Mickey's Not So Very Scary

So there we are - Maire's first trip to Disney World. We dressed up as Cruella DeVille, Jasper and Lucky. Maire had a little hood with ears - but in the rush of the camera man's directions we forgot to put it on.

Ah, well. She's adorable anyhow. We'll have more pictures soon - when I have the time to sit and download them from our camera ...

The past weekend was tiring, exhausting, stressful . . . and wonderful. Two of my bestest friends were there with their little ones and it was unbelievably fantastic to have our families running around and laughing together. Not to mention having them right there to reaffirm a lot of the decisions I've made as a mom - and of course coo over my new, precious babe.

I'll write more soon, but that precious babe is sleeping in (thank god, she was thrashed yesterday - I wasn't the only one who found this weekend exhausting) and I have clothes to unpack and put away.

But trust me - the photos to come are PRICELESS.

:)

More Photos!

We've been really slack on uploading photos lately, I know. And now my phone is mysteriously not mobile posting here, so we've been forced to actually download real photos - so here we are ...

I think my fave pictures are the ones of Sam and Maire sleeping together.

I mean really, does it get sweeter than this dad and his sweetums sleeping in?

The kitten likes to take naps with Maire, too.

I'm convinced her butt is filled with bean.

*sigh*
And, finally, to prove she actually is awake some of the time, I give you the sweetest smile in the world.

Oh, dear lord, I love her so.

P.S. Aunt Jasmin - she loves her giraffe!

daddy's fingers are YUM!

sweet afternoon

Sometimes you just have to say all the chores can just go to hell. Its easy,actually, especially now that she hugs me back.

Me as a Mom

People tell you a million things when you're about to become a mom. There's the weird stuff, all the random advice on how to raise your child ... and the normal stuff - how much you'll love her, how your life will change, how you wont' get any sleep, blah blah blah.

I say, take it all with a grain of salt. Some of it will be completely bogus, some laughable, and some amazingly true - but only once you're in the middle of the madness.
For example, sure, I do love Samaire more than I can put into words. I love Sam even more now (I honestly didn't believe that was possible). And my life has changed. And yet, well, honestly - it's exactly the same. Just better is all. We still go out: to dinners, parties, Mets games. We still plan trips overseas. We still act like morons in public.

One thing that has changed - one thing I wasn't prepared for . . . how primal this would all be for me. Not the labor or the birth - but the being a mom part. It's absolutely, positively a very cellular experience for me. It's a tightening in my chest, a swelling of my heart, an energy that runs from her to me that is absolutely undeniable.

When she cries it really does hurt me and i would move mountains to hold her, to comfort her. When she smiles my whole world lights up. I can go without just about anything as long as she is okay.

I have a hard time handing her over to anyone but Sam. I have a need to keep her close by, with me. Near me. I can't explain it. I want her in my arms constantly and - not surprisingly to anyone, I'm sure - she's pretty much there 24/7.

Maybe this will change when she gets older. Maybe this invisible thread that seems to run between us will eventually fade, but for now I'm relishing it. I'm listening to that piece of me that tells me I need her. That she needs me.

I'm honoring it. It feels completely right. It feels natural. It's the kind of mom I am right now, and I'm okay with it.

this sweet love o' mine

Two Months

How is that possible? How can two months have already gone by?

Two months ago right now, I was disappointed thinking you'd just barely miss the 080808 birthday; but you hustled right on out to join us. You made it with plenty of time to spare. I knew you were extraordinary - and wanted so badly for you to have an extraordinary day all your own ... and you got it - not from any action on my part - but all on your own.

I have a feeling that's how you'll live your life. On your own terms.

You're so small, and yet - I can see that determination, that will inside you. You showed it today when you got your first shots at the doctor's office. At first, you wailed the saddest cry I've ever heard from you. It was so obviously your "I'm hurt" cry it brought tears to my eyes. But the next moment you got real quiet, set your little jaw and looked straight at the doctor - a look that was all "F*#! you! That all you got?!"

You are for sure our daughter. We were beamingly proud.

Your daddy and I love you something crazy. I don't know how we got so lucky as to have you pick us as your parents (I'd like to think Alice and Faris put in a good word for us.)

These past two months have been the most wonderful of my life. I always wanted to do something meaningful with my life - and I've searched long and hard to figure out what that would be.

Turns out, it was you - though the more I think about it, I might be your meaningful thing. You've already taught me so very much.

Love you, little hedgehog.
Mama

Maire's reaction to her first shots? Five heartbreaking wails and crocodile tears. Then a tiny hard-set jaw and a look to the doc of "f*#! you! "

More Samaire Pics!

You demanded them, and we'll provide them. Here she is... Samaire, baby of the people.

Go Green Babies GOooooo!

Woot!

Pound

Fonz style!

14 hours of sleep makes me feel GREAT!!

kitten & baby make pals

And take a mid-morning nap together. (Better pics to come soon.)

My arms ...

... Are the only place she'll really sleep today. I'm happy to cuddle her as long as she wants.

Hair

I'm dying for her hair to be thick enough for me to ';do';. 'Til then I'll just randomly stick stuff in to see if they stick. :)

Maire in her queen size bed

34

Election vs. Series

When the question "What would you rather: Obama as President or Mets World Series Champs?" in our household, "Mets!" was the resounding reply.

Why was I surprised?

Joe - the question goes to you & the Cubs ...

Uber guest post

Hey everyone, how's it going? Long time no guest post. Sam's back to show off his girls and good times.

First, we'll start with last night's festivities! Samaire got to go to her first Mets game and she LOVED it!

Started in right field.

Then made it to the luxury suite!

Thanks Chris! She loved it so much, she made sure to wave goodbye... only to you.

Jose... Jose... Jose... Jose... Jose.... Jose. Reyes with the big hit! Santana throws a gem.

Feeding on the go... AT the stadium. Well done.

METS WIN!!! Woo-hoo. Everyone's happy headed home. Not a single cry the whole game. She lourves her Mets.
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Also, just wanted to mention that Misty IS in fact the greatest mother on the planet. No offense to my own wonderful mom and those lovely mothers who check out this little blog, but none of you hold a candle to Mist. It's no mistake that Samaire's such a great kid. I've never seen Misty shine like she has the last 6+ weeks. She's absolutely amazing. Babe, I love ya.

Thanks babe.
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Now, I could post pics of Samaire and Misty all day... and I've been lacking, so I'll do some updated photo posts later. But for now... I leave you with the glory that is R-Mac and me. Look for it in theaters next spring.

Thai whiskey anyone?!?!

No? Perhaps Rum Jumbie is more to your liking!

Feel dirty... me too. Cleanse your pallet with this.

Yes, she's THAT cute.

afternoon discussions

leg warmers!

my sleeping angel

if you look close ...

You'll see the world's greatest smile. She apparently loves our awesome friends as much as we do.

a good evening

Old friends. Great debates.

my cuddler

It's fall here. Maire owns three pairs of leg warmers and is wearing them on regular rotation. Pics on THAT brilliance soon.

Go Mets!

Watching the afternoon game with Daddy.

g diapers!

Eco-friendly! Cute! We're fans.

sleepy cowgirl

Samaire

Already over a month old! You know, people say it but you don't realize how true it is til it happens to you. I am a different person. Deep in my heart I feel changed. Stronger. Braver. More able to love - deeper. Truer.

they're happy shoes

birthday shoes

Thanks, Great Aunt Judy!

Samaire's First Street Fair

... with the Amicks Labor Day weekend!


And, yes, I'm feeding her while walking down the street. You're lucky I'm not also eating a corn dog.

Yes, I'm that mom.

love love love

We Interrupt Cute Baby ...

for a short political rant.

So, McCain, Sarah Pallin, huh? Interesting choice. I must say I'm a little miffed as it seems you chose a woman just to sway some votes. I'm also a bit miffed you chose Sarah, honestly - when there are so many women who have better/more experience. But I get it - she lines up with the whole pro-life/NRA madness ticket. So, well, okay. I see the logic.

And, um, women of my country? I have just about had it. I'm sad for us. Sad that we're attacking Sarah the way we are. Insinuations of how she's (or her being chosen) is a sign of feminism being set back in some way. Of how it's some large statement having to do with men running things - of how she is, in essence, the political version of a trophy wife.

Not to mention the questioning of her as a mother. Whether she should be in public office or not, what with the five kids and all.

It makes me sick to my stomach. Really, American Women? SERIOUSLY?

I'm not voting for McCain. I find a lot of his stances (and Ms. Pallin's) atrocious. But I will say people are doing her a huge mis-service. She's not some woman who happened to be at the Burger King when McCain was on his way to the convention center to announce his choice in Ohio. She's not some throw in.

And, please, she does have some experience. Enough? I don't think so. But before we go all crazy liberal - let's just take a deep breath and admit she actually has more executive experience than Obama. (This is where I totally hang myself and say that Hilary wasn't exactly a shining example of experience either - you know. 'Cause, well, being married to the guy in charge does not experience make.)

I guess what I'm saying is we can harangue her all we want, but I find it deplorable. Does she know there were more experienced - and dare I say better - choices for the VP nomination? Sure. But my guess is she's honored to be chosen, and ready to make history. That she sees this as an opportunity to change the tide and become a shining example of what a woman can accomplish.

And I say, well, if she gets that far? More power to her.

For us to dissect her and call her an affront to women's accomplishments in politics (and society in general) is just shameful. It makes me angry.

I think sometimes we forget - it's just as bad to be an extreme trash-talking liberal as it is to be the same as a conservative. Let's just all take a breath, appreciate the history of our times (whether it's happening how we hoped or not) and then do the research needed to choose the right candidates to make our country what we truly know it can be.

I'll be voting for Obama, myself.

However, Sarah? I wish you strength. You're going to need it.

And just in case you thought I could do a whole entry baby-free?



Um, yeah. No way. She's just too cute! (And in case you're wondering, she supports Obama, too.)

I feel beautiful ...

... When she's in my arms.

cutest.baby.ever.