Sara Plays House

Zoe can clap.  And she is VERY proud of herself.  So are we!

Linds tagged me, and I can’t tell that girl no(She’s preggo–pregnant women can be SCARY), so here we go!
4 Random Things I Like About My Significant Other

1 - He married me. And gave me my babies
2 - He can truly appreciate the hilarity of mule innards
3 - He always laughs at me. In a good way. Usually.
4 - He is Mike. And that’s enough.

4 Jobs I’ve Had

1 - Mama
2 - Art Teacher
3 - Baskin-Robbins
4 - Book Seller

4 Movies I’ve Watched More Than Once

1 - The Usual Suspects
2 - Reservoir Dogs
3 - LOTR–ALL of them
4 - Beaches (Doesn’t really go with the others, does it? I’m a GIRL. Sue me.)

4 TV Shows I Watch

1 - Grey’s Anatomy
2 - Heroes
3 - House
4 - Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles

4 Favorite Foods

1 - Tacos al Carbon
2 - Meat. I’m not picky.
3 - My Mom’s cornbread dressing(Just a few more weeks!)
4 - Vegetables. In pork fat, please.

4 Places I’d Like to Visit

1 - California
2 - Italy
3 - Alaska
4 -Spain

4 Things I’m Looking Forward to in the Coming Year

1 - Zoe becoming a “real” person that talks and walks
2 - Taking a vacation
3 - Getting my house organized(Hear that Mike? That means YOUR lair, too)
4 - All the new babies being born!

4 People I Tag

1 - Kelly R.
2 - Greg
3 - Jenn
4 - Tara

Look at what my cousin Kevin did.  Do you love it?  I pretty much love it and would like it poster sized for my living room.  kthnxbai.

In other words, Aaron’s Seventh Birthday Extravaganza.  The birthday boy wanted a laser tag party, so that’s just what he got.  He wanted an army cake, and his Aunt Sara happily obliged.  I think it’s a very safe bet to say that Aaron(and all his guests) has a really fun Saturday night.

It started off with bouncing.  And then the REAL fun began.  The lights went out, the guns were doled out, and we watched grown men transform into boys right before our very eyes.  Not five minutes into the laser tag, Shannon ran into Mr. Mike’s gun and became the proud owner of a busted up face.  It’s all fun and games until someone starts gushing blood, right?  Martine, you think you can Photoshop that out of the Mallory family pictures in a few weeks?

So while the boys ran around like maniacs, the girls played nicely in the inflatables and play house. No interest in the laser tag whatsoever.  That’s girls for you.  Zoe discovered that yes, she really DOES love her Aunt Kelly, and let Kel tote her around for awhile.

When the boys were all done, and sufficiently sweaty and stinky, we retired to the party room for pizza, cake, and presents.  There was a lot of tired little boys(and men) in that room.  But our Aaron had that unflappable smile on his face the whole time.  That’s the smile that’s going to take him places  the rest of his life.  I mean, really, who can say no to that?

So Happy Birthday Aaron!  We had so much fun at your party and we’re so happy to see you grow into such a fine young man.  You’re our charming boy, and I hope that never changes.

The above title was said in my best Jan Brady voice.  Did you hear it?  Sorry, Avery, this one’s all about your little sister.

Alot has happened with our little Zoe this past week.  She got her very first tooth, FINALLY.  I seriously thought I’d be pureeing the girl’s food until high school.  You can just barely see it in this picture.  For an extreme close-up, click to see her little budding tooth.

Zoe also went in for the second half of her flu shot.  While we were at the doctor’s, we took a look at her growth chart.  Long story short–our little peanut hasn’t gained any weight since the end of August.  Her growth curve, which is supposed to look like a slightly curved diagonal line, is now flat.  She has grown two inches, so at least there’s that, but the doc was a tad concerned.  Right now she is 16 lbs. 6 oz.  This puts her in the 16th percentile for weight.  I should be clear though–her weight’s not the problem, it’s the fact that her weight isn’t changing that’s concerning.

They ran some bloodwork, which all came back normal.  So for now, we’re trying to increase her calories, and she’ll get a weight check each month until she gets back on a curve.  The child LOVES to eat, so that’s not the issue.  She’s recently discovered Cheerios.  I had forgotten how truly magical they are.  Fussy baby?  Throw some Cheerios at them.  Problem solved.

We started today with some yogurt, which my little piggy-poo LOVED.  Here’s hoping she fattens up in time for Thanksgiving dinner.  Joking!  Or am I?  No, I’m really joking.  For real.

And lastly, Zoe is really crawling!  She’s been doing that whole drag-your-body-behind-you thing for awhile now, but now she’s actually getting up on all fours.  She’s still a little slow and clumsy, but she’s improving dramatically each day.  Good thing, bad thing?  I haven’t decided yet.  we went ahead and dropped her crib after I discovered her hanging on to her crib bumpers, threatening to pull up.  I fear she’s going to be my climber.  I was lucky with Avery–no interest.  But Zoe?  She’s going to keep us busy.  I can tell.  She also had her first real park trip and couldn’t get enough of the swing.  She got super stoked every time she went a little higher.  She’s a thrillseeker for sure.

One more funny Zoe thing.  She’s discovered physical comedy.  She’ll do this snorting thing where she screws up her entire face and snorts her nose.  She looks like a very small, very adorable bull.  But she’ll do this until someone notices, then she’ll get a little sly grin, and keep doing it until someone laughs.  At which point, she’s won, and explodes into a huge grin.  So a mountain-climbing comedienne?   There’s my prediction for our little petite thing. 

If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you would know that we share our house with four cats.  One of those cats, Gumbo, has gone missing.  She went out Saturday night and hasn’t come home.

Gumbo is kinda special.  Aside from being our only cat that requires syringes, she’s also the cat that’s been with us the longest.  she has been there with us through every big thing–getting married, bringing babies home, etc. etc.  She’s the one who is consistently sweet and personable, and has always been the best with the girls.  Gumbo is the Runt’s mama, and the Runt has been acting all kinds of crazy since she’s been gone.  It’s making Mike and I crazy, too.

I know what you’re thinking–Sara, why ON EARTH would you let a diabetic cat outside to roam the streets?  Several reasons.  She never left the yard.  She has an annoying of habit of urinating in the corner when she’s not allowed outside.  She’s a happier cat when she can spend part of her day in the fresh air.  But yes, I still feel like a tool for letting her out.

As of right now, she’s missed three meals and three insulin shots.  This is not good for a cat with unstable blood sugar.  Our hope is that someone has taken her in.  She is the world’s sweetest cat, after all.  Signs have been posted, shelters have been called, we’ve driven around.  So now we wait.

I was going to stop with these, but I feel like this is important.  Regardless of who you voted for, what happened on Tuesday was a really big deal.  And since this site is all about my girlies, and this will impact their lives in a HUGE way–I feel it deserves at least one post.

I am proud this week.  I’m proud to be American.  I am SO PROUD that my girls will grow up in a generation when a black President is normal.  It will never occur to them that a person shouldn’t be President because of their skin color.  This thought alone is enough to bring a Mama to tears.  We are a nation of many.  All different colors, religions, sexual orientations, economic status, etc. etc.  The sooner we can ALL work together, the sooner this country sees its full potential.

In this election, one woman almost became the Democratic candidate for President.  Another almost became the Republican Vice President.  I can only hope that this will further inspire our young girls to reach for the same brass ring, and I hope that within my lifetime, we will see a woman in the highest office in the land.

I know that there are some(alot) of you out there that are disappointed, and I truly am sorry.  I know that feeling all too well.  I’ve been disappointed in every election I’ve ever voted in, until now.  But it’s really going to be OK.   This great country has weathered worse things than a President with lofty ideals and limited experience.  I feel certain that we’ll get through these next four years as well.  In my thinking–these next four years will bring some truly great things.  The road will be long and hard, yes.  But if I can’t hold onto my last few shreds of idealism, what can  I hold onto?  Should he fail–he wouldn’t be the first President to do so.  We can get through that, too.  I can assure you the world is not ending.  Let’s give the guy a chance, eh?  Even MIKE is willing to give him a chance.  Yes, MIKE, my lovely libertarian lifemate.  That has a nice ring to it.  Indeed.

Avery, Zoe, welcome to history.  You just lived through it.  And your Mommy is so thankful.

Today was a big day in our house!  You know, other than Avery’s illness and the election and all.  We have BIG news.  In a very SMALL package.  A package about the size of a right lower central incisor.

That’s right, folks!  Zoe has her very first tooth.  After a very fussy week or so, the darn thing finally popped through.  She was amazingly happy today.  I’m expecting that left lower incisor to be here tomorrow or the next day.  I’m buying the girl a steak.  She has certainly earned it.  While I’m at it, I’ll buy one for myself for putting up with Miss Fussypants and not selling her to gypsies already.

The picture above was actually taken a few days ago when Zoe got her first taste of spaghetti.  She loved it and made a ginormous mess, of course.  The kind of mess where one parent(me) has to dangle her in the air while the second parent(Mike) takes a wet paper towel to pretty much her entire body.  Good times for sure!

The end of baby food purchasing is within reach.  I can almost TASTE it.

No, I’m not talking about that little election going on today.  I think I’ve said quite enough about all that.  This post is about something very different and something altogether more icky.  Hard to believe, no?

Avery has always been a really healthy child.  Hardly ever sick, she’s never once been on antibiotics.  Until today.  Our little girl came home from school with goopy eyes.  Couple that with the nasty cold/fever she had over the weekend, the doctor diagnosed a sinus infection along with pinkeye.  So Augmentin for the sinus infection, and antibiotic drops for her gooey eyes.

She wasn’t thrilled about the eye drops and the poor thing looks like someone punched her in the eye tonight because it’s so swollen.  Hopefully this will all clear up soon and her eyes will be back to their beautiful brown selves in no time.  Of course, we’re taking a sick day tomorrow.

Three years ain’t too bad though, huh?  In other Avery-centric news, she’s moved up to a new class at school.  She’s now with 3-5 year olds and I think she’s really digging it.  Her first question when I walked her to the new classroom was “Where’s Alex?”  Unfortunately, her little boyfriend is headed to another class.  Ah, young love.  I’m pretty certain she’ll make a new friend soon.  Her new teacher said she did great on the first day and was really outgoing with her classmates.  Hard to believe my clingy baby has morphed into this social butterfly.  There’s hope for Zoe yet!

We spent Halloween night at Aunt Kelly’s house. One of her neighbors organized a little party in the cul-de-sac, complete with bouncey thing, and the kids had a BLAST. There was lots of food, lots of costumed children, and lots of candy.

Zoe did great–letting Aunt Kelly AND Miss Shannon(Kel’s neighbor) hold her. Avery was beside herself trying to keep up with the other kids. Reese and Aaron were like two little ninja-shaped blurs. When they weren’t jumping/wrestling in the bouncery thingamajig, they were running full speed, ninja weapons blazing.

When we finally got down to trick-or-treating, we couldn’t go fast enough for her. She wanted to go to EVERY house. She did real well though, saying “Trick or Treat” and USUALLY saying Thank You. She got lots of compliments on her spider costume. It WAS really cute, not as cute as the Bumblebee Mommy and Daddy wanted her to get, but still.

Zoe was in her ladybug costume for just a little while. When it was time to get moving, we bundled her up in her bunting and put her in the stroller. It was cold, y’all! Didn’t take long for her to pass out. She made a very cute little snowbunny.

The mark of a really good Halloween? A dead-dog-tired Avery asking us on the way home, “Can we have Halloween again tomorrow?” If only we could, Avery. If only we could.