Taking a break from intense potty training
to watch the lawn service go to work.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Important Recall
Click HERE if you own or know someone who might own and use a Simplicity Bassinet. Apparently, the fault construction of the sleeper has resulted in the death of two Texas infants who became trapped between the too widely spaced bars.
Horrible.
Horrible.
Of Course it is! Part II
So after the playplace closing and the fallen tree, we made it back at last to take some time to collect ourselves and reclaim the day. Before I venture on to Part II, I do need to share two details that will become paramount to the telling of the backend of the story.
1) We live off a farm and this psuedo-pastoral existance allows for some very pretty views as well as new opportunities to brush up on my Spanish. On the downside, at the end of July, I have to store all fruit in the fridge, hide away all fragrant soaps, and be vigilant in keeping my sink, table, and countertops free from any crumbs or stickiness. Why? As the crops are harvested and the passed over veggies are left to rot, fruit flies can appear in droves...a big nuisance and the last thing you need when trying to sell your home.
2) Joseph is in full-on potty training boot camp. He wears a diaper to bed and for naps, a pull-up for outings, and his beloved "big boys" for all the time in between. He's doing okay, save for a few errant dribbles and the absence of any real movements for an entire day (I'm considering a blueberry drip, but more on that later).
Sooooo.....we make it back to the house where I quickly set up some games so they can enjoy some distractions while I pull together lunch. Of course, they want everything I didn't pull out and so, within minutes, I'm setting up Pretty, Pretty Princess and trying to locates the vanished "Mater" Ride-on that my son needs right away.
Searching, searching, searching....and finally finding the little vehicular redneck in the dining room. Happy to have finally found him, I jovially hoist him in triumph for Joseph to see, only to find a trail of fluid coming from his centrally located trunk.
Did some fairy come and turn him into a real truck a la Pinocchio?
I wish.
It seems Joseph, who's always enjoyed the hideway spot to stash his toys also decided to stash his straw-equipped sippy cup there....about two days ago.
The result: I open the trunk to find a now half-full cup emitting an acrid, cider like smell followed quickly by a hoard of fruit flies who had finally found a reason to hang out at my house.
Excellent.
"Mom! Mom!"
"Yes, buddy....but wait....I'm going to have to...." I'm trying to explain to my now excited and confused son who can't understand why Mater needs a bath. I throw Mater in the utility sink for a scrub down as Joseph clings to my legs.
"Mom! Mom!"
"Just a minute, buddy, we have to wash him down..."
"Mom! Mom!" he continues, while trying to mount Mater as I set him down and take to him with a stack of clorox wipes.
"Almost done, buddy," as I polish him off with some paper towels....good as tow truck new.
"Mom!" I finally decided to make eye contact with my son who is so excited to be reunited with his ride-on friend that he hops on, forgetting the real reason for his pleas.
He then proceeds to release his pent up bladder all over the unsuspecting utility truck.
I was ready for a nap and Mater was once again sent to the utility sink for a much needed bath.
It wasn't even 11 AM yet.
1) We live off a farm and this psuedo-pastoral existance allows for some very pretty views as well as new opportunities to brush up on my Spanish. On the downside, at the end of July, I have to store all fruit in the fridge, hide away all fragrant soaps, and be vigilant in keeping my sink, table, and countertops free from any crumbs or stickiness. Why? As the crops are harvested and the passed over veggies are left to rot, fruit flies can appear in droves...a big nuisance and the last thing you need when trying to sell your home.
2) Joseph is in full-on potty training boot camp. He wears a diaper to bed and for naps, a pull-up for outings, and his beloved "big boys" for all the time in between. He's doing okay, save for a few errant dribbles and the absence of any real movements for an entire day (I'm considering a blueberry drip, but more on that later).
Sooooo.....we make it back to the house where I quickly set up some games so they can enjoy some distractions while I pull together lunch. Of course, they want everything I didn't pull out and so, within minutes, I'm setting up Pretty, Pretty Princess and trying to locates the vanished "Mater" Ride-on that my son needs right away.
Searching, searching, searching....and finally finding the little vehicular redneck in the dining room. Happy to have finally found him, I jovially hoist him in triumph for Joseph to see, only to find a trail of fluid coming from his centrally located trunk.
Did some fairy come and turn him into a real truck a la Pinocchio?
I wish.
It seems Joseph, who's always enjoyed the hideway spot to stash his toys also decided to stash his straw-equipped sippy cup there....about two days ago.
The result: I open the trunk to find a now half-full cup emitting an acrid, cider like smell followed quickly by a hoard of fruit flies who had finally found a reason to hang out at my house.
Excellent.
"Mom! Mom!"
"Yes, buddy....but wait....I'm going to have to...." I'm trying to explain to my now excited and confused son who can't understand why Mater needs a bath. I throw Mater in the utility sink for a scrub down as Joseph clings to my legs.
"Mom! Mom!"
"Just a minute, buddy, we have to wash him down..."
"Mom! Mom!" he continues, while trying to mount Mater as I set him down and take to him with a stack of clorox wipes.
"Almost done, buddy," as I polish him off with some paper towels....good as tow truck new.
"Mom!" I finally decided to make eye contact with my son who is so excited to be reunited with his ride-on friend that he hops on, forgetting the real reason for his pleas.
He then proceeds to release his pent up bladder all over the unsuspecting utility truck.
I was ready for a nap and Mater was once again sent to the utility sink for a much needed bath.
It wasn't even 11 AM yet.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Great Dad of the Week
Though I always found Brett Favre to be a likeable guy (and I enjoyed his cameo in Something About Mary), I've also been among the chorus of sports fans chanting, "Retire already!"
However, after watching the press conference announcing his return to the game and his decision to join the Minnesota Vikings for one more go of things, I officially decided I really liked him.
What brought the reaction? Listening him talk about his kids, of course.
After first turning head coach Childress down, Favre had a change of heart:
Working in Childress' favor had been the reaction of Favre's daughter, Breleigh, 10, three weeks earlier. Favre said Breleigh remained neutral on the subject of him playing again until the news broke that he was going to stay retired.
"After the news broke, she started crying," Favre said. "Anybody that's got children -- I can be chased by five defensive lineman and it doesn't scare me, but when my daughter cries, it softens me up. And she said 'Daddy, I wanted you to go back and win one more Super Bowl.' And I said 'Oh, why didn't you tell me before?' And she said 'Well, I didn't want to make that decision for you.'
"It's amazing what you learn from your children. She said, 'Can you go back?' And I said, 'Well, it's too late.'
So I found myself this morning tearing up as I brought her to school and she said, 'Daddy, it's going to be fine. You go up there and do what you've got to do. We'll be up there soon enough.' I think I made the right decision, I really do. Time will tell. All I can say is I'm going to do the best I can."
Wow....I am suuuuuuch a softy.
Go Vikings.
However, after watching the press conference announcing his return to the game and his decision to join the Minnesota Vikings for one more go of things, I officially decided I really liked him.
What brought the reaction? Listening him talk about his kids, of course.
After first turning head coach Childress down, Favre had a change of heart:
Working in Childress' favor had been the reaction of Favre's daughter, Breleigh, 10, three weeks earlier. Favre said Breleigh remained neutral on the subject of him playing again until the news broke that he was going to stay retired.
"After the news broke, she started crying," Favre said. "Anybody that's got children -- I can be chased by five defensive lineman and it doesn't scare me, but when my daughter cries, it softens me up. And she said 'Daddy, I wanted you to go back and win one more Super Bowl.' And I said 'Oh, why didn't you tell me before?' And she said 'Well, I didn't want to make that decision for you.'
"It's amazing what you learn from your children. She said, 'Can you go back?' And I said, 'Well, it's too late.'
So I found myself this morning tearing up as I brought her to school and she said, 'Daddy, it's going to be fine. You go up there and do what you've got to do. We'll be up there soon enough.' I think I made the right decision, I really do. Time will tell. All I can say is I'm going to do the best I can."
Wow....I am suuuuuuch a softy.
Go Vikings.
Mama Fashionista
In case you didn't check it out yet, Table Talk found a great site for designer dresses without the designer prices (did I just quote someone's tagline?).
Fabulosity.
Fabulosity.
Of Course it is!!! Part I
After taking a rather long hiatus from blogging, my first full day back has also provided me with what can best be described as a challenging morning.
It may have started late last night with a horrible nightmare that brought O into bed with us (something I don't mind at all, actually), but something that also brought a very early morning start.
Needless to say, an email from one mom (shout out to Colleen) who'd received a text from another mom (shout out to Liz) informed me that Spread Your Wings would be closed for the week. Spread Your Wings also happened to be the very place I'd promised to take the kids after we hit up Target and so, regrettably, I had to break the bad news on the way to said play place.
It did not go over well. In fact, the period of mourning tumbled into Target where I only got the bare necessities (two kid presents, a resistance band, and more big boy underwear) before we headed home with a still weepy redhead crying her grievances from the back.
Believing I just needed to get back home to calm the troops, I breathed a sigh of relief as we finally pulled into the drive.
Of course, it was just a second later that I noticed Chip (one of two most amazing neighbors ever) removing some debris in the back of our yard, leftover from last night's storm. What I initially failed to realize, however, was that he was just making room for the fence guy to come as our old tree finally lost his ongoing battle with Mother Nature and crushed three sections of our ajoined fence.
I'm sure that will go over well with the next showings.
But wait, it gets worse.......
It may have started late last night with a horrible nightmare that brought O into bed with us (something I don't mind at all, actually), but something that also brought a very early morning start.
Needless to say, an email from one mom (shout out to Colleen) who'd received a text from another mom (shout out to Liz) informed me that Spread Your Wings would be closed for the week. Spread Your Wings also happened to be the very place I'd promised to take the kids after we hit up Target and so, regrettably, I had to break the bad news on the way to said play place.
It did not go over well. In fact, the period of mourning tumbled into Target where I only got the bare necessities (two kid presents, a resistance band, and more big boy underwear) before we headed home with a still weepy redhead crying her grievances from the back.
Believing I just needed to get back home to calm the troops, I breathed a sigh of relief as we finally pulled into the drive.
Of course, it was just a second later that I noticed Chip (one of two most amazing neighbors ever) removing some debris in the back of our yard, leftover from last night's storm. What I initially failed to realize, however, was that he was just making room for the fence guy to come as our old tree finally lost his ongoing battle with Mother Nature and crushed three sections of our ajoined fence.
I'm sure that will go over well with the next showings.
But wait, it gets worse.......
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
It's Been Awhile....Some Updates
I guess I could say in the process of writing a big book, during the lazy days of summer, my blog has been quite neglected.
I could also be more truthful and admit I all but abandoned it.
Needless to say, we've been through more than a few transitions in the meantime and I've prepared a nice list in the interest of keeping you apprised of the D'Alessandro goings on.
And, yes, you're so welcome!
TOP 10 NEW THINGS ABOUT US:
10) Joseph is definitely 2 years old.
9) I am officially fluent in Australian (it's not just "mates" and "barbies" my friends).
8) Olivia is very close to mastering the cartwheel, flossing, and tackling her brother (which he thoroughly enjoys).
7) We put our house up for sale during one of the worst markets in the history of real estate. Though it's only been a week, I'm already obsessing over everything in my home. Is backsplash a deal breaker?
6) Depending on the outcome of #7, we are moving to the shore. Though this may come as a surprise to some, we've been kicking the idea around for some time and it simply comes down to the fact that a 2 minute commute is much better than 65 minute one. Earth shattering, isn't it?
5) My diet has been successful and the pounds have just been falling off. Though I'd like to say most of that has to do with my committment to nutrition and exercise, almost all of it has to do with #7: stress and chronic vacuuming do wonders for the waistline.
4) Joseph has moved to a big boy bed, which he could not be happier about it. So happy is he, in fact, that sometimes during naptime he sneaks out of his room and runs up and down the hallway cackling with laughter. (See #10)
3) Joseph has been going pee pee on the potty. We are very excited about this, despite the fact that there is another element that he has yet to put in there with it. I get it....he's a keeper, which means I have quite a journey ahead of me. On the upside, he sure looks cute in his Mater big boy undies (especially the ones with the lightning bolts).
2) Paul is coming home early! (At which point I can return to being his bratty younger sister).
1) Olivia appears to have inherited a very important characteristic from her dear mother. A gorgeuous smile and contagious charm? Well, yes, but I was referring to the sprinkle of freckles finding a home on the tip of her nose.
That's everything....and the blog is finally back.
I could also be more truthful and admit I all but abandoned it.
Needless to say, we've been through more than a few transitions in the meantime and I've prepared a nice list in the interest of keeping you apprised of the D'Alessandro goings on.
And, yes, you're so welcome!
TOP 10 NEW THINGS ABOUT US:
10) Joseph is definitely 2 years old.
9) I am officially fluent in Australian (it's not just "mates" and "barbies" my friends).
8) Olivia is very close to mastering the cartwheel, flossing, and tackling her brother (which he thoroughly enjoys).
7) We put our house up for sale during one of the worst markets in the history of real estate. Though it's only been a week, I'm already obsessing over everything in my home. Is backsplash a deal breaker?
6) Depending on the outcome of #7, we are moving to the shore. Though this may come as a surprise to some, we've been kicking the idea around for some time and it simply comes down to the fact that a 2 minute commute is much better than 65 minute one. Earth shattering, isn't it?
5) My diet has been successful and the pounds have just been falling off. Though I'd like to say most of that has to do with my committment to nutrition and exercise, almost all of it has to do with #7: stress and chronic vacuuming do wonders for the waistline.
4) Joseph has moved to a big boy bed, which he could not be happier about it. So happy is he, in fact, that sometimes during naptime he sneaks out of his room and runs up and down the hallway cackling with laughter. (See #10)
3) Joseph has been going pee pee on the potty. We are very excited about this, despite the fact that there is another element that he has yet to put in there with it. I get it....he's a keeper, which means I have quite a journey ahead of me. On the upside, he sure looks cute in his Mater big boy undies (especially the ones with the lightning bolts).
2) Paul is coming home early! (At which point I can return to being his bratty younger sister).
1) Olivia appears to have inherited a very important characteristic from her dear mother. A gorgeuous smile and contagious charm? Well, yes, but I was referring to the sprinkle of freckles finding a home on the tip of her nose.
That's everything....and the blog is finally back.
Monday, August 17, 2009
A Brother Abroad....for now!
When you have a blog (even a much neglicted blog, of late) it's really hard to keep secrets. However, since my lovely sister-in-law already let the word out via her own blog, I am now officially free to shout it from the proverbial rooftops (or laptops...hehehe).
Paul is coming home early!
And I don't just mean a month early.....I mean October (probably)!
This is Day 187.....and as soon as an estimated return date is established, will begin the countdown properly.
Paul is coming home early!
And I don't just mean a month early.....I mean October (probably)!
This is Day 187.....and as soon as an estimated return date is established, will begin the countdown properly.
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