Don't laugh at me!

For quite awhile now, I could've sworn Santa Claus was living at my house or at least *near* my house. Granted, there was an absence of a "ho ho ho" but still.... Sleigh bells in the distance. I ran up the stairs to see if one of the girls had a rattle. Nope. Ran outside... thinking it could be an ice cream truck, nope again. It's been bothering me for days. It just sounds so real. And it's so random... but alas.. it's not Santa. It's the fan above my head. If we can control this around Christmas when the girls are older, it'd make for a really good trick!! Unless I'm just that gullible. Alright... I'm gonna shake it off!

College and Wordless Wednesday (at the end)

Has college ruined the way Americans eat? I woke up this morning with one eye sealed shut and blood shot, to a rumbling tummy... and two kids on the monitor playing with each other. I thought to myself "I'm hungry. I could really go for some "bacon, eggs, hash browns... no grits, no... I don't know! Mix it all together!" That doesn't sound good at all, does it? But that's what I did in college. I'd get up, choose a bunch of random hot things, and mix it with grits. Eat, and go to class. Then for lunch, they had a pizza bar, baked potato bar, sandwich, waffle bar, salad bar, pasta bar, soup bar, hot entree bar, dessert bar, ice cream bar, cereal bar, ChickFila, Subway, Sushi place, Chinese food, Pizza Hut, Burger King, a general grocery store, gourmet coffee shop and I know there's a lot more, I just can't remember that far back (2001) when I lived on campus. I feel like having all these options for any meal, for any food at anytime has ruined the way I eat.

When I lived at home, you ate what mom made or you made yourself a sandwich and called it a day, of course there was also the option of not eating there too. Now I'm struggling, it's like I expect to be able to keep that kind of variety stocked into my small pantry, fridge and freezer. And at any moment during the day be able to change my mind as to what we're having. When I think about meal time, I think of all those varieties and struggle with the option to pick one. When I was in college, I HAD to have a meal plan, even when I left campus for a while. So, even at home, I can't have a morning coffee because I don't have 20 flavor options! Sure, we have flavored creamer (currently white chocolate raspberry, irish cream and vanilla) but that doesn't seem to be enough... it's not the coffee shop with different smells and flavors of coffee, different flavored sugar, nutmeg, cinnomon.... fresh baked goods every morning. They literally, knew me at the coffee shop on campus. I owned several store cups (because then coffee is $0.99 with your $12 store cup), I'd walk in, pour my coffee, get it ready, and by time I got to the check out they already had my chocolate criossant ready for me, I didn't have to say a word!

Ok enough story... here is my point. I'm doing it to my kids. (At least, I noticed it yesterday.) When one of them doesn't want something, I move on to give them something else until I feel they've had enough to eat. "Oh, you don't want what took mommy forever to make? Okay, Mac N Cheese... no? [it's happened] Okay let me make you a hot dog. No hot dog? Ok, let me get you a fruit cup. No fruit cup? Let me get you a pudding." Even with Littlest bug, who is almost 8 months... "hmm, won't eat peas today? Ok, lets try sweet potatos, green beans, apples, bananas...." So much food wasted. I can't decide if that's a good thing, or a bad thing. My mom didn't go to college. She married my dad in Lebanon and they came here. It's a multiple choice question...

A. Eat this or don't eat.
B. Here are your two choices, if you don't like either, don't eat.
C. Keep trying until they eat.
D. Make them sit until they eat it.

Parents have done it many ways but I can't decide which is best. When Daddy D was growing up his parents chose D. And now there are so many things he won't eat. So, as an adult, when his parents cook for everyone, they make different variations. Like, on Thanksgiving. There's always the same dish made 2 or 3 different ways, omiting the ingredients people can't or won't eat. I had B growing up and then C during college because I could just eat whatever, whenever. I just can't figure out which is really best for the kids. Do I need to suck it up and let my 2 year old get hungry enough? I feel the kid every few hours so she doesn't get too cranky. I'm at a loss. I can't afford for these kids to get overweight and end up with diabetes. Aside from dinner... my mom kept the house packed with sweets. I could grab a snicker bar at anytime and eat it. The kitchen was never closed. Little Bug has learned to open the fridge. And some doctors recommend keeping a tray of fruits and veggies in the fridge and let them eat as they would like. First off... my fridge doesn't have THAT much room. And secondly.... is that even a good idea? That's non stop foraging all day if it's up to her.

At this point, I've been up for 3.5 hours... I managed to get my eye open, contacts out (day and night lenses are all they're made out to be, and eye drops in.. and most of the reddness and soreness gone... but I still haven't managed to get myself breakfast. Little Bug is boycotting cereal, and Littlest Bug got a bottle but refused her soilds for the 2nd day. What does your family do at meal time?


Wordless Wednesday:

School is back...

I tell everyone that I own two beautiful daddies girls. But I'm feeling it now more than ever. Daddy D has been back to work for a week and 2 days, it's very apparent. If I take the girls somewhere, Little bug looks at the other men she sees and asks "Where's my daddy?" Littles bug simply dadadadadadada throughout wherever we happen to be.

Yesterday was particularly hard because my car had a problem. We thought it was the battery, but when I had it towed to the nearest place that sells batteries, we discovered that the battery wasn't the problem. Needless to say, riding with 2 children in a tow truck wasn't fun at all. But at least I know that my Little Bug will never be taken by a stranger easily! The ride was bumpy, and Littlest was amused and actually saying " ha ha ha" the whole way. Oh yeah.. back to the story. They put a new battery in, and the car still wouldn't start. That's when I realize, I'm stranded at a store. It was 12pm. I had no formula for Littlest Bug but I had baby food. So I bought Little Bug and Me some pizza. Fed Littlest Bug her baby food. And took them for a walk around Sam's club. She kept busy getting samples from the ladies who just kept pumping her full of food because she was "adorable." My poor Little Bug was so tired. I realize the Sam's carts (or buggies, whatever you call them) are made for two children to sit in the front so I put my purse on one end, and I let her lay down. She fell asleep, so both kids asleep, relief. Everyone was at work. Daddy D doesn't get off until 3:30. But my wonderful MIL got off at 3, she came and rescued us. We got home shortly before my hubby did. I'm so lucky I have great in-laws. I hear some stories about others and I thank my lucky stars for the ones I have.

Glad yesterday is over.... I'll feel better when I get my car back. I'll be $228 poorer but at least I'm not stranded at a store for hours with 1 kid saying "where's my daddy," and the other "dadaddada" the whole time.

I GOT THE JOB!!

Not the one I posted about with the six week training course..... I got a different one at the same place, $1 an hour more, insurance benefits and only a two week training course. Doing an easier job! And they'll work with the hours I need after training so the kids don't have to go to daycare. Can't beat that! I feel like a kid who just busted the pinata open, ready to take the blindfold off and get started! But the training isn't until September 10th, so I get some more time to devote to my girls before I'm Zombie Mom. Thank you everyone who kept me in their prayers or simply kept their fingers crossed for me. I'm so excited. This is a big turning point for us.... a real life changing event!

Quick, Easy, Yummy recipe!

1 slice of pumpernickel Rye
1 tbs spoon of pizza Sauce
Shredded Cheddar
Shredded Mozzeralla
6 slices of Pepperoni


Put sauce, cheese and pepperoni on bread slice and put it in the toaster over on toast. Heat until cheese has melted.

I leave my setting on 1 because I like a softer bread, but I realized it probably would've tasted much better of the bread was crunchy. Next time I try it, I'm going to toast the bread first. Oddly enough, it filled me up and I didn't need anymore food. I haven't tried it on Litte Bug yet but I really want to. I was inspired by the Pizza Lunchables! And this is probably so much healthier than Lunchables, or getting pizza elsewhere. Cheaper, and quicker too if you keep a jar of pizza sauce in the fridge. Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum! I want another!

Can I do it?

I got offered a fulltime job that will give me all evening and night hours. So the question is.... can I stay up all day and keep the kids entertained, then work an 8 straight hours... come home, go to sleep and do it all over again? I guess we'll see. This is a solution to my insurance problem. And to the kids insurance problem. And to the money situation. I guess I just have to do my best? It will be my first fulltime job so I'm nervous. In order to train for it my mom has to watch the kids during the day for 6 weeks. They love her to death but I'm so afraid I'll miss something that they do for the first time! I made my mom promise not to tell me what they do that way when I see it myself, I'll believe it's the first time! And with her coming, we've made the girls share a room. If anyone's got room sharing tips, I'd like to have some. Tonight is our second night!


So.. wish us all kinds of luck. Hopefully, I don't disappear for too long!