Goodbye, my sweet girl.............

I had to say goodbye to my 17 year old first born, Nadia, today. What a hard day. It was time, I know. But so very hard. She'd taken a bad turn about 3 weeks ago and just wasn't able to fight anymore. 17 years is a long time. We've been through boyfriends, bad roommates, happy times and sad times..........She always listened and always purred............Even when her world was turned upside down by the arrival of two very active and loving children. She got her start when my mom found her and her brothers and sisters in a box behind a restaurant in Lawrenceville. She got her name because she had gymnastic traits that included climbing up draperies and scaling furniture..........She was my first indoor kitty, big step since the old parents never let us have indoor pets!! So, she and her sister Chloe and myself moved into our first apartment. And although Chloe had a heart condition that sent her to kitty heaven very early on in life, Nadia and myself (and a new addition, Sasha) lived together very happily! I will miss her tremendously.........I will miss her very distinct meow and will miss her easy going spirit...........So easy, she spent many days dressed up and driven around in strollers throughout the house!! I love you baby girl............ please ignore the awful picture........this was taken after many tears and I just wanted one last picture.

She'd gotten so frail.........Once a very active and very overweight 16 pound kitty!!

And don't think that seeing all the pictures of my little ones didn't bring even more tears!!!

So, as my friend Holly said, she's up in heaven, snacking on tunafish, smiling down and patiently waiting to see us again.........sniff sniff

Playdate fun and a little INSPIRATION!

So Tuesday has been designated as "Playdate Day" and I couldn't be happier!! These two little smiling friends will get to see each other every Tuesday and play till their hearts content.......................And the mommies get to chat and chat and chat!! This week we played at Carly's and her beautiful home gave me lots of inspiration!! Take a look at inspiration number 1.........................

I can't believe how easy this was to make!! Now, Carly might say that I did drive her nuts with my questions but I am so thrilled with how it turned out!! I bought 1 1/2 yards of burlap and cut them into 4" strips............I unwrapped a wire hanger and basically just threaded on the burlap, accordian style.......Tied the bow and VOILA!! It probably needs a more spring colored ribbon but the ones that I had just didn't look quite right so chocolate it is for now!!

Thank you sweet friend!! Next up? Paint markers for my chalkboard wall........................stay tuned!

CONGRATULATIONS!! IT'S A ......................

kidney stone..........

yep................

all that labor and it was nothing more than a 3mm kidney stone...........

Ever had one? I hadn't. until yesterday.

here's how it went down....................

I woke up about 5am feeling a little crampy.....My first thought was another damn bladder infection.........however, by 6am, as I am on all fours in my bathroom, I realized this was no damn bladder infection...........

I called the hubby, moaned and groaned, and tried to convince him that I did NOT need to go to the emergency room. I mean, come on, I am OVER the ER!! (that post comes later)

He, the smart man he is, called my dad for reinforcement. by 7:30 I am checking into the ER and explaining to everyone that would listen that I was in LABOR!! Yes, I know I am not pregnant but that is exactly what it felt like..........which for a brief second, reminded me of my first borns delivery and my hero plans of natural childbirth..........I ended up having natural childbirth, but I just changed what the definition was of NATURAL............Lots of drugs, Lots of drugs and the use of my vagina...........VOILA!! Aaalll Naturaaaal!!

Anywhoooooo................

Back to the ER story...........and my poor dad..............See, he had the pleasure of staying with me while the hubby took emme to daycare and figured out a plan for brayden...........

Did I mention the pain??? It truly was awful............so awful that I almost didn't even notice the HOT McDreamy Doctor, bow tie and all, that quickly agreed to my need for medication! HOT, I tell you HOT! And after an IV full of Demerol, I actually forgot my lack of shower, dirty clothes and unshaven legs.....I think I was hot! or not...........didn't care..........He was beautiful and I was in NOOOOOO pain......................

And thankfully after an ultrasound to check my ovaries, a CAT scan to check out my little baby kidney stone, I was pain free and congratulated on my delivery..........or partial delivery..........of this sweet bundle of joy.....apparently, my little stone is in my bladder waiting for round two.........Thank heavens for the prescription drugs with my little name written all over them!!

A little vitamin D

See the smiles??? Everybody's happier when the sun is out...............Bring on SPRING!!