Happy Birthday Heidi!

First off, let me just say...she is a tough act to follow....

Happy Birthday, my little Princess!!

Sooooo, the other day I was talking with Heidi as she was finishing up her blog.  I asked if she had the next birthday blog done.  She looked at me and gasped.  You've all seen the look.  She had just remembered something. 

Then the words came out.  All I heard was 'blog', 'birthday', 'please?'  I hesitated, then she added, 'So-and-so's Mother did it for her'.  Nothing like a challenge.  My first thought was, what an honor.  Then it hit me.  This was not just a Mother/Daughter thing.  This was public.  Then came the bite of reality.  Pressure.  Imitation.  Fear.  Judgement.  Pride.  More fear.  Daunt.  What to do??  This pragmatic Mom-O-Four took the challenge head on.  Here goes....(please be gentle, it's my first time).

Love you, Babycakes...

It started 34 years ago, in a galaxy far, far away.  Oooops.  Wrong story.  Here it is.  This is the true story of unending love.  A love only a mother can know.  Get your tissues.  Oh, wait those are for me.....

The first pic of us together that I could find (I know somewhere there is one more, and I believe this covers the embarrassing pic of me).

I labored all night.  Morning arrived and a pink bundle was handed over to me (at 8:36 am, for those keeping track).  Little did I know what lay ahead.  If I had known, I still would have done it.  Again.   And again.  This small child changed my life forever.  She changed EVERYONE'S life.  She has changed everyone who has met her.  She is STILL changing lives!

Her pink little fingers wrapped around my pinkie, then my heart.

I know, sappy.  But, oh so true.

I fell in love immediately.  We learned together.  She, more quickly than I.  She's always been a fast learner. 

Our journey  has had its ups, downs, twists, and turns.  The good, so far out-weighing any bad.  It's a Mother thing.  You only remember the good.  Plus, she was perfect.  Is.

Then one morning I awoke to find almost 34 years had past.  Seriously.  It happened that fast.

Every day she manages to surprise me.  Still.  Really.

See what I mean?  They carved pumpkins when I was at school. :(   But when I picked up my prints, here was this surprise she had for me!  Love it!

Things she got from me:  my eyes, my sense of humor and the snort laugh, the 'look', my thumb and that 'toe' thing, love of her children and photographing them, and I recently found out she can do the maraschino cherry thing, which I might add, must be inherited as I have no recollection of training her.

Sense of humor and snort laugh both going on in this pic...

Things she did NOT get from me:  a savory taste (I mean, seriously, how did she NOT get the baking bug from me???), the Walls' butt, flair and fashion sense, MVG, and her driving skills.

And here we will have a few of the flair and fashion, the early years (okay, only one embarrassing one....)

And, here it is...

I know it's Halloween, but STILL...

There are so few pics of us together.  I was usually behind the camera, and now she is.  Times have changed.  You had to decide if the pic was worth printing, back in the day....but here are a few of us...pretty much the only ones I have (or have permission to use)...

Three gen, before the days of ultrasound.  She was pretty excited about getting a sibling.

Mamaw and Papaw's 50th

Easter, 1980

Christmas 1978, notice fresh chin damage (16 stitches)

Pop and Gram's 50th

One of my favorites...

This one is completely gratuitous.  I just like it 'cause, well, you know...and Heidi IS wearing her pageant bathing suit.

We think this is when the cooking bug bit...

Always did have great gam's!

Grandma Robertson let her cook the whole meal, something she was not allowed to do at home...

Spaghetti!

Early on we should have suspected a career in the auto industry...

I think the boys were fighting over shotgun.

Christopher getting a free estimate, I believe he had a low deductible.

I knew early on she'd be a good mom....

Her first diaper pinning job.  Gotta love it.  She was only 7.   Looking back, I can't believe I let a 7 year old use pins!

Dad and Heidi, how he loves his little girl - and oh so proud of her career.  Sometimes it brings a tear...you should hear him brag.

And now some completely random pics because, 1.  I like them, and 2.  She showed me how to download them (ummmm, hoping that was not a big mistake)

My all time favorite school pic.

The infamous suede jacket...

The day she got up on skis for the first time - July 25, 1990.  How I remember the date?  God only knows, don't ask me what I had for breakfast!

These two are for the girls.....

Halloween, in Concord (yes, that's Mary too)

Heidi and Jackie, hands down the best dog ever.  Ever.  (Sorry Stewart)

Yes, mud. Wonders for her skin.   Way before her time.  No, it did not come completely out in the wash.  But they had fun!

She loved her Baby Beth.  I was not so thrilled she was in the pic, and without her dress.  Gheez.

Isn't she just the cutest?  Don't you see Madeline?

She has always been a good sport at the group photo.

With Christopher.

With Nick.

And Benjamin.

With Gram.  Every girl should be so lucky to have the relationship she has with her grandmother.

At the Calavan's.  Thanks Shannon.

Heidi and Georgia.

Long Beach, 1987  Fancy for Sunday...

She's always loved her brothers...

Let me just say, in closing......when you first have a baby you think there could be nothing better.  That you could not love anything any more, any deeper.  What you do not realize is, it only gets better.  So, this love you have for this baby just continues to grow. Exponentially.  After 34 years it's still growing.  Getting better.  Stronger.  Every day.  I could not love her anymore today.  My heart is full.  Tomorrow is a new day.  I will love her more tomorrow.

I hope you have the best birthday ever.  Hugs and kisses.  Love you bunches and gobbles.    Momare

PS - Even though there are no pics of Jack and Madeline, I love them dearly.  But, they are so perfect in every way they deserve their own page.  Another day.  If I'm allowed back....

33 things you may not know....

This marking the last day I'm 33, I thought I might tell you a little about those 33 years.

Here are 33 things you may not know about me...

(however, most of you have known me for over 1/2 my life....if not longer.....so my bet is .... you will know some if not most of these things.)

1) I'm "technically" a Beauty Queen. 

(In 1977 I was voted Most Beautiful Baby in Contra Costa County- that's right ladies and gentlemen I have a trophy and sash and photos to prove it- my whole life when I complained to my mother about my imperfect looks, she would always tell me, no ugly person has ever won a beauty pageant.)

2) My favorite color is Pink.  

(pretty much everyone knows this- I have a pink kitchen, and 50% of my wardrobe is pink....but I love it in all things.  If it's pink. I have to have it.  I'm currently searching for a pink toaster to match my kitchen....Thank god I have an easy going husband who lets me decorate the way I want)

3) I'm one of the few...
(When I was hired for my current position, there were only three women in the state of California that held that position.  10 years later, there is 4.  I'm proud to have held my own in this male dominated industry)

4)I am a junk food junkie.
(I cannot physically leave a 7/11, or a Chevron, or AM/PM without buying one or all of the following: Ranch corn nuts, Chex mix- teriyaki or szechuan flavor only, Twizzlers, Beef Jerky, Cherry Coke Zero....and if I'm really bad..... Almond M and M's or....A Milky Way.....   you can see the problem with my current profession and me being on the road for 90% of the day..... )

5) Following # 4....I think it should be said that my all time favorite food is hands down.....
Gas Station Nachos
with exactly 6 jalepenos and salt.
(Chevron's are the best.....and I know, I know...me being the self proclaimed foodie that I am....I have to admit.....I love them more than anything....)

6) I love to be on stage.
( The acting bug bit me young.  My first play was Mulligan Stew when I was 6- My first speaking role was Augustus Gloop's Mother in Charlie in the Chocolate factory at age 11.  I was actively involved in theater until I met my husband.  The weekend he proposed, I was supposed to audition for my College's production of Noises Off.  I blew the audition off to be with my new found love...little did I know that would be the last audition I'd prepare for.  Clayton has never seen me act.)

7) to follow #6.... My senior year of High School I fell off the stage during a production in front of many, many people.

8)My dream job is to be a Stylist.
(I can dress anyone, for any event in record time.  Give me your size, the event, and your wallet and I can make you look like you just walked out of Vogue.)
...it's True. Ask Tegan ;) .....

9)I love to go grocery shopping.
( I walk every aisle on a perfect trip...I love to browse and see what's new, and read labels, and meal plan ....I especially love grocery shopping at Whole Foods and Lunardi's....when money is no concern....)

10) I can tie a cherry stem into a knot with my tongue....

11) Speaking of stupid bar tricks(#10)....I think it should be said that after enough beers, I will get onstage at a Karaoke Bar and sing Janis Joplin's Bobby Mcgee....
Every.  Time.

12) I can pick anything up with my toes.  My feet are just like an extra pair of hands.
(Clay thinks this trick is amazing...)

13) I drink approximately 6 Coke Zero's a day...(if not more)
I'm not proud of this....I just can't stop.  Except when I was pregnant.  I gave up caffeine and diet sodas...with both kids...from conception through breast feeding.....

14) I'm addicted to Salt.
( I salt everything...I love it....and I know it's so bad for me...My Mother in Law has been known to hide the salt from me at the dinner table to try and save my heart....)

15) I go through 3-5 year love affairs with Country Music Singers.
(When I first met Clay is was Garth Brooks, then Shortly there after, Kenny Chesney, then Tim Mcgraw...currently I'm working my way through all of Brad Paisley's albums)

16) If I'm working on any chore, whether it's cooking, cleaning, or even exercising, I must do it to music. Loud Music.  I like to dance and work....

17)Speaking of dancing.....  In 6th grade I did a complete dance routine to Paula Abdul's Straight up.

18) I have never missed an episode of Jersey Shore.
(I'm totally addicted.  It's a curse.)

19)Speaking of TV..... Favorite Television Show of all time....
90210.
Hands Down.

20) I love that I'm Catholic.  And I love that I have friends who believe in my faith just as I do.  It's like our secret bond.  I can look at two of my closest friends in certain situations and they totally get what I'm thinking, without me saying a word...

21) I have gone all the way with my Faith.
There are Seven Sacraments.  I have completed all that apply.  There's only one left...and I'm hoping I don't complete that one for a loooooong, long time.

22) While we are talking about faith....whenever I can't find something...I pray to Little Flower, and it always works....or I say....Tony, Tony Look around what is lost must be found....I'm telling you..it's like the saints are right there...waiting to help you...
:)

23) I have the worst gas on the planet.
That's right.  I said it.
(It's a terrible thing....and what's worse...is more of you know this already than I would like....I've been choking poor Clay out for years..it's horrible!  Just know...I can't help it....maybe it's the gas station nachos....)

23) From my heaviest to my lightest, I have lost a total of 120 lbs.  I have kept the weight off for 9 years.

24) My Birthday is my favorite day of the year.  It's usually a month long event...but since the birth of my son on January 12th ...I've had to hand back the first half of the month to him...however....the second half is still all mine....I start bugging Clay about b-day gifts and plans around the 15th....I'm like a 6 year old.  Every. Year.  I loooooove birthdays.

25)I love to eat out at restaurants, but dislike counter service restaurants.
( I like someone to fill my drink and take my order and bring me my plate.  I especially love fancy restaurants....like tablecloths and jacket required places.)

26)while we're on restaurants.....I am determined to have dinner at The French Laundry.
God as my witness.....it will happen.  Lottery win or not.

27) I love to sing...but can't carry a tune to save my life..... Luckily Madeline has no clue and loves to hear me sing.  I rock her every night while I sing to her....

28)I have been pulled over by a bicycle cop.
In my car.

29) I have been given a field sobriety test.  Twice.  Both times, completely sober.
(I tend to laugh uncontrollably when I'm nervous.....policemen are not a fan of this trait....)

30) When I was 11 I was sent to Charm School.  The class was called Party Time and Manners.
(I still have the white gloves they made us wear....)

31) In 1986 I sold the most Girl Scout cookies in San Bernardino County, and got to go to Camp for free! (I've always been quite the Sales woman.)

32) I love wine.  Specifically California Chardonnays.  My all time favorite: Sonoma Cutrer Russian River Ranches. (It's only available in restaurants, or by the case online....)  Close seconds are La Crema, Grgich Hills, and Cakebread.

33)I used to make fun of my friends who read blogs....and now I'm secretly addicted..... I feel I should publicly apologize to my close friends.  I love reading blogs and writing blogs and finding new blogs.....I'm sorry.  You guys were right, and I think all the time that I should have listened to you sooner......So Thank you.  All of you...that pushed me to do this.
You. Were. Right.

Stay tuned....Tomorrow...Special Guest Blogger in Honor of my Birthday!

A nice little Saturday...San Francisco edition..

Yesterday I had lunch with this lady.....

and this baby...

Only 23 weeks to go....

When I showed up to Sums, I was reminded of a time long ago....

Beautiful Saturday in the City, weather only a San Francisco Winter can provide.  Soft music playing, yoga mat out, windows open and views for days.....

I felt compelled to inform Summer that these days are numbered....

But she knows....or at least she thinks she knows....

Let's be honest, my apartment in SF never had a yoga mat on the floor, but the rest happened....often....and sometimes, I feel....like maybe I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have....

But that's always that way isn't it?

  We lived in San Diego for 3 years, and I can count on one hand how many afternoons were spent at the beach.

We never took advantage of the resident discount at Disneyland.

I never met Shamu.

It's just the way it is.....

I know these days feel hectic, and full and overwhelming at times...

but I know...

Someday....

I'll miss these days too..

I'll miss the 3am wake up calls....

I'll miss the "She took my toy!"

I'll miss the ear piercing screams....

I will miss it all, and I'm sure think to myself....

I should have enjoyed it more....

So yesterday...

I took it all in.

This is the view from Sums apartment

We walked and talked....and suddenly it was 2003 again....same scene, same long walk Summer always makes me take before she feeds me.....a little different conversation....now we talk about babies, and children and real estate and husbands....

and clothes and shopping...

(what can I say, somethings never change...)

Sometimes I miss the days when Kim and Summer and I lived on the California line, and planned dinners around watching The Bachelor together....

But....

I feel so blessed to get to spend time with an old friend, and plan our new dinners to come when we are just a short drive from each other in a town not too far away.

Thanks for a great afternoon Sums.

Can't wait to meet your new addition.

and I look forward to many more lunches together....

where ever that may be...

(no pressure..)

:) 

18 Months!

Today Maddie is a year and a half.

Here's what she's up to:

Madeline is still madly in love with shoes

 (sometimes I can only get her dressed if I bribe her with sparkly ones)

She knows exactly what she wants, and will tell you.

Currently her favorite word is no.

(pronounced Owww)

Sometimes she will say Yes.

(pronounced Yaas)

When she needs something, water, a snack, a toy, etc - she points to it and says Momma, Momma- regardless of who is helping her with that item.

Please is pronounced Pies.

Thank you is still Tank Too.

She loves to play with Nitney (Brit) 

Her favorite way to spend her time is hangin with Lynne next door.  I will be in mid conversation with Lynne, and Mads will wiggle out of my arms, walk right in to her house and try and close the door on my face.  

( she has to have alone time with Lynne at least once a week, if not more...)

Whenever she sees my camera, she stops what she's doing and says "Cheeeeeee!"

She will dance at any given moment.  Regardless of where we are, if there's music, she's a bouncin.

Most nights she goes down with ease, after I sing her the Na-night song and rock her for three verses.

She is doing very well at school and loves NuNu. (Benu)  She plays well with others, and is learning to share.  Most days are spent hogging the 6 baby dolls her daycare has.  She will carry them all at once, and calls them all Momma.

She will eat anything.  And I mean ANYTHING. 

(last night I picked up some olives and marinated mushrooms from the antipasto bar at Safeway.  I am not exaggerating when I say she ate most of the container)

She is not a fan of Trigger.  She screams when he gets anywhere near her, and when you ask her what is wrong she points to poor Trig and says "out".  

(it's hard to blame her, she's been whacked quite a number of times by that ever-wagging tail of his)

We have started 1,2,3 Magic with Madeline.

When I get to "Madeline, That's 2...."

She looks at me and says, "Tooooooo, Tooooooo, Toooooo."

(sometimes it's very hard to get to three....)

She loves to have her hair brushed and styled.

Especially if bows and ponytails are involved.

She is so much fun.

I'm so glad this girly girl, had a girly girl.

I know, I know....

It may not last...

But a *girl* can dream.....

Baby! It's cold outside!

On Friday I flew 1,500 miles to see this face

and she was completely worth every minute of travel.

This baby is so adorable.

So, so ADORABLE

(I may, or may not have raided every accessory Anna was given and tried them on her.....)

The weekend wasn't all dress up and photography.

I was productive!

And I had a Buddy...

Kim flew out too!

We spent Saturday cooking.

We made, Kim's famous pesto.

And my famous Spaghetti sauce.

And this Minestrone soup recipe. 

I had never made the soup before, and added a bit to the recipe above...
(I told you I don't like to follow rules...)

So here are the ingredients we used:

And here is what we added:
2 extra cup of stock
1 can of kidney beans in addition to the white navy beans
1 yellow squash, in addition to the zucchini
Fresh green beans
Fresh basil and parsley in the soup and more for garnish
and the rind of the Parmesan in the stock while it simmered.
Garlic Salt and Red pepper flake to taste.

This soup was delicious.
We had it for dinner on Sunday night.
It's good for you AND tastes yummy!
Try it!
You WON'T be disappointed!

It was so cold there.
We had no choice but to make soup!

Here is a snapshot of Rose's neighborhood.

The HIGH on Sunday was 8.

8.

So cold.

Minnesota is a place where everyone should be wrapped in sherpa at all times....

 I was a little jealous of Anna's wardrobe.....

She has 27 snow suits.

My bet is she will wear ALL of them before she's 1.

We  of course went to Mega.

(also known as The Mall of America)

And Rose mastered her Hooter Hider

Yay!

We had pedi's

And then did lunch!

MMMmmmmm Margaritas....

Have I mentioned the snow???

We got to see the snow blower in action!

Larry is quite the Snow Veteran.

Quality time was spent with Dan.

And lots and lots of cuddle time

with Anna.

Love her.

So glad I had the opportunity to spend time with Rose and her baby.

It's so hard when one of your best friends lives so far.

But it's wonderful to visit.

Miss them already.

(you too Kim!)

Happy Birthday Jack!

5 years ago today, God blessed me with a perfect Son.

My world was forever changed.

and forever better.

I became a Mother.

Jack's birth story is a great one, but something I will save for a different time....maybe even by a guest blogger...

I cannot remember my life without him.  

Everyday is exciting.

Everyday there is Joy.

Everyday he makes me proud.

Everyday I love him more.

Jack is all boy. 

He is definitely a Daddy's boy....Until he needs me, and then he is a Momma's boy.

Anything Dad likes, he likes.

He loves outdoors, and animals, and playing ball, and running, and jumping and building forts.

He also loves video games, and movies and hanging on the couch.

He knew how to work my Ipod before I did.

He knows sign language.

He can count to 100.

and can even do it in Spanish!

(Thanks Benu!)

He loves to dance.

 (I guess I'm in there somewhere..)  

:)

He knows all the words to almost every Black Eyed Peas song.

and almost every song to Brad Paisley's last album... 

(thanks to his Mom!)

He is the loviest, most huggable kid I know.

And he will melt your heart, right after he makes you want to crown him.

He loves his Sister, but likes to keep that on the down low.

He loves to help in the kitchen....In fact he loves to help in every room in the house.

His favorite chore is vacuuming. 

His favorite dinner is pizza.  

His favorite dessert is Chocolate Chip Cookies.

He loves Buzz Lightyear, and Johnny Test, and Transformers.

He loves new clothes, and has no problem having a fashion show to model his new attire.

He adores his Grandparents, and all of his Uncles.

But hands down.  Brit is his favorite person in the world.

He answers to any of the following:

Jack, Jack-man, Jack-Jack, Jackie, Little man, Big Guy, and Boo.

My love for him is endless.

He will always be my baby.

He is my only Son.

He is my first born.

He is my Jack.

Happy Birthday Jack-Man!

We love you sooooooo much!