The Armadillo Tales

I Thought I Was Invincible

I just can't get sick.  Mommies can't get sick.    Everyone else does except mommies, right?   My boys and husband have caught colds and I've been pretty indestructble.   My immune systems balks at the tiny microbes that try to take me down.   Germs?    Bacteria?    Aaah phooey!     Well, that's what I thought but my body is saying otherwise..    It appears that an unknown germ has entered my body and I am unable to fight back.   My throat hurts, I have phelgm hanging from the walls of my throat and lungs, I am coughing and sneezing ... ugh ... I have been overpowered by this microscopic bacteria and I hate it.    

Getting sick would wreck my schedule.   Schedules are imperative for me and my boys.   It keeps me going and fairly sane.   It alleviates the unknown for my boys which in turn removes any additional stress.    But if I am confined to my king size bed all would go to crap in a minute.    B-Dad would have to take the armadillo to school ... I couldn't have my tires replaced (one of my tires has a nail embedded) ... Who will cook the aramdillo's contribution to his school's valentine party? ... Who will take the armadillo to his class? ... Blah blah blah ... Am I stressing enough?      

I need to relax ... take a deep breath ... and take a couple of daytime cold pills ... wish me luck. 

Hero by Definition

If you're looking for the definition to the word "hero", then please read the story about Mr. Michael Keenan.     Mr. Keenan ran into a burning building to save the dog of a dear friend.   Now Mr. Keenan is in the hospital with burns to 80 percent of his body.   The doctors have given him a 50/50 chance to survive.   The dog, a 10-year old Jack Russel Terrier named Bobby is also fighting for survival.   He has burns to his feet and legs, and is currently suffering blindness due to the swelling.   

This wasn't the first time Mr. Keenan performed a heroic, selfless act.   In 2001, Mr. Keenan witness a car accidentally go into the water.   Inside the car was Mr. and Mrs. Abdel Laarif.    Not thinking twice, Mr. Keenan took a wrench to the back window and pulled the woman out.  Unfortunately the husband did not survive. 

For the full story, please click here.    Friends of Mr. Keenan have setup a trust fund to help pay for his medical expenses.     Please go to this site for more information.       There really are good people left in this world.

Photo credit: SFGate

You're Only ...

2 3/4 years old and we are already having conversations about your day at school.   I ask you if you had a good day at school.   You answer me with a resounding "yes!" and the biggest smile.  You tell me about what you did during circle time.    You tell me what you ate for snack time.   You tell me who you played with outside.    You tell me what today is ... "Today is Friday.".    You tell me who your teachers are.   You tell me all of this while you drink your apple juice in the back seat of the car.     I love it, I just love it when you tell me these things ... I love it so much ... I ask you to tell it to me again ... and you do.

Yes ... It's Raining!

Finally the rains are here.   Yes it seems like a crazy thought but it's nice to see some rain here.   It's been months since it last rained here.   The armadillo and the sumo baby were so excited to see it raining.    On the ride home from lunch the armadillo was talking excitedly about the rain coming down on the car.     I opened the moon roof shade so he could see the rain fall on top of the car.  When we got home he was so thrilled at standing out in the rain.   The armadillo was running around, jumping in puddles, opening his mouth and catching the raindrops.    I bet the armadillo could have stayed out there all afternoon.   The sumo baby was also keyed up about the rain.   I held him under the cover of the garage and he stuck his chubby arm out to catch the falling rainwater.   He also had a blast.   I'm bummed that I didn't get photos .. that would have been precious.

I Said No, or Should I?

My average day consists of me saying/shrieking the word "no" to both the armadillo and the sumo baby numerous times during the day.   I use the word in public, in the car, at home, ... everywhere.   I say it so often that I sometimes think that the armadillo's first word was "no".   I just thought that it was widespread in the parenting world to use the power of "no".   But today I noticed that with one of my mommy friends, the word "no" is distant member of her vocabulary.   

I don't know if she avoids the word or that she handles situations in a manner in which the word "no" is not essential.    I noticed a friend of mine infrequently says "no" to her young son.   For example, he will ask for a toy meant for children over the age of 10.    If it was the armadillo asking, I would just tell the armadillo, "No.".     I would normally say something like, "No armadillo, that is not a toy.", etc ...   If I have a couple extra minutes I'll explain to the armadillo that you have to be 10 years old to play with this item and that he is currently only 2 1/2 years old.    If I'm trying to calm the sumo baby who is bawling at a ridiculous volume, pay the cashier and field the armadillo's questions and whining, a simple "No." is all that I say.   My mommy friend takes a different route.   She explains to her son that the toy is for children over 10 years old.  She then asks him if he is 10 years old.  He tells her no.    End of conversation.    The word "no" does not come into play.     Is the word "no" a necessity in the parenting world?    If I think about it, I rarely hear her utter the word "no" to her son.    Do we need to use the word "No"?   Or is it okay to just skirt around the issue without uttering the word "No"?       Does my children really need to hear the word "no" articulated over and over again?    Probably not, but I guess it's better than giving a thumbs-down sign.   

What Next?

I seriously don't know what to make of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's decision to seek treatment for alcohol abuse.      Should I be shocked?   Appalled?   Disgusted?    Um, let's see ... no, no and no.    I guess my first reaction was, "Oh well."    I'm not sure what the reasoning behind this announcement.   Is it a ploy to somehow ensure his re-election and his status with the Democratic party?     Are we supposed to feel sorry for him?   Um, probably and I do not.    But whatever the reason, I wish him luck and I hope he takes his treatment seriously.   Not like Ms. Lohan here.   

Now Why Didn't I Think of That?

Every now and then I see a product invented or created by a mom like me and I'm just like, "Damn!  Why didn't I think of that?".      Last week on the Oprah show, she featured moms who turned their inventions and ideas into millions of dollars.    I don't usually watch Oprah but this is one show that I would have loved to have seen.   The show featured women who invented products such as Jibbitz, the accessories kids and adults adorn their Crocs (shown above).     Grace Welch, the inventor of the Patemm Pad (shown below), a circular changing pad, which is one of my favorite and most-used products.   

Next time I think of a "I wish someone made a ___________", I'll write that thought down and follow up with it as soon as possible.   Hey, maybe I'll be on Oprah one day too, but I'd rather be a millionaire.   Money first, then Oprah.   

This House is Clean

I think we're good.   I'm not going to jinx it but it's looking really good.    The number of diapers used, wipes wiped with, loads of laundry, etc ... have all decreased significantly.   Hopefully this means that this mama can get outside and breathe some fresh air!

Design*Sponge

Definitely one of my FAVORITE sites is Design*Sponge.    Design*Sponge is a website highlighting fabulous finds in the world of home and product design.   Launched in 2004 by Brooklyn-based writer Grace Bonney, Design*Sponge leads the way in terms of launching new designers.     I love this site as it is updated daily with terrific finds though it takes a huge toll on my wallet as I am perusaded to buy some of the marvelous proudcts showcased on the site and on Etsy.    Design*Sponge also has a just as amazing guest blog for us devoted readers.     Visit Design*Sponge and get hooked!

Photo credit: Braniac, wonderful paintings from artist Matte Stephens

My Panda Bears

My panda bears ... so adorable!

Photo credit of the more furry panda: Yahoo