Still Runny. Mello Day

** I can never get the pictures in the right place - I am a dumb ass - sorry... but I will reference as always :)

Mello mello. Well, B's sleep is all off kilter! He needed a nap yesterday - and took a LONG one. I tried to wake him so many times and was finally successful after 3 hours. Well, last night he would not go to bed for bedtime. I think he finally fell asleep at 11pm. Then proceeded to wake and whine and squirm every two hours, ALL night long. I was waiting for him to start throwing up - it was that kind of squirm and whine... but no. I had to wake him up this morning. We were supposed to have his three year appointment at the dr.... three weeks early. But the whining continued, the runny nose continued and he complained his ear hurt. So I called the dr. they said we would reschedule the three year appointment, but that B should come in anyways. Especially since he just got off antibiotics.
Well, the dr. needed to look in B's ears. UGH, he always has tons of wax, so the dr. had to dig it out, while I pinned B down and he screamed so much he was physically shaking. Yuck. And NO ear infection! I am glad - but that was no fun. The dr. said he may just now have ANOTHER cold... this runny nose has lasted a month!
So we drove home. All the while B kept saying, "Dr. 'B' is a nice man!" " Dr. B pulled my ears!"
oops.
We got home and were mello. It is pouring out.
We set up B's trains and played together - It really is quite a set up! :)
Then we did our own temporary tattoos. We each choose our own... gosh my hands are looking old!!! when did I get my mom's hands???!!! Scary!

That is it. That is all we did. B is napping now... I figured he needed it after the rough nite. We will see how tonight's sleep goes.

Oh, I did all the invites for B's party. So Fun. I also got the package with all the goods for the party... Thomas Everything! YAY!
I also ordered the cake... Thomas of course... a good price too. Those grocery store bakeries are great! :)
that's all for now.....

Ode to Chai Tea

Chai Tea: so spicy and yummy. This tea from India is full of tasty flavors; cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, clove. It is filling, almost like a dessert. You can drink it so many ways too!
Plain tea = zero calories. Tea with a little honey - less than 20 calories. Tea with Fat free milk (my personal favorite) - as a Chai 'skinny' Latte = not sure the calories as we move forward but whatever it is - it's worth it! Chai Soy Latte. I have heard you can do a Chai Eggnog Latte too - they do it all here in Seattle.
Did you know there is now a Chai Tea Diet? You can loose 4-7 pounds in one week. All you have to do is drink Chai (plain) before each meal... after you have smelled it for 30 seconds and poof! you loose the weight. Well, that is what I read :) Maybe I should do that since I have gained about 5 pounds over the holidays. :)
You can even plan a whole day around a Chai Tea Latte. Really! Okay, my car is in the shop and I needed to be creative... Here is how it went:
Pic above - I bundled B up and we went out for a walk. It is cold and rainy here in Seattle - but what the heck right? I need to get rid of those 5 pounds ;)
Next we walked 1.5 miles (b in stroller) to a place in town I call "The Bluff." It overlooks the Ocean... and let's face it Seattle is Beautiful!

Here is B running around at the bluff. (we are getting to the Chai - I promise) Then off another mile to my favorite Coffeeshop: Caffe Fiore. See how Cute?
I realized my frequent user card was all full from Caffe Fiore... so I got a FREE CHAI 'Skinny' Latte. WOOT! B and I sat on those cute chairs and talked and played and I savored my tea. B had some peanutbutter crackers, milk and a sip of the famous Chai. His response: 'Spicy momma!' You Bet sweetie!
B got back in the stroller (he knows this routine by now) and said "go to the playground mommy?" Well, off we went - another half mile to the playground. B loves to walk and balance on the wall around the park. :)

We wrapped up - got packed up into the stroller. I took my last sip of Chai and we walked the last half mile home.

Thanks Chai!

A look back

So I swear I will get this picture thing right one of these days... but today's pics are in exactly reverse order - so that is how I will talk. :)
B is still sick. I am so worried and annoyed. I feel so bad for him. The antibiotics just didn't kick this out of him. Now he has a terrible cough and STILL a runny nose. and Now that I am off antibiotics, I am getting my cold back. Wonder why? it is so weird.
anyways, DH is in Phoenix because his alma mater is in a bowl game for the second time ever and the first time in like 28 years or something. GO R U!
So B and I went to the zoo today. It held off raining so we wandered around..... above B got to climb in a little cave to watch the bears :)
It is so nice to go to the zoo in the winter. The animals are so close to the edges and no one is around. Below B is watching the baby elephant get a shower! It was so sweet. Course you cannot see the baby elephant - oh well.

we had started the day doing a few errands. Buying the last bit of a birthday gift for one of B's friends, eating a cupcake (see below) and donating three trash bags worth of clothes to GoodWill. :)
After all the running around ... we had such fun... we came home, had a great lunch and I started to get B ready for a nap. He has been napping really late... and then going to bed late. I know he is almost ready to give the nap up, but he really needs it. and well, I need it. Plus with all our running around and his sickness - he looked a wreck. Anyways, after over an hour of trying to get him to nap - I yelled at him! I mean really yelled. I was so frustrated. I am a horrible mother! At least I felt that way, because he cried, coughed, and then layed down and fell asleep. I wish I did not feel so guilty right now.
Okay, moving on. Last pic... ahhhhh, B and all his loot ;) we had a great Christmas. B got lots of Thomas stuff, of course, since that is what he told Santa he wanted. See above... the new roundhouse, tons of trains, his new Cranky and new PJS. B really appreciated every gift on Christmas. He wanted to play with each thing as he opened it. He even kissed a few presents like Cranky and the Caboose. It was so so sweet! Course it took all day to open presents ;)

I guess that is a lot for now! Happy New year all!

Nanna's Here

Yep - we spell it with three 'n's my mistake and now we have kept it as Nanna!
That is my mom. When she is here - we all are spoiled. She says that is what Nanna's are for... well, thanks mom!
"last morning' (as ben would say) or yesterday - we went to Pike's Place. Got tons of treats... a sweatshirt for me, that cute t-shirt B is wearing in the pic, coffees, sugary treats... you name it.
Then Nanna came to my yoga class last night - she said I was trying to kill her ;)
Today, Nanna brought out a bunch of stuff she bought as activities for B, Nanna and I.
We did the fun Gingerbread house above - my first effort - it was fun -
Nanna also bought makings for gingerbread cookies. She even got B an entire cookie cutting collection of trains. We made those and tonight (when DH and I are on a date) - Nanna and B will decorate the train cookies :)
We also saw live reindeer and a cute little train.
What a great day - the countdown to Christmas is on... but the treats are already coming in.
thanks mom!

A few days before Christmas

I am really getting excited for the holidays. I am extra excited for B. That is the best part of having kids - you get to relive all the excitement!!
There are so many fun things in the city to do this time of year. The other night, DH, B and I all went down to the Seattle Center... they have an ice rink set up and a carousel. See B above on the horsey... pretty cool!!
Today since there is no preschool, I took B back to the aquarium - as he says "to see some fish, mommy!" It was pretty busy - but we zipped through. Then since B asked for a cheeseburger last night for dinner - and we had time left on the meter - I decided to take B out to lunch. We went to Red Robin. See pic. We shared a gourmet Cheeseburger and a few fries and even a vanilla shake. I love hanging out with B - he is so much fun.

When we got home - I realized I needed another Christmas gift for a friend. If you need a last minute - cheap (maybe even free) gift - that is really nice - what I made IS PERFECT!

I found two empty little jars and made two homemade spice mixes:

Mediterranean Salt Blend:

1 cup Kosher salt

1 TBSP basil

1 TBSP marjoram

2 TSP Black Pepper

1 TSP Rosemary

1 TSP Thyme

I mixed that together - made a cute label and put a nice bow on it! Voila!

Next:

Moroccan Salt Blend

1 Cup Kosher Salt

1 TBSP papricka

2 TSP Cumin

1 TSP cinnamon

1/4 TSP cayenna pepper

1/4 TSP ground ginger

I had all the ingredients in my cabinet. I added a nice bottle of wine - in a cute basket... there you go - beautiful Christmas gift!

I hope it helps some of you :)

Merry Merry!

B and I

** B and I have sinus infections and are on antibiotics
** B and I are going to Beantown at the end of January
** B and I will finish our Christmas shopping this week
** B and I love fudge
** B and I love lip balm


I love my baby! :)

The Holiday Season

Warning- I messed up the placement of this pics - but I cannot fix it and I am not starting over - so deal ;) I will reference all - I promise :)

I am slowly recovering from my sinus infection... But now I think B has one. So we are off to the Dr. tomorrow. UGH! BUt hopefully we will be better by Christmas. Tis the season for sickness I guess.

So I am going to Boston YAHOO! B and I are going together - DH must stay home to do work - boo. But I am really excited to see my best friend Kerry and her family. and my Sis and her family. We are still working on a date - but it will surely be an adventure.
A few days ago, we had a perfect Seattle Holiday experience. They have this "Christmas Ship" that you can buy tickets to ride - but you can also just go to it's designated stops and visit.
We found out the ship would be going through the Locks - so off we went. It was amazing. Thre is a different Choir each night the ship runs and they have Santa on board. AND dozens of private boats all follow the ship all around - and all the ships are decorated with lights. SO it is like a little boat parade at night - with Music and all. There is a pic above of DH and B just looking at the main ship - listening to the singers. Then a three shot of all of us in from of the boat while it is in the locks. B loved it. It was so Seattle.

Yesterday, I finally got my hair done. Cut, Colored and my eyebrows waxed. It was an indulgence, but it made me feel good. Above is a pic - you can see my hair a little bit :) and Ben is sleeping on me -not sure what he is doing with his hand - weird :)

Last night DH and I got to have a date - it was nice to spend time together - just the two of us.

this is a lot of blabbing and catching up - but thanks for reading - nothing all that exciting - just that - I am on the mend physically -and emotionally, I am doing great!
:)

More Niceys!

So remember the snack schedule mom? The one who made me cry? Well, she loves me now! Turns out her son has a crush on me (he is three) and she is really nice.
Anyways, She and her husband own two restaurants, one is really fancy. Today, She gave me a $50 gift certificate to that restaurant - just to say she thinks I am a great 'Chair' and she is glad her son has a crush on me . WOW!

Then, one of my best friends (she is also my neighbor) was too good to me. Knowing I have been sick and down about a few things... she offered to watch B so DH and I can have another date on Saturday. We were supposed to watch HER kids! She is too good to me.

As if that weren't enough - another best friend, my longest friend - Kerry - offered to fly Dh, B and I to Boston to visit. Goodness, what an offer. I do not know if we can do it - but how generous and loving is that???!!!

I am feeling much better these days - Turns out I have a sinus infection - FUN! but the antibiotics should kick in at any moment. And well, the other stuff, I am just taking in stride.
I mean, who couldn't with all the support and love, I have??!!!

Good Service, for Me???!!!

Back in the day, when I was young and kinda cute ;) - I felt like I was treated well, often.
Ladies, you know what I mean, back when you were doing 30 MPH OVER the speed limit, got pulled over, and STILL did not get a ticket. Nowadays, I get a ticket going 5 MPH over the limit ;)
seriously though, things change.

But today was different. I went to one of those oil change places and just asked the guys to check my tires and top off my oil. They did it right away, were so nice to me, I mean - so so nice. And did not charge me a penny. I drove away and looked at myself in the mirror just to be sure - nope - no makeup - and winter hat on - and kid in the back seat. They were just giving me good service because - WOW!

Then I went to a cupcake bakery to treat B to a cupcake for all his hard speech work. (Thanks Leigh for the idea) and again - the guy at the counter was SO NICE. I mean seriously, over the top nice. I was amazed.

Maybe I am wearing a sign I didn't know about that says "Be nice... I am sad." :)

Anyways, After cupcakes - B and I then went to the playground and played in the cold for 40 minutes. It was a blast. Lots of giggles. Gosh, I love that kid. He is so fun and great to be around. I just love every minute, even the bad ones, with him.

I'd give up the good service a million times over to be a mom. I may be a little bit more 'invisible' to some this way - but it is the best way!

I'm Having a Pity Party - Wanna Come?

boo hoo hoo.
I am sick. B is sick. DH is sick. This cold has gone on far too long and gotten worse as we move forward.... at least for me. I am a wreck. It is one of those sicknesses that you feel like you can cry at the drop of a hat. Okay, I have cried at the drop of a hat.
I am so frustrated with my body!

We are dealing with some heavy stuff in our house too.
DH Job. That is all I can say - STRESS. Money. STRESS.

Wanna know some good news?
*B is done with speech therapy! After a year and a half - he is scoring well within the 'normal' range for all forms of speech. I am so proud of him!

*B did great at preschool again today - an hour without me. He cried for two minutes. I watched again - in the room with a 2-way mirror. I have to stop that :)

*two of my bestest friends are pregnant

thanks for reading. I will be better next time - I promise.

The Santa Train

This morning we all went on a 'Santa Train.' My DH planned back in August, that we would do this very special event. Since B is literally obsessed with trains, it was the perfect Christmas event. So we told B all about it last night. We even told him he would sit on Santa's lap and tell him what he wanted for Christmas - like Thomas! Well, B is a kid who really rises to the occasion! We rode the first leg of the train ride - B was so excited, even with his very runny nose, I swear I almost cried. We got to the train depot and waited to see Santa. Since B can usually be very shy, I decided to see how he was. We walked up to Santa - B seemed fine. I sat B on Santa's lap - B started right out talking to him. He said, "Hello Santa, I want Thomas stuff for Christmas Please!" DH and I cracked up! See pic above - he is even talking with his hands! Then pic below - I got him to look at me!. It was so great!
Then we had cookies and cocoa and walked all around the train museum grounds. Below B is saying "All aboard!"
And we were able to convince one of the other moms to take a family photo on a big yellow train.
We rode back - B was still in great spirits.. drove the 45 minutes home. And I just put B down for a nap. I am sure I know what he is dreaming about right now :)
Thank you so much DH for a special day!

Instructor of the Year??

As you all know, I teach yoga. I love it so much. I love to share yoga with as many people as I can. I also love where I teach. I used to teach at several spots, but I narrowed down to just one gym. They are so great there and treat each employee really well.

The owners of this gym, own six other clubs in Washington State. Each year, two group fitness instructors are selected as "Instructor of the Year."
This is a huge honor. Really. We are talking one out of about a hundred and fifty people. Well, here is the email I just got from the head of all the instructors:

"I wanted to let you all know that choosing an instructor of the year for 2005 was hard! Thank you for all of you who took the time to nominate others and say such wonderful things about your team, you are awesome!

The choices were based on:
Nominations I received and a panel of us who looked at diversity, teamwork, promotion of ** name of club here***, availability to sub, flexibility, love of the members and ability to offer great service to our members!


The runner up for each clubs were:

Lynnwood Candace R.
Westlake JL
Downtown Stacy M.
Renton Cynthia B.
Tacoma Ursula W.

And the 2005 instructor of the year award for WA goes to:

Seattle Victoria H.
Tacoma Susan L."


So Close, but yet so far.
Hey, at least I got runner-up right? ;)

Oh and BTW,

... I am staying here at blogger. Only here. :)
no more msn - unless u want to IM me - which I would love.
sorry to be a p.i.a. about it all.
Thanks for reading!

Another Friend Highlight: Karen

I have a few special Karens in my life... but this time I am talking about the friend I refer to as "Kenzie's mom." I do that so DH will know which friend I am talking about ;)

When I moved to Seattle, I was so worried about making friends. First of all, it was a new place. Second of all, I would not be working full time here. Third of all, I was pregnant and none of my other friends were. I got online - found a pregnancy message board and Karen found me!
She set up a meeting and we hit it off right away. Karen was my first true Seattle friend.

Within the first year of our friendship, Karen provided me with a place to live - when I found out there were rats in our house!! With a Newborn baby. Oh, Karen had a newborn too.. but she still made room for me in her house.

Before we had our kids, Karen provided her house for me to teach yoga classes to a half a dozen pregnant women - allowing me to finish my yoga teacher certification.

Since then, I have learned so much about Karen. She is literally brilliant. Honest, she is. She is beautiful. She is sweet, maybe to a fault. She is an amazing listener and keeps track of the little details of your life. She doesn't just blow smoke either. When she disagrees with you - she will tell you. She challenges me to think of things a little differently sometimes. She has a great marriage and is the breadwinner for her beautiful family.

Karen is shy in groups, but so fun one-on-one. Karen inspires me in so many ways. I think this will embarrass her - but she is truly awesome and I love her.

Maybe Just one Blog?

So nothing like copying my friend Karen... but I don't know - I am not so happy with my other, more private blog. I am also wasting a whole lot of time blogging. So well, I may just stay here and be very careful about what I write. If you are a friend who did MSN messenger for me - I am sorry - how annoying - but at least we could IM if you want ;)
also, I did update my other blog today - so you can get a last read in before I close that one out.
In the meantime - here is a quick update about me!
Above - a little kiss with my DH! We went out on a date last night - such yummy yummy food. Sicilian! Oh, YUM! But I am now sick sick. I have a head cold. YUCK. Based on that little kiss above - I'll bet my DH will have it soon - Oops.

B and I went to a bday party yesterday - It was a lot of fun and inspired me to finally talk a bday plan out with DH - For B. We decided the best option is the Children's Museum. It is fun, reasonable and well, better than our house! I have requested a couple dates - so I hope we can do it!
Below is a pic of B after we came home from our date last night - so cute with that smile huh?

This morning we got our Christmas tree - DH is putting lights on now. B is napping, we will decorate more later.

Well. sorry all about the other blog fiasco. And well, thanks Karen for making the move - so I could copy you again ;)

Ruby Update

I got this email this morning from Ruby's mom:

"Thank you for taking such good care of Ruby today. I know you understand how helpful (big understatement!) it is to know that your child has someone helping her/him through the scary times when a parent is not present. There's just not much else as important as that! Ruby talked about it today then at dinner excitedly said, while pointing to you on her placemat, "There's Jenniferlyn!, she helped me feel better at school"."


:) Gosh, I love that little girl!

Ruby

It took DH and I nearly three years to conceive B. It was a long road of frustration and stress. Nearing the three year mark, DH and I talked about adopting a little girl from China. I knew we would be great parents... and I thought that would be the right way for us.
Well, along came B. Since then, I have still considered the adoption route.

There is a little girl in B's preschool, Ruby. Ruby was adopted when she was about a year old from China. I instantly bonded with her. She is smart, funny, sweet and so beautiful. Her mom is amazing and deals with all the challenges that come with adopting a foreign born child so amazingly well!

Today, Ruby had a really really hard time at preschool. Her mom told me she has been having a rough week... she is now two and a half... but still deals with abandonment issues... Understandably. Today Ruby was so sad. She doesn't like to be hugged or touched when she is sad either - totally different than B! so at the snack table, one of the other moms asked her if she wanted to read a book. Ruby said yes, but that she wanted me to read it to her...
I did and Ruby lost it... she cried and cried and asked when her mom was coming back. I asked if she wanted a hug from B and she said yes. B hugged her. Then Ruby collapsed in my arms and cried. I had to hold my breath so I wouldn't loose it. I love this little girl and she was so sad. I told one of the other parents to call her mom.
Her mom came in 5 minutes. Ruby was better. PHEW.

I do not think I could emotionally handle adopting a little girl from China now. I really wish I could. Really. But I am glad Ruby is in my life... even in a small way.