One

On Sunday, baby dude turned one.

One.


When exactly did this happen? How is it I woke up and a year slipped by me like a prowler, and suddenly a one-year-old is nuzzling at my breasts? Where is that wrinkly, pink little gangly dude I birthed? With his peach-fuzz hair, his pouty lips and wimpered cry. Didn't I just bring him home from the hospital, attempting to stuff him into a 0-3 months outfit with his teeny newborn body?


Didn't I just tandem-nurse my two youngest and breastfeed them both to sleep on my chest, watching with amazement as he rolled over (with help) to meet his head with hers and cuddle, snuggling on my chest?


Didn't he just babble at me, telling me all the things a 2-month old has to say, and more? About his life, his love, his fears, his aspirations, his need for boob and for a smiley face to play with?

Didn't he just get his Steeler's jersey from us at Christmas yesterday, allowing him to help us root for our favorite team to win the Superbowl?


Was he not playing on his baby laptop with daddy last week, punching away at the buttons happily?


You mean, yesterday wasn't when he danced at 6-months-old and shook his butt to Lady GaGa?


Didn't he just go on his first plane ride and fall asleep on Mickey Mouse at Disney?


I can't believe he didn't try to stand on his own for the first time last week. Has it really been a couple months?


You mean, we didn't play dress up last night?


He didn't just receive his first kiss this past weekend?


It really has been a year - a year of taking it all in as deliciously slow as we can, since he is our last. He knows he is, too. He's doing his best to help us savor every last second of his babyhood, by making us linger as he attempts his big milestones slowly, teasing us while he achieves them. He may be making us wait, but he's making us complete.

Happy 1st Birthday to my babywearing, boob-fed, smile-filled, light-saber lovin', chocolate-icing wearin', baby dude.


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To Do Tuesday Week 34

If this is your first time reading and you're wondering what To-Do Tuesday is all about, click to check out the first post to find out more.

Well, I'm back from the Type-A Mom Conference and Euro-Pro event with Robin Miller and apparently, I've become narcoleptic (hence why this post is uber-late). I fell asleep putting baby dude to sleep last night at like, 10:30pm.

What. The. Hell.

I know it's been quite an exhausting week, but holy smokes! And even worse, while we were catching up on shows - shows I've been dying to see! Argh!!! Dear, sweet hubby is so patient with me and my narcoleptic ways, though. Heh.

I have so much to do this week (and I've already done a lot since returning), it's almost too much to list.

Super-clean the bathrooms
Catch up on laundry (not sure any was done while I was gone. Holy piles, Batman!)
Prepare for yard sale this weekend
Somehow pull off yard sale with 4 soccer games on Saturday (uh, yeah...)
Buy coffee, because purchasing store-made sucks. A lot.
Grocery shopping/coupons/list (coffeeeeeeeeee)
Clean out the shed and storage closet before yard sale

Staying on my diet every day*
Work out every day*

*Due to weigh myself tomorrow morning - almost afraid after all of the yummerific, very bad for you foods I ate while away.

Today's motivation - get out in the sunshine (if you've got it) and enjoy that fall air! Oh my, it is actually cool enough here that I can take the kids to the park without them burning their rears on the slides. It's so terrifically awesome! I love this time of year!

--

Would you like to join us this week for To-Do Tuesday? Start with just a few things. Don't over-do it your first couple of times. You'll grow to become a list-a-holic later, start small now, though, k?
Just so you know, you can join us at anytime, it doesn't have to be on Tuesdays - the list will go up every Tuesday for you to link to, but you can make your list and link to us at any point in the week!

Remember, with "To-Do Tuesday", we're attacking our to-do lists each week, blogging about our lists and what we've got going on, and sharing it with each other to help keep each other accountable. Everyone should come back here to link up in the MckLinky as the central "To-Do Tuesday Hub" so we can visit who's participating and offer encouragement to each other throughout the week. Don't forget to add the "To-Do Tuesday" button to your post, linking back to this post!

Let's continue to cross items off our list as we go and help support each other in completing our lists! Don't forget my useful HTML tutorial on how to effectively "cross-out" or √ "check off" your items on your to-do list!

Joining us? Please add your link below (to your To Do Tuesday post, and not the main page of your blog)

Participants for Week 34

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On Being Home and Missing My Bloggy Sisters

Ho-ly Moses, I'm smoked. Like, smoked in the I can't lift my arms they're so tired kind-of way. But oh, the joy of joys of being within breathing and tackling distance of those you've cared about, talked at length about everything and nothing every day, prayed for, commiserated with. I cannot begin to explain for you in words how spectacular it was to wrap my thankful arms around all of you these past four days in both NY and in NC.

There are so many pictures to share, bear with me while I upload them and tackle them down online. I will share as I find them.

In the meantime, I want to share something I wrote, sitting at a table during my excruciatingly long layover in Houston Saturday night. On a pen and paper, old-school-like. (Small tip: click on the icons before my links to see something special. G'head, you know you wanna)

As I sit in a corner booth, noise all around, clouding me like a foggy distraction, lemonade tart in my mouth, stomach rumbling in anticipation, I see a woman walking, skinny, hair pin straight flowing down her back like a waterfall. I think of Amber and her bright eyes and how she was everything I knew she'd be without setting my eyes on her prior.

I see reminders everywhere of them all, of Mishelle's electric eyes and smile, who's talent in photography was over-shadowed by her loving spirit (and the girl can snap a picture with the best of 'em, so that goes to show you something..) Sara was cute as a button, her joyous playful essence came bursting out of the seams of her teeny body. Arianne's secretly quiet as well as breathtakingly beautiful, and Katja is such a delight, she's just like that urge to lick your plate clean after a decadent dessert, not wanting to miss a single thing. Julie, who didn't attend the conference, drove all the way up to see us anyway, and I literally exploded into a gazillion tiny pieces when we locked eyes, I was that happy to see her.

There were so many women I was completely smitten with, that I met at both events this week, like Piera, Rachel, Lotus, Jenn, Rhea, Amy, Danielle, Shellie, Stacie, Kadi, Casey, Trisha, Jen, Jessica, Amy, Angela, Jessie, to name a few off the top of my head, along with ones I was so happy to see again, namely "Aunty Maria" (shown right hugging baby dude) and the glowing, ready-to-birth-any-time Megan.

Meeting my fellow sisters, smiling til my cheeks hurt, but never stopping, sharing ourselves like they've been there since we splashed out of our moms' bellies. Blood was of no concern with our connection. We just... were. Bonded.

These reminders I cling to, much like my baby dude did to me the past few days, embracing me with such love and comforting warmth.

We may not have physically met before this, but we already knew each other like secret far-away best friends. Many-a-time the words were uttered "we may have never met before, but it's like I've always known you." It matters not how we met, what matters is the room in our hearts for each other. Conversation spilled forth like an overflowing river of our mouths and didn't stop all conference long. Everyone talked and talked and talked until some couldn't manage another word with a hoarse voice.

While my body aches and yearns for my pillow, my husband's embrace and my children's sloppy kisses, my heart longs for these women, those souls who, while distance separates us, are as close to my heart as my blood.

I'm not the most put together woman on the planet, I have my faults, zits, stray body hairs and saggy skin with horrendous bags under my eyes and an addiction to coffee, but my words are my own, my love of the written word is strong, and my passion for life overwhelms me. I felt filled with emotion, beyond the ability to speak, to get to meet others who are just. like. me.

Thank you to you amazing women who graced me with inspiration, with unending laughter, unadulterated joy and grace beyond words. You raised me up in unimaginable ways. I adore you all.

A very special thanks to The Sister Project for helping me get to this life-altering conference.

Picture by the amazing and wonderful Mishelle Lane. I miss you.
*Additional pictures by Rich Bucich from Tiny Prints and Casey from Moosh in Indy.

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Adventures in Flying (By the Seat of Ones Pants)

I'm a rebel. Sometimes I realize I've forgot to buckle my seatbelt while flying. I know, I know, how could I? I have. A fricking. Infant strapped on my lap, that's how.

He was good, mind you. But four flights in 24 hours? Whoa. Like, whoa whoa.

I was afraid I wasn't gonna workout while away. Ha. HA! Um, navigating the airports with baby dude and stroller and uber-heavy laptop and camera bag and purse and... BREATHE.

And what the heck.. why is every flight attendant sound like a radio announcer? Really, do they go through a special kind of training or something?

By the way, Delta? You totally rock out loud for showing How I Met Your Mother in flight. *respect knuckles*

And Expedia? You're still a douche.

But Robin Miller? She totally rocked my socks at the Ninja Launch in NYC.

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Around the Blogosphere - Mona Visits the Army

I am so pleased to have had a REAL super-hero come stay with us - Moxie Mona from Moxie Media! She swooped in to see us during her busy travels of visiting 60-or-so bloggers throughout the United States during her Around the Blogosphere in 5 days tour! We were so happy to have her, we made her feel right at home.

She immediately sensed how busy I was, and rolled up her sleeves to chip in and help. Here she is picking up the kids from school for me...


Sitting with my son, cheering on the kids at their soccer games while my husband coached..


We took her to see the sights on Fort Polk, and to introduce her to some of the soldiers stationed here. Fort Polk, Louisiana serves primarily as a training post for units preparing to deploy to fight the nation’s wars. The main post consists of about 100,000 acres, mostly in the Kisatchie National Forest, and is the only Combat Training Center that also trains and deploys combat units.

Mona was quite excited to get out and motivate some of the troops who are about to go to war. She was able to speak with them, and tell them how they themselves are all heroes, just like her, and for them to stay low and come home safe. A soldier she met thanked her for her kind and caring words by awarding her a Parachutist's Badge known as "Airborne wings".


After she spoke with some of the troops, she went on to visit some of the monuments and learn about Fort Polk's history. She learned that construction of Camp Polk began in 1941, during which time government, in preparation for World War II, displaced 254 families from their homes and community, forcing them to move (You know, I often joke about how this place is cursed, I now know why).

Moxie Mona stood in awe of the monument erected to acknowledge these families and their sacrifice for our nation, but wishes there would've been another way to have solved this issue at that time. This monument, shown right, lists each displaced family by name.

Mona asked about what it is that brought us to this post, we told her - my husband's job as a mentor/trainer with the JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center). The JRTC moved from Fort Chaffee, Ark., to Fort Polk in 1991, and this post became a place to prepare soldiers for conflict. Each year, JRTC at Polk conducts several "rotations" for units about to deploy, focusing on improving unit readiness by providing highly realistic, stressful, joint and combined arms training. Mona was intrigued by what my hubby does, wanting to visit the training area herself, but that area is restricted, and she understood why she couldn't see it.

We were able, however, to take her to see some tanks, though, and she was LOVIN' it! This one here is marked the Bad Mammie, the M-4A3E8 Medium Sherman Tank nicknamed the "Easy Eight", which first appeared in Europe during WWII in December '44. It weighs 30 tons and was powered by a 500HP V8 engine with a crew of five people.

This tank, I believe, was her favorite - the M-24 Light Tank, which was powered by twin Cadillac V8 engines with a top speed of 34 MPH! Can you imagine? The M-24 carried a crew of four with a range of 100 miles. Look at Moxie Mona rockin' that thing!

She absolutely had to try out the 105mm Howitzer M2A1. Typically towed on a 6x6 2½ ton truck and manned by a crew of eight, this baby once packed a powerful, accurate punch weighing 42 pounds with a range of 12,200 yards during WWII. Be careful, Mona!

We meant Mona no harm, but she got pretty emotional at the sight of the 9-11 monument. The sheer enormity of names listed before her, depicting the soldiers, families and civilians honored who made the ultimate sacrifice and whose support will forever be remembered. It is such a beautiful monument, and she was proud to visit it and honor them during her stay, as were we.


Moxie Mona wanted to do something fun from here, so we went to see Alligator Lake, a quiet recreation place located on Fort Polk. We had a blast playing at the park, celebrating her stay with us! She loved watching people fish and ride on the paddle boats there.


After quite the whirlwind tour of the base, she shared a drink with my toddler, hugging the family and thanking us for making her feel so welcome, and she flew off to visit her next blogger on her tour. Thank you so much Moxie Mona for stopping by, we will miss you!


Who will her next blogger be? Stop by Moxie Media’s founding members, Better in Bulk, Mayhem & Moxie, Mama’s Losin’ It, Scary Mommy, and Seven Clown Circus, to find out!

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To Do Tuesday Week 33

If this is your first time reading and you're wondering what To-Do Tuesday is all about, click to check out the first post to find out more.

You know, when I was planning for BlogHer, my mind may have been going a mile a minute, but I had everything handled 1000%. This week, as I prepare to go away for the Type-A Mom Conference and Euro-Pro event with Robin Miller, with all the stuff I have to take care of today before I leave tomorrow, my head is like one of those revolving doors, spinning this way, that way, what am I doin', what do I need to do next.. BREATHE LISA, BREATHE! {Inhale, exhale}

I wish I could say that I'm okay, but I'm not.

Expedia botched my reservation with a computer error they won't admit to, even when they were sitting there while we were talking, guilty of not being able to tell me particulars because their "system was down". I seriously cannot believe the gall on them! So, in an effort to ensure I make it from here, to NY, to NC and back, I just had to shell out $350+ for THEIR screw up. Let me tell you, I am not a happy camper right now. I will never use Expedia again, and the Attorney General will be hearing from me about it, too.

Needless to say, the to-do list and trip must go on, as much as it's spoiled as of right now because of this mix up. I suppose I should be grateful I caught it before I left, and not in NY, stranded, but I'm honestly not. It's a mess.

Try not to cry big ugly tears over this mess. Too late.
Pull self together, pack, and don't forget:

• Business cards
• Phone, camera & laptop charger w/ extra batteries
  
• Poken
• Printed receipts/travel itinerary
  

Grocery shopping/coupons/list
Finish the "while mom's away.." chart/planner/schedule

Try not to freak out about all of this, I am supposed to have fun.

Staying on my diet all week long (eat as well as I can away from home)*
Work out at least when I can (if I can while away)!*

*If I get a chance to before I leave, I'll weigh myself.

Today's motivation - don't suck like Expedia. The end.

--

Would you like to join us this week for To-Do Tuesday? Start with just a few things. Don't over-do it your first couple of times. You'll grow to become a list-a-holic later, start small now, though, k?
Just so you know, you can join us at anytime, it doesn't have to be on Tuesdays - the list will go up every Tuesday for you to link to, but you can make your list and link to us at any point in the week!

Remember, with "To-Do Tuesday", we're attacking our to-do lists each week, blogging about our lists and what we've got going on, and sharing it with each other to help keep each other accountable. Everyone should come back here to link up in the MckLinky as the central "To-Do Tuesday Hub" so we can visit who's participating and offer encouragement to each other throughout the week. Don't forget to add the "To-Do Tuesday" button to your post, linking back to this post!

Let's continue to cross items off our list as we go and help support each other in completing our lists! Don't forget my useful HTML tutorial on how to effectively "cross-out" or √ "check off" your items on your to-do list!

Joining us? Please add your link below (to your To Do Tuesday post, and not the main page of your blog)

Participants for Week 33

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Walking

Do you see this pancake lovin' face right here?


He took his first steps. {gulp}


He's pretty excited about it. Mommy, however - while she screamed, squealed, squeaked and hugged and kissed him senseless at the time - is freakin' out. Like, a lot a lot. My baby is about to be walking. And one year's old. All at the same time, it seems.

I am so not ready.

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Fall CBS Premieres and Jenna Elfman Interview

I. Love. Fall.

I love the coolness in the air, I love the leaves changing, the smell that fall brings in the wind. I love Halloween, Thanksgiving and ridiculous amounts of baking (OH THE BAKING!). I love sneaking around, purchasing or making presents for loved ones, stashing them somewhere hidden, wrapping them with glee, decorating and scheming to make Christmas the most perfect and magical every year.

And? I love the return of the shows. I. Love. TV. It's bad, I know, because I'm the crunchy, organic, fitness mom, I'm not supposed to like plopping my lazy butt on the couch and staring at the idiot box.

But I do.

I do love shows, shows that make me cry, that make me think, that challenge me, that inspire me. Ones that let me escape a bad day and live vicariously through their characters. Shows I can cuddle up on a rainy day with my DVR, remote and hubs and watch and laugh and be grateful for the cuddle time we share.

They always kick off wickedly awesome new shows in the fall (there are so many I honestly don't think my DVR is gonna handle it all). And this fall season has me on my toes, itching, ready and crazy-excited for more.

I was able to view three pilots for upcoming CBS fall shows - Accidentally on Purpose, The Good Wife and Medium (a show returning but to a different network). All three shows had me quite entertained, each for their own, distinctive reasons, and have me longing for more.

Firstly, let me tell you that I had the extreme pleasure of speaking to Jenna Elfman during a conference call on Tuesday about her new show, Accidentally on Purpose. Along with Mary Pols - the author of the book the show is based upon (did you know the book is based on her life, so in essence, Jenna is playing Mary on the show?), and Claudia Lonow, who is the Executive Producer and "the mastermind of the show" (according to Mary), these three brilliant and hilarious women spilled the beans about filming, writing, it's creation, and the fun they have on set. All three are all very excited about this endeavor, all light-hearted and funny, just like the show. I will have a recording of the interview soon to share with you, I promise.

But the show, OH THE SHOW! Accidentally on Purpose is so freakin' funny. Jenna plays a woman named Billie who finds herself pregnant after a fling she has with a much younger guy. I promise you, it isn't as tawdry as it may seem, it's actually quite a riot. Billie is upset over the breakup with her way hot but can't-commit-ex-boyfriend, James (played by the delicious Grant Show of Melrose Place fame). The younger guy, Zack (played by Jon Foster), eventually moves in with her to help her, and the comedy ensues, especially when her ex declares he wants her back. (The clash between the ex with the younger guy? Epic!) Good gracious I laughed hard while watching this show, I truly loved the characters, the plot and the hilarious lines, and I cannot wait to see the next episode. Go ahead, laugh as you watch the Accidentally On Purpose preview. Accidentally on Purpose premieres Monday September 21st 8:30pm EST.

The Good Wife was one show that intrigued me immediately from the previews I saw for it. Having been a longtime fan of Julianna Margulies already, from back from her ER days, I had no idea how intriguing and wicked-smart this show was going to be (as well as it touching upon legal struggles, to boot, because Julianna plays an attorney). Julianna's character is jilted by her husband (her husband is played by Chris Noth, well-known for his roles in Law and Order, Sex and the City), when his very public sex and political corruption scandal forces him to depart his job and lands him in jail. Her role of being the dutiful "good wife" changes, from a wife who stands by her husband throughout his ordeal to one who is forced to take over as the breadwinner to support their family and his rising court costs fighting his charges. She hesitantly re-enters the workforce as a defense attorney after a 13 year hiatus.

Also starring in the show is Josh Charles (who I lovingly recall from his role of "hottie" in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead) and Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia, Bowfinger, The Birdcage), who both play senior lawyers in her law firm. I'm particularly liking the fiery character, Kalinda, played by Archie Panjabi who brings some savvy comedy into the show's mix. Check out the The Good Wife preview, premiering Tuesday September 22nd at 10pm EST.

Medium is a show, I must admit, I didn't watch when it was on NBC. I was a little apprehensive about watching this "pilot" (if you could call it a pilot for simply switching networks), simply because I thought Am I going to be "behind"? Would it pick up where it left off? Would I know what was happening, or would it start new, for new viewers like me? I can honestly tell you that, after watching it, DO NOT WORRY!! HOLY HECK, did it ever reel me in! It. Is. So. Good. I can't wait to see the next episode!

I am one who believes in psychics and whatnot, and this gave me absolute chills! Medium is also about a real-life person, Allison Dubois (played by Patricia Arquette), who experiences psychic visions through her dreams and aides the District Attorney in solving cases. As this was my first taste of this show, I must say I'm completely hooked - what amazing, creative writing and what a cliffhanger to get you to tune into the next episode, wow! If you haven't seen this show, do not worry like I did about not being up to speed, WATCH IT. I don't even want to tell you a single thing about this preview, in an effort to not spoil the surprise for you, you need to experience it for yourself. I invite you to see the Medium preview. Medium premieres on Friday September 25th at 9pm EST.

What shows are you most looking forward to seeing this fall? Among the many I'm looking forward to returning, in addition to seeing these above, I can't wait to see the continuation of the cliffhanger from NCIS's season finale (remember, Ziva was captured!?), and it's new counterpart NCIS: Los Angeles (with L.L. Cool J and the delectable Chris O'Donnell).

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*Photos courtesy of CBS

Icing

When you get up and go go go from 7:30am on, opening ceremonies, soccer game after soccer game after soccer game, quick lunch to shop to celebrate a birthday party, flying non-stop by the seat of your soccer-mom chair, you eventually get to the icing on top of your day, often unexpected yet, when it arrives it's like you knew all along.

Ever have one of those, dragged-under-the-bus days, where you literally schlep home wondering if you'll make it inside before falling asleep? That was my day yesterday. By the time we made it home at 9pm, my body was screaming obscenities at me and the kids were rabid animals, overtired and cranky. But I had just enough energy to flick on the computer, slide in the day's shots and smile a big smile, reliving moments like this.

Big man stands proud and shy at his first opening ceremony

Or like this.

Scoring a goal for the first time ever (he actually had 3 goals today!)

And especially this.

Delving into a sprinkled chocolate cupcake

Tired after a full day or not, icing on the cake of life is so good.

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Tales of a Chair

I have a nice desk chair. It is cushy. It is black. I received it for my birthday last year, and amazingly enough, the arm is already cracked and peeling (fake leather, I guess). Nonetheless, it's nice to sit on when I need to write.

When I get to sit on it, that is.

I think it has a hidden alarm. Some sort-of hidden panic button or something, because the second my hiney plops down into the seat, the wailing-meter is pinging, kids' mouths are going off, and there's immediately a fight, or a child calling for me, coming in need of aid, the baby wakes. But OOH! LOOK! IT'S MY CHAIR! CAN I SIT IN MY CHAIR, PLEASE? PLEEEASE?

Nope, my butt is alerting the block and beyond, now, the doorbell rings, or the phone, or a neighbor or workman comes a-knockin' because I just sat down, or perhaps a timer, or poop, 'cuz who can work well when the stench of death is afoot in your house anyway, hmm? And these two are tag-teaming me day-in, day-out with diapers (I think they've got a pretty well-constructed plan, Operation Poopie Shorts™). BUT MY CHAIR? LOOK! A BLANK BLOG POST- MOMMY'S GOTTA WORK NOW, OKAY? LOOKIE! CUSHY CHAIR! SHINY! CAN MOMMY SIT IN HER PRETTY CHAIR NOW?

Noooooo, I have to get up again because husband is calling from upstairs, laundry needs to be flip-flopped, "Mom, where's this for my outfit tomorrow," yet I wasn't the one who wore it last BUT THAT CHAIR SEEMS AWFULLY COMFY, DON'T YOU THINK KIDS? "But moooooom, what's the square root of eleventy-billion and..." CAN'T YOU ASK DAD? No, because I'm sitting in the God-forsaken Alarmed Chair of Death™, triggering a war unlike one I've ever known, and the second I stand up, he can answer the problem all by himself! But to return my tired hindside to the blessed chair once more, it's like I've sucked out his brain by sitting, or something, because suddenly the answer is nowhere to be found, forgotten! ALARM STRIKES AGAIN.

I quit. Who needs to work out, I'm gonna squat at my laptop so I can work from now on. How ya like me now!?


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Gimme an S! Gimme an L! Gimme an E-E-P!

Do you know what happened to me last night? Nothing. One big fat gigantic goose-egg of nuthin'.

What's so special about that? I went to bed at nearly 11. E-l-e-v-e-n. That, my friends, is unheard of. No writing a post for me, no checking emails before bed, no posting on forums, no Facebook, no Twitter, not even watching and finishing a DVRed show!

Night time is usually when I get to make-out with my temporal lobe a little bit, and massage a post onto the screen for you all to read. Last night, however, my eyes were already getting heavy while at the computer, and before I knew it, I was dozing, head bobbling around like a dashboard toy.

Just then, the baby woke up, wanting boob. I made the happy mistake of going to sit in the living room, on my comfy spot on the couch, heating pad heated to perfection, slapped on just the right spot on my back that made me begin to doze while I nourished the baby back to sleep.

{snort*huh?*snort}

I woke myself up, shook my head a bit, and laid him back down, stood up, and grabbed a drink of water to try to awaken me. I can't go to sleep now, it's only 10pm! I have things to do!

My husband put on Top Chef and we began to watch. I grabbed a snack, too, to attempt to keep me awake, but as soon as I finished it, I was nodding off, again, and the next thing I knew, my hubby was waking me to go upstairs and to bed. I dazily glanced at the clock. 10:50.

Wow.

I'd ask what's up with that, but I'll take it, no questions asked! Sleep is such a rare and precious commodity when you're a parent, that I won't dare question it, just embrace it, and be thankful!

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Birthday Box Fun

He doesn't know it yet, but inside that box? Is a birthday gift for him.


Yes, I said it. His first birthday is on the 27th.

{jaw drop}

OHMYGOD, I can't believe I just said that. I can't believe he's going to be one.

One!


{tears}

As I sit, laying here, watching this boy smile and giggle and make a racket, my little happy-go-lucky baby dude, all wide-eyed and happily playing, banging along on this box. It's like the best damn thing he's ever seen, and he doesn't even know that in it lays a surprise for him.


He doesn't know how much he is loved, that it will be his first birthday, he just knows that this box is fun, and mommy is busy snapping away with her camera at him and his sister playing drums and climbing all over it.


Who needs a birthday gift, really. This box'll do just fine.



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Elementary, My Dear Volunteer

The volunteer task for the elementary school seemed simple enough - break down twenty-three workbooks and sort them.


Rip. Each. Page. Out. Of. 23. Books.

Then I needed to stagger their pages, and sort by page AND story.


Once separated and sorted, I placed them, story-by-story, into this file here, along with the empty workbooks.


Two-and-a-half hours it took me.


Definitely not the most efficient way this could've been done, nor the most cost-effective. I mean, why on earth didn't they realize how much simpler (and cheaper) it would've been to take one workbook and copy it on the copier twenty-three times?

{face palm}

Needless to say, most of my morning was spent doing this ridiculous job with a cranky baby in tow, suffering with a diaper rash. Not exactly fun by any means.

Next time for crying out loud, at least let me play with the die cut machine, or staple things on a bulletin board, or something fun!

For more Wednesday fun, visit Wordless Wednesday, 5MFM, MomSpective, MomDot, Ordinary and Awesome, Seven Clown Circus and We Are THAT Family.

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To Do Tuesday Week 32

If this is your first time reading and you're wondering what To-Do Tuesday is all about, click to check out the first post to find out more.

Last week's list was pitiful, wasn't it? But much needed- I'm good, feeling much better, and back on track, ready to rock! This week we've got a lot of preparation and such going on. I leave next week for New York for the Ninja Launch with Robin Miller and North Carolina for Type-A Mom Conference with baby dude, and there's a lot to get accomplished before I go!

Clean the back yard up and sweep (if the rain stops long enough!)
Get a couple fall-weather plants, maybe?
Begin packing list for trips
Finalize travel plans
Grocery shopping/coupons/list
Continue cleaning out closets and boxing up items to donate/sell
Work on the "while mom's away.." chart/planner/schedule

Staying on my diet all week long!*
Work out at least 30-60 minutes everyday!*
Run 4 times a week at least
Use exercise ball everyday
Use hoop everyday (can't wait to talk more about this!)

*Haven't weighed myself since the other day, but will tomorrow morning for the Shrinking Jeans challenge.

Today's motivation - live! I was deeply saddened to hear of Patrick Swayze's passing, and after reading about all he continued to do, even while fighting his disease and seeking treatment, I felt inspired to do more with myself and my life, too. Make sure that, even in the hustle and bustle of your every day norm, that you find time to do at least one thing you love for 20 or more minutes. You'd be surprised how much good doing that will do for you and for your outlook on life. Get out and LIVE!

My prayers go out to Patrick's family and friends.

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Would you like to join us this week for To-Do Tuesday? Start with just a few things. Don't over-do it your first couple of times. You'll grow to become a list-a-holic later, start small now, though, k?
Just so you know, you can join us at anytime, it doesn't have to be on Tuesdays - the list will go up every Tuesday for you to link to, but you can make your list and link to us at any point in the week!

Remember, with "To-Do Tuesday", we're attacking our to-do lists each week, blogging about our lists and what we've got going on, and sharing it with each other to help keep each other accountable. Everyone should come back here to link up in the MckLinky as the central "To-Do Tuesday Hub" so we can visit who's participating and offer encouragement to each other throughout the week. Don't forget to add the "To-Do Tuesday" button to your post, linking back to this post!

Let's continue to cross items off our list as we go and help support each other in completing our lists! Don't forget my useful HTML tutorial on how to effectively "cross-out" or √ "check off" your items on your to-do list!

Joining us? Please add your link below (to your To Do Tuesday post, and not the main page of your blog)

Participants for Week 32

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Adventures in School Drop Offs - Who Needs Morning Coffee Anyway?

Do you know what's fun? Navigating four school-children to 3 different schools, with two little kids in tow. In rush hour traffic. On- and off-post. In Louisiana. Chock-filled with people who have not a friggin' clue how to drive. 45 minutes of pure hell on wheels, I tell ya.

We leave the house at 7:20am, and a prompt 7:20 at that, or just a split-second later causes the whole house of cards to come down. Off to the first school located off-post, to drop my two fourth-graders off at their new elementary school. While it takes only 10 minutes to get there, it takes another 10 just to get on campus, with traffic, policemen directing traffic, wading through the line of other cars, and drop offs (naturally). This leaves my older daughter to get to her school in a manner of 5 minutes, and my kindergartner 20 minutes to get to his. Luckily, the high school is on the same campus, just around back, so it's easy to get to. Or so you would think.

This particular morning, as with every morning, there are parents taking their children to school who have absolutely no idea what it is they should be doing when behind a wheel. I was cut-off waiting in line by a person who thought crossing in front of oncoming traffic was a good idea (and by on-coming traffic, I mean me and everyone else in line). At the elementary school, you know, the place with little kids that could get hurt? In the parking lot. Nice one, lady. I was, of course, flabbergasted and, of course, concerned, so I braked (and by braking to avoid an accident, she gunned it and pulled ahead of me - remember this for later).

This same crazy woman, seemingly uncaring about how careless she is (uh, that makes sense, yes?), then proceeds to leave a two-car-length gap between her and the car in front of her, preventing people from moving up when they should, because she'd purposely leave that gap or forget to pull forward. (I know, I know, I should've cut in front of her. Heh.)

She then proceeds to take her. sweet. everloving. time dropping her son off. And for the record? I totally told an aide outside about what she did, cutting me off. Hey, I am not ashamed of being a tattle-tale. What she did was dangerous!

Just as I was about to pull around her, because I was already done and she was still taking her $*@# time, she finally moved, proceeding at a snail's pace (again). She arrives at this point where you can go right to the high school campus, or left to get out of the parking lot. There is on-coming traffic, and you have to be careful, but holy crap! She sat there. Almost 5 minutes. She wouldn't move. (Remember when I told you to remember that thing above? This is why).

The same lady who gunned it to cut me off in a parking lot with children present, who could get hurt, is now stopped, not moving, afraid to be hit.

(Pick up your jaw, I know.)

She had plenty of opportunities to go, too. I swear to goodness, I was going to get out of the car and choke her tell her she had a nice blouse {cough} if she didn't finally decide to move, but, as luck would have it, she moved! Halle-fricken-lujah! And somehow, some way, I squeaked my daughter inside her school on time. {whew}

Now it's my kindergartner's turn, who I now have to bring all the way back onto post to get to his school by 8am. It's 7:45. Only 10 minutes to get back on post, I can do it! Or so I thought.

As soon as I cross the gates of hell {ahem} onto post, the line is backed up, the police are still directing traffic to the other school-that-shall-not-be-named and causing it to back up. I finally get through, but am stuck at yet again another light. 7:55. Holy heck, will I make it? Can I do it? Light turns 7:56, I get to the school's drop-off section 7:58, we pull up to the aide, door opens, son gets out at 7:59. We are the last people. The doors are closing.... behind my son. He is the last child admitted on time. The last. The clock strikes 8am. We did it!

I pull out ceremoniously, taking a sip of my cold-ish coffee, and wanting to cry. Yes, it really is this bad in the morning.

Seriously, how long can we go on like this? Leave even earlier? (Recall, we leave at 7:20 already!) How could I leave even earlier, how? It's bad enough as it is the kids eat as early as they do to leave at this time. They don't eat lunch for almost 4 hours as it is. We work best in getting the kids to school when we split up, most definitely - when hubby takes the off-post kids and I take my kindergartner, or vice versa. But he's not always available to help, and when he's not, God help me, I am a lunatic by the time I arrive home at 8:05am. This new morning drive? Is killing me. K-i-l-l-i-n-g me.

Let's not even talk about the afternoon pick-up. *dies*

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Weight and Fitness Update with Photos

It appears that I'm going to need new work-out clothes. I had purchased Danskin capris and shorts from Walmart, but now they are sliding off my rear and hips as I work-out. Kind-of poses an issue when your pants are falling, and you have to stop working-out to pull them up, or they're being held up by the leg-strap on the EAS Active. Heh.

I went and found some Weider Neoprene shorts at the PX (on Post Exchange), which serve as work-out shorts that help with excess water weight. They feel funny to wear, because they aren't really breathable, but I must admit, they feel good compressing things in, making me sweat while I work hard. I ran 4 miles on the Wii Fit with them after I bought them, and I could definitely feel that I sweat more. I also bought a Reebok fitness ball to help me more with my core training. I'm excited!

I've also officially done it. The 30 lbs lost mark. I achieved it. The tummy bug helped me get over the bump, and it's become official - starting weight? 173. Weight today? 142. 31 lbs lost. W-o-w. I can't believe I'm knockin' on the door to the 130's soon. Holy crap!

Before pictures

April 4th


June 12th - clothes getting looser


July 29th - even looser

Today - can't even see definition in legs because capris are draping on me, hanging off. You can't tell by my stance, but my capri's crotch hangs lol. Shirt flowy, not tight at all anymore

What I'm doing - Fitness: I'm still working out on the EAS Active everyday (or try to). I've upped my entire workout to "high" level now, beginning today (most were on high, I bumped up the remainder). After a few weeks, I'm going to change it up again, throw in extra stuff, take some out. I think I might swap out workouts on it, like 3 times a week do these, 3 times a week do those.

I try to fit in yoga on the Wii Fit a couple times a week. I'm also running almost everyday on the Free Run on the Wii Fit, too. I'm planning on adding walking a couple times a week, too. I've been doing recline twists off my couch to tone my obliques, but now that I've got this fitness ball, I plan to do a lot more with my stomach and core.

What I'm doing - Diet: I'm still on my no-or-low sodium diet, eating only chicken or turkey, steering clear of red meat, oils, fats, salts and sugar. It's become a way of life for me now, it really has. But I still cheat every now and again, because it's okay to give in every once in a while and not be so robotic about it. Besides, once you get into a good routine where it's almost automatic, it's alright, so long as cheating doesn't become cheating and mainstream again, you know?

I've begun eating Power Bars, because there are times in the afternoons when I could use a jolt, or something good after a work-out. I find the "Triple Threat" Chocolate Toffee Almond and Chocolate Caramel Fusion to be especially awesome.

I'm still drinking "my shakes" daily with Slim Fast Optima in Creamy Chocolate with skim milk, water, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, one-half banana (I find freezing your bananas works best), a dash of cinnamon, a couple ice cubes, and my most recent addition to my shakes - psyllium husk fiber from GNC. After I make my shake, I drink some water (to help with the fiber) and ensure I keep drinking throughout the day. Fiber is a very important part to losing weight, but also in keeping healthy, too.

What about you? I want to hear from you out there, are you dieting and exercising? What are you up to?

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