Sunday, January 31, 2010

Saturday Snow Day

Snow has been plentiful here this winter. While the hulk was a bit unsure of the snow at the start of the season he is now a huge fan. It has become his responsibility to rid all bushes, yard lights, vehicles, etc of snow. As soon as we go out he runs or actually waddles from shrub to shrub to knock all the snow off. He finds this oddly entertaining and never leaves a surface snow covered. In fact today he even waddled to the neighbors to clear their shrubs of snow. I'm sure they appreciated his help.

 


When Hulk isn't clearing items of snow he is pretending to be a snow monster. He will fill his mittened hands with snow, throw it into the air and then roar like a monster and laugh hysterically. The simplicity of childhood. While the cold is getting a bit old I will miss this time. He is so playful and honestly just in awe of the snow. I know summer will bring different excitement but there is something a bit magical about winter and snow. I don't know if it is the funny hats, the chubby snowsuit waddle, or the sparkle off the snow that I love but I know it's brought us lots of entertainment this season.

 
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So another successful snow day in these parts....

Friday, January 29, 2010

One Year Ago

 
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Wow isn't it amazing how The Hulk has changed in just one year. He still had his afro puff a year ago. Our living room was still in what is now the dining room. His face was so chubby and round. Heck he still looked like a baby! My how time just flies by. I miss that little chubby baby but the running screaming toddler at my house is pretty cool too. I think I just might keep him.

Clickin Mama J

Disabling Right Click

Disabling right click on your blog is much easier than I thought. The first time around I didn't do it right. But I had forgotten to save what I had done. So make sure you remember to save and it's very very simple. :-)

To disable right click follow the directions listed on this blog. Just follow the directions exactly. Save your work. And there will be no more right clicking on your blog.

Hope that helps you all.

Clickin Mama J

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Winds Of Change

The winds of change are a blowing here. I keep reminding myself that change can be a very good thing. So with that in mind I am pushing forward and embracing the changes as they come.

The first big changes are happening to our house! It has been freshly painted. And it has been lovingly deep cleaned. The dust bunnies have been evicted and the floors have be scrubbed. This has hasn't been this clean since we moved in! We have started packing some things up. Things that we don't use often that just contribute to clutter. We have packed them away to make the house look bigger. And we have sorted through so much stuff and we are letting go of lots of it. If we don't love it we are leaving it behind.

The other big changes are happening on this here blog. I like to think of it is safety spring cleaning of the blog. I've disabled right click capabilities on the blog and I've gone back and removed my boy's name from the blog. So if you don't know his real name you should now know his blog name is The Hulk! And I'm now clickin mama J. I can't believe I gave into the nickname thing but safety seems to require it. I never really thought anyone but family and friends would read this blog but things have changed. So we move forward and revamp. There are more changes coming but I'm trying to wrap my head around it all still and figure out the best way to do things.

So we embrace change and move forward. I hope you will join us!

Mama J

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Better

Things have been going much better with The Hulk lately. In fact the temper tantrums have been cut down considerably. They still occur but are less frequent and don't seem to last as long. He is eating better and things seem to be much calmer all around. What a welcome relief!

While things are better I have caught myself saying some crazy things to him lately... Things like The Hulk we do not pee in the closet! We leave our diaper on or we go in the potty. And just in case you were wondering it is not appropriate to rub there noses in it and throw them outside. The Hulk did not like that one bit!
I also have been finding myself reminding him that dinosaurs, books, trucks, and most importantly his hands do not go in the toilet! Dinosaurs are particular hard to dislodge and cause the most violent overflowing to occur. Dinosaurs are just not made for standard bathrooms.

This whole toilet fascination is mind blowing to me. He is obsessed with it! I even found out that when a two year old holds the toilet paper over the toilet and flushes it half of the roll can be sucked into the toilet before it begins to overflow. Amazing isn't it. Seriously, he still can't talk in complete sentances, put on his own clothes, or even walk without regularly falling down but he can figure out how to do the craziest things. Children fascinate me.

So thing are much better but never ever boring here!

Clickin Mama

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Freaking Out

Well I'm a little bit freaked out. Tonight I received an email from another mommy blogger with a heads up that she thought she saw The Hulk's pictures on another blog. Sure enough I visited the other blog and there was my beautiful boy. But the other blogger was using his pictures and portraying him as a member of her family! Freaky. Like freaky enough to make me wanna puke. I don't know how to explain it but it's just really wrong.

So what to do now. I have already contacted the other blogger and demanded that the pictures be removed. I'm working with some folks on how to handle the situation. But what to do about my pictures and how to more forward with my own blog is something I need to put some real consideration into. So I'm going to be spending some time coming up with a plan on how to move forward. For the time being things will stay as they are. But changes are a coming. I hate this! I love blogging and I love blogging openly. I don't like nicknames, or watermarks, or fake identities. I just like to blog about us and our life and who and what we really are. But that doesn't seem safe anymore.

So I'm pondering how to move forward and still feel like my blog is really a true represntation of us. I may take the blog private for a bit until I figure it all out. I don't know. Much to think about...

Clickin Mama

Deep Like A Well

I was editing photos from a recent photo shoot and found this amazing picture. It is one of my all time favorites. I just think it is a deep picture. Something about her eyes. Deep like a well. There were other pics from the shoot that were good. But none like this. When I look at this picture I feel like I snuck into a special moment or a deep thought. Those kind of shots are my favorite!

 
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Monday, January 25, 2010

Sharing

I'm a big believer in sharing. In fact I think it is my obligation to share if I find something really cool. And find something cool I did! Not only cool but free! Double the fun! So click right here to get a free 8x10 canvas print of your favorite picture. It's so easy! You just upload your picture, select the size you want if it's different then the 8x10 and place your order. There is a shipping fee but I didn't think it was unreasonably high. So take advantage of the savings to get your favorite pic turned into a piece of art.

Clickin Mama

Sunday, January 24, 2010

His Hair

 
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Oh how I love The Hulk's hair! I have been letting it grow out again. Rather than having it buzzed off. It hasn't been cut since Halloween so it's getting to be a good length. When it's wet those curls stretch out to about 2 inches. But it's the curls I love. I have no idea how long I'm going to let it grow. My guess is I'll cut it when he starts fighting me on taking care of it. But until then grow baby grow.

Clickin Mama

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Number Game

Just a few numbers to share with you
2 rooms painted
in 2 days!
1 room left to paint
4 times the kitchen has been painted
2 times for the living room
3 times for the bathroom
34 gallons of paint used in this house
in the last 3 1/2 years!
1 time that I have fallen while painting
5 times that I have sworn I'm never painting again
1 more night of painting in this house
0 times after that to paint this house
20 minutes of happy dancing when this is over
Clickin Mama

Monday, January 18, 2010

Wonderful Day

It was a wonderful day today. This morning I got up early and hauled The Hulk to daycare. But instead of going to work I went back home. I put on some grubby clothes, pulled my hair into a pony tail, grabbed my sister and headed for our shop building. The building of doom. The building that is filled to the brim with stuff. And today on this wonderful frigid day we began an all out attack!

And attack we did. We got more accomplished in four hours than I would have ever imagined. We sorted and stacked and laughed! A LOT of laughing. We were covered in cob webs, freezing cold but happy. We really had a good time as we worked. We have one side of the shop building piled with garage sale stuff. And the other side is things to keep or disperse to other family members. And we even got the garage cleaned out too.

And get this! We did all that in the morning. So then we met with the real estate agent, went to lunch and went to get paint. Yes I have to paint some rooms in my house. I have to paint them a boring neutral color rather than my bright wacky colors. Shocking I know!

And then guess what! After all that we still had time to pack up my china hutch and I went to Wal-mart to get groceries. All before picking up The Hulk at daycare. So productive, so fun, so exhausting. I'm tired! So I'm signing off and going to shower these cobwebs outta my hair!

Clickin Mama

Saturday, January 16, 2010

She Was Funny!

My mom was a lot of things. She was really caring and kind. She was organized and responsible. But most of all when I think of her I remember that she was funny. Not a little funny but really funny! She made me laugh often and loudly. That is what I miss the most about her. Well that and her hugs.

But the last week or so as I've really been going through her things and mine and getting them sorted and purged I have been reminded of how funny she was. Today for example Heather and I were sorting cookbooks. I didn't know she had about 800 of them until today. So as we were deciding what ones to keep, what ones to let go I opened one up and there inside the front cover I found this note.

 
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This was Mom's! Why is this funny to me? Because my mom always got annoyed at how easily Heather and I could throw things away or give them away. She would always say "One day your going to throw something away that means something." So if it was something that was her mom's and was important to her then she would put a note on it. So that way we wouldn't throw that thing away after she died. And she started doing this long before she got sick. It was just her way of being funny about something that she took very seriously.

So today the microwave oven cookbook with the note on it got put in the keep pile. We tossed it there with a laugh. And just so you know we will probably never use that cookbook but we will look at that note in her pretty handwriting and laugh. And that is what means something. She was funny! She is still funny. And I sure love her!

Clickin Mama

Friday, January 15, 2010

Tough Decisions

I have tough decisions to make. It's really time to be realistic about the financial crisis we have been living in for the past year. I've been able to juggle things and rob Peter to pay Paul for quite awhile now. But the house of cards is rapidly crumbling. So tough decisions must be made.

Last night in the middle of my sobbing melt down it hit me. It finally came through loud and clear. Nothing is sacred in this battle. There is nothing other than The Hulk and I that cannot be sacrificed. I have had this idea in my head that I had to keep up. I had to keep the things. The "things" must go. I've already let go of a lot of the material things I used to spend money on. But I've held onto one big thing. The house. And it's time to let go.

This house is just that a house! It is not our home. Our home is wherever we live. And we don't have to live in a house or in this particular house. And we don't need all the things that fill this house up. It's time to put the house on the market, pack up some things, sell some other things, and get something cheaper. I can always buy another house some other time. But this one needs to go.

So I called my real estate agent today. She is coming next week to do the walk thru and to complete the paperwork so we can get this sold. Heather and I are going to spend our three day weekend going through the shop building and getting rid of things or getting them ready to sell. And I'm already feeling better now that the tough decision has been made.

I used to think that kids had to have a big house and yard. I used to think that The Hulk had to have this. But he doesn't. He doesn't care where we live or what it's worth. He cares that he is with his mama and safe and warm. He cares that I can spend time with him because I won't have to work all the time. And I have realized that no "thing" is worth this struggle and stress. It is simply a house. I'll make a home with my boy anywhere this road takes us.

Clickin Mama

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Toddler Lessons

Being a toddler involves learning a lot of new things. What really amazes me is how valuable those lessons are. The Hulk is learning things now that will help him the rest of his life. For example he has figured out already how important it is to accessorize. Having shoes that match your jacket can be important! He has also figured out that having fake animals is way easier than real animals. Real dogs take your sticks but fake deer let you carry them everywhere.

 


The Hulk has also realized that the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence. Let's not forget that climbing up a slide really is harder than sliding down. And please child remember that sticking your face between bars could backfire. If I have to get you out with vegetable oil again you are gonna be in big trouble.

The things a kid can learn in the bad yard.

Clickin Mama

 
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Whatcha Reading



Right now I'm reading Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark. My sister got me this book for my birthday in JUNE! It has been in my book basket and I have finally had time to sit down and read it. And I'm thrilled. I started it a couple nights ago and I will probably finish it up tonight. I have never read anything by Mary Higgins Clark before and I'm really impressed. I particularly like that this story involves twins. Since Darby had her twin babies I'm very fascinated by the relationship between twins. The idea of twins being able to communicate or connect even when separated is very interesting to me.

So now I'm thinking the next time we visit the library I may have to check out something else by her. Any recommendations? I love crime stories. Anything with some suspense.

So what are you reading?

Clickin Mama

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Da Da Heather

Top Ten Reason's "Da Da" Aunt Heather Is The Best!

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1. She always plays with me, gives the best hugs, and is a very good wrestler!

2. When my mama is sick she takes good care of me and lets my mama rest!

3. She picks out the best music for me and even learns all the words to the songs!

4. She lets me help her with her laundry and doesn't even get mad when I mix up all her colors and whites!

5. When we go see her at the big city she takes me to cool places!

6. She lets me get in her bed and wake her up in the morning even though she is still really sleepy and I get up early.

7. She doesn't get annoyed when I follow her around EVERYWHERE and mimic EVERYTHING she does.

8. She lets me call her "da da" even though it's a kinda silly thing to do.

9. When she travels to cool place like Las Vegas she brings me back cool shirts and cups and fun things.

10. She always makes my mama happy and we always have lots of fun when the three of us are together.

We sure love her!

Clickin Mama and The Hulk

Monday, January 11, 2010

Not Me Monday!

I did NOT forget to order The Hulk his special I have a big bootie diapers online and have to buy diapers that were too small for him at the local store.

If that happened my child did NOT look like a plumber for a few days before the appropriately sized diapers arrived.

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In an effort to save time I do NOT prepare most of our dinners the night before so they just have to be heated up the next evening. I did NOT prepare a casserole late one night this week and then go to bed only to find the casserole sitting on the kitchen counter in the morning. I would NOT be so wasteful or forgetful.

What did you NOT do this week?

Clickin Mama

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Mixing It Up

Lately I have really been trying to mix up what we are eating. We were starting to get in a real rut of eating about the same five meals over and over. And when that starts happening it is a sign for me that I'm really close to giving up on eating right for my diabetes. So I started on a hunt for some new recipes that were budget friendly and still healthy. Oh and they also have to be quick to make! I have a lot of recipe rules. If it's not cheap and quick it's just not happening around here.

So I visited www.kraftfoods.com in search of some new recipes. And boy did I hit the jackpot. Once there I discovered they have a ton of budget friendly recipes as well as low calorie healthy recipes. All of their healthy living recipes are marked with a little sunshine symbol. So this week we tried out a new recipe and loved it. The Hulk ate two servings even though he has been rather picky lately. So because I'm kind I'll share it with you.

Tuna Cakes

2 cans tuna drained and flaked
1 box stuffing mix (It called for stove top but I used the off brand)
1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese (I only used 1/2 cup and thought it was fine)
3/4 cup water
1 carrot, shredded
1/3 cup mayonnaise (I used fat free)
2 T. sweet pickle relish

Mix all ingredients and form into patties. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. (I actually made mine the night before so I could just cook them when I got home quick and it worked great.)

Heat large skillet sprayed with cooking spray to medium heat. Place patties in the skillet and cook until golden brown on one side, then flip and cook until golden brown on the other side. Took about 10 minutes total.

I served it with broccoli and califlower and it was delish. These are for sure staying on our to have again list.

Clickin Mama

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Toy Time

The weather outside is frightful....

But the toys inside are delightful....

Let us play....

Let us play....

Let us play....



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Clickin Mama

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Wow

Seriously you all blow me away! When a mama begs for help you all don't hesitate! And people wonder why I blog? What a great support you all are. I'm thrilled at your responses! So many great ideas. It's amazing how when you are stuck in the situation how hard it is to see the solutions. But you all offered a lot of great options. The Hulk and I thank you!

Tonight was actually a wonderful night at our house. I've tried some of the things you all suggested and they are working. Tonight I really focused on slowing down and getting at his level to talk things thru. When he started throwing a fit tonight instead of instantly getting tense I tried to stay really calm and remind him to use words and we regrouped quickly. Hopefully we can keep moving in the right direction.

It also helped me so much to hear that so many of the rest of you with children the same age are also seeing similar behaviors. I know from my education that most of this is developmental but when it is your kid it's very easy to beat yourself up. It's hard to watch your child struggle and it's hard to feel like nothing your doing is working. So it is such a RELIEF to know I'm not doing this alone. My kid is not the only kid acting a fool from time to time.

So thank you! I really do feel much better. And your suggestions are all going to be tried. I'll keep ya posted!

Clickin Mama

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

HELP!!!

Okay I need parenting advice and I need it quick folks. The Hulk is rapidly approaching two and I don't believe in the terrible twos. I think all that really depends on the child and the parenting. Ugh so I thought. I'm hoping I'm still right and we can do some behavior modification quick. Maybe some of you that have survived this stage can help me out and give me some tips. Here is what I'm running into.

Lots of temper tantrums. And by lots I mean multiple temper tantrums a day. If the word no is mentioned there is a melt down. If he can't get to something or figure something out there is a tantrum.

Picky eating and horrible eating manners. If you don't put what he wants on the tray it is thrown very quickly. He also has started throwing silverware. It's almost like a high chair temper tantrum. He is very picky about his eating right now but I can deal with that. I think that is pretty typical of a kid his age and I'm working around that. I just need the fit throwing to stop.

Not wanting his diaper changed. You mention changing his pants or show him a diaper and it is a screaming fit, he runs and hides, kicks the whole time, etc.

Bedtime and nap time troubles. He is not taking very long naps, maybe an hour if I'm lucky. Which leaves him exhausted by 5:30 or 6 so he goes to sleep but is then waking up in the middle of the night. I have some ideas about this one so I think I can figure it out but any ideas would be great.

So what do you all suggest. What works for you. How do I get these behaviors under control. I've tried being consistent. I've tried focusing on the positive and lots of praise. We do the naughty spot. Spanking is useless for The Hulk because his pain tolerance is so high. Please someone help me!!!

Also as a side note The Hulk is talking more, loves to dance, and still gives the best hugs and kisses in the world. This post makes it sound like he is rotten which he most surely is NOT. I think we are just in a rough patch. I'm sure we can get things back on track soon if I can just come up with some different ideas to try....

Thanks!

Clickin Mama

Monday, January 4, 2010

If I was rich....

I would have someone do my hair every day of the week....

I would have fresh sheets every day....

I'd hire a personal chef to cook all my meals....

I would pay off every single bill I have...

I would travel wherever and whenever I wanted...

I would buy every item on my photography wish list...

I would hang out with The Hulk and take pictures on the side...

I would pay to have my church parking lot paved...

What would you do?

Clickin Mama

Saturday, January 2, 2010

A Confession

I have a confession to make. One that will probably leave me with some negative comments. But one that I think I'm not alone on. And I have to say it because I'm about to scream my bloody head off. I can't take it anymore. So are you ready for the truth? Can you handle the truth? Here it is!

Some days I really don't like being a mom!
I love my son every single day. And I love being a mom every day. But some days I really don't like it! Like today with the constant whining, 4 poopy diapers, every toy dumped onto the floor, three temper tantrums, 6 visits to the naughty spot, and thrown food found in places I didn't know food could go. I'm not liking being a mom! The constant redirection, singing of songs, teller of stories, picker upper of everything, and no time outdoors because it is 2 degrees has left me in a very unlikeable mom state.
Some days I really want to ram my head into a wall!
Because I feel like I do everything all the time and no one does anything for me. Sometimes I just want to say screw it and leave every toy on the floor. Sometimes I don't want to dress someone else or take care of someone else. Sometimes I don't want to be the one giving the hugs. I want a dang hug! And you know what sometimes I don't wanna be covered in someone elses snot or food or spilled milk. Crazy I know. But I'd like to put on an outfit in the morning and take it off in the evening and not have any unidentifiable stains on it. Can you imagine!
Some days I just want to rest!
I want to go somewhere for one night. I want to stay in a hotel or a bed and breakfast and lay in a quiet soft bed. I want to take a bath instead of a 4 minute shower. I want to shave my legs which I haven't done since I was in D.C. in JUNE! I want to sleep all night long without waking up to check on anyone. I want to not set an alarm. I want to eat my own breakfast while it is still warm. I want to slowly get ready in the morning without worrying about someone biting the hair dryer cord. Oh what I would give for one night away! Just the thought makes tears come to my eyes. I hadn't cried about all this until I wrote this paragraph. God I really need a day away.
So that is the truth. Will someone please please tell me that they feel this way sometimes too. Please tell me I'm not the only mama that is just not liking all this all the time. And please if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything.
Clickin Mama