Days 12-14

As catch up, here are a couple photos to peruse:

Day 12: Something that makes me happy; and Day 14: Grass (a twofer!)

The relationship that is being built between my dad and Leo is so awesome. My dad was looking forward to having grandkids, but I don't think he fully realized how much he would love them and want to be a part of their lives. And these two (here seen mowing the grass together) are tight. Playgrounds, throwing rocks into puddles, sharing ice cream sandwiches ... they have a great time. And seeing them together, well, that's the stuff life is made of.

Also, Day 13: Mom

This one is from the archives, from when Hadley was about 2 weeks old. It was just a sweet photo of my Mom and her two grandkids. Knowing that she could very well not have survived her aneurysm surgery eight years ago, I am so, so grateful that she's here and in our lives. Again, this is the stuff life is made of.

Down

Today's assignment in the May photo challenge is something that makes me happy. I did take a photo of something that makes me happy and heartbreakingly grateful, but I can't post it right now due to some technical difficulties.

The assignment, though, was just a distraction from a bigger situation that really has me down in the dumps. I learned last night that Hadley has hip dysplasia in her right hip. This after two doctors looked at her, tested her hips and said, "Well, it feels OK, but let's do more tests to be sure."

I truly thought all these tests were just the doctors' way of making money. That, or when they see ATTORNEY in my family's files, they go overboard in order to cover their asses. In any event, there was no room in my mind that she would actually have it. And now, it's a fact, she does have it.

We're being referred to a pediatric orthopedist this week. Until then, all I have is Dr. Internet scaring the shit out of me with the information about braces and casts and surgeries that could be in our future.

I'm just bummed that my sweet, strong little baby girl will have to be in a brace or cast for months on end.

She's been hitting all the developmental milestones earlier than Leo did (she's sitting up by herself already, for crying out loud!), and I'm bummed all of that will come to a screeching halt.

I'm bummed that soon she'll be sentenced to some sort of device that will render her unable to do anything but lay on her back with her legs splayed out like a frog.

I'm just so, so sad. And, yes, I do know that this is just a bump in the road and that she'll likely come out of the treatment with perfectly healthy hips that will remain healthy throughout her entire life. And, yes, I know there are other far more terrible things that children and their parents face every day, and in that regard, we're lucky. But I'm still mourning the months we're going to lose, and my heart is heavy this Mother's Day.

Day 11: Kitchen

Remember on MTV Cribs, when the skeezy celebrity would pat his extravagantly-appointed California king-size bed and say, "This is where the magic happens"? Well, here's where it happens in our house:

(For me, magic = good food, and not promiscuous sex like it does for the skeezy celebrity. Just thought I'd clarify in case there was any confusion. Because sex on the stove? OUCH.)

Day 10: A favorite word

Hmmmmm, again, I can't think of any words I love. There are a couple I use frequently in legal writing that I like. For example, the word "accordingly." It sounds so much better than "therefore," doesn't it? Same thing with "consequently." They sound more sophisticated, no?

I also like the words "autumn" and "summer" because of what they represent. Autumn for the cool, crisp, blue-skyed days full of brightly colored leaves, and summertime, when the living is easy. Lazy days on the boat with a cool Shandy in the cup holder.

My favorite curse word, bar none, is fuck. And I love when I find myself in situations where I can throw it about with abandon. It just feels so freeing to swear like a sailor, especially during these days when Leo regurgitates everything he hears. When I tweaked my back a couple weeks ago during Hadley's bath, I accidentally muttered, "Fucker!" And sure enough, right after I said it, he yelled, "FOCKER!" Thank goodness he's already forgotten it.

Actually, in thinking about it, one of my most favorite words is this:

It, too, represents freedom, fun, and one of my favorite pastimes: travel. I have a humdinger of a vacation coming up next month, my first real significant vacation in about three years. I'm going to Positano, Italy with my law school girls. While I'm apprehensive about leaving the babes, I really, really need this time for me. Time to enjoy the Mediterranen sun, time to reconnect with my girls, time to lazily sip a glass of red, time to read something other than Llama, Llama Red Pajama. I am SO looking forward to it. SIX WEEKS FROM TOMORROW!

Day 9: Something I do every day

Gosh, what do I do every single day? Not much. There are things that I do every single workday and every single off day, but what do they say? Never the twain shall meet, or something like that.

I've already mentioned that I consider showering to be optional on at least one weekend day, so not that. Brushing teeth? Possibly.

But there is one thing for sure: Coffee. I must drink coffee every single day. I love and crave it. Drank it (half caf) throughout both of my pregnancies. The stronger the better, with a splash of half & half to add that creamy, fatty goodness. So delicious.

I would say it's the nectar of the gods, but red wine has a firm hold on that position. I can say with confidence, however, that it's the nectar of sleep deprived parents everywhere.

Day 8: A smell I adore

No photo today, but there are a bunch of smells I adore. My baby's neck. Campfire smoke. Lilacs. The combination of my husband's soap and shaving cream. A barnyardy Pinot. Wet woods. All of these smells make me feel rich and remind me that life is very, very good.

Day 7: Someone who inspires you

I don't have any role models or mentors. No one who I look up to or want to emulate. Sure, there's Mother Theresa or Jesus, but come on, let's be realistic. There's no chance in hell that I'd be able to live up to their example, so why even pretend to try?

I will say that I'm inspired when I come across a mama who's got her shit together. For me, I'm lucky to make it out the door to work everyday without puke stains on my shirt. Some gals just make it seem easy, effortless. I can't think of any of these ladies right now, but they're out there.

As for a photo, I suppose my babes inspire me to keep trying to be one of those put-together mamas. To be a good example for them. A hard worker. An easygoing, supportive resource. A good listener and sounding board. So, though I'm sure it's not quite what the creator of the challenge had in mind, these two sweeties are who inspire me to be the best mama I can be.