Acquired Elevated Mom Status

There are 2 reasons that I have elevated my mom status.

1) I made homemade meatballs and spaghetti sauce. I repeat- from scratch. Know that I am not Italian, it is not in my blood to create this. We come from the land of meat and potatoes.
Some of you may scoff, because to you it may seem as easy as breathing. I have wanted to make it since I became a wife but have been too scared to do so. Today I dove in. Sage's only request in making sauce was that it be thick. Mission completion. I surprised myself. It was really good. While I was eating I imagined myself making dozens of batches and freezing them all for a rainy day. Sad, I know. But for me this was a fear that I conquered. I have made sauce. Oh, and I call it sauce not gravy- this is due to my maiden name being DOYLE.

2) Jack had his first real time out today. I used to laugh at this, especially when it came to a 2 year old. But tonight I reacted just like Jo Frost. Sage was doing the dishes and Jack walked up behind him and bit the thin skin area right below his butt. I have seen kids thrown out of pre schools for biting- I have no tolerance for it. I put Jack in the corner and told him why. He tried to get up twice, but I just brought him back to the spot. He eventually sat there for 2 minutes and sulked. When he was done I made him apologize to Sage. I was amazed that he actually sat there.
On a side note I call it time out. Jo calls it the Naughty Spot. I refuse to call it this. Naughty Spot sounds like a fun place for sex. The word naughty in general denotes sex for me. Just thought you should know.

These may seem like small mom things to the experienced- but for me its a pat on the back and some cookies 'n' cream on a cone. Which will be delish while watching tonight's all new Office!

5 Questions From Partie de Fromage

So Amy over at Cheese Party was playing a fun bog game in which her friend made up five questions for her to answer. Amy wanted to extend the fun. So I asked her to make up 5 for me...So here are her questions:

1. Is Willy Wonka creepy or cool? Part B: Gene Wilder or Johnny Depp?

I'm a big fan of Willy Wonka. Looking back, I think that he should have creeped me out, especially during the boat scene. I was a chunky child, so the thought of an entire room full of edibles was quite enticing.
Part B: O.K. I love Johnny Depp. He's in my top 3 of famous men. But....you can not top Gene Wilder playing Willy Wonka. Many people were disappointed when they saw the remake. I was not. I made sure to erase the original from my mind and take the remake as its own entity. I think that Johnny Depp was the best choice for the part. I knew he would not try to emulate Wilder which was smart. So in conclusion Wilder for Wonka and Depp for making out purposes!

2. Would you be willing to share with us where Jack Henry was conceived? If not, share your favorite moment from his birth day.

I wish that I could say that Jack was conceived in some exotic locale with mixed drinks involved. But alas he was conceived in our own bed back in our old apartment in Lansdowne.
I have 2 Favorite moments from the day of his birth:
1) An hour or 3 after my water broke we decided to go to the hospital. But not before making a pit stop. In the Wawa, the woman behind the counter asked when I was due. I replied "Four days ago and my water just broke". They must have thought it happened in the store because I saw an employee walk out from the back with a mop.
2) When I heard "It's a boy". I fished my wish.
Everything in between those times kinda sucked.

3. I know you as an actress, photographer, painter. I'm sure there's more. So what is your favorite form of artistic expression?

My favorite has to be music. There were a few rough years in my life and I don't think I would have made it without writing and performing my music. These days I don't get to play the guitar much, but if you are within a few feet of my house you will surely hear show tunes and other songs loud and clear...and then you'll hear a 2 year old voice say "stop mommy!". What a love -huh?!?

4. What was your favorite food growing up that your mother would make for you? Is it still as good today as it was then?

My mom is the best cook EVER! I actually got to eat my favorite meal just last week. She makes the best roast beef, homemade gravy, and hand smashed red skin potatoes in the world. Great, now I'm hungry, again. The best part about my mom's food is that walking up the steps to her house you can smell it. You walk in the front door and the aroma wraps itself around you and you feel like you never left home. The BEST!

5. If you could have any other name in the world, what would you pick?

There are 2 names that I always wanted to have as a kid:

Jem: If you don't know why I wanted this name then you obviously missed one of the best cartoons in the 80's

Kyra: My all time favorite movie as a child was The Dark Crystal. The main girl characters name was Kyra. I love this name. I always wanted to LIVE in the movie. My mom will attest to this as I watched the film everyday. I am also so stoked that the sequel is coming out...I really can't wait...really!

Thanks again to Amy for the creative questions...If anyone reading this wants to have the same fun. Leave a comment and I will make up some for you. I just hope they are as good as Amy's!

My Best Shot Monday

This is my niece Evelyn.

Static makes me angry too.

To see other Best Shot Mondays go on over to

Picture This!

Happy Easter

Many Thanks to Aunt Liz and Uncle Bob for hosting Easter breakfast like they do every year. As usual it was full of family, food, and good laughs. Every year Liz says she doesn't want to do it. But we have always gone to their house; ever since I was a little girl. I couldn't imagine Easter anywhere else! And mom, that shirt is HOT!

More Conversations With Jack

Scene: Walking up the steps behind Jack I get a really ripe whiff. At the top of the stairs I check his diaper to confirm my diagnosis...

Me: Hey buddy, did you make some poop?

J.H.: No Mommy, just toots.

Me: I don't think so...

J.H.: Just Toots Mommy!!

Me: Lets go change that diaper.

J.H.: Yeab it in dere Mommy!

Me: I will not just leave it.

J.H.: Hi mommy, my name's Jack Henry.

Me: Don't change the subject, lets go.

Gym Etiquette

There are many articles on gym etiquette. so far I've only found one that talks about the rules of the game in an aerobic class. I know all about sweat, smells, and sounds but what about personal space.
In the classes I take I generally stay in the mid to back region of the room. I think the farther away from the jiggle in the mirrors- the better! I also think that it is an appropriate placement for my experience. I'm not the most in shape, but not the worst either.
So today, in the hardest class of the week for me, I am really trying to focus. Remember the reunion with the successful doctors is coming up.
About ten minutes into class a woman meanders in with a mug of coffee. She is donning her sweats and a couple other layers of clothes. I glance but only quickly because we are doing some crazy shit with weights and balance. She sips her coffee and slowly takes off layer after layer. She then places her mug about 12 inches behind me. Oh and just in case you weren't sure about the class, there is nothing stationary about it!
She has finally decided that she is ready to begin. The class was by no means packed today, but she really wanted to stand right next to me. Like really close. Again, not a stationary class!
We are doing kicks with grapevines and all sorts of using the large space allotted to use. But this woman stays right up on my grill. Does she not realize that I smell like a 325 lb. fat man when I work out.
The real kicker is that I try to move to different spots during the water breaks. Freedom. No, no really, in about 3 moves she is right there again.
I swear I almost abduct squated her right in the kidney- on purpose!
So for anyone who reads up on gym etiquette...Rule # 10- Back it up!

Where The Boys Are

Whats with men and their need to hover around other working men. I'll explain. My neighbor across the street is a nice older Greek man. He was telling me that he was having the "dish" installed so he could get some Greek channels. A day or so later I look outside to see that the "dish" guy was installing this enormous dish on the side of the house. Yes, their house now has a huge ear. The poor dish guy. He was up on the ladder answering calls from his boss on speaker phone and had my neighbor standing at the bottom with his hands on his hips. When ever there was a break in the nextel I could see my neighbor waving his hands and pointing. For over an hour the 2 two were out there.
This same thing happened years ago when my parents had to get the dishwasher fixed. My dad was next to the guy the whole time holding a flashlight and asking questions.
I don't get it...if anyone has an idea please fill me in on this secret of manliness.

My Best Shot Monday

Sick From Head to Toes

My poor little guy has a wicked cold. Its getting better, but this weekend he was aregular boogie factory. He was such a trooper. I don't know if you can tell but there is a line on his little cheek. Thats a lone tear that fell after I wiped his little nose. Sheesh

As always you can visit Picture This to see other best shot mondays. For those who can't find them. The links are in the comments section.

Have a great Day!

A Decade Ago

So I received my official 10 year reunion invite yesterday. I knew it was coming, but it threw me when I actually held it in my hand. I know some that have laughed and said "Ha, it's only your 10 year?!?". I know that by all standards I am not OLD, but the invite did get me thinking about where my life was this time 10 years ago.

This lovely image is my senior portrait. I must not have know the use for tweezers back then- sheesh. I do remember though that I had to be late for hockey practice to get this shot taken. I hated, and still do, being in front of the lens. I am much more comfortable behind it snapping away. I was then equally pissed that I had makeup on. I remembered thinking that the only decent use for makeup was for the shows I was in. So that's the pic...I guess I really liked red. huh.

Ten years ago, NO ONE had a cell phone. Everyone had pagers. Not me though. I think my parents associated them with drug dealers. My boyfriend at the time had one. Wow, he was a douche bag. My father couldn't stand him either. He would prank his pager and put in numbers to different homosexual hot lines. That was his idea of fun. I was so certain that this guy was "the one". Then again who doesn't at 17. Yeah, I should have listened to my parents, but then what would I have had to brood over?!?

At this point in my life I already had an athletic scholarship to SJU for field hockey. Needless to say, I could have cared less about SATs. I didn't even bring a calculator. Classes that year were merely a social event.

The world wide web was still somewhat foreign. It had come around about 2 years before. I don't even know if I had a proper e-mail address at this time. The only world wide thing I was concerned with were the World Wide Wicket Sales. This is from the last musical I was in. My senior year we did How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at St. Joe's Prep. I lived for rehearsals. Being in these shows were the highlight of the year. The musical theater program at SJU was crap. Sadly I have not done a musical since. I remembered thinking that one day I would haul off for Broadway.

I was on top of the world my senior year. It was an amazing time.

I don't know how I'll feel reuniting with my classmates. Sure it'll be fun. Yada, yada,yada. I have found out that many of the people I graduated with are now very accomplished doctors and scientists. Before anything is said, I KNOW that being a mom is just as important. It can just be intimidating to see such successful women around you. We'll see. Hopefully I can coerce my friend who I have not seen since graduation to go. We could at least trump up some old banter...

I don't know how to end this. I guess I'll write more after the actual event. Look for part 2 in early May!

Delicious Day

There is something to be said about walking outside and realizing that you don't need a coat. The world in general feels lighter...and car seats buckle without much struggle.

I think that the temp was at about 77 degrees today, maybe warmer. Although I know it is not going to last, today was perfect.

When we got home from the gym, I transferred Jack from his car seat to the lawn in one large swoop. He ran around with his arms outwards yelling "Its nice and warm mommy, I yub it! I yub outside! Yets play!" An hour later there were chalk murals on the bricks of our home, soccer balls crushing unfinished tulips and sweat on my baby's head.

He slept like a rock in his cool room under the warmth of his "choopy" (aka Sage's childhood blankie).

When he woke from his nap we were at it again. We jumped in the stroller to meet our friends Lauren and Jackson. We hit up 2 parks. Between park rotation we stopped to get some cool treats. Jack sat so still on this bench dripping with icy sugary goodness. " How does it taste Jack?" ..."Dayicious mommy"

As Sage was putting Jack to bed I sat out on the steps to think about the day. It doesn't get much better than this. Well, it would have been better if my legs didn't look like milk-toast in shorts, but more sun to come. Hopefully sooner than later. Much love to our park buddies!

My Best Shot Monday

Sometimes I wish I could be inside his brain. I wonder- is he pondering the world, or maybe just workin' on a good one!

Jump on over to Picture This to see other Best Shot Mondays!

I'm That Mom

Revenge. Sweet revenge. Except that it was revenge on my 2 year old. Let me explain...
I remember when I was prego and Jack would wake me up in the middle of the night- he would press so sweetly on my bladder or ever so not gently place his fetal heel in my ribs. Months later, he would keep me up all night- no matter how tired I was. I know that EVERY mom has experienced these things. I know many moms who have dealt with so much more. I am NOT complaining. But...
On those nights, just as I would go cross eyed from exhaustion, I would smile- One day I will have my revenge. I couldn't wait until he was 13. I would wake him up a the crack of dawn singing "rise and shine and give God your glory" just like my mom would on Sundays.
I will still have that moment, but today I was just testing the waters.
Jack took a long nap. I don't like when he sleeps past 3pm because it screws up his nite-nite routine. God forbid I miss a second of Idol.* Anyway, I went in to wake him up with my normal back rubs and soft voice when " STOP MOMMY"
What?!?- Oh no you didn't!
I started to laugh, which really pissed him off...
" Do you want to just stay in your bed all day?"
(thumb in mouth) "es ommy"
I proceeded to lay on the floor and stick one finger at a time through the rungs of his crib and touch his nose.
I know I sound horrible. If you are reading this and are not a mom, just get over my twisted humor.
This all went on for about 5 minutes.
He finally got up and cuddled with me as he woke up. My baby, I adore him...but I almost wet myself- the look on his face...yeah I'm that mom- I still can't wait till he's 13

*What is up with idol?!? san-what-ever really just bugs me out! ugh!

My Best Shot Monday

I've been following this whole "best shot monday" game via Amy's blog for some time and I decidied that I want to play too. So here is my best shot from the weekend. Jump on over to Picture This to see everyone elses shots!

Like Father, Like Son

Promised Land, Pa- Circa '99

Drexel Hill ,Pa- Circa 2 days ago when it wasn't a frigid hail storm!

50+ Club

We hit quite a bit of traffic on our way to the gym today.

'Nuff said.

Monday at the Gym

So there was this woman at the gym in my cardio kick and sculpt class. Seemed nice- looked normal; a bigger woman in her 40's (I assume) nothing unusual here- or so I thought. Hence conversation:

Woman at Gym: How many weeks do these classes go for?

Me: They are 7 week sessions.

W.A.G.-Well I've got 2 weeks.

Me: Its a tough class, but its good.

W.A.G.- Where do you see the difference?

Me: I've noticed a change in my arms and alot in my butt.

(side note- class is going on at this time- I'm missing steps because she won't stop talking)

W.A.G.- Well, I've got 2 weeks. How long have you been doing this- how big were you before?

Me: (mentally: WHAT?!?) out loud: months- slowly but surely.

I then move away- FAR away.
I don't really know what to say about this woman- I just thought I would share our conversation.

Forever Ago

This photo dates back to '98 or '99. I don't quite remember. I know that Sage was dating my cousin and I as well was seeing someone else. But this is when we started to get close. This was a time when those small issues in life seemed so huge and demanding. Everything was fueled by the thrill of the chase. A year or so later we started dating- so much trivial drama was abound with our group of friends- but in a way it made every moment that much sweeter with stolen glances and secret kisses. It was a charging time. I love this photo- its old and has water stains...but it is a moment of time captured in 4 frames that still gives me butterflies.

Lost in Translation

There are so many skills that I have acquired since becoming a mom.

Some skills gross; like the ability to catch puke before it falls on the rug. This is so disgusting, I know. I was the kid who ralphed when someone else did. But there is accomplishment in knowing that a rug need not be scrubbed.

Some skills sweet; like knowing that your kiss really did make the boo-boo all better.

But the one skill I take most pride in...understanding what my boy says.

Jack speaks really well for a 2 year old. But lets face it- he's 2... diction and clarity are something that comes with time. But I most always know what he's saying.

Sometimes I feel like his translator- letting people know what he really wants, when they think they already have it all put together. Maybe its a moms pride- the one thing that I understand better than any other person- no matter how many kids that other person has had- I know what he's really saying.

I know that people in the acme look at me like i'm crazy. We ride up and down the aisles talking about what we see and i ask him questions about the list I should be carrying. Going shopping can really suck, but I really enjoy talking to Jack. The way he puts his thoughts together and expresses them astounds me.

We all have to make it up and down the aisles- but sometimes it takes a 2 year old to point out the smaller things we don't really get a chance to see.

Happy Birthday Jack Henry!

This day, 2 years ago...

Today at the Please Touch Museum in Philly...(um, funnest place EVER!):

Happy Birthday my little man...i love you!

Conversations with Jack

Jack: bye-bye mommy, see ya yater!

me: where are you going?

Jack: da store

me: what are you going to get?

Jack: nannas, gapefut, daddy cereal

me: ok, have fun

Jack: mommy?

me: what buddy?

Jack: (extends hand) hold some money peas.