This Full House

This Full House Giveaway #3: Rememberall

Pssst....click on the sticky note for details!

© 2008 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

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Beware: Mommy on Duty - Hold my calls and mind the middle child.

When Thing One was born, my husband and I couldn't wait to bring her home and welcomed our new roles, as mother and father to our brand new baby daughter, celebrating each milestone of "firsts" with equal amounts of enthusiasm and trepidation.

Then, I became pregnant with Thing Two and - though, I couldn't wait and called my husband, at work, and gave him the results of the pregnancy test, while in the middle of a meeting with a client - I soon started to worry whether or not I was ready to separate myself from being "the world" to Thing One and having to share, well, pretty much everything, from my toes up, with TWO babies!?!

Soon, my fears were put to rest and the mommy in me sort of just, you know, kicked into high gear and there seemed to be plenty of me to go around.

Until, they grew up and NOW my husband Garth (not his real name) and I combine our super parental powers and it takes every bit of that strength...NOT to bite their little heads off.

This Full House Reviews: Mamas, don't let your babies grow up without music!

Brainchild of Mathew and Solange Knowles - yes, they are Beyonce's father and sister - Baby Jamz product line introduces a little hip-hop to traditional nursery rhymes.

Is nurturing an interest in music really all that important, for a child?

Find It Here:  This Full House Reviews - Baby Jamz Jammin' Microphone.

Ultimate Blog Party - Get Your Blog On!

[FYI:  This Full House is #72 on the prize list - we're giving away a webcam valued at $100 - see here for more details!]

The Ultimate Blog Party is a fantastic way to make new blog friends AND reconnect with your posse!  So, don't be shy.  Please, come on in.  Just step over the sick children, clean off a chair and make yourself comfortable.

But, please excuse the mess and do NOT feed the dust bunnies!

Let me start by offering you a warm, chocolate covered biscotti and a tall can of Lysol.

This Full House Reviews: Brainetics

What the heck is it?  It's a way to make math fun, sort of.  Join us over at This Full House Reviews for the latest on Brainetics!

Find It Here:  Brainetics.com

© 2008 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to email updates or the RSS feed or - if you really, really like me - then Digg This, I'll love you forever!]

I Am Beautiful Blog Tour: Our 10 Questions for Woody Winfree

 

Woody Winfree is a founder of Sole Sisters, Inc., and the critically acclaimed The I Am Beautiful Project, dedicated to creating a world in which every woman and girl can proudly proclaim, "I Am Beautiful!"

So, when the nice people at Sourcebooks asked if I would like to participate in the I am Beautiful Blog Tour, I jumped...literally, leaped from my chair and banged my chin...HARD...for the opportunity to interview Ms. Winfree.

How many Sears representatives DOES it take to screw a dissatisfied customer...DAMMIT?

[This entry is cross-posted with Moms Speak Up]

This is an emergency, people - quick, somebody call Ty Pennington - we seem to have a severe laundry backup!

Now, I'm NOT the type of person who likes to complain - heaven knows, my mommy ears are VERY tired already - but, our nearly new dryer broke two weeks ago and it's STILL not fixed DAMMIT!

Did I mention, we've got 6 people living in our house?

Last week, The Boy (he's 9) had a wicked stomach virus and threw up 11 times, on Thursday - I know, my 6-year-old was home sick with a fever and was good enough to count it for me - oh, and...DAMMIT...our nearly new dryer STILL doesn't work!?!?

Not for the lack of trying - we've got the service center on speed dial - but, it seems that reliable customer service is the last thing on Sears' mind.

It's your birthday, make a mess; it's your birthday, wear a dress!

Excuse my children, please - yes, they LIVE in a barn - but, it's been a whirlwind of celebrations, here at This Full House of horribly wrapped gifts and mis-matched socks, and they've been singing that stupid song for...um...how many days HAVE they been home, now?

Doesn't matter.

All I know is, it's like summer vacation...all over again...except, only a bit colder...not to mention, way wetter.

Oh, and DAYUM.

What's up with all the cruddy weather?  We DO live in Jersey, you know?  Where's all the flipping snow?

"CRAP!"

My husband, Garth (not his real name) was off from work ALL WEEK and - since, it is the first time that he's been home for Christmas vacation in, like, WOW, 10 years - just a little winter-like romping would have been, you know, nice.

"You won't believe this one?"

But, we did get a chance to visit with family - yes, AND managed to live through it, thank you very much - and FINALLY got up to Pittsgrove Farms.

"Would you mind watching the kids for a little while?"

Which happens to be home to two of my and Garth's (not his real name) most favorite people in the world - Mr. and Mrs. Dirtdigger - who also happen to be Mini-me's Godparents.

"You see, tomorrow's Thing Two's birthday."

So, we're more than happy to take whatever time we happen to have open on our very busy calendars and drove up to "the farm" on the day before Thing Two's birthday.

"And...um...well...I sort of...you know...FORGOT!"

[blank stare]

"I never got her a birthday present."

I mean - with all the shopping, wrapping, gifting, and then, you know, more shopping - you think I'd remember to get my daughter's birthday present.

[bites lower lip]

"How can I forget my OWN daughter's birthday?"

She's had one for the last 12 years, for goodness sake.

"What kind of mother am I?"

Honestly, I felt even more sorry for Mrs. Dirtdigger.

"You poor thing."

She grabbed me and hugged me...hard...as I really tried my best NOT to cry.

"Man, I suck!"

Yep, cried like a baby.

"Don't worry, I know just what to get her, and we'll only be an hour...I swear!"

Nope, that didn't work out very well either.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but, we don't have any left and they seem to be all out of stock, everywhere."

Of course - seeing as it was, like, two days after Christmas, and all - and it's NOT like she's the ONLY 12 year-old who does NOT have an mp3, or anything.

"Well, how much is that one?"

[eyes go wide]

"HOW MUCH?"

I'm sure the hubs didn't mean to holler so loud - I would have, after regaining my powers of speech, eventually - and it was way more than what Garth (not his real name) and I usually spend on, you know, one gift.

"I know, it's a lot."

Did I mention, we just finished Christmas?

"But, she's a good kid and NEVER asks for anything."

And she's got me, you know, as a mother.

 

Having to celebrate your birthday, 3 days after Christmas - not to mention, taking a back seat to 3 other kids - even though she seemed to like her gift.

"No, I don't like it...I love...love...love...LOVE IT!"

I couldn't really blame her, if she wished for just a little more.

"Wow, it's even way better than an iPod!"

Wouldn't you?

 

But, Thing Two has always been resilient - even as a baby, suffering with a severe case of colic and having to spend the first 8 months of her life, awake - and I can't think of another person who deserves, well, whatever the heck she wants, really.

 

I mean, who else would settle for an ice cream cake...in the winter?

[blank stare]

Did I mention, I forgot it was her birthday?

But, Mini-me was gracious enough to make me a "special" Christmas cookie and remind me that her birthday isn't until June.

"Don't worry, Momma, you have pwenty of time...to forget my birfday, too!"

It's your birthday...make a mess...it's your birthday...

Lord, love a duck - 2 kids born in November and December, I'm really beginning to HATE that song - but, I am SO glad that The Boy's birthday isn't until the end of January!

Happy birthday, baby - I love, that you STILL love me, too - and I can't believe another year has gone by...oh, and just think...NEXT YEAR...you're a teenager!

Just like Thing One.

[shudder]

No sweat.

With a big sister, like her - I mean, the girl is 14 and STILL, you know, likes me, sort of - I'm not worried...too much...I think.

[shrugs shoulders]

Just be happy that you look like your grandmother, m'kay!?!?

The Christmas House: More than just a box with pretty lights.

 

I've been thinking, lately - a dangerous habit, I know - about how my husband Garth (not his real name) and I have started to downsize our family celebrations.

Not that they were HUGE, to begin with - if you have kids, then you know - but, our children enjoy spending time with both sets of their grandparents and have looked forward to their birthday dinners out, wherever they choose.

Christmastime, however, is a bear.

Besides the typical preparations that go along with celebrating a holiday supposedly meant as a time for family and friends - after finding out who is going to be around and wherever that will be, at the time - it always turns out to be a balancing act.

As you know, I am NOT very graceful.

This year, the grandparents are dealing with some pretty serious health and family issues.

Which ones?

Both; my parents and in-laws are going through some serious suckage at the moment and, not only does it totally SUCK that my brother's unit is being deployed, AGAIN, it's causing severe damage on my Christmas Mojo.

I'm just not feeling it, ya'll.

Which, of course, means that I have been desperately trying to NOT have my children pick up on the fact that I, obviously, put the desperate into housewife...since, like, 1993.

"Are you coming on Sunday?"

Shhhh.

[balancing act in progress]

"No, actually, I'm taking the kids out and hoping to let your daughter try to, you know, catch up with herself."

I love Garth (not his real name) - bless his squishy heart -  but, it's times like this when I wonder.

"How long do you need?"

Will it ever be enough and, you know, WHEN?

"About three weeks should do it, thanks!"

Actually, all I need is to wrap, cook, bake and...um...shop...no, that's not it...I finished yesterday with my SIL...uh...there's something I'm forgetting, I know...give me a minute and perhaps it'll come to me.

"Can we go to the Christmas House?"

I was trying to download some music into my SIL's new Mp3 player and somehow was trying to pretend that I didn't know, that she knows, I'm NOT technical, like that - bless her squishy heart -  and, YES, we were having problems that were terribly technical-like.

"Tonight; are you kidding me?"

I was so NOT in the mood to go anywhere else.

"But, you promised we would take Aunt Waynicerthanmommy!"

[Wayne, for short]

"I dunno, go ask Daddy."

I mean, it can be tiring, being such a bad guy...mommy...whatever...and all!

"Sure, as soon as Mommy's ready."

Bless his squishy heart.

"Besides, it's not too far, Sis, and it'll be worth the ride, you'll see."

As you can see, the Griswold's have NOTHING on this place.

According to this article, there are 8.4 miles of lights on the property and 79 Christmas trees outside the house; 16 Christmas trees adorn the inside of the house and that the electricity bill is about $3,500 for the seven weeks the lights are on.

"How did you guys ever find this place?"

Driving home from my parents house, I think, go figure.

"WICKED!"

Some may perhaps argue, that the use of so many brightly colored lights - not to mention, the energy used to fire them up - and the owner's efforts at spreading holiday cheer isn't very, you know, green.

"Can I have some money?!?!"

I kept staring up at all the pretty lights and tried not to add to my growing impatience with Mini-me, this past week.

"There is absolutely NOTHING you need to buy here, Sweetie."

She pointed at the box at the end of the walk - which asks for donations for St. Jude Children's Hospital and the Children's Diabetes Fund - and this message:

"It's not a Christmas well - it's a magical Christmas box. Drop in some love and hope. Lets make the children well."

My eyes fogged up.

"No, I want to drop it in there!"

No, it's not easy being happy - especially, when the world is surrounded in such misery - but, I didn't have to dig very deep to find my Christmas mojo and all it took was simple drop in the well.

I mean, box.

Thank you, Mr. Steinke - the owner of the Christmas House - for interrupting your Christmas party, to come out and greet us, and wish total strangers well.

"We're looking forward to playing Harmonies For Christmas!"

Not just for the cool CD - everyone got one for an $8.00 donation into the box - you've given me (and my family) more than you'll ever know.

"I do it for my kids, your kids and making some people a little happier is what Christmas is all about; don't ya' think?"

You know, I guess, maybe you do.

Merry Christmas to all - especially, YOU my blogging friends - and to all a good night.

[shrugs shoulders]

Oh, just look at ALL the pretty lights!

[YAWN]

If anyone needs me, I'll be upstairs counting my blessings - 4 of whom are probably STILL awake - praying for peace and hugging Garth (not his real name) bless his squishy heart!

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I never dreamed that motherhood would be so...um...excuse me...but, what was I saying?

I asked Thing Two to help me figure out what to get for Thing One's birthday - because, you know, they talk to each other - so, after we dropped her and The Boy off at a birthday party, yesterday -  for one of Thing One's best friends, who has a brother, who goes to school with The Boy, and invited him, apparently, their house is in need of some testosterone, too - Thing Two, Mini-me and I headed over to Famous Footwear.

"I dunno, are you sure?"

Yes, the boots are FABULOUS, but I wanted to be sure that it was what Thing One wanted.

"I swear...these ARE the same exact ones Thing One pointed out in the flyer, Momma!"

Still.

"Try them on!"

What?

"I mean, you guys DO wear the same size!"

Yes, but she's so much more...you know...grown up and thems are some really, really big shoes to fill!

Still.

It seems like only yesterday...

"What are you doing?"

I was anxiously awaiting the birth of my first child - boy, or girl, we wanted to be surprised - and I was going through a serious phase of cleaning every visible surface of the house.  I had the last batch of 3 dozen cookies baking in the oven when my water broke.

"Hanging out and waiting for you."

Garth (not his real name) came bursting through the front door with his tie literally wrapped around his neck and nearly fell on his face.  I had my feet curled under me and was reading a book.

"Want a cookie?"

Today…..

I am going through a serious bout of indifference and find myself avoiding every visible sign of dust, lint, dirty dishes and the never-ending story that is my laundry. Even the cats have given up on getting fed and won’t come calling until my husband gets home from work. I’ve resorted to purchasing ready-made refrigerated cookie dough and haven't picked up a book in...uh...what day is it, again?

It seems like only yesterday……

I napped when she napped and I planned my entire day around her feeding, sleeping, bathing and oh, the weather.

If it was nice, I would take her for a walk in her stroller and enjoy the break away from the solitude and a change of scenery.

If it was nasty, we would sit together for hours and play, read, bake or watch her favorite videos.

Today…..

Oh, I've grown accustomed to having my day dictated by more than one schedule and, most likely, asking the children to remind me to...well...NOT forget.  But, finding a way to carve out time for myself and Garth (not his real name) still eludes me, as much as sleep.  Not for the lack of trying.  But, I just can't seem to be able to get it together, OR shut it all down.

Still.

It seems like only yesterday…..

I did NOT wake to find an eager pair (or, pairs) of eyes waiting to greet me with a kiss.

“I made dis for you. It’s a picture of Mommmmeee dressed like a pwincess because you are so boo-e-ful!”

I didn’t get any Mother’s Days gifts made by little hands, with lots of blue crayon and adorably misspelled words.

“Hapee Movers Day. I wuv u Mommy.”

There were days when I was actually bored, lonely, never worried about what time it was or, hardly appreciated the therapeutic benefits of a little quiet time and a good book.

"No, because tomorrow is pizza and movie night, but how about we have breakfast for dinner?!?"

I never dreamed being a mother would be so...excuse me, a moment.

"Yes, you may borrow my shoes, as long as they get put BACK and in the SAME condition you found them...um...in!"

I'm sorry, what was I saying?

Today.....so, my first born baby girl has managed to sneak in another year and turned 14 years-old.  WAIT!  That's just not right.  I'm still getting used to 13, sort of.

In a few minutes, she'll wake and the celebrations will start, for the 14th time.  She'll be searching for clues and hunting for her birthday presents - no, it shouldn't be that easy - not to mention, blow out the candles on yet another birthday cake...our 38th as parents, to be exact.

Happy Birthday to my Thing One!

Thank you for being such a good baby, for allowing me to love you, even when you don't like me and still finding it in your heart to let me be...well...you know...your everything.

[rolls eyes]

No, you may NOT get a tattoo!

[glances out the window]

But...um...can I borrow your boots?