don't usually do this...

share scrapbooking kind of stuff, that is. But I had to make an exception for this...

This is Jake, in all his diapered glory. This is Jake EVERYDAY. The kid lives in his diaper. Perhaps you've noticed that this is his outfit of choice in most every picture I have posted on my blog (and, come to think of it, I sure do take a lot of pictures of my couch :p) We don't have any problems getting him dressed to leave the house but once we're home, he wants his shirt OFF, his pants OFF, his socks OFF...well, you get the idea.

Just wanted to make it clear that it's not that I don't dress the boy; this is his choice, this is his preference, this is his perogative, and HOPEFULLY, this is a phase (especially as the DAMN cold Michigan winter is sneaking up on us!)

well, it's a start at least...

OK, so he didn't actually GO potty...but he did ask to sit on the toilet and that in itself is a pretty major step. He sat there for quite a long while (long enough to read a book, hehe) and now knows the word "penis." Excellent. Also, please note the helmet on the floor...must keep our treasures close. Let it be noted that I probably never would have thought to take a picture like this but after seeing this layout by Moon, I had to. (And if you're not familiar with her work, check it ALL out because it ALL rocks.)



In other news...Jake

"burped...

...out his butt"

while in the tub tonight.

Life with boys...never dull. So glad he's getting more verbal these days.

better late than never...

So, I didn't get any great pictures at the BIG birthday party. Jake love, love, LOVED Caesarland. He ran around, played with the big kids; air hockey and racing games with dad...he ate zero, zip, nada pizza (or cake!) and we had to bribe him with the promise of a sucker to get him to open presents, hehe. Once he dug into them he had fun though. He got a ton of fun gifts and a few that left us questioning the sanity of the "gifters" (hi Jen :) - see ya at Christmas, lol) The skates and equipment didn't really seem to register when he opened them but he's shown A LOT of interest since. Today, we put on the skates, helmet and gloves. He freaked! Loved them and wanted to go outside right away. Our "outside" isn't really equipped to handle skating lessons though so daddy promised him a trip to the skate park tomorrow. Didn't really get any great pics today either (what the heck did I pay the big bucks for this camera for?!?) but this one is my fave.



Hope your weekend was stellar :)

And now he is 3...

He's been doing the "2 fingers on one hand 1 finger on the other" bit all day. When I bring out the camera though he gets shy...that's when daddy steps in and does it for him :)

Where did the time go?? Why am I so wistful these last couple of weeks?? Why, oh WHY did I have my children whose birthdays are so close together? I needed to spread the melancholy out a bit, dammit. If there is another baby, it's gonna have to be a February baby!

Up next, the party at Caesarland tomorrow night. I'm guessing he will LOVE it and that we will have a VERY difficult time pulling him away from all the EXTRAVAGANZA that *is* Caesarland long enough to eat pizza or open presents!

Shhhhh, we got him skates! And pads and a helmet. Carlos is beside himself with excitement. He's been waiting three long years to introduce this kid to skates. Jake's been a master with a hockey stick for quite some time but skates...this opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Must admit, I'm a bit excited myself. Don't spoil the surprise for Jake though ;)

I'll try to update with a couple of party pics tomorrow...wish me luck!

my hot husband :)

For those of you who think my husband is HOT, a little picture for you...for the record, I think he's hot myself :)

I also think he is absolutely the best person out there for me...we share so much...our interests, our hopes for the future, our feelings for each other, our morals and ideals for raising our children. It's pretty nice around here. He also has a wicked sense of humor and that is good for me too...we "get" each other when there aren't a whole hell of a lot of other people that get us.

I've recently become obsessed with Brian Andreas (due in part to an incredible layout my buddy Gillian did recently of her cutie pie Emma...I would show you the layout but it's unavailable right now *wink*) I've done a couple of layouts myself recently using quotes of his and ran across this quote a couple of days ago:

We sat side by side in the morning light & looked out at the future together.

Made me think of C and I immediately (as do so many other things...) Back in the day we would often rise early, drive up the mountain a bit with some Krispy Kreme (droooool) and watch the sunrise. It was a time for us to connect...talk without the interruption of TV or phone, and enjoy the silence TOGETHER...something we don't have the opportunity to do much anymore. I look forward to the future when we get to spend LOTS of peaceful, quiet time together...not *too* soon though, these boys of ours are growing up way too fast as it is (Jake will be THREE tomorrow...happy birthday dear Jake.)

A picture from one of our early morning drives...taken on my birthday in 2002, a couple of weeks after we got married...I was a few weeks pregnant with my sweet boy here but happily past the morning sickness :) A really crappy pic but I had a really crappy camera at the time...I still love it because Carlos took it of me and he loves it :)



Hope your long weekend was a wonderful one...Happy Labor Day :)

scenes from a birthday party...

as promised, introducing my newly one-year-old boy:



Feeling sad and nostalgic for his infant-ness. Can't believe how fast the past year has FLOWN by. Wondering if we'll have any more children and then telling myself to STOP and enjoy these moments with Jake and Zack.

The party went well. Despite POURING all morning (when, of course, we planned the festivities for the backyard) the clouds parted and the sun came out just as people started to arrive. We kept it simple...hamburgers, brats, hotdogs, my mom's yummy potato salad. And of course the cake (always the most exciting part of ANY birthday party :D) Zack DUG IN (as you can see from the pic taken at the end of the festivities, hehe.) Jake also made the unfortunate decision to eat half of a "lollipop" also known as one of the star candles from Z's cake (he was not impressed and made a big production out of "YUCK"ing and spitting the offending wax out of his mouth. Presents were plentiful and at the end of the day everyone was happy.

Still one sad momma here though :(

they were SO good...

Coldplay that is. They rock. I had a serious case of perma-grin ALL day yesterday thinking about going to the concert and having some much needed ALONE time with Carlos. So many times I just got shivers...a sign of a very good concert indeed. Maybe you missed this post, but it explains my affinity with the band. I'm a fan forever now.

I have lots of other stuff to update (Zack's birthday - he's one...HOLY CRAP it came way too fast) a little trip to the zoo, visitors and other fun stuff. Lots of pictures to share (especially from the party, still sad here :( But for now, I'm done. Trying to catch up on email and scrap stuff tonight while me and C watch The Jacket :)

are you tired of my brother pictures??

Just have to share one more. So, I bite my nails...and Jake obviously picked that up from me because now *he* bites his nails. And, being the caring big brother he is, he's extended the practice to his younger brother, who doesn't quite have the tooth control to do it himself yet.

And Zack? Well, he just let's Jake do it! Think of it as a baby manicure I suppose!

Nice, huh?

brand new boy...

Yup, we finally did it. Chopped the locks (OK, not chopped, but definitely trimmed!)

The way he was screaming you'd have though we were paying to have him scalped. In the end, I had to sit in the chair and hold him while she did the deed. Baby hair everywhere...what a mess. Not even the allure of a purple "superman" cape would get him to sit in that chair willingly. It's not a great picture but I know many of you were waiting with baited breath to see the outcome of our little experiment. I'll post more pics when I get some good shots.

It doesn't look like much of a cut but the kid's yet to develop a hairline so no cute, short, boy cuts for him just yet...gotta keep it a little long to disquise the deficiency. Think of it as the baby version of a combover. No. Don't do that. Combovers are just nasty. It's rather "mullet-ish" though, wouldn't you say?

The funny thing? I was sitting there, holding him, while he cried and cried (REAL tears even! and that's rare.) Every so often he would peek at himself in the mirror. I honestly don't think it was the fear of the haircut hurting or anything like that that was the source of his hysterics. I think it was vanity. You've never seen this kid primp (and I don't know where the hell he got it from because C and I are about as low maintenance as you can get) but he's a mirror lover. He actually stopped to check himself out one day, ran his fingers through first the right, then the left sideof his hair...nodded as if to say "damn, I'm fine" and proceeded on his way, confident in the fact that he looked GOOD. Guess you had to be there. Anyway, I think he was crying because he was afraid he wouldn't be as handsome afterward...I've assured him repeatedly that his haircut looks SUPER (because super duper is the highest compliment he can be paid :D)

Another ordeal completed.

what more can I say...

He loved it. Was in awe. Captain Feathersword is pretty damn funny. They imitated Rod Stewart, Mick Jaggar, Metallica...good times for kids and parents. And Jeff (the purple narcoleptic) was FIVE feet from us. Starstruck, hehe.

how can you not love this scene?

It's not great quality-wise but the moment didn't really last long enough to take too many shots. Besides, I kind just wanted to sit back and enjoy the scene right along with them, know what I mean?

In other news, we made it back from a few days in Sandusky, Ohio with my mom and stepdad. Spent some time at Cedar Point...spent some time on the beach. Jake rode his first roller coaster (perhaps a bit too aggressive for a first timer, lol, he did well though and went on to try out many more rides.) Zack learned how to say "Jake" - so very cute. Carlos and I went up 420 feet and then straight back down at 120 mph all in less than 20 seconds (SUCH a cool, cool ride).

So, we're getting settled again. Gearing up for 2 concerts, 2 big birthday parties, a golf outing/picnic and a 3 week visit from my MIL in the next month - busy, busy! Just trying to enjoy these last weeks of summer before lovely fall sets in :)

so yeah...

dinner at our house was pretty good...Z really dug the sloppy joes :)

43 things...

Have you seen this website? What a cool idea! I'll readily admit to having lofty goals and a really poor sense of follow through. Strangely enough, I really think that having goals listed on some random website will help hold me accountable to them. Right now, my list is pretty basic...the last goal I added was think bigger though because I am well aware that many of the goals I've included are things *normal* people do on a daily basis - no incentive required (what a concept!) I don't know how much I'll record my progress on the website but I have big plans for some fun scrapbook stuff to help keep me on track...so check out the site and let me know if I can cheer you on while you attempt to meet your own goals!

And to sign off...a funny picture of Carlos and my stepdad Scott...just because I swore I would include it on the www for everyone to see :)

when did this happen?

My baby is eleven months old (as of Monday). I didn't even realize it until this morning. Where has the time gone? In less than a month we'll be celebrating the first year of his life with family, friends and cake. Makes me sad that he's growing so fast. And then...just a few days later, Jake...3. Life as a parent means years flying by like days...have to remember to cherish every day with my guys.

this is bordering on abuse now...

This kid *needs* a haircut unlike any other. We had arrangements made today for my parents to watch Z so we (meaning C and I) could present a united front in an attempt to chop his mane.

Then Carlos woke up sick. And Jake was a huge pain in the butt all day.

So, we put it off. It will get done. Soon. Maybe.

Please ignore the fact that he has Dorito crumbs on the corners of his mouth (trust me that they were indeed fresh) and that his toy is an empty Hawaiian Punch case. I fully expect CPS to come knocking on my door at any minute.

a yummy recipe...

I just did a recipe page as part of a birthday surprise for my dear friend Mel and had a few requests for the recipe so I thought it would be easiest to just post it here (since I have the pic and all :p)

Here ya go: Honey Chicken Teriyaki (serves 4)

2 lbs skinned boned chicken breasts

1/2 C flour

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

oil for frying

2 beaten eggs

glaze

1/3 C soy sauce

1/3 C honey

1 clove minced garlic

1 t. ginger

1. Cut chicken into 2" squares (if you use the chicken tender pieces rather than breasts you only have to cut them into 2 or 3 pieces...much easier, especially if you hate touching raw meat like me!)
2. Combine flour, salt and pepper. Coat chicken in beaten egg and flour mixture.
3. Heat 1/2" of oil in a pan over medium heat. When oil is hot, add chicken. Cook until golden brown: 6 - 8 minutes.
4. Heat glaze ingredients in a small pan.
5. Lift chicken from oil, drain briefly, dip in glaze mixture and place in baking pan.
6. Bake at 250 for 20 minutes. Pour remaining glaze over chicken halfway through baking.
7. Serve over rice.

Like I said on the layout, I usually double the glaze recipe and more than double the garlic (because I reeeeally like garlic :p) It's totally yummy with steamed broccoli. ENJOY!

Just cuz it's funny...

Geez, what do you want from me?? It just cracked me up (you too, right?) Yeah, Carlos needed to shave but look at Zack - too funny!



And no haircut for Jake...maybe THIS week :p

one more quickie...

OK, had to post a quick one of Jake because this kid can be so much damn fun sometimes. Despite the *trauma* he causes me on a daily basis, he really is a good, funny, charming, sweet boy. Who needs a haircut. Daddy-o says he's gonna take care of this weekend...I'm accepting all bets on that one :p

a little booboo

A scrape, under and on the tip of his nose. Road rash if you will from the patio at Grandma and Grandpa's. He handled it like quite the little man though, hardly a tear. Look at that face! The sand and the sidewalk chalk he were eating just add to the illusion that I'm a really poor mother, lol.

I kid though, really! I'm feeling much better after my last post. I REALLY appreciate all of the comments and emails. And ironically enough, things started improving pretty much immediately after I posted. That was the last straw and at that point, I knew something needed to be done. So, we got serious about establishing a little more routine in Z's life. He needed, I needed it, it was long overdue. And guess what? For the last 2 nights he's slept in his crib ALL NIGHT. That is huge, enormous, can't even convey what a breakthrough this is. The days are still rough but the fact that the nights now belong to me and Carlos (and Jake of course!) makes the days so much easier to face.

Again, I thank you all.

Well, I'm off to Chicago in the morning for 4 days. I'll try to update when I get back on Monday :) Have a safe and fun weekend!

do YOU ever feel like

maybe you aren't cut out to be a mom?

I mean, I love these kids to death but sometimes (and sometimes is becoming more and more frequent) I can't help but wonder if I was supposed to be doing something as my "career" right now. Perhaps an accountant, or clown, or a WNBA star (but never a gardener - I KILL plants dead!) I've been trying REALLY hard to focus on the good stuff (see previous post) because there is a lot. But every day, every tantrum, every hurt...I feel myself slipping a bit more. I mean, did I just get "lucky" and hit the mommy lottery with TWO extremely difficult children (and trust me, after getting Jake through "babyhood" we thought there was noooooo fricken' way Zack could be any harder. We were wrong.) or am I just doing things all wrong? I see friends and family that make motherhood seem so natural. I *used* to feel that way but now I feel like an imposter - just pretending that I know what I'm doing. Zack, for instance, when he's upset (which is a lot when I'm around) is inconsolable. Shouldn't a mommy be able to comfort her baby? When I hold Z, sing to him, rock him...he just squirms, pinches, scratches, bites and headbutts to free himself. Shen I set him down, he gets even angrier - what am I to do? I try not to take it personally but it hurts. A lot. ANd damn, now I'm crying (again). People always comment about how calm and laidback he is...and he IS, with other people. They must all think I'm a liar when I tell them he really CAN be quite a handful. The last three weeks I've been working and Carlos has been staying home with the boys - they are good for him. The second I walk in the door all hell breaks loose. That says it all right there, eh? I'm a sucky mom. This all sounds so whiny and bitchy - if you know me, you know I hate coming across that way but I needed a place to vent and this seemed as good a place as any. Anonymous to a degree but still comforting as I know most of my readers care about me.

Sorry I'm such a downer...I tried to inject some humor (I know you're like"huh, where??") since I really don't like feeling sorry for myself. Carry on with your dady, lol, I'll try to be a bit more upbeat tomorrow! I know this was rambling and probably typo filled but I don't have it in me to re-read it right now. Thanks guys.