40 Minutes of Hula Hooping Makes a Gal Really Tired

Last weekend, Mike and I received a gift. Not just an ordinary gift - we received this. I really wanted one, but couldn't see why we should spend the money on it. In my mind, we need things like diapers for Patrick, gas for our cars, food for our bellies, and did I mention, diapers for Patrick?

Nevertheless, we received it. We've been playing and playing. I have Wii-itis in my wrist already. But it didn't stop me from ordering this - I figured since we didn't pay the unit, we could pay for an accessory, no?

It arrived via DHL this afternoon.

And now, it's all hooked up, and my hips are killing me. But, oh, what fun!!!

Slide, Squeal, Crash

Shee-it, man. Thursday morning, I was on my way to an appointment with Patrick when I hydroplaned on the entrance ramp to the turnpike. This is what I did to my truck right after I put $40 worth of gas into it:

Luckily, Patrick and I emerged without a scratch, which is more than I can say for the metal guardrail that I hit.

I was kind of hoping the insurance company would call it a total loss and we might be able to buy a gas-saving sedan, but they want to pay for the repairs. So now I wait a few days (weeks, maybe?) for them to call and say it can be picked up.

I really like that truck. It's been with me since as long as I can remember. Certainly before Mike, before marriage, before homeownership. It's one of the things that defines me.

But I was really hoping for something different to define me. Something with a navigation system and a sunroof, maybe. :)

Month Nine

Dear Patrick,

(I realize this is a day early, but I wanted to post it before things got busy and I forgot.)

This month has been a super busy one for you.  The biggest change in our home is that I went back to work part-time, leaving you at home with your grandma for two days a week.  I think it's been tougher on me than you.  After all, your only concerns in life are getting changed, being fed, taking and occasional nap and playing, playing, and more playing.  On the two days I am working, I usually get home too late to put you to bed, but believe me, the first thing I do is rush upstairs to see you. It's the only time of the day when you are not in full swing.  Although I should correct that:  it's the only time of the day when you are *mostly* not in full swing.  You are twist and turn and roll over in your sleep, finding a comfortable spot and then you fall into your deep slumber.

This month, you started eating more and more.  At this point, you are demanding food.  Yogurt.  Carrots.  Applesauce.  Corn and sweet potatoes.  Turkey.  Chicken.  Bananas.  And so on.  It's great to see you eating because at first, you were very skeptical, only letting us feed you little bits at a time.  I finally gave you your first teething biscuit (even though you have no teeth), and you loved gumming it.  I wonder when you'll demand your first piece of fried chicken... tee hee hee.

You have learned how to sit up all on your own.  And now, on the nights when I put you to bed, I only place you in your crib and leave you alone.  At first, I would lay you down, only to turn my back and have you sit right up.  Now, I know better.  Your crib is full of some of your favorite toys:  a puppy, a monkey, a soft book.  And every evening, you sit and play with these toys until you fall asleep.  I assume you fall over when you are exhausted, since I walk in to see you lying across your crib or nestled in the corner.  I carefully move your toys out of your way.  But then in the morning, you wake up, sit yourself up and quietly play with your toys until someone comes in your room to help you greet the new day.

You are a very happy boy.  You are all smiles for every one you come across.  You love going out to Target, the grocery store, the mall, even the post office.  You always give folks your gummiest smile and love it when they speak to you and make faces at you.  You are a very social boy and you always manage to put a smile on people's faces. 

This month, we took you to your first minor league baseball game.  Unfortunately, I must have left my mind behind because I forgot to take the camera.  But I will tell you that you were awake for most of the game, falling asleep briefly for the eighth inning, then waking up to see the end of the game and watch your first round of fireworks.  You loved them!  I was expecting you to be frightened by their big boom, but no, you took it all in, loving every minute of it.

We also took you to your first community day in our town.  You loved spending time in the grass, showing up your latest moves.  You aren't crawling forward just yet.  Instead, you get on your hands and knees, rock back and forth and then, just as we think you are going to crawl toward us, you go backward.  We laugh and when you see us, you giggle as if you've just done the funniest thing in the whole world.

You are trying to communicate with us too.  You babble - BABABABABABABA - and make all kinds of noises.  Your most famous one (at least your dad's favorite) is when you blow air and let it flow on your lips, almost making a puff noise. 

You are spending time in your pack and play during the day:  you have an assortment of toys that you play with including a big stuffed monkey, various teething rings, a talking bear, and stacking cups.  You haven't quite figured out how to stack them, but for some reason, you love throwing them, then picking them up, putting one in your mouth and another on your big toy.  Don't ask me why you do it, Patrick, after all, it's *your* game.

You've outgrown your bouncy seat - we simply thought you would catapult out of it with your incessant bouncing.  Instead, you prefer your high chair and pack and play.  You also enjoy taking walks in your big boy stroller which lets you sit upright.  You love seeing all the action and have taking to touching all the clothes on the clothing racks when we go shopping.

As I mentioned before, you still are toothless.  You keep putting things in your mouth, though, including your fingers, so we figure it will be any day now. 

You continue to love bathtime, except now, you sit up and play with your bath toys as we wash you.  You love getting your hair washed and you know that as soon as you are finished in the bathtub, we will let you roll all over the bed as we get you ready for bed.

Patrick, there are only a few things in this world that I truly love.  And you are at the top of my list.

Until next month,

Momma

This is how I'm going to ship him to Miami

When I got home from work tonight, this is what was waiting for me:

 

Enjoying a beautiful summer day

Birthday wishes

Today is my good friend's birthday, so go, go on, wish her a happy birthday!

I'm not as funny as Bill Cosby, but hopefully, you'll get the point

So it's only 2 in the afternoon and I've already changed not one, not two, but THREE diapers full of poop.

The first one was cute:  Oh did poo poo, Patrick.  It must be all the food you've been eating.  Good job!

The second was still cute: Poo poo again?  Wow, Patrick, you're such a big boy.

The third one, not so cute: Again?  You did it again?  AGAIN? 

I think we're going for a record here, folks.

And I haven't fed him mangoes in about two weeks!

Three Years

Dear Hubby,

Three years ago today, I married you. Thanks for giving me the best three years of my life thus far. Your commitment to me and our son motivates and encourages me to strive for the greatest things in life.

Thanks for giving my life meaning. Thanks for loving me. Thanks for being a great husband, father, and friend.

Annie