plans foiled!

Today, right this minute, we are supposed to be in the car driving to spend the week with these people:

But, instead, we are dealing with a very broken car and a very sad little girl.

missing Daddy

This is how we spent the first morning when Daddy left for North Carolina.  Can't you tell how thankful we are for this new job opportunity?

There are NO drama queens in this house!

the one with toe fuzzies and breaking points

I was pretty patient this morning when Zoey refused to wear the first three outfits I picked out for her.

I was still pretty patient when she insisted on sharing my bowl of cereal instead of eating her own bowl of the exact same cereal.

When Zoey asked to wear her rain boots, which are too big, in the absence of rain today, I patiently complied.

I thought I was patient at the store when I waited for her to line up 13 toy cars on the counter, and then put them all back in the bin one by one, even when another customer cut in front of us in line.

Patience was still present when Zoey peed all over her pants and underwear in a public restroom because she would not allow me to help her on the potty.

And when she wouldn't listen when I asked her to put away the toys at the library? I patiently helped her to do so.

And the crazy lady other mother at the library who insisted we wait until the end of her children's hour time slot on the computers in case they wanted to "jump back on," even though they were now reading books and not sitting at the computers? I loudly told Zoey we needed to patiently wait our turn.

But when we got home and Zoey insisted I clean out the black sock fuzzies from between her toes? That was my breaking point today. I may have refused. Maybe in a raised voice. I may have even threatened a time out. Toe fuzzies were my breaking point today. Ugh.

the one where I blame it on the camera

We are back by popular demand. Apparently there is a Facebook fan page consisting of two many members begging us to return to the blogsphere. And there have been like three a bunch of tweets asking for the same. And the text messages and emails? Don't even get me started. We simply cannot let our mothers fans down.

We are going to blame our long hiatus, however, on the camera. Zoey and I left on our three week adventure without a camera so we had to beg others to take our pictures. Our begging skills are, apparently, pathetic because the pictures from this summer are few and far between. When we finally obtained the camera two weeks into our trip, the battery had little juice left and so the begging continued. And then I realized I was really sick and really tired and couldn't muster the strength to worry about one more picture. Clearly, I blame all this on the camera. You can see my point, right?

So, we are back but I wouldn't hold your breath between our posts.

not so much...

Remember this?

Now, not so much.

Today is cold and rainy - really rainy. I haven't slept in over a week. It's Monday. Half of my family is together in warm, sunny California. Without me. Zoey is sick for the third time in 4 months. Coughing. Like all night long. Which is why I haven't slept in over a week. I was away from my little sickie for several hours on Saturday and all. day. long on Sunday. I miss her. Did I mention how tired I am?

96 more days until school is out and summer is here. I don't think I can make it.

Woe is me.

blogspeak...

As of late, there has been a bit of blogspeak here and here (and everywhere) regarding the facade - or lack thereof - behind which some of us choose to present our blogthoughts. On my blog, I find myself somewhere between the two extremes. In real life, I find myself leaning far, far, far to the whining, woe is me, are you kidding me extreme. I know, I don't know why B-Man sticks around, either, except for that now we have a little lovie who he could never ditch.

So, in response to some of your thoughts, here is a Saturday morning no makeup, bedhead photo. Hold your applause, please.

Yikes is right!

And here are some of my worst woe is me nags.

I worked really hard to lose weight after Zoey was born (all 56 pounds). It took me over a year to reach my pre-pregnancy weight, but I never posted a picture because, of course, I am still not happy with the way by body looks. Bringing sexy back? I wasn't sexy before!

It is embarrassing to me that I cannot afford to stay home with my daughter because I am not willing to give up the lifestyle we live (which is, by the way, in no manner lavish, but is very comfortable). I always say I want to be home with her more than anything in the world, but am I willing to give up cable? No. My cell phone? Nope. Eating out? Not a chance. Oy.

I am a neat-freak in every aspect of the word, but sometimes we have dirty dishes out for a day - or two - because I literally do not have 2 minutes to put them in the dishwasher and/or am too exhausted. Yes, too exhausted to lift up a dish, run it under the water, and place it in the dishwasher.

I can and have eaten a whole box of donuts in the time of a day or two. I love donuts. I do not feel good about myself after this happens, but I feel plenty good while it is happening. I blame this bad habit on my parents - really, I do - but that is another post in and of itself.

When something tragic happens to someone else, my initial reaction is, "Thank you for not letting this happen to me." And then I feel badly for the other person. I am selfish that way and in many other ways, too. Not proud of this, but it is true.

So, there is some of my trash for your reading pleasure.

And I just had a realization. I don't usually post about this stuff because it doesn't make me feel good. At this moment, I don't feel uplifted like I do when I post cute things about Zoey or funny things about myself. So, as much as a facade as it might be, you won't see much of this. I am not hiding anything. Just trying to make it one day at a time, like each of you, as gracefully as possible.

not feeling so grateful...

Zoey has not slept in two nights and I am wiped. We're staying with the kids of some good friends and I am afraid they are not getting much sleep either. Last night we were trying to watch American Idol when one of the girls said:

Bethany: Why is Zoey crying so much?
Me: Well, I think she is teething.
10 minutes later...
Bethany: She's still crying. How long will she be teething?
Me: About 3 years, I think.
Bethany [wide-eyed with concern (for herself or Zoey, I don't know)]: That's a long time to cry.

Yes, Bethany, 3 years is a long time to cry. A very long time, indeed.

most days...

Most days I don't have a fever and a burning sore throat.
Most days I have energy to at least get dressed.
Most days I have no problems eating.
Most days I don't go through boxes of Kleenex.
Most days I don't have strep throat.
Today is not a "most" day.

Is anything ailing you today?

keeping it real...

My beautiful sister-in-law has added several KIR moments to her blog, so I am following suit.

KIR: I am tired and sick and sick and tired of being sick. How is anyone supposed to take care of a little lovie when sick and oh-so-tired? Okay, so that sounds like pure complaining, but it is the truth.

Also, if I hadn't extended my maternity leave, I would be going back to work THIS Thursday. Just the thought is frightening, no?

it happens...

I gave Zoey a bath this morning and we got out the door early so I could make it to a Weight Watchers meeting. I weighed in, sat down, and was feeling pretty good about myself. Then I realized I hadn't checked Zoey's diaper before I rushed out the door.

I checked. We left. I sped home. Bath #2. Back. Legs. Hair. Carseat.

Zoey's asleep. Clothes are in garbage or wash. Car seat straps are soaking in Biz.

It happens.