about a girl...

almost 2 years ago, i peed on a stick. as i sat there, waiting, my heart began to beat a little faster. doubt turned into shock as the blank screen turned into two small, pink lines. it was in that instant that i knew i was going to have a daughter. i don't know how i knew, but i did. 10 weeks later, i was lying on a table for an ultrasound. still not a moment of doubt, and the nurse confirmed what i already believed. a girl. apart from thoughts of bright tutus and pigtails, i considered what it was going to mean, raising a girl. obviously, i am one. and so, my perspective of what her life would be was a little clearer for me. i thought about my relationship with my mother, and how i so want that for she and i. i felt, and still feel, privileged to be a part of such a sacred bond.
as i watch my daughter grow, and oh, she is growing, i feel lucky and amazed every day. she's mine, and i'm hers, for now, and i hope in some way, for always. she's stubborn and sweet. loving and independent. she likes spicy food and babydolls. she loves to sleep, and dance. she's engaging, and when i watch others play with her, and enjoy her company, i swell with pride that i get to be the one to keep her. to get her dressed and watch her grin when she loves what she's wearing. to share my jewelry with her, and indulge in her cuddles whenever i can.
i am trying to remember to put her down and let her walk more. let her explore this world that i hope she finds as beautiful as i do. she's not even 2, and i find myself already wanting to make her understand how special she is, and how beautiful and smart. i want her to be confident and strong, and i know firsthand how hard that journey will be. but i made it there, and i know she will, too.
i will look around soon, any minute now, and she will be a real, live girl. with homework, crushes, crazy curly hair, and doubt and happiness. a few brief moments after that one, she will be a real, live woman. with friends, and a partner, and a favorite wine, and a home, and maybe children of her own. and still with a mother who will hope that she is happy deep down to her soul. i hope we are always close. i can't wait to see what this sweet little being will paint on this world.
i love you, mallory j.

What's the zip for the North Pole?

Tonight before dinner, Marlena and I sat down with the littles to write some letters about how good we have all been this year. (I totally was.) Charlie wrote some of his himself, by copying letters I had written. My little genius.

(Marlena used baby Cullen's letter to ask for personal items, including, but not limited to, a pair of skinny jeans and the New Moon soundtrack...but I digress.);)

Cullen doesn't mind. :)

Mal just cannot decide, apparently...






SO...to determine if Santa will indeed be bringing any of this loot, is the elf. You may have heard of Elf on a Shelf. Ours appeared this weekend, via my awesome mom, and Hallmark. We let Charlie name him, and so the tradition of Indiana Jones' watchful eye was born. I think most people wait until Thanksgiving to break out the elfage, but...I can always use the extra eyes. ;)

The World According to Chuck.

This is fun for me, and close to my heart, being the picture lover that I am . Adam's work camera was no longer useable for him, because the display screen broke. The camera still worked, though, and so he gave it to Charlie. Best idea ever. Looking at the photos this morning from the past few weeks was so much fun. He hasn't seen these yet, but he will no doubt be proud of his artistic vision. Enjoy the view from Charlie height. (Captions also by the artist.)
Bouncy ball!

Mommy driving carefully.

A suckah.

Chahlie.

Captain America, sideways.

Mallory in the carseat.

Daddy's picking up Mallory.

Daddy, sitting.

Daddy, about to grab me.

My feet, and my leg.

Banana. (But really, it's the sun.)

Down the stairs.

My mommy's room!

The kitchen, with my walkie-talkie.

That's where Daddy keeps the Wii remotes!

Charlie Boshanks.

A cookie on my little table.

Daddy.

Da fwah. (floor.)


The man's got skills. :) Give your kiddos a camera (an old one) and see what they come up with!

Fickle Musician...

Mallory has a new love, one that Adam swears he taught her, but I dunno. I think she's a natural. So of course, I grab the camera and get a shot of my baby's incredible talent. I did refrain from calling Oprah, barely.



Cute, right??

And then...just like that, the music business became too much, and Mal quit, before the pressure overtook her life and she ended up in baby rehab.



My girl is so smart. I guess we will have to work on her many other natural gifts instead. ;)

Here's another vid of my musically inclined kids having one of thier many jam sessions a few weeks ago. Errr...you may wanna turn down your volume...a lot.



Party on!

on the road, again

I am sitting on my couch, rested, showered, and really happy about the great times we have spent with family in the last couple of weeks. We literally have not been home for more than a few hours in 8 days or so. Adam was scheduled to computerize a brand new ChicFilA in the Charlotte, NC area, and I immediately volunteered me and the kids to be travel companions. (Adam at least faked being thrilled about this;). His aunt and uncle live there, and we never have had a lot of time to spend with them. We had a great time...other than my nervousness about the kids breaking stuff (they didn't!). Dodie showed us around Charlotte, and I fell in love with the city. It's beautiful...the perfect southern city with a ton of charm. It's a lot different than the good ole ATL. (though i love her, too).
Some photos from our time with Rick and Dodie!
Best cookies ever...gotta find me a Trader Joe's nearby!


Rick is an awesome grillman...runs in the family!

At the Children's Museum...




Checking out the Shipwreck exibit.







Mallory totally jacked my necklace that morning.


So, on our last day, Adam picked us up from the (beautiful) house around 5 to head home. Just had to make one more quick stop by the restaurant. Which of course led to almost SIX hours of waiting, driving around with the kids in the rain, panicking, singing every song I could remember from childhood, doing donuts in the parking lots, and eating lots of KFC mac and cheese. Adam now says that I jinx him when I tag along...I don't agree. :) Surely that printer cable issue would have happened anyway, right? The kids were GREAT in the car. We walked them at all the rest stops, fed them planty of french fries, and listened to the Chicken Dance cd at least 63 times. :)SO, they're fine, we're insane.
More stories from the road, coming soon!

September, remember?

I can't believe how fast this year is flying by. My kids are huge! I'm getting so stoked for the fall...I cannot wait to take them to all the fairs and the farms. Mal is quite the adventurer, just like her bro.
Oh, update on the yard sale shenanigans...it went well. Our house is MUCH less cluttered, and while I do pop out to the garage now and then to glance at my old treasures (anything that didn't sell is out there, waiting for round 2), I am happy with less stuff.
ALSO...less stuff on my head is making me happy. I did it..cut it all off! I love it. I was worried that I would miss it, but it was such a hassle. I even like it messy. It's way more fun.
How's about some pics from my parents' house today...

Hoarder-line

Okay...this is not our home. I am nowhere near this bad when it comes to throwing things away. But I am a clutterer, and I have a hard time getting rid of things. I have receipts from special dates, all of Charlie's art projects, old coke bottles, lamps that do not work...you get the idea. I hold on to things because they remind me of people or events. I know, everyone does, but it really is silly when you think about it. And it's just not good decorating sense. Just this weekend, Jess, very gently, referred to my corner cabinet in the dining room as "how old ladies decorate". I looked at it, opened my mouth to defend...and she's totally right. There's a vintage cup and plate, a frame of a poem from our wedding, and a bowl of dried flowers from various weddings and funerals we have attended. Not to mention a sun and moon candle I had in high school, some sort of little troll guy, and a little ceramic mushroom with a cute worm on it. This is all true, and as just as un-fabulous as you are probably picturing it.
So, with all this in mind, we have been talking about a yard sale. (No, I don't plan on selling the dead flowers...but maybe the troll.) Coinciding with this light bulb moment, the recession has come to call on the Beauchamp household. Money is tighter than it has ever been, as I am sure everyone has experienced. It's something I think we have tried to ignore. We go, go, go...and now it's time to pull back the reins, and make some changes. Simplifying our home while making some money at the same time is the first step.
Sounds easy, right? It would be, if I didn't have about 25% of the hoarder syndrome. For the last two days, I have strolled through the house, eyeballing the wicker end table that is gathering dust in a room that no one ever even goes in. But, in my mind, I could at any time rearrange the furniture and kick myself for selling the perfect table for like, 3 bucks. Remember the chandelier I pleaded with Adam to buy me from the store closing? Yeah, it's still in the basement, patiently waiting to be hung in the foyer. So, logically, I should sell it, right?
NO!
I really can't sell the chandelier. It's too cool. We will get around to hanging it, soon.
So, my challenge over the next 24 hours is to fight and (mostly) win these mini battles with myself (and undoubtedly with Adam, who will end up prying some random knick-knack out of my hands). If I haven't touched it, thought about it, used it, looked for it, or even smiled at it...it can go...right?? I do not want to be the crazy lady hauling things back into the house all afternoon.
Send clean, organized, money-makin' vibes!