I am totally a slave to marketing

Michael has been slowly getting better, so I went out to run some errands. I ended up at Bath and Body Works. (Is it just me that always ends up at this store? It's right next to my target, and I'm always there). There is something about this store that turns me into a 12 years old girl trying to smell good for my latest crush in English class. It's their semi-annual sale, and if you spend $25, you receive a free cute denim bag. And, I had to have the bag. (The bag was only $15, but that wouldn't have been the point). So, Michael got a duck (like he doesn't have enough), I got lotion, hair products, shower gel, etc. etc. I immediately came home and turned the cute bag into a diaper bag. I purchased or was given 4 different diaper bags, but always use free bags from bath and body works. Yes, bags, you heard me right, I've done this buy crap get the free bag before thing. I refused to buy the expensive $200 diaper bags when I was pregnant on principle alone, now I probably have $1,000 in diaper bags buying the products to get them. Waiting for me at home was a Bliss spa set. Due to a big screw up with a Christmas present, they ended up sending me this for free. (I love Bliss products, if you have never tried them and you need a treat you totally should. I would vote for this for a cool mom pick. You there Kristen, also at the mom trap?) So, my bathroom looks like land of smelly products. Doug has been telling me for years that I am a slave to marketing. Package it pretty, put it on TV, and I want it. It's like I'm 5. Don't ask about my love of infomercials. (I promise to make a blog resolution to stop with the parentheses, and my excessive use of commas).

The fine art of blogging

I've been around for 6 weeks or so, and I still have no clear purpose. My tag line is celebrating the randomness of life, and that is really my blog. I'm kind of a mommy blog, kind of snarky, and kind of a forum for me to vent. Lately it seems like I'm not sure what to direction to take this in. I rarely post pictures,which is not very good mommy blogging, because most of our pictures are on the stand alone PC and I'm always on the laptop. The strange thing about the blog is, no one in in real life knows about it. That's not true exactly, Doug knows about it, and Beth of playgroup dropout and so the fish said who I've met once and email with a lot. (Hi Beth!) I think I need a Blog Resolution, like a New Years Resolution, but for my blog. (One should be, stop the random capitalization). Do I need a purpose? I'm not sure I have enough readers for anyone to care. Tell me what you think. Is there something you want to see written about? I'm pretty open. If you are a lurker, come out and say hi! And Happy New Year P.S. Once again, sorry for the blog title typo for anyone who read this a few hours ago. I need to proofread, and get some sleep!

Sometimes getting what you want is a bitch

Doug stayed home with Michael today, like I wanted. Actually, like I needed. Work is still a mess and I have a day full of meetings and two trials next week. I had to go in today. But, I'm not going to see Michael today. My 5 year old nephew's Hanukkah present was tickets to High School Musical: The Concert . (Has any adult but me seen this and loved it? See this for more on my love of bad tv). So, I'm going straight to pick my nephew up and to the show. If it was anyone else, I'd cancel. But my nephew is so looking forward to this, and yes my sister would take him, but I promised him. I'm worried about Michael. I'm worried about Doug. It's hard being home all day alone with sick baby, I know, I did it yesterday. I'm worried about Doug getting the medicine correct. He's a really smart, capable guy, and I know he will do fine. But, I'm worried. Is this the destiny of parenthood? Not really trusting anyone else, even your spouse?

Why I know I should really be a fifties housewife

I knew my life had changed when the most important thing in my world was that a Harris Teeter opened 10 minutes away. We have grocery stores within a minute or two, but I always drive to the Harris Teeter. And then I rave for hours to everyone about how great the Harris Teeter is. Than, I got a crock pot for the Holidays. I am sooo excited. I am a vegetarian with a crock pot and can not wait to use it! If Michael lets me, tonight will be inaugural crock pot use. It's the shinning light in all the coughing, sleepiness, and croupiness. Oh, and that Michael slept from 10 pm until 7 pm and actually didn't spit out every last but of his medicine. That's good also.

Labels: Random Randomness

Croup, Croup, de Boop

(Song to the Betty Boop theme song) We have croup. (And by we I mean Michael). Up until yesterday I thought only infants got croup, I thought we has escaped it. At midnight Christmas night the seal bark coughing came. And then we were up all night, steaming and screaming, steaming and screaming. We called the doctor at 12:30 am, and she said keep steaming. We were still in Pittsburgh, and the next morning we called the doctor from the car. They were closing the office by two but if we made it there in time, we could be seen. We made it, and they confirmed our suspicions, Michael has three medicines, all of which he hates, and we have to shove down his throat while he is screaming. Because of this post, I'm staying home tomorrow, and Doug is staying home on Thursday. Things are bad at work for me. I've been terrified to talk about, I'm so paranoid and know Dooce's story, but to be honest, it would be highly unlikely they would find this. There has been a lot of complaining about my absences at work, between Savannah, Christmas, and my daycare provider's flood. There was also a big crises while we were in Savannah, and it all fell on me to take care of from my cell phone while on vacation. I've always loved my job, and have even said so many time on this website. All of a sudden I don't, and it's hard. I've never hated a job, but if we could afford it, I would think about making a change. But none of that matters now. My baby can't breath, and it hurts my heart to listen to it. He slept for 3 pm to 8 pm and we are currently on hour a gazzilion of Sesame Street. I stole an idea from Amalah and am writing down when he receives his medicine, but then I can't decipher the handwriting. I couldn't ask for a better partner in croup than Doug. He entertains Michael with the animals from a toy zoo he was given for hours. He doesn't get over heated in the steam. And he has the patience of a saint, he actually trys to get Michael to take his medicine before just shoving it down his throat. We are going to try steaming and medicine and bed again. He has been awake less than an hour since 3 pm, what are the chances I may actually get some sleep tonight? P.S. Anyone who saw the first draft of this I apologize for the mis-spelling of Croup, I'm running on no sleep and a four hour drive.

Why Doug laughs at my TV watching

I know I signed off for the holidays and all, but Michael took a really long nap today and I ended up watching a lot of TV. I just had to post: I must admit, I love bad TV. I still watch Real World, and as if that's not bad enough watch Real World/Road Rules Challenge. I stumbled upon Fox Reality Channel and Surprise Wedding Australia. (I tried to find a link, I really did. But none exists, even on the Reality Challenge website). I can not explain how laughable this show was. Some guy who is trying hard to be Ryan Seacrest and some girl who shouldn't host anything. But I promise you she wasn't picked for her brains. These women get made over and put in a wedding gown and propose to their boyfriends. Their boyfriends have to decide on the spot and if they say yes, they are married then and there. I didn't see the end, Michael woke up an I couldn't bring myself to tivo. (Doug would never let me live it down). I don't know how many said yes or no. Most looked like a deer caught in headlights. Have you seen this? Semi-Homemade on the food network is by far the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Adding bacon bits to baked beans is not cooking. Buying stir fry beef at the mall and throwing it in a wok is not cooking. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for quick and easy, but this is what is is. Take out or opening a can. Every episode ends with "cocktail hour," which is Ms. Lee's "favorite time f the day." Jennsylvania calls her "drunky mcfood ruinier" which is just perfect, and the vibe has these hysterical re-caps which I so much better than anything I could have written. I have two major complaints about Sandra Lee- 1. Most people can not afford and do not have the time to change their outfit, their kitchen decor (including the paint color), and the elaborate decorations that go into one of her tablescapes. 2. How come I didn't think of this? This women is a millionaire, she has her own cookbooks and tv show. I can open cans and add lettuce to a platter, I really can. This was so not in the Christmas spirit, I know.

Saying thanks for the holiday movie

Oh, wait, that's the wrong holiday. Saying praise for the holiday movie? Wait, what do I know? This article discusses the formula of the holiday movie. I stated once that I loved cheesy Christmas Carols and even the cheesy movies that go along with Christmas Carols. I know they are formulaic and trite and manipulative. But nothing puts me more in the mood for Christmas than Miracle on 34th street, the new version. And Dylan McDermott is hot! I do believe in Santa Claus, I do believe in Santa Claus. Oh wait, I'm Jewish. See, these movies are really powerful. On that holiday note there will be a lack of updates around here as I spend Christmas at my in-laws. Happy Holidays to all. May they be merry and bright and not filled with annoying or hurtful family members. And if they are, just smile and drink egg nog, wine, or your libation of choice. And if you are pregnant, well, claim you are tired and go to bed.

It starts already

I had to leave work early for a "holiday performance" at Michael's daycare. Michael is 21 months old and he already has school activities that interfere with my work schedule. Doug had to leave earlier, because he works about an hour away. Michael just ran around the room and refused to participate. He cried for Mommy and Daddy to pick him up and wanted to play with the toys. He did not want any part of the singing thing. I'd post pictures, but Michael would just be a blur on the screen and all you would see are other people's kids, and that's not why you are here. Plus, I don't think their parents would appreciate it.

My little hacker

A few months ago, Michael took all the keys off of my laptop, while I went into the kitchen to get a glass of water. 2 minutes. He is more efficient than my IT people at work.

The sad thing is I couldn't figure out how to get them back on.

Thanks to Robbin, who sent me an email after leaving a comment on another blog complaining about it, you can buy a keyboard! We did not need to buy a new laptop.

But, Doug couldn't put it on. He had to take it to work so one of his IT could people do it. I bet Michael could have done it.

The first date

Today is the 8th Anniversary of my first date with Doug.

We went to Dave and Busters, an adult "Chuck E. Cheese" and played blackjack. I wouldn't let him buy me dinner, I paid for myself. I told him that if I let him buy me dinner I was a prostitute because he didn't pay for me before we were kissing. We went back to my apartment and made out on the couch. Seriously, I'm not lying, it was like high schoolers in the back of a car.

Who knew that one cold night would change everything? That we would marry, and have a beautiful son.

It was easily the best date I ever had.