Woo, Woo, Party, Party!!

I tell ya, my painting of the town will be so outrageous and memorable that it will be published in newspapers all over the world and will be talked about for decades to come!! Or maybe not.

We have no parties or social gatherings to go to. We weren't even invited anywhere. It's a little depressing. I know having a baby means that you can't exactly go gallavanting off till the wee hours of the morning, but still. We weren't even asked to come over for dinner by anyone. I guess it's really not that big of a deal. I'm not a college girl anymore, who went out every weekend and stayed out til 3 or 4 in the morning. And I don't want to be like that again, trust me. I've lived the drunken haze and lazy weekends, and I filled that part of my life. I just wish we had somewhat of a social circle to get together with for New Year's.

Instead, we're staying home, ordering Papa John's and planning on playing Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture Edition. We might catch some of the "New Year's Rockin' Eve" show on tv, but if it doesn't start until 11, that's highly unlikely. Besides, I don't even know most of the bands and performers that they would have on there.

I guess I'm growing up and have different priorities. I don't need to be out at the bars and clubs to have a good time. But it would be nice to have at least a social half circle to hang out with tonight.

Is it already the 29th??

I can't believe Christmas and Mason's first birthday have come and gone. What a whirlwind! To catch you up, after my last post, we headed down to my parents' house. On the way, we hit some bad traffic, near an area where there had been a nasty accident. Of course everyone has to stop and rubber neck. Here it was Christmas Eve, and while we're sitting still in traffic, a guy walks by, apparently to check out how far down the traffic is stopped. I notice he has a cigarette in his hand. On his way back, I read his t-shirt: "I smoke, so F--- off!" Nice, huh? What a festive and appropriate shirt for Christmas!! Anyways, we finally made it to their house, in time to eat a nice dinner of roast beast and lots of other good stuff and then go to church. We went to my parents' church, which is very contemporary. So much so, that the first half of the service was a skit put on by adult members of the church. Not your typical Jesus' birth, either. It was cute but very much not the traditional thing you expect. We opened presents that night from my sister and her family. Real nice stuff. Mason got these tunnels that hook onto each other and then fold up when you're not using them. Cute. The next morning we opened presents from my parents and relaxed. Mason got a stuffed pony that whinnies and neighs, but he's not real enthused about it quite yet. Later, we went over to my sister-in-law's house, and met up with the whole famiy from my husband's side. It was nice, but very, very overwhelming. There were lots of people, Mason was tired (because he refused to nap, for fear he might miss something, I suppose) and there were presents and wrapping everywhere!! He made out like a bandit. There was so much stuff that we had a heck of a time stuffing it all into the car on our way back home the next day! Mason ate his birthday cake too, of course! What a mess! I'm kinda glad the first birthday only comes once! The next morning was Mason's actual birthday, and he opened presents at my parent's house and had MORE cake. That boy was so filled with goodies that now he's not real interested in real food. Ah well, he had a good time. Yeah, so my parents got him a tricycle. It is supposedly age appropriate for 1 1/2 years and up, but we'll see. Either way, he's not ready for it yet. When we were ready to head back home, my husband started feeling lousy. His stomach was churning and he had chills. By the time we were home, he was in bed and very much a sickling. I unloaded the car, entertained Mason and tried to nurse my hubby back to health. He really didn't feel 100% better until yesterday. I woke up a little yucky this morning, but it has passed.

So overall, a very pleasant Holiday, but exhausting. Mason's toy collection has probably quadrupled and our apartment is getting smaller by the day!! Oh well, we didn't need furniture anyways, right?

'Tis the season to be jolly...

Fa la la la la la la la la! Merry Christmas to all!! We are heading down to see all the family in a few hours (when my husband gets off work--Target is mean like that). We've got presents wrapped and packed in the car and we're as mentally prepared as we can be for Family Time. :) Hope everyone has a fantastic holiday and takes lots of pictures. We always do! Now, if it's still Christmas and you're reading this, get off the gosh darn computer and enjoy your friends and family!! Happy Holidays!!

I'm dreaming of a WHITE Christmas...

It's not going to snow here for Christmas. Not even close. It won't even be jacket weather. Grrr. It's currently 65 freaking degrees, and it will be 80 when we get to my parents' house tomorrow!! That is not okay. I don't expect snow on Christmas, but shouldn't it at least feel like it's December, for Pete's sake?! Mason has a cute Christmas sweater with a snowman on it (you can kinda see it in the picture) and he can't even wear it!! He'll be roasting!! My husband even plans on wearing shorts while we're visiting the family!! In December--the end of December, it feels like spring!! This is not cool. Actually, it's unseasonably warm. Eh heh heh.

In the jungle, the lion sleeps tonight...

We bought a new bed!! I can't contain my excitement, because the only bed we've had during our married life has been a hand-me-down many times over. Long story short, the bed we currently have has been my parents', my sister and brother-in-law's and his parents. Yeah, kinda gross, huh? Not to mention the fact that Max has "christened" it many times over. Yuck. When we bought new sheets about a month or so ago we decided that Max was prohibited from our room. I was so tired of finding pee stains on the comforter and washing it over and over again. That was enough to want a new bed, and also the fact that since the mattress is so old, the support and comfort ain't what it used to be. We deserve a new bed. Most of our furniture has been passed down to us. And we certainly aren't complaining or ungrateful, but it's nice to own something and know that you're the first to use it. Oh yeah, and we've been sleeping on a Full size and it's a wee bit cramped. So, today we found ourselves a nice, pretty, pillowtop Queen for a reasonable price and decided not to shop around. We laid down on it in the showroom and were sold. They're delivering it Friday and we're psyched!

And the other reference to the subject line of this blog entry: we saw "Chronicles of Narnia" today. We'd heard a lot of great things about it, but you don't get the concept until you see it yourself. It's pretty moving. If you haven't heard, there's a very strong biblical reference to the story. I won't give away the details, but the basic idea is that these kids find this magical world and the "king" Aslan (the lion) is the Jesus figure. Go see it, and you'll see. Just remember to bring tissues, or you'll end up wiping away your tears with a buttered popcorn covered napkin like we did.

Well, I'm in the midst of mopping the floor (I was letting it dry so I can scrub it some more), so I should skedaddle. Merry Christmas!!

5 days till Christmas!!

I still can't believe it. Every day it gets a day closer to Mason's first Christmas and the next day his FIRST BIRTHDAY. That's inconceivable to me. This time last year I was very, very, very uncomfortable, fat, anxious, without a bladder and did I mention uncomfortable? This past year has zoomed by in a bit of a blur. I have forgotten what it's like to not be a mommy. It consumes so much of my life now (not that it's a bad thing, I'm just saying) that I can't remember life before.

He has grown so much and changed so much in the past 12 months. I remember when we carried him and passed him off to people like he was going to break or explode--"be careful of his head", "don't wake him", "careful!!" I remember when he rolled over and we celebrated like he had just won the Pulitzer Prize. I remember when he got his first tooth and we thought it was the cutest thing (now he has three on the bottom, and it's still adorable). I remember when he didn't fit in 0-3 month clothes anymore, and I almost cried. I remember when I refused to believe he didn't fit in his first pair of overalls anymore, and tried to cram him in them when he was 8 months old, even though they were size 3-6 months. Thank God for digital cameras, because we haven't missed a moment or memory (and if you are on my email list, you're well aware of that fact!).

I am so excited for his first Christmas. He's gonna be so excited to play with the bows and ribbons and he always loves all the lovin' he gets from family. And between the two families and the two holidays, he'll be set. I just have no freaking clue how we're going to get everything in the car and bring it back home. Oh well. We'll just take out our bed, couch, tv, dresser and kitchen table and fill the entire house with books, toys and gadgets. Such fun...

What is this "sleep in" you speak of?

I try not to laugh when friends or famiy call me at 8 or 9 or 10 in the morning and say, "Did I wake you?" I realize there was a time in my life when I was capable of sleeping well into late day and sometimes even afternoon!! But those days are long, long gone, my friend! "Sleeping in" nowadays means that I'm awake after the sun is up. If I'm still in bed after 7, I count my blessings. Babies do that to you. When Mason was an infant and I was up with him every couple of hours, I used to sit in the glider in his room, struggling to breastfeed, and hating the rest of the world. Although I know that there are millions of mothers around the world and there were probably half that were up at the same time I was, I couldn't see that. I was the only one up at midnight, 2, 4 and 6 with a screaming banshee. So, these days, I thank my lucky stars that Mason sleeps through the night, and has since he was about 2 months old. (Other mothers scowl viciously at me when I tell them that little tidbit) I am very much appreciative of that. But, he is normally wide awake somewhere between 5:30 and 6:30 every morning. He goes down for a nap a few hours later, which is nice. I have to say that I get more accomplished before 10 on a weekend than most people do all day (or at least those who do not have kids). Take this morning for example: it's barely reaching 10 a.m., and already today I have fed Mason a bottle, played on the floor with him for awhile, gave him breakfast, changed his diaper (3 times, I might add!!), wrapped 3 Christmas and 1 birthday present, did 3 loads of laundry, put the sheets on Mason's bed (and if you have children, you know how tricky a fitted sheet for a crib can be!!), somewhere in there snuck in some breakfast for myself and put Mason down for his morning nap. Now would be a good time to take a shower, now that I think about it. I have to scatter those throughout the week, whenever I have 15 minutes or so to spare. Now, I know most families have more than 1 child (and in a few years, we will too), but I still take pride in my accomplishments. So, to those of you who just rolled out of bed, are still in your pj's at 10 and may plan to just lay around all day, I say you don't know what you're missing. :)

Stir Crazy

If you don't know me that well, then you may not know that I can't stand things staying the same too long. Sooooo, that's why my blog looks different, AGAIN. I wanted one that was wintry or Christmasy, but no such luck. So, this one was white and the little blue pine cone looking thing in the upper right corner was as good as I could get.

Have I mentioned that tomrrow's the last day that I have to forge the insanity at work for 2 whole weeks??? (this is the part where angels from the heavens would be singing their delightful "Hallelujah" song...) YIPPEEE!!!

A Blessing in Disguise

Today started out okay and normal--worked with my two groups in Resource (and actually everyone worked and got done early, which was just fine with me). Then I went with the Special Ed teacher to pick up the pizzas and other junk for their party today. I started feeling a headache and even though I know better and have plenty of experience with life-altering migraines, I didn't take anything. I helped out with the pizza party and my head started throbbing. Afterwards, I went back to 3rd grade, took a Motrin, and by that point my head was aching like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it and my patience and tolerance was paper thin. Everything the kids said or did grated on my nerves. After feeling hot, dizzy and overtaken by the headache, I decided to go home 2 hours early. I took a well needed nap, then picked up Mason from the babysitter. I made an executive decision to stay home tomorrow. I may feel better by then, but I don't want to risk it and I need a day off. I know Christmas Break is just 3 days away, but oh well. Besides, tomorrow is my husband's day off, so I can get help with Mason. So, even though I wanted my mommy when my head was ready to propel into space today, at least I get tomorrow off. It all works out in the end...

One More Day Down...

Sorry about my last post. I was tired and just wanted to vent, short and sweetly. Things aren't THAT bad I guess. I am just tired of being treated like a doormat and being pulled in a million directions all the time. I just try to keep in mind that this job is not at all permanent and that I only have to make it until May. I have no idea what I'm going to do for the summer, but that's a whole other stress altogether. So, I'm taking it one day at a time, praying and trying to make the best of it. We'll see how that works out for me...

Yes, that's my cutie in the picture, checking out the candy canes on the tree. He spends a lot of time examining the tree, and the other day he noticed these really cool red and white hooked thingies that crinkle when you grab them. Thankfully, he hasn't realized that they're edible yet. He just takes the candy cane off the tree, shakes it, switches hands, shakes it again, then puts it back on the tree. Eventually though, our dog Max snatches the candy cane and chomps down on it. So much for Mason's toy. Ah well, there are plenty more where they come from.

Back to the work situation, this week is going by in a flash already. Today was a normal schedule for me, but the rest of the week will be filled with movies, candy, cookies and two pizza parties. Being in 3 different rooms means I get 3 different parties, and they're all on different days!! Woo-Hoo!! Tomorrow after Resource, we're having a party with them. We're having pizza and watching a movie. Wednesday, well, I don't know what the plan is for Wednesday. Thursday is the party in the 3rd grade. We're eating pizza and having cookies. Yum!! THEN, Friday I'll be with the 6th graders (YEAH!!!!!) , and they're having a party. Goodies, movies, candy, oh my!! I am psyched!! I am so glad the day before Christmas Break I will be in the 6th grade not 3rd. Those 3rd graders are out of control and so rowdy, I cannot even begin to imagine what that day is going to look like (loads of 8 year olds passed out from a sugar high, food wrappers all over the floor, lights hanging desperately from their fixtures, sticky, chocolate handprints smeared down the walls...)!! Granted, I'm sure the 6th graders won't be angels or even close, at least they're controllable.

By the way, Mason's getting more and more independent. He loves walking around the room, hanging on to furniture and trying to reach things and eat them. His favorite cuisine is cat and dog food, which keeps me and my husband always up, chasing him down and fishing it out of his mouth. Needless to say, he makes a pouty face and whimpers a little. How horrible of a mother I am for taking away his snack!! He also waves, high 5's, holds his own bottle, feeds himself finger foods, drinks from a sippy cup and fusses when he doesn't get his way. Overall rewarding, but very frustrating at times.

Speaking of which, he's standing underneath my chair wanting up, so I should go for now. Merry Christmas, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Rosh Hoshonnah, Arbor Day, Tuba Day, whatever!!!

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat...

What a nice song--the goose is getting nice and fat so we can kill it and eat it!!

I cannot express how freaking happy I am that there's only one more week of school until Christmas Break! I am so ready to not go into work for 2 weeks. I am so burnt out, frustrated, overworked, taken advantage of and just downright sick of being at work. I don't feel like getting into all the details, but it's a bunch of crap, mainly the same theme as it has been for some time now. I am just so ready to go back to public school, where it's normal...

You don't see me, I was never here...

So, I'm currently playing Hookie from work. Well, technically I'm on my lunch break, but I've been here a half an hour longer than I should have. I was finished with my things in the Resource Room and didn't have anything to do until after my lunch, so I kind of sort of disappeared and went home. But you didn't hear that, okay?

So yeah, here I am. I don't know what to write in this blog, but I thought being that I'm in the house and it's quiet (seeing as though Mason is at the babysitter's, probably bouncing around happily in the Exersaucer or chasing her dog around the living room, or scarfing down his lunch) and I'm bored, so I should write.

I don't really remember last week. I worked. And I tended to my little dumpling. And I cleaned. Woo-Hoo, break out the disco ball and streamers, I'm the party animal!! Anyways, the weekend was good, that I remember. Friday I didn't feel good. I've had a headache off and on the past week or so. I'm not sure what it is and what to do about it. I really don't want to go to the doctor, because that's just a pain in the tushy and they may not even know what's wrong. But, I have that underlying fear that I'm gonna ignore it until it's excrutiating, then get tests done and find out it's a brain tumor or something. I'm freakishly fearful of nothing, I know. So, that was Friday. Saturday, I went to the grocery store with Masonpants and fiddled around the house till my husband came home. Then, we caught up on some tv shows we've missed lately (we have one of the DV-R's--like Tivo so we can record hours and hours of tv without a vcr. It's great!), then went over to visit some friends of ours. We watched "Christmas with the Kranks" and ate Chinese food. Nothing like a goofy movie and some greasy food to make an evening complete. It was a nice time. Yesterday, we dragged our lazy butts out of bed and went to church. It's been a few weeks--mainly because Mason has slept in or not felt his best. So yesterday I gathered my crew and off we went. Mason always has a good time because he plays in the Nursery with other babies and toddlers. The girls working in there always say how happy and smiley he is and what a good baby he is. That makes my day. I take pride in the fact that he's such a good, happy baby. I probably can't really take credit for the fact that he's an easy baby, but I do. So yeah, then I came home and cleaned a little and my husband went to work. I also went to Ross (what a madhouse!!) and Target. I took a soothing bath last night, which NEVER happens. That was nice, even though I could hear the tv going in the living room, and Mason fussing. Maybe I need earplugs or at the least soft music to drown out the noises. I'll look into that...

Work is okay. I know for a fact that the principal wants me to take a lead position there next year, but I am pretty set on other plans. I want to go back to public school. I want to only teach English and only see a group of kids for an hour at a time. I know she can't arrange that or promise it to me, so see ya. It's kinda funny how people who've either always worked in a Montessori school or always had their children in Montessori react to me saying I want to go back to working in a public school. You can almost hear a gasp as they ask why. Public school isn't that scary, people!! Sure, I've had students that had parents in prison, kids on birth control in 7th grade and kids get arrested for hiding pot in their Science book, but so what? Like Montessri doesn't have their share of kids with loads and loads of baggage!! Anyway, I will miss certain aspects of the school that I'm at (having 2 aides per room!!), but it's not worth the unpredictablity and the fact that I'd have to teach all subjects. No thank you.

Well, I suppose I should saunter back to work now, eh? Ta ta.

Things My Son Has Taught Me

So, as I've watched, observed and admired Mason, I've realized that although I'm teaching and guiding him everyday, he's teaching me too. Here's what I've learned so far:

1. Crying is the most effective way to get your point across
2. Sitting still is boring
3. Cat and dog food can be a tasty, forbidden treat (if you can get your hands on it, eat like it's your last meal!!)
4. Everything is meant to be touched and/or eaten
5. Watching a dog run after his ball is freaking hilarious and can be hours of fun!!
6. Screw "Baby Einstein"! The shows to watch are "Dr. Phil" and "King of the Hill"
7. "Uh-Oh!" can be said a billion trillion times and never get old
8. A diaper can hold WAY more bulk than advertised
9. No matter what you eat, it comes up orange
10. Being quiet is overrated
11. The best game in the world is called Take Off Sock Throw On Floor Make Mom Put On Over And Over Again
12. Being cute pays off
13. Every moment with a baby is a "Kodak Moment"
14. The "Baby steps" are actually very, very big steps worth reveling in, remembering and taking pictures of
15. Strangers will talk to other strangers with babies
16. Germs are something to be aware of and avoid at all costs (grocery carts and restaurant high chairs are breeding grounds for nastiness!!)
17. Binkies are a mom's best friend
18. Poop is not that big of a deal--unless it's on the baby's shirt, the baby's pants, the baby's hair, your hands, your clothes and all over the diaper table, then it's time for a Biohazard hosedown
19. It really is the little things that matter
20. It's cliche' I know, but your capability to love is much more expansive and unfaltering than can ever be imagined or described