New year for a new life!

I have to say, I am very, very happy 2008 is over. :)

So, this new year started fabulously. I just turned 36, which is my favorite number. And to celebrate, I met with a good friend from college and ran the Disney World Marathon. It was the BEST! It was an incredible race, birthday, weekend and I can't think of a better way to start 2009! If any of you are thinking of running a marathon, I would highly recommend it! They even had CHOCOLATE on the course. So, of course, I will do it again one day. So, if anyone is interested, let me know! I definitely plan on running it again! I finished it in 5 hours and 13 minutes, 1 minutes slower than when I ran my first (and fastest) marathon when I was in the Army. Pretty incredible, since I barely trained. :) So now I am completely excited about running. I am signed up, with darling Julie, to run the Shamrock Half Marathon in VA Beach in March and then the Marine Corps Half Marathon in May with 20 or so of my See Mommy Run friends in VA. I so miss them and am so excited to see them! :)

So, I tried dating. I must have gone on a dozen first dates. This is what I learned. I hate dating. I've never done it before. I just would be friends with someone and things would develop. To me, that is normal. How do you even attempt to start a romantic relationship with someone you don't even know? I know people do it all the time, but to me it is beyond weird. And running for 5 hours during the marathon, I figured some additional things out. I don't want a boyfriend, relationship, fling, date, or anything else along those lines for a very long time. I mean, I can barely keep up with the laundary! Having one more thing to attend to does NOT sound like fun. And I am just plain old not ready. I think it will take me a very long time to be able to trust someone again. Luckily for me, I have tons of time. Every other weekend, when every other weekend is not even for certain, severely limits my social life and will give me a nice, long time to get to know people. And I think that is a very good thing. :)

But I have some recommendations for all of those men who are thinking of dating a single mama:

1.) Do not show up drunk (seriously!)

2.) If you are still living with your mama and have never, ever lived on your own....please rethink who you are dating and why. My thought....do I LOOK like I need another kid, especially in the form of an adult?!???

3.) Do not even mention "when I meet your kids" on a first, second, or even fortieth date. What went through my head was how to most quickly get out of the situation and RUN!

4.) If you are questioning her for not returning e-mails in a timely fashion and then indignantly ask "do you think you are seriously busier than me?" when she explains that she has serious time constraints, you will automatically be voted off the island. Then she will go laugh with her girlfriends for a very long time.

I could go on, but those were my favorites. To be fair, I did meet some very nice people as well. And I wasn't interested and then I met someone I actually liked realized I was not even close to ready. So...moving on! :)

Nicholas is now 3 years and almost 8 months old. And still not potty trained. So now when people ask if he is still wearing diapers and look concerned, I am thinking maybe I should do something about that. Nick had been doing much better in general but had a major regression over the holidays and went full force in a tantruming, very upset little boy. He seems to be coming out of it. That, and I lock him in his room at night now, and when you read what I learned this month, you will probably understand why. It seems to make him feel more secure and he is sleeping better though, so that's good. And today he was sweet and pleasant before I had to go to work, which I really enjoyed. I am hoping my parents are experiencing the same thing. And this is my last Sunday of work, by the way...woohoo!!! :)

Michael just started walking this week! He is totally adorable. He is still very pleasant and sweet...and hungry. Very, very hungry. I think he may eat more than I do, which is impressive, because I eat quite a lot! He and Nick have been sick over the past week though, so he has slowed down. Michael loves playing ball, dances whenever he hears music, and has words and favorites. He says "what is that?" constantly. Many times while pointing to Nick. ;)

So, here is what I have learned over the past month:

-A gallon of milk can somehow spray up about 5 feet on a wall when someone attempts to pour it into a cup.

-A gallon of milk takes about 4 towels to clean up

-So does a gallon of juice

-3 year olds think they can make a sandwich out of their brothers. They spread peanut butter and jelly on them and make a bread hat for the top. I don't know if they will really try to eat their peanut butter and baby brother jelly sandwich because I was too busy screaming and trying to corral 2 very sticky kids into a bath tub at the time.

-If there is a cookie, candy, sprinkles, or anything else with sugar in the house, a 3 year old can find it. Even if you didn't know it existed. And he will risk his life to do so by stacking chairs, boxes, or anything else he things will work. But if he eats an entire bag of candy, he will kindly save his mama one to try to placate her.

-Toasters are facinating to 3 year olds. They want to see what they can do. We have learned toys get stuck and paper makes smoke. At 4 AM. And the smoke will wake mama up and she will make the command decision that locking her child in his room is much less hazardous than what he can do when wandering freely at night or while she is in the shower.

-If you ask a guy in the hardware store for a recommendation on how to lock your child in the room, he will look alarmed. When you explain the situation, he will ask, "is his name Dameon?" And then he will help you. :)

-If you get to the start line of a marathon and found you forgot your racing chip (which is how they measure your time and shows that you were actually there) you can make it from the startring area to the taxi area to the hotel, back to the taxi area, to the starting area, to the start line (which was like a MILE away!) in about 50 minutes. And you will realize that your friend who went all the way there and back with you and who risked missing the start of the race and sprinted over 3 miles before a 26 mile race just to run the race with you is a very, very good friend. :)

-26.2 miles is a very long way.

-Applesauce, when flung by a 3 year old, can fly about 7 feet. And when the 1 year old, who thinks it is hilarious, flings his applesauce as well, it can go about 4 feet.

-Those who say not to use TV as a babysitter have never been a single mom. It is amazing what can be accomplished in 30 minutes and everyone is happy. It's like magic!

I think that's about all for now. I am writing from work as it is an especially slow (which is so nice!) day. I will post pictures soon. Soon in single mama time could be months, but I will make every effort to get them up in real time soon. :)

Happy January and happy 2009, everyone! :)

Happy Christmas Eve!

Brrrrrr! Baby, it's cold outside! I hope all of you are staying warm!

Nicholas is so excited about Christmas! It's been so much fun talking with him about Santa and watching him get more and more excited about everything. He is a bit confused about the whole idea of it being Jesus' birthday. He asked how old Jesus was going to be and I said that he has been around for forever, so very old. But then he asked why he was still a baby. Hmmmm....I had no idea. So I went with my, now standard, answer. Because God made it that way and God is magic. It works for anything! :)

Michael is almost walking. He stands on his own and will attempt to take a step every once in awhile. And he can sprint crawl amazingly quickly. And fit under anything. That baby has amazing skills! He is pretty easy though. He is laid back and generally always happy. And he actually listens when you tell him know, which is astounding to me. :) He loves playing ball, with cars, and loves listening to music.

Being a single mom keeps getting better. I can dance around the house and sing and the kids will join me and we aren't annoying anyone. I can be somewhat messy, hyper, goofy, or quiet and no one really minds. I am thinking it's not such a bad thing. And it keeps getting easier and more manageable. Well, as long as a second job or holiday isn't thrown in there. Day to day life is very manageable now, and even fun. :)

So, guess what?!?!?? Thanks to Emily being so kind and watching the boys for a ridiculously long time last night, I did my final long training run for the marathon! I ran 20.7 miles in 4 hours and 20 minutes. For all of you runners who would be interested, that is a 12:34/mile pace. So, I was ecstatic just to have completed it, but then, the pace was surprisingly good news. It was about 25 degrees so I had at least 5-7 lbs of clothes on, not counting my shoes and I was half frozen. And the route I run is very hilly. So, now I am thinking...can I break 5 hours? I will have summer running clothes, no hills, and I won't be frozen. I would be so excited! But really, I will be just so excited to be there and running it and to start and finish with no injuries. And it's on my birthday, 1/11! I couldn't think of a better way to begin a new year.

2008....I am against it. It was a very bad year for lots of reasons, but mainly one. I am excited to start 2009 doing something happy and positive and hope that the rest of the year will get the idea and follow. :)

So...things I learned this month:

Glitter never dies, ever. If someone should dump it, not matter how many times you sweep it or mop it, it will always be there. Like germs of the art supply world.

And if glitter is somehow poured on a baby, it apparently becomes a permanent part of their skin. No matter how many baths happen, you will still be able to find glitter on the baby.

The average parent does not call poison control 15 times. I know, I did a survey. And if that weren't enough, the poison control nurse kindly informed me I was over-achieving in this area.

A 3 and a half year old weighing approximately 35 lbs can drink 3/4 of a bottle of children's tylenol and be okay. And a tube of toothpaste too. But I already knew about the toothpaste from a previous call from poison control.

When the poison control nurse points out that when some kids can open child proof containers and scale upper level cabinets to reach things a lock box is in order, don't ask if it isn't illegal to put your child in a lock box in PA. They will not be amused.

Playdoh does not melt. Nick experimented by putting clumps of playdoh on the rug, tables, counters, and toys and watered it with a bottle of water as science experiment to find out if it would melt. It does not. It does turn into a sticky gloopy substance though. Not recommended.

The stomach flu is evil.

Your 3 year old will decide whatever he ate right before he had the stomach flu was the evil that caused it and refuse to eat carrots based on his life experience.

3 year olds can reach ANYTHING

Kids learn to imitate each others screams and cries and think it's hilarious to see mama run to rescue the wrong kid. Both of them. Seriously.

Kids will do anything if you call it a party! It's a cleaning up party! It's a scrubbing the bathroom party! It's a staying in line party! WOOHOO! And if you add music, it's even better!

Some people will continue to be jerks no matter how nice you are to them. Stay away from them as much as possible.

Some people will love and adore you no matter how imperfect and terrible you are at staying in touch. True friends are amazing. :)

If you are determined, you can do anything. If it doesn't seem possible, it probably is.

Dating sucks. And it only gets weirder as you get older. It is fantastic for stories to entertain friends though. :)

And last, but not least, babies do not and can not fly. Nick experimented. We both agreed that babies can't fly, bounce like balls, even if they are baby Batman in disguise as baby brother Michael.

Happy December! :)

Good Morning, Poison Control!

So, apparently we are frequent flyers at the Poison Control Center. I wonder if they have reward points?

Nick woke up at 4:52 this morning, before I had the chance to get a shower. So I sent him downstairs to go play so I could get a quick shower. 5 minutes later I am out of the shower and Nick comes upstairs with a sticky film covering him telling me he needs to wash his hands. And I ask WHAT is all over him. He tells me toothpaste....and red medicine. But no, I am thinking, it can't be. That bottle is in the kitchen on a high shelf where he couldn't possible reach. But I go downstairs and discover that I am incorrect. With a chair and some good climbing, he certainly can reach it apparently. And apparently also can unscrew child proof caps. Seriously!?!??? At 4:59 in the morning!????

So visions of an ER trip started dancing though my head as I call Poison Control, again. Sandy, the nurse did some crazy math calculation to figure out what three quarters of a bottle of 4 oz Tylenol with about 5 teaspoons spilled on the counter could do do a 35 pound boy and....we are safe. I don't even mention that he also ate most of a tube of toothpaste, since I have already consulted them about this in the past and know that this won't make you seriously ill either if it's kid's toothpaste. She suggests a lock box. And I am wondering, for the medicine or for Nick?

HAPPY FRIDAY! :)

First Blog....ever!

So, here we are! I am starting a blog since, despite my very best intentions, I've found it impossible to stay caught up and in touch with many of the people I love in my life and I want anyone who wants to to be part of Nicholas, Michael, and my life to be able to. Hopefully, this will help.

This first blog is probably going to be one of the longest since it has been months since I've spoken to many friends and family members.

So, many of you might be wondering what happened. For many of you the last time we spoke is when I was (as far as I knew) happily married. Well, apparently I wasn't as happily married as I thought. And in late June, the world as I knew it came crashing down around us. And I was totally and incomparably devastated. Thankfully, things have progressively improved since that time. And here is where I send a shout out to my peeps! :) Because without Julie, Stephanie, Sue, Mom, Dad, Emily, Sari, Aunt Patti, Karen (sister-friend!), and the help of the many angels in my life who's small and large acts of kindness, supportive gestures, pep talks, logistical support, hugs, and love, I am okay. And the boys are okay. And we are going to continue to be okay.

It is hard to describe what life is like for us now. It's changed drastically for all of us. The kids are in full time child care under the care of one of the angels who showed up in our lives, Jeanne, and are slowly adjusting still. They visit with their Daddy every other weekend and my sister Emily watches them on the alternating weekends (until my works schedule can change.) We don't go to playdates or bake or play outside together like we did before. But luckily, Jeanne is providing them with a loving home away from home where they get to do lots of those things, and the precious time we do get together, we try to make it count. I am working a full time job outside of the home and am still working part time as a contractor, which I do during the evenings and weekends. This might explain to some of you who were wondering why I've been so unresponsive the reason behind it. I get up at 4 AM and get to bed between 10 PM and midnight, just to try to get the basics done. Even with that, we are still scrambling to keep up many days. But I will get better at being a single mom and the boys are going to settle down too. Since this is still just a couple of months into our new life, I am sure I'll become more efficient at it.

Nicholas is 3 years old and Michael just turned one year old (this past week!) Nick is funny, outspoken, creative, adventurous, brave, determined, and loves to talk. He gets in tons of trouble, but is also very sweet and helpful and is generally very good with his little brother. Michael has just started standing and cruising around, is drinking milk and is eating real food now. He is sweet, has a great sense of humor, calls all animals 'dog', is laid back, and is generally a very happy and sweet baby.

And I've been doing pretty well too, lately. Life is hard, but I still love it and feel generally happy most of the time. This is not the reality I had wanted and it is much harder than I ever could have imagined, but in some ways it is better. Although I hate being away from the kids so much, I totally love working again and it's fantastic to be doing a job I feel passionately about. I love living near my family again and the kids really like getting to see their relatives. I've been running regularly again and plan to run the Disney World Marathon on my birthday this year, which should be a perfect start to a new year and a new life which I plan to accept and embrace.

And I want to thank whoever left the bag of chocolates and other treats because it came at a perfect time and totally cheered me up at a time when I really needed it. Since everyone is denying it was them, I just wanted to say THANK YOU to the angel who left it. :) It was a wonderful bag of treats....thank you 'Halloween Fairy'!

Note to self...don't leave chocolate where a 3 year old can reach it. And definitely do not attempt to go food shopping after he eats more chocolate than any child should ever consume...ever. And don't delude yourself into thinking that you can rationalize with a child who is hopped up on chocolate, which is for children is apparently a drug comparable to crack.

Other things I've learned over the past couple of months:

Be financially independent, always.

Drink as much coffee as necessary if it helps.

If someone offers to help, say YES!

It doesn't matter how nice you are, some people are still jerks.

If someone is being a jerk, vote them off of your island and don't waste anymore time on them.

Someone ALWAYS is worse off than you are, most of the time, much worse.

Be grateful for the good things, and people, in your life.

A container of baby powder can be completely emptied in approximately a minute and a half.

If your kids are awake and there is silence. Sprint immediately to where they are to prevent the disaster from becoming worse.

Six containers of sprinkles can be emptied in a minute and a half.

Sprinkles never, ever disappear once they are emptied.

Kids don't care if sprinkles are on the floor, they will eat them anyway.

A bottle of shampoo can be emptied in 30 seconds

Eating a half of A&D ointment tube will not make your kid sick

Eating certain types of lotion doesn't make a kids sick either

Eating make up...you guessed it...won't make a kid sick either

Eating chapstick isn't too bad either

If you call poison control 3 times within the same hour, they begin to question your parenting skills

They might drive you crazy, but kids are still one of the most wonderful things about life

There is nothing that anyone can not handle if they have to