Recovering slowly...

He's done great handling and recovering from the seemingly never ending festivities. Mom? Not so much....

And just cause....

Where did my little baby go? He's all grown up.

Merry Christmas-

Self Imposed, Necessary Blog Break. Merry Christmas Everyone.

FYI- In January 2010 he was wearing 12mo. This Snowsuit is a 4. It's too small.

Friday Confessions- Turn me over

I admit:

• I'm cooked. Done. Flip me over. 
• I'm hiding it from the kid, cause it's only Wednesday and we have 2 more days to get through this week. 
• I'm also whining. Do not try this at home!
• I'm sick of appointments. Evaluations for this therapy and that therapy. Language. Speech. Hearing. Sight. Lead levels. Iron Levels. Vaccinations.
• We had a bad. Bad. BAD. B.A.D. Vaccination experience this week- but I'm too cooked to tell you about it.
• My whining about too many people evaluating my kid, feels wrong and conflicting. But then again...
• I'm cooked. And brain is scrambled egg. So.... I'm just going for "made it through" this week. 
• It's not really Friday. It is Wednesday. But my brain is cooked. What's your excuse?

Polar express: You know the kid who passes out and slides down his seat after indulging in Hot Chocolate? This is him.

The Many Faces of...

My Son. Here you have it. The Many faces of Teg. It's tough being so good lookin.

Cheesy

3 going on 13 with my Gene Simmonds impression

Zoolander Returns

Priceless

My "I can Vomit on my shirt, go back for more and dance" face

More "CHEESE".

In cognito. My "Pretending to hide from Paparazzi" look.

I don't know what to say about this one???? Little scary.

Oh. Well this makes up for that last one! Beauty even with the tongue

AAAKK! It's back!! I REALLY don't know what to say....

Let's finish with some nice ones. Cause with three year olds- they are rare- and breathtaking!

Kissers Stuck

Friday Confessions- Someplace to Fit...

I admit-

• That I screwed up this post and posted it the wrong day like 4 times. Sorry.
• That I thought I "Got it" when my dear friend Fi, said she chose to live where they do for their kids.

• I didn't really get it, until now.

(whining)  "Why don't you just come back here?"   "It's too expensive living there!"   "The city life takes such a toll."   "It would be so much easier for all of you to come here !"   "But think of what you could do?!?!"   "Think of what you could save!"

I know I said those things twenty times. Probably more ridiculous things as well.

I thought I understood when she said- "I have to think of my kids. And they need to live in a racially diverse place. Someplace they'll fit in."

I thought to myself- "Ya but- jeez! ... (insert 100 different now recognized as insensitive, unknowing, judgy thoughts)

Now. Now, I go to our Wallyworld, specifically because it seems to be the most likely place we/he will see people of color. (I'm not making a blanket Wallyworld statement- it's just where we see the most people in general round these hee-uh pahts)  Now. Now, there was NO WAY I was not going to the birthday party of one of the little girls in his school (meaning we DEFINITELY went)- because they are the only other family of color in the school. Yes I said it. I am not a fan of bday parties but I just could NOT miss this one.  These are RARE interactions for both of us!! They are purposeful. NOW, my dear Fi. NOW I GET IT!

*********

Back then... I guess- I didn't really understand at all. I did NOT "Get it". In fact- until recently I still, in theory, would have disagreed with her decision. (in my imaginary life- where I have input in where other people choose to live...) But eventually I grew to respect her/their decision, mostly because even though we rarely (like once a year maybe) saw each other, her kids always knew me and were thrilled to see me.

I grew to admire that she kept people alive in her children's hearts- even though there was little to no physical presence. From when they were young 2 and 3 years old- to now- tweenagers, they have always greeted and interacted with us as if we were best friends to them (the kids) rather than their parents friends!

As a mom, she somehow managed to keep fresh in their hearts those that love them around the world. Their Poppa (Maine, Dallas, SF, Romania, Ghana, Mongolia...), their Grammy (London, Colorado, Alps) and even Mom's closest college and HS friends scattered throughout the world (Hawaii, London, Texas and Maine).

Now. Not only do I "get it"- but I'm now faced with a very similar challenge. Keeping those that love us- alive in our hearts. Love. Alive.

Sunday Snapshots- Firsts

Friday Confessions- Single Parent Ridiculousness

 I admit

• That I usually need to have a 'sitter/distractor/play assistant' over in order to complete REAL  Full, feeling clean shower- ya know- one where everything is shaved, exfoliated, shampoo'd AND conditioned AND fully rinsed, washed, even a little scrubbed. 

• The last time I had a Real Full Shower- was a .... while ago. I drove 3 hours to my sisters, she was just giving the tyke a hug hello when I snagged the opportunity- "So, you're good with him? Ya?. I'm just gonna take a quick little shower" - where I hid in silence performed proper personal hygiene for over an hour a reasonable amount of time

• I'm now attempting to schedule the young lady in these pictures once a week- so Momma can really shower.

• Photo Booth is a great way to play for 2 hours- with someone else- while momma scrubs, lather, rinses, repeats, exfoliates, clips nails, q tips, razors and cotton balls.  

• I have boundary issues and share too much personal info. But if you are soon to be a single mom- know this is possibly your life soon....

• My son cracks me up.