First Fall Cache

Our first fall in New England, so excited! To celebrate the changing of the seasons, we did a quick cache. We were planning on leaving the SBTB behind, so we took pictures of SB so that other cachers could enjoy his trip.



Hike with us...
Ducks will be flying south to warmer weathers soon.

A well traveled path.

Look, it's officially fall!

I tried to capture some of the rapidly falling leaves, but slinging a baby, walking and a dog and shooting pictures proves to be quite a task. Besides, the camera was dying and I wanted to save it for the finale.

Alas, we find the cache!


I think Sponge Bob needs to go on a diet!

We couldn't leave him behind so we left a bracelet. Wonder who will pick it up?

Niko had fun. We let him off the leash for a bit and watched as he ran in circles. We were actually trying to teach him the command "come." So much for that. At least he does come (towards you then runs past you). I hope he learns soon!
Niko is looking much better then when he first came home to us.

Love Cakes

For our anniversary, I decided to make a vegan version of Ding-Dongs
Cake
1/2 c cocoa powder
1/2 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 vegetable oil
1 1/4 sugar
1 t vanilla

Combine cocoa powder, salt, soda, powder and flour together. In a larger bowl combine sugar, vegetable oil and vanilla. In shifts, add dry to wet. Pour in cupcake containers and bake for 350 for 40 to 45 minutes. I didn't use cupcake wrappers.

Cream filling
1/2 c molasses
1/4 maple syrup
1 c powdered sugar
3 T oil
3 T margarine
blend until fluffy. Put in icing bag and put cap on (I used a short pointy one). Stick in cooled cakes and fill them.

Icing
3/8 soy milk
3 T margarine
5 oz chocolate chips
Bring soy milk and margarine to a boil, take off heat add chocolate chips. Let cool over an hour. Spread and saturate over cakes.

Stick in fridge. The icing will harden like a ganache.

Happy 5th Anniversary Fred!

What did we do? We ate at a new local restaurant called Seasons Market. It's a restaurant devoted to bringing locally grown produce and food to the table. It was quite yummy. They had one vegan option, the eggplant steak. I hope to see more vegan options. It was a perfectly paced meal. They brought out our appetizer (bread and cheese plate...Fred wanted the cheese...)and allowed us enough time to actually enjoy our plate and converse with each other before bringing the salad. The meal, did take a bit, but only because they accidentally added cheese on mine. Best thing is, they fixed it even before it got to the table. I don't think that has ever happened. My favorite part of the meal was the salad. Lots of yummy greens. S'ang even tried to sneak a bite in. The staff was very friendly and showered attention on Mr. B. Who wouldn't? He was looking awfully cute in his tie dye shirt and blue overalls. I would love to try their lunch and brunch menu. I think M would enjoy it. They even have something for the canine friends.
The plan was to go bowling afterwards, but we decided to go home and spend some time together before we had to pick up M. Of course, I had to nurse B down but he went down without complaint.
To top off a wonderful evening, M, the queen of no sleep didn't fight sleep! I did have to nurse her but she is asleep! Yay! More Cyn and Fred time!!!!

Niko's first cache

Niko had his first hike with us last weekend. We decided to do a last minute cache on Storr's Hill.

I always love NannyOgg's hints. This hint was "moss covered rock near a fallen tree."

This is one of many moss covered rocks and there were plenty of fallen trees along the way.

It was an easy find this time.


We even picked up the travel bug.


Just hanging out




This is our fourth find. We hope to find more caches before the frost comes...which shouldn't be too far now, but long enough for us to get plenty of hiking in.

Four months

Okay I'm late on posting. He is now sitting using his hands to support him! This started September 8. He rolled from back to belly the day before his third month day. I need to write it all down in his diary. I still don't have a baby book for him. With M, I was on top of everything. I wrote all the mile stones down when it happened. I don't think I wrote anything in his diary since he was a few days old. The woes of being the younger sibling. Fred's baby book is sparse compared to his sisters' books. But hey, I barely have time to pee much less write. Although I am online...it's easier to nurse at the keyboard than it is to nurse at the diary.

Beautiful Birth

May be considered graphic. It shows the baby coming the way nature intended.

Welcome to the family

our newest member
Niko. We adopted him from a new organization called KAREVT. He is a Black Russian Terrier mix. I think he is suppose to get quite big, but because he is a mixed he won't top out at 100 pounds.


I think they'll get along just great.

Niko may have hookworms right now; we take him to the vet on Tuesday.
Other then that, he is adjusting very well to his new home. Stay tuned for more stories on Niko.

Party Time!

We had a tie dye party in her honour! Didn't get to take many pictures. We were too busy. The shirts turned out very cute. No pictures yet of the shirt.



For her cake, I made the raspberry cake that my friend Grechen shared with me. This time I doubled the recipe so we would have a larger cake. It turned out divine! It got gobbled up and we had no left over cake. I wish we had some left. I may make it for Fred and my anniversary just so that I could have some.

I was a bit sad on her birthday and her party that this was the first year, family couldn't be there. They did have a celebration at Chuck E Cheese. I have to post an installment of that soon!

Birthday Girl

I never got to post a picture of my birthday girl.

We started the morning with special pancakes. Look it's a heart shape.

I made this by accident; I was planning on making a smiley face pancake but forgot about the fruit until the very end. She even got fresh carrot juice.
Fred took the afternoon off so we took her to lunch, her choice. She chose Indian.
After her nap, we headed to the Montshire museum.


Can you see me and S'ang in the bubble reflection?



What do you think of her fish face?

Check these turtles out!


Thankfully, we didn't lose our child at the Montshire like we did last time! It was for a brief three minutes...longest three minutes of my life. She was at the play area the whole time.
We ended the night with homemade pizza, which she requested as her birthday dinner. I lost my rings while making the dough. Don't worry, I found them!
Ivy and Moe sent presents. She got a Dora doll and a Curious George that blows bubbles.
Look! It's a baby in a box!

Career driven

My friend, Ei took this test and posted her results. I decided to do the same. I am surprised how accurate it is for the most part. I am happy that midwife is in my top ten. I have considered many of these careers at some point in time.


1.Child and Youth Worker
2.Naturopath
3.Art / Music Therapist
4.Social Worker
5.Addictions Counselor
6.Pediatrician
7.Midwife
8.Podiatrist
9.Clergy
10.Recreation Therapist
11.Psychologist
12.Acupuncturist
13.Nurse Practitioner
14.Sport Psychology Consultant
15.Humanitarian Aid Worker
16.Family and Consumer Scientist
17.Gerontologist
18.Nurse
19.Doctor
20.Dermatologist
21.Desktop Publisher
22.Nanny
23.Fashion Designer
24.Dental Assistant
25.Obstetrician-Gynecologist
26.Animator
27.Cartoonist / Comic Illustrator
28.Public Health Nurse
29.Special Education Teacher
30.Religious Worker
31.Community Worker
32.School Counselor
33.Career Counselor
34.Family Practitioner
35.Marriage and Family Therapist
36.Mental Health Nurse
37.Psychiatrist
38.Physician Assistant
39.Fast Food Worker
40.Adoption Counselor

edited to add where I took the test:
1. Go to http://www.careercruising.com/.
2. Put in Username: nycareers, Password: landmark.
3. Take their "Career Matchmaker" questions.
4. Post the top ten results

Can't find my USB camera cord

so I'll post a wicked cute video instead!

For some reason Fred doesn't like Sandra. I think she is cute.

Once upon a time...

three years ago to be exact, a beautiful fairy was born.


Since then, her mom had not had any peace and quiet. She kept her parents up at night and still does sometimes. She torments her little brother. She asks lots of silly questions. She climbed the walls. But she also bought har parents love and happiness. It is quie on the homefront..when she was sleeping. She gives her brother sweet kisses and makes sure we wouldn't forget him (by yellling at anyone holding him who was not on her approved list). She asks questions that make her parents laughs. She pronounces things in her cute little way (refrideratorrator). She dances around the room. My lovely little fairy.

One year

Two year


Say Happy Birthday to M! I'll post her three year picture later.

Home sweet home!

We are back from Texas. WE went to visit family. Boy was it chaotic! We are still settling in. Big news: I'm an auntie!!!! My niece arrived August. I would love to share pictures, but I have to ask her mommy first.


Here are some pics for now. For some reason, I can't add anymore pictures.

Shameless Plug

I entered the kids in a photo contest in hopes to win a gift certificate. B's picture is him yawning and M has a huge grin on her face.
Vote here.

Ugh

My stomach has been hurting all day from the stress. I found out this morning that if M so much lays a finger on Regan again, her mom is going to pull her out. She doesn't even want M too hang out with her "precious" daughter. I understand wanting to be protective of your own child, but a lot of time M does it out of retaliation. I am not delusional enough to believe that my daughter is always innocent. She does have a history, but since her verbal skills have picked up, she does not strike as often unless she is messed with. Yes, she will hit back. Regan's mom is so freaking blind to the fact that her daughter pulls M like a rag doll, she will pummel M, lay on top of her,throw things at her, stick her fingers in her mouth and yell right in her face, among her other things. Not to mention that all Regan does is freaking whine all the time. I would be more sympathetic to Regan's mom if her M hit her daughter unprovoked. I think it's just hypocritical.

So my daughter isn't allowed to play in her own freaking backyard now because she isn't allowed near the daycare kids. What the fuck am I suppose to do? Inside and upstairs is hot with no A/C and a toddler and infant. We don't take the car many places to save on gas. I can walk so far with two kids in tow. Will the woman pay my gas to protect her precious? Sad thing is Regan was asking for M all day. The girl has a good heart as does M. They play well together..they just have moments when they act like two year olds.

My neighbor is trying to make me feel better. Telling me that I don't have to stay inside, but the mom does not want M anywhere near her daughter. So I guess we have to come up with a system. Whoever makes it out there first the other stays inside or something. My neighbor disagrees and thinks that we can still let them play with each other. I don't want my neighbor to lose her client. Unlike the mom who doesn't care about my daughter's feelings and whether or not she will overheat , I do care about Regan and her feelings. Maybe I can ask her to buy me an a/c unit on top of our gas if she expects us to stay upstairs all day or go out to keep her away from daughter.

At last

We did it!!!!

We found our first cache.

M wasn't too keen on the idea leaving something of hers behind. Fred put in his purple LLL bracelet in instead. We took a little football guy. I hope to hide him in Texas when we visit.

I miss her

My Nella.
I know that she would want me to remember her in the best way. She wouldn't want me to be sad. But you know? I am. Some days are much better than others. And some days I just want to cry.
And you know as much as I hate the same of cigarettes, I miss the smell on her.
Not a good post today. I was happy earlier this week. I guess it's late and I need to got bed.

Thanksgiving

A good friend reminded me to look upon my life and remember what I'm grateful day. Why should we wait until November to appreciate what we have in our lives?

I'm grateful for Fred; he is my rock, my champion, and my coach, always motivating me. He was the only one who believed that I could push B, including myself. He pushes me to what I do beyond where I think my limits end.

I'm grateful for my children; just like my friend, they are my universe. M can always bring a smile to my face with her antics. She has such a good heart. She is my moon fairy. B brought me closer to enlightenment, hence his name. He brought me to peace with M's birth (it didn't go as planned). It's amazing what such a small person can do. He is my morning sun.

I'm grateful for my friends. They are my support beams. I have met new friends here in NH through LLL. I love getting to know someone new and do new things with them. I still talk to my old friends that I met in Texas. Always nice to sit and reminisce with an old friend.

I'm grateful for hugs. I just got one from M. :)

I'm grateful for music. It says things that words cannot express. It brings you back to moments in your life that you want to remember or forget. And even those moments you want to forget, it serves as a reminder of what steps you will not repeat. I can always get lost in the waves. Music reminds me that I'm human again, it invokes a feeling in me.

I'm grateful for my senses. M is playing with red and orange scarves...so bright. I love being able to gaze in my children's eyes. I love being able to feel the stubble of Fred's beard. I love feeling B's soft hair against my face. I love the smell of the summer wind after it's been raining. The smell of a baby's head has some kind of effect on me...it's my drug. I love hearing B's coos and the way M says things like refrigerator (frideratorrator), water (wader), chiropractor (piropractor), and so many other words. I almost don't want her to say things correctly because it's so damn cute. And of course I love eating! Yummy fresh garlic, a juicy mango, a dripping soy cream cone..

Bloody Horror Show

Fred and I were in Hawaii. We spent two weeks there, but my family were there. Fred took us to another room because he wanted some privacy. I told him that they were leaving Friday and we would have two days to ourselves.

Fred had to go to school Friday. I don't remember what class it was. I wanted to go to the beach afterwards. First we went to his therapist's house. Fred made lollipops and a tape of his accordion music. Fred hinted that he wanted to go to the mall to get one so he could learn to play with his other hand. I told him I wanted to go to the beach first and that he did not play in a long time so why did he want to start now? I remember thinking that we were intruding on the therapist like in the movie "What about Bob." Fred said it wasn't like that because he wasn't crazy. He was just going to talk about problems.

As we were leaving, it was starting to rain. I knew that the rain would stop soon so we headed to the beach. I remember thinking that the beach was rockier than I remember. I think we both just jumped in. Fred had Mina and I had Bodhi. All of a sudden it truned into a ride, except I didn't jump into a raft. Fred did. B was on my back and I was swimming underwater hoping he would hang on. I remember the water spraying. I was worried about B, but I knew it was a dream and that he would not get hurt.

I don't know at what point it was, but I remember that Fred and I were driving around and wanted to go to a particular beach that was a few hours away. I cannot remember if was in the past or we were doing it.

When we left, we passed by someone shooting a movie. It was a girl I knew from elementary school. She was a neighbor. Every one was surrounding her, trying to get her attention. She nodded in my general direction. We were meeting up with another classmate (Fred and I). She was driving a Jeep. We parked in another parking area, which the parking lot was similar to a cavern with lots of different caves.

Well, the friend's car got tipped, but so did ours. We had to return back to our car. The movie that was being shot was a horror show. There was blood everywhere. We left to go to another part of the parking area. There was still blood all over the cave walls. Then I realized it wasn't a horror show anymore. People were out to get us.

We drove away and went back to the therapist's house to get Fred's shoes for school. He was wearing sneakers, but needed dress shoes. Okay, I don't remember what point that happened if it was before or after the beach.

I don't remember if this happened at the therapist's house or not, but it turned out to be a killing spree. Someone was torturing us. Fred and the kids had faded away at this point. I don't know where they went. There were two others. I don't remember if they were getting us to turn on each other or not.

I managed to escape. I was running as fast as I could. I was on top of a roof. I remember wondering if I should try to fly or not. I don't know if I knew I was dreaming or not, but I knew I could jump. I took one leap and began to descend. Then I spread my arms out and lifted up and soared above the roofs. It was nighttime.

I kept flying until I was in someplace new. I had to make sure no one knew me. At this point, Fred was back with me when we were trying to escape. He was the one who suggested a new place, far away. I met someone else who was involved in the terror. WE both pretend we did not recognize each other. WE were both in disguise. Either I was an orange pony with wings, or it was the other person. I could see the orange pony under a rainbow. I think it was me though. The other person was a dragon or something.

Thank goodness I woke up! I was too scared to go back to sleep, because I knew that I would start dreaming again. Pretty F-ed up dream, huh? Anyone care to analyze it?

Knock Knock

We taught M about knock knock jokes tonight.
M:Knock Knock.
Us: Who's there?
M: Me
Us: Me who?
M:Mina!!!!
It only works for her name.

She also loves the give me five game.
Give me five.
On the side.
In the hole. *form an "O" with thumb and forefinger and quickly jerk it away before other person puts finger in*
You're to slow.
It cracks her up.

Where has the time gone?

Today S'ang turns two months. He weighs at 9 lbs 4 oz today.
Here are some pictures from today. He is very expressive.

Sweet Summer Smooches

Happy Love Thursday!!!

So she can be sweet

Pictures from last night.



I love the look on Bs face here. It's as he is saying, "Oh S, what is she doing? And you're letting her?"

The things a toddler says

Fred got up early this morning so I could get a little extra sleep. As soon as I wake up:
M: I want to nurse!
Me: Can I get some breakfast first?
M: I want to nurse!
Me: Didn't you eat breakfast already?
M: I want breastfast!

Mommy doesn't live here anymore

Don't you wish you can just get in the car and just drive? I am tapped out. I am tired of oozing milk even when I'm not nursing. M just has been torturous to her little brother. Instead of team tagging me, they double body slam me.
I went out with my best friend on Friday and they were still in the back of my mind. Is he okay? Is he awake? Is he well fed? I have yet to pick up a pump yet. I need to find a place to rent one. My reasoning for procrastinating is that I wasn't able to pump with M. I would pump for half an hour and only get an ounce. Perhaps the days I want to pump I'll take some sort of lactation support for the whole day.
With M, I was okay with being a mom twenty four seven. Now I'm ready to get my sanity back. I don't know where I left it. Perhaps it's' in my freezer along with the placenta. Or maybe the vampires stole it. Is there sanity in my precious milk? Is there a refresh button somewhere?
And let's talk about my looks. I have no clothes that fit me. The clothes that do are tattered and torn. I hate my hair cut. My mom "fixed" it and now it looks as though I can clean the floors with it. I feel like a blow fish half of the time the other half is because I hate to see what I look like in a mirror.
It used to be that I could surf a bit and feel better. Now it sucks. I hope to have some time to myself soon. I would love to go shopping and I have never been a shopper. I'm just tired of looking like a street urchin like my mom tells me. Next date with myself I would scrapbook. Ironically, it would be about my kids. They may be vampires but they are sure damn cute ones.

Puppy Love

Awww. I want a puppy!!!
Happy Love Thursday!!!