A Decade Ago

So I received my official 10 year reunion invite yesterday. I knew it was coming, but it threw me when I actually held it in my hand. I know some that have laughed and said "Ha, it's only your 10 year?!?". I know that by all standards I am not OLD, but the invite did get me thinking about where my life was this time 10 years ago.

This lovely image is my senior portrait. I must not have know the use for tweezers back then- sheesh. I do remember though that I had to be late for hockey practice to get this shot taken. I hated, and still do, being in front of the lens. I am much more comfortable behind it snapping away. I was then equally pissed that I had makeup on. I remembered thinking that the only decent use for makeup was for the shows I was in. So that's the pic...I guess I really liked red. huh.

Ten years ago, NO ONE had a cell phone. Everyone had pagers. Not me though. I think my parents associated them with drug dealers. My boyfriend at the time had one. Wow, he was a douche bag. My father couldn't stand him either. He would prank his pager and put in numbers to different homosexual hot lines. That was his idea of fun. I was so certain that this guy was "the one". Then again who doesn't at 17. Yeah, I should have listened to my parents, but then what would I have had to brood over?!?

At this point in my life I already had an athletic scholarship to SJU for field hockey. Needless to say, I could have cared less about SATs. I didn't even bring a calculator. Classes that year were merely a social event.

The world wide web was still somewhat foreign. It had come around about 2 years before. I don't even know if I had a proper e-mail address at this time. The only world wide thing I was concerned with were the World Wide Wicket Sales. This is from the last musical I was in. My senior year we did How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at St. Joe's Prep. I lived for rehearsals. Being in these shows were the highlight of the year. The musical theater program at SJU was crap. Sadly I have not done a musical since. I remembered thinking that one day I would haul off for Broadway.

I was on top of the world my senior year. It was an amazing time.

I don't know how I'll feel reuniting with my classmates. Sure it'll be fun. Yada, yada,yada. I have found out that many of the people I graduated with are now very accomplished doctors and scientists. Before anything is said, I KNOW that being a mom is just as important. It can just be intimidating to see such successful women around you. We'll see. Hopefully I can coerce my friend who I have not seen since graduation to go. We could at least trump up some old banter...

I don't know how to end this. I guess I'll write more after the actual event. Look for part 2 in early May!

Delicious Day

There is something to be said about walking outside and realizing that you don't need a coat. The world in general feels lighter...and car seats buckle without much struggle.

I think that the temp was at about 77 degrees today, maybe warmer. Although I know it is not going to last, today was perfect.

When we got home from the gym, I transferred Jack from his car seat to the lawn in one large swoop. He ran around with his arms outwards yelling "Its nice and warm mommy, I yub it! I yub outside! Yets play!" An hour later there were chalk murals on the bricks of our home, soccer balls crushing unfinished tulips and sweat on my baby's head.

He slept like a rock in his cool room under the warmth of his "choopy" (aka Sage's childhood blankie).

When he woke from his nap we were at it again. We jumped in the stroller to meet our friends Lauren and Jackson. We hit up 2 parks. Between park rotation we stopped to get some cool treats. Jack sat so still on this bench dripping with icy sugary goodness. " How does it taste Jack?" ..."Dayicious mommy"

As Sage was putting Jack to bed I sat out on the steps to think about the day. It doesn't get much better than this. Well, it would have been better if my legs didn't look like milk-toast in shorts, but more sun to come. Hopefully sooner than later. Much love to our park buddies!

My Best Shot Monday

Sometimes I wish I could be inside his brain. I wonder- is he pondering the world, or maybe just workin' on a good one!

Jump on over to Picture This to see other Best Shot Mondays!

I'm That Mom

Revenge. Sweet revenge. Except that it was revenge on my 2 year old. Let me explain...
I remember when I was prego and Jack would wake me up in the middle of the night- he would press so sweetly on my bladder or ever so not gently place his fetal heel in my ribs. Months later, he would keep me up all night- no matter how tired I was. I know that EVERY mom has experienced these things. I know many moms who have dealt with so much more. I am NOT complaining. But...
On those nights, just as I would go cross eyed from exhaustion, I would smile- One day I will have my revenge. I couldn't wait until he was 13. I would wake him up a the crack of dawn singing "rise and shine and give God your glory" just like my mom would on Sundays.
I will still have that moment, but today I was just testing the waters.
Jack took a long nap. I don't like when he sleeps past 3pm because it screws up his nite-nite routine. God forbid I miss a second of Idol.* Anyway, I went in to wake him up with my normal back rubs and soft voice when " STOP MOMMY"
What?!?- Oh no you didn't!
I started to laugh, which really pissed him off...
" Do you want to just stay in your bed all day?"
(thumb in mouth) "es ommy"
I proceeded to lay on the floor and stick one finger at a time through the rungs of his crib and touch his nose.
I know I sound horrible. If you are reading this and are not a mom, just get over my twisted humor.
This all went on for about 5 minutes.
He finally got up and cuddled with me as he woke up. My baby, I adore him...but I almost wet myself- the look on his face...yeah I'm that mom- I still can't wait till he's 13

*What is up with idol?!? san-what-ever really just bugs me out! ugh!

My Best Shot Monday

I've been following this whole "best shot monday" game via Amy's blog for some time and I decidied that I want to play too. So here is my best shot from the weekend. Jump on over to Picture This to see everyone elses shots!

Like Father, Like Son

Promised Land, Pa- Circa '99

Drexel Hill ,Pa- Circa 2 days ago when it wasn't a frigid hail storm!

50+ Club

We hit quite a bit of traffic on our way to the gym today.

'Nuff said.

Monday at the Gym

So there was this woman at the gym in my cardio kick and sculpt class. Seemed nice- looked normal; a bigger woman in her 40's (I assume) nothing unusual here- or so I thought. Hence conversation:

Woman at Gym: How many weeks do these classes go for?

Me: They are 7 week sessions.

W.A.G.-Well I've got 2 weeks.

Me: Its a tough class, but its good.

W.A.G.- Where do you see the difference?

Me: I've noticed a change in my arms and alot in my butt.

(side note- class is going on at this time- I'm missing steps because she won't stop talking)

W.A.G.- Well, I've got 2 weeks. How long have you been doing this- how big were you before?

Me: (mentally: WHAT?!?) out loud: months- slowly but surely.

I then move away- FAR away.
I don't really know what to say about this woman- I just thought I would share our conversation.

Forever Ago

This photo dates back to '98 or '99. I don't quite remember. I know that Sage was dating my cousin and I as well was seeing someone else. But this is when we started to get close. This was a time when those small issues in life seemed so huge and demanding. Everything was fueled by the thrill of the chase. A year or so later we started dating- so much trivial drama was abound with our group of friends- but in a way it made every moment that much sweeter with stolen glances and secret kisses. It was a charging time. I love this photo- its old and has water stains...but it is a moment of time captured in 4 frames that still gives me butterflies.

Lost in Translation

There are so many skills that I have acquired since becoming a mom.

Some skills gross; like the ability to catch puke before it falls on the rug. This is so disgusting, I know. I was the kid who ralphed when someone else did. But there is accomplishment in knowing that a rug need not be scrubbed.

Some skills sweet; like knowing that your kiss really did make the boo-boo all better.

But the one skill I take most pride in...understanding what my boy says.

Jack speaks really well for a 2 year old. But lets face it- he's 2... diction and clarity are something that comes with time. But I most always know what he's saying.

Sometimes I feel like his translator- letting people know what he really wants, when they think they already have it all put together. Maybe its a moms pride- the one thing that I understand better than any other person- no matter how many kids that other person has had- I know what he's really saying.

I know that people in the acme look at me like i'm crazy. We ride up and down the aisles talking about what we see and i ask him questions about the list I should be carrying. Going shopping can really suck, but I really enjoy talking to Jack. The way he puts his thoughts together and expresses them astounds me.

We all have to make it up and down the aisles- but sometimes it takes a 2 year old to point out the smaller things we don't really get a chance to see.