Halloween treats

Hubby is home today because he had a doctor appointment this morning. It's cool because now he gets to come with me and the kids to Jen's annual Tricks and Treats party. So the kids are napping and hubby and I were just standing in the kitchen and he said to me, "I don't like those jeans." I replied, "What do you mean? You picked these out." He looked puzzled and put on his jacket, and announced he was going out to get me some nice Levi's. I said, "Hey, why not pick me out a shirt to go with these new jeans?" He thought that was a fine idea, and asked me my new shoe size (since I am bigger and better post-prego).

I hate to admit that I've been wearing these jeans just about every time I go out. They're literally the only pair of fall pants I own at the moment (remember I've gone through three rounds of closet cleaning in the past six months). I had a few skirts and capris during the summer, but now it's just this lonely pair of pants. My involuntary uniform. I don't even know why I don't have more pants... guess I just haven't gotten around to it. I'm still a size 28, so some lucky size 25 at some Goodwill store is having a field day with my now-$3.99 Lucky Brand jeans collection. I imagine Goodwill hiring a circus sideshow-type announcer. "Come one, come all, see the spectacle of the century! Outrageously costly dungarees, once beloved, now cast aside like ill-fitting rubbish! Yours for just a fraction of their original price! Lucky, Lucky!"

I might be bitter if I weren't about to get a nice Halloween treat of my very own. If I'd known it would be this easy to get more new clothes, I'd have done the jeans uniform thing long ago. Happy Halloween to all. Look out Tootsie Rolls, here I come.

No more ickies

So yesterday I had a sick day. Afraid I might either barf all over the place, or be doubled over with stomach cramps the whole time, I opted to skip the Fall Festival. It was a bummer. I couldn't take a real sick day where you get to lie in bed and watch tv the whole time, but given the fact that my belly was still in knots at dinner time, I think I made the right decision.

This morning we are meeting our plumber at The Dude's place. The shower pipes need a checking out. I might pop in on our old neighbors, the G.I. Joes, to see if they would mind watching Nico while I'm upstairs waiting patiently for the work to be completed. I'm curious to see how it looks in there. Right now I'm off to get dressed and make a list of little things I need to bring with me. This morning was reserved for a food shopping trip, but, alas, I shall visit my sweet Wegman's another day.

Gettin' off my duff

This morning I was thinking about staying home. The weather here was (and still is) cold and rainy. Instead of sitting home, though, I got the kids and myself ready and we went out to be among friends. Our moms' group had its monthly meeting, and after that we had a health and safety fair. Interesting stuff. Nico was impressed with the two-way phone, and he and the 9-1-1 lady chatted for quite some time. It was so nice to see our friends and talk to everyone. After we got back home and the kids were down for their naps, I started to get a little weepy just thinking about moving away. It already feels like there's a lot of distance... almost like our old town is already part of a former life. In a way I guess that is the reality of the situation, but if it's ok with you I think I'll cling to it just a little longer. Getting attached to people and having to leave is already ripping a little hole in my chest. It's not the band-aid kind of situation for me. I don't know what leaves me with less of a sting -- gradual goodbyes or clean breaks. Who really cares when they both hurt?

Tomorrow we're going back to see the girls and the kiddies again for the Fall Festival. Costumes, crafts, photos, and snacks. I've been rehearsing the whole costume thing with Nico, and hopefully when we get there it will sink in that everybody gets dressed up. That should make him feel a little less weird about wearing a dinosaur suit. By Friday's Halloween party at Jen's, he should be a pro.

"Scratch Me"

If I could put a sign on my back that reads "Scratch Me", and not look too desperate, I would. Why is it so difficult for my husband to give me a decent back scratch anymore? It really bothers me that he fumbles with my shirt for three seconds, claims difficulty due to clothing interference, and that's alls I gets? Nothing bothers me more than that "this is too hard" crap, especially coming from a grown person. *pff* Fine then. See who folds those clothes in the dryer.

Sheets in three parts

So Nico's got the cutest toddler bed ever. It's about 50% wider than the standard size, and the fold-up ends are just the cutest thing. Today we finally went back to IKEA to get the three-part sheets that go with the three-part mattress. It only took us about two hours, including lunch. Hubby (who had a sick day from work) and I saw a few cute things which we've labeled in our minds as "future possessions", and he told me about some speakers in my mom's attic that we can put out on our new porch. I hear these speakers look like big rocks. Hmm... rock speakers? I'm intrigued. With our future outdoor lighting and future patio furniture, we should be throwing some kickass barbeques.

It has also come to my attention that I have neglected to pay a certain bill which was due, oh, back in April. The paperwork is nowhere to be found, but I'm sure finding something online won't be that difficult since these people seem to make it their business to give citizens a lot of options when it comes to grabbing up their cash. They've got that "pay us or we'll take it from you" attitude which I find to be so off-putting. Somehow, in my mind, it's been more important to clothe my children and provide sheets for their adorable little beds. I've got priorities, for Pete's sake.

Early morning guessing game

There's no mistaking what the baby wants if she wakes up in the middle of the night. It's rare, but from time to time she enjoys a bottle in the wee hours of the morning. When Nico is in his room yelling at 6am, I know what he wants, too. He wants to get up and start his day. Lucky, lucky.

This morning's crankpot conversation went something like this (try not to be amazed at the wide variety of toddler responses here)...

Part 1. "Cereal?" "No." "Milk?" "Nnno." "Juice?" (Nico nodding) "No."

Part 2. "OJ?" "No." "Apple juice?" "No." "Apple?" (Nico pointing to sippy cup) "Juice." "OK." I pour apple cider into an orange sippy. Nico takes it, along with an empty green sippy, to the coffee table.

Part 3. "Raisin Bran?" "No." "Cheerios?" (no answer) I pour Cheerios into a bowl and Nico eats half, then dumps the other half into a wicker basket and proceeds to eat from there.

Part 4. "Wanna watch a show?" It's 6:15am and I'm hoping to catch a break. "No." "TV?" "No." "Sesame Street?" "No." Damn it. "Dinosaur?" (He answers with dino noises and a scary pose) I put Nico in his Halloween costume turn on some music so he can dance. Two minutes later, he unzips the costume and stands on his bongo drums so he can open my laptop to do some very important work. Hopefully he's not blogging about me. I scoop him up and sit him on my lap and ask, "Who's my favorite son? Is it you?" "No."

Liar.