Making Merry

Happy Holidays everyone. We are feeling merry today. It's a rainy, windy Christmas in Bellingham and we're drinking lots of coffee and opening presents.

Ceci was just a wee nugget at this time last year.

Writer's Block

Sorry guys, I don't know what's wrong with me. Every time I think about posting I draw a blank. I guess I'm in a slump. I'm so blocked I'm even having trouble talking about being blocked. Anyhow, here's a pictorial update of our lives- 

Family portrait commissioned by the talented Karie Jane. 

Family portrait in Yellow Springs, Ohio. 

Healthful eating in Springfield, Ohio.

Ceci bathing in her Grandma's old fashioned porcelain baby tub. 

Ceci 12 months ago today! I couldn't resist. 

Birthday Girl

Aloha from Ohio! We're here visiting family and I am finally getting around to posting pictures from Ceci's birthday party. I'm sorry they are so tardy and I'm sorry for my long absence. Unless no one noticed, in that case I'm not sorry. I toyed with the idea of stopping the blog. But that leaves me no outlet for my verbal diarrhea. So here I am. Behold the birthday party!

Guests came over.

Some of them followed my precise instructions "Costumes are encouraged but not necessary". Others ignored these instructions. Some will be punished for their lack of flare. 

The clown pinata I acquired at the Mexican supermarket! 

Ceci's birthday cake!

This was my favorite part of the party. 

The pinata was ugly enough to make children cry. 

Ceci got an obscene amount of gifts. 

Happy family. 

This Moment

This moment. A Friday ritual. A single photo- no words- capturing a moment from the week. A single, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember. Inspired by Soule Mama.

Ceci's Haircut

I'm thrilled about today. I took Ceci to the barbershop and she got her first haircut sitting on my Dad's lap. It was hilarious. My Dad has been talking about it all day. It's funny how babies bring people together. Everyone there was smiling when we left. Tomorrow is her first birthday party. I'm nervous and emotional. This has been the hardest and best year of my life.
Behold, the haircut!

Um, I'd like the extra-large baby cape please.

No babies were choked during said haircut.

Jersey boy haircuts for $12!

Flapping bingo wings free of charge.

Pigtails!

How To Make A Cafe Curtain In Four Short Months, And Other Domestic Tips

Well Friends, Behold the fruits of my labor!

I used Martha's instructions to tackle this project for my dining room window, and four months later, voila! Easy Peasy. In fact, I realized that if I paid myself a fair wage for constructing this curtain, it would have cost me only $100! And that's not even including sewing supplies and fabric. Boy am I proud. The best part is I was able to sew it while Ceci was napping. Well,  she was mostly screaming in her crib, but I like to call that napping. At times I considered going into her room and comforting her, but my heart told me I should finish the curtain. What kind of Mother would I be if I gave up on every little project just because she's crying? She cries all the time, she's a baby for christsakes. Besides, someday she will pass the curtain down to HER children. And they will pass it down to THEIR children. It's basically an heirloom already.
Here's a close up so you can see the fine handwork that went into this product.

Impressive. I know. I'm going to make one for Ceci's room next. The window in her room is twice as large so I think this next curtain will take seven or eight months to complete. But it's worth it. Anything for my precious one.

In other household news, I've discovered the secret to a clean house! Once something gets dirty, I throw it away. Seriously, I finally have a clean house and it feels so good. Sure, I might have to purchase some essential kitchen items and whatnot soon to replace the things I've thrown out. But it's worth it! By not cleaning I've opened up so much time in my schedule for drinking white wine, sewing cafe curtains, self-grooming, and trying Halloween costumes on the baby. It's a win win. We're all happy here. 

Cheers!

This Moment

This moment. A Friday ritual. A single photo- no words- capturing a moment from the week. A single, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember. Inspired by Soule Mama.

Anatomy of a Meltdown

A friend in California once asked me if Ceci ever cried.  She said all the pictures she's seen of Ceci are of a smiley, happy baby. Therefore, she must be the best baby ever. Miss Tracy, here is my response. Enjoy.

Ceci enjoying the fruits of the season.

Post blackberry binge regret and shame. 

The sweet, sticky tang of remorse. Remorse all over the high chair, the floor, and her sweet baby flesh. 

Rage when Dad attempts to remove her from the high chair. 

Shame that the paparazzi captured her moment of half-naked defeat. 

And the final humiliation- the wet towel across her face. 

Wednesday Bling

Austin Modern

I've got bling on the mind again. What else is new, right? I seem to have the constant desire to adorn myself with objects shiny and dangly. In fact, I've been stalking a necklace downtown and I might just go buy the thing this week. I can't get it out of my brain. It's a bit pricey but I deserve it. I work really hard and my baby shrieks loudly and it makes my brain feel like it is seeping out of my ears. Bling makes me feel fancy. And fancy makes it all better. 

I love this ring depicting Perseus and Medusa. I had a fetish for Greek myths when I was a kid. The violence! The romance! The mythical beasts! Those ancient Greeks and their Gods really knew how to party. In fact, if the Bible was half as interesting I would be in church every week. I guess I shouldn't say Christian stories are boring, because I don't know much about them. Obviously, I was not raised in a religious family.

One time I brought The New Testament on a vacation in an attempt to educate myself on our culture's dominant religion, but I couldn't get past the Book of Matthew. Dull dull dull. It also suffers from poor narration and writing. One moment Jesus is an infant and in the blink of an eye he's an adult. What happened to his teenage years? Also, who is the narrator supposed to be? God? I didn't get it. I heard The Old Testament is more exciting, so maybe I'll give that a go. 

Happy Wednesday!

This Moment

This moment. A Friday ritual. A single photo- no words- capturing a moment from the week. A single, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember. Inspired by Soule Mama.

Places To Go, People To See.

Here's a few of my favorite pictures from our trip to California last week. We had a rocking good time visiting with family and friends and eating tacos and more tacos. I also succeeded in forcing Matthew and Ceci to relive my childhood with me at Tilden Park and Children's Fairyland. Neither are grand as I remembered, but it was fun nonetheless.