cat power.

Lynx stealthily cruises the house, petting herself on pieces of furniture.  When I say her name, she runs at full speed from across the living room and dives her whole body up my leg.  OMG.  This cat gives running hugs like Jack!  This will prove amusing in the coming months.  Something about fall and winter.  Chili, butternut squash lasagna, delicious heavy beer, wine, soft throws, comfy sweaters, spicy vanilla and pumpkin candles, roaring fires, netflix, and cuddle cats.  Leo has just emerged from his hiding spot in the linen cabinet.  He walked by the table and gave me a nudge with the side of his beige-y amber head as he made his way to find the litter box.  He likes me, I just know it.

My friends, Dave and Devon, are moving to Japan and had to make the difficult decision to leave 2 of their cats behind.  I had offered to take them a while back but I was too late.  They already had a new home.  It's sad it didn't work out with the other family but I think they will be great here.  Jack told everyone at school this morning that he gets new cats today.  He's very excited, a little concerned though.

You may remember my dear Jackson kitty.  He was my best friend for almost 10 years and it's been over a year since he's been gone.  I still miss that damn cat every day.  Before the new cats arrived this morning, I got teary thinking about my Jaxie.  I started to worry that maybe I wasn't ready for cat friends, that it might make me even more sad because my beloved cat is gone.  No cat friend can replace him (especially because he saw me through everything in my 20's and that will never be replicated! thank the lord.)  but I'm hoping Leo and Lynx will be my happy little buddies.  I forget how it feels to have animals roaming the house-  it makes me feel calm, happy, and safe.  Why safe?  No idea.  I always feel safe when Jack is home with me too-  like if someone comes to break in again, he'll go all HELL NO on them.  Oh, giggling thinking about it.

-Re-upload Maddox photos for the 3rd time and hope it works this time.

-Work my ass off with Tracy Anderson.  (baby-food-like detox diet this week.  ugh.)

-Mat and frame Angela's piece for the art show.

-Clean the office.

-Pick Jack up from school and hope he's been a good boy all day.

-Call Grams.

-Order Husband's costume.  (whether he likes it or not!)  

-Work on my Sweet Action Paradise book.  I'm having the blog printed like a hardback book so Jack can have it when he's older.   I've been formatting and moving and tinkering and blah!  It's time consuming and a pain in my ass.

I've got lots of little things to do today so I'd better quit my ramblin.  

Call or text me if you feel like hanging out this evening/tonight.

♥ 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

clouds.

Loving fancy costume jewelry earrings lately.

My favorite Marc ring is losing it's goldness and it makes me sad.

It is my favorite.

Currently deciding between a neutral brown and a light coral-ish peach for my nails.

Going to top it with gold glitter polish.

Need to make a run to the grocery store.

Need to finish painting the bedroom.

Don't want to do either.

Mom came over for lunch today.

Jack and I snuggled in bed extra long this morning.

Bought a big Slatkin & Co. candle at Bath & Body Works the other day.

MARSHMALLOW FIRESIDE.

It smells so good, i highly recommend it.

Used my pretty Missoni for Target glasses today for the first time.

Still can't decide on a nail color.

Want to see Drive and the Ides of March.  

Both starring Ryan Gosling.   Sigh....

Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil is amazing.

The salon sent me home with a sample the other day.

See?

I used Essie Shop Till I Drop on my nailz and it's just too sheer for what I'm going for.

START OVER.

Have a nice weekend.

♥ jp

in the wild.

Daydreaming.  I think about Jack waking up on the right side of his own bed at a reasonable hour of the morning.  He doesn't fight his diaper changes and better yet, he uses the potty every time he needs to go.  Blake makes breakfast for us (HAH!) while Jack plays and dances while watching Sesame Street.  My shampoo and conditioner wizardly gives me a fantastic cut and color.  My hair magically dries, brushes, and curls itself.  A fancy garment bag hangs in my bedroom, waiting to be opened.  OMG.  It's the cream colored Rag & Bone dress that I've been online lusting after.  Holy chicago.  Are those black and gold Lanvin heels?  Oh, daydream fairy, you are too kind.  Ding dong.  Who could that be?  Well, Justin Townes Earle!  If I had known you were coming, I would have cleaned up the house a little.  (wait, Husband already did!  perfect.)  Sure, let's play some songs together on the back porch and drink a couple of cold beers.  Wow, that was fun.  Jack even played a little drums for us.  I mean, I'll have to check my schedule but I'm sure I could play a few shows with you, Justin.  Well, it's getting late now.  I have a date with Husband tonight.  Oh my, we're going to dinner, just the two of us, with no baby???  This day just gets crazier and crazier.  I think we should go to a movie and just relax before we head to the airport.  All of our friends can just meet us at the gate since we're on the same flight.  Hawaii, here we come.  We may as well all get a little first class airplane drunk on the way.  Gosh, I'm sure glad Marc Jacobs packed my luggage, I can't wait to see what clothes and bags he sent.  Ahh!  Hawaiian sunset.  Aloha.

Meanwhile, in real life...

We have a new nephew!  His name is Maddox and he's a sweet, sweet baby.  Perfect baby.

Sigh.  Jack's been quite the moody little boy the past couple of weeks.  When he gets mad, he bites me or claws and pinches me.  Dude, it sucks.  I'm a very patient person but this is testing my limits.  We've got a lot going on right now so things are a little stressful.    

Jack, my sweetie pie, you need an attitude adjustment.  Please be nice to mommy when you get out of school today.  Everyone, send positive, happy vibes Jack's way.  (the pink binky is his reserve paci.  he only gets a bink when he's freaking out crying or napping.  you may roll your eyes at me and say he's too old for it but you know what?  life is short, people, so i say it's binky time.)

I've been slacking on posts in the past week.  Playing a solo show on Thursday so I've had to actually learn the lyrics to the songs I write.  Been working out, grocery shopping, cleaning, doing laundry, dishes, cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner and working on photos.  I've started booking shoots again.  Go me.  I've got a couple of weddings and some family portraits coming up.  I'm excited about it.  

Man, I look pissed off in the pics.  Maybe i should smile more.  Or something.

Guess what else happened this weekend?  I got a new car!  A Toyota 4Runner.  I love it.  LOVE IT.  

Going to work out for an hour and a half before I pick up the chicken from school.  

xo ♥ jp

oh my darlin.

Jack loves riding the pony at Wal-Mart.

He's pretty serious about it and likes for me to take pics of him on it.

First OU football game of the season is tomorrow.

YYYYYAAAY.

What am I going to wear?

Husband's a part of a huge tailgate thing so that will be fun.

Jack is going to spend the day and night at my mom's.

Tonight we will watch Rio and keep it low key at home.

and I think I'll make one of Hannah's famous tarts.

I got the new-ish Levi's curve ID skinny jeans.

In love.

I am a "slight curve" in case you wondered.

I work out and I work out but some things will never change...

Sigh.

The Oh Johnny! Girls met up for an interview for Distinctly Oklahoma Magazine.

It was swell.

More about it when it comes out.

Reality show?

More on that later.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Too big for a binky.

I know.

The baby wants what the baby wants.

He only gets it when he's going to bed and in this pic, he's going to bed.

Had to get all of his trucks lined out first.

BOOMER you guys.

♥ jp

honey bees & cupcakes.

The Boy is getting bigger. He's been eating everything in sight and sleeping quite a bit. I feel a growth spurt coming soon. Talking a lot more is also on the baby's agenda. He's recently been saying something that kind of sounds like "damn" and "dammit." Those are not my favorite words so he must have picked it up at your house, people. Seriously, ask my mom- she knows my choice words, she'll tell you. (or she'll spell them out rather.) About that- I used to have the heart of an angel and the unfortunate potty mouth of a trucker and now I don't. All angel for the most part these days. There's a reason grown-ups tell you that cussing all the time makes you sound stupid- and it's because it makes you sound stupid. That's the lesson of the day, kids.
We had lunch at Khazana today and it was delicious. They had this badass onion fritter thing. I know I said "badass" but in my book that's not a cuss word. Baby ate 2 platefuls of rice and saag paneer.
Above: I let Jack dress himself for St. Patrick's Day and this is what he came up with. I like it. The Batman face on his head makes his pretty face really stand out.

Below: Jack loves Toy Story and ran around the house in this Woody doll towel and yelled "HAW HAW!" (his version of "yee haw.")

Above: This black lace jumper looked like something I could wear to an Oh Johnny! Girls show until I put it on and it looked weird on me. The back was see-thru lace which looked kind of sleezy. In conclusion, sheer black lace short- shorts jumpers aren't for everyone- def not for me.

Below: Tried on this Ralph Lauren button-up and then didn't buy it. Regretting that decision and maybe I'll go back.
Below: Lunch in OKC with Husband, his boyfriends, and my girlfriends.
Below: Shoes I didn't buy and I'm regretting it now. They were only $30! What was I thinking? Clearly, I wasn't.
Below: I did buy this new nail polish. Anna wore it the other day and I had to have it so I copy catted her. OPI in Chocolate Moose.

Happy baby wearing his new shoes.

Above: Husband celebrates St. Pat's day.

Below: I've been making cupcakes lately. These are red velvet with cream cheese icing and they were delicious.

Been cleaning and rearranging the past week. Spring cleaning I guess. Will someone please come over and paint my bedroom a different color? Or at least share a bottle of wine with me and help me do it?
I think I'm over the blue. It would be pink if I could somehow sneak it past the ol Husband. I think he would notice.
While you're painting my bedroom, can you please make it look like this? (below)

Or at least give me this bed and the bench at the foot. (below)
Sigh. Like I said= major cleaning lately. It involved opening Jack's closet. It was scary in there. It was scary in his dresser drawers and in his toy box. See below.

Above and below: Getting ready to play a show at the Opolis. The headpiece is a really cool moldable piece of jewelry called the Medusa. My lovely friend at Bohemian Gypsy makes them and they come in silver, bronze, gold, and silver/gold. Long or short. You can wear them on your head, as a belt, as a necklace, or a bracelet.

More of me.

I'm so exhausted. I haven't been posting much because I've been unbelievably busy and stressed out and tired and boring and whatever else no one wants to hear about. I'm going to sleep now! Going to see my grandma tomorrow morning after I take the kiddo to his school thingy.

Ah man! I forgot, I've come across a ton of awesome wedding stuff lately. Invitations, websites, dresses, decorations, ideas and whatnot for my imaginary dream wedding. I'll share in a post later this week.

LOVE YOU, WORLD. sometimes.

♥ jp

Spring came for the weekend.

Somebody got a little baby haircut last week.  It started to look like a little mullet so something had to be done.  We had a few days of nice weather so there was no choice but to take Baby to the Duck Pond and for a few walks around the block.  He had a very good time.  In these photos, he's wearing one of my favorite flannel shirts and a pair of baby Wrangler jeans.  The shirt is almost too small so I thought we could get one more wear in before it's a belly shirt.  He's wearing his blue and silver Nike shoes as those are one of two pair of shoes that fit him.  I'm looking for a simple pair of white canvas slip-ons, so if you see any, let me know where!

The other day, Baby and I strolled into The Gap and picked up these plain black pants for $5.99!  Sold!  What a deal.  Even though they did not pick Baby to be a Baby Gap baby...  seriously, the babies they picked are cute but this baby is way cuter.  Am I right?  They probably didn't want to upset the other babies is what I'm thinking.  That's ok, he'll go on impressing everyone in the line at the store.  What a little Grocery Store Romeo he is.
Friday, Husband's sisters stopped by with Baby's baby cousin.  He's very unsure when Husband or I hold her.  He's also very sweet and lays his head on her head to snuggle.  He even tries to share his pacifier with her.  
Baby's Aunt Natalie gave him a lawn mower so he can be just like his lawn obsessed dad.  (although i do believe a certain wife/mommy raking up huge piles of leaves before winter...  ahem.)
This weekend I also scored 2 pair of shoes and 2 bags.  A Prada and a Jimmy Choo to keep Marc and his friends in good company in my closet.  And just to make you even more jealous, I also had a wonderful Aveda hot stone massage at the Ihloff Salon.  A manicure and cookout were also on my list of things-to-do on Saturday.  Later that night, we met our friends at my brother's one man band show.

Sunday was very lazy.  Nice and relaxing.  And then I had to pinch a nerve in my back/neck area.  Can't pick up Baby.  Can't look to the right.  Can't look down.  Hopefully this will go away soon, especially since I have no choice but to carry a 30 pound baby around tomorrow.  Which reminds me=  tomorrow is my brother's 30th birthday!  Man, he's old.  (not really, i'm not that far behind him myself.  hah.)  And speaking of brothers.  My little brother will be flying into Oklahoma on Friday with his girlfriend.  Can't wait to see them.  This will be a good week.

♥ jp