Couple of weekend pics

Auntie J got her this shirt for her birthday. "Nothing to wear" couldn't be farther from the truth.
Ahhhh....this is the life.
Forgot I had this on the camera. This was after we got home from the state fair. She got a bath immediately after this picture. 9 of her 10 tattoos came off that night. 

A bittersweet anniversary

Two years ago today, my daughter was left outside a medical clinic. Try as I might, I can't pretend to know what transpired in my daughter's first eleven days of life. Sometimes late at night, I think about those first eleven days and then try to think about what that next day must have been like for my little girl. Did they leave in the wee small hours of the morning? Had they traveled all night to get there? That's about as far as I get because then the weepy floodgates open so I have to shove it to the back of my brain. I have heard the way my little girl cries when she is hurt or scared or sad. My heart breaks every time I think about her birth mother (in my mind, it's always her birth mom who took her to the clinic) walking away from those cries. While I can't comprehend the decisions that were made that day, I am grateful to her birth mother because it led my daughter and I to each other.

I know very little about her first year and I know that one day soon, she will start to ask questions. Unfortunately, there aren't very many answers. I can make lots of guesses, but I have nothing concrete for her. I will tell her the facts as I believe them to be. I will show her the earliest picture I have of her.


The text beside her picture is her birthdate, the date and the location that she was found and that she has a small face and single eyelids.




In a way, it almost seems like a cruel irony that the picture is grainy. Maybe that's why I try so hard to document all the little happenings in her life, no matter how mundane they may seem. I want as much of her past to be clear and in focus as possible. My baby book is still encased in plastic, preserved for all eternity with nary a milestone in it. And as the youngest of three kids, there aren't very many baby pictures of me. But, my family can fill in the gaps for me. I just want to make sure that she doesn't have anymore gaps.

GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY KID!

We went to the State Fair yesterday. Fun times were had by all. Please don't expect any pictures, because I didn't bring the camera. I didn't want to have to worry about losing it all day. As it was, I ended up without diapers and/or wipes for the entirety of the day. Thank goodness for the nice baby changing stations that had diapers and wipes available.

Anyway, at some point in the afternoon, we were walking through the building that houses all the vendors. The people who sell organs, ladders, windows, etc. The Kid was riding along happily in her stroller. She and I had moved off to an empty area to wait for Grandmumsy, who was probably trying to score some free pens or notepads or something. We were standing there waiting, just watching the people and minding our own business when this OLD BAT (and NO. I don't mean that nicely.) walked over to us. At first, I thought she was just coming over to say "Well, isn't she a pretty little thing!" or something like that. But she kept getting closer and bent down and was reaching out her hands. I thought she was going to pat her on the leg or something 'sweet old lady-like'. NO!! She grabs her legs, which she had swung out to the sides of her stroller, and put her feet on the footrest. She, then looked at me and said, "She needs to sit like a lady!" I just stood there looking at her with what had to be the most dumbfounded expression ever. I guess she must have seen my face turning red with anger and she added "But she's a cutie!" and walked off. I was so furious!!!

I will admit that The Kid likes to sit with her legs all sprawled out. And you know what? I Don't Care! She's a freakin' baby! If that makes her comfortable when it's hot and humid out and she's wearing a big ol' diaper that is just generating more heat, so what? Yes, we will someday get to a point where we have to talk about sitting like a lady, but right now, that's not even on my radar.

Why, oh why, do some people feel that it is acceptable to touch children? I don't get it. I would never dream of putting one hand on a stranger's child. You teach kids to ask a dog's owner before petting it, just in case it might bite. How did that OLD BAT know that I wasn't just going to run her over with the stroller for touching my kid, or that The Kid hadn't been programmed to bite old ladies wearing ruffled blouses? Now that I think about it, I'm mad that I didn't knock her over.

Just watch it, Old Bat. If I ever see you again, you are goin' DOWN.

2nd Birthday pictures

Look at me! I'm 2.
Okay. I'm smiling. Take the picture and leave me alone.
Barney, I love you.
Care for a spot of tea? 

More birthday pics

Quite possibly the most annoying toy on the face of the planet. (Thanks, Auntie J!)
Birthdays are tiring.
Here's The Kid all ready for a luau, RAGBRAI and a dance recital.
Uhhhh....get that flamin' thing away from me.

And the final 3.

You see, mom, this is what I like to call 'A MESS'.
A ton of new toys and what does she want? A diaper. On her head. (YES! It's clean.)
My big 2 year old sweetie. Happy Birthday, Pumpkin!!

525,600 minutes

This song has been running through my mind all weekend and everytime I get to the part about "In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights In cups of coffee, In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife" I get all choked up. I think about how much has changed this past year for The Kid, and even myself, and I am just amazed. I spend a lot of time thinking about how all the circumstances that had to be just so for you and I to be together. Everything just seemed to fall into place. It's hard for me to even put into words as I sit here typing without getting teary eyed. I love you so much, sweetie, and I am so happy to be your mama. Here's to the next year. May it be filled with more music and laughter and hugs and kisses (and if we're lucky, maybe even a drum playing drag queen).

SEASONS OF LOVE (Rent Soundtrack)

Then and Now

One year ago













Today - I give it two more years until it fits properly.














(Notice the spelling on her shirt?? I'm guessing it's not licensed apparel.)
 

It seemed like a good idea Part 2

Auntie J always comes up with the coolest ideas...

Anniversaries

So many important anniversaries coming up in the next couple of weeks.

Today - MTV debuted 25 years ago....also the same day The Quick family got cable, complete with the push button cable box that was attached to the tv. Ain't technology grand??

August 3, 2005 - Our first attempt at leaving the US for China. Many tears were shed and mass hysteria ensued.

August 4, 2005 - Our second attempt. We made it as far as Los Angeles....lovely airport. We spent a great deal of time there.

August 5, 2005 - Leaving the US for CHINA! FINALLY! And because of the mix up, we get to fly first class! (For the small nominal fee of $900....per person)

August 6, 2005 - In a freak mystery of the space time continuum, this day never happened.

August 7, 2005 - The Kid and I finally got to meet face-to-face. I just can't quite believe that it's already been a year. It's gone so fast and yet, I feel like I've always known the little goober.

August 8, 2005 - First poop. May not celebrate that anniversary.

August 12, 2005 - The Kid's 1st birthday. I was so thrilled to be able to be there with her on her first birthday....and now it's time for her first birthday at HOME. You thought Raisin Bran boxes and a rattle were the bomb last year???? Sweetie, you have NO IDEA what is in store for you this year.

Thanks to all of you who have tuned in this past year.