Aloha Friday!

Since it's the Halloween edition of "Aloha Friday" today's question is:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY?

Mine is a "Clark Bar" made right here in Pittsburgh, Pa. It's like a Butterfinger, only WAY BETTER!

Check out islandlife808.com for more Aloha Friday fun!

Trick or Treat! WOOF! Part 2

Yesterday was Bobby's first experience at Trick or Treating. I wrote about my hopes for his costume here. Thanks to my sister, Erin (aka Ee-Ee), it turned out perfect. I shudder to think what it would have looked like if I attempted to do it myself given my level of craftiness...

Bobby wore the costume ALL DAY and loved it!!

Yo Gabba Gabba

What is the premise of this show? I have now seen it a few times and I still don't "get it".

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

We all have our personality quirks. I am a creature of habit. I do not like change. I like routine, predictability and habit. Even when I was young, I did not adjust easily to new things.

In early elementary school, if I was faced with a substitute teacher, I would panic a bit because things were not going to be done the way I expected them to be done. In much the same way, the start of every new school year brought excitement coupled with anxiety. I had to learn a new routine and new procedures. (My early school years were a nightmare for my parents, and especially my mother, who had to try to anticipate things that might occur so as to prepare me for them...but I'll not be writing about all that since it would take up weeks of blogging entries if I wanted to delve into all that...suffice it to say, I have overcome an almost paralyzing shyness)

Being that I don't like change, I like to keep Bobby on somewhat of a schedule and routine for my own benefit. I was thrown a curveball on Monday when I received an e-mail at work from his sitter indicating that her family schedule/needs were changing and she probably wouldn't be available to regularly watch him. I was very upset and started crying in my office, and really cried that night as I finally had the words to respond to the email...I spent 45 minutes with her yesterday morning as I dropped Bobby off--it's a hard pill to swallow.

To back up a bit...I found out I was pregnant in September 2006. I always intended to take maternity leave and return to work. I knew my mom would help out some with watching the baby but I didn't want her to do 100%. I also knew I didn't want him in a daycare, but rather in a home setting. So, just 3 months into my pregnancy I began the search for part-time childcare. I posted on Craigslist, I checked out websites. I checked community bulletin boards, I asked co-workers...Around Dec. 2006 I was contacted by Heather--who responded to my craigslist posting. She was a teacher who quit to stay home with her kids and was looking for 1 child to watch. She lived in my town, about 10 minutes away. I made arrangements to meet her with my mom. I was impressed with her, her home environment and the way her kids were being raised. This was a good match. I had an agreement with her to watch Bobby after I returned to work, and he wasn't even born yet!!

Bobby arrived May 21, 2007 and I sent her pictures and shared my joy with her. We took him over in the summer to visit and let her meet him. He started going to Heather 3 days a week beginning in August 2007. She's a loving, energetic and wonderful caregiver. She taught him baby sign language. She helped me figure out what kind of sippy cup he liked. She took him to the library for storytime. For his 1st birthday she made me a scrapbook of pictures of him through the year at her house. When I take him in the morning, he is anxious to go inside and happy to be there to play with the girls. Rob and I were pleased with how she cared for him, what he learned there and his development. She "knows" Bobby and appreciates his personality. She's seen his development from a 3mo. old to a 17 mo. toddler...

Now I find myself about to begin another search...and to change the routine...

Aloha Friday...

It's time again for "Aloha Friday"... the "day of rest" in blogging world. Today's question is:

What is your favorite game show on t.v. (new or old!)?

Personally, mine is Jeopardy! (Even though Alex is pompous)*

Check out An Island Life for some links to other cool blogs and Aloha Friday questions!

*When I tried out for Teen Jeopardy in high school, Alex was at the try-out and did a Q&A session with the teens. I asked him for an autograph for my best friend, Tom. Alex declined saying, if he gave me an autograph, he'd have to give everyone one. So, I followed Tom's instructions and said, "Alex, you're pompous" and then I sat down. Hmm...wonder if that had something to do with me not getting picked?

Ralph's World

My friend, Melissa sent Bobby this CD entitled "Peggy's Pie Parlor" for his birthday:

I thought she might have picked it out just because the album was by a band called "Ralph's World" (her Dad's name is Ralph...) Anyway, I found myself listening to this CD in the car even when Bobby was not with me. They are infectious songs that cover a lot of different genres. The title song is a polka, there is rock, pop as well as traditional songs. If you are like me and don't want to just listen to mindless kid pop, the Ralph's World CD's are excellent!! Check out the website, and you can hear snippets of the songs online...

WW Wednesday

I lost 3.6 lbs!! WOOHOO

The weight watchers points system seems to work, and I don't feel completely deprived (I went to happy hour and had beer & wings with Rob on Friday)...

New and Improved

As you can see, I changed the format and header for "The Snug". Just trying different layouts and templates. The picture I added as the header is one of my favorite pictures of Bobby. He was 2 1/2 weeks old, on his first trip to the beach and my parents' beach house, "The Irish Belle". I just love the contrast between his "chicken" legs and Rob's...
Now that he's over 30lbs. and 17mo. old--it's hard to remember him ever being that little...
It brings a smile to my face every time I look at that picture--good enough reason to have it as the title of my blog!

Aloha Friday

Today's question is...

Do you prefer college or NFL football? What is your favorite team?

Personally, I prefer college, and I cheer for the Irish of Notre Dame!

B-B-O

We have big white letters above Bobby's closet spelling out his name. Rob started a little routine of pointing to the letters and saying "B, O, B, B, Y. What's that spell? Bobby! That's YOU!" Bobby really enjoys this little ditty and laughs and smiles. He now points to the letters too.
However, he doesn't quite get the order right and instead keeps saying "BBO". This is his new name for himself and we've started referring to him as BBO.

Now, as an uber-fan of Seinfeld, anytime I hear BBO, I can't help but think of "BBO" as "BEYOND B.O."-- 1. beyond B.O. (body odor) 2. an unbelievable case of B.O. 3. may cause longtime car wash guys in the business for 38 years to say he’s never smelled anything like it 4. quote: “Oh, this isn’t even B.O.! This is beyond B.O.! It’s B.B.O.” — George Costanza

As a mother, I don't really want to associate my adorable little boy with a horrendous case of body odor but I can't help it. Curses!

Recipe for Disaster?

I signed Bobby up for Music Together classes. Tonight is our 3rd class. The first week he was a holy terror. There were about 8 kids there. I spent the hour dragging him back into the classroom (in the church basement) after he would run into the hallway, the bathroom, the kitchen, up the steps etc. It was an exhausting class.

Last week he was much improved. There were only 3 other kids there, lots of room to move around and I convinced the teacher and other parents to keep the door closed thus preventing his escape from the classroom. He seemed to enjoy it and even marched around and danced!

However, I have just been informed by my mother that Bobby has only slept about an hour all day today. Good Grief.

What do you get when you mix (1) overly tired 16 month old with (4) other toddlers and singing and dancing? ONE TIRED MAMA!

Trick or Treat! WOOF!

I wrote about "Freny" previously. In trying to decide what Bobby should be for Halloween, I thought I should make him be something meaningful to him. He loves this dog. He also pants and/or woofs whenever he sees a dog. I thought it would be an easy-to-make costume with a white hoodie and sweatpants. Easier said than done. It is nearly impossible to find plain white toddler sweats. I have enlisted my sister, who is much more crafty than I, to help.

Stay tuned for more details...

C is for Cookie

I am not looking forward to WW Wednesday this week. My friend Shannon got married on Saturday and I'm pretty sure that I went over my "points" for the week--damn the cookie table tradition and bacon-wrapped scallop appetizers! I should do a detox/cleanse for the next week! *sigh* I've gotta get back on track...I just hope I don't regain the 3lbs. I lost last week.

Two steps forward, one step back.

Let's Get Physical-Part 3

I almost spit out my water last night while watching "The Office" and hearing Michael Scott and HR Holly singing, "Let's Get Ethical...Ethical...I wanna get Ethi-caaaal, let's Get into Ethics now..."

I will never think of that ON-J song the same again!

Let's Get Physical--Part 2

God, I really LOVED that song by Olivia Newton-John when I was little. It debuted on the charts in November 1981. I was 7 years old. I remember getting the 45 single for Christmas and playing it over and over and over...and dancing and singing around the family room where the record player was located.

I remember singing it while I waited for my bus after school. I went to Catholic school. I remember my principal, Sister Mariella, scolding me and telling me that I should not be singing that song at school. I couldn't figure out why. The video was just about exercising and my 7 year old mind did not see any other meaning--what was wrong with exercise? And besides, it was "Sandy" from Grease singing it, she was a nice girl...

As Olivia Newton-John says, "Let's Get Physical"

Week 2 of the new weight loss regime starts today. Last week I focused on getting back on track with eating. This week I'm going to try to get back to daily (or at least regular) exercise.

I used to be militant about exercise. I always hated it, but I made myself do it religiously. Of course, that was before I worked full-time, got married and had a baby. Now, if I'm short on time, exercise is the first thing to go. I generally don't like exercising and I'm a clock-watcher; counting down the minutes until I can stop.

I know people say, just tell yourself, "I'll exercise for 10 minutes" and then once you get started you'll do more. Not me. If I did that, after 10 minutes I'd be ready to quit.

I did get a Wii Fit last May which I do really love--it is really fun and addictive. I love to see my little Mii hula hooping and running. I've got a plan in my mind, let's just hope I can get my body to do it!

Losing It!

Week 1 was a SUCCESS! I'm down 3.2 lbs!

WW Wednesday

My friend Shannon and I joined Weight Watchers last Wednesday. She wants to lose weight for health reasons. So do I, but I also want to lose the last of the baby weight now that Bobby is 16 months old. (If I still have the weight when he's almost 1 1/2 years old, can I still call it baby weight?) I also have too many suits in my closet that I'm on the verge of fitting into again.

I'd also like to drop a few pounds while Baby #2 is still a future plan, and not a reality. I know what's going to happen. It's what I call "Murray's law"--I'm going to spend the next 6 months being vigilant and getting my figure back only to get pregnant again and put it all back on next summer. That's the circle of life, my friends. hehe

Rob can attest to the many half-hearted attempts and weight loss failures in trying to lose the last bit of weight. Maybe by publicly shaming myself, I'll finally reach my goal!

I weigh in at lunch time. I am hoping for some motivating success...

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

Since last Monday's Steeler game, Rob has been battling a cold. Congestion, coughing, the works. He's been sleeping in the guest room because the coughing was keeping me awake and he was tossing and turning so much I slept horribly.

I had a sleep study done back in 2006 because I always seemed tired no matter how much sleep I got. The results? Not sleep apnea (as I had self-diagnosed)...but Marriage. Yes, the Doctor basically told me that I slept just fine during the study. REM sleep, dream state and all that other good stuff. No, he diagnosed that my sleepiness was due not to any medical conditions but rather to the sleep patterns of my mate. Nice, huh. How do you treat that one, Doc?

Although I sleep better without him in the bed, I want him there next to me. I consider it one of the many perks of marriage. I still like that he tucks me in every night even though he comes to bed a few hours after me.
He's tentatively scheduled to check out of the guest room tomorrow and I'm glad.

The War Rages On...

It is that time of year again. The autumn leaves are falling, the days are getting shorter and Rob and I are battling for supreme control over the thermostat.

Rob is a human furnace and if he was allowed, he would not have the heat on or it would be set for the low 60s. I am always cold. I almost always have a blanket on. The temperatures at night have been dropping into the 40s, high 30s. Also, I heed the warnings about blankets in the crib and so Bobby goes to bed in just pajamas, or when it's really cold, I'll put a sleepsack on him.

Our programmable thermostat is set at 67. I routinely manually override the darn thing to bump it up if I'm cold and it's not kicking on. The other night Bobby woke up around 4 am. After I got out from under the covers, I was freezing. I checked the thermostat and Rob had manually adjusted the temperature to 62!!

We've called a cease fire in the war. We have each vowed to leave the temperature where it was set...

Will we be negotiating a peace treaty to this war for the next 50+ years?????

Himself

Bobby is 99.9% of the time a happy-go-lucky kid with nothing but pure joy for life. (The .1% is when I'm trying to get him to sleep and he's fighting to stay awake...)
When I look at his little face with all the wonder and excitement at the world around him, I know what is meant by the phrase, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling..."

It's the Great Pumpkin!

Bobby had his first outing to the pumpkin patch today! It was a great sunny day and Bobby seemed to really enjoy the sights and sounds...pigs in the pen, the "toddler" corn maze, the hay ride and getting his first pumpkin.

I celebrated the day by throwing my allergies into overload with all the hay, pollen and other particles in the air-HaHa. It was a great day!

Snip Snip

My baby got his first haircut *sniff-sniff*. There was great debate about when and where to get this done. Rob wanted him to go to a traditional barber. I wanted him to go to Charise's salon, and in particular to Linda who has been doing my hair since I was in my early teens. I won out, and we went to see Linda...

Here's the "Before"

It was a family affair with Rob and I both going, along with my sister and niece...

Rob was the paparazzo keeping the flash bulb going off in the kid's eyes...my sister, Erin (aka "Ee Ee") and niece, Aislinn (aka "Ya Ya") were there for moral support and as entertainment to keep Bobby distracted long enough for Linda to get the job done...and to make sure that I was distracted enough not to end up in tears in the salon!

Here's the "During":

In the end, I just had her clean it up and it wasn't styled into a little boy cut just yet...

Introducing "Curly"

Last weekend while Bobby and I were visiting my grandmother, she decided that Bobby should have a fish. "Grandma Ba" or "Mom," as I call her, was excited to hear about Bobby's first trip to the zoo and how much he liked the aquarium. She is a spunky 88 years old, and when she heard about this, she went to the Dollar Store and bought him a book, "Taking Care of My Pet" about a little bear that gets a goldfish to take care of. So, being the good granddaughter that I am, the next day Bobby and I went to Petco-where the Pets Go--and we picked out his first (of many I hope) pets.

We got a blue male beta fish:

Blue because that is my favorite color, and Bobby cannot express his favorite color to me just yet, so I got to choose. Rob named him "Curly" in honor of the fact that we got the fish the same week Bobby was scheduled to have his 1st haircut and lose all his baby curls...

Aloha Friday...

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So, in keeping with the Aloha Friday over at islandlife808.com, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

Today’s question is:

What was/is your all-time favorite Halloween costume?

Be Aware

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the fountain in Point State Park in Pittsburgh is dyed pink. I think it's pretty cool, and a great visual reminder to self-check and get regular exams.

My best friend was diagnosed in January 2001 with Breast Cancer when she was only 27 years old. It can happen to any of us-at any time. Thankfully, she had great doctors who put together quite a treatment plan, and she's now a survivor!

Let's take care of ourselves, ladies!