Everything, FAIL

For those of you that are on the opposite side of the political fence than I, I apologize for this image. I couldn't resist. Please take solace in the fact that the last week, I have been punished enough for this slandering behavior.

It's true what they say, that everything comes in three's. Although, I have yet to convince that that applies to kids as well. I believe it was last Thursday when things started to one by one go to hell. It started with my trip home from the gym. I decided to be 'pro-active' and stop at the gas station to avoid having to do it on the way in to work the next day. I pulled in, turned the car off and proceeded to check facebook while I filled up. I thanked the gas attendant, took my receipt and attempted to start the car. No. Nothing. Not even a dash light flickered, not even a pathetic attempt of the car turning over. Car battery, FAIL.

The battery was so dead, it wouldn't allow me to even put my over-electric car into Neutral so I could be 'pushed out of the way' as that was obviously the gas attendants biggest concern. I did what any girl would do, I called my dad. He assured me he was on my way. I stepped out of the car, all sweaty and gross and asked around for jumper cables. I found a gentlemen who offered to help. After TWENTY minutes the car, finally sputtered to life. That's when said 'gentlemen' requested payment of $10 for his service. When I said I did not have any cash, but 'thank you so much for your help', he offered to accept dinner, or two babies. Ew, gross. "Thank You Sir, BYE".

The evening escalated with Alex waking up at 11pm throwing up all over her room. Child's health, FAIL. When I mean, all over I am not exaggerating. I was cleaning vomit from her bookshelf, her wool pottery barn rug and picture frames. After cleaning that up, and getting her settled I proceeded to lay in bed in anticipation of the next vomit. One sleepless night, and it never came.

The next morning, we woke to water all over our garage floor. Hot Water Heater, FAIL. Thankfully, Sean stayed home with the kids (Alex being sick) and him and my dad had a new one installed by the time I got home. $458 dollars poorer, with the upside being we can finish washing the puke sheets.

Saturday, Sean spent the majority of the day tearing apart are 1 year old gas mother ship grill. Grill, FAIL. Maybe maybe, due to ownership error, WE failed to clean it properly and it lit on fire. Short of burning down our house, we doused it with water and broke a few of the elements. Owners, FAIL. Sean also replaced my car battery so cross your fingers y'all we are in good working order and are HOPING that that's it, for awhile.

7 Years and counting...

Sean and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary on June 29th. We got a babysitter, went out and enjoyed a quiet dinner and than paid an obscene amount of money to see a movie. We probably paid $5 to see a movie when we first began and now, 11 years later we had to practically take out a second mortgage on our house to see a flick.

Regardless, it was a great night. We saw 'The Hangover' which is superbly hilarious (if you like this kind of thing, which we do). We laughed incessantly, and left with sore faces.



I think I'll take this opportunity to say that after 7 years, I'd still say 'I do'. Sean and I (i think) are the best darn teammates in this ride we call life. We love our little family, and we love love each other. I'm very proud of us, I'm proud of the kids we are raising and the life we are leading. I'm proud that each year we grow and learn about each other, I'm proud that we still have a hell of a lot of fun together even on a weekend where the highlight is cleaning up vomit, and I'm just so darn proud he's my husband.

To many more years, and to many more memories. Happy Anniversary Sean!

Just Breathe

So, two weekends ago (i think) I've lost track... we went to the Rose Festival on a Friday night to hear one of my co-workers play. As we were walking down to the waterfront with kids in tow a man across the street from us was blaring his boom box. He walked the four blocks one street across from us and we enjoyed his music, and laughed, and felt like we were in some sort of movie. Sean said, 'This is so sweet, it's what it would feel like to have your own theme music'. Kind of like Entourage or something, we obviously weren't as cool with our stroller and snack bag, and sippy cups being thrown into the street. But close enough right? I always kind of have a theme song, a song I play incessantly to get me through. Right now it's Anna Nalick's 'Just Breathe'. Take a listen...it's a goodie. It's helping me through right now as I sort of feel like I'm running this marathon and my legs are really cramping and they are tired and I can no longer take a deep breath, but if I stop running...I'll never get going again.

We've been very busy the last few weeks. We've had birthdays galore, Alex turned 4, and Sean 31! Family events, a yard to get in shape, a body I am REALLY trying to get back in shape, a baby shower to organize, a million and one things to do at work, a dog to walk and apparently a floor I now have to sweep each night thanks to both Chip Chip/his damn black hairs, and Ian our resident food flinger.

I'm in the midst of fiscal close at work which has been intense and brain numbing in fact, today I believe I was talking to myself or God in the car thanking him for sparing me an anxiety attack I was sure to hit at any moment today. I then proceeded to write a list while driving home with tasks like put 7 loads of laundry away, order a carpet cleaning service, blog the kids funnies, make dentist appointments, pay our bills, and oh yeah...breathe. I also included 'mail thank you notes' even though I had already done that so I could immediately cross it off because that just makes me feel like I'm being productive.

Due to my hectic work schedule, Sean stayed home with the kids Monday. I came home to two amazingly happy kids who had spent a lovely day at the zoo. Alex ran up to me and said, 'Mom, I had the GREATEST day'. I was so happy. Happy the were happy, happy to be home, and happy dinner was on the table and I didn't make it. Then I got sad. I got sad because they don't run to Sean on Monday afternoons with that sort of excitement! No, 'DAD, we had the best day today' Why? Because I spend those days running errands, grocery shopping, doing laundry and cleaning house. What fun for them eh? All part of my master plan to live more often in the moment and make each moment with them fun. Trying always to find that perfect life balance that seem so hard to master. It always seems that succeeding in one aspect of life results in a slip in another. Well, somethings gotta go because, apparently I'm no fun.

So with that, here I am blogging the kids funnies. Because when I'm done, I get to cross that one off my list too!

Recently, in true Alex fashion (who is a walking accident) she began to cry and when asked what was wrong she replied, 'Mommy, I stubbed my eye'. Really? I died laughing, how do you stub your eye...truly.

Her and I were in Target last week and while perusing the garden section, we happened upon a yard gnome. She asks, 'Mom, is that god?' HaHa, no sweetie. It is not.

Tonight at dinner, I asked Ian to finish his peas. He replied, 'Why?'. That alone cracks me up that he gets this concept already. A few seconds later after nobody answered him he said, 'Cuz?'

Ian is saying SO MUCH all of a sudden. He's stringing two and three words together. He still refers to Alex as Ack. This new found vocabulary is making him very particular. He's able to tell me now that he'd like his drink on the couch while he watches a show and he doesn't want his 'buddy' but his blanket with his meal. Tonight he wandered around asking for Pop Pop and his boat. While most kids learn a word like 'no' and use it, always. Ian really understand when No or Yes will work to his benefit. He understands that when asked if he'd like to sit in time out for hitting, he says 'Yes', and then he'll march over to that bottom step of the stairs, sit down, say 'sowry', and then say 'Agin'? Which means, he'd like to try again.

Both kids have jumped right on board with Chip's training and tell him to Sit, Wait, Down, & Treat? They both take it very seriously...and I do believe Chip listens first to Sean, then to Alex, Ian and finally myself. He's quickly learned I'm the pushover in the family. He's chewed up a sippy cup, a multitude of stuffed animals, my new lounge chair, one pair of expensive Stride Rite shoes, and the kids swimming pool. Oh, and the inside of our tent. He's had worms, and is now being treated for Mites and has now cost us enough to prevent Sean from golfing ever, this summer. And because we bought a horrifically expensive dog de-shedding comb that clearly DOES NOT WORK, I've revoked Sean's coffee shop expenditures. No need for 'I told you so's'. We love him nonetheless. For now.

It's really no wonder I was caught digging through the cart of clearance booze this last weekend at Safeway, going home with two $4.20 bottles of martini wine things...that were 75% off last marked price and earning the nickname 'Boones' by Sean. We do what we can to survive.

Happy 4th Birthday Alex

Dear Alex,

I still think that someday, I'm going to bind all these entries and give them to you for your Highschool graduation. Or maybe I'll give it to you as a wedding gift when you technically are not our property anymore because surely, I will not allow you to date until your 25, and I may allow you to move in with a female roommate at 26 when I have completed your homeschooling in both highschool and college. I can't believe my little girl is growing up.

So today, on your 4th birthday I must say how quickly the last 4 years have flown. It feels like just yesterday you were handed to me in a burrito wrap with a cone head and goop in your eyes, with scratches on your little face and I first fell in love with you. Eight weeks later when you stopped screaming around the clock, and I rec'd more than 3 hours of consecutive sleep I fell in love with you again and again every single day since.

Tonight at dinner I glanced at you across the table and found a speck of Asparagus spear on your cheek. I didn't say anything, but moments later I caught you cross eyed. Obviously this speck was in your realm of vision. Your dad soon noticed and for a few brief moments we watched you twist your head and squint your eyes. You then said, 'Dad, is there sumthin on my nose?' Well, we both just cracked up. You make us laugh every single day and in a good way.

Because I didn't keep this blog when you were a baby, I wanted to document a brief re-cap of your first 4 years.

You were born May 19th, 2005 at 4:57 pm. You weighed 8 lbs 3oz and were 21.5 inches long. You had Colic just like your dad did and cried for 8 long weeks, but we loved you anyway or maybe more because of it. One day you stopped crying and ever since, you haven't stopped smiling.

Your major milestons: You first smiled at 2 months old, you laughed at 3 months, and at 4 1/2 months you slept for an 8 hour stretch. At 5 months you rolled from your tummy to your back and at 6 months from your back to your tummy. At 7 1/2 months you were sitting on your own and got your first teeth! At 10 months, you were crawling, saying Mama & Dada, and Nodding Yes or No. You walked at 13 months and at 23 1/2 months you put your first poo in the pottie rather than those diapers you loved so much.

Your favorite toy EVER was the Johny Jump where you spent the majority of your time LEAPING at alarming heights in the doorways around the house. Your first words include Mama, Dada, Whoa, UH OH, Ball, Was Dat?, Amen, Dee Doo (thank you), ganks (thanks) and Pee Boo (Peek a Boo).

Your first song was Old McDonald Had a Farm which you could only mutter, 'E-I-O' following moments later was always a soft whisper of 'Hooorse, or Cow'. You called PopPop 'Da Bop Bop' until you were two, and at 23 months had several full sentences including 'I don't want a bruddy' when you learned of a new brother on the way.

My lulu- you make me smile and laugh everyday. It's been amazing watching you grow and change and learn. I'm so thankful to have you as my daughter and can't wait for the many years to come. I do hope that the next time I write you a birthday blog, you don't pop your head over the stairway banister when you should be in bed, and I hope that that naughty talk you've had lately goes away and that I don't actually 'get what I deserve' in your teenage years. I'm signing off, I have to go supervise your dad who's putting together your new big girl Barbie Bike with handle bar tassles, flower pedals, and purple training wheels. Your gonna LUV it, but well-you did make it clear, perfectly clear which bike you HAD to have now didn't you. Happy Happy Birthday Sweet girl.

Love,
Mommy.

These are a few of our favorite things...

Ian saying "Uuuuummmmm." Before answering any question.




Alex referring to people as 'Humans'.


Alex calling a flyer left by a yard maintenance company an 'email'.

Every single word that Ian mutters and repeatedly says, just because he knows he can.

Ian commanding Chip Chip with 'Sip Sip, Wait' or 'Sip Sip, Siiiit'.


Watching the two learn to play together, nicely.



Alex's fascination with building forts and then reading to herself for long periods of time inside.

Our dance parties.


Alex's love for hip hop beats.


Alex's curiosity and confusion about God, and her millions of questions about why he created this or that.



In a strange way, Ian's temper tantrums where he loses it for a moment throwing anything he can see or find and then immediately carrying on as if nothing happened.



Ian's complete love and adoration for Pop Pop.

I still, choose them

Last week was challenging. We received word that Nike layoffs were finally beginning, I had Alex's birthday party to think about, logistics of having the kids and dog cared for while Sean and I took a night away, and my daycare was closed and a new sitter was watching the kids for the 3 days. By Thursday night, I was done. After a long, stressful day at work I came home to two grumpy crabby crying kids and truly, all I wanted to do was crawl in my bed and hibernate.



After getting through the evening and another gruelling day at work Sean and I were off to Seattle to see the Red Sox-Mariners game. I booked an amazing room at The W Hotel (thanks United miles). This was Sean's birthday gift and he was pumped! I was really trying to be. I was looking forward to the break, the peace in the car without two kids in the back with needs, but I was exhausted. I probably yawned near 1 million times on the way down. About halfway there, and thanks to the I-5 bridge, and some real crappy Tacoma traffic it was a long drive, I perked up. Darn it, I'm going to enjoy this. Sean and I have had maybe 2 other overnights without the kiddos, there's no time to be tired!


It's always a little odd to be in the car without Alex & Ian, or to be walking around a city without a stroller and diaper bag. To sit at a table for two and be handed only the regular menu? No crayons? Traffic was horrible so our sit down dinner plans were bagged and we hurried to the stadium for a hot dog, garlic fries and the yummiest $9 beers...eva.


Despite having one of THE most annoying fans sitting directly behind us, who NEVER stopped running his mouth about whatever, The game was good, even though Boston lost. On the way back to the hotel, it started:

Sean: "I wish Alex was here, she woulda loved this!"

Me: "I wonder if Chip is ok, I hope he doesn't think we abandoned him"

We missed our kids and our dog. We made sure to grab PINK cotton candy for Alex and then stared longingly at all the people who were walking hand in hand with their kids.

Sean: " I love it love it love it! All these kids staying up all late to watch a sporting event!"

We are suckers.

As crazy and busy as life is, and no matter how tired I am I still don't think I've hit the point where I could leave my little peeps for longer than a weekend and truly enjoy myself because when I'm not with them, something is missing. After four years, and after four hundred moments where I didn't think I could keep going, I still choose them. I choose the hectic, crazy, scheduling nightmare that is my life at times, anytime.

Sean and I had a great time though, and with just one little night away we came back feeling refreshed and renewed in our parenting life. We had a chance to talk without interruption, sleep in until 8, and woke up to the sound of our internal clocks, not the dog whining, Ian chattering, or even worse the BEEP BEEP BEEP of our alarm clocks!

A huge, monstrous thank you to my parents who watched the kids all day Friday per usual, and kept them overnight, and well into Saturday. Big Kudos to My mom, broken arm and all-who always goes above and beyond to make sure we get peace & quiet breaks. It was truly needed, and not just to rest our bodies and our soul, but to bring perspective to what's truly important.

We were on the road home by 10am, Sean talking about picking up our babies, and me frantically listing in the car of what needed to be accomplished that day. Back to the real world we go....

Alex'isms.

At the dinner table tonight...


Alex: "Look at my Gigantic Bite!"

(a chuckle from mom & dad that she used gigantic)

Sean: "Where did you learn that word?"

Alex: "Daaaad, it's just what you say when something is really really big."


While Shopping...

Alex: "Mom, why did God create stores?"

Carrie: "Um.....(stammer stammer). Well, so that his creations had clothes to wear. We
wouldn't want everyone walking around naked would we?

Alex: "You mean like in the apple garden?"

Carrie: "Well, yes."

Alex: "So why do we wear clothes?"

Carrie: "I don't know."

Alex: "Oh."

After a walk with the dog...

Alex: "Mom, Chip barked at two of the big big dogs! But he didn't bark at the human."