Sisters



Can you guess who's who?

When I was pregnant with Cara I had no notion of what she would look like, what she would be like.  When I was pregnant with Bri, I couldn’t picture anything different than Cara.  This was especially true when I learned Bri was a girl and even more so when I saw the ultrasound.  Even in-utero, Bri had the exact same profile as Cara.  Apparently my cheeks are a dominate gene.


When Bri was born, she so closely resembled Cara, for the first couple weeks my husband and I both kept calling her by her sister’s name.  Fortunately she didn’t seem to mind.  There is still no denying they are sisters, but Bri is certainly coming into her own.

Carol is outgoing and stubborn.  She didn’t roll over until 8 months, she didn’t really crawl either, never cruised, scooted or pulled up, all the things the books say most babies do; she couldn’t be bothered.  She was a tall baby so most things were within reach wherever she sat and anything else could be brought to her as far as she was concerned.  And then one day at almost 13 months, she just got up and walked.  I remember, I was on the phone and she decided that she had had enough and just did it.  Unfortunately, potty training is going similarly and she hasn’t decided yet that she wants to use the toilet.  She babbled a lot; said her first word at 7 or 8 months (and hasn’t stopped talking since).   She thought everything was hilarious and handed out big laughs liberally.

Bri, on the other hand is calculated and quiet.   She might also be the happiest baby I have ever met.  She smiles ALL the time.  People ask me if she is always so happy, yes, yes she is.  BUT, she rarely laughs.  You have really got to work for the tiniest giggle.  She is content to sit back and take everything in.  She isn’t a big babbler.  She is just now starting to try sounds, but forget getting her to do it on cue.  She also hit all the physical miles stones exactly when the books said she should; rolled over at ~ three months, crawled at ~ seven months, I am sure walking will follow soon enough.

Food is another area where they are very different.  Cara was and is very picky.  Even as a baby, there were certain foods (mostly vegetables) that she would not eat and half of every meal ended up on her bib or face.  When we took her off the bottle at 14 months, she refused to drink milk.  It wasn’t until about six to eight months later when I bought this random straw cups out of desperation that she deemed them acceptable for milk.  Her repertoire of food is very limited. And for some reason, she will eat all kinds of foods at daycare that she won’t eat for me.

Bri, on the other had will eat anything.  She would eat the phone book if I gave it to her.  Every time I try a new food she gobbles it up like it is her favorite.  She is also a big eater, I found that I had to give her two containers of baby food at a sitting just to keep up with her appetite, which is ironic, because she is so skinny.  Everything ends up in her tummy, I think she would like the bib if any remnants ended up there.  We just introduced Cheerios and you would think they have some addictive property by watching her eat them.

Over the next year, I am sure we will learn a lot more about Bri’s personality.  I am already blown away as to how much she already exhibits.  The one thing I am sure of, is that she is not her sister and everything I learned or thought I knew about being Carol’s mom might as well be last season’s fashions, because it probably won’t work.

Return of the Birthday Cake

Last year it was Elmo, this year princesses.  We celebrated Carol’s third birthday last weekend and the goal, a cake that hopefully resembled a castle.

As of a week ago, I had not planned, purchased or cleaned a single thing in preparation for the party.  I had only sent out invitations, so I was committed.  I started brainstorming cake ideas with some friends and decided I would either do a princess or a castle cake.  I had scanned pictures of both on the internet and neither looked that difficult.  Carol is in love with the iconic Disney castle, so we decided that was the way to go.

The party was Saturday, so I took Friday off.  I had a lot of work to do, but I still hoped to sleep in, just a little.  At 6am Carol (not Brianna) was up, bright eyed and bushy tailed.  What!?!  The same kid I have to drag out of bed at 7am most days and lounges in bed until 8am on the weekends.  Okay, I’m up.

After grabbing some coffee I get the kids off to daycare and start working.  The castle was two tiers (never done a multi-tiered cake).  I used a 9x13 Pyrex for the bottom tier, a 5x11 for the top and cupcakes for the turrets.  After whipping up two boxes of cake mix and dying them pink (only required ~5 drops of dye – see how ElmoBecame Red) I popped all three pans in the oven and waited.  Thirty minutes later, I had cake, a lot of cake.

I had purchased two cans of frosting, that morning as I went about my errands I grabbed one more just in case. (This is foreshadowing..can you just feel the suspense)  Got ice, balloons, plates, I was ready to party.

After letting the cakes cool for several hours on the counter, the carving commenced.  I cut the 9x13 in half and stacked it.  No problems.  Then I started frosting and it came crumbling down, the cake was still too warm.  After several failed attempts, I popped some frosting in the microwave and warmed it to the point where I could drizzle it on and seal the crumbs in.  I trimmed and stacked the 5x11 and used the same approach to ice it and put everything in the refrigerator to harden.  At this point, I am down about 1 ½ cans of frosting.

A few hours later, I pull everything out to do the top coat on the cake, the cupcake turrets and used the remaining cupcakes to make some shrubbery. (Finally got a chance to use my green food coloring!)  The bad news was that I was out of frosting and hadn’t done any of the decorating.  It was also about 5 pm and I had to pick the kids up from daycare.  So much for getting the cake done.

I swing by the grocery store before getting the kids and they have a new pink lemonade frosting!  Jackpot!  After the earlier issues, I grabbed two cans, just in case.  That night, one more can and a few dozen toothpicks later, we have a castle.

The party was fun, Carol had a great time and the cake was delicious.  I wonder what Carol’s thing-of-the-moment that I can epitomize on a cake will be next year.  In any event, I am sure a harrowing tale will accompany the creation. 

15 Minutes with Xfinity, I mean Comcast...Whatever

In the second installment of my rant series I tackle Xfinity.  (On a side note, what the hell is Xfinity anyway.  Either own it or not Comcast, but stop trying to confuse the hell out people.)

My mission: Cancel my appointment for a home security consultation tomorrow.

I visit Xfinity.com to find the number for home security, there is absolutely no link or mention of that service on the home page (Strike 1).  I search Google and get a link, the URL is Comcast.com/something or another (Strike 2, Comcast?  I thought this was Xfinity?)  I deep link about three pages and find a number: 800-Xfinity (3, this is clearly going to add up quick.  I intend to sum the strikes at the conclusion of each of the proceeding paragraphs).

The call begins as follows: “For business press 1, for other press 2.”  Press 2.  “I didn’t get that, for business press 1 for other press 2.”  Press and hold 2.  “For Cable press 1 for other press 2.”  Press 2.  “I didn’t get that, for Cable press 1, for other press 2.”  Press and hold 2.  “Transferring your call…beep, boop, beep bop.”  (2 strikes + 1 extra for being really annoying).

I am shocked to find they are experiences longer than normal wait times.   Several minutes later a customer service rep answers and asks for my name, address and last four of my social before ever asking me what I need.  Finally I tell her and she doesn’t seem to understand what I am saying (as if she isn’t aware of the product; she probably isn’t) Finally, I think she realized she couldn’t help me and said she didn’t see any appointment and transferred me to sales.  A complete, make it someone else’s problem move. (4 strikes)

Sales answers, and I am asked if I am a Comcast employee or a customer.  Really, they can’t pass along that info?  Next time, I am saying I am an employee, just to see what happens.  I explain that I need to cancel an appointment.  He asks for all the same info as the rep.  Guess they can’t pass along that either when they transfer a call.  He doesn’t see an appointment, thinks it is probably recorded in another system and can’t help me.  Transfers to Home Security division, but not before I suggest that perhaps it would be better if I could have just called Home Security to begin with. (5 strikes)

Home Security answers, I give them my info, again.  No appointment in their system.  At this point, I inform them that I have wasted 15 minutes to do them the courtesy of cancelling an appointment in advance and they don’t even see it.  Next time I won’t bother.  I also let them know that if someone shows up tomorrow, I will not be answering the door.  Click. (2 Strikes + an extra 5 for never finding my appointment to begin with.

So, all total, a 15 minute call with Comcast racked up 22 strikes (albeit 6 discretionary).  I find it ironic that their latest ad campaign centers on customer service and satisfaction.  I love the ads, they are hilarious, but they don’t make me feel warm and fuzzy about Comcast.  If anything, they just piss me off because they are paying for those ads with the margin they get off my cable bill and they lie.  FAIL!

This is a BART Public Service Annoucment

This is a public service announcement.  Please refer to this guide when you are considering questionable activity on BART.  This is sure to rub some people the wrong way, but you know what, all these things rub me the wrong way.  If you don’t like it, start your own blog. (Feeling kinda snarky right now)

Please DO NOT, brush your hair, pluck your eye brows, floss your teeth or clip your nails.  If this were a game, your goal would be to not leave any biological evidence that you were ever on the train. 

If you are listening to your music so loud I can make out the lyrics, even if you are using headphones, it is safe to assume I do not share your taste in music and respectfully ask that you turn that noise down.   

Please DO NOT pick your ring tone on the train.  If someone calls you, I am sure your current ring tone will do a great job of alerting you to the call.  And on that point, if you have an obnoxious ring tone, please pick up your phone immediately; do not look around like you are trying to play it off on someone else.  You aren’t fooling anyone. 

Please DO shower before boarding, and if you choose not to, don’t give everyone the evil eye when they move away from you.  You stink and you know it. 

I am not a pillow, please DO NOT fall asleep on me.  

We don’t live in the animal kingdom, obnoxious repetitive sounds are not endearing.  This includes but is not limited to: popping your gum, clicking or sucking noises with your tongue, lips or teeth, snapping or tapping. 

Please DO NOT stand on the left side of the escalators.  And if you do, expect to get run over and yelled at. 

If you insist on sitting in the outer seat of a row, please DO stand up and get out to let the person on the inside out.  You chose to sit there, moving your knees slightly to either side doesn’t cut it.  AND if you won’t stand up, DO NOT get pissed when you get whacked in the head by someone’s bag as they try to climb over you. 

People with large backpacks or accessories, please DO be aware of the space occupied by your carry on, no one appreciates getting knocked over because you found it necessary to take your whole life with you (I am so guilty of this one). 

Women traveling in groups, please do us all a favor and use your normal voice instead of the women traveling in groups voice.  Ever notice, the more women in the group, the higher the octave. 

For men traveling in pairs, you are probably not as important as you think are, and your buddy that you are trying to prove it to knows you’re completely full of it. 

And finally, just use common sense, nobody actually wants to be on BART, it is just a necessary evil of living in the Bay Area and beats getting stuck in (insert bridge or freeway here) traffic. 

Thank you, that is all.  Train Operators please disconnec......

Disney: The Aftermath

The Winners: Goofy’s Go-Gadget Coaster, Tea Cups (the spinnnier the better), Carousel, Dumbo, Astro Orbiter, Trains (all of them)

The coaster was the biggest hit of all.  As the roller coaster pulled back into the loading area, Cara lifted both fists in the air like Rocky at the top of the steps proclaiming,” Yeah!”  A freeze-frame moment if I ever saw one.

Tea Cups were a respectable first runner up.  We rode them twice, the second time without daddy (who gets motion sick) and we really got the cup spinning.  She was grinning and giggling so loud, it was reminiscent of the Cheshire Cat.

The Losers: Peter Pan, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, basically anything dark

The first ride we did was Peter Pan, no more than 30 seconds in, she was in tears, scared of the dark and begging us to get off.  Oops.  A few rides later, she indicated that she wanted to go on Mr. Toad, same thing.  We should have known better, but we let her talk us into it.  After that, we avoided Snow White and Pinocchio.

What I learned

Disney must release a crack-like vapor into the air, only effective on children under ten that keeps them at an energy level well above the normal range.  However, the minute you are off the premises, and out of the vapors range, you child will crash, hard, like within 30 seconds.

If you have a daughter, be prepared to wait in line for at least an hour, to spend less than ten minutes taking pictures of the princesses and you own precious princess with a grumpy face.

Weight training is advised in advance of your trip, four days later and my legs and arms are still burning from lugging around 40lbs of kid for several miles over two days.  (And I think I am in fairly decent shape)

Hedging our bets and going on week days paid off.  Week days equals shorter lines, which equals happy kid, which equals happy mommy.  ALSO, get there when they open, your kid is already going to be up, so you might as well capitalize on that time.  We covered all of Tomorrow Land in just over an hour, very efficient.

The biggest take away though was that despite the aches and lack of sleep, the experience brought so much joy to my daughter and I can’t wait to do it again when Bri is old enough.

Taking our princess to Disneyland

At the end of this month, my baby turns three, THREE! And to celebrate we are taking her on a special Mommy, Daddy, Cara trip to Disneyland. I am not sure who is more excited, her or us.

Over the last six months, she has adopted all things Disney as her new favorite pastime.  The excitement she exhibits when she see the iconic castle appear before a movie is just about the cutest thing you have ever seen.  She obsesses over Princess Aurora, Ariel and Belle.  She talks non-stop about the “Bad Lady” from 101 Dalmatians and even convinced us to go see the ‘cowboy’ at Toy Story on Ice.  Disneyland is going to blow her mind.

In preparation, I have done some reading on how to prepare for a trip to Disneyland with young kids, booked the hotel, downloaded the aps, I will be going to the store this weekend to stock up on travel snacks, light sticks and other sundry supplies.  I haven’t however bought the tickets, perhaps I should get on that.

 Meanwhile, Bri is going to spend some quality time with grandma and grandpa.  This is going to be the first time I have left Bri for more than 12 hours since the day she was born.  I am conflicted over being so excited about the time I will get to spend with Cara, and how much I am going to miss Bri.  Logically, I know Bri is going to be fine.  I mean, my sister and I managed to make it successfully to adulthood didn’t we?  Plus, I have written painfully detailed notes and portioned out all of Bri’s food with labels (if you know me, you know this isn’t an exaggeration).

Pictures to come after our adventure, in the meantime, I have got to get ready!

Dinner at My House

Is picky eating genetic? My sample indicates: yes.

When I met Kevin he ate 3 things: steak, chicken and pizza.  That’s it.  When I would recommend other foods he would brush them off with some smart ass remark of judgment, without ever having tried it.  Inevitably, he would find himself in a situation where he would have to try the food in question and low and behold, it is his new favorite.  My mother-in-law has told me stories of how he wouldn’t eat anything as a child, or he would only eat green food and that she thought he was going to waste away.  I am inclined to believe her. 

Now I find myself in a similar situation, although not as extreme, I have a picky eater on my hands.  And what’s worse is that she is only picky for me.  I image her repertoire of acceptable foods is akin to what most two-year-old prefer: pizza, chicken strips, quesadillas, peanut butter sandwiches.  She is also great when it comes to fruit and yogurt (big nutritional wins). Unfortunately, that is about all I can get her to eat.  That said, when I pick her up from daycare, I hear about how she ate chicken adobo or asked for seconds of cucumber and carrots.  WHAT!?!  My kids?   

I try not to take it personally, but I definitely get frustrated on nights when I make a nice dinner and it just sits on her plate until she dumps it all in the sink when we are not looking.  I have also noticed that when she is trying something new and doesn’t like it, she will leave it in her mouth, FOR HOURS, until someone suggests to her that she spit it out.  This almost bothers me more than the not eating because it presents a choking hazard.

Before Kevin and I had kids, we understood that they, in all likelihood, would be strong-willed.  We are both incredibly stubborn and a push-over wouldn’t last two seconds in our house.  I guess if she had to pick one thing to be stubborn about, food isn’t the worst.  And she probably isn’t that different than most two year olds.  What I don’t understand is, why does she save that lovely behavior just for me?