9/11

The first time I ever heard about Andy was on September 11th. I had just started at Neovest and they called to tell me that I didn't need to come into work. A couple of days later I heard that one of our employees was in New York on 9/11 and was still stuck there. I commented on how his wife must be worried sick. Turns out he was single.
Andy was supposed to be taking the train to the World Trade Center around 8 am to see a client but last minute decided to stay in Jersey City with a co-worker and visit a different client. From across the Hudson River Andy saw smoke and heard rumors and was soon evacuated from the building. He went back to the corporate apartment and spent a few days there waiting for a flight home. He could even hear the buildings fall. A lot of our friends in New York have far worse experiences and stories but I am grateful that Andy decided to stay in Jersey City that day. And I'm grateful I didn't know him at that point so I didn't have to worry!!! I left that up to his wife .

I fall for Fall

This could be a very expensive time of year for me. I adore sweaters and tweed pants and most especially, jackets! I went to the mall tonight and wandered into Banana Republic which combined with this time of year is very dangerous. I found many, many, many things that I wanted but unfortunately (or fortunately for Andy's wallet) they were too pricey for me. I went to the sale rack and found a very cute sweater dress which, of course they didn't have in my size. I think I have a lot of cute things from last year still stacked in my closet so that's a good thing. Let's just hope I'm the same size I was last year.

PS: Andy wants me to say that everyone should watch Wipeout. We are laughing. A lot. And aggravating Andy's cough. He should be studying. But instead he's watching people fall in mud. Totally worth it. Good night, and big balls.

Gymnastics

Samantha and Alex are taking a gymnastics class together and although they've only been 1 time so far I think they really enjoyed it. Alex proves far better than Samantha when it comes to tumbling but she was more willing to do the scary, tricky stuff than he was. He is a little afraid of heights. They were both adorable and I am looking forward to seeing how they progress.

I see you like to chew

Maybe you should chew ... ON MY FIST!!



This movie has earned a spot on my top 10 favorite list. Obviously, that's not a very exclusive list.

Attack of the Killer Tomato!!

I got skillz! Tomato growing skillz! I was in my garden yesterday picking my days harvest of tomatoes when I spied one WAY in the back I hadn't noticed before. It looked rather large so I assumed it was 2, maybe 3 tomatoes crowded around each other. As I held it in my hand I realized that it was in fact 1 GIANT TOMATO!!! I screamed for Andy to come outside and check out my massive fruit (something usually reserved for the bedroom! haha). He was quite impressed and we immediately started taking pictures to document the largeness. Andy also weighed it and it came out to a whopping 1 pound, 10 ounces. Here she is in all her glory!

Here it is in the middle next to a regular sized tomato you would buy at the store and a glass. Oh, and Alex peeking in the back.
Next to a quarter.
We cut it up to grill for our hamburgers tonight but they are WAY too big to fit on the bun so they will be eaten on the side instead. Oh, that is a large plate by the way, not a salad plate. We realized too late we should have taken a picture of it in my hand for size comparison. I don't think these pictures quite do it justice. Trust me, it was awe inspiring!

A few pictures

Our friends from New Jersey were in town and came to visit. The kids got along great and enjoyed playing together. Kaia was Samantha's very first friend and she will always be special in our home!
This was taken the first morning Andy was home from Switzerland and the kids were showing off the t-shirts and toys Andy brought them home. I was totally struck in this picture by how old Alex looks!! It broke my heart just a bit. Don't I have the cutest family in the world??
Samantha took this picture of Andy and I. We're hot.

Samantha's First Day of Preschool

Today was a glorious day! One that not only Samantha has been looking forward to, but that I have as well. Samantha started preschool today and the whole family enjoyed the new routine. Samantha loved going to school, Alex loved being alone with mommy, and I loved only having 1 child in the house and being able to get things done. Oh, and did I mention.....2 full hours of no kids fighting??? Yeah, that was the best! Andy came home from work to send her off and watch Alex while I dropped her off at school. Here are a few photos from this morning.
Doing a sad, silly face for daddy.
Sitting at the computer in preschool. She went straight to the computer first thing.

A VERY Samantha face. Isn't she adorable?Alex being, well, Alex.

The Negotiator

I think I have some sort of future working for the government as a negotiator. You wouldn't believe the negotiating that just took place in my house before naps!!! Most of it having to do with Christmas socks and books and the color of a blanket. You know, the usual stuff that makes nations crumble. I'm certain I'll be offered the job at any moment! Good luck to the poor soul that takes my current position!

Contentment

Did anyone else enjoy the rain last night? Andy got home and we slept with the window open and listened to the rain and felt the cool breeze. All was right with the world.

DUH

Some announcer on the US Open just referred to Michael Phelps as "that swimmer guy that did so well in Beijing". What an asinine thing to say! She (I think it was a she though she sounds VERY mannish) was sounding ticked that Phelps might be the sportsman of the year instead of Nadal even if Nadal wins what would be his 3 straight Grand Slam. I say, let's not compare 8 gold medals in the Olympics to 3 Grand Slam titles. They are both great achievements and don't diss Phelps just because you are a tennis commentator. A very mannish, scary commentator.

Does not play music

Alex has been loving Fruit Loops lately. Only he says it Flute Loops. It's very cute. That's all.

Sistas

I'm realizing more and more how talented my sisters are! Kami makes beautiful jewelry that I am constantly wanting.....and sometimes just taking when I am at her house! (Her fault for leaving it laying around!!!) I love that I don't have to buy jewelry anymore because she can just make anything for me in any color I need! Here is her shop if you're interested. versajewel.etsy.com.

Richele took the kids birthday pictures on Tuesday and I am so happy with how they turned out!! And I've only seen 4 of them! She has a lot more to fix before I get to see them. Here are the ones I have so far. These are for Samantha's 4-year-old shots and Alex's 3-year-old shots. Much cheaper than Kiddie Kandids!

Ramblings

To go from something so entertaining like the Olympics to something SO NOT entertaining like the Democratic National Convention is just tough. For me anyways. I don't do politics.

Peanut Butter and Apple juice DO NOT taste good together.

Cheetos and Apple Juice DO NOT taste good together.

I need to eat healthier food. But I probably won't. I don't do healthy. Or exercise.

My kids made a GIANT mess outside with the sand and I am so reluctant to clean it up. Maybe that will be Andy's welcome home present. "We're glad you're home baby! Clean up the sand."

I am getting an hour massage when Andy gets home. Maybe a manicure too. And possibly a pedicure. Not a facial. Had it one time....hated it.

My neighbors were gone all summer and it was great. Now they're back and noisy. But the big black truck is back and that is slightly comforting.....in a very weird way.

I have more tomatoes than I know what to do with!

Woo hoo!

Let's hear it for technology where I can use a web-cam to chat with my husband in Switzerland and show him my ta-tas at the same time!! Oh come on! Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same! Okay, maybe only half of you would. The other half of you are OLD!

My sweet Alex

Oh Alex, the headaches you cause me!! I don't know what to do with you! I am at a total loss besides just faking my way through every day. You are SO hard-headed and stubborn and it seems the more times I ask you not to do something, the less you listen to me. Your stubborness can be a good thing. I watch you try to figure things out and you don't get frustrated you just try and try again until you get it. I admire that you don't give up. But really, you can give up on trying to kill me. Really, I'd rather you be good and us be friends. Please, ease up a bit buddy.

Macarons - from Switzerland...posted by Andy

We're still here!

Well, we've survived so far without Andy but we still have 1 week to go. We've been busy and the kids haven't napped much but I won't complain much about that because then I get to put them to bed early!! Last night they were in bed at 6 and it was AWESOME! Alex REALLY needs one today though so we'll see how he does.
We got to talk to Andy today through Skype which allows you to talk and see each other through the computer. It was good to see that he's alive and doing well and he was happy to see me and the semi-naked children. There was a bit of a delay with the video and talking because, well, he's far away, and the bandwidth in his hotel isn't great. Today they went to France and did some hiking up a mountain and I hope he enjoyed it since it was the only free day of the trip. His schooling starts tomorrow at 8 am. Good luck baby! We love you!

PS: Andy, the house smells like pot roast!! I could smell it when we pulled into the garage! That'll teach ya for rubbing your macaroons in my face!!

1 or fewer? Does that mean I don't exist or just too skinny to count as 1 person???

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 1 or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Sniff, sniff

Well, Andy is boarding a plane to Switzerland and I am a single mother for the next 10 days. He's going to Geneva for a week long school event and he'd be more excited for his trip if he weren't going to be stuck in class all day. I am going to try and keep busy with my family and friends and the kids and just pray that the time goes quickly and Andy comes home safely!

I love being married

I love being married because you get to have conversations like this:

Andy: "Should I be concerned if my pee is nuclear orange?"

Me: "What did you eat today?"

Andy: "Greek food. Yellow rice and chicken with a yellow sauce."

Me: "I'm not sure that would do it and do it that quickly. But if you keep peeing that color for a while you should probably be concerned."

Andy: "Ok. I didn't flush it so you could take a look at it."

Me: "Wow, how thoughtful. Thank you."