Bloggy Break..

..leaving on a jet plane, leaving the kids and Jed to fend for themselves for 4 days. Going to the Big Easy for a little Matilda Jane fun.

Don't go too crazy without me.

Miss you, t

The Bake-Off....

..oh, excuse me...I meant the election...oh no, I mean the recount..well no, now it's the legal battle.

Ah politics in Minnesota. If only Paul Wellstone were still here, none of this would be happening. Sigh, the good ol' days.

Every day I read the paper and every day I watch the news, and every day since September these 2 guys have entered my home, my mind, my computer, my TV, my complete State of being and now I take Prozac.

Please leave. I have better things to do - like shop for a new stroller, new wardrobe and mini van and diapers and eat bonbons of course. I also need a manicure and would like time for a massage. However, because I just cannot help myself..well because I care...I keep watching the saga of a ego led soap-opera that was once our Senatorial election.

I stayed up almost all night on election night to see if Mr. Coleman or Mr. Franken would be the big winner. It was Senator Coleman by a bit over 200 votes - thus a mandatory recount began. We(Minnesotans) were told we would have a Senator by year end. Didn't happen. The recount ended in favor of Mr. Franken by a margin of a bit over 200 votes. However, of course he isn't the winner either - now Mr. Coleman sues and as long as there is a court battle, we don't have a Senator representing the great state of Minnesota. Tomorrow, the case goes to court for the court to decide who OUR Senator is since evidently, it is no longer up to the people.

At this point it seems to me that 1/2 of the State wants Coleman and 1/2 wants Franken and 1/2 doesn't want Coleman and 1/2 doesn't want Franken. At this point I think we should do one of a few things to finally end this madness and give Minnesotans what they deserve - A SENATOR and a voice dang-it.

1. Throw them both out and give the seat to Independent candidate Barkly.

2. Appoint a woman - any woman at this point. Or me perhaps.

3. Have them either arm wrestle or flip a coin or have a dance off - either way, really does it matter - 1/2 the State feels this way and 1/2 feels the other way - so really we just want it done.

4. My favorite option - a good old fashioned bake-off. Each gentleman has to make 3 million chocolate chip cookies and as the public we don't know which candidate made which cookie but we have to taste them both and decide which one is better...because really 1/2 will be happy and 1/2 will be sad.

Let's just move-on and stop wasting our time, money and important news space.

Let's get back to shopping and stimulating the economy again. I can only do so much.

Vent over, t.

Baby News..

Thank you so much for the sweet wishes on my blog and on Facebook yesterday.

Since I shared the news, it seems people want more information. I've never kept a secret this long, and from the mouth of my mother yesterday "well, I understand you didn't want to tell anyone, but that doesn't usually include your mother." I will use that line someday on my daughters.

Some interesting/and very boring facts about this baby/pregnancy:

1. Melanie is speculating that the baby was conceived during an Election Night - Obamarama baby making celebration. I don't think so - since I voted for Obama and stayed up that evening until 3am to find out who our senator was going to be(still don't know), and Jed went to bed at 10pm in disgust when our new President was announced(yes, he voted for McCain and what's her name), there would be no happy party sex in our house that night. I am thinking that a few nights later I must've done it to ease Jed's Republican depression. I must've also been drinking wine.

2. I feel like a big ol' pile of doo doo. I was sick when I was pregnant with both girls too - but not this sick. This is puking 24 hours, wishing for mercy, teeth rotting away, sores in my mouth from the stomach acid, I've lost 9 lbs sick. This is the best diet ever though and I am back into my size 2 jeans after jumping to a 4 last year. (bright side, bright side) However, a grapefruit is starting to appear under my belly button and I think my skinny days may be ending. Until then, I have signed up with the major TV networks to talk about my new diet plan. I will be wealthy like Valerie Bertinelli. Except I would never marry a member of a hair band. Yes, I was a teenager in the 80's, but I never liked hair bands. Gross. Boy George, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper and Madonna were more my style. Popular girl ya know.

3. Is Jed happy? Yes, I think he would like 6 kids - but he still needs to find that 22 year old to marry him because this old lady will be done after this. Oh, and he got fixed this year...so he would need to deal with that too.

4. Do the girls know? NO. We told them when I was pregnant with the 1st baby I lost and so we have chosen NOT to tell them ever. When we bring the baby home in July we will tell them it is just on a day loan. I think they will fall for it. Seriously, we will probably tell them in the next month of two - or when I really look pregnant, whichever comes first. Currently they just think I have the 3 month flu and they think watching me puke is really cool.

5. Boy or girl. It is currently a 50/50 chance. Good odds for one or the other, don't you think? I had an ultrasound yesterday as my first check for downs, etc(all is FINE!) but it was too early to tell the sex yet. I go back in 7 weeks for my Level II and we will find out. Jed REALLY wants a girl. He was been thinking of businesses we can own called "3 Sisters" and has big plans for the 3 girls. Jed also has named her already. He gets to pick the girls 1st name this time and I get to pick her 2nd name. If it's a boy, he will either have this lovely girls name or will be named Barack. If he is named our chosen girl name, he will also have to wear cute bubble rompers with a floral print and ruffle bum accents to keep my shopping habit alive and well, and we hope that when he grows up and finds the love of his life that prop 8 has been overturned in California. amen.

6. I am old. Yes, 40 and pregnant - it's like a bad Hallmark card "I'd rather be 40 than pregnant." Well, at least I am not fat. I am getting a t-shirt made.

7. How is the baby? The baby has 2 arms, 2 legs and 10 finger and 10 toes, a body and a head and a nose, and is measuring ahead of schedule. All tests have come back great and perfect thus far.(they do lots of tests on us old moms) The baby's heartbeat fluctuates between 168-175.

8. I am due at the end of July, but will have a scheduled C-section this time as I am NOT going through what I went through with both Eloise and Esther...NOT. So, I don't have an exact date yet. I DO plan on driving down to Indy for July4th weekend though to party it up with my girlfriends as we do a mass 40th bday party celebration(I think I can have a few glasses of wine by then as what, will I be making an eyelash at that point?). I am considering leaving the girls there for the month of July and driving home by myself. Hey brother Troy - got room for 2 more kids in your house? What do you think would happen to my girls if they lived with their 3 boy cousins for a month? They would probably learn to hunt for worms, drink chocolate milk and become Wii addicts. The shame. I would at least need a promise that they would be dressed cute every day.

xoxo,t.

Do You Believe in Miracles?

Well after this post in October and the past 3 years of my life, I almost stopped...

...but not quite...

Our miracle...coming in July...

13 weeks and super strong...

but continued prayers always welcome..

xoxo,t

We the People...

..of the United States of America will today have a new President. Life is good. Yes, amid war, recession, poor international relationships, job loss, poverty and strife. We Americans have hope. Not just hope for our new president, but hope for ourselves and hope for our futures. It is nice to have hope again. Hope for a UNITED States of American again.

Mainly and selflessly as a mother, I want hope for my children's future. This inauguration is significant in our history, and this will most likely be the first president that my children remember. My first presidential memory is of President Gerald Ford. We all have our first presidents ingrained in our memory. It is that important.

The inauguration IS significant today. Sure, maybe a bit Hollywood for some tastes, a bit overdone, a bit over covered, a bit over sensationalized. President-elect Obama has such a tough job ahead..but he has hope for all of us. Hope that WE the people give service to our nation and our neighbors, and WE the people participate fully and positively in our greater World. That WE the people teach our children to make this a better place and to instill the responsibility that it will take. Something as simple as just voting and letting your voice be heard.

Esther voted in November - her first of many elections..and she KNOWS who President-elect Obama is, and his lovely wife and the names of his daughters(and perhaps the brand names of what they are wearing). I think she already gets it - as she watches MSNBC with me, she asks important questions that I cannot believe are being asked by a 3 year old. Even she gets it.

I wish that I could write a more eloquent post today, but the pen is not my strength. If you really want to read about how important it is that we work together for a better now and future, I suggest you go read about it here. Michelle is a talented writer, amazing mother, good friend and just all around lovely and talented lady. I may not believe in her faith or agree with her politics, but our differences make us friends and I admire her greatly.

So today as Esther and I watch the inauguration on TV - channel flipping - but resting on MSNBC the most(I have a bit of a thing for Keith Olbermann), we will see history in the making and I pray to God, the Uniting of a Nation and our World.

xoxo, t

Dorothy, we are not in Mexico anymore...

After a full week of -20 temperatures, we are going CRAZY sitting in the house. We are sick of playing Hungry Hippos, we are sick of playing Go Fish, I am sick of dressing and redressing American Girl Dolls, I am sick of finding Playmobil pieces, and personally how many computer games can they really do.

Finally on Saturday, the temps rose to +15 and we rejoiced and played outside in the tropical Minnesotan heatwave. We skated, we sledded, we snow angeled and we just enjoyed our new found freedom from the jail we like to call home.

We love living in Minnesota - and we are a hardy bunch...but enough is enough. If we are going to have all of this snow, please give us some temperature breaks so we can try to go out and enjoy it.

I hear in the forecast that we may even have a brush with 30 this week - sounds like snowman building weather to me.

I know the people in Florida think we are nuts. I am okay with that, cuz we are a bit nutty and proud of it.
xoxo,t

What I did on Winter Vacation...

..by Esther.

Eat Fruit - 3 large plates of fruit at breakfast, snack, lunch, snack and dinner...I think she consumed 12 whole watermelons, 15 cantalopes and an entire orange tree the week we were in Mexico. No pooping problems for her I tell ya.

She calls herself the fruit monster with an evil laugh.

Eloise ate french fries.

xoxo,t

Girlfriends

I have to admit that I am not a very good friend. Perhaps that is not true, to be more accurate I am not very good at having friends.

My whole life I have been one of those people who has just a few really, really good friends. I know people who have like 200 friends at once. I am not one of those people. I wish I were at times. I wish I knew how to make room in my heart, mind and daily doings to have that many friends. But I am not programmed that way.

Perhaps it is in my state of continued disorganization that I could never manage that many people in my brain. It weighs on me, this shortcoming of mine. I have a very heavy, and evidently small heart because I don't have the ability to let more people in.

The worst part of my shortcoming, is once I move away or move on or they the same....all is lost. It is sad really that I have trouble maintaining those relationships that meant the world to me at one point. Best friends that I have lost yet think about daily like Lois, Janell, Lori, Stacey, Debbie, Angela, Beth, Jolanda, Veruschka, Denise and Laura.

Ah Laura...

Laura was my mommy soul-mate, my confidant, my muse, my hug, my shoulder, my neighbor. Laura and I had both of our babies together, took them to the same playgroups, the same day care, the same preschool, the same coffee shop, lived across the street from each other and spent most days at each other's houses. We laughed, we cried, we talked about everything from our husbands, good wine, good and bad sex, our babies, religion, cars, coffee, tea, world peace, politics and education.

Laura is kind, loving, beautiful, thoughtful, funny, intelligent, faithful, open and giving...and I miss her. Laura moved back home to California 3.5 years ago..and I have barely spoken to her since. My fault. My loss.

After 3.5 years apart, fate would place us 5 miles from each other in Mexico on Winter vacation. Fate. I have to believe. Within moments and tears, our families meshed like they were never apart - even the kids who have no way to remember each other.

Life was good if only for a day.

We left that day with promises to write, call and visit. Chat on Facebook, send pictures and not lose touch again.

My challenge this year is realizing the importance of these girlfriends in my life, and making room in my heart, mind in soul to cultivate even the relationships that take a little more time, love and commitment.

Thank you Laura, I love you.
xoxo,t

Growing Up...

Sometimes it is hard to be a Mom. Sometimes you just want a day off, especially when you are sick. Sunday was one of those days.

One of those days that I had a headache so bad that I was in so much pain I was nauseous, grumpy, tired, mostly delirious and somewhat blind as opening my eyes just hurt too much. Sunday was also a day that Jed had to work and I had to be "on".

It happens to all of us moms - no matter how bad we feel, we still have little ones who need us for almost everything and we have to be there...no matter what. Sick days don't exist in our profession.

After trying so hard all day - to somewhat function and do the minimum possible for the girls, by 3:30pm I was done and mostly asleep on the couch hiding my face under a blanket and praying for peace and no more pain. I asked Eloise to please try to help and just have quiet time for a few hours.

At 4:45 Esther poked me from my almost slumber and said she was hungry for dinner. Oh yikes, I had forgotten I still needed to feed them before putting them to bed by 6pm tonight to end this long day.

I cried.

And then I asked Eloise in my most pitiful and needy voice..."Eloise, I really, really need your help right now - I can't make dinner, I just can't and I don't even have the energy to call for delivery and find my purse and answer the door...I know you are only 6 and I know it isn't your job, but can you please help me think of something you can make for you and Esther for dinner?"

..and her response..

"Really Mom, I can make dinner? Okay, I can do it."

Within 5 minutes - on the table, complete with napkins and proper table service were 2 bowls of Honey Nut Cheerios with milk, 2 peanut butter sandwiches and 2 cups of applesauce..oh, and 2 glasses of milk. Eloise invited Esther over to eat, pushed her in and put her napkin on her lap. Eloise served 2nd's and 3rd's and I could hear the 2 of them laughing and joking as they enjoyed probably the best dinner they had all week.

After the meal, they both cleared the table and washed-up together.

I am so proud.

No matter how sick I maybe or how much I just want to take a nap some days, or how many times I think that I am really not doing that great of job at my job, those darn kids just love to prove me wrong...thankfully.

xoxo,t

Swimmingly unsuccessful...

What the girls did on vacation in one word. Swim. Well, okay 2 words...not swim. After almost 6 years of swimming lessons, Eloise is no closer to swimming than she was at 6 months old...and has little interest to learn.

Esther is a bit braver - and I hope WILL swim on her own by this Summer..and perhaps dear Eloise will follow - but perhaps not. That is okay. Most of my family is afraid of the water and cannot swim(or will not swim).

For now, Eloise loves being in the water - either in the kiddie pool where it reaches her knees or floating effortlessly and safely in a tube.

Perhaps she won't learn to swim - and then I can have a lounge chair companion - working on our tans, gossiping about boys, reading books and People magazine, and sipping margaritas. It is all good.

xoxo,t

I'm Gonna Wash that Gray Right Out of my Hair...

..and I did.

Yesterday I got my hair colored - all of it. After years of pretty and subtle highlights and now 8 years of pulling stray grays out of my locks, my gray hair started taking over. It has to happen someday - but being just barely 40 seems too young. Admittedly so, I actually probably waited 6 months more than I should of, but getting the hair dyed before 40 just seemed well, sad.

I chose brown - my natural color - I am such a rebel. Dan and I discussed red tones and even purple to amuse the girls, but I had pink hair in high school and thought purple hair at 40 would be just a little well, immature. Call me conservative - well actually don't - that would offend me...just call me a responsible 40 year old mom with plain brown hair. I also considered blond as I have never been a blond, but if I were a blond I would also want boobs, not that all blonds have boobs, but this one would want them. But alas, today I am still a brunette, sans gray, with 32aa's. The world is good.

I can sleep well at night also knowing that my brother Troy(who is just 10 months older than me) has more gray hair than I do.

Exhibit A

I am thinking when he comes to visit this Winter(you are coming right?;-), I am going to take him to Dan for a new color. Gosh, I wonder if Troy likes pedicures too? Can you say Spa Day.

xoxo,t

Sorry Jed,

...but it's a girl thing. Sigh, poor Jed. It has already started. The lone man in a house of girls(and a castrated male cat of course). It had to start sometime.

Jed picked Eloise up from school yesterday as a special treat. Poor girl. She was devastated. You see, something embarrassing happened to her yesterday at school and she waited most of the day to see me at pick-up to get it off her chest and let it all out. She was so brave though, she quietly greeted Jed and rode home in silence waiting to see Mom. The moment she came through the door and saw me she burst into tears coming to me for help. She grabbed my hand and pulled me upstairs away from Jed and away from listening ears. She did tell Esther she could come too - but just keep to herself.

She then sobbed and told me her story(never to be repeated to anyone else mind you - so don't even ask). I gave her lots of hugs and kisses and understanding words and eventually the tears turned to laughs and she was ready to move on and enjoy her afternoon.

I have a feeling - being she is just 6, that this will be the start of many mother-daughter talks. I just hope when she is 16 she will come to me too. I just know that poor Jed is going to feel a bit left out though as some things are just to personal to discuss with a dad.

I think he knows that he has about the most special place in her heart though. I just get picked sometimes because I am the right sex at the time. We all serve a special purpose for our kids. I am just glad I can be there when called upon.

xoxo,t

Happy 2009

I am here, I am alive and quite well actually. After a little jaunt to Mexico - our home is now filled with piles of wrapping, toys, luggage, sand and 10 load of laundry. Please don't come visit soon as it will take a least a month to dig out.

I am happy though - unlimited sun and sand, unlimited family time, unlimited bliss and the opportunity to wear our Summer wardrobe again.
Life is good!

Missed you!
xoxo,t