I'm Getting Older

I'm getting older.

And recently, it seems as though I've been constantly reminded of that fact in various ways.

[1] For whatever strange reason, I DVR'd the VMAs and could literally feel myself losing intelligence while watching.

Maybe MTV just doesn't do the VMAs like they used to?

[2] Speaking of the VMAs, I was completely and utterly repulsed by Miley Cyrus's performance.  There are plenty of other reflections floating around the internet, so I'll just leave it at that.

[3] What is it with the way young girls are dressing these days?  Seriously, ass cheeks hanging out the bottom of shorts is not attractive.  I want to shake these girls and ask them, "Where is your mother/father/voice of authority?!"

[4] I find a 50-year old man to be particularly yummy.

Source

Have mercy.

[5] Instead of wanting to go above and beyond to please people that tend to make things difficult - I generally just want to tell them to shove it.

[6] I cry like a little basket case during movies and it's not just limited to love stories or dramas. Seriously, today it was Bride Wars.

[7] My ideal evening includes being in bed by 8:00.

Take Luck,

LP

Lately

- I've been noticing that way too many men have bigger boobs than me. This is not OK.

- I've been slightly obsessed with finding deals on Groupon, finding things we "need" on Diapers.com, and reading this Camp Patton blog. 

- I find myself looking around at all of Camden's toys (wondering why on earth we have them all) while he's busy playing with an empty water jug, a comb, an empty laundry basket, and the television remote.

-  I'm cursing the process of teething.  Someone has two top teeth that have totally poked through (he's no longer a one-toothed-hillbilly), one that is just starting to break through and another that is close behind.  Like I said, cursing teeth.

- I've been noticing that Camden is looking older and will whine about this travesty to anyone that will listen.  Seriously, he woke up from a two hour nap this afternoon and practically looked like a toddler.

- I'm feeling thankful that both my mother and mother-in-law don't try and tell me/us how to raise Camden.  They'd give their opinion if we asked for it, I'm sure.  But lately, it seems they leave the open opinions and "guidance" to strangers and people who think I give a damn what they think.

- I was watching my baby video and was admiring how fantastic and put-together my mom looked when bringing me home from the hospital.  Her hair was done and her makeup was on.  Then, there's me.  I wore nothing but yoga pants and nursing cami's for weeks (OK, months), and just generally looked like hell.  Next time, Momma.  Next time.

Take Luck,

LP

These Girls Be Sassy

My dad is the head softball coach at the local community college.  Because I love him so (and because he wouldn't take 'no' for an answer), I've volunteered my time for two different camps this summer.

The first camp was last month and the second camp took place today.  The first had a pretty large group of campers - ranging from girls ages 8-14, and today's group was quite a bit smaller - but made up of the same ages.

Both days I found myself thinking, "These girls be sassy."

Last month, two little gems stuck out in particular.

The first one was eliminated from a pop-fly challenge, and I told her that she got, "An 'A' for effort."  She looked at me like I was a complete moron and proclaimed, full of 'tude, "Effort doesn't begin with an 'A.'  It begins with an 'E'."

Our conversation then went something like this:

Me: (Chuckle) You are absolutely right.  I was just using a phrase and trying to tell you that even though you didn't catch the ball - you tried your best and that's all we ask.

Devil Child: (Glaring) Are you sure you're in college?

Seriously?  This little pipsqueak was nine years old and full of sass.

After lunch, one charming little camper asked how old I was.  I'd been waiting for this question all day.

Our conversation then went something like this:

Me: How old do you think I am?

Little Brat: 42.

Suuuuuuuper.

Campers & Camp Coaches

My group

(The one on the left told me I was her BFF.  Holler.)

Luckily, nothing too sassy stuck out today, but there were definitely some interesting... Comments.

I'm sorry, Daddio, but thank God you are done with camps for awhile.  My sassy-tolerance is empty.

Take Luck,

LP

Our Four-Legged Babies

You know what this little space has been missing the last eight months?

Our four-legged babies.  

You know, the ones that had to realize that they are dogs and not actually humans.  I'll wait while you gasp at the realization, too.

I was never worried about how they would be around a baby because they (Brock especially) love kids.  Brock is a gentle giant that really just wants to lick/slobber people to death.  Sonny just wants to be cuddled and snuggled.  And she just might pee on you a little bit from the excitement.

My concern was how they would do not being the center of our home life.  Would they be jealous?  Act out and misbehave?

At first, there was a lot of curiosity, lots of sniffing.  Lots of looks at us like, "Who is this small person and when the hell is he leaving?"  We sensed some jealousy - mostly from Sonny.  Thankfully, the jealousy quickly passed and no serious misbehaving has gone on.

3 or 4 day old Camden and Sonny Jo

In the last couple months, Camden has really started to notice both pups.

He climbs all over Brock (which you know that puppy loves) and tries to grab Sonny's snout and tail anytime he can.  I always try to sit closely when he's trying to play with her, just in case I need to run interference.  Her ears are always down/back, but because she is a small dog - I know she may be more likely to nip at him if he tugged too hard.  Or if she had just plain old had enough of him.  So far, she seems to just love the attention.

Brock, who's always been our protector, has taken on protecting Camden without missing a step. He's like his giant, four-legged shadow.  Some nights we've been unable to find Brock, only to find that he's snuck into Camden's room and is laying next to the crib.  Protecting him while he sleeps.  Or so I like to think.

It is going to be so fun to watch these three grow up together.

Take Luck,

LP

Embrace the Camera - 8/22/13

I've been participating in Marta's monthly walk/running challenges for over a year now.  The past several months, I've brought a little buddy along to conquer the miles - usually in our beloved jogging stroller.

On Monday, someone was feeling less than stellar (I assume having three teeth trying to poke through at once might make any reasonable person irritable) and quite clingy, so instead of strapping him into the jogging stroller for what was sure to be a short walk, I grabbed the baby carrier and strapped him to me.

My little partner was making all sorts of little grunting noises at all the things he was seeing from an upright position.  He loved it.

I decided that carrying a 17+ pound baby for two miles qualified as weight lifting, too.

Go embrace the camera with someone you love!

Take Luck,

LP

If She Were Here

I had a pretty special Grama.  

Circa 1988

 She passed away when I was 15, and while I have missed her every day since then, I've been thinking about her more and more in the last few years or so.  When I was 15, I wasn't of the mental maturity to really process her death.  I just shut my feelings (as well as the feelings of everyone else) out.  At 15, I certainly didn't consider how I would feel about her at 27, with that little void that's been left in my heart, a husband, and baby boy.

Rachel and I spent a lot of time with her, especially in the summertime.  She religiously took us to the movie theater, musicals/theater productions, bowling, local parks, Sizzler, and Dairy Queen (hello, dipped chocolate cones), and let us watch completely age-inappropriate movies.  It is to her that I blame my picky eating habits, because her apartment was stock piled with grapes, string cheese, mac & cheese, chocolate pudding, Hershey Kisses, M&Ms, and Pineapple-Orange-Banana juice.  It is also to her that I credit my ability to lug massive amounts of grocery bags from the car and into the house in one trip.

So, lately, I've been thinking a lot about if she were here and what she would think of me and my little life.  While I can't say for certain, I'm pretty sure of the following:

- She would love Ryan

- She would love, love, love Camden

- She would have wicked plans for spoiling Camden (and her other great-grandchildren) with movie dates, expensive trips to the buffet, frozen treats, and inappropriate amounts of chocolate

- She would be proud of the mother and grandmother her daughter (my momma) is today

- She would be tickled to see the relationship that Rachel and I have, compared to all the bickering we did growing up

- She would be both repulsed and intrigued by reality television

- She would love Glee

- She would be totally down for taking selfies

I love telling Ryan stories about her, and reminiscing with my family about her.  If I think really hard, I can hear her laugh, hear her calling me "Lorny Lou Lou," smell her smell, and see everything about her apartment.

Someday, when Camden is old enough to understand, I'll tell him stories about his great-grama.  That way, he'll know how special she was too.

Take Luck,

LP

Camden - 8 Months

Eight months.

While out and about today, I had several people ask me how old Camden was.  And with each reply, I said that he was, "Eight months today," as if to emphasize that he is newly eight months old.  Not to be confused with a seasoned eight month old.  Obviously, I have issues.

 

This child will not sit still.

Mr. Chub Chub weighed 17 pounds 8 ounces at his double-ear infection recheck last week, to land him in the whopping 11th percentile.  It's funny to me because I think he's getting so big.  But really, he's just a wittle guy.  Seriously, seeing him in shorts requires a double take and you have to ask yourself if he's wearing shorts or pants.

I swear that I fall in love with this little boy more every single day.  Maybe that's why I'm having all these issues with him getting so big and "grown up."  I'm going to be a basket case when Camden turns one, and may require an alcoholic beverage or two.  Or six.

 This boy is a crawling machine, continues to pull up on anything and everything, and has started to walk himself along the couch and coffee table.  My guess is he'll be walking by 10 months, if not sooner.  He loves (trying) to play with cords of all sorts, the Xbox console, and the volume knob of the stereo system.  At the moment, his new favorite toy is an empty water jug.

He has totally embraced baby food and loves pears, apples, bananas, carrots, sweet potatoes, peas (as long as they are mixed with something sweet), and any fruit & grain concoction from Earth's Best Organic.  While I was pregnant, I was totally sure I'd be making his baby food.  Let me tell ya - that ship sailed long before I even attempted to throw that in the mix and we love Earth's Best.

Camden loves splashing around in his baby pool and during his weekly bath.  We signed him up for "Shrimp" swim lessons that start at the end of the month, so we'll see how he feels about splashing in a big pool.

 This little bald boy seems to be sprouting a few more hairs on the top of his head - but not much.  He's now rocking one half of a hillbilly tooth on the top, but three more are a mere minutes from showing their faces.

He is completely ignoring me when I tell him to slow down. But I guess that's just practice for the rest of his life.

Cam Cam, I certainly remember our life before you, but now - I can't imagine our life without you.

Take Luck,

LP

10 on 10: August 2013

10 on 10: 10 pictures on the 10th day of the month!

Document a snapshot of your life & find beauty among the ordinary things in your day!

 

[1] It's sad that this is considered sleeping in.

[2] Grateful for this morning baby.

[3] Toys, toys, toys.  Including his new favorite - the empty jug.

[4] Stare down with my breakfast shake.

[5] A day at the ball field is just a little different now. 

[6] My little turkey refusing a nap.  Too much fun stuff to look at outside.

[7] He finally fell asleep.  For 30 minutes.



[8]  I inhaled this cookie.  With no shame or remorse.

[9] Camden loves his cousin Riley (aka Spider Man).

[10] Wrapping up a full day of slowpitch.

Take Luck,

LP

Embrace the Camera - 8/8/13

Camden has been my saving grace this week.  A rough week at work means extra, extra baby snuggles and kisses with my hilbilly-one-top-toothed-baby.  Whether he likes it or not.

Go embrace the camera with someone you love!

Take Luck,

LP

Anniversary Dinner Cruise

Our third wedding anniversary was last week.  When Ryan asked what I wanted to do to celebrate, I snarkily replied that maybe he should plan something.  For once.

And plan he did.  He planned for us to go on a "sightseeing dinner cruise" around the Puget Sound.  I should have known at "dinner cruise" that it wasn't going to be what he expected, given our last "dinner cruise" experience.  Mat (Jessica's husband) had planned for them to go on the same dinner cruise to celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary that was a few days after ours.

We boarded our little charter boat and were told that we'd be boating to Blake Island/Tillicum Village, where we would enjoy Northwest Native American culture, a dance performance, and traditional salmon dinner.

Whaaat?  

Ryan and Mat looked at each other and you could tell that neither of them knew that this was on the agenda.  Again, I shouldn't have been surprised.

It wasn't what we expected, but we had a heck of a time.  Although I'm pretty sure Jess and I really missed our baby boys.  Shocking.

Take Luck,

LP

One of Those Days

Today was one of those days when I would have given anything to be a stay-at-home mama.  Seriously, anything.

Including my paycheck.

It wasn't that today was a bad day at work - it was fine.  But my mind and my heart weren't at my desk and on my work.  My mind and my heart were about eight miles away with my baby boy.

 I have a wonderful job in a great community of people, that allows me a lot of flexibility - which I am incredibly grateful for.  But deep down, I can't help but wish I was at home with Camden, teaching him and watching him grow in the wicked fast way he's growing.  I could be taking care of the house and prepping meals - which is pretty much the opposite of my current domestic operations.

Source

I took a little walk today to get some fresh air, and while throwing myself a little pity party - I thought about how I'll feel if I miss Camden taking his first steps.  Or saying his first word.  Let's sum it up to say that I'll be more than a little devastated.

It's never easy to drop Camden off, but some days are easier than others if that makes sense.  I think about the amount of time he spends with Jessica (or my mom during the school district's summer vacation), and it makes me so sad to think that it's time that I should be with him.  And want to be with him.

I know working mothers are conquering their jobs, homes, and raising their families everyday.  Some days I feel like I can do it all - but those days are somewhat few and far between.

I'm hoping that today was just one of those rough days and that tomorrow will be better.  We got home from Jessica's and I'm pretty sure that I smothered Camden in about 600 kisses (give or take).  He seems to be quite clingy after my first work day of the week - and I certainly wasn't complaining tonight.

Take Luck,

LP

Three

Tonight we celebrated three years of mawwiage.

It may not be a big deal to some, but it certainly is to me.

This year was certainly different than the previous two.  Mostly because we brought a little humanoid into the world.  Half Ryan, half me.  OK, let's be honest.  Camden is more like 90% Ryan and 10% me.  Whatever.  I birthed the kid so that's got to count for something.

This past year we've learned a lot about communication, trying to find a balance, our roles as a mama and a papa, and how to nurture our relationship when having little one-on-one time.

Some days, I want to punch Ryan in the face (and yes, I wrote that in our anniversary card), but most days - I love him to bits.

He makes me laugh a lot and keeps me grounded when I get a little frazzled.  I love him for that.  He also reminds me that he cannot read my mind and that I need to speak up.  I also love him for that, too.

It's hard to believe that at this time last year - we were one day away from finding out that Camden was a boy.  And now, we have a beautiful, happy, and wildly mobile almost-8 month old.

I can't wait to see what our fourth year brings.  Hopefully more sleep, more memories, and even more love.

Take Luck,

LP