the christmas boil & other things.

For Christmas, I received many lovely gifts from lovely people. I also received a giant boil on the side of my body. I don't really know what to say about this, except that I had previously believed that boils were reserved for the elderly. I was wrong. Semi-active 30 year olds can also develop boils. And let me tell you, internet, they hurt. There is no way I will be posting a shot of the thing. Trust me, you don't want to see it. Suffice it to say, my Christmas Eve trip to the doctor for antibiotics was a highlight of the last few days. On a happier note, here's a picture of my two lovelies, on a morning drive.Here's hoping your holiday was wonderfully fleshwound free.

'tis better to give.

Christmas 2002: I get Nate a super-cool book that he's been looking for forever. He falls in love (with the book first, later with me).

Christmas 2003: Nate surprises me with the kitchenaide mixer. In a longstanding bet with a group of girlfriends, whoever is the last to marry, the others will pitch in on an 'aide for her. I wouldn't be getting mine from my girlfriends.

Christmas 2004: I have a sign made for the new shop. He hangs it the next day.

Christmas 2005 & 2006: I have no idea what either of us got the other.

Christmas 2007: Nate excitedly calls me from the shop to tell me that our big Christmas purchase has arrived.

pottywatch: 07

Here's an update all about the potty:

Sept. 26, 2007- Purchase 2 packs of girl undies, promptly drape them across vintage bus and snap pictures. The girl is unimpressed.

Sept. 27- December 18, 2007- Claire wears the undies some mornings for an hour or so. She sits on the potty every night before her bath and several times throughout the day. When she's tired of sitting there, she throws bits of paper into the bowl, waves bye-bye to the paper and flushes. She does this ten frillion times a day, without actually going into the potty. Occasionally, she'll pull the trainers down and pee freestyle in the corner of the kitchen. Some mornings when I wake her, I'm greeted with, "Mama! Big POOP. Wash!"

Today- Hallelujah! Angels sing. The girl successfully pees into the potty. Later, mama broadcasts this information onto the worldwide web, because of course that is the logical thing to do.

On a totally unrelated note, I'm thinking of cutting off the mullet. I wish she'd let me pony her hair up, but it only lasts like this about 3 seconds. I started to take her to cut it yesterday but I chickened out. Any thoughts?

this too shall pass.

A couple of days ago, Claire woke up with the flu. When her tummy hurts, the only place she wants to be is in Mama's arms. Unfortunately for me, this means almost every time Claire has vomited, I have been on the receiving end of things.

Strange things happen to you when you become a mother. Suddenly, you can handle being vomited on. You can handle so much more than you thought. Time stops. You lose whole weeks to things like sleep schedules and pooping in the potty. And then, when you're not looking, it gets easier. I remember New Year's Eve last year, all three of us were sick with the flu and Nate and I kind of looked like, "what are we supposed to do now?" This time, we knew. We stripped beds. We put the girl in the bath. We made toast. And we waited.
The mini would like to report that I didn't wait long enough, and later that afternoon, Claire managed to get sick one last time en route to the store. I'm still learning, folks.

Speaking of minis, have you seen this? Hilarious.

recap.

December with a small child is awesome. Here a few highlights.