have now moved onto the next age group! I have long passed the 18-24 range, and had been in the 25-35 range for a while now. But this particular form had the next box as 35-49! What! How can I be in the same box with someone who is 49! Do I really have more in common with them than a 35 year old! I think that they should redo the range system and have 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and so on. It makes more sense to me!
All joking aside, I am not someone who is worried about getting older. Not yet anyway. I was not bothered by turning 30 or 35, and am not worried about 40 either. It is funny how age is so relative. When I was 20, the thought of being 36 was almost nauseating. Now that I am here, even 40 or 45 doesn't seem too bad! I don't feel that I am in my mid-thirties and I even continued to get carded in a bar or liquor store up until a few years ago! No problem 36 - bring it on!
Sean, being the class clown of the house, did have to comment on my age last night at dinner. I said something about running fast to do this or that. He looked right at me and said, "I would like to see you run fast!" Oh, to be 4! Later, he asked me, "Do you remember when I was 4 and went to the park?" I said, "Yes, Sean I do. And you are still 4." He said, "No, I'm four and a half!" So sorry, I forgot the second part of his age!
This process of adding 'a half' to your age by saying four and a half, adding months by saying I am 4 years and 9 months, and adding 'almost' by saying I am almost 5 seems to be popular among kids. So is embellishing your age a bit. I saw Brian tell kids he didn't know last summer that he was 8 (he was 6 last February)- these kids were much older than him and had to be about 10. You would never catch an adult a few months, or years, before their birthdays adding that extra year or two. Brian Sr. says that he is 36, not 36 and a half! Honestly I think that if he did that people would look at him strangely!
My Mom called a little bit ago to wish me a happy birthday. It was 10:33 am when she called and she said, "You were only a few minutes old 36 years ago!" My eyes started to fill with happy tears. It is so nice to be remembered. I have felt a deeper connection to my Mom since I have become a Mom. I remember what time of day my kids were born every year and that minute is so special to me. Thanks Mom, you made my day! I love you!
It is beautiful, sunny, and in the low 70's in NJ today. That is because there is no party planned. It rained on my party day for most of my childhood. And back then there were not all of these cool, and expensive, places to have a party. I think I remember my brother having one at McDonald's though.
I filled out a form to win something this morning and it hit me that I am now 36 . There were boxes to fill in for name and address, a box to check for gender, and then a box to check age group. I have now moved onto the next age group! I have long passed the 18-24 range, and had been in the 25-35 range for a while now. But this particular form had the next box as 35-49! What! How can I be in the same box with someone who is 49! Do I really have more in common with them than a 35 year old! I think that they should redo the range system and have 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and so on. It makes more sense to me!
All joking aside, I am not someone who is worried about getting older. Not yet anyway. I was not bothered by turning 30 or 35, and am not worried about 40 either. It is funny how age is so relative. When I was 20, the thought of being 36 was almost nauseating. Now that I am here, even 40 or 45 doesn't seem too bad! I don't feel that I am in my mid-thirties and I even continued to get carded in a bar or liquor store up until a few years ago! No problem 36 - bring it on!
Sean, being the class clown of the house, did have to comment on my age last night at dinner. I said something about running fast to do this or that. He looked right at me and said, "I would like to see you run fast!" Oh, to be 4! Later, he asked me, "Do you remember when I was 4 and went to the park?" I said, "Yes, Sean I do. And you are still 4." He said, "No, I'm four and a half!" So sorry, I forgot the second part of his age!
This process of adding 'a half' to your age by saying four and a half, adding months by saying I am 4 years and 9 months, and adding 'almost' by saying I am almost 5 seems to be popular among kids. So is embellishing your age a bit. I saw Brian tell kids he didn't know last summer that he was 8 (he was 6 last February)- these kids were much older than him and had to be about 10. You would never catch an adult a few months, or years, before their birthdays adding that extra year or two. Brian Sr. says that he is 36, not 36 and a half! Honestly I think that if he did that people would look at him strangely!
My Mom called a little bit ago to wish me a happy birthday. It was 10:33 am when she called and she said, "You were only a few minutes old 36 years ago!" My eyes started to fill with happy tears. It is so nice to be remembered. I have felt a deeper connection to my Mom since I have become a Mom. I remember what time of day my kids were born every year and that minute is so special to me. Thanks Mom, you made my day! I love you!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
National Commenting Month
Mel had a wonderful idea on her blog! I have to say that she is a woman full of insight and good ideas! It is a movement to entice people to leave comments for a month! It is called NaComLeavMo. Click over and you will find a huge list of blogs to read! The authors have signed on to leave five comments a day and to return one comment a day from their own blog. The month will run from May 25 to June 25th! Anyone is free to join the blog-roll; any topic, any author! So, if you are looking for a way to increase you comment giving or want to find some great new blogs to read, then join in! It is easy! Just remember to mind your manners and be nice!
Flower Fun!
I am a |
I have never even heard of this flower, but I guess it is what I would be if I was a flower. Maybe that means I am unique?
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Serenity
First, I have to brag a little and say that Justin is a great sleeper. So were his brothers. I give a little credit to myself since strict bedtimes and nap times are rules that I never allow to bend in the slightest bit. But I really think that some of it is in their DNA. They just love to sleep!
So, that being said, I am pretty sure that Justin no longer needs to be "topped off" at night. This was a trick I used for Brian and Sean too. I nurse them right before they go to bed, maybe 8-8:30, and then get them out of bed for a little top-off before I turn in for the night. They don't wake up and for me, it filled up their bellies all the way, and made them sleep better and longer.
The thing is, Brian and Sean were long finished with their "topping-off" by the time they were a year old. Justin was a year old two weeks ago and I am still topping him off. He would probably just sleep on through with no problem. It is me, all me. I love that time with him. Just he and I. It is so wonderful. I am not ready to give it up.
The house is quiet and calm. Justin is usually too busy or too curious to nurse for very long. But, late at night, he is content to nurse for longer and I cherish it. I know that this special time for us is soon coming to an end and I am holding onto it for as long as I can. I am a huge supporter of breast feeding, but like Elisabeth Hasselbeck from The View said last week, "When the child can spell milk, it is time to stop!" I thought that this was funny. I don't condone those that breast feed for longer or into the toddler years, it is just not for me.
Before going to bed, I go into his room to get him out of his crib. As I open the door, it creaks ever so slightly and he raises he head. He lets out a small whine and reaches for me. I pick him up and he snuggles into me with his eyes still closed. He is immediately comforted and he knows I am his mama even while he is asleep. I sit down with him and he instinctively turns and roots for my breast like a newborn. He knows my smell and knows the routine so even in the dark he knows which way to turn his head.
As he latches on, I can almost hear him let out a blissful sigh. Soon, my milk comes in and I can hear him swallowing. It is a fantastic and moving experience to see him immediately calmed. When my supply is depleted on one side, he kicks and softly whines once more. This is his signal to me to change sides. As I lift him to turn him t the other side he kicks his legs in unison as if to propel him to other side. He begins to root again and amazingly knows to turn his head to the other side even though his eyes remain closed. As he latches on the other side, he is once again peaceful.
When Justin is full and content, he sometimes opens one eye and upon seeing me will flash a sleepy, drunk grin. I cuddle him in closely and my heart overflows with love and wonder. He prefers for his head to be over my left chest. I think that my heartbeat quiets him and reminds him of the sounds in my womb. My head is telling me to go to sleep myself and to return him to his crib. But my heart wants to hold him close to me all night long. I hug him tightly a few minutes more.
Reluctantly, I carry him to his room. I hug him close once more and kiss each delicious cheek. I then kiss the top of his head and inhale his natural baby perfume for a few seconds. I lay him in his crib and make sure his lion blanket is on his chest. Justin grabs it with his chubby fingers and brings it up to his face. As he gently rubs the blanket over his face, I can see his body relax and give into sleep once again. Then his hand slowly falls to the side and his breathing deepens. I stand there for another minute and revel in the miracle that he is.
After quietly closing the door, I go to Brian and Sean's room to check on them before I turn in. I love to see the boys sleeping. They are so peaceful. If they had a rough day in the listening department and got in trouble, it is all forgotten. I have to just stand there a few minutes and watch them sleep. Then I gently kiss Sean on the head and try not to wake him. Brian is now in the top bunk, so I cannot kiss is head directly. I compromise by kissing my hand and then touching my hand to his head. Caught up in day to day life I sometimes don't get time to really study them. Some nights I am caught off guard while looking at them. I marvel at how much they have grown!
Good night, sleep tight, my sweet boys!
So, that being said, I am pretty sure that Justin no longer needs to be "topped off" at night. This was a trick I used for Brian and Sean too. I nurse them right before they go to bed, maybe 8-8:30, and then get them out of bed for a little top-off before I turn in for the night. They don't wake up and for me, it filled up their bellies all the way, and made them sleep better and longer.
The thing is, Brian and Sean were long finished with their "topping-off" by the time they were a year old. Justin was a year old two weeks ago and I am still topping him off. He would probably just sleep on through with no problem. It is me, all me. I love that time with him. Just he and I. It is so wonderful. I am not ready to give it up.
The house is quiet and calm. Justin is usually too busy or too curious to nurse for very long. But, late at night, he is content to nurse for longer and I cherish it. I know that this special time for us is soon coming to an end and I am holding onto it for as long as I can. I am a huge supporter of breast feeding, but like Elisabeth Hasselbeck from The View said last week, "When the child can spell milk, it is time to stop!" I thought that this was funny. I don't condone those that breast feed for longer or into the toddler years, it is just not for me.
Before going to bed, I go into his room to get him out of his crib. As I open the door, it creaks ever so slightly and he raises he head. He lets out a small whine and reaches for me. I pick him up and he snuggles into me with his eyes still closed. He is immediately comforted and he knows I am his mama even while he is asleep. I sit down with him and he instinctively turns and roots for my breast like a newborn. He knows my smell and knows the routine so even in the dark he knows which way to turn his head.
As he latches on, I can almost hear him let out a blissful sigh. Soon, my milk comes in and I can hear him swallowing. It is a fantastic and moving experience to see him immediately calmed. When my supply is depleted on one side, he kicks and softly whines once more. This is his signal to me to change sides. As I lift him to turn him t the other side he kicks his legs in unison as if to propel him to other side. He begins to root again and amazingly knows to turn his head to the other side even though his eyes remain closed. As he latches on the other side, he is once again peaceful.
When Justin is full and content, he sometimes opens one eye and upon seeing me will flash a sleepy, drunk grin. I cuddle him in closely and my heart overflows with love and wonder. He prefers for his head to be over my left chest. I think that my heartbeat quiets him and reminds him of the sounds in my womb. My head is telling me to go to sleep myself and to return him to his crib. But my heart wants to hold him close to me all night long. I hug him tightly a few minutes more.
Reluctantly, I carry him to his room. I hug him close once more and kiss each delicious cheek. I then kiss the top of his head and inhale his natural baby perfume for a few seconds. I lay him in his crib and make sure his lion blanket is on his chest. Justin grabs it with his chubby fingers and brings it up to his face. As he gently rubs the blanket over his face, I can see his body relax and give into sleep once again. Then his hand slowly falls to the side and his breathing deepens. I stand there for another minute and revel in the miracle that he is.
After quietly closing the door, I go to Brian and Sean's room to check on them before I turn in. I love to see the boys sleeping. They are so peaceful. If they had a rough day in the listening department and got in trouble, it is all forgotten. I have to just stand there a few minutes and watch them sleep. Then I gently kiss Sean on the head and try not to wake him. Brian is now in the top bunk, so I cannot kiss is head directly. I compromise by kissing my hand and then touching my hand to his head. Caught up in day to day life I sometimes don't get time to really study them. Some nights I am caught off guard while looking at them. I marvel at how much they have grown!
Good night, sleep tight, my sweet boys!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Tunnel Fun
I was cleaning out the closet in Brian and Sean's room and came across this tunnel. I think it was from when Sean was a baby. It has been in the back of their closet for years! So, I brought it downstairs, Justin and Sean had so much fun! I thought that Justin might be afraid to crawl in at first, but he wasn't! He peered into one end and then crawled right in! He goes through so quickly and then turns right around and goes back in.
Justin's favorite parts were when Sean chased him in the tunnel and when he popped up at one end to surprise him. He got that deep belly laugh that is so contagious! Sean tried to lay down in the tunnel and block Justin from getting through, but that didn't stop Justin! He just crawled right over top of Sean! They really had a great time together!
hide-n-seek
having fun 
climbing over Sean
Sean in the tunnel
Justin's favorite parts were when Sean chased him in the tunnel and when he popped up at one end to surprise him. He got that deep belly laugh that is so contagious! Sean tried to lay down in the tunnel and block Justin from getting through, but that didn't stop Justin! He just crawled right over top of Sean! They really had a great time together!
Justin in the tunnel
hide-n-seek
having fun climbing over SeanSean in the tunnel
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