Poof! You’re Two!

From this to thisin what seems like 0 to 60 in no time flat.Look at you, you are two today. Because of that, I suppose I should write some sappy hearts and flowers post about how it is hard to believe that two years ago on this very day, you my sweetie face munchkin dumpling with cheeks so cute your Aunt E wants to bite them, was born. Right, then. Let’s get started shall we? I think that’s what the midwife said when I asked if it was OK to push. To T.D., my tiny dictator, who I wouldn’t have any other way. I love everything about you no matter what I may say under clenched teeth and furrowed brow. I love your big brown eyes that mirror my own. I love your tiny teeth and even the fangs. Actually, I am quite proud of those and I must say, a bit envious. You have the most infectious … [Read more...]

She’s Two- does she really need that party?

T.D. turns two on Sunday. It's T.D. the 2.0 version. As the date draws near I have begun to feel real anxiety about my lack of planning for her big day. There will be no party. Only cake. No balloons, no company invading our home for hours with little tykes to hurl cake around. We’ll take pictures as she blows out the candles, if she even does that and we’ll make a fuss, but that is all.We thought about taking her to lunch but her favorite eatery, except Chick Fil A is closed on Sundays. We thought about a lot of things and came to the decision that we not only wouldn't go nuts on a party but we would not be buying her loads of presents. Christmas was only two months ago.When I look at what we’ve bought her thus far for presents I feel like I’m looking at birthday gifts from the … [Read more...]

Angel Pins & Mardi Gras Beads

I'm all over the place today. I actually allowed myself to flop back into bed this morning thinking, eh... I've got a post topic or two rattling around in my bean, I'm fine. Psssht. Then I went to the gym and had my ass kicked by one cheerful instructor who likes it when we silently curse her. When I came home I had an email from my mother, my aunt passed away at 4:45 a.m. She was 94. We knew it was coming, in fact, I said a silent prayer this morning asking that my aunt be made at peace. By the time I said it, it was already done. So allow me a moment to regroup and greeve a bit. She made a mean martini. She wore Mardi Gras beads all year long, no matter what the occassion.She drove a white, zippy little car with a red racing stripe and a spoiler on the back for extra edge.Her cat, … [Read more...]

I Feel Like I’m Beating a Dead Horse

It's over. Or is it? We still have New Year's and a trip up to grandparent country to get through. I'm sure it will be a blast but it also means the holidays just keep coming! So let's just keep eatin' and drinkin' and feeling like our pores are oozing icing and crisco. Oh and in case you are wondering this is what went down in Mummy's house this past week.One Wii has entered our home. Oh the irony. Now I get to hear H say things like-Eat. My. Butt. and other witty asides such as, I'm Killing Myself, while he plays tanks and rides cows or something. Anyone else obessesd with mowing down scarecrows?A lovely silver necklace adorns my neck.I have eaten annisette cookies, frothy hot cha cha (a T.D. delight), more ham than anyone should be allowed to eat in a year, a sodium intake that … [Read more...]

Grateful

I've been nursing some weird eye allergy all week along with a wonderfully red and puffy left eye sty. Fun times indeed. I've been shuffling around the house swollen eyed as T.D. says repeatedly, "Mummy Boo Boo...Oooh" over and over and over again. Then I eat fudge. With Marshmallows.I steal my kids eczema ointment to rub on my eyes and pop another allergy pill. My skin is so dry from the 24/7 allergy pills that my skin feels like it's cracking. So I furtively use some more eczema lotion and wait for relief. Then I eat a chocolate reindeer, antlers first.I finished working on Wednesday. I've been slowly gearing up for the holidays which also means skipping the gym and general procrastination in cleaning the house and running last minute errands. If you haven't gotten dressed up for New … [Read more...]

A Barbie Dream House for Me?!

There it sat. Huge and under the tree. The tag insisted that I was correct, this big box from Santa/my grandparents was intended for only me. My five year-old brain was buzzing with ideas. I could barely contain my excitement. My mother kept warning me to stay away from the tree, "It's not time to open presents yet. Stop touching things and back away from the tree!" I think I might have done a little dance of protest before I backed away. I sat on my grandmother's paisley and floral couch and wondered, what could it be? A pony? It was certainly a large enough box. Then my mind settled on it. The only thing it could be. The only thing I really wanted. A Barbie Dream House. A Barbie Dream House! That had to be it! Satisfied with this idea I got off the couch and joined the rest of my family … [Read more...]

Overheards

SCENE: Hotel hallway early Friday morning.Me: (BIG YAWN) Oh! I'm so tired.... Mother: (In hotel hallway with H) Well you have every right to be?Me: Huh? Why? (I didn't cook dinner, I've stayed in a hotel all week without the kid)Mother: Well.... Me: (Badgering) What?! Why do I have a right to be tired? (H creeps down the hall a bit towards the elevator)Mother: Because it's that time of the month and...Me: MOM!!! Geez! That is not why I'm tired! GOD!! Augh! (Loud huffy sigh by me as I feel I'm 14 again)Mother: I'm just saying. Why else would you be tired?Me: (Resisting the urge to say, "because I've been out all hours of the night gettin' my drink, swerve and drug on..." just to get a rise out of her proving in fact that I am 14.) Because I've stayed up late each night this week and gotten … [Read more...]

Because Really? It’s Not About the Turkey

The parade is over. The turkey is done. All the leftovers have already been used to make late night snacks and the wine bottles are empty and in the recycling bins. Done. Thanksgiving is officially over. Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday with all its food and trimmings goes so quickly. The prep work, the arrival of guests, family photos and side conversations are all just moments that lead up to the big meal. This year dinner seemed to go by so fast. Before I knew it my plate was empty and my stomach was sufficiently stuffed. As I looked around the table I smiled and thought it really is all about family. That is why I love this holiday so much. I love the smiles, laughs and even the ultra competetive game of Spoons.The time I spent alone with H's grandmother making cream puffs was more … [Read more...]

Let the Festivities Begin

My forehead is bruised. The country music and Neil Diamond on the CD player is to blame.My ears have finally stopped bleeding. Neil Diamond again. More country music than I can stand in a week was filtered into my brain in under two hours.The GPS system on my father's truck is still in tact. I showed it some mercy.Our trip down south to my MIL's yesterday was uneventful. I valiantly decided not to destroy the GPS system when it repeated told us to make a U-turn for about fifty miles. I didn't feel rejected when my father decided to not listen to me and take my directions but instead use his GPS thingy. I hate those things. I hate having more noise in the car. The beeping. The fact that you trust yourself less and rely on a chip just irritates me. I will never own one. But we made it and I … [Read more...]

It’s That Time Again

It is hard to believe that it was almost a year ago already that I was here. Oh yeah and that the holidays are upon us.In just a few short days we will be sitting down with our families enjoying their company and expanding our waistlines. I for one, cannot wait. This year is a first as well. My parents will be joining parts of H's family to enjoy the Thanksgiving fare together. T.D. will be in great demand. As the only child at this event she will be spoiled rotten. The attention overload will be a feast of its very own and all hers for the taking.I love this time of year better than any other aside from my birthday week I suppose. Because damn that is always a fun time. But is it just me or does Thanksgiving reek of tradition more than holidays? We always ate the same food and for the … [Read more...]