Co-op? Pure Brilliance!

What is Co-op? Well, when I got to Vegas, the women in the ward asked me if I wanted to be in Co-op. Here's how it works: Everyone starts out with 30 tickets--half are 1 hour and half are 1/2 hour. Each day there are 2 different people signed up to baby-sit. one from 9-12, and 1 from 12-3. The person who is baby-sitting can decide how many she wants to baby-sit that day. You have the option to take your kids to her house for that time period. For every child you take over and for each hour that they are there, you give the babysitter a ticket. For example, if I took Drew to Shauna's house from 12-3, I would owe her 3 tickets. IF I took both my kids, i would owen her 6 tickets. And maybe i would only need her for 2 hours so then i would owe her 4. During this time frame, the babysitter feeds a good snack provided by her to the child so when mom comes to pick up, they don't have to go home and feed them.
This is true brilliance! Why did we not do this in Philly? No money needed, just equal trades. We have a 4 month calendar and there is someone everyday in the morning and afternoon. SO if you have a Dr.'s appt, or want to volunteer in your child's classroom, or maybe you want to go to the store --alone!!! OR maybe you just want some ME time and you go home and take a nap.--I've used it to clean my house before and i got it done sooo much faster! ANd if you're ever running out of tickets, you can just eamil everyone to see if someone doesn't want their shift because you need tickets! This really would have been a life saver in Philly! All those wic appointments and trips to the medicaid office--man this totally would have saved me!

Tough Love

As I sit here typing, it is 12:35 a.m., and I'm waiting for little Miles to fall asleep. He's been crying for almost an hour. He has been the HARDEST baby of mine to sleep through the night. He has only slept through the night twice. Yes, that's right--2 times in his 4 month existance. Which means, that I have not had good REM sleep in months--you have to count the months that i was up peeing when I was pregnant. My first 3 were champs. Slept through the night at 2 months--no sweat!--seriously, it was a piece of cake. Where have I gone wrong? This kid is the lightest sleeper, and when he sleeps, his one eye is half way open. The minute you lay him down, he starts shaking his head side to side to the point that he had rubbed the back of his head raw and it started bleeding the other day. He just can't settle.--So, I really think it is all my fault though. I, because of serious exhaustion over the last 4 months, don't feel like letting him cry himself to sleep. Every night around 2a.m., he cries, I go get him and put him in bed with Owen and I. Big mistake I know. I'm just too dang tired to feed him and put him back to bed. He usually falls asleep with his face pasted up against my boob.--I also realize that this is not safe either. So, tonight I'm not getting him. It is totally a comfort thing and he needs to learn to comfort himself. I can't go on like this anymore--I'm really starting to get grouchy. Shhhhh..I think he is asleep--it's a miracle. But...I bet you he's awake and crying in 1 hour.--Cross your fingers!--nope, I was wrong, he's still crying--i better go reassure him that I still love him and haven't abandoned him.

It was a classic!

I'm an Office fan, and Jim and Pams wedding was a classic. I even had to go check out youtube to see the real deal. Love the show!

35

Well, it's official, I'm half way to age 70. I've been out of highschool for 17 years, and married with children for 12 of those years. Man, the time goes by fast, and we're still in school--what is up with that???
Owen's parents and his brother and wife came up from Cali for the weekend. Owen cooked me an awesome dinner of Filet mignon with truffle sauce, baby white potatoes and green beans with pinenuts. If Owen has ever cooked for you, you know he's dang awesome! We topped it off with a delicious pineapple upsidedown cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory.mmmm, my fav! It was great to have family help celebrate my 35 years. Owen's mom gave me a Barefoot COntessa cookbook and an awesome chopper from Williams n Sonoma, and some cashola. Owen gave me a gym membership, new gym clothes and and itunes gift card--I've been really hinting that it is time to hit the gym and get all this baby Phat off!-now there are no more excuses.
On my actual b-day which was the 30th for all of you who need to put it on your calendar to remember next year because you forgot this year. Since my b-day was on a Wednesday, Owen had to work and the girls went to shcool. So, my inlaws watched the boys while I shopped and had a pedicure. Olive Garden for dinner finished off the evening. Great B-day! Thanks Family!





just had to throw this one in of Miles cracking up at himself in the mirror.