Thursday, March 22, 2007

Conversation with the 2 year old...

  • (While getting her dressed)
  • Her: What's that? (pointing to herself)
  • Me: (deep breath) That's your nipple.
  • Her: O-o-h-h...nipple....

  • (Later, while I'm getting dressed)
  • Her: What're those?
  • Me: (another deep breath) Breasts.
  • Her: (pointing) Belly!
  • Me: That's right. Belly.
  • Her: (walking around and patting me) Body!
  • Me: Booty?
  • Her: (singing while twisting and gyrating) Shake your booty!


  • I had to laugh because I swear I did not teach that to her! Yes, I might have taught her older sister at that age but I did not teach her.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Weekend getaway

My wonderful mother-in-law came down and watched the girls for me so I could meet my friend and her siblings in Alexandria, VA for a weekend away. It was a much-needed break! While I missed the girls, I think we all appreciated each other more when the week-end was over.While the cherry blossoms were in bloom, it was incredibly cold!

















It was slightly warmer the next day when we shopped in Old Town Alexandria. We were able to browse in crowded little shops. Bliss! Plus, we were able to linger over meals. More bliss!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Movie quote

I came across this and had to share. It's a movie scene as it relates to military spouses.... http://www.spousebuzz.com/blog/2007/03/the_best_milspo.html#more
"Super-suit" indeed!

Monday, March 12, 2007

Pieces of my heart

Lately, it seems that my heart breaks a little every day. The first few weeks after Daddy left, L'il Sis thought Daddy was home when she heard the front door late in the afternoon. She eventually stopped announcing Daddy was home.

Recently, I learned that L'il Sis told two people that HER daddy is far away at work and can't come home. This past weekend, Big Sis noted that she and L'il Sis had their daddy dolls but Daddy didn't have anything like that and could we send him a Big Sis & L'il Sis doll. She also wanted to know when Daddy was coming home. So, to give her some idea of time, we talked about all the birthdays and other special occasions that he would miss.

On Sunday afternoon, I found Big Sis down the street getting some daddy-time with a couple of borrowed daddies. They were playing t-ball. By the time, L'il Sis and I arrived, Big Sis had stopped playing and was watching, her eyes shining and looking happy. And that broke my heart.

Then there are all those little silly moments when I wish Sam were here to share them: the girls pretending to be mermaids in the tub, L'il Sis walking up to the neighbor's dog with only a tiny bit of trepidation, Big Sis being comfortable with almost all the neighbors' dogs, L'il Sis being uber-friendly with fellow diners at a restaurant ("Hi, people!"). For all of these reasons and so many more, it often feels like my heart is breaking and I wonder if I will be left with nothing but little shards at the end of this year.


Don't get the wrong idea. We live our lives and carry on with a daily routine. We do not mope about feeling sad and sorry for ourselves. We get together with friends and have fun. The girls and I smile and laugh every day. Anyone with a 2 year old knows their cuteness and antics guarantee smiles and laughter. Even when they are being total stinkers. So, for the most part, I try not to dwell on the negatives. It doesn't really serve any purpose other than to get me upset. And that isn't helpful when I'm trying to stay positive in front of my girls. I'm trying to maintain some sort of routine and normalcy during this time. Kids need that and so do I. Wallowing in self-pity and sadness is counter-productive. Do I get grumpy and short-tempered? The obvious answer is yes. I do try to keep a lid on it, but sometimes I can't. Something has to give. Some things particularly irritate. Well-meaning people asking very earnestly, "How ARE you?" and when the answer "Fine" isn't enough, the follow-up question is, "No, really, how ARE you?" or something similar. Essentially, I feel that the asker (no matter how well-intentioned) is emotionally rubber-necking. And I'm in no mood to indulge that. So if you can't accept "fine" as my answer, don't ask. Because I really don't want or need to tell you or anyone else how broken my heart is today.



Saturday, March 10, 2007

Her royal crankiness

I haven't posted in awhile so thought it was about time. However, there isn't much to write about except how crotchety I've become. So... You've all seen that sign: "I can only please one person a day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look good either." Let's just say you may as well write off the whole next year! It started around the time my Marine deployed (for a year!) right after we moved from Asia to North Carolina (no culture shocks there). Then, there was the episode at the Exchange parking lot: I was getting my 2-year old out of her carseat when 2 Marines walked by in all their blue verbal glory. Now, there was a time when I wouldn't have said anything or I would have agonized about what to say. This day, there was no thinking, only reflex. I shot out of the side of my minivan and snapped, "Hey! Watch your mouth!" Then, when the offending Marine mumbled, "Sorry, ma'am" instead of thinking, "Ma'am? I'm not old enough to be a ma'am," I thought, "Damn straight, you better call me "ma'am," you little heathen." I guess it's true, as my older daughter keeps reminding me, I'm just a mean old woman.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Daddy Dolls arrive


Hooray! Big Sis and L'il Sis received their Daddy Dolls today. Big Sis immediately took hers outside and climbed a tree. L'il Sis took hers with us to dinner (Big SIs's stayed in the car, but L'il Sis's literally went to dinner). These are much easier to hug than a picture!
If you are interested in donating toward providing these dolls to needy children, you can do so at http://daddydolls.com/donation.php . Recipients are chosen by military Chaplains based on need. Also, 100% of the funds donated will go toward the manufacture and delivery of these dolls to children of servicemembers who either cannot afford a doll or have lost a parent in the line of duty.

Jump Rope for Heart Event

Big Sis is participating in the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart event at her school March 22. This is her first fund-raiser. At any rate, kids are discouraged from going door to door and since we are new to the area, I decided to post the event here.
Thanks for your support of the American Heart Association!

update: We are turning in all of Big Sis's donations tomorrow. She has raised $265! Thank you to everyone who participated and supported her in this.