I know this is a cheap way to blog, but hey - family loves the videos! We've recently been working on clapping (patty cake, anyone?), and while she doesn't quite have it down yet, here is her version:
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Decaf?
In case I haven't made it clear, I have a fabulous husband. Oh sure, he's crazy and a bit extreme at times, but he's also an extremely capable person - a trait that makes my life much easier. I don't have time to make dinner? No big deal - he'll whip something up himself. Behind on laundry? No problem, he'll throw a few loads in. He may not (read: does not) do things the way I would, but I've learned to let go a bit and simply appreciate his contributions rather than doing everything myself so that it's up to my standards (because that's the other option...he doesn't particularly enjoy my bossing him around). I mean, who REALLY cares if the towels are folded in perfect thirds as long as they're folded? I only go back and re-fold every once in awhile...but don't tell Dan ;-)
Anyway, that's a long "aside" to get to my real story about last night. Dan's always more than willing to take Caroline for a bit to allow me a little "me time," something that I'm learning is important but difficult to come by as a stay-at-home mom (and I'm sure something that only becomes more scarce as time goes on...). Yesterday evening I was a bit crabby and just really wanting to get out of the house, so Dan shooed me out. He and Caroline are rather inseparable these days when he's home, so he was happy to get some Daddy-daughter time as well, and I'm sure he was just fine with getting rid of a crabby wife for awhile!
I had saved a little birthday money for just such an occasion (thanks Mom!), so I headed down the road to the nearest Starbucks, book & journal tucked away in my oversized purse. Jumping in the car with only myself and a purse is a sort of treat in itself - no carseat, no blanket, no diaper bag, no craning my arm behind the seat at a stop light to try and reach the pacifier. In moments my senses were filled with the aroma of lattes and funky music like is only played at Starbucks. I was excited. I made my selection carefully, landing on a caramel machiatto, decaf. As I waited for my delicious treat, I looked around the room and took in a rather large group that had gathered, occupying nearly every chair. The only available seating left was a long booth between two strangers. Pass. I peaked outside only to discover that the umbrellas were closed and the mist was turning into more of a cold drizzle. Pass again.
I took my latte and returned to my car, disappointed and rather miffed at that large group that decided it was okay to take up every last inch of available seating. Who did they think they were? Didn't they know that this was MY night? I headed across the street to see if I could find somewhere to plop down. There were two tables outside a Quizno's, and even though it was cold and drizzly, these were at least under an awning so I decided it would have to do. I grabbed my book, deciding the journal would take too much brain power, and grabbed a seat. The location was distracting with cars coming and going, so I didn't think I'd last long.
But then, I started reading. (And, of course, sipping my deliciously warm latte.) You know how some books start off slow and take awhile to really draw you in? That was not the case with this one. After reading a recommendation by my friend Jenny, I picked this book up at the library the other day: "The Guersney Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." And it's as delightful and charming as Jenny promised.
I got chilly once my coffee cooled off, so I headed home early and took a nice long HOT bath (Caroline was already in bed - good work Daddy!) and continued reading. It was blissful. The crabbiness dissipated somewhere between the lack of seating and the 5th page of my book, although Dan still seemed to avoid me when I returned. Can't say that I blame him. But once I was sufficiently pruney, I returned downstairs and started raving to Dan about my evening.
It was then I realized that I had a problem. It was getting late. I should be crashing in every sense of the word. Instead, I was on some sort of sensory overload. We went to bed. Dan threatened to tickle me if I wouldn't shut-up (a very serious threat in my book), so I rolled over and stared at the wall. My new friends were calling to me from the pages, so I slipped back downstairs and read into the wee hours of the morning, something I haven't done since becoming a mom for obvious, sleep-deprived reasons.
I'm pretty sure they missed my over-emphasized DECAF request when I ordered. My jittery hands confirmed it. That, mixed with the high of a good book and a little time to myself was the perfect elixir to keep me up well past my usual bedtime!
I wanted to be upset with the barista that had taken my order, who was too busy searching out a Red Bull for herself over the headset to really pay me much mind. But when I pulled out my receipt, I realized I had been given one more gift for the night...a FREE coffee! I had given her cash to reload my gift card which I then wanted to pay with, but after adding the money to the balance, she must have forgotten to charge me.
Or it was just a mean joke to give me a fully-caffeinated beverage at 8pm, so she figured she shouldn't charge me.
Either way, as I finally dozed off very early this morning, I decided I'll probably thank her if I ever run into her again. It was a delightful evening/night, and one that would have been cut short were it not for a little extra caffeine.
And that, my friends, was a very long story that should have been written last night when I had a bit more brain capacity. This morning I'm feeling a bit sluggish for some reason...perhaps I should head back down to Starbucks.
Anyway, that's a long "aside" to get to my real story about last night. Dan's always more than willing to take Caroline for a bit to allow me a little "me time," something that I'm learning is important but difficult to come by as a stay-at-home mom (and I'm sure something that only becomes more scarce as time goes on...). Yesterday evening I was a bit crabby and just really wanting to get out of the house, so Dan shooed me out. He and Caroline are rather inseparable these days when he's home, so he was happy to get some Daddy-daughter time as well, and I'm sure he was just fine with getting rid of a crabby wife for awhile!
I had saved a little birthday money for just such an occasion (thanks Mom!), so I headed down the road to the nearest Starbucks, book & journal tucked away in my oversized purse. Jumping in the car with only myself and a purse is a sort of treat in itself - no carseat, no blanket, no diaper bag, no craning my arm behind the seat at a stop light to try and reach the pacifier. In moments my senses were filled with the aroma of lattes and funky music like is only played at Starbucks. I was excited. I made my selection carefully, landing on a caramel machiatto, decaf. As I waited for my delicious treat, I looked around the room and took in a rather large group that had gathered, occupying nearly every chair. The only available seating left was a long booth between two strangers. Pass. I peaked outside only to discover that the umbrellas were closed and the mist was turning into more of a cold drizzle. Pass again.
I took my latte and returned to my car, disappointed and rather miffed at that large group that decided it was okay to take up every last inch of available seating. Who did they think they were? Didn't they know that this was MY night? I headed across the street to see if I could find somewhere to plop down. There were two tables outside a Quizno's, and even though it was cold and drizzly, these were at least under an awning so I decided it would have to do. I grabbed my book, deciding the journal would take too much brain power, and grabbed a seat. The location was distracting with cars coming and going, so I didn't think I'd last long.
But then, I started reading. (And, of course, sipping my deliciously warm latte.) You know how some books start off slow and take awhile to really draw you in? That was not the case with this one. After reading a recommendation by my friend Jenny, I picked this book up at the library the other day: "The Guersney Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." And it's as delightful and charming as Jenny promised.
I got chilly once my coffee cooled off, so I headed home early and took a nice long HOT bath (Caroline was already in bed - good work Daddy!) and continued reading. It was blissful. The crabbiness dissipated somewhere between the lack of seating and the 5th page of my book, although Dan still seemed to avoid me when I returned. Can't say that I blame him. But once I was sufficiently pruney, I returned downstairs and started raving to Dan about my evening.
It was then I realized that I had a problem. It was getting late. I should be crashing in every sense of the word. Instead, I was on some sort of sensory overload. We went to bed. Dan threatened to tickle me if I wouldn't shut-up (a very serious threat in my book), so I rolled over and stared at the wall. My new friends were calling to me from the pages, so I slipped back downstairs and read into the wee hours of the morning, something I haven't done since becoming a mom for obvious, sleep-deprived reasons.
I'm pretty sure they missed my over-emphasized DECAF request when I ordered. My jittery hands confirmed it. That, mixed with the high of a good book and a little time to myself was the perfect elixir to keep me up well past my usual bedtime!
I wanted to be upset with the barista that had taken my order, who was too busy searching out a Red Bull for herself over the headset to really pay me much mind. But when I pulled out my receipt, I realized I had been given one more gift for the night...a FREE coffee! I had given her cash to reload my gift card which I then wanted to pay with, but after adding the money to the balance, she must have forgotten to charge me.
Or it was just a mean joke to give me a fully-caffeinated beverage at 8pm, so she figured she shouldn't charge me.
Either way, as I finally dozed off very early this morning, I decided I'll probably thank her if I ever run into her again. It was a delightful evening/night, and one that would have been cut short were it not for a little extra caffeine.
And that, my friends, was a very long story that should have been written last night when I had a bit more brain capacity. This morning I'm feeling a bit sluggish for some reason...perhaps I should head back down to Starbucks.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
In the Genes
One of the great question marks during pregnancy is what exactly the final product is going to look like. I can remember having dreams about our unborn child last year, from the sweet to the totally bizarre, but no matter what the dream I could never quite make out what exactly she looked like...or even what I thought she looked like. Would she have Dan's fine, straight hair or my thick, curly locks? My blue eyes or his hazel? His cute dimples? My earlobe-less ears? Would she really even look like either of us (a question particularly puzzling to me, as I grew up thinking I didn't really look like anyone in my family)?
I studied both of our features and endlessly wondered. Then, when we finally met our sweet Caroline in September, we both took in every tiny newborn trait, trying to determine what looked like who and continuously changing our minds. Everyone always asks of a new baby, "Who does she look more like?" Or they have an opinion of their own, declaring "She looks JUST like Daddy!" etc.
I think that Caroline is truly a combination of the two of us. It makes me smile everyday as God reminds me - visibly - that he has made 1 life out of 2 for Dan and me. One of His many mysterious miracles that He allows us to enter into.
Just for fun, I wanted to hang baby pictures of Dan and myself in Caroline's nursery - a "project" I decided on before she was born and just completed last week. My name is Kali and I am a procrastinator. Anyway, I thought you might enjoy seeing these as well. Is it any wonder our child is round and bald?
I studied both of our features and endlessly wondered. Then, when we finally met our sweet Caroline in September, we both took in every tiny newborn trait, trying to determine what looked like who and continuously changing our minds. Everyone always asks of a new baby, "Who does she look more like?" Or they have an opinion of their own, declaring "She looks JUST like Daddy!" etc.
I think that Caroline is truly a combination of the two of us. It makes me smile everyday as God reminds me - visibly - that he has made 1 life out of 2 for Dan and me. One of His many mysterious miracles that He allows us to enter into.
Just for fun, I wanted to hang baby pictures of Dan and myself in Caroline's nursery - a "project" I decided on before she was born and just completed last week. My name is Kali and I am a procrastinator. Anyway, I thought you might enjoy seeing these as well. Is it any wonder our child is round and bald?
So I'd really like to know - what do you think? Do you see more of Mommy or Daddy?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
A Letter
Dear Landscaping Crew, Garbage Man, UPS Man, Etc.,
I'll start by saying that I appreciate you all. Really, I do. I appreciate how you keep my 1 inch by 10 inch strip of lawn perfectly manicured and how you (over) trim my bushes. I can't imagine what I would do if you didn't come nearly every day to haul away the mounds of diapers - they tend to pile up around here. And my heart skips a beat every time I see your lovely brown vehicle come wheeling up to the top of our hill in hopes that maybe this time you'll stop at MY door.
But I have a bone to pick with each of you. You see, you really have very poor timing. Your lawn mowers - do they have to choose the exact moment I'm putting my daughter down for a nap to rev up and attack my gigantic lawn? While I appreciate that I don't have far to go to get to the dumpster, do you really have to lift it to such incredible heights just to let it slam back down to the earth...in the middle of Caroline's beauty sleep? Her window is practically right over top of you! And Mr. UPS Man, I do appreciate all that Brown does for me on a regular basis, but one teensy, weensy favor...can you PLEASE not ring the door bell? Or perhaps try coming around 11:30 instead...Caroline should be up by then. I knew you'd understand.
I think that about covers it. Just thought you all should know my true sentitments and that perhaps, with a little work, we can all come to an understanding. Sound good?
Sincerely,
Mom
I'll start by saying that I appreciate you all. Really, I do. I appreciate how you keep my 1 inch by 10 inch strip of lawn perfectly manicured and how you (over) trim my bushes. I can't imagine what I would do if you didn't come nearly every day to haul away the mounds of diapers - they tend to pile up around here. And my heart skips a beat every time I see your lovely brown vehicle come wheeling up to the top of our hill in hopes that maybe this time you'll stop at MY door.
But I have a bone to pick with each of you. You see, you really have very poor timing. Your lawn mowers - do they have to choose the exact moment I'm putting my daughter down for a nap to rev up and attack my gigantic lawn? While I appreciate that I don't have far to go to get to the dumpster, do you really have to lift it to such incredible heights just to let it slam back down to the earth...in the middle of Caroline's beauty sleep? Her window is practically right over top of you! And Mr. UPS Man, I do appreciate all that Brown does for me on a regular basis, but one teensy, weensy favor...can you PLEASE not ring the door bell? Or perhaps try coming around 11:30 instead...Caroline should be up by then. I knew you'd understand.
I think that about covers it. Just thought you all should know my true sentitments and that perhaps, with a little work, we can all come to an understanding. Sound good?
Sincerely,
Mom
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Birthday Greetings
Caroline reminded me this morning that it is her Aunt Kelsey's birthday today and requested that I take some video of her to share as a birthday gift. I couldn't say no! So here are her birthday greetings to Aunt Kelsey:
P.S. Kelsey, as an educator, and an English teacher at that, you really need to check this out today: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2010/04/teacher-tearjerker.html .
P.S. Kelsey, as an educator, and an English teacher at that, you really need to check this out today: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2010/04/teacher-tearjerker.html .
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Family
My family has been visiting this week, and the time has been absolutely wonderful. My Dad has already come and gone, my sister & her husband are leaving this afternoon, and my Mom is here until tomorrow evening. Living far away makes family time precious indeed.
I don't have time for a full post right now, but I did want to put up a few pictures. My sister has also posted some here (as she is the photographer - I suppose it's only fair!) incase you'd like to see a few more. Enjoy!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Good Friday
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Toes & Capris
Welcome, April! You are welcome to stick around these parts for as long as you'd like. Thank you for the promise of 81 degrees sometime today; my pale & pasty body has been without you for far too long.
Caroline decided it was time to break out the spring/summer wardrobe considering the gorgeous weather, and Mom agreed. So out came the capris and short sleeves, and I have been overcome by the scrumptiosly squishy legs & arm rolls ever since. Although, her Papa mentioned that he wasn't so sure she had the figure for capris...I'll let you be the judge.
Caroline decided it was time to break out the spring/summer wardrobe considering the gorgeous weather, and Mom agreed. So out came the capris and short sleeves, and I have been overcome by the scrumptiosly squishy legs & arm rolls ever since. Although, her Papa mentioned that he wasn't so sure she had the figure for capris...I'll let you be the judge.
Yesterday we enjoyed lunch outside with my sweet friend, Angilee.
Then for supper, Daddy did some grilling while Caroline kept a close eye on him. She's careful to not let him out of her sight once he arrives home from work!
And yesterday we experienced another first...Caroline's first pedicure! I know, I know, it's a little ridiculous. But after my friend Katie sent me a picture of Piper's (just 6 days younger than Caroline) sweet little painted tootsies, I just had to give it a try! And here are the end results:
The cuteness is really almost too much. Even Daddy agrees!We arose early this morning (which is becoming a new trend...) and took in the beautiful start to the day. And while Mommy doesn't always like the early hours, they really are Caroline's best time of day, which makes it all worth it. Especially on a warm, sunshine-y day like today!
She wanted to get a little sun before her morning nap, so she sat in one of Great-Grandpa AJ's rocking chairs out on the front porch to get a few rays*. It was a little brighter than we expected, though. We might have to find some sunglasses before the next sunning session.
She wanted to get a little sun before her morning nap, so she sat in one of Great-Grandpa AJ's rocking chairs out on the front porch to get a few rays*. It was a little brighter than we expected, though. We might have to find some sunglasses before the next sunning session.
We hope you're enjoying a beautiful spring morning wherever you're at on this first day of April! Now if you'll excuse me, my baby just went down for a nap and I'm going to have some coffee on my porch. Bliss!
*Note: The child's father worked in dermatology long enough that I'm not remotely serious about "sunning" our 6-month-old. We have a closet full of baby sunscreen, and a sun hat that I'm sure will make an appearance on the blog soon. The poor thing doesn't stand a chance of getting a tan before her 15th birthday, I'm afraid.
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