How cute is Little J here? I love this picture of him (says the modest mom) and think it captures him pretty well. At least the side of him that is happy and sweet and bursting with personality. Like most 3-year-olds, he has other sides that aren’t as pleasant, but in that moment on that day, all bundled up against unseasonal frigid cold in NYC, he was the Jackson I enjoy the most. We were on the subway when I took the picture, having just braved the cold to see my endocrinologist briefly for a Rx update (for my thyroid disease). I rewarded Jack for his good behavior at my doctor’s office with a visit to the holiday train show at Grand Central, which, as predicted, he loved. It was a good day, even if it was brutally cold. (We also made cookies — flourless oatmeal, peanut butter, chocolate chip — and hosted our first playdate in our new place).
Unfortunately, less than 24 hours later, I was standing in our kitchen, covered in vomit from head to toe, holding Jackson in my arms as he heaved his lunch into my hair and face (and this, after cleaning up not one, not two, but three accidents in the pants; I finally wised up after that third one and switched Jackson to pull-ups for the rest of the day). Aw, the joys of motherhood. Luckily, it was a fast-moving bug and he’s all better today and no worse for wear. Hopefully, we can say the same for our washing machine after the massive amounts of laundry I did yesterday. On my way to taking Jackson to school this morning, our landlord called and said there was water leaking into his place from ours, and as I write this, I haven’t heard an update yet on what that’s all about. Hey, at least it’s Friday, right? I need a drink.
Anyway, what’s everyone up to this weekend? I think Drew and I are going to have a date tonight — our second in a week, after not going out for what seems forever; we saw Lucinda Williams at the Beacon Monday night and it was an awesome show! One of our favorite neighborhood restaurants, a tiny French Caribbean place, is closing shop next week on account of astronomically rising rents in Brooklyn — ugh, don’t get me started — and we’re going to try to get in tonight for a last meal there. The whole place only sits like 18 people total, so hopefully we can get a seat without waiting outside in the cold for too long. Then, on Saturday, we’ll probably do more moving-in stuff (hanging stuff on the walls, re-arranging the furniture a bit, stuff like that) and then a 3-year-old birthday party in the afternoon. And on Sunday, we’re hosting our second annual Friendsgiving with some of our oldest friends. I’m making pie (and turkey and brussels sprouts). Can you believe Thanksgiving is just a few days away and then it’s like full-on holiday season? What the fuck? Where did 2014 go?
Happy weekend, everyone. Hope yours is a great one.
![\"\"](\"https://d5nxst8fruw4z.cloudfront.net/atrk.gif?account=r/y/j1a0Sn00OI\")
Addie Pray November 21, 2014, 4:38 pm
That is one of the cutest pictures of Jackson.
*
I’m really glad this work week is almost over. This week was ok. Last week was horrendous though. But I’m just glad because I GET TO SEE MY NEW BOYFRIEND IN 2 DAYS AND 22.5 HOURS (but who’s counting). I like saying NEW BOYFRIEND because it sounds ridiculous considering we’ve only seen (or, re-seen, I guess, since I knew him from home) each other for one (magical, amazing, fairytale-like) weekend – but you know, it’s also insane that we’ll be “meeting the families” next week and that he’s going to move to Chicago (like, for real) and that we’re planning for a very fun and exciting future together so calling him “boyfriend” is probably the least of my crazy craziness these days. There are a couple of things that I’ve always said/predicted and they’re coming true: (i) when I hit my 30s I really believed all the good men were taken and I had to wait for a good one to get divorced and find me – and that is what’s happened here, ya – he’s divorced, no kids; and (ii) if I ever met a guy as a spontaneous and cheesy as me, we’re doomed, and I have, and we are, hahaha. I don’t care, I’m throwing caution to the wind here and gonna see where… where it blows me? That works.
*
So, that’s that’s. Tonight a sister flies into Chicago and then we drive to St. Louis where I have an engagement party to go to on Saturday night. (Which by the way, I’m a bridesmaid in this wedding and I’m of the age (35 and 362 days) where it feels sillier than EVER to have 8 bridesmaids standing up there in the same color dress like it’s 1952 and we’re all 19. Know what I mean? But it’s gonna be a good time. This is a dear friend of mine who has about 5,000 friends and knows how to party. So i’m just along for the ride. Anyway, that’s Sat. night… then Monday-Wed. I’ll be working from a coffee shop in St. Louis, WITH MY BOYFRIEND (haha, really ridiculous). Monday night it’s my birthday dinner and then there’s Thanksgiving and … wait, this is supposed to be a weekend update, not a weekend + next week update so I’m gonna shut up now. … No, now.
Addie Pray November 21, 2014, 5:46 pm
Ok come on, why is no one calling me crazy – I can take it I promise!
Bubbles November 21, 2014, 6:16 pm
Love is crazy!! That’s just it. It’s crazy and sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind and quit analyzing every F’n thing and just go with it. If it feels right, go for it. I’m giddy reading your update and can’t wait to read more updates about your NEW BOYFRIEND and about your amazing fairytale. YAY!!
Bubbles November 21, 2014, 6:16 pm
Love is crazy!! That’s just it. It’s crazy and sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind and quit analyzing every F’n thing and just go with it. If it feels right, go for it. I’m giddy reading your update and can’t wait to read more updates about your NEW BOYFRIEND and about your amazing fairytale. YAY!!
Moneypenny November 22, 2014, 1:27 am
Ok, I’ll bite: You cray.
Moneypenny November 22, 2014, 1:28 am
But I mean that in the most loving way possible.
Moneypenny November 22, 2014, 1:28 am
Aaaaand now I have filled up the sidebar!!
Addie Pray November 22, 2014, 4:44 am
Finally, a voice of reason! Sheesh! 😉
TheGirlinME November 22, 2014, 3:13 pm
No more crazy than I, AP! MY BRAND NEW BOYFRIEND (of 3 months) moved in with me 2 weeks ago!! (Yep, I’m insane, you guys!!) I DID already know him, he’s my BFF’s brother. And he’s amazing. He’s upstairs in his home office making a music CD for me to take to my office on Monday. So, I say, “YAYAYAYAY for BRAND NEW BOYFRIENDS and BEING IN LOVE!!” You, of all people should have that! You’re amazing, and witty, and kind and beautiful and a fantastic dog-mom! ((HUGS)) 😀
Addie Pray November 22, 2014, 5:41 pm
Aw, thanks, GirlinME, and congrats to you!
Laura November 21, 2014, 7:43 pm
Well to be fair, HE is the one moving to Chicago 😉
But, that’s pretty exciting. Did you say he has family in the area?
*Tries to comment/ask questions without being too creepy*
Addie Pray November 21, 2014, 8:31 pm
He’s moving here. He’s already given notice! God he’s so sweet. I just love him. No family in the chicago area; he’s moving here solely for me. Though we both have family in Missour. He’s so so so wonderful.
RedroverRedrover November 22, 2014, 1:26 pm
Are you serious??? He’s really moving for you? Yowza! That’s amazing!
Addie Pray November 22, 2014, 5:48 pm
Totally serious!
Laura November 22, 2014, 5:36 pm
Whaaaaaaat?! Okay, y’all have to slow it down if only for the sake of DWers keeping up with it all!
Does he have pets? Does he already have a place, a job, etc? Are you guys going to Missouri for holiday fun? Is Moose going to visit the family, too? Where is Moose going to be for Thanksgiving? Also, how does Moose feel about all this?
Addie Pray November 22, 2014, 5:53 pm
No pets. No job here. No place. We are gonna figure all that out over the next couple of months. He’s hoping to be wrapped up at his cureent job mid feb, by March latest – so we have plenty of time. (See? Taking it slowly- ha). Moose will stay at grandma’s while in at his family’s house which is about a 5 hour drive. Moose is feeling really… Nervous about all of this, he knows something’s up and he doesn’t like change.
Laura November 23, 2014, 11:13 am
Oh okay, yeah that’s plenty of time for logistics! We can totally keep up with that 🙂
Have you done holidays with Moose yet? Dogs are so keen to changes in the air, but he’ll get used to it. And I bet he will love having another human around! I imagine him to be a more the merrier type.
muchachaenlaventana November 24, 2014, 4:37 pm
haha yes this is crazy, but if it works no one will think it is crazy, just romantic and amazing so just go with it.
Classic November 23, 2014, 5:13 pm
I am happy for you, Addie Pray! Yay for you and your boyfriend.
FireStar November 24, 2014, 11:41 am
You can’t get the reward if you don’t take the risk. He is the one going all in by uprooting his life for you. Everyone is grown and there are no areas of concern – so congrats and much success! It sounds wonderfully promising!
Lyra November 21, 2014, 7:17 pm
I’m heading up to see Navy Guy as soon as I finish typing this. I’ll bring my kitty because I have cat separation anxiety and love having her around all the time… We’ll have a weekend of hanging out and not doing much and cooking new things. 🙂 It will be glorious!
.
So you guys remember when I started my Etsy shop for cat toys a month or two ago? It’s growing! I finally sold my first item on Etsy this week — I had sold some to my friends prior to that — but it is so cool knowing that I’m making money off of my craft/hobby! Then…a couple weeks ago I saw a sign outside a vet office asking for handmade pet items. I emailed them and I dropped off some sample projects last week, then some more this week. They have a boutique for hand crafted items to sell to their customers, and so far they approved a couple of my things!!! I’m really excited because I wasn’t sure if I would have all that much success with this and sure enough, targeting the right places has my foot in the door. I’m hoping it will just grow from here.
Ika November 21, 2014, 8:42 pm
After a crazy hectic week (5 birthday parties, for starters) we´re starting to move this weekend!!!
We can´t finsh movng just yet because the jerks that have to put in the upstairs flooring havent gone, so we´re taking all the downstairs stuff. And today the flooring people confirmed theyll go on tuesday, so we´ll finish moving on friday. Probably.
I still have sooooo much to do though. And once we move we have to come paint ths house (we´re renting it out). And onthe 6th smy dest birthday, whichwe ar celebrating on theth (which is a holiday here).And her english teacher asked me to go read her class a christmas themed story. So I also have to fit that in. But I am soooo excited! Also exhausted/stressed. But mostly excited.
Ika November 21, 2014, 8:52 pm
And Jackson looks adorable in that pic! I´m glad the bug idnt last long 🙂
GertietheDino November 21, 2014, 10:33 pm
Saturday is our Monthly game day with “the girls” and boyfriend. Sunday is my birthday celebration. There will be brunch.
Moneypenny November 22, 2014, 1:25 am
Happy Birthday!
TheLadyE November 22, 2014, 1:06 am
It’s my birthday weekend too!!! My birthday is Sunday and I’m turning 32, which is the age of great romantic comedy heroines like Bridget Jones, Carrie Bradshaw, and Sally from When Harry Met Sally. I’m hoping for a year of great adventure and hopefully great romance – we shall see! Meanwhile, I’m celebrating tomorrow night at my favorite Irish pub with a big group of my wonderful friends who will more than likely be wanting to see me tipsy so they’ll be buying me drinks, and there’s a live musician, and there might be dancing and surely will be lots of merriment. I’m so excited! Then Sunday itself I’ll be spending with my little sister (who I rarely see and who I’m becoming closer with every year) and snuggling with my bestie, my little toy poodle, and probably binge-watching my favorite shows while (possibly) day drinking. Haha.
The nice thing is that at this age, I’m in a really healthy place emotionally and physically and even getting there financially, I have wonderful friends who I really love and who love me, and I can give my little girl dog a fun and full life. Here’s to year 32! I kind of like the ring of it. 🙂
Moneypenny November 22, 2014, 1:26 am
Happy birthday! Your plans sound fun. Makes me look forward to 32 too!
Addie Pray November 22, 2014, 4:47 am
Now I want to be 32 again! Happy birthday!
Moneypenny November 22, 2014, 1:23 am
Tomorrow I am going shopping at the outlets with my now-former work friend (her last day was wednesday) before she starts her new job. Sunday I’m going to see my sis and my nephew!! (He’s almost 2.5.)
I also think I’m getting a cold because I am stuffy and have a sore throat. But I’m going to fight it off as best I can and hopefully not breathe on anyone.
RedroverRedrover November 22, 2014, 1:24 pm
Today is my birthday, lots of birthdays this weekend! Kind of a craptastic bday for me though… I got my period and it really hurts; I’m not getting a gift from my husband b/c I asked for something big and he’s combining it with my Christmas gift, which I totally agree with, but still, no prezzies (I did get a card and some chocolate); I’m really sick; I worked crazy overtime last week (including the entirety of last weekend); I’m super stressed because I have to still pack for me and my 18-month-old for a trip we’re taking in the morning (couldn’t do it earlier b/c of all the overtime); no party or even dinner out b/c of packing and our flight in the morning.
.
But I shouldn’t complain, because we’re going to Mexico in the morning! I really need this trip, it’s been a shitball month for me (and for my husband too, work-wise). We’re going with another couple (my husband’s best friend and her husband), and they have a 2-year-old, so it’ll be great. We can trade off baby-sitting and get some alone time. Also we picked a resort that has a kid’s club which takes toddlers, which means they’ll supervise them while we go off on our own! We’re going to bring walkie talkies so they can get hold of us, just for extra peace of mind in case anything goes wrong. 🙂 I’m stressed about the plane ride, but I packed a whole bunch of stuff to keep my son busy on the plane (aqua-doodle, pipe cleaners, bendy straws, painter’s tape, coloured post-it notes, a flashlight, a little mirror) so hopefully it goes ok. Last time we took him on the plane he slept most of the time, here’s hoping it’s similar this time. It’s only three hours or so, so that’s good. Wish me luck!
Laura November 22, 2014, 5:42 pm
Good luck! Hope the airport trip goes smoothly!
othy November 23, 2014, 11:42 am
Spent the last couple of days catching up with old friends in NYC. My alma mater played their rivals for the 150th football game, and I went with my family (all grads of the school). It was awesome! And we won, such a fun day. Now to visit my grandparents for thanksgivings.
Classic November 23, 2014, 5:06 pm
Is this a trick question? How cute is he… hmm well he is cute as a button (the standard of cuteness, duh) In fact he is way too cute. This picture is wonderful.