My First Mother's Day

We had a such a nice Mother's Day weekend.  On Friday evening, we decided to lay low and do nothing.  

Genevieve and Trinity relaxed on the couch.  She watched a little Barney, and I really hate that purple dinosaur.

Part of my  "Betsy is a fabulous mother" festivities included a solo trip to the movie theatre.  As I have mentioned before, Trinity pretty much refuses to go to the movies.  He agreed to hang with Li'l G while I went to see The Great Gatsby in 3D.

I had never been to a 3D movie before, so imagine my surprise when the teenage girl handed me these Wayfarer lookalikes.

I took a selfie, since it was10:20 a.m. and there were like 4 grandparents getting ready to watch this movie with me.

Yes, I went at 10:20 a.m.

I enjoy a morning show.

My verdict?

I enjoyed it.

Jay Z provided some music.

I wish I was cool enough to know more about Jay Z than that he is Mr. Beyonce Knowles.  

Carey Mulligan stunk, which means she did a great job representing the most despicable character in literature, one Mrs. Daisy Buchanan.  

I loathe that selfish skank. 

Leo made me swoon.  He was a close runner up to Mr. Redford.  

Robeghan came to babysit on Saturday evening so Trinity and I could hang with Court, who was in town for the evening.  We celebrated her 33rd birthday.

They did a great job, despite disturbing her sleep and scaring the wits out of her because they were convinced she had stopped breathing.

Baby girl sleeps in some quirky positions, though none restrict her baby breaths.  

What a hoot.  They reminded me of sweet T and I during the first 2 months of parenthood.  We were convinced she was dying every second.  Now we're pros.  Ha!

We enjoyed mass with a very quiet baby on Sunday morning.  Her father brought me Starbucks before church and so I was ready to roll.  We went to Bakersfield Taco and Tequila company after church, where G  slept under the table while we enjoyed margaritas and chips and salsa.  

We returned home for a mini photo shoot in front of our newly landscaped casa.

Genevieve then took a 2 1/2 hour nap and happily played with her father so I could go to yoga.  

I can't express how much my sweet bunny has enriched my life.    

She soon became my best friend-

after she stopped being afraid of the giant blow holes that she encountered when she gazed up at me for the first time.  

I couldn't ask for a sweeter girl, and I'm so blessed to be her mama!

Our Teenaged Feline

Today I received an email notification from Kashmir's vet wishing her a happy birthday.  She encouraged Kashmir to "purrrty down" and dance to her favorite "mewsic."  

I couldn't make that up if I tried.

I was so sad when I read the email at work.

I was just like Molly Ringwald's mom in 16 Candles.

I forgot my little lady's special day.

On May 8, 1999 a teeny li'l ball of fur entered the world.

She was destined to be my furr-ever companion.

These puns!!!!!

When I got home this evening I gave Lady K a few extra Whisker Lickins.  

I abstained from putting her back in the "trenches."

I'm on fire, here.

This photo was taken when Kashmir was in 1st grade.  I think she's about 7 here.

She's been very patient with some of my silly schemes.

Like when I adopted that harlot kitty who came knocked up and we enjoyed the Summer of the Cat, 2007.

She judged those poor fatherless kittens.

As I searched for Kashmir pictures, I came across this favorite.

Genevieve looks a bit like Caroline here.  

C is about 14 months in this picture, and roughly the same size as my 8 month old.

Too cute.

Abby and Papi came to visit us on Saturday.  We gave Abby some good smellies for an early Mother's Day gift.  

We also watched the Kentucky Derby.

We went out for dinner and I wore my feather fascinator.

I'm sure no one at the sushi restaurant thought this was strange.

G was jealous, so the next morning I had to break out her feather headband.  

She loved it.

Pat rearranged our furniture for a little playroom for G.

She loved it!  

We will see Abby and Papi again soon when Genevieve goes on her first big road trip!

G's Big Weekend

I had a hard time leaving my little peanut to go to school on Friday.  I am the crazy mother who snaps a photo of her child at daycare like everyday before she leaves.

Why?

So I can look at it all day at work.

Sappy McSapperson, please get a life.  

I know. 

We had a little girl time on Friday after school before I had to be back at the elementary scene for our first Father-Daughter dance.

It was a hit.

I was in charge of the cake table.

I'll have you know that there was plenty for others and I only ate one piece.

I'm also officially past the point in my life where I enjoy CountryTime Lemonade. 

I will stick with the real stuff.

I was almost asphyxiated by that powder when I went to mix more with about 10 gallons of water in one of those Gatorade barrel thingies.

Not good.

The dance was great.

I was thrilled to see lots of dads in suits and little girls in corsages and glittery Mary Jane shoes.

I got to shaking as well.

I didn't capture that in a selfie.

On Saturday I visited with my high school bestie, Miss Mandy.

She continues to be just a rip roarin' good time, even at her kid's birthday party.

I love that woman.

Her mini me, Gracie Jane, turned 5.

Mandy did what any mother would do.

She arranged for a small zoo to come to her parents' house for the party.

Gracie was all like,

"in a while, crocodile"

Here is a blue tongued Skink.

Or skank.

I don't know.

It was a snake with legs.

Gross.

Genevieve touched it.

Then I started singing Foxy Lady when he brought out this tiny 2 lb fox.

It ran right in G's lap.

There were some tears, but they were short lived.

I'm not sure if my girl is really chillaxed, or suffers from short term memory loss like her mother.

Either way, she was like, "bring out another!"

I sacrificed my pride by showing this beautiful mouth breathing shot of me, Sasquatch, so you can all see G's hand pounding excitement.

What a hoot!

G cooperated for the whole show and then decided that this princess thing was a lot like her mobile, so she decided to swat at it.

Thank God I was there or she might have fallen off the couch.

Of course, had I not been there she wouldn't have been perched there in the first place.

We went home from the Silly Safari party and G refused to take a nap.

She was acting like a tyrannical Bindi Irwin.

Geez.

I got G this darling outfit that looks like she vomited ruffles.

If you want me to smile dear mother, you're going to need to get out some sweet potatoes.

And scene!

Spent at 7:00!

Just like her mother!

A Friendly Visit

Kate and Megan arrived yesterday for an overnighter.  Genevieve waited patiently for their arrival in her recliner, clutching her bunny bun.

Her hair has taken on a new look.

She has a little rooster tail on the back of her head.

We spent the afternoon chatting at home and playing with Lady G.  When we got ready to roll out for the evening, G was already in her pjs.

Kate presented her with a special plate for her newly acquired eating skills.

I took 3 pictures of them, and wanted to share photographic evidence that Kate is incapable of taking a poor picture.

She's the most photogenic person I know.

I can't say the same for my ladybug.

Picture #1

Ridiculously pretty.

Grab her boob, G.  You simply can't keep her from looking attractive in a picture.

She then tried a scissor kick to the ribs.

Foiled again!

Oh, sweet child of mine.

It isn't possible.

Then Megan stepped in and the picture perfection continued.

Insert Giant with cockeyed head.

Nope, friends still looking good.

We left Nugget at home with Trinity and lived it up with the best margaritas, tacos and guacamole of my life.

We tried a new place called Bakersfield Taco and Tequila Co.

It was crazy good.

We laughed and had a fabulous time discussing Kate's upcoming fall nuptials.

We rounded out our weekend with a late cocktails with Robby and Meghan on Sunday afternoon in Broad Ripple.  

I think drinking beer outside on a beautiful day is even better beside a precious napper.

Robby agreed.

Lady G is 7 Months Old!

Li'l Pumpkin Butter was 7 months on the 14th.

She has reached some big milestones.

She is sitting on her own without support from her hovering mother.

She is now eating fruits and vegetables regularly.

Our girls loves bananas, apples and peaches.

She shrivels up that mouth over green beans and carrots.

Much like her YaYa and Abby, she can chow down on sweet potatoes.  

21 lbs of preciousness.

She is consistently rockin' a hair bow, under my close supervision. She puts everything in her mouth.

I know you are all on pins and needles over Genevieve's reaction to Kindermusik. 

Well, you'll all be shocked to know...

*please focus on my happy baby and not on my feet.  Their beauty can be distracting.

She loved it!!!

She cooed, she laughed, she talked, and she rolled in perfect syncopation.  

For all of you non-music people, that means the off beat.

Duh.

I may have just learned that in our first class.

Yes, yes I did.

There were 3 other babies with their parents feeling the rhythm for the duration of the 45 minute class.

Since I can't carry a tune in a bucket, yet sing because I have joy in my heart, I loved it.

I tried to keep my voice low and really sing only to my child.

When I was in church a few weeks ago, the lady next to me told me I should join the choir.

I flushed with excitement and said, "but I can't sing."

She replied, "no, but you have such enthusiasm."

Ah, truer words were never spoken.

If there's one thing I have, it is enthusiasm.

Momma can't sing, but momma loves to dance.

By the way, I'm momma.

I quickly discovered that I had moves like Jagger compared to some awkward dads in attendance.

Not that I'm being competitive in baby dancing.

I will bring my own version of awkward dadness when Trinity joins us next week in class.  

I am never awkward.

Like right here.

This isn't awkward.

Marinda and I had our pictures taken during spring picture day this week.  

We felt a mirror image would be powerful.

We conspired to both look above the camera at S in the RESPONSIBILITY banner.

We obviously didn't clarify whether it was the first or second S.

We then scored a bedazzled cane that one of our coworkers uses.

Here is our 1987 dance studio/Mr. Peanut pose.

I really like to maintain professionalism on the job, as you can see.

Happy weekend!

Kindermusik, Kitty and Keeneland

Well, that might just have been my most clever and alliterative title yet.

I'm so proud of myself.

What I'm not proud of is the amount of time I spent submitting photos of Kashmir to catsofinstagram.

Like this one.

I know I'm biased, but that puss is destined for the limelight.

Am I right?

When I wasn't busy trying to exploit the family pet, I managed to jump start my daughter's musical career.

Genevieve and I are attending her first Kindermusik class tomorrow.

I have no idea what this nonsense entails, but me thinks they won't give my 7 month old child some rhythm sticks with which to blind herself.

Kindermusik is an amazing program, or so I've heard.

I'll update you after our first experience.

I just hope this isn't how Billy Ray got Miley started in the biz.

We all know how she turned out.

We had a fun filled weekend as a family.

On Friday evening Trinity and I were able to try out a fairly new restaurant called Bluebeard.  

My mother came to hang out with G.

It was super cool, they had tons of beers, and our bartender was skinny and wore a tight henley shirt.

I kinda like that look.
I'm sure Trinity will wear something like that like never.
The first of two Proseccos.
"Prosecco" in Italian means "Betsy's best friend." 

On Saturday morning we set off to Lexington to enjoy a beautiful spring weekend with Abby and Papi.

She had to have a little playtime before we departed for the Kentucky Horse Park.  

Hello, Secretariat.

You aren't buried here, but Man O' War is.

Man O' War was only the most amazing horse ever.

I think I shall ride this barrel.

My kid is asleep.

What else is there to do?

Still sleeping...

Awake and breaking everyone's backs.

Genevieve was most intrigued by the horse museum.

She started kicking like a mule in the Arabian Horse exhibit and Abby tried to get that little 20 pound sack of potatoes to cooperate.

She said "neigh" to the nap.  I know I have used that pun before, but it is simply brilliant.

On Sunday morning I slept in until 8:45 and enjoyed some coffee at my leisure thanks to my mother in law.

She snagged G right out of her crib at the first peep and I stayed asleep.

Genevieve was all smiles in the 70 degree Lexington weather.  

Attempts at family photos are always funny.

My eyes are closed for this one.

We left our little nugget and went to Keeneland to see some action.

I do love to look at horses.

The weather was perfect for horse gazing and outdoor imbibing.

I decided I love Keeneland.

I hit up the bar and the lady bartender asked me if I wanted a "Lilly."  It had vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry juice and something else.

She said the cocktail was a lovely pink that would match my purse.

Oh, lady.

It sounds like Lilly could join Betsy and Prosecco in a sewing circle.

We placed bets on the first 3 races.

I used serious strategery when I placed my wagers.

I didn't fool with the odds.

I used names alone!

I picked Miss Dora for race one.

Lost.

I selected Owl Moon for race two  because that is one of my favorite books to read to students.

Lost.

Lastly, I picked Admiral Kitty for race 3, thinking that horse might be related to War Emblem or War Admiral, two great stallions.

Also, I like kitties.

Lost.

Another Lilly to match my purse made me happy again.

I didn't scream out for Dover to move his bloomin' arse.

There was not a Dover racing. 

We packed it in and ran by Pat and Eddie's to get Genevieve and come home.

She had an equally delightful time with them.

They went on a walk, visited neighbors and balanced on arm rests to dance.

She loved it so much and they wore her out.

Papi was reluctant to put her in her seat for the car ride home.

We love that T's parent are living in such a beautiful city.

We are already planning a return trip to Keeneland for the fall races in October.