Making a cake... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

Making a cake... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog


April 27, 2007 - Friday
Making a cake... Current mood: amusedCategory: Life
Well, today I was babysitting for my friend Andie because her regular babysitter is out with a family emergency. A fun-filled day with four kids.....Emily, 4, Abby, 2 1/2, Lauren, 2, and Ethan, 6 months. The girls were getting along really well and playing and watching TV. I came to the computer to check my email, Emily, the oldest, comes in and tells me that Abby is putting the dog's food in their water bowl. I yell for her to stop. This is a normal occurence in my house, and I have yet to convince her that the dogs don't like their food mixed with their water.
A couple of minutes later I remember that Abby was playing in the water/dog food bowl so I go to make sure she didn't make too big of a mess. Well, I round the corner of our counter and see to my amazement, flour everywhere, probably half of the bag. It was all over the floor, in the dog's new mixture of food, all over Abby and Lauren (who are 2 1/2 and 2). My first reaction was to be angry, but they were having such a good time and they looked so funny that I couldn't help but laugh. I yelled for Matthew to come look and to bring the camera, and in the mean time, the four year old, Emily, is trying desperately to convince me that she had NOTHING to do with this horrible mess. I, of course, believe her, because I can't think of any four year old who could accomplish a feat such as this without getting one speck of flour on herself.
Matthew brings the camera, laughs, and heads back to bed. (He's working nights and had just headed for bed when all of this happened.)

This is what I saw when I first walked into my kitchen.

These two are of Lauren covered in flour...

And here is Abby having a fit because I won't let her play in it any more....

So, I immediately stripped them down and put them in the bathtub! After that, I put up the baby gate and went to work cleaning their mess.....

The three amigas!

I called Andie, laughing hysterically to tell her about their experiment which she also found amusing. When she came to pick up her girls she asked Abby what they did with the doggies' food and she told her that they were "just making a cake". Sounds like fun to me! What would I do without kids to entertain me?

Abby and the potty.......part 2 - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

Abby and the potty.......part 2 - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog


April 25, 2007 - Wednesday
Abby and the potty.......part 2 Current mood: happyCategory: Life
Well, since I'm a horrible mother, and can't remember to write things down in her baby book anymore, I figured I'd post it here for everyone to see and then I can write it down later!
Sorry, I know some of you don't want to know the details of her potty training, but those of you with kids will surely appreciate my excitement! She's been peeing in the potty for a little while, still not consistently, but it's coming along pretty well. And today she went poop....TWICE! Yay us! A little bit closer to no diapers!
Go Abby, Go Abby, Go Abby!!!!!!!!
10:05 PM
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Danielle
Danielle Cummings
My mom and I love the blog!!!! :-)
Go Abby Go!!!
Posted by Danielle on April 25, 2007 - Wednesday - 11:24 PM

Abby and the Potty! - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

Abby and the Potty! - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog


April 14, 2007 - Saturday
Abby and the Potty! Category: Life
Twice, actually! YAY for us! I've pretty much been leaving her naked all the time at home for the past couple of days because if she has on a diaper she shows no interest of using a potty. Today I brought the potty in the living room (kind of gross, I know, but I REALLY want her to use it!) and put it in front of the TV. And all on her own, she peed, and we weren't even paying attention, I had to go look to see if she really did!Anyway, just wanted to share my news! It's the small victories!Brandy
11:18 PM

When did we all grow up? - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

When did we all grow up? - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog


April 14, 2007 - Saturday
When did we all grow up? Current mood: nostalgicCategory: Life
Ok, so I stole this from Janery, but when I responded to her blog, it was so long I thought I'd post it here too.....Brandy
From Janery's blog..."So, here I am on a Saturday night on myspace looking up old friends, and a thought passes my mind.....
First of all, when did I become so pathetic I am spending my Saturday nights at home in front of a laptop watching DVR'd TV shows? What happened to parties, movies, clubs, card games, or anything else that doesn't include a pile of laundry and sleeping kids?
When did we all grow up? It's crazy. I am struck by how easy it is for me to close my eyes and go back to high school and college. The funniest thing about the whole thing is just how grown up I thought I was. I also thought I had it all figured out back then. What a fool I was--I knew nothing :) The only thing I did know was that you HAD to work out to keep your girly figure. Somewhere along the way I lost that--I can remember if it was after Jenna, before Jodi, or after Jodi. Whenever it was, I would love to go back and have the body I had back then. I sure as heck wouldn't take it for granted like I did back then.
We all thought we were so awesome back then. Now, I know when my daughters get that age, they are gonna look at my pictures I cherish and think "What a DORK!" I know I did the same thing to my parents.
I also remember how many times I promised myself I wouldn't lose touch with the people who meant the most to me. How did that happen? If your one of those people, I'm sorry :) Life just gets in the way.
Okay, enough of a stroll down memory lane. Back to the DVR and cleaning off some of these shows I've been hanging onto for a while." (end of Janery's blog)
..>

..>
and this is my response.....
Wow, that hit so close to home it almost shook my house! I am currently sitting in my guest bedroom/office folding laundry in front of the computer while browsing MySpace! And just like you, my kids are asleep or I would be getting to do neither of the above things.
We do still have a couple of friends who don't have kids yet so occasionally we get to play a board game or watch a movie that is not animated, but it is rare. I cherish the memories from high school and college. The days of zero responsibility, no "real" job, the nights getting to walk over to the pool and swim until all hours of the night and just generally goofing off.
I do miss those things, and I do get tired a cleaning house, cooking, changing diapers, and doing laundry. You would think for someone who stays home with her kids, those things would get done at some point other than in the middle of the night, but I like to think that I choose to have an active role in the lives of my children. I really try to take time to play with them and teach them and make memories with them and of them.
I try to think about those things on nights like tonight when my entire guest bed is covered in laundry that needs to be folded, and I think that the days of my little ones depending on me for everything won't last very long at all, and soon I will miss those things that I get so tired of doing multiple times every day. Now I've gotten all nostalgic and sad because my babies won't always be babies! And I think I may have to copy this and turn it into my own blog! Have a good night!.........and that is just what I did.
Any of you who hear me complaining about the things that come with having small children, please kick me in the rump and tell me that there will be a day when I look back and long to be able to change their diaper, kiss their boo boos, and hold them while they're sleeping and just smell them and their wonderful baby smells. I know that these things are coming, but I really am not prepared for that yet. Abby is much to big and smart and WAY to independent already and it breaks my heart. Ok, enough for now, because I'm already crying! Good night everyone! And kiss your children!..>..>
11:02 PM
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Catherine

Great thoughts from a great mom! We'll see you guys soon.
Posted by Catherine on April 15, 2007 - Sunday - 9:07 AM

Janery
Janery Barnes
I'm proud my blog could really hit home :) Maybe my blogs aren't for nothing, after all. Your words mirror my exact thoughts. Thanks for the reminder about the kids. I'm headed right now to kiss them both...I'll just cross my fingers they don't wake up if I start crying!
Posted by Janery on April 19, 2007 - Thursday - 11:20 PM

Mushroom Soup - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

Mushroom Soup - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog


April 14, 2007 - Saturday
Mushroom Soup Category: Food and Restaurants
Well, I just finished chopping 16 ounces of mushrooms and YUCK! The little boogers just feel GROSS! I do not like mushrooms, can't stand the texture of them. Ewww... Matthew requested mushroom soup like his grandma, aka Mom, makes so I got the recipe and decided to make him some. I have never chopped and sliced mushrooms and I really considered wearing gloves because they feel as nasty on my hands as they do when I bite into one.
I must admit the soup smells really good, but I can't bring myself to taste it. I'll post the recipe here in case anyone reading this would like to try it. And, Beba, if you read this, and I know you will eventually, know that I must truly love you to do this for you. I think this would be the equivalent of me asking you to make me a tuna fish sandwich, and I'm pretty sure I know what your answer would be.

Mushroom and Onion Soup

1 8 0z package of fresh mushrooms
3 T. butter or margarine
2 med. onions chopped
2 T. flour
5 cups chicken broth
1/2 t. salt
dash pepper
1/3 cup uncooked long grain rice (whatever - I've used short or long - don't use Minute Rice!)
1 bay leaf
2 T. chopped fresh parsley (I never have any)

Trim mushroom stems level with the caps; finely chop stems and thinly slice caps. In a large sucepan melt buttter; add mushrooms and onions. Cook and stir over low heat for 5 minutes. Blend in flour; add broth, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Reduce heat. Add rice and bay leaf; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is tender. Discard bay leaf. Sprinkle with parsley.
6:56 PM
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Catherine

Mmmm, sounds good. You know how we love the fungus.
Posted by Catherine on April 14, 2007 - Saturday - 10:59 PM

The most awesome night... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

The most awesome night... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog


April 4, 2007 - Wednesday
The most awesome night... Current mood: lovedCategory: Romance and Relationships
Last night Matthew and I went to bed like we normally do when he is off work, it was probably around midnight. We started talking about the past, and there's quite a bit since we've been together for over ten years.....that's still hard for me to believe. We wound up talking and just generally goofing off until 8 am. I remember when we used to talk like that, back when we were in high school and college, and I guess we haven't really thought about it, but we haven't actually "talked" like that in quite some time.
I think that last night will always be one of my very favorite memories of "us", not including the kids of course, but it was amazing to be able to reconnect and for us to remember that we really are best friends and that we really do love each other. We laughed and sang stupid songs to each other, talked about things that we remembered about each other and our friends, and really got a chance to enjoy each other without anyone interrupting us for milk or juice, or to change a diaper for once. So often in our everyday lives things become almost mechanical, laundry, dishes, cleaning, work, that we really don't take time to appreciate and enjoy each other like we should, and like we used to before we had all of the responsibility of being adults.
Today, when I saw him, after my one hour of sleep, I didn't see the person who kept me up all night, or the person who didn't take out the trash yesterday like he probably should have. I saw a somewhat shy 17 year old who had to call his buddy to see if he was asking the right girl to his Junior Prom (way back in 1996), and I saw the teenage boy who was genuinely nice enough to give me his shirt in January when I insisted that I wasn't cold and didn't need a jacket. I saw my best friend, the person who would do anything in the world for me, the father of my two beautiful children, and my one true love.

I hope that this made sense because I'm still operating on less than three hours of sleep :), but the joy that I feel inside more than makes up for the exhaustion I'm feeling today. I love you, Beba.
5:44 PM
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Danielle
Danielle Cummings
God I love you two!
You give me hope!
And Congrats on 10 great years!
Posted by Danielle on April 4, 2007 - Wednesday - 6:50 PM

Brandy
Brandy Reaves
Thanks, we feel pretty lucky! You'll have it all soon too!
Posted by Brandy on April 4, 2007 - Wednesday - 9:17 PM
.:kErRyMaRiE:.
Kerry Burgey
its always nice when you feel like youre somewhat of a teenager again
Posted by .:kErRyMaRiE:. on April 8, 2007 - Sunday - 11:15 PM

It stopped!!!!!!!! - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

It stopped!!!!!!!! - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog



March 22, 2007 - Thursday
It stopped!!!!!!!! Current mood: gratefulCategory: Life
Ok, so I just wanted to update everyone.....I'm no longer on my period!!!!!!!!! It's been over for a couple of days now, and needless to say everyone is much happier!
I did have a doctor's appointment today, and it turns out that I'm healthy! There have been several things lately that finally motivated me to take my butt to the doctor and get everything checked out. I was horrified to go, and I am not generally a person who is afraid of doctors. I think the fact that my daddy had a quadruple by-pass at 37 really freaked me out, and I've been overweight all my life, so I just kind of figured I'd have high cholesterol at least.
Nope, cholesterol, blood sugar, triglycerides, and whatever else they check for was great! I wasn't even anemic, which I figured I would be after the last five weeks! Yay! I'm healthy! What a relief! Now I can relax. All of you should go get checked out too!

Currently listening:CannonballBy Damien RiceRelease date: 08 July, 2004
1:06 PM
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Danielle
Danielle Cummings
So glad you got good news!!!
Posted by Danielle on March 22, 2007 - Thursday - 1:56 PM

He finally got it! - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

He finally got it! - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog



March 18, 2007 - Sunday
He finally got it! Current mood: sleepy
Ok, so last night was pretty typical. Matthew is working nights, he gets home around 10 am, so he sleep until 6 or 7 every night, he gets up, we eat, we spend time as a family, watch TV, or whatever else we have to do. At 9 pm I try and get the kids to bed, or at least ready for bed. So I put Ethan down in his playpen which is still right beside my bed, and then both of us go in to put Abby in her bed and tell her good night. Then Matthew wanted to lay in bed and watch TV and rest a little more. It's time for me to go and iron his uniform. I am trying to get the ironing done, but Ethan keeps making noise, losing his pacifier, etc. I keep walking back and forth from the ironing board in the spare room to my bedroom trying to get Ethan settled down so that he will sleep and Matthew can rest.
Matthew looks at me, and he says, "You really don't ever get a break do you?" I thought I would pass out! I've been trying to explain that to him for two and a half years! It may sound crazy, but in that moment I was so relieved that he actually recognized that I don't get to take breaks, I am not guaranteed a break to eat or even allowed to go to the bathroom alone most days! I can't explain exactly how I felt, but it was just so good for him to acknowledge the endless things that have to be done around the house!
I don't really know what my point was in writing this, but I was so happy, that I just had to share it with someone!
10:47 PM
3 Comments
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Danielle
Danielle Cummings
well i'm glad too!!! There is hope for him yet!!

Love yall
Posted by Danielle on March 19, 2007 - Monday - 8:29 AM

NO NAME
Jessie Brust
congrats! I am glad that he noticed. Mother really are the most unappreciated people on the planet. Not to mention that we are the only ones that loose our identies. We are no longer Brandy or Jessie we are "xxxxxx's Mom." Its great but sometimes its better to just get noticed for all that you put into it!
Posted by NO NAME on March 22, 2007 - Thursday - 9:47 AM

Janery
Janery Barnes
Can you send him over to talk with Allen? He still doesn't get it. His idea is that you just load the kids up and take em fishing....no laundry, no dishes, no mopping floors. I've done both-stay at home and working. The stay at home thing was MUCH harder. I went back to work to get a break!
Posted by Janery on April 14, 2007 - Saturday - 11:04 PM

Too much information... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

Too much information... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog


March 16, 2007 - Friday
Too much information... Current mood: exhausted
Ok, for anyone who doesn't want to know way too much personal information about me, just get out of this now. And for those of you who are just too nosy to stop quite yet, it might get a little gross because I'm having some female issues right now. Just wanted to warn you in case you don't really want to know me that well.
Ok, so I had a baby back in October, everything was fine, I went in December for my 6 week post partum check up and still everything was fine. I got my period in December, then 6 weeks later, I was freaking out because I hadn't gotten it again. I had not gotten on birth control after the baby because I don't like the mood swings that I have while I'm on it. So, I buy a pregnancy test just praying that it will NOT be positive, because Ethan is not even 3 months old yet! It was negative. Thank GOD!
Anyway, so this was enough for me and I called and got my doctor to prescribe me birth control after all, because I'm not sure yet if we will have another baby, but I definitely don't want to have a third one before the second one's first birthday! Ok, so I start the pill. The first month seems fine. During the week of inactive pills (4th week) I start spotting, no big deal. The next week I get my period for the full 7 days. I think it's all over with, and by this time I have already taken the first week of active pills for the second month. I start again! This isn't normal, but I decide to give it a little while to let my body regulate. It's annoying, but I can deal with it and it will stop eventually. So when I take Ethan for his 4 month visit I ask my doctor about all of this. He assures me that it's normal, just side effects from the pills. Ok, so it'll stop eventually.
Well, I finish the second month of pills, and I have NOT stopped having my period now for FIVE FULL WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Matthew and I decided to hell with the pills, at this point I just want it to stop. We'll do other things to keep from getting pregnant, which right now isn't an issue at all because, again, it's been FIVE FULL WEEKS! Sunday will start the sixth week, and if it doesn't stop by Thursday when Matthew is off work I will be going to see my doctor.
I feel like this has been caused by the birth control, which I am totally against now, and I hope that I am right. At this point I am exhausted, just completely drained, and I'm sure that I must be anemic. A couple of people have told me that birth control does similar things to them, so I'm hoping that once it all gets out of my system that it will just go away. I just find it odd, because I was on the exact same birth control for almost 5 years and never had any sort of problem like this.
Anyway, I apologize to those of you who didn't want to know this stuff, but I had to rant about it somewhere, and I did warn you before you got this far. It still kind of grosses Matthew out, so I try not to get too detailed with him. But sometimes I just hate being a girl!
3:59 PM
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Danielle
Danielle Cummings
Holy Snikees!
I have no advice. I am clueless. But that sounds extrememly frusterating and I can at least understand an unexplained female problem at least.
Ugh. Hope you get it all straightened out soon!
Posted by Danielle on March 16, 2007 - Friday - 4:32 PM

Brandy
Brandy Reaves
Thanks, it does suck, and if it doesn't stop soon I might murder someone! I think this could be a justifiable defense don't you?
Posted by Brandy on March 16, 2007 - Friday - 4:42 PM

Janery
Janery Barnes
It may be the kind of pill you are on. After Jenna I tried the patch--that was horrible. The mood swings were awful, and not to mention how gross the sticker looked after an entire week of baths and clothing.
I went back on the orginal pill I had been on over 6 years, but I just didn't feel right. I requested another type from my obgyn, and was waiting to start that new prescription when "OMG" I was pregnant. Moral of the story, what worked before the babies doesn't necessaryily work after. Your boobs, belly and "not to be named other parts" are just not the same. You might want to try something different. I guess I should mention after Jodi's surprise, I gave up on the whole birth control thing and just made it permenant--Allen is no longer a danger to me :)
Hey, I like the blog thing, too. I has helped me out tremendously. It's kinda like a diary that you hope others read and feel your pain, but if they don't, no big deal. I feel better after it's out on the world wide web to share with whoever wants to read!
Posted by Janery on March 18, 2007 - Sunday - 7:48 PM

Brandy
Brandy Reaves
Yeah, I've thought of that too, but I'm really just sick of any hormones other than the ones that are supposed to be in my body. It happened after Abby, but nowhere nearly as bad. I got on those "breast-feeding" one hormone pills, and I stayed on them for the 4 months I nursed her, but after that I felt like I would lose my mind. Not to mention Matthew and I hardly got along at all.
Finally I realized I had post partum depression, and I had already gotten off the pills, and then I went back and got some Zoloft, and I felt worlds better. It took getting used to and ALOT of acceptance on my part, but it really did make a difference. I stayed on it until we decided to have a second one, and I haven't had any since. I have a prescription waiting just in case, but I really haven't felt the need for it this time.
Things like the house being messy would just seem like too much for me some days, and the medicine really made a difference, as much as I didn't want to admit it. I think I'm finally starting to wind down on the whole period thing ****crossing my fingers****, but if it doesn't stop by Wednesday, I will be going to the doctor by Friday at least. As for birth control, I think I'll just go back to the diaphragm, I think that just works better for me right now. Maybe in a couple of months I will ask for that Seasonale, or whatever where you only have 3 or 4 periods a year and see how that goes. After Ethan's birthday, we should be able to decide whether or not we're done and will either have another one, or do something more permanent.

No Dirty Diapers.... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

No Dirty Diapers.... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog



January 15, 2007 - Monday
No Dirty Diapers.... Current mood: sleepy
Today my friend Catherine called to see if I wanted to go see a movie with her. This is a difficult task when you have small children, which I'm sure alot of you know. I can count on one hand the movies I've been to since October 21, 2004 (the day Abby was born), and three of them were kid's movies! Matthew was off work today so he and Catherine's husband, Mo, volunteered to watch the kids while we went to the matinee.
We saw The Pursuit of Happyness and I really enjoyed the movie, but even more I enjoyed being able to go out in the presence of another adult. Abby was taking a nap when I left and Ethan had just eaten and was back in his swing, but a little fussy. On the short drive to the mall, I was checking on the baby and Matthew, but he assured me that they were fine and said to go and have a good time. We made it to the theater just before the previews started so we went directly inside without stopping at the concession counter. As I said before, the movie was great, but all through it I sat clutching my phone, just in case my babies needed me. Which makes me wonder, at what age will I be comfortable leaving them and not worrying? I know that they were home with their Daddy and he is perfectly capable of taking care of them, but what if the baby cries and only I know what to do to comfort him? I can't bear to think that whoever they were with would let them be unhappy for fear of bothering me.
I guess every mom goes through things like this, but when it's something that you're actually experiencing, sometimes it feels like you're the only one that's ever had to deal with it.
I had a great time, and when I got home two hours later, Abby was running around playing her kazoo and dancing and Ethan was in his swing sleeping. Things really can be perfectly normal in our house, even if I'm not there!
I guess what I'm really trying to say is that it's wonderful to have good friends and even better to have a loving, wonderful husband who is willing to sacrifice his one and only day off so that I could have an peaceful afternoon with no screaming, crying kids and no dirty diapers!
12:55 AM
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Danielle
Danielle Cummings
Ahhh!! Good Matthew!! What a sweetheart!!
Yall give me hope! :-)

Quiet Time... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

Quiet Time... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog

January 13, 2007 - Saturday
Quiet Time... Current mood: relaxed
Right now both kids are asleep and Matthew is playing a video game and I am getting to enjoy some quiet time all by myself!
Today I ventured out to the mall with both of my kiddos all on my own, it's the first time I've taken out my new double stroller and it actually worked! I was able to get all the way through our mall, as small as it may be, without carrying or chasing either one of my children! I know to alot of people this doesn't seem like a big deal, but if you've ever tried to take a hyper 2 year old shopping you understand.
So, if I get nothing else accomplished all day long I won't care, because shopping with two kids is one of the hardest things I've ever tried to do!
And before I forget, Ethan slept from 10:30 pm last night to 6:00 am this morning! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's the small victories.....
4:38 PM

Trying this out... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog |

Trying this out... - Brandy Reaves's MySpace Blog

January 6, 2007 - Saturday

Trying this out... Current mood: calm

I just thought I'd try this out for once. I just got finished giving Ethan a bath and getting him all ready for the night. Abby is running around acting crazy as usual, and Matthew is playing a video game..... I found a few minutes to sneak away and do something for myself. I just downloaded some pictures of the cutest little boy in the world onto my computer and now I have to email them to his grandparents and friends so that they can see just how cute he really is!
Also, in case anyone reading this hasn't seen Abby dancing in my videos, please look at it, it is hilarious! She does this little dance on a regular basis now. Who knew two year olds could be so entertaining! Ethan is starting to smile alot, especially at Matthew, and I'm a little jealous I must admit. Why does it seem to be that the children always prefer him when I'm the one who does all the dirty work?! Oh, and Abby is trying to potty train......all on her own. Lord knows I don't have time to be worrying with that right now, but she's doing it and it's driving me nuts! She takes off her diaper every time it's DIRTY and brings it to me and THEN tells me she needs to go potty like a big girl! Anyone know any tricks to make a two year old keep her diaper on and just TELL me she needs to go?

Currently watching:Dora the Explorer - Dora's HalloweenRelease date: 31 August, 2004