May 13, 2013

Week in Review {#19}

Monday

Monday set the bar pretty high for the week. First, we successfully got Wyatt’s pictures taken. That was a relief after the disastrous first attempt. Second, we went to lunch. Which meant I didn’t have to make anything. And to top it off, when we left the restaurant there was this going on at the adjoining building:

Car crashed into a mall

Maybe there was a sale on plus-size capri pants they just got a little too excited for? Although, I still question how a car crashed into the building and we had no clue. We were sitting right by the window. And last, but definitely not least, I saw a man walking around with a baboon on his shoulders. Just out on the walking path like it was no big deal. Like everyone takes their pet baboons for walks there or something. There are no picture because the baboon looked angry and I didn’t want him coming over to try to rip my face off. I’ve got enough problems without missing a face too.

Tuesday

It was a big day. I went for a walk and cooked radishes for the first time. It’s okay to be jealous.

Wednesday

We left Wyatt with a babysitter for the first time. He’s been left with relatives before, but never an official “babysitter.” It was scary. But he did great and I managed not to worry the entire time he was there. Just like 99% of the time. Baby steps.

Thursday

My big accomplishment of the day? Finally organizing my necklaces. Seriously, I cannot believe I went so long with them just getting tangled up in my jewelry bag. Especially when organizing them cost six dollars and five minutes of my time. Come on.

Necklace Organizer

Friday

I got to lay eyes on the pictures from Monday. And, it’s official. I have a baby model. I don’t care if I’m biased.

Target Portrait photo

Saturday

Disaster struck on Saturday when I opened up my May Birchbox and found the tin of blush they included kind of exploded all over everything else. I know, first world problems.

May Birchbox

Sunday

My first official Mother’s Day! I got some super special gifts and then ordered three appetizers for dinner. It.Was.Awesome.

I hope you all had a great week!

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May 12, 2013

A Mother’s Day Message

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I was going to write a long and sappy tribute to my mom. I’d tell you how amazing she is and how thankful I am to have her for a mom and a friend. Because those things are true. But she already knows I feel that way.

This year I just want to tell her that I get it now. I understand the mental, emotional and spiritual toll of motherhood. I understand that even after the day is through and our babies sleep, we never stop. Even in our deepest of sleep motherhood stirs in us. We don’t totally belong to ourselves anymore. And we just let it happen. We let motherhood rock our worlds and rip us up and put us back together in a different way, knowing tomorrow it might just happen all over again. And we happily commit to a lifetime of it. It defies logic.

I didn’t know. I didn’t know it would be this terrifying and beautiful at the same time.

How do I properly thank my mom for being willing to go through all of that for me? There aren’t enough words. So I’ll just say I love you.

I love you.

Sequoia National Park June 1982

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May 10, 2013

The Sisters Brothers {book club friday}

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I just recently finished reading The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt:

I’d heard good things about it, and when I saw it hanging out on the staff recommendations shelf at the library, I decided to give it a shot. The book tells the story of the Sisters Brothers, two notorious guns-for-hire in the gold rush era, as they set out on their latest assignment. From the point of view of Eli, the brother who struggles with his chosen profession, you get a glimpse into their lives and just how tragically hilarious it can be for a hit man in the old west. Especially when you’re overweight, desperate for a woman to love you, travel on a one-eyed horse and constantly have to deal with your perpetually drunk brother.

I particularly enjoyed the dialogue between the brothers, and much of the book revolves around their contentious and comical relationship. But while the book was full of wit and powerful imagery, something in the story still felt lacking by the time I got to the last page. It was as if the story didn’t feel like it had been fully told. Even so, I’d still recommend the book for deWitt’s unique literary voice and the entertainment of the story of the Sisters Brothers. Their story is worth a read even if the ending didn’t quite feel right.

Have you read any good books lately?

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May 6, 2013

Saying goodbye to Monica

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Last week was a tough one and a cheery week in review doesn’t quite seem appropriate. Our family lost a dear friend to cancer. She and her husband have known my parents since before I was born. To call them just friends isn’t quite right. They’re family too and her loss has been tough to handle.

Just before Christmas she was diagnosed with lung cancer that spread to her brain and bones. The outlook was never good, but she was a brave woman who stared a devastating diagnosis in the face and fought it to the very end. She passed away peacefully with just her mom by her side after everyone had left to give them a moment alone.

Monica was a wonderful woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She was kind and funny. I will never forget her laugh. Nobody laughed quite like Monica. I am so thankful for all the memories of her I get to carry with me. And I’m particularly thankful that she and Wyatt were able to be a part of each other’s lives, even if for a brief time. She was so excited that I was having a baby and when Wyatt finally arrived I think she was just about as happy as my own mom was about it. I know she would have been like his third grandma. And I think when I show Wyatt this picture when he’s older, that’s exactly what I’ll call her:

Woman holding a baby

It seems so surreal that just a few months ago we were laughing and she was rubbing my belly at my baby shower. And now she’s just gone. It makes you realize that you have to live for right now. You have to appreciate the time you get with people you love. You have to tell people you love them.

In the end Monica reported seeing angels in her hospital room. I believe it. And I believe they were there when she drew her last breath and I believe they ushered her to her final home. The pain of losing her is made a bit more bearable knowing that her suffering has ended and that, as my mom puts it, she’s onto her next great adventure.

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Apr 29, 2013

Week in Review 2013 {#17}

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Monday

I found a new guilty pleasure: Pretty Little Liars. Have you seen this show? It’s ridiculous and no one over the age of 21 should even care about it. Yet, I.can’t.stop.watching.it. I should just resign myself to the fact that I’m addicted to trash TV. Hey, at least it’s not crack. Right?

Tuesday

I did load after load of laundry. Self-laundering clothes. Come on Science. Let’s do this.

Wednesday

So I went walking around the Mall of America. Again. Because it’s easy and they have a Panda Express and sometimes you just need to sit alone and eat a pound of Shanghai Beef while you people watch. Anyway, I totally saw a lady who looked like King Jafar.

I was going to take her picture, but frankly, I was scared of her.

Thursday

I haven’t really discussed it here because it’s sad and I try to keep things happy, but one of our close family friends has been battling cancer for a few months and things have taken a turn for the worse. I was able to speak briefly with her on the phone. She was weak and could only whisper but she knew it was me and I was able to tell her that I love her. It feels like a great gift to have been able to tell her that and know she understood. I spent the rest of the day cuddling Wyatt and being so very thankful for life and health and all the other things I tend to take for granted.

Friday

Now, let’s move on to something much happier. We officially have giggling. Mostly at the dog:

Saturday

The weather was perfect here this weekend so we did some work outside and took a walk to the library. Wyatt wasn’t sure what the sun was all about, but he seemed to enjoy it.

Baby in a hat