As Lincoln, who is now three, watches tv, I look for fun, educational and appealing shows.  Shows have really changed since we were little, haven’t they?! 

One show that he absolutely loves and I love as well, is Yo Gabba Gabba.  Have you ever had the pleasure of watching it?  It is full of fun, music and education. 

It is with a bunch of excitement that we  will be going to see the Yo Gabba Gabba Live! Show at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, PA on September 30th!  It is a stop as part of their Yo Gabba Gabba Live! Tour.  You can find information on when and where you might be able to catch a show at www.yogabbagabbalive.com I would encourage anyone and everyone to check on it!

KIA Motors®  has signed on to sponsor this very exciting Yo Gabba Gabba Live! There’s a Party in My City Tour. 

The kids and I are so very pumped to head to Pittsburgh for an evening of fun, music, dancing and family time.

Now, for some fun for you! Yes, you!

I am hosting a giveaway for my readers that will include a few Yo Gabba Gabba! products.  One of my lucky readers will receive a prize pack that includes a book Yo Gabba Gabba: There’s a Party in my Tummy!, a DVD for your viewing pleasure Yo Gabba Gabba Clubhouse and a new CD that is being released today Yo Gabba Gabba!: Music is Awesome Volume 2.

Below is some information on each product in the prize pack:

BOOK: Yo Gabba Gabba!, Party in My Tummy” – Based on the popular song from Yo Gabba Gabba!, Party in My Tummy makes healthy eating fun for little ones! Lift the flaps, sing along, and find out what everyone in Gabba Land is bringing to the party!

DVD: “Yo Gabba Gabba! Clubhouse”  – The Nickelodeon DVD “Yo Gabba Gabba!: Clubhouse” released on June 15 and features performances by musical guests Erykah Badu, The Killers, Jimmy Eat World and more.

CD: “Yo Gabba Gabba!: Music is Awesome Volume 2.”   Fans can enjoy a new, super radical compilation of music featured from Seasons I, II & III, YO GABBA GABBA! MUSIC IS AWESOME! VOLUME 2 hits shelves nationwide on August 31, 2010, timed with the launch of the live tour, KIA Motors Presents YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE! THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY. Jam-packed with Super Music Friends & all of the songs you’ve grown to love including those from Weezer, MGMT & Jimmy Eat World. A deluxe edition featuring bonus songs from the hit series will also be available on iTunes. Fans can get a sampling of the record with a free download of our favorite Super Music Friends – Weezer’s track “All My Friends Are Insects” at www.yogabbagabba.com/freedownload
MUSIC IS AWESOME! VOLUME 2 will be available on CD at Target, Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and independent music retailers nationwide and for pre-order on Amazon (link below):
http://www.amazon.com/Yo-Gabba-Awesome-Exclusive-Sticker/dp/B003WHL9HQ 
 
MUSIC IS AWESOME! VOLUME 2 will also be available digitally on all music services.  A deluxe edition with bonus tracks is now available for pre-order at iTunes (link below):
http://itunes.apple.com/us/preorder/yo-gabba-gabba-music-is-awesome/id388019174

If you would like to win this Yo Gabba Gabba! prize pack, just leave a comment on this post with your favorite episode of Yo Gabba Gabba. Only those with a valid US address will be eligible to win, please be sure to enter your email address so that I am able to contact you.

 A random winner will be chosen using Random.org.  The giveaway will end on Sunday, September 5th at 11:59pm EST.  Winner will receive an email and will have 48 hours to claim the prize. 

Disclaimer: I received tickets for the Yo Gabba Gabba Live! Tour to review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for the above post.  All written opinions are solely mine.

Ever since we had Jada, ten years ago, I have wanted to get professional photos taken of us.  It’s not that quick photo ops of our family aren’t as special but the professional ones are always a  little nicer. 

We never had any professional pictures taken. 

Yesterday was our big day.  We were up early, I had the kids bathed and ready to go by 8:30am.  We were meeting at 10am.  We drove to the mansion and walked around while waiting for the photographer.  I have to admit that I had never been around the mansion other than to sit in the lawn for a wedding once. 

When the photographer came, she was so happy with our outfit choices.  She said that too often, when she takes family portraits, everyone does the white shirts or pale blue.  She said she was thrilled to see us in bright colors!  Woo hoo, she said we made her weekend!  I wore my purple dress, Jada had her aqua dress, the boys all wore jeans, Lincoln had his lime green, Chuckie his yellow and Chuck his white shirt.  The colors looked great, especially because we were outside with green grass and a mansion as our backdrop. 

It is a very pretty place to have photos taken.  We went to several areas for family shots and some of just the kids. 

The kids really did a great job.  I figured that the older two would be fine.  I was so worried about Lincoln behaving and cooperating….on the way there, I was talking to him about how he would have to stand still like a statue and to smile nicely.  (He has an evil smile that he does and I was afraid he might use that smile instead!)

He did great.  He held still, for the most part, and smiled perfectly. 

After the family shots and the kids shots, she allowed the kids to change and she took their individual shots.  They were amazing with it.  Chuckie was like a little model, he posed just right, moved his head just as she asked and smiled nice and big (he doesn’t like his teeth so he seldom shows them, I know, it breaks my heart too.) Jada loved posing and having her moment in the spotlight!  She had a great time.  Lincoln was a bit rambunctious and didn’t always cooperate but she was still able to get great shots of him.  This was almost an hour and a half after we started so I was shocked at his cooperation at this point. 

That is where the photo session was supposed to end. 

Chuck asked her if she could take some shots of he and I together.  Just the two of us.  She was surprised that he asked this because she said most of the men just want it to be over and are begging to be done. He said I was his “boo” and wanted shots of us two, we are the foundation of the family, afterall!  We had some photos taken and I cannot wait to see them. 

She is currently on her way back to Louisiana and when she gets home on Wednesday, she is going to go through the photos and send me a sneak peek of them.  I cannot wait to share them with you. 

Yes, I know that I don’t post pictures of my husband or children on this site.  However, this may be the time for me to share them with you all.  It is just so special to me. 

Hang tight and I will let you know as soon as I see them!!

She wanted my cell phone number to call me to ask a question that would take too long to type out in a message.  I was a bit nervous because I had no idea what she would need to ask me.  So I gave her my number and I had a chance to talk to her that evening. 

She is a photographer in New Orleans.  She still has family up this way though so she comes to visit when she can.  She would like to get more clientele up here so that she can visit more often and make more money while visiting…a total win-win situation for her! It makes sense.  I got it…but what did she need me for?!

Well, when she was first starting out, she photographed an “ambassador” to help her business along.  She photographed them and gave them some prints and in return, that person spread the word on this awesome photographer. 

She wanted to find someone she knew that was active in the local area, that had a wide range of friends and acquaintences.  She and her sister brainstormed and they came up with me!! 

So, this Sunday, we are getting a family portrait session done along with some prints to show off. 

I am beyond excited for this opportunity because we have never had a formal family portrait taken.  We had our pictures taken while in the Outer Banks but it was taken by a family member who has mad photog skills but not a professional. 

My big problem now is….what the heck do I wear?  Do we all have to match?  Do I wear pants, shorts, a dress?!  Oh man, I am struggling here.  Lincoln has a great outfit to wear, Jada has a dress picked out and I am thinking of wearing the long, green dress that Chuck loves on me.  I don’t know if Chuckie has an outfit that will work.  However, seriously, do we all have to match?  AAhhhh, I don’t know what to do!  Please help me and give me some advice!  I don’t necessarily want to do the everyone wear this certain color but I do want us to look nice.  What advice do you have for me?

One night he requested “no night night diaper!” So I tried it.  He woke up the next morning dry and he has been in strictly undies ever since. 

He has done well for making a total switch over.  He has had plenty of accidents.  In fact, yesterday was the first time he went 24 hours without having an accident. 

Most of his accidents are poop, unfortunately.  I didn’t expect him to go poop on the potty consistently anyway because usually it takes a long while for kids to be comfortable pooping on the potty. 

Overall, he has done well and he is pleased with wearing big boy undies.  If we are outside, he goes over to his favorite tree and pees on it.  If we are out shopping or running errands, he goes on the big potty.  At home, he goes on his little potty or the big potty. 

I am happy to think that when he starts preschool in two weeks, he will be mostly potty trained.  When can you officially say a kid is potty trained anyway?  A long time can go by without an accident and then they regress so when is it official?!

She’s right, I have heard “Mom, look what I can do!” so many times with my kids that we now laugh when we hear that phrase.

So, I will try to come up with seven talents I have to play by her rules.  Here it goes:

1.  Motherhood.  I feel like I am doing this right.  I feel like I am good at being a mom.  My kids are healthy, happy and overall good kids.  They have manners, they help out (with some urging by us, of course) and they are kind children.  I have had other people tell me I am a good mom and I need to relax because my kids are good kids but I don’t know if they were just being nice. Ha!

2.  Event planning.  I love, love, love to plan parties or gatherings.  I just love to think up menus, decorations, games, etc.  I love to get everything ready and see everything come together just right.  If I had it my way, I would do this as a job. 

3.  Reading to kids.  Hey, it’s my list…I’m including this one!  When the kids were in the early years of school, Kindergarten and first grade, the parents could go in and read to the classroom.  We all signed up for a day or two throughout the school year.  We chose what books and brought them in.  One book I always was sure to read was the SkippyJohnJones book.  If you haven’t read this, you have to, it is such a fun book.  There are others after the first one but they aren’t as great, in my opinion.   The classes (both Jada’s and Chuckie’s) loved when I would come in and read.  I use voice inflection and I am dramatic and for these SkippyJohnJones books, I use an accent.  The kitty in the book daydreams that he is a Chihuahua and goes to Mexico so it is tons of fun.  The kids just ate it up.  I got loud, I sang, I clapped, I did little dance moves!  Ha!  Oh how I can’t wait to do the same for Lincoln’s classes!!  Both kids’ teachers said the kids would ask when I was coming back in to read!  I had other moms tell me that their kids told them that they just don’t read as good as I did!  What a great compliment.

4.  Shmoozing.  That is what we called it at work when a client wasn’t always happy about our services and we needed to wow them.  I would go in and shmooze them.  Basically, I was sucking up, brown nosing, etc.  I have a charm and charisma about me that somehow would make the clients happy and turn their opinion of us around.    It probably had something to do with my ability to make their hot buffet lunches look fabulous as well!

5.  Driving.  Yes, I am using this.  I have never hit  another car,  I have never hit an object or had an at-fault accident.  I had a car rear-end me, a truck back up into me but I have never done any of those things to anyone else.  I am a careful driver and I haven’t ever gotten a speeding ticket. 

6. Bargain hunting.  I pride myself on my extra special frugality skills.  When I go shopping, I am looking for the least expensive deals I can find.  I know when I can find the same thing for less and I will not buy it if I know I can get it for a better price.  I have gotten some amazing deals and even my kids are surprised by my skills.  Just last week, I went to Kohls to start school clothes shoppping and I bought 2o pieces of clothing for $61.01.  If I had paid full retail prices, my total would have been $362.15!! A savings of $361.14 is just crazy. It really pays to search through those clearance racks, people!! 

My brain is struggling now to think of one more thing!!  Ahhhh………

7.  Being a listening ear and helping people see the other side.  When someone is upset about something and can’t understand why someone would say, do or feel the way they do, I listen then offer them an insight into the other side.  I try to convey to them that there is another side.   That what they see or feel may not be the same for someone else in the same situation. Does that make sense?!  So many times I have heard people say, “oh I didn’t even think about it like that.”  I don’t know why or how I came to do this but I hate confrontation, I hate arguments and so if I can help to stop some of that for others, I will. 

Okay, I am done because I was stretching with a few of those.  However, I will say, it was nice to toot my own horn!

Can you do the same?  Write a post about your talents, what you are good at.  Go ahead, you may be surprised by what you come up with!

My Foot:

I have had a plantar wart on the bottom of my foot for months.  When I went to the doctor a few months ago, it was just beginning and I wasn’t even sure what it was.  The doctor said that it would come up and when it did to gently rub it with an emory board and it would go away.  That sounded crazy to me and it didn’t work. Boo.  It has been so painful for me because this type of wart tends to pop up at a pressure point. Mine was the same.  It is right on the pad of my foot below my big toe.  It hurts to walk and it hurts even when I am off my foot. 

Chuck kept telling me to call the doctor and have  him remove it and I have put it off.  I’m not really sure why, to be honest but today I am going.  I really don’t know what he is going to do to remove it but I don’t care at this point, as long as it is gone! 

I am hoping to start jogging again really soon after some of the pain subsides.  I look forward to getting back to some classes at the gym that I’ve been putting off because of the foot pain.

My Mother-in-Law:

We’ve had problems in the past.  Our relationship hasn’t been without some tension.  I love her though.  She is one of the most caring, loving, thoughtful and fun people I know. 

She has had some major health problems for so long and she is exhausted.  I don’t blame her.  Not only does she deal with taking 37 different medications every single day, she also checks her blood sugar levels, her blood pressure and gives herself shots everyday.  It is a lot to have to deal with when just a few years ago, she was out in the yard swimming, chasing her grandchildren, having water battles, camping and being active.  She can’t do those things anymore. It is more painful to her than the shingles that she is still dealing with. 

She has no immune system anymore.  It is not working at all.  She cannot be around anyone who has even the slightest cough because she will end up in the hospital.  Can you imagine?! No, me neither. 

In addition to her health problems, she has everyone and anyone going to her with their personal problems.  She is such a comforting person who is always willing to listen. However, when people come to her with their problems, she stresses out for them.  Stress causes her to get sick and be in pain.  It is a cycle that just keeps on going because everyone continues to go to her and dump their problems on her.  Some expect her to magically fix their problems, as if she doesn’t have enough problems of her own. 

She was crying to me yesterday because she is exhausted and she cannot help everyone who is coming to her for help.  She has nothing more to give.  She is tired of being sick. She is so mad that she can’t do the things she used to.  She is heartbroken that the one thing that brought her the most happiness, she can no longer do…..take care of her grandkids.  That made my heart hurt.  I started to cry right along with her.  The one thing that brought joy to her heart, was taken from her.  She said that when we would drive away after dropping off our kids, those kids were hers for the day.  She got to spoil them, love on them, cuddle them, have fun with them.  Now….that is gone. 

I don’t have the answer.  I have been taking the kids over to visit her because I know she needs that.  Yesterday was a very hard day for her.  People were in and out of her house bitching to her about their problems and leaning on her when in all reality, she needed someone to lean on. 

We used to live next door to them before we moved.  I think a part of her depression is our moving.  She keeps saying it herself.  She misses being able to come over everyday to see the kids.  She said that I was always her listening ear when she needed to vent.  We are no longer there to provide that for her.  She isn’t trying to make us feel guilty because in the same breath she says that she knows we needed to move, we needed this. 

I don’t know how to make her feel better but I will be there for her as much as I can.  She has done so much for us over the years, I could never repay her for everything.

Jogging Partner:

I’ve always wanted to be a runner/jogger.  I’ve mentioned this fact before.  I’ve also mentioned that I jogged a 5K at the gym on the treadmill.  When I did that, I knew that I wanted to start jogging 5K’s for real.  I’ve walked them more than a few times. 

Chuckie likes to jog too, he actually jogged almost a whole 5K a few years ago in the March for Babies 5K.  I told him that we should start running some together.  We could sign up to do some local ones and get out there and do it!  He agreed. 

I told him that I would have to train for them first because I don’t think that I could just go out there and run one.  Running on the treadmill and running on the road is very different.  He tells me that he can train me himself! Ha! Okay my sweet nine year old, train me. 

We have friends that live down the road and we know that from our house to their house, is 1.3 miles so if we walk/jog to their house and back, we can get in almost a 5K.  It is pretty flat with very little hills so it would be a great way to get in some road jogging. 

I just think it would be awesome to have that time between my son and I. Special bonding time and a great way to get in some exercise together!  It is just hard for us to sign up for any local runs though because of his football schedule.  There are times that would be easy but I’d hate to have him run a 5K in the morning then go out and play a game of football afterward.  It seems a bit much even though I know he could do it. 

Okay, I will end this even though I could continue on and on!  I keep thinking of things to say as I am driving down the road, watching tv or cooking!  I will save some thoughts for future postings though.

I knew that I didn’t want to do a class since it has been so long since my last workout.  I decided to just walk/jog on the treadmill. 

I put on the 5K loop and started walking.  I walked half the 5K and started to jog.  I still have the stupid plantar wart on the bottom of my foot and it was really painful to jog but I pushed myself to do it.

I am paying for that today as it is really painful. 

After the treadmill, I went to the weightroom and did some weight work.  Nothing too hard since I need to start off slow. 

I found that I am not in as bad of shape as I thought.  I guess because I have been running around the yard with the kids, moving things around (at home weight training…ha!) and just overall staying active. 

I weighed myself and I have to say that I was surprised by the number.  139lbs.  I expected to see at least 142lbs.  I wouldn’t even be upset by that number!  So I would love to lose ten pounds and really tone up…that is more of my focus than the numbers.  My number can be higher or lower but if I am not toned, I look horrible!  My stomach and arms really need to tighten up big time. 

Weight training and running should help out along with yoga and pilates!

I’m on my way back to where I was a year ago!

Lincoln turned three last week and in my mind, he would have been potty trained already.  He would have been so easy to “train” and would have been in cute big boy undies everyday and at night. 

I have had several people look at me funny when I say he is three and not potty trained…then go on to tell me that their child was fully potty trained at 18 months.  It seriously isn’t a competition, folks!

My vision isn’t reality though.  I have a very stubborn, independent child.  I’m not saying that that is a bad thing.  He is just his own person and the type of child that makes decisions when he wants.  I don’t always allow him that freedom, obviously, or we’d always be barefoot, covered in dirt!

When it comes to potty training, I have found that you really have to wait for the right timing.  The kid has to be ready.  For some, that time is very early on and for some, very late.  I don’t think that Lincoln is really late but I’d like to get this moving along!

He has an interest and knows what to do, it is just getting him to do it.  Some use bribery….I tried stickers, candy, etc. None of it worked. 

I think another problem that has delayed the entire process was the fact that I was working and with a few different people watching the kids, there was no consistency in getting him to go on the potty. 

Now that I am not working and home full time, I can provide that consistency for him. 

I took him to the store and allowed him to pick out his own big boy undies for today…now dubbed “Potty Day!”  He chose a big 7 pair pack of SuperHero Squad undies and was so excited to wear them and try this big adventure in potty world!

He wore his undies to bed over top of his diaper last night.  This morning I took off his diaper and he went on the potty! 

We are off to a good start for the day but it is Friday the 13th so I am expecting anything!

I don’t know how the parents feel about it but I know that on this end of it, we are going to decline any future arrangements. 

The mom and kids showed up and the kids sat down and took off their socks and shoes while the mom put down a small backpack and told me that their phone numbers were in the front pocket and a change of clothes for the girl were in the big pocket.

She said bye to the kids and left.  That’s it?!  If it were me, I’d stay a little longer to make sure the kids were okay. 

I went outside with her so she could give me a carseat for me to use for her son.  When I got back inside (literally two minutes later, if that) they had woken up my boys and had toys on the floor.  Whew, they were quick! 

The boy just refused to listen to me all day.  He was throwing things, kicking and jumping on the dog, pushing Lincoln and telling me “no!” all day.  If I told him not to do something, he continued to do it.  Finally, I had to put him in a time out and he fell asleep.  The girl was sweet, didn’t talk much or do much but fall.  I am telling you either she is very clumsy or she has bad balance.  She fell so many times, not really hurting herself but it was strange.  I wonder if her equilibrium is off a bit.

I know that all these things are a part of being a kid and I understand that, I have three kids of my own.  However, when the bad behavior is directly effecting the way my own child acts and they start to feed off of each other, it is more than I am willing to put up with.  When they fell asleep, Lincoln was back to being himself, he played quietly and was fine.  When they woke up, Lincoln was back to acting up and carrying on with  them. 

I just don’t see myself enjoying the experience of having the kids here.  If I am watching kids, I want to enjoy them, I want to have fun.  I know that with every child, there are bad days.  However, I don’t want to commit to this family and find out two weeks from now that this wasn’t just a bad day and I can’t stand to do it anymore. It isn’t fair to myself or to that family and those kids.  They don’t need to keep being shuffled around. 

So, my search for employment continues.  I have a few things I am debating on doing.  I may have to talk to a fellow aspiring-to-stay-home mom.

We just always felt more comfortable having the kids with people they love and feel more comfortable with.  It was our choice to make. Lincoln loved the daycare so I felt he was fine there.  He may go back from time to time this school year for drop-in care if needed. 

When I posted an ad on Craigslist for my babysitting services (a way for me to make some money while unemployed) I got a response from a mom that lives right down the road. 

We had emailed back and forth on several occasions.  It seemed like she was going to go ahead and have me watch her kids.  They are 4 and 2. 

I met with her on Sunday.  She stopped over with her little girl.  We didn’t go in the house, we didn’t walk around our huge yard.  We stood in the driveway talking and after five minutes she told me that she would love to do a one day trial run with me.  She asked if I was available this Tuesday.  Today. 

I said it was fine, I would be home and available.  

Personally, I thought maybe it was a little rushed because she really doesn’t know me well.

It’s not that I’m not trustworthy because I am, I know how hard it is to find a  sitter and find someone that you can trust with your most precious possession, your child.

However, before she left she said something that made me feel just so bad and it has stuck in my mind ever since.  She said, “my kids adjust pretty well to new places, they’ve been to so many different babysitters since, well, forever.” They are 4 and 2!  I feel so bad for the kids that are shuffled around from place to place.  I know that we are all in this adventure called parenting and there are a lot of different scenerios in this world but ugh.  

So, then I realized that Chuckie is in football camp this week and I need to drop him off and pick him up.  I didn’t know how they would feel about me driving their kids around with me on the first day of watching them.  I know if it were me, I would be very uncomfortable with it.

I emailed her and explained about the drop off and pick up and told her that if she wasn’t fine with me driving her kids, we could reschedule the trial run.  She emailed me back and said, “I’m fine with it, do you have enough booster seats?”

I don’t know.  I don’t want to judge, I really don’t.  I guess it’s just not what I would feel comfortable with but I am sort of flattered that she trusts me enough for this. 

I hope that today goes well, it may rain but I am hoping to get the kids outside to play some baseball, take a walk, run around and possibly do a picnic lunch outside.