Thursday, January 29, 2009

Tagged...

I was just tagged on Facebook tonight.. and while I could be doing this there, it seems strange to share THAT much info with people who may not really care, they just friended me because we went to school together or something..

either way.. I was tagged.. the idea is that I post 25 random things about myself... so.. if you followed me here to the blog, you know enough about me and might even be interested.. so.. here goes.. (plus, this counts as an entry... right?)

1. I am one of 7 children, I am 6 in the lineup..
2. I met my husband on the internet in 1995.. he was in australia I was here in the US...
3. we were married in 2001 -- soon to be 8 years...
4. I have a 6 year old daughter who is a mini-me and a 7 month old baby girl..
5. I have a degree in elementary education and special education
6. currently home on mommy duty -- I am so blessed that my dh can support us and I am home.. I can never get these moments back..
7. tacos are like a food group to me.. LOVE THEM
8. cold pizza tastes WAY better than hot.. (my daughter agrees with me too)
9. I love scrapbooking -- probably collecting more than actually doing it..
10. I have met some of my bestest friends because of my addiction...
11. I truly believe that I have the world's greatest pediatrician.. he is just a wonderful and brilliant man who cares for my children and makes me feel at ease..
12. my younger sister STILL drives me crazy
13. I love french vanilla anything -- coffee, ice cream, you name it..
14. I can NOT eat an egg unless it is very very very firmly cooked (I boil them for atleast 15 minutes when I them)
15. I can not make french toast
16. I lost both of my parents to Cancer
17. I have written a children's book for one of my children, working on the second one now
18. I am a reforming pen thief.. I love a good pen ..
19. I totally feel the urge to buy school supplies every September, even when I wasn't in school or I had kids who didn't need them..
20. I absolutely LOVE the smell of a fresh box of crayons.. the points on them turn me on too..
21. I love mushy love songs and soft music..
22. my favorite movies are still Man Without a Face & Dead Poet's Society ( I would throw Xanadu in there too, just cuz I watched it again recently.. the baby loved it)
23. I still miss my mom everyday...
24. My godparents are awesome people.. especially my godmother.. she is a huge part in my life and has always been.. I am blessed..
25. My biggest addiction right now is letter stickers.. I am completely obsessed with them..

okay.. 25 things.. harder than I thought...
if you are reading this.. please consider yourself tagged..

if I knew better, I would be cleaning off my desk and switching laundry..
:) Monique

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

hang a sign up on the door...

There is a song with those lyrics (yes, i will look it up and post about it later), but for right now.. my posting time is limited.. the baby is playing in her gym and miranda is watching cartoons..

how come on a tuesday she is home you ask? same reason my husband is working from home again.. hang up the quarantine sign, we are all sick.. still..

started with dh last week, strep & apparently an ear infection.. thursday, the baby was sick with stomach virus and then strep, by saturday, miranda & I had it, but sunday night, miranda had an ear ache and strep. FUN FUN FUN..

the stomach thing is recycling today..

seriously, remind me when this is going to start getting fun..cuz I ain't there yet..

:) Monique

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

happy dance..

short & sweet tonight, i have a kitchen to clean..
I scored at JCPenny.. seriously scored.. I stocked up on clothes for both girls for next year,
to the tune of 39 pieces (either jeans, outfits, shirts,etc) for 105.00 .. roughly 2.60 a an article of clothes.. COLOR ME HAPPY..

there is no knowing better tonight..
just a very happy me.

:) Monique

Monday, January 12, 2009

about to cry..

so last week baby girl went for her checkup.. a very healthy baby at 18 lbs and 27 inches.. um.. hello, she is 6 months old.. dr. is very happy with things.. his comment "she is just big, but proportionate" PHEW! she is a great baby, very happy, smiley and social.. also quite the flirt with men... too funny.. she is a great eater, decent sleeper and until recently loved playing along side me, no matter what I was doing..she loves her high chair and sits and plays with plastic spoons or whatever while I make dinner or do dishes.. she will lay on the floor with toys while dh sits on the couch and reads.. and loves to play and giggle too.. like tummy time,but protests rolling over.. she can do, just won't.. little stinker..

anyways.. my issue is this, she is currently in the bucket style car seat, you mommies out there know what I mean.. the type that you buckle them into and move them from house to car safely.. I personally LOVE this set up.. she doesn't need a coat or blankets.. we have a fleece lined nano bag.. basically it's a big ole sleeping bag with wind breaker outside, warm & cozy, and seat belt buckles are all underneath.. no issues with the baby.. plus, with this, she get BOTH of her hands to play... another reason I love this, is the snow & ice, I don't have to fear dropping her in this aweful new england weather.. I was seriously trying to convince my husband that I could make until march when all I would need is a light jacket and a blanket, and most of snow & ice would be gone.. but tonight, I was informed by some parents at gymnastics class that we are going to be giving it up a whole lot sooner.. I wanted to cry when I realized that they were right.. these car seats are only meant to be a appropraite for a baby up to 20 or at best 22 lbs.. if I am lucky, I will make it to the end of the month.... oh man.. I am so bummed out... it's not about losing the convience that this seat gives me, or the the fact that my baby needs a bigger car seat... oh it's just carrying her in the bad weather makes me SOOO nervous..

sigh.. sadly, I know better in this instance and know that the end is near with the pumpkin seat for baby girl.. I am soo soo sad..

:) Monique

Sunday, January 11, 2009

1/11/09 gratitude

gratitude... Something I must start making a daily part of my life..but for now.. I am focusing on taking a few minutes once a week to make my list.. pathetic, but it's something..

1. target, seriously is there a better store on the planet, groceries, diapers, clothes, snacks, toys & scrapbooking stuff, doesn't get any better than that.
2. my scrapbooking supplies.. I have been whining all weekend about the messes I have made trying to organize my junk.. that should be issue number one.. I should be greatful that I have all that I do.
3. my baby girl - she is just a fantastic baby.. great sense of humor and wonder and gums down blueberry puffs with ease, even without teeth.
4. my big girl - she is testing me, and while it makes me crazy, it means that she is growing more and more into an independent person.. she is questioning life, just like I always taught her too.. she is going to do great things in this world. she is destined for it.. now if I could just get her to eat some fruit... I would be a happy girl.
5. snow -- while it is a giant pain in my behind, it does mean that we will have alot less bugs this summer.. which means we can all play outside a little bit more.
6. Kathy - my babysitter, she enables me to do things like clean my house, volunteer in kindergarten and spend some special time with my big girl -- who as of late, is feeling the pinches of jealousy.
7. the Wii - this thing has been great at getting us to be more physically active..
8. my husband for being supportive of my need for time to myself, time for a healthier lifestyle and making me put back the diet coke.. (while it is the nectar of the gods, I am trying to remove it from my life)
9. this blog - let me vent and realize that my life really is a good thing.
10. the chocolates that I bought at target this week.. they were on clearance, seriously, a bag of rich chocolate with mint centers.. ohhh man.. 32 cents.. they are yummy and satisfy the chocolate cravings..

okay.. silly list, but things I am truly grateful for..
if I knew Better I would off to clean the kitchen.. and tonight.. I do..
:) Monique

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Grab it and Do it..

Grab it & Do it!

RULES: There are 100 statements and you bold the ones you have done. Grab it and play for yourself!!

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept in an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (solar)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten cavier.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

done more than I thought I have..
:) Monique

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Junie B. Jones..

Have you ever read this series of books.. they are amazing and my daughter loves them..
in my house, dh and I take turns putting each of the kids to bed.. this way, they will be able to go to bed for both of us and not just one of us.. (someday, I will make it out again at night to play with my friends) but lately, I have been doing the big one.. we read a chapter of her books.. I usually get suckered into a second chapter.. happened again tonight, but who can leave the story with only one chapter left.. I can't.. seriously, I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.
who knew that a children's books would be so interesting..

all I truly know is that I love how much my daughter loves me reading them to her.. it's nice to be off picture books for a while and reading "big" girl books.. makes me smile.. and makes me a little sad too since, she isn't my baby anymore.. growing bigger by the day..

just grateful I can appreciate it for what it is.. wonderful time.. TOGETHER...

:) Monique

Friday, January 2, 2009

more to do..

Seriously, if I don't post this now. who knows if I will get the chance..
I have more to do today than I have hours to do it in. and to boot.. it's supposed to snow.. AGAIN! enough already..
feed girls, visit college friend, take photos (365 thing) get junk my sisters, grocery store, target or wal-mart if time allows, home, dishes, laundry, take down tree, play with girls on wii. do my hour of wii for myself, pay bills, the list just grows & grows..

if there is anyone out there reading this that can help me stop time and let me get everything done.. let me know.. I am thinking I would need about a week for everything.. but would settle for just an hour...

More later..
Monique

ps..if I knew better I would stop whining about what I have to do and JUST DO IT!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

observances..

It was brought to my attention that I have not blogged since Dec. 3 (thanks Cheryl) I am so bad..
one of my new year resolves is to blog more.. perhaps daily.. this will allow me to keep up with my newest scrapbooking project.. it's called Project 365, basically, I take a photo a day and journal about it.. will this replace my scrapbooking, HECK NO.. my girls still need their albums, but this will allow me to keep up with the boring or uninteresting things that happen, and work on my photography skills... this blog will enable me to help with that.. I know that I check my email atleast once a day, this way, I will blog..

blogging helps me to get thoughts out of my head and on to paper.. I need to start doing that again, when thoughts stay in my head too long, they clutter it and the sock drawer (aka, my brain) gets full and I have trouble doing the things I really should or want to be doing.. so .. if you are a reader of my blog, hang on.. I am about to fill your head with useless knowledge of my everyday life. if you are looking for profound thoughts.. seriously, keep moving, they are likely to be far and few between.. but I promise lots of baby stories (as the littlest one is starting to do more and more everyday, but no poop stories... I promise) blogging also gets me writing again, which is a good thing too.. I MUST MUST MUST finish Miranda's story book this year.. because now i need to write one for the baby. who knows.. I might grow the balls that I need and seek publication.. it's a cute story.. I like it anyways.. which is probably why I am the only one who has read it yet... Courage, that is another thing that I want to work on for the following year..

My word for the year is together.. I will blog more on that tomorrow.. I am cherishing my active reflection on last years word of New.. last year really was a year of new and wonderful things.. a new baby, new experiences, new schools, new jobs, new adventures and a new outlook. I have notes on this subject somewhere in my brain..

right now.. my observance for the day .. BINKIES, or Pacifiers or Dummy.. what ever the heck you call them, it's a little piece of plastic that babies, especially mine.. LOVES.. my question is this.. why do we loose them.. seriously.. we have bought atleast 15 or so by now.. we just can't manage to hang on to them.. I know for sure that the purple one was left in stop and shop by miranda and the pink one was lost on a walk around the neighborhood.. the others.. in their bright green state just manage to disappear.. THANKFULLY, my daughter does not discriminate with the binky of her choice.. as long as the little piece of magic green material is there.. she slips into a state of euphoria.. one that can not be brought on by anything else... WHY.. I get the whole oral fixation thing.. really I do.. Reference Freud in google if you need more on this.. I get that whole natural process of suckling and being calming too.. what I don't get is how I lose these things... it's insane... oh well.. just my observation of the day...

If I knew better, I would making my dh breakfast and moving on, but I had to get those ideas of out my head.. seriously, the scrapbook page that comes is going to be hysterical.. just this week we bought another package of binkies and we not only lost those 2, but 1 of the 1's we had.. craziness..

Oh well.. Happy New Year..
ps.. for those intersted, the kit for Project 365 goes on sale in about 20 minutes.. I need 3 of them.. not all for me.. 2 for friends..
http://community.creatingkeepsakes.com/store/category/kit_of_the_month?view_all=1

:) Monique