The Eights

I'm 6 days late in writing this, but I now have an eight year old son. Eight years, how did this happen? He's no longer my little baby. He now gets embarrassed by his parents acting goofy in front of his friends. He wants hair gel to do his hair. He has certain clothes that just are cooler than others. He had his first "big boy" party with only friends from school. (10 7-8 year old boys playing laser tag... yeah, I'll let that sink in). He has a ton of baseball cards and loves rough and tumble boy things, like fishing and archery.

Yet...

He is still so sweet and considerate. He loves taking care of his baby brother. He is always looking out for his middle brother. He loves and cares for everyone in his family and his friends. He somehow turned out awesome, which is all his doing, because I was a clueless mess with him. I love that little guy. Sometimes I don't realize it, but I am lucky to have been blessed to spend 8 years with this boy.

Thanks for being awesome, Drew.




Baby




Big Boy

7 Years with a lovely boy...

Today is my oldest son, Drew's Birthday. I can't believe he is seven! He is such a big kid. Last night he asked to cuddle with me, once again proving that just because he turned seven, he isn't going to be less sweet.

Happy Seventh Birthday, my wonderful sweet boy. I love you more than words could ever say.

My Me Date

Saturday was my Birthday. I am officially 20-12. I celebrated the way I did last year, which I think will turn into a annual event. I had a Me-date. I went to lunch, then saw Bridesmaids and laughed my ass off. I was by myself. No one to talk to or listen to. It was bliss. I spend my whole day talking on the phone and listening to the kids or the husband or the co-workers. It was nice to take the time to be alone.

I would suggest you all give yourself the treat of a Me-Date sometime. I've always wanted to feel okay about doing activities alone, and now I enjoy them. Maybe I am growing up. It had to happen at some point, right?

Mr. Six

Dear Drew,

Today you are six. I know it's a cliche, but it feels like it was just yesterday that I walked waddled into the Hospital to deliver you. I remember that I had no idea what to expect and I was so nervous. I still didn't know what to expect when I held you for the first time. The only thing I knew was that I loved you. I would sing to you and hold you and get teary eyed because I loved you so much. You were and are my sweet little boy.

Now that you are six, your tastes have matured so much. You love science and building things and nature. You amaze me with your intricate buildings, and your scientific reasoning. Your favorite show is Mythbusters, and you remember every detail of every experiment they complete. Even though you love Mythbusters and science shows, you will watch Fireman Sam with your brother because you love him, and maybe because it is a little funny. You will often spend a lot of time going crazy and running around, that is when you are not putting your Daddy or your Nana and Papa to task for cleaning (you are the best supervisor).

Sometimes you get so frustrated, and I see so much of me in you at those times. Try not to let that anger get the best of you.

Sometimes you get a little nervous around other children, I also see so much of me in you at those times too. Don't worry, they will like you. Your best friends are your cousins, "T" and of course, your little brother, Jacob. Jacob loves you and looks up to you so much, thank you for being such a good role model for him.

Thank you for being my cuddle buddy, my silly boy who always has a smile for me, and who can charm even the grumpiest soul. We love to bake cookies, read Shel Silverstein and Harry Potter, and watch movies together. Even when we argue, you always tell me that you love me. I am so lucky, such a lucky Mama. I hope we are always close.

Love, Mommy

Happy....

For My Husband....

Happy because I love you.
Happy because you love me.
Happy that I get to wake up each morning next to my best friend.
Happy that I got so lucky.

Happy because it's your birthday.
Happy I have spent 11 birthdays with you.
Happy because I get to spend many more birthdays with you.

Happy that you were born Day.
Happy Birthday, Mr. B.

PS. Happy that I am younger than you... I kid, I kid!

Better late than never, My letter to Jacob

Dear Jacob,

This was the year you went from being a baby to a little boy, in my eyes. You were easy to potty train, just like your brother. You gave me some good scares, but are such a tough little guy, always testing your boundaries, and always determined to win every argument. You still love your blankies, Dora the Explorer and Scooby doo. When you are feeling sad you like me to sing "You are my Sunshine", when you are feeling silly you like me to change it to "You are my Froggy". You have many friends at school, but your best friend is Drew. You wanted, more than anything this year an Octopus necklace for your birthday, and you got one. This year you were more challenging than the previous years, but that made all the triumphs and sweet moments more endearing. You are my little daredevil with an infectious laugh. Most of all though, you are still my baby. I love you Jacob. You have my heart.

XOXO
Love,

Mommy
PS Please click through to see the montage I made him, if you wish- just to warn you, it is long....

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday Drew!

Okay, I've been busy, which explains why this post is late (and short). My love for my little boy Drew, who turned 5 on Wednesday, is plentiful though! A longer post is coming about this milestone, but here is my montage (click through to my website to view) for the past 2 years with my little Drewman!

Happy Birthday little guy, I am so honored to call you my son.
Love, Mommy

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

PS Plus- dude, you wipe your own butt! That's awesome- way to go!

Dear Jacob,

For you I have watched dozens of episodes of Elmo's World, cut up countless slices of pickles, let you spit out food into my hand because you bit off too much to chew, pick your boogers, and read Ten Little Fish over and over again. For you I have listened to Dr. Worm numerous times, sang Twinkle Twinkle, and Ba Ba Black Sheep (with made up lyrics because I can't remember them). For you I have given too many hugs and kisses to count, kissed thousands of boo-boos and tucked you in almost every night. For you I promise to love you unconditionally, even those times when we don't get along, see eye to eye, or even when you don't like me. Even when you're in High School and your room smells like a dirty sweat sock, I will still love you, I promise.

In return, you will always be my baby at age two or age forty-two. Sorry, it's a package deal.

My life changed so much when you came into this world two years ago today, it became 100 times crazier, but 10,000 times more enjoyable and interesting. Thank you for filling my life with laughter and joy.

I love you Jakey, more than I can ever express in a letter. Happy 2nd Birthday.
Love, Mommy

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Gah! Blaurgh! Pshaw!

I know, I know, I know! I've been a bad blogger lately.
I have a reason/excuse- I am busy getting ready for Jacob's Birthday. That's right, my little munchkin is turning 2! I can hardly believe it myself. I know I've been calling him 2 for a while, that's because he seems like a 3 year old to me with his expansive vocabulary. At this rate, he'll surpass my mental capacities by age 8. I can't believe how much he has grown, although at the same time it's hard to remember him this little:

Fun Fact: It's corny, but Moms really do believe in love at first sight.

I will hopefully be back with more funny soon, that is, if I am not busy scrubbing my whole house down with a toothbrush. (I get neurotic when guests come over to my house for parties, even when it is a small get together- of course some of you already know this.)

Friday Favorites #14- 15 Minutes

It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

I have only a tribute for my Friday Favorite- My Papa George. My Papa and I were almost born on the same day. Fifteen minutes was all that separated us from sharing May 15th as a birthday. I used to always see him on/around our almost-same-birthdays. Today would be his birthday if he were still around. I miss him so much. He was a wonderful, spirited, loving Grandpa, and I always felt lucky I got to spend so much of my life sharing our almost-same-birthdays with him. I wish my children could have spent time with him, but sadly he passed away a little over a year before Drew was born.

Of course now my children have their own spirited, wonderful, loving Papa. And this makes me very, very happy. Love you, Dad.

Okay all- now tell me- what are your faves? You can blog some FF's and then link back if you so choose, or leave them in the comments!

My Last Day

Today is my last day in my 20's. Tomorrow I will be (gasp) 3 decades old. I used to think that 30 was "damn old". I always assumed when I reached the mature age of 30 I would know where my life was going, what path I was taking.

So, if I am assuming this, I guess tomorrow is the day I grow up, right? Because right now I am "winging it" every single day. I am playing at the role of adult, and I cannot believe no one has called me out so far. When I am sick, I still keep thinking that my Mom will come over and take care of me. Yet I keep taking care of the kids, and in the back of my mind, I tell myself, this is only temporary, she'll be here soon and she will make french toast. I pay my bills each time, thinking that I can't believe I am allowed to touch this money, even though I (and Mr. Bee) made this money. I made a decision about getting my son circumcised for gods sakes. WHO put me in charge of that? I shouldn't be in charge of anything serious. I can't even believe that I am paid a salary over $5,000. ($5,000 was my big "you have all the money in the world amount when I was 8 years old.)

I always wonder when I will feel mature, when it will sink in that I am not playing adult and I AM an adult. I think I will always expect to have more knowledge and be more mature all of my life, and that is a good thing. It will challenge me to try harder. The only thing I can do is keep learning, keep working (a popular phrase for this is "fake it till you make it"- well I will always be "faking it") and every once in a while sit back and enjoy the journey. And try not to think of 30 as "damn old".

In addition, I hope to never be too old mature to enjoy stupid comedies, outdoor concerts, roller coasters, and beer.

** As I wrote this, I realized that Tooj wrote a similar piece about Motherhood. I wanted to highlight it because it is similar and kind of my answer to that.

Friday Favorites #12

It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Taking a bloggy break- Thank you to those who wrote to me expressing concern for me, I am okay. With all my blog hopping, writing and now, tons of data entry, I am having trouble with carpal tunnel- like symptoms. So I am taking a bloggy break until sometime next week. I just need to take it easy on the recreational computer usage, since I obviously can't stop working . I will still be visiting your blogs- just not commenting as much. I am putting up Mr. Linky- and I am going to leave you with a cute picture to soften the blow of not hearing from me this week. I know you are sad from the prospect of not hearing from me for a couple days, but please don't be crushed.... ;-)

Applesauce- one of Jacob's all time favorites.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Mr. Bee and I have a Friday date night, then the weekly child's birthday party... This time my niece and nephew's party! Thank goodness for combined parties- there's another favorite!

What are your Friday Favorites? Link up and write a post or leave them in the comments! I will get back to you next week, I promise!

Not me! Monday: Snappy one liners/Superbowl Edition

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I so did not fret over Drew's 4th birthday party. I am not a worry wart so I did not worry all week only to have it turn out wonderful.

I also did not lose track of Jacob at the party and find him trying to escape out the front door. This was not the second time someone lost him and found him trying to escape. He is so not my Calamity Jake!

I also did not pass out fall asleep while watching Curious George with Drew a couple of hours later, because I was not exhausted from worrying about the Party.

I did not write the majority of this post on my iPod during the superbowl. I never would miss a moment of football.

This is so not how I feel about my job.



I was not a smartass to my sister Amber and Mr. Bee on Sunday coming up with some great one liners to their statements:

Mr. Bee: I have to start getting prepared for the Superbowl (at 11am this morning).
Me: What, are you playing in it?

Amber: I make these great chicken nachos. It's got rotisserie chicken and pepperjack cheese on them. It's my secret recipe.
Me: Secret recipe? Um... not so secret now!

I did not think about how I could blog these one liners, and so did not get really excited when I realized I could!

I was a very responsible Mom and did not let my kids eat junk and snacks all weekend. I would never compromise their health for my sanity.

Jacob is not down to his last diaper, and therefore I am not praying that he does not have a BM before school today. I would never play THAT game of russian roulette.

I did not almost address my Husband as Mr. Bee on Sunday. I would never let my blog take over my real life. :^P

I so did not just use an emoticon in my blog!

~Preoccupied~

T Minus 17 hours until Drew's Spiderman Party Extravaganza.
T Minus 19.5 hours until I have a glass of wine.

Tired.
V. bad week at work and was hectic as all hell.
Will be continuing through next week.
Get through next week is my mantra.
After next week will be better.


Check out this little nugget I wrote here.
Be back soon, I promise!
PS Thanks for all the following at Facebook, now I am a real networked Blog! or whatever that means. You guys are the best, Mwah! (That's me blowing air kisses to you!)
PPS My boss just walked in and said I looked tired. Now when is that ever a nice thing to say to anyone?

1461: A Letter

Dear Drew,

It's been 208 weeks since you came into my life and turned me into a different, more responsible and capable person.

1461 days have gone by since I first saw your beautiful blue eyes and heard your little newborn wail, delighted in your smooth bald head and held ten perfect little baby toes for the first time.

35,064 hours have passed since I have had a decent night's sleep without worrying about you in the back of my mind, whether you are far or near.

2,103,840 minutes of your life have been lived so far, about 1,700,000(ish) have been some of the best moments of my life and the rest have taught me to have more patience and restraint.

126,230,400 seconds have clicked by and I have kept you alive safe, sound and whole, and generally happy. You have returned the favor by growing up to be a friendly, caring and intelligent little boy, whose observations make me laugh in amazement and wonder.

4 hours ago you let me envelope you in a big bear hug, tightly confining and knocking the wind out of you.

240 minutes have gone since you let me hold you for an excruciatingly long time, as I tried to freeze time for one perfect moment.

14,400 seconds prior to now I asked you to promise to always be my baby. You said okay. This is your promise to me.

An infinite number of seconds, minutes hours, days and weeks will pass and I will still love you. I might get frustrated, impatient and angry with you sometimes, but forever I will love you. This is my promise to you.

Happy 4th Birthday Drew. You complete our family.

Love,

Mommy

Snow, Work and Drew's Spiderman Party Extravanganza Preparations....

January, Jacob's Hand and Foot Calendar

Mr. Bee has returned to work this week. He got to return one week earlier than expected, therefore never having to go on unemployment (yessss!) because he used all of his vacation time. For the year. In the first two weeks of the year. To keep the bread on the table. How can I NOT love this man? On that note, while I am happy that he has his job and can go back, I'm totally going to miss my Mr. Mom. He actually worked really hard to do a good job and definitely pulled his fair share of the house duties. I'm proud of my man. I think his being off work brought us closer. I got a much deserved break, he understood where I was coming from on the stress level, and he also got a less pissy wife (and was less pissy himself and also got a much needed break. Lest I not forgot, Mr. Bee works his ass off at work, much harder than I do). I guess I am supposed to be excited he's going back.... but I'm not. I miss him being home already. Come back Mr. Bee!

On the Drew front.... Spiderman Festivities 2009 4th Birthday Party Extravaganza preparations have begun. I reallllllllllllllllly realllllllllllllllllllllly hate birthday parties and I tried to come up with any way to get out of throwing a party. I had a great idea: buy Bob the Builder Live tickets (it's coming here the day after his birthday, perfect timing right?) and a dinner and have a quiet night out? What a nice, relaxing, stress free birthday. I should have KNOWN that relaxing and stress free is NOT something Drew would want. Out of nowhere Drew starts talking about his Spiderman birthday party. ("Lets decorate the house in Spiderman decorations and can we please have a Spiderman cake, and I asked "D" and "T" to come to Drew's Spiderman Party [yep, still talking about himself in the third person] and can we have one please, please, please?") On a side note, no, he doesn't watch Spiderman, I have no idea what his obsession is, I just know that Mr. Bee is happy that he finally likes something "manly".

Of course I caved. Sadly. I actually CRIED, I so badly didn't want to throw a party. I mean, come on, it's dead of winter and I have a small house. It's not fun for ANYONE. Anyway, my sister came up with a great idea... rent the huge play area they have at their childcare It's called the "Village" and it has little houses and a ball pit and little tables and chairs. Do it at breakfast time and then get fruit and bagels and a cake and voila, party, entertainment and food all in one! Genius. So happy, it will only be two hours and then all done!

(Another side note: my Mom made the comment "well, I guess we can't bring alcohol then". I told her, "I never have provided alcohol at my CHILDREN'S birthday parties, you and my in-laws just bring it." Oh Mom, you know I love you [and I know you read this too]! You are too funny. And yes, I have thought about getting drunk indulging in some spirits to tolerate enjoy Drew's Spiderman Party but for some reason, I think it might be frowned upon? Just a guess?)

In Jacob news... nothing new... just the same crazy guy. He's discovered that he enjoys when I sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to him. After I finish, he signs for "more". I sang it five times tonight. Who needs American Idol Fame when you have the cutest judge ever requesting encore after encore?

So to Wrap up....

Mr. Bee: Back at Work.

Janana: Tired, stressed, overworked. The usual.

Drew: Going to Bob the Builder (Nana sprang for the tickets so we could do both- thanks Nana) and getting the best Spiderman Party evar! (Alcohol not included.)

Jacob: Enjoying his Mommy's renditions, and making Mommy feel like a star. Oh and still a wild and crazay guy. (Okay, I know this is totally dated, but I can't help but think of Steve Martin when I say that.)

The Bee Family: Making it through January, one day at a time. 9 more to go! Only 2 months till spring! Although this was the first day of spring last year in our area.

To my best friend

Happy Birthday, my dear friend.

Ever since the moment I met you 9 1/2 years ago, I've known we would be fast friends. You make me laugh until I cry every day, and make me feel at ease with a glance. I can talk to you for hours, even if it means arguing about politics and listening to you talk about how GREAT Sarah Palin is just to antagonize me. (Only you could say "Palin 2012" with your smug ironic face and I could still love you.) You are the sweetest man, who says and does the nicest things for me and for your family. I know some days are challenging and sometimes we don't get the chance to connect, however I feel so lucky that you decided to share your life with me and I couldn't be prouder to be your wife.

Love, Janna

PS I totally got you a rockin' Birthday/Christmas present.

Our Running Tally

The Hubby and I have a little competition that goes on in our house. This competition is called "who works harder around here" or alternately called "who has it worse around here"? Everything, down to the littlest minute details is discussed and judged. Almost everything seems to have a point value, and one of us is always ahead and the person who is ahead is the one that "works harder" and "has it the worst". The other person then must compensate.

Lets say for example (and most of these are situational- it depends on who is ahead):
He works longer hours (+3), but I clean more (+5, at least in my eyes).
He mows the lawn (+2), but I do the laundry (+4, hey it's year-round).
He makes breakfast (+2, +6 if it's served in bed), but I make dinner (+5).
I put Drew to bed (+3), but he gave Jacob and bath and put him to bed (+4, we'll give him the edge on this one, even though Drew is very difficult at bedtime).

Alternately it carries over into fun activites too.
I went to Lollapalooza (-20), but he went on 3 boys weekend vacays this year (they were shorter so -25).
He saw a movie last week with his sister (-5) , but I went out to dinner with mine last week and shopping with my Mom this week (-10).

It also carries over into who can score a babysitter too. If I score the babysitter (i.e., beg my Mom), we have to do what I want when we go out, and not sit at the Sports Bar all night like he would prefer to do.

Now the real life scenario (today):

Hubby woke up really early for work (+10). He forgot to take out trash (-5). He worked a long day (+5), came home and ordered pizza (+3). He fell alseep after dinner, therefore missing out on the never ending fun of "Bedtime" (-2). Then he was woken up by wife to check a funny smell in the basement and had to clean out a mouse trap (+100!) Afterwards he helped his his wife look for missing snowpants (+5) and didn't get annoyed when she was upset that they were not found (+10).

Janna woke up later for work (-5).Janna got the children ready for school (+10) and took them to school (+10). Janna bought milk and pop and bread at QD on her lunch break (+8). Janna picked up the kids from school (+10). Janna put Jacob and Drew to bed when Hubby fell asleep on couch (+15). Then Janna woke hubby up to check mouse trap (-20), and freaked out about missing snow pants (-20).

Oh did Janna mention that she is getting her husband a

Spoiler: show

{Playstation 3}

for his birthday (+1000)?

I am so freaking ahead, it's not even funny.

So does anyone else operate their marriage in this secret, silent code? Or do you have a different one? Do you think I should give my Hubby more points for the mouse?

And finally, what are the odds that said Hubby will finally read my blog for the first time and get his birthday surprise ruined?

Happy Birthday Drew!

It seems like just yesterday I was taking Drew home from the hospital, now he is 2, almost potty trained, talking all the time. He isn't a baby anymore, he is a little boy. I am so happy that he is turning into such a sweet, loving and fun boy. I know I rant a little on here, but he is such a loving, cute boy, so maybe we are doing something right? Today is his big Birthday party, and I hope he enjoys it at as much as we've enjoyed these two years with him. Times have been tough most of these two years, with a lot of upheaval, but (almost) every moment with him has been a joy. Now if I could lose those last 5 baby pounds, that would be perfect. (I have lost 4 on the diet so far, and even with all of the turmoil of this week, I really haven't cheated too much!)