Chuck E. Cheese...Finally

So, we finally made our trip to Chuck E. Cheese with Aunt "A" today...it was a blast! The Fred did what she loves to do most...putting tokens in the slot and running away, dancing in front of the video screen, taking her picture in the Chuck E. Cheese car, going down the slide head-first, and running away, screaming, every time the curtains come back for the stage show. She did have enough tickets (thanks to MommaDrool and Aunt "A") to get a Dora (doodooDoradoodooDora) coloring book, markers (which she later used to draw on the table at the Mexican restaurant), and two Tootsie Rolls. The day was a success...both kids fell asleep as soon as we hit the doorstep.

Wake-Up Call

The Fred has been sleeping through the night for quite some time now, so when I heard her screaming for me at 3:45 in the morning, I knew that something must be wrong. I jumped out of bed and ran to her room (successfully running into at least three large pieces of furniture between my room and her room). When I got to her room, she was sitting up in her crib calling my name. I asked her what was wrong, and she said, "Momma, I'm ready to go to Chuck E. Cheese and play now." I had made the mistake of telling her that we were going there with her Aunt "A" the next morning...whoops...last time I do that. Eventually, I convinced her that she had to go back to sleep because Chuck E. Cheese was still sleeping too. Luckily, it worked...she was back asleep within 15 minutes. Word to the wise: do not coax your children to get in bed by telling them how much fun you will have tomorrow...you may get an early morning wake-up call. I know, this is Parenting 101...I must have misplaced my owner's manual.

Favorite Recipe: Pseudo-Shepherd's Pie

This was one of the Husby's favorite things to eat as a child, so when we first started dating, I decided I should probably learn how to make it. After making it for him the first time, he said, "All my mom used to do was mix vegetable beef soup with ground beef and instant mashed potatoes. This is really good!" The secret is out...the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Thought I might share my Shepherd's Pie recipe creation...this is a very easy recipe to make and even the kiddos will like it. Enjoy!

Pseudo-Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients:
1 pound ground sirloin
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup frozen peas
1 onion, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, finely chopped
3 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 package Simply Potatoes Original Mashed Potatoes (in the egg/milk section at the store)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup A1 Steak Sauce

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Add olive oil to a skillet and warm over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook for 8 minutes over medium heat.
2) Add ground sirloin and heat until cooked through, stirring frequently.
3) Stir in peas, Worcestershire sauce, and A1 Steak Sauce and simmer for 6 minutes.
4)Spread meat mixture into the bottom of a glass baking dish.
5) In a bowl, mix potatoes with 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Spread potatoe mixture on top of meat. Sprinkle remaining cup of cheddar cheese on the top of casserole.
6) Bake casserole for 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

"The Fred" : A Name Genesis

Many of you have asked me how I came to refer to my daughter as "The Fred." It is really a very simple story, but since so many of you have asked, I thought I should elaborate...

When The Fred was born, her paternal grandmother began to refer to her as "Freddy Frog." From what I have been told, The Fred's aunt was referred to by the same name when she was little. I have never been one for long names, and every pet I have ever had has been referred to by an alternate nickname in addition to their "given name." For some reason, I felt the need to carry on this tradition with my children. I eventually shortened "Freddy Frog" to "Fred Frog" then to simply, "Fred."

Since I am a huge fan of Steve McQueen (I know that some of you are sitting there saying...who is Steve McQueen), I decided her name should be formalized to "The Fred"...just like "The Steve." I know...crazy, random story, but it should offer an explanation for my unlikely choice of a nickname for my first-born. If I have another girl, I plan to refer to her by something equally masculine like Moe, Bob, or Larry...just to make The Fred feel good.

Payback

I am starting to think that SweetBoy might be the most laid back little individual ever. He seems to be perfectly content just hanging out, sucking his thumb, watching the world at work. Even the past few days, while running a very high fever, he has remained content...besides needing a little bit extra TLC. Sometimes, I wonder how I ended up with two great kids...and then, I remember that I am likely to receive my payback in adolescence.

Speaking of adolescence, what is up with the goth/emo kids at the mall that scare all of the old people? You know who I am talking about. They hang out around Hot Topic, wear solid black from head to toe or look like they are dressed like clowns, and move in packs...generally, just looking like they could be members of the trench coat mafia.

The Husby and I were enjoying a stroll around the mall after dinner the other night when we saw an interaction between two of these packs: a clown-looking group of young girls and an emo group of boys...three on three. We heard the girls giggle as they passed by and one of the girls said, "He is so wet!" Excuse me? Wet? What the heck does that mean? Is that like hot? And then I realized...I HAVE BECOME MY PARENTS!!!

I could hear the exchange between me and my father replaying in my head...

Me: "John David and I have been going together for two weeks now."

My Dad: "Going together? Well, where are you going?"

Me: "Daddy, that is not what that means! It means he is my boyfriend! That's what it's called!"

Wow...I guess it kind of snuck up on me. I really hadn't planned to become my parents just yet, but I guess there is no time like the present. Mark my words though...if either of my kids decide they want to be goth/emo/clowns, I will be forced to make fun of them daily and become the obnoxious, uncool parent...just a warning.

Gal Pals Left Behind

Why is it that, once we get married, it is hard for our single friends to relate to us? And why after having children does there seem to be an entire communication breakdown between us and our still childless counterparts? I have to believe that this is a problem encountered on both sides of the relationship, but how exactly do we overcome this barrier? Is it even possible?

After hanging up the phone from talking to a former high school/college girlfriend of mine, I realized that I had just carried on a conversation that was very difficult to...well...carry. Since my girlfriend is still single and kids aren't even on the horizon for her, I felt like we really were lacking all of the things that we used to have in common. Interests have changed, as well as priorities. I'm sure that she feels the same way...I mean...I don't exactly sit with anticipation as she divulges all of the details of her weekend spent clubbing, but I am sure that she feels the same way when I talk about the funny thing that The Fred did the other day.

So, what is the solution? Should we keep up our mundane banter until our interests and priorities once again coincide? Or, should we put these gal pals behind us and hope for the best? I'm unsure of the answer, but I continue to hope that either my life will slow down or theirs might speed up. I would like us to be on the same page again.

Luckily, I have had the opportunity to fill some of the voids in my life that have appeared as a result of these disintegrating relationships by finding new friendships...with new gal pals...with similar interests and priorities...with the same questions. Is it time to leave the old gal pals behind to make room for the new, or should we just wait for our lives to end up in the same place again?

Husby's Heart

I have to brag on the Husby for a minute...

We enjoyed the American Heart Association's Heart Walk this morning at The Summit, and the Husby and my FIL were both featured artists for the Wall of Hearts. Several local artists designed hearts made with various mediums that were then sponsored by different area companies through donations. Both the Husby and my FIL did woodwork for their hearts, and they both turned out beautifully. They are both incredibly talented. The Husby's heart was purchased for $1000 prior to the exhibit, and my FIL's heart was put up for silent auction with several others. SweetBoy and I had a great time looking at all of the creative hearts at the exhibit...fun for a good cause...I can't think of anything better!

Lock-In at Kid's Gym

We had the pleasure of making our first trip to Kid's Gym yesterday, and The Fred and SweetBoy both had a great time! Once again, this is another out-of-home child activity that meets all of the necessary criteria for an ideal locale: air-conditioning, nothing breakable, don't have to clean up, etc. SweetBoy spent most of his time in the ball pit...thumb in mouth...watching the action. The Fred, on the other hand, was the action. She was climbing rock walls, jumping on trampolines, sliding into the ball pit, and crawling through the tunnels. There is no doubt that she is athletic and may have a future as a gymnast.

After an hour of fun-filled chaos, we decided to hit the deli next door with some friends. Needless to say, we cleared the place out. I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to enjoy their lunch next to a table of seven rowdy kids on the verge of a much needed nap time. It was fun...as always! Can't wait for our next play date at Kid's Gym!

Putting Down the Pom-Poms

Okay, I used to be a cheerleader. Probably not surprising to most, but still a proclamation I rarely share. The word "cheerleader" creates an image of all of the things that I once was: pretty, skinny, popular, bubbly, eager to be every one's best friend, but with all of my priorities out of place. When we were in middle school through our high school days, all of us either was, wanted to be, or despised the cheerleader-type. In my case, I was the cheerleader. In all reality though, I was really everything but. I was merely a girl that wanted to fit in and to be loved. In my world, this meant you had to be pretty, rail thin, and perfectly coiffed at all times. I spent most of my life as an adolescent obsessed with what I thought was important. Someone once told me, "It is hard to be a pretty girl." I have only recently deciphered the meaning of this statement, and it has nothing to do with our outward appearance.

I am such a distant memory of that girl that the description of her would not even begin to describe me now. These days, you are more likely to find me less than perfectly coiffed: hair in a ponytail, no make-up, wrinkled t-shirt, jeans, and flip-flops. I have gone through such a drastic transformation from that cheerleader to who I am now, and this shift in self has nothing to do with how much I weigh or the color of my hair. The changes that I have experienced are the result of life-altering experiences: finding true love, the birth of my children, forging new friendships, moving to new places. I have become the woman that, as a cheerleader, I had no idea I wanted to be. I am far from perfect, but I have been able to create my sense of self by drawing on my imperfections. I only hope that I have become a woman that my husband, my children, and my friends can be proud of for everything that I am and everything that I am not. My journey began with my escape from the confines of high school and continues to be a work in progress. I no longer live my life as the cheerleader, although my first uniform still lies in a box in the attic. This is the only thing left of the girl I used to think I wanted to be.

The Power Nazi

The Power Nazi arrives at our home around the 20th of every month, and generally, plans a stay of about 3-5 days before going on hiatus until the next month. With the receipt of our latest power bill, the Power Nazi gasps and then proceeds to disconnect any item that could possibly use electricity. I am surprised that the Power Nazi has not decided to ration us down to one light bulb that we can ceremoniously move from one room to another as we change position in our home. I know that the only reason this plan has not been put into action is because the Power Nazi has not thought of it...yet.

For the next few days, the Power Nazi will follow us all...flipping light switches, turning off burners, turning down the air. And yes, the Power Nazi and the Water Nazi are related, but the Water Nazi arrives around the 5th and only stays for approximately 2-3 days.

SweetBoy's New Best Friend

SweetBoy seems to have much love for his big black dog. Lola has become his new best friend, and she does not seem to mind the extra attention (or the extra food that falls from his high chair). He has even started trying to call her by shrieking to get her attention...very cute!

CHOM with Our Chums

We took a bit of a field trip to the CHOM (Children's Hands on Museum) in Tuscaloosa yesterday with some of our friends. I really like this place because it has all of the things that a parent loves when it comes to out-of-the-home activities for their child:

1) Air conditioning...because it is ridiculously hot outside.
2) A small space to keep your kids contained, so that you aren't constantly chasing them.
3) Fun stuff for even the "Under 1" crowd.
4) Your kid can touch everything and can't break anything.
5) Last, but not least, you don't have to clean up after them when they finish playing.

Well, two poopie diapers later, they were both still having a blast. We only made an exit once MommaDrool realized that time was almost up on her two-hour parking spot (I felt that my Auburn Alum sticker might make me easy prey for the meter maid). So, all in all, CHOM with our chums was a fun time...we will have to go back soon (and by soon, I mean before the chaos of football season).

Favorite Recipe: Zoe's Style Slaw

For any of you that have had the pleasure of enjoying Zoe's slaw, you know that this stuff is absolutely incredible. I have been trying to create a similar recipe for a while now, and I think that this may be the closest one yet. I really enjoy putting the slaw inside pita pockets with a few slices of dill pickle (Claussen, of course) and a slice of Provolone cheese. Yummy!

Zoe's Style Slaw

Ingredients:

1 bag of angel hair slaw
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
3 T. white wine vinegar
3 T. fresh lemon juice
3 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Combine slaw, green onions, and crumbled feta cheese in a bowl. In a separate dish combine remaining ingredients and stir with a whisk. Pour dressing over slaw and toss to combine. Let marinate in refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

Potty-Training Lesson # 36

Panties were not made to go on your head.

Not Lost In Translation

The Fred says, "Momma, I wanna put on my baby soup and my some scream!"

Translation:
"baby soup" = bathing suit
"some scream" = sunscreen

Backyardigans

The Fred and SweetBoy enjoyed a little bit of evening fun in the backyard since it has been soooooo hot during the day. SweetBoy got to know Lola (and her tongue) a little bit better, and The Fred enjoyed her new tree swing while our dinner cooked on the grill (The Husby's famous Slow Cooked & Grilled BBQ chicken...will have to post this recipe at a later date).

Second Release: The MommaDrool Mafia

My husby tells me that I am becoming the Weird Al Yankovic of the Mommy-world, but I had to come up with a new release because I had so much fun the last time. Unfortunately (for them), Nickelback's Rock Star was the unlucky recipient of the latest MommaDrool makeover. Obviously, I have entirely too much time on my hands...maybe it's time to have another baby...oh, just kidding...

“I Wanna Go To the Park”

I'm through with staying inside
I need some forts to play in
It's like the bottom of the ninth and
I'm never gonna win
This day hasn't turned out quite the way I want it to be

I want a brand new ball
That I can play with
And a big field I can play baseball in
And find some swings big enough for all of my friends plus me

I need a tall rock wall that's got no limit
And a big playground with a tunnel in it
Gonna join all my friends
And bring a picnic lunch to eat

I want a new swing set full of super slides
And my friends and I can swing side by side
Fun time at the park with friends
Is always fine for me

I'm gonna trade this day, It’s kind of lame
Let’s go and hear my friends call my name

'Cause we all just wanna go to the park
Live in big playhouses swinging to the stars
The sand is easy and we like to leap
We'll all stay busy, so it can’t be beat
And we'll hang out on the monkey bars
In the coolest park where the skaters are
Every closest friend is
Gonna wind up there
Every swingin’ buddy will sure be there
and well..
Hey hey I wanna go to the park
Hey hey I wanna go to the park

I wanna play in the sandbox without any hassles
Bring all of my friends that love to play in the castle
Run across the bridge
So I can feel alive and free

I'm gonna wear my T-shirt
With the turtle on it
Go and get the keys, Momma just step right on it
Gonna wait for all my friends that love to
Come and play with me

I'm gonna trade this day, It’s kind of lame
Let’s go and hear my friends call my name

'Cause we all just wanna go to the park
Live in big playhouses swinging to the stars
The sand is easy and we like to leap
We'll all stay busy, so it can’t be beat
And we'll hang out on the monkey bars
In the coolest park where the skaters are
Every closest friend is
Gonna wind up there
Every swingin’ buddy will sure be there

And we'll hide out in the tunnel rooms
With the latest dictionary in today's who's who
We're gonna be playin’with the sweetest smile
Every body's got a park buddy on speed dial well..
Hey hey I wanna go to the park

I'm gonna sing this song
So my Mom can hear it
Gonna play all day
Hope my pals can see it

'Cause we all just wanna go to the park
Live in big playhouses swinging to the stars
The sand is easy and we like to leap
We'll all stay busy, so it can’t be beat
And we'll hang out on the monkey bars
In the coolest park where the skaters are
Every closest friend is
Gonna wind up there
Every swingin’ buddy will sure be there
And we'll hide out in the tunnel rooms
With the latest dictionary in today's who's who
We're gonna be playin’with the sweetest smile
Every body's got a park buddy on speed dial well..
Hey hey I wanna go to the park
Hey hey I wanna go to the park

The Ring

Well, the Husby took me to the lake on Saturday for a little bit of R&R sans kiddos. Before we left town, Husby recommended that I take off my wedding rings and leave them at home, so I wouldn't risk losing them (also, because he had just decreased the insurance by half). I told him that I didn't like taking my rings off, so I was going to wear them (stubborn, I know).

When we got to the lake, we both jumped on the wave runner to ride around. In order to avoid a boat that was approaching the dock, Husby cut left quickly, and we flipped over. That was okay because it was a scorcher, and I needed to be cooled off. We took off across the lake and stopped a few minutes later on a beach to put on some more sunscreen. All of a sudden, Husby said, "Oh, shit! My ring fell off!" Of course, I was the one to blame because Husby said that I made such a big deal about not wanting to take my rings off. Great.

I was sure that his ring must have come off when we flipped, so we went back to the scene. We were close to shore when we flipped (I know because I fell onto rocks), so I climbed up on the rocks to look down into the water. Sure enough, a few minutes later, I FOUND THE RING! Thank goodness! I know...what are the chances?

But anyway, Husby's ring is back on his finger...safe and sound. And yes, after this incident, I did take both of my rings off and put them in the car with the Husby's. There are very few times I will say this, but I guess that the Husby was right after all...

New Release by The MommaDrool Mafia

I have always been notorious for making up alternate lyrics to songs, and now that I have kids, I seem to have a plethora of possible material. While laying in bed this morning feeding SweetBoy, I got "Cupid's Chokehold" stuck in my head. After trying to fall back asleep, unsuccessfully, for about an hour, I decided to try my hand at some alternate lyrics surrounding the passing of our poor "Bop-Bop." The result was this new release by The MommaDrool Mafia called "Paci's Chokehold." Check out the Gangsta Rap Coloring Book by Aye Jay too...this is a real book that I ran across in an online article (Amazon.com)...I found great humor in it (imagine that)! Sometimes, I crack myself up...

"Paci's Chokehold"
by The MommaDrool Mafia

Bop-bop Bop-bop
Bop-bop Bop-bop
Bop-bop Bop-bop
Bop-bop Bop-bop

Take a look at my Paci
It's the only thing I want
The greatest of Bop-bops
I never seem to get enough

It's been some time since I’ve seen one
This is gonna sound like a need one
But momma I fell in love you see
It's safe to say I need a new Paci

And I know it sounds so old
But Paci’s got me in a chokehold
And I'm afraid I might just give on in
Got my blankie and my white flag is wavin'

I mean it chases away the bad dreams
And you can even plug me when I wanna scream
If that ain't love then I don't know what love is

I even have a special hiding place
And I love those soothing sounds that it makes
I know I'm young but if I had to choose my Bop or some fun
I'd be one Paci lovin’ son of a gun

Take a look at my Paci
It's the only thing I want
The greatest of Bop-bops
I never seem to get enough

Take a look at my Paci
It's the only thing I want
The greatest of Bop-bops
I never seem to get enough

It's been awhile since we played last and I'm tryin' hard not to cry fast
But mom I'm finally thinkin' I may just still need one
Just a Bop to help me have a little fun

And I know you heard the last song about the Pacis that were kept so long
But I promise this is on a whole new plane
Those moms and kids just don’t see things the same

I love it when I see my Paci
I even like to have it when I’m sassy
If that ain't love then I don't know what love is

It's gonna be a long drive home but I know as soon as we arrive home
And I open the door take off my shoes and throw blankie on the floor
You’ll give me my Bop-bop once more for sure

Take a look at my Paci
It's the only thing I want
The greatest of Bop-bops
I never seem to get enough

I might be too old, but that Paci-hater needs to bite her tongue
I'm not done
My Paci is my good friend, and it doesn't stop there
Man I swear
Paci's got plenty of bling of course it’s a ten
And now its even got a Paci song
But movin' on
It makes the cutest sounds I ever heard
And we can be in my crib for three hours
Not sayin' one word
And I would still cherish every moment
And when I start to build my future it's the main component
Call it dumb call it luck call it love or whatever you call it but
Everywhere I go Mom keeps a Paci in her pocket like here

Take a look at my Paci
It's the only thing I want
The greatest of Bop-bops
I never seem to get enough

Take a look at my Paci
It's the only thing I want
The greatest of Bop-bops
I never seem to get enough

SweetBoy says, "mommamommamomma!"

Oh, is there anything better than when one of your sweet little bundles of joy says your name (well, not your real name, but your mommy-name) for the first time? Even if it is just a bunch of sounds thrown together, it really does make you melt when you hear it.

While I was cooking dinner last night, I heard that sweet sound coming from the bedroom. The Fred ran into the kitchen and said, "He said, Momma!" It made me feel better that even she recognized it as him calling my name.

It is such a wonderful thing to be called some one's "Momma."

Favorite Recipe: Tilapia Piccata

This is a 15-minute recipe that I found in Cooking Light that all of the family loves...Husby requests it on a regular basis, and we never seem to get tired of eating it. You can substitute most any flaky white fish or use veal or chicken cutlets. This recipe pairs well with a side of sauteed spinach or a mixed field greens salad. I modified the recipe a little bit to suit our tastes. This recipe yields 4 servings. Enjoy!

Tilapia Piccata

8 ounces uncooked orzo (about 1 1/2 cups)
3/4 cup grape tomatoes, halved
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup white cooking wine
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon drained capers
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

1) Cook orzo according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and stir in tomatoes. Set aside and keep warm.

2) Combine salt, pepper, and flour in a large shallow dish. Dredge fish in mixture. Melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add fish to pan and cook for 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes with a fork. Remove fish from pan and keep warm.

3) Add wine, juice, 2 tablespoons butter, and capers to pan. Cook for 2 minutes. Spoon a portion of sauce over fish and add remaining sauce and feta cheese to orzo mixture. Serve fish with orzo.

Do You Know How Old My Mommy Is?

The Husby, The Fred, SweetBoy, and I spent most of Sunday out and about. One of our many stops was at Michael's (the store that is) to pick-up a few items. While we were waiting in the check-out line, two older women starting oohing and aahing over SweetBoy. One of the women asked how old he was, and after I responded, The Fred jumped up from the back of the cart and said, "Hey!" Not to be outdone, she said, "I'm two!" The Fred then looked at me, smiled, and said, "My Momma is forty-four!" What?! Both women just looked at me and smiled like I had just been called out by my two year old. I am unsure of where she got this from, but yesterday, she told a woman at UAB that I was thirty-five. Maybe, The Fred is just trying to force me to grow up. As much as I try to correct her, she insists that I am at least ten years older than I say I am. Oh, well...

The Great Animal Trapper

Last Saturday morning, my husby jumped out of bed early (5:30 am to be exact) to work on one of his weekend projects before making the traditional trip to Lowe's to buy the necessary "toys" for the aforementioned projects. When the husby returned from his trip to Lowe's with my FIL, he was carrying a very large box. From a distance (which you know if you have ever been to my house, that street-level is about 4 stories down from my front door), I can see in large bold letters on the side of the box, "ANIMAL TRAP." Oh, brother! What now?

Husby tells me that he is convinced that a possum, raccoon, or some other type of small, furry game is eating all of the cat's food. His theory is that this ferocious animal must be using the cat door to get into the basement, and then eats all of the cat's food. Chester, unable to defend himself against this vicious creature, is forced to starve.

Later that evening, Husby enthusiastically retreats to the front porch to assemble his "ANIMAL TRAP." I, as usual, humor his endeavors and put the kids to bed while he comes up with a strategy to capture this elusive "cat-food-eating" beast. When Husby re-enters the house, he explains to me what he has been plotting for our furry friend. He lets me know that he has locked Chester on the front porch, so that he will not be the one getting stuck in the trap...good idea.

Once we have both gotten into the bed for the evening, Husby asks me if I think that it is a possum or a raccoon. I tell him, "I dunno know." He proceeds to ask me what he should do if he catches a raccoon. I tell him, "I know that they are aggressive little b*#$ards. I am sure that Homewood Animal Control can take care of it." He seems pleased with my answer and goes to sleep.

The next morning, bright and early, I hear Husby exit through the front door. I remember the "ANIMAL TRAP" and laugh about how excited he probably is to see if he has caught the culprit. Minutes later, Husby re-enters the house. He proudly walks into the bedroom and states, "We caught the culprit!" Unfortunately, the culprit that we caught in the handy-dandy "ANIMAL TRAP" was nothing but...wait for it...you guessed it...another CAT!!!

Obviously, a stray was eating our poor Chester's food. Husby has surmised that the most logical solution would be to put out a second bowl of food or move our cat's food to the porch...good thinking. So, if any of you are in need of an "ANIMAL TRAP" or are interested to see what stray animals you can catch in your yard, I have one that you are more than welcome to borrow.

These are a Few of my Favorite Things..."A to Z" and "OCD"

Okay, I have some really weird habits (um...compulsions) revolving around certain numbers and words, and I sometimes wonder if I am the only one. When it comes to numbers, I don't like odd numbers...not at all. The volume on my car radio has to be on an even number (even though my husband thinks that it is hilarious to adjust the volume to an odd number, just to see how quickly I will change it), same with cooking times in the microwave, and the number of times I shake a bottle. I know, these are some weird habits. My favorite numbers are 18 and 36, so I try to incorporate them as much as possible...36 seconds to heat up an 8 oz. bottle, volume set on 18 in the car, etc.

I also love certain words...I just refer to them as "great words" when telling my husband about them (and I wonder why he looks at me like I am crazy 99.9% of the time). Here are my favorite words from "A to Z:"

Abhor
Boorish
Conundrum
Dilapidated
Exacerbate
Fribble
Glockenspiel
Harangue
Inexorable
Juxtaposition
Kiester
Lackadaisical
Macabre
Nosh
Oocyte
Peculate
Quixotic
Rudimentary
Spasmodic
Tantalize
Ubiquitous
Venerable
Whelp
Xenophobe
Yowl
Zydeco

Even The Fred has picked up some of my favorite words. The other day she tried to say "dilapidated"...although it sounded more like "duh-dap-uh-dated." Hopefully, she won't inherit my number compulsions as well.

In addition to my compulsions, I am continually adding to my database of "Mostly Useless Knowledge." In this database, I was once able to recite 320 digits of Pi, can tell you at least 90% of the elements on the periodic table, am able to regurgitate the Prologue of The Canterbury Tales in Middle English, and am able to tell you a large number of structures in the brain as well as all of the cranial nerves. I know...who cares? And this is probably why I have insomnia...I just can't seem to make my brain stop thinking about all of this useless dribble.

Please tell me that I am not the only one (or at least lie to me).

R.I.P. "Bop-Bop"

It's official...the "Bop-Bop" (The Fred's name for her pacifier) was strategically eliminated today in one swift "cold turkey" blow! Yippee! I simply told her that the newborn babies at the hospital needed them, so we needed to give them away. She looked a little bit confused by my explanation, but only whined for a few minutes.

For those of you that have a "Bop-Bop" lingering at your house (under your couch or in the drawer for emergencies), hide them before we come over. The Fred will find them! After I put her to bed this evening, I heard her moving around about an hour later. When I peeked into her room, she was picking up all of the blankets, stuffed animals, and her pillow looking for a "Bop-Bop." Hopefully, this too shall soon pass...then, we can move onto the more pertinent things, like the dreaded potty-training. What can I say? All good things must come to an end, and the "Bop-Bop" is no exception. I guess that I will have to remove the phrase, "Plug it!" from my repertoire.

Here Lies

"Bop-Bop"

R.I.P.

March 28, 2005 - August 5, 2007

baby buddha says

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly."

Ommmmm...

Grimey Feet and The Golden Arches

After joining some of our friends for a little bit of playtime this morning, we made our way to the Golden Arches with some gal pals for a little bit of refreshment. I ask myself this every time I leave, "What is the appeal of the Golden Arches?"

Answer: Mediocre (by mediocre, I mean tolerable by adults) kid-friendly food, cheap toys, low prices, and a small cage with slides to keep our children contained (at least temporarily).

The Fred left the Golden Arches today with the grimiest looking feet I have ever seen after she decided to remove her flip-flops to traipse around on the greasy, terra-cotta tiles. I doused her with hand sanitizer as soon as we hit our doorstep...it was no use. That stuff looked like it was baked on, so I scrubbed her down with an old toothbrush and some dish soap. I swear it was like trying to hold down a 100-pound dog to give them a bath. After I finished, I almost fainted when I turned around to find The Fred brushing her teeth with the toothbrush...YUCK!!! After I swiped the toothbrush, it was all I could do not to think about what she had just put in her mouth. Hopefully, the grain alcohol (I mean, hand sanitizer) had at least taken care of anything lethal. Maybe next trip, we will bring shoes that are not removable by The Fred.

Meanwhile, SweetBoy watches in awe at this crazy sister of his. I know that while he sits there sucking his thumb and staring intently, he is really planning ways to get away with the same things once he is mobile. That will be the day.