Nathaniel and I were driving home together from cubscouts when he said to me, "Mommy, I would like to have 17 more babies."
Me: "17. More? From me?"
Nathaniel: "Yes."
Me: "Well, I am 30 right now, and usually woman stop having babies around 40 so I don't know that 17 more is possible."
Nathaniel: "Ok how about two more?"
Me: "Well, if your daddy and I are able to buy a house we may want to have more, but we were also thinking about adopting since there are so many children that need a home."
Nathaniel: "What does adopting mean?"
Me: "Well, sometimes a kid doesn't have a mommy or a daddy and so they live somewhere that can take care of them until a new mommy or daddy comes and decides they want to love them and take care of them."
Nathaniel: "WHAT?!?!?! Do they live in cages or something? Do they get to eat?"
Me: "Usually they don't live in cages. They go to school and they eat too. They just don't have that one mommy or daddy that can give them love like you have."
Nathaniel: "Does it cost money to adopt someone?"
Me: "Well, the kid is free but you have to pay for the paperwork."
Nathaniel: "WELL LET'S GO RIGHT NOW! Let's go get one of these kids and bring him home right now!"
(SIGH) The world must seem so easy to this boy.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
THE RESULTS ARE IN!!
I know there is still 5 days until the 2009 CDSC Buddy Walk, but I am so excited to announce that so far, Team Penny Girl has $625.00 in donations for the CDSC. Wow!! I am really humbled at that. Thank you to everyone who was able to donate. And I will see a bunch of you at the park as well. Thanks for your support!
I guess donations can still be made until the end of 2009 as well.
I guess donations can still be made until the end of 2009 as well.
Prayers for Melissa
In about ten minutes, Melissa's back surgery will begin. I pray for a speedy recovery and let us also hope that your pain is elimanated!! I love you Mel! Get better soon.
UPDATE: Melissa had a quick surgery and was on the road to recovery by 11am. She did not react well to the anesthesia; however, she is still in great spirits!
UPDATE: Melissa had a quick surgery and was on the road to recovery by 11am. She did not react well to the anesthesia; however, she is still in great spirits!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Stuff that makes you say "What?!!"
I heard a story similiar to this last year in NY and could not believe it. It is crazy to think that this stuff really goes on. If you don't want your child, then give him or her up for adoption!!
http://media-dis-n-dat.blogspot.com/2009/06/oregon-parents-sue-over-costs-of.html
http://media-dis-n-dat.blogspot.com/2009/06/oregon-parents-sue-over-costs-of.html
Friday, September 18, 2009
My First Time
Last night, my family and I braved the crazed masses and drove to McDonalds last night for our school proceeds night. I like to get there early to find a seat in the play area. Otherwise, I don't see Nathaniel for an hour. Of course I had to keep Penelope restrained in her highchair so that we did not run the risk of her being trampled by the fifty or so screaming lunatics. After she was done eating, I told Scott I was going to let her loose in the main area of the establishment so she could stretch her legs.
Her journey to explore started out harmless enough. She waved; people waved back. She smiled; people smiled back. She let out a ton of "oh" and a bunch of "ah". The appropriate amount of positive reception was met. Then an employee gave her a balloon and boy, did she kick up the cuteness a notch. Everyone nearby marveled at how happy that balloon made her. Penelope continued her amble through the tables when a boy, probably 4th or 5th grade, sitting with his friends only, POINTED AT MY DAUGHTER AND LAUGHED. He yelled, "LOOK AT HER FACE, ISN'T IT FUNNY LOOKING!" Penelope was already on to the next row and I was pressed to chase after her so I didn't have too much time to react. I was able to discern the rest of his group chuckling and they agreed, "She does have a funny looking face."
I moved on. We are talking ten year olds. I wish one of their parents were around to say something. I choose not to this time. My first time. Boy, how could I let ten year olds dampen my mood? Even for just five minutes.
Her journey to explore started out harmless enough. She waved; people waved back. She smiled; people smiled back. She let out a ton of "oh" and a bunch of "ah". The appropriate amount of positive reception was met. Then an employee gave her a balloon and boy, did she kick up the cuteness a notch. Everyone nearby marveled at how happy that balloon made her. Penelope continued her amble through the tables when a boy, probably 4th or 5th grade, sitting with his friends only, POINTED AT MY DAUGHTER AND LAUGHED. He yelled, "LOOK AT HER FACE, ISN'T IT FUNNY LOOKING!" Penelope was already on to the next row and I was pressed to chase after her so I didn't have too much time to react. I was able to discern the rest of his group chuckling and they agreed, "She does have a funny looking face."
I moved on. We are talking ten year olds. I wish one of their parents were around to say something. I choose not to this time. My first time. Boy, how could I let ten year olds dampen my mood? Even for just five minutes.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Always Remember 9/11/01
It is incredible to think that eight years have passed since that crazy day that took so many lives, and so much from the rest of us. Growing up, I often heard grown-ups speaking of where they were at the time Kennedy was assisinated, and I am sure their parents had their own moment of rememberence. That day that changed your life forever. I am curious to know what other people remember on that day and how the knowledge unfolded in their day.
At this time I was commuting to UConn as I embarked on my final semester. As a part-time student, 22 years old, and care-free living with my parents, I had the luxury of sleeping in on this day. I have had a half dozen dreams in my life time that have stuck with me to this day, the earliest from when I was 4 years old and I drempt that all my family members were mosters from B-rated horror movies. Yes, Gramma, you were the witch! Dad, you were a short version of Frankenstein. ha ha.
On this day, Tuesday, September 11, 2009, I woke up from an aweful nightmare that was not about to end. My dream was that I was carrying twins. I just sort of had this feeling of always being pregnant in my dream even though this was clearly a unique experience to me. I was so happy in my dream at the prospect of becoming a mother for the first time. My joy quickly faded when I delivered my children. One baby was born still and I was devestated. I hope to never learn the despair one accepts if this were to happen in real life, but for me, in this dream, it was so real. The other baby, a boy, was born of normal size, but at a developmental level of a teenager. He refused to speak to me, he refused to nurse of my breast, and he hated it when I held him. I wept and wept in my dream, why would my baby truly hate me? He was able to speak to strangers and appearently didn't need to eat. In sum, my own flesh and blood did not need me! This was truly such a nightmare.
I woke up around 10 am with this aweful feeling of despair and anxiety in my chest. I couldn't help but wonder about my ability to be a mother when and if the time came that I would be bleesed with such a miracle. Would my baby hate me right off the bat? Would I be able to nurish my own children naturally? Silly things for a 22 year old college student to feel, right?
Going through the typical motions of the morning felt distant to me, but I had a couple of errands to run so I tried as best I could to shake this feeling of despairation. My mother must have been out of the house as I am sure she would have told me what had occured if I ran into her. I just remember getting into my car, turning on the radio and hearing that the state of Connecticut was in a state of emergency. I seriously stopped my car and looked up at the sky once more to confirm that there was no blizzard going on in September. "State of emergency?" I said out loud, "What for, there is no inclement weather. The sky is perfectly clear." Up until this date, I had only known for that message to go out during a serious Nor' easter blizzard. I continued to listen on my drive to the pharmacy. Nothing specific was announced on air, so my confusion grew. I went into the store and bought what I needed. When I got back into the car, the details finally unfolded for me. I don't even think I got out of the parking lot. "Why would people want to do this?" "How was I able to just go into a store and buy something; what gives me the right to go on with my life 'business as usual' when so much tragedy transpired?" I was sobbing in my vehicle. This was really just too much.
For the rest of the day, I sat glued to the television, never desensitized to the horrific images. Class the next day was a blur and as the weeks followed, hundreds and thousands of flags everywhere demonstrated a unified sense of patriotism. The lives lost in the aftermath by the city workers furthered the tragedy. My father-in-law is a fireman for his town and they are such a brotherhood, that he felt like it was his family in the trenches.
Many of the lives lost that day were people going about their own normal day to day business. Many of them were about 130 miles from me. Please remember!! Say a prayer for those families that lost that day. Eight years is still not enough time to heal completely.
At this time I was commuting to UConn as I embarked on my final semester. As a part-time student, 22 years old, and care-free living with my parents, I had the luxury of sleeping in on this day. I have had a half dozen dreams in my life time that have stuck with me to this day, the earliest from when I was 4 years old and I drempt that all my family members were mosters from B-rated horror movies. Yes, Gramma, you were the witch! Dad, you were a short version of Frankenstein. ha ha.
On this day, Tuesday, September 11, 2009, I woke up from an aweful nightmare that was not about to end. My dream was that I was carrying twins. I just sort of had this feeling of always being pregnant in my dream even though this was clearly a unique experience to me. I was so happy in my dream at the prospect of becoming a mother for the first time. My joy quickly faded when I delivered my children. One baby was born still and I was devestated. I hope to never learn the despair one accepts if this were to happen in real life, but for me, in this dream, it was so real. The other baby, a boy, was born of normal size, but at a developmental level of a teenager. He refused to speak to me, he refused to nurse of my breast, and he hated it when I held him. I wept and wept in my dream, why would my baby truly hate me? He was able to speak to strangers and appearently didn't need to eat. In sum, my own flesh and blood did not need me! This was truly such a nightmare.
I woke up around 10 am with this aweful feeling of despair and anxiety in my chest. I couldn't help but wonder about my ability to be a mother when and if the time came that I would be bleesed with such a miracle. Would my baby hate me right off the bat? Would I be able to nurish my own children naturally? Silly things for a 22 year old college student to feel, right?
Going through the typical motions of the morning felt distant to me, but I had a couple of errands to run so I tried as best I could to shake this feeling of despairation. My mother must have been out of the house as I am sure she would have told me what had occured if I ran into her. I just remember getting into my car, turning on the radio and hearing that the state of Connecticut was in a state of emergency. I seriously stopped my car and looked up at the sky once more to confirm that there was no blizzard going on in September. "State of emergency?" I said out loud, "What for, there is no inclement weather. The sky is perfectly clear." Up until this date, I had only known for that message to go out during a serious Nor' easter blizzard. I continued to listen on my drive to the pharmacy. Nothing specific was announced on air, so my confusion grew. I went into the store and bought what I needed. When I got back into the car, the details finally unfolded for me. I don't even think I got out of the parking lot. "Why would people want to do this?" "How was I able to just go into a store and buy something; what gives me the right to go on with my life 'business as usual' when so much tragedy transpired?" I was sobbing in my vehicle. This was really just too much.
For the rest of the day, I sat glued to the television, never desensitized to the horrific images. Class the next day was a blur and as the weeks followed, hundreds and thousands of flags everywhere demonstrated a unified sense of patriotism. The lives lost in the aftermath by the city workers furthered the tragedy. My father-in-law is a fireman for his town and they are such a brotherhood, that he felt like it was his family in the trenches.
Many of the lives lost that day were people going about their own normal day to day business. Many of them were about 130 miles from me. Please remember!! Say a prayer for those families that lost that day. Eight years is still not enough time to heal completely.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Only 2 months late :)
Here are the birthday photos from when Nathaniel and Penny and I all worked on his birthday cake. His birthday was July 7, 2009, but we had his birthday party on July 18 (or whatever that Saturday was ) This was the fateful day I broke my camera by the way. 
Penny is helping Mommy pick out the pans and bowls that we needed.
Penny is helping Mommy pick out the pans and bowls that we needed.
Nathaniel and Penny can't wait to get started!!
I can tell Nathaniel was trying to be very careful not to make a mess.
What a steady hand this boy has!
Penelope is so cute sitting up here stiring the batter. It looks like she is having a great time.
Now to reap the benefits of hard work and lick the beaters!!
Ta-Da!! The finished Star Trek cake for Nathaniel's 7th birthday party!!! At least he wanted something easy. Sheesh!
Team Penny Girl Sponser #2
I just received word that our TEAM PENNY GIRL T-shirts just arrived and I cannot wait to see them. This is so exciting.
So, . . . I just wanted to give a shout out to our other TEAM PENNY GIRL sponser, Aero- Med, of our own Glastonbury, CT. They donated a generous amout to the CDSC in honor of Team Penny Girl as well as paid for the printing of the T-Shirts that Harbor Productions donated.
THANK YOU SO MUCH ALLISON AND THE OTHER PEEPS AT AERO-MED!!
YAY!!!!!
So, . . . I just wanted to give a shout out to our other TEAM PENNY GIRL sponser, Aero- Med, of our own Glastonbury, CT. They donated a generous amout to the CDSC in honor of Team Penny Girl as well as paid for the printing of the T-Shirts that Harbor Productions donated.
THANK YOU SO MUCH ALLISON AND THE OTHER PEEPS AT AERO-MED!!
YAY!!!!!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Off To the Farm!!
I am so excited to be heading off to the Fish Family Farm day to benefit the Lutz museum this afternoon. I know that Penelope and Nathaniel will have lots of fun!
Friday, September 4, 2009
TEAM PENNY GIRL SPONSOR
click to enlargeI am so excited!!! Team Penny will be sporting some beautiful T-shirts donated by Harbor Promotions/ Harbor Publications, Inc. of Madison, CT. I was moved to tears when I learned that this company wanted to help us show our spirit for the CDSC Buddy Walk.
You can also visit them online at http://www.harborpromotions.com/. Thank you Harbor Promotions!!!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Penny had fun on Nathaniel's 1st day too.
So Penny climbed up on this chair all by herself, she has been doing that a lot lately. Her reward were the leftover pancakes from her brother's breakfast. Ymmmm
"Don't worry Mommy, I will help you fold this pesky laundry!"Wednesday, September 2, 2009
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 9/01/09
Another successful day of school. Nathaniel got the teacher he wanted and he actaully said that his first day was "great!" I hope that this is a good year for him. Here are some pictures of the first day:
Nathaniel packed himself a healthy lunch that included some of his favorite vanilla yogurt.
He also packed his bag all by himself!! My boy is getting so big!
Here we are, the family waiting for the school bus to come take him away.
"Bye Mom, I can do this you know!" Me: "Have a great day my little wubby poopey bear!" ha ha ha
Nathaniel packed himself a healthy lunch that included some of his favorite vanilla yogurt.
He also packed his bag all by himself!! My boy is getting so big!We have taken this pose each year since he started preschool 3 years ago. I should find some from past years and post them as well.
Here we are, the family waiting for the school bus to come take him away.Tuesday, September 1, 2009
And I thought we were in the 21st Century People!!
As published by the Wall Street Journel
By Sue Shellenbarger
An Ohio Supreme Court decision allowing a breastfeeding mother to be fired from her job for taking breaks to pump milk has ignited an angry buzz among bloggers.
The decision came in the case of LaNisa Allen, a temporary warehouse laborer for Totes/Isotoner Corp. in West Chester, Ohio. Ms. Allen was fired after taking unscheduled breaks from work to pump milk. She fed her five-month-old baby before reporting to work for her 6 a.m. shift, but found waiting until her scheduled 11 a.m. break to pump milk was too difficult. Any breastfeeding mother could relate to the discomfort and leakage Ms. Allen said she was experiencing.
Ms. Allen asked her bosses either to let her take an extended break at 10 a.m., or to extend a brief 10-minute break she was allowed at 8 a.m., to allow her time to pump, but neither request was granted. After suffering for several days, Ms. Allen began taking an unscheduled restroom break around 10 a.m. every day to use her breast pump, court papers show. A supervisor told her she was violating work rules by not waiting until her 11 a.m. break, and she was later fired.
you can read the full article here: http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2009/08/31/can-pumping-at-work-get-you-fired/
another point of view can be viewed here: http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/08/28/fired_for_pumping/
still another point of veiw can be seen here: http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/08/28/LACTATE.ART_ART_08-28-09_B1_8EET5UK.html?sid=101
And if you would like to send an e-mail to Totes/Isotoners to tell them how you feel, you can do so at this address: mailto:customeraffairs@totes.com
By Sue Shellenbarger
An Ohio Supreme Court decision allowing a breastfeeding mother to be fired from her job for taking breaks to pump milk has ignited an angry buzz among bloggers.
The decision came in the case of LaNisa Allen, a temporary warehouse laborer for Totes/Isotoner Corp. in West Chester, Ohio. Ms. Allen was fired after taking unscheduled breaks from work to pump milk. She fed her five-month-old baby before reporting to work for her 6 a.m. shift, but found waiting until her scheduled 11 a.m. break to pump milk was too difficult. Any breastfeeding mother could relate to the discomfort and leakage Ms. Allen said she was experiencing.
Ms. Allen asked her bosses either to let her take an extended break at 10 a.m., or to extend a brief 10-minute break she was allowed at 8 a.m., to allow her time to pump, but neither request was granted. After suffering for several days, Ms. Allen began taking an unscheduled restroom break around 10 a.m. every day to use her breast pump, court papers show. A supervisor told her she was violating work rules by not waiting until her 11 a.m. break, and she was later fired.
you can read the full article here: http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2009/08/31/can-pumping-at-work-get-you-fired/
another point of view can be viewed here: http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/08/28/fired_for_pumping/
still another point of veiw can be seen here: http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/08/28/LACTATE.ART_ART_08-28-09_B1_8EET5UK.html?sid=101
And if you would like to send an e-mail to Totes/Isotoners to tell them how you feel, you can do so at this address: mailto:customeraffairs@totes.com
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