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.