Moving Day!!

I promise this is the last time I am moving.  I am officially fed up with Blogger.  It messes up when I try to post comments, and it has frustrated me one too many times.  So we are up and moving to Wordpress.

Please update your blogrolls to:

lifewithcheeks.wordpress.com

Thanks!!!
Jaime :)

17 months old!!

Dear Cheeks -

Where does the time go???  I cannot believe you are 17 months old today.  I just said to your mama yesterday, "how did he go from being so tiny and baby-ish to being a full-blown toddler????"  You are the light of our lives and I just don't even remember life without you.  The highlights of my days are playing with you, seeing how much you develop over the days/weeks/months, and getting your hugs and kisses!  You give the most adorable kisses - you open your mouth so big, lean into whatever you are kissing, and go "AHH".  Adorable!!!  Here are your stats for now:

1.  Walking like a champ!!

2.  You LOVE Elmo and Cookie monster!  Really, anything with Sesame Street is a favorite of yours now - books, toys, etc.

3.  Your vocabulary consists of:
           Car  (Everything with wheels is a car in your eyes)
           Mom-Mom  (what you call your mama right now)
           Cookie (sounds like COO-KEH - said in reference to Cookie Monster)
           All Done
           Again (When you want me to read you a book again)

4.  You HATE vegetables.  Mama and I try to hide some in your food, but 9 times out of 10 now, you are finding them and spitting them out!  You are one smart cookie.

5.  Your favorite foods are:
        Blueberry muffins
        Spinach and Cheese Ravioli (one of the only veggies we can get into you!!!)
        PB & J Sandwiches
        Grilled Cheese
        Honey Goldfish

6.  You are drinking out of a straw now.  We have dumped the sippy cups that leak everywhere and you are doing fantastic with your straw cups!

7.  You are very affectionate with your stuffed animals (Elmo and Cookie Monster in particular) and like to carry them around and give them hugs and kisses.

8.  You are learning how to swim!  Once you stop crying, you do fantastic at your lessons!  I think we have a future Olympian on our hands :)

9.  You really enjoy bedtime, and rarely cry when it's time to go to bed.  When I say "let's go upstairs!", you come running, crawl up on your own, and head into the bathroom to get your toothbrush.  It really is quite adorable.

10.  You've started really picking out the books you want me to read to you at bedtime.  Some of your favorites are:
         A tiny car book
         Brown Bear Brown Bear - What do You Hear?
         Sesame Street - Opposites
         The cover of the Seseame Streeth 40th Anniversary book
         Race Cars Race Cars
         10 Little Lady Bugs
         Good Night Moon 1-2-3
         How Do I Love You?

11.  You are starting to recognize objects in books!  When I ask you to point out the moon you do.  You can also point out the "Red Baloon". 

12.  You finally love going to play at the Y - you cry when you have to leave now, instead of crying because you have to go.

13.  The terrible twos have hit early.  When you don't get what you want, you are on the floor having a full blown temper tantrum.  Looking forward to you experiencing this with your own children one day :)

These past 17 months have been amazing.  I cannot wait to see what the next 17 have in store for us.

        
          

Just keep swimming...just keep swimming...

Dear Cheeks,

I am so proud of you!  Tonight will be your fourth swimming lesson, and you are doing fantastic!!  You do cry quite a bit, and even try to push away your teacher sometimes, but do everything your supposed to do.  You grip onto the wall.  When launched, you make it to the wall, grip on, and pull up.  So so so proud.  I can't imagine what you are going to be doing at the end of the six week course!

Here is a video of you doing your thing:

Trouble Posting Comments?

For some reason, I can't comment on anyone's page :(

Amanda - I tried to comment to you ,but it wouldn't let me.  Are you on FB?

Vacation-a-Go-Go

What a fantstic vacation.  I was very nervous about Cheeks in the car for so long, but he did amazing.  I'll break it down by day:

Friday 7/8
Doc and I couldn't sleep.  We decided to load up the car, and head out at 11:15pm.  We wake up the Cheek-meister and get on the road.  We had hoped he'd fall straight back to sleep, but nope - he was WIIIIIDE awake.  This was us at 3:30am at a random gas station in SC:

Saturday 7/9
We continued our drive and made it up to Alexandria, VA.  The drive really was nice - and we saw deer on the side of the road!!  We got a pet friendly hotel and Sophie and Harley did fantastic.  Cheeks was SO SO SO excited to be free of the car seat.  He was running around the room like a mad man.  At 6:00pm, all three of us konked out.

Sunday 7/10
We woke up bright and early (around 5 or 6ish) and grabbed some free continental breakfast downstairs.  We sedated the animals (they were so much less stressed this way) and we got on the road around 7:30 or so.  We decided we were SOOO close to Washington D.C., we needed to stop and visit the White House.  So we did!! 

We then continued our drive stopping for lunch in NJ where Cheeks learned how to use a straw (finally)!

After a long drive, we made it to Upstate NY!  Cheeks was so excited to see his Grandma and Grandpa and his Great Aunt and Great Uncle!!

Monday 7/11
Monday was a relaxing day.  We went down to Water Street Market and Downtown New Paltz.  It's such a quaint little town.  We enjoyed looking in the shops and had some lunch at a local restaurant. 

Tuesday 7/12
Of course the week that we go up to NY, it has to be in the midst of a heat wave!!!  We decided it was probably too hot to take Cheeks into the city, so he spent the day with Grandma and his Great Aunt.  Doc, my dad, and me went into NYC.  We had such a good time.  And we met Twist from the Frest Beat Band (those of you with kids probably know who I'm talking about!)  We were just walking down the street and Doc recognized him (out of costume).  He was SO nice.  Stopped and chatted for a few minutes and took his pic with us (this one was a pic of the pic on my dad's camera):

We had a pastrami sandwich at the Carnegie Deli, went to FAO Schwarz, the Apple Store, and to the top of the Empire State Building:

By the end of the day we were exhausted and missing Cheeks.  We went back to my Aunt and Uncle's, enjoyed some great Italian food, and crashed!

Wednesday 7/13
Wednesday was Catskills day.  We went up into the mountains to a little town called Phonecia.  There was a super cute store called the Eggs Nest where Cheeks got a drum - he loves to bang on it!  We walked around, let cheeks walk out of his stroller, and enjoyed lunch on a river in Kingston on the way home.  That night, Cheeks enjoyed a HUGE NY cookie while sitting in his cousin's coon skin cap watching the Fresh Beat Band:

Thursday 7/14
We just stayed around the house on Thursday.  We played outside, got some great pics, and Cheeks played with his new cousin!  It was a perfect day.

That night, we met my cousin for dinner.  We got this fun pic of the four of us:

Friday 7/15
We took Cheeks to a petting farm this day!  He loved looking at and petting the animals.  He was particularly smitten with the pigs:

Saturday and Sunday 7/16 and 7/17
These two days took up the drive back to FL.  We stopped overnight in Florence, South Carolina.  Cheeks had a ball running up and down the corridor in the motel back and forth between grandma and grandpas and our room.  He had a ball.  After a goodnight's sleep, we drove back home the next day and our vacation was over.

We had a really nice, good, relaxing time.  I am glad to be home, but wish we were still on vacation!  Next trip is coming up in about a month - a weekend at Universal Studios.  This should be an easier trip on us as it's only about 25 minutes away from home :)

Much needed vacation...coming right up!

Doc and I are gearing up to take our first *major* road trip with Cheeks (and together as a matter of fact).  We are driving from Central FL to Upstate NY!  We are very excited - and slightly nervous.  We are going to have a carful:  Doc, Cheeks, me, Harley (our dog), and Sophia (our cat - or soon to be ex-cat).  We were going to leave Harley here with a friend - but once she went and busted up her knee, we decided it's best she come along with us so we can keep an eye on her activity levels.  I don't want to - but because of the amount of space we have, and the lack of attention they have gotten lately - we have decided to find new homes for a couple of our kitties.  Sophia is going to a fantastic home - a friend of my Aunt and Uncles.  They love cats and are very excited to have her.  I hope we are making the right decision - I believe Sophie will be happier.

So we leave at 3:00am tomorrow.  I am nervous about Cheeks being in the car for so long.  We are breaking up the trip into two days - so hopefully it won't be too bad for him.  Between all the Fresh Beat Band episodes we downloaded to the iPad, the toy cars, the coloring books/paper, and books for him to look through, we SHOULD be good - fingers crossed!!

I cannot wait to get away and enjoy nature for a bit.  Upstate New York is beautiful - and this time of year is so much more pleasant up there than it is down here.  I'm excited for Cheeks to experience soft grass instead of the "cut your skin" blades of grass we have in FL.  Chasing lightening bugs is definitely on the agenda - as is a trip into the city with our family. 

Now - if the work day would just be over, vacation can START :) :)

Seriously?????

I am so frustrated and enraged with what has happened with the Casey Anthony trial.  Seriously???  I can tell you with complete certainty that my car does not have cloroform in it.  I have never researched "neck breaking" and "how to make cloroform".  I don't let someone take my child, lie about it, and then go out partying for 31 days.  I don't lie about where I work.  You cannot tell me that she did not murder her child.  Not Guilty.  REALLY?????? 

To me, there was plenty of physical evidence in this case.  More so than the Scott Peterson trial - and even he was found guilty (rightly so I believe).  It is infuriating to me that a mother can get away with this.  Perhaps it's because I have a son of my own that I am so enraged by the outcome of this trial.  If Cheeks is out of my sight for a few seconds I am worrying about him.  You cannot tell me that she didn't do something to that child - not the way she was out living it up for 31 days.  This was not an accident.  If this was an accident, 9-1-1 would have been called 31 days before they were.  If this was an accident, duct tape would not be on that child's skull.  THIS WOMAN GOT AWAY WITH MURDER. 

This, to me, was a miscarriage of justice.  This is an instance where, to me, the justice system has screwed up.  This, to me, is....infuriating.

An adorable ball of trouble

Cheeks has been exploring and testing his limits with us lately.  It is soooooo hard not to laugh and smile at some of the things he does that he really shouldn't be doing.  Let's take our dog for example.  Harley just had surgery on her knee and is on strict crate rest for awhile.  Well Cheeks has figured out how to unlock her crate.  It has turned into his new favorite thing to do.  We have done the firm "NO".  We have counted to three...1 - 2 - 3.  We have redirected.  It came down to a potch on the rear end (to which he responded to with a smile and I felt so guilty!!)  He finally got bored and went on.  About an hour later, I was in the kitchen washing up dishes and he was running back and forth from the kitchen to the living room (where Harley is).  Next thing I know, I am hearing the sound of a dog running on the floor.  Um.  Cheeks???  What did you do???  Harley comes trotting into me with a big doggy grin.  I lead her back to the living room - to find Cheeks standing by the dog crate playing with it.  OY!!!  It's so hard to get mad at him - he was just trying to give his puppy a bit of freedom.  But I had to put on my mommy hat - and he got a stern talking to. 

Last night, Cheeks woke up crying around 3am.  Doc went and got him and brought him into bed with us.  We don't do this often, but it's nice every now and then.  As soon as he lies down in the middle of us, he pops up and decides it's playtime.  Really Cheeks???  He is pointing to everything.  He is sticking his fingers up my nose.  He is babbling away.  After 45 minutes, we make the short trip back to his crib.  I lay him down, and with one very short "WAH", he was fast asleep again.  I was exhausted this morning - but I will probably treasure that time we spent this morning forever - it was pretty cute after all.  And exhaustion is nothing a little Java Monster can't fix :) :)

So Cheeks is definitely testing us.  For the most part we don't give in - but there are times that I just can't help it.  I am human after all - you can't deny so much cuteness ALL time time :)  And now some pics:

Day 22 – What is your most beloved childhood memory? What memories are you trying to create (or will you try to create) for your child(ren)?

So glad this is a nonchallenge :)

Dear Cheeks -

I am trying to think of my favorite childhood memory - I had a pretty good childhood, so I'm having trouble picking one.  I am going to have to say that my favorite is when my family from NY would come down (your Aunt Judy, Uncle Bill, Cousins Tommy and Allie - and sometimes Uncle Steven and his brood too) and we would all be at my grandma and grandpas (on my mom's side).  If I remember correctly, it was usually over spring break time - and we'd go to the beach - swim in the pool - feed fish bread in the fish pond behind my grandparents house.  It was a fun, relaxing, stress free time - you don't get too many of those as an adult!

I am trying to create memories of home and family for you.  Even though you are only 15 months, I bake for you (healthy oatmeal raisin cookies - and muffins).  When you were 10 months old, I brought your high chair in the kitchen, and we baked cookies together for Santa (well, you played and I baked - but we had a good time).  We eat dinner as a family - and have been doing so since you could sit in a high chair.  You would have your bottle while mama and I ate dinner.  So many families today don't get the opportunity to eat together - and it was important to your mama and me that you grew up with this as a normalcy.  While these things are probably very ordinary and mundane - they are the memories I want you to look back on and enjoy.  I plan to continue baking for you forever - and eating together as a family until you move out of the house.  I hope you do the same with your children one day.

Love,
Mommy

Sometimes mommies are the best doctors around

So Cheeks developed this rash.  We were told at first it was Excema....then Atopic Dermatitis (a form of Excema)...then Ganotti-Crosti Syndrome.  A syndrome?  Our son has a syndrome?  That is a scary word in mommy-land.  Thankfully, this "syndrome" is just a rash.  Still, that just hasn't sat right with me since I've been doing some research on it.  First of all, with Ganotti-Crosti syndrome manifests itself on face, and extremities - usually not on the torso.  Here is a pic of someone with Ganotti-Crosti syndrome (taken from http://infections.consultantlive.com/display/article/1145625/1405337?pageNumber=5):

Here is a picture of Cheeks' torso:

As you can see - not really the same.  GCS is also usually preceeded by a viral infection of some sort - Cheeks has not had one.  So this mommy began her digging. 

Did you know a child can get a rash 7-12 days after the MMR vaccine is administered?  Cheeks had his MMR vaccine 12 days before this rash appeared.  I googled rashes associated with the MMR vacine.  Low and behold, I found this (taken from http://www.ehow.com/how_2331357_treat-measles-rash-after-mmr.html):



Looks pretty darn similar to me!!!  My annoyance right now is why didn't the doctor's office put two and two together before I did?  We were there three times.  They should have seen he had this vaccine within the past 2 weeks - yet it was never a thought that this could be a reaction (albeit normal reaction) to the vaccine.  This is upsetting to me as a parent.

Has anyone elses child out there had a reaction to the MMR shot like this?  From what I read it is fairly normal.

Work Sucks

After 4 1/2 days at home with my Cheeks, it is horrible to come back to work today.  On top of it, Cheeks is sick with a rash - Ganotti-Crosti Syndrome.  When I heard the word "Syndrome" my heart fell.  I automatically thought it was something worse - but no - they throw that word in there just to worry us moms.  It's just a nasty rash that takes a LONG time to go away.  Poor thing is itchy and just wants to be held.  I just want to be home with him.  I am happy he is with his mama though - just wish I could be there too.

Will blog more about the weekend - have to go handle the gazillion e-mails I walked into this AM...

Excited and Nervous

So tonight Doc leaves to go to Ohio to visit her Dad for father's day.  I took this afternoon, tomorrow, and Monday off of work to spend with Cheeks.  My mom and dad are coming up on Saturday so Cheeks can see one of his grandpas (and I can see my dad) on Father's Day.  I am SO excited about this weekend. 

At the same time, I am slightly nervous about this afternoon and tomorrow.  I am Cheeks' mommy - but this is going to be the first time I've been completley alone with him overnight.  Doc is the stay at home mom in our family - and I have had to travel for work, so she has done it before.  I am a newbie at it.  I am not nervous about being alone with him.  We are going to have a blast!  I'm nervous about the sillier things - like when will I shower?  How will I make dinner?  People do it all time time - I am just a wee bit nervous for my first time!

That being said, I have a fantastic weekend planned out for us.  Tonight we are ordering in pizza for dinner and then going to the Y (I am taking a water aerobics class, and Cheeks is going to play).  Once we get home, we are going to play, take a bath, and have bedtime.  I am then planning to clean a bit after he goes to bed.

Tomorrow, we are going to wake up and have breakfast.  We are then going to the mall to play (they have a very cool play area in the middle of our mall - Cheeks loves it!)  After the mall and lunch, we will go home for naptime.  When he wakes up - more play, dinner, more play again, bedtime, and more cleaning for me.

Then, Saturday Grandma and Grandpa G come to visit!!  Woo hoo!! :)  We are going to a fun fair at our mall (gee - we sure are going to the mall a lot lol) called Touch a Truck.  Cheeks loves is cars/trucks - so this should be fun for him.  They have real fire trucks, police cars, construction trucks - and the kids can play/take pics/etc.

Sunday hasn't fully been planned yet - but I do know we are going to BBQ ribs for Grandpa for Father's Day! 

All in all I am very excited about the weekend.  Here's to hoping it's as great as I am expecting :)

Day 11 – In what ways does being a lesbian/2-mom family impact your experience of parenting?

I know I'm a bit behind - but it's a non-challenge! :)

Dear Cheeks -

You are one lucky little boy.  You don't only have one mom who loves you to pieces - you have TWO!!  Being a two mom family definitely brings an extra angle to the mix of parenting (not that I know anything else).  I'd say the biggest impact is that you have two women, with two maternal instincts caring for you.  It definitely creates a bit of tension at time - but your mama and I have such a solid relationship that it has only made us stronger as a couple.

Like many other two mom families, we have broken through the traditional roles of "mother" and "father".  Instead, we are "mama" and "mommy".  I carried you for 9-months and gave birth to you - and your mama works at home full time taking care of you, while I work full time in a big office building (ok - a medium sized office building lol).  You have a bond with both of us like none other.

We have only experienced people fawning over you - even though you are a product of two moms.  While I thought we may have gotten odd looks and scowls (especially in the "religious" area we live in currently) we only get well wishes and people telling us we must be doing something right to have such a happy baby.  I can only hope that continues and gets more prominent throughout the world as you grow up.

Love,
Mommy

Funny Eggs

All Moved In

Well that was an easy move!  Enjoy the new/same blog :)

Day 7 – What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner? If you have children, what are their favorites?

Dear Cheeks -

Your mommy LOOOOVES to eat!  I'm actually working on getting healthy now for you, so my favorites aren't always able to be had.  For breakfast, I love cheesy eggs with crisp bacon.  Normally though, I have oatmeal and a banana, or an alternative bagel and a banana.  Lunch is usually a sandwich (lately turkey, tomato, and coleslaw).  My favorite dinner would probably have to be an ooey gooey cheesy cheesy pizza.  That is a once in a while treat though lately.  Dinner is always different for us - tonight we are having baked chicken, cous cous, and a veggie!

You on the other hand sir, you are not an eater.  Your mama and I tried everything to make you enjoy all types of food.  But you sure don't!!  You like to have the same things with a treat mixed in every now and then.  You love eggs and bananas for breakfast.  Sometimes you have oatmeal and a banana.  On special occassions your mama or I bake you blueberry muffins - which you devour!!  For lunch, you either eat Gerber Spinach and Cheese Ravioli or a Lunchable Pizza.  Dinners lately have been quesadillas.  It's the only way we can get you to eat meat!!  We put cheese and either ground beef or chicken in the quesadilla - you gobble it up.  Notice veggies aren't a main staple in your diet (unless I hide them in your food - which I am known to do often). 

I'm hoping as you grow up, your tastes will change and you will try more things.  Until then, eggs, ravioli, pizza, and quesadillas it will be!

Love,
Mommy

Day 4 – What has most surprised you about parenthood?

Dear Cheeks -

What has surprised me most about parenthood?  I'm going to have to say the combination of how difficult it is combined with how rewarding and fun it is.  Being a parent means setting a good example for, interacting with, and teaching to your child.  It means sleepless nights, picking up colds and germs, and dealing with temper tantrums (yes, you have started to throw these FULL ON at 15 months my dear son).  But it also means huge smiles, big hugs, and unconditional love.  My favorite part of the day is when I spend time with you.  Last night, we just ran back and forth from the family room to the kitchen - we were both laughing so hard.  I think what is the most surprising to me is how frustrated you can be as a mom one minute, and enamoured with love the next.

Love,
Mommy

Day 2 -Describe your high school self. What extracurricular activities, if any, did you participate in during high school?

Dear Cheeks -

Believe it or not, your old mommy was once a young, sprite teenager in high school.  I started off high school rather shy (much as you are now), but came out of my shell once I got extremely involved in dance.  I ate, slept, and breathed dance.  I was on the dance team and loved to perform.  I even danced in Superbowl XXIX!  (I was too young to audition for the 1/2 Time show, so I auditioned for and made it into the Pregame show!)  It brought my out of my shell quite a bit.  My favorite form of dance was/is lyrical.  It tells such a great story with the dancer's body alone.  I can't wait to see what activities you get involved in.  I always used to joke and say boy or girl, my child will be a ballet dancer.  Well that may be true one day, but only if you want to be one.  That is the joy of growing up - you can do/experience any activities you want to!  I know whatever you do, you will be great in.  Your determination as a 15 month old is proof of that.

Day 1 – Provide a picture of the space where you normally blog

Since this blog is meant to be a record for my son when he grows up, I thought I would answer these questions in letter format.  I'm mixing it up a bit!

Dear Cheeks -


I seem to be following suit with other bloggers who seem to do most of their blogging at work.  This is the easiest time.  I can whip out an entry during a call that I am a silent party to, or during a lunch break.  Blogging at home seems impossible at times with you running around the house and discovering new things to play with daily.  Don't worry - I am not complaining - when I am home, I prefer nothing more than to play with you and enjoy every bit of you.  So work it is.  Here is a picture of my desk in my office:

On my desk you can see evidence of my love for coffee (two coffee cups!)  I have pictures of you all over my office - they keep me going when the days get tough.  This area is my "peaceful area".  I love the saying "Live, Laugh, Love".  It's the first thing I see when I come into my office.  It keeps me light hearted through out the day!

Those are words you should live by - Live....Laugh.....Love.  If you do those three things, you are bound to lead a life of happiness.  I plan to make sure your childhood is full of all three.

Love,
Mommy

30 Day Non-Challenge

OK, I am in - the 30 day non-challenge!  Presented by Strawberry and An Offering of Love.  The last challenge wore me out - but the fact that not everyday is required makes this one less work it seems!  Also, I like the questions - very great Q&A for Cheeks to see when he is older.


The new 30 Day Non-Challenge! “Non-challenge” because we will not be offended if you don’t answer all of the questions or decide to skip certain days. Just have fun with it! An Offering of Love and I came up with these and we hope you like them, but I will disclaim this by saying that some questions assume you are in a two-mom household or have a partner/spouse (since that is true of most of our readership). So please don’t hold it against us if you don’t feel every question applies- we did our best! Hope you have fun with this during the month of June. Without further adieu…

Day 1 – Provide a picture of the space where you normally blog

Day 2 -Describe your high school self. What extracurricular activities, if any, did you participate in during high school?

Day 3 -What are your guilty pleasures?

Day 4 – (for parents) What has most surprised you about parenthood?

(for parents-to-be) What has most surprised you about ttc?

Day 5 -What do you prefer to do on your birthday? If you have children, what do you prefer to do for their birthday?

Day 6 – When was the last time you tried something new? What was it and what was the result?

Day 7 – What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner? If you have children, what are their favorites?

Day 8 – If you had to teach something, what would you teach? (If you DO teach, when did you discover your love for teaching/the subject?)

Day 9 – What is the most important lesson you learned from your own mother (or other primary caretaker)?

Day 10 – Share your favorite recipe (or two)

Day 11 – In what ways does being a lesbian/2-mom family impact your experience of parenting?

Day 12 – Tell us about the first time you got drunk (as far as you can remember…)

Day 13 – Tell us about the best job you ever had, and the worst

Day 14 – How do you typically dress? How do you (or would you) like to dress your kid(s)?

Day 15 – What was your college experience like? Were you involved in any clubs, groups, etc?

Day 16 – How many friends do you have in real life that you talk to regularly? How many friends do you have that you feel are ‘true blue’ and how long have you known them?

Day 17 – (for parents) What is your favorite thing about parenthood? Your least favorite?

(for parents-to-be) What are you most looking forward to about parenthood?

Day 18 – How do you feel about astrology? What’s your sign, baby, and do you think it matches your personality?

Day 19 – How do you (and your partner if applicable) feel about PDA?

Day 20 – What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you? Did you repay the kindness?

Day 21. What child(ren)’s names do you like that your partner hates and thus you could never use?

Day 22 – What is your most beloved childhood memory? What memories are you trying to create (or will you try to create) for your child(ren)?

Day 23 – What are your favorite activities to do with your kid(s)?

Day 24 – What are your favorite activities to do without your kid(s)? (keep it clean!)

Day 25 – What did you want to be when you grew up? Why and/or how did that change over time?

Day 26 – What is/are the best piece(s) of parenting advice you’ve gotten or can give others?

Day 27 – Which movies or tv shows do you think are the most accurate portrayals of parenthood?

Day 28 – What size family do you come from, what size family do you want, and why?

Day 29 – What do you think about giving kids an allowance, and what chores do you or would you expect your child(ren) to help out with?

Day 30 – What is/are the most memorable questions or reactions you’ve gotten in regards to being a two-mom family?

Growth Spurt?

Cheeks woke up screaming/crying today at 6:30am.  This is a wee bit early for him.  He fell back asleep, but at 7:00am the screaming/crying started up again.  I went into his room.  He was laying on his back with tears streaming down his face, arms stretched up for me to pick him up.  I did so, and his tear stained face just plopped on my shoulder.  We went downstairs for some milk - which he wanted nothing to do with.  Upon seeing the milk, the crying started again.  After about 20 minutes of intermitent crying/screaming/head on shouldering, I decided to put Cheeks back up to sleep.  Maybe he was still tired?  I put some Orajel on his gums (maybe his teeth hurt??)

He fell back asleep in about 30 seconds.  Whew!  I left for work, and Doc waited for our boy to wake up.  He woke up...very clingy...and became very happy after he ate some eggs (2) and a whole banana!!  Little by little, the temper tantrums started flaring up again.  Some Cheez-its seemed to calm him for a second time.

I am wondering if Cheeks is going through a growth spurt?  He is cranky, irritable, and HUNGRY.  One of the hardest parts of being a mommy is seeing your child unhappy and not knowing why or what you can do for him. 

Happy and Sad Notes

I know I haven't posted in awhile. We have had a hectic few days celebrating mama's birthday and traveling to visit with family in S. Florida. We had a fantastic time. Cheeks had a ball with our family over the weekend. We went swimming, out to dinner a few times, had a BBQ, and went to that bounce house place. Cheeks and his cousin Sammi had a BLAST. Let's just say I now know why adults don't have bounce house parties...I am way too old and out of shape for those things! But it's a good work out let me tell you!! So it was a great weekend had by all - we wish it didn't have to end.

I've been checking in on everyone's blogs - enjoying the updates. There is one blog in particular that I have become a dedicated reader to. I'm not sure if anyone else in the gay/lesbian parent blog circle reads this one, but it's heartbreaking. Mel at Three Times the Fun started a blog awhile back about her family - her, her husband, their 4 year old son, and their 6-month old TRIPLETS!! What a handful, huh? Well, last week, one of the triplets was found in his crib not breathing. A few days later, he passed away. She has been chronicling the week so amazingly well for a mom that must be going through hell. I don't know this woman (she is actually a friend of a friend), but being a mom, I feel her pain. I cannot imagine what she is going through. I think I would cease to function if anything happened to Cheeks. It's a beautifully written, sometimes heart wrenching read. Please keep this family in your thoughts as they go through this hard time. She noted in her blog that Owen's color was orange (they color coded the triplets) - tomorrow is Owen's funeral - she asked that everyone wear orange. While I don't know this family - her blog has touched me deeply - I will be wearing orange tomorrow to show my support as a fellow mom.

Best.Weekend.Ever.

We had such a great weekend. I wish it didn't have to end. We started off Friday night just relaxing around the house, doing a bit of food shopping, and playing outside.

On Saturday, we had a playdate at the zoo where we met a very nice mom and son. I swear Cheeks and this boy could be brothers - same height, same exact color hair - it's very cute! Hopefully we will expand the friendship - the age is perfect for be (within a few months of each other).

Saturday night, we took Cheeks to a very fun indoor bounce house place. At first Cheeks was hesitant with the new surroundings. It didn't take long for him to start having a blast though! He even slid down a big slide several times!!! I highly recommend this place for anyone with toddlers as they have two toddler bounce houses. It's a perfect outlet for energy on days where it is too hot/rainy/yucky to be outside.

After the bounce houses, we had dinner at a local pizza place. It was outstanding! Cheeks was wore out by the time we got home and he went straight to bed. Doc and I enjoyed watching 48 hours mystery and Saturday Night Live (who doesn't love a good Justin Timberlake episode???)

Yesterday we stayed around the house earlier in the day. Doc got some spring cleaning done on the patios and I played with Cheeks. After Cheeks' nap, we packed up and headed over to the Magic Kingdom! Oh what fun. Cheeks had a haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop (second one there - we love it!) What was exciting about this trip for us was that Cheeks was much more interactive. On It's a Small World he was pointing at all of the animitronics. He enjoyed the Country Bear Jamboree. What was the best for me was seeing his reaction to The Main Street Electrical Parade! He was in awe. This was special to me because when I used to work at Disney, I'd make it a point to watch the parade every time I was working during that time slot. I loved it then - and I love it now. I am so glad that Cheeks seemed to love it as much as I do!!

And now for some pics of our weekend:

Playing with chalk:

Not so sure about the bounce house:

OK - so this place isn't so bad:

Always finding a truck to play with wherever we go:

Being a silly, happy boy at dinner:

Getting a haircut at Disney:

Post Haircut:

Being silly and burning off some energy!:

Waiting for the parade:

Great opportunity for a family pic:

Ohhhh....what pretty lights in the parade:

Passed out after a great weekend:

2 Year Molors Early?

At 14 months, I think that Cheeks is getting his 2 year molors. He has two HUGE mounds in the back/side area of his mouth where the molors come in. He has been fussy and cranky periodically throughout the past few days. His eating habits are reverting to less than desired. And he has been waking in the middle of the night again (well not last night, but the previous night he was up several times).

Are these signs of molors breaking through? Has anyone else's kids gotten their molors at 14 months? What were the signs?

I feel so bad for the little guy.

Our afternoon plans and other ramblings

I am very excited to get out of work today. Once I am off work, Cheeks and I are going to the library to get a couple of new books to read, the park to run around and expell energy, and the store to pick up some American cheese! It should be a funfilled afternoon of mommy and son bonding time.

I love that my job offers the flexibility to work from home because it affords me the ability to have afternoons like this. At 4:15 my computer shuts down and it is pure Cheeks time. I crave that and am lucky that we have that ability.

On another note, I am in the process of switching this blog over to WordPress. I really like the ability to password protect some posts, and that is my main driver to move over there. I think I'm also going to change around the name of the blog
(again) because I'm always up for a change!

I will post the new link as soon as I have the other site up and running (shouldn't be too much longer).

The moms in your life

Dear Cheeks -

You are one lucky little boy. Not only do you have two moms who love you beyond words can say - you also have other women in your life who love you like your own. I wanted to take the time to tell you about each one of them.

Your Mama

Your mama never knew she could love someone so much until the day she laid her eyes on you. She cares about you like no mother I have ever seen. The tiniest scratch on your tiny toe upsets her because she doesn't want to ever see you in any kind of pain or hurt. No matter how tough a day she has, she always pulls a smile out for you. I watch you both play - and there is no doubt in my mind that if a mother and son were ever made for each other - this was the match. You love to climb all over her, and you love to lean against her while watching your favorite shows on TV. This woman loves you more than I could ever begin to tell you in this blog.

Your Mommy

That would be me! You bring a joy to my life that completes me. I always wanted to be a mom, and you made that happen! I burst with pride everytime you accomplish something new. Watching you walk around like a big boy is just so amazingly wonderful to me. I hate leaving you every day to go to work, but know that you are having a blast with your mama and that we will have our fun time when I get home. When I get home, we play, and play, and play. My favorite time of day with you is reading you your bedtime stories. Your mama and I have been reading to you since before you were born, and you just adore books. I love sitting down and reading your favorite books. You usually give books your undivided attention, and that is a special gift that I hope you continue to cherish. I love you so much my son.

Your Grandma G

You have some bond with your Grandma G. Even though you are only 14 months, you know who she is when you see her. You don't get shy and try to hide like you do with other people. You always have a HUGE smile and hugs for her. She makes you laugh more than anyone else I think, and you adore the time you spend playing with her and seeing her on iChat. As soon as she pops onto the computer screen, your face just lights up with excitement. She spoils you rotten, and wouldn't have it any other way.

Your Grandma C

Your Grandma C might not be here with you in person, but she watches over you with all the angels everyday. She loved you very very much and couldn't wait for the times to see you. I remember you were napping once as a tiny baby, and she just couldn't wait for you to wake up to see you. She came charging up the stairs with a big smile and a hug and held you tight. She loved her grandkids, fried chicken, and pigs. I know she looks down on your with love each and every day.

Your Aunt Jen

Your Aunt Jen would steal you from mama and me if she could! She loves to hug and kiss you and call you BMANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!! You laugh at her when I swing you into her and pull you away. She tries to spoil you all the time, but mommy doesn't always let her! When you were born, she couldn't wait to get up to Sanford so she could just hold you, hug you, and kiss you. You have a wonderful Aunt in your Aunt Jen.

Your Cousin Sammi

Your cousin Sammi is 10 years older than you, but treats you like her own little brother. She counts the days until you come to visit so she can help "babysit" you while we are down there. She loves to chase after you, dance for you, play with your toys with you, and laugh with you. You laugh sooooooo much when you play with her. The other day, we were at Grandma G's and we woke Sammi up together. You just stood there and held your arms up for her to pick you up. I know that even though there is a 10 year age difference, you are going to be very close cousins.

And those women my dear, are the women in your life. We all love you beyond words can express. You are one lucky little boy to have so much adoration in your life - and as long as we are all around, you will continue to have that adoration and love.

Love,

Mommy

Days 29 and 30

SO GLAD THIS IS OVER!!!! It was fun - but whew.

Day 29: Wishes
I have one simple wish - for Cheeks to grow up without anyone making fun of him for having two moms. I'm not concerned about it - kids will make fun of anything - if its not that he has two moms, it will be that he has curly hair - or because he is smart - or because of any reason a kid come up with to make fun of him. It's just what kids do. But boy wouldn't it be great if that wasn't a worry for him ever :)

Day 30: A picture

Day 28 - Something that stresses you

I think what stresses me more than anything is finding the time to clean. I want the perfect house - the house that looks like a model home. Mine never will. With a full time job, a wife in school, and an almost 14 month old son, a clean house is hard. I feel sometimes like my life would be so much less stressful if the house was always in perfect order. Although, I know then that something else would stress me out!

Day 27 - Pets

This is a sad post for me. Over the years, Doc and I have adopted several pets. By the time Cheeks came along, we had 4 cats and a dog. Needless to say, my fur-babies don't get the attention they need with so many of them and the baby. So we are working on finding new homes for some of them. Boo recently went to live at Caboodle Ranch - full with cat Walmarts, a cat City Hall, and tree houses. I hate thinking of her there - but I know she is probably happier.

Next to go to their new home will be Sophia. She is our youngest cat. We are bringing her to live with a friend up in NY state. They just lost a cat that looks just like her - so they are excited to have her.

That leaves us with two cats and one dog - a bit more manageable. Harley is our dog. She is part bull terrier (pit bull), and part whippet. She is the sweetest thing ever and lets Cheeks play with her dog tags and sit on her like a bench. She looks mean and has a ferocious bark - but wouldn't hurt a fly.

The two cats are Maxx (short for Maxxine) and TJ (short for Toe Joe). Maxx is all black and TJ is a big old red cat. They are both lap cats and just want to be loved.

I wish we could keep all of them - but I know they will all have happier lives with more attention.

Day 26 - A Picture of Your Family

This is one of the very few pictures of my family all together. From Left to Right:

Backrow: Doc, me, my dad, my uncle, my mom, my sister, my brother-in-law
Middle Row: Cheeks, my aunt, my niece
Front Row: Harley (our dog), Beau (my aunt and uncle's dog)



The only member missing is my sister's dog, Goldie.

I love this photo because it's so rare that we are all together - it always seems like someone is working, or in school, or away on a trip. This was a great pic for me :)

And a couple of pics of my immediate family - these are also rare as it is usually Doc or me taking the pic (which is why these are a bit older) :)

Day 25 - A Favorite Memory

For this post, I decided to go back to before the day Cheeks was born (because that is of course what I would have written about without saying!) My favorite memory was for about 2 minutes on 10/25/2008. Doc and I got married that day (not legally unfortunately - but spirtually and in front of close friends and family!)

The absolute best memory of that day for me was running into a private room directly after the ceremony. We had about 2 minutes alone - and we spent it smiling and laughing. Our family and friends had just thrown birdseed all over us (NOT a good idea for people thinking of doing this - I think I am still finding birdseed 2.5 years later lol). So we were both covered in birdseed - freshly married - and so happy. That was a great moment :)

This is a pic of us running into the room after the ceremony:

WordPress Question

I'm considering a move from Blogger to WordPress. Any advise on this from anyone out there in blogland that has done the switch? Anything better about one over the other? For those who made the switch - are you happy with WordPress?

Day 24 - Something You Have Learned

I have learned a lot in my life - but perhaps the single most important thing I have learned is that being a mom is hard work. I LOVE being a mom - and everything that comes along with it. But it is hard. Your days are no longer your own. Your home starts to looks like a mini Babies R Us - soon to be followed by a mini Toys R Us.

Your schedule gets turned upside down: wake up - feed - sleep - wake up - feed - sleep - wake up - feed - sleep - work - play - feed - sleep - bottle cleaning time - feed - straighten up the mess made during the day - sleep - and do it all over again the next day. Add postpartum hormones into the mix and all that seems impossible at times.

Eventually, that schedule turns into - feed - sleep - work - play - feed - bathtime - bedtime - clean up the mess made during the day - and do it all over again the next day.

To those who don't have kids, this may seem easy - but for those out there that do have kids, they understand how hard it is. You know what though - I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING in the world. It's hard - but I love it. And it is the most rewarding and amazing feeling in the world when that child of yours starts making strides and developments. My heart bursts with pride everytime Cheeks does something new. It's hard work - but it's the best hard work out there :)

New Development

WE HAVE A WALKER!!!! Cheeks is a bit unsteady, and still working on his confidence, but he has officially entered uncharted territory. Cheeks is walking!! I know a lot of people say this phase is more difficult - but I am going to have to go out on a limb and say it is going to make things easier for our family. I am looking forward to him being able to get out of his stroller and stretch his legs more when we are out. And I am looking forward to less bending to pick him up!!

WAY TO GO CHEEKS!! :)

Day 19 - Something You Miss

Apparently I blogged day 20 before day 19 - OOPS!

I miss my family! We few years ago, Doc and I moved up to Central Florida from S. Florida. Even though we are only about 3 hours away, I miss them all the time. I'm looking forward to moving back down there in a few years.

Until then, the times I do get to see everyone (6 or 7 times a year on average) are much more special to me then ever before :)

Day 23 - Favorite Vacation

I think I already answered this one in an earlier post when I wrote about our trip to Scotland. So I'll use this challenge post as an update on Cheeks:

1. WE HAVE A WALKER!!!!!!

2. Cheeks has developed extreme separation anxiety. And I think I have too. Whenever Doc or I leave the room, Cheeks goes into hysterics. We are trying to break this cycle - but it's a rough one.

3. At the age of 13 months, Cheeks has already had 2 haircuts. First one was at the Magic Kingdom - second one at a place called Cool Cuts. VERY happy with MK - not so happy with Cool Cuts.

4. He waves at his mama and me, but still working on waving at others.

5. He claps when he's excited or he is eating something he really enjoys.

6. Favorite meal is Gerber Spinach and Cheese Ravioli, a slice of american cheese, and a cup of yogurt. This always gets claps out of Cheeks.

7. Still loves anything with wheels. He also loves his Mickey Mouse chair too. He is 100% boy climing in and out of that chair. To my horror, he has gone head first off the chair - only to get right back up and do it again!

8. He is becoming more and more affectionate. He gives his toys, books, and the iPad kisses. He gives his mama and me big hugs.

Day 22 - Favorite City

This is an easy one hands down for me. My favorite city is New York City. I love all of the history and culture. I love that there is a huge park in the center of the bustling city. I'm a New Yorker by birth, so perhaps I have some attachment because of that.

Doc and I actually spent our first day meeting each other in NYC. We met online, and by coincidence we were both visiting family/friends in CT Memorial Day Weekend of 2004. We met up and took a train to NYC together. We've been together since. Every year since then (with the exception of when i was pregnant with Cheeks) Doc and I have taken a trip to NYC. We are going back this summer, Cheeks in tow, and we are so excited!!!

Some of my favorite things to do in the city:

1. Broadway
2. Central Park
3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
4. The Museum of Natural History
5. Hotdog at Papaya King
6. Pizza at Familia in Times Square area
7. Times Square

One of these days, we'll get to the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building! I've never done either of those considering I've been there so many times!

Day 21 - A Picture of Me

A picture of me with Cheeks. We were being happy and silly :)



I usually don't like myself in pictures - 9 out of 10 of them from the past 13 months have Cheeks in them too!

**UPDATE - No clue why this one turned out upside down lol. I will work on fixing that today :)

Day 20 - Nicknames

This is a pretty boring post for me. Growing up, I didn't have too many nicknames. They all seemed to develop in college:

1. Jaimela (from my mom)
2. Jaims
3. Jaim

Day 18 - Something you regret

My biggest regret is the path I took in school. I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life, so I settled on business since a lot of my credits fit with that major. I graduated in a B.S. in Marketing. I went back a few years later to get my M.B.A. Today, I hate what I do for a living. There is no moral satisfaction in it. I take home a paycheck and can support my family - but I don't do anything "good" for the world.

I regret not sitting down and really determining what I would like to do. If I had to to do all over again, I would have majored in either education or a career in the healthcare field. I would love to do something that helps people and society as a whole. Unfortunately, with 40K in student loans under my belt, I don't see myself ever being able to make this career switch as those fields require additional schooling.

That is my biggest regret.

Day 17 - Something you're looking forward to

I am looking forward to having bariatric surgery. I am unable to enjoy life to the fullest right now, and I know this surgery will allow me to enjoy it much more. I can't wait to shop for clothes in whatever store I want. I can't wait to enjoy exercising. I can't wait to run and play with Cheeks without getting winded. I am looking so forward to this it's not even funny.

Day 16 - Dream House

This post could probably go on forever! Doc and I purchased our first house on a whim. I know - not very smart. We've learned a lot of what we do and do not want from this home.

We purchased a townhome, so my first requirement for my dream house is a single family home - where we own all four walls and the roof. I am also sick of stairs! So I would LOVE LOVE LOVE a one story house. I want the kitchen and living area to be one large space, so that when we entertain guests, I can be cooking and socializing all at once. That would also help with giving Cheeks more play area while Doc or I prepare our dinner. I really want a big kitchen, with lots of cabinet space, an island, and a double oven. I would like to have 5 bedrooms. This would allow the following:

1. Master bedroom for Doc and me.
2. Room for Cheeks.
3. Room for a future family member :)
4. Guest room.
5. Office

Living in FL, we don't have basements - so lots of storage would be a must (as is a garage! I'd also love a huge fenced in backyard for the kids and dog to run around and play in. Doc's requirement would be a pool in the backyard (and I would concur with that in our FL heat). And I would like a swing set for the kids to play on.

As far as decorating, I want something warm and comfortable. Not too modern - but not too traditional. I like furniture that doubles as storage as well. It would be fantastic to have a professional organizer come organize all of our crap (for lack of a better word!) OK - I think I'm getting off topic now LOL

That's pretty much it - a nice, medium to large sized house to fit our family that has lots of storage, and is all on one floor!

Day 15 - Bible Verse

I honestly have nothing to put here. I was not raised reading the bible. I was raised in Judaism - but almost more cultural than religious. I have read bits and pieces of the bible - but I am no where near well versed enough to have a verse to write about.

I do love my religion/culture - just don't necessarilly feel it stems from a book. It stems more from the culture of my people more than anything. That being said - Monday night is the first night of Passover. So instead of a verse, I will write the four questions from this holiday - one of my favorite parts of the sedar:

Q1: Why is it that on all other nights during the year we eat either bread or matzoh, but on this night we eat only matzoh?

A1: Matzoh reminds us that when the Jews left the slavery of Egypt, they had no time to bake their bread. They took raw dough on their journey and baked it in the hot desert sun into hard crackers called matzoh.

Q2: Why is it that on all other nights we eat all kinds of herbs, but on this night we eat only bitter herbs?

A2: Maror reminds us of the bitter and cruel way the Pharaoh treated the Jewish people when they were slaves in Egypt.

Q3: Why is it that on all other nights we do not dip our herbs een once, but on this night we dip them twice?

A3: We dip bitter herbs into Charoset to remind us how hard the Jewish slaves worked in Egypt. The chopped apples and nuts look like the clay used to make the bricks used in building the Pharaohs buildings. We dip parsley into salt water. The parsley reminds us that spring is here and new life will grow. The salt water reminds us of the tears of the Jewish slaves.

Q4: Why is it that on all other nights we eat either sitting or reclining, but on this night we eat in a reclining position?

A4: We lean on a pillow to remind us that now we are free and can relax in comfort.

**Thanks to http://kosher4passover.com/4questions.htm for the details on the four questions for this post!

Days 13 and 14 of Challenge

I got behind again! Here we go:

Day 13: Goals I have three HUGE goals right now:

1. Lose weight and be healthy: Last night I attended a Bariatric Surgery seminar. I am very excited about this route and can't wait to see where it takes me!

2. Raise my son to be a caring and gentle man: I think Doc and I are doing a good job with this goal. We shower him with affection and are beginning to teach him how to be polite (please, thank you, etc).

3. Get our budget under control and put away money for our family's future: This includes saving for Cheeks' college, our retirement, and extra unexpected expenses. This is a hard one, but we are enjoying doing it. It's great to see our savings build up little bits at a time.

Day 14 - A picture you love

Now this is just too many to choose from. I had to sift through, but found this one that I adore.



Cheeks was about 5 weeks old here. This was one of the first really big smiles he gave me - and I capture it with my phone. He hasn't stopped smiling since!