Chase Parker-Angel, The Little Prince

Well we still exist.

2010-04-11T15:56:00.008-04:00

Well video killed the radio star and facebook killed the blogger. I just don't take the time to do it. I'm sure I could find time if I really tried to at least post once a week.
well obviously a lot has happened since my last post in November. We have been doing very well. We had a great holiday and Santa spoiled Chase. Chase turned 4 in January and had a party at build a bear with almost all his classmates from school. I am so lucky he loves school and never wants to stay home. Even when he is sick he wants to go. In February Chase had tubes put back in his ears because he was having some issues and had a bit of a hearing loss they believe will clear up with the tubes because he had "fountains" in his eye according to his doctor. March we headed back to Disney and Chase had a great time. When we were leaving the hotel to head back to the airport he was crying he wanted to stay at Disney. It appears I have met my match for loving the mouse. Almost everyday he asks to go back.
Easter was last weekend and I tried to stay away from a lot of candy so he got a bunch of movies. He surprises me with what he likes. He loves Ponyo and Princess and the Frog. I am holding off on giving him the Chipmunks Squeakeal, or however it is spelled. He loved looking for the eggs. He came down stairs in the morning and he saw one and then another and he just ran around the downstairs so excited. He found all but 5 easily we all had to look for 1.
He must be going through a growth spurt the past 4 days he has eaten like a pig. Well sort of. He is starving when I pick him up from school and dinner is hit or miss but come 730 he is starving again. He's been eating a lot from 730 until I can finally get him to sleep. The other day we stopped for dinner on the long ride home he ate a hot dog and a dilly bar. Then when he got home he ate his apples sauce then 3 pieces of cheese before he went to sleep. The past 2 days for breakfast he has eaten a slew of pancakes or waffles and then for lunch he has eaten 2 PB and J sandwiches. Some of his pants are now floods will go into the emergency change at school.
Between him being sick and travelling I have a new bedfellow. He has been hunkered up with me in my bed and contrary to my old view I do like it.

Starting school

2009-11-08T14:25:00.002-05:00

Monday was Chase's first day or preschool. It was a rough start. He woke up screaming for me about 3 am so he came in to bed with me, nuzzled up and went back to sleep. I got up and got dressed and he stirred. He didn't want to get up. I told him we had to get going so we could get to school and he just lost it. He was crying and begging not to go to school and please don't leave me there. That continued all the way until we were about 10 minutes from home. Then he just sat there sullen in his car seat not saying a word. We stopped for munchkins for breakfast a little bit before school so he would have something to eat for breakfast. He complained his belly hurt. He started to cry as we pulled into the parking lot. It took him a bit to stop and we went in. I stayed for about 20 minutes and he was trying to climb all over me for me to hold him. Finally I gave him a hug and a kiss, promised him IHOP for dinner and that I will be back in a while to pick you up and the teacher started to distract him. I made it to the door and just before it closed I heard him say where's my Mommy going. But still he wasn't crying. Then when I picked him up he nearly knocked me over. that night brushing his teeth he wanted to know if he could go to school again. Tuesday I was off but I still took him to school so he would get into a pattern. Drop off was good again. Overall the whole week went much better than I thought it was. The only time I would lose it was when he was crying.
Friday I picked him to head to a H1N1 clinic. Let's just say it sucked. We waited nearly 2.5 hours in the cold wind to be turned away at 345. We got a VIP ticket for next Friday at 12.... 2 hours before the next scheduled clinic.... wow what a bargain. SO needless to say both Chase and I have horrible colds!

Stressful day

2009-10-30T17:41:00.004-04:00

Today we said goodbye to our beloved babysitter of three years. Chase starts school monday. Jeanne has treated Chase like he was her own grandchild. Spoiling him so much. I could never thank her for all the love and care that she gave Chase. I left there in tears. We went to Chase's school for their Halloween party. Boy it's going to be rough Monday! he was like velcro with crazy glue attached! He wouldn't let go of me. For some of the group pictures I had to hold his hand out of the way. The only time he let go of me or wasn't climbing on me was when he did the trick or treat walk to get candy. Talk about a small world. I it turns out somebody we knew from the shore 4 years ago has a son in Chase's class and their is also someone who works in my building that has a son in his class too. Here is his first class picture

Ok, I lied

2009-10-10T16:46:00.018-04:00

Well September flew by and I didn't keep my promise to post once a week. It was relly a short busy month with work and then leaving for our trip. We left the 28th and headed to Disney and then the Guatoberfest Cruise. We finally got home yesterday. It was a good trip but long... who knew it was a good 4 hours from Disney to Miami.... Mapquest said 3.5 so I figuired with me driving 3 hours no problem... no way.
We arrived in Disney late Tuesday afternoon went to eat at T-Rex Cafe and then headed to Hollywood Studios to see Fantasmic. We spent 45 minutes in line to see Buzz and Woody and then went to insure we had a seat for Fantasmic. Chase loved it. I thought it might scare him abit but he loved it and was sorry to see it end. He sat on Grammy's lap while I tried to video it unsuccessfully I might add.

We didn't arrive at the hotel until 930-945. A long day for us and it didn't help the GPS had us make a wrong turn so it took an extra 10 minutes. We stayed at Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom. It was very nice. A you really can see animals right outside the lobby.

Day 2 was animal kingdom and breakfast with Donald and that night headed to the Magic Kingdom to catch the night parade Spectromagic. The parade schedule was sporadic so I wanted to make sure we saw it because Chase loves it. Day 2 not too bad. He did throw a tantrum or too. Dragged him out of line after waiting to see Rafiki
Day 3 was the Magic Kingdom all day. Chase was a terror!!!! He wouldn't listen got dragged out of line a couple times and smacked his little tush a couple times too. He got a little better that night. He wanted to see Buzz so bad but not nearly as bad as he was. I started a reward system 10 stars and he could get a sword.
Well I guess I have to say he got a lot better because we had reservations to eat with Pooh and friends and they were an hour behind. He made it through dinner much better than he made it through the day.

Well Mommy just about had it at Hollywood Studios the next day so we were out of there before the parade at 3! wouldn't stay in line, hit, threw himslef down and yes tried to choke himself again. Here is his first attempt I was able to get in a picture. Needless to say he ended the day owing me stars.... still nowhere near a sword

Days 4 and 5 were at Magic Kingdom. He actually was very good saturday and he was given the benefit of the doubt with the stars and I bought him a cool "light saber" sword.

Well in 10 minutes it was dead so off to return it. I said it atleast has to be strong enough to get out of the park. We watched the night parade again and headed back to the hotel. We didn't set the alarm to get up and decided we would grab something to eat at the park after packing up the car. Chase continued to be pretty good. We stayed to watch the afternoon parade which Chase just loved. A number of the characters gave him 5. It was then off to the store for our last purchases and on to Miami.
We hit the car about 4pm got gas and was on the road at 430 with Chase asking are we there yet about 25 times while still on Disney property. He finally passed out about 15 minutes into the ride. Who knew that mapquest really meant Miami was 4 hours away? I sure didn't.
oh did I forget to mention that the Dolphins had a home game to so we landed in Mianmi about 45 minutes after game time and of course it was dark, I was tired, there was traffic and then there was Chase just being a 3 year old. My nerves were shot. We found the hotel with no problem but couldn't find where to park. So I found the gas station refilled the rental and called the hotel. we got the LAST parking space in the lot. the spaces were about 1 foot wider than the car a typical city parking lot. so we ended up settling into the room about 945. the next day it was off to return the rental car and off to Port Miami for our Guatoberfest Cruise!
Monday didn't start so well, I had a hard time backing out of the parking space, oh yea because there was a 7 inch piece of rebar sticking up that I drive onto the night before so I ripped part of the bumper.

A good swift kick or mallet would have fixed it but I had neither. So the rental return was in Miami Beach 7 miles away. So I follow the GPS and it directs you to a dead end with NO ALAMO in sight. I call and they say just park it anywhere I'm like where are you well I was there and didn't see anything... or yeah it's hidden by a liquor store. Well the good news was they were so busy I don't believe they saw the bumper! We waited about 35 minutes for the shuttle to the port and we were off.
Well, check in didn't go so well. They confiscated the sword Chase got for his 10 stars... the clerk said oh he'll forget about it she obviously doesn't know him. The first one broke in 10 minutes how could they ever think it was a weapon.

THe cruise was fun. The weather was hot and Chase was bearable. He wasn't the best in Key West after out $80 bike ride to the Buoy he refused to stand for a picture and of course after we left he wanted it. I was pissed 80 bucks an no picture at the southern most part of the US. Here I am trying to get him to stand up.

We did manage a picture at mile marker "0"

We didn't plan any excursions at Cozumel so we just got off the boat and walked around the pier shops.
here is a picture of my cool dude in Cozumel

And our whole reason for the trip was Guatoberfest. A trip for families that have adopted children. There were 24 families who had adopted children from Guatemala.
Here are some of the beautiful famlies.

It was a fun time but I would have like to have more group activities. My whole reasoning for going was to get to know other families and their children. I wanted Chase to interact with the other children. there weren't any group activities planned and it was hard to have anytype of conversation on deck because the music was too loud. 4 families did sit together at dinner so we did make 3 other families our friends. They were great. Chase tried camp Carnival. he lasted about 2.5 hours. he was all but crying when I dropped him off, it was mommy who shed the tears. Grammy and I got to eat dinner in piece until I realized that they were bringing the kids down to eat. So we hid and I saw Chase looking sad holding the counsellor's hand. Well about an hour or so later I got the call to pick him up he's crying asking for Mommy. They really didn't give it too long. I missed the first call 824 another at 826 and then i finally realized it wasn't the slot machines and answered the call at 829. he broke down sobbing and crying when he saw me. Then he made another one of the little Guat tots Dominic start crying. We tried again the next morning. They didn't even give him a half hour and they were calling for me to come get him! What about redirecting the children.... camp carnival not so good! One counsellor was willing to try again with him but it really wasn't worth it. Grammy watched him while I went to my meeting.
We did stop by one more time to get his picture taken with FUNSHIP FREDDIE.

This about sums up his behavior

A few things I'll say just once but they go for just about everyday of the trip. It was DAMN HOT!!!!! 90's everyday It appears the locals don't use their air conditioners, and just about everyone loved my little ham as bad as he was. He was the star of a show in Hollywood Studios. They just thought he was a doll. They gave him a good name.... not a Diva but a DIVO, yup that applies. He entertained so many people on board the ship including one of the boats officers. I remember him from the Lido deck. He was also the kissing police in the pool. He would go over and say hi and what are you doing????
Everywhere we went I heard how adorable and how cute he was... and I WOULDN'T ARGUE THAT FOR THE WORLD!!! He is he is just darn right bad but I love that little angel to death.
Yup I have become one of those parents I used to loathe......

screw the spelling spell check won't work; too bad

I just can't keep up...

2009-09-04T21:26:00.006-04:00

so we have been back from the shore a week today and this is the first time I can remember to try and post. We had a great 2 weeks of weather and celebrated our 3rd Gotcha/Family Day the 15th. The year we came home we got off the plane drove home around midnight and the next afternoon by 2 he was at the Jersey Shore. Back to the weather, we had no real rain to speak of, one afternoon of rain which allowed for the little angel to take a nap in his room. Overall he was very good; he got away with more than I would have liked because I didn't want to ruin everyone's vacation or day on the beach. He loved the water sometimes and others didn't. The minute the sun came up for the most part he was up. I tried to stall him for a bit but I was up and out of the house for our walk by 730 almost every morning. We got into a routine at the beach, play for a bit, lunch nap and ice cream. That routine didn't take long. Every time he woke up the first 3 words were "mommy ice ceam!". the days were long and I was often beat but we had a great time. There were a few annoying days not minutes when he asked the same thing 3 million times over and over. Oh he needed and still does a SUGAR DETOX!
Here are a few pictures:
A whining moment

He collected crabs legs and anything else that was dead and smelled

It's all about me and that was his attitude

a sleeping angel
Chase's friend's came down for the day

Wow It's been a long time, and we are still here!!!

2009-07-28T21:22:00.003-04:00

Well, it seems like I start ever post I make with these words. yes it has been a long time. We are very busy and I just can't seem to find the time to get the time on a decent computer to post. It seems so much easier to post on Facebook than to post on a blog, but I want to keep this blog alive for Chase. I want him to have something to look back on.
First I can't believe it is late July already. This year is flying by. Working 5 days a week still sucks. I see the house 3 days a week at most. Even a couple of those "scheduled" days home Chase says he wants to go to Mammie's house so I forego the hour ride home.

Well, June was a horrible month here in Jersey. It rained pretty much 23-24 days of the month. We were couped up and going stir crazy. A few of the days it didn't rain I ended up taking Chase to a playground in my boots and work pants just so he could get out and play a bit. We had another tragedy at work. A co worker committed suicide, it is just so said. Another young wife widowed and left alone to raise a son. No one really saw it coming and it hits home. The pain he must have been going through to do that and leave his son without a father, especially since he worshipped his son. That night I just wanted to give my little angel a never ending hug, and well I pretty much ended up doing so. Chase just darn right refuses to sleep in his bed all night. Some nights it's 2 some nights it's 5 and others it just 630 or 7 too darn early to get up if we don't have to go up to work. My little man crawls up into bed and then konks rights out. Some nights I get the "pregnancy" experience with the foot in the ribs or the kick in the back. Some nights he just has to holdie. He lays on his side and throws his hand over my head like a teddy bear.
We ended the month with a trip down the shore to met another family I got to know during Chase's adoption. I have met Christine, Andy, and Maria last year at the GAFI Bronx Zoo gathering but it really didn't allow us time to get to know each other. However, over 2 years of chatting on adoption boards you do get to be good friends and form a special bond. It was so great to spend the afternoon with Christine and the rest of the gang on the beach.

We started off July with a trip to Pop Pop's Lake house in North Carolina. Chase travelled pretty well. It was me that didn't I travel with too much Damn stuff, especially when i travel by myself. Rolling duffle, car seat, travel stroller and 2 napsacks.... was I nuts. then of course a 35 pound lump of potatoes who refused to walk when we got off the plane. We had a great time at the lake house. The only real problem was that he was up at the crack of dawn. I don't think he slept past 730 2 out of the 7 days and they were long days.

It was meet and greet week. I got to finally meet another one of my friends from the same Guatemalan board I am on. Katy and her 2 boys live about a half hour from the lake house so they were gracious enough to come over. It was great to met Katy, JD, and WIll. It's funny how you can be friends with someone for several years and never have personally met them. It's great to finally do that. The boys got along very well and it was great to actually talk to Katy. I hope we can do that whenever we go down to the lake house.
We spent the week playing in the pool and going on Pop Pop's boat. I tried to bribe him to go into the lake. He loved playing with a wheel pals airplane, I promised him 2 one for home and one for Grammy's if he went in the lake. Finally one hot afternoon and more coaxing and he went it and he loved it. He went in the next day too. We had a great time and Chase was quite entertaining and he learned a few new tricks.

Yes someone taught him to shoot a moon. He ran around the house and through the kitchen whipping out his tiny heiney! Whoever taught him that I don't know, it was kind of funny but dread the thought of getting a call from school in the fall because he keeps dropping his drawers. When we got home I think the babysitter's daughter's boyfriend is to blame. He wears his shorts hanging off his but with his undies showing..... I shouldn't have to deal with teen behavior yet. I should still be dealing with terrible toddler issues.

OK so it took me 3 weeks to come back and actually post this.

After the shore I promise I will try to post at least once a week!

One less doctor to see

2009-06-08T21:29:00.002-04:00

We went to Chase's last ENT appointment today. Both tubes are officially out. He told us no need to come back unless he has more problems. We had a few discussions about going and what the doctor was going to do. He even said I no cry if Mommy hold me. On the way there he was getting a little antsy, He was adamant about not wanting to lay down. Come to think of it that is usually when he freaks out at all the doctors... When we got into the exam room he wondered around and went over to a poster on the wall and pointed and said tubes. He was pointing to the picture of what the tubes look like in the membrane. Then he climbed right up in the examine chair and waited for the doctor to come in. The end of the story was he sat on my lap and didn't move a muscle I really didn't even have to hold his head like I usually have too. Then when we got out he wanted to go to Dr. Max (his dentist). I personally thought one doctor was enough for the day.

Then as I walked out of the room after putting him to bed he yelled "ma meet deams!" I had forgotten to tell him sweet dreams. I had to go back in and give him a big kiss for him to wipe off and say sweet dreams to you too sweetie.

It's been a long time

2009-06-05T20:59:00.003-04:00

My little man is so in love with Minnie Mouse. He constantly say I love Minnie sooo much.

Working 5 days now just dosen't give me enough time to blog. Chase has made some big in roads. He is now officially potty trained. Diaper at night and occassionally, a pull up for naps well at least at the babysitters. With all that his sleeping isn't great. At home he has been wandering into my room and bed. SOme days I just can drag the both of us back to his room and bed. Plus my bed is so much bigger. Can anyone tell me with a king size been why he has to but his feet n my ribs? He also fights like a girl..... everything goes. When he doesn't get his way he starts with Bitch slapping, moves on to kicking, grabbing and throwing my glasses and then trying to clawing my eyes out. Please tell me it's just an age. Then sometimes on the way home from work he just blurts out, "mommy, I mist you soooo much!" He has also be running around and every once in a while yelling Hey mom Happy Mudder's day. How can you not melt.
He is still into hockey and now lives to go to paygowns.... even when it's raining. I try to tell him no playgrounds in the rain. On that front i am a nervous wreck when he is on them How do you just let them go. I keep picturing him falling especially those ladder climbing things he has to reach for, he tends to forget to hold on with both hands....

And at least 3 times a week he asks to go back to Dizneeee, Diznee see mickey....

I think I have a pooper!!!

2009-05-20T12:28:00.001-04:00

My little man is finally going on the potty with a little bribery and a stubborm Mommy who won't put a pull up on him when he asks for one.

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T14:53:00.006-04:00

He must have told me twenty times the past 24 hours Happy Mudder's Day, and my heart just melts. I don't think he realizes just how much I love him. He is the only mother's day present I will ever need. Well if he would listen 50 percent of the time I wouldn't turn him down. We just hung out at home with Grammy and hit walmart to get somethings for his big boy room. His mattress was delivered yesterday. Some of his hockey stuff was delivered over the course of the week and I made the throw pillow last weekend so He is well on his way. If I could only find reasonable hockey sheets. I gave up on the hockey comforter. So he has the hockey guys on the wall, he will 2 hockey lamps, hockey throw pillow, hockey blanket and a hockey step stool to climb up onto the bed.

He made me mother's day cupcakes with Grammy's. He loved the batter and then ate 3 cupcakes with dinner, one while i was cooking and 2 after. he wanted a third that's where I put my foot down.

ANd just a picture of my cute little prince.............doing slave labor...
DOn't worry it only lasted 3 mins then he had to cover his ears!

Few a far between

2009-05-02T22:36:00.003-04:00

Last week it was hot as hell here humid and over 90, so we headed down the shore, well it was a good 20 degrees colder and windy. Chase saw the merry go round and he wanted to go on it. I managed to stall him until he ate his pizza. So that is a Grammy ride, I don't really like them. It's not a bad deal, 2 bucks for the kids and a parent rides free. So he wouldn't get off after the first time, so i paid for a second go round. he got off after that without too much problem but then tripped on the way out the gate. the operator felt bad for him and let him go on for a 3rd time. He loved it. Then of course we had to have some kohr's ice cream.

It seems that the posts are getting fewer and far between each other. I just don't have the time and facebook has taken over for most people so I don't post as often.
For pretty much the first time in ages I now have to work 5 days a week promotion good more days bad. I know you all feel sorry for me, but the problem is I was so used to working 4 days on and 4 days off, then working a 4/3 was a big adjust me, now 5/2 is going to kill me. The only good thing is that the hours are more normal which will allow us to come home more often.

Chase is doing pretty well. He definitely has an attitude and is spoiled. Whenever he doesn't get his way he screams, yells, scratches and punches. I am hoping it's an age thing.
I jinxed myself yesterday. While I was giving Chase a bath I was just thinking I really need to get moving on his big boy room. I wanted to look for a light, make his pillow(s), order his bed etc. When I was thinking of that I said " man I can't believe that light is still working!" Well last night when I went to put Chase to bed and shut off the light and turn on the night light it would turn on and for the life of me I can't figure out how to change the "night light" bulb in the base. The regular light is a 60watt so that is too bright. I searched for 20 minutes and found 2 night lights... oh yeah neither one of them work. I had to look again in the junk "closet" and found another so I plug it in and it was like a strobe light. I found and extra bulb and went to plug it in and it really doesn't do too much. Chase is not happy he has complained the last 2 nights its too dark. All the sockets are behind something; the bed, the dresser, the drapes, I am hoping that the lamp I ordered today comes sometime this week. I will also order his mattress for delivery next weekend. He should really love the room.

Beautiful day

2009-04-18T22:07:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, we spent a few hours at the park with our fellow guat tots. Not that the kids really played with each other it was great to catch up with Diane. Chase needed the interaction with other kids. I made a comment to Diane that I felt out of place. the other 10-15 kids were all there with the nannies and her was the 2 of us with our own kids. Today, Chase seemed a bit off. He ordered me upstairs to get the woobie and bring it down stairs and he was asleep on the couch within 20 minutes. I finally got him out side and it was beautiful. he rode his car, tried to pedal his Harley and then ran to see some friends we hadn't seen in months. Chase had fun running around with Trevor. He just doesn't know what to do.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T12:28:00.003-04:00

The egg coloring thing went pretty good. As I recall, last year was a disaster. this year it went pretty well.

This was the only time he smiled that day. He was throwing a massive 1-1.5 hour tantrum at the mall. We had to wait a bit to see the Easter Bunny twice i had to get out of line because he wouldn't listen and he hit me. Thankfully the people behind us let us get back in line there. Then we went to Wendy's for lunch a massive tantrum there. If I wasn't so hungry, because it would have been the first real thing I had eaten in 2 days, I would have yanked him out of there instead of leaving him alone. I haven't seen him like that very often and I hope I don't. An older lady did say you handled that well, don't know if she was being honest or facetious. We came home and he took a 3 hour nap and then he was much better. Yesterday he started the same thing in Shop Rite, I yanked him out of there so fast and went back to the car. We got soaked but when we went back in he was very good. Grammy and I let him walk through the store.

Old story

2009-04-05T21:23:00.002-04:00

Because he was such a bear to put down tonight I thought I'd share a story from 3 weeks ago that reminds me that he is just a sweetheart.
I have been very neglectful of my teeth since Chase has been home. it's hard because the dentist is near home and the babysitters all up by work. So I decided to change dentists because they are falling apart between the lemon I drank years ago and my severe reflux. It took nearly 3 weeks to get an appointment and that was with I am having some problems and need a cleaning. So I go and they pick around have some watch spots and then the zinger. This one tooth, probably needed a root canal. Oh yeah it was the tooth that made me decide to go to the dentist. Well as my luck goes, the dentist was leaving on vacation the next day and wasn't coming home until the day before we left for Disney. So the weekend after they cleaned it I was in pain a lot of the weekend. So one night, I said to Chase Mommy's tooth hurts can Grammy put you to bed. Well after getting Grammy to read the library to him he comes out and goes...
"here go mommy" and hands me his bottle of baby oragel "for your boo-boo".

It melted my heart. Needless to say, I had an emergency root canal done while the dentist was away at the hospital clinic, the only place that I could get in. It only helped a bit I still had pain. Then the dentist's office called Saturday and I said it still bothered me, she left a message for the dentist, and then Sunday night around 730 I got a call from the dentist. He would come in earlier than planned the day before we left to fix my tooth. So probably a 1000$ later and basically 2 root canals the tooth finally doesn't hurt. although it did bother me for 3 days in disney. I have funky shaped roots, why doesn't that surprise my.

Anyway, tongiht I need to think of how sweet he can be.

Fabulous trip to Disney but

2009-04-04T15:56:00.005-04:00

exhausted.
Last night was the first night we have been home in 12 nights. I left for work on a monday and then we left from grammy's for Disney on tuesday and then got home late the next Tuesday and 3 days of work. I am just so tired.
Chase was great on the plane didn't even kick the seat in front of him. As much as we said we would take it easy it was run run run. The first whole day we had a good scare. Chase sat a on bench without a back and leaned back and he fell off the bench he smashed the back of his head hard. I was a nervous wreck. 3 weeks ago I would have just shook it off. I was so nervous I finally called the pediatrician. We made it though the night and I thought it was over. Then a day later I see the story about the girl in Ohio with the brain bleed. So I was a mess again. Every day he did something, after that. Crashed his head, skinned one knee, next morning it was the other knee, the following day he slid into to the elevator on both knees.

All in all we had a great trip but when it's over you just can't wait to get home! Plus it got really really crowded Sat-Tuesday.

It's been a long time.

2009-03-21T10:47:00.006-04:00

I just can't seem to find the time to post much less add pictures. Work is keeping me busy, Chase is keeping me busy. Poor thing had 7000 pictures taken in 2 years, this year I think I have only taken 150 or so. Chase has pretty much recovered from his procedure. he is back to being trained 80% of the time, actually I should say until this week. he has wet his pull up that last 4 days. he has no desire to poop in the potty he even asks for a diaper to go. I am now in the dilemma for our trip to Disney. i wasn't going to bring too many pull ups but now I am figuring I will bring enough for our diaper bag and just buy some down there. I think the lines and excitement might be a recipe for disaster.
Forget the poor quality of video but I thought it was just a great swing.
Hopefully he will be a lefty for sports.

Mo moman and my little mo angel

2009-03-03T10:25:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was the first time that Chase really got to play a little bit in the snow. The only problem was I wasn't prepared and it was cold. He wanted to make a moman but the snow was just too dry. I had a hard time convincing him to make a snow angel too. We had even practiced inside. He reluctantly make two for me.

He has also perfected Mommy's mad stance

Oh still worried

2009-02-28T14:59:00.003-05:00

I don't know I'm not sure he is any better off than before his surgery his stream actually seems no different.
Today I started to convert his room over to a big boy room. I am trying to go with a hockey theme for obvious reasons. I can't find a hockey quilt or comforter within reason. So I am trying to accessorize. I need to find some fabric to make the curtains and some throw pillows for his bed. One of the big additions was done today, we need Unga to bring the other one over for the other wall. Let me tell you it was a bear to put up by yourself!!! It is really huge
As ir turn out I could have put it up about another 6-8 inches but I wasn't going through that again by myself. It will probably be covered almost to the waste once I put the bed in there.

More pee talk

2009-02-27T12:29:00.003-05:00

Ok he finally is going in the cup again consistently and now his stream is split. So i have a call into the doctor. I know he said it could happen with the neosporin on it but he isn't letting me put it on so it can't be that. It was pretty nice out today so we went out for a bit but he doesn't listen!!!! he kept throwing the ball in the street. He's bit me in the butt twice today so we are back in rare form.

4 days of pure hell!

2009-02-26T21:51:00.002-05:00

Chase had his procedure done Monday morning. My little man went pee at 715am and didn't go again until after 8pm that night. Also he didn't want to leave the doctoors home. We had to stay an extra 30-45 minutes because he started to cry when I started to get him dressed to leave. The nurses were in shock, no one wants to be there much less stay 1 second longer than they have to. It must have hurt him so bad. He was howling, screaming, crying and dancing. I felt so bad for him. Tuesday morning he refused to go for me before he left so another 11 hours of holding it. Finally at the babysitters he let the damn break. He went through an overnight diaper, undies, 2 pajamas, shirt, and onto a plastic sheet that the babysitter luckily put down. He only peed once for me Tuesday night. Wedsnesday wasn't too much better. he cried and screamed when he peed. I finally talked him into getting in the tub but he wouldn't sit down in the water and he was squirting all over. I kept trying to tell him to either sit down or keep on peeing. He doesn't realize that it is worse starting and stopping. How is a 3 year old suppose to understand that. He feels pain when he peed so he stopped. FInally tonight I think we hopefully turned a corner. He peed in the cup for first time since the surgery.
The kicker of the whole thing is that I still don't know if he shoots straight yet-

Finally pictures

2009-02-21T15:10:00.004-05:00

My underwear man!

He got so much better at air hockey

Hanging with the girls

We're in CT, Again

2009-02-13T21:02:00.002-05:00

We came up to visit Pop-pop, Pat, Lindsey and CJ again. It started out a trip from hell.... It took 45 minutes to find a dunkin donuts that had munchkins for the ride. Usually we are just about out of Jersey in 45 minutes. Chase must have asked 3000 times Almost Pop-Pops? Plus now we have to stop for Potty breaks yeah. I planned on stopping at the last rest stop in jersey we were about 10 minutes away from it when he said I pee peed in diaper. So we stopped anyway and his pull up wasn't wet or at least noticeably wet so that was great because I think they are a pain to change with shoes and pants. so all day today he was dry. He still will not poop in the potty but even after he pooped in his pull up it was still dry the rest of the day he was in his big boys.
Pictures to come

Don't want to jinx it but...

2009-02-06T15:18:00.002-05:00

I think he is finally getting the potty training thing. He sprayed both bathrooms within an hour of arriving home last night.... there goes the $$ for having the house cleaned. He is even telling me he has to go pee pee. Today he is even trying to poop on the potty, No success but we are making good progress.

Trouble in paradise...

2009-02-01T20:34:00.006-05:00

These are for Unga, Aunt Michele and Jordan. It's kind of growing on him. although you can tell, it does take him back every so often

Just because I thought this was an adorable picture
Back to my cleaning machine

Someone is giving me a hard time every night at bedtime! He climbs right into bed but within 10 minutes he is crying. He cried a good half hour. I then take him to the bathroom again and hold him for 2-3 songs and he usually is fine. I know I am making a big mistake letting him climb into bed with me early in the morning when he wakes up because I am just not ready to get up. So now at night he wants to sleep with Mommy.

On the potty training front we had a very successful day until the very end. We ate early with the intention of being already for kick off. I was running his bath water and the phone rang it was Grammy. I was trying to talk to her and Chase kept grabbing the phone then I finnally went to check the tub water when he started to cry. Yup, right at the very end he peed down his leg onto the carpet. He was so close to a perfect day.

My little underwear model

2009-01-31T22:15:00.003-05:00

He looks so adorable in his wears. He is doing so so with the training. His overnight was wet this morning. He was up at 5 and i just couldn't deal so he climbed in bed with Mommy and slept another 2 hours or so. Then as soon as we got down stairs he went again a ton. I let him pick out his big boys and he didn't give me a hard time about wearing them. We played for a bit and I took him shortly thereafter and he went again. Like I said I find he has to go twice pretty early in the day. I wasn't expecting a 3rd time. He started to go and stopped and we ran to the bathroom. Not too bad just his undies. So 2 pairs in less than 2 hours.

We went shopping so I put a pull up on under his wears. he was great out and we had lunch out and he even went for me in the restuarant, well in a cup anyway. We were good all day until we got up from out nap, he stood outside the bathroom door and purposely went in his pull up..... so i don't know if we are getting any closer or not.

Tonight he gave me a horrible going to sleep. It took well over an hour and him crying pretty hard a couple of times. He wants me to holdie....
It's so hard because I love holding him in the glider, it won't be long before he won't let me hold him or he'll just be too darn big

I'm back for a minute

2009-01-30T21:13:00.005-05:00

Things have been quite busy for us.
First the potty training is going very slow.... Chase doesn't like wearing big boys... as I call him. We have done it a couple of times with moderate success. He usually has 1 or 2 wet diapers a day. Amazingly he wakes up dry 90% of the time. I find he then goes again pretty quick in the morning, again he fights not to have underwear on. I continue to take him every 1-1.5 hours depending on what he is drinking. I put him down for a nap with a diaper and go out with a diaper. He WILL NOT even attempt to poop on the potty. Today was the first day I got him to sit on it. He wants to poop in his diaper which also leads to peeing in the diaper. He refuses to try and pee in the potty, I don't get it he will shoot for a little cup but not the big white cup on the floor. Oh yeah, I'm gonna need a waterproof backstop because he shoots CROOKED!!!

Here is my little prince with his big boys on! He looked so cute....

Last weekend was my 25th reunion weekend. It was a long weekend and I didn't even drink. It was just late hours for me. I usually crawl into bed by 1000-1030. Well I wasn't getting home until way after 12 so I am playing catch up. Friday they had a casual night at a pub in town, then Sat. the casino night reunion, and then Sunday morning a hang over breakfast in our high school's cafeteria. It was actully pretty fun. We got just about 1/2 our class there close to 130 classmates. It was really good to see most of them even if I wasn't friendly with them in school.

However seeing pictures I have really realized I have become a blimp! It is really depressing.
Here is my best friend from Kindergarten.

My first real boyfriend well whatever it was in 8th grade
and my 2 prom dates

And a good friend who now lives out in Arizona

We had one from Alaska, California, and Arizona. It's amazing some people haven't changed a bit, some like me gained some weight but basically look the same and others I thought were imposters when I saw their name tags because I just didn't believe it was them.

Then Sunday night the whole NJ family went out for Unga's and my birthday. Wednesday was Disney on ice. So we are really on screwed up schedules and still exhausted or is it just old age????

MIA

2009-01-27T10:19:00.001-05:00

I'm still hear just been a bit busy. I am pretty much down to posting on weekends only and this weekend was 25th Reunion Weekend.
Post again soon

Starting the potty training

2009-01-17T15:32:00.004-05:00

I decided Friday since I have a long weekend to really try the potty training thing. Yesterday he had a really good day, other than wanting a diaper on. I left him in a diaper but ran him to the bathroom every so often. he had one wet diaper while we were down in the basement playing pinball. We went for his 3 year old check up and as the Dr walked in he decided he wanted to go pee, so off to the bathroom. It killed 2 birds with one stone, since he needed a specimen. From there we went to Walmart and to Red Robin for dinner. On the way home from the restaurant he decided he wanted to go to the hockey game so home for the ticket and off to the game. We immediately went to the bathroom where the red robin cup came in handy. A dry diaper and a cup full of pee. When we were leaving the game we went again. This is where Mommy screwed up. He started going and it was splashing all over Dumb ass forgot to take the top off the cup. Chase was wet no fault of his own. Thankfully we were on the way home. Today he woke up again with a dry diaper. We immediately heading to the bathroom, broke out the cup took off the diaper and he was going and going. Then he started dancing around so i don't know what happen but he was soaking wet again. I don't know if it was from his dancing around or me tilting the ever filling cup or what so we changed right into big boy wears which he wasn't too happy with. We ate breakfast and 10 minutes later he was screaming he was wet, I grabbed him and put him on the kitchen floor where he continued to go I suppose because it was puddled on the floor, wears wet, pants wet, socks, and floor soaked. he didn't like it. So we are down PJ's and pants already today. He picked out another pair of wears and pants and he has been pretty good since. When I went to put him down for a nap he said he had to go again, and he did a little bit. 40 minutes later he was yelling and he wanted to eat. So down we came and he had yogurt and more milk. After going back up stairs he said he had to go again and he went a bit more. SO it seems like he's getting it a little bit.

Well, the day ended with just the one early pee incident and of course a poop in the undies. The good news is that his poop is firm so it wasn't a real mess. Not that I want that to keep happening but He just does not like sitting on the toilet. Not sure what to do about that. SO all in all I would say today was a potty training success. I would say he went in the cup 7-8 times. Even tonight after his bath he drank some of his milk and ate 2 clementines and it was nearly 2.5 hours before I was able to get him to move towards getting ready for bed and his diaper was dry. We stayed up watching Monsters, Inc. I just love my little boo.
Well the cute tiny heiney in his undies is on the camera's memory and I'm not sure how to down load it because I forgot to put the memorey card back in the camera. So we just have some what else, hockey pictures. he wears his bike helmet now. then there is his supply of hockey guys.

My little prince is 3.

2009-01-10T23:16:00.007-05:00

Happy Birthday my little angel.

Three years ago today I was trekking off to the embassy in New York with my Dossier. I had only gone that day in particular because I was able to get tickets to a New York Rangers game. Go figure Chase likes hockey. Right about the time I was at the embassy, my little angel was born. Yes born Angel David. On the whole he is a wonderful happy little boy, with the greatest little belly laugh. He is strong willed and stubborn like his mother.

Since he doesn't have too many friends and neither does Mommy, I opted to have his party at build a bear. Being the "older" parent most of my friends have older kids and the ones that have younger kids couldn't make it. So we went to MacDonald's and then next store to stuff some fluff. I was nervous be Chase is scared of the machine and we have been working on it all week. What does the machine do swoosh, what's it put in ? fluff then he would say "boo-hoo" we went over this a couple of times a day. So we get to MacDonald's and not everyone was there. I knew were going to be late but I kept waiting for one and looking for them. Even ran out of to check twice. Finally I ordered the food because we were on a schedule. So we rushed through lunch and still missing one friend. We walk out of MacDonald's not minutes too early for the party and I see the last one. I was so glad, we had a miscommunication. I sent the invitations through the build a bear website and had to send them 2 at a time but I swore I said 12 at mickey d's and then next store to build a bear. I felt terrible the whole party that they missed lunch and cake.

It's my birthday and I don't have to listen

I little preparty cruisin'

My cake, yummy ummm uummmm good

This isn't too bad picking out a sound

Mom I see that machine

This is close enough

How do you like my hat?

Is this a good place to pick up chicks?

The whole party gang

I got the chick..

I love you my Little Prince. Happy 3rd Birthday, hope you had a wonderful day!
XOXOXO
Mommy

NO tubes??????

2009-01-05T16:20:00.002-05:00

Well, the long weekend didn't start off too well. New Years Eve I got a message that the Dr. needed to see Chase before his surgery Tuesday (6th). So I call to make an appointment and they had no information. All they said is the Dr. wants to see him and it was somehting about his hearing test that we had done the day before (30th). The doctor wasn't in, she had no information she was just told to make an appointment, and wasn't going to be in until today so no other information was available. After finally settling on a time since they wanted me to come in in the middle of the day which I ko'd since I have been off since the 24th I resinged myslef to being pissed all weekend. I hate that; burned me up a crytic message with no information. So I worried the whole LONG weekend. Well after the dr showed up to the office 15 minutes late, it was determined that he is not going to put the tubes back in. He plucked out the tube that was in the canal and the other is not completely out of the membrane yet so he left that alone. He said he doesn't show any fluid so he's not going to put the tubes back in. NOt sure how I feel about it. Glad he doesn't have to go under anesthesia but he had no infections and flew marvelously with the tubes in. So I need to keep track. Tube out in late September and 2 infections in that ear already.

My Pinball wizard

2009-01-01T22:24:00.004-05:00

I guess he tried to get out of his room last night after I put him down because this is what I found when I went in to check on him before I went to bed.

Today he played his first game of pinball. I haven't played in ages and just wanted to play a quick game. Well "CHASE HELP" was the cry so he climbed up on a chair and that was all she wrote. He didn't even want my help.

Oh yeah Happy New Year

Chase's first try

2008-12-28T20:49:00.005-05:00

We were on about 10 minutes total and bearly made a total of a lap but the good news is he had his skate on for nearly 40 minutes and he can walk on them ok. My back is killing me! If you ask him if he had fun he said "yes" do you want to do it again..."MOE"

We're in CT

2008-12-27T12:38:00.004-05:00

With the girls all gussied up to head to a pasta party
Aha I found you

Playdoh pop-pop

The booty and the missing piece

2008-12-25T21:58:00.005-05:00

Chase's favorite present and we lost one already. This picture was taken at 812. Well at 830 when we were going to bed we can't find one! Oh that drives me nuts!!!!!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
Thanks everyone for spoiling my little man!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T00:29:00.002-05:00

From our family to yours May you all have a Merry Christmas.
I'm beat hitting the hay so Santa can come!

I hate cookies

2008-12-21T22:18:00.002-05:00

I am so cookied out. my body is killing me my hands are raw and my stomach hurts from eating raw dough. There were 5 or 6 kinds of cookies yesterday and then 4 more today. My back is killing me and I am exhausted and I have a 3 year old who took a 3.5 hour nap yesterday slept 12 hours last night, 2.5 hours nap today who now refuses to go to bed. Oh yea, the antibiotic he is on is causing diarrhea.

Tubes it is

2008-12-19T23:14:00.002-05:00

We went for a follow up for Chase's ear tubes and he has a bad ear infection. Yup the second one since his tube came out 6 weeks ago. So before I knew it we were making arrangements to have them put back in. January 6th Mommy will be hysterical again. We make a gingerbread house today or should I say we put it together. Chase ate the candy decorations quicker than i could decorate. i will post pictures tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a baking day. I am so not ready for christmas!

VOTE FOR CHASE!!!! PLEASE

2008-12-16T14:43:00.007-05:00

VOTE FOR CHASE!!!
Ok the link won't work could you cut and paste please
http://magic983.com/Default.aspx?tabid=787
VOTE FOR CHASE in the photo contest

Ok we are back in business he is showing up again.

Just a few recent pictures

2008-12-14T20:46:00.003-05:00

Let me tell you this working 4 days and only getting 3 off sucks. I can only imagine what it's like to work 5. Boy was I spoiled!!!!
Chase riding the clean laundry choo choo

Chase ready to go to school for his evaluation

Ok let's go I'm ready!!!

This goalie stuff is hard work

Kick save

Twice in one day

2008-12-13T21:19:00.003-05:00

Well, we have been so busy. Work has been just crazy and not really keeping a regular schedule. Chase finally had his evaluation for the pre school program at the school Thursday and I have mixed emotions. On the great hand; They don't think he will qualify. The poor speech teacher had to stop midtest and get a different one. He did extremely well on the receptive scale and he had age appropriate articulation issues. Chase was fairly cooperative as long as he got to choose what he was doing. The teacher said she is allowing this so she could get what she needed from him. She had a hard time finding a ceiling on the test. She also prepped me to say that whether he goes there or another school be prepared for him to hate it the first couple of times. SInce he won't get to dictate the activities and he will have rules. So it looks like I will have to find a school on my own. They are adamant about his going to school too, especially since my work schedule should allow it. They are confident that he will catch up in know time, also be potty trained! SO pretty soon I will have to start looking. The dilema becomes, near home or near work? Can anyone give me any insight.

I've become a crazed parent!!!

2008-12-13T12:38:00.002-05:00

I swore it would never happen. I've become one of those who stalk a store for a toy for Chase. Well I got Chase dressed and in the car by 830 to head 40 miles a way with the hope of getting a good deal. One screaming child later, one hour and a nice elf who helped get it to the truck, we have the bargain. You'll have to wait for Christmas to find out. If it wasn't such a good deal I never would have done it but I just had to!

8 hours and counting.....

2008-12-07T20:50:00.002-05:00

Yup, the train has lasted 8 hours. About 7 hours and 58 minutes longer than I thought. We put it together while Chase was sleeping last night and when he got up he saw it and I got it started. Well, it made one lap around and he grabbed it. When I asked for it he threw the piece. After 5 minutes of trying to get all the wheels on again he grabbed it again. Needless to say as the day went on he got a bit better with it. We have been taking one of the hockey bears for a ride.

Breakfast with Frosty

2008-12-06T20:32:00.004-05:00

Breakfast with Frosty was pretty good. The food was just ok but the whole idea was cute. The had a couple of crafts to do while you waited. Frosty and Mrs. Claus walked around early on and then Frosty moved to the back to have pictures done. Chase was a bit shy at first but then he thought Frosty was his!

We also decorated the tree. Or should I say Grammy did most. He started taking the ornaments off quicker than we were putting them on.

This shirt says it ALL!!!

Still in the bed

2008-12-05T21:54:00.004-05:00

He still climbs up there no problem. Twice I have had to go back in for a few minutes and hold him but he gets right back in after a few more minutes of cuddling. Don't have too much time. I am still battling some kind of bug/cold and we are going to have breakfast with Frosty the snowman and Mrs. Claus tomorrow. I have him all psyched to get up and get dressed right away because we have to go. We'll see how that works for me.

Since making the cheesecake for thanksgiving Chase has been asking for it everyday. Tonight we went to the food store and got a small variety pack since it was on sale and he wanted a second piece. I guess I shouldn't complain he didn't eat anything else today!

I'm a big boy

2008-11-29T07:52:00.004-05:00

Well, it's not the potty training but I am sleeping in my big boy bed! The last couple days when Mommmy comes to get me out of the crib I realized I can lift my leg up towards the rail. Since I'm so smart it was only going to be a matter of time before I figured out how to climb out and fall down. So thanksgiving Mommy went into the closet and pulled out my backyardigans bed. I climbed right on in. Mommy was mad because I wouldn't let her get my jammies on. But for the last 2 nights and a naps I have been in my big boy bed and I like it. Now Mommy is debating whether to take the crib down or wait a few days.

Added: Poppop and Pat helped take my crib down. Mommy is nervous

FLU

2008-11-26T21:28:00.002-05:00

I can't say much. I ended up at the same Doctors that Chase has been to; this afternoon and I have a bad throat infection. Well within 45 minutes I felt like shit! I called my sister in law and brother crying asking for them to come over and help with Chase. Right now I just got done eating some toast and I am going to take some advil PM. The Dr. has me on a narcotic, maximum strength mucinex DM but my head is still killing me my ears hurt, my neck hurts and my chest hurts from a dry cough, I'm living on vicks too. I feel like such a man whining!

Solved

2008-11-25T08:57:00.002-05:00

We headed back to the doctors last night after 2 attempts. I wanted to go right after work to avoid the after work crowd since it was only 515 and it was packed so we went to eat. We headed back about 6:30 and the afterwork crowd was already there so I wasn't going to wait. Well Chase starting yelling doctor, so I asked him if he wanted to go to the dr and he said yes. He farts around going in and 2 people got in a headof us I was so mad at him. Over an hour later we came out with an antibiotic and an ear infection. Well lets see it's his first real cold without the tube in his right ear and we have an infection. Marvelous. I do feel much better now knowing he does have a problem since we waited for an hour. I would feel really guilty if I let it festor. He still needs the drops in the eyes. That continues to be a challenge but he woke up with very little gook this morning after the drops again all day yesterday and one dose of an antibiotic.

It's still coming...

2008-11-23T21:03:00.003-05:00

Chase's eyes still have some gook coming out.
It has slowed down again but hasn't stopped and we are out of drops. I called the Dr. and they are going to renew his prescription, I have to pick it up on the way to the babysitters. I also promised to bring him back in tomorrow after work. Guess what, it feels like I have sand in my eye now, so we will see tomorrow.
Just a few pictures of my cuties since I haven't posted. I've been a bad mommy I haven't been taking too many pictures, the damn job is getting in the way!

.

I'm gonna throw out a question someone with the answer please let me know.

HOW THE HELL DO YOU LOSE A DVD IN THE HOUSE???? I went to put on Alvin and the Chipmunks and it's vanished! I know we just watched it two weeks ago but the case is empty. I always put them back in the case, so I have no idea where it is. Gone without a trace! I'm so mad I loved that one

It's a gushin'

2008-11-22T10:54:00.002-05:00

that is his eye. Wednesday, I had to wake him up and drag him right off to the sitters house and I noticed crusties in the corner of his eye. I didn't think anything of it since I had to wake him up. Wednesday night I had to stay at work late so Grammy picked him up. She called to ask if he needed any medicine before bed and I said no not really. She said he had some gook coming out of his eye and then I mentioned the little crusties. I said I would see how he looked in the morning, 10 minutes later she called back and said the flood gates opened and she was going to take him to the Urgent care. Well he had a bad infection never called it pink eye, and he gave him drops. They had just gotten home when I got home and then the fun began. His eye was oozing and he fought the drops tooth and nail. He woke up with his eye sealed shut. The babysitter was able to bribe him to get his drops in. I even had her put them in for my mother who was watching him Thursday night. SO yesterday I fought with him for and hour trying to get the drops in. Finally I ended up back at the doctors to find out how to get the drops in. The dr. said you need help well I guess i'm outta luck there. Well needless to say he fights tooth and nail and he woke up yesterday with goook oozing out of the other eye. Now I have to wrap him up in a towel or blanket to control his arms, use my knees as a vice for his head and put a ton of drops on his eyelids and home some goes in. This stuff is not going to last doing that. SO how long before I get it now?

Dentist

2008-11-14T14:50:00.006-05:00

Well, thank god it's over for now. 8 yes 8 little itty bitty teeth were filled. They gave him a sedative and he got pretty sleepy then Dr. Max came to get him and he wouldn't let go. He let me carry him in to the office and he yelled mommy holdie and mommy had to quickly hand him over and run out with with watery eyes. They can make you so darn guilty. Well, after 20-30 minutes he came out crying asking for another balloon and Mommy. He sobbed a little bit and I aksed if Dr. Max fixed the boo boos on his teeth and he said yes, booo hoooo boooo hoooo. The dentist said that now that he was wiggling and screaming he found the others.
so he immediately dug into marshmallows
About 10 minutes into the ride home he was asleep. He had wanted to make a Turkey at build a bear prior to going to sleep nad I knew he had to be starving so I didn't want him to sleep too long. I wanted him to take a good nap this afternoon. We have been practicing a couple times a day for going to make the Christmas special and then I saw a Turkey on sale so I threw that into the training too. We talk about what we are going to make, and that the machine makes a SWOOOOOSHING sound and that the machine fills it with fluff.

It was a success. As tired as he was he picked out the goobler sound, kissed and stuffed the heart and stepped on the pedal to fill the turkey, all this from his stroller he wouldn't get out. But we are making progress
Then we went down the escalator and who was standing at the foot of his village. And yes I got in trouble for taking a picture with my own camera. Tough nuggies, I got soaked for enough with the real picture

SO to complete the nightmare of a day

to this

Nice to be home

2008-11-11T20:13:00.004-05:00

Since Today was Vets day and us government employees love to take advantage of that we decided to commute back and forth yesterday so we could be home in our own beds an extra night. It will suck again tomorrow getting him up and into the car around 6 but it usually means I sleep better. Or so the theory should be. Last night he was up at 130 finally at 210 I gave in a gave him milk and he went right back off to sleep until 630. Now tomorrow he will be dead to the world when I go to get him up, not like the last 4 days him being up around 6ish and finally being able to get myself up to get him up by 7 each day off. That sucks!
We are trying a few new things around here. I put a booster seat at the kitchen table for Chase to eat. We call it the big boy chair. he seems to sit there a little better. doesn't really eat much better but sits there longer. I have also been prompting him about taking the gate down off the bottom of the steps. For weeks now he has said no. Well finally this weekend he hasn't said no, so I asked him this morning and he said yes so we took it off because we have a big boy here. He has eased up just a speck on the holdie/carry me cry. Thank god my back was killing me and it adds 2 extra trips where ever we go. Today he had early intervention and Miss Lynn had him make pudding. She is nuts too. I don't do it with him because it makes a mess. Well guess who cleaned up the mess???? He had a grand ole time any way and he loved the pudding.

Mommy is very very tired so I am going to keep it short. I finally got our Disney photopass pictures from our trip so I will post a few of them. for our pictures.

Sometimes a shirt says it all

2008-11-10T21:28:00.003-05:00

Good Day

2008-11-04T21:04:00.002-05:00

Well after 3 time outs trying to get dressed this morning we had a pretty good day. I had a meeting with the school child study team. this was the one that never showed up 2 weeks ago. Well I got them back. After Chase hassling me getting him dressed I get him in the car and head to the school. Get him out of the car and into the school and go to check in. Well low and behold I'm at the wrong school! The letterhead was addressed with one school, the lower elementary school but on the very bottom it had the upper elementary school as the location of the meeting. So I schlep him back out to the car hurry to strap him in and off to the rela school. So I ended up being about 5 mins late. I was thinking on the way there that this just isn't meant to be after the comedy of errors that has occurred. There were 5 or 6 don't people there and myself can you believe I don't know if it was 5 or 6? I know there was the coordinator, a speech therapist, the pre school teacher, a social worker, and atleast one other person I don't remember what I think maybe a psycologist? I am thinking there was another person sitting on the left side of the table. Well they just loved the little charmer! They said who cares what the evaluations are he would be a great addition to the program. So we decided that he would be evaluated for speech and social work first. He needs to qualify for 2 to get into the program. We went over a little history and what my concerns were and they said they are pretty sure he would qualify. The program would be every day, 2/5 hours a day except if he was in the morning group no class the first and 3rd fridays, I think they have meetings. A bus would pick him up and drop him off anywhere in town. At the end the teacher came over and was feeding him his fish and she asked if he wanted to go see the class and he said yes. She put out her hand and he grabbed it and out the door they went. I followed behind them. About half way down the hall he realized... oh crap MOMMY????? So I caught up to him and we headed into the class. As soon as we got in that was the end of Mommy. He said Chase play. He sat down and the aid got him some play doh. We stayed for about a half hour and he had a good time and didn't want to leave but we had early intervention at 11. The class is small, he would be the 6th. 2 of the children have one on one aids and the teacher and aid have the other 3. I think he would love it. He comes the problem I will need to find someone to watch Chase here in town. Some one that could put him on the bus and get him off the bus. that is if my schedule changes. No way can I do it if I work the 10 hour days. I would have to drop him off at 615 at the very latest and wouldn't get him until 615... hopefully I will have gotten my promotion and shorten my day by 2 hours! I will worry about that if he makes the program! However I really think he would like it!

Heading home

2008-11-03T08:45:00.003-05:00

We spent the weekend at Pop-pop's house. 3 days of chasing CJ the cat. It wasn't good for either one of them. The dumb cat kept coming out from hiding bringing himself to Chase's attention and tghe object of his desire. Chase would catch him and then rub his eyes. He has a hive the other day and he was complaining his eyes boo-boo. He has been pretty good. It is always difficult up there because he schedule is so off. He's up early, we are usually running around sporadiac late naps and then late dinner and bed. He has done pretty well though. We are going to head home after lunch. With the grace of god he will fall a sleep early in our trip and sleep the whole way home.
On the way up he fell a sleep for 25 minutes just before we got here. Don't ask me how he did it. We were up early and Mommy made a big boo-boo so we had to run around and get some stuff before we left.

It had been cold here and I had emptied the spa back in AUgust with te intention of really cleaning it before I refilled it. Well that never happened and I hadn't blown out the pipes. I was afraid that there would be water in the line or pump and freeze. Uncle Scottie started the water Thursday on his way to the hockey game and when I got home it was just about the perfect level so I started the motor to heat it and throw in the chemicals. Here starts the problem; Friday morning I went to check the levels and realized I didn't have the filters connected. So I had to tear the house apart looking for them. No luck. So i had to run around like a chicken getting things ready to go. Hassle Chase into the car, throw the rest of the stuff in the car and run 15 miles to the pool store, run back home leave Chase in the car and connect the filters, run to the doctors, back into the car up to Grammy's office to trick or treat, back to the car for the 3 hour ride up to Pop pops. With all that he only crashed the 25 mins.

Pop-pops house was full of company. Now follow this; my sister's first nanny, her mother and her 2 kids were there. After dinner we went trick r treating. He was so cut. He tried to say it but it came out tick teat and boy he got the concept fast. Candy more candy!!!!!

I will try to continue and add pictures when we get home. Ok just a few pictures because Mommy is beat!
The booty at Grammy's office
He liked this cat

Preparing to get some more
The gang

Digging in!

FORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-30T09:53:00.005-04:00

Enough already

Do you think he likes hockey... ecerything is a hocley stick or goal

Mommy sad.

2008-10-29T11:38:00.003-04:00

I took Chase to the dentist and I didn't do very well. 2 definte fillings needed and maybe 2 others. $400 bucks and that's with dental insurance and the dentist said to give the bill to the babysitter because she lets him have juice all day long! Mommy is already sad and in a panic and his repair appointment isn't until Friday the 14th.
BOo hoo boo hoo!

Sleep is at a minimum

2008-10-28T07:44:00.002-04:00

Chase is still not sleeping well. Sunday night up at 2 and pretty much up for the day. He would doze off for an hour or so then up again. Last night he went right to sleep but was up at 1145 and then 115. He did go back to sleep but was up a couple times calling for me. I'm dyin' here. He all of a sudden has an extremely runny nose. I am wondering if his top molars are finally starting to come in. I hope it's not a cold already!

I figured it out

2008-10-26T12:54:00.004-04:00

Chase is not doing anything by himself. He won't walk down the steps in from the car, etc. Well It started a couple weeks ago and has gotten progressively worse. I think it's is because the babysitter took in another child. An 11 month old baby. I think he is jealous. Lukie is carried around and Chase has to walk. At 30+ pounds he is too darn heavy for that.
I tried to get him into his Halloween costume... no go! I have 5 days to get him to put it on.

A first this morning. Chase wanted cereal and milk for breakfast. So I got out his Shamu bowl from Sea World. It's cute a whale with a tail and all. It was free with the strawberries and cream we had for lunch when we were there. The tail helped because he used it as a handle to hold the bowl. SO it was corn pops and milk for breakfast and the good news was he wasn't wearing it!

Yup, more people joined the bedtime ritual last night. I found the ghost from build a bear last night.

Lunch was served upstairs so he sat at his backyardigans table for some of lunch watching Nemo

This where he wanted to take his nap

And another one to the bedtime list! I am going to need to get a full size mattress for all his friends

Find the baby

2008-10-24T21:55:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday to my favorite lady!

2008-10-23T20:51:00.004-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMY! Love you to death

Well, not much else to report on this front other than I am working 200 times more than I used to. This job has a heck of a lot of work and it piles up quickly. Other than that Mr. Chase is sleeping like crap. Mommy is so tired. ! decent night of sleep since Saturday, and by decent I mean a whole 6 hours of sleep. Sunday he ended up in my bed at 2am, first time other than one other 545am I couldn't deal with getting up yet time. Monday he slept good at Grammy's, Tuesday up every 2 hours yelling "Mommy mommy mommy" and then the kicker last night he was up at 2 calling for me and then 3am he started throwing a fit so I climbed into his bed. 345 he wanted to watch the "papades", the disney parades, like I don't think so.. and he kept saying dark out....no shit go to sleep. Then it was down to my bed finally 530 he fell back to sleep. I was up at 6 and luckily Grammy dropped him off at the babysitters.
He has been quite the baby lately. He is constantly yelling holdie holdie.... he often won't even walk. Usually I am in too much of a hurry to wait him out, I'm just going to have to be late because he will walk crying his had off if I start to walk away.

Now here is a question for you readers.
Should I keep Chase's mohawk when I give him a hair cut or cut it off too? Just a side note his hair will be buzzed no matter what so it's just a matter or buzzing the whole thing or leaving the mohawk. so this
or this

First non family birthday party.

2008-10-18T11:11:00.008-04:00

Chase has a social life. We had our first nonfamily birthday party. It was at an orchard. The only problem I had was it was right smack in the middle of his naptime 2pm, yikes. We ate breakfast running around the living room but I wanted to wear him out a bit because he was going down for a nap around 10ish. That's his normal time at the babysitters but at home Mommy wears him out so I get a good 2-3 hour nap from him in the afternoon. We went up around 10 and he was in bed by 1020 I heard him singing or trying to sing to his music until nearly 11 so I hope he atleast sleeps 2 hours until 115ish.
Chase wanting to unwrapped the just wrapped present on the way out the door
Our finished product... yes he was covered in paint and we didn't even decorate the pumpkins with paint.
The hayride sans the hay... it was fun and much less itchy
I was so proud of him he actually got up on the pony for a ride he was pretty wobbly and wouldn't go for a second ride but he got on the first time...
Son like mother he loved the cake
ISN'T THERE SOMETHING ABOUT CHILD LABOR LAWS???? LOOK WHAT SHE'S GOT ME DOING

It wasn't all hugs and kisses

he just got knocked on his hieney
After the birthday party we had only a short time before we headed off to the second hockey game. By the way they lost last night 2-1 we managed to miss all 3 goals. We must have just missed the first devils goal because we left during the second period, close to 9 o'clock.
He actually let someone else hold him tonight. We made 2 periods but it was rough he was tired. and yup they lost again...

Hurray for hockey

2008-10-17T14:26:00.006-04:00

Yes, the local hockey team starts tonight and we will be there. Chase has been excited all day. Practicing

re hydrating himself

worn himself out and resting

Finally at the game.

The day didn't start off great. We got up and had to eat quickly because the school districts IEP coordinator was suppose to come for a meet and greet this morning at 9. Well she didn't show up, so I am less than impressed with their services too. The whole morning was screwed up because Chase's new Early Intervention teacher came, Ms. Lynn. Miss Lynn was late too. She didn't get here until 1200 so his nap was thrown off. I am hoping he takes a good 2-3 hour nap so he will be ready for tonight. Unfortunately, Friday games don't start until 730 so we will probably only see a period or so.. 2 if we are lucky. I also just realized all I have is the big ass stroller here, both small ones are in my car at work. Now my delimma, take my truck with the big stroller or carry him all over. i am leaning towards taking the truck he is getting too big for little oh me!

Hopefully pictures to follow

OK so what the hell is the point of spell check if it doesn't save the changes?????

It's this

2008-10-11T20:19:00.003-04:00

Little man right here that helps get you through weeks like this.

Tuesday the dioceses had a celebratory mass to bless the police and honor the 2 officers of the dioceses that were killed this summer. It was an exceptionally hard day for me to begin with, only to get worse.
Tuesday evening we received a call at my mother's that her brother suddenly and unexpectedly pass away. Really with no warning so to speak. This leaves a daughter who should be celebrating her pregnancy and a son without parents. These two have had a very rough year and a half. Please keep them in there prayers.

It has been an extremely draining week. Try keeping a 2 1/2 year old wildman quiet for services. Mommy wasn't so successful so she is going to get some rest...

To the end

2008-10-03T14:44:00.003-04:00

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, Monday my camera took crap. All of a sudden it wouldn't focus. At some point it was stuck and would only focus in close. So I played with it and then it would only focus far away. Needless to say the rest of the trip it sucked and was pretty much more aggravation than it was worth because every time you used it, it was a different story.

Wednesday we took it slow in the am. It would take for ever to get Chase dressed he would run around the room and jump on the bed forever. We ate down at the hotel and then packed up the car to head to Hollywood Studios. We didn't get into the park until noon. My first stop was a fast pass for the new ToyStory ride. Toy story Mania I think the name is. So at 1215 our fast pass time wasn't until 7pm. 7 hours wow. The walk on line was well over an hour. There really isn't too much for him to do there. He screamed in the Ariel show. I don't know what that was all about. Again he liked it in March. He meet a lot of the Little Einsteins, Handy Manny, Woody and Buzz, Lightening and Mater, and Mickey Mouse of course. He loved the Beauty and the Beast show. The parade isn't what it used to be. I loved the old one. It was a typical parade with lots and lots of Characters. This one you really needed to be in the right spot to see the whole parade and we weren't. It actually stops in a very few places for 10 minutes or so and very few characters. We ate at the Sci fi theatre and Chase hung in there pretty well for not having a nap. It ended up working out well because right after dinner we were able to head to our fasspass at Toy Story Mania. It was very cute. We headed out of the park right before it closed and the Fantasmic show. I don't think Chase would have done well with that. Every little noise he acts scared any more.
Well, I have always said he doesn't transfer well when he falls a sleep. We the week had caught up to him. He fell asleep just as we pulled out Hollywood studios parking lot. I was able get him out of the carseat,pick him up, carry him through the lobby, put him on the bed, change his diaper, put his pj pants on, pick him up and put him on his bed and he didn't make a peep.

Thursday we had Chef Mickey's buffet at the contemporary. We drove over and rode the monorail for a bit since we were early. They took us early for our reservation. I don't know if it was the week or what but that breakfast he drove me crazy. he wouldn't sit down he was all over the place. I ended up holding him a lot! It took quite a while for all the characters to come around. A my camera was finally really broken. Nothing seemed to get it to work. So I was really pissed. It was like 1 of every 15 pictures would come out clear comebine that with a toddler who was looking all of over the place and odds were 1 in 25. Here is one
We were back into the magic kingdom by noon. Chase was struggling all day. he was tired. He loved Pirates of the Carribean, so we did that twice and then waited for Captain Hook and Smee. We did the jungle cruise and he got to drive the boat. We watched the parade again and he loved it. It was getting late and he was getting so crabby and throwing tantrums, the ice cream didn't even help. Then it was 400 and I realized I forgot to get something so we started to head for that when I realized we better get going. So Grammy and Chase headed to the gate and I ran and got what I wanted. Oh my god am I out of shape. We got the monorail and got off at the Contemporary where we left the car and Chase had fallen asleep. I had to go to the bathroom so bad but was really worried about time, bathroom won out. I packed the GPS so I wasn't completely sure how to get back to the airport so we were going to haave to rely on signs. I then hurriedly tried to get everything back into the car. Chase wasn't happy when I moved him to the car but he did fall asleep fairly quickly.
Getting to the airport starts the real problems. He was exhausted and we acquired an extra bag of junk to cart around. It started going through security. You have to take the dvd player out, the cameras out, then the car seat, diaper bag, stroller, 3 carryons and a tantrum throwing toddler through security. He didn't want his shoes off he was screaming Shoe on shoe on... then he wouldn't get out of the stroller... i ended up carrying the thrashing toddler through the screening machine oh I couldn't wait to get home. The plane boarded late and took off late. Chase did pretty well on the plane, not as well as going down, he wanted out of the car seat and get down. Then because of weather in Newark we were rerouted 2x. He kept saying he wanted to go back to Mickey's Hoe-tel.
So after an exhausting long 8 day trip he would not walk up the jetway with Grammy while I waited for the stroller. She finally got him up because we were holding everyone up. After I set the stroller up and headed up the jetway I could hear him screaming. So I threw everything on the stroller and picked him up. He screamed throughout the terminal "Mommy Mommy Mommy......" He was kicking and thrashing about I can't believe somebody didn't come up and check. I was so embarassed.
We pulled into our garage at 115 Friday morning.

I'll post pictures later ok so it's a day later....

Vacation continued

2008-10-02T21:09:00.005-04:00

Sunday morning it was off to Animal Kingdom and breakfast with Donald Duck. Chase has become pretty independent and won't sit in a high chair anymore and really is too jumpy for a booster so he had free reign running through the restaurant. He had a good time, the breakfast is great. It took a really long time for all the characters to come around. Like my mother said it seems like they spend forever with certain families and then barely stand still for a picture with others. We fell into that latter. It was so hard because Chase wouldn't stay still or look at the camera. It was a really long hot day. He loved the safari and we saw the most animals I have ever seen on it. We hit the Lion King show which he liked and the highlight was seeing all the characters.

We headed back for a nap. I got him up around 7 and we headed back to the magic kingdom for extra magic hours. It was pretty rough. He started out pretty good but it got progressively worse. He was petrified of Mickey's Philharmonic and he loved that in March. We waited for Dumbo for 25 minutes and we were just about ready to go on and he threw a fit because he saw Donald Duck and wanted to go see him and I refused to get out of line. We headed back to the hotel around 930.
Monday it was off to Epcot. We weren't in any rush so we took the boat over to MK and then the monorail to Epcot. There really isn't a whole lot to do there for Chase. We did Nemo and then waited for 40 minutes or so to see the Characters. We did the land. he liked seeing all the plants. Then all of a sudden after lunch it got black. We made it to the store of the Figment exit and we got stuck for about an hour and a half. When it finally slowed we head off to dinner at Teppan Edo the habaichi restaurant. I was in a panic know how my niece freaked out at his age and he had no nap! He was great. They didn't do the flame but the food was good and so was Chase. I then was one of those mother's and let him run through the fountain for more than a half hour. He had a blast. I was trying to get a video of him getting blasted in the face. I was so hoping for that $10,000 most funniest video.

Tuesday it was back to the magic kingdom. We had lunch with pooh at the Crystal Palace. It was a good day. He loved seeing the characters again and we stayed for the parade. He loved it. I video'd it and he wants to watch it every day. He says more papades. Right after the parade we headed to adventure land and Grammy got on line for the magic carpets. She got into the line queue and was set to get on the carpets the very next time so I lifted Chase over the rail for her and he freaked. So bad she got out of line and we called it a day. We headed back to the hotel and again a late nap.. 5 oclock he was out and I woke him up at 730. He 's thinking what the hell is she doing... she usually tries to get my in bed by then.

We were off to DOwntown Disney for dinner, snack, shopping and Chase running through more sprinklers.

I'll pick up again maybe tomorrow

Yes, we are home.

2008-09-27T23:02:00.003-04:00

We got home yesterday morning about 1 am. I got Chase back to sleep and in his crib around 130 and Mommy climbed into bed around 215. I am pretty beat but know if I don't post tonight it won't happen for another week.
We had a great trip. It was long and a lot of work but I think we all had a great time.
Thursday started off on the wrong foot. We got to the parking lot where we were leaving the car and I pulled Chase out of the car seat and realized that his shorts were wet. He tipped his milk over and it was draining into his jean shorts and the car seat. We got to the airport and lugged the crap through security and i had to change him. Ok so we weren't even to the airport and I had to use his spare shorts. So I put the shorts in my carry on. Chase was very good on the plane. He refused to sleep but was fine watching the satellite TV and his videos. We had to drag the car seat, diaper bag,2 carry-ons, full size stroller and a toddler to get the luggage. Picked up a luggage cart threw on the luggage and off to the rent a car. We found the hotel with no problem. Through the luggage in the room and off to eat and then to Walmart. Chase was pretty good. he gave us a bit of a hard time going to sleep but not too bad. Oh his shorts STUNK! We washed them out with shampoo

and when the dried the next morning they STUNK! So I washed them out again before we left. Friday was Sea World. He got up pretty early. Oh After chasing him around the room getting him dressed we headed to breakfast across the street. We were at Sea World by 915. He seemed to have a great time. We tried to get him to feed the sting rays but he just dropped the fish. He wouldn't hold them for the rays to grab them. He pretty much did the same thing for the sea lions. He just dropped them so the birds got them all, not one sea lion. 10 bucks and you don't even get 10 fish. We watched the shows and then Chase ran around the kids zone which had the sprinklers coming up from the ground. It took him a little while but he loved it.
Chase in front of the sea lions
Chase playing in the sprinklers
Chase with Shamu at Shamu's house We started to walk out around 4 and he fell asleep on the way out. He woke up when I put him in the car. He stayed asleep while I ran back to a Walmart, I lost a cushion off my ipod earplugs so I wanted a replacement. We decided we weren't too hungry so we went into a Goodies for lunch meat. This is where his head began to spin. He was screaming and yelling and just plopped himself down in the middle of an aisle and started screaming. I had to pick him up and he was yelling screaming and kicking like a lunatic. He screamed the 2 blocks to the hotel all the way in the hotel and another 15 minutes in the hotel room. I was thinking what the hell are we doing he was that bad. He finally stopped crying when I let him eat the cake first. So we alternated cake and ham. After all this he still fought going to sleep. OH YEAH HIS PANTS STILL STUNK TO HIGH HEAVEN.

Saturday. He woke up around 730 and the only way we got him moving was saying we were going to Mickey's House. We went to IHOP for breakfast and Walgreens for detergent because his pants were still horrendous. We only wanted a small container so I tried here. I was going to pay 10 bucks for tide at WALMART. He was saying I bet I've been hearing that for weeks now...and I still haven't seen the damn mouse!
We were at the Wilderness Lodge around 1000 and much to my surprise our room was ready. We carted the little junk up and the bellman brought the rest of the luggage within a half hour. We were in the Magic Kingdom by 11. Chase remembered a lot of it. We had a great day at the magic kingdom. We did run back to the room for a nap. Mommy ran to the laundry to try to salvage his shorts. If they weren't so darn cute and still pretty big on him I would have thrown them out that Thursday, but I am thinking he could probably still wear them next summer. We had to wake him up from the nap to make dinner but it wasn't too bad. It allowed us to stay later. We had dinner with Goofy and his friends at the Liberty Tree Tavern. We had to wait about 30-45 minutes just for mickey. If he had come around sooner we could have left the place a heck of a lot earlier. Chase ate like a pig. I was afraid he was going to explode. Then here comes probably one of the most embarrassing moments of the trip. We just get out of dinner, yes the dinner he ate some much I thought he was going to explode and we decide to stay for the Spectromagic parade. We find a spot and a nice couple who spoke Spanish let us sneak the stroller in between the husband and son and the daughter and wife. So he goes; Chase reaches over his stroller and sticks his hand in the little girls popcorn and takes a handful. I was mortified! I apologized and while I was doing that he went in for more. The wife said it was ok and poored some on his stroller tray. He tried to say hola and gracias. As soon as Grammy got back from the ladies room I had to go run and get a thing of popcorn. He was still grabbing it from the little girls when I got back. I refilled both the little girls and the boys. I wanted to crawl in a hole. I was surprised he didn't throw up that night! OH and finally the shorts don't wreak!!!! yeah

I will try to post again about the rest of the trip it's late I'm tired....etc

Not off to a good start

2008-09-17T10:43:00.003-04:00

Chase had another bad sleeping night last night. He was up from 1254 to 447 this morning and then wouldn't get up this morning. Grammy had to take him to the babysitters. SO he is not going to be well rested for our trip.

We are off to Mickey's house tomorrow, there won't be any posts for a bit. Not that there has been many. I am hoping to get back into the swing of things soon.

Busy busy busy

2008-09-12T21:11:00.003-04:00

Work is keeping me pretty busy. I think I dug myself out of the paperwork hole, but with going away next week,I bet I will be right back in it. So far it is all right and the underlings aren't complaining yet, but I'm sure that won't last long. Or at least not complaining to my face. Not sure anyone would tell me anyway.

Chase is doing ok with the change. He still has at least one rough night at Grammy's house which kills me, it was the first night of 4 and he was up 2-430 and me until 5. I got a whole 4 hours of sleep to start the week off. He did settle in and then last night I had to do something late at work so we got home late and it was after 930 before he got to bed.

Now the other night I get out of the shower and I see Chase run down the hall and I see paper on the bathroom floor, and I yell " don't tell me!" I continue out of the bathroom and this is what I see down the hall

Yeah this would have happened a 18 months ago... I think the chemo burnt some brain cells...... but as Grammy said he had fun....

This horse is nearly 16 years old, it was my sister Lindsey's we were getting ready to throw it out he has had no interest in it until now...

Posting

2008-09-06T21:36:00.009-04:00

will be few and far between for awhile, or atleast without pictures.
With all the events surrounding work, I have a new position,new work schedule, and no more money... It is a more steady schedule but I will on have 3 days off instead of 4. Poor Chase is in for a shocker, and so is mommy. So that means I will be home probably 1 less night and I just darn well refuse to post from my mother's. I think I'd rather shoot myself in the foot, it would be less painful.

Work is just chaotic. I am trying to set up an office, impressed aren't you? dig out from paperwork that was left to pile up from the week before my friend's accident, early August. They have also charged the driver of the car with vehicular homicide. So the atmosphere around work is so volatile. I will probably just dig out from the paperwork or at least be close when we head to Disney again.

On the Chase front, he is not sleeping very well lately, therefore mommy isn't sleeping well so I am physically beat and emotionally drained. He is definitely talking up a storm now. I tried the big boy underwear tonight since alot of my Guat board friends are doing that well not a half hour later he peed a speck in them so much for that theory. I may have scared him since i was using the meat sealer and he went running away. I'm really in no rush since the FL trip is coming up. However, he is giving me a hard time about putting heiny lube on, not sure what that is all about and it's the butt paste. He doesn't appear to have a rash but he definitely is not cooperating with the lube....

I will post a few more pictures from the shore, poor kid hasn't had his picture taken but a dozen times since last week and they haven't been downloaded yet

MIA

2008-08-31T12:43:00.005-04:00

Well we are trying to get our lives back in order but it's not working too well. The house looks like a cyclone came through it and I just dropped the suitcases down and haven't unpacked and I just got a call to come into work tonight for holiday OT, so my post will be short.

After a chaotic week before our vacation and an hour pack job we had a great vacation. The weather was gorgeous, only one half day of rain. Chase came around to enjoy the sand and then on day 13 of 14 he decided to venture into the water. He had a blast. He was an Angel. He only gave me a hard time a few days taking a nap, which he sorely needed. Some days he even passed out on the beach. He had really long days. He was awake by 615 all but 2 days and those were only til 700 and then he would fight going to bed so he was in bed anywhere from 9-1030.

Here are a few pictures from the trip
Gotcha Day came and went without much celebration because of the wake and funeral but of course he got his cake
He can now put three words together.... Ice Cream Cone
He loved jumping in the hole and on everybody including Jordan

Chase and his Unga!

Chase and Aunt Chel

Chase and his Grammy

Finally enjoying the water

And my sleeping angel

Yes puppy had to go to the beach!

Check out his hands... please tell me it doesn't start at 2 1/2

Grammy, here's your RU rah rah

Please pray for my BEST friends family

2008-08-13T10:32:00.002-04:00

He was killed in the line of duty and left a wife who just lost her mother to ovarian cancer this winter, a father who recently Dx with throat cancer, and 2 precious little boys!

Can someone tell my why

2008-08-09T21:07:00.004-04:00

It takes me so damn long to get him into bed? When Chase got up from his nap this afternoon he wanted to take a bath... ok great. He was bathed and downstairs for dinner by 515. I cooked and attempted to have him eat, made cookies, drank his milk and were upstairs by 7. He wanted a little bit more milk and you know what time I walked out of his room 830....3 hours from bath, yikes.
He wanted to pee 2 after we were settled in to read and another 2 times after I put him in the crib. He did go 3 times. the 4th time I said the heck with it he has 8 M&M's lined up on the sink for tomorrow morning!

We had a good day. I went and returned some stuff and of course came home with a few things for him again. PJ's.... it's rough keeping 2 homes going with clothes... I found the cutest fleece footie pj's for the winter. Hope they fit they were an early bird special.

Here is my cheese ball. I told him to smile I guess I need to be more specific

Smile and don't close you eyes!!!

We are fighting over the TV....Mommy wants to watch the Olympics, I love them
GO USA
and Chase wants PABLO.....

Mommy needs a second job!

2008-08-08T22:37:00.004-04:00

Well, Grammy watched Chase last night so I could run around shopping and needless to say the stall was on, he was just getting ready for bed when I got home so this morning was a horror story. Crying screaming and all but throwing up because he didn't want to get up... SO Mommy was really late for work today so I in turn took him bra shopping.... a mommy's favorite.... OH how I hate that. It probably wouldn't be that bad if I knew the correct damn size! I also stocked up on summer clearance items for Chase.... a whole bunch of 3t shorts and 4t shirts.... shorts and shirts all for less than 4 bucks plus my 15% shopping pass....
HI my name is LISA and I'm a shopaholic this week. CUT THE CARDS!!!!
Well we are all booked for Guatoberfest 2008 Myrtle Beach. I just need to send off my registration. I booked airfare today, got decent airfare and didn't want to wait and see if they had a $9 ding right before we left, the specials are so unpredictable and on very limited dates so I bit the bullet to be safe. I'm figuring I'm not spending too much more than I would for gas and saving 9-10 hours each way.

We also solved our sleeping problem for the shore. Chase seems to love his new beach bed as we are calling it...

We also checked out our department's national night out. It was ok. The fire marshall's had a few hats so we grabbed one. Chase looked so cool in it, but when he ran around it fell off

Yes we are still into the Backyardigans from morning til night. For a while he was striking the Pablo pose, now he has moved on to Austune as he calls him.

Tomorrow, Mommy's got to make some returns because of course crap was on sale today!!! cut the lawn and start getting things together for vacation.

Catching up

2008-08-04T15:01:00.002-04:00

Chase had speech again and Miss Debbie did a little updated evaluation. He is starting to catch up. In some areas he is still pretty behind, one important one is putting 2 or more words together. If he gets that he will score much higher. Some areas he is right on target 30-33 months. Actually he is way ahead in colors. He only needed to know one color to be of his age. Maybe I have a picaso?

Chase spent yesterday with Grammy while, Mommy and Uncle Scott went to the Pocono race. Our black cloud followed us. It sprinkled before the race and then again just over midway. We left with 69 laps left. Good thing, the rain delay was almost an hour and the race was over well after 6 I think pretty close to 7 we wouldn;t ave been home till well after 10. When we used to stay it used to take 3 hours or more to get out of the parking lot... and then it would have been another 2-3 hours home!
It was good to finally get to see a race. we have had some pretty bad luck with everyone's health and family obligations.

The point of the story, he screamed bloody murder when Grammy left. He cried so hard and yelled for Grammy. Oh he is so attached!

FFF- Crazy hair

2008-08-01T20:52:00.003-04:00

He just seems so.......

2008-07-31T21:33:00.004-04:00

grown up. All of a sudden he isn't my little baby anymore. He just seems so darn old. He wants to do everything himself, even if that means undoing what I just did. I pick it up he throws it down and picks it up himself. He wants to climb up in his high chair by himself... that I know ain't gonna happen.... his carseat, but we usually don't have enough time, out of his carseat....get the ice, wipe his hiney, "chase"... is all he says and points to himself. He seems to be outgrowing clothes daily. he went from some 18 month stuff to some 2t stuff just fitting....

This little man has stolen my heart, he is just like me a junk food junky and cranky in the morning without enough sleep. He is my pride and joy!

Oh my Prince's crown from last week:

The lid to the bathroom garbage can.

Beach bum

2008-07-26T22:49:00.004-04:00

We, Chase, Grammy, Jordan, and I headed to the Jersey shore today. We didn't get there until 230 and Chase was less than thrilled with the sand at first anyway. Grammy had to carry him and she set him down on her towel until I got up there with the blanket and his towel. He loosened up just as we were getting ready to leave. He wasn't a fan of the water though. I think we will be ok, we have just over 3 weeks before we go, and I will pray for low tides. He really did very well with no nap. Just a minor melt down when we got home. He fell asleep about 5 minutes into our ride home, which is about 50 minutes and he was not the least bit happy to have been awakened, I can't blame him. Hopefully he will have a good night!

6 Flags, a great day

2008-07-25T22:06:00.010-04:00

Chase and I had a great day. He started off a bit out of whack... I heard him up before 6 but there was no way we were getting up then. He was really up at 7 so I got up and he really was in no hurry to get out of the crib finally he kept saying ninnie.. which is Mickey, so I read his Mickey Mouse Club book. After that he said nigh nigh so back into the crib he went. I don't think he went back to sleep but he was content so I left him there. 815 I went back in and he was awake but still content I made him get up. When he got up from his nap around 2 I asked if he wanted to go see the animals. Yeah yeah yeah anmals... so I grabbed some stuff, and we were out the door and at the safari by 315.... He loved it. more more more ...
I got a good picture of the baby giraffe I saw last time, it is now in the general population and of one giraffe looking in the moon roof.
He wanted more of that which I couldn't provide.
I thought this was cool, the tiger was actually walking along the front fence

There is a little place just outside the safari where you can see some birds, snakes, hedgehog, and pony rides. We finally got out and checked it out and saw them feeding a snake. Didn't get a good picture of that though. He liked climbing on these until he couldn't figure out what to do

He couldn't decide if he wanted to go on rides but I decided to take him in and he would only go on 3... we did 2 of them a couple of times, well one about 8 and another 4...
Oh they grow up so fast, it's too soon for him to be behind the wheel

Dinner, a nice burpy dog

I think he got annoyed with me taking pictures

Mommy wanted no part of being in the pictures but Chase was reluctant to go by them... when we first got there he would not get out of the stroller and kept yelling car, but on the way out he wanted to get out. The pictures are crummy because of the sun, boo

He liked Daffy though....

He pretty much just refused to look at me when I was trying to take the pictures. Bugs finally put his hand on his head so he wouldn't look away.

Regardless we had a great time. He was really tired, he didn't even give me that much of a hard time going down tonight.
Tomorrow we are heading to the shore.... not that this fat @SS should be in a bathing suit but we are going to give it another shot. Chase needs to get use to it we head to the beach in 3 weeks....

A bit better.

2008-07-24T21:01:00.004-04:00

Chase seems to be a little better. I think his tooth finally broke through. Of course he won't cooperate so I can check. We had a playdate with Anothe Guat tot Amelia. They pretty much just chased each other around. We couldn't stay long since we had to get home for Chase to nap since we had an early intervention meeting. He has meet his 6th month goals accroding to them so we set new ones and are going to meet with the school district in the fall to see if he qualifies through there. The school system would take over on his 3rd birthday. That could cause some problems with my schedule but I won't worry about that until I have too.

Chase had a bit of a rough night at bedtime. He pretty much just went to bed crying since he wouldn't listen. I went in a few minutes later and asked if he wanted books and he just said nite nite.... so hopefully he has a good night.

Mommy is just plain ole tired. Yesterday at work I broke out in hives. I took benedryl and last night couldn't keep my eyes open. This morning I had some new ones and tonight I am itchy as can be! What's up with that.

Here are a few pictures of my little prince's crown...

Anyone know what his crown is????

We still got it!

2008-07-21T09:10:00.002-04:00

Whatever it is we still have it... not to give TMI, it isn't constant but when it happens it happens, oh boy. One of his bottom molars is finally starting to cut through. I can feel a very very little bit of it... so hopefully that's what we can contribute out issue, only problem is I'm not teething....

FFF - I Scream for Ice cream

2008-07-19T09:30:00.002-04:00

Chase's foster mother loved the ice cream picture. They were taken on my 2nd visit trip. It was a Mickey D's sundae cone... haven't seen them here in the US

Ok a day late and a dollar short! oh, by the way I got what Chase had, yuck!

Really short

2008-07-18T20:56:00.004-04:00

The hunt for 'piders as Chase calls them.

It was very hot here today. We stayed in. Chase was up at 615 which wasn't good since we had our last early intervention appointment of the week at 11. I had a hard time keeping him awake. He did pretty well considering he was so tired. And yes my boy can string spools... not great but did a few not bad for the first time, so there CHOP! I don't think he is feeling well. He ate very very little today. An egg, some fruit 2 pieces of bologna and a piece of toast. He had too horrific diapers and was saying boo boo and pointing to his belly. He woke up from his nap with a leaking diaper on his brand new diaper, and the bad leak. It was a nice outfit

The poor thing is double diapered tonight. Good thing the pampers don't fit him too well they went right over his overnite diaper.
He still loves those glasses

Mommy's favorite moments

2008-07-17T20:44:00.004-04:00

Tonight after putting Chase down, I looked at the clock and it was already 825. I start to think what the heck happened. He was out of the tub and in his pj's by 715 so where did the other hour plus go? Heck we were in his room by 745. Then I thought about it even after spending all day with him, I love the end of the day when we just snuggle up on the glider and read a few books and then rock for one more song. A kiss, an Eskimo kiss, and then a big bear hug. It doesn't get ANY BETTER THAN THAT!
I cleaned up Chase's Mohawk and of course cut into it again a little, but even worse I placed the clipper's on the hot tub or so I thought and they fell off. They broke, I was able to put the clippers back together but the guard is broken. I need to find replacements. the good news is the company is in NJ the bad news is it will probably cost me more to ship them because you have to buy a 4 piece set. I have to say we were lucky I was able to finish it. I would have had to run out and get another one. He was 2/3 done and not in "order" it was hodge podge.
Don't you just love the outfit

Grammy was here last night and then for supper today, we had to bring here to the federal court house in Trenton for jury duty. Chase was not happy dropping her off this morning. He asked for her all day. A big shout out to Aunt Michele for running over and staying here while Chase was napping so I could go get Grammy who was excused from this trial but she is still not in the clear. When she was leaving Chase wanted to go home.

The poor kid doesn't even know where home is.

Wordless Wednesday, a day late

2008-07-17T07:30:00.003-04:00

Quick post

2008-07-15T21:51:00.004-04:00

We are home for a few busy days. We have appointments 3 out of the 4 days. No rest for the weary. Speech tomorrow, one early intervention Thursday and another on Friday. Poor Chase cried on the drive home, he wanted to go to his Mammies'.... (Grammy's) It wasn't until we got to the development that he finally said humm (home)
I guess he was excited to be home...

Holding his pee cup....

I just loved colorforms growing up. Chase is playing with his Backyardigans colorforms

Doesn't he just have a rough life

FFF- RED WHITE & BLUE

2008-07-11T21:37:00.002-04:00

No books

2008-07-10T20:07:00.005-04:00

We had a very good day until bedtime!
He slept late, woke up in a great mood, ate and didn't hassle me about food shopping. He went down for his nap great, had a great EI appointment for a change, ate his stuff shells and watermelon, had a piece of cake and then it happened. I got tired of telling him to let me finish with his teeth and put his PJ's on so I shut off the dvd. so into his room we go and I wanted to put his overnite diaper on he wouldn't come over to me I finally get him over to me after telling him he wasn't going to get any books and then he decides he wants to pee-pee. so into the bathroom and guess what, nothing and he runs out of the bathroom and won't come back. So I pretty much held him down to get the diaper on and then right to bed he went. I gave him his hug and kiss and an I love you! He was crying and Mommy felt bad.

EDITED: SNAGGED Mommy went into turn on the sound soother at 910 and guess who was still up? Yup, Mommy read the books and put him down again and he was out.
So we will post a few more pictures from vacation:
A full boat
His dale Jr shirt but no TV to watch the race
Caught you... one of the many games of tag around the cars
the neighbors dog with the electric fence. I think that was to keep the dog off their yard and in my father's
One cool dude....

Wordless Wednesday...Yes 2 posts today

2008-07-09T22:02:00.002-04:00

Here they are

2008-07-09T13:01:00.004-04:00

The closest he came to the pool all week!

Pat played ball with Chase in the morning, it was a bit of basketball, soocer and tag all in one

Mommy and Chase on the boat
4th of July picutres. This type of firework was the norm.Chase watched a few but it was late...

Round 2 of the boat Chase looked half a sleep, I forgot to bring his glasses for wind protection
We are finally home and it was a hectic trip home. the plan was delayed leaving Charlotte, luckily we hadn't boarded the plane yet and I was one suitcase lighter since Uncle Scott brought the big one home. I also got yelled at that my carry-on was too big... it wasn't on the way down and I was not giving it up with the DVD player either!
We had a good trip exhausting for Mommy but good!

You should have seen

2008-07-06T11:11:00.003-04:00

the fireworks here, and they weren't as good as last year I was told. I missed a good 30-45 minutes of them putting Chase down. He liked them for a minute and then he wanted to go night-night. It was late so I put him donw and when I came out 40 minutes later they were still going. There were about 4-5 neighbors that had some really good ones and pretty much took turns shooting them off. These weren't no Wal*mart specials.

The weather was crummy here yesterday and they are expected scattered thunder storms today. Hopefully we will get in a pretty good day. I have gotten Chase down for a nap, which he so desparately needs since he was running around for 45 minutes straight outside with Pat and Pop-Pop. You could see him getting exhuasted!
I will try to upload pictures later.

Vacation is good

2008-07-04T17:46:00.006-04:00

Well, not much of a vacation for Mommy. Chase is keeping me busy. We have watched the Backyardigans 100 times. We are out hitting golf balls by 730 am.

He refuses to get in his pool that Pat and Pop-Pop bought for him at Walmart and Grammy he is VERY reluctant to walk out on the dock.

Here are some pictures:
Me and my Ungle

Pat saved me because Mommy plopped me in the pool, she said I was gonna use it

Pop-Pop playing with the Play-doh

Jordan and Chase sitting on the dock. Grammy he was never near the water without someone holding his hand.

Sitting with Pop-Pop in the boat on the lift. We may try to get him in the boat Monday after the water calms down. There are a lot of people on the water since it's the holiday and then there is the weekend.

We made it

2008-07-03T09:45:00.003-04:00

We had a very uneventful trip. I got snagged because we left from Terminal A. I usually travel Continental and Terminal C. We made it through security without too many problems or delays. Then we set out to get something to eat. Well much to my surprise all they have was a few snack places and sandwiches. I got a wrap and gave him some of the turkey. Terminal C has a huge food court.
Chase was great on the flight. He watched his Backyardigan's DVD and fell asleep while we were making our descent. He slept about 20 mins. When I woke him up he wasn't even a bear. Pop-Pop's is about a half hour from the airport.

Everything is good. I will try to post pictures later.

Panic has set in

2008-07-01T19:26:00.002-04:00

First here are the pictures from yesterday's post...
He just looks sick here

He looks so big in this picture. He wanted nothing to do with the pool today and it was hot... Mommy blew up part of the pool, literally I popped one of the accessory sections I forgot air expands in the heat... oh well not even 1 month out of it..

Now on to the panic. Chase and I leave for Charlotte tomorrow. Kind of in a panic flying by ourselves. I hope we have no delays, it's a really short flight.... should be less than 2 hours from gate to gate! Pop-Pop here we come!

Getting better

2008-06-30T20:03:00.002-04:00

Can you believe it, Chase is in bed before 8!
He seems to be getter a little better each day. Now I think his teeth are the problem because he will start to cry when he bites down on some things, but there is no fever.
Here he is at his worst, Well not his worst I didn't have my camera handy at 3am...

Well so much for that it would let me load the pcitures

It's here.........

2008-06-28T08:31:00.003-04:00

Hand foot mouth disease has arrived in NJ. I took Chase to the Dr. yesterday after picking him up from the babysitter. It was an urgent care walk in place right up the street from Grammy's. Both of us have gone there over the past year. The Dr. was fantastic with Chase who was less than cooperative for mommy. Everything was fine except the sores on the roof of his mouth. For 10 bucks glad I know what it is, I know he does have a molar trying to come through but 103 was a bit high for that. So now we just sit it out and Mommy doesn't sleep at all............................................

oh I fell asleep on the "."

FFF- Summer Lovin'

2008-06-27T10:24:00.004-04:00

The only 2 I have on the work computer.

More exhausted! Last night we went to get a vest for the pool at Grammy's at Target and Chase didn't fight one bit getting into the cart. Then he wanted Momma to hold in the store. I took his temp and it was 102+. He had 2 ice pops and Motrin and tylenol and he seemed more himself an hour later and I managed to get him to go to sleep untl 135 and then his fever was back up to 103 more motrin and an einstein video and 2 hours of trying to get him asleep on 3/4 of a twin bed he fell asleep at 430 or so and yes mommy got to nod off again for 45 minutes. He got up about 550 and didn't even want to watch the videos while I got ready he dozed off again for a half hour. He was do for more tylenol and his fever was down to 99 so off to the babysitters he went without any problems. So we will see. I know hand foot mouth is going around and he actually played with kids 2x this week so I am hoping it's just his teeth. You ask him what hurts or where his boo boo is he 1 points to his foot where he had a blister over a month ago and has a scar then he says TEET. He has been rubbing the sides of his face near his ears and trying to ram his hand in his mouth. The bumps are getting bigger in there so maybe one is working it's way out. We will see!

Wonderful Day!

2008-06-23T21:23:00.007-04:00

All went well an the ENT. The tubes are still in place and Chase wasn't screaming when the Dr. examined him, actually we didn't even need the nurse to help. thumbs up to that.

We had a wonderful lunch with our guat friends. She brought back 2 shirts for him from Guat. He should be able to wear the T now and the long sleeve this winter. Amelia is such an adorable tiny little thing and she speaks so well it's hard to believe it comes out of such a little thing. She is 3 months older than Chase. Maddie is a adorable too. She will be 8 months tomorrow. She sat on her playmate for an hour or so and didn't move! I really enjoyed talking to Diane too. We met through our agency when she brought a package down for Chase's foster family. It's a shame we haven't gotten together more often. I am really going to try because Chase could use the interaction. The two of them played pretty well together for that age. I mean how much do they really play together at that age. But they weren't stealing each other's toys nor knocking each other down so that is a total success to me.
He still can't believe all women are as crazy as me

Chase was amazing at the Backyardigans. He watched and sat on my lap the whole time.... note to other parents if they sit on your lap and are "young" you don't need a ticket apparently because I saw a lot of parents holding their little ones with no available seat around them. During the intermission he got down and walked around and then ran around the empty foyer with 2 other kids. He was a little iffy right after the intermission but settled in immediately and then wanted more when it was over.

Really just a wonderful day! other than the 550 wake up call he gave me

Mommy's exhuasted

2008-06-22T21:22:00.005-04:00

and so is Grammy.
Chase was up at 550 this morning. I stalled him from going down stairs until 650 but that was it and he went kicking and screaming he wanted to bang on Grammy's door and I wouldn't let him so he was screaming and crying so that idea was no better.

Grammy came down this weekend to watch Chase while I worked yesterday and so I could get some things done around the house. So at 9 I was out power washing the patio so I could seal it. So I had to power wash and then blow it with the blower to dry it because we were expecting thunderstorms and I wanted it to set. I also don't know when I would be able to do it again and it needed it desperately. Well I just finish and yes it rained. So I am hoping I didn't waste my time, the 150 bucks or my aches and pains. It looks pretty good but tonight I noticed in the channels there are bubbles which are fairly normal, however there is some water underneath them. So we will see. It was so bad before that I hope it at least makes it to the fall and then between what is left in the can I had and the can I used today I can get another coat on in the fall. It is time consuming because I have to drag everything off the patio; table, 6 chairs, pool, LT 8&1 playground, grill etc...

I also ran to Kohl's to get a gift for a friend who brought home her second daughter in April. As far as dresses go, they are adorable.

Then of course after the brief heavy rain it was beautiful so Chase went in the pool.
Chase had Grammy in the pool

He wasn't too sure he liked the slide, he wanted someone to hold his hands

Chase was adamant that there was a spider on the pool. He was doing the itsy bitsy.

Gotta get some rest busy day tomorrow. ENT in the morning, lunch with our Guat friends, and then the Backyardigans at 5 and then home again.

Still the same

2008-06-21T21:08:00.007-04:00

I can't believe she hasn't fix it!!!!!

Today I got to run Grammy ragged. I was up at 620.... much too early for a weekend according to Grammy. Then I made her chase me around the house with my vaccuum. Grammy comes up with some pretty neat ideas, Mommy says another great idea by Grammy. I also got to put my dvd's in another thing Mommy doesn't let me do. Yup she's wrapped around my little finger.

Chase got a Babies 'R Us gift card from the guys on my squad when he came home, and not that I hadn't been to TRU's the first 15 months or so that he was home but I kept saving it for something good. I had posted it when I bought it, it was on sale from 229 to 149 so you could say that my squad bought him his Dale Jr. car. So in honor of Jr's win last week,Chase driving the car,mommy figuring out how to put the video on the computer, and loading it on to blogger. Chase driving his car... look another young punk driving crazy.... excuse the close up of the grass

You want to do what???????????

2008-06-17T14:10:00.005-04:00

Ok so let's get this straight,
Are you nuts

Nope I don't think so ain't gonna happen
Don't think a little treat is going to bribe me do you????

OH MY GOD SHE DID IT......I CAN'T LOOK

From the side now the top

Ok I'm easy to bribe, caramel & apples, lollipop and an ice pop