stand beside the ocean

During our first trip to Surfside Beach she still wore diapers. She took naps without argument. She didn't use words like interesting, actually and exhausted. Her wrists were bookended with dimples and her hair could barely be adorned with a bow. She tightly held my hand walking the beach.
This trip to Surfside Beach, two years later, she barely napped in the car. Princess themed undies were packed and she had opinions. She ran at the breaking surf without a second thought and dove under water in the pool. Her hair was swept back in rubber bands and there wasn't a trace of fat on her long, lean little frame.

Yet somehow, despite all those changes, she still looked just like my little baby when she stood at the edge of ocean.

Today was the last day of the first year of preschool, for "graduation" the kids proudly walked into Pomp and Circumstance.

Thank god my Mom wasn't there - she would've wept like a baby.

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for:

Sean and Ali's sweet little Henry for finally deciding to grace us with his presence. Welcome to the world Henry Ryan!

Two weekends in a row in Chicago. Last weekend we got to spend QT with much loved friends; I got to meet Miss Elizabeth Rose (about time!) and logged quality time on Keelin and Berto's couch. This weekend I will get QT with the family and get to embarrass the bride with one more weekend of bridal festivities.

Adorably pink Crocs covered in lady bugs - sometimes I wish adult could pull off the shoes of a three year old.

Being okay with not vacuuming myself out the door. The house is a mess. The air conditioner isn't working and there are piles of laundry on the basement floor. It goes against my nature (and everything my mother taught me) but it can all wait for my return.

The mama robin that decided to take up residence in our patio tree. Addie loves watching her sit on her nest and we are both looking forward to seeing the babies.

Elastic-wasted pants. Let's be honest I am thankful for these even when I am not pregnant!

Being that much closer to the Flaherty Family Beach Invasion - there is NO doubt that a fabulous time will be had.

My husband. Last night when I informed him that I couldn't face trapping one more tarantula sized wolf spider in my basement he took care of it without hesitation.

Thankful Thursdays. Not every week have I remembered to be thankful. In fact, this week is my year anniversary on embarking on thankfulness and my 35th Thankful Thursday entry.

Sometimes the list that I made was short or superficial, sometimes it was long and heartfelt. Occasionally being thankful became a chore - but mostly I am reminded that I have so much to be grateful for.
I am blessed with people who take the time to read the rants I put in this little space.
With a family, near and far, who love me.
With a husband who works hard so that I can be home with our daughter and appreciates me for me.
With friends who remind me to laugh and give me endless strength.

I have clothes in the closet, food in the fridge and flowers in my garden.
And for all of that, and SO much more, I am truly thankful.

Mothers Day

This Mothers Day started at 6:30 a.m. with a little lady looking for some snuggles and cartoons. Being that we were at our friends' house in Chicago we padded quietly downstairs for some early cartoons and snuggles. Once we were cuddled up on the couch Addie turned to me and said Mama is today Sunday? When I told her it was, she gave me a huge hug and said Oh good! Happy Mothers Day Mom, I love you!

We had a delicious breakfast with our friends, lingered in Chicago for a bit longer and then hit the road to try get home at a decent hour. Both Andy and Addie were sleeping by the time we hit Indiana and I got to enjoy a car free of questions while listening to the Cubs game on the radio. The few hours of listening to what I wanted to without answering dozens of questions was gift in itself.

We made it back to Cincinnati in time to stop by Gramma Patty's for a little picnic, wiffle ball (Addie hit the ball all by herself!) and chocolate covered treats. By the time we made it back to our house it was getting close to bed time...but Addie was excited to give me the gifts that she had made.

I got pampered with an hour long massage (thanks for helping her pick that out Andy!) and several preschool creations. Her hand print in pink paint to remind how little she is. A butterfly beautifully decorated with scraps of tissue paper and a poem about mothers. A handmade picture frame with a picture of my little cutie. And my favorite, a sheet called Meet my Mom which made me laugh and kind of made my day:

Meet My Mom

By Addie

What is your Mom's name? Jessica

How old is she? 29 or 26 (um, hells yes, thanks sweetie!)

What color is her hair? Brown

How much does she weigh? 50 lbs (sure that sounds about right - give or take a few)

What does your mom do around the house? She mops and sweeps and cleans (Hysterical, since the two chores I do the least is mopping and sweeping)

What is her favorite drink? Iced Tea (thank you, sweet angel, for not saying wine)

What does your mom cook? Yummy dinner, Yummy breakfast, Yummy lunch (errr, no your dad does most of that, but I'll take the credit)

What is your Mom's favorite TV show? The News (don't I sound informed?)

Where does she like to go? Target (um, yep. No argument there)

How do you know she loves you? She lets me make crafts (that is a sign of love because crafts drive me batty!

This morning I woke all of six minutes early.
I wanted to make sure that Andy remembered to swap cars with me and take his lunch to work. After he left, as I started to brew my mini-pot of decaffeinated coffee, I heard the patter of little feet upstairs followed by some sniffling and tears.
When I got up stairs to find out what was wrong with my little dear I was greeted with a big pouty face streaked with tears.

I wanta hug and kiss Daddy good bye and tell him Have a Good Day and I think he's all gone.

I told her yes, Dad had to leave for work, but she'd see him tonight. She curled into my side and continued to cry and softly hiccup. I stroked her hair and thought about how sweet it was that she wanted to tell Andy to have a good day and make sure he knew that she loved him. What a sweet little pumpkin.

A few seconds later she looked up at me with those gorgeous eyes of hers and asked
Why do some of my friends cry for their Mommy at school?
I told her I thought maybe they missed their moms and were sad to be without them. Her response was
Oh. I don't cry. I don't miss you at school ever Mommy. School has so many fun toys that just don't miss you. Let's get dressed, today is school!

I guess the pecking order is rather clear...