January 3, 2009
Saturday Morning
Saturday mornings are lazy in my house. Save for the fact that Doug usually has to work early, and therefore wakes at the crack of dawn to get ready, the rest of the house is quiet — except for little Murphy who patters from room to room, trying to find a warm bed to cuddle in until it’s officially time to wake up.
This morning I awoke later than usual. I had stayed up too late the night before, putting laundry away, and doing some last minute tidying of the house. I find this happens too often lately. I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day and so I frantically run around our house putting things in their proper places. The next day I can’t figure out why I’m so tired and need a nap in the afternoon. Umm…duh.
Dawson roused from sleep at 8:30 and jumped out of bed. I heard his little feet pound their way toward the kitchen, and then the sounds of a chair gliding across my kitchen floor echoed down the hall way.
“Oh no!” I heard Dawson cry. “All the Zingers are all gone!”
He has grown up so much. When he wants something, he goes to the kitchen to get it himself. He pushes the chair to the counter and climbs on top, and then opens the cupboard door looking for his favorite treat.
He loves the lemon Zingers best. Every trip to the grocery store he begs for them, and I always give in to his pleading, because the lemon ones are my favorite, too.
Dawson came into my bedroom and crawled into my bed, under the covers, and began whispering to me.
“Mommy, we got to go to Daddy’s store and get more lemon cakes. Or else we can go to Kwik Trip and get some more, okay, Mommy?”
And then he kissed me on the forehead and told Murphy to be quiet.
“Shhhh, Murphy! Mommy’s sleeping.” he whispered.
Now, on a normal day I’d tell Dawson he can’t eat Zingers for breakfast. I’d insist on a bowl of Cheerios instead of that sugary, lemon goodness. But how can I say no to a little boy who is so sweet to his mother?
I continued to pretend to be sleeping and listened to my son pretend to read a book to me. After a few minutes he stopped “reading” and pulled the covers close to my face.
“Sleep tight, Mommy.” he said softly.
As he was crawling out of bed I grabbed his arm and gently pulled him back in.
“Mommy’s not sleeping,” I said. “She’s getting up to go get some more Zingers for her sweet boy.”
“Woo hoo!” Dawson shouted. “I love you, Mommy.”
Oh, how I love him, too.
January 1, 2009
Well Then, Happy New Year!
An Apple a Day
New Year’s Day at Grandma’s House
We started the first day of the New Year by going to church. It’s a holy day of obligation honoring Mary, Mother of God.
Listening to the readings and the Gospel during Mass, I felt great peace fall upon me. I’ve been going to weekly Mass for as long as I can remember — my parents raised me Catholic and made certain I was reared in the teachings of our faith — but never do I remember feeling so calm. It’s as though all my worries and troubles have been washed away, not only because it’s a new year, but perhaps because I’m making an effort to start 2009 on the right foot.
After church we went to my parents’ house to visit with my family and watch college football. Dawson had a blast because Poppa turned into a horse and gave him rides around the living room. Seeing my father and my son playing and acting silly always puts a smile on my face because I still remember my dad doing the same things with me and my siblings when we were kids.
My mom and I talked about this and that, and I showed her some of the pictures I had taken during the holidays. Mom asked if I had made any New Year’s resolutions this year (obviously she doesn’t read this blog) and I told her I did not. She laughed and said she didn’t think she was going to make any, because she can never keep them either.
We left shortly after the Michigan vs. Georgia (Capital One Bowl) game because we had plans for dinner. At the grocery store last week I picked up some shrimp, a pork tenderloin and some baby red potatoes, and Doug was going to make a delicious meal. My sister-in-law gave us a great bottle of Cabernet for Christmas and we cracked it open with dinner. Oooh man, it was some strong vino. I felt a little tipsy after my first half glass. It is a delicious wine, though. I’m hoping it weakens just a little so I can have another glass this weekend.
Tomorrow I go back to the gym. My doctor has given me the green light to start exercising again (under the condition that I wear the knee brace while working out) and I’m anxious to get back on the treadmill and the elliptical. I haven’t been to the gym in over two weeks and I miss it. The swelling in my knee is finally gone and I can fully extend my leg now. Bending the knee past a 90 degree angle is still tricky, but the doc says yoga and stretching should help. If it doesn’t, I may need a round of physical therapy. I signed up for a yoga class this session at the YMCA so cross your fingers I can limber up and avoid PT.
On Saturday night, Doug and I are attending a holiday party and I’m so excited. I’ve procured a babysitter (thank goodness I have a younger brother who likes to make money) and we intend to have a good time. The party is at a local restaurant that we love, too. Since we didn’t go out for New Year’s Eve (we were in bed right after we watched the ball drop at 11:00 our time) we’ve decided to consider Saturday as our NYE celebration.
I still haven’t taken our Christmas tree down. I’m hoping I’ll find time to do that on Sunday. Doug asked me when I planned to take it down, and honestly, if I had it my way I’d keep it up a little longer since I put it up so late. I always feel kind of sad when it’s time to put the tree away, but I suppose that’s because it really is beautiful when it’s lit up and decorated.
Dawson loves to lay down under the tree while he’s watching television. When I told him the tree was coming down soon he said, “No, no, Mumma! Wait until the New Year!”
“Dawson, today is the first day of the new year!” I replied.
“Well then, Happy New Year!” Dawson exclaimed.
Yes, Happy New Year indeed!
