Sisters

Her story is (but of course) a story - and it is hers I can't wait to tell.  To start with I should introduce her.

Our newest addition.

JJ Guarro weighing in at 7 lbs 6 oz and amazing in every way.

Screw That

While drilling into the wall the screw slipped and I screamed...

L, "Mama. What happened? Did you screw yourself? You get screwed?"

Girl... you don't even KNOW.

My First and Only

Dear Baby Girl, 

I know, I know - you aren't a baby anymore, but I keep telling you - you'll always be MY baby - no matter how many babies we have - you get special spot of number 1. Sooner than you know you won't be the only kid on this block. I just need you to know that you a kick ass kid. Sure, lately you've been testing some limits and you may or may not get so excited sometimes you lose your mind and make a decision I wish you wouldn't (see: slamming into me like a pro wrestler or bonking your dad in the nose) - overall we are lucky. 

We are lucky that you are our first. You make everything easier. You make me laugh daily and most days tear up because of your sweetness. You are caring, loving, and damn do you know how to give a hug. Sometimes though, if we're being honest here, when you kiss on me - it gets a little sloppy and no one likes a sloppy kisser, FYI. 

When things don't go the way we think they will or want them to - I think about you. Your story was not what I anticipated and it's the best story I have. You show me that when things don't go the way we want, there is a reason - there is a plan - and the very best can come from it. You are the very best, girl. 

I know you don't really know what is about to hit you - but I hope, when you look back you remember the adventure and excitement of meeting your new baby sister or brother - but most of all how adding another member of this family just shows you how much we love YOU and how much love this family has to give. That's our goal. You're the best, kid - and our favorite L.

Love you most. Love you always.
Mama (& Daddy, too)

Scrapes & (Ego) Cuts

Me: "OUCH!" (mumbles.. probably some kind of mixture of curse and nonsensical words)
L: "What's wrong, Mama?"
Me: "Nothing much, just the baby."
L: "The baby's kicking you?"
Me: "Yup. Everyday. All day." (trying to NOT seem as angry as I might be)
L: "Can I see?"
Me: "Sure, but you really can't see the baby kick, just my belly move a little." (I lift my shirt)
L: "Yeah. The baby's scratching you - I can SEE!"
Me: "You can't see the baby!"
L: "I can see the scratching!" (she points)
Me: "Awesome. No. Those are stretch marks - not a scratch...."
L: "It's a scrape it's a scrape! The baby is scraping you!" (Note: this may sound like she is saying in a horriying way - not the case, almost excited & facinated combined.)
Me: "Ok."
L: "Okay, let's cover that belly now."

 

An Apologetic Plea of Mercy

Dear Ninja Baby,

At first I felt terrible. I haven't taken pictures like I did with your sister.  I haven't been as diligent about detailing all of the stories. I have been doing what people say they do with the second... what I said I would never do.  My 28 year brother, your uncle, still talks about how he doesn't have a baby book. Would this would not be the fate of my beloved second child? NO way. NO HOW!

But you know what? Forget it. I'm sorry but beyond that, I release my guilt.  While I hate to (start) comparing, for the record your sister NEVER beat the crap out of me like you do.  She never bruised me from the inside out. I mean I joked about it, but she never physically roughed me up. Last week you were breech, I felt it happen and then I felt you go right side down. You know what? That was the opposite of awesome. I've got the sug, my mac & cheese counts are low. All I want to do is eat ice cream all day, but instead I have to deal with seltzer water instead. A mother's memory is long, my friend. And despite what my doctor assures me, you have decided to start to make the commute "home." Everyone says this 'pressure' is 'normal.' I beg to differ. My normal is your sister - who stayed as far North as possible, some might say held anchor to my esophagus for dear life so this piercing pain constant ache opening of sesame 'pressure' is not NORMAL.

Listen, you don't have much more time. Just stay put, relax and get comfortable. Don't worry, we won't leave you cooking for 3 months, like I think we did your sister. Next week this will all be over. Just kick back, grab hold of that esophagus and leave your carrier mother be. Stop will all the nonsense. 

Thank you, 

Management

Shiny Breath

The ball & chain: "L, your morning breath is like kitty litter. Meow!"
L: "Kitty GLITTER?!"

photo credit: Tumblr, kitty glitter search - obviously

And we wonder why she is confused with things and call some things by random names... how are you going to correct a glittering kitty?

March to the Beat: Homegirl's First Parade

You know when you see things on television and you think, "Does this just happen in a sitcom or a movie?"

That's what I think about when I hear about neighborhood parades. Truly. It's not the ONLY thing I see and say that ... but it's one of those things I didn't know really existed.  They do and as curious as they are, I love them.

Who.Am.I?

We participated in a neighborhood parade on July 4th - where people wore plaid, it was B.Y.O.I. (bring your own instrument) and we marched IN the parade behind a man and a slide whistle.

A.Slide.Whistle.

I freaking LOVE this place.  It was amazing. I wore black; of course so one might say I'm fitting RIGHT in over here.

Order Confirmation

The kid is really keen on details, don't know where she gets that from (that's sarcasm). We've been talking about the baby en route before the baby was en route so I feel pretty comfortable that she is "getting it" as best as she can.  We keep talking about it though and as soon as she got the good word, her Godmother, my Aunt, sent a long some books to review - to help the kid understand about this miracle of life we have incubating. One was UBER graphic and since we are committed to telling the whole truth, I haven't really pushed the book as I don't have the strength (yet) to talk about uterus-es and such. We've been sticking to the Dora book since she is a favorite (the kid, not us). That book, however, has lead to fears that she is going to get a two for one big sister status.

At first, she loved it. It had Dora, Boots, the Map - all good. But at the end, when she comes home for her independent trip out with a monkey and a map that sings (seriously?) she comes home to find that she has TWO new babies in her house. Not one.

In all seriousness, she asks, concerned:
"Wait. There is only one baby coming home, right?? ARE YOU SURE?"

Thanks, Dora. You are the best (that's sarcasm).

Before the snake escaped... Bronx Zoo memories

Little known fact. The ball & chain is afraid of snakes. Like scream like a woman and run for your life, forsake your wife and child and get the hell out of dodge scared. There is an understanding, if a snake comes a crawling, I'm on my own.

In a "Post-Snake Escaped" world, he may never return to the Bronx Zoo. I'm glad I have the memories I have then...

1983

2009