The "Straight Man" Mom

You know how in great comedy, there's always a "straight man." The one who really isn't funny, but makes the funny one funny?

For example, Laurel and Hardy:



Or the Jon Cryer character to Charlie Sheen's character on Two and Half Men:


Well, I'm that mom. I've never been particularly funny. Oh sure, I get a few laughs when I'm being self-depricating, but that doesn't really count. My own husband claims that when I try to be funny, crickets chirp. Whatever!

My son, Collin, on the other hand is hysterical. Well, correction, he is hysterical to himself. He seriously has one of the nuttiest senses of humor I've ever seen. I know part of it is probably being 2 and a half, but since he comes from two "unfunny" parents, I find it bewildering that he is a crack up. For example, he thought moving this cone at the pumpkin patch was hysterically funny:



Some things lately that I thought I should catalog that he thinks are funny:

1)Asking me what things are that he already knows the answer to. For example Collin says, "What's that?" pointing to a pumpkin. I turn it around (as all good parents should do) and say, "What do you think it is?" Collin replies, "It's a pumpkin!" followed by fits of giggles. Personally, I don't get the joke, but he does this all day long inserting different objects.

2) Telling me the wrong answer on purpose. I ask Collin, "What shape is that doorknob?" Collin says, "It's a trapezoid!" followed by fits of giggles. (I know you're thinking that's kind of an advanced shape for a kid his age, but he just learned it at preschool from a puzzle he was playing with!) I say, "No, it's a circle!" Again more giggles. I suppose this is a variation on the humor of the previous game, but again I don't really get it.

3) Laughing hysterically when I tell him to stop running. Now I realize this one could get out of hand when I really do want or need him to stop and trust me I'm trying to buckle down on the discipline of it, but it does kind of crack me up when he thinks I'm chasing him and he's shrieking with delight.

4) Saying certain words. Collin has what we call a "word of the day," that he chooses to be his funny word. Anytime it is said or he says it, he laughs hysterically. It could be a fun word to say like "zipper" or "trapezoid," but often it is just a normal run of the mill word that for whatever reason he finds hilarious.

5) Hiding from us in the house (in very obvious places, mind you) and then shrieking, "Where's Collin???!!" Like his voice isn't a dead giveaway. Again, the giggle fit follows.

I could seriously go on for days writing about his funny antics. I'm definitely glad he has a sense of humor. And I do love the sound of those giggle fits. But I do often wonder why he thinks certain things are funny, as I'm sure most parents do about their toddlers as well. So, go ahead, post about your favorite comedic kid moment. I'd love to hear about them.

The "Bumpy" Mom

Alright, so I'm four months pregnant, so I suppose it's time to post some "bump" pics. And while I'm gaining weight at a slower rate than I did with Collin (trying to pace myself a bit this time!), I somehow still look larger! Oh well, what can you do? I will post side by side shots so you can compare Collin to Baby #2.

First up, this is me 4 months pregnant with Collin:


Besides the portruding tummy, I look downright skinny in that photo! What happened?! ;)

And here is me 4 months pregnant with Baby #2:


Try to ignore the twitching eye in that photo...must be all that sugar I've been consuming!

And no, I'm just having one...there are no twins in there...just making a good, quality, roomy home for the kid I guess. I know some people think these bumps are cute and whatnot, but I really only think they are cute on other people!:)

Oh well, at least the end result is worth it!

The "Jealous" Mom

That's right, I'm jealous. Not of some insanely gorgeous woman, not of some fantastically rich celebrity, but I'm jealous of my own husband and here's why...

So, I'm pregnant! Yeah! After our miscarriage in May, I am happy to report that I about 14 weeks and things are looking good, despite some early bumps in the road. I'm super excited.

You know what's great about being pregnant? Eating! I am super lucky to not really get sick while I'm pregnant and truth be told I use being pregnant as a sort of free pass to eat without guilt. Oh I know you're not supposed to, but really, this is my last kid and I'm going out with a bang.

When I was pregnant with Collin, my husband was super supportive of my need to eat. He gained about 20 pounds while I put on my 50 and all was well with the world. Here's a shot of myself dangerously close to morbid obesity if I wasn't carrying a child:


But this time???!! Oh no, he's on a get in shape kick. He's eating better, he's exercising multiple times a week and I have to say I'm jealous, even a bit perturbed!

I mean really, can't he wait another six months and then we can both be on the get in shape bandwagon? It is truly no fun to be gaining at least a pound a week while your husband is losing it. Sheesh!

So, while I usually love my hubby, this whole working out thing needs to take a six month hiatus. Ok, I gotta go eat a piece of cake now. I've worked up an appetite typing this.

A "Secretive" Mom

Don't get me wrong...I absolutely love my life.

I have a hottie hubby who has an awesome job that allows me to stay home and live pretty comfortably:


I have the most adorable kid:


I really like my house and the town in which I live.

I've made some pretty awesome girlfriends who share my love of thai food.

On the surface my life looks pretty awesome, and for the most part it is. But there are feelings that I keep hidden. Things that bother me, dreams I have yet to accomplish that sometimes seem unattainable, emotions that seem unbearable at times...and today I found myself thinking I bet we all have these "secrets" that we tell no one. Not even our beloved hubbies for fear they won't really understand.

Maybe I'm too introspective, but sometimes I get lost in these feelings and have to pull myself out of the funk. Oh I'm not depressed or anything like that...I usually get lost in my "secrets" following some sort of event that bums me out or makes me start thinking that even the most "perfect" lives have tragedy and heartbreak. I guess it makes us stronger, more well-rounded people in the long run, but when you're in the moment of it, it just sucks. Sometimes I question God. Sometimes I wonder if God and I can have a "come to Jesus" meeting, but that seems a bit ironic, right?

So, "that mom" fans (all six of you!), do you have secrets too?

A "Hot" Mom

Not that I ever fancied myself as a "hot" woman, but after having a child I definitely felt my "hot" factor go down a few notches. You know how it is moms... Once you have a child the effort that it takes to actually put on makeup, cute clothes, let alone shower, stands a very distant second to sleep, wearing a hat, and schleping on some sweats. Oh I know there are some "hot moms" out there that seem to have an unfaltering sense of style, the trendiest in clothes, perfectly coifed hair, all the while toting their adorably dressed toddler and matching Gucci diaper bag.

WHATEVER!

Anyway, I found myself in a situation where I definitely needed an updated self image. My hubby won a trip through his job that was taking us to Sunny Southern California, the land of "hotness." We had to do activities with actual "hot moms/wives" that included going to a bar and some schmancy dinners, etc. I definitely need a "refresh" for such an outing.

It's amazing what a little money (I allowed myself a bit of a frivolous shopping spree) and effort can accomplish. And I have to say, I felt really good about myself when I was all put together. I got a little bit of my mojo back! See a few pics below:





And those "hot wives" I was so worried about...well, I got drunk and made friends with them and I fit right in! ;)





The moral of this story? I'm vowing to put a little more effort into my appearance on at least a weekly basis. (Lord knows I can't keep this up every day!)...but if I have one good day a week, the boost in my self image is priceless!

The "Not Just A Mom" Mom

Today I remembered that I am not just a mom, but also a wife. I don't know about you other moms out there, but sometimes I really feel like I take my hubby for granted. He's such a good guy that he puts up with my moodiness and general shenanigans, so it's really easy for me to just put him on the back burner. We've had a rough few months. Most of you know I suffered a miscarriage in May, and I have to say it's thrown me for a loop. I just haven't been "myself."

Then out of the blue, I get a "ding dong" at the door and a beautiful bouquet of flowers with a really sweet note from my hubby. If that doesn't jolt me back into our relationship, I don't know what could!

So today I am vowing to put our relationship first. If you're like me, it's really easy to let taking care of your child (children) take over your life. And don't get me wrong, I love my little munchkin to pieces (even if he doesn't eat), but if mom and dad aren't solid, then he's not as well taken care of as he should be.

So, thank you sweet hubby! I'm glad you sent me flowers and more importantly I'm glad that you reminded me how much I love you and why I love you. You always seem to take care of our relationship and for that I am grateful. So grateful, in fact, that you may just get lucky tonight. ;)

A "Crafty" Mom

Ok, so I'm totally not crafty like my friend Ashleigh, who's Bee in our Bonnet blog blows my mind! Or like my friend Katie, who throws the world's most awesome toddler birthday party. But I do try to be cute and crafty at times to let my little munchkin know that I care. I was quite impressed by own efforts at embellishing this shirt for a charity bowling tournament we attended with my husband for his employer, Farmers Insurance. I bascially bought a white button down shirt at Old Navy, added some bowling buttons and iron lettering and viola! My son looked like a league bowler! In case you are wondering, 31 is my husband's district number.