Patience

People have complimented me on my patience before, which makes me think either: a) I am a much better actress than I thought or b) Those people lie.

I'm having a hard time right now with the small stuff - mainly trying to convince myself that it is small and to just move on. For example - in January the Captain was driving my car when someone rear ended him. Of course, the most important thing is that everyone was alright. I was upset about the damage, but that's what insurance is for, right? Except the girl who hit him didn't have insurance. Fortunately we have coverage for uninsured drivers, but the whole process has been something I shouldn't have had to deal with.

The damage was bad enough that it took almost two weeks to get repaired, combined with the month it took arguing with insurance companies and I was without my car for six weeks. I finally got it back last week and it was dirty. Mechanic handprints on the dash and dust on the seats. When I went to pick it up AG was asleep and transferring her from the rental car to my car woke her up and put her in a very bad mood (screaming and crying actual tears- very unlike my usually calm child). Needless to say I threw my credit card at them and ran out the door.

One of the pre-child notions I had was how nice it would be to have all this time to run errands. When you factor in meals and naps, right now that gives us a few (usually non-consecutive) hours to get everything done, and most things take about twice as long as they would without a soon to be toddler. Simply dropping off a damaged car and getting a rental car shouldn't take up three hours...unless of course you have to make car seat transfers into three different vehicles.

The really bad thing is that I have now found more things that the repair company failed to do - and these will require another trip to their shop to fix them. I hate wasting this much of my time over other peoples carelessness. I keep repeating to myself that this is just stuff. AG wasn't in the car when the accident happened. Other than being a little sore, the Captain wasn't seriosuly injured. We have the money to fix the car, even if I would have certainly rather spent it on something (anything) else. I'm just having trouble shaking it off for some reason. I think the worst part is rationally I know how lucky we are and how minor this all is, but I'm still find myself being so annoyed with the whole situation, and then frustrated at myself for not being able to let the little things go.

Baptism

This past weekend AG was baptized at our church. It was one of those perfect days when everything just seemed to come together and work out (which seem to be rare in my life recently). It seemed fitting that such a special occasion be so lovely and sweet, like this little girl.

We had everyone back to our house afterwards, and I got a mini rehearsal for AG's birthday party in a few weeks.

Currently I'm knee deep in everything pink and green, and now there is talk of a pony - heaven help us all.

I'm back

Excuse.  Excuse.  Apology. Apology. Picture of preturnaturally cute baby. That about sums up this post, n'est pas?

Her Mother's daughter - learning the importance of cheese, croissants and wine mulitculturalism.

I'm back, and I have been properly shamed, but I can offer a few million excuses to break the ice if you would prefer. Let's start with the fact that in addition to taking care of this sweet little cherub, life has somehow been even busier than usual. If everyone's life is like this, please excuse me, but sometimes I feel like they gave the lead horse on my merry-go-round uppers.

Over the holidays, we hosted Thanksgiving, a pre-Christmas Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve and New Years Day. Oh yeah, and immediately following the holidays we had a good friend come to stay with us for the past few weeks. A good friend who does not make a very good houseguest. (read - NEEDY.)

I've also started planning for AG's birthday party, since it is now less than two months away! I'm not sure how I'm going to handle having a full fledged toddler, but her party is giving me an outlet to not have to think about that yet. Denial and crudités, anyone?

I am going to attempt to stay on the (blog) wagon this time.  I have lots of things to share - including some wonderful new recipes I've tried and many, many more pictures of above cute baby.  Wish me luck.

Ahem...

*ahem* 

*hangs head in shame*

Mrs. Lovely here - currently still alive, also currently a failure at blogging.  Back soon with updates and a ridiculous amount of pictures. 

For now, its back to enjoying the little things - like real, live Sophie giraffes.