Bedtime Routine

The boys' bedtime routine has always been my thing. It's the one thing that our boys really want me to do every night. We talk, we laugh, we read, and we watch the Food network. Hey, what can I say? My babies and I love Bobby Flay, Paula Dean, Rachel Ray, and Guy Fieri. Iron Chef has a place in our hearts too. ;)

On one particular night this past week Baby Picasso (the 3 yr. old) was babbling on incessantly about various things and then with no warning he just said, "Mommy, where does God live?" I looked to him and said, "In Heaven." Then Baby Picasso said, "Can we drive a car to Heaven and see God?" I said no, and proceeded on to tell him about how most people believe we get to Heaven.

This tiny exchange is just a glimpse into the kinds of beautiful conversations I get to have every night with my boys. These are the kind of things I want to remember as I get older. These are the moments that make me so incredibly thankful for being their Mother. That, and being there when they fall asleep looking like angels holding each other makes all the difference. It seems to make every wrong in the world, every worry, and all that is "crazy" seem to not exist even if it is just for that moment.

Puppy Love

Oh by the way did I mention that we now have a puppy? ;) I've never been much of a dog lover (cats are my thing!) but Barney is really starting to grow on me.

Since we aren't well versed in dog breeds we kinda sorta don't know what breed or mix breed of dog Barney is. We were told he was a Labrador mix but we're thinking he has a "bit" of pit bull. What do you think? Dog smarties please weigh in. One thing's for sure... he's gorgeous!


click to see larger photo


click to see larger photo


click to see larger photo

Graduating Kindergarten At Home

From the moment I laid eyes on Future Bam I knew I wanted to stay at home with him and I did just that. When it came time to think about schooling, I had my heart set on homeschooling. It was just something I wanted to do and I knew Future Bam was the type of child who would flourish in a home school environment.

When it came time for Future Bam to start school we, surprising, enrolled him in public school. I know what your thinking. What did we do that for? Well, that's a long story that I have sort of discussed here and here. Anyway, soon after the holiday break this year we took FB out of public school and began homeschooling officially. We have now been homeschooling for a little over 4 months and every day is an adventure. I can't say it's been entirely easy because it hasn't. With homeschooling, taking care of another younger child at home, and working full time from home nothing is easy but it is do-able. I wish I was better equipped with words so that I could accurately describe this learning experience. I guess I'll just say it has been incredible.

In a few hours, Future Bam will graduate from Kindergarten. He has grown so much this year both physically and mentally. Here is a photo of Future Bam from yesterday.



Wow. He's grown so much since his first day pictured here.

We planned a picnic outside for today as our celebration but I don't think the weather is going to cooperate. We'll probably have to try again tomorrow.

In 3 months Future Bam will start 1st grade at home. I'm looking forward to another amazing year and I know he is as well...

Choosing The "No Pain" Route

In my last post here, I wrote about how, like most women, I feared the pains of labor. My attempt at humor must have not gone over very well because out of the very few comments I did receive, one of them was extremely negative, and I'd like to address that very craptastic comment from the "born-again crazy".

Even though my post was supposed to be funny (apparently I'm not good at humor) it's still a very accurate depiction of how I currently feel. During the birth of both of my boys, I openly asked for an epidural as soon as I could get one. I'm definitely not on the drug-free childbirth bandwagon. Sure, I'm happy for those women who want to do the natural thing but I'm not one of them. Instead, I chose the "no-pain" route.

With that being said, I'd really like to hear from each of my readers. Did you opt for an epidural or other drugs during the birth of your child? If so, do you feel less of a Mother for doing so? Because, honestly, feeling like we're not good Mothers because we chose to use an epidural is absurd. In fact, it's downright ridiculous! Choosing to use drugs or no drugs during the birth of your child has absolutely nothing to do with what kind of Mother you are going to be.

And There Was Fear!

My BIL welcomed his first child into the world yesterday. Normally with this special event there are tears of joy,happiness, and pure excitement. Don't get me wrong that did exist very much so but, if I may be honest, for me there was pure fear!

Fear of the "OMG! - I- don't - ever - want - to - experience - labor - again - the - hubz - is getting - a - vasectomy - STAT" variety!

Really though, I'm so happy for my BIL & his wife as they start their journey as parents together. And their baby, the first girl in the family, is too cute for words. But that cuteness did not give me baby fever this time around as it usually does when I see new babies. I think I'm finally ready to close up the baby making chapter of my life and move on.

Update: Day #2,156 of Renovation

Hello Dear Readers ,

We're still at the in-laws. Sheesh, it's a good thing we get along except for those so-called hot issues like gun control, presidential candidates, religion, education, and so on. ;) I just try to keep my mouth shut considering the in-laws are feeding and housing us for the next few days. My iPod has been my one saving grace these past few weeks. That and TV. Speaking of TV, Did you watch Lost and Grey's Anatomy last night? It gets better yet more confusing every week.

Yes, I know I promised beautiful wildlife pictures on my next post. However, if you've been reading for a while you know that I'm not good at keeping promises.

But, hey, I've got lots of contests going on at ContestForMoms for Mother's Day where you can win free stuff like oh, a $300 Target gift card in our Jig-A-loo contest. Who couldn't use a $300 Target gift card or some free Jig-A-loo for that matter? I know I could use both right about now with all these home projects and stuff but one of you are going to win instead! You can also win an LTD Chix t-shirt on our NEW Baby Contest Buzz blog. Check IT out And, as if that isn't enough, if you think your baby is the cutest enter our free baby photo contest for your chance to win a prize package from Your Baby Can Read during the month of May.

I'm going to go renovate now. ;) Keep up with my latest complaints/projects/life on twitter. You are twittering, aren't you?