Tiggerific

I've been having such a great time since my mom has been here that I haven't even felt like getting on the computer. It is really nice having her around. I wish we lived closer to each other. She leaves on Thursday and I will be very very sad.

As you can see in the picture above Gage is going to be Tigger for Halloween. I decided to dress him up on Monday in the costume. We went on a hayride, a cornmaze, and through a pumpkin patch. It was awesome. Everywhere we went everyone was commenting on how cute he was. I know how cute he is already so I wish I could say the comments got old but they didn't. They never could. I loved it and so did Gage. Hah.


Speaking of Tigger and Halloween, I am actually pretty upset that I can't match Gage this year. Last year we both dressed up as pirates and it was fun. This year though there is no way you are getting me in a pooh, eeyore, piglet etc etc costume. I guess just being me will have to suffice.

Down A Narrow Lane

The other day we decided to go apple picking with friends.Last year around this time I went apple picking with the same friend and her son. It feels like a tradition now. I kind of like that. I didn't have too many traditions with friends growing up being that I was constantly moving. The apple orchard is actually right down the road. We could walk there but decided to be lazy(Am I really that lazy?!) and just drive.

We get there, lug the huge wagon out of the car(that the boys never even sat in!) and found out they changed their system from last year. You have to prepay for bag and then you just fill it up. Last year it was by pound. The cheapest bag they had was $8. It looked like a pretty small bag, though. These were some expensive apples we were about to pick. All of us came to the conclusion that you are pretty much paying for the experience not really the amount of apples. At first I was a little angry because I am a money saving fool and this seemed ridiculous. After awhile though I calmed down because it really was a great experience. Gage actually ATE apples. Gage will only eat chicken nuggets and he actually ate an apple. I would have paid $20 if I knew that was going to happen. Gage had a lot of fun running around with his little buddy. They climbed under the trees and walked through a pumpkin patch. The 4 adults laughed and talked about the wedding the friends just had. It really was a great time. Hopefully, we will still be living here next year to go again with them.

When we got home I realized that my little $8 bag wasn't really THAT little. It still wasn't worth $8 but it wasn't a small amount of apples. That bag can hold a lot of freakin' apples.I have no clue what to do with them all. I guess I can go on the3-apple a day diet but then I might hate apples FOREVER and wouldn't that suck? I could bake except I don't like apple pie and thats all I can think of to make. Thank Goodness Gage decided he likes apples now because he will be eating them for a few weeks.

Trouble Melts Like Lemon Drops

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

And the dreams that you dreamed of

Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow

Blue birds fly

Gage was fascinated with the guitar player singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". I sometimes sing it to him before bed. I'm surprised he didn't zonk out right there on the beach.

Stroppin' Away

"A plodder at twelve months will be walking a little, their first word will be yes, and their favorite toy is a teddy bear. A stropper will be running, their first word will be no, and their favorite toys will include your hair, the contents of your handbag, and the telephone - but only when you are talking on it."
-The Only Boy For Me, page 65

To be honest I was expecting Gage to be a nightmare when he was born. He wasn't. He was the easiest laid back baby I had ever seen. We could go to restaurants and out shopping with him. I felt really blessed and everyone kept telling me how lucky I was. I thought Gage was going be a "plodder" kind of kid. Then all of the sudden my baby turned into a "Stropper" practically overnight. The word 'no' magically appeared into his vocabulary and has been holding strong ever since. His favorite game is 'boom' in which he punches me with his tiny little fists. If I don't play along he pulls my hair really hard. I have Adam to thank for inventing that lovely game. He doesn't have long hair so I am training Gage to pull on his leg hairs which hurt just as bad I would imagine. He steals the phone and hides it. He goes to it when we are busy cooking or cleaning and dials random digits. Gage has already called 911 on it. I have a feeling he is the one who took my wallet and hid on me. If he can get into something he will. If he can't find anything to destroy he will throw himself on the ground and bang his head and feet. He can throw an awesome trantrum for being so little.

I really don't mind to tell you the truth. Life won't be boring with my "stropper". It makes me laugh(minus the hair-pulling). I don't think I would want it any other way. I love my stropper.

Bring it on.

The Case Of The Missing Shoe

Lost/Stolen Croc
Reward if found.
Yesterday I was out shopping for a dress to wear to a wedding. On the third store, 10 dresses later, and a cranky Gage I was ready to call it quits. I looked down to tell Gage that we are finally going home and what do I find? A shoe has gone missing from his tiny footsie. Naturally, when something goes missing you start looking everywhere for it. I even got on my hands and knees and was crawling underneath all the racks we visited while there. I'm sure everyone there thought I was crazy. I was talking out loud about the lost shoe. I muttered under my breath 'theives' as I walked away from the dress aisle. I went up to the service desk and told them we lost a shoe. I explained that its his favorite shoe and he will miss it so much if its not found. They said they would page me over the intercom if someone turned it in. While I was waiting I decided to try on 4 more freakin' dresses. When I was done there was still no shoe.

I KNOW 100% without a doubt that Gage went in that store with BOTH shoes on. That only leaves me to believe that someone stole his tiny size 5 shoe. Why? I don't know. I don't understand. You need the left one. What good is one shoe? The left gets lonely without the right and the right feels the same way. His Winnie The Pooh jibbit needs to stare at the guitar jibbit on the other shoe. Its just the way it is. I'm so devastated by this. I'm not crazy...or atleast I'm not crazy alone because Adam feels the same way. Those shoes are pretty much the only shoe Gage has worn ALL summer. They slip right on and out the door we go. I'm going to call the store back today(and the other two just in case but I know it isn't there) to see if it might have turned up.

Hopefully, the shoe will turn up. If not thank goodness summer is almost over and its almost time to move on to another warmer pair of shoes.

Btw, I did finally find a dress. Its beautiful. I'm in love with it. I would marry it if I could.

Birth Story

Rocks In My Dryer is hosting a Labor Day meme in honor of Labor Day. Her MEME is about the childbirth kind of labor.


How did you know you were in labor?
Me and Adam were sitting around watching the Sopranos and doing word searches. All of a sudden I had this sharp pain that literally made me throw my word puzzles across the room. They kept coming just like that. Being a procrastinator I still hadn't packed for the hospital so I start running around. Finally, I gave up out of pain and told Adam(who was still watching Sopranos) that we needed to go NOWWWW.

How long were you in labor?
The night I was going into labor RI was being hit with a Nor'Easter. We live 30 minutes away from the hospital and it was so windy. Trees were down everywhere. Including our planned route to the hospital. We got a little lost. By the time we made it to the hospital I was 8cm dialated. My labor only ended up being 5 1/2 hours from the time I felt my first contraction at the house until I had gave birth to my little man.

Where did you deliver?
I loved the hospital I gave birth at. I got to have a room that overlooked Newport Bridge and the bay. It was beautiful.

Drugs?
I had planned on having an epidural but I ended up having NOTHING because I was told the epi would slow down my contractions. I figured since I was already 8cm I might as well just go all the way.

Who delivered?
My doctor(we nicknamed him Dr.Low Talker), bless his soul, had to drive in the Nor'Easter. It took him over an hour to get there. At one point I told him I was going to kick him in his head. He put up with a lot from me that night. He is awesome.

Favorite Quotes Of The April 16, 2007:
I added this one but everytime we tell the birth story these quotes always get brought up because they are hilarious

"I am going to kick you in your head if you don't get your finger out of me!!!"
-Me yelling at my doctor

"Dr.Low Talker: Do you want to see your placenta?
Me: Are you freakin' kiddin' me? NOO!"

Sunday Time Together

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. We are so busy during the week with both of us working. Neither me or Adam work on Sundays. We can just relax and be a family together on this day. It was a fun day. I love my boys. I'm thankful for my Sundays.

Note: Don't worry about all the overgrown weeds in the back of the picture. I think I just mentioned that we are busy people. Fall/winter is coming so they will die soon, anyway.

Master Baker He Is

Gage can finally call our dog by its name. He use to call him Pup and now he calls him BooBoo. His name is actually Bruschi(pronounced Brew-ski). Yes, Bruschi is named after a Patriots football player. What can I say? We are obsessed. Gage now runs around saying "BooBoo Sit" and "BooBoo 'Mon(which is actually come on)". It is so cute how much Gage loves his puppy and that he finally knows his name.

So to celebrate his new word. Gage decided he wanted to bake cookies. Not just any kind of cookies, mind you. He wanted to bake puppy themed cookies. I sat him in his highchair and away he went making his cookies.

Here he is mixing his ingredients:

Here is cutting his puppy shapes:

Here is the finished result:

Let me tell you Gage is an excellent baker. Those cookies were DELICIOUS! They were so good that even Bruschi the pup had to get in on the action. BooBoo decided to eat the mixing spoon!




Yesterday was a fun day. I love when Gage makes me awesomely delicious treats.

Park Dilemma

The big kid in me loves going to the park with Gage. We slide together, climb together, run and swing together. We have a lot of fun with it just being me and him there. We usually go to a park where there is never anyone there. Its a really good park. I don't know why people don't go but that is fine with me. Then I start feeling bad because Gage loves interacting with other kiddos and he needs to do that.

So, on occassion I will take Gage to the more crowded park that is just down the road. Gage has a shy side just like his mama. When we first get to the more crowded park he sticks by me and wants to me slide, run, and swing. Not a problem except I feel like I'm being stared at by all the other parents who aren't exactly playing with their kid(s). They all kind of stand back and watch their kid(s) play. There is nothing wrong with that but Gage is a little shy so I'm usually playing with him instead of standing around.

Finally, the little man warms up to the other kids at the park and starts to play with them. Now I don't know what is worse everyone watching my fatt butt go down a slide or standing there awkwardly with nothing to do and no one to talk with. I was always told the best place to meet other moms is at the park. That would be awesome because I lack friends here in the Ocean State but I found out really quick that its just not that easy. Most moms go to the park with other moms for a playdate aka moms social hour. Unless I'm actually invited into the convo then I'm not just going to butt in. There are a few moms who are there by themselves with their kid(s). I think I lack basic social skills because it feels so strained but its something we all feel obligated to do. Thankfully, those conversations never last long because kids aren't able to play in one spot for long. Of course, then I'm left standing awkwardly in a new spot.

I feel like I can't win when it comes to playing at a park.

True Mom Confessions

True Mom Confessions

1.Most of the time I dread going to work but there are some days that I cannot wait until 4:45 to come so I can dash out the door for 4 hours. I love Gage with all my heart but some days he can just give me the biggest headache ever.

2.I pretty much take a nap everyday when Gage does. After I wake up I feel like a horrible SAHM because I know I should have been doing something a little more productive then sleeping. I must say that I am a little cranky without naps especially on days that I have to go to work.

3.I totally lied when I said I loved everything about Gage. I do not love his stinky poops. I love his cute little diaper bottom but I really can't wait until he can wipe his own tush. I have a long way to go.

4.I really really hate when Gage sleeps with me and Adam. Adam doesn't seem to mind. I can't sleep at all when he is in bed with us. I'm worrying about Adam rolling on him or him rolling off the bed. I'm usually also being kicked in the face by tiny toes and all the covers somehow end up only on them two.

5.I use Gage as an excuse if I don't want to do something. Work? Sorry, Gage is sick. Friends? Sorry, Gage is teething. Family outings? Gage NEEdS to take his nap. Its pretty bad and its all going to end one day when he knows whats up.

6.I'm going to miss when Gage isn't my baby. I don't want him to grow up because I don't think I will get to have anymore children.

7.I really don't mind watching the cartoons in the morning with Gage. I love Handy Manny, My Friends Tigger&Pooh, Sesame Street, Yo Gabba Gabba, Doodlepops, etc. I think I am just as entertained as he is.

8.Sometimes I get sad when I'm at work because I'm jealous that Adam is with Gage and I might miss something new.

9.Gage gives me an excuse to go shopping. I'm a shopaholic. When I feel the need to go shopping I can just buy something for Gage and I won't even feel guilty about it. Hey, Gage needs it(ok, he doesn't usually).

10.Sometimes I wish Gage was installed with a mute button. I know that sounds horrible but sometimes I just can't take all the whining.

First Haircut

After pressure from Adam and random strangers calling Gage a girl I decided it was time for the first haircut. Since my mom lives so far away I thought it would be nice for her to be there for one of Gages 'first'. She was ecstatic, of course. I wish I felt the same way but I didn't. Gage had beautiful blonde curls. I absolutely adored them and I didn't want to cut them EVER.

I think the reason I was not thrilled with cutting them because when I was his age I had wicked curly hair, too. My brother being 4 years older than me was fascinated with scissors. He decided I needed MY first haircut. After it was all said and done I had no curls to speak of and they never grew back. I just have wavy-pain-in-the-ass hair that I have to straighten everyday. Anyway, I was obviously traumatized by this event even if I can't exactly remember it.

All week on my trip my mom kept asking me when we could get Gage's haircut. Adam said he would kick my ass if I came back without giving Gage a haircut and my mom couldn't wait any longer. I managed to hold her off until Sunday. We walked into the little salon and I wanted to scoop my baby up and run away. The lady cutting his hair was awesome and after a lot of questions I was reassured she wasn't going to butcher his hair. Gage sat all by himself in a little booster seat with a tiny apron thing over him. He looked so cute. I can't believe how amazingly well he did. He just sat there and you can tell he was fully relaxed and loving being groomed.

Watch the video.


The good news is that almost instantly all the hair on his head popped into curls just like before.

Gage Gone Wild

The night before we left for the Cape, Gage decided that sleeping was overrated. That meant that ol' mama here had to stay awake, too. I grabbed a book I haven't read(The Glass Castle), turned on some cartoons, made a snack for the little man, and tried to stay awake. Four hours later(1am) and he was still ready to go. Every 5 minutes or so I would peek up from my book and watch Gage watch his 'toons. During one of my non-peek times Gage snatched the remote from the table without me knowing.

A few minutes later I look up from my book and Gage was still watching TV. I looked at the TV expecting Wow Wow Wubzy to be on but much to my surpise it was not. Instead of Wubzy I was staring at two girls making out with nothing on. I grabbed the remote and hit guide to see what had happened. Gage had somehow ordered Girls Gone Wild for $14.99. Right then I knew that it was officially bed time for him.

I figured one day my son would be interested in porn but not at 16 months old. He is such a character. Thank God, he had no idea what he was watching. The next morning while we are packing(We are such procrastinators) I told Adam what his son did. He started cracking up and gave Gage a high five proceeded by a "MY MAN!" congratulations. My boys seriously crack me up. I probably would have laughed more about it at the time but come on a $15 porn, little man? Couldn't you have just rented a movie for $3.95? He could have just waited and saw girls on the beach for free on the Cape.

So Fresh&So Clean Clean

Providence Day

Gage and I were bored at home this morning and decided that sitting around just wouldn't do. We called up Erin&Tyler. They too had no idea what to do with the day. Finally we decided to check out Providence Childrens Museum. On the way there we stopped and got our coffees(We can't ever go anywhere without!) and munchkins for the boys. Gage fell asleep in the car with a whole munchkin in his mouth.



It was too cute to not take a picture :) Anyway, we arrived to let the boys run wild for the afternoon. First stop was to brush our teeth!



Yes, I know I am a dork!

Next the boys at a blast in the water area wearing their smocks!I really have not seen anything cuter in my life!



We then ventured to the trucks. Gage did not want to get off this thing!



Many hours&pictures later we were all worn out! It was a fun day, though.