Merry Christmas and Bahumbug

I can't believe Christmas is only a few days away. The excitement is building inside of me and I can hardly wait. Hardly wait to race down the stairs first thing Christmas morning with the kiddo's. With all this cheer that I have and always have, there is something new this year. Holiday Blues,....What is that????

I've never had it before. What is this wierd feeling? For the last 30 plus years I have been the team captain of everything Cheery. Need to get your fill of Christmas,...come to my house and by the first week on November you would swear you had entered the North Pole. Want to watch a Christmas movie? I have them all alphabetically arranged just waiting to be enjoyed or I could act them out for you scene by scene.

But this year something is a little off. I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting a little older and things are starting to bother me. Things that usually I would sluff off my shoulders so that someone else would be happy. The truth is,...I'm tired of being the bigger person!!! That's right, I said it outloud and posted it here in Blogland for the world to see. No I don't want to come to your house for Christmas Eve for the 7th year in a row so I can watch all my relatives get drunk on Teguilla and speak in a language that I can't understand. Don't get me wrong, this is wildly entertaining on any other night other than Christmas Eve. Then drive over an hour back with past out children and 2 tired parents.

A friend of mine put it poetically the other night as we were having our yearly Christmas Cookie baking session, i.e. kids are in bed and we drink a bottle of wine with the excuse of baking. She said I needed my "Donna Reed" moments. I don't have them very often. I'm the Mom who forgot to send a recipe to babygirl's preschool for the cookbook they were making. That left my child's picture in the back of the book with NO recipe. That's right,..I'm the Mom who forgot. This happens a lot.





So when the holidays come I want to dive into being a Mother and a wife. Live like The Beavers. I want to plan our special meals and holiday gatherings. I want to stay up late baking cookies for Santa and watch the boys play football outside. That's what I want! This isn't too much to ask but all these years I've been playing a role in someone else's Donna Reed moment.





Hubby has been very supportive since my "breakdown." You know the one that all husband's dread. He came home to find his wife in a bath while the children ran wreckless around me. I figured if I closed the bedroom door and I could see them from my bath,...it was just like parenting. I completely unloaded on him and he actually took it pretty good. So for the first year in 7 years we are staying at home on Christmas Eve. We'll get to watch Christmas movies with the kiddo's and put them to bed early. Then have a "wrap" party to prepare all the kid's Christmas goodies! The point is, sometimes you have to say what it is that you want. If saying it doesn't work, then DECLARE it!





Here's my sweet bunch of Holiday munchkins at our recent family portrait.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It's a Wonderful Life,...because I have a big brother

I'm going to take this opportunity to completely humiliate my big brother. He hates uncomfortable scenes. If I really wanted to make him miserable I would invite him and all his "too much testosterone" friends over to listen to me sing a lame karaoke song, probably something by the B 52's. Why is it all karaoke singers always know Love Shack? I'm just saying. At his wedding rehearsal dinner my Mom had arranged for a high school girl to sing some ridiculous Christina Aguilar song and I could see the misery in his body language. Shifting from side to side, trying to force a content smile on his face.

Throughout my entire life one thing has always been constant. I could always count on my big brother. Without Fail. When everyone forgot my birthday, including my own parents, I went to the mailbox to find a Texas Tech Key Chain arrive on my actual 16th birthday. Even away at college big brother managed to remember his little sister on her big day.

For whatever reason I was always the kid whose parents forgot to pick them up. Whether that be from school, a party or a friend's house. I hated that feeling of being forgotten. But when big brother was suppose to pick me up, he was always there right on time. Never complained about having to drive his little sister around.

Even in high school when I was a nerdy freshman and he was a high school senior football star, big brother showed me around. Not for one second was he embarrassed to have his little sister join him and all his faithful followers. Drove me to school every day. The only rule he ever imposed was that I was not allowed to date any of his football friends. Fair Enough. I just waited until I was in college and then made out with all his friends,...sorry brother. He has lifted upon thousands and thousands of heavy boxes for me, cracked a joke when I needed one, taught me how to be cool and how to cheat at Monopoly.

So what has big brother done now to completely cement his spot as

WORLD'S BEST BIG BROTHER.....

The other night I was sitting with hubby complaining about family today. Why is it no one really cares anymore? Why don't they ever come over and visit with their niece and nephew? Why are every one's parents always divorced these days. Why can't they make it 10 minutes down the street to share Thanksgiving with us. What are we,...accessories for our families when they need someone to play the role of sister, daughter, in-law? While hubby and I were getting all worked up I noticed that yet again all these years later I have received a package in the mail from big brother. Opened it up to find a letter and a ornament. As I read the letter tears fell down my face. How is it that big brother always knows just the right words to say, even when he lives over 9 hours away. A letter written to me by my BIG BROTHER and a Christmas ornament from my favorite move "It's a Wonderful Life. Someone actually really knows me. Someone actually knows my heart and cares.

The ornament was A-W-E-S-O-M-E for a self declared Christmas maniac like myself. It's my "go to" holiday movie and every year I cry like any thirty something woman should. I'm amazed every time when Clarence gets his wings and George discovers he really does have a wonderful life. On the ornament is a scene from the movie and on the back was a message to me from Karolyn Grimes. She was the woman who played ZuZu in the movie. I couldn't believe it.

Can your big brother do that???

So as far as I'm concerned big brother invented the rain, the wind, the sky and the moon. And as a bonus, he'll kick your butt if you mess with his sister,...

My present to you big brother, you're forgiven for cutting my hair when we were kids.

Quick Update

Hello All! Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on the store!

50% off sale starts tomorrow on over 250 items. Click HERE to do some pre-shopping.

I also just finished another store design!

Introducing South Shore Fashions!!!

The owner, Jolanda, was wonderful to work with! Is it odd that once I'm done designing these stores that I miss my clients??? Check it out and let me know what you think! Thank you Jolanda for trusting me with your baby!

For all who have emailed me through my website or at info@waddlersandtoddlers.com, I am answering all emails today! There are over 700 emails so I will go as quickly as I can!! But I promise that I care that you've taken the time to shoot me an email and will be posting your messages over at the webstore soon! Also, for those of you who qualified for the free bow, I will be contacting you soon to get your shipping information!

That's it for now,..on my way out the door to visit a couple of my very best girlfriends. My brother has so wonderfully offered to watch both kiddo's for me today so I'm going out on the town. I am wearing some ADORABLE boots! I think they deserve a spot on the blog too!

Christmas Wish List

Let's talk presents!!! What is Santa leaving under your tree this year? How about a Red Ryder BB gun?

Little Man is going to be so excited this year. It's his first Christmas where he'll actually get to open presents. I heard through the grapevine that Santa is bringing a drum set. Santa has it in for me but I have to admit, I'm actually excited about it. Little Man LOVES music. Well, I've kind of forced him into it. I always imagined having babies that loved music like their Momma so since birth I've surrounded the kiddo's with it! Forming a musical band is a daily occurrence at our house. I think I have a prodigy on my hands with little man. He's good! You should see him with a harmonica. Santa's on a tight budget this year so I kindly did some research for him and found a toddler drum set for $20 at Wal-Mart. It's the complete set, even with a little stool to sit on. Can you imagine little man walking, make that tumbling, down the stairs Christmas morning to a drum set wrapped in a big bow.

Santa's also considering a train table for little man. Again, I assisted and took to doing my bargain hunting that I'm notorious for. Santa's lost without me I tell you. Found a ton on eBay. Found the most magnificent one of all as a matter of fact. It comes with over a 100 pieces of thrills and chills but the best part,..it's all made on an espresso coffee table with pull out storage drawer. I'm getting goose bumps. Problem,..it's way too expensive even on eBay. I noticed "this" seller had quite a few and I figured,...no way could this seller get so many and put up an investment like that. I started researching drop shippers that supply this table which led me to find it was actually a Kidkraft table. My mouth started to drool,...say kidkraft and I'm all in. Did more research and found where "this" seller was getting the goods. COSTCO!!! So I found it for way less and I managed to find a Costco coupon. Go ahead Santa, eat a big Christmas Eve dinner. You can afford it! My only hiccup is that I don't have a Costco membership and it cost $50 to get one. They want me to "join their club." I don't want to have to pay to be in a club. I only did that in high school when the braces, headgear, bionaters and retainers were holding me back. These days you should want me in your club because I am so witty and irresistible to be around. But my good girlfriend has one so,...MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Baby girl wants a computer. What happened to a box of Crayola's??? A computer? Really? It's an obvious observation that Mommy spends way too much time on the computer. Maybe I should play outside with the kids more??? But where am I now,...on the computer. Baby girl is amazing at the computer. She's 4 and can get from one Internet page to the next and play every free online Disney game there is. I left Photoshop open the other day on my computer and I came into the office to find baby girl working it like a pro! She had chosen different brushes to paint with, brushes I didn't even know existed. She figured out how to open a new file and everything. It was quite impressive. So it looks like Santa is going to have to figure out how to get a desktop for baby girl. I told him to try Craig's List so we shall see. That's right, Santa's elves now shop on eBay and Craig's List.

Now where I need your help is a gift for hubby. What in the world do you ladies give your husbands????? Every year I try and every year I fail. Last year was my worst. I actually got him a diaper bag. Go ahead,...laugh away. It is pretty funny now looking back. I thought I could get him a manly diaper bag with all the necessities in it. He got me back by giving me a vacuum. No joke,..I got a vacuum. I already had a vacuum. That was a tough smile to fake!

So give me some ideas!!!!! I need them. I'd like to actually get him something that he would genuinely be excited about!!

What do I want? I want a leg lamp. Call me trashy. I still have a little bit of hillbilly left in me from my Arkansas days and I really want a leg lamp. I want the leg lamp to arrive to my house in a large pine box labeled fragile. I want to put it in my window for all to see in it's glory. Christmas isn't Christmas without a leg lamp.

What's on your wish list?

Design,...ACCOMPLISHED!

The day is coming. I can feel it. The day when I can finally take off my arm floaties in the waters of the graphic world!

I completed my first eBay store design!!! As my friend Amo would say,..."YIP SKIP!"

So without further ado, I happily introduce

DRESS MY BOYS!

I couldn't have asked for a better client. Ever so patient and understanding. Thank you Shannon for choosing me to design your store!

Shannon is a Mom of 2 and owns the eBay store Dress My Boys. If you have boys, this is the place to shop. I am very excited because soon she will be offering custom made applique tops that will incorporate the theme of her store. Owls are big this season and I am on the top of the waiting list to get some appliqued Owl shirts for little man!

If you want to support fellow Mommas go check out her store and tell her I sent you!

I had such a fun time designing this store and learned a great deal along the way. Isn't life wonderful when it allows you to do the things you love!

Thanks Shannon and happy eBaying!

Beware, Obligatory Mommy Blog Ahead!

What's the point of a blog if you can't brag about your babies! That's right, sit down on the sofa and watch enthusiastically as I show you the slide show of my precious babies on Halloween!

Say "Cheese" little man!

Every year we visit the same pumpkin patch. My entire self lights up all in a glow during the holiday season and this is the tradition that's starts it all in motion. The Holidays are the closest we come to perfect!

Hayride time. Get a kick out of those red plastic sunglasses I'm wearing. Why is it the only pair you can ever find are the most hideous ones you own and have no idea how you acquired. I think I'm messing with baby girl's hair in this photo,...it's a never ending saga.


Trying to avoid a tantrum or even worse Little Man throwing himself out of a moving barrel I opt to fit my adult body into the child size ride. May I also point out I'm the only Mommy on the ride while the others sit comfortably and watch.

Halloween night has finally arrived! Have you ever seen a prettier Tinker Belle? Of course you haven't! That's MY baby!

Have you ever met Donna Reed? We did and even went to her house!


Peter Pan too! Will someone please tell Mommy she has my hat on backwards!


Got to get candy, must have candy, need candy now. I can almost taste it.



Little Man's first time trick or treating. Wouldn't have missed it for the world!

The Perfect Halloween,...you betcha!

I should have stayed home

After dinner tonight I decided to load the kids up and take them out. We were all catching cabin fever with the crazy weather we've had lately so I thought it best to get us out for a bit. Now, I can be terribly lazy at times and just the mere thought of getting everyone loaded in the car defeats me before I have even begun. Reminds me of my cross country days where I would see the finish line in front of me but it was so far away. So far away that mentally I had lost the race before it even begun.

The load up. I can't stand it. Put on your shoes please. No, not those shoes it's cold outside. A tantrum begins and I cave in and decide fine, let the child wear flip flops even though it's 30% outside. Just not a battle I care to fight right now. Little man needs his diaper changed,..ok fine. I can handle that. He starts screaming at me. I'm sure calling me curse words in his baby language. "No, Mom I like walking around in my own poop. It's very comforting." Find the diaper bag, fill the diaper bag. Lug the huge diaper bag to the car. Now where's my car keys. Nice, little man decided to hide them under the couch just far enough out of reach where I had to move the entire sofa to get to them. Cut to 30 minutes later and beads of sweat along my forehead and we haven't even left yet. Finally load both kiddo's in the car and buckle them down.

I had planned to take them to McDonald's for ice scream and play time. Unfortunately the McDonald's closest to us is one of the dirty ones. You all know what I'm talking about. The McDonald's that looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years. The McDonald's that is in the slightly older area of town. It's a tough call because it's so much closer to your house but your gambling. Is the close drive worth the chance of catching swine flu? Suddenly I remember there's a Chick-Fil-A just as close so we head in that direction.

Coffee,...must have coffee... shutting down...powering down...need coffee. I stop in at the Starbucks. Curse you Starbucks for not having a drive through. Can I do it? Can I manage the kids inside Starbucks without leaving a trail of destruction behind us? Little man is strong and little man is stubborn. I walked in and everyone looked so put together. Everyone except me and my crew. I took notice of what we looked like in the reflection of the windows. I saw myself in a maternity hoodie, the shirt that I wore yesterday then slept in and turned around and wore again today. A woman who had been popping Midol pills all day like they were candy. Jeans that were 2 sizes too big for me where I couldn't find my own butt lost somewhere deep inside the abyss of my jeans. Baby girl had marker streaked across her face and hands from craft time earlier. Wearing blue owl leggings and a multi-colored striped shirt with croc flip flops in 30% weather. Little man was dressed appropriately but had left over dinner smeared across his face and some unknown "stuff" stuck in his curly hair.

Wow,...even I judged myself. That is one tired Mom in that reflection. Those poor kids,..I wonder if they even have food to eat.

Managed to keep little man in my arms although he was fighting the best wrestling match of all time trying to squirm away. I think everyone in the Starbucks loved the screams and squeals coming out of his mouth. It mixed perfectly with the smooth jazz and the book reading that was going on there.

When did I become so uncool?

Back in the car, back in the car seats we went on our way to Chick-Fil-A. Very unfortunately as I tried to boost Little Man higher up on my hip, coffee poured all over the front of my shirt. Now this only drew attention to my boobs. My boobs that were being carried in an old bra that doesn't fit at all. You know the one you wear on a day when you plan on staying inside. The good old stand by. The one that lets them droop down as low as they want to go. The one that gives your boobs a day off. Now with the coffee high-lighting them it was ever so painfully obvious that boob A was a size 12 bowling ball and boob B was a size 8 bowling ball. Symmetry, don't take it for granted.

I HATE the play structures at fast food places. My children ALWAYS get lost inside them. When baby girl was still a toddler I remember climbing up to get her while I was 9 months pregnant. That was no easy task and I'm sure I looked ridiculous. As we entered the restaurant, a dagger hit me right in my Achilles heel. Balloons. Balloons everywhere. Balloons that are meant for decoration and not for 2 year old boys. Why do you have to decorate with balloons Chick-Fil-A? Do you know what a cruel joke that is on a parent? Little man went absolutely crazy. Crazy like a drug addict looking for his next fix. Little man and I played tug a war with his arm until I was successful at getting him in the play area. Once inside there was a little boy about 20 months old who began screaming. I looked around for a parent but I was the only one in there. I got up to help the little guy and thought to myself,...I hope little man doesn't get away from me while I'm distracted helping this parent less child.


By this time big kids had decided to come and claim the play structure. What is it with the big kids in the play structure. YOU'RE TOO OLD TO PLAY IN THERE. The rule is, if you are old enough to have a 5 o'clock shadow then you are too old to play in a play structure! They kept opening the door and leaving it open as they stood in the doorway. It was driving me crazy. I knew little man would make his escape at the ever lovin balloons that were taunting him inside the eating area.

Then it happened, I lost little man.

I called up for my daughter to ask if she saw little man up there. She said she did so I relaxed for a moment. This is why I can't stand these play structures. Kids get lost so easily up there and it's hard to find them. Have you ever tried to holler up at a kid explaining to them how to get out when the only knowledge of where they are is how far the echo of their voice sounds. I notice after I had sat there for quite a while drinking my coffee that I hadn't heard little man's voice. Quite strange and out of the ordinary. I call to baby girl again and ask her one more time if little man is with her. This time she replies, "No." Silent panic sets in. I go outside to the restaurant area just to make sure I don't see little man. I come back in and like a crazy person I make all the kids who are playing stop what they are doing and go inside the tubes to find a baby. I give them all explicit directions and order them to call down for me once they have found him. Growing anxious I decided it was time for me to crawl up inside the tubes.

Fear. Panic. Nausea

What happens next? Someone walks into the play area with my son in their hands. That's right. Little man had gotten out for who knows how long to retrieve the balloon. He was getting that balloon no matter what. I was mortified and relieved all at the same time. I looked disheveled and uncared for and so did my children. And now this uncared and disheveled Mom had lost her own child. I did what any Mom would do next,..packed my kids and headed home.

Should have stayed home? Now that's an understatement.