First Day Of My Life

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I cannot begin to tell you what an amazing year this has been.

About four years ago, I went to my friend's wedding in Philadelphia. The lyrics of the song sucker punched me right in the gut. I found myself wondering, again, if I was ever going to feel any better. As many of you know, I was in about the worst place I'd ever been in my life- I couldn't get traction personally or professionally and I was just wishing that the earth would swallow me up. I had no confidence in myself or my future. I was letting everyone down. I knew it and they knew it.

But life goes on. I kept putting one foot in front of the other. I got out of bed every day and kept on going. I had friends and a Mom and a sister who carried me when I was too sick to carry myself. I'd like to say that I handled it all with grace and elegance, but I didn't. I was a big ugly mess. But life goes on. And I got a job that was a better fit for me. I started to get my confidence back.

And then I met Eric. And I was starting to get better. And Eric is the luckiest thing that's ever happened to me.

And most of you know the rest of the story. We got married. I found my dream job. We found out about Vake.

And about a year ago, Vake came into our lives. And it was then that I really understood the lyrics from the wedding song.

What a year it's been. I'm so ridiculously lucky.

First Day of My Life

This is the first day of my life
Swear I was born right in the doorway
I went out in the rain, suddenly everything changed
They're spreading blankets on the beach
Yours was the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you
I don't know where I am, I don't know where I've been
But I know where I want to go
So I thought I'd let you know
That these things take forever, I especially am slow
But I realized how I need you
And I wondered if I could come home
Remember the time you drove all night
Just to meet me in the morning?
And I thought it was strange, you said everything changed
You felt as if you just woke up
And you said, "This is the first day of my life
Glad I didn't die before I met you
Now I don't care, I could go anywhere with you
And I'd probably be happy"
So if you want to be with me
With these things there's no telling
We'll just have to wait and see
But I'd rather be working for a paycheck
Than waiting to win the lottery
Besides, maybe this time is different
I mean, I really think you like me

Snow Day continued...

It is STILL snowing. I am reentering the land of the living- will feel MUCH better after a shower I think...
Can you believe the amount of snow already???

Vake and I stayed in our pajamas all morning.

Does anyone out there have a dog that even approaches Stilly for overall tolerance. Judge has somewhere between little and no patience for Vake's shenanigans, but Stilly (aka Nana Dog) will sit with him for hours.

Today, he rode on her- and she just sat there.

And when he got bored and crawled away, she just went back to sleep.

another SNOW DAY!!

Pics to come once Vakie wakes up from his morning nap and Mommy and Daddy shake off their hangovers.

Yay Uncle Brook!

Slowly but surely, they're all migrating closer. Does it have something to do with Vake and my magnetic personalities?

Just kidding!!!

Big congrats, Uncle Brook. We are really proud of you.

We're Celebrities. Get us out of here.

Because it wasn't enough that my whole fam and Martha have been sick, Taren got the virus. So did Huff.

So Mom and I covered today- Mom (thank God) did the morning and I am here this afternoon with my little nap monsters...
We played downstairs but everyone got tired out pretty quickly.

I mean, have you ever seen two faces as cute as these? Me neither.

They are napping now and I am back to working on my trial strategy.

Sorting, Why Taren's Awesome and Mommy Guilt

So today, Taren, Vake and Huff spent more time at the Children's Museum- a place I cannot recommend enough. If you live in Richmond and have a crawler, they just opened (ok, last year) the Little Farm which has amazing activities for children. I am so glad Taren has a place where she can go with them to get a change of scenery. Today, Vake sorted all the red peppers into one bin. So fun.

Which brings me to another Taren shoutout- she often takes pictures of what the pumpkin is doing. There are a lot of things Taren is good at- she's really loving- and it is so special to me that I have some sense of what he's up to during the day.

And that sort of points up the larger question- Taren's so good and so patient with both boys for TEN hours every day- I don't know if I could do what she does as well as she does it. Aargh. I'd like to think that I would be but it just amazes me that she's so able to be present with them during her work hours.

Seriously, Get Psyched

Even if the women who run this sale weren't the NICEST, it is still the best consignment sale in Richmond and I want them to make a million dollars so they never stop running it.

Here's the information. DO NOT MISS IT IF YOU NEED CHILDREN'S CLOTHING.

Kids Layne Sale
February 4-7, 2010Willow Lawn Mall1601 Willow Lawn Drive
(store front located between Suntrust and Rack Room shoes)

Thurs Feb 4: Preview Sale- Premier Consignors & Premier Volunteers: 5-9pm
Preview Sale- Consignors & Volunteers: 6-9pm
Preview Sale- Marketers: 7-9pm
Fri Feb 5th: Pregnant Moms and (not-so-pregnant) Grandparents: 8am-7pm
Public Sale: 9am-7pm
Sat Feb 6: Public Sale: 8am-5pm
Sun Feb 7: Public Sale: 9am-1pm

KIDS LAYNE WILL BE DONATING A PORTION OF OUR SALES NOT ONLY TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF RICHMOND BUT TO THE
AMERICAN RED CROSS HAITI RELIEF & DEVEOLOPMENT FUND

On Site Monogramming!
Kids Layne has listened to your plea and we are proud to announce we will have professional monogramming services available to monogram RIGHT ON SITE!
Yes, we will have hundreds of pieces of adorable monogrammable clothing for sale at great deals AND professional monogrammers on site that will monogram your item(s) right then and there! There will be plenty of styles and thread colors to choose from. Just make your decision and get it done right on site!

Some Fantastic Exhibitors with GREAT STUFF FOR REDUCED PRICES!
Monkey Grass- a boutique retailer specializing in organics and environmentally friendly items
Usborne Books- an Usborne consultant will be on hand selling fantastic children's books, puzzles, sticker books etc.
Discovery Toys- A Discovery Toy consultant will be selling toys for children of all ages.

Boutique Brand Update!!!
Stella Jane will be back with adorable spring outfits not only for little ones but girls sizes 5-12 too! Emma Reese is back with her fun, fanciful skirts. And we have SEVERAL smocked and monogrammable brands including Castles & Crowns, Wish Upon a Star and more!

Other brands include:
Appaman, Area Code 407, Baby Star, Baby Lauren, Bibbity Bobbity Bows, Claesens, Daisies & Doodlebugs, Little Green Star, Lilly Pulitzer, Olive Juice, Maclaren strollers, Puddle Jumpers, Simply Bows, Tea Collection, Twig & Twill, Zutano...yes, we will have new clothes from all these brands!
Volunteer Slots are Quickly Filling Up!We have more volunteers than ever before and slots are running out! So if you want to shop the preview sale sign up now before all slots are filled!
If you want to shop FIRST, sign up to consign and volunteer before volunteer slots are full!!

American Girl Dolls, Kettler Trikes etc.

Don't forget, we sell American Girl Dolls, Kettler Trikes, Radio Flyer items, and John Deere too! Use this chance to CLEAN OUT these items and make some $ fast! Sign up to consign today!
_________________________________________________________ Kids Layne continues to support the Richmond Children's Hospital by donating a portion of our proceeds from the sale. As past users of Children's Hospitals, we cannot think of a more deserving organization.
To aid victims of the earthquake in Haiti we will also be donating to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund.
Thanks to all of you for helping make Kids Layne such a success and we look forward to bringing you more great clothes this spring!!Karen and JenniferPS Contact us for postcards to tell your friends about the sale - the more you do, the better the sale will be for everyone!
_________________________________________________________
Kids Layne is a semi-annual sale featuring designer overstocks and nearly new boutique children's consigned clothing and other items. We sell clothing in sizes 0-12. Other items include: American Girl Dolls and accessories, Radio Flyer wagons and trikes, Kettler Trikes, Lionel Trains, John Deere riding toys, whole room decor and bedding
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102963420603&s=46&e=001RyTnChxIwmdbSaAc3dPnop0BJX9bufTwm6jLRNxIArb1OxpFzwbCgIDO3J-52nTHvSfG47fjRDRdH21UYaz8w9XNmdjK2IKuzNprX1tkAQjz7v-exxFaow==
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Sick Day...

This week, I wound up in the emergency room for what turned out to be just (they think) a stomach bug. That Aunt Martha got. And then Vake got. Ugh.

Eric and I are pretty consistent about the evening bedtime routine. Bath, pajamas, story, snack, prayers, kiss, lights out. Vake goes to sleep and we see him again the next day. He woke up last night crying and we let him work his way back to sleep.

When I went to get him this morning, it was obvious why he was crying last night- his crib was covered in baby sickness. Gross.

So we went downstairs and had some breakfast after a morning bath and throwing everything (and I mean everything, even Raffi) into the washing machine from the crib. Breakfast was fine and we were willing to call it over when raaaagh.

All over my feet. Even more disgusting.

Now, here's something about Eric that I am sure you westcoasters know. (And I preface this by saying that Eric is perhaps the perfect husband.) He cannot stand vomit. It, in fact, makes him vomit. So he had to evacuate and go out and gag on the front porch whilst I held a crying, vomiting child and stood in a pool of vomit.

Alright already. Enough about vomit.

So we took it easy this morning and by afternoon, someone was right as rain again.

So we played upstairs while I did laundry. He loves the washing machine.

And then we helped redecorate the bathroom. I think it is safe to say someone is all better.

Oh oh oh...the other video...

Thinking about Millie and Busy Busy Busy

We just got the sad news today from Eric's family that his Granny, Millie, fell and broke her pelvis. The good news is that she seems to be resting comfortably at a higher care facility. We are definitely keeping our fingers crossed for a speedy and safe recovery.

The even better news is that E and I are going to try to push up our visit to see her to sometime this early Spring. E has to argue a motion for summary judgment in Seattle (don't know when yet- that is up to a federal judge) but we are thinking now that maybe we'll all fly to Seattle together and then drive down and fly back out (maybe out of Portland)...

My little man cut through on another lower tooth today. He is just busy busy busy all the time. As you can see from the video below, there's always a drawer to be opened or a cabinet to be opened and shut.

And in case it is not totally obvious, I am completely in love with my Flip. I still owe about a million thank you notes but Brook, you could not have picked a better gift- I only wish I didn't have to post all the videos to Blogger because I think the image quality is about a million times better on my computer- something about it being HD makes the pictures really crisp that I think gets lost with the blog program that I use (which is sadly about the only thing I am likely to ever be able to figure out...)

My 15 Minutes

Is it possible that pumpkin's already had his 15 minutes? I don't think so, but Taren did this Andy Warhol of the Vakester for me from the Children's Museum- I think it is her cool new computer that can generate this type of image...

Tractor

Hi, everyone. I am Vake the farmer. Yesterday, Taren, Huff and I went to the Children's Museum.
I love to ride on things. I've got a rocking lion, a car and a truck at home, but I don't think I've ever been big enough to ride the tractor at the Children's Museum before.

So fun.

Back in the Saddle!

What a fun first day back after a long weekend little V had. Fortunately for poor me, Taren took lots of snaps and emailed them to me all day at work- so fun!

Here he is riding......and swinging...

...and swinging. Check out that happy expression.

Overheard...

EBM: "It's fine for him to open and shut the cabinets, but I wonder how long until he takes the glass bowls out of them and smashes them?"

AGM: "Oh, it'll happen soon. I give him two days."

EBM: "Ha. I give him two minutes. Oh good Lord."

AGM: "Hang on, just let me grab the camera. It's for the blog."

Hmm. What's wrong here? The worrywart parent is busy photographing. Signs of the apocalypse, I tell you.

Happy Elevenmonthiversary, Vake!

Happy Eleven Months, Vake!

At eleven months, Vake is:

Crushing the growth curves- I put him on our bathroom scale and it looks like 31 pounds, which is pretty amazing;

wearing a size 6 diaper and 2t or 3t clothes

starting to be able to climb up stairs;

is a great cruiser- he can get all over the room with the greatest of ease;

is getting more and more syllables;

learned how to clap hands, which he will do intermittently

has a more robust appetite again than last month and is eating really well again;

may be going through another growth spurt- he's regularly sleeping 14 hours a night (from 6pm to 8am....taking a page out of his mother's book);

still gets anxious when his favorite people walk away; and

is getting better at standing independently but is less interested in doing it now that he has cruising down!

We love you, Vakey!!! So unbelievable that you will be one next month and I will stop counting monthiversaries!!!

Otters and Turtles, oh my!

Ok, for those of you who know me, the fact that these videos are side by side is a testament to how computer UN-savvy I really am. Good grief!

Anyway, how funny is little Vakey watching the otters and turtles?

New Moccasins and Family Fun Activity

Vake is napping now, but we had such a fun morning.

Last night, a pair of moccasins arrived from Left Bank Granny- we tried them on today!

Once the moccasin experiment was over, we went to Maymont for some quality time at the aquarium. Little V is just mesmerized by fish.

What a sweet picture this one is! Isn't it amazing how fast Vake's getting big?

Christmas Presents from Left Bank Granny

We didn't want to just open Vake's Christmas presents for him- we waited until a night that Vake was awake when Eric was home (sorry to say that's not nearly as often as we'd like...). But tonight our plan came together.

Taren's had just Vake this week and Eric came home by six to let her go and to be with Vake while I went to a public defender happy hour (which sounds oxymoronic but is not). I came home by 6:15 and we had about 15 happy minutes unwrapping gifts.

There were some spectacular coins, but the real hit was the banana slug.

Developmental Milestones Everywhere!

By eleven months, a baby is ahead of the curve if he can clap hands and "cruise"- that is, walk by grabbing onto things.

Look at my little milestone achiever...

Using my walker...

...and so happy to be alive!!!

Flipping out!

How cool is this? Seriously. The technology is just amazing- look at how much clearer the picture is- it takes a little longer to upload, though...

So Flipping Cool!

So many fun packages arrived from the West Coast today! A wine rack! A cool necklace! Windshield wiper blades! I managed to hold out until Eric finally got home from work! In the box was the perfect gift- the Flip! It is a tiny videocamera. Neil got one for Sonia and they are AWESOME... (this is coming, btw, from the girl who saw absolutely no use for videocameras before Vake's birth. Literally. None at all. Whatsoever.)

So while I love all the gifts (Jerry, here's to a 2010 with less noisy windshield wipers...do you think you can get him to get the car inspected, too?) I have to say I am crazy about the fact that I can now toss a video camera into my handbag! Yippee!!!!

Eric also had a favorite gift, but I will let him tell you all about it. On the Flip! Yip!

Ok. I am now going to attempt to post a video. But that's after this post...

Grateful (Greatful)

No, this isn't a post about my nanny's favorite band. I was just finishing up the organization for Vake's first birthday party and thinking about what a difference a year can make.

At this time last year (2009), Eric and I were (E of course more patiently than I) patiently waiting for little V's arrival. At this time two years ago (2008), we were putting the finishing touches on our wedding plans. At this time three years ago (2007), we had just started dating. At this time four years (2006) ago, I felt about the worst I had ever felt in my life, wondering what in the world I was meant to be doing with my life.

It's 2010 now and (knock major wood that it stays this way) I've never been this happy in my life. Things are pretty great.

There are just some days when I get smacked in the head with how lucky I am and how grateful I should be. And today was one of those days. Wasn't anything earthshattering, or at least any more earthshattering that any other day in the life of a public defender. Just an overwhelming sense of how ridiculously lucky I am.

Is my life perfect? As I am writing, I am cognizant of not trying to be smug. That's the last thing anyone needs. And I can assure you that my life is far from perfect. I've got two loads of clean laundry I should be working on. I've got chairs that are circa 1967 in my living room. I'm still 15 (ok, after the holidays more like 20) pounds overweight.

But I've got to say, I am one lucky person and I definitely don't stop and say "Thank you" nearly as much as I should. I've definitely seen my share of tough times in my life so I really know what it feels like to be lucky, happy, settled and well. I've got a job that I love, a house that I love, a baby and a husband I absolutely adore. It doesn't get much better than this.

Grateful. (Greatful)

Friends, Presents and THE FIRST HAIRCUT!!!

This is going to be a quick post because I've got little V wide awake at my feet while I am writing...
Yesterday, we saw our friends the Erdas for the first time since they got back from Germany- little Henry held little Vake's hand- hopefully Henry will keep an eye on Vake when Vake starts nursery school in September!
After that, a bunch of fun packages arrived from the Jones family in Oregon! E and I won a dollar in the lottery but even better, V opened his packages and found...

A VEST!!! A VEST!!! A camel vest from Cousin Leslie. I am guessing that (or let's be accurate, Eric guesses) that it is from her travels in Mongolia.

It is SO cute. V wore it yesterday to the big activity- the first haircut.

Vake had his haircut by my friend and haircutrix, Hien. Who is awesome.

Things weren't going all that well until Hien brought out the magical lollipop. It was mango flavored.

After the lollipop, Vake just sat quietly on my lap, sucking his lollipop while Hien clipped away.

Eric and I each tried to take the lollipop away, and there were shrieks like we've never heard in this child's nearly eleven months on the planet.

I'm not sure that I have the words to appropriately describe what a fan favorite the lollipop was- the picture may do it more justice.

Here we are at the end of the cut- lollipop and all!!!

Can You Believe....

....they let me drive this thing?

Old and New

Project "Comfortable Living Room" continues. I went out to a junk shop and found a pair of chairs. They are probably 40 years old and in GREAT shape (I actually think they were probably pretty nice chairs to begin with, which helps). Their shape is actually great for Eric and me- I really wanted delicate slipper chairs and he really wanted chairs with arms so this feels like a nice compromise.

Their fabric, is, however, completely hideous. BUT THE PRICE WAS RIGHT. Each chair was $35.00. In American money. So for a total of $70, we have two chairs that are structurally sound that we can live with until the happy day arrives that we can afford to have them recovered. But the good news is that they are ok enough that we can live with them just like this until we get the sofa.
So that's the "old" news. The new news is that Vake has figured out his walker. He was about to take a nap when this pic was snapped so it is not as good as it could have been but you get the idea.

Looking Back; Looking Forward

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So hard to believe that we've said goodbye to 2009, the year of little Vake!

Things that I am incredibly proud of this year include:
Vake's healthy and happy arrival in February;
my first jury trial; and
the half-marathon in November.

Things I am looking forward to in 2010:
running at least one long distance race;
Vake turning ONE; and
losing the last 15 pounds that I gained.

Resolutions for the New Year:
try to be more patient and less controlling;
finish losing the weight I gained with Vake;
run at LEAST a half marathon; and
get at least two more jury trials under my belt.