An adventure as big as life itself

time flies

2009-03-26T02:25:17Z

Today I registered Aiden for Pre-K. Hopefully, less then 52 children signed up so there will not be a lottery. We do not do well with things that ride on good luck. Aiden is having some issues with thinking he is going to be 14 instead of 4 in May. He is very into his clothes and often does several costume changes throughout the day. He's so dramatic and has the biggest 'tude ever.As big as his personality it, he is terrified of large groups of people (who can blame him, he's only been around my family which consists of like 2 people, as opposed to freddy's large extended family.) He gets very quiet and clingy when there are a lot of people around him and often tells me he is upset because people are "looking at him."

He is my carbon copy. If you look at my baby pictures, they look like Aiden with a wig.

Johnny will be 2 in July is talking now. He has most of his teeth and is very tall and lanky. He's getting his temper and has just learned to say "NONONO" when he isn't happy. He is calm most of the time and very laid back. He will eat anything put in front of him and loves to help. He may look like me, but he has Freddy's personality, hands down.

He and Aiden are obsessed with Toy Story and argue over the buzz lightyear and Woody dolls constantly. I was going to buy another set but I just make them each play with one at a time. Hopefully one of them will get over it quicker then the other.

Time flies.

Jon and Kate Plus 8

2009-03-09T00:45:47Z

So my kids have been pretty much obsessed with "the baby show" aka Jon and Kate Plus 8, to the point where they wanted to buy the DVDs instead of toys. Naturally, I watch it with them and think it's cute. For those of you who don't know, it is a reality show about a couple with twins and sextuplets. So I googled them to find out more about them- because that's what I do.

After going to their official site I stumble upon a few hate blogs. Which is the reason for me writing this. These people WATCH THE SHOW- HATE IT- THEN GO ONLINE TO BLOG ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY HATE IT. Anyone see what I'm seeing? 1. If you don't like a show, don't watch it.

Their issue is that these parents of 8 children are exploiting their family in order to make money. The truth? These kids get to go so many places courtesy of the show. Disney World, Hawaii, New York City. How many families of four, let alone 10, can do that? All 8 children have their college educations paid for and each has a growing trust fund waiting for them upon completion of college (which, for all 8 of them, is paid for. Did I mention that?)

They also were just able to purchase a 1.3 million dollar home that is big enough for their family of 10. These bloggers that hate the show and think it's immoral (and tune in every Monday) have gone through the trouble of looking up real estate listings in a state different then their own and posting the pictures from the listings. Several posters have driven by the house to spy. Crazy? why yes. yes it is. Now whose endangering those kids?

If I had this opportunity, would I do a show like this? DUH OF COURSE I WOULD! This show has given those children opportunities that they would have never had. And about exploiting them- how is it any different from child actors? Except these kids just have to be themselves in their own home. I would jump at that opportunity to better the life of my children. Would those kids have had those things if their parents continued their jobs? No. Not a chance. And I bet those kids don't watch televisions shows they don't like. They could teach those ADULT bloggers a thing or two.

Lessons:
1. Don't watch/listen to/seek out things you know you hate. I will never go back to those stupid blogs because I think their just that. stupid.
2. Many parents would grab at any respectable opportunity to make sure their children will never have to worry about money. As much as people like to stand on their soap boxes and preach- they would do it in a heart beat.
3. For those of you who don't have children and think I'm crazy for making such a sweeping statement- if you ever have kids you will most likely do ANYTHING to make their lives better then yours was. Even if you had a happy childhood- you want their to be happier.

stupid bloggers.

Black and white pictures of the boys. What else have I got to photograph?

2009-01-19T12:19:01Z

Why not?

He does not look three.. more like six

Johnny trying to ruin my camera

This is my favorite picture.. ever! Could he be more bored?

Aiden being my model.

Hate

2008-12-22T12:48:27Z

Over the weekend and the past week, We have gotten a total of 40 inches of snow. Our BRAND NEW snowblower, purchased in September, which was used a total of 4 times, broke. AGAIN. We are stuck in the house because at -20 degrees, it's too cold to even take the kids out play in the snow. The people up here are weird. The take-out food is horrendous. I don't want my kids to turn into the wacky teens that lurk around here. No one is happy. The main reason we moved up here was to help care for my grandmother. Now both my aunt and my grandmother are living in Oswego. So we are stuck in this shanty town alone.

Everyone is miserable. I have this idea in my head that moving to Florida will solve a lot of our problems. But no one else wants to move there. I can't leave my parents alone because they need our help as much as we've needed their's. Both are sick and cannot do the work that a house requires. Freddy is angry all the time. I don't like being cold. I don't like the snow. I'm hoping that when we go down to tampa end of march/beginning of April, Freddy's mind will be changed and then we can start saving to move us and my parents down there.

greenkiwi @ 2008-11-21T13:18:00

2008-11-21T18:38:21Z

I actually have a lot of plans this weekend-

Saturday- take Aiden to the dollar store to cash in his poop dollars (my dad gave him a dollar every time he pooped in the potty when he was first starting out)and then the four of us are going to Freddy's friend's birthday party at 5

Sunday- Twilight with Angel at 11:40. Woo! Hopefully it doesn't snow too bad. Then I have to finish up my persuasive essay. I've already for about two or three pages out of four or five done.

Next semester is all online- 5 classes

greenkiwi @ 2008-11-15T16:15:00

2008-11-15T21:30:13Z

I bought a manual treadmill, which came last week. It's a great workout and didn't cost me as much as a motorized one would. I've used it every night except thursday and I break a sweat in about 10 minutes (I NEVER swear. EVER) Hopefully I can curb my snacking and get on track to lose some poundage. I have two babies worth of baby weight, plus some depression weight to get rid of. I feel really good about myself just DOING something about it. It doesn't help much that I'm currently making some stuffed artichokes, but that's not bad, right?

I started writing a book. I've had a few ideas in my head for a long time, but one finally clicked. I've only written a few pages, I guess two chapters worth. I like it so far, but have to do some heavy duty editing. I think it's as good if not better then most of the stuff out there. Even if it never gets published, I like writing it.

I bought a new lens for my camera, which I am slowly starting to learn how to use. It would help if I knew where my manual was but it will turn up eventually

I got all As on my midterms and now have about three weeks of classes left. I'm halfway done with my final research paper and still have persuasive essay to write. Essays don't scare me, I can pull one out of thin air. I wrote my meditation essay in 20 mins and my teacher told me it was the best, most interesting one she's read in this class. I have to do a replica of a magazine cover for my photography class, which I am so unmotivated to do. I don't really want or care to make one. I feel like e-mailing him and being like pleeeeease give me a different assignment. I dont even know what to do. blah.

I just can't

2008-10-03T10:08:51Z

I watched part of the debate last night, even though I promised myself I wouldn't. My dad and I sat there dumbfounded, sometimes laughing, sometimes just staring blankly at the TV. It made me sick to my stomach. Just watching her (who did better then expected, but still has no clue whats going on) made me so nervous, because i KNOW there are "joe six packs" and "hackey moms" out there going "shes just like me!!" WELL THATS THE PROBLEM! i dont want YOU running the country. I want someone who has a good head on their shoulders and knows what deregulation is!! I want someone who can ANSWER A QUESTION in a debate. Not say "well, i'm not so intent on answering questions, but I just want to talk directly to the American people" THAT'S WHAT INTERVIEWS ARE FOR LADY!

I came to like Joe Biden (or OBiden as she kept calling him) but still think he's that really smart kid in class who just can't talk to girls. He was a lot more educated then her. SHE DOESN'T THINK THAT GLOBAL WARMING IS MAN MADE!!!! DUH it's man made. If we didn't exist, do you think all the animals and plant life would be burning through oil like this? Maybe she missed that discovery channel special that shows what would happen to the world if we all disappeared (basically, everything would get better)

here are some highlights of what the new had to say about her

CNN (Bob Schneider): Palin’s answers do not lack confidence, they lack coherence.

Washington Post (Chris Cillizza): Palin: Worst spot in the debate. Looking down at her notes a lot. Really struggling.

TIME: This closing statement sounds like she's giving a speech to the College Republicans. It's really amateur hour.

MSNBC Chris Matthews 10:35 PM: "Not only did she say I'm not going to do any more interviews, it seemed, but she was saying, I'm not going to listen to uh Gwen Ifill tonight. She said I'm not going to uh give the answers the moderator wants to ask for. What an extraordinary statement. I'm not going to play by the rules and when I get elected I want more power in the office than it's had before. Hmm.. Not too much humility here.

CNN/OPINION RESEARCH CORPORATION POLL
DEBATE WATCHERS

Who Did the Best Job In the Debate?

Biden 51%
Palin 36%

greenkiwi @ 2008-09-17T05:30:00

2008-09-17T09:31:59Z

My kids wake up entirely too early. 5:30. Blah! I can't wait until saturday so I can trick Freddy into letting me sleep late.

My birthday is a week from today. I dont really want to do anything. Maybe dinner and a movie, but no good movies are out. So probably just dinner. Or I'll take the kids to Chuck E Cheese. that way someone will be having fun on my birthday! I already got clothes. Freddy let me just order something. Thats how we roll "here babe, heres $xx. Go buy something pretty" Its much easier then stressing over gifts.

Some helpful advice

2008-09-06T01:23:32Z

The 2008 presidential race has brought up a lot of issues. In light of this, here is some helpful advice that some Americans (land of the free, right?) have overlooked:

If you do not like gay marriage, then do not marry someone of the same sex. The divorce rates in America for straight couples are 50%. Obviously, marriage between a man and a woman ain't so holy anymore.

If gay couples adopting children bothers you, go down to your local social services office and talk to some foster kids in the system. They would love to live with people who treat them right, give them what they need and make them feel loved. That last hetero couple they were with probably didn't give them the time of day.

If you do not like abortion, then do not get one. No one enjoys abortion. It's an ugly subject. But taking away a woman's right to choose is like taking away your right to bear arms.

If you do not like people who are not white, please set your time machine from 1951 to 2008. Honestly, everyone has the same things underneath the skin. Same color blood, same organs, etc etc.

Helpful? I think these things would take a lot of stress off of some people. I mean, it takes so much energy to protest and write parodies of songs and write letters. SO much energy to project SO much hate. Maybe a new hobby like knitting, tai chi or cooking might help?

I cannot wait to vote for Obama this November. reason 1: he is exactly what this country needs. 2: McCain is the same age as my grandmother and I would NEVER put my grandma in the white house. her mind-set is of a different generation.

Anyone have a spare spacesuit?

2008-08-31T02:32:15Z

I finally gave in and went to the doctor for my skin. I might have rosacea, so the doc put me on a topical cream and a strong anti-biotic. Both make my skin super sensitive to the sun. Today is like day 3 or 4 on the meds. OK, so before i go to sit on the porch with Aiden and Johnny, i slather on some SPF 30. Apparently, i missed a spot, because 5 minutes later, i have a sunburn, right on the center of my left arm. Ouch. They weren't playing.

I found an ad in our paper today for gymnastics classes that Aiden could take. I am going to scrape together the 15 dollar registration fee and the 30 bucks a month and try him out in it. So watch out for him in the 2024 Olympics.

My mother was going through an old file cabinet in my grandmother's house and found some wicked old pictures. She brought them home to me, since i have to do a restoration project in Digital Photography class, and the oldest one dates back to 1861. Apparently, my great great great grandfather/grandmother were missionaries in hawaii, from 1855-1860ish. I totally googled it. No pictures, but most of the info matches up. So i found out I have a bit of British in me. William and Mary Baldwin was their names. There was another set of Baldwins who became doctors and came home filthy rich. Obviously, I am not one of those Baldwins. My relatives brought back pieces of Lava and seashells. One of my great great great aunts was like some crazy religious figure(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnes_Baldwin_Alexander). And to think i turned out to be agnostic.

I wish i knew how to find out more. And i wish I had someone to ask about whose in these pictures. The best one is from 1895 and it's a big picnic with about 30 people in the photo. I am going to use that one for my project.

school

2008-08-22T10:55:48Z

I started school last money. At least, I started my two online courses, Intro to psycology and English 101 (again! How does another english 101 convert to english 100!!). When I first logged on, I was panicked because I'd never done this before and it seemed like so much. I even broke myself out in about 5 seconds. I realized then and there that my acne is stress related. Which sucks, because there is nothing I can do about it. I am stressed all day every day. Also, I think I'm allergic to Saylic Acid. Not sure if I'm allergic to the other acne met, BP (i wont attempt to spell it) So i must accept my life as a pizza face. Right now, I am using tee tree oil and jojoba oil to help. During the day I use Eucerin Everyday Protection sunscreen moisturizer. These things are supposed to keep my skin clear and are more on the natural side. So we shall see. I want something that i put on my face and BOOOM it's clear.

My other two classes are on campus. Digital Photography and History of western civilization. I'm nervous. Hopefully there will be some older people in these classes. I can't believe how stupid some of these 18 year olds are. I mean, I'm only 22 going on 23, but I feel like I've had so much life experience in the past 4 years. One kid turned down a FULL 4 YEAR scholarship to a great school because he didn't really want to play baseball. Yet, he is at this community college PLAYING BASEBALL!!

greenkiwi @ 2008-08-03T15:56:00

2008-08-03T19:58:05Z

I just finished the fourth book in the twilight saga (those pesky children made me take longer then usual) and I loved it. It was perfect. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. It was really, really good.

Then I go on amazon to check out the reviews, and theres all these fan girls BITCHING about every little detail. I swear. FANS RUIN EVERYTHING!! They wouldn't have been happy with ANY ending. NO matter how it ended. They would bitch, bitch,bitch. They will shit all over this last book, then move on to the next thing they will obsess over and ultimately complain about. I can't wait for this movie to come out. All they will do is complain it isnt EXACTLY like the book frame for frame. Jesus Christ! These people are relentless. HOW THE HELL ELSE DID YOU EXPECT IT TO END PEOPLE?!?!

Some pictures

2008-07-17T00:12:18Z

As requested, here are some awesome pictures i took with my digital rebel. well. awesome to me... Pretty awesome for having NO clue how to work this damn thing.. And their probably not resized... how obnoxious...

greenkiwi @ 2008-07-06T17:24:00

2008-07-06T21:24:08Z

I just read the first two Twilight Books (roughly 500 pages each) in 2 days.

Their so awesome. thanks, Melanie :)

For the sake of my children, I'll wait until August 2nd (when the 4th one comes out) to buy three and four in the series. I'm addicted!

greenkiwi @ 2008-07-04T20:25:00

2008-07-05T00:27:48Z

Please form a line to the right to smack me upside the head...

The week before Aiden's birthday, I went to Walmart to get him gifts. I was helping my mom pick one out for him, when i spotted a WALL full of Batman: The Dark Knight action figures, mainly the joker. I was like hmm i should grab a couple of those and put them away to sell later on.

Did I buy any? no...

So i found a different one in the stores today, hidden on the bottom shelves by someone, so I grabbed it. I was researching on Ebay how much it was worth.

The one I bought today? $20 to the $8 I paid.

The one I passed on? $200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM AN IDIOT!!!! I totally should have followed my gut and bought it. I used to collect these things, so I have a good idea what will gain value.. UGGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

greenkiwi @ 2008-06-30T05:56:00

2008-06-30T10:00:28Z

So I survived my first trip to Chuck E Cheese. I never went to one as a kid. We had the Discovery Zone and later on, New Roc City. But anyway, It was pretty empty went we got there, extremely crowded after we left. There were some awful kids there who were just rude and their parents weren't even correcting them! Then this little girl who was with a daycare group fell in love with Johnny and followed us around for a while. I love how no one noticed she was gone. She couldn't have been more then 3. She didn't have any tokens, so i gave her 3.

And as we are leaving, after I accidentally drove the wrong way down a one way street, Freddy joked that we should take the kids to a movie in the theater across from Chuck E. Cheese. Come to find out, it's an XXX theater!! There's a porn theater directly across the street from this place! AND there were cars in the parking lot! I didn't know people still WENT to the movies for porn. Can't you get it for free on the computer? And my god that place must be disgusting...Cause I doubt people go in there to see the movies for them cinematic brilliance.

greenkiwi @ 2008-06-23T21:23:00

2008-06-24T01:32:17Z

So..

What do you think is the most romantic movies and/or books?

My picks:

Books: Time Traveler's Wife and The Tea Rose

Movies: The Notebook (what can I say, I'm a sap) and The Wedding Singer

greenkiwi @ 2008-06-22T20:52:00

2008-06-23T00:53:38Z

I hate the sundays where I have enough alone time to browse facebook photos. It always makes me feel depressed about not having friends close by. I feel like such a loser. I hate when I get in these moods. It's so redundant.

Carrie
&
Freddy

83% Compatible

♥ Carrie and Freddy have been romantically-together for a long time. That alone demonstrates a degree of compatibility. Similar personality descriptions are a plus. Their shared faith will help form a bond between them. They both abstain from drinking, so that helps compatibility. The fact that Freddy is a big sports fan could be divisive, in terms of how the couple spends their time. The two share similar political beliefs, though. However, their astrological signs are not in harmony. But their views on children are similar. Overall, Carrie and Freddy are quite compatible. There are a few rough spots, but nothing that cannot be overcome. ♥

Take the Dating Compatibility Test

greenkiwi @ 2008-06-14T20:57:00

2008-06-15T00:59:25Z

I just realized that I posted about having full financial aid for school like 3 times. Keep in mind that having children completly fries your brain. thats why your parents are the way they are!

But then again, You'll probably forget about this after you have your first.

I'm going to go watch and make fun of some horribly bad movie now.

greenkiwi @ 2008-06-13T05:57:00

2008-06-13T10:03:57Z

way to neglect my livejournal. After boasting that I wouldn't forget it every again. Hah.

So our trip to the bronx was a disaster. heres a list:

Freddy lost aiden's blankie. And those of you who know aiden, know he's never slept a night without it. We've since found a replacement but he cried himself to sleep for days

I went out with cat and sat with her while she got her hair cut. There was a cute bull dog puppy there, so I played with it. Suddenly, my eye swells to the size of a soccer ball, my mouth itches etc etc. I'm allergic. Which is strange, I've had dogs all my life. I'm turning into that whimpy kid in camp whose allergic to EVERYTHING. Just get me a pocket protector now.

Freddy went out with Steve, Jimmy and ray. Steve's car proceeds to die on the Queensbourough bridge, causing an accident

Saturday night, Aiden vomits all over my SIL's room. So we bolted early, missing Alex and Freddys grandma. It was just the trip from hell. We should have turned around when bankie turned up missing.

And I'm starting school in the fall. Finally. On full financial aid. It's awesome. I take 2 classes online and two classes on campus. One of the classes is digital photography, so maybe I will finally learn all the cool features on my Digital Rebel. I feel like I'm wasting it. But i do need a new flash and a new lens at some point. I wanted to get one with the stimulus check, but I think I will get a Wii and a Wii fit. I've been video game starved for a long long time. Plus aiden could probably play the Wii with me.

oh, and Steve and Barrys had lame SATC tee shirts. They had such cool ones online, but in the store they were laame. oh well.

greenkiwi @ 2008-05-19T06:57:00

2008-05-19T11:01:45Z

I should be making breakfast for everyone but oh well..

So last week I tried this skin care kit from Patricia Wexler MD. It worked well for the first day, but on the second day, i started experiencing itchy eyes, an itchy mouth and my tongue swelled a little bit. I'm horribly allergic to it! To top it off, i have some beautiful new zits and a nice rash on my face. And we are going to the Bronx in like 3 days! I was so hoping my skin would be clear for the trip, but now it looks like it wont. I hate when my skin flairs up like this. I feel so self conscious. I got a nice hair cut and tried out bangs this time, but I feel so weird with them. I feel like they are just pointing right to my break out. Good thing they are really long and i can brush them to the side. Ive been strung out on benadryll for the past few days trying to get rid of this mess!!

Just my luck.. And the icing on the cake: I went to steve and barrys to purchase some Official Sex and the City tee shirts, and they had none out! And watch, by the time i get back there, they will be sold out! GRR!

greenkiwi @ 2008-05-16T06:31:00

2008-05-16T10:37:56Z

I should be writing crap about Catherine. LIke bad talking her for hanging up on me. But Naah...

I got a letter in the mail yesterday, telling me I have full financial aide for school :) I don't know if this covers books and fees, but either way, I'm excited. They over payed me for it so i will be getting a check for the difference, which i will either use to pay down those credit cards or put away for the next semester. I can't wait to go back to school. It is going to be really tough but worth it.

In less then a week, we are going down to visit the Bronx and those who still live there. We ended up having to take our car (a Hyundai Sonata) instead of my parents' minivan because to fill up the van costs 100 dollars. So we would need to put aside 200 bucks JUST for gas. Insane! Our smaller car gets better gas mileage too. this is me being green. To make up for all the diapers i am putting into the landfills. (But if those hippies want me to use cloth diapers, they can come and wash them for me. yuck!)

Thursday I will be eating Sushi with the lovley Cat. Friday morning we are going to centra park/times square with Alex and his little brother and hopefully roe. That night freddy is going to hang with his friends. Saturday morning we are visiting my cousin in Queens since my aunt and uncle are in Italy. Saturday evening is dinner with Chris. Then Sunday Freddys family will probably come by. Busy!

things that are annoying me at the moment

2008-04-22T00:09:42Z

++Bugs- yes, i live in the country and need to learn to deal with them. But the little gnatty ones keep flying into my eyes. Its annoying and gross.

++People, it's not BABYSITTING when they are your own children. ESPECIALLY if you dont live with them. It's called being a parent.

++The fact that I have been working out 5-6 days a week for 20-40 minutes at a time and can't see any results. blah. And i don't even eat badly!!

++Did anyone used to watch DINOSAURS? Remember the episode when the Baby turned 2 and all hell broke loose? Then they tricked him into thinking he turned 3 and he was calm again? I am PRAYING that happens in real life, because Aiden is evil!! OH and his birthday is 2 weeks from today. HOW!?!?! It totally crept up on me. His birthday party is a week from saturday and I have done NOTHING!

++The fact that my 9 month old is faster then me. I put him on the floor, turn around to grab the remote, turn back around and SOMEHOW HE IS IN THE KITCHEN OR MUDROOM!! Which are pretty long distances for someone who is just crawling there. He should have been named Johnny lighting.

greenkiwi @ 2008-04-18T19:46:00

2008-04-18T23:47:28Z

Please tell me why gas in watertown is 3.69? By me it's 3.51. GROSS!!!!

greenkiwi @ 2008-03-31T20:00:00

2008-04-01T00:04:50Z

You know you're workout is good when you feel like you're going to fall apart at the end of it.

I've been working out for 30 minutes a night 5 nights a week. I would do it every day, but my parents don't work on Friday and Sunday evenings. And the living room is the only place with space for my workouts. I don't really feel like putting on a show. Especially since a majority of my workouts are "striptease" themed. I do at least 10 minutes of cardio. the most being 20. I do pilates every time. I'm doing pretty well considering i couldnt walk up the stairs without getting out of breath.

My big motivation is our trip back to the Bronx at the end of May. I gotta look fierce! I'm sick of not letting anyone take my picture because I'm ashamed of how big I have gotten. I just want to lose a size or two. I bought a scale at Walmart for 6 dollars. But I realize I should have sprung for the 10 dollar one.

::sigh:: I wish I could go on a trip... Somewhere outside this timezone. The furthest I've been is Orlando. How sad.