4.28.2011

Doublets, Waistcoats, and Breeches Part the Second (or, "Fashion Show!")

First off, HOLY MOLY.  Y'all, I have readers that I've never met.  I'm pretty stoked that my silly ponderings have somehow crossed the paths of folks other than my family and Facebook stalkers.  I honestly never really thought that would occur.  So to all who don't personally know me, welcome and bienvenido!  To all who do know me, I know...I know.  More video.  Next time, promise.
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No one ever tells first time parents that you will not need to buy clothes for your kid the entire first 6 months of her or his little life.  If your child also has the blessing/curse of being the first grandchild on both sides of the family as well as the first kid to appear in her parents' local circle of friends...then you won't need to buy clothes for the entire first year of the kid's life.  You probably will pick up a couple of super practical items, like teeny weeny socks or a miniscule sweatshirt.  But you'll seriously only need to provide about 10% of the wardrobe.  The remainder will be gifted to you sporadically throughout the year, simply because who doesn't like to shop for itsy bitsy clothes?  [The Hubs and I actually had to hand down a moratorium on shopping to our respective mamas -- we don't want HD thinking every grandparent visit = presents.]

My favorite baby clothes are the ones that look like they're meant for doll-sized, super nerdy adults.  Give me a tiny sweater vest or pair of saddle shoes any day.  I am also a big fan of any items that reference pop culture or a hobby that's beloved by The Hubs and myself.  Most parents seem to fall in this category (hence all the babies decked out in sports team memorabilia).  But mostly, HD just wears what we have on hand.  The items themselves were lovingly given by awesome friends and family members, and clumsily/lazily/confusingly pieced together by yours truly.  Resulting outfits my be workable on a cute baby, but would be fodder for What Not to Wear in the adult world.  Let the fashion show begin!!

LOVE this Easter dress from my buddy Jasleen.  It's supremely Southern -- flowers, pleats, a sash, ruffle, and tulle.  
HD's reaction upon viewing herself with this hat in the mirror (ok, not really).  Thanks for the gift, Mammy & Pappy!

Ah, the glories of a baby's first seersucker dress, a pretty day at the Ferry Building, and a silly uncle! (I know, you can't really see the outfit in this one.  But I heart this photo, so there you have it.)
A pantsless HD and Cap'n (makeupless, although mercifully in pants),  reliving 80s hair trends.
My favorite outfit Of All Time.  The dress & shoes were gifts but naturally, the hat & leggings were Cap'n purchases!

HD's Grape-Ape/MC Hammer inspired overalls.  They're made from luxurious terry cloth!

I'm so pulling this blog out for HD's future suitors.  Muahahahahaha!!!

4.20.2011

Vittles (or, "The Kid Eats Whatever")

Hubs was one of those kids who only ate chicken nuggets and pasta
with butter. On the other hand, I devoured "liver mush & eggs" (Daddy's specialty), garlic ANYTHING, and whatever was served at the Strange Seafood Festival my family attended. I am extremely pleased that HD has landed on my side of the foodie fence.

To set the scene, on weekdays Hubs and I eat on the couch while HD plays on the floor next to us (she has supper before Hubs is home from work most days). Her favorite activity as of late is to sidle over to me (managed by cruising alongside the coffee table for support).  She then bobs up and down, attempting to grab anything on my plate. I take this a my cue to then give her bites of my supper. HD loves baba ganooj, brown rice, chicken pie, cornbread, extra garlicky spaghetti, avocado, you name it. And yes to any worrywarts out there, we are very careful about restricting non pediatrician-approved items.

Part of me is supremely proud...the other part just wants to finish my damn meal in peace.

Here are some pics from the past two weeks. Apologies that they're sideways...when I post shots by blogging directly from my phone, that's the way they post. Tried several fixes, but to no avail. If anyone has suggestions on that, comment below (which i always love anyway) or email me!




4.14.2011

'Tis Grateful I Be on the Each Week's Fifth Day (or, "Thankful on a Thursday")

There's a whole idea out there in the blogesphere that I've pillaged: Thankful on a Thursday.  I love the idea of taking a bit of time each week to publicly acknowledge the little things that I appreciate and even crave.  I'll interpret my "ToaT" as a short list of current things that give me the happies, since I'm constantly grateful for my family, health, having a job, and whatnot.  Obvi.  

I asked HD what she was thankful for today, and received this as her reply:
  



As you can see/hear, HD clearly states that she's thankful for Bobby and puppy.  I mean this in all sincerity -- the first mate truly couldn't have picked two finer things in life.  It's been a rough week.  And here are a few things that have helped it pass by for me:

1)  Dexter season 4 and the amazingness that is John Lithgow.  It's hard to believe the unspeakably frightening "Trinity Killer" is the same dude who I used to see walking his dogs on the beautiful UCLA campus back in my college days.  Netflix is the greatest source of escapism ever (aside from the library, naturally).

2)  The bottle of Cabernet Franc leftover from our wedding 2 years ago.  Hallelujah, praise Bacchus.  

3)  I am not a phone person, but occasionally I do have actual conversations with real live people.  Unexpected phone calls with old friends can be lifesavers.  Big smooch going out to the former Schwartzy.

4)  Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred.  Nothing like a hard, quick sweat-fest to work off some stress!  Who knew a mere 20 minutes could make one feel simultaneously exhausted and empowered?

5)  Slowly, Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth.  Every night, Hubs, HD, and I all pile onto our bed to read a few books before putting HD down in her room.  This is the current fave.  It's beautiful, funny, and contains tons of animals that Hubs and I actually saw on our honeymoon (Costa Rica, where I'd love to take HD some day).  Ah, memories.

Hope all is well out there for y'all, dear readers.  

4.10.2011

One Debonair Buccaneer (or, "A Love Letter")

Hubs.  My funny, virile, smart-as-a-whip, manly co-captain.

Ok, so HD is in the pic to up the cute factor.  But Hubs is pretty cute too.

As much as I love my alone time, nothing beats having a true partner in crime.  Here's an abbreviated list of what makes marriage so very worth it (at least, my marriage):

1.  The man very literally just walked into the study whilst I was typing just to give me a kiss.  Not to read over my shoulder or interrupt my "me" time.  Just in, smooch, then out to catch up on Survivor.  Sometimes the quick reminder of romance is exactly all I needed.

2.  No one indulges my love of bad horror movies like this man.  Our Saturday nights are seriously like Mystery Science Theater 3000.  Darlin' Hubs, thanks for letting me crow over Dead Alive.  Although I still maintain it was more enjoyable than your precious Thankskilling.  [Reader -- I would link to both of those movies, but for reals...lots of blood, guts, bad puns, and naughty language.  You'd probably question my sanity if you saw what I find to be funny.]

3.  I came home this week all aglow because I've decided to finally decorate our study in a decidedly feminine manner.  He patiently sat through 25 minutes of me showing him different decorating blogs and  Pottery Barn office organizing systems.  He even claimed to like the curtains I picked out.  Seriously, y'all -- that's love.

4.  Hubs is the best daddy in the world.  Dads have this amazing (enviable) ability to let their kids do things on their own.  Whereas this mama occasionally flutters about trying to help HD with any physical play, Hubs is urging her to use her push walker, do somersaults at Little Gym class, and explore the bottom stairs in our house.  He has mastered the fine line of proctoring her safety and allowing her to act as an individual.  I could really learn from him.

5.  Yeah, we used the traditional "for better or worse, in sickness and health" vows in our wedding.  Some people find them canned, stuffy, cliche.  But we said those words because that's exactly what we wanted to sign up for in creating a life together.  Some things are classic for a reason.  I meant (and still do mean) every word.

He knows the writing makes me happy. When he's taken a particularly cute video or photo, he specifically tells me he did it for the blog.  Behold, dear Reader, a parting sign of love for you from my Hubs:

4.06.2011

The Ditty of Sandpaper Pappy (or, "The Grandparents Came to Visit!")


           Since the age of 18, I haven’t lived within 400 miles of my parents (notable exception being the awesome 1.25 year period between my wedding and end of maternity leave, when The Parents, The Bro and I were all in the same 30 mile radius).  This isn’t because we don’t like each other; sometimes jobs and lives just lead you to different places.  My immediate family is actually pretty tight-knit, so visits have always been a source of uber excitement.  And this past week was one of those times.
            The Parents are Southerners through and through, but had lived West of the Mississippi for about twenty years.  If you ask me or The Bro, we’ll claim Southern roots even though we haven’t lived there since 1990. [Side note – yes, it is very strange to be brought up as “Southern” when your formative years are spent living on the West Coast.  But I suppose HD will get a bit of that in her upbringing as well.  That’s a whole other post yet to come.]  The Parents retired from the Bay Area back to Charleston, SC last year.  I miss them terribly but am really happy they’re in a place they love.  And that I have such a fun place to visit once or twice a year.  And that they feel the magnetic pull of an adorable granddaughter, whose cuteness causes them to visit about every other month.  Which means plenty of reunions are still in store.  Yay!

            HD had a blast playing with her grandparents the past few days.  Most babies are magically drawn to my daddy.  Maybe it’s the bald head (“Hey, he’s like me!”) or the soft, deep Southern drawl.  HD was no exception.  After he spoke about two sentences to her, she did that open-arm-dive-bomb-toward-my-new-friend-hold-me-now move.  I think it’s because he kept telling her how pretty she was.  My daughter is already a sucker for flattery.  Check out the happy couple:     



           My mama is a beacon of energy.  She keeps up with playing a full day with my kid better than I do.  She pushed strollers, helped HD “walk,” read books, repeatedly built block towers that were instantly knocked down, and sang songs.  Oh, did The Mama sing songs!  My personal fave was “Saaand-pay-puh Paaa-pay, ch-ch-ch-chhhhhh!”  This is apparently an ode to my father, who has a full, bristly goatee (you know, like sandpaper).  HD would rub her Pappy’s scratchy face and pat his head when the song was sung.  Sadly, I don’t have the tune on video.  Although I’ve been singing it in my head since last Wednesday, so I guess I don’t need one for posterity.  Mama --  I know you’re reading this.  You’ve now been tasked with coming up with full lyrics, since I can’t get beyond the one line chorus.  It’s the only way I’ll be able to get your God forsaken tune out of my head!
Let’s see.  Other than that, and a wonderful family lunch with The Bro and his fiancĂ© for his birthday (woo!), HD’s been doing all sorts of stuff.  Like refusing to eat baby food.  Nine months old and this kid is already a connoisseur of baba ganooj, sautĂ©ed spinach, and mashed potatoes.  Straight up won’t eat unless it’s from the end of my fork.  I guess with all that garlic, she really did inherit the family’s taste buds.       


4.04.2011

Grimmaces 'n' Grunts (or, "HD's Pouty Face")

Been MIA this weekend in Blog Land due to a visit from my folks and my bro's birthday celebrations.  While I gather my thoughts and visual aids for a fun grandparents-themed post, I thought y'all might like a little more live footage.  Nothing fancy or thrilling, just playtime on the mat as per usual.  Note the pursed-lips-snorting-through-wrinkled-nose face about halfway through.  HD does this whenever she's mildly displeased about something.  We make this face back to her, and she LOVES it.  It's like she knows her place in the family comedy routine.  Why she's displeased with measuring spoons in the vid is beyond me....