This morning at 10:47am, my niece arrived. She came early, which is not like our side of the family at all. We’re hoping that she continues this trend throughout her life.

She came via c-section, and it’s a good thing, too. Our little bundle weighed in at a little over 9 pounds and is 22 inches long.

The new grandparents, other aunt and I watched her the entire time she was in the nursery, marveling over how she moved her arms and sucked her hand, chuckling at her angry protest against her first bath, and proudly pointing her out to fellow onlookers who asked, “Which one is yours?”

Seeing my brother walk out with her in his arms ranks up there in my favorite moments ever lived. I will remember it always.

So, here she is, y’all – hands out of her “burrito wrap” because she cries when they’re confined:

Happy Birthday!

No, you’re not at the wrong blog. I decided to gussy this one up because I was in the mood for a little change in my life. My mama just breathed a sigh of relief that I decided to look for “change” via this blog and not via my hair.

Plus, it was time. This blog was looking a little dated – and looking dated is my new worst nightmare. (Nowadays I look around at a party/wedding/shower/what-have-you and breathe a sigh of relief if I “blend in” with the 20-somethings. I don’t want to look just like them, mind you, just not too unlike them.)

I’m currently waiting on my friend Cecilia to text me and call me “fancy pants.”

Mondays can be pretty tough to take. I woke up snarling, but luckily my friend Anna Beth sent me the link to Awkward Family Photos (.com). It (and she!) have made my day instantly better.

I laughed out loud at the engagement ones, gagged a few times at the pregnancy ones, but my favorites were in the section called, “The Family Portrait.” I feel so much better about my family now.

Enjoy.

yay for:
lunch plans with lauren g. at the rooster’s beak
pretty polish on my nails and toes
the heater under my desk
hosting a shower and attending a wedding this weekend
fun neighbors at home and work
a straight hair day
hearing this song in my car this morning
retractable sharpies
this being the last week before my niece arrives
a new calendar so i’ll know where to be when
making fun photos on befunky.com
free coke products at work – they increase my productivity
pay.day.

I am often told that I look exactly like somebody’s sister, cousin, colleague, high school friend, etc. I get it so much, in fact, that it leads me to believe I look totally unoriginal. I’m ok with this, really. I’d rather be the “girl next door” than this girl, I think. (I can’t decide if she’s pretty or unfortunate looking.)

Anyway, the whole “You look exactly like ___” thing often causes people to stare at me in public and then apologize for staring at me. Case in point: Yesterday while dining with Cecilia.

Whilst having an adult beverage together (and waiting on our food to arrive) our table was approached by an older man who was on a mission. Apparently, according to said older man, I look identical to the Sheriff’s wife. In his words, “You could be her twin.”

Great. Now I’m going to have to watch my language/cocktail consumption even more so when out and about in this town. I could get that poor woman in all sorts of trouble.

I was telling Ben this weekend that I remember living in Columbia and being completely bored out of my mind after the workday was over. Like, I had a super unhealthy television addiction and obsession with the public library going on. Could we go back to that, please?

How do women who have families and careers do it? My grandmother did it. My mother did it. My aunts did it. My friends do it. Surely I could do it…right? Well, I’m not so certain.

Managing work, social activities and volunteer activities is hard enough for me. Throw in the dog, the house and searching for a car – and I’m spent. If I had another “being” to take care of, one of us wouldn’t make it.

I was having one of those “I’ve Come A Long Way, Baby” days:

• “Gratitude” from Monday, June 15, 2009

Bless his heart:

• “Am I Traveling With An Alien?” from Wednesday, December 16, 2009

When I realized that I was out of the “new relationship” phase…

• “The Honeymoon Is Over” from Thursday, February 4, 2010

When the termite man insulted me…

• “Can’t You Just Check For Termites And Leave?” from Thursday, April 1, 2010

Long before there were “Status Update Gems” on this blog, there was this:

• “Shut the Hell Up, Please” from Friday, June 19, 2009

The first one was actually called “A Plea” but it began my “A Letter” posts. I had evidently seen a Girls Gone Wild Commercial (What the heck was I watching?) and felt the need to vent.

• “A Plea” from Thursday, July 31, 2008

Remember when Miss California opened her mouth and stupidity came out?

• “A Letter” from Tuesday, April 29, 2009

My letter to Comcast Cable. The Bravo Channel appeared a few weeks later. I’m not saying I’m the reason, but I’m just sayin’.

• “A Letter” from Wednesday, June 17, 2009