Headed out for a bike ride with a 25% chance of rain. She’s prepared.
On the Lookout for Athletic Asian Albinos June 28, 2011
- Toad, I didn’t ask,but I registered another blog here. I hope that’s ok. The intent is to have a place for interested birthmoms to see pics of their babies (well, their two babies). This might be a good kid journal/baby book plus I won’t have to send out pictures and letters every so often. It will all just be there. This will not take the place of F&TT blogging, however. Well, it’s not like I’m setting anything on fire over here, anyways.
- A couple of days ago I was walking into Target and my path was crossed by… an albino! Not your run of the mill albino- just super white/pink. She was practically clear! Of course I started to follow her around the store to get a better look. I got close enough to see that she was Asian (Japanese maybe?). Even more intriguing. It reminded me of the picture in the Time-Life books we used to have when I was little. It was a picture of some fairly primitive African tribesmen and among them sat… an albino! The clear kind! Unfortunately I could not keep up with this Asian Albino through Target. You see, I forgot to change out of my flip flops before I left the house. Alas! My flip flops were not meant to keep up with Athletic Asian Albinos.
- Diego’s due date nears. He is due on July 19th. Did I tell you that we went to meet with birthmom and her parents one more time? No? Well, we had another great meeting with them. We learned a little more about birthdad. My niece actually knows him through a common friend. Crazy. We are pretty well ready for this- except for that wave of dread about losing sleep and not really knowing how this is all going to fit into Hattie’s world. The other day when I picked Hattie up from school, the teacher said that she had a little mini melt down, crying and saying “Diego come…baby come home…” I was shocked that she really seems to understand what is about to befall her. But, I guess when you put a crib up in a toddler’s room and tell her that her baby brother Diego will be sleeping there, then move all of her clothes to the closet and replace the girl clothes in the dresser with baby boy clothes, the toddler may just well get a clue from that. Ok, I’m dumb. I’m a dumb mom. I guess I’m most anxious, not about Hattie’s reactions to these impending realities, but about Gina’s reactions. She is the most indulgent parent out of we two indulgent parents. Hattie’s protests will make her sad to her very foundation. I keep telling her that this will happen and it will be the best thing for Hattie eventually. I think it will all sink into place once she falls in love with said baby. I already know he’s very cute.
- Gina bought 4 pounds of Dewar’s candy. What is that? you ask? Well, they are individually wrapped taffy-thingys. For anyone who knows anything about candy, I can tell you that it is exactly like an AbbaZabba, only soft. These are as addictive as crackballs, my friends! They look a little something like this:
Yummy!- Who hasn’t seen Hattie in a while?
I couldn’t get a good picture, so I decided to use this one. Does this expression not lend itself to made up captions? Let me try a few:- “Um, Mom, maybe you shouldn’t pull your pants way up to your bra.” (It’s the new Hall of Fame)
- “Um, I’d rather not kiss either Rush Limbaugh OR the sick bastard from the Silence of the Lambs.
- “Um, Tony farted- AGAIN.”
- In Ebay news: I am listing all of Hattie’s outgrown clothes/shoes on Ebay. Perhaps her dreams of college aren’t dead yet.
All Ages Show June 6, 2011
Our third annual picture of Hattie and Darcelle. Two beauties, yes?
Hattie with Godmother Maria
Maria brought her up on stage before the show. Hattie is famous, you see.
She walked back to her seat all by herself. Is it weird that Hattie knows her way around Darcelles? This is a decent picture of the outfit. Mini Boden dress, Hanna ribbed capris and some plain sandals. Do I need to say it? Vair cute.
She sat and watched almost the whole show. This was after a solid 45 min of just hob-nobbing with the drag queens. On top of that, she only had a 10 minute nap! We thought for sure she would melt down, but she was a star.
We are headed to Sunriver for a few days with Grammy and Papa. Yesterday I bought a Burley bike trailer and I plan to get a bike in Sunriver. I hope to have Hattie feeding the horses at the stables tomorrow morning. Swimming too!
Hello Sunny Day! June 3, 2011
- Frog HATES the Pretenders. Brass in Pocket is listenable, but that is the only song that is, in my opinion. I’m not convinced that the picture you posted is not Steven Tyler. Remember Milla always blasting the Pretenders? Oh Milla.
- Frog does not hate small boxy cars, though the thought of FotC driving that purple one is amusing.
Are we going to have to break up now? Before we do, let me tell you about an exciting business opportunity. We should get together soon.
What’s more exciting than pictures of Hattie? Well, nothing in my book. But second to that is pictures taken BY Hattie. Here are some for her portfolio:
To the left is Tito. Handsome and stoic. To the right is Nanook of the North, giving a photography lesson. Also handsome and stoic, yes? But wait! There’s more!
Tony far, Tony near. She is working on her contrasting.
To the left is a semi-picture of a favorite picture of hers, her and Minnie. She worked very hard to get this much of the picture. A novel idea- a picture of a picture! To the right is Paco’s back and left haunch against the couch. But you have to admit that if someone told you that this was some award-winning photo which hangs in some swanky NYC art gallery, you wouldn’t balk, would you?
What to do today? Who cares, it’s sunny. I am so ready for this. I will work around the house- nesting and preparing for Diego. Have you all heard the final on the name? Diego, that is. I think it’s the only name that will keep me and Gina from ripping off each others’ faces. So, thereyougo.
ART SHOW! May 30, 2011
We did this once before but she didn’t seem too thrilled. But today after an outing, she asked “Art show…” and she had out the string and clothes pins. So, we got out the portfolio and made some selections. Then I got on the phone and invited Hattie’s biggest fan and neighbor, John. She was very proud. I have a feeling that tomorrow at school she will be very prolific. Next thing you know, we will part of Mt. Tabor’s art walk (whatever that is). Look at that little face.
What this picture doesn’t do justice to is her pants. These little capris deserve a great big mention on le blog. They are super light and genie-ish. They are outlandishly cute, but very hard to depict here. They came in black and gray. We got both. Then tonight we went back (forementioned outing) and got 2 more pair in the next size up- for next year! I know it’s crazy, but super cool genie pants don’t come along every day.
In “Hattie’s New Favorite Activity” news, this is Hattie’s new favorite activity. She corners Tony while he lounges and she covers him with every available blanket, and perhaps her doll (pictured here Exorcist style). Tony is extremely patient but loses interest eventually which she has a tough time understanding. Some day I believe Tony will voluntarily climb into bed with her and grace her with his best farts all night long. He’s a good friend.
In Alicia’s Dreams news- I had a blog worthy dream. Actually, it was a portion of the dream which was blog worthy and I was reminded of it reading Toad’s “Naked with Garlic Bread” nightfiasco. A week or so ago I found myself (in my dreams) amongst different restaurants in dire need of a bathroom. I thought McDonalds would be quick and easy, so I went in. Their bathroom was back in the cook’s area of the restaurant. I had to go so bad that I went in the tiny one room toilet and started to go before I realized that one entire side of the wall next to the toilet was windows. They faced a small alleyway which looked directly into someone’s dining room. So I was peeing about 12 feet from someone’s dining room, separated only by their window and mine. Whoever’s house this was had a great sense of humor because they had about 6 life size cut out figures of people laughing. I was initially comforted by the fact that these were cardboard until a real person walked through the room and started watching me. I hadn’t noticed that I was going to the bathroom on a toddler seat and when I tried to stand and pull up my pants quickly, the seat came off the toilet and got sandwiched between me and my underwear. The person watching from his dining room let me know that this was truly the funniest thing he had ever seen. Which was saying a lot when you have that view from your dining room.
That’s all for now.
IPAD! May 21, 2011
What happened to this day? I had ufa last night and couldn’t sleep between 1:45 and 4 or so. So, when Hattie woke up, I asked Gina to do duty so I could sleep. I slept until almost 10! That’s a big WOW for Frog. Then I hung out with Hattie and when I got around to thinking about some type of activity, possibly out of the house, I saw that it was noon. Nap time. I hadn’t even fed her. So, I threw together as sure to be eaten lunch and started nap routine. I promptly then retired myself for the duration of her nap until 3:30. This has been my day. It’s now 7:14pm and my lack of shower is finally starting to bother me. I did make dinner and we all spent some time making smores in the backyard before bath and hairwash. I feel a little guilty, then I realize that this is one of Hattie’s all time favorite kinds of days. She never got dressed! I have officially turned into a slacker. I just have to keep reminding myself that she loves it. So, here is the downside to all of this slacking:
She has become addicted to the ipad. We have toddler games and there is some episodes of that punk-a**, Caillou. She is now able to entertain herself for long periods of time. I feel so guilty, but it’s so nice! I told her we could wait a little before going to bed tonight and she turned on her heel and yelled “ipad!”
More on Names May 20, 2011
Thanks for all the baby name suggestions. Best so far: Pablo and Sully. Gina says she likes Pablo but says she will commit to nothing right now. For the love of God, we haven’t even met birthmom yet. But I tell you right now readers, if I can slip Pablo through, you can COUNT on his middle name being Cruise. I kid not. I would call him that anyway, why not make if official?
We have made Hattie so happy by something so simple. It’s as if we gave her her own personal Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Barbie Go-Kart and live Elmo playmate all rolled into one. Here it is:
It is a swatch of chalkboard paint on her wall. She loooooooooooves this.
Yesterday we started on cleaning up the backyard. I have been planting stuff, Gina has been powerwashing furniture and John disassembled the stray cats’ winter house, aka, Hattie’s playhouse. It got a good powerwash and she was happy as a clam. It actually took her attention off of her chalkboard for the entire afternoon. She sat in it and said “picture.” First time for everything. Then, I found this gem of a picture:
It seems that Hattie’s interest in photography continues. Gina looks so tough, doesn’t she. The Mexican in the wife beater. Oh my.
Warning: Detailed Account of Frog’s Dream May 19, 2011
In lieu of xanax and other nerve-calming drugs, I have taken to setting my ipod to my “sleep” playlist and listening to the likes of “Zen” and other random cd’s you can find at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Plus, the stress I anticipated yesterday surrounding a meeting was greatly alleviated when the moody case manager decided to not tear into me, my staff or client’s guardian. And by moody, I mean full-blown personality disorder. If I didn’t like her so much I would really resent the daily eggshell walk. But, just when I feel some relief with a work situation, I have this bizarro dream that I was working where Toad works and I was nothing short of “special needs” for lack of a better phrase. It was time for some big time meeting and we all had to go into this special room which was locked. Each employee going to the meeting had a badge- honeywell style and had to punch in a code. I had been told the code but could not remember it for the life of me. Then, I went to follow Toad into the room, hoping she could hold the door for me. But no! Maybe we shouldn’t go to the Hall of Fame! I was left walking around the uninvited employees asking for the code. Lo! and behold! My aunt, the one in the throes of dementia tried to tell me several times, but I still couldn’t get it. It kept changing every time it was told to me. Well, eventually I got in and then the freak show started. The first room was like a spa, where everyone had to take off their shoes, bathe their feet, walk in salt and then put their salty feet in some spa slippers for the meeting. Then in the next room- boardroom style, the “executives” came in one at a time and sat at one end, with their backs to the table. This is where that stupid show The Voice comes in. The execs would dramatically turn around one at a time, introducing themselves. Of course I had the misfortune of sitting in the middle of the execs, but facing the table. It occurred to me in my dream how stupid it all was and I couldn’t stop laughing. But, I felt bad for Toad who I think I embarrassed badly. Sorry about that Toad. But next time you should hold the door for your special needs friend.
You know what makes it all better?
This little Nannerpuss. It is a … wait for it… Mini Boden dress with Hanna ribbed capris, just in time for a sunny spring day like today! Shoes pictured are Lelli Kelly’s and though they are bejewelled, Hattie considers them to be inferior to her now-to-small light up shoes. She refers to these as “broken” since the over the top psychadelic sequins don’t requrire a power source.
Yesterday I reassembled her crib and removed all 1,000 of the Elmo stickers from the wood. I put a nice masculine green sheet on it and rounded up all her semi-boyish blankets and plush toys. We are set. She would like to know where the baby is now. We have talked to her about it several times. The crib is a good conversation starter. But, I imagine she thinks of this phantom baby as something that will only be around from time to time. How could she ever conceptualize the reality? This will all be interesting.
In dog news, Paco is sick. He spent a day and a half throwing up and not eating. We took him to the vet yesterday. $242 later, we still don’t know what’s wrong, but they did give him some fluids and some meds to make him less nauseous. This morning he ate a little of the food they sent home for him. Now I must wait to capture the elusive stool sample. They sent a dixie cup home for this. A dixie cup! Do they want me to return it in that? Anyway, I know you must be worried. Here he is, looking pitiful:
It could just be a case of missing his BFF Bailey.
Today I have no meeting and the sun is out. It’s a good day.
Wanted: Xanax, Ativan and Valium or Any Combination May 17, 2011
- I have shared with you in the past some close calls vis a vis procuring a second child. I now have our newest venture to share. I may or may not have mentioned that we have already hooked up with Boys and Girls Aid again to find our second child. You may or may not know that when we went through the process the first time it took a year for a birthmom to pick us. I chalked it up to being a same sex couple, but who knows. The process brings up every insecurity you have, in neon. This time around has felt so much more relaxed. We sit and look at Hattie and know that it will all work out for the best, as she is our proof. So, as we are just putting one foot in front of the other with this go-round, we got chosen by a birthmom. Only the second one to look at our book! I have learned that there is no science to this crazy process, whatsoever. This time I am less likely to question it with those questions I had before- like “Why would you want two fat middle-aged lesbians who live in a cracker box with 5 dogs to raise your baby when you just passed over a book put together by Ken and Barbie themselves?” This particular birthmom’s baby is 1/2 black and white with a little Mexican on the white side. When we submitted our book I thought we might stand a chance, providing she would be open to a same sex couple. Hattie, being the reason, of course. I just imagined looking at a book where a potential sibling has the same ethnic make up, with the added bonus of having one of the moms Mexican as a shout out to that 1/8th in the baby. Though I have learned not to get my hopes up too high, I was looking forward to the answer from this young mother. She was given 6 books and chose us! Who woulda thought? And why, you ask? Was it the mixed race sibling? No! It was the fact that Gina wrote down that “recess” was her favorite subject in school. A comment that I pleaded with her to change before we submitted the information. So, next Wednesday we are scheduled to meet this young woman. She is in high school and lives about 4 hours away. The baby is a boy, by the way. As with all of this talk on the blog, keep in mind that anything about this can change at any moment. I have prepared myself for it as always. There is always the chance that birthmom will change her mind. It’s just part of the craziness of the process. But in the meantime, we are proceeding as though this is happening, because it just may. This means that we will have a baby in two months. She is due July 17th. We are scrambling to turn our 900 cracker box every which way to shake out every last inch of space to plan for a new member. No, Toad, we won’t be getting rid of any turd-eaters, so don’t even suggest it.
- This brings me to my recent fits of anxiety! Ack! I just need to go Al Pacino on my life to stay ahead of it. But, if any kind readers have drugs to share, call me! Just kidding for cryin out loud. Let’s see what wasn’t posted from last week:
Bongo fun. Hattie zeroed in on those early on in breakfast and we HAD to go play them before leaving. She loves her some drums.
Don’t you hate it when a friendly bystander offers to “take a picture of all of you?” If you decline you look like a big bah humbug, if you accept, you have to fondle Goofy and pretend like you like the picture. “…Oh! This one is going right on the blog- really!”- Now I will leave you in order to have a panic attack. Stat.
Happy Mother’s Day May 8, 2011
It has been so long since we have had any mention of Hattie’s closet.
I was particularly excited about this ensemble since it has the feeling of summer. Well, at least spring. Sunny spring. This was Wednesday. She came home and I replaced the pants with shorts while she played in the sandbox and we met with the lady from Boys and Girls Aid about #2 adoption. But seriously, the outfit here is the real headline. Can you see the shoes match PERFECTLY? Zappos loves me. I dreamt about Hattie’s shoes last night. I have some Lelli Kelly’s on order from Zappos and I dreamt that they came and one was a size 4 and the other a size 5. She wears a 7 these days. Plus, they were mismatched in design. I was tres disappointed in Zappos last night. But when I woke, I remembered that her pristine Lelli Kelly’s are still on their way and will likely be the perfect size and cute as can be. Yesterday I went through her closet. When said ‘adoption lady’ saw Hattie’s closet she was very shocked at the number of dresses hanging. Clearly she does not read this blog. It was a little embarrassing. I didn’t mention that the dresses crammed in there tightly are just a fraction of her summer wardrobe. In case you were wondering how I am doing with this illness, you can find the answer by asking yourself how nurse Jackie is doing with her opiate addiction these days. The good news? She has several outfits for every kind of weather between now and Halloween. Even better is that packing for Disneyland will be so easy. We leave on Tuesday and return Saturday. It’s a short trip for us but I think it will be the perfect length. I will likely send some pictures. Stand by.
Regarding Cafe Yumm. Yes, Quinny talks about Cafe Yumm more than I talk about Hattie’s clothes. I haven’t even been there and I love it. Stupid Yumms are all on the west side. We did look into the franchise just out of curiousity. Now that would be an investment of power on Hawthorne, no? Too bad my investment funds are tied up in toddler clothes and Disneyland tickets.
Happy Mothers Day to all mothers who read. And a special Happy Mother’s Day to Quinny. It’s her first. Jobie has grown into Hank the Tank under her care after being born weighing 4lbs 3oz. You are a good mom, Quinny. Have I mentioned that she is moving to Portland? She will be looking for somewhere to live, so if anyone out there knows of a place on the east side for rent, let us know. Also, she will be doing hair in case anyone out there is in need of a new stylist.
Now I will close with a picutre of Tito:
So handsome!
Frog and Toad Together Blog 