Like Mother, Like Daughter

I am curious.  Always have been.  I was born in the Chinese Year of the Monkey so I think it's only appropriate.  Anyway, I've been noticing that P has taken on this trait and I sat for about 30 minutes the other day and shot her photo while she ate her blueberries for breakfast.  Yup, it's official, she's a nosy-Nellie, just like her mama.

Snowy Weekends

Have I ever mentioned that we have some pretty awesome friends?  This weekend three of them invited the three of us to spend the weekend at their family home at Black Butte Ranch.  We had such a great time just hanging out and I thought you might want to see all of the fun that 4 grown ups and 2 babies can have.

Despite rain when we arrived on Friday night, we woke up to this Winter Wonderland in the morning...

And a few of these...

Thank goodness for these blessed stairs that kept these two entertained and tired!

There was a little making out.

And a few drinks.

Swimming.  Yup, bathing suit AND a cozy hat.  That's how we roll.

Walks.  Although no one thought to mention to the pregnant girl carrying 21 lbs on her belly that the ergo can go on backwards too.  Shame.

More kissing.  Because Rhys and his dad have already had a "talk" and his dad says this is ok.

The Mr's after a long day of skiing... 

I really love this Mr.

Not so much a snow bunny.  We're mostly sunny weather kinda gals.

I can't mislead you.  This was the only picture taken of the two of them sledding in which they weren't both in terrified tears.  Wait, maybe Rhys is crying....

Thank you Ryan, Jaimee, and Rhys!  We love you and are so thankful that you invited us along this weekend.  

My Favorite Valentine{s}

If you've ever thought that working in a flower shop on Valentine's Day would be so much fun... mmmmm.... it's just mostly a lot of work, intermingled with some hilariously awkward moments, a headache or two and sore feet.  So it is no surprise that I don't get into this holiday much anymore.  Luckily for me, Mr. Wonderful has the foresight to know what would make my day end with a warm fuzzy feeling.  Thank you, favorite Valentine of mine for:

1. Manzana takeout {is that a mouth full of fish tacos, handsome?}

2. Crazy P Entertainment {tonight she was trying to wink at us}

3. A years subscription to TRASHY MAGAZINE!!!!  {If you read my last post, which Chris obviously did, you'll know he gets bonus points for this one}

4. Early bedtime.  Here I come!

The Day I Lost My Cape

Last week was a rough one for me.  I had been sick for a week with an awful head cold but I powered through and made it past what I thought was the worst.  And then it came back with a vengeance.   And I mean, vicious vengeance.  

By Monday afternoon at work I knew I needed something to carry me through the last hour and a half of my day so I ambled over to Starbucks {yes, I know... sugar isn't really helping} and got in line.  I must begin by stating that I was in the "right" line.  A group of Asian tourists had formed their own line {from now on known as the "wrong" line}.  The lady behind me tried to correct them but, alas, they didn't speak English, and she gave up and joined them in the wrong line.  I guess there's strength in numbers.  Anyway, my point is, this little incident - not even really an incident! -  just tipped me right over the edge and instead of joining the wrong line, I instantly found myself welling up with tears.  I knew it was time to go home.

And so I did.  I left work early, sped home, and went directly to sleep.  By Tuesday morning, my body felt like a brick of cement.  Seriously.  I don't kid.  There was NO WAY I could go to work.  I barely dragged myself up to take care of P and praised the Lord that she miraculously napped 2x's that day - for a grand total of 4 hours of sleep for the both of us.  When Chris got home, I crawled back into bed and rested again.  

Late that night, when the house was quiet, I made my self a ginger root bath {recipe here} in hopes of sweating the sickness out.  I slept like a baby that night {finally, my sinuses were cleared!} but when the alarm went off on Wednesday, I felt no better energy-wise.  I was still moving through molasses.  My eye was twitching.  My heart was pounding.  I was easily light headed.  I was sooooo exhausted.  I was a little more than depressed.  I didn't feel like myself at all.  I was anxious that this is what people refer to as a "rough pregnancy" and that maybe I would spend the next 22 weeks feeling like this!  AHHH!!  And then I'd have a newborn to take care of and still no relief in sight!!  MUST. POWER. THROUGH.

On Thursday morning I woke up and made myself go to work.  I was still not great.  But worried that another day at home might do my emotions more harm than good.  I might have been wrong.

By 9am I was in tears.  Literally bawling {aka. making awful sobbing noises} in the bathroom at work.  My tank was officially empty.  Whatever super power I usually have that allows things to just roll of my skin had gone missing.  I was like a piece of super-duty fly paper and everything was just sticking to me.  Sad people on the sidewalk smoking.  Rude people on the phone.  Cars that cut me off.  Loud sirens.  A pile of stuff in my inbox.  I had no reserve, no mojo, no protection.  

I am somewhat of a trooper and although I came this close - - to just walking out the door again, I didn't.  I went on a little walk to run an errand, said a little prayer, and made it through the day.  Barely.  At 4:30pm when I got in my car to head home, the tears just started flowing again.  This time I let 'em come and eventually they stopped.  

I am feeling better for sure.  But my eye is still twitching every once in awhile and I'd still LOVE a nap right now.  But, most importantly, this awful week taught me that my special cape of supermom powers that I take for granted can go missing.  I think if I would have allowed myself time to just be sick and rest during the first week of my cold, I might not have gotten so exhausted.  But, it's hard to be sick when you're a mom.  Darn near IMPOSSIBLE!  Sometimes you need to rally, I get it.  But next time, I'm saying no.  I'm going to lay on the couch and watch Matlock and sleep.  I will take long baths {by myself!} and have Chris buy me some trashy magazines to read.  I will know that my super cape is invaluable to me and must be handled with care.  

I will not lose my cape again.

Miss P Lately

Lost Hen & Ballet Heros

I can only imagine she was at the end of her rope with the ladies in the coop.  One of our adventurous gals decided to take a stroll around the neighborhood last week.  We noticed the "found" poster on on a pole in front of our house before we even knew she was out.  {Seriously, how adorable is that sign??}  Well, not even HALF as adorable as the seven little girls, still in the ballet clothes, who found her and took her home.

As soon as we saw the poster we called the number and reached a mom who was obviously amused {maybe confused} that someone in her neighborhood had chickens.  I said we'd be there right away so we loaded P in the stroller and walked 8 blocks to get our gal {the mental image of little girls in leotards carrying a hen under one arm is priceless}. 

The girls we so kind to save our chicken.  They were gathered in their driveway waiting for us and one had Coral under her arm keeping her calm and warm.  They loved asking us questions about our chickens - like where we got them and where do they sleep - and we gratefully gave them a carton of fresh eggs and a Peete's card {we assumed that an adult had rescued her so hopefully they gave that to their mom} as a "reward".  We thanked them again and then headed home.  All the while giggling at what an adventure Coral had taken.