Careful, Mommy Bites!

Today we picked Sadie up from the church nursery and were thrilled to find her sleeping in the arms of a stranger. Obviously, Sadie had overcome any social awkwardness as proven by her limp arms and sleepy pouting mouth. Her teacher passed her off and she slept until I was trying to get in the car and stepped on a pink furry "sing-a-ma-jig" (actual name, I'm not losing my mind). As soon as the little creature sang "hiiii," Sadie's 15 minute nap was over. She sat up with delight as she grabbed for the pink nap-time enemy and made him "talk" again.

Since she was up, we decided to enjoy Freebirds. One of the funniest things we saw today was a man who had tattooed his broken and stretched out earlobe like a candy cane. I don't really know how Freebirds hires, but I always like looking at the unique menagerie of tattooed extroverts with side-swept dreadlocks as they casually ask, "refried or black beans?"

After watching Sadie chow down on a "little monster" quesadilla, she decided to share. She gave me a bite, then James, then me, then James. This went on until when she gave me a bite, I accidentally bit more than her tortilla. I bit her finger! We then watched with mixed horror and pity as her happy face slowly and silently filled with confusion and hurt. All the while I kept thinking, "I just bit my daughter! Who bites their own child?!"

Thankfully, she was smiling as soon as we walked outside. We walked next door and got a Jamba Juice - peach perfection. Sadie loves the all-fruit smoothie. So I crawled into the back seat with her to share as she sat in her car seat. Funny enough, she held it and drank it the whole way home - only stopping to share with me a handful of times. With each swig, she carefully studied me to make sure I didn't take too much of her drink. As we pulled into our neighborhood I took this picture. What a growing toddler I have in my house and so forgiving. I'm not sure I would crawl into the lap of the same person who bit me on my index finger earlier in the day. Thank goodness she's forgiving (and has the memory of a small fish right now). :)

- Posted from my iPhone

Play Date with Austin H.

Sadie "skunkin' it" with her shades.

Sadie's best friend, Austin H.

Spring is officially here. Let the outside play dates commence! Today Sadie enjoyed meeting her friend, Austin, at a park close to our house. Not only does she get to play with her friend, but I get to enjoy mine as well. Mary Beth and Russ have been our friends since before they were married and we cherish the friendship we have with them. We have made quite a habit of these impromptu Friday play dates. Sharing stories of our daily tasks, however menial, always reminds me that I'm not alone in this whole "stay at home" adventure.

Having outside play dates has helped me learn to relax a bit. As a teacher (and natural workaholic) who used to go full speed all day, I am now learning to breathe and take pride in some seemingly easy or small tasks that have always evaded me - like afternoons in the park, having all the laundry finished without doing 6 loads at once, and knowing what we are eating for dinner because I have meal-planned (not always, but I try) ahead of time. I'm by no means stress-free. I have my thesis constantly whispering in my ear - reminding me that it needs tending. Finishing my thesis will bring a new and welcomed sense of peace. Being free from grad work will also help me to start living the "peaceful" life everyone assumes I have as a stay-at-home mom. I was told yesterday at a Chinese dining establishment that I should try to "enjoy [my] vacation" before I have to go back to teaching one day. I would love to enjoy a vacation. Someone should have probably told this lovely man that staying home with a toddler is not analogous with a trip to Destin or Colorado Springs sans children.

In any case, I am thankful. Thankful for parks with turf and no rocks for Sadie to try and eat, thankful for friends who will listen, laugh, and not judge, and thankful that even when alone, Christ still knows me and loves me anyway. What a pleasant morning.

-Posted from my iPhone

Azaleas in Bloom

Somebunny loves me!

Serious with Su Su

Susan "Su Su" is wildly talented when it comes to maintaining azaleas. They are gorgeous every spring in front of her yard with this year being no exception. She was so excited to bring Sadie over for her first azalea photo shoot as a toddler. James and I showed up with bows in hand hoping for a miracle. Sadie was so sweet and let us take pictures with a bow atop her head for at least 10 minutes! The results were beautiful. Su Su sat down with Sadie to snap a couple of beautiful photos together as Poppy made crazy faces to get Sadie to smile.

Springtime Sweet

So 'egg'cited! 

Su Su brought out some beaded eggs (her Easter decor) for Sadie to hold. She loved the texture and giggled with glee as we all acted like fools to get the perfect smile. As we were making fools of ourselves to amuse Sadie, Su Su and Poppy's neighbors walked over to observe the spectacle and see sweet Sadie. They raved that Sadie was adorable, which, of course, we couldn't deny. :)

Mommy and Me

Last Year's Azalea Shoot (Sadie almost 4 months old)

I looked at this photo above and thought about where we were this time last year. She seems so small and I my mind is already rubbing away the edges of some memories. I can't imagine her not walking now! How fun to look back at photos to see how faithful God has been to us. She is growing up so fast and into such a sweet little girl.

Try and catch me!

I love these beaded eggs!

After a few minutes, Sadie was finished with sitting still and preferred to be chased around the yard. Every couple of minutes, she'd tear the bow out of her hair and then giggle and we ran after her to stick it back in. The war with bows is obviously still being waged.

I am happy because I have yet to realize I am wearing a bow!

Sadie had one outfit change at the very end into this adorable dress she received on her first birthday. The pink ruffles matched perfectly with her ruffled and embroidered white bloomers.

New Life, New Joy

I had the distinct honor of meeting Soren Saldivar today. My dear friend, Christy, gave birth to a handsome little boy. As I pulled down the folds of his soft swaddling to get a better look at his cherub-like features, I felt a rush of joy for Christy, her sweet husband, and daughter (newly-knighted "Big Sister"). Even as a little baby, anyone could tell he is all boy - a dashing little man. He gently cooed as Christy held him and then slept soundly in the bassinet while we visited a bit. Even Izelle, Christy's daughter, was the perfect hostess. As you can plainly see, she offered me refreshments. I feasted on watered-down coke from a small pink and white aluminum teapot and supped on two and a half Cheetos. We toasted "Cheers!" with nearly every sip and enjoyed playing with several Disney Princesses with bendable knees - amazing and kind of scary feature. Imagine your knees popping that loud with every movement. Perhaps my knees will sound like the 4th of July when I'm older, but for now I'm thrilled my knees are relatively silent upon standing.

After "coffee" with Izelle, I hugged Christy and her sweet mom then had to rush off to tend to my thesis. I find my mind meandering, however, thinking about Christy and the sweet new joy she has in Soren. Let the fun begin for her and her family. I am happy I could visit so I can hold onto that memory as we both grow older. Looking back is so much fun.

Lunch with Uncle Austin

Sadie and I decided to meet Uncle Austin for lunch today. The weather was perfect for an outside lunch at Central market. Sadie slept through a lot of our visiting time, but enjoyed seeing and smiling at her uncle once awakened. She even wore her fancy outfit to impress Uncle Austin (sans bow; we are still in a fierce battle with all bows).



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Forget you, Mr. Sun.

When I contemplate the implications of daylight savings time, I feel myself personifying the entire practice, then singing to this newly-created metaphor. Not sweet melodic lullabies - more like Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" (radio-edited version, of course).

I understand that there must be countless farmers that appreciate the merits of this time-honored practice. As an English teacher, all I really understand is that it involves farming, the sun, and produce perhaps? I even remember appreciating daylight savings when I was younger due to my relationship with the sun - being almost titillated by the change of the day. I enjoyed that the sun stayed out longer; it suggested that summer was near. As a teacher and student, I relished every ray we shared together. However, our relationship has grown apart. The sun and I had a bad altercation (I lost) spring of 2009. He left my chest and back freckled as a post bellum reminder of his power. I also stopped surfing once pregnant (apparently it is not ideal for a woman with child), and this only exacerbated the growing distance between us. Then the most dramatic change for us came as I entered the mid-section of my first trimester. Suddenly the thought of bathing in the hot sun on a sticky day did not entice an increasingly nauseous mommy-to-be. I even thought we might rekindle our mutual affection for the occasion of Sadie's first summer, but I was too obsessive compulsive about sunscreen on an infant's skin. It wasn't him; it was me.

After all that had passed between us, I admit that I recently have felt a growing excitement due to the recent return of warmth in general, but then daylight savings time happened. And as I played with an alarmingly awake Sadie after her evening nap from 10-11PM, I cursed the sun and daylight savings time and farmers and produce and any other family that was not affected by this seemingly crazy time ritual. I couldn't help it. I was angry that we have already struggled with getting Sadie's bedtime to an earlier hour only to then be thwarted by my old friend and foe, the sun.

So, here we sit. Estranged from one another. Perhaps Sadie's internal clock will readjust. Perhaps the beach will beckon making it ultimately impossible for me to stay away this summer. Perhaps my skin will itch not from overexposure, but with the desire to get outside to soak in some vitamin D. However, until then I choose not to be amused with you, Mr. Sun. "Forget you."


nota bene: I am in no way ignorant of the fact that the sun is not who created daylight savings, rather found it more amusing to ramble on in metaphor against an inanimate object. Just thought I might need a note added so I didn't have hundreds of FB friends trying to reconcile me and the sun due to a rambling of sorts.

Sadie's First Livestock Show

Sadie's first visit to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was an event to remember. Before we left the house we had to partake in our ritualistic photo shoot since Granny was in tow. Although I may complain about photos when we are in a rush, I am always overjoyed and thankful when I look through them. My mom has such an eye for capturing the special moments of our every day life. Of all the photos taken, the one of us together was my favorite by far. I don't know what it is about shots where the subjects look away from the lens, but they always seem to move me. Sadie's bow is atop her silky straight hair and you even get a glimpse of my favorite headband that was a Christmas gift from my sweet mother-in-law, Susan.

A Real Cowgirl

"Come on, Daddy! Let's rodeo!"

There is nothing cuter or more hilarious than seeing every day items in smaller versions. Take Sadie's cowgirl hat, for example. You shrink it down and it is automatically adorable. Sadie wasn't too fond of donning her hat for the entire night, but was a doll to even let us get a few pictures before she pulled it off her head. Here's hoping next year she will love it so much she will want to wear it the whole time! *fingers crossed*

A Genuine "Pig-Sitter"

The first animal Sadie met was a pink and brown spotted pig. Although shown by a young high school girl, the man who sold the school the pigs was there and very friendly. He picked her up and let her get inside the cage, brush the pig's hair,and even sit on the big pig belly! She loved it! Better than any "touch and feel" book, by far.

Mommy and Granddaddy

Granny

Sadie enjoyed being with Granny and Granddaddy. Their very first date - when my mom was 16, mind you - was to the Houston "Fatstock Show, so taking Sadie this year was very special for them. I wonder if they could have ever imagined then coming back with their little pink cowgirl granddaughter. We played "pass-around-the-Sadie" until she settled and we watched some amazing herding from some dogs. Sadie was overjoyed to wake up to the sight of beautiful dogs herding sheep. She yelled, "woo woo!" (woof woof!)

"I think these fit, Mommy!"

"I just looove these hobo bags, like Mommy."

It might be from watching Mommy, but Sadie seems to have a natural gift for shopping. She will pick out certain items, hold and study them intently, then look at me with delight as she saunters over to me and hands me her chosen prize. Ahhhhh, brings a tear to my eye.

"This ain't my first rodeo - wait, yes it is!"

Overall, the experience was as we imagined. Sadie loved the animals, pointing to the new sights, and even seeing the lights of the carnival. What a fun night. Cannot wait until next year when she is even older and can say, "pleeeeease Mommy. Can I have _______?"

Sheer Excitement

With a scab on her nose and a song in her heart, Sadie is loving her phone! SuSu even found an old phone for her to play with. She holds it up to her ear and says, "hi!" In fact, she'll greet almost anything that folds open. We were in Bed, Bath, and Beyond when she cracked open a small cosmetic mirror and shouted, "hi!" At least we know she's not shy!

Although it might sound over analyzed or thought out (surprise, surprise coming from yours truly), I think that her willingness to engage through phone or language is a definite sign of her heart. One of the most unique joys of being a parent is seeing the personality of your baby unfold before your very eyes. Only in quiet moments of reflection do some very even realize it's happening. Like on this day. Behind this lens. I caught a glimpse of who Christ intends Sadie to be - a joyful little girl. I know life will bring heartache and pain, but in this moment she is utterly happy and that gives me a peace and satisfaction that I've never known before.