219.

No, it's not my golf score (although that's quite possible.) Nor is it my bowling score (I wish.)

Just for fun, I decided to keep a running tally of how many questions my three year old asks me in a day. Yesterday the total was 219.

And I didn't even start counting until 10 AM...and finally gave up at dinner time. Plus he had time for a 3 hour nap (must be his barrage of questioning wears him out).

How is that possible?

It's quite impressive, really. I started counting when we were on our way to help a friend whose car was in the shop. The rapid-fire technique is his favorite. "Why is her car broken? Did she break it? Who's going to fix it? How did she get it to the fixer place? How are they going to fix it?"

Is this normal?

My favorite question of the day:

"Why do I have a chin?"

I mean...how do you answer a question like that?

You are probably wondering if I answer every question. I would estimate I get an answer in every 5th question or so. His .02 second response time requirement before asking the next question doesn't allow me to prepare my answers as I'd like.

I just keep reminding myself that someday I will miss his interrogative little self. When the only question he asks becomes, "Can I have the car to go hang out at my friend's house?", I will look back at these question-filled days with longing, I'm sure.

And seriously, why do we have chins?

The Secret is Out...or will be

Some of my best ideas come in the middle of the night.

Although my 7 month old continues to sleep well, my 3 year old still needs potty breaks in the wee hours occasionally. (I SOOOO did not mean that as a pun!)

So, last night as I lay in bed after putting him back to bed, I started thinking about this little secret of ours. Some of you have been asking about it. I've been trying to figure out how we should tell you.
Then it hit me. A CONTEST!! Why not have a little fun?

So, here's the scoop. (Oh...and speaking of scoops, if you live near a Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop, stop by TODAY--March 24--only with a non-perishable item and you can get a scoop for only $1!)

At some point in the next 7 days, I will write a post, outing our little secret.

If YOU are the first commenter on that post, I have a $5 Target gift card with your name on it.

Now, isn't that fun? Just keep coming back...maybe it will be YOU! (hint: if you want a bit of an edge in this contest, become a follower or subscribe to this blog!)

Besides, aren't you just dying to find out?! (And seriously, I'm not pregnant, folks...)

Seasonal CPS

Many of you are probably unaware that I suffer from a malady called Seasonal CPS. It seems to really flare up every year around this time. This past week I have suffered with an unusually bad case.

If you are unaware of the meaning, it stands for Seasonal Cranky-Pants Syndrome. And I've got it BAD.

Since I live in New York, I do my best to brace myself for the long cold winters. We try to be creative with our indoor time--reading, coloring, dancing, learning, lots of sesame street and curious george. We even occasionally brave the outdoors. At least long enough to get pictures--proof that I am a good mom.

But around about the fifth month of frigid temperatures and cloudy days, I start to feel a little loony. No. Scratch that. A LOT loony.

This week I decided that CPS must be genetic, because I'm pretty sure my son has inherited a case of it. The other morning, in complete desperation, I picked him up, threw a coat and some boots on him and tossed him outside with strict instructions not to come back in until I said so. Don't worry. I let him in before dark.

Well, today I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Cranky Pants has left the building. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the screen door is open and it's over 40 degrees! Do I hear an amen?!

In honor of this special occasion, Griffin and I celebrated with our annual first signs of spring activity:

Part of my euphoric state could also be attributed to the fact that I ran a St. Patrick's Day 4-mile race with my sister this morning.

Can we say endorphins?

PLUS...I went and took advantage of these deals yesterday.

Sigh...life is good. (I refuse to look at the weather forecast, but life is still good.)

The Next American Idol?

Take a look and then cast your vote!

p.s The girl in the background is our friend, Chelsea, who also
happens to be a super fun babysitter.

25 Things About Me

Sorry, but I am totally cheating with this post. I just did one of those '25 Things About Me' lists on facebook that everybody is doing. In an effort to multi-task, I thought I would just share the list with you as well.

For those of you who already saw this on facebook--sorry. I changed a couple of them to keep things interesting.

Here goes:

1) If I could be anything when I grow up, I would have a hard time choosing between a television talk show host and a star on a sit-com (preferably 'Everybody Loves Raymond').

2) I have been to South Korea, North Korea, Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Hawaii (that's a foreign country in my eyes!), Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, the Bahamas, and Mexico and Canada, of course. My favorite was Australia. I would still like to go to Africa one day.

3) I eat Frosted Mini Wheats just about every morning.

4) If I could get away with it, I would also serve Frosted Mini Wheats for dinner. I am not a fan of cooking.

5) My husband and I dated for four months and were engaged for four months. That would be 8 months total.

6) One of the qualities I admire the most is the ability to communicate well while thinking on one's feet. I would love to be able to do that better.

7) Two of my goals in life are to go on another cruise and to learn how to raise one eyebrow.

8) The highest compliment that you can pay me is to tell me that I am funny.

9) I love coffee. Particularly Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla coffee. With Cream and Sugar. Please.

10) I love that my husband watches American Idol and Dr. Phil with me.

11) I am a dreamer, by nature. My constant dreaming often gets in the way of my hearing. I wish it were not so.

12) I just realized that I misspelled the word 'disciplined' in my facebook post. This is one of my greatest fears. (see #16)

13) I love that both of my boys have blue eyes although no one in my immediate family does. Thank you, Grandpa Hill and the Ehret family.

14) I have run a half-marathon. I hope to do so again and finish with a better time. In the meantime, I plan on training for a 10-miler in the spring. I think.

15) I am constantly amazed as I watch my husband be a dad. He is one of the most fun, crazy, and loving dads I have ever met.

16) I was in the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC in 1990.

17) I go back and forth between wishing I was more simple and wishing I was more complex.

18) I am fascinated by people and learning what makes them tick.

19) Becoming a mom has taught me to work hard to live in the moment.

20) I learn best by processing my thoughts with someone. I am grateful for the many people who have helped me work through specific struggles and discoveries.

21) I think two of the best sounds in the world are the giggles of my two boys.

22) I hate shopping, but cvs, walgreens, and rite aid have changed my life.

23) I enjoy being in the spotlight in a controlled setting, which is evidenced by my last three jobs (teacher, abstinence education presenter, and making it count speaker).

24) I like to think that I can dance. I think I learned my skills from my dad.

25) I am most happy when I am with my family.

26) BONUS: I wrote most of this in my head while up in the night with my 5 month old son.

help a girl out...

It's my least favorite part of Christmas and it's a dilemma I've had for years. It's not the wrapping or the baking or even the shopping. It's not writing Christmas cards (I don't) or gaining those nasty holiday pounds (I just do).

I hate making my wish list.

There. I said it. I feel better just admitting it.

The last time I remember really knowing what I wanted for Christmas was the year I asked for a real microphone, complete with mike stand. I think I was 9.

It's not that I'm Grinchy. I really love Christmas. And believe me, it's not that I don't want anything. I really do.

I just can't figure out what it is that I do want. I think I might need therapy.

Here's my list so far:
socks
clothes
Coldplay's Viva la Vida
a shower radio

Sigh. Not exactly your super exciting Christmas list.

Here's where you come in. I need to know what you think I should want for Christmas. Maybe it's something that's on your list. Or was last year. Maybe it's a book that you've read, or a kitchen gadget that has changed your life, or a piece of clothing that is a must-have. Whatever it may be, leave a comment and help a girl out!

I was trying to think of a prize to give to the winner, and I'm coming up short there too. So, if you are the lifeline that leads me to my favorite Christmas gift this year, here's what I'll do. I promise to dedicate an entire post to you--singing your praises and letting the world know why I love you.

So, get a commenting...

p.s. To be fair, I should let you all know, that I already have an early Christmas present that I absolutely loooooove. Check out these beauties from Pottery Barn:

haaaaappy birthday, deeeeaaaar kaley....

yesterday was my birthday and here is how i celebrated.

what does this say about me?


*in preparation for the day, i went here and signed up for every possible birthday freebie i could find.

* my chosen method of relaxation during the day was climbing into bed with a hot cup of coffee and a big stack of coupons to clip.

*scored a free magazine subscription online.

*when i opened my card from my husband, there was a cvs extrabuck inside and several cvs coupons. and this made me very happy.

*to celebrate, we went shopping at old navy where they are having great deals and i used a $10 off coupon old navy had sent me for my birthday.

*then, i headed over to bath and body works and got about $20 worth of stuff for $3.

*we finished off the evening at cold stone creamery enjoying my free birthday bowl of peanut buttery yumminess. (oh, wes has a birthday in november too, so he got a free bowl as well. we did break down and buy griffin his own bowl, however...cotton candy ice cream with gummy bears. it's a wonder he ever went to sleep last night.)

oh...and i did find a few minutes of peace and quiet for this and my current read:



sigh...it was a good day.

1000 words

In an effort to stay in connection with you all during this 'newborn' season of life, I've decided to commit to writing less wordy/more picture-y blogs for the time being. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, right? Here are my 3000 words for the day:

Griffin and I celebrated the beginning of fall with pumpkin window cling-ons.
(Can we say, "Mommy used to be an elementary teacher?")

Then, we headed to the local farm market, where
Griffin picked out his very own pumpkin.

...and then, of course, we had to buy an apple turnover and a jug

of cider in order to truly honor the season.

crazy fun

Life's been a little crazy lately. Fun, but crazy.

It all started with our camping trip. Which, I'm happy to report, I did survive. We actually had fun, although sleeping was a bear on our thin air mattresses. It went a little something like this:
Find a comfortable position on right side with pillow under belly for support.
Sleep 30 minutes.
Wake up feeling numb-tingly on right side.
Switch pillow and belly to left side.
Sleep 30 minutes.
Wake up feeling numb-tingly on left side.
Repeat.

I managed to squeeze in a couple naps in my in-laws camper and then all was well. I really am a fan of camping--it's just a lot easier when you're not 8 months pregnant. =)

We returned home on Monday to do laundry and pack in order to head back out on Tuesday. "Why?" you ask. Because we were heading here:


And here:

Yep. WALT DISNEY WORLD and SEA WORLD!!!!!!

Here we are ready to take off on Griff's FIRST plane ride. Other than being louder than the average airplane passenger, he did great.

Actually, it was a work trip for Wes, but we managed to find some super cheap tickets and Griff and I tagged along. We had a blast. Between finding free tickets for Disney and Sea World and being well taken care of by Wes's work, we were spoiled like crazy. We were put up in the Disney Hilton and treated to some fabulous meals throughout the week.

The best I can do for a belly pic. We sat in the very front of the monorail into Disney.
The pilot even gave us pilot's licenses. =)

Oh...and my pregnancy hormones behaved themselves for the most part and I made it through the whole trip with only one emotional breakdown. And that was after spending about 8 hours walking around two theme parks in 100 degree weather. Not bad.

NOW it's back to reality. We are gonna have a baby in approximately ONE MONTH. Gulp. AND a little boy turning three in ONE WEEK. Sigh.

Gotta go.

Where I've Been

I've been here--A LOT. (Tips and techniques welcomed!)

I've also been here--one of my favorite places in the world--my grandparent's cottage. It was the first time we spent the weekend with Griffin there and we had the most refreshing time. Looooooove this place!

Griffin teaching Daddy how to build a fire--or so he thought.

Nothing cuter than a little boy in a life jacket hugging his Daddy.

While we were there, we celebrated our sixth anniversary.

Here we are, six years ago, laying in a hammock on a beach in the Bahamas (sigh).

And here we are now.



Happy Anniversary, Baby! Six down. Sixty to go!

And I've been here--hanging with my girls. This is (part of) my dive group from Elevate (our youth group). They also spent a night at the cottage with me as our last hurrah. Seven out of eight of them are graduating this year. Love you, girls!

On this date in the year 2000...

...I was here, on the island of Hawaii, visiting Pearl Harbor,
climbing volcanoes,

snorkeling, enjoying the scenery,

and going to a luau with my friend, Amilee.

Just thought you oughtta know.