I get packages to my kids for every holiday from a family member:  Halloween, Chanukah, Christmas, Valentines, Easter, and Independence Day. In each box contains a few toys, some trinkets from a "dollar store," a stuffed animal, some clothes, and lots of candy. The clothes always REEK of smoke and I have to air them our or wash them before I can even try them on my girls. The candy is...well... candy. I have told her many times that I do not like my kids eating that much candy. It is a once in a while treat. She does not seem to care. One Easter she said to me "it is only on Easter, let them eat it all." Of course, I dealt with a 2 year old with a sick tummy that year. Then I get "It is Christmas, it is ok." Of course there is the "oh, it is Halloween, it is ok to have some extra candy." I mean, come on, your husband is diabetic, his mother was diabetic, I come from a family strong in diabetes. Both my husband and I fight our weight in order to stave off sickness, and she sends us bags and bags of candy (and smoke laden dresses). 

Thank you for letting me vent. I feel a bit better.

How to fart a baby.




By request, I am posting this video.  I had taken an Itsy Bitsy Yoga class back when Iliana was around 8 months old.  Wow, I wish I had taken it when she was younger, but the skills that I learned in that class were heaven-sent.  "Dinosaur walk" darn near killed my quads, but at 2am after a few hours of screaming, it would calm the savage beast.  But, farting the baby was the best thing I ever learned and I hope that you can learn from it too!

Hugs,

leslie

Well, we made it.  Everyone is safely in Hawaii. We are living on the windward side of the island of Oahu in an awesome town called Kailua.  Apparently, it is one of the best places on earth to wind surf and kite ski.  We do not go to the beaches that often, but I hear they are nice.  Husband is getting used to his new job and his new 'uniform' for work.  He went from wearing a jacket and tie to work every day to an Aloha shirt and khakis.  His old dress pants do not match his new shirts.  We will take him shopping sometime soon.  Little girl turns four in a few days.  Every day, she wakes up and asks "Is today my birthday?"  Since August, she has been asking for various toys for her birthday.  She has seen the wrapped gifts and she is starting to get excited.  The Wee One is now two.  She is cutting her upper cuspid teeth acting her age.  We are still breastfeeding and having some trouble with the night weaning.  A small part of me thinks, "maybe I should get pregnant so the milk will change and maybe she will want to stop breastfeeding."  But then I continue to think... then I will have another baby that will grow into a two year old that will grow into a four year old that I will have to pay for college. I just have to be strong. Husband is not helping much with the weaning process.  Honestly, I am not sure what I should be doing. She is SO demanding.  As I type, she is beating at my breast with her hands and pulling my shirt up and down to get to me.  SIGH....

Unpacking by the movers

GoGreen Pocket Diaper Giveaway!

GoGreen Pocket Diapers Giveaway!

by Baby Half Off on April 9, 2011

GoGreen Pocket Diapers wants to congratulate Baby Half Off on their milestone of hitting 55,000+ awesome fans!

Woooo Hooooo BHO-ers, let’s get this insanely fluffy party started!!

We’re giving away a 12 pack of GoGreen Pocket Diapers to one lucky winner on this momentous occasion! Winner takes all in either a boy/gender neutral combo or girl/gender neutral combo, your choice!

Go Here for more information:   http://babyhalfoff.com/blog/?p=3131

Wow, I am a parent.

I knew it would happen.  I heard about it from other parents, but it just happened to me and I want to write about it while it was still fresh in my memory.

Today, at dinner, Iliana was singing her ABC's and then she changed the words.  "A B C D Pappy" is what she started singing and every time she sang it, Evelyn thought that was too funny. So, Iliana just kept singing the same line, over and over again and they both were giggling at the table.  I am looking at them, I have no idea what is so funny.  Then I start laughing, because that is what I thought I was supposed to be doing.  Then, they started laughing even louder...this time AT ME!  I just don't get it.  What was so funny?  Then it dawned on me...I am a different generation than these girls.  They are my daughters, not my peers.  I know there will be many more moments like this one, and I hope that I can be a part of them, even if it is from the outside.

Random Thoughts

I am so tired.  Sleep does not seem to help my exhaustion.  I am lonely.  I wish I had someone to talk to at night.  Just six more months until I have a partner again. I have no idea what things will be like when he returns.  Phone calls seem pretty sad now.  There is never much to talk about.  I never have anything to add to the conversation.  It is hard to listen because the girls are always--being girls. 

As much as I dislike being a single parent, I have gotten used to it.  It has been six months already.  He has been gone so much this past year.  A few weeks in January.  A few in March, a few in April, more in May.  I don't like it. Yes, it is good for his career.  But when is is my turn?  I love being Mom, but I miss being Leslie.  I miss being able to go dancing with girlfriends (or husband).  I miss just being able to eat dinner in front of the TV. I miss training in Tang Soo Do.  I miss photographing weddings and events and beautiful things out in the world.  Heck, I would like to be able to shower without my door open so I can let the bathroom get all steamy.  I like that. 

That is all for now.  Everyone is asleep and it is 9:30pm.  Time for bed.  Good night.