Still 20s, After All These Years

Well, yesterday was my birthday, and I turned 29. Therefore I still have one more year during which to cherish being a Twentysomething.

I woke up to a smiling husband and son beckoning me to breakfast which was on the table (complete with the "You Are Special Today" plate) next to a huge, gorgeous flower bouquet. He also got me a pound of Starbucks coffee beans, a leather wallet I'd been asking for, and I get to buy a new handbag (pretentious for new purse).

Last year on my birthday, one of my very best friends, Stacey, had her baby boy! It was a great birthday present for me to get to hold him, and was especially meaningful because my little boy was only 6 weeks old at the time! Here they are just about 1 year ago..

SO this year I got to celebrate my 29th birthday and Carson's 1st birthday at the same time! I only wish I could've taken off my shirt and eaten cake with my hands. But we had to keep it clean, there were kids at the party... :)

Last night I took a 40 minute bubble bath while drinking a glass of wine, eating chocolate truffles from my brother and sister-in-law, and doing a Sudoku puzzle. I opted not to include a picture of this... I was alone in the peace and quiet of my own bathroom while Greg put Noah to bed and put in a movie for us to watch. I ended the day watching Dreamer (I'm a sucker for underdog-horseracing movies). I recommend it.

I hope you all are having a great week-before-Christmas!

Drive Safe!

The other day I was parting ways with a friend I'd been hanging out with and I said my usual line before someone leaves my house, "Drive safe!" (I know, poor grammar, but I say it anyway). Later that day I was driving with Noah in the backseat, and I was juggling my phone, my lipliner, the Christmas music station, and the wheel all at once. Good Lord I think I almost hit like 4 other cars.

Right on cue, I received an email forward that afternoon from a friend with a YouTube link about carseat safety. Holy smokes; it was not a consumer report listing of the pros and cons of various carseats like I assumed. I think it's the saddest thing I've ever seen. Maybe it's because I have a little boy, but this is not for the weak-hearted! So I'm passing it on to you--grab and kleenex before you click...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ&eurl

...and drive safe this holiday season!

Family Picture Day

During a fun day at the park, we thought we'd try to take a few family pictures. I don't think we're going to have a very good Christmas card this year...

He likes to play with mom!

He likes to play with dad!

He does not like when mom plays with dad!

Okay, time to get serious. Family photo attempt #1: I will not pose. I will go play.

Attempt #2: If you try to make me pose, I will do this.

Attempt #3: Well, at least there are no tears...

Not Another Neck Tie

Help! Last year I was on maternity leave during the holidays; I was feeling pretty good, was already recovered from the post-delivery aches and pains, and got to go Christmas shopping with a beautiful new baby who slept the whole time. Moreover, I was the recipient of oooohs and ahhhhhs in every store I entered. I had time. I was thorough and thoughtful.

This year is quite different. With a very active and very loud 13 month old, and a 3-day-a-week job, my time and patience are more limited.

Enter all my blogging friends (I hope!)... I need ideas! Like many of you, I don't have the time to peruse multiple stores thoroughly gleaning ideas for each family member's perfect gift. However, I don't want to buy the proverbial Nike teeshirt or pack of golf balls for all the guys either.

Anyone have good gift ideas for older brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law? The guys love football and golf, the gals are swamped with their many kiddos. I'm counting on your ingenuity and past experiences to help me out here! I will be in your debt...

The Other Woman in the House

We had the dog scheduled to get spayed this month. Apparently not soon enough, I realized as I looked at my Walmart list and my husband's handwritten words, "Maxi pads with wings for Kona." Poor thing is so embarrassed and just walks around with her head hung down in shame as Noah chases after her trying to unfasten her diaper -- her denim diaper trimmed in red bandana ruffles. Only the best for our little woman.