Where did I go????

I feel as if I am in a whirlwind and I am trying to figure out where I am. As it takes me 5 attempts to just correctly type this first sentence, I know I need to slow down, strip down, and soak in the tub. Alas, I can't find the time. Time seems to be quickly ticking down this holiday season and I am not finding myself able to actually succeed at accomplishing anything.

I did get the chance to enjoy myself last weekend when my DH took me to Tulsa for my Christmas present. We stayed downtown at the Crowne Plaza, only 2 blocks away from the BOK Center where we were to see Cirque Du Soleil. We had a magnificent dinner at Fleming's in Utica Square. And I had an extremely inebriated evening as I imbibed too heavily. I am not sure if the over-intoxication was more in a celebratory fashion as this is the first night I have spent (especially since Ry-Ry was born) without children in a very long time, or if I was trying to keep my mind so fuddled that I would not care that this was my first night away from my children in almost 6 months, plus the fact that this was the first time that my children had ever spent the night with the In-Laws without their parents present. Either way, a half-bottle of wine, a watered down margarita, and 3 martinis later - I slept somewhat peacefully until I had to get up again at 8am to pump-and-dump my alcoholic supply of breastmilk. It was truly a glorious evening though and I am so happy that my DH made all of the arrangements. For the performance, our seats were in the second row on the floor. I just loved being so close to the action to see all of the details. They were incredible.

Now I am looking at having to try to get my Christmas cards in the mail, finish gifts for this Friday evening, get snacks for my son's class on Wednesday and Friday, buy gifts for the 3 kids we adopted off a tree at a store, and get everything else wrapped up by this weekend, so that I can try to enjoy the time with my kids. Oh, yeah, and still find care for my kids when my DH and I head out the end of the month for the OSU Holiday Bowl. Two weeks left, and still nothing set in stone. That makes me a little too anxious as my days keep coming to a quick close.

Well, time to get fancied up for my sorority alumni party this evening. Hopefully connections will be made and holiday cheer will be spread as I find myself being whipped around in every-which-direction this year.

Time to hibernate

I really have a strong desire to follow my baby's lead and "hibernate" this chilly morning. The sound of the rain and thunder last night was so soothing and relaxing to me as I soaked my stress away in a tub of hot "Mexico." (see previous posts for further explanation) A white chocolate martini and a good book in hand and I was soon ready for La-La-Land.

Then this morning, it is chilly and windy and makes me want to curl up under my fleecy blanket and hibernate the morning and afternoon away. Ry-Ry did just this. He woke up long enough to play for a little while as I fixed breakfast for the older two. He was quite content to roll around in his crib under his blanket, then have a diaper change and a nice warm bottle. He barely finished eating and went right back to sleep where he rolled to his side and curled up under his blankets again as I laid him in his crib. Oh to be so small and get to enjoy those glorious, warm, mom-is-so-envious moments.

I guess I will just have to enjoy a nice cup of hot cocoa, a blanket, and a little quiet reading time this afternoon after I drop big brother off for Pre-K this afternoon. My to-do-list can be "do-ed" (as KD says it) after I pick the kids up from school. There is something good about being a stay-at-home-mommy sometimes.

Dear Hubby....... here's your clue

I love my DH. He is sometimes so clueless.... or maybe it is becaues he is so busy with his business and having to be direct all of the time, that just laying items out as a hint for X-mas doesn't work for him.

Case-in-point. This week we got a flyer for the triple-B store. Since I like to play "Mexico" when soaking in our tub (pretending I'm soaking in the ocean, drinking my cocktail, reading a good book and relaxing - while actually looking at a picture of a Mexican beach) , I turned the flyer to the bath tray that extends over the tub, holds the book, the wine, etc. My DH just looks at it and asks if there was anything good in the flyer. My response.... "Duh!"

Although for Christmas, he is taking me to Tulsa to see "Saltimbanco" performed by Cirque du Soleil next Friday night. We are staying the night in a hotel and our kids will be staying with his parents in Bartlesville. My first night away from the baby. But in order to get this "present," I had to forward an e-mail about the ticket information with the text - FOR ME FOR CHRISTMAS.

I guess the only complaint is that it takes the romanticism out of him doing something for me - without me having to lay out so many hints or be so direct. But I have already resigned myself to stop trying to surprise him, as he always guesses what his presents are from me or his family before he even opens them. He rather be direct - get what he wants when he wants - and not have to wait for some silly holiday. So I handed over the form for bowl tickets requests and said, "Merry Christmas - now go fax this from your work."

Morning Muffs for Mommies (and Daddies too)

an old pic of JT and KD; Ry-Ry

Why is it that upon awakening in the morning, the volume of my darling children's voices has increased 20 times from the previous evening? Could it be a physical condition on my children's part, or on my own?

I feel as if my children are yelling at the top of their lungs for a good 15 minutes every morning until my constant nagging and shushing helps their brain to return to a more normal volume.

Or could it be that I have not acquired enough caffeine consumption early enough in the morning in order for my brain to process the constant chatter, singing, arguing, and what-not from my little darlings?

Until this quandary is solved, I really feel as if their needs to be morning muffs for mommies. Daddies can wear these as well - although our daddy is already long gone before the children arise. These muffs would be soft, easy-to-wear, and almost completely block out the noises of my children until either their brains tune in that they are speaking in abnormally loud tones, or I have consumed enough coffee to handle all of their chittering-and-chattering. That would be sometime close to noon.