The Written Word

Ever since Bobby was just a few weeks old, we've joked that he loves the "written word". He always seemed fascinated by print on shirts, or on pictures on the wall. He's also been very attentive and interested in reading books. We've joked that he's probably already reading, but since he can't talk yet, we just can't confirm it! HaHa.

There are a few books he enjoys in particular, and which we read every night. His favorite is "You are My I Love You". It has pretty illustrations of a baby bear and his parent going through a typical day, and very easy verse. In fact, when he acts up during diaper changes, if I start to recite the words from this book, he usually calms down and just seems so peaceful and serene. It's almost like hitting a "reset" button.

I LOVE to read, and have since I was a child first learning how (although I don't have as much time for it now)...and I hope to instill my love for books to Bobby.

Here is Bobby "reading" Pat the Bunny (see, he can even read upside down!)

However, here it looks more like he's practicing for checking out some future centerfolds:

Tubby Time!

Whether he needs it or not, Bobby has a bath every night. It's part of our nightly ritual, which includes a massage and some books... I'm afraid to deviate too much from this routine because he's been following this regime over a year now, and he's been sleeping through the night since he was 6 weeks old! If it ain't broken, don't fix it!

As soon as I say "It's Tubby Time!" he takes off for the bathroom and proceeds to yell "Duh, Duh, Duh" over the noise of the running water--and throws in all his rubber duckies. I'm glad i'm not the only one in the family that believes in the restorative nature of a warm bath...

Apples and Roses?

Today Rob and I are celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary. I have, for the past 3 years, tried to be creative in the gift-giving and follow the "traditional gift list". The first anniversary is paper, the second is cotton and the third is leather. Not too bad. I could work with these. However, the fourth is...ready for it? Fruit or flowers. What the hell?!? Rob doesn't eat any fruit--the closest he comes to ingesting fruit is drinking Sprite. We're also not into gardening or landscaping. In fact, if I let him, he'd completely eradicate all trees, shrubs, and other foliage from our yard. So, where does that leave me? Maybe I should just get him some vodka to go along with his Sprite...

Say I Do

My friend, Shannon, got engaged this past weekend. Although marriage had been discussed and she knew the ring was coming-someday-she was still caught off guard. Her fiance didn't plan an elaborate date or event in order to pop the question. He just picked up the ring, came home from work and asked her.

This made me think of my own engagement. Rob also didn't plan anything extravagant. That is not our style. He got the ring and a few hours later, it was on my finger like some sort of warped game of Hot Potato where Rob couldn't hold onto it any longer. Right there on the couch in my living room, he asked me to marry him to which I quickly and emphatically replied, "Are you kidding?"--not quite the response I think he was looking for, but I was caught off guard...and quickly added my enthusiastic, "Yes".

I think most people try for the uber-romantic sunset proposals on the beach--or some other equally sentimental and heartfelt approach to create a lasting memory. This just didn't suit me or Rob. I'm not a roses and poetry romantic type. If it's any indication of "our style", on our first date, Rob and I went to see the cinematic masterpiece, "Jackass".

That being said, although I'm not your typical romantic, weepy, girly type, surprisingly, I've become a collector of Precious Moments figurines. It started when I happened to spot this one in a card store, entitled "Say I Do":


This was made for me and Rob! (Although I didn't get flowers at the time).

Since this first one, I've gotten a "new mom" figurine--It is a mother looking into a bassinet at her new baby. Then for Bobby's baptism, his Godfather gave him one that looked like Bobby in the family christening gown. (I'm keeping it for him in my curio for "safekeeping"--it is more of a memento for me than it is for Bobby!)

The most recent addition to the collection was my first Mother's Day gift from Bobby. It is entitled, "I Love You This Much":

I guess since becoming a mother, I am slowly turning into a sentimental, sappy girly-type. I just like these figurines to commemorate milestones and events in the life I share with Rob and Bobby.

Now, if they only made a figure to remind me of the joy and excitement of picking out our wedding bands--Rob started to feel ill and had to go outside to vomit, leaving me to pay the bill...

The Big Sister...

Anyone who has known me at any point within the last 10 years probably realizes that my first baby was a sweet, loving, red-haired girl named Killarney. Even my parents accepted the fact that the first grandchild I gave them had 4 legs and a tongue that didn't stop licking! Once I became pregnant with Bobby, they dubbed Killarney, "The Big Sister".

I truly believe she could sense that I was "with child." When I walked her when I was pregnant, she seemed to slow down for me and didn't pull as much, and she would often sit next to me and put her head on my lap. She is the best daughter I could have ever asked for.

If you look around my house or my office, there's almost as many pictures of the pooch as there are of Bobby. In fact, I used to take her regularly for professional photos at the Picture People--I guess it was good practice for when I would take Bobby, although Killarney is easier to pose!

It's still hard to believe that she's 10 years old. She's slowing down and has more grey hair but every once in a while she'll spot a squirrel or rabbit on a walk, and that old spark is back in her eyes. She and Bobby are just starting to take notice of each other. There is also a bit of sibling rivalry going on for my attention. Killarney will "woof" at me to take her out, even when she doesn't need to go out. I think she just wants to get me alone with her and to leave the little rugrat behind.

I know she probably won't be around long enough for Bobby to have any real memories of her, but I still want them to be good friends. They've started to bond--Bobby will now walk over to her on his own and gently pet her. And of course, when prompted, he can imitate Killarney's panting or drinking of her water. Killarney, for her part, is as gentle as ever and lets Bobby tug and pull on her. Of course, she is protective of her own toys and doesn't want him playing with her stuff, and I have to keep Freny from her--just like a real brother and sister!

Gotta Support the Team

Bobby was very excited with the Boston Celtics crushing defeat of the L.A. Lakers last night!! He's been supporting his team throughout the playoffs...

My How You've Grown

Exactly one year ago, we took Bobby for his first trip to the beach; we relaxed as much as possible with a 2 week old, as I got the hang of breastfeeding. This is Bobby one year ago:

It is AMAZING how much a human grows in his first year of life! This was Bobby at the beach this week:

Is this even the same child????