giggles.

i'm annoying.

she's adorable.

school = lots of sickies, boo.

on that note... enjoy.

feb '13 - giggles from annahitaj on Vimeo.

new mommy confessions...

I'm a new mom.

I am NOT perfect.

I hate my post-baby bladder.

I change diapers in strange places...

want to hear more?

check out my new mommy confessions over at Running from the Law!

is this real life?

A little something to make you smile on Monday morning --

just when you thought she couldn't get any cuter...

this happens...

...I know.

...ridiculous.

oh penelope.

I love you my little sleepy girl.

Be reasonable, Mom! - A Guest Post

Hey Forever88-ers! While Annahita’s moving, I’m popping in to hang out for the day. My name is Kristi, and I blog at Table-for-Three. Annahita and I met back in 2005, while she was working on her Master’s degree and I was working for that Governor who said he was on the Appalachian Trail but was actually visiting his mistress in Argentina. It’s fine. What I remember from those days is watching The Bachelor while eating cupcakes and nachos. What more could you want from a friend?

Since then, we’ve both gotten married, moved, become puppy mommies, and baby mommies (not necessarily in that order). I have two little girls (one is almost 3 and the other just turned 1), and today I’m sharing about something I learned the hard way with my second baby.

Last December, my husband and I were invited to a fundraiser for a non-profit that works with high school students. It was going to be a dinner-and-a-show style fundraiser, where we would mingle and eat, then move into an amphitheater where they would tell us what they did with students by showing us; skits and all.

We wanted to attend, but we’d recently moved, and didn’t have many babysitting options. One friend offered to watch our two year-old and even suggested that she stay the night. We took her up on it, but ended up taking our other daughter with us. She was about three months old.

That night, we walked in carrying our best accessory – a baby in a car seat. We were a little self-conscious because we were slightly underdressed; oh-and-also we had a kid with us. But we saw some people we knew, strangers started ogling at our gorgeous daughter, and we started to feel more comfortable.

Dinner was great and we got ready to move down the hall to the amphitheater. We hung back, and as we started down the hall way, we heard loud music and lots and lots of cheering. We turned the corner and saw that the staff and created a fan tunnel, like at a football game, for the guests to walk through on our way to the theater.

You guys. I was a cheerleader in school, and will always be one in my heart. I can get. behind. a cause. Mkay? Throw some loud music and dancing in there and my instincts simply cannot be stopped. Plus, at this point my attitude about bringing a baby to a kid-free event had gone from “Um…so…we brought our baby…” to “WE BROUGHT OUR BABY, Y’ALL!”

The music and cheering took over my body, and I did what felt most natural. I lifted my fairly new baby over my head and danced my way through the tunnel. Everyone was cracking up and nodding and cheering me on. We were famous! We brought our baby to a kid-less fundraiser and she was a hit!

And then she spit-up on me. All down the back of my black cardigan. I’m not even sure when she erupted, I just know that by the end of that tunnel, I was getting concerned looks. And I felt really embarrassed.

Not because we’d brought a baby. Not because we were slightly underdressed. And not because I don’t exactly have the moves like Jagger.

I was embarrassed because I’d treated my daughter like, well, an accessory. An add-on to me, rather than my priority. I’d spent the whole night trying to figure out how to minimizer her presence until it behooved me to maximize it. And then she puked.

Dancing? Loud music? Holding her up like she’s Simba from The Lion King? Come on, Kristi. That’s too much for an infant. I should have known better.

And you know, the result wasn’t tragic. We stayed for some of the presentation and then had to leave because she started getting fussy. We slipped out quietly, and the night wasn’t a big deal to anyone but me.

But I felt stupid, kind of foolish and a little ashamed. I immediately recognized that I was trying to fit her into what I wanted to do, rather than taking both of our needs seriously. Balancing the needs of a family is so much harder when kids are introduced, but I think most of us have little radars that start dinging when we we’re pushing it. We just have to listen to them. And for a minute, I’d let the music drown out that helpful ding. I don’t want to do that again.

For at least the last year, we’ve been the only ones in most of our friend groups with kids. We’ve had to figure out how to be good friends and good to our family at the same time. Sometimes we aren’t sure if we’re doing it well, but we’ve had several of our childless friends tell us that watching us balance things has made them less worried about having kids of their own, because they see that you can still show up. We’re pretty emphatic about naps and schedules, and still, having children doesn’t mean we’re homebound.

But I hope they see the other side too; that sometimes it does mean that we willingly skip the fun things to put our kids first. Sometimes it’s okay to push a kid to skip a nap, but sometimes, it’s not. So much of parenting is about gauging where your kids are, where you are, and what should happen based on those factors combined. Before anything else, we have to be advocates for our kids, and our entire family.

My philosophy is basically this – our family is a team. But my husband and I are the captains. (Or should it be the coaches? Sports metaphors are not my strong suit.) In our family we all matter, and we all need to be taken seriously. Even the smallest of us. The world doesn’t revolve around the kids, but it also doesn’t revolve around us. Each member has a voice, even before he or she can speak. We try to make the best decision for the team, taking everyone’s needs and preferences into consideration.

If I’d done that well on the night of the fundraiser, I could have avoided spit-up soaked cardigan and a little emotional turmoil. We’re no worse for the wear, thankfully, but it was a good reminder that even the best the outside world has to offer can’t trump the feeling of taking good care of this sweet little  family we’ve become.

party-time...

...nope...

we haven't definitely have NOT been doing lots of partying these past few weeks 

[though we have had some almost sleepless nights, hah]

[and I did enjoy my first full glass of champagne in over nine months the other day -- it was glorious]

but back to the partying... 

Penny was channeling "Jigga" [Daddy's college persona] when she picked out this lovely ensemble...

special thanks to Whitney for the kegstand onesie - it's definitely one of our faves!

I'm working on a list of our hospital/first few weeks "must-have/lifesavers" -- and of course a post of all the adorable photos of Sweet P that have been taken over the past two weeks! Coming soon... 

...in other news, I had a baby two weeks ago?!?! what?! 

it still hasn't really set in.

[though I am happy to report my rings and shoes fit again! HOORAY!]

happy wednesday!

draw a stickman...

I know "draw something" is all the rage lately... 

but here's a little random something to make you chuckle on this Tuesday morning...  

visit drawastickman.com for some fun!

I had more fun doing this that I'd like to admit...

but then again, I bet you will too!

go now, hurry - you won't regret it!

Ollie and the Holiday Penguins: Part 2

so when I took out the Christmas tree [we went fake this year] and started unpacking all our holiday decor, out came the penguins - now you might remember the penguins from last year - Oliver did NOT like the penguins... so I put them on the bar and an hour passed and he didn't notice them, I was SO excited, he must have outgrown his aversion to adorable stuffed black and white singing penguins... alas, I was mistaken. he saw them and started going nuts - so I did what any responsible puppy mom would do - I  moved them to a chair and started taking pictures of his crazy behavior - you're welcome.

so here it is Ollie & the Holiday Penguins: Take 2 --

just in case you were wondering, I took 38 pictures of this.... clearly, I was amused - most are blurry because I was laughing... sadly, now the penguins live in our closet - but they might have to be moved again because Ollie has discovered this and now trys to crawl up the shelves every time I open the closet... bad news. again, make sure to check out Ollie and the Holiday Penguins Part 1 (2010) - you'll get to see the penguins sing and dance, Ollie freak out a little and hear my super annoying voice - what could be better?!

random laughs....

oh friday, here at last. ready for the work day to be over? I am. so excited for next 48 hours of relaxation and doing nothing. heck to the yes. as today is an extremely productive day in the office [actually it really was] we were sharing some giggles off of some great finds, and unlike what DJ thinks of my "only child issues" I can share, so today my gift to you - some friday laughs...

first - one of my all-time favorite funny pictures of Oliver just because I saw it today and it's amazingly hilarious...

[if this doesn't make you laugh, something is wrong with you]

• Science Bob and Neil Patrick Harris on the Live! with Kelly Show [the hilarity starts at 1:30, enjoy]
• Virgin Couple Shares First Kiss... I'm pretty sure this is what my first kiss looked like in seventh grade, except mine was at the IMAX theater while lions were getting it on on the big screen [classy I know]
• Bad Santa Photos
• Dancing Bulldog... I'm pretty sure that's my mom in the background - no really, that's what she sounds like and this is so something she would do....
• Can someone teach Oliver to get in the bath like this: Bulldog Gets in Bath
• not funny, but so sweet - I teared up... Soldier seeing his dog when he gets back from Afghanistan 

happy friday - here's to the weekend, I'm excited for no big plans and just doing some baby gear research (any recommendations on.... anything?) and loads of reading and laying around. here's to a relaxing weekend for everyone!

kittens inspired by kittens....

clearly, I'm a dog person [no offense to all of you crazy cat ladies out there, AHEM Anna, Caroline]...but the dog person in me is smacked down and wants to run out and adopt a cat whenever I see this darn video...

aren't those some freaking adorable kittens?!

...and I would be remiss if I posted about kittens without including this gem of a video...

too. freaking. funny.

that video will always take me back to 2008

in related news, I have seriously watched both of those videos way more than I want to ever admit...

it's kinda embarrassing. 

all quiet on the western front...

not much going on in my neck of the woods this week. classes started yesterday which means my days are filled with more student interaction [which I love] and more students eating junk outside my office [which I hate] - if you follow me on twitter you get to hear rants about this at least weekly during the school year. It never fails, the day I have a salad to eat there are like 30 kids outside my office eating cheeseburgers and french fries [don't they know I'm trying to eat  healthy?!]. but seriously, I'm psyched school is back in session and am ready to hit the ground running.

I'm a little sad today because DJ is leaving me for a week to attend to some business in NYC [he's fancy]. I want to take a business trip. That's the one thing I miss about my yearlong stint in the corporate world... business trips. I love traveling for work, being out of the office and exploring new places, oh yeah and flying and sleeping in hotels. I even loved filling out my expense report when I got back [I know, I'm a freak]. Oh well, that's about all I liked about that job so clearly I'm back in the right place/field.

But back to DJ, I'm such a baby when it comes to being without him now. It's so foreign to think about spending the next week without him. I also have to drive myself to work for the next three days, the nerve of him.  Luckily, I have Ollie and my MIL to keep me company. I have a feeling a lot of girly movies/TV is going to be watched this week and it makes me very happy!

I also finished two books this week - one that I LOVED and that you should read [Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner] and one that was kinda, eh - that I wouldn't really recommend [Chasing Harry Winston - Lauren Weisberger]. More on those later...

well, this was kinda a pointless post so I'll leave you with this youtube video makes me giggle....

love.

happy tuesday kittens.

the best book I've read in awhile and a giveaway winner...

seriously. Bossypants by Tina Fey is the funniest book I've read in a long, long time [and I read a lot]. I devoured it and read it every chance I got over a two day period and then laughed like an idiot so much that DJ kept giving me deathstares [it's not my fault that the NYTimes articles he was reading weren't as amusing as my book].  Here are five excerpts that illustrate the wide breadth of topics covered and  of course I'd be remiss if I didn't share one of my personal favorites... 

"THE MOTHER'S PRAYER FOR ITS DAUGHTER"

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches. 

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the the Beauty. 

When the Crystal Meth is offered, 

May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half 

And stick with Beer. 

Guide her, protect her 

When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the nearby subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock N’ Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age. 

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. 

Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes

And not have to wear high heels. 

What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit. 

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers. 

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. 

Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, 

For Childhood is short -- a Tiger Flower blooming 

Magenta for one day -- 

And Adulthood is long and Dry-Humping in Cars will wait. 

O Lord, break the Internet forever, 

That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers 

And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed. 

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, 

Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, 

For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it. 

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, 

That I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 a.m., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. 

“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. 

“My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental note to call me. And she will forget. 

But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes. 

Amen.

oh Tina Fey, I love you.

Honestly, I will say though this is one of those cases where I want the actual book [ahem, DJ, feel free to run out and get that for me anytime now] as I think this is going to be a classic that I'll want on my bookshelf and that I'll want to underline and dogear and just pick up and flip through.

...in completely unrelated news...

Congrats to Tara for winning the UPrinting Giveaway I hosted last week! Tara, I'll be in touch with UPrinting and give them your info, thanks to everyone who entered.

bulldog giggles...

thanks to Nikki for sending this gem of a video over to me earlier in the week, it was too cute not to share --

gotta love that bulldog determination!


don't forget to enter my giveaway! :)

cracking up...

What a whirlwind of a few days... I had a nice relaxing weekend [with a surprise afternoon visit on Sunday from Lindi which included some pool time, heck yes].  Then I got stung by a bee, fail. It itches, but at least now I know I'm not allergic!


Then yesterday was a pretty quick/easy day at work including a lunchtime workout and a not too terrible commute home. When I got home Tiffani came over for dinner and we went out to the mall for some shopping/girl time - it was great and much needed! I missed her tons when she was in KY for her internship this summer! 


Tonight, DJ and I are having dinner with our friend Brian who is in town for business! Getting to see three of my closest friends in three days = success! Then tomorrow, is my "Friday"at work - because we're off to NJ/Philly for the weekend!


This morning has been kinda craptastic though so I turned to my old friend someecards for a bit of laughter and of course, they did not fail... they shared a link to "The Most Awkwardly Public Break-Ups in Facebook History" - oh man, we all know that facebook is the cause of lots of drama but these take it to that next level.... 

people are crazy.

[all images via]

f#ck yeah! Ryan Gosling....

with all the previews of Crazy, Stupid, Love going around it's reigniting my love for Ryan Gosling... I mean - he's pretty hard not to lust over love.  I'm super excited to see this movie [not just for him, but it seems like an enjoyable flick], I don't know if we will if we venture out to see it in the theaters though or just add it to the netflix queue [when did movies get so expensive?!]. Here's the trailer for it - what do you think will you see it in the theater or wait for DVD?

in related news, have you heard of the site F#ck Yeah! Ryan Gosling? it's one of my favs... I mean, who doesn't love Ryan Gosling?! Especially when he's talking right to you with his "Hey Girls..."

here are some of my faves....

seriously. I could go on and on and on forever...

they are pretty amusing - do yourself a favor and go check it out for yourself

just when you think it doesn't get any better - it does.

Ryan sharing some of his favorite "Hey Girls" with us...

[which is old news, it happened back in 2010 - but it's still pretty darn funny]

true story....

welcome to a day in the life.... we wake up... I'm getting dressed and I hear....


DJ: man, I didn't sleep well, I had really bad dreams
AJ: oh no, sorry babe...
DJ: yeah, I had a really bad nightmare
AJ: really? what about?
DJ: I had a dream I cheated on you?!
AJ: WHAT? WITH WHO?
DJ: a supermodel
AJ: [insert hysterical laughter] okay, weird.

too funny.

note to self: don't leave danny alone around supermodels.

I consider myself a lucky gal that he considered cheating on me 
with a supermodel a nightmare not a dream come true!

really?

normally I love [pretty much] everything that uncommongoods has to offer and I am a dog-lover through and through but I think this is taking it a bit too far...

seriously, I don't know if I'd spend $20 let alone $240 for a custom necklace of Oliver's "nose print" -- and let's discuss the "small print" -- 


"you will receive a mold kit with detailed instructions in order to complete the molds of your prints..."

what!? can you imagine trying to get a mold of your dog's nose - I can imagine this ending in a variety of ways [most of them including Oliver trying to eat the putty/whatever else is sent to get the mold]... also, not to insult anyone who finds this endearing but I don't think I'd want to wear a mold of Oliver's nose around my neck... well, then again, maybe - let's see...

who wouldn't want to wear this [ollie's adorable snout] around their neck?!

yeah, not so much.

if you're so inclined feel free to head over to uncommongoods and get one for yourself!

ready for some giggles?

Just in case you missed Best Week Ever's "Photo's of Basset Hounds Running" a few months back here's a couple to make you giggle...

what funny dogs.

check out all the running hounds here... 

{all images via}

my drunk kitchen...

no, not another post about sangria... Sarah posted these videos a week or so ago and they were too funny not to share - have you seen my drunk kitchen? if not, you're missing out -- here are two of my faves...

Sarah put it best: "I want to be her friend. Or help her secure a show on the Food Network."

amazing.

go the f--k to sleep...

one of my friends needs to get knocked up so I can buy them Go the F--k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach...

seriously. amazing and genius.

even if you're without child and still want a laugh? 

download the audible copy of this book for free 

[it's narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, get ready].

hysterical.

warning, not for those that dislike profanity.

clients from hell...

I'm literally sitting in my office giggling over clients from hell... considering I'm married to a graphic/web designer these strike close to home... I'm sure all of you out there have had your share of "interesting" clients too.

here's a sneak peak at some of the laughs on clientsfromhell.net, enjoy...

have I mentioned yet that DJ designs on a mac and wears wayfarers? love it! 

check out the site for more laughs, trust me - there are a ton of them!

[all images via http://clientsfromhell.net]