Taylor got the Star Wars Legos game for Christmas. It's actually pretty fun to watch. I think it is just because Luke Skywalker is a pretty funny little lego man. We do a lot of legos in our house these days. I can't wait until we see Yoda.

Yes, to answer the question we've received lots, we did get stuck in the "blizzard" over Christmas. We were at a family party just a little over an hour from our house and couldn't get back. we made it about 15 minutes when we decided the roads were just too unsafe and got a hotel for the night. 22 year old Heather in a craptastic car would have pushed through (hello ice storm of 1996-who knew the highways were closed?) but 32 year old Heather in her all-wheel drive car with her young son and baby on the way realized some risks aren't worth taking. How we grown and mature as time goes on. Nothing gives you perspective like a little person kicking you from the inside, or a slightly bigger little person singing Rockin Around the Christmas Tree on repeat from the seat behind you.

Lots of exciting things happening to my friend and family over the last few weeks. My brother got engaged, as did my friend Erin. I'm excited for the both. I've heard of a very special baby coming this summer, saw pictures of two friends who have very little new babies, and my friend Amy will be delivering her last baby on Monday. Such blessings.

We had a lovely and quiet holiday. Just 5 of us at Taylor's parents on Christmas morning, which is a huge difference from my first holiday there. Even the dinner crowd was smaller this year. The intimacy of it all was nice, but we missed familiar faces around the table.

I really want to read a book before the baby gets here. I know that the next year of my life will be a total blur and not even a little bit about me, so this is one of the things I want to do for myself before she arrives. This, and start getting regular pedicures before her birth so I don't have to apologize to any nurses this time about the chipped polish!

Taylor just became a "true Jedi". Don't know what that means, but it made enough noise that I looked up.

The basement is almost finished. The carpet when in today. It looks so great. I wish we could leave it completely empty! No mess and no cleaning! But I know that both of my boys will really enjoy that space. Taylor is still waiting for his TV to arrive, and I'm still waiting for the media crap that is cluttering up my living room to make the move downstairs. Seriously-it looks like Best Buy in there! Another week and we should be making the move. Calling to check on the statues of our furniture tomorrow. Can't wait to see them get that sectional down our stairs...should be fun to watch!

I know I don't blog much anymore. Probably because of facebook in large part. Also, because I was hiding my pregnancy for so long from the world. 2010 was an interesting year for me. The early part was all about healing from the lose of our baby, the middle was all about trying to remember how to move on, and the last half has been about enjoying our family of three before we expand and the dynamic changes so dramatically. I guess because I can't even remember life before Grant, I'm nervous about what is to come when Beanie gets here. Grant is such an amazing kid, I'll really miss getting to give him my undivided attention. I know there will be plenty of love to go around, and that a sibling is probably the greatest gift I'll ever give him, and to be clear-no one wants a baby more than I want this baby-but I do feel a little like I would like the next 12 weeks to slow down so I can savor every last moment we have together before the next phase of life begins. If you're looking for me, I'll be watching Sid with my son cuddled up on the couch.

Happy NFL Weekend!

Family tradition-the self-portait all in our jersey's before the first game of the season. It's been a great game so far-Go Patriots!

Also, please note that I've added back the link for slick deals-this is for you Pam!

Grant and I made cookies together for the first time this morning. We had a ton of fun. He was a big helper at adding in all of the ingredients-even helping to measure and stir. I let him decorate them when we were done with little stars that were left over from his birthday cake. He was hysterical-he wanted to stack them all on top of each other for some reason and actually put a whole in a few cookies by trying to push them flat so he could add more.

Of course, he ate so many cookies and surgery stars that now he's having a hell of a time taking his nap. That's okay, he's up in his bed and he's relatively quiet, so I'll take it as a win. His big kid bedroom set is ready to be delivered. We went out this morning and got a pillow and mattress pad and a set of sheets. he's going to be so excited when we get it all set up-maybe next weekend depending on when his mattress gets here. I can't believe my baby is almost three!

I miss my Mom. I'm not sure if it is the rain, or the feeling overwhelmed by most everything in life right now, or that I'm seeing my girls this weekend, or that I am really just a 6 year old at heart, but I miss my mommy. I want to sleep late in my small twin bed in my room (my room-not the spare bedroom which houses my actual bed so that we can have a queen bed in what once was my room) and have her make me a cup of coffee and maybe some pancakes for breakfast in my pj's. And I want to sit and play cards for a few hours as the morning slowly winds away, in a way we haven't been able to do since well before Grant was born. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change a single solitary part of my life right now (except for that stupid red sox rain out I had to go last night), but I would very much like to be kid home on college break who is getting spoiled a little by my mom. I think that deep inside, most of us have a longing for home sometime-that place where we can be 100% safe, wear our glasses and not straighten our hair, where make up is a joke and those five extra pounds are simply not important under comfy jeans, soft socks, and a warm hoodie. Mommies are the best-go call yours. I'm looking forward to doing just that!

The second pre-season football game is today. Go PATRIOTS! Heather needs a nap if she is expected to stay awake long enough to watch four long quarters!

How are all of you?

I hate birds!

5 things, 5 fingers

...coincidence...i think not!

1. Where were you living 5 years ago?
In our adorable first house with the blue triangular toilet named Sully and "natures pool" in the back yard. With a lawn the size of a postage stamp that we put hours into mowing and weeding. with the perfectly painted light yellow spare bedroom just in case and the blue master and the "Mandarin moon" living room which was beautiful or hideous depending on the light. patiently waiting for Blackberry season. I loved that place!
2. Where would you like to be living 5 years from now?
I am perfectly content to be living exactly where I am today in another five years. I would love some paint on the walls, some pictures on the walls, furniture in the dining room and living rooms, and a few extra babies to fill the place with happy chaos. I love this house, despite it's flaws and look forward to continue making it a home.

3. 5 things on your to-do list today

• vacuum-the cats are shedding like it is their job
• head cheerleader at swim class
• mommy of the year
• laundry
• call JJ

For those wondering-I went 2 for 5

4. What are 5 snacks you enjoy?
Watermelon
Chocolate chip cookies-warm and soft please
Ice cream of almost any variety
Pita Chips
peanut butter

5. What are 5 things you would do if you were a billionaire?
Buy a houseful of children
Set my parents up for life
endow a (few dozen) scholarships-education shouldn't be a financial decision
take a really nice vacation-and bring Laura and her whole family so I could be a good mommy and still read a book at the same time
decide what i want to be when i grow up, and follow the path wherever that dream takes me

its amazing to me how time works. we wish the days away and beg for them back all in the same breathe. it is a blessing that we don't have control over these things.

Spring is my favorite season. I'm a May baby! Spring in New England is simply beautiful. Life comes back to the earth after the cold gray winter and even the muddy brown that covers everything changes to the bright green of fresh grass. It is a miracle in its most basic form. and yet, with my job, i miss most of spring. the first beautiful weekend of the year just causes my heart to beat a little faster as i realize that reunion is coming and I'm giving up everything that i know for the next few months to make an amazing weekend for a few thousand people. i miss sunny mother's days in the yard with my little boy. i miss first trips to the zoo. i miss my birthday each and every year. its fine-its my life and i do really like my job. but it is the same job that makes me dream of June, so it will all be over and I can think again about more than swipe cards and media and memorial services and the mean and drunk people who i will make jokes about for the rest of the summer. so at the same time, I am begging for more days between that first sunny weekend and June so I can get it all done and I wish for the days to be done so I can be through it all and back with my family.

I face this same dichotomy in other aspects of my life right now, oh so many other aspects. I dream of the day Grant will be potty trained, sleep in a big boy bed, color in the lines, things like that. And I am desperate for him to never be able to say "I'm Funny" instead of "Me Funny Mama!". I can't wait to see the little man he'll become and I never want him to stop being my baby. And what I find truly amazing is I see him having the same debate. He'll tell you he's a big boy, a little boy, or a baby depending on how he's feeling. he is at the "me do!" phase and then will turn in an instant and put his arms up for you to pick him up and hold him close and make it all better. He is excited to put on his own shoes and buckle his own car seat (yes, we do it with him!) and yet wants you to help him get dressed each morning. I wonder if he is picking up on my feelings of wanting time to fly by and stand still simultaneously or if I'm picking up on what is a normal part of growing up. and maybe he isn't the only one growing up, maybe I'm still growing up too. but all i know is I want to hold on to each day of his childhood with two hands. and i want to never get to a place where I'm "Mom" instead of "Mama or Mommy". Mom is the one who drives you to lacrosse practice and drops you off the block so none of your friends see. Mama and Mommy can kiss boo boos, and read stories about the moon. Mama sings Super Why each night at bedtime to make you smile and covers you with a blanket each night on the way to bed. And so I'll take every day of hell that comes in Spring for me just so these days don't fly by. I'll hope he remembers these days with fondness-even though eventually these days will leave his memory completely. But that feeling of happiness that comes when you think of your childhood is the job of a mama, and I will work hard to never let him down.

man, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to dump a ton of money into Make A Wish. The luck of having that kid announce their pick-saved them so much harassing!

in case you didn't figure it out, it is NFL draft time. Cutie Grant was very excited to get out the mini-helmets that Taylor collects to put them in order. He was trying and trying to get the Kansas City helmet on his head saying over and over "it doesn't fit". So cute!

think Tebow and that other dude picked to wear matching shirts? ridiculous!

waiting and waiting for Bill to trade down. Just cause he can.

We are on the clock! I'm thinking trade. Taylor is whining about someone I've never heard of.

and there is the trade and here is Alexander on the phone. Last year he was here to watch the draft with us. This year we go back to the phone calls. Thank god we have two laptops, I'm working while Taylor enjoys.

Think the draft was sponsored by Coors? Nah...

I wonder how I could be the event planner for the draft. I would have been smart enough to pull the extra chair off the stage in the pre-game since Tebow was a no show. If I knew in my living room, how did they not know in real life?

It turns out I am a fan of Darius Rucker from Hootie in the Blowfish. It makes sense, I loved them back in the day, but Pandora taught me that I like him as a "country" singer. Thanks Pandora. And thanks for having a Glee channel. I like the music much more than the show.

What do you think I should be when I grow up? There is something for you all to think about and comment about. I was just literally reminded I wanted to be in the space program when I was a kid. How awesome would that be?!?

It is almost May, so I'll disappear now for Reunion. Wish me luck and think sunny thoughts!

NFL Draft starts tonight. DRAFT COLT MCCOY! BEST FOOTBALL NAME EVER! I think he's just adorable. Let's go Bill!

I would write more if you commented more. Simple but true
Making Pomegranate martini's and brownies right now. Martini's are for me. Brownies are for the kids Easter egg hunt in the morning. I've decided that the Easter egg hunt in our neighborhood resembles spring weekend in college. there will be lots of people, 75 degree temperatures, bounce houses, liquor, and people drinking out of sippy cups. I'm thinking of getting tee-shirts made.

I miss Jen and Krissy. I'm not sure how our two reunions managed to fall on the same weekend, but I'm pissed about it.

we took our passport photos last night because I was having a good hair day. I heard that Emilie doesn't think we'll visit Paris. I think she's pretty nuts. If we're lucky enough to have another baby, perhaps I'll miss the trip, but at least one of us will be headed abroad. I think it is funny that we have a reputation of not wanting to leave the country. I'm virtually from Canada after all. I'm used to my food being labeled in English and French for goodness sake! Give it a rest. I know, I know, you guys went to Mexico on your honeymoon-you're like Balboa! You virtually discovered an ocean. Relax-we're excited about the trip once you get in and get settled. We will wait for an invitation though-it is the polite thing to do.

48 days until Reunion. Yup, that's a reason to drink a martini. 15 days until our anniversary. That might be a better thing to count down to!

Okay, time for catching up on some Flashforward. Bring it D. Gibbons!

And thank you to Jeniffer for the most thoughtful gift anyone in my life has ever given me. Please, those people who say I don't have sisters clearly don't understand the bond I have with my girls. Family are the only ones who know enough how to help heal the worst pain a person could ever have. And to think some people never even called to ask if we were okay.

Did you know that Miley Cyrus is in a new movie? Taylor knows all about it...he really likes to talk about. Ask him details!

just blogged for 2 hours about the oscars. then it was gone. boo. that's all i have to say.

Welcome to March. Can we go home now?

watching the opening ceremonies

• Bob Costas brought the funny
• I think the guy who made the video just got back from Disney and rode Soarin
• why or why don't some of these countries import crappy athletes from other nations to bulk up their chances?
• I'm looking a sport to get Grant involved in now to get him a chance at the Olympics
• This brings me to my lifelong statement that I believe everyone has the ability to be an Olympian. How do I know that I wouldn't be good on the half pipe? curling? skiing and shooting? I've never tried-maybe this will be the year I find my sport (but I'm guessing it is white water kayaking)
• Glad that Visa got Morgan Freeman. James Earl Jones must have been busy
• Poor Georgian guy
• Remember Jimmy, from the Olympics in 1998 (I think). He did skeleton. He and his dad and grandfather did the cell phone commercial with the ring tone of the song, "who's calling Jimmy"? No, that's okay. Call me and I'll sing you the jingle.
• The Queen couldn't come and she couldn't even send one of the princes? terrible
• Lots of Winter White this year
• You know what they say about Vancouver...
• Iceland can only bring 4 people? And one of them is about 60? come on now
• Never mind Iceland, India is only sporting 3 athletes. Now that's ridiculous!
• I miss Jodi whenever I watch the Olympics
• Be honest, you couldn't locate Kazakhstan on a map before Borat
• Has completely lost her voice in the past few hours. totally fine at lunch, no voice by 2. I feel like Jeniffer!
• I wonder where Macadamia is
• Not a fan of the new We are the World. Terrible. Just terrible.
• there is snow in 49 of the 50 states. cool.
• Norway! The all time winter games medal winner. and the makers of a cool ride.
• Taylor is mean. He's making fun of my voice. Jerk-a-saur!
• Boy, those dancers must be getting tired-we're all the way to R!
• I want to visit South Africa
• Wonders if Robin Sparkles will sing later tonight
• If I were running this event, there would be mandatory flag carrier training. you've got to learn how to hold that thing-this is your moment to shine for most nations and boy are some of them blowing it!
• Lindsey Jacob-Ellis should get a hair straightener and some better lip stick
• Love the US hats-and Love Shawn White (don't know if that is how he spells Shawn, but it is how he should spell it!)
• O Canada!
• So many flip cameras!
• I hate Nellie F. But who doesn't love Bryan Adams?
• Grant gave out temporary tattoos with his valentine cards. I am the most hated mother in daycare.
• wonders why they are all putting on ponchos
• Still holding out for a Denver Olympics.
• I want to go on my own parade of nations-in Epcot!
• You know, I'm basically from Canada. Maine is pretty close! It's where we grocery shop! My canned corn has a label in French and English.
• Donald Sutherland is Canadian? Does that Jack Bauer is Canadian? He runs the US Counter Terrorism Unit. This seems odd.
• This is my song with Grant! Ordinary Miracle-It's from Charlotte's Web. I love it. And, in case there was any question, I love Grant-my little miracle. We fell in love with this song on the day he was born and if I have my wish, this will be the song we dance together to at his wedding, sometime around the 2038 Olympic Games.

Bye Tai Shen! It has been fun watching you grow into a fine young panda man!
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/04/pandas/index.html?iref=allsearch

I am thankful for the many wonderful Christmas presents I received this year. I got a great new coffee maker that I love love love because it makes it possible for me to enjoy a real cup of coffee in my home without being wasteful or compromising on taste, which is a real treat for me and something I very much enjoy. I got beautiful jewelry from my husband and the sweetest of gifts, the trash fleece. So many nice things from so many nice people and I am truly grateful (but if you are immediate family, you won't get a thank you note from me-I don't believe in it for you and you know that about me by now!).

Right now I am most grateful for a gift from Alex and Em. It is almost a silly gift, as it some something I will consume in the matter of two weeks and then will move past. And it is silly as it is a gift designed for the teen set and I am eating it up like a 14 year old. Yes, I'm talking about the Twilight series. I have read the first three books this week and I have really enjoyed getting lost in the series. I love to read, I mean LOVE to read and hardly read books without pictures these days. I love that we have already instilled a love of reading in Grant and I'm happy to give up my time with books to share my time with him and his books. But reading this series has given me the escape I've desperately needed over the last month. It has been hard-I won't lie. I've felt bad and more than bad, I've felt lost. Something that is so natural was so difficult and ended so suddenly and shook the one thing in this world that I thought I was designed to do. So, finding me a little me time and a chance to escape into someone elses world and someone elses problem has been nice. Especially because it is a world of fantasy-these aren't problems I will ever face, being tracked by a vampire and fearing for my life in that way. I've been in a world where I was torn between my Edward and my Jacob so I can relate, but it is easier to get lost in the story. Last night I finished book three and I'm sad and not looking forward to book four. I've always been like this when I read. I can't stand the end. I've been known to be consumed with a book and then walk away for weeks so I can hold off on the climax and ending. It is like losing a friend to say goodbye like that. It makes me sad and that makes me a dork on a normal day, but these haven't been what I would call normal days for me, so I worry that I will lose this nice cocoon I have created for myself this week. And in a world without Glee to fall back on...

Time to take the Christmas tree down. Okay, it was time to take it down over the weekend, but I really just wanted to let it go another week. Now that I've been home for two bonus days this week with a sick Grant, I'm more than ready for the damn tree to go. It's hard to believe how much life has changed since we put that thing up at the beginning of December. Maybe putting it away will be a good omen for 2010, which has sucked so far.

Looking forward to going back to work again tomorrow. I was back for about 5 hours before Grant got sent home sick. It is a busy time for me. Lots of pre-planning for Reunion. Under 150 days, it will be here. Lots of meetings squished into the next two days and of course another doctors appointment. I guess more than going back to work, I'm looking forward to the weekend!

I am the Champion of the World-or the fantasy football world. While the Colts tried to screw me over, I pulled out the win by two points over my lovely husband, the Dr. Peppers. The Moon Pies are unstoppable with an incredible 15-1 record. I wish we played for money!

I love the Gilmore Girls. Just in general, but also because they just used the word doppelganger.

I have to wake up Grant or he won't sleep tonight. His schedule is so screwed up between all the holiday travel, trying to give up one nap, and the fever of 102.5. There is no earthly way he should be sleeping at 5:00 pm, and yet he was sleeping at this very time yesterday. Oh sweet boy how I love you!

Oh my gosh...Jackie Chan, Billy Rae Cyrus and George Lopez in a movie. Could there be a more washed up group? Maybe if you add Jim from According to Jim...wow...

Must either wake the baby, put away the cookies, or start dinner. Here I go!!!