Holy Halfway

Today I hit the 20 week mark and it officially smacked me in the face that I am halfway to D-Day (delivery, as I've reimagined it) or over halfway, should said child arrive early, as I did. (I am fully open to this scenario, baby.)


Baby is now the length of a banana and I've realized it's time to get started on you know, those classes I'm supposed to take, painting the baby's room and sourcing furniture (I do already know which crib I want), stocking up on necessities. Oh yeah, and reading up on parenting basics. Part of me just wants to wing it. What? That's what they did back in the day. You just figure it out. It's not like the dang thing comes with instructions (other than 'don't break' and 'I will embarrass you'). 


Anywho, the race is on! Can't wait to meet you, little one! We just can't wait!

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Remember Una's holiday party, the one that required him to perform a song before his entire company + all significant others with his one fellow newbie employee? (Okay, it was for 50 people - not 350 - but still.)


It happened. We all sat at our dinner tables and watched as they performed "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree." And as Una said, he "blacked out" from stage fright. Which meant we heard every 5th word of the song, while his colleague tap danced and soloed her way through the ditty. Luckily, they came up with a little something extra to bring the performance over the edge. And had many proclaiming it was the "best performance of all time."


Which promptly saved Una's reputation. Judge, please accept photos 1 - 5 showing the defendant's attire the evening of December 15th:

 Multi-piece costume (note the two-toned shirt and gloves).

 My personal favorite item, the brown cotton stirrup pants, perfectly coordinated with present shoes.

Full ensemble.

 Mid-dance. A tap-style for Una's colleague. What looks to be an early 90's Cris Cross move from Una.

 Success and profuse facial sweating. Please observe multi-colored, blinking Christmas lights added to tree costume by yours truly.


A truly memorable evening. If only my camera actually had a video component. 
Live and learn, people. 

Great Find

By Copycat Chic:

Serena and Lily Curvee Table for $369

Pottery Barn Teen Pop-Up Storage Bedside Table for $199

tinyprints.com

tinyprints.com, not so tiny business. Over half of the holiday cards and baby announcements we received this year were designed on this website. 


So I did what any normal, enamored person would do, and decided I also needed some personalized cards (big shmeal, the holidays are over) and ordered 'new year' cards from there, as well. 


Here are a few "Save the Date" options that were darling. Wedding invites, parties, babies, moving announcements, holidays - you name it, they've got it. And they're adorable. Of course, the site specializes in custom designed photo cards. (Side note: not one of the many cards we received was a duplicate; everyone had their own style.) 

All images via tinyprints.com

You've been warned! You will be sucked into a vortex of cuteness.

New Year's "Resolutions"

Shut the front door, another year's over? Oh, hell. 

And it's resolution time. Again. Frankly, I think mine were actually fairly successful because I was more embarassed to have completed none (and to have to publicly own up to it) than to attempt each and achieve medium success. 

So here we are, 2011. You are likely to kick my butt in many ways, but I will try and weasel some goodies out of you yet. And though I'd love to jump on my friend Joines's train (who vowed to maximize the dancing in public and wear more costumes in 2011), I'm afraid that might terrify the baby. And innocent bystanders.

A 2010 resolution recap:

1. Spend more time pursuing my favorite things to do: writing, reading, any and all things home design related, and less time ruining brain cells on terrible reality television, etc. Success: Numerous writing workshops, started a book club with 3 local friends, took Milwaukee Rec courses in flowers, cake decorating, sewing, French, gardening, etc., finally painted the master bedroom and purchased drape fabrics. Reality television intake definitely down a notch. Fail: Still watched every episode of America's Next Top Model and The Real Housewives of New York, New Jersey, Atlanta and DC. Fabrics currently residing in guest bedroom closet.

2. Get this traitor of a back in shape. Success: No chiropractor visits of late, last back injury almost 1 year ago . . . and counting. Belly has yet to cause major irritation. Fingers and toes crossed.

3. Get more education, whether that's a class or full-fledged school once we land Down South (hah!). Success: Modern Literary Theory at UWM - totally stretched my brain and forced me to read Marx, Freud, Heidegger, Levi-Strauss, Lacan and more. January brings a Fiction Workshop at UWM with a terrifyingly strict teacher and two mandatory 15-page submissions. Yikes.

4. Do something that scares me. Not 'swim with sharks' kind of action, more along the lines of trying something different and new that forces moi to grow. Success: The class at UWM, seeing as it was 80% PhD students and my first foray into "theory." Require much more education in this department before I begin to understand it.

5. As always, be a better daughter and friend. I have a physical aversion to the phone and it's flat-out childish. Medium success on the phone. And that's being generous.

6. Drink nicer wine. Success: in Napa! Fail: at home ($15 is our bottle limit, boo). Double Fail: Wineless since September. Major success: Baby-to-be's fault!

2011: 

1. Get ready for this baby! As ready as possible, keeping perspective and knowing that a happy pregnant lady is much better than a hostile, tired, stressed-but-fully-organic-slash-read-every-parenting-book-in-Borders pregnant lady.

2. Cherish these last few months of just me and Una. Hopefully take a small trip before our little Bloomberry arrives in May.

3. Apply to low-res MFA programs. That's an order, self.

4. Spurred by interior designer Sara Gilbane's goal (as seen on ElleDecor.com!), I am also planning to edit, edit, edit. If I know anything about babies, it's that they come with a lot of accessories. And not the Chanel kind. The house is already overflowing with things that find little use. Time to say goodbye. (So I can say hello to new ones! No. Abbey, no.)

5. Submit writing samples for publication. Anywhere.

6. Hire a trainer or self-motivate to lose the baby weight within 3 (okay, 6?) months. For my mental sanity, I need to at least attempt this.

7. Do more volunteer work. I started volunteering at a local special-needs school in December. It isn't enough, but it's a start.

8. Enjoy that first glass of post-baby wine. 'Cuz time will fly and (wineless) adventures abound with a little one. A new kind of party awaits!

Tell me your most important resolution! Own it and I'll hold you to it (and you can hold me to mine - especially number 6).

For the Beerlover

Never search for your key ring again. 

A magnetic bottle opener for your fridge (seriously strong - my friend James has one; there's no worry you'll pull it off). Love the clean, modern look.

$27 from CharlesandMarie.com. 

MMXI

MMXI = 2011

1.1.11

The Chinese calendar begins anew February 3rd and marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit. The Rabbit is a lucky sign.  "Rabbits are private individuals and a bit introverted.  People born in the Year of the Rabbit are reasonably friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends. They are good teachers, counselors and communicators, but also need their own space." According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. It is a time for negotiation. Don't try to force issues, because if you do, you will ultimately fail. To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children. Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise. 

Hmm, introverted, stubborn child who is reasonably friendly and requires their own space. 

Sounds alarmingly familiar.