The Post is Brought to You by the Number 18

On Saturday, Amelia celebrated her half-birthday by picking out a Christmas tree, watching a Christmas parade and discovering the wonder that is every single Christmas ornament we own.  Since we’ve decorated for Christmas, Amelia’s vocabulary has expanded in a new direction; Santa, reindeer, Rudolph, Charlie Brown, ornament, Baby Jesus, the list goes on.  But, as usual, I’m sidetracked.  I started out trying to explain that my not-so-little baby is not a baby anymore.  Honestly, she hasn’t been a baby for a while; she is a big girl and she will make sure you know it.  Eighteen months just brought it all home.  She is now officially closer to her second birthday than her first. 

Since her first birthday, she has changed so much.  I know it isn’t just Amelia, but all babies change so much nearly every day.  So, in commemoration of her milestone eighteen months, I’m going to give you another classic list…as always, these are in no particular order, and take them as you will.

18 Things About My 18-Month-Old

1. She is officially a toddler.  She loves to say things like “my turn,” “big girl,” and “no.

2. She absolutely loves names; she can name all of the kids in her class, she knows some last names, she loves to know what people and things are called.  It amazes me how many names she knows.

3. Amelia has always loved to talk.  Ever since she discovered that she could make noise, she has barely stopped.  It’s awesome. 

4. Because she loves to talk, she has some hilarious attempts at some words that are not quite in her wheelhouse yet; those include blueberry (bubebelly), Charlie Brown (tummy down), and penguin (pengle).

5. Amelia loves high fives, fist bumps, and hugs, but she’ll ask for kisses.

6. She loves clothes; we’re in trouble there.  She likes to look at them and pick out her own clothes.  She also likes to go in my closet, just to look.

7. Her favorite characters are Elmo, Abby, Daniel Tiger, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse and Snoopy.

8. She knows that wrapping up baby dolls is so exciting that you can do it for hours.

9. Amelia is her mother’s daughter; she is completely into putting things where they go and things that open and close.

10. She loves music, especially Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift and anything else that is easy to dance to.

11. Her favorite things to play with are books; any and all of them.  She can pick specific books off of a crowded shelf.  Right now, her favorites are “Moo, Baa, Lalala,” “Llama Llama Nighty Night,” “Pat the Bunny,” “Where’s Spot?,” “Pete the Cat,” “Animals,” “Daniel Tiger and Snowflake Day,” and all of the Christmas books that we recently unpacked.

12. Amelia hates to be cold.

13. Amelia’s favorite foods right now are avocado, chicken, cheese, and grapes.

14. At the playground, Amelia loves the swing and the slide, but her favorite thing is still just going up and down the steps.

15. When we pick her up at daycare, Amelia smiles and happily comes running for a hug every day.  I’m not going to say that she’s ready to go each time, but I always know that she’s happy to see me.  I’m always happy to see her.

16. She has always, and continues to, love people.  She rarely meets a stranger and while it sometimes takes her a minute, she loves to show off her vocabulary and “tricks” to anyone who will listen.

17. Amelia has a love/hate relationship with Scout.  Sometimes she wants to pet her and play with her, while sometimes she just repeats “like that” (which in Amelia-speak means “I don’t like that”) four hundred times until Scout walks away.

18. Amelia has recently learned to say, “I love you.”  It’s one of the harder to understand parts of her recently acquired language, but it’s also one of the most heart melting.

Reader, if you made it through all eighteen things, you are wonderfully patient.  I may be somewhat biased, but there are so many more than eighteen unbelievably interesting things about my daughter that I could have shared.  Of course, you obviously already know how awesome she is.  See above. 

As we head into the eye of the Christmas season, it’s the people that I want to keep in mind.  There is so much going on in our world and I have my opinions about it all, many of which will rear their sometimes ugly heads sooner than later, but today, I wanted to keep it much closer to home.  This can’t get any closer to home.  I realize that it’s mundane to some, silly to most and hopefully at least brought one chuckle to all.   There’s no real message today; no serious point.  Just eighteen things.

OMG - Stop.....Just Stop!!!

Well...before the Christmas season begins, I have a short, but hopefully funny rant to get off my chest. It's really several small rants that I hope you'll enjoy. I did, and Katy did. I can say that I enjoy reliving them now, but at the time the situations were so annoying.

The first 2 have to deal with my work phone. This is the first time that I've had a cell phone specifically for work. So, I've gotten pretty used to it, since I've had it for a little over 1 year now. The others are just random.
So:

• About 1 month ago. I got a text from a random number. This has happened several times, and I'm sure that it's because someone used to have my number. The message was, "Where are u?" 1st: If you're going to use 'u' why not also shorten 'are' to 'r'? I replied with, "Whose number is this?" I received no response. About 1 week later I received a message from the same number, but this time it was a group message regarding a relative of the group. I can only assume that it was a hospital situation, because they were trying to arrange care for their mom. I did not respond, hoping that they would notice that it was a wrong number or something. However, after 7 messages, I had to respond. I had to let them know that they may need to be communicating with someone else about arranging care. This was an ok random text message experience.
• 2 weeks ago, I received a picture via group text message celebrating the arrival of their child, Huddie. Again, I did not respond with the hope that they would realized that they've texted the wrong number. However, the celebratory texts just kept coming. I politely replied celebrating Huddie's arrival, but also alerting them that I didn't know anyone on the group text message.  Several people responded that "you know...Gerry, his brother, and boss lady." No, I didn't. "You know me? Megan?" No, I didn't. And the best..."Whatever Ginger"...Whaat? Again, I responded with, "No, I don't know any of you. This is my work phone. Please take me off of this group message." There were several subsequent message congratulating the new family, and some colorful language about the Carolina Panthers and the Cowboys. I asked them again to take me off the message. This is where it got very colorful, random, and drunk. I quickly googled how to block phone numbers, which I never had cause to use. Then they were blocked and the messages stopped.
• This one has to do with Facebook. I know we all use it, even though some of us would never admit it. I received some random Facebook messages. I just deleted the first 3, but they just kept coming over the next 2 weeks...Yes...2 weeks! The only common thread was all of the participants were 'Adam King'.  You read that correctly. Some Adam King thought that it would be awesome to message as many Adam King's as he could find on Facebook. This was so annoying. The messages were something like: 'This totally sounds like something I would do.' 'Hey what are you guys up to tonight.' ' I'm 14.' 'Jewish Adam King reporting in.' I mean c'mon..just stop it. My phone would buzz at all hours of the night with random Adam Kings sending Facebook messages. It was almost enough to make me take a Facebook hiatus for a while, but who am I kidding?
• We went to a football game recently, and took Amelia. She loved it. She has recently begun to yell at the players imploring them 'Run, Run, Ruuuuuuuunnnnn!' We had gotten up to walk around a little bit, get some concessions, and see the sights. We returned to our seats. I was holding Amelia, and waiting for Katy to sit down, so that I could hand Amelia to her. I had been standing with Amelia for all of about 2 minutes. I know to the drunk people behind me, that it must've seemed like forever. App State was in firm control of the game. They were about to receive a punt, and an older lady behind me screamed, "Down in front, please!" At least, she said please - right? I turned around, still holding Amelia, and said, "I'll sit down in one second. I'm just trying to let my wife get settled first." As I turned around, Katy had settled herself into the seat, and I gave Amelia to her and got in my seat. I couldn't believe that I got 'down in fronted' at an App State football game while clearly holding my child.

I've learned several things over that last month thanks to these ridiculous situations.

1. Stressed people do weird things.
2. Drunk people do weird things.
3. If you haven't texted someone in over 1 year, and don't know their new phone number, you probably shouldn't text them a picture of your newborn. Also, you may not be friends.
4. Some people will use any excuse to curse.
5. Even if someone responds to a group text that they don't know you, someone may try to convince you that you do know them.
6. There are some weird Adam Kings out there, and I'm probably one of them.
7. People take their App State football very seriously, and will 'down in front' you at a moment's notice.

That's all. Rant over. I'm ready for the Christmas season!

Blog....Silly Blog

There's a new movie that came out this weekend that I can't wait to see. No...it's not the new Peanuts movie. Although I will go see that one soon. It's the new Bond...James Bond movie - Spectre.

I've loved watching all of the James Bond movies as long as I can remember. Some of my favorites are (in no particular order): Dr. No, Moonraker, Skyfall, GoldenEye, Goldfinger, The Man with the Golden Gun, and Diamonds Are Forever just to name a few.

Now you may be asking yourself why I like these movies featuring a serial womanizer with a license to kill (see what I did there?) who endangers almost everyone that comes in contact with him. Or, you may not, because you also love these movies. Well, it's because they're awesome entertainment, but in case you need evidence...I'll give you some.

1. Bond is not a super hero. He's not an alien. His genes haven't been manipulated by some clandestine government agency. He doesn't have superhuman strength or the ability to fly. He may be a highly trained secret agent man, but he is just a regular man.
2. Bond has awesome gadgets. Whether it's a simple tracking device in a finely crafted leather men's wingtip shoe, a watch with a freaking laser in it, or a any other number of his devices that enable him to escape dicey situations, he has awesome gadgets courtesy of Q. However, the movies also give their villains equally impressive gadgets...Oddjobs lethal hat, Scaramanga's golden gun, etc. 
3. Bond's best gadget is always his car. Now there have been many types of Bond cars, but the most well-known (and my favorite) is the Aston Martin DB-5 from Goldfinger. I'm also partial to the Aston Martin in Skyfall, but Bond's car in Goldfinger just screams British secret agent. 
4. Bond's opening theme songs are usually epic masterpieces (notwithstanding Die Another Day by Madonna). Just take a listen to 'GoldenEye' by Tina Turner, 'Skyfall' by Adele, 'Goldfinger' by Shirley Bassey, and 'James Bond Theme' by John Barry and Orchestra.
5. Bond always comes through in the clutch. I mean, how many times can he save the world, and not get credit for it?

In case you were wondering: my favorite James Bond is Sean Connery (Haha Trebek), but Daniel Craig has overtaken Roger Moore and is getting closer to Mr. Connery.

Shaken, not stirred.

Peak Times in Boone

I love fall, just as much as the next person, maybe even more.  I may not partake in the pumpkin-spice craze that seems to sweep the world around this time of year, but I do love the changing of seasons, the clothes, football, campfires, and of course, the beautiful colors.

One of the perks of living in Boone is definitely the scenery.  It’s hard not to marvel at the mountains even in the midst of a bad day or when you’re driving to your fourth preschool of the day.  Even when you’re already in Boone, the mountains continue to call.  This time of year, the colors are amazing.  Even after two weeks of constant rain and a year that supposedly isn’t the top of the leaf looking continuum, the beauty is undeniable.

Because of that beauty, Boone becomes a magnet in the fall.  A magnet for the infamous “leaf-lookers.”  I’ll avoid name calling here, but I will admit that sometimes it isn’t fun to try to take the parkway when there’s a fifty car line, all going ten miles an hour, all with license plates proudly bearing the name “Florida.”  If you’re ever in Boone during the month of October, don’t even try to eat at the Dan’l Boone Inn. 

For some reason, this year, more than any other, I’ve been approached by these wonderful visitors.  Maybe we’ve been in extra tourist-y spots, maybe we’re approachable because of the social butterfly that is Amelia or maybe we just look like we are leaf connoisseurs.   The main question that is thrown our way is the same every time…”so, when is peak?”

When this happens, Adam and I take deep breaths, assure these visitors that it’s definitely “peak” or close to it and that if they drive up the parkway, they’ll be confident that their eight hour drive to look at an annual occurrence was totally worth it.  As soon as they walk away, we make at least fifteen minutes worth of jokes about the leaf-looking phenomenon. 

I honestly do understand that it’s beautiful.  I’m not denying that.  I’m even completely jealous of my parents’ upcoming train ride through the mountains, all to see leaves. 

All of that aside, I will admit that I do lose my patience when asked the notorious “peak” question. Appreciate the beauty, if you drove for hours to get here, you’ll find it.  Don’t worry about whether or not it would look slightly different in two days or fifty miles down the road or if the colors don’t “pop” as much this year.  Also, evergreens can be pretty too. 

And anyway, why’s it always about color?  Adam and I have decided to raise Amelia to be accepting of all sizes, shapes and colors of leaves.  They’re all a part of nature as a whole and they’re all beautiful in their own way.

Mom-Shaming by Accident

             A few weeks ago, I took Amelia to the playground, which is not exactly an uncommon occurrence for us.  On this particular day, I had picked her up from daycare, taken her to the playground, and Adam was going to meet us there to pick her up and take her home.  I had to go back to work that evening for a school event.  Because of that, I still had on my work clothes and my badge hanging around my neck.

            Anyway, we were playing on the slide that is currently our favorite.  Amelia has recently discovered the steps leading up to the slide and honestly, right now; I think she enjoys the steps more than the slide.   On this particular day, another little girl, a couple years older than Amelia, approached us with a smile.  I smiled back, but before introductions could be made, her mom called her back, away from us, with the words, “come back over here, that little girl doesn’t get much time with her mommy.”  Her mother smiled at me, nodded and they left for another part of the playground.  This woman’s smile was genuine; she seemed to feel that she had done me a favor.

            The only explanation I can come up with is that she saw my badge and knew that I am a working mother.  Based on this, she made a few assumptions about the time and the quality of the time that I spend with Amelia.  I’m not trying to get into whether or not I do have enough time with her.  Is that every really the case?  Do we ever have enough time with the people we love?  I’m not trying to debate the pros and cons of being a stay-at-home mom versus a working mom.  I’m not trying to question this mom either; I do believe that her smile was genuine, that her intent was good. 

            Even so, it didn’t have the intended effect.  I’ve been a parent for almost sixteen months at this point, not terribly long in the grand scheme of things.  Adam and I have both been on the receiving end of comments and advice that wasn’t always solicited.  The approach has always been very different for Adam’s experiences than it has been for mine.  I’m sure that all parents have some stories, just like the one above.  I’m also sure that this is not unique to parenting. 

            I am a firm believer that intentions matter, but at the same time, we are also the only ones who can control the words that come out of our mouths.  We owe it to those we are speaking to, most especially those we don’t know, to think of the effect our words can have.  Words can have a profound effect.  Words matter; it’s one of my favorite things to say to youth and to my kids at school.  So, please, think about how your words could affect others.  You’ll never know exactly what they’ve been through.  If you want to offer advice, take the time to get to know them or at least ask a question rather than make an assumption. 

Rocky Top, You'll Always Be, Home Sweet Home To Me

           

If you know us at all, you most likely know that we are die-hard University of Tennessee fans.  While I will never deny that I am extremely competitive and that does extend to my love for the Vols, this particular post is not about their record, their wins or their losses.  I’m going to try to keep that part out of this, even though, after yesterday’s heartbreakingly frustrating loss, that may be more difficult than I am anticipating.

I come by this love of the Vols honestly.  My family has been full of huge fans my entire life.  I attended my first Tennessee football game in 1985; the year I turned one.  We’ve been through frustrating years, good years, wins, losses, controversies, bowl games and even championships.  I know some of you might fight me on this, but college football is full of tradition, where pro football can’t even compare.  Tennessee has the Vol Walk, the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, the Power ‘T” pregame, Smoky, the Vol Navy, and on and on it goes.  The cheers are mostly the same as they were when I was a child.  The stadium, while it’s been updated, is completely familiar.  I have family members, especially my Dad, who say the same things in the same situations each game day, i.e. “why play anywhere else” as potential recruits watch the Vol Walk.  Tennessee football has been the reason I’ve travelled to quite a few places in the country; whether it was for a bowl game or just a big, hyped up away game, my family was there.  I did miss the 1998 National Championship game in Tempe, Arizona, but that’s another, somewhat bitter story for another time.  To sum it up, obviously, the Vols have always been a part of my family life.  There are no occasions when we’re all together that it doesn’t at least come up in conversation. 

Outsiders may roll their eyes.   As new in-laws marry in to the family, they’ve all had to do their research and at least learn to follow Tennessee football.  I was lucky; Adam was already a fan.  Although, I do like to think that I’ve helped him to take it all up a notch.  Anyway, go ahead, roll your eyes.  We know it’s a hobby and that it’s just a game.  It is; it’s just a game, but it’s a game we care about and a game that has given us all a common interest to share.  That’s really the point. 

This season, Amelia has a cheerleader outfit, a onesie and a dress to show her support of the Vols.  Yep, I have no problem accepting the fact that I’m encouraging her to be a fan.  She has no say right now in the fact that she is a Tennessee fan (She’s also a Wake fan, by the way, and that’s also my fault.  The fact that I also bleed back and old gold is true but isn’t a part of this story.).  I’m completely ok with that.  She will look back at pictures of our family and see that she was a part of things.  She will know that we included her and that we helped her to enjoy the fanfare, the fun, the family bonding and the game.  If, as she grows up, she doesn’t enjoy football, that’s fine.  If she decides to pull for another team, she’ll have a tough time at family gatherings, but that’s fine.  She will have complete control of where she chooses to attend college and if she chooses to attend another university in the SEC that isn’t Tennessee, I’ll miss her for four years, but it’ll also be fine. 

So, win or lose, I’ll keep pulling for them.  I’ll learn the new cheers, buy the new Nike swag, go to all the games I can, cheer when they win, struggle when they lose, be reminded that it’s just a game and be blindly optimistic for the proverbial next Saturday and even next season.  Go Vols.