Sick, sadistic fun!

First Anna is very concerned as to why people she loves just hung a sweet little Hula girl from her playset.



Then - people begin to swing at it with a big stick and actually HIT her.
After many little heathens beat on her with a stick - she falls to the ground - apparently missing an arm and her torso... legs were flying everywhere.

THEN the heathens RUN in and eat the stuff that was inside her!



Anna runs to the front of the group and grabs her little hula friend - cuddling her decapitated head.... then finding a little sandaled foot - tries to reattach it.

Sick. We're just SICK SICK people.

Happy, Happy 5th Birthday!

So Julia - the story continues...

They came in at 7am to tell me that my induction would be pushed back a little bit since Dr. Ed was in a c-section. At a little after 8am he came in - and we commenced with the fun. As soon as he broke my water - your heart rate took a dive. It was so scary. It finally came back up - but I was put on alert. With each contraction you were having a difficult time. I was so scared for you - but I also knew that Dr. Ed would wisk me away to the OR if you needed to come out right away.

After 4 1/2 hours of super fun labor, vomiting, passing out (the last would be your dad), I was ready to push. Dr. Ed. warned me that if I didn't push you out fast that he'd have to take you by c-section because if you didn't like contractions - you REALLY didn't like it when I was pushing! After 20 minutes of pushing (about 8 or so) you came out. You had the cord wrapped around your neck twice, but pinked up great.

Really - I was finally a mommy. I was so surprised by your big, beautiful brown eyes, and curly dark hair. It's funny to think back on that now that you have such light blonde hair. I knwo I've said it before - but it was truly the first time I wore my heart on the outside.

Now you are 5 - and I wish I could really tell you all that's in my heart for you, but sweetie, words just don't really cut it here. You bring such joy, love, drama and happiness to our days. You are a natural performer who thinks the entire world is a stage. You are so kind to those around you, even Anna who you just adore. I treasure the moments you share with your sister that are based in the pure joy of our love for each other - I love watching you teach her and guide her as I do you.

The moment I found out you would be coming into our lives I fell in love. I used to dance with you in my belly to a CD we still listen to. It's one of my fondest memories, and I like to think it's why you love dancing so much. You are so intuitive and sensitive but share yourself with those around you. I love that about you.

Thank you so much for all you have brought to our lives - and I will struggle each day to do my best in teaching you as you do grow. I can't wait to see you continue to grow up into the beautiful, smart, funny woman I know you will be - but a little sad of losing that same sweet little baby and now girl as you do grow. You are so loved. You will always be special, don't ever forget that.

All my love and I hope you have the happiest of birthdays,

Mommy

Happy Birthday Eve, Miss Julia...

I remember every moment of my life 5 years ago with perfect clarity. How many of you can tell me exactly what you were doing on December 27, 2000 at around 7pm.

I for one was eating a delicious dessert at the steakhouse Dan and I loved when we lived in Tucson. I was so nervous and excited that I could barely eat - but starving and excited to be upright all the same!

I had been on bedrest for about 5 weeks at this point - 3 weeks of REAL bedrest (you know, when you really have to think about how badly you have to pee or not since you only get 2 hours of sitting upright time a day!) at the end of my pregnancy with Julia. I had pre-eclampsia and they were watching me and my lovely blood pressure very closely.

Earlier that day I went to see my beloved Dr. Ed for my 37 week check up - and they couldn't get my BP down - even after an hour on my left side. At my 36 week check up they had to send me for a blood panel to check my liver (I think that's the organ they were looking into... ) and things were still ok. Dr. Ed left the room to do something (I'm guessing check his vacation schedule) and came back in and asked me if I wanted to have a baby the next day. My heart lept straight into my throat. I was so excited and scared. He explained that I wasn't going to get better with time - and that he was heading to Cabo on New Years Eve and he didn't want to be out of town when I had a problem (he was a very big believer in delivering his patients babies).

So - Dr. Ed told Dan to take me home - get me packed up and have a fantastic dinner. It would be our last meal alone for a while - and I wouldn't be able to eat again after 8pm. He whipped us into the ultrasound room to make sure our Julia was still head down and ready for delivery - and he estimated her weight at 6 lb 5 1/2 oz.

Dan and I nervously headed out of the office to make our phone calls and final preparations. We made sure we had everything we needed packed - and went to dinner. I had a fabulous prime rib and some sort of cheesecake for dessert.

After our meal we drove to the hospital - in almost complete silence. Dan finally told me he had to go back into work (gotta love the restaurant business) for a couple of hours. I told him just to go home and get some sleep after he was done... since I would be fine at the hospital myself. More anxious silence.

He stayed with me through the check-in, including the mean, mean nurse putting the IV into my arm (right under my thumb - worst place in the world for an IV!) and blowing it - so that blood was everywhere. They did the things they do to prepare your body to do something un-naturally natural (inducement of labor), and told me to call if I thought I went into labor. :)

Shortly there after he headed out and my friend Miss A arrived, bringing lots of magazines, after visiting for a while - I had the room to myself. I watched tv, read magazines and listened to various babies cry around me.

I tried my best to sleep that night - but I was so anxious. I was nervous as to what labor would be like, what my sweet little girl would like, if she'd be ok, if I'd be ok, and what the next 18 years of my life were going to be like as a MOM!

I finally fell asleep around 3am...

Pictures? You want some stinking pictures???

Wow - it's over!

So the big holiday is over. This is always such a bittersweet time of year for me. I love Christmas. Every single stinking part of it - good and bad. In fact, I enjoy that time right up until Christmas Day - that my favorite time of year is the time BETWEEN Thanksgiving and Christmas - not actually the big Day. This year - all that changed.

My kids are awesome. Dan and I were lucky this year - for even though the employment situation caught us off guard and a little light in the pockets - we were blessed to be able to pull off one heck of a Christmas morning for the kids. We had lots of gift cards from various online survey sites, credit card rewards programs... and other sources. Santa already got the girls a Barbie Jeep at a smoking deal back before Turkey Day.

Now - I know what you are thinking - that there is a REASON for the SEASON - right? Listen - before ya'll jump on the holy band wagon with me. Julia GETS it. Anna isn't quite old enough - she doesn't even have a clue what happened yesterday other than - WOW lots of cool stuff showed up. Julia though, she's the first to tell you why Santa brings her presents - because it's Jesus' birthday. :) AND if that wasn't cool enough - she'll also tell you that the reason we give gifts to each other is because we love each other - and the wisemen brought presents to Jesus because they loved him. So - she gets it.

BUT - I also believe just as strongly in that 1-2 hour materialistic free for all of joy and enthusiasm. When my kids get to see that YES Santa came, and that they have lots of cool stuff to play with. There is something to be said from seeing this day through the eyes of children.. and mine are the coolest. :) Every five seconds we heard "oh wow, Santa must really love me" :)

Yes, indeed, Santa really does.

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!

Ok - due to the overwhelming email (and comments - wow 2!!)

questions...

Marshmallows...

You mix 3 unflavored gelatin packs with 1/2 cup COLD water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and allow to sit while you make the syrup.
Then mix 1 1 /2c sugar, 1 c light corn syrup, 1/4 ts salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Then raise the heat to HiGH and holy - and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.

Then slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin - with the mixer on LOW (be careful - hot stuff here) . Put the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.

Then I sprinkled a bit of confectioners sugar in an 9x13 pan - and then dumped the marshmallow batter in the pan (use wet hands to flatten the top and smooth it out)- let it sit for 10-12 hours to dry out a bit. Then I used kitchen shears to cut them into squares and coat with powdered sugar, cocoa or flavored coffee additive.

:) They are sooo fun - but messy.

this is a version of Ina Garten's recipe for coconut marshmallows.

So - there... marshmallows! My thought was - since I was doing presents for under $5 I may as well not just dump those mini marshmallows in a bag...

Oooohhhh - I sense Martha's new apprentice might be me....

Ok - teachers gifts... We have four to buy for so I had to go homemade = inexpensive.

I made my own hot cocoa mix... and my own MARSHMALLOWS! Yes - really - my own marshmallows...

Not a successful Diva dance recital unless tears are involved...

and tears were indeed involved... my kid doing the crying! Julia had her "Divas" dance recital yesterday. I found out right before class that Julia would be doing the same dance as in her Monday class. Brilliant dance intructor Miss V. never put two and two together that Julia would be doing the exact same dance.

Well - just moments before the recital - Julia's partner for part of the dance refused to participate. Miss V being ever so keen into children's psyches told Julia that she was such a good dancer that she didn't need a partner - that for the partner part she could just get down on her own and boogie.

THat just didn't go over very well. I then took Julia aside and gave her my best parental pep talk including how cool it was to be special, how she was going to do great and Bob Boblaw (Hee hee - little shout out to my folks at Arrested Development there... get it ... bla bla bla...).

So - Dance begins and Julia is doing ok - it was vast departure from her excitment level on Monday - but she was doing the steps. THEN the partner part began and this is where things went from OK to just plain depressing. Julia turned around to grab her partners hands - and remembered there was no partner. Her little shoulders just slumped in defeat... and she just stood there with her back to us during the entire part. She gave a little wiggle here and there - but as her mom - I just knew that when she turned back around, my mommy heart would be ripped from my chest. Sure enough - when she turned around to finish the dance - she had tears streaming down her face. It was like watching a train wreck... you have to look - but you SO don't want to see the pain and suffering that's occuring. She did great though - she knew the steps and tried to wiggle where appropriate -b ut her little heart wasn't in it.

My little Julia is so sensitive. She's always been that way. She tried hard to be independent and crazy - but really, she just wants everyone to like her, for everyone to show her how much you love her - ALL THE TIME. Any kind of punishment or harsh word just breaks her spirit. It's hard to watch. I just want her to be confident and secure... but I know for her - that's going to be hard - and probably a long time coming.

So - here are some pics from this recital... but not a smiley one in the bunch. My poor baby!

Seriously...

Is it Christmas yet?????

Oh man - I just can't wait. It's soooo exciting. I got all of the presents wrapped last night - they sit in hiding - waiting to be unwrapped in mere moments.

So - I am so much worse than the girls - they are being sooo sweet. Maybe it's the fact that I gave them cake for breakfast.... I know - but I don't care. My girls eat broccoli and brussel sprouts... I don't think a couple days of crap for food will hurt. They're having mac and cheese for lunch - and that's just dairy and protein right??? All right - maybe I'll make some edamame too.

For dinner we're having something good... What was that again???

Did I mention it's Christmas Eve Eve Eve???

OH yeah - speaking of more questionable parenting... I just LOVE the holidays because every two minutes they play some sort of a Xmas show for the kids - and my kids eat it up! So not only are they eating crapola - but they are mostly glued to the tv watching "Mickey's Magical Xmas, Mickey's ONce Upon a Xmas, Mickey's Twice Upon a Xmas (not kidding)" or "My Little Pony Minty Xmas" or the old school faves "rudolph, Frosty, Santa Claus is Coming to town" the list just goes on and on....

(Oh don't worry about that either - they are so spazzed out on sugar they run around the house for 1/2 an hour (soooo not kidding here either) and then crash to watch tv - eat more crap and then spaz and run around then crash. It's a vicious cycle. But FUN!

I have to get back to my cleaning --- it's not this often that my kids leave me alone like this!

Almost 5!!!

Julia had her little birthday party at preschool today. She had a blast. She just LOVES her teachers Miss. M and Miss. D . They sang her the Happy Birthday song - and she didn't cry (unlike her Mommy). She was SOOO proud of her little beach cupcakes - that she helped make at every step of the way (ok - it's a bad picture of them - but they really are cute!).


Ok - Dan just called - and Mr. M at the Y said they were the best cupcakes he's ever had --- and wants us to bring in more. I told Dan that I was just taking a picture of the cupcake and he called me a DORK! So - I tried to explain that I was taking a picture for my blog - because I was talking about them - but didn't want to use the picture I had of them because you can see several of the other kids in the picture really well - and I try not to post pics of other peoples kids in my blog without their knowledge...... (whew - deep breath). Then, I hear GIGGLING on the line. GIGGLING. Like a little school girl.

"And what part of that makes you less of a dork, Heather?"

The house has NEVER been cleaner - NEVER!

Talk about a complete and total house overhaul - all in about 25 minutes. I vaccuumed EVERY room, the walls and the ceiling. Wiped down every surface inside and outside - including cleaning the windows. I mean every single window. I stripped the wallpaper in the living room - and in the kitchen.

Whew - I 'm exhausted. But what a good feeling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know - I'm amazing - did I mentioned mention the square footage is about 5 sq ft! ;) I am remodeling my old dollhouse for the girls for Xmas. Cleaned it out - putting in new wallpaper - washed the window treatments... bought new furniture. I can't wait till they see it. Julia saw it tonight and said "oh momma - is that for me???" when I told her no, that it was mine - she said "oh, someday I hope I get to play with it, it's beautiful." I might be slightly more excited about that than the Jeep.

Ahhhhh - I just love this time of year!

Baking fun...

Today we made our special "shape" cookies (thanks Aunt Tricia for the awesome recipe!) and tonight we'll get them decorated. I also have to bake 25 cupcakes for Julia's birthday break at preschool tomorrow. "5" !!!!!

We're decorating the cupcakes to look like little beaches - and then putting a cocktail umbrella in each. They are going to sing Happy Birthday to her - and eat cupcakes. Sounds like a party to me!

Tomorrow is the last dance recital - and then we will finish our Xmas shopping (need to get Daddy a present!) and order her cake for Julia's birthday party.

Thursday is cleaning and final preparation day (did I mention that tonight and tomorrow night involve wrapping gifts and assembling a wicked cool Barbie Jeep?). I need to make the cocoa mix and marshmallows for the teachers gifts...

Friday is Julia's Xmas party at preschool - and then the Nutcracker and Dinner (maybe Rainforest Cafe?) - and then Saturday and Sunday are our days to relax and enjoy the holiday. I just can't wait... we're in the home stretch now!

My little skater girl...

Julia Dough Kid and her Daddy went on their Daddy/Daughter date this morning. They went ice skating. :) I know - Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

Dan said that Julia did great - and only fell twice (once that elicited tears, and once that just needed a brush off). She wasn't understanding the "gliding" concept vs. "walking" on ice - but eventually caught on. It was her very first time. She said that she had an absolute blast. She even let go of Daddy and the side to skate all the way around the rink. YEAH Julia! Then they went out shopping to get me my present. Julia already told me that I'm getting some PJs. :) I just love her. I told her a secret - that I got her PJs too and she was tickled pink.

Our Mommy/Daughter date is on Friday - we're going to see the Nutcracker together. Last year we had a blast. This year Dan and Anna will be meeting us for a nice dinner, Julia said it was ok that they come too since we'll go to the ballet by ourselves.

Dan and I are going to be very busy once all three are old enough for "dates" - We still haven't worked that part out yet.

No - I'm not a paid sponsor...

But man oh man do I have good things to say about the US postal service.

Usually getting my packages out is a BITCH. The PO location here is about 20 minutes away - and there is usually at least a 1/2 hour line (and this is not during prime holiday mailing time) - but I've waited in line for an hour and a half before - with two whiny kids (yes, the Dough kids do indeed whine occasionally).

This year - I shipped out my packages from my home. I can see my dreams of hermit living in the future. ROCK ON! I used some of my boxes (with the cool Priority Mail stickers they delivered) and some of their boxes (which they also delivered to my home) - printed out my mailing labels and put the packages outside of my door. Someone CAME AND GOT THEM (and I think it was a postal employee!). :)

Yes, I know that our friends at Fed Ex, UPS and DHL will also take packages off my hands - from my home - but usually not for their cheaper ground rates - just overnight and 2 day air. - and this year - the prices I paid for shipping beat the hell out of those places. Considering gas prices - I'm fairly certain I saved some there too.

Oh yes - just to avoid the emails - I have heard of such a thing as internet shopping where you order things online and they send them to your loved ones without you having to do a thing... I even used that this year! This year I intermingled some handcrafted items with purchased items... SO THERE.

So - yeah me

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Lets just hope this part is true!

Recital #1 - Complete success

Julia had her first holiday recital this afternoon and it was sooo cute. Miss Valerie had the girls do their work at the barre - it was so cute. Then they did their little dance to "santa claus, I love you" :)

Nothing like little girls in their faux tutu's - cute little hair things ... cuteness overload!

Julia's the tall one in the middle.... SO CUTE

So - on to Wednesday for Recital #2 (aka the last one)

This hurts even more than the eye...

Ok - after an afternoon of near solitude (Anna Banana has been a model prisoner - so she received an early pardon and is quietly playing with her dolls/food/books/Little People - oh and by the way - from your emails I sense you are concerned - her prison is her cushy little Pack N Play), I've been catching up with some of my favorite blogs.

First - I realized that most people are apparently too busy with Holiday fun to blog this time of year. Second - I realized that this is the time for introspection on blogs as well as the general public... a time of reflection if you will.

So - this is what I want to share... I have had absolutely bizarre musical tastes throughout the years. Some samplings:

- Disco Duck
- The Chipmunks
- That "oh Mickey your so fine" song
- "Lookin' for love" song
- I had a bout of Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister
- I had a much longer bout of Motley Crue and other hair bands (still actually dig quite a bit of their music)
- In 6th grade I LOVED LOVED LOVED the Beastie Boys (still do)
- Then there was the soft core rap time - Young MC, LL Cool J, ya know..
- (blush) newkidsontheblock (blush)
- I've always had a deep love for that 50s/60s 'oldies' music
- I went through a very, very long term love affair with Pink Floyd (still do love em)
- The Cure


Oh my - I know there's more...

I apparently gave birth to Rocky Balboa...

Anna Dough Kid KOd me with one punch and a grab... and now, sadly enough, she's in baby prison. I'm not sure how long her sentence will be - since the judge and the jury went to a birthday party... but I'm guessing a good long time. The problem for me, the victim, is that baby prison is a hoot to the little slugger. She's having the time of her life in her little cell. Maybe it's the toys? or perhaps the Frosty video she gets to watch. I'm not sure which one.

So - the nitty gritty... Anna was playing a good natured game of HONK THE NOSE when it took a turn for the dangerous. You know the saying "You'll poke your eye out"? Well - she did her damndest to do just that. I ended up with a bloody nose and a scratched eyeball - and then a chuck missing from the underside of my eyelid. Ok - no harm, no foul right? Soooooo wrong. You just don't realize how much you move your eyeball until it's injured.

So - now I look, in the words of the oldest doughkid "kind of weird". With a swollen eye. I even tried napping - but damn if you don't move your eyes in your sleep too!

So - I'll just sit here reading the end of my Patricia Cornwell book with one eye... while Banana hangs out to dry in her little 2 1/2' x 4' cell... I hope the judge/warden gets home in time for food service. I'm not going within 2 feet of that menace.

ONE WEEK ONE WEEK ONE WEEK ONE WEEK!

Yeah!!

I have to be honest though - I'm kind of partial to Christmas Eve. All that anticipation... all the fun stuff to do... we have some very nice Christmas Eve traditions in place. We have a great dinner - then go for a long walk to look at Christmas lights. Then we get home and bundle up in our PJs and turn on all the Christmas lights - we watch Christmas movies, eat appetizers ... then this year we'll spend some time in front of the fire out back... then put some cookies out for Santa and some carrots for the reindeer... cuddle up in bed and read some books - including the Night Before Christmas. Then off to sleep with visions of sugarplums in our heads.

So - 6 days, 6 days....

Dough kids being sweet....

Let the BAKING begin...

This weekend is baking central. It's time to make the roll out sugar cookies, the sand tarts, and the corn flake wreaths...

gifts to wrap (did I mention we're DONE with the buying portion of our Xmas???)... finishing touches of our decorating...

We're all a little beat down - but working hard on remembering the reason for all this hullabaloo...

So.... ready, set.... GO

Good-bye to the big red dog...

Well, it's done. Sadly, we had to put our sweet Savannah Smiles down today. Savannah was a birthday gift for Dan almost 7 years ago.

I miss her already - although I do still have all the vomit stains to remind me of her last days.

I don't to go into the details - but apparently it looks like she might not have eaten a rock at all... she was very, very sick. She went downhill very quickly and Dan took her in for her weekly check and the vet was shocked at how quickly she had gotten worse.

I will miss her - her super big, full tooth smiles that earned her the name... her annoying pawing at my legs, her beautiful red with black tinged coat... her big beautiful brown eyes, her funny, silly way.

Her brother Trooper is lost without her - and Julia is just beside herself. Julia has still been talking about losing Gretchen, so I know this is going to take her a while.

So - thanks for letting me vent... Savannah smiles - you will be missed.

VERY VERY Angry Gingerbreadman....

Julia and I spent the afternoon making a gingerbread house. FUN!

It was actually a whole lot of fun. and it turned out - well - like a 4 year old did it. :) So it's PRECIOUS!!

As we finished it up - Julia noticed that the gingerbread man looked VERY angry... and he is indeed an angry man. Perhaps he's not thrilled with the new look of his home - or because his eyes are on fire...

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG

That would be the sound of me banging my head into the wall in the desperate attempt to make my 2 week long headache go away. GEEZ - it sucks.

Here's a fun side note - (WARNING - GRAPHIC AND DISGUSTING DISCUSSION WITH WAY TMI WILL FOLLOW) Last night involved my first experience with projectile vomiting. I haven't felt stellar in the last couple of days - and Sunday involved pure exhaustion. I got home from Tucson and took a nap. When I woke up I was feeling a big sick to my stomach - so I headed into the bathroom... I walked in about a foot and then projectile vomited the remaining 3 1/2 feet to the toilet. I made IT! Oh my. What a surreal experience. Who knew the body was truly capable of projecting it's own contents that far.... (well - for us women anyway). My face is covered with petechia (broken blood vessels)... my neck muscles hurt... and I think I strained my eyeballs...

I feel ok today - other than a terrible sinus headache...

2005

Stolen from Joanna.... :)

1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before? Had a level II ultrasound??

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?I didn't make any last year - but I have some for 2006!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?Lots of people! My SIL had my nephew Hayden, my friend Julie had her son Ethan, Joanna had Lily, OY I know I'm forgetting someone!

4. Did anyone close to you die? no - thank God

5. What countries did you visit?None but we did get around - Disneyland (2 times!), Maine, San Diego, Michigan

6. What would you like to have in 2006 which you lacked in 2005? Energy!

7. What date from 2005 will remain etched in your memory, and why? August 9, 2005 - :) when we found out our littlest bambina would be joining us.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting through it!

9. What was your biggest failure? Not really MY failure - but the loss of our baby that was due in October.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? August - November were a blur of morning sickness... and I'm currently sick - but other than that... I'm good.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Plane tickets to Michigan

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Dan. He's the man.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? This one is a secret.

14. Where did most of your money go? Mortgage and car payment... :(

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Disneyland trips, going to Maine- both babies...

16. What song will always remind you of 2005? ????

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer? I think I'm happier, believe it or not - thinner and currently poorer. But not for long.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Smiling

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Vomiting - but it's worth it for this healthy baby

20. How will you be spending Christmas? At home with Dan and the Doughkids. :)

21. Did you fall in love in 2005? Yes

23. How many one-night stands? Not this year - pregnancy puts a damper on that...

24. What was your favourite TV program?The Biggest Loser was amazing - but I LOVE Grey's Anatomy

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Not HATE - but dislike - yes

26. What was the best book you read? I just finished Eragon and Eldest

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Jack Johnson, The Killers, Radio Disney...

28. What did you want and get? I didn't know I wanted it then - but this little one...

29. What did you want and not get? Please don't take this the wrong way but it's the only thing I can thikn of!!! A son. (This was Joanna's quote - but I think I'm going to second it)

30. What was your favorite film of this year? Probably Spanglish... I can't really remember any others right now (only saw Madagascar, Star Wars and Chicken Little IN theaters this year)

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old did you turn? I turned 30 - and had dinner at Peter Piper Pizza for Julia's soccer party. Dan did take me to Black Angus for dinner before my birthday though..

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?Having a free housekeeper (umm yeah - I'll second JOanna on this)

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? Jean shorts and v neck t-shirts - NOW maternity jeans - and v neck t shirts... :)

34. What kept you sane? Who says I am... I'm pretty sure I'm not.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Well - Patrick Dempsey (STILL) :)


36. What political issue stirred you the most? I'm not going there...

37. Whom did you miss? So many people right now... it's quite pathetic. Let's see - my grandparents, my Aunt Pam, Uncle Butch and Aunt Ha ha, my parents, Dan's family, my friends in Michigan... my Maine friends and family... and sadly - my little one I could have been holding in my arms right now.

38. Who was the best new person you met? Well - the BEST was meeting the Meek man again, I can't tell you the smiles he brought into my life. Kathy and Joanna were the best thing to come from the Y... and I'm so glad I met them, I just wish I could see them more often!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005: My life needs to change - and doing it rather than talking about it is the only thing that makes the difference. LIfe is short - don't waste it on things that bring you pain.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: This one is easy...

Hear 'em singing Happy Birthday

Better think about the wish I made

This year gone by ain't been a piece of cake

Every day's a revolution

Pull it together and it comes undone

Just one more candle and a trip around the sun

I'm just hanging on while this old world keeps spinning

And it's good to know it's out of my control

If there's one thing that I've learned from all this living

Is that it wouldn't change a thing if I let go

No, you never see it coming

Always wind up wondering where it went

Only time will tell if it was time well spent

It's another revelation

Celebrating what I should have done

With these souvenirs of my trip around the sun

Her first Xmas parade!

Today Julia was in her first Christmas parade. It was a strange situation indeed - to be sitting in the sun - in 70 degree weather - watching holiday floats go past the beautiful palm trees! It couldn't have been anymore surreal - or pleasant!

She was on float #9 so we only had to see the first 20 minutes of the festivities before we had to pick her up from the Kiddie Korral and take her to her best buddies bday party.

It was such a wonderful sight - my sweet little girl - up on that big float - having a blast. I'm so proud of her. She was in the front row... look hard to find her!

Fa la la la la the holiday spirit

I'm happy to announce that my husband is not longer gainfully employed. Yes, he and his employer have parted ways.

Although a surprise - we are happy none the less. Dan has been ready to move for a long time.

Christmas is not a great time for this - but it was SOOOOO time.

So - lets all drink a Guinness in honor of Dan. hip hip horray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Da kids do da Polar Express...

So - the girls and I headed down South to pick up the Dough kids Meemaw. Then we headed back North and drove the 4 hours to the polar Express.

We got there right before we needed to board the train and after getting dressed in our PJs - we headed on to the train.

We had a great time - reading the book - singing Christmas carols - seeing Santa.

We then waited in line to see the Mr. Claus himself. More fun ensued and we're now back safe and sound at home.

Ready for more holiday festivities to begin...

The Dough kid Pirate ship...

I know a good portion of parenting forces me to live in kind of a surreal make believe world. Some days I spend hours wearing a crown as Julia Dough kid and Anna Dough kid shove plastic food down my throat. Some days I'm camped out under the blanket in the new fort/space shuttle/car.... other days I'm the child while Julia Dough kids "huns" me to death as she role plays being the mom.

Today - I am a lowly plebe on a pirate ship full of ferocious, ruthless and rude "mateys". Anna doughkid is walking around "argh"ing... and Julia dough kid has said "shiver me timbers" no less than 3,589,743 times... hell... add one more.

I better go - it's time for me to walk the plank...

Savannah watch ... Day 9

Well - we took Savannah to the vet - and had a curve ball thrown at us. Her vet doesn't feel that doing the surgery will affect her future quality of life -and doesn't feel that there is any medical reason NOT to do the surgery.

SUCK SUCK SUCK

There goes our moral ground for choosing not to do surgery. Our old vet - who performed 3 of the 4 previous GD rock removal surgeries told us she wouldn't do anymore...

So - the vet said the only reason at this point not to do the surgery is A) money (to to the tune of about $1200-1600) and B) the fact that she's likely to run out and do it again very soon.

So - we need to decide soon what we'll do.

I'm just not sure I'm prepared to make these kinds of decisions right now... I WANT to do the surgery. We don't have the money - but isn't that what credit is for? I just don't want to keep going down this path. The last time it was a two year, four surgery, 7 rock (she passed 3 on her own) deal. It was a lot of money, time, tears and stress. Now with Dough kid #3 on the way - I just wonder if I'm up for it again. This is already her 2nd rock eating event in two weeks.

She's slipping though... she has begun the BIG vomit... the kind where you believe that she has NOTHING left in her body...

oh yeah - did I mention that we now have to replace the carpet in two rooms - and NOW our couch?? :(

I just don't know what to do.

Savannah Smiles

My sweet little girl - Savannah Jane is very sick. I got her for Dan's birthday - we'll have had her for 7 years (we think!) in February.

She had a problem eating rocks over 5 years ago - and had 4 intestinal surgeries. We're now having to make some big decisions. She hasn't eaten in almost a week... and she's still vomiting and now won't take water either. I'm soooo worried - but also mad. Why are we put in this situation?? It's not that she has a life threatening disease that we're struggling to fight... it's something she's doing to herself. It breaks my heart to be in this position. Do we go all out and do the surgery and put her future quality of life at risk by yet another intestinal surgery? We were told the last time by her vet that she didn't want to do anymore - it just significantly weakens her intestinal walls. BUT - she could come out and be fine. So we are torn there - and then - we can't guarantee that she wouldn't go out and eat another rock the next day.... and we'll be back in the same situation. We spent $6000 in 2 years the last time she did this.

It really isnt' about the money - BUT it is about the use of the money. We don't know if we'd just be throwing the money away by having her pull a repeat performance right away.

Tomorrow she has an appointment with the vet. We'll make our decision tomorrow.

I know that I'll get some angry replies to this - but really - I wanted to get it out there. I knwo others have been there and I hope you understand.

It even SMELLS like Christmas (m)

yes - the dead tree has now inside our house. It smells delicious! I really love this smell.

I do find it kind of strange to cut down a living plant - pay big bucks for it - bring it inside - decorate it - sit around and ooh and ahh for a couple weeks - then get rid of it.

but I love the smell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (in my whiniest voice!!)

Dan has decided we're going cut it down and burn it in our fire bit at the end of it's life (well - after we're done admiring the dried out carcass).

We have tree...

So - we went tonight and got our tree. The girls had a blast running around. They were wearing their new t-shirts from Miss. Kathy... aren't they CUTE!

We ended up with an 8 ft Doulas Fir... it's a purdy one.

Of course - we get home - ready to set it up and let it warm up - and Dan realizes he can only find ONE part to our stand. You know - the new high tech stand... he even sold our trusty old stand last year - you know -the kind with the screws...

So - it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... well - smell like Xmas...

Craft Fair - part II

The craft fair today was much more successful than the last one. I sold about 60% of my hair bows - and so I finally made some $$. Unfortunately - At this point - I think I'm about even ... hee hee

I guess that means that anything I sell on Tuesday is profit - right?

I also have had a lot of custom orders from friends too - and there is nothing cooler than seeing something you made in a little girls hair! I wouldn't really know what it would look like in my own girls hair - considering Anna refuses to let them in her hair for more than 1 minute and Julia is about 10 minutes.

I'm going to make a couple more from my ribbon for the fair on Tuesday.. it's the YMCA appreciation day - and so it will be fun - the girls will get to see Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Blogging...

Dan often sits in wonder at my blog here - not at my excellent writing skills, quick wit or sense of family - but at the fact I think anyone else cares!

So - he came home full of smiles to tell me what he heard on NPR about blogging... he doesn't remember who said it - so I can't attribute it correctly - but It was NOT Dan's original thought - so don't send the intelectual property police to my house...

"Blogging is great because it's a one person stand up act, and the bad thing about a blog is that it's like a one person stand up act."

Airstream...

What is wrong with me??? (SHUT THE HELL UP - I already know that! and that.... ok - I get it - there's a lot wrong with me - but I'm talking about something in particular!)

Last night - while reading the Men's Health Tech Guide - they ooohed and awwwwwed over the new Airstream Base Camp.... I fell in love - and immediately beckoned Dan so we could look it up online. Do I camp? NO? Do I do outdoorsy things that require a camping vehicle? NO? But I WANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNT it! It's only 2300lbs and you can tow it behind most vehicles without significantly imacting fuel economy .... it's ONLY $20K! So - I'm crazy - I completely understand that.

Oh yeah - it has a pull out tent that practically DOUBLES your space.

Yes - crazy... I know.

SO - my thought process is - we have a minivan we love and we can all ride comfortably in (all 5 of us!!) and so instead of paying for airfare and hotels - we can travel in our van - and stay in the airstream.

It's FREE to camp at Walmart.

AH ha ha ha ha ha ha hahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Out of the mouth of babes....

Ok - Julia is just one of the funniest kids ever... and I'm only slightly biased!

Last night Julia was explaining to me how she will be SOOO nice to the new baby, and never be mean to her. I asked her why she was mean to Anna then - and she said - without missing a beat - "well, Anna's on my list" I think - but I'm not sure - she was referring to her shit list. Wonder where she get's this stuff from!

Break it on down...

Julia has a new skill and interest... break dancing! It's hilarious to watch ... she is actually pretty good. She gets down and spins on her back and has some real hip moves.

And she's cute.

I love her!

HAPPY DECEMBER!!

That's it.