What do Ted Danson, Jude Law and I have in common?

Besides famous careers, paparazzi at our doorsteps and loads of money, that is?

We light a few (them more than me!) candles each year on December 29th.

And here's a little insight into us late December folks (from How Stuff Works):

A Capricorn born on December 29 has the ability to be transformed by spiritual significance, but only after experiencing a profound and transfiguring reality. Often attractive and charming, they have a devastating effect upon those who come under their spell. Unlike most Capricorns, they enjoy taking risks.

Indeed. Indeed.

my first letter to santa

Dear Mr. Claus,

Your mission, if you choose to accept it (and I think you have to, since you're Santa and all), is to find playthings that Uli will enjoy more than:

• the tub of petroleum jelly that has a lid which makes a delightful "pop" sound every time she takes it off and puts it back on and takes it off and puts it back on and takes it off and puts it back on and takes it off and puts it back on and takes it off and puts it back on and takes it off and puts it back on...
• Lula & Ruby's shiny stainless steel dog food dishes that clang and ring when you smack them together and are stackable and smell of kibble.

Santa, we have been hard-pressed to find other equally exciting toys that are covered in less dog-slobber and aren't called for in make-your-own-Nix recipes. So we're leaving it up to you.

We will understand if all you can think of are new dog bowls and a larger tub of Vasaline.  

Regards,

Uli's Mommy

Perfect

snot
drool
backwash
poop
pee
snot
scabs
screaming
flailing


giggles
kisses
cuddles
incoherent whispered secrets
pats
"Ma-ma-ma"s
hugs
clapping
smiles
love


Perfectly Merry.

Tree Time!

Here are a few of the facts:

1. We actually set-up the tree weeks ago, but since Hanukkah was first it didn't seem right to flaunt Christmas all over the internet.
2. I don't like artificial trees (I usually say, "fake" but I know that's rude) because they don't smell right.
   
3. Justin doesn't like real trees because they shed their needles.
4. We have an artificial tree this year (but next year...)
   
5. Cats climb trees. They don't care if it's a real tree or a plastic tree.
6. Between the dogs, the cats, and the toddler, the bottom half of the tree is nearly always ornament-free. 
7. IT'S CHRISTMAS THIS WEEK!!!!!  (How did that happen?)
   

Words, words, words

I've been reading a book*  that Justin gave me on the second night of Hanukkah, and, basically, I have been obsessed by it this entire week. I would find myself at work, staring out the window, wondering what Julia and Valentina were up to at that very moment, and then I'd sheepishly remember they were fictional characters and weren't doing much of anything other than being words on a page...  My intense concentration on the novel didn't leave me much time to do, well, anything else, which is why I haven't posted in a week.

But I'm back now and New-Book-less (though both Christmas & my birthday are coming up! *hint*  *hint*)

In bigger and more exciting than I-Love-Books news:  Uli spoke her first official word this week. It was a Hanukkah miracle! 

She's had "Ma-ma-ma" and "Da-da-da" going on for a while now, but they need a bit more polishing (and the loss of a syllable each) to really count as actual, fully-composed words.  

She's been signing "milk" and "more" for some time (using them interchangeably) to tell us, "I want [what's in your hand]/[what's over there somewhere]/[what I just dropped]/[mommy to nurse me]/[something not in view; please guess what it is and then make it appear before me]!"

But last Saturday she without a doubt and clear as a bell said, "More!" aloud, correctly and enthusiastically. And in front of witnesses (I was there, she was speaking to Justin, and my sister Emily was visiting).

The item so desired that it prompted her to break her 14-month code of silence?
A ride on Daddy's shoulders.

He'd put her down after romping around with her for ten minutes (he was exhausted) but scooped her right back up and danced around with her again after her request, so very very proud that he was the one she wanted more of.

Adorable. It was a wonderful beginning to the holiday.


*Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (of The Time Traveler's Wife fame).

Overheard

Remember how I said Uli's favorite story was Christmas for 10?  Last night I overheard this gem:


Justin (reading to Uli): "Five draw near,"
[picture of five children sitting at their grandma's feet]

Justin (reading to Uli): "Six stories to hear."
[grandma is reading one book, and there are five others stacked-up, waiting their turn]
  
Justin (aside, sweetly): "Aren't they lucky. I sure wish we had six stories to read instead of this same damn story over and over, again and again."


Hah! Made me giggle.

And yes, he read it to her several more times (and I've already read it to her twice this morning)

snow day: how to keep warm

Unaware of the final accumulation (estimations were between 12"-16"), there is simply the acceptance that it has been blizzardy here. And when going out in the after-blizzard, one should bundle-up. Especially if this is one's first time playing in the snow, as it was for Uli.

How to dress warmly for snow when you don't have a snowsuit, or a jacket, or boots: 

Wear your pajamas like longjohns (don't even change out of the ones you were wearing overnight:  they're nice and warm).

Put on socks and shoes.

Put on a shirt with a hood and wear the hood.

Slip some plastic bags over your feet and legs (that's right, right over your shoes).

Put on a pair of your father's tube socks (they'll be thigh-highs).

Slide your legwarmers (thank you, Auntie Emily!) over your legs to hold the giant man socks and slippery plastic bags in place.

Now it's time for acrylic sweatpants and a big bulky sweater.

Winter hat.

Mittens.

And outside you go!!

Try to avoid face-plants into the snow. But if they cannot be avoided, turn your sopping noggin and look directly into the camera and appear pitiful and adorable.

You will rule the world. And the rest of you, the parts other than your snow-covered face, will be toasty warm.

What fun it is to laugh and sing...

...a sleighing slaying song tonight!

Vampire slaying songs, that is.



I am often struck dumb when I take a moment to think about how much my husband loves me. He's such an amazing person, I have so much fun with him, and he not only loves me, he likes me! (I'm sure many of us grownups have come to realize that the one does not necessarily mean the other.)

Lately I've been particularly grateful that he, after some initial hesitation, has taken wholeheartedly to watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer seasons on DVD with me. We made it through the sketchy Season 1 quickly (with much apologizing and assuring him that it'd get better--though I don't think he really minded), Season 2 with some eye rolling but with more enjoyment, and then on through Seasons 3-5 with a lot of interesting discussions about the Buffyverse, character development, and where the story is going.

We finished-up Season 6 last night. Willow/Tara, Xander/Anya, the whole dramatic, lovely arch. Loved it. We'll be starting Season 7, the last season, tonight. Assuming it's available at the library. And I'm excited to be sharing it with my best friend.

Just had to dork-out on you and share my happiness!