Intimate moments

When I stumbled across this picture on the camera I felt as though I had seen something I shouldn't have. This is Bri's beer can chicken that he made for dinner a couple of weeks ago. For some reason, the sight of this naked bird, standing upright on our grill seems somewhat wrong. Maybe it's because, knowing Bri, I know he had rubbed the bird with some delicious rub, in order to get it to taste so good. Maybe it's because the look is somewhat ALIVE looking, I felt guilty viewing it in such a way, knowing that I (an Xave and Bri) enjoyed it for many days. Whatever the reason, I thought I should share the beer can chicken, and see what your responses are.

Special 'Sisters' of all kinds...

As I was about to sign on and create a post. I realized that I would be posting under Mark... Now one might ask how did Mark get access to Sistership? That would be my mistake of bookmarking the site. Well, lets face it.. if he could be, he would be a sister... Although he pokes fun at us, he loves reading our blog. 

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Happy Birthday to Eileen

You are now in New Orleans, 

Is it a sweet Betty that you wish 

Or just a hug and a kish???

Either way, 

Today is your day...

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Enjoy and we'll celebrate soon.

XOXO

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Beauts @ South Beach

South Beach in Katama.  Nonie gets a squeeze from Gran and my heart melts.

nostalgia

I decided to celebrate ELEVEN DAYS LEFT by wrapping a lampshade in yarn.

Mardi Gras colors, of course.

hug

Remember my whole bit a few weeks back, with the hug and the "are you a hugger" and the OH I'M SORRY I didn't know I had to hug you thing?

That got me thinking.

A friend of mine from college is in town (interviewing for jobs, possibly moving here... the timing is - once again - impeccable) and I gave her a hello hug last night. A quick one. And I got to thinking that I haven't hugged anyone since Easter break when I was in Vermont. I got sad. OK so I am not a HUGGER but I would like a squeeze now and then.

My boss gave me a hug about an hour ago. I almost cried. Well, I kind of did, which got me thinking.

Remember Christmases of old? When I would make a schedule of when I could wake everyone up in the morning? I was thinking that maybe we could make a HUG schedule. This way you can have time to plan. I won't even say GIVE ME A HUG but maybe we could just fall into it. A mutual hug, if you will.

Who wants to be first?

10 months...

10 months ago at this time I was in pain.
10 months ago a half an hour from now, I was in agony.
10 months ago, one hour from now I thought I had experienced the happiest time in my life.
But every single day since that day 10 months ago has been even better.
Last night after a long day at work on a Sunday which is my least favorite day to work, we played chase around the living room.
This morning I put on the tunes and you laughed at my while I danced around to Poker Face.
This afternoon you played with your cousins and Granny and TarTar...what will tomorrow bring???
Thanks to Mr. Xave for lighting up my life.
What a gift I have.

Instead of baby books

Instead of baby books Dame and I fill each child's email account with musings from our days.  The plan is that they'll get the login name and password later on in their life - when these posts actually mean something.

May 16, 2009

"Love"

Ms. Nonie,

Today you sat perched on a table cloth in the middle of the yard while I gardened.

I looked at you most of the time (got very little gardening done).  

You are beautiful.

You were so happy with your array of balls (kickball, tennis ball and two velcro balls and paddles).  You giggled.  You laughed.  You played.

We rolled in the grass for about an hour.  I must have kissed you 5 million times.

At the climbing wall on the swingset you stood for 10 minutes.  I blew bubbles that circled the curly hairs on your head.

You beamed with pride as you stood.  STOOD for minute after minute.

Unlike your adventurous cousin Xave - you have NO INTEREST IN MOVING.

This is okay.  We had lots to do in that one spot.  Lots of leaves on trees to look at.  The birds wondered if you were a statue.  I thought they might land on your tiny hands and feed on the crumbs stuck to your face from lunch.

When you sat in your swing today your arms and legs flapped with joy.  I call you a baby bird because of these habits of yours.  Yes, i AM your mother.

You are happiest in your swing.  Good vantage point of the whole yard.  Predictable motions.  Breeze in those curls on your head.  No one fussing about you.

You swang (swung) (did swing) for several more priceless minutes... I occupied the swing beside you and I think this made you even happier (if possible).

I can't imagine spending an afternoon in May any other way.

When I am with you without my camera I think to myself: "click click click" and I capture these memories and store them away for the days when my memories are fuzzy.  Click click click: your face, the crumbs from lunch, your tiny toes with a blade of grass stuck in them.

I adore you Miss Nonie.  I adore you.

Mommy

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"Cough"

Decky,

You have a bad cough tonight and it is making me sad.

This, after a jam packed day of fun.

Trains in the morning - boy we built a great loop with Ms. Nonie in the middle.  Baked delicious cornbread and you cracked the egg.  So proud.

Bday party with Daddy and Cormac.

Visit from Granny Tess and Grandpa this afternoon.

Dinner.  Biked to the Lake after dinner....sandcastles, lightening McQueen, and runners taking a dip in the water!

We had a big day yesterday that ended with you going on almost every ride at the carnival.

Tomorrow is ANOTHER Bday party in the morning and then Greenwich Festival in the afternoon.

I hope you feel better tomorrow.  Why are you sick?  I can't figure it out.  This cough has got to go....

Daddy and I are taking turns taking care of you.  You are sweeter than sweet right now.

I love you.  You are a good boy.  And when I just told you that as I kissed your forehead you said to me (in your sleep):

"You're a good girl mommy".

You are extraordinary in every way.

I feel lucky to share my days with you.

Mommy

a new view

I'm looking for a new view. The view across my living room right now is of a dwindling living space - turned stage area for packing up life. I think I do this too much. In the past four years I have moved six times. I am getting too old for this.

I want a view that doesn't involve looking out an iron-barred window. That window, by the way, has recently been painted shut. From the outside. It's hot in here.

I want a view that will stay the same for more than ten months. This particular view comes with a monthly paycheck. Maybe a dog.

I want a view of a place that is close to my family. I like being in the loop.

It's a good thing I held off on the moving out process until now. I wanted to start two weeks ago. I've sold my couch, 4 tables, and a bookshelf. I am sitting on the floor. I might have jumped the gun.

But I'm excited for a new view.

Roped Up.

Funny or what?

happy mother's day

I have no shortage of mothers in my life.

This morning I walked around the block thinking of them all.

The trees are green, the deadly-spikey caterpillars that fall from them are gone, the sun is hot and shining down. Things are good.

It's been summer here for a while. The beautiful blooms of spring have given way to long empty stalks and green leafy bushes.

I found this flower. Bright and full of life. Leaning toward the sun. It made me smile. Which made me think of Annie, Tese, Kara, Erin, Page, Sue and Mimi. All the mothers in my life.

Amazing mothers, taking care of me and all the cutest little people that I know.

ALL MY LOVE TO YOU TODAY

Sticker Tag

Tomorrow is a Xavey Day.  I love Xavey Days and I think he does too.

I can't wait to smooch his soft cheeks.

Before he arrives, I will hide all the stickers from Dec...

Forward Movements & More Raisins

In an effort to encourage any sort of Forward Movement from dear Nonie, I left her on her belly for a wee bit longer than usual this morning.  This is hard to do.  She cries. She doesn't like it. 

Decky and I were 8 ft away in the kitchen and she wanted to be with us.  In a sing-song voice I encouraged her from the doorway between rooms.

"Just push yourself forward Nonie...if you really want to come, you have to learn how to do it on your own..."

Forward Movement demonstrated:

I got on all fours to show her how.  Dec got on all fours to show her how.  We crawled in circles around her.  Her crying quieted.  She didn't budge.

Dec returned to his bowl of Joe's O's (p.s. definitely don't taste like cheerios).  I returned to making my mug of tea.  A minute passed.  

Nonie cried. 

Harder cries. 

Louder cries.  

My heart cried.

All of a sudden Dec jumped forth to rescue her.  He broke before I did.  My heart smiled.  I grabbed his arm to stop him, knelt beside him and with an embrace gave him my most heartfelt speech:  

Oh sweet boy what a great big brother you are.  I know it is so hard to hear Nonie upset but if we don't give her a chance to crawl - she never will.  We just need to let her work at her Forward Movement and she will get frustrated with not being with us and this will motivate her to make Forward Movements.  If we always go to her she'll never...

"Mom, I'm just getting more raisins for my o's."  He opened the kitchen drawer with a snap.

And I?  I made very rapid Forward Movements.

To rescue my dear Nonie.  

hehe

Poor Tar. What'd they forgitcha? I still love you :)

p.s. LOVE the hand on the chin... for emphasis

heart for my harts

HAPPY MAY!

Much love to all my peeps:)