Easter

Holidays are strange for us. There's no marrying of them between our families. My family is a little estranged right now, and so we rarely do any sort of holiday festivities with them. Joe's family is tiny, so the holiday functions are always very low key and just nice. So nice.

We had Easter at Joe's cousin's house. Our kids are the only little ones in the family, so for the two years, the Easter egg hunts have been centered around Nathan. He certainly didn't mind.


This was the first time that anyone in Joe's family, aside from his parents, met Daniel. Between SNOMAGEDDON and the RSV adventure, no one had seen him yet. So, it was a nice way to introduce him.

Below is a picture of Joe's mom with Daniel. Doesn't she look great? She's done with chemo and on to radiation. She's wearing a wig, but her hair is coming back. She said she's hoping for curls like the little monkey has.

It's a new week of being a SAHM and it's definitely getting better. Thank you all for the encouragement.

Hearts and Flowers

Happy Valentine's Day, y'all! (I've been watching a little too much Paula Deen.) I'm currently celebrating in silence. Both children, for the first time in 3 1/2 weeks, are napping at the same time. I'm in heaven... if only I was napping too.

Joe and I "went out" this weekend for Valentine's Day. His parents were kind enough to take both boys while we went to Olive Garden. Is that lame or what? I happen to love Olive Garden, but am sort of embarrassed by it, because we live in a city with amazing Italian food. In fact, I lived in Little Italy for the first three years I was here. Yet, Olive Garden. I have no explanations.

Our outing was really rained on when we heard of Joe's best friend's aunt having passed away. That probably sounds like too many degrees of separation to really matter, but Joe and O have been friends for 20 years and O's family is like his own. I'd know this beautiful woman for ten years and am just heartbroken. She was seriously one of the kindest people I've ever met. Hospitality was certainly her gift, and I don't know what her love language was, but she showed love to everyone she'd ever met. About a year and a half ago, she had an aneurysm and she'd made a full recovery. She had another one last week, and went in for surgery. She wasn't so lucky this time. Her family sent out the most beautiful and heartbreaking email I've ever read.

"Our beloved [Sue] was lifted on the wings of angels to Heaven today. Surrounded by her family that loved her and the thoughts and prayers of so many other family and friends; in the end God's plan for Sue called for her physical presence to leave us but her spirit is embedded in our hearts forever and in the hearts of all the people whose lives she touched."

I'm crying reading it for the tenth time.

Joe hasn't been quite the same since we found out. I think part of it is that he's still very afraid for his mom in her cancer battle. Another thing, I think, is the worry that someday, something may happen to one of us. What does that loss do to the one left behind? And now, we have these two precious little boys who depend on us so completely. But me? I can't worry about that. I can only love the three of them today like it's my last. That's how I roll.

Hug your loved ones a little tighter today. And really, celebrate that love, because it is the greatest of these.

Memoriam

I don't have a military family, but I have family members who have served one way or another. My youngest brother was in the Illinois National Guard for 8 years, and my mom's brothers have all served in peacetime.

But, that doesn't prevent me from thinking about the men and women whose sacrifices have granted us so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to the soldiers, as well as their families who gift them to us so that we might sleep a little more soundly tonight.

As someone who works in law enforcement, I see these same sorts of souls do this on a daily basis. The people on the front lines who rush into danger to get you out... even when you're cursing and spitting on them, or if they don't know you. So, I believe we should not only honor those who serve so diligently in the U.S. Armed Forces, but also those who serve us in our own back yard. I find that their daily sacrifice, while not being concerned with roadside bombs and AEDs, is true. Thank you too.

Am Still Alive

Just tired, stressed, but doing okay.

I hope you all have a beautiful Memorial Day weekend.

Painting by Lee Teeter

Looking Forward

Hi! Well, I must admit that I'm fairly glad to say goodbye to 2009. It was mostly a stressful and challenging year for us. So much so that I'm thinking of deleting the vast majority of posts from this past year. They didn't say much more than "Omigah! S T R E S S! But, I have a cute kid!"

I need to realize that there have been good things this year too:

• I kept my job
• Nathan has grown from a baby to a toddler to a little boy
• I've gotten to spend more time with my family than previous years, mostly due to Nathan
• We found our new apartment, which I love love love
• A bunch of my friends are either pregnant or just had babies
• I was baptized

So really ... a lot of good in this year full of negativity. I think that's a good lesson to take going into 2010.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Healthy Thanksgiving

Hi guys ... just a quick shout out... I'm looking for healthy recipes to take to my parents' house for Thanksgiving. I mean, yes, I could do a google search for recipes... but it would be nice to know what's worked for you.

My mom is cooking the traditional Thanksgiving fare: Turkey, stuffing, pies, some sort of casserole. I'm planning on bringing a sweet bread, rolls, side dish, and a low-calorie dessert.

Any suggestions?

Vacation Pictures

I know some of you have seen these on Facebook. But for those of you who haven't --- this is what we did on our summer vacation.

We went to a Baltimore Orioles game, where Nathan thoroughly enjoyed The Targo's sunglasses and dancing in the stands.

(I love these men!)

We also enjoyed time walking along the National Mall.


Nathan enjoyed the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. We ran him around until he collapsed!

We were going to go to the National Zoo, but couldn't find parking at the Metro station. So, we let Nathan and Amy's little boy run around like lunatics at the Manassas battlefied.

The Targo and I are convinced that he turned into a toddler right then and there. Between the skinned knees and the sun-kissed cheeks, there's no baby left in my baby. It's bittersweet because he honestly becomes more fun every day.

Kindness of Strangers

The scene: A bar/restaurant in Chicago. The cast is having brunch. Nathan is covered in chocolate pound cake.

Me: Here Nathan, let me wipe your face and hands. Then, I'll give you your pacifier.

Nathan squirms and nearly gets away, but submits ... because hey! Pacifier! There's a freaky old guy drinking a gin and tonic with his breakfast, stage left. Old guy beckons our heroine to him.

Creepy old dude: Hi. Who told you to use a pacifier?

Me (huh?): Um, no one.

Creepy old dude: Well, I'm a doctor and it's just not a good idea. How old is he?

Me: 15 months.

Creepy old dude: Don't keep giving it to him. It's not a good idea.

Me: (mumbling something like, thanks for your concern)

After our hero and heroine pay the bill, the walk to the car. Once inside, our heroine looks completely dumbfounded.

Me: Dude. I hope when I get that old I'm not like that.

The Targo: Yeah, that was weird.

Me: Well, maybe it's not so bad, just telling random people "what's what!"

Easter-ish

When I was a kid, all of the people on my mom's side of the family would gather at Great-Grandma Jones' house. Each set of parents would bring a dozen eggs per cousin ... and my goodness, LET THE GAMES BEGIN!! As much fun as it was, there was always one cousin who got like 2 eggs. I'm sorry, Bobby ... but it's totally true.

The Sunday before Easter, we took Nathan to a Chicago Park District Easter egg hunt. What a mess. It was in this tiny tot lot. There were at least 50 kids, including some 10-12 year olds. AND - the worst part - there were maybe 100 eggs. Maybe. At the beginning, the coordinator (and I use that term loosely) stated that children three and under would go first. After everyone and their teenage friends went in, the dude was like "yeah, whatever."


All Nathan got was a broken half of an egg. Fortunately, he didn't care at all.

My mom and dad visited for the weekend. We took Nathan to the Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Lincoln Park Zoo. He really enjoyed the automatic doors at the Conservatory and the fish tanks. The Targo believes Nathan thought the fish tank was the TV. I'm not sure what that says about us as parents... We then took The Targo to The Counter for dinner. Only gourmet burgers for my man!



On Easter, we traveled up to Milwaukee to visit celebrate with The Targo's family. Nathan participated in another Easter egg hunt. During this one, he had the help of his daddy and his grandma. So, he proudly got 6 eggs containing a total of $2 and some candy that The Targo and I ate that night.


All in all, it was a nice Easter that we enjoyed with family. I feel so blessed that our families live close enough that Nathan will get to know both grandparents and his cousins. You know, the best people to steal Easter eggs from.

Easter & Targo's Birthday

I hope you guys had a great day. Pictures and ha-has to come.

Photo here.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve Eve 2008

So, The Targo and I are still doing our last (or almost last) minute preparations for the Holiday. I need to go buy some wine for my in-laws' party and I'm thinking that I'd really like to bake some more. I made some pumpkin bread and some cranberry pecan bread on Sunday night. It was cool. I'm really enjoying my voyage into cooking. Yes, I'm aware that it totally sounds corny! Next year, I think I'm going to look into a Christmas cookie decorating class. How fun does that sound?

It's snowing, again, here. We're driving up to Milwaukee tomorrow, so I hope the weather is a little bit better.

I still don't have a gift for The Targo and I know this makes me a terrible wife. TERRIBLE! But, I had a book that I thought I ordered. The purchase must not have gone through, because it never showed up on our credit card. So... yeah ... I'm floundering and those gifts in my stocking are constant reminders!

'Twas The Monday Before Christmas

... and all through the house, not a creature was stirring because they were all frozen solid!

O-mi-gosh. It is cold with a capital C. This morning, Mr. "I have four more teeth that have been trying to come in for 6 weeks" woke up at 4:15. We're tired. He was crabby and clingy and we're all freezing. I told The Targo that I felt like I was a character in Angela's Ashes or something: The whole family sleeping in one bed (the cats were there too) to keep warm on a cold night. We were all still cold. In fact, Mystic was not only under the covers, but she was partially under me as well. I'm feeling a little beat up this morning. Ow.

Back to Mr. Crabby. My poor little guy. I'm a little afraid he's catching a cold too. He's a pretty sneezy kid (I think he gets that from me), but he's started having a little tickling cough too. I am so tired of living in a Petri dish ... and then coming to work and telling everyone that "Yes, I am the point of origin for the current plague" because really ... I probably am.

Are all of you finished with your Christmas shopping? Despite agreeing EVERY YEAR that we're not going to buy for each other, I see three gifts in my stocking. I have nothing for The Targo ... and have like, 15 minutes to get on that. But I will... get him ... something. Any ideas? I have no budget, but I'll still field suggestions.

Christmas Cards

I posted about it here, but I thought I'd share a reject Christmas card photo, or two, with you.


The Targo's head looks slightly large in this one ...


I swear --- I'm NOT baked.


This was cute --- until I took the picture. Bah!



I love these shots. But, despite the Christmas outfit, they're not really Christmas-y.

Traditions in the Making

I can't remember if it was last Christmas or the Christmas before that I was talking about starting traditions for the holidays. This will be Nathan's first Christmas, so I'm really eager to come up with something.

My family always made a big deal over Christmas. My dad begins decorating on the morning after Thanksgiving, like clockwork, every year. My mom begins shopping in October sometimes. She just loves to give! I'm not too sure what my two oldest brothers do, but my youngest brother (Chris) and I have never really done much for Christmas as adults. Basically, I only buy gifts for my parents and The Targo. I try to get my best girls gifts every year. I usually fail. The Targo buys for his parents and we both participate in his family's gift draw. Other than that --- we're not so into the gift giving/receiving. We don't even buy for each other.

What to do this year? Our 650 square feet doesn't permit us to have a tree. And really, with a 10 month old who's trying to walk, we shouldn't have a tree. Oh, there's the matter of those really obnoxious cats too. Gah. So what to do? Stockings! Thank you, Amy!

We bought four really cute stockings this year: Snowman (The Targo), Plaid (mine), Cat (um, for the cats), and a "baby's first Christmas" stocking. (Perhaps a picture to be posted later ... I don't know though -- I'm so darned lazy.) My goal is to find stuff for The Targo that reflect my feelings for him and what the Holiday is all about. Little things, you know, from the heart. For Nathan? Well, anything that might fit in his stocking is probably a choking hazard; so it might just be for looks.

But the idea - the possible tradition - of the Christmas stockings is really what I'm liking. I want the memories of Christmas to be something that Nathan treasures. I know that he's not going to remember this Christmas, or possibly the next few, but these traditions that will be captured in photographs and carried throughout his childhood. That's priceless to me. And also, it's something to build on.

What traditions do you and your family have for the Holidays? If you're a mom, what did you do for your child's first Christmas?

Sick for the Holidays

Man... Poor The Targo! He's been sick for almost a week now. Is there much more annoying than being sick when there's so much good food to eat? I think not. What's more, yesterday was our 2nd anniversary. We spent it huddled inside: The Targo and Nathan napping, and I'm not quite sure what I did with my day yesterday. At any rate, it managed to fly by.

I must confess - Family events usually stress me out. Well, this one did too, but it managed to be a really pleasant day. I had a great time hanging out with my parents.

Just an FYI for those of you who still have another holiday to celebrate, my friend Amy recommends this recipe for Pumpkin Fluff and it's AMAZING!!! We had it our Thanksgiving and everyone loved it.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.

Happy Halloween

... a day late.

Belly Watch #10

Merry Christmas, Internets!

We celebrated with The Targo's family last night. His family is just great - and so generous. We received a lot of wonderful baby items!

Tonight, we're having dinner with my in-laws in the suburbs. And then, *sniff* we're preparing to go back to work tomorrow. A three-day week! Yay! That should be easy. Unfortunately, my job tends to pile up when I'm not there. So, it will suck. Meh.

In other news - O MAH LORD - I'm only about three and a half weeks from my due date. Jeez people, can you believe it? It's totally flown by and were I not festively plump, I wouldn't know I was pregnant most of the time. Oh and if the child was not doing calisthenics. (I'm pretty sure I don't know what that means. In my head, it's old-timey workouts with medicine balls and the like.)

But, in honor of my husband and the holiday, here's my 36 week picture. I told The Targo that we're not allowed to open it until sometime in January. You know, after we get a crib.


I mentioned Christmas cards in my previous post. Well, yeah. Hmm... really didn't get around to that this year. BUT --- I attached what would have been our Christmas card had we gotten them out.

How cute is that cat? I know many of you are not cat people, but this one, he thinks he's a dog. And, he's obviously very trainable, unless it involves staying off the table. He's not so hip to that one. (Blow up for the full effect!)


Have a Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays, gang.