G-tot and I often take walks in the neighborhood where he rides his bike and I walk—usually a bit behind him because his little legs pedal so fast. This week on one of our walk/rides he stopped his bike at the corner, turned to me and said, “Mom, how do you spell ‘navigation acceleration’?”
I have no idea what prompted that question but fortunately I was able to spell it for him on the spot.
I’m crafting it up this week for the Fourth of July over at the Curvy Girl Guide.
I made a trio each of Patriotic Votive Holders and Rocket Cracker Favors.
Aren’t they super cute? Better yet, they were really easy to make.
Over at Babble’s Being Pregnant this week I’m waxing over making room for another baby, pining over these ridiculously cute newborn hats from Etsy, giving away some hilarious kid’s books, showing off my baby bump, and contemplating what to drink this 4th of July since margaritas are out of the question for another 11 weeks or so.
I needed a picture for my We Can Have Sex—But Will We? post over at Babble (which contains totally exciting news) and this is the one I chose. It is a picture we took on February 12, 2007 when I was just about 35 weeks pregnant with G-tot.
It is one of my all time favorite pregnancy photos. The look on JQ’s face pretty much sums up exactly how we were feeling about becoming new parents in just over a month at that point. Sort of a “holy crap this is really happening” feeling.
Four years later and I still think becoming parents was one of the most remarkable things we have ever done.
I could get used to this.
It’s don’t care that I couldn’t swim a single lap in that pool.
He loves it and that is all that really matters to me.
I bought this sun hat last week and it is smokin’ hot. I’m not much of a hat wearer usually but this thing? I. AM. GORGEOUS in it. I feel totally debonair wearing it and am going to rock the shit out of that hat at the beach this summer.
You will all want me.
And not just me. My entire family.
Because it was just too awesome for everybody to not get in on the action.
This week’s Weekly Winners set just happens to be of two subjects both beginning with the letter E—Easter and my husband’s band the Eight Fifteens.
Enjoy.
 Dye Job
 Color Mixing
 Exploring His Basket of Goodies
 Squishy/Spiky/Fun
 Egg Hunt Excitement
 My Guys
 Chas
 JQ
 The Eight Fifteens
April 22.2011
in we are familyMy Aunt Mary passed away last night. Mary was my stepdad’s sister. One of nine kids, she wasn’t the youngest but she wasn’t the oldest either.
Last night Mary lost her battle with cancer.
It wasn’t unexpected. She had been in and out of the hospital for awhile and over the last few days many of her family members came to the hospital to be with her knowing that she probably would not be leaving alive.
And yet, when my mom sent me the message yesterday that “Mary has passed away.”, I cried.
I didn’t cry just for Mary, because although I’m sad that she has died, I know she is now no longer suffering from this debilitating disease.
I cried for what Mary left behind.
The two boys she gave birth to that are my age and now have no parent to be loved and nurtured by. For the grandchildren who lost a grandparent who was too young to die.
I cried for my grandparents who have to bury one of their children when I’m sure that it something they never thought they would have to do.
I cried for all those out there who have been affected by cancer and all those that will be someday.
Fuck cancer.
A few weeks ago we adopted a kitten from the Toledo Animal Shelter. G-tot had been asking for a kitten for a long time. We even went to the Humane Society in January but were told it wasn’t “kitten season” and to come back between April and November for kittens. We just couldn’t wait that long. G-tot has never had a pet of his own—besides Sea Monkeys which don’t really count—and it had been years since JQ and I had a pet. One morning about a month ago I saw three kittens on the Toledo Animal Shelter website and that afternoon we went to take a look at them. They were all adorable but there was one in particular that we were totally drawn to. He was having surgery later that week so we couldn’t take him home that day but before we left we went through our interview process and put a reserve on that sweet little kitty.
A week later he was ours.
I got the call that we could pick him up while I was at the doctor’s and as soon as I left my appointment I called JQ to let him know we could pick the kitten up that day and I would be home to pick him and G-tot up right away. We could not get him quick enough.
We named him Buddy.
To say we adore him is an understatement.
G-tot loves his Buddy and everybody that encounters him has to pet him or hold him. He has quickly become a part of this family.
Now if I could just get him to stay of the table.
Dear Gideon,
Today you turned four years old. Which kind of seems impossible because I swear it was just the other day that I was in labor with you wondering what motherhood would be like. I can honestly say that thanks to you, motherhood has been fantastic.
 March 27, 2007—One Hour Old
You are an incredible human and every single day I get to spend with you makes my life more fulfilling. I cannot imagine it any other way. Day after day, month after month, year after year you keep getting more amazing and I am so proud to be able to say that YOU are MY son.
You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love spending my days, afternoons, and nights with you. I feel so blessed that my job permits me to work just two really long days most weeks of the year so I have the other five days to hang out with you.
You are so smart. So handsome—strangers still stop me on a regular basis to tell me how beautiful your red hair is when they see you. You are funny—especially with your new found appreciation for knock knock jokes. And your laugh? Completely infectious.
As fast as you are growing up you will always be my baby. And you will forever be the one that made me a mother. I hope you always remember that you made me something that nobody else had ever done and nobody else will ever be able to do. You changed who I was to my very core in the most remarkable way. Nothing can ever change that fact and I am so very thankful for that you gave me that opportunity.
 April 3, 2007—One Week Old
 March 24, 2011—Four Years Old
Love and a million kisses,
Mommy
Eight years ago today I married my best friend.
I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Happy Anniversary JQ. I love ya babe.
I picked up fake moustaches as a silly little stocking stuffer for JQ, G-tot, and me this Christmas. They were just 25¢ apiece and as soon as I saw them I thought they would make an awesome prop for a family picture. Last night we finally had the opportunity to try them out.
They were spectacular.
Awesome, right? You can see the rest of them in my Flickr stream.
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