Weekend Recap~A Baby Shower

I have a friend who has 2 boys. One is 12 and the other is 9. She is now pregnant with a little girl.
My hubby is friends with her hubby. This is the only couple we have in common.

This may be weird to some of you but most of my husband’s friends are single and most of my friends, well, I don’t have any other friends in the area.

So when my friend was around 5 mths pregnant, I asked her if anyone was throwing her a baby shower.

That is how I became the host of her baby shower on Saturday.

I had everything planned out but being the perfect procrastinator that I am, I still had tons to do.

Friday I left work a little early and headed to the store. I had to buy food and drinks for the party.

Once I got back home, I recruited Lael to help me put the gift boxes together.

I rewarded her with candy. She easy like that.

Saturday was a marathon.

It was the Super Sonics last soccer game.

It was also in the 30s.

We froze but we won.

Lael didn’t score a goal but played good defense.

After the game we walked across the field and the kids were given cupcakes and their trophies.

It was the ghettoest awards ceremony I’ve ever seen.

Usually we have a big ceremony at the youth center with all of the teams and we have pizza and cake.

(Apparently now that the Navy has taken over our base things are done differently.)

After the “ceremony” we headed back home but not before stopping at a community yard sale.

I scored brand new baby walking shoes for $2 and a few brand new baby toys for Kobi. Lael was able to get some stick thing for free.

We then made it home where I proceeded to make lasagna, green beans, fruit salad and Carlota’s Perfect Punch minus a few things.

Me and Lael gathered all of our games and headed down the street to set up.

The baby shower was a success.

We played “Guess What’s In The Diaper” and “Dress the Baby (with a partner using 1 hand each)”.

Fun was had by all.

I didn’t get out of there until after 8pm.

I went home and collapsed in bed.

I woke up yesterday with the mother of all headaches.

That was an excuse for me to stay in my pjs and on the couch catching up on my DVR.

I’m thankful that this is a short week, though I’m a little disappointed that the holiday in on a Thursday rather than Friday.

I mean what’s the point?

Happy Monday

The Baby Shower

It was full awe awesomeness.

The kids all helped open and pass things around. I love kids.

My best friend (holding the duck) drove all the way from NJ. I am loved.

The outfit I'm wearing my brother bought me.  You can't see it in the pics but I got a pedicure that morning and had my toes painted the same shade of blue.  I'm cute like that.

As usual there were a few mishaps and a few friends dissapointed me but those there were there TOTALLY made up for it.

I literally got everything I needed.  I am blessed.  And that is all.

She'll Keep Your Secret...At Least Until You Get Sent Home

Everyday ask Lael about how her day went. Her stories are usually typical 1st grade girly stories. Such and such was mean. Such and such isn’t my friend. Such and such is my friend again! But I ask because you never know what she may tell me.

I also ask because I need to know if she got a star that day and because we had an agreement that she would participate in all discussions once a day and so every day she has to tell me what question she answered.

So yesterday I asked Lael how her day went. Here’s how the conversation went:

“Suzie peed on herself.”

“Wow, that’s sad. What happened?”

“Well, we both had to go pee really bad but I had to go badder so she let me go first. One of the toilet’s wasn’t working so there was only one to use. I finished really fast and let Suzie go but then she said “uh oh” because she had peed on herself when she was trying to get her pants down.”

“Aw…I’m sorry to hear that, what happened next.”

“Well there was no more toilet paper so Suzie asked me to get her some. Since the other toilet door was locked I had to crawl under the door to get her some toilet paper.”

“Wow! That was very nice of you.”

“Yeah. It was. So then Suzie was too sad to come out of the bathroom.”

“ I bet, so what did you do?”

“Welll I went into our class and told the teacher ‘Um..Ms. Taylor, Suzie needs to see you. She in the bathroom but I can’t say why.”

“Oh, well that was so mature of you to not say out loud what had happened. So then what?”

“Ms Taylor went and took Suzie to the nurse and then her Dad came to pick her up so she could have clean clothes.”

“Well that’s good. Did she come back to school?”

“No she just stayed home for the rest of the day.”

“Well that’s great that you were able to help your friend and keep her secret, I’m sure she was a little embarrassed.”

“Yeah, I only told Sara and Kelly.”

“What? Why did you tell them. You wouldn’t want anyone to tell if it was you that had an accident.”

“Well they are our best friends, she they were gonna find out anyway, besides Ms Taylor is the one who told the other girls that aren’t even our best friends.”

Very well then.

USO

The USO (United Service Organizations) takes care of the military.

Whether it's free tickets to the Radio City (Rockettes) Concert ((which I may or may not have stood in line for 3 hrs on Sunday to get only to miss out by just a few people)) or calling cards to those that are deployed, they are there.

I haven't been on the up and up the past few years but that's what I have military friends for right?

My girlfriend called me up Saturday and swung by my house to pick me and Lael up for some USO Kids Christmas Event.

I wasn't sure what to expect but the USO never hardly disappoints. 

We go there and they were giving aways tickets for door prizes which included kids bikes and more.

There was free dinner, popcorn, cotton candy, treats, face painting, and even a Gingerbread House for the kids to climb through (yeah, it was that big).

But of course no Christmas event is complete without a Santa.  Even though he looked like he was maybe 25, the kids loved him.

Thanks USO for a fun filled night.  Especially because it was free, free, free.

Trust, There's MORE Than Enough Of Me To Go Around

My mother-in-law is a planner.  I mean if we are going somewhere next year it's already planned out.  So naturally when she found out I was expecting she began to plan the baby shower.  Yes. Already.

It's in April.  April 17th to be exact.  You are all invited.  Seriously.  Send me an email if you are going to be in the DC/MD/VA area and you want to meet me and come.  Ahem.  So anyway, the date and location is already set.

Her house. Food, DJ (yes, a DJ!) and all my friends and family members that I can actually stand. 

Originally I had a few friends that had said they wanted to "help" out with the planning of the shower.  My MIL had been bugging me for 3 or 4 weeks to get her their information so that she could put together her baby shower "committee". 

So just Monday night I gave her the email addresses of 3, just 3 of my friends.  That is when all hell broke loose.

I had no idea that separately 2 of my friends are sweet and great and full of awesomenes. But together, planning something for me.  Not so much.

Everyone wants to be in charge.  Everyone claims to be my bestest, most special friend and know me the best and what I would like the best and blah blah blah.

For fucking real?  What's the deal?  I had my oldest friend calling me at work yesterday (yes only 2 days since I had sent out the original email) bitchin' about how unorganized it was and that she was taking over.

I had my other BF calling me to do my registry right then and there with her on the phone and telling me that she was sending out invitations.

Then I had my sister-in-law bitchin' with them about what the theme of the party was going to be.  The baby's room is going to be Classic Pooh so that is what she was aiming for.  But everyone else wants to wait until next month to find out the sex and blah blah blah.

By yesterday afternoon me and my MIL had had enough!  I remembered my "work mom" (our office secretary whom I love dearly) wanted to help plan. She is older, maybe in her late 50's and is the best party planner I've ever known.

I told my MIL and we both agreed to let her take it over.  My MIL sent her and email asking if she wanted to take charge and she agreed.  Immediately she sent out an email to my MIL with all her ideas and what colors will be used and she's doing the cake and punch to match the decorations and blah blah blah.

I love it.  She was just what the doctor ordered.  She will take charge and tell them other heffers what to do, when to do it and how.

Carlota. Where the hell are you when I need you Mrs. Germany?

Anyway, it's under control now.  I don't know what the big deal was.  When all the wrappers and cake is gone it will be just me with my kids.

Don't think they'll be fighting over me then. Huh? Will they?

Didn't think so.

When I Needed It The Most

Wow. 

I get it.

I now fully understand how important it is to have the love and support of so many whether in person or over the Internet.

When I wrote my last post I had all types of feelings going through me.  But the one that consumed me was FEAR.

You awesome ladies (and guy) waisted no time sending me your support and kind words.  Thank you.  Even after I write the words, it just doesn't seem like enough.

I did have my Prenatal Orientation last Wednesday.  It was a very long day.  I got briefings, and numbers, and watched videos, had urine taken and many,, many, tubes of blood.  After all of that I was BEYOND exhausted.  And guess what?  I didn't even get to see my doctor.

I know.

It's ok though.  I am fine.  Bubby is fine.  Oh, I didn't tell yall?  Lael has named my belly Bubby.  Cute huh?

I have my 10 week appt scheduled for Oct 30, I will turn 11 weeks the very next day. 

You know what that means right?  I am officially 3 months pregnant!!  Don't believe it to be true?  Check out the evidence for yourself.

I've only gained about 5 lbs so far so lets keep those fingers crossed.

The doctors are well aware of my RH Negative status and hopefully will get a schedule of my shots when I go in.

I also hope that I will be told I can attempt to have this one naturally even though I had Lael via C-Section.

I left work early today.  Wait let me back up.  So remember I told you all I was afraid to get the Flu Shot?

Ok, so they urged that I get it right away, but they were all out.  So I contact the clinic in the Pentagon last week and they were out too.  They told me to call back today to see if the new shipment came in.

So I did.

The guy answers and I explain myself and ask if they got a shipment in.  He says no.  I politely ask if he knows when they expect it.  And get what he says to me.

"When the rest of the world get it."  Yes, that fucker said that to me.  It's all good though.  Best believe I took care of that. 

It pays to work for people in high places.

So I called the clinic on base where I live and they were SUPER nice and SUPER helpful and told me that had them in and for me to come right away because they aimed to have all pregnant women vaccinated.

So that is why I left work early.  So I'm all vaccinated and stuff.  I feel ok about it.  I mean if you rode the Metro train like I do everyday and listen to people hack and scratch their asses and touch everything it would gross you out enough to get the shot too.

It's been a long week for me.  I am back in school.  I am taking Accounting and Humanities.  Screw you Accounting.  The end.

Wow, I realize I am all over the place.  That's what happens when I go so long without blogging.

I guess that hardest part about everything that I'm going on is that my best friend moved away.  Not just far away, but like a totally freakin' different COUNTRY away.  Germany.  Boo.

I have had friends.  Many to be exact.  Some have lasted.  Some have not.  Some kind of hang in the balance.  But only once in my have I had someone who I instantly clicked with.

I love her and her family so much it hurts.  I am sad that she will miss my whole pregnancy.  The one she convinced me to finally go through with.  But she'll be back.  I am sure of this.

Ok, so I guess my point was, I'm ok, Bubby is ok, you guys totally rock and I love yall, I hate going to school but it must be done, and I really miss you Carlota.

Presents And Awards

My birthday was awesome yesterday.  Thanks for all the birthday wishes and bloggy love.  You guys rock!

Work was awesome.  I got spoiled all day.  Hot chocolate, Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffin, and 2 Cheesecakes and 2 birthday cards.

I got home and had 2 cards. 1 from Lael and 1 from hubby.  I then when to my BF's house and her husband made me a special shrimp dinner while our other friend made me a Fruit Tart from scratch! Whoo Hoo!

We wrapped up the evening with presents.  Yummy Bath and Body Works goodies and an awesome Pregnancy Journal.  You guys rocked! Thanks for making me feel EXTRA SPECIAL!!  Love you Carlota, Mike and Janelle!

Then once I got home I had packages waiting.  1 was my Scentsy Warmer that I won during a blog hop from Hollie.  It is too cute! I am so excited!  I also recieved another box that I wasn't expecting.  My father-in-law sent me an box from Shari's Berries. Yummy hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries.  Hell Yeah!! Just what a preggo needs! :o)

I still have more celebration to come.  My mommy will take me out this weekend and I will get pampered just a bit more.

Ok, so moving on.

I have awesome bloggy friends who give me awesome awards.

A few weeks ago I got recieved the Superior Scribbler Award from my friend Diamond. Thanks girl! Love you!

Of course, like every other bloggy award, it comes with rules.

These are the rules:

1. Each Superior Scribbler I name today must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving bloggy friends.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to THIS POST, which explains The Award.

4. Each blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives this prestigious honor.

5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

Here are my nominees:

Lindy
Ann
Ck
Becky
Buckeroomama

I also recived the It's A Major Award from Buckeroomama.  She thinks I'm hot.  Well, sorta. That's Mama!

Here are the rules of this award:

Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

Pass the award to bloggers who like to smile and/or laugh. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I’d like to share and pass this award to:

Maggie
Stesha

Ah.  I feel so good. Like I've done some good in this word.  Ok, now I'm off to study my 30 before 30 list.  Wonder what I can check off my list today.....

I'll Shake The Shit Outta Her

I tend to avoid confrontation. When people are acting stupid I just ignore them. Cut them off and let them think about the stupid shit they are doing. When it comes to my husband I let him go. I can’t win an argument with him anyway so why even fight with him? But the one person I will go to blows over is Lael. I will rip your eyes out with my bare hands if necessary.

Remember I told yall that something was going on with her. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it? I found out. And I feel like a bad mother for not figuring it out sooner. It has nothing to do with me, or the new baby. It was your classic case of bullying.

That’s right. My little girl was being pinched, spit on, having her hair pulled and downright bullied by another 1st grader. A girl she considered to be her friend. Of course she was going to lash out. She didn’t know how to take it. She has this “cool” girl that she wants to be best friends with but doesn’t understand why she hurts her and makes her cry.

How I found out? As a black family there are certain unspoken rules we have to go off of. One of them is “Never send your daughter ANYWHERE with her hair looking a hot mess.” Because of this rule I spend a good amount of time every night making sure her hair is just right. She always comes home from school looking pretty decent but the last few days her ponytails were hanging loose and were all frizzy. I couldn’t figure out what she was doing for her hair to look such a mess after being in school for a few hours.

Thursday night as I’m about to re-do her hair I ask her a question. “Lael, has anyone been playing in your hair? I don’t understand why it looks this messy.”

She stops and turns around and looks at me. Then the flood gates opened up. “The girls on the bus have been pulling my hair. And today INSERT NAME pinched me. And the other day she spit in my face. And such-and-such was sitting with me but then INSERT made her move and sit with her. And they made me cry. And on and on and on.

I was horrified. It all made sense now. My husband walked in her bedroom after I had done her hair and put her in the bed and she was still going on and on about all the things that have happened to her over the last few weeks. He was angry with her because he asks her everyday how her day was and she never led him to believe anything was wrong.

I was furious. I couldn’t decide whether to call the Bus Supervisor who could pull the tapes and call the girls parents. Or speak to the bus driver about keeping an eye on them. Or speaking to the girls mother since they were in Gymnastics together and I would see her on Saturday.

I decided to speak with the bus driver on Friday morning. I told him that I wasn’t sure what was REALLY going on but I’d like it if he could keep an eye on them and have Lael sit up front where he could see her. His response just about pushed me over the edge. “I sit all the elementary school kids up front together. I can’t do everything!” For fucking real? That’s your answer?

I was fuming by the time I got back home. I called the Bus Supervisor right away. But she didn’t answer. I called a few more times throughout the day and couldn’t reach her. I’m sure it happened that way for a reason. My husband had calmed down and suggested that I just speak to the girls mother that next morning during Gymnastics. Apparently Lael had gotten home from school Friday and declared that her and the girl were friends again because they decide to stop being mean to each other. Really?

Saturday came and I was afraid I would be too bitchy so I rehearsed what I wanted to say.

It went well. The mother seem mortified that her daughter was behaving this way. I explained that the girls were probably both at fault and that I had spoken to Lael about how to treat her friends and all people for that matter. She understood. She spoke to her daughter as soon as gymnastics was over. The girls hugged and asked for play dates and a sleepover.

I am quite relieved. Because even though I won’t hit another person’s child. I will shake the shit outta them if anything like that happens again.

Just kidding.

No, not really.

Sike.

October

I can hardly believe it's Fall already.  It seems like just yesterday Lael was jumping off the diving board.  We were wearing short shorts, (ok, the kids, not me.  Never me.  Ever. Ahem.) riding bikes, eating popsicles and enjoying the warmth of the sun.

It's over.

I mean. The sun will still come out.  But now it's only good for thawing off numb ears and fingers.

Anyway.

As much as I don't like the cold. I do love the changes of the season.  Pretty scarves, pretty hats and gloves.  Colorful leaves.

But before all that comes my favorite month of the year. 

October.

So many joys of October.  My birthday is the 7th.  My husbands is the 9th. My best friends is the 10th. My daughters is the 29th.  Halloween on the 31st.

Fun. Fun. Fun.

Today is the beginning of a non-stop party month.  I'll be 28 this year.  OMG.  It's scary just typing it out. 28.  I don't feel like I've lived 28 years.  I still feel 16.  That's good right?

My hubby will be 34.  Good googah moogah, how am I married to an old man?

But what really pulls at my heart is that my precious girl will be 6.  How is that possible?  Where have the years gone?

Didn't she just say her first word?  Didn't she just get potty trained?  When did she stop saying "Dabby" and start saying "Dad"?

The thing is times goes by right before your eyes.  As much as I love the month of October, I wish the months in between would slow down already.

Sigh.

Oh well. It's here.

Time to party!

God Sent The New Kid Just For Her

We've all had the same stories to on our blogs. The kids are going back to school.

Lael started 1st grade yesterday. I was probably more excited than she was. Ok, I know, I was more excited than she was. So what.

She picked out her cute outfit. You know because she told me she had to be the "hottest girl in her class". Check.

We left the house more than an hour early. If you live in the DC area there is no need to explain why.

We got there about 15 minutes early so we sat in the car and talked about my expectation and hers. Mine: Listen, behave, learn. Hers: Meet friend, play with friends, have friend adore her. Check.

We had time for a few photos.




Once we got to the school I we looked up her class. Of course she has the teacher with the name none of the kids can pronounce. Apparently the ones with the hard names teach the best. Check.

I wanted to take more pictures but she told me I could only take 1. That's it. 1 picture. I had to make sure it was a good one. Check.

Things changed dramatically when we actually walked into the school. The girl you see in the pictures above disappeared.

She clammed up and grabbed my arm. I had never seen her so nervous before. I managed to get her through the breakfast line.

There were herds of kids and parents in every inch of space. I saw one of her friends from the year before but she insisted on sitting at an empty table just me and her.

I knew it would be a long morning. Shortly after sitting with her french toast and pears, one of the administrators brought over a new 1st grader. Apparently she lived on the base where we do and thought that her and Lael could be pals.

Hmph. She picked the wrong time. Lael pretended the girl wasn't there. I tried to encourage conversation but she would turn to me and give me that "what the hell are you doing to me" type of eyes.

After filling out paperwork and walking her to her class I waved goodbye but she wanted one more kiss. I obliged, and when I went to hug her she grabbed me by the arm and through clenched teeth said "So you are gonna just leave me here?"

*Sigh* What happened to my happy go lucky child?

7 hrs later this is the scene at the bus stop.

Something must have gone right. She didn't really give me much information but explained that things were great.

While tucking her in bed we had this conversation.

Me: So what happened to the girl you met today? Did she ride the bus home with you?

Her: Yeah, I let her sit next to me. She was wanted to.

Me: Oh really? Did you guys talk?

Her: Yeah, she told me about her 4 dogs and her baby sister.

Me: Oh, and what did you say?

Her: I told her about my family too. Then we got quiet and I said I was hot and wished we had some of that cold stuff (a/c). I told her I was tired and wished to bus had beds with our name on it, just for me and her. She laughted. She said she's going to sit next to me everyday.

Me: Well that's great...

Her: Mommy, I can't believe I'm not in Kindergarten anymore, I'm in 1st grade.

Me: I know baby!

Her: But sometimes I'm shy. I can't stop it.

Me: It's ok to be shy. Just remember that when you are ready to talk your friends will be waiting for you.

The Beauty of Love

I've never attended a wedding I was not a part of.

I have been a bridesmaid 3 times but never just a guest.

It's amazing how I saw this ceremony with a different eye.

It was beautiful.

Not just the dresses and the decorations, but the actual feeling.

This wedding took place outdoors. It was a hot but beautiful day.

There was a fountain which provided us with the right amount of spritz when the wind blew.

While the ceremony started an hour late. The wait was worth every minute.

I was able to see a friend of 10yrs unite as one with the love of her life.

I was able to watch some of my beautiful friends walk before her down the aisle.

I feel like I got to witness something I don't see to often.

True love.

You could see it in the way they looked at each other.

The way he wouldn't let her hand go.

The way she couldn't stop smiling.

The way her smile made everyone around her smile.

I love you Donna and wouldn't have missed being there for the world.

I wish you and your husband forever happiness....