Homework with my Partner

There's a vibe in our household right now that has been pushing us to complete projects that we have been working on for a while. So, this weekend, needing to busy ourselves a bit, we finished a few things around the house. We have been working on a master bedroom suite in the upstairs of our house for some time now and we finished the trim in our walk-in closet on Sunday! Yay. Bryan did an excellent job and I am spoiled by the amount of space we now have to store our clothes and bedding. Here's a few shots of the final look:



While Cooper napped and Bryan worked on the closet trim, I painted our outdoor furniture. The weather was really nice and it was good to be outside working on something. We've had this old wicker furniture for years and it's been through many coats of paint. Here's the latest version:



There has been a lot of moments over the last 5 months that have been less than ideal. I find myself clinging to the parts of our life that make me the happiest and trying to squeeze every bit of happiness from life that it will allow, despite the rough spots. Our home is one of those things for me that really makes me feel good. I love the little life and the little home that we have made for ourselves. The last couple of weekends have really reminded me of how amazing my husband is. There's no better partner to hold the hand of through the good and the bad. He holds me up when I cannot manage on my own. He comforts me when I am feeling sad. He makes me laugh when there is just no other way to be. We are like a puzzle that fits together in the best of ways. Each having a piece that the other needs to become whole. I adore you, I need you, I like you, I love you. Thank you for everything that you are to me- which is both one thing or a million things, whatever I happen to need. I love the life we make together.

Celebrating a Life

I'll just speak to you as if you could read this, because I'm not sure else how to write it...

I love you, girl. A true friend and companion, loyal, loyal, loyal to those nearest to you. Especially your Papa and me. This weekend, we are going through a really tough thing with you. Probably one of the most difficult and painful experiences of our lives. You're not feeling very good. There's a tumor. We found out yesterday that we don't have long. It happened so fast that we are doing our best to keep you comfortable for this weekend, for just a few days. We need to love on you and to feel you near, at the base of our chairs, the foot of the bed, and by our side on just a few more walks around the neighborhood. We want to catch a few last glimpses of the girl we've loved over the last eight years. You're a huge part of our life and our love. You were the first thing that was your Dad and I's together. You're our first baby.

I want to thank you for all of the happiness, the laughter, the love and the lessons you've given us. It's been a true joy to know you. One of the things about you that is so amazing is how much you like to be with us. You've traveled to places near and far because of this. There's not a car ride you wouldn't go on. From the very first week we had you, I started taking you to work with me at Pop and Granny's store. You were this tiny little black fluffball whom napped under the bolt bin and on the bottom shelf of the parts counter. You sniffed for balls under the parts bins, barked away at many a customer whose gait irritated you or whose voice tweaked your ears the wrong way. :) From the outside looking in, I think people thought you were cranky (and maybe you were), but from my point of view, every bark was for us. You just wanted to protect what you loved best. Thank you, girl.

I think what I love best about you is how you are always near us. You are like a little shadow, a pal that needs to be where the action is. This was true from the moment we brought you home- no crate for you. I had to sleep on the floor with you at night until I convinced your Papa that having a dog in the bed was a good idea. :) And I'm so glad you made it there. Having you at the foot of the bed is always a comfort to me. I've loved having your warmth and sleepy body to wake up to in the morning. Morning, girl. With a little rub on your velvet forehead.

There are so many little things that I want to always remember about you. The way you mashed every couch cushion we've ever owned because sitting in the window was where it's at. Barking at any little thing going by. The way you hate to go outside in the rain. Your little princess feet could not get wet. It's silly, but the way you spin in circles to find the perfect spot for pooping. The way you LOVE to play ball. The way you get that wild look on your face and in your eyes when we are pouncing our hands on the floor at you. How you LOVE to take walks around the neighborhood and sniff and sniff and sniff. How you learned what bag was yours at Christmas and would stick your head through the tissue paper and snort at whatever was inside (raquetballs, tennis balls, a new collar). The way you know when we would get off of the interstate to go home and you would jump in my lap as we make the u-turn on to our street. Yes, I will miss you riding in the car with me so much. My little co-pilot.Drinking pond water. Following your Dad from back to front back to front, when he was working in the yard. You're a food beggar. Big time. And I swear at Thanksgiving, when you steal a billion rolls from the hands of all the kids, your tummy is as big as the ocean and made of steel. How you always carry the empty cat food cans under the dining room table and lick them clean. How you and your Papa share peanut butter and he lets you lick the empty jars clean.

You are wonderful, you are our girl. Big fluffy. Babs. Babette. You are loved, a million times over. Our hearts are inextricably tied to yours. We love you, girl.

Cooperisms

I wrote this on March 2nd and never finished it. I've decided it's done enough to post anyway...


Today when you said something totally adorable, I decided it was time to write down a few of the cute things you say, before I turn 40 and you turn 10, and I forget all the cute Cooperisms. I love that you talk and I love how you pick up on all that is going on in our world. You are learning to say so many new things every day. Here's a sample:

Last week, you pulled out your rain/snow boots and kept saying, "h-now, h-now, h-now". You wanted snow. You remembered snow. From two weeks ago. That's amazing.

Today, I realized that I must ask you a lot, "are you ready?", because you started answering me, "rae!" It's so fun because you seem so proud that you answer and always with much enthusiasm.

You love your Pop and call his name, "Hop! Hop!"

You love your Granny and call her name, "Gee, Gee!" (Is it possible to rename a Grandparent after 5 other grandchildren?)

You love to answer all questions with "yeah". Except when you answer, "nuh".

Your Dad and I have a habit of singsonging, "we're ho-ome" when we pull into our drive way. You have picked up on this and now say "ho-ome" in the same singsong voice we do.


**I love you. I love you. I love you. A thousand times over. You talking is the best thing ever.**

City Life

One of the things I think about a lot is how raising a child in the city is different than raising one in the burbs (or *gasp* on a farm- as I partially was). One of the things I really enjoy about the city is that it forces me to not be a hermit. If Cooper needs a change of scenery (which is often- due to our tiny house and bo-ring yard), I take him to one of the many local parks. Here's one of our park outings from last week. Cooper was being extra silly and cute which made it so fun to snap his picture.

Bath Time!

When you're a kid, there's more to bathing than just soap and water. For Cooper, there's pots and pans, dishes and bowls, cups and lids. Here's what happens when he has all of his favorite things in the tub. (Yes, there was lots of water on the floor, too.)









(Thanks Daddy for getting Momma a new camera that takes the most amazing photos. xoxo.)

Snow Day

Last week, someone said that they were ready for spring and I said, "just one more snow and I'll be ready." Well, I got what I wished for. And it was amazing. The perfect snow day- at home, nothing to do but stare out the window at our wintry white. It was beautiful and peaceful. And I think I found the perfect partner who loves snow just as much as me.

He was in awe. He was delighted. His heart sang. So did mine...

I'm still here

We survived December although I have no idea how. I'm not talking about a December filled-with-so-much-Christmas-fun-you-just-don't-know-how-you're-going-to-fit-all-the-parties-in-December. I'm talking about a December filled with so many rough patches I thought I'd lose my mind. I definitely lost my Christmas spirit. I'm looking back now thinking, "can I have a do over?"

Mid-December brought the news that the salon that I worked at was closing down. In three weeks. It came as a surprise even after months of rumors and speculation among our staff. I never thought I'd cry when I was told it wasn't happening anymore. But I did. It's hard not to feel a little attached to something that you've spent 5 years of your life building. I knew in my heart that it was for the best but my head was spinning at the thought of trying to find the perfect job, my new home, in a mere 3 weeks over the holidays. Merry Christmas, you're fired.

Almost exactly one week later, I miscarried a baby that we had been hoping to tell everyone about on Christmas day. Our hearts were broken into a million pieces. I'm not even sure where to begin to talk about that here. But, it happened and I think most of you already know about it. Life had to go on- at a breakneck pace- whether I was ready for it or not.

I spent the remainder of December scrambling to get a job and get settled enough to take my clients who were already scheduled on January 2nd. I ended up sort of starting my own business- which was a huge, complicated and awesome experience. Something I'm still working on.

New Year's Eve was a blur. We spent it at home with a few friends and our sweet boy. New Year's last year with him was so fun we HAD to spend it with him again this year. I did make it to midnight and fell fast asleep soon after. Wooh, made it to 2010.

Every day since January 2nd has gotten better and better. Life has and is slowly returning to its normal pace. The past week I feel like I am finally waking up from a long winter's dream. I see my boy again and take deep breaths of his sweetness and remember how great our lives are. The show is going on. Life is going on. And I couldn't be happier about it.

Advent Day 1!

This year, we are starting a new holiday tradition- an Advent calendar. I found one last year on clearance at the bullseye when my Mom and I went day-after-Christmas shopping. It's a pretty silver box with shiny numbered doors and it's going to bring a lot of fun to our December, I've already decided. So, Bryan and I are taking turns each day and putting a surprise behind every door to be opened each morning. I'm odd days, he's even, we share the 25th. So, this morning Bryan and Cooper opened the first door and found 3 snowflakes and a little note that explained that we would be kissing under mistletoe today. Well, Cooper feel asleep in the car on the way home, so he'll get his kiss tomorrow. But, here's a pic of his parents sharing a Christmas kiss...


Happy December! And HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Today's Accomplishments

*Woke up early to get your day started (6am)
*Learned a new word during breakfast (toast)
*Decided 6am was waaay too early to wake up and took a nap at 8:45am (yay)
*Played and played with the sitter
*Took trash out for Mommy (I tie it up, you drag it out the back door- good job)
*Learned how to use your mini fishing pole in the bathtub (good work)
*Downed a shot of Motrin to fight of the aches of your cold

Night baby boy. Love you so much.

Tomato Soup Recipe

I promised a friend I'd post the recipe for the soup I made last week. I made it again today- Yum! (Yes, those are Christmas muffin papers. I'm all sad since I packed up Halloween stuff last night. Gotta move on to the next-ish holiday.)

Tomato Soup

1 32oz carton of lower sodium chicken broth
1 10.75oz can of Hunt's tomato puree
1 14.5oz can of diced tomato (I use either plain or fire-roasted with garlic)
1/2 cup half n half or whole milk
1 small onion, diced
1 Tb. olive oil
salt, pepper and dried basil to taste
garlic powder (if the diced tomato is plain)

Saute onion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. (Sometimes I use the hand blender to puree the soup while it is simmering.) Make a box of Jiffy Corn Muffins while the soup is simmering. They make an excellent soup companion! :)

Toddler Bed

Is it time?

Bottles and Tears + Halloween

Your Dad and I have washed them a MILLION times. We've assembled their many parts so many times we can do it blindfolded. We might have cursed them on more than one occasion. But tonight, as I packed them away until the next baby, I cried about them. Well, I cried about you never needing one again. The bottles. It really started because I tried to remember the very last time I fixed you a bottle and gave it to you. I couldn't. And I bawled. Because that means that I forgot something about you. I know it's a condition of the brain, to remember some things but forget most, but it's just not okay with me when it comes to you. I want to remember every moment. To be able to conjure any experience we've had together. To know that you are right there in my thoughts when I need you.

Things seem to be moving at a breakneck pace since you were born. You are growing up so very fast. The experience of raising you is the best thing your Dad and I have ever been a part of. Every day you bring a joy to our lives that we are so grateful for. Last night we were talking about you over our dinner date and both of us were just brimming with pride and wonder over what a happy, curious and smart little boy you are. We had just been trick-or-treating earlier in the night and you were so into it. We were impressed at how quickly you caught on and how thrilled you were to pick out candy from the bowls of neighbors. You were delighted and you were a delight. You were the cutest skeleton around. We love you.

Here's a photo representation of our Halloween trick-or-treating!

Pumpkin Carving

I'm a lover of fall and Halloween. Tonight we carved our pumpkin that we will set on the front steps to beckon the trick-or-treaters Saturday night. This year, we decided to go with a Jack Skellington theme. I think he turned out pretty cute. Plus, Cooper was all about helping this year, which made it extra fun. (Sorry, the pictures are in reverse and I don't feel like switching them!)
Completed pumpkin after Cooper was in bed







Pajama and milk break!


Cooper helping with his own marker. (Dry erase wipes right off of pumpkins BTW.)



Whoa, this comes off!?!




Yes! I get to use a knife!



Happy Halloween!