A Reunion at Miss Kathy's!

One thing I was worried about with me staying home, is Marin missing Miss Kathy and her friends from daycare. It feels a little selfish to me- Mommy wants to spend more time with you, so now you don't get to go and play with your friends everyday. While we have been keeping busy, and logging in a lot of quality time with our great friends that Marin didn't have a chance to see at daycare, I still wanted her to get to visit with her daycare friends.

Miss Kathy was so excited when we said that we were coming for a visit on Wednesday morning. It was a quiet day with summer vacations, so only Kevin was there. Marin loves Kevin, who is just a few months older than she, and the two of them had a great reunion. Kathy was glad to get a few Marin snuggles in as well, and was glad to see that she is just as happy as always.

Marin hadn't forgotten the ropes one bit. She loved playing with all her favorite old toys, and singing their familiar songs. And, when it was lunch time at Kathy's (or what she calls meltdown hour) Marin walked right up to Kathy's pantry to help prepare lunch, as she usually did. Instead of staying for lunch, we meet Grandma for lunch at her house, but it was a great morning spent reconnecting. Kathy and Marin's daycare friends will always be special to us. We can't wait for the next visit!

You say goodbye and I say Hello!

I have never been good at saying goodbye. As a little girl, before we left vacation I would insist on going to say goodbye to the pool, then goodbye to the ocean, then the sand.... As an adult, I always am the one who lingers the longest on hugs before a flight departure of a loved one, and who never wants a party to end. I still have my high school boyfriend's letterman jacket in my parent's basement and at least four plastic tupperware tubs full of grade school, high school, and college memorabilia is stacked next to it (mental note: add "clean out my parents basement" to my to do list). You want me to be the last to know that you are moving. I'll definitely cry and possibly make a scene. Freshman year in college, I wrote a letter to my new friends before we parted for a month at Christmas break, that resembled that of someone going off to war. Need I go on? I just don't like saying goodbye. People that know me best know that nothing thrills me more than having all my friends in one place- aside from marrying Jason, that was my favorite part about our wedding.

It's no surprise to you then, that I don't particularly like the phrase, "All good things come to an end." It's not just that I think some major debbie downer invented the phrase, I just don't think it is always true. Why do all good things have to come to an end? Can't some things go on forever or die with us? I for one, think they can. Still, it doesn't stop Jason from using this phrase every Sunday night when I inevitably have the post weekend blues.

However, as you know, I am sitting in the middle of my last week of my career and unfortunately, goodbyes are inevitable and abundant. Now, don't get me wrong- I got an email last week that was so cookoo I was a little giddy inside that I would never have to worry about its content. But in general, I am sad to leave. Happy for the reason, but sad to actually have to pack up my desk. (sidenote: I'm thinking about taking the stapler as a souvenir. It's a really good stapler. Is this stealing?)

Last week my coworkers organized and surprised me with a little luncheon as a diversion from an already scheduled meeting. They all brought something to share, and presented me with a gift card to have one last shopping spree. It was tucked inside a card that they wrote such nice things in, that I read it three times and then double checked the name on the envelope to make sure the card was meant for me. I work with great people; it has always been my favorite thing about this job.

Marin's last day at Miss Kathy's was on Thursday. Of course Marin doesn't understand that it was her last day, so the day was really the hardest on me. When I dropped her off that morning she giddily said, "Oooooo! Tatty (Kathy)!" like she does most mornings. We feel so glad that Marin has had the experiences that she has had at Kathy's. Marin has truly made great friends and has had great fun! We were sure to thank Kathy for her help in raising Marin. Before Marin left, Kathy gave her a picture album with the word "friends" written on the cover. It was packed with pictures of Marin and her friends from daycare events and parties. There were pictures of everyone running through the sprinkler, one of Marin covered in spaghetti grinning widely, and some of them just playing in the yard. Kathy left pages blank at the end for Marin to fill when we come to visit. We love this album.

Goodbyes are never easy. Letting go is probably the thing that I am worst at. As I get older I know that it is the memories that will last forever and that all of the other stuff is just that- times four boxes that are cluttering up my parents crawl space. For this reason, maybe I should leave the stapler behind. But these goodbyes mean hello to endless days with Marin. And the only thing better than a goodbye that really is a hello, is Marin. Win, win, win!

Luckily, we're still in Kansas - er, Illinois!

Few of you will remember this post from a few years back when "the baby" (now Marin) survived its first tornado.

Well, yesterday Marin survived her second. I was on the Metra train on my way home from work. NOT the place you want to be when you have a baby in the basement at her daycare, a husband (and brother and sister-in-law) at the airport, a dad working at an outdoor festival and the tornado sirens are going off. We sat on the tracks for over an hour, while the conductor filled us in on the storm touching down basically all around us. There were 75mph winds, crazy rain, firetrucks everywhere and the sky was the color of an avocado.

Everyone is okay. My mom was able to rescue Marin for Kathy's basement and took shelter in their house, and everyone we love got where they needed to be without harm. But whew. That's a moment for us moms. There's a tornado and you aren't with your baby. Thank God for Grandparents!

A small fit

When I was growing up, aside from the normal no-nos, there were a few words that were not allowed. They were: shut up, stupid, sucks and hate. If we were caught saying those my mom would say, "Excuse me?" Oh boy. You did not want to hear that. Then we were asked to think of a more appropriate word, and sent to the stairs to sit and think about what we had done and what we would do differently next time (ugh-snoooooore fest).

I presume that Jason and I will ask Marin to exercise the same manners when come to those words. So that means I will have to, too. But since she isn't here right now, will you allow me to have a little fit?

Here goes: (red faced, feet stomping) Sometimes going to work is so stupid! I don't wanna! How can I be expected to leave my little sweet peanut?! I want to snuggle with her all day and go to the park and play and hear her giggle. I want to watch her discover and point out the window at the birds. I want to hear her repeat sounds and words all day. I want to sit with her after her nap and talk about her dreams. I want to chase her when she takes off down the sidewalk. I want to snuggle with her in the morning when she is still sleepy. I want to read her the same books over and over and over. Work sucks! I hate it!!!!

Okay. I feel better now. I can almost hear my mom through the computer saying, "Johanna, sweetheart, calm yourself down. It's okay. Squeeze my hand and give me all your crabbies." That's what moms do, right? But why is it so bad to afford ourselves a little fit every once in awhile?

The truth is- Marin loves going to Miss Kathy's. We all her; how could you not? They play and do crafts and take walks to the park, have all sorts of cool toys that we don't have at home. They have gourmet meals, and pj days and just about all the fun you can imagine. I was all set for Marin to cry everyday when I dropped her off. To love me so much that she never wanted to leave my side. My mom told me about how she dropped me at daycare when I was young, and I would stand at the glass door crying. But later when she would call to check on me, the daycare lady reported back that almost the second that she was out of the driveway, I'd turn around and run to play with a smile on my face. Marin has literally never once cried when we have dropped her off at daycare. Literally not once. In fact, in the morning when I drop her off, she runs to Miss Kathy. And when I pick her up at night, she runs to me with a gigantic smile and he arms up. She likes to go to Miss Kathy's and she likes to go home at the end of the day. It's the perfect scenario, right?

Wrong. While it might be perfect for Marin, it's not always so perfect for me. Today I hated it so much that I allowed myself this little fit. Some days I love my job. I love getting dressed up like a big girl and going out in the world. Other days, like today, not so much. Today as I am forced with deadlines and pressure, all I can think about is my little girl, and her sweet smile... and how I'm missing it all right now.

So thanks for letting me stomp my feet a little. Go ahead moms. I know you want to. We spend all day minding our manners and acting the way we want our children to see us acting. We are never ending example setters. Today I give you permission to throw a fit. Go ahead. Sit right down in the middle of the kitchen and wail if you want to. No one is looking.

A week in review in pictures..

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the past week (or so)...

This is Marin visiting my mom's class. The children (girls especially) LOVE when she visits. This gathering and surrounding in circles is what typically happens when Marin arrives. Note that she is carrying around the Dare Bear.

This particular day, Marin was wearing a ruffle laden outfit pledging her love for her Grandma, in bling (not so ironically purchased by Grandma).

Here Marin is very satisfied to be on the couch, repeatedly running its length.

This is Marin with Ms. Kathy and her friends at daycare playing in the yard on St. Patrick's Day, after the leprechaun visited. When I said I was going to take the picture, Lauren informed me that usually whenever they take a picture at Ms. Kathy's, she gets to hold baby Marin in her lap.

A new favorite... of my two very favorite people on the planet playing at the park. I love the look on their faces, and the "chuck-it" dog toy hanging out of Jason's back pocket. I've said it before, but it's worth repeating: what. a. guy!

I love this one of Marin eating her snack of crackers and hummus. She loves hummus, as you can tell by the excitement in her eyes as she quickly shovels it into her mouth, thereby, smashing it all over her face.

Another one of my favorite expressions of Marin's. Here Marin eyes her strawberries waiting for her on the table with an "Ooooo!" and quickly tries to put her bib on so she can feast.

The Transitive Property of St. Patterson Day

Top 'o the afternoon to ya!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, or as we say in our house- St. Patterson's Day! It's perhaps a bit self absorbed, but it's only for one day, so it's okay, right?

Marin was all decked out for her St. Patrick's Day party at Miss Kathy's in her finest green attire. Enjoy these pictures of the "Shamrocker" dancing this morning in the kitchen with her St. Patty's treats for her daycare friends.

I myself, am not even a tiny bit Irish. But Jason is, which means Marin is. So, by the transitive property, I would like to claim Irish heritage for the day. It makes sense to me: my child whom I carried and birthed and feed and clothe is Irish, so shouldn't I also be?

In any case- from one Irishish person to another: I hope your day is filled with the best of Irish luck, sunshine from rainbows and a sprinkling of good leprechaun jokes.

Party Girl!

My Uncle John said it best; I think Marin had more fun at her first birthday party than anyone else!

We had a music and dancing theme for the party, and Marin spent most of the day doing just that! When she wasn't dancing to the playlist of 114 dance songs (kids and adult alike) that Auntie Mika made and sent us just for her party, or dancing with her blow up guitars, blow up saxophones, or shaking the mini party maracas, she was walking around the party smiling and greeting guests at the door with hugs and kisses. This girl knows how to party!

We had about 60 friends and family members at our house. Even considering that Marin is very social, I kept thinking she might reach a point where she'd freak out, or maybe just want to hang with Jason or me. Nope and nope. She was happy as a clam to just bounce from room to room in her little Burberry dress (also a gift from Auntie Mika) as if she were waiting for her birthday party more than anyone there.

We brought an old TV into the living room and borrowed Dance, Dance, Revolution from Uncle Jake and Aunt Katy. Marin was a little confused by the mats, but played along all the same. She was very happy to see some of her favorite food was served, and that her little picture was posted everywhere (table confetti, on the sweet potato fry cups, and even as stickers people wore) thanks to Auntie Molly making it all for her.

She was absolutely delighted when the whole party stopped to sing "Happy Birthday" to her. This was my favorite part. She sat in her highchair looking out at all her friends, smiling.

And then came the cake. Boy, did she LOVE the cake! Her cake had hand made chocolate letters and music notes on them, that if played out, played "Happy Birthday". She had her own individual cake that she tore into very systematically, and with great pleasure. She started with the top, and swept off all the icing. Then she did the sides, with both hands. Then, she dug into the cake- with a little coaching from my Goddaughter, Skylar, yelling, "Dig into it! Dig! Dig! Dig!" I think Marin kept waiting for someone to tell her "no, no" and every once in a while she'd look around like, "this is really okay? no one's going to stop me?". When she was near done, she spotted me, and reached out for me. She had very, very messy goopy hands, but I wasn't about to turn away a hug and a kiss from the birthday girl. As a result, I had cake in my hair, on my top and all over my face for the remainder of the party. I loved it.

After the cake, we needed an outfit change. Marin changed into her tutu so she could dance some more. After face painting, presents, a great Illini victory, more dancing at 9pm, and snuggles from her family, she had a major sugar crash at 10pm and fell asleep before I could even get her up the stairs to her room. Turns out she's just like her mom, and never wants a party to end!

It was a great day! At the end of the night Jason and I took a few hours together with just the two of us to recap the party and the day. We feel very blessed to have such great family and friends and a sweet baby girl- all who love a good party.

On Monday, Marin's actual birthday, Miss Kathy had a party for Marin at her house, for Marin's friends from daycare. Aunt Lindsay drove all the way out from Chicago to be there, and Grandma came too! It was great fun. Marin had cake again, this time with ice cream, too! It came just in time, because after we arrived Hayden (2 yrs. old) said, "Kathy, my stomach is growling! Time to have cake!" We danced to the hokey pokey, the itsy bitsy spider, and then everyone got balloons and they threw them up in the air and danced around the room with them. Reiss declared that if it is your birthday (hers is next) you get the pink balloon. So, Marin got the apparently coveted pink balloon. She tried to throw it up in the air like the big kids, but she didn't quite grasp the concept of letting go. So, she just ran around the room with her arm up in the air, happy as could be.

After all the sugar was danced off at Miss Kathy's, we went home and Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Lindsay stayed for Marin's birthday dinner. In the middle of eating her chicken, brown rice and broccoli, Marin took my finger and put it in her mouth where I.... drum roll.... felt a tooth!!!!!!!!!!! Hooray! We don't have to go the pediatric dentist!! Sure enough, Missy Marin's bottom right tooth is coming in. We applauded this effort as if she had grown it herself, and then passed poor Marin around the table so everyone could peer inside and have a look for themselves.

Later that night, Marin uncharacteristically woke up crying. When we went in to check on her, she was burning up! She slept the whole next day, and last night at our one year well visit check up, it was confirmed that she has a double ear infection. Poor thing. She's doing better today, and is getting plenty of rest. Just goes to show you, all good things come to an end.

But what a weekend it was! Our little social butterfly partied and danced her little heart out. And boy oh boy... does that girl like sweets. Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, dear Marin; Happy Birthday, to you!