Vin In His First Chilis Outfit

How Lucky Can One Girl Be!

Several weeks ago we realized that Teri would be out of town (Monday through Thursday) for my first week back to work. I began worrying about this and making arrangements for Vin. Knowing it was going to be hard enough to drop him off at day care but to start teaching and taking my own courses again filled me with anxiety. About 300 miles away – Patty was also worrying. I was not surprised by this, we are worriers, it’s what we do, so when I asked her to come stay with us she of course said yes.
Her being here lessened my anxiety tremendously. As I’ve written before, I now am a cliché; working mother guilt is REAL and I’ve not got a grip on all of it yet, but walking out in the morning, knowing that he’s with Mayme, was so comforting.
To add to all my initial anxiety, he’s had a cold from almost two weeks now. Runny nose, sore throat, cough – the whole bit, so we also made a trip to the pediatrician. Her advice… Vicks.

Now we are a Vicks family, Granddad Buzzard would slather us from armpit to armpit with the miracle cream and then tie a bandana around our neck to hold the heat in. So this week I passed the tradition down to the next generation.

Patty had intended to leave on Wednesday afternoon but her maternal instincts go the better of her and she said she couldn’t leave me alone with a sick baby so she stayed an extra day. While she and Vin played and laughed and she got to know his emerging personality. He loves her! Early in the week he seriously studied her face as if saying “ I know that you are not my Mom, but you sure look like her.”
I am truly blessed by her – she bought Vin some new toys, cleaned my house, detailed by vacuum cleaner, bought me fun new cleaning products to make my life easier and is of course always fun to be around.

(Mayme & Vin in matching outfits)

My blessings continue…
Tuesday night when I got back from school James was in the kitchen making his famous flat tacos, Jeffrey was outside adding chemicals to the swimming pool, Patty was on the floor surrounded by mobile parts, batteries and instructions. Never a dull moment around here! I am truly so grateful for everyone’s help this week and don’t know how to thank everyone.

Vin enjoying the mobile!

Jamesy making tacos

Vin and Aunt Bertha

Vin with Kate - daughter of Jill Eady (Sublett)

Must rest cheeks on chest!

Bouncy Chair Video

Birthday

A week of mixed emotions started yesterday, it was my 34th birthday and Vin went to daycare for the first time so I laughed, cried and napped. We started the day with waffles and champagne. I always like my birthdays to have lots of sugar and alcohol and if you can combine the two ie: champagne then all the better! Then we went to the library for Baby Bounce - a class geared for infants to 2 year olds where you sing things like the itsby bitsy spider etc. Yes he is only 3 months old but he enjoys going and seeing all the activity. Since it's only on Monday mornings Teri and I took the opportunity to take him together before school starts.

Then it was off to daycare. Since I NEVER spent not one single day in daycare I have a very poor attitude about it. On the other hand I have to work, in fact want to work so there is my dilemma. I know it is the classic working moms issue but it is very hard to leave your child in someone else's care! Let the guilt begin!We started yesterday so that he could start transitioning for short periods before I actually do start school. Plus my house is filthy and I need to play catchup for the past three months of chores, paperwork etc. that have not been attended to. Ok enough of all that -

Teri and I then went and had a nice lunch and more champagne, then came home and took a NAP!! Oh sweet sleep! We picked the boy up at 5:30 and he was fine.

For dinner Teri made me Champagne Orange Chicken with Israeli cous cous and garlic spinach. (I told you I like to have lots of champagne on my birthday!) Rick and Yvette dropped by for a quick visit and gave me a bottle of wine then I had a piece of chocolate cake and went to bed.

Overall a very quiet birthday but enjoyable!

King of the Socks

Teri went grocery shopping yesterday and came home with presents for both Vin and I.

I got pink gerber daisies and Vin got socks which Teri promptly stacked on his head!

BFF

Our son has his first BFF, a stuffed dog named Cooper that hangs from his car seat. Cooper captivates Vin like nothing else can. He stares contently at Cooper to and from our outings. He must be a very funny dog because Vin laughs at him all the time.

Today Teri felt like Vin didn't get to see Cooper enough since we hadn't been out of the house in a few days so she tied Cooper to a ribbon from the ceiling fan pull and placed Vin's bouncy chair under it. Vin was so happy to see his dear old friend.

Last week in a USA Today poll they asked if you would rather your children have

Good Friends

Good Grades

Good Manners

Everyone I asked this question to chose good friends. I have been lucky enough to have several phone calls from one of my BFFs this week - Deana Robbins. She called early one morning to tell me some sad news but had me laughing by the time we hung up. She is such a treat and I wish we lived closer together.

By the way the results of the poll were:

Good Friends - 40%

Good Grades - 42%
Good Manners - 18%