THIS, beauty, and the Jubilee

...And THIS is what the entrance to your classroom looks like if you are obsessed with your cute baby that you left with the nanny and can't hardly wait to see her after school so you put up a million pictures of her in the halls to get you through 2 very exuberant 9th grade classes.

...and THIS is what it looks like when Quinn and I race to see who can get Annie first after my mom has been watching her. Never mind the boy Pajamas. Remember, I thought she was going to be a boy. So I'm a bit behind on keeping up with her tremendous height and growth. These PJ's were ready, nice and clean on the shelf. What was I to do? At least I accompanied them with a princess blanket.

...And THIS is Annie enjoying her nightly bath complete with my serenade of the usual bath tub repertoire: Rubber Ducky, Splish Splash I was Taking a Bath, Jurassic Park Theme.

Jubilee 2010
I ran into an old high school friend at the Jubliee this year. Remember the amazing Brynn Lewis? Anyway, she's not Lewis anymore- but she's still drop dead gorgeous Brynn! I mean, she looked AMAZING and dazzling and perfect. Not a hair out of place, size ZERO, pearly white teeth, and eyes that twinkle. The point is that I was totally impressed sans a speck of jealousy or self-consciousness. I think it's a sign that Brynn is way too nice and awesome to make anyone feel not-no-hip around her PLUS the fact that I am absolutely 100% happy! I mean, how many times do you see a perfect mom and not immediately compare yourself? I give the credit to Annie. Well, Brynn- If you're out there, you are so beautiful, and fun, and amiable, and everything good and I'm super glad to have run into you again.
SPEAKING OF BEAUTY and my friends: Did you know I had a dream that Amy Earnstrom was so beautiful I couldn't look directly at her because it burned my eyes? Intense.

I switched out the pram for the new seat on the Uppababy Vista and Annie LOVED it. She could see out and boy is she a people watcher. She is also a people attractor! One of my students suggested I hang up a sign on the Uppababy that says touch my toes, not my nose!
Quinn and I and all my fam have been sick but Annie has yet to pick something up. I call that diligent and exhausting parenting!

This is Meg (the nanny) getting ready to go to the Jubilee banquet. JEALOUS. I missed out this year because I got to stay home with a cute little 3-month-old bundle of joy! No regrets. But I do feel bad I missed a cake dropping from the ceiling and my dad blowing out the candles (he is the president of the hospital board). Cest la vie. I guess my life of posh dinner banquets and auctions are over for a bit. Worth it though... and doesn't Meg look terrific in her Bettie Page? Did you know that Miranda Lambert is a Bettie Page fan too?

Steve Irwin Day 2010

It was difficult to muster this smile. I know I should be saying, "Happy Steve Irwin Day!" but I can't. I know I should break out the Bindi Free Willy movie and my limited addition Steve Valentines. I should watch his movie. I should spend some time with Animal Planet. I should re-read my Steve quote side bar for the millionth time. I could go over my favorite parts of Terri's book (Steve and I) or even watch her Barbara Walters interview with yet another Costco sized crate of tissue boxes...

But I can't.

I'm still not ready. It's still too painful. The loss is still so raw. I miss Steve so much! I cried again today because there is such a void in my life and in the world without him. He was my hero. I looked up to him and adored him and admired him. I wish I could be as passionate and loyal and present in life as him. As invested as him. Now all I do is think about Bindi and Bob and his best mate Wes. I think of his dad. I think of Terri. I think of the crocs! I shudder to see a world without him. Obviously it's worse- just look at that horrible show on Discovery about those Louisiana swamp gator hunters! Steve would have stopped that! I'm no good. I can't even call myself a real wildlife warrior because I can't pull myself out of my Steve-sorrow-slump enough to act as he would want us all to.

I know I've got Billy the Exterminator on A & E. I mean, Billy's great and everything, but comparing Billy to Steve is like comparing Abraham Lincoln to Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy's exciting and spirited and all, but his policies don't hold half the integrity of Lincoln and his every action and word weren't worth solidifying with a martydom.

...and I do feel like Steve was a martyr (thank the Lord it wasn't a croc). He left a cause sparked by his insatiable spirit, his face-value mantra. Steve was it. The real deal. The one and only. Oh how I still miss him. How I still shed tears when I tell my students of him. How I filll instantly with anger when I mention him to some idiot who has the nerve not to know who he was!

Steve, I love you! I miss you! ...And even though I should be celebrating your life on this special day, I still haven't been able to fully cope with your death. In fact, I could no more touch that Barbara Walters interview with a ten foot pole than take a personal vacation in Guantanamo. It's just THAT bad Steve.

Carry on, where ever you are- organizing the heards and four legged minions of heaven. Count me in for whatever adventures you'll need volunteers for next century. Until we meet again (because I know for certainty we were friends in the pre-extistence):

You're alright mate. What a beauty. Crikey!

I love Annie more today than I did yesturday.

When she lets me (Annie would much prefer I wipe her nose or wash her face), I love brushing Annie's hair. She loves to watch herself in the mirror. Check out this awesome do.


I had to snap one to show Quinn that I really do wear something other than sweat pants and sports bras. Poor Q. He wakes up to the antithesis of glamor and by the time we meet up at night I've already put on an old t-shirt, swept my hair into a messy pony tail, and washed off any hint of make-up. Sometimes I wonder why he hasn't said anything about going on Wife Swap. I showed Q this pic so he could see the person he married still existed a few hours every other day. Oh- and just so you know: There comes a time in every mom's life when she simply refuses to wear materna-wear ONE MORE MINUTE no matter what size of stretch jeans she has to buy at TJ Max!

Last Saturday I took Annie to Daniel's baptism. She wore this cute little number. It happens to be the exact dress I wore to my Aunt Michelle's wedding 30 years ago so I thought it would be fun for Annie to wear it since Michelle was in town.

This guy was Mark's zone leader on his mission in Texas.

Grandma Polly loves to hold Annie and sing songs her mother sang to her.
We are hoping Grandma makes it to a 4-generation tap dance in a couple years.

After the baptism party, Annie sat like this on Dave's lap for almost an hour and they watched the Ute game together. Annie loves to watch football. She is super cuddly.

Sunday was Owen's baby blessing.
Sadly, this is the only picture from the entire event!

Annie was super great. She slept on my lap during the meeting and later enjoyed an hour of choir practice with little more than a peep. She LOVES to watch and hear Darcy Trumble's high soprano voice. Annie is mesmerized by it... so, we joined the choir so Annie could hear it more. What can I say- My daughter has me whooped. If joining the choir for Annie doesn't convince her of my devotion, I don't know what would.

Aero Annie

This is what Tuacahn looks like when
Tarzan gets rained out a week before
closing and everyone is too stubborn
to leave because they know it's sold out.

Luckily Mom's quick thinking landed us seats the next Monday which made 4 Monday nights in a row of getting cultured and Q landing babysitting duty. The babysitting didn't go too well but the 4 shows we saw were awesome. We were one of the few to see Tarzan on Broadway so this was a must reunion viewing for us. BTW: Little Mermaid on Broadway SUCKED IT UP so hopefully Tuacahn can do better next season. Isn't Annie adorable?

Video @ 2 months; Sept. 2010: "Time to wake up."


SO HERE's THE REAL POST. Annie & I went on vacation!

I could totally tell how much Annie had been looking forward to this trip with my mom and dad. Dad is the president of the hospital board so we got to tag along with him when he went to a conference in San Diego at the fabulous Hotel Del Coronado. Thank heaven for travel tubs.


Annie slept almost the entire way there. We put Oxygen on her and covered her ears just in case.

Hello fabulous 80 degree weather all week.

Dad wanted to see the Midway aircraft carrier ship so off we went... for 5 hours.
Good thing Annie loves to sleep inside her wrap because their was no way we
were getting a stroller around that thing. Can you spot Annie?

I for sure got my workout for the day.
P.S. Tracy Hogg would be so proud of my Angel/Text Book baby!

ON TO SEA WORLD; home of Shamu

Mom confided the fact that on my last trip to Sea World 20 years ago, she failed to realize Matthew and I were contracting 3rd degree sun burns. She says she still feels guilty over Matthew's predispodition to skin cancer because of his Sea World sun-stint as a toddler. I told her she had to let go of the guilt. Kids pick up on that kind of stress. Don't you think uptight parents = uptight kids? All I remember is the cool shark toy and Michael Jackson 3D movie. So I may have a few extra wrinkles... None-the-less, we were shade vigilentes when it came to Annie. Live and learn.

Back at the room Annie & I ordered room service while the parentals went out with their board buddies.

The good news is that my wedding band was found this afternoon
even after someone else had been in and checked out of the room. Relief.

The return trip didn't fare so well when it came to Annie and snoozing. She lasted about five minutes like this and then she was up and ready for panaramic viewing. You try keeping oxygen on an abnormally alert 3-month-old. It'll wear you out any day of the week.

I see SGU! ...and so does Annie. She loves to look out the window.
Maybe she recognized this celestial view of home.

Q was beyond thrilled to have Annie back.
They had some moments.

Annie is cool. She eats her hands. Smiles on cue. Never cries. Loves books. Practically jumps for kisses. Likes country music, and looks good in every outfit. Her hair is awesome and her head isn't gigantic like other babies. Plus she has really small features and makes cool noises. I think I'll keep her forever.

Click older posts to see Annie's fabulous Halloween costume.