Accomplishments and Realizations

It has been a busy holiday week and weekend with a lot to celebrate beyond the usual Thanksgiving fare. To name a few...

1. Aside from two gifts yet to purchase, all of my Christmas shopping is D-O-N-E. I even have half of the gifts wrapped. It's still November and this is accomplishment is nothing short of a holiday miracle. To think of all the money I will save on not having to rush ship or have my online retailers wrap my gifts has me giddy!

2. Our Christmas lights are hung! I think we have hung lights maybe twice (with T's busiest work time hitting during the holiday season it just hasn't always been a priority. Now, that Emerson is really getting into the Christmas spirit and we are in a new hood that is a pretty festive one, we got a bit of the lighting bug and T did a great job with some help from Emerson. See the during and after...


3. As of Thanksgiving day, Emerson is no longer a napper, and this leaves me feeling conflicted. Selfishly, I love the time he naps. It's time that I can rest too, or catch up on some reading or just steal some time a way for a couple of hours. On the flip side, it gives us A LOT more flexibility to not have the day broken up by a nap. And, it's a bittersweet reminder that he's growing up faster than we could ever imagine.

Neighborhood Toughies

Thanksgiving

It probably got no warmer than 75 degrees here in the today -- a beautiful day to give thanks.

As T worked into the wee hours of today, Emerson and I took off for the park and some sunshine so that Dad could get some rest. I was surprised how many people were at the park, but couldn't agree with being out on a day like today. There were at least 3 groups playing touch football, a full-fledged soccer game, kids on the jungle gym and me and my little guy exploring. Emerson loved playing on the jungle gym, watching the big guys play football and soccer and climb his first tree (with a little help from me).




After playing around we grabbed Daddy and met up with Grammy Kathy at the home of our dear friends Scott and Claudia. Great company and the greatest of comfort foods put a nice close on a rather perfect day.

Sick Day Photo Shoot

Emerson was sent home today for being sick. Despite the gastro-intestinal bug that bit him, he was surprisingly up for a quick change of clothes and some fun in the backyard.

Hedgehogs and Baseball and Hot Tubs, Oh My!

It was a busy weekend with a school friend's birthday at the zoo, a jaunt to the park to bat some balls, and our first dip into the hot tub.


L-R: Birthday Honoree David, Emerson and Grace look on while Zoo Volunteer Kat shows off a hedgehog.



Emerson keeps his eye on the ball.



Our little goldfish takes his first hot tub dip.

Have a SMOKIN' Halloween

Hall of Flames

Thanks to our friends, the Cummings, we learned about the Hall of Flames Fireman Museum and their open house today. We made it over to the museum with just an hour left of the open house and just enough time to catch a ride on an actual fire truck and take a look at some historic engines. Emerson was his usual awestruck amongst the trucks and memoriabilia. A great, albiet quick, excursion for a Saturday.

Fall Festival

After a leisurely day at the spa, the family headed out to Emerson's school for the annual Fall Festival, Boo-Attitudes. Emerson had a fantastic time fighgting fires with fellow classmate Evan...

Enjoying the company of a lovely lady (miss Anna)...

Getting some help from handyman Bob (friend David)...

And catching up with scary skeleton (and new neighbor, Jason)...

Walks Among the Stars...

...relax amid the desert.

Today, my mom and I had the treat of spending the day at the spa (a gift from T for Mother's day that we took too long to redeem). Lounging in the sun underneath this Lakota woman, Walks Among the Stars, displaying her heirloom quilt was just what we needed after enduring a rather stress-filled fall. The massages and desert rain loofah treatments weren't so bad either.

Celebration

Another year gone by and I continue to be surrounded (literally and geographically) by good people. The day was perfect - with a lot of twists and turns: lunch with a dear friend and her baby and baby on the way; Bunco with the girls (where we don't get enough of us to play but we don't even notice because we have so much fun gabbing); dinner with the usual suspects; and divine homemade carrot cake cupcakes with a double layer of cream cheese frosting.

It was perfect.

Good Things

**Some family time Sunday afternoon at the Train park. While I miss my mega-camera, my little PowerShot captured some nice afternoon light and my two nice guys.

**Our living room furniture arrived and we found some barstools that work. The house, despite the flooring issue, is starting to feel more like a home.

**I took Emerson over to the park across the street from our neighborhood and ran into a friend I haven't seen in years. It was instant recognition in that, "Aren't you Lara?" "Aren't you Julie?" kinda way. Her 2 year old and my 3.5 year old said nary a word to one another while we mommies chatted things up, but of course they did the obligatory hug when we all departed. It's so sweet to see little kids and their willing affections.

**A bubble bath, a great magazine and my iPod set to a mellow mix. A perfect way to wind down after a busy weekend.

Books Books Books - A Meme

I found this surfing the net and finding a new blog that I like Katie's Books & Baubles.

What are you reading right now?
Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield for my book club.

Do you have any idea what you’ll read when you’re done with that?
Actually, I don't!

What magazines do you have in your bathroom right now?
None in the bathroom, but my nightstand holds Real Simple, News Week and Working Mother magazines.

What’s the worst thing you were ever forced to read?
Moby Dick.

What’s the one book you always recommend to just about everyone? The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter or Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Admit it, the librarians at your library know you on a first name basis, don’t they?
Nope, I am an avid buyer.

Is there a book you absolutely love, but for some reason, people never think it sounds interesting, or maybe they read it and don’t like it at all?
The Giant's House by Elizabeth McCracken

Do you read books while you do other things?
Only if it happens to be one of those glorious times when I have the luxury of reading and dozing and reading and dozing. But as the mother of an almost four year old, those times are rare.

When you were little, did other children tease you about your reading habits?
No, my friends also read. I remember saving a seat on the bus for my friend Barbara and we would each read our books on the way to and from school. Sometimes we would talk about what we read. We were 13 and I guess that was my first book club.

What’s the last thing you stayed up half the night reading because it was so good you couldn’t put it down?
Probably Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love.

If you are a fellow reader, and you haven't done this one yet, then tag, you're it!

Progress

Emerson had his most recent modified barium swallow study on Oct. 2. We learned that he was sitting pretty comfortable with no decline in ability, but no improvement either. It was because of this, that our Speech Therapist Pamela recommended we challenge him a little bit - oh so catiously - by upping his thickened liquid by two ounces a day in the form of anything other than his formula (aka Kiddie Milk).

The rationale for this is that if we can give him an additional two ounces a day, every day for a month with no adverse side affects, then in November we can add another two ounces per day. With each ounce of thickened beverage that he consumes orally, we can then remove an ounce that he gets via the tube. In a completely perfect world, one could reason that if we could get him, albeit slowly, to consume all of his liquid in a thickened state - with no issues - then we could remove the tube. It's certainly something to work toward.

So last weekend we tried some organic, low sugar juice. Tonight, for the first time ever, Emerson had Grape Kool-Aid. Just two ounces, and he thought it was perfect. "That tastes really good, Mommy."

This is also the first night he agreed to reinstate the toilet for his more complicated waste removal.

Progress, no matter what form it takes, is progress.

Gratitude

Our lives have been eventful as of late; in both positive and not so positive ways. But one ray of light was this fall bouquet and card delivered anonymously and not signed. There was also a balloon and pumpkin pail which Emerson will use for trick or treating. Anyway... I had my hunch, but when shared my prediction was proven wrong. So rather than wrack my brain to figure out who did such a nice thing for us, I am just going to enjoy it.

Thank you whoever you are. Wherever you are.

Things I Miss Most About My Car

I never really thought of me as a real car person. But now that my beloved Highlander is damaged goods sitting at the tow lot awaiting an evaluation...AND...while I am driving a not so beloved Dodge Nitro...I am compelled to make a list of the biggest misses I have for my dear car.

1. Steering Wheel Radio Controls. Despite the sense of luxury, they really are safer than leaning and reaching for the dial. Really.

2. Auto running lights. Every night since having the rental car, T has had to remind me to turn my lights on. I am a hazard waiting to happen.

3. My comfy seats and smooth car-like ride. The Nitro is a bit lacking here being as boxy and stiff as it is.

4. My Sarah Bareilles CD and Emerson's We Are the Dinosaurs - Whaddya Think of That? CD. Thank goodness for iTunes and the ability to reburn cds.

5. My Oprah and Friends XM Channel 156 radio. This is probably the biggest adjustment. Her friends are my friends. They talk about everything I want to talk about. And now it's like they have left for summer vacation and we can't catch up until Fall.

Whirlwind

There's a reason I haven't posted in a month. And that's the whirlwind we have been experiencing over the last 30 days. In these days, T and I have entered our busiest seasons at work, have purchased a home, moved, uncovered a pretty significant flooring problem in our new haven, adjusted to new and mainly better commutes,and not necessarily new and better neighbors, survived a car accident this weekend (me and Emerson) and have lived without any real living room furniture (cozying up to the season opener of The Office on some collapsable camp chairs) - until purchasing some today.

I guess it wouldn't be life if it weren't for the highs and the lows (and the sometimes string of highs and the one-right-after-another-can-someone-give-us-a-break-lows). And there's no better chance for perspective than something horrific like an accident. The universe is telling all of us to slow down and thankfully, oh so thankfully, sparing us this time.

So, as we wrestle with insurance and floor repairs, I am reminded how grateful I am for what I do have - healthy family and friends (some near, some far), a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and laughter. A lot of laughter.

Birthday Fun

Today we got to take in all the joy and mess of a baby's first birthday. The family celebrated our good friend Will's first along with his proud parents Ali and Dave. Emerson had fun exploring with Will and eating cupcakes too!







Happy Birthday - not so baby anymore - Will!

At 35, I am old

Tonight I am in the check out lane at Old Navy and my cashier appears to be about 22 years old. As I approach with my items for purchase, I notice that he (Chris) is wearing a Snow Patrol t-shirt. As he's ringing things up I say, "Oh, did you go to the Snow Patrol concert?"

He happily replies, "Yes, I did."

"Wasn't it a great concert? They are one of my new favorites," I say.

"Yes, the are really cool and [as he looks right at me] have a real cross-generational appeal."

"Are you saying I am old?" I remark.

"Well, uh, [blushing], I mean...." Chris stammers.

"I'm just giving you a hard time, Chris. I am older than you," I say as cheerfully as I can muster.

It's official. I am now the age that I couldn't ever imagine becoming when I was young and carefree like Chris.

When Toddlers and Scissors Mix

After a lengthy discussion, Emerson now knows the correct answers to the following questions:

1. Who cuts your hair? Miss Alice.

2. Who doesn't cut your hair? Not me!

Big Things

Lotsa big stuff going on in our little corner of the universe...

1. We bought a new house. It's got everything we could want and more. We close on September 21 and can't wait to start calling it home sweet home.

2. Emerson started going poopy on the toilet at home. All he needs is a little privacy (and sometimes some books) and he seems to have it.

3. I have been reading more now than ever and it feels really good.

4. We went to a movie...The Bourne Ultimatum...and loved it.

5. I finished up my postcards for Karen's postcard project. A picture and more on this shortly.