Seriously

Picture this:

 It was very quiet at 2:30 in the afternoon. B, Baby K and I are sitting enjoying a nice snack at Chick-Fil-A. (I told B I would take her to the park today, but it seemed a little breezy to have Baby K out, so Chick-Fil-A was a compromise.). Only one other little girl and B are playing in the play area. Soon, another mom shows up with her 2 little boys - very cute. They join B in the play area because by now the little girl is gone. So the three of them are playing.... 

AND THEN.... 

OUT OF NOWHERE.... 

COME 3 MONSTERS!

I see this van pull up, 2 boys about the age of 8 and 5 emerge, running, pushing, screaming, coughing (not just coughing - but that hacking cough that makes your whole body cringe when you hear it) and barreling into the restaurant. I see the mom pull a toddler out of the van and come straggling in. I am thinking to myself that this will not be good. The two older boys are inside the play area already (the area is sectioned off with sound proof glass - so you can't hear what is really going on in there) taking their shoes and socks off - ewww. Nasty. You don't know what kind of germs are in there. ewww. Anyway, the mom follows her toddler to the play area and they enter. I see the toddler walk right up to B - who is minding her own business and playing with one of the cute boys - and smack her. SMACK HER! At first I thought, well maybe the mom saw what was going on because she was sitting right there, maybe she will reprimand him. NOPE! She couldn't reprimand him because she was too busy trying to dodge the shoes being THROWN - not playfully either, I mean THROWN full force, hard (for a 5 year old) - at her by her middle child. So, as my mind is racing, I am trying to decide what to do. (This is all within a matter of 2 minutes MAX.)

AND THEN.... 

IT HAPPENS AGAIN.

So, I immediately jump up, out of my seat, and say - in a very LOUD voice - on my way into the play area (to the other mom of the 2 cute boys) "ARE YOU SERIOUS? THEY HAVE BEEN IN THERE 30 SECONDS AND ARE BEATING UP ON MY KID!" She jumps up and follows me in there. B is just standing there, shocked that this kid is smacking her and getting away with it. I tell her to get her shoes and come on, we were leaving, she grabs the shoes, the toddler chases her and raises his hand again to smack her, she dodges him, and I look at the mom - who is being screamed at, and tortured - by the oldest - and say "Can't you control your kids?" She just looked at me - that dumbfounded look.  GRRRRR! So, we left. And the mom with the 2 cute boys left too. The whole time we were shaking our heads.

As we were leaving, I glance back into the play area, the oldest boy is climbing on the poles of the play gym (which you aren't supposed to do), his feet pressed up against the glass. ewww.

Poor B. 

What is WRONG with people? Seriously? COME ON! 

Giggles!

I couldn't wait until tomorrow to post this! It's too cute!

Baby K's first giggles!

The truth is...

There's a reason for no updates in awhile. The truth is there hasn't been that much going on.  The weather was pretty crappy all week. And then Friday came and I took B to the park.

Saturday was pretty nasty, so we just went to dance and then Walmart. We came home and I was totally bored, so I moved the furniture in B's room. I want to paint/stencil her name on one wall and I didn't like where the furniture sat - it didn't go with where I want to paint - so I moved it. Plus, now I can buy a trundle for under her bed and not have to move any furniture when we pull it out. So this week, that will be my project - I have to do Baby K's room too. 

B's project this week will be to make Easter cards for her Great-Grandparents so that I can get their Easter pictures in the mail. They turned out so cute!

Like I said, not much going on, but here are a few pictures and videos from last week.

This is what happens when I get in the shower and Craig is left in charge. Poor Baby K!

Listen close to B.

And one more.

Priceless

Tickets: $66.00

Parking: $18.00

Food (3 pretzel dogs and 3 sodas): $37.00

Magic Spinny/Turny thing (that will get caught in your hair if you get too close): $18.00

Cotton Candy: $12.00

Clown nose (that we just couldn't leave without - and purchased as we were LEAVING): $5.00

Seeing B sit still for more than a minute: PRICELESS!

All I have to say is: We didn't get up until 9:30 this morning!

We (Craig, B and I) had a great time at the circus yesterday. It was our day out, just the three of us, and wasn't that smart of us to leave Baby K with Mimi and Papa? Next year, we are taking the whole clan - including Mimi and Papa (if they want to go).

Last year we traveled to Baltimore to see the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. It was a little scary - to me - and very dirty (Baltimore was scary and dirty - not the circus). I decided to buy tickets at the Verizon Center in DC this year, which was better BUT definitely more crowded.

So if you ask B what her favorite part was she will say

If you ask me what I thought, I would say that this part was just weird:

Look, I have my very own clown!

And you can't forget the TIGERS!

What a great day - even if we were exhausted!

No X's for her

Just a quick update on my Baby K, I have to make it quick because we have a lot to do today!

B has dance at 10, and then we have to get ready because Craig and I are taking just B to the CIRCUS today. Mimi and Papa get to babysit for Baby K.

To back track real quick - B has had some issues with listening again, so to remind her and punish if she didn't listen, we put a behavior chart on the fridge. If she were to get 5 X's in the boxes (there were 5 boxes) before the day of the circus, we wouldn't go. And to make it interesting for her we started putting smiley faces on the chart at the end of the day if she had a good day. So to sum it up - NO X's for her AND all smiles!

So lets see, Baby K weighs in at 11 lbs and 1.5 oz. She is 22.75 in long, she is in the 75th percentile. As compared to B (when B was that little) Baby K is 2 lbs heavier and 2 in longer! As compared to B now, Baby K is 1/3 her size. :-)

So anyway, it was a good visit. Next visit is at 4 months as long as she stays healthy.

Tune in tomorrow for pictures from the CIRCUS! (I think we are just as excited as B.)

"Soccer Mom", What? (Is this better Kim?)

This week has gotten away from me. Last post was Monday and it's already Thursday night. Hmmm. 

So, here's the low down on the highlights of our week:

Monday: I tried a new recipe for dinner - I was craving stuffed peppers, but didn't have the peppers. So, I made small meatballs (with rice in them) poured tomato soup over them and stuck them in the oven for a little bit. I didn't follow all the directions and think that is why they turned out a little dry (I took the foil off too early). Next time I will try a little more sauce and keep them covered. We'll see how that goes.

Tuesday: It was St. Patrick's day. I totally forgot about it. Really. Craig called around lunch time and asked if we could find a sitter for the kids so we could meet some friends for dinner. I didn't get it until Craig asked if I had anything green to wear - OH! That's right, it's St. Patty's day! DUH! We had a good time. We were home before midnight - LOL. I guess that's what happens as you get older.

Wednesday: Craig found an old car across the bridge. (He's gotten rid of all the one's he had, so it's time for a new one.) So he picked us up after work and we went over to see it. It turned out to have too much "cancer" so we left it and headed to Cracker Barrel for some dinner. I love that place. We were there for Valentine's Day and had left some toys we purchased on the table in the store. (I should say, CRAIG left the bag, and we didn't realize it until we got home.) We called to see if it was still there - it was, and they said they would hold it until we came back. Needless to say - it wasn't there on Wednesday - but they were very nice, gave us the benefit of doubt, and gave us the toys we purchased anyway. We also came home with the big "Checkers" game. Trying to teach a 4 year old how to play is very amusing.

Thursday: The highlight of our day was visiting Mimi and Papa while we ate our lunch. We had to make a stop at Sam's Club for diapers and formula for Baby K and after, we headed to the office for a quick visit. It was so yucky today, we just headed home afterwards.

Tomorrow is Baby K's 2 month (2 months? where did that go?) visit with the Doctor. I am curious to see how much weight she's gained. She is growing so fast. She can already hold her head up and is working on rolling over. I had a few moments tonight to catch a few ooo's and aaaah's.

Oh - and I guess I am officially a "soccer mom" - the definition from Wikipedia says: The phrase soccer mom broadly refers to a middle-class suburban woman who spends a significant amount of her time transporting her school-age children to activities (such as soccer practice and music lessons). - I know B is almost school age, and she only goes to dance right now, but I am getting ready! This is what is on the back window of my Pacifica!

I will post tomorrow - as long as I get a chance - the update on my sweet baby girl.

Stay tuned!

Into the mind of a 4 year old

Last night, on our ride to dinner, B was insisting she had to go potty. In my attempt to distract her for just a few minutes, here is our conversation from last night's car ride:

Mommy (to B): What is your favorite color?

B: pink and purple

Mommy (to B): What is mommy's favorite color?

B: pink and red 

Mommy (to B): What is daddy's favorite color?

B: he likes ALL the colors (I looked at Craig - this would have been his answer - as he tells us he has no favorites)

Mommy (to B): What is your favorite food?

B: hot dogs and pizza

Mommy (to B): What is mommy's favorite food?

B: macaroni and cheese (Not quite - but it was a cute answer.)

Mommy (to B): What is daddy's favorite food? (This was a loaded question that I realized AFTER the fact.)

B: daddy likes all food! look at his belly. (She had us cracking up.)

Mommy (to B): What is your favorite car? 

B: your old red car mommy. 

Mommy (to B): You don't like this car?

B: yes. because of the T.V.

Mommy (to B): What is daddy's favorite car?

B: FITY FI CHEVY! (Again, she had us smiling.)

It was fun to look into the mind of my 4 year old. I have to do that more often.

We are still battling colds on this end... I just wish the weather would make up its mind.

It's supposed to be nice Tuesday through Friday - sunny and warmer weather. Maybe if these kids get over their colds we can head back outside sometime this week.

I have some projects in mind for B this week. That should keep us busy. 

It's Late

It's quiet here... It should be - it's 10:45 at night. Baby K has issues with going to bed before 11 p.m. so I am sitting here waiting for her to fall asleep. 

Picture taking went well. We arrived ahead of schedule, fed the baby, changed our clothes and made it through a few photos before Baby K became irritated and wanted to fall asleep. I think it was for the best though because the more pictures they take the more money I spend. I can't wait to get them back! I realized I have no pictures of Baby K up in my house.

Yesterday was a good day too. I spent the morning cleaning - really - this was probably because we got a new/used sofa on Tuesday night. I finally got around to dusting my furniture and mopping my floors. I am sure I missed a few spots - but for the most part it looks and feels great. After that, my family accompanied me to the grocery store to get those few necessities.

Today was a busy day and tomorrow I have no plans and I am so looking forward to it. The girls and I have come down with colds or allergies - but considering Baby K is too young for that... it's probably a cold. I have told B that in order for her to go to Mimi's house she has to rest and get better. Hopefully that will keep her low key tomorrow - but probably not.

7 Weeks?

My Baby K is 7 weeks old today. Seriously, I have no idea where the time went and I can't believe she's grown so much. Before I know it, she will be as big as B.

Here's what's been going on the last few days.

We - B, Baby K, and I - went shopping with Aunt Jess, and cousins Jordan and Emily on Sunday while the boys - Craig, Kevin and Bubba - went off to play at Bubby's. When we got back, B and Jordan had fun blowing bubbles while Baby K and Baby Emily chilled on the porch. (I thought I had more pictures - but I must have been distracted with the 2 year old and 4 year old spilling bubbles on my porch.)

Yesterday I washed 9 loads of laundry. 9 LOADS! Where in the world does 9 loads of laundry come from? It comes from B and Baby K having so many outfits that I only have to do their laundry once every two weeks. I also did towels, sheets and rugs. And then when I was done with that, I also lined the shelves in my kitchen cabinets. Exciting huh?

Today, we will head to the mall to have our Easter pictures taken. This should be interesting. I think I have timed it right though. We should arrive at the mall around noon, where I will feed Baby K. I will then attempt to change B, burp Baby K and then change her before pictures at 1 p.m. We are using JcPenney's this time. I hope they are little more creative than Sears. We'll see.

All Smiles!

It turned out to be a BEAUTIFUL day today. It was a little overcast, but it was bright out ... and 70. It was perfect. A much needed change from the cold, dreary days we've had. Here's a picture from just a few days ago. (Craig made the bigger of the two angels.)

Baby K had a trip to the doctor yesterday. Her blocked tear duct turned into something that looked like a puffy black eye. We weren't sure if it was conjunctivitis or periorbital cellulitis. It looks better than it did, so ... we will continue with the ointment and hold off on the antibiotic.  

Craig got a chance to clean my car today! Whew - it needed it. 

B rode her bike, her scooter, tried to talk daddy into letting her bring out her Barbie Jeep (that didn't happen) and even got to throw on her roller skates. 

Baby K even enjoyed the weather. Look all smiles!

So, right now it's about 4:30 p.m. and we will be getting ready (as soon as I'm done with this post) to head to dinner with some of Craig's cousins who are here from Florida.

Don't have much else going on - but tomorrow is supposed to be just as nice as today. 

Can I handle it?

Sometimes I feel like I am a horrible mom. 

Since Tuesday night, I have felt so discouraged and spent. I was thinking it might have been "cabin fever" since I had been home since Saturday. But after going out yesterday - just to get some fresh air - I don't feel any better. Baby K cried - like she always does - the whole car ride. And B kept asking if she could watch the TV (which I had turned off b/c I couldn't handle the noise). We made it to the grocery store - where the crying stopped. But as soon as we were locked back in the car to head home - guess what - the crying started again. I have no idea what it is that makes her cry in the car.

These days, I feel like all I do is yell at B. From the minute we wake up - to the minute she goes to bed. And with the new rule in effect - listen the first time - I am constantly getting dirty looks from her. It's like she's a teenager! 

This morning, she has tested me to the max. So, at the moment, and until lunch time, she is confined to her room. After lunch, she is going down for a nap. I can't wait.

It is so hard to be a stay at home mom. Much harder than I thought. I envisioned my time home doing crafts, playing with the baby, cooking, cleaning, etc. I'm not accomplishing anything. I told Craig last night that I am going to sit down and make a schedule. I need something - because what I am doing just isn't it.

And then... I sit here wallowing in my self pity and think about my old high school friend who had to deliver her first child 14 weeks early. She will be spending the next 3 months praying her baby makes it, and VISITING her baby in the NICU. VISITING - me, I've got both my beautiful, healthy babies here with me. What am I whining about? 

I Don't have a Title today.

It's been a few days... More than I expected. In fact, I sat down and wrote a post on Sunday afternoon - but it didn't get published because I got distracted with the kids. I sat down on Monday intending to post Sunday's post and a new post for Monday - but that didn't get published for the same reason stated above. 

So, I figure it's silly now to publish all those posts, and I will just summarize them in this one.

It snowed on Monday - I got to listen to "Can we go outside now?" only about 1000 times. We headed out around 3:30 in the afternoon. I shoveled the driveway while B rolled around in the snow. Here are some pictures from that day:

This is B at about 10 AM waiting to go outside. At one point she was fully dressed (snow pants and all) and telling me she wasn't going to get hot - 30 minutes later she looked like this again. 

This is B waiting for me to get dressed. She was so excited. 

And here we are finally outside.

Baby K didn't do much but sleep through the whole thing.

So, now it's Wednesday. Thank goodness - because I am cranky. It's been a crazy week. I feel like it's the full moon. (I looked it up - it's not till next Wednesday.)

So, in order to get back on track with the blog ... I will cut this one short and get it published before the baby wakes and wants to eat or B comes out of her room wanting me to do something for her.

Here are some cute pics of Baby K smiling...