Merry Christmas

I have been wanting to blog for days now and just haven't had a minute to do so...

This had to have been some of the best weeks before Christmas ever!!! Ethan really got it this year. Yes, he knows we celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus. But, he also gets the whole Santa thing too. Ted and him spent all day yesterday tracking Santa and talking about the different countries Santa had to go to. It was kinda funny that when Ted went on the PC for the first time to see where Santa was he was in South Korea. We told him he was visiting Sam's new baby brother, Max. Ethan keeps saying he wants a baby brother too, but that's a whole other post....

A few days ago Ted was working late and it was just Ethan and I for dinner, I asked Ethan what he wanted and he asked for some Shrump Scampi. How many 3 year olds want that for dinner??

While opening gifts this morning he looked and Ted and I and said "isn't this wonderful?" What 3 year old says that??

We are off to NY tomm for a couple days and then back home to hopefully some company from PA.. Keeping our fingers crossed.....

I also want to say incase there is someone very special reading this, I am happy "she" is reading this and really can't wait to catch up... I have missed my oldest and dearest friends lots!!! I hear Florida isn't too hot this time of year, right?? I sure could use a vacation!!!! :)

Random Tag
Rules are: Anything you have done has to be in bold. How much have you done?

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a Band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland or World (the one in CA)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch ...love to crochet
15. Adopted a child...one of the best things ever
16. Had food poisoning
17. Been to the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plama
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Tied a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (HAVE a Baby)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy

Finally......

A pic with Santa!!! Had my camera AND my memory card!!

Nice picture, huh?!?! It's a Black Hawk Helicopter! It just so happens that it was carry Santa this evening to the tree lighting ceremony on Base. Pretty cool, right?? It landed about 20 feet from us. Very cool! Then Santa jumped out and ran across the field to bring all the children toys and have his picture taken with each and everyone.. Did I mention this was also the first time Ethan actually sat on Santa's lap. He is always afraid in the mall to see Santa, which is fine with us since it seems SOOOOOO expensive... So all this is fabulous!!!! BUT I HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT!!! NOT ONE SINGLE PICTURE!!! Not even on a phone!!!!!!! When I realized I had my camera but no memory card, I literally thought I was going to puke!

Ethan will see Santa tomm. at the squadron children's Christmas party and I will have my camera, but not the same..

Ted keeps telling me I am fired and there is one specific person that should never talk to me again, but "she" would never have left her camera at home!!!

Picture Day

I have felt incredibly guilt for the past 5 months that I didn't take Ethan to get his pics done for his 3rd Birthday in July. It is something I could have done by myself so it's not even like I can blame it on ted not being here. I was just plain lazy!!! Well, today we went for Christmas pictures. Thinking it's been a year since any professional photo's have been taken and knowing HOW much Ethan LOVES to pose and preform I thought for sure this would be easy, and it really was. He had poses in mind and wasn't afraid to use them!

Here is a sneak peak!





















Nice, huh?!?! Don't worry though we did get a few amazing photos!!

Back on the Block

Ok, so that might have been to poke some fun at a dear friend that was going to see NKOTB. She couldn't go because she was sick, but for some reason I still think about a 30 something woman at a NKOTB concert and giggle to myself... She knows it's in good fun, so I can laugh...

Ethan and I had some early Christmas fun today. We decided while Ted was working we would start to bring in some Christmas decorations. I was sooo happy to have found an awesome advent calendar yesterday at my favorite store (Home Goods). Ethan also asked if he could have his own Christmas tree. While there is no way he could have one in his room, I thought it would be fun to buy some small ornaments for a small fake Christmas tree and have him take a new ornament out everyday from his Advent Calendar and let him decorate the tree however he wants. There also will be some special notes and maybe some chocolate in the pockets too. He kinda seemed to understand when we had a calendar for when Ted was coming home how long it would be. So I thought this would help with the million questions about when is Santa coming. Let's keep our fingers crossed. One funny from Ethan. I have a small Nativity set that is all one piece with the very important people in it. Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the 3 wise man, and angel or two and some animals. As Ethan helped me find the perfect spot for it he was referring to it as Baby Jesus' cage. We sat down and had a long talk that Baby Jesus was not in a cage!!!

Ted and I continue to have this on going debate about his new work schedule. He is on a 3-2-2-3 schedule. Which means, for example. He had to work Friday, Saturday and today, and then is off tomm and Tuesday and then works Wed and Thursday and is off Fri, Sat, and Sun. He thinks it's great. It's from 7am-7pm. I HATE it... As nice as it is having him home during the week sometimes to go shopping or to go to the movies while it is less crowded is nice, but 7-7?!?! He is convinced it's great because he ends up having more days off during the month, while working more hours. Call me old fashioned or just stuck in my ways, but I like having dinner at 5 with my husband and child and spending the evening together. Instead, Ted comes home about 8, when Ethan is beginning to get sleepy, Ted walks in the door and you would have though Ethan just drank a triple espresso. I am sure eventually I will get used to it, but not now..

I had a few conversations today with my dear friend, Karen, who is waiting, along with her husband and one of Ethan's favorite playmates Sam, ANY DAY (Yes Karen, ANYDAY!!!!!) to be matched with their new baby. During the conversation I find out there is a chance that when they should be getting "THE CALL" they might be getting a package in the mail instead!!! For some reason I am almost sick thinking about this. After the long process, the horrible wait, there isn't a person that can call and say "Congratulations, you have a -------"?!?! Now, we aren't 100% sure how they are going to find out the news, but I am sooo sad that when Ted and I do this again, we (ok, probably me) will have to stalk to the mailman, walk across and down the street to my mailbox, put in my key and hope to see a big envelope with some baby pics and info! I may have to insist that someone else gets my mail and then calls me.. I remember everything about the day Ted and I got the call. What I was wearing, what I was cooking for dinner, what cutting board and knife I was using... Ok, I maybe a bit more nuts than most, but we even have the voicemail our Social Worker left telling us to call her back. I guess in the end you make your own memories, but I want a call...

Tomorrow is a very exciting day. As I get to leave mid morning and be an adult for a few hours. A yummy lunch with Karen, some shopping and some scrapbooking time also. Yes, we will probably talk about our kids quite a bit and probably do some Christmas shopping for them, but knowing Ethan is home with Daddy and I am not, brings a small smile to my face.. I will miss them both dearly I am sure.. :)

Silly stuff

I know I haven't written anything of any substance in weeks. Anyone that reads this knows Ted is home safely, back at work and Ethan is adjusting slowly.

I found this on someone's blog and though it was hysterical:

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)Lily Uplander

2. YOUR ROCK STAR TOUR'S NAME: ("The"+Your favorite hobby/craft, fave weather element +tour)The scrapping snow tour

3. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave icecream flavor, favorite cookie)Cakebatter sugar (this one not so funny)

4. YOUR "FLY" GIRL NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)KGwa

5. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)Black Dog

6. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Ann Utica (that one's not as cool)

7. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name , first 2 letters of your first)
Gwaki

8. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The"+2nd favorite color, favorite drink)The purple Latte

9. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)Nicholas Vincent

10. NAME YOUR SPOUSE CALLS YOU: (the name of your favorite perfume, favorite candy)Baby Cowtail!??!?!? THAT IS FUNNY, he would call me that once and I could promise never again

11. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names) Jean Donald
12. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Sister Somebody I went to a catholic school and we had Sister's...

13. SPY NAME:(your favorite season/holiday, flower) Autumn Lilac

14. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you're wearing right now+ "ie" or "y")Apple Pantie

15. HIPPY NAME: (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Egg Weeping Willow?? Again not funny

Not what I used to be

57 words

My Drink Recipe

The Recipe For Kim

3 parts Tolerance 2 parts Recklessness 1 part Sass Splash of Glamour Shake vigorously

What's" the Recipe for Your Personality?

It's 12:46 and I can't sleep... SO I was reading some of my Favorite blogs and found this. I think tonight the tolerance is sooo true!!!

Things you Love

THINGS YOU LOVE
Song you love: Sweet Dreams
Word you love: Mommy
Academic subject you love: Math
Hobby you love: Digiscrapping
Type of baked good you love: Really anything with flour except fruit pies... Choc cake from Wegmans probably the fav
Type of sky you love: Bright blue with white whispy clouds
Beverage you love: any flavored iced coffee drink (White choc mocha is the Fav)
Vacation you love: San Diego
Restaurant you love: Fav. all time, since we are talking about San Diego, is Anthony's Fish Grotto.
Way of getting around that you love: umm car
Person you love: Duh!!! Ethan And Ted
Room in your home (or ideal home) you love: Ethan's Bathroom
Movie you love: The Stupids
Book you love: Song of Solomon
City you love: New York City
Future plan you love: Have another child, buy a house
Form of communication you love: Any
Junk food you love: any ice cream

Are you kidding me??

Strep throat and an ear infection already??? I am not 100% convinced until the strep test comes back... Ethan has been having allergy like symptoms for a few days now that just kept getting worse by the day. So I decided today to take him to the "after hours" clinic. (On a side note, how horrible is it that it's easier for me to take him to a walk in clinic on a Sunday than it is for him to see his Ped tomm? That's a whole other blog) Anyways, he has had allergies in the past that have turned into a sinus infection, that was my thinking... Boy, was I off... Very weird for him to have an ear infection though. The first 6 months he was home he basically had one continuously and it was hard to misdiagnose even for a first time mommy.. The non stop screaming, pulling and digging at his ear and temperature were sure signs.. Not this time.. No screaming, no pulling, and no temp... I can admit when I am wrong.. Still waiting to hear the strep results though.... :) So in the mean time he has a 7 day supply of a nasty antibiotic that upsets his tummy and makes him yucky all over.. I guess since there is light at the end of the tunnel, it should make the grumpiness easier?!?!?!



Speaking of light?? We are almost a single digit midget... I am sure those 3 words are only used together by military families. Meaning we are at 9 days tomm.... THANK GOODNESS!!! I am sure for everyone else it just flew by.. Not for me though.. It took me just about 3 months to scrap the picture above. I snapped it the morning Ted left and wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with it. I am happy with the end result though.. A good way to sum up Summer 08...

I think Ethan kinda knows something is going on, but I am sure he just can't quite understand what.. We have made our calendar for the countdown, we have colored pictures and we have picked out what kind of cake we are making for Daddy... All the important things for a 3 year old..

Having Ted home for a couple weeks is going to be a big adjustment, but I want to go on record saying I can't wait to be able to sleep in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope he isn't thinking the same thing.. I can't imagine so since he has bragged on more than one occasion that he has slept 10 hours straight through.. I swear the first few weeks I didn't get 10 hours in 3 days.... SO sleeping in here I come.. I actually told him, I would love to be able to stay up as late as I want one night and just scrap with a glass of wine and quite knowing that I don't have to get to bed because who knows how much sleep I am going to end up getting or if my day is going to start a very early 5am...

I think I will end this with some of Ethan's attitude pics. I don't know where he gets it... But......

I was tagged...

Here’s the game: you have to answer the question with ONE WORD only and then you have to tag 4 people.
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? away
3. Your hair? up
4. Your mother? kind
5. Your father? sweet
6. Your favorite thing? PC
7. Your dream last night? nonexistent
8 Your favorite drink? latte
9. Your dream/goal? happiness
10. The room you’re in? dusted
11. Your hobby? digiscrapping
12. Your fear? loneliness
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? settled
14. What you’re not? optimistic
15. Muffins? poppyseed
16. One of your wish list items? monitor
17. Where you grew up? NY
18. The last thing you did? drink
19. What are you wearing? PJ's
20. Favorite gadget? Flip
21. Your pets? sleeping
22. Your computer? old
23. Your mood? tired
24. Missing someone? YES (I am breaking the rules by adding more than I thought humanly possible)
25. Your car? Van
26. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
27. Favorite store? Old Navy
28. Like someone? Yes
29. Your favorite color? Black
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? 7/8
Tagging? Chrissi, Kelly (There aren't 4 people that read my blog and I was already tagged by the would be 3rd!!)

Time flies.........

Getting away with having a cupcake on his Birthday for Breakfast!!

It still is so hard to believe somedays that we have a child, let alone now we have a 3 year old!! Seriously, I remember fumbling to dress Ethan in his Hanbok 2 years ago.. Where does the time go???

Everyone has told me that 3 is worse than 2. I find it hard to believe, but if that is the case it's going to be a fun year!!

Ethan had a great day today, I think. He was a bit sad this morning when he woke up and I sung to him because he wanted Daddy to be here too, but I think there were enough of distractions today to keep him from being sad. Being in NY was a good idea. He had a Birthday Party here and received way too many toys!!!! He is one lucky little boy. Good thing I did a good cleaning of his room before we left!!

I think of Ethan's Birthparents often and wish they could know how loved and adored he is. He truly is the apple of his Grandparents eye and has both his aunts eating out of the palm of his hand.... I wish they could know what a smart, tenacious, stubborn, kind hearted and precious child he is. I pray all the time that they are at peace with the choice they made and that they could know that there are not enough words possible for them to know how thankful Ted and I are. Today is such a happy day for us, but must be so sad for his Birthmother. I can't imagine, all the wonder, the unanswered questions...

Vacay pics

Who says that??? Everyone in NY.. That's who...

Anways, we are having a great time. Ethan is in love.. He has a little girlfriend that he just LOVES playing with... They play so great together it's wonderful. I didn't know my child had it in him. No pushing, shoving or anything. They share and compromise and it's great. It probably does help that Elizabeth is almost 5, but hey, older woman rock I guess!!!














Sleep happiness was short lived. The only difference here is my Sleeping Beauty goes to sleep without a hassle, (Thank you Elizabeth) but when he wakes up at 2 he is as grumpy and whiney as ever... Oh well. At least I get a break during the day so I am a bit more rested for the 2am waking.. Oh yeah, and breaks during the day do I get!!! I don't think Kelly and I have spent so much time together since I lived in NY. There's no one I would rather get coffee with... Ethan is also enjoying some good Kiki time....














Helping Grandpa is one of his favorite things to do..



















Oh and look I do have a Brother!!! Uncle JJ!!!

Awwwwwww....Sleep.............

I had the best night of sleep last night I have had in 6 weeks.... We are in NY and that alone should tire you out... Ethan went to bed last night about 10:00pm and slept straight through until 5am.. Was up whining and crying a little bit because he missed his Daddy and then we fell back to sleep til just about 9:30..... It was like Heaven. I woke up for the first time not tired, felt rested.. It was fabulous...

Let's see... not having to cook for us, not having to clean, no animal issues here except dealing with the 4 dogs (but they aren't mine so I really don't have to deal with them) and someone playing with Ethan constantly, oh and sitting by the pool on the deck reading magazines when I want.. Why am I only staying 2 weeks??? Oh yeah... I will miss my friends, my sis of course, and I am having MAJOR WITHDRAWLS not being able to Scrapbook... I have soo much free time, I am dying to scrap... I keep taking the perfect pics too....

and

It is so nice to see Ethan smile again and act like himself. In a way I am sad that I wasn't enough at home for him, but I am not going to even think about that too much because then I will get sad. In a way I kinda feel like a crappy mom.... He misses his Daddy so much, would he miss me that much??? The fact that I need a break so I came to NY also makes me feel yucky.. There are no breaks in parenting.. You don't get a vacation...But here I am..... Oh yeah I wasn't going to talk about that...

Anyways, I think I made Ted a bit sad tonight when I told him I was thinking about taking Ethan to the movies while we are here. First off, its only 3 minutes away, and we could go to an early show, and get cheap tickets.. So I feel like if we go and he doens't sit through the entire movie, it's not like I am driving 30 minutes and just spent a bunch of money.. So I think we are going to go see the Robot movie... It looks cute...

The diet is going well here also. I have really only had 1 splurge... I just can't come to NY and not have MoJo's (the best coffee shop on the planet). 12 pounds gone, seems to be enough motivation to stick to it. We went shopping today and I got some sugar free creamer, and some slenda for iced tea, whole grain bread of course and lots of veggies. The fact that my parents have enough fresh cucumbers and tomatoes in their backyard helps too. I love a cuc and tomatoe sprinkled with small salt.. Yummmmmmm That has been lunch and my snack...

Off to bed now, wondering if I can sleep til 9 again?!?!?!

Skinny Dipping at Dusk

Not me of course!!! Thank goodness, right?!! It was Ethan... I don't think I have ever heard him laugh so hard and squeal like he did tonight. I'm not sure if it was the fact he didn't nap today and was exhausted, or that he was thrown in the pool (by Coco not me), or that the sun was going down, or that the water was warmer than bath water, or simply because he was naked. He didn't start out that way, but regular diapers clearly are not made for swimming. His little bottom was not little..

Kitty seems to be doing ok, I just saw him a few minutes ago for the first time since he has been home. He is taking it easy under my bed. I also think he is a little angry with me. Bedtime will be the true test.. He usually likes to come and cuddle.

It's About Time

I update. Haven't really been in the mood or had anything fun to talk about. Ethan is still having a very difficult time adjusting to life with Daddy away. This afternoon was the best period of time he has had in 5 in a half weeks. He actually took a nap in his own bed and wanted to. When he woke up he was in a great mood. Such a great mood he really wanted to go swimming. For almost 2 hours he swam in his pool by himself, laughed squealed, giggled and was the happy child I knew. Instead of reading a magazine or doing yard work I just sat and watched him. It was so refreshing to see him just plain happy again.... So I am hoping maybe we are on the up swing. Time will tell...

We are tentatively planning to leave for NY Thursday or Friday. Unless, of course there is some other sort of major drama going on.

A list of all that has happened or gone wrong since Ted left:

1. Sick dog, initially thinking a fast spreading type of bone cancer, to find out probably a cancer but no way to know for sure unless a bone biopsy is done. So now we are just buying time I guess.
2. Sick cat, initially thinking UTI, to find out later a very bad case of kidney stones that need to be surgically removed. So that means multiple trips to the Vet already and more to come.
3. Water pipe issues, no hot water, no cold water, then just running all night........
4. Car issues, gas gauge acting weird, check engine light on.
5. Back lift gate now not opening
6. I have gone through 3 hoses in the front just to water the flowers
7. Canopy in the back coming off every time there is a breeze and climbing on the ladder daily to fix (Still thinking I am going to pull that out of the concrete and throw to the curb before the summer is over.)
8. Sleeping no more than 4 hours at a clip for 5 weeks.
9. Weed whacker string thing not working so I edge with scissors now by hand
10. Lawn mower bag isn't collecting grass for some reason so I am now raking after I mow.

I think there were more small things but I can't even think now.

Almost 6 weeks done and with a trip to NY to look forward to and than Ethan's Birthday I am SURE time is going to start flying by.... Right?? Right!!!

Look at that face!!!

OK, I probably shouldn't be blogging this late, with not all the sleep I would like to have since I may become emotional.

I see that picture and my first thought is where did my baby go?? He looks soooo grown-up....

My point of this was to document some funnies that have come out of his mouth the past couple days and some serious thoughts he has that amazes me..

Funnies first. The other day him and I ventured out to Macy's to look for a new mattress. Ours is a few years old and we really need to just get a new one. Well, we had the issue with Little Kitty last week and it seems when the cat didn't go potty where he should be going he went in my room. When my sister, Kelly, was here we took my mattress and box spring off the bed so I could make sure there wasn't any kitty pee under the bed. Of course Ethan saw what we were doing and when asked I told him we were checking for kitty pee. So, we are in Macy's, he is of course out of his stroller testing the beds for me and he decides he is going to tell this lady that "mommy needs a new mattress cause hers has a hole in it (which is doesn't) and kitty peed in it.." (which didn't happen either) The women looks at me with disgust of course and moves on.

Then today there was an older gentleman in our house working our water issues. He talked a little funny because he had some dental issues. Ethan looks at him, cocks his head to the side, points his finger at him and says "Your teeth fell out because you didn't take care of them" I quickly remove him from the room and try to tell him he can't say that. Of course he doesn't understand why.... But it was funny...

Now onto the heartbreaking comments. After Kelly and Sammy left he looked at me at one point and said "mommy everyone leaves me" of course I cry...

Then last night before bed he pulls me close and says "mommy, am I ever going to see my Daddy again?" Of course I reassure him and quickly exit the room to cry...

Today him and I were outside playing with chalk and a plane flew over and Ethan started jumping up and down screaming at the plane. He said Daddy fixed that plane. I agree and then he says "now that it's fixed Daddy is coming home" NO honey Daddy has a lot more planes to fix." Like a 106 days worth of planes to fix... (Not that I am counting or anything)

His reasoning amazes me, his vocabulary amazes me, and his thought process amazes me... Most importantly I am constantly amazed that he is my son....

Always a Light at the End of the Tunnel

It's been a very difficult 1st week with Ted being gone. Ethan just misses him more than I can say. His sleep is all messed up and throughout the day when he is quiet and thinking he starts to cry or act out because he misses his Daddy. Nothing more breaks your heart than watching your child hurt.

I have done my best though, keeping us busy. The TDY curse does continue. I had to take Little Kitty to the Vet the other day to find out he has a severe kidney infection. Probably the beginning of things to come, but hopefully for now he will be ok. Still dealing with Lily's issues. I can see everyday she limps more and sleeps more. I am just trying to enjoy quiet time with her when I have it...

My sister, Aunt Kiki, and her "boyfriend" Sammy came down for the weekend and did a great job at entertaining Ethan. Sammy did a great job helping me catch up on a few things and put together a gift for Ted.

We had major water issues in the house for a few days. The faucets in the shower wouldn't stop leaking. Not a dribble but one was on full force, sucking up all the hot water, so we went today with no hot water until 8:00pm tonight.

I am constantly reminding myself that everything could be much worse, so when I looked out my kitchen window this evening while making dinner I saw a beautiful rainbow. I snagged Ethan quick to take him outside. He first asked if it was real, then could he touch it, then what did it taste like and lastly could Daddy see it. I promised him Daddy would see it. So here it is. xoxo

120 Days and Counting

120 days, 16 weeks, 4 months..... (I sound like my favorite Rent song, Seasons of Love) And you know what??? We can't even start counting yet!!!! We can't start counting down days until the 18th... The 18th is like Day 1 or Day 120 how ever you look at it.

Today is like the longest day of my Life. Well, actually no March 8th 2006 was the longest day. But, anyways it a rainy cold yucky day and we are just hanging out waiting to hear from Ted. I talked to him about midnight last night before he was leaving the country and I don't expect to hear from him until the weekend.

Ethan really misses Daddy, we have talked about him ALL day.... I know it'll get easier as time goes by and as we get into a schedule, but today just really stinks!!!!!

TDY Curse

It seems in Military life there is such a thing as a TDY Curse. With the definition being "anything that could possibly go wrong while someone is deployed will go wrong"

You think, broken dryer (which I was completely ready for, with the new one Ted would never let me buy ALL picked out) the computer going nuts (fine again, the new MAC already picked out) But, I never excepted yesterday to happen 2 days before he has to leave.

We had to take Lily to the Vet since she has been limping for a few days now and it wasn't getting any better. Lily is not a big fan of the Vet, once you pull up she knows where she is and soon as she sees the Vet she shows her pearly whites. So we thought a good idea for Ted to take her just to make sure everything is ok. Mind you she is around 11 years old, so the thought of just some bone problems where in the back of my mind. Never in a million years did I think Ted was going to call me and tell me she has Bone Cancer. The Vet wants to see her back in a couple weeks to confirm for sure. I guess there is a very small itsy bitsy small chance that it's just osteoporosis. Neither one of us are counting on that.

So Ted leaves with 4 animals at home and comes back to 3. Again, never in a million years did I think I would be the one that would have to do this. Never did I think I would have to do this alone!!! Lily and Ted have that special connection. He is just heart broken and sick about it..

So I think by that already happening 2 days before he leaves, and putting quite the downer on our time together, and me having to take Lily to her last Vet Appt in a couple weeks, we should be exempt from the TDY Curse! I will even chant if I have to!!

A Time Machine??

Does anyone have a Time Machine? Can we fast forward about 16 weeks??? Ted leaves in 3 days and I just want it to be over. Not Ted leaving, but him being gone.

Someone very dear to me has a blog also, and said that she can write what she wants on it because it's HER blog and free therapy. So I have a feeling for the next few weeks, until we get into a new routine, I am going to be whining quite a bit on here.

I think Ethan is in a good place. I found this great book at B&N "When Daddy Travels" and Ted has been reading it to Ethan everyday. He keeps saying Daddy is going to the desert, it's very hot, lots of sand and lots of camels. I don't think he really understands Daddy is sleeping there, but we'll see.

9 Days and Counting

When I started this blog thing, I always said I wouldn't be one of those people that went weeks in between posting. Well, I am one of those people. I guess I have just been grumpy and sad lately. Ted went back to work this week so that means it's getting closer to him leaving. FOr the longest time I kept telling myself I was ok with it I just felt horrible for what Ethan was going to go through. I can understand where Ted is, what he is doing, I have a sense of time. Ethan on the other hand doesn't and it going to be confused. Well, it actually hit me that I am sad for me. I am going to miss him!!! I know it's just 4 months and I know it could be worse, but still... 4 months is 4 months!

We had tons of fun while Ted was off... Since going to the circus we have gone to the Aquarium, to see the Backyardigans Live Show and to Sesame Place. Of course Ethan loved everything!!!! I am glad we have lots planned for the summer to keep ourselves busy.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Of course I am talking about the Circus. Last week we took Ethan to his first circus. It was a 10:30 show that latest roughly 2 hours. The first hour went by flawless. A bag of cotton candy before lunch would make any kid happy.... I think Ted's heart did skip a beat when we ordered just the bag of cotton candy that came in the cute hat Ethan is modeling and the cashier said "$12.00 please" We both looked at her and said excuse me?? But, it was well worth every cent since Ethan just loved it. He say very quietly and enjoyed every last bite. So much so, that Mommy wasn't even allowed to have very much. My treat was a $12.00 sno cone and that wasn't even the most expensive one.

I could go one about the seating issue, but why get my blood pressure up again. We were supposed to be in Section 301A. Well, apparently it was hiding. At first we thought we were in the right seats, it was 301 though. Then we moved to what we thought was the 301A section, but we were in 302. Every seat was better than the first. So on our third and final move we stayed in 302, we just weren't in Row 1. I shouldn't complain to much though, cause even where we ended up was perfect.

The show itself was awesome. It really is amazing how they pull it off. They are constantly changing the set and doing a 100 things all at the same time. It is just perfect keeping a 2 year olds attention to a couple 30 somethings attention.

On to the Elephants.....

Oh my... First off I could have a whole

blog on this subject alone, but don't think very many people would read it. So elephants are big animals, right?? Everything they do is BIG!!!! Did you know they have people on the side ready with this enormous shovels and trash cans ready to run out and clean up after the elephants. They do it rather quickly and it looks like they are very good and what they do. They were so good this one gentleman was...... ummmmm...... watching this one particular elephant very closely and knew when it was getting ready to go and it ran over to it and put the shovel around the elephants bottom to "catch" everything before it even hit the ground... Ted and I were soo impressed..... I know sick.... It's funny these days what we find funny and entertaining....

So after the intermission Ethan was starting to get tired (of all days that day he wakes up at 6:00am) and was asking when we were going home. So with permission to finish his cotton candy that bought us til the end of the show. We were in the car for maybe 5 minutes, not even back on the highway and I turn around to this:

If you look closely you can still see the residue of cotton candy on his cheek. He slept for an hour on the way home and probably would have slept longer if we didn't have to stop somewhere...

Spring has Sprung

I think Spring is here. It's kinda bittersweet though. Ted was off this whole week, which means his time to leave is getting closer. We had lots of fun together and I know I am nuts but we are trying to crame everything we would have done all summer into the next few weeks. Nothing I love more than being productive and "moving with a purpose".

Ethan has proven yet again he is all boy. We have always had these few holes on the side of the back porch. I think the dogs burried something there years ago and they are still looking for it. Anyways, Ethan and Ted were outside playing/cleaning and Ethan knocked on the door to ask me if I would fill up his watering can. I did so. He very proudly poured the water into one of the holes. After being asked numerous time to fill up his watering can I filled up a bucket and showed him how to fill up his jug himself. Within a couple minutes, we had a damn, a swimming pool, and we were stirring mud. He was so proud of his creations and was his mommy and daddy, amazed everyday with his imagination...

Yesterday, we decided to go to the Children's Musuem and had a wonderful time. Ethan LOVED it!! I think he would have stayed in the kitchen bring us lunch and dinner for a few hours if he could. I thought the bubble making station was pretty cool myself.

The kitties had a big day yesterday, they had real kitty food for the first time. Its amazing how quickly they grow and new things they do everyday.

Teds Favorite:

Mommy and BoBo laying together

And Ethan thinking life couldn't be much better:

Do I Need To Say More??

Just Like Grandpa

So it seems we may have turned the corner with long car rides, but not bedtime!!!!!!

While in NY there is always so much going on and Ethan almost always gets to stay up late. With this trip we were hesitate about the sleep issue. Ethan informed us that he would be climbing out of the crib that Grandma and Grandpa had there for him and that the pack-n-play is for babies. So Aunt Kiki was able to get this great red race car bed. Downside.... no rails to keep the little monkey in it..

All the worrying was for nothing... By the time he got to bed he was so exhausted I don't think he would have been able to get himself up and out of that bed if he was able to swim in a pool of chocolate sauce. And.... He slept through the night!!!!! Didn't get up once. Woke up at his usual time... He was a little grumpy some days because he wasn't going to sleep til 10 and still getting up at 7 or 8, but still.... He slept through the night!!

Last night we of course go through the 30 minute routine of getting him to go to sleep. Finally there is silence. Then he calls for Daddy as soon as we sit down to watch AI. Ted goes in there and Ethan tells him he got out of his bed to go get a toy. Ok... Go to sleep now.. 5 minutes later he calls Ted back in... He is wearing the orange hard hat...... Ok... Go to sleep now... 5 minutes after that he calls Ted back in. Ethan is laughing to himself and tells Ted to "look at me I am like Grandpa" Grandpa of course has a moustache. It was a little warning sticker on his hard hat that he peeled off and decided to use as a moustache.

Ted is away for a couple of days so I get to deal with the night time routine all by myself tonight. I guess this will be good practice for when Ted is really gone.... Wish me Luck!!

Have We Turned a Corner??

Last weekend the 3 of us went to NY to visit my parents for a few days. It's a 5 hour trip usually. We've made it in 4.5 hours before and 8 hours before. Obviously the traffic plays a role and now Ethan plays a role. I'm not sure if he is just growing up and if he just had a few good days, but the drive up and back was almost enjoyable. As enjoyable as sitting in the car can be. Ethan of course talked but spent a bunch of the time just being cute. He was watching video's, singing songs, and eating snacks he usually doesn't have. The attached video wasn't from the trip to NY, but basically that is how he was. That will certainly make my summer a tad more enjoyable with trips to NY and Butler, PA planned.

Our First Little Town

I am not sure why this is such a big deal to me. I guess it just reminds me that my baby isn't going to stay a baby for ever. I mean he is a very active little boy... I know this.. However, watching him today on the ground playing with his new little spiders brought a tear to my eye.

We had to go to the BX to get diapers and wipes and a couple other things. AS with each trip to a store Ethan knows that being a good boy while mommy shops equals some little new toy for him in the end. At Walmart and Target it is almost always a new Monster Truck. That is when they have one that he doesn't already have. The BX doesn't carry Monster Trucks or Hot Wheels (The nerve of them) so it usually is just some generic car or something. Today he saw this little package of bugs and asked if he could have those. First, they were only 99 cents, and second, something new and different. He got a quick yes from me!!! As soon as we came home we opened them and he took them around the house to "show them around" he said. Then he laid in the entryway and made "their town" for them. He stayed there for just about an hour talking to them, moving them around and just playing... Sure he plays with a million other things, but that is always loud busy play. With this he just say there and quietly played..

The baby kitties are doing fine. We still see them 100 times a day, but at least now when we see them they are almost always doing something. All of them have opened their eyes and seem to being doing very well. Last night we put a blanket down and took them out of their box so they

could have some room to move around. I guess they are used to being very close to each other because they just wanted to crawl on each other and stay. All 4 are there. Pita Mommy seems to be doing great also. I think she is enjoying the nice warm garage and all the love and attention. Even I will admit that I will be sad to see ALL of them go!!!!! There is conversation in the house about how cute the orange one is. Yes, it is very cute and I have always wanted an orange kitty. However, now is not the time or place!!

Some Forgotten Footage!

Ethan loves to watch videos of himself. We were going through them and I came across this one in particular I had to share!!!

Twinkle Twinkle

A Christmas Present that gets used a lot!!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa

There is nothing that excites Ethan more than receiving his own mail.... We had a "situation" a
few weeks ago when someone in the house received a big envelope from Grandma and Grandpa. Ethan insisted that there had to be something in there for him.. After opening the package up and seeing it was filled with Aunt Coco's mail and nothing for Ethan he proceeded to throw himself on the floor and have a 20 minute tantrum. (Grandma and Grandpa have been briefed so that will not happen again) The mailman came while Ethan was napping (well, he was in his room with the door shut and was quiet) so when he woke up he was very excited to hear there was a package waiting for him. He was able to tell this time it was for him because there was an "E" on the front of the box and Ethan starts with an "E" I decided to record the whole event, but I seem to be having some technical difficulties getting them to upload here. I think the files are just to large. After all, it took us an hour to open the box. We have to take one thing out at a time, inspect it and talk about it before we are able to move on to the next item.... Below is the clip before we opened the box and then a couple of the shorter ones. The good ones are too long to put on here. Sorry!!!






Just a quick side note. It seems the chalk eggs are the favorite. He carries them around everywhere and talks to them like they are chicks hatching from the eggs.

Obsession

Is it time yet for the baby kitties to go????? The amount of time we spend talking about these cats is beginning to be soooo annoying... It has even gone as far as all of us having new names. I

am Mommy Pita, we have Daddy Pita and Coco Pita and even baby Ethan Pita. We check on them about 200 times a day. We talk about them when we aren't checking on them, we purr and meow like them. 6 weeks will not come soon enough.. On a side note though, they all seem to be doing fine. They have grown and all are eating a lot!!! Poor, poor Pita. Mom is doing well also. She doesn't mind us watching her and the babies, she even lets us pick up the babies to clean up their bed.

We went to an Easter picnic and Easter Egg Hunt yesterday and Ethan had a great time. He enjoyed running around looking for eggs, and then realized they had candy in them too... Life can't get much better.

4 baby kitties + 1 mommy kitty = NO SLEEP

And I thought I would have nothing interesting to blog about!! Boy, was I mistaken... So a little history before I get to the good story.

Living on a Military Installation, cats are always left behind when a family moves. Lately, there have been many around our block.

Mainly because we live on a corner and they live in the drain thingy in the ground. Well, there was this one very tiny, very very tiny, very friendly kitty that would come up to our door. Well, one un named person, temporarily staying with us, wanted to give little kitty some food. Not a problem. Well..... DUH!!!! When you feed one kitty they ALL come. Some how little kitty, who at this time we were calling Petey, began to sleep in the garage. There were some extremely cold nights and we didn't think she would make it being so tiny left outside. So then "it" had it's own food bowl in the garage, and then it's own place to go potty. Well, Petey began to flourish. I was brave one day and picked "it" up to make sure Petey was a fitting name. Not the case, Petey turned into PITA. Pita began to get really really healthy. So healthy I began to think she was going to be a mommy. No one, but my trusted friend agreed with me. The other day I picked PITA up again and, oh my, could feel she was going to be a mommy. You could feel the little kitties inside kicking and moving. Having the kitties in our garage was NOT an option!!!! IT really was NOT an option!!! A Doctor's Appt. was made for tonight at 7pm for her to get checked out...

Now onto the good stuff!!!

I had a dental appt. yesterday and planned on doing some shopping and having some ALONE time when I was finished since Ted was home with Ethan. Dental appt went well, and I was off to shop.. (Maybe looking for some UGGS on sale) I receive a picture on my cell phone from Ted showing me what he thought was a mouse that our little Mommy Hunter Pita had taken care of. After all, living on our garage that is the least she could do, right??? Well, after looking at the pic and talking to Ted I realized that was NOT a mouse. PITA was having babies!!!!!! I was 45 minutes away, the un named person was 45 minutes away and Ted was home with Ethan and had NO experience with any kind of labor. A bit anxious, to say the least!

THANK GOODNESS for our GREAT, neighbors across the street. They have a new born themselves and she works at a vet clinic, so Ted goes across the street to see what he should do... She very quickly gets baby Wyatt dressed, and marches over with heating pads, blankets and a crate. Talk about being prepared. Well, wouldn't you know PITA decides to have her babies in a great big trash bag filled with clothes to go to The Goodwill. Our Saint of a neighbor, basically brings one of the kitties back to life. It was pushed off to the side and was very cold and stiff. When everything was said and done PITA had 5 kittens, with only 1 not making it. That was the first one born Ted had mistaken for a mouse.

As the night progressed on, it was obvious that the little gray kitty that was found away from Momma was having some trouble eating. After a trip to PetsMart, some kitty formula and a bottle bought, we thought we would be ok. Baby kitty had other plans and still didn't want to eat... So we are off to the 24 hour animal ER! (This is at 11pm with a 45 minutes drive) Baby kitty was making some progress with a medicine dropper by the time we got there. After being quickly checked out and given some sugar water, baby kitty began sucking on the Vet's finger. We were sent home with direction on what to do. The un named animal lover, had set her alarm for every 2 hours to go feed baby kitty and make sure the heating pad was on. Well.... at some point baby kitty decided mommy milk was MUCH better than what we were trying to give her and latched on!!!!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!

So after 6 hours of sleep, my alone time cut short yesterday, a hurting mouth this morning and a 2 year old that thinks he just won the Jackpot because there are baby kitties in the garage, PITA has a whole new meaning.. Pain In The A$$

When Ethan first came home (2 years ago last Saturday, can you believe it??) I was obsessed with his little, or not so little toes. His fingernails were growing like weeds, but I think he was home for a few months before I had to trim his toenails. I would look at them everyday to see if they had grown. It was easy to look at them since he refused to wear any type of shoe. He came home in March and in Jersey it was still chilly. I remember getting so many looks, when we went out, and they could have been for the obvious reason (I had the cutest kid in the world with me) or because it was still cold and he had NOTHING on his feet.. He wouldn't even keep socks on.

We have already purchased his first pair of crocs for this season. Black and yellow Batman ones. He had 3 pairs last season and we'll see how many he needs this year. Whenever we go out he wants to wear his crocs, no matter what he has on or where we are going.

I came across the pic in the above LO and I had to scrap it and then write about it... He still has the cutest little piggies I have ever seen...

Making Dinner at Midnight

Nope, not me!!!!

That would be Ethan!

Apparently he only received half the memo.. He knows mommy likes to stay up late after everyone has gone off to bed. Apparently, he likes to stay up late also, and cook dinner in his little play kitchen in his room. However, when mommy stays up late a little extra sleep is always nice in the morning. I am such a night person and love sleeping in.. Sleeping in is sleeping til 8 by the way. Last night was a very funny night in our house. It went something like this:

7:00pm Bath
8:00pm Daddy turns off the TV and reads a few books to Ethan
8:15pm Ethan is in bed
8:15-9:00pm He calls us 100 times for a hug, to take out the monsters, or to cover up his toe
9:00pm Birthday planning - Ethans calls mommy and daddy in his room because "he has an idea" his birthday is coming soon and he wanted to talk about what presents he might get and he wants a Monster Truck Cake
10:00pm I notice his light is on (Certainly, not how we left it)

Now the fun really begins. Ted walks in Ethan's room and quickly calls me to come see the funny picture. Ethan is in his bed with about 10 different books, his doctor toys and his animal rescue cage with his Baby Jaguars stuffed in it. Apparently in that hour he hopped out of bed and continued to play very quietly (WHY CAN"T HE DO THIS DURING THE DAY???) After about 20 minutes of us laughing and cleaning up his room we got him back into bed.

10:20pm Ted goes to bed
As I am walking done the hallway I see the light on again. Open up the door and find my sweet son "in his kitchen" I ask him "what are you doing" He tells me he is making dinner and he has to do his job... He also just got back from the grocery store and "it was ridiculous there" I spend another 20 minutes trying to convince him he really needs to go to sleep. At one point he was sitting in his bed and I told him he needed to close his eyes and go to bed. He says "mommy, I am in bed, you want Ethan to sleep" Are you kidding me??? I am being corrected for not being literal by my 2.5 year old!

Midnight Ethan calls me in to cover him up and turn off his light.

7:30am Rise and Shine

Not a very fun morning cause my little night owl was soooo tired all morning. At one point we were sitting on the couch together at 11:00 and he could hardly keep his eyes open... So hopefully he has corrected this little problem all on his own. He laid down at noon for his nap and I will be waking him very soon... Maybe he will actually be tired at a decent hour that 2 year olds should be tired and going to sleep? Let's hope so!

A Trip to the Grocery Store

Anyone who knows me knows that I could live a very happy life never going to the grocery store again... So after Sunday making the big run, I needed a couple days to recover. Lately, Ethan has been enjoying a nice healthy smoothie for breakfast. SO this morning we got up and decided to go to a nicer market other than the Commissary on base. About a 30 minute trip. We get there and spend 30 minutes just looking at produce alone. We talk about colors of fruit and if something tastes like candy or not (most importantly cotton candy) and fill up our cart. For some reason every store here in NJ requires you to have some sort of "member card" for extra savings. So, luckily, before I get to the register I dig through my purse for this "special member card", I find it, but in the mean time I realize I don't have my debit card. So I look and look and guess what?? It's on the microwave at home where I left it after coming back from the Commissary on Sunday. I quickly realize we need to leave. AS cute as I think Ethan is I didn't think they were going to let me by on his charm and good looks alone. Try explaining to a 2.5 year old why we have to leave the red strawberries and blue blueberries behind. Surprisingly, that was not the topic of conversation for the rest of the day.. Thank Goodness!! SO of we go tomorrow again to get some fruit.

The whole outing wasn't a bust though. We were able to get some (good chicken, as Ethan calls it) and the best sweet tea around for lunch at Chick-fil-a....

Everyone else does it

Everyone I know Blogs!!! Just about everyone..... I have been asked why don't I?? What else do I have to talk about than my days spent with Ethan... After thinking about it, this summer with a 3 year old may provide some funny entertaining stories... So why not blog!!!