Friday, January 30, 2009

Volcano

I have spent most of the day today calling around to pharmacies to find masks that we will have to wear if and that is a BIG IF - Mt. Redoubt erupts. The damn volcano has been on code Orange since Sunday so who knows when it will blow. My mom called me today and said that I needed to get my emergency kit in order if the volcano blows.

We have an emergency kit for the BIG earthquakes that I put together 4 years ago - I will just need to add some items.
THis is what is suggested to be in your emergency kit

In my kit are the following items: I think it is pretty good

Clothing for myself, husband and Quentin (although they probably don't fit the child since it was put together when he was an infant LOL)
Cash
Bottled water (does this go bad or have an expiration date?)
Formula (this for sure has expired and we don't need it)
Food - mostly canned and dehydrated
can opener
diapers
First Aide Kit
Battery Operated Radio (although I am not sure if the batteries are still good)
Copies of my id and husband's id along with a copy of Quentin's birth certificate (in case they have to identify us)
flash light
candles (I didn't see any matches though- LOL)
blankets

SOOOO when I took the inventory earlier this week I came to the conclusion that I should probably update this stupid thing once a year. I put it together because my mom was insistent on it, especially when Quentin was born. Although my thought hasn't changed, if there is a big earthquake - will I even be able to get to the damn kit? Same thing with this volcano if it blows who is to say I will be at home to access the freaking air masks that we will need to put on. I guess I will need to get several masks and just carry them with me.

I will be updating my kit this weekend! Hopefully that will make my mom happy!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

A Little Jealous..Maybe

I have now been back to work for 4 weeks, my daughter is at home with the husband which has made this transition a little easier. When I get home from work I spend all my time with both children in between doing nightly chores and getting ready for the next work day.

My son who is 4 doesn't seem to need me as much because he is 4, Adrianna is only 4 months and still nursing so she needs me a bit more. Last night I was in the kitchen making dinner, my husband was getting ready for work, he had the early shift last night. So he was leaving and I had Adrianna strapped into the baby bjorn - all night had tried to get this girl to smile at me and at least look happy that I was home - nothing. My husband comes into to tell us good bye and she has the BIGGEST smile for him and got all excited when she saw him. I just felt horrible.

I guess I am a little jealous that my husband got this reaction from her, although it makes since because he is the one taking care of her and spends most of the day with her. It is nice though that they are bonding so well! I guess the whole crux of it is, that I want to be the one taking my son to preschool and at home with my daughter. OH well for now I will just learn to deal and cope with the fact that my children may prefer my husband...I will try not to be jealous but it is hard.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Facebook

OK so I caved and now have created a profile on facebook - I can see myself getting hooked, as I have seen and requested to be friends with many people who I had lost contact with!!

Anyway not much to say just waiting to be approved as friends, which always cracks me up!

It is snowing here today - I am so done with winter - ready for spring and summer!

Have a great Wednesday!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Adjustments

There have been adjustments in our family the past few months. Adrianna's arrival in September, Quentin starting a new school also in September. I was on maternity for 16 weeks (I WAS VERY FORTUNATE) while on leave I tried to prepare my husband for the job that he was embarking on as stay at home parent, sadly my 4 month training period didn't have much impact on him.

The house is a little tosseled when I get home, we have a chart of who does what and when the chore should be done I am in a good routine with completing my chores which are grocery shopping, laundry and paying bills. The husband's chores have yet to be completed by him in the 4 weeks that I have been back to work. He has to vaccuum and clean the bathrooms and the kitchen floor, which really are once a week chores - I do laundry each night, cook dinner, pack lunches and get clothes ready for the next day.

Still having only one car we are the way to drop me at work and then the man takes Quentin to school, we are half way to my office and he looks at me and says "did you get the snack for school today?" my response "What are you talking about?" he says "It is Quentin's turn to bring snack today."
This is the first that I am aware it is our turn for snack - HELLO!!! So we had to stop at the grocery store and get snack, raisins, teddy graham crackers and fruit roll ups. Not the best snack but it will work. I told the husband that when he signs up that he needs to tell me so that I can plan better. I am embarrassed that the snack we are providing, while I was off it was homemade granola and yogurt or pigs in a blanket or jello jigglers etc. With more advance notice I will be able to provide a much more healthy snack.

The events of the morning show me that we are still in an adjustment period and that we still have some more training to do.

Monday, January 26, 2009

THe Perfect Date

Saturday Quentin and I went on a date, I must say that he is the perfect date! It was such a fun time, just he and I. We have not had Mom and son time very much since the arrival of Adrianna and now that I am back at work, I decided that Saturday was the perfect day.

We had a wonderful lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, La Cabana. I must give a little history, we have been going to this restaurant for about 2 years now. The wait staff has not changed or the cooks in the back, we have a set table. Anna and Ramona practically stop what they are doing to welcome Quentin when we walk in. Carlos the manager even comes over and says "hola Quentin" While they are doting on my kid I walk to the back to get the booster chair, by the time I get back they have his coat and hat off, and already have his plate, chips and Ketchup on the table. (Remember Garlic is our number one allergy - salsa has garlic so my poor mexican baby has to eat his chips with Ketchup) On Saturday I realized that my baby is growing up, he ordered for himself when Anna asked what we wanted to drink, he said "sprite please" when it was time to order our lunch he said "I will have the corn dog and fries".
We had quite the conversation while we waiting for our lunch, everything from watching the basketball game that was on, to how he was going to jam out with daddy when we got home.

After lunch I asked him where we were going to go next, he thought for a moment and came up with he wanted to go to Wal Mart to get a new pair of jammies. The child has plenty of jammies but it was his day so off to Wal Mart we went. He picked out a pair of Sponge Bob jammies for himself and said that Adrianna needed new jammies too - he picked out yellow jammies with strawberries on them, then he picked out a Handy Manny Shirt for himself. I purchased a couple of baby gifts for friends who are having babies soon that I need to mail.
On the way to the car after our purchase was made Quentin very sweetly said, "I love you mommy, thank you for my date" I just wanted to cry. I am going to make this a once a month occasion just Quentin and I we need to spend some quality time together, he is growing up too fast.

Friday, January 23, 2009

FIRSTS and the 2nd Child....

For those of us with more than one child we have all heard it you are more attentive to the Firsts and take more pictures of the first and the second one is left behind. Now having two children, I am a little guilty of this, with Quentin I filled out his baby book everytime that child did something and took pictures all the time. Adrianna doesn't even have a baby book, I have taken tons of pictures so I can document her that way.

She is 4 1/2 months old and had many firsts already that I jot down on sticky notes and put in my scrapbook pile of stuff that I will eventually get too. Feeling guilty about this I will probably go and buy a baby book this weekend for her.

In my defense I was a stay at home mom with Quentin hence I had time to fill his book out.

Now that is off my chest, here are a couple firsts that I can share, she had her first smile like a real smile about a month ago, last weekend she laughed at Quentin which totally made his day! He has been trying to make her laugh since we brought her home! Last night I discovered that her first tooth is starting to pop through, which also explains her ear infection and fever.

Yet another resoultion I have for 2009 is to get a baby book for Adrianna and fill it out!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

I Love Starbucks

My morning could have started out better, I must have turned off my alarm when Adrianna woke up at 3:30 AM. Quentin shared his cold with her so she isn't sleeping well this week so I am not surprised that I could have turned off the alarm. I woke up when she was coughing at 6:40, thinking this is not good I have to leave the house no later than 7:05 AM to make it to work on time. I texted my boss and told her I was going to be late, she said no worries!

I get myself and Quentin dressed his lunch packed and grab some snacks for myself (I am buying lunch today) grab my work bag and out the door we go. I pull into the driveway at Quentin's school and inside we go, well he starts crying because he wants me to stay with him. This has not been an issue since he started school so I was annoyed that he was crying, of course I knew that he would be fine, so I kissed him and told I would see you after work.

Knowing that I was already running behind today I decided to swing into the Starbucks drive thru and get my new favorite drink an Apple Chai Tea Infusion, thanks Kate! It is my turn I order my drink and a Cranberry Orange scone the very delightful girl says they are out, ok no worries how about Lemon Pound Cake thinking I would save it for after my salad at lunch she says no problem we will get that started for and see you at the window. Pull up to the window and with a very sad look on her face the delightful girl says they are out of Lemon Pound cake, determined to have something sweet with my chai I ask about the Blueberry Crumb Cake, yes they have it!! I hand my money through to pay and the delightful girl says that since they were out of the two pastries that I wanted, the Blueberry Crumb Cake was on them!! WOW! I LOVE STARBUCKS! I smiled very BIG and said thank you!

I can't think of a better way to end my not so good morning than that! I did call the store and spoke with the manager about how nice the drive thru attendant was this morning!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Sick Family

My third week back to work and I am exhausted, not from my job, from my family. My husband has a cold and typical male thinks he is dying. Quentin just got over some viral cold that was going around and now Adrianna has an ear infection and a cold.

I guess I am happy to be at work not around the germs, although I feel like I should buy stock in Clorox, Kleenex and Sudafed.

Tonight I will go home and once again Clorox wipe down everything in site and pray that the germs don't find their way to me, because we all know that when Mama is sick well that is never a good thing!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Pound For Pound Challenge Widget

New President!

We officially have a new president, whatever your views of Barack Obama we should reflect on today as it is a moment in history. If we think back to not very long ago when black Americans and white Americans were not allowed to share the same classroom, bathroom or table, it gives me goose bumps to think that we have come so far. I am grateful that I did not experience that time in American history.

This is a moment in history that our children will be asking what we were doing when, just as we asked our parents what they were doing when President Kennedy was assassinated.

I thought that Barack did an excellent job with his speech after taking the oath of office, lets face it thank god these men (and Hillary) want this job, because if we are honest with ourselves I would not want that job!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Are you sure today isn't Monday?!?

Today is not off to a good start; The alarm went off at 5 AM which startled me because the last two weeks I have turned it off due to my 4 month old waking up 15 minutes before the alarm - I actually got to hit snooze and thought this is a good thing!! I could smell the coffee brewing downstairs, I set the auto timer on the coffee so it will be ready when I get out of the shower.
I get downstairs to find a HORRENDOUS mess - last night I must have put too much water in the coffee pot because it had spilled all over the counter and onto the floor, in the 5 years I have had this coffee maker I have never done this, very strange. So I had a HUGE mess to clean up
nothing like getting on your hands and knees at 5:15 AM to scrub the floor. Then I smelled like coffee which is like onions once it is on your skin it takes forever to get off, so back upstairs I go to take a shower.
I get out of the shower and not only is the baby awake but my son is also awake - give me a break my family never even stirs until at least 8:30 AM. So I get everyone settled and then I turn on the news while I pack my lunch - NO SCHOOL AGAIN TODAY, this is the 3rd day in a row which means the kids will have to make up a day in June -
My son who is the star of the week was devasted as school has been closed two of the three days that he goes and he only got to see his bulletin board for one day. I try to assure him that his board will be there when he returns next week, but he didn't believe me.
My usual quiet morning is turned upside down as the whole family is up - I am rushed to get my makeup and hair combed, and dressed and out the door I go. I get to work and the again slide into the spot, get settled at my desk and realize that I have one blue sock and one black and my zipper is down.....LORD is this a Monday? I was looking forward to an easy Friday! Not so much!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

One Extreme to another

Last week I was complaining because it was so cold here. This week I am wishing that it was cold again. I know, make up my mind. Here is what happened, we had a warm front come in and pushed out all that frigid cold, it melted snow and then dropped again so our streets were like ice rinks, the police responded to 168 cars in ditches around town yesterday. Schools were closed, my office was closed, the city buses were not running yesterday for Alaska to have closures it has to be SERIOUS weather.

It is January and raining for God sakes. Currently it is 46 degrees with another warm front coming in.

Driving to work this morning was alright the municipality was able to get out and clear the main roads, the side roads are another story - I turned to get into the driveway at my office and slid in sideways, needless to say I did not care about whether or not I was parked straight, I just didn't want to hit the damn building!

I am done complaining about the weather, the paper has forcasted that we are supposed to have a hotter than average summer. I promise not to complain about the hot weather, if it comes our way this summer!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Biggest Loser - Family Style

So my family has decided to start off the new year with a competition! This is so fitting for my family as we all cheat in some way when we are playing board games, even my 4 year cheats when playing Candy Land - we all need therapy!

So for different reason besides the obvious that we are all a little overweight we have decided to do Biggest Loser, we are making this official we have rules, there was an entry fee winner takes all (non refundable) and even beginning pictures. Our contest winner will be the person with the highest percentage of weight lost during the four months that we are competing! So it began on Saturday we all weighed in got our pictures taken paid our $50 and then the SMACK talking began! Which totally cracked me up, we are supposed to be getting a spreadsheet that contains each participants starting weight today, I am sure there will be more SMACK talking today.

I was actually surprised at my weight, I was lighter than when I got pregnant and actually lighter than I have been in years. I really think that it has to do with the fact that I am nursing - I am not eating a lot of junk but it seems like what I am eating is being burned with the breast feeding - however that works! Not saying that I don't need to lose some serious poundage, but I was pleasently surprised, it seems that it might take as long for me to get out of the 2 (hundreds) as I was thinking it would!

My husband said that if I am the winner that I could take the money ($500 total) and go on a shopping trip and a makeover in SEATTLE!!!! Ok all my Washington friends get ready because when I win I will be on my way!!!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Star of the Week

Quentin has been chosen as the Star of the Week for his class! This is a BIG honor for a 4 year old, according to him. He will be interviewed by his teacher about his favorite things, family and a wish that he has. Then they will make a bulletin board with pictures that we bring in of Quentin and his family. He will also be the line leader for the week and choose which friends (that is what they call the kids) he wants to sit with him at his lunch table.

I will have the husband take a picture of the bulletin board one for Quentin's scrapbook (which I am behind on) and so that I can post later!

I am so proud of my little Star!! I am a little bummed that he was chosen after I am back to work, but I will deal with it!!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Help St. Jude's Research Hospital

Quentin’s preschool class is having a little competition between the classes to see which class can bring in the most pounds of spare change. The proceeds will be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital to aid in the research for a cure Pediatric Cancers.

I was hoping that you all would be able to help in collecting change for this Facility and to help Quentin’s class room win!!!

For the friends that are out of town, if you would like to send me a check as your donation, I can take it to the bank and get the change from the bank.

I have included the link to St. Jude’s Hospital in case you are not familiar with the great things that this facility does for children who are receiving treatment for cancer.

www.stjude.org

Please let me know if you have any questions, the competition and change collecting is going through the month of February!! Every penny (yes the pesky coins that we toss aside) counts!!!

BELOW ZERO....STILL

Living in Alaska for most of my life I realize that the winter months are LONG and COLD, normally this doesn't bother me as the Summer's are usually worth toughing out the winter. Last summer sucked, it was cold and rained for the whole season, we reached 70 degrees twice. So nobody was looking forward to Winter. February is usually the coldest month for Alaska and we usually brace ourselves because it means that an end is in sight. This winter however has already sucked and we are now on our 8th straight day of temperatures below zero. I am not talking a couple degrees below zero. Yesterday the high was -14 (yes that is a negative in front of the 14) at my house it was -24 over night.
You know that it is cold when you hear people wishing that the temperature would warm up to 0.
I am sick of this cold weather. The forcast doesn't call for an end to the frigid temps until the middle of next week.
I guess all I can do is hope that this cold weather means that the summer is going to be AWESOME!!!!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

YOU DID WHAT?

OK so I am going to try this Blog thing AGAIN! I am hoping that I will be better at it than my last attempt.

So I am back to work this week after being off for 4 months due to the birth of my second child a BEAUTIFUL baby girl! I have to say that this week has not been as hard to get back into the swing of things as I thought it was going to be. My son who is 4 goes to Preschool and my daughter is at home with the husband so that makes it easier to come to work.

We are down to one vehicle right now because the husband's truck did not accomodate car seats and since I was off we didn't need two vehicles, we are getting a second one SOON! So the man brings me to work and then takes my son to school and back home he goes, it seems to be working out fine, this is the third day of this arrangement. I am at work just plugging along and the phone rings I see on the caller id that it is the house. The man tells me that he hit the pole at McDonalds this morning and my front fender is CRACKED, now this pisses me off to no end because this is not the first time the man has damaged MY car. The back bumper is cracked and ghetto because he backed into something.

Mind you I am 32 years old and have never had an accident or a ticket in my life. So it annoys me that everytime there is damage to MY vehicle it has been caused by the man.

We are going this weekend to find a vehicle so that we can get this one taken care of and once again I have my truck back and take good care of it, like it deserves.

I guess life goes on - it is a little humorous!