46 Years Yold

Well, I did it. I turned 46. Whew. 

I feel weird about it. And old. And weird.

Aging is a trip that I prefer not to take.

But...I had a most spectacular birthday. I share my birthday with 3 other family members and one of them happens to live nearby now. How divine!

We began our celebration with lasagna. You can't go wrong with cheese and pasta.

Mykey setup balloons for us. They kept randomly popping and startling me. You gotta be careful with loud noises and a 46-year-old. I could have a heart attack. Or even worse, I could pee myself. 

My nephew-in-law and I couldn't decide on a birthday cake that we would both enjoy. After many suggestions, my niece chimed in with peanut butter. Why yes, we do both appreciate peanut butter. 

So that's what I made. Baby helped.

Mykey splurged for a singing candle. It emitted an ear-piercing rendition of Happy Birthday. But Baby was enthralled. 

We opened gifts and imbibed in the delicious cake. We gave my nephew Goldfish crackers and a shawl to keep his shoulders warm.

I received a new Kate Spade bag from my niece and nephew. I had mentioned how cute it was while watching a TV show about lost luggage. They scoured the interweb and found it for me. My heart smiled at their thoughtfulness.

I also received money from my parents and my sissy - I'm using it to purchase new Birkenstocks. Mykey got me slippers and chocolate, and 3D printed a Tootsie Pop holder filled with lollipops. 

My cousin sent me shower scrub. I enjoy that kind of stuff in a big way.

And Sissy painted me a special picture of giraffes. I love them and I love her. 

I received texts and phone calls all day from people who love me. It was a nice way to celebrate turning 46. 

Happy Birthday to me!

My Sissy

My sissy and brother-in-law came to visit! I loved everything about it - the sitting around talking, the food, the hugs, the laughter, all of it.

Perfection. 

They weren't actually here to see me. They came to see their grandbaby, of course. But I was definitely a beneficiary of their presence. 

We didn't do anything extravagant. My niece is only a few days postpartum after all. We went for a walk in the trees, we cooked together, we went to Sam's Club, we went to Sissy's swim meet and watched her sit like Gollum on the team bench, we held the baby, we played with a karaoke machine that my niece's husband rescued from a "free" pile on my neighbor's driveway - you know, all the usual things. 

I loved it.

We also had some excitement when the heat pump at the condo quit working. The temperature was single digits outside so that was not ideal with a newborn. I sent over space heaters and electric blankets. Thankfully they survived until the heat pump was repaired. (The one-year-old heat pump that was significantly expensive by the way. Don't get me started on that rant.)

Anyway, the days passed far too quickly and I wished my sissy and brother-in-law could stay forever. Just move here already!

Check Up

I took Baby in for her Well Child check up recently. I was supposed to take her when she turned 2 but I did not. You see, our doctor was a resident and he finished his residency. He was no longer at the clinic. I was procrastinating choosing another provider because I really like our doctor and was bitter he was gone.

And then...a miracle happened. 

My niece was asking me about where we go for medical care. I told her a lengthy story about our doctor and the nerve of the guy finishing residency and moving on. She asked where he went and I realized that I actually didn't know. So I Googled him.

He's at a clinic a mere 20 miles up the road. How exciting! I called the clinic to make an appointment for Baby. 

Michael told me I was a creeper and that the doctor was going to think I was a stalker when I showed up.

At the appointment I asked the doctor if he thought I was a creepy stalker. 

Negatory! He said that we were some of his favorite patients and he was sad about losing us. He was glad that I was willing to drive the 20 miles to stay with him. Take that, Michael!

Anyway...Baby had her check up and everything went well. And now we have our doctor back.  

Here is how she measures up at nearly 2 1/2 years old:

Height: 3' 1.75": 96th percentile

Weight: 32 lbs: 85th percentile

Baby continues to be a delight. She is tidy and helpful. She will bring us items without asking - things like your shoes, a soda, your phone, anything she thinks you may need. She always cleans up her messes and puts her socks in the drawer when she takes them off. She hates having a dirty face and hands.

Baby loves to play and read. She also sings or hums nearly every day. She is shy and tenderhearted. She is obsessed with her Sissy, Frozen II, and the original Grinch cartoon from 1966. 

Baby is truly a joy.

I'm glad we have this girl! (And our doctor!)

Can I Get a 23?

Michael and I celebrated 23 years of marriage. I was 23-years-old when we were married. That means I've been with this guy for half my life. That's 23 years of enduring his flatulence and picking his shorts up off the floor everyday. 

That's a lot of toots and shorts.

Here's the best part: I love him more 23 years later than I did on the day we were married. It's a blessing.

So, to celebrate our tenacity in putting up with each other this long, we went on a date.

First we took a selfie. I look like a drag queen. 23 years really does a number on a person's features.

Then we had a delicious steak dinner and I ate like a walrus.  

Then we went to Home Depot to get a part for the bathroom sink. Can you feel the romance brewing?

Our next stop was Hobby Lobby to buy Christmas cards since they were on sale. The passion is palpable.

Then we ate ice cream and went home. Can you feel the heat?

Even though we didn't do anything particularly exciting or romantic, it was a perfect evening. My favorite thing is just being with Michael. It doesn't matter what we're doing or not doing; his presence is the gift. 

I'm grateful that our 23 years together have brought us closer, and that he truly is my partner in every way. It isn't an easy venture, but we are committed and making it work. Kudos to us.

Happy 23rd Anniversary to my love!   

Oh, Baby!

Ever tried castor oil? 

I tried it for the first time recently. It was dreadful.

When I tipped the cup to my lips, the fragrance alone made my stomach twirl in disgust and I nearly puked.

You might be curious why I was dinking around on a Sunday afternoon drinking castor oil. 

Peer pressure. Don't fall for it, kids.

My niece was doing it to induce labor. I thought she was nutso and scoffed at her naivety. Well, guess what?

She went into labor the next day. Who's laughing now?! (Not my niece - delivering a human smarts a bit)

But now we have this guy in our midst!   

How strange to be a Great Aunt. I held my niece on the day she was born and now I'm holding her baby. It's a bizarre feeling and it's augmented by the fact that I have a 2-year-old. How can I be a Great Aunt AND have a toddler? Either I'm old or I'm young. Which is it?

Perhaps I'm yold.

But I'm also joyful at the safe arrival of my great nephew, and the beautiful expansion of our family.

Welcome to the world, little Buddy!

Halloween!

This year was all Gravity Falls for Halloween. Sissy was Mabel and Baby was her pet pig, Waddles. We couldn't find a reasonably priced sweater so Sissy ended up painting the design herself on advice from my brother. It looked great. I was going to be a gypsy but it turns out my butt is too big for the costume.

I hang my head in shame and sorrow.

Now pass the candy.

But my niece had the best costume of all. She looks like she's about to pop.

We went to our friend's house for pizza and trick-or-treating. 

The weather was nice and we had a stellar time meandering the streets with Baby. We promptly lost sissy and her friends, as they crazily ran ahead without us. 

Sissy ran into another group of her friends while out so they combined together and went back to watch a movie after hitting every house they could.

We took Baby home to assess her haul and put her tired bones to bed. 

Sissy arrived home much later after the movie was over. It was my first time waiting up for my teenager. Weird.

Happy Halloween!

Weekend of Sissy - The Finale

Monday arrived and it was Sissy's actual day of birth. Baby and I decorated her door while she was at school. And then waited and waited for her to get home and see it.

After school we gave Sissy the remainder of her presents. My parents sent her a card and money. I asked her to smile nicely and this is what she gave me.

Now it's immortalized. That's what she gets. 

Mykey and I gave her a Notre Dame Lego set and light kit.

Baby was upset that Sissy wouldn't let her open the gifts and performed her flopping routine. It's a regular occurance.

Sissy had swim practice and then our final hurrah was ice cream before bed.

Whew! What a celebration. Booney is tired.

Happy birthday to my girl!