I see you...

Margaret.

Favorite new phrases: "Come on", "You ok?", "Daddy's back!", "More Chockchit?" (chockchit = chocolate), and "I am Margaret Zuzu".

Favorite book: Goodnight Moon

Favorite food: Beans

Favorite drink: Almond Milk

Favorite friends: Mommy, Daddy and Blanket

Favorite Outfit: Cowboy Boots, Polka Dot Tights, Tutu and Heart Hoodie

Favorite Disney Princess: Ariel

Favorite Indoor Activity: Dancing

Favorite Outdoor Activity: Dancing

Still hates baths.

Popcorn Poppin' on the...

Riley flew up to Oregon yesterday. He is gone until Monday. I hate it.

Blog confessional...I was almost excited about this alone time. I don't remember what it is like to be by myself. It has occurred to me lately that I might not mind remembering. This weekend was to be the perfect walk down memory lane. (Yes, I still have a 22mo old at home with me, but Margaret sleeps nearly four hours a day and then goes to bed at 7:30 each night. That is a lot of Megan time.)

There was considerable determination to be ultra productive in Riley's absence. I was going to make serious headway on my writing, acquaint myself with a yet to be determined literary classic and maybe master some basics of the french culinary tradition. You know, nothing much.

Riley has been gone for just over 24 hours. Margaret has been napping like it is her job. The weekend of Megan is well underway. And...the writing is pedestrian, I can't focus on reading and, let's face it, french food is just a titch trendy right now.

My bed is empty. Margaret doesn't get my jokes. The "i am lonely" self pity eating has gotten out of control. I am currently consuming my body weight in popcorn...I made yesterday.

I remember now what it is like to be by myself and I cannot believe it is only Friday night.

This Guy. I like him.

Captured

I think I have a lovely smile. I have seen it reflected in mirrors, windows and the odd clean spoon. I know it exists. However, there is little record to this effect. Point a camera lens at me and that smile disappears leaving something very, very different in its place. In most photographs I appear to be baring my teeth in an effort to intimidate some very menacing animal in the distance.

Unpleasant.

Enter one Heather Mildenstein. Heather is the creative force behind, The Coterie Blog, a lovely haven of whimsical delights. Mrs. Mildenstein is an expert in many fields, and I thank my lucky stars that photography is one of them. We will be sending out a Christmas card for the very first time this year and it is all thanks to her wonderful work.

Not bad, right?


Feel like documenting your family this Christmas and looking good while doing it? Contact Heather at heather@thecoterieblog.com (she is great with kids!)

Today

Dear Margaret,

Last night was a hard night.

I read a story about a mom just like me that lost a daughter just like you.

Your Dad held me while I cried in our bed.

Have I mentioned how sweet our Riley is? He wanted to go wake you up so that you could cuddle me better.

It was very tempting.

I decided to let you sleep.

Today has not been hard.

We have so much fun together.
Every morning you play in your crib, chattering with people I can't see.

Finally, you call for me and I open the door to your room. You shout, "HI MOMMY!"

Hi baby girl.

Our days are filmy with fun and frolic.

You help me sweep. We dance. We read. You yell. I laugh.

You love The Little Mermaid, soup and singing.

I love you.

Tonight will be a better night.

I am going to stop worrying about tomorrow. You give me too many good todays.