Attack of the Blahg

So I realized something today. I'm really having a hard time taping in to my creative side, something that in the past has never been much of an issue. I can't ever seem to find something to Blog about. I've hit a mental bock on what to do for Christmas gifts this year. What is wrong with me??? Ah yes. I'm Pregnant. No longer is my capability to think clearly or stay focused. I no longer have quick wit or much of a sense of humor. I miss the old me. When Oliver was a baby and I started this whole blog thing and I had the time (and the mental capacity) to write creatively and cynically about, well just about anything. I look back on Blogs past and...(I don't know what.. I just drew a complete blank. I can't even finish this sentence..URG!!)
SO, I pledge to my self and for any of you who actually read this or give a rats behind (wow, I am a mom, I'm even watching my language here too) That come February when my daughter gives me back the legal rights to my brain and what's left of my body, I will write..I will write again someday, and it will be entertaining! I can't promise it won't be about pottys or nursing but I will guarantee some content!
Hang in there loyal Fans.(Kristi and Lauren) I will return!

Dueling bellies

Kristi and I swear we didn't plan it but we both seemed to get knocked up around the same time! A dream we always thought about but never thought we could ever actually pull off. Well Kris God heard us and thought it would be cute! So here's to us and our ever expanding bellies (and for all the right reasons!)

well we did it again...

Baby Fader #2 is on it's way in Febraury. I woud love to write more but my first born is being impossible right now.

I've seen it all

Is that all there is? Yes, That's all there is.(Quick Lauren..which episode?) The official end of Sex and the City. I now have seen all there is to see Sex and the City related. I. am. sad! As many of you know I have a slight obsession with the four ladies from Manhattan. Not like I had anything to relate to or had any similarities to any them, but for some reason (and judging by the past weekend I'm not the only one) I had a connection to this show. My friend Lauren is the only other women I know who was just as crazed as me. We stayed up one night (drunk of course) reading the trivia game and actually found mistakes!
The movie was good- Just don't get me(or my sister) started about the ending.
I bid A Du to my dear foursome. And it is truly the end of an Era..It's so over we need new word for over...(LA?)

Great music that won't drive you nuts!

I've decided that singing songs that are stuck in my head from having seen far too many episodes of The Wiggles, just won't do! My lovely sister bought Oliver/me a great CD for his Birthday. Dino 5. It is Hip Hop for babies. She's knows how much I love my hip hop (crappy) music. This is a really cool CD. Even my nine year old niece had a few favorite tracks. So I was inspired to find more, just then I was listening to my weekly Podcast of Manic Mommies and Erin and Kristen were talking about the new Bare Naked Ladies Album called Snack Time. It sounded so cute, and because I've had a personal encounter with one of the "Ladies" I was compelled to buy this CD. (I washed Ed's hair once at a salon in Boston I used to work at, made an ass of my self..nothing new..)This Album is so funny and quirky you'll find your self listening to it when the kids aren't in the car. Now I know my child isn't really old enough to form his own opinion of music but I can give it a shot,right?
Scott rolls his eyes at me often!

Your mouth is not a trash can!

After I've put it out there to my non judgemental girlfriends, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that does some pretty gross things as a parent. I began to realize that almost daily I was doing something that required the pause..and the inevitable "why the hell did I just do that" question. And I knew I had to share this with you soon after my husband came up with the quote of the day, I had picked something sticky off the seat of the car and put it directly in my mouth when, "Your mouth is not a trash can" was said to me. Something a parent might have say to a child perhaps, not to his wife. This is a strange habit I recently developed soon after my child learned how to eat solid food. I will eat something off his highchair tray he didn't finish..harmless..Then it's something he dropped on the kitchen or living room floor...not so bad, right? I found my self in the aisle of the grocery store picking up, yet again, another spilled bag of granola bites off the floor. I had them in my hand as I moved through the aisles. Then as I went to grab some milk I popped the bite size(dirty)granola bites into my mouth. God what is wrong with me? Parenting in general can just be disgusting. No longer are the days you can use the bathroom in private, now you have to read Peekaboo Bear to your child(for the tenth time)while you're on the toilet. How about eating a sandwich right after an application of diaper rash cream, forgetting to wash your hands because your that hungry. I've seen that trailer for Tina Fey's new movie Baby Momma when the women asks her son if the smudge he has on him is chocolate or poop, she tastes it, and realizes it's chocolate. To a mom this scenario is not so far fetched.

This time last year...

When I woke up this morning it was about the same time I was woken up last year. Only this year the kicks were coming from outside of my body (same feet doing the kicking) and now he was the one with wet pants. Seven thirty a.m April 29th 2007 my water broke and so began the fastest year I've ever lived. My baby will turn one tomorrow and I can't believe it! I've gotten past crying every time I mention it. We're off in a few days to share our birthday with my family in New Hampshire. We literally share a birthday with my brother Chip. Even though I was in labor all day on the 29th he held out an hour and a half longer to be born on Chip's birthday. April 30th 1:48 am. I really wouldn't have mattered which day he came out he was very likely to land on any number of relatives birthdays. It is strange how many people in both Scott's and my family were born late April through mid May.
So we've made it a year- we're all still alive. Some have gained a little weight and some of us have lost a little- Thank god! He's a great Little man! I look forward to the amazing changes this next year has in store for us!

Taste of the single (parenthood) life..

And not liking it! I give mad props to the single parents out there. It's tough stuff. Oliver and I have been without daddy for 2 days. Scott went on a much needed mental vaca down south with his friend from up north. Fishin', drinkin' and baseball watching.(Red Sox just beat the Yankees!) I'm sure he didn't have deal with the Wiggles or other peoples poop. Lucky man.
It just so happened that I was thinking of how great it would be to get away, Guilt free. And by that I mean "Mommy guilt" free. I know if I needed to Scott would have no problem with me getting away for a bit, I just don't think I could. Any of you moms know just what I mean. The Mom guilt is all consuming, it comes with the territory like stretch marks and the desire to cut off all your hair. And the weird thing is I picked up my new copy of Parenting magazine (ironically ignoring my child to read about how to better take care of him) and there was this article, as if put there on purpose, just for me, just for this very weekend, about how to free yourself from the Mommy guilt. (But of course I still felt guilty for reading instead of playing with my child.) It's a hard thing to separate from. Being a Mom and being who you always were. Yeah things will change (God I hope so) but you have to trust that it will be ok if you go away for the weekend with or without your husband. It's ok to call upon a sitter to go to a movie or just to sit on the beach for a few hours. The child will thrive without you there 24/7, he might even be better off. And on another note, I'm done feeling like less of a mom by not giving my toddler (who can't even speak English yet) Spanish lessons. I tried it, I'll teach him what I know and that will have to do for now.
Good thing about being alone..No one to tell you, you shouldn't buy pizza, ice cream and Twizzlers all in the same weekend. Bad thing..No one to talk you out of buying pizza, ice cream and Twizzlers. Good thing..Catching up on phone calls,
e-mails and Blogs. Bad thing..No one to talk to. Good thing..I watched Hannah Montana without the strange glares. Bad thing..I watched Hannah Montana.

Kids and Peeps

I stole this out of a magazine- I wish I was so clever! Too cute, I had to share!
4 ways kids are like Peeps
1. They're sweet and almost always a bit sticky.
2. You can give them a squeeze if they're yours-but not if they're a strangers.
3. They're a known cause of stubborn belly overhang.
4. It can be hard to stop at one, but after two or three, the mere thought of having another may make you queasy.
Happy Easter Yall!!

March madness 'aint just for the NCAA.

We just tore our bathroom (yes the one and only) down to the studs. In turn we had a great little mini Vaca' at the Fader's. I had extra hands with the baby which meant plenty of e-mail checking, an occasional nap, far too many glasses of wine and a dip or two in the hot tub! yeah! Meanwhile poor Scott was stuck in our 20 square foot bathroom for four days straight and threw out his back on what we thought would be the last day of the remodel..not quite...like any project it will probably end up being a few months behind schedule. But when it's done, Wow, like night and day man! Praises for my Handy Hubby!!(and his fantastic father!)
So Oliver..He's getting big of course and should be walking any day now. I can't believe he's coming up on his first birthday. You know you plan all this time to have a baby, and they really aren't babies for very long and that's when you realize..
Oh My God I actually have a child!
They start to look big in their crib. You just cut the feet off their feetie pajamas because he was busting out of them. They have their own little opinion of what to eat and especially what NOT to eat. There are snacks you both enjoy, like gold fish, Popsicles, veggie bottie and graham crackers.(I end up eating what I intended to feed him, Bad mommy -no surprise he hates peas and loves mac and cheese.) They know how to make you laugh and they do it over and over. Smiles show nubby little teeth. (that actually don't look so bad!) And he sleeps through the night. (occasionally)
I have a little boy that will grow up to be a man. Wow that is something you never think about when all you have is babies on the brain. All you think about is being pregnant, then you are, then it's all getting ready for that baby you can never actually picture, then they're born and it's like you've always known them. Then they turn into this person. (That if I hadn't gone through 16 hours of brutal labor I would never be convinced he's my own.) What a great little person he is too! It really is a strange thing when you realize that you are indeed a parent! (and damn proud!)

How much have you changed in 7 years?

..Here's one for you Kris!
------------7 YRS. AGO-------------

1.) How old were you?
21

2.) Where did you go to school?
Blaine! The hair and beauty school.

3) Where did you work?
Outback Steakhouse Medford Mass- Halla!

4.) Where did you live?
With my new fiance, Fink and Griff in Medford

5.) Where did you hang out?
Side Bar any where in Boston..I miss it!!!

6.) Did you wear glasses or contacts?
nope

7.) Who was your best friend?
A had a few

8.) How many tattoos did you have?
3

9.) How many piercings did you have?
Tounge, nose and ears

10.) What car did you drive?
Toyota Tercel (2 door)

11.) Had you been to a real party?
um Yeah!

12.) Had you had your heart broken?
nope

13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced?
engaged

14.)Any Kids?
nope

-------------3 YRS. AGO-------------

1.) How old were you?
25

2.) Where did you go to school?
no more scool!!!

3.) Where did you work?
RJ Miller Salon

4.) Where did you live?
Nantucket, MA

5.) Where did you hang out?
Where didn't I? Kitty's mostley..Cinco's wasn't around yet.

6.) Did you wear glasses or Contacts?
nope, again

7.) Who was your best friend?
Has and always was Kristi, Stacy and I hung out a lot too

8.) How many tattoos did you have?
3

9.) How many piercings did you have?
just ears

10) What car did you drive?
Nissan Maxima- first big girl car 4 door!(upgrade)

11) Had your heart broken?
nope

12.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/?
married

13.) Any Kids?
Nope
--------------------TODAY--------------------

1.) How old are you?
28

2.) Where do you work?
In a hair salon at the Don Cesar Hotel St.Pete beach

3.) Where do you live?
St.Pete Florida

4.) Do you wear glasses or contacts?
still no

5.) Who's your best friend?
You know who

6.) Do you talk to your old friends?
The good ones.

7.) How many piercings do you have?
still just ears

8.) How many tattoos?
3

9.) What kind of car do you have?
Nissan Pathfinder (suv) (upgrade)

10.) Has your heart been broken?
nope

11.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced?
married

12.) Any Kids?
Little Oli boy

Wow things have changed!

Oliver update

Oliver is nine months old now. I'm starting to panic about his potential to walk any day now. He's such a happy baby! We're all enjoying being able to take walks outside, we're having some really great weather right now. We've even started back up with our friends at Stroller Fit. He gets to be social with babies and I get to work out and talk with other moms. He's very busy lately. He stands up alot on all the furniture and can walk his way around while holding on to things. We find him standing up in his crib when he's done with his naps now, very cute.

All those other channels.....

Just because those greedy writers are on strike doesn't mean you have to be stuck watching reruns or worse yet Deal or No Deal. There are plenty of good shows out there to help us through this tough time. I'm having serious 30 rock withdrawls but I'm getting by. This is when it is entirely appropriate to explore those channels above and beyond the big networks. Now you can really use your cable (and DVR, P.S a must have) to it's fullest potential or atleast to get your $100/month worth. I must warn you to proceed with caution. If you have a weak stomach skip right past VH1 and move right on to the Foood Network. So here are my Top Picks and tips to get you over the "Writers Strike Blues."
DON'T BE AFFRAID OF THE SCI FI CHANNEL..
Great shows like Chuck and Heros have been appearing on Sci Fi. And if your lucky they might even air a marathon to get you caught up, and that's how you get hooked on these shows. That's how I found Project Runway and Top Chef on BRAVO. Bravo Always runs marathons of their shows to get you to watch. Hook, Line and Sinker...
GUILTY PLEASURES?
Try VH1 for some pretty questionable programing that really make you feel almost as itchy as the people that appear on them. I'm going to admit this..I enjoy Rock of Love. Bret Micheals actually seems like a pretty decent guy, when he doesn't have some sticky looking skank trying to jam their tongue in his mouth. Scott Baio's show is pretty comical if any of you want to see a man who is about to have his first child (at 48 mind you) panic so hard you think he's just going to burst something. Celeb Rehab with Dr. Drew is actually really good. Hard to take sometimes but a pretty interesting show.
LET'S TAKE SOME E!
If you don't watch The Soup on E!. Do so! Fridays at 10! It will fill you in on all the bad tv so you don't have to watch it. Hi-lar-ious!
NO MORE TOM BRADY? TRY BEAR GRILLS.
Yes that is really this mans name, and he is as insane as his name sounds. Man Vs. Wild on the Discovery Channel will take the place of football for the next 100 and some odd days untill the season starts back up again. Think he's crazy try Survivor Man also on the Discovery Channel, but she's not as cute or energetic as Bear.
HOW 'BOUT THE BBC GOV'NA?
Hidden gems I tell ya. The original Office,and Ramsy's Kitchen Nightmares. Which both have been "Americanized" but you can watch it in it's gritty damp Euro form on BBC America. Check out Coupling while on your trip.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH FOOD NETWORK IN YOUR PANTRY.
Any number of shows are great on this wonderful channel. My new fav. Good Eats with Alton Brown. Good show!
On TLC for all those parents who think thay have it tough please watch Jon and Kate plus 8. Twins and Sextuplets, nuf said.
Disclaimer:If you do not have children, and/or planning to have children someday, or are currently trying to conceive naturally or through alternative methods, or are currently pregnant or wanting to become pregnant you may not want to watch this show. It could result in a lack of sexual desire. But by all means watch their show, that women is a roll model. She'll make any mom feel down right lazy.
So there they are my picks. Channel Surf away my friends.

Simplicity for the soul

I got all comfy for this one. It's 10am and I just changed back into my sweats (yes I've already had a full days worth of errands )The baby is down for a nap, I hope is a long one, and I'm hunkered down to write this blog I've been wanted to do for some time now. I should be napping right now too, we're Ferberizing the baby this weekend. Unsure of The Ferber method? I'll jist it for ya. Don't want your child to wake up in the night anymore? Sleep in bed with you? Or demand a bottle at 3am? Try Dr. Ferber's method of getting your baby to sleep. Just one simple step. Torture you, your spouse and your child for two hours or so in the middle of the night for three to five nights in a row by not picking them up or comforting them meanwhile letting them scream it out and choke on their tears and saliva. Your baby will never have sleep issues again,ever, or atleast untill you stray from your house any time after 5pm. So if you don't hear from me in the next couple of days, don't take offence. We're zombies.
So My Father was down visiting from snowy NH, we had a great time! I'de say he's settled into retirement quite well and I'm very glad to see it!
So I was given some homework via my sisters blog that I've been putting great thought into. Things we can count on to be there for us, unwavering in their quality and reliability. So Kristi, here's to you! Thanks for the great idea and I hope all of you reading this will either have already read Kristi's (which are good ones) or will hop over to her blog and read em after this. I have a few of the same items but I have a feeling if you complete your homework and make your own list they will show up there too. And that is why I like you... E mail your list to me katiefader@yahoo.com or for fun start your own blog.
I'de like to first start out by saying that this list will not include friends and family. You know I can always count on you, so I don't feel the need to mention names..you know who you are! So here we go.. sing it with me, "Rain drops on roses and itunes and pod casts ,napping and flip flops and beautiful sunsets...These are a few of my favorite things...." Enjoy

NAPS- Weather it be on a couch, in a bed or anywhere else, there is nothing more enjoyable then snuggling up for a quicky or a good long one. This is obvously on the top of my list because it is the one I think about most often during the day.


FLIP FLOPS- Mine are black Reefs, about five years old and they reak! I love them. I wear them to work, parties, dinner out,or to the beach, you name it. They are comfy,and simple. And when I was bloated and pregnant there was no other shoe! (alothough they have a close runner up now, my brand new black mary-jane Crocks.)

PICTURES- Taking them, sharing them , looking through albums. Love'em, love'em!

GOOD SHAMPOO- And by good I mean professional products.
(and no the stuff they sell at Target and CVS isn't always the real deal...Don't buy it! pun intended)
I love my hair (most days) and even though I might get a deal on them that will always be something I will invest in! You'll go out and spend $30 on dinner one night, but no more than $5.99 at the grocery store for shampoo? It's your hair people! Take care of your hair,and it will love you back!

BOBBY PINS-I use them in my hair all the time-In a pretty up do or just to get my bangs the hell out of my face. I've even held up the hem of my pants with them.

FRENCH BREAD- No Longer a staple or even a part of my diet but I can look back fondly how many ways it has made me happy. (I'll try to keep the food items to a minimum, but isn't that what makes most of us happy? come on..)
As a sandwich, dipping it in herbs garlic and oil, as crustini, just with butter, Italian style or the best, served warm with nutella. The baguette never let me down.

I might as well keep going with the consumables. This one pairs well with the last.
WINE-It has been known to bite me in the ass from time to time but I'm still a fan of the way it can make me feel (and no, not just drunk) Like at a tasting- there is so much to learn about wine,there is this whole culture surrounding it, They even made a movie about it! I love to discover new kinds, and uncover the life each wine has.
I like to drink a nice red out of a large glass at a dark bar. A Chardonay goes great on a hot day on my patio. Like my sister, I like to start the night with something nice, Pinot Noir or Chardonay, but as the night progreses it usually dosn't matter and if it's coming from a magnum-it really must be late. I mean I'm only a few years past my days of drinking white zin.

POD CASTS/ i TUNES- (music in general)
I'll lump these together because one doesn't exsisit without the other, that I'm aware of. (Yes another thing my sister has introduced me to. Big sisters have a lot of influence, always have, always will!) POD CASTS are my new obsession. Give this one a try if you have the capability. In the I Tunes store you can subscribe to free weekly or sometimes daily POD CAST of some of your favorite things. This is the best thing I have found in a long time. Just to name a few of the ones I have subscribed to; Spanish Pod 101, a weekly spanish lesson-always great! Mannic Mommies- very funny and thought pravoking, and NPR's "Wait,Wait don't tell me" for all you screaming librals- a bit of news and political humor. And of course a one on Wine.
I listen to them on my I POD weekly at the grocery store or while driving. It's a mental vacation man! I love listening to all different kinds of music. I set my moods to music. It brings people together,and gives you something to discuss but it can also divied people and cause problems. (Just ask Scott about the argument we had one night about the Back Street Boys. Gheesh) All in All music makes life better, plain and simple and on that note...

THE GARDEN STATE SOUNDTRACK / and movie-
This is one of my stand by favoites. I've had many late nights listening to this with or without people. I absolutley love every song on this album. I can't describe the way it makes me feel, but when I'm listening to it I'm very aware of who I am.
The movie was brilliant too. Defiantley in the all time top 10- another list for another time.

SUNSETS- In Nantucket,or Florida I could watch it every day and never tire of the beauty of it and the way it can attractively end every day as if an event of it's own. (except on those cloudy days)

So I think thats good- Now I would love to hear yours. And keep in mind these are things that never let you down, and you can always feel good about yourself when you are enjoyng them- If you don't have any in mind go, find one. Try something new today and you might just find your "simplicity for the soul." I think it gives us all a little more insite to who we really are. (I might have strayed from the origianl premis a touch.)
Wow he is still asleep-nice! Although he did have shots today. Maybe I can still get my nap in.
"Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomarrow is another one. Every day, from here to there, funny things are everywhere."-Dr. Seuss
Enjoy Life!

Vote Oliver 2008

I know, I'm like one of those show biz Moms. But I'm pretty sure if Oliver was discovered he could pay for college by baby modeling (or at least a visit or two to the shrink later on down the road.) Anyway I have entered him in the Regis and Kelly Beautiful baby contest. You have to tune in to the show on Monday February 11th. If your at work at 10am like most people,I'm pretty sure you could log on that day to see the finalists. If my little pumpkin appears you need to vote for him and tell everyone you know to do the same- Mark it on your calenders. If not just to see all other cute little peanuts.

http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/regisandkelly/contests/beautifulbabies2008/index.html

Ludachristmas

Ha, Kristi I used it! Here's to all you 30Rock fans, and if you don't watch it.


DVR it immediately!
So Christmas was fantastic!! Oliver had a great first Christmas. We put out cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer friends, I thought about leaving him a glass of wine too but I don't know how good a DUI would look on Santa's record. Scott, myself and Oliver spent some time alone Christmas eve and woke up together in the morning to our Santa gifts. Then we went over to the Fader's for the big Christmas. Oliver had so many gifts he had to go down for a nap in the middle of it all. It was great too 'cause Kristi and Alise flew down Christmas night.
They stayed with us for about a week. Mom came down for the weekend and got her fill of kissing Oliver's puffy cheeks. The week went by way too fast. We had a day at the zoo, Kristi and Alise were pampered at the Spa were I work and then spent the day by the pool. We almost got lost in the fog on one of the worst night time boat rides I've ever been on. Yes even Captain Scott got a little freaked. Alise spent more time than not in the water, either she was in a pool or hot tub or the ocean. She's like a little fish! We had a lot of beach time thanks to the great weather! And thanks to the crappy weather up north Kristi and Alise were able to stay for New years eve. Scott, Alise and Oliver pooped out early so Kristi and I dragged ourselves off the couch to watch some fireworks at the beach, in the fog. And toasted the New Year together. Thanks for the kiss Kris! Here is Kristi and I on NYE, her eyes are allergic to the flash apparently, this was the fourth try at a picture.

Now that things have settled down were back to work and waiting for the next group of people to come down..you know you want to, all that snow is getting to you isn't it?

I feel much better now.

I had to. I couldn't let those damn cookies get the best of me. I made more. And they were a hit. I'm so glad I have OCD.