Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Lost Taylor

First off No I have not died from any sewing related injuries (Yet)


Things have been crazy busy as always in the life of Taylor. The kids keep me super busy and not only that this whole new June Cleaver mom thing has thrown me into overdrive.


After weeks of sewing and cleaning and keeping up with 3 kids the snow hit. We live in the greater Puget sound area it doesn't snow here. So thanks to mother nature my Christmas shopping was a total mess. Mr. Montana was out of town the week before Christmas while my lovely mom mobile was stuck in the driveway. Even if I could have backed out of my driveway I wouldn't have gone anywhere anyway. You couldn't have paid me to drive in the snow. Its not that I don't trust myself its everyone else out there its not like everyone else out there on the road cares about my precious cargo.

Dear anyone who knew we wanted to get a Wii for Avery (Mr.Montana) for Christmas. Um HELLO why didn't you people bother to tell me that this was going to be a hard to find item. EVERYONE was SOLD OUT. I guess it was kinda my fault too it didn't process in my lovely mom brain that while looking at stores they never seemed to have any. So its not all your fault, but come on if you know me you should know that sometimes its imperative that you point things out.

Mr. Montana and my Mother who I'm thinking about starting to refer to her as the crazy cat lady started and finished Christmas Shopping on Christmas Eve just moments before Toys R US Closed. And to my surprise Avery said nothing Christmas morning about the Wii. It wasn't until the next day he started asking about it.

I am happy to say that we are now the proud owners of a Wii and I have lost my 6 year old and my man child to it. New Years eve Mr. Montana even came home early from work to play. I figured I would give it a few days before I go into mom mode and lay down the law and set some rules for playing and the amount of time spent on the darn thing. As for now I will let them have some fun and who knows maybe I will get to spend some time in my NEW SEWING ROOM!!!!

I was told it was my Christmas present that I Taylor would get my very own Sewing room a place to call my own. Then I was told I get to be the one to clean it out of all the kid crap that had been collecting in there. Lucky ME!!!! Not even 24 hours later the catch all room/former bedroom of Chloe's was all MINE. Now I cant say that I have been able to sew yet. Just the idea of having a room that I get to toss all my crap all over the place and not have to figure out where my family is going to eat their next meal is just PRICELESS!!!

With all the time I spent sewing in December and dealing with Snow. I found out how much I hate COMCAST. So for all of you who have wondered where in the heck I have been or if you have been trying to call us. I have two words for ya COMCAST SUCKS. They will be out Monday to replace our phone box and we will be given a new number. So for all of those who were waiting for my Merry Christmas Phone call.... I'm sorry I was planning on calling I really was I wasn't being lame and I didn't forget about you. It was COMCAST and they SUCK. Oh and I no longer have the email address I had before I will talk to them at some point and pray that there is some reason they can give me the same one again. Just in case they wont or cant I will spend the next few days trying to come up with something fun and new for my possible new email address.

Thank Goodness I have the net back it was as if I was cut off from all of the world. I could live without a phone, but no net is like dying a slow and painful death. Maybe I should let COMCAST know they almost killed me.

Any who for those who missed this....
Merry Christmas EVE EVE
Merry Christmas EVE
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year

Oh yeah and I know I have always been good about sending out Christmas Cards with Updates on the kiddo's with some super mom cute picture that only a mother could truly love. I didn't forget. I will at some point in 2009 get out Happy New Year cards with a 2008 review so don't worry you didn't miss my boring updates. You will be forced to read them soon.... And for those who don't read them I will find out.

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

I knew this day would come


I have always known that one day my children would be spending endless amounts of time with their friends and would never want to be home. I just figured it wouldn't be this soon.


I'm not talking about my 6 year old or my 4 year old, but my 2 year old has a BFF.


Miss Chloe wakes up wanting to spend every waking moment next door. They don't have a typical friendship well who really knows this could be a normal 2 year old BFF relationship. They hit and push, take toys from each other. Then after they spend 2 minutes in timeout they are hugging and kissing each other. At least for a moment or two until the whole pushing and hitting thing starts over again.


The other night after going to the local RW with the little girls for more apron fabric and getting the best workout that I have had in years running all over the store chasing two 2 year olds we decided to drive around and look at Christmas lights.


I'm sorry, but when it comes to little kids who are just learning how to talk and the wonderful things they say it makes my heart melt. Chloe had passed out by the time we got into our neighborhood, but Miss NANA was enjoying all the lights.


We saw countless snowmen along with tons of Cocaine's.....


No matter how many times we said Candy Canes they are now Cocaine's.


Well I'm off I need to start digging a tunnel from our house to next door. This way I wont have to freeze while I pass my child next door. Plus it will make for easy transport of sewing machines. I gotta go find my plastic spork and start a digging!


Until Next Time,

Just MOM


Monday, December 8, 2008

I'm Back!!!

At least for now...

The last 3 weeks have been spent looking at countless fabrics and sewing until my fingers bleed. So they didn't really bleed, but they sure felt as though they should be.

This past Friday Angel and I pulled an all nighter getting ready for this STUPID BAZAAR. I haven't stayed "awake" that long since High School and I'm not really sure I could ever do it again. After the bazaar I came home and passed out my Honey is now referring to it as my "Longest Sleep Record" of 18.5 hours.

Thank GOD I have a great hubby who took care of the kiddo's so I could catch up on my beauty sleep.

I no longer hate Aprons nor do I feel like I wasted all this time making them for nothing. No we didn't sell a darn thing at the Bazaar, but not a single person did either. I don't think anyone came with the plan to buy anything. They came for the Dumb $3.00 breakfast and to take pictures with Santa on their Camera Phones... People were so cheap they didn't even buy Santa Photos...

We are hitting another Bazaar this weekend if they don't sell I will "Giving" away Aprons to all of my readers.

Here are some photos of what my last 3 weeks looked like. My Children have never watched so many videos nor has my house ever been this dirty. I haven't done laundry in days and my hubby was forced to wash towels the other day.


I think Scott will be happy once the house is back to "Normal" and for the day I get to bed before 2am.

Not only was I sewing until my fingers felt like they were bleeding, but while I was busy trying to keep myself "Awake" the other night I spent hours using a HOT GLUE GUN making our sign. Needless to say I no longer have finger prints blisters have taken the place of them.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Sewing Until My Fingers Bleed

I have spent the last week sewing like a crazy person with minimal sleep and consuming more coffee in a day then most people do in a lifetime.

While I sit here trying to wake up enough to pull out my sewing machine and find what little ounce of creative inspiration I have left I figured that I would blog. Something I haven't done in well over a week.

I have to force myself today to sew the last of the aprons and construct a super cute little sign for our booth. I have a feeling that I will not be sleeping tonight....

Yesterday I put all my kiddo's down for a nap with the plan to sew and get as much done as I could before everyone was up. I poured myself a nice cup of coffee sat down and attempted to thread the needle. I was running on two pots of coffee and less than 4 hours of sleep when I realized that there was no way I could sew a straight line when I couldn't even see straight to put the darn thread in the needle. I figured that maybe I would try closing one eye so I was no longer crossed eyed when I gave up and headed to my room for a much needed nap.

As of 2am today we have 27 aprons done and only 23 more to go...

I should walk away from the computer sew myself some gloves with thimbles at the end of every finger and force myself to only take potty breaks every 10 hours and turn my kitchen table into a sweat shop and sew until I cant see straight. My children are lucky that we don't own another sewing machine because I would be practicing Child Slave Labor for sure.

Only 46 hours until the Holiday Bazaar Starts.... I think we might go crazy before then.

Until Next Time,
One Tired MOM

Monday, November 24, 2008

No I Didnt Forget

So I haven't forgotten about my blog. Nor did I forget that I haven't finished writing about Chloe and her oh so very rough 2 years.

The truth is that I have been spending almost every free minute with Angel, who is my next door neighbor and a really great new friend!

We have spent the last 2 weeks sewing like crazy people! And I thought that Blogging and Coffee was a true addiction. I was wrong.....

Coffee is still my #1 addiction, but now sewing is right up there with Coffee.

Angel and I are going to be doing our very first ever Holiday Bazaar on December 6th. I just hope and pray that everyone loves them as much as we do! We better get some custom orders out of the deal too. I really don't want to force Bella and Chloe to wear a different apron every day just to make me feel better that I spent countless hours making them.

Today we are going to finish up what we started yesterday along with attempt to make a few boys tool belts so the little guys don't feel left. Cause boy oh boy are the aprons cute!

Alright I feel better now I have written a blog. Dinner is already made and its not even 10am yet. Thank goodness for the slow cooker because now I don't have to worry about doing anything else besides sewing until the Hubby gets home. Nothing like a little Refrigerator Soup for Dinner.

For those of you who have no idea what Refrigerator Soup is. You take a little bit of whatever you have in your fridge throw it into a pot add water and call it soup! I did plan for it and mostly picked up everything for it.

My idea of Refrigerator soup and who I got the idea from is way different. My EX- step father's mother would make this soup once a week.

One day while sitting down to dinner after spending a whole week with them while my Mother and Step Father were out of town. I looked at my spoonful of this soup and noticed something....

There was a little bit of everything from a full weeks worth of dinner. His parents lived through the depression and well like most people who did you WASTE NOTHING. I mean nothing so she would take a weeks worth of leftovers toss them in a pot and serve it as soup before any of the leftovers went bad.

I have thought about it many times with my family only because at the first sight of leftovers not only my children, but my hubby as well start looking for ANYTHING they can find to eat besides what I was planning on serving.

Well I'm off I hear Galloping Gerty in the other room calling my name. I must shower then start sewing so I feel like I got something done today.

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

PS. Galloping Gerty is my sewing machine.... Before Angel helped me lube her up well the name says it all.. Doesn't it?

Friday, November 21, 2008

She Must Be Cute!

OMG my Baby Chloe was picked as a finalist for baby of the week!

So if your reading this guess what you get to do......

First Check out the picture
http://warm1069.com/rwn.asp?displayOption=&contentGUID={0DC47685-AFCC-40AA-82EF-2038ACF0D664}&groupName=KRWM%20On%20Air%20Contests&siteGUID={AFEDDA3C-2BDA-4E6A-8259-8B3901703883}

She is #8

Then send an email to: warmcutestbaby@gmail.com

And Vote for Chloe!!!!

Don't forget to put Baby #8 Chloe 20 months old in the subject line
then add the same thing to the body of the email.

Please Vote once a day everyday for the next week!

Until Next Time,
ONE VERY HAPPY MOM!!!!!!

Foto Finish Friday Fiesta

I know I promised that I would finish the Story of Chloe this week since tomorrow is her second birthday. My big kids have been super sick with the flu and well I have been addicted to sewing super cute aprons. I forgot today was Friday my plan was to have something super cute to share, but well that didn't happen. So I did the next best thing....

This picture was taken April of 2007. We were enjoying our day at the park when Bella took a dive head first off the swing. I had been taking pictures of the kids that day. I had no idea until I got home that I had taken a picture of her falling.

Scott's face is priceless and well now I have a picture to remember that day. Don't worry Miss Bella was fine she dusted herself off and wanted back on the swing.

I promise I will finish Chloe's story at some point today and post it either tonight or tomorrow. Now I get to rush around and get ready the kids have hair cuts in Seattle at 11:30 and well we live almost 2 hours away.

I should find someone else to cut their hair....

Don't forget to check out Candid Carrie and other great FX4
http://carriestuckmann.blogspot.com/


Until Next Time,
Just MOM

Friday, November 14, 2008

Life's Shoulda Coulda Woulda's

Do you ever sit and wonder about all the Shoulda Coulda Woulda's?

I shoulda Finished School

I Coulda been a nurse

I would be working like a mad woman, and wouldn't be able to spend all this wonderful time with my kids. There are only little for a short time.

So my Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda's end right there.


I Love being a Mom even on days like today. When they decide to turn my pit stick into a soupy mess. So now I'm being forced to use my husbands.

I shoulda picked up new pit stick on Friday. I wouldn't have had to spend my weekend smelling like my husband.

I shoulda let the big kids make fun of Chloe when she had the flu. I know this sounds bad, but after spending all of Sunday and Monday smelling like my husband, trying to clean up after my two sick big kids who are now sick with the flu. Trying to tell my two year old to stop making fun of the big kids when they are getting sick. There were a few times that I really thought that Chloe was sick. Maybe it's time to sign her up for Acting Classes? Either way this really wasn't my idea of a great weekend or the start to my week.

I shoulda washed some clothes yesterday. Now I'm going to be forced to wear my ugly sweats and some random shirt and pray that I wont need to leave the house.

Oh the Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda's of life!

Until Next Time,
Just MOM







Friday Foto Finish

Since Miss Chloe is a week away from turning 2. I couldn't help but want to share some of our favorite Chloe pictures. This birthday is such a huge milestone for Chloe and our family. Not only did Chloe make it to 2! But she is also part of the 5% of Children who's heart has healed on its own!

Enjoy!


Chloe Elizabeth after her first bath



My girls after Bath Time. Isabella 2 Chloe 3 weeks old
Christmas 2006
Avery 4, Isabella 2, Chloe 4 weeks
Chloe and Auntie Melinda at the March of Dimes ( No Photos Please)
Chloe 5 months oldDress up Anyone? 5 Months oldJust another day at the Park 6 Months old4th of July Park Day with MOM
I was getting ready to go home! Chloe 14 months old

My mom wont stop giving me kissesChloe is the coolest! 20 Months old Family Movie Night


Chloe trying to get away from the girls in Pink... "Come Back Baby"
Cotton Candy is the best! Chloe at the Fair

Chloe 22 months old
Chloe looking at Ducks with Daddy 23 Months old

Dont forget to check out Candid Carrie!
http://carriestuckmann.blogspot.com/

Until Next Time,

Just MOM

Monday, November 10, 2008

Boots


Sweet Baby Girl your almost 2 I cant even believe it.

Two days ago was the 2 year anniversary of my goal due date. And to think we made it 13 extra days!

Thinking back on everything from the long almost 9 months you were in my tummy. I was so sick and from the very start I couldn't wait for it to be over. Until the day the doctors started to worry about you.

You were extra small and not moving much. There were so many questions being asked and yet no answers being given. Each and everyday that went by we prayed for you. At 21 weeks and 4 days we found out that you were a girl. While I was so excited to be having another girl the doctors kept measuring you over and over again to figure out why you were only measuring at 16 weeks. This doctor wasn't our normal doctor and she wasn't able to say a word about what she was finding. The famous "Hmmmm" we kept hearing for many months after. I still cringe every time someone does it.

Every test under the sun was ran that day. We were hopeful that somewhere down the line we had a history of "small" babies and prayed that genetics were playing a part for you.

This was the day your Big Brother Avery named you boots!

A few weeks later I found out that I had gestational diabetes. From that moment on I ate everything that I was supposed to and made sure my sugars were perfect. I gave up my love of pasta and bread in hopes that you would be okay.

Shortly after that I was going in three times a week so they could check up on you. Make sure you were moving like a crazy girl and growing just right. On Thursday September 21 2006 the sweet nurses at Material Fetal Medicine decided to keep monitoring me for a few more minutes while they finished some paperwork. Not even two minutes later your heart rate dropped.

I don't think I have ever been so scared in my life. Your daddy was working late that night and Your Big Brother and Sister were at a friends house. As they were searching for your heart beat and having me move a million different directions then the Marie one of sweetest nurses I have ever met ran out of the room and the on call Doctor ran back in. When she came back into the room her face was white and the smile that was always upon her face was no longer there.

She walked over to my left side and held my hand. Handed me a tissue and told me everything was going to be okay. They still hadn't found your heart beat and you weren't moving. It had been 3 long minutes. I was being transferred over to the labor and delivery floor. Nothing was being said I had no idea if you were okay.

Just before they started to wheel me out of the room. You moved! The plan was to see how you do for the next few hours and if it happened again then they September 21, 2006 would be your Birthday. You would have been way to early more than 2 months early. Over the next 15 hours you did just fine. Our wonderful doctor came in and that is when we set our plan. She even had a little heart to heart talk with you. You were to stay healthy and strong until November 9th and I was to stay pregnant until then.

We had weekly ultrasounds and we sat in that very chair that were we almost lost you 3 times a week.

I prayed every single day that we would make it to November 9th.

Grandma had a shower for us on October 14 I only had two bites of that Oh so very tasty Chocolate Cheese Cake. I was sure you wouldn't mind something non organic and sweet to eat. We all laughed and talked about everything but the worry we had for you.

I figured that if I didn't pick up your bedding or have everything ready you wouldn't come until we were. Everything stayed in bags and boxes that people gave you at the shower. We had your butterfly bedding picked out, but I wasn't going to buy it until November 8th.

November 9th we were all ready for you to come. I went to see the doctor and you looked just fine so it was now a waiting game. Were you going to come soon or would you wait until what I like to call "D" day.

On November 22, 2006 at 6am your Daddy and I walked through the empty parking lot of Evergreen Hospital knowing that in a few short hours we would be meeting you. Not only that your Big Brother I think was more excited than we were. He was going to meet his Boots!

Everyone showed up at the hospital about 30 minutes before you were born. Avery couldn't figure out why you weren't out yet. Bella was being Bella and had no clue as to what was going on.

At about 12:40 your Brother and Sister took a stroll to the gift shop to pick up their Big Brother and Big Sister T-Shirts. At 12:52pm you were born weighing 7 pounds 9 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. You were Perfect!

Even though you were small to us but normal size to Doctors. We figured you were okay now that you were here.
Your Big Brother held you minutes after you were born. He cried and told you how much he loved you and how he waited so long to meet you. Your Big Sister really wasn't too sure about you, but that didn't stop her from petting you while Avery held you.

Later that day after everyone went home. Avery decided to stay with us in the Hospital just in case you needed him. I remember looking at you next to me you were so sweet and so little. You had the most perfect little lips and those oh so kissable cheeks. You had a tiny bit of blond fuzz on your head and we were almost 99.9% sure your eyes were blue. You wouldn't keep your eyes open long enough for us to see.

Your lips kept turning blue our nurse Liz kept telling me to keep your hat on that you were just cold. I couldn't help it that blond hair was just too sweet! We had no idea that your blue lips were just the start of everything that was going to come.

I didn't get much sleep that night I couldn't take my eyes off you. We waited so long for this day Chloe a day we thought that might never come....

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

Check back tomorrow for the more of the Chloe story.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Money Really Does Grow In Walls


All money problems solved by knocking down walls. Then just re wall my walls ( Thanks Jessica Simpson) just to knock them down again and find more CASH!
I WISH!
A Contractor who was working on an old high school friends home. Found Depression-era currency in the bathroom wall.

Well after the contractor found it he made his first oops he told the friend. I'm sure I would have done the same. She offered him 10% he asked for 40% then it went to court. Check out the link to the sight I read the story on. I think its kinda funny. Too bad they didn't end up with much in the end.

I have been searching for my very own money tree for years. I would settle for some wall money. I wish I could count how many times I have wished there was money hanging out in the wall somewhere. Too bad my house was built a few years ago. So the chances of finding Depression-era money is unlikely.

A girl could dream right? Until I find my wall of cash I will still be searching for my Money Tree. I would even take Money Tree seeds even if it means waiting a few years before it starts producing hundred dollar bills. Heck I would even take a money tree that grew twenty dollar bills.


Off in LA LA land,
Just MOM
PS. The re walling the walls was said by Jessica Simpson on MTVS the Newlyweds. I loved the way Nick would look at her after she would say something dumb like re wall the walls. Kinda the same look Scott gives me when I say something Dumb.

Three Little Kids Jumping on the Bed

One fell off and Bumped his head

Momma was forced to say "I told you so".

The girls figured I was serious when I said
"NO MORE KIDS JUMPING ON THE BED".

One Little Kid Jumping on the bed
He fell off yet again and hurt his foot

Momma Yelled and said "NO MORE"

"But Mom it really hurts"

My response was "well Avery this is why I tell you not to jump on the bed. So unless your bleeding and cant walk I'm sorry you got hurt but you need to go play somewhere else. NOW"

I'm not to sure why my children feel the need to play on my bed. It always ends the same way... They don't really care to listen EVER I get so sick and tired of having to remake my bed and to pick our pillows up off the dirty floor several times a day.

Dear Avery, Bella and Chloe

While I do have a king size bed it is not a play ground, Nor is it a place for you to sleep. The last time I checked you all have your own beds. I didn't buy a King size Bed so there would be room for EVERYONE. I like my space period end of story. And there isn't enough SPACE in that BED for all FIVE of us. So do not play on my bed and please please DO NOT COME DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO SLEEP WITH ME. It's driving me CRAZY! I no longer believe in a Family Bed I didn't really in the first place. If I could go back in time and place all three of you in your OWN beds from the moment you were born I would. Even if I was forced not to nurse any of you. If this promised me that 6 years later I would be sleeping alone I would. You all would have been formula fed and left to "Cry it Out".

LOVE,
MOM

Friday, November 7, 2008

Apparently My Baby Isnt Cute

Apparently my baby isn't cute.... The other day I entered Chloe into a cutest baby contest.
You know the picture of her in her glasses with Avery's underpants on with red high heels and a pink handbag.


I know my child is cute and its not just me being a mom. I'm thinking that it really should have been called the Ugliest baby contest cause non of this weeks children are all that cute.


Okay let me rephrase that they aren't totally unfortunate looking.


I just don't understand how my baby wasn't picked. You know out of all the 9 billion other babies that entered. I cant believe they didn't pick my sweet baby.


Heart Broken,
Just MOM
PS.. How could she not have been picked? Just look at how darn cute she is!

Aprons with a side of Velveeta

After posting my Foto Finish Friday blog. I figured it was time to finish my "Project" of the moment. I have spent the last day or so making a Child Size Apron along with an oven mitt and hot pad to match. All I have left to do is the pocket....

Once I decided it wasn't "Project" time in other words I'm doing what I do best and procrastinating yet again. I checked out Candid Carrie's blogs that I had yet to read this week.
Now I'm feeling the need for Cheesy Spinach and Bacon Dip. I'm starving and it sounds really good and there is no way I'm going to drag my tired self and children to the store. Oh but its made with two of my all time Favorite things Velveeta Cheese and Bacon and well everyone should love Spinach!

Who knows maybe I will since today I'm doing everything else, but what I should be doing.

To tell you the truth I will end up finishing the Apron because I would rather deal with Chloe climbing on the table and pulling the thread off my sewing machine and pushing buttons. I cant stand taking everyone to the Market not only that I cant stand food shopping in the first place. Well I'm going to wipe the drool from my face and start sewing.

Oh how I wish this could be my very first giveaway win! Man if not all that drooling for nothing...
http://carriestuckmann.blogspot.com/2008/11/velveta-licious.html
Check out Candid Carrie's Giveway!

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

PS... Velveeta Cheese ROCKS! And so does Candid Carrie!

Foto Finish Friday

A week or so ago I rolled out paper to cover our table so the kids could paint. I had no idea that it was going to be such a big hit! We never got around to painting....



Avery, Bella and Chloe spent hours just coloring on the table. Avery drew a picture of a house then some clouds along with three huge mountains.

Then he decided there needed to be people! He drew our family on the Mountains trying to make our way home in the storm. Then my sweet little boy decided that the man on top of the mountain was all bummed out.

Why you ask? Because there was a limo at the bottom of the mountains and the man didn't see it. So the family had spent all this time climbing the mountains trying to get home in a really bad storm and they could have just taken the limo.


I just love the way kids minds work! I couldnt help but share the pictures I took of our lovely table with such great artwork.


Dont forget to check out Candid Carrie and everyone else who is taking part in Foto Finish Friday! http://carriestuckmann.blogspot.com/


Until Next Time,

Just MOM

Please Tell Me I'm Not The Only One


The phone rings and your children have been playing nicely for hours. Just as soon as that phone rings and you answer it. All hell breaks loose....

It never fails the fighting starts the minute I'm on the phone.
"He looked at me"
"She touched me"
"He wont let me play"
"She hurt my feelings"

Needless to say I am forced to get off the phone and deal with them. Or I kindly tell the person to hang on and I tell the kids to deal with it and I step outside so I cant hear the yelling and crying.

The other issue is when decide to shower. I have given up on ever showering alone, but even with Chloe at my feet the big kids always seem to have something that cant wait five minutes until I am out.
"MOM can I play the LEGO game?"
"MOM can you find me clothes?"
"MOM" "MOM" "MOM" and more "MOM"

It makes me not even want to shower. Please tell me how I am going to start the LEGO game for Avery and find clothes for Bella while I'm trying to shave my legs and wash my hair? Why is it that they cant wait until I am out or when I ask them if there is anything they need before I get in?

The last thing.... I think my children just know that the nights I stay up later than the norm they are up at least 2 hours before they normally get up.

I think this is some form of MOM torture...

It should be outlawed for good.

Law # 1
All children must remain silent at all times when your MOM is on the phone.

Law#2
All issues need to wait until MOM has had time to shave her legs, wash her hair and is not only out of the shower, but fully dressed.

Law#3
When MOM was up past her bedtime last night. Not only do Children need to sleep in, but when you do get up make yourself breakfast and turn cartoons on. DO NOT BOTHER MOM UNTIL SHE HAS AT LEAST A CUP OF COFFEE IN HAND.

Law#4
A MOM has the right to add additional laws as she feels at anytime.

Law#5
All Children must obey all laws or they will be punished by taking LEGO games away and Polly Pockets.

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Dear General Mills

To whom this may concern,


First off I will start by saying that our family loves your products. Honey Nut Cheerios are eaten daily for breakfast by my children and I'm sure that wont change anytime soon.

Second I know that eating a good breakfast is a great way to start the day, but when it involves fighting over a toy, a single toy you decided to place in the box. It really turns breakfast into the biggest pain in the rear.

When did you decide that it was okay to start placing toys back into the boxes of Cereal without talking to parents first? For the families that only have a single child I'm sure its not problem, but for families like mine or lets say the Duggar family who has 18 children it poses a HUGE problem. Who gets the toy? The child who can read and know that there is a toy in the box? Or the child who starts screaming because there isn't a toy for her? Then you give the toy to the screaming child, and the child who first found out there was a toy in the box is now pouting.

So tell me Mr. General Mills who do I give the toy to? I can handle the boxes of Cereal that you place those super cool little books in. At least we can read over breakfast and learn something fun. But that last thing I need to deal with before I have had my coffee is fighting over a really dumb plastic Madagascar Zebra toy. I will tell you now that by the end of the day its going to end up in the trash anyway.

Why don't you just save everyone the trouble and only include books in the boxes of cereal or make it so we have to send away for the toys. Then it's left up to us parents if we want to deal with it.

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

Come on People

Your making me feel old. I'm not 100% sure why since I do have 3 children and I'm kinda married.

While on Myspace today I have been noticing that people left and right are having babies or are pregnant. Along with that you people are getting married. For the most part I was the first one out of everyone I know to have kids. But for whatever reason its making me feel old.

The other little issue is when I see all those cute little babies it makes me want to have another one. This by no means is a good thing. So tell your sweet little babies not to be so cute while your snapping those photos. Its causing my Fallopian tubes to flutter and I really do not need another baby anytime soon.

Maybe this feeling old thing has more to do with the fact I'm a mother of a 6 year old who is missing a mouth full of teeth, and 4 year old who thinks shes 24 and a soon to be 2 year old who is connected to my hip at all times.

So this is the only time I am going to ask you people. Stop getting married, stop having babies and if you don't stop having babies at least don't let them be so darn cute.

If you don't do you have any idea what is going to happen?

That's right I might do something crazy like get married or decide to have another baby.

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Died and Gone to Taylor Heaven!

So I missed the Grand Opening of Target. I know what was I thinking? They ended up opening the doors a few days early so when October 12 rolled around I said forget it. I wasn't the first one in the door nor did I get to be one of the first to be served at STARBUCKS.

YES PEOPLE THERE IS A STARBUCKS RIGHT INSIDE OF TARGET. It's not one of those lame ones that just serve Starbucks coffee, its a real green apron wearing fully loaded Starbucks that even sells espresso machine's!

I think I have died and gone to Taylor Heaven!

What more could a girl ask for? They should put Laptops on all the shopping carts then I could shop and blog while drinking a vanilla latte!

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

Friday, October 31, 2008

A Black Cloud

Settles upon the Swecker Family on Halloween this year.

Besides waking up to it pouring down rain outside. Living in Seattle we expect this to happen. After letting our poor soaking wet dog inside the black cloud moves in.

No not the one in the sky, but the one in the form of a Fever and Vomiting. Poor Chloe is super sick, but yet she keeps going into my closet pointing at her butterfly costume and saying "Put On" I should have known yesterday when she was extra crabby and wouldn't eat.

Lets just hope she starts feeling better by 4pm today.

Happy Halloween,
JM

Foto Finish Friday Fiesta

Happy Halloween!


She is not upset because she has the buzz lightyear costume on, but because we said it was time to take it off.

Don't forget to check out Candid Carrie!

http://carriestuckmann.blogspot.com/

Happy Halloween,

Just MOM


Thursday, October 30, 2008

Arranged Marriage

While on the phone with a good friend of mine who feels like she is dying from the bird flu. The topic of Drama came up. We all know that I might be a little dramatic, but Bella is the Drama Queen. When asked what she wants to be when she grows up all she talks about is wanting to shop for shoes. My reply is always the same "Well Bella I hope you marry well" I have a feeling she will still be living at home when shes thirty because she wont be able to move out on her Starbucks salary due to her shoe shopping addiction. Maybe she will marry an architect who will design her a house that looks just like Manolo Blahnik Mary Jane. I'm sure that would be the only thing that would get her to move out of our house. Then she can literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes.

A girl can dream right?

Then my friend who is suffering from the Bird Flu (a bad cold with a hint of Dramatic much) thought that I should arrange a marriage for Bella! Why didn't I think of that first? Since Bella is a bit on the high maintenance side already I figured why not get started now. Finding Bella a rich man to marry could take a little time and effort, but I think it could work.

If it were only possible to marry off your 4 year old. While adults fight about real things, just think about what 4 year old would fight about. Who gets the last chocolate chip cookie and what cartoon they are going to watch first. While Bella fights for the cookie and the right to watch Cinderella her "husband" is thinking because he is the MAN of the house he gets the cookie and wants to watch Power Rangers. Knowing Bella this fight would last all day long and she would end up throwing the cookie away or feeding it to the dog. Then she would solve the other problem by unplugging the TV. While her "Husband" tries to talk her into shopping on Rodeo Drive followed by Breakfast at Tiffany's. All of this for a darn cookie and Power Rangers! I'm sure with the idea of new shoes and something sparkly to wear around her neck she would give in. Maybe not Bella sure loves her Chocolate.

Even thought I'm not serious about this, it at least is a good thought right? How funny would it be could you see Bella being married to some other little 4 year old. They both have to go home before Dinner because there is no way I would allow my child to live with anyone else, but me. He can just support her shoe habit.

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

Sweet Things

Why is it that there are a billion movies for adults on this time of year "Halloween" and really nothing for children? Why cant the It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown be on demand? I'm sure my kids would rather watch that. Other than watching Halloween Dora and Sponge Bob Scary Pants for the nine hundredth time. Anyway while I was trying to find them something to watch I found ET!

I forgot out sweet that movie is. I love the part where Elliott is showing ET things in his room. "The fish eat the food and the shark eats the fish, but nothing eats the shark" Then there is the " This is money, the money goes into the Peanut"

I feel the need for some recess pieces. Did anyone else cry when they watched ET? I sure did I still get a bit teary when I watch it. I guess when my parents way back when went to see it in the theatre there was a little boy sitting next to them who was balling like a baby at the end.

While I'm sitting here talking about movies. I watched the movie Dan in Real Life the other day while my kiddo's were napping. Over all the movie was a bit dumb, but it really made me want to have siblings more than ever. Oh well Scott and I can be the parents who make everyone get together once a year for a week of fun. Where there will be a candy jar with endless recess pieces. I think I might need to run to the store to fix this little craving today. Just think there will be a day I'm really hoping that I'm very old when my kids decide to bring boyfriends and girlfriends home. I hope that I'm almost dead when they decide to get married and have children. Okay so my kids cant date until they are 30 so that would make me well lets see...

Avery 18+30=48
Bella 20+30=50
Chloe 23+30=53

So I wont be old enough maybe I will change their dating age to 50. Then I will be to old to even remember! There goes my whole getting together at some really cool lake cabin once a year with everyone. Lets just hope there is a wheel chair ramp on the house they can just wheel me in. And who knows maybe one of them will have children of their own and the baby and I can share baby food while all the grown ups eat. Second thought maybe I'll stay home and I'll wait for pictures to come in the mail. I'm really an indoor girl who even at 90 wouldn't enjoy a week long stint at a lake. Where there are wild animals and bugs.

Being an only child wasn't any fun. The worst part was when you were given games on Christmas or Birthdays you didn't have anyone to play them with. Pretty Pretty Princess was great only because I used everything for dress up. Who needs to play the game when you can wear all the bracelets and necklaces, top it off with a dumb plastic crown for endless dress up fun!

Is it to late to adopt some brothers and sisters? Maybe I'll just place an ad in the paper asking to join my family. I wonder how many crazy people like me are out there that would even think about replying?

I'm going to go and do something productive now. If I don't post anything tomorrow send a search party to my house. I might be lost in my garage I get to go search for the kids trick or treat bags. I have no idea where they might be I don't remember packing them when we moved and I haven't seen them since last year. If I ever move again I think I'm just going to pack my children and maybe pictures. Sell our house as is with all our crap and just buy new. It would make finding things a snap.

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

PS I just love the smell of bacon in the morning! To bad it was from last night. I don't know about you, but the smell of old bacon makes me sick.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

How do they come up with this stuff?

Last night over dinner Avery starts talking about how far away China and Africa were.
We heard about how they talk differently than we do and how they look different. Followed by everyone is different and that is what makes us special.

Then he goes on to say how people in China and Africa don't have water and they don't have food to eat.

We have never talked about it so I'm really not sure where any of this came from.

Off Sub is anyone else ready for this darn election to be over? I live for the day that I can turn the TV and not hear someone pointing fingers at someone else. Its driving me crazy really really crazy.

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

PS. My children are being extra loud today. I think its time to pull out the ear plugs.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Sick or Just Sick and Tired?

Either I am just sick and tired of life or I'm just sick.

I have been feeling under the weather for the last week or so. No once again NO I'm not pregnant its not that kind of sick.

First I'm crazy tired and cant seem to get enough sleep. I'm not one to nap and I have taken one everyday the last 4 days. And I'm still tired....

Now I'm losing my voice, my nose is stuffy and it hurts to swallow.

Now the question is am I sick because of stress and my children driving me nuts? Or am I really truly sick? I'm guessing its Sick Sick...

Now I'm going to go crawl into my bed and not come out until I feel better. I'm sure my children will be okay. I'll just tell them not to answer the door, and I'm sure they would survive on Peanut Butter and Jelly for the next few days. So they might spend a few days in the same clothes and maybe not brush their teeth. I'm sure they wouldn't really mind.

Being sick really isn't any fun. I really hope that spending days in bed and allowing my children to live on PB&J's will make me feel better.... At least by Friday that is all I ask. I'm not sure I can handle hours of Trick or Treating and dealing with my ENTIRE family feeling this way.

Going to find some chicken noodle soup.

Until Next Time,
Sick MOM

Note To Self: When spending days in bed don't forget to hide all things that can cause a huge mess or start a fire.

Strange

I was just sitting outside talking on the phone and having a cup of coffee.

It was raining at the end of our yard, but not were I was sitting.

How Strange!

It reminded me of that new show on Discovery Storm Chasers... I know its not really like it, but I felt like them for about a second while they watch the storms from far away and you can see the rain.

How cool would it be to Chase Tornado's? Maybe that's what I should have done. Yeah right I would chicken out in a matter of seconds.

Until Next Time,
JM

King Size Bed

Why is it the minute I turn the TV off and try to go to sleep that is when Bella decides to come into our bed? Why is it that when I take her back to her bed she doesn't ever stay there?

Okay so Bella's night of coming into our bed starts every night at about 11pm. The up and down the stairs goes on until about 4am when I give up. Then Avery always makes his way into our bed at some point. I guess in his 6 years of life he has mastered the art of sneaking into our bed without us noticing. Bella likes to make herself known she likes to curl up right next to you.

Picture this...
Me trying to sleep in between a almost 2 year old who I cant seem to stop nursing and a 4 year old who likes to kick and elbow you all night long. Maybe its not that my meds aren't working, I'm starting to think that its my children in my bed. Maybe we should invest in Jail type doors for their bedrooms.

I guess I can look forward to the day they move out. At this point I feel like there is never going to be an end to them sleeping with us.

So I might have a king size bed, but it sure doesn't feel like it when you have 5 people in it.

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

PS I need a Nap

Friday, October 24, 2008

Foto Finish Friday

This picture was taken last week on our trip to Spokane. Chloe was having a blast being an only child. This is a picture of her kissing Daddy. Chloe never gives kisses so I couldn't help, but get a picture of it.

Enjoy!


Don't forget to visit Candid Carrie
http://carriestuckmann.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Best News Ever!!

And no I'm not Pregnant...
I don't really think that if I were it would be good news. The blog would be titled "Padded Room Please"

Yesterday was Chloe 2 year Cardiology check up! I called Tuesday in hopes to get in sometime next week and well I was told to come in the next day. To think I thought that was great news being able to take Chloe alone without the big kids.

Now are you ready for the really really really really really really good news? My sweet baby with who has holes in her heart and a temperamental bowel. Doesn't need to see Dr. Stamm again for 2 years!!!!!! Its hard to think that in 2 short years my baby will be 4.

So the Ventricular Septal Defect remains, but its small. I guess most VSD close by the time a child is 2 if its going to close. He remains hopeful that it will close by the time she is 4, but most likely it wont. She will not require it to be patched nor will she need antibiotics before going to the dentist. Chloe is still small as if we didn't know that by looking at her, but they are thinking this is because she was just born early. And not because of her heart and well being small and a girl isn't a bad thing. I'm sure we will all wish we could fit into her size zero pants when shes 15.

It's hard to look at Chloe and not remember all the hard times. Then when you watch her run around the house, coloring on walls and eating markers we are so very lucky she is her today. There was a point in time that we had no idea if we were going to be able to watch her grow up and turn into the sweet, wild and crazy soon to be 2 year old that she is.

I know we are really lucky to have had this outcome. I thank God daily for my sweet baby girl. Even though the first year was really hard and so was most of the second. I wouldn't trade it for anything. She has shown us how to love more and be thankful for what we have. Life if such a special thing and I know how truly special it really is.

Chloe wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the wonderful Doctors and Nurses at Children's Hospital and the great Nurses at Evergreen Hospital's Breastfeeding Center. We love you Dr. Thomas, Dr. Stamm, I wish I were able to list all the nurses at Children's that helped us while we were there, but I know we don't have that kind of time. Thank you Karen and Sally at Evergreen you helped Chloe so much. If it weren't for you two Chloe wouldn't be here today.

Remember 1 out of every 100 babies born will be born with a Congenital Heart Defect. If you don't know someone now you will. If you would like any information on Congenital Heart Defects or how you can help raise awareness please feel free to email me.



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Heart Defects Awareness">




Until Next Time,
Just MOM

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I Guess the Coffee was Bad


A woman in Fort Pierce Florida decided to go to jail rather than pay her bill at a Fort Pierce Waffle House restaurant. The total she went to jail over: $ 7.45. According to a police report. The woman ordered coffee and a sandwich a the restaurant on Saturday, but refused to pay the bill.


I guess she was asked by an officer to pay her bill or go to jail and she refused to pay the bill.


She was released Monday from the St. Lucie County Jail. She was charged with obtaining food or lodging with the intent to defraud, a second degree misdemeanor.


I figured you all would want to know just in case you decide to order and not want to pay. I will not bail you out.... Don't bother calling because my phone doesn't allow collect calls.


If convicted of a second degree misdemeanor she could face up to 60 days in jail and a fine of $500..... I'm guessing she wishes she would have paid the $7.45.


Maybe not it could have been a really bad cup of coffee and who knows maybe there was something nasty in the sandwich!


Until Next Time,

JUST MOM

Monday, October 20, 2008

Adult ADD visits again

Here are some reasons why I shouldn't be allowed to get bored.






1.) Random pictures are taken








2.) I drive people crazy








3.) I do crazy things with my hair




4.) I put things in my nose and ears




All of this was done within the last hour of driving. Next time I think I will find something to keep me busy in the car.


Until Next Time,

Just MOM