Nekked in the 'hood

As I sit here with Garnier #401 soaking up the gray on my head, I'm reminiscing about our weekend. The weather was decent-ish and the boy was pretty decent-ish too. I did spend a lot of time alone (w/the boy), which is very old, lonely, and frustrating but it wasn't terrible. We spent a lot of time outside. The usual...in the pool, in the sandbox, and walking the 'hood. On Friday he got a hold of the hose and spent a good part of the afternoon tormenting Daddy and I with it. I was soaked. And I didn't care. I didn't have anywhere to go, noone to see, no reason to get all wigged out about getting all wet and sloppy. He did love when we got the hose away and sprayed him too...but he loved to be in control of it. There was a lot of "Come on Mommy, wanna get wet" and "Come here Mommy". It was fun. I wonder, though, how I ended up with a control freak for a child.

On Saturday, he wanted to play in the pool...in his birthday suit. I had cleaned out an empty mustard bottle for use in his play kitchen, but it made it's way outside and into the pool. He had great fun throwing mustard bottles of water on me as you can tell from the photo. I got him a couple times too.

Grandma and Grandpa arrived for a visit early Saturday afternoon to see their grandson playing outside in his birthday suit. They were a little shocked, but thought it was hilarious, nonetheless. He came running down the driveway to greet them...and then wanted to play in the front yard, sidewalk, etc...with his junk front and center. My son...the nudist. Grandma, the boy and I went to TJ Maxx for a couple Ralph Lauren Polo shirts (because honestly, where else can you get them for $10?) and then to the dollar store for some buck toys...including a new watch! Good times, good times.

Sunday was much of the same, only the boy spotted 3 little boys walking on the sidewalk (or rather, they spotted him and stopped), so we walked over to say hi. The boy was chatting them up, getting all their details. Twin boys who will be 3 in September and another boy who will be 4 in August. They were very shy and barely said a word, but when we invited them up to check out the sandbox they were all over it. They played for a few minutes while their Uncle and I chatted. The twins would ask things like "that?" as they held up a random toy. The uncle, boy or I would tell them what that was. They knew some words and talked a bit, but it was very hard to understand and they were very soft spoken. Meanwhile my child is instructing them what to do, how to do it and why they should do it - in full sentences.

Control freak and bossy? How did that happen? :)

salmonellosis

1. sudden severe diarrhea. check.

2. fever and chills. check.

3. vomiting. check.

4. abdominal cramps. check.

5. prostration (physical exhaustion). check.

Thankfully 1-4 only lasted 24 hours-ish. #5 lasted 2 days. I think it's over.

Damn you bacteria.

My weekend with a 2 year old

No Mommy. I don't like {insert word here} anymore. No Mommy. I don't want to do {insert word here} anymore. No Mommy. No Mommy. No Mommy.

So, my husband is on nights. And he also had to work all weekend. So...that makes for a very exhausting weekend for mommy. Not only does mommy have to find ways to entertain a 2 year old for 2 days, but she has to do the grocery shopping as well.

The weekend started ok. I guess. We headed to the market for fruits and veggies after breakfast. He was actually good at the market and entertained many passers by. He decided that was the time and place to scream at the top of his lungs for attention. Thankfully I didn't get any dirty looks and thankfully he likes to "whisper" too...so we played the whisper game. At the checkout, he asked the lady in line behind us the following "What are you doing? Are you shopping? Are you buying vegetables? Do you like it?". She looked at me and asked how old he was. He wouldn't answer that question. So, I said "He's 2". She said..."2 1/2?"...I said, "No, just 2 last month". "Oh my, and he talks like that? WOW". Yep.

We went to Target as well. We had to purchase a new Ninny (pacifier) because he threw his other one in the kitchen garbage can. Then a minute later wanted to fish it out. Um...no, we don't pick things out of the garbage. Especially things you put in your mouth. That trip went surprisingly well. I reserved the grocery store as my little getaway when my husband woke up. It sucks when my "outing" is a trip to the grocery store.

We spent a great deal of the weekend in the pool, not in the pool, in the sand box, not in the sand box, walking around the neighborhood, not walking around the neighborhood. Today, during our walk...he decided to jet across the street. He thought today was the day he no longer had to hold my hand to cross the street. We ended up sitting on the sidewalk, near the curb, having a little discussion. He was not at all interested and fought for the first couple minutes. Then he sat down between my legs while I explained to him the importance of holding my hand while crossing the street. What a battle that was.

And...in closing...when I got him from his nap this afternoon, I was talking to him while changing his diaper as I always do, and he always talks to me too. Today he said "Stop talking Mommy".

I could go on forever, but I'm done talking.

Conversation with Amanda

"Can I help you".

'Um, yeah, I purchased this bag in October, and...well, you can see for yourself that it's falling apart".

{scrunched face} "Hmm. Sorry. We could send it in for repair."

"I've only had the bag for 8 months...doesn't seem like it should fall apart that quickly."

"Um, that's really just normal wear and tear."

"After 8 months? You're joking."

"Nope, it's pretty common. We could send it in for you to see if they can repair it. There's a $20 fee to send it in."

"Oh. Uh-uh, I won't be paying anything to send it in. That's ridiculous."

"Ok. Do you want to send it in?"

"Well. If they can't repair it...what are my options?"

"If they can't repair it they will return it to you."

"Are there any other options. Replacement? Discount off new bag?"

"Oh, um, yeah. They could call you when they determine if they can fix it or not and let you know what the options are."

"Ok. If they offer a discount...how much is that typically?"

"40%"

"You are telling me that they will offer me a 40% discount to replace a $400 bag I've had for 8 months? That's ridiculous."

"Well, that's what it usually is. They can tell you when they call."

"Ok. Send it in."

**I'll keep you posted on the outcome. Of course, it will take 4 to 6 weeks.**

Product UNdorsement

I buy a lot of stuff. It's true. And if you'll look at my profile to the right, you'll see that I am a confessed handbag addict.

I purchased a Coach Ergo bag in October 2007. It was my Anniversary gift. After 8 years (well, always actually) I just buy myself whatever I want for special occassions. My husband was with me, however, which is rare. He's not a shopper.

It was a double special occassion of sorts. Not only was it our 8th wedding anniversary, but I also wanted a brand new bag to carry to my husbands 20 year class reunion. (Yeah, I know, I know.) I chose the Ergo because of it's size, shape, look - and because it was just released the day before I purchased it. I've been lurking in the Coach store since they opened at Westfield Franklin Park. I've had coach bags in the past (I actually just sold 3 of them on Ebay), but I had moved on to other favorite designers like Kate Spade, Allison Burns, Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs, etc. It's been a long time since I've added a new Coach to my collection.

So, back to the Ergo. The Ergo that is only 8 months old. My son crawled at 8 months. The Ergo...it fell apart.

The famous jacquard fabric of my Ergo has rubbed off. I inspected the entire bag for other signs of wear and there really aren't any. I am careful not to set it on the floor (except at work, but it's on carpet), and I always hang it off my chair when in a restaurant. It's often packed with snacks, cars & trucks, diapers & wipes and a sippy cup.

I'm a bit puzzled by the wear of the fabric, so after further thought, I put it on my shoulder and looked at it. I discovered that the wear patch is where the bag touches the side of my body. So, the fabric is wearing off where it is worn.

I plan to visit the Coach store during my lunch. They will make it right. Because the last thing they want is to "wrong" a confessed handbag addict.

The results are in

So, I had an ultrasound today to see if the Mirena is in the right position. It is. So, the problems I am experiencing with the stupid thing do not stem from it being in the wrong place. It's simply because my body cannot handle the hormones.

I have an appointment after vacation to get it removed. Because, of course, the Dr wasn't in today when I went in for the ultrasound. My options were the day before we leave or the week after we return. I decided that it would be better not to screw up my system (any more than it already is) before or during vacation.

Anyway, while she was looking around...she did not find anything else wrong. No tumors, growths, cysts, etc. She said my uterus and ovaries looked good. YAY!

On another note: My son continues to make me talk to strangers. Last night while we were wandering around the 'hood, he spotted a cute little girl and ran up and said "Hi!". She and her mom had just parked their car and were getting out. "What's your name?" my son asks. "Isabel" she responds. Isabel then looks at me and says "how old is he?" My son says "I'm 2". I ask Isabel how old she is..."I'm 4", she says. Her mom walks around the side of the car and says Hi. I say Hi back. She tells me her name (which I can't remember) and I tell her mine (which I do remember occassionally). She says "He's only 2 and talks like that? WOW!"

Yes. Yes indeed.

I can't handle a 3rd

So, when things happen in 3s, is it all the same "type" of things, or just terrible things in general?

So, Friday night, a friend of ours calls to tell us that his stepdad died. This man was only a stepdad in the way that he wasn't his biological father. He was his dad in every other sense of the word. He was a great guy and very close with his stepkids. He has been sick for several years and just recently got pneumonia, which ended up taking his life. What a sad sad time.

Two friends have lost their fathers in the past week. I'm sick. I'm just damn sick about it.

So, when is the 3rd bomb going to drop? I hope there isn't a 3rd. I can't handle a 3rd.

I went to the OBGYN on Friday. How did I know that he wouldn't remove the Mirena then and there? He didn't try to talk me out of it, but he did say that he wanted to get me back in for an ultrasound to see if maybe it is not in the right position as he has never heard of all of the symptoms I described as being related to the Mirena. I'm sure they have to report this kind of stuff from the makers of Mirena, so they are probably required to do some testing. If it has moved, it will have to be removed anyway as it isn't doing what it was intended to do (and causing all of my issues), and if it has not moved he will remove it anyway, per my wishes.

So, while he's in there looking around I suppose I will find out if there are any other problems. I've always sort of figured there was, or will be, something wrong (geesh, hypochondriac much?). I have a family history - both sides - of ovarian cancer and cervical cancer. So, I'm scared. But, at least I will know. And at least the Mirena will be gone.

I'm also nervous that I will not get "better" after the Mirena is removed. I'm nervous that I am stuck with the "crazies" forever. Ack.

**EDIT: I absolutely did not intend to discount the passing of our friend's mom in May. I do hope that, including her passing, the 3s are over.