Time for a revolution!

Why isn't there rioting in the street? Have you people SEEN how expensive gas is?

Yesterday I put gas in our new Town & Country for the first time. 22 gallon tank, multiplied by regular unleaded at $2.34/gallon (Costco price no less) equals WAAAY too much dough! I know it wasn't this bad last week when I filled up the 10-gallon tank of our Nissan Altima, and it was even less the last time I filled up our Mazda protege... at least I don't think so...

This is crazy! $50 to fill up my car with gas? Somebody DO something about this! Can't we drill for oil in Alaska? (Oh, don't whine, Alaskans. It could be worse. The government could be getting ready to store nuclear waste in your state instead.) Can't those Saudis pump out some more crude oil?

But what great timing. Isn't' this what July 4th weekend is all about? My right to drive a gas-guzzling car without breaking the bank?

You know you're a Mommy when...

Bitty Man's new wheels -- Chrysler Town & Country Touring. Or, in Bitty's words, "THE COOL CAR!"

What will it take to get you into this car today?

We are in the process of buying a minivan. And as everyone who has ever purchased a car from a dealership knows, this process ranks right up there with root canals and mammograms on the 'fun' scale.

We test drove a pre-owned 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan last night. (Tag team test drove actually. First Mama took it out for a spin then Daddy since the van wasn't equipped with a Bitty seat.) Decent car (and highly ranked by Consumer Reports) but it wasn't the trim line we wanted so we were only interested if we got a great deal. (Never fall in love with a car or you're putty in the salesperson's hands.)

For 45 minutes we played the pricing game. ("What will it take to get you into this car today?") The entire time, Bitty sat patiently in his seat, eating his raisins and listening to the back and forth volley between Mama, Daddy, and various levels of salesmen.

In the end we didn't buy the car, but were impressed with the dealership and their sales staff. And even more impressed with how well our son behaved. Little did I know he was soaking up knowledge...

This morning, as I was trying to get Bitty ready to go to Costco, the following conversation ensued:

Mama: "C'mon, Bitty. Let's get your shoes on and go to Costco."
Bitty: "No... playing with cars. No Costco. Want to stay here."
Mama: "How about you pick one car out and you can bring it to Costco?"
Bitty: "Bring 5 cars?"
Mama: "No, you can't carry 5 cars. Let's just bring one so we don't loose any of your cars."
Bitty pauses then exclaims: "How 'bout bring 2 cars, and Bitty no screaming tan-trum?"
Mama: "SOLD! One Bitty in the car to Costco for 2 Matchbox cars with no temper-tantrum!"

Next time we're at a dealership, we're letting Bitty do the negotiating for us.

LOOK WHAT I GOT YOU FOR FATHER'S DAY, DADDY! A WHOLE CONTAINER OF SUGAR FROM IHOP!!! 

They Say It's My Birthday

Bitty Man has been singing 'Happy Birthday to You' all morning long. I'm not sure he completely understands that it's Mamma's birthday and not his, since he keeps asking for his presents.

But when I asked him what he got Mama for my birthday, he paused then started bringing me items from around the house. So far I've received:

• An alarm clock
• A decorative pillow
• A CD
• A blanket and
• A sippy cup

Oh, and he said he got me a car. (Too bad it's the one already sitting in the garage -- Mama has her heart set on that 2005 Odyssey!)

Bitty and Uncle Tony, who is in town for a convention. Bitty LOOOVES Uncle Tony and can't wait to see him again soon! 

By Jove, I Think He's Got It!

Conversation between Bitty and I, after watching some teenage boys ride by on their bicycles:

Bitty: "Big boys have big bikes!"
Mama: "Yes, and soon you'll be a big boy and have a bike too."
Bitty: "Bike like Ryan!" (Ryan is his little friend who has a tricycle Bitty likes to ride.)
Mama: "Oh, yeah. I guess you are big enough for a tricycle like Ryan's. Maybe you'll get a tricycle soon."
Bitty: "Grandma get present? Call Grandma get bike present?"
Mama (laughing hysterically): "YEAH! CALL GRANDMA! ASK FOR BIKE PRESENT!"
Bitty: "Ask nice. Say please Grandma."

How smart is this kid?!? Grandma, guess what's on your shopping list next time you're in town!

Because Mama is seldom IN the picture! 

Bitty meets a Klingon at the Star Trek Experience. 

Happy Memorial Day, Bitty Fans!

Bitty in a Basket

Daddy has to work this Memorial Day but we'll be grilling turkey burgers and playing in the pool once Daddy fights through the holiday traffic and gets home. Bitty hopes everyone had a fun and SAFE holiday weekend!

Excuses, Excuses

Sorry, Bitty Man fans. Not doing a bang-up job keeping my blog up-to-date. Been a busy week. Bitty had his well-baby check which went very well. All systems a go. Except he got a Hep A vaccination then had a reaction to it 3 days later. So we spent the weekend trying to bring down a high fever. Hours after the fever finally broke, we discovered 2-year molars are coming in, which are also no fun for Bitty. Add in temperatures over 100F and you've got a tired, cranky family.

Oh, and Daddy has been working 15 hour days the past 2 weeks between sessions in the studio mixing the band's new CD, his daytime gig and an evening gig.

At least our community pool will FINALLY be open on Friday. I see a lot of lazy days at the pool ahead of us.

Too Darn Hot!

100F today so we spent the day at a nearby park that has a water feature. Thankfully our pool opens tomorrow!

A Message from Bitty Man

Thank you, everyone, for making my 2nd birthday so special!

Birthday Wrap-up

My livingroom looks like a Toys R Us clearance aisle. My fridge is sagging under the weight of leftover Chuck E Cheese pizza and Hot Wheels cake. But Bitty had a wonderful birthday weekend, thanks to all of his family and friends who made it so special.

I've been asked to post more birthday pics, but I don't have many to post. I do have 2 hours worth of video if you're in the neighborhood. Just call before you arrive -- I'll have to clear a path in the toys from the front door to the livingroom couch.

BIRTHDAY PRESENT AWARDS:
Funniest Present: DARTH TATER (Mr. Potato head turns to the Dark Side.)
Best Educational Present: LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set (Christopher has mastered all 26 letters in the past 2 days.)
Loudest Present: TIE - 'Elmo Loves You' doll and Musical Drum Set (Both from Grandma and Grandpa I... who are obviously exacting their revenge for my childhood indiscretions!)
Best Present: All the clothes, books, and contributions to Bitty's college fund. (Well, at least the best presents in Mama's opinion. Bitty would beg to differ.)

Birthday celebration part two -- Chuck E Cheese, Bitty and Daddy. 

Birthday Bitty Man and his Hot Wheels cake. 

Spoiled? Nah...

For the record, the only gift from Mommy and Daddy is the Hot Wheels case. (Tickets to Wiggles LIVE was his main present.) The rest of the loot is from Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Godparents and friends.

They say it's your birthday...

Happy Birthday, Bitty Man! I can't believe 'Baby Cheese' is two years old today.

I wish I had the energy to post a tender, heartfelt letter to my sweet angel. But it seems only fitting that this time two years ago I was in pain with your contractions and tonight I'm in pain with what I assume is one whopper of a sinus infection brought on by allergies. So in my Benadryl fog I'll just wish you another year of excellent health and a promise that I am always striving to be the best Mama I can be.

(Yeah, yeah, you can finally open all your PRESENTS too!)

I love you, Bitty.

Bragging Post

(Not like I don't do enough bragging already -- but if you're reading this, I can only assume you don't mind the bragging... or you accidentally surfed upon this site when you Googled 'Shark Reef' and won't be staying long anyway.)

AT 24 MONTHS, BITTY CAN:

• Count to 15
• Sing the entire alphabet song (OK, so he sings, 'H, I, J, K, L, doh-doh-doh, P' but he's got the rest including the 'Now I know my A, B, C's' part.)
• Correctly identify the colors blue, red, purple, brown, black, white, green, yellow, orange and as of today, silver
• Make the sign of the cross and say the Hail Mary (give or take a phrase or two)
• Turn on the TV/VCR, open a tape case (Nemo is his current favorite), put the tape in the VCR and push PLAY
• Repeat EVERYTHING you say -- even when you don't think he's listening
• Point his fingers and do the twist, along with various other Wiggles, Blues Clues and Backyardigans choreography
• Name every animal in his Big Book of Animals and remind you if you accidentally skip a page
• Identify the following instruments: piano, drums, saxophone, trumpet, guitar and violin -- and mimic playing each one

AT 24 MONTHS, MAMA CAN:

• Fit into her pre-pregnancy jeans
• Make (and sell) a Mother's bracelet
• Sing the entire Wiggles soundtrack
• Program Tivo
• Fix a delicious batch of crock-pot chili
• Earn $1000/year selling on eBay
• Create and moderate a Mommy message board
• Nurse while walking
• Proudly admit to co-sleeping for 18 months
• Watch a Hallmark commercial without crying
• When asked, "What do you do?" reply, "I'm a stay-at-home Mom" without qualifying my answer with, "But I used to... "

I'll add more as they come to me.

Favorite Links

Bitty is STILL napping (7:05pm) so I had time to figure out how to include some of my favorite links in the sidebar. Gold star for Mama's HTML skills!

(Yeah, I know a lot of toddlers are going to bed at 7:05pm. Bitty goes to bed around 11pm... but sleeps until 11am. Works for us.)