Jealousy....

....sometimes it's a beautiful thing.

The Hallmark of Someone New

I will continue to marvel at the fact that of all the goings-ons of the world-- business, politics, social climbs and vices-- I will never be more grateful that there's no Red Tape when it comes to adding Whole New wonderful, better-than-anything members to your Family. Life, and those who live are crux to one's soul.
The past, present and future thinking of family turns my heart, anyway. But, don't you agree? And it seems no one understands that better than family and especially when we're all together.

So I can truly find it fitting that since, within days, we all came together for Danielle's blessing and honored Memorial Day, I can share both unitedly.

It's all-together Family.





Beautiful.

...speaking of Life, can someone with experience let me know how to keep my two year old from waking up my newborn from every nap?? Life is this girl's oyster...

Over Due, But Oh-So-True

When Danielle was one day shy of being one week old, Jake and I happily celebrated our Five-year Anniversary. The yearly risk of having a day being celebratory is that a variety of things can happen on the same day. Sometimes sad, like last year- too much so to mention- or almost unnoticed, like during a busy whirlwind that time we moved to Washington.
Five years may not seem like a lot-- especially when I expect many, many years to come-- but it is nice to think we really have done so much, and come so far.
So here is an Ode to the King of My Heart: (and a wifely apology for not additionally marking the occasion with a blog post sooner)
He's Chivalrous, which means he leaves you the last bits of the thing you could have eaten all of...

Thoughtful, which means getting flowers for my sanity can often be on his to do list... (please note this is very important)

Involved, a real family kind of hero

Good Humored, which implies a great deal of perspective, as well

Provisory, making everything a safe place for learning and living well, for myself included

This year he asked me if I wanted to go to Michael's Divine Dining downtown. Our favorite and our town's best kept secret. Yes, lets.
- I was able to wear the black leather jacket he got me for Valentine's Day :)
And you've got it, I couldn't help but take a picture of some of our food. --does that make me a mom, through and through? Just wondering. But Jake said he'd go back for lots more mussels any time.
[For Appetizer: "Tarragon Mussels"]
[For Dessert: "Ice Cream Sandwich;" but remarkable, wouldn't you say!]

And a secret between you and me, I felt so special that night (Sharon babysat) that I darn near cried twice to the restaurant and back.
We held hands.
Hugabun. I would say Yes again in a heartbeat.
Because I want to hold hands with you forever.

Title: I Need No Title

Hi,
I appreciate the finer things.

The simpler things, too.

I have my glimmering moments in the sun.

And,
I just wanted to blow the lid off a little secret of mine.



There are times when
I'm no Martha Stewart.

The New for Her, Epiphany for Me

So Allie-Einstein-hair is adjusting. Not gracefully, she is two years old to her credit, but adjusting nonetheless!
And she's been up to some new things.
She helps with dinner:

Learning about Dad's hobbies:

New kinds of AllieCat Fun:


And so how did this epiphany come to me? - How did I know if underneath the hiccups she was "dealing?" There's someone new in our family and Allie has requested one movie and one movie only to be played every time she is offered the choice. (not like her to do.)
Toy Story.
You know, the plot about how the favorite toy
gets replaced by a new one
[my light bulb lit-up right about now].
Could it be?

And I have realized something, besides the fact that I just don't have enough life or brain capacity to keep Allie completely jealous and tantrum free all day and every day over our changes:
She just has to deal with it, mostly in her own way... it's just plain up to her no matter what I think I can do; the epiphany I promised.
Yes, the new one gets attention and some of the love that hasn't had to be shared before... and somehow by the end of the movie there is a balance and both beloved toys are heroes and friends. I'm looking forward to that part.

Don't get me wrong. Things are pretty swell, and the action also applies to my heart.
At the end of the day, it's all still about the LOVE. (I'm just sayin' we'll be watching Woody and Buzz show us how it's done for some time to come...)

The Story of How We Met

(humble cell picture of a glorious angel)

Well, let's begin. I'm back and better than ever.
Recovery near completion, I'm whole because Danielle is in my life with my beloveds- Jake and Allie. And it was love at first sight, of course.
I will give you the "abridged" version of what could better be described as a memoir, subtitled
I DID IT AGAIN AND I'M PROUD OF MYSELF:
So here are some thoughts I've been thinking ( and here goes, because the hormones are indeed fluxing away...I'm not fond of the reason, but it's true.)

• The midwife, between contractions, came right up to my face, in a stance to study me closely and asked, "You mentioned you wanted medication for pain. Do you want to do that now?" I said no. And something to the effect of 'thank you for asking.' She believed me. It was good.
  
• Next time I'm bringing my own music.
  
• No one ever tells you how it really all plays out (and I won't here either, to keep from scaring anyone- which is reality). Just have The One by your side.
  
• Which leads me to my next thought; I'm baffled to think HOW in the world an unwed young girl could go through it and all that follows... love u, Jake!! Serious.
  
• For the Record: I have a strong instinct I guess, to get those babies here fast. Initial contractions started at 3:30 am, called the midwife 4:30am (who then left a pretty groggy message on my voicemail) delivery at 7:34am. I really tried to pace myself this time.
  
• I knew the second I was handed her that this was a totally different little personality than the daughter-person handed to me two-point-two-five years ago. I hope to never forget that impression... as it will help me parent her the way she needs.
  
• People are miracles.
  
• Bodies are miracles. My recovery has been astoundingly fast and amazing this time,. .... now... if only I wasn't such ... . .a lightweight about sleeping................"z!" -- I mean, "Fin"