My Little Greeter...

Girl Can Dance

Last night, I went to see a movie with some friends while Sean took on the bedtime routine with Willa. She was determined to stay up until I came home, and fought and cried until he caved in and let her roam the house. She was clearly overtired (and maybe a little delirious) but content and playing with her toys. When a song came on the TV, like a compulsion, she broke into dance. Luckily Sean had his phone handy. It's a grainy video, but it's still awesome! So this is what I've been talking about...

For the Sake of Tradition

This morning I woke up to a beautiful sunny Sunday feeling abnormally domestic. I decided to introduce Willa to one of my favorite family recipes, Zola's French Toast. My grandma (Zola) always made this one especially for me when I slept over, which must have been at least once a week as a child. I vividly remember the sweet smell, the sizzling sound, the way my grandma moved gracefully about her kitchen in her nightgown, as she tirelessly indulged my queenly requests. I would watch patiently as she turned the toast with a fork until each side was perfectly golden. She would then place it on a pretty plate and dust it with powdered sugar. I routinely asked for an additional sprinkling. And she routinely obliged. There was no doubt then, nor is there now, that I was her girl. And last, but not least, she carefully cut it up into little bite-sized squares. And I was in heaven.

This type of pan-fried, sugary meal is not a common occurrence on our table. But somehow this regular Sunday morning felt special to me. And in the name of tradition, we indulged.

Zola's French Toast
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons sugar
dash of cinnamon
2 slices of plain white bread
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup powdered sugar

In a shallow dish (a Pyrex pie plate works well), lightly beat an egg. Then add milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir just enough to mix. Place bread in mixture. Using a fork, flip the bread a few times, to evenly coat both sides. Melt butter in a skillet over low heat. Fry the toast to a golden brown on both sides. Place it on a pretty plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut into bite-sized squares. Serve.

Just Watch It!

Watch this video, please. It's guaranteed to make you smile today. Love those British accents!

The Great Inventory Debacle

I started the week off with gusto that would make you all proud. The dreaded annual inventory was complete. January was behind us. I was ready to take on February and my new(ish) job requirements. I had spring in my step and optimism (as promised) in my heart. Then Jordan posed a question, "Did-you-shut-down-the-computer-yesterday?" Her face was mostly buried in her shirt, as if to shield herself from my reply. I put off the inevitable bad news by returning with another question, but it only bought us about 3 extra seconds of ignorant bliss. "Was-I-not-supposed-to?" Apparently, I was NOT. And I was the only one who was unaware of this. Either those girls give me too much credit, or I don't always listen. The inventory we had painstakingly counted over the previous week was long lost. We should have cried, but instead, we laughed...And we started over. It only took us two days the second time. I wish I could say that it's twice as accurate, but I don't think that's really the case. It will have to do until that time rolls around again, mid-year.

On a positive note, Willa was a complete angel all week. I think she has finally acclimated to the work environment. Her naps came easily and regularly, and were uncharacteristically long. She played well in her new space, and was just an all-around delight. I take full credit for getting her into this routine. No Babywise cry-it-out nonsense necessary. And it only took me 13 months. Maybe I should write a book.

So despite how it sounds, the week wasn't all work and no play. We had our share of fun. And here's the proof...

My Birthday Non-Party!

Sean has kidnapped my baby and fled the county (of Gillespie). I have had almost an entire day at home by myself and I haven't done a thing productive! We still don't have any plans to celebrate my birthday tonight, and I couldn't be happier about it. Oooh, how I love a low-key evening, void of pressure and expectation! I would love to go to a movie (Slumdog Millionaire) and eat popcorn for dinner. Sean sure is lucky to have such a cheap date.

I've had kind of a rough week, between a seemingly endless manual inventory at Root, which revealed more upsetting evidence of the recession's toll, multiple nights of interrupted sleep, as Willa's stubborn 6th tooth finally surfaced and broke through, and of course the shocking demise of Domino (my favorite magazine and most coveted subscription.) Top that off with the big Birthday No. 32, and I am one big party-pooper.

I'm just kidding. This lazy day is exactly what I've been needing. I'm happy to catch up on some blogging, and good ol' E! TV. A few of my lovely friends brought over a gift certificate for a massage and a pedi, which I will be putting to use immediately. It's actually been a really good day! And even better now, since Sean just pulled up with my baby!

P.S. I just opened the door to greet Sean and Willa, who looked at me with her bright eyes and said, "Dada!" She's a little mixed up with her Mama's and Dada's, but for some reason, I find that to be completely irresistible!

Sign Language and Spoon Introduction

It's my birthday! Sean took Willa with him to the ranch so I could sleep in and have some ME time this morning. Well, I have spent my precious ME time working on this computer, trying to post a movie for your viewing pleasure. It's supposed to be as easy as pie, with the Flip Video Camera. But I've been working on it all week, and an error keeps occurring. So just this morning, yes, for my birthday, I have spoken with Flip Tech Support twice, and have spent a total of about 3.5 hours trying over and over again to save the measly 3 minute movie. Ugh! It's so frustrating! Anyway, I finally got it to work, even though I don't have a clue what I did this time that was different from my previous 75 attempts. Here it is, the finished product. (Don't get too excited, it's just of Willa eating breakfast.) Look how independent she has become. She doesn't want any help from me. She is signing more, too, although her form still needs a little work. I know what she's telling me, and that's what counts. She loves her baby! But the cat impression is my personal favorite...so cute! And the lip snarl? This is the first I've seen of it. Sorry...How about I just roll the film...