GROWING UP...

The more time goes by since I became a mommie, the more I notice things that signify my growning up. For instance, I used to drink, smoke and have other poor habits. I haven't had a cigarette in 2yrs/8mo. I have been drunk, at most...5 times, and that's REALLY PUSHIN' IT! (Just the thought of being hungover TERRIFIES me!)

At some point in life (circa 2004) I became extremely destructive (any prior behavior was with the intention of good times) and would drink myself so far into intoxication, it was amazing the real me ever found its way back. I didn't have a 'drinkng problem', I had a 'coping problem' and lacked any real sign of self-control. Having been through some traumatizing events in my teen years, being your typical insecure young woman, along with a 4yr emotionally abusive relationship, and losing my grandpa (my hero)...saying I had issues would be an understatement.

The best thing that EVER happened to me (aside from anything after this monumental occassion) was getting a DUI. Spending 8hrs alone in a holding cell, and going to the bathroom on camera were more than enough for me. Long story short, I met Stephen and we had AJ LOL

The whole point of this is I have given up any 'bad habits'. All the methods I used to cope with stress, sadness, anger and even happiness in some cases. As a result, I'm uptight and irritable. I'm still trying to find my outlet...until then, I'll keep suckin' it up and puttin' a smile on my face.

BLOGCATION

It seems as though I had taken a blogcation for the last couple months...partly because I don't know what to say, and partly because I've been too busy tweeting! hahahahah It just seems so much easier for me to give little tidbits of my life throughout the day or week. I've been designating more time for AJ and less time for computer, which also plays a key role in the blogcation. And by the time I get him to bed, I'm ready to do NOTHING. Another theory I have, the simplier my life is, the happier I am.

So now that this blogging-hiatus has come to an end...its time to get it together and blog away.

A recent issue has been AJ's birthday...and it seems like this is ALWAYS going to be an issue. Unfortunately for him, he was born during the midst of summer when most people have plans on a regular basis (in my opinion he should be glad he wasn't born on Christmas like Uncle Chris and Tony). Last year, we didn't have a party because my sister was getting married and we all were extremely overwhelmed. We ended up having at least 3 birthday gatherings and AJ came to a point where he asked me when he could have another birthday cake because he had already had 3 different cakes. Although I never grew up having parties or multiple birthday celebrations, as I got older, my birthday turned into a 3-5 day long celebration. I have a celebration with my family, a celebration with one group of friends and a celebration with another group of friends...unfortunately for me, I think there is NO HOPE for either of us! We will just go on living our lives, feeling entitled to multiple birthdays.

In AJ's case, he has a large family on my side, and a large family on his dad's side...and because we don't have our own house of yet...it seems easier to have seperate birthday celebrations. (Note-To-Self: buy a house with a HUGE backyard for large parties) So this is year, it seems like everyone has something going on...and there is no way that I can even attempt to have one gathering! On top of that, certain members of his father's family have no toleration for eachother...let's just say....by the time we are done, he will be well on his way to a week-long birthday celebration.

What's New

So we've had several recent changes in our lives...and if you know me or anything about me --- I HATE CHANGE!!!!!

Stephen has reached one of his goals, getting a new job. He has been trying to get a job with the state for the last year or so, and it's finally worked out! Being the work-horse that he is...he had planned to maintain both jobs but due to scheduling conflicts he was unable to both. It seems like a blessing in disguise, his whole attitude and enthusiasm has returned to his pre-depot-self. (This makes for a very happy mama) He LOVES his job, has normal hours and has set himself up for his future. In his spare time he will start plastering and hopefully turn that into something as well.

Because Steve has new hours, AJ gets a lot more time with him and a lot less time with his Meani. This makes for a very sad AJ and a very sad Meani. The change in routine was so traumatic for me, I was crying Sunday night!!!! For the last 19 months I have been dropping him off at her house Mon-Fri before 8am...I have found a positive to make me feel better MORE SLEEP!!!! :0)

All in all, the changes have been mild and made things better. With the patience I am severely lacking I hope we'll have many more POSITIVE changes in the future! ;0)

NOTE TO SELF...

While I realize its easy to ignore the amount of weight I've gained...but the ignoring has GOT TO STOP!!!

I am putting my foot down to myself...I'm not making anymore excuses and making any attempts to cheat my way to a lower weight. I am finally going to make an effort to get to that goal weight!!! And I'm gonna do it right!!!

I'd love to follow the weight watchers, writing down everything I eat...but I'm just not ready to face that music yet...

To Be Continued...

Catch-Up Sesh --- Round Deuce

The last few weeks have been very busy!!!! A combination of that, and a MAJOR case of MINOR Distractions...

Over the last two weeks we have done the following:

• Participated Brookie and Simon's AMAZING wedding
• Danced with Babiez Daddie (I mostly tell him I cant dance LOL)
• Got sick...TWICE
• AJ learned he can kiss rocky's head
• I made my first MAJOR Hospital SALE --- IVIG $11,815 (we'll see what I actually make)
• AJ pooped in the showie...AGAIN
• The Bad Bunny redeemed himself by bringing AJ a T-Ball Set
• We were BLESSED with Lindsay's presence (my dad's FAVORITE daughter)
• I started reading 'The Happiest Toddler on the Block' and learned AJ IS A NEANDROTHOL
• Had a HEAT WAVE
• Realized how much I can MISS a friend when they are gone...
• Went to Frankie and Alista's Baby Shower

And we have more exciting things to come!!!!

QUICK CATCH-UP SESH...

ohkay, so obviously i have ZERO time for this blogging nonsense these days...why you ask?! i have a little monster who has taken up golfing and baseball, a wedding in two days (not mine obviously) and the daily grind.

let's start with aj'z continued interest in sports. he now has a baseball, soccer ball, basketball and golf club. his love for baseball was amped up when his meani bought his an inflated tball stand, ball and bat and he has been watching the preseason baseball games with his aunti meani and uncle steve for the last week and is now pitching (we are talking adjusting shirt, lifting leg and throwing the ball) and batting (thanks to park with uncle nick). last nite we got him a toddler glove and squishy ball and against papa's wishes, nana also bought him some squishy balls last week to practice his pitching. thanks to his well-rounded family, his teams are angels, white sox, dodgers and yankees. i can say for certain #2 is his favorite yankee...'c'monnn two' was my first hint (derek jeter for those who don't know). he also enjoys watching the pga tour with his papa, and practing his putting with his own toddler-sized iron putter compliments of papa. he has also been fond of basketball and last nite mama and dada got him a regulation-size basketball that he cant get enough of. a couple weeks ago we went to dland and he picked out a nickey (nickey, mickey...it's all the same to aj) mouse soccer ball he has spent some quality time with. although, he was trying to convince me that he needed to take my old soccer ball in the bathtub this evening (i decided against it).

a wedding!!!!!!!!!!! one of my very best friends (i prefer to call her a sister) is getting married friday evening (thank god none of us are catholic) at nixon library. although i'm in the wedding, i haven't had much responsibility...in fact, i don't recall any...except showing up (what a good friend). we have had some unusual rain over the last couple days and the forecast doesn't look too promising. the ceremony is outside with an indoor reception to follow. she has informed me this afternoon that she will not have her ceremony in some boardroom because of the damn rain and they will just have to make the 'i do' quick if it is raining. which means...i will be wearing a floor-length dress, heels and standing in grass...CROSS YOUR FINGERS it clears up before 530p friday.

daily grind. working 40hrs/wk and taking care of aj is a lot more than i bargained for. i hardly have time for things i used to, but i'm definitely more used to it. with the wedding almost out of the way and summer only months away...i am devoting all my afternoons to working out and getting back in shape...let's hope for the best on that one.

one last tidbit for your reading pleasure...aj had a visit to the easter bunny last saturday with rocky...let's just say, it didn't go as planned!!! he got within feet of the bunny and lost his baby mind. he wanted NOTHING to do with him and wouldn't let up the crying until we were out of sight. for the remainder of the evening he referred to the bunny as BAD BUNNY and even woke up in the middle of the night yelling about the BAD BUNNY. like my sister, i am hoping the bunny redeems himself easter morning!!!! :0)

Aunt Dani's House

This evening AJ and I came over to Aunt Dani's house to do her hair for a wedding. I had tried to prep him for his cousin Kobe, telling him that he was a kitty, but not necessarily a kitty AJ should TOUCH! haahahahah!!!! I even went as far as to tell him...Kobe thinks he's a PUPPY!!! I don't think AJ realized I was sorta being serious about him thinking he was a puppy. So we got here and they both FREAKED. AJ was doing his normal nervous/spastic behavior and Kobe was doing his spastic fluttering...it was AWESOME. At one point, Kobe was STALKING his PREY...and his prey would notice right in time to not become what we call 'kitty snacks' hahahhah