Ittyboy meets McDonald's french fries with sweet 'n sour sauce:
(Yeah, yeah, Ittyboy is eating fast food. So? He could say 'Alleluia' at 12 months. Could your one-year-old say that? Yeah, that's what I thought! Judge not, people!)
And two pictures taken by Mom:
Tracy posts some excellent minute mediations each week. (One minute being about all I can concentrate for during these lazy days of summer.) Some of my favorites:
The Eucharist
The celebration of the Eucharist is not meant to be an hour of entertainment. God is not there to put on a flashy show that will raise the roof, and we’re not there to watch one. The celebration of the Eucharist is an action, one that requires our participation, one that begins and ends out there, beyond the parking lot.
Integrity
Jesus calls us to be men and women of integrity. Speak the truth simply and clearly, whatever the cost to you. Where you are right, say so; where you are wrong, acknowledge it. Jesus is the truth. When you stand and walk and speak in truth, he joins himself to you more closely.
Being Truly Loving:
Being truly loving means doing all those thankless tasks we do for others without complaining about the fact that they are thankless. When we seek recognition for our actions, our action is no longer purely about loving the other person, but about the person knowing what we have done.
Suffering and Hope
In the face of suffering, hardship and defeat, when all seems lost and God seems absent, surrender to God is about continuing to trust and believe that, despite all evidence to the contrary, God is still with us... and raises us up to new life... a life in which the scars of our pain are not erased or denied, but transformed into a sign of hope.
1. What food does your best friend not like?
Dan's not a fan of Chinese food, which really bites (pardon the pun) because it's my favorite.
2. What is your favorite cookbook?
My newest one: Simple & Delicious Cookbook (Thanks, Aunt Sharon!)
3. Are you more of a sushi person or a lamb person?
Neither. Ick on both counts.
4. Given a choice of something fried and salty or something baked and sweet, what would you choose?
Depends on the time of month... gals, you know what I mean!
5. Do you buy whole chickens and boil them and pick the meat off or does that gross you out?
You can buy a whole chicken? Oh, you mean the rotisserie ones, right? Those are tasty...
6. How do you feel about butter, sour cream, cream cheese, and half and half?
Love 'em... in moderation. I'm lactose intolerant.
7. (Skip this question if you are a vegetarian.) If you are a carnivore, would you be willing to hunt or butcher your meat? Or to watch someone do that for you or would you rather not think of it? Or are you grateful for the animal who gave its life to sustain your life?
I can't eat an animal that looks remotely like its original form. For instance when I was in Mexico and had fish served with its head still on, I all but lost my lunch. Peeling shrimp is about as much as I can handle. If I had to hunt and/or butcher I'd end up a vegetarian. Or a carbetarian.
8. What is the most exotic ingredient or spice in your cupboard?
This and this. (But I have been to Grenada, the "spice island." That's exotic, right?)
9. What is your favorite vegetable?
Dinner's still on my tongue so I'm going with corn on the cob.
10. What is your favorite fruit?
Just chowed down on some delicious watermelon... final answer.
I'll tag anyone who wishes to play. Please let me know if you do!
You Passed the US Citizenship Test |
 Congratulations - you got 9 out of 10 correct! |
You Are 89% American |
 You're as American as red meat and shooting ranges. Tough and independent, you think big. You love everything about the US, wrong or right. And anyone who criticizes your home better not do it in front of you! |
What Your Fireworks Say About You |
 You are the type of person who lives a big, bold, and unique life. You love to stand out and be noticed. And people definitely notice you. You are easily excited, and you're quick to move to action. You like to be in motion doing something. Keeping busy makes you feel good. |
Tracy tagged me for the "Four, Four, Four, Four..." meme. I've turned it over to Bittyman (with my remarks):
A) Four places that I go to over and over:
1. McDonald's (Good grief. We don't go THAT often!)
2. Barnes & Noble (A bookstore is educational, right?)
3. Burlington Coat Factory (Throw me a bone, Bitty! How about 'museum' or 'library' or even 'pool'?)
4. The Shrine (Where Mom cantors. See we don't just shop and eat fast food...)
B) Four people who email me regularly:
1. I don't really know... people don't email me.
2.
3.
4.
C) My favorite 4 places to eat:
1. McDonald's (Sigh!)
2. Quizno's
3. Taco Bell
4. Panda Express (OK, I'll plead the 5th here.)
D) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. The arcade.
2. Visiting Miss Wendy and Ryan.
3. Going out for lunch. (Hmmm, let me guess where.)
4. Watching Daddy at work.
F)Four TV shows I watch all the time:
1. Transformers
2. Future Weapons
3. Handy Manny
4. Good Eats
G) Four words that best describe you:
1. Big
2. Tall
3. Strong
4. Builder (He likes building models with Daddy.)
H) Four favorite Hollywood Actors/Actresses:
1. Stormtroopers
2. Indiana Jones and Han Solo (Harrison Ford)
3. Luke Skywalker
4. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee and all the other Transformers!
I) Four favorite television game shows:
1. Deal or No Deal - the Star Wars one!
2. If you go to channel 110 there are a thousand games in the Game Lounge like Bejeweled and it says that you have to use the remote that we have and you can sit down, relax and play the games instead of putting money in the goofy machines and that saves money. (Someone has been watching too many commercials.)
3.
4.
J) Four favorite "old school" television shows:
1. I've never seen one.
2.
3.
4.
K) List four things you liked best about Christmas when you were a child:
1. That we give presents. (Seriously, he said that first.)
2. And get presents. (OK, but he did say GIVE first. Does that make up for all the Happy Meals?)
3. I like Santa coming over. He's always nice.
4. Candy Canes.
L) List four things you liked best about Halloween when you were a child:
1. That we get candy.
2. We say "TRICK OR TREAT!"
3. It's fun.
4. And that's about it!
M) List four things you did not like about growing up:
1. It's more closer to saying goodbye to your life and going up to heaven. (Wow.)
2. When I was a baby I don't like it because if I need something I can't tell you what I want because I just cry and my Mom and Dad don't know what I'm saying. (Again, wow.)
3. Um, nothing else!
4.
N) List four events that impacted your life:
1. When my brother was born!
2. When it was my birthday!
3. That's about it I think. Yep.
4.
Feeling the Monday blahs? Consider yourself tagged for the meme!
More thorough than Spring Cleaning is Sick Cleaning.
It's fueled by a Mom's genetic predisposition to disinfect after her home has been invaded by any virus. In this case, the 'Vacation Bible School Stomach Bug' which sadly hit Bittyman while he was having a slumber party at Grandma and Grandpa's last Friday night.
(So, Lord, what's up with that? I send my kid to sing your praises for a week and he ends up praying to the porcelain god all weekend!)
By Monday afternoon Diva Mom was infected and not long after, Ittyboy. (Daddy managed to dodge the invasion.) Nasty little bugger even made it half-way across the country to my friend K's house.
Yesterday every sheet, blanket, towel and throw rug was washed in hot water. Any surface that could have possibly been touched by a germy Hero hand was scoured with Lysol Disinfecting Wipes and/or bleach. (Not sure why I thought the ceiling fan and the decorative items from Pier 1 and my Waterford crystal displayed on top of my kitchen cabinets fell into that category but I was on a roll.) Stuffed animals enjoyed a tumble in the dryer. (Like that kills germs? But they smell cleaner. I don't dare wash loveys after the infamous 'WHITE KITTY WAS DROWNED!' incident of 2006.) Plastic toys all soaked in the sink.
Today everyone is bug-free. (Or just so stir-crazy from 3 days of quarantine that we're faking it so we can hit the pool.) Plus my house is spotless and I've lost 3 pounds - the silver lining to this queasy week.
Today's reflection from Sacred Space:
Children are deprived not because we do not give them things, but because we do not sufficiently value what they give us. We need to be alert to welcome what children have to offer. You remember how Kahlil Gibran wrote about children,
You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
Our children are flying forward into areas we have not charted ourselves. What is asked of us is in Kahlil's last phrase, ‘Even as the Archer loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.' We are expected to be calm, reliable, showing a steady love in our own lives, and to offer our children what Jesus offered: time, love, stability, and a readiness to bless.
I admit, I had no clue who Kahlil Gibran was. But this meditation on children really struck a chord with me so I thought I'd share it with my fellow Moms. A quick Google search and now I'm just soaking up his poems and other works.
So let the well-wishes in the Comment Box ensue! And thanks for all the iTunes and coffee gift cards (see, ask and you shall receive), ecards and facebook wall posts! (If you're on facebook let me know so I can 'friend' you - darn, that site is addictive.)
And since it's my day, pictures of ME! My favorite Diva photo (taken during the Broadway show on the Carnival Fantasy cruise ship, where I met Dan):
And my favorite Mom photo:
How old am I today? Well, let's check with Bittyman, shall we?
"Mom, how old are you now?"
"39"
"THIRTY-NINE?!? Wow! That's almost 90! And 90 is... that's almost a GOOGLE!"
Apparently I'm 1 followed by one hundred zeros old.
Hi. My name is Vicki and I'm a country music fan.
That's very hard to admit. Growing up in Northern Virginia (not to be confused with the rest of the state of Virginia) I was indoctrinated to think country was the music for our southern neighbors... NASCAR fans... dare I type it, white trash. (Bring on the Google search term hits.)
So during college when casting was being completed for the summer shows at King's Dominion theme park, my fear wasn't that I wouldn't get hired. I was terrified I'd get cast in their Country Music Live! production. I would have preferred a part in Yabba Dabba Dino - as the Dino costumed character - to clogging and yodeling madness.
After graduation, when I went into rehearsals for my first cruise ship gig, my greatest fear was thrust into the spotlight. Along with a 50's -themed show and jazz show, my repertoire included an hour-long country music show. Performed four times a week.
Costumed in a white spangled dress with beaded fringe, I belted out hits like The Tennessee Waltz, Put Yourself in My Place and God Bless the U.S.A. And something strange happened.
I discovered I was pretty good at singing country music. My southern accent, which usually only slipped off my tongue after I'd had a few too many wine coolers, came quite naturally while singing. The melodies were catchy and the lyrics inspiring - or downright hilarious.
Still, I didn't consider myself a country music fan. Just a talented singer/actor who embraced whatever genre I was getting paid to perform.
I was forced to face the truth a few weeks ago. With my iPod ear buds trying to drown out the sound of the dentist's drill as he reduced two of my molars to crown anchors, I listened to my 'Recently Purchased' iTunes playlist:
Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats
Carrie Underwood - Last Name
Trace Adkins - You're Gonna Miss This
Brad Paisley - I'm Still A Guy
Martina McBride - Independence Day
Rodney Atkins - Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)
The Charlie Daniels Band - The Devil Went Down to Georgia (Bittyman's current favorite tune.)
And no, I can't claim that these tunes were downloaded as research for an upcoming country music gig.
As a Christian I am called to speak the truth. So I will now publicly proclaim that I'm a country music fan. I covet these and these. One of my radio presets is "Coyote Country'. I love line dancing.
(But please, just don't tell my friends back in NoVA.)
the sound of Bittyman 'reading' The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Ittyboy in the next room.
(And by 'reading' I mean reciting from memory the entire book.)
How the heck did it get to be June? But since June is busting out all over (sorry for the earworm), just a not-so-subtle reminder that my birthday is TWO WEEKS FROM TOMORROW! Please feel free to use the PayPal donation button and contribute to my coffee fund - which is going to be depleted much quicker now that a Dunkin' Donuts with a drive-thru window is opening one mile from our house. Or click on one of my Wish List items from Amazon. iTunes gift cards work too. (Shameless, aren't I?)
For the past two weeks Dan has taught his morning private piano students, performed his regular daytime gig then immediately went to a nighttime lounge gig that got him home around 3am. Which will explain why blogging has been light of late. I've basically been a single parent while Dan went above and beyond to bring home the bacon.
Bittyman has a fun summer ahead of him. Vacation Bible School for a week in June, Space Daycamp for a week in July and swim lessons for 2 weeks in August. Just enough to keep him occupied (and give Mom a few breaks) but not so over-scheduled that we're spending all summer in the car.
Ittyboy is now a champion walker and is sporting two teeth on the bottom and four slivers of white on the top. He has also added the word 'Alleluia' to his vocabulary. Yep. The kid sings along to the Alleluia chorus. If I can ever get it on video he'll have college paid for from the 'America's Funniest Home Video' winnings.
Let me give a HUGE plug for Crossroads - a peaceful, prayerful organization dedicated helping bring about a Culture of Life in our country. These pro-life young men and women are walking across the country, from the West Coast to Washington, DC, over the summer. Several members spoke at the parishes in our diocese this past weekend and I was just amazed at their courage and strength of conviction.
Also, my friend Jen at Cead Mile Failte, entered a photo she took in the 'The Kid in You' photo contest at 5 Minutes for Mom. Do me a favor and surf over and vote for her so she can win a Wii!
The boys are tucked in for the night so it's time to join Dan for the season finale of LOST. (What did we do before Tivo?)
What Your Fridge Says About You |
 You like to be surrounded by things you love. You aren't exactly greedy, but you can be materialistic at times. You are a very thrifty person. You don't like to waste money... or food. You don't tend to be a very adventurous person, but you do surprise everyone now and then. You have a bit of a wild side. You are responsible, together, and mature. You act like an adult, even when you don't feel like it. You are likely to be married - and very busy. |
Your Ice Cream Personality: |
 You like to think of yourself as a fairly modest person. And it's true that you don't talk yourself up... but you're also pretty happy with who you are. You are incredibly cautious. You rather miss out on something than make a mistake. No one would ever call you wild... but they would call you responsible. You are a somewhat open minded person, but deep down you're fairly conservative. You don't like trying new things very much. And if you do find something new you like, you stick with it. You tend to have a one track mind. You prefer not to multitask. You can be a bit dramatic and over the top sometimes. You are bold in every way |
Tom at Science, Religion, and Miscellaneous Babble asks, "What songs remind you of summer?"
The answers are in my Playlist, in honor of the unofficial start of summer.
"Mom, were you born in 2008?"
"No, I was born in 1969... why?"
"Wow...is that the old days? Like when you had to wash clothes on rocks or something?"
Guess who is 'graduating' from preschool today:
Guess who will be wearing waterproof mascara today.
UPDATE
Pictures from before the ceremony:
I tagged myself for this meme posted by Tom at Science, Religion, and Miscellaneous Babble. 'Cause it looked more fun than putting away 3 loads of laundry which is what I should be doing.
The Questions (and my responses):
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Seriously? 10 years ago? Ittyboy is still nursing at night. Cut me some meme slack.
I vaguely remember being fairly newlywed, living in this same city (but on the other side of town) in an apartment... working as a Princess (don't ask), doing local commercials and spokesmodeling at conventions... heady stuff.
Name 5 things on your to-do list today:
Ittyboy's Baptism ~ May 6, 2007
I can hardly believe the itty baby in Fr. Phil's arms is our Ittyboy. Heck, Bittyman looks so, well, bitty too!
Fr. Phil often reminds Dan and me that life is a journey - and the journey is a gift from Him. But for me, the journey is racing by too quickly. Bittyman turns five a week from today and my newborn is already one. I wish I could apply the brakes but since stopping is not on the itinerary, I'm trying to embrace every minute of the journey. (Including all the exhausting, frustrating and stressful potholes that are part of the road!)
And speaking of journeys, last night we were all in the living room helping Ittyboy practice 'walkie-walkies'. Dan and I sat a few feet apart and tried to coax Itty to walk between us. Our little Hero would take a step or two then fall. Over and over again.
Well Bittyman wanted in on the action so he commanded, "Itty, come walkie-walkie to me!"
Ittyboy turned towards his big brother, who was standing on the other side of the room, and gleefully took off towards him - 9 steps - only falling when the screams of excitement coming from the rest of us overwhelmed him. But Itty immediately sat up, clapped for himself, then reached out for Bitty's hands.
I was instantly reminded of one of my favorite quotes from Pope John Paul II: "The greatest gift you can give your child is another sibling." What a gift these two have in each other and it's already so apparent!
(I'll be sure to remind them of this Hallmark moment when, in a few years, they are inevitably beating the crud outta each other!)
Bittyman has a 'super silver spacer' in place of his 'super silver tooth' (which is now enshrined in an orange plastic case). To reward our young Hero for his bravery, Daddy took him to kmart to pick out a toy of his choice. The winner:
(You know you're old when the toys you played with as a child are now considered 'retro' and 'classic'.)
Even Ittyboy got in on the action:
Place your bets. When do you think Ittyboy will be walking? As of this weekend his favorite pastime is standing on his own. Last night I snapped this shot:
Moments later he took 2 steps on his own, his longest solo journey to date. But Itty is also suffering through tooth issues, with 3 more little white chicklets about to pop through. On my to-do list today is a trip to Walgreens for more infant Motrin. The littlest hero is miserable. (Unless he's standing on his own, then he's beaming with pride!)
Busy week ahead. It's Bitty's final week of preschool with 'graduation' on Friday, cap & gown and all. It's also Dan's final week in the lounge at the hotel where his band performs full-time. After a week hiatus (fancy word for unpaid time off) they will reopen in the hotel's newly remodeled showroom on Monday May 19 at noon. For those of you local, try and stop by to show your support. It was stressful for a few weeks as we waited to learn if the band would receive another contract since their lounge is being turned into a T.G.I.Friday's. But with more than 10 years tenure, the band indeed will play on.
And of course, Sunday is Mother's Day. Dan braved the mall with the Heroes last Saturday. I'm sure that was entertaining but they all returned safe and sound, if slightly jacked up on too many Mrs. Field's cookies. So after I've cantored two Masses I'll be looking forward to... whatever they have planned! As long as it doesn't require me to cook and includes something chocolate-covered I'll love whatever the day brings. I'll be spending it with my three favorite men.
Dads, it's two weeks and counting. Here's a guide to what every Mom wants: Gentlemen... Start Your Brains
(And if you've got the coin to throw in this you'd really make Mom happy!)
For the past few days Bittyman has been complaining that his 'super silver tooth' (crown) has been hurting. So Daddy took him to the dentist this morning.
Daddy just called. The tooth needs to be pulled. Decay got underneath the crown so there's nothing left of the tooth to save. It will be done at 11am PST.
Bittyman already drank some 'happy juice' and is slowing down. 'Mr. Nose' will provide a dose of laughing gas before he receives the novocaine.
Daddy relayed that Bittyman is THRILLED that he gets to keep the 'super silver tooth' and was happily playing with the dentist's video games.
Perfect. Diva Mom went to the dentist yesterday and learned she needs 3, count 'em, 3 crowns.
Thank you, President Bush. With our tax rebate we will be doing our part to stimulate the DNP - Dental National Product.
UPDATE
Bitty is on his way home, holding his 'super silver tooth'. The dentist said Bitty was the best patient he's had all month. The kid is such a trooper. As I talked to Dan I could hear Bitty in the background, numb mouth and all, negotiating for how many Transformers TV shows he gets to watch today and what kind of ice cream he wants to pick up at Walgreens (along with the Motrin he's gonna need for the pain once the novocaine and laughing gas wears off).
So we'll be chillin' at home today, enjoying blue jello, chocolate pudding, mint chocolate-chip ice cream and Transformers... and Cars... and Star Wars...
I have a great video of Itty eating his cake but YouTube is dragging tonight, just like Diva Mom who needs to go to bed. Look for the video and pictures around nap-time.
Edited to add:
Darn YouTube isn't letting me upload the other video. No idea why. Silly thing just keeps spinning it's wheels. So here are some pictures in the meantime:
At one year, Itty:
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