Baby Tuesday

Blooper pics from the Mother's Day card photo shoot.


Baby R at super fun-park-day, with Thayer clan.
(Don't tell him he's wearing a girl's sweater.)


Baby C on the Wildcat Railroad. They let us bring the dogs on board, how great is that? (Dogs, not pictured, were not as happy as C to be riding.)


Also on super-fun-park-day, BabyC's 1st carousel ride. When it ended, she had a mini-meltdown.

Daddy teaching her to throw rocks. (gre-at)


Jousting? Beekeeping? She's ready.


While Baby C was supposed to be playing with Baby E and V, she instead chose to play on their enormous leopard print bear.


Who knew that other babies love to climb into boxes?



Failed attempt at taking a photo of both of them.



I see London I see France, I see sewn-into-skirt-underpants!

my mother's day card

(made by Kevin)

it's 11:07 and I should be sleeping

but before I go to bed, I must share where we booked to stay in Hawaii:




We're not going to leave the hotels grounds I'm sure. 'Gotta stay near the sea turtles.

Baby Tuesday

I keep forgetting to report that we have a problem with Baby R's name. Whenever people ask "what's the little nipper's name?" they think my reply is "Branson" like as in Missouri.
No, not his name.
Just like my name isn't Charleston (yes, people often think that's what I said).



Cutest photo of him to date! Feel free to make it your desktop background, people!
Sweater vest courtesy of Auntie Dianne, Ralph Lauren shirt by Auntie Sandi and his tacky mama bought the corduroy pants at Goodwill at 50% off.


Lately I look at Baby C and think "you look like a kindergardener."
My apologies that this is the only pic of her this week. As you can see, she's quick!



Does he look 2 months old here? No, he's like a super baby from Brazil.



Enjoying a John Cougar Mellencamp moment, with his 7o's muscle cars carseat, his plaid shirt and overalls on our front porch. I think I hear a harmonica...


Man I love these shorts! Thanks Dianne!


"I'm ready for my job interview. "


"I'm excellent at delegating responsibilities like diapering and pacifier maintenance."



Kevin said not to put this one in, but I think it's cute.



Total old man pics.



He has no concept of Mojito yet, but if he did this look would say "why do you bark at the mailman everyday and wake me up?!"


"I'll never talk, coppas'. I'm no stoolie"

(Not to be confused with no snitchin')

I'm a bad friend

Sam's birthday was on Friday.
Which happened to be the same day I got sick. But I didn't know how sick I was going to get on Saturday because I told her that I would come by then and help her pack and move to er, a different city (for annonymity's sake because she likes to be secretive).
But yes, I was sicker on Saturday so no I didn't help her, nor did I go out with her for her birthday.
And then today I was sick (and tired) and my phone went dead. So again, not helpful or nice.

So here is my public apology: I'm sorry I crapped outon you. I'm a shmo.

I got the kiddie virus

And it sucks.
Friday night and yesterday I just wanted to lie in bed with the covers over my head. But baby-duty called (Kevin had to work) so I had to make due with a 3 hr nap.
Today is marginally better and I could probably sleep all day if given the chance.
And I want to stop swallowing because my throat looks like I ate napalm.

Darn you microscopic infectious particle!

Coxsackie, NY

Grandma T and I took Baby C to the Dr yesterday, she's got a virus, poor baby.
Apparently it's "goin' around."
Don't worry, she doesn't have the rashes (yet). He said only 10% of the cases get the icky blisters. I'm glad we took her in before she gets the weird rash, I would have been freaking out if I had seen that without a briefing.
He also said to try to keep her germs from Baby R. That is my main task for today, keep them separated. Oye.

I was so tired after yesterday's events that I feel asleep in the bathtub. That's a first for me. I was probably asleep for several minutes before I woke up and thought "where am I?"

Baby Tuesday

(not to be a downer, but Baby C is currently sick. Just a fever right now, but it's sad to see her mopey and unhappy.)

This week's edition is heavy on Baby C, mostly because she actually plays and walks and does things. Baby R is still pretty lump-ish.
And a big lump at that! I've documented his girth-- for it is great. Just in this past week he's plumped up like a tomato.



He's in his "traveling pants" a.k.a. disposable diaper.


Thank you Albertsons for having something worthwhile for once.
I give you the frog pool. (We tried hooking up the hose to the "sprinkler" in the frogs lower lip, but she ran off when it sprayed.)


I think I'm getting the raised eyebrow from both of them.



Hey who's that big lady in my sunlight? Get outta here!


I stumbled upon this great park by accident in our neighborhood. It has a little western town with a train and a post office and a lookout tower, etc.












While Baby C had this outfit on, a family of five walked by and the father said "see that little boy is wearing his hat!"
Hmm, oh well, I guess she was wearing a boys shirt and hat.

hi

I got dressed two hours too early because I had duel-napping.

So I took my picture, like a vanity smurf.

(For the ladies who keep track, my hair is longer than it appears)

"I got it, got it, got it, got it..."

I thank Whitney Houston for recording "I'm Every Woman"
Because anytime I get an overwhelmed feeling at the end of the day, like I'm doing more than a normal person should on 4 [non consecutive] hours of sleep, day after day-- I could get down on myself.
But I don't.
I just sing the "I'm Every Woman" song in my head and everything's okay.

It's 9:30 PM and I've just sat down to my first meal of the day.
And I made it fancy!
(I made it up, like a cross between chicken tacos and stacked enchiladas)

Yes I photographed my dinner.
And yes, that's fresh cilantro.
And yes, I fashioned a piping bag out of a ziploc baggie and piped sour cream in a stylish way.

Chaka Khan!!

do I have bad chat breath?

Do you ever have those people that are in your buddy list
that you only occasionally chat with,
and when you do, you exchange about 3 sentences,
before they suddenly have to go?

And you think,
"was it something I said?"
or
"am I annoying?"

So just in case I've ever been that person to any of you, I promise if I "have to go" I really do have to go, and don't take it personally. Pinky swear!

mental block #3

So like I've said I've had this assignment that I was asked to do (a month ago) for some Beautiful Day confrence that is coming up next month.
And when I have a spare minute to work on the computer, I will do anything but work on it.

Like right now, I have checked my email, looked up the nutritional differences between fresh and cooked spinach and am currently blogging instead of finishing it.

And the reason why is because I can't make a vector graphic!!

Alright I said it, I can't do it!

I can't make vector graphic, I can't dive and I can't do a pullup! There!

I know that real designers know how because they take classes in order to learn it.
I didn't, so I don't know.
Plus, even if I did know how, I don't have the muy caro program in which to make them.

Doomed to raster forever!

hard lemonade

I just shot half a glass of straight lemon juice.
(for medicinal purposes)

Die bacteria, die!

I wanted to film it, but Kevin was busy.

Baby Tuesday

What does it say about me that the only subject discussed on my blog for the last week are babies?
I will try and amend my ways...but for now, bring on the babies!

It's slim pickin's this week.

I had planned on driving them to the beach this morning and taking some photos there. But instead of stopping briefly at the park so I could feed Baby R and Baby C tired herself into a nap for the drive over, we camped out at the park.
They turned the "water features" on. Ba-bum!

I met a single serving friend with two little boys. It feels like I'm in a mommy-friend dating scene. I got her phone number, but she's likely going to move out of the area soon. C'est moi vie. (no I don't speak French)



This is pitiful photgraphy, I know. But nice sweatshirt right?


My downward view most of the day.







Captain of the S.S. Sassy.


You da' man!


He was smiling before I turned on the camera. Oh well, here he is anyway, his floppy self.
(And yes, he is "tan." We're tracing it back to his great grandma, because his father and I are pasty white bread.)

I will not lose my mind. I will not lose my mind. I will not...

As any other haus-frau can tell you, it is difficult to hold on to your brain staying home with babies 24 hours a day. With just one baby, I could manage discussing current events or philosophy or popular science topics.
But the second one has made it difficult to think beyond diapers, naps, laundry and dishes.

For instance, I've had the design assignment for about a month now, that I've been unable to complete. (I want desperately to contribute to the world, other than childrearing for the next 5 years!) I marked today during Baby C's naptime, the time to get 'er done.
Baby C was asleep and then Baby R fell asleep.
I sit down at the laptop (on the floor) and seconds later, Baby R wakes up (darn the B.I.B.S.!)
I bring him here and try to keep a pacifier in his mouth while I type with one hand.
Then 10 min later, Baby C wakes up (early).

If it wasn't for Grandma T relieving me for a couple of hours later in the afternoon, nothing would get done at all.

And sadly, I think laundry is going to get done instead of the design (because someone wears his pants once and calls them dirty. Ahem!)

(yes this post was typed with one hand and two crying babies)

Baby Tuesday

Sometimes the only thing that stands between me and sanity is a small piece of silicone rubber. God bless the "soothie."

Don't be mislead by the two peaceful photos of Baby R. He's a gassy boy and wants to be held most of the day. But here he is in his swing which is also his bed. In fact, I just heard him wake up in the next room-- gotta hurry this post up!!
(note the tex-mex mariachi swing cover I made for him :) )




Thanks Baby N for the presents! Baby C wore her bib right away.



Baby C will make me feel bad for putting her in the bath. She'll run off when the water starts and cry while I'm taking her clothes off. Even when her feet enter the water she's still unhappy. It's not until she realizes her toys are floating in the water with her, is she happy.
(Then she's back to unhappy when I rinse her hair.)

Gratuitous outie bellybutton shot.





Baby C insisted on modeling Sam's fluffy pink tiara for Grandma T yesterday.

why...so...tired...

It's probably a combination of not getting more than 5 hours of sleep a night, carrying a baby on my chest most of the day, and hoisting up n' down and chasing a toddler around as well as going to doctor X and having X procedure-- but man I can hardly keep my eyes open.

It makes me a little nervous that if any other element is factored into my daily life, I will keel over. Like I'm living paycheck to paycheck in energy/stamina.

It also makes me want to eat the whole rest of the cake I made last night and sleep [for about 48 hours].

I don't buy alot of movies

...and I don't buy alot of music. So it's a big deal when I do.

I just bought

Catchy by The Junior League

and

Good and Reckless by The Alternate Routes