Incubation Nation

Her eyes get me every time…

• I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned here a few times that I keep an eye on my 3-yo niece (Hub’s brother’s daughter) quite a bit. Yesterday she asked “Aunt Sara, do I live here?” I asked her why she would think so, and she said “I live at mommy’s house sometimes and at daddy’s house sometimes, and here sometimes too??” She’s kind of right; she has her own drawer of clothes, a pillow, a toothbrush, shoes, toys—you name it. She is with me almost as much as she is with either of her parents. And my heart broke in to a million pieces. Of course, this was close to 11:30 and she had not yet been to sleep since neither of her parents feel the need to keep her on a schedule, and I was exhausted too—so she could have said anything and I’d probably still have burst in to tears. But I think you get my point. This poor pumpkin.
• And speaking of poor pumpkins, the baby has a cough and a cold and though her spirits have been decent during the day, she’s had a few rough nights. The cough has turned almost croup-y a few times, and it’s making it hard for her to sleep. So we’ve played the “in mommy’s bed, back in the crib” game a few times over here. See also—exhausted.
• I’ve sold off a lot of the kids’ clothes on eBay this past month, and I’ve made around $200. Not bad, huh? I’ve also bought quite a bit for the kiddos, mostly new, and at a really good price. I tried something new yesterday, by where you tell this woman how much you’d like to spend, and she goes in to her supposed HUGE inventory of kids clothes and picks and sends things just for you. She guarantees at least double for your money (i.e. if you give her $20, you get at least $40 worth of clothing), so we’ll see how it works out. I gave her a little bit for the baby, who has basically all hand me downs, and a pretty considerable amount for Bud. Lucy wants to go out and buy her own clothes, so nothing for her. I’m kind of excited about it though.
• And for those of you who commented on My Previous eBay Post, it has finally been resolved and I have recouped my money. In addition, the seller sent me a very apologetic email when she received the items back and admitted that she was wrong. BooYA! (do people say that anymore?)
• Lucy has kindergarten orientation on Friday. Can you even believe it? KINDERGARTEN!! Come September, we will officially be a one child in daycare home. Praise Jesus! That shit is expensive! Unless of course we have another baby. Which Hub is vehemently against. Which makes me a little sad.
• Anyway, on the advice of my ObGyn, I’ve been on the pill for a little more than a month now—it’s that Seasonique one where you get only get your period once every 3 months. The main reason was to prevent migraines because mine generally seem to be hormone triggered. Even in that 12th week where you get your period, you take an estrogen supplement, to keep your hormone level regulated. I have to say that I feel better on this pill than I ever have on another. I haven’t lost “the desire”, and better yet, I haven’t had any migraines since I started taking it. It may just be doing what it’s supposed to do. And not having to worry about contraception doesn’t hurt too much either. One side effect during the 1st 3 months is supposed to be spotting, and I’ve had none of that either. It.Is.Awesome.
• Finally, we are seriously considering a trip to Disney at the end of August—that last week before school starts. We think we can swing it. We think we’re going to drive. (OMG) Shelly has been kind enough to give me some great tips since she has been there a zillion times. Does anyone else have tips to share with me? I’m kind of overwhelmed with the whole idea, and so I am absorbing as much information as I possibly can.

Stolen from so many….

area code: 716

b. bed size: Queen (not big enough)

c. chore you hate: any aspect of laundry.

d. dog’s name: We have no dog

e. essential “start of the day” item: coffee. Will not get very far without it

f. favorite color: pink

g. gold or silver: White gold

h. height: 5’4”

i. instruments you play: I can read music, and I can sing

j. job: Operations Consultant; Mom

k. kids: Three of them Ages 6, (almost)5, and (almost) 2

l. living arrangements: House with Hub, Kiddos, FIL, and 3 cats

m. mom’s name: Marilyn

n. nickname: I always wanted a nickname. ALWAYS. Hub has given me a few thru the years—he calls me S.L. if not Hon. Bud likes to call me Mommas Thomas because I call him Edmund Spagedmund, and he thinks he is funny. I will cut you if you call me Sar.

o. overnight hospital stay: To GiveBirth and twice for kidney stones

p. pet peeve: Not making an attempt to pronounce a last name correctly. I mean God! Sound it out! Think it through!! My last name is not and looks nothing like Benedict.

q. quote from movie: “Did somebody say ‘Able Lincoln’?”

r. righty or lefty: righty

s. siblings: 2 younger brothers

t. time you wake up: on a gym day, 4:40 AM, non- gym but work day, 6:00 AM

u. underwear: I wear them

v. vegetables you dislike: cauliflower (blech!)

w. ways or reasons you are late: stopping for coffee, or loading up kids. I despise being late though, so it is rare

x. x-rays: chest for pneumonia, dental, spine and neck after a car accident

y. yummy food you make: oven fried chicken, banana muffins

z. zoo animals you like: Giraffes

Oh, I had such a fabulous Mother’s Day. I always do and I know how blessed I am to have a husband and children who care so much about giving me a fabulous day. And it was fabulous from start to finish—and I mean start—Hub was up with the children in the night and I never heard them even once. When he told me that Lucy was up with a coughing fit, Bud was up because he had wet the bed, and that Liv stirred a few times, but never cried out, I didn’t believe him. He was that good. I rolled over an opened my eyes, and could hardly believe that it was 10 AM. The bedroom door was shut, which in itself is a luxury, and I hadn’t heard one peep from the kids all morning.

Of course as soon as I was in the bathroom, they all came barging in with choruses of “Happy Mother’s Day!” (well Liv said “Happy birthday to YOU!!”), and how could I mind when they had done so well all morning. They dragged me to the couch and gave me their handmade gifts from school—A photo magnet and a card from Lucy, and a bead necklace, card, photo magnet, and a dime from Bud. Liv’s teacher didn’t think far enough ahead to have her gift for me ready on Wednesday (the girls don’t go to school on Thursday and Friday), so I will get her gift today. I was starving, so we had coffee cake and coffee right away, and then I lazed on the couch for a while watching TV while Hub and Lucy made me “runny eggs”, toast, potatoes and bacon. The only bad thing was that I still didn’t have much of an appetite from having been so sick last week, (Did I mention? Strep Throat? Worst I’ve ever had? Seriously—so swollen I thought I’d need a tracheotomy. Yeah.) so I didn’t eat as much as I would have liked to. But it was delicious, and so thoughtful. Man, I love those people.

From there, Hub took them all out. In years past, this would be when he saw his mother for Mother’s Day, so it made me a bit sad for him. He never mentioned it, and I didn’t bring it up either. I was torn between seeming selfish and not bringing it up, or bringing it up and the potential to upset him. Still don’t know if I made the right decision, but in any case, he took them all away. And I went back to bed for 2 hours. When I woke up I treated myself to a huge piece of chocolate cake (left over from celebrating with my mother the night before), and then dinked around with my eBay stuff for a while. They finally came home, several gifts in tow, around 5PM.

I showered the children so Hub could wrap them, and then they all made a big deal about me opening them. Lucy picked out some new earrings for me, there was a new MP3 player and some headphones Hub thought would work in my tiny ears, a food processor—which is really a replacement for the one I returned but did not exchange for Christmas, and new coupon holders. It was seriously overwhelming.

We ended the day with ordered in fried chicken for dinner, the kids in bed early, Hub going off to work, and I spent some time loading songs in to my new toy. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better day. I never expected all the gifts; I had told them several times that all I wanted was to sleep in and have them cook me a nice breakfast. That was it. And they did so much more.

I don’t wish every day was Mother’s Day, though I did enjoy being treated like a queen. I have a fabulous family. Kids who are so sweet and kind, and caring. A husband who helps to foster that, and helps our kids live out the values we have. They are truly amazing. And I am blessed. And that might just be the best gift of all.

Ugh. I spent a good portion of my weekend fuming and arguing with this woman on Ebay who I bought some clothes from. I was very pleased to have won the auction for Lucy because there were several dresses and several Hello Kitty items, size 5/6. Her description indicated size 5/6, some size 5, and that one pair of capris were a 5 slim. I knew these wouldn’t fit Lucy, but was fine with putting them away. I stalked and won it at the last minute. Including shipping, I paid $50 for these items.

Imagine my surprise when I opened the box to find that the items were not a 5/6 as indicated. In fact, of all the items, 1 was a size 5/6. Aside from the size 5 items she indicated, all the rest were size XS. As in 4 or 4/5. I noticed this as Lucy was going through the box, so in addition to my own disappointment, I had to deal with hers. She wanted that Hello Kitty dress so badly. Sadly though, it was way too small.

So I did what any rational person would do—I sent the seller an email to see if we could work it out. I gave her 24 hours to respond, and when she didn’t I escalated to Ebay Customer Support. She responded back to them right away, saying that I was the one who was wrong, and offered me a credit of $12 or to send me a few more items.

I know that some of you were privy to all my rantings on Twitter this weekend, and that I am beating a dead horse here, but please indulge me and read this conversation. Please tell me I am right to fight the fight, (If you think I am wrong, you can tell me that too) because DAMN I am pissed off here.

Here was her header:

Girls’ Sz 5/6 – 21 pcs Green Dog, Hello Kitty, Esprit

And here is her description:

This auction contains 21 pieces of girls’ spring or summer clothing in the size 5, 5/6, and one 5 slim in excellent condition. All items are free of rips, stains, or tears. Everything is very gently used with much more use out of them then they got. These are clothes that were pulled out for the spring to winter changeover and my daughter can no longer fit them. This auction includes
4 dresses – Hello Kitty, Youngland (never worn), Disney Cuties, & Girl Tribe
2 sets (4 pieces) – pink Hello Kitty top with matching plaid skirt, multicolored Greendog patchwork short set with matching top (purchased at Macy’s)
4 pairs of shorts – Light wash denim colored Esprit shorts, white Greendog shorts, floral Wonderkids shorts with belt, brown plaid Ocean Pacific shorts
5 tops – Disney cuties top with Thumper on front, green Cherokee top with beads and sequins design on front, hot pink Circo top, long pink multicolored top with asymmetric cut, white short crop hoodie with rhinestone crown decorated on front left made by Target (never worn with tags still attached)
1 skirt – Disney Camp Rock dark wash denim skirt
1 pair of capris – Crazy 8 capris (Gymboree company). These are a size 5 slim
1 crop jacket with matching tank top purchased at Kohl’s

And here is our chain of emails:
Additional information:
“Hello- I sent the email I’ve copied below to the seller on Wednesday. I have not had a response. The item I received was not what her description indicated.

Hi there- I received the item in question today and am very disappointed that these items are NOT a size 5/6 as you have indicated. The majority of these items are a size 4/5 or XS (which is a 4) and do not fit my little girl. One item is a size 5/6, and one item is a size 5 slim and a few are a size 5 as you indicated. I’ve bought many second hand items via Ebay and have sold several myself, and I’m sure this was just an oversight. I’d like to send the items back to you for a full refund. Please let me know if we can work this out– “
You wanted:
A full refund
Refund information:
The seller offered a partial refund of $12.00 that will be issued through PayPal within 3 days if you accept the offer.
Seller’s note:
“I am very sorry but all of the items I listed in this auction were 5 or 5/6 as stated. There was not one size 4 or 4/5 in this auction. 3 of 21 items are labeled XS & XS is equal to a size 5 where I bought them. At Old Navy, North Face, and even Target an XS is equal to a 5. At Justice For Girls, an XXXS is a size 6. If you look at my previous listings for clothing I have sold you will see I am detailed. I list what is there even highlighting any flaws there may be. I would have listed this auction as a size 4 auction or stated it contained sz 4 if it had as I have in the past because sz 4 is very popular. Online shopping can be difficult. That is why I provide good pictures & descriptions & ask questions be asked before bidding. I will gladly give you a partial refund because I want you to be happy. As an honest seller, I care about your satisfaction. I will even send you a couple more size 5 pieces should you choose that instead. I hope we can work this out. Have a wonderful day.”
Your message to the seller:
“I have just taken a minute to go through the clothing again to be sure that I was not mistaken the first time. I was not. The denim skirt, pink dress, Disney thumper shirt, white half sweatshirt and the green top are all clearly marked XS (4/5). I have taken photos of the tags if you are interested. The clothing that is only labeled as XS I did some digging on as well. Here is Target’s sizing chart, showing that XS is = to 4/5 http://www.target.com/Clothing-Sizing-Guide-Sizing-Shopping-Help/-
b/13666801?ie=UTF8&ref=br_bx_Clothing%20Sizing%20Guide I wasn’t able to find a size chart for the Sanrio Hello Kitty items, however, they are just as small. Again, I don’t mean to imply that there was any malice involved here and that is why I have not left negative feedback. I do believe that there was an oversight on your part though, and for that, I would still like to return these items for a full refund. Please let me know, Sara “
So—
1. This chick is crazy
2. She lied about the size of the clothing as evidenced by the tags—photos of which are still in my possession
3. She implied that I should have asked questions before buying—Like what? Are these items really all size 5 or 5/6? Or is that just a clever ploy to get rid of your size 4 clothing.
4. Where does the $12 refund come from?

It takes a lot to get me fired up…and let me tell you I am FIRED UP. So what is your opinion? Am I in the wrong here? I’m not going to rest until I get all of my money back.

I have to admit that when Lucy quit gymnastics after she turned 3 because she didn’t like doing it herself (it was previously Mommy and Me), I was relieved. For one, I didn’t have to deal with those horrible women any longer, but also because it really put a cramp in to our Saturday schedule. We’re coming to a point though where she is interested in doing things again, and of course, gymnastics is at the top of the list. Well, gymnastics and cheerleading, but she can’t be a cheerleader until she is 7. I’m also at the point where I would like to start doing Mommy and Me with Liv, so I think we really need to start exploring the options.

Only some of The Mean Moms transferred to where we started going after the old school closed, but I don’t think I like that location. It was always complete chaos, and I don’t think that Lucy would have got much out of it even if she had stayed. Other locations that I know about are either too far away, or more than I want to pay. I have some feelers out with some friends to see if there are any that I am missing. I’d also like classes that butt up against each other, so I can do Liv, and then Lucy and then be done for the day.

I think I’m asking for too much.

The girls only go to pre-school/daycare 2 days a week. And while they’re not sitting around like lumps while they’re with Hub or my mom (I actually think there is a lot of value in going out to work with Hub), they need to be enriched. But I want to do it in a way where it does not wreak havoc on our lives. Bud does Tae Kwon Do 3 days a week after school. Even on his later class days, he is home by 6:30. We are lucky to have FIL to help facilitate getting him there and back. How do you guys do it? What do you do with your kids?

I need help!

I had a half day on Friday to get some things done and I got home just in time to see Bud getting off the bus. Bonus. I am never home to see him running up the walk. I told Hub that it is time to get the porch furniture out for the times that I am home as I like to sit out there with my coffee while waiting or after I put the kids to bed at night for some fresh air. This is not to mention the fact that our neighbor’s house is for sale, and I would love to have a vessel to further my gawking at the potential buyers coming in and out instead of pressing my face up against the glass like a lunatic.

Speaking of lunacy, I had my niece in addition to my own 3 kids this weekend, and I took all 4 of them to the science museum to see the Sesame Street body exhibit. They had a really good time. We met up with Hub’s cousin and her kid as well, so it was 2 on 5. The bonus of the day was being able to climb the (treacherous wrought iron) spiral stair case up to the roof which is their observatory. Bud got to take a look at the sun through a large telescope, and I got to take some photos of our city’s skyline. The museum was actually pretty small, but just right to fill a few hours in the mid afternoon. (and could you just *DIE* over Liv’s Converse All*Stars???)

The kids were so well behaved that I took them all for ice cream on the way home. I made small talk with a woman who was pregnant with her 3rd child, a boy after having 2 girls. She was worried that the boy would be harder than her girls were. I told her that for me, compared to the girls, the boy is a piece of cake. It was nice. My niece ate all 3 of my kids under the table; you’d have thought she was in some sort of contest. I had to pull napkin out of her mouth several times.

I woke up yesterday morning and could hardly walk and couldn’t figure out why. Then it occurred to me—the stairs. I carried the baby up and down that steep spiral stair case. It was horrible, but things needed to get done, and they did. General Sunday stuff that included grocery shopping and cleaning, and showers for the kiddos, plus getting ready for what is sure to be a long week since my parents are on a cruise. This leaves the girls home with Hub/FIL for 3 days instead of their usual 1 day at home. I have high ambitions for this week as well, which includes listing some more items on Ebay and figuring out just what the hell I am supposed to be doing at work.

Something tells me that by the time next weekend arrives, I’m going to need it.

I’ve lost 6 pounds. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this is nothing—especially considering that I have about 70 more to lose, but in the past it has been virtually impossible for me to lose weight. I’ve gone to the gym for months at a time and have thought that I was doing a good job, but end up losing say 10 or 15 lbs over the course of several months and toning up quite a bit, but I never lose anything this early on.

According to my doctor, I have the worst possible type of metabolism. Even with the thyroid meds, though they boost my thyroid function, my metabolism virtually stands still. We recently upped my Synthroid dose quite a bit, but I have to do twice the work of a normal person to make any sort of difference, so I’ve been doing just that over the last 2 weeks. I’ve gone to they gym for an hour a day, 5 days a week. I’ve tracked my calories and all that jazz in a fancy tracker for my Blackberry. For the first time, I am actually holding myself accountable, and I think it is helping. I feel better than I have felt in a very long time.

I’d be lying if I said that hearing that my new boss is a body builder and fitness aficionado in her spare time isn’t somewhat motivating. I don’t want to meet her in my current schlubby state. Plus she’s younger than me. I need to get moving.

Speaking of the job, it is going ok. Yes, ok. I am one week in and I feel like my head is going to explode with all of the new information. I am doing a lot of absorbing. I made a huge error on my very first project; it was fixable, but you know, I really wanted to shine. It’s harder than I thought it would be. In the good way though. I’m happy.

But I am glad it is the weekend.

The kids keep asking me why I’m going to the gym and it is so hard to refrain from telling them the real reason, which is that I’d like to be skinny again. “To be healthy”, I tell them and I grit my teeth. Health is some of it, but really, I just want to get rid of all the weight I’ve put on through and after my 3 pregnancies. I’ve been at the gym right at opening time (5am on weekdays, 7am on weekends) for 6 out of the last 8 days. I’m proud of myself, and I’m starting to feel a little bit better. But damn if it isn’t hard—not even so much to get there, but to stay motivated. 6 hours in the gym seems like a lot. And I feel like I should notice at least a small improvement somewhere. I am aware that this is unrealistic, but I’d like just a little bit of instant gratification, you know?

I’ve also been really trying my best to not eat a whole bunch of crap, and it’s going ok—but it is hard at work. You smell all of these amazing things, and then all you have to eat is natural peanut butter on multigrain. Which is delicious, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not a steak hoagie with peppers and onions.

Have any of you ever injured the arch of your foot? Mine is killing me, and I’d like to take care of it without, you know, seeing a doctor. I’ve read a lot about inserts—any recommendations? It hurts so freaking bad! It all happened when I took a lunchtime walk in my dress shoes (flats) that have less support and sole than a flip flop does. I don’t want to get out of the habit of working out, so resting it isn’t really an option. I just need to fix it!! NOW!!

My parents took the kids overnight on Saturday, and Hub and I spent our time alone grocery shopping. We had intentions of seeing a movie, but ended up sitting in the bar of PF Changs and eating a late dinner instead. I was way too tired for a movie, what with all the exercising. I slept in until 10:45 yesterday morning too. Oh it was glorious. Hub was out getting coffee and breakfast (unasked, thank you!!) when I got up and then we read the paper and ate bakery doughnuts (Sunday’s don’t count in my quest for good eating, apparently), and finally went to get the kiddos.

So there is more gym on the agenda for this week; I already went today. And then there is the new job, where I am very very lost, but very much enjoying it and absorbing things. And we are taking the CAQuincy way of seeing if Bud can stay dry through the night (it involves a shower curtain and multiple sheet changes, and kind of sucks if your washer is broken, BUT it works—at least more times than it fails) because he want s to have sleep overs with friends (um, hell no) and doesn’t want to have to wear a pull up. And I’m selling a bunch of crap on Ebay. So, another busy week, and hopefully a relaxing weekend to follow. Did I mention we got our play set built? The kids are spending literal hours out there, just swinging and climbing and having a GRAND old time.

So anyway, I feel like a crazy person lately, but the good kind of crazy.