My Mom

Today is the 2nd Anniversary of my Mom passing away. I'm sure I will shed a few tears today, but mostly I hope to spend the day "Remembering Today" It won't be a super exciting day, going to drag Jadon to the gym so I can go to spin class at 8:30 (after I TEAR him away from his episode of Curious George), then to swim lessons and maybe a few errands afterwards.

These are some funny things I want to remember about my Mom today...

• She used to sing in the car and it DROVE us (Ryan and I) CRAZY!!! Jon Denver was a big one...She was always getting into certain CD's and playing them all the time. She went through many Lion King and Mamma Mia soundtracks and was totally into Josh Groban and that Italian opera singer guy...I have no idea what his name is...
• Once time she yanked me hair and pulled me out of Dillards crying about making me wear some nasty fushia polka-dot dress to my piano recital...
• Mom had a system for avoiding fights between Ryan and I...I was "even" born on the 10th and he was "odd" born on the 27th. If it was your day you got to empty the silverware instead of the dishes, you got to sit in the front seat.... Any conflict was resolved with "Whose Day is It?" It made me mad b/c I got the short end of the stick on those months with 31 days...
• She was OVER THE MOON about becoming a grandma...

• Most of all, today I will remember our last visit with Mom. She came and spent a few days with us right before she passed away so suddenly. We squeezed in a lot of special Jadon firsts those few days, which is what I focus my energy on when I feel so sad at all she is "missing". Jadon waved bye-bye to her for the 1st time... he said "quack" and she ordered him the book 3 Ducks Went Wandering right away, he got his first haircut down at Melissa's house. She googled "baby genius" b/c he turned pages in books and actually looked like he was reading them and she was convinced at that point he was for sure gifted. We took Jadon to his favorite bookstore and she left me a voicemail that I still keep on my phone. Silly huh?

I just know that there is high-speed Internet in Heaven and I like to think Mom keeps up with the blogs (I'm sure she would have had one too!) So Mom/Nana...we love and miss you lots!

p.s. Life can go on now in our house b/c we just saw Javier after a few weeks of having a substitute garbage man...we had to wrap up in a robe b/c we're running around the house naked, but we got to see Javier and give him the double thumbs up!!!

Pictures....

My laptop is giving me fits about uploading pictures onto my blog...it is so frustrating!! Anyone have any bits of advice on this problem?
So...here are some pictures I'm uploading from our other computer!

Current view of my very organized kitchen utensil drawer...aren't those heart measuring cups the cutest things you've ever seen? My neighbor Rebecca gave them to me and it makes me want to bake, but that would be bad for dieting, so I'm trying to refrain...

Current view of Jadon's newly organized playroom...complete with insane track we redesigned today...

Watchin' Cars at the dentist...

Jadon getting his teeth cleaned on Monday...he was so good and loved it! Jadon is missing 2 teeth on the bottoms, his bi-laterals just never came in... But on this 2nd set of x-rays it looks like the buds for his grown up teeth may be there, which according to the dentist would be unusual, but would be good. He loved seeing the x-rays of his teeth!!!

Got face-painted at Hannah's birthday party...today Jadon made his own version with my make-up, its was all over the couch (lucky it's leather!) and my make-up is shot. It's not like I ever wear it, so it doesn't really matter!

Wants to learn how to skateboard...Jadon and Geegu

Team Spirit for the Redbirds...

Tailgate at the Cardinal's Playoff Game...Jadon had a great time!

Quotes of the day...

Jadon is on a roll today...he has been "on his game" since 5:30 a.m. and I don't want to forget the funny things he has said today... So here goes.... Enjoy!

Jadon watches me use the remote control and he asks "Are you looking for me or for you?" I tell him, for me and he pouts!! Then, I turn on the TV and explain that today is an important day, that our country is getting a new President today. He climbs up on the red benches and says, "We're getting a present today!!!" No, Jadon...not a present, a President...

Clip comes on of Barack Obama and I show him... This is the new President of the United States, Barack Obama. Jadon replies with his head shaking and doing his I'm full of attitude voice... "What are you talking about Bamack Ottatta"

He is obviously bored by this, so we're off to build the Train tracks of the day...its a good one today...bridges and tunnels, lots of twists and connections! The battery operated James got batteries and is climbing the Polar Express Mountain on his track...Jadon is in love... but then he is bored again and I'm watching the TV, feeling like I guess I should watch this historic day...

So he comes into the family room and uses one of my lines on ME!!! I've got to come up with some new ones...and fast!! He says "Mom, you are just not cooperating, I'm going to have to turn off the TV.... you're just not listening, Mom" Then grins and smiles and how can I not crack up at how funny he is!!!

Later on rushing out the door to the gym...in the car, trying to get to spin class. Jadon announces "Mom, I just dropped my grapes, they fell on the floor and now they are dirty" "I'll just tell my friends about that at childcare, ok Mom" Sounds like a great conversation starter... Jadon tells me no one talks to him at the childcare, I find that hard to believe...but it makes me a tiny bit sad. If he would just leave the TV in the "baby room" and go play on the slides, I'm sure kids are older and more talkative there... oh well....He loves going there and told me today he had fun sliding with a friend names RJ. He talks about an RJ a lot, but I think it might be an imaginary friend!! More disappointment, he couldn't find the bucket with his favorite trains at the gym today... He's probably still wondering about the "present"


Then we're off to Kohl's, last day of a sale, I tell Jadon that I have a 30% off coupon and I want some new socks. He announces to me that he is going to find some boobies at Kohl's. Jason took him to Kohls's last week one night...so I have to dig a little further into this.... He keeps talking about boobies and he is laughing at himself. Then, he says... "You know what I'm talking about Mom, the boobie holders, just like the ones I have at my house" "Jadon, those are called bras" Got it...Jadon likes the bra section at Kohl's... Daddy is teaching him well and well...Mommy's just trying to keep up!

Cardinals in the Super Bowl....OMG!!!

This is the picture Jason sent me from the game...it pretty much tells anything you need to know... I haven't heard from them yet, I may have to go pick up those fools in a few hours!

Jadon and I had a great time at the Tailgate today...more later...

Here is my Shutterfly album from today...I wish I would have gotten pictures of Jadon at the Rally...he was screaming his head off for "Big Red"

Tailgate Pictures

Go Redbirds!!!

This morning we're off to tail gate with Daddy & Geegu for the BIG GAME!!! Jadon is so excited and has been running around all morning saying "Are you ready for some football?" I'm sure that it will be a zoo over at the Stadium but we are ready!!!

The boys (Jason and Ryan) are so excited! Jason spent the afternoon yesterday planning his Jalapeno Pepper Roaster recipes...he filled like 30 peppers with crab/cream cheese and some other stuff....He almost evacuated us out of the house when he was taking the seeds out of the peppers. We read online the best way to get rid of the sting on your hands is to dip them in milk-fat (sour cream or heavy cream...who knew???) It's going to be quite a food event! Ryan came over last night to spend the night so they would be ready to leave at 8am this morning. They took their lucky "playoff cups" and towels... If the Cardinals win this game, they say they are going to FL for the Super Bowl...

All of the neighbors are getting together in some way or another...most of the guys are going to the game, everyone else is getting together at Rita's house to watch them game.

Will post pictures later today during naptime!

Have a Little Heart...

Check this out...http://iloveyoumorethanblank.blogspot.com/

What would your heart say?

I'm working on mine and will report later...Jadon needs my attention now and so does the laundry!


Send out your love...
Amy

Our Weekend...

Thanks to everyone for making my birthday weekend so much fun! Here is the re-cap!

Friday night...Sushi at Tomo with my boys! I love how Jadon sings Happy Birthday...it is quite possibly the sweetest sound ever! Crunch rolls and a Raspberry Sake Martini...Happy Birthday to me! Presents from Dad, Ellen, Kate, Rashid, Jason & Jadon. I'm so spoiled! I have a cute pic...I'll try to post it but my laptop has been giving me fits about posting pics on my blog? What is up with that?

Saturday...The Day! More Happy Birthday songs from the boys, followed by many phone calls, emails and txt messages! Thanks everyone! BIG birthday party bash for Jadon's "girl" friend Hannah, followed by Bride Wars with the Colter St. Girls and then BIGGER party mostly for the Redbirds and a little for my birthday at The Miller's house. Kevin and Jan put on an amazing fish fry! Jason got desserts from Bella Luna! More presents from the neighbors... I'm going here to get some kind of spa service in the very near future thanks to my lovely friends on Colter St! Everyone was so excited about the game...and even more excited that the next game is going to be here next Sunday!

Here is what my horoscope says for this year... Mom and I always used to cut this out and read this out of the paper...I used to be pretty into reading my horoscope but I don't do it as often anymore? Hmm....

"Happy Birthday for Saturday, January 10, 2009. this year you often waver about any important decision. Others might find this behavior irritating, as you are generally clear and direct. Look at this waffling as seeing more and weighing the pros and cons. You are unusually energetic this year, and if you don't funnel your energy, it could come out as anger. Your best bet is physical exercise. If you are attached, the two of you will get along much better if you accept your differences. Cancer can be challenging.

So... with that in mind-I dragged my wonderful friend Amy to her first spinning class this morning so I could funnel my energy on the bike. I'm accepting that Jason is a sports fanatic and when he is looking into the options of going to the Super Bowl in FL, should the AZ Cardinals go there, I'm accepting it and taking the position that it's "super!" Jadon and I will go to Orlando and do Disneyworld while he and Ryan do football! I'm not sure who I know who is the sign of "Cancer" besides that my Mom's sign was cancer and the whole part about wavering on important decisions...well who even knows what that means?? That is totally a whole other post for another day!

Today I made Pasta Figoli soup and just stayed home the whole day pretty much doing nothing. Jadon has a cold and had a little bit of a fever this afternoon, so we did a lot of Curious George time.

A Great Idea...

I think that I have overused this phrase with Jadon...

Usually to get him to "transition" to whatever is happening next I try to build it up by saying something like "Jadon, I have a great idea...let's go read books in your room and get ready for nappy!" It's the teacher in me...

"A Great Idea" is coming back to bite me in the ----! He's using the phrase against me in his own trasitions!!!! But I have to admit he does have some great ideas... It's just that my idea of the time for these great ideas and Jadon's don't always match up. Here are a few laughs for you...

"Mom, I have a great idea....let's have a lollipop for breakfast!"
"Mom, I have a great idea...let's go shopping at Target for TOYS!"
"Mom, I have a great idea...let's go swimming (I know it's AZ but its still cold here!)
"Mom, I have a great idea...let's watch Curious George before my nappy...just one episode...please,please, please!!"
"Mom, I have a great idea...let's go to the bookstore and play trains!"
"Mom, I have a great idea...let's go to Starbucks...You want an iced mocha Mom?"
"Mom, I have a great idea...let's take every toy out and spread them all over the house!"

The sweetest great idea Jadon has was when he said "I have a great idea" and he just ran to the freezer to get me his Thomas Boo-Boo freezer pack. His head and my nose had a collision during tickle time and it kind of freaked him out that blood was coming out of my nose. He was so sweet to take care of me, but the best part was when he said "Mom, just, just don't be sad" You just don't have to cry red tears!" He thought my blood was red tears.... A few minutes later he asked in the most serious voice, "Mom, Can you make some green tears?"


The other thing you need to know here is that after each "great idea" is usually followed with one of the following....

"please,please, please" well...he is learning manners?

"o.k. mom, o.k.?"

This one is my favorite...

"Is the answer yes or no" LOL....

You'll also notice that most of Jadon's great ideas include "Let's GO" I should have known this was coming when he learned how to baby sign "out" and was always banging on the door twisting his hands like he was opening a door. Out.... Go.... Do....

So we have a great idea for today... We're going to the UPS Store to mail Uncle John his birthday gift, we're going to the gym to get our workout in and who knows where else we're going....

I have one more great idea... I have a quote to share with my blog. I've shared this quote with 2 friends in the past 2 days, so maybe it will speak to others the way it speaks to me.

you
can't change
yesterday
but you can
ruin today
worrying about
tomorrow

Let's Go!!!

Christmas Pictures

I've started posting my pictures to Shutterfly...I kind of have bounced around at different pictures sharing sites, not really loving any of them. I made everyone in the family a mini-book of Jadon's Christmas pictures this year on Shuttefly and really liked how that came out. I found this "share site" and so I've shared some of the photos that we took of Christmas. It is pretty user-friendly (I think?)

Here is the site for you to view our Christmas photos...I haven't uploaded the "snow day" yet but its next on my list of pictures to do. http://khanfamilychristmas2008.shutterfly.com/

If you look in the album of Christmas with Grandpa John you'll see the pictures I took of Jadon and Javier (the garbage man of the year!) Yes, he came over to our house with his wife and 2 daughters and brought Jadon a very fancy garbage truck! Such a lucky boy...

**Thanks especially to Kate and Rashid for my new camera. It's really amazing with the whole "smile technology" and I can't wait to try out the underwater features. Next week I may swim with Jadon after his swim lessons and play with it a little bit.

Does anyone have any other picture sharing/storing/printing sites they really like? I'd be curious to hear any other suggestions? I have a lot of pictures to upload!