That kind of day...

I have had a DramaMama kind of day and it has me humming thus far.

Leaving the house later than planned because the icing took longer to make for the cake than I planned I was on my way to Walmart. Wow, just like Drama....lol. I needed a list of things and my mom and dad are sick and asked me to pick something up for them. So I am on my way with only one hour before I have to be at my son's school. I'm thinking great this is going to be run, run, run!!

So we find the decongestants for my mom, my daughter and some for the cabinet for myself. We go through the store and find the bike I planned to get my son and the woman back there helped me get the already assembled (woo hoo!!) bike into my cart. Then I maneuver the over stuffed cart through Valentines displays for the oh so necessary goodie bags because it is no longer enough to give JUST a valentine in school anymore. 38 kids to give baggies to between both kids. That aisle is conjested but we manage. I find the card for my BIL's whose b-day is Valentines day. I know. And then the ever important pop tarts for both kids. People are letting little ol' me go through with my bike stuffed cart and the woman at the check out is cordial and so I make converstation. It's just how I am. (Yeah, you figured that right long island dad?)

Once in the car I realize I have to skip Costco and go straight to my son's school for lunch. This is where I figure my day is going to be rougher than expected. My daughter has a bad head cold and I have her running like crazy. But we get to his school on time and sign in, then walk back to the cafeteria to wait. He arrives and he has totally forgotten that I was coming in to lunch with him for his b-day (albeit a day late ... but hey, it's pizza day! lol) He lights up with an ear to ear grin and my day just got 100% better. There is nothing like having that effect on your child. His happiness is mine.

So he guides me through the lunch line (like I've never done it before. *chuckle*) and then we find our way to the tiny tables and chairs. He is proudly telling his friends that my daughter and I are there. 22 kids ages 6-7 and for the first time in a long time I feel tall. okay... stop laughing. I became table mom, opening milk cartons and utensil packets. I got to hear about when each of their birthdays are and what is their favorite pizza while enjoying lunch with my kids. I even got an unprovoked public hug from my son which has become a no-no these days but hey, he did it not me. I was floating.

He seemed sad that lunch went so fast but we separated after leaving the cafeteria. My daughter and I, however were on the second leg of our trip. When I opened the back of my 'oh so sexy teal mini-van' (from now on known as the OSST mini-van) I realized I had over 20 bags of clothes to donate to St. Vincent Depaul, which was on the way to Costco. As I pull into the church parking lot, where the bins are located, I see the St. Vincent DePaul truck there and a guy shutting the back. I thought, oh man, I'll be in his way. He's on his way out.

I pull up and back in, not hindering his exit and climb out. The guy from the truck greeted me with a warm smile and hello. I greeted him back. I said, "I'm sorry. I see you are finished loading. Am I holding you up?"

"Oh no no," he replied and then offered to help unload the OSST mini-van. Then a second guy came out of nowhere and also began to help. It took only minutes for them to help unload the van while I tied the bags up. I offered to double up one bag and the one guy stopped me since there were shoes in it and said they load those differently. I apologize and laugh and he says, "If that's the worst thing to happen to me today then I'm in pretty good shape."

I thanked them and wished them a good day and they did in return. I was quite appreciative of their help and was on my way once more.

Then Peanut and I got a parking space pretty close to the entrance and given the windchill being 3 degrees I was glad. I scooped her bundled butt up and moved quickly inside. A gentleman was leaving with an empty cart and was pushing it in the corner. When he saw me he moved it for me to position Peanut in the basket. I thanked him and he replied, 'you're more than welcome. This one is nice and warm for her." Again I said thank you and entered the store, feeling like common courtesy is resurfacing in society.

The rest of the trip was quite uneventful. And while this trip might not seem that exciting it was full of nice things people did that helped make a normal shopping day quite enjoyable. Now I'm warm in my cozy home and about to take off cleaning, laundering and decorating a race car cake.

Seven years my son...

Seven years ago, my son, you left my tummy where you used to kick me like crazy. We called you kicky monster because of that reason. I used to have my headphones on my tummy playing classical music when I worked and you would rest and roll. When you were hungry boy was I hungry. Seven years ago you decided to come 10 days early. It was cold, like this year and it had just snowed. We phoned your 'red grandma' at 1:30 am and she dressed and drove over to keep your daddy calm. Mommy was ready, and eager to see your face to know you. I was eager to finally hold my son.

Unfortunately you didn't want to come out just yet and 19 hours later you still refused to enter this world which included 2 hours of pushing. The doctors were worried. You were a good size for my small frame and after a tough decision I was told I had to go to surgery. I cried because I didn't want to but I wanted you to be safe. My family and some of daddy's family anxiously waited hour after hour wringing their hands. They all had tears as they wheeled you and I into the room.

7:57 pm you were born and crying. Your cry started my cry. You were out and seemed fine, but I wasn't. No one told me that, no one wanted to worry me. Daddy didn't want to leave me so the nurses took you out to see your red grandma and PapPap, my sisters (your aunts) and your now uncle Bill and one of daddy's brothers. I saw video later that grandma held you first. Still to this day she comments on how you looked into her eyes like you knew her immediately. She said she knew you were different.

While family got to know you the doctors worked to save me. You were wedged and mommy was bleeding. The doctors were good, they gave me a transfusion and saved me. I am forever grateful for that.

Since that day I have taken each second to cherish with you. I reveled in your first smile, first laugh, first step and so many firsts that I can't even begin to list them all. You grew fast and strong and ate well and slept even better. I was blessed that day and every day since.

My love for you is larger than I can even begin to describe. I've watched you grow from a baby that would lay in my arms to feed at all hours of the day to a crawling maniac to a toddling boy. I've seen you stretch taller and start soccer and t-ball and love them all. I've been in awe of your photographic memory, math skills from age 2, your deep compassion, your incredible sense of humor and huge zeal for life. You have the best laugh and say things every day that make me smile. I don't know what I did to deserve having you in my life but it must have been really good.

Today my son you entered my life and forever changed it. I thank God every day for giving you to me. I love you and no matter how big you get, you will always be my little boy.

(To forewarn my blog friends, I will be doing a photo montage of my son later today. Not a ton but at least one from each year of his life.)

The boy is home...

After Saturday I was worried that my house would be pandamonium. But it hasn't been, it has been delightful. After getting some things done (and I still need to do more) I spent time with my kids, reading books and such. I hope to get more housework done so we can play a few games, like Trouble.

Then my son wanted a snack and I had just made a cake. He got done with that and some hot cocoa (hey no snow doesn't mean it's warm here. LOL) When he got done he said, "I'm so full I'm like a bear in a honey factory." Where does he come up with this stuff?

Mighty Mustache Man

Today my son decided to be like daddy. Armed with a washable marker, his imagination and his dress clothes....."Mustache man" was born. (he called himself that, not me.)

It was too funny not to capture and post.

Side note: Hubby has dark hair and a goatee. *giggle* Is he trying to be daddy? *smile*

Lighter note...

On a lighter note from my last post I have to say that, on a Saturday after sleeping in, my son wakes up in a wonderful mood. He isn't a morning person like his younger sister or mom (he's like his dad...lol) But this morning he is so funny.

He says so many funny things and I hope to write down some of these gems he says so I can record them for posterity.

This morning he was telling me about the special effects on the game he was playing on his gameboy game. I replied by, "You're kidding me!" His reply? In a serious tone he said, "Mommy, I never kid when it comes to games."

Then a few minutes later he told my husband that cereal, including the Honey Nut Cheerios he was eating, was made of wood shavings. Apparently a cartoon once said that and he has a photographic memory. Then my husband said, "No they are made of oats and other things. Here, read the ingredients." My son did read the ingredients and was upset to see that there were almonds in it. After realizing that he could deal with the almonds he and my husband discussed the honey part of the cereal.

He asked my husband, "How do they get the honey from the bees." My husband, jokingly said, "They gently squeeze the bees." After saying this absurdity I looked at my husband who laughed hysterically. My son laughed too. But quickly followed with, "Maybe they dress up like a bee and say..'buzz buzz' and the bees let them have it."

Somewhere toward the end of this discussion my son said, "But the bees don't get paid for this job. I guess they could get paid in honey." He cracks me up.