New Hair

Ta Da!

(This last shot was taken at Roger Williams Park in Providence. The boys are wearing adorable new shirts from Target via Aunt Jenny. The temp. and humidity were both around 100 which is why all three boys are completely wilted...as is my hair.)

Baby School

A lesson all babies should learn:

Don't puke on the boob that feeds you!

It's a good way to get yourself weened!

Weekend In Review

Friday: Strawberry picking at Salisbury Farm with friends.

Saturday: Faezer flys back to town for the last leg of her month-long East Coast Adventure. Doug had a dental conference so I drove to Boston without him, (but with the three boys) to pick her up at Logan Airport. We drove around the city a little (saw "Cheers") then stopped at Boston Common where we ate hotdogs and played at a playground.

Sunday: Gabriel's Baby Blessing!!! He looked extremely dashing in an outfit borrowed from his buddy Jaren. We were dismayed to find that not one of our siblings showed up in Rhode Island for the event dispite the two-weeks notice and e-mailed invite! How RUDE! Spent all day making a bloody Strawberry Pie for my husband. Luckily it was good. Then sat around trying to remember what we were forgetting. (Our friends' farewell party...whoops)

Monday: Grandma Fae sews up a storm and turns out a Pirate Booty Bag, Pirate Cloak, and new baby blanket. Max is ecstatic. I get a cute short haircut after 7 years of trying to get the okay from Doug. (I'll take a picture the next time I get all purdied up.)


Tuesday: One last trip to Christmas Tree Shops with my mom before her evening departure. She gives me money to hire my babysitter to clean the house in preparation for house guests arriving late p.m. Jessica saves the day! (I try to help inbetween nursing sessions and dinner preparation and fail miserably.) Our good friends arrive from Ohio with their two little boys.


Let "Boy Fest 2007" commence!

All About Baby

Gabe had a photoshoot yesterday. This is the outfit he wore to church. (Thanks for the cute shirt Aunt Kris!)

We kept him home for his first 6 weeks as suggested, so yesterday was his debut.He's been taking daily smiling lessons and they've paid off. This is me using a high-pitched voice: "Ahhboobooboobooboo!Where'syoursmileGabey?Where'syourprettysmileAngelBoy?Ahhboobooboobooboo!"
What a heart breaker!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Ode to Doug

I wish I could write poetry. If I could, I'd write a really witty and clever "ode to Doug" for Father's Day. It would include stuff like this;

You'll shop for me at the store

And you hardly ever snore

You like to cook

Which is "off the hook" (I don't even know what that means)

You're a wonderful dad

Which is totally rad

I think our boys are so lucky to have a patient, thoughtful, spiritual man to be their example and teacher and friend

It's time for this poem to end

You know...something like that.

I love you Sweetie Pie!

Happy Father's Day!!!

P.S. Speaking of Doug, he's been working on a new blog header which I think is extremely cool so check out his new look.

I'm Not The Sharpest Tack In The Box

I know, I know...I've said before that I'm a genius. But even geniuses (or is that geni?) have their moments of stupidity.

Yesterday I went to Parent/Child gymnastics with Sammy. He really doesn't enjoy it much, but we go every week nonetheless. The class consists of an obstacle course of different activities like jump on the spring board, roll like a log, swing like a monkey. So I came to a card I hadn't heard of, and asked how to do it. I believe it's called a front pike somersault. The Instructor demonstrated it for me, and it looked fairly easy, so I decided to demonstrate it for Sam in an effort to get him interested.

Here's what you do. Spread your feet far apart, bend at the waist and touch your toes. When you're in this position, tuck your head in and fall forward doing a somersault without bending your knees.

Well, I did it. Or at least some bizarre version of the move. When I righted myself the teacher asked "Did you see stars?" Well, no, but it definitely didn't feel fluid and graceful like I imagine it should have felt. (And I'm sure it looked even worse.)

A few minutes later I found myself rubbing my neck. By the time I got to the car after class, my head, neck and shoulders all ached.

Here's the moral of this story: If you are me and you have the coordination of a slug, and you never took a single dance or gymnastics class in your life, DON'T BE AN IDIOT!!! Even if a two year old can do it, you can't. Don't try.

Lesson learned.

Cape Cod Report and Other Important Matters

As you may have gathered from the post below, we've just returned from a quick over-night trip to Cape Cod accompanied by my mom. It was very beautiful and very fun. We stayed in a room right on the beach and had a great time relaxing and taking in some of the sights. I even broke out my travel Watercolor set! (Which I always take on vacation and never before have had the chance to use.)


Unfortunately, the trip culminated with us dropping Faezer off at the airport in Boston where she took a flight to D.C. to visit my sister Jenny. (I'm trying not to begrudge her equal time, but it's hard...) All of us were very sad to see her go, but especially me. Having another mom in the house made my life so much easier.


In other sad news, my friend Jen (aka Fabulous Photographer Jen) just moved to Utah three weeks ahead of schedule. I'm really sad she's gone and sad we didn't get to see her one last time before she went. (And I'm sad she wont be around to take any more beautiful pics of my kids!) We'll miss you Jen and family!


Now for an update on the Dub boys:

Douglas came home from work tonight and fed the boys, mowed and edged the lawn, made cornbread with the boys, bathed the boys, and got the boys ready for bed. All while I went grocery shopping. From my perspective, I'd say Doug is doing well. REALLY well. Also, he's been blogging more lately which I think is fabulous.

Maxwell recently finished Pre-K and has the summer off. He's recently developed a love of painting and wants to spend his summer days creating colorful works of art, going on walks to the beach, and violently playing pirates. He really REALLY likes pirates, so if you're at all interested in sword fighting, please schedule a play date with Max.

Samuel is working hard at potty training...again.
He had it down pat until the arrival of his baby brother, and then decided he needed to mark his territory to remind us of his presence. (We hadn't forgotten.) He accepts bribes for good behavior in the form of "Cars" cars. He's collected quite a few. In fact, I don't know if they are helping or hindering his re-training. Hmm...

Gabriel is taking daily smiling lessons from Mommy and Max. This is where we both beam down at him while tickleing around his mouth and making silly cooing noises while asking "Where's your smile?" in baby talk. So far, all we managed to do is give him gas. Doug and I are also giving him "sleeping through the night" lessons which are equally effective.

Also, Gabriel is exactly 6 weeks old now! And you all know what that means...it means I can start EXERCISING. Not that I'm going too, but I COULD if I wanted! (All of you who thought I was referring to something else, get your minds out of the gutter.) ANYWAY, Gabe is such a sweet baby and he's only slightly spoiled from being held non-stop while Grandma Fae was here. We're all in love with him.

That's all the news I've got for you! But don't worry, if Gabe smiles or Sam goes on the potty without a reminder, YOU will be the first to know!

TTFN!

Old Cape Cod

If you're fond of sand dunes, and salty air

Quaint little villages, here and there

You're sure to fall in love with old Cape Cod

If you like the taste of a lobster stew
Served by a window with an ocean view,

You're sure to fall in love with old Cape Cod

Winding roads that seem to beckon you Miles of green beneath the skies of blue
Church bells chiming on a Sunday morn,
Remind you of the town where you were born

If you spend an evening, you'll want to stay
Watching the moonlight on Cape Cod Bay

You're sure to fall in love with old Cape Cod

...and we did!

lyrics by Patti Page

"How To" of the Day

It's starting to sink in. I'm outnumbered and surrounded. There's no escaping and no guarantee of reprieve in the future. The situation is what it is and I have to get used to it.


I'm the mother of three boys!


I've always wanted kids. In fact, growing up as the youngest of five kids (six when foster brother Ferlando lived with us) I compensated for not having a younger sibling by babysitting every chance I got. My life aspiration was to have 10 kids and own a daycare center. As I got older, the number of kids got lower and the daycare plans went out the window. While babysitting all five of my sister's kids for her one week, I started to wonder if I liked kids at all. (My mom had to reassure me that I did.)


Aside from that week, (and maybe one other babysitting my brother's six kids for him) there has never been a time I didn't want to be a full time mom for a living. (Which reminds me, I need to put in for a raise.)

That said, I never envisioned my home full of boys. If anything, I'm sure I planned for equal numbers of girls and boys (I'm anal like that) or figured the boys would be out numbered by girls--like in my house growing up. I just never figured I'd be the sole member of the minority party. (Is THIS how liberals feel in Utah??)


That is why lately I've been re-evaluating my parenting techniques and working on increasing my PATIENCE with--and understanding of--the male species!!! Here are a few things I'm coming to grips with:


To be a successful mother of sons you must: (and by "you" I mean "I")


Quit ogling (and sometimes buying for the future) tea sets, doll houses, and pink clothes every time you shop.


Learn to play with action figures. This means you have to think like a boy. Captain Jack and Will Turner want to FIGHT. They do NOT want to garden, have a tea party, or be nice Daddies who do the dishes. They want to dismember each other.


Quit hating sports. You have very athletic children and years of spectating before you. Just accept that your Saturday mornings will never ever be free ever again and invest in a good lawn chair and cooler.


Accept that your boys will come inside from playing completely filthy and smelling of wet dog. And furthermore, they will NOT stop digging in the dirt and will NEVER wipe their feet adequately before entering the house.


Potty words are here to stay. Just like the bodily functions they represent, they will never cease being a large part of your life.


Instead of being offended at being brutally stabbed, shot, and/or impaled in all pretend battles, be flattered that you were worthy enough to be chosen as an adversary.


Keep lots of Febreze Air Effects, Lysol Wipes, Hand Sanitizer, and snacks (for bribery and personal fortification) on-hand at all times.

Check the toilet seat before sitting down.

So far, that's all I've come up with. If you have any suggestions, comments, or tips, please let me know. I need all the help I can get.

What Faezer Has Done So Far...

She has:
Held Gabriel, gazed at Gabriel, bathed Gabriel, cooed at Gabriel, changed Gabriel, been peed upon by Gabriel, and then held Gabriel some more.

Finished "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult which I got for her at the library, (it takes place in Providence and is an EXCELLENT book.) and has started "I Am A Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. (I just got this from my Mother-in-law, read it and loved it.)

Watched "Indiscreet" with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman while ironing shirts for Doug. (Shirts that have never seen the hot side of an iron before, I might add.)

Mended a baby blanket and a pair of Maxwell's jammies.

Folded piles of laundry much to my chagrin and relief.

Read numerous books to Max and Sam, watched Max and Sam play, supervised Max and Sam painting, given Max rides to school, and stayed with Sam while I've given Max rides to school.

Eaten yummy food including a delectable dinner at "Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House" by the beach.


On the agenda for the rest of her trip: More of the same PLUS a trip to Christmas Tree Shop's, (a New England must-see) a few visit's to Boston, more eating out, and I'm going to try to get her on the trampoline. I'll also try feebly to convince her to stop doing laundry. (Hopefully she won't agree to that last one.)

*sigh*

The last week and a half since Doug's mom left has been the longest of my life. Getting out of the house and into the car with three kids is not a job for sissy's.

(Especially when one kid is a prolific pooper and needs numerous diaper--and clothing--changes all right before leaving the house.) Max missed three days of school this week simply because I could not get four people ready to leave at the same time.

On Wednesday I was actually doing pretty well. I was organized, showered, and had all three boys clean, dressed and ready to go. Max and Gabriel had Dr. appointments and we were going to go there and then straight to preschool. Unfortunately, when I got to the door, my keys weren't on their hook. I checked my purse. No luck. I searched the whole house and car...still no joy. I had to call 3 minutes before my appointment and cancel due to brain loss. Too bad AAA doesn't hotwire cars.

The keys are still lost and I'm wondering if I threw them away.

Lucky for me, Fae has arrived just in time to save me from becoming a crazed, twitching lunatic unable to leave the house or even get out of bed. (Faezer is my most excellent mother, for those of you who haven't had the priviledge of meeting her.)

She got here Wednesday night and my life instantly got easier. Yesterday, I got to leave Sammers and Gabriel in the car while I dropped Max off at Preschool. Then, on the way home, Fae ran into the store for a gallon of milk while I stayed with the boys. Today when I took a shower, I didn't even worry about the screaming in the other room. I knew Fae would prevent any fatal injuries. Today I get to go to the grocery store ALL BY MYSELF!

Life doesn't get much better than that. (Well, maybe if Gabe were already sleeping through the night, but I wont press my luck...)

All I can say is, hooray for FAE!

Just Wondering...

Is it just me, or...
do commercials for depression medication make anyone else really really depressed?
("Where does depression hurt? EVERYWHERE! Who does depression hurt? EVERYONE!!!")

and is anyone else ever tempted to wipe down your messy kid with a Lysol Wipe?

(Doesn't it just seem like it would be more effective than a baby wipe?)

Just a few questions I've been pondering lately during the 12 or so hours I spend nursing each day. I wish I could say I've come up with the solution to global warming or something, but no...I spend my time pondering the wipe issue.

I've also decided that Gabriel has the most perfectly shaped baby ears ever . I spend lots of time staring at them, and I'm pretty darn sure of myself. If you don't agree, I defy you to prove me wrong with a picture of YOUR kids ears! (Don't bother...you'll just embarrass yourself and your kid.)

In the mean time, Sr. and sons are keeping busy in the yard. Doug has built some garden beds and the boys have helped him plant lots of veggie seeds.
It's kept them busy and gotten them all extremely dirty on a regular basis. Hence, the question of the Lysol Wipes.

Well, I need to feed baby now. And I have some important things to ponder. I'll let you know if I come up with anything brilliant.

But don't hold your breath...

Quotes and Miscommunications

From the Hospital:

Sam upon first meeting his new brother: (with considerable confusion and consternation.)
"He not talking to me!!!"

Nurse Murray when I explained I'd tried five times to wake up Gabe to nurse him:
"You can lead a baby to boobie, but you can't make him eat!" (I really liked Nurse Murray...she seemed extremely wise!)

While at the hospital there was considerable talk of my "Johnny". Not being able to decifer the nurses STRONG Rhode Island accents most of the time anyway, I just ignored them when they said things like "I'll bring you a new Johnny." or "We need to change your Johnny." (Afterall, they were constantly bringing me stuff and changing other stuff at the same time.) It wasn't until I got home that Doug told me they call Hospital Gowns "Johnny's". Who knew???

And you probably also didn't know that to get to the food room you have to "bang a right".

Gotta love it here!

Another Superstar in the Family

She's done it again! My friend Jen did an awesome photo shoot of Gabe yesterday. I'm so in love with these pictures! Check out her blog to see all of them. www.jenniferlee.typepad.com

Sunshiney Days

Doug's mom left early this morning.

At 9 a.m. I took Max to Kindergarten orientation and had to face the reality of my little boy starting real school in a few months.

This afternoon I finished my current book "New Moon" by Stephenie Meyer. (More about it later.)

I also realized that Doug's vacation is coming to an end and he'll be gone full-time again starting on Monday.

All of these things have combined to snap me back into reality a little too harshly. After the relaxing, worry-free week I've had, I'm feeling a severe sense of loss.



Luckily, I have a little something to ease the pain:



(Gabriel had a bit of jaundice so he's outside getting a little sunshine therapy in these pictures. This was before the Doctor told us, "Just don't put him in direct sunlight. Make sure it's filtered through a window." Don't worry...he didn't get sunburned.)

I should blog...

...but I'd rather just gaze.
I mean, wouldn't you if you had such a cute little angel to stare at???

It's begun...

For updates and news on labor and delivery click here...

Love,

Bartimaeus (guest blogger)

Finally!

Today is the last day of my pregnancy! I went to the Doctor this morning and she'll be inducing me early tomorrow. I am really excited and really freaked out!

But mostly excited for the reasons listed in this post. Speaking of which, my friend Ginger commented that she wanted to know some of the things I LIKE about being pregnant. Well, it's taken me awhile, but here's my list:

1. It's much easier to crush milk cartons since I weigh twice as much now.

2. I can demand insane amounts of food and blame the baby. (I intend to do this while nursing, though, too.)

3. It's fun to watch my belly undulate. (When it's not causing painful contractions or the immediate need to pee.)

4. I get an adorable little baby out of the deal. (Of course, adoptive mothers also get adorable babies AND they get to keep their cute belly buttons.)

So, I guess what I'll miss the most is the ease of bottle crushing.

That's all I've got for ya, G.

I'm sure I'll be back to posting in a few days. In the mean time, WISH ME LUCK (and a small-headed son)!!!

Remembering A Great Day

*Note: I wrote this on Monday the 23rd, but had to scan some photos for it before posting. Today it's raining.

Today is a beautiful day. After weeks of cold, dreary, gray weather, it got up to a record breaking 85 degrees. Driving home from Max's preschool, I had the radio turned way up and the windows down. All of the sudden I remembered a great day from about 10 years ago.

Brace yourself: I'm not known for my concise story-telling style. (But that's why I'm including crappy old scrapbook photos...to keep you interested.)

After my freshman year at UVSC, I took a year off to work. I moved home to Carlsbad and brought Angelique and Lesley (two Brighton H.S.* alumni) with me.

(Me, Lesley, and Ang before our "Super Date" with Heath, Danny, and Spencer.)

We rented an awesome condo from Paul's (Carlsbad H.S. alumni) dad in a very nice gated complex with swimming pool, hot-tub and sauna. (Anna joined us later followed by Fletch who took Lesley's room when she moved home.)

Paul, Rama, and Me contemplating fire and Christmas-y things.

We immediately met and started consorting with numerous guys from the Single's Ward and I started dating a hilarious Will-Ferrell-channeling guy who spoiled me rotten.Basically, we had a freaking awesome time living in one of the most beautiful places on earth. (If you exclude the drama's that come from a bunch of hormonal and emotional females living together who all start getting their period's on the same schedule.)
The majority of my time there, I worked at Adam's Design Group as a receptionist and personal assistant to Nancy Adams, Interior Designer. I felt pretty good about earning $10/hour. Much more than whatever measly wage I was earning in Utah.

My job was pretty plush. Located in a breezy office suite a few blocks from the beach and close to the Flower Fields, I LOVED going to work every day. Sometimes, as part of my duties, I would run a few errands for my boss Nancy.
One day I had to take some paperwork across town to another office. It was 70 degrees and beautiful outside. (as usual) I was incredibly happy to be driving around in the middle of the day and getting paid for it. (Plus money for gas and miles, I might add...) So of course, I had the windows down, the sunroof open, and the radio blasting.

I should mention that this is the one time in my life I've had a cool car. I had a very nice black Honda Accord with a surf rack on top. (Which I never used but which made me look that much cooler. Oh, and there was that excellent "Madness" sticker from Spin Records on the back.)

I remember I was driving North on El Camino and had just come into the area where lights get closer together and traffic starts to slow down. (You know, right around Rama and Wahine's house.)

(Yes, we look goofy, but we were at D-land in this pic...)

Did I mention it was a really beautiful day and I was in a super good mood?

So I'm cruising along and I come to the first red light I've hit in awhile and slow to a stop. Just then, feeling someone staring at me, I turn to look into the car next to me.

I still remember exactly what I saw. A twenty-something man, windows down, staring unabashedly at me with wide, shocked eyes; his mouth literally hanging wide open. At this point I realized that aside from blasting the radio, I was singing at the extreme top of my lungs. And I'm sure I was probably also drumming the steering wheel to the beat.

The thing is, it wasn't like I was belting to Alanis.

Due to my extensive work in a professional office environment, I'd become accustom to listening to KYXY 96.5 at work. (You know...Easy Listening with No Repeat Work Days!?) I guess that carried over to my mid-day errand, because instead of pumping 91x, I was indeed blasting KYXY (pronounced: Kick-see).

I don't remember exactly, but I'm pretty sure the song was of the Toni Braxton "Unbreak My Heart" variety. As opposed to, say, something respectable like "Black Hole Sun". (I mean, you can really get into both of those if you turn them up high enough!)

Luckily, I was in such a good mood, I just started smiling and kept right on singing to his face until the light changed and I was once again on my way.

THAT was a GREAT DAY!!!

Now, add 10 years to my age. Take away the cool car and mini-skirt and replace with a mini-van and too tight maternity shirt. Replace ex-boss Nancy with current boss Maxwell; funny ex-boyfriend with fabulous husband. Switch from Southern California to Rhode Island and you have almost an exact replica.

Because TODAY was another GREAT day!

*I moved from S.L.C., UT (where I attended Brighton High School) to Carlsbad, CA (where I graduated from Carlsbad High School) in the middle of my Junior Year.

Book Review

Super Husband takes really good care of me. About once a week, he takes Max to the library and they come home with a whole slew of books and Books-on-C.D. for the whole family. Usually, for me he picks something he thinks I'll like, something he knows I'll like, and something that has a cool cover.

So the other day, he brought home "The Mermaid Chair" on C.D. by Sue Monk Kidd, saying "Isn't this one you wanted to read?" YES! I'd been wanting to read it ever since it came out, but hadn't gotten around to it. The reason I wanted it is because I absolutely LOVED "The Secret Life of Bees". THAT is one of those books that leaves you depressed because you've finished reading it and there is no sequel. It was SUPER good and I loved it.

So, I was excited to get Mermaid Chair on C.D. (I love having something to listen to in the kitchen.) Let me just say right now, I was SO hugely disappointed. Right from the beginning I was annoyed at the premise and annoyed at the main character's incredible narcissism, self-justification, and lack of a single moral fiber! The only thing that made me keep listening was the fact that there was a mystery involved. (Very secondary sub-plot to the s.e.xual musings and antics of the main character.) Unfortunately, I CANNOT stop reading a book without knowing how the mystery is solved. So I had to settle for skipping past the numerous s.e.x scenes (WITH A BLOODY MONK, no less!) until the end when the truth came out and the mystery was solved.

Therefore, for what it's worth, I give "The Mermaid Chair" two thumbs way down. And I'll give Sue Monk Kidd a swift kick in the pants and a lecture if I ever get a chance to meet her. If this is a book you loved, don't tell me. I don't want to know.
NEXT!

"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
I didn't know before I got this one that it falls into the "adolescent/teen" category. Therefore, I was surprised at how many adults had recommended it to me. (I thought Doug and I were the only ones who LOVE books geared to this age group.)

Anyway, I finished this not too long ago and loved it. Like "Secret Life..." it leaves you wanting 200 more pages. It really was extremely entertaining and engaging and I was sad when I finished it. I'm looking forward to the sequel which I believe is called "New Moon". (We requested it from the library last night.) In conclusion, two thumbs up!

I'd keep going down my list of just finished books, but I think I'd better pop in Doug's latest library gift and get to work on my messy kitchen! Hooray for BOOKS!!!