What exactly is the correct response to this?

"How old is he?" says strange man pointing at Michael in a restaurant where he was shaking his little booty to the mariachi band. "He'll be 3 in March." "March what?" "15th" "That was my son's birthday. He died. He would be 26. He (pointing at Michael again) reminds me of my son." "Um, thanks. Sorry for your loss." "That's ok. No biggie."

Pot, meet Kettle

One of my biggest pet peeves in life is when people ask your opinion, argue with you, and then do what they want anyway. Well, I asked your opinion. I'm not going to argue with you, but I'm largely ignoring most of you. I found a used twin race car bed on Craigslist and I'm buying it and I went to Target yesterday. On a side note, do not go there during the after Christmas sale unless you want to be trampled. But, I found way cheap toys and bought them for all the up coming birthday parties we have. The one problem with my playgroup is that all the kids were born 6 weeks apart and I have 12 parties coming up that all need gifts. Oh right, point, I bought these sheets. So, we are doing it, we are changing the room. Ironically, Michael went to a friends yesterday because my daycare is closed this week and I needed to work. He napped, 2 hours, in a big bed. He was asleep when I went to pick him up. He didn't nap the entire time we were at my in-laws. I think he's ready. I'm not ready, but since when has that stopped children from growing up.

Basic Cookie Making by Michael

Roll out dough.

Cut out shapes.

.

Gingerly Taste Cookie while trying to figure out how exactly I got flour all over me.

Shove entire cookie in mouth and try not to choke.

Zoom

I read so fast, Doug calls me Zoom. I can read a book in an hour, sometimes two. I had planned to read, The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing on January 10, day to read.

Jen, read this post, and told me I had to read this book. And she wanted me to read it so badly, she sent it to me. Free. A Brand new book from amazon waiting for me. (She had my address because we exchanged holiday cards). How sweet is that? She just, sua sponte (yes, I'm a lawyer), sent me a book. It was so unexpected and I was beyond touched. I wanted to pay her for it, but she would not let me. She just told me to read it and enjoy. How could I not oblige? So I did, I read it in a day. I loved it! At first I wasn't sure about the premise. It's a bunch of short stories, but all with the same characters and takes place at different times in their lives. It was clever, funny, and touching, and I can't wait to find more books from the author. And if you don't read Jen, you really should. She is like the little sister I never had. (Just goes to show you how old I am). But, the question remains, what will I be reading January 10? Luckily, my sister in law bought me Stephen Colbert's, I am America and So Can You. It is laugh out loud funny. And since he is still off the air for another week, it fills my Colbert void. Unless I finish that prior, I'll be reading that. What will you be reading?

My friend had a baby!

Just a quick note to say Dena had her baby. 3 weeks early and he is perfect. Go wish her congratulations, please.

Merry and Happy Everything

This is going to the last Jodifur post until after Christmas. We are headed out of town for the holiday and I will be unable to blog. I leave you with this. I love it so much. And to figure out why, you have to watch the whole thing. And for those that celebrate, I wish you the Merriest of Christmases. And for those that don't, enjoy your bonus day off. And Chinese Food. (At least that is what we always did).

9 years

9 years ago, today, I had a first date. What was interesting about that first date is that it was with someone I already knew, really well. We had been friends for about two years when he told me he was in love with me. It was complicated, like all good things in life are. He was my ex-boyfriends roommate. And while I also had feelings for him, and had for a while, I knew the havoc it would wreck. But I let myself do something risky, for once, and we went out. And 9 years ago today I kissed the man that would become my husband for the first time. And it was the most amazing kiss ever. I felt it in my toes. I understood what people meant when they said you just know, because you do. A lot has changed over these 9 years. He has gone from being best friend, to boyfriend, to fiance, to husband, to father. But, he, fundamentally, has never changed. He is still the best man I've ever known. Kind, caring, generous, and an amazing father. And he loves me in a way that I never thought was possible. He has given up so much to love me and I have given up nothing, and gained everything. In some ways, the anniversary of our first date means more to me than our wedding anniversary. It was just us, making the decisions, tempting fate. Starting a life.

Once again, I'm soliciting advice

We decided to move Michael into a bed. I was planning on going from crib to college, but since Amy did it I now have to. (Actually, we made this decision over the weekend but someone sent me an email today telling me I was a bad Amalah rip off. Hate mail, I love you so). Anyway, we are buying a race car bed. Twin, not toddler because if I wanted a toddler bed I could just take the side of the crib down and convert it to a toddler bed. Why would I do that since we are moving him since I decided he was ready to move from the crib? It's still a crib, just with the side off. Ironically I wanted to buy a crib that converted to a twin bed but got talked out of it in the store. "You will need your crib for the next baby." "There is not going to be a next baby." "You'll change your mind." I hate when I let myself be talked into things, I knew I wanted a twin bed. Oh, right, the question. Michael's nursery theme is animals. And a race car bed is going to look strange in it. So, I want to completely change the room to this. Or maybe this. I'm getting there, I promise. Michael loves his animal room. Will it be too much to change his bed and room theme at the same time? Will this led to toddler freak out? I could get him the bed and put it in the room without changing the theme but then my head might explode because things will NOT MATCH. Trust me, it could happen. Or, do we just buy a plan, boring twin bed and find animal bedding that goes with the room and be done. Changing the room will be expensive and require lots of effort, but I would kind of like to do it. But not if it's going to mean LESS sleeping on the part of Michael.

Well, you can't argue with that logic

"Mommy, remember when I rode the caterpillar?" "Yes, Michael, I remember." "I got dizzy. And then I rode a lion." "Yes, Michael. You have a good memory. That was 6 months ago." "Yes, and I'm smart. Because I'm a big boy."

Knowing when to let go

I'm hosting a belated Hanukkah shin dig this morning for my playgroup and have a ton to do. (Well, latke frying, is hard work). Michael wanted to go downstairs to his playroom and play with all of the new toys he was given last night at my parents Hanukkah party. (Yes, I know Hanukkah is actually over but what can you do? People's schedules can be so difficult.) After begging and pleading and yelling and foot stomping, I let him go downstairs without me. I can hear him playing just fine, and we did set up the basement to be his playroom, but this is the first time he has ever played down there for an extended period of time without one of us with him. Yes, I've run up to get a drink or grab a different toy, but he's down there and I'm up here cooking. And blogging For some reason, it just seems so final. Like if I don't need to be watching him at all times than he is definitely not a baby. Then again, he just yelled "Mommy, fix my sock," so maybe I'm not useless after all.