Stephanie and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

WARNING: If you don't want to hear a gal bitch and moan, this isn't the blog for you.

I went to sleep last night thinking that today was going to be a good day. When I woke up it seemed to be.

The weather here has been sporadic; One day it will be 25, and the next 75. I understand that since it doesn't get very cold in Texas that there's less preparation for is than there is in Alaska or Seattle, and the first day Stephen's school was canceled, I thought it was understandable since the city (if not state) had rolling blackouts and many places, including Stephen's school, had to go without water. Fine. Then last night I saw warnings all over the news and facebook that today there was a two-hour delay for school. At this point I was kind of rolling my eyes, since everyone has power and everyone has water and really, in my opinion, twenty-five degrees is not the end of the world.

We had all of these things that we had to do today, but we couldn't get going until 10:30 because we thought Stephen would have to go to school. Low and behold, we drive there, and not a soul was there. Great.

I really do enjoy our son's company, but I think the education he gets at school is important and should be a priority and if he can go to school, we want him there. We decided that we still had to go to Temple and be back in Killeen for a 2:30 dentist appointment, so we had better get on our way. We had time for lunch at BJ's, stopped at our (closest) bank branch to do a deposit, and then we made it over to Sam's Club and were in-and-out so that we could make it back to Killeen for Stephen's appointment on time.

Sure enough, at 2:30 when it was 47 degrees out, the dentist was closed with a polite note taped to the door. While the note was nice, a phone call would have been nicer. Had we known that school was canceled, we would have left Killeen earlier than we did. We probably would have gone to Round Rock and Austin and left in time to make it to our play date by 4pm.....Which would be our next bump in the road.

Around the time Stephen was tying his shoes to meet for a play date, I decided to make a quick confirmation call and was disappointed that they had changed their mind but forgot to tell me. Heck, at least we didn't pay our admission and stand there waiting, but had I known I would have never promised Stephen that we would do this and our day would have again gone differently. Even Sammie was decked out in a outfit that read something cute..."playdate playmate" or something like that....

At this point I had to get off the phone and tell Stephen that there was a change of plans and it broke my heart that he started crying. Once he calmed down I decided laundry was my new agenda and that I may as well throw in today's towel and I thought today wasn't going to get better, but it wasn't going to get worse. You must see where this is going...I jinxed it....More bad news.

Josh was supposed to get 10 days of leave when Samantha was born, but he was in school. Then when school was over, he was told there was too much to do and then he left the state for a month. Before he left, someone higher up the food chain told him that when he came back he could take his 10 days leave. At this point, it's really too short of notice to take any kind of vacation, but we were excited to have time together and it was supposed to fall over both my birthday and Valentine's Day.

One day Josh came home with his typical, "I have good news, and I have bad news," which seems to be the sort of thing I hear every time he has to tell me something Army related. The good news was that his leave paperwork was signed, but the bad news was as follows: *Many of the days he was given as leave was time he already had off, such as weekends, he was only given nine actual days, but all 10 days of his leave he was charged for, and then two days of his nine he had to work.

I was already astonished- I thought when you had leave that meant you DIDN'T have to work. Apparently when he was in school he missed something required of him and this was the only time they would let him make it up.

Well, tonight he gets a call saying that the original TWO times they told him he had to work didn't work for someone else, so now they had to change the dates in times. Somehow those two shifts turned into SIX shifts and now 5 of his 9 days off he will be working. In addition, of course, he doesn't get any additional time off, which he should have had in the first place.

These changes are effective as early as 8am tomorrow. He'll have to be up at 6:30, leave by 7 and I get to get the kids dressed and out the door by myself. Then tomorrow night I have had a meeting planned- one that I need to go to as soon as possible and that is only offered monthly and now it conflicts because not only is he supposed to work tomorrow morning, but he's also supposed to work tomorrow evening.

The next day, my birthday, I can no longer participate in Stephen's Valentine party at school or make it to a matinee as I had planned because he'll be at work. Then Saturday he's needed at work during the scheduled time for Stephen to play kickball, which means Stephen's going to have another disappointment if it's too chilly for Samantha to go.

I am on my second glass of wine in over a year. I am on quite a rant and I should probably just take my unhappy ass and go to bed but I want to end this with one final complaint: The next time someone tells me that I can't get the military discount (which is usually something pretty lame) they offer because I am not enlisted, maybe I'll just ask for a manager and let them hear this rant, as my husband isn't the only one who has to make sacrifices constantly for his role in the Army. Sometimes a haggard army wife deserves that 50 cents off their over-priced movie ticket.

Life is Better With Baby

I was reading this http://www.parents.com/baby/new-parent/emotions/nine-ways-life-is-better-with-baby/?sssdmh=dm17.503745&esrc=nwpmmdailytip012411&email=811031896
article today and thought about the wonderful changes to our family in the last two months.

Samantha Adores Us

From the second she wakes up, Miss Samantha is all smiles. She "coos" and "ahhs" to me and my heart just melts! Samantha doesn't mind my excess mommy weight, she doesn't care that I'm in public in sweat pants with my hair a mess, and she's too little to talk back just yet! Sammie doesn't hold a grudge if her bottle is too chilly, or fight me when I want to dress her in pink with a big bow on her head! Her love for mommy is unconditional, as is my love for her.

You Gain a Feeling of Belonging & Make New Friends

It's nice to have someone so innocent and sweet depend on you. I don't mind explosive diapers or being barfed on. I don't mind being up to feed her at 3am. We are now parents of two-- we aren't interested in bar hopping; We'd rather watch a Disney movie on the couch. Instead of new gadgets for ourselves, we get excited to buy their clothing and toys. Our new community of friends revolve around kids, and we don't mind the change. We have traded bar-hopping weekends for picnics at the playground, followed by nap-time! We now belong with our family in our home or on adventures together, and while it's great to keep in touch with our friends from our "Before" life, we are glad love to meet other families with kids-- learn from them, watch our kids play together, and to put the kids first.

Your Heart Opens SO Wide

I knew I would love Stephen more than I have ever loved anyone or anything the moment I was told he was growing. When I got pregnant a second time, I knew that I could somehow love this baby as much as I love Stephen. The love between Josh & I grew somehow even more. Getting pregnant with Samantha reminded me of ALL I have to be thankful for and reminds me of what my priorities really are.

You Get Things Done

I know what it's like to be a working mother, but most days as a stay-at-home mom I feel like the master of multi-tasking. I can cook, clean, organize, pay bills, change diapers, and as fast as I can knock 20 things off of my 'to-do' list, another 20 things are tacked on! Josh and I do our jobs so that Stephen and Samantha can do theirs- grow up and have a great childhood to look back on. The sooner we get the adult stuff out of the way, the sooner we can do the fun stuff with our kids!

I am Reminded That My Body is Important, too

My kids can't eat candy and cookies all day because it's not healthy. Having a baby and all of the changes to my body that come with it was a big reminder that I need to follow some of the healthy eating habits that I am trying to instill in my children. I may have an additional chin, 'mommy marks' on my belly and hips, and any chance of ever wanting to purchase a bikini are slim to none, but my children were worth what my body went through and now it's time I lead by example. This is sort of a way for me to reward myself; The better I eat and the more I work out, the more things I can do with my children physically and the longer I will be able to do them.

I Know What Matters & Can Cut Myself Some Slack

My house is not going to be perfect 100% of the time. Not every meal I cook will be gourmet and sometimes I'll forget what the heck I was supposed to be doing or where I put Samantha's pacifier. Spit-up on a new outfit isn't the end of the world. Having kids makes your priorities change and some things that used to feel important, just don't feel as important as they were. I try to do my best, even if sometimes my best is just alright. I am not in a competition!

We Have Built a Family

When I look at my two amazing kids I can say, "We did that!" I am lucky enough to have a husband who is happy with me and my imperfections. I have kids who forgive me for sometimes being high-strung. Josh and I depend on each other and our kids depend on us as a team. I love my role in our family and am proud of how the Moody Chiperno's have turned out thus far.

Carla's Candid's First Giveaway

http://hoagy74.blogspot.com/2011/01/carlas-candids-launch-giveaway.html?showComment=1295904460447#c81174938848086670

Things I Learned at My First Monster Truck Show

One of the first things I learned was that, perhaps, I should have bought some ear plugs.



The ear plugs would have been a wonderful option to protect me from lesson two....If you buy your kid a big bag of c.c. (Not crack cocaine....But almost the same thing)....He will finish the entire bag in 3 seconds flat and he will touch you and hug you and shake sticky fingers at you the rest of the night.



c.c.= cotton candy; Oh, lord.

Lesson three, which was also quickly learned, was that a comfortable pair of flats was a poor choice. Also, apparently garbage cans are not necessary at a function such as this-- you just throw whatever you are finished with on the floor. I guess since it's indoors it's not littering...?



You WILL see more mullets than you have ever seen at one time, You WILL see rows of people sporting hunter's camo designed clothing, every other person WILL have a 40 ounce beer can, and the people sitting in front of you WILL buy their kids flags.



At intermission I saw that every person around us left and bought earplugs and earmuffs. I can try to tell myself it was because the trucks were so loud, but I really know the truth....It was because STEPHEN was so loud! I found myself "shusshing" him throughout the whole thing. I guess if your kid is going to be unbearably loud, this is the place for him to be....And he certainly was. He saw everything he has dreamed about in his four short years. Stephen saw motorcycle flips,



even a Monster Truck flip over.



He saw rednecks in their clunkers do things his mom and dad will never do with their vehicles.



He even drove in a real Monster Truck, though if he tells you about it he's going to call it the "Monster Truck School Bus".




I can file this away under "things I never thought I'd pay to do", but all-in-all I had a great date night with my little man. I wish Josh had been a part of it, too.





Stephen got to meet all of the drivers. This is Stephen with the "Bounty Hunter" Matchbox Monster Truck, the real Monster Truck, and the driver who was a very nice guy.

The Dreaded Diet

This week has been spent from doctor's office to office. Monday I saw Dr. Ramirez at KD about the sounds in my right ear, and then had to get blood work done. Tuesday Samantha had to see her pediatrician for her two month check up. Wednesday I saw my doctor, and then had to get more blood work. Then today I had to go to KDH for my first MRI to check out this ringing issue with my ear, which also resulted in my third shot; This time to add the dye to my bloodstream.

With Josh gone this month I told myself it's the perfect time to get myself working on losing weight. I need to start working out, which *blush* I can't say I've done much of in the last year. ((I can't believe I admitted that in typing and now all I want to do is list my excuses))

Feeling bad about my weight isn't getting me anywhere and I know I had better start moving and food journal-ing. I feel no need to post my before weight, but it is the highest it has ever been and most of the time I cannot believe I am this big.

After the MRI today I went to Sam's club and spent money I didn't really want to spend, but I bought good looking fruits and veggies, as well as some healthy grab-and-go options. I was diligent in my journal-ing, but to my dismay Rhandi informed me tonight that something I thought had to be the best choice on the menu was in fact not, so day 1 of this diet very well may be a wash.

I met Carla and Aaron at the Olive Garden for lunch and thought "Man, a ceaser salad sounds wonderful!" I didn't eat the croutons but enjoyed everything else assuming it was safe. Apparently that salad with croutons was a whopping 850 calories!

When I looked it up tonight and I added the calories I ate today, I think I am still between my limits, but it stinks that at day 1 I already feel like I slipped up. At least I still have 28 more days before I see my doctor to check-in and hopefully during those days I can knock off a few pound, that will inspire me to do this next month and so on.

As for working out, I can't seem to find a gym that I can honestly say that I think I will be successful with. I hate that everywhere I want to go, there's a daycare flub. I like going to the gym and I like working out, but I also don't want to pay and sign up for a contract if I can't use it, and with Josh gone all the time and about to redeploy, I need something that will work. With that being said, I know I need to work out so tonight was Day 1 of the Shred Dvd.

I remember being althletic as a pre-teen and teen, and I remember being flexible and I remember moves such as jumping jacks feeling different than they do today. My push ups are pathetic and doing that routine r e a l l y shows me "Hey, Stupid" and makes me further understand that I've let this happen and now I need to fix it-- it's not going to be any easier if I keep putting it off.

I ended the evening with a snuggle and bottle feed with Sam, and then a nice hot bath. I think tomorrow is going to be a well needed "lazy day" here in the Moody Chiperno household.

Samantha Anne is 2 Months already!

This picture is of my sweet baby sleeping off a rough day. :(

Mommy and Dr. Alvarado celebrated her big two month milestone by giving her three shots in her thighs. Poor Sammie! Samantha was a tough cookie and only cried for a few seconds, and then took a long, deep nap. Luckily I don't see any swelling and she doesn't appear to have a fever.

I was told that at 23 inches she is in the 75th percentile for her length and has average head size and weight, which was barely over the ten pound mark. I swear- I can feel her growing bigger everyday. The past two days her body feels heavier and chubbier and I am loving it! She looks so much like her brother and father, with a few hints of me mixed in there.

Doctor Alvarado noted today that she is doing things that she should not be able to do already, such as push herself up and hold her head so well. She then warned me to "watch her like a hawk"!

I feel blessed to have Samantha, our final addition to our family, and cannot wait to see the look on Josh's face when he gets to hold her next!

The Loss of Daniel J Valadez

Three days ago my stepdad, Daniel Valadez passed away.

Dan and my mom have been divored for eleven years, but really they have been together since I was three years old. A divorce didn't really change their marriage; They still lived together, they still bickered, and they still loved eachother.

Their relationship was different, but no matter what transpired between my mom and Dan, they lived together the last twenty five years. They also raised my eighteen year old brother, Billy, together.

I spoke to Dan last Sunday and it was a sad call. He specifically told me, "I'm not dying or anything," so part of me assumed my mother had exaggerated the situation to me. Unfortunately, my mom's fear was correct. Dan and I talked and he cried and kept apologizing to me as I kept telling him that I am not upset with him for anything.

Dan was not my father biologically, but through marriage; My father, Steve Chiperno, is my father, but Dan was my dad, too. I didn't send him "step-dad" cards on Father's day and my kids do call him Grandpa. Dan was there with me for years while my father was in Alaska. Dan got to participate in my life in ways my father was never able to. For all of the time that my dad, Steve, could not be there I had my dad, Dan.

Growing up both of my parents had their vices and I don't think I will ever fully understand them. What I do understand is that I don't have an addiction to anything, and without ever having an addiction, I don't think I will ever fully understand what one feels like. Years ago, after having Stephen, I let go of any anger I had towards Dan and learned to change what I expected of him. I remembered all of the things I loved to do with Dan and all of our special "don't tell your mom", moments.

This week I remember our trips to taco bell and the years he spent coaching my teams at soccer. I remember his jokes and tricks and his chuckle and smile. I remember his calm talks with me and all of the nice things he has said to me since I became a mother.

The last five years Dan has been very ill; His quality of life changed, and it changed fast. For years Dan has not been able to enjoy food, he has not been able to stay awake long or often even walk up the stairs. I am very sad Dan is no longer with us, but I am thankful that he is not in pain any longer and that when he died his daughter, Tracey, and my mother and brother as well as cousins and his grandchildren were all with him. I know he was scared to leave, but I am glad that he can be in peace now and it comforts me to think he is looking down on us.