Type A+

So last night I purchased the girls’ Halloween costumes. Its July 22th, so that means I’m ready over three months early. Overkill? I would tell you what they’re going to be, but then I’d have to kill you (why is that joke still funny?). The only person I’ve told is my sister. And she doesn’t really count.

When I was pregnant with Little A, we decided to keep her name a secret. We thought it would be fun to have a surprise to share that day. After we made the final decision, I was talking to my sister and I said, “We’ve decided on her name, but we’re keeping it a secret.” “Oh,” she said. “So you’re not going with Alexandra after all?” Oops. When had I told her? That’s when I made the rule that sisters don’t count when it comes to secrets.

I do realize that its a little crazy to plan things like this so long in advance. I mean, what if they actually have an opinion or something? I’ve decided they’re too young to have opinions for now. And luckily they kinda worship me, so they’ll usually go along with what I say.

Do I sound cocky when I say that? I’m not trying to...its more of a fact. Its smothering to say the least. This morning, Little A cried for the entire time I showered. J couldn’t console her. She went to her room to cry and scream “mommy” over and over. I went in to get her and found her rocking on her lambie rocker crying in her pj’s. She said Mommy on every forward rock. It was frankly hilarious.

Then there’s Big A - she’s made a lifetime career of being my stalker. This morning, she disappeared for a few and then came back in our room. She had found her never-worn pink fluffy bathrobe that looks exactly like mine and she had put it on. “I’m Mommy,” she proclaimed and we had a good laugh. Then she disappeared again, and came back with a towel draped over her head to further mimic me. Finally she went and got her make-up and pretend hair dryer and proceeded to copy my morning routine. We could not stop laughing, and it was a little frightening to be honest.

At this rate, I’ll probably be Christmas shopping by next month. Big A’s backpack and lunchbox have been purchased since last November. I’ve had Little A’s “big-girl room” mentally planned for over a year, and most parts have been purchased already. We’ll probably start wedding dress shopping next year.

What a day...

Just another day in paradise - full of critters, bee stings and blood. Ah, parenthood.

As if its not bad enough that we have a mouse (or mice) in the workplace, I came home from work today to a little "surprise" - my parents had found a dead mouse in our basement playroom. AHHHHH. When J got home from work, the girls took him down and I hear them shout "It's not dead, its sleeping." Big A laughed like it was the best thing ever. She ran upstairs and screamed "I didn't know this was going to happen today!" Neither did I.

After disposing of the mouse, we headed to Big A's t-ball game - in the nearly 100 degree heat. Good times. As we sweated on the bleachers, Little A kept climbing on me and I muttered, "This is torture." As if to taunt me, I suddenly felt a prick in my finger and looked down to see a half-dead bee hanging out on my thumb. Ouch. Being an adult kinda sucks, because you can't even cry when you get stung by a bee. You just have to kinda brush it off and look brave all the while wanting to scream like a baby and get a Popsicle for your pain. Or is that just me?

We headed home and Big A asked me to change her earrings...easy enough, right? Ha! I should have known to quit while ahead. I took one out and noticed some blood...some kind of puss-filled ball had burst when I took the earring out and it was pouring out. Gross. I cleaned her ear and attempted to put the new earring in. Kids must have super-galactic healing skin because in the 2 minutes her earring was out, her skin seemed to have fused together. In the ensuing fuss, the earring flew out of my hand and went...you guessed it - right down the sink drain. Sigh. Cue screams.

I immediately blocked the sink from use and we went in her room to put on her other pair where we couldn't lose it. The ear started bleeding again and she jumped - the earring went flying. I told the girls to shake their clothes. At this point, Little A was naked except for a diaper so she said, "I can't shake my clothes, but I can shake my belly." A moment of much-needed humor. Big A peeled off her clothes and after a few minutes, I finally found the earring on the carpet. I managed to get both in her ears amid some screaming. Crisis averted.

As I put Little A to bed, she requested her usual: "Rub my back and sing a song." I began to rub her back and sing her favorite tune, when suddenly she looked up. "Just rub my back. Don't sing a song."

I think its time to call it a day.

Back to the blog....

So, as my three or so loyal readers may have noticed, its been awhile. I was actually considering being done with the blog, but lately, I've been feeling inspired again, so I'm back! I'm pledging to write at least weekly, so please check back!

So updates on me and the As...things are good! Summer is in full swing and it has been BUSY. I feel like each week is flying by in record time and we are hurtling toward the fall. And this scares me because Big A is set to start kindergarten on August 27th and that is just...major.

But to back up a bit, since I last wrote (on Big A's 5th birthday), a lot has happened. Big A graduated from preschool! It was bittersweet...she has come a long way, and yet I can't believe my first baby is about to be a school-aged kid. It boggles the mind. She had a great year and made a lot of good friends at school and had some great teachers. I'm glad we still have Little A at the preschool so at least we will stay in touch.

After school ended, the girls embarked on their summer schedule, which is a crazy mix of camp at school, a babysitter and plenty of beach time too. The girls have been lucky enough to spend two weeks so far at the beach with their grandmother (and us there for some of that time). We also joined a swim club again, so we have been trying to get there as often as possible. The girls love the water, and this year has been super easy, as they love to play together and don't really need us right there. Its a nice change, though I am still cautious about water safety since neither girl can really swim yet. Big A is getting there though.

As for me, my job is still going well. I really like it, and am starting to get to know my coworkers better and having some fun doing it. I walk during lunch almost daily with a group of coworkers, which is a nice way to get in some exercise and gossip at the same time. We also all recently bonded over a mouse sighting, which we have named Pedro. Of course, it wasn't all fun and games when I saw him stalking my office and started screaming like a maniac. I think I've sealed my reputation as a nutcase, better sooner than later. We are also planning some Olympic office games, which might include roller chair races. I'm in training.

In other exciting news, Big A has gotten in touch with her athletic side - something I never thought would happen.

Exhibit A - if you're gonna be sporty, you gotta be cute.

J signed her up for t-ball and she is a natural. Clearly, she gets that from J. He is also the coach for her team and they both are having a ball. I think this is the start of long athletic career for both of them. Its not quite as much fun for me sitting on the sidelines with a restless and active almost-three-year-old who uses me as a jungle gym and cries about everything and nothing.

Exhibit B

At least she's cute

I'm starting to think my parents were lucky we weren't into sports (or rather, they weren't into us). Saved them a lot of time on the sidelines. Nevertheless, I'm determined to unlock my inner soccer mom and cheer my girl on. It helps that she seems to have a talent for it, which is fun to watch.

Make sure to check back soon - I promise to regale you with even more tales of my oh-so-exciting suburban life!