Tuesday, February 26, 2013

History was made yesterday!

I know that it's a total stereotype that a SAHM sits around all day and does nothing but watch soap operas.  We all know that isn't true, however I am not going to lie.  I have always been an ABC daytime fan.  I was devastated when the shows were canceled almost 2 years ago.  If it wasn't for One Life to Live, I am not sure how those nighttime nursing sessions would have gone.  I would DVR the show and watch it while I nursed my girls as night.  Having the soaps as an "escape" daily really helped me with my postpartum and I honestly just enjoyed them.

Yesterday, after a 2 year long fan outcry and movement that I was involved in, there was good news.  All My Children began production again in Stamford, CT.  One Life to Live is scheduled to begin again on March 11.  This is very good news for me.  Even though the format has changed, and the delivery of the shows will be online I am thrilled.

I can't wait to see what is going on in the lives of my friends in Pine Valley and Llanview.  It sounds silly but I moved from Jersey to Illinois and three weeks after we got to Illinois I found out I was pregnant.  It's not easy to make friends in a new city and with a newborn it's even harder.  Then I was almost instantly pregnant again (Irish Twins are like that).  So now not only did I have one infant I had another on the way.  I used my friends in Pine Valley and Llanview and it helped me to get through a very long pregnancy (it feels like I was pregnant for 2 years which I kinda was).

Not having a huge amount of friends or my family around me as a new mom, I had my soaps.  I had 2 hours a day where I could escape and feel apart of something.  It gave me something to talk about besides my kids.  It kept me close to my family because they all watched the shows also.  It was a link to a world that wasn't just about being a mom for me.

My girls are January babies so we were pretty much on lockdown for the first 3 months because of the weather and the fact that it's flu season.  I only left the house to go to postpartum appointments and the kids checkups.  These shows were such a godsend to me.  I used that time to straighten up the house I used it to nurse my babies.  I used it to just relax and get out of my head.  I spent so much time worrying about everything that I could be doing wrong, but when I watched my shows all that went out of my head.  I immersed myself in the lives of these people.  They always had more drama than me, and it was fun to watch.

So I just wanted to take a minute and congratulate that cast and crews of both All My Children and One Life to Live and tell them that I can't wait to see them all back on my screen (even if it's only my computer screen) as soon as possible.  I also wanted to congratulate those that worked tirelessly behind the scenes and fought to get these shows back in production!  Long live Pine Valley and Llanview!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

The Oscars...

Ok so I need to preface this by saying I am NOT a fan of Seth MacFarlane, his humor, his shows, or pretty much anything he does.  However, I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised this evening.  I enjoyed the opening number.  His set ups are good.  He hasn't been any more offensive than most comics, but I have also thought that the line needs to backed up about what/how we "tease" people at awards shows.  I think Seth did a decent job, and who knew he could sing?  I wouldn't call him again but he did OK.

I must say though Shirley Bassey was fantastic, for an Oscars that is supposed to be celebrating musicals that small little segment was good but it seemed lacking.  Obviously and of course Les Mis should have been included, but I just wasn't in love with the Chicago or the Dreamgirls numbers.  Not to say they weren't good but they would not have been my choices.  I did LOVE JHud's performance dress though it was gorgeous!!!  Adele was perfect as usual.  Not that anything else can be expected.  Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were" stole the show for me.  I love that song.  I loved the performance.  I loved the context of the performance.  I just flat out loved it.  The closing number is adorable.  I just love Kristin Chenoweth she is so adorable.

So what did everyone think of the Jaws theme as the wrap it up music.  I thought it was kinda funny but I still think that part of the award shows are a little bit disrespectful.  Not for anything these people worked very hard to get there and should be able to say their peace, but I do recognize the need for brevity.  I am kind of bummed that Hugh Jackman didn't win I just so totally love him and LOVED his performance.

What did everyone think of the first lady's appearance and delivery of this years Best Picture Award?  Not sure how I feel about it.  She looked lovely and her dress was beautiful but really, why is she presenting an Oscar.  

So dresses I may have to have a follow up on this but I am in love with Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence's dresses.  So different but I just thought they were great.  I also love love loved Kristin Chenoweth's dress.  What in the world was Amy Adams wearing?  She usually is such a fashion frontrunner but I kinda feel like that dress was a flop which makes me sad.  Amanda Seyfried looked gorgeous as usual.  I thought Sally Field looked fantastic.  Jennifer Aniston was gorgeous.  Kristen Stewart really didn't do anything for me her dress was OK but nothing special.  Didn't totally love Nicole Kidman's dress either.

Jessica Chastain was beautiful, she looked very old Hollywood which I love at awards shows.  Have to say I didn't love Jennifer Garner's dress either.  I liked the color but the dress itself wasn't all that.  Charlize Theron was breathtaking.  Even my little ones were looking at her saying Mommy she's beautiful.  Sandra Bullock's dress was awesome too, I loved it.  I didn't love Adele's dress it was pretty but I don't think it was a good style for her.  Her performance dress was fantastic and the shoes were cool.  How could you not love Reese Witherspoon's dress.  Reese could wear a garbage bag and make it look good.  The littlest nominee also looked totally cute Quvenzhane Wallis the blue was a pretty color and she looked as age appropriate as a nine year old Oscar nominee could look.  Speaking of blue Robin Roberts was an inspiration on the Red Carpet tonight.  I think that Maria Menounos was stunning in her pink gown and the best dressed of the hosts of these shows.

So what did you all think?  Who were your favorites?  Best Dressed? Worst Dressed?  Who should have won?  Let me know what's on your mind.



What happens when the Mom can't sleep?

So the whole house is quiet as church mice and I am wide awake.  I hate when this happens.  I stay up to wait for hubs to come home so that we can have some quality time.  What ends up happening is I get my second wind and he crashes.  He has every right to crash he just came off a 16 hour shift with another 16 tomorrow.

I did however blow some wind in his sails today.  I decided that J1 is signing up for PONY baseball this year at the park that my husband played all his childhood ball at.  Hubby is over the moon.  He is talking about buying gloves and bats and practicing.  I have never seen him more excited than when he came home today!

My little girl is going to play T Ball this season! I can't wait and I will post pics as soon as I have some. Hubs has a whole regiment he plans to enforce to help them both learn.  J2 is absolutely NOT pleased that she will not be able to play.  I have explained to her that this year she has to help mommy cheer for J1.  Well she acquiesced to that but is still less than pleased that she is too small to play this year.

Wish this momma good luck and safety in the house once the gear is purchased LOL!


Friday, February 22, 2013

Snow Day!

Living in Illinois would make you think that a snow day wouldn't be a big deal.  You'd be wrong the last couple of winters have been very mild and we only had one good snow last season, and so far one mediocre snow this season.

So we had a little bit of snow last night and the kids woke up to a winter wonderland.  Our eyes were barely open before we started getting the "can we make snowballs?" question.  So Daddy went outside to shovel and clean off the cars and I got them dressed in their snow clothes.  Here they are on their way outside to go play.

They made a snow mountain and threw snowballs at Daddy and they had a great time! There is something so peaceful about watching little kids play in the snow.  The pure white snow and their little pink cheeks are so sweet.

Then inside for hot chocolate.  They loved the hot chocolate.  "It's delicious" was J2's response.  I am so glad that they finally got one snow in this year.  Now let's bring on SPRING!!!!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Valentine's Day!  Lots has been going on here and I have been pretty busy.  The girls started a preschool class one day a week and it actually gives me 2 hours free to work on all my Relay For Life stuff.  Between that and just being mom I really have been busy.

We had our first trip to the ER recently.  J2 fell out of bed on SuperBowl Sunday.  Luckily she is fine.  Just had us a bit nervous.  I have to say it wasn't even that bad of an experience.  We were in and out in an hour and half.  J2 was the hit of the ER as she was all smiles and adorable with everyone.  She was a trooper and let them do all the tests and blood pressure cuff and everything.  Thank goodness for Doc McStuffins!!!

I am also getting ready for a visit from my sister and my nephew and I can't wait.  I hate that they are so far away.  I feel like my little man is getting bigger every day and I am missing it.  I finally know and understand how hard it is for my family with me and the girls being so far away.

Relay For Life is in full swing and I'm the Team Recruitment Chair this year so I have taken on a big role and I am so happy to be part of such a wonderful event.  I'll post my link and explain more in my next blog.

For Valentine's Day, Daddy took J1 and J2 on a treasure hunt through the house.  He drew a little map and everything and at the end they found their treasure (heart shaped lollipops).  It was the cutest thing ever listening to them and hearing them as they went along on their treasure hunt looking for "X marks the spot".

The girls are getting so big so fast I can't believe that they are 4 and 3 already!  I am so grateful that I get to be home with them everyday.  I can't imagine it being any other way.  They may drive me cuckoo some days but I thank my lucky stars every day for my amazing husband who works so hard so that I can stay home with them.

So today I want to say a special Valentine's thank you to my wonderful husband, without whom I wouldn't have this opportunity to be what I have always wanted to be.  Being a stay at home mom has it's challenges but it is the most rewarding experience I have ever had.  I also want to wish my little princesses a very special Valentine's Day!  They have taught me so much and I wouldn't trade them or being with them for anything.  Hope that this Valentine's finds everyone having a wonderful day and being able to spend it with their loved ones.