Random doesn't even begin to cut it.

I couldn't think of a good title for this post because I have a feeling it's going to be brain explosion. Here goes.

- I haven't touched my blog in God knows how long, but that's the great thing about a blog ... it's your little piece of the world on the internet and you can leave it alone but it's always there when you come back. I'm hoping to come back a little more frequently.

- The tooth fairy came to visit us twice and I didn't even write a post about the momentous occasion! The Mad Hatter lost 2 teeth in 3 days. Loose, out, tooth fairy time. I made her one of these:

Except her name is not Aliza. This one was a gift for someone. And the one I made her isn't this pattern. I have a picture of it somewhere but I'm too lazy to locate it. And I'm going to make one just like this because I love the fabric combo. So that's that. There was lots of fairy dust everywhere, a Unicorn Pillow Pet, money, and sugar-free gum, along with a lovely note from hers truly (yes, the tooth fairy is female) that MH loved having us read to her. Great fun in this household but no sight of any more wigglies since.

- The Mad Hatter is thriving along in kindergarten! She aced the PALS (literacy/math) testing, and is reading to us. Reading! Do you have any idea what my heart felt like when she came home with her first weekly "reading challenge" book and read it to me, my mother, DH, my father, and anyone else who would listen? I thought my heart might just explode with pride. She is changing and growing so much every day and amazing us with the things she knows.

- Which brings me to the other side of having a kindergartener. One who will be 6 in February but is really going on 36. OY. OY. OY. It's about all I can say right now. She loves staring at herself in any mirror she can find. She's all about fashion. She's all about doing things her way. Like putting lip gloss on her week-old American Girl doll. Because she "wanted to make her look prettier." She has an answer for everything. Which is really quite annoying if you ask me. It's all about control, friends, and lately I feel like I'm losing mine.

- I've been sick with a horrible bug. Really, really sick. And I realized I get really sick almost every year right around this time. I'm hoping this is it for the season, because this was no Man Cold. This was 3 days of 102 degree fever. The fever finally broke and I continued to cough so much DH asked me if I needed a moment to retrieve my lung from the floor. I'm still coughing. And living with the guilt that I did not make it to my father-in-law's funeral. Yep, you read that correctly. Very sadly, DH's dad passed away this past weekend. While it was semi-sudden to us, we were prepared (you know, in the way you are when they tell you someone won't be leaving the hospital after they've been there for just a few days). Either he knew how sick he was and didn't tell anyone, or he had no clue. Either way, he didn't suffer because the family made the decision to keep him comfortable with anxiety drugs and morphine. I, however, am suffering. What kind of person isn't at their husband's side for the funeral and shiva? Apparently one with a 102 degree fever who can barely form sentences. But can cry. A lot. And explaining death to said kindergartener? Oh so heartbreaking, even with some advance warning. I'm thinking that the behavior of late is definitely connected to this ...

- I didn't even do holiday cards this year. Shame on me, but I haven't been in "the spirit", and the idea seemed daunting. Merry Christmas. Hope you had a Happy Hanukkah. And Kwanzaa? Not sure when it is but I'm sending my best wishes and/or hope it was great.

- Speaking of spirit, I can't believe it's almost New Year's. Where has the last part of this year gone? 2011? We've got plans to go to a family party at our friends' home in MA. Super looking forward to it, especially since this is a childhood friendship rekindled. It's even better as grownups.

- All this death stuff has my brain in overdrive. And I can't stop crying. Sometimes I hate mortality. Maybe I can change the fact that I'm the one person in America who did not get sucked into the Twilight Saga, go back and force myself to read them all, become obsessed with vampires, and see how I could get my family into that kind of lifestyle. Or not.

- In good news, I've lost 35 lbs. since April. I've done it with Weight Watchers, which I love, and truly believe is the only program that works. I really should post some sort of before and now pics (there's no after yet because I have stalled with holiday treats, and really want to get back on the wagon to lose another 30-40). Anyways, I now own leggings (who, me?) and skinny jeans (skinny in the same sentence as Mommy - shocking!). DH and my mom would probably like to shoot me because I spend my days asking if I look like I shouldn't be wearing them, but I get a little obsessed like that. However, can you say comfortable? Nothing makes me happier than leggings and a huge comfy sweater. Well, I'm sure there are other things. Perhaps some of them are inappropriate to chat about here. So, we'll leave it at the fact that leggings. make. me. HAPPY. Now I better stop eating holiday treats so I can keep wearing them.

- I am going to Florida ONE MONTH from TODAY! It's a girls' only trip - my mom, MH and I are going to visit my Grandma. So excited! So many firsts - MH's first plane ride, first time in Florida, oh the fun we are going to have. Did I mention that Grandma lives RIGHT on the beach? In a gorgeous condo? I stop in my tracks every time I walk by her balcony window and see the beautiful ocean - truly breathtaking. I'm so looking forward to this vacation and being with the 2 generations before me and the one after me. And McMommy - get ready, I've got 7 days and nights and this time we'll make it work or else! And I believe you - I'll go in a dark bathroom with you :)

OK, so there's so much more but I am going to stop for now. I guess that's what happens when you neglect your blog for 2 months and 16 days (just noticed my last blog post was October 1st). But, like I said, that's the best part of the blogosphere - your blog, and bloggy friends are always there and so forgiving.

Happy Holidays, and I hope to be back to blogging more regularly, as I realize how cathartic it is and how much I've truly missed it. And as for my lack of commenting? Lazy - I read my fave blogs through Google Reader on my iPhone and don't visit actual blogs unless I have a specific reason. I really need to try and fix that. I love you all and hope you know who you are. And I'm sorry this is so rambly and long ... and I apologize if there are type-o's, mis-spells, and incorrect grammar. Usually that stuff drives me nuts so I edit and re-edit myself but tonight I just can't be bothered. I know you love me as I am. And for that, see the comment a few sentences back. Sweet dreams.

Hanging my head in shame.

Wow. I had really gotten my blogging mojo back there for a while.

Then, BAM!

An impromptu, pretty last-minute (and totally unlike us) tropical getaway for DH and I.

As in, leave The Mad Hatter for the first time for more than two nights at a destination an hour away, fly to Florida (where it was so freakin' cold my first souvenirs were a frozen iguana, a new pair of sweats, and hoodie!), hop on a cruise-ship for four days, return to Miami and stay one more night, making us gone for a total of 6 nights.

Make that 7, if you add in the fact that our flight for Florida (thank you Delta, for making it oh-so-easy for us to use our frequent flier miles. Aren't you the friendly skies?) left at 5:45AM so MH slept at Sweetheart at Poppy's house the night before we left for said vacay.

Anyhoo, if you're still following, I give you credit.

The time leading up to our trip was chaotic.

The time leading up to our trip was traumatic.

Our trip? Was amazing.

I remembered what it was like to have intelligent (and not so intelligent) adult conversation.

I did not miss the words "excuse me" followed by non-stop interruption.

I savored having NO schedule.

I adored having time to reconnect with my hubby.

We were desperately in need of that time together. Desperately. Seriously, after almost 9 years of marriage, we are like newlyweds again!

Is it easy to leave your little one for almost a week? Hell to the NO!

I missed my little MH like crazy (in a healthy way while we were sailing the high seas, when we returned and still had another day before heading home - well, let's just say there were lots of tears and a wonderful hubby willing to give up our paid-for hotel and car rental and pay extra so we could come home early. Ultimately, we did not come home early, but hubby definitely gets major bonus points for trying, and I'm really glad we ended up staying and having a fabulous time in South Beach).

Did the MH totally get over-indulged as a result of my guilt over leaving her? Uh, that might be the understatement of the year (I made sure to leave a gift for every day, she was with her grandparents - enough said, had a special night out with a very close friend, spent time with her amazing Uncle, and was showered with gifts upon our return, along with a special "Mad Hatter" week filled with special activities just for her).

Do I think it's wrong that my child was over-indulged? Nope.

Am I over my guilt about leaving her and having some true me/us time? Yup.

Did hubs and I see a Royal Caribbean commercial tonight and sigh longingly? You betcha.

Can I wait for our family vacation this summer? I'm counting down the days because everything in our life is better since she made us a family.

This would be me a full hour after we got off the plane and I sprinted through the airport, knocking out anyone in the way of me getting to my little girl. Still crying. And right now, in disbelief that I'm actually posting such a picture of myself!

So about that hanging my head in shame ... I went on vacay, came back, and life got the better of me. The people and things in my life deserved the better of me. The all of me.

But I've missed my blog, and my friends' blogs, and the way writing makes me feel. So, I'm working on making some time and getting that mojo back.

Even if it is at 2:02 in the morning.

Making Me Happy Monday!

It's a little late in the day, but it's still Monday!


This week, I have many things to be happy about! So here goes:

1) My insane, never-ending, taking on more than I ever signed on for as a volunteer, anxiety-inducing, overbooked-calendar-filled month of March has ended, AND I have lived to blog about it.

2) After months of hard work (for several different events) and the last couple of weeks filled with said volunteer work that at times felt like a full-time job, my committee pulled off a STELLAR fundraiser event on Saturday night. From soup to nuts it was PERFECT (watch for pictures later this week!), and DH and I agree it was one of the most fun evenings out we've had in forever. SO. WORTH. IT. (oh, and we raised over $5000 for our Temple!)

3) I was not as over-ambitious as I was predicting earlier this week, and managed to sew my own bell-bottom jeans for said fundraiser. They were far out. And far from perfect. BUT, they were a hit.

4) I got to spend some quality time with my mom, Godmother, her daughter (who grew up like a cousin to me), and her brand new baby - who was just 2 weeks old the day of our visit! Oh, those tiny hands and feet, snuggly warm little body, and unbelievable head of jet-black hair! I held her for hours and was wondering if her mom and dad would notice if she mysteriously disappeared when we left. Figuring the might, I decided I'll have to settle for many future visits!

5) I went jacket-less (even down vest-less) TWICE this week! We played outside, saw neighbors who have been in hibernation all winter, and got a glimpse of good weather ahead. AND, the last of the ginormous mound of snow that had been plowed to the back of our driveway has finally melted. All of it.

6) The MH went to another preschool friend's birthday party at a new place filled with bouncy house stuff. I was a cool mom who went down a very large and daunting (at least to someone who has her spine held together in one spot with 4 titanium screws) bouncy slide with her daughter not once, but twice. Again, something I lived to blog about. I love seeing my little girl interact with her little friends from school (and seeing how well-liked she is doesn't hurt either).

7) Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend an intergenerational tea party with my grandmother, mom, and the MH. We've done this a few times, and I'm amazed every year at how much more mature MH has become and what a little girl she is growing into. I also cherish the times I get to capture pictures like this:

8) I had some fabulous girl time with my dear friend Marni (@stampmonkeys on Twitter - if you're not following her, you should be!). We managed a middle of the week, kids-free trip for pedicures followed by lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, where our absolutely adorable server flirted with us old married ladies who shamlessly flirted right back. OK, I shamelessly flirted while I thought Marni might crawl under the table at one point. But hey, when you've been married forever and together even longer, a little attention goes a long way (love you honey!). We giggled, talked about everything girlie and then some, and just had the best time. It was refreshing and just what the doctor ordered. This is what great friendship is all about! (Here is Marni's fabulous account of our day!)

9) I am finally exhaling and am looking forward to using the week ahead to regain some sort of composure in this household, and getting back to some sense of normalcy. Who am I kidding . . . what is that??

What's making you happy today?

A Sunday Well Spent

Today was action packed from the start.

It was filled with family contentment, happiness, and inspiration.

PJ Library is a program we participate in where every month in the mail, we receive a Jewish book or CD relevant to both a current holiday and MH's age. It's completely free for the first 2 years of enrollment, and just $18 each year after that up until age 6. It is fantastic!

We love receiving our special book every month - PJ Library books are full of learning, and it makes me so excited to see MH specifically pick a PJ book at bedtime (even when they are completely "off season" - she definitely has her faves!).

In addition to receiving these fantastic books (did I mention that they're FREE???), there are PJ Library events all year long.

This morning, MH eagerly picked out a pair of new jammies to wear to Temple for one of these programs to participate in a couple of hours filled with Jewish learning, a wonderful craft, music, and meeting new friends. Watching her take pride in her religion and see how much she'll enjoy attending Sunday school in a couple of years was heartwarming and made me full of pride.

After the program ended, DH, MH and I shared a fabulous brunch at one of our favorite spots. Again, I felt a huge amount of pride as MH practiced writing letters (her favorite today was H) while we waited for our food to arrive. This letter-writing thing is new . . . a couple of weeks ago, she was playing at her easel when she exclaimed "Look Mommy! I made an A!" And she had. She has continued to write more and more letters since then, completely on her own. It's so exciting!

Next up, a visit to see Grandma G at her rehabilitation facility.

That's right! This morning, MIL was transferred out of the hospital and into a wonderful facility where she will receive extensive physical therapy and literally learn to get back on her feet.

Over the past few days, I have become an advocate for MIL, working hard to make sure she would be in a facility that would make her happy and want to work hard at getting better. I am blessed to have some wonderful resources who helped me achieve my goal.

For the first time in about 10 years, I saw a happiness in MIL's face that I have never experienced.

She walked, further than I have seen in ages.

She smiled, saying I'm the best daughter-in-law she could ever ask for.

She beamed, as MH quickly became the littlest ambassador at the facility, introducing herself to everyone she met, endearing herself to the nurses and other staff (we were immediately shown where cookies and juice could be located for her enjoyment any time we visit!), and cheering on Grandma G with every step she took.

I was happy (which might be a slight understatement).

And proud of how hard I fought to make sure MIL will be getting the best care possible in the best environment possible, regardless of what others in the family thought.

After a wonderful visit, it was off to the Jewish Federation of RI (JFRI), the largest Jewish fundraising organization in the state.

The money raised by JFRI helps on a local, national, and global level (one of the local levels being helping to fund the fabulous aforementioned PJ Library).

I've become involved in several committees of JFRI over the past few years, mainly so I could understand more about why it is that they want and need money so badly.

I've learned that the things they do are amazing.

I've learned that they don't just "want" my money. That a small donation can help feed people in another country for a month. Or provide medication for someone who would otherwise go without.

Today was "Super Sunday", a day when people volunteer their time making phone calls to solicit and secure donations.

And, while I'm normally content to send in my donation every year, wishing it could be more, this year I decided to commit myself and my husband (with a little added incentive since my best friend and her husband were chairing the event) on a much larger scale.

I was briefly trained in how to solicit someone over the phone, something I must honestly say I was not all that comfortable with.

However, I quickly took on the attitude that this was not personal. I was not asking someone to give money to me. I was asking for money to help people in need - something that at this particular point in time is far bigger, and far more important than my worries that someone would hang up on me, or worse yell at me for interrupting their dinner.

With the first calls I made, I was fairly close to hyperventilating. I got some interesting excuses. I even got the daughter of a previous donor who told me that the said donor was no longer alive (not the best call of the evening for me!).

I also started to gain a bit of comfort. And confidence.

And as soon as I secured my first donation, I was absolutely positive that it would be no problem to keep going.

I spent three hours on the phone, soliciting people I did not know, and earnestly thanking them from the bottom of my heart for whatever it was they could give.

The experience was fantastic, and I would do it again without hesitation.

I have no idea how much money I raised in total, but that part really doesn't matter to me.

What matters is that we were doing a mitzvah.

For three hours (which passed so quickly), I was a part of something far bigger than me, and something that I can speak of with great pride.

All in all, I'd say it was a Sunday well spent.

My heart is full, and for the first time in weeks, I feel at peace.

The Perfect 33rd

My 33rd birthday was far more exciting, a lot more fun, and way more special than I had been anticipating!

First, I woke up to this:

Actually, DH gave me a camera battery. A second battery to be exact. All of the above loot was from The Mad Hatter so DH wouldn't be in big trouble with me.


Apparently, I've commented on far more than one occasion about how great some people's blog pictures are, and how I wish I could take such great pics, and DH hopped on it!


At first, I was completely in shock and told him I couldn't accept such an extravagant gift.


He told me I've had a really crappy two years, and he just wanted me to have something really special that I would enjoy using. Of course, there were some emotional tears (by me, of course) after that!

Between his comments on how it was a gift the whole family would enjoy, many comments from others about how thrilled I'd be to have it once I got over myself and started using it, and getting further confirmation from my mom that he'd been working on this gift for over a month, researching, shopping for, and finding THE perfect camera for me (he actually has another one he needs to return!), I decided that the only thing I could do was accept this gift graciously and gratefully.


Now I need a photography class AND a Photoshop class!


Then, my mom, MH, and I headed to the beach for some of this:

DH and my dad joined us around 6:00 (my absolute favorite time of day on the beach) for some of this:

and this:

Of course, a family photo to commemorate the day:

And a nice one of the two of us (well, as nice of me as you can get after a full day at the beach):

It was a fabulous "hump day" birthday.

Thanks so much Mom, Dad, DH, and MH for making sure (as always) that my birthday was a day I won't soon forget! The weather was fantastic, and the ending to the day was my idea of perfection. I am one very lucky girl! As DH has already said, 34's going to be tough to match!!!

It's My Birthday, Now Come out and Play!

Woo-hoo!

Today's the day!

I am 33.

So very exciting.

Today is also my 3 month anniversary of starting my blog.

Lots of 3s . . . maybe I should go play Powerball!

I digress.

So, for the big party, you might want to check out this.

And since I'm so proud of my first Photoshop accomplishment (I don't want any of my readers to ever lose faith in the fact that I will always be the mommy learning to blog), I feel the need to shamelessly repost it:

In the continued spirit of learning, I have even figured out how to use Mr. Linky so you can create a post on your own blog and link back to me here.

Now, for my favorite birthday memory (I've actually got 2 - unless DH has something REALLY amazing up his sleeve for this one!):

My 16th birthday. I was on a 6 week cross-country teen tour (45 fifteen and sixteen year olds, four staff members, and our fabulous bus driver Arlene), and although I was having a ball, I missed my family. We were in New Orleans on July 30th. After touring the French Quarter and doing some other sightseeing, some of my closest friends and I chose to celebrate my birthday by dining at the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. Later that day, when we were back at the hotel, settled in, and then re-assembled in a meeting room, a bell-hop came wheeling in a cart filled with oversized boxes. No one had any clue what they were, but we quickly discovered that the labels had my name on them. Having NO idea what they could possibly be, we opened them, only to discover that my amazing parents refused to let my 16th birthday go by without a major celebration. I wasn't home to have a party, so they sent to party to all 50 of us! The boxes were filled with all of my favorite foods, candies, snacks, and other treats (purchased bulk at BJ's Wholesale Club, of course) with specific instructions for a 16th birthday party I would never forget. Mom and Dad, the tour was one of the best experiences of my life, and the birthday was one of the most special I can remember. I don't know too many other parents who would send a party for 50 on the road via UPS!

Wow, just realized that my 16th birthday was actually 17 years ago!

Anyways, now for a more recent birthday memory - my 30th. The Mad Hatter had been born just shy of 6 months prior, DH and I had just celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary that Spring, and life couldn't get better than where it was. I had everything I could have asked for and would have been happy to celebrate my birthday at home, just the three of us. However, DH outdid himself and made me a beautiful dinner party at one of our favorite restaurants (it was going to be a surprise but DH has difficulty keeping secrets, so the party is to this day referred to as the "UN"surprise birthday party). The drinks were flowing, the food was wonderful, and I could not have asked for better company. Both family and friends alike joined me in celebrating a birthday where for the first time in my life I felt entirely complete. Turning 3o was fabulous - it was not about getting older, it was about having everything I could ever want, and counting my blessings for all of it. And I must add that each birthday since the Mad Hatter has arrived has been equally sweet.

Who knows what this birthday will bring?

Maybe some of the best memories yet!

And now, friends, I am anxious to hear from you!

What is your favorite birthday memory?

Lurkers, now is the time to de-lurk!

There is no better time than a party!

Make sure when you fill out the form below, you include your name and blog title.

And thanks again for helping me celebrate!

Happy Birthday GiGi!

I am lucky enough to have two living grandmothers.

Two grandmothers who have been a very active and important part of my life since the day I was born.

Two grandmothers who were there as I celebrated my Bat Mitzvah. As I graduated from high school and then college. As I became engaged, bought my first home, and got married.

And as I became a mom, blessing each of them with their first great-grandchild, the Mad Hatter.

How special that their first grandchild (and a granddaughter at that) give them the title of Great-Grandmother?

To them, yes very special.

To me, even more special.

The Mad Hatter has been an amazing source of love and pride to two great-grandmothers - Mimi (my dad's mom) and GiGi (mom's mom).

They are not just great-grandmothers. They are GREAT great-grandmothers.

And the love she has received could never be measured in words.

I feel so blessed and grateful to have two grandmothers, both in relatively good health and quite active for their ages.

If I did not tell you they were 85 and 83 respectively, you would never believe me, as they are both strong, beautiful, independent women who have taken good care of themselves and lived good lives.

They are a source of pride to me, and I can only hope to age with the same grace, beauty, and wisdom they have both displayed and provided.

To call MH lucky is an understatement.

Not everyone has great-grandparents.

Not everyone has grandparents. In fact, DH never even knew his.

It is very important to me that MH spend as much time with her great-grandmothers as possible. The older I get, the more glaringly apparent it becomes that there is nothing in life you can take for granted, and you need to make every moment count.

Our family is very close. We're not a huge family, but there is no lack of love, caring, or incredible closeness.

Together, we celebrate the good times and share the difficult ones, and I can only hope that our years together as an expanded family have only just really started.

GiGi lives in Florida from October through June, and although she returns to RI a couple of times a year, our visits are limited. With every visit, MH has changed and grown, and become more of a little girl than the baby we so clearly remember joining our family as though it were yesterday.

We look forward to the summertime, when we know we'll get to spend more time together.

GiGi came home last week, and as luck would have it, had a birthday this week. Of course, there is no better reason to get together for a celebratory dinner.



Happy Birthday GiGi! As MH would say (while putting her pretend finger "candle" to her lips to show you how to do it) "Blow out the candles and make a wish!"

Our wish for you is continued good health and many more birthdays celebrated together.

That, and my amazing gift of being able to color coordinate my child to anyone, without even knowing what that anyone (in this case YOU) will be wearing!

We love you!

Check in any time you like, we might not let you leave!

So, the big whirlwind that happened in our house just in time for Fourth of July? The one that involved all that atristery business? Well, I finally have a minute to share.

Thursday was a fabulous day. Sweetheart, MH, and I headed for the beach, to be joined later by Poppy and Uncle DKR. MH had a ball spending the afternoon playing with her friends, then being surprised by the arrival of two of the most beloved people in her life. The perfect day was completed by Hubby coming to meet us after work, and our little family of three driving further into Narragansett for some special "us" time and an authentic RI summer dinner of clamcakes and chowda'.

Sure, I might have overdone it just a bit, but with days like that sometimes you just have to go with it.

So I was lying in bed with a heating pad when my phone rang at just past 11PM. I was not alarmed by this - it seemed I had just finally sat down for the day and didn't even realize what time it was.

My mom was on the other end of the line, extremely calm considering what she was about to tell me. They'd been sitting in the family room when all of a sudden lights started popping, going super-bright, going brown, making smoke - you name it! Thinking quickly, they grabbed the dogs (Uncle DKR had Shay with him, and they've got a little Cocker Spaniel named Cassidy) and their cell phones, and headed outside to call 911.

Within minutes, numerous fire engines were there. Once the electric company came, it was declared that their house was unsafe to be in until an electrician could come out and diagnose the problem (why do these things always happen as you're heading into a holiday weekend?), and their electricity was shut off from outside of their house.

My mom said she thought they were going to need a place to stay, and hoped it wouldn't be too much of an imposition.

Imposition? Are you kidding? Not that I would ever want them to be in any kind of danger (nor their home), but I was thrilled that FINALLY we would somehow have the opportunity to repay them in some tiny way for ALL that they do for us! I mean, my poor Mom signed up to be a grandma when MH was born - not a mommy all over again.

Have I mentioned that since I have developed my back problems and had to endure subsequent treatments and then surgeries, she has been here Every. Single. Day to take care of us? DH leaves for work, and she is on - sometimes until 10:00 at night. My parents have been here through tax seasons, DH finishing up his MBA (going to school nights, of course), and any/everything else we have ever needed them for. They have foregone vacations, time with friends, and plenty else to be here when we needed them. And back problems or not, that's just the kind of people they are.

So of course I was thrilled to open the Hotel K!

Within an hour, our humble abode had more than doubled in occupancy. We'd gone from 2 adults and a 3 year old to 5 adults, a 3 year old, and 2 dogs. The airbed was inflated and inhabited by my parents and their dog. The comfy leather sectional because home to Uncle DKR and Shay.

And although everyone was tired, emotionally spent (I speak for the parentals and brother on that end), all we could talk about was MH's reaction in the morning. We knew she'd go nuts when she saw everyone here.

Looking back on it, that is so typical of my family. The house was safe -having been checked from attic to basement and with the electricity turned off, there was no concern of fire. They had been allowed in with a flashlight to gather some personal items, and whatever else they needed, we had. While the situation was stressful, they were comforted to be with us, and looking forward to the reaction MH would have to the big party in her house when she woke up.

And a party it was!

MH absolutely adores her Uncle DKR. And Shay. And "Cassie". And of course Sweetheart and Poppy go without say.

When she woke up, she couldn't get over everyone in her house, still in their jammies (well, minus my type-A dad, who was showered and dressed long before anyone else woke up - instead of waiting for a fresh bar of soap, he used MH's lavender bedtime bath). And, living in her wonderful world of "WHY", she had plenty of questions about all of it.

The best part of my waking up was getting to overhear the conversation between MH and Uncle DKR. She talks to him in this deep, giggly voice. She is a flirt. She is impressed by all he does, and tries equally hard to impress him. And it does not take much. They have a very special relationship. He told her all about the electricity, and she quickly came to report the whole story to me.

"Sweetheart and Poppy's atristery is broken, Mommy! Isn't dat silly? Dey gonna need a eletristeran to come fix it! Dey slept at MY house in dis bed! Isn't dat silly? Dey gonna sleep here again, Mommy?"

On and on it went. Instead of having 2 playmates, she had 5 (plus 2 canine friends to torture). And of course, a completely captive audience.

A great time was had by all.

She went to a huge 4th of July party at the beach with everyone (Mommy couldn't get out of bed due to said "overdoing it a bit" the day before). We spent Saturday together (and when she went to bed had a fun sushi/movie/slumber party at my insistence). On Sunday morning I awoke to "I'm goin' to coffee with Sweetheart and Poppy and Daddy!" and got to rest in a bit. Then we all went down to the beach again for a beautiful afternoon complete with a fabulous dinner with great family friends.

Uncle DKR had gone home on Saturday night and when he told MH he and Shay wouldn't be there in the morning, her eyes filled up and she wouldn't talk to him. It was heartbreaking. And last night was the last night Sweetheart and Poppy stayed, as they were finally able to get back into their house today.

I think we were all a little sad today.

My parents thought they were imposing on us. They apologized for this and that, and acted like we were doing them the biggest favor in the world.

But what I don't think they realized was how much we loved having them here. How wonderful it was for MH to have her choice of bedtime story readers each night, different snuggle-time buddies, and canine playmates at her disposal. For her to be able to fully share her world with all of them. How wonderful it was for me to watch her snuggle in the airbed in the morning with my brother and the dogs, or watch she and my mom lying in bed reading a counting book together.

While she may be used to being surrounded by loved ones, having them here in her world for 4 full days was truly a wonderful experience for our little MH.

And it was for us too. Not just because of the extra hands or endless entertainment and companionship for MH. Not just because we were happy to be able to do them a favor. But because I've been a "grown-up" for a long time now, and it's been a really long time since I've slept under the same roof as my mom and dad.

And to have them here in the home we've made for our little family, watching us being the mom and dad, well, it was pretty special. And even more special was seeing how absolutely normal the entire situation was to MH - hearing snippets of her conversations with everyone, having them see her at her absolute best and absolute worst (which of courses, they hardly ever see).

It was one of the best definitions of family I know.

We missed you at bedtime tonight, Mom and Dad. I hope it goes without say, but you are always welcome in our home, whether for an hour or ninety-six. You have taught me what family is, and I hope I've done you proud in executing those lessons.

And, I might have to insist on an annual sushi/movie/slumber party from now on - just because. Only next time, we'll go for a movie that's gotten rave reviews.

Thank you for giving us the honor of opening Hotel K for its most special guests - there is always room for you here.

Give your kids an extra squeeze today

Not to be a downer on the last day of a holiday weekend, but earlier this week I discovered this blog:

www.punkrockmommy.org

I somehow came across it while blog-hopping, and although it is some of the saddest material I will ever read, something made me keep reading.

Andrea passed yesterday morning and is no longer suffering, but I can only imagine what her family and friends are going through.

Since reading her blog, I have not stopped thinking about how important it is to cherish everything you have and never take even one minute for granted.

MH, I cannot describe how fierce my love is for you. Daddy and I will always do our best to shield you from pain and heartache, provide you with the tools you need to become a strong, caring, and successful woman, and be the kind of parents ours have been to us. We are so blessed to have been blessed by your entry into our lives, and we will never take that for granted. I hope the love you feel from us now only multiplies as you get older and learn to understand that there is nothing in the world we wouldn't do for you.

My friends, give your little (and big) ones an extra squeeze today!

Panda-moan-ium

I've been having a rough few days, and haven't been getting great sleep, so DH was a dear today and took the Mad Hatter on some errands so I could get some much needed rest.

Around 3:40 this afternoon, I decided that I needed to snap out of my funk and we were going to have some family fun. I quickly hopped on line to check the movie schedule, and declared that we were going to see the 4:35 showing of Kung-Fu Panda. I then managed to get myself showered, dressed, blown dry, and made-up in record time, and off we went.

Let me start off by saying that the Mad Hatter has trouble staying still. I'd like to blame it on the fact that she's 3, but the girl is in Constant. Motion. And has been since she was a baby. However, we've been to a few movies now, and she seemed to be getting better. She loves Panda Bears, has Kung-Fu Panda Eggo waffles, and I figured she'd be pretty engaged by the story. Last time we went to the movies she was quite excited by the great. big. television in front of us.

We bought our tickets, armed ourselves with a ginormous bucket of popcorn (which the MH held and hoovered most of all by herself), big soda, and lots of napkins. We entered the theater as the previews were starting, and found ourselves perfect seats on an aisle. Right behind the Perfects.

The Perfects?

Yes, we all know them. You know, the family you take a look at and instantly feel taken down about 100 notches. Mom was gorgeous. Tall, thin, tan - looked like Catherine Zeta-Jones in a white tube top and mini-skirt. Her legs looked like they went on for miles. There's no way SHE ever got pregnant, got stretch marks, or delivered two children. Dad was a mix of handsome and sexy. Curls peeking out from under his baseball cap. White teeth that glinted in the dim theater. And the kids - 2 gorgeous little boys, I'd guess ages 2 and a half and 4-ish. Dressed alike. One was Perfect Mommy's mini-me and one was Perfect Daddy's. They were all perfectly quiet and perfectly well behaved. Perfect Mommy could of course wear the tube top because her perfect kids would never tug on her shirt and expose her to the world. Yeah, that and the fact that she probably weighed about 100 lbs. Soaking. Wet.

Shortly after the movie started, the youngest of the Perfects curled up in Mommy's lap. The one time they got up (assumingly to go potty), they did so without any noise whatsoever and were back in a flash. They all ate their snacks and drank their drinks quietly and Perfectly.

Then there were the three of us.

MH was good for the first few minutes, while she stuffed her face with popcorn. Her mouthfuls were punctuated with the occasional loud comment about something exciting to her "Look Mommy! It's a turtle!". "Look at the magical stars Daddy! They're MAGICAL!". We were in a full theater, and with every proclamation, I was painfully aware of how loud her voice sounded.

I was also painfully aware of the Perfects sitting right in front of us.

And all the other kids who have clearly been going to movies since the day they were born.

First it was Daddy's turn to take MH to the potty. I'm pretty sure the rows in front of and behind us knew exactly where she was going - she was sure to loudly announce that she had to go. Then it was my turn. Only, for me, she didn't go - but managed, of course, to touch everything I begged her not to touch and get me freaked out because I am sooooo not a fan of public restrooms. Then it was Daddy's turn again. At least she did go for him.

In between trips, we kept reminding her to sit in her chair. We asked her if she wanted to leave (NO!) We told her if she couldn't sit still and enjoy the movie, we would have to leave (NO!). We told her to look at all of the other people sitting and watching the movie. We threatened time out.

She was unfazed.

She played in her seat, climbing on and off. She turned around to look at the projector, exclaiming "Look at THAT Mommy!". She climbed into and out of my lap and into and out of Hubby's.

Finally, we told her that if we had to tell her one more time to sit still, we were going to leave. And we try really hard to never make a threat we're not willing to follow through on.

I was intently watching Jade fight off the evil leopard (I missed his name because I was too busy worrying about MH and her antics) when DH said "That's it, time to go."

So we gathered our stuff, and out we went. I imagined the Perfects and the people behind us cheering.

And you know what? I was annoyed at my child! Annoyed that we spent $40 on tickets and snacks. Annoyed that she has no understanding of the value of a dollar. Annoyed that she just couldn't sit still like all the other normal kids in the theater. Annoyed that she really didn't seem to care that we were leaving. And annoyed that I didn't get to see the ending!

More than anything, I was annoyed that we were not like the Perfects.

It was dinnertime, and we decided to meet my parents for a quick meal at Bertucci's. Of course, as parents and grandparents, they found the situation quite humorous.

But the most humorous of all? The "kids dough" (aka pizza dough) on the table kept the Mad Hatter entertained for the ENTIRE meal. For once, she didn't interrupt us. She didn't raise her voice. She didn't move all over the place. Her creativity was at a peak as she created bracelets, necklaces, and even "Look Sweetheart, I made a matzah ball!" In fact, she had an absolute blast - the dough was far more entertaining to her than any part of being at the movies was.

Had we known that, we would have saved our money and headed straight for dinner!

As parents of a precocious little 3 year old figuring out her place in this world, DH and I are constantly learning that life can be pretty unpredictable, and you need to be willing to roll with the punches and embrace these times because otherwise, we'll go nuts. Not always so easily accomplished, but we try our best.

And although the Perfects of the world really seem to have it together, I'd like to believe they just put on a REALLY. GOOD. SHOW. Or have some deep, dark secrets.

We'd rather live life as one big adventure and resign ourselves to the fact that we're just imPerfect normal.

Normal people who won't be going to the movies for a long time, unless it's date night.

Saturday Morning Tidbits

I LOVE Saturday morning. Daddy is home and not rushing off to work. I love family snuggle time when The Mad Hatter isn't ready to pounce on the world the minute she opens her eyes.

She woke up earlier than I would have liked this morning. Don't they all wake up earlier than we'd ever like?

Anyways, she was in an adorable and playful mood, and although I wanted to close my eyes and snooze while she watched her "Princesses" dvd for the zillionth time, I couldn't resist her chatter and snuggles.

And let's face it, she was not going to LET me close my eyes if I tried.

Random comments I felt the need to document this morning:

*Mommy, why do you have a shirt with no pants on? (I slept in a t-shirt and undies, lest you all have a picture you'd rather not have in your heads right now. Sorry if you have it anyways.).

*Mommy, why isn't Daddy wearing a shirt? (boxers)

*Daddy, you have hair ALL OVER YOU!

*Mommy, Daddy has hair all over him! (Mommy replies, yes, Daddy does!). Why don't you have hair all over you? (it was way too early for a discussion of puberty, so I told her mommies don't have hair all over us. It was good enough.).

*Mommy, I don't have enough room! (we have a king size bed. There's room. However, since my last surgery, I've been sleeping with this. I slept with it throughout my pregnancy with her, and DH and I used to joke that there was a third person in the bed with us. Inevitably, the side closest to the edge of the bed falls off in the middle of the night. In the morning, MH likes to climb into the "nest" right next to me in the side that stays IN the bed. By that point, I am normally falling out of said king size bed with plenty of room).

*(after her pronouncement of no room, I tell her I'm about to fall out of bed). Here Mommy (wraps her whole body around my arm), I got ya! You won't fall out now . . . I'll hold you here as long as you want!

OK, time for some java. I say I'll be right back, but my little shadow is right behind me in the kitchen. Apparently snuggle time is over.

*Mommy, why are there numbers on there? (seriously, why are there numbers on the coffee pot? I make the whole 10 cups. Every day. Most mornings I'd prefer a direct IV)

*I. Need. Eggs! (not in this kitchen without rephrasing that statement!)

*Can I have some eggs, puhleeeeeaaaaaaase?

(Mommy tries to gather egg making ingredients while MH reads her Big Backyard magazine that comes via subscription from Auntie P)

*Mommy, look at the teeth on this hippopotamus! (she says the word perfectly. I'm proud.)

*Mommy, come look at this fox!

*Mommy, this one. big. alligator. Look at his teeth!" (Mommy twitches her nose so someone else will whip up the eggs that will no doubtedly be shouted for in 1 minute. I am SuperMom of course! I can read magazines at the island and cook at the stove with no problem whatsoever, m'kay?)

*Daddy! (who has just made his way into the kitchen). Mommy's makin' me cut-up eggs! (scrambled)

Daddy proceeds to eat a muffin while standing up.

*Daddy! You sit DOWN while you're eating! Mommy, Daddy's being a bad boy. He needs a time out.

(We've been working really hard on staying seated during meals. Can you tell? I gently thank her for reminding Daddy of the rules and tell her Daddy gets one warning. He only needs a time out if he doesn't listen again, and then his breakfast will be over.)

I tell Daddy he better follow the rules! (if he gets a time out, he'll be there for 35 minutes, as we do 1 minute per year of age. He'd probably enjoy his forced time out).

The two of them sit down to eat breakfast together (MH tells Daddy and me that he's being a good boy now, and they're sittin' next to each other) while I run hobble back to bed to hop onto my laptop and record the comments that I know will make us laugh hysterically several years from now.

She's now trotting around the house in a pajama top, undies, and flip-flops. We're so glamorous around here!

Happy Saturday everyone!

Let's Show Some Love for Poppy

The Mad Hatter always does!

Father's Day Fun, a few days late

Our father's day plans to head to the beach were sadly ruined by rain. How dare that Mother Nature rain on our parade (yep, bad pun intended). Hubby really wanted to hit the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and while braving it with back pain and a very active Mad Hatter wasn't first on the list of activities I'd have chosen, it was Father's Day after all, so of course I was ready to comply.

Hubby took his shower, and then MH proceeded to throw a fit. One that assured me a trip to the mall in either of our conditions was not a wise idea, and that into bed for a nap was the only place she would be going. I told Hubs I hoped he didn't mind, but that he knew better, and to go enjoy a little time on his own. We had plans to visit the IL's and have dinner at my parents' house later anyways. No biggie. Sad not to spend the day together as planned, but we do what is necessary to get by, and a tired, tantruming MH is no-one's idea of a good time.

Poor DH - he didn't find much at the sale, and came home to Raving Lunatic Mommy, who had spent 2 hours dealing with a highly defiant and quite stubborn MH. An MH who got herself so riled up she showed me who was boss - by screaming so much she threw up all over her bed. NICE.

Once everyone calmed down and Mommy had a nap, the world was better. We jetted off to the IL's for a quick visit, then on to my parents' house for a DELICIOUS steak dinner. Mom really pulled out the stops on the great steaks, sweet corn - the works. By this time, MH was being fairly charming, no doubt largely due to the fact that Uncle DKR had come down for dinner, and had brought along Shay the dog.

Uncle DKR lives about an hour away and is incredibly successful at his highly demanding job, so we are lucky if we get to see him every few weeks. He and the Mad Hatter have a very special relationship, to put it lightly. After dinner, we had some great fun with the camera:

Sadly, all good fun must come to an end, and unfortunately this ending was abrupt. I watched in what seemed like slo-mo eternity as she fell backwards over the arm of the couch and I screamed in horror. I thought for sure she was about to crack her head open on the ceramic tile (and we couldn't see because she went out of our line of vision). The MH is amazing enough to have only hurt "right here" (her foot), although that didn't stop incessant hysterics on her part. It took some time, but we finally convinced her that while we didn't have our trusty frozen Cinderella (which she doesn't hold on the boo-boo as intended, just touches to where it hurts and tells us Cinderella made her feel better), Frozen Nemo would work just as well. Since she was more interested in examining Frozen Nemo, we were pretty sure she was okay.

Then it was time for some fun family shots:

Myself, DKR, Dogs Shay and Cassidy, and the rest of the fam . . .

DKR, Hubby, Sweetheart, MH, Shay, and Poppy

And would you believe I never knew how to use the timer on my camera? Shocking, I'm sure. With a little work on Hubby's part, we got the camera propped and timed, and got a couple of decent shots - we'll have to work on getting better at that stuff!

I'm sure I said it that day, but I'm putting it here for the world (or at least the people I am lucky enough to have read my blog) to see: Hubby, I couldn't ask for a better partner in life or a better dad for our daughter. We are both so lucky to have you.

And Dad, you are an amazing support to me and the best Poppy the MH could ever ask for.

Of course, I can't leave out Uncle DKR - the best doggie daddy ever!

We love you bunches!

MH hearts Sweetheart

You might remember me blogging about The Mad Hatter's special bond with Sweetheart - she would have been content to hang out like this all afternoon yesterday!

Thanks for a fabulous first day at the beach Sweetheart - we can't wait for the rest of the summer!

Introducing Mommy's Immediate Family

We're very fortunate to have the majority of our immediate family nearby.

Here is the MH with her Sweetheart and Poppy (aka Mommy's parents). Sweetheart got her name because she was always referring to MH as Sweetheart. Even when MH was just starting to talk and had a name for everyone, she didn't have a name for my mom, one of the people she spent the most time with. One night after we'd spent the day together, MH was hugging and kissing them goodbye and said "Ni ni Poppy, Ni ni Seetheart!" We thought we had heard wrong, but she said it again immediately, and it has just evolved from there. Almost everyone who knows my mom knows her as Sweetheart - it's very endearing.

We are blessed to live about 15 minutes apart, and although MH has always had a very special bond with both of them, the last year and a half have taken their relationship to a new level. In having my back problems, I have spent a lot of time in and out of bed, unable to care for MH. And that was before the surgeries. Sweetheart deserves a Gold Medal for her dedication as both a mom and grandmother. Since I am still unable to care for MH on my own, she arrives every morning around 7:45 AM to take care of us while Hubby is at work. She takes me to physical therapy and leaves me while she and MH go on all kinds of adventures, makes sure we get out and do things that make me feel "normal" every day, does little things like pick up groceries for me, take me to run errands, and generally does everything possible to be a support to our family, and especially to me. Mom, words will never describe how lucky I am to have a mom like you.

And Poppy is just smitten with his little MH. In case I haven't mentioned, MH is an only child, and thanks to my back, will probably be one for some time. No one could love a little girl more - MH goes nuts whenever Poppy is around, and she loves to go to his office to visit him and give him a welcome break from his daily stress. One of the many things we can always count on Poppy (and Sweetheart) for is an endless supply of DD honey-glazed munchkins for MH and Iced Caramel Lattes (skim milk, of course!) for me (Hubby is a bit of a coffee snob, but he often benefits from the DD trips as well!). Poppy is an amazing help too - if I need him for ANYTHING, all I need to do is say the word and he's there. He is a great Dad, grandfather, brother, son, and uncle, and there is nothing he wouldn't do for anyone in his family.




Here is the MH with her Uncle DKR (Mommy's one and only brother) and Shay the Dog. Shay used to be our dog, but when my back injuries started kicking in, we quickly realized that she deserved a better home with someone who had the time to devote to a very active Golden Retriever who needed and deserved huge amounts of activity and attention. Luckily for us, DKR had just bought a condo and was looking for a dog. The decision was obvious. The best part is that we still get to see our Shay all the time, and MH doesn't remember that she ever lived with us. Uncle DKR is not only an AMAZING uncle, but the best brother a girl could ask for. We don't see him as often as we wish, since he's practically married to his job and lives about an hour away, but we settle for what we can get, and we're glad he's as close as he is!

So, Sweetheart, Poppy, DKR, and even Shay, we love you very much and this post is dedicated to all of you. You can't choose your family, but if we could, you'd be first on our list!