Holidaze

The writer's strike has ended!



I don't know what came over me, abandoning one of my great loves for so long. I got lazy, way too introspective, busy, apathetic, sappy, and happy. All of which led to my blogvoidance period. I am so back and ready to get this year on!
Let me share some photos from our amazing holidays. This year was so much more fun for me (no morning sickness) and for Charlie. He really got into it, and it was a blast. Mal loved it too, of course, because she pretty much loves everything.






















Looks like fun, huh? It was. We had great food, and a bunch of new games. Games are big in our house at the holidays. We had several going at once, and we are lucky that our closest friends also join us at my parent's house. My parents are the coolest. Seriously. Several of us stayed the night, and we were there a lot for the next few days. There was some serious vegging going on! I do have more photos, like some from out annual Calloway trip, that I will add asap!

On to New Year's, where if you know us, you know there was a party. THE party. Jess and I had worked on a theme, decorations, the right playlist, the lights, the drinks. It was amazing fun. Just like Halloween, she and Wes' garage was transformed into our own little dance club. There were several new faces, which was fun. About 10 minutes before midnight, everyone gathered in the garage, arms linked and swaying together belting out Dan Fogelberg's Another Auld Lang Syne. (Technically a Christmas song, but it works.) It was one of the best moments with my friends and family that I can remember. Minutes later, the countdown ensued, and the year was over. The celebration was everywhere. Hugs, kisses, noisemakers. This year I really feel a sense of renewal, more than ever before.











I guess it's cliche to make changes this time of year (and then forget them by March) but I have several in the works, and I feel like '09 is going to give me that chance that I need. I'm going to lose weight, save money, be better to my kids and myself (oh, okay, Adam too) and I'm going to become the most awesomest aunt ever! My mom has a big birthday this year, my sister graduates from college AND becomes a mommy, my best friend, well, she has big plans, too. Charlie will turn three, and Mallory one. The summer will bring pool parties, volleyball, margaritas, and new friends and new babies. My baby girl will walk. My hubby has a great job. We are going to the beach.
Why do I sometimes forget how lucky I am?

Let's chat about these kiddos of mine.
Charlie as of today:


This dude. For starters, he has been under the impression that he is the only kid who is home from school right now. He was talking about it the other day and asked "Hey, Mom, do those guys miss me?" I tried to explain that everyone is on break for the holiday. I know he's ready to go back...one more week!
Also, somehow I think he is a teenager in an almost three year old body. In the last few weeks, I have gone from being "mommy!" to being "mooo-ooom!" The entire package includes eye-rolling, hip swaying and exasperated head-shaking. Order now and you will recieve such phrases as "Geez, Mom, relax!" and "Could you keep it down, I'm watching a movie!" and not to be forgotten "You guys are driving me bananas!"
I want a refund, please, and my sweet guy back.
Despite the attitude, Charlie remains as affectionate and loving as ever. He randomly tells me he loves me all the time. Then he'll say "I love Daddy, too, and I love Mallory, too."
What else?
He can write the letter 'A'. That makes me happy. His new favorite word is "pologize!" (He uses it a lot). He is the person who can make Mallory laugh the loudest, usually by pretending to fall down or hit himself. And the boy loves to cook. I could see him as a chef, but he informed me recently that he would like to be a plumber when he grows up, like Mario. :)

Malgirl.
Here she is today, on her 5 month birthday:


My bouncing butterball of love. This girl is so meant to be one of us. She and Charlie are quite the pair, and she is so laid back like the rest of us. She is teething, so we have some fussy moments, but for the most part, she is good as gold. Sometimes I have to back off and not over fuss with her. She was fussing recently and squirming in my arms, so I just plunked her down in the crib, and she drifted to sleep immediately, almost saying "Thanks for finally putting me down, woman!" She is doing great with cereal twice a day and is so cute with the spoon. It's a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to smashing up some veggies for her soon. She sleeps (don't throw things) from about 9pm to 9am. Straight. (I do know that karma is a bitch, and I am going to have the most rebellious teenager in the world on my hands). This little doll weighed in at 17 pounds a month ago. She'll have her big brother in a headlock in no time, I can feel it.
All in all, these two are my heart and my joy, and I didn't realize how having the both of them would make me love them each even more. It's the biggest gift of my life. (I think we have one more of these types of gifts out there in the world, waiting, for one day...)

Going back to the resolutions...today is the first day of my (gulp) diet-that's-not-a-diet-'cause-diets-don't-work'-it's-a-lifestyle-change. I am basically having to cut the calories I was consuming by more than HALF. I mean, I ate what I want, when I wanted it for the last YEAR. So far, today has been okay. I'm a little hungry, but it kinda feels good. Hunger means that my body is snacking on a little piece of gut rather than a Big Mac for once. I ordered a Dance Cardio DVD by Gweneth and Madonna's trainer (am I ambitious or what??) and penciled in 4 gym classes for the week. I can do this, because I have to do it. I want to look on the outside the way I feel on the inside. When I see photos lately, I think...wow, that's not at all the way I see myself. I am about 24 pounds overweight, so the goal is 25 pounds gone by my birthday. My TWENTYNINTH birthday, in June. Yowsa, I hope this is a slow year.
So, wish me luck there. I have only attempted this a few times, but never lasts long. This IS however, my first postnatal go at it, and I hope I can keep the willpower.

I will not abandon you again, dear blog!!