Friday, October 30, 2009

the working mom's walk of shame

I hate doing the walk of shame in the morning.

No, I am not talking about that walk of shame...

I'm talking of the working mom's walk of shame.

The one where you sneak around your house trying not to wake the baby. Or worse, when the baby is up & crying - you're having to walk away knowing that either your husband will get to him, he'll go back to sleep, or worse case, you've checked on him - know he has a dry diaper, is not sick, and has water + movie (in our house Elmo) to entertain him. All while you are headed towards the shower so you can try to be somewhat on time for work.

10 minute rule applies here, right?

This is the one that causes you to stop & time your child's outburst for duration & intensity much like I imagine I would have timed my contractions, had I had any. Spending precious morning pre-work minutes trying to decide, do you wake your husband or don't you? Can I grab that shower and know he is unhappy, but okay?

And then, in that last possible millisecond before you have to leave, you turn the monitor back on - putting it in said child's hands on whether Daddy gets an early wake-up.

With that, you race for the door, on your tip toes of course, so your heels clicking on the hardwood do not increase the volume or intensity of the outburst... You zip down your driveway without your lights on because you are afraid the lights shining in his bedroom will set him off...

And you race to work, feeling guilty for having left your upset child without having his needs met... Feeling guilty because you are officially going to be late to work... Feeling guilty because your husband will have to get up and tend to said child much earlier than he planned... And mostly, just wondering if you are failing your son because you choose work over him.

Choose, that is, being an arrow of guilt straight into your heart, as it's not like really have a choice. You are a working mom. Doing what you do because it is what is best for your family in the big picture.

Yep, I hate mornings like these...

Today, however, I'm thankful that it is Friday - so I will be able to revel in meeting (or at least doing my very best to) his every need... And some he doesn't he know about - like, say... putting him on the potty first thing. And later, we will be attending a costume party, or two, so instead of being entertained by Elmo, he will be Elmo.

Yep, I live for days like these...

Thursday, October 29, 2009

World Psoriasis Day

What is Psoriasis? Well, I'm so glad you asked! The National Psoriasis Foundation has the best definition.

Psoriasis—a noncontagious disease of the immune system that appears on the skin—affects approximately 125 million people worldwide. In the U.S., psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease, affecting as many as 7.5 million people. Psoriasis is linked to other serious conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, liver disease and obesity. People with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis report that their disease impacts their daily lives, shapes their feelings about themselves and affects how they believe others perceive them.

https://www.psoriasis.org/netcommunity/home

Being the new mother of a 20 month old has given me a whole new perspective on my psoriasis.

It has worsened, at times, from moderately severe to full blown severe. It has decreased my time and ability to apply or utilize treatments.

Most of all, it has increased my prayers for a cure, as I live every day in fear that my child, or that one of my nieces will one day be diagnosed. While I know it is not a death sentence, it is a life-altering one. One that I hope Congress will consider on this day, World Psoriasis Day, and work towards ending by co-sponsoring H.R. 930/S. 571, the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research Cure and Care Act of 2009.

If you would all take a minute to go here and sign the petition, I'd be forever grateful.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

pre-Dinner Reading

Last night, before J demonstrated his new invention (see bonus post from yesterday), he wanted to bone up on his intellectual knowledge...

So after strapping him in his high chair & getting his juice, I asked what he would like to play with while I get his dinner ready. I offered him, his laptop, blackberry, Elmo, matchbox cars, blocks, and the old house phone.

None of these items interested him. As he wanted Daddy's newspaper...

To read:


or... Maybe just to shred...


Whoops! Hope Mr. M was done reading that...

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Bonus: New Eating Utensil

J, the inventive genius that is Mr. M's & my son, found a new use for an old broken house phone.

It is no longer just for make believe phone conversations, that's soooo yesterday.

Yes, today is a new day with a whole new set of ideas.

Just check out this latest one:

Why use your fingers or a normal utensil (read: fork or spoon), when you can just stick your phone in it & then lick it off of that? Bonus being, Heaven only knows what other goodies you are picking up off that phone...

And with that - we are off to start our bedtime routine... (read: scrub our teeth)

and... To Whoever invented wet wipes, you are my hero.

Where is it?

Last Tuesday evening, I had J at the Dr's office with me. With all the sick people, it was a really.long.wait. really.really.long.

So what's a mom to do, when her son has eaten his MckNuggets, his yogurt bites, his cookies, and drank a glass of water and a glass of Hi-C Orange?

Why play hide & seek with the cup, of course....

Only bad part was he kept getting distracted by outlet's and cords....



Eventually, J did think to check the diaper bag - where he happily found his cup. He then handed it to me very unhappy that it was empty.

Thankfully, by then the Dr came in & distracting him in a whole new way... And shortly thereafter, we were on our way for the evening...

unofficial - as in mommy took these while waiting on the her Dr - 20 month measurements:

28 lbs

somewhere between 34 & 34.5 inches tall (he really didn't want to stand still for this one at all)

Monday, October 26, 2009

not ME - Monday!


Welcome to another MckMama inspired "Not Me! Monday"....

After last week's horrifically long Not Me! Monday, I am not glad to announce this week is fairly tame.

In wrapping up last week's, I do have one update: I did not end up at the Dr on Tuesday evening to find, my hand was indeed infected from a certain fall I may or may not have had the prior week that connected me with a rose bush.

While shopping on Friday, I did not leave my umbrella in the car - where it was totally useless in keeping a certain young man dry. Nope! Not Me! I'm waaaayyy more responsible as a mom than chance getting caught in a downpour while shopping at an outdoor mall. And if there were to have happened, my child would be waaayyy to dignified to cry out with glee and clap his hands as the rain was sneaking under the hood of his stroller. Nope! Not My Child!

I did not offer my son apple chips with his chicken nuggets for dinner in hopes of tricking him into eating fruit. If I were, it might look something like this:

And if he were to have liked them, I wouldn't do it again within the same week. And if this were to happen, he would not call me on my deception by promptly throwing all chips to the floor for the doggies happy consumption. Nope! Not My Child!

And to throw a new twist on Not Me!

If the doggies were to have gotten a bag full of apple chips, then Payton, who does not have a history of eating off J's high chair seat, would not have jumped up - trying to figure out how to *clean* J's high chair seat - with him in it. Nope! Not My Dog! She is definitely better trained than that.

Nor would she see J & I happily napping on the couch together, and come over to lick J in the face disturbing the momentary peace that was being had in the house. Nope! Not My Dog! I've worked hard to train her to always let the baby sleep, and as a result, she always cooperates... Squirrels, rabbits, actually any wild life that may enter our window viewing site is actively disregarded & ignored when the baby is sleeping.

Lastly, I have to have one good one right?...

I did not give my son a bite of my plum, because even though it has a skin (read: choke hazard) on it, his interest in fruit won me over to try it. My son did not do so well with the first piece that I gave him a second piece. He would not have choked, because I would never have let him bite off a piece bigger than he could chew. Nope! Not My Child! I would not have stayed calm, having him in my arms while choking on this piece of plum. Leaning forward with him as his body dislodged the offending food. Letting him yak all over our hardwood floors. I would not try to get him to smile by saying... "Great job! You managed to not get any on us." This would not have thwarted the tears starting in his eyes...

And if this much drama were to have occurred, I would not give him a few minutes of drinking water & talking his talk to ensure all was well - only to throw him in his car seat & head off to the grocery store. Nope! Not me! I would spend the rest of the day babying my little boy.

If all this choking were to have happened, it would not upset my tummy so by lunchtime, when child was happily recovered and chowing on his oatmeal, I would not have skipped it until after he was down for his nap. Nope! Not Me! I'm way more calm, cool and collected than that....

Sunday, October 25, 2009

It's already time for winter coats?

On Friday, we had rain, wind, and low 40's. Eek! How did it become already time for winter coats?

or maybe the better way to look at it....

It's time to shop! Mommy shop, that is...

J & I headed off, braving the wind, the rain & the out door mall environment to see what the outlet mall had to offer in way of a winter coat, hat & gloves. J was such a trooper. He let me try clothes on him. Granted, he also launch his sippy cup across the dressing room - knocking the valve loose & sending water EVERYWHERE...

Lighthouse Mall had tons of sales, and even a general coupon for an additional 20% off the lowest price the store was charging. J & I struck gold at our first store, eliminating the need to go anywhere else...

And for Grandma & Grandpa P... Um, Yeah, I still have the knack for saving (read: spending) way to much of money shopping in less than a half hour... And while it is just as much fun shopping for little man as it ever was for me (thank you Mom!), I do have to admit... While I now understand the sarcastic blow off of telling you how much I saved you, I did find it pretty rewarding to return the favor for J. Sadly, I don't think Mr. M buys the "but I saved you..." story at all... Or maybe, like Dad... He enjoys seeing his kid snazzed out, so he will put up with such shopping expeditions - every... once in a while...

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Lights! Action!

While playing with a broken house (or cell) phone makes a certain little man happy, I'm constantly watching for new things... I really love these finds when the are uber cheap...

My most recent find was during a I.Need.Chocolate. run during my lunch hour... It has introduced a new favorite pre-dinner past time...


...and...I had no idea he would love it this much....

Friday, October 23, 2009

Only a week later....

Okay... So I'm a little behind on J happenings... (This is what I get for being an anti-social blogger for oh, say, 5 days... Whoops!)

Moving on...

Last Friday, J & I were invited to a playdate with Ava & Dottie. This is so much fun for mommy too, because it gives her time with Susie (Ava' mom) and Laura (Dottie's mom). After the last, totally stressful, J gets into everything, playdate at Dottie's - Susie volunteered to host this one...(So yes, that means I'm up next... As my house quakes with joy)

J & I were unusually late. But then again, this is the morning after getting defeated by poop-in-the-tub, so I felt totally justified. Though, I blamed it on lack of sleep, for I was not retelling that story just then... I wasn't to the sharing point just yet...

Normally, J gets up & rolls with the girls... Generally, he leads the way trouble and the girls follow. That did not happen... He instead, hung out on my lap - then avoided the girls. Cried - read: instant meltdown - when I tried to encourage - read: lock him in the play area - him to play with them.

So instead of having cute pictures like this from last summer, I have these....

J hugging my leg...




Or just not playing with the girls...

or... While they played together so nicely... He was banging the glass fireplace doors... (hence no picture, I was redirecting his attention)
sigh...Maybe it will get better next time...

A mom can hope, right?

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Rare - Mommy AM drop-off

On most, Monday through Thursday mornings, Mr. M does wake-up, first cup of milk & morning snack. Followed by a quick diaper change, getting dressed, and off to school/daycare.


Reason: I'm generally at work before either of them even think about waking up for the day. Okay, so maybe J has let it be known he'd get up, but within 10 minutes of no response, settles back into sleep by alphabet Elmo or talking & music playing Oscar. As he really isn't ready to get up either, but would like to think he is...


This is the normal routine. Recently, we varied this routine to accommodate Mr. M's business meeting. (I have an awesome boss who helped make this work) I went into work 2 hours late, you know that day I may or may not have fallen in the gas station parking lot - yeah, that day.


ANYWAY... on that fateful day, I got to do this routine. Wow! He is sooo active, on these mornings... Our Friday's through Sunday's he is much more low key, going with the flow of being lazy until Mommy is ready to roll... On a school day however, Daddy has him well trained to get up & move...


and move he did... Turning on Sprout.




blatantly ignored me trying to get a good picture of him... Still working on turning on that TV...


Breakfast didn't go so well, so I took his snack & juice to daycare in a blatant bribe to not have him meltdown as I left. It did NOT work. Angie did call me though, before I was even out of her subdivision to let me hear how happily my son was taking to the bribe right after I shut the upstairs security door.



Before the tears though, I did grab one last happy picture of J being J....



He was even singing with Leap (ABC's) to complete the Rock Star getup...



You may have to turn the volume all the way up, but if you listen carefully, you can catch J picking up some of the letters clearly....


(Sorry for it being so dark, but someone (not naming names, ahem... Mr. M) has to replace the garage door light bulb)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Uncle Jon crossed the border....

Okay, so it wasn't a huge border (like the Mexican or Canadian), and if you asked Mr. M - he'd tell you we are closer to the city than most Chicago suburbs. But for those born & raised in-the-City-of-Chicago, crossing the Indiana border is to be avoided most of the time.... Opinion being, what could the Hoosier state have that the City didn't, that you really needed?

The best answer is: A Sir Jacob fix...

But that is all beside the point... Uncle Jon did make the trip to see little man and to allow Mr. M, me & J to get to know his significant other, Kim. (Who is super sweet, btw!)



Since we were working on a non-nap day, you know those days when you lay down (after trying for an hour to get them asleep on their own) with them for over an hour, and then finally give up because you cannot stand to have: your eyeballs poked at, hair pulled, unanticipated random screams of discontent right in your ear for not being allowed to roll, play with the TV remote, etc..., we were crossing our fingers, holding our breath, and praying for it to be a good day.

It was... It was a delightful day. That probably sent Jon & Kim on their way going, "Whew, I can relax now!"

The extra pairs of eyes were a great help, as Jacob has really taken to having the run of the house. side note: I'm starting to wonder if we shouldn't just move his current gate out of his room, to place in front of our TV to hide those from exploring hands.

J even paused momentarily to get some Uncle love, to which, Mommy quickly captured it - before he was on the move again...

Oh, and those summer shoes, no worry - he never went outside, but he did pick them out of his closet with the specific request to have Uncle Jon help him put them on his feet...

Oh, Uncle Jon & Kim scored major points because our little J is a 'cookie king'!
And they brought him his very own 'Bear's Football' bakery cookie...

Jon & Kim - thank you so much for coming out our way... We all had such a great visit! A must do again, soon - well, soon, being after the CPA exam. Best of luck on that!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Have you been Boo! 'd?


Boo! is a neighborhood game... Last year when I saw all the Boo! signs, I wondered what were we missing out on?

This year, we were one of the first to receive a Boo! package, and it was such a delight. Fall towels, Halloween decorations, coloring book, plate & bowl for Jacob, Boo! Boo! Band-aids just names a few of the items in the bag.

The catch of the game is - now we had to do it for 2 more people. Can I just tell you how I stressed over what to buy? Mr. M was helpful only to the point of picking J up from daycare and getting him dinner on his day off so I could stop by Target on my way home from work. Then he stayed with him while I delivered the packages...

So first, I stressed over what to buy for the neighbors I really don't know and keep it inexpensive, but then I had to deliver them... The whole point of the game is doing something nice for people, but not letting them know it was you... (Which, to Mr. M's point was - why was I stressing, they'd never know it was me)

In the end, I really hope my two neighbors liked what I put together, and if not, then the Bath & Body Works foam anti-bacterial soap I threw in the bag on the way out the door, was useful - if not enjoyed... Mostly, I just hope they got the warm and fuzzies of "hey, we are apart of the neighborhood" that the package was put together with...

Lastly, I'm sorry for ringing your door bell after dark (but before 8) then running... It truly was with the best of intentions!

Monday, October 19, 2009

not ME - Monday!

It's seriously that time again? Eek...

Welcome to another McKmama inspired "Not Me! Monday"....

and wow! Was this week a real doozey...

It wasn't me who just last week bragged over having my child properly poop in the toilet at 20 months, only to have him poop in the tub exactly a week later to show me what I get for bragging. Nope, not my child! I wouldn't have felt totally defeated that this happened for only the 2nd time in his life, even though he gets bathed every - single - night so rapidly after posting said brag moment. Nope, not me!

Said, defeated mentality would not encourage me to choose to empty boxes of home decoration boxes, putting up pictures, decorating in the empty space over our kitchen cabinets instead of blogging. Nope, not me!

And said, potty-training child wouldn't further horrify me by properly peeing on the toilet 2 days later, but aim it all over his step stool, new child's potty and me books, and the floor for good measure. Nope, not my child! I'm certainly not raising him to have such disgusting manners. And if, such an event were to occur, I would most certainly not praise him for being such a "big boy peeing on the toilet" figuring we can work on aim later...

And if all this potty-not-in-the-toilet business were to have happened, I would not want to cry over it happening AFTER we just had the house cleaned, so it really did fall to me to clean it all not once, but three times (2x's with heavy duty, and 1x with "all natural" to wash away the harmful chemicals) before I felt like it was clean enough to host my brother-in-law & his girlfriend over for dinner on Sunday.

It wasn't me on Thursday you saw falling on her bum in the gas station parking lot, grabbing onto the rose bush for good measure on her way down to really do it up right. Really, it wasn't! I'm way more coordinated than that! And if it was me, which it wasn't, I wouldn't then blame it on the flat shoes I was wearing so that I wouldn't fall with J in my arms, since I had to take him down the stairs to daycare before going to work. And I wouldn't have gotten in the car, after washing my hands & getting band-aids, and taken stock of "At least I didn't split my pants or brake a bone", not thinking in the least "at least I didn't have J in my arms" because I ALWAYS think of my child first & foremost. (seriously bad working mommy focused moment)

As if all these were not enough... I still need to confess....

That wasn't my child you saw at Walgreen's yesterday without shoes. Nope, not me! I would never take my child out in public without shoes, especially when it is only the low 50's temp wise. And I most certainly would not do it because while picking up our dry cleaning the gal reminded it was Sweetest Day... Because I always remember random Hallmark Holidays.

And lastly, seriously you are probably like - enough already!, but I still have one more...

That loud crash you heard around the world this morning.... It didn't come from my house! Definitely did not come from my house. Specifically my bathroom from pictures just hung up on Thursday night.

And at that point, I definitely did not cry over how the glass shattered and thankful no one was in there (specifically Mr. M or little man) to get hurt when the picture crashed down. Nor did I say a prayer of thanks that neither Mr. M nor Jacob were woken up by said crash.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Fun post-Pumpkin Picking...

After spending such a great day with Aunt Liz at the pumpkin patch, we spent the afternoon at Grandma & Grandpa M's.

Wearing a "cook's hat" with Grandpa....



Having Aunt Liz chase & chase & chase him all over the house... To which Mommy was VERY grateful for the moment to relax & have some very yummy chili.

Then have a little dessert... Pineapple Sorbet

However, I think I need to start working on manners, as...

my child refused the spoon...

in favor of his tongue...

And yet, he was so happy, I could only laugh...

I know... Bad Mommy...

Monday, October 12, 2009

not ME - Monday!


In following McKmama's lead, I'm jumping on the "not me" bandwagon today...

It wasn't me who did a big time silly potty dance when my child pooped in the toilet this week. And I certainly did not call everyone to brag, nor did I blog about it, nor would I post it on Facebook. Nope... "not me" I'm way more refined than to post such private business so publicly. Regardless of how proud I was of my little boy.

And it wasn't me who bribed my child with Gerber Yogurt Melts to not meltdown (pun intended) during his flu shot. And I most certainly did not follow up this first bribe with a McDonald's Happy Meal, because I know how important getting his veggies are - of which french fries don't qualify. Then top this off, it wasn't me who then threw away said french fries because I wanted J to focus on the McNuggets. Nope... Not Me! I'd never be that mean or wasteful with food.


And the rainy morning after said child's flu shot, I'd never feed him a Popsicle for breakfast.



Nope... Wasn't me...



Sunday, October 11, 2009

Pumpkin Picking...

On Saturday, Aunt Liz & I introduced Jacob to the Pumpkin Patch... Much like the apple orchard, it had much more to do than just pick pumpkins.

First, Aunt Liz had to introduce Jacob to the pumpkins, as he was a little nervous approaching a big pile of pumpkins.

And he wouldn't even sit near Frankenstein who was watching over the pumpkins... The singing chickens held his attention for a moment, after he figured out they couldn't get to him. The actual animals in the petting zoo, were very happy to munch on our carrots, while J was perfectly happy to be glued to my side.... I think they were a bit to aggressive in their hunger, and J was afraid they wouldn't stop at just eating the carrot.

After this, we did a "hayride" to the pumpkin patch, which is really an area where they've place a bunch of picked pumpkins for the kids to enjoy the experience without having to get to muddy in the actual farm.

J found Aunt Liz to be a good chaser... Constantly looking up at her to make sure she was still following him closely... And as his comfort grew with the venue, his personality started really shining through....

Catching him exclaiming with glee over this pumpkin... Laying his head down on the pumpkin to listen to it...

He was even up for some posing...

Thank you Aunt Liz for a wonderful idea & a great day!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Mommy Brag Moment....

I'm sorry I have no pictures, but I was to busy cheering J on...

J pooped in the toilet last night. Intentionally.

I'm such a proud momma!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

pre-Dinner Snack....

The best part of apple picking, is finding a fruit J will eat. Since departing from baby / toddler food to table food, J lost his love of fruit & veggies. As in I gave him some steamed carrots the other night & he filled his little fist, launching them full speed towards the floor after mistakenly grabbing one instead of the chicken.

With fruit, he will see other kiddos eating it - beg for it, then once chewing / tasting it realize "ick" and out it comes. What is so funny about this, is 2 seconds later he'll forget he doesn't like it and beg for more. Like he doesn't believe what we gave him is what they are eating...

If it wasn't so messy, it'd be adorable...

Ahem... Back to the topic at hand here... J LOVES apples. Not apple slices. Not pieces mommy bites off for him, but the whole apple.

So last night I gave him one to chew on while I was making his dinner...

What was so totally adorable was after getting a really juicy bite he'd look at me & get this big, proud of himself smile & say "Yum!"
Granted... If you look closely at his shirt (hint: by left hand) you will see, he's not such a fan of actually eating the whole apple either... :(
Although, I know he is getting more this way than if I just didn't feed him any at all...

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

the beginnings of..... Potty Training

Yes, I realize Jacob is a boy.... Yes, I have been told, time AND AGAIN, boys are harder to potty train than girls... And no, I haven't forgotten my son will not be 20 months for another few days....

My response: "Your point?"

I can start to potty train my child if I want to... And who wouldn't want to when you have fun like this...

Or the giggles we shared last night... I know he won't remember them (other than just in general good feelings), but to me, they are priceless.

What are these shared giggles you ask: I probably shouldn't tell you... Definitely not something I should be blogging about for his future girlfriends to possibly read... But since I'm dying to share...

He "tooted" on the toilet.

And I did the very potty training mommy thing... I clapped and cheered. To which, my very happy boy made a concerted effort to "toot" again. and giggle then again.. and more giggles (I'm talking belly bouncing giggles here) till he did it again...

Then he got surprised... All this pushing caused him to pee... And he got the big potty dance. Which was a good thing, because he was a little scared of act of peeing in the toilet.

So while I know, we are still a long ways away from pitching the diapers, I am very much looking forward to more nights like last night in watching J grow to understand what the toilet is there for and how to use it...

Especially during these days of laughter, in hopes we avoid the tears so many parents experience during potty training...


Snapshots of his "supplies".... The foot stool Aunt Liz got him.

And the Sesame Street seat insert that keeps him from falling in...


Do you have a suggestion or two to make this process go faster and easier - I'd love to hear them...

Monday, October 5, 2009

His love of phones...

J & I were ready to leave slightly before Daddy yesterday, and knowing J was going to be sitting for the next 2.5 hours, I decided to let him run around the house, while we killed time. He immediately revelled in his freedom & sought out an old house phone. He had so much fun "dialing", "talking", bringing me the phone for me to say "Hello!"...

Sadly, this did not encourage sleep on the ride, as he was awake the whole trip there & most of the trip home... Luckily... He proved to Dad he is a pretty good traveler...

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Saying a winter "good-bye" to Grandma & Grandpa P

Today, Mr. M & I headed off to Michigan for our last '09 trip to see Grandma & Grandpa P at the Lake.

It was fun & sad at the same time... As J is changing so quick, it will be sad they will not be able to share in it, but at the same time - they will be in much warmer weather.
Unlike previous visits, J had no time outside because it was storming. So we instead had to finds things to entertain him... Or I should say, he found things to entertain him...
Ringing the dinner bell...

Giving Grandpa hugs while watching the Bears beat the Lions...

And meeting Grandma & Grandpa's new friend...
He wasn't so sure about this one... :)
Had a great time Mom & Dad! Thanks! Have a great winter!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Got Prunes?

With all the traveling last weekend, followed by Mommy cutting a lot of J's sweet snacks & juice (in favor of water)... The poor kid has only courtesy pooped (you know, enough to dirty the diaper, but not enough to get the job done), through last night.... So here is a pic of J getting loaded up with grape juice....

Oh, and those attractive barrette looking things, puffs that got caught in the curls as he was dropping them over his head to the floor to go "uh, oh!" while mommy got dinner together...

J's dinner - yogurt, prunes (yes, he ate them all on their own) & grape juice with a side of mandarin oranges & some of my chicken...

Angie, our DCP, was worried (as was I) about how much of a disaster this would be, but it wasn't... And thankfully, as I write tonight, we are back on track... Now we just have to cross our finger it stays that way this weekend...
and... now I need to get back to Grey's... :)