24 days and counting.

Oh, am I ever counting. I've been counting since October when we officially found out that we were moving to Madison. It's starting to feel very real. We're about to make our last rent payment. We sold our dresser on Craigslist. We have a huge Goodwill pile, already. I see many trips to the donation center in our near future. I even packed a box yesterday with the little one's "help". Turns out she prefers to unpack.

It's exciting. Moving provides a fresh start. It forces you to eliminate anything unnecessary from your life, like maybe a pair of scrub pants with two holes in the crotch area:

I wasn't kidding about the holes (and make that at least two):

I've kept these scrub pants for five years! Obviously, I can't wear them like this (although I'm embarrassed to admit that apparently I must have at some point). They remind me of my first nursing job. The name of the hospital I worked for, which is where I met my husband, is on the right leg. They have sentimental value what can I say? A good alternative title for this post would have been "You know you're a pack rat when...". But then I'd have to admit that I am a pack rat and that's just something I'm not prepared to do. Ask me again in 24 days...

Feeling Fortunate

We've been very blessed and lucky where our little flower is concerned. As I've mentioned before and many of you know, she was born 10 weeks early. She had a rough start I'd say. But she pulled through and is now a typical 18 month old. On top of her having no health issues to date to speak of, she's an exceptionally well behaved little one. Don't get me wrong, she has her moments as all children of this age do, but she's otherwise very easy going.

For instance, she's a good sleeper. A great sleeper, and I cannot express to you enough how thankful we are for that. The few times she's had trouble sleeping (teething, colds) were not good times in this household. My husband and I both need sleep. When we don't get it we start saying things like "maybe she should be our one and only" or "being an only child wouldn't be too bad, right?" Get my drift?

So, last night was a teething night- I think. It could have just been a thirsty night or an I need an extra hug night. Whatever it was, I didn't mind. I was glad to be the one to go in and comfort her back to sleep (we were still awake). As I stood at the side of the crib she clung to me on the tips of her toes. She lifted one leg and tried to wrap it around my body as a baby chimp would do. I had to reward that with a pick-me-up and a hug. I pressed my lips to her head and took in the smell of her soft hair. Those are my favorite "mommy" moments. It's such a nice feeling to comfort my child. To just stand in the quiet and hold my baby. It doesn't get any better than that. Not even a warm brownie topped with coffee ice cream comes close. But it is a distant second.

Don't worry, I'll take very good care of it...

I'm officially an old lady.

We were feeling wild and crazy this weekend and decided to step outside of our comfort zone (read: stop being lazy) and attend a local Memorial day parade. I'm so glad we did. It was a first for our little one and fun for all. We found a perfect spot in the shade:

This plane flew over to get things started. It was very loud (old lady):

The parade was in La Canada, CA. A very cute, quaint by California standards, city. Town? Village? Whatever, it's not too far from where we live:

Parades are so comforting and wholesome aren't they?

There were lots of Cutie P. Tooties (do I even have to say it- OLD LADY):

How did that get in there?

And no post featuring Cutie P. Tooties would be complete without my own little cutie:

I love days like this.

Random images from our lazy and drizzly Friday:

This isn't from today but I thought I would throw it in...

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend everyone.

Ugghhh, enough already.

American Idol blah blah. David A...David X. Who cares? Blah blah. Not me. Blah. Glad it's over blah blah blah. Stop blah talking blah about it BLAH. What ever happened to The Amazing Race? Now that's a television show!

Speaking of popular entertainment that I do not at all get: There Will Be Blood. There will be boredom, and confusion. And the music is freaky. With the exception of the line "I drink your milkshake" (which I'm dying to use in some random way very soon), I do not see what all the hype was about. Daniel Day-Lewis was superb I must say, but what is the point of the movie? Someone, please enlighten me. Maybe I need to watch it again. Or not.

You wouldn't have done what?

My car won't start. But it's fine. No biggie. I didn't need to go anywhere today and truth be told I wish I never had to leave my little apartment. I'm actually sorta kinda happy that it won't start. I feel very conflicted because I know I shouldn't feel this way...but I do. See, the reason my car won't start is because my husband left one of the doors open. All night. I think the dome light drained the battery. Anyway, the reason this doesn't bother me is because I needed something to hold over his head. Something really good and I think this fits the bill.

Remember our trip to Madison last month? Well, I mentioned how we went to the wrong car rental company and then had to walk with all of our luggage and a toddler to the right car rental company. We barely made it and looked like complete dorks. It was not fun in case you were wondering. But it was really not fun for me because it was my fault. I forgot the car rental information and had to pretty much guess which shuttle to take. In my defense, I wanted to simply write down the reservation information but Chris insisted that I print everything out. I did and then left it sitting on the kitchen table. I'm writing it next time.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love my husband. I can't say enough good things about him, but he can really make me mad sometimes. He said something on that day I will never forget (and I won't ever let him forget it either)! As we drove away from the airport he was still mad, which made me more mad.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing" he responded. Yeah. Right.

"No, seriously, I can tell you want to say something, what?" I practically spit out.

"I just want to say one thing and then I'm done talking about it" he said. Isn't that the worst possible thing one can say if one really wants to stop talking about something?

"Yeah? What?" I asked, knowing this was going to be good.

"I wouldn't have done that" he tells me...with the utmost sincerity. No- this is the worst possible thing to say if one really wants to stop talking about something. And if one really wants to stay married I might add.

I'm sure I don't have to explain how terribly this went over. Or how now, whenever he does anything wrong, I have just the perfect thing to say to make him feel better. I'm sweet like that. And remember my car situation? How it won't start? Because my husband left the hatch open all night? Like I said, not a big deal. But even if it were, it would totally be worth the satisfaction I'm feeling right now as I think maybe you wouldn't have done that, but you did do this.

And I know he's thinking the exact same thing. Guess I should go get those jumper cables out...

Update: I had to sneak downstairs and hide behind a bush to get this shot. You don't know how much I wanted to yell "I wouldn't have done that honey!"

It's hot.

At least I'm hot. What about you little flower?

We'll see you when our body temperatures return to within normal limits.

Trader Joe's, I wish I knew how to quit you.

I have a confession to make. I bought this:

I should have refused to buy these particular tomatoes simply because they were wrapped in packaging. As soon as I picked them up I thought of yesterday's post. Least amount of packaging. I love Trader Joe's but I rarely buy produce there for this reason. I did today because...well...it was easy. I needed tomatoes, they were there, I bought them. I just didn't have it in me to make one more stop. I'm sure all generations to follow and the earth will understand. Right? I continue on my path to enlightenment.

Seriously though, what is with all the packaging?

I've done all the work for you.

Let me start by acknowledging that sometimes I make my life more difficult than it has to be. This is true. But, when it comes to any purchase I make be it food, cleaning products, clothing...anything, it is important to me (and my husband) to pick the least "toxic" and most "green" product available. I use quotes because these words are used so often by the media and in advertising that I feel they've sort of lost their meaning.

For us what this means is purchasing products with the least amount of chemicals, packaging, and distance traveled from where it was harvested/manufactured as is possible. And it has to never be tested on animals. And made in the USA (sadly, this is the most difficult wish to fulfill). I'm fully willing to pay more (within reason) for products that satisfy my expectations-- I'd rather scrimp on other things or simply buy less which I feel we all should be doing anyway but that's another tangent for another post.

So essentially I'm picky, particularly about baby products. Which serves me well since I just happen to have a baby. Well, technically a toddler. She toddles. The reason I tell you all of this is because I found a product I really like and I want to share:

On a whim I picked it up and I'm so glad I did. I love the smell. Just a hint of honey. Chris has even commented on how nice it makes the little one's hair feel (have I mentioned I love that man). I even use it sometimes and I look forward to trying more of their products. I've read rave reviews about their lotions and lip balm.

The company was recently purchased by Clorox, but as far as I can tell they still seem committed to making a quality product while taking into consideration the environment. And they don't test on animals. And the products are made in the United States. Good enough for me, how about you?

The perfect Mother's Day photo...

...doesn't exist. At least not in this household....on this Mother's day. Or so I thought. I was determined to document Mother's day and the little one's new haircut with a decent picture. Now, my husband is a genius (figuratively and probably literally) but a photographer he ain't. He does try though which means a lot to me. So, I can't say I was too surprised to find that most of the 50 or so pictures he took yesterday left a little to be desired.

Upon first glance this picture was surely a dud, destined to end up in my virtual trash bin. But I slowly realized it does what a good picture is supposed to do, it represents a moment in time. It tells a story. I love that about pictures. Portraits especially. Any mom, any parent can identify. Every time I look at this picture I will be transported to that moment in time.

I'll remember how willing Chris was to schlep the dog and the little one down to our community sideyard. Big deal right? But to me it is because I know how tired he was from a business trip to Chicago and how all he really wanted to do was nothing. I'll remember our dog nervously chewing grass. He has issues. I'll remember our sweet neighbor who saw us taking pictures as she took out her trash offering a friendly "Happy Mother's Day" greeting. Then, I'll wonder what ever happened to her, and all of our other neighbors. Then, I'll thank God we no longer live in California, and I'll really mean it.

I'll remember her first haircut that took place that morning and how Chris had to hold her arms with one hand and her head with the other. And then how while he was in the shower I noticed some hairs that I missed. I proceeded to hold her down by sitting on her hands and held her head with my elbows as I snipped and she laughed. All the while thinking about how weird the whole scene would look to him if he walked in on us.

I'll remember our little flower was 17 months old and a handful. If she wasn't in the mood to have her picture taken she'd let me know, and not in a subtle way. I'll chuckle when I think of how before I had a child, bratty kids made me cringe. I swore I would "never do that". And I do. I do it all! The composition (half of me is cut off for goodness sake) will remind me that it's no longer about me or my husband. It's all about her. But no picture will ever have to remind me of that...

I'm a happy girl.

Phewww, it's been a busy week. Busy but good. Remember the camera that I dropped? Well, it's in camera heaven. You see, I bought it used from a friend last year and it came with an extended warranty. After dropping it, I took it in for servicing and apparently it was more cost effective to just give me a BRAND NEW CAMERA! I concur. Oh, do I ever concur. It's my new obsession.

What this means to you is no more pictures like this:

And a sickening amount of pictures like this:

But that's not all! I also hit the blog motherlode. One of my favorite blogs had a giveaway today (coincidentally the prize is the same camera I now own-- and a printer) and to enter everyone simply left a comment with the address of their own website or that of their favorite website. There were more than 14,000 entries, many of which were blogs. So again, what this means to you: probably nothing. What this means to my husband: think blog widow. What this means to me: think kid in a candy store...on crack...who really should be doing other things like tending to their toddler or some sort of housekeeping.

Last but so not least...Mother's day. I am quadruply blessed to have a mother, stepmom, mother-in-law, and stepmother-in-law, all of whom I adore. I feel so lucky to have such women to emulate. As for me and being a mommy, no thanks will ever be necessary. The pleasure is truly mine.

Can you blame me?

I miss my camera. Part Two.

Having fun with Mommy's apron...somebody ought to make use of it around here...

Oh yeah-- just pretend these pictures are in focus...

and that she isn't reaching for the camera (irresistible I tell you)...

It gets better. Her first pair of sandals...

I wonder if she's picking up on my true feelings for her favorite toy...

and just for good measure...