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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Pilgrim Pride

As I previously mentioned (HERE) Puff, Bimmer, and I strapped into the car and headed off to The Fort for Thanksgiving. It was the first time in 9 years I had seen my family for the holiday. While the MIL can suck my big toe for her temper tantrum (although that's nothing new from her), my family was over the moon to see us!
 
 
 
 
 
Bimmer got to spend quality time with her grandparents and both of her great-grandmothers. It makes my heart swell to see them interact with each other.
 
 
 
Bimmer was a rockstar for the drive (which took 8 hours!!!) and only cried maybe 20 minutes each way. Outside of all the family fun, we took in a holiday window display that was revamped from my youth (and my parent's youth) and I took in a rock concert with Miss. (More on that in another post!)
 
I had been dreading the drive, but it was worth every second. Bimmer got to see her family and get loved on by everyone. I cannot wait to pack up again in a few weeks to head back for Christmas!
 
Holidays are officially much more fun with a baby!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Project 52 - Week 26

 
These past 6 months have been the most amazing of my life.

Bimmer is my world. She is my heart. She is my soul. She is my everything.

I never knew what I was missing until I met her and held her for the first time.

Yup... I am a total sap. A mushy pile of goo when it comes to this amazing little girl.
 
This week, she got to see Santa (she did so well) AND she gets to go see her family in The Fort. I packed some baby sweet potatoes for her to eat while the rest of us chow down.
 
I cannot believe how fast these past 26 weeks have flown by. I just know the next 6 months will go just as fast. So we better hang on to every moment as best we can!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Giving Thanks

For the most part, I couldn't care less about Thanksgiving. I'd pretty much rather be forced to watch reruns of "Friends."

But this year? Well, this year, I am excited. I have lots to be thankful for. I hope we are turning a corner on my thoughts on the holiday.

Typically, I consider it a paid day off to watch Dallas Cowboys football. Except, well, we suck donkey balls this year, so there's not much to be thankful about in that sense.

So instead, I am so insanely thankful that I get to spend the holiday with my family. The long drive, traffic, and cold temps (threats of 20 degree nights!!!) are all on my list of things that I am not thankful for, but the fact that I get to see my family for the first time on this holiday in NINE years? Yeah, that's pretty awesome.

I'm also pretty thankful the drama of the past 2 or 3 years isn't rearing its ugly head this year. (Ahem... see Monday's post.)

I am thankful for my amazingly beautiful, smart, healthy daughter. I am thankful for my understanding, sweet, and helpful husband. I am thankful for my supportive parents, grandmothers, and father-in-law. I am thankful for my true friends who are there for me through thick and thin. I am thankful for my health and my job and my house and my opportunities. I am thankful I got a second chance after a rough start to this year.

Here's hoping Bimmer realizes how lucky she is. I know Puff and I are realizing that every single day. We are full of thanks to Bimmer for picking us to be her parents.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Crazy Bitch... And Not the Good Kind

It's no secret that I don't get along with my mother-in-law. I mean, it's like less secret than Patreus and his mistress. We were all fine and dandy until Puff proposed in New York. Then the MIL turned colder than the 18 degree temps the night I got my ring!
 

I've tried. I really have. I have tried harder than anyone ever should have to try to get along with someone. I've proposed compromises that I would never offer up to anyone else. We schedule trips to see her every few months and we invite her up to see us, even though I hate house guests. Literally. I mean, like, I'd rather make out with Brett Favre than have her spend a weekend at our house.
 
But whatever we do, it's not enough for her.
 
She sees us more than we see any other family members. She has seen Bimmer more than any other relative, yet, she's the relative that cares the least. Yup... from where I'm sitting, she doesn't even deserve to see Bimmer.
 
May we never forget that when Puff told the MIL that we were pregnant, her exact reaction was "I wish I could be happy for you."
 
Throughout my pregnancy, she had no sympathy for my constant nausea, would change the subject if we brought up the baby, failed to inform anyone at her church that we were expecting, and then never bought anything for Bimmer before she was born. She said she was mad because I had posted a blog about her leaving a washcloth in our tub. Right... because that's a totally legitimate reason to hate your unborn granddaughter.
 
When she visited the hospital, she never asked how I was doing, wouldn't leave the room when the nurses needed to get me out of bed, told Puff and I what we were doing wrong as parents, and completely ignored my parents when they came in to see the baby. She doesn't call and ask about Bimmer. She even posts Facebook photos of my nieces and comments that they are her "youngest granddaugthers" even when they are at least 6 years older than Bimmer. When she visited for Puff's birthday a few weeks back, she got T-Rex arms at the table and Puff had to pay for his own birthday dinner. Then she spent the rest of the weekend telling us what we were still doing wrong with the baby.
 
Yeah, definitely the type of person we want to spend time with, right?
 
With my grandma being very ill (probably haven't mentioned that on here though) Puff and I made the decision to go back to The Fort for Thanksgiving. I haven't been back for the holiday in 9 years. Yup... I haven't seen my family on Thanksgiving in almost a decade. We normally spend Thanksgiving with the MIL, but not this year. Not when my grandma might not live until Christmas. I knew from the second we made that decision that the MIL would be pissed.
 
I was right.
 
Apparently she can't depend on us. She insists we are only going to see my family because of a concert I may attend during the trip. And that whole completely logical and legitimate reason we're going back to The Fort, to see my dying grandma? Yeah, that's not good enough for her. Apparently she changed the subject back to her (surprise, surprise) and said if she were dying, we wouldn't even come to see her.
 
Ya know what? At this rate, I wouldn't be racing down the highway for her. She doesn't deserve it. Not when my mom and Puff's dad love Bimmer with all their heart, but are so far away and so sick they can't even see Bimmer in person. That fact brought me to tears after the MIL's most recent round of selfish behavior.
 
I know she's Puff's mom. I know I can't revoke her "grandmother" title. But I am done beating around the bush. I would be completely content to never have to see her or deal with her ever again. I've bitten my tongue so hard it's bleeding. We are grown adults and it shouldn't be this difficult.
 
She is the most selfish person I have ever met.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Project 52 - Week 25

 
We've moved up from rice cereal this week. We are now on to sweet potatoes. And they are super yummy! Squash is just OK, but green beans? Nope. They're so bad she won't even open her mouth when you airplane in the spoon!
 

We have also mastered riding in a shopping cart (or "buggy") and even sat in a restaurant high chair for the first time this week!
 
Yup... we also got up on our hands and knees a few times. She scoots herself backward pretty well, but crawling is just a matter of time. Good thing we're in the process this week and next of getting all those chipping baseboards and doors finished! Don't want her eating paint flakes.
 
But the other accomplishments this week were pretty scary... like, take away my parent of the year nomination scary.
 
First, she fell off the bed.
 
Yup... like BONK, on the floor. Thank God it was the lower bed and not our very high master. I sat her in the middle (as I often do) and turned my back to take the three steps to the closet to get out some new diapers. Then I heard it... the crash. And I turned around and she was laying on her back on the floor. She only screamed for about 20 seconds and then was chipper and giggly. We kept a close eye on her for the next two days to make sure she didn't show any signs of broken bones or a concussion or anything. She seemed fine. My confidence, however, was pretty shattered.
 
A few days later? She was in her Bumbo on the kitchen counter (where she is often) and she was drinking from her sippy cup. (Yup, add that to things she is now trying to master.) I was making dinner and prepping steaks to marinade about 3 feet from her when I heard another BONK... Bimmer was on her stomach on top of the stove. Thank God it wasn't on and thank God she had figured out how to escape from it over the side and not forward. Needless to say, she's no longer allowed to be in the Bumbo on any raised surfaces.
 
All this mobility is awesome in one sense, but scary as shit in another. We shall see what Thanksgiving week brings next week... as my baby turns 26 weeks... 6 months... half a year old!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Call Me What?

On a recent episode of Kelly & Michael, (although I still always refer to that show as something to do with Regis) they were talking about a study regarding nicknames. Apparently women are a little particular about what they are OK with their significant other calling them. What does Puff call me? Eh... to be honest, most of the time he calls me "Caucasian." Sometimes he throws "sexy" in front of it. Or "favorite."

I deal.

Now, it's funny that I have all these nicknames for people on this blog, yet I never call my husband "Puff" in real life, nor do we ever call the baby "Bimmer." Although we did when we were pregnant and didn't know the gender yet. But as soon as we did, we began calling her by her name. Oh wait... I do actually call "Kimhead" that sometimes. Usually while we're on adjoining aisles at Target where people can hear me and look at me like I'm nuts. I usually give them back the, "I know. Can you believe her mom gave her such a stupid name?" look.

I sometimes call my husband, "Sexypants." That was on the list as one of the names women do NOT want to be called. Have you ever actually heard someone call a woman that? ::shrug::

Over the years, I have dated a guy we affectionately called "Dipshit" and I tried really hard for "Kimfoot" to catch on, although it didn't. Only Kimhead calls me "Gail" but that was actually a nickname a few boys gave me in elementary school. Somehow, it just stuck. I used to nickname kids I worked with at day camps... "Topher" and "Squirtle" come to mind. And growing up my dad always called me "Pumpkin."
 
I will be interested to see how Bimmer's nicknames change as she grows. Puff usually calls her "Girlfriend" and I tend to call her "Sugar Butt" or a mash up of the first part of her first name coupled with the second part of her middle name. I figure that will be less embarassing to her in the future than hearing her mom call her "Sugar Butt" in public. (Although, trust me, what comes out of that butt is nothing close to sugar!)
 
Did you have any funny or crazy nicknames growing up? Did you use code names when you passed notes in middle school like "Yankee" and "Scooter?" Do you call your kids anything that will embarass them when they're older?
 
My dad recently got me a sign that says "Pumpkin" on it. Perhaps I need to get one that reads "Sexypants" for Puff to put on his side of the bed. Ya know, so there is balance in our bedroom decor.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Project 52 - Week 24

My big girl! She looks like a toddler to me in this photo! :(
 
I love being a working mom.

And I refuse to feel guilty about it.

Ever since I have been back to work, I've actually felt better about myself, lost weight, felt like I have more purpose, and have enjoyed my time with Bimmer much more than before. I'm less tired and feel like I am a better mom because of it. I cherish the seconds we spend together and know that my job is helping us to have a better life.

Bimmer is becoming a screamer. Not in a bad way, just in a LOUD way. I've had to leave several restaurants with her lately, since she gets so excited and squirmy and just squeals with delight in a way that probably disturbs other patrons. May be a time to start limiting our restaurant outings for awhile... or at least until she learns the meaning of the word "No."

Speaking of which... we have started to having to tell her that quite frequently with the screaming. And with the raspberries. (Is that what they call it when she just puts her lips together and blows spit?) She's so darn cute, so it's really hard to get frustrated with her when she does it, but it's so not cool when she's eating and thinks it's funny. Being covered in spit rice cereal is not my idea of a good time!

She also ascoots on her butt now when she is sitting and can get a few feet, so I'm certain that her being mobile is not too far away.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Birthday Boy!

I am married to an old man.

Puff just turned 35. THIRTY-FIVE!!!!
 

 

Bimmer gave her daddy a very sweet card, and we even had her hold a pen to sign it. (Yes, I realize I am ridiculous!)
 

 

On top of the BMW car club membership we gifted him, Bimmer also gifted him with a book about a truck that he had been wanting so he could read it to Bimmer. With having the baby, we didn't want to go over the top and waste money on crazy gifts he didn't need or wouldn't appreciate. Plus, we didn't want to spend $30+ on a babysitter plus the cost of a fancy dinner. So we just grilled some steaks at home and had awesome family time. Puff said it was exactly the way he would have wanted to spend his birthday.
 

 

The MIL came to town then that weekend and we headed to the mountains for a quick nature walk with the baby to check out some of the trees. I always say the first weekend in November is the best time for leaves in the SC/NC mountains, but we found that it was almost a little past peak. I blame the lack of rain, but what do I know? I failed out of meteorology school. (Ya know, like I ever went to meteorology school.)

Minus some drama with the MIL's visit (she casually ignored the fact that she was only invited for one night and stayed for two), it was a pretty good 35th birthday for my hubby. Sure, we had originally thought about going to Hilton Head for a fancy car show, but sometimes, plans change. And spending a birthday at home with our little family was just right. We'll have plenty of years to travel. But not many to snuggle our baby in the comfort of The Bungalow.

Monday, November 5, 2012

My Fair Lady

The day after our adventure to the European Auto Show (HERE) we took our festival-train into Columbia to visit Kimhead and Rach and hit up the SC State Fair!
 

 

Bimmer was NOT in a good mood though. The car show the day before, plus the drive, plus teething, plus an upset tummy, plus not sleeping well... recipe for disaster! All that being said, Bimmer was better than she could have been. She was intrigued by the animals and those kept her attention for quite awhile. But in general, I think she was just overwhelmed by everything new to check out and all the people.

And she was probably just as perplexed as I was when Puff decided to chow down on this...
 

 

A burger on a donut? Yeah, not my thing. I saved my calorie intake for the week for the best fair food ever...
 

 

Awwww.... I could pee myself with excitement over deep fried chocolate chip cookie dough! And the state fair is the only place I've ever seen it. Oh, it's heaven on a plate.
 

 

Looks like Bimmer agrees :)

Friday, November 2, 2012

Project 52 - Week 23

It was time to start sitting up for our weekly photos!
 
Since Bimmer is now a big girl at 5 months old, I thought I'd jot down some of her favorites...
 
Toy: Her green Oball Rattle. When Puff first picked it out, I thought it was kinda goofy, but it's by far her favorite toy. Although her inflatable globe (seen here) is a big hit too. Oh, and her stuffed piggie.

Food: She still prefers her bottle over rice cereal, but she does get excited to eat and has just started leaning forward for bites. She'll be starting on some sweet potatoes or such here pretty soon!
 
Outfit: Mommy loves her jeggings. Bimmer doesn't get much of a choice in the matter.
 
Diapers: Yes, I know we talked several times about cloth diapers. But once we started using Pampers Swaddlers (with the tells-you-when-she's-wet-green-line) Puff was hooked. I got hooked once I realized that all that talk about doing tons of laundry with a baby (which is why I figured cloth diapers wouldn't be that big of a deal) was totally false. We do one load of baby laundry a week, unless there's an accident. Which is pretty rare.
 
Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider, the ABCs, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star are totally her jam. As far as modern music goes, she LOVES her some "Gangnum Style" and giggles whenever they say "Hey, Sexy Lady." She also will smile for us if we sing "Call Me Maybe" or "Party in the USA" to her. We gotta expand her musical horizons. Stat.
 
Activity: This is a toss up between trying to eat her toes or being carried around to check everything out. She's definitely from The Fort at heart... she's a nosy neighbor!
 
Person: She only regularly sees 3 people (me, Puff, and Nanny) but she definitely loves both her mommy and daddy. Some days, she's a Mommy's girl. Other days, she gives me the stink-eye and only wants Puff to hold her. I don't care. I'm happy she loves us both. Because we certainly both love her with all our hearts!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Zoom, Zoom

After the Okra Strut and Pumpkintown Festival, we were ready for a festival of a different type...
 

 

Bring on the fancy European cars! As I am sure I've mentioned before, Puff is super into cars. He can barely keep his ADD in check when we're out for a drive if something cool drives past. So we were definitely anxious to take Bimmer to well, the place where her nickname came from... the BMW factory.
 

 

See... she even picked out a Bimmer of her own! In fact, she was pretty calm and cool the entire time, but when we got to the BMW section, she started chatting and squealing. She knows what she wants. (Good thing she likes the BMWs though, since our hope is to score a 3-series convertible in a few years!)

The show was better this year than last and the weather was so perfect. I was actually a bit sad, since I had picked out a cute sweater for her to wear, but she didn't need it. Although the highlight of the day for Bimmer was grass.

Yup. She's a simple girl.

It was the first time she had ever sat in grass, so she was loving the novelty. Most of my photos are of the top of her head!
 

 

And of course, we had to try eating it.