Postus Interruptus

This break in the 30 days of posting has been unintentional, I promise. Or has it? Maybe I want to keep you on your toes. When will I post? Will I ever return? Do I know you care?

Actually, it really has. I've been crazy busy with Christmas Fairs and other Pampered Chef related things and I turned 35 last Wednesday. An occasion I saw fit to mark as though it were my 21st. Let's just say it was a rockin' good night. The above picture is from Wednesday night. Pictured are Jeeps, Eldest Niece, Friend Katie, Cait, my brother, P, me and J. I love these people so much and it was fabulous to celebrate with them.

I'm not lying when I say it by far the best birthday ever and one of the best nights of my life.

Day 9 - A Picture of My Friends

Short of ripping off all of my friend's facebook profile pictures or photos, I don't really have a lot of photos of my friends. This one, however, is from just last week. Halloween to be exact.

Katie and I have known each other practically our entire lives, but we've only really become amazing friends over the past couple of years. When we were younger, our mothers tried to force friendship on us, but it didn't really work. Thanks to facebook, however, we reconnected and have been practically inseparable. Now, I can't imagine not having Katie in my life. Our friendship is easy and comfortable, as though we've known each other for, well, ever and FILLED with laughter. Katie is seriously one of the funniest people I've ever known. Liam and Ella adore her, and she them. J thinks she's hilarious and Katie's a perfect fit in our family; we're routinely asked if we're sisters. When Katie had spinal surgery in August, it was a no-brainer to me that she would come here to recuperate and we all loved every minute of having her around and taking care of her.

I'm very, very lucky to have such an amazing friend.

Bullet Updates...All Over The Place

• I was telling someone the other day that I've been busier than usual lately, but I can't really articulate what's been going on. It seems as though I get up in the morning and go go go until it's time to crawl back in bed. A large part of it has been the work to redo the basement, but that's been in a holding pattern for the past week or so. We were all set to have the carpet installed last Thursday, when the installers discovered wetness under the existing carpet and declared that they wouldn't put in the new carpet until we took care of the wetness. After much research, J caulked and sealed the areas that were wet and they held up under a pretty heavy storm the other afternoon. We're all set for the carpet to be put in on Monday. I. can't. wait. I'm eager to post before and after photos!
• Our weekends have been very full lately, too. That's certainly not helping me to feel as though time isn't slipping away. A few weeks ago, we had my nephew's graduation party. Two weekends ago, we were in northern Vermont for KL's daughters' birthday (the baby turned 1 on June 30th and S turns 4 on July 12th, so KL and her husband decided to just throw a joint party. It was a lovely time, and it was fabulous to see everyone and for the kids to play. I have to say that the 4th didn't really feel like a holiday, but we did get out and enjoy the nice weather. The fireworks display for Concord, though short, was a really good show and the kids loved it. All the way home, Ella kept saying, "that was so amazing!" It was quite sweet. On Sunday, the weather was gorgeous and we had a cookout with Mom, Cait and Jeeps and Katie. It was such a nice day to just relax on the deck with family and friends...and it was the first time we'd been able to enjoy the deck since Memorial Day! The weather, for the record, seems to have finally taken a turn for the better. All of that rain was INSANE!
  
• I've been hitting the gym a lot lately. I'm definitely back in my 6 day routine and am loving it. Once again, there's a new trainer, but this guy is GOOD. He works for the Gold's in Manchester, too and he really knows his stuff. I'm loving the new routines he's given me and have broken through my plateau.
  
• In a bizarre twist of jockiness, I've totally become a true Red Sox fan. Previously, I would only really care if they made it into the playoffs, but now I watch the games at the gym and be sure to tune into them when I'm at home (I'm even listening to games on the radio when in the car!); I'm learning about the players and am interested trying to get to a game with the kids when they're a little older; last night I was overheard to say, "too bad he couldn't get a little more heat on that" to which J replied, "who are you?"
  
• Last but not least, in anticipation of removing the futon out of the kids' room (to be used as the couch for the basement once it's finished), Liam and Ella are now in big beds! Since last Thursday, my monkeys have been tiny little fish in the ocean of their full-size beds. So far, so good, though. Ella had a couple of rough nights, during which she declared that she wanted us to throw away her new bed and that she was going to sleep on the moon (she gets points for her imagination, eh?). After receiving several compliments on their beds, though, she now professes deep love for her new bed and they've fially been getting some much needed rest.

Lax

I'm not ignoring you, I promise. I've been buuuuuuuuuuuuuuusy.

I've said it before, but it bears repeating. I've been dreaming and talking about and planning The Great Basement Cleanout for so long now that I still can't believe that it's finally happening. Not only is it getting done, but it will all have happened within one month...ONE MONTH! The heat is in and J painted last week - it looks great. The carpet is going in on Thursday and then I can begin to load stuff back and set the basement up the way I want.

I am so excited. So much stuff had accumulated down there over the years that I forgot how large of a space we really have down there and there will be plenty of room for a dedicated workout space, quilting area and, most importantly, more play space for the kids. I can't wait to post before and after pictures!

Some other projects, which were on my to-do list have kind of been side effects of the Cleanout and I'm happy to report that our bedroom has had a massive floor to ceiling cleaning and is now looking fabulous and the downstairs bathroom wallpaper has been steamed off and we know what we're going to do in there in terms of painting. That'll be next.

So, aside from being caught up with all of the work with redoing the basement, we also daytriped is to Vermont yesterday for KL's daughters' birthday. I had been wondering how she was going to handle it. S will be 4 on July 12th and the baby turns 1 on Tuesday. KL decided to have a joint party and it was such a nice time. It was a smaller crowd than usual, but we had a lovely time and oh God it was so cute to see the kids all play together. KL's sister got some fabulous pictures that I'll sort through and post when I have a moment (I know, I know, you're thinking you'll most likely see them sometime next year...not true, I promise!).

Also, I've begun something pretty major that I'm not ready to write about yet, but will when the time is right.

So, all in all, life has been busier than usual, which is saying a lot. We've been having a crappy, cool (that's not a bad thing, really) rainy summer and it's not been any fun for the kids. In fact, J just put our a/c in last week and that the latest that's ever happened. I can't believe that next weekend is the 4th of July. What are your plans?

New Life

Congratulations, Lorraine and family!

Welcome to the world, Sean Daniel Robert :)

Palm Art

Years ago, one of my nieces went to Italy on a school trip. She happened to be in Rome for Palm Sunday and Holy Week and she brought Mom back a lovely ornately crafted piece of what can best be described as abstract palm art and I remember thinking at the time that it was such a lovely use of the palms.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. Cait, Katie and I went to Mass and picked up palms at the door (little did we know that they would hand them out at the beginning of the service). Some other people had picked up palms on their way in, too, and Katie and I sat in wonder as we watched them create beautiful things with their palms. One woman spun hers into a lovely flower. A teenage girl in front of us made small cross after small cross.

Katie and I kept marveling at how, back in the day (!), we would never be able to do such a thing. We had to sit still and be quiet throughout Mass (hence why my children have yet to attend Mass with me on any regulr basis). I noticed other young-ish people playing with their palms (although two boys were spoken sternly to by their father for sword fighting with their palms...that was, I think, too clever of a use of their palms in his book). One little girl even had a bouquet of flowers made of palms and construction paper. I have a hunch that the new generations are being taught how to be creative with their palms, most likely in faith formation classes (known to us old timers as CCD).

I wanted to work up the nerve to ask the girl in front of us if she would make crosses out of our palms, but was feeling shy (believe it or not!). Katie eventually leaned forward and asked for me and the girl didn't even hesitate to just give us some of the little crosses that she had made to choose from. It was very sweet and now we each have a little palm cross of our own.

Now...if I could just figure out how to make one...

A Year And A Day

Yesterday was my blogiversary, which I didn't forget per se. I just thought it was today. Oh well. I'm here now. I was thinking about the blog yesterday. In fact, believe it or not, I think about it quite often, but just don't get to sit down and write nearly as often as I'd like.

Anyway, this is also my 150th post (I just love even numbers, don't you?). I know, I know. I'm a slacker poster, and I won't pretend that I've been pleased to see that nearly all of the blogs I check in with on a regular basis have been posting less frequently. I don't feel so all alone. Plus, I never promised daily updates. I did promise more frequent updates, and I really do try. It's just that I wonder whether or not what I have to say really is worth saying sometimes (and, the inverse is true, in that I sometimes I fear what I do have to say and therefore just avoid saying it). Fear not, though, my spotty posting will go on!

We've been busy lately. The kids are in a really interesting place. Going out in public with them is nearly impossible. They pretty much refuse the stroller or a cart and insist on walking. Well, that makes it pretty damn difficult for Mumma to take the Muffins anywhere. And even when J and I are both with them, life isn't significantly easier. Liam and Ella are very sociable and want to see everything. Stopping to consider why there aren't anymore oatmeal teddy grahams? Well, no! Not on their time! Trying to pick out a welcome baby card for KL's new baby girl? Liam and Ella will have none of that. Keep them moving! Show them the world! So, yeah, shopping trips are hell and are kept to a minimum. Going out to eat, however, has gotten easier. Both kids have developed an affinity for chicken and enjoy feeding themselves. (My favorite trick? Order their food asap upon being seated so that it comes out first, has time to cool and then Mumma and Daddy can enjoy their meal once it arrives...the kidlets are fed and happy (usually still munching on something) and you aren't trying to cut up bites of chicken in between shoveling food in your mouth before stopping an impending meltdown).

To be honest, it's not actually going places that's the real problem. It's leaving. I've got the most beautiful, friendly, intelligent children in the world. Until it's time to get back into the van and head to our next destination. Then they are demon children. With the strength of Herucles and the speed of Mercury. Try to lure them into their carseats and you're in for a workout, my friends. Liam can grab onto the outside of the van and twist out of his seat like nobody's business. Ella kicks like a Rockette on speed and can turn on the tears (and screams!) in a flash. A new diversionary tactic is to switch them up. They enjoy the novelty of sitting in the other's seat so that helps in a pinch, but it's a good struggle to leave anyplace 9 out of 10 times.

Don't even get me started on the battle of wills that is changing Liam's diaper as of late. Of course, he was an angel for his father tonight while getting ready for bed. Earlier today? He nearly had me in tears.

In other news, work has begun on the house. The roof is nearly finished (we needed to have the garage and porch redone...the main house was done 5 1/2 years ago) and work begins on the deck tomorrow. I am so damn excited to have a deck! The siding and windows will be done in a couple of weeks and I cannot wait to have it all done. For years I've been dreaming about getting this work done (well, OK, not the roof - that was J's concern; we lost some shingles after the marathon winter we had so he was a little paranoid about getting it redone) and now it's happening!

As I mentioned above, KL had a beautiful, perfect baby girl on June 30th. I hadn't even mentioned that she was pregnant, but I'm thrilled that S is now a big sister and their family is complete. I've cleared out an area so I can make up the baby's quilt since we won't be seeing them until we head up to VT for Nurse and I's civil union at the end of August. I have time, but not much.

Speaking of babies, our attempts to add to our family haven't yet been successful. We're in a bit of a holding pattern and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I can rationalize it from here until next year why our family is perfect the way it is and I fully recognize how absolutely blessed we are to have two healthy, beautiful, vivacious children, but, selfish jerk that I am, I want more. More of the good, the bad, the sleeplessness, the insanity, the carseat and diaper changing battles and more of the love, the sweetness and the wonder that is watching little people grow. The only way I can describe it is that I no longer feel empty, the way I did before I had Liam and Ella, but I don't yet feel complete. Makes sense to me.

Alright, enough of my blathering. Next Friday we're taking the Muffins (and C - whose real name is Caitlin, btw) to Day Out With Thomas. I'm hoping it goes better than amalah's experience. I'm sure it'll all be great...until it's time to get in the car to head home.

Be well, and here's to another year!

They Did

Congratulations, Derek and Rox!

Baby Love And A Nice To Meet You

What a lovely day! I had a wonderful visit with Derek and Roxxy and got to snuggle down with baby Devin. He's a sweet little nugget and I adored holding a wee little one again. The early days with the Muffins seem like a very distant memory at this point and, logically, I know that they were once that small (smaller, even), but it seems so hard to believe now (especially considering that #2 spent most of the evening walking/jumping off of the couch and I was convinced she wasn't going to be able to stand up after each plop onto the floor - she got up each and every time, and even did a little victory dance after what she deemed a successful attempt).

Derek and his mother own a hair salon and he was appalled when I mentioned the shampoo I'm currently using (hey, it works and that's really all that matters to me). Before I left them, he insisted that I stop by the salon so he could throw product at me that I had to promise to use. I'm used to this, though, as he's been foisting hair care products on me since high school, but I can't help but feel a little guilty for not paying and for knowing full well that I'll go back to my current product once I go through all of the stuff he gave me.

A fellow blogger is currently staying in Brattleboro and, when she read that I would be in town today, suggested we meet up for a little visit. She was quite cool and it was great fun meeting someone whom I've been reading for a while now. (And, she's pregnant, so I had a blast picking out baby clothes for her and was so excited to give them to her!) She didn't out me on her blog (but you so totally can), so I'll wait for her approval, too. I had a great time! And I'm so pleased that your Mr. liked the baby duds, as well :) J was also very relieved that I didn't end up dead. I told him she wouldn't be a serial killer, but he worried anyway (I think he's forgotten how he and I met over 11 years ago...)

OK, picture time...

Devin (and my thumb)!

Holy hell, she's so damn cute.

My serious boy (he's in love with that monkey).

Looking Forward

By this time next week, I will have met baby Devin. Derek's mother lives in Brattleboro and he and Rox visit her every Sunday (they live in MA, but pop up to Brat to do laundry and, since Devin's arrival, so that Nana Andrea can get her fill of her grandson). They've asked me to meet them at Andrea's and I'm really looking forward to seeing the baby. He'll be two weeks old on the 16th and I can't wait to hold his tiny, wriggling little body and drink in his sweet baby scent. I love the stage that the Muffins are in - they are so unbelievably funny and are learning new things every single day that I'm constantly in awe of them - but I miss the early days of babyness and can't wait to have Devin snuggle in and fall asleep.

Andrea hasn't met the Muffins yet so it'd be nice for her to meet my children, but I think that only one of the kidlets would make the trip. I think J and I are either going to do a kid split with me most likely taking #2 and J and #1 staying home, or I'll go by myself and the kids and J will have a nice day together. We're not sure how toddler-proof Andrea's house is and it's a lot of work to chase after the Muffins when they're exploring a new environment. There's a definite possibility that very little visiting would be done and a lot of running around and several choruses of "no" would be the order of the day.

Either way, I'll get a baby fix and see some good friends, too. I can't wait.

New Life

Derek and Roxxy's baby boy was born today...

Welcome to the world, Devin Lawrence.

You are loved.