Bon Voyage

This will be my last post before leaving on our trip.  We leave tomorrow at 1:30.  I will be busy getting things together and saying good-bye to Samuel before we leave.  Boo Hoo.  I am starting to get a little stressed and sad.  I will keep myself busy today.  We already ran a ton of errands this morning.  

Last night Dave was trying to mow the lawn before we leave and he ran over the metal disk that covers our water line.  Unfortunately our mower is now broken and we have to buy a new one before we leave.  Awesome.  

Lots to do and so little time left.  

I will post lots of pictures and stories when we get back.  

Have a great week!

Warming up

It is a gorgeous day outside.  Samuel and I just got back from the Botanical Gardens.  We met Charisa, Vance and Vaughn, Cara and Cole and Andrea and Taylor.  It was so much fun.  There is a kids area with tons of stuff for the little ones to do.  Samuel skipped his morning nap and just played right through it.  He fell asleep on the way home, but woke up as soon as I got him out of the car seat.  I think he finally just fell back asleep after talking and playing in his crib for 20 minutes.  I was REALLY worried he might not go back to sleep and that would have been terrible.  I need an afternoon break myself.  

We leave in two days for Europe and I am not packed at all.  I don't even have things out to bring.  I am just planning to pack Thursday night.  I can just throw everything in the suitcase and go.  If I forget anything, I will just buy it when we are overseas.  The last thing I am going to stress about it packing.  I did buy two really nice pairs of jeans.  I went to a jean place in Clayton, Elements of Denim (they have the worst website I have ever seen).  They have every style and look of jean.  I think I tried on about 50 pairs.  I have never spent a lot of money on jeans, but I really wanted to get some nice pairs that I could have for a long time.  Luckily I found two pairs that made my ass look pretty good.  I mean my ass still looked big, but not gigantic.  I was pretty depressed about the jean size, but you know, if my butt looks kind of small I am all for it.  So, I know I will be taking those and lots of dresses and skirts.  

Last night I experienced my first heart attack.  Samuel flung himself over the size of the couch and onto his head.  Of yes, directly on his head.  He was standing on the couch, which I don't allow him to do, holding onto the TV remote.  I started to walk towards him and I told him that he wasn't allowed to stand on the couch.  He started throwing one of his convulsing tantrums, where he throws his body backwards, excepts he was right by the side of the couch.  I saw everything happening in slow motion.  As I was running towards him he flipped himself backwards, narrowly missing the marble corner of the fireplace and landing on his head.  For a split second I hesitated to pick him up because I was worried he might have injured his neck, but he was just lying flat on his stomach and not really crying.  I think he knocked the wind out of himself because he didn't start crying right away.  Finally he started screaming, right as I was dialing Dave's number at work.  I proceeded to tell Dave that he better get home immediately because I wasn't sure if Samuel was going to need to get checked out at the ER.  Within 15 minutes Samuel was completely fine, wanting to play and was totally happy again.  I on the other hand was a nervous wreck and my heart didn't stop pounding for a long time.  

When Dave got home from work, he was acting a little too calm about the whole situation, so I had to yell at him a little bit about not being concerned about me or Samuel and then I felt much better.  I deal with stress by yelling.  Not good for the person experiencing my wrath, but a great release for me. 

Okay, I am done ranting.  Time to relax.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Samuel woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.  I already put him down for a nap this because he couldn't seem to do anything but throw fits.  Hopefully when he wakes up again he will be in a better mood.  I have some pictures below of his wonderful tantrum this morning.  I couldn't help but laugh.  

We got our patio furniture this morning.  It wasn't supposed to come for at least another week or so.  We are going to have to put it together, so we can enjoy it before we leave for our vacation.  

Happy boy:

and then...




Love that face:
Check out the big huge snot bubble coming out of his nose.  He was that upset!

Tribute to E.T. and more

We were very busy this past weekend.  We are getting ourselves ready for Europe and we did lots of shopping.  We got more memory cards, an adaptor, new shoes, clothes and much more.  

Last night Jonathan and Laura came over for dinner.  We had chicken and steak fajitas.  They were really yummy.  Plus Jonathan and Laura brought a big huge cookie for dessert and it was so good.  I needed a cookie so badly.  I had to eat a little for breakfast this morning too.  

I know I posted pictures before with Samuel wearing my sweatshirt.  Well ever since that day he wants to wear it all the time.  I put it on him the other night and he was hilarious walking around.  He looked like E.T.

I can't believe we are leaving so soon for our trip.  I am probably going to start laying things out to take soon.  The problem is that anything I lay out, Samuel picks up and moves around.  Last time we packed to go somewhere, I put everything in our suitcase, but forgot to zip it up.  Samuel started to take all the clothes out and made the biggest mess.  I am not going to mess with that this time.  

I am having a hard time thinking about what food to make for the week, since I am preoccupied with other things.  Here is a rough idea:

Sunday:  Chicken and Steak Fajitas

Monday: Chef Salad

Tuesday: Soup and Grilled Cheese

Wednesday: Hamburgers

Thursday:  My parents come in town, so we will probably go out to dinner because I am not cooking before we leave.

I don't have to plan anymore meals for at least a week.  Yeah!!!!

Laura asked Samuel, "How old are you?"  Apparently he thinks he is 5.

Here are his E.T. pictures:

Attempt at Gardening

I am not a person that likes to be outside much, unfortunately.  I wish I really enjoyed gardening, but I just can't get into it.  Every year I get really motivated and buy planting soil and I want to buy lots of flowers to plant, but I just never really get into it.  Well, this past weekend I bought herb seeds and pots and I am really excited about getting fresh herbs growing.  I am trying to grow Rosemary, Parsley, Basil and Cilantro.  I really hope they grow and I have fresh herbs to use in my meals.  

Today I am really going to go for a nice run.  Yesterday it was a little cold in the morning and then Samuel was in a terrible mood in the afternoon, so we never went.  Today is the day!

I am so happy it is Friday.  I can't wait for the nice weekend.

Beautiful Day

It is supposed to be in the mid 60s today and I am so excited.  I think Samuel and I are going to go for a walk and play out on the deck all day.  Samuel is barely coughing and he is sleeping great, so I think his cold is almost gone.  

I had my HSG yesterday and it went really well.  Neither one of my fallopian tubes are blocked which is such a relief.  Two years ago my right tube was completely blocked and I had to have a few more procedures to unblock it.  I am relieved.  

Now I just need to concentrate on getting ready for our trip.  We leave in one week from Friday.  I have lots to do.  

Yesterday Samuel and I hung out on the deck and I brought a broom out because I wanted to sweep off all the saw dust.  I didn't really get to do it myself because Samuel wanted to do it.  

New Deck

Our new deck is completely finished.  We bought a few chairs last night and ordered a patio set yesterday.  I hope we get it soon because I can't wait to hang out on our deck.  

Last night we went out on our deck and we didn't have any clothes downstairs for Samuel so we put one of my sweatshirts on him.  He loved it.  When we came back inside he didn't want to take it off.  I took a few pictures.  

Sickness again

I feel like we never get a break.  Samuel has a cold again.  He has a mild case of croup cough.  He has a runny nose and isn't in the best mood.  Yesterday he barely slept during the day and was very tired last night.  He slept from about 7:15 pm until 7:50 am.  It was the longest he has ever slept and it was wonderful.  He bottom two molar teeth are coming in.  The top two are in already.  

I have a bit of a cough and a runny nose as well.  I need to get healthy soon.  

Today Samuel decided that he wanted to take George for a walk.  

This weekend we were heading out for a birthday party and Samuel was screaming the entire time.  Dave and I couldn't handle the screaming so we popped in a movie and he was so happy.  Take a look:

Other pictures:

This was a fun game that Samuel and Dave were playing.  This kept Samuel entertained for a while.  

Morning Ride

Every morning Samuel gets on his Lil' Kawasaki and rides it across the living room.  It is like he has to take his morning ride.  I grabbed the video camera a little late, but it is kind of funny to see him ride.  

We are heading to the doctor today because Samuel is coughing like crazy.  He was up pretty much all night coughing.  We brought him into bed with us because we could tell he wasn't feeling well at all.  He would wake up coughing and then grab on to me.  Most of the night he slept on the pillow next to me with his head touching my head or he would roll over and sleep right next to Dave.  It wasn't the most comfortable sleep, but at least I didn't have to hear Samuel crying all night.  

We were playing with the video camera last weekend in the car and I got Samuel laughing on tape.  It was pretty funny.  

Weekly Menu

Sunday: Turkey Tex Mex Soup with Corn Bread

Monday:  General Tsao (Got this sauce at Trader Joes and it is yummy) Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry

Tuesday:  Taco Salad (Ground Turkey, Beans, Corn, Tomatoes and Cheese)

Wednesday: Matzo Pizza and Salad

Thursday:  (We didn't have this last week) Hot dogs and Turkey Chili

Friday: Breakfast for dinner

Saturday: Eat Out

Happy It is Only Saturday

I woke up this morning and I was so depressed because I thought it was Monday morning.  Since Dave worked half day on Thursday and then had Friday off, it felt like today could be Monday.  Thank goodness.  I am so happy we have two more days for the weekend.  

We are getting a bigger and better deck put on the back of our house and they are working today because they got rained out twice this past week.  The deck so far looks awesome.  I can't wait to actually use it.  I think Samuel and I will be out on the deck a lot.  I will post pictures when they are done. 

Ever since I stopped breastfeeding last Wednesday, I have been having terrible headaches everyday.  I have to take Advil in the morning and in the afternoon because my head hurts so badly.  I also broke out all over my face.  Ok, so it isn't really all over my face, but a little on my forehead and chin.  I never break out, so I can barely stand it.    I have been feeling really dizzy and nauseous for over a week now.  I don't know what is going on.  I know I am not pregnant, so I am not worried about that, but I feel terrible.  I think it is because my hormones are going crazy since I stopped breastfeeding.  Anyone else have this issue? 

I am going to have a procedure done this coming Wednesday called a Hysterosalpingogram.  They are going to make sure my fallopian tubes are open.  I have been having very painful ovulation and terrible pain on my right side.  I had an ultrasound done and they aren't sure if I have an ovarian cyst or what.  Anyway, all this stuff needs to be done before our trip to Europe.  It is a little stressful, not to mention that I need to start thinking about what I am going to bring on our trip.  

Oh well, I am not doing anything today.  I am just going to enjoy my Saturday.  

Pictures

My mom says that I haven't posted pictures in a while so here are some from March and April.

Here he is today.  You can see a little Mazto crumb on his face.  He loves the Mazto.  NOt sure if he is a true Jew, eating matzo and wearing a fighting irish shirt.  That is in honor of upcoming Easter.  By the way, Happy Passover!

Here he is destroying the kleenex box:

Family picture when we were in Michigan for Opa's surprise retirement party:

In the limo when we were in Vegas, he loved the ice:

Totally and Completely Obsessed

I am completely obsessed with the Real Housewives of New York.  Actually any of the Real Housewives shows.  I have to admit I was disgusted by the fact that there was going to be the Real Housewives of New Jersey, but I saw the sneak peak last night and I am already addicted.  

That show is such a guilty pleasure as Dave put it last night.  You want to turn the channel or vocally express your disgust, but you can stop watching.  I love it.  

Does anyone else think that Kelly is a man? She has man hands and she walks like a man.  I don't know, I just can't get over how manly and big her hands are and she is always messing with her hair and I can't stand it.  

Other then housewives, I have so many shows I am addicted to.  I wish I didn't plan my evening around TV, but I can't stop myself.  Every night there is at least one show I must watch, except for Friday and Saturday.  I don't really watch anything on those days.  

Another random thought...I was driving today and pulled up behind a car.  The first bumper sticker I noticed was "Short People Rule".  I thought well that is interesting, I am a short person, I guess I rule.  Then I looked at the other bumper stickers, "Support Gamers" (stupid) and then the most disgusting one I have ever seen, "Sorry I am speeding, but I REALLY need to poop."  Are you kidding me?!  That is gross.  Then to make it even better, there was a visual of a brown blob on the sticker.  I was stuck behind this car for way too long and I was so grossed out.  Why would you have that on your car?!

Slow Week

I can't believe that it is only Tuesday.  For some reason it feels like it should be Thursday.  Oh well.  

We are on our third day of my weekly menu.  The Warm Goat Cheese Salad was pretty good.  I couldn't find the goat's milk fromage blanc anywhere.  I increased the amount of goat cheese and sour cream.  It had a very good taste, but I don't think I used enough potatoes, so the cream part of the potatoes was a little overwhelming.  I will make this again though.  

The pasta salad last night was great and Samuel inhaled it.  It was a nice light dish.  

I did something new yesterday.  I was interviewed by SSM Health Care (formerly St. Sister's of Mary, now known as the Franciscan Sisters of Mary).  I participated in a video interview on domestic violence.  It was actually a big production.  There was a camera guy, video guy, editor and interviewer.  They messed with my hair and blotted my face because it was shinny.  It was really cool.  They were doing the video to honor Woman's Place (A domestic violence organization in St. Louis) for their 10th Anniversary.  There is a Gala on May 8, 2009 and they are going to play the video at the gala.  I was so nervous and I hope I didn't make a fool of myself, especially because people will be seeing it at the gala.  

If anyone is interested in going to the gala, it is on May 8, 2009, starting at 6:30 pm at the Xavier Ballroom on St. Louis University's Campus.  I can give you more information if you are interested.  

Tomorrow night starts Passover, so no more bread for me for 8 days.  

I am off to clean up my dirty son from breakfast.  

Busy Day and Weekly Menu

We have been super busy today.  Samuel woke up around 5:30 and went back to bed around 6:30 and slept until 8:30.  I had a nice morning, drinking my FRESH coffee and relaxing before he woke up.  

I decided I am going to do a new thing on my blog.  Last week I made a dinner menu for the week and it was wonderful.  I bought all the groceries on Sunday and had dinner ready to go all week long.  I didn't have to worry about what I was going to make.  I am going to start posting my weekly menu.  I have such a hard time thinking of new things to make everyday, so I thought this might help you all out too.  It may give you ideas and make your life easier as well.  I have picked pretty easy recipes, so I can prepare stuff during the day and have it all ready to cook or bake at night.  

Here is our weekly menu:

Sunday:  Roasted Turkey Breast

                Warm Potato and Goat Cheese Salad

                Steamed Broccoli and Cauliflower

Monday:  Peppery Monterrey Jack Pasta Salad

                  Breadsticks

                  Mixed Greens, Tomato, Cucumber Salad

Tuesday:  Chicken, Cashew and Red Pepper Stir Fry with Brown Rice

Wednesday:  Mediterranean Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

                        Fresh Veggies on the side

Thursday:  All beef organic hot dogs and turkey chili

Friday:  Free Night - Eat Out

Saturday:  Spinach, Feta and Tomato Quiche

What a downer

We just got a call from our babysitter's mother.  Molly hurt her ankle and was in the ER and will be on crutches tomorrow, so her mom didn't think it would be a good idea to babysit.  I am pissed and disappointed.  I was really looking forward to an afternoon alone with Dave.  Oh well.  We have already decided that we will be eating a family breakfast, going on a family walk, running errands and relaxing.  

We are off to finish eating dinner and watch some movies.  

I'll stop sulking.  

It is Friday!!!!!!!

The best part about today is that Dave told me this morning that he has next Friday off.  I am so excited.  A four day week next week for me.  I think I will try to schedule a wax and facial again.  Hopefully it is not too late and she is already book up.  

Samuel slept all night until 5:30 in the morning.  Normally I would be okay with waking up that early, but only on my own terms, especially not my sons terms.  Anyway, we brought him into bed with us and I thought he might go back to sleep.  He didn't.  The positive thing is, he didn't try to breastfeed at all.  That is a great sign.  My boobs are really sore, but I think they are getting used to no breastfeeding.  

This is what my life has come to in the mornings. I have had a cup of coffee from the same pot for 3 days now.  I made the fresh pot on Wednesday morning and I just had another cup from that same pot this morning.  I know it is gross, but I don't have time to clean out my coffee pot and make a whole new pot everyday.  I am freaking tired.  I don't care if you judge me or not.  I make a pot of coffee every other day usually.  I have come to terms with how gross it is, but at this point I don't care.  I need my caffeine.  

We are hopefully going to be busy today.  It is chilly outside, so we will be partaking in lots of indoor activities.  

Is it Friday yet?

I am in need of a weekend.  We called our babysitter and she is coming on Saturday at 9:30.  I don't know what Dave and I are going to do on Saturday, but all I know is that I will not be at home.  I am stressed out just looking at our house.  It is a mess.  It needs some serious cleaning.  I also need a serious break from parenting.  This kid is wearing me out.  Yesterday I said that his right upper molar is coming in.  Well, I felt in his mouth again and the lower right one is coming in too.  I hope he gets all of his teeth soon.  I am so sick of this teething thing.    

So the strangest thing just happened.  I put Samuel down for a nap, he woke up an hour later talked in his bed, turned on his music and now he is back asleep.  He has never done that before.  I am so happy because I haven't showered yet today and I was not looking forward to doing stuff all afternoon stinky.  Plus, I had no idea what Samuel and I were going to do from 9:30 until he ate lunch at 11:30.  

I better go jump in the shower before he wakes back up.

Hump Day

First day of no breastfeeding.  He threw a little bit of a fit this morning, but I quickly gave him some milk and I think we are okay for now.  

Two weeks ago he got his 1 year molar on his left side and now the right one is coming in and he is super cranky.  Maybe the reason why he is waking up at night.  

He woke up at 1 am and 4 am, again.  So sick of this.  We let him cry at 1 and it didn't take him that long to fall back asleep, but at 4 am he cried for at least 30 to 40 minutes.  Dave went in and gave him Tylenol and he went back to sleep right away.  He was wide awake at 5:30.  This is too early for me.  We must train him to sleep in later.  

I have decided I can only handle half of a cup of coffee in the morning.  For the last week I have been drinking an entire big mug full and I am sick after.  I get a terrible headache and I feel nauseous.  This morning I had a small cup and I am feeling okay so far.  This is depressing because I love my coffee.  

I have to run to the grocery store again because we are out of Samuel's milk.  I feel like I am always at the store.  Good thing there is one right around the corner.