Updates, yea been a while

I know its been a while since I've written when my parents email me asking for a phone call to hear how everything is going. Guess it say something htat I'm updating this tired tonight rather than calling my folks (really no insult intended.)

Its been up and down. I was so proud of what I had accomplished in the last year, then the reality sinks in of how much of my savings we have eaten into and what I need to get going forward. And I sink again. It is intimidating. But generally I have hope. This is the life I set up, its just requiring 24/7 effort to get it done.

The Big Boy had his 5th Birthday party today. It was still a creative extravaganza (more on this below), but it was a small number of kids (actually due to travel and colds, only two, was expecting five) - both his choice. It was Viking themed. Vikings as in the original pirates before guns were available. For arts and crafts they made a treasure map and weapons (shields, axes, spears, oars). For the activities, they played in a viking ship I made from Norman shipping boxes (photos later, but the sail was a matching table cloth to the dinner paper plates which made the shields!). They wore tunics of brown with gold belts, viking helmets and I sent them on a treasure hunt from our apartment, to the doormen, to the basement (where they had to find a clue in one of the dryers in the laundry and back to our apartment). For food, like vikings, all with their fingers; fried chicken legs, corn on the cob and Pringles. The cup cakes tasted great. Really the best ever. But instead of looking like vikings they looked like odd shaped Teddy bears. The Big Boy LOVED it! so for him, its about the event, the activities, the breaking from the norm. And if he only has one friend there for the whole time, well, that's perfect! Amazing.

Norman just got picked up as a smart toy for value in the New Jersey Ledger, that sent rising sales higher this weekend. Which is great. Overall, I'm not totally on my target (which was a bit of a day dream), but the reality is that he is moving and there is nothing to complain about. Also about half the orders are doing the toy/book combo, which really makes me happy. I'll be able to buy another couple Smiles with Smile Train this week and Nanny care with Half the Sky!

Norman has also been doing well with "ThingNeverKnewExisted.com" it is a catalog of silly things but they are moving my man, which makes me happy.

I need to start the year focusing a bit more on consulting, which is hard. But I had three paying gigs for the fist time in several weeks, last week. And one more before year end.

We've decided its time to close my husband's office. He is a talented film maker, but the cost of the office vs. working from home just doesn't make sense at this point. There were growing pains in the decision making. And I'm expecting more discomfort as the reality actually sinks in. I don't mind working from home, and frankly do not have enough time in my day. But I don't think he'll be accustomed to the work flow and interruptions that happen around here. Of course, this also means some major cleaning, rearranging and selling of furniture to make it all happen, which is going to be interesting.

So, I want to write some fun stuff next time, such as what I love about the holiday (P.S. Went down to the in-laws for Thanksgiving and had a GREAT time), what recessionary items are on my mind (people lost, people gained, and things I no longer do) as well as Things the kids are teaching me (I still need to learn so much!!!).

So, I hope to not disappear for weeks, but it is the last big push of Norman before the holidays. Best to you all!

Losing my mind - and not in small pieces

On my list of one thousand things I need to do today is to update the blog. It is not that I don't want to write, its just been crazy here. And not for any specifid reason, just taking 3 days unplugged really gets me behind.

I've had a few really down days, just the overwhelming of all that is on my shoulders, but I'm better today. I'm going to schedule an GYN visit, I think its perimenopause - really not kidding! that bad! Next week I'm off to the smoky mountains of Tenesse next Thursday for 6 days, big trade show. Oddly I need the time away. I have to start nailing down my direction so I'm not pulled every direction, for example, right now I'm blogging when I should be trying to complete some consulting work so I can bake the cookies I promised school for tomorrow and at the same time drafting a press release for the book (Norman) which is out, but I can't send the press release until I take the book photos. Yeah Don't forget a trip to the liquor store!

On Disney - It was great, it was hell. Don't ever try to manuever around disney with a 3 and a 4 year old by yourself when you are all hot and hungry. To solve the hot, ran in a building that had food. Feed the boys. All went better from there! At some point I'll load photos and more thoughts but here's a bit:
- they loved Mickey Mouse gave him hugs and kisses but refused to get near Minnie Mouse.
- it was awesome to meet my cyber friends which are my orphanage family.
- I think the Little Man remembered some of his friends. He clearly plaid favorites.
- The Big boy loved his new friends, and want to see them again tonight.
- I think the mommies need more bonding time; guess what it is impossible to have a conversation with your children in the room.
- I think daddy needs to babysit more.

So, off to do my work, start cookies, and the photo, well, that will have to wait another day!

Update, in brief, on everything

Foot - I went to the gym with my ankle wrapped yesterday. It was good to go, I ache all over, and no, I did not jump. It was oddly unsatisfying to not be able to give it my all, but I don't want to go back to crutches.

Preschool - Both boys are going and seem to love it, except at that one moment when who ever is dropping them off tries to leave. I like their teachers and have volunteered to do Halloween cookies in both classes.

Little Man therapy - I met with the judge yesterday. Besides being a handsome guy, he was generous. So now I'm off to the agency to get speech, physical and vocational therapy going! Yeah!

Big Boy - He has suddenly become interested in all things athletic. He has a skate board, wants a scooter, is dribbling a basket ball, has gone hiking with friends and loves it all. Mind you he also recently went to two wheels on his bike. Yeah, I have helmets, pads and band aides of every shape and size around the house.

Norman - He is moving! I'm down to my last 6 boxes at the house, but there is a half container heading this way from China. I was on ABC World News Now, and Fox Business Network. Go to www.PhartEphant.com to see clips. They actually are funny to me! Retail locations also listed on the site; we are now in over 20 stores in the US and Canada.

Book - Don't get too excited, I'm self-publishing, but it is going great. I signed off on the picture book with the printers today. I'm not happy with the coloring book, but I think I know how to fix it, so hopefully we'll do final sign off on that next week. I've ordered clear bags that can become a gift bag option for the retailers which will include a Norman, a book (picture or coloring) and crayons. I hope to have this ready for my next trade show November 5th! Amazingly, book #2 illustration work has begun.

New characters - two of Norman's friends have gone into prototype stage. Drawings are done and the factory is starting patterns. Goal to have prototypes locked down for the Toy Fair Trade Show in February.

My Writing - clearly got shelved for a bit. But I'm starting to get ideas again and look forward to exploring some silly topics soon. I think not exercising and all the work, work, got me off. But I hope to write more.

In a nut shell

Been busy not posting as much as I would like. In a nut shell:

• Norman PhartEphant going well - starting to sign up for a few trade shows, which means more planning. Just hired an illustrator to start on the first book; which means I believe I can have a better business model by self-publishing, over all taking up a ton of time.
• Consulting - going well, first time in six month without a near term assignment. Just joined the board of a public company.
• Big Boy - finished first year of preschool. Pretty cool, but now what? Can I afford preschool next year? Will make it happen. Enjoying more time with him.
• Little Man - starting all evaluations to get speech after his 3rd birthday, bit of an uphill struggle on getting the evaluations done. He LOVES have the Big Boy home.
• Husband - good. he has the boys out at the moment. He is starting to understand the full dynamic of the world I'm trying to build for all of us by being a consultant and Norman PhartEphant rather than corporate. As he sees how all the pieces link together, rather than me just running around with my head on fire, he is supper supportive and understanding how big of task this is.

So, I haven't written about the last day of preschool, because I don't know what I thought about it. Give me more time on that.

I have been thinking tons that we are coming up to our one year anniversary of being a family of four. Not sure how I feel about that, the emotions are complex. But I'll figure it out eventually. What a better place we are in now!

Me. well, I'm me. It is six months on my new plan, and it is happening. I'm excited and scared daily. I oscillate between thinking I can do it all and being afraid to get out of bed. Never saw all this change coming, and wouldn't want to not go through it. yeah, more later when I figure out the thoughts.

Bottomless

This is my first attempt at uploading a video.
Hopefully it works. FYI - the signs say "keep off the grass, newly seeded".

We sometimes call my little man, "bottomless". It is a funny joke as (1) he can out eat our four year old big boy, implying a bottomless stomach, but (2) he has no real butt, his pants fall right off him. When he joined us a week before his second birthday I put him in pants for 6-9 month olds, which still fell off him. Today, 10 months later, not only are those pants too short, but too tight. He is wearing 24 month old pants (sometimes wiht the cuff folded up), but running always causes a hazard.

Got to love the spirit!

Language Acquisition

Given that DS2 is trying his hardest to get new sounds and words, sometimes I forget that DS1 is still gaining vocabulary. Unlike DS2 whom I applaud for any sound attempted, whether it is actually made or not, DS1 is talking up a storm and very attentive of when I use a word he thinks should be part of his vocabulary.

For example, the boys came into the kitchen a few days ago, appearing like a storm blowing in. Ds1 had about 6 tools in wrapped in his arms, DS2 had a saw in one hand and clearly wanted at least one more tool. DS1 was crying that he didn't want to share because he had already given the little guy one tool. I looked at him and said, "Give him one more, you are clutching them so tight you can't even play with them." To which DS1 responded, "I am not clutching. What does clutching mean?" Amazing right! I'm personally embarrassed by my limited vocabulary and impressed that this kid will reach right out there and use a new word whether he knows what it means or not!

Then there is the vocabulary use to show me that he know something. For example, the other day I asked if I could read him a story I've been writing. Then I asked if he knew I had been writing it. He responded, "I know you've been writing. I've heard you talk to the other mommies .... with my ears." "Not your nose?" I asked. "No with my ears," he replied. So is he telling my he likes to eve's drop? Or is he telling me he knows what his ears are for?

But a personal favorite, is trying to use words he doesn't get to use to often. We were heading to a friend's house for a dinnertime play date and I stopped with the boys in the wine store to grab a bottle of wine, and DS1 asked, "What type of rum does Jane like?" While his comment raised eyebrows, I got people to actually turn around and look at us by responding, "Honey, Jane likes wine, we are in a wine store. It's mommie that likes rum."

Update on Hearing

While I was away, DS2 had his post surgical hearing test. It went well. He is hearing better and he is taking the test better, responding to sounds when asked to. What was amusing out of the prognosis, is that DH is not hearing the higher pitched sounds anymore. DS2 was hearing things that Daddy did not. Go Kiddo!

Back from the Dead

Catching the flu, spending days in bed, is not good for ones marriage when there are little ones in the house.

So I've been out of it! I thought my head was going to explode. Pressure beyond belief. No major snot storms, like the boys which I would enter into any major Monster Truck Rally type snot blowing contest with great confidence of first and second place being ours. But amazing fatigue. Day 2 my DH decided I must be faking it or something, because he quite being nice. Of, course by this point I had decided I'd rather die than remain married to him.

But thank goodness for out of town guest. Nothing you can do but deal with them. So DH brother and family show up. His brother is a doctor. So the conversation kind of goes like this, ding-dong, I open the door, he says, "You look like hell, your sinuses are totally swollen". Gee thanks, I return to be bed but at least now DH knows I'm not faking it.

Anyway, I'm on the mend. Going out for a martini and adult-only meal; fortunately with two adults in addition to DH so I have someone to talk to. I will forgive DH by the end of the week. I will update you on the happy-go luck boys, who remain in the season of snot (Sept-May) with amazing skill and shooting ability tomorrow.

And the boys are glad I'm back to an upright position and have asked to go sit in Santa's lap. So yeah, hopefully up to 80% tomorrow so we can brave Macy's!

Milestones

On this vacation I have noticed a few new milestones in the kids that I think are pretty major.

First, they are now able to go through the bed time routine together and sleep together.   No separate beds in same room, but really sharing a bed and making it through the night.  Amazingly no one has fallen out of bed yet; although the photos testify to the odd sleeping pair they make.  And DS2 hangs out quietly after DS1 falls asleep, even if I stick my head in and he's still awake. But DS1 is oddly proud to have responsibility of sleeping on the outside edge and taking care for DS2.  There was a time, really only weeks ago, that I thought this day would never arrive.

Second, they are interacting with each other and others.  The boys are playing together, but also fighting over toys.  I think this is good.  DS1 is now willing to not share sometimes, which I think means he is now out of polite mode.  Also they are both more willing to make friends for the day at the beach.  Even with DS2 getting in the mix without speaking. 

Third, DS2 has finally started to run.  He was walking quickly, but I always thought it was a major step for a kid to finally trust leaving the ground for a split second and run.  He is doing it!  He chases me up and down the beach.  He runs after his brother.  And today I even got him to copy me in hopping.

Finally, DS2 has added a powerful word to his vocabulary; "mine".  It is coming from friends that are visiting us.  Their daughter is 2 and half and at the "mine" stage.  With DS1 it was  a short stage, so I'd forgotten about it, but I'm glad to see DS2 finally figure out that he can express ownership.  I would like to believe the more he understands that words help others give him what he wants, the more likely he is to speak.

The milestones sneak up.  One day I realize they are doing something I haven't seen before, but then I don't always remember what started it, or to mark the accomplishment.  But in the last 10 days, the boys have enjoyed the family time, pushed all my buttons, but still made me smile at their silliness, love and ability to grow.

visit to folks - pumpkin photos

We went to a pumpkin farm this last weekend. No deep thoughts, just a few photos.   The boys were good and had fun.  It was a four hour drive to my parents house, but with the boys we stopped half way to let them run around.  I looked up this farm on the Internet, but instead of being my planned one hour stop, it turned into about three hours.  They had an awesome play area with wooden shapes for the guys to climb on.  They had all sorts of beautiful chickens, peacocks and roosters that DS2 really liked.  There was a train ride, just three times around a short lap.  Great assortment of pumpkins and gourds.  There was a 2 acre corn maze, but we didn't do that.  

The real winner for the boys was the hay ride.  There was one ride, billed as the Witches ride, which went in the woods and had some scary things that you pass - I don't know, but sounded stupid, and not the best idea for the boys.  We did the regular hay ride, which went through the orchards.  At the end they dropped us off and gave us free cider, and catch this.... and sticks and marshmallows!  There were little fire pits all around where we could roast the marshmallows. DS1 was fascinated by the process of roasting, DS2 was excited by the warm sticky stuff.  

The boys almost made it to my parents house awake, but conked out.  They had fun.  My photos caught them at serious moments, but there were lots of laughs and giggles. For the ender, my favorite photo of the house.  This is my mom's dresser which she moved across the country and put all the little bottles and things just like they were.  Most of these items I remember for my childhood.