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.

peekaboo!

Zack's favoite game right now...he plays it with books, clothing, the shower curtain (while I'm showering of course, nothing like a little company while you're bathing :p) That smile makes my heart melt.

off for a few days...

not that I've been around much lately anyway! I've been busy helping out my dad at his shop the last couple of weeks. It's been great spending so much time with him; reconnecting with him I guess. And now, we are off to Algonac State Park for the weekend with my parents, my brother and his family. Algonac has an amazing fireworks display that the whole town comes out for. Excited for our boys to camp for the first time and to try out our new (used) camper that we just bought. Wish me luck getting some great fireworks shots and that the boys don't go bonkers over the noise!

Haven't taken any pictures recently so here's another from our sprinkler fun the other day. Check out the hair (and the killer biceps :D)

Have a FABULOUS holiday weekend and be safe :)

trying to be brave...

He wanted to go through the sprinkler...he really did! And he kept crawling through...over and over...and cried evertime.

Can't say he ever gave up though.

proof that he is mine...

curled up next to the window on a rainy day with a book...ok, so Spongebob isn't my reading material of choice but it's a book!

Jake has finally reached that stage where he says funny stuff on a daily basis...a few recent gems:

• While jamming to some iTunes on the computer he picks up the phone and says "'ello? no, no, I'm dancing." Too busy to talk I guess...must have been another telemarketer.
• After asking him if I could trim his bangs to get them out of his eyes, he agrees. Once the scissors come out though it's a whole 'nother story. OK, so I put the scissors away (my plan is to cut them while he sleeps) Jake dramatically sweeps his arm across his forehead and says "PHEW! That was close!"
• Pointing to my butt "poop." Yup, that's where it comes from buddy (and yes, I was fully dressed and no, there was no poop on my pants, and please Jake, for the love of God, no need to pull that one out while we're in public)
• "A Jacob" used to describe any child that is approximately J's age. Alternate use: said to Zack when Z is doing something J deems "bad." Apparently Jake hear's his name in that context often, lol.

onto the important stuff

OK, since many of the people who read this are of the scrapbooking variety, I figured I'd throw a little bone to you all. A little review if you will.

Finally got my copy of Donna Downey's "creative albums" on Monday and man has that girl got some mad skills. Creativity oozing from her pores (great visual, eh?) SO many cool ideas...all with the steps shown to create the mini masterpieces. Not only do they look amazing, they are completely doable and that's pretty important to this craft impaired individual.

Shows some variations on the "typical" mini album ideas as well as some cool new stuff that I've never seen before...albums made from floppy disks, paint chips, cigar boxes and my favorites, the rolodex album and mat board album (completely quick and easy but soooo fun looking).

Anywho, I completely recommend the book to any and all of my scrapping buddies. And one more thing, apparently Donna and I have this crazy, cool psychic connection thing. I bought some of those sliding metal binder clip thingies on Sunday (not knowing what I was going to use them FOR, just thought they were cool and super cheap) and just a day later, Donna shows me how to USE them on page 102. Nice Donna.

Cannot WAIT to get the Photo Decor book...that book is the whole reason I'm waiting to decorate this house, seriously.

breakfast at our house...

you see, it is an informal affair. Juice, waffles, coffee, the floor, the table, wherever. We do a very good job of gathering 'round the table for dinner each night but breakfast usually takes place wherever we happen to be. And the 5 second rule is a joke in our house!