There Is A Bright Side

Considering the recession, the past weekend went as expected. Black Friday didn't put us in the BLACK. We're making ourselves rather comfortable in the RED, actually, as I've resolved to the fact that its going to take a while to get out of this. Sales have been soft for several months now, and the effects of that have gradually added up. Credit cards and industry factors, which I use to buy merchandise, have imposed new limits on my accounts, so instantly I've become "maxed out" and cut-off. The burn is that I am contractually obligated to orders I placed months ago, so the goods are still being shipped, just as C.O.D's. And as I prepay for this excess merchandise, I in turn, render myself unable to pay down the credit card and factor debt. Its a perpetual downward cycle, and I could make myself sick worrying about it. BUT I'm not. And that's the good news, and the reason for this post. After a mediocre weekend at the shop, I decided to take Sunday off and spend it at home with Sean and Willa. I'm so glad I did because it put things into perspective and cured my bad attitude. Instead of tainting this season with financial woe, I will use my past 7 years of experience to ride the retail rollercoaster with a cool head, even though it is currently more frightening than fun. This week, I will assess the situation, and devise a plan to best salvage the remainder of 2008. I'll just keep doing the best I can. And I certainly won't let it spoil the holidays. Money will be tighter than expected, but luckily, Willa doesn't need much. This has given us a nudge toward the things that matter most, not presents under the tree, but family and holiday tradition. Don't get me wrong, there will be presents, but they will not be the focus. And it will be the best Christmas ever.

Happy Birthday, Jenifer!

We sure are looking forward to seeing you and Reyn next week and celebrating both of your birthdays. I hope today was special. Love and miss you!

Thanksgiving '08

It was a beautiful day. We started with lunch at the Hh Ranch. Then we checked out the herd. Willa wasn't all that impressed with the cows. She's more of a people-person, I guess.

Then we went to Omie and Opie Kaiser's for some dessert and a quick visit with the Klein's. (And sorry, I forgot my camera in the truck.) Later, we made our last holiday stop, at Uncle Johnny's. We ate a big, delicious dinner, went around the room announcing what we were most thankful for. Can you guess what I said? Cash mostly slept like a baby, and Willa, well, didn't.

Chris lent her his cell phone, so she could take a call, and she received some very shocking news. As my friend, Jordan, said (and these pictures convey,) Willa "owns a room." Just look at us, a captivated audience.

Let's Get Caught Up...

First of all, I am sorry for the week-long hiatus. And I hope I haven't lost any devoted readers because of it. Last week was so busy! Our friends from Chicago, Seana and Madeline Strawn, visited us for four fun-filled, baby-centric days. It was hopefully the first of many cross-country play-dates. The last time I saw Seana was in Chicago, in May, and she was pregnant. Meeting Madeline this first time was really special. Seana and I have been friends for almost 10 years. We have been though so much together, having first met as waitresses at The Plateau Cafe, stood up in each other's weddings, empathised as we each underwent grueling fertility treatments, hosted each other's baby showers, welcomed our bouncing baby girls only 6 months apart, and shared plenty of tears, laughs, wisdom, and inspiration along the way. We call each other "soul sisters" because whether we are near or far, we always seem to connect on life, from the latest cravings in home decor, to our philosophies on motherhood, and most everything in between. Madeline's temperament contrasts and balances her mother's personality quite like Willa's contrasts and balances mine. We get a lot of laughs and conversations out of that. It was a joy to spend this quality time with our dear friends and to get to know Seana's adorable, mellow, smiley baby girl, Madeline.

In addition to our visit from the Strawn's, we welcomed lots of unexpected guests throughout the week, including Jenifer and Reyn, Jordan and Cash, Shelly and Cassidy, Helen (sans baby Jack,) Tara, Harlie, and Gracie, Sarah and Sofia, and Anabelle and Mattie. Rebekah, Brooklyn, and Camden paid a neighborly visit, too. Thank goodness for Cheerios and the big shag rug that I recently put down in the shoe section. I've been enjoying this perk of self-employment and turning the back half of the shop into a romper room for Willa and her friends. (Of course, I welcome any opportunity to chat up and relate to fellow moms.)

Last Thursday, my mom, Willa, and I attended the Grand Opening of Minx in downtown Austin. This new boutique is co-owned by my cousins, Sarah and Kate Penick. It is a beautiful store, stocked with fantastic labels, like Meghan Fabulous, Chloe Dao, and LaROC. I bought some great chocolate brown riding pants, and an early Christmas present for my mom, a scarf emblazoned with peace signs (of course.) There, we met up with Jenifer and Reyn and followed them to Matt's El Rancho for a yummy Mexican dinner. Reyn is 2 years old and unbelievably precious! She and I did lots of baby sign language, which has re-ignited my determination to teach Willa to sign. Its a great tool, simple to learn and execute, and cuts down on fits of frustration from little ones that have no other way of communicating their wants and needs. As we waited for our table, I doled out cheese puffs to Willa and Reyn. Willa grunted loudly whenever she wanted another one, and Reyn sweetly signed "more" and "please." From what I have read, now is the ideal time for Willa to learn, so Sean and I are buckling down, and I encourage everyone around her to do the same. Just ask and I'll teach you the basics.

Business has definitely picked up at the shop. This is absolutely my favorite week of the year, not only because of sales, but because of the familiar faces that pass through. In the 7 years I have owned Root, I have made countless friends and acquaintances through the shop. Seeing them on their regular, annual shopping spree always reminds me how much I enjoy and appreciate my job. Its hard to believe that I've been at it for so long, but I am frequently reminded. Customers I first met as little girls, trying desperately to fit into the clothes, are now coming in as college graduates with real jobs and their own money to spend. The familiarity of loyal customers is especially welcomed this year, with all the stress and struggle the recession brings. My numbers have been noticeably effected, and the credit crunch is taking its toll, but we are hanging in there. I'm so grateful that I have 7 years behind me and am somewhat established as a retail destination.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and another big first for Willa. I'm reminded how thankful I am for the blessings in my life. There are so many, which include Willa, Chris's health, my business and the freedom it has granted me to focus on being a mom, my doting hubby and the amazing friends and family members (especially the Grandmother Trifecta) that have helped me adjust to the drastic changes motherhood has brought. And on that note, I better sign off and get my shower before the sweetest blessing wakes from her morning nap.

A Little Individual

Some of my friends have said Willa looks like a mixture of Sean and me, but I'm sure they're just being nice. I almost can't believe the resemblance in these first photos of Sean and Willa. Don't get me wrong, I think its fantastic that Willa looks so much like her dad. But I will continue to watch closely, wait patiently, and hope that someday I'll catch a glimpse of myself in her. Maybe she'll have my laugh, or my sense of style, or my mint aversion. I'll be happy with any obscure, insignificant similarity, just so that it gives a little reassurance that she is also a part of me. It still seems hard to believe that I am actually a mother, not just a babysitter to this precious child. That after all these years of effort and doubt, we have overcome infertility and we have Willa, a beautiful, wonderful, real person to love and to teach and to share our lives with. Somebody should really pinch me because it still seems like a dream!

I was reading on a parenting website that at this age, 10 months, you can start to predict your child's personality based on their temperament. I've been doing this all along. (Don't we all?) But having read an expert's take on it, my once-frivolous predictions seem to carry a bit more weight. So here is what I have observed so far: First of all, like her physical appearance, her personality has very little resemblance to mine. (Or Sean's, for that matter.) It is a strong one. She is extraordinarily decisive, determined, and confident. She knows what she wants, and she goes for it, without any reservations or fears. She is incredibly social and outgoing and revels in the steady flow of fresh faces that pass through the shop. Customers are often drawn to Willa, and they usually get back more than they have bargained for. After a quick introduction, Willa makes friends, and without any prompting, reaches out, and invites herself into their arms. Its cute, but also a little awkward. Mostly because I never know for sure when I'll get her back. She doesn't usually return to me nearly as freely as she leaves. Of course that's embarrassing and always makes me wonder what kind of unfit mother I must appear to be. I'm not, by the way. It is just evidence of another unexpected personality trait, her independence. Willa enjoys having her space and is very entertained by herself, playing, studying, and laughing at her own antics. She has recently developed this new smile that perfectly displays the lone tooth in her top gums. She crinkles her nose, squints her eyes, and holds the pose just long enough to get a hearty reaction from her audience. She is turning into a performer, a little clown, the life of the party.

I look forward to watching her personality take shape over the years to come. Sean and I expect to be endlessly entertained and challenged by this foreign, yet refreshing disposition. And if these first 10 months are any indication, I know we'll have so much fun!

Stuck on This!

I love everything about these Woodland Wall Decals from Blik. The scene is natural, but still so much fun! They stick to the wall for instant impact, but can be easily removed, re-stuck, or repositioned. They are whimsical without being cutesy, colorful without requiring a color commitment, and they make a statement without dominating the space. Speaking of space, I just might have something in mind for these...

Top 10 Reasons Why We Love Flitty

1. Chocolate Meringue Pie
2. Her infectious laugh
3. The way she takes care of Chris
4. Her admirable character, generosity, kindness, and unselfishness
5. The way she says "srimp" (shrimp)
6. Lemon Pie with Nilla Wafer Crust
7. The way she loves and treats babies, particularly Willa
8. Unexpected flowers and homemade dinners, delivered to our door
9. The thoughtful, hand-written cards she gives
10. The energy and efficiency which earned her the name, "Flitty"

{Thank you for the sweet note, the beautiful flowers and the delicious dinner! It was absolutely unnecessary, but you already knew that. We all love you!}

Lazy Sunday

Sean and Willa looked so sweet this morning, I couldn't resist taking these. Here Sean was, trying to enjoy a slow start to his day, and Willa was not having it. It was a truly perfect moment that, to me, epitomizes life with children and the simple joy they bring. I've never been a morning person, but motherhood has changed that. My favorite part of the day is when I first greet Willa. No matter how little sleep I've gotten overnight, I can hardly wait to pick her up and kiss those fresh, rosy cheeks. This morning, she actually played for a while in her crib before calling for one of us to come and get her. Sean and I just laid in bed and eavesdropped on her conversation. Speaking of simple joys, we could have listened for hours to the cute sounds that were coming from her crib. There is a new word she keeps using, it's something like, "Deece, Deece." It is usually accompanied by a pointed index finger, as if she is saying "What's this?" Oh, and I am also pleased to say that Mama-ma, and Dada are officially part of her vocabulary. Since I'm on the subject of her development, she has been sleeping through the night (8 sharp to 7-ish) consistently for a couple of weeks now. Her sleep issues have been our hardest hurdle, so this is huge for us. She also has 3 teeth (2 on the bottom, 1 on top) and is working on 2 more. It's only a matter of time before she bites that cute protruding tongue and decides to start keeping it inside her mouth.

Willa on Nonchalant Mom

I submitted a photo of Willa's Halloween costume to one of my favorite blogs, Nonchalant Mom, and it made yesterday's post. Mosey over and check it out:

http://nonchalantmom.blogspot.com/

It's a great blog, chock-full of helpful parenting tips and style for children, parents and the kid-friendly home.

Happy Birthday, Tara!

We're not just getting older and wiser, we get better as the years go by. And the same goes for our friendship. I am so fortunate to have had a friend like you through three whole decades (and then some.) I'm looking forward to hearing more about how you are settling into all the recent and exciting changes in your life. You should stay put and enjoy yourself for a while! Miss you.

Making History

This has nothing to do with the hot button issues of this election or my own political views. Those are definitely not things I have ever wished to discuss on this blog. I personally do not feel equipped with the knowledge to properly do so, and I recognize that many of my friends and family members who read it have very strong and conflicting views. So I will just say this: Whatever your affiliation, you can not deny that yesterday was a monumental day in American history. And I am SO excited that Willa was here to see it. While she is obviously too young to understand or remember, she will certainly witness the significant role this election will play in our future. As my friend, (and fellow new mom) pointed out to me, our children will grow up in a changed America, in which race and gender are irrelevant even in the most esteemed office of the President of the United States. And that makes me VERY happy.

Happy Birthday, Stephanie!

I hope your day is just as special as you are to us. I'm counting on you to be a significant influence in Willa's life, with your inspiring kindness and genuine nature. So we need to start seeing more of you!

Cash Leo Penick

Jordan and Derrek, along with Ashley and Blake, welcomed their newest teammate today. Cash Leo Penick was born at 6:31 pm, weighing 7 pounds, 5 ounces, and was 19 inches in length. I didn't think that family could get any more beautiful, but it just did.

Ouch!

Willa had an accident today. She tumbled off the edge of the carport and planted her sweet face into the dirt driveway. I was at work and Sean was keeping her at home. The two of them were having fun outside, until Sean turned his back for two seconds and she took a wrong turn in her (hazardous, I know) walker. It had to have hurt and I'm sure it scared her. But I think Sean felt worse. He text messaged me right away to let me know that it had happened and that she was okay. He had managed to get the "tough little monkey" cleaned up and calmed down using some goldfish as a "peace offering." By the time I got home, Rebekah, Brooklyn, and Camden had come over with a pizza. Needless to say, Willa had long forgotten about her fall and was having a grand old time playing hostess to her friends. She had her first pizza roll and LOVED it. Then it was time for her bath. Camden felt left out, so we let her join in the fun, and it was GREAT! They were sharing toys and kisses. And it just took a bigger kid to show Willa how to really splash! Once she figured it out, she was cracking herself up and belly-laughing so hard she almost fell over. It was hilarious and SOOO cute.

Happy Birthday, Seana!

I know it's a good day because you are spending it with your favorite friend, Madeline. I wish I could be there, too, but we'll make up for it with a belated birthday celebration when you come to town in a couple of weeks. I want to tell you on this special day, that you have accomplished a lot in this past year. I am so happy for all of the blessings in your life, and also so very proud to call you my friend.

Love This!

In an attempt to provide some new stimulation for my ever developing little brainiac, I searched the web this afternoon for toys and came across this really cool wooden walker. Unfortunately, we have no need for it, since somehow we have managed to accumulate 4 different types of plastic walkers, all of which even combined, are no where near as neat as this one. The beauty and sustainability of the wood are great and all, but I really just love the idea of the woodpeckers clickity- clacking as they go along. I hope someone out there will snatch this up for their own pre-walker. Otherwise, if anybody has a need to borrow a plastic one, you know who to call.