Bonnie Raitt Made Her Cry

Driving home the other night Bill and I were listening to "I Can't Make You Love Me If You Don't" by Bonnie Raitt on the radio. I started hearing some sniffles from the backseat and turned around to see Cecelia with tears rolling down her cheeks. I asked her what was wrong and she just shouted "I don't know!!" and started bawling - sobbing. I asked her if it was the song and she nodded yes. I saw this little girl just letting it all out for no reason and simply told her "sometimes we just need a good cry." She nodded again and then it slowly began to stop.
It's funny how we are so moved by music, even from a very early age.

Cecelia and I are the same in that we both have very big emotions. We are passionate, hot and cold personalities. There is not a lot of grey area and you can pretty much tell what sort of mood we're in just by looking at us.
This week, she has been happy and easy going.

I, on the other hand, have been irritable.
Delaney is getting over some illness that remains undiagnosed - even after 3 visits to the doc. The last few days she has been very challenging. Lots and lots of crying and tantruming, but no words to tell me what the problem is (even though she is capable of telling me).
I have been trying to be as patient as possible due to the fact that I know it stems from her not feeling like herself. However, listening to your child scream and cry for days and not go down for naps and bed easily takes it's toll on a person. I did end up in tears on Monday and then laid in bed feeling guilty about it later that night.
Sometimes I really wish I could just call in sick and have someone take over for a bit.

To add to the chaos, Bill broke his ankle on Monday night at softball.

So, here we are: Delaney on the mend (thank Heavens!!), me almost 9 months pregnant, Bill on crutches for 6-8 weeks and poor little Cecelia just wanting to enjoy the summer.

Crazy.

About You Fathers.....

What Is A Dad?

A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall

but instead picks you up,brushes you off,and lets you try again.

A dad is someone who wants to keep you from making mistakes

but instead lets you find your own way,even though his heart breaks in silence when you get hurt.

A dad is someone who holds you when you cry,

scolds you when you break the rules,

shines with pride when you succeed,

and has faith in you even when you fail... ~By Susan Ceylise

How to Be a Cool Dad

By Parents magazine:

DON'T let your kids pick up your bad habits. Do you swear? Do you polish off Pringles by the can or drink 3 beers every night? That's fine. We all have our vices. But try your best to hide these habits from your kids. They look up to you and identify with you, and if they hear you use profanity or see you bingeing on junk food or drinking like it's New Year's Eve, they'll think it's OK. So set a good example - at least when they're watching.

DO give lots of horsy, piggyback, and shoulder rides. What do you want, a pie chart? It's simple: Kids love'em and you do them better than anyone else. Enough said.

DO kiss your wife goodbye in the morning and hello when you get home. It behooves you to find an extra .03 seconds in your busy schedule to perform this gesture twice a day. A quick smooch on the lips doesn't just reinforce the matrimonial bond. When your kids see Mommy and Daddy share this brief but tender moment, they learn how a husband should treat his wife. To you, it's a small gesture. To them, it's a major security boost. Bottom line: Get on the bus - and never step off.

DON'T give your kids wierd names. Celebrities can get away with oddball kids' names like Apple and Shiloh, but that doesn't mean you should do it too. A name is like your own personal "brand" A boy named Jack will be perceived differently than one named Myron. And I don't care how pretty a girl is. If her name is Bertha, she's going to have problems.

Look, kids will always find ways to tease each other. But why give them fodder to pick on your child? Stick with the classics.

DO get a lock on your bedroom door. Knock, knock. No, this isn't a joke. Just a simple reminder of the sound you will never, ever hear before your kid bursts into your bedroom looking for you.

Hence, a door lock.

I've heard too many stories from dads who were on the middle of a passionate interlude with their wife when - hello - a small child comes in asking for some water or needing to be comforted because she's had a nightmare.

Hence, a door lock.

Now, you don't have to worry so much about toddlers. You can make up some story and they'll believe you. But a 5- or 6-year-old who walks in on the act might end up needing years of therapy to erase that image. And guess who'll be stuck paying the bill?

Hence, a door lock.

DO learn how to belch the alphabet. Your kids will think it's hilarious. But for goodness' sake, don't do it in front of your wife (she won't think it's hilarious.)

DON'T get a minivan. You may be a dad, but you're still a guy. Minivan=mini man.

DO have a family night every week. Sitting in the same room reading the newspaper while the kids watch cartoons doesn't rate as quality time. You need to decide on an activity in advance, whether it's a board game, freeze tag in the backyard, or a kids' movie. Hold it every week, without fail. And throw yourself in to it 110 percent. That's all it takes to turn a simple evening at home with your kids in to a family tradition they'll remember forever.

DO say these things to your kids every day.

1. I'm proud of you.

2. I love you.

It's a short list with and endless payoff.

I just thought this was sort of cute. And, in case any of you were wondering - the minivan is officially referred to as my car. Go figure.

No Picture Necessary

Certain memories and the pictures they create in our minds are better than what any camera could capture.

Yesterday:
Cecelia on a miniature pony.
The girls walking around an art fair on a warm, sunny June day each with a balloon in hand.
Cecelia and Delaney feeding chickens, donkeys, a miniature horse.
Delaney hopping around mimicking the kangaroo.
Cecelia with ice cream on the tip of her nose as she ate it in the warm air.
Both girls creating their own special art project at their own will. Cecelia made a wand and Delaney made a tamborine (of sorts). The smiles on their faces as they were given free reign to use glue, glitter, markers, tape and scissors.

My husband's face as we celebrated our 5th anniversary at a very nice restaurant, alone.
My hand in Bill's as we left the restaurant, fat and sassy, ready to put the kids to bed.

These days I will never forget, even if there is no picture to remind me.

Playing With the Scanner....

Can someone tell me how to scan a picture without it turning out like this when I upload it???

At any rate, I wanted to show Barbara that I did, in fact, have cool glasses. I also wanted to prove once and for all exactly where Delaney gets her curly hair. I mean, is there any question now?

I have just spent the last 10 + years straightening mine out.

If you want a real good look click on the picture to enlarge.

Dead sexy.

Where's A.J.?

Can you find me?

2

You, my, brown eyed girl.................

It must be the hormones, but the thought of Delaney as a full fledged two-year-old brings tears to my eyes.

She came in to our lives so peacefully and easily two short years ago. She's been pretty much a breeze ever since, too.

It's just always such a shock to see your "baby" graduate in to childhood.

Delaney is a flippin' hoot. I told my Mom when she was here last that I think Delaney is definitely going to be the comedian of the family. It just blows my mind that a little girl her age already knows how to intentionally get people to laugh. She gets us all going and just eats it up. Dinner time seems to be when she's at her best as she has a captive audience. With her around there is no serious dinner conversation.

She is obsessed with our dog, Sandy (see picture). She treats her like a baby doll even though the dog outweighs her by a good 50+ pounds.

She loves, loves, loves babies. This is a good thing given our current situation.

Delaney's birthday party was on Saturday and I don't think she realized it was all for her until we started to sing Happy Birthday to her. She grinned her way through the song all while trying to grab the entire cake with both hands.

She looked adorable.

Her actual birthday was yesterday and her and Cecelia swam in the kiddie pool and lounged around (again, see picture). I can't imagine a better way to spend one's birthday.

Again, I am such the proud parent to such an amazing little angel.

How did we get so rediculously lucky???