mommyhood

Musically speaking.

My friend Scott, who is our graphic designer, is in a band.  He is a youngster with tattoos and his lip pierced and all sorts of other wild stuff my girls (and son) better not ever dream of doing. There is only one tattoo you can actually see. On his forearm.  He is happy to tell you he has another one, but doesn't divulge the location.  And that's saying something, when you won't volunteer the location of your mystery tattoo to all the women you work with.  However, while he is a wild guitar player by night (bass, to be specific), by day he is as Clark Kent as you can get.  Sometimes, he even wears glasses.  A rocker. With glasses.  Seriously. 

Anyway.  During the day, Scott plays selections (ooohhh... what an NPR word) from his iPod.  I can hear them, since my little "office" is just next door.  To his credit, he has quite a diverse playlist.  Somedays it's Garth Brooks.  Somedays it's Metallica.  Somedays it's people I have never, ever heard of.  Ever. 

So yesterday, he had one of those groups I have never heard of.  But I liked.  A lot.   And today, when I came in - I found a present on my desk.  A copy of their CD.  Just for me.

Now, mostly, Scott left me this present because, he's out for the next three days, which means I will be doing his job, as little of it as I can, will leave with a massive headache everday and will curse his name at least 1.2 million times before he returns next Wednesday.

In any case, until then, I will be playing my very own Augustana CD.  "Can't Love, Can't Hurt."  And feeling very, very hip.

Belated.

So, on Sunday, my sister and her hubby, Mr. Brandon Wade, celebrated their YEAR anniversary.

I think I am supposed to buy her some paper goods, or something like that.  Certainly, one thing we don't have enough OF in this family is stationery.  Seriously.

I forgot to call her (bad sister) however, I am VERY VERY proud of both of them - as marriage, especially with two four-legged-children is not always easy.

Love you Both Bunches. Happy FIRST Anniversary.  No matter what mom says, I wouldn't eat the year old wedding cake.  No way.

XOXO

From my Inbox...

Another installment.  Because it makes me smile.  From my friend Kelly. 

"...I want to see you...and the belly now known as Landon."

*******************************************************************

Now I just need a receptionist.

This morning, I came into work to find that I had been given my very own office.  Yes indeed, a brand new, fancy desk, rug, lamp and table, as well as new computer with faster this-and-that.  An actual "space" of my very own, complete with walls and shelving and a real-live entrance.  I think this might be because my bosses tired of me throwing things directly at customers, and this way, they figure I have to go to a LOT more effort to piss people off. 

Now, if I want, I can pick my fingernails in peace - or even chew with my mouth open.

This is a step up, for a girl like me - to say the least.  I might even consider sleeping here.  Tomorrow, I will bring in my camera and share the joy of brand new office furniture and product with all of you.  It's almost like living in Staples.

H2O Bebe

Let's take a quick break from all these introductions to drool over Jackson, shall we?

Ready?

Oh. My. Goodness.  Dontcha just want to eat him up?

He's crawling now. And pushing his Hippo around the floor.  Which means, by my calculations, he'll be walking like, soon - and Jenn's life as she knows it will be OVER. 

Not my life of course.  Because I am Aunt Rachael.  Which means I show up for the fun stuff and then get to go home.

Hope you enjoyed this little break.  Regularly scheduled posting will now continue.

Baby Fix.

Oh look! It's Jackson! (everyone say, "Hi Jackson!")

This fashionable picture was taken on Jackson's very first camping trip, during which I understand he was mostly a complete angelic delight.  Like, he slept all night and swam in the lake and even made his own dinner... no, wait, scratch that last part.  And do you know anyone else who dresses as stylin' as this one? Tell me? Plaid hat and all. Kudos to his Mama for the coordination skillz.

He's eight months old now, and  everyone wants to hold him.  I don't much let them, though.  And he reaches for me, did I mention that? Did I also mention that I was there watching when he made his first wordly appearence? DID I?

His little lip is healing beautifully.  He'll have another surgery in a couple of years to do the finishing touches.   About a month ago, he had his first surgery to repair his cleft palate, which is the roof of you rmouth.  That went swimmingly too, other than the nervous breakdown and divorce he almost caused his parents by timing his recovery with a faaaabulous ear infection! Complete with allergic reaction to antibiotics! YAY!  I think he was just thinking he would go ahead and get it allll over with at once. 

Of course, everytime I was around he was all, "Aunt Rachael I don't know WHAT they're talking about.  I smile and laugh like this all the time."   So then his mom threatened to call me at 4AM when he woke up screaming, and I told her no I would pass.  Because really I don't believe that my little cherub could ever make any other noise than a sweet laugh. 

Anyway, once Jackson was feeling himself again, complete with repaired mouth - he learned an amazing trick - eating and breathing ... AT THE SAME TIME!  He'd look around while taking a bottle like, ARE YOU GETTING THIS? REALLY? BECAUSE THIS EATING AND BREATHING THING? IT'S LIKE MAGIC!

************************************************************************************************************************

You can read more about cleft palate here through the March of Dimes website.  If you would like to know more about charities that help families pay for surgeries and hospital stays related to cleft palate and lip repair, please visit the site for The Shriners Hospitals for Children.

No one really loves you like your mum.

Happy Mothers Day to my Mom.  Mimi. Robin. Superboss.  Whatever you might call her.

(Charleston, 2006)

Not obsessed.

Maggie Mason of the famed Mighty Goods site has posted her Mothers Day Gift Guide for 2008.  She's a smart lady with some cleverish ideas.  Of course, that's the understatement of the year coming from a Blog Nothing like myself, however, I love reading her gift ideas.   Um, you did remember Mom's Day is Sunday, right?  It's a Hallmark-created holiday that everyone should participate, unless of course you thank the Mothers in your life on a daily basis, and frequently shower them with chocolates, breakfast in bed and Flickr Pro Accounts.  That last one was juuussstt a teeeny hint.

Back to Maggie Mason.  Being that I am a Stationery Maven and all, you'll be happy to know that I give her Classic Stationery Wardrobe my stamp of Stationery Approval, as well as her Fun Stationery Wardrobe .  YOU. NEED. THIS. STUFF.  Really.  Take it from me. I have enough stationery in my house to open a small store. Oh wait! That's what I am supposed to be doing!  I almost forgot!

The truth is, I am a Maggie Mason fan. Along with 376,989 other people, I follow her on Twitter and read her blog like, everyday.  No, I'll never meet her in real life, but I can certainly do some virtual drooling. Much like some people  I bought her first book when it debuted on the shelves of the internet, and can't wait to have a copy of her latest collaboration.  I might as well point you in the direction of her personal blog as well, which has a fabulous list that every woman should read and hang onto.  Print it out and execute. 

And that Hank - he's so handsome!

Nostalgia.

Here's to all the nights, stretched out in the floor with my dad, watching The Muppets.

Wild America II.

 

Spring through Fall, Mimi's back porch is the place gather.  To read, talk, sip coffee...

We nap on the swings, rock in the rocking chairs... have supper together... and do our best to solve all the world's problems right here.  If our President had a back porch like this - maybe gas prices wold be lower.  Seriously.  We recently discovered that we have been sharing our sacred space with someone else... and it's NOT the President.

Four tiny little visitors, with one hard workin' Mama.  Aren't all single moms hard working?  They left the nest for the first time a couple of days ago, and are busy trying to find their way off the porch.  Check out the "nest-head" this little guy has.  That's not gonna be so flattering with the ladies, buddy.  You might want to try a little Feather Gel.

And you can clearly see the word "attitude" written all over this one's face. That or he's thinking, "Whatchu talkin' bout Willis?"  A little big for his britches, perhaps.  Hmmm... I think he and SB would get along famously.

**no birds were harmed during the photo shoot for this post... pissed off, perhaps, but never harmed**