Nice things

I was just thinking about some of the nicest things people have done for me over the years. There are so many, so this is just a random list...

For our wedding, Steve knew I was looking for a set of pearls to borrow, and wasn't having any luck. My mom has some, but they were too big for my dress. I didn't want to get fake pearls, either. For Christmas, he bought me a string of pearls, and I was never more surprised and excited in my life!

Steve gets another one... a few years ago, Steve heard me say how much I love Harry and David's pears, and completely surprised me by getting some for Valentine's Day. I was so touched that he heard and remembered something like that!

Recently when I was going through a rough patch with Lucy, my sister sent me a beautiful and simple note encouraging me and telling me I was a good mother. It was so beautiful and meaningful that I taped it to the inside of my desk to remind myself that I'm doing a good job.

(Okay, this one is PG-13). Before I got married, I was a little nervous about how all the lingerie would, well, fit me. My girlfriends threw me a little hot chocolate night, answered lots of questions for me, then had me try everything on. On the mirror in my "dressing room" were notes that said, "You look hot!" "What a gorgeous girl!" and such. Talk about a self-esteem boost!

When I was in Jr. High, I went through this phase where I ate and ate and ate candy! I started to get really heavy for my age, and my family was worried about me. My mom and sister sat me down and told me they were worried in such gentle words that I knew they were saying it because they loved me. The whole family helped me get through a diet, and I lost 15 pounds in the next 6 months, and started high school with a ton of confidence.

When I was in high school, my dad asked if I could help him shop for my mom for Christmas. I helped him pick out sweaters and fun things that I thought she would like. When we were shopping, he told me to pick out something I liked and he would get it for me, no questions asked. Some of my favorite outfits in high school and into college came from those outings!

My brother read on my blog that I missed Bath and Body Works splurges, even though I was very content with my life. For Christmas he got me a very well-stocked gift card for B&BW, and I had a GRAND time spending it during their half-yearly sale. I have never had more fun buying, because I knew I had almost no limits.

What wonderful, thoughtful people I have in my life!

Check out the pics...

I've posted a bunch of new pictures at our Earle website. Have fun!

Some party pictures

Delightfully chaotic!

Cleaning like mad

The First Birthday is Saturday! Mom came down to help with the cleaning and food and such. We are having a grand time scouring and plotting. Glorious thingss have happened, like a clean fridge and windows, and weeded beds. It is lovely!

Dad made Mom promise she wouldn't have any fun, but I think she was laughing her head off within 30 minutes of arrival. =)

Regrets

Before I say anything sad, let me say the happy thing! Happy Birthday to my dear friend Kristen (yesterday)! It is indeed a happy thing to remember to thank God for a life that is so special to us. She is a dear friend, and it is a joy to celebrate!

Other happy news: Lucy slept from 8:00 to 6:45 without a peep. This is indeed praise!

Other happy news: I've lost 5 pounds so far!

Now for the sad. I just found out that a dear old friend of our family's died early this morning. She was very old, and it was in many ways a mercy as she suffered a great deal, particularly mentally. We called her Grandma Ruth, because she dated my grandpa when my dad was a little boy, and he often hoped that she would be his new mommy. My brother had a special connection with her, as she babysat him a lot when he was little. I remember driving by her house one day, and he was in a new car seat, and cried because he couldn't see her house. When I was little, she invited me over to bake cookies with her one day. My friend from school spent her afternoons next door with her own grandma, so we walked there from school together. My regret is that I spent much of that afternoon playing with my friend instead of with Grandma Ruth. I know she forgives me, though.

So I'll move back on with the happy things... a healthy, happy baby, wonderful friends and family, a comfortable home, among the many things.

We have steps!

On Friday evening, Lucy took her first steps! She's been really close for awhile, but she actually free-stood, stepped out with one foot, then took a step with the other foot. So cool! She's a long way from this being her primary mode of transportation, but it was exciting to be able to watch. I have a video of some of her attempts if anyone wants one. We also got her a new car seat this weekend. It's so sad! But fun, too.

I'm on Day 14. So far, not too bad. I miss the sweets a lot, but I'm doing okay. I lost my Christmas weight, thankfully. My body is helpful that way. If I balloon artifically, then exhibit some discipline, it comes off fairly fast. The problem is the accumulated weight. Blech!

All three of us are sick today, and we've been sick on and off for about 4 weeks now. Poor Lucy loves to give her "Child Protective Services Call" when I suction her nose. I keep telling her I don't like it any more than she does, but she has not made allowances for me. =)

Here's a little shot of breakfast yesterday.

How bad it's getting...

I'm on day 9 of no sweets, and I've reverted back to my childhood habit of pretending graham crackers are candy bars. I probably should've put them on the banned list because I'm chowing through the graham crackers. Here's the really crazy thing. I don't even know how I remember what this tastes like, but I am craving the batter from my old mini-bake oven. Oh, how I loved that thing! I remember my mom was mad because a relative got it for me, and I couldn't figure out why she was mad when I wanted it so much. See? I loved to bake even then! Oh, but doesn't a little 3" diameter cake with chocolate frosting sound pretty good right now?

The Frow

We learned this Christmas that the frow is a family trait. (Frow=frown/furrowed brow.) This is Steve's niece, and Lucy is trying to steal her "bugee."

So far 2007 sucks

I won't go into everything, because really it's lots of little things, but much has to do with illness, sleeping patterns, and email. Oh, and my kitchen flooding. I think it was in the air today, though. My little niece was full of piss and vinegar for my poor sister and my mom had a massive migraine on her birthday. Just one of those days where your heart hurts after awhile. Oh, and day 2 of no sweets means no comfort food. I will count on my meatloaf to do the job.