Mom

I was so good at posting stuff until I got the error message like my blog had been hacked. Then for some reason, I fell off and stopped writing only becuase I would write a story only to have it deleted seconds after I tried posting it. A sure fire way to crush your creativity. But then I got to thinking, I should just try again. So here I am. Sigh. So much has happened in the past few months that I know I'll look back and say, this is when I changed. Even though I don't really feel any different at the moment, I know things won't be the same now that my mom passed away. The further I get from the day of her passing the more nervous I get about how I'm going to feel. Now I understand what those moments you'll never get back feel like. I realized this the other day when i was changing James' diaper. I looked at him and realized he was going to grow up. That he can't stay this innocent age forever. He too will have to live without Grammy. Heavy stuff. I haven't processed it all. And even though I take time to think of my mom – it still doesn’t feel like she’s totally gone. In fact, I don’t have a sad heart at all. It’s full from mom’s love. Blinding almost. She told me when she was diagnosed that she knew no matter what happened, she’d be ok. It was us she was worried about. Thanks Mom. You were right! This is harder on us than it is on you. But I know you’re here to help us through and we will keep living each day with you in our hearts – taking care to make sure we are ok. That Dad is ok. That James is ok.

Us.

James @ 16 months

The socks eventually fell off.

It's been a good run.

I know I'm probably too old to be sad about something silly like a car - but for the last 13 years, my Camry rarely let me down and has always been there for me. Yeah, it's true a few years back Jason started using the metro so I drove his (much newer) PT Cruiser, but it was mostly because he wanted me to be safe. She looks almost as good as the day I bought her- in Illinois in the summer of 1999. With its "gold package" -at the time...this was luxury beyond what I really needed and the car note wasn't pretty but it was mine- and I loved writing that car payment check. I'd have to say its like saying "bye" to a part of the family. It finally was going to cost more to fix than it was worth- so we asked the Midas guys up the street to turn off the check engine light and we crossed our fingers that when we were going to trade it in, the car would make it to the dealership without breaking down. Here's the one of the last picture's of my awesome car. Thanks for the memories!

James @ 14 months

Sticker time!

In the car for another showing.

James likes Cheerios!

1xyear,1xmonth, 1xday old today!!

Today, James is One year one month and one day old - and a milestone occured. Drove to daycare, I got James out of his car seat and we walked hand in hand to the front door. I've carried him the last 13 months!! New shoes, new freedom.

13 years!

The best part about getting married is the cake, we all know that - right?

Second best thing: I get to spend my life with the amazing Jason Carlock who goes out of his way to make me feel like everyday is a celebration of our love. Doesn't hurt to get a couple dozen roses to get your point across though. :)

11 years

Yesterday was my 11 year anniversary at work. I have been continually grateful for the opportunity to work at XM and now Sirius XM.  I love my career and my family so much and try to keep it all in balance.  Thinking back- the first 6 years we lived on the east coast Jason and I  left one full room of things in boxes- not sure if we should unpack. Everything seemed temporary. Ah, the things you never thought would  happen in your life.  Living on the east coast was not part of the master plan back in oh - 1999.

  

Anyway, I was reading James a book before bed and came across some great advice from an unlikely source. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

"As you travel down that road of life, remember this:  There are never enough comfort stops. The places you're going to are never on the map. And once you get that map out, you won't be able to refold it no matter how smart you are. 

So forget the map, roll down the windows, and whenever you can, pull over and have a picnic with a pig. And if you can help it, never fly as cargo. "

- Kermit

(It's Not Easy Being Green and Other Things To Consider)

The baby cakes!

Yep, I made them :). It was so fun, even if James won't remember it :)

My birthday boy.

James turns 1, happy birthday Junebug!

James's Milestone's update

	James you did amazing! Even slept through the Honda haggling. 10 months, 27 days old (47 w) - Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 9:09 PM by Lynette
	James Put shapes in shape sorter correctly 10 months, 17 days old (46 w) - Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 6:42 PM by Lynette
	James Says "hello" 10 months, 14 days old (45 w) - Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 3:55 PM by Lynette
	James Makes the "I'm a fish" noise w his hand 10 months, 13 days old (45 w) - Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 10:20 AM by Lynette
	James Laughs when I put eye drops in his eyes. Yes, strangest kid ever. 10 months, 9 days old (44 w) - Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 4:03 PM by Lynette
	James Takes first bite of food - a graham cracker 10 months, 6 days old (44 w) - Saturday, April 07, 2012 at 1:55 PM by Lynette
	James Three point turn on walker 10 months, 6 days old (44 w) - Saturday, April 07, 2012 at 10:54 AM by Lynette
	James If you ask "give it to mommy" James hands you the toy in his hand. 10 months, 1 day old (43 w) - Monday, April 02, 2012 at 8:51 AM by Lynette
	James James SAYS "bye bye" twice w/ Jason leaving daycare What on earth??!! He waved "bye" to me from his daycare crib this morning too. :) 9 months, 15 days old (41 w) - Friday, March 16, 2012 at 6:26 PM by Lynette
	James Clapping to a song Jason played on the ukulele! Just now before bed! 9 months, 11 days old (40 w) - Monday, March 12, 2012 at 8:55 PM by Lynette

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Done with Baby Connect http://www.baby-connect.com

James @ 11 months (self portrait)

James is 11 months old today!!

Thanks for everything USA

Don't say this country hasn't done anything for you. It has. I think. It's amazing how you can get caught up on problem after problem originating from the city I work in. Washington DC. From the looks of it - everything seems grim. At what point did the word future get a big honkin' "?" question mark after it? Seriously. Even with the most focused game plan - we come up short. Like, the ongoing demise of Social Security's financial forecast - which - as I just did the math - will be depleated a few short years before I retire. Goodie! So, can I get my money back? Cause I need it to save for retirement. Or this whole housing market. Investment? I hardly think so. It's just another - well, "it almost worked" idea that is now meadering backwards. THanks America. You spend all this time wishing I'd grow up and this is my reward? Just awesome. But I wouldn't be me if I didn't stick it out to see what happens next. I'll keep paying my social security (don't thik I have a choice) and I'll keep paying my mortage and my silly condo dues. Do you want me to pay the car tax too? Done! I have no issue giving my money away. I actually don't even mind paying bills - I just would like the rest of it to be fair in the end. If that's possible. And like I said, don't say this country hasn't done anything for you. It's National Park Week! So go and enjoy it! That's like a $4 dollar savings!

The good stuff (and the shocking stuff)

This past week was filled with strange occurrences. Good stuff - I saw the discovery shuttle flying over DC on my way to work and Jason's new favorite band Trampled By Turtles (pic) played at work, so we got our own private concert- can't beat that. Seeing the shuttle's last trip in the sky and Trampled By Turtles were both very cool. Plus, work has let up a bit and I haven't had to bring my laptop home - that's where things get strange for real. I just got my laptop about two months ago...and Jason let me borrow his North Face laptop backpack to transport back and forth. It was working pretty great until the backpack disappeared from under my desk. Yep, someone took my bag. I remember being so excited I didn't have to bring work home but didn't anticipate this. Security checked the tapes and told me they didn't find anything. Just my luck. And with anything - being a busy wife, employee, mom. I wasn't keeping track of who's stealing my shit so imagine my surprise when i went to grab my bag and it was gone. For reference, my desk is not in plain view and stashing the bag under my desk behind a file cabinet made the bag completely out of view. You'd have to search pretty hard to find it.
And then to top it off, one of my coworkers passed away. He worked on several channels over the years at XM. Mostly the Groove and decades channels as Brian Carter. I just want to apologize for holding a grudge against him. He followed me into a work parking lot (a few years back) and as I was turning my car around to park in the only spot left he swooped in and took it. He knew what he did by the smerk he gave me as he walked past my car - and I left the lot for less desirable and unsafe street parking. It's dumb I know- but that's what happened. So even though I let that grudge go- I just don't want to have any left over negative feelings. He was a good person. RIP Brian.

First Bite.

Easter weekend, James took his very first bite of food. A graham cracker.

James @ 9 months, 17 days

First two teeth!!

James is getting his first two teeth- (bottom center)- and those little chompers are sharp!!!!

He's also mastering "the wave" along with clapping, saying "bye bye", walking and doing everything it takes not to get dressed - hence our mini photo shoot and one of my photo fav's from the bunch attached here...I love you James.

James' Milestones- big weekend!

Whoa! James really knocked it out of the park this weekend - special props to "the wave" which happened on Saturday. I couldn't believe it, all these long months we've known each other - and I feel like Saturday we made a breakthrough. James said "Hi" to us with a wave. Jason and I were like, "are you really doing that???!!" hahahahaha

Once again, you'll have to scroll to the bottom and read up. James' milestones read like a current resume. Reverse chronological order yo.

	James Walked across the room with walker (w/mommy's help) 9 months, 10 days old (40 w) - Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 8:00 PM by Lynette
	James Waved "hi" - omg adorable. It happened just now :) after lunch from his play area. 9 months, 9 days old (40 w) - Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 1:12 PM by Lynette
	James 1st Bad diaper rash. Something happened at daycare b/c he was fine at 9am this morning. Cried in the bath cause his butt hurt. What on earth happened at daycare?! 9 months, 8 days old (40 w) - Friday, March 09, 2012 at 8:15 PM by Lynette
	James Cutting His First Two Teeth. Two bottom teeth at the same time. Noticed during bathtime! Yay James :)))). He was crying in the bath (very rare) - and I know it was because of his diaper rash... But I checked his teeth anyway and bam! There were two :) 9 months, 8 days old (40 w) - Friday, March 09, 2012 at 7:45 PM by Lynette
	James Screeching. Testing out some new sounds! 9 months, 8 days old (40 w) - Friday, March 09, 2012 at 9:00 AM by Lynette
	Crawls with a toy in his hand. 8 months, 25 days old (38 w) - Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 8:21 AM by Lynette

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Done with Baby Connect http://www.baby-connect.com

I met Jay Farrar

Talk about a rush. I saw that Jay Farrar was going to be at Sirius XM today, but never knew I'd feel the intense rush of meeting him in person! How very cool. Meeting Jay is like having your entire life flash before you - memories times twenty.

If you watch the video below - I witnessed these four artists singing at work today and it was literally one of the most amazing sounds I have ever heard. The harmonies alone killed! Plus, after they finished, I was about to head back to my studio - when as chance had it - I got to shake Jay Farrar's hand (twice) and tell him the story about "Mystifies Me" - our wedding song from the Son Volt album Trace. Of course it's a cover (it was?) - originally recorded by Ron Wood of the Stones...but just as this amazing post by Aquarium Drunkard points out, "Mystifies Me" is one amazing song.

"Son Volt’s version plays out like a well worn love letter; something written between two people who know each other very, very well. The mystification that Farrar sings about is the evidence of their relationship’s strength. It is a show of something that never gets old, that seeps and dodges definition."

God, that's us. I love you Jason.

And...in the comments section of the post, it doesn't look like Jason and I were alone in choosing this song to dance to at our wedding. Who knew?

Anyway, a pretty awesome Monday so far - the Birchmere in Alexandria is sold out tonight - check out this YouTube teaser. I believe the album New Multitudes is now available.

James's Milestones

God. Remember record stores?  Yeah, this post isn't about that...but remember?  They were cool.  Anyway- been sorta off the map living life on Cameron Station Blvd. Spent the holidays working in overdrive (per usual) at work and I was sick with baby germs the whole time.  But I'm back.  Jason and James are back to normal too.  Dec/January/Feb sickness took us all down one by one and at one point the whole house was on antibiotics!  Nice. 

Anyway- just to bring you up to speed (because I record even the smallest baby miracles) here are a few BIG milestones for James since the beginning of the year!  Gosh I love this kid :-)

(**you'll have to scroll to the bottom and read up- the timeline begins with the most recent milestone)

Enjoy!

	James Rode in the cart at the store- in the front part for the first time! 8 months, 18 days old (37 w) - Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 4:30 PM by Lynette
	James Took first steps with new push toy 8 months, 17 days old (37 w) - Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 6:00 PM by Lynette
	James Said "Ma Ma" when I got home from work!! 8 months, 15 days old (37 w) - Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 9:20 PM by Lynette
	James Standing only holding on with one hand. 8 months, 4 days old (35 w) - Sunday, February 05, 2012 at 1:45 PM by Lynette
	James Surfing from one piece of furniture to the next. 8 months, 4 days old (35 w) - Sunday, February 05, 2012 at 1:45 PM by Lynette
	James Added legs to activity table today and James stands to play! 7 months, 15 days old (32 w) - Monday, January 16, 2012 at 8:31 PM by Lynette
	James Pull himself up to the coffee table and stood there banging a rattle and yelling! 7 months, 15 days old (32 w) - Monday, January 16, 2012 at 8:29 PM by Lynette
	James Took a bath in the regular tub :) 7 months, 15 days old (32 w) - Monday, January 16, 2012 at 8:29 PM by Lynette
	James crawls 7 months, 8 days old (31 w) - Monday, January 09, 2012 at 12:21 PM by Lynette
	James pulled himself up to standing using Jason's legs.. 7 months, 5 days old (31 w) - Friday, January 06, 2012 at 6:00 PM by Lynette
	Followed me into the kitchen. Crawling. 7 months old (30 w) - Sunday, January 01, 2012 at 11:09 AM by Lynette
	James Goes from his belly to a seated position. Sitting up on his own. Go James! 6 months, 29 days old (30 w) - Friday, December 30, 2011 at 11:59 PM by Lynette
	James sits up James sits up from the crawling position for the first time! Go James :) 6 months, 29 days old (30 w) - Friday, December 30, 2011 at 9:52 AM by Lynette
	James crawls I got it on video. He can move his hands forward and his knees follow for a few times. Then onto his belly for the bear crawl. Cute!! 6 months, 20 days old (29 w) - Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 6:24 PM by Lynette

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Done with Baby Connect http://www.baby-connect.com

James @ 7 months.

James is 7 months old!