My New Favorite Picture...

Ramble On

The holidays are over; decorations and presents put away. Sigh. It was a lovely holiday season, though I felt, entirely too fast. By the time I got in the ‘true’ Christmas spirit, it seems we were already wrapping it up (no pun intended). Some years I have that elated spirit for weeks, others for a few precious moments. It’s my own chasing of the dragon. Thanks goodness it’s only about good cheer and appreciation.
Hattie, we have decided, is a true party girl. Even on days when we push through naps and go go go, she sticks with it and maintains pretty well. And these are days I am ready to collapse by the end of it right along with her. With both of us having large families in town, we tend to circle the city for the days surrounding Christmas. It can be exhausting at times, but always so much fun. We’re lucky to have them. This year we had many small days so that helped us out a lot, too.
And our little trooper is now officially a walker! She’s been wobbling around for about a month, but her skills are increasing so much that she now moves from one side of a room to the other with (some!) ease. She’s getting better everyday. I’ve found these milestones are difficult to pinpoint. Her first word? Dada- I think. She said it over and over for a week, so we’ll go with that. Did she know what she was saying? It’s unclear. Walking? I dunno, she’s been taking a few steps here and there for awhile. At what point do you make it official? 3 steps? 10? Who knows. For now, we’ll call it our Christmas present from her.
Pics are of her new sled, the cutest Christmas dress ever, and hanging with Dada.
Hope your holidays were all you hoped they would be.
Ba- Happy birthday. You are the best brother a girl could ask for and I love you!

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful holiday....

The Road

I finished “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy last night. I’ve cried while reading books before, but this book totally ripped my heart out. It’s the story of a man and his son in the wake of a burned out and totally ashen world. A sun that scarcely filters through the ashy clouds. Dead, mummified remains everywhere. Food and water scant after years of scavenging. But a love so simple and true that takes your breath away. A good book is one that pulls you in and doesn’t let go…this one yanks you down and puts you in a vice grip. I could NOT put it down. Harsh yet tender. Desperate yet hopeful. Beautifully sad and ugly. There are so many juxtapositions. You want it to end, but you don’t want it to be over. Though it is a very quick read.
Were it not, you may drown in the ashes yourself.

Zzzzzzzzzz

I would never make it on a reality show. Not because I absolutely hate being in front of a camera (I do), or having to spend time with a bunch of hammy a-holes instead of my family (picture: hell), but because they would deprive me of my precious sleep to evoke an emotional outburst for the camera. And they would sooo get it from me. One night with little sleep is enough to affect me on many levels. My body aches, my hair hurts, my eyes feel gritty, the bags under my eyes threaten to open up shop; I am edgy and jittery. My thoughts are cloudy. I don’t know how people do it. In my younger days I could roll with it easily for several days in a row. Nowadays I am like a cranky old woman without my beauty rest. No, not LIKE a cranky old woman…I AM a cranky old woman. Reality tv would have a heyday with me. I would be the bitch, the sap, the complainer (I am pretty good so far today), the accuser, and the crier all rolled into one. Yep, they would LOVE me.
But, you know what tomorrow is? Saturday. Sleep-day. Snuggle-day. Comforter-day.
Heaven-day.

10 Things

I finally have some pictures from the birthday blowout. The scary balloon pic is there, along with a cute one of HP and Grammy. And yes, I included a pic of half eaten cake, but I had to show that cute soap bar I made of white chocolate. I am also proud of the banner I made over her highchair. That will be a birthday tradition for HP now - breaking the banner out a day or two before her birthday. I can’t wait until she is old enough for us to do crafty stuff like that together…making holiday decorations, painting pictures and baking cookies. I am such a dork about things like that. I just made a big card wreath that got hung over our mantle last night. I am now onto sewing our stockings.
Now onto the important stuff….
10 Little Known Facts About Hattie Pearl
1. She has small feet
2. Favorite foods: broccoli, steak, sticky rice, plain yogurt. She’s not big on fruit, but loves most all veggies.
3. She is beginning to take steps unassisted or encouraged
4. She loves all things “socks”
5. Her first word was “Dada”. She will also now “woof’ for a doggie.
6. When topless she pats her tummy, which is about the cutest thing ever
7. She (now) likes her jogging stroller and long walks in it
8. Standing at the family room window is one of her favorite pastimes
9. She loves to sleep and usually smiles when you lay her in her crib for the night
10. When tired, Hattie puts her tongue to the front of her mouth and raises her arm so she is almost licking her forearm. It is her special form of thumb-sucking.

Birthday

My little girl is one year old today. It blows my mind. In some ways, it seems like yesterday she arrived, all beautiful and tiny. In other ways, its as if I've always known her and we've never been apart. She takes up such a huge space in my life and an even bigger space in my heart. Hattie, you are my light and I love you more than you will ever know. Happy Birthday, Dear One.
Mama