To My Husband on Father's Day...
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Candy is sweet,
so please stop giving it to the children (just eat it yourself, that's what I do!)
There once was a man they called Daddy,
who pretends that he is a big baddie,
but two tears from the kids
and the big softie gives
and that's why I love that sweet laddie.
Daddy, we love you
You love us even when we act like idiots
Daddy=Awesomeness.
If I had a million dollars I'd buy you a monkey, baby...and even more Kraft dinners, with all the fancy dijon ketchups. You are my other half and I never could have made it these 6+ years of parenthood without your level head and your giving heart. I owe everything to you. Happy Father's Day Lovey!
Showing posts with label Hubby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hubby. Show all posts
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
It's On
I am completely slipping these past few days-signing Hubby's name instead of my own, interjecting things into conversations that I think make sense only to find out they don't, sending Facebook comments that make people think I've been snorting pixie sticks...I should definitely put sleep on my to-do list.
Not tonight though. Tonight is Hubby's night off-oh yeah baby! (You can't tell but I just typed that in my Barry White voice.) We're finally going to do what all hot, young 20-somethings do on their nights off....rest up to watch some prime time TV.
Oh yes, we were talking this afternoon about how we wanted to watch all the fantastic shows that are on tonight (How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, House, and Castle) and we actually came to the conclusion that in order to stay up that late we are going to need to take a nap first.
You know, after we run to the store for some Polygrip.
If we get a really good nap in before hand we might even have the time and energy to make some babies tonight (minus the literal baby making part (hopefully)). Either way, we'll get to sleep in the same bed at the same time and that's about as awesome as it gets around here. With Hubby normally working graveyards, we only get to sleep together on his nights off (twice a week) and that means we don't take it for granted. Let the hot cocoa pour and bring me my knitting-we're about to get wild tonight!
Not tonight though. Tonight is Hubby's night off-oh yeah baby! (You can't tell but I just typed that in my Barry White voice.) We're finally going to do what all hot, young 20-somethings do on their nights off....rest up to watch some prime time TV.
Oh yes, we were talking this afternoon about how we wanted to watch all the fantastic shows that are on tonight (How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, House, and Castle) and we actually came to the conclusion that in order to stay up that late we are going to need to take a nap first.
You know, after we run to the store for some Polygrip.
If we get a really good nap in before hand we might even have the time and energy to make some babies tonight (minus the literal baby making part (hopefully)). Either way, we'll get to sleep in the same bed at the same time and that's about as awesome as it gets around here. With Hubby normally working graveyards, we only get to sleep together on his nights off (twice a week) and that means we don't take it for granted. Let the hot cocoa pour and bring me my knitting-we're about to get wild tonight!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Husband, Oh Husband
I miss my husband. I know I shouldn't complain because he hasn't really "gone" anywhere and I see him every day but I never get to spend any time alone with him!
Cue petulant foot stomping.
My parents won't take any kids who need butt changes and Hubby's parents' response is always "well WE never go out alone"....That may not be a problem for them since they don't particularly like each other (we've given them an open invitation to drop the girls off and they never have) but I happen to really really like my husband and want to be alone with him.
It's not even for sex reasons-we still fit that in three or four times a week-I'd just really like to have a conversation with him that doesn't get interrupted 19 gajillion times. I'd like to eat with him as opposed to in shifts. I'd like to walk somewhere and hold his hand if not simply because it's not covered in boogers.
I love my kids, I really do. I love spending time with them and I wouldn't trade my days with them for anything.....but I also happen to be madly in love with their dad and would love to sit down and have a nice chat with him. ALONE.
Yes, I know that we can do this when the kids are older, but I am feeling particularly whiny right now and with all the stress eating away at me I just want to run away and spend an afternoon with my best friend (that would be Hubby). The last time we were alone together was in November 08, and that was for about an hour. [We ran errands for our anniversary (woo!).] Even that little time spent, sad as it was objectively, was fun to me because it was just us.
I guess we'll just do what we always do when we need some time and put the kidlets down at 6 so that we can watch a (regularly interrupted) movie in (relative) peace, but I still want to get away with my Hubby before I'm too old to have any fun with him or too stressed to care.
--stomppoutsniffle--
Cue petulant foot stomping.
My parents won't take any kids who need butt changes and Hubby's parents' response is always "well WE never go out alone"....That may not be a problem for them since they don't particularly like each other (we've given them an open invitation to drop the girls off and they never have) but I happen to really really like my husband and want to be alone with him.
It's not even for sex reasons-we still fit that in three or four times a week-I'd just really like to have a conversation with him that doesn't get interrupted 19 gajillion times. I'd like to eat with him as opposed to in shifts. I'd like to walk somewhere and hold his hand if not simply because it's not covered in boogers.
I love my kids, I really do. I love spending time with them and I wouldn't trade my days with them for anything.....but I also happen to be madly in love with their dad and would love to sit down and have a nice chat with him. ALONE.
Yes, I know that we can do this when the kids are older, but I am feeling particularly whiny right now and with all the stress eating away at me I just want to run away and spend an afternoon with my best friend (that would be Hubby). The last time we were alone together was in November 08, and that was for about an hour. [We ran errands for our anniversary (woo!).] Even that little time spent, sad as it was objectively, was fun to me because it was just us.
I guess we'll just do what we always do when we need some time and put the kidlets down at 6 so that we can watch a (regularly interrupted) movie in (relative) peace, but I still want to get away with my Hubby before I'm too old to have any fun with him or too stressed to care.
--stomppoutsniffle--
Monday, February 22, 2010
Today in History...
On this day, twenty seven years ago, the most amazing person I've ever known was born and we started to find each other. True story.
He was born in the same hospital my sister would be born in four years later.
Our parents went to the same high school.
Our grandmothers went to the same church and we went to the same Sunday School.
Our grandparent's farms where we both spent tons of time were literally neighbors.
Then he moved away. A little later, he moved to a bigger city south of us and soon-without knowing it-I followed him.
When I first moved to where we live now, I lived directly behind his neighbor across the street. He used to ride his bike past my house.
We were both in choir during high school, and went to several festivals at the same time-even singing in order right next to each other because of the alphabetical listing of our schools.
It is entirely possible that there were hundreds of times in our lives that we looked at each other, and it has been proven that there were thousands of times when we were less than a mile away from each other. Yet somehow, almost in spite of our closeness, we never really met until the exact moment we were meant to.
We don't know for sure when we first met, but the first time we noticed each other we were still just kids-I was 16 and he was 19-and we have now spent the better part of a decade growing old together. The years are starting to show on us both-we both have graying hair and are beginning to get a few wrinkles, but rather than fighting every new change I think about how precious time is, and how blessed I am to be growing old with him and I especially like to take the time to reflect on this day every year, the wonderful day my husband was born.
He was born in the same hospital my sister would be born in four years later.
Our parents went to the same high school.
Our grandmothers went to the same church and we went to the same Sunday School.
Our grandparent's farms where we both spent tons of time were literally neighbors.
Then he moved away. A little later, he moved to a bigger city south of us and soon-without knowing it-I followed him.
When I first moved to where we live now, I lived directly behind his neighbor across the street. He used to ride his bike past my house.
We were both in choir during high school, and went to several festivals at the same time-even singing in order right next to each other because of the alphabetical listing of our schools.
It is entirely possible that there were hundreds of times in our lives that we looked at each other, and it has been proven that there were thousands of times when we were less than a mile away from each other. Yet somehow, almost in spite of our closeness, we never really met until the exact moment we were meant to.
We don't know for sure when we first met, but the first time we noticed each other we were still just kids-I was 16 and he was 19-and we have now spent the better part of a decade growing old together. The years are starting to show on us both-we both have graying hair and are beginning to get a few wrinkles, but rather than fighting every new change I think about how precious time is, and how blessed I am to be growing old with him and I especially like to take the time to reflect on this day every year, the wonderful day my husband was born.
To My Hubby~I have never doubted for a moment that you are The One-it's written all over our lives. You are the other half of my soul and the greatest man I've ever had the privilege to know, and so every year it is an honor to celebrate your birthday with you. Happy Birthday my love!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Like a Rock
Challenges like we are going through right now are not new to either mine or Hubby's lives. Separately as children and together as adults we have been through some incredible valleys in our time. Still, no matter what we've been through and no matter what the future holds we know that our relationship is solid.
God loves us. The sun rises. High tide, low tide, the cycle of seasons, growing, aging, and life changes will never fail to happen-but just as surely as these things never fail us we know that our relationship will be hold just as fast.
Sadly, this is not very common anymore. Many people give up long before the seven year mark that we celebrated last November, and even more will give up long before death parts them-so what makes us so special? I think it's all in how we view love. This is what love means to us...[The parts in bold are from the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) but even if you aren't Christian I think that the way we apply these things into our lives has a place in anyone's relationship.]
Love is patient...we wait for each other and on each other. We don't belittle each other if one of us grows into understanding that the other does not have yet, and we devote ourselves to working for the good of the other person.
Love is kind...we take every opportunity to be thoughtful and considerate. Every single day we share at least one thing we love about each other.
Love does not envy...we do not compete with each other. It's not about who is better at something, it's about accomplishing it together. We are always a we.
Love does not boast...in order to put yourself above everyone else, you must put others down. Marriage is the opposite-it's about building each other up, not parading your "I did so much better than you"s in front of each other.
Love is not proud...when we need help, we ask each other. Turning to your spouse in times of need, allowing your spouse to be in on your less-than-fabulous side, will slowly knit your lives together forever.
Love is not rude...we do our best to treat each other with the up most respect. We still fight of course, but we always apologize, make amends, and go to bed happy.
Love is not self seeking...my priority is my husband, and his priority is me-we take care of each other in ways that we could not even take care of ourselves and our marriage is strong for it.
Love is not easily angered...I think this is the hardest one in practice, and yet the solution is so simple-if your spouse is not hurting themselves, you, or your children let it go. So what if you have to put the toilet seat down, or if it takes her 2 hours to get ready? Is that really damaging your greater quality of life? Then just relax-think of it as a way to show your love for even your spouses less attractive habits.
Love keeps no records of wrongs...marriage is not a tally of who did what and remember-that-time-you-did-that-thing-now-don't-you-feel-guiltys. Harboring anger or resentment in your heart hardens that part of your heart toward your spouse, and it will only be a matter of time before your entire heart is turned away from them.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in righteousness...we want good things for each other, and we want to do good things. We find our joy in doing what is right by each other even if it is less convenient or even less desirable to us than what we would otherwise have planned on doing.
Love always protects...we protect each other in every way, and-very importantly-even from ourselves. I don't make my husband out to be the bad guy behind his back. Ever. And I can say with absolute certainty that my husband has never painted me in an unkind light to someone else. We don't think that the other is perfect, but we guard each other's backs from negativity, even at our own hands (or mouths).
Always trusts...we believe in each other always-we have faith in each other always. Sometimes life is hard and one of us makes a bad decision but we will never, ever give up on the good person that we know we married.
Always hopes...there is no limit to the good we see for each other. We will always keep hoping, always keep cheer leading, and always keep supporting each other.
Always preserves...we do not give up. We do not throw our hands in the air, or give time limits or ultimatums. Ours is a life long journey hand in hand, and if it doesn't work so well today we'll do it again tomorrow. And the next day, and the next, and the next until the other characteristics of our love bring us back to where we want to be. Our love is forever.
Because love never fails.
God loves us. The sun rises. High tide, low tide, the cycle of seasons, growing, aging, and life changes will never fail to happen-but just as surely as these things never fail us we know that our relationship will be hold just as fast.
Sadly, this is not very common anymore. Many people give up long before the seven year mark that we celebrated last November, and even more will give up long before death parts them-so what makes us so special? I think it's all in how we view love. This is what love means to us...[The parts in bold are from the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) but even if you aren't Christian I think that the way we apply these things into our lives has a place in anyone's relationship.]
Love is patient...we wait for each other and on each other. We don't belittle each other if one of us grows into understanding that the other does not have yet, and we devote ourselves to working for the good of the other person.
Love is kind...we take every opportunity to be thoughtful and considerate. Every single day we share at least one thing we love about each other.
Love does not envy...we do not compete with each other. It's not about who is better at something, it's about accomplishing it together. We are always a we.
Love does not boast...in order to put yourself above everyone else, you must put others down. Marriage is the opposite-it's about building each other up, not parading your "I did so much better than you"s in front of each other.
Love is not proud...when we need help, we ask each other. Turning to your spouse in times of need, allowing your spouse to be in on your less-than-fabulous side, will slowly knit your lives together forever.
Love is not rude...we do our best to treat each other with the up most respect. We still fight of course, but we always apologize, make amends, and go to bed happy.
Love is not self seeking...my priority is my husband, and his priority is me-we take care of each other in ways that we could not even take care of ourselves and our marriage is strong for it.
Love is not easily angered...I think this is the hardest one in practice, and yet the solution is so simple-if your spouse is not hurting themselves, you, or your children let it go. So what if you have to put the toilet seat down, or if it takes her 2 hours to get ready? Is that really damaging your greater quality of life? Then just relax-think of it as a way to show your love for even your spouses less attractive habits.
Love keeps no records of wrongs...marriage is not a tally of who did what and remember-that-time-you-did-that-thing-now-don't-you-feel-guiltys. Harboring anger or resentment in your heart hardens that part of your heart toward your spouse, and it will only be a matter of time before your entire heart is turned away from them.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in righteousness...we want good things for each other, and we want to do good things. We find our joy in doing what is right by each other even if it is less convenient or even less desirable to us than what we would otherwise have planned on doing.
Love always protects...we protect each other in every way, and-very importantly-even from ourselves. I don't make my husband out to be the bad guy behind his back. Ever. And I can say with absolute certainty that my husband has never painted me in an unkind light to someone else. We don't think that the other is perfect, but we guard each other's backs from negativity, even at our own hands (or mouths).
Always trusts...we believe in each other always-we have faith in each other always. Sometimes life is hard and one of us makes a bad decision but we will never, ever give up on the good person that we know we married.
Always hopes...there is no limit to the good we see for each other. We will always keep hoping, always keep cheer leading, and always keep supporting each other.
Always preserves...we do not give up. We do not throw our hands in the air, or give time limits or ultimatums. Ours is a life long journey hand in hand, and if it doesn't work so well today we'll do it again tomorrow. And the next day, and the next, and the next until the other characteristics of our love bring us back to where we want to be. Our love is forever.
Because love never fails.
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Who What Now?
Apparently somebody won the Super Bowl yesterday. Uh...woo? Or not woo. Whichever way you feel I'm on your side. I mean, why not? I couldn't care less and here's the thing-I don't have to. Hubby has absolutely zero interest in sports of any kind including but not limited to football. I learned more about sports in 9th grade gym than Hubby has ever bothered to learn in his entire life-if it were possible to have negative interest in it he would-so I am never subjected to sports fanaticism, and for that I am truly grateful.
Actually, I have never been forced to "watch the game". I think the closest anyone in my family ever got to a sports team was when my sister played in the high school marching band. We're not against physical activity (not that there is really any activity involved in watching someone else play sports), and it's not like we don't have interests. My dad is fanatical about World War II planes. He watches History Channel like a fiend. My step mom is really into ancient Egypt and could literally bury you alive in the books she has about Pharaohs and mummies and stuff. Hubby loves LOVES cars and drawing (and drawing cars) and his sketch pad is never far away from him. Hubby and I both are into politics-we discuss political history, law, and current affairs on an almost daily basis. As for my own personal obsession, I'm a word nerd. I am interested in everything from classic lit to research papers to Scrabble, and I consider Googling to be a past time. We understand getting excited.We just don't understand getting excited about sports.
We have gained a fanatic in my brother in law. He is genuinely interested in sports-and considering that he is 6'7 and has been playing sports since he was a kid there's really little doubt as to why. He watches and actively cares about every sport on the planet all the way down to ping pong, which I wasn't even aware counted as a sport. Naturally, my sister now does a lot of sitting and nodding. Sometimes she'll call and will tell me about it and I'll be honest-I get bored just hearing about other people watching sports...that's why Hubby's lack of sports team loyalty is just one of the million things I love about him.
I am thinking a lot about love lately, what with Valentine's Day coming up on Sunday, so I've decided that this week I am going to blog something on the topic of love every day. Today it's all about my love for my husband's NON love of sports.
Ours is a match made in nerd heaven.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Oh-My-Birthday!
I am the first to say that the best things in life are free....but there are some pretty wicked awesome things you can get for money.
This birthday was the best birthday ever-I got some extra sleep, Hubby took care of all the meals all day...oh and I also finally got a laptop!!! Would you like to see my fourth child? Of course you would.
Awwwww.....and do you want to see the coolest part? The reason the screen swivels like that is to pop it into tablet mode, like so:
That stylus is there so that you can WRITE ON THE SCREEN. In your own handwriting. Then it types what you're writing on the screen! It's awesome to watch TV episodes and movies on too-just pop it in tablet mode, click on full screen, and it's like a mini portable TV. Call me old fashioned, but I feel like I live in Star Trek or something...I mean, the girl who doesn't even have a cell phone has a flippy touch screen laptop.
It's an ironic miracle.
I should be working right now...especially since that was part of the reason that I said I wanted a laptop....and I will. Right after I finish uploading a background, changing my admin name, putting in all of my bookmarks-important stuff like that.
The moral of this excited blithering? I have the best, most thoughtful husband in the world....and, thanks to him, a super awesome laptop to boot! Hooray!
This birthday was the best birthday ever-I got some extra sleep, Hubby took care of all the meals all day...oh and I also finally got a laptop!!! Would you like to see my fourth child? Of course you would.
It's a....HP TouchSmart! Isn't it adorable?
Awwwww.....and do you want to see the coolest part? The reason the screen swivels like that is to pop it into tablet mode, like so:
That stylus is there so that you can WRITE ON THE SCREEN. In your own handwriting. Then it types what you're writing on the screen! It's awesome to watch TV episodes and movies on too-just pop it in tablet mode, click on full screen, and it's like a mini portable TV. Call me old fashioned, but I feel like I live in Star Trek or something...I mean, the girl who doesn't even have a cell phone has a flippy touch screen laptop.It's an ironic miracle.
I should be working right now...especially since that was part of the reason that I said I wanted a laptop....and I will. Right after I finish uploading a background, changing my admin name, putting in all of my bookmarks-important stuff like that.
The moral of this excited blithering? I have the best, most thoughtful husband in the world....and, thanks to him, a super awesome laptop to boot! Hooray!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: In The Beginning
In light of our 7th Anniversary I thought this Wednesday I would share pictures of Hubby and I from when we were first together. This picture of me was taken during our first Christmas together (it's a picture of a picture).
And this picture of Hubby was taken right after we moved in together.
Dang-we were hot. Hubby still is! Here's a picture of him and the kids on Halloween this year.
Doesn't he look just the same? I think in my mind he always will.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Happy Anniversary
The woman who settled down at 16 and whose relationship resulted in 3 children has (according to the CDC) a 30.01% chance of still being with the same person after 7 years.What can I say, I'm stubborn.
That's probably why, rather than writing the gushing love post to Hubby I planned to write about pitter pattering hearts in honor of our 7th anniversary, I'm writing this post instead. The truth is, I'm not feeling very pittery. I'm exhausted, my teeth are killing me, and I'm buried up to my eyeballs in independent contract work-some that are trying to negotiate me down to 1/4 of my price, and some that won't even pay me until January. For the last few days I've been perpetually on the prowl for the next person to piss me off so that I can destroy them....I'm the freakin' fairy of flippin' fun right now....and do you know what the best part is?
Hubby loves me anyway.
That's right-I haven't gotten out of my pajamas since Friday. I haven't brushed my hair in that time and I've only taken one shower. I smell like that special putrid blend of Eau de Mommy, and my disposition is twice as sour, but my husband loves me no matter how I act or smell.
He doesn't care that I've gained 25lbs since The Bean was born either-he still thinks I'm sexy (and I've got the hickeys to prove it). He doesn't care that I'm a mess at this point, he would never leave me. He'd fight me, for sure-he's always pushing me to do more and do better for myself, even when I'd rather fight him than listen to him-but he doesn't mind fighting my ridiculous stubbornness....if that's what's best for me he'd fight me for me forever.
That's what a real relationship is all about. It's easy to think in the abstract about all of the ooooey gooey mushy love fluff, but when you're in a committed-forever relationship you have to have more than that or you'll fail. It's also easy to set up a system in your head and pretend that things will always work that way, but that rarely happens either. Real love has romance, and there is some direction, but mostly it is a lot of hard work. It's loving someone no matter what-thick or thin, grumpy or happy, exhausted or well rested, poor or rich, foul or fragrant-that's unconditional love. It's a lot of hard work, but it's worth it. Just ask Hubby....
....Though maybe not right now, because he already got an earful today while I was on one of my fury rampages and I'm pretty sure he just wants to sleep peacefully at the moment.
Happy 7th Anniversary Lovey Bear~
With all my heart,
Your petulant but adoring wife
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Mommy's Hot...Uh...Assets
I have always been what one might call "stacked". I hit puberty when I was 8 (which scares me when I think back on it) and by the time I was in 4th grade I was a B-Cup. In high school I was a D, and now after 3 kidlets (and a few extra pounds) I'm a DD. The charm of this is kind of lost on Hubby-he himself happens to be a leg man, an area in which I certainly don't disappoint (*unlike my mom gut) but certainly gets less attention than the girls.
Unless we're talking about Monkey.
Monkey is a boob man. Has been since birth-that's part of the reason why his nickname is Monkey. As a toddler he wanted to be picked up all the time so that he could wrap one arm around my neck and put the other in between my cleavage. It seemed harmless at the time-I figured it was just the most obvious place to hold on to. Now at five his obsession is clear.
Never more clear than it was a few days ago when my sister came to visit. My sister, while definitely attractive, has a different sort of figure than I do and is as small in the chest area as I am big. This is not news to anyone. Not even to Monkey-she's been his aunt his whole life. Still his greeting to her on the day she visited was momentous.
"Hi Autie! You have small boobies!"
Seriously. Just like that. BLURT, like word vomit. Luckily, my sister has an incredible sense of humor and understanding of kids (she's a teacher) so she just laughed as Monkey continued....
"Your boobies are really small, Auntie. Are they okay?"
More laughter from my sister, genuine curiosity from Monkey, and mortification from me as I try to explain that boobies come in all sizes and they're all okay.
"But Mommy your boobies are sooooo pretty. Why are Auntie's not like yours?"
GAH! Where is the chloroform when you need it?! His obsession with boobies is definitely not helped by the fact that I'm nursing The Bean. Every time I start to nurse, here comes Monkey with an awkward comment. I try to answer as directly as possible and just pray for this phase to end.
At least with Monkey...because of course if big brother is doing something Baby Bug must do it as well. She takes her turn coming over and oogleing and tries to pat my boobs.....while The Bean is still on them. She also points and shouts "Boos! Boos!"
I am quite the spectacle.
Of course all of this attention has prompted Hubby to decide that even though he is a leg man he does feel some proprietary ownership over the girls-now he's always commenting he "can't wait to have them back all to himself".
Yeah, me too.
And someday I'd like to be able to pee by myself-but that's a whole different issue. The battle for a mother's privacy is hard fought and seldom won.
Unless we're talking about Monkey.
Monkey is a boob man. Has been since birth-that's part of the reason why his nickname is Monkey. As a toddler he wanted to be picked up all the time so that he could wrap one arm around my neck and put the other in between my cleavage. It seemed harmless at the time-I figured it was just the most obvious place to hold on to. Now at five his obsession is clear.
Never more clear than it was a few days ago when my sister came to visit. My sister, while definitely attractive, has a different sort of figure than I do and is as small in the chest area as I am big. This is not news to anyone. Not even to Monkey-she's been his aunt his whole life. Still his greeting to her on the day she visited was momentous.
"Hi Autie! You have small boobies!"
Seriously. Just like that. BLURT, like word vomit. Luckily, my sister has an incredible sense of humor and understanding of kids (she's a teacher) so she just laughed as Monkey continued....
"Your boobies are really small, Auntie. Are they okay?"
More laughter from my sister, genuine curiosity from Monkey, and mortification from me as I try to explain that boobies come in all sizes and they're all okay.
"But Mommy your boobies are sooooo pretty. Why are Auntie's not like yours?"
GAH! Where is the chloroform when you need it?! His obsession with boobies is definitely not helped by the fact that I'm nursing The Bean. Every time I start to nurse, here comes Monkey with an awkward comment. I try to answer as directly as possible and just pray for this phase to end.
At least with Monkey...because of course if big brother is doing something Baby Bug must do it as well. She takes her turn coming over and oogleing and tries to pat my boobs.....while The Bean is still on them. She also points and shouts "Boos! Boos!"
I am quite the spectacle.
Of course all of this attention has prompted Hubby to decide that even though he is a leg man he does feel some proprietary ownership over the girls-now he's always commenting he "can't wait to have them back all to himself".
Yeah, me too.
And someday I'd like to be able to pee by myself-but that's a whole different issue. The battle for a mother's privacy is hard fought and seldom won.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
I Stand Corrected
Some of you may remember that there has been a lot of complaining from me about how getting a digital camera was too expensive. I have been using one that the very generous Kirsty let me borrow to record the end of my pregnancy with The Bean, but I have been longing for a digital camera of my very own to love and to snuggle and to blind my children with...but alas-they were much too expensive.At least I thought so-but luckily for me I am very often wrong! Just yesterday Hubby came home with the very best surprise ever-an 8.2MP Samsung L-100. It turns out that they were finally selling the display model, which the store always discounts at 50%. AND it just so happened that they were also running a 20% off coupon. NOT TO MENTION that Hubby gets a 10% discount in electronics. As a result, we got this fabulous little camera for a freakin' song-less than $40.
It might have been inexpensive, but it certainly isn't cheap! This camera is cute, lightweight, compact, and has a huge display screen. Of course it also takes gorgeous pictures with different color options right on the camera, shutter speed controls, and digital image stabilization you really can't take a bad picture. This camera is the definition of point and shoot fabulousness...and it also takes FABULOUS video, which is why I am able to show you the second time that day that I was (adorably) shown just how very wrong I was.....
The very best part (well, besides being able to keep as much picture and video of my friends and family as any pack rat could ever desire) is that Hubby got it for me just because. No holiday. No anniversary. He just saw it, and knew I would love it, and got it for me out of the money he earned working overtime.
I know, I know. I have the best husband ever-and I know I'm not wrong about that.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
An Day in the House of M: Mommy Style Vs Daddy Style
My Darling Kidlets,
Mommies and Daddies have different ways of doing things. This is, as far as I can tell, just another part of God's perfect plan.
Mommy makes nutritious (if easy and microwavable) meals, Daddy lets you eat Chocolate Mousse and left over french fries for lunch.
Mommy carefully plans and inserts as much educational stimulus as possible into your day, Daddy lets you color on yourself.
Mommy referees...Mommy sees all...Mommy is pretty much on your butt all day...with Daddy you have the opportunity to experience the philosophy of Anarchy first hand.
Mommy burns herself out supervising and executing the tiny minutia of 5 people's lives until she gets to the point where she is pretty much beyond repair and must take a break. Some days Mommy is on top of her game and some days Mommy lies on the couch with a wash rag on her head, but Daddy is the rock-he's the very same day in and day out...always a little more 'lenient' on the chore-list items, but stern when he needs to be, and always, always an involved and loving parent.
And that is why God knew you needed someone just like Mommy AND someone just like Daddy-someone to manage the menial tasks while the other person does the larger providing, and someone to push us through when the menial task lady has worked herself into hysterics.
This is how God made sure that you'd get the magic of having cake for breakfast, but still have teeth into adulthood....and how both of your parents would survive your childhoods.
I love you more than all the chocolate in the world,
even more than I "love" making you take baths,
Your Mommy
Mommies and Daddies have different ways of doing things. This is, as far as I can tell, just another part of God's perfect plan.
Mommy makes nutritious (if easy and microwavable) meals, Daddy lets you eat Chocolate Mousse and left over french fries for lunch.
Mommy carefully plans and inserts as much educational stimulus as possible into your day, Daddy lets you color on yourself.
Mommy referees...Mommy sees all...Mommy is pretty much on your butt all day...with Daddy you have the opportunity to experience the philosophy of Anarchy first hand.
Mommy burns herself out supervising and executing the tiny minutia of 5 people's lives until she gets to the point where she is pretty much beyond repair and must take a break. Some days Mommy is on top of her game and some days Mommy lies on the couch with a wash rag on her head, but Daddy is the rock-he's the very same day in and day out...always a little more 'lenient' on the chore-list items, but stern when he needs to be, and always, always an involved and loving parent.
And that is why God knew you needed someone just like Mommy AND someone just like Daddy-someone to manage the menial tasks while the other person does the larger providing, and someone to push us through when the menial task lady has worked herself into hysterics.
This is how God made sure that you'd get the magic of having cake for breakfast, but still have teeth into adulthood....and how both of your parents would survive your childhoods.
I love you more than all the chocolate in the world,
even more than I "love" making you take baths,
Your Mommy
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Somewhere Between C-SPAN and the Backseat
I am officially old.The moment of realization came when I was sitting on the couch. Hubby and I were watching TV, which isn't necessarily an 'old people' thing to do, when suddenly it occurred to me-I was watching C-SPAN, and I liked it. Even worse...I was watching C-SPAN because I had Ti-Vo'd the House Appropriations Committee meeting. On purpose.
I'm pretty sure that we have been automatically enrolled in AARP.
The icing on the cake? We finished our night off with a 5 part History International documentary on The Presidents (also taking up room on our Ti-Vo next to Star Trek and Ni Hao Ki-Lan). I tried to convince myself that this was just research for homeschooling the kids, but even I didn't buy that.
It was time to face it-I am old...and a giant nerd. I should be wearing orthopedic shoes, or at the very least bifocals or a pocket protector or something.
After our highly educational (and I'll admit it, totally enjoyable) 5 hour lecture on the history of our nation's executive branch, Hubby and I decided to call it a night. That's when my youth snuck up on me.
It came from out of the sky and fell on my graying head (seriously, I have gray hair)-my husband is a smokin' hottie. Even though he is obsessed with Star Trek and he Ti-Vos the History Channel, it can't over shadow the fact that the man is gorgeous. Totally not your average old person/nerd (thanks in large part, I believe, to the fact that his geekdom is rooted in being a mechanical genius/car buff which doesn't scream 'nerd' quite as loud as say collecting argyle socks).
Since The Bean is only a week old I have my medically ordered limitations, but the doctor didn't say that we couldn't make out like teenagers in the back of a '78 Chevy. [It's okay, we're allowed to do that, we're married.] It was actually very nice. Especially after an afternoon of C-SPAN and an evening of Presidential trivia, I felt like I was in one of those commercials where the old lady throws her cane and starts dancing! Of course I would never wish to actually be 16 again, but spending some quality face time with Hubby was a nice little reminder of the good times had nearly 7 years ago when we first got together. Not mention it was also a fabulous relationship kudo-it's nice to know that after three kids and the better part of a decade we're still crazy teenagers when it comes to each other.
So, at heart, what am I-young or old? 16 or 60? Maybe a little bit of both. I won't ask Monkey for his opinion on the subject-he just told Hubby today that he thinks "Daddy is really really really old, like 15 or something".
When I watch C-SPAN I can just feel the osteoporosis coming on. I don't think that's where I really am in my life, but it's a nice place to visit and wander around-sometimes it's relaxing to si
nk into an aging moment.When I look at my babies I feel old, but in a good way. Looking into the rear view mirror and seeing three little babies back there-and knowing that they're all mine-I feel pleasantly maternal, but sometimes strangely like I'm older than I am.
When I look at Hubby-really look at him, not just glance in his direction to swap information like busy parents do-I feel like I've been frozen in the moment that we met. I still get butterflies and I still find myself sighing wistfully at the thought of his kisses. If I didn't have such good control over myself, I might even write "MrsM *heart* MrM" on our grocery list.
Sometimes.
I know that I won't feel like that every moment of every day-just like I won't have endless days of senior moments, and I won't always feel pleasantly maternal-but I hope that I get to feel each of those things as often as possible because I'm beginning to think from my own experiences that it is the joy of youthful memories, the blessings of present happiness, and the comfort of a stable future that blends together to make a wonderful life.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Ode To My Family
As someone once agreeably misquoted to me,
This is certainly true on one level-no matter what you do, or what they do, the people you were born to don't change. There will always be these people walking around with a similar genetic make up to you (or married to those people), and there's nearly nothing you can do about it because getting rid of them is as socially awkward as picking your friend's nose.
This misquote takes on a whole new meaning for people like Hubby and I. As far as family make up goes, we are the stereotypical 20-somethings these days. Our parents got pregnant as teenagers, shot-gunned it to the courthouse, got divorced soon after, and eventually got remarried-giving Hubby and I 4 parents a piece and leaving us related by blood or marriage to literally thousands of people.
It wouldn't have been so hard if we had gotten to pick these people, but instead we end up with busy body Grandma Drinks-A-Lot, a Step Mom who is shallower than a puddle of spit, a sister who is too self centered to care about anything except for her career (including, sadly, her own husband and newborn), and a large group of genetically related people who can't be bothered when it's not about them.
It's difficult to grow up being seen as an inconvenience, and worse when you're constantly reminded that's what you are. There are a lot of people our age that have grown up this way, with disconnected families and self centered parents, and it has bred a generation where many people get bitter and decide not to have families at all. (The average age of a first time parent is now estimated to be 25-27 years old, and it is estimated by the US Census that 6-9% of married couples will remain voluntarily childless.) Those of us who do decide to have families, like Hubby and I, often struggle to create our own definition of what families are, and what they do. Obviously, to those in our position, a genetic or marital relationship (while technically accurate) is not a good practical definition of family. In today's world, blood is no longer thicker than water and marriage is easily ended (or, an opposite but equally unappealing idea, kept together miserably until death). So what does that leave us with?
We both decided (separately as children funnily enough, but our attitudes are identical) that family is an action not a genetic or legal state of being. Just because someone shares one or more parents in common with you, or marries your grandmother on the third go around, doesn't make them family. Those people are relatives.
To us, family are those people who love and support us no matter what, who are as devoted to us as we are to them, those who make our needs a priority, who are capable of giving selflessly, and people we can do these things for in return...these are not always relatives, and those who are relatives are not always family. It has been a hard lesson to learn, but it has been worth it.
Hubby and I, despite our relatives, have been blessed with a wonderful family. We have each other and we stay together-not because we "have to", not because we have a piece of paper telling us to, and not for the kids...because we love each other, we are equally devoted to each other, we give selflessly to each other, and we make each other the priority in our lives. We're family.
We give this love, devotion, and loyalty to our children because-even though we are gentically related and they didn't pick us-we want them to know that we aren't just genetic donors, we're family.
My best friend who lives in Pennsylvania is family because I can pick up the phone at three in the morning (her time) and call because my baby turned 5 and I needed someone to listen to me bawl. My husband's childhood friend, who even though he's young and busy with college and dating will still take time to ooh-and-ahh over my husband's exploits as Daddy, is family.
And, in your own way, you my bloggy friends are just like family. You come to my page, even though you're not obligated to. You let me share my stories with you. You offer encouragement. You give selflessly. Though I hardly expect you to be devoted to me, you certainly are here for me when I'm going through a rough patch.
I may have drawn a shorter straw in the genetic relations department, but my heart is full of the blessings of real family-and this is my tribute to you all.
You can pick your nose, and you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your friend's nose and you can't pick your family.
This is certainly true on one level-no matter what you do, or what they do, the people you were born to don't change. There will always be these people walking around with a similar genetic make up to you (or married to those people), and there's nearly nothing you can do about it because getting rid of them is as socially awkward as picking your friend's nose.
This misquote takes on a whole new meaning for people like Hubby and I. As far as family make up goes, we are the stereotypical 20-somethings these days. Our parents got pregnant as teenagers, shot-gunned it to the courthouse, got divorced soon after, and eventually got remarried-giving Hubby and I 4 parents a piece and leaving us related by blood or marriage to literally thousands of people.
It wouldn't have been so hard if we had gotten to pick these people, but instead we end up with busy body Grandma Drinks-A-Lot, a Step Mom who is shallower than a puddle of spit, a sister who is too self centered to care about anything except for her career (including, sadly, her own husband and newborn), and a large group of genetically related people who can't be bothered when it's not about them.
It's difficult to grow up being seen as an inconvenience, and worse when you're constantly reminded that's what you are. There are a lot of people our age that have grown up this way, with disconnected families and self centered parents, and it has bred a generation where many people get bitter and decide not to have families at all. (The average age of a first time parent is now estimated to be 25-27 years old, and it is estimated by the US Census that 6-9% of married couples will remain voluntarily childless.) Those of us who do decide to have families, like Hubby and I, often struggle to create our own definition of what families are, and what they do. Obviously, to those in our position, a genetic or marital relationship (while technically accurate) is not a good practical definition of family. In today's world, blood is no longer thicker than water and marriage is easily ended (or, an opposite but equally unappealing idea, kept together miserably until death). So what does that leave us with?
We both decided (separately as children funnily enough, but our attitudes are identical) that family is an action not a genetic or legal state of being. Just because someone shares one or more parents in common with you, or marries your grandmother on the third go around, doesn't make them family. Those people are relatives.
To us, family are those people who love and support us no matter what, who are as devoted to us as we are to them, those who make our needs a priority, who are capable of giving selflessly, and people we can do these things for in return...these are not always relatives, and those who are relatives are not always family. It has been a hard lesson to learn, but it has been worth it.
Hubby and I, despite our relatives, have been blessed with a wonderful family. We have each other and we stay together-not because we "have to", not because we have a piece of paper telling us to, and not for the kids...because we love each other, we are equally devoted to each other, we give selflessly to each other, and we make each other the priority in our lives. We're family.
We give this love, devotion, and loyalty to our children because-even though we are gentically related and they didn't pick us-we want them to know that we aren't just genetic donors, we're family.
My best friend who lives in Pennsylvania is family because I can pick up the phone at three in the morning (her time) and call because my baby turned 5 and I needed someone to listen to me bawl. My husband's childhood friend, who even though he's young and busy with college and dating will still take time to ooh-and-ahh over my husband's exploits as Daddy, is family.
And, in your own way, you my bloggy friends are just like family. You come to my page, even though you're not obligated to. You let me share my stories with you. You offer encouragement. You give selflessly. Though I hardly expect you to be devoted to me, you certainly are here for me when I'm going through a rough patch.
I may have drawn a shorter straw in the genetic relations department, but my heart is full of the blessings of real family-and this is my tribute to you all.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Oooooh Special
Today is our second wedding anniversary. Despite being very traditional in some ways (the stay at home mom, male head of the household stuff) we are actually pretty non-conformist. Hubby and I were together more than four years before we filed any paperwork and it probably would have been longer if the fact that we weren't legally married hadn't come between us and Hubby's paycheck.
In early 2007 Hubby took a promotion that involved a lot of traveling. He was going to be gone 2 weeks here and 3 weeks there, but we were going to be pretty handsomely compensated for it so at the time it worked out for us. There was just one problem-when I went to his home store to pick up his paycheck they wouldn't release it to me because I wasn't a "blood or legal relative".
Hubby signed a note and faxed it to his home store...they still wouldn't part with the check. He called FROM the office phone, confirmed his identity, and ordered them to release his paycheck. No dice. They said they would be happy to mail him his check at his current job site and then he was free to wire money wherever he wanted, and so we did that. For one week.
Do you know how much it costs to wire money?! Seriously. Not. Cheap.
After paying out $50 to send his paycheck half a mile away from where it came from, we were determined to find a less expensive solution. We talked to every HR representative India had to offer (oh yes, the company Hubby worked for did not have an American HR office...they barely had HR representatives that spoke English) they told us that the only other solution would be for them to mail his paycheck to his mother.
Who lived 8 hours away, and would then have to wire me the money. That's completely overlooking the fact that Hubby is a full grown man who shouldn't have to run his paycheck through his Mommy.
ARG!
So we asked our friendly yet nearly incomprehensible representative "Bob" [that's the name he gave us] to list any and all persons who would be able to pick up his paycheck at it's home store. It was a short list. Hubby (who was in another state), his mother or father (who were 8 hours away), his 18 or older child (Monkey was 3), or his wife.
It didn't leave a lot of options. I remember explaining this to Hubby and then saying, "Hey, you get home on Friday, let's run over to Idaho on Saturday and get married. It only costs $18 there, and then I can go pick up your paycheck."
Does that count as a proposal?
Hubby thought so. During the next few weeks I spent $210 and about 3 hours of my time getting rings and a minister who would agree to marry us in the park across the street from the courthouse. We invited only my parents, Hubby's mom and step dad (who have two daughters who were 3 and 5 at the time...obviously they came too), and my husband's two best friends that he has been friends with for more than 13 years.
Our parents of course agreed to come. Hubby's friend's reactions? The first one said, "Huh. I thought you were already married." The second one said, "Well that only took forever. I didn't think you were ever gonna do it the legal way."
Two weeks later we signed the paperwork, I picked up Hubby's paychecks from then on, and we all lived happily ever after.
That's why we don't really celebrate our wedding anniversary-it's kind of anticlimactic. Plus while we have only been married for two years we've been together for more than 6 now and I want credit for that in this day and age where most people separate after 5.
While it was, in our eyes, an entirely unnecessary exercise in bureaucratic paper shuffling-and even though being married on paper didn't really "do" anything in our lives, except of course give me the legal right to his money (woo!)-I would like to take a second of the day to say that I happen to like being Mrs.M. [Yes that is my new blog name!]
My husband is-and has been from the moment we met-the perfect, God-given other half of my soul and I couldn't love anyone more. He is my best friend, my partner, my sounding board, my protector, and my teacher...I couldn't be anywhere else except with him, and I love growing old and gray together.
And, sometimes I'll admit-the title is nice.
In early 2007 Hubby took a promotion that involved a lot of traveling. He was going to be gone 2 weeks here and 3 weeks there, but we were going to be pretty handsomely compensated for it so at the time it worked out for us. There was just one problem-when I went to his home store to pick up his paycheck they wouldn't release it to me because I wasn't a "blood or legal relative".
Hubby signed a note and faxed it to his home store...they still wouldn't part with the check. He called FROM the office phone, confirmed his identity, and ordered them to release his paycheck. No dice. They said they would be happy to mail him his check at his current job site and then he was free to wire money wherever he wanted, and so we did that. For one week.
Do you know how much it costs to wire money?! Seriously. Not. Cheap.
After paying out $50 to send his paycheck half a mile away from where it came from, we were determined to find a less expensive solution. We talked to every HR representative India had to offer (oh yes, the company Hubby worked for did not have an American HR office...they barely had HR representatives that spoke English) they told us that the only other solution would be for them to mail his paycheck to his mother.
Who lived 8 hours away, and would then have to wire me the money. That's completely overlooking the fact that Hubby is a full grown man who shouldn't have to run his paycheck through his Mommy.
ARG!
So we asked our friendly yet nearly incomprehensible representative "Bob" [that's the name he gave us] to list any and all persons who would be able to pick up his paycheck at it's home store. It was a short list. Hubby (who was in another state), his mother or father (who were 8 hours away), his 18 or older child (Monkey was 3), or his wife.
It didn't leave a lot of options. I remember explaining this to Hubby and then saying, "Hey, you get home on Friday, let's run over to Idaho on Saturday and get married. It only costs $18 there, and then I can go pick up your paycheck."
Does that count as a proposal?
Hubby thought so. During the next few weeks I spent $210 and about 3 hours of my time getting rings and a minister who would agree to marry us in the park across the street from the courthouse. We invited only my parents, Hubby's mom and step dad (who have two daughters who were 3 and 5 at the time...obviously they came too), and my husband's two best friends that he has been friends with for more than 13 years.
Our parents of course agreed to come. Hubby's friend's reactions? The first one said, "Huh. I thought you were already married." The second one said, "Well that only took forever. I didn't think you were ever gonna do it the legal way."
Two weeks later we signed the paperwork, I picked up Hubby's paychecks from then on, and we all lived happily ever after.
That's why we don't really celebrate our wedding anniversary-it's kind of anticlimactic. Plus while we have only been married for two years we've been together for more than 6 now and I want credit for that in this day and age where most people separate after 5.
While it was, in our eyes, an entirely unnecessary exercise in bureaucratic paper shuffling-and even though being married on paper didn't really "do" anything in our lives, except of course give me the legal right to his money (woo!)-I would like to take a second of the day to say that I happen to like being Mrs.M. [Yes that is my new blog name!]
My husband is-and has been from the moment we met-the perfect, God-given other half of my soul and I couldn't love anyone more. He is my best friend, my partner, my sounding board, my protector, and my teacher...I couldn't be anywhere else except with him, and I love growing old and gray together.
And, sometimes I'll admit-the title is nice.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Best Things In Life Are Free
Flowers are nice. Diamonds are flashy. Dinner and a movie is a thoughtful gift for two.
But what is the best gift you can get for a wife that's 30 weeks pregnant with your third child? A 3 1/2 hour nap and a sparkling gorgeously clean house, of course! Today I got just that. I slept-in the middle of the day, with no interruptions, in complete peace and quiet. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that the experience was magical-but to walk downstairs after such a pleasant nap and find the dishes done, the toys put away, the floors swept and mopped and vacuumed...I seriously teared up for a minute there.
My husband even cleaned out the catch-all hall closet that I have been avoiding for at least a month now!
Seeing him and the kids happily (and quietly) playing in a pristine house through fully rested eyes is better than every diamond and every piece of chocolate in the world combined. I can't believe how spoiled I am!
Now....how can I return the favor?
But what is the best gift you can get for a wife that's 30 weeks pregnant with your third child? A 3 1/2 hour nap and a sparkling gorgeously clean house, of course! Today I got just that. I slept-in the middle of the day, with no interruptions, in complete peace and quiet. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that the experience was magical-but to walk downstairs after such a pleasant nap and find the dishes done, the toys put away, the floors swept and mopped and vacuumed...I seriously teared up for a minute there.
My husband even cleaned out the catch-all hall closet that I have been avoiding for at least a month now!
Seeing him and the kids happily (and quietly) playing in a pristine house through fully rested eyes is better than every diamond and every piece of chocolate in the world combined. I can't believe how spoiled I am!
Now....how can I return the favor?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
My Wisdom Is Showing
So I pulled up my hair today into a braid and noticed than on my hairline I am growing a SIGNIFICANT number of grey hairs. Like BRIGHT GREY hairs.
There were at least ten of the stupid things. And those are just the ones I found in the front!
So far they are not obvious because they are hiding underneath the top layer of my hair, but they are there. Lurking. Threatening to show other people that I am getting old. I shouldn't be surprised though-every woman on my mother's side was COMPLETELY grey by 28.
In a way I like grey hairs though, because Hubby has them too. It means we really are growing old and grey together, and nothing could make me happier than that.
We will celebrate SIX YEARS together this November. A lot happens in six years. It's amazing (and wonderful) how much we've changed and grown together in this better part of a decade. The most lovely part is watching the one I love become the person I always knew he was. The boy I fell in love with has grown into a supportive and loving husband, a protective and playful daddy, the stable and mature head of our family, and provider for our household-I couldn't be more proud and honored to be his wife!
Every day, every year our life gets better and our relationship gets stronger and happier. If we're already growing happily old together after only six years, I can't wait for the beauty of the next 60!
There were at least ten of the stupid things. And those are just the ones I found in the front!
So far they are not obvious because they are hiding underneath the top layer of my hair, but they are there. Lurking. Threatening to show other people that I am getting old. I shouldn't be surprised though-every woman on my mother's side was COMPLETELY grey by 28.
In a way I like grey hairs though, because Hubby has them too. It means we really are growing old and grey together, and nothing could make me happier than that.
We will celebrate SIX YEARS together this November. A lot happens in six years. It's amazing (and wonderful) how much we've changed and grown together in this better part of a decade. The most lovely part is watching the one I love become the person I always knew he was. The boy I fell in love with has grown into a supportive and loving husband, a protective and playful daddy, the stable and mature head of our family, and provider for our household-I couldn't be more proud and honored to be his wife!
Every day, every year our life gets better and our relationship gets stronger and happier. If we're already growing happily old together after only six years, I can't wait for the beauty of the next 60!
Friday, April 25, 2008
All In The Family
Do you ever look over at your husband and think,
"If this man were any more like my dad he would be my dad!"
Seriously.
Yesterday my husband tried to force me to watch a History Channel documentary on copper. Oh yes-the ever fascinating topic of copper, in all of it's many forms, also demonstrating it's many many uses and (of course) highlighting its effect on and usage in history.
Dont get me wrong-I love history. I'm very pro-history. I'm even pro-documentary. I am just anti-watching-documentaries-about-metals-while-Frasier-re-runs-are-on. Not how I like to spend my 1am hours. (Yes, we're up then. That's Baby Bug's hyper time.)
It is EXACTLY the type of thing my dad would force me to do. And when I informed my husband of this, he didn't even act appropriately shamed. He just looked at me and said "I knew I liked your dad" and went back to watching the dumb metal show.
At least I know we're compatible-despite his affection for all things History Channel. I mean, I've loved my dad my whole life so it goes to figure the man I would choose to spend my adult life with would be just like him. Sometimes irritatingly so.
Still no matter how alike they are there is one huge difference.
My husband is a hottie.
"If this man were any more like my dad he would be my dad!"
Seriously.
Yesterday my husband tried to force me to watch a History Channel documentary on copper. Oh yes-the ever fascinating topic of copper, in all of it's many forms, also demonstrating it's many many uses and (of course) highlighting its effect on and usage in history.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Dont get me wrong-I love history. I'm very pro-history. I'm even pro-documentary. I am just anti-watching-documentaries-about-metals-while-Frasier-re-runs-are-on. Not how I like to spend my 1am hours. (Yes, we're up then. That's Baby Bug's hyper time.)
It is EXACTLY the type of thing my dad would force me to do. And when I informed my husband of this, he didn't even act appropriately shamed. He just looked at me and said "I knew I liked your dad" and went back to watching the dumb metal show.
At least I know we're compatible-despite his affection for all things History Channel. I mean, I've loved my dad my whole life so it goes to figure the man I would choose to spend my adult life with would be just like him. Sometimes irritatingly so.
Still no matter how alike they are there is one huge difference.
My husband is a hottie.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Relations and Relationships
I have to preface this by saying that I have had very little sleep and I, therefore, am a giant cranky pants. All of my stormy emotions are just simmering beneath the surface waiting for someone or something to dig just a little too far and hit the emotional pay dirt. And by pay dirt I mean a fount of angry lava.
Needless to say, this is NOT the time for my in laws to contact me.
Okay, I need to say that I have two sets of inlaws. It's not really surprising in this age of divorce, but I need to say this so that I can distinguish between them. One set of them includes my husband's mother and my husband's step dad. True, we've had rough times in our relationship-Hubby's mother was...uh...hesitant to embrace me during the first four years of our relationship-but recently we have been doing great. She even admitted to my Hubby that while she and I may not love eachother yet that she has come to respect me as a good wife and mother. And that's enough for me, certainly for now. Noah's step dad is pretty stoic, but from what little I have heard from him he doesn't hate my guts or anything. I call this set of inlaws "hubby's parents" because he spent his life living with them and because the alternative group are, well, less than pleasant.
I call them The Inlaws. These people include Hubby's dad, step mom, and grandmother. Without going into too much nitty gritty personal detail, let's just say that these people treated my husband horribly as a child and continue to do so now. They also do their best to demean our children, undermine our parenting and our marriage, and put my husband in emotionally awkward situations. I have had it up to my EYEBALLS with these people, and frankly they make me ill.
The most recent situation is the death of my husband's great grandfather. He lived a very long and good life, however my husband was not close with him and had infact only met him a few times. We get an email from Hubby's dad informing us of his great grandfather's death...but he USES that email-the email about a death in the family!-to imply nasty things about me, and to try to pick a fight. I can't believe these people!
I think my opinion of them only gets worse because my parents are coming into town this weekend. I can't help but compare my parents with my In Laws-I know I shouldn't, but I do. Let me say this-my parents and I have not always gotten along. We by no means have a perfect relationship, I'm not a "daddy's girl" or anything. Hardly-my parents (my dad and my step mom) and I had some rough times in our relationship too. That's why I've lived on my own since I was 16 [but that's another post]. In the end though, we're still family. We still treat eachother with love and respect. We still behave like decent human beings. My parents are still good parents and good grandparents.
I wish The Inlaws behaved like that. I wish my husband could have a relationship like I have with my dad with his own father. I wish I could just fix it all--because that's the hardest part to me. I don't really care how they treat me because in the end they are irrelevant as far as I'm concerned. But watching the way they treat my husband, the awkward situations they put him in, the way they try to "make him choose" between them or me (not that he would). It just makes me so angry I want to pinch them!
Needless to say, this is NOT the time for my in laws to contact me.
Okay, I need to say that I have two sets of inlaws. It's not really surprising in this age of divorce, but I need to say this so that I can distinguish between them. One set of them includes my husband's mother and my husband's step dad. True, we've had rough times in our relationship-Hubby's mother was...uh...hesitant to embrace me during the first four years of our relationship-but recently we have been doing great. She even admitted to my Hubby that while she and I may not love eachother yet that she has come to respect me as a good wife and mother. And that's enough for me, certainly for now. Noah's step dad is pretty stoic, but from what little I have heard from him he doesn't hate my guts or anything. I call this set of inlaws "hubby's parents" because he spent his life living with them and because the alternative group are, well, less than pleasant.
I call them The Inlaws. These people include Hubby's dad, step mom, and grandmother. Without going into too much nitty gritty personal detail, let's just say that these people treated my husband horribly as a child and continue to do so now. They also do their best to demean our children, undermine our parenting and our marriage, and put my husband in emotionally awkward situations. I have had it up to my EYEBALLS with these people, and frankly they make me ill.
The most recent situation is the death of my husband's great grandfather. He lived a very long and good life, however my husband was not close with him and had infact only met him a few times. We get an email from Hubby's dad informing us of his great grandfather's death...but he USES that email-the email about a death in the family!-to imply nasty things about me, and to try to pick a fight. I can't believe these people!
I think my opinion of them only gets worse because my parents are coming into town this weekend. I can't help but compare my parents with my In Laws-I know I shouldn't, but I do. Let me say this-my parents and I have not always gotten along. We by no means have a perfect relationship, I'm not a "daddy's girl" or anything. Hardly-my parents (my dad and my step mom) and I had some rough times in our relationship too. That's why I've lived on my own since I was 16 [but that's another post]. In the end though, we're still family. We still treat eachother with love and respect. We still behave like decent human beings. My parents are still good parents and good grandparents.
I wish The Inlaws behaved like that. I wish my husband could have a relationship like I have with my dad with his own father. I wish I could just fix it all--because that's the hardest part to me. I don't really care how they treat me because in the end they are irrelevant as far as I'm concerned. But watching the way they treat my husband, the awkward situations they put him in, the way they try to "make him choose" between them or me (not that he would). It just makes me so angry I want to pinch them!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Mommy: Open 8 Days A Week, 36 Hours A Day
My kids are running me 24/7. There are a lot of good things happening and sometimes I just love this whole mommy business. Baby bug is doing amazing-she was a month old Saturday and she already is lifting her head up for a couple seconds and can almost almost roll over (her arm kinda gets in the way but she can get from her back to her side all by herself) and she is such a fiesty little wiggle worm! She can even scoot and wiggle herself around her crib on her back!
Awww*
Monkey is doing great too. He is very excited about our Wi-Fi high speed internet that is coming tommarow. Not as excited as mommy is, but pretty close. Not because he likes the internet (truth be told, Captain Destructo isn't even allowed on the computer at this time). No, he's excited because "It's Com-tas-kick". Like the commercial? Oh yes. He followed me around all day telling me "Mommy! Our hemputer [computer] is Comtaskick tomarrow! It's FIVE TIMES FASTER. It's Comcaskick!!!!"
Maybe he watches too much tv.
The kids are so cute. They also have the energy of wind up toys on crack. Seriously, if I had half their energy I'd need a downer just to get to sleep at night. As it is I get no sleep because of their..um..."enthusiasm for life". If only there were more days in a week and more hours in a day.
Sometimes the kids' energy and my lack of sleep have unintended horrible consequences. Like today whe I might have kind of sorta decapitated my husband. Verbally of course. I just kind of opened my mouth and a bunch of word vomit came out about how he never watches the kids and I ALWAYS watch the kids and he doesn't really appreciate me so I'm just going to run away from home. Oh-I-did-so tell my husband I was going to run away from home. I was only kind of kidding. When I went to the store to get a soda I walked instead of driving so I could blow off steam and I felt like a little kid putting their teddy in the suitcase and walking to the end of the block...just so their parents know they're serious. Not that my husband thought for a second that I was really running away from home. Our coversation went something like this:
Me: Why can't you watch the kids so that I can get some stuff done?
Hubby: Well, I'm about to get ready for work and I really can't be late. [Damn his logic!]
Me: Fine. You do that. Go ahead and "get ready for work". Funny you always have to "do something" when I want a break. I'm with the kids every-waking-moment of every-waking-day and if I have to look at their grubby little faces for one more second I'm going to rip all my hair out and run naked down the street!!
Hubby: Mmmmmmm
Me: What?!
Hubby: You. Naked. Mmmmmm.
Me: Focus!! I am mad because you don't spend enough time with your children!! And you don't appreciate that I am making up for that by becoming their slave. [I get a little melodramatic sometimes]
Hubby: [He's trying to rub my back in "that way" ignores my complaints altogether]
Me: Whatever. I'm running away from home.
Hubby: Okay, go live with your best friend. Oh wait...that's me. So go live with your love-ah. Oh wait that's me too. Well, wherever you end up going I hope you have a good time. Get some rest-you sure are cranky when you don't sleep.
Me: Arrghbrrrpphh. I'm going to the store to get soda.
Hubby: Ooooh, I want a Mountain Dew. Thanks honey. I love you.
Me: [mumble mumble #possible explative# mumble mumble] I love you too...[sigh]
But wait-I know he sounds completely clueless and like he quite possibly IS insensitive...but wait! This is why I love him...
When I got back from the store he was writing a schedule. To see when he would have time to watch the kids so I could get some extra sleep/me time! Even after all the complaining I did, and after trying to pick a fight [okay, I'll admit it-I totally was] my husband can look past my miss pissy pants attitude to realize that it stems from my needs. And then, despite me and all my actions, he goes ahead and does his best to take care of me and make me happy.
My husband is the greatest man ever*
Awww*
Monkey is doing great too. He is very excited about our Wi-Fi high speed internet that is coming tommarow. Not as excited as mommy is, but pretty close. Not because he likes the internet (truth be told, Captain Destructo isn't even allowed on the computer at this time). No, he's excited because "It's Com-tas-kick". Like the commercial? Oh yes. He followed me around all day telling me "Mommy! Our hemputer [computer] is Comtaskick tomarrow! It's FIVE TIMES FASTER. It's Comcaskick!!!!"
Maybe he watches too much tv.
The kids are so cute. They also have the energy of wind up toys on crack. Seriously, if I had half their energy I'd need a downer just to get to sleep at night. As it is I get no sleep because of their..um..."enthusiasm for life". If only there were more days in a week and more hours in a day.
Sometimes the kids' energy and my lack of sleep have unintended horrible consequences. Like today whe I might have kind of sorta decapitated my husband. Verbally of course. I just kind of opened my mouth and a bunch of word vomit came out about how he never watches the kids and I ALWAYS watch the kids and he doesn't really appreciate me so I'm just going to run away from home. Oh-I-did-so tell my husband I was going to run away from home. I was only kind of kidding. When I went to the store to get a soda I walked instead of driving so I could blow off steam and I felt like a little kid putting their teddy in the suitcase and walking to the end of the block...just so their parents know they're serious. Not that my husband thought for a second that I was really running away from home. Our coversation went something like this:
Me: Why can't you watch the kids so that I can get some stuff done?
Hubby: Well, I'm about to get ready for work and I really can't be late. [Damn his logic!]
Me: Fine. You do that. Go ahead and "get ready for work". Funny you always have to "do something" when I want a break. I'm with the kids every-waking-moment of every-waking-day and if I have to look at their grubby little faces for one more second I'm going to rip all my hair out and run naked down the street!!
Hubby: Mmmmmmm
Me: What?!
Hubby: You. Naked. Mmmmmm.
Me: Focus!! I am mad because you don't spend enough time with your children!! And you don't appreciate that I am making up for that by becoming their slave. [I get a little melodramatic sometimes]
Hubby: [He's trying to rub my back in "that way" ignores my complaints altogether]
Me: Whatever. I'm running away from home.
Hubby: Okay, go live with your best friend. Oh wait...that's me. So go live with your love-ah. Oh wait that's me too. Well, wherever you end up going I hope you have a good time. Get some rest-you sure are cranky when you don't sleep.
Me: Arrghbrrrpphh. I'm going to the store to get soda.
Hubby: Ooooh, I want a Mountain Dew. Thanks honey. I love you.
Me: [mumble mumble #possible explative# mumble mumble] I love you too...[sigh]
But wait-I know he sounds completely clueless and like he quite possibly IS insensitive...but wait! This is why I love him...
When I got back from the store he was writing a schedule. To see when he would have time to watch the kids so I could get some extra sleep/me time! Even after all the complaining I did, and after trying to pick a fight [okay, I'll admit it-I totally was] my husband can look past my miss pissy pants attitude to realize that it stems from my needs. And then, despite me and all my actions, he goes ahead and does his best to take care of me and make me happy.
My husband is the greatest man ever*
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