Oh Whadda Face...

It's been awhile since I've added just a few fun pictures, so here are some of my lastest favorites and the things we've been up to!

Under the Big Top (aka-"I DIG Trucks")

We visited the Great Circus Festival downtown this summer (it really was summer, despite the clouds, jeans and sweatshirts). Apparently it hadn't been here in like 6 years, which I didn't even realize, but I did know it was F-R-E-E so we headed down. We met up with our buddies Carter, Aidan and Liam and their mom's Jen and Amy. The circus stuff was a little weird and sketchy, but now that I think about it, the circus is supposed to be weird and sketchy, right? Lots of strange animals in way-too-small cages (look out PETA). Some guy in a jumpsuit doing "death-defying" stunts. Lots of cool wagons to look at. Turns out, our favorite part was a display of big trucks--bulldozers, tractors, etc. I believe the festival was sponsored by the company that make the bulldozers and stuff, which was why this was even there. This is Will's latest obsession. He was in heaven. Very upset with me that I could not unlock these highly dangerous machines and let him have at it, but he liked climbing on and in what he could.

The Ice Cream Man Cometh

We FINALLY live in a neighborhood where the ice cream man visits almost nightly. I personally LU-HUV the ice cream man. I love anyone who vends goodies from a stand and/or truck. You should have seen me when "All Around the Mulberry Bush" was chiming off in the distance. "Gimme some money!!!" I said wildly to Jeff who handed over his wallet like he was being mugged or something. I grabbed the money, grabbed Will and practically skipped out to the curb!! It didn't take long to pick out an ice cream sandwich for me and this delicious "Bomb Pop"-style sorbet thing for Will and we were yummy, sticky messes in no time.

More Prematurity?

Why does this child decide to do the things that should come later, earlier (ya know, like being born and all) and things that should come earlier, later?

While walking is still something we are struggling with at 20 months, I'm happy to announce that it something we are dabbling in! Will takes anywhere from 4-15 steps at a time now. Some days he can make it clear across the room. Unfortunately, it's more propelled on by momentum and not so much by control, so it's very drunken-style and tip-toed but nonetheless, it's more and more every day, so that rocks. However, we are still quite behind on the gross-motor spectrum.

What I'm a little stressed about these though, is that I feel that the Terrible Two's have arrived approximately 4 months prematurely. Here is a sampling of my lovely laundry list of Terrible Toddler behavior that is making it's way around my house on a daily basis.

• We need to removed from the top of the kitchen or coffee table multiple times a day. We like to grip on with steriod-like strength so it takes Mom both hands and sometimes a second person to complete the task.
• We've learned to ask for our nuk (calling it "oook" "oook" "oook") and will request it 8000 times until said "oook" is relinquished or we will crumble into a ball of tantrum on the nearest floor.
• When we're feeling irritated with Mommy, or just feeling spunky, we decide that sticking out our tongue and spitting are a great way to express this feeling.
• If we're removed from a fun (a.k.a. "dangerous") situation, biting Mom in the shoulder is definitely the best way to get our disapproval across.
• Toys sound really great when every single one is chucked across the room. Response to "No, Will, no throwing toys" is to laugh and throw one farther and harder. Maybe even at Mom, we'll see what moves us.
• When we've decided we've had enough to eat, we like to give mom the Devil Smile and throw any leftovers to the non-existent dogs. If we're extra jazzed, we might mash it through our fingers before we send it flying (i.e. last night's 1/2 banana).
• Outside is the only acceptable place to be spending our time right now, regardless of weather (hail, thunder or extreme heat) and hanging from the door knob and screaming is our only comfortable way to express this desire.

To put the icing on the cake for Mommy, we've proudly mastered "Da", "Dada" and even "Daddy" when we're dressed to impress, but when asked who I am, or to "Say Mama" we answer with "Um" or "Ba" or just skip right over it all and request the "oook" one final time....

All Alone in a Crowded Room...

This past Memorial Day weekend, I told my mother that I'm taking a hiatus from family functions. I told her this while I was wiping pureed carrots from my leg...the floor...the highchair...the china cabinet...I told her this while 10 other people blissfully covered in barbeque sauce enjoyed their ribs (hot), corn on the cob (hot) and beer (cold). Eventually I was able to return to my plate, and finished my ribs (cold), corn (cold) and beer (warm).

I used to think that I was unable to enjoy the gatherings of friends and families if they were either at a home that was not quite ready for a destructive toddler, or perhaps it was if I was single-mom-ing it that day. But no. My mom has toys, a high chair, and most valuables out of reach. No, Jeff was there (among the blissful). No, I think it's just these wonderful toddler years that make it impossible for me to relax and enjoy myself when we gather together.

I don't want to make it seem like Will is naughty. He's not naughty to be naughty (well, not all the time). But he is at that horribly curious, energetic, on-the-go-wanna-touch it-eat it-climb on it-stage. He's too stranger-shy to be wrangled--I mean, entertained--by anyone but Jeff and I right now. He still can't walk, so he's frustrated all the time, and generally gets that frustration out by climbing on things he shouldn't or grabbing for things he can't have or eating things that just may kill him.

When Jeff joins me, I do get the occasional break--he's great at chasing him around for awhile, but when I'm flying solo, there's just no way I can do it anymore. Unless I'm in a padded room.

I Digress...

This is going to make no sense. I'm going to babble and probably bob and weave all over the place here. But seeing as this is more of a journal for me than a widely read publication, I'm going to go ahead and let it...flow...

So, I sometimes wonder if it looks like I don't try. Or maybe that I'm a total mess. Well, let's be honest, obviously I'm a total mess, but I do like to think that I try...

I am a very lucky woman. I have a miracle baby who makes my heart sing in tunes it never knew it knew. I have a husband who challenges me in all way--good, bad and ugly. I have a job that I really do enjoy. Truth be told, I hate working and I hate that it takes me away from Will, but I know that working isn't an option, so I'm lucky to enjoy the job that I have. I have a family that I am close to and who I know loves me. I have every basic need met-and I know that is so much more than many, many, many people have.

But where I'm really lucky, is the same place that makes me the most crazy. It's the part of my life that makes me most who I am. It's the part of my life that spreads me the most thin. It's the part of my life that brings me some of the most joy. It's the part of my life that keeps my calendar full, my inbox full, my mailbox full, my phone ringing, my mouth moving and my heart overflowing. Where I'm really lucky--is my friendships.

I have a number of "groups" of friends.

My most obvious "circle" is my DC girls. These girls are my completely solid rock. They are my go-to for everything. Love advice, parenting advice, job advice. I turn to them for fun times, and always when my heart is on hard times. They are my true angels, and I'd be lost without them.

My sister and my cousin (1 year younger and 1 year older respectively) are some of my best friends, and my "low maintenance" friendships. Proximity keeps our relationship so easy. I can say preeeeetty much anything to them, and I'm not afraid of unmendable repercussions. This, of course, is good and bad.

I've also been lucky to make such great work-friends. I have a small circle of girls, that are harder to keep in touch with, from each working-world stint I've left behind. The range of personalities and gifts is so huge, that it keeps me so wildly entertained.

My high school friends--a small group, but oh, some of the sweetest friendships.

My Facebook friends. Ahhh my Facebook friends. Holy cow, talk about keeping me busy. Or is addicted a better word.

My Friends-in-Law. This is what I call the ladies I've met through Jeff. While I haven't necessarily thought the most highly of Jeff guy-friends--they get Jeff into a bit too much trouble for my taste--they managed to bring some awesome chicks to the table. I've really enjoyed growing up and moving through life stages with these women.

My "mommy" friends. I've been so lucky to meet these new mommy friends at Gymboree and through my other mommy friends. It is awesome to have people to do fun things with, with Will and their little ones. I love exposing Will to all his own different circles of playmates. I also love having a group of women that I can gush incessantly about nuks, tantrums, first words, best playgrounds, blah, blah, blah--it never ends.

The point of all this rambling is that because my life is so full of love and friendship--it sometimes may look like it's lacking in other areas. Sometimes, I have a sink full of dishes because I'm chatting on Facebook. Sometimes grocery shopping gets done at the last minute because I spent my Saturday afternoon at the Zoo with some mommy-friends. Sometimes my laundry isn't done because I met some work-girls for drinks. Sometimes Jeff make a frozen pizza for dinner because Will and I are hanging with the DC girls.

Could I have a cleaner house, more organized bills, folded laundry and baked goods on the counter? Yes. Would I rather have a calendar full of memories and more photos than I'd ever be able to find the time to scrapbook--that's a hell yes.

My life may not be neat and tidy--and sometimes I'm hard to get a hold of--but I love it, and I wouldn't change a thing.

(Short) March for Babies

Today was our March of Dimes fundraising Walk, the March for Babies. I formed our team, Will's Wobbly Walkers very last minute, just over a month ago. Because I was a little late in the game, I initially set our sights low--I set our team goal at just $500 and thought there was no way we'd reach it. I hadn't even mentioned the walk to anyone prior to signing up! But in just 5 weeks we'd recruited 23 walkers and raised more than $1500!!! I couldn't believe it. I also managed to get t-shirts made for our grownups and designed some pretty spiffy special shirts for our Preemie honorees (we had THREE preemies on the team!) and for their full-term peeps. Surprisingly, I didn't even lose too much sleep over it! Things were going all too smoothly!!....

I should have known. The BIG DAY arrived, I had everything organized, we were on time (early, really) everyone had their shirts on, the babies were cute and happy, we even managed to get a GREAT team photo. The emcee started the Walk with a countdown...3...2...1...and we were off....

Within 50 feet...the skies opened up. The temperature dropped a noticeable 20 degrees, the wind howled and most of the 1000+ walkers made a brisk right turn into the parking structure just past the start line. We holed up in the chilly garage for 20 minutes or so, scrambling to put our big group back together and decide what to do. With no clear skies in sight, we decided to call it a wash and celebrate early with a nice, warm, DRY lunch at Chili's! I was disappointed, but was just happy to have my team together and raise a glass to our fundraising success!!!

I already have the wheels turning for next year.....