Fabulous Miss S.

Birthday time, 2

Dear Mallory, 

Two years ago you were this:

 

 

 

And today:

You have made me the happiest, proudest Mommy ever.  You have made me the Mommy I always wanted to be. 

Paint me Purple, For Susan

Many of you know and adore Susan, @WhyMommy, or are familiar with her great writings over at Toddler Planet. 

Susan has cancer and it has spread recently, and it's giving her a heck of a time.  She has decided to use Hospice at home so she can rest and possibly regain enough strength to take another go at treatment or palliative radiation. 

Susan has touched many people first hand, she is a person of extreme grace, knowledge, humor, ... her presence is just, ... she makes everyone feel special even if they hardly know her.  She is courageous and brave and she taught us all some very valuable lessons about love and life and stars. 

In her latest blog posting she references a conversation with her husband where she talks about painting herself purple because of course (!) she could pull it off! 

No matter what, you deserve to feel better right now, and you deserve a chance to enjoy family and friends, and if that means we use hospice, or go to the moon, or paint you green, then we will do those things. I have dibs on the paintbrush.

Green’s really not my color.

I have not yet encountered a color you could not make yours. Purple?

Well, let me tell you, the incredible ladies of the DC Moms don't ever pass up a chance to make a statement and this time its in support of Susan in any way possible.  So, today,  we have painted our nails PURPLE, for Susan. 

I told Mary that if she could possibly get away this afternoon or now, manicures, in purple, on me!  And for Susan, we made the time.  It was a great little impromptu gathering. Me, Mary and her two girls and we had a great time a local nail place.  We all picked out a different kind of purple. 

 

 

Mary got her first manicure in over a decade! 

And, tonight, when I was outside with the kids getting covered in sticky Bubble Juice so they could blow bubbles and marvel as only toddlers can at the wonder of a soapy bubble floating in the air, I looked up and saw this:

 

Even the universe is going Purple for Susan. 

But, you know, it should because she's an astrophysicist. For real!

If you want to go purple too, take a picture and add it to the WhyMommy Love Fest Facebook Page.

Snow, Finally

I love a good snow storm.  I like being snowed in, shoveling the front steps and cleaning off the cars, cooking some tasty chili or soup, baking bread, watching TV and cuddling all warm inside.  But this year Mother Nature has serioulsy dissapointed the DC area. 

Finally late Friday night we got a heavy dusting of snow covered with some crunchy ice.  Not at all what a snow lover like myself has in mind but I'll work with what I've got.  Two years ago Noah was scared of the snow, wouldn't stand on the ground, refused to touch it and looked generally displeased and ill-at-ease when photographed outside near fallen snow. 

But that has changed!  I can't express to you how excited I am for him and for us (snow play as a family!) It just feels so good to see him enjoy something so normal.  And it feels good to have a normal experience as a mother . 

I got the cooking bug last night and decide to make a Mediterranean Pizza using a vegan whole wheat crust from Whole Foods. 

 

I may have been a little heavy with the feta cheese but in all other aspects this was a super healthy and very delicious half of a meal.  I served it alongside some sauteed cabbage and a greek style chicken breast. 

 

 

2011 Recap

So I'm only 23 days late!  I thought last year was bad when I posted this one week into the new year.  By now everyone has given up on their resolutions and I'm just now declaring mine.  Maybe I'll motivate someone to keep going past National Quitters Day? Yeah right... read on for a giggle. 

2010 Recap

Let's have a quick look back before we charge forward into 2012.

For the record, this was done in 2008 and again in 2010.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

I ran and finished a half marathon.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I can't recall if I made any last year so I guess that means I didn't break any!  I am making some for the coming year, mostly about prioritizing my health, making small adjustments to my diet and exercise lack-of routine. Striving for balance and accepting the irregularity of life with young children and husband who travels way too much.  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, a few friends had babies. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes.  My grandfather. He was 99.  He died on December 12th at about 10:30 in the morning.  I was with him and I am very thankful that I was able to be there in that moment because he deserved to die with dignity and I feel like I was able to bring him a small amount of that in his last days.  And I don't think people should have to die alone.  It was such a peaceful transition, strange but gentle.  

5. What countries did you visit?
None. I went to Moab, Utah, and in a way, that's sort of like a whole other country.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

More time.  I think I said this last year, so if I think beyond the impossible, I'd like to take my kids more places, do more family activities, do things I've never done before.

I want to PR in my 5K time and possibly even my 10K time, which means a sub-30 minute 5K and a sub-60 minute 10K. 

I want to get more sleep and have a better happy::stress ratio. 

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

See #4 above.

Also, Mallory started preschool on November 2. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


The successes that I helped Noah achieve and mastering the solo-parenting gig.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Being so hard on myself. (same as last year, let's work on this again, eh?)

Also, I need to put more effort into my marriage. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Illness. Lots of child-vectored germy flu-like illnesses that featured a variety of unpleasant bodily fluids.

(Ditto last year.)

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A renovated room for Noah to have therapy in the basement.  I spent three thousand dollars and gave up my storage in this tiny little house but it was well worth the sacrifice.   I love having him home every afternoon. 

12. Where did most of your money go?

Mortgage. Noah's therapy/school tuition. Target. Oy ... same as 2010.

13. What did you get really excited about?

Mallory becoming a conversing, playful, adorable little toddlerette.

14. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Adele: Someone Like You, it played at the exact same time every morning after I dropped off Noah at school.  

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? Happier.
– thinner or fatter? Fatter.
– richer or poorer? More comfortable financially.  

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?


More sleeping, more exercising, more positivity.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?


Less stressing, less staying awake just to have time spent not being MOM. 

18. How did you spend Christmas?

Eating Chinese food, playing with the kids and not-showering.  Perfect!

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Parenthood, Biggest Loser, Real Housewives of OC and Beverly Hills, Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

Happens All the Time by Isabel Gilles

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

 Whatever was on my iPod.  I'm very behind in my pop culture, very. 

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

 See above 21. Nothing. I didn't go to a theater not even one time.  I did watch a movie with Marc many months ago but I can't recall what it was.   And it probably came out like three years ago.  Sigh...

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I don't even remember.  I think it was just a dinner at home with my family.  Georgetown Cupcakes were involved. 

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I really can't think of anything.  Really.  I mean, more money, sure, more time, absolutely!  A smaller waistline, YES PLEASE, but really, my family is healthy and my kids are growing and thriving in their own time, we have fresh healthy food each day, a superbly supportive family, a warm home that we can easily afford.  I am very satisfied with my life.  I am thankful for my life. 

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

I've started trying to make the workout clothes match, so, progress?  Also, some swanky ORANGE running shoes that are still turning heads. 

26. What kept you sane?

Exercise, Stephanie, and Words With Friends

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

Keep evolving, question everything, trust your gut, don't be afraid to be vulnerable.

Please excuse the mess ....