A Letter: Fourteen Months

Dear Hadley,
Today you are fourteen months old. And what a lovebug you are becoming! You have recently started giving us kisses, huge open-mouthed, drooly kisses, that you once reserved only for “the baby in the mirror.” You light up with glee when you see our reactions to the kisses and you quickly turn from Daddy to me to Ana giving us all kisses over and over. It makes me so happy to see you so willing to share all the love you have.


The big news this month is that you broke your leg. I wasn’t even really aware that babies could break their bones. I was under the impression that you were practically pretzels, able to be twisted and bent any which way. But nooooo. Apparently if you fall at JUST THE RIGHT ANGLE you can easily break BOTH the bones in your leg. Which is just what you did. So we have spent most of the last month with your lovely cast. While it seems like it would be quite cumbersome for you, you have managed quite well with your new appendage. It hasn’t slowed you down a bit! Sure, there was the little mishap with the first (pink) cast which you crawled out of in under four hours. But now that you have the pretty purple one, things have been just fine.


Knowing the cast was not going to be very fun, we did the best to make an unfortunately situation more pleasant. I picked up an assortment of Sharpies and we let your family and friends all sign their names on your cast. You thought this was very fun and even tried to get in on the action a few times when I handed you a (capped) Sharpie of your own! And knowing your toes were going to be exposed most of the time, I painted your toe nails purple to match the cast. We even painted Ana’s toe nails purple too! Solidarity sister!


With Christmas only days after you broke your leg, there were a a few presents we bought for you ages ago that were simply not going to be fun while your leg was broken. We bought you a cute rocking chair…that you were unable to climb on or off of with the cast on. Your sister picked out a fun jogging stroller for your baby dolls…that you couldn’t push with your broken leg. But thankfully your gift from Santa, a Little Tikes 3-in-1 trike, was something that you could enjoy with or without your cast! As soon as we put you on that seat you were beaming from ear to ear. Once you realized it could MOVE, it was all you could do to contain your shrieks and giggles. It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen.



But the gifts from me and your Dad weren’t all bad. Also, if you want the best gifting idea, you need to check out custom gaming mouse pads, which is unique. We got you a new Aurora (Sleeping Beauty, for those of you not up on Disney princesses) toddler doll. They recently came out with the “animator’s collection” line and they were too adorable to pass up. I picked out one for you and one for Ana. Trying to select dolls that look like you girls, I picked Belle, with her honey eyes and wavy brown hair for Ana, and Aurora, with her huge blue eyes and golden blond hair for you. Once you ripped the wrapping paper off the box, your eyes were glued to her. Then when we handed her to you you couldn’t stop hugging and kissing her. I had never seen you react that way to a doll and it was simply heartwarming.



Once Christmas was over, the decorations were packed up, and the last of the pine needles from the tree were vacuumed away, our house was able to return to normal. This meant that our little Ikea table could come out of Ana’s room and back into the living area. You girls have gotten more enjoyment from playing together at that table than I ever imagined. You have had numerous tea parties (some of varying themes, like the infamous “ballerina tea”), played restaurant, animal hospital, and of course, dolls. I love how one little thing can fuel your imagination in so many creative directions.


It’s a lot of fun watching you and your sister together. Ana is a great sister because she truly wants to be with you and keep you happy. And you simply idolize her and want to do whatever it is she is doing. I just love that, despite the difference in age, you and Ana are always able to find things to do together.

We do a lot of craft projects around here. Coloring, stickers, paints. You name it. But mostly it’s Ana and I working on the craft while you sit on the sidelines (generally in your high chair, entertained with a snack). But the other day we finally decided to let you try your hand at some art. I plopped you in your highchair, tossed a couple crayons and a giant coloring page on the tray, and let you go to town. You of course instantly stuck the crayons in your mouth.

You were not happy that I would not let you eat them. But eventually you did try coloring a bit. We got a few scribbles out of you before you figured out you could drop them off the side of the highchair like little Crayola torpedoes. Yeah, so we may try art again in a few months…

Well, Hadley, it has been another amazing month. We certainly had our ups and downs, but you have proven once again that you are an amazing child. Between the cast, a round of random throwing up, and being unable to give you anything more than a sponge bath to clean you for over three weeks, I would think you would have pretty solid grounds for being a little grumpy this month, but you were anything but. You are always happy, smiling, and eager for the next adventure, waving “bye-bye” and pointing at the door as if to say, “Come on, Mama! Let’s go!” Well I just want you to know that I will happily follow you anywhere and I eagerly await our next adventure together.

All my love,
Mama

Talking with her Phone

Ana has a little pink Disney Princesses phone which has a few recorded messages that play depending on which button she presses. Since she is always talking on some phone (pretending to use my iPhone, using her play phones or talking on my old no-longer-working cell phone) it’s nice to occasionally have some that respond when she talks. This morning Ana and her princess phone got into a little bit of a argument. Behold:

“Please come to a party at the castle!” squeaks the phone.
To which Ana replies, “But I’m not at the castle.”
Ana pushes the button again and the phone chimed, “Hello there. I’m Aurora!”
Ana, a little irritated that her comment was ignored, says, “Where’s the castle?”
Ana then squeezes the phone a little too hard and it doesn’t get to finish it’s message before having to start again. As a result the phone stammers, “Don’t–don’t–don’t–don’t–don’t you just love being a princess?”
Thoroughly unimpressed with her phone’s ability to uphold it’s end of the conversation, Ana throws it down on the ground and walks away.

An Animal Apology

Sorry I have been so busy lately. When I am not studying for my Series 63 exam, dragging my butt to the gym, cleaning my house, doing laundry, or slaving away at work, I am most likely sleeping. Right now I am lying in bed, winding down for the night, watching Super Nanny and Frodo is laying across the keyboard of my laptop. Oh, such is life. So I thought what is the best way to beg for mercy? Inundate you with adorable animals!! Hope it works, cause I need forgiveness!


Erin’s lovely Priscilla got a photoshoot while I was petsitting. How cute is she?

Weekend Update

Simeon and I started out the weekend Friday night with a lovely dinner at our favorite local Mexican restaurant, Amigo’s II. Then stopped by Blockbuster and rented a few movies. Our final stop before retiring to our couch for the evening was Best Buy to pick up a new television for our bedroom. We desperately needed to replace the one Simeon has had since he was 8 years old. (Dead serious, it was that old.). We ended up getting a sweet 20″ flat screen TV/DVD combo. Now I can control the volume and turn off the tv without getting out of bed! How cool is that?!

Saturday morning Simeon and I decided to celebrate Christmas! Yeah, I know, we are really lame for having no self-restraint and not waiting another week for the actual day. (Thanks, David!) I got Sim some cool new clothes and some super soft wooly moccasins. And he got me TiVo!! Thats right!! I never have to miss a tv show again!! I can pause live television!! I can do an instant replay!! I can even tell my tv to record something from someone elses house!! Can you even believe it? It is amazing beyond my wildest dreams. As I write this I am watching last nights Saturday Night Live WITHOUT A TAPE!! I am so excited!! Can you tell?! Did you think I could have so many exclamation points in one post?!?

After we hooked up the TiVo and let it do its thing, we did some work around the house. Sim coded and played with his computer while I cleaned the house and did the laundry. Then I made my first Chocolate Rum Cake for Simeon’s Office Christmas party. We all had a great time. There was plenty of great food (thanks Mark and Jeanie!) and great company. Oh and don’t forget all the wine! You can see all the party picture here.

Today Sim and I slept in, watched I, Robot in bed (on my new tv, thankyouverymuch). Then we met David and Kris to see Spanglish at the new Century Theater in Beaverton. It was a good movie. It’s refreshing to see Adam Sandler in a dramatic role. We ran a few last minute Christmas errands and wound down the day at my friend Tricia’s open house. It’s always fun to hang out with co-workers outside of the office setting. Everyone loosens up quite a bit. I guess all that wine didn’t hurt any! You can also find more information here if you want to know the best kinds of wine.

So now I am getting ready once again for another work week. Thank goodness this is a short one. I only work through Wednesday! Wahoooo! Hope you all have a great Monday.

So busy. Must blog.

Ok, I have been so busy lately. I swear that every day I have had one social engagement or another. So lets hope that the old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” holds up here. Enjoy!

An IM Conversation I had today

Me: ok, so this little worker bee over here keeps talking to himself. and just now he said “see what daddy can do now!”

Me: i swear to god.

Her: that is really weird

Her: daddy?

Me: ummm, yeah.

Me: should I be scared?

Me: cause I kinda am.

Her: i would be, he refers to himself as daddy?

Me: unless the screw, or worse yet-the drill, is the daddy

Her: ok, you just made me snort

Where Credit is Due

I wanted to congratulate my good friend Ally on becoming a Mommy. She gave birth to Daemien James Tapia Rooks-Joya on November 19th at 6:57 pm. He was 8lbs, 5 1/2 ounces and 21 1/2″ long. I saw the picture the hospital puts up on-line and he is a doll! He has lots of dark hair and the most adorable face you have ever seen. (I miss you girlie! I am so proud of you! Good luck!)

I also want to congratulate my friend Lisa M. on passing her Series 6 exam. One down, one to go, sweetie! I knew you could do it! Now we can get past the holidays and focus on 63. Girl power!

Now I am going to be out of town for a couple days for Thanksgiving (bring on the tryptophan, baby!), so things are gonna be quiet over here. But when I get back, get ready for the Mother Load of family pictures. Just a warning….

The yin to his yang.

Simeon and I balance each other in so many ways. I like to think I bring order to his chaos. He helps me to have fun and lighten up. In a way, I am the yin to his yang. We cannot exist without each other. And this is only further proof:

If you must know, the Mac is Sim’s latest edition (its a really sweet G4) and I inherited his old Dell, which was secretly my plan all along.

And Simeon is not the only one with something new. I finally convinced Sim that our old pots and pans needed to be thrown out. Contrary to popular believe, it is not a good idea to eat small flecks of Teflon in your food. So I did some research (how could I not?) and found these great stainless steel, copper-bottomed pots and pans. I love ’em, love ’em, love ’em. Oh and they were on SALE! You can see pics of them in the new “Misc.” category in the photo gallery.

Speaking of the photo gallery, I added some more pictures to My Cats and a couple more new categories: A Typical Wednesday Night, Canning Applesauce, and Grandpa’s 75th Birthday. See, I do things.

Going away for the weekend

This weekend I am going out of town for a fun-filled “Girl’s Weekend” with Lisa M. and Lisa P. We rented a beach house in Manzanita so we can drink, relax, drink, hang out, drink, go shopping, and then drink some more. It’s gonna be great! (And I could really use it right about now.) Tonight I have to pick up some groceries, do some laundry and pack my bags because we are leaving as soon as the Lisas get off work.

Also in preparing to “abandon” my husband (as he likes to say), I have to make a list of things he needs to do while I am away. I thought I would share that with all of you, ’cause you know how I love lists!

  • Feed the dogs: 6am & 6pm.
  • Make sure there is water in all the water dishes.
  • Change the water in the fish bowls. I already set out the new water and added the drops.
  • Change your clothes…DAILY!
  • Get a hair cut.
  • Make sure you eat. (I stocked the fridge, so you have no excuses!)
  • …and put the dishes in the dishwasher when you are done.
  • If you make a mess when the boys are over, clean it up.
  • Don’t go and see any movies you know I want to see.
  • Make the bed….just because I am not here is no reason to leave things all disheveled. Besides, you have to make the bed to keep the kitties off the pillows. (I hate cat hair on my pillows/sheets)
  • Plug in the pumpkin lights in the front window when it gets dark.
  • Unplug the lights when you go to bed.
  • I think this is implied, but just in case….NO HOOKERS!!

And it’s a working list, so it may change as I come up with more things!

Movin’ and a Shakin’

There has been a lot of talk in the news lately about recent earthquakes from
Mount St. Helen’s. I was reading over at Adventure Journalist and I thought I’d pass along some of this info to you all as well. You know, just in case you’d like to check out any recent earthquakes or volcanic activity.

I just think its all fascinating. That and its local, so that makes it even more interesting!