A Madison Mom

Grace in Small Things - 77

2009-11-08T12:38:00.000-05:00

1. Packed suit cases.

2. Excited girls.

3. Little girls who travel well.

4. The possibility of swimming in November.

5. Getting away from NJ weather to enjoy some Florida weather. (Although today is quite lovely here in NJ after way too much dreariness).

Trying out iPhone app

2009-11-07T16:55:00.001-05:00

I was annoyed I couldn't publish with a title and tags with the Blogger mobile feature. I think it was just giving the ability text message from phone to blog. Good in a pinch... and easy enough to edit once at the computer.

I searched and found out there is an actual blogging app (probably are bunches of them). So... now I'm trying out BlogPress for iPhone.

One thing... I am a SLOW iPhone typer.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

2009-11-07T16:41:00.003-05:00

I'm testing out mobile blogging from my iPhone. If this works I may actually be able to succeed at NaBloPoMo while on vacation!!!

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Grace in Small Things - 76

2009-11-07T14:32:00.000-05:00

1. A Daddy that will play hide-and-seek repeatedly with a girl who is not a very good hider.

2. Wearing pajamas until noon.

3. Leftover BBQ chicken pizza.

4. 3 year old videos of Zoe making animal sounds on command.

5. Having a daughter who LOVES to help with packing.

Facebook is out to get me...

2009-11-06T23:59:00.002-05:00

Seriously.

I believe that Facebook is seriously trying to sabotage my NaBloPoMo.

It's 11:43pm... and even now... Facebook is calling to me. It's open in another tab right now as I type.

First off... my friend Amanda just gave birth to twins today. She had posted in her status that she would be going to the hospital to deliver on Thursday. So I waited... and I checked in... and I watched her profile page. FINALLY she posted this...

"Trying to get some rest after 18 hours of labor. Elizabeth Jane "Ellie" arrived at 6:26 and Zachary Kevin "Zach" arrived at 10:24 this morning. Ellie is 5 lbs 15 oz and 18.5 inches long. Zach is 7 lbs 1 oz and 20.5 inches long. Korey will try to post pictures later tonight. Thank you for all of your prayers."

Then of course I had to friend Korey. He posted just a couple of photos. One of Ellie and one of Zach. They are GORGEOUS and healthy and perfect. And big. Aren't they big twins? And born 4 hours apart. Does that usually happen with twins? I'm dying here waiting to hear details!!!

I am SO happy for her. She has a 2 sons... Gabriel (who is 6 weeks younger than Zoe) and Ethan (who is 6 weeks older than Ana). I cannot say how happy and excited I am for her to now have her 2 brand new sweethearts!

(um... ACK... it's 11:48.... hurry hurry hurry!)

So that was the important reason Facebook kept me away from todays post. But... what really happened was that I would log into Facebook to see if there were any updates. Then... I would have to take a bit of time to see what everyone else was up to. Gotta scroll down that "live feed" and see who's doing what.

Then there is the call of Cafe World. I have to log in there. Food to cook, food to serve, gotta change my little character out of her Halloween clothes.

And Sorority Life. I have to check on Sorority Life even if it's just to put my money in the bank. Of course if I do that I have to "socialize" a little... and "fight" a little... and maybe send a few gifts to my "sisters".

And then did you know that like... my whole entire family is on Facebook and I didn't know it until my cousin Melody friended me which led to my cousin Crystal and then her daughter LaTasha. And when I look at their friends lists I find so many more cousins and some of my aunts. Ok. Maybe not my ENTIRE family. But that's because my dad has 5 sisters and 1 brother... and then I have 25 cousins on my dad's side. And then they all have kids who are mostly old enough to be on Facebook. I don't think I can friend them all or I may never blog again.

So it's Facebook's fault. 11:59.... Publish!!!!

The Preschool Portrait

2009-11-05T21:09:00.002-05:00

Nothing tells you your baby is growing older quite like the school portrait. I mean... look at that girl! That is no baby. That is a 4 year old preschool girl. I think it might be the hands folded so perfectly that is the most striking. I realize she didn't do that by herself. She never ever does that. But it just shows that the photographer said "do this" and she did it. It's also the appearance of the nice smile... rather than the "cheese smile".

Every day I see that she's getting older. Maturing. She likes to pick out her own clothes (sometimes) and put them on by herself (sometimes). She likes to decide which shoes she'll wear (sometimes). She likes to go into her room by herself and "read" books (sometimes). She likes to take baths... but loves to take showers because she gets to do it alone. She loves school. She can write her name (although Z is a tough letter to get in the right direction). She can recognize all of her letters (when she feels like it) and can tell you what letters start words. She has seriously started to learn a good deal of Spanish (no thanks to me... more thanks to Dora, Diego... and Ms. Gloria... the school Spanish teacher). She's completely potty trained (those night time pull ups hung out for a while!) She questions things ALL THE TIME. Interesting things...like "does the giant at the top of the beanstalk live with Jesus?" Scary things... like "Mommy, if you die who will take care of me and Ana?" And her mind is clever... like when she told us she really didn't want Grammy and PopPop to visit... and when we asked her why her answer was "because I'd rather go see them in Florida." (smart girl!) She is also very brave and has never shed a tear over getting shots. She actually enjoys going to the doctor and the dentist. And she's friendly. Everyone she meets is her friend. If you meet her on a playground her opening line tends to be "Hi I'm Zoe! Wanna play?" She's also a loving big sister (when she wants to be). She wants to help Ana with things (whether Ana wants help or not).

As much as she likes to do things by herself, and be on her own, and be the big helper... she knows when she wants to be my baby. To cuddle in bed in the early morning. To snuggle and have countless books read to her. I hope we can hold on to some of that as she continues to grow.

I could just go on and on. She is just growing in so many ways. Every single day.

Every day I know she's getting older... but looking at this photo just seems to bring that fact into focus for me.

Where have you been all my life?

2009-11-04T23:02:00.000-05:00

Make sure to visit Wordless Wednesday and 5 Minutes for Mom to see more photos!

Sharing can be sweet

2009-11-03T21:37:00.001-05:00

When I got a coupon for a free 6 piece box of fresh chocolate covered fruit I selfishly hoped there might be some way I could create a situation in which I would be able to eat all 6 pieces by myself.

Silly silly Mommy. In what reality would that EVER happen???

For a brief moment I thought maybe... just maybe... I'd get the "I don't really like this" statement and get my berry back after a couple of tentative nibbles.

Yeah right. Who would actually give up a chocolate covered berry?

Certainly not MY kid. nom nom nom

Sharing is good. Sharing is good. Sharing is good. Sharing is good.

When Fairies Come Out at Night

2009-11-02T23:55:00.001-05:00

Our Halloween was dreary and rainy (and for me it was even somewhat scary since I was attempting manual settings on the camera and of course was forced to use the flash... ack!). But... no matter how dark the night... it seems to be lite up if their are fairies out and about!

(nothing like cutting it close on nablopomo day 2!)

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Welcome to NaBloPoMo!

2009-11-01T20:41:00.000-05:00

It's November again.

November 1st.

If you don't know why I would point that specific date out... or you are thinking "what the heck is NaBloPoMo???"... it mostly means that if you're a regular reader here you're going to suddenly be seeing about 3 times more of me than you've been seeing in the last, oh... 6-9 months or so. (Exciting, right?)

Now... what does NaBloPoMo ACTUALLY mean? It means that November has been designated as the official National Blog Posting Month. And what THAT means is that I'm am trying once again to write at least one post every single day in November.

30 posts in 30 days.

Last year I ended up with 33 posts in November. A very successful NaBloPoMo for me.

This year I'm a bit stressed about it... but I'm also excited. I've been really slacking on the blog. The last time I wrote 30 post in one month was February (go figure... the shortest month of the year and I wrote 36 posts!). And the last time I even made it to 20 posts in a month was May. My blog has been rather pathetic. I'm really hoping that NaBloPoMo will get me out of the bloggy blahs.

Like last year, I'm going to ask you... my dear readers... for a little bit of help. Maybe you'd like an update on something I've written about before and haven't thought to get back to? Maybe there is something you are curious about and have been dying to know? Maybe you just can not bear one more single day without seeing photos of our early September day trips to the Turtle Back Zoo or The Land of Make Believe (which... don't you worry... you'll be seeing them soon). Maybe you'd just like to help a NaBloPoMoer out and throw me a topic (or 30)? If you've got anything for me please feel free to leave ideas or questions in the comments or e-mail me.

Hopefully this will also get me back into Best Shot Monday and Wordless Wednesday and Grace in Small Things. Most of all... I'm hoping this gets me back into regular posting about the girls. I've been disappointing myself with my lack of Zoe and Ana posts... partially because they are so amazing and I just want everyone to know what they're up to... but mostly for selfish reasons. I love going through the old posts to find out that 2 years ago we had 104 trick or treaters compared to this years 36... or to happen upon the post where Zoe spilled the beans about my being pregnant with Ana... or to look at photos of my sweet girls when they were tiny...or sometimes just to have a laugh. I need to get back to my blogging.

Now... if Ana and Zoe are agreeable to it... let NaBloPoMo begin!!!

The center of attention

2009-10-26T18:16:00.001-04:00

I know children usually tend to be the center of attention... but with Ana it seems to go above and beyond the normal idea of that. It's like she's a magnet for attention. It's like no one can help being attracted to her... being pulled into her little circle. And it's not like she outright calls for attention. I mean... yes... she is friendly and outgoing. She's a cutie with a constant smile. She's full of personality. But that's not quite it. It's just that random people are just drawn to her. Physically drawn to her. Nick actually got a photo of this wacky phenomenon when we were sitting in the Orlando airport at the gate waiting to board our flight.

Zoe is there in the white shirt and pink shorts. But all of those other kids? We have no idea who they are. They were all just suddenly all on the floor with Ana. Is that weird? Does anyone else have that happen?

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Summer vacation - Florida (of course)

2009-10-26T18:05:00.000-04:00

We went to Florida in August. Yes... I know it's October. It was ages ago. At least, 2 months ago FEELS like ages ago, doesn't it? It doesn't sound like a long time... but it does feel like it. Maybe it's because in August we were wearing bathing suits and flip flops and sun block and now in October we're wearing sweatshirts and jeans and lined Crocs. It makes a big difference.

Now that the chill is in the air I think it's the PERFECT time to look back on the fun time we had on our last trip to sunny Florida (especially since Zoe and Ana and I will be going again in 2 weeks and then I'll have another whole load of photos to share! heehee). Oh how I miss the summer sun.

We spent a week at my parents' house and then headed to the Ron Jon Resort in Cocoa Beach. 10 of us. My parents, my brother's family (Jim, Erica, Avery and Grace) and us.

The view from our balcony was gorgeous.

A view in the early evening...

The lazy river was fabulous. I wish I had more time alone just to float around... but this is usually what Erica and I looked like. I'm wondering how much it would cost to put a lazy river in my back yard.

The beach was also quite nice.

I'm not a big fan of the beach. Actually... the beach is OK. It's the sand I don't like. But... I still enjoyed a bit of beach time.

The resort had a great indoor playground. So, even when we'd had enough sun (or thunder chased everyone away from the pool) the girls had fun.

The girls actually had a good time doing just about anything.

Ana enjoyed her first taste of the beach.

She also enjoyed having her toes in the ocean for the first time.

Unlike her Mommy and her big sister.... Ana has no issue being covered in sand.

An attempt was made at flying kites. It wasn't hugely successful since the wind wasn't agreeable... but the guys sure did LOVE their kites.

We were all a little sad to leave the resort... but had also had about enough.

Oh palm trees... I do miss you.

When we left the resort we had a couple of days left to spend at Grammy and PopPop's house before heading back to NJ. We enjoyed relaxing and recuperating from resort life.

The trip was another wonderful one. If nothing else... the time spent with family was totally worth the trip.

Grace in Small Things - 75

2009-10-25T20:40:00.000-04:00

1. Pajamas until noon.

2. A whole day of Halloween/spooky shows on NickJr (formerly Noggin, sniffle sniffle).

3. Beringer's White Zinfandel.

4. Freshly baked brownies.

5. Ana's slight obsession with Dora... and all things Dora. She's currently wearing a pair of Zoe's Dora underpants over her pajamas and she is over the moon happy.

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Grace in Small Things - 74

2009-10-24T19:18:00.000-04:00

1. No nonsense polar bear socks. Oh. My. Soft.

2. My girls covered in bubbles and giggling.

3. Comfy pajamas by 7pm on a rainy night.

4. Halloween themed kid shows Free On Demand.

5. Snuggling on the couch.

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Photo Class Homework - Self Portrait

2009-10-21T10:24:00.002-04:00

For more photos... check our Wordless Wednesday and 5 Minutes For Mom.

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Grace in Small Things - 73

2009-10-18T16:32:00.001-04:00

1. Dinner with friends.

2. Take out Italian.

3. Food store bakery bought tiramisu that was actually surprisingly delicious.

4. The way preschool girls can soooooo look forward to playing together only to fight and bicker and whine the whole time they're together... and then talk about how much fun they had and incessantly ask when they can do it again.

5. A dvr so full of shows we are never lacking for something to watch.

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Grace in Small Things - 72

2009-10-17T16:20:00.012-04:00

1. Enjoying a Moms' Night Out with Zoe's classmates' moms.

2. Adult conversations without the interruption of "mom... Mom... MOM....MOOOOOOM!"

3. The sharing of wine and beer.

4. A dinner where no one spilled or wiped anything on my shirt... not even me.

5. Anticipation of another night out... soon.

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Um... yeah...

2009-10-16T16:26:00.003-04:00

The blog still isn't quite caught up with life yet. I still have more to share from our summer (things like our vacation and a few day trips) so I'm still going through summer pictures and have more to post. While flipping through pics from our day at the Turtle Back Zoo I stopped at this shot. This photo... this just couldn't wait to be posted. I had forgotten I'd taken it. Now I can't stop looking at it. Just like that day early in September when I saw them in person at the zoo. I'm captivated.

Swimming, swimming... in a swimming pool...

2009-10-14T11:38:00.000-04:00

Another summer flash back...

How is it possible we were sweating at the pool less than 2 months ago. It really feels like August was so long ago. Sigh.

Zoe became quite an impressive little swimmy fish this summer.

Actually... I think we can say she became a flying fish.

Sunny flower... buzzy bee

2009-10-05T10:41:00.000-04:00

I'm taking a photography class with Stacy (Stacy Mae Photography). She's a wonderful teacher... and a fabulous photographer. This sunflower came straight out of my camera. I'm learning. It's slow going... but I may understand my camera settings yet. (Understanding the settings and getting them to work for me may be 2 totally different things though). I can tell you this... I am keeping that camera off of auto settings. I am I am I am.

Grace in Small Things - 71

2009-10-04T13:25:00.000-04:00

1. A 2 week long visit from Grammy and PopPop.

2. Sunshine and blue skies.

3. A walk around the neighborhood.

4. Zoe's NEED to dance when she hears music.

5. Ana's NEED to copy Zoe when she dances to music.

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Grace in Small Things - 70

2009-10-03T13:16:00.000-04:00

1. The excitement over the arrival of 1 "Tinkerbell" fairy costume.

2. Getting a good deal on e-bay after spending too much time searching and watching and waiting.

3. Getting a 2nd good deal on e-bay after spending even more time searching and watching and waiting.

4. The sparkling eyes and "wow!" response from Ana over 1 little string of pumpkin lights.

5. Zoe singing and dancing to "The Monster Mash" after discovering the cd in the Halloween decoration box.

Big blue eyes

2009-09-27T00:26:00.000-04:00

Grace in Small Things - 69

2009-09-26T20:20:00.001-04:00

1.Grey's Anatomy

2. House

3. Dollhouse

4. Heroes

5. Bones

etc. etc. etc.

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A day at the pool

2009-09-26T12:21:00.002-04:00

Another look back at summer...

Just a regular day hanging out at the Madison pool. July 17, 2009

Ana just hanging out at the waters edge. (1 year and 7 days)

Zoe and her teeny weeny bikini. (4 years and 17 days)