Fishy Fish

Sissy successfully finished up her school swim season. She made excellent progress this year and was swimming mostly in the fastest heats by the end of the season. Coach had her doing the butterfly more often, much to Sissy's dismay. But, she persevered and made me proud. It was hard to take quality photos of her in the pool because I was usually sitting high up in the bleachers or had other people's noggins in my way, but I did the best I could.

On the day of the championship meet, we had to get up before dawn and eat bacon in the car on the way. Oh, the sacrifices we make.

Over the course of the season, Sissy dropped 13.5 seconds off her 100 IM, 3.1 seconds off her 50 Fly, and 5 seconds off her 50 Breaststroke.

Congratulations to Sissy!

Band Bop

Sissy had her winter concert for band. We arrived early so we could get enough seats for us and my niece's family. The place was packed when we walked in! We arrived 30 minutes early. Who are these weirdos arriving even earlier?

People without lives, that's who.

Sissy was nervous leading up to the concert because they were playing a fast piece and in her words, "We fall apart near the end." 

Oy vey. There's not much that is more painful to the ears than listening to a middle school band fall apart during a song.

My expectations were low.

But they did great! I was pleasantly surprised and it was a lovely concert. 

Navigating the crowds was not as pleasant but I was proud of Sissy and enjoyed the evening nonetheless.

Sissy's Young Women's leader came to the concert with her daughter because 3 girls from our ward are in the band. It was a thoughtful gesture and she snapped photos when I failed to take any.

Hey, gimme a break. I was trying to keep a 2-year-old from screeching during the performance. It ain't easy, you know.

Hooray for Sissy! I'm proud of her.

Obsessed

Michael has a new obsession. It's called using Snapchat filters with Baby.

Sissy has a new obsession. It's called Hollow Knight.

Baby has a new obsession. It's called bathing while wearing a swimsuit.

Booney has a new obsession. It's called eating.

Oh, wait. That's always been my obsession.

Some things never change. 

Thanks to the Giving

My sissy made the long journey from Rhode Island to join us for Thanksgiving. And I mean LONG journey. Stupid Connecticut and their stupid traffic. 

But I was surely glad to have her!

It was a delightful Thanksgiving break. Short, but delightful. 

We mostly loitered around the house and took it easy. We built a puzzle. My niece is a huge puzzler and was able to complete the Zelda puzzle from last year that Mykey and I couldn't complete. Just to be annoying, there was a piece missing! I emailed the company and they said they couldn't send me the exact piece, but they would replace the entire puzzle. Yeah, right! I ain't rebuilding that thing. It's currently sitting fully assembled on a shelf in the garage. Mykey is going to 3D print the missing piece and Sissy will paint it to blend in with the rest of the puzzle. 

We had Thanksgiving dinner at my cousin's house. Even with sharing the food responsibilities, I still did a dang lot of cooking! Good thing I had help.

The food was delicious and we enjoyed a pleasant day.

We enjoyed lazy days and relaxation. We played games, Sissy and my niece played Nintendo, we played Jack Box, Mykey worked on making programmable Christmas lights, we went to see the new Wicked movie - Baby actually did great this year and I was able to watch the entire movie - and we sat around drinking soda and talking. It was lovely in every way.

And then they went home and I cried. 

Why do they always leave?

But Happy Thanksgiving anyway!

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!)