Sometimes, you just have to eat your grapes.

PJ and Maggie are 18.5 months apart.  Sometimes this causes a bit of chaos, a bit of rivalry, a bit of both wanting Mommy all to themselves.  Sometimes there's hitting, kicking, hair pulling.

But most of the time?  There's love, caring, affection, and laughter.

Yesterday, before leaving for the sitter, I put some grapes in a baggie.  PJ always picks the mixed grapes when we go to store -- green for him, purple for Maggie.  So I put a mixture of both. 

I was putting them in my purse when he saw them.

"I take the grapes, Mommy."

"Okay, bud. Remember to share with Maggie."

"Maggie, do you want a grape?"

"Uh-huh!"

He hands her a (purple) grape and I get them out and settled in the car. As we're driving, I hear

"More grapes Maggie?"

I look in the mirror and see Maggie shake her head feverishly.  And then I see PJ reach in the bag, take out a purple grape, and stretch his arm across as far as he can to get to Maggie.  She notices, and reaches her arm across.

"REACH Maggie!"

Finally, their hands meet.

"YAY!! Maggie you got the grape!"

Maggie dissolves in giggles and eats her grape.  PJ takes a green one.

This occurred the entire time to the sitter.  Which is only 10 minutes, but it was by far the best 10 minutes of my day.

In 20 years or so, I hope they still reach to each other.  I hope they are close, that they lean on each other, that they laugh together, that they love each other.

Sibling love is something I never had.  I am so glad that they do.

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.

Sounds of the morning

PJ:

"Mama, we go to zoo?"

"Oh, buddy, I'm sorry mommy has to go to work today.  We'll go back to the zoo soon."

"we go to zoo soon? okay mama."
(10 minutes later on the way to the car)

"Is soon now Mama?  We go to zoo?"


Passing the bush where the birds hang out.

PJ:

Birdies mama!! Bird Fly!! TWEET TWEET!

Maggie:  Twee Twee!! (Giggle)


Sitting at a light that just turned green.

Maggie: GOOOOOOOO!!!


Driving to the sitter:

We're going to see Mrs. McGrath!

PJ:  Not there yet Mama.

Leaving the sitter for work.

"Bye guys, I love you!"

PJ:  "Love you Mama!"

Maggie:  waving good-bye frantically

Sometimes, mornings aren't so bad.

Ten things to smile about

I'm linking up with Emmy today for Ten Things to Smile About.  If you haven't checked Emmy out yet, you should. :)

1.  Maggie gives kisses now.  They are open mouth kisses, but adorable and cute and there's not much better than open mouth kisses from your baby girl.

2.  I got to have a great holiday celebration with these lovely ladies:

3.   PJ got to play in the snow and had so much fun.

4.  Sibling love, instead of rivalry.

5.  The Packers lost to the Giants in the playoffs, thus ensuring me to be able to watch the Super Bowl again.

6.  It's going to be nearly 60 degrees in Chicago today -- so we are grilling steaks.  This doesn't happen in January in Chicago.

7.  Had a play date with my two oldest and best friends -- seen here in our younger YOUNGER days.  (and yes, we are in a bathtub, at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas).

8.  Result of said play date:

9.  I made chicken tortilla soup for the first time and it was delicious.

10.  I got a new blog follower on the last day of January (HINT, HINT -- you know you want to be #63!!)
 



Hugs.

Best big brother ever.

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.

Pfffbt.

That's how I feel today.  Like Pfffbt.

I've got this icky feeling I've had since last week that I just can't shake. 

I have nothing of substance to blog about. 

So here's some, as tv shows would call them, clips.

***Maggie was getting off the chair, and as she did, kicked PJ in the head.  PJ, not to be outdone, proceeded to try and roundhouse kick her in the head, since they were both standing.  John had to turn away in laughter and I had to squeak out "no, buddy, Maggie didn't mean it" without laughing in his face.

***Took Mags for her 15 month check up.  We were in the train room.  There was a train signal light with a red light and a green light.

"PJ, what color is this (pointing to green light)?"

"GREEN!"

"Good!  What color is this (pointing to red light)?"

After some thought, "NOT GREEN!"

***At every red light -- STOP MAMA.  At every green light -- GO MAMA.

***babaw -- Maggie trying to say football.

***Chicken Tortilla Soup I made for dinner last night = success.

And a large, huge, THANK YOU to the New York Giants for beating the Green Bay Packers, and thus allowing me to watch the Super Bowl this year.

Hopefully next week is a better week.

Proud.

The other day we got home and I had PJ and Maggie's juice in those take and toss cups (which by the way, if you don't have, you should get, because they are awesome).

I couldn't remember who had the blue one and who had the green one.   I said to Maggie,

"Do you want your juice?"

"Okay!" (She's too cute when she says okay).

I give her the blue one.

She runs away.

Comes back a minute later, empty handed, grabs the green one.

I walk into PJ's room and see PJ has the blue one.

She went to give PJ the blue cup, because apparently, she remembers who has which cup.

Resolutions I'd like PJ and Maggie to make

I've decided you're never too young to try and change things for the better, right?

PJ

1.  I will refrain from pushing, hitting, or grabbing Maggie when she begins playing with a toy I didn't even know we still had, or that I haven't touched in days. 

2.  I will learn that they are trucks, not cocks.  And socks, not cocks.

3.  I will tell Mommy or Daddy or whatever grown up is around when I have to go pee BEFORE I go.

4.  I will not dump my lego bin, memory game, or various other toys with many pieces out on the floor just so I can see Mommy look for the bottle of Grey Goose.

5.  I will try new foods, like chicken and steak.

6.  Instead of announcing "I'm peeing!" in the bathtub, and then proceeding to pee on Maggie, I will at least wait till Maggie out of the tub.

Maggie

1.  I will not have a meltdown four seconds after getting into my car seat if Mommy doesn't give me fruit snacks immediately.

2.  I will stop trying to eat paintbrushes.

3.  I will stop changing the 1080i setting on the cable box. Or, I will figure out how to change it back so Mommy can stop asking Daddy.

4.  I will stop throwing my food onto the floor when I am done, or just angry for whatever reason. 

5.  When I can talk, I will tell Gramma the reason I cry when I am with her is because she never visits and she takes me away from Mommy.

What resolutions do your kids need to make?

Chicago finally realized it's winter.

Hey everyone.  I hope you all had a great Christmas and a good New Year's.  I had a great time off, which was littered with unusually warm winter days for Chicago -- 30s and 40s, even a 50 I think.

Not today.  Today it was 12 when I left.  Good times.

Anyway.  I've missed you all.  And here's what you've missed. :)

**Went to dinner with friends the first night of my vacation.  Had three-four martinis.  Talked about myself in third person.

**Went to Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier with the kids.  So much fun.   Will be more fun when the kids are a bit older but we still managed to have THIS MUCH FUN:

Christmas Eve.  First, here's Maggie in her adorable "russian" coat.

**I got Maggie dressed first and PJ saw her and said "Maggie, you look cute!" then took her hand, lead her to the couch and said "Cheese mama!"  The result:



We went to my parents.  Of course, there's not much we can get my mom, so I emailed a bunch of her friends and former co-workers and asked them to write letters to her talking about the fun times they had.  I put all the letters in a scrapbook.  She of course cried, but I have been told she has now read all the letters and loves it.  John and I also wrote one.

Then we  had Christmas Eve with John's mom in her trailer.  Yes trailer.  As in trailer park.  We'll save that post for another day.   It went surprisngly well, except for the fact my MIL will not stop saying shit about Maggie being too attached to me. 

The girl is in a clingy stage, and she also never sees you.  Maybe if you saw your grandkids more often.  Some gems:

**You're NOT going by your mother (while taking her out of my line of sight, which of course makes Mags scream hysterically).

**You really have to cut off this connection between you and Maggie.  It's ridiculous.

**You mom has to go and ruin everything (by saying good-bye when I was leaving the other day and she was babysitting).

And variations of this.  I'm about to rip her eyes out.

Oh and she bought my almost three year old that Go Fish game.  You know the game with about 50 little fish who's mouths open and close?  WHO DOES THAT???

Christmas morning went awesome.  Kids loved all their toys.  I got a KINECT!! For the Xbox.  John was all worried I wouldn't like it, but I love it.  Except my arms are so fricking sore today I don't even know what to do with myself.

I also got jewely.  Boy knows better, okay??

The rest of our vacation was a lot of just hanging out around the house, seeing some friends, etc.  It sucks to be back at work.  I'd stay home everyday if I could.  :)

Oh and can I just say?  I am ready for all the tv shows to come back.  Good lord.



Ten Things For Thursday

I'm stealing this idea from Rebecca, my awesome bloggy friend.  You should read mine, comment, and then go read hers.

10 Things I Love

1.  When PJ grabs my face and kisses me on the lips.

2.  The way Maggie was just hugging and hugging her Daddy this morning.

3.  Knowing we've finished wrapping the kids' gifts.

4.  The fact that we're going to our annual Christmas dinner with some good friends next week, and that it's at Ruth's Chris.

5.  New Girl.  Seriously.  This show is amazing.

6.  Conan.  I will never stop loving Conan.

7.  The look on PJ's face when he took a bite of a jalapeno cheeseburger -- even though I warned him.

8.  That I get my bonus tomorrow.

9.  Turkey -- which I am making on Sunday.

10.  The holiday breakfast I'm about to consume at work.

10 Things I hate

1.  People who stop in the middle of the sidewalk for no reason but to be a moron.

2.  The fact that it's raining in December.

3.  Laundry

4.  Dishes

5.  Figuring out what to make for dinner every night.

6.  Family Guy (yes, I hate this show).

7.  Stupid Drivers

8.  The fact that the Packers are undefeated. 

9.  Sealing envelopes on Christmas Cards. 

10.  Poopy diapers.

10 Things I don't give a shit about.

1.  Politics

2.  The Kardashians, Jersey Shore, any other reality TV morons.

3.  If and when Kim Middleton is going to get pregnant.

4.  The Coke cans look like Diet Coke cans, because somehow I was able to figure it out.

5.  If it's time for the perculator.

6.  What my hair looks like after I take my hat off.

7.  How unbelievable American Horror Story is -- I still fucking love it.

8.  College Football and all of the bowl games.

9.  Anything on the history channel.

10.  That sometimes my kids have cookies for breakfast.

Dammit, I want snow.

It's Chicago.

Usually by this time of year, we've shoveled a couple times.

We've had about half a centimeter of snow.

It's Christmastime.  I like snow covering the bushes, while the christmas lights shine through.  I like seeing the white stuff, because it feels more Christmasy.   Santa likes snow.

So I want it to snow dammit.  I don't want a blizzard, I don't want to have trouble driving (although this happens no matter what, because let's face it, people are dumb).  I want it to look like Christmas is in two fucking weeks.

I want to take PJ and Maggie outside to sled, to play, to make snowmen and throw snowballs.

So dammit.  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Hello to all of you!

I recently gained about 6 new followers, so I want to welcome you and say I am soooo glad you are here (along with all my old followers who I love)!

I want to check you out so leave me a comment with your blog so I can! I'm too lazy to look in my followers list, is that okay?? Plus then other peeps might check you out as well.

This week is kind of crazed so just a few tidbits:

We bought a Santa decoration for outside and PJ is beside himself.  Santa! Santa! SANTA!!  I think he likes Santa.

Maggie says shoes!  Shoes shoes shoes shoes.  However, all she ever does is take off her shoes...

PJ says socks -- but he says COCKS.  Oh boy.

He also says sit.  But he says TIT.

So we have lots of cocks and tit in our house these days.

My stepdad finally decided to call for hospice for my mom.  I am so glad.  He desperately needs the help.

It's almost thanksgiving, and in case you missed it, I LOVE TURKEY.

Gobble gobble.

Who Let the Dog Out?

You may or may not know we have a dog.  A white German Shepherd, named Wrangler.

I can't show you a picture, because I don't have any.

Why?

Because Wrangler is a rebound dog. 

My favorite, best, wonderful, amazing dog Neo died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 5.  He was the greatest dog ever. He was with me when I was with my asshole ex, and was part of the reason I got through all of that.  He got bloat and died on our kitchen floor.

I was nearly 8 months pregnant with PJ.

I was devastated and couldn't handle being home alone, not hearing the sound of a dog.  John was also devastated.  So we got the great idea to get a puppy when I was, yes, EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT.  I am still not sure why none of my friends tried to talk some sense into me, but alas.

Wrangler is not a bad dog -- he's good with the kids.  But he's annoying, whiny, and doesn't listen.  He's scared of dish towels (one fell on the floor, and he ran out of the kitchen like it was a war).  He whines incessantly.  He is stupid.  He is everything Neo was not.

Anyway, we have Wrangler.  PJ gets a huge kick out of chasing him around with toys, watching him run around outside.  Maggie also laughs at him constantly.  So he's okay in my book because he's good with our kids.

PJ has been very much into giving him treats. "Dog treat Mama!"  And also putting cheese in with his food.    He's very commanding.

"Doggie, eat!"

"Doggie, go!"

"Doggie, tit (sit)!"

This morning we were about to leave.

"We've got to let the doggie in!"

PJ goes running to the door.  Turns around, sees me following, and runs back to me.

"NO MAMA!  I DO!" and pushes me.

I stop and wait.  "Okay, baby, you let the doggie in."

Opens the door to our porch, walks to the screen door.

"Come in doggie!"

He held the door open like we do so the door doesn't hit the dog on his way in.

"Dog treat mama?"

Yeah, baby.  Dog treat.

I love you, Leaves, and Polar Express

PJ FINALLY SAID I LOVE YOU.

He said it a few times.  Love you mama.  :)

He also said Choo Choo Track, Santa, Snowman, Sweet, and a few other things.  I am not worried about him talking any more -- he's still not talking as much as maybe he could be, but he's doing just fine. :)

Oh and if your kid likes trains, two words -- POLAR EXPRESS.  We bought the DVD for PJ at Target and he sat and watched the ENTIRE MOVIE from start to finish.  He was ENTRANCED.

Here's a couple pics to remind you how cute they are....

Isn't she adorable??

My handsome little guy.

So proud of his very tall tower.

And since it was 60 degrees in Chicago yesterday (but SUPER windy), we went outside and had some fun. Enjoy! :)

You mean I get to jump in this big pile of leaves?  This is the best day ever!

Wait, Daddy, I'll help you rake more leaves.

I don't know about this Mommy. 

Well the slide is fun.  I'll try it.

This is AWESOME.

Mommy, you're so silly.

One, two, three JUMP!

Leaves are so cool.  I can jump and throw them and Mommy doesn't mind!

Happy Fall!

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.

To infinity...and beyond! (And some fairy dust)

PJ had an awesome time trick or treating.  Maggie just wanted to eat all the candy.  We had a great Halloween.

I'll be back to my regularly scheduled programming tomorrow.  Hope you had a great Halloween!

What I've done.

I don't normally do these writing prompts.  But I was intrigued by this one, first, because it's 22 things you have done, and PJ was born on the 22nd, and second, because I think it's a cool thing.

So here goes.

I'm 32 years old and....

1.  I have laughed so hard I've peed in my pants.  Many times.

2.  I have realized that having a shitty childhood has propelled me into ensuring my kids' childhood is fantastic.

3.  I have married my best friend and the love of my life.

4.  I have lost a baby and experienced heartache like nothing I've ever felt before.

5.  I watched my favorite, most loved, best dog I ever had or will have die on my kitchen floor.

6.  I have walked down the beach in Maui holding hands with my husband.

7.  I have given birth to two wonderful children, and now watch two pieces of my heart walk around outside my body.

8.  I have known and continue to know what it is to have true friends.

9.  I've been choked by someone who broke into my bedroom at night.

10.  I have gone to 4 Bears games, all of which they've won (I think that's a sign).

11.  I have seen my husband become a man.  When his father died, he became a man unlike anyway he was before.  He became a rock, a symbol of strength, for his sister, his family.  As much as his heart hurts, I've never been more proud of him.

12.  I have had a child repeatedly vomit all over me and not cared at all, because all I wanted was for him to feel better.

13.  I've cried because I couldn't figure out why my baby girl was so upset when I laid her down.

14.  I've learned that losing someone unexpectedly and suddenly is terribly hard and a horrible loss, but waiting everyday for someone to die, watching them wither away, is much, much harder.

15.  I've discovered that the smile I get from PJ and Maggie when I pick them up from day care is the best part of my day. 

16.  I've seen true love in action. 

17.  I have never worn makeup in my life, except for the plays I was in in high school.

18.  I've learned to make my grandmother's and mom's gravy (spaghetti sauce for you non-Italians) but I've also always known it will NEVER taste as good as theirs.

19.   I have had part of my kidney removed due to kidney stones.  I have an eight inch scar.  Kidney stones are worse than giving birth.  I promise.

20.  I've loved with my whole heart, but I've also hated with my whole soul.

21.  I had the perfect wedding and I wouldn't change anything about it.

22.  I have made a family, out of the love I have for my husband, and he for me, and the love we have for our children.  No matter what else happens in life, I will always have my happinesses.

Carve any pumpkins lately?

John loves carving pumpkins, and this year, PJ was VERY happy to help Daddy carve his Buzz Lightyear pumpkin.



PJ very intently helping Daddy with the outline of Buzz.

At some point, PJ decided watching Daddy do the carving was boring, so he ended up "carving" his own mini pumpkin by repeatedly poking it with one of the carving tools that he promised to be careful with.

\

It's so awesome to see my husband and my little guy sharing this together.  Just hanging out, starting a tradition that no doubt Maggie will start participating in next year.  I didn't have many family traditions as a kid, and I don't want PJ and Maggie to feel that way when they are older.  This is the first of many, many traditions we have started and will continue to start.

And in case you were wondering, here's the finished product:

John's pretty awesome.  :)