Let's Change the World for all our Children

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Check Me Out!

I'm famous!

Not really. But I did manage to have a guest-post published over at The Mom Crowd. Check it out - and leave some feedback!

19 Dresses

Hubby had an awards dinner for work last night. I'm so proud of him. It took some finagling (including two baby-sitters, three cars, and a special-diet dinner), but we managed to enjoy a night on the town. Because it was a fancy affair and we rubbed shoulders with all the big-wigs of the company, I wanted to dress-to-impress. The hunt for attire was on. I figured it would be best to start at the mall - hit the department stores one by one until I found something. And given that the dinner was last night, I started yesterday afternoon.

Here's a few thoughts for fashion designers:
-First, just because I'm petite (read, short), does NOT mean I am an old lady! Please do not design clothing for Grandma when you come out with your new fall line!
-Second, a little black dress should never look like the perfect outfit for a funeral. It might be something that you'd wear to a funeral eventually, but it definitely doesn't score any points by looking like you designed it just for that purpose.
-Third, if you design something with silky material, please include a dryer sheet so that when I try it on I can get rid of static cling and see what my hair might look like when I'm in your dress.

Now a note or two for store setter-uppers:
-First, DO NOT PUT PETITES NEAR WOMEN'S! It's just mean. And besides, why is it that you have to hunt all over the store looking for these sections? Because I'm not "normal"-sized??
-Second, do not put maternity near women's! This is also cruel and mean.
-Third, why do you dress mannequins in clothing that you then hide deep in the recesses of your store? Put it where I can see it! Then maybe I'll buy it!

So after 9 stores and 19 dresses, I finally decided #18 was the one. And of course the best part is that I was able to buy it in a size 2! Thank you dairy-free!

VICTORIOUS!

Today two wonderful things happened!

First, we finally got HIGH-SPEED INTERNET! I'm sure that this is like saying we just got electricity or something - most of you have probably had high-speed for years and can't even remember dial-up. But for us, it's like a whole new world! So forgive me if I spend hours just playing around with what this thing can do!

And second, I LOST THE BABY WEIGHT! This morning I officially had a scale reading of 113 pounds - exactly what I weighed when I went for my first-ever prenatal appointment. Now granted, it was first thing in the morning, and I was totally naked, but STILL! I'm practically jumping up and down!

What a glorious day!

Little Boy Conversations

After putting on hand lotion, I tucked my sweet boy into his "big boy bed" (for the first time tonight!). He looked up at me and said "I smell something wonderful!"

Yesterday we were talking about the moon and I asked him what it was made of. "Ice cream," was his reply. And evidently the sun is made of peanut butter and jelly. And clouds, of popcorn, of course. Anyone else think maybe he's just hungry?

I was changing his sister's diaper and he was chattering away to himself in our bedroom. I heard him say something to the effect of "Up Glose Mountain! Into the closet!" Up Glose Mountain?? I turned to look. He was climbing up over a mountain of laundry to get to the closet. "Up Clothes Mountain!"

"Pick me up Mommy!"
"Pick you up and put you where? On the moon?"
"No! In you hug!"

SPRING!

Since the last week of January, we've had:

4 stomach bugs (5 if you count Grandma) with vomiting and diarrhea

4 fifty-degree days

3 colds

3 coughs

3 unsuccessful baths where Little Girl screams bloody murder

3 guests

3 playdates

2 post-nasal drips

2 cases of conjunctivitis

1 snowstorm with 10 inches of snow

1 sinus infection

1 ear infection

1 fast for 42 hours to raise money with World Vision

1 case of laryngitis

1 men's retreat

1 "new" car

1 baby learning to say "ma-ma-ma" and beginning to scoot

1 museum visit

1 disappointing run-in with the phone company who couldn't get us high-speed Internet and cable like they thought they could

1 big birthday

I'm ready for Spring!

Sibling Revelry

Before our Little Miss was born, I fretted over whether or not my Little Man would do well with her. Would he be frustrated with the new baby, angry that Mommy no longer only had eyes for him? Would he try to hurt her or maybe ignore her altogether? Thankfully, my worries have subsided. He is so sweet with her and it melts my heart.

I suppose it helps that he's learned he has a captive audience whenever they're in the same room. She lights up when she sees him, giggles uncontrollably at whatever goofy thing he's doing, and reaches out to grab him and get him closer to her.

In return, he brings her toys to play with, sings her songs, and calls for me to get her whenever she's crying in her crib. A few weeks ago I walked into the room to find him bent close to her saying, "Hi there my sweet little Bunny Rabbit!" Talk about a melting heart! (And while I call my kids lots of random names, this one was all his!) For the past few days he's been rubbing his nose gently on her head and whispering "Nibble, nibble."

When I was younger, my parents always told me that friends would come and go, but that my siblings were forever. I hated that saying. But in watching my own two, I realize it's the prayer of my heart as well. May they always be this enamored with each other. May their friendship blossom over the years. May their families grow old together, sharing the laughter of parallel lives. May they turn to each other someday and say "You know, Mom was right."

35 Minutes

Today I was online for 35 minutes at our home computer.

It opened 3 pages.

Now I'm at the library.

Will this ever get easier???