Three People who matter the most to me...

On her 1/2 Birthday, I bought a cake. Michael put on the decorations that he had gotten for my baby shower cake. And we wished her happy 6 months!

C'mon..don't make me feel bad about our country anymore...UPDATED

Please please vote. Vote next week. Vote now if you can. Just please please vote. And, I don't wanna have to do another post like this one.

Where to vote.

If you are STILL undecided--please stay home, I don't need your Idiocracy.

I leave you with David Sederis on undecideds:

"I look at these people and can’t quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention?

To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”

To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked."

UPDATE (Please click--its hillarious):
Funny Video

Tagged!

I have been tagged by one of my favorite bloggers, Serenity

So, here goes!

All the answers to this meme need to be just one word--I did this Saturday night.

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? sitting next to me on the couch
3. Your hair color? auburn
4. Your mother? Vicki
5. Your father? Ron
6. Your favorite thing? sleep
7. Your dream last night? school
8. Your dream/goal? calm
9. The room you’re in? living room
10. Your hobby? geekin'
11. Your fear? death
12. Where do you want to be in six years? healthy
13. Where were you last night? elementary school
14. What you’re not? thin
15. One of your wish list items? Europe
16. Where you grew up? Kalamazoo
17. The last thing you did? upload photos
18. What are you wearing? pjs
19. Your T.V.? SNL
20. Your pet? Gabrielle
21. Your computer? Alienware
22. Your mood? satisfied
23. Missing someone? Grammie
24. Your car? RAV4
25. Something you’re not wearing? socks
26. Favorite store? Amazon
27. Your Summer? abnormal
28. Love someone? tons
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? Friday

I am tagging:

Kate

Neenie

and

Shelby

And anyone else who wants to.

Show & Tell #15

Friday I received a mysterious package in the mail.



Upon opening, we found it was a baby gift package from husband's company. Interesting thing being that when Willow was born, my husband's company, which at the time was negotiating to be bought by an undisclosed company, sent us a nice baby gift package. Well, I guess the company that bought my husband's company did not want to be out done. (which is okay, it came on Willow's six month birthday)

A couple of pictures of the booty--a bib, a taggie rattle (which she LOVES), a blanket, picture keepsake, etc.




Close up of the jumper.

Six Months

Dear Willow,

As I hear you on the baby monitor babbling away at your mobile animals, I am astounded at the many things you have learned already in the short time you have been here.

You know how to smile and giggle. You know how to grab things (especially things you shouldn’t). You know how to go to sleep on your own. You know how to listen to songs and you know what a book is (sort of—yes, you can eat the soft ones, but that is not what they are really for). You know your mom, your dad, your brother and your uncles and aunts. You know how to sit up if you are propped up—and you are trying so hard to sit up on your own. (Okay, I love it when you flop over—its CUTE!)

Six months. Six months ago I was anxious and worried. I was worried about whether I could handle a newborn after all these years. I was worried about whether your brother would be okay with sharing his parents with you. It seems like so long ago (a life time ago). And I need not have worried.

Months and years. How many I had waited to have a chance to meet someone like you. The times I would fantasize having another baby. A girl named Willow Leone (it was always that name, your name). How many years did I imagine and how many years did I cry. I don’t know. Now the years of trying and the years of hoping and imagining have merged into the reality that is you. (And even now, I sometimes cannot believe the persistence and strength and, yes, luck, that has brought you here)

I cannot think of my life without you now. I am still getting used to you, just as you are getting used to us. The routines in our lives are chaotic and are even more chaotic now that you are with us. But, when I am tired and exhausted, when I am frustrated with the trivialities of daily life—I look to you and your brother and I smile and I am happy.

I cannot wait to be able to show you so many things. To show you a Christmas Tree and Hannukah lights. To show you snowmen and snow angels, leaves budding on trees in the spring. I cannot wait to take to you to the beach to hunt for sea creatures and sea shells. I want to share the world with you. More importantly, I want you to share your world with us. What a unique perspective you and your brother will give to us. What a wonderful gift to have you both in my life.

Happy ½ Year Birthday!

Halloween Preview

Michael's Halloween Party went very well. We (the adults) were exhausted by the end, but I think all the kids had a wonderful time. We had bobbing for apples (which seems to be a big hit every year); we had popcorn balls to decorate; pizza and Jell-o Brains…as well as other little surprises. This year, for the first time, we tried a game of passing around various “surprises” which were supposed to be parts of a body (i.e. spaghetti as worms; ketchup in warm water is blood; a smushed tomato as brains). I forgot how sophisticated these 9 year olds can be—some of them played along, some squirmed and did not want to touch—but our main adversary was a child who would say “OH, that is a tomato---oh, that’s two GRAPES.!!!” It was annoying but cute too…I think next year—blind folds will be in order… (Oh, and spraying them with silly string in the dark—that did work!)

Before the party, we got the kids in their costumes…they will get worn a lot this year. We have cub scouts Halloween party, school’s Halloween party and the Museum of Science’s Halloween party to go to yet. (Not to mention The Day).



Michael is under there! Its a very ingenious costume!


Stunned monkey in a frogsuit!

Show & Tell #14

Columbus Day Weekend we did something we haven't done before. We went to Cape Cod for a three day weekend--in the Fall. We normally go in the summer time and it was very interesting to be there at the very END of the tourist season. No real crowds, but we did not mind. This was an exceptionally fun time, as the weather was beautiful and it was the first time taking Willow with us. We did not do too much beach time--but when we did, Willow found out that sand on her feet is much better than sand on her face; and that Mommy will buy her ANYTHING--including a swimsuit just for the weekend (oh, alright, I am thinking of taking her to the YMCA for classes)...

Kids ready for a swim in the motel pool:


She is getting ready to put that snorkle in her mouth. Lately, everything goes in her mouth. (Including her foot--literally)



We enjoyed the food and the pool and the mini-golf...


Yes, we had a lot of seafood, but we did enjoy this pizza a LOT.





But, I think we mostly enjoyed just relaxing in the beautiful outdoors and being a family.

Mommy Meme

Taking from Kicking You From the Inside

1. How long have you been a Mom? Almost 10 years

2. How many children call you Mommy? None. Willow is too young. My son stopped calling me “mommy” since he was 5 years old—its mom.

3. Girl? Boy? or both?: both

4. Did you know what you were having? Yep. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

5. How old were you when you became a Mom? 30

6. How long were you in labor? 12 + hours; then Emergency C-Section – Michael was in distress. Willow - Scheduled C-Section (so much easier!)

7. What’s your favorite thing about being a Mom? Hugging, cuddling them when they unexpectedly come into our bed at night. Even though, in the morning, my neck and back aches..its worth it.

8. What’s your least favorite thing? Feeling like I have too much to do and not enough time.

9. Do you want more kids? Got my perfect set – FINALLY.

10. Do you plan on having more soon? Nope.

11. How many times have you been pee’d on? Not as many times as with Michael.

12. Barfed on? I think spit up counts—then, I would say a google worth.

13. Is your child named after anyone? Yes.

14. How did you come up with their name? 1) Father’s father; 2) cool Buffy witch

15. When your child gets in trouble, who is the bad guy? Me. I am the bad guy. I don’t like to be, but I am.

16. What is the longest you have been away from your children? A scrapbook weekend away.

17. Bedtime routine? Michael – have dinner with us; watch a Simpsons or Futurama or Spongebob – read a book; brush teeth, get in pjs—if mom taking him to bed, I read him a book; if dad, he tells him a story or they talk about Star Wars or D&D.
Willow – Playtime; Breast feed; 2 solids; play time; breast feed—put to bed. Or, if that doesn’t work—formula. (Baths are every other day or so)

18. Are your toes painted? Never.

19. Last movie you saw in the theater? Dark Knight with husband and Michael.

20. One thing you will not give up just because you’re a mom? Being a Geek.

21. One thing you did give up now that you’re a mom: Being sillier—I was a lot sillier when I was in college. I try to be silly now and again—but, sometimes I am too busy—and sometimes I have to be the serious one (see #15)

22. Best Mom perk: Seeing your kids smile at you.

23. Snack, you sneak bites from your child? Nope (unless its chocolate)

24. When the kid is napping, you are: In fantasy land! Both my kids barely nap—if they nap—I worry!

25. Where is your child(ren) now? 4th Grade; Daycare

26. Favorite place to buy maternity clothes? Target

27. If I could do it over…I would have appreciated my time at home more.

28. Did it turn out the way you expected? Yes. I think that, overall, it's been everything I thought with some extra stress and extra wonderfulness thrown in.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Show & Tell # 13

Posting my show and tell early, as we are going away for the weekend...

Last weekend we went to a medieval faire. We go every year, and this year was wonderful weather wise. Some of our traditional things to do:

Go see a medieval show:



Usually, these are funny, bawdy shows (family style—the innuendo count is high—but the kids don’t get it). One of our favorites—a show where they compete to eat mud. (Yes, they eat and drink MUD).


We also do the pony/horse ride. This is Michael's first year on a HORSE. He is so handsome.




One of my FAVORITE parts was shared by all...THE CAKE!!!





Fun was had by all! (Obligatory baby photo ahead)

Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act

Even during the darkest days of our infertility, I never had the most awful thing happen to me--having my child die. There was one point during my pregnancy with Willow where I did have a scare, and those few hours were the most nightmarish of my life. I cannot begin to imagine the immeasurable grief that many people deal with every day. To not have answers to "why" is the worst thing I can think of to add to their grief. So, please take a minute to click on the link below and see what you can do to help stillbirth research.

Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act

Show & Tell # 12

Halloween through the ages. My son's first Halloween he was a bee. (not my choice--MIL sent costume--it was cute 'n all--she probably sent it because I joked I was going to dress him up like a maggot larvae). (I still think that is a good idea)

ANYWHO... here are the other costumes my son has been in:


2 years old.


3 years old.


4 years old.


5 years old.


6 years old.


7 years old.


8 years old.

I like the fact that, aside from the Darth Vader and Ninja Turtle (which was because we ran out of time to find a better costume), my son likes classic monsters--mummies, evil warlocks, werewolves, Frankenstein Monsters, etc.

This is what he is going to be this year (a Headless Horseman). We have the costume already, and its pretty slick.


And here is what Willow will be (I just don't have the time to make that Larvae costume):


(Willow will be cuter.)

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day: Take Action

For Antigone and the many others I have gotten to know over the past couple years...

October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States. More than 25,000 children are stillborn in the United States every year leaving mothers, entire families and communities devastated. Estimates of the rate of occurrence of stillbirth make it at least as common as autism.

Stillbirth is not an intractable problem. Greater research would likely significantly reduce its incidence, but good research requires good data. H.R. 5979: Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act is under consideration by Congress. This proposed bill would standardize stillbirth investigation and diagnosis, thus providing more data for the needed research. Better research means fewer children born still.

On October 15th, remember the thousands of unfinished children lost and the families who remain to grieve them. Honor them by taking action. Let's help pass H.R. 5979.

Action Steps:

Step 1. Use Your Blog to Enlist Others
-Copy the contents of this entire post and publish it on your blog immediately.

GOAL: Enlist 10 of your readers to spread the word

Step 2. Use Your E-mail to Enlist Others
-E-mail 5 bloggers and ask them (nicely and in an unspammy way) to publish these action steps on their blog. Consider contacting celebrity bloggers, political bloggers, medical bloggers, or bloggers who are not part of your reading community.

GOAL: Enlist 3 bloggers outside of your normal blog sphere to spread the word in other online communities.

Step 3. Help Pass the Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act
-By October 15th, publish a post on your blog supporting H.R. 5979 Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act. For maximum impact, title your post: "Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act."

GOAL: 1,000,000 Google results on October 15th when that term is searched for. Currently, Google only returns 20,400 pages - most of which have nothing to do with the bill.