return to the wild

so long 2011

At some point I will write about Christmas.

I'll write about the stress of Christmas shopping with a 2 year old.

I'll write about how you can't buy anyone a present while he's around because he'll tell them what it is.

I'll write about the fun we had with our families.

I'll write about Jack's darling fondness for Santa Clause.

I'll say the Christmas season seemed much shorter than it did when I was a kid.

I'll tell you I got exactly what I wanted for Christmas.

And that I wrote a new song with my new 25 key midi controller this morning.

I'll say I've switched from Splenda to Stevia and how I don't like it but I'm trying to.

I will tell you about how the Tracy Anderson Method with ankle weights hurts my ass and my soul.

I'll say I'm ready to get a rebounder. 

(that's a mini trampoline that Tracy recommends.)

I'll say Jack is going to spend New Year's Eve with my mama and she got hats and sparkling grape juice for them and it's cute.

I'll add we still have no plans for NYE and I have not one thing to wear.

And that when Jack sees a gingerbread man, he calls him "The Muffin Man."

And...

I have money to start recording.

All new stuff.

Super happy.

♥ jp

oh. 

And someday maybe I'll tell you about the week I had the stomach flu, Jack had strep throat, and Husband had a minor surgery that left him with lots of stitches.  

Yes, it's Friday and we've survived!

And we're all better.

Thanks.

pander king.

At some point I'll get back to actually writing about stuff on here.

We've all been sick.

(we're almost all better, thanks.)

Been reading children's books and eating lime sherbet w/sprite with the kid.

My phone needs a phone doctor.

The camera apps have all gone crazy so when we were in Nashville, I only got a couple of pics.

Also left my Nikon at home, all packed up and charged.

Why do I do it.

Jack at the Ryman with crazy hair.

Maybe he'll play on that stage someday.

A mother can only hope.

Grammy and Big T bought him a little guitar to add to his collection of guitars.

He insisted on sitting by Minnie Pearl.

He threw about 30 dollars worth of coins into water fountains while we were in Nashville.

Look on the bright side.

At least he didn't crawl in for a swim.

Regretting not buying this dress.  

I know.

JUST BUY THE DAMN DRESS already, Jaguar Paw.

(like my socks?)

It's hard to buy things for myself.

I didn't have that problem before I was someone's mommy.

No worries!

I finally found the new Prada and fell in love.

It's called Candy.

(calorie-free candy!)

I bought it.

Yay for Mommy!

you go, girl.

If you steal it from me, I will kill you.

Just so on the fence about these bangs.  

I like them.

I like them not.

I like them.

I like them not.

I like them?

My chicken is almost rid of his sickness.  

I let him stay home from school one more day because he said he 

"weally want to stay wis mommy today."

He knows how to turn on the cute to get what he wants.

Did he get that from mommy or daddy?

One last thing.  Jack says he's the pander king.  I think that's like king of all panda bears but I'm not sure.

♥ jp

current. obsessions.

Jack is sick.  I'm sick.  Husband is sick.

cough cough

Spent the last week/weekend in Nashville.

In love with that place.

Love that every stop in Arkansas and Tennessee has multiple flavors of moon pies.

I ate 1 bite of a chocolate one.

(There's 300 calories in a whole one so no thank you!)

Jack and I are being sick and lazy today so I thought I would share some things I've been loving lately.

Jack in a bow tie.

This kid's shirt never stayed tucked in.  

Really wanting to find toddler suspenders!

Nars lipstick in Schiap.  

I bought it last week and love it!

Lightly layered over lip balm (i like Burt's Bees) it's a pretty wash of cheery pink.

A couple layers of it by itself and it's a semi-matte, almost fluorescent, hot pink.

My longtime favorites include MAC lisptick in Fanfare, Chatterbox, and Lustering.

Those are in my bag at all times!

For polished & slept in kind of hair.

Bumble and bumble brilliantine.

Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange

Nars blush in Super Orgasm.

I've had this for a while but just now swapped out my Too Faced Sun Bunny bronzer for the winter.

If you don't want glitter everywhere, buy Nars blush in Orgasm.  

I love sparkle, myself.

Remember the white dress that I loved but didn't buy because I had no place to wear it?

I found the same dress in hot pink.  

Still no place to wear it.

Still didn't buy it.

Someone, quick!

Have a party!

And invite me.

So I broke down and cut my bangs.

I always do.

Super cute dress from Rebecca's in Arab, Alabama.

Husband had Rebecca send it as a surprise.

Totally obsessed with this panda bear.

♥ jp

velvet.

I love dressing Jack for fall weather.

He's been saying "I love you...  sooo much, mommy."

I love that too.

I've been TAMing hardcore everyday and eating healthy this past week so TGISunday.  Diet and exercise do not exist today.  Sundays are for being lazy, eating pizza, and watching movies.  

I went to Salon Zen to get shellac on my nails but made a last minute decision change and went with an OPI pink shade with the gold shattered on top.  Ashley, a friend of mine and an owner of Zen, did a great job!  I loved it...  until I messed it up by touching nail polish remover the next day by accident.  (damn.  i KNEW i should have gone with shellac.)  Sigh...  Well, it was lovely for 24 hours and Salon Zen is always a pleasure to be at.  I recommend Moreen for hair and Ashley for nails.  

I got tons of compliments on the pink and gold combo.

After demolishing my pretty paint job, I started over at home.  I used a peachy/pink/coral from Ulta and layered Sephora's copper glitter polish on top.  Not quite the same but I do love sparkle.

Quick question.  I'm thinking of going back dark, dark (but not black) brunette.  Any thoughts?  Still wanting to go shorter...  thoughts?  

How annoying can I be.

How adorable is this picture?

Jack loves his new kitties.

Hope you had a fun weekend.

Let's not talk about the OU game.

Let's plan something fun for this week.

♥ jp

don't be stupen.

Jack is eating eggs and cheerios while he watches a show about dancing potatoes.

It's "small potatoes" on a stage, all in costume, doing musical theater with english accents.

They don't have arms, duh.

Kid shows are so bizarre.

Lately there have been lots of rumblings about having babies.  Not from me-  from friends.  I've had a few emails and conversations about the pros and cons of being a parent.  Pro-  babies love you unconditionally and you'll have someone to do the dishes in 10ish years.  Con-  babies are expensive and they don't always listen to you or wear what you want them to wear.  Pleeeease wear this awesome sweater jacket, this hat, and these cool shoes.  Ok.  Fine.  Wear the spiderman tshirt, fireman rain jacket, shorts, cowboy boots, and your camo baseball cap with the deer on it.  This kid...

More pros-  They like to snuggle.  Babies smell SO GOOD.  They get excited about things like bubble wrap and play doh.  They remind you to have fun.  Your priorities change in a good way.  You don't care about the dumb drama that happens around you because you've got bigger problems-  like having a baby with a high fever who's puking in your hair.  Toddlers tell you they love you and give kisses and hugs.  You suddenly have a bond with every mother you encounter because she's had a kid throw down in public before too.  Kids are the funniest people you will ever know.  Getting handmade presents is the best ever.  Holidays are much more fun with kids around.  

More cons-  Public fits.  Eventually you get used to it-  when you have kids, you just don't feel embarrassment like you used to.  Potty training sucks.  They grow so fast that you're constantly buying clothes.  Learning to talk and communicate is frustrating for you and your kid and it can cause major baby (and mommy) meltdowns.  They talk back.  The other day, Jack told me that I'm stupen. Whew... at least I'm just stupen...  You constantly wonder-  where did they learn that?!

Things to remember-  Pajamas run small-  they're supposed to fit snug so the kid doesn't get tangled in the night but it's stupid how fast they outgrow their jams.  Bottle warmers are life savers.  Even if you breastfeed and pump.  We had one with a built in cooler to store 2 bottles for nighttime feedings so you don't even have to leave your bedroom.  Time out as punishment is a lot harder than you think.  Jack doesn't really care and they don't really work for him.  Try directing your kid's attention to something fun and constructive when they're being bad.  Remember when you're pregnant that babies sometimes want out early and unexpectedly. Also remember, if that happens, don't be in denial-  just go to the hospital so you aren't in labor for 12 hours at home- alone.  

Look, I don't care if you have babies or don't have babies.  I'm just saying if you decide to, don't be scared.  It's really, really hard but very rewarding.  It's a lot easier than i thought it would be and a lot harder too.  

It's so important for your sanity to keep some things for yourself.  Keep a shred of your social life intact.  Keep your friends close, you'll need them to cry to when you're crazy stressed out and zombie tired.  We let Jack stay overnight with his grandparents early on when he was just a couple of months old.  It's good for you and baby to detach from each other every once in a while if you're lucky enough to have a supportive family like we are-  you don't want to be a crazy mommy (or daddy) and you want baby to be around family.  I really feel like that's the key to our happiness around here- I still play shows with my band, Husband still golfs, and we still go out for nights on the town together.

"SNEEZE!!!" goes the baby.

"Bless you" goes the mommy.

"Yes, bless me" says the baby talking to himself.

♥ jp

oh wait.

Every day, Jack watches Sesame Street in the morning, gives a minimum of 5 "running hugs" throughout the day, names off all the people he loves-  one by one, wants pizza for dinner, watches Rio at bedtime with a snack, and lately has wanted to wear this pull-over hoodie every morning.  The weather has been awesome.  Much needed.  Stress relieving. Cool air goodness.   Hoodie it is, baby's choice.

He must wear a hat under the actual hood though.  His idea, not mine, but very cute.

Jack's first day of skipping school.  He asked what I was going to do while he was at school and decided that he wanted to go too.  Off to Gram's we go.  He carefully picked out and packed a baggie full of crayons, 2 coloring books, 1 marker, alphabet magnets to play with on Gram's mini fridge, sunglasses, a hat, and asked that we put together a lunch for him like I do when he goes to school.  Turkey, graham crackers, and a Kraft single.  He was pumped.

We visited, we made Gram's bed for her, we took a little list of things she needs (Hershey's Kisses), and pushed her down to the dining hall.  Jack gave her a big hug, said wuv you, and stuck out his plump little baby cheek for her to kiss.  We made it to the fish tank when he decided maybe he didn't want to leave just yet.  I told him he could stay and live with Gram's and he playfully told me he was going to.  I started to walk away and took the picture above.  He's staring at the dining hall, wondering if he really wanted to stay and if I would really leave him there.  "MOMMY MOMMY!  I CHANGE MY MIND!!!"  He ran to me and put his little hand in mine.  Off we go. 

Song HERE.  Part of a cover anyway.

Yes, I need to straighten these frames, I know.  I frame Jack's abstract work and hang it around the house.  Someday I hope to have a wall full of them.  Jack looks at them up on the wall with so much pride and satisfaction.

My hair hurts.  When you wear your hair in a bun all day for 4 days straight, it hurts when you take it down.  My laziness is making my hair hurt and that's just stupid.

Ok.  No game this weekend.  Nothing exciting really happening at all-  which, in itself is pretty dang exciting.  

Oh wait.  We have grandparent babysitters on Friday and Saturday night.  Not sure what we'll get in to just yet but excited to find something.  Jack is VERY excited to make the rounds this weekend.

♥ jp

no. really. kick me out.

Jack and I went to see Grams this morning.

Jack and I went to lunch at Iguana with our beloved Hannah.

While waiting for our table, Jack yelled "KICK ME OUT!" over and over and over.

Jack threw beans and rice everywhere, proudly and with enthusiasm.

Jack kicked the table and shoved it into Hannah- over and over and over.

Jack yelled at a guy sitting near us, telling him that he was going to pinch him.

Jack told Hannah the guy behind us was going to pay for lunch.

Jack threw a tantrum and I recorded it on video and played it back for him.

He did not appreciate it.

Finally got out of the restaurant.  (everyone probably cheered.)

Jack found the one spot of mud on the ground and dug his fingers into it.

I picked him up and he spit on me.

Buckled him in his seat and he fell asleep in 5 minutes.

It's really hard sometimes but could be harder.

Oh.  There we go.

My favorite shirt, already covered in spit and queso, just tore.

There's good news too though.

BFF Dave called and we're going to have a drink this evening.

HURRAY!

You will be happy to know-  I think the gross water thing works.  I've been drinking it for 4 days now and I seem to be much less puffy.  Or maybe this is all in my mind.  No idea.  I'm a girl.  I'm delusional. 

Jack is very serious about driving the grocery cart truck around homeland.  Man, that thing is kind of embarrassing to push around but it makes my chicken happy so onward we push!  I think we're way past embarrassing at this point in parenthood anyway.  

Beep! Beep!  Have a nice weekend.
♥ jp