Ribbit Ribbit

If you have looked at any photos of me and the family, you already know how fair we are. To add to our summer woes, the boys and I are prone to bug bites. No, really. Little Man and I open the door to go outside and they swarm us. We start itching and swatting before we can get to the car. We now have protection ! Bullfrog Mosquito Coast Sunblock! Yippee!

I normally don't use my blog to make advertisements but this is just a testimony to a great product. If others like us can gain reprieve, then I feel good about all the other crap you have had to read here.

The tag line says it all: Bullfrog Mosquito Coast just makes summer easier.

It repels the sun and bugs at the same time! You can't beat that with a fly swatter!

Now go get some!

Some trivia about the bullfrog:

The American Bullfrog is the State Amphibian of Missouri (how about that?) and Oklahoma.

Two Bullfrogs were launched into orbit in 1970 on the Orbiting Frog Otolith spacecraft.

Ribbit Ribbit

If you have looked at any photos of me and the family, you already know how fair we are. To add to our summer woes, the boys and I are prone to bug bites. No, really. Little Man and I open the door to go outside and they swarm us. We start itching and swatting before we can get to the car. We now have protection ! Bullfrog Mosquito Coast Sunblock! Yippee!

I normally don't use my blog to make advertisements but this is just a testimony to a great product. If others like us can gain reprieve, then I feel good about all the other crap you have had to read here.

The tag line says it all: Bullfrog Mosquito Coast just makes summer easier.

It repels the sun and bugs at the same time! You can't beat that with a fly swatter!

Now go get some!

Some trivia about the bullfrog:

The American Bullfrog is the State Amphibian of Missouri (how about that?) and Oklahoma.

Two Bullfrogs were launched into orbit in 1970 on the Orbiting Frog Otolith spacecraft.

Motherhood Stinks

Some friends of mine had a set of twins back in 2004. When the babies were still just a few weeks old, hubs and I volunteered to stay over night with them to give the new mom and dad a much needed break. We quickly learned that what we had thought was a "two for one deal" was more than anyone bargains for. You feed, burp, and change one and then the other needs the same. It is constant with multiples; we did not get a break. We left blurry eyed the next morning happy to be able to go to our baby free home for some much needed sleep. To think, we only did it one night!

When I woke up later the next afternoon I called my friend to check in on her. She laughed and said although she still hadn't showered yet she was having a productive day. I remember hanging up thinking "how hard can it be", "put them in a bouncer and hop in the shower". Oh how naive the babyless can be!

When Little Man was a baby hubs and I were lucky to work from home together. We tag teamed feedings and letting the other sleep. We were able to care for ourselves, each other, and the baby, and still feel like human beings.

As the boys get older and require more attention and entertainment, I seem to need more sleep. This of course, means I sometimes have to decide between much needed rest or taking care of myself. The other day while I was putting Little Man to bed I smelled something. It wasn't my sweet boy because he just had a bath. It was me! In my defense it had been a hot day and we spent the majority of it outside playing and doing yard work. Little Man did not want me to be alone so he quickly came to my aid. He pulled the covers over our heads and farted. He is only three; when and from where do they learn these things?

I am not the only one that is being neglected around here. We have one of those trashcans that has a lid that flips open so when I toss the trash the lid spins around and around. I wonder is the designers of this trash can thought to advertise it with a bonus. "Craving last night's dinner?" "Just toss today's dirty diaper in and get a whiff!" The other day after I threw something in the trash, Little Man walked by and sniffed the air. "I smell something stinky". I guess I need to empty the kitchen trash. Daddy walked in the master bath the other day and asked if one of the boys just pooped. Nope. That would be the trash full of diapers doused in pee.

While we were in the master bath complaining about our stench, we noted it was time to go squirrel hunting. This is the affection term we have for cleaning the drains. I have a lot of hair, so the drains do too. The tub and my sink were not draining well. Not only is this a dirty job, but a little smelly. I can only imagine how bad the drains would be if I washed my hair regularly. Now hubs has to decide between a stinky wife or cleaning the drains less often. This is a struggle for me too; I have long, curly, think, coarse, dry hair. It is not a good sign when my hair is oily. That is the sign that a wash is in order.

I used to tease my younger brother in law about his shower taking habits. I wondered out loud how on earth he gets so much leg when he refuses to bath regularly. His defense was that he frequent the pool and lake, that's like bathing right? So I guess I have taken a page form his book, after all, the pool is open and the lakes are warm. In an effort to save time and find shortcuts I am always looking for ways to find more time for myself and the boys. If anyone has any ideas I am open to suggestion. Although I am not one to paint my fingernails, but a friend gave me a great use for nail polish. It disguises the dirt under my nails while making me feel pretty!

I doubt things will change, I enjoy my sleep way too much.

Motherhood Stinks

Some friends of mine had a set of twins back in 2004. When the babies were still just a few weeks old, hubs and I volunteered to stay over night with them to give the new mom and dad a much needed break. We quickly learned that what we had thought was a "two for one deal" was more than anyone bargains for. You feed, burp, and change one and then the other needs the same. It is constant with multiples; we did not get a break. We left blurry eyed the next morning happy to be able to go to our baby free home for some much needed sleep. To think, we only did it one night!

When I woke up later the next afternoon I called my friend to check in on her. She laughed and said although she still hadn't showered yet she was having a productive day. I remember hanging up thinking "how hard can it be", "put them in a bouncer and hop in the shower". Oh how naive the babyless can be!

When Little Man was a baby hubs and I were lucky to work from home together. We tag teamed feedings and letting the other sleep. We were able to care for ourselves, each other, and the baby, and still feel like human beings.

As the boys get older and require more attention and entertainment, I seem to need more sleep. This of course, means I sometimes have to decide between much needed rest or taking care of myself. The other day while I was putting Little Man to bed I smelled something. It wasn't my sweet boy because he just had a bath. It was me! In my defense it had been a hot day and we spent the majority of it outside playing and doing yard work. Little Man did not want me to be alone so he quickly came to my aid. He pulled the covers over our heads and farted. He is only three; when and from where do they learn these things?

I am not the only one that is being neglected around here. We have one of those trashcans that has a lid that flips open so when I toss the trash the lid spins around and around. I wonder is the designers of this trash can thought to advertise it with a bonus. "Craving last night's dinner?" "Just toss today's dirty diaper in and get a whiff!" The other day after I threw something in the trash, Little Man walked by and sniffed the air. "I smell something stinky". I guess I need to empty the kitchen trash. Daddy walked in the master bath the other day and asked if one of the boys just pooped. Nope. That would be the trash full of diapers doused in pee.

While we were in the master bath complaining about our stench, we noted it was time to go squirrel hunting. This is the affection term we have for cleaning the drains. I have a lot of hair, so the drains do too. The tub and my sink were not draining well. Not only is this a dirty job, but a little smelly. I can only imagine how bad the drains would be if I washed my hair regularly. Now hubs has to decide between a stinky wife or cleaning the drains less often. This is a struggle for me too; I have long, curly, think, coarse, dry hair. It is not a good sign when my hair is oily. That is the sign that a wash is in order.

I used to tease my younger brother in law about his shower taking habits. I wondered out loud how on earth he gets so much leg when he refuses to bath regularly. His defense was that he frequent the pool and lake, that's like bathing right? So I guess I have taken a page form his book, after all, the pool is open and the lakes are warm. In an effort to save time and find shortcuts I am always looking for ways to find more time for myself and the boys. If anyone has any ideas I am open to suggestion. Although I am not one to paint my fingernails, but a friend gave me a great use for nail polish. It disguises the dirt under my nails while making me feel pretty!

I doubt things will change, I enjoy my sleep way too much.

Taint Misbehavin'

Little Man Update:
Thanks to everyone that sent well wishes to Little Man. The doctor told us that his adenoids were slightly enlarged and his tonsils had pockets in them that were probably holding infection. Of course, he made have just said all that to make me feel better about doing the whole thing in the first place. Thursday was a pretty good day after the procedure. We hung out at home and he slept a lot. He would fluctuate between the highest of highs and lowest of lows as days passed. We had a bit of a rough weekend. He spiked a 104 fever on Saturday and after a couple of calls to the doctor they seemed to think he caught a virus at their office. We decided to do our own investigation and it seemed to be related to the Tylenol with Codeine; as soon as we went to regular Tylenol all was fine in the world again.

I never thought I would say it but you can tell he is getting tired of his diet of ice cream, popsicles and geriatric food. He is also getting tired of taking his medicine. Last night we had a little showdown. He wanted to show Mommy just how much he was like her; stubborn. We spent two hours trying to get him to take it. By the time we went to bed we had taken all his toys out of his room and told him no movies or TV (what were we thinking?). This morning he still wouldn’t take it so he was sequestered to his room until he would do so. Finally a play date arrived for brother and Little Man was suddenly ready to take it. I should have called them over last night!
I am beginning to lose my patience with him. I realize he is sick but the whining and fits must stop. I hate to sound resentful but Daddy gets to go to work every day…and he wonders why I needed a beer last night.

House Update:
During one of Little Man’s Codeine induced naps we worked on the house a bit this weekend. We mulched the flower beds and I power washed the pool deck. I never thought that a “break” for me would include a power washer. I will take what I can get. Speaking of the pool; Daddy drained the pool cover and pool and then scooped out all the leaves and frogs. While doing so he watched one of our squatter lay some eggs. Due to our frog infestation Daddy decided to take matters into his own hands. I will leave that to your imagination; there might be some frog lovers among us. I may not have mentioned this above, but the doctors told us Little Man’s breath might be a little off after the operation due to medicine, burnt flesh and the like. That was an understatement. The only time I have smelled anything like that boy’s breath is when I smelled what came out of the bottom of our pool. No. Joke.

All the rain we have had lately has turned our Frank Lloyd Wright “falling water” inspired home into “retaining water”. Many homes in the area that never had water issues do now and we are one of them. Even on a slab we have moisture. We are working with the previous owner on repairing the roof, windows and carpets. Some of the items were already in our contract to work on but the rain has expedited this concern. I think I might be ready to move to Arizona.

Tadpole Update:
We have legs!

Work Update:
Beggars can’t be choosers. Murphy’s Law. When it rains it pours. What other clichés can I use? As many know, Daddy and I are a Jack and Jill of all trades. So while we need to be playing nurse, Daddy has to show multiple properties, finish two design projects and attend multiple meetings. I have a client ready to make an offer on a house, but not until after he looks at the house for the sixth time, and I have two editing projects that need to be completed. Now. (By the way, this blog is no indication of how fabulous an editor I am. No one pays me to blog…yet) Thank God for Nana. I am happy for the work but feel like I am only able to everything half-ass right now. Part of the problem is my inability to ease up and lower my expectations. I am a perfectionist and think I should be able to do it all. Perfectly. What happens is I get frustrated when I don’t then later refuse to try in an attempt to avoid failure. That is it for my arm chair psych today. Let me know if you need evaluation; my office hours are 12-3 on nap days.

I updated Our Crooked Tree and our logo...what do you think?

Chemo-Chronicles:
Mom is on a break this week. She has treatment for three Fridays then is off a week. Last week she had a reaction to the treatment. I guess they started her at full speed rather than a gradual progression like before. She described it as a burning in her stomach that went to her head, then her throat closed up and she couldn’t talk. Five minutes later she was fine and back at low speed. Mom’s spirits are good and she tells me my sister will be visiting in a few weeks. The docs will run a test around week nine of treatment to make sure the tumors have shrunk by at least 20%, if not they will need to look at other options like radiation and or surgery. Thanks again for all your well wishes.

The Babe:
Poor guy. So neglected through all the chaos. One of Brother’s fits woke him early from nap today so I am currently ignoring him so I can complain to my adorning fans. You must adore me to sit through this.

Child Development Update (really the only thing worth reading here):
Little Man is in the body exploration phase. And naked phase. Last night after bath he wanted to watch Scooby naked. OK. After getting brother ready for bed I walked in the living room to find him exploring himself. He asked me “what is this”. He knows what his penis is so I was curious. Little Man was referring to what Daddy likes to call the “taint”…it taint your bum and it taint your…
Like most moms, I know it as the “perineum”. So that is what I called it. I figure if he talks about it in public know one will understand; awkward moment avoided. Then Little Man proceeds to tell me that only he, Daddy, and brother have penises. Mommy only poops.


I had to save the best for last to make sure you stuck around ☺

Taint Misbehavin'

Little Man Update:
Thanks to everyone that sent well wishes to Little Man. The doctor told us that his adenoids were slightly enlarged and his tonsils had pockets in them that were probably holding infection. Of course, he made have just said all that to make me feel better about doing the whole thing in the first place. Thursday was a pretty good day after the procedure. We hung out at home and he slept a lot. He would fluctuate between the highest of highs and lowest of lows as days passed. We had a bit of a rough weekend. He spiked a 104 fever on Saturday and after a couple of calls to the doctor they seemed to think he caught a virus at their office. We decided to do our own investigation and it seemed to be related to the Tylenol with Codeine; as soon as we went to regular Tylenol all was fine in the world again.

I never thought I would say it but you can tell he is getting tired of his diet of ice cream, popsicles and geriatric food. He is also getting tired of taking his medicine. Last night we had a little showdown. He wanted to show Mommy just how much he was like her; stubborn. We spent two hours trying to get him to take it. By the time we went to bed we had taken all his toys out of his room and told him no movies or TV (what were we thinking?). This morning he still wouldn’t take it so he was sequestered to his room until he would do so. Finally a play date arrived for brother and Little Man was suddenly ready to take it. I should have called them over last night!
I am beginning to lose my patience with him. I realize he is sick but the whining and fits must stop. I hate to sound resentful but Daddy gets to go to work every day…and he wonders why I needed a beer last night.

House Update:
During one of Little Man’s Codeine induced naps we worked on the house a bit this weekend. We mulched the flower beds and I power washed the pool deck. I never thought that a “break” for me would include a power washer. I will take what I can get. Speaking of the pool; Daddy drained the pool cover and pool and then scooped out all the leaves and frogs. While doing so he watched one of our squatter lay some eggs. Due to our frog infestation Daddy decided to take matters into his own hands. I will leave that to your imagination; there might be some frog lovers among us. I may not have mentioned this above, but the doctors told us Little Man’s breath might be a little off after the operation due to medicine, burnt flesh and the like. That was an understatement. The only time I have smelled anything like that boy’s breath is when I smelled what came out of the bottom of our pool. No. Joke.

All the rain we have had lately has turned our Frank Lloyd Wright “falling water” inspired home into “retaining water”. Many homes in the area that never had water issues do now and we are one of them. Even on a slab we have moisture. We are working with the previous owner on repairing the roof, windows and carpets. Some of the items were already in our contract to work on but the rain has expedited this concern. I think I might be ready to move to Arizona.

Tadpole Update:
We have legs!

Work Update:
Beggars can’t be choosers. Murphy’s Law. When it rains it pours. What other clichés can I use? As many know, Daddy and I are a Jack and Jill of all trades. So while we need to be playing nurse, Daddy has to show multiple properties, finish two design projects and attend multiple meetings. I have a client ready to make an offer on a house, but not until after he looks at the house for the sixth time, and I have two editing projects that need to be completed. Now. (By the way, this blog is no indication of how fabulous an editor I am. No one pays me to blog…yet) Thank God for Nana. I am happy for the work but feel like I am only able to everything half-ass right now. Part of the problem is my inability to ease up and lower my expectations. I am a perfectionist and think I should be able to do it all. Perfectly. What happens is I get frustrated when I don’t then later refuse to try in an attempt to avoid failure. That is it for my arm chair psych today. Let me know if you need evaluation; my office hours are 12-3 on nap days.

I updated Our Crooked Tree and our logo...what do you think?

Chemo-Chronicles:
Mom is on a break this week. She has treatment for three Fridays then is off a week. Last week she had a reaction to the treatment. I guess they started her at full speed rather than a gradual progression like before. She described it as a burning in her stomach that went to her head, then her throat closed up and she couldn’t talk. Five minutes later she was fine and back at low speed. Mom’s spirits are good and she tells me my sister will be visiting in a few weeks. The docs will run a test around week nine of treatment to make sure the tumors have shrunk by at least 20%, if not they will need to look at other options like radiation and or surgery. Thanks again for all your well wishes.

The Babe:
Poor guy. So neglected through all the chaos. One of Brother’s fits woke him early from nap today so I am currently ignoring him so I can complain to my adorning fans. You must adore me to sit through this.

Child Development Update (really the only thing worth reading here):
Little Man is in the body exploration phase. And naked phase. Last night after bath he wanted to watch Scooby naked. OK. After getting brother ready for bed I walked in the living room to find him exploring himself. He asked me “what is this”. He knows what his penis is so I was curious. Little Man was referring to what Daddy likes to call the “taint”…it taint your bum and it taint your…
Like most moms, I know it as the “perineum”. So that is what I called it. I figure if he talks about it in public know one will understand; awkward moment avoided. Then Little Man proceeds to tell me that only he, Daddy, and brother have penises. Mommy only poops.


I had to save the best for last to make sure you stuck around ☺

To be this lucky...

The eggs are hatching and our tadpoles are moving around. If only we could conceive and give birth within 6-21 days....

What once looked like a worm now looks like a deflated animal balloon from a carnival....

I am trying to stay out of this Daddy/son project as it kind of freaks me out to think about what we are going to do with all the frogs when they mature. Right now, I am just trying to figure out how to get the cloudy tank cleaned; the fish smell is inhibiting my domestic duties in the laundry room.

To be this lucky...

The eggs are hatching and our tadpoles are moving around. If only we could conceive and give birth within 6-21 days....

What once looked like a worm now looks like a deflated animal balloon from a carnival....

I am trying to stay out of this Daddy/son project as it kind of freaks me out to think about what we are going to do with all the frogs when they mature. Right now, I am just trying to figure out how to get the cloudy tank cleaned; the fish smell is inhibiting my domestic duties in the laundry room.