It's Spelled C-A-I-T-L-I-N

Life is a warm towel

2012-02-15T13:17:00.001-05:00

To say that I am stressed right now seems…unnecessary.

So many things are up in the air right now, and I do NOT do well with up-in-the-air.

Details and to do lists are swimming in my head.

I am nauseous for the first half of every day, and as one last little punch in the gut from New Jersey, I am getting sick- AGAIN.

Also, it turns out, it is tricky and awkward to say goodbye to people that you know you don’t care enough about to ever see again.

How do you say to someone “It’s been good- have a nice life?” I find myself offering up desperate scraps of hope to ease the blow – “We’ll stay in touch” and the like. When I’m not going to. At all!

In the midst of this transitional whirlwind, I am thankful that my children are oblivious.

Obliviously happy!

They know that we are moving (on some level for Isaac,but Joseph gets it), they are happy about it, but other than that it is life as usual.

Joseph prattles on about Lego Ninjas and I want to shout- “We don’t have a place to LIIIIIVE! Joseph! I don’t care about Ninjas! I care about how many moving boxes I should order and what forwarding address I should give our insurance!”

I bite my tongue, smile, and nod. ‘Ooooh! Ninjas!’ My face says.

I serve up cereal and try not to let them see me gag. Masking it with small talk about our day when all I want to do is curl up back in bed.

I say a silent prayer “Please help them hang on with grumpy Mama for just a little bit longer. We are so close!”

and they smile and give me kisses, and snuggle down in the beanbag with some fresh-from-the dryer warm towels.

They are happy!

I am working on it- both their happiness and my own.

But how can my heart not ache with love and contentment when I see these two darling faces?

Even when it is hard, life can be filled with joy if you look for it. Joy and humor and warmth and comfort and love!

Life is a warm towel, folks.

And I’m almost ready to climb in.

Here We Go Again…

2012-02-14T07:07:00.001-05:00

My family is embarking on another adventure.

I love adventure!

And we sure had some over here on the East Coast.

I have:

- seen 5 Broadway shows (!!!)

- felt the breeze of a hurricane on my face

- seen cardinals and cockroaches (one of those much more appealing than the other)

- experienced an earthquake and a blizzard

- eaten a street vendor hotdog

- and a street vendor candy-coated coconut (If you go to NYC- EAT THEM!)

- I have been flipped off more times than I can count

- and seen cherry blossoms blooming outside of the white house.

- we have tasted raw maple syrup fresh from the tree

- seen Times Square, the Met, the Museum of Natural History, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Plaza (including the tree), the Hudson river, the WTC site, the Atlantic Ocean.

- we have gone to Europe.

Now we are tired.

and now-

We are moving.

BACK to Oregon!

The boys and I leave on Sunday (YES, this Sunday!),

Brian will follow the next weekend.

We still don’t have a place to live confirmed,

or a date when the movers will come!

Here we go again…

Do I regret moving to NJ?

2012-02-12T17:50:00.001-05:00

Jenners asked me:

Do you regret moving to NJ?

The short answer? No, but only because it needed to be done.

The long answer? Sometimes.

(Get ready for JOURNAL TIME! Feel free to skip it, otherwise, good luck.

I regret not taking this move more seriously. I was all- “What an adventure! Once in a lifetime opportunity! Let’s gooooo!” and not really giving myself time to anticipate or prepare for all of the emotions and ramifications this move would have.

So, it all kind of snuck up and hit me a few weeks after moving and…ouch.

Suddenly, I realized that I had left behind my HOME, my contact with family, my friends, the margarine and cheese that I have always had for Heaven’s sake!

It was a hard transitional time for all of us. I’m not going to lie- it was a hard time in my life, and not very positive and spunky like I may have come across here.

Sometimes, I feel like the results of that hasty move and my flippant mindset towards the decision still effect my time here. I think that if I had prepared myself better, I could have dealt with those emotions in a much easier and healthy way, and I would probably be enjoying myself more.

(Isaac on the streets of New York the day after we moved.)

BUT, as I mentioned above, I don’t regret it, because it needed to be done.

We got married really young, see, and had our kids young, and all of a sudden there we were: 25, with two kids, a HUGE mortgage, and a job that Brian liked enough/felt comfortable enough in to see himself working there for the rest of his work-life.

So, what was next? We were just feeling kind of…stagnant. Comfortable. Everything was so EASY (Oh! How I long for that EASINESS!)

Looking back, it turns out that all we probably needed was a nice long VACATION to New York City, but whatever.

Then, this opportunity came up, out of the blue. It fell into our laps. And once we read about it and started dreaming of the possibility of us?! In New York City?! Making big money and doing all of the millions of things there are to do here?! Well, there was no turning back.

Our comfortable life would have been…stifling… once we held it up next to that option.

We needed to shake things up and prove to ourselves that we could do fun things and make reckless, fun and exciting decisions! We were interesting people, gosh darn it!

And it has been nothing but WONDERFUL for Brian’s career. The man who could have gone on the fast track career-wise after college, but chose to settle down and have a family with me?… well he gets to work in New York City!

Since I am assuming that anyone who has read on this far is not a crazy stalker I am going to go ahead and say it- Brian works in Times Square! He gets to run video conference calls with Budapest, London, and Hong Kong! It sounds corny, but my heart just bursts with pride!

And it has been so rewarding to be able to “give” him (not quite the right word, but neither is “allow” since it was a joint decision) this opportunity! To prove to myself that the boys and I haven’t held him back from his dreams at all.

This move will only serve to make us so much more content when we reach “comfortable” again.

(Just after nursing Isaac in Central Park)

As for me personally, oh heavens, it has made me so much stronger. And so much more tired. I developed an eye twitch this week! So score another one for New jersey stress!

But I have so much more confidence in myself! I can go new places (heck! new countries!) and conquer anything that I set out to do with the boys!

I can survive Brian working late…a lot of nights out of the year.

I can make decisions on my own and raise kids without the support of family. I don’t WANT to do any of these things, per se, but now I know that I CAN.

Has it been the hardest year and half of my entire life? Yes. Yes. (insert curse word here) Yes!

Do I regret it? No. Not really.

Your Questions Answered…Again.

2012-02-11T13:16:00.001-05:00

Jenners asked:

What are your favorite books?

Oh man, that’s a tough one. I actually have very eclectic taste in books and what my favorite is depends a lot on my mood.

I will say that for a long time my favorite book was “How Green Was My valley”

And I have been on a really good book streak lately- some of my favorites have been:

- The Help

- Kitchen House

- What Alice Forgot

- Before I go to Sleep

and A drowned Maiden’s Hair

(Mom, don’t read any of these. You do not have eclectic taste.)

Let’s hope my winning streak continues!

What are your favorite movies?

Also eclectic:

The Notebook (except for the last 15 minutes. I skip it now as per my sisters suggestion)

The Kill Bills

The Underworld movies

Lord of the Rings

Firefly series (Do TV shows count? I am going with it)

Mad Men

Breaking Bad

Lost (except for the last season)

and last but NOT least Friday Night Lights

.
What music do you like to listen to?

Sadly, I am mostly stuck listening to Raffi and “Preschool Favorites”

Other than that, I have been really loving Adele lately and my old stand by when I have a moment on the computer is “Bony Fingers” and “Hey there Delilah”.

Because Time Square can’t shine as bright as me!

See?

(or as bright as my mother in law!)

Do you regret moving to NJ?

A post in itself…

Your Answers: Another Baby?

2012-02-09T20:46:00.001-05:00

(I actually wrote this post quite a few weeks ago- before I had any inkling that this little surprise would be coming along so soon. Just for fun, I decided to still post it)

Blueviolet asks:

“Baby #3???”

We’re on board! In theory!

In fact I recently went of birth control pills for one day thinking “This is it! Lets do it!” (figuratively, Dad!)

And the next day, I went ahead and took two to make up for it, and have been taking them regularly ever since.

So, feel free to talk to Joseph and Isaac and tell them that if they want a younger sibling soon they need to:

a) Start sleeping through the night regularly (If someone had told me when I had Joseph that I would still be hardly ever sleeping through the night 4 years later…sob! sob! sob!)

b) Stop constantly dumping things/spraying things/pawing through the trash can and bringing me bits of trash! (I-SAAC!)

c) Play by themselves occasionally. That is why I gave Joseph a sibling to begin with!

But, seeing as how these things will probably not happen before my ovaries turn to dust, we are probably going to just have to jump in and hope for the best.

My only comfort (pun not intended!) is that I will get to spend the better part of a year wearing elastic waistbands again!

And that I might have another infant to snuggle that has sideburns like this

So, I would say in the next 6 months (ish).

Ah!

I’m conflicted.

THREE KIDS??!!

Hold me.

Your questions answered

2012-02-09T20:43:00.001-05:00

Yes, we are back to this! Remember?

Freya (also) asked:

Oh and, what was your favourite random or unexpected thing about your time in the UK?

(the hotel we stayed in- the Marriott West India Quay in Canary Wharf, London)

The thing that surprises me the most about my travels this past year is how much is the SAME everywhere I go!

Even there in London, people were having fights, having babies, complaining about their jobs, everything.

Of course I wanted to shout- “How can you be having job problems! Look! You are in LONDON!! There’s Big Ben for pete’s sake!”

But that probably means that some of you would see me scowling, dragging two crying kids away from the grocery store and you would say, “CAITLIN! You can see the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING right there! It’s New York CITY!”

(yes, I can see the empire state building from my grocery store. And Harlem from my dry cleaners)

The point is that people are living their lives all over the world! Kind of makes me, my computer, and my bowl of Cocoa Krispies (don’t tell Joseph) feel insignificant!

So, overall, I guess what was the most unexpected about the UK was how much it felt like here.

Here, but with much better tea.

On a much smaller level, other surprises included:

1) Much less garbage cans available on the street/in parks.

2) LOTS of smokers!

3) The teenagers didn’t look all thug-ish! It seemed that they all had on proper pants that fit around the waist, vests, nice shirts, and the like. Quite Refreshing.

4) “Mushy peas” served with fish and chips. AND the fact that I found them DELIGHTFUL.

#3

2012-02-06T22:35:00.001-05:00

Are you ready for the tiny white speck that is my developing baby?

Here you go!!! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!:

Well? Do you see it? Let me circle it:

Yep.

That’s it folks.

She didn’t even zoom in or anything! I think basically it was just an ultrasound to determine that I am actually pregnant and not to really see much.

Which I didn’t.

So, there you have it! My #3!

Cutest white speck ever!! Am I right??!

To Our Downstairs Neighbors

2012-02-06T22:07:00.001-05:00

Dear Downstairs neighbors,

Thank you for finally giving up on the hope that we will ever, ever, EVER be nice, quiet, sleeping-in-type upstairs neighbors.

I appreciate that you no longer send texts saying things like “Please take the children out of the master bedroom until 10 am” and calling our landlords to complain about the “jumping around the bedroom” going on at 6:30 am.

Also, I’m sorry about the 6:30 am jumping. Joseph was excited to start his day. I wasn’t too thrilled about it either- let me tell yoooou!

I knew when you came out and complained to the MOVERS that they were making too much noise on the DAY THAT WE MOVED IN that you were in for a wild ride!

So, I’m glad to see that we have finally broken your peace-and-quiet-loving spirit!

Which is why I want to apologize for the cozy coupe car that Isaac got for Christmas. It is kind of adding insult to injury, no?

If I had known that he would ride it around and around in circles in the kitchen (ie your dining room ceiling, but you know that already!) for hours every day…well… I still probably would have had him get it, because those are hours that he is not…say…spraying himself in the face with PAM or eating toothpaste.

But, I DO feel bad about it every time he does it. So, does that count for anything?

Really, I should probably just apologize for Isaac in general.

And the fact that my boys were born with the flattest feet on the planet.

And that my husbands feet are actually size 15 surfboards.

Oh yes, and that Joseph dropped his cereal bowl this morning right directly above where your bed is.

Haha, and those times when Brian shoves the recycling boxes down the stairs (Bump! Bump! Bump!- remember?) because he is too tired to carry them all the way down.

And when I don’t follow the “no laundry past 11pm” policy. Every. Single. Night.

The good news is that you have taught us how to say what I think is “THOSE KIDS ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY!” in Farsi because of how often I hear particular phrases shouted up through the floorboards!

Just please know that you are not alone; they have broken my peace-and-quiet-loving spirit too.

And at least we don’t have a dog.

Love,

Caitlin

“The Quiet One”

To Isaac on his 2nd Birthday

2012-02-03T13:55:00.001-05:00

Dear Isaac,

Oh, I love you so much!

It’s hard to believe that 2 years ago today I met you for the first time!

You have been such a ray of sunshine in our lives.

Your name means “Laughter” and that is what you have brought to us. So much laughter!

I used to think that your brother was naughty- but YOU, sir, are the naughty one!

You keep me on my toes. It is fairly exhausting, but I love your wild spirit!

Some things that you are saying most often:

“No yi kick” (no like it)

“MINES!”

“Hold handle?” (meaning you want to hold our hand)

“I-kick” (Isaac)

“Jo-jo… DINNER!”

and of course “Mama?" “MAMA!” all day long!

You bring a smile to everyone’s face.

Happy Birthday Sweet, Naughty, Chunky, Happy, Wrecking Ball of a little boy!

We love you!

(Saying “TWO!” and trying to see around me to the TV!)

It's a BABY!!!

2012-02-02T14:06:00.006-05:00

Good news! I had my ultrasound today and everything looks great! Just one baby, measuring on target, and saw a teensie-tiny heartbeat!

My due date is officially September 18th! Which seems like a long time away, but remember that you will get to see me expand to ridiculously huge proportions until then. Like this.!!

It was so surreal sitting on the butcher-paper with no clothes on and waiting for the doctor while staring at the ultrasound screen. I kept thinking- "Is this happening? Am I here- AGAIN?!"

Ditto on peeing in the cup before the appointment.

After the doctor treated me to a 10 minute lecture of things that I can/can't eat and do (Lady, like I just told you, this is not my first rodeo...OR my second rodeo..and if you say "sushi" one more time, I am going to vomit all over you)
she brought out that nice little ultrasound device
(not the kind that goes on my tummy)
(if you don't know, don't ask, you don't WANT to know)
and there was my adorable little white speck on the screen!

Can I say that it looked like a girl-shaped speck?   Wishful thinking?

I can't upload the picture right now- but stay tuned tomorrow when #3 makes his/her blog debut!

Perhaps I should title it "Anticlimactic Little White Speck On a Blurry Photo That Probably Only I Can See"?

You've been warned.

Guess What???

2012-02-01T06:54:00.001-05:00

If the 8 positive pregnancy tests I have taken are any indicator-

we are having a pleasant little surprise coming our way!

Doctors appointment tomorrow to confirm.

I am thrilled! And generally nauseous.

Oregon Trip

2012-01-31T07:29:00.001-05:00

Ah, I have so much to tell you! Can you believe that I haven’t even blogged about Christmas yet?! All in good time, I suppose. Which might be NEXT Christmas since Joseph seems to be outgrowing naps…

Our trip to Oregon to visit our families was wonderful!

We stayed for three weeks and didn’t want to kill any member of our family- which tells you how awesome they are!

Sometimes, when I am away from Oregon for a while, I forget how cloudy/rainy/misty/foggy it is. Especially in the winter. Think the “Twilight” movies…(or don’t, if you aren't a hormone-crazed teenager or pitiful housewife like me.)

Also, Joseph kept saying “AHHH! The air is so FRESH!”

As shown in the previous post, we had a little early birthday party for little Isaac.

With him as our second child, I battle a lot of “is he getting enough (fill in the blank)?” second-child guilt.

It was SO nice to have him as the center of attention!

And good for our not-so-second-child to see him there.

This visit we also confirmed that Isaac. Loves. Babies.

I suspected since he runs towards strangers with strollers at the park/mall/store, but MAN! He loves them!

Loves them…well…almost to death, actually. Just wants to squeeeeeeze them and cover their face with a blanket!

Luckily, my older niece was there to instruct him on how to hold her new baby sister…

It was so nice to see my boys playing with their cousins.

We are kind of in we-are-the-only-friendly-people-around- isolation round here, so it was good to see them get some social time.

The low point of the visit was when my eldest had to have IV sedation to fill seven cavities. SEVEN, people! Okay, let’s never mention it again- ok? Mom guilt! Mom guilt! I brush his teeth- his teeth are rotting anyway. The end!

But, he IS now the proud owner of a silver tooth- which he will be happy to show you in another post!

The highlight of our trip was when Brian and I got to go to the Oregon coast BY OURSELVES for 2 whole nights!!!

It was pretty much heaven- and it is always so relieving to re-discover how much we actually LIKE each other!

I mean, of course we LOVE each other, but the like sometimes gets buried under the “ARE YOU GOING TO HELP ME UNLOAD THE DISHWASHER OR JUST LAY THERE???!!”

A big THANK YOU to our parents for taking care of the boys!

All in all, a great way to spend the month of January!

We’re Back!

2012-01-30T06:30:00.001-05:00

Hello, everyone! We are back in New Jersey and ready for… action?…my maid to show up?…a nap? (that time change is a doozie!)

I’ve got some catching up to do today- but here is a video that I couldn’t wait to share!

We had an early birthday celebration at my inlaws house last week (with my parents there as well) and Isaac was in HEAVEN.

It will pretty much make you die of cuteness!

See you tomorrow!

Catch You Later

2012-01-04T13:48:00.001-05:00

Hello, readers!

We are off to Oregon tomorrow for the rest of January- so posts will have to wait.

Can you forgive me?

If I leave up here a picture of Isaac all proud of his boots that he put on himself? (on the wrong feet?)

Love you all, see you soon!

-C

The Wonder of Christmas

2011-12-23T07:18:00.001-05:00

“Christmas

is…

WONDERING!”

-Joseph Mark, Age 4

May the wonder (and wondering!) of the Season fill your hearts with joy in these last busy days until Christmas!

27

2011-12-21T20:52:00.001-05:00

My favorite birthday presents!

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

A look back:

26:

25:

24:

23:

Lefty

2011-12-20T14:00:00.001-05:00

Joseph got his first baseball mitt (or mitten as he calls it) in the mail today from a friend.

(Great timing for a distraction since we are all three sick AGAIN and homebound!)

We immediately bundled up and went outside for a game of catch.

I was most definitely the weak link

and any time I would successfully throw it TO him, Joseph would say, “Yeah! Nice one Mama! Just like THAT!”

He’s a lefty, alright!

Just like my Dad.

Thank you Joel and Britney!

Your Answers: Did he need persuading?

2011-12-19T06:50:00.001-05:00

Next up, Freya, who asked:

“With the slight concern that (as I have a link to your blog from mine) my boyfriend might read this (Steve: Don't panic, it's only a question!)... my question is:
How did you persuade (bribe? trick?) Brian into having kids?!”

Well, Freya, having children was a mutual decision, as it should be. We were both equally involved in the process.

Menstruation!

Mammogram!

Tampon!

There.

Hopefully that got rid of Steve and Brian. Just us girls now, eh? Here is what I really did:

- Be clear from the beginning. I told Brian right away that I wanted lots of babies asap (after marriage for us) so that he couldn’t say later that he was unprepared or tricked into anything.

And he didn’t run away! Even though he was only 18 at the time! (Proof that the previously mentioned “schmooty” is a powerful weapon!)

Too late for that? I am pretty sure that guys looove “relationship discussions” especially when they involve big expectation-changes! So I would sit him on down and have a chat!

- Then, start casually dropping into the conversation how no one is ever ready for children!

And how you don’t have to be financially stable per se (they hardly eat for the first 2 years for pete’s sake!) But, you should preferably have a steady income.

(Although we got pregnant with Joseph while Brian was still in college and I had dropped out and was a nanny. So…)

Bring up as many examples as you can think of (feel free to use me. We are doing fine now! See!?!) to support your theory.

- Also, bring up a lot the benefits of having children young(er).

Leave around little magazine articles or links to medical websites that site the advanced-maternal-age to fetal complications research.

Mention how much FUN your parents (or whomever you know) are having at the beach this week! Isn’t it NICE that they had children young so that they can have fun/enjoy each other in their 50s?!

It’s really what we are clinging to.

-Get him around babies ASAP! Lucky for me, I have 14 nieces and nephews (15 tomorrow!) so there were plenty to choose from!

(A young Brian with my nephew and niece long before Joseph…so unsuspecting)

But really, any baby will do as long as they are:

a) not crying

b) not vomiting

and

c) not pooping all over themselves/their clothing.

If any of the above starts to happen- QUICK! Throw that baby back to his/her mom and distract your boyfriend! Kiss him! Turn on football! We want him to think that babies = sweet smells and gummy smiles!

So, actually, a kid might be easier. Some charming youngster who will ask adorable questions (maybe with a lisp? too much?) show him cool toys (that he can play with too if he becomes a Dad!) and then trot off to color quietly.

Heck, I’d have 5 more if I saw that!

Really, though, I think that I just lucked out and got a guy who was on board with me, loved kids and was ready to jump on in and have some!

Jump on in with us! The water’s fine!

But, becoming a parent for the first time is tough- even if you are both ready. If you aren’t on the same page even at the beginning, then it will just make it harder.

Crossing my fingers for you…

Whew! That was a long-winded one. Freya’s second question will have to wait for next time!

Your Answers Part 1

2011-12-16T07:11:00.001-05:00

Feeling nosy? It’s not too late to ask me a question!

I thought I would go ahead and get cracking on these questions!

So, first up, Ter said:

1) Will you come to Canada?

Well, technically, I have already been! I went to Vancouver, B.C. on a band trip in High School.

But, I would gladly go again! Montreal in particular is on my list of “places I want to see while we’re on the East Coast! “

And of course, your house- Ter!

2) Are you really made out of sugar and spice and everything nice (because it sure seems like it! ;)

I actually think that this question probably made Brian choke on his coffee.

Umm… no. No, not at all. I am actually a big grump a lot of the time!

Especially in the evening- in fact just now I yelled to Isaac (in his crib) “ALL DONE MAMA! SHHHHH!”

I get kind of maxed out on kids/duties/neediness and then jump down everyone’s throats. For example:

Brian innocently asks me if I’ve watered the Christmas tree

I shriek “Are you kidding me? I can’t be in charge of one more thing!!!!” and stomp back to the kitchen.

He waters the tree.

I swear if it wasn’t for a certain quality of mine (rhymes with nice round schmooty) I think he would have ditched me long ago!

Oh yes, and our vows to each other.

So, no. Not so sweet!

.
3) If you had one day to do anything you wanted without any limitation what would you choose to do?

I am going to try to not be lame, but my first instinct was “Sit in bed all day.”

Or, more specifically, “Sit in bed all day in FLANNEL sheets surrounded by BOOKS and MY FAVORTIE FOODS!”

But, other than that, I would say that I would like to spend a day in Egypt checking out the pyramids! Or maybe half a day in Egypt and half a day in Paris – both with personal tour guides/drivers, unlimited money, and NO CHILDREN!

This is how I roll

2011-12-14T15:15:00.001-05:00

(Me “rolling” with the boys in London)

Getting around in a city with children can be…challenging. It has taken me the better part of a year to really feel like I have got it under control.

So, I will impart my wisdom to you in case- you know- you ever have the urge to pack up your life and move to the biggest city in the country. And then travel overseas. Which I think is a slightly-insane, but wonderfully brave idea.

This is how I navigate the city with two small boys:

1) Stroller:

I have a wonderful Graco double stroller that I love for outings like the mall or the zoo. However, in the city, there is No. Room. For. A .Double. Stroller. TRUST ME ON THIS ONE! True in New York, and it’s true in London! (thanks to my reader Freya, for giving me the heads up before our trip!)

Not only will you get dirty looks, you will be unable to navigate in most stores or on and off the subway.

The exception would be if you are willing to shell out $500 to get this number- in which case, please stick one in your cart for me as well. Hello-It’s Christmas!

What you CAN handle in the city, and what people don’t mind squeezing in next to on public transit, is a lightweight, umbrella-type number.

A lot of people around here have this little beauty. I have this filthy old Maclaren that I got for a whopping $15 at a resale shop in Idaho (holla!), and it has held up beautifully through many miles! But, I’m sure many cheaper brands would do just fine!

2) My BUGGY BOARD!! : (click for link)

Well, hello there ingenious invention! I had NEVER seen these before moving to the city- and it only took me about a week to buy one for myself. (note: I did find it on sale in an East Coast store called Buy-Buy Baby –gag on the name with me-, so shop around!)

It attaches to just about any stroller and provides a little scooter-board platform for your big kid (or huge, independent 1 year old named Isaac) to stand on when your single-stroller is occupied.

Here is another view, in front of St. Paul’s cathedral:

It is easily removable- I keep the brackets on full time and just snap on and off the buggy board as needed. It is also wide enough that your 4 year old can sit on it for brief periods when their “legs are TIRED!! WAAAAH!”

I would say the only downside is that, when it is unoccupied, I tend to forget that it is there and I slam my shins on it over and over. Seriously. When we were at the NYC hotel- I had permanent bruises.

But, that is kind of like blaming the shoe that you keep tripping on. Just pick it up already! So, my bad? But ouch!

3) Baby carrier:

I could go on and on about baby carriers. I have tried many, many, many, and maybe I will talk more about them at a later point. The one in the picture is this one. (again, I got it on sale online!)

But, for now, I will just say: choose your favorite baby carrier, and take it with you! Even though you are bringing your stroller! And even though your baby is almost the same size as you!

Because you never know when your older child might get too tired for even the buggy board or when they might fall down and get hurt! They may need to take a little turn sitting down or dozing off in the stroller, or they may be crying because or a teensie scrape and refusing to move.

At that point baby #2 must still be contained! Throw him/her on your back and keep on moving! (this was especially crucial before Isaac learned to walk!)

4) Camera/camera bag:

I am a big fan of recording the memories. But, if you feel like you can’t handle taking pictures while making sure that your children don’t run into traffic, cut yourself some slack, and leave the camera at home. You might NOT want to remember your outing anyway!

When I was in London, however, I KNEW that I would want to be taking pictures. So, I made the most of my camera bag and used it to carry our money/room key/credit card as well! Voila! No purse needed!

5) One of these utility bag things for your stroller:

(click for link: although mine is not nearly as nice as this. Want! Want!)

Throw in a change of clothes for each kid, some ziplocs, some diapers, wipes, and hand sanitizer. Instant diaper bag! That you don’t have to carry on your back!

(Because, remember? A BABY might be on that back of yours! You adorable pack mule, you!)

6) BRING ZIPLOC BAGGIES:

I cannot stress this point enough. It was the best advice ever given to me by my oldest sister. (Although she DOES have 7 children, so she is a bit crazy!)

BRING BAGGIES!! And not just one! I would say at least 4 all tucked into each other. 3 gallon sizes and a quart size. But, maybe a few more just in case.

Why? You may ask? I have no idea. And neither do you.

But, the time will come when you may need them. And you won’t just need them a little! You will DESPERATELY, DESPERATELY need them!

Bodily fluid-catchers (aka puke bags), banana peels, wet clothes, poopy diapers, blow-out clothes, lollipop-covered shirts, contaminated socks after your son splashed in a NYC puddle mostly made up of urine (true story, unfortunately)….. the list is infinite.

Remember when Isaac got sick on a road trip and threw up 7 times and we ran out of wipes and had to use socks to clean him? If we hadn’t had ziplocs…well… I shudder to think of it.

Just agree to bring them so that I can stop talking about bodily fluids, okay?

7) Coats:

Bring them just in case. Kids are whiny when they’re cold, and old ladies will be sure to stop you and comment every 100 feet if you don’t have a second-layer option when the temperature drops.

They also make good pillows or towels for spill-clean up. Just make sure they are machine-washable!

8) Snacks:

Bring a couple of things to munch on to maximize your chances of happy kids!

Also, it keeps you from being reliant on $5 street vendor food that will have you burping it for the rest of the day. Don’t ask me how I know this.

In the picture, I actually had store-bought snacks at the ready since we were traveling/reliant on a small hotel refrigerator. If this is the case, buy your snacks at the beginning of the outing so that, when your kids are suddenly starving and sobbing, you have something on hand! Less mom sweat for you!

I also always try to bring a few hidden lollipops or fruit snacks. Usually, I don’t need to use them, but if Mommy sees some pretties in a store front window that she wants to check out, then

Lollipop = 5 minutes of quiet shop time.

Plus, I know for a fact, that a packet of fruit snacks eaten secretly in one gulp with your eyes closed/deep breathing can help Mommy have the oomph to make it through the rest of the trip.

9) Comfortable shoes:

No one thinks crocs are cute. I don’t think? Well, I do kind of like the neon ones that my kids wear in the summer. But NO ONE thinks that they look cute on me.

I don’t care.

I have seen enough women limping around in adorable shoes to know that this is just the way I am going to roll.

Sometimes, I try to class-it-up a bit with Nikes. Either way, save the cute shoes for a date!

Your back and shins will already be aching from this outing- give yourself one less thing to whine about!

10) A binky/comfort items:

Even if your kid is only “allowed” to have said binky for nap/night time (*cough* Isaac! *cough*). I consider this my most crucial ICE (In Case of Emergency) item.

Happy children = happy Mommy = fun trip.

Cut yourself some slack and plug that screaming child’s mouth!

11) Just do it.

Get out there! See the sights! With your kids!

Is it going to be easy? No. Will you be glad you did it…10 years down the road once the pain wears off? Yes! Just keep moving and it will be over and you will have awesome memories.

You can do it! I promise! Go!

Fun With My Camera

2011-12-14T07:51:00.001-05:00

In a late-autumn park

Joseph had his hair “fancy” for the gals who work in the gym daycare.

Sometimes, it makes my heart hurt to look at him

Isaac makes people nervous when he is on the playground!

Ditto on the heart hurting.

My boys like to swing on their stomachs

Isaac always checks to make sure that “sho-sho” (Jo-jo)(Joseph) is doing it too.

Remember this shirt? Time for the next size up!

In the summer, this is a fountain to play in

Dear Brian,

In case you weren’t listening the other thousand times I’ve said it,

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU again for my camera.

And for our boys.

Love, Caitlin

Ask Me Anything

2011-12-12T21:18:00.002-05:00

Ask me anything and I will tell you/write a post about it.

I have lived in 5 states, got married at 20, moved cross country alone, and I am not offended easily! I promise!

Go for it...

(if you don't have a blogger account, feel free to email me: brianandcaitlin(at)gmail(dot)com )

It’s Christmas Time in the City…

2011-12-09T19:55:00.001-05:00

(We pretty much sang that song all day)

My sister, Carrie is in town (again!) and yesterday we spent a wonderful day in the city!

I must say that we were definitely the cheeriest people in all of NYC!

My sister also made it her personal mission to say “Merry Christmas!” to as many people as possible! And she thought that several people sounded “super grateful.”

We started out in Times Square and then hiked on down to Macy’s on 34th street (THE 34th street) to check out their deco and Santa.

Unfortunately, we were foiled, and you had to stand in an hour line to get into the little train where Santa was hiding!

We were already feeling a little stress-sweaty-eyelid-twitchy just being around all of those people/whiny children (note to self: NEVER EVER EVER take Joseph and Isaac to Macy’s at Christmas!) so we were out of there!

Oh, the joy of being child-free!!

Next, we went to Ground Zero.

I have never been before, and I’m so glad that we went.

So sobering. I must say that living here and having my husband work in the city has given me a much different perspective about that day.

But, on to shallower things,

like our delicious Thai food lunch.

MMMmmmmm!!

Afterwards, we decided to stand in line at Tkts (discount ticket stand) to see if we could get any tickets to Mary Poppins.

(Not Mary Poppins. But- it’s Harry Potter!! So, here it is on my blog)

But, when we got up to the ticket stand, the only seats available were row “X” for $70 each.

We said, “Pass!” and skipped away!

Oh the joy of being child AND obligation-free!

Instead we settled for a carriage ride through Central Park.

On a full-moon night, while the buildings were just starting to light up.

After that we did some various Christmas shopping that I can’t talk about here because Carrie’s kids read my blog! (Hi Brenna, Grace, and Aidan!)

(My lips are mysteriously blue)

We decided to try some delicious-looking chestnuts that were roasting on a street-vendor’s open fire and…

They were DISGUSTING!

So we gave them to a homeless person! He seemed grateful. “Merry Christmas!”

We made a quick stop at Rockefeller Center

had some Junior’s cheesecake

and we were on our way back home!

I didn’t mention that I failed at subway planning and we ended up walking for miles and miles throughout the day. Let’s just forget about that part. (as soon as my legs stop throbbing…)

Let’s also forget how I missed our stop on the bus ride home, and suddenly we found ourselves alone on the bus at the end of the line.

And how the bus driver took pity on two smiley-Christmas-spirity girls out alone at 10pm and drove us back to our stop PERSONALLY. All by ourselves.

All in all, it was a wonderful, laughter-filled, stress-free day! Hooray for New York at Christmas with sisters and no kids!

Thank you to my Brian for watching the kids and to Carrie’s Brian for sending her out here! B-R-I-A-N, Brians are the best!!

Trimming the Tree

2011-12-07T07:48:00.001-05:00

(Joseph’s reaction to discovering our Darth Vader ornament)

Let me start out by saying that decorating the Christmas tree used to be one of my favorite things to do!

(Doesn’t everyone trim the tree while holding a blankie and a windmill?)

(or a Santa hat and a sword?)

And now Joseph says that it was his favorite thing he did in a long long long long time, while I…well…I would like to sign up for childbirth or a colonoscopy before I do that again.

First of all, this tree is the pokiest tree known to man.

I recently had a flu shot, and this tree, if it barely grazes your skin, hurts worse that a hundred flu shots.

See?

See my face of pain? Would I make that face for nothing?

(And a little treat for Brian…)

Secondly, even though I bought some kid-friendly ornaments (read:non-breakable) from Target to occupy Isaac, all he wanted were the “Balls!” “Balls!” '”Balls!!!” A wee bit stressful for anyone who might want to see those “Balls” again.

(Yes, he is licking the ball)

And Joseph would barely balance the hook on the last needle of the branch (probably afraid of being harpooned by our Tree of Pain), which meant that I literally caught a few of the balls on their way to the ground.

Lastly, Isaac is a little…physical. He thinks that, if you are on the ground, you are free game to be tackled/karate chopped/stomped on/jumped on.

Are you ready for my favorite picture in a looooong time? It is terrible of me, but it really sums up my feelings towards Isaac…

Haha! Can’t you just see an “ISAAAC!!” thought bubble above my head?

So, there was some laughter,

and some tears,

but all in all I think I gave the boys a good memory.

(Joseph kept saying that all of the ornaments were “beauties”)

You know, until they FORGET IT ALL BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL TOO YOUNG AND WON’T REMEMBER ANYTHING I’VE DONE FOR THEM SO FAR!

But, whatever. I didn’t become a mother for the accolades. Just so that I could retire at 22 years old!

Our Decorating Time O’Fun ended when Isaac grabbed one of the ornaments from my (late) Grandma’s tree,

and I freaked out, practically tackled him, and grabbed it back yelling, “NOOOOO! THAT’S MY SPECIAL!!”

Whoopsy, doopsy! Mama lost control!

I was pretty embarrassed that Brian had to witness it.

As he sat comfortably on the couch with his zoom lens.

(Payback for me videoing him instead of helping while he chopped down the tree while wearing an Isaac-hat?)

So, our tree got decorated!

And I ran to the bathroom to grind my birth control pill up into a powder and snort it.

The End.

(It was a beauty)

TIMBER!!

2011-12-05T15:24:00.001-05:00

Were you hoping today to see Brian get almost hit with a saw, kicked in the face, and hit with a cattail?

Then this video is for you…

Do you see how patient he is? It’s real! It makes me and my short fuse look bad most of the time, but man, am I happy I picked him as my kids’ Daddy!

Like pretty much the rest of America…

2011-12-05T13:55:00.001-05:00

We got our Christmas tree this weekend!

We almost went on Saturday, but after we were up, fed, dressed in long johns, lunches packed, coats loaded, and strapped into the van, Brian and I looked at the clock, looked at each other, and decided to wait for Sunday in favor of a good nap for the boys.

So, Sunday, we were off to a Christmas tree farm that Brian chose.

It was about 45 minutes away, but it was quite a pretty drive. I pointed out the that Christmas tree farm that I chose last year was much closer and really nice.

Until he reminded me that all the trees there were actually already cut and just posed by the stumps. His memory is pretty good when he wants it to be…

"His” tree farm was actually really nice and big and the boys enjoyed being

left

alone

to get

filthy!!

Also,sword fighting with the dried…cattails?

Isaac is sick, and therefore a bit cranky

(refusing to go into the trees. Yelling “NO! NO! NOOOOOOO!” when we called him)

so we had a few moments of tears

(some of them warranted)

And after a few minutes he didn’t want to walk anymore.

I surreptitiously took this picture of a group of ‘Jersey Boys” on a holiday outing.

Would you believe me if I said that every single one of them was wearing a large diamond stud in their ear? Truth!

After about 20 minutes all of the trees started to look the same,

and I found myself wandering in a daze, asking Brian “What about this one? do you like this one?”

While Brian did this

and said, “Whatever one you like, sweetie! Your choice! I have no opinion!” and the like.

Finally, Joseph stepped in, (he clearly saw that I needed some direction) and said, “This one! I want this one! It has a great place for an angel! I love it!”

And that was that.

Brian chopped down the tree while the boys helped

and I giggled uncontrollably.

I took a really funny, albeit slightly drawn out, video of this action, but this post is already too long, so I will post it later!

TIMBER!

$50 later (oh New Jersey!), the boys were strapped in watching a movie, and I was eating apple cinnamon rice cakes while Brian tied the tree to the van.

Funny, this whole process was a lot more work than I remember it being as a kid.

But, Mission accomplished!

VACATION POST! : Frought with Drama! And Exclamation Points!

2011-12-02T22:02:00.001-05:00

So. Where were we? I had to check back to remember, so it’s okay if you have to too. Or you can just wing it with me!

It was our last day in Northern Wales/ Snowdonia National Park area, and we were supposed to be heading south toward Brecon Beacon’s National park.

Brian wanted to look around Snowdonia and revisit some of the pretty things that we saw, and I wanted to stop by another beach and then plow ahead! More pretty things to see!

So, we bickered for a little while, and eventually came up with a compromise- seeing a bit of Snowdonia, heading to the beach for an hour before nap time, and then driving south while the boys slept.

Remember when I mentioned how narrow the roads are in Wales? I cringed every time someone came barreling (and I do mean barreling) past us.

So, after we did Brian’s thing and took some more pictures (waah waah, Caitlin had to see some more of the most beautiful things that she has ever seen in her life! I don’t know why I was fighting this!) we started driving towards the beach.

We passed a bicyclist, and when we were going back into our lane-

WHAMO!

In case you have ever wondered, this is what it looks like when you are hit in the shoulder by an exploding side-impact air bag:

(see the air bag curtain on the left in the picture above?)

Brian clipped this rock

and our rental car overreacted (didn’t we all?) and immediately deployed all of the airbags on my side of the car.

I started crying..well…kind of wailing…as my shoulder was tingly/burning and I thought for sure it was dislocated.

(it wasn’t)

Also, the car was filled with smoke from the airbag explosion, which added to my…distress.

The boys on the other hand, were completely fine (thankfully I had just raised Joseph’s car seat headrest that morning so he was not touched by the air bag) and Joseph wouldn’t stop asking questions.

The bicyclist (have we decided that we will say it was all his fault Brian?) stopped to make sure that we were okay and then continued on.

Our car wouldn’t start.

I composed myself and tried not to panic.

After a few tries and several minutes of….panic, we got it started and wheeled jerkily, noisily, our-car-is-very-very-broken-ly ahead.

Have I mentioned that we had no cell phone coverage?

And that we were in the middle of nowhere in Wales? (Funny, Brian at one point called it no-wheresville USA, and then we laughed and realized that it was much, much, further away than that)

But, Praise the Lord (seriously!) out of nowhere a café appeared ahead of us.

And they had a phone!

And spoke mostly English!

And….wait for it…another American family was stuck there waiting for a tow truck because their rental car hit a rock and they lost a tire! And they were from Brooklyn! GAH! What are the chances?!

Anyway, I was able to go the bathroom and get some food for the boys at least, while Brian was on the phone off and on with the rental car company.

And the bicyclist came to the café in his car to double-check that we were okay and had made it there safely! (awww!)

A mere 4.5 hours later, the tow truck driver showed up.

Only to tell us that he needed to take his mandatory lunch break before he could take us anywhere!

So, about 5.5 hours after the incident we were on our way!

Do you see how happy I made myself look? And do you see the flower in my hair that Joseph picked for me from someone’s driveway behind the café? And don’t you love the way that Joseph is looking at me?

Not a care in the world for those boys!

Isaac was thrilled! A tow truck ride! Huzzah!

About 20 minutes later, we got the news from the rental car company that they couldn’t actually take us in the direction that we 2 hours to Liverpool! The opposite direction! And about 4-5 hours away from London, where we needed to go the following day!

The good news is that the tow truck driver was a really cool guy and basically gave us a tour of Wales, pointing out different historical sites along the way.

My favorite was a lake that I thought was pretty, which actually turned out to be a man-made reservoir. BUT, the shocker is that it used to be a town! And the government made the people vacate the whole town so that they could flood it and create this reservoir! The driver said that on low water-level days you can see the church steeple.

We arrived in Liverpool and dropped the car off at a car repair place, which meant that we (correction: I mean BRIAN) had to transfer all of our luggage and kid junk into the cab (!!) of the tow truck.

Brian and the tow truck driver dropped the boys and me, plus all of our stuff (!!!), off in the lobby of a Holiday Inn, and then they had to continue on so that they could make it to the rental car company before it closed.

I had to throw myself on the mercy of the front desk people to help me get all of the luggage (they didn’t have any luggage-carts) up to our room. A girl has to know her limits!

We eventually made it up with everything and I let the boys loose in the room for the next 2.5 hours while I waited for Brian to come back, watched a sheep dog tournament (bonus!), and tried not to cry.

He finally came back at about 9:50 pm to check in with me (no cell phones, remember?!) and then he ran to get us some food somewhere before everything closed at 10pm.

Needless to say, the vacation was mostly over after all this went down.

The next day we woke up and drove back to London, stayed in an airport hotel, and flew home the following day.

But, we did take a picture of this cool Liverpool-ian bridge!

Also, we had just been talking about how smart Brits were to make their license plates so long so that there are so many different combinations of letters and numbers to reduce the chances of duplicates.

And then, look what was in front of us: (click to enlarge)

Haha! Almost exactly the same! Oh, how we laughed! And I took 5 pictures! We were super tired.

But, you know the saying “This too shall pass?” That long, loooong painful day… it passed.

Overall?: Awesome trip!

Celebrity Sighting

2011-12-02T07:42:00.001-05:00

On the way to work the other day, Brian just happened to see the Muppets! Filming Good Morning America! So he stopped by for a closer look…

He appears at 0:25, above everyone else, even though he is in the back (GI-ANT!)

At 1:34 he does an intentionally-creepy wave

and at 2:01 he takes a cell phone picture (to send to me!)

He got to see the puppeteers and everything! Including Jim Henson’s son!

And even though he is not in the clip, he also got to see them perform one of my favorite Muppet songs:

Ah! Glamorous Life in New York City for Brian!

I am pretty sure that the most glamorous thing I did on this day was clipping both the boys’ nails and doing a load of whites.

Something seems a bit uneven.

Sick

2011-11-30T22:34:00.001-05:00

(note: this was actually written earlier this week- I am feeling much better now. But will still take any sympathy scraps you throw to me)

I’m sick.

I mentioned this briefly in an earlier post, and, if you have talked to me recently, I probably mentioned it then too.

Also, if you are Brian, I have mentioned it (or moaned it) every 5 minutes since I got the first throat-tickle.

Here’s why I keep bringing it up:   because otherwise you might forget!

You see, I don’t let illness stop me!

The only time that I have taken to my bed and been unable to function with illness (since becoming a mother!) was in the spring when I got strep throat. That was also the time that my milk dried up and I had to wean poor Isaac cold turkey, but that is another post! (or not!)

I didn’t even get to lie around in bed when I had a stomach bug last year, and Brian had something important going on at work so he couldn’t help, so I spent almost the entire day on the toilet while simultaneously nursing infant Isaac and while Joseph played/read/colored/cried at my feet! Oh motherhood! So much different than I dreamt you would be as a little girl!

So maybe it is more like I don't GET to let illness stop me?

Anyway, the point is, I hate to brag, but I am kind of a stud most of the time (I had the kids by myself for 14 hours today, which included a zoo trip! shudder.), so I feel like, when I am sick, no one appreciates how much MORE of a stud I have to be!

Like, when I am bent over and searching under the couch for that stinkin’ Playmobil sword for the 100th time that day, I don’t think anyone stops to think, “Gee. I bet it feels like that sword is buried in Caitlin’s sinuses right now.” (It does!)

Or when I am sprinting after Isaac at the zoo because he can fit under the small fence and walk right up to the mountain lion exhibit, I don’t think people realize how hard it is to run when your lungs are soaked in phlegm!  It’s hard people! It’s hard!

So, basically what I’m saying is that if I am a big whiner when I am sick, it is not because I am a wimp and cannot function.

It is because I can, gosh darn it, and I am a strong woman, and a good mother who can’t take a sick day and I would like a little acknowledgement! Sympathy!  A shoulder rub! Candy! (Briiii-an!!)

That is all. You may carry on with your day.
(Like I always do.)

Oregon Visit

2011-11-28T11:45:00.000-05:00

It is kind of a joke around here that every time I travel, something…inconvenient happens.

But not this time!!

(my niece, R.)

This time,

I only dropped Joseph’s special blankie in the airplane’s (umm…”filled” at the time) toilet for a minute!

Joseph’s fever only got up to 102 while we were flying!

(my niece, S.)

(my nephew, J.)

And it only lasted for 5 days!

(my new niece, Bianca, meeting her faaaavorite auntie for the first time this visit! Isn’t she pretty? Look at those lips!)

This time, we only had just that one trip to Urgent Care

(sinus infection for Joseph)

My Oregon-car’s license plate only turned out to be expired by 5 months!

And I just had to try to sort it out with the DMV and explain how the car is in Oregon (for our use on trips), but the license plate is still Idaho, and how I live in New Jersey.

Also, it only started breaking down once while I was on my way over a mountain to visit my sister.

Just a few hundred jerks/lunges and non-acceleration. And (Good news!) I was able to coast most of the way to my sisters house where my brother in law was able to repair it with only a few hours out of his work day! Thanks again B!

The kids almost slept through the night once while we were there!

And I only got pink eye in one eye the day I flew home.

(my cousin’s baby, L. Gaaah! I die of cuteness!)

(my brother Daniel and me)

Other than those minor annoyances, and the 9 hour plane ride, it was a FANTASTIC trip! I love my family- thanks so much for having me!

(my nephew, R.)

Happy Monday!

2011-11-28T07:22:00.001-05:00

Our Thanksgiving Day- In Pictures

2011-11-26T00:55:00.001-05:00

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(Brian mashed the potatoes and entertained the kids. I cooked the food)

(The nice thing about not having family around for Thanksgiving = sweatpants and crocs at dinner!)

(

(The kids requested ketchup for their turkey…)

The End.

Thankful

2011-11-24T08:50:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for my two adorable, naughty, healthy, scrumptious boys

I am thankful for my wonderful tall dark and handsome husband who can still make my heart go pitter-pat.

I am thankful for our apartment- even if it is in stinkin’ New Jersey a few thousand miles away from family- it is warm, it is dry, and (for now) it is home.

I am thankful for our fantastic families. It is nice that they are awesome enough that I miss them all the time!

I am thankful for Brian’s job. Even if it does keep him working longer than I would like (I would like him to retire immediately and keep me company), it allows me to stay home with my children.

And I am thankful for this blog- for reminding me that I do have a brain and the capability of writing more than just a grocery list.

My life may involve lots of bodily fluids, tears, and things stuck to my socks, but there is at least one moment every day that I am really, truly, down-deep-in-my bones happy. Who could ask for more?

Now, I am off to snuggle my husband and stir the gravy-

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jesus makes for some interesting bedtime convos

2011-11-22T19:56:00.001-05:00

First of all, WOWIE WOW WOW people, thanks for all of the super-validating-and-encouraging-"we-love-Caitlin"-type comments! I really should ask for validation more often!

Seriously, though, thank you. Motherhood is a tricky thing where you are never really sure if you are doing a good enough job, and it is nice to hear that I am.

Second of all, as a reward of sorts, I will share with you a conversation that I had with Joseph tonight.

I know, I know, it's now a real reward, like one of my loaves of bread or a cookie, but that's why you have to come visit me in New Jersey, everyone!

Let me give you a little background info on this bedtime convo between my eldest and myself.

I may have mentioned before that Joseph is a bit- unexpected? unusual? quirky?

A few weeks ago we heard Joseph crying at bedtime, and when I went in to find out what was happening, he said that he didn't want to die!!! Like the man who used to be in charge of the country!! (George Washington).

I was a bit blindsided by this (having expected the usual "its dark" or "I am having bad dreams" to be the cause of his tears),.

(and because seriously- George Washington? I barely mentioned that he was the man on the $1 bill and that no he doesn't live in the building we visited-the white house- because he was dead. Barely mentioned it a FEW WEEKS AGO.)

Anyway, the whole convo may or may not have ended with me panting/sweating, and declaring that we would never die.

Ahem.

I will cross that bridge another time...like when he is not FOUR.

Since then, the talk of heaven and death has really increased around here.

Just last night he yelled out to me from the bedroom, "Mama! I want to take my bed to heaven! So I can lay down!" To which I declared that beds were absolutely allowed in heaven!! I promise!! Yes, for sure!

So, there you have it, in case you were wondering where you might lie down in the afterlife.

Ahem, so back to tonight's convo.

We were saying our nightly prayer, which as a special treat tonight included the phrase, "and please help Joseph to not argue with his Mama and to remember that she is the boss and that he has to OBEY HER." amongst other things.

When I finished Joseph said, "Do you think Jesus can hear our prayers all the way from heaven way way up past outer space?"

Me: (thinking, Go, Caitlin, escape!) "Yes. Now lets find your blankie... Goodni-"

Joseph: "Does he have to come down from heaven? How does he fly? Does he have wings? Or is it magic?"

Me: "Ummmm... he just can fly! But he can hear them from heaven."

Joseph: "Do you think Jesus is very strong?"

M: "Yes...." (??)

J: "So he is strong enough to bring my bed to heaven?"

M: "Oh. Yes."

J: (Starting to cry) 'But I don't WANT to die and go to heaven! Even when I'm really really old!!!"

(Seriously people? what am I supposed to do with this kid?!)

M: "Well, lets not talk about that, lets just say goodnight and that I love you-"

J: "But I don't know what she looks like."

M: "Who? Jesus?"

J: "Yes. Is she a man?"

M: "Yes. You've seen pictures- we think that he probably had a beard and brown eyes and..."

J: "What is Jesus' favorite food?"

M: "Ummm....bread" (???????)

J: (starting to cry again) "But how can Jesus ever have toast if they don't have toasters in HEAVEN!! WAAAAH!"

M: "Yes they do! They DO have toasters in heaven."

J: (instantly fine) "Do they have hay in heaven?"

M: "Ummm...hay? "(???????? times infinity)

J: "Yes, you know. Jesus likes hay. Like in that barn thing? When he was a baby?"

M: "Oh, yep! They sure do! Goodnight sweetie! see you in the morning!"

(run out the door with more sweating/panting)

So, in review, or in case Joseph quizzes you:

Heaven has:

-beds

-toasters

-hay

Jesus can fly because : He just can.

And our particular family is immortal.

I can't help but feel that I am being tested in some way. And that I have NO. IDEA. what the answers are!

What we do

2011-11-21T14:06:00.001-05:00

I mentioned to another mother the other day that Joseph was not in preschool this year and she turned to me, shocked, wrinkled her nose and said, “What in the world do you DO all day??!!”

Unfortunately, at the time, I was caught off guard and mumbled something like, “Oh you know! Just everyday stuff!” and slunk home to crawl into bed and re-evaluate my life.

I have actually gotten this question before, and this got me thinking…

I have nothing against preschool (my Mama is a preschool teacher in fact!), but we decided to not enroll Joseph this year. Does this mean that I do nothing? That I am depriving my child?

Since when is raising two boys at home not enough?

Is it even possible to do nothing whilst keeping two young children alive?

If so, PLEASE tell me your secret, because I would looove to do nothing!

But, in the meantime, this is what we DO all day:

- On a good day, I wake up at 6 am to take a shower/drink my coffee before the kids wake up. Most days, sadly, I am awakened by the word, ‘Mama!” spoken loudly and directly into my face.

- Joseph climbs into bed with me and snuggles for a while. It can either be for a few minutes, or up to 15 (snooze button!) depending on whether or not I have interesting toys within groping distance and if he thinks my breath smells to bad to be breathed on him.

- He plays computer games (pbskids.org) while I get ready.

-Isaac wakes up!

- Breakfast!!

That part is the same, every day. Every. Day. From here, though we mix things up a bit! We might:

-Run around the garbage can while I sing “See the ponies galloping!”

- Throw everything off the couch and jump into the beanbag!

- Take pictures of jumping and then show each other them and laugh and laugh!

- Make cookies!

- Eat all the cookies!

- Play in the sink!

- Arts and crafts time! (while I try not to cringe at the sight of the kitchen floor DESTROYED…)

- Read books! Although not as many as I should because Joseph only wants to read Superhero ones (BOOOO-RING!) and Isaac only wants to read picture books of trucks.

Gaaaah, do you know how many times you can say “Bulldozer!” and act pleased to be looking at it without wanting to stab yourself in the eye?

Well, I have done about a million “Bulldozers” and still have both my peepers, but its got to be close…

-Pretend to sword fight with random objects since you have no swords!

- Show each other cool jumps/karate chops/kicks while Mama folds laundry on the floor!

- Watch Youtube videos about kitties!

- Work on school workbooks with Joseph while Isaac drinks markers!

- Go to the park!

- Go to the zoo!

- Go to the mall!

- Go to the gym daycare!

- Go to Target to run around like a crazy person and act like you have never heard the word “no” in your life!

- Go to the grocery store to pick up the things that you didn’t get at the weekend market because you were too sick! (more on that later- cough! cough! wheeze! waaah!)

- Watch American Academy of Pediatrics-disapproved television! (One of us is under two….)

- Wipe the counters/table repeatedly! While Isaac smears things on them repeatedly!

- Dish out cereal for breakfast! lunch!! snack!! DINNER!!

- Maybe take a nap! Or not! I have no control over this part!

- Change in and out of sweatpants! Into them in the morning, Out of them to leave the house, Into them when we arrive home, Out of them (if I remember) before Brian comes home so I can look moderately attractive!

- Yay! Daddy comes home!

- Or maybe Daddy works late! Then Mommy tries not to cry while receiving the news, puts on her big girl panties, and does all the rest herself.

- Wrestle, wrestle, wrestle, come to Mommy crying about something!

- Bath time!

- BED for the boys!

- Thirsty! Can’t find blankie! Can’t find binky! Can’t find stuffed guinea pig! Hungry! Scared! WAAAAH!

- Reality television for Mommy. Or Mad Men if Brian is still awake.

- Try not to be mad/suspicious toward Brian after seeing all of the infidelity on Mad Men. (Don Draper! For shame! But you are so ruggedly HANDSOME! I forgive you.)

- Bed for Me.

Sigh, my life of glamour as a New Jersey Housewife. How can I possibly squeeze in one more thing?

Oh and I totally should have mentioned to the lady that I am WAAAAAY to busy jetting off to Europe, the West Coast, New England, Philly, and Washington DC to be tied down to a piddly little PRESCHOOL!

Ha! Take that preschool! We are too busy and important for you!

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Right, guys?

Right?

I mean…. right?

So, maybe it messed with my confidence a little.

Please, validate me.

Birthday Big Loader Video

2011-11-16T22:08:00.001-05:00

For the record, Joseph figured out how to work this waaay before Brian or I did.

Please note the expletives he chose when making the loader change direction. Such as “Patroler!” and “Batter!”

Also, Isaac’s face at about 1:26 makes me forget all of the tantrums he threw today. And that’s saying something!

4

2011-11-16T14:43:00.001-05:00

Well, he went and did it, folks.

My baby turned 4 yesterday!

Oh, I wish I could tell you how much I love this kid.

Two days ago he came into our room in the morning, and saw me wearing a red robe with a white t-shirt underneath.

He said, “Mama, your robe looks like a red blood cell! And your shirt looks like a WHITE blood cell!”

He is truly one of a kind!

(first thing in the morning, birthday snuggles in bed with Mama while playing with his knight figurines!)

I told him that he could choose anything he wanted for his birthday breakfast, including chocolate chip pancakes…

and he chose oatmeal and a glass of eggnog.

After breakfast, we took a trip to the pediatrician for a check up and for both boys to get flu shots! Because nothing says “Happy Birthday!” like an inoculation!

Miraculously, neither boy cried!

I asked Joseph what he wanted to do next. Perhaps a trip to the park? And he chose…

Target to look at/play with toys!

I did let him pick out a Charlie Brown Christmas dvd (shhh…I was planning on getting it anyway!) and some Target-brand ice cream sandwiches.

What’s next after Target, Joseph?

“Old” McDonalds for lunch!

After a failed nap attempt by Joseph, some movies snuggled on the couch, and some cookie making that ended with me yelling (as usual) “Everyone out of the kitchen!!” he requested for his birthday dinner…

Oatmeal and toast with slices of cheese on top!

(have I mentioned that I love this kid?)

When Brian got home, it was present time!

(Brian is eating his re-heated oatmeal. Lucky boy!)

and the big present of the night- a Big Loader Construction Set!

It is suuuuper cool, and Joseph has told me several times today how much he loves it!

I can see one little problem, however…

Isaac. Will. Destroy. It.

Joseph also didn’t want cupcakes this time around (we had lots of parties and cake in Oregon) so we made some cocoa crackle cookies instead!

(Bonus! I don’t like them, so I will not end up eating 20 of them like I do with the cupcakes!)

We actually FORGOT to do this part last night! We tucked the boys in bed, sighed, and were about to start Mad Men, when I remembered! Gahh, the mom guilt! So we got them back out of bed again!

(which maybe made it more fun for them than it would have been?)

The cookies were not the best to stick candles in,

so Joseph ended up picking them up one by one as they fell over, and blowing them out that way.

It should be noted that this is the only time (out of 3 birthday gatherings) that he actually blew out the candles himself!

It should also be noted that Isaac has extremely chubby cheeks.

(Favorite picture ever.)

And that he looks nothing like his father.

(aka the middle eastern/italian gentleman who adopted him)

Lastly, my traditional “at time of birth” birthday photo, a little early this year at 10:30 pm since 9:07 pm mountain time is 11:07 here…

And yes that is chocolate still on his face.

This post is already huge, so a birthday-type video coming up next…

and a cocoa crackle cookie to anyone who made it through the whole thing!

See what happens when I don’t like something? Generosity!

Trying

2011-11-15T14:39:00.001-05:00

(Chocolate on his face is from Joseph’s ice cream sandwich that Isaac climbed onto the table and stole)

Sure, it is Joseph’s birthday, but I need to take a moment to address the other little boy in this here apartment.

My dear Isaac.

21 months is a trying age and he is…how do a put it delicately…a firecracker. A stinker. Difficult. Daring. A teaser. Naughty.

TRYING.

Just yesterday’s trip to the store involved

him running away from me,

him knocking toys off the shelf so that he could stand on them and reach more toys,

him throwing boxes of Legos on the ground so that he could stand and jump off of them,

and then running away from me again into the kitchen section.

I chased him down and stuck him in the basket part of the cart, only to have him

reach onto the shelves and throw everything that he could reach onto the ground,

throw everything from the inside of the cart onto the ground,

cover his ears (no need for him to suffer) and yell, “NOOO!!! NAUGHTY!!!” and “TOOOO LOUD!!!”

Also, I had to say “sit down” with every breath I took.

So, I karate chopped his mid-section (gently..ish) until he would sit in the seat portion of the cart where I could strap him in.

He proceeded to

Scream and cry,

take off his shoes repeatedly,

throw himself around so violently, within the constraints of the seatbelt, that it actually moved the cart closer to the wrapping paper (“BUGLE!” he cried with glee!) that he then yelled into (bugle style) and threw.

Meanwhile I am huffing and puffing like a lamaze instructor while giving people apologetic smiles and saying things like “Haha. One of those days!” or “Excellent birth control!”

But you see the other thing about Isaac is that he has these blue eyes that just sparkle with mischievousness.

plus a contagious smile, even when he is doing something naughty.

And boy does he love his Mama!

I know because he tells me,

and gives me looooong hugs,

and sloppy kisses.

So I am trying to be more patient, and trying to be more consistent, and trying to be firm, and trying to find ways to distract him, and trying to find the joy in the sweaty-huffy-chase filled Target trips.

I’m trying.

Last Day of 3

2011-11-14T22:47:00.001-05:00

This handsome devil

is turning 4 tomorrow!

Today was his last day as my three year old boy!!

I am really having a hard time swallowing “4.” It just sounds so old! So little-kid-ish instead of toddler-baby-ish.

Also, do you know what comes after 4?

WAAAAAAH!!

For your viewing pleasure,

Joseph at 3:

(clearly I have not gotten the hang of our camera’s video camera feature)

PS If anyone ever convinces him that his name is NOT pronounced “Jo-feph” I will cry.

The Dynamic Duo is BAAACK!

2011-11-14T06:47:00.001-05:00

Hello citizens,

Sorry about that-

a little 5 day internet outage

and then a 9 day trip to Oregon (by myself with boys)

that really snuck up on me.

But, we are back in (the suburbs of) Gotham City and ready for blogging action.

And these pictures! AHH! I die of cuteness.

It is worth noting, however: they did not wear these costumes trick or treating.

This gear was especially for our Halloween Day Target Trip to Get Groceries!

VACATION POST!: Wales Day 1 and 2

2011-10-25T15:34:00.001-04:00

Since we spent most of Tuesday morning looking around the Lake District farm, the remainder of the day was pretty much just driving to North Wales.

We did pass through an area of the Lake District that the poet Wordsworth claimed was the prettiest place on Earth! I didn’t take a picture (too busy gawking) but, MAN was it a beautiful drive.

Let me pause and say how thankful I was for our GPS device in the rental car. Even if we had wanted to ask for directions, we couldn’t have pronounced half of the towns in Wales

because, clearly: Welch is a MADE UP LANGUAGE.

It sure is a beautiful place though though!

(Do you see the windmills in the water on the horizon? Click to enlarge)

We stopped along a random road so that I could…well…use the side of the road for personal reasons…and BEHOLD! A glorious view with the Ocean! Small bladders can be an advantage, is what I’m saying.

Tuesday night we stayed at an awesome dairy farm.

And this was a SERIOUS dairy farm! Tons of cows and equipment!

There was even a calf born that night that we got to see all fresh the next morning!

It was a beautiful room, even after we got through with it.

We loaded up bright and early and went to explore Snowdonia National Park

Note: most of these pictures were taken out of the window of our moving car. The boys were sleeping and Brian and I were enjoying our alone-to-stare-in-wonderment time too much to risk stopping!

(white specks on picture above are sheep!)

Sheep crossing.

Also please note that these are all two-way roads!

At this point I looked at the GPS and said “Look Brian! We are by the ocean! Let’s go to the beach!”

So, we went!

Joseph kept smiling and saying “THANK YOU for taking us to the beach!”

Isaac says “Hiya!” to the Irish Sea!

Joseph’s first “Dog poop castle” at a beach in Wales. Who knew?!

Brian walked up to a viewpoint:

I got to dip my feet in the Irish Ocean too! Pretty cold, colder than the Jersey shore, but not as cold as Oregon!

Reluctantly, we left the beach and went to our next hotel, not knowing what the next day would bring us….

(Remember I mentioned a tow truck?)

Send Help

2011-10-25T13:59:00.001-04:00

Our babysitter found a job in the city and is now unavailable.

The children are destroying my house.

Every day, Isaac pulls a chair up to the counter and manages to get into something.

A few days ago? Sprayed PAM on his face. Two days ago? Dumped out the trash while I was going to the bathroom. Yesterday? Dumped orange juice on the floor. Today? Well, I don’t know yet, but it’s coming.

Joseph has questions questions questions. Why is a tree called a tree? Can Superman still fly if he isn’t wearing his costume? Who is stronger, green hulk, red hulk, or grey hulk?

Ummmmm…

My specialty is finger paints, and tea parties, people. I am underequipped.

My baby dolls never stepped in a runaway-poop that escaped a diaper and smeared it all over the pillows.

My dolls never jumped on furniture repeatedly, bumped chests while roaring, knocked over pictures, or dumped out bins of toys for no apparent reason!

Oh, I love those boys! Every night I pray that the next day I will have more patience and yet every day I find myself yelling “Get out of the kitchen!!!! Mommy needs SPAAAACE!”

My fingers are raw from taking costumes off and on.

If I have to act interested in where Catwoman is going on her motorcycle for one more minute, I am going to gouge out my eyes.

My car sounds are terrible,

much less my bat-erang or light saber.

I have a sinking suspicion that they aren’t going to agree to do arts and crafts with me much longer.

Pom poms don’t thrill them.

And maybe I shouldn’t be encouraging boys to dance with me to Captain and Tennille?

Anyone?

No one told me that it would be like this.

Why did no one tell me that it would be like this?

To all of you out there who are having their second boy- it will be like this.

Isaac’s First Haircut

2011-10-19T07:04:00.001-04:00

Last night we took the plunge.

Now that the humidity is gone for the winter (thank you, thank you, thank you) Isaac’s curls are less bouncy-soft

and more frizzy, cotton candy dreadlocks.

So, last night, Brian and I had some time to kill before bedtime, and we decided to just do it already! Haircut time!!

BEFORE:

I must say, it is fantastic to have a child who is so calm about haircuts,

(offering it to Joseph)

unlike you know who (rhymes with Boseph) who, until he turned 3 was always a sweaty, screaming, nearly-vomiting, covered in hair and bribery-lollipop stickiness mess. Just ask my friend Colleen, who used to cut his hair!

I must admit I felt a bit teary for a minute (his baby hair!), but I pulled it together.

(the first clip)

AFTER:

Why do kids with short hair look so old? Why? Why? Why?!!!

But he is still my little baby sunshine!

PS For the record: Joseph’s first haircut- over a year younger than Isaac:

Waaaaaaait a minute… As I am posting these I am noticing: It seems that he did not cry the first time either. Oh NOOOOO!!!!

Pumpkin Patch 2011

2011-10-17T14:31:00.001-04:00

I’m going to have to make this quick because Joseph is going to be up from his nap any minute.

I know this because I just decided that, after this post, I will lay down and take a nap myself!

And so, according to the law of children, the instant I start to drift off into that happy place, Joseph will be there staring at me and whispering questions about aliens and knights and Jesus.

So.

Yesterday we ventured out to the pumpkin patch!

It was a pumpkin patch Jersey – style, though, which means that almost every woman there was wearing high heeled leather boots, and that the “farm” was right next to a Mercedes-Benz dealership.

Also, it wasn’t really a patch so much as a dirt area with pumpkins in a pile.

But, the boys loved it!

And Brian… well,

Brian isn’t really much of a pumpkin-patch fan, but he was there too!

Isaac’s favorite part was:

1) Yelling “PUNKAN!!!!”

2) Lifting “punkan”s (homeboy is STRONG)

3) Throwing “punkan”s

(Did you see the pumpkin in mid-air?)

Joseph just kept telling me what a “great adventure” it was!

Which is also what he says after a trip to the mall, but whatever.

In conclusion, it turns out that we are not too picky about pumpkin patches. If there is a tractor and a doughnut, our family will show up.

PS: Just for fun (and tears- WAAH! My babies!) here we are at a patch in Connecticut last year!

PPS: Please tell me that you noticed that we were all wearing orange and black in these photos? That’s how I roll, folks.

PPPS: This is why I encourage Brian come: