Lay Your Burdens Down

I have a hard time looking back on this year. If you're really interested, look to the right side of this blog and click the little arrow next to 2009. Whoosh, there it is in all its shit-soaked glory.

Please, do me a little favor and click it back before I loose the ability to breathe. Whew, OK. Back to gettin' on with the repressin'....

A friend of mine requested that I put together a Best Albums of the year list, as I've usually got a good sense of what the kids listen to these days. I couldn't do it. Yet ANOTHER problem with '09. It lacked a soundtrack.

But you know what, I'm actually kind of happy about it. Because it turns out to be a somewhat happy accident, as this year will be even easier to forget about, as it doesn't have an accompanying soundtrack.

So, never will I be sitting in traffic with my iPod on shuffle when that song comes on that reminds me of when my heart was ripped out of my chest, burned countless times with cigarette butts, cut to a million pieces, and the pieces flung to the four winds. Because there wasn't a song for that.

Not a single measure or beat will remind me of the countless phone calls that I received from my Landlord (culminating with the threat of eviction. Yes, EVICTION.), asking if I'd found a new roommate yet.

And for all of those deluded people (those people who live their own version of "human") who managed to worm their way into my life; Well, worms don't really make any sound at all, no hint of a song, so you will be soon forgotten as well. (Ha! See what I did there? I was loosing you for a minute, then I brought it back....sort of.)

But I'll tell you what I will remember; Making Pickle laugh. Buckie's total inability to sit completely still, and how damn cute it is. Finding Aunty Spinster's Home for the Wayward, and working to make it a reality (through the astounding commitment of my immediate family).

All the rest of that stuff...I'm leaving it all back in good ol' 2009.

The Blog That Time Forgot

Wow. Sometimes Life happens to ya, and it smacks ya right on your ass.

I got tagged.

Booger went missing. Booger came home!

My roommate is moving out.

Spent some time with Buckie, saw his first smiles.

Had first Auntie-and-Pickle Day.

New roommate moving in. After I clean the house top to bottom to remove all traces of the former (douche-bag) roommate.

And the Spiders! Oh God, THE SPIDERS!

All this and more to come....

Shameless Plug

When Pickle gets tired, tired enough that he thinks he's NOT tired anymore, I bundle him up and sing him this song, Lullaby Letgo by Katie Johnston. This song has worked nearly every time he's been fussy about taking a nap.

Katie is one of the most kind and unique souls I've met, and I just have to share her with all of you. Check out her myspace, and give the songs a listen. You won't regret it.

And then, when he gets up and he's a little cranky, we do the "Mahna Mahna" dance. Giggles garaunteed.

The Week In Review, A Post In Progress

This past week was a fairly eventful one for me. I got to see my sister's Bump. Baby Buckie even obliged by punching his little fist/foot hard enough that I could see the movement. I like to think he was waving "Hi, can't wait to meet you!"

Then I was lucky enough to meet, Live and In Person, an author I admire. The Fabulous Jen Lancaster.

And of course, there was More Pickle. We danced, he made me giggle, I made him giggle, much giggling all around.

This is a post in progress.

It's Been Too Long....

...So you get Double Pickle

The gherkin is no match for his two teeth! And since he was Down On The Farm, he had to wear his bibs.

An Heir and A Spare

This morning I opened my email to find pictures my sister sent me of her growing Bump. It put a smile on my face, and my day couldn't have started any better.

So next August, there will be another baby in the family. And not to be outdone, my Sister's Bundle is expected to arrive Nearly One Year To The Day Pickle was born. Only this little Buckie was actually planned for to avoid conflict with......this is so good.......HUNTING SEASON!

So, with two weddings in one year, followed by two bebes in one year, I am so off the hook. I figure I've got about 4 years before my mom starts to bug be about this stuff again.

Pppffffttttt....Pickle Edition

Pickle has learned a new trick, making fart noises. This video is great because it also demonstrates his Very Expressive Face.

Breakin' Hearts and Takin' Names

I realize this picture makes Pickle look a little "special," but all it demonstrates is that he inherited the Family's Very Expressive Face.

Holiday Come Down

Here's Pickle in his Christmas Best.

I hope that Santa was good to you all. I got the humidifier I asked for. Not so exciting, you may think. But I'll tell ya what else isn't so exciting--weekly nosebleeds in my extremely dry house.

I'm recovering from the copious amounts of sugar I consumed--in the guise of holiday cookies. My sister, who looks most like my mom, also cooks like my mom (i.e. Deliciousness). She brought over two of my favorites--homemade toffee and seven layer cookies. Add to that the fudge and other sweets my mom made, and it feels like I came back to the D with an extra 10lbs.

These guys waited all night for Santa. Guess the Big Guy just doesn't like cats.

It's December Now, You Need More Pickle

Pickle's Mama sent this to me yesterday. I was feeling a little "under the weather," and this bebe made me laugh. Sorry for the camera phone quality.

Thought I'd share the baby joy.

Too Much Cute....Must Share

Pickle has discovered his hands. And he giggles. Talk about a cute overload.

I Love You More Than a Beef and Bean Burrito

Last week was my brother's birthday. The family didn't celebrate other than the usual phone calls. I'm hoping when we're all home for Christmas, we'll do some sort of group party, as four of the five of us have birthdays within two months of each other (apologies if that was confusing).

I felt a little guilty that I didn't make a big deal of his birthday this year. Not that I usually make a production out of it, but still, feeling a little guilty.

Then I realized, this is probably the best birthday he's ever had. Because this year, he celebrates his birthday as some body's father. I saw him with his son the other day. It was just amazing, the amount of love for that baby. And that little guy just looked up at his daddy and smiled. How can any material present ever compare.

Happy Birthday, Bro.

This Keeps Me Occupied

I've found a new distraction. I've been knitting these like crazy. I believe I've made about 5 of them. I'm working on a plan to capitalize on my craftiness...I'll keep you posted.

Until then, here's Pickle, my official model. He's lucky to have his cheeks. I watched him last week, and I almost ate them off.

Well Helllooo, Ladies!

My nephew is my new favorite thing. Check out the camo pacifier.


He was making faces when he was sleeping, and this just cracked me up!

Say it with me - "How you doin'?"

Welcome To The World, Baby Boy!

Welcome to the world, we're all so happy to finally meet you!

Baby Pickle

Born August 7, 2008 at 6:30 pm. 8lbs 2.5oz. Absolutely the cutest nephew I've ever seen.

The Pressure Is Too Much For Me

So, my sister-in-law just went in to labor. Like, as I'm typing she's getting her epidural.

She went to the doc early this morning, and everybody thought it was (another) false alarm. But they sent her to the hospital and started monitoring her. I thought she'd be home by this afternoon, but I was wrong. My nephew and godson (that we've been calling Baby Pickle) is on his way, 18 days early.

When my Bro called with a status update and said this was it, I totally panicked! I'm all like, "Ok, where do I need to be? What do I need to do? Should I bring anything?" And my Bro, totally cool, 'cause he can deal with high pressure situations being a cop and all, laughed at me.

And I'm all like, "Dude this is serious! I'm the Godmother! Where do I need to be?!"

My Bro's reply-"I'll call you when it's closer. She's doing great, everything's fine."

And then I realized (and not for the first time) that I am NO GOOD at high-pressure situations. My Bro just got off a 12-hour shift, came home to a wife in labor, drove her to the doctor's, and he's totally calm. He's going to be a New Father, and I'm freakin about being the godmother. Now I know why they pick 2 godparents.