Step AWAY From The Brother

I love a cold, drizzly day. The sun was out a little bit yesterday and this morning for the first time in about a week and I just want to say… I was a little disappointed. I would FOR SURE get depressed if every single day was dark and dank, but I have so many great memories surrounding this kind of weather. First of all, most of my birthdays have been cold, wet days. So, the first time I was let loose with my brand-spankin’ drivers license, it was really chilly and misty outside. But at the time I also had a horrible case of poison ivy on one entire side of my face swelling my eye shut. I had it in my license picture for four years. It was fantastic. Not really. But funny when I arrived at the surprise, roller-skating party my brother threw together [? I guess he thought I’d never figure it out since so many sixteen-year-olds are in to roller-skating?] … the cake was a giant license and my photo-copied icing face was messed up with pink frosting. It was a blast!

And this year the weather will be associated with a new baby and all the fun surrounding that. Last week my small group girls from our church threw a dinner-party/baby shower – and it was so much fun.

We've actually only recently started attending this particular group. I already knew around 1/4 of the girls – either from junior-high or because our kids go to school together. But it truly is moving when girls you barely know show up and bring your baby something they spent time shopping for. Aside from the most darling cake...

and personalized child’s rocking chair, some of my favorites included a little onesie that says “I am not a boy”… another onesie with a little owl… several warm-cozy things and a little Kicky Pants dress. I’m learning all the girl trends and I’m not in to any as much as that one. I mean, Baby Gap and their $1.99 leggings I’ll find on sale can’t be beat; but most trendy girl things are holy-smoking goofy-looking except for any and all Kicky Pants. This brand is organic cotton and/or bamboo – which – if you have never put to your face and felt how soft, you’ll never understand.

So, I am feeling set. If she stays put, I’ll have her a month from today. It finally occurred to me – I might want a little travel crib “pack n play” to keep downstairs and an area to change diapers so I don’t always have to go up to her room for everything. The crib will be handy to take to my grandmother's for holidays too. Most of these contraptions have a changing table attachment dealy-whopper. But most also have SO MANY OTHER unnecessary bells and whistles, and are also more expensive than when the boys were little because of it. Either that, or the thing is rickety, simple, and inexpensive because you have to buy an additional 50-dollar padding system so the support rods aren’t poking your child in the back. I finally found a happy-medium. It was reasonably priced, soft and sturdy and didn’t have GIANT pink polka dots I’d have to resist the urge to gag myself in order to be around. All I have left is a bag to put together for the hospital stay. Holy crap! This is going to get here.

We're on fall break this weekend. I'm a little worried about the amount of drop-kicking already taking place between brothers as we'll be out for the entire week of Thanksgiving right after the baby comes home. And by drop-kicking, I'm including taking the boxy alarm clock and hurling it right at your brother's unsuspecting head. Weird they really do love each other and laugh harder together than with anyone else. Still, I'm pretty sure I'll be finding a new level of what it might mean to flip my lid. Maybe I can find a Thanksgiving camp. In Missouri.