The Land of Teeny- BOPS!

Last night a friend and I went to see Breaking Dawn at a local movie theater. I was sitting there waiting for our movie to begin in the lobby of the movie theater and of course I was thinking in my head---I am SO going to Blog about this.

We were surrounded by the most crazy teenagers I've ever seen. The girls looked like sluts and the boys were just with them to steal a moment making out over their soda's. Girls who were way too big were wearing spandex leggings that made even ME feel thin, (yeah 4 months after giving birth.) Everywhere I looked in the lobby of this movie theater there were teenagers running around like maniacs being disrespectful and rude. They were swearing like drunken sailors, and bumping into me while I was sitting on a bench. There were several girls who couldn't have been older then like 14 and they were VISIBLY pregnant.

On top of the annoying teenagers, (Who I'm amazed parents just DROP off at the movie theater considering I was there for a 10:30 PM movie...) there were all of these TEEN parents with little BABIES!!! Hello? IT was a 10:30 movie and you bring your baby? I'm not only talking teeny babies... I'm talking 1, 2, and 3 year olds. Why would you even bring your young child to see the movie Breaking Dawn, let alone so late at night! Our movie didn't get out until 12:15 am and it disgusted me that these parents are trying to carry sleeping children out of the theater without waking them up!

Now I hate to say, "BACK IN MY DAY...", but I clearly remember that if my mom dropped us off at the movie theater, we were at least in 8th grade and we were NOT obnoxious the way these teenagers were. And my mother NEVER let us go to movies that didn't get out until 12 am. I think my limit was like an 8 pm movie where I would get home by 10pm. I also didn't have all of this crazy money to play the stupid cranes and video games in the lobby- and I barely ever had money for popcorn and soda since even back then it was expensive. Not to mention I did not sit on a cell phone looking at face book and text friend who were seriously across the lobby from me.

I turned to my friend in the beginning of the movie and I said to her, "if these little teeny bops don't stop talking once the movie starts, I WILL SAY SOMETHING TO THEM... and I'm sorry in advance if I embarrass you." My friend laughed and told me she would be doing the same thing. I really hope that when I was in 8th grade I was not like these kids were. (I know I wasn't... I was a music dork!) I have enclosed a picture of the rediculousness from last night.

Remember... At least is isn't YOU!

Amanda

Back to old stomping ground!

On Wednesday I went back to the school I used to teach at to teach the First to Fourth graders the new mass settings that will begin the first Sunday of Advent. It was weird to be back there working with the kids even though I only haven't been there about 4 months. The teachers looked even more tired than usual- (especially all of my previous grade partners) and I couldn't help but have one of those inward sighs of relief. I immediately went back into teacher mode when I was there and I was shocked that the kids were very receptive of me who had never even had me as a teacher!

One child after the practice came up to me whom I've never seen before and told me that "you have the most beautiful singing voice I've ever heard!" I was really touched by that one comment because I could tell this child had some mental disabilities and even with those struggles he took the time and consideration to pay a compliment. He is the example I would like to see in the future of Catholic Education.I think the lesson of treating another with kindness is even more important that Math and Language Arts. I think that's why as a teacher I always tended to get the students who "needed a bit more kindness." This is not to say that I was the teacher who was more LENIENT- and I know that any of my past students will tell you that I ran a tight ship. In the past 6 years while teaching I tried to teach my students basic common courtesy and kindness and as the years when on and on that lesson became more and more difficult to teach to them. You hear about Sociology departments doing studies where they put a (fake) injured person out in the street and see how passing people react and it KILLS me that so many people walk by and don't even attempt to help a hurting person. I just know in my heart that one day I will read about one of my past students helping someone who is injured or in trouble and I will be able to say, "That was my student in first grade!"

On another note- I was working on our annual Christmas Trolley with one of the secretary's in the parish and we got onto the topic of how parents don't take their kids to church, but pay for an expensive Catholic Education. I have to say----I don't get it. This secretary them proceeded to tell me I was a good mother because I've had my girls baptized... she said most mothers ONLY start to worry about having their children baptized when they realize they can't go to a Catholic school until they have proof of baptism. She said I was a small percentage of mothers that actually PRACTICES the Catholic Faith- I don't care what faith you are- whether it's Judaism , Buddhist, or any other form of Christianity- but if you are going to have a faith and instill it in your children don't you think it's important to PRACTICE it? (this is all unless you are an Atheist.)It makes me sad that I have to watch what I say around all children in terms of heaven. Lily knows that anyone or any pet that dies goes to heaven, but I've heard her have conversations with kids who have told her that when their pet clearly died----they just "went away." Really folks? A very wise priest once told me that if death wasn't your greatest fear.... then something was wrong with you----don't you think your child is more inclined to be afraid of the unknown?

Okay enough for now- Praying for my fellow teachers out there who are enduring treacherous Parent/Teacher Conferences right now- Good luck ladies---I know how it is and I don't envy you these past two days.

At least it isn't you!
Amanda

Passionate about Chick- Fil-A

Okay folks... who out there LOVES Chick-Fil-A!!!

I do! I do!!!!

Every time I go there I have a great experience. Today I had both of the kids in tow and I was trying to get food, keep an eye on Lily, (which Kate Pascucci was also helping me with) and rock a fussy baby in her carrier.....The friendly staff brought my food to my table for me and included in the kids meal was a Little Golden book for Lily! I am never disappointed by useless toys when I go in there- they always have something educational or of value. The past few months they have been giving out Veggie Tales CD's which Lily absolutely adores and she's getting the great Christian values from them! I really admire the fact that Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sunday's so that their workers observe the day of rest. There isn't another business that I know of that does that! They have a neat and clean play place that is indoors and fun for the kids to play in! All play places are dirty, but Chick-Fil-A's is always much cleaner than most. They also have courtesy sanitary wipes stationed at the door of the play place along with cheerios and place mats for growing toddlers! They always have a cute little lady walking around with complimentary brownies, (which of course Lily HAS to have) and she's friendly and good with the children. One time I ordered trays for a party from them, (which let me tell you they are VERY reasonably priced AND delicious...) and the manager himself INSISTED on carrying them out to my car for me. Last, but not least... I love that the employees always answer your "thank you's" with a "MY PLEASURE..." Talk about that southern hospitality!

I have heard from a couple of people that they think Chick-Fil-A is overpriced or expensive... but honestly- IT'S WORTH THE MONEY for the great service, courtesy, and cleanliness that you experience when you go there. I forgot to mention that the food is delicious. Always freshly prepared and their salads are above and beyond all of the other fast food salads. You never get any rotten lettuce or vegetables and they have delicious fruit cups for the kids with excellent seasonable fruit.

Love you Chick-Fil-A!!!

At least it isn't YOU! :-)

Amanda

Holding your Baby

I am so tired of hearing people tell me, "you know you should really put Violet down when she's sleeping- You don't want her to become dependent on you holding her." This about the baby that sleeps through the night, and is hardly fussy ever! We get such little time with our newborns where they will actually ALLOW you to hold them! I find that with having the two kids now that my individual attention to Violet has gone down significantly and it kills me.

Last night Chris took Lily to the grocery store with him to do some crazy coupon shopping and rather than go with them, I decided it would be a good chance to give some attention to just Violet without Lily underfoot. I had Violet in the swing and she fussed, and rather than leave her there knowing that in five minutes she would fall asleep I went over and picked her up and sat down in the rocking chair. She promptly fell asleep on my chest and it was SO NICE. I held her for an hour and a half while she slept and then gave her the last bottle of the day and put her down for the night in her crib. I understand working mothers feeling like they need to start their kids on some sort of a routine right away because they will soon be leaving them, but wouldn't you also want to hold them every chance you get knowing that you are going to have to leave them in 6 short weeks? I've been lucky with both of my kids because having Lily in May, I got to stay home for 4 months before returning to work and now with Violet I get to be home her first year! (Believe me... I know I am lucky.) This all brings me to the topic of breast feeding... I know it's a touchy topic, but seriously women.

I tried to breast feed both of my babies and they both wouldn't latch- even with the help of a lactation consultant and nurses. I don't feel that my kids are any less healthy or worse off emotionally because I didn't breast feed. It bothers me that there is this stipulation behind breast feeding. It's like people think they have the right to make you feel like a bad mother because you didn't breast feed. I am the only woman in my family who has NOT successfully breastfed my babies. My sisters have never made me feel like I'm an inadequate mother because I don't breastfeed, but society sure does. People are so quick to tell me, "you shouldn't have given up so quickly... you should have persevered and tried pumping." Well guess what----I tried EVERYTHING to be able to breast feed. I even went so far as literally just trying every 15 minutes to get my daughters to latch and they wouldn't! I have had a struggle with PPD after both of my births and it made my moods so much worse to be unable to do the one thing I wanted when it came to feeding my kids. I'm not one of those mothers that says, "ewww... breastfeeding is gross and I won't even try it." And even those mothers are entitled to their opinion! Breast feeding just ISN'T FOR EVERYONE!

Now Violet is a little chunker because she's on formula and everyone says to me, "oh are you over feeding her?" NO...I just feed my child when she's hungry! I don't make her wait or hold her off for another hour to get her on a stupid schedule. Why would you want your child to be hungry? When Lily was 4 days old, a nurse from the nursery at Holy Redeemer came to me and said, "Amanda... your baby is dehydrated and has developed crystals in her urine because she's not getting enough colostrum. I know you are trying to breast feed but you are going to have to either supplement so she doesn't get sick or keep her on your breast constantly in hopes that you will get your milk in quicker." (My milk didn't come in with Lily for 6 Days...) And believe me, after a C-Section... having an 8 pound lay on your incision is dreadfully painful no matter what position you are trying to breastfeed in. So of course after hearing this I just turned to my mom, burst in to tears and said- "Okay let's give her a bottle and see if that helps her." The first time I truly saw Lily open her eyes was that moment where she finally got some sustenance---I never went back from that moment and decided bottle feeding was the way to go. I don't regret my decision to feed either of my kids with bottles and they are completely bonded to not only ME- but my husband... and that's thanks to bottles.

I don't frown on women who breast feed. I think it's wonderful that it worked for them- it just simply didn't work for me and I don't begrudge my kids for that. I know I will have more kids and when I do---again I will try to beast feed them in hopes that they are miracle latchers, but if it doesn't work- it doesn't work. Please don't be one of those people who say to me 2 days postpartum- "So how's the breast feeding going? Keep at it... YOU CAN DO IT!!!!" It just makes me feel like shit- I'm a good mother regardless!

Just had to vent on this whole area!
At least it isn't you!

Amanda

Exciting Technology!

Last night before Lily went to bed she came to me with a donated Leap Frog Pad that we were given and wanted me to show her how to use it. I started to show her, but soon realized it was way too advanced for her---then she came to me with a "My First Leap Frog" book, (which I have no idea where she got it from) and I said...."tomorrow we will go to Target and see if we can buy one of these so you can read these books!"

I was so pumped today to go to Target and waltz in there and buy a "My First Leap Frog." To my dismay they don't even MAKE THEM ANYMORE! Forget that... they don't even make the Leap Frog reader anymore! They have all these new Leap Frog devices that are not age appropriate for Lily. Then out of the corner of my eye I see this alien looking device called the Tag Junior. Apparently Leap Frog Junior came out with this device that links to a USB cable on your computer and downloads books that can be read simply my your toddler dragging the device over the page of the book. Well this blows my mind- I keep thinking... "Are you serious right now?" They had a demo in the Target and of course Lily is watching this demo and is shouting... "Mom that is so NEAT!!!" So I have to buy it. I look at the price SURE that this thing is like over $100 and BAM!!!! It's on sale this week only at Target for only $30. I quickly grab one for Lily and one for my nephew who's birthday party is this weekend and head to the checkout.

The stress began when I came home and realized.. HOLY MOLY... I have to figure out how to now upload all of this crap on my computer and then connect the USB and upload it to the device. Let me tell you---Leap Frog is doing something right over in CA... I connected the thing and it guided me right through installing everything and it is AWESOME!!!! This thing is like no technology I have ever encountered. It reads the story, adds in songs on ever page, and identifies colors, shapes, and THEMES in the story. Everyone keeps saying that we shouldn't allow our children to embrace technology and I just say- SHUT UP!!!! This is awesome and Lily is nearly peeing herself with joy over how easy this thing is and the fact that it knows her NAME! (Well you put that in when you register the books on to it!) I highly recommend this thing to anyone out there looking for a reading device for a toddler. We have read the same stories to Lily about 40 times. She gets fixated on one certain book and you know how it is- you say, "Lily how about I read you a story?" and she walks over to you with the same damn THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD...yeah the long one!!! This is a great way to say- "How about you go read some stories your self with your Tag Junior?" SWEEEEEEEEET....

Now if only Mommy could stop playing with it long enough for Lily to get a turn-

At least it isn't YOU! (My husband has claimed this to be my tag line at the bottom of ever blog entry.....Heheh)

Amanda

Bed Time in our House

So I had a really long day. Team Gentile went to the aquarium and it was great, but wore us all out. I swear that the effects of Halloween have not worn off on Lily yet. She's been running around the house like a maniac telling me to "watch my new dance Mom!" I tried to video tape her earlier to put on here, (because believe me... you would all be peeing your pants!), but the video camera battery is dead. Lovely....

Chris is upstairs and all I keep hearing is, "Lily...lay down... I'm reading this story... lay down.... *sigh*...Lily I'm not kidding..." For all of you mom's out there- don't you ever just say to yourself, "why didn't I just go up there myself and do it?"
I know I deserve a break after dealing with it all day long, but Lily and Violet are already "Daddy's girls" and have him wrapped around their little fingers. Doesn't help when he's trying to put them to bed does it? SUCKER!!! Hahhah...

Now I have to go run and hide Lily's Halloween candy. All day long she's been finding it wherever I hid and and simple walks into the living room eating full size candy bars like it's nothing! The Snickers was BIGGER THAN HER HEAD! I need to find a good hiding place because I don't want to throw it out! (There is some really good stuff in there.) But on the other hand, I can't eat all that candy by myself and Chris is still on his "no added sugars or processed foods" kick.

Lily was supposed to be asleep a half hour ago---I better go up there! *wink, wink*

and remember...."At Least it's not YOU!"

It's true...

My dear friend Vanessa has been suggesting I start a blog about the craziness of being a teacher for the past 6 years and then up and changing my life completely to a stay-at-home mom! I have been hesitant because I thought that I really didn't have anything to write about, but after reading through some hysterical blogs myself I decided that I DO have stuff to write about! Who knows... maybe one day this blog will get thousands of followers and I won't have to ever go back to work again. Hurrah! I'll give you a little base knowledge of who I am what I'm about!

My husband and I married three years ago and found out two months after we were married that I was pregnant with my first child. Lily was born in May of 2009 and is the light of our life. She cracks me up at least 50 times a day with her craziness. People say she takes after me because she's dramatic... (THANKS MOM!) In October of last year Chris and found out I was pregnant with my second baby who was born on June 29th. Violet is another adorable addition to our family. We thought Lily was a good baby and then Violet came along and we soon realized that NO.... Violet was the best baby ever.
My husband is earning his PHD in Evolutionary Biology at Penn and will defend in December where I'm hoping he lands a big-time job making lots and lots of money--(every current stay-at-home mom's dream I think!) I was a First Grade teacher at a local Catholic School for the past 6 years and loved it, but chose the course of staying home with my girls this year for various reasons. (One of which is that my sisters and I all have this knack for having babies at the same time....which means my MIL and FIL would certainly have their hands full with 2 2-year-olds AND 2 infants.... like WOAH...And seriously- like who can afford day care for a 2-year-old and an infant? It's like over $100 a DAY!)

I'm home with the kids now and boy has my life changed. I find that my goal for the day is generally to get Lily to take a nap. (Boring....) But the situations in which we find ourselves on any given day sure make for some fun stories and good laughs!

Enjoy the upcoming vent sessions... and just think... "at least it's not ME!"

Amanda