Texas Trip: Day 1 and 2

Dad and I headed to Texas yesterday.  Part of our journey took us through Arkansas, through parts of the state that were hit by the storms last week.  You would not believe the amounts of water we saw along the highway.  One exit was so deep in water that it reached the bottom of the directional signs.  In another area we saw a bus from a local correctional facility with about 30 inmates sandbagging along the highway so the water from the field wouldn't rise onto the highway.  It was so sad to see people's homes, like islands in the ocean, all their belongings gone in an instant.  It makes me grateful for the night the tornadoes passed through St. Louis and that I was safe and sound, damage free, with my babies enjoying milk and cookies.  Thank you Lord.

Once we got a little further south the devastation tapered off and it was a beautiful ride, 75 degrease and not a cloud in the sky.  We spent the night outside of Little Rock at a Hampton Inn.  We always stay at one of those or a Holiday Inn Express because we're rewards members and are able to get free rooms.  This hotel was by far one of the best (from this chain) that I've ever stayed at.  The room had a pretty large TV, a fridge and something I've never come across in a hotel before - a ceiling fan.  Luis would have loved it!  Gabe and I also enjoyed the pool for a bit.  In the morning they had a wonderful free hot breakfast with scrambled eggs with ham, home fries, french toast, make your own waffle and the rest of your basic continental breakfast.  It was a nice stay.  (Oh, and military discount on our room too!)

This morning we drove the rest of the way to a little town outside of Houston.  Along the route there were tons of antique shops.  I had to remind myself several times that it wasn't a good idea to stop to shop since the babies were already tired from our travels.  This second Hampton Inn, so far, is just as nice as the first, minus the spectacular ceiling fan.  We ate dinner at a not-so-decent catfish restaurant and tomorrow morning I really have my heart set on breakfast tacos, but we shall see.  I also got to shop at HEB.  That was truly the highlight of my trip so far.  I stocked up on my favorite salsa and fajita spices because if you didn't know, they don't sell fajita spices except in those little pouches up north.  Tragic, I know.

Tomorrow is a big day, full of more Texas fun, friends and a wedding that I know will be just beautiful.

He calls me 'Mom'

I have the most adorable two-year old boy anyone can ask for but I'm sure anyone with a two-year old can tell you how frustrating the job of Mommy can be at times.  I have to say right now my biggest frustration and pet-peeve is that he calls me 'Mom'.  Like a moody teenager, everything is "Hey, Mom" or "Ok, Mom."  I just don't like the ring to it like I do 'Mommy' from my sweet little boy.  Yes, I know I am crazy but it just gets under my skin. 

Gabe and Mommy - July 2009

 In other news I got absolutely nothing accomplished today for the upcoming trip to Texas other than a mani/pedi that I have needed ever since, well, I can't remember the last one I got, and I bought a dress for the wedding.  I'll be glad when I actually start seeing results from my weight loss and can feel comfortable in clothes again.  The gloomy weather sure hasn't helped that depression any either.  But with a little bit of sunshine this week I actually took the time to style my hair.  It's the small things in life, really.  I posted the picture on Facebook to celebrate the occasion and was greatly surprised by the amount of love and support my FB friends have shown me.  It truly lifted my spirits when I really needed it.  For that I am thankful.

Happy Easter

Rain, rain go away...come again some other day.  It rained almost all day today.  It's supposed to rain everyday until Thursday and it's rained almost everyday the past two weeks.  I'm ready for the May flowers.

Due to inclement weather Gabe, Lilli and I were extra lazy.  We did muster up enough energy to open Easter baskets and hunt for eggs.

We had breakfast, played with some bubbles, I gave them both baths and then we all took naps.  It was a great Sunday, minus one particular person.  At least this day brought us all one day closer to being back together.  This next week will be jam packed with excitement.  I have to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday plus get everything in order for our big road trip to Texas.  I am so excited to see sunshine, good friends and Tex-Mex.  God Bless Texas for all three!

Busy Easter Saturday Night

Today was another rainy day.  I am officially ready for Summer, although as soon as it gets here I’ll be officially ready for Fall.  Today I had to work but I left early so I could take Lilli to see the Easter Bunny.  Nothing like waiting for the last minute; but hey, I was sick last week.  I convinced Dad to come along with us by promising him lunch at Olga’s.  It’s a good thing we did that first because we stood in line for the Bunny for over an hour.  Surprisingly both kiddos did quite well despite the wait.  Gabe smiled really big when asked but of course, in good Gabe fashion turns his head and smiles.  Lilli didn’t cry at the Easter Bunny but wasn’t too sure about getting her picture taken.

After the mall we headed home to wait for Xavier to come over.  I had lots of fun stuff planned for us.  After dinner we began with dying eggs.  It was Gabe’s first time but he did well placing the eggs in the cups, although he wanted to take them out as soon as they got in.  He also thought you have to stir the egg.  Once his dried we put stickers on them in between him smashing them on the table and letting them roll off onto the floor.  I even got to make a few too. 

Gabe's first Easter eggs

I made eggs too!

After eggs I had a little craft project lined up for Xa.  We made jar animals.  I found the idea online and it was super easy – Xa had a great time.   Basically, you fill a baby jar up with pom-poms and turn it upside down.  Then, using construction paper or foam (or feathers) you cut out shapes to create the animal of your choice.  I made Gabe a dinosaur, which he kept calling a frog, and Xa made a dog.  He loved the craft.  It was pretty fun for a spur of the moment idea. 

 After that we put together paper lanterns that I had bought him over a year ago to do.  I’m glad I didn’t do them when I originally intended because they were darn hard to follow the directions.  I’d had to say these were not geared toward any 8 year olds I know – or 27 year old, just sayin’.  He had such a good time doing crafts.  He even asked me why I was sitting with him so long to do the projects.  Poor thing, I guess he’s not used to all the attention.  I'm hoping to find more fun projects we can do that Gabe can help with too.  I think tomorrow, if there's time, we'll try painting with marbles.

Resources:
Jar Animals: http://www.kidactivities.net/?tag=/balloon+stress+ball

Back on track!

I went on a short hiatus since I was sick for a week with a terrible sinus infection.  I could barely function to play my roles as mommy, worker and Cinderella, let alone blogger.  So, now that I am feeling better I can get back to documenting our days.  Here's a recap of what everyone missed in the very exciting life that is mine.  (That was a joke, it really is rather dull without my hubby around.)

April 16: I took the boys (Gabe and Xa) to sign up at the YMCA since it was free that day.  Gabe loved the daycare and Xa enjoyed the rec room.  They have a great facility with a trail, a pool and tons of equipment and staff that will show you how to use it and train you - all included in your membership.  Xa was even more excited when I told him they had a spy day camp this summer.  He can't wait to go!  After the Y we headed to the movies.  It was Gabe's first time ever at a movie theater.  Since we were running late I wasn't able to get his picture since the previews were running by the time we got our seats.  He did such a good job -- better than I expected.  We saw "Rio" which I thought was a cute little movie.  We finished the day by celebrating our next door neighbor's 89th birthday.  Gabe was so excited to help him with his cards and of course, the cake.  He only likes the icing so Dad helped him finish his piece.

April 17: We cleaned out the fish pond in the backyard and let Gabe and Xavier put the fish back in.  Gabe was insistent on touching/holding them but when give the chance declined.  He still had a good time "helping."  Lilli lending a hand too, of course!

April 18-21: I can't think of what we did so it must not have been worthy enough to write about.  Except for the day when Luis sent me flowers since I had been feeling down.  He's such a sweetie.

Finally, today:  We started our day off with breakfast at IHOP, which let me tell you is NOT on my new diet, so I guess I'll start it again next week.  Or maybe the week after since I'm headed back to Texas for vacation...  Anyways, after breakfast everyone took naps, except me of course, who had to do laundry and finish the diaper cake I've been putting off for over a month now.  And then after Gabe's nap, with inspiration from my good friend Laura and the cricut, he made sun catchers for his teacher appreciation cards and a butterfly for Mother's Day coming up. All the websites I looked at online said tissue paper and contact paper is a great project for toddlers.  They were right.  Gabe loved doing them.  Although towards the end he decided it was more fun to crumple the paper than to lay it on the paper flat.  They still turned out beautiful. 

We went out for dinner to a local pub restaurant for catfish (Gabe and I had chicken strips) and headed back home before the storm hit -- again.  (Side note, earlier during the week Mom and I went to Target for a birthday card and ended up sitting for 45 minutes in the back of the store with all the other crazy storm shoppers.  Not fun.)  The sirens kept going off so we turned on the news and sure enough there were two super cells north and south of us.  We barely got any rain but for good measure we camped out in the basement eating milk and cookies watching the news about all the damage from the storm.  It tore part of the roof off the airport, shattered windows and moved a shuttle bus on top of a building.  Gabe liked that picture, he kept asking how they would get it down.  Such a curious little boy.  After an hour or so it was safe to head back upstairs where my sweet babies are now snoozing away.  And, I, about to join them.

And we're walking....

Today was a beautiful day!  It was the perfect temperature all day with the sun shining and, of course, I had to work.  I'm not really complaining, I mean I get off at 1:30 so I had plenty of time to enjoy it.  The Boy stayed home from school today because we just can seem to get over his "allergies" that he has since given to Lilli, me and Dad.  Mom had it briefly, but I think she is better now.  Poor kiddo has had a runny nose for a month now and they say there's just not a whole lot we can do.  In any case, when I got home he was taking his nap so I chatted with Luis a bit and started on dinner.  I made Swedish Meatballs, noodles and peaches.  My child does not eat meat unless it is in a casserole or a fried chicken nugget.  Today, he surprised us all and ate four, yes FOUR, meatballs.  He ate more meatballs than he did noodles, which are by far his favorite.  I know the poor thing hasn't really had an appetite for anything other than Popsicles but I couldn't believe when he kept asking for more.

After dinner I drug Mom to the park where we walked the trail with the babies.  It was a mile and a half of perfect weather and great company.  We even had some Marine recruits running around us which quite mesmerized The Boy.  After our walk we promised him some time on the slides and he finally slid down the big kid slide without me holding his hand.  He is getting too big I tell you!  (I brought my camera to document our night out and I left it in the car - go figure!)  I'm hoping that the we can make this a regular evening event.  I have one more day before I start my herbal supplement so we cheated and I made chocolate chip cookies.  They were the perfect ending to the perfect day.

'He's Deployed and I Don't Want to Do Anything' Blues

I am tired!  I really feel like I'm pregnant again on this deployment.  I can't sleep, I get tired just thinking about what I need to do and work just drags on and on.  I'm sure I'm just in a funk from both kids having problems with spring allergies and it gets to me too.  I also feel more emotional during deployments, much like a pregnant woman!  The littlest things can just hit a nerve and make me all emotional.  Today for instance I experienced one of those moments. 

I have a part-time job as a government contractor.  Basically whenever a military member does a move that the military pays for they are supposed to get a survey about their move experience and interaction with the vendors we utilize for movers.  Now if you think about how many times a member of the Armed Forces - all branches - moves, including reservists, that's a lot of moves.  We have four people in our small office that are supposed to call all of these people.  And, lets include that the systems we use to complete our work are government systems that are programmed with the government philosophy of 'hurry up and wait,' so, it can be a bit stressful to call the amount of people you need to call with technology working against you. 

Today I ran across a couple who we tried to reach and they asked that we call them back at 6:30 last week.  So, the person working called them back at 6:30, however she didn't take into account they lived on the west coast and the time difference.  So, needless to say the wife said it was too early to reach the service member and to call back at the requested time.  For whatever reason our employee didn't make the call.  So, today, in order to clear the call from the que I called the service member.  The service members wife was so rude to me because we failed to call her at the time requested she declined to complete the survey at all.  I mean we clearly made a mistake by not calling but is it really necessary to chew out the next person who is trying to do their job?!  I apologized and let it go. 

Not even ten minutes later I called a gentlemen who gave us his brothers number as a contact number.  (Granted, no where does it say it was his brother, we call as if it's the service member's number.)  This man proceeded to tell me that the service member was too busy and important for surveys and if I was really calling from the government I would have his personal line and it was a "nice try" in trying to get a hold of the service member and promptly hung up. 

I don't know why people are brave across a phone line and would talk and treat someone in that fashion.  At no time was I ever rude or pushy.  It really makes me think twice about how I handle people on the phone when they call me for whatever reason.  I know I shouldn't take it personal but I do.  The non-pregnant, deployment hormonal me does.  So, just a little reminder to be kind to the people you interact with.  You never know when you will make their day or bring them down with your simple words and tone.

And in other news Luis started his P90X workouts today.  He has really inspired me to really, really start getting back in shape and to my pre-baby weight.  So, because I need a little help, I got an herbal supplement to help me lose the weight.  I don't start taking them for another 3 days, based on the info they gave me, but I'm hoping they will help curve my appetite.  Also, she gave me something for more energy so I'm hoping that will over power these 'he's deployed and I don't want to do anything' blues I get from time to time.  (This week being one of those times...)  So, wish me luck.  My long-term goal is 75 lbs but I plan on taking small strides to get back to where I'd like to be.

Where is my energy?!

I don't know what it is, no scratch that, I know it's this deployment that makes sleep evade me.  When The Hubby is home we are in bed by 9 pm and snoozing away in about an hour.  However, trying to stay connected on opposite sides of the world makes my bedtime hover somewhere between 11pm and 1am.  Staying at home with the kids would make you think I could squeeze in a nap, but that is hardly ever the case.

Today was a pretty easy Sunday.  I was able to sleep in till about 9am with a few interruptions in sleep around 7am or so from The Boy.  After breakfast we headed off to Lowe's to get some pegs for our pantry and some recycling bins.  Mom and I have been reorganizing the food supplies so we can make our shopping lists easier.  Also, this past weekend was Sissy's first time sitting up in the cart alone.  She loved it.  She didn't know what to look at!

After that I cooked pulled pork for dinner; it was delicious, got lost driving to a friends house and watched a movie with The Boy.  He's getting so big so fast that I treasure the times when he wants to sit in my lap and give me kisses.  He melts my heart and brings tears to my eyes.  I can't imagine Sissy being as big as her brother, but I know that day is coming.

I have a coupon for that!

Today was our first time at the store since I decided to give this whole coupon thing a try.  I don't plan on going crazy as seen on TLC's Extreme Couponing, but I'd like to save some money on whatever groceries we can since we'll be debt free upon moving back to Kansas.  And, two kids eat a lot, even more when you add a husband!  So, the more money I can save the grander the vacation my husband will take me on.  Or at least that's how it plays out in my head.  :o)

So, since we only plan our meals a few days in advance we don't usually have a long list of items to buy.  (I realize this probably isn't the best idea, however when we plan far in advance it's our experience that the meals don't get made because we are either not in the mood for whats on the menu or something else comes up.  So this schedule works for us.)  So, today we basically got the essentials. 

Schnucks, our local grocery store, was having a 10 for $10 mix and match sale this week.  I always try to keep toothpaste on hand since Luis seems to think it's candy or something.  However, after researching how to be coupon savvy I have learned that while a dollar is cheap for toothpaste it is very easy to get it for less.  Today, I was able to do just that - $.25!  I also had a coupon for cinnamon rolls that were part of the 10 for $10 deal and baby food was included as well.  So, we got 1 tube of toothpaste, 2 cans of cinnamon rolls and 7 Gerber two-packs of baby food for a total of $8.45.  I also had some coupons for a few other items on our grocery list like pickles and mustard.  All in all I saved a total of $11.99.

We also stopped by Target since they had some diapers on sale.  They were on sale for 19.79 a box and when you buy two you get a $5 gift card.  I bought four boxes and had four coupons.  So, I got $10 in a free gift card and $9.00 off in coupons.  Our total savings for the Target trip was $27.00 for everything we purchased. 

It might not seem like a lot of savings but considering I am new at using coupons I will take my almost $50 and be happy.  Heck, that's a new pair of shoes!  :o)

A Very Merry Un-Anniversary to Me!

Well, actually it was yesterday.  haha.  It's hard to remember to celebrate an un-anniversary, but it was our day none the less. 

Why do we have an un-anniversary?  Well, we got married in November; the day Luis came back from his second tour in Iraq.  He landed around 3:30 pm and we were at the courthouse by 4.  I think they closed at 4:30 plus it was a Friday.  I joked with him that if he didn't get here in time he'd have to find somewhere else to live till Monday.  I guess things do happen for a reason.  So, since we got married in such a hurry with only a few girlfriends of mine present (none of which I speak to anymore) we decided to have a ceremony for friends and family to take part in our day.  So, I choose April 4 since that same day the year prior was the day he said I was the "The One" and he loved me.  Sappy, I know. 

April 4, 2008 was a beautiful spring day in Austin, a bit chilly, but blue skies and sunshine.  I said "I Do" (again) to the man of my dreams.  This time it was with family and friends that love us.  Our small ceremony was perfect, I wouldn't change a thing!  So, a day late: Very Merry Un-Anniversary to you, Luis!  I love you!

Sunday, Oh Sunday!

Today was a wonderful Sunday.  The Boy came in my room around 8 am and said: "Wake Up Momma! Time to Eat, Momma!"  So, I wondered in the kitchen to find Dad starting breakfast and him ready to go outside in his hat, t-shirt and diaper.  He's such a cutie. 

After breakfast we played outside a bit and then it was quickly time for nap.  It's not every day that they both take naps at the same time so I used that quiet time to relax and talk to my love, a million miles away.  I love the technology we have available to us.  We don't have to rely on pen and paper that takes weeks to get to you or an email that can just be words on a screen.  We have yahoo messenger and Skype that make it wonderfully possible to see and hear my husband no matter the miles between us.

I was able to put all our laundry away and store the winter clothes to transition to summer.  Today was a perfect 65 degree sunny day.  I am ready for t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops.  We made steaks for dinner and cupcakes for the people at work.  I also started cutting out coupons tonight.  I'm gonna give it a shot and see if I can actually reduce our grocery bill.  I know it takes time so we'll see if I have the patience to follow through with it for any length of time.  We ended our day with more playing outside and a bath with our new train bath toy.  A perfect ending to a perfect Sunday!

Laundry, a Birthday Party and Lawn Mowing, Oh My!

I love the weekends.  I know I only work part-time, but the weekends I have off are wonderful days that pack a lot of fun and spending time with the kiddos without having to rush off to work or school.  However, today was an especially long day.

First of all, last night, Gabe decided he wanted to sleep on the floor behind his door instead of his bed.  He usually does this at least once when I put him to bed.  Typically after I put him back in bed he stays and goes to sleep; not last night.  I must have told him to get back in bed six times and finally I just got tired of getting out of bed so I was going to let him sleep on the floor.  He started crying so I went in to get him and let him sleep with me.  I don't like to sleep with Gabe in the bed because I never get any sleep.  If I'm not woken up a million times with little toes in my side, or him flip-flopping from having his head to his feet on the pillow, I get up to check on him to make sure he isn't too close to the edge.  But, last night since he obviously wasn't going to stay in his bed, I thought that would ultimately get me more rest.  So, I went in his room to rescue him and as soon as I picked him up he threw up.  So I rushed him to the bathroom, got him cleaned up and laid him in my bed.  He's has throwing up down to a science it seems.  He can be perfectly fine, throw up and then go right back to whatever he was doing.  This is especially true if he has been crying.  (Too much info?  Sorry about that, as a mommy of two throwing up and poop are just every day topics it seems.)

He immediately got extra comfy on my side with my pillow.  And he wanted Dora.  Of course, there was no Dora on TV, let alone any other cartoon so I had to get my DVD player from the living room TV where I had let Dad use it when his went out.  I let him watch Dora for 30 minutes or so until I could tell he was ready for bed.  Despite him being tired, and it being after midnight at this point, I don't think either one of us got any rest.  It felt like every hour on the hour he asked to get down and I had to tell him no.  Finally at 7:30 I figured Dad would be up and he could watch TV with him a bit.  However, I was unable to get back to sleep at this point.  It was just as well since I had laundry to do anyways.

Once Gabe helped me fill the washer with load one of six we headed back upstairs to organize my closet in the bathroom.  Such a strange thing to do at 8am on a Saturday morning, but it had to be done.  Then, we ate some breakfast did some more laundry and I finally found time to rest my eyes for a moment that turned into two hours.  (Sorry Luis, I know that was our convo time.  But I greatly appreciate the rest!)  So I had to hurry and get ready to head out to Alex's birthday party at the Little Gym.

Gabe didn't get a nap so he slept in the car on the way to the party.  When we got there, he was not interested in playing with the kids or doing anything other than excessive crying.  So he sat alone for ten minutes or so until he was ready to be sociable.  He finally started to warm up to the party when they began playing with the tent balloon thing.  I don't know the technical term for it but it's a big circle and you wave it up and down and run under it type of thing.  After that he was ok on his own and played with the balls, bubbles and finally tried some of the gym equipment.  I was kind of surprised it took him so long since he had been there before but I guess with no sleep the night before and no nap I'd be grumpy and unsociable too.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Once we got home we ate some dinner, I let him have some ice cream as a snack and him and Dad mowed the backyard.  He just loves the lawn mower.  It was kinda sad seeing him on the mower tonight because I remember when he was Lilli's age and riding with Dad on it.  Time sure does fly.  When Luis is gone I don't mind it as much but to see my sweet little baby turn into a little boy, that's time I'd like to rewind once in a while.  After yard work he came to Hobby Lobby with Mom and I to get some Easter stuff for the guys and gals in the desert.  Hopefully they will get the stuff before Easter comes and goes!

Dad and Gabe - April 2011

Dad and Gabe - May 2009

We watched The Princess and the Frog and read a Mickey Mouse book.  He fell asleep before the movie was over so hopefully he'll rest well tonight.  Tomorrow is another day of laundry for me and some much needed relaxation.