The Raspberry Swirl of my current issues.

1. the state of my bathroom grout.





2. just because I sometimes call my son "dude" doesn't mean I'm a "reluctant" parent.





3. i can't vacuum anymore for 2 reasons. 1. Milo gets hysterically upset by the 30 seconds of vacuuming. (my 3rd floor is that big). 2. It's broken. I have no idea why...other than the vacuum is a cheap piece of sh#t.





4. the adventure of attempting to climb up mommy's leg. Instead, Milo will pull down my (gym) pants (my uniform), start jumping up and down, whining gagagaga, then cruising in and around my legs all the while thinking "I will break her, dammit. She WILL pick me up."


And I do.


5. Eatting toilet paper. Knock it off, will ya?


6. speaking of toilet...how dare I close the door...while in the bathroom! What could I possibly need privacy for? "Mama, we spend every minute together...what's another 5, you NEED me...look how cute I am!!??"


7. Milo's love of whatever is in my hand. so glad we bought all those colorful toys in the corner.


8. my new favorite: when I'm holding Milo on my hip and he squeezes his legs tightly around my waist and screams in my ear with giddiness over the sighting of a cat...then biting my shoulder and leaving a slobbery stain...(not as sexy as it may sound)





9. The obnoxious yet encouraging mommy voice. It's hard not to succomb.





10. If Milo finds himself at a cranky moment in the car, I will feed him. Yes, I hand my child food while I'm driving. Then I feel crazy when I see half eatten puffs, animal crackers and soy formula stains on my leather interior. Yes, I know it's a safety concern re: choking and also taking my eyes off the road to hand him food.





that's all for now.

T minus 9 days until VA-mother effin-CATION!!

Beach: it's what we do

This post is a tad picture heavy...but the cuteness of these little ones keep me inspired!

Surfer girl sporting her one peice!

Milo spontaneously went up to this mother-daughter duo and posed with his cheesy grin!

Obviously, Milo needs adult supervision...

He's still learning how to give "hugs" not "wrestle."

The little man just can't help himself around pretty girls...

Snacks -don't leave home without them!

"Where's the ice cream? I was told there would be ice cream!"

Mama's boy all the way...

Mama Jonse and Makaela checking out the ducks swimming by...

The Easy E's...keep the beach memories coming...

What was I thinking?

I should have known better than to give him a box of cookies and leave the room... Milo says, "Thanks, mom, that was fun...I needed that! What else you got?"

Happy 1st B-day Parker!

P-man, a local favorite, celebrated his 1st year of life on 6/24! Here are a few shots of a gathering we had to celebrate this great acheivement!

Here are Milo and Lillianna sharing a snack...

Makeala joins in on the munch-down...

Parker and Lili

Milo butting in on Parker and Lili's snack time. Parker has that look of "Dude...not cool."

But Milo shows no concern as he flirts away...

Something about this picture...mother and son...

Kind of a mini double date, no?

A 1st birthday...another great excuse to gather up! Eatting, drinking, and discussing the long, strange trip of the first year of motherhood, the first year of life...Cheers to my fellow mothers whose babies have recently entered the toddler stage...let the playdates continue!

Because we can't get enough of the Pool!

 Hooray for summer and generous friends who invite us over!

Look closely, Milo has himself a mohawk...Oh, yeah, bring it on my little rock star! Yes, there appears to be a bit of whining before this shot...Milo is still figuring out how he feels about being in water...

"hey, cutie, how you doin?"

"Did you get the shot, mom? Good, now get back in the water!!"

The Ludy Ladies...loving the pool vibe!

11 months (sigh)

At 11 months, Milo-man continues his quest for my sanity, including climbing couches and rearranging furniture (2 chairs at the same time!)

Don't let the days go by...

Happy Father's Day!

Milo, with his daddio...

and here with his grandaddio...
just a whole lotta love...

Happy Dad's Day to those dads near or far....

Attn-seeking

Huh? I see a picture of adults holding seemingly adult conversation....and where's the baby? Wait for it....
"YaY! Here I am posing with Aunt Betsy"!
"And here I am with the "rents!"
"And HONK on your nose Uncle Ben!" (with Cousin Dylan)

"Alrighty then, as you were..."

Playing Pool

This may be the beginning a future pool shark. If we stay in southern Maryland long enough, in 20 years (hopefully not 10!), Milo may have a beer in one hand and a quarter for the juke box in another...hmmm...

Boys will be Boys...

"See here, Parker and Lillianna, watch this..."

"Yeah, Milo, this is my toy, go get your own!"

"I don't think so, Parker, you're gonna have to fight me for it!"

"Oh, those silly boys!!"

"HA HA, Parker, I got the super awesome papertowel thing-a-ma-bob!!"

"Oh yeah? Well, how does the papertowel thing-a-ma-bob feel when I bang it on your head?? HA HA!!"

"Alright, people. All eyes on me. I am STANDING!!""Yeah, whatever, Milo...I crawled before you, so nuuuh!"

The E's comp photo

So here we are as fresh parents...with the little one, a mere 10 days old. Back when I could swaddle the precious bundle and get by on 3 hours sleep. We were living on pure adrenaline, trying to pass the meconium, belly button stub, a high bilirubin count and take care of a circumsion that seemed slow to heal. At this point, I was able to drink a glass (or 3) of wine and eat brie for the first time in 9 months, as I marvelled at my disfigured, flabby stomach...

Fast foward 11 months and now all systems are a go! The wounds heel, the uterus shrinks, and jaundice is a thing of the distant past. I can barely keep baby E still on my lap, I sleep (a tad) more these days and yes, I'm still drinking a glass (or 3) of wine...Cheers!

followers

Alright, people. I know you're reading me (mom, aaron, betsy...etc) Now let us make it official and "follow" me!

Yes, I get my self-esteem from high numbers in the "following" section. As of right now, it's one. Thank you, my SIL, Jessica. Give Julian and Taylor a kiss from us!

(thank you Nikki for bringing this to my attention)

Now here's a picture (of the people you know and love and stalk) to soften the blow...