Wow--the rain is coming down....with a little bit of sunshine too!

Traffic was pretty easy today. I managed to avoid all buses and stupid drivers to cruise to Starbucks and then on the work. Granted, my car was having some issues this morning getting started; maybe I left my interior lights on overnight, not sure. But it started and off to the 'Bucks we went. My venti extra hot 6 pump vanilla latte was perfect. Until I tried to start my car again. After 6 attempts, I gave up.

My car was dead. In the parking lot right next to the day laborer pickup site and next door to one of the Sniper incident locations. Fun times, I tell you! My cell phone was at home....on the coffee table....not in my purse. FABULOUS (can you read the sarcasm there!?).

Anyway, after borrowing the Starbucks phone and calling my parents to rescue me (Hubby is at his post-surgery eye checkup), the car started perfectly and off to the office I went. Strange and irritating and really crappy timing.

So now, on top of preparing to leave for 9 days and for managing the largest meeting I have ever worked on, I have to deal with a dead car. I think its the alternator but am really hoping that it is something simpler and cheaper than that. Think happy thoughts for me as I bring the car to the mechanic tonight.

And now that I have described the rain in my life.....here is a touch of sunshine.....Baby Dylan, 1 day old!
The new proud parents with their precious baby boy. Seriosuly, they are such an adorable family!
Dylan Kristopher. 1 Day old and already so handsome!

Me holding Dylan. I couldnt take my eyes off him!! In all honesty, the entire experience of watching two fo my closest friends become parents has been so emotional....I got teary at my desk when the first picture of Dylan arrived in my Inbox. Its so amazing. Tired baby boy. LOVE the newborn yawns!

The Stork Has Come!

For those of you who know me or who actually look at my links on the left hand side of this page, you probably know KBFixit. His wife (my old roommate for awhile actually!) and he are new proud parents of a baby boy!!!

Baby Dylan Kristopher was born last night at 7:44 pm. 22 inches long. 9 lbs, 1 oz.

Mom, Dad, and Dylan are all doing well.

I cant wait to meet that little guy tonight! :)

Grateful

Ever have those days when, even though life is moving at an incredibly fast pace, you are able to sit for a moment and realize how lucky you are?!

I dont get to sit down often, but today, surprisingly, I did and wow, I realized how fortunate I am right now.

Work is top priority right now with conference only a few days away. At night, Hubby and Grace understand that Mommy needs to work. While I am gone for 9 days, my mom and friends are helping Bill out maintaining that single fatherhood for the week. And tonight, I get to meet the newest member of our "Friend Family"; Baby Dylan is arriving today! YEA!

Just wanted to let all my friends, "real" or blog, that I love you all! Even if I havent called much lately or havent been hanging out, I am still here (though running around like a chicken with my head cut off!) and miss you terribly.

Oct 9 (as soon as confernece is over!) I will be back to my crazy ways!

Countdown......7 days to go!

In 7 days, I will be in Nashville, TN. I will be there with all my co-workers and 1200 attendees at the conference I planned. The conference that is the sole responsibility of my job. In fact, I have another performance review in January based mostly on the onsite management of this conference.

Stressed? Yep.

Just the last few days it has hit me. Square in the face. Almost knocked me on my ass. I am down to the wire and there is still a long to do list that must be completed before boarding the plane next weekend.

This is the biggest conference I have ever planned; more attendees, more sessions, more volunteers and staff, and more weight in terms of my job performance (I used to have several meetings to talk about in my review; now just 1). The binders are organized and detailed, my volunteers will be trained on site, and the staff assignments are done. I know that I am prepared information-wise but I am all of the sudden terrified to arrive in Nashville.

Luckily, I am getting there a day early and leaving later in the day after the conference ends. I have downtime. What I am going to do with it....no idea. But I know that I need the time. Maybe I will see an old friend who lives in TN now. Maybe not. Maybe I will go downtown Nashville and hang out in the famous country bars. Probably not but maybe!

Not sure but I am starting feel the stress and so I just want to get there. Once I am there, the stress will change; change to "Well, its not done now so it wont get done". I like that state much better than this one!!!

Party At My House but I Am Not Invited

Mommy: Grace, can Mommy talk to you?

Grace: Yes Mommy.

Mommy: In a few days, Mommy is going on a work trip, in an airplane.

Grace: Up high? Ai-plane?

Mommy: Yes, Grace. In an airplane, up high in the sky. You are going to stay here with Daddy. Can you take care of Daddy for me?

Grace: Yes Mommy. I stay with Daddy?

Mommy: Yes. You are going to stay at home with Daddy. And you are going to see Marmie too. (Marmie is what we call my mom)

Grace: Oh. Party time!!!! (she says while clapping)


Maybe I need to rethink this 9 day work trip if there are big party plans back at home. I really thought I had a few more years at least before I had to worry about the parties happening while I am away.

My Hair is Screaming for Help!!!!

I admit it. It has been 6 months since my last haircut. Seriously. That's ridiculous! My hair is WAY too long to manage and I am really tired of spending precious time inthe morning doign my hair so that it can simply look like crap all day and go up in a ponytail by 8 am.

And so I made an appointment to get this hair cut this weekend. An $80 haircut. It better be good!!! And I am "breaking up" with my hairdresser, Dennis, who has done my hair since I was 17---for prom, my wedding, and all those important life events. We need a break---the relationship and haircuts are in a rut and so I am trying someone new. The new guy (Don) comes highly recommended; he does my mom and my sister's hair so I am hoping he will have some miracle for me!

Now the dilemma. Hubby likes long hair. He would rather me never get it cut. However, he is not willing to do my hair every morning or do all the maintanence on my head. If he could do all that for me, I just might keep it long. But not an option so cut it will be this weekend.

But how? For $80, I am going to get a good hair cut. One that is worth $80. It needs get my hair back to a healthly manageable length, compliment me, and make my mornings just a tad easier. I am thinking long (just past the shoulder) and lots of layers.

Any one have any advice or thoughts on this totally brain-less topic of today? Here are some of the cuts I found that I like. Its funny but other people can see what would look good on me better than I can myself and so I am taking your advice on this one cause I have NO clue here!

Work is stressing me out to much to think and so that is the end of my brainless post today.

Tagged----Your It!

My friend L tagged me DAYS ago and I am finally posting my response. Its one of those CRAZY weeks at work so sorry----my creative juices just arent flowing today. Meme it is for the Friday post!

1. The Book that Changed my Life: The Five Love Languages was the required reading in our pre-marriage counseling. We had to read it seperately and not discuss it at all until our next session where we had to guess each other's 1st and 2nd Love Language. Actually, it was a bit surprising but man, did I learn a lot about my hubby and myself. Really. It helps even now.

2. A book I've read more than once: Gone With The Wind by Margerat Mitchell. It is the best book ever!!! I grew up with the book and the movie. When I was pregnant, I tried to convince the hubby to name our daighter Scarlett but he never budged---NO was his final answer on that one! I even posted about GWTG!

3. A book that made me laugh: So That's What They Are For! by Janet Tamaro was the only book that actually made me laugh instead of cry when struggling through chapped and bleeding nipples when I was first breastfeeding. (I can only imagine the searches I am going to get for that sentence!) This book got me through many difficult early momma days. Imagine that---a breastfeeding book that makes you laugh!

4. A book that made me cry: Love You Forever. Yes, the children's book makes me cry every single time I read it. Maybe thats why its on the bookshelf in Grace's room but I very rarely actually pick it up. How would I explain to a 2 year old why Mommy is crying over a board book!?

5. A book I wish I had written: Any book. Seriously, I think it would be so to walk into Barnes and Nobles and see my name onthe spine of a book on a shelf. Even cooler if I saw someone actually buy the book.

6. The book I wish had never been written: The Rules. Seriously now........do women really need to manipulate men to get them to call them back!? I hate this book.

7. The books I'm reading now: Honestly, I am reading GWTW again, for the 18th time. I just cannot get sick of this book. Maybe its my admiration for Scarlett or the time in which the book took place or the daringness of Rhett.....I dont know but I love it! Also, the other books are pretty boring: CIC Manual, Professional Meeting Management, and CIC's International Manual. Fun stuff, huh?!

8. A book I've been meaning to read: Tales From Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett. I promised Hubby I would read this.....3 years ago....and I have never gotten to it. One of these days I will.

Parenting Challenge---Can I stop the Bully?

First, check out the cuteness in this pic!! She is seriously so adorable!!!

Okay, so this post is really an update on yesterday's Mean Girl topic. After talking to several people (friends with kids, family, other parents who went through this, friends with child development degrees), I have come up with a few discipline strategies that could work on my Little Miss Diva. Any thoughts on them? Did they work for you? Did they backfire? Looking for all the advice I can get cause honestly, I have NO clue what I am doing right now!

1. Continue with the correcting and distracting technique and hope its just a phase that will be outgrown.
   
2. Remove her from the situation immediately and, since she cant play nice, have her play alone until she decides she can be nice to her friends (no hitting, pushing, biting, etc).
   
3. Each time she hits/bites/pushes, take away her favorite toy for a few minutes.
   
4. Reward chart, Supernanny-style.
   
5. Setting her up in a situation where she will most likely show these behaviors (we dont see them as often at home as Afghani sees them at daycare) so that she understands Mommy and Daddy wont put up with them either.
   

Maybe we try all of them. But then I think she would be confused. Can she even understand a Reward Chart? Does she get it that palying alone is punishment? If I take one certain toy all the time, wont she simply find another one she likes to replace it and stop caring about the initial toy?

And now for some humor......................

Mean Girl

Her first real bad report card. Not fun. Not fun for me and Hubby or DayCareista or Grace. And now I have a ton of work to do with Miss Diva herself.

Afghani pulled me aside yesterday afternoon at pickup time to discuss Grace's behavior. Apparently, she is kicking and pushing and hitting her friends. Once in awhile, she gets a bite or scratch in there too. A parent of another child mentioned to Afgahni (and I am quoting her!), "What are you going to do about Grace?". From what I understand, Grace scratched this little girl last week (the same girl who bit my daughter twice a few months ago, leaving bruises on Grace's arm, by the way). I was (and still am) totally mortified to run into this mother at day care! Afghani said another parent (the mother of Grace's best friend at day care) walked in during the conversation and agreed with the other mother about the hitting and pushing.

Afghani asked me how we handle it at home (we do the Naughty Step). There is no time-out at day care, per Afghani's policy. Afghani corrects her and distracts her when she hits. Hitting and pushing is not only in response to the sharing problems of all 2 year olds, but intentional most of the time. Seriously...Afghani said Grace will stand next to her friends, smile, push them, and walk away. As soon as she is corrected, she gives that sweet little innocent look and says sorry.

Bottom line: She is the mean kid at day care right now and I am mortified.

Afghani wants to try discipline techniques we havent used before with Grace (taking away her favorite toy temporarily, telling her she has to play alone when she is hitting, distraction to a completely different activity) and to do away with time-outs at home. Maybe there is something going on with Grace that we havent noticed (can a 2 year old be stressed or upset or any of that!?). My diagnosis is that she is having issues with not being the center of attention all the time. At home, she hits and all this when we are not paying absolute attention to her (we are cooking dinner and she is in the room but not the center of our conversation, etc). Its a bigger problem when we are not at our house and there are other kids/dogs/people/who and what ever around that she has to share attention with. Could it be as simple as that?!

What the heck has gotten into my sweet little girl!? What would I say to these moms next time I see them? Do I mention it or let it lay and deal only with Afghani when it comes to this issue? Should I expose her to times when I know she will do these things so I can correct her immediately? Should I not allow her to play with other kids for awhile until I can figure out what is going on?

I always thought I was on top of this parenting thing---that I was doing a decent job. But now, when my daughter is having a problem, I am clueless on how to fix this!! HELP!

I remember....

I am not even sure what to write today. I have spent the last 5 minutes staring at the blank Blogger screen----how do you start a post on a day like today?!

I dont want to rehash my "where was I" story and I dont think I need to tell you that today makes me sad. It makes all of us sad. I guess I just want to say that I remember. I think about it all the time. I have friends still fighting for our freedom in Afghanistan, Iraq, all over the world. I have a friend who gave the ultimate sacrifice in that fight.

However, today, even though it is a sad day for all of us, I cannot help but be proud of our USA. They (whoever they may be) can hit us right where it hurts...at home...but we will stand up again in pride and fight for what is ours and what is right. We are a strong and resilent nation; the past 5 years have shown that. Whether or not you agree with the war or the President or all the politics involved, you cannot deny the strength and resilency of the USA.

God Bless America!

Okay, next step.....What if

$175.00: Application Fee
$21.06: Overnight Delivery Fee
$250.00: Registration for a Study Group
3 Weeks or so or maybe longer: Priceless time I get to wait to hear the final word on whether or not I am qualified to take the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) exam.

It's done. FedEx will be delivering my application to the Convention Industry Council by 10:30 am on Tuesday, September 12. I felt a little relief when I finally handed over the application to the 16 year old working at the Kinko's/FedEx store. But as I left the place, the stress over took me. What if they take all sorts of points away and disqualify me?! Should I even sign up for the study group or wait to get the "qualified" stamp on a letter from the CIC?

It's a HUGE deal in my industry and I just joined the masses; the ones without their 2 letters who SO desperately want them. My best friend and mom just got theirs; seriously, I will be DEVASTED if they disqualify me and I have to continue to hear about the letters from my mom.

See, its not so much the test that scares me; it's the "what if's"!!!!!

Fall Fashion----A Show or No?!

As a kid, the first day of school was the worst. Not because it meant the end of summer (it has to end at some point!) but for all the other reasons: was my backpack cool or dorky? would I be popular or the nerd this year? wouldnt it be really embarassing to trip when walking down the seniors' hallway? will I know anyone in my classes?

Now, as an adult, I hate the first month of school a for totally different reason: the damn busses! During the summer, I can drive the 17.4 miles from my house to my office in 45 minutes. Like clockwork. Even if I stop at Starbucks. Now that school has started again and the busses are out on their routes at the same time I am trying to get to work, it takes me 1 hour and 20 minutes. To go 17.4 miles! Seriously!

But on the flip side, school starting is the first real sign that Fall is coming. Its my favorite season. I love the changing leaves and dont even mind raking them up so much because who doesnt remember afternoons jumping in the leaves as a kid!? Brings back all sorts of happy times for me. But the best part (for me anyways) is that I getto wear my jeans and boots and sweaters and drink hot chocolate and watch football. Oh, I cant wait for Fall.

So in preparation for Fall, I am starting the shopping thing. Grace has no fall/winter clothes that will fit her from last year. In the effort to save money, I am trying to focus on the basics and then I can buy a few "fun" items that match a variety of the basics. Sounds like a good plan, huh?! Wanna take bets if I can stick to it!? I bet not---I have a shopping weakness. So far, I have been pretty good----jeans, a fwe long sleeve, multi-colored tees, and a really cool beach sweatshirt.

At the beginning of each season, I have this revelation that it sucks being the first one in the group to have a baby. Not because for awhile, no one really knows how your life has changed. But because you have to actually buy all your child's clothes!!! MamaChix shops in the Grace Closet Emporium at least 3 times a year (and usually adds to the closet collection when returning the clothes to Miss Grace!) and her newborn things have been worn by several babies up and down the East Coast. But for now, we get no hand-me-downs. Guess this will all change one day...the day that Grace starts wearing my clothes! {sigh} The problems of having to shop haunt me!!! (hehe, did you hear/read the sarcasm in that one!?)

Okay, now I need some help. I love Children's Place. Gymboree and Janie and Jack and Gap Kids are all favorites as well (well, whenever I can afford a $80 outfit in size 2T). I need some new kiddos shops. Its the same old stuff every time I hit all the regular stores. Is there some secret toddler clothing store I have not yet been introduced to? Maybe on the 'Net....havent done much Grace shopping there. Ideas? Anyone?!?!

Notes To Self

1. NEVER allow Grace to wear Pull Ups Training Pants to bed. NEVER EVER AGAIN. Why? Because they have no absorbency and there is no need to create more laundry than we already have. Washing sheets at 6:30 am on a weekday is not a good start to the day. Great to know that Huggies has developed Overnites for these situations...would have been FABULOUS to know yesterday.

2. Next time the doctor prescribes pain killers for the Hubby after surgery, ask for an extra prescription.......for me.

3. NEVER to try to actually stick to my to-do list at the office. Something or someone more important will always decide they know better and that they should tell you how to do your job. You know, the one you have been trained to do and actually do know how to do better than the other person.

4. Dying my hair is fun. No more roots and no more greys. My hair is never softer than the week after I dye it. However, it does NOT mask the need for a haircut. Deperately. Just suck it up and make the damn appointment for your $80 haircut already!

5. Since we are talking about hair, stop trying to DO my hair in the morning when it is raining outside. I mean, really, come on now. I know that it will turn into a big nasty mess of frizz but I do it anyways, every morning, even during Tropical Storms!

6. Its Wednesday which means only 2 1/2 more work days until the weekend.....when I will have to work but at least it will be the weekend.

Sadly, I surrender

Why is it that some decisions are the hardest to make? And that once you make it, even though there wasnt much of a choice or you knew it was the best/right one to make, you are sad. Sadder about it than when it was a "what if" or "maybe"? I hate that.

Last night, Supergirl (who is just about ready to become another Supermom) and K came over to hang out. It was really nice to have other adults to talk to after days of playing nurse to Hubby. At some point in the evening, we started discussing second babies. (BTW: Check out MamaChix's news!!!)

I started having the tug for another a couple months ago. Being pregnant was so much fun and who doesnt fall head over heels in love with newborns. I dont even mind the feeding schedule and lugging around a diaper bag everywhere you go. Getting up all night long...no, its not fun but some of the most precious memories I have are from moments Grace and I rocked in her room at 2 am, just looking at each other in amazement. I loved it all.

Hubby has always been much more hesitant to start on the road to parenthood again. He is a wonderful daddy and a great husband. There are so many reasons that he hesitates whenever I bring up Baby #2. Health, finances, time with Grace, and on and on and on.

I used to get angry about it but no longer. The past few days, with Hubby in bed recovering from the surgery and Grace running around, I am not sure about it anymore. There is a large house to take care of, day care bill that would double, and yes, there are health issues.

Being a mom is the greatest thing I have ever done. The past two years, I have felt more like myself than ever before. Isnt it funny that someone so small, a mere 38 inches tall, can teach me more about myself than years of therapy and life can?! Her smile lights up my life and I sont remember what I was like before she came.

Decisions have to be made for the greater good. How many boats need to be rocked? I dont want to rock them anymore.

My white flag is raised, even if it makes me sad. We are, and will continue to be, a one kid family.

Relax? Huh? What's That?

I can hear the hum of the aquarium. Its not too often that I can actually hear the washing machine stop. And believe it or not, this mom can sit down for 15 consecutive minutes.

This, my friends, is how I have spent the last 2 days. Yesterday, most of the day was spent staring at the blank walls of the Out-Patient Surgery lobby. Today, I have left my house twice....once to go to the doctor with Hubby Cranky-Pants and once to go to the store for soda and butter. Being trapped in the house is tough for me...the one who always has to go, go, go. Even my boss told me to relax and stop checking my emails today!!!

Grace has been staying with my parents since Wednesday so that Hubby and I could get through the surgery and immediate post-op recovery without having to worry about her. She is 2 which means she has no concept of the fact that she cant climb all over Daddy and that she cannot hit him in the head/face even accidently. In fact, for the next few days, he cant even get out of bed for any extended period to play with her. Grace comes home tomorrow so I guess we will see how she does then, huh?

Until then, I am trying to relax in the quiet house. Tougher than it sounds actually. I am so used to being busy that I have been finding myself wandering through the house just to kill some time. I cant leave Bill alone for extended periods of time since he cant do much on his own right now. But tomorrow I think I am going to run some errands; just get out of the house for an hour or so. We need a new trashcan for the kitchen and I want to look for bedroom decor things....sounds like a trip to Linens N Things to me!!!

So thats the update. Hubby is recovering but its slow and painful for him. I am bored but happy that I was able to take time off to take care of my Hubby. And we are both counting the hours til Grace comes home.....even though its been so nice to focus on Hubby the past 2 days, I miss her like crazy.