before I forget.....

Happy 1st Birthday Moe!


Moe's Birthday cupcake!

First off let me say.....those of you who REALLY know me will understand why it took me 2 months to blog about the celebration of my puppys 1 year anniversary as a Schmidt. Those of you who don't. Spend a day with me at my house with the dog and you will quickly see the love/hate relationship I have with him.

Now don't think I'm some evil person, even though I truly have my days. I'm just not an ANIMAL person. I think its in my blood, passed down thru generations. For as large as my extended family is...not many of us even HAVE pets! Nor does anyone feel like their life is incomplete without one. So that means your probably wondering why I even got a pet in the first place (trust me, so do I!) Well I guess I have to say my answer is this. I want to stop the cycle. Man that sounds like were some alcoholic, obusive, wackadoo family. Well, cut out the obusive part and the statement could be a bit more accurate!

Anyhoo, I'm getting honest....I had a tremendous FEAR of dogs as a child. Let me put it to you this way. When I was in kindergarten I got my first dog. I named her Kelsey. She was a cute and innocent little black and white mut of a puppy. She was an outside dog...never allowed in the house. Now imagine this......it was before my parents had an attached garage. I begged, pleaded and cried for my parents to carry me whenever I was outside. Literally everytime I was outside I either needed to be held or they had to lock up the dog in the garage. Jami and Kelsey were like oil and vinegar! We never mixed. To help you understand the seriousness of being held. Once I was in my dads arms (and remember I was almost 6) I would climb his body like a spider monkey so that so she couldn't even reach my shoes.....thats how scared I was...well..and how short my dad was. But whatever, you work with what you got! ha!

I used to ride home from school on the bus. It was my moms duty every afternoon to hold the dog while I walked from the bus to the house. That way I wouldn't look like a fool to all of my friends....God knows I couldn't show my face once the word was out that I was a crazy who was dealthy afraid of her little puppy! Well.....mom was vaccuming, bus came early, and then it happened. I got off the bus to be surprised by my little excited and "ferocious" (don't forget that part) puppy kelsey. She started to jump all over me with love and joy because her little friend (aka me) was home from school. My angle.....the ferocious beast of a dog started to attack me as I stepped off of the bus. So I took my little strawberry shortcake backpack and beat the dog as hard and as many times as I could. Screaming with all my might trying desperatly to save my life that was quickly flashing before my eyes....then to my rescue was my mother. But I'm pretty sure at the time I yelled at her for slacking on her doggie patrol duties and probably did a good job of making her feel like dirt....yeah....that sounds more like me! So to make the story short....well first off.... I LIVED! Praise Jesus! But then the next day the busdriver pulled me aside and asked what had happened. He felt terrible that some strange dog was attacking me, he almost turned the bus around to help, until he saw my mother....but then I HAD to fess up and say, "no sir, that was my dog" HOW PATHETIC!!! I hope your atleast getting a good laugh out of this!

Okay....so back to stopping the cycle. My son LOVES his dog...hopefully baby girl will too. Me on the other hand will always think he stinks, licks too much and barks too often. And truthfully this is all so that I don't have to get too close! :) No...I'm not scared of him....but I just can't explain it! But for now I will still continue to spoil him with material things like holistic food, specialty toys, trips to the doggie spa and birthday parties. And this is just me trying to overcompensate for not being a loving enough mother! I only have so much I can give.......

So to another year of Moe! Just be thankful you aren't Kelsey!

bring on the CAKE (and eye cream)

Today I am officially older......not old....but UNDENIABLY older. I woke up this morning, TIRED....not because I was up all night from some crazy wild early twenty shananigans....but from cramps, heartburn and gas from my second pregnancy. It made me sad, almost depressed. I was even CONSIDERING taking my birthday money from my parents to go buy a new breast pump! What was happening to me! A Medella over a hot new pair of brown leather boots!?! It's because I'm OOLLLDDDD!!!!!

All my single and fabulous friends have been calling to inquire, "what are you doing tonight!? How are you celebrating!?" Well let me tell you..... coffee with fat FILLED creamer, hanging new curtins in the nursery, making chilli for the week, getting fun FaceBook birthday messages, opening a gift certificate for spa treatments from the hubbie (that you better BELIEVE will be used on an anti-aging facial!) and CAKE lots of CAKE!!!!

And this morning my reaction to this would have been the same as my single in the city friends, "Oh......ummm thats nice...." but now that my day is almost to an end.....honestly, I'm realizing that I feel pretty damn lucky. Actually excited! I might even throw in an Arbonne detox bath and perfect the day! I'm thrilled to make it to the....ummm.... big 28!

So what if this birthday isn't one for the books.... it was a great day. Different the the typical party girl celebration....but atleast it was spent with the people that I care the most about and the pajamas that I love! So screw what I thought the day "should" be and toast to what it was! To yet another year.....may it be filled with happiness, health, eye cream and CAKE!!

tractors and robes don't mix

I never would have imagined that a part of my life would revolve around a good ole John Deere! For the past few months I have been busy planning a blowout John Deere Bash for the Gav-man's 3rd birthday! Cookies, cakes, pinatas, and my favorite John Deere beer! Lets just say...you should pray that you get an invitation! Ha! (or maybe not!)
Too add to the explosion of JD tracors in my life....my son is also placing his tractors, gators and books strategically around the house. "they're farming" he says....."dont move them". Well how could I disrupt his creativity. I've been move relaxed then usual about the toy pickup....he is just too damn cute to crack the whip on this. Until now...
Tuesday morning, imagine this.......a pregnant lady in a fluffy white robe...underneath commando, a bare newly pedicured foot, and a child begging that I put on his favorite (get ready for the surprise) John Deere movie (yes, they have those...thank you aunt Debbie)
As I say "Sure...no problem!" As I reach for the remote my left foot hits the little green tractor that resembles a roller skate......which then turns INTO a roller skate!
Preggo goes down..... HARD....and the robe flaps open which then means.... NAKED. Twice in a month I have offically scared my child! Not too shabby! Needless to say, the tractors no longer "farm" in the living room! Andmommy hasn't put the robe back on in fear that I might get into more trouble!:)

My day so far.....

From the outside the life of a housewife always seems Fabulous....maybe even magical. Spending the day with sweet and innocent children as we go to play dates at the park, library story times, and restful naptimes. Well it DOESN'T work that way.....actually no...sometimes it does....but I would say 1 day a month MAYBE goes like that! Today is not that day!

First off....I dont get any sleep with this pregnacy...not sure why!? But I'm dealing with it! Add on a 2:00am wakeup call to a tearful little boy who was scared of his room! Honestly it broke my heart.....he hugged us and BEGGED for us to not make him sleep in his room! But for fear of starting a bad trend my hubbie and I walked him back in and got him settled. An hour later he fell asleep.

The good part...or so I thought.... was that the little man was sleeping in. I thought what a perfect time for a little mommy/daddy shut the door time....sorry mom if your reading this!:) So now let your imagination go......and imagine that we forget to actually SHUT the door....and then lets imagine that there in the hallway was a wide eyed and speechless little boy.....he barely could sputter the words, "daddy, WHAT are you DOING!?" I could have DIED! My first thought we have permantly damaged our child! He will never recover! Then the hubbie came up with a tickle monster excuse, which luckily did the trick, and the fact that I was now laughing hysterically made it all more true!:) But it DOES remind me of sneaking around the parents....but I think its more sad when your sneaking around your children! Anyhoo!

After some much needed coffee...I dealt with the normal breakfast for kid and pet...made lunch for the hubbie, cleaned, computer time, and list making for the day! (but I do love that part!) Then my perfect little dog...yeah right...decided that HE was a little boy. When he doesnt get what he wants...his new thing! He throws a TANTRUM...can you believe it!?! He sits right in front of you and BARKS his head off. He's been a real keeper today, scratching the kid, attacking pillows, and getting into the smelliest stuff! This preggo lady is ready to barf at any minute! And lose her mind.........

So what do I do....put the kid down for his nap, put the dog down for his nap (I'm very serious about that one) had some lunch and now catching up on my much needed blog and FB time! It rejuvenates me! My stradegy for getting thru the afternoon! I'm baking cookies....I can bribe the kid to stay good if he knows he'll get cookie dough at the end of the day! I tell him I'll make cookies after your nap, which then turns to after you clean up your room, which turns into if you play quietly in your room, which then turns into if you eat your dinner! Yes I know I'm a genius....and that I might have a fat kid later in life....but right now this cookie dough is what is going to make the rest of my day that MAGICAL experiance that everyone WITHOUT kids thinks that I'm having! So cheers to a little refined sugar! ha!

Giving a Shout Out!

August 27, 2005 was the day that I married my BFF. 4 years of marriage, a kid and a half, a horrible real estate market, a big move, and destructive dog later.....we still got it! As of this moment....what would I say is the key to a happy marriage!? DATE NIGHT.....quiet time, a little booze, interesting conversation....and maybe a locked bedroom door at the end! (well.....not really maybe!) Here is to another year! Can't wait to see what unfolds!

Break'n out....

The hubbie just started a new work schedule that will allow him to be home weekends AND 2 days off during the week! All I can say is "SWEEEEET"! I am taking this as a blessing, especially with baby number 2 quickly approaching. Sleepless nights and green poop here we come!

To celebrate our family's new routine I am trying to make these days off as "perfect days" for us. Like today...the weather couldn't be more beautiful. So we are going to get out there and enjoy it! Since my last entry I have been really thinking about what DOES make me happy.....and as I have said before.....little things. So today...the hubbie is picking us up our favorite coffees from down the street, then off to Good Will to donate some unused goodies, then to the recycling station (Go Green!) book store to get something new, then some playtime at the park, and then my favorite.... pool time.....end the day with a nap and a relaxing evening at home. Which of coarse will be filled with cooking dinner on the grill, watering the flowers and playing with John Deere tractors.

Doesn't sound like much. But actually this day could NEVER sound better. I want to be thankful for what I have...not dwell on the negative. Like I have said before...I dont have my shit together. But that doesn't mean that there aren't things in my life that are going pretty freak'n awesome! So....yes....I'm thankful for those small little things that can turn my day around. Time to enjoy it!

Trying to be honest.......

I survived the week without Gavin and I have to say...... Being without my "meaning in life" has opened a window to what I need to deal with. I have many MANY issues that I didn't even realize that I have ever had. I had time to actually think about my life and how it has and IS changing. To be in your familiar "safe zone" with something major missing. It just gets your mind rolling. I came to the fact that I am a stay at home mom...I love it but I live for my family and not myself. I also realized that I keep my house clean because I'm scared of what someone might think more then my supposed love for cleaning. And I have no real friends in this new location I call home (actually I have one...Emmie I know your reading this but you don't really count cause your family)....all of my true girlfriends are far and away. The distance makes the heart grow founder but can also make the relationship itself weaker. AND to top it off....I have found that I miss alcohol way too much. But I do say this with a smile. I mean come on....it's only 3 more months. But its like I can't be or have fun without it. I know in my heart that its not true...but it sure feels true.

I also always thought that the more people you surround yourself with meant that you never had to feel sad and alone. This is not true.

I guess what I am saying is that I am normal... Meaning I don't have my shit together, even though I try to pretend. Does anyone really have it all together!? I would love to talk to someone who thinks they do...I used to be that person. But I'm not sure why...actually I do. Because for whatever reason I have people tell me that all of the time. I've heard it so much that it MUST be true. But sadly it's not. But what determines the standard that makes you think, "man she really has it together!" ?????

Now could this all be caused by the hormones?!?...sure...but I like to think that this is all COMING OUT because of the hormones. You can't try to improve yourself until you have determined the problem. And some of the most ridiculous people in my life never think that anything is THEIR fault, they are ALWAYS right, EVERYOONE ELSE is to blame. I never want to be that person. But is blogging about bits and pieces of my near to depression going to help!? Who knows, but it can only make me a better person....right!?

Okay....I'm being THAT mom.....

I am a lady who LOVES to travel. And my love of travel is so important to me (and the hubbie) that no matter what, we put the seperation anxiety with the kid aside. We feel that it is EXTREMLY important for each of us and our relationship. I have never once regreted leaving my child with a babysitter or grandparent for an extended amount of time. Because in the end.... I KNOW it will make me a better mother, wife and PERSON. And it does the same for our kids. They know that mom and dad , "love me enough that they WILL come back and get me (eventually)" and it helps them to become more independant and a well rounded person in society. Those are MY beliefs and I know not all mothers feel that way.

I have friends that have NEVER left their children. I understand, but I don't agree. BUT I will say this......it has been 20 hours since I left my little guy back at the grandparents. I am sitting at MY home at MY computer with MY dog and MY son is not here! This is WEIRD!!!!! Normally I have warm sun on a sandy beach, or a glass of wine with a beautiful view, or even swanky hotel room in the heart of a city to keep my mind occupied. But the truth is this....right now my little man should be asking for his second snack, Noggin on in the background and a poopy diaper should be approaching shortly! And its not......

But what I will say is this. I have a feeling that my house will be spotless, ALL the laundry will be done, I will have blogged (check) craft projects will be finished, the errands will be done and I will (amazing) have showered and probably shaved, by the time my hubbie comes home at 5:00 for a home cooked meal! So feel free to check in on me becasue I feel I may lose my mind!

Gavin come home tomorrow!!!!!

I have to VENT.......

I just want all my lady friends to know.......wax your face. I know it can hurt, it can cost a little extra cash, and its sometimes hard to fit into a busy schedule. BUT COME ON!!!!! Its something that needs to be done. Like brushing your teeth or clipping your toe nails. And I don't care how pretty you think you may be. If you have a mustache....no one can see your real beauty because we are sidetracked by the fuzz on your face! The reason some women age beautifully?......they keep up with the maintenance. So call your esthetician before the weekend. You'll thank me!

Happy Little Trees

This week my job was to paint a simple tree in my soon to be daughters bedroom. I thought... no problem.....I'm an artsie kind of girl. I will bring out my skills from all of my past art classes, make Mrs. Wolf proud (my favorite art teacher)....this will be cake! Well maybe not yummy cake, but burnt with too much baking soda kind of cake! Ha!

Lets just say things weren't going as planned, and I was dreading this process.....then by day 3 I had a thought. I'm not sure if any of you have read, "The Last Lecture" by the late Randy Pausch. (Awesome book by the way....get out there and read it. You'll never be the same!) In his book he talks about wanting to paint his room as a child...and finally one year to his disbelief his mom said yes. So he paints....an elevator door, pandoras box, and other goofy stuff. He recalls it being one of his best childhood memories.

I had never done anything like that before! But I too....always wanted to tear down my pale blue wallpaper with the pink hearts and bows.....and paint my room red...with a big, fat, pink pig! No joke....if you knew me back then, this would make sense to you!

So anyway....I started to think....this is my chance. This isn't a chore. This is some fun shit, pardon my french...but it is! I am living out one of my childhood dreams of painting my room while I paint my daughters childhood room! All of a sudden the trees got easy, relaxing, and FUN! And guess what....they are DONE!!! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Cheers to "happy little trees!!!"

P.S. I dedicate these happy little trees to Randy Pausch and one of my favorite men....Bob Ross!