little white whale

 

These pictures are for you Bah Humbugger.  You Season Spoiler.  You Grinchy Grinch who refuses to get into the spirit of things.  I triple dog dare you to feast your eyes upon our little Tills and and not feel your heart go all sweet and gooey. Like a marshmallow in a mug of hot cocoa no doubt.  It's happening isn't it?  You're melting aren't you?  Admit it.   

 

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* At four months Matilda is 15 lbs 12 oz (90% for weight) and a little over 25 inches (75% for height) for the handful of you who might care about stats.   

        

 

This seems like a fine opportunity to mention we're looking into some extracurricular activities for the boys.  Personally I'm thinking a gymnastics class or karate.  I know not all little dudes fit the stereotypical rough and tumble bill, but holy crap, do mine ever.  Next year brings school for Leo and I'm not sure what yet for Gus.  In the meantime though, it's abundantly clear an outlet is needed.  Otherwise you might be hearing on the news about that poor Louisvillian family whose house exploded.  Seriously, the energy level on any given day is enough to blow our roof skyscraper high. 

   

 

So, red eyebrows eh?  Red eyebrows!  This red stuff might just be around to stay, we think.  You know babies are like chameleons don't you?  Each morning you go to greet your love nugget and GAH!  WHA!  That can't possibly be the same baby you put down the night before!  Yeah.  They change that quickly.  So just because she has red hair today doesn't mean she will down the rodeo.        

You are thinking--when will these people let it go?  The child has red hair.  Big deal.  So what? 

Maybe it's amusing to us because it's amusing to other people.  Tills gets compliments on her coloring from strangers all the time.  Maybe we like it because it's something out of the ordinary.  

Out of everyone Mitchell's the one who loves it most.  Probably because it's a part of him that showed up as a beautiful part of her.  I said to him what happens when she's thirteen and comes home from a friend's house as a blonde, or a brunette?  Something other than au naturale?  The look he gave me said it all. 

 

It would break his heart. 

        

 

Several captions for this photo came to mind. 

1.  Did you forget I can roll now?

2.  Neglected third child.   

3.  ER trip waiting to happen.

3.  Nana's and Mimi's heart attack.

4. Who needs a babysitter when you've got TV?

5. What happens to me when Mom's putting out the boys' fires.

6.  Honey?  You seen Matilda lately?  I swear I put her down...ah here.  Yup here she is.   

 

And the award for OUTSTANDING MOTHER OF THE YEAR goes to.......not me. 

Really, just foolin.  The camera was within reach.  Tills was never left unattended.  No need to go calling social services anyone.   

 

 

            

 

Back in my old life when I used to be a sixth grade teacher, one of the mini lessons in my repetoire for writing workshop was titled using show not tell details.  Come on, kid.  Don't tell me your dog was sad.  Say Buddy laid his head down atop his paws and whimpered.  Or something to that effect.

Thing is, with this here blog, most times it's equally good to literally show you readers what it is I'm talking about as I'm writing.  Show with pictures and show with words.  You lucky ducks you to get the best of both worlds.  I can't think of a better way to give you this post.  So lots of pictures it is.     

But first, a disclaimer.  For our anniversary Mitchell surprised me with bump bitta ba....a new camera lens!  I'm so used to using my external flash and zoom lens--that I haven't quite gotten the hang of my new present.  Apologies if some pics are a bit fuzzy, grainy, so on and so forth.  Now away we go...

The decorations!  I did my darndest to give Leo a full out dinosaur party.  We had a dinosaur tablecloth, dinosaur hats, dinosaur birthday letters, dinosaur balloons, dinosaur cake, dinosaur goody bags...and streamers!  You're probably as tired of reading the word dinosaur as I am from typing it.  Here's the dining room:

Next my brother Philip and Matilda.  Even though they're the ones in focus my favorite part of this one is the foreground.  It's pretty much Dewey and Ava's relationship in a nutshell.

Little Beans.  Pet lover extraordinaire.  She just wants to squeeze.  And hug.  And squeeze.  What's wrong with that Dewey?  You should be used to rough lovin'.

And here we have my dad who requested featured face time on little white whale.  I always come through for my dad.  One part lawyer.  One part former politician.  One part college prof.  One part comedian.  Shaken not stirred.  Careful, it burns a little going down.  Also, perhaps you can spot your Christmas card on our wall?

Some partygoers in hats:

 Our littlest guest, Ellen.  What a sweetie. 

 Some dancing and balloon popping.

The cake!  I had to stand back along with Leo to admire Plehn's finest work.

Lights out.  The happy birthday song made Leo pleased as punch.

Sounds corny but, hope all your wishes come true Leoman. 

I think your guests enjoyed themselves.  At least your girlfriend Caroline did.  It's very important to keep your woman happy, son.

 

I'll call this one Mike and the boys.  A rare moment of downtime in between bouts of running and chasing.  Excellent work Mike.

  And finally, nothing beats playing with all your new loot the morning after. 

Thanks to all our friends and family for making Leo's third birthday party so special for him!

 

 

In her debut performance as the infant Christ child, Matilda nailed it.  She grinned just enough.  Fussed just enough.  Cooed just enough.  And sucked her thumb just enough to win over the entire audience.  In the past few weeks she'd really been perfecting her character.  Every so often I would prompt her with Now Tills, what would Jesus do....?  Gus tried to give her a few pointers since he was cast as baby Jesus last year, but since Matilda doesn't like pacifiers--it was necessary to practice her techniques all the more.      

Turns out Matilda was so convincing as a little holy baby boy--many people came up to her afterwards and congratulated "him" on a job well done.  Luckily mom was around to set the record straight.  A woman in a man's role, huh?  Bravo daughter.  Bravo.  You handled yourself beautifully, ma dear.           

     

 

Would you look at them.  Just two crazy kids.  In shmoopy doopy love.  Days away from getting hitched.  Three months shy of seeing two lines instead of one.  They have NO IDEA WHAT THE HELL THEY'RE GETTING INTO!  You can pity them if you want.     

I hear they've been working on a basketball team, or an army, or WORLD DOMINATION....

Okay, I might have taken it too far. 

In all seriousness, December 17th!  Four year wedding anniversary! 

Say it with me everyone.  One, two, three....D A T E  N I G H T ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 

 

p.s. I still haven't cleaned my house.  If you're coming to Leo's party, just don't look too closely at the windowsills and baseboards.  M'kay?  Thanks.

p.p.s  Again, if you're coming to Leo's party--bring your mexican appetite--we will be having SALSARITA'S!!!  And yeah, I got it discounted.  Cause they love me there.   

December 14th passed in a rather low key style for the Leoman.  We had a small celebration with pizza and cake just the five of us.  Hold on to your pants!  The BIG DINOSAUR party isn't until this Friday!  Friday is also the day Matilda plays baby Jesus at HT.  Tomorrow Leo goes to the doctor.  Thursday Matilda has another dress rehearsal and it's also our four year wedding anniversary.  Somewhere in that mix I have to clean my entire house.  And don't even ask why I haven't done it yet.  If I full out cleaned today--I'd be doing it again tomorrow--and the next day.  It's like I literally live with three little cyclones at my heels.  So, I don't intend on taking a really deep breath until Saturday. 

A few pics from Leo's actual b-day.  Nothing better than licking the spatula full of batter!  And salmonella!  Yum. 

Waiting for Daddy to come home and taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather out on the front porch.  Daddy where are you?  Is that car Dad's?  No.  Is that car Dad's?  No.  Is that car Dad's?  No. Is that car Dad's?  No. Is that car Dad's?  No. Is that car Dad's?  No. Is that car Dad's?  No. Is that car Dad's?  No. Is that car Dad's?  No. Is that car Dad's?  No. Is that car Dad's?  No. Is that car Dad's?  No. Is that car Dad's?  No. Is that car Dad's?  YES! 

That game is always a fun one, let me tell you.  

 Devil's food cake with cream cheese icing by Leo and Mom.  Icing decorations by Dad. 

Mixing fire and food amuses young and old alike.  MAKE. A. WISH !!!   

 I'd like to sincerely thank the dollar aisle at Target for providing some stellar gifts:

1.  A Baby Wild Animals 2010 sixteen month calendar. 

2.  Two Animal Planet coloring and activity books. 

3.  An Animals of Africa book.

4.  An Animals of South America book. 

5 x 1.00 x 6% KY sales tax = STEAL.

That is all for now.  In the meantime please read this touching piece my sister wrote for Leo on his third birthday.  It made me CRY, Ann.  Leo is a lucky booger.  Love you.      

 

 

Except for the bearded man shown above, this time three years ago--I did not know any of the other people in this photo.  They didn't exist!  But I was about to meet the one we call Leo. 

On December 14th, 2006 at 12:05 a.m., my water broke.  I was just drifting off to sleep when CRACK!  It sounded like my feminine region popped a knuckle.  If that seems strange, imagine how it felt.

The last three years have been terrific and terrifying, happy and hellacious, at times awesome and at others awful.  I'll take every down with my up, every twist and turn.  I'd repeat every moment again for these results.  I love the people in this picture.  I love them. 

And I wonder how many of Leo's birthdays it will take before I stop reliving my version of his birth every December 14th.  Does every mother feel this way on her child's birthday?  Is every mother catapulted back in time walking herself through the moments that lead up to seeing, holding, touching, kissing, smelling, whispering Welcome.  Happy birthday.  I love you to her baby for the first time like I am?  I'm going to guess YES. 

At 12:05 a.m. my water broke and roughly nine hours later we had our Leo.  A very special thank you to my best friend, my husband, and baby daddy Mitchell.  And a very happy birthday to my firstborn. 

     

Pssssssst guys, guess what?

I CAN ROLL!  I CAN ROLL!  I CAN ROLL!  I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! 

What?  I have a little barf on my face?

There.  Sorry about that.  Where was I?  Oh. 

 

I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL!  I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! I CAN ROLL! 

Do you even grasp the importance of this milestone for me?!!?

When stuff starts to go down like this:

I might be able to escape.  There's hope!  First I find my thumb.  Delicious!  Then I discover I can change positions?!  God, what else?  Next you're going to tell me there's more to eat than just breast milk.  Pshh.  As if.