Unprepared.

I psyched myself out before having Eric about all the things little boys get into.  I was ready.  Whatever he could throw at me, I was ready to handle.  But he never did anything.  Parents of boys his age were jealous.  The child got into NOTHING.  So I suppose I let my guard down and I felt quite relaxed about having another little boy.  TOO relaxed.  This child gets into EVERYTHING!!!  And he's super fast.  Especially if he knows you want to pick him up.  It's like trying to step on a spider that's trying to get away. 

I was cooking lunch for Eric this afternoon when I realized Matthew was a little *too* quiet.  I find him in the bathroom, playing in the toilet water.  Again, a great photo op, but all I could do was yank him up, tell him no-no, and scrub him down with the hand soap.  Which of course produced tons of grins and giggles.  What's more fun than trying to reach into the toilet and splash in the water?  Having mom turn on a faucet for you!  I'm not prepared for this little boy.  Eric tricked me.

My Brand of Bravery

I'm a chicken.  About everything.  And I suppose I am a chicken because I am a creature of comfort.  If it is uncomfortable, painful, and unnecessary I don't want to do it.  However, ever since I was old enough to give blood, I have felt compelled to do so, even though I hate needles with every fiber of being.  I've only tried to give blood once - when I was 17.  I was such a basket case by the time they had the rubber band on my arm, that they just told me to go.  Now after having poked and prodded through 2 pregnancies, I have agreed to go with John to give blood for the church's blood drive.  He kept saying I didn't have to go and made me promise not to be a baby for the rest of the day if I did it.  I said I would be fine.  Sure, I would not deal as well as he would, but I could do it this time!  Of course, now I'm getting anxious as we are at T-24 hours.  Ugh.  But I have always looked at like this.  How can I deny giving my blood to help save lives when Christ died a horrible death to save everyone?  Not that you can compare the two.  I'm just saying.  Jesus was willing to die to save a world and all I have to do is give ONE pint of blood.  And they'll probably even give me some cookies and a sticker.  This is as brave as I get, world! 

Spanish

I wanted to throw this site out there for all you moms who may be interested in having your child learn a second language.  I was looking for programs for Eric, but found that they were all very expensive. www.gogolingo.com is a free game site where children can start learning Spanish vocabulary.  I introduced it to Eric before he could use a mouse on the computer and he liked it, but we stopped using the site for a while.  Now he has learned to use the mouse and he asks me every morning if he can "go speak Spanish".  He's learning lots and LOVES to play!  You can pay membership fees to have access to a greater number of things, but there is plenty for your child to do for free.  Go check it out! 

Golden Birthday

It's nobody's birthday, (ok - it's SOMEBODY'S birthday - but I'm not writing about that person today).  But I just discovered this concept of a Golden Birthday.  Has anyone else ever heard of that?  When I read a blog about a parent celebrating her daughter's "golden birthday"  I had no idea what she was talking about.  Did birthdays follow some sort of gift pattern like anniversaries?  It turns out, (for those of you who are clueless like me) that a Golden Birthday is one in which you turn the same age as the date of your birth.  Therefore, my Golden Birthday was the year I turned 7.  I'm still not sure I get the significance or specialty of it all.  And according to "tradition" there doesn't seem to be a huge difference in the way you would celebrate such a birthday.  It still seems like a fun thing to say that it's your Golden Birthday though.  And even though I don't totally get it, it would still be fun to make a big deal out of the boys' Golden Birthdays.  However, it just so happens that their Golden Birthdays fall on significant milestone birthdays anyway.  Matthew's Golden Birthday would be when he turns 5.  A full fledge child.  No more baby.  :(  Of course this is not as big a milestone birthday as Eric's Golden Birthday which is 18.  Have any of you celebrated this birthday in a special way?  Tell me about it!

I Forgot!

I was going through Eric's pictures and found these photos that show off his writing skills!  He's working so hard on writing as well as reading.  I can't believe I forgot to mention that in his update!

Matthew's Growth

Little Matthew is going through some big changes too!  At his doctor's appointment on April 30th, we learned that he is 23 lbs and 30 1/4 inches.  Since children are supposed to triple their birth weight in a year, he is apparently considered quite hefty.  I still think he's just a little thing, but the doctor said his head is a bit big for his body still, but that's okay.  I just kept staring at him as she said his weight is in the 93% and his height 95%.  Really?  Because he still doesn't look all that big to me.  Maybe it's his baby face.  Or maybe it's because the only other infant I have spent extensive time with was GINORMOUS (ahem, Eric!).  Oh well.  Hes still my little cuddly pumpkin head, no matter what the charts say!

Regarding his skin condition, whatever that may be - allergies, eczema, a thorn in our sides - we are doing our best to get it under control.  The doctor did diagnose it as eczema and directed me to use Cetaphil and a certain brand of lotion to help.  She also prescribed Zyrtec since I had concerns about him seeming to react to a lot of environmental factors.  She asked if  I had tested him for food allergies and I said no.  She asked if I wanted to have him tested and I hesitated, since I knew that involved him being stuck a whole lot.  She said it could be a dairy allergy.  She told me to give soy milk a try along with the other 100 things and we could have him tested in June if I wanted.  I did wait on switching the formula because I didn't want to change EVERYTHING at once and not know which method was making him better if any.  As you all know, he reacted to that cheese, so I have since switched the formula.  If it IS a dairy allergy, I'm just confused by the whole thing (I must mention, I haven't noticed a big change yet).  One, there is no history of food allergies in the family that I am aware of.  I'm not even sure that is a factor, I would just assume it to be as everything else is.  Two, I had a child in pre-school who had a dairy allergy.  It involved explosive diapers when he got a hold of any dairy - which he did his BEST to get a hold of from other kids' lunches everyday.  I guess I was once again wrong in assuming that if he HAD a food allergy, it would have involved vomiting and diarrhea.  As it is, I think if Matthew is just to ingest dairy of any kind, there is no reaction that I see.  But if it touches his SKIN, there's a harsh reaction.  I just don't understand that.  Everything is trial and error and it's frustrating to not see a huge change.  It's under control enough that he's not scratching himself open, but he still has those red itchy blotches of skin and the overall dryness.  I will have him tested next month to see what we can find.  I am hoping this is something he grows out of.  I am a bit afraid to find the results of the allergen test.  Dairy is not the only ting his skin seems to have reacted to.  His little fingers have gotten quite red and blotchy from several different foods, though I never associated it with a food allergy - just yet another reaction to something "foreign" touching his skin.

He is a highly experienced crawler at this point.  I know that walking is right around the corner.  He LOVES the freedom and is much happier that he is not "stuck" in one place.  I, on the other hand, am pulling my hair out trying to keep him out of things.  So much so, that "no-no" has become his 3rd word.  Oops.  He's a stubborn little monkey and will try the same thing over, but he's very sensitive and does not like to be fussed at.  It breaks my heart to watch his face drop, the bottom lip come out and the tears stream down, simply from firmly saying no.  As if that weren't heart-wrenching enough, he follows it up by crawling over to me, wanting to be held, and repeating "ma-ma" through his tears.  I hope he keeps that sweet sensitive spirit, but I know it will be battling that stubborn streak he has!

He has got to be one of the most playful babies I've ever known.  If he can make it into a game, he will.  He loves to play "drop the pacifier", "pacifier kisses" (where we put the handle end in our mouths and he grabs the other end with his mouth), "patty-cake", "peek-a-boo", and "I'm gonna get you".  He has learned to clap, dance, and sing and this amuses us to no end.  All we have to do is say, "Dance, Matthew" and he begins shaking his head side to side.  Sometimes his body follows, sometimes it doesn't.  Can't wait to capture that on video!

He's also learned to squeal.  LOUDLY.  Sometimes I think all I do is listen to screaming (whether for fun or out of anger) all. day. long.  It's exhausting.  Speaking of which, I think it's nap time.  :)

Anticipation!

Those of you who followed me on Myspace know that I was trying to start a business making glass blocks into night lights.  Nearly 6 months later, that dream is starting to materialize!  I have found a place that is willing to set up a table in their store for my light blocks and sell on consignment.  The down side is, the store takes 40%.  The upside is, it's a great way for me to advertise and since the blocks are custom made, I should make the majority of the money through people contacting me, though I can still provide the store with generic blocks.  So what's the hold-up?  Once again, I must blame my missing camera.  I want to take pictures of every block I make so that I can begin to build a page on Facebook, and hopefully a website on Etsy.  I have 3 blocks ready to go out the door, but I just can't part with them yet.  I am also anticipating the arrival of my business cards!  Yay!  That sounds so professional!  I will post the completed light blocks on here once I get a hold of a camera so you can get the word out for me!  I'm getting excited.  It would be so wonderful to earn a little extra money by doing something I love! 

Parenting Vulnerability

My blogs are a window to my soul.  I am more transparent in my writing than you will ever find me in person.  I feel free to share my blunders and failures because I know somewhere out there, there is someone who can sympathize.  However, when you allow yourself to be so open, there will be that person who will attack.  And that hurts.  Which is probably the number reason I find it too hard to be more transparent in person. 

I love my children so much.  I'm not a perfect parent.  Some say I am too hard on the boys, some don't think I'm hard enough.  And apparently some think I fall into the category of being just "another mother who doesn't want to listen to the doctor".  And while I will address that last judgment in Matthew's blog, I want to address the issue behind it here.  It's very easy to judge other parents because our parenting styles are so different.  If someone doesn't do things they way WE would do them, they must be a bad parent. 

I have two goals in my parenting.  One is that my boys will love God with all of their heart, souls, mind, and strength.  The second is that they will show that love to those around them.  Are my boys well behaved in your presence?  Are they respectful?  Can you tell that they are well dressed?  Well fed?  Well loved?  Do they appear happy to you, enjoying life?  Are they being provided for spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically?  Aren't THOSE the important things?  Aren't those the things we all want for our children?  You may go about it one way and I may go about it another, but if the end result is the same - if we raise God-fearing children with strong self-esteems who are able to contribute to society in a positive and uplifting way - is it worth it to attack another mother for her daily failures?  Or worse yet, jump to conclusions about a situation we only have limited knowledge of? 

Many things happen that are out of a mother's hands, but we all do the best we can and the best we know how.  If you know a mother who is willing to be vulnerable in front of you, instead of pretending to have it all together, support her and let her know that you struggle too. 

ooooooooH!

I still need to post a blog on Matthew's growth and his last doctor visit, but one of the things I was told when we were there was that he could be allergic to dairy.  I was very skeptical of this and decided to finish off the last month on his normal formula before jumping to conclusions.  I would just change the soaps and lotions and adminster the Zyrtec for allergies and hope for the best.  Today I have changed my mind.  Last night I steamed some vegetables which I gave to Matthew before putting cheese on them for Eric and myself.  Today I gave Matthew the leftover vegetables.  Covered in cheese.  Which I let him feed to himself.  He joyfully scarfed them down.  And then I went to clean him up as he sat scratching feverishly.  His entire torso was red as were his hands.  I quickly bathed him and watch as tiny little hives broke out everywhere that the cheese had touched.  Needless to say, I will be exchanging his formula for soy and be praying that cutting out dairy will "cure" the eczema - because the Zyrtec and soaps and lotions haven't made any difference that I've noticed.  So frustrating.  But every time I get discouraged or frustrated that he has to deal with this, I remember that it could be so much worse and then I'm thankful that it's something so minor - and eventually fixable!

Move out day

Soooo....it looks like my neighbor is moving out as I type.  It's weird because I feel bad.  Seeing her in a normal state of mind, she seems so nice.  In fact, others have said as much about her.  She's been here for about a year.  I don't think I would handle an eviction well, especially under these circumstances, but she is joyfully loading a truck with the help of another female.  I really do hate that it came to this.  The landlady has assured me I'm not the reason she was evicted but what went down here definitely sent it in that direction.  I guess I will be able to relax a bit more, but I still think it's sad when someone is forced out of their place.  So this is the grand conclusion to it all.  At least until the next set of neighbors moves in.  :)

Cool Product

When I find cool products I just have to share them with everybody!  I was dreaming of decorating the boys' rooms today (you know, in that house we're not in yet) and I was trying to come up with themes for each of them.  Of course, I wanted matching bedsheets, so I was searching for that perfect comforter.  In my search, I ran across the neatest thing.  They are called Incredibeds.

I've read the product description several times and I'm still not exactly sure what you get with this ensemble, only that somewhere in that bear is a mattress and box springs set.  My grandkids will totally have one of these in the magical playroom I will have designed by that time!  You know, the one that faces out on the playground in the backyard?  :)

Eric's Growth

Since Easter, Eric has made huge strides in so many areas.  First and foremost, he's fully potty trained!!!  YAY!!  He has been since Easter weekend, but I was waiting to get that winning shot of him in his cute little underroos.  Unfortunately, things stay so busy around here that I never got it.  I did get some fantastic shots of him proudly sitting on the potty, however!  You know..the pictures that are stuck on my camera?  Never fear!  I will leave space right HERE for those pictures!------------------------------------------------



Although initially frustrating, (I really didn't think I would survive the first 2 days), I am pleased with how we went about potty training.  Thank you all for your advice and comfort!  In the end, the best plan for Eric was simply to let him take his time with it.  Yes, he was potty trained a bit later than most kids, but that's okay.  Taking it one step at a time and being patient as opposed to pushing our own agenda, prevented everyone all around from a world of stress.  We have had very few accidents and he has amazing control!  One child out of diapers!  Hooray!

On the educational  front, Eric has begun reading.  Once again, I have video to prove this and once again it's on my camera.  But I will post it when I get it back.  Mom got Dick and Jane books for him to teach him to read.  I must be honest and say, I really didn't see the point.  How were Dick and Jane books going to be any different than what was already available?  He was already picking out some some words here and there.  He would surprise me in the grocery store by pointing out "Thank You" or "Time".  Random words.  But mom didn't have to read to Eric long from the Dick and Jane books before we turned it over to him to allow him to read to us.  Now understand, he is not reciting the lines from memory.  The books were only read a couple of times and we jumped around the book and read from various places (It was a collection of the series).  One night I climbed into bed with him and opened the book somewhere in the middle and said, "What does that say?  Can you read that to me?"  And in fact he could.  He would get caught up on a word here or there, but overall he amazed me.  I know I shouldn't be too surprised as all children are capable of this, but it still makes me proud!

He also learned another skill - not quite as useful as reading, but highly amusing for the time being:  tattling.  I don't know how it ever occurred to him that he should tell on his brother if Matthew was being "naughty", but we all got a good laugh while we were in North Carolina one Sunday.  Eric had asked to go see Nana but  I had assumed she was using the bathroom and told him no and explained why and continued to get ready.  Matthew was crawling all over the place, happy for some freedom.  Suddenly we hear Eric running through the house, "PAPA!  PAPA! PAPA!  Mattmoo crawling into Nana!"  Seriously?  Did he just go to tell on Matthew?  We all got a good laugh out of it and allowed Eric back to see Nana who was simply putting her make-up on.  It happened once again during our stay there and he came quickly running to me to inform me of Matthew's misdeeds.  I can see John and I are going to get quite an earful as the boys continue to grow!

So many things to say....

Ok.  Only I would lose my camera with all the terrific blog material on it, but time is still passing by, and if I don't start writing, I may forget it all.  When said camera is recovered, I will add the pictures and video to corresponding blog.  Ai-yi-yi.

Behind

I have been on vacation for the past couple of weeks, so I haven't had a chance to blog  There is a ton to blog ABOUT, but it seems I have left my camera complete with pictures and video at my parents' house, and I just won't blog without them.  So you will have to wait.  Besides, I got a transcription assignment!  I say "assignment" because I've been hired for only one task.  I would LOVE for it to turn in to a job though!  So I will still be busy typing, you just won't get to read it!

Wheel of Fortune Frustration

How is it that I can watch virturally ANY TV show I want online, but WOF episodes are not available?  How crazy is that?  I'm slightly frustrated because I missed the episode where an old college roommate was playing.  She doesn't win (I found an entire rundown of the show - but no video).  Of all shows, why keep the wheel off limits?  Do die hard fans really sit around and collect the puzzles in hopes of one day being on the show and making a clean sweep with their decades of puzzles memorized?  *sigh*  There are several episodes available online to watch.  I'm not sure what makes them more special than any other episode.  How can one game be more exciting than the next?  I just don't know.  Maybe I should watch an available episode to understand.  But if anyone knows how to get a hold of the episode that ran on May 5, 2010, I would greatly appreciate it!!

So....Hungry.....

I need some Japanese food in the worst way.  I honestly think I will go to all the trouble to pack up my boys so I can go get some.  Yes, it will take us over an hour to get out the door, but I think it will be worth it.  These places should seriously consider delivery.  SERIOUSLY.  Because I would be on the phone in exactly 2 minutes (as soon as they  open).  What is with these cravings?  I dreamt about being pregnant last night, but I didn't expect any cravings this morning!!  And no!  I'm not pregnant!   

Children's Books!

No time to blog today (nothing spectacular to blog about either) but I was recently introduced to this book and I HAVE to have it!!!  Have any of you seen it or read it?

I know this will give you quite the insight into my psyche, but I think "children's" books like this are just brillant and highly amusing!  Here are a few others I love:

Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book - it's filled with images of smashed fairies that the girl catches.  BRILLANT!

There is no better book for a melancholy!  Loved this book as a child and I have quite an interesting story to go with it.  Perhaps another day.

The perfect book for those with "worst-case-scenario-syndrome"  Runner up for favorite children's book ever.

Changes

I like to change things up - a lot.  My poor husband got used to coming home and having to relearn his way around the house every few months because I would rearrange the furniture.  So now I am welcoming you to his world.  The look of the blog is liable to change - a lot.  I always think it could look better.  I felt the black was too depressing, and I'm not THAT depressing!  Here is the new look.  Hope you like it, but don't get too used to it! 

Trapped!

I feel like a hostage in my own house.  My neighbor is back from the hospital.  I'm fairly sure she got in last night because I was awoken by quite a ruckus in the middle of the night, which made it difficult to go back to sleep.  Every worst case scenario played through my head.  I was hoping she wouldn't come back until I had a chance to leave.  I didn't see her but feared the worst.  I wanted to get out of the house today and be far far away from here, but I suppose lack of sleep and feeling petrified got me feeling quite ill.  I decided to take a nap with the boys in hopes that I would feel better and less afraid once I got some decent sleep.  I was awoken by the sound of children running and playing and the neigbors playing music upstairs.  I heard a little girl say, "Mommy, you love me so much you won't let anything happen to me right?"  My ears perked up.  Maybe other neighbors had had run ins too and Eric would be safe to play outside with the witness of other neighbors.  I heard her mom telling her friend, "She was mad that I pulled Jasmine inside...." 

I have met Jasmine once.  I was out the door on my way to the store when a little girl says hi.  I considered ignoring her, but didn't want to be rude.  So I said Hi and kept walking.  She said, "What's your name?"  I said "Charity.  What's yours?"  She said "Jasmine."  I said "Nice to meet you," and kept walking because she was obviously still wanting to talk.  Her mother called her inside and I walked off.  The reason I tell this story is because as the women keep talking and I strain to listen to what is being said with my doors closed and locked, is that one of the women says "My car was towed".  My heart stopped.  The friend the upstairs neighbor was talking to is the one who attacked me.  They loudly complain about the situation and I start to realize they haven't been talking about the woman who was hauled off - they were talking about ME.  My stomach started to turn in knots again.  I wanted to open the door to hear them better, but didn't want them to know I was listening. 

So I here I sit, trapped in my own house because I don't dare let Eric out to play with MORE neighbors against me, and I don't dare leave in the van and let them know that I am not home.  It's a gorgeous day and I'm cowering in fear.  I hate that.  I hate feeling this way.  I wasn't physically hurt when i was shoved down, but my sense of safety and security was stolen from me that day.  I have plans to take the boys and go live with my parents until she is gone.  I can't do this anymore and my boys need the freedom to play.  Poor Eric just doesn't understand why he can't play outside. 

I know I'm being TOTALLY absurd, but just had to get that off my chest.  Thanks for listening!

Art!

John had me trapped in the living room, using me as a pillow for that nap he didn't want to take- *rolls eyes*  :) - and so I got caught up watching LA Ink.  For those of you not familiar with the show, it's about a tattoo shop.  The art work is really so amazing!  I realized that there are so many different art forms that I would love to try.  I want to do them all!  I've tried a variety of things, oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolor, pottery, drawing, weaving (which I loved to my surprise), different types of sewing (which I hated), photography...but I'd like to try the more eccentric forms of art like tattooing as well.  Not that I want to be a tattoo artist or even have the ability, but I would love to just try it - if even on a pig - to see what it's like.  I also want to try screen printing and graffiti and oh I don't know - sculpture maybe?

I LOVE this artist, Phil Hansen.  He is so utterly creative in the media he uses to convey a message, which I think is amazing.  You can check him out here http://philinthecircle.com/index.html. It's hard to pick my favorite piece but you can check out how he uses bicycles as paintbrushes, band-aids as canvas and syringes as media. 

 I'll also plug Mike Lewis, better known as the Jesus Painter to many of you.  We went to Harding together and I got to see his work firsthand.  He developed new art techniques as well which fascinate me to no end.  http://www.jesuspainter.com/.  How amazing is he?

This is NOT a photograph.  It is done entirely with a mix of Charcoal, Colored pencil, Conte Crayon, Watercolor, Ink, and Pastels.

Ok.  That's it.  I was just in an artsy mood after watching LA Ink!  :)

Squeaky Eric

 Eric using his high pitched, shrieky voice and Papa is trying to teach him to talk in a lower octave.

After the Assault....

Thank you everybody for your concern and well wishes.  We are all doing fine.  The neighbor was taken to a mental hospital and spent several days there - she may still be there for all I know.  I plan on avoiding her like the plague from here on out.  The day after the incident was hard for me and I found myself wanting to stay in bed all day.  I guess I wasn't processing everything well.  But thankfully John was off work for two days and he made sure we got out and had a lot of family time.  I even got a bit sunburned!  :)  We got some mace for me to have on me and I feel a bit more protected and certainly more comfortable with spraying someone down as opposed to shooting them!  Today John works a 24 hour shift so I have been slightly paranoid about being home alone, but doing okay. 

The boys have kept me busy and are changing so much everyday.  Matthew is talking non-stop.  Mamamamamamamamamamamamama.  OK!!!  He loves to play games and is surprising me with his smarts already.  His favorite game this week has been to get me to repeat myself.  He sneezed the other day and I said "Bless you."  Apparently that was funny.  So he continued to pretend to sneeze so that I would say bless you.  It's funny to listen to him fake a sneeze over and over.  As I type, he is in his crib trying to get my attention by blowing raspberries, dropping his pacifier, and grabbing at my hair.  Just looking at him sends him into giggles.  He is supposed to be sleeping - but then again, I'm supposed to be out of his room!  He's very particular about that! 

I have updates on Eric but I will post those in another blog!  I want to make sure he gets all the spotlight!  Well that, and I will use it for blackmail when he gets older - because that's just the kind of mother I am!  Love you boys!!!  :)

Why the Ghetto and Naivety Don't Mix.

So I have a great story that I know Amber and Chris can truly appreciate - and be thankful they avoided.

Typically while Matthew is sleeping, I allow Eric to play out on our patio and draw with his chalk, while I stay inside - with the door open - and clean.  I can watch him and I can hear him.  So that's what was happening today.  Matthew was sleeping, Eric was drawing on the porch, and I was cleaning the kitchen.  While cleaning, I heard my neighbor  talking to Eric.  I believe the statement was "Are you playing outside by yourself?" to which Eric answered "Yes" and looked inside at me.  I walked to the door to see what was going on.  The neighbor was at her car and stuck her head quickly back in when I approached my screen door (they are difficult to see in).  I assumed she was questioning his safety and once she saw me would understand that he was fine.  I walked back to the kitchen and heard her begin talking to him again.  I walked BACK to the door and this time she addressed me but I couldn't hear her so I opened the screen door and asked what the problem was.  She said, "You need to take him inside with you."  I said, "No.  He's fine."  She repeated herself.  Again I said, "NO.  He's fine."  She said, "Can he walk?  Can he run?"  At which point I answered, "Yes.  But he won't.  He's FINE."   She closed her door and started to approach me. 

Now THIS would have been a good time to grab Eric, run inside and lock the door, however I was not anticipating the following events.  I try to believe the best in everybody.  As it is, everyone scares me anyhow.  I don't trust anyone.  But I try to.  And I understood that it LOOKED as if a small child was outside unsupervised, but I felt I had made it fairly clear that he was being watched - as was she.  She came up to the patio and said "Take him inside."  I said, "No."  She said, "We're about to have a riot up in here."

At this point I'm thinking, "Ok...something is going on around the corner that I can't see and she's concerned for his safety."  After all, the cops practically live at this place.  So I peer around the corner of the patio and ask "Who's about to have a riot?" I see nothing.   She was kneeling down talking to Eric.  So I repeated myself, "WHERE'S A RIOT?"  She stood up and went nose to nose with me.  "RIGHT HERE!"  Before I could react she chest bumped me taking me by surprise, which sent me flying backwards, practically on top of my son.  She turned and walked away muttering something about "That's what I'm talking about" and went back into her apartment.  I sat stunned and held Eric who was bawling.  I hate that he had to witness that. 

Once I calmed him down we went inside and I tried to gather my thoughts and decide what to do next.  I wasn't hurt.  Just stunned and now a bit shaken and concerned for my children's safety.  Fortunately my landlady, Stephanie was walking across the street.  She waved at me and I waved her over.  After explaining the incident she said "Call the police."  I HATE turning things into big deals.  I really do.  But since that was considered an assault I had to report it.  So I did, and we waited.  I was trying to keep an eye on Eric and find out the result of this situation.  I was going to feel pretty stupid having the police come and have to report "She shoved me". 

While waiting for the police to show up, the neighbor headed out of her apartment.  She turned and quickly said "Sorry." and kept walking to her car.  Stephanie said, "You need to stay here until the police get here." at which point this lady went OFF.  Blood curdling screaming and cursing as if somebody had flipped a switch.  She put the car in reverse and pulled out of her parking space while the landlady called 911 and reported that she was leaving the scene.  As she was giving the details of the car, the neighbor jumps out of her car and continues to scream.  Stephanie tells me to get inside.  I do.  I lock the door and continue to watch.  The neighbor continues to scream and curse at the landlady and then starts to approach her.  Stephanie reached for the door to run inside but found it locked so I quickly unlocked it and let her in.  She tells me to get Eric back to his room so he doesn't witness any of this.  I take him back and try to explain that he's not in any trouble.  I calm him down and turn on Sesame Street for him and go back to see what's going on.  I see her still aimlessly walking in the grass as if she's waiting for Stephanie or me to come out. Apparently she had walked right up to the door and banged on it while yelling at Stephanie then sat in the corner.  The police get there and she takes off and curls up in the fetal position on my patio.  I can not believe this happening.  She's still going off though I can't hear what she is saying.  They handcuff her and try to calm her down.  They actually did really well with that, because at one point she kicked Eric's eggs off the porch and her shoe went flying.  The officer said, "You're gonna lose your shoe that way!"  At which point she kicked off the other one. 

Now understand, this is a neighbor that we have let use our phone on MULTIPLE occasions.  We have talked briefly and I've never thought twice about her.  I find out that the police have had to deal with her numerous times and this is old hat for them.  The officer who came in to get my information simply said, "She said something about children being outside."  I said, "Yes..my son was outside on the patio with chalk..." And went to explain the story, but he cut me off.  "You're fine.  She's just crazy." 

Indeed.  From what I understand she is on medication for bi-polar disorder.  Now I'm not a psychologist or anything, but that was NOT a show of bi-polar disorder.  Apparently she's either not taking her meds or they are not working and she is having more frequent "episodes" for whatever mental disorder she does have.  I later asked if she had any family (afraid that they would come after me since she was being hauled off).  I was told where all of her children were and discovered that her youngest child was living with the neighbor's mother who had taken custody after the LAST episode she had, which then made everything very clear to me.  Here is this woman who is without her kids on the basis that she is unfit to care for them and she sees a small child outside "by himself" and she deemed it necessary to make sure he was properly cared for.  But not by calling CPS mind you, which I would have gladly welcomed over that whole ordeal!  So seeing Eric must have set her off.

I called John and broke down into tears.  He came over in his ambulance!  :)  He reminded my of the gun safe combination once again and Stephanie said "Listen to him.  Listen to your husband.  It's the safety of your children"  So..I think I might be convinced now.  I think it may be time to shoot the gun a few times and get a feel for it.  As much as it terrifies me.  I just know that if I pull a gun, I have to be prepared to shoot it.  And I don't like that one little bit.  UUUUGGGHHHH!  Not too much longer in these apartments!  I think I'll go house hunting this week!!!

Happy Easter!

It's a Gorgeous Day!

It is so beautiful out and I'm sad.  We live in an apartment which means no yard.  I want my children to be able to run around and play in a big yard when it's sunny out.  The simple solution would be to take them to a park, but nap schedules make that nearly impossible.  After breakfast, Matthew is down for a 2 hour nap (at which point Eric would love to be playing outside).  When Matthew wakes up, it is time for Eric's nap (at which point Matthew would like to be outside).  When Eric wakes up, Matthew is ready to eat, take a bath, wind down and settle in for the night at 6pm.  Not to mention, once Eric wakes up, it's time to start fixing dinner and getting the house ready for John's arrival home after a long day at work.  So..I sit and watch my poor 3 year old play with his bike and chalk out on our closet-sized patio and dream of one day providing him a little something something that looks like this:

It's crazy how happy that thought makes me.  Yes, it's an entire PLAYGROUND, but I get giddy thinking about how much fun my boys and their friends would have.  That really is a system you can purchase for your backyard.  I'll go ahead and plug this company because I think they are amazing.  You can them out at 
http://www.cedarworks.com/.

I am amazed at the joy I get from seeing my children happy.  Kids really don't understand how much  parents enjoy giving them what they want (especially when you have to say no so much!) It does make me stop and think on God and his relationship with His children.  It's hard for me to comprehend that he wants to give me amazing things too.  My children could not dream this playground up, but I can just imagine the look on their eyes if it were to "magically" appear in our backyard (which we will have one day!  :] ).  Does God feel this giddy when giving us gifts too?  Things that we really want?  I guess I find that hard to believe because our focus should be on the spiritual and it almost seems materialistic in a way if we receive something we want from God, so why would it make Him giddy with joy?  But, I would not find my children to be materialistic if they asked for a swing set and I was able to provide an entire playground.  I would do it just because it would make me happy seeing them happy.  Would they be happy with a swing-set?  Sure.  But there's just something about exceeding the expectations and visions of a child.  God blessed me and exceeded my request by giving me two little boys who I adore with everything I am.  Has He made you wide-eyed with wonder?

To My Father's TFTD Readers...

When I wrote the blog my father published, I jokingly said he could use it.  I never expected he actually would!  And I assumed even if he did he would clean it up and make it sound so much better than I did!  The day I found out that he sent 'Undercover Boss' to over 6,000 people was the day after I ranted about people calling our phone number looking for people who don't live here.  I didn't know dad directed you to my blog!  Oops.  :)

But if you still visit here, this is what you can expect (so you're not shocked by very un-thought-for-the-day-like material!) The blog is entitled Melancholy Corner because I (according to the 4 basic personality types) am a melancholy.  I'm very emotional and I'm a deep thinker.  My thoughts generally revolve around my emotions and the two can be quite inseparable.  Some days you will find me writing about spiritual matters, my walk with God, my view on God, and the way I experience God.  Some days I just want to rant and try to find the humor in a frustrating situation.  Most days I want to brag on my boys!  I write on what I am feeling at the moment as that is typically where my thoughts are. 

You may find me to be funny, melodramatic, touching, irritating, or obnoxious on any given day.  You are probably right.  :)  If you enjoy my blog, feel free to become a follower.  I won't have golden spiritual nuggets everyday, but I hope that when I do they are both worth the wait and the read!

I love my kids, I love my kids, I love my kids......

Since blogging, I've been keeping the camera handy so I can capture the moments I intend to record.  I immediately load them onto the computer, but often forget to take the memory card out of the computer until I'm ready to snap pictures again.  I have two memory cards.  One went missing, but I didn't think much of it since I had another one.  Matthew was laughing hysterically and I wanted to capture it on video so I grabbed the camera.  No memory card.  So I leaned down to pull it from my computer.  It wasn't there.  I JUST finished loading pictures - I KNOW I didn't move it.  I called for Eric.  "Where is the blue square?"  The good news?  He knows where the blue square is.  The bad news?  He has put at least ONE of them into a larger compact flash drive.  I look and sure enough I see it siting there, very much out of my grasp.  I can probably safely assume they are BOTH in there.  I would love to take a picture of this for you - but my SD card is STUCK IN MY COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!!  How do I get it out?!?!?!

Time with Nana and Papa

No time to blog at the moment - stinky diapers to change and house to clean - but I wanted to post a few pictures of the boys with their Nana and Papa!

Being Goofs!

Nana Cooperating - Eric laughing at Papa.

Matthew waking up to say goodbye.

One of my favorites!!

Little Monkey didn't want to sit still anymore.

But Nana got those kisses anyway!!

PSA

Here comes the Melancholy in me..so watch out!

To all the individuals who are delinquent on their bills, who are holding on to videos that Blockbuster DESPERATELY wants back, or to those who just enjoy giving out fake numbers - stop using our phone number!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We are not interested in trying to explain that we are not covering for you while you hide out in the bathroom.  Credit collectors do not believe us when we say "You have the wrong number".  Apparently you've tried that one before?  Try faking your death.  Let the morgue be harrassed.  "May I speak to Jane Doe please?"

Blockbuster graces us with an automated message.  Larry J Casey - if you are reading this, PLEASE return that video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I can not return this 1-800 call and no matter how many buttons I mash, I STILL get repeat calls about your irresponsibility - or theft - not sure which. 

BLOCKBUSTER - if YOU are reading this - charge Larry J Casey for the cost of the video already and stop calling me!!!!!!!!!!  We do not even use Blockbuster - we use Redbox and Netflix.  You want to know why?  Because we do not get calls from either place requesting people we do not know to return videos that we do not have.  You carry no video that I am interested in keeping and Larry doesn't live here.  Try the morgue.

This has been a public service announcement.

Cowboy Eric

Eric was slightly jealous that Matthew was getting all the attention, so the boy who hates cameras decided he wanted his picture taken after all.  He's really taken to this cowboy hat this week, so I had him put it on and I snapped away!

The End!

Laundry Day!

Sunshine loves laundry day!  It's better than TV!

Undercover Boss

I don't know how many of you have watched this show, but it is one that intrigues me.  The show features a CEO of any given company who decides to go undercover and work as one of his men on the front lines.  The purpose is to find out what problems there are and what the CEO can do to make it better.  Now to some extent, this show seems a bit staged to me as the workers are almost always more than thrilled to be working for the company and they have unique, difficult situations that they open up about to this "stranger" filming a documentary, whether it be about dialysis or losing their home to a flood. But that aside, it is interesting to watch the reactions of people at the end of the show when they learn that the man that they serve, that they've never met, has spent the day working beside them.  And everything they did and said was being observed by the man who pays their salary. 

More often than not, the CEO is touched by how hard his employees work and they are rewarded.  Some are rewarded with bigger job opportunities within the company.  Some are given raises, some sent to school, some have foundations set up in their name.  It reminds me so much of the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25.  The show for me, makes that passage come alive.  I think a lot about God revealing himself to us at the end of our time and saying, "I was with you.  I was watching you work and heard what you said.  I was impressed with your work ethic.  You work very hard.  I know it hasn't been easy, but I'm going to make things better for you now.  You do an excellent job where you are at, but I would like you to take on more responsibility."

This show is helpful in getting me to understand that passage.  I'm afraid too often that I relate far too easily with the steward with one talent.  I hope that God finds me neither afraid or lazy, but can warmly greet me in his "office" and say "Well done good and faithful servant!"

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss/

Sundays with the Thomas family

I believe my favorite part of the week is talking to Eric on a Sunday afternoon. He has just finished a Sunday morning Bible class and Children's Own Worship. He expects that we will ask him what he learned about and he is quick to answer "Jesus". The safe answer. :) Typically we'll look over the paperwork and ask more specific questions. "Did you talk about fish today?" That will get him talking a little bit more about the bible story covered that morning.

Today we were discussing our own bible class and did not think to ask Eric about his on the way to lunch. When we sat down with our food and began eating, Eric started in on his day. Since we had not bothered to ask him questions, he took it upon himself to carry the conversation. His monologue went just like this:

"What did you sing about today?"
"We sing 'Jesus Loves Me'"
"I like-a sing Jesus Loves Me"
"Good singing, buddy!"

John and I cracked up. I suppose it's fairly important that we maintain our routine of asking about class. He likes answering the questions! Meanwhile Matthew is in his chair talking, gurgling and growling. Eric was fairly full of himself this particular day and responded to Matthew's growling with, "Why you growling at me son?" We never know what to do but laugh!

An older couple in the restaurant approached our table and told us that they enjoyed listening to our boys (as if they had a choice - we were by far the loudest table there) and told us that they had raised two boys of their own. I never know whether to be proud that people are charmed by my children or embarrassed that we make enough ruckus that it would draw enough attention that someone would want to approach us! But it is fun meeting new people that way! Eric went on to ask them how they liked bible class. They chuckled as they wished us a good day and headed off. Poor boy can't get ANYONE to talk about bible class! Moral of the story: If you want to get Eric talking, ask about bible class!!

Ok...and NOW!

Welcome to my blog! This is the official, final one! Promise! I changed everything to reflect my personality a little bit more. I hope to be on here blogging regularly about the crazy things my family finds to get into! It should be a good way for you to keep up with the Thomas family as well as get the latest pictures and videos of these boys of ours!

It's Ah-Fish-Al

Eric is in the "repeat-the-same-word-one-hundred-times" phase and it's driving me insane.  After he's said it the first dozen times, I'll respond and say "yes!  It's a _____" - at which point he gets MORE excited and continues to repeat it louder.  Being sick this week has shortened the amount of patience I have, and the word "OKAY!" has become quite common in the house.  Okay as in "enough already!!  PLEASE SHUT UP!"  It has also become a word Eric likes to repeat a dozen times.  "ok, ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok...."
Today he was running around the house repeating the word "blanket".  "blah, blah, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...."  I said, "Yes!  It's a blanket!"  But he kept it up.  So I said "Eric you are driving me crazy!!!"  To which he responded "okaaay".  This amused me.  So I said, "Well ok then.  It's official.  You've driven your mom crazy."  At which point he took off hollering, "fish! fish! fish! fish! fish!  fish!"
uggggggghhhhhh.  I need a nanny and some sudafed.  Or maybe I can find a way to make the sudafed work for both of us.......

Quick Blog

Just  a quick update on my last Dr.'s appointment.....
I've gained 4 lbs in the past month!  UGH!  I'm ALMOST to the weight I was when I delivered Eric!  I'm hating that.....
Not much to tell about the appointment.  The doctor asked if I was feeling the baby kick. And I told him not that I was aware of yet.  Which is a little scary, becasue I know I should be by now.  So he listened to the heartbeat and it made me smile.  Occassionally we would hear a "thump, thump" and he said "The baby's kicking!"  And we continued to listen as the baby tossed and turned.  I liked that a lot.  Sounds like the little one is quite active!  Which is fine while I can't feel it.......
We went over my labs, which were fine except for one thing that showed I had the group A strep bacteria.  I think that's what he said.  Anyways..I don't feel sick or bad, but I am on antibiotics to get rid of it.  I held my breath for the tongue lashing I as going to receive for not having done the glucose test, but I think he must have forgotten that he ordered it.  Soooo...I'm going to do that tomorrow.  I do want to know if I have gestational diabetes...
The ultrasound has NOT been scheduled yet.  The referral was put in, and I should be getting a phone call this week to give me a date - which I will NOT be posting!!!  The next you hear from me, you will know the sex!!!  Hehehe!
I'm at 18 weeks, and aside from some back pain, feeling fine.  Baby seems to be healthy and hopefully I'll have some pictures and MAYBE a video to post next time!! 

Can I Take This Moment?

...to complain about the STUPIDITY of this course I am taking?!?!  I am trying to be ever-so-patient, but I really really really hate school.  I thought i could fly by since it was a work at your own pace course, but it's taking much more effort and concentration than I had anticipated.  Mainly because you have to earn your PhD before becoming a transcriptionist apparently.  I've dealt with the fact that I have to know all these medical terms, but having to learn how all the body parts work is a little absurd.  I don't care.  I'm not treating anybody.  I'm typing up the paperwork.  I don't care what your disease means, or how it affects your body.  That's not my job to know. I just have to know how to spell it.  I don't even care where your liver is located or how the kidneys function.  The liver is in there somewhere, the doctor will find it, and if your kidneys don't work, that's the doctor's job to fix them  Not mine. 
As if learning everything doctors have to know is not enough, I apparently have to be quizzed on guessing what is wrong with the patient when they go in to be seen.  Say what?!?!  I have to know the diagnosis?!  ARGH!!!!!!!  Just when I thought I had reached the full level of stupidity in my quest to learn how to TYPE A MEDICAL DOCUMENT, I get this on the quiz:
A patient has repeated attacks of lower back pain after eating sesame seed bagels.  Her doctor suspects diverticulitis.  What x-ray procedure with a contrast material would help make the diagnosis?
Listen.  If I'm your doctor, and you come in and say your back hurts when you're eating sesame seed bagels GUESS what I'm going to tell  you?!?!  STOP EATING SESAME SEED BAGELS!!!  We don't need to do a test.  Here's the test - refrain from your love of sesame seeds and see me in a week!  OH yeah - that'll be $300.....and an extra $200 to type up the report!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Date Day

After having spent the past few weeks doing errand upon errand upon errand, I decided I was in desperate need of a date day.  I was missing John, feeling lonely, and just wanted a change of pace, if only for an hour.  So I asked the cutest guy I knew - my son!  :)
Now I knew I was going to have to be training him, as this was his first date - but that was okay.  I strongly believe in mother-son dates and father-daughter dates, and it's never too early to start!
So I asked Eric if wanted to go on a date.  He got all excited and said "Yea-yeah!" and ran to the sofa an started banging his little hand on it.  Oh no no no.  Is this stuff REALLY ingrained in the male DNA?!  Rule 1..Never ever ever go to the sofa first!  This is a date!  You need to feed your woman!!  And no matter what she tells you, son, a girl likes to eat.  Feed her!
So I got him bundled up to go outside and no sooner do we leave the house than he's chasing after "someone" else.  "Pup!  pup!  pup!"  *sigh*  Yes it's a puppy.  Rule 2 - Never ever chase after another woman - in fact - don't look at her at all.  You're on a date!  I don't care how good she can "shake it".  He looked longingly after the dog as we climbed into the car.  First date.  We'll teach him yet!
On the way over, I double checked to make sure he was paying.  I looked in my rear view mirror - "You're paying, right?"  Silence and the shifting of the eyes.  Don't make me go over Rule 3.  "You ARE paying, Right?!"  Big grin followed by a "Yea-yeah!"  Good boy!  One less lesson that needs to be taught.
So we get to Taco Bell.  I'd been craving it.  Good choice Eric!  hehehe!  His excitement was building as I ordered the food.  I got him a sugary HI-C in a big cup which pleased him to no end.  I got us seats in front of the plasma screen television and gave him his supreme nachos.  He ate contentedly as he cheered for Da Bears (ok..it was a documentary about bears - but he was VERY excited about it).  I watched him and thought about how much I loved him and he would look over with his eyes beaming and give me that great big appreciative smile.  He sat still the entire time we were there, getting excited over the bears and happily eating nachos.  When he was thoroughly covered in nacho cheese and red Hi-C all down his white shirt, he handed me his hand and said , "all Done!" 
After a quick and useless clean up I bundled him up again and we headed for the car.  It was a nice date.  Can't wait for the next one!