Binkies & Bandaids: November 2008

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Fee Fi Fo Monsters

I did my online shopping last night, perusing the internet for free shipping sites.

I found a great dollhouse for Sofia at www.dollhousesgalore.com - Great price, no tax or shipping and I found a promo code for $ off. I found some dollhouse furniture at etoys.com, also no shipping or tax. And at Baby Age, I found the boy's push buggies I'd been wanting for a good price, no tax but only $7 shipping.

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Sofia is starting to have nightmares. She had one last night that brought her into our room at 2 a.m. I can't get a lick of sleep when she's in my bed, so I dragged her mattress into our room and plopped it on the floor. She was quite scared, so I didn't mind doing it. It took her a long time to fall asleep and she got very anxious if I turned away from her.

This morning she talked of the "scratchy monster" who made her sit on his lap and he was under her pillow. We went in her room this a.m. and lifted up her pillow to make sure it was gone. I could tell she was really having a hard time determining the difference between what was real and what was a dream. I imagine that would be scary if your dream was, in your mind, reality. I still remember dreams of a white gloved hand coming up from under my bed to grab me. I also remember being convinced there were monsters in my closets (I had 2), well into my teens.

Now, it seems as real as day - even to this day - but of course it was all a dream.

She also talked a baby with no legs and a "Fee Fi Fo Monster." I suspect Sofia's dreamworld is a very interesting place.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving Hangover

Thanksgiving was great. That said, the next time I volunteer to have a holiday at my house, someone, anyone, please cyber bitch slap me!! PLEASE!

Once again, I feel like someone hit me with a truck. Coming off the tail end of our Disney vacay, I'm going to need a 10 day stay at a 5 star resort to feel myself again. As that's not likely to happen, I think I had better get to bed early and look forward to January when I have jury duty and can relax. :)

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thankful

Lists have been made. A hour by hour plan has been written up for tomorrow. For someone like me, who has serious ADD, this is a necessity or I'd never remember anything. I can now relax, sort of.

Today was spent working, running to Sofia's pre-school for Thanksgiving lunch, then running to Honey Baked Ham to pick up our feast. By that point, my feet were aching (thanks to the high heeled boots I'd worn) and I was soaking wet from the downpour of rain. People were anxiously waiting in lines 20 people deep, impatiently shifting from leg to leg, clutching pieces of note paper, coupons or their Blackberries. A half hour later, I stumbled up the wet street, weighed down with bags of ham, turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, mustard, coleslaw & cheesecake. I literally cannot fit one more item in my fridge, it's ridiculous.

As I wind down the day, marveling at how much Michelle Obama rocks (and how flawless her makeup looks), I am starting to think about what I'm thankful for.

1. Happy, healthy kids (and mommy, now that I mention it). Last year was just so off the charts ridiculous with 4 hospitalizations, asthma attaacks and at least 10 ER visits. So far, this cold season has yielded one minor cold and we're 3 months in. We were at least on cold #4 last year at this time. I am hopeful that the kids immune systems got so blasted last year that they are now sporting immune systems of solid kryptonite.

2. The fact that we are living in a larger house and everyone seems to be transitioning well.

3. The fact that I have a job (for now) and that the prospect of losing my job (which is a possibility) doesn't fill me with fear but with a certain sort of ambivalence.

4. My wonderful, rock solid, loving husband. He can be ridiculous at times (case in point, recent Disneyland visit, going to bed donning IPOD, leaving me with 3 screaming kids) but overall, he's an amazing person and father and I am so lucky to have found him when I did. He and I share an embaressment of riches.

5. My big screen HDTV. :)

Elf Yourself 2008

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Turkey Day, Here We Come

Wow, lots of hits from Mousepad!! Hello, my fellow Disney lovers!

I'm just a tangle of nerves as we're having 15 adults, 6 kids and one baby for Thanksgiving. For some *insane* reason, I volunteered. I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to manage work, the kids and creating this feast. I suspect I've taken on too much, but that's the story of my life. Everyone is just going to have to roll with me. It will not be a full on, sit down affair as we don't have the table space for that. Casual buffet will be the order of the day.

It wouldn't be so bad, it's just my cousin, my aunt, cousin's wife and two adult children sort of invited themselves and that's added a whole new element to the preparations. I don't mind, I've spent many a holiday at their house - I'm just nervous now whereas I was not before. I feel I may be judged and don't particularly like that gnawing feeling.

I can't wait until Friday. I am planning on hitting Target early a.m. We.shall.see if that comes to fruition.

Today is Thanksgiving Lunch at Sofia's pre-school. I'm very much looking forward to it.

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Once again, the news of cutbacks in my industry are coming down the pike. The title companies typically wine and dine the agents and us in order to generate business. We need something? We call the title company. For as long as I've been around, they've been our go-to people for any number of things. Well, times they are a changing. They are not allowed to provide to the agents most of the free services anymore. I suppose that makes sense, considering they are closing offices and having rounds and rounds of layoffs.

I did attend a company marketing meeting yesterday and did learn that our company is more than likely "ok," they are just incredibly conservative, so of course, are going to cut where necessary to avoid any problems. I am ok with that, as long as I have a job. In fact, I am considering asking if taking an unpaid leave of absence is out of the question. :)

Sunday, November 23, 2008

The Anti Twins

Some twin boy love. :)

I can't tell you how many people practically argued with me on vacation over whether my boys were twins. One Disney employee said "They're not twins? Oh no, definitely not." Okkkaaaaay???

Yesterday, while buying shoes, the salesman realized halfway through the experience that he was waiting on twins. I was talking to someone else and he overheard me say, "They are 20 months old." He made the most peculiar face and shook his head and said something articulate like "They're...twins? They...look...pretty different, huh?"

Ya think? Yeah, get that A LOT. :P

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Some fluffage, twin style ~~~

William feeding his baby

The boys and Daddy's guitar

David looking out the window

W. sporting his Mickey PJ's

William standing on his head

Little "D"

...& Willy "G"

William hanging out on sissy's bed

William showing off his chompers

David sporting his new kicks

Daddy Dooz

A Sofia funny? The other day, she dropped something in the car. I told her I wasn't able to reach back for it as I needed to drive the car.

She said "Yes, you can. Daddy dooz it all the time!" *gulp*

Went shopping today at Target and Toys'r'Us and lord have mercy, you'd never know there was any economic crisis, that's for sure. It was madness, sheer madness. Of course, I was insane for joining the masses, but it was the only time I would have to go this week. I'm having about 16 people for Thanksgiving and I'm woefully unprepared. I just found out that 4 family members sort of invited themselves and they like to partake in the hard alcohol, so this is getting expensive...

Ah, well. It'll be a full house, so it should be fun. Ah, who am I kidding? It's going to be insanity. I'm definitely in the "what was I thinking?" mode. I do have some ulterior motives though...My 23 year old female cousin is coming & I am thinking she'd love to have free trip to Disneyland say...next fall? *insert evil laugh here*

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Disneyland Trip November 2008

Ok, so I'm back.

Hmmm...Disneyland with two 20 month olds & a 3 yr old?

Adittedly ambitious, it was as you probably imagine it to be...

The *ahem* "vacation" was at times, teetering on the brink of disaster, at other time, delightful (usually at night after a glass of wine...or two...or three ). I had lots of help, but both twins were Stage 5 clingers the majority of the time.

They weren't fond of being stuck in the stroller, so we did let them walk on the "backpack" harnesses from time to time. William excelled at this, walking in the proper direction, flirting with everyone, stopping to dance if the mood struck his fancy. It was really special to see him sort of come into his own, pointing at all the lights and decorations, showing the world his signature arms-in-the-air, booty shake move. David on the other hand, always wanted to go in the opposite direction and got extremely upset when he wasn't allowed to go where he wanted. He also got upset if someone tried to hold him, or if he even thought I might be leaving. He got upset a lot. His separation anxiety has peaked to the point where I am concerned for his mental well being.

I had lofty ideas about naps and for the most part, they happened. It was tough as the park was open 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., so squeezing it all in was a challenge.

The first day the worst as it was 90 degrees outside and the AC was broken. We were all beyond miserable, cranky and short tempered. I was going downstairs to the front desk (apparently the room phone was broken as well) while my husband bailed on me completely, was blissfully napping. Meanwhile, the boys were up to all sorts of sleep shenanigans, refusing to nap. At one point, they switched PNP's, then they were both in one PNP and at another point, William climbed out completely and came walking out of the room, sans diaper. It was actually quite funny. Definitely one of those "I remember when we were at Disneyland and William walked out of the room naked" stories.

And then there was Sofia.

We did the whole pPrincess Fantasy Faire thing, complete with princess mmakeover and princess lunch. Cheesy as hell, but seeing the look in the girls' eyes as they met and exchanged pleasantries with all the princesses and Tinkerbell was beyond magical.

Best part? Seeing my dear friend and watching the girls together.

Worst part? The clinginess of the boys and the weather.

The acommodations were perfect (3 BR suite across the street from the park) but the weather was way too hot for my taste (90's in November, yikes!). Lots of eating, lots of walking, lots of whining. What can I say? Lots of fun, but sooooo glad to be home.

That said, we did upgrade to annual passes so will be returning next year.
Yes, I am a masochist.

Here's some photos - Enjoy!

The Family