Laughing through the tears

Lily never ceases to amaze me.

Weaning has been a roller coaster for both of us. Some days she would cling to me and whimper for half the day, I cut out all mid-day nursing cold turkey when we got home from FL. Other days I was worried sick because she would go all day with almost nothing to drink. When I started weaning I was looking forward to sleeping in once in awhile and not having to whip "it" out all day long. Now that we are finished, I feel like I am losing something. Is it my baby? I don't know. Time goes by so fast and I am not ready to even consider the fact that Lily is not a baby anymore.

Fast forward to tonight, our first night officially off the boob. In hindsight it was poor planning because Matt is in the city at a meeting. But I had mentally prepared myself for last night to be "the last time" and I didn't want to drag it out. So we did our usually routine, diaper change, tickles, pajamas, more tickles, and instead of nursing I scooped her up and we headed upstairs. I was in tears by the time we reached the top step. I put her down in the crib and her eyes filled with tears. I know what you're thinking, "she was totally playing you", but I really don't think so. She was crying because I was. I picked her up and she held my neck so tight, it was a perfect moment...but what happened next is something I will never forget. We sat down in the rocker and she rubbed her blankie on both of our cheeks for a minute, and then out of no where she giggled. A perfect belly shaking giggle. I started to laugh and she giggled again. I pulled her close, we rocked for two verses of "I love you coo coo" (our own version of "We love you Conrad" from Bye Bye Birdie) and I put her to bed. I haven't heard a peep since.

That may have been the best moment of my life.

A birthday fit for a queen!

Six months ago Dingle asked me what I wanted to do for my big 3-0. My reply, "something fun...oh and I don't want to plan it!" I know, I am so helpful. Poor guy. It is no secret that I LOVE my birthday. I don't understand people who don't like their birthday...what's not to like?!? The attention? The love? The accomplishment of having lived another year? For the past 8 years we have celebrated "birthday week extravaganza". Which, contrary to urban legend, did not originate out of my love for celebrating. On the contrary, it was out of necessity. We had several different groups of friends that we would have dinner or drinks with, plus both sides of the family, throw in a co-worker lunch, and a cozy dinner for two and it took a full week to fit it all in. Granted a precedent was set after that first year together.

In the past I have been the coordinator so I was very grateful when Matt agreed to take the reigns. Now, I have no idea how many emails were exchanged, although I can imagine the hilarity of the dialog. More than once he would laugh out loud and then say, "shhhh, nevermind." You can imagine how well that went over.

Matt's mom and dad arrived to watch Lily at about 10:30 on Saturday morning, which is really early for them. We were chauffeured into the city and dropped our bags at the beautiful Back Bay Hotel. From the hotel we sat in 20 minutes of traffic to drive three blocks. Three blocks closer to Fenway Park! I was in shock, we had tickets to the game! The sox/yankees game! On opening weekend! Matt even remembered to bring me a shirt to wear, unfortunately it was my old RAMIREZ shirt, ahhhhhhh! Great, I am the poster child for juiced up losers! I vowed to leave my jacket on but it was so nice out...I loudly made a joke as I took my jacket off, people around us laughed, it was all good. But I am getting ahead of myself. As we were getting to our seats I turned to look at the scoreboard only to see Jacklyn and Rich waving at me from a few rows away! I love them even though they are Yankees fans! Also making a suprise appreance at the game, Nard and Phil. Two amazing brothers I haven't seen in a long time. Phil made the trip all the way from San Fransisco. I was so excited to see them I practically leapt over the people sitting in front of me!

       

From the game we headed back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. The hotel was fantastic! I was maybe a little too excited to wear my robe and eat chocolate covered strawberries, courtesy of Jacklyn and Rich! We headed over to Sunset Grille in Allston (one of my favorite beer bars) where I was met by so many smiling faces. Twenty people flew, drove unreasonable distances, rode in cabs, and fought for parking, to make me feel special on my birthday. It was overwhelming, one of the best nights of my life. Dinner was filled with friendship, love, and laughter. It was a night I will not soon forget and could never thank everyone enough for.

(There were several people who were unable to make it, I promise you were missed) 

Being the awesome old folks that we are...I was tucked into my king size bed, in my robe, with my strawberries, and one of my favorite movies of all time on the tv...by midnight. 

I wear my heart of my sleeve and when I love you, I tell you. 

I love you.  

  

A birthday top 10

"I think I'll take a moment, celebrate my age. 

The ending of an era 

and the turning of a page" 

This list, a top 10 of the things I love about myself and my life, is my birthday present to myself.

1. My sense of humor and the confidence to express it. I love making people laugh, especially my dad and my daughter.
2. My Education. I worked really hard to graduate in 4 years despite having transfered. When I was working a job that was literally making me ill, I left and went back to school to earn my masters.
3. Teaching. Aside from being a mom, this is what I was meant to do. I came to life in my classroom.
4. My Home. We have worked so hard, so hard, to make this house our home. There have been long nights and sore muscles but in the end we have so much to show for it.
5. That I go to the dentist. I know this one might seem silly, but I go even though I really don't want to. The last few times I haven't had a panic attack, which just goes to show my determination.
6. The relationship I have with my siblings. I am 7 years older than Josh and 10 years older than Kate, it would have been too easy to let that gap divide us. I will never let that happen.
7. My post-baby body. Admittedly, I didn't do anything above and beyond breastfeeding to lose the baby weight, but as of today I look healthier than I have since high school.
8. My vacation planning skills. Over the years we have been on some amazing vacations and I am 100% confident we always got the best deal.
9. My friendships. We all have to work to stay close but I have friends I love like family and I know in my heart they feel the same way about me.
10. My baby and my husband. The list wouldn't be complete without them. Dingle is my soul mate and Coo Coo is our whole world.
.

Everyone has things about themselves they are trying to change; I'll work on those in my next 30 years.

I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years

Hey my next thirty years I’m gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I’ve done
Maybe now I’ve conquered all my adolescent fears
And I’ll do it better in my next thirty years

My next thirty years I’m gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I’m doing here
In my next thirty years

Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years

My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years
In my next thirty years

Stats fit for a peanut

"A person's a person

 no matter how small" 

- Horton 

Lily certainly is a "Little Lady" 

Weight: 19.2lbs (19%)

Height: 28.5in (30%)

Weight for height; 42%

Head circumference: 33%

Lily's one year appointment was a disaster. She howled the entire time and wouldn't perform a single "trick". Damn baby. Her stats and behavior today confirmed what we already knew. Lily is a peanut, a very angry peanut.


She sobbed when the Dr. left the room and blew kisses to everyone as we were leaving. I guess we'll keep her after all. 

Playroom, complete!

The rug arrived this afternoon (finally!). I am beyond thrilled with how the whole room came out. A shout out to my handyman in crime for helping with the odds and ends and to my dad for doing an amazing job on Lily's bench.

Behold!

Then and Now

Lily Victoria Sither

Born 8:53am April 3rd 2010

6lbs 3oz

Happy 1st Birthday!

Best. Year. Ever.