30 Day Non-Challenge

OK, I am in - the 30 day non-challenge!  Presented by Strawberry and An Offering of Love.  The last challenge wore me out - but the fact that not everyday is required makes this one less work it seems!  Also, I like the questions - very great Q&A for Cheeks to see when he is older.


The new 30 Day Non-Challenge! “Non-challenge” because we will not be offended if you don’t answer all of the questions or decide to skip certain days. Just have fun with it! An Offering of Love and I came up with these and we hope you like them, but I will disclaim this by saying that some questions assume you are in a two-mom household or have a partner/spouse (since that is true of most of our readership). So please don’t hold it against us if you don’t feel every question applies- we did our best! Hope you have fun with this during the month of June. Without further adieu…

Day 1 – Provide a picture of the space where you normally blog

Day 2 -Describe your high school self. What extracurricular activities, if any, did you participate in during high school?

Day 3 -What are your guilty pleasures?

Day 4 – (for parents) What has most surprised you about parenthood?

(for parents-to-be) What has most surprised you about ttc?

Day 5 -What do you prefer to do on your birthday? If you have children, what do you prefer to do for their birthday?

Day 6 – When was the last time you tried something new? What was it and what was the result?

Day 7 – What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner? If you have children, what are their favorites?

Day 8 – If you had to teach something, what would you teach? (If you DO teach, when did you discover your love for teaching/the subject?)

Day 9 – What is the most important lesson you learned from your own mother (or other primary caretaker)?

Day 10 – Share your favorite recipe (or two)

Day 11 – In what ways does being a lesbian/2-mom family impact your experience of parenting?

Day 12 – Tell us about the first time you got drunk (as far as you can remember…)

Day 13 – Tell us about the best job you ever had, and the worst

Day 14 – How do you typically dress? How do you (or would you) like to dress your kid(s)?

Day 15 – What was your college experience like? Were you involved in any clubs, groups, etc?

Day 16 – How many friends do you have in real life that you talk to regularly? How many friends do you have that you feel are ‘true blue’ and how long have you known them?

Day 17 – (for parents) What is your favorite thing about parenthood? Your least favorite?

(for parents-to-be) What are you most looking forward to about parenthood?

Day 18 – How do you feel about astrology? What’s your sign, baby, and do you think it matches your personality?

Day 19 – How do you (and your partner if applicable) feel about PDA?

Day 20 – What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you? Did you repay the kindness?

Day 21. What child(ren)’s names do you like that your partner hates and thus you could never use?

Day 22 – What is your most beloved childhood memory? What memories are you trying to create (or will you try to create) for your child(ren)?

Day 23 – What are your favorite activities to do with your kid(s)?

Day 24 – What are your favorite activities to do without your kid(s)? (keep it clean!)

Day 25 – What did you want to be when you grew up? Why and/or how did that change over time?

Day 26 – What is/are the best piece(s) of parenting advice you’ve gotten or can give others?

Day 27 – Which movies or tv shows do you think are the most accurate portrayals of parenthood?

Day 28 – What size family do you come from, what size family do you want, and why?

Day 29 – What do you think about giving kids an allowance, and what chores do you or would you expect your child(ren) to help out with?

Day 30 – What is/are the most memorable questions or reactions you’ve gotten in regards to being a two-mom family?

Growth Spurt?

Cheeks woke up screaming/crying today at 6:30am.  This is a wee bit early for him.  He fell back asleep, but at 7:00am the screaming/crying started up again.  I went into his room.  He was laying on his back with tears streaming down his face, arms stretched up for me to pick him up.  I did so, and his tear stained face just plopped on my shoulder.  We went downstairs for some milk - which he wanted nothing to do with.  Upon seeing the milk, the crying started again.  After about 20 minutes of intermitent crying/screaming/head on shouldering, I decided to put Cheeks back up to sleep.  Maybe he was still tired?  I put some Orajel on his gums (maybe his teeth hurt??)

He fell back asleep in about 30 seconds.  Whew!  I left for work, and Doc waited for our boy to wake up.  He woke up...very clingy...and became very happy after he ate some eggs (2) and a whole banana!!  Little by little, the temper tantrums started flaring up again.  Some Cheez-its seemed to calm him for a second time.

I am wondering if Cheeks is going through a growth spurt?  He is cranky, irritable, and HUNGRY.  One of the hardest parts of being a mommy is seeing your child unhappy and not knowing why or what you can do for him. 

Happy and Sad Notes

I know I haven't posted in awhile. We have had a hectic few days celebrating mama's birthday and traveling to visit with family in S. Florida. We had a fantastic time. Cheeks had a ball with our family over the weekend. We went swimming, out to dinner a few times, had a BBQ, and went to that bounce house place. Cheeks and his cousin Sammi had a BLAST. Let's just say I now know why adults don't have bounce house parties...I am way too old and out of shape for those things! But it's a good work out let me tell you!! So it was a great weekend had by all - we wish it didn't have to end.

I've been checking in on everyone's blogs - enjoying the updates. There is one blog in particular that I have become a dedicated reader to. I'm not sure if anyone else in the gay/lesbian parent blog circle reads this one, but it's heartbreaking. Mel at Three Times the Fun started a blog awhile back about her family - her, her husband, their 4 year old son, and their 6-month old TRIPLETS!! What a handful, huh? Well, last week, one of the triplets was found in his crib not breathing. A few days later, he passed away. She has been chronicling the week so amazingly well for a mom that must be going through hell. I don't know this woman (she is actually a friend of a friend), but being a mom, I feel her pain. I cannot imagine what she is going through. I think I would cease to function if anything happened to Cheeks. It's a beautifully written, sometimes heart wrenching read. Please keep this family in your thoughts as they go through this hard time. She noted in her blog that Owen's color was orange (they color coded the triplets) - tomorrow is Owen's funeral - she asked that everyone wear orange. While I don't know this family - her blog has touched me deeply - I will be wearing orange tomorrow to show my support as a fellow mom.

Best.Weekend.Ever.

We had such a great weekend. I wish it didn't have to end. We started off Friday night just relaxing around the house, doing a bit of food shopping, and playing outside.

On Saturday, we had a playdate at the zoo where we met a very nice mom and son. I swear Cheeks and this boy could be brothers - same height, same exact color hair - it's very cute! Hopefully we will expand the friendship - the age is perfect for be (within a few months of each other).

Saturday night, we took Cheeks to a very fun indoor bounce house place. At first Cheeks was hesitant with the new surroundings. It didn't take long for him to start having a blast though! He even slid down a big slide several times!!! I highly recommend this place for anyone with toddlers as they have two toddler bounce houses. It's a perfect outlet for energy on days where it is too hot/rainy/yucky to be outside.

After the bounce houses, we had dinner at a local pizza place. It was outstanding! Cheeks was wore out by the time we got home and he went straight to bed. Doc and I enjoyed watching 48 hours mystery and Saturday Night Live (who doesn't love a good Justin Timberlake episode???)

Yesterday we stayed around the house earlier in the day. Doc got some spring cleaning done on the patios and I played with Cheeks. After Cheeks' nap, we packed up and headed over to the Magic Kingdom! Oh what fun. Cheeks had a haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop (second one there - we love it!) What was exciting about this trip for us was that Cheeks was much more interactive. On It's a Small World he was pointing at all of the animitronics. He enjoyed the Country Bear Jamboree. What was the best for me was seeing his reaction to The Main Street Electrical Parade! He was in awe. This was special to me because when I used to work at Disney, I'd make it a point to watch the parade every time I was working during that time slot. I loved it then - and I love it now. I am so glad that Cheeks seemed to love it as much as I do!!

And now for some pics of our weekend:

Playing with chalk:

Not so sure about the bounce house:

OK - so this place isn't so bad:

Always finding a truck to play with wherever we go:

Being a silly, happy boy at dinner:

Getting a haircut at Disney:

Post Haircut:

Being silly and burning off some energy!:

Waiting for the parade:

Great opportunity for a family pic:

Ohhhh....what pretty lights in the parade:

Passed out after a great weekend:

2 Year Molors Early?

At 14 months, I think that Cheeks is getting his 2 year molors. He has two HUGE mounds in the back/side area of his mouth where the molors come in. He has been fussy and cranky periodically throughout the past few days. His eating habits are reverting to less than desired. And he has been waking in the middle of the night again (well not last night, but the previous night he was up several times).

Are these signs of molors breaking through? Has anyone else's kids gotten their molors at 14 months? What were the signs?

I feel so bad for the little guy.

Our afternoon plans and other ramblings

I am very excited to get out of work today. Once I am off work, Cheeks and I are going to the library to get a couple of new books to read, the park to run around and expell energy, and the store to pick up some American cheese! It should be a funfilled afternoon of mommy and son bonding time.

I love that my job offers the flexibility to work from home because it affords me the ability to have afternoons like this. At 4:15 my computer shuts down and it is pure Cheeks time. I crave that and am lucky that we have that ability.

On another note, I am in the process of switching this blog over to WordPress. I really like the ability to password protect some posts, and that is my main driver to move over there. I think I'm also going to change around the name of the blog
(again) because I'm always up for a change!

I will post the new link as soon as I have the other site up and running (shouldn't be too much longer).

The moms in your life

Dear Cheeks -

You are one lucky little boy. Not only do you have two moms who love you beyond words can say - you also have other women in your life who love you like your own. I wanted to take the time to tell you about each one of them.

Your Mama

Your mama never knew she could love someone so much until the day she laid her eyes on you. She cares about you like no mother I have ever seen. The tiniest scratch on your tiny toe upsets her because she doesn't want to ever see you in any kind of pain or hurt. No matter how tough a day she has, she always pulls a smile out for you. I watch you both play - and there is no doubt in my mind that if a mother and son were ever made for each other - this was the match. You love to climb all over her, and you love to lean against her while watching your favorite shows on TV. This woman loves you more than I could ever begin to tell you in this blog.

Your Mommy

That would be me! You bring a joy to my life that completes me. I always wanted to be a mom, and you made that happen! I burst with pride everytime you accomplish something new. Watching you walk around like a big boy is just so amazingly wonderful to me. I hate leaving you every day to go to work, but know that you are having a blast with your mama and that we will have our fun time when I get home. When I get home, we play, and play, and play. My favorite time of day with you is reading you your bedtime stories. Your mama and I have been reading to you since before you were born, and you just adore books. I love sitting down and reading your favorite books. You usually give books your undivided attention, and that is a special gift that I hope you continue to cherish. I love you so much my son.

Your Grandma G

You have some bond with your Grandma G. Even though you are only 14 months, you know who she is when you see her. You don't get shy and try to hide like you do with other people. You always have a HUGE smile and hugs for her. She makes you laugh more than anyone else I think, and you adore the time you spend playing with her and seeing her on iChat. As soon as she pops onto the computer screen, your face just lights up with excitement. She spoils you rotten, and wouldn't have it any other way.

Your Grandma C

Your Grandma C might not be here with you in person, but she watches over you with all the angels everyday. She loved you very very much and couldn't wait for the times to see you. I remember you were napping once as a tiny baby, and she just couldn't wait for you to wake up to see you. She came charging up the stairs with a big smile and a hug and held you tight. She loved her grandkids, fried chicken, and pigs. I know she looks down on your with love each and every day.

Your Aunt Jen

Your Aunt Jen would steal you from mama and me if she could! She loves to hug and kiss you and call you BMANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!! You laugh at her when I swing you into her and pull you away. She tries to spoil you all the time, but mommy doesn't always let her! When you were born, she couldn't wait to get up to Sanford so she could just hold you, hug you, and kiss you. You have a wonderful Aunt in your Aunt Jen.

Your Cousin Sammi

Your cousin Sammi is 10 years older than you, but treats you like her own little brother. She counts the days until you come to visit so she can help "babysit" you while we are down there. She loves to chase after you, dance for you, play with your toys with you, and laugh with you. You laugh sooooooo much when you play with her. The other day, we were at Grandma G's and we woke Sammi up together. You just stood there and held your arms up for her to pick you up. I know that even though there is a 10 year age difference, you are going to be very close cousins.

And those women my dear, are the women in your life. We all love you beyond words can express. You are one lucky little boy to have so much adoration in your life - and as long as we are all around, you will continue to have that adoration and love.

Love,

Mommy