Calgon Take Me Away

I remember when I was a little girl those commercials for Calgon Bath Oils... at least I think that's what they were.  I distinctly remember the young mother of children soaking in a bubble bath jacuzzi tub having her "moment" of solace as the turmoil of her busy life melted away... all thanks to Calgon.  I used to think those commercials were super cheesy.  Truth be told, they probably were to some degree, but at moments like this in my life I find myself uttering those words, "Calgon, take me away!"  Yes, take me to a warm soaking tub with no noise, no poopy diapers, no work or work politics, no laundry to be done or husband to get through school.  Yes, if Calgon can do all of that I will not only buy it, I will become it's official spokeswoman!

It's not that life is bad.  I am aware that I have it pretty good.  I have a beautiful baby, a kind and loving husband, a good job, and a nice home.  But February just brings out the doldrums in me.  Every year around this time I find myself wishing Spring would hurry and arrive already.  Perhaps that's why I proclaim May to be a month of celebration!  It's not necessarily because it's my birthday, more likely I'm honoring the season of Spring and ready to go out and enjoy life.  See, maybe I'm not as egocentric as some thought;)  At any rate, I've decided if I'm ever rich enough February will be my month to go on a yearly cruise, preferably somewhere tropical and excellent so I can come back with a fantastic tan and impress everyone (okay, maybe I am egocentric a little bit).  Maybe if my doctor prescribes it for mental health reasons I can have insurance cover a bit of it.  What do you think?  

Okay, you're right... I'm dreaming.  But for now, dreaming is what gets me through these wet and cold winter months.  

My little girl turns one!

I didn't know how exciting it would be to see my little girl turn one.  It was even more exciting than celebrating my own birthday, and for those of you that know me that's saying a lot considering I take a whole month to celebrate my birthday... I realize that this is slightly egocentric but that's a discussion for another day.  I would have given Ella a whole month of celebration too were it not for two reasons.  One, I might be setting the bar a bit too high for a one year old and two, Ella shares a birthday month with her father so I thought perhaps I should give him a little credit too.  So this year I threw a combined birthday bash in their honor.  We had friends and their kids over for what I called a "Presidential Birthday Bash!" in honor of Shaun, Ella, and all those presidents with birthdays in February.  We handed out american medals and resurrected my favorite game, the Question Ball, revised edition for married couples.  It was quite the fun evening.  Unfortunately, I was so busy hosting the event that I only got a few photos of the night.  Here's just one of Shaun and Ella blowing out their candles on their separate (but equal) cakes.  Also a close up of Shaun's cake to show I may not be an ace of cakes, but at least a can make a decent one.

Later in the weekend we threw Ella her own little family party with nana and papa.  Ella opened gifts from her auntie Stephanie, friends, and enjoyed wearing her PJ's from grandma and granpa C that night.  She got lots of books, a few clothes, a little bear, music maker, and ring thing.  She loved every bit of it but probably loved the cake best!

Oh she's such a poser!  With every day that personality grows.  She ran down the hall with her new clothes and turned around to show them off just in time for the photo above.  What a ham!  The outfit of course is from nana.

And if the cake is not enough, I'll try the plate too she says.

This face is saying "don't judge me".  I am entitle to dig into this cake with my bare hands and then stuff what I can into my mouth.

And this, this is the look of satisfaction that comes after digging into a triple chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.  Admit it, you wish you could do it too with such style and grace!  But alas, such a right is reserved for the babies of this world.  And it wouldn't be a true 1st birthday without diggin' in:)