Who would have thought a phone number could make you cry.

I was sitting here at work, ecstatic about the beautiful weather, when my phone rang.

I looked over at the phone and saw the number on the Caller ID.

It was my mom's cell phone.

My mom can't make phone calls.  I picked up the phone in a panic.

"Hello?"  I couldn't say Hi, Mom, because I knew it wouldn't be her.

It was Linda, her best friend, who I've known since I was in the womb.

She visits my mom every Tuesday. 

I wrote a message to my mom in her Mother's Day card.  I told her not to read it while I was there, to read it when she was ready, because it would probably make her cry (ALS makes you cry and/or laugh uncontrollably, my mom is more of the crier).

She waited till today, till Linda came over to read it.

She had Linda call to tell me it was totally totally awesome.  And she loved me very much.

I told her what a great mom she was.  I told her how hard it was for me to see her in pain and suffering, and how I am sorry I don't come by as much as I should but it's so difficult for me to see her that way.  I told her I couldn't imagine what she's going through but I could never find enough words to tell her how much I loved her.

I told her that she showed me what it means to be a terrific mom.  And that I'll spend my life trying to be half as good as she was.

I could hear her crying in the background.

Me?  I'm in tears because the last time she actually called me I didn't realize it would be the last time. 

This time, I know.

Happy 7 Monthday, Maggie!

My beautiful baby girl is 7 months old today.  This is also means that in 5 months I GET MY BOOBS BACK.  But let's focus on what's important.

Maggie:

• can crawl like nobody's business.  I put her down in the living room, went in the kitchen to get juice for PJ, turned around, and BAM there she was
• can get herself into a sitting position from the crawling, laying position
• has MASTERED downward facing dog, and is desperately trying to use it to stand up
• loves puffs, mums, pretty much food in general.  We tried some french fries the other day.   Today, cheese.

She smiles all the time and is such a happy happy baby, just like her big brother.  I love watching them interact.  When she wakes up, PJ is the first one to run to the door and wait for me to open it, and then run in and say Hi GEE GEE! and she just smiles at him.  He reaches in through the crib slats to rub her head and always lets me know when she's crying.  PJ also tries to feed her his yogurt when we're eating and tries to help her with her puffs and to learn the sippy cup.

I know they won't always be so in love with each other, but at least now I am enjoying watching my happinesses love each other so much.

And now, the wonderful thing that I only have about 4.5 more months of pumping.  Do you know how AMAZING this is?  Do you know how fantastic it is that the end is in sight?  If you've been a pumping and working mama, I know you do.  I love breastfeeding, but pumping just sucks.  And I have been pregnant or breastfeeding and pumping since oh, July of 2008.  By the time I'm done I'll have loaned out my boobs for over three years.

I am so ready to buy pretty bras where the cups don't open.  To wear something with a shoulder strap that isn't the width of my belt.   To have a bra that is purple or pink or green, or lacy or sheer or floral, instead of tan or white or black with  no design whatsoever.  I am going to go on a bra spree come October.

John better get ready. ;)

I like celebrating me.

I didn't cook this weekend.  Or do laundry.  I got to celebrate me.

I was off on Friday and able to take PJ and Maggie to the park, where they had a blast.  Then we had a happy meal -- which PJ ACTUALLY ATE which was fantastic.

I got three beautiful mother's day cards, my husband ended up NOT golfing on Saturday, which is amazing, and made breakfast for me both days.  I got to spend a wonderful weekend with my kids and my family and had a great Mother's Day. 

The weather has finally turned here in Chicago and it's so fantastic.  I am so glad to be able to wear a dress or skirt and not freeze my ass off.

Yesterday PJ played outside all day.  We got home around 645.  I set him up with a movie and went to get Maggie changed and ready for bed.  Came back out to the living room and guess what?

Sound asleep.

Slept through me changing his diaper and putting on his jammies. 

Being outside all day will do that to you.

Remember those days?  Playing hard all day, smelling like outside, and not feeling the least bit tired until you finally came in the house and sat down, and suddenly you couldn't keep your eyes open.

That's what being a kid is all about.  :)

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

Love, LOG

Oh, and P.S.  I love Spanish Buzz.  LOVE. 

The Cutest Story I Wasn't Home For.

Sitter is on vacation this week, so husband is playing Mr. Mom Tues-Thurs of the week.

He was sitting watching Toy Story (1, 2, or 3, who knows, but I can act them all out for you complete with emotion and stage presence) with PJ on the couch while Mags was motoring all over.

She started to fuss, so he picked her up.

All that motoring made her sleepy, so she fell asleep.

With her head on big brother's shoulder.  (Unfortunately, no picture as husband was underneath the two of them and I AM AT FUCKING WORK).

After a few minutes, PJ goes "Stuck! Da! Stuck!" and points at Maggie.

Husband shushes him, and quieter, PJ says "STUCK!"

How I hate working.  So much.

PYHO: Kids on Mother's Day

Linking up to Shell today for PYHO.




Mother's Day is Sunday.  It is the third Mother's Day I am celebrating as a mother.  I will also be celebrating the other mothers in my life -- my mom, my mother-in-law, my gradndma-in-law, and my sister-in-law.

My SIL and I get the short end of the Mother's Day stick because we are the youngest mothers. It's okay.  Grandma has had 6 kids, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.  Our moms have us and all our kids.   I am okay with going to visit Grandma on Mother's Day and maybe not having some relaxing "I do nothing at all today" day.  Because I get to spend it with my KIDS.  Which is the reason I celebrate Mother's Day in the first place.

Yes, it will be nice if my husband makes breakfast, lets me sleep in a little, gives me some cards and maybe some flowers.  But what I don't understand is the moms who say all they want for Mother's Day is to be WITHOUT their kids.  It's MOTHER'S day.  And you want to be away from the people who are the reason you are celebrated on this day? 

I'm all for time for myself.  I need a spa day now and then, a girls night out, a time where I can be Lisa and not Mommy.  I just don't understand how people think Mother's Day is the day to do it.  I want to be with my kids the whole day because they are the amazing, wonderful reason that I am wished a Happy Mother's Day.  They are the ones that make my days happy and awesome, and the ones who get excited when I walk in the door.  The ones who give me hugs and kisses and cry when I have to leave because they just want me to stay.

So I think Mother's Day should be spent with the people who call you Mommy.  The little ones who melt your heart when they come give you a hug because you are sad and they can tell.  The little ones who smile so big when you walk into the room, you can't help but scoop them up in your arms and tell them you love them.  The little ones who love you no matter what. The ones that eventually will insist on picking out their own card for you, and will make you a cute craft at school to bring home and give you for Mother's day.

That is what Mother's Day is for.  Moms.  And the ones who made them that.

Picture Day!

So Maggie is crawling like a champion. PJ got a black eye at the park on Saturday. And I want to post some pics! So enjoy and comment because you love me. ;)


These are all from Easter. Enjoy!

Love you PJ and Maggie!!

Two and Through.

Originally, we wanted three kids.  Of course, that was when we thought we'd be moved by the time our second was born, in a bigger house with more space. 

It was also when PJ was a super easy baby and before Maggie was a little trying her first month or two of life because of her reflux.

It was before my mom got sick.

It was before John's dad died.

We now have the "perfect family" as many people have told us.  I'm done being pregnant.  I want my boobs back.  I've been pregnant or breastfeeding for nearly three years and it will be over three years by the time I am done nursing Magge.

We'd need a bigger car.

We wouldn't be able to go on as many vacations, or do as many cool things, or buy as many things as we would like for our kids because the money would be scarcer.

We wouldn't be able to be selling the baby clothes/items/toys we no longer need.

And neither of us wants a child to come in this world that John's dad and my mom (most likely won't know).

Not to mention, we did have a third child.  We lost him or her.  We'll never know if it was a him or her, or what he or she would have looked like, how much he or she weighed when born, grown up to be, or anything else.  So we had three babies, but one got taken from us.  And I truly believe everything happens for a reason.

So we're two and through.  And thrilled about it.  I have an IUD right now, until John can go and get snipped.  Which will probably be sometime in August or September.

I couldn't be happier.  My kids are phenomenal.  I love my family.

John, Lisa, PJ and Maggie.  The O'Gs.