{Rubber-Sol: Why, hello there!}

Illustration Friday: Crowded (Thoughts)

It's funny all the little ideas and worries that run through my daughter's head at times.  She's only five (a newly minted five at that), and her little curious mind is constantly overflowing with thoughts, dreams, fears, and what-ifs.  Most of the time I like to imagine cartoon thought bubbles over her head, crowded with her constant stream of consciousness.

What if there's no potty at school, Mama?

Why do I have to eat my crust (on my bread)?

Will Marissa be in my kindergarden class too?

Will I be tall, Mama?

Do lizards feel pain when their tails fall off?

The queue of questions is never ending, really.  Sometimes I secretly wish kids came with a "pause real life" button á la TiVo.  But, no, that is only a dream.  A silly mother's dream. 

***** Our Phase 1 renovation is almost completed (in the nick of time!).  Good thing, because in a few days we're off for a two week vacation (Illinois and Michigan).  It should be a lot of fun, and Hank and I plan to catch up with some friends (hi Giao!) and family.  My camera is coming along, of course, and I'll be sure to chronicle our trip with little snippets here and there. 

My posts have been far and few in between due to the busy-ness of day-to-day life.  Upon our return to Cali, we will then dive straight into Phase 2 of our renovation project.  *sigh*  I need to keep my eyes on the prize and not get overwhelmed by it all.  It'll all be worth it in the end.  I know it will! :)

***** More Loopy Fun!
The other day Hank, Yury (the contractor), and I were sitting in our dining room admiring the renovations. 

Yury made some comment like, "Oh your new wall color goes so well with that too" (motions towards the kitchen).

Unable to comprehend the context clues of his hand gesture, my poor whacked out pregnant mind couldn't infer that Yury was referring to our kitchen paint.  My gaze stopped short at his hand gestures, and I only saw the basket of (red) Swedish Fish on the counter. 

And then I (dimwittedly) added, "Yeah, those candies really do go well with our new paint, huh?"

Hank and Yury responded with an uncomfortable pause.  I'm so damn loopy.  Is there a cure for loopiness?  Is there, huh? Huh?

Illustration Friday: Bloom

Bloom.  The word alone conjurs up images of color, life, vibrancy.  If bloom had a smell, it would be sweet and fresh like spring.  Like innocent, new buds sprouting and reaching towards the sun.

The word also reminds me of the new life blooming inside of me, growing and growing a tiny bit each day.  No longer quick, sharp take-your-breath away jabs, the bun's movements have slowed to more leisurely rolls and turns in my belly.  Not a moment, not a minute, not a single second of my day passes where I've forgotten that I'm pregnant. 

While a part of me has grown tired of being pregnant, another part of me wants to slow down and savor this time, for I know that I will never experience such a miracle again.  When the bun arrives, I will miss Henry's little hands patting and rubbing my belly.  I will miss Alison's kisses on my tummy each and every time she parts from her little sister-to-be.  And years from now, I just know that I will long for Hank's smile of surprise when he feels the bun kick and roll.  These are the moments that I want to preserve forever.

In Which I Ramble.....Like a Pregnant Mad Woman

**You've been fairly warned.....I rambled like mad in this post......**

Oh, am I in a time warp or what?! My goodness! I thought I'd drop in real quick and post about the latest. I've been über busy as of late, or as sweet Nicole would say, I've been "up to my armpits in kids!" (Thanks for your e-mail Nicole!)

Actually I was out of town much of last week; I had a work conference in sunny Palm Springs (it was over 90 degrees out there), and I was quite excited as I towed the family along (even my parents accompanied us). The warm weather there warmed my spirits and spurred thoughts of long lazy days ahead. In a mere 2 weeks (or shall I say 12 work days), I will be "off-track" once again. Hank and I will greedily enjoy the full month of April to do as we please. We've planned a two week trip to Chicago and various parts of Michigan. It should be lots o' fun. (Miss Giao, I hope that we can coordinate our schedules for a quick meetup!)

On the homefront, we're eyeballs deep home renovation right now (another reason why I've been absent from the blogosphere). We've done a room conversion -- our once walk-through office has been transformed into Alison's new bedroom, and our front room has a NEW! closet (so handy for dumping all of our junk as we pass through the front door). So it's been dust galore at home. Yury, our craftsman, should be done on Saturday (fingers crossed). I'll post pictures soon, I promise!

In other news, Hank and I have indulged in few treats. This week we bought an iPod Photo, but we have yet to lay our hands on it as it's being engraved with our name. And! More thrilling than ever, we've updated to WIRELESS! Woo hoo! I'm sitting here in bed watching "America's Next Top Model" as I type this. Why in the world did we take so long to do this?!

Once things resume a bit, I'd also like to post some wonderful photos of mail goodies I've received. Miss Yvonne also participated in The Cyber Shower, and sent us the most wonderous little gifts ever. And the ever talented Pinky sent me paper galore and a little handcrafted treasure that I will post as soon as I have access to my camera......

And since I'm rambling, I might as well add that I'm experiencing a major case of LOOPINESS. It's a rather common "side effect" of pregnancy, and I have to say that I'm full-fledged in the "LOOPY STAGE." For example:
• I walked into a teacher's classroom --- and absolutely FORGOT the reason why I visited, and then started laughing like a maniac. Said teacher was not as pleased as her students were then utterly distracted and off-task. So sorry.
• I've been the queen of non-sequituirs. A co-worker was talking about scheduling for next year, and I randomly switched the conversation to "heartburn." Such a savvy conversationalist am I.
• I absolutely FORGOT how to use the microwave. Yes, the very machine I use EVERY DAY of my life. I couldn't figure it out. My mind went blank.

Other fun pregnancy adventures have included:
• The Sciatica! It's Not Just Any Nerve!

• The Burgeoning Belly: How to Avoid Closing the Door on Your Belly (yes, I did that yesterday.....I actually WHACKED my belly as I was closing the closet door)

• Mood Swings: Anger -> Joy. Sadness -> Paranoia.....

Nevertheless life is GRAND.

Besides, I finally got some. Tito's Tacos that is. (Thanks a bunch to Jenn for creating this Taco frenzy. It's all your fault. :)

justJenn is So Sneaky!

I've finally uploaded the photo album for my SURPRISE CYBER BABY SHOWER thrown for me by the EVER FABULOUS justJenn!

Internet friends have been so wonderful to Hank and me.  We'd both like to thank all of you for  your kind words, comments, and gifts.  We are so touched by your thoughtfulness, generosity, and kindness.  We feel so loved! PLEASE browse through the SURPRISE SHOWER ALBUM.  You'll be as amazed as I am, I'm sure!!  Thank you again and again, Jenn!

I've also updated my PREGNANCY ALBUM as well.  As you can see, the little bun is stretching out quite a bit. I've been so utterly busy with "nesting" -- we're full-fledged in renovation mode at our house, and as I type this, my fingers are creating clouds of dust from the debris that has settled on my keyboard (yikes!).....I will post before, during, and after photos soon.....

....but before I close, I'd like to leave you with a little SURPRISE from my sweet boy.  I can't keep up with this kid.

Illustration Friday: Jazz

Good Ol' Louis Armstrong. 

How can anyone think of jazz and not think of Louis  Armstrong?  I know I can't.  My sweet husband introduced me to the wonderful world of jazz music when we were dating, and now I can't help but love it.

Decades ago my husband's father, a volunteer d.j., used to play jazz over the closed hospital circuit in Detroit for the patients.  The music was soothing and comforting for them, I'm sure. 

After my father-in-law's death, my husband inherited a mound of notebooks from his late father.  Inside these lined steno pads are notes, playlists, important dates written in beautiful penmanship by my father-in-law during his stint as volunteer d.j.  I find it intriguing to flip through these notebooks to see what the musical lineup was for, say, May 4, 1967.

Another treasure left by my father-in-law was his beloved (and massive) record collection.  Sometimes when the mood strikes, Hank will put on a record, filling our house with music from the past.  Over the pops, clicks, and static, I can't help but imagine my father-in-law listening to that very record.  In my mind's landscape I see him carefully placing the vinyl disk onto his own turntable imagining and dreaming of his future.  I like to believe that when Hank plays these records, he is, in a sense, connecting with his late father.