Round 2: FIGHT!

No. This is not a blog about Alex and Abby's constant need to box when they steal each others toys. This is a joyous blog about Josh's work life. No. Wait a minute. Let me rephrase that. This a blog about Josh's LACK of work life. I didn't really blog about this the first time it happened, but seeing as it is starting to look like a regular occurrence in our lives, I might as well write it down in blogger history. Josh was laid off from his job..again. Exactly how many times can a person get laid off in a year before it enters the ridiculous category? Oh well. He got his pink slip from his first job of three years when they started having a lack of work due to economic woes. This was in September. He's a part of the union so they put him on the 'bench' and said they'd call him when they found him a new job. We prepared for the long black tunnel of joblessness, fully expecting him to be stuck at home until the union found him a job three weeks later. To our immense joy, he was only out of work for three days when they called and found him his next ex-job (that is what I am going to call all of his future job hirings from now on. It has a nice ring, don't you think?) So this new job has numerous employees and ended up coming with a mass influx of overtime. So we thought to ourselves "Woo-hoo! A permanent job!" Ah, but alas...we were wrong. Of course, it didn't make sense to me. This job came with a strange ironic twist. He was working at the building of the place he first got laid off from. Odd. But they kept him very busy. He came home every night very dirty and tired. There was one point at which he worked nearly 20 hours straight.

*sigh*

So last week, he went to work. Just like he always did. On Wednesday, they offered him 8 hours of overtime for Saturday. On Friday, they gave him his bright shiny pink slip. The reason? Lack of work due to economic woes. So I said, "What?!?" I mean, seriously folks...how can a job offer you eight hours of overtime and then drop you for lack of work? Apparently the overtime fell through and they kicked poor Josh to the curb...again. I feel bad for the poor guy. He is in that infamous place. You know the one...between a rock and hard place. He's not permitted to look for a job in his field (HVAC-heating and A/C) that is non-union or he'd suffer the consequences of losing his schooling that the union so graciously has paid for. (three years of school down the drain would not be good) They would also make us pay for all of the benefits he has accumulated including tuition and insurance. We would also lose our insurance. He's not even allowed to look for a job that is with the union because the union doesn't stand for it. They figure it is their job to find him a job and he just has to wait it out until they do. But if he finds another job not related to his field, then he wouldn't get to continue school either. He has to work in the field to get the hours required to continue school. I suppose that's what you get when you sign your life away to a union. Ugh...what a mess.

So here we are...back where we started. He's only been with this past ex-job for about 1 1/2 months. So I think I might have to add a 'How Many Times Josh Has Been Laid Off Counter"on my side bar. I have a feeling the numbers will keep going up. Until then, I say...let the days of unemployment start...again. Round 2: FIGHT!

Naturally

It's happened. The dreaded day that I was hoping wouldn't rear its ugly head for at least six more months, is upon us too soon. This morning, Abby decided that she would climb out of her crib. And to this I said, "WHAT?!?" Why do I seem so annoyed by this? Well...because she is only 18 months old!! Greaaaat. Honestly, I'm not surprised at all. This was about the time that Mr. Alex decided to do the same thing. I suppose I should just be thankful that she didn't attempt to do this two months ago. The part that annoys me so much, is the fact that I just recently got my nights back. Once I disposed of our nightly rocking chair episodes, and finally got both of the wee ones to sleep without my assistance, I got one to two extra hours every night where all I had to do was enjoy some personal time. I must say that I've been quite productive with those two hours. It's been lovely. Now I fear that she will merely do what her big brother did and climb out every time she gets the chance. I am just waiting for the tell-tale sounds of bare feet pitter pattering across the bathroom floor soon after saying good night. For now, I'm going to try and stretch the fading crib days out for another month. (though I seriously doubt it will last that long). I am going to place another crib mattress on the floor for safety reasons now. I don't want that late night run to the ER with a broken arm, if ya know what I mean. But my mom was nice enough to store Alex's old toddler bed until the day when we would need it again. She brought it back over as my 'just in case' back up. I have a feeling that we will soon be a non-crib family. Huh...for some reason I expected there to be a crib in the house for much longer. Strange to think it will forever go into storage after this. They really are babies for such a short time. I think I might miss it.

Phlog V: 3.0

It's Phlog time! I have some fun/cute pictures that I've wanted to put on the blog, but have yet to have a good blog subject to put them in. So I've decided to share them via phlog. I'm even slappin' a video on here for a good giggle.

Why is it that mom and dad's bed is so much more fun than their own?

Fun with bandannas.

Peekaboo kitty Logan.

Josh and the kids. Ever since baby Greta was born, the kids want to carry around their baby dolls in blankets.

Welcome home mantis! We'd like to think that the mass influx of adult praying mantids in our back yard are the grown up versions of the ones we saved back in June. We have seen quite a few in our back yard. This one was missing one of his praying legs. Poor little guy.

A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!

My little man...too cute!

How To Burn Toddler Energy 101:

The Great Peanut Challenge Approaches

Three years ago, I would have banked on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches being a staple lunch in my house with kids. But after Alex developed his milk allergy, the allergist told me to avoid nuts in all forms until he was three. Actually, I could more accurately word that. She horrified me into believing that Alex getting peanuts, nuts, eggs, shellfish and milk would be a potentially deadly choice on my part until he turned at least three years old. He originally tested "positive" to eggs as well as the positive to milk. Please keep in mind that in the world of allergy testing, there are many false positives and inaccurate readings. Especially on the skin of an already sensitive skinned 6 month old. The egg allergy turned out to be a false positive. But we avoided it, nonetheless, until he was almost 18 months old. The nuts/peanuts were always a negative, but as a precaution for food allergic kids, we had to refrain. I was released by the doctor to try peanuts at the age of 2 1/2, but after seeing what a serious reaction to milk was like, I was too terrified to try it. I didn't want to spend my day/weekend in the ER. So I waited...and waited...and waited. And now, lo and behold...I have a three year old. At Alex and Abby's most recent well kid check up, the doc said it was time to give it a go. He told me to introduce both of them at the same time. With Abby having a zero allergy history, it would also be safe(r) for her.

So here I am...counting down the days until my great peanut challenge. I really don't enjoy the idea of being home by myself with two kids eating peanuts for the first time. One kid having a deadly reaction to milk was a disaster in itself. I can't fathom how scary it could be having two kids and dealing with that situation. Okay...so the likelihood of them having an allergy to peanuts is low just judging from the testing history (knock on wood), but still, I'd be more comfortable with Josh here. Two kids. Two adults. Better odds, ya know? Am I nervous? Unbelievably so! Will I chicken out once again and continue with soy-butter as a sandwich alternative? Chances seem to lean more towards that direction. But I hope I can get brave and just go for it. The first test will be a little peanut butter on the lip. One hour later, they will get their first taste of glorious peanut butter in the form of a pea-sized amount. Day two will be a teaspoon...day three a tablespoon...etc. I can feel my anxiety for the impending test building. "But Jessica," you ask, "don't you think you're overreacting just a tad?" Hmmm...yes. I'm sure I'm overreacting in a way. But after seeing your child slowly slipping away in his carseat as you are driving 90 MPH down the road trying to get to the nearest phone before he dies, can sorta put you on high alert for future food allergies. Ugh...wish me luck. Let the countdown to Saturday begin.

Alex's 3rd Birthday Bash!

Hmm...According to my hit counter on the bottom of this page, Quite a few people have been checking my blog today. I'd venture to guess that everyone is eagerly awaiting the birthday blog and the many pictures it has to offer. So without further ado, I give you the birthday blog.

Alex is officially three years old. Wow! Where the heck does time go? I can't believe I have a three year old already. The one thing that has made me realize that my baby is no longer my 'baby' boy is one of the presents he got. Ol' ma and pa decided it was time for him to branch out of the riding toy phase and give his pedaling days a try. So we coughed up the cash and got him his first bike. And boy howdy, does that kid love his bike. It's his new form of transportation to the post office and he is mastering that skill quite quickly. I suspect he will be trying new forms of dare devil tricks before I can say 'emergency room'. Here is is trying out his new wheels.

The party was a success, but it also made me realize that I am sooo finished with the full decked out parties. My stress level goes into the red zone and I spend two days recovering from the craziness. From now on, I'll be trading the invitations and birthday feast for phone calls and birthday cake. But, nonetheless, it was fun. We didn't have many people from my side of the gene pool show up, but nearly all of Josh's family came in from out of town. We enjoyed a nice lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixins and some fabulous birthday cupcakes and soy ice cream. The cupcakes were a hit...even with the fickle adults! We only had three left out of 24! I made an actual cake out of the left over batter for good measure though.





Alex made out like a bandit. Funny thing though. We started the group of kids out in the middle of this living room. But by the time the last presents were opened, they some how herded each other into the farthest corner of the room, behind the couch. No idea how that happened, but it was entertaining attempting to get pictures of it.

This is how Abby started out the party. She pretty much had this look on her face until the party guests faded into the wallpaper. She put on a good face for cake though, so that was nice. She's definitely her mama's girl. Always willing to smile for chocolate or sugar.

When the majority of the guests left for home, we spent the afternoon over at my parents house. My super awesome brother-in-law, drove 3 1/2 hours to bring his three girls to the party. Thanks Ben! You're awesome! And the girls were dead set on riding horses before they left. Alex was pretty excited to show off his cowboy genes (yes...I meant to spell it like that). He has a bit of his mama in him after all. Naturally, I forgot my camera for the horse rides, but my mother-in-law took some photos I hope to get copies of. It was a lot of fun. I'm so glad we have horses for this kind of thing.

The end of the day came and it was time to say goodbye to Josh's remaining family. Before they left, Alex got some good quality reading time in with Grandpa and some good play time with his cousins. It was overall, a wonderful day. The worst part, of course, was the dreaded cleanup. But that too came to an end. (Though I really think I could use a dishwasher in my future. Never had one of those glorious inventions...I hear they are nice.) Alex spent the evening playing with his new goodies and Abby (who, by the way, went the entire day w/o a nap...but was, oddly, in an exceptionally good mood for it) spent the evening being a little monkey and played with the remnants of the party cups and plates.

Thanks to everyone for the cards, cash, presents, and for coming to the party. It was so much fun and Alex thanks you as well for all the goodies.

Defining Pathetic

I shall now define the term 'Pathetic' for you.

Pathetic: Pathetic is when you send a message from Optimus Prime to your own cell phone so that you can feel like you are being called by an Autobot. Due to the fact that you are an obsessive movie fan who now loves Transformers, you spend the one minute phone call smiling and wonder if you should send it again so you can save it to your inbox. You then realize that you could also have a phone call from the Decepticon, Starscream, but feel as a fan that you can't betray the side of the Autobots that you have chosen to be loyal to. Pathetic? *sigh* I fear so.

But for the record, I also sent the message to a couple of my brothers and my dad. Wait a minute. Does that make it less or more pathetic?

Eh...who cares. Long live pathetic geeks!

AUTOBOTS RULE!!

My Education...Hard at Work.

Back in 2001, I graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in graphic design and illustration. I look back on my four and half years in college and remember learning a plethora of art based knowledge. A good chunk of that knowledge is useless now, due to the ever increasing numbers of computer programs and the outdated material that now plagues the back burners of my mind. Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm glad to have went to school (though at times I feel like it was a waste), and I am grateful that I got a good 4+ years of first hand experience utilizing my knowledge as a T-shirt designer after my graduation. Actually, I believe I learned more at my past job than I did in college itself.

But those days of using my vast knowledge of grahpic design and illustration is naught but a memory. I can still design and draw with the best of them, but I chose to give the work force up in exchange for becoming a stay-at-home mom. I'm happy to have the chance to do one of the most important jobs anyone can be responsible for. But then I realize that I have all of this bottled up artistic energy that I can't seem to find an outlet for. So where does my energy go? Hmmm...what to do...what to do...

Ah ha! Yes. It's perfect! I've found a way...

Construction paper spiders!

Yes...you read that right. I had the kids make spiders out of construction paper. I did the cutting (and the gluing for Abby). But Alex did his own gluing and they both decorated them with markers and crayons.

We hung them in their bedroom. But the creativity doesn't stop with spiders. Oh no...it gets better. The spiders are now joined by Frankensteins, Jack-o-lanterns, and soon to be ghosts and witches.

Eh...so it's not a top-notch t-shirt design or a fancy new logo. But the kids like it and they are proud to see them dangling from the ceiling in all their glory. I figure that I will change it up per season. Turkeys for Thanksgiving and Santa's and angels for Christmas. Yes folks. That's my education. Hard at work.