"Mommy, Hugs! Mommy, Kisses!"
When I hear this being shouted, I know I will soon be getting tackled by my little Love Monkey (like right now). He firsts positions you into how he wants to hug or kiss you and will spend the next minute or so lavishing affection down on you. He can be so cuddly and loving sometimes.
My absolute favorite part of this: the little "Iwubyoutoo Mommy" that comes with it.
Oh, and my dad was right. The littlest arms do give the best hugs.
May 15, 2010
May 13, 2010
Music's in my soul
Yes, I'm quoting a Jonas Brother's song there. I like it. Do you have a problem with that?
As I was working out in the gym today and blasting my radio station on Pandora, I realized that when I look back on parts of my life I always think about the music I listen to at that point. It's like I'm slowly compiling a soundtrack to my life in case I'm ever the next Hallmark or Lifetime movie. You know, the poor girl from small town becomes big successful doctor and does some crazy cool thing that helps society and the obstacles she overcame in the process.
Here is my personal soundtrack:
Early years (growing up in Belmar, NJ): a mixed tape (yes, tape) of Bruce Springsteen (I'm a Jersey girl after all), David Bowie (my mom's favorite), and Squeeze (it was the 80's)
Somewhere between 2nd grade and being a tween: Mariah Carey, New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men (we all have that time when we love Pop and collected their "action figures" - which made good boyfriends for my Barbie dolls)
Tween years: Alanis Morissette, Nirvana, Bush, Green Day (it was not an especially happy time)
High school: GooGoo Dolls, President's of the United States, Oasis (getting more upbeat, but kind outsider-y feeling stuff, which fit changing to a high school of geeks and nerds where I fit in)
College: first half: Linkin Park, 3 Doors Down, Matchbox 20, Wallflowers (still trying to fit in while finding myself and some self-confidence I never had before)
second half: Lifehouse, Jimmy Eat World, Linkin Park, The White Stripes, Nickelback, Creed (the songs for when I met my husband, moved off campus with him, and kinda became my own person)
Medical school: pre-clinical years (aka: just married, moved to Queens, NY and spending all my time with my textbooks) The Killers (don't ask, they made good study music somehow). Lifehouse, Broadway soundtracks to Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Wicked, and Les Miserables (I was living in Queens with easy access to show tickets and it makes good study music)
clinical years (aka: pregnant, back in Jersey, having kid): Josh Groban, Lifehouse, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift (last 2 are a complete influence of watching the Disney Channel too much because they are the only toddler friendly shows that don't have me pulling my hair out!)
Aside from them, there are specific songs or artists that always make me think of specific people or times. Some examples include:
My first crush whom I convinced myself I was in love with from 4th grade to about 10th grade will always make me think of GooGoo Dolls, especially the songs Iris and Name.
My first boyfriend whom I dated from 10th grade to sophomore year of college makes me think of Oasis (most specifically Wonderwall, which was our song because we had a discussion and decided be both like it) As a result, I can barely stand to hear Oasis today.
My hubby is Lifehouse and Linkin Park. Our song is Everything by Lifehouse, we danced to it at our wedding, but almost every song by Lifehouse brings memories of my husband with them in different ways. Linkin Park is his favorite band and there are tons of moments and concerts of him and Linkin Park in my mind. However, thoughts of him in his dorm at college immediately bring me to Voodoo by Godsmack and some random Disturbed songs.
My Monkey: The Happy Little Monkey's Song by Ooh and Aah (the monkeys from Playhouse Disney) He knows all the lyrics and this song is part of the reason he is called my little Monkey (aside from his crazy antics and love of bananas)
Senior year of college: Boys of Summer by the Ataris. Whenever I think of my senior year, I think of driving through Baltimore after class with this song blasting. It was the only song I really listened to by them and I didn't have it on cd or downloaded or anything. I just think of this song and college.
So that is my personal soundtrack. I'm sure I can add a lot more to this. Somewhere in there the Beatles need a presence, as does Aerosmith, Bryan Adams, Debbie Gibson, No Doubt, and the song Total Eclipse of the Heart. After all, music is in my soul...
As I was working out in the gym today and blasting my radio station on Pandora, I realized that when I look back on parts of my life I always think about the music I listen to at that point. It's like I'm slowly compiling a soundtrack to my life in case I'm ever the next Hallmark or Lifetime movie. You know, the poor girl from small town becomes big successful doctor and does some crazy cool thing that helps society and the obstacles she overcame in the process.
Here is my personal soundtrack:
Early years (growing up in Belmar, NJ): a mixed tape (yes, tape) of Bruce Springsteen (I'm a Jersey girl after all), David Bowie (my mom's favorite), and Squeeze (it was the 80's)
Somewhere between 2nd grade and being a tween: Mariah Carey, New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men (we all have that time when we love Pop and collected their "action figures" - which made good boyfriends for my Barbie dolls)
Tween years: Alanis Morissette, Nirvana, Bush, Green Day (it was not an especially happy time)
High school: GooGoo Dolls, President's of the United States, Oasis (getting more upbeat, but kind outsider-y feeling stuff, which fit changing to a high school of geeks and nerds where I fit in)
College: first half: Linkin Park, 3 Doors Down, Matchbox 20, Wallflowers (still trying to fit in while finding myself and some self-confidence I never had before)
second half: Lifehouse, Jimmy Eat World, Linkin Park, The White Stripes, Nickelback, Creed (the songs for when I met my husband, moved off campus with him, and kinda became my own person)
Medical school: pre-clinical years (aka: just married, moved to Queens, NY and spending all my time with my textbooks) The Killers (don't ask, they made good study music somehow). Lifehouse, Broadway soundtracks to Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Wicked, and Les Miserables (I was living in Queens with easy access to show tickets and it makes good study music)
clinical years (aka: pregnant, back in Jersey, having kid): Josh Groban, Lifehouse, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift (last 2 are a complete influence of watching the Disney Channel too much because they are the only toddler friendly shows that don't have me pulling my hair out!)
Aside from them, there are specific songs or artists that always make me think of specific people or times. Some examples include:
My first crush whom I convinced myself I was in love with from 4th grade to about 10th grade will always make me think of GooGoo Dolls, especially the songs Iris and Name.
My first boyfriend whom I dated from 10th grade to sophomore year of college makes me think of Oasis (most specifically Wonderwall, which was our song because we had a discussion and decided be both like it) As a result, I can barely stand to hear Oasis today.
My hubby is Lifehouse and Linkin Park. Our song is Everything by Lifehouse, we danced to it at our wedding, but almost every song by Lifehouse brings memories of my husband with them in different ways. Linkin Park is his favorite band and there are tons of moments and concerts of him and Linkin Park in my mind. However, thoughts of him in his dorm at college immediately bring me to Voodoo by Godsmack and some random Disturbed songs.
My Monkey: The Happy Little Monkey's Song by Ooh and Aah (the monkeys from Playhouse Disney) He knows all the lyrics and this song is part of the reason he is called my little Monkey (aside from his crazy antics and love of bananas)
Senior year of college: Boys of Summer by the Ataris. Whenever I think of my senior year, I think of driving through Baltimore after class with this song blasting. It was the only song I really listened to by them and I didn't have it on cd or downloaded or anything. I just think of this song and college.
So that is my personal soundtrack. I'm sure I can add a lot more to this. Somewhere in there the Beatles need a presence, as does Aerosmith, Bryan Adams, Debbie Gibson, No Doubt, and the song Total Eclipse of the Heart. After all, music is in my soul...
Scratch that last post...
So after 2 hours at school, Monkey already had 2 accidents. It seems while he is very vocal at home about using the potty, he is very non-vocal at school about it. They called to ask if they could put him back in a diaper. I said to go for it since we weren't actually planning to potty train until the next 3-day weekend. Because really, I don't want to have to deal with him using the potty at the two 3-hour long graduation ceremonies we will be attending next week.
So adventures in potty training will be on hold for another 2 weeks.
So adventures in potty training will be on hold for another 2 weeks.
Potty Training for real Day 1
I sit here incredibly bleary-eyed and wishing I could just go back to sleep. I couldn't fall asleep last night because my back was hurting me and then Monkey decided to wake up an hour earlier than usual. Boo! Stupid molars, how I hate thee!
Upside of today: they are trying potty training at school today with the Monkey. Yesterday, he spontaneously initiated peeing on the potty 3 times. So last night, when he did it for Daddy, I gave him a sticker for a reward. Apparently, stickers are major currency for a 2 year-old and are definitely good incentives for going on the potty instead of his diaper because this morning he repeated his performance, got off the potty, and asked for another sticker.
Not knowing what to do at this point because when I reported his behavior to the teacher in his room yesterday, I was given instructions for potty training over the next 3-day weekend that we have (Memorial Day weekend). But since he seems to want to use the potty, I brought 3 changes of clothes, 3 underpants, and a spare pair of shoes to school today and reported his behavior to the head teacher in the classroom. She declared him ready for the potty and put him into underpants right then and there. She put him onto the classroom potty, where he sat looking a bit confused (it has no peepee guard like our potty seat does) but got very excited for the underpants. They gave him another sticker for good effort (he sat on the potty after all and didn't want the diaper - yay!).
So if he does good today and tomorrow, he will no longer be attending daycare in diapers!! Woohoo!!
I think I will think what we are doing this weekend after Friday...
Upside of today: they are trying potty training at school today with the Monkey. Yesterday, he spontaneously initiated peeing on the potty 3 times. So last night, when he did it for Daddy, I gave him a sticker for a reward. Apparently, stickers are major currency for a 2 year-old and are definitely good incentives for going on the potty instead of his diaper because this morning he repeated his performance, got off the potty, and asked for another sticker.
Not knowing what to do at this point because when I reported his behavior to the teacher in his room yesterday, I was given instructions for potty training over the next 3-day weekend that we have (Memorial Day weekend). But since he seems to want to use the potty, I brought 3 changes of clothes, 3 underpants, and a spare pair of shoes to school today and reported his behavior to the head teacher in the classroom. She declared him ready for the potty and put him into underpants right then and there. She put him onto the classroom potty, where he sat looking a bit confused (it has no peepee guard like our potty seat does) but got very excited for the underpants. They gave him another sticker for good effort (he sat on the potty after all and didn't want the diaper - yay!).
So if he does good today and tomorrow, he will no longer be attending daycare in diapers!! Woohoo!!
I think I will think what we are doing this weekend after Friday...
May 12, 2010
Random Mommy Thoughts...
1) Teething is equally cruel on the child and the parents!
Monkey slept horribly last night because two 2-year-old molars are currently cutting. Thank the Heavens these are the last 2 teeth to cut for a long while. However, I have no clue what there is left to help him with the pain. Before bed, he already gets: 1)Motrin/Ibuprofen for the pain, 2) Benadryl for the excess secretions draining from pretty much any facial orifice (my pediatrician recommended this route, so please ask yours before doing this) 3) Hyland's teething tabs (which worked wonderfully for the earlier teeth, but seems to have little effect on molars). Combined with having nightmares of my own last night means that I'm doubling my normal intake of coffee this morning just to have the energy to move.
2) Potty training is about the weirdest part of parenthood so far.
Around February, I got the brilliant idea that Monkey was ready for potty training because he always told me when he was going to poop. After a weekend of trying I realized a couple of things: 1) just because I thought it looked like a good potty, doesn't mean Monkey will want to use that one 2) he wanted to use the big potty like mommy and daddy 3) just because he knows when he is going, doesn't mean he wants to actually use the potty. He is just giving me warning of what is to come.
So after that epic fail, we left the training potty lid we got for the big potty on and let him sit up there whenever he asked to sit there. Which pretty much meant whenever he wanted an excuse to have us read to him for 30 minutes to an hour straight. However, we didn't want to discourage potty time, so we did it.
Then this morning, Monkey said he needed to use the potty. So I helped him out of his pants and diaper and down he sat. I got the books ready for reading and then he PEED! ON! THE! POTTY! I did a little celebratory dance, called the hubby, and showed Monkey how to clean up after using the potty. Of course this made me realize two new things: 1) it is sad when the highlight of your morning is your 2-year-old peeing in the toilet and 2) what the hell do I do now? Now that is he is expressing interest and actually doing something on the potty, how do I move him to doing all his needs on the potty?? I don't remember a class in medical school teaching me how to direct potty training...
Monkey slept horribly last night because two 2-year-old molars are currently cutting. Thank the Heavens these are the last 2 teeth to cut for a long while. However, I have no clue what there is left to help him with the pain. Before bed, he already gets: 1)Motrin/Ibuprofen for the pain, 2) Benadryl for the excess secretions draining from pretty much any facial orifice (my pediatrician recommended this route, so please ask yours before doing this) 3) Hyland's teething tabs (which worked wonderfully for the earlier teeth, but seems to have little effect on molars). Combined with having nightmares of my own last night means that I'm doubling my normal intake of coffee this morning just to have the energy to move.
2) Potty training is about the weirdest part of parenthood so far.
Around February, I got the brilliant idea that Monkey was ready for potty training because he always told me when he was going to poop. After a weekend of trying I realized a couple of things: 1) just because I thought it looked like a good potty, doesn't mean Monkey will want to use that one 2) he wanted to use the big potty like mommy and daddy 3) just because he knows when he is going, doesn't mean he wants to actually use the potty. He is just giving me warning of what is to come.
So after that epic fail, we left the training potty lid we got for the big potty on and let him sit up there whenever he asked to sit there. Which pretty much meant whenever he wanted an excuse to have us read to him for 30 minutes to an hour straight. However, we didn't want to discourage potty time, so we did it.
Then this morning, Monkey said he needed to use the potty. So I helped him out of his pants and diaper and down he sat. I got the books ready for reading and then he PEED! ON! THE! POTTY! I did a little celebratory dance, called the hubby, and showed Monkey how to clean up after using the potty. Of course this made me realize two new things: 1) it is sad when the highlight of your morning is your 2-year-old peeing in the toilet and 2) what the hell do I do now? Now that is he is expressing interest and actually doing something on the potty, how do I move him to doing all his needs on the potty?? I don't remember a class in medical school teaching me how to direct potty training...
Because breastfeeding is cool!
I'm a huge advocate of breastfeeding your little one. If I had it my way, every baby would be breastfed. The scientifically-back benefits are numerous and impressive. I breastfed Monkey until he was 14 months and we only stopped then because he was going to start daycare and I didn't want to pump anymore. If he had it his way, I think he would still be breastfeeding.
When we were breastfeeding, I commonly did it out in public. If my baby was hungry, I fed him. When doing it out in public I often used a hooter hider. I didn't do this because of my own modesty (which I think I might have some somewhere...), but because of the looks people would give me when they saw me nursing. Especially when he got older and people would give me the look that clearly said "why are you still nursing a child that old?" I don't know when 12 months became too old to nurse, but I got the hider so we could nurse in comfort without all of the rude stares or questions. However, Monkey hated the hider. In the summer, he would get hot under it. He didn't like being unable to see what was going around him. Instead of enjoying our 20 minutes of bonding, it became a battle to keep the damn hider over at least half of us.
Then today, a friend of mine posted this website on facebook: www.ifbreastfeedingoffendsyou.org The title made me laugh something fierce. Then I read today's post on the site and I stopped laughing. It was such an interesting article I needed to share it and I hope you will take the time to read it. The history of how formula companies have undermined breastfeeding is a scary thing. I believe if more people were educated about the benefits of breastfeeding and the societal attitudes against a woman openly feeding her child the way nature intended were changed, breastfeeding in public wouldn't require the damn hider that made it such a tedious process for us.
When we were breastfeeding, I commonly did it out in public. If my baby was hungry, I fed him. When doing it out in public I often used a hooter hider. I didn't do this because of my own modesty (which I think I might have some somewhere...), but because of the looks people would give me when they saw me nursing. Especially when he got older and people would give me the look that clearly said "why are you still nursing a child that old?" I don't know when 12 months became too old to nurse, but I got the hider so we could nurse in comfort without all of the rude stares or questions. However, Monkey hated the hider. In the summer, he would get hot under it. He didn't like being unable to see what was going around him. Instead of enjoying our 20 minutes of bonding, it became a battle to keep the damn hider over at least half of us.
Then today, a friend of mine posted this website on facebook: www.ifbreastfeedingoffendsyou.org The title made me laugh something fierce. Then I read today's post on the site and I stopped laughing. It was such an interesting article I needed to share it and I hope you will take the time to read it. The history of how formula companies have undermined breastfeeding is a scary thing. I believe if more people were educated about the benefits of breastfeeding and the societal attitudes against a woman openly feeding her child the way nature intended were changed, breastfeeding in public wouldn't require the damn hider that made it such a tedious process for us.
May 11, 2010
Take it off Tuesdays!
In my family, personal addictions are the rule more than the exception. However, addictions vary from person to person. My addiction: food. And I'm not just talking about eating too much. I love to bake, cook, experiment, and eat food. My favorite childhood game: Kids in the Kitchen. My mom supervised while my friends and I would pretend we had our own cooking show and bake wacky creations. With the high metabolism and nonstop attitude of childhood, I remained a healthy weight even with my unhealthy eating habits.
However, when I entered college, things changed. My activity level dropped as I spent hours doing what a pre-med does best: studying. My roommates introduced me to the most dangerous two men on the planet: Ben and Jerry. By the end of college I was up 20 pounds. Then I entered medical school and I gained 10 pounds in the span of 6 months. After seeing a picture of myself one day, I realized I needed a change and I joined Weight Watchers. Within 1 year, I dropped 45 pounds with barely a thought and was the thinnest I ever was in my life. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. I maintained it for over 1 year.
Then, I got pregnant. However, I watched what I ate, tried to maintain activity, and at 32 weeks pregnant, I had only gained 30 pounds. I was exactly where my OB wanted me. Then came the most dreaded phrase any pregnant woman can hear: bed rest. Because of some complications with my health, I was placed bed rest for the next 7 weeks. I gained 3-4 pounds every week. Without physical activity, I ballooned. By time I had delivered Ethan, I was up over 50 pounds from my starting weight. Ugh...
After delivering him, my weight didn't change an ounce. Every time I tried to reduce my calories or increase my exercise, my milk supply dropped. Since breastfeeding was more important than weight loss in my eyes, I continued to maintain a very unhealthy weight. After I weaned him, I tried Weight Watchers again, but this time it just wasn't working. Even with following every letter of the Weight Watchers law, I still barely lost half a pound each week. I was not a happy camper.
Then my OB started a weight loss group in her office with the help of 2 nutritionists and another doctor. A medically managed weight loss program with a diet tailored to each participant and weekly meetings with one of the nutritionists to help re-tailor the diet each week. They promised a 3-5 pound weight loss each week without medication and 5-7 pound loss with medication. I didn't need to be asked twice. As my Christmas present from the hubby, I joined myself right up.
I've now been on the diet for about 14 weeks (today starts week 15). Even with many "bad" weeks (aka: weeks where I didn't follow the plan or didn't bother exercising), I'm now down a total of 29 pounds! My diet is basically a low-fat, low-carb, high-protein diet with a minimum of 30 minutes exercise daily. There are no calories to count, no points to track. I just eat food from my "allowed" list in reasonable portions. I get 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, plus dessert. I love it! It is super easy, I rarely feel like I'm bored with my foods, and I'm losing weight. Added side effects: I found some gym activities I actually enjoy and I have more energy. Yay me!
However, when I entered college, things changed. My activity level dropped as I spent hours doing what a pre-med does best: studying. My roommates introduced me to the most dangerous two men on the planet: Ben and Jerry. By the end of college I was up 20 pounds. Then I entered medical school and I gained 10 pounds in the span of 6 months. After seeing a picture of myself one day, I realized I needed a change and I joined Weight Watchers. Within 1 year, I dropped 45 pounds with barely a thought and was the thinnest I ever was in my life. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. I maintained it for over 1 year.
Then, I got pregnant. However, I watched what I ate, tried to maintain activity, and at 32 weeks pregnant, I had only gained 30 pounds. I was exactly where my OB wanted me. Then came the most dreaded phrase any pregnant woman can hear: bed rest. Because of some complications with my health, I was placed bed rest for the next 7 weeks. I gained 3-4 pounds every week. Without physical activity, I ballooned. By time I had delivered Ethan, I was up over 50 pounds from my starting weight. Ugh...
After delivering him, my weight didn't change an ounce. Every time I tried to reduce my calories or increase my exercise, my milk supply dropped. Since breastfeeding was more important than weight loss in my eyes, I continued to maintain a very unhealthy weight. After I weaned him, I tried Weight Watchers again, but this time it just wasn't working. Even with following every letter of the Weight Watchers law, I still barely lost half a pound each week. I was not a happy camper.
Then my OB started a weight loss group in her office with the help of 2 nutritionists and another doctor. A medically managed weight loss program with a diet tailored to each participant and weekly meetings with one of the nutritionists to help re-tailor the diet each week. They promised a 3-5 pound weight loss each week without medication and 5-7 pound loss with medication. I didn't need to be asked twice. As my Christmas present from the hubby, I joined myself right up.
I've now been on the diet for about 14 weeks (today starts week 15). Even with many "bad" weeks (aka: weeks where I didn't follow the plan or didn't bother exercising), I'm now down a total of 29 pounds! My diet is basically a low-fat, low-carb, high-protein diet with a minimum of 30 minutes exercise daily. There are no calories to count, no points to track. I just eat food from my "allowed" list in reasonable portions. I get 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, plus dessert. I love it! It is super easy, I rarely feel like I'm bored with my foods, and I'm losing weight. Added side effects: I found some gym activities I actually enjoy and I have more energy. Yay me!
May 10, 2010
Where did April go??
So I meant to blog at least twice a week, but somehow I lost the month of April. Maybe that was because we were barely home all month.
Right after my last post we headed off to Disney World with the Monkey and my in-laws. It was a crazy fun trip. Monkey loved every minute of it! However, the highlight of the trip was the morning of our first full day there. We did breakfast at Chef Mickey's where the Fab Five (Goofy, Daisy, Pluto, Minnie, and Mickey) walk around the restaurant. When Mickey stopped at our table, I thought Monkey was going to die from happiness. I never saw a bigger smile on his face. I also think he shattered a few ear drums with his piercing squeal of "MICKEY MOUSE!!!" That moment made the entire week completely worth every penny and dime spent. Although, the Animal Kingdom Lodge was amazing and I think Monkey would like to move in and permanently stay there. And his favorite ride of the vacation: Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. We had to drag him off the ride kicking and screaming. He loved driving the car!
When we got home, I immediately got very sick for the next week. I'm talking 102F fever, nausea, body aches, the whole works. I'm guessing it was some fun flu-like viral illness. Just as I was going to scrape myself off the couch and head to the doctor, the fever broke and I started to get better. Of fracking course...
After that it was a road-trip off to Erie to find a house to rent and a school for Monkey. In one day, we successfully found both! The hospital I'll be working for offers subsidized rentals for the residents and a 3-bedroom home opened up! It is a cute little cape with a two car garage and a huge backyard that is already fenced in! It was an answer to a heart prayer! The rooms are a bit smaller than we are used to currently, but we have an entire basement for storage (so maybe I can use the closets for stuff we are currently using!) and the backyard means the dog and Monkey have some place to run around without being trapped in my living room. The school is also smaller than the one Monkey currently goes to, but I think that will be to his benefit. It is at a local Baptist school 2 blocks from our house, which has the hubby a bit concerned since we are Catholic. But he got over that since it was the best fit academically and emotionally for Monkey compared to the other schools we interviewed.
Since we were able to do everything that was needed in one day, we spent our second day meeting up with a friend with twin 2-year old boys in Buffalo, NY. My friend is actually a mommy I met online when I first found out I was pregnant and joined a discussion board for pregnant woman due in March 2008. We had never met in person before, but I have talked to her on a regular basis for almost 3 years now so it was more like seeing an old friend than meeting a new one. :-) Our boys had a blast together and were like peas in a pod by the end of the day. Monkey is very reticent about his displays of affection, but he was hugging everyone by the end of the day. It was so stinking cute! And I got to finally see Niagra Falls (definitely doing more trips there now that I know it is so close!) and have real Buffalo wings (so good!). It was definitely one hell of a fun weekend.
So now we have been back for a week and I've been trying to clean my apartment. Last week I attacked Monkey's bedroom and wardrobe. Yes, his room took a week to clean. I don't know what he does in there. This week is our bedroom and, if I'm feeling ambitious, our bathroom.
Right after my last post we headed off to Disney World with the Monkey and my in-laws. It was a crazy fun trip. Monkey loved every minute of it! However, the highlight of the trip was the morning of our first full day there. We did breakfast at Chef Mickey's where the Fab Five (Goofy, Daisy, Pluto, Minnie, and Mickey) walk around the restaurant. When Mickey stopped at our table, I thought Monkey was going to die from happiness. I never saw a bigger smile on his face. I also think he shattered a few ear drums with his piercing squeal of "MICKEY MOUSE!!!" That moment made the entire week completely worth every penny and dime spent. Although, the Animal Kingdom Lodge was amazing and I think Monkey would like to move in and permanently stay there. And his favorite ride of the vacation: Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. We had to drag him off the ride kicking and screaming. He loved driving the car!
When we got home, I immediately got very sick for the next week. I'm talking 102F fever, nausea, body aches, the whole works. I'm guessing it was some fun flu-like viral illness. Just as I was going to scrape myself off the couch and head to the doctor, the fever broke and I started to get better. Of fracking course...
After that it was a road-trip off to Erie to find a house to rent and a school for Monkey. In one day, we successfully found both! The hospital I'll be working for offers subsidized rentals for the residents and a 3-bedroom home opened up! It is a cute little cape with a two car garage and a huge backyard that is already fenced in! It was an answer to a heart prayer! The rooms are a bit smaller than we are used to currently, but we have an entire basement for storage (so maybe I can use the closets for stuff we are currently using!) and the backyard means the dog and Monkey have some place to run around without being trapped in my living room. The school is also smaller than the one Monkey currently goes to, but I think that will be to his benefit. It is at a local Baptist school 2 blocks from our house, which has the hubby a bit concerned since we are Catholic. But he got over that since it was the best fit academically and emotionally for Monkey compared to the other schools we interviewed.
Since we were able to do everything that was needed in one day, we spent our second day meeting up with a friend with twin 2-year old boys in Buffalo, NY. My friend is actually a mommy I met online when I first found out I was pregnant and joined a discussion board for pregnant woman due in March 2008. We had never met in person before, but I have talked to her on a regular basis for almost 3 years now so it was more like seeing an old friend than meeting a new one. :-) Our boys had a blast together and were like peas in a pod by the end of the day. Monkey is very reticent about his displays of affection, but he was hugging everyone by the end of the day. It was so stinking cute! And I got to finally see Niagra Falls (definitely doing more trips there now that I know it is so close!) and have real Buffalo wings (so good!). It was definitely one hell of a fun weekend.
So now we have been back for a week and I've been trying to clean my apartment. Last week I attacked Monkey's bedroom and wardrobe. Yes, his room took a week to clean. I don't know what he does in there. This week is our bedroom and, if I'm feeling ambitious, our bathroom.
