3 Months have gone by.....

I can't believe it's been 3 months since Bailey has made her appearance into the world. We have been blessed to have such a good baby.


 

Has it really been 12 weeks??

Man, maternity leave sure FLEW by!!

Though I am happy to be back at work. Trying to shake this guilty feeling of leaving Bailey with someone else and having to go to work full time. We can't really afford for me not to though. We just have to accept the fact that she is in good hands and they love her where ever she goes. We have selected a very good in-home daycare provider for her. Not to mention she is CHEAP! Only $190/week for an infant. That's ridiculously cheap. It goes down as she gets older so we're good to go for now. Gladys is awesome though, she has a lot of experience both with her own 3 kids and working in various daycare centers. Now she runs one out of her home and loves it.

Meanwhile, Bailey is growing like a weed. She's talking in her little baby language and making facial expressions along with it. She's trying to roll over but not very successful right now. She knows how to manipulate her way around us. Isn't that normal for little girls? Anyway.... talk about having her daddy wrapped around her little finger. This one has him figured out from day one.

Random conversation with Reese

Reese comes home everyday filthy from school. He wears a school uniform that consists of a white shirt and blue pants....

Me: "What happened to your shirt, baby? Did you roll around in dirt today?"

Reese: "Mom, I roll in dirt everyday, that's what I do"

Alrighty then...... Never under estimate the power of Clorox.

Back to reality

Let's see....

Chris has been home for a few days and I have been sick as a dog. I caught what this entire family went through the week before... a sinus cold. I'm almost over it though. Thank god.

Now that the Renegades season 2006 is over. Chris and I have contemplated the fact that I should march next year. At first it was inspired by the fact that they might go to Hawaii in 07. But in reality, I really miss being a part of the Renegades. I miss my friends and being there on weekends not worrying about real life issues for that extended period of time.

Does that make me a selfish person?

My kids will need me and Chris. But I need to do something for myself too. I love these kids with all of my heart and soul... nothing will ever change that. I think doing Renegades in 07 will be good for me... good for Chris and me. One more year together in the corps as a married couple this time. I love doing guard and nothing will change that.

Here's to one more year.

In the mean time....

Monday 9/11 I go back to work and Bailey is going into daycare. I really hope this lady works out for us and she can stay with her for a good long time. I hate having to switch daycares and having baby adapt to someone new all the time.

Reese is taking the school bus in the morning now. He is ecstatic about it. I walked him to the bus stop this morning for the first time ever. He said to me in a whisper voice 'you can go mom, I'm ok' .... When did he become such a grown up little kid?? I stood there with him until he got on the bus and it rolled away around the corner. Bailey and I came back into the house and in the back of my mind I was 1% thinking that I might not get off the bus at the right school. I don't know why, I should just have more confident in him than that. I didn't want to get that phone call from the school saying "Hi, this is Anderson School, just calling to see why Reese is absent today" when I walked him to the bus stop. It's every mother's nightmare I think.

There was no phone call from the school and he was there when I picked him up. He was so excited about being able to take the bus. Such a big boy! I can't believe he's so grown now. My baby is so grown!! Good thing we have another baby to 'baby'. ha ha.

Day 3 - 7:38pm

Today I went over to Chris's mom's to hang out with her and sort of take my mind off the Renegades and Chris for a few hours. I did talk to him on the phone before I left. They are sitting around waiting for the show to start. It's raining and very windy in NY right now. They got a few hours of rehearsal in today, but not enough to make a difference.

They performed at 8:58pm NY time and are sitting in 7th place right now. It's exactly what they had predicted earlier in the year. At least the made finals ... for all the drama they went through this year.

I tell you though. I can't sit around at home another year waiting for phone calls and scores and pictures anymore. I know my kids need me, but there are other reasons for 'me' that I have considered. I really want to march next year. Maybe... HUGE maybe... just maybe. We'll see.

Not to mention that I MISS CHRIS! Jesus Canoli.... I can't believe that I am this attached to the man. It feels like I'm missing a limb when he's gone. I need him... I am losing sleep because he's not in bed with me when I turn over to cuddle. Although the last couple nights I allowed Reese to sleep in the bed with me. It's just not the same when you have a wiggly kid sticking his feet and elbows in your rib cage rather then a cuddly husband who cuddles you back.

Bailey is still a little congested but not as bad as yesterday. She did sleep good last night, woke up only once and went right back to sleep with a little 4oz bottle. I know.... 4oz is normal for a 6 month old. No.. this girl is a porker. Her 'normal' bottle is now 6oz at max. I kid you not. My mother in law mentioned today that she looks like she's got a little bruise on her leg... Oh no, wait a minute, that's a dimple from her chunks. Her arms are starting to have rolls. Be afraid, be very afraid. My mother told me that I was a fat kid growing up until about 1st grade so I really have nothing to worry about.

Meanwhile.... Reese is 6 years old and weighs in at 43lbs. First of all, he's never going to get out of his booster seat or be able to sit in the front seat of the car... until he's in like Jr. High. The law (for now) is 6 years old AND 60lbs. AND 4 foot 9 inches tall. I hear that it's going to change to 8 years old AND 80lbs. and height the same. WTF is that?? I know adults who will need a booster seat!

Day 2 - 9:45am

Last night Bailey woke up every couple hours because she couldn't breathe. I am exhausted. Trying to get a nap in whenever she sleeps... and it never lasts very long.

Can't wait til Monday comes!

Day 1 - 7:30pm

Nothing like being home with a sick baby and no hubby.... :-(

Chris called from Rochester about an hour ago to let me know he's in the hotel room and it's really nice there. The equipment truck has yet to arrive. Yikes!!

Day 1

Last night Chris left for Rochester NY. The site of this year's DCA world championship.

I hate being here when he's gone. I hate not being in constant communication with him through out the day. But I am willing to bet that he misses us much more than I hate being without him.

Last night when we dropped him off at the airport, he held Bailey all the way to the security check in line. Where we had to part. It's like I'm missing a limb when he's not around. The good news is that this will be the last time he's going to be gone for more than 4 days. I am looking forward to going to SFO Monday night to pick him up.

Today as I sit here at home thinking about him, he calls from Niagara Falls. I can hear all the wind and the water and people in the background. I'm so jealous... it's such a romantic place to be... and I'm not there.

why do we do this to our kids

This is Bailey while she's pushing a pooper out.... she'll appreciate me someday. :-)

I think it's hilarious that she works so hard pushing out her poop and then she naps for an hour afterwords. Such a hard life!!

Tooth fairy revisited

MOM!! I lost my tooth!!

To my friend Lisa

On Friday my friend Lisa's sweet momma passed away.

I just want to send her my sentiments and condolences. We love her dearly and there's nothing worst than losing a parent. Especially if you're an only child.

She is up in heaven with my dad looking down at us right now letting us know that they are ok. They're with us all the time.... Bailey tells me.

Hang in there sweetie. Just know that we love you and we're here for you.

Food Poisoning.... boogers..... and Pilates

Since the last post I've lost 3lbs.

Because I've been working on excercizing regularly. Every other day I try to do some pilates here at home. I think I'm gaining more muscles than losing the fat. Not really doing any of the cardio. Not at all actually. Which is why I'm contemplating on joining a gym. But it's so expensive and if I don't have someone to motivate me or someone to workout with, I just simply won't go.

I've been going to Ariel Dance Studio to get my workout in when there's time. Last week was a Modern dance class with Rhonda, Amy, and Ashley. It felt really good to be moving again. The other night I went to a Pilates class. My abs are killing me!! I really want to keep going to both the classes and I'm sure it will help me with my weight.

Renegades weekend off
Last weekend we experienced what pleasure it is to have Chris home hanging out with us the whole weekend. Unfortunately, I was hit with food poisoning Saturday morning and it lasted almost the entire day! Bad chicken from the night before. Good thing the boys didn't have any of it. I forgot what it felt like to be 'violently ill'. I'd never wish that stomachache on anyone!

I can't wait until the Renegades season is over.... I just want my husband back home on the weekends again. I miss him... I miss his company.... I miss doing things as a family. His little girl needs him.

3 more weeks until the end of the dispare. I hope they do well in Rochester this year. I really wish that I could be there with them. Technically... I can go. Financially, not so much. Reese will start school next week and I'm pretty sure I can set something up with my mother in law to make sure that he gets to school every day.

Oh well. I wish the Renegades the best of luck...and my husband a good trip to the east coast.

And this post wouldn't be complete without a Random Conversation with Reese
I looked in my rear view mirror to see a strangely quiet little boy picking his nose digging for gold.
Me: Reese, don't pick your nose
Reese: Why not, I have to get the boogers out
Me: Then blow your nose with a tissue
Reese: I don't have any tissue
Me: Then wait til we get home
Reese: Too late, I ate the boogers!

The value of service

This week Chris and I are on a mission to find a daycare provider for our daughter. I will have to return to work the second week of September. I figured we should start looking now so that we don't rush and settle with someone just because we found her first. (I say her because daycare providers are usually women).

I looked online for the 4C's. Nothing came up. I have always used them to find in home care providers in the area. Anyone who's registered with the county is listed on the 4C's listing. They must have current child care license, cpr trained, know the rules and speak english. Anyway... their website isn't there so I will look it up and call them another day. I have always had good luck finding someone through them for Reese in the past.

So while I was messing around online, I thought I'd check out the daycare 'center' type places and see what they provide and costs. Every place is different. My mom works for the military daycare center in Alameda. They are 'income-based'. You pay them what you can afford and they know how much you make because you must be in the military to have your kids there. I think that's a brilliant idea. But to us civilians, things aren't that easy.

I checked out 2 places today that are 'daycare center'(s).

They are very official about everything. Which they should be. But why does it have to cost an arm and a leg? And your first born???

I mean, seriously, it's ridiculous! I might as well not go back to work. Chris and I calculated out the budget and stretch every penny out and we STILL can not afford to have Bailey go to one of these centers. And both our salaries combined total up to over $100k. No lie. We'd eat rice and beans and not have spending money... ever!

One place cost $1325/mo. The other was $1430.

All I gotta say is.... WTF man?

Random conversation with Reese

This conversation took place yesterday when he was done with doing #2.

Reese: Mom, I just had a lot of poo-poos. The last one was big, it hurt my butthole.
me: Oh yeah?
Reese: My butthole is red, wanna see it? Maybe you can kiss it make it better.
me: I believe you, I don't want to kiss it.
Reese: How is it going to feel better?
me: I don't know, but I'm not going to kiss your butthole.
Reese: Alright, mom. But I'm going to tell my friend you won't kiss me anymore.
me: riiiiiiiiiiiight.

I can't wait til Bailey starts talking.

Near Death Experience...

Well sort of...

Today I decided to take the kids up to TI to visit the Renegades and watch their final run-through of the camp. The drive up was great, with the exception of the wait at the toll plaza... where Bailey decided she wanted to wake up and cry non-stop the entire time we were at the stop and go parking lot awaiting to pay the toll. Once we got on the foot of the bridge though, we're nice and calm. Go figure.

On the way back with Chris in the car was a different story. It was like there's a full moon out tonight and all the wackos are out.

We got on the bridge east bound heading home on 80. As we approach the bottom of the bridge and the lanes get wider I noticed in my rear view mirror this car weaving in and out of traffic. Granted, traffic wasn't heavy at all but we were all increasing in speed since we're on solid ground now. I'm in the second lane from the right, there was no one next to me so I started to scoot over to the far right so that I'm away from this guy.

As he got closer to my rear end, I noticed that one of his right tires is leaning at a 45 degree angle and the car is leaning to the right as he approaches my car. He weaved just far enough that he didn't touch us but close enough to scare me. I didn't really know how to react initially, never been in that situation really. A second later a CHP followed.

The CHP was chasing this car with the jacked up wheel!

The funny part is that he's not going that fast. Probably just 10 MPH over our speed, which was only about 55 since I slowed down to get away from him and he scared me. Most people on the road had the same reaction.

From this moment on, it was surreal. I thought I was on one of those police chase videos I see on TV. The guy momentarily lost control of his car and skidded across 4 lanes of traffic forcing 3 cars to step on their brakes. Most of us further away saw it coming and slowed down to be far behind. It was like slow motion.

The Lexus SUV in the far left lane was the unfortunate vehicle in this incident. They didn't see it coming at all. The driver stepped on her breaks and fishtailed out of control into the center divider. The truck rolled 2-3 times crashing into the sign and finally landed on its 4 wheels in the median.

The car that caused this accident then lost its jacked up tire, but the driver managed to get it facing the right way and kept on driving. The CHP is still chasing this guy 2 lanes away at the same speed.

His lost tire rolled across 5 lanes into our exit... then at the shoulder it turned around and rolled back onto the freeway. I slowed down and let it pass.

My heart is beating 100 miles an hour at this point. I don't want to look back but I wanted to. Those poor people in the SUV! There were people pulled over to help them out. That and this happened only a few feet from the toll plaza on the other side.

Later as we drove half way home I realized that at the moment that accident happened, I wasn't looking where I was going at all. If anyone or anything was in front of me, I think I would have hit it. It's a really good thing Chris was in the car with me because he really helped calm me down because he's such a mellow soul. Eventhough I know he was also scared to death too.

And then around San Leandro traffic slowed down to 30 mph when we saw why cars were weaving out of the far left lane. There were 4 dining room chairs scattered about on the freeway. About a half mile later, a tiny pick up truck with the rest of the furniture is backing up on the shoulder. He must really want his furniture. First off, he caused a major traffic jam. Secondly, backing up or driving on the shoulder is illegal, I think. Third, how the hell is he going to get his chairs back? They are in the far left lane!

Oy!

Must have been a full moon I say.

Swollowing the pride

I'm going to join 24hr fitness. Sometime next week I'll make my way down there and finally get my act together since I cant' seem to get my ass off the couch on my own at home. Not that I can't do it... it's just really hard to do with a newborn baby and a 6 year old who both require my attention 23 hours out of the day. I sure wish my matabolism was the same as it was when I were younger. Don't we all wish that though? It also doesn't help that I sit here and watch Food Network half the day and start craving things I see on TV. I remember the days when I used to be so picky about what I ate. Not so much since I've been with Chris. Which is good in my book, he's widen my palette dare I say.

My scale says I've lost one pound since last week. I'm now at 169lbs. At least it's tipping to the right direction. I am eating less that I was before. That actually surprised me the most about the change in my eating habits. My appitite seems to have lessen since Bailey's been born. I'm back to eating a little bit here and there. Can't finish a 6 inch subway sandwich anymore. Whereas when I was pregnant, I can down a whole sandwich and 3 cookies and probably be hungry 2 hours later.

I do have to adjust my diet. A LOT. I eat a lot of starch. Rice, bread, sugar, lots of sugar. I need more protein more greens. It's gonna be hard to give up sugar... probably not give up, just cut back a whole lot. Chris is going into the same diet. I'm not sure if he's doing this to help me get through it or if he's feeling like he's dragging too. We have not cooked in a long time. It's been a while since we used our kitchen at all. Dinner out of a box doesn't count. I think the last time he cooked was a fajita dinner before Bailey was born. It's just too hot to cook! At least that's our excuse.

The end of my sanity

This is it....

TODAY I BOUGHT A SCALE....

Because of my new obcession with my weight. Today I bought a scale. Just so I can be even more obcessed with it.

My whole complex stems from the fact that I've never ever been this heavy nor have I ever had trouble losing some spare poundage.

170lbs.

I have a complex about my weight.

A quick synopsis:

2 years ago I weighed 130lbs.
It's the weight I've been at since high school. The distribution of the weight between muscle and fat have moved with time, but it's always been 130. I ate whatever I wanted when I wanted. My matabolism was high and I was constantly active. Dance, drum corps, stress, whatnot.

1 year ago I weighed 145lbs.
Up until I got pregnant with Bailey I weighed that much. Which is fine, I'm 30 years old, I eat whatever Chris cooks, snacked constantly. I keep thinking it's the compensation for my height too. We were so happy to be pregnant. I started eating for 2. And didn't care!

That's my first mistake. I lost weight right away when I had Reese that I kept thinking the same will happen this time. I hardly ate anything when I was pregnant with him it was a miracle that he was born healthy. And he's still is.

June 19th... the day Bailey was born. I weighed in at 192lbs before the delivery. I almost tipped 200lbs. That's really not good.

Last Monday I went in for my 6 week check up with my OB. I weighed 170lbs.

I could have sworn that I lost more than that. Ever since that day, I've had a complex about that number. I have to fit back into my size medium clothes. I refuse to buy a whole new wardrobe for work. I have 6 weeks to get back to somewhat normal.

Chris and I are going on a low carb diet together. Hopefully we can stick to it. We're not doing very good so far but we are adjusting what we take in our body. With Bailey being around, she takes up most of my time and I forget to eat. I get to snack a lot.

The other thing I have to keep in mind is that I'm 31. It's going to be a lot harder to lose the weight than when I was 25.

That and my mother happily pointed out this past weekend that I'm still fat and she wants her beautiful daughter back. Thanks mother. Let me just go shoot myself.

Here starts a journey I never thought I'd have to face.

Neighborly love.... and other ramblings

There are different kinds of neighbors....

1. The kind that comes over whenever asking random questions thinking that they are welcomed and/or thinking that they are your friend. This particular neighbor moved back into our neighborhood after about 2 years of hiatus. He saw me getting out of my car and thought he'd rekindle whatever friendship we had. What a joke. He's broke, no job, no money, no manners. Since I'm too nice to tell him to fuck off when he comes over to use the phone, he keeps coming back. Finally I had to use my unspoken language of 'You're bugging the shit out of me, please leave us alone'. I think he got the hint since we haven't seen him in a few days.

It wouldn't bother me so much if he would just use the phone and get out. But no.... he dials 1o different numbers, hang out in our hall way knowing that we have a newborn, talk excessively to whomever about whatever for however long. RUDE! Then he asks for a ride somewhere. What do you think dude? No, I'm not giving you a ride, I got 2 kids and one of which is an infant. And no, you can not borrow my car. Take the bus. Wouldn't you know it, he asks for bus money.

Loser!

2. The kind that comes to introduce themselves and let us know they have a new baby also and would love to get together someday. How nice! These are the people upstairs. We hadn't met them until this day. It was 100 degrees out and they were going somewhere else to cool off for the day with the baby.

3. The neighbor that houses 6 roommates in one apartment and constantly have 20 of their friends over to smoke out in the backyard. Their TV is on at all hours of the night and there are constantly people sitting outside their front steps smoking.

4. The neighbor who have no idea what their bounderies are and spread their shit whereever they please.

This morning... ok around noon time today I go out to get the mail and wouldn't you know it, there's a strange car parked in our driveway. I knock on the neighbor's door to see if it's theirs. No one is home. I call the landlord, he told me to just have it towed. We work on that until I noticed that someone is home across the walkway. I go over there and wa-la! It's their car. I said I called a tow truck since it's my driveway you're parked in. They crumbled up my note and threw it in our driveway. Thanks jackasses. If you want to park in our driveway, pay part of our rent.

5. Our maintenance guy who lives upstairs. Single guy, lives with his son, has no furniture but a ton of work out equipment in the living room and a tv. Nicest guy though. His son decided to have a mosh pit in his room one day with the music so loud I could sing along while it was coming through the ceiling. oy!

Neighbor rant

The day I lost my clutch...
One day last week I went to Milpitas to pick up Reese's birthday present. A bicycle. Him and sister were at my mother in law's while I was running errands. I was exiting 280 at Saratoga when I went to down shift and my clutch pedal disappeared into the floor board. OK... time to FREAK OUT! I managed to coast up the ramp and through the green light to the Velero station. My clutch was gone. They have to replace it. $700 later.....

Reese's birthday
Sunday we threw Reese a birthday party. We had about 12 people including kids in our house. Luckily it wasn't 100 degrees. He had a great time! Derek and Ryan Dante were here. It's the one day we allowed Reese to run around be loud and make a big mess. Of course, it was worth it. He got a bunch of clothes and really cool toys. I don't know another kid with as many toys as he has. I really have to stop buying him toys. I can't imagine Bailey having as much stuff. But then again, she has more clothes than we do, so maybe that will be her niche.... clothes!

And then there's the baby that doesn't sleep!
Bailey stays up all day!! I don't know how she's not tired. Maybe she is, she just likes to fight with it. Every kid has their querks I guess.