Ho Ho Ho Hum...

Apparently life sometime gets in the way of blogging. The sad part is...I started this blog to document that life and all the things that go with it. I keep meaning to sit down and write it...and then something comes up...a baby crying, a diaper needing changing, dirt to vacuum, food to cook, presents to buy, etc. (Don't even get me started on my Christmas cards that are bought but at this point will never get sent...I still have Thank You cards from July sitting on my desk!) But before this year completely gets away from me...here are a few things going on with everybody...sans pictures because my camera is BROKEN (note to anyone who is trying to decide what to get me for Christmas or my birthday coming up!)

Eugene: Apparently turning 3 has made everything his. And by that I mean I hear "MINE" at least 20 times a day. We are working on sharing, but it is not going as well as we would like. His other thing he is now saying is "I'm running away," followed by sobbing and screaming and running around our house in circles. I have no idea where he has heard this expression but we go between being slightly amused at watching his version of "running away" and being annoyed when we try to catch him to put him in time out. (His "I'm running away" is usually said when we tell him he has to spend some time in timeout.) On the other hand he is super excited about Christmas and loves looking at the tree. We went to the Italian American club to see Santa on Sunday and while he thought Santa was pretty neat...he was much more impressed with Miss Italia. (My boys love pretty woman!) Oh...and he is completely potty trained now (not sure if I've mentioned that). Unfortunately "pooping" occurs at dinner and he makes this whole production out of loudly announcing after praying that he "has to go poopy now." Then goes to the bathroom for 5 minutes and screams for one of us to come clap for him and look at it (yes...while we're eating!!) David is getting a little tired of it but I figure as long as I'm not changing his diaper I'll clap as long and as loudly as I have to!!!

Timmy: Apparently Timmy does have a hearing problem. Well actually a fluid in his ear problem which is compromising his hearing. We saw the ENT yesterday and our options were a nasal spray for 6 weeks or an operation to put tubes in his ears! (UM...what...that's it...no in between option.) We opted for the nasal spray for 6 weeks...though I've heard it will probably be tubes in a couple of months for him. However it does explain why he ignores us all the time (OK...that's what I'm telling myself). He loves our tree...but is having a hard time understanding why he can't touch the ornaments. We are now up to "Timmy 9...Christmas Ornaments 0." Actually we figure it will take a full on Christmas miracle for him not to bring the tree down. We thought for sure he would knock it down...but it's still standing...for now! He is completely climbing out of his crib now and likes to go exploring in the middle of the night. I usually awake to hear someone on the stairs, in the kitchen, wondering the hall, etc and hop out of bed to see Timmy stripped naked carrying his blanket. He then tells me he wants to "snuggle snuggle" and jumps into our bed. Right now as I type this he is running around naked carrying his sister's stuffed animal. He's happy...so I figure as long as he doesn't pee on the floor...I'm happy!

Annabelle: She doesn't like you...and by "you" I mean everybody but her mom, dad, and brothers. Apparently if you look at her she will start screaming or crying. Rather embarrassing when people come up to her to ooh and ahh over her and she frowns and starts crying. I'm hoping she'll grow out of it...otherwise it will make sending her to preschool rather difficult!! I'm also telling anyone who asks what she wants for Christmas that's she hoping for an Ipod, a camera, some mac makeup, or the new professional Olay regenerist anti wrinkle cream. She's 5 months old people...I don't think she cares...but her mommy could use some help!! I've been working on her birth post for a few months now and actually have 3 drafts...but I keep stopping when I get to the hospital. I don't know why finishing it is becoming so hard...I mean saying "...and out she came" should not be that difficult. Hopefully I will finish it before she has a baby of her own!

David: Not too much is going on. He did win a jury trial last week. I told him his slogan at the office should be "I can't win elections, but I can win trials." Cute...catchy...right!?! Well I think it's hilarious! Can't you just hear the commercial with the music in the background. I should do this for a living. He's been super helpful with all the decorations this year and is constantly playing Christmas music. I think we both feel bad we didn't do anything last year...no tree, no decorations, etc. So this year we have gone all out!!

Me: I had what the GI's refer to as a "two for one" last Friday...an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. Yummy right!! This was after my bloodwork, Upper GI, Ultrasound of my gall bladder and function test of my gall bladder. Everything is normal...great!! But it still doesn't explain why my stomach hurts and I keep losing weight. I am open to any suggestions as to what to do or where to go to next...cuz frankly I'm at a loss now!!

So that's what's going on...I wish I had pictures...but again no camera (hint hint hint) We're looking forward to the holidays and hope everyone is enjoying this time with family and friends!! Love, Jess

PS...spoke too soon...someone (and I'm not going to name names here...TIMMY) just peed on the floor and is quite proud of himself.

10 Things I'm Thankful For...

...this year I'm thankful for many many things. Here are just 10...

10) A roof over my head and a comfortable place to sleep!!
9) Food on the table!!
8) Living in a country that allows me to voice my opinions!!
7) Living in a country that allows my daughter and myself the ability to get an education and go to work equally as a man!!
6) Our health!!
5) My extended family, all over the country!!
4) Friends, both near and far, who are always there for me when I need it!!
3) Parents that I admire and a brother who helps me laugh at myself!!
2) A husband who loves and adores me as much as I love and adore him!!
...and finally...and most importantly...
1) My three healthy, happy children (and really...does anything else matter!!)

We spent Thanksgiving in Westchester with David's entire family!! It was great (except the staying in a hotel part...both David and I HATE hotels)...but we are so thankful to be home!! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!! Would love to post pics...but apparently my camera is officially broken!! Oh well!! I am now in the process of going all out in the Christmas decorations department. As I didn't do anything (no tree or decoration at all) last year...I've decided I'm going to make up for it this year.

Love, Jess

My Computer Had the Swine Flu...

...No, I'm not kidding!! It's the only thing that makes sense!! ...and it caught it from my cell phone! About 2.5 weeks ago I realised I couldn't get the Internet on my phone anymore. And then...about a week and a half ago my computer stopped working. I thought it was just an Internet issue that would quickly resolve on its own. See...I'd like to think that I tackle most problems head on...except when it comes to "technical" problems. When it comes to any type of "gadget" or "gizmo" I tend to take the "if-I-just-ignore-it-maybe-it-will-resolve-on-its-own" approach (ya know because that's so productive) The first day without Internet I lived in this bizarre state of "OMG what am I missing...this is horrible...now what do i do, etc." By the second day this feeling had sort of resolved and I took a very needed nap! By the third day I got up and dusted my house. Needless to say, by the end of this weekend I had vacuumed all floors (including under the beds), switched the beds in the guest bedroom and master bedroom, mopped the kitchen floor, done 10 loads of laundry (including all bedding), finished all thank you notes, spoke to some friends I haven't spoken to in months, cleaned out the car, washed all the windows, reorganized the pantry, refrigerator, all closets and cabinets, and organised clothes to go to the Salvation Army. Yup...it's amazing how productive I can be when I don't have the Internet to waste my time on! :) However, by Sunday my parents wanted to know where the new blogs were. I explained that my computer was down. So my mom asked why I hadn't called anybody...to which I got to make the completely rational argument that obviously my computer was sick, needed some rest, and would fix itself. Well guess what...it did fix itself...Monday night it started working again! So...what have I learned form this experience...I spend too much time on the computer, I read WAY TOO MANY blogs (I'll never get caught up), and yes even computers sometimes need a break. In the meantime...to make my parentals happy...

Eugene
E: "Mommy can I watch TV in your bed?"
Me: "No, Eugene. You need to go play with your toys."
E: "Mommy, the answer is yes!"
Eugene is finally starting to like preschool. He walks in now...no problem...and even said on Tuesday that he wanted to go to school. He also said to me afterwards..."Mommy I miss you during preschool but I didn't cry. I love you mommy and I made this chicken for you (it was suppose to be a turkey...but who cares)" Yes...he is my mamma's boy...and I LOVE IT!
Timmy
After watching Timmy vault himself out of his crib headfirst for a few days, we decided to put him in a toddler bed. Of course...he loved it, because it meant instead of taking a nap he could go jump on his brother's bed and keep him awake. I tried putting him in a pack-n-play for naptime. That ended when he figured out how to vault himself out (headfirst of course) of that...however he also usually managed to tip the pack-n-play over at the same time (and...you know...I didn't want him to hurt the pack-n-play) A few nights ago I put him to bed at his normal time and when I walked upstairs 2 hours later I found him out of his bed, running between his room and his sister's room, covered in my makeup which he had gotten into. So now...he is back in his crib...and yes he seems happier there. However he has started this thing where at the end of naptime takes off his pants and diaper, vaults himself over the side, and pees on the wall. I don't know if I should buy velcro sheets or sign him up for gymnastics class.

Annabelle

Annabelle is now cooing...or in her case barking like a seal. Both the boys made these sweet little cooing sounds when they were little. Annabelle barks...very loudly...and usually very early in the morning or when she wants everyone's attention. She also sticks her lower lip out right before she's about to start to cry. I do the exact same thing and it annoys my husband to no end. He always thought I did it to be dramatic...until he saw Annabelle do it. Now he knows it's hereditary. (HAHAHAHAHAHA!!) The other day I said to him..."She's such an angel...we must have done something right to get one like her." He replied..."Oh I'm sure she's going to make up for it when she turns 16."

Love, Jess

Friday Family Foto...Snow 2009 Version...

So today we woke up to a light dusting of snow! Here is the obligatory "let's-all-go-outside-and-take-a-picture-in-the-snow" picture...
...it lasted a total of 2 minutes before everyone started screaming (and by that I mean full on screaming from all 3!)...

...and speaking of all three of them together for a picture...check out this practice Christmas pic.

I have picked out their Christmas card outfits (the boys in little suits and Annabelle in a ridiculously puffy dress), but I am trying to get them ready by randomly putting all three together and taking a picture. You can see how well that is going...

And speaking of Christmas...David has discovered he can threaten Eugene into obedience with Santa. Personally I think it's a little premature (I mean don't they have to be at least 4 before you can do that) and early (I mean aren't we suppose to wait till December). However...it is working very very very well.

On the other hand...OHHHHH Timmy! In the past 24 hours he has written on our couch with a permanent red marker, broken an antique plate, spilled two cups of milk (one in family room on the couch and one in the kitchen), and gotten stuck in his sister's walker. (Ahem...this is him stuck) The Santa threat is not working on him at all...actually we haven't found anything that works on him yet...God help us all when he turns 15!

Love, Jess

Back to Normal (our normal of course)...

...Ye haw!! Well I'm glad that's over! Um...hello friends and family...you know...those of you who have been coming to my "mommy blog" to read my thoughts and feelings on things and see pictures of my kids!! Not sure if you're aware or not...but one of my favorite local political blogs (PIV) and Newzjunky linked my letter to Dede (the letter I wrote on Sunday when I was so angry and hurt and disillusioned that I spent the entire day stomping around the house) to their sites on Tuesday. (Um...seriously...was it that slow of a news day!!) Turns out...it created an excellent opportunity for the trolls of every party to come out and invade my little mommy blog. (Hello people...haven't you ever heard of a "mommy" blog!) In case you're not interested in reading the 27 comments (most of which came in anonymously) I figured I would paraphrase it here for you...Hoffman sucks, Owens Rules...Owens sucks, Hoffman rules...Jessica sucks..Jessica rules! (and everything in between!) I had to cut off comments because frankly it was taking up too much of my time to post the comments (yeah...that whole 3 kids under 3 thing I got going on!) However, this morning I received a comment that sums up my feelings on the whole thing perfectly...it came from Heather (a fellow mom)...she wrote, "Jessica, our political views are so far from one another. I think you (as a free American) can say what you like as you like it. Yes, we are Moms, which (I think) gives us all the more right to stand up and do what we feel is right for the future of our children. Even if the views arent popular they are still ours and you should speak out! You go Mama!" I could not have said it better!!! In this country we have the ability to express our views and opinions...and that is one of the many reasons that I am so proud to be an American. And with that said...let's close this chapter and move on...I mean come on...I can't be the only one that is super relieved to no longer be getting any more robo calls! Back to normal (our normal of course) tomorrow with Friday Family Foto...and the 4months in coming Annabelle birth story! Love, Jess

PS...Heather...welcome to the world of "mommy blogging." I have added to you to my daily read and I hope you will enjoy this outlet as much as I have! :)

Today We Voted...

...I picked David up at work and we took the kids to go and vote today before dropping Eugene off at preschool. We have been bringing the kids to every election since they were born (in fact the boys were only a few weeks the first time they went!) We feel it is important to instill in them the importance of their right to vote and we want them to always be proud to stand up and have their voice count. However, having said that...after this morning I wish we had left them at home! :) David and I are...not big fans of the new system!! First we showed up and realised that since our address has recently changed (no we didn't move...our address changed) they had to take some extra time to get things ready. This of course gave our sweet Annabelle time to wake up from her nap, realise she was not where she wanted to be, and start screaming her head off. She has also decided that if you are not her mother or father and dare look at her she is going to cry. (Please don't take it personally people) David got her out of her seat and tried to comfort her while I held onto both boys with the death grip, and whispered threats of punishment for life if they misbehaved (you know...cuz that works with a 3 and 2 year old!) Having voted with the new system in September, I confidently walked over to the booth to fill in my bubbles (yes still gripping the boys and glancing over at David with the "Can't you make her stop crying look!") And then...things got confusing...the wording is small...I needed time to figure out where everyone was...and filling out the squares takes ALOT longer than pulling a lever!! David had to actually ask for another ballot because he made a mistake (totally understandable considering he had a screaming baby in his arms). We usually try to take a picture of the kids outside...but we skipped that part today...just glad to have done our civic duty and able to throw 2 screaming kids and 1 whining child into the car!! So...my advice...allow yourself plenty of time...take your time...ask questions...don't be afraid to ask for another ballot if you mess up (heck...my hubby did)...and leave the kids with a babysitter!!

Over the years many people have given their lives so we could have this right...make them proud!! GO VOTE TODAY!!!

The Girl Who Couldn't Get a Picture...

...It's official...I cannot take a decent picture...or get a picture with anyone famous! Here is my camera being used to take a picture of Fred Thompson with Don and Kelly Coon's kids...
Apparently if I had brought the babies I probably would have gotten a pic. Those politicians just love getting pics with the kids don't they! I mean come on...it's not like they can vote yet! LOL

I tried to take some pics of the crowd....but didn't have too much luck! It's not easy getting pictures when you're as short as me!!

Yes...the room was packed and filled to capacity. People were energized and excited to be there.

Fred Thompson speaking about why it is important to elect Doug Hoffman. He was...of course...an excellent speaker and a real pro!

Here is Doug Hoffman speaking...and let me just say a few things. I have heard many people talk about his "speaking ability" or lack thereof. I wasn't wowed...but it really wasn't that bad either. I'll also say it was pretty exciting to be in the room and you truly felt like you were at a rally! I expected to see a ton of campaign people, but it seemed to be a room made up of locals! Oh...and John Rich was GREAT!!

David had to leave half way through to go to night court, and I stayed so I could get my picture with Fred Thompson...you know, like some celeb-political-stalker. While waiting I did have the opportunity to meet his wife Jeri, who was super nice and very gracious, especially since I turned into a gushing idiot. (I am SO NOT cool!)

Here is a picture of all of us gathered outside of a hall waiting for Fred Thompson and Doug Hoffman to come out of an interview. I sat there holding my camera feeling like a groupie...but determined!! When he started to come out I threw my camera to Kelly Coon and she as well as a few people around me who knew of my desire to get a pic started cheering me onto victory.

He came out and I tried to get to him...but alas the closest I came was grabbing the end of his coat and saying "Sir...wait sir!" Pathetic...yes I know!! But I am happy the kids got a pic. Maybe I should have brought my crown...it always worked in the past.

The night would have been a complete picture bust...except I did manage to get this one.

There are just so many things one could say about this pic...and yet...I'll refrain...for now! ;)

Tomorrow is election day!! Remember to get out there and VOTE!!!!!! Love, Jess