Check out my new BabyHawk, a Christmas present from my wonderful husband.

Blue side! With a pocket! I know the beige straps aren't the most practical for keeping clean but I wanted something neutral that wasn't black.

Back carry! I even got him on by myself.

The only drawback to a back carry.

And this is the gorgeous pagne my sister sent me from Africa. You wear it by just wrapping it around you, folding down the top and tying the bottom.

The instructions my sister sent me for the pagne.

Considering the amount of time spent comparing the baby’s features to our own (I think he has my nose but E’s eyes but my hair texture and E’s color but my toes and E’s wrists and my elbows, etc etc etc), it’s amazing it took me this long to actually dig out some old baby pics and compare tiny Baby Evan to Baby Suzanne and Baby E. It’s extra fun because my birthday is only 5 days (and, uh, twenty*cough*cough*cough* years) after the baby’s. So in July and September and December we’re almost the same age.  This is probably the last time I ever enjoy having a birthday so close to my son’s.

So is he definitely my kid or what?

I supposed I should include his father in this little game too, although I think it’s pretty clear Baby Evan got most of his cute genes from me.

Oh. Well. Ok. Fine, then, I guess MAYBE the baby got a tiny bit of his father too.

But just let’s not forget Baby Evan is just as much Glidden* as I am:

*Ok, so this relative isn’t actually a Glidden but it’s still my dad’s side. Whatever, I’m not a genealogist, you want historical accuracy go talk to someone who gets paid for that sort of thing.

(Edited so hopefully y’all can see the pictures. Anyone know WHY they wouldn’t work on some screens?)

How delicious are your needles to stick in my mouth and chew on and then throw up all over myself and your holiday sweater! Fa la la la la la la la la!

I am thankful for…

The roof over my head, and the knowledge it will still be there tomorrow. I promise to appreciate it and not complain about trivial things like the color of the walls or that the shower leaks.

A partner who loves and supports me and our child. I promise to appreciate him more and nag a little less.

My health. I promise to love the body I have and not be so hard on myself about my weight.

A wonderful, loving, thriving baby. I promise to be more patient when he needs me and more present during his days so I don’t look back in 20 years and wonder where all the time went.

My family and friends, both real, virtual, and the ones who are a little of both. I promise to try and give all of you as much love and support in everything you do as you’ve given me.

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Last Thanksgiving, I spent the night in the emergency room, worried about the possible end of my pregnancy and the loss of the family we were dreaming of. This year, my healthy, chubby baby and I are surrounded – REALLY surrounded – by loved ones and this holiday is more special than its ever been. I hope I always have this much to be thankful for.

Things I learned this weekend:
1. Driving south on I-95 through NYC on a Friday afternoon is a VERY BAD IDEA. Very, very, very, very bad. Unless you have a flying car and an invisibility cape always take 287 over the Tappan Zee Bridge.
2. Although I had heard it was possible to nurse a baby strapped in his car seat in a moving vehicle, now I know for a fact it can be done.
3. Breastfeeding a baby in a moving car is a one way ticket to Sore Nipple Town, by way of the Baby Teeth Express. I’m currently the mayor but don’t plan to run for reelection.
4. If you buy the baby a fancy new toy to entertain him during a long car ride, make sure it has an OFF SWITCH.
5. Tying a baby to a chair is a fast and easy way to enjoy a family meal without a squirming child in your lap. It works best if you have an actual baby-tying device but I suppose duct tape would work in a pinch.
6. When packing to visit your family, be sure to leave extra room in the car for the toys they are sure to have bought the baby AND the stuff they saved from your own childhood.
7. Going back to the house you grew up in feels really weird when you have a husband and a baby.
8. When you have both a grandma and a great-grandma ready to babysit, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY to go do something without the baby. Preferably something you couldn’t do with a baby, like go to a movie, a bar, or the NRA range.
9. Sometimes the best way to blow off some travel frustration is to shoot stuff. It’s also good to practice your aim to prepare for the zombie apocalypse.
10. Nine hours of heavy traffic and only 3 hours of sleep is worth it to give Great-Grandma a chance to see her only great-grandson on her 80th birthday.

Great Grandma Gayle & Baby Evan

I think this car seat was an excellent purchase