Daddy's Boy

I was looking through my camera card and realized I have so many cute pictures I haven't done anything with. So my next few posts will be mostly pics. To start us off I have some favorites of Mateo and Dave. Mateo is such a daddy's boy. When Dave is around, all Mateo wants is to be with him. In fact, when Dave isn't around, all he wants is daddy. It's very cute (when it's not annoying). And since I grew up without a dad, I have always LOVED child and father photos. Especially baby girls and dads. But since I can't post of Maya yet, you'll just have to wait.






And this photo is one that Mateo took of Dave. Good huh? Future photographer maybe?

Won't You Be My Valentine?

We're a little late for a Valentines Day post, I know. But I liked the pictures of Mateo so I'm posting anyway. We had a really great V-day actually. My friends were here from Indy to help us do some projects around the new house. Check out my house blog later tonight for more details (wait till later though cause I haven't actually written the new post yet). I got the kids little Valentine bags of goodies. Unfortunately, they were both more interested in my husband's pipe insulation. Oh well. I tried to be a fun mom. Daddy gets all the glory again and he doesn't even have to try.

The coolest part was our double date!!! Man, I haven't been on a double date in...well...I don't even remember the last time. My mom watched the kids and Dave and I went out to a nice restaurant with the aforementioned friends from Indy. The food was great, the company was....eh...so so. Okay, kidding. It was a lot of fun. Here are some pictures of Mateo hamming it up as usual.


Notice the T-shirt. It's Pebbles and Bam-bam. Who misses The Flintstones? They just don't make kid shows like they used to. Yabba Dabba doo!!!


"Really mom, I need a haircut. This mop of hair just isn't doing it for me. Chicks may not be digging me much longer if you don't control this thing"

Hands full of Hershey Kisses

Happy Belated Commercialized Westernized Made-Up-Holiday-For-Your-Husband-To-Screw-Up-Again!!!

Conversations with J-momma and Hubby

This is sort of a continuation of my Odd Conversations posts I've been doing. Except this isn't odd, just an example of my husband's funny-ness. Is that a word? I think it's a word.

We just closed on our new house (yay!). Which, by the way, we're remodeling and I'm going to start another (yes another) blog about it. For any of you DIY-ers out there, you might want to tune in. Anyway, when we went to the house after closing and started planning out what was what, we noticed that some "brilliant" person put the washer/dryer hook ups in the room with the smallest door way. So, the washer and dryer don't fit through. Actually, the door way is probably half the size of a regular door way, so they're not even close to fitting through. So, here was our conversation about how to solve this problem

Me: Will they fit through the window?

Dave: No.

Me: Could we take the washer and dryer apart then rebuild them in the room?

Dave: No.

Me: I know. How about we cut a hole in the wall, slide them through, then just stick the wall piece back in place and paint over it? You know, like they used to do in old cartoons with a saw on the floor?

Dave: What?

Me: Oh! We can have the manufacturer build the washer and dryer INTO the room!

Dave: Oh sure. And why don't we just have Harry Potter come over and cast a spell on them so they'll fit through the door!


Anyone have his number?

Dave's Advice to New Fathers

"Play your X-box/Playstation/Wii as much as possible until the baby is born. Then sell it and use the money to buy the best diaper contraption on the market, lots of air fresheners, and a big handful of those yellow gloves that go up to your elbows."

All Husbands Should Go to Motivational Workshops

Dave went to a Motivational Conference for work this week. That evening, this is what transpired.

Dave: Honey, I just want to say thank you for all you do for me and the kids. I appreciate it and I don't know what I'd do without you.

Me: Ooookaaaay....

Later...

Dave: You are so smart and beautiful.

Me: Do you want something? Or do you have some bad news to tell me?

Dave: No, I'm just recharging you.

Me: Oh. Do you need to be recharged?

Dave: No. Seeing Mateo run to me when I got home was recharging enough.

Me: You're freaking me out. What's going on? Did you get all this from your motivational conference?

Dave: Yeah, I guess I did.

Me: Well, if that's the case, I'm sending you to one every week.

Five Years!

Today my husband and I have been married 5 years. I'm proud to say we are just as in love as the day we said "I do". I'm always amazed at our ability to work as a team. I think the key to our success is our ability to compromise and balance one another. Of course there are times when we are both grumpy and act selfishly. But usually, one of is willing to sacrifice for the others sake. And usually, when one is having a rough day, the other steps up to take the lead. We truly are a great team. And I'm so thankful for him. He is the peanut butter to my jelly. The macaroni to my cheese. The ying to my yang. And I love him!

A Tribute to Some Cool People

So I'm a couple days too late for a Father's Day post about my husband, and I just spent an awesome weekend with all my favorite people, so I figured I'd just do a tribute to the all the people I spent my weekend with.

Devan is my best friend. We met in college. She's an expensive friend because I left college early and don't have much to show for it except this friendship. But here's why she's awesome. She never gets mad or tired of me even if I call three times in one day. She loves my kids. She buys them stuff, spends time with them (when she visits from out of state), she watches all my videos of them on facebook and looks at all my pictures and likes them, and she babysits when she visits so Dave and I can go out. She's agreed to raise my kids if Dave and I die. Even if we have 10 of them, which we won't, but even if we did, she would still raise them all and love them all (and try her best not to go crazy or kill herself). She listens to me when I complain, when I'm mad, when I rant and rave about whatever, and when I'm thrilled, happy, or excited. She listens to all my stories about the kids and pretends to be interested. She's funny. She's real. She's interesting. She knows how to have fun (which is hard to find nowadays for some reason). And we love her.



Scott is Devan's husband and he's cool too. He didn't like me at first (in college) but he came around quickly. He loves Mateo. He thinks Mateo is the coolest kid ever. He never gets mad or tired of me calling three times in one day to talk to his wife. He lets and encourages Devan to spend money to come visit me. He came along this weekend to spend time with us and meet the baby. He is a great husband to Devan. He's good at Settler's. He's easy to get along with. And he seems to be okay with inheriting our children should we die.



They have a good marriage and it's inspiring to watch them interact with each other. They are truly awesome friends and very good to our kids.

The other person I spent my weekend with is, of course, my husband. Here's why he's one of the coolest people I know. He is devoted to our marriage and family. He is patient and kind. He does the dishes ALL the time and doesn't complain about it. He also takes out the garbage. He is understanding to my needs. He gets me. He loves me even though he gets me. He challenges my mind. He respects me. He thinks I'm smart and funny. He thinks I'm pretty even with spit up on my clothes. He puts up with A LOT. He is ambitious and stable and responsible and trustworthy. He doesn't believe in quitting. He encourages me to have nights off and do things I enjoy. He doesn't expect me to be wonder-woman or super-mom. He loves the kids. He's a great father. He is flexible and fun and funny and sometimes boring but that's okay cause we need it. He is a good person with a sincere heart. He is real. He is authentic. He is never fake. He means what he says. He can be counted on. And we love him.

Anyone Have a Superwoman Mommy Gene?

My husband and I fought almost all night long about who's turn it is to get up with _____ (enter Mateo, baby, dog). This is the conversation we had in the morning. Oh, and yes, we play the martyr game. You know, who's got it worse during the day.

Dave: If we can teach the baby to sleep through the night, it would be much easier. Can't we feed her something more substantial before bed?

Me: Oh sure. I'll just cook her up a steak.

Dave: Well, it's got be easier for you. Your mommy hormones kick in.

Me: What? Sorry but there is no superwoman gene that suddenly activates and makes me spring into action in the middle of the night. It's a choice. I chose not to let the baby cry. I have to drag my ass out of bed just like you, just like the rest of the parents of the world. There is no magical power here.

Dave: (sounding disappointed) There's not?

Then I told him to ask his friends at work who are dads if having a young baby is hard, stressful, and if they have to get up at night too. So, of course, his only frame of reference is his boss who is married to a very traditional Polish woman who takes on all the housework, childcare, and also works full time. Whatever! I told him that I'm not Polish and they'll probably be divorced in 10 years when she realizes how much she resents him.

Anyway, I'll spare you the rest of the details. But, really, anyone here have a supermommy gene that makes them more capable of dealing with stress and sleep deprivation? Or do you agree with me that it's just a load of B.S.?

Updates

Here are some quick updates about the family.

1) Baby is adjusting very nicely. The nurses said she cries a lot but they must have her confused with another baby. She is the happiest, easiest baby I have ever met. Healthy and developing normally. We feel very lucky, but also a little (okay, a lot) nervous about the future. We really don't want to lose her.

2) Mateo's adjustment is exactly to be expected. He loves the baby but is also jealous and a bit resentful. Sometimes he's worried when she cries and wants to help. Other times he wants her to go bye-bye. He's acting a little differently too. Which is normal for a big change in the family like this.

3) Speaking of attitude, Mateo has a lot of it. I know I've said that before but especially since the baby's been here. Actually, he's acting like a teenager. Crossing his arms and pouting, and running to his bedroom when he's mad and slamming the door while yelling, "Noooo!" We are giving him a lot of grace during this time because I know it must be hard on him.

4) Food. I've been using food to ease my guilt about not having as much time for Mateo. Working 3 days a week, I already feel like I don't spend enough time with him, but now it's even worse. So, I've been giving Mateo lots of "treats" to make him happy and feel special. Mostly it just makes me feel better. I may have to explain when he's older why he has a compulsion for eating jellybeans when he's upset. Ha, ha.

5) Dave is completely in love with the baby. Now remember, he was the one who said he never wanted a newborn. Well, I don't think he'd trade her for the world. Which is going to make it very hard if she has to leave. But he's great with her. He loves to hold her and fall asleep with her on his chest.

6) Me. Well, I thought I could be removed from the situation and still take care of the baby. I thought, a baby is a baby, and I'll just provide for her needs until I know it's safe for me to love her. Too late. She fits so perfectly into my arms, like she was meant to be there, forever. And as soon as she looked into my eyes, I was hooked. Now I'm not sure what I'll do if we lose her. I think I've decided that IF she does have to go to birth family, I would keep fostering babies until we could keep one. I actually think it will be easier on Mateo to adjust to an infant than to a toddler. But let's hope we don't have to make that decision. We are praying like crazy that she can be ours forever.

7) Remember a few months back when I wrote that prayer about getting our "mellow" child. Well, Maya is mellow yellow jello. So really, pray we can keep her. That's what it all boils down to.

An Odd Conversation: Take II

A conversation last night. Seriously, I'm not making this up.

Me: If I was attacked, would you fight for me?

Dave: Hmm...does the attacker have a gun?

Me: No. No weapons. Just a fist fight and whatever is laying around. Like a chair.

Dave: So a chair fight?

Me: Or whatever is laying around. You're at a fisherman's warf with a big dock going out to the ocean. There's lots of stuff around you can use.

Dave: How big is he?

Me: Honey, the answer I'm looking for is a simple yes.

Dave: Would I die if I fought?

Me: If you lost!

Dave: Then I probably wouldn't.

Me: What!?

Dave: Well, if I don't fight, at least one of us would be alive for Mateo. If I did fight, there is a 50% chance Mateo would be orphaned. I would do whatever I could to make sure one of us lives.

Me: What if the guy was small and you could take him?

Dave: Maybe.

Me: Honey! Where's the emotion? Where's the fury? Where's the passion?

Dave: The mind doesn't think sensibly when it's full of emotion. I have to evaluate the situation and weigh the risks carefully to assess the likelihood of the outcome I desire.

Me: Too late. I'm dead. You have one second to decide whether to fight or watch me die.

Dave: This is ridiculous. I'm not validating it anymore with an argument.

Me: Fine! You're a terrible husband today!

Later.

Me: What if there's no chance you would die if you fought?

Dave: Does he have a gun?

Me: No. It's a street fight. In a back alley.

Dave: Then, yes, I would. I would be injured to any degree for you. I would even die for you if it meant you would definitely live.

Me: I would totally fight for you, live or die. I would pick up a brick and throw it at his head, then jump on him and slam his head on the concrete until there was blood everywhere.

Dave: I would hope not. That's impractical. If you threw the brick and you missed, you wouldn't have it anymore.

Me: I wouldn't miss. Adrenaline enhances the senses. I would be faster and stronger. You really wouldn't do the same for me?

Dave: Depends. Who's closer to the brick?

Me: Ugh! You're impossible!

Pause

Me: Well, the point is moot anyway. I would never get abducted. I'm too smart and resourceful.

Dave: I'm gonna hire someone to abduct you just to prove you're wrong.

Me: That's terrible! Someone could get hurt. Most likely you, when I found out.

Pause

Me: You wouldn't really do that honey, would you?

Dave: The fact that you even have to ask just proves your lack of faith in me.

Me: Well, I know you have some friends that would love that.

Dave: (chuckle) Yeah.

Silence

Me: Stop plotting!

Isn't it all about Me?

Today my husband turns 30. There is so much I can say about what he means to me and how much I love him. But let's talk about me for a minute here.

I'm old. I think it's pretty ironic that my husband is turning 30 today and all weekend long I was depressed that I was getting old, even though I have two and a half years before I turn 30. But, as my mom said to me when I was crying on the phone, it's not what age you are that matters, it's how you feel. Well, I FEEL old!

This, of course, is all Mateo's fault. I used to be fun-loving, lots of energy, and happy all the time. Now I'm tired, nagging, and pissed about my house being dirty all the time. What happened?

I never minded birthday's before. I thought it was cool getting older. Becoming a grown-up and more respected. Well being a grown-up sucks! And who cares about respect? What I wouldn't give for a time-machine to go back, just for a weekend, to my early twenties when Dave and I were still dating and I was young and adorable, and we still had butterflies when we saw each other. I wouldn't stay long, of course. I love Mateo and everything he brings to my life. But I miss ME! Well, the 20 year old version of me. God help Dave when I turn 30. I think I might be suicidal.

Anyway, I did make a video (surprised?) for Dave's birthday of our story together. From when we first became friends all the way through our engagement, wedding, married life, then kids. It's depressing to watch. Well, for me. Everyone else likes it. It might be boring for those who don't know us. But I'm gonna post it on Valentine's Day, along with the story of how we met, which is interesting and comical. Here's a sneak peek. I wouldn't consider dating him until two years after we met, even though he liked me that whole time. He thought I was a lesbian at first because I wasn't interested in him (talk about a complex) or any other guys. The story also includes rock climbing, seduction, casinos, an injury, and getting drunk. But isn't that all love stories? Make sure you come back on V-day and check it out. Until then....

Happy Birthday My Love!!!

Caption This Photo

Leave a comment and I'll publish them as they come. Be creative!

"Dad, I was thinking of letting you in on my new invention. It's called a detachable nose picker. What do you think?" by Devan

"Dad, the daisy has blossomed, if you know what I mean...hint, hint...

[Code: you have a boogar. this is what my best friend and I used to say to each other to be discrete about it.]" by Cindy from Ethiodyssey

An Odd Conversation Before Bed

In bed, after watching a special about trans-gender issues in children.

Me: We have to be careful what Mateo plays with or he might develop gender identification issues.

Dave: Well, if he plays with My Little Christian Ponies, he will.

Me: Actually, that would be trans-species identification disorder.

Dave: I wonder if they’ve thought of G.I. Missionary Joe yet?

Me: There’s an untapped market for ya’.

Dave: I’d start with the apostles. They could play pretend about their journey to Rome and the first church of Corinth. And then act out the stoning. Each figurine would come with a packet of gravel.

Me: How did people die from stoning anyway? Couldn’t they just run away? Or duck?

Dave: I dunno. Maybe you should blog about it.

Me: Nah. Too gory. Anyway, it seems a very ineffective way to kill someone. I would imagine it taking a really long time.

Dave: I think I read about someone running away from a stoning recently. I think it’s legal in other countries.

Me: Well, now "getting stoned" has taken on a very different meaning.

Dave: A better meaning.

Me: Now THAT should be legal.





*** G.I. Missionary Joe trademark pending***

My Funny (maybe) Husband

I don't talk much about my husband. If you were to ask him, he would say I'm the funny one of the family. Well, besides Mateo, who is, let's face it, a class clown. I'm anticipating phone calls from future principles about the stunts and pranks Mateo pulls to get a laugh from his friends at school. But my husband is quite funny at times too. Here are two recent examples of how funny my husband can be. Yes, I can only think of two.

Upon realizing Mateo needs to get an X-ray of his throat because he might have something called a "strider" (not the hot character from Lord of the Rings) having to do with his cleft palate, which they told us was merely a cosmetic problem (enter sarcastic laughter). So I called to make an appointment at our state children's hospital. Sidenote: After calling three times and waiting more than 20 minutes before giving up trying to reach a receptionist, I finally resorted to using the "calling from a physicians office" line, in which someone picked up right away. I did have to pretend I was in a doctor's office though, a downside if you have a problem with lying. I don't. Back to the story. So I talked to the ENT guy on the other line for several minutes to make the appointment. Dave was sitting close by, playing with Mateo. Turns out we have to do a Barium swallow before we get an X-ray, so I had to get all the details, which was frustrating. After hanging up, I look at Dave and say...

ME: Barium Swallow!

Pause

Dave: Like a bird?

Okay, maybe you had to be there. Sorry if I've wasted your time. But the next one is really funny.

I was blog stalking and read about a family that had a very strict schedule of homeschooling, Bible study, no TV or video games, chastity belts, and singing "Kumbaya" every night before bed. Dave and I were having a nice laugh over this idea and simultaneously feeling horrible for their children when Dave said the following....

Those kids will most likely become serial killers...

and as an afterthought added,

or missionaries.

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha-

Still nothing? Sorry. I did my best. Dave, you'll just have to get some better punchlines to make it on my blog. Maybe Mateo can help you out with that.

Tomorrow I'll be posting about a special little boy we will be mentoring and doing respite for, who really needs a forever family. Can't be us, I'll explain why. But I've made it my mission to find a family to adopt him. Could it be you?

A Daddy and Mateo Video

Here's a video montage I made for Dave. I am just obsessed with making these videos so I'll make one for any reason at all. My next post will be tips for adoptive families by yours truly. I know, I probably give myself much more credit than I deserve. Just trying to go along with the National Adoption Month theme.

Single Parenthood

I hate being a single parent! My husband has been in China for the last week and a half and won't be back for another week. No offense honey, but if you decide to kick it before Mateo turns 18, I will probably join match.com, eharmony, speed dating, the Bachelor, Survivor....and whatever else it takes to find someone who can pay half the bills and wash the dishes. Cause this sucks! So do me a solid, hon, and try to stay alive for the next 30 years or so. I'd appreciate it. Now here are some random pics.

how cute is this hat?

Nana got him this T-shirt and it's so perfect for him!