Ten on Tuesday (The Not So Interesting One)

10. I almost wrote this two days ago...because I totally thought it was Tuesday.

9. I really really don't like my new shower scrubby thing-y. The scrubby part is fine, the color is nice and calm (the last one was bright pink) but there is this plastic ball/bead thing on the hang-y part that whips around when I am scrubbing and it just annoys me. I think I am going to have to turn it over to my husband to see if he can break it off or something.

8. Or I guess I COULD spend $2.99 to buy a new scrubby but that seems wasteful to me for some reason.

7. The last week or so, I have been awake for almost every minute of every day. It makes time move very slowly.

6. The carpet cleaner guy on American Idol? Yeah, he's super cute.

5. Best TV Show to fall asleep to? Law and Order. I have seen almost every episode twice or even three times and I still love every one of them. But the constant dialogue is the perfect thing to have in the background of a nap.

4. Mmmmm. Cheez-its.

3. Hair: To cut? Not to cut? This is the question.

2. Happy Birthday TODAY to my two Besties, Michelle and Maria Elena! I tried to have a baby on your birthday but she just didn't want to stay put.

1. Speaking of the baby, I think I may have the smooshiest, cutest, cuddliest, sweetest poopsie cakes baby who makes me want to actualy talk baby talk to her because she is so squishy and sweet ever to grace the face of the earth.

Welcome.

Ella Anne Zabrosky
February 8, 2008
12:00am
6lbs 9oz, 19 inches long

God has a purpose for you on this earth...and I am excited to see what it will be.

The One Where I Get All Goofy and Sentimental (But Only For a Little While)

In general, I am not a sappy or sentimental person. I mean, I have a heart but I don't really get hung up or weepy over some of the things many of my friends love. Especially when it comes to songs. I am not moved by that "Christmas Shoes" song. "Butterfly Kisses" has nothing on me. And forget "Cat's in the Cradle."

But when Michelle called me last week and read me the lyrics to this song over the phone, I felt shivers running up and down my spine. And it wasn't because I was standing in line for the "Finding Nemo" ride at Disneyland and a cold breeze had run through. No,the smarmy, schmultzy lyrics had touched me-darn it.

Tonight, I bought the song on iTunes, loaded it up on the iPod that we use for Lucy's nighttime music and I sent it upstairs with David. I told him to listen to the song and rock Lucy in the rocker and I texted Michelle to tell her what I did.
She said I am evil.

David came back and he was a little, um, moved.
So I share this song with the rest of you. Especially those of you who have daughters.

(Not in the mood right now? Scroll down to the bottom.)

"Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting wearing the weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day and there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

But she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says, "Dad the wedding's still six months away but I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

In Other News:

Here are some click-worthy links!

Not sure who to vote for tomorrow? Follow this link, answer 10 simple questions and discover which candidate you match up to: http://www.votechooser.com/

Ever wondered if you could take on a swarm of 5 year olds if you were attacked?

Find out here: http://www.howmanyfiveyearoldscouldyoutakeinafight.com/

(Be sure to post your score on this one...I only got 16 but I think they should account for how many kids you already have to wrangle in 1 day.)

Still no baby...we have 13 days left.

The Fruits of Not Being in Labor

The day was already going to be jam packed already...

Non Stress Test at 11

Cooking for my Supper Swap Day during Naptime

Doctor's appointment at 3:30

Delivering Supper Swap Meals to my 3 Swappers

Guys and Dolls in El Cajon at 8 with my sis

I left the house at 9:45am...got home at 7:15am and it all had been completely rearranged for me. Plus, I got a prize!

At my non-stress test, I got to sit in an easy chair, strap a baby heartbeat monitor to my belly and relax for about 45 minutes to the soft gallop of the baby's heartbeat. My only job was to push a button every time she moved. It was hard though, my body reaaaaaally liked the east chair.

Afterward they took be back for an ultrasound. I also got to pee in a cup.

Oh yeah, I'm going to be talking a lot about pee today. If it bothers you, go read everything you need to know about finding and wearing the perfect pair of boots.

At the ultrasound, it was discovered that I am low on amniotic fluid. (That's the baby's pee.) I also had a slightly elevated blood pressure reading-which I have never had before in my life. Right before finishing up the ultrasound, the nurse swung the view so I could see sweet baby's face. She looked right at us and made the sweetest sucking movement with her mouth. It made both the nurse and myself cry.

It was shortly after that, when we discovered that I had trace amounts of protein in my urine sample I'd given. Coupling that with everything else, we placed a call to my doctor who decided that since it was only across the street, why don't I run over to Labor and Delivery and have them check things out. But don't forget to stop at the the lab first, they need blood and more pee.

Two cups were handed to me thins time. Listen people, I know I am pregnant and seem to live in the bathroom these days but you have GOT to cut a gal a break!

I called a few key people-freaked the crap out of them and spent most of my time in the waiting room reassuring them that I was pretty sure that-despite the mention of it by my doctor-I probably wasn't going to be induced that day.

Once I made it up to Labor and Delivery-which was hard to find, I have never gone in the front door since I only seem to have babies in the middle of the night once the front doors are locked-I got settled in. They strapped me into another set of monitors, both baby and blood pressure and I was thankful I remembered my book. I got about an hour of peace and quiet with my new book and wondered if it might be kind of fun to have the baby today.

Well, all the tests and things came back and there was no protein in my pee this time, my blood pressure was acting normally and the amniotic fluid wasn't concerning them. I was free to go!

But this glorious visit was not to be easily forgotten. Because, as with all wonderful trips to exciting and unusual locations, I got to take home a souvenir. The Labor and Delivery equivalent of bringing chocolate covered macadamia nuts home from a trip to Hawaii. But this souvenir came with homework as well.

See this?

I have 24 hours to use this. I pee in the white toilet insert, and then, because of the lovely spout at the front, I get to then pour my pee into the jug. Which, by the way, MUST be refrigerated. David refused to allow my jug of pee (do you believe me now? Lots of pee talk. Last chance for cute boot talk!) to enter the refrigerator so the cooler was prepared and lugged upstairs because I was NOT going to walk all the way downstairs to our pee into a jug 3 times in the middle of the night. It settled nicely into our upstairs bathroom.

My 24 hours is now up and tomorrow Lucy and I get to drive down to Labor and Delivery to make a delivery of our own. They will then test it for protein again and we will see where that takes us. And don't think I won't be presenting my jug of pee in class, It will be wrapped up nicely with a bow.

Because while I may be driving around town with over 30 ounces of my own urine, I have been raised correctly and know how to make a proper presentation of a gift.

Ten on Tuesday

1. As I pray for our sweet, and as of yet unborn, daughter Ella, I am praying for a completely will-less child. That she will have the sweetest of dispositions, sunny smiles and bright eyes but never want to make any decisions for herself. She will always be happy to succumb to the will of Mama. Sure, because she can't make her own decisions, she will probably live with us until she is 45 but I am willing to make that sacrifice.

2. In other news, anyone want a 3 year old little girl?

3. My pantry is currently holding 2 different holiday treats. While buying candy conversation hearts (Necco brand ONLY, thankyouverymuch) I discovered a small display of Cadbury Creme Eggs and couldn't pass them up. Every time I delight in their yummy goodness, I feel like I am cheating on Valentine's Day with Easter.

4. 2 Saturdays ago, I discovered a musical from my childhood on TV. It was about 20 minutes into it but I taped it anyway since our family only has 1 really bad VHS copy of the musical. I hadn't seen it in years and it brought me amazing joy to find it again. I made the kids watch it with me and now Lucy asks for "Pirates of Penzance" at least twice a day. (Who am I to say no?!) Nathan has taken to jumping around like a pirate and attempting a British accent. I haven't had to watch children's television in almost 2 weeks now! Plus, I am abundantly happy singing along with the musical that first planted within me such a strong love and desire for musical theatre.

5. Plus, who can resist Kevin Kline in THESE BOOTS?!


6. My husband is the worst spider catcher ever. Seriously, he is. He will be right next to the spider, tissue in hand, go in for the kill and miss the darn thing by, like a foot. Next thing you hear is him muttering and either chasing the darn intruder or trying to quickly reel the spider back up.

7. My husband also doesn't appreciate me making him a part of this Ten on Tuesday in such a fashion. I told him not to do hilarious things while I am actually sitting AT the computer blogging. Be less memorable.

8. We are attempting Disneyland tomorrow. The kids and me. Much to the concern of my friend Kristen who is afraid I will go into labor while riding Dumbo. I did my research and only discovered 2 other births at Disneyland in the past because usually once labor starts, people decide to leave the Magic Kingdom. (Why?! Why would you EVER leave?) SO, if I want to be memorable, I am going to have to visit Disneyland, go into labor, ignore the labor pains and then deliver right there underneath Sleeping Beauty's castle. According to Internet Lore, Ella would get a lifetime pass to Disneyland and also a special Disneyland Birth Certificate! Might be worth it.
Indiana Jones ride, here I come!

9. We started up a web blog for our Photography. You can visit to see some of our latest work, what we are bragging about, etc. Simply follow this link: http://zabphoto.blogspot.com/

10. Got my Christmas Letter printed up today. Yes, you read that right. I have almost all the cards ready, all the photos printed up and yet I never sent everything out! So, some of you will see an interesting sight in your mailbox in the next week or so, along with an explanation. And as you read it, remember, you are my friends because you enjoy the silliness.

Place Butt With Caution

We are on Day Three of Potty Training, (I know, I know, she's 3 and should be able to do this all herself by now but I am lazy so shut up,) and so far it is mostly good. In fact, we ventured beyond the walls of our home today and only had 1 accident!

On Day One, we just vegged out and set the timer for every 15 minutes to visit our new porcelin best friend. But, sometimes the timer would go off and Mommy would be doing something else and would forget to reset it or, or, or...you know the drill.

I was residing in that state of distraction when I was suddenly brought back to reality by Nathan who jumped up from his seat at the table (where a fierce battle for the Empire was being waged between Anakin Skywalker, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Luke's best buddy Biggs) and ran up the stairs hollering "Gross! Disgusting! Mooooom!"

I was trying to figure out what was going on when I heard more Toddler Expletives come from the upstairs bathroom, "It got all the way onto my underwear! Gross! Blech! This is dis-GUS-ting!"

"Nathan, what happened?"

"Lucy went potty on the chair and I SAT IN IT!"

"Lucy, did you go potty in the chair?"

My Sweet Innocent looked up from her Strawberry Shortcake Sticker book and delightfully replied, "Yes Mommy. Right there, in Nathan's chair." She lowered her head and went back to her stickers.

Well, what do you say to that?

You've Lost That Loving Feeling

I borrowed the video of "Top Gun" from my friend Jerry. I created a "jump" on the VHS Tape (remember those, kids?) from watching the volleyball scene over and over and over.
And over.

Because I wasn't allowed to see the movie, my friend bought me the soundtrack to "Cocktail" and I still know every song by heart.

When I found out that stars had addresses where you could send fan mail, I sent a copy of the 4 Spiritual Laws and a request for a "non rated R movie" so that I could actually see a film in the theatre.

My best friend Nicole and I waited with bated breath for "Far and Away" to be released--and once it was, we memorized every line.

I had a literal shrine up in my room so I could stare at my "Days of Thunder" poster as I fell asleep.

Like all overly dreaming romantic young girls, I adored "The Outsiders" but loved it even more because of Steve Randle and his, like, 3 actual lines.

And when we were on vacation and my parents let me stay up late enough to watch the Arsenio Hall Show (woo! woo! woo!) I cried when he came out.
I cried.
My family didn't know what to do with me.

And now, in turn, I don't know what to do with him:
Gawker.com



I miss Tom Cruise.

The Fug Girls really put it best in their article for New York Magazine.

Hear us out. Obviously, the world will never embrace Tom Cruise as the same dreamboat from the Top Gun poster tacked above our beds in junior high. That guy didn’t jump on Oprah’s couch, or engage Matt Lauer in a war of words about whose knowledge of psychiatry was more encyclopedic. He was not, at least publicly, the guffawing nutjob we see on this latest Scientology leak. His sweaty, intense proclamations of infatuation with meek little Katie Holmes officially turned our girlhood crush into someone we feared encountering in a dark furniture store (or a shrink’s office). Next time we play MASH, Tom Cruise is so totally off the “husband” list.

Sigh.
I miss Tom Cruise.

The One Where I Can't Return to Nathan's School

I had a photo shoot today with the family of my best friend from high school. 2 Mommies, 2 Daddies, 1 Grandad, 1 Me-Mah (Grandma), 1 puppy and 6 kids from age 6 to only a few months old. We were at a park and it was so much fun. I haven't had a chance to review the photos yet but I am hoping we have something with everyone looking at the camera. Alyssa had Lucy at home with her so I was all on my own once I wrapped the session up and headed north to Nathan's school to pick him up.

It was about 12:05 when I pulled into Nathan's school. He would be done with "Lunch Bunch" at 12:30 so I decided to make the most of my time and take a quick nap. I set the alarm on my phone, leaned the seat back and closed my eyes.

"That was a nice photo shoot today. Hope the pictures look good. It was good to see my friends I hope Lucy has been good for Alyssa. I need to do some laundry. Hmmm, I am really surprised how not tired I am. Normally I would have fallen asleep by......"
I was out.

I woke up to the sound of a horn honking. Someone nearby in the parking lot was having an electrical problem with their car and the alarm was going off and they couldn't get it to stop. In addition to the honking, her battery was dying so it just kind of sounded like a really sick seal had hitched a ride to Poway and was sitting on top of my car.

I looked around more to get my bearings and saw that the parking lot was almost empty. The playground was empty. My son was sitting next to his teacher on the playground. They were all alone. And the clock? Well it told me that despite arriving at the school 25 minutes early, I was now 15 minutes late picking him up!!

I popped up from my reclined position and ran across the parking lot, stumbling as I did since the rest of my body had not caught up with my brain. I can only imagine what an 8 months pregnant, drunk walking mother tripping on the curb toward the playground looked like to the sweet Assistant Teacher from my son's school.

"See teacher? I told you that was my mommy's car!"
To which I replied,
"Oh no baby, I am not your Mommy. I am some lady that you and your teacher will never see again. Your REAL Mommy would NEVER pick you up late because she passed out from pregnancy enduced exhaustion."



Anyone know any good preschools in the Southern California area?

35 Weeks and Counting

I am to the point in my pregnancy where I am visiting the bathroom multiple times a night.

And at least once a night I forget that I have already left the lid of the toilet up for my peeing convenience, I go ahead and lift the "lid" and I fall into the toilet.

That's comedy.

How to Become Harold Crick

Forgive me readers for I have not written...it has been 25 days since my last blog.

The last 3 months of 2007 held much for me.
I photographed 30 families,
lost my grandmother,
directed 2 different productions,
saw my mother get married,
suffered a severe panic attack,
was the featured singer for our women's dessert,
trained extensively on the "Fat Frog" lighting board,
attended 3 Thanksgivings,
hosted one on my own,
filled out (but didn't mail--yet) 50+ Christmas Cards,
grew a baby
and
drove over 1000 miles to ring in 2008 with dear friends.


There is so much to talk about, so much to say. So many pictures that beg to be shared and even more concepts to destroy with my snarky comments. But as I round the end of one year and begin a new one, the moment begs for a little reflection.

2007 was, in all honesty, one of the hardest years of my entire life. It rivals only one other in my 30 years. God has allowed me to be pushed, pulled, stretched and grown-all while kicking and screaming to many of you with the discovery of each "stretch mark," if you will. The year has driven me to my knees in exhaustion and tears and to the brink of panic and wondering if I was even worth existing on the face of this earth.

We got halfway through the year and I saw light. I saw hope. And then More came my way in waves. These incidences weren't as life changing right away but they carried a permanence that terrified me and left me with more questions that I could even begin to ask God...or anyone else with an inkling of wisdom.

2007 changed me as a person. I saw myself as a capable, strong woman who knew what she wanted and knew how to get it done. While I was certainly no cutthroat or even the most efficient of people I knew, when it came to what I was good at, you can bet it would get done they way I wanted it. No excuses, no dropped balls and no apologies. As I was continually broken down as the year continued, I saw who I was crumble at my feet. I became weak. I was inefficient. My house grew out of control, the things I loved, thirsted for, longed to accomplish were nothing to me. I lost joy in almost everything I once found getting me out of bed each day. I feel I owe an apology to the people I have met this year because I feel they have not received an accurate picture of who I am and who I can be when I am not pummeled to death by circumstances.

All of that being said...

I wouldn't ask for one thing to be different.
Were I to change the circumstances that have shattered me and caused me to change and stressed me to the breaking point, that would mean:

-I would not have a relationship with one of the most wonderful boys God ever put on this planet
-In turn I would not have met and embraced new friends who, while we do not share blood, find that sharing a love for a boy is enough to call each other family.
-Whole moments with God would have been left unmet. Therefore conversations I have had with others would be left unsaid and growth in my own life would not exist.
-I would not have a wonderful, special, God planned little girl coming my way in February

This is naming only a few.

My dear friend Sooz suggested a movie to me last year that, when I watched it, honestly changed my life. I got to watch it again this past weekend not only with Sooz, but with David and 3 other friends who have had their own breaking version of 2007 like I have. I found, once again, that "Stranger Than Fiction" holds the most amazing reminder of truth in it's last lines. I sobbed at the ending this last time, understanding it even more deeply than when I first saw it.

"Sometimes, when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for Bavarian sugar cookies. And, fortunately, when there aren't any cookies, we can still find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin, or a kind and loving gesture, or subtle encouragement, or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort, not to mention hospital gurneys and nose plugs, an uneaten Danish, soft-spoken secrets, and Fender Stratocasters, and maybe the occasional piece of fiction. And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives. I know the idea seems strange, but I also know that it just so happens to be true. And, so it was, a wristwatch saved Harold Crick."

It is the Bavarian sugar cookies that saved my life this year.
This blog was one of them. My dear friends are another. The trip to Reno I just returned from. My strong rock of a husband, the people in my church who love me beyond what I thought imaginable and a God who is so much bigger than I if I would just let Him BE that way in my own life.

I am not better. I am different. I am not the kind of mother I hope to be...I need to find the patience I once had. I need to not allow disappointment in my own life get in the way of my obligations to others. I must be sure to realize it is not all about me.

2008 has already disappointed. When we got home, my house wasn't cleaner. I have already yelled at the kids more than I'd like and I don't think I have snuggled David as much as I should. But there is tomorrow, and the knowledge that each day has Bavarian sugar cookies just waiting for me to enjoy.

May 2008 hold more cookies than you ever thought existed. And if you don't think they are there, just look for them. Sometimes it is the little ones that were completely unexpected that taste the yummiest.

UPDATE! Baby it's....Perfectly Toasty Inside!

Heater is FIXED!
David, after hearing that I blogged about our heater being broken, was insistent on me adding a note that he has been trying to actually FIX the heater for awhile now. I was going to do so tonight but now I don't have to! He is quite talented in the area of fixing things and being generally handy and all he needed was a couple of parts. Well, parts came and now I hear the heater running!

Good News: Kids might sleep in a little more because it won't be 15 degrees in their room in the morning.

Bad News: We have kind of gotten used to the low(er) SDG&E Bill. Oh well.

Silly Thing I Took For Granted When I Wasn't Pregnant #43

#43: Stomach sleeping.

There is a funny family story of my Mom missing sleeping on her stomach when she was pregnant with me and my Dad building her a pillow bed on the couch with a hole left to put her stomach in. He got her all loaded up, she felt good and was ready to take a nap. He left for an extra long 10+ mile run. When Dad reached about mile 2, Mom realized that all of the blood in her body was running down toward her belly that was practically suspended in the air-no pillow supports or anything. The weight of her belly was pulling her down but the rest of the pillows kept her face and legs perfectly straight. And the pillow palace my dad had built was so high up, that to roll off the couch might have meant breaking her neck in the process. (Which, after a long while, she actually considered.)

By the time Dad was home from his run, needless to say he did not return to a well rested and grateful wife. You can imagine the "gratefulness" she expressed to her husband that afternoon.

There are whole chunks of my child delivery experiences with both Nate and Lucy that I don't remember. But I do remember my first night home each time and rolling over to fall asleep on my stomach.

Ahhhhh.
Stomach Sleeping, see you in about 10 weeks.

Baby, it's Cold Inside

They say the shoemaker's children have no shoes and the bakers children have no bread. So it goes in the house of the heating and air conditioning controls guy-no heat.

Our heater is broken. It has been broken for awhile but it was summertime then. Oh yeah, we'll fix it later-no big deal.
Well, it is a big deal when you wake up in the morning and your house is 67 degrees!

Our sweet roomie was bundled up on the couch last week when I said something about the heater being broken. She sat up and said, "Oh, well that explains it! I couldn't figure out what was going on! I mean, you run the air conditioner when its hot but why not the heater?" Poor girl lives in sweats and blankets these days.

I have picked a new favorite shirt of David's to stay warm in. It seems like every few months, I find a new one to live in. Currently it is a long sleeved brown one I got on clearance at Old Navy (I love you Old Navy!) for about $4.99. I got it because it has a picture of a guy with music headphones on and it was kind of rock and roll-ish. It wasn't till I got home that I realized the 2 ladies in the background of the picture had slinky dresses and a considerable amount of cleavage showing. Ha! I like to wear it every once in awhile to see how much attention people really pay to other's shirts.

Tonight, I don't mind the cold. We lit our first ever fire in the fireplace. Well, a fire was once lit in there by someone else who-despite insisting to the contrary-lit a fire and didn't open the flue and now our white brick hearth is a smokey grey. We avoided the fireplace (not thinking that it could have been user error) and decided to just give it a try tonight.

Oh the warmth! Oh the crackling! Oh the joy of seeing both of my kids go right into "mesmerized fire stare." It is wonderful. David went out and bought some firewood. And then we ran out so he bought some more...from the same checker as before. Ever had that happen? Sometimes I think the guys at Vons wonder if I am crazy considering sometimes I visit them 3 times in a day!

Last week I texted David when the temperature in our home hit an all time low of 65 degrees.
"Baby, it's cold inside."
"Put on more clothes," was his reply.
"Wow, now there's something I never thought I'd hear you say."
"It goes against my beliefs but you can take them off later."

Good to know the cold hasn't frozen his sense of humor.

She Who Shall Not Be Named

Since David and I seem to be taking too long to name this baby for the liking of my friends and family, many have chosen their own name for the baby.

My mom named the baby..............Chloe
(with many creative spelling variations including Kloowee)

Sharon named the baby..............Olive

Michelle named the baby well..............Michelle

Kristen named the baby..............Addison (or Addie)

Carol has come up with many variations of blending both the names Carol and Michelle together, one of her favorites is..............Marelle.

Alyssa and Jenelle worked tirelessly coming up with names that blend both their names as well as brother Spencer's and our favorite combination was..............Jencer.
When we told Jenelle that we thought that would make a good name for a dog, she was deeply offended.

And Nicholas has named the baby..............Fred.
He is very serious about that name.
Despite being told that Fred is a boy's name and we are having a girl.
Fred it shall be.

At my (amazing, beautiful, wonderful, blessing filled) baby shower yesterday, I informed all the ladies that we don't want to offend anyone who likes a particular name so the baby shall be named whatever name YOU want her to be. You want to call her "Polly Wolly Doodle All The Day" then you may do exactly that.

Problem solved.

November 30, 2007

Things I did today....

-Took Nathan to school in clean clothes, clean socks and even clean underwear.

-Got a 2 year old and 3 year old to play quietly, using kind words, for-get this-an HOUR AND A HALF!

-Did NOT drink a can if Diet Coke or soda of any kind.

-Showered. (Seriously, it is worth bragging about.)

-Edited some photos, constructed a newsletter, did a few dishes.

-Went on a date with my hubby! (Dinner AND a move, thankyouverymuch)

-Completed my final blog for NaBloPoMo.

Looking back on a list of such magnitude begs the question:
WHY do you people find my life interesting?! Maybe it is the wonderful train wreck that seems to pop up in incidents of panic? Or perhaps you enjoy it when I speak at length on my children's potty habits? I know! You love how normal you feel when I talk about the things that go on inside my mind.

Whatever the reason, I sure am glad you are here. I plan to stick around for awhile.
For now, I am going to sleep. Because tomorrow is December! Woo Hoo!

Life of Toys

An hour of playtime in my house as documented by the MySpace comments left on my friend Missy Shell's page...

9:22am
Why did I teach him how to talk?
As I lie here, trying to rest and his sister plays quietly-oh so quietly-in the background, all I hear is this:

"Mommy, does Darth Vader get mail? I am building a train for him so he can get mail. We should watch that movie about Darth Vader when he gets mail. It is coming to a theater in the spring. My friend from school saw it and said it is a really real movie. It really is. And Mommy, my friend also has a movie about Luke and Leia when they were babies and fighting Darth Vader--"

"Well, Nathan, when they were babies, Darth Vader wasn't Darth Vader yet."

"Oh. Well we need to get that movie anyway. And Mommy, what is this that Princess Leia is holding in her hand? And does Darth Vader want to kill R2D2? Can R2D2 drive like this? What about like this? I think he can drive like this and I want to see the movie about when R2D2 was a baby.........."

9:37am
Oh no! Now Percy and Annie and Clarabel have gone over to The Dark Side! James and Luke Skywalker are now battling them for thier souls!

I don't think my brain can handle the clashing of product lines. If I look up and see Friendship Bear battling a droid, I just might explode.

10:21am
Ohhhh, poor Darth Vader and Emporer Palpatine, now they are in charge of feeding Lucy's Baby Kake and tucking her in for bed. Who knew the Dark Sith Lords would make such excellent babysitters?! (Nathan is upstairs and Lucy has raided the Star Wars toys)

As Promised...

You know, I almost sketched a version of the picture of the kids with Mickey and Minnie to scan in and show you so I didn't ruin the surprise of the actual picture when it's sent in Christmas cards later next month.

But I am not that cruel.
Instead, I had Nathan draw one!











Ha. Just kidding.
Here you go...

The One Where We All Go Back

My feet are aching.
My back is sore.
My eyes are closing.
My gas tank is empty.

All of this means....we hit Disneyland again!

Today was not a solo mission. This time we took a whole gaggle of people including David, Nicholas, Alyssa and her beau Mark.

Because I am afraid this blog might be turning into "Zab Tales of Disneyland" AND because in between each sentance I type, I look up at the episode of "Friends" that I am watching and then fall asleep which then turns each sentance into a 2 minute task, I am skipping to the highlights only.

* Getting off the Jungle Cruise and the "cast member" helping Lucy off the boat said, "There you go, Princess!" She stopped walking, turned around and said, "Mommy! He called me PRINCESS!"

* Taking all 3 kids on "Pirates" and both boys telling me they weren't scared at all when we were done. (Know that I did make an inappropriate joke about bringing the Ziploc with grandmas ashes nice and loud for the amusement of the Disney people. I wondered if they'd stop the ride and question me. They didn't.)

* Cherry sours

* While waiting for Lucy and David to go on Dumbo, Alyssa went to grab some lunch so Mark and I took the boys on "Mister Toad's Wild Ride." As we were standing in line, I told Mark that I couldn't remember the last time I'd been on. In fact, my parents never took me on it when I was little. He told me that his parents didn't either! How weird was that? In fact, he wondered if he'd ever been on it! We marveled at our parents' oddities and laughed, ha! We got on the ride and I continued laughing inside. Ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha-uh oh. Mister Toad had been a bad boy. Nathan noticed the darkness of the scenes around him and was no longer steering. A scary judge (was he a badger or something?) loomed above us and shouted the words "GUILTY!" And it was then that I realized exactly WHY my parents hadn't taken me to Mister Toad's Wild Ride. Because the ride that's for kids SENT ME TO HELL!

Please excuse the words for which this acronym stands, but: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?!?
What is up with the story of Mister Toad?!
OK, moving on.

* Having a 4-3 Adult to kid ratio. It completely rocked.

* The final moment of the day: The boys were on the "toilet ride" (we tried calling it that all day to make going to the bathroom sound exciting but they didn't buy it once) and Lucy and I were waiting outside. We saw Pluto walking across the street and as we chased him down, we stumbled upon Mickey and Minnie and Goofy all posing for pictures. I called David and told him to bring the boys over and we walked over to get in line. The "cast member" standing at the back of the line said he'd sneak us in as the last person to see Mickey for now. (Calling Lucy "princess" again, much to her delight.) We thanked him and waited our turn. As we stood there, Minnie Mouse was going away. Lucy called out to her and waved. She was sad Minnie was going.

It was our turn to see Mickey, the boys were with us and everyone fell on Mickey showing him their new badges (lanyards) and telling him EVERYTHING they'd done that day. I reminded them that Mickey had to go so lets take our picture. As we lined everyone up, who comes over? Minnie Mouse! Lucy was extatic! She walked right over to us and I now have the most wonderful, magical picture of my 3 babies and Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

It's so silly, I started crying. I was standing there, taking pictures, crying at such a simple sight. But for me, it was the perfect end to a wonderful day. A moment that brought me such abundant joy, I honestly thanked God for it.

Pictues coming tomorrow.
Good night.

The Registry Standards

My Mom: What's going on with your baby registry? The Target one is really boring and the Babies R Us one only has breast cream.

Me: I know, I have NOT had the time to get down there and actually register for anything.

My Mom: Well, I am not buying you anything till you get more fun stuff on there. I am going to be a Grandma for the third time, I'm not wasting my time on boring stuff like binkys and bottles.

Day Is Done...

...and now I am officially reusing blog titles.
Tonight I don't care. (I bet I will care tomorrow when I re-read this so maybe only a few of you will know my dirty little reusing secret.)

This holiday weekend held:
4 Thanksgiving celebrations
1 cooked by me (although everything was instant this year-gimmie a break, I am pregnant)
3 Toddlers running our household
1 Church service
and
6 Photo Shoots

Whew!
It was all wonderful.
I am done.
(Maybe THAT should be the title of my blog!)


Now....on to Christmas!!