Life's Lessons: I have a 3 year old edition

1.  PJ turned 3 last Thursday.

2.  We went miniature golfing.  He got a bike among other things.

3.  He's such a little boy.

4.  He tells me things are delicious, he tells me birds fly with wings, he tells me "I'll get the door Mommy!" when I am leaving.

5.  He can tell me if he's scared or something hurts.

6.  He tells me he loves me.

7.  He usually takes good care of his little sister.

8.  He loves to play golf, basketball, soccer, pretty much any sport, much to his Daddy's (and Mommy's) delight.

9.  He pretends to talk on the phone to Daddy, his auntie, his gramma, whoever.

10.  He asks to go down the "fun street" on the way to the sitter.

11.  He pees in the potty like a champ.

12.  We're still working on the poop.

13.  He loves pizza, cheeseburgers and macaroni and cheese.  Not bad choices, methinks.

14.  There is a never a day where he doesn't make me laugh at least 10 times.

15.  He's the best little guy!

Life's Lessons: The Wearing Shorts In March Edition

1.  Dudes.  It was 80 in Chicago yesterday.

2.  Yesterday was March 15.

3.  There's been plenty of March 15 (and later) that we've been bundled up with hats, gloves ands scarves, and shoveling snow.

4.  My kids wore shorts yesterday.  And sandals.

5.  Today I have flip flops on.

6.  We played basketball outside. 

7.  PJ would yell "I missed!"  or "Nice shot!"

8.  Maggie ran around yelling "WANNA DO!"

9.  PJ pushed Maggie around in the Cozy Coupe.

10.  Lots of giggles.

11.  Did you know bubbles are apparently a delicacy?

12.  Because Maggie put the damn wand in her mouth about 100 times.

13.  Tomorrow is St. Paddy's Day.

14.  I'll wear green. 

15.  Maybe have a green apple martini.

Life's Lessons: The This has No Logical Pattern edition

1.  Bought PJ and Mags sunglasses.

2.  PJ loves them "My sunglasses Mommy?"  "Where's my sunglasses Mama?"

3.  Maggie?  Couldn't care less.

4.  My little guy turns three in less than two weeks, by the way.

5.  Um, how the hell did that happen?
6.  New Girl is by far one of my favorite shows EVER.

7.  Two weeks from today The Hunger Games comes out.

8.  I went to dinner Monday with my BFF without kids.  I can't tell you the last time I went to dinner with a friend on a weeknight without kids.

9.  We're hopefully going to be moving soon.  More on that at a later date.

10.  I am so excited it's almost officially grilling season.

11.  Grilling is my favorite way to cook. 

12.  Husband does a lot of it.

13.  And there are less dishes.

Life's Lessons: The Zoo Edition

1.  We went to the zoo on Tuesday because I was home with the kids.

2.  Yup, to a zoo, in Chicago, in February.

3.  It was EMPTY.

4.  We walked around for 1.5 hours before I saw any other visitor -- everyone we saw was a zoo worker.

5.  We went in the indoor exhibits, and PJ and Maggie were able to run around and do whatever they wanted.

6.  Maggie was in her glory.

7.  PJ would call me over to see an animal, sometimes knowing what it was, sometimes asking.

8.  They tweeted along with the birds.

9.  PJ made monkey noises in Tropic World.

10.  They happily got back in the wagon to move on to the next animal.

11.  They got to pet a kitty and a bunny. 

12.  They got to pretend to be veternarians and lemurs.

13.  My friends, a random weekday in February? 

14.  Best day to go to the zoo.

Life's Lessons: The Quote Edition

1.  Life is not about keeping score.  You win some, you lose some, you let it go.  - Ray LaMontagne

2.  Anyone can give up.  It's the easiest thing in the world to do.  But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.  -- Unknown

3.  Be strong now because things will get better.  It might be stormy now, but it can't rain forever.  -- Hailee

4. The soul is healed by being with children.  -- English proverb

5.  It's funny how it's the little things in life that mean the most. It's not where you live, or what you drive, or the price tag on your clothes. -- Zac Brown

6.  I'm a strong person.  But every now and then I'd like someone to take my hand and say everything will be allright.  -- Unknown

7.  Your vision will be come clear, only when you look into your heart.  Who looks outside, dreams.  Who looks inside, awakens.  -- Carl Jung

8.  To be honest with you, I don't have the words to make you feel better.   But I do have the arms to give you a hug, the ears to listen to you, and a heart that's aching to see you smile again.  -  Unknown

9.  It's the friends you can call at 3 a.m. that matter.  -- Billie Holiday

10.  Love is being stupid together.   - Paul Valery

I'd also like to say hi and thanks to my two newest followers.

Have a great weekend.

Life's Lessons: The Super Bowl Edition

1.  The Super Bowl is Sunday.

2.  I love the Super Bowl, because I love football.

3.  Of course, I'd love it more if the Bears were in it, but at least the Packers are not.

4.  I'll be rooting for the Giants (you're welcome, Rebecca).

5.  We're having some people over for the game.  I have purchased nothing for this gathering.

6.  I got some garlic cheese and garlic cheese bread from the Amish bakery this morning.

7. I've almost eaten half the loaf of bread.

8.  I did our taxes last night.  Yay for refunds, and yay for my shopping day which will be here soon!

9.  I booked PJ's birthday party yesterday.  It's going to be at Gymboree -- not the clothing store -- the play/music place.  I am super excited.

10.  Um, that means my little guy is turning THREE. 

11.  HOW THE HELL DID THAT HAPPEN?
12.  Please tell me potty training will magically happen once he's three.

13.  I hate potty training.

Life Lessons: The I Can't Come Up with a Clever Title Edition

1.  This week? Was my first 5 day week since the week of December 12.

2.  Not awesome.

3.  PJ officially remembers stuff.  We were reading a book with a polar bear last night, and he said "Polar bear jumped in the water mama!" (This happened at the zoo a couple months ago and the polar bear put on a show which eventually ended with him jumping in the water).

4.  Maggie will pound her hand on her chest and say baby!

5.  Speaking of Maggie -- earrings do NOT stay in little girls ears.  We've lost so many earrings.  It's frustrating.

6.  So I got those little plastic thingies and put them on the back of the earring on top of the original earring back.

7.  Those bitches better stay on there.

8.  Started our taxes last night -- still waiting for my W-2 from the workplace from hell.

9.  We are getting a good return - YAY!

10.  Which means operation "Shopping all day by myself without children or men" will commence soon.

11.  I haven't had steak since New Years Day.  I am starting to go through withdrawal.

12.  I'm almost done reading 11/22/63.  I was skeptical, but I really really like it.

13.  Maggie is almost in 18 month clothes completely.  She probably could be, but I am being super lazy about switching out the clothes, plus she doesn't enough yet, which is part of what will be happening during #10 above.

14.  I am planning on buying her about 6 pairs of shoes from Target.com though.  The store never has what I want.

15.  I'm going to see Brad Paisley and Miranda Lambert.  At Wrigley Field.  And we have seats ON THE FIELD.

16.  Life is good.

Life's Lessons: The What's With this Weather Edition

Linking up with Sara and Rach today for the triumphant return of Life's Lessons.

1.  It's January 6.

2.  The expected temperature today in Chicago?  57 degrees.

3.  For all you winter haters, if this makes it 30 in April, I'm gouging your eyes out.

4.  Speaking of gouging eyes out, I just finished Catching Fire, book 2 of the Hunger Games.

5.  I love it a lot.

6.  I also love my Kindle a alot.  If you read a lot you should get one.  Seriously.

7.  PJ's new favorite word is boogers.

8.  It sounds like an adorable word when he says it.

9.  I am having a holiday get together with some of my favorite ladies tomorrow and I am GOING BY MYSELF.

10.  No children to chase.

11.  No diapers to change.

12.  No crying or desperately fumbling for something to feed them.

13.  Just me, my friends, and martinis.

14.  Who said there's anything wrong with day drinking?

15.  I also got my Iphone 4S.

16.  I asked Siri what her favorite color was.  She said "I don't know how to describe it in your language.  It's like different dimensions of green."

17.  I told her I liked green too and she said "Noted."

18.  WTF does that mean, Apple??

Life's Lessons: The gift giving edition

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I'm linking up with my kick ass girls Sara and Rach again today for Life's Lessons.

1.   I have to get gifts for my bosses.

2.  I have 5.  They are all attorneys.

3.  Do you know how difficult it is to buy a gift for someone who makes in a month what you make in 6 months?

4.  Or, who makes in two weeks what you make in a year?

5.  It's rough.  So  I'm baking cookies.

6.   And putting them in festive tins.

7.  John's gifts?  Are pretty fucking kick ass.

8.  PJ and Maggie's?  Amazing.


9.  My MIL?  Well, we were going to get her a grandmother's necklace with all the kids birthstones, but...

10.  My SIL is pregnant again!  :)  So we're holding off till next year.

11.  Speaking of my SIL, instead of exchanging the four of us are going to dinner.  How much better is that?
12.  Although now I can't get saucy with her.

13.  I've decided not to wrap the stocking stuffers.  Little hands will have a hard time opening those small, ridiculously taped packages.

14.  You know who else is hard to buy for?  Grandparents.  So they get framed pictures.

15.  But John's Gram?  She's getting a special ornament in remembrance of his dad, and a birthstone necklace from his birthday.

16.  We're pretty thoughtful.

17.  And I better get some nice gifts.

Peace out bitch.

Life's Lessons: The I'm Glad I'm not having Sara's week edition

1.  So I don't know what's up with blogger, but my header picture suddenly got smaller and I can't figure out how to fix it.

2.  I went on blogger help, but those people might as well be speaking Chinese.

3.  If you know how to fix it and can speak English, please let me know.

4.  I'm really glad no sewage has backed up anywhere I've been (Poor Sara).

5.  There was snow this morning.  Probably a centimeter.  PJ was ecstatic.

6.  I can't imagine how excited he'll be when there is snow he can actually play in.

7.  However, it never ceases to amaze me that people who live in CHICAGO act like they've never seen the stuff before.

8.  And drive like even huger assholes than normal.

9.  I'm playing Plants v. Zombies on my IPhone.

10.  It's fun.  Get it.

11. I am about to finish all my Christmas shopping with some clicks of buttons on internet sites.

12.  Besides John, he's special.

13.  We really need to start wrapping.

14.  There's a lot to be wrapped.

15.  Two weeks from today will be my first of 11 days off.

16.  It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Life's Lessons: The I F#$!ING LOVE TURKEY EDITION

I'm linking up with fabulous Sara and Rach today for Life's Lessons.

1.  I love turkey.  So much I am attempting to make ANOTHER turkey in December for the first time.  If it goes well, watch out Martha Stewart.

2.  The Amish people?  Make damn good cheese.  Two words people.  Habanero cheese.

3. The Amish people?  Make damn good bread.  Three words people. Garlic Cheese Bread.

4.  Did I mention I love turkey?

5.  I am making apple spice cookies for Thanksgiving.  I have no idea why.  I'm not much of a baker.

6.   Is there such a thing as being too honest?  I don't think there is, but....

7.  Apparently if it's something negative, even if you're nice, it's not okay.

8.  But I'm tired of not being honest.

9.  I really fucking love turkey people.

10.  I got flowers for my anniversary.

11.  The first time I've ever gotten flowers from my husband.

12.  They are so beautiful.

13.  But not as beautiful as the turkey I'm gonna eat on Thursday.

:)

Life's Lessons: The On My Own Edition

I'm linking up with Rach and Sara today.

John went away this past weekend, and it was the first time we've been apart overnight (other than Maggie's birth) since PJ was born. 

1.  I thoroughly enjoyed being able to watch 4 episodes of Revenge Saturday night on On Demand.

2.  I throughly enjoyed being able to watch American Horror Story after the 4 episodes of Revenge.

3.  I really liked having the whole bed to myself -- not because I took over more of it, but because no one tried to horn in on my side when I got up to pee.

4.  I took PJ and Mags to Snackville Junction, a restaurant that is covered in trains, and your food gets BROUGHT TO YOU by train.  (Read:  PJ's heaven).

5.  We went to Boo at the Zoo with my best friend and her boys and had a blast.

6.  I went and met my friend's 3 week old baby girl, and confirmed the fact that I am SO GLAD we are done.

7.  Newborn phase?  Not fun.

8.  Toddler phase?  Way fun.

9.  Next year when me and my girlfriends want to do a weekend getaway?  He did it first.

10.  I really did miss him though.

11.  Really.

Life's Lessons: LOG got her Boobies Back Edition

Disclaimer:  I know I used this Blog Title (minus the "Life's Lessons" part) earlier this week, but it's such a kick ass title, I had to reuse it.  And it's mine so harump.

1.   I got my boobies back.

2.  Yesterday was the first day since July 24, 2008 that I was not pregnant or breastfeeding or both.

3.  PJ has taken a sudden interest in my boobs, however.

4.  Sticking his hand down my shirt, peering down my shirt. 

5.  I am sure this has NOTHING to do with John randomly grabbing my boobs at random intervals.

6.  Just like PJ spits because "Mater does it" and not because he sees Daddy do it.

7.  It's almost my birthday.

8.  I am going out to celebrate the birthday with my girlfriends tomorrow night.

9.  Only four of us -- none of the pregnant girls can make it.

10.  I'm SLIGHTLY excited about a night out without discussing pregnancy, sleeping during pregnancy, boobs, fat, etc.

11.  Did I mention we're going to a martini bar?  With a list of over 30 martinis?  Why did anyone think sending me to martini bar when I'm not going to be driving was a good idea?
12.  I sent out Maggie's birthday invites.  She's gonna be one. Really fucking soon.

13.  PJ needs to get a haircut every 8 weeks.  That's what the girl that cuts his hair said.  He's had at least ten haircuts since he was 1.

14.  The Bears really need to beat the Packers on Sunday.

15.  REALLY.

Life's Lessons: The What I've Learned from Blogging Edition

I'm linking up with two of my favorite bloggers Rach and Sara for another edition of Life's Lessons.

I started this blog in 2009, but didn't really start blogging regularly till the beginning of this year, after I got back from maternity leave with Maggie.  I did it on the urging and support of a good friend (who you will meet next month!) and I am so glad I did.

1.  People like me.  I got more volunteers for guest bloggers than I needed, and I love them all so I am having guest bloggers when I don't need them!  I love you all (you know who you are)!

2.  It is amazing how people I've never met can put my thoughts and feelings into words in ways I can't describe. 

3.  It is amazing how I can do the same thing for other people.

4.  I wish all of my bloggy friends lived here, so we could all have play dates or girls nights or whatever.  I love my girlfriends, but it would be nice to have MORE girlfriends so chill with on a Friday night during bowling season.

5.  Have I mentioned how much I hate bowling?

6.  Your true bloggy friends, even if they don't agree with something you are doing, will never put you down for it.  They might suggest an alternative, they may tell you it's not what they would do, but they'll still love you and read your blog and tell you you're fantastic.

7.  The best thing about my blog?  Not telling anyone in real life about my blog.  It allows me to write freely.

8.  I've gained so much from blogging.

9.  I've made friends -- good friends.  People I'd ask for advice from.

10.  I've learned new tricks.

11.  I've laughed.  And laughed.

12.  I've cried.  And cried.

13.  I gained a whole new support system -- and when the unvierse shits on you, there's no such thing as too many support systems.

Life's Lessons: the PB&J Edition

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1.  PJ has taken to getting the peanut butter out of the cupboard, jelly out of the fridge, pointing at the bread and insisting on having a PB&J as soon as we get home.  He has created his own afternoon snack.

2.  It's okay to give your kids peanut butter before they are one.  Ask Maggie.

3.  Small baby showers are better because when someone registered for and receives the shopping cart cover, all the moms can tell the mom-to-be it's absolutely not necessary, and that you'd end up forgetting it half the time anyway.

4.  The fact that a cupcake restaurant opened two blocks from my building is incredibly awesome.

5.  Did I mention they have caramel apple cupcakes?

6.  Did I mention how much I love those?

7.  I'm disappointed in NY & Company's line of clothes lately. 

8.  I discovered the Limited and am quite pleased.

9.  I'm going to eat steak tomorrow.  And black cherry martinis.  And eat a meal without wiping a face, washing a spoon, or yelling at someone to sit back down.

10.  But I'll still miss my babies.

11.  PJ has the exact same color eyes as I do.

12.  Did I mention the cupcakes?

Life's Lessons - the First Edition

Today I am finally linking up with Sara and Rach for a little LIFE'S LESSONS.

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1.  Pinkeye?  Isn't necessarily pink.  It could just be yellow crusty goop.

2.  Getting 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep makes all the difference in the world.

3.  Wearing jeans on Fridays makes works that much easier to deal with.

4.  PJ saw me cut a tag out of his shirt one day.  Now, anytime he sees something with a tag, he tries to get the scissors out of the drawer and gives them to one of us to cut the tag off.

5.  Put scissors in higher drawers.  Better yet, don't let your 2 year old see where you keep them.

6.  My MIL isn't happy unless she's complaining about something.  Unfortunately, she chooses often to comlpain to me about my SIL.  ROCK ME HARD PLACE

7.  Football is back.  This makes me unnaturally giddy, but I've noticed no one gets quite as excited about other sports.  Because football is awesome.

8.  Maggie crawls faster than I run.  She's also a pretty fast cruiser.  I might be in for trouble when she starts walking.

9.  I am about to spend $200 at the Children's Place for clothes.  Please help me justify.

10.  I have 45 followers.  This was one of my summer goals.  Thank you to my newest followers!

11.  Earwigs are gross. And forever in our backyard.  EW.

12.  Tennis in the heat makes your husband a sweaty, smelly mess.

13.  More curious, is that he never cared about tennis before, and now suddenly, at the age of nearly 31, he's interestd.

14.  This inevitably leads to the "I'm sore, this hurts" conversation for three days after said tennis playing.

15.  Jamba Juice needs a frequent buyers program.