Read this today

My friend Vicky wrote and contributed a post to her friend's blog on leaving a legacy. This is such a beautiful post, it must be shared. http://www.leavingalegacyblog.net/

Baby

"Baby", that is my baby's first word. This weekend I thought that is what she was saying when she was holding and kissing her baby doll. Last night she said it clear as day. My baby said,"baby!" In the sweetest little voice I have ever heard. She also is standing on her own now for a good solid 10-15 seconds wobbling back and forth, she inevitably falls when she gets so excited her knees buckle. Her brothers both squeal in delight and she just goes crazy. Hooting and hollering, turning her head back in forth in excitement-as if she is saying no way but is really meaning heck yeah!

Talia's personality is becoming more and more apparent. She is just as goofy as her brothers but on a sweeter level. When it comes to screaming with excitement she can hold her own but has a softer approach to everything. There is definitely a feminine quality that is born intuition. Right now she is into EVERYTHING. This weekend I am insisting that Erik put all of the cabinet and drawer locks in. With Alex we never had to re-install them but if we don't with her she will be into something she is not suppose to be. She eats everything off the floor, nearly choked on a cashew at Leslie's lake last weekend. Dog food is another obsession of hers, poor Howie has to eat real quick or she will invade. YUCK! Talia also claps like crazy, dances, and loves to her,"Go Talia! Go Talia! Go Talia!" She starts dancing and squealing with delight. She will be one next month. Refuses baby food now and is transitioning into milk, goodbye formula-I will not miss you on any level.

Now that Anthony is out of school and Alex is done with preschool for the summer it is so fun to observe their dynamic. Fun in between their fighting and wrestling matches. Anthony is definitely more sassy this summer, after all he is 8 and he knows everything. Alex is more sensitive, screaming at his brother whenever he is frustrated with him. Anthony acts like the oldest most the time. In between his fits of running to his room and screaming at me with anger for taking his I-pod, etc because of his know it all attitude. Pushing buttons constantly! But also stepping up to the plate and helping out A LOT around the house or when one of his siblings needs something. Alex tends to be more lazy and I am pretty sure Anthony enables that because he is always there willing to help him when he needs it. He also can make a bottle in a snap and is the gate police at the top of the stairs. Right now he is in Babe Ruth baseball and loving every second of it. His hair is long like Bieber and he has to take his hat off and "swish" it at different times during practice and after he makes a run during a game. He just finished Insta-Gators and made the Gator Swim Team. We are not enrolling him until this fall though-this summer is going to fly by. Last night he lost one of his last top teeth and once he pulled it he out stood there looking at me with a gaping bloody hole in his mouth, so proud but unfazed like when he lost his first couple teeth. There definitely is a new phase of life on the horizon, he is leaving my little boy on the horizon and coming into his own. Thankfully that little boy is still around enough to satisfy me but definitely pulls at my heart string when the bigger guys shows up. I am not ready for that.

Alex like I mentioned has become more sensitive. Shy when he gets in trouble. Pouts more, screams more, and is in the,"no one likes me phase." Not all the time but it has arrived and it is annoying. He has been my easy child so I am not accustomed to him being a little pre-Madonna. We are working through it because quite frankly I think it is too much work for him. I think he is slowly realizing it is a lot easier just to go with the flow and be happy. A lot less time out's and more popsicles equals a happy Alex. He was in swimming lessons too, absolutely loved it. He did get irritated that his teacher wouldn't let him swim under water all the time but liked that he had all girls in his 4 person class. He is literally throwing a tantrum right now over nothing, off to his room with popsicle stained lips. It is 7:45 am after all. Why not start the day with a tantrum and popsicle? Summer is his ideal because he can play all the sports he loves outside. Last week both him and Anthony were at St. Joe's Vacation Bible School. He LOVED it! Alex likes to meet new people, do art projects, and sing/dance. He was able to do it all there. On Friday they had a little program, the entire program there was a little girl with super curly pigtails that would not stop trying to kiss Alex. The teacher had to finally separate them. She then moved onto another little boy. After the program Alex matter of factly tells me,"Mom, did you see that girl keep trying to kiss me? She wouldn't stop it and I told her I already have 3 girlfriends and she wasn't one. She is not kissing me!" Okay.....

So now we are in planning mode. Our SD trip is the end of the month, trying to figure out all the places we will visit. In the interim I am off to referee who called who dumb or fat, really? I thought I had boys?!

Moth to a Flame

So...have you heard? Do you know what the big buzz is about? I know I am addicted, in every way, shape and form. It started on Mother's Day and sadly ended on this last Sunday for me. I miss them, they became like a shameless, hot family to me. Christian Grey and what's her name, oh yeah-Anastasia...my husband thanks you in more ways than one. If you have not heard of "Fifty Shades of Grey" you are sleeping under a rock. My girlfriend from the lake handed it over to me on Mother's Day, she proclaimed it would change me. I rolled my eyes at her, slapped it on the shelf in the camper and forgot about it. I power washed the deck, fed children, and put them down for naps. Erik took our new boat to get serviced and ready for Memorial weekend. I snuggled in and began to read. If someone could have given me a catheter so I did not have to stop to pee I would have gladly welcomed it. Christian Grey-you had me at your contract. So I read all three books through out last week while I was travelling for work to D.C. My boss would not stop teasing me because I would literally start blushing while reading it. When I finished the last book I thought,"I am going to miss you guys."

My husband is now advocating for the book as well. In due time you will understand, in the interim I say to you,"Laters, baby"...

34

Did you know they say the best year of a woman's life is 33? For me personally it really was a great year, not sure about the best but all in all, a really a great year.

1. May-was ready to enjoy the summer with my boys, still felt really good even thought I was 7 months pregnant. Just had celebrated a year at CES. Did not have to go to D.C. because I was too pregnant.
2. June-was in single mom mode because Erik was working like crazy, in full swing at the lake. Enjoying my last month of freedom before I was dedicated to baby.
3. July-4th of July weekend at the lake, a week before Talia came. I remember standing of the beach watching the fireworks swearing at mosquitoes, and super uber crappy that weekend. I was DONE being pregnant. We also realized shortly after that Talia had flipped and become breech that weekend-good reason to be done. July 12th, Talia Claire Tortorice came, Alex became a big boy, and Anthony became the second man of the house. I took the extra day at the hospital to enjoy the calm before the storm. Loved my husband more than ever.
4. August-who would have thought this baby was going to be so EASY. She came to the lake almost every weekend and just hung out in her sling. The boys were obsessed with swimming and fresh watermelon. I began working from home part time after 4 weeks home. Erik was working 60-70 hours per week.
5. September-school starts for Anthony-2nd grade, Alex is in preschool 3 days a week. I go back to office 3 days a week. very sad to leave my baby. Grateful for a little normalcy.
6. October-Talia is still so good-I did not know they made babies like this? Is this the difference between boys and girls? The boys are both loving school. Work wants me back full time, I say no way jose. Not with 3 kids and daycare, sorry. They agree to let me work from home. All peeps in my family are grateful. Erik and I have a wonderful getaway to Minneapolis for our 10 year anniversary! No snow on Halloween-can you believe it? Anthony is a zombie, Alex is batman, Talia is a flower. Our Godchild Owen turns one and we get to enjoy the weekend with all of our friends in Minneapolis.
7. November-Thanksgiving in Baudette, man do I love it up there. So beautiful, peaceful. We still have no snow. Les buys their new place on Middle Cormorant, we are now less than a mile away from each other. If you see a golf cart on Downer Road, you best step aside.
8. December-snow, can you please come for Christmas? Just a teeny tiny dusting? Come on, really?! We celebrate with Erik's family. Odd Christmas but we are all together, I guess that is what matters right? Talia looks so cute in her first Christmas dress, the boys are excited to play outside on the grass on Christmas Day. Happy Birthday Papa Tony!
9. January-hello Heer's and water park, we have missed you both! Alex turns 4, Anthony is in tae kwon do-breaks his first board-with his kick, ouch! Happy New Year! We celebrate Stu's birthday with him at the lake.
10. February-nothing, absolutely nothing. Everyone is on vacation, I am planning ours for this year. Kind of a boring month. Oh-but we did get Howie, my dad rolled his truck-was life flighted to Grand Forks and learned a huge lesson. Talia clapped for the first time on February 25th at an impromptu party we had the last Saturday of the month.
11. March- It was an amazing month because we were able to play outside in the 70's in shorts. Erik and I biked downtown for St. Patty's Day to meet the Heer's. Also, had a great day at the parade and Rhombus Guys with our her of many small children. Great date that night. One of those, why don't we do this more often kind of nights? I started taking Zumba and working out seriously. Talia is army crawling, has 2 teeth.
12. April-Anthony's birthday, scare with Mike Nelson, party with the Nelson's-40th Anniversary. Huge Easter Egg Hunt with the kids. Talia is crawling upright, cruising furniture, and has 6-soon to be 8 teeth in May. The boys are in swimming lessons-both love it! Anthony is trying out for the Gator's swim team, Alex is almost swimming without a life jacket. Wichita for work-I really do have the best mother-in-law EVER!

Here is to another crazy, fun year! I am very grateful for all the pieces in my life and feel the most whole I have ever felt. 33 was great, here is to an even better year at 29! 

New pics

This is what most of our days look like. Playing and teaching Talia how to kiss puppies. Bedhead and all.

Anthony's new bike he got for his 8th birthday from Papa and Grandma.

Anthony doting on Talia, happens daily.

Here is my dad's 5 brothers, my 5 uncles. There are 12 in all, 6 brothers and 6 sisters. Can you tell the brothers resemble one another, what stands out the most? 

Talia was in OTMOM...which has given me bragging rights all month long. LOVED IT!

Here is my first work husband Mark, also my boss. This is from our last work trip in Kansas.

This is my second work husband Brandon, my Account Manager in Wichita. Love these two for always supporting me and completely getting I am a working mom. By the way my real life husband is my FAVORITE, please do not tell these two.

Anthony had his friend Carson spend the night for his 8th birthday. I offered a big party, he chose a little one and they included Alex all night. It was great!

Anthony opening his fishing pole from his Godfather, Uncle Brad. He could not figure out why he would give him a walking stick? It was great!

Hi big girl! She now has 8 teeth, is pulling herself up on everything, and eating mostly everything that we do.

Rotisserie Chicken

Yes, that is the name of my post. Why might you ask? Because in the last couple of months it has solved at least 2-4 meals in my home for me per week. When I use to grocery shop I swear I would see anyone over 60 in the grocery store tooling around with their carts, inside a pint of milk, Folgers, maybe a cantaloupe, and the inevitable rotisserie chicken. I now know their secret and I am going to share it with you.

Each shopping trip I pick one up, always ask the deli because then they are the freshest. Come home unload my groceries and de-bone my rotisserie chicken. I take it out of the carrier they send it home in, rinse that out and plop it on the counter to fill it up with perfectly cooked chicken. The boys normally help me unload groceries and sit at the counter waiting to slip a few pieces of warm chicken from me. I still it in the fridge, toss the gross skin and bones, and move on. Until supper that is. Then I grab my new friend for EASY enchilada's. Roll it up with some black beans or refried-whatever your pleasure, some shredded cheese, and cover with red or green enchilada sauce. You have a meal your family tells you is their FAVORITE. Slap a little shredded lettuce, tomato, and sour cream-you have them begging for more. My sister made a point to come have some after working the night shift last night-they are that GOOD and so dang easy. But the best part is that is just one meal. You still have some left over to feed a now meat eating baby, throw a little on bed a lettuce for yourself with some craisins and blue cheese crumbles. The list goes on and on!

I swear the rotisserie chicken is the gift that just keeps on giving to us busy mom's that don't always have time. One usually comes home with me from a trip to the store. Those senior citizens know a trick or two about frugal shopping. I am taking a peek in their carts more often.

Tarot Reading

A good friend of mine had her Tarot Cards read and she insisted I do it, she actually was kind enough to pay for me to have mine done since she knew I would never take the time to have it done. So I scheduled it a week or two out. The plan was to have Talia sleeping when we spoke over the phone, she did not want to so we had our cards read together. Going into it I wasn't skeptical or really expecting too much out of it. I do feel like I do have an intuitive spirit, when the universe makes a shift in my world if I am in harmony I feel it. Yes, I know I sound woo woo. But I also know that if I am in chaos or focused too much on one thing the shift can smack me upside the head, I believe my tarot card lady explained it as the universe trying to give you clear, concrete signs or "bit$% slap" you.

When she takes the call you give her very minimal information. We started with my name, after my spiritual reading to set tone she gave me simple instructions to tell her when to stop shuffling the cards. I did pretty quickly...don't have the patience to shuffle all day, she told me some people seem to forget she is on the other end before they tell her to stop. "You are a woman that knows what she wants." Hmmm...okay. Not shocking there. She proceeded to tell me that  my world has many things going on right now. Long story short how I need to focus on balance this year. 2012 is going to bring me many things...I would love to get into details but mostly focused on how I need to make sure that I balance my personal and professional life to stay in harmony so I am aware when the universe is giving me clear cut signs about what I should be doing. That the word NO has to become a bigger part of my vocabulary. Which quite ironically the beginning of this year I made a conscious effort to turn down work if I felt I was going to be spread too thin. I have and it has felt right.

Her advice was to just be very conscious that my professional life was not affecting my personal life. That family is always number one. She said this year will be focused on my family, not ladies nights-sorry girls. Vacations are a high priority for us and we should not feel any guilt because we have worked hard to receive these gifts. HA! That struck right at home with me because any of my close girlfriends can attest to the fact that I have been a walking, talking travel agent these last few months. Hence South Dakota booked, Vegas in August with Kris & Mike, and a family getaway in Nov/Dec. I have to be in Orlando for work in November so I am almost positive we are just extending my stay and Erik will be coming with the kids (that might need a psychic reading beforehand).

She told me that someone was coming into our family via marriage or a birth that I am going to be very excited about. This person will be very special to me, we are kindred spirits. This child will not be coming from me-this shop is closed. That my love life is in harmony as long as I keep balance. I may have a hard time communicating with males this year but as long as I am direct and don't cut off communication it will not make my year difficult. Good thing being direct is usually not an issue for me.

At the end I was allowed to ask some questions. She gave me some insight about a predicament I am in, nothing mind blowing. I told her I was pretty confident in my love life so I didn't care to dig in that anymore but I was concerned about someone that I love very much. No names-sorry. She ensured me that person will be settled down with someone in the next 3 years. That everyone they have encountered they are way too good for. The mate for them is going to be driven, hard working, and a fire cracker. Everything this person needs and deserves.

It took about 30 minutes. I assumed she was going to try up-sell me  or book my next session at the end. Nope, she just asked for my email address so she could send me the audio recording. I asked how often people get their reading and she said typically once a year or some do every season. Her site is: The Tarot Lady, by the way she did not ask me to plug her. But I would recommend anyone to do it. If anything for some leisurely entertainment and good conversation to follow.

Oh and the biggest thing is to make sure I have time for just me...that I am also trying. 23 lbs down baby!