The Need for Expletives!!

I don't have the cleanest mouth. I am not proud of this but I tend to drop an unnecessary Fbomb too often. Shit and damn come out of my mouth a good amount as well, but I hardly consider them curses anymore which gives you an idea of where on the PG scale my language tends to fall.
I do, however, curb my language much more these days so that my children don't learn the letter F by the Fword.
But, sometimes an expletive is imperative for the full meaning of a situation to be described. If your child dumps a bottle of walnut oil on the floor shouting "oh sugar" just does not fully get out the frustration of such an impossible cleanup. Or, if your child decides that slinging loaded diapers across the room is amusing, no way is it even close to appropriate to say he is slinging doody. Nope, you have to call it what it is, slinging shit. And, if your team wins the world series after 28 years of losing, just saying we are World Champions is not enough. Well, at the risk of sounding obnoxious (though I know every parent has the same sentiment of their kids even if they don't use the same words to say it), there are moments when I look at my kids and it is absolutely necessary for me to say, expletives and all, "Damn, they are so fucking cute!" Because, I truly think they are.

Shoobee or Not Shoobee!

By definition, according to Urban Dictionary, a shoobee is;

1. "Usually derogatory. A tourist at the (New Jersey) shore. He can often be identified by his pasty palor and inapprpriate clothing, e.g. black knee-socks with bobos (inexpensive footware), plaid shorts, and a shirt emblazoned with "I'm With Stupid." Etymology: said to derive from the "shoebox" in which shoobees once packed their lunches. Alternative etymology: from the refrain of popular Philadelphia music of 1950's and 1960's (example: "shoobee doo-wop"). Often "shortened to shoob.

2. "a derogatory term for tourist because tourists sometimes wear shoes at the beach"


More simply it is what Jersey Shore locals label anyone who is a non-local.
We consider ourselves locals, though I am not sure the actual locals share that sentiment.
We decided to test Turner's shoobee ranking (or lack there of) by taking him on his first trip to Margate this past weekend.
At two months old we wanted to see how he would handle the drive, the house, the smells, the beach town calm. As it turns out, he too is a local.
He was happy as can be. He smiled, he cooed, he hardly cried...yep, it must be the salty air.

I Like to Dance!

The title of this posting was Chase's answer to the question:

"What is your favorite thing to do at the playground?"
And, I thought it was the sliding board.

It is true that he likes to dance and will often move to the beat no matter what plays through the speakers. But, since I have never actually seen Chase dance at the playground, though I am not with him on the playground at school, I am wondering where this answer came from.

Being that he quotes what he hears all of the time it dawned on me that on "Yo Gabba Gabba," a show we watch occasionally, there are parts in every episode where they will show a kid dancing and that child will say "My name is (insert name) and I like to dance!". Maybe he got the line from that crazy show.

Or, maybe, he just likes to dance.

After I laughed at his answer I followed up with this question:
"What music do you like to dance to?"

His answer: "Neil Young."

I'm Late, I'm Late, I'm Late

Over the holiday break back in December "Abby in Wonderland" aired on T.V. This is a Sesame Street version of Alice in Wonderland. Abby is Alice and Elmo is the Bunny Rabbit. Some of their other favorite furry monsters are in it as well. Anyway, I taped it on the DVR and protected it and every now and again the boys ask to watch it. Of course they call it Elmo as a Bunny Rabbit. You must know their language in order to follow their commands.
Never seeing Alice in Wonderland, and being pretty unfamiliar with the story, I am not sure how loosely based this Sesame version is. But in this muppet monster movie Elmo the Bunny Rabbit, looking at one of his many watches, will chant "I'm Late, I'm Late, I'm Late" as he runs past a distressed Abby. He does this several times during the 60 minute movie.
This seems to be my mantra as of late. I hear myself saying these same words, in the same tone, and annoyed as I am at myself I feel the need to check myself for bunny ears.
I am not sure this recent tardiness is Turner's fault directly, but I am sure it is no coincidence that I am in need of ten extra minutes everywhere I go since his birth.
When I was a kid and into my early adulthood I was always late...for everything.
I missed the bus to school more than I didn't and I could be counted on to arrive 10 or so minutes late to most things. Rude, I know!!
As I got older and more responsible (haha) I managed to be pretty prompt. Todd helped with that. Once we got used to having twins we were even able to manage to get places with twins on time. In fact, late people annoyed me. They still do, sort of. Only now, I am one of them. And yes, I do annoy myself. I am optimistic, however, that this too will pass. Eventually we will get down the timing. Dirty diapers may not happen as we are leaving, feedings will be more scheduled, Chase and Ryder won't fight me on the awful chore of getting dressed, and punctuality will return. Within reason, of course.

A Letter to my Son on his Two Month Birthday!!!

Dear Turner,

Happy 2 Month Birthday!! You are a dream, my baby boy. I am amazed at how much you have grown, how big you already are. Your two month well check had you weighing in at 11 pounds, 7 ounces and measuring 23 inches long, both of which land you in the 50th percentile. This is odd to me because you seem so big, but for the record your brothers, who were born at 35 weeks (you were born at 38 weeks,) and were only 4 pounds at birth, weighed in at 10 pounds 2 ounces (Chase) and 9 pounds 11 ounces (Ryder) at 2 months. I guess you are not as big as you seem. Your head circumference is 15 inches, which is only the 10th percentile.
You are a good eater, taking 5 ounces already and getting ready for 6. This seems like a lot for a 2 month old baby, but you are a growing boy. You want your bottle when you want it and often get impatient despite the fact that often times I make you wait. Sorry about that:)
You have done mommy and daddy a very large favor and already sleep through the night. This amazes us. Although you are not yet on a set schedule you tend to sleep from 11pm to somewhere between 6 and 8 am. For that I thank you!! Although you still sleep a lot during the day you are starting to have more awake time during which you are very alert.
This month you completely lost your hair and were bald as can be. You have a perfectly round head, so bald looked good on you. Just as quickly as you lost it, was how quickly it started growing back and you now have a light coating of fine brown hair on your head. The only hair you did not lose was a patch on the back, by your neck. It was pretty funny to look at so we are glad you are now growing other hair around it.
Your birthmarks are starting to fade. You have two, one the size of a silver dollar on the back of your head, and a small one on your left eye lid. I imagine both will fade completely over time.
You've had your first smile, and though it has not yet been in response to me, it does melt my heart to see. Each day you smile a little bit more, though randomly, and I am eagerly awaiting the first smile you return to the smiles we give you.
You are a relaxed baby and as you begin your coos they sound as pleasant as you seem. As I stare into your eyes, which continue to be a beautiful, stormy color changing from tints of deep blue to tints of deep green, I notice how peaceful and content you are and I am thrilled that the windows to your soul reveal such happiness.
You are long and the one piece outfits that we dress you in are unsnapping at the crotch. Maybe soon it will be time for real clothes?
We took our first road trip with you this month. We went to Maryland for Michael and Bryan Citrenbaum's B'nai Mitzvah. You were perfect on the trip. The car ride, the hotel overnight stay, the meals were all made simple by you. You sat through the service without making a single noise and slept peacefully through most of the party. Back at Judi and Danny's you were your wonderful self and all of the Maryland Citrenbaum's (and Rich and Cole) had the thrill of meeting you!
You are a delight. You can go an entire day without a peep. Your cranky time is at night when you are starting to get real tired. The only time I hear you cry is when you have gas, a dirty diaper or are ready to eat.
You are admired by many and loved by more. I am often stopped by strangers who comment on your beauty. I love to hear this because you are my beautiful boy!! Your grandparents dote over you and your brothers love you so much and are amazingly interested in you. Chase often wants to feed you and Ryder points out the facts (ie: you are sleeping or crying or eating, you do not yet talk, etc.) He is quiet about his interest in you, walking up to you, patting your head, kissing you then going back to his business. They ask for you when you are not in the room with them and we know it won't be long before you are playing right along side of them.
You are my joy. Everyday, when I get a moment to snuggle with you, I breathe you in and cherish the moment. I cherish it because it is special, because I love you, and because I know that before my eyes you will grow too quickly and quiet moments such as these will be hard to come by.

Don't ever forget how proud you make daddy and I and how much we love you so!!!!

love,
Mommy

Turner 2 months old

Jigsaw

I have always loved jigsaw puzzles. The challenge, the art, the resulting picture I have always found fun. As a kid I loved buying puzzles that, after completing, I would hang on my wall. Of course, I never did that. It seems I always forgot to complete the puzzle on a movable surface and could never quite figure out how to then get the puzzle glued, framed and hung without it falling apart. Currently, it has been a long time since I have done a jigsaw puzzle.
Ryder, however, has taken an interest in puzzles. Though he began with the chunky piece Melissa and Doug puzzles of animals, vehicles, and underwater creatures he has moved on, now, to large piece jigsaw puzzles. We currently only own two of them.
It is the 4 FT school bus floor puzzle that captures his interest.
He can put the whole puzzle together by himself, though the first few times he did it I helped him. He completes the whole thing using thought and logic, or perhaps just a lot of memory. Either way, it is a thrill to watch him as he picks up a piece and tries all the different angles with another piece until he gets a match. He will think out loud, saying "No, that's not right" or "yea, there it is" when he gets an interlock. Once complete, he stands above his masterpiece presenting it to us with a "TaDaa!!" Then, after a round of applause and a moment of confidence and pride builders, Chase comes along and asks if he can break it apart. Though he has learned to ask first, Ryder almost always say yes, then goes back to putting it together again!

Admiring his work!!

Back to the Gym - Take 2!

Back in February 2007, seven months post-partum with the twins, I went back to the gym in hopes of removing the final twenty pounds that had remained from the pregnancy. Here is what I wrote then:

"So I am back in the gym. It took me 7 months to get there, but I am there. I have not been in workout mode in over two years and pregnancy has surely taken a toll on the shape I was once in. Yea, it was worth it!
I remember I used to find the treadmill pretty damn boring, but had built up a stamina that allowed me to run for a bit of time and a good distance. Now, I still find the treadmill just as boring, only with no stamina in me at all, I watch the clock. Do you have any idea how long a second is when you are huffing and puffing? Returning to the world of the weights has actually been enjoyable. Lifting those car seats everyday has certainly built up my biceps, anyway.

My motivation to get back in there was to attempt to lose the twenty pregnacy pounds that remain. They seem to like me a whole lot more than I like them. However, as Todd just booked us a vacation sans sons to Jamaica, I seem to have a whole new motivation. I think I will need to buy new bathing suits however, I am somewhere between the skimpy bikini of days of the past and the maternity suit of the recent past.

The gym may help me get back into my old jeans. In fact, that would be nice, as I stare at them just hanging in my closet. But, if not, it is at least 60 minutes of time to myself two or more times a week, and that in itself makes it worth it. But, I really do want to fit in to my old jeans!! "

The thrill lasted a few short months, ended by a conflict in schedule, an unmotivating trainer, and a lack of true desire from within.

Now it is February 2009. I am seven weeks post-partum and a lot of the above is still true. My desire is high, as is my motivation, and so far my trainer is a good match for me. The key will be to prevent the schedule conflict and hopefully I won't be titling a posting Back to The Gym take 3 sometime down the road.

First smiles

Parents love our children the moment they are placed in our arms. The truth is we love them long before then, it begins when the pregnancy test is positive. The early days can be rough, though luckily that has not been the case for us, and yet our love deepens (which is the case for us!) despite the cries and lack of sleep. We feed them, change them, cuddle them, love them, and are reciprocated, at that moment, with very little, unsure if our newborns have any idea how much we love them. Then it happens, the first repayment comes making all of the middle of the night feedings worth it! The first smile shines and tattoos itself right on our heart leaving us hungering for more.
Turner has given us his first smiles. Each one more special than the one before as it gains a bit more character. They start off as fleeting smirks, likely gas related, then become responsive to the smiles we give them, all the while melting our hearts.