Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Had I been able to go to Harvest Fest, I'm sure this would all make sense. Maybe.

Glittery Harvest Fest Art
(It is of pumpkins?  Ghosts?  A cemetery?  The Harvest Moon(s)?)

Banner's "passport"

No.  We have no idea why he is from Korea.

Extra passport photos (we think).
I like the top one where my child is climbing into a
cardboard Pampers box with only one shoe and sock.
It explains a lot, actually.

I haven't laughed this hard in awhile...

This is totally an inside joke involving an alumni gathering in Texas, my favorite teacher from high school and a Buckee's T-shirt.  It has been a long time since I've seen anything so utterly fabulous:



Well done OS and Taylor Swift.  Well done.

Monday, October 29, 2012

The little dude hangs out with my old man...

"One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather." 
~Joy Hargrove



I know the pictures are dark, but I absolutely love them.  I think Banner has my dad's eyes. 

It is rare moment because - let's face it - my baby looks like his daddy, but every now and again I see a little of my side of the family in Banner.  These moments are fleeting, but I am glad my genetics are being represented in there somewhere.

Like in this picture:


There is just something about it that reminds me of Moo.  Not sure what it is specifically about his expression, but it is definitely there.  Of course, my dad looks a lot like his mom, so maybe I am just seeing more of him?  Or maybe I am just desparate because I thought this whole breeding thing was supposed to be 50-50?

Of course, Trevor only sees himself in OUR son, and refuses to even consider that anything other than his genetics went into the creation of Banner.  In Trevor's world, I was only an incubator for his clone for nine months.  Which most of the time?  Fair enough.
 
As for me, though, I don't really see myself anywhere in the little guy.  I've been told that there is a resemblance. Something about the forehead and Banner's facial expressions (poor kid). 

Like maybe here?



Sigh.  It is probably just because our mouths are both open, but mom can dream.  And I guess Banner would prefer to look like his dad than his mom if given the choice.

Still...there is a little something "me" in there, right?

(And, wow, seeing that 30 year old TV makes me feel ancient.)

We made it to the pumpkin patch!

Ready for some photo overload? Because I have absolutely no talent for paring down pictures - especially since becoming a mother. I take some solace in the fact that I know I have a problem. They say that is the first step towards recovery.

Except, well, that is ALL I do: I freely admit that I post too many pictures. But that is where it ends, because I don't have any intentions to actually do anything about it. Because if I did, I'd have to post fewer pictures and...well, no. That just isn't possible. For me, photo overload is my way of savoring every moment. And I pretty much mean that literally. Because, well, you know: PROBLEM.

In an effort to distract from the following visual diarrhea of my baby in a costume in a pumpkin patch (because, O.M.G!), I would like to briefly list all the things I accomplished on my Monday off this week, lest I be referred to as a "Country Club Wife" again (TREVOR!):
  1. Caught up on thank you notes and bills
  2. Had our heater serviced for the winter 
  3. Poop scooped and gave the dog run a thorough scrub down
  4. Ran dishwasher
  5. Did laundry (wash, dry, folded and put away)
  6. Washed three very dirty dogs, trimmed nails, etc.
  7. Watered plants in backyard
  8. Cut "Hot Lips" plant back before it took over flower bed
  9. Pumped standing water out of my currently broken fountain
  10. Tidied up house
  11. Cleaned out Banner's closet
  12. Reorganized Banner's too small clothes from the last (almost) ten months into air tight, space saver bags for long term storage
  13. Finally got my maternity and nursing clothes out of my closet and into attic
  14. Voted
  15. Picked up Banner from school, fed him and checked on the level of his "supplies" at day care (diapers, wipes, extra outfits, formula, puffs, cereal, teething biscuits, level three purees, etc.)
  16. Talked to Banner's teachers about bringing in a daily snack from home to get him used to the idea of finger foods and chewing (banana slices, avocado, etc.).  Was worried the snack had to come from the center, and was relieved to discover that the rules had changed to (at least initially) allow healthy snacks from home (as opposed to day care provided goldfish and applesauce).  I want Banner to love fresh fruit and veggies!
  17. Went to Arboretum
  18. Took costumed pictures of Banner in a pumpkin patch
  19. Tried to see parts of the Chihuly exhibit that weren't up during the preview before closing
  20. Fed, bathed and put baby to sleep 
(Technically #20 doesn't count because we do that every day.  I just wanted to end on an even number.)

Granted, I didn't get around to picking up my prescription, putting gas in my car, eating lunch, going to the gym, running any other necessary errands or getting my nails done (hey, my brother-in-law is getting married this Saturday!), but I would like it to be on record that I am not using my extra day off to sleep late and dilly dally free of responsibility, work and my baby.

(Not that Trevor has accused me of being a slacker, mind you.  I'm just feeling overly sensetive about not keeping Banner at home with me all day so I can get things done that I'd otherwise ignore if my favorite little guy were around to cuddle with and otherwise distract me.)

(Part of me wants to do nothing all day but snuggle with Banner.  It is kind of a problem.  When he is home with me on the weekends, we sleep in, have breakfast in bed and don't get dressed until well after noon.)

And now with all that on record, on to my (many, many, many) photos (weeeeeeee!):



 


Serious dragon face.


Favorite!
 

I tried to take one of his pumpkins away in this shot.
 
As you can see, it didn't go over well.
RAWR!


I wish I could have gotten the dragon teeth and flame to not stick up. 
It kind of looks like a tooth is growing out of the dragon's nostril.











And just in case you thought these pictures were all you were going to have to endure of Banner in a dragon costume, there is going to be more.  There will be a surprise Halloween addition.  With a THEME!  So, brace yourselves.  The best is (hopefully) yet to come!

It might be even prettier the second time around...

Y'all.  I've got to get me a family membership to the Arboretum.  For one, it is absolutely beautiful.  Two, it is super kid friendly (and they have a new educational exhibit opening this spring).  And three, it is just down the road from my house.  Every time I go, I make a good memory, and leave feeling relaxed and a little more centered.  I mean, what more can you ask for?

And, no.  I am not being paid by the Arboretum to write this post.  I just had a really good time on Monday with Banner snapping pictures in the pumpkins and taking a leisurely, late afternoon stroll through the gardens and Chihuly exhibit. 

Which, by the way, if you haven't seen Chihuly yet, it is totally worth the cost of admission and hassle trying to park.  But don't take my word for it.  Look at pretty pictures of glass sculptures and colorful, fall flowers and come to your own conclusions: