Shelburne Museum (of Awesomeness.)

This past Saturday we ventured to the Shelburne Museum for their Circus-Palooza celebration. 

Now, when I think of a museum, my brain naturally pings back to my meanderings in previous museums such as the Musee D'Orsay, Louvre and the American Museum of Natural History.  You know, generally one building that you walk around INSIDE of to see the goodies.

Well, this "museum" is located on 45 acres of land, most of which are gorgeous gardens and a smattering of buildings (39 to be exact, 25 of which are historic and have been relocated to the Museum grounds.)  And also um, a 220-foot steamboat Ticonderoga.  Here, evidence: 


It was crazy busy, the wrangling needs were strong with the eldest and so I missed out on some awesome "circus-y" pictures.  I captured a few from inside but mostly took pics when we were wandering the grounds because Ethan is always happier when he is free-range.  They had a juggler that was seriously magical, an acrobat dude that did a lot of handstands and balancing feats and a trapeze artist that, while her trapeze was a bit abbreviated, still impressed.  Here is the one shot worth sharing - this dude was the ringleader and had chosen a child from the audience and got her to balance on his hand!

 Also, Toby couldn't see anything and he wanted out.

I joined up with a group of moms from the former MOMS Club of Burlington and it was really nice to see them all again.  Also, it is nice not to be "that" person wrangling two kids amongst a bunch of adults (insert exasperated sigh expressed by said adults.) 

Sadly we saw probably 5% of the property and exactly ONE of the buildings if you don't include the Gift Shop/Entrance but we will go back.  There is a carousel and the aforementioned BIG boat.  There are many, many of the buildings that are kid friendly (other than the Owl Cottage which I did capture on film - that being the ONE building we perused.)  Also, I changed a diaper on the floor IMARULEBREAKER!

Look who is just STANDING there.

All the awesome fings Ma!

Brudders at the train table.

Happy E-fin

What would you like to eat?  A lil' leg O' Toby? 

I bought a year membership as every mom I spoke with said it was well worth it and I, personally, can't WAIT to go back.  My only qualm, quibble, what have you . . . is that the Gift Shop through which I exited the museum grounds is rife with expensive (but oh so pretty) baubles and breakables.  I nearly had an apoplectic grand mal seizure heart attack fit when Ethan started waving around a giant candy spear of destruction.  We all survived though.  And Ethan has a wonderful time despite the rough start. 

Here, have some pictures - LOTS OF THEM:

A Creemee!  (Which is the "name" for soft serve ice cream in Vermont.)

Apparently this is the cafe where they serve yummy food.  But I only got to see the 1% that comprised the bathroom.

The "lighthouse."

One of the many gorgeous apple trees.

Lips, just you know, hanging out.

So, of course, I had to take a zillion pictures of E on the lips :)

I mean, he is just too awesomely cute for words sometimes!

Just hanging out . . . on lips.

Also a very large chair.

One of the little garden areas.  Ethan loved the water feature and statue so much that it was a near thing keeping him on the path.  Also, this area had the most gorgeous baptisia plants I think I've ever seen.  I never knew they could get so big!

Toby was not impressed.

But he was still very cute.

Some of the views on this gorgeous day.

I'm pretty sure I would have liked whatever was in that building.  To its right is the "Gift Shop" exit area.

So, it was a good day.  We will be returning one weekend to ride the carousel and explore the boat and maybe even the Toy Shop they have (I know!)  I can't call this a "hidden gem" but I'm still very thankful to have finally "discovered" it.

Clusterduck

Okay, so there is this situation going on.

Behind closed doors I'm being stalked.  By . . .  laundry. 

Even with a one load a day rule (which I don't follow) it seems I have failed completely in the laundry department.  I took a picture today.  It is graphic, I warn you to look away if you are squeamish!  You've been warned!

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR 3 YEAR OLD IS HOME FROM SCHOOL 

AND YOUR 1 YEAR OLD IS CUTTING 4 MOLARS AT ONCE:

Now, as you can see I've taken the bull by the horns and sorted the overwhelming amount of laundry to better get a grasp on the magnitude of this situation.  Clue:  MASSIVE LAUNDRY OVERLOAD.

I'm not thinking I'll ever "catch up" per se.  But still.  This is ridiculous. 

I have to confess.  I don't mind doing laundry, I LOVE folding laundry (but hate matching socks) however, putting it away is where I falter.  I loathe putting clothes away.  Not sure why.  Oh, and carting the baskets up the stairs.  I don't like that either. 

I tried putting out a bowl of milk for the brownies but I don't think they like 1%.  Maybe I'll have to buy some more cream.  Then maybe they will come help me . . .


In other news . . .

I have now officially lived in this home for 7 1/2 months and yet we have a secret. 

THIS

Room of Doom.  AKA my office.  An official clusterduck (replace the "d" with an "f" and you are closer to the truth.)  At the end of the world where the custodians sweep off the edge, it all collects in this room. 

I have an organizer coming in September so hopefully will have this room cleared, the nasty carpet replaced and only the "important" things put back in by then.  Wish me luck (heh!)  I know.  I'm thinking I won't make it either.

Or I could just take the sage advice of Sam and Dean Winchester . . .

The storming of the molars.

Toby is cutting molars.  I may have mentioned this before.

Well.

It is taking forever.  Because my precious baby boy, the one who tends to be chill and all smiles is a whirling dervish of fuss and "can't make up my mind mom because I'm UNCOMFORTABLEZ."  Do I thrash this way?  Do I throw this toy?  Do I try to gouge your eyes out because, "PAIN?"  Do I hit the cat/brother/TV/daddy?  How about I pretend I want to drink water only to spit it out everywhere?  I know it has only been like a week but of the four, yes FOUR, molars he is cutting all at once only one has "erupted" with tiny dagger-like points.  Two are thisclose and one is just a big ouchie bulge.

I have tried all of my tricks.  No frozen washcloth, no chew toy, no Oragel, no teething tab will do.  Nope, only Ibuprofen seems to do the trick.  And oh how I loathe pumping my precious baby with chemicals.

A friend posted this on Facebook years ago it seems.  Now . . . . now it seems so appropriate.  I'm quite certain Ethan had a tough time with teething here and there but MAN O' LAKES!  Poor Toby Muffinz is getting the raw deal y'all!

We are clearly in Stage 3 here.  However, that baby doesn't look nearly as uncomfortable as my lil' wee.  In fact, when Toby isn't crying he is fussing and combative.  Although today there were breaks in the clouds of pain n' misery and he actually SMILED at me a few times.  I know.  Amaze-balls.

So, in conclusion I hate molars.  They are ruining my baby's happiness bubble and NOBODY gets to ruin my baby's happiness bubble! 


P.S.  Ethan started camp today and I think it was rough on him.  He was in a horrible mood when he got home and was very clingy this evening.  Usually he adjusts really well.  Tomorrow I'm going to talk with his teacher to make sure everything is okay! 

Snibbles and Snuffs

Tick Tock.

I feel like I'm biding my time until Monday.  That all of a sudden, with Ethan at camp where he will learn and play and have a grand ol' time I will find my motivation and become a whirlwind of productivity.

I can say, having a bit of knowledge about the history of me, that most likely that first day I'll lie on the floor with Toby and just bask in the ONENESS that comes with just ONE child to attend to for a prolonged time.  Also, NAP TIME Y'ALL!

The only person pressuring me to address the Room O' Doom and the Pile O' Laundry from H E Doublehockeystixs is ME.  Just me.  It will get done though.  3/4 of the main floor of the house is lookin' pretty dandy.  Ugh, this housewife stay at home mom sweaty is ITCHY *twitch twitch*

Ergle snibbles and snuffs.  That is what my brain is doing.  Grumbling and digging its proverbial toe in the dirt.  Responsibility and shit yo.  Need to finish my "book" but haven't heard a peep from my test group of readers.  It makes me think that it was a HUGE mistake sending it out to people.  That they all hate it and that I suck so badly they don't want to tell me so they just never bring it up because, "Shhhhhh if you don't look her in the eye she won't ask and then we won't have to tell her . . ."  Except I won't be technically looking anyone of them in the eye.  Really.  Anyway.  UGH. 

On another completely different note than the overwhelming procrastination that is looming, I met a new friend.

It was quite an event.  The initial contact that should have happened for a completely different event never did quite happen.  But then another contact was made for a completely different reason and it wasn't until I contacted her to do Toby's one year photos that we put it all together.  Follow?  Erm.  No?  This awesome lady answered an "ad" of sorts in the local community forum for baby stuffs I was offloading.  And then I contacted her through another website on her business page for the aforementioned photo session.  We didn't put it together until the day we met that she was the same person inquiring about baby stuff.  AND THEN . . . through the course of conversation she asked if I liked to knit and I found out she was the lady I was supposed to contact about the knitting group!

So there.  Three people I was supposed to follow up with in regards to three completely different things and it was ONE PERSON.  Score!

Oh, lastly.  TOBY IS CUTTING 4 MOLARS AT ONCE!  What the eff did I do to deserve this!  What did my poor wee do to deserve this!  I believe I described him today as a screeching Tasmanian Devil in a diaper . . . and that my only method of soothing him was to put this tooth gnashing, thrashing, grasping, biting creature on my BREAST to sooth him.  Yes, I've been bit.  I don't want to talk about it.  *pout*

Hung over

I feel hung over.

Ironically enough I did have a dream that Matt and I went out drinking last night (?!)  Yea, weird one.  But, Matt and I DO get to go out to dinner this upcoming Saturday just the two of us.  Yes.  Just. The TWO of us.  It will be the first time we are going to out to dinner sans kids or me being pregnant in 3 years!!  Family will, of course, be stepping in to help . . . bless them!  It is actually in celebration of our upcoming anniversary.  To which I have done no planning and have no present yet (BAD WIFE.)  On July 16th, we will celebrate 8 years of marriage and 14 years of togetherness AND now two toddlers.  Well almost toddlers.  Oh gosh!  I just remembered another part of my dream.  Toby just stood up and started running around the house.  Yes, he is that close and NO I don't want him to walk yet (BAD MOMMY.)

So, yea.  Hung over.  I think a lot of it is hormonal.  Not to get TMI on ya'll but my body is a bit messed up right now.  Instead of a normal womanly er . . . cycle, she is stuck on repeat.  I think also I function at a level of high stress, survival mode energy and then just crash.

I've crashed.

I feel like I've been hit by a bus despite going to the chiropractor.  I know I'm not getting sick but I feel achy.  It will pass.  But I haven't been as prolific with writing lately and I'm very close to finishing my first book.  Like, I'm writing the last chapter close.

Ethan is going into summer camp 2 weeks early (NEXT MONDAY WOOT) so I'm hoping I can put my productivity hat on and really get the house shaped up then.

I noticed though, that when I get in these moods I really lose touch with the world.  If I don't have a to-do list I forget pretty much everything going on outside the house.  I know I'm reemerging when I sit down and email the people I need to follow up with regarding a play date, do a spit thingie for my doctor (to check my cortisol levels) and update my blog.  See?  I'm reemerging.

But I seriously feel hungover.  And also my brain is all over the place.  Can you tell?  I mean, how disjointed can a blog post . . . SQUIRREL!

A July Birthday Day

So, we celebrated Toby's 1st birthday on Saturday, July 6th which also happens to be my sister, Aimee's, birthday.  I still wish I could have stolen her birthday but stubborn bum down baby and the 4th of July holiday thwarted the plan.  Aw, who am I kidding, you can't plan that crap.

I digress.  Before I begin . . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNNA!!!!

Okay, now onto the wee Toby's Birthday Party.

As first birthday parties are inevitably more for parents than children, I picked the theme.  My Neighbor Totoro is one of my favorite children's movies for many reasons.  One being I love Hayao Miyazaki films and the other is that the totoros are ridiculously cute (see the Chu Totoro above.)  I may or may not have considered getting a pair of totoros for a tattoo in honor of the boys . . . this might be why Matt bought me a car decal instead.  Maybe.

Here is a link if you've never heard of it.  It is okay, most people I talk to about Totoro give me a funny look:  My Neighbor Totoro

There is the big Totoro:

And then the medium one is Chu Totoro:

And the wee one is Chibi Totoro:

I didn't want to spend too much money decorating but I did buy t-shirts for the boys and myself.  Matt color coordinated, so I give him props for that, even if he refused to wear a Totoro shirt.  It was a small affair with really good food.  Thanks to some pretty fabulous in-laws, the food was purchased at Healthy Living, an awesome local organic and whole foods store (also where the cupcakes/cake was purchased.)  And more thanks to my awesome sister-in-law for assisting me in last minute preparing of food. 

The cake was ADORABLE.  The cupcakes were not what I had originally wanted.  I didn't want the whole TOP to be a soot sprite but what can you do when you are being rushed by a terse and very busy baker dude?  Also, as you will see via the upcoming picture brigade, I really should have stripped Toby of all articles of clothing.  I knew he would make a mess but wow.  Just . . . wow.

Pictures!  Enjoy!

The banner I made Toby.  Acorns are gifts left by Totoro and his wee companions.  As a side note - I made that valance!)

Spread in progress.  That wee precious girl is my niece, Ammi!

The spread.  Almost all either gluten free or vegetarian!

Totoro cake for Toby, Soot Sprite cupcakes for guests and 2 gluten free acorn cupcakes!

Lemon Berry Soot Sprites!

My Neighbor Totoro Lemon Berry cake!

Okay now I must say that I failed horribly at taking better guest shots.  I'm usually pretty camera happy but there seemed to be a lot going on.  I did snap a few but realize later I didn't get the good, "Say Cheese!" photos I usually do with each guest.  Here are the few I did take!

Matt wrangling wee ones.  Dan and Laura in the background and Huxley (who turned 1 two months ago) on the far right!

Kay, my mother-in-law!

Maryann and Anna my most awesome of neighbors!

 

Ethan thoroughly enjoyed his cupcake as well and Ammi did her best to steal a bite!

Big brudder E-Wee

Sneaky Ammi with the cutest Pebbles 'do ever.

Okay, now what you've all been waiting for . . . 

CAKE CARNAGE!!!!

Oh my, this cake is tasty.  (As he rakes Totoro's FACE OFF.)

NOMNOMNOM

Heaven in a handful.  P.S.  I cut the cake in half at one point so the adults could have some cake (I scraped the icing off the top to avoid the ingestion of a 1 year olds hand germs.)

Do I have something on my face?

This stuff ROCKS!

Mouthful of cake!  Allllll the cake!

Lil' stinker :)

Cheeeeese!  Good thing I wiped down his face a few times, those nostrils were getting full!

In case you were wondering he cleaned up fairly easily.  You know, a million paper towels and a bath later!  Also, those lil' gel sticks of OxyClean stain remover stuff work GREAT!

Alllll clean!

My big boy *sniffs*

P.S.  I envision this to be Toby in the future: Cake

Unbelievable

Why is it so unbelievable that Toby is turning 1 year old?

My mind sort of skips around like a malfunctioning robot . . . this . . . does NOT  . . . compute *beeboop beep*  Ugh.

I know that this happens, this growing up thing.  Ethan did it as well.  But I KNEW I'd be having another baby after Ethan . . . and I DON'T want another baby after Toby.  BUT.  But . . . but . . . MY BABY IS GROWING UP :(  *commence big pout and lots of stomps of disapproval*

Planning for his party, which is really just a get together with a few friends and family, thinking about how he is growing out of all his 18-24 month clothes and really some 24 month ones as well as long as I'm being honest.  Thinking about how he is THISCLOSE to walking but very thankful he is very far from weaning.  How he calls out MOMMA when he is very upset but how he says dad all the time.  How he mimics words like, "Hot" and "Blueberry" with surprising clarity.  Thinking about how he is going to continue to morph into this toddler being and how he is not allowed to be 3 years old.  Not sure I can survive a round 2 of 3 years old and I'm only halfway through round 1!  Ack!  Thinking about him as an adult . . . what he will look like, who he will marry, will I have grandkids?  Will he like school or hate it, will he continue to be social and feisty?  Will he and his brother be close and help one another out?  See what this birthday crap does to me!!!!

Toby's birth was not what I wanted.  I was angry that he was breech and I would have to have a c-section.  I cried myself to sleep way too many nights over it (fueled, no doubt by raging pregnancy hormones.)  But, in the end, the important part was that he arrive safely.  I also had in incredibly supportive, very experienced and skilled OB that was my lighthouse amidst the storm.  If it weren't for her and my mother-in-law who helped immensely with Ethan I would not have come through it as well.

But out he came.  Not as I had planned, but here nonetheless and the joy at meeting my precious boy completely eclipsed my anger over the c-section.  I knew it would though, in fact, when the nurses were trying to support and talk to me before hand I jokingly said, "Let's just get the show on the road, I just want to hold my baby and never have to worry about this c-section crap again."  That might be verbatim, regardless you get the gist. 

Such a special lil' Moose Muffin.  Happy First Birthday precious baby boy.

Welcome to the world!  Bum first!

The most precious of daddy cuddles.

The stats

Precious baby at the hospital

First week home!

Still in the "asleep period" or 4th trimester.  Want to nom doze cheekz.

Tiny creature . . .