being Mom2Amara | a Cleveland mom's blog

know any good wines?

2009-07-10T07:00:00.006-04:00

I ended my day yesterday being held hostage by a sick 6 year old in my office as she snuggled up against me on the sofa.Amara has what the doctor called virtually a kidney infection.She was given some heavy meds to deal with the pain and her fever.And I prescribed myself a glass of red at wine o'clock.It was then I realized that in one week, I will find myself - sans family - in Wine Country.I've

I can't cook

2009-07-09T07:00:00.007-04:00

Yes I like Spam. And pasta is as adventurous as I can get in the kitchen. I'd rather do take out.But I want a new kitchen!Actually, I don't even need the kitchen. I want a patio.In the Yellow House, I had a terrific backyard.I had my morning coffee on that deck nearly year round.I could read a book while Amara played on the swingset.Here in the Grey House, not so much.It's just grass and trees.So

generosity

2009-07-08T07:00:00.002-04:00

This summer has taught me so much about the generous spirit so many around me possess.Many of the flowers and shrubs in my yard are transplants from other's gardens.This bloom came about just yesterday.(ok so it's not much of a Wordless Wednesday post but I thought I'd have to explain it a little bit!)

nearly famous

2009-07-07T07:00:00.000-04:00

During a trip to Target this past weekend, I was shocked to see school supplies already filling their seasonal shelves.It was the first week of July. The temperatures have barely made it over 89 degrees. Yet there were aisles and aisles of backpacks and notebooks.Yikes.But the filler paper and pencils made me think about some of my “famous” classmates.Who needs six degrees of separation? I can

when losing is pretty cool

2009-07-06T07:00:00.005-04:00

It was a big weekend for Amara.Being one of the youngest in her kindergarten class, Amara watched as kid after kid boasted about the tooth fairy's visit.Every so often, Amara would tug on each tooth, hoping one would be loose.And finally one day last month, the dentist mentioned that she would be losing a tooth this summer.Well I came home Sunday after a long run to a hysterical child.Amara was

I've missed you

2009-07-05T07:00:00.002-04:00

Have you missed me?Because guess what.I've missed you.And I've missed blogging.I'm realizing that the friendships I made online are important to me (including Jen who was nice enough to send me a note last week).And my writing is a bit – ahem – rusty.But no worries.Amara's still cute.I'm still alive.I'm still running the Napa to Sonoma half marathon on behalf of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation

celebrate Independence!

2009-07-04T10:48:00.003-04:00

Happy Fourth of July! Thank you to all who serve this country so that we may be the land of the free!

grounded

2009-06-10T00:45:00.000-04:00

**revised** For those of you still around, you may have noticed that Mom2Amara has seemingly checked out.Call it perpetual writer's block.It's not that Amara has gone boring. She's as sassy as ever.Just the fodder doesn't seem to cut it.Or I'm just so used to condensing my thoughts in 140 characters or less a la Twitter that I just can't blog.Or I can use training for the half marathon as an

first pitch

2009-06-09T22:27:00.000-04:00

my baby is six

2009-06-08T23:37:00.002-04:00

I don't know how it happened.But my baby is now six years old.It seemed like only yesterday I was at work, stopping mid-sentence because my water broke. So there I was driving myself to the hospital. And only a few hours later, my life changed forever.Yes, it seems like yesterday.Amara had a wonderful birthday party with our family and her close friends.Her birthday bash at the ballpark included

does your town tweet?

2009-05-19T05:59:00.001-04:00

My name is Mom2Amara. And I used to laugh at Twitter.Sure it annoyed me when people would question why I blogged.But to tweet what I'm doing in 140 characters? My blog posts are just short of novel length. How could I simply type a short sentence on my whereabouts?Then I opened an account on Facebook. And while I enjoyed catching up with old classmates or former co-workers, I became addicted to

Funkytown

2009-05-14T06:08:00.003-04:00

Why Amara's just like her mommy:We enjoy American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, and Dog the Bounty Hunter.We both have flat noses.We love shoe shopping.We love 70s disco.We love to dance. note: Amara knew all the words to this song before she found out it was going to be the song she would dance this routine to!

beautifully sung

2009-05-08T11:11:00.003-04:00

I've been in hiding these days lately.I feel like I have nothing profound to share. And the blogging bug hasn't quite struck me as feverishly has it has in the past.But like a catchy tune you can't shake, Amara hit me with a wonderful surprise.Yesterday her class hosted a Mothers Day tea. I was working an evening shift (don't ask) and fortunately able to attend.Before leaving for school that day,

she crossed the finish line

2009-04-27T06:48:00.000-04:00

It was an incredible weekend.It wasn't because I spent it with Dad2Amara and Amara.And nevermind the fact that we spent most of it in my most favorite city Chicago. I ran my first 5K of the season. But I didn't set any records.I ran in honor of my mom, Lola2Amara, at the American Brain Tumor Association's Path to Progress.But I was most proud not when I crossed the finish line. It was when Amara

prayers needed!

2009-04-21T05:44:00.001-04:00

As I mentioned yesterday, Lola2Amara is having surgery today.That's really all I can say. Words cannot express the gamut of emotions I feel right now.Today will be difficult for all of us.So I'd like to ask for your prayers. Your prayers have worked in the past. I know they'll work today too!

where in the world is mom?

2009-04-20T06:04:00.003-04:00

Or should I say where in the world is Mom2Amara?I know it's been sometime since I've updated or even visited my friends in the blogosphere.Even Jen from Our Daily Big Top sent out a search party.So what's the scoop?A little bit of everything I suppose.Just over a week ago, Lola2Amara was diagnosed with her third malignant brain tumor. The diagnosis has been difficult for the entire family. And

the beginning of the end

2009-04-06T06:32:00.003-04:00

Dad2Amara and I are in for it.Amara made her first phone call to a girlfriend this past weekend.Dad2Amara could hardly believe it.He said that call signified the beginning of the end.The girls had exchanged phone numbers at school. And as soon as Amara arrived home, she grabbed the phone, dialed up her friend, and they chatted for what seemed to be an eternity."Whatcha doing?""Do you remember

what makes a 5 year old nervous

2009-04-03T06:38:00.001-04:00

Amara recently came with me to pick up some take out for dinner.Our order was not ready when we arrived. So we popped a squat.As we waited, Amara became very quiet. I asked what was the matter.And she told me she was nervous.Amara said in a few months she'd be a first grader. And that meant a new school with harder subjects and new classmates.Amara said she was "nervous" as evident by her

namaste

2009-04-02T06:44:00.004-04:00

Even when I sleep, I dream of deadlines at work or rushing from dance class to Girl Scouts.So when I talk about the one of the only times I can literally clear my head and think about nothing, I'm talking about my mommy heaven.No one tugging at my sleeve asking for more milk.No husband asking what's for dinner.No coworkers needing my assistance.It's one of the perks of running. But training with

unexpected answers

2009-03-27T05:50:00.002-04:00

First there were unanswered questions.Now all I have are answers.Call it occupational hazard.But Amara is constantly playing reporter.She uses a fake microphone she received in a Happy Meal. Or my daughter will stick a hairbrush in my face.Then the questions start to roll.So I decided to turn the tables.I stole this from Jen over at Our Daily Big Top. It's absolutely adorable.And it's eye

never ending questions

2009-03-25T09:08:00.004-04:00

In my pursuit to run a half marathon in July (did I mention I'm still accepting donations?), I've found myself running more and more during the week.I am now up to 3 miles comfortably. And by comfortably, I mean I don't feel like I'm going to die. But it is still difficult.But with all my new found time to myself on the trails, I find a zillion questions running through my head.Take this one. How

becoming an auntie

2009-03-23T06:41:00.001-04:00

This past weekend, my family welcomed into the world Cousin2Amara.He is a beautiful and healthy baby, with a wonderfully Filipino nose and a handsome smile.We all could not wait for his arrival.And we knew once he entered the world, we would drive down to Columbus to see him.I knew I would bring him a gift or two.And I expected to hear Amara complain about yet another boy cousin.But what

a natural woman

2009-03-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

It's so chic to go green. Or so they say.At every intersection, I see a new environmental bumper sticker on the zillions of hybrids that have taken over the streets in my 'burb. And it seems there's always a commercial on explaining the damage we're doing to the earth.I never used to care about the environment. I'll admit it.But then I became Mom2Amara. I felt obligated to take care of the earth

why sometimes I don't trust my hubby

2009-03-19T06:13:00.003-04:00

I was so grateful yesterday.After three days of high fevers, medicine, and whines, Amara seemed to be doing better.While I'm already at work, jamming away at the daily grind, Dad2Amara typically gets Amara ready for school in the morning. Then I rush home in the afternoon to greet her off the school bus.So as I was sitting at my desk yesterday, I called home just to "check in."Dad2Amara said she

I'm not Irish

2009-03-17T05:02:00.000-04:00

It's not my holiday.But I do make a mean Irish soda bread.Happy St. Patrick's Day! And just in case you want to try your hand at this really simple recipe:2 c. flour2 tbs brown sugar1 tsp bkg powder1/2 tsp bkg soda1/4 tsp salt3 tbs butter/margarine2 eggs3/4 c. buttermilk1/3 c. raisinsCombine dry ingredients.Cut in butter until crumbly.Combine 1 egg and buttermilk; stir into flour mixture just