Birds And Woofs

This past weekend we ventured out west to Lion Country Safari. A late birthday treat for me, but really (and more importantly) a big, huge exciting adventure for Marlowe.  I'll let the photos speak for themselves on this one... but I will say: I'm happy all of Marlowe's dreams came true... you know, being able to be surrounded by a million (big exaggeration) birds and what not. 

**Most of these photos were taken by my brother. You can see even more photos HERE, on his flickr.

**yes, all the cool moms do wear safari hats out in public. 

**yes, Marlowe was not properly in a car seat for half the drive-through experience... which I'm totally okay with, since the speed limit is, you know, 5 miles per hour. We flipped the carseat to forward facing so she could get a better view, but she still couldn't see much of the really good stuff. So out she came, onto our laps, because the bigger issue are the rhinos crossing in front of your car, and not other vehicles. 


We were going to have a little beach day today, but it's pretty soggy out there. Marlowe's first beach day is probably tied in adorableness with Lion Country Safari (in my opinion, anyway). You can see photos: HERE and judge for yourself, but her little face is just too much.

Homies!

HEY! So... I just found out M and I (ohdeardrea!) has been nominated for "best family blog" over on Apartment Therapy! Umm... awesome? YES. We would LOVE (love love love love) if you could head over that way and send us a vote! I know... we (I) hate the voting thing, and if you're not registered for Apartment Therapy, then you have to sign up... (err pain, I know) but still... this is kind of a big thing ;) AND I think we can all agree... no matter what ups and downs there have been around here... M and I make a pretty damn good family of two :)

Honestly, I remember when I had more time to sit and read blogs (pregnancy/nursing), I would scroll through Apartment Therapy constantly (probably more than I'd like to admit) and one day I saw the post announcing the Homie Awards. I saw many blogs I loved and found many new blogs to love. I thought: "Wow. How awesome would it be to make it on that list one day?" Well, here we are... months and months later, on a very late thursday night... and I have found my way back to the internet after putting a very tired baby to bed. Out of the blue, and very much to my surprise, I have noticed that ohdeadrea has in fact been nominated for The Homies. What a trip. The whole take off of this blog has been a really incredibly trip.
Thank you guys.
If you could be ever-so-kind and take a minute from your time to support ohdeardrea with a vote, if would be VERY much appreciated :) :)

Voting ends Friday night... and you only need to vote ONCE. Just CLICK HERE, scroll down, and find us! (we're a bit on the lower end right now! I JUST opened my computer to find this amazing news! Eeep!) 

I'm Alive

Things are still upside down around here... but I'm doing what I can to keep this home as stable as possible for little M. I wish I could say more about what's going on... but really, even I'm in the dark about everything. I haven't seen or even really spoken to Alex in days... but it's pretty clear that both Marlowe and I have been thrown off beat. I just keep reciting mantras to myself throughout the day, trying to keep my head and heart clear... because falling apart is not an option when I've got this little girl to raise. It's also been a HUGE help to have my mom in town... she's been very much needed for the moments I'm struggling to do it by myself. Who knows what's in store for M and I, but for now, I am trying to take it one day at a time. 

My mom insisted we drive out west to the polo ground for opening day. It was nice to spend today in fresh air and sunshine. Marlowe had a blast, I cleared my head a bit, my mom relived moments of 20 some years ago with a tiny me on the field, and Michelle was a grumpy (but pretty) mess of a hangover.  I spent 100% of the time chasing down a baby that refused to be held. Marlowe met (and chased) a million and a half dogs (okay, maybe 15) and ran around waving at everyone. Marlowe was photographed a million times (ok, again, not a million) and will even have her picture printed in the newspaper! She's such a hit, really, she's the best thing ever, even when refusing to be held ;)

Tonight has been hard. Marlowe's sleep has been thrown off once again. And I am just exhausted, physically, but mostly emotionally. I'm practicing my patience in all directions. 

Breathe in. Breathe out. Fresh air is good for the soul. 

almost a photo of M and I. She was a screamer and scratcher every time she was picked up. Like a nasty little adorable kitten. 

skydiver // polo // air

babes, my mama and my baby.

polo // my mom went paparazzi on me.

paparazzi style mama life. 

And.... she's up again. Goodnight folks. It's gonna be a longgg night. 

Snippets Of Christmas

Soooo... christmas happened. It was quick and painless, and this year I had a place to put my blame for my 'holiday whatever's'. We didn't really have much planned around here. The 24th is actually Michelle's birthday, so she came by, I made us lunch, and we sat around and finished our last minute Christmas gifts together while Marlowe napped. Alex, was of course scheduled to work all of Christmas eve so I brought Michelle to my brothers house for our family get together (we usually get together on the eve, not the day). My sister-in-law, Nicole cooked a wonderful (all from scratch) meal for everyone and was wonderful enough to make sure anything that could be vegan (not meat) was vegan! They use almond milk and vegan butter at their house anyway, but still, I know she went out of her way to make sure it was Marlowe and Drea friendly. Alex came home late that night (like always) and he prepped pizza dough for the morning. He had been told that day that he would no longer have Christmas off and would have to come into work the next day. We were all bummed. Our first Christmas as a family (and one of Alex's only days off that week) was cut short.... and then... even shorter when he found out he would have to go into work hours earlier than we had anticipated. We still made the best of the time we had together... We sat in the living room together while Marlowe and Alex opened gifts. Alex made us pizza, and Michelle came by with even more gifts for all of us to open. After Alex left to work, Laura joined us to spend a non christmas-y, christmas together. We took a walk to Michelle's house in the hot december, Florida sun. We drank iced coffees and listened to the most ridiculous gift Marlowe received: a keyboard cat from my friend, Anita. We walked back home and I dressed Marlowe and I up to go out that evening. It was decided that I would have to make the best out of our situation and if Alex couldn't be with his family on Christmas, then his family would have to go to him. So that's what we did. Marlowe, myself, and my family went out to eat at his restaurant for Christmas dinner, and like always, we made sure to get the booth near Alex, so Marlowe could see a little more of him. I wasn't surprised to find the restaurant was empty and unnecessarily open on Christmas.... on one hand it was upsetting to have him miss his one day off that week to be at an empty place... and on the other hand it was good to have Alex, able to come and sit with us every so often, and come home a little earlier: at 10 pm. We sat around with that damn keyboard cat and then Alex put Marlowe to bed so we could sit and relax together for a few moments before ending the day. And that was Christmas. 

outside. christmas eve day. making an extra special christmas gift for daddy and some other family members too. Yes, outside. I had to turn my AC back on for two days. I was pissed.

last minute present makers. 

christmas eve at my brother and sister-in-law's home. 

some of many presents, for Alex.

christmas eve night, insisting to prep the pizza dough for tomorrow // christmas pizza. 

wanting to wear red // christmas morning excitement! 

michelle comes by with: more gifts and three amazing hand knit stockings (filled). 

marlowe's favorite person, her uncle chris // christmas night, home from work with a keyboard cat.

christmas day coffee. 

The good news of Alex being forced to work? A promise of four days off next week and a mini (much needed) vacation for the two of us, while my mom visits from Massachusetts and babysits Marlowe. We're still not set on our destination, but I've been looking forward to this time together for weeks. 


EDIT:  Like many of my posts, I had written this entry and scheduled to post it at a later time. There will not be four days off like promised... or three... just his regular schedule, leaving us without time for a vacation together.