You Know You're A Mom When...

Howdy, Y'all!

I haven't dropped in to say hello for a while, seeing as I've been in serious mourning since the USA lost to Ghana in the World Cup on Saturday. I'm talking serious mourning. Flag at half-mast, not eating for days, crying into my pillow at night, wearing black for days straight (okay, I do wear black a lot anyway) mourning. I shunned all media not wanting to be reminded of the terrible loss I was coping with. Okay, that last part isn't true. I completely had the t.v. on and did find a cute and cheesy made for t.v. movie on the Hallmark channel Sunday night.

So, that's my story. Where I've been hiding. Now, on to more important things. Like my birthday. You see, my birthday is in September and seeing as it's June and that means only 2 1/2 months until my birthday I need to be planning my lists and getting all applicable parties involved in shopping now. Just kidding. I'm not that crazy about my birthday. My parents just like to be ahead of the game. They're the type that have Christmas presents purchased over 6 months ahead of time as well. So, they've been asking what I want for my birthday.

Originally they had talked about a Vera Bradley handbag. Usually Vera Bradley bags are WAY crazy for me. Too bold, too bright and I just don't dig most of the designs. I do have one wallet and the lunch bag in a more sedate pattern, but I really kinda dig this new one:
However, as cute as this design is I couldn't find a bag that I like enough. I guess I'm just a Coach girl at heart and can't stray from my line.

So I've been thinking about what to ask my parent's for for my 21st birthday. Yes, I'm only going to be 21. Again. For the 13th time. And then, on my last trip to the mall to celebrate my mother's birthday with a fattening and sinful lunch at the Cheesecake Factory I saw the sheet set and quilt that I want for Lexy's room at Pottery Barn Kids. I know. Champagne taste on a beer budget. But, it's beach theme girl stuff. And I haven't found very much of that since I had the brilliant decorating idea 2 1/2 years ago. And everything was ON SALE. Now, as you probably now, ON SALE at Pottery Barn Kids means selling one kidney instead of two. So, instead of buying everything that wanted while I was there and it was there, I thought I'd be responsible and talk to Josh about it first and look at the budget seeing as how we have big expenses in the next few months.

And then it hit. While checking out everything on line for prices. It was SOLD OUT. Of course. Just my luck. What did I do you may ask. I begged my mother for it for my birthday. Because she might have to make a trip back to the mall and I didn't think, even if I could work out my budget, that I would be able to actually get back to the mall to buy said items. And you know what she did... bought it. From the stores after calling the online catalog number. For my birthday. The cutest sheets and quilt in the world.





The real kicker in this situation? I asked for everything in Twin size. Lexy is still in a crib, soon to be switched to a toddler bed. She won't be in a twin for I don't know how long. I won't even be able to get the joy out of seeing these in her room for probably a year if not more.

Yes. You are a mother when... you ask for things for your children for YOUR birthday just so they can have what you dream of as perfection. I can't wait for her to be a little older and tell me that she hates it. Or that she wants to redecorate in ballerinas or skateboards or horses.

Birthday Calamaties

Hello, Dear-ios.

This weekend Lexy and I had the joy of attending one of her friends (and betrothed) Adam's 3rd birthday party. Now, the fact that time has somehow gone by so fast that this little bundle is now a full-blown rambunctious 3 year old boy with a baby brother is somehow lost on me. I don't know how it happened and I have chosen to not think about it too hard. I refuse to believe that I have aged 3 years and I refuse to admit that I'm old enough to have friends with 3 year old sons (although I have some friends my age with kids older than that, but for them. They were probably 15 when they got pregnant. That was just the kind of crowd I ran with).

As for Adam, trains and cake were the themes of the day. And I must say that Wegman's makes a killer Thomas the Train cake. Not too sugary, with just the right mix of chocolate thrown in with the vanilla. Super Yummy. Watching Lexy interact with all the other kids there (she was the only girl) was a riot. There was one point when I thought she was going to try and climb into Adam's lap. I mean, come on girl, play a little hard to get. Although, if the marriage is inevitable and arranged and all that, why should she? Right? But, I must say, her attempts to get George to come and sit with her and talk to her.... uh, oh, Adam. You may have some competition after all.

Lexy was the belle of the ball. Of course, when you're the only girl and you're dressed in a too cute for words yellow sundress that does tend to happen. She had a blast and it was great to have been included.

And then there was the pinata. Everyone loved the pinata. There was no bloodshed. No scrambling for candy and toys. There was no shoving or pushing for turns. Everyone stood nicely and pulled their strings. In rounds. It was amazing that 2 and 3 year olds would behave so well. I give all the credit to the amazing parenting going on in this group. Well done, Moms and Dads. We are awesome. And then. Then there was the last pull on the adorable little Dalmatian fire hat wearing pinata. And it opened. Everyone was thrilled. Candy and toys, right?

Everyone except Lexy. She had a mini-meltdown a la, "Adam broke the puppy" meltdown. See, if a toy breaks or a crayon snaps in half, or a page in a book rips it's all downhill from there. I had no thoughts that a pinata would be traumatic, but "Adam broke the puppy". Big tears. Lots of them. Bright red face. I had NO idea that she would react that way. I had the same thoughts as any other parent. Scrambles for candy would take precedent over even looking UP at the pinata. But, not my sensitive little Lexy. She cried each time I tried to take her back to gather some treats. Thanks to the other mom's that collected for Lexy as well as helping their own kids gather their goodies. She loves all the things that came home in her bags.

But, try as hard as I might to convince her that the pinata was supposed to open and all it did was OPEN I have heard nothing in the last two days other than "Adam broke the puppy".

Happy Monday, Dear-ios. See you on the flip-side.

Bald Eagles

Last night Lexy had a special dinner. I say special because I was exhausted from work, she had not taken her nap and was extra hyper, and we had just spent 45 minutes on the phone with her Grandparents, Aunt Brittney, Aunt Amanda and her Nana. By special dinner I mean she had a fish fillet, sweet potato fries and peas. Josh and I ordered a pizza.

While Lexy was eating and our pizza was on the way I was showing her a book of animals. I was explaining to her that the Big Boy Lion has a lot fur around his head and it is called a Mane. And then I got the brilliant idea, when she asked me to see more lions, to show her the National Geographic website for kids. It's awesome, if you haven't checked it out. We watched a video on lions and went on to watch about 10 others. When we got to the Bald Eagle this was the video that they have posted. A mother eagle caring for her chick. I told Lexy that it was a baby eagle in the picture and she proceeded to tell me that there was a Mommy Eagle, too. And when the Mommy Eagle came on the screen she pointed and said excitedly

"It's Carin Eagle, it's Carin Eagle".

Yes, Lexy knows my name is Carin. I am a Bald Eagle.

Cheez-its and Jesus

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a great weekend. Ours was relaxing, minus chores, trips to the grocery store and other various housework. Not to mention hitting a GREAT yard sale and finding all kinds of great clothes for Lexy to grow into and a new big wheel that she loves. By the way, breathing in watered down bleach is not the greatest idea. I guess there's a reason why there is a window in my bathroom, silly me.

So many of you are asking for pictures of Lexy. Okay, to be real, no one is asking anything. I haven't gotten one email. Just some lovely facebook comments. But, because I like to pretend that I'm exceptionally popular and my daughter should be hounded by the paparazzi I have included for your viewing/reading pleasure a few pictures of our spring. The picture above is our first trip to a park. Lexy was so excited to be able to get close to the geese and the ducks. Next time we'll take popcorn and a lot more pictures. She had a blast!



This is Lexy's first attempt at blowing dandelion seeds. She did pretty well considering that she blows through her 2 front teeth. Most of the time she was asking me to do it for her. Hopefully none of the neighbors are reading this as their lawns spring up with more and more dandelions. I think that's the risk of having a 2 year old girl for your next door entertainment.



We also had a fun at church on Sunday. When I told Lexy Saturday evening that we were headed to church the next morning she said "cheez-it". Now, cheez-it out of Lexy's mouth sounds a LOT like Jee-shush. So, I thought she was saying "Jesus" and I was all impressed that she was learning that going to church means talking to Jesus. I told her that she was right, that we were going to church to talk to Jesus. Apparently, my 2 year old thinks I'm a tad ridiculous. She told me "Jee-shush, Mommy". And, again, I responded "Yes, Lexy. Church is for Jesus and we love Jesus". I didn't know a 2 year 3 month old could enunciate so well. She broke down EVERY syllable for me. "No, Mommy. CH-EEZ-IT". Oh. Cheez-its. She had crackers in the nursery on the previous week, and Cheez-its were, apparently, the crackers that she had mentioned she ate when we were on the way home that day. I had no idea that the nursery attendant had given her Cheez-it's, but that was apparently the biggest impact on going to church for her. When we left for church on Sunday morning she was very excited to go to the nursery to have her Jee-shushs.

Cheez-its. Jesus. It's all good.

Love to you all and have a great Monday.
C-

p.s. If you're reading on a regular basis, please sign up to be a reader or drop me an email to let me know. I'd love to thank you for stopping by... and I love seeing my numbers go up up up. What a boost to the self-esteem to know people like to read my crazy ramblings and see what's been going on the life of a typical suburban mom.

I *Heart* Dyson

Dear Friends,

I would like to introduce you to Finnian Hickey. Better known as Finn. Or Finny. Or, to Lexy, Inny. Finn is my fur-baby, the test run, the guinea pig, the company for me when Josh works and travels, and the most hyperactive bouncy dog you have ever met in your entire life. About 4 years ago after a few years of marriage, since I hadn't killed Josh with my housekeeping or cooking, I decided it was time for the dog. Josh agreed, we decided on a beagle and I was starting the search for the perfect pet for our little family. And then. The bombshell. Josh changed his mind and decided that he did NOT want a pet. One of his friends had told him that beagles were noisy and he figured that would be a bad thing in the long run. I'm not sure if there was any other thinking behind it, but that was his final say.

My final say revolved around being crushed for about 2 days and then taking a trip to the local shelter. There was Finn. Available for adoption the following day. I called Josh at work and told him that I found a dog I wanted and it was only part-beagle so the noise factor wouldn't be a problem. I told him the dog was small, tri-color, and about a year old. I told him that the dog went up for adoption the following day and I was going to head back to the shelter and adopt the dog. Final say. We got a dog.

Finn has been an adventure. He hates Golden Retrievers, he's always hungry, he sheds like nobodys business, he loves to run outside and can walk for miles without slowing down. He also likes to sit on the back of my expensive and beautiful living room sofa so he can be in the sun and see out the window at the same time. But most of all, he sheds. I can brush him everyday and still pull fist fulls of fur off of him, no exaggeration. It is seriously annoying. There is fur on EVERYTHING.

But, we love the silly dog and Lexy thinks he's great so it's all forgiven. And, as it turns out, Finn is a purebred American Rat Terrior. We ended up getting a purebred dog from the shelter. Gotta love it.

A few months ago I was given one of the best gifts anyone obsessive about dog fur could get. A Dyson Animal. It's BEAUTIFUL. It's purple and light, it has crazy attachments that I actually use, it sucks up everything and then some off the floor. It is the most amazing house cleaning piece of equipment ever made. I want to marry my Dyson. Or, at the very least, I want to make out with it. It makes vacuuming fun. I know, you think I'm crazy. I am crazy. About my Dyson. It changed my life. Not that there was anything wrong with the 30 pound 10 year old Hoover that I had before. In fact, instead of getting rid of it Josh actually decided to keep it for his personal use in the garage. What you vacuum in a garage I don't really know, but he has his space and I have mine. So, we kept the 50 pound Hoover.

2 days ago, I came home from work to find Josh already home. He was lucky enough to have a half day and got off early to come home to watch the Orioles game. Had a half day, took a half day. Who knows. I told you he LOVES baseball. And there was my Dyson, my gorgeous, life changing Dyson, sitting outside on the screened in porch. The screened in porch that was previously covered with cobwebs, dead bugs, pollen lots and lots of pollen and lots and lots of fur. See, when I groom the pooch, I take him onto the porch. So the birds (and the outdoor carpeting) can have the fur. It was a tad messy from the winter and hadn't been cleaned for the spring yet. Until 2 days ago. When Josh took my Dyson (not the 85 pound Hoover that he kept to use OUTDOORS) and cleaned the porch. I spent the evening taking apart the Dyson to make sure that all the pollen it sucked up, and man did it suck up pollen, was cleaned out of it and that it had clean filters and looked brand new like it did before it was stolen out of my loving hands.

The porch is covered with pollen again.

Parenting Lessons

Dear Friends,

I will admit that I am not the world's best parent. Don't tell anyone I said that, especially not Lexy. We eat way too much pizza (Lexy gets Gerber meals, at least there are no preservatives), too much macaroni and cheese, too much Cinnamon bread. There are probably a million safety hazards in the house. I'm sure the blinds on the window will choke someone, the little pieces of puzzle lying around may be eaten, and there are probably accessible stairs to fall down if the little one is unsupervised. Okay, okay, when is Lexy unsupervised? I don't know the number to poison control and it's not on speed dial. I do know the number to 911, though, so I figure I have that one covered. Josh and I don't have a lot of rules when it comes to our parenting technique, but I'm fairly certain that this qualifies as "How Not To Parent Your Child".

Love to you all,
C-

Childhood and Stuff Like That

Dear Friends,

The other day in the Washington Post style section there was a HUGE article on the front page revolving around one of the best series of books ever written, The Babysitters Club. Now I know that most of you reading this are around the same age as I am, so if you tell me that you never read any of these I am totally NOT going to believe you. I think it was mandatory reading for every girl growing up in the 80s and 90s. I have saved all of my BSC books. They are now located in Lexy's room, in order might I add. I'm missing a few and would love love love to complete my collection. I will freely admit that on certain nights, when the day has been long and my brain is a bit fuzzy, I grab one and slip into a nice hot bubble bath and take myself back to my childhood. The BSC isn't the only childhood books that I reread. I go back and read my Mary Higgins Clark books over and over as well. The stand up as more than just 80s fluff.

One of the reasons I was thrilled to have a daughter was so that I could show all of those 80s icons. Lexy already has one of my Cabbage Patch Kids (and one of her own). I plan on giving her the My Little Ponies that I have packed away in the attic in a few years, too. I think I had about 30 Cabbage Patch Kids and at least 75 My Little Ponies and their stables and accessories. I hope Lexy is going to be into baby dolls and ponies because I shouldn't have to buy her any toys the year she's 5. Oh, and does anyone know if Jem is out on DVD yet so I can get that for her, too?

The one thing that depressed me about the article in the Post is that they plan on reissuing the books with changes to the more 80s style aspects. They're changing the clothing descriptions. I mean, really, how can you change the clothing descriptions? The hair clips, frizzy perms, the high bangs, the leggings and big sweaters. Seriously, Claudia Kishi and Stacy McGill were my style icons. Of course, I never knew where to buy clothes like they wore so I never wore anything remotely resembling anything described in the books, but I still wanted to. And they're taking out the Diabetes shots that Stacy had to take. Really? I know that there are progressions in medicine for the 21st century, but come on. These are books in and of the 80s. Leave it alone! I love my biking everywhere, 11 year olds being able to babysit, 6 girls getting together between 5:30 and 6:00 MWF in one room to be girls. And to take that away? No thanks! It's like taking the Smurfs and making them purple. Nobody wants a purple Smurf. Who has ever heard of a purple Smurf.

Leave the 80's alone. The music was awesome, the clothes rocked, the hair was big (except for mine. Mine doesn't do big even with Glue), the people were nice and safe. What's wrong with that?

Updates and updates and updates

Dear Friends,

Yesterday was, for me, a deep post. I don't mean to get all philosophical on you... or maybe I do. I loved my comments and my virtual hugs. It means a lot and made me smile which helped me get through an "Eeyore" day. I thought that today I would let you know some of the updates that have been going on around the household. Just to lighten things up a bit.

I am officially a baseball widow. MLB has started back with a vengeance and Josh is glued to the TV. Orioles are the only team... but he's happy to watch anything when it's on if there's no Orioles game. I love baseball. For our first, third, and fourth anniversaries we splurged on AWESOME seats to Baltimore Orioles games, booked great hotel rooms and spent long weekends in Baltimore. It was awesome. I love going to games. I read the sports page religiously. I follow my team. I CANNOT watch 162 baseball games a season. Not counting postseason, but the O's haven't been there in forever so I haven't had to worry about that part. And then there's all-star break. AAHHHHH!!!!! I am happy for my DVR so I can record my DWTS (Dancing with the Stars), Private Practice (Okay, guilty pleasure) or House Hunters and go and hide in the bedroom and watch something that I want to watch. Of course, I am the supportive wife and I totally will watch some of the games. Some of them. For about 15 minutes at a time. When I'm not writing. Or reading. Or surfing the web. Or breathing.

I am going to be the Aunt to a bouncing baby boy. That's right. The decision has been made. Little Ian Daniel is going to become a bigger part of the family come September (hopefully, all prayers gratefully accepted). Carol is doing well and I love the name. Daniel is the Josh and Matt's fathers name. love love love. I can't wait to buy some decorations for the baby's room. I hope they don't mind but I rock at decorating boy's rooms. Not doing so great with Lexy's, but maybe that's because she's mine and nothing is good enough for my daughter? But that makes it sound like anything would be okay for my nephew, and that's not right. hhmmm.... Yea! A nephew!!!

The invitations have arrived for Tall Willowy Blonde's bridal shower. Oh my goodness, they are SO SO SO cute!!! I love them. I'm trying to plan a color theme around them and am planning on heading out to the stores Thursday to check on cake, balloons, flowers... Now, if I only had games and shower gifts nailed down. I'm pondering, people, pondering. Anyone have a great game they want to share? Email me, please. Personal creative block aside, my MIL suggests that we play the "toilet paper bride" game. NO NO NO!!!

Lovely Jennifer is doing well with the 2 babes at home. Although her last FB status update was a little scary so some attention from me maybe in order. She sounds a little stressed and I can't imagine how hard it is to have 2 children to take care of. But, she's an amazing trooper and I know she's doing better than she thinks she is. I keep thinking I'm giving her space and time to settle in, but I'm headed down that way in the next 2 weeks. Jennifer, I hope you're reading this. Make preparations for my mother, myself, and Lexy to head down to you. We bring time for a shower, laundry, and a nap with us. Take full advantage of us, please.

The reader count is up to 9, which is one of the most thrilling things that has happened to me in a really long time. I was hoping to get to 10, so we'll see. I am so happy to see my friends on here and to have their love and support in my little venture into the world wide web. If anyone wants to guest post, let me know. I have NO idea how to actually do that, but would love to read what my friends have to say about their lives and the world in general. Shelley, this means you. And Chimmy, if you want? I drafted the post last night. What a wonderful surprise when I woke up this morning and found my number at 10! Thank you thank you. Now that I met that goal where do I go from here. 10 is after all my favorite number. Should I aim for 15 or 20? Do I even know that many people interested in reading my thoughts? Share with your friends and lets try and get to 15!

Lexy is still talking about Easter. She had one of the best days ever, at least she thinks so. I'm hearing about her Easter egg hunt, her friend she got to play with, and lasagna (which is pronounced "Anya" for those of you out of the 2 year old loop). Oh, and CANDY. Candy is a big one. She'd never had candy until Sunday and I think she's addicted. I'm not sure what to do about it, although I'm thinking it maybe a positive thing for taking away the pacifier and teaching the potty-training thing. Give a little bribe in the form of candy. No, I am SO not above bribing my daughter. Oh, speaking of the pacifier. Anyone have ANY suggestions on that one? She only gets it for nap and night time and I'm ready to take it away, she's getting way too attached and I want to nip it in the bud. It's been too long, but she gets such relaxation from it. Should I just take it and tell her it went "bye bye" or do it at bed time and then add in nap time later? Clean break I'm thinking. And just deal with the tears and the talking and no napping for a few days. Ugh, the joys of parenting.

On that note, my lovelies, I am off. I love you all and I hope you have a beautiful day full of blessings (and comments. I love love love my comments).

C-

Just What Is Too Big?

Dear Friends,

As I write this I'm eating NATURAL Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs. I say this because I do not truly have a weight issue. Although, maybe I do. I'm not sure anymore.

Last year a couple a few streets over put their house on the market for sale. It sat and sat and they waited and waited. I guess they didn't get a deal that they really liked because once the house was under contract they put up a sign in their yard stating that the play set they had in the backyard was for sale. They weren't giving it up along with the house. This thing is amazing. It has a tower, a rock wall, a rope ladder, regular ladder, picnic table, slide, 2 swings, tire swing, monkey bars. It's awesome. A kids dream and every neighbor kids jealous dreams. I decided that I had to at least ask about getting it for Lexy. Yeah, she was way too small to use it last year, but it would keep, right? So off I went to their front door to inquire about how much they were asking for it. $2500.00. Okay, way way way too much. Far over anything I would ever dream of spending on Lexy. So, far too much and I ruled it out.

About 2 weeks later the sign was still up in their yard. I decided that if they hadn't sold it by then that maybe they would entertain my crazy low-ball offer. I called and made an offer. Chatted with the woman for about 20 minutes. A few days later they called me back. They had decided that after talking to me about it twice and meeting Lexy that I really wanted it for her. They had 2 other offers that were higher than mine, but they were going to sell it to me because they liked me. It was so cool. And then we had to disassemble it and move it. Ugh, that was a nightmare! It took Josh, his friend Jason, myself, and my father to take it apart and move it 3 streets over.

The reason for all this back story? It was a glorious 75 degrees outside yesterday. Blue skies, white puffy clouds, nice breeze. I decided it was so nice that I would skip the grocery store in favor of letting Lexy play outside for the morning. After lunch we ended up in the backyard so Lexy could use the slide. We haven't used it since last year and it was covered in leaves and spider webs so I climbed up after Lexy with a broom to clean it up a little. When I went to go up into the tower section Lexy was kind enough to tell me: "No Mommy, Mommy too big. Lexy little". Nice, right?

I decided that I would take her down the slide with me the first time, since it's a bigger slide than she's used to. I sat down and when I went to put her on my lap she told me "Mommy too big, no Mommy". Um, yeah. Okay. I'll admit it. I'm 5 foot 6 and weigh 134 as of this morning. I may not be pre-baby shape, but I am pre-baby weight. I've never been ridiculously thin, but other than baby weight never been over 140ish. I consider myself average. Normal. Regular weight. Nothing special. I try and eat healthy, with exceptions. Like Cheetos White Cheddar cheese puffs. I try and go for 2 walks a day.

"Mommy too big, no Mommy" I went down that slide about 15 times.

Marrying the Mob

Dear Friends,

Spring is here. With it comes Easter, warm weather, baby bunnies, the birds return and wedding season is almost upon us. Josh and I got married in April. Hard to believe it's been almost 7 years. But what I didn't know when we got married was that I was marrying into the mafia. No, not really. But, sometimes it seems that way.

I grew up with a VERY small family. I have 1 brother, and scattered cousins in the "tristate" area. Okay, for those of you who know me I am blatantly avoiding any discussion of where exactly I live because I know there are some wackos who will come and steal my husband, child and one of the 12 cars that he owns. Well, right now it's only 3 but he's out looking at another one so by the time I'm done writing this is could be 4. I've seen my only living grandparents, and only aunt and uncle a handful of times as they live really really really far away and for some reason they don't want to head down south almost as much as we never headed up north.

I never felt like I was missing anything, even without the large family gatherings all my friends had. It wasn't anything I thought about or noticed, even though I know my mother cared. And then I met Josh. And his MASSIVE family. And I thought, wow, it must be such fun to have such a big family. And then I realized (while planning the wedding that I wanted to be extremely small but extremely fancy), there are TONS of problems associated with a big family, as in how to fit 150 guests on just one side into a 150 guest wedding when all I really wanted there was 50 or so. Stories of wedding planning aside (although some of the stories might make for good posts so come anniversary time there may be a few) events with Josh's family are just nerve racking for me. I've come to realize not only do I not like large crowds I do NOT like to be forced into community events just because "everyone else in the family is going to be there". I keep having flashbacks to my mother telling me "don't do what everyone else is doing just to fit in" and "if all your friends jumped off the Brooklyn bridge would you do it too?" and various other after school special quotes.

I am just NOT comfortable with that many people with so many activities and that many family obligations. Insert picture of the family reunion where I was forced to wear a mu-mu. Is that even how you spell mu-mu? Okay, no one looks skinny in a mu-mu. And, yes, they tried to get me to put one on Lexy. That got a definite "uh, no". No one looks attractive in a mu-mu, and if you show me a picture of Heidi Klum in one when she was pregnant I will hunt you down and make you wear one!

Yes, that's me on the right with Lexy, and just for clarifications sake, the wind was coming off the water from BEHIND us. I am so NOT 200 pounds.

Why all this talk about the size of family and marrying into the mafia style family? Josh's beautiful, talented, nicest person you would ever want to meet, homecoming queen, tall, willowy, amazing sense of style, blonde cousin is getting married to Mr. I Stepped Right Out of GQ Magazine in May. I love weddings. I am so excited to see her get married. She is one of Josh's family that I truly love seeing and look forward to talking to at any family event. I would do anything for this event if they asked because I adore her and I think her mother, Josh's aunt is one of God's angels. So, my reaction when I was asked to host the family shower was of course yes. Where I come from I was taught that it was poor manners to host a family shower, that showers were hosted by friends and if you had a shower hosted by family it meant you were desperate to receive gifts or in a very bad financial situation. Yes, I know I was raised by Miss Manner's cousin. And, again, I must reiterate, I love Tall Willowy Blonde and I am SO SO SO happy to do this for her because I think she is an AMAZING person. So, I have been looking at invitations, trying to nail down guest lists and menus (any menu advice? Please please please let me know) and think of shower games that won't embarrass the heck out of the honoree. Come May we'll see how I've done.

The point of this whole long and crazy story? As I said, I married into the mob. I was asked in the following manner:

"Carin, I think it would be really nice if you would host The Family shower for Tall Willowy Blonde. I think The Family would appreciate it."

Again, I didn't know I had married into the mob.

Love to you all,

C-

p.s. After writing this and thinking I had the numbers for a guest list finally in the completion stage, I got a second list... with an additional 5 names on it. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with the 4th list and another 5 or more.

Twins

Dear Friends,

Yesterday was Thursday. Thursday's in my household typically mean grocery store, chores, errands of various sorts. Lexy and I got up, had breakfast, walked the dog and headed out to the grocery store. Quick stop to get gas for the SUV (by the way, who raised the price to $3.00 a gallon again? $60.00 in gas? Come on!?!) and we were headed into the grocery store.

We headed back to the refrigerated section to pick up some milk and while I was checking all the cases for the organic half and half a woman came up with a double stroller the size of a limo, 2 car seats back to back and 2 sleeping babies back to back. Lexy saw her coming.

"Mommy, babies. See them".
"You would like to see the babies, Lexy?"
"Yes, Mommy. See the babies."
"Okay, Lexy. See the babies, there are 2. Their mommy is a rock star".
"Have them."
"Have them?"
"Have them."
"You want to have the babies?"
"Yes"
"You want a baby?"
"Yes".

Pause.

"Talk to your father."

Life Lessons According to Lexy

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was spent on the recovery from a lovely combo of bronchitis, sinus infection and allergy symptoms. Oh, so much fun. It was a beautiful 60-70 degrees with pale blue skies and puffy white cloud, so of course we spent the majority of it outside. In the pollen. Walking. A lot. I think I may have set the antibiotics back a week or so, but it was worth it. Lexy had a blast. And I learned a few things from her over the weekend. Enjoy.

1. No matter what basketball game is on, it's always Mason. "Go, Mason". This rule also applies to any hockey or football game. It may also apply to baseball, but Lexy doesn't remember watching any Orioles games, so we'll have to wait and see for this one.

2. Going for walks with your Cabbage Patch Kids in the stroller is fun, especially when you get to the top of a hill. At this point, feel free to turn around and push the stroller as hard as you can back DOWN the hill. Proceed with laughing hysterically as the stroller careens downhill. It's also fun to run after it so that when it stops you can push it downhill again.

3. Mommy's (and probably Daddy's) are very good for walking/jumping/stomping/laying on. I blame Dr. Seuss for this. Thank you "Hop on Pop", which Lexy has memorized.

4. Mommy's bottle of water is always better than your own. Even if mommy is sick and has been coughing up a lung in your presence for the last 5 days and keeps saying "No, Lexy. Don't touch that. DON'T TOUCH THAT. Do NOT put that in your mouth, STOP IT!!!"

5. No one should ever sleep later than 7. (this has been pushed back from 6 in the last few months, and for this I am grateful). 7 is a good time to get up EVERYDAY, although it is acceptable to remain in bed until 7:30. But 7:30 is the absolute latest.

6. Pandas eat bamboo and tigers eat people. Thank you, Aunt Brittney. Also, Mommy says "No" and Daddy says "Hee Haw" (insert picture of donkey here). Again, thank you Aunt Brittney.

7. Hershey kisses commercials, Empire Today commercials, and the GEICO commercial with Charlie Daniels (AKA. Santa Claus) are all worth watching. Especially the one with Santa in it.

8. If you put on sunscreen it means you're going to the beach. It doesn't matter that you had sunscreen put on everyday during the summer and only spent one week at the beach, sunscreen still means you're going to the beach. I wish.

9. Sidewalk chalk is a lot of fun. Especially when it's smeared all over your hand, shirt, and pants. And it's also good to use on grass, just in case you didn't know.

10. When taking the dog for a walk it's fun to look for "crocus, croci, and jonquil" flowers. because every two year old knows that the plural of crocus is croci.

Daylight Savings Time

Okay, so who came up with this brilliant idea anyways? I know, I know. Benjamin Franklin. Someone should have shot Benjamin Franklin. I know, I know. He created beer as we know it... or something like that. And there was that whole kite with a key thing. And that whole Declaration of Independence and Revolution thing and American Independence thing. But really, Daylight Savings Time? Please. Someone should have shot Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin obviously did not have a toddler on a sleep schedule. I realize 2 becomes 3 and 3 becomes 4. But, when Lexy gets up at 7, do I really let her sleep until what is actually 8 and then not get her nap schedule on track. Put her down for a nap at 3 because to her that's really 2? Okay, that whole number thing is making my head hurt. Grrrrr... I stand by my initial statement. Benjamin Franklin. Good thing he's already dead.