Sunny With A Chance of ANother Letter

To My Son,

Oh my gosh, you're almost here! We're at 39 weeks and 2 days which means you literally can come any moment now. You're Dada and I are so excited to meet you buddy! I just wanted to say some things before you get here to remember these last fleeting moments with you so close to my heart.

First, I love you so much Lil' Dude. I cannot stress that enough. I am so excited to hold you in my arms but I know I will miss our time with you in my belly. You're so close and I can rub and pat and talk to you all the time. You must know how much I love you bud, I say it all the time. Plus in there you're getting to hear my heart so I know you know how it beats for you. Goodness sakes this household loves you. Mama, Dada, Colonel Mustard & Zebbie too. These 3 guys have been snuggling you and Mama extra hard, they can't wait to meet you either! Just know you are going to be surrounded with so much love.

Second, your extended family cannot wait to meet you either! Papa/Djadja & Gamma/Buscia are coming out in February just to meet you little man.  We're going to let you pick what you call them but just know they're so excited to meet you and love you so much already. The rest of the family (on both sides) can't wait until Spring when we bring you back to Michigan to introduce you to everyone. Get ready to be smothered in snuggles and kisses little one!

Third all your honorary "aunts" and "uncles" or Mama & Dada's pals also cannot wait to meet you! Everyone is busting at the seams to know when you're going to arrive. Not just here in L.A. but in Chicago, Michigan, and New York too. You're going to be welcomed into this world with so much love little one. You are already so loved and anticipated, I know you can feel that.

We just want you to arrive when you're ready, come out healthy and strong, and to be ready to be loved on by so many folks. You're a lucky little man to be so wanted and loved already pal. We're prepping extra hard to make sure everything is nice and clean and cozy for your home-coming and we've taken all the classes, prepped our hospital bags, set-up & cleaned all the stuff we have for you, are constantly cleaning the apartment, are set up our cloth diaper service to properly guard your little tush and kielbasa from wet & dirty stuffs, and are preparing meals to freeze so we can not have the bother of needing to cook a bunch once you get here. We're just so excited buddy! All this prep just keeps reminding us that you will arrive any day now!

We're trying extra hard to get your puppy brothers ready to meet you. They're extra snuggly right now and we expect a little jealousy to happen but we know they will love you so much. I think Colonel is going to think you're his baby and though Zebbie can be tentative with some kiddos I think he will take to you like he did to your cousin Staszie. They already love all your swag and will want to play with you (and all your toys) tons. We're going to have such a fun time with all three of you, I just know it.

Buddy, I just want to remind you of our agreements and to promise to you again all of these things. I want you to know that I love you first and foremost and that I will try my damnedest to provide you with all the love and guidance you need. You just get ready little guy, this is going to be pretty epic. And even when you hate me, you just remember that I love you. That I have loved you this whole time and will always love you. You just remember that I suffered through 24/7 punches and kicks from you ya big giant because I love you. No matter what you are perfect to me. Dad and I love you SO much. Just finish baking in there and come out soon. So many of us want to meet you and love you!

 I love you Lil' Dude, with all my heart.
*Mama*

 

Sunny With A Chance of 2013 Review!

Hello dear Chickens! It's getting to be the very  end of the year and I've been reflecting on this crazy whirlwind that was 2013. So here is my 2013 in Review:

January: We left MI after visiting our families on New Year's day. I got approved for my back surgery on Jan. 4th (which was HUGE). Colonel turned 3 on 1/14 (I can't believe he's almost 4, WHAT?!). We went to Las Vegas to visit our pals at Dog is God in Reverse before they moved to Alaska and had a mini 10 year reunion with her and our pal Trevor (Chemics!). Watched the SAG awards and loved them as always. Fell in love with Kid President and his amazing motivational talks. I went to The Ellen Show, ended there was no room for us, sigh.

February: I walked a Color Run 5k with my Second City peeps and it was AMAZING. I want to do another one. I met Keith Coogan with my pal Heather (who had the BIGGEST childhood crush on him ever), he's SUPER nice! The Shakespeare nerd that I am got super excited about Richard III being found. I got sick, boo! My surgery got moved back (boo) but only by a day (phew). The webseries 2 Hopeful Spinsters I was an actor in and did wardrobe for premiered with a season opener starring my pals and Michael Madsen! Joe and I celebrated SEVEN years together on 2/12/13. Colonel Mustard broke his ankle on that same day and I bawled my eyes out, I do not do well when my buddies are hurt. He then got a cast that he wore for quite a few weeks to heal, he also chewed himself out of those casts multiple times. I finished Conservatory 4 at The Second City Hollywood Training Center and had to take a break from moving on to Con 5 and graduating as I needed spinal surgery. I found out I had an enlarged thyroid and had to deal with that crap. I had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin and found out that I should never take that (or any penicillin) again so I don't die. I got a bit down and freaked out here.

March: I had a last hurrah before surgery and got to spend the night laughing with good pals who wished me well before surgery. I felt a mixed bag of emotions before surgery here and honestly felt like I was facing my own mortality. March 5th at 5am I went in to surgery. This day changed my life. I was so scared, Joe and I said goodbye just in case, I crawled naked onto a freezing surgery table, I woke up in bed with a huge scar down my front to Joe's face and beautiful flowers and well wishes from family and friends who are like family. I was fixed after 10 years of broken. It was a hard week in the hospital, really hard, but I started to heal. I went home on 3/9 and lived on pain meds for a bit. I got thrush from being in the hospital and cleared it up by oil pulling with coconut oil. My mom came out from MI to take care of me for a week and it was a great week of being super spoiled. Then Joe had spring break and took care of me for another week. Then my pal Benny came out from NYC (on tour with Beauty & the Best) and took care of me for 2 weeks. I was quite spoiled whilst healing up. I got a sweet handicap parking pass which really helped me a lot. We got our wedding photos back, they were gorgeous! I had a lovely Easter with pals and got to spend the day outside, even though I got a sunburn.

April: April is Autism Awareness month and it is very dear to me as my cousin has Autism. We celebrated Zebbie's 1 Year Gotcha Day, cannot believe how fast that flew and how it seems like we've had him forever. We celebrated the birth of Gwendolyn Everlast a.k.a. our pal Natalie. We also went down to San Diego and spent a weekend with our pal K Mac-Bakes. The Boston City Marathon bombing happened which broke my heart. Texas quake happened which also broke my heart. I bought Betty Goes Vegan and my stomach rejoiced. I saw End of the Rainbow starring Tracie Bennett and it was magic. Got a much needed tax refund-huzzah! We lost my cousin Ronnie which was really hard. Loads of states passed Gay Marriage Equality bills and I rejoiced.

May: We had a movie theatre premiere, red carpet and all, of 2 Hopeful Spinsters and it was AMAZING. Stars were there, Joe & I dressed up, it was our first big night out after my surgery. We celebrated our 4th Annual Vegan Beer Fest and it was MAGIC. I actually got in to The Ellen Show and it was awesome. I watched a lot of 90s Nickelodeon shows. Joe and I went to France and it was wonderful. I got super sick in Paris which was NOT wonderful. Turned out what we thought was food poisoning was our son, we panicked then rejoiced once my surgeon okayed us. Then we kept our secret until we were through the first trimester.

June: I was nauseated all month-ugh first trimester was ROUGH. Esther Williams died and my heart broke. Celebrated K Mac-Bakes bday, mys sister's bday, my Tacquito's graduation, struggled through the anniversary of my cousin's death, Father's Day, my pal Bridgey's bday, and Emily's bday. Laughed my butt off at BRF Syndrome. James Gandolfini passed away and my heart broke. Joe and I drove to Michigan (of course our car Rosalita broke down and had to be fixed but it was Firestone's fault). We had a wonderful time at home and I got to snuggle my nephew extra hard. We celebrated the retirement of my high school theatre's dream team.

July: We were still in Michigan for the start of July. Loads more cuddles with my little nephew. Mini reunion with some grade school chums that was pretty awesome. We picked our anniversary/reception spot. I met up with my pal that I had known since I was a little kid and hadn't seen in thirteen years & met her kiddos. We brought back my parents VCR & my childhood VHS collection. It was amazing. Zimmerman got away with murder and I felt sick in my soul. I fell in love with West Wing & Orange is the New Black. Dennis Farina passed away and I was heart broken. We announced our pregnancy publicly. The family I now babysit for and have known since college moved to L.A. I started swimming after a year long hiatus and it felt amazing. Signed up for my Conservatory 5 audition for Second City. Eileen Brennan passed away and my heart was sad.

August: Minnesota and Rhode Island joined those states who gave equal marriage rights to the LGBTQ community and my heart was happy. We found out that I am a carrier for Fragile X and my world came crashing down. I had an amniocentesis to determine if our baby would be born with disabilities, be a carrier like me, or be "normal". Those few weeks before the amnio and after were hell. The results came in here and I felt lost still. There were still so many decisions to make. Our car got towed and we shelled out $300+ for it, blerg! My first pregnant lady brain moment happened when I locked myself out of my locker with clothes and had to wander the gym in a bathing suit looking for Joe. We revealed we were having a baby boy here. The 2 Hopeful Spinsters webseries was apart of the Hollyshorts film festival. I felt the baby move for the first time on 8/23, that was crazy! News of Syria made my heart explode with sadness. I was accepted into the final level of Conservatory at Second City. My pal Monica visited and I got to see the Disney Animation Studios and my brain and heart were so happy I almost died.

September: We celebrated Labor Day with the rascals of Second City Hollywood and it was amazing. I hung with pals and watched Sharknado-it was crappy awesome. I bought my son his coming home outfit (it's this with Bill in blue). Joanna Garcia crushed my dreams of being Ariel on Once Upon A Time so now I hold out hope to be Merida (I have the hair). I let everyone know that being pregnant can be gross here. I wrote a letter to my son here and it's become my favorite post ever and I will give this to him when he is older. I went to my first Dodgers game and wore Tigers stuff cuz I love Detroit for life! My 2 pups were attacked by 2 other dogs and I almost beat the crap out of the dogs' owner for being useless and letting her dogs bite mine and not stopping them or getting them on their stupid leashes. I hate that lady. I graduated up to maternity swimsuits as my bump could no longer be tamed. I got the dreaded pregnancy cold that wouldn't die.

October: We were reunited with our college pal LaFawnduh and received an adorable baby gift from her. Joe and I went to Michigan to celebrate our one year anniversary of marriage. We had a blast and got to soak in some real fall weather, see lots of loved ones, make and eat delicious food, and party it up with pals and loved ones. See the pics here! We got held up in Chicago but made it back to L.A. after a lot of lameness. I hit the cankle phase of pregnancy where my ankles and calves swelled together to form one. My Tigers were kicking ass and taking names. My son received so much swag from all those who love us. Jimmy Leyland announced his retirement and I wept as he will always be my favorite crotchety Tiger. I finished my baby registry on amazon.com (find that right here). Marcia Wallace passed away and my childhood wept. We started our Prepared Childbirth Classes and loved our instructor. Lou Reed passed away, sadness again. I failed my first gestational diabetes test but passed the awful 3 hour one and then almost passed out. Joe and I went as hipster Ariel & Eric for Halloween with the kiddos I babysit and their folks, it was a blast!

November: The mentoring program for kids in less funded schools for writing put on their big show and I was so proud to be apart of it and of those kids' hard and amazing work! It was so special. :) The LAX shooting happened and I got so damn fed up with all the gun violence happening. My Spartans KILLED the Wolverwieners in football and my heart rejoiced. Spartan nation baby! My phone took a big crap and I have been struggling with it since as I can't upgrade until March. Same sex marriage became recognized in Illinois and my heart was happy. We received an amazing gifts of stroller/carseat combo from our pals Lizz & Sherm. I made a list of things to remember here. We hung out with our pals Bridget (came from NYC), Lizz & Sherm (came from San Fran), and Katie (here in L.A.) and it was epic. My son was measuring 4lbs. 6oz. already-BIG dude. My Pops and brother had birthdays and I was sad to miss them. My cousin Kate visited from Chicago and it was awesome. We found a crib we liked! Spartans continued to dominate in football. USC cut off dependent insurance screwing me and baby boy over big time and the hunt for new insurance began. We celebrated Friendsgiving with old pals and new & the kiddos I babysit for and it was a feast of food and good times. We got a storage unit to make way for baby stuff. I did a photo shoot with my cast for the opening of our show in January (check us out here on Facebook or on Twitter or on Instagram).

December: I turned 29 on December 1st and had my baby shower and it was an amazing day. I received an out-pouring of love from friends and family near and far and felt so special. I couldn't have asked for more. We decorated our apartment with our tree, stockings, wreath, etc. and I got into the holiday spirit. Joe turned 31 and I spoiled him rotten and he loved it. My grandma had a mini stroke and I didn't really talk about it to anyone publicly but it's been hard and my brother and my aunt have been keeping me in the loop and I am so grateful to them for all the help they're giving to her and my grandpa. She is now doing better and I am very grateful. I promoted the crap out of my show opening in January and continue to do so, have you visited the pages and liked us yet? You should, it would mean a lot to me. I wrote, produced, and am starring in this sucker. Please show your support! Nelson Mandela died and my soul broke, Madiba means so much to the world and to me. He is an inspiration for all. Paul Walker passed away and my 12 year old self wept. I was apart of this video parodying the Guinness commercial. I performed a lot of shows with my cast-mates of Me, My Selfie, and I (January 6th we open ay 7pm). I met Lily Tomlin and JoAnn Worley both of whom I love and did bits with me about my giant belly and son. The Spartans became Big 10 champs and are going to the Rose Bowl!!! We decorated the tree at our L.A. family's home and were once again awarded the best light crew award. We made a vegan french onion chip dip and my tummy did a happy dance. Second City had its holiday party and I saw so many of the people I love there and got to perform at Gradfest. I hit 9 months pregnant and my son is huge and just dropped causing my hips and pelvis to feel like they're breaking. My Zebbie pup turned 2! My nephew turned 1! We hosted an orphan Xmas and it was awesome and my cousin came down from Beale airforce base and we got to spend time with him and his wife and it was magic. Last night Joe and I went on our last big Date Night as just a couple with fur-babies. We went to Shojin vegan sushi and The Hunger Games Catching Fire. It was so lovely and a nice last big date together before little man arrives. Sometimes it's just nice to date your husband. Now we prep for tomorrow where we get to meet Coach Mark D'Antonio and Coach Tom Izzo-WHAT?!!! So excited!!!! Best Xmas present ever if I do say so myself. Then we spend a low-key New Year's Eve together.

So all in all 2013 was crazy. Major lows but some pretty great highs too.

And for 2014 here is my plan instead of resolutions:
Before Midnight On New Year's Eve: Write down the things you are DONE with in your life on a piece of paper and BURN IT. THEN: write all you want, desire, wish, dream of on another piece of paper. fold it and seal it in an envelope marked "TO BE OPENED NEW YEAR'S EVE 2014". Put it someplace that you'll remember...sock drawer, your Memory Box, diary, etc...When you open it next year, you'll be astonished at how many of those things came true! Happy New Year 2014!

I think this is a much better plan for me than setting resolutions that I forget about. Plus how fun will it be to read that list next year on New Year's Eve. As the year draws to a close I hope you all have a lovely New Year celebrations and that your 2014 is full of love, laughter, fun, and all the good things!

Take care dear Chickens & see you in 2014! :)

 

Sunny With A Chance of 84 Degree Christmas!

Hope you all had lovely Christmases (for those celebrating)! We had our very first one away from our families in Michigan.

First off, super weird not to have a cold snowy Christmas. It was EIGHTY-FOUR DEGREES IN L.A. Whyyyyyyy??????!!!! Ugh! So awful. I know some of you think I'm crazy, but I LOVE Winter. It is my favorite. I love snow, I love cold, I love my nose getting chilled, I love sweaters and mittens and fireplaces and snuggling and sledding and hot tea and EVERYTHING. So this was really lame to me. Really, really lame. I was majorly dreaming of a white Christmas and had to turn on the air conditioner to get some relief from the heat. It was ridiculous.

Second, it was so weird not to be with my folks and siblings on the 25th. My cousin Russ came down from the air force base in Beale, CA and spent the day with us. Visiting with him and his wife was so lovely and we had such a nice time catching up and laughing about our family and missing them. So it was nice to have that family element in the flesh. We also FaceTimed with my crazy fam back in MI and it was hilarious. Most of them didn't get fully in frame so we saw half their faces. It was perfect. I miss those weirdos a lot! It's always good to talk to them but it was nice to see their (half) faces as well. :)

Third: Joe, er, I mean Santa brought me the Little Mermaid on DVD. It was awesome. We're broke right now (shocked aren't you?) so we weren't going to do any gifts but I got a little surprise in my stocking and it was amazing. I love that guy! Russ & Christina gave Joe olive oils, gave me sugar & salt scrubs, and gave Lil' Dude a Sully (from Monster's Inc.) hat & booties. Our dear pal Heather gave us a great Los Angeles bag, Joe's grandma gave us a very generous gift of money, and my folks really took care of us with a very, very, very generous gift of money for the 3 of us. We are very lucky to have so many folks who love and care about us. It made our holiday so special and was such a surprise.

Fourth: Our pals Lizz & Sherm came over and it was so nice to hang with them. And it was the first time Lizz had ever had pot roast & Joe was so happy to introduce her to it. Yay for college pals now living in L.A.-we love it!

Fifth: We ate SO much! Here's what we ate that day: light breakfast was vegan funfetti cupcakes, then at 1pm we had big breakfast of apple butter French Toast, hashbrowns with ketchup, breakfast sausages, and bagels with chive cream cheese. All vegan of course. Then we snacked. Then for dinner we had salad with Joe's homemade balsamic vinegar. I ate Polish dill mashed potatoes and everyone else had those and pot roast (it was meat heaven for them). Then I got hungry later and made pasta with vegan buttery spread, Tony Chachere's spice, pepper, and garlic powder. SO MUCH FOOD! It was awesome. I also played bartender and made quite a few Bloody Marys and Joe had some G&Ts.

Sixth: I worked Xmas Eve & the day after Xmas but it was so nice to have a full day off and rest and laugh and spend time with my puppies (they were so snuggly and silly) and with friends and family. We watched Christmas movies and hung out and wore pajamas and it was amazingly low key and wonderful. For our first Xmas away from the folks and last Xmas as a couple with pups I think we nailed it. Super chill, great movies, great company, loads of great food. I cannot complain.

Hope your holiday was amazing! Cannot wait for the New Year!!! 2014 is going to be a big one for us! Take care dear Chickens :)



 

Sunny With A Chance of Pups!

I feel like poor Colonel Mustard and Zebbie have been neglected on the blog. Not at home that's for sure. Just wanted to update you all on the other little dudes in my life (other than the one in my womb). So here's what our pups have been up to:

-sleeping all the time
-cuddling mama's big new tummy
-wrestling like fiends on top of mom's new tummy whilst she tries to sleep
-being ridiculously cute all the time
-trying to eat any new stuffed toy that comes for the baby
-smelling all of the baby's new stuff/clothes/etc. to make sure it's a-okay
-getting spoiled by mom with new toys
-barking at dogs outside the apartment window
-sleeping next to mom at night rather than dad because she is now a warmer temperature than him (very opposite of usual)
-pooping and peeing in the house yesterday. Not their faults but boy did they feel bad, poor little dudes
-getting loads of cuddles, pets, kisses, scratches, and I love yous as we prepare to rock their world with the new baby brother in January.

So that's their super tough life as of late. Rough, right? I wish I had easy days like those two do!


 

Sunny With A Chance of Promises

To My Son,

    Wowzers. You're getting so big. Twenty-two weeks in my belly and you're the size of a papaya! Stop growing already. I mean don't but also kind of because there is very little room in there left. I swear. I am thinking about you loads and loads these days and I just thought maybe we should agree on some things now before we meet so when we meet we can just be wrapped up in the awesomeness of being in love with each other and not have to worry about all this technical stuff. So here we go...

Things I Promise You:

1.) I will love you so much, so fiercely, so completely, so fully, so RIDICULOUSLY, no matter what. I mean that. No matter what. No matter if you decide your mama being vegan is insane and you don't want to be vegan, no matter if you are gay/straight/bi/trans/peach/pink/grey/purple/blue/brown/red/ginger/blonde/brunette/bald/curly-haired/blue eyed/green eyed/brown eyed/hazel eyed/some crazy color I've never seen eyed, no matter if you're sweet or mean, no matter if you're the smartest or the bravest or the most talented or not, no matter any crazy thing you could ever do or say or think. I swear to you I will love you. No.Matter.What.

2.) I will try really, really hard to be patient. I cannot guarantee anything but I will try to remember myself as a youngin' and recall that I drove my parents and siblings and teachers and basically every adult almost completely insane with my incessant chattering and rebelliousness and curiosity and imagination and stubbornness; I will then try to remind myself you are part of me and thus probably going to the same. So I will try to sigh and smile and hug you and remember this is part of what will make you awesome and silly and inquisitive as an adult. I will also try to remember that you are part of your Dad-a who drives me CRAZY on the daily and that you may inherit some of this as well. Again, I will try to sigh and smile and swallow and say I love you and then shut my big mouth. I guess I will try to do that with your Dad more too.

3.) I promise to be silly and play and see things with my child-heart so I can help you be silly and play and see with your child-heart and foster that and your little spirit. Nothing is more serious than play my love. You learn so much with your imagination. I still learn so much from being silly and playing. The other day baby-sitting your soon-to-be new pals K (she'll be 3 when you get here) & C (he'll be almost 2 when you get here) reminded me that seeing a Disney film for the first time is SO exciting, that 3 hour naps are sometimes exactly what you need, that spaghetti is "stinky", that singing and banging on instruments and dancing LOUD is the best remedy to a bad day or moment, and that sometimes you just need to be a monster and practice your different levels of roaring. So we will be silly and play every day my little man.

4.) I promise that we will read from day one. Reading just like imagination helps you learn EVERYTHING. You and I will get familiar with Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, Jeff Moss, E.B. White, A.A. Milne, Maurice Sendak, Margaret Wise Brown, J.K. Rowling, Eric Carle, Madeleine L'Engle, C.S. Lewis, Roald Dahl, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Ludwig Bemelmans, Norton Juster, J.R.R. Tolkein, Beverly Cleary, HR & Margaret Rey, Beatrix Potter, Bill Martin Jr., Judy Blume, Esphyr Slobodkina, Lois Lowry, Ian Falconer, John Steptoe, Else Homelund Minarik, Philip Pullman, Sandra Boynton, Arnold Lobel, L.M. Montgomery, Kenneth Grahame, Don Freeman, Watty Piper, Patricia Polacco, Patricia MacLachlan, Joanna Cole, Katherine Paterson, Dav Pilkey, Judith Viorst, James Lincoln Collier, Judi and Ron Barrett, Jean de Brunhoff, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Mother Goose, The Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Aesop, Joseph Jacobs, Charles Perrault, and so many more. I promise they will open your world to new worlds, people, characters, emotions, and ways of thinking.

5.) I promise you will learn the value of teamwork via sports, creativity via art, and hardwork via music. I promise you that all aspects of your education will be encouraged. Dad will handle math, music, science, and some sports (soccer, tennis, golf, baseball and softball). Mama will help you with languages,  history, art, theatre, and some other sports (swimming, football, basketball, and baseball). You will be able to experience it all, find your strengths, work on your not-so-strong areas with encouragement and appreciation for both. It's so important to learn baby and to encourage others to enjoy it with you.

6.) I promise to teach you to cook (Dad will help too!), to fold a fitted sheet & towels properly, how to do your own laundry, to drive in the city, to shop for groceries, to balance your bank account (Dad will definitely help!), to read, to swim, to jump in puddles and on your bed, to wish on stars and dandelions, to appreciate being outside, to treat everyone with love and kindness, to stand up for others and yourself, to whistle, to wink, to blow a raspberry/zerbert, to fall in love with classic t.v./cartoons/movies, to appreciate a day off, to always give it your all, that if you did your best that is enough, to be proud of yourself, to do the next right thing, to love all genres of music/books/films/t.v., to dance silly and proud, to sing loud and often, to love fiercely, to be loyal, to share, to be curious, to question, to think, and to be brave, to look people in the eye, the proper way to shake hands, how to properly wipe your butt and then wash your hands, that hugs and kisses and laughter are the best medicine, how to say please and thank you and I'm sorry, to forgive, how to throw a punch and that it should be only used as a very last resort if someone is hurting you or someone else and most importantly that thinking and talking to someone is the best way to resolve conflict-make a friend of an enemy, how to make the best sandwiches in the world, to give without expecting any return, that we all belong to each other and to this world, how to follow through, a strong work ethic, that honesty is always the best policy, to be kind, and most importantly of all that if you love and are loved-you have all you need.

7.) I promise to try not to judge your decisions or life based on my expectations of it. I will try really hard not to have expectations for your life and development and choices and let you be you. I will always pick you up anywhere you are, no matter the situation. If you find yourself at a party and are drinking and need a ride home I will get you no matter what. If you are ever uncomfortable anywhere I will come get you no matter what. I will reserve judgement and remember I, too, have made many mistakes.

8.) I promise to always be honest with you. Always. I will answer any question you ever have as honestly as I can. I will always help you seek truth in life and seek your truth and voice in your life. I promise that we can talk about anything, ever.

9.)  I promise to encourage you to believe in magic. Real and not so real. Fairies and pirates and wizards and vampires and flying cars and monsters can exist. The magic of love exists. Magic is everywhere if you know how to look for it. And we will look for it my love.

10.) I promise to remind you every day that you are special and unique and that also you have to work hard for what you want and no one "deserves" anything but love and respect. The rest is earned. Trust, opportunities, awards, money, etc. all come after putting in the time and effort needed to EARN them. 

11.) I promise to say good night and kiss you every single night you are alive as long as you will let me. And when that is no longer "cool" I will allow you your freedom and try to keep my tears for after you are asleep.

12.) I promise to advocate and fight for you tooth and nail. I would do anything for you my buddy.

13.) I promise to teach you all the best curse words, how to effectively use them, and words that are not to be used as there is no point to them other than to hurt someone. Those are truly the only curse words and we will promise to each other never to use them.

14.) I promise you loads of pizza and ice cream. Vegan or not. Every kid deserves pizza and ice cream. And sometimes for just no reason. Sometimes you just need to "treat yo'self" and we will my love.

15.) I promise we will celebrate holidays, birthdays, accomplishments of character, and acts of kindness and bravery with gusto! Get ready kiddo.

16.) I promise Disney and you will be best pals. No worries there my love, mama has got that on lock.

17.) I promise you can wear what you want to within reason. Stripes and plaids, do it dude. Glow in the dark rain boots with shorts, why the heck not? Anything mean-spirited or covered with naked ladies, no go guy.

18.) I promise to teach you respect for everyone. That everyone is equal. That in this world where people are not treated equally or respected we should strive to right that wrong. We should fight for fair wages, to end racism, to end sexism, to end ageism, to end sizeism, to end LBGTQ discrimination. To remember we all belong to one another. That we are not objects or pawns or less-than anyone else based on factors we cannot control. That the only thing that makes us less is hate in our hearts and minds, discrimination, closed-mindedness, intolerance, and cruelty.

19.) I promise to teach you that gender stereotypes are LAME. Girls can play football, boys can sing and dance, pink and blue are colors that anyone can love, that if you want a truck or a doll or both you can play with them. I will teach you that being a man isn't about what you wear or play with, neither is being a woman. I will teach you respect for the differences and similarities between both genders. Never listen to anyone who tells you different.

20.) I promise that no matter what, how bad or horribly mean you've been that moment or day, how sad or mad or glad you are with me or Dada, even if you say you hate me, I will always love you. That sorry is the first step, hugs and kisses help to solve hurts, that you can work hard to earn back trust and that I love yous are always important. And I will love you buddy, no matter what. It is my first and last promise to you. I will love you always and in all ways. Unconditionally. No conditions to that love my little man. Got that? Always and all ways kiddo.


Things for You to Promise Me:

1.) To be the best you that you can be. 

2.) To always try your best.

3.) To keep an open mind and heart.

That's it buddy.  Those pretty much cover it all. If you're being your best and trying your hardest and keeping your mind and heart open nothing can stand in your way and there is nothing you cannot accomplish and no friend you cannot make. You're going to be great, I just know it.

So get ready kid. January is right around the corner. Now that we have our agreements in place you can just snuggle up to me and Dada and Colonel Mustard and Zebbie. These pups cannot wait to meet you, they snuggle my belly all day and night knowing you're in there. You guys will be great brothers. Take care of them and they will take care of you. We'll all take care of you buddy. You just keep growing big and strong (and maybe kick somewhere other than the same spot that you have now internally bruised in Mama). Love you bug!


 

Sunny With A Chance of Heatwave & MI Trip Pics

So we are back in Los Angeles, yay! It is also hotter than hades, UGH! We've been taking it pretty easy since we've been back but I'm working on getting a new job, Joe's looking at new apartments for us, and we've been calling hotels in Mount Pleasant to book blocks of rooms for our October Anniversary Party. So easy but kinda busy via phone and internet.

We had a busy but fun time in Michigan. Here are some pics of our visit:

That adorable little bug is my nephew, whom I am in love with. He took two naps in my arms whilst we listened to (and I sang) Disney songs. The kid knows what's up, I'm just saying. Joe and the pups fell in love with him too. This is the only small child that Zebbie has ever liked and not barked at (he gave him so many little kisses on his feet and hands and twice on his ears which my nephew was not so much a fan of). My little mustache man kept petting Colonel Mustard and trying to crawl to him. He has rolling over down but crawling not so much yet. He's almost there though! We got to see my cousins (on both sides), my grandparents, my cousins' kids (on both sides), Joe's folks & his sister, loads of old friends that we reconnected with. I even got together with a couple gals I was good pals with back in elementary school and had a huge Parkdale reunion. That was amazing and so great to catch up with the ladies as adults and recall all our ridiculous kids' stories!

It was also so great to see old MHS Drama Club pals celebrate our teacher & director as she retired. It was covered by the local paper but it was so amazing just to be there and share that night with her and with my fellow former drama club kids. We laughed, we reconnected, we remembered, it was so lovely and touching. It reminded me what such a lovely family we were and are still. It also broke my heart that one of our members recently lost his life, he was one of the first to welcome me to the Drama Club, to make me feel apart of that family, to be a friend and pal to me, and to make me feel accepted into the world where I felt I belonged. My heart still aches that he is no longer with us. So many pictures were there, so many folks sent in videos about our Mrs. L that made me cry, Mrs. L spoke and it really made me cry. I'm just so happy that I could be there. I also got to have lunch with an old MHS DC member and pal and meet her adorable daughter for lunch. It was amazing to see her again, to see her sweet Mama skills, and to catch up & reconnect! Such a great time. :D

So there is my trip. My surprise is coming soon, just waiting on a few pics from my pal Karri. Cannot wait to show you our pics and thus, our surprise. Hope all is well with you dear chickens! Coming next is a delicious recipe review from Joe & I on a vegan delight from our "Betty Goes Vegan" cookbooks that we are OBSESSED with! :D


 TTFN!