Wednesday, August 24, 2011

BAD ME! Long time, No write!

My apologies, world of writing! I have been a terrible, mean, monstrous blog keeper... can you ever forgive me, blog?

But there has been a good reason for all that absence! Gwen is walking, sleeping in a toddler bed, bottle weaned and FINGER PAINTING!


Also, there has been some new developments in the eating like a big girl department, such as sitting at the big folk table with a real plate (all her own, peter rabbit, nonetheless) and chowing down on some sundry yumminess.


Aside from this, Gwen TURNED ONE on August 20th- we celebrated with a morning party of bacon and eggs, before a few gifties and then a speedy hightailing over to the McCusker's for Zoey's birthday. And we had such a GOOD time. Gwen was digging the other babies, other grown ups time- and little Rebecca, Anna and Tim from down the street were there too.

Of course, as all mom's are, I am so proud and amazed at the natural leaps and bounds she progresses everyday- and I am enjoying, so very much enjoying, participating and guiding her in her quest for eventual (and hopefully not a moment too soon) adulthood.

Apart from Gwen being awesome, there has been no shortage of stress around here (possible relocation, possible hurricane, possible loss of a job, etc.) but we have been loving each other tenderly and tirelessly in spite of all that. Do not misunderstand me, some days we are more ready to punch than kiss, but it only takes a moment to dismiss the urge and laugh instead. These times are trying, and exceedingly full of tribulation, but these are the times that God takes his hands and while He heals, He sculpts. He asks us the hard questions, He puts us up against the tough decisions, and in that we can call ourselves not only Man, but God's children. It is all part of the symphony of rising above.

The dogs are doing so well! Arya is smoothing out more and more each day (we had a month or so period where she decided to be VERY jealous of Nym and act like a horrid banshee- but with some additional training and an extra thorough schedule, we have managed to make it to the other side.) And Nym, it turns out, just looks like a dog. Really, she is a large horse.

Yesterday at her 12ish week vet appointment, she registered as being healthy and behaved beautifully. It was confirmed that is likely not pit bull at all, instead she is a mastiff/ lab retriever mix, which as she has gotten older, has become more and more apparent. (She makes lab faces and plays around just like one too.) She has more than doubled in size and more than doubled in weight as well- now registering at nearly 26 pounds. And no, she has not at all grown in to her ears or her feet- they are just growing with her.


In my absence from writing, I have managed to get some fun and interesting reading done! So time for some book reviews! (No, I have not caught up to current on a Song of Fire and Ice- I am choosing to take a break from those as the men that I live with tend to have "slips of the tongue" in reference to major events in those books- and that in turn makes me want to "punch them in the face." ) 

First Up! 

A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson... who's cover looks something like this! 

For those of you who may not be super familiar with the name, Bill Bryson, he's a pretty neat dude! He lived in England for years (working there as a journalist I believe) before returning to America. To keep it short and simple so you can experience the bit for yourself, this book is all about Mr.Bryson's decision to be incredible stupid and suddenly decide that, without having hiked in years and being fairly out of shape and mostly ill prepared, he should hike the Appalachian Trail. I mean... all of it. Not a day hike. Not a week hike. All of it. (That's, more or less, a majority of the entire east coast.) And he is also fairly convinced that he'll be eaten by a bear.

On top of this perhaps impulsive idea- he decides to enlist the company of his old friend, who happens to be a complete waste of space and a superb idiot. It is a book of  funny bickering, weird encounters with folks on the trail, some very poignant truths about being a soft, fleshy human amongst hard, true wilderness- and also some compelling and interesting facts about how the Appalachian Trail became what it is.... honestly; if you love to hike, or love to hear about other people hiking, read it. It's short, easy and thoroughly enjoyable.  

Next up- this GEM, called The Mother's Guide to the Meaning of Life, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal 

If you are anything like me, you are looking at this cover and thinking the same thing- this book will probably not be very funny, but it may make me feel like crying and snuggling my baby with irritating zeal over her good health and sweet smile... It just seems like the kind of book about motherhood that's going to get you all needlessly sappy. Right? Actually- no! This book is HILARIOUS! I mean, really, REALLY funny! There were several points where I had to drop the book, whip my head back and cackle- she often nails those bits of being a mother that American Hollywood likes to scan over playfully. The difference is, she captures the moment so well you can see your own child in the scene, boggling your mind with a ridiculous thought or a total temper tantrum. She's so real- and so easy to relate to. 

But even better about this book, is that interspersed with the hilarity is a LOT of practicality- little tips hidden in the corner of pages, some blank pages at the back of the book for your grocery lists, to do lists, in general lists; inspirational quotes for mothers, excellent advice about ditching perfectionism as a wife and mother... the list continues. It's so perfect, because she's not beating you over the head with advice or with wisdom- which means that you will likely be far more affected by it and remember it far more thoroughly. If you are a mother, at any stage of the game, READ THIS BOOK. It's only 122 pages, it's built with extra sturdy binding and out of the weird plastic stuff that a lot of cheesy books are made out of (really resilient against toddler's, mind you) and will totally fit in your purse, potentially your back pocket, and most certainly your diaper bag. Do it ladies, DO IT! 


THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME DANCE AROUND LIKE A SUGAR LOADED BABY: 

1. Um, Christmas. Anyone who knows me knows that Christmas and I are having an affair. I love that time of year with a childlike reverence that I highly doubt I will ever lose. God is so thick in the air during that time, because just as there are millions of people who buy in to the commercialism, there are just as many fighting back with the true spirit of the thing- and at least for me, I can really tell the difference. 

2. HALLOWEEN! Before awesome Christmas, comes AWESOME Halloween, which is just marvelous because now that I have kids, I have a perfectly good excuse to get WAY to in to dressing up and being a five year old again. Gwen will be old enough to actually GO trick or treating this year too, and words really can't describe how totally wonderful that makes my heart feel. I haven't the slightest idea what she will be for Halloween, but you know that Daddy and I will love making her in to it, whatever she is! 

3. THANKSGIVING! Because Gwen will be able to eat all of the yummy foods this year. And by then, I will definitely no longer be pregnant. Izzy will be here and life (for me) can begin to resemble something other than puking, having really sore legs and feeling like a beached whale. Seriously, I LOVE the process we go through as mother's, but this round has been (and continues to be) exhausting- when I go in to labor this time around, I'm putting my war paint on! IZZY, YOU COMIN' OUT! 

4. EXERCISE! The lack of this in my life, I have realized, always leads to me feeling kinda "bleh". It's works so well for me- to feel good about my body, to keep my energy up... it makes me happy, it wears me out so I can sleep, etc. Yay for when I am with newborn and the whole family can go for long walks and after things chill out a bit, Mommy can hit the weights and pilates again. 

5. FALL! I know last year I was all about some summer, but the heat and I have not been friends this year at all. Pregnant with Gwen, I could be on the water, in the sun in well over 100 degree heat, at 3 days past due and I was feeling fancy free- this time? Walking to the car, just to sit on my rump in 100 degree heat has made me feel like I've been shot in the gut and there is an imminent faint coming for me. I am more than ready to wear a nice sweater and some jeans. I do miss jeans in the summer. 

6. FINGERPAINTING! CRAYONS! MARKERS! Gwen can do these things now! I can't wait to make all sorts of silly crafty things and decorate the house with them. We've gotten a start on it and she really seems to enjoy it. 

7. NAP TIME. Gwen takes naps now. I am still a little bit in disbelief. :) 

8. MY LOVE. When Tristan come home at the end of the day. When I get a kiss in my sleep when he leaves in the morning. When he's a big, mean butthole and I want to punch his lights out. All day. Everyday- no matter what. I just adore everything about the man! I can not at all imagine that I could have as full a life without him. 

9. OUR DOGS. Really, I love them. They are so sweet and are turning in to such good companions- it's rough right now trying to reserve the money for their puppy needs (vet wise) right now, but you know what? Kids need puppies and so do I. Like exercising, it's good for me to have a dog or two. They, a lot like kids and husbands, make me complete. My whole life has been filled with marvelous canine companions- and the rest of my life should hardly look any different. 

10. GETTING OLDER. I love establishing traditions, drinking tea and having excellent stories to tell. We all know that I am likely to end up being that crazy, tiny little old lady that says whatever the hell she wants and can drink a 20 year old under the table- but more than that, I am looking forward to the years adding their own touch. I love wrinkles and I love gray hair- I think, like a lion's mane, they are a symbol of unique majesty that seems to communicate so much about a being in one instance. I won't slow down until I die, I know that- and I am excited for all the road wear I will incur. To me, there is nothing better than an old man or woman who looks every bit of their 85 but their eyes and their smile still belong to a child. 

My list could go on, but alas, my time for writing is over. What gets you super pumped about life? Are you excited for the holiday season? My next post (probably) will be about tradition- what family traditions have warmed you over the years? Have you made any new ones of your own?





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