I heart Trader Joe's, H&M, and my child is posessed

The fun stuff first.
Trades Joe's is just too cool. My friend pointed out a new product to me yesterday and I made it last night and I love it. This made me think of all the TJ stuff I already love and I thought I would make a list.

1. Pumpkin bread mix--try it. Seriously. Yummy. EASY. And if you bought the Jessica Seinfeld cookbook about sneaking veggies into their food, it will work. Why do it from scratch? Add some sweet potatoes in and they'll never know. (Disclaimer: i bought the cook book but haven't made anything yet.)
2. Garlic & herb dough--makes the best calzones ever. And get their pepperoni too. Its a bit pricy but so much better than regular pepperoni. I think they only sell one brand. I got the calzone off a playgroup recipe site long ago and I make them at least once a week, usually on Thursdays since thats our favorite TV night.
3. Blueberries--when they are in season they have the best and they are cheap.
4. Sweet & Salty cereal--i know, sounds gross but its good.
5. Tejava bottled iced tea
6. Chocolate--we have 2 favorites. one comes in a pink wrapper and its milk chocolate. they are in a 3 pack, usually by the check out. And the other is Ritter brand I think. They are a type of chocolate wafer. Ethan hides them from me...
7. Ethan likes the strawberry lemonade
8. Rosemary potato bread--enuf said. except put some olive oil, butter and garlic salt on it and toast it. heaven.
9. red pepper hummus
10. frozen meat balls--in the blue and white bag. not the yellow. yellow is yuck.

So, I also now heart H&M. I've seen the clothing store on "What Not To Wear" and always thought they had cute clothes, and they always said they were reasonably priced. I just didn't know if their definition of reasonable was the same as mine since they are spending $5k and pay hundreds of dollars on a pair of shoes. A friend of mine took me to an outdoor shopping area--think La Jolla near the beach, but not AS snooty...but still kinda. There was an H&M so I had to take a look. LOVE IT. I didn't see anything in the women's department for over $30. Can you believe that? The stuff looked well made, but even at that price, if its last a season or two you are good. I got a super cute satin tank (not sure where i'll be wearing that) for $9. I think an H&M gift card will be on my Christmas list this year. And they had cute kids clothes too.

And for the finale...my kid is posessed. I'm not sure what happened over this weekend (the weekend is still not over...ug). I left him with Ethan yesterday around 12 and come home around 6. Ethan said he was whiny all day. Now I know daddy does things different than mommy, and maybe he doesn't pick up on some stuff as fast, but I figured it was just a rough day. Daddy didn't know that immediately after the nap he wants to go downstairs, have a snack (no matter if he just had lunch an hour ago) and watch amovie. That is the routine. So, I figured all would be fixed. He went to bed last night fine, slept about 10.5 hrs and woke up in a good mood.

Things just kinda went wacky from there. He wanted to go to the park (i know this because he brought me his park shoes). So, we decided to take the dogs for a walk. Ryan has decided he can do the entire 1 mile walk without the stroller so I was going to let him walk. Yes, I know that tomorrow when I go to put him in the stroller for my morning exercise its gonna suck. Anyway, he was having a fit and we weren't sure about what. We thought he wanted the stroller so I opened the garage and he wanted his 4 wheeler. NOPE. NOT GONNA HAPPEN. That thing goes 2mp and I cannot stand the noise for that long. I offered him his tricycle and he was fine. We did our lap around the lake, stopping at the park where he ran around the soccer field. On the way home Ethan and the dogs got far ahead of us and Ryan asked to be picked up. Well, not asked. More like grabbing on my legs for dear life and crying. I told him to say "up" and I would pick him up. I know I complain about his lack of language but yes, he can say up. And he said it this morning when he wanted me to pick him up and carry him down the stairs. Well, once I said it I couldn't turn back. So, he cried the rest of the way home. Sobbing. I felt terrible, but didn't want to give in. I would stop every few houses, remind him that if he said "up" I would pick him up....didn't work. Finally when we got to our street I stopped and reminded him we were on our street, how he could see daddy's truck and asked again for him to say "up." No change. I sat on the ground, not sure why, and he sat in my lap. That is where Ethan found us. Just sitting there quietly, both confused.

Fast forward to the haircut. It was time, his birthday is this week and I need to take him for pics. Last time I took him for a haircut alone it was a disaster. Usually he does really well. He freaked out this time too, even with Ethan holding him. Even with a lollipop, even with a cell phone to play with. Nightmare. Then we head to Petsmart to get dog food...about 10 min away and he falls asleep. Apparently a solid day of whining wears you out.

He was enthralled with the dwarf hamsters, but again had a melt down and I can't even remember what about. Its like he changed over night. Is this 2? Cuz if this is what 2 is I don't want it. Take 2 back.

We've been home and had lunch (Ryan ate Thai food...whatever). He is now napping...yeah. And then Aunt Lisa is coming to take him for a few hrs. Hallelujah. Cuz Ethan and I are over it. We need some non-whining time to clean up and get ready for his party next weekend. We need to not feel like we are walking on eggshells around a toddler.

I'm making play doh

Ofcourse I could have bought it, but this is going to be better. I hope. Ryan's play group halloween party is tomorrow and since everyone else was bringing food, I thought I would make orange play doh. We are also supposed to be having a play doh party soon, so at least the kids will have some play doh to bring. I found some generic Glad containers with orange lids at the $1 store and cookie cutters. I've made 2 batches and have one more to go. It's so soft!

What else? I'm planning for the 2 parties, but not actually doing anything. Its all in my head. And I have lists. But I'm waiting for RSVP's so I can do the goodie bags and they aren't due til the 1st.

Monday I went to the doctor because I was having shortness of breath and it felt like someone was sitting on my chest. It had been going on for a few days on and off but Monday it was constant so I called and got an appt. He had me do some breathing tests and they call came out normal. He checked my legs to make sure I didn't have a blood clot. My heart sounded good so he gave me an inhaler and said either some allergens were bothering me or I was coming down with something and that was the first symptom. FUN. The inhaler didn't do anything. Ethan has asthma and is an inhaler expert and he said if it didn't work within seconds that it wasn't going to help. I started feeling better on Tuesday. I bet the doc thinks I"m a hypochondriac. But I'm not. I just didn't want to be that weird news story about the 32 yr old that dies of a heart attack. You know. I've got a kid that needs his mommy :)

Let's see....oh, today I jogged. Please, get up off the floor. I cannot tell you how far because I used landmarks. Scientific, I know. This is the part of me that drives Ethan crazy. I am terrible with measurements. (BTW: he says "maysure" and it drives me crazy." I jogged from the dog poop container to the fire hydrant. Then from a cross walk to another poop container. Honestly, if you told me to put my hands 5 feet apart I would probably do 1...or 15. I just don't have that skill. My spatial skills are non-existent. I also cannot put things together, especially if the directions have pictures. Don't judge.

BTW: Jogging with a regular stroller sucks.

So, play group halloween party tomorrow. Tuesday is Ryan's speech/language evaluation with Early Start. I am happy to say that since we called in August when he had ZERO words he now has about 20. Its amazing. I'm still keeping the appointment because there probably is still some sort of delay, but hopefully it will just fix itself in time and he won't need therapy. But if he does, I'm ok with it. Thursday is his birthday...one week from today!

My due date was 2 yrs ago TODAY

Thats me...3 days late.

Not like that means anything. I know due dates are estimations. I know that only about 3% of babies are born on their due dates. I'm sure its just a fluke thing. But still, I never (and I mean never) that I would be late. I'm not a late kind of person (well, I am now but I blame it on the kid--oh, and I was late to work but that was by choice). Anyway, I was supposed to be early. I'm a planner, a list maker, an organizer (though my house doesn't show it--don't judge). The nursery was ready, my bags were packed, and Ethan installed the infant carseat in September because he was paranoid we would forget it. I WAS READY.

I had a feeling that I would have Ryan on a date with a 5. So, Oct 5 or 15. I didn't even think about 25th because that would be late and I wasn't going to be late. I actually did have contractions on the night of the 15th, we even timed them for a while, but they eased up and I fell asleep. Other than some contractions at 30 weeks where I had to go to the ER and be exposed to numerous tests that I will not even discuss, those were the only contractions I ever had on my own.

So, October 21, 2005. 1 day late. I'm at the doctor. Ethan is with me. My mom and sister are visiting because, well, it was my due date and they thought I would miraculously have the baby then. I told them not to drive 7 hrs but they didn't listen. Its like they just wanted to stare at me and wait. Anyway, we are at the doctor and everything is fine, I'm as big as an elephant, and she says "I guess he's always going to be late for his dates." Not funny. Then she gives me the information about scheduling an induction, but it probably won't come to that. She takes out her trusty calendar and finds her next on-call day after 2 weeks. WTF? Excuse me. Did she say 2 weeks? Its already been 40 weeks. You're going to keep me pregnant for 2 more weeks. Are you insane? I think the tears were welling up. Honestly. Hadn't I done my job? I kept him inside and safe. I fed him. No alcohol--none. November 1st, here is the paper, call the hospital that morning, but ofcourse you're going to have it before then.

Now we are in an entirely different month. Its a change in astrological sign and birth stone. It is just too much to handle. Ethan mentions (at the urging of my mom) that family is here, could we maybe get something going now? Nope, no reason. Mommy and baby are healthy--if you count me having a silent anxiety attack as healthy. 2 more weeks is a lot more time to gain weight...and not sleep...and be uncomfortable...and pee every 2 seconds....and have no clothes that fit because the large maternity clothes are too tight. Sigh.

Ofcourse I get scheduled for an appt a few days later, because now I need to be monitored even more closely. Gotta check the fluids and what not. These are all the more traumatic because (don't read if you are squimish) I tend to be a bleeder. There was a huge sticker on my chart so everyone knew. So, the constant exams were not pleasant. Nor was it pleasant to keep hearing there wasn't much of a change. Nor was it pleasant for the doc to say I was 1cm and the nurse practitioner to say I was at least 2, going on 3. Then I asked abou the mucous plug (cuz I watch too much baby tv) and was told it was already gone. Guess I missed that train. There was a time I was 100% effaced and still nothing. NOTHING. Everytime I left they would schedule me an appt for 2-3 days later, and I would get the same comment "I'm sure you won't make it that long." OFCOURSE I WOULD. Even the girl that schedules the appts had pity in her eyes when I walked up to her counter. She saw me almost every day at the end.

Then, at some point, I resigned myself to the induction. My family could be there. No midnight phone calls and them rushing to get here. But I also knew that all the stuff I learned in lamaze was pretty much out the door because once the induction was started I was stuck in bed. No sitting on my yoga ball or walking around. Oh..and lets not forget the 25% incrased chance of a c-section that someone forgot to mention.

Finally, Oct 31, 2005, my last appt. My family was driving down that day. Halloween was a Monday, so I hadn't been to the doc since Friday and they were checking my fluids very regularly. That day was busy, and I can't remember all of it, except there was some sort of problem. Either there wasn't a lot of baby movement and they kept moving me around on the machine, or they had a hard time measuring the fluids...both had happened before. I just remember thinking "Just freakin send me across the street and let's get this done!" Nope. See you tomorrow.

I thought for sure I would go into labor in the middle of the night, just to buck the system a little, but this really wasn't up to me was it? Maybe that was the lesson. Ryan was calling the shots...well, half of them, cuz who knows how long he would have stayed in there without some intervention!

So, you've still got a few weeks til Ryan's birth day post.

3s

Things come in 3s, right? Cuz I gotta say, the dogs are irritating me. Usually, they are not this bad. So, we have the brownies, the dew claw and....one of them ate a piece of wooden track to Ryan's new train table. The train table we just put together while he was asleep on Saturday night (see how boring we are) and he was so excited to see on Sunday morning. Yes, that table. The early birthday table that we had to put together first because if it was missing pieces we needed to know, and we are the kind of *lucky* people who get the boxes that are missines pieces. I did not want THAT kind of drama the night before his birthday (halloween), nor did I want to be on the phone with customer service for the next 2 months trying to get a screw while Ryan looked at a broken table. Turns out the table was in perfect condition, Ethan even remarked on how nicely it was packed--did you know there are packaging engineers? Not that Ethan is a packaging engineer, but there are people who do that for a living, they figure out how to pack something. Wow. Or...boring. Whatever.

So, the table was up for 2 days and we already have 1 eaten track. Why oh why?

Ryan's invitations finally went out in the mail yesterday for the party. I also agreed to host a play date party here for our play group where we will celebrate his birthday, and I'm in charge of snacks and goodie bags. I'm getting the overwhelmed feeling. 2 parties, 2 menus, 2 sets of goodie bags. Yeah.

And customer service. Where has it gone? I think Maria did a post on this a while back so I don't want to steal her thunder, but come one people. Retail = customer service. If you don't like people, don't work retail. Because I noticed the last train table box at Toys R Us was dented, I looked for someone to see if they had more in back. It took me a while to find someone, and when I did, he made it look like I was so much trouble. He got on his litle walkie talkie and asked who was in charge of the department, and the manager came back on and said whoever it was was on the register so he would have to help the customer. I AM THE CUSTOMER. Then he says, well I can't answer her question. So the manager asks, what's her question. Then he turns to look at me. Did he not hear me the first time? Should I just take the walkie talkie myself and have a discussion with the manager? So I say, I'd like to know if you have any more train tables in the back. The box is dented. He sighs (i kid you not) and repeats my question. The manager says, all the Thomas stuff is out on the floor. He thinks he is done, when I say, Its not Thomas. Then the manager tells him to check the computer. Yeah...something he could have done 5 minutes ago. On his own. You know, scan it and check inventory. Duh. About 3 years later he comes back to say they don't have anymore--while I'm not sure I believe him, or if he even checked, I'm just excited we got the last train table under $100. Did I mention we were standing near the registry this whole time. There was a computer right there. Not sure where he disappeared to. All this time Ethan is trying to keep Ryan busy...in a toy store you would think thats not hard to do, so I mean busy as in, not grabbing every toy and thinking its his.

This is a bit too complainy. So, on a positive note. I did my 2 miles this AM and am considering trying to jog. I know....watch out. Things might start falling from the sky. brandi+running = disaster.

We're back at Dad Said Mom Said

It's our turn again over at Dad Said Mom Said so check us out!

http://dadsaidmomsaid.blogspot.com/

That is enuf!!!!

I know this was supposed to be my "get it all out weight issue" post but something happened yesterday. But...we have to go back to me inducing my dogs to vomit. YES I DID. Then I had to clean it up, while keeping a toddler from playing in it--and keeping the dogs from trying to eat it again. SO GROSS. They are fine. I was traumatized. Then yesterday we come home from a marathon of a walk to the lake--Ryan on his quad that goes 2mp. Ug. SLOW. When we return I find small splatters of blood on the floor, and a bloody paw print on my kitchen counter. Are you kidding? Have I not been through enough with them already? The culprit when it has to do with counters is usually Shelby, but I couldn't find blood on either of the dogs (and as a side note: both dogs ate the brownies, not just Shelby. as a matter of fact, Nikki's barfed up pieces that weren't even chewed). A while later I discovered where the blood came from. Nikki's dew claw was hanging by a thread. GROSS. I called my sister in law/vet tech and she told me it had to come off and she would come by after work to see if she could do it, or if Nikki needed to go in for numbing meds first. We supplied SIL with dinner. She has been so great to us and the dogs. She said it definately had to come off, but that it was gonna hurt (no doubt) and she recommended numbing meds. She agreed to pick Nikki up this morning and take her into work to do the deed. When she got here this AM the nail was gone. Um...yeah. Apparently Nikki didn't want to go to the vet so she took care of it herself. Now I am in a panic waiting to come across it somewhere around the house. YUCK.

And in further announcements, I think my scale went crazy cuz it says I lost most of my weight again. I'm going to recalibrate it and get back to y'all about that. But I know I need to do the post, and I will. It will be good for me to get my weight issues out in the open.

BLAH

Thanks for all the support about the gym class. I got my $ back, minus the fee from the first class, which is fair. I'm sure I could have raised a stink about it, but thats not me. We went to the first class and participated so we pay. Fair. I wish there was a Gymboree or Wee Start near us, but there isn't. I'll keep looking. And as for pics...I'm trying. I should also be known as "the mom who forgets her camera ALL THE TIME." And the pics from the phone are not good, but here is one from today at the park. It rained last night but who is the mommy that came prepared with a towel? You guessed, me. I knew there was no way Ryan would slide if there was any moisture. I also am adding another pic, this is of Ryan with my flip-flops on, and a funnel on his head. Can he rock the fashion or what? Except blogger just gave me an error...grrrrr.

So, I'm super irritated at myself because in the span of a week I put back on the 5-7lbs I had lost. It is all my fault, I know it. So, as my punishment I decided I have to do a full fledged blog about me and my weight issues. That will come tonight or tomorrow since we are approaching the one hour naptime and Ryan has decided that one hour is better than two. Let's hope its a phase. But to tide you guys over (all 4 of you), I will admit to the following:

*I weighed 105 in highschool and at times I have no idea how I got my current body
*I weighed 125 when I got married
*I weighed 140 when I got pregnant and 180 when I delivered
*7 weeks after delivery I was 150 and thought I was a rockstar cuz that meant i only had 10lbs to go...no problem
*Problem--almost 2 yrs later I was still 150. Good that I maintained and not gained, but still no loss.
**In the past few months with my "half assed" diet I went from 152 (ok i gained a little when we moved) to my lowest of 145. As of this morning, I am back to 150 and PISSED AT MYSELF.

Ok. Can you just imagine the exciting reading that is coming your way? I can't leave it on this depressing note so I will think of a good thing: my dogs ate brownies yesterday and though I had to induce vomiting and it was so gross, they are FINE AND I LOVE THEM STILL.

Did I wus out?

As I type, I am faxing our withdrawal from the gym class. I had intended on completing our 4 remaining classes until one of the moms at our Play & Learn class (which we LOVE) commented she was in the gym class and withdrew. She had the same complaints I did, and a few more. She convinced me it was important to let the City know of my feelings. They have a "Satisfaction Guarantee" policy and well, I wasn't satisfied with the first class. Hopefully they will pro-rate and I'll get most of my $ back and we can use it to enroll in the Play & Learn class again next month. Maybe the City will notice they've had 2 people leave this class and wonder why. Who knows. I know Ryan had no idea about the situation, but I wasn't comfortable which means it is no fun for me to be there.

When the other mom told me about her experience our Play & Learn teacher asked about it and agreed that the other teacher's expectations were not appropriate. The big issue was her attitude, and how she made me feel about Ryan's lack of following directions. It wold have been a whole other story had she actually had a smile on her face, or maybe even said "Just give him time, he'll get it." But, she didn't. Maybe its not in her, it isn't who she is. Ryan and I need to be in a place we feel comfortable and where the instructor has a positive attitude. BTW: I just checked the class info catalog. It says for 1-3 yrs. Are you kidding me! When I wanted to quit Play & Learn after the first class because Ryan was a big bully everyone told me to hang in there. Well, this is another story. And when I did go back I got such encouragement from the teacher and she constantly praises him and says what a good job he is doing. She knew it might take him a while to get the hang of the class. Why...cuz she has 2 yr old twins!

On a happier note, we went to a gym free play on Friday and it was FANTASTIC. This was a real gymanstics gym and Ryan had a blast. He loved all the trampolines and the spring floor, and the mats. That is what 2 yr olds want--real free play. They do this twice a month and we are so there.

I know that one day he's gonna need to learn to follow directions, etc...but this is about having fun.

Ryan's Gym class-Day 1 & The Office merchandise

Ok, wrong order. I just had to tell any Office fans out there that my Target, and apparently several other Targets, have Office merchandise in the $1 aisle. Yes, $1 or 100 pennies, whatever you prefer. I was a bit offended that they would sell this priceless stuff for so little, but the bargain hunter in me got the best of me and I spent way too much money. And how do I come to know this very important, life changing information? Well, BooMama ofcourse. Its a blog I read daily. Now, don't think I'm a "Mrs. Blog know it all" because I'm not. I look at other people's daily reads and then steal them. This thievery happened to be from my friend Kalyn's list. And by the way, BooMama is going to do a giveaway for one of Kalyn's photographs so be on the lookout for that. She takes amazing pictures (and if we owned this house and could put stuff on the wall I would have one). http://boomama.net/index.php?paged=2 So, last week in honor of the Office's season premiere she had her readers leave their favorite parts or quotes from the show in the comments section. That is where I found the merchandise info. But, I also noticed, and I do NOT want to offend anyone, but no one mentioned my favorite quote from the first episode by Michael Scott, "You don't know me, you've just seen my penis." BooMama's blog is too classy for that quote, but obviously, mine isn't. (oh, if you go look for that particular blog on her page you need to look in September--yes, duh...I know, but I just spent a good forever looking for it and I wanted to save you all the trouble.)

Now on to Ryan's first gym class. First, I would like to say I was not impressed with the teacher for two reasons. #1 She didn't introduce herself. #2 She didn't do a quick intro of the class or anything. She just said "let's get started," picked a girl that had taken the class before and had her demonstrate what we were supposed to do. As I'm watching the demo I'm having a small panic attack. Does she honestly think 2 yr olds can do this? Or is there something wrong with my child, cuz he's not gonna do is.

Description: There are several different sizes/shapes of mats in a circle. There are some mats that are stairs, there is a real balance beam low to the ground, foam balance beams, a ball pit without the balls, a tunnel, etc. We are "supposed" to do certain activities on each mat. For example, the blue mat is for forward rolls. Then you go to the next mat and you skip sideways. Then you crawl through the tunnel and go to the next mat where you put your fit and hands in a certain spot and then jump...and it goes on and on. I thought this was a bit out of Ryan's league, but figured as long as he didn't hurt anyone or get in anyone's way I was gonna let him do his own thing. She also had several different types of balls over in the corner, but we were not allowed to play with those YET. Just a tip: put them in the closet cuz they are 2 and they want them NOW.

Ryan loved all the mats and jumping, however he did not love when I tried to make him conform to the specific activities. He wanted to run and jump. Some kids were doing it--girls. I hate to say it, but why are the girls always better at following directions? We had 2 timeouts when Ryan was going the opposite way of everyone else and getting in their way. I feel I was responsible about it, but again, I did not care that he wasn't following the way the class was supposed to be. He was having fun!

Then it was the dreaded parachute time. He hates the parachute, deathly afraid of it. They do it in the Play & Learn class and he usually runs for the door. I told the teacher that, and let him run around playing with the foam balls she finally let them have. Then she said "maybe if mommy holds him for parachute he won't be so scared." Um...maybe not. There is no rule that says he has to love the parachute. I think its kinda lame anyway. But I managed to put a smile on my face and get Ryan to let me hold him while I held the parachute with my other arm. He had his ball so he really didn't care.

Other than that exchange, the teacher hadn't said anything to us other than once when she walked up to Ryan and asked him to do a forward roll for her. Well, he's never done one before so I knew that wasn't gonna happen, but also, he doesn't know her and he gets shy sometimes. But I think from then on, because we did not perform on demand, we were the problem duo. I would like to point out at this time that I didn't even make a big deal and say "Did you happen to notice Ryan is the only kid in here that isn't talking?" "He has no idea what a forward roll is."

So, class is finally over. We made it through our 45 min and I was putting my shoes on. Ryan was running up and down the stairs of the stage, and looking ever so fondly at the balls that he cannot have--again. I tell him its time to go, time to put on shoes, blah blah blah and ofcourse he isn't interested. I knew that. As I walk toward him to pick him up, knowing kicking and screaming will ensue, she says "he's a hand full." There are two ways someone can say that. The first way is at the park when another mom says it to you, as her kid is also running around like a little crazy person and says "THEY are hand fulls, aren't they?" And you say yes they are.

The other way is a negative way that means many things, especially you cannot control him. Or, that would be the mom at the park that calls your kid a hand full when her kid is sitting quietly on the bench reading a dictionary or something. Whatever. And she better NOT have meant "he's a hand full something is wrong with him" cuz do not mess with a mama who is doing the best she can. And before you think I took this too personal and was too emotional, like usual, even Ethan (who never cares about this kind of stuff and always tells me to lighten up) had a look in his eye like "she said that about my son?" So yeah....

You would be proud because again I did not freak out. I told her we take the Play & Learn class and that he had a hard time the first week, but has done very well since. Then she so nicely let me know that we can try again next week, but maybe the class after this one would be better for him because its more free play and less structure--and he can do a craft! Yeah, like he wants to do a craft. He wants to run and jump on the mats!!!! Well, that class is too close to lunch/nap so we're not doing it. I paid my $ and we're gonna finish...unless she totally annoys me next week. But, I decided I was going to try and get Ryan to focus on the specific activities but if he doesn't want to do them, fine. As long as he doesn't bother other kids, get in their way or hurt them, then I'm letting him have fun. He's almost 2...not 5. JUST LET THE KID HAVE FUN.

Has the trash problem been solved?

My new favorite product: Simplehuman Slim 40 liter plastic step-on can w/ LOCKING LID. Oh yes...you read correctly. Locking lid. This beauty is available at Bed Bath & Beyond for $39.99 and I'm in heaven! http://www.simplehuman.com/products/trash-cans/kitchen/slim-plastic-step.html

We have been having a trash war for some time now. As a family with a toddler and 2 large dogs, keeping the trash can hidden is key. So, its been under the kitchen sink with a child lock on the cabinet. Someone (that isn't me) is too lazy to open the cabinet and likes to nicely place their trash on the counter. Or...start a trash bag and leave it on the counter. But, if you forget to move it our garbage eating dogs find it and make a huge mess. I will say that the trash can under the sink is small due to space (all that damn plumbing--is it really necessary?)

I have been searching for a locking trash can forever--well, what seems like forever. I found $200 stainless steel cans w/ sensors. But they didn't truly lock. I found locking cans to keep bears out. Never could find a simple, indoor trash can that locked, until a few days ago when the BB&B ad showed up. It was as if the skies parted and a beam of sunlight rained down on me.

The can has been in use for a few days and I'm loving it. Ethan was even impressed that the handle doesn't immediately slam closed--spring action or something, I didn't pay attention. And it even will lock in the open position, but don't ask me how. That goes against the entire reason I bought it. The only down side is that it has wheels and this is strictly a toddler issue. Ryan likes to push anything with wheels, but I think with careful placement he will forget they are even there. WOO HOO.

And p.s.: apparently eating a 6 oz yogurt and waiting 2 hrs to take a vitamin is not a good idea. i threw up today for the first time since i was in labor. see, i try to follow the doc's advice and take my multi and then i barf and end up having to clean up the bathroom because i have bad aim :( honestly, i used to be a professional barfer. i was so used to it from migraines and sinus infections...and ofcourse pregnancy. but give me almost 2 yrs off and i'm a rookie.