I fail

Ok. What happened? I don't know if I attribute my lack of blogging to lack of interest or lack of feedback, but maybe I will try to pick it up again. Brenda will be my inspiration.

So what has been going on lately? Same old stuff. Struggling to pay the bills, struggling to have time to connect, struggling to parent. The search for a better life, the search for a better career... it never ends, right?

If you haven't been up to date in my life, I will do a brief catch-up. I work at home. It is a love hate relationship. When I am not watching the kids, I am working. I feel like I never have a time to just relax, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love being at home with my boys.

Matt has explored different career opportunities, but keeps coming back to Gamestop. It isn't a bad thing I guess. His boss loves him, he is now a Store Manager, and is looking forward to opportunities there. Today we came back to schooling. He still has 4 months of the GI Bill left (8 months part time) and when that goes, he has 12 months of the Post 9/11 Bill. He has his Associates, but I think he could get his Bachelors and be even more non-disposable.

The boys are great. Sam is 3, Ben is 14 months. Today I gave Ben his first haircut. He was getting a bit of a tail in the back... After the debacle with Sam (I basically buzzed his head), I decided not to go too short. Hope you are all having a great day!

One... ttoooooo... trreeeeee...

Ok so admittedly it has been a while. Life is busy, not much new. I will make a better attempt. With Facebook though, it is so much easier to spread news and day to day happenings. I will save some gems for my blog though.

Here is a little snapshot of what we are working on with Sam. Mind you, he misses one and four, but I think it is pretty good for 21 months!

Everything is better with the topping.

Sam has recently discovered the "extras" in life. The toppings on the ice cream instead of the ice cream, the whipped cream on the strawberry shortcake, and within the last week, ketchup. I remember my sister's kids going through the whole "dip" stage. I don't really know if Ryan has gotten passed it to be honest.

Well, Sam has decided to love dip. In fact, he has done the whole dip and lick without eating the actual food item. While throwing dinner on the table trying to get ready to work, I zapped some corn dog bites in the microwave (aka emergency dinner/ too lazy or tired to cook dinner), and put them in front of Sam. As soon as he saw the ketchup bottle coming I got the mmMMMMmm!

Can't wait to see him experience all the extras there are in life!

I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD

So as I sit here, working, eating chips and salsa, I am reminiscent of my favorite Mexican restaurant, Chile Peppers. I love Chile Peppers. For those of you who are familiar with my restaurant know that it has recently changed hands. I have been there since, and I was a little disappointed. But right now it is closed for remodeling, so we will see what is going on there.

I would have to say my favorite Mexican food is Flautas. In case you are also not familiar with a Flauta, it is basically a taquito, but made with a flour tortilla instead of corn. I love chicken and cheese flautas. They are the best. Now that I am thinking and blogging about it, I REALLY want one!

Anyone have any favorite dishes or restaurants? I would love to hear about them!

The Bachelor

Ok, so admittedly I got interested in this season. I don't usually watch The Bachelor series, but this time the bachelor was a single dad, and I am a sucker for anything having to do with kids. Along the way my favorites were sent home, Stephanie then Jillian, but when it came down to Melissa and Molly, I must admit I was pulling for Molly. As the final episode went on, I could sympathize with Jason's pick. Melissa seemed like she could be a stay at home mom to Ty; Molly was the one with a real career. But I just didn't like Melissa. She was so immature, too cutesy.

When he picked Melissa at the end, I felt bad for Molly, but understood Jason's pick. On the After The Rose episode though, it was incredible that he, in so many words, changed his mind. Most people are totally outraged at this. I say, who cares?! Jason obviously found out with more time that he and Melissa were never going to make it. Here's to another shot at happiness for Jason. I sincerely hope it works out, though the stats on past couples are not good. Oh, and don't bug me tonight at 10; I will be watching part 2 of After The Rose. ;)

Rub a tub tub, Sam in the tub

I couldn't resist posting this video. It just makes me laugh.

What's Your Sign?

As promised, I took some pictures of Sam signing. Now, my mother-in-law says she tells people that Sam knows some sign language and they ask if he is deaf. No. He hears quite fine. He is a little slow to speak though, so we have taken steps to teach him some of the most basic signs. Here were some we were able to catch on camera before bed tonight. Under Sam's sign, I went ahead and got the expert picture so you could compare.

This sign is milk, shown by clenching and opening your hand. It was probably the easiest to teach, for obvious reasons. We were a little hesistant to get this picture as we just stopped giving him milk before bed. I risked it though, and he was fine without his liquid gold.
The most recent sign he has learned is car. Car is signed like you are driving a steering wheel. Sam absolutely loves toy cars. He picked them up from his cousins who have a million matchbox cars at their house. He leaves with one each time he visits.
All done or finished would be the next sign. Basically you hold up your hands and twist them at the wrist. Good for him to let us know when to stop trying to shove things in his mouth.
Another easy sign to teach was please. Please is rubbing your hand in a circle on your chest. We would withhold things he wanted until he signed it. Easy enough.
Ok so water, this next sign, is not quite like how it is supposed to look, but hey, he is 18 months. Water is a little harder. You take your three middle fingers and tap them on your chin. Sam just takes his whole hand and hits his mouth. We get the picture that he is thirsty. We have tried to teach juice, but basically anything besides milk is water.
Another recent sign learned (and definitely the most challenging) was thank you. Touch your hand to your chin and then point it out. How do you teach something when all collateral you need for the lesson is gone? But he has learned it, thank goodness.
Another very useful sign is more. Tap your fingertips together. More milk, more food, more more more.
He also knows food as of late, but I forgot to get him to sign that for the camera. I hope you have enjoyed the many signs of Sam. Learn them in case you come in contact with him and he starts smacking his mouth!