More Sugar Than Spice

No Room For Four

After preschool today, Monkeys aunt took her to the park and out for ice cream.  When they came back I was sleeping, but her aunt told me there were kids at the park that were mean to Monkey.  I asked what happened, and it turns out they had bubbles so Monkey went up and in an attempt to join the fun, she started laughing and popping bubbles.  The little girl thought it was funny and they started playing a game of blowing and popping the bubbles together.

Apparently, one of the two boys didn’t like the game and told her there was three of them, and with Monkey it would be four, and there was no room for four.  My disappointed Monkey went and told her aunt what happened, so they left the park for ice cream and toy shopping at Target.

Stealing Minutes

So I haven’t been writing much over the last few days because I have been on bed rest and well, I haven’t done anything interesting. Just the taste of bed rest over the last few days has left me sour. Daddy has been great and has been hanging out with Monkey, and although I know I should be thankful to have such a strong, good man, I can’t help but feel I am just not needed. In my brain I know it’s not true, but as I look around, watching the minutes tick by, I just feel so replaced.

I went for my follow up appointment today, and unfortunately things are not looking great. I still have protein in my urine, but the good news is my blood pressure has come down. The bad news is that indicates the bed rest is working on some level, therefore more has been prescribed.

5 Observations In 5 Hours

Today, I was sent to the hospital from the doctors office, for some follow up testing. While I was there laying in an awkward position, listening to Caterpillars heartbeat and the blood pressure cuff as it expanded and contracted, I observed the following:

1. Latex gloves are no longer latex. Therefore, they are hard to blow up and even harder to tie, but it can be done.
2. When you are sent home to pee in a hat for 24 hours, it has nothing to do with fashion.
3. The door handles on all hospital doors are purposely designed to wake you up, so the nurse doesn’t have to do it when he/she comes in.
4. When flushing the toilet, holding hands with your children is required. There is enough water pressure to suck one of them down, right along with the toilet paper.
5. Valet parking doesn’t give any sort of pleasure when it’s provided because your waddle is too painful for people to watch from across the parking lot.

What odd things did you notice last time you were at the hospital or doctors office?

Learning To Dance

Just about the time when I thought I couldn’t worry any more about the medical stuff, I decided to read my horoscope.  No joke.  This was yesterdays:

Your own goals might need to take a back seat to the service of others these days. Even if you are thinking about doing something specifically for yourself, circumstances may require you to wait a while. There is a spiritual aspect to minimizing the voice of your own ego now, yet you’ll need to manage your frustration or it will delay your personal gratification even longer.

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Flip And Flipping Out

We have pretty much locked into a routine of Monkey getting up fairly early, which allows plenty of time for relaxation in the mornings prior to the hustle that is required when attempting to get a three year old out the door on time for anything.  This morning was no exception, and I needed it.  I have been so unbelievably tired the last few days and since I had a doctors appointment, I HAD to shave my legs this morning. This is a task I used to do daily for my own sanity, but lately it has been too darn exhausting with the whole heat and standing thing going on in our shower.  When you add a pretzel position for shaving, it becomes an Olympic event in the making.

When I climbed out of the steamy cube of death, I was thankful I had time to lay down and do nothing for a while.  But, all too quickly I had to flip back into hustle mode, and before I knew it I was drinking the glucola for my sugar test and we were off for our days adventure.

Safety Net

Awake.

At 3am.

With the sudden reality check that Caterpillar will be here in three months. That’s just three more paychecks before the little one is here, and we’ve yet to do anything. We haven’t started his room, haven’t bought any clothes or a car seat. Haven’t done anything. I guess my thought was to strap the naked baby on the top of the car for the ride home and pray for the best. Procrastination at its finest.

I’m Not Doing Anything

I hear the words “I’m not doing anything” at least five times a day. My favorite is when I can smell and/or see exactly what Monkey is doing, yet when I ask how it’s going, the response is the same: I’M NOT DOING ANYTHING!

Today, Monkey washed her hands about twenty times with MY new Bath and Body Works foaming hand wash, so the smell told me exactly what she was doing, yet when asked the response was the famous “I’M NOT DOING ANYTHING.” There have been other times when the sound of the Learning Tower sliding across our hardwood floors is the dead give away. Additionally, the French doors on our refrigerator bump the pantry door if opened too quickly - again another clue that she is helping herself to something she didn’t want to ask me for. Of course, I don’t have mom super powers like she thinks I do when she’s busted, but it’s fun to let her think that I do.

Munchies For The Munchkins

With our first day of school behind us, Daddy and I have decided Monkey isn’t the only one who can use a little change.  Lately, it has become such a relief to make it to the end of the day that Daddy and I have settled into a routine of munching on junk food as soon as it’s ‘lights out’ time.

In addition to curbing this habit, we would like to start snacking smarter so Monkey has a good example of choices that will satisfy our cravings, and give us the fuel our bodies need.

Here are the five that I thought Monkey would not only enjoy, but could go easily with Daddy or Monkey when they leave the house:

1. Ants on a Log: Who doesn’t love the childhood classic including celery sticks (the log) filled with peanut butter and raisins (the ants)?  I am going to try to put them in a plastic container to keep them a little neater during travel.
2. Homemade Trail Mix: Pretzels, raisins or dried cranberries and peanuts.  This is inexpensive and hearty.
3. Pinwheels: Tortillas with either peanut butter or cream cheese spread thinly and some sort of veggie or fruit.  Broccoli bits work great with cream cheese and strawberries and honey go well with peanut butter.  Roll the tortillas and chill for 5 - 8 hours and then slice into rolls.
4. Fruit Skewers: Use a melon baller to make even balls of cantaloupe, watermelon and honey dew.  Skewer the balls with strawberries and grapes for a colorful, nutritious snack that goes to school, or works well straight out of the fridge.
5. Tomato and Cheese Bites: Monkey LOVES tomatoes.  A simple container with grape or cherry tomatoes and cubed cheese is one of her favorites and as long as I pay attention to what cheese I include, it is healthy snack that gets munched right away.

As you can see, I can use help, because I know these will get old fast - especially for Daddy.  What are some of your favorite “on the go” snacks?  Don’t forget to include how you prep them and what I need to do to store them in the lunch box.

Happy Snacking!

The Time Has Come…

This morning around 5am I felt two little eyes looking at me. I opened my eyes to find Monkey standing next to the bed and she said “Good morning, Mommy… Time for school!”

We were able to snooze for a little longer and then I got up made Monkey breakfast and ironed her skirt. We all got dressed and ready to go. Monkey allowed a few pictures after a little resistance, and had patience while Daddy and I went to Starbucks.

Live and Unplugged

We are back from the little slice of heaven located in southern Colorado, and I would have to say it was the best trip yet. We went with just Daddy’s parents, so it was a very relaxing trip. Monkey has missed Monga and Papa and asks about them almost daily, so it gave her a chance to refill her heart, before the business of fall and school sets in.

We pulled out late Wednesday night, so there wasn’t much to do besides unpack and settle in the first night. Thursday I woke up early and came down to find fresh coffee and my in-laws sneaking around as to not wake anyone up. I made a hot, big breakfast which everyone seemed to enjoy since the rain was rolling in over the mountains.