Fall Firsts

Had lots of firsts last week.

Beatrice's first day of Pre-K (4-5 yr old classroom)
Bea is attending the same school she went to last year so the 'first day jitters' were non-existant. Her teacher is awesome. The kind of gal that's been doing this thang for about 20 years and is no-nonsense with the kids.

First lost tooth:  I think I was more worked up about this ordeal than my girl. Bea is typically the analytical, worry-wart kind of kid. This whole tooth thing was a breeze. She never ceases to amaze me. Or give me anxiety-induced diarrhea. The things I think are gonna be huge deals blow over like nothing, then the things I'm not prepared for become freakin' Mt. Vesuvius. It's the unpredictability of it all that makes parenting such a bitch. 

First Day of Sunday Football:  Celebrated in tandem with our very own, Dinky's, 33 birthday. Lobstahs all around.  I had about 3 bites because my kids are lobster freaks. (I know, First World Problems...)Beatrice and I also celebrated this holiday by taking a trip to the Mall. We hit up Lululemon, then the American Girl Doll store. Doesn't get more White-Suburbanite than that. The only thing that would have made it more stereotypical would have been pizza and salads at California Pizza Kitchen. Or PF Chang's if we were feeling 'ethnic.'

I realize that my poor lil Theo is missing from this post. Shout out to my boy.

He's Beatrice's real life doll (a la Richard Pryor's The Toy.)

Zoolander

Theo Is a PiT (Princess-in-Training)

Michael Jackson's PYT is playing through my head after typing P-i-T.



Beatrice's coaching in this video is stellar. She has pageant mom written all over her.

This video reminds me of the time my sister and I got in trouble for dressing up my little brother as a girl, full on lipstick and high heels. He loved it.

A Rose By Any Other Name

A friend sent me a link to this news last week. That Bryce Dallas Howard (daughter of Opie/Richie Cunningham) has great taste in names! Too bad I can't say the same for her parents.

Just Another Day For You & Me in Paradise

Sometimes when you're just trying to keep from screaming, its best to just grab the iPhone to shoot a video of the complete shit show your house has become. This here is dinner time at the Chase casa. Theo is melting down because Cory's taken away his dinner after the nine hundredth warning to NOT THROW YOUR FOOD. We are going to have our hands full with this little bastard. He has no fear of authority. Just like the father. But really my favorite part of this video is Beatrice yelling in the background "I NEED A HOT DOG" and then the end when Theo, still crying does his best to say "Cheese." Aw, welcome to my world.




P.S. Try getting that Phil Collins song out of your head (see blog title.) Sorry, sucka.

American Baby

Last week my mother took Beatrice to the American Girl Store. Theo and I tagged along to make sure the brainwashing wasn't a complete success. I wasn't feeling too good about it as we pulled into the parking lot and Beatrice squealed "The American Girl store!" I hadn't told her where we were going so I asked "How do you know where we are?" She retorted "Mama, I can read the star sign." Wow.... that's some shit, girl can't even write her own name or tie her shoes but she knows the doll store.

This trip was planned by my mother as a reconnaissance mission for Christmas. Since this is Bea's first American Girl doll, I suggested we make a beeline for the cheaper Bitty Baby (read Gateway Drug) section. Bea's eyes lit up as my mother pulled one after another off the shelves for her to hold. Then she saw the twins in the next section and flipped the f out. I think at that point my mother would have bought her a set of octuplets.

W then we made our way up to the larger sized dolls (read Heroin) section. I don't think I'll have to worry about the American Girl marketing geniuses converting my little boy. He spent most of our twenty minutes up there hiding and trashing the joint:


On the way out the door my mother caught my eye and motioned to the section of mini-sized dolls, pantomiming buying one for Beatrice right then and there. I gave her a "Are you f'ing crazy look" after we turned it over to see the price tag of $22. It's 6 inches tall. My mother is totally drinking the Kool-Aid.

All Before 6:30 A.M.

I sometimes think Beatrice was born in the wrong region. Her latest thing is that before she comes downstairs for breakfast, she goes into the bathroom to put on her headband. Then she climbs up on her stool to check herself out in the mirror. Here's our little Southern Belle-in-training. How long before she starts putting on her face before breakfast?



So while the first born is busy prettying herself before the sun rises, her brother (pictured behind her dangerously atop the counter) is growling and maniacally searching for a morsel of food. You can't even get the coffee going before you shove a banana appetizer (a.k.a banappetizer) in his mouth while his eggs/pancake/oatmeal cooks.

Nothing like a calm, lazy start to a hectic day.

Halloween 2011

This year's Halloween was a 2-part extravaganza. The Friday night before Halloween we had a wedding to attend. A costumed wedding for the entire family. Cory most definitely represented well with his bandleader uniform. Beatrice and I rocked it out as ballerinas and Theo went as a skunk (of course.)

Then a couple of nights later, the kids donned their costumes again and we hit the pavement. Beatrice liked it a bit better this year and Theo totally got into it.

Here are some pictures.

Breeder's Cup

This is the end of an era. I am off to the hospital now for my procedure. I am feeling good about it, content that I am making the right decision. I am definitely lucky that I don't feel ambivalent about not wanting to bear any more children. My family is complete and we have been blessed with two healthy and happy children.

As Cory took the kids off to Miss Maria's today, I stood in the doorway and watched as they left. My heart swelled with pride knowing that this body grew those babies, gave birth to those babies, and fed those babies. This body has served me well and for that I am grateful.

Thank you Beatrice and Theo for giving me the chance to be your mama. I treasure forever that moment the nurses put each of you on my chest and I breathed in every last bit of you, knowing that you were mine.

Weekend Happenings

I have to post something so that the F word isn't the first blog post title you see when you accidentally make it to my page. (Let's be honest, no one comes here on purpose.) I don't think I've ever used a swear word in my post title before but goddammit book clubs really make me mad. There I go again... I have to stop.

So we had a jam packed weekend. Basically everything we did was kid-related. Don't get me wrong, I love my children but having a weekend filled with only kid-centric things like the PTO Pumpkin Fair, Clifford Visits the Library, and the Halloween Lantern Lighting, is somewhat depressing.

Well, I guess we did sneak in some things I like. We hit a couple of yard sales. I scored these boots for $3.


I'm not scared to wear other people's shoes. And actually it turned out that the lady grew up next to our nanny. I'd heard all about her so I know she's good people (and thus I assume she is hygienic.)

We also went to the SOWA Open Market. While those things were fun, they were experienced with kids in tow. If you have kids, you know that feeling of being somewhere public, having to keep one hand on your child, one on your coffee, all the while making sure he/she doesn't break anything/walk into someone/throw a fit in the middle of the walkway.

So enough complaining. These little buggers do make life more fun (and exhausting.)

Oh I just remembered one more notable event this weekend. Before the Lantern Lighting we went to El Oriental de Cuba, a delicious Cuban Restaurant. I got the Seafood Stew which was fantastic. The next morning I open up the Boston Globe to find this story about local restaurants lying about their seafood offerings. I was definitely chomping away on Charles River Catfish.

Theo doesn't know what's coming next

This was Theo at his 12 month appointment. We were waiting for the nurse to come in to give him his vaccinations. He has no idea what's about to happen.



Last week when we walked into the doctor's office for his 15 month appointment, he was all scowls and bad attitude. When the nurse walked in for fun time, he immediately started crying, clinging to me for dear life. He's like the mother, still holding a grudge!

Guess Who's Back... Back again...

I have been so bad with the blogging, I know, I know. Maybe when the colder weather comes back my writer's block will subside. Today, I do have some random musings to share.

This morning I dropped Beatrice off at daycare and our beloved childcare provider pulled me aside to ask me something 'personal.' (Those are the most dreaded words any parent wants to hear.) I think she saw the look of terror on my face and quickly assured me "No, well its not personal like that." But I took that with a grain of salt because we have what you would call a relationship with murky boundaries. She, like me, is Portuguese. And with that comes an unspoken code. We've discussed the following topics just in the last week:
1) My weight. Down to the pound. Yup, she asked for numbers.
2) Cultural affections. She has some firm beliefs on which cultures hug and which don't. There are many assumptions you can make about a culture that doesn't hug. So she tells me...
3) Her reproductive organs. All of them. Which ones were removed and when and how.
4) My reproductive organs. Will I need remove them and when and how.

So anyways, she proceeds to tell me that for the past couple of weeks Beatrice has been talking about her grandmother who only has one leg. Now our provider has met both grandmothers and has noted that they both stand atop 2 healthy legs. I immediately bust out laughing because yes, Beatrice does in fact have a grandmother, though she is technically a great-grandmother, with only one leg. Turns out that Beatrice and her gaggle of little girls have been pretending that they only have one leg. They pretend they are in wheelchairs and they take turns being the one with one leg. I need to get that on video. And because I am a sicko I am most definitely going to teach her that trick where you sit with one leg under your butt and the other hanging down so it looks like you really only have one leg. She's going to blow the minds of her little playmates.

In other news, Theo is walking. I have yet to capture it on video or film because he is still kind of sporadic about it, generally preferring to crawl because he can move more quickly that way. He does this fantastic "come to Jesus" thing where he throws his arms up in the air and looks to the heavens while he ambles forward like a drunken sailor.

While I haven't been doing any blog writing lately, I've been doing some blog stalking. You need to be reading this blog now: Mandajuice. Take a look back through the archives. Its a soap opera just without Cruz or Eden. (Ten points for you if you got my Santa Barbara reference.)

Beatrice Wishes America a Happy Birthday

We had a great 4th of July weekend. If I wasn't such a deadbeat I'd have photos to share. There Here some highlights and lowlights.

Let's get the bad out of the way:

Pulling up to the beach and realizing that I'd packed everything but Theo's bathing suit. Oops.

Pulling back the shower curtain, jumping in (sans contacts so I was basically legally blind) to find a garter snake waiting for me. WTF?!? My brave husband removed it and humanely disposed of it in the yard. He used one of these. Why does he have that laying around the house you ask... obviously for garter snake removal.

Some highlights include:

Beatrice discussing what kind of cake "America" will have at her party.

Watching Beatrice play with all her little buddies. She is at the perfect age now to play with her friends without needing constant adult interaction.

Watching Theo crawl along the wet sand, covering himself in the mud-like grit. He loved it.

Dunking Beatrice and Theo under water. They both wanted to do it over and over, in the pool and the ocean. We have some water babies on our hands.

Beer

Ice cream

Hope you all had a good weekend.

Summer should only be made up of sunny long weekends.

Disturbia

This is by far the most horrifying car crash story I've ever read. I can't keep it to myself. Join me in my horror.

And if you weren't disgusted enough, read this article from my lovely home state. I need more information on this story. This cannot be true!

Now for a little pick-me-up:

3 Became 6

This past weekend at Baby Bella's 1st birthday we finally updated this photo taken one year ago:

What a difference a year makes!?!

Happy Father's Day 2011

We celebrated our second Father's day this year as a family of 4. This year was a bit less chaotic than last year.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I am in constant awe of the Father my Husband has become. From day 1 he has amazed me with his love, patience (most days), and support. He is the father I didn't have, the father I hope Beatrice one day finds for her children, and the kind of father I hope Theo becomes. We are all truly blessed.

One of Cory's gifts was Theo's name and birth date inscribed in his wedding ring. (to accompany Beatrice's name and birth date and our wedding date.) There isn't any more room in his band so I guess we're done reproducing. Plus, we're running out of room on our accordion Father's Day card.

Happy 1st Birthday, Theo Philip Chase

My sweet boy,
I sat down to write your 1st birthday post and realized that I never published our birth story. Without further delay, here is the story of how you came into this wild world.

A year ago today, I was driving into the hospital to have you. Your father and I laughed about the fact that I was driving myself and not in labor but would soon be welcoming you. That is the beauty of the scheduled c-section (one of the only perks.)

Once we arrived at the hospital, we were admitted to our pre-op room where they got me hooked up to IVs and machines while I waited to go into the operating room. This time was so different than the first with your sister. For starters, this wasn't an emergency c-section after hours of labor so I was well rested and prepared. We distracted ourselves by watching the World Cup game. I can't remember who was playing but just ask your father, he remembers everything.

By 9am I was padding down the hall to the operating room. The attending nurse was very funny, commenting that there should be music while you march yourself into surgery. In sync we both started humming the Rocky theme music. After some prep, Daddy came in to sit next to me behind the curtain.

It was quite a surreal experience, lots of surgical noises and antiseptic air. All of the doctors and nurses were great. After about 20 minutes, the doctor announced that you would be here in about 30 seconds. She pulled your head out first and proclaimed "Look at those eyelashes." Then she pulled the rest of you out and announced, "Its a boy!" Your father traveled beyond the curtain to cut the umbicial cord, much to my (and his ) surprise! They wrapped you up and put your beautiful face next to mine.


Once the surgery was over, we went to our recovery room. The following hour was wonderful. We made a couple of phone calls but mostly just enjoyed you. You breastfed for the first time with no problems. You were unnamed for a little while but we finally settled on Theo. We still think it suits you just fine.

This past year has been magical as we've gotten to know each other. You are an amazing little boy, so full of love and joy and energy, oh the energy! I love you more than you could ever fathom. To many more healthy and happy birthdays, Theo Philip.

P.S. Your father said that you came into this world with 'bad sports karma.' Just a couple of days after you arrived, the Celtics lost the NBA finals. However the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup last night so the curse is now reversed!

P.S.S. Here are some more posts from your 1st year of life.
1 Week
3 Weeks
5 Months
6 Months
7 Months
8 Months
9 Months
11 Months

Jedi Theo's 1st Birthday

We had Theo's first birthday this past weekend. We did a Star Wars theme because as we know, I am theme-obsessed. It was really fun setting up all the decorations. Cory's mom had saved all of his childhood Star Wars stuff, including a lunch box, trash pail, and bed spread. Our lovely artist friend, Jessica Dunegan, created a one-of-a-kind R2D2 birthday banner. And I had a field day with the puns ("May the Pork Be With You" pulled pork, "Chewbacca Chicken" pulled chicken, Yoda Soda, Jabba Juice, you get the idea...") The best part was watching Theo go to town on his cake. He even managed to get his foot into the action. In true Portuguese fashion, he got a hose down in the kitchen sink right after.

Here's a slideshow of the party:



The impetus for the Star Wars theme came to me a couple of days after Theo was born. Behold Theoda:

Happy 11 Months, Theo

Happy 11 month birthday, my sweet boy. You are just one month shy of your first birthday. These past months have flown by. Its been wonderful to watch you learn so many new things.

Your latest favorite past time includes playing with the oven tray (and hiding your shoes in there.)



You are also enjoying 'tasting' everything, including mulch, dirt, acorns, grass, dust bunnies.

Mealtimes have become quite a messy challenge. You refuse to let us spoon feed you. We basically have to trick you while you are attempting to hand feed yourself. We slide in the spoon full with the precision of a stealth fighter pilot. The other day I was cleaning out the freezer and came to your shelf of baby food. There are only a couple of containers left and I realized that I won't be needing to make you any more. You'll just eat what we're eating. All of these firsts are beginning to end.





You have 6 teeth. They are sharp as a shark's. You aren't aware of that. I am when I get in there to do a grass or mulch finger sweep and get a razor sharp bite in return. Thankfully you've had all your shots.

Sometimes when the days are gray and my heart is heavy, I take one look at you and your sister and the clouds and weight disspiate. You are easy to love and a joy to have as a son, Theo.

Eastah 2011 Re-cap

Easter was lovely this year. It was very low key and stress free. We did have one minor snafu involving the Easter eggs for the hunt. Saturday night we were filling the eggs and Cory deemed the items to fill them unacceptable. He rushed out to CVS to get some candy. I thought her eggs were just fine without the candy. Hell, we grew up looking for colored hard boiled eggs, none of this plastic eggs filled with candy shit.




















Here is my girl during her hunt. (Theo was still sleeping but he got to look for a couple of eggs when he woke up.)



Here's a flashback to past Easters (2010 and 2009.)

Dog Days

My brothers were over last night and we somehow got on the topic of "if you were a dog, what breed would you be?"

We all agreed that Cory would be a greyhound.


















My brother, Andres, decided he would be a chow.














Beatrice would be a poodle.




















Theo would be a terrier.

















I couldn't really think of what I'd be... maybe a Portuguese Water Dog?
















What kind of dog would you be?