Not sure if we had already killed our first sunflower seedling..,20 more seeds were planted as back up over the weekend. Anyone else wanting to add an eight-foot-tall sunflower to their garden this summer?

Love these kids.

What's Protocol?

We were at the local Old Navy the other day. Ella is tearing up and down the aisles as her frantic father tried to keep pace. I stood in line waiting to make a return. Already a retailers dream, right? No doubt the sales associates already had us pegged as trouble. Just as I make my way to the front of the line, my parenting radar detects the faint but frantic words of a little girl, "Potty! Potty!". Before either Jerry or I could appropriately react there was a large puddle forming at Ella's feet. This was no tinkle. What were we to do? Is it bad that we simply skipped out, more accurately ran out? I can imagine images of our family taken from the security camera hanging up in the employee lounge with the words, "Do Not Admit" written boldly across our mugs. Can we ever return or is internet shopping our next logical step?

The 3rd Trimester Begins...

Kiddo,
I'm going to miss you. It's about to get pretty hectic around here, but I want you to remember how very much your Daddy and I love you. And even though we may be a bit distracted/harried/exhausted as we all get used to a new baby being in the house, we want you to know that you are to blame ; ) It is because you are so wonderful and bring so much joy into our lives that we want to do this all over again. It's only fair, with your crazy dad and I as your parents, that you have a brother or sister to commiserate with. Think of it as a built-in support group. I can already imagine the not so veiled eye-rolling and conspiring that will go on between you and your sibling. Seriously though, I promise that we will continue our adventures, quietly exploring the world around us, just you and I. You are the one that made me into a mother for the first time and I thank you.
Much, much love baby girl,
Mom

Green Thumb

Our one gardening goal this summer is to successfully plant and tend to a sunflower. Seeing as all things green and beautiful meet their demise under my care; I'm hoping Ella will have better luck. We plan a sunflower status weekly to keep you updated on our progress.

All Made Up

This kid is probably going to teach me a thing or two in regard to make-up application. I swear her latest obsession with make-up brushes and all things Ella are no reflection on me. I could certainly use a little more time in the mirror.

Beware Evil-Doers

...cleaning up the Oak Park riff-raff.

Hot Momma

I usually always welcome warm weather, but temps nearing the 90s in mid-April have this chica growing a tad concerned. It's supposed to be another record breaking scorcher of a summer. I'm already predicting ankles swollen to epic proportions and time moving in slow motion as I dog-paddle through sweat with an ever growing baby bump. It ain't gonna be pretty that is for certain. Last night as the thermometer hovered at 80 nearing sunset, we celebrated the warm weather in a beer garden with friends and later at the Brown Cow for ice cream. Hey, we got to find some way to get through, right?

A Discriminating Palate

Devon for dosas, Argyle for pho, Chinatown for dim sum, tortas from Jimenez Grocery...the best of what the city has to offer...and she still prefers all things breaded from the freezer. We did however have a break through at Johnnie's in Melrose Park. Italian beef has been elevated to new levels.

Easter

The camera was clicking away...it was a series of action shots. No time to pose in our Easter finest when there are eggs to gather!

A Dance in the Daffodils

She's One of Those...

You know, the kind that looks fabulous after giving birth. Congrats on so many levels girl!

Big Day!

It's been a busy day celebrating, what with our Lord's resurrection AND our nephew being born! Congratulations Jon, Jo, Allyn! Dean Emilio was born at 6:50 p.m. EST following an awesome performance by his mother.
Love to you all!

Pre-Dawn Antics

Two nights ago, an interview on PRI caught my attention and has me writing about it at 5 a.m. this morning...damn radio. French, feminist philosopher, Elizabeth Badinter has recently penned a new book, "The Conflict, Women versus Mother". Show-stopping title, huh? Essentially, the book warns French mothers against mimicking their American counterparts...the Super Mom. From what I can gather, she states that the ideals of modern motherhood are in direct opposition with feminist principles. And I see her point. Pregnancy, breast feeding and the type of nurturance and guidance suggested for our little ones these days does not exactly further ones professional growth. And duh, career equals money, money equals a position of power, power equal security, security yields happiness (bring on Maslow's hierarchy of needs). I don't see this changing any time soon either. And although the thought of bringing a bebe into this world can certainly be empowering...the feedings every 1 1/2 hours throughout the night does not exactly lead to one being on their "A" game in the office the next day. It doesn't stop after breast-feeding either. Anecdotally, at least in my social circle, it is overwhelmingly the moms that are bringing their children to the doctor or arranging their work schedules to care for a sick child. It is also overwhelmingly moms that are shopping for clothing, groceries, birthday gifts, etc. It is overwhelmingly moms that are monitoring their child's development, reading the parenting books and purchasing the latest puzzle, DVD or park district class that purports to further their child's intellectual/social/spiritual growth. I would argue that all of these facets of parenting can easily conflict with personal and professional development. Am I throwing fathers under the bus...hell no...in fact they have a lot of things right. Do we as mothers take on this responsibility ourselves and hold onto these reigns with a death grip? Quite possibly. But I hear some murmurings suggesting change. Some moms are starting to loosen their grasp just a bit. Do I hear a collective sigh of relief? Now the question remains, who will pick them up? Does anyone need to?

It's an interesting time in history to say the least. As our population (aka baby boomers) grows older, babies are becoming a rare and precious commodity. We are surrounded with messages that suggest the benefits of hands-on parenting but more and more parents are feeling like Bluetooths, that is, hands-free. Daycares, nannies, and Sesame Street are raising our children and we have less control in their outcomes. I guess it really does take a village, huh? Or at least a good au-pair referral? Work schedules encroach on precious evening and weekend hours and Blackberries hold us hostage. I guess it leaves me wondering if at any other point in history was their such a conflicting message for parents?

I write with my daughter in mind. Right now, in 2010, over 57% of college students are women. By the way, a complete role-reversal from the 1960s. Women wanting to further their career and ecomonic opportunities with a college degree. This is great to see this level of participation. My hope is that this quest for work/life balance will continue to evolve and lead to more happy, healthy and fulfilled parents, both moms and dads.

So where, in the end, does this early morning rant leave us? I know I'm thoroughly confused...as I'm sure you are too dear reader.

I guess it's that parenthood, specifically motherhood can be an extremely selfless and confusing endeavor at times. And most of it is biologically driven...meaning until men can get pregnant, give birth and breastfeed (ala Schwarzenegger in 1994's "Junior"), we're up to bat for at least that portion. Now I'm envisioning what "Dad Jeans" would look like ; ) So, when is someone going to tackle the task of male impregnation? Crap, I'm hoping that some of that 57% of women in college are in the sciences!