Haughty Thuggery: A Blog Post by Ellen

July 13, 2015 By Jenna 6 Comments

Ellen is really into blogging lately. She tells me that she blogs so she can get packages in the mail. We all have our reasons.

This is her latest post she tapped out. Oh, and there are vlogs. Please don’t ask me what she is talking about. This is her – everyday – and I still have no clue.

Haughty Thuggery by Ellen

Think Gauguin s f Ford haughty thuggery h hghhhhbh juhhhhhhhh humbug hbgghvf b high gothic egg ggghgvvg toffee that egg f2f :/ beach jinx undue Janie science Hindus Jane find c.f. inched jcjeicbj science Hindu sided nice Negev bubble guppies mama Mims cicada Theodore Sammy Ellen

IMG 3223 from Jenna@CallHerHappy on Vimeo.

IMG 3225 from Jenna@CallHerHappy on Vimeo.

Sorry about the vertical vids. It happens.

How to Plan a Mother-Daughter Sleepover

June 22, 2015 By Jenna 2 Comments

Disclosure: I have received free Netflix streaming and a streaming device as part of my membership on the Netflix Stream Team. All opinions expressed within this post are my own.

The Plan

Choose one night to put down the devices and forget the to-do list and just connect with your daughter by inviting her to a good, old-fashioned sleepover.

The Invitation

You don’t need to anything fancy here. The idea isn’t to impress your daughter with details. She just wants to spend time with you. So, sit her down and pick a date on the calendar. That’s it!

Supplies Needed

pillows
jammies
nail polish
favorite snacks
favorite drinks
Netflix
a few good books

The Schedule

When Ellen (3yo) and I had our sleepover, it looked a little something like this:

After dinner (it was a simple weeknight), Mike did the clean up and took care of the boys while Ellen and I got ready for bed. We went up nice and early so we would have time to get in all of our fun.

We climbed into my bed and synced up our show on Netflix. While we watched a couple of cartoons, I painted Ellen’s nails and we chatted about the show she picked. We also ate the snacks Ellen chose: popcorn and chocolate milk. Yes, we ate it right in my bed because it was a special sleepover, and you get to do special things during special sleepovers.

When it got near bedtime, we read a couple of books Ellen had chosen, we said our prayers, and we turned out the lights. The rule in our house is that everyone must sleep in their own beds, but for the sleepover, Ellen got to spend the night in mom and dad’s room. She was pretty thrilled about the special privilege.

Tips

don’t stress about making this a fancy event
plan out some of the details (like snacks) the day before
get your spouse on board so you have someone to manage the rest of the house while you’re partying
leave your phone downstairs; don’t get distracted during this special time
bring your own book too; if your kids go to bed early like ours, you might find yourself bored once your daughter is sleeping
our favorite (calm) shows on Netflix: The Hive, Curious George, Magic School Bus, Little Einsteins, Clifford

What are some of your favorite ways to spend quality time with your kids?

Ellen Chatter

June 8, 2015 By Jenna 5 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these bad boys, so, um, some of the references might be a little dated. For instance, I am not pregnant. That reference would be from wayyyyy back in my Theo preggie days. So…

Me: I’m going to do a quick sweep upstairs to make sure we aren’t forgetting anything.
Ellen: Can I help, mom? :::running after me with a broom:::

Ellen playing with her dolls upstairs during quiet time:
“I want you to smell my butt. SMELL MY BUTT!!”

How Sam Got His Big Boy Bed:
Ellen :::climbs into Sam’s crib::: Sam, just put your leg up like this. Watch me. Let me help you. Right over the crib. Yup! Just like that buddy!
Me :::listening in horror over baby monitor::: Noooooo! :::running upstairs::::

Ellen: What’s that?
Me: It’s a belly band. I wear it because when you have a baby in your belly your pants don’t fit very well.
Ellen: I think daddy needs one of those too. His pants don’t fit very well either.

Does everyone else have about 10k of these on their phone?

Riding around on her scooter with play food muffins:
“Who wants muff caaaakes? Freeeee muff cakes! Free muff cake deliveryyyyy!”

Listening to Bon Jovi’s Runaway in the car:
Bon Jovi: “Oooh she’s a little runaway…daddy’s girl…”
Ellen: “Mom! This song is about daddy’s girl! I’m daddy’s girl! This song is about me!”

Sam: Yen Yen! Yen Yen! (translation: Ellen! Ellen!)
Ellen: Sam, I will be with you in just six moments.

Me trying to finish a decade of the Rosary; Ellen looking at a picture of Jesus:
“Mom! Mom? Mom. Mom, is he wearing Mickey ears? Hey Mom! Mom! Guess what dayyyyy it is camel??? Guess what dayyyyy it is???”

Me making finger puppets for Craft Hope:
Me: Ellen, do you want to come back and help some more? We’re making toys for kids who don’t have any.
Distracted Ellen: Mom, if I spend time making toys for those kids, I won’t have time to play with my own toys.

Blogger Confession: I get a lot of packages. Like, a lot. Ellen always complains that she never gets any. Then, the other day I gave her a necklace a company had sent me. It came in a little box. Ellen started typing away at her play computer:
“I just started blogging and I got this necklace in a package!”

Listening to the song Bullet Proof when I asked her to call Sam for dinner:
“He’d never let me sweep him off his feet.”

Ellen: Mom, I’m going to do a fashion show on the runway!
Me: Ok, let me see you do the catwalk.
Ellen :::gets on all fours and starts meowing:::

Ellen Translations:

dimbo = limbo
pol nalish = nail polish
boobie covers = bra
shaddit puppos = shadow puppets
snuffalo = Vitamix tamper
patoonie = paczki
hanitizer = hand sanitizer

7QT: Theo’s Birth Story

February 27, 2015 By Jenna 40 Comments

-1-

Theodore Patrick Hines
2/18/15 at 2:55am
8lbs 6oz
20.5in

-2-

On Fat Tuesday, I was eating paczki and feeling pretty…um…fat. I had just put Ellen to bed around 8 and was walking down the stairs when I thought I felt my water break. With my other two, it was a definite gush, but this being a slow trickle, I just figured I had sunken into pregnancy so far that I was just peeing on myself now.

But, after picking up the house and walking around for a while, the water kept coming, and the contractions had started. So, calls were placed and off we went on our 40 minute trek to the hospital.

Turns out that the roads were suh-lick, and we saw a ton of emergency vehicles and tow trucks pulling cars out of ditches. That was good for my anxiety. No plot twist here – we made it safe and sound.

At the hospital, they determined that I was 5 or 6 cm, so I got my blessed epidural right quick and laid down to sleep. A little while later, my doc came to break my water since it hadn’t broken completely, and that is when the shakes started. Any of you other moms have intense shaking while in labor? It’s easily my least favorite part. Anyway, I was able to get that under control enough that I went back to sleep.

Around 2:30am on Ash Wednesday, my doc woke me up to check how I was progressing. When he went to check, I heard him laugh and say, “The baby’s head is 3cm out. Hold on while I get my gloves!” As they rushed to get everything in place, I woke up Mike who was in a deep sleep. “Um, I’m pushing the baby out right now.”

Disoriented from sleep (such a hard labor…), I pushed Theo out in one contraction, and that is the end of the easiest birth story in the world.

-3-

Theo didn’t have a name up until a week or so before he was born. The other kids had names almost as soon as we found out the gender. So, Mike asked his prayer group to pray for a name for this kid. The next day, he got an email from a fellow member with a list of names that came to him in morning prayer. Theodore was the last name on the list, and we knew it was zee one.

Even though the first name took us some time, we had his middle name chosen for a while. Patrick is Mike’s younger brother’s name as well as my dad’s middle name. No brainer.

-4-

Theodore means “God’s Gift.” This was a particularly hard pregnancy for me and my anxiety. I had been telling myself throughout the course of it that this baby was a gift from God. I had to remind myself that God can only bless me with His gifts, not curse me. So, when we found out what Theodore meant, it really sealed the deal.

-5-

After he was born, my mom wanted to see if there were any great feasts on February 18. Turns out it is the feast day of St. Theotonius. I can’t make this stuff up.

We could have also named him Charalampias and had a similar coincidence. And Ashton Wednesday would have been an equally appropriate name. Man, Theo, you lucked out.

-6-

Sibling Love

-7-

Theo is unsure of the world but adjusting well.

joining Kelly

Ellen Chatter + Giveaway

December 15, 2014 By Jenna 43 Comments

If you’re here for the Joules, scroll on down. I gots mines from Joules themselves, but opinions are all my own. If you’re here for cute kid words, look no further:

Watching a commercial of a girl eating fruit (that we’ve seen too many times):
(annoyed) “Mom, that girl always picks the plum…”

Ellen woke up the other day, and before saying a word, let out a nice, loud toot and sleepily proclaimed,
“It said, ‘Good Morning.'”

Ellen: Mom, is Ms. Amanda (her swim teacher) married yet?
Me: Um, I think she is getting married tomorrow.
Ellen: Oh, so is she her usual self today?

“Dad, when we make the sign of the cross, do we turn into the Body of Christ?”
I feel like this is one of those deep, philosophical thoughts that I can say “yes” to?

Seeing a picture of Red Rocks Amphitheater:
“That’s where Jesus went to college.”

Dropping a bucket of crayons on the ground:
“Aw, crickets!”
or another:
“Oh, double mix!!”

After spilling water on myself: Ellen, I am going to go up and change my shirt.
Ellen: And change your booby covers. They are wet too. You’re going to have to improvise.

Screaming because Sam was coming toward her.
Me: Ellen, you’ve got to stop that. It’s ok. I love him. He is my son.
Ellen: Well, he’s not MY son.

Getting out of the car at night:
“Dad! I can’t see anything. I need to eat some carrots.”

Talking to my mom:
“When we get home I want to watch Frozen, and you can fast forward through the scary…wait…no no no. The TV is too tricky for you.”

Me: You can do a lot of things now that you are a big girl.
Ellen: Yeah, I can share. I can get dressed. I can put on my shoes. And I know to itch my butt on the outside of my underwear. My dad taught me that.

Ellen is really into rhyming these days:
Me: Ellen, you’re snuggly-wuggly.
Ellen: Mom, you’re fugly.

Joules Giveaway

Did ya like that chatter? Did ya like those wellies? How about these wellies? We love the Joules wellies.

Ellen totally rocked them out with her shorts, but I am also planning on putting some warm socks on her and using them as snow boots for the short bursts of time I allow them out to play in the snow during winter.

I am a big fan of mixing patterns, so I paired my bee wellies with my rose leggings, and today I wore them with acid wash jeans. What fun are patterns if you can’t expertly clash them?

5% of the sale of the Black Bees wellies will be donated to the British Bee Keepers Association. I am not a fan of bees, but I actually would never want to see them go. They are kind of important.

Want your own pair of Joules Olive Horse Print Wellies? Rafflecopter, my friends.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Samster the Hamster: New Media Babybook

September 22, 2014 By Jenna 6 Comments

In Ellen’s first year of life, I dazzled you with monthly updates on all of the (amazing! exciting! hilarious! smart!) things she was up to. Sam? Sam is the second child, so you know.

But there are things I don’t want to forget about “Umma’s” boy.

Like how whenever he gets his hands on something desirable he says, “Got it!”

Or how he points at everything and asks, “Wussat?”

Or his favorite (and only) words: buh! (ball), bey-bo (belly button), Nyen Nyen (Ellen), hi, BUHbye (with elbow-heavy waving), go!, shooos (shoes), chissss (cheese), bug, kih-kaaaa! or pup-eeeee! (both most be said in a high-pitched squeal), umma, dada, poop, weee!, vroom, choo choo

I love that when he doesn’t want something, he emphatically waves it away with his hands, but if he does want it, his belly bobs up and down in agreement.

Mention the words “shoes” or “outside” and Sam will line up everyone’s shoes with their rightful owners and bring his to be put on. Not going outside? Put his stinkers on anyway, because he is only going to smack you with them until you do.

Sam’s most favorite person in the world.

Favorites:
Food: watermelon, clementines, veggie straws, steak, ribs
Show: Bob the Builder
Shirt: hot pink Hawaiian
Song: Happy and All About That Bass – so?
Person: my dad
Toy: Dinosaurs, cars, cell phones, balls

You may continue with your day as usual.

Jumping on the Potty Wagon: The Un-Method

September 16, 2014 By Jenna 5 Comments

This is a sponsie, but truth be told, I am in love with Pull Ups, and we use them each and every blessed night. This article is sponsored by Pull-Ups® Full disclosure: this article is financially supported by Pull-Ups® Thanks to Pull-Ups® for sponsoring today’s discussion

Do you know I actually drive a potty wagon? I cart dat froggy around for convenience, my friends. And, while we are all on the topic, I’d love to give you my unsolicited advice on what worked for us. And by “worked” I mean she still occasionally forgets to pull down her pants when she sits on the toilet. But first, a few words about my style de parenting:

I like to wait until the very last minute or until my kid is way past ready to try anything. Why? Because then it’s not a struggle. And we all know in motherhood, the struggle is real. On top of waaaaaaaaiting it out, I love the easiest option that requires me to do pretty much nothing at all. That works for me. Maybe not you. But, we all have different thresholds for “doing stuff,” right? Now,

I can’t take total credit for this “method” we use. Annie is the genius behind it’s main tenants; I just heeded her advice. She’s my mama mentor. Wax on, wax off, Annie.

Steps:

1. Prepare: wake up one morning and decide that since you’re not doing much that week, let’s give it a go!

2. Put underwear on your kid.

3. Never yell. Have them help clean up. Bribe. Sit them on the potty a lot.

4. Eventually they will get sick of peeing on themselves.

5. If they don’t, try again in a few months.

6. At night, put on the Pull Ups, baby. Worry about night training in a very long time.

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Ellen Chatter

September 8, 2014 By Jenna 6 Comments

“Dad! Last night I fell asleep like you taught me. I closed my eyes and thought of all my favorite things!”
“Awesome! So proud! What did you think of?”
“Pink kitties laughing and eating ice cream, blue watering cans and Sam.”

“Ha! Mom! Legos!” (Leg Os…get it?)

Me: Ellen, you’re pretty darn cute.
Ellen: Mom, you have pretty darn eyes and pretty darn teeth.

After grandpa’s birthday party:
“We forgot to get balloons. Grandpa is going to be so appointed! WE CAN’T GIVE UP!”

Adventure Girl on one of her many mysteries.

You know your kid is Catholic when she reaches into the fountain at the butterfly exhibit at the zoo and crosses herself…

Putting on her holiday gingerbread man underwear:
“You can’t catch me wearing my gingerbread underwear!”

Later that night, after I explained to her that the priest was placing the host in the monstrance for adoration:
“Mima! Did you know Jesus has special powers, and He can turn into BREAD!?”
I’m calling it a catechism win.

An Examination of Conscience for Toddlers

July 14, 2014 By Jenna 6 Comments

Sometimes I swear they are doing this stuff on purpose. I just KNOW that they are making a lucid and deliberate decision to break that Fourth Commandment. “But toddlers can’t sin!” you say. Yeah, while that might be catechetically correct and all, I still can’t help but wonder. And then I come up with stuff like this. And this is way more fun than trying to lobby for Hobby Lobby hearts on Facebook or Bob Loblaw‘s Law Blog. .

Seriously, Everything is a Hat

May 15, 2014 By Jenna 6 Comments

Sammy J

Age: 1-year-old
Size: huge – squeezing in the 2T.
Favorite Food: watermelon, dirt, crumbs on the floor
Favorite Show: Why you no like TV, kid?
Favorite Game: wrestling, “I’m Gonna Get You!” and “Everything is a Hat”
Words: dada, mumma, go!, bang bang, bye-bye, hi
Favorite Toys: books, anything Ellen has, Ellen’s hair, empty buckets, ukelele, matchbox cars, a Daniel Tiger figurine
Known For: yelling the loudest of the yells, million dollar smile, putting everything on your head, diving head-first into the bathtub, worst teether on the planet, making up for it by sleeping like a true champion

Happy Birthday, Sam Bone, Mr. Man, Mr. Doodle, Sammy J, Samster the Hamster, Samboney, Sammerton, Little Fella, Buddy Boy, Shamers