Comparision?

Sometimes you can't help it. Sometimes you do it without realizing it.

You compare your child to someone's child.

I did this yesterday while having a play date with my friend. Her daughter, who not only shares the same name as mine, has the same birthday as Miss Roo. I was blown away by how much my friend's daughter talks. She can even say "please" and "thank you." Which is something I've been trying to teach Roo for weeks (she's mastered thank you, just no pleases yet).

After the shock of such a talkative toddler wore off, I began to feel guilty. Why in the world was I comparing her development with my daughter's? I even questioned my parenting ability. Was I not reading the dictionary enough? Was this the effect of too much Spongebob Squarepants?

I've always been a believer of the theory that each child is different and each child develops at different rates. I've never really cared if one child was slower or faster than another. I've only cared that children are loved.

My theory was that when a child was ready to wean, sleep through the night, talk or walk they would. I've had first hand experience with this and Roo. While all of my friends were triumphant that their precious babies were sleeping through the night at 6 weeks, I was wide awake every night with a night-waking, disco dancing baby. Roo learned to sleep through the night on her own, with no pressure from me.

So after the guilt wore off, I ignored the fact that my friend's child was a jibber-jabber and just enjoyed the play date.

Miss Roo will bust out with the "pleases" whenever she pleases. She will develop just fine and when she's ready to take on the world, she will. And you'll find me in the corner applauding her efforts, encouraging her and cheering her on.

I Lost One

I lost a follower today... and I am so sad. :(

Was it something I said? Was it the Christmas socks with the Nikes?

Poo... there goes my good mood.

Cheer me up, please.

21 Months of Fun Fun Fun

Dear Roo,

I know I'm late with this months "Letter to Roo," but as you known we've been B.U.S.Y. With the holidays, our trip to Grandma's, shopping, etc... we've been beyond swamped. But you've handled everything I've thrown at you (not literally thrown) like a champ. I'm happy to say that beyond the temper tantrums you throw (literally) when I place you in a shopping cart, you've been an amazing toddler.

Speaking of the whole shopping cart thing, I need to know: when will it end? The only shopping cart you will allow me to place you in is the racing cart at Publix. This aversion to shopping carts has dampened my shopping spirits and you know how much Mommy loves to shop. Hopefully it won't last, or all of my favorite shops will buy racing car shopping carts for me (doubtful).

You took your first train ride this month and you were a champ. The 8+ hour ride to Grandma's was long, but you made yourself at home running up and down the aisles and snoozing through two states. At Grandma and Grandpa's house you had a blast tearing through everything. Grandma's poor Christmas village didn't survive, sadly. In your wake you left three headless horseman, one amputated policeman and two horses without manes. Grandma could've cared less though, she was elated that you were there and I imagine that if you would've push her Christmas tree over, she wouldn't have cared.

You've also learned new words this month, Abby and Apple being your favorites. You're also able to identify all the Sesame Street characters and find items Daddy and I ask for.

We continue to be amazed at your learning ability and pride ourselves on thinking you'll be the smartest toddler in the world. Of course, smarts is not the only thing you have. Cuteness is everywhere when you're here. Your smiles are breathtaking and your laughter is like bells. Daddy and I will do anything to make you smile and laugh and even if you're misbehaving a smile will make our anger disappear.

:)

We love you so much Roo.

Mommy

Update on Handmade

Kristen posted over on Eco Childs Play about a possible change in the CPSIA handmade toy act.

Please pass the word around about this. This effects tons (and tons!!!) of small businesses.

Romance After Kids?

Any parent knows that having a child can make your sex life go from 60mph to 0mph.

And I mean squealing tires, hazards flashing, grinding to a halt.


I mean, come on, you're dealing with a serious lack of sleep, constant spit up, smelly dirty diapers and a hormonal range of crying tears of joy to tears of frustration.


Even if you are in the mood, one peep from your child will send your libido falling faster than me tripping over my own feet.


The question is: How do you get it back?


It being your mojo, your groove, your sexy?


Is it a sexy pole-dancing class? Is it trashy lingerie? What about a vacation sans children to a romantic place?


What options does a Mom have to bring the romance back into a relationship?

Will your relationship ever be as it was pre-baby?

I'm doing research for an article, so I want you to tell me: How did you get your sexy back? Do you and your husband have date nights? Maybe you dress up in saucy little outfits? Spill!

Fill my inbox @ NYTMBlog@gmail.com with tons of suggestions.

Thanks!

Words Are Not Needed

Early Spring Cleaning

This whole weekend has been spent "spring" cleaning. Yesterday we started with our storage trailer and today it ended with my closet.

My biggest problem is that I'm a pack rat. I keep everything. I found toilet paper I took from a hotel over 10 years ago. I have postcards I bought when I was a kid and never sent. I have stacks and stacks of photographs. You name it, I probably have it hidden somewhere in this house or that storage trailer.

My goal is to get the whole storage trailer cleaned out and everything organized in the back storage shed. The ultimate goal, for me (not my husband) is to get the storage trailer emptied and start to gut the whole thing. It's a travel trailer and if we got it all in line, we could travel with it.

But with the pack rat thing, I'm doing so much better. I have thrown away tons of stuff. I have bags of stuff to take to the consignment shop or local goodwill. I am hoping to keep this trend up. Seriously, why do I need to keep a lollipop from a friends wedding? What about bubbles from my own wedding?

Yeah, exactly.

Recap

I literally had to be rolled out of the kitchen, I had eaten THAT many cookies!!

Okay, maybe not... but I felt like I should have rolled out of there.

Christmas Eve has gone down in the books as the day I baked SO MANY DAMN cookies, I should be shot. There were gingerbread boys, oatmeal raisin, oatmeal raisin chocolate chip, sugar cookies... all handmade with love (and a LOT of help from the Kitchen Aid mixer). Not only was there tons of cookies, but there was carrot cake, dutch apple pie, mince meat pie and whipped cream.

For the past two days I've been grazing on cookies and I've just about hit my limit with sweets. That limit you get to when if you even think about eating another sweet, you'll hurl.

I'm so close.

But overall, our holidays were great. Christmas Eve was everything I wanted it to be. Christmas was full of family and food.

Now I'm over it. I've taken the tree down and am in the process of packing everything up for storage. All traces of Christmas will be wiped from the house by the end of the day.

All that buildup and it's over so quickly... Oh well, that's life.

How was your Christmas?

Dear Toys R Us

Dear Toys R Us,

I would like to complain about your recent policy change regarding returns. Returning a gift without a receipt should not be looked upon like it were a felony. I understand the need to protect yourselves against thefts who try to return stolen merchandise, I do. But I. AM. NOT. ONE. OF. THEM.

I am not a theft and do not appreciate being treated like a piece of trash stuck to the bottom of your lowly shoe b/c I do not have a receipt

I am a parent trying to return a gift that their toddler has no need for. I am a parent that would happily take a gift card for the purchase price. I am a parent that would turn right around and spend that gift card on another toy purchase.

Thank goodness WalMart carried the same toy and happily exchanged the gift for a gift card with A SMILE ON THEIR FACE!!! Thank goodness there is still a store in the world that doesn't ostracize parents who don't have the balls to ask for gift receipts with every gift given.

Never thought I'd see the day where I would be thankful for WalMart... but screw you Toys R Us. I'm going to Wally World instead. Besides, their prices ARE cheaper.

Peace Out.

Tis' The Season

I'm so excited for Christmas.

This is Roo's 2nd Christmas and it will be more fun than last year's because I have a feeling she knows what's going on. She could be fooling me (she's done it before!!), but I want to believe she knows what the 411 is. I've caught her eyeing the presents already under the tree and even had to stop her from opening one!

I finished all my shopping today, wrapped everything and they're ready and waiting to be placed under the tree. Tomorrow night after the nugget goes to sleep, Mr. Me and I get to put together Roo's new FOUR WHEELER... Yes, her Grammy bought her a four wheeler. I'm excited about that just because it's the first gift we've had to "put together" for her. I'm picturing us together, cozy by the tree. Maybe we'll have a Christmas movie playing in the background, hot cocoa and some screws.

:)

Also starting tomorrow I go into Christmas mode. I've got a whole day of baking cookies with Roo, movies, and fun planned.

Sadly, my day does not involve blogging. It doesn't even involve checking my email and possibly not turning on the computer all day. I'll be this way for the next few days, enjoying my holiday with my family. Please understand.

I'll be back after Christmas with recaps, smart ass comments and tons of pictures.

Everyone, please, have a very Merry Christmas.

Photo Booths Rock

On our travels yesterday to finish our Christmas shopping (which still isn't done), the family found a photo booth.

Now, who doesn't love a good photo booth session.

:)

So In Love

Dear Becky and Steve,

Words cannot even describe how happy I am for the two of you. Seeing two people so in love, and so perfect for each other, is such a beautiful thing. And I am so happy you found true love in one another.

As you embark on your engagement, I wish you nothing but blissful wedding plans, a gorgeous dress and the perfect flowers.

I want to pass one a few words of wisdom to make the next six months for you easier:

Always remember how much you love one another.

Amongst china patterns, food tastings and table cloth covers, things will get hectic. Arguments may, or may not, occur over the simplest things. People will try and pull you both in different directions over music choices and color patterns. Remember to stand united, because the goal of the day is common: to join you as man and wife.

When things get tough and you want to scream from all the choices, stop and look into one another's eyes and fall in love all over again.

And if all else fails, think about what's to come after the wedding: the honeymoon.

It's worth it, trust me.

I love you both and wish you all the best in the world.

Sincerely,
SuZ

What Are YOU Doing?

YaYa wants to know what I'm doing right now.

Well, let me show you

I'm working on a Christmas present for my BFF.

To Believe

I can't remember how old I was when I learned that Santa Claus didn't exist.

I don't remember if it was a tragic event. I cannot recall if I cried tears of disappointment or yelled at my parents for lying to me.

I'm sure it was a heartbreaking moment for me, as it is for many child in the world.

I struggled with the idea of Santa Claus and wondered if I should tell my daughter if he existed or didn't exist. I imagined telling her that he was just a myth and my daughter being the snot of the class and outing Santa Claus to her playmates, causing havoc and tears of the innocent.

I pictured telling her that Santa Claus existed and years down the road having a distraught child learning the truth and hating me until she was 18.

Upon discussing this with my husband, who never had the illusion of Santa Claus as a child and faith in anything along those lines, I questioned why should I lie to my daughter? He explained to me that his family never instilled any sort of belief in him, period. He brought me around by telling me that he wished his family had been more optimistic and instilled in him something greater than just existing. The lack of faith in believing in his childhood made me see that having my daughter believe in believing wouldn't be such a bad thing.

What would it hurt to have her have faith in a jolly man that spreads cheer and joy. Is it such a tragic thing to have her think that a man in a red suit brings presents to all the good little girls and boys in the world?

I'm hoping that Santa Claus will become more in her eyes than a belief. I'm hoping that Santa Claus will be an inspiration. I'm hoping that he won't be a symbol for material objects of joy, but will be an actual representation of joy that comes with giving.

When the day arrives she home from school red faced with disappointment and tears in her eyes, I will comfort her with the thoughts that, until otherwise, no one can prove that he doesn't exist.

Dear Dell

Dear Dell,

I know that you are especially busy this time of year. You've got tons of orders for techy Christmas gifts and amongst them, is mine. I happily built a new computer that would replace my old laptop that has one foot in the grave. I clicked and ordered and now I must wait.

Apparently, I must wait until after the 6th of the New Year for my new computer. I plead with you to reconsider your shipping date. I plead with you because I have a blog to update and readers to please. I plead with you because I must email new photos of my daughter to her grandparents. I plead because I have articles to write, photos to edit and mostly I plead with you because I am like a child and hate to wait.

Just think about how happy it would make me to find the UPS man at my door with boxes addressed for me next week instead of next month (!!!!). I would rejoice as I set everything up and wrote my little heart out. I would smile everytime I booted my computer up to work on photo coloring. I would sing Dell's praises to everyone that listened. I would be happy.

Please.

Sincerely,
A Loyal Customer
NYTM

Home Sweet Home

You know that feeling you get when you (finally) walk through your front door?

That homey goodness that just washes over you when you breathe in that familiar smell.

That happened to me today when I stepped over my threshold.

And then I promptly ran to my bed and jumped on it.

There's nothing better than after a week on a hard bed (or any bed for that matter), then crashing on your own bed and feeling like the world is right again.

:)

Whirlwind

Wow... what a whirlwind trip this has been. I can't believe that tomorrow is our last day here in South Carolina. At 1am, yes you read that right, Saturday morning we will be boarding the train home.

Another 8+ hour train ride home to Florida. This time (hopefully) my laptop won't crap out on us and we'll have movies to occupy our time (and make it go faster!!!).

Tonight we had Christmas with the family and all went well. No drama, no fuss. Just the way I like it. I got to see my adorable nephews and Roo got to play with her cousins.

It's sad that I won't get to see them on Christmas day, but that's what happens when you're family lives in different states. I'm just thankful I got to see them for the little bit of time that I did.

But it's back to Florida, back to napping (Roo only napped twice during this whole week!). I'm hoping getting back to our boring schedule won't be too difficult. Hopefully we'll slip right back into it all with too much fuss.

Here's to hoping!

Thankful.

I am thankful that I finally get to spend time with my family.

Instead of updating, I'm chilling on the couch with my parents.

I hope you understand.

Dead on my Feet!

Last night's train ride was... eventful. There were a free tears, a few screams and one nauseous Mommy. The rocking of the train disoriented me for a good hour but after I got used to the constant swaying and a nice warm Sierra Mist, I was good to go.

Too bad my newly refreshed laptop wasn't!

I'd brought a whole shlew of DVDs to play, but apparently you need a DVD decoder to play DVDs. So my whole night of entertainment was out the window and the rocking was too much for me to read, play solitaire or think straight.

So I spent 8+ hours doing nothing but watch my daughter sleep. Now, don't get me wrong, watching my daughter sleep is a blissful event, but eight hours of it can get pretty boring.

Especially in a dark train car that is so silent you can hear almost anything.

But overall it was fun and an experience I'm glad I had. But with only three hours of sleep in the last two days, I'm bone weary tired and longing for a hot bath and a nice long snooze NEXT to my daughter.

Choo Choo

The bags are packed, the girl is dressed and we're ready to go!

My train leaves tonight at 741pm and I don't get into Columbia until 401am!!

Talk about a crazy trip, huh?

Wish me luck.

Whatever Happened to Lazy Saturdays?

I remember pre-baby Saturdays were my lazy days. I had a full time job plus I was going to school full time. So when Saturdays rolled around, I slept in late, goofed off at home, went and had brunch with the Mr. and did absolutely nothing of importance.

I worked hard all week long, so I deserved a day (or two) to just be lazy and nothing. It worked well for years.

Post baby, there's no such thing as lazy days. My days are filled to the brim with making sure Roo gets adequate outdoor time, healthy lunches and snacks, preparing dinner, playing and cleaning. My Saturdays are just as crazy, normally full of errands that have me running all over town. I have to get diapers at Target, apples from Publix, story time at the bookstore, playtime at the park.

And today's Saturday is even more crazier b/c we leave tomorrow night for our vacation to South Carolina. So along with all of my normal craziness of errands and diapers, I have lists of things to pack, clothes to stuff into a suitcase, toys to bring, etc.

We're traveling for the first time by train and I'm very anxious. I'm worried about whether Roo will be able to sleep, will she scream blooody-murder? Will I be able to find a power cord for my laptop? Is my ipod going to be charged and ready?

I'm just praying all will go well, no other passengers will give me dirty look for my unruly child and we don't have too many layovers.

Wish me luck.

Standing Up For Moms (and Dads)

I stumbled upon this issue while reading Mom 101. It seems that the CPSC has passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act which basically means that any and all toys that are handmade will be illegal.

Yes, you read that right. Homemade Toys = Illegal.

So if you run an etsy shop with toys, make toys out of wood at home, anything of this sort, you apparently will be a criminal.

It means that hardworking Moms and Dads who put all their available time and energy (and love) into homemade toys, will be put out of business if we don't do something about this.

What can you do, you ask.

Here are some suggestions:

- Write a letter to your congress person and senators and write a letter to tell them how unhappy you are with the CPSC's decision. If you need a sample letter, you can find it here.

- You can send a letter directly to the CPSC

- Join the Handmade Toy Alliance and check out their proposed changes to the act which make a whole lot of sense.

-Spread the word to everyone you know who cares about keeping homemade toys an option.

Just Call Me The Ring Master

Parents Bloggers Network is joining forces with Big Tent for this weeks blog blast and they're asking "How Are You Going To Get Your Circus Together for 2009?"

Every year I think of New Years Resolution to change my life. I could commit to losing that baby weight (yes, I still have baby weight 21 months later), I could find a job that pays, I could swear off soda (again), I could build a bird house or paint a mural! I could do anything, as long as I put my mind to it... but when I think about what I'm going to do to get my circus in shape for 2009, I think about my husband and my daughter.

I think about what I can do to make life easier for them.

I could plan more play dates for Roo and I could send out more photo query letters for my husband. I could promise to keep the house clean and have a hot cooked meal on the table for Mr. Me. I could promise to keep up with the laundry so Roo always have cute outfits to wear (that don't have stains on them).

There's so much I can (and will) do to make my family's life easier. The one resolution that I know for a fact I will stick to is to love them unconditionally all year long.

I know for a fact that when Roo spills crayons all over the floor or my husband tromps in mud all over the floor, I will not bitch and moan about it, I will hug them tightly and thank the heavens that I have them in my life.

So forget diets and exercise, I'm all about the love for 2009.

Bring it on, baby.

Devastation...

For months my local news has plastered the new hours with every detail of the Caylee Anthony case. For months, I've watched as everyone in the nation has. I've had mixed emotions about the whole thing but today when I came home from having lunch with my family, I walked in to find that they found a body...

Possibly that of Caylee Anthony.

And I got chills.

Even if it's not Caylee Anthony, it's still a child.

Some asshole took a child's life and wrapped it in a trash bag. They tossed that poor child in the woods and forgot about it.

How could someone do this?

How could someone take a child's life and treat it with such disrespect.

It's horrible and it's making me hug my child constantly and thank god that I have her.

100th Post

Today is my 100th post.

And instead of celebrating with a list or some witty post. I'm going to celebrate with a bowl of ice cream, a good book and a pat on the back.

:)

Thank you everyone who has helped me get this far.

Here's to many more!

Mommy is having a temper tantrum

For the past four days Miss Roo has had an attitude.

The kind of attitude that reminds me of myself when I was 13 and knew everything.

Every time I take her somewhere, she refuses to sit still. I place her in the shopping cart and within three minutes, she's squirming and fussing and yanking on the safety strap. After she starts screaming, I give up and take her out to hold her on my hip. After struggling to get out of my arms for another five, I put her down and she runs away as fast as her chubby little legs can carry her.

So instead of getting all the things on my list or browsing the aisles, I'm chasing a wobbly toddler who delights in ripping everything she shouldn't be playing with off the shelves. The cart, my list and my sanity are totally forgotten as I run around Target picking up the mess my destructive little doodlebug has created.

All of these trips end with me toting her outside while she SCREAMS her head off. Even though I can't decipher her screams, I'm pretty sure that she's telling everyone in hearing-range that I am the devil.

Now, I'm not sure how to deal with this. I don't want to avoid stores b/c I'm afraid when I do take her to a store, she'll act like a brat. I do want her to behave like she did four days prior. Four days prior I could place her in a shopping cart, whirl through the store and get out to the truck before she could protest.

Now, not so much.

Now I'm frustrated and get anxious just thinking about going to the grocery store. I hate feeling this way. I don't want my stomach to knot up just thinking about going shopping or even to the bookstore.

I want my angel back!!!

Any suggestions?

Memo to Mommy

Yesterday, during a rather hectic moment full of tamper tantrums, a stressed out Mommy, a busy Daddy and barking dogs I found an article in an old Parents magazine that gave us clarity.

It was titled "Memo to Mommy" and it was about a few wise words of wisdom from your toddler. During that moment, when I was ready to pull my hair out and run screaming from the room, it helped me calm down and realize that it's the little things in life that matter the most.

- "Stop freaking out about the mess! There's always time to clean- but how often do we get to make mud pies?

- Love me, even when I'm naughty I'll only be this age once.

- Be patient. I do everything for a reason, but I don't know enough words yet to give you an explanation.

- Let me do it. I know you can do it faster and better, but sometimes experience is the best teacher.

- Don't expect too much of me. I want to do what you ask and make you happy, but I'm still little.

- Don't try to reason with me when I'm having a tantrum. Trust me- I can't hear you over my screaming.

- Keep your promises. It's all about trust. When I'm a teenager, you'll understand why it's so important.

- Don't keep asking me if I've been good. I'm not even sure what that means, but if I was bad I'd never admit it!

- Don't let me think that you're perfect. I feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes.

- Set limits. I can't actually eat a whole box of cookies- I just want to see if I'd get away with it."


When I saw this article I tore it out and pasted it to my wall, so if I ever experience a day like yesterday again (please no), then I could remember these words of wisdom and calm down!!

(The list above was found in the September 2008 issue of Parents Magazine. I did not write the list and make no claim to it).

Writing is the Life for Me

I'm not bragging, I swear... but my feature in Playground Magazine is on newstands right now!!

If you're local in the Central Florida area, you can find a listing of where to pick up Playground Magazine by clicking here. If you're not local and still want to check out an amazing magazine for hip mommies, go to the home page and download their latest issue.

Check me out on page 20.

:)

Crayon Monster

Roo is a beautiful little child. Stunningly gorgeous, I swear by it. But even a perfectly featured child can behave less than angelic. Trust me on this, especially if you're pregnant for the first time and daydream about a perfect child.

My beautiful little baby is a little monster when it comes to crayons. Now, I am not a neat freak, not by any means. I've been known to leave a sippy cup of milk on the floorboard of my truck for days. But when it comes to crayons all over the floor, I go bananas.

One of my pet peeves is broken crayons.

I like my crayons in one piece with a perfectly pointed tip.

Roo could care less. She spies that yellow and green box and it's her mission to drop every single color out on the floor. After she's done with that something else will distract her and she'll abandon the crayons and in her earnest to get to her new object of desire, she'll stomp all over said crayons.

Just picture me chasing a 21 month old whirlwind of beauty who delights in making a mess.

I swear, she sees me trailing in her wake, feverishly picking up crayon debris and suddenly it's a game. Now she wants to play with the crayon bits and will circle back to dump more crayons on the floor.

The faster I pick them up, the faster she dumps them out.

I've tried to ignore tiny crayon fragments that she's stomped into smithereens. I've tried to turn the other cheek when she giggles delightfully before dropping each and every crayon all over the floor.

After playing this game one too many times, I've resigned myself to a lifetime of chasing the crayon destroyer. If I want perfect one piece crayons with a perfect point, then I'll need to buy my own box and hide it out of the crayon monsters greedy little hands.

IVillage

I'm famous... okay, I'm lying to you. I'm not famous, but I am being featured on iVillage today for my blog.

Not only does iVillage feature kick ass bloggers like myself (ha ha), but it has tons of articles about every single little thing in life. Want to know how to cut your spending, go here. Sex advice? Go here.

Everything up on iVillage rocks, trust me.

Weaning

Weaning hasn't been as difficult as I assumed it would be. Sure, there was that one day where my boobs felt like they were going to explode and the horrible sense of failure that streamed through my body when I made the decision... but overall, it's been easy as peasey.

We cut out the nap time feeding this week and while Roo protested that first day and was a tad cranky yesterday, she fell asleep like a pro today. I layed her on the bed, she popped her binky in her mouth and fell asleep... like it's something she'd been doing everyday for the last 20 months.

She cherishes that nighttime feeding now. When I pull the boppy out of its secret hiding place, she starts giggling and dancing around the room. She'll drop whatever she has in her hands (toys, food, a puppy) and charge at me with the biggest smile on her face and hop up and down until I pick her up.

It really is the sweetest thing. :)

I'm not sure when I'll drop that last feeding, maybe when she's 8 (Just kidding!)? I know that one will be the hardest (and most painful?). Maybe after the holidays, or maybe never. Who knows, with me I can drag thing on forever and I'm pretty sure Roo would not have a problem with it.

Today's 10 List is about breastfeeding.

1- When I went to a breastfeeding class while pregnant, I got grossed out and cut class after 15 minutes of boobie pictures.

2- I only expect to nurse for 6 months.

3- I only know one other person that breastfed this long.

4- When my milk came in, I finally knew what it would feel like if I got breast implants.

5- I'm pretty sure I'll need a boob job after this is over.

6- When I started breastfeeding, I was freaked out about other people seeing my boobs.

7- Now, I could care less. I think everyone has seen these puppies now.

8- Roo was a "cluster feeder" from the first day of her life, but I called her "greedy."

9- My doctor insisted I only feed Roo every two hours when she was little, I fed her whenever she wanted.

10-The decision to wean my daughter was one of the hardest decision I've ever made (and the saddest).

Merry SITSmas!

Today the girls at SITS are celebrating the holidays by having a Merry SITSmas day!! There are all kinds of yummy give-a-ways to win and all you have to do is comment to have a shot. :) It's the perfect way to kick off your holiday season.

Today's list, in honor of the SITS, my 10 Things will be about Christmas.

1- My family never wore the matching PJs for Christmas but I wish we would've.

2- It's always hotter on Christmas than Thanksgiving in Florida.

3- I can never keep a secret so I always cave and give Mr. Me his presents early.

4- This year I started my Christmas shopping in September.

5- For Roo's 1st Christmas, we named a star after her.

6- I despise fake Christmas trees (Yes, even the one in Roo's room!).

7- I love crazy Christmas socks.

8- I watch Mickey's Christmas Carol every year on VHS (They don't sell it on DVD, yet).

9- I would rather give than receive... but if I have to have something...

10- This year I all I want is to have a cancer-free father.

Part Two

Today's 10 things about me list is about two of my favorite things: books and music.

Without further ado...

1- I read Gone With the Wind in the 6th grade and cried for the last 150 pages of it.

2- I listen to all types of music, but my favorites are: the Beatles, Kenny Chesney, Bob Marley, the Rolling Stones and the Dave Matthews Band.

3- Mr. Me and I waited 8+ hours at a festival to see the Charlie Daniels Band and left after he played two songs.

4- Gone With the Wind is the reason I started writing.

5- I can sing every theme song for Nick Jr.

6- As bold as I am, I will never, ever karaoke.

7- I love tragic historical fiction, chick lit, romance novels, biographies and the classics. But, I am not a fan of murder mysteries or sci-fi.

8- Clint Black flirted with me once at a concert.

9- The best concert I've ever been to was a Dave Matthews Band concert, where my brother got drunk.

10-I can easily read a 500+ book in one sitting.