Food Allergy Walk !

Thank you all who donated to the Food Allergy Walk! I wanted to share some photos of the day with all of you!

(The Walk was a few wks ago, and I am finally getting the chance to write about it now. sorry.... )

We had a team of about 14 people who came with us for the walk, and we all participated in the 2 mile hike through Hopkinton State Park in Massachusetts. It was a beautiful Sunday, we couldn't have asked for better weather. They gave all walkers T-shirts with the logo, they had an ice cream truck there at the end of the walk for all the kids, they had music playing, balloons, snacks, etc... We had a blast!

Here is my son and I. He is allergic to Tree Nuts and Bananas. He carries an epi-pen with him at all times. Its a struggle to watch everything that he eats, and what others feed him, but we are thankful that this is the only health concern among our children. We thank God everyday for having 3 healthy wonderful children!!!

Look at how many people walked! It was amazing!!!!!

Look who even showed up for the event! HAHHAHAHHAHAHA .... I couldn't help taking a pic of the candidates! --I thought this was a riot.

Are "time outs" okay at 1:30 am????

So, since we have come home from our 9 dy family vacation, my 2 1/2 yr old daughter has been "out of sorts" at night. My oldest 2 - sleep in the same room together allowing my newborn, to have her own room (for the time being -until after Christmas, when I have plans to put the 2 girls together, and let my son have his own "boy" room). While down the cape, we had the oldest 2 in different beds, on either side of their bedroom, which worked out very well. - So, when we came home, I figured why not try to keep their beds separated to start the whole "separation process before Christmas"??? .... That day we moved their beds far apart...... I guess for my Daugher this was TOO FAR.

For the past 6 nights, she has woken up crying (EVERY NIGHT) some nights multiple times, crying saying she's scared, doesn't like her bed over here, monsters etc......we are constantly reassuring her there are NO such monsters (*note to self - get rid of the movie Monsters Inc.) and that everything is fine, and she is OKAY.

Last night was the worst. She cried and cried, and then we would go in, settle her back into bed, tuck her in all cozy, turn on the music box, kiss her, tell her we love her....and leave the room. 10 min. later --- crying again. (sigh) This went on for about 3 hrs last night. While the entire time I am worried she is going to wake up both of the other children. Which she did, of course.......

I tried being nice, sweet, kind....

I tried threatening her and saying if she doesn't stop crying I would take her blankie away (she loves this thing -so gross - used to be pink, now its a gross pink/brown)

I tried sending my husband in, to see if "daddy" could comfort her and get her back to sleep....

I tried seeing if she needed to go potty? ... she peed - a little... but not much to keep her awake at night?

I tried laying there with her in bed....

I tried telling her how much fun we would have tomorrow just the girls while my son was in school.

THEN THE SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS Started......... and I mean SCREAMING!!!!!!! full out temper tantrum at 1 -freakin' 30 in the morning!

So then I tried - TIME OUT - mat in the kitchen... yes, I brought her down into the kitchen and sat her on the time out mat with the only dark light on above the kitchen stove. I sat there in the kitchen w/her and started to cry myself... (yup, tears were rolling down BOTH of our faces) I sat there & waited until she stop crying and she said "sorry mama".

I thought I had it.... okay, now its OVER .... we can all go to bed......

NOPE -- 10 min later, she is screaming again. - Oh, now I realize she didn't eat much dinner, maybe she is hungry?

Okay - I then tried bringing her BACK downstairs, gave her a cup of water, and some crackers.... she ate ONE cracker, and said she was done. (must not have been hungry?)... goes back to bed, I tuck her in.......

SCREAMING ............................. SCREAMING .................

I go in and yell "ITS FREAKIN' BEDTIME! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH - GO TO BED!" .... that seemed to work! All was quiet after mama yelled.

Yes -- I yelled at my child. Yes it was 3:30 am by this point, and I had ENOUGH.


Some days, mama has just has had ENOUGH. --- Some days I need a glass of wine, some days I need a bottle!

Caramel Apples !!

I am thrilled to announce that I will be offering my caramel apples again this fall !!!

Dates available to order - Sept. 14 - Nov. 30 ONLY
Price - $5 per Caramel Apple
Types available - Chocolate Chip Drizzle, M&M, and Apple Pie * (which is the favorite!)
PICK UP ONLY available. I apologize, but I will not be making deliveries this year.

For LARGE orders,(over 50) please allow 2 wks notice.

Caramel Apples are a perfect FALL seasonal treat! Excellent for teachers, employee's and those Halloween & Thanksgiving parties.

For those who wish to place an order, please email me directly - thecrazycakelady@hotmail.com

All caramel apples are individually wrapped and tied with seasonal ribbon. Example - October, you can request - Halloween ribbon. If you are doing a birthday, please let me know the theme of the birthday, and I will match the ribbon color the best I can.

Older kids at the park......

Okay, so I know older kids can go to the park.... and I know older BOYS are more likely to be running around calling each other names, but do they have to call MY son a name? ....

The kids and I went to a local park today to get some fresh air & burn off some energy before nap time. My son who is ONLY 3 1/2 saw these older boys (about 7-9 yrs old) playing and chasing each other. I could tell my son, wanted to join in with the BIG kids.

I sat on the bench quietly w/the baby, and watched from my seat. - My 2 1/2 yr old daughter didn't journey far off from me, which is normal, she usually stays close by.

So, I am watching, and I see my son sort of follow the older kids. As if he was part of the play, but not really involved. When one of the older boys figures out that my son is following them, and yells out (and points his finger at him!) "HEY - YOU ARE A BABY -- BOOBOO".

(sigh)

My son turns around and looks at me with the most humiliated look on his face, and says in frustration "Momma, that was really mean!". ...... "I know honey, it was!" I said.

So of course the super natural powers of my deceased Italian mother comes through, and I follow the older boys through the park., when I see the boy who yelled at my son, go through the slide.... (that's it! --I've got him now! I think to myself) when I stand at the bottom of the slide, my son & daughter next to me, and I am holding the babe .... I surprised this older boy as his feet come shooting out the slide and his face looks up at me in shock - I say:

"YOU DON'T EVER CALL ANYONE NAMES!"
(pause)
"NOW SAY YOUR SORRY TO HIM"

A little voice (much nicer then the one he used when he was name calling) says "sorry".

I might be considered a bit crazy... and a bit ridiculous. I know.... I know....

And yes, I do understand that he will go through many more times in his childhood, where I won't be there to defend him, but he is ONLY 3 1/2 and I can still take care of my baby boy! xooxox

ps - As I was leaving the park, the older boys were yelling at each other in swears! Using the F word so casually. As the moms sit on the bench paying no attention to it. I am all for having some free time to chat w/other moms, and let the kids play , but COME ON, there are times when you need to step in as a parent and teach our children RIGHT from WRONG.

This just is another page in my book of learning how to raise a boy.????? I really have NO idea what the heck I am doing! .................... oh what obstacles I have ahead of me!

ZUMBA !

"Hips Don't Lie"

We survived, as my friend said early this am........ We tried the ZUMBA class at a local gym last night. ---- HOLY CRAP! .... I have never shaken my ass as much as I did last night. I actually think the instructor (who had a black hat on, and microphone, -AKA Janet Jackson) some how thought we could shake our ass like SHAKIRA. ....... I am sorry, last time I checked, I have an Irish & Italian heritage not COLOMBIAN!

I think I must have sweat off at least 5 lbs..... It was probably the best work out, I have ever had. Highly recommend it !!!! .....

It lasted for about 50 min. - I had to take a break after about 35 min, my chest & lungs were soar, - which I told my girlfriend, that I just might have a heart attack!

For those who have never heard of ZUMBA --- here is a little preview I found on UTUBE for all of you to view......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf0q6qtThF4

Yesterday was our Mommy Needs a Cocktail party!

It was a lot of fun, and many many cocktails later, we sold about $400 in sales! As always 10% of their proceeds go to the charity of my choice. I will be choosing the charity - Birthday Wishes.

We sold items like T-shirts, Coffee Mugs, Tank Tops, Magnets etc... All with fun sayings like "Mommy Needs a Cocktail" and "Mommy needs a Beer", and "Mommy needs a glass of Wine" etc..... they have some really cute items to choose from.

We did find the t-shirts a bit on the smaller size, but the website & information packets they sent to us did state that the t-shirts were a full size smaller then an average size. Therefore I suggest to those who are planning one of these parties, to order XL or 2XL for the T-shirts, or order a "REGULAR T-shirt" instead of the baby t's, or the S/S t's. -- The ringer T's are fitted, and a lot smaller then we expected.

If you'd like to throw a party - you contact them at http://babybrewing.com/mommy-needs/ and let them know the date of your party, the # of people you are expecting, and a CC#, and what items you'd like to have at the party. They send you the box of goodies, with a price list $, and an inventory sheet on whats inside the box.

The best part of the whole experience (aside from the actual cocktails consumed that afternoon) was the fact that they sent me the postage stamps to send the box back. So, it doesn't cost me anything!!! $$$$ ..... (well, if you don't count the items I bought for myself!)

We did end up having a few questions ??? -- throughout the party, that we could not find answers on the website. Such as -

1) What type of CC they except?

2) Who to make the checks out to?

3) Long sleeve shirts, are they available, and for what cost? $

I have already been in contact w/them, and they assured me they would get back in touch with me soon.

These girls who created this company, are soo nice, and understanding. I hope their company becomes a huge success!!!! I can't wait until some of my girlfriends throw their own party!!!

Thank you to all you momma's that came yesterday, and enjoyed the cocktails!!!! I look forward to wearing my T-shirt proudly!

xoxoxo Mama Les

The Food Allergy Walk!

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward A Cure™

Sunday Sept. 21, 2008

Hopkinton State Park

Check in begins at 9 am - Walk begins at 10 am

2 Miles

Team O'Neill

We are going to put on our sneakers this fall !!! --- We just registered the family to walk the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network walk on Sept. 21st. Children and babies can be involved as well. We plan on dressing up our strollers and joining the fun!

If you would like to support me as a walker - click on http://www.foodallergywalk.org/site/TR/2008Walk/General?px=1290221&pg=personal&fr_id=1140

On my page you will see a pic of my son Jake. Jake was diagnosed with food allergies at 18 mnths. Jake has a sever allergy to Tree Nuts & Bananas. (He also has a slight allergy to dog saliva & play dough. ) Jakey's allergies are something that is NEW to us, and the family. He is the only one in our family that has any sort of Nut allergy. If any of you have a NUT allergy you know that it is an extremely serious & dangerous allergy. We carry a child's Epi Pen with us wherever we go, just in case.

Help Me Reach My Goal!
I recently accepted the challenge to participate in the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network’s (FAAN’s) Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward A Cure. The event will raise funds to find a cure for food allergy and to educate others. FAAN’s mission is to raise public awareness, to provide advocacy and education, and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis.

Please support my fundraising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of the estimated 12 million Americans with food allergies and their families. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause; you can make your secure credit card donation by selecting the Support Me button.

30th Bdy Night Out ....

Okay, well I have officially recovered from my Sat. night out w/the gang. My husband planned (along w/a help from the girls) a get together at a local Tiki Hut for drinks (and shots) & apps, for my 30th Birthday. There ended up being about 20 of us total. It was a blast. I desperately needed some time to let loose, and feel young again (even at 30).

The girls came up with this funny idea of creating PINS that had a very OLD picture of me on it, with cute little sayings like - "Mama Les is looking good at 30", and "29 Again - Talk about Recycling", and "Born in the USA -30 yrs ago". It was a riot.

The night was so much fun, we laughed, we danced, we drank, we ate, we sang.... We took LOTS of pictures. I will look back on this night with much Joy and Happiness!!!! This was a great way to enter my 30's. And who better to do it with then the friends you love so much.

Who knows when we all we be able to get a babysitter, and get out again like this soon?... It might be a very long time.

My husband had ordered 3 dozen of my favorite frosted brownies and brought them to the bar so everyone could enjoy them. (how thoughtful !!) He really was trying to make this a special night. And he succeeded!!!!

A big shout out & a big THANKS to everyone who made this such a fun evening!!!!! xooxoxo

Please support our team!

Walk Now for Autism - Sunday Oct. 19th, 2008.
Suffolk Downs -East, Boston.
Walk starts : 10:30 am

Please support me in walking for this very important cause. If you would like to donate , or join us in the walk please visit their website.
http://www.walknowforautism.org/site/c.mhLPKZPELmF/b.3616099/
We are on the team called - "Declan's Pit Crew". You may join the team in walking, or you can support a walker like myself.

To visit our team page "Declan's Pit Crew" - go to -
http://www.walknowforautism.org/c.mhLPKZPELmF/b.3616187/siteapps/teampage/ShowPage.aspx?c=mhLPKZPELmF&b=3616197&teamid=2863826

"About Walk Now for Autism: Walk Now for Autism, the nation's largest grassroots autism walk program, is Autism Speaks' signature fundraising and awareness event, taking place in communities across the United States, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom. Powered by volunteers and families with loved ones on the autism spectrum, this successful grassroots fundraising effort not only generates vital funds for autism research but also raises awareness about the increasing prevalence of autism and the need for increased research funding to combat this complex disorder."

Thank you.

For all of those who have asked to see some recent pics.....

Drooly Drooly.......

My 3 favorite little gremlins.

A little "sister" time together...

SHe has found her hands.....

Goodbye 20's, Hello 30's!

Today is my LAST day in my 20's! I turn 30 tomorrow, Aug.5th. It has been one busy decade. Lets look back on it, shall we? ......

- Dated a boy who was a few years older then me. Fell in love. Broke up, dated others, got back together with him, stayed in love with him, married him! (still in love)xooxxo

- Ate a LOT of chocolate.

- Bought a house built in 1880. Constantly doing "projects" every year.

-Tried Wind Surfing (could not do it).

- Was married at age 24 in the same church my parents were married in, and my grandfather built.

- Delivered 3 beautiful babies, via epidural ! -- Now 3 1/2, 2 1/2 and 3 mnths.

-Locked myself (and kids) out of the house a few times... Taught my son how to crawl in through the window & get in & get my keys.

-Weight ranged from 130 -210 at my highest (9 mnths pregnant w/my 3rd baby).

- Had many jobs including Bartending, Waitress, Managing, Office work, Health Ins. customer service, and worked in a Chiropractic office.

-Tried to garden.... Lets just say I dont have a green thumb!

-Dressed up as a Pumpkin, pregnant Nun, pregnant pumpkin, French maid, bunny, and more for Halloween.

-Dated Italian, Greek, and Irish.... love my Irish!

- Continued to stay a Catholic.

- Started my own Baking business out of my kitchen. The Crazy Cake Lady

- Entered the world of MINI-VANS! .. Yes we now own a mini van.

- Traveled throughout the USA, visited the British Islands on a cruise w/my ex-boyfriend (soon to later be my husband!)

- Finally stirred up the courage to get a bikini wax! (NEVER AGAIN)

- Had a lump removed from my breast.

- Went skinny dipping in Miami's South Beach.

- Saw Bruce Springsteen in concert. I LOVE THE BOSS~!

- Graduated from College (never went to my graduation - "just send me the diploma, please!")

- Bruised my ribs falling on my son's Thomas the Train ride on toy, which called for a visit to the ER in the middle of the night. (that was fun)

-Sadly experienced a miscarriage. Grossly experienced a colonoscopy.

- Became CPR certified in both adults and children.

- Danced so hard, I split my pants wide open!

- Flashed my boobs A LOT (before my mommy years).... those were some fun years!

- Had my hair cut & colored multiple times -been blonde, red head, jet black, short & long. Toes all different colors.

- Realized that I need to wear glasses ALL day long.

- Tried to drive a stick shift (car, that is), and was horrible at it....

- Stamped with a tattoo on my behind during my bachelorette in NY City! (With my Vail on, *NO alcohol was included... pure sober moment.)

- Cried, laughed and yelled many times throughout the decade.

- Lived in 3 different apartments before moving into my home.

- Saw Janet Jackson in concert. Miss Jackson if you're nasty! Saw Garth Brooks, Drop Kick Murphy's, Faith Hill & Tim McGraw, and the Allman Brothers in concert. Oh -and K-C and the Sunshine Band, and Ziggy Marley.

- Tried smoking -that lasted for about 2 wks.

- Walked out of many movies, I didn't want to waste my time sitting through....

- Tried Chiropractic care.

- Had over $500 in parking tickets due to the city of Boston.

- Became an Aunt for the 10th time.

-Been a few car accidents...some others fault, some my own. (usually during the winter months)

- Created new friendships, ended some friendships.

- Oh, funny -had my car repode! LOL...that was a funny time in my life. (thought it was stolen)

- Been called Mama, mom, Les, mama les, daughter, friend, enemy, sis, auntie, and many others.

- Attended Cake Decorating classes.

- Been on a few blind dates.

- Taught my children their letters & numbers, their manners, and how to be emotional & impatient. (I have to work on that!)

- Listened to motivational speakers. Purchased motivational tapes (listened to them once, I have no idea where they are now? .... prob. should find them, they might help! LOL)

- Voted for the Presidency.

-Watched the Boston Red Sox win the World Series twice! And the New England Patriots win the Super Bowl 3 times!

- Drank cheap wine and expensive champagne.

I am sure there are much much more events..... And I am sure there is much more to come. I am looking into my 30's with open eyes. I am going to try my hardest to "LET IT GO" and learn to be flexible.... we'll see ..............................

My goals & promises for my 30's ???? ----

- Raise 3 wonderful children the best I possibly can.

- Continue to be true to my husband, kiss him often, and thank him for being my best friend.

- Live well, laugh a lot, and always remember how lucky we have it!

Hormone cycles at 2 1/2 yrs old ???

Hormones are ragging..... Both for me, and my 2 1/2 yr old daughter.... I think we are on the same cycle! ... Its been a good 3 days of us fighting back and forth with each other. This seems to happen every 4-5 wks. (For the most part - some weeks are sooner, some are longer).

This week started off at our favorite shopping trip to Target. After we finished shopping we heading over for some "target pizza" which the kids asked specifically for (which is just Pizza Hut Pizza). Well, the lady informed us that they were OUT of pizza, and it would be a while before one was made....

This was her breaking point! ......

"I want PIZZA!" .... she started to scream. Mind you, she hasn't had a temper tantrum in MONTHS, and yet, for some reason all the planets were alligned and the time was right - she MELTED...... refused to leave the store, dropped down on the ground and cried at the top of her lungs. (sigh) I tried to have her stand up, I tried to pull her up, I tried to be nice....... "honey they DONT HAVE any pizza?!" .... finally we were actually making a sceene. I picked her up and put her on TOP of my bags in the carriage, I tried to push it while the babe was in her car seat in the front of the carriage, my bags in the back (which I dont even remember what I bought $) , and Tallula sitting on TOP of my bags, and I am also trying to hold my sons hand as we try to make our way through the parking lot.

Getting her into the car seat was a challenge. As another mom was getting into her car and yells over "Try to do it w/5, then its really difficult!" ...I replied to her useless support with a " No thanks, I am stopping at 3, this is all I can handle".

The car ride (thank goodness was only a few minutes) and my son reminds us that "She needs to go into a TIME OUT, when we get home"... yes, she does. She starts to scream even louder. My headache becomes stronger, and my skin is crawling.......

We get home, she sits right down on the time out mat in the kitchen and continues to cry, while I walk past her and bring in our bags, and the baby. We make a quick lunch, and they go for a nap.

Wakes up pretty happy.... so I am thinking we are doing good..... maybe she just needed to sleep off her mood.... NOPE! ---- 10 min. later back to breakdown mode. I had made them a bowl of ice cream, she melted down because she didn't get jimmies (sprinkles for all of you who aren't from New England).

This was MY Breaking POINT>........

She then looks at me and POOPS in her underwear on purpose!!!!!!!! .... I seriously thought there were flames coming out of my ears. I put her on the potty immediately, took off her undies, and threw them away (there was no way I was keeping that pair) , and I brought her bowl of ice cream into the bathroom, so she could watch me dump it down the sink!! --- NO MORE ICE CREAM! .......

That was 2 dys ago.... she woke up this am moody and demanding once again. This has been a long week. I can not wait for her to get over her period.

New room for under $220 !!

Its almost finished - Our new bedroom ! I have been dying to paint our bedroom for a while now, and we attacked it this weekend! - I primed the walls on Sat. night, and my husband finished painting it a light/grayish blue on Sunday. (I took the kids and ran out to Target and bought new bedding, a new lamp shade, and new curtains) (*thought - I still need to buy a bed skirt, and another lamp for his night stand....) I love the room!!!!! -- Its completely different from what we had before - a green & brown, dark room that looked like our living room (same colors). I was so sick of retreating up to my bedroom at the end of the night, and being in the same colors I was in the entire day downstairs!! I felt like I had spent the entire day in the same freakin' room! LOL

We hung out in the bedroom and swiffered, and dusted etc. last night, and I asked my DH (dear husband) what he thought about the room.......

Me - "What do you like best about the room"

DH - pause ----- "Uhmmm , how CLEAN it is!"

Me - "What?" ... "are you serious?" ...."No, what do you like about the new room?"

DH - pause ---"Uhmmm, the ceiling fans"

Me -- "What?" ..."are you serious?" .. "They are the SAME ceiling fans?, what are you talking about???"

DH --"Well, they are finally CLEAN!"

Me -- "ARE YOU SERIOUS!" ..."what about all the new items in the room, the beachy theme?"

DH --"ya, I really like the color"

----------


This just proves, I have a simple man. (and that obviously, he must want me to clean more!) LOL, but I knew he loved the bedding, and the new items in the room. He especially loved the fact I only spent about $220 total, and that's including the paint!!! WHOO HOO

Oh, I love my Rosie child

Aw, Cracklin' Rosie, get on board
We're gonna ride
Till there ain't no more to go
Taking it slow
And Lord, don't you know
We'll have me a time with a poor man's lady
Hitchin' on a twilight train
Ain't nothing here that I care to take along
Maybe a song
To sing when I want
No need to say please to no man
For a happy tune

Oh, I love my Rosie child
You got the way to make me happy
You and me we go in style
Cracklin' Rose,
You're a store-bought woman
But you make me sing like a guitar hummin'
So hang on to me, girl,
Our song keeps runnin' on
Play it now, play it now
Play it now, my baby
Cracklin' Rosie, make me a smile
Girl, if it lasts for an hour, that's all right
We got all night to set the world right
Find us a dream that don't ask no questions
Yeah

Oh, I love my Rosie child
You got the way to make me happy
You and me we go in style
Cracklin' Rose,
You're a store-bought woman
But you make me sing like a guitar hummin'
So hang on to me, girl
Our song keeps runnin' on
Play it now, play it now
Play it now, my baby

Cracklin' Rosie, make me a smile
Girl, if it lasts for an hour, that's all right
We got all night
To set the world right
Find us a dream that don't ask no questions
Ba ba ba ba ba ......

A Thousand Words Thursday

A Thousand Words Thursday -brought to you by the blog -

http://cheaperthantherapyjen.blogspot.com/

Here is my contribution to this Thousand Words Thursday.........

Its a pic of my daughter on her 1st Birthday party eating her green frog cake. I have vowed that I will always MAKE their Bdy cakes myself. (For all of you who don't know, I am a "caker" by heart. -see my post from last month - The Crazy Cake Lady - MIA?)

Talula really LOVED her cake, she really got "into" it.

Thanks Jen for creating such a FUN Thursday post!!

Diet, what diet??? Okay, I really need to get a diet.

What diets have you tried??? .... What diets work?, what diets make you gain MORE? ... There are so many diets out there right now, which one should I choose?? .... hmmmmmmm -- Well , its certainly not the "Let me stay up until midnight w/my girlfriends, gabbing, and finishing 3 bottles of wine" diet!!!! That one is not dropping any lbs for me, but HELL, it was a lot of fun!

My girlfriends and I (5 of us total) met up last night at our friends NEW (HUGE) house, and we finished 3 bottles of wine, 1 bottle of Stoli Raspberry, 1 BBQ Pizza, 1 Buff. Chicken Dip, 1 Fiesta Taco Salad, and a few yummy chocolate brownie/cheesecake creations. Oh ya, there were a few chicken fingers thrown in there too!!! .......... I must have gained 7lbs just in that short period of time. But - it was worth every pound! ..

We laughed, we spilled a few drinks, and we confessed to a few secrets that we have NEVER shared before in all the years we've been friends.

It was a good night!

It was a much needed girl time away from my dear family who I love immensely, even though, I basically RAN out of my house w/the kids tugging onto my legs!!

Okay, anywhoooo --back to the matter at hand, THE POUNDS. -- I have been prego for almost 4 yrs and I am finally DONE. My family is here, and now the real work needs to begin. Everyone says "it takes 9 months to put on, its going to take 9 months to come off" . But really - what happens if its been 4 yrs??? ... is it going to take 4 freakin' years to come off??? It better NOT! ... although, it doesn't come off on its own, right? ...Will it come off even if I only go to the gym every 6 wks? ... uhmmmm NO.

That's it -from this day forward...... its time to get my BUTT in gear!!!!! Yup, I am not going to constantly THINK about food.

hmmmm........ whats for breakfast?

TOY RECALLS

I am disgusted by the amount of toy recalls there are now. Most of them due to the lead paint factor. I feel as if I am searching our toy room on a weekly basis and throwing out the toys due to the lead paint levels in them. WHY are the companies allowing lead paint on children's products in the 1st place???? Common sense!? .... Its not like these products have been made in the 1950's, when we didn't realize how much lead paint can effect children's health.... its 2008! --- seriously WTF?

Here is the ENORMOUS LIST of "TOY HAZARD RECALLS" - and if you click on any of the items on the list, most of them have MULTIPLE items included.... AWFUL!

- http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html

Ahhhhh Home from Vaca

Well, we just spent a quick mini vacation in Wareham, Ma w/the kids, and 2 other couples (close friends of ours) who have kids as well. It was a great weekend. There was 7 kids under the age of 4yrs old! AND -- all the kids got along very well, can you believe it?!!! There is just something about salt water, sand, and sun, that gets everyone in a great mood.

Even after 3 long showers, the kids still have sand in their hair.(that will be on my to-do list today 1)get sand out of kids hair) There is dirty laundry covering my entire 1st floor of my house, that needs to get done today. 2) do the mounds of laundry that are still in the bags. And at some point, I ran out of almost all my baby formula. I am done to my last bottle of formula for the babe. *thought -might break open the powder formula I have in my cabinet. 3)buy baby formula. Frig is empty .. of course, I never buy food before I leave for vaca -so we are down to the bare minimum. 4) have to figure out something for dinner -maybe something frozen?

My DH (dear husband) and I, and the 3 kids all slept in the same room, which seems to be the way we do it, when we are away from home. So surprisingly we are getting this down pat now! Of course, I am on edge the entire night waiting for one of them to get up and wake the others up.... so I am continuously giving the baby her pacifier, and re-tucking the kids in, while my son talks in his sleep, and my daughter is snoring up a storm. Needless to say I didn't sleep at all, but I laid there, (exhausted) and realized there was no other place I would rather be..... These people in this room, are my favorite people in the world!

All 3 kids were in bed, asleep by 6:45pm last night, and I fell asleep soon after... We all slept the entire night -even the babe! She woke up at 5:30 am for a bottle, and was back asleep in no time! Kids woke up at 7:30 am.

Its a HOT day out here, humid, and sticky.... good day to stay indoors in the AC and keep our pj's on, and do the laundry!

Ahhhh home from Vaca ..................................

Fridays Feast

Feast One Hundred & Ninety Seven. - July 18th, 2008. (check out blog - http://fridaysfeast.com/?p=25#comments a buffet for your brain)

Appetizer
When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed? - Close to 2 mnths ago, JUST made an apt. for this Monday, whoo hooo!!!

Soup
Name one thing you miss about being a child. - Pretend play & no worries about bills, etc....

Salad
Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil. -- BUTTER

Main Course
If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why? -- Italian

Dessert
Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be… --- Back to my prebaby weight!

Scott Baio is 46 and pregnant!

Scott Baio is 46 ...and pregnant! -- Okay... so I stumbled across this VH1 hit, the other night. Our fave 80's hunk - Scott Baio is now married (finally) and his wife recently had a baby. After only seeing a few episodes, I am hooked. I had a smile on my face almost the entire time watching it. This show is a freakin riot!

Who would have thought, our Charles in Charge - was so insecure ??? Here is the sum up of the story line for the show -

"At the end of season one of Scott Baio is 45 AND SINGLE, Scott revealed to his girlfriend Renee that he was finally ready to get married. Renee delivers some shocking news of her own -- she's pregnant. Scott's world is instantly turned upside down. On the advice of Doc Ali, Scott joins a DADDY TO BE CLASS, which sends him on a quest of accomplishing life tasks in preparation for impending fatherhood. Between hiring baby nurses, wedding planners, buying a bigger house to accommodate his growing brood, Scott is confronted with immense life changes. Scott is more than a decade and a half behind his peer group - most men his age are sending their kids go off to college, having affairs, and buying convertibles. Instead, SCOTT BAIO IS 46...PREGNANT AND ENGAGED." - VH1

Motherless Daughter

Well, today would have been my mother's 70th Birthday. July 14th . Its been 11 1/2 yrs since she passed away, and I still miss her dearly. I miss everything about her. I wish I could have asked her all about parenting, and wrote down all the advice she could dish out. But I was young, and I didn't. I still have so many things to talk to her about, so many things to ask her.... I sit here now, typing this with tears rolling down my face. She passed away of Cancer when she was a young 58 yrs old. She was an artist. Her paintings hang in all of her children's homes, and admired by many. I remember her most for her strength. She was just a very strong woman in so many ways. She was a "tough cookie" as they used to say. She would tell it like it is, and never bit her tongue. She was kind, and loving and very very special to me.

I only wish that I can live a long life for my children, and be able to see my children get married and have children of their own. I can't imagine my daughters with out me. Boys usually learn to live, and move on, and cope better. Girls seem to loose a piece of their soul when their mother dies. And I do not wish that on them. I do not wish that sadness. There was a book I read after my mother died called "Motherless Daughters" and the title sort of explains it all. No matter how old you are, when you loose your mother, the feeling is the same.

God, I thought this would get easier ..........................................

Date is set!

The date is set for our "Mommy needs a cocktail" party in August! I am receiving my box of t-shirts/bags/coffee mugs etc. with in the next few wks. I am so excited!!!! Should be a lot of fun, all of us mama's getting together for some drinks & apps -and of course shopping!!! --- Here is the website to plan your own party! - http://mommyneedsacocktail.com/category/mommy-needs-a-cocktail/ . They send you a box full of stuff (you do not need to prepay!) ...and whatever you do not sell, you send back to them! How cool is that?... and for hosting a party, they give you a free "Mommy needs a cocktail" tote bag! YAY!

Did you feed her a bottle?

Did U feed her a bottle? Did she wake up and I didn't hear her? --- NOPE !!! -- she slept right through the night!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!! My almost 12 wk old little one, just yet again amazed me. "She is soo good" we say to everyone, but she really really is. She just slept through the night yet again! - I woke up at 5 am, to hear her making some quiet little noises, so I went down made her a 5 oz bottle of formula and came back upstairs to look into her crib to find her sounds asleep! I am writing this post at 6:10 right now, and she is still asleep, the bottle is now considered OLD, so that is a waste, but who cares, she is still asleep!!!!! YAY, way to go little girlfriend!

My house is quiet. My 2 toddlers are sound asleep still - (prob. because my 3 yr old refused a nap yesterday). And my husband has already left for work, I just had a bowl of cereal, and already took a shower.

This day is starting off MUCH better then yesterday!!!! WHOO Hoooo

Summer Reading List

To start off the summer, I recently read a funny and truthful book about motherhood called"I was a really good mom, before I had kids" Reinventing Modern Motherhood.By - Trisha Ashworth and Amy NobileClick on this link, and visit their website and join their chats!!!http://www.iwasareallygoodmom.com/

I highly recommend this book for all mothers with toddlers!

Going back up to NH this weekend for the 4th of July, and so I went out w/the fam yesterday to pick up another book to read. Picked up - "Naptime is the New Happy Hour" at our local Barnes & Noble. Click here to order yourself a copy of the book -http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Naptime-Is-the-New-Happy-Hour/Stefanie-Wilder-Taylor/e/9781416954132/ .

Could they actually crawl back inside?

Could they actually crawl back inside? - really? ... there are days they just want to be attached to me. Literally. The minute I sit my big butt down on the couch, they either are on my lap, or so close to me that they are sitting on my arms! ??? ... Right now, as I type this, my son is sitting ON the computer desk, and my daughter is behind me IN my chair. They are happy, and smiling the entire time, - they think this is funny?! ?? Some days aren't this "close", other days are very clingy. I guess this is normal for toddlers to react this way when the mom brings home a new baby. Right?? But seriously, some days, I think they actually want to crawl back inside!

"SORRY folks - NO VACANCY! This little apartment you all rented for the last 3 years is now closed and not accepting any more applicants."

You all know what I mean! -- When you want to go the bathroom by yourself, and they seem to not understand the meaning of privacy! I no longer can pee by myself w/out someone watching me wipe! ?? Why would they want to be in the bathroom w/me? I never remember following my mother into the bathroom? .... is this the IN thing to do now a days? Do they discuss this w/their other toddler friends and think its cool? LOL -- What the hell!

(Now my 2 1/2 yr old daughter who has just started using the big girl potty by herself (only after she FELL OFF the toilet determined to do it herself)... is now saying "I need privacy" when I am in there trying to help her. Do you think she's heard that enough from me, huh? ... she is asking for privacy at 2 1/2 yrs old!!!! ???? And my response is - "No you don't, I am your mother!" but -- she's a girl, and I guess she does?!!! --- She's got my stubborn personality, and I love her for that! )

This year's charity has been chosen!!

This year's chosen children's charity for December 2008 is Project Night Night. Every year for my kids Bdy party, we sent out the invites, asking our guests to kindly NOT bring birthday presents but to donate items to the chosen children's charity of that year. Last year we donated party supplies to our FAVORITE children's charity Birthday Wishes (see side panel, for charity details & website). The year before that, we asked our guests to bring used books/toys to be donated to the charity Cradles to Crayons. This year, I have already chosen (I know, its only June but I think ahead!) we have chosen the charity Project Night Night- Helping homeless children have sweeter dreams.

"Project Night Night is dedicated to improving the lives of homeless children, one sweet dream at a time. To this end, Project Night Night donates individual tote bags each filled with a security blanket, an age-appropriate book, and a stuffed animal to children (ages 0-10) in homeless shelters. By providing objects of reliable comfort, Project Night Night seeks to advance the emotional and cognitive well-being of each child we help. Every child who receives one of our Night Night Packages leaves the shelter owning a book which encourages reading and family bonding, a security blanket which can be cuddled, and a stuffed animal which can become a cherished friend. We have one objective – to deliver our Night Night Packages to every homeless child in the country who needs one."

I am so excited to start putting this together. If you'd like to help donate, please email me, or clink on the link to donate directly to the charity. ~Thank you!!!

"I'm just here to pick up my mail"

So over the week, I was at the beach (AKA - Island Grove in Abington) and I was sitting w/2 of my girlfriends (fellow mama's) and we were talking about some crazy mom stories that we all seem to have. A friend of mine says "you have to tell the story about the mail". .... so here we go...

Reflecting back when I was 6 mnths pregnant w/Rosie (winter 2008). It had been snowing for days and my husband had been plowing for - I don't know - like 75 hrs straight or something ridiculous like that. I am super exhausted being pregnant, and taking after 2 toddlers for 3 dys alone w/out any relief (also being house bound by the 3 feet of snow that has piled up in my driveway). Finally he came home on a Friday morning (thank goodness, because I had an OB apt. that I couldn't miss). I also needed to go by the post office and pick up our mail (that hasn't been delivered because there was NO way in Hell I was going to get my prego ars outside to shovel). So after my apt. I drove to the post office, (we have 2 in our town) of course I drive to the wrong one... UGHHHH.... then I get back in my car to drive to the other one across town. I get out, go in -STAND IN LINE , 5 people deep..... waiting to get up to the desk. I finally get up to the teller and hand her the little card from the mail man that says that I have days worth of mail to pick up. SO I kindly hand her the card and say "I am just here to pick up my mail". She looks at me crossed and walks away. ..... I wait,... and wait...... and I can see her talking to the other tellers. Hmmmm???? ... I then look around, at the people in line w/their deposit slips, I see the ATM, and then I see all the signs that say ABINGTON SAVINGS BANK! ... OMG, I am in a freakin BANK! .... I had to stand there, and wait for this teller to come back and hand me my slip, and she goes " Uhmmm" and I knew -- I just knew how foolish I must have looked. I responded to her Uhmmm with " I know.. I am in a bank!, can you tell me where the post office is?" .....

That's one of those prego moments that I will NEVER forget!

So Cool Mom

http://www.socoolmom.com/ $32.00 a shirt (long sleeve)

Check out these fun shirts! Their mantra is - "Live Happy, Love Well". I ordered and rec. mine last week. I love it, but I have to worn you all -it runs a bit small / fitted. (not sure how many of you are tiny up top,? but I have never been considered tiny! -- so when I purchased a large, I expected it to be a LG, but it was almost a large in the "young girls" section of a department store, instead of a true large.) But who cares! Its cute!

If you notice on TLC's Jon & Kate plus 8, Kate wears items from this company all the time. She is definitely a very cool mom, I would say!

"Mom needs to put on her oxygen mask first"

Okay, so I just decided to add a quote of the day. I was just finishing the book "I was a really good mom, before I had kids" *(see above info to view their website, and purchase the book) last night, and came across a eye opening paragraph with a quote that I just HAD to post today!!

"Mom needs to put on her oxygen mask first."

"Or to put it more broadly: Mom needs to take care of herself to take care of the rest of the family. Taking care of mom can feel strange and counterintuitive, because mom came into being for other people, these little people that we love. But for everybody's health and sanity, mom needs to stop thinking of herself as needless, tireless dispenser of food & care. Yes, of course mom is a caretaker, and she shouldn't keep a balance sheet about who's giving more to whom. But mom needs to reconceive of herself as a human being. She needs to tend to her well-being -mental, emotional, and physical. " ~ taken from the book.

Show me the money $$

With all the stress of the day, and the toll it takes on a mom to have toddlers / babies in the house, we are usually exhausted by 7pm . The day to day routine of keeping the household looking clean (somewhat) and feeding the kids, making sure they enjoy their day w/some sort of fun activity, bathing the kids, making sure they are well rested (please Lord, go down for a nap today!), also trying to fix breakfast, lunch and dinner for the entire house, while keeping a smile on your face is a difficult job to do!!!!

What would be the monetary value of a housewife? ? ? Check out this article I found online -http://www.coeinc.org/Articles/HousewifeWorth.pdf states we would make an average of $120k!!! ...so I must say --- "SHOW ME THE MONEY$$$ please!"

All I know, is by the end of the day, when I am totally drained, emotionally and physically, and I am tucking them into their beds at night, my kids look up to me and say their little voices, "I love you so much, mama - give me big hugs!".... "and a kiss"... "and a HI-5" .....
MY HEART MELTS. Its all worth it!!!! xooxoxox (even with out the actual cash!)

The Crazy Cake Lady - MIA?

The Crazy Cake Lady, oh how I do miss her!...

Last year was surprising success for my small little business of baking cakes out of my kitchen. I would average 4-5 cakes a weekend, and my kitchen and myself was constantly covered in frosting. But the timing wasn't right - I was devoted to creating a family of 5, and decided to become pregnant with my 3rd baby, (who I just recently gave birth to in April). I am thrilled beyond expectations of how wonderful it is to have such a healthy and beautiful family. Although, I miss my "caking" days (those in the baking world, who simply create cakes, call ourselves cakers instead of bakers). But if you asked my husband he would say he does NOT miss the constant talk about cakes, frosting, and designs, nor does he miss our messy kitchen which had cake pans, and spatula's all over the counter tops.

Now I am trying to muster up the energy to start volunteer work again baking cakes for a local shelter. (below ~ Birthday Wishes Charity) I enjoyed being part of such a amazing charity.

Above is a picture of a cake I created last year ~ ENJOY!

A little bit of ME left inside??

Some days I wonder if there is a little bit of ME left inside? My days of waking up late, grabbing a coffee, and going shopping for a new outfit to wear that night out w/the girls, are long gone.
Over the past few years I have evolved into a wife, and mother of 3 wonderful children. I love my life, and love my husband & children dearly. I wouldn't change it for anything. Although, I have to admit some days I miss ME. ??? If that's even possible?? .... The old ME I guess I should say. The ME that used to never leave the house w/out makeup on, my hair done, and cute shoes! Now, I don't mind walking into a super market with sweatpants on (and probably the same sweats I wore to bed that night before!)
Every once in a while, I do get a chance to leave my cherubs (AKA Gremlins) and either have a date w/my husband, or some much needed free time with my girlfriends. But its the day to day activities that seem to shade my real inner self. The spit up on the shoulder from the babe after she just guzzled down a bottle, or the sticky patch on my pants from my son rubbing his hands on my leg after he ate breakfast. Where did I GO? ... I am I still IN there? under the spit up and the spilled juice box I sat in? .... are you out there self???