Friday Wrap Up - If I were a 1/2 billionaire...

If you haven't heard the Mega Millions jackpot is 500+ million dollars, good.  One less person keeping me from winning tonight.

All of this talk (I swear it has been on every news program, every radio station, and a headline in every paper today) of the chance that someone could overnight be a 1/2 billionaire got me thinking.

If I were a 1/2 BILLIONAIRE, what would I do with the $$$? Not what would I "politically correctly" do
with the money but what would I really do with all of that cash?

Here are the top TEN things I would do (when I win tonight) in no specific order:

1.) Retire my husband (although I know even with that kind of money he would fight to keep working)

2.) Buy a jet.  And a pilot. And a crew.  Then fly in it. EVERYWHERE. STAT.

3.) Share.  I would share with my family, my extended family, my friends...I don't think it would be any fun to have all of that money if I didn't have any one who could enjoy it with me.

4.) Hire someone to blow dry and style my hair every day; currently two of my least favorite things to do ever.

5.) Buy a few houses.  Here, there, everywhere.  Down market? It wouldn't matter. Maybe even a castle in Ireland just for fun.

6.) Donate to charity. Charities for military families, for babies with no medical care, for orphaned children, for research for very rare diseases affecting those I love.  It would be AMAZING.

7.) Hire a personal chef.  Yes, I love to cook, but I am sure given my status as a 1/2 billionaire I would be allowed to cook in my fabulous state of the art kitchen when the mood struck.  Correction, I would hire a "Get me skinny and keep me there" personal chef. 


8.) I would invent a sound proof, breathable, UV protected buggy that attaches to a golf cart so I could play golf every day with my husband without missing out on time with our nugget.

9.) I would hire a personal shopper and stock up on every thing I have ever had my eye on.

10.) I would pay Bethenny Frankel to be my  neighbor, best friend and go-to for play dates.

What would YOU do with all of of that cash?!?!?!?  I would love to hear what your caviar wishes and 1/2 billionaire dreams are!

3 Wishes Wednesday - Jamie from Chosen Chaos Wishes Away!

Welcome to the second installment of 3 Wishes Wednesday.  I am more than excited to have one of my favorite bloggers, Jamie of Chosen Chaos, joining us this month. 

Jamie is a friend I met at a friend's wedding several years ago; little did I know she would later become my blogging mentor, my Mommy hero, and a constant source of support for Pressure Cooker.  

Jamie is the mother of four (YES, four!) beautiful babies including two boys under 5 and a set of twin girls who just turned one.  Jamie is one of those people you instantly want to be your friend, she is a super-Mom, super-wife, and super-hero in every sense of the term.  She is constantly on the go, whether with her family, friends, blog, tweets, Facebook updates, etc. etc.  

I have NO idea how she does it all (including guest blogging for little 'ol me) and envy the energy and passion she has for the wonderful chaos that is her life.  Jamie may tell you it's thanks in big part to her not-so-quiet passenger, Patty Perfect.  I would argue she is simply a phenomenal woman with an amazing sense of humor and trust me, she is someone you will want to know, too.

Be sure to follow her on:

Chosen Chaos, Twitter, and Facebook!

Wish away Jamie......


Wish #1 - Past
What is something you wish you could re-live and why or something you wish you could go back and change and why? 
I’m not much of a regret kind of person and I fully believe that everything happens for a reason. If I could go back and change one thing from the past I wish I had taken better care of myself physically. I wish I had started healthy habits like running, yoga, and eating right long before my 30,000-mile check-up at 30 years old. If it were habit then it might not be as challenging to keep it a habit now!

Wish #2 - Present
What is something you are hoping for, something you want to do or accomplish now and why? 
My wish for the present is to be present. I feel like this is the place we spend our lives wishing for. When we are younger we wish to be grown-up and with a family, job, living life. When we are older we wish to go back to this time when our kids are babies and the world revolved around nap times and milk. I wish to present so that I don’t miss it. 

Wish #3 - Future
If you could do anything, be anything, have anything, or accomplish anything in the next 20 years what would you choose and why? 
My wish for the future is to start my dream business. The business plan is gathering dust in a nightstand drawer. Every time I drive by a vacated building I wonder if that would make a good home for it. Our growing family put it on hold but my wish for the future is that we give it a go.  


Recipe 
Please share a favorite recipe of your choice.


This recipe is a favorite of mine. I got it from one of those old Betty Crocker specialty cookbooks, called Soups or something. I’ve long since gotten rid of the cookbook but this soup is engrained in my brain! 


What you need: 
Italian Sausage – I typically buy the Bob Evans tube variety (and saying tube in reference to sausage is grossing me out.) 
Can of stewed tomatoes – sometimes I buy the Italian variety but it doesn’t really matter. 
Can of Italian cut green beans 
Can of beef broth 
Package of pre-made ravioli – I’ve never used frozen but I’m sure it would work and sometimes I use tortellini instead Parmesan cheese 


What you do: 
Brown the sausage. I use one pot for this recipe, so brown the sausage in the soup pot. I’ve never had to drain the grease. Add the beef broth, one can of water, and the tomatoes. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add green beans and ravioli. Simmer until ready to serve. Garnish with Parmesan Cheese. I’ve used chives on top before as well. It’s a delicious hearty soup that I’ve served for parties and Sunday meals. It warms up well the next day too! 


 Thank you Meg, for having me!!

MMM Monday! Taco Lettuce Wraps

Taco Lettuce Wraps

I am constantly on the hunt for new ways to create old favorites.  Trying to eat more wholesome, organic foods is high on my priority list these days.
A great, low-carb alternative to your traditional taco, these lettuce wraps are easy and delicious and a treat your whole family will love to make and eat.

Ingredients
1 Pound Organic Grass Fed Ground Beef
1 Head Organic Lettuce, washed and leaves removed whole
2 - 3 Organic Tomatoes, chopped
1 Medium Organic Onion, chopped
2 Cups Organic Shredded Mexican Cheese
1 Cup Organic Sour Cream
1 Cup Organic Salsa
1 Packet Organic Taco Seasoning
2 Tablespoons Juice from Jalapeno Jar
1 Can (12 oz.) Organic Black Beans (optional)
1 Jar Organic Large Pitted Black Olives (optional)
1 Can (4 oz.) Organic Diced Chile Peppers, do not drain
Organic Cooking spray

Directions

• Spray  medium skillet lightly with cooking spray, heat to medium-high and add beef
• Cook until just brown, pour jalapeno juice over meat; simmer for 1-2 minutes

• Add diced chile peppers; continue simmering for 3-5 minutes

• Add taco seasoning packet to meat (no need to add additional water as juice from the chile peppers and the jalapeno juice adequately blend with seasonings)

• Simmer on low heat for 3 - 5 minutes
• While meat is cooking, heat beans in a small saucepan
• Cut head of lettuce in half and remove leaves in whole pieces

• Drain beans and meat
• Begin filling lettuce cups with meat, beans, cheese and toppings

• Roll lettuce to wrap contents

                                                      

• Serve immediately; enjoy!

Friday Wrap Up - Moments

As I am writing this post we (my husband, nugget & I) are driving to Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, NC.....the site of our wedding two years ago this week.

I remember making this same drive a few days before the wedding festivities started....I remember worrying I had left something behind, left out an important detail, constantly running through the check list that had grown in my mind during the previous year of planning. I remember the beautiful feeling of anticipation, knowing we were about to have the most amazing four days of our lives.

I remember clearly feeling the breath escape my lungs as we turned the corner to view the regal entrance to the resort; the azaleas were towering from the trees above in gorgeous pinks and whites, the sun was radiant, there was no better place for us to spend this weekend.

My husband and I love to play golf together...in the 4 years we dated, we had spent countless weekends making silly bets, drinking adult bevys, soaking up the sun and learning about each other. Pinehurst Resort is a legendary golf resort and a magical place dropped as if by accident into a quaint little town in the middle of North Carolina. From the first visit shortly after our engagement, we knew this was the place, this was where it had to be.

Our wedding consisted of four days of events: a welcome BBQ and croquette tournament, a golf tournament, bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner for all 140 guests, pre-wedding champagne on the lawn, the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, after party, and a farewell brunch. It was more than I could have ever dreamed, it was a perfect 72 degree, sunny day...it was indeed a celebration filled with an abundance of love.

Thinking back now, I don't remember every detail, every menu item, or every perfectly placed flower.

What I do remember are the moments.

Seeing my husband laughing with his brother, with my brother, cracking up with his closest friends. Seeing my family, my friends, all who travelled far to be with us. I remember the speeches, the thoughtful heartfelt words that filled our hearts with so much love, the conversations on the porch in a wooden rocking chair with my Mom about what was moving to quickly in front of our eyes.

I remember being told at the end of our rehearsal dinner there was a surprise for us outside; we walked out to see our family and friends holding lanterns to be released into the sky, floating on wishes of love and happiness for our future together.  The most thoughtful, amazing gift from my brother and sister-in-law.

I remember sitting on the veranda outside of our suite with my girlfriends, who had been the sisters I never had, eating pizza and drinking wine well into the early hours of our wedding day. Reminiscing about high school, college, old boyfriends (who thank goodness we didn't keep around), laughing about funny things that happened so far that weekend, dreaming of what tomorrow would be like...would feel like.

I remember the moment I woke up on my wedding day. I remember thanking whoever would listen in the great big Universe that I had found my life's companion; the most generous, loving, light hearted, funny, handsome man I had ever met. I remember the butterflies. The butterflies dancing in my stomach when I finally slipped on my wedding dress; the moment my Mom hooked the last button. The moment my veil was finally "just so" and my Mom and bridesmaids and I all squealed, cheered and decided it was time to celebrate.

I remember the moment my Dad came into the entryway of our suite and stood smiling, quiet, soaking in what was a moment I knew he had been dreaming of with conflicted anticipation since the first time he held me. I remember the hug, asking him to tell me a joke so I wouldn't cry and ruin my makeup. I remember just before the doors released for us to start our walk to my future, deciding we would play "I Spy" while we walked so that neither of us would cry.....and it worked.

I remember seeing my husband well up, doing the same myself. I remember one of our dearest friends conducting his first (he was ordained just for our wedding) ceremony with such great poise, humor, and love. I remember the moment he announced us as husband and wife, the sheer joy that ran from the tip of my head to the tips of my toes.

There is truly nothing like that moment. 

I remember our first dance, dancing with my Dad, seeing my Mom so incredibly radiant and beautiful. I remember the moment my Dad started his speech...feeling such pride and love for this man who was pouring out his heart all while making a room full of 140 people laugh and cry with him.

Most of all, when the events were over and the guests had headed back to wherever they called home, I remember sitting on the porch in wooden rocking chairs, having a glass of wine with my now husband, talking about how amazing the weekend had been, how loved we felt, how very thankful we were.

Most of all, I remember talking about our future, our family, our unborn children. I remember how we said how incredible it would be to someday return there with our kids, to that very suite, to that very bottle of wine. To rock with our babies as we celebrated what was the most incredible time in our lives...hitting golf balls with them...taking them to get gelato at our favorite soda shop on Main Street.

At this moment, I am looking at our little nugget fast asleep in her car seat, and realizing we are doing just that. We are starting the tradition we talked about that day...we are taking our baby girl to our favorite place. We are starting new memories, with new moments, moments that will forever be ingrained in our memories....in her memory.

In this moment, I am remembering the the last line of the vows we wrote to each other:
"I promise to strive to make every day better than the last, knowing that on my last day, my life will have been better because we have loved each other."

And it has, and we do....and we would do it all again and again.....and again.

I am linking up again this week with Yeah Write, don't forget to read some great blogs and vote for your favorite five this Thursday!

MMM Monday! Week 4

Coleslaw Over Heirloom Tomatoes

One of my favorite seasons has arrived! No, not spring (in fact it feels more like summer in Atlanta these last few weeks)

......it's GRILLING SEASON!

Unfortunately, we live in a high rise.

Trust me though, we will be the first to show up at your house with a car full of meat ready for the grill anytime you extend the invite; you can count on it.

Since I can't grill at my house, one of my favorite things to do is make side dishes to go with those dreamy, grill-licious, meals I am dreaming about.

Easy, savory and sweet, this recipe is sure to become one of your favorite grilling side dishes; it certainly is in our house.

Ingredients


1 Organic Head of Green Cabbage, washed and finely shredded
2 Organic Carrots, peeled and shredded
3 - 4 Organic Heirloom Tomatoes, washed and sliced into 1/2 inch thick rounds
1.5 Cups Organic Mayonnaise
3 Tablespoons Organic Agave Nectar (you can sub honey here or use 1/4 organic granulated sugar)
1 Tablespoon Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Teaspoons Organic Distilled White Vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

• In a medium mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage and carrots

• Stir in vinegar's, agave nectar and mayonnaise until well combined

• Add salt and pepper, stir to combine
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (will store in refrigerator for up to 4 days)
• Place sliced tomatoes on a serving dish and spoon chilled coleslaw on top of tomatoes 

• Serve immediately, enjoy!

Friday Wrap-Up - My Baby is My Best Accessory

My Baby is My Best Accessory

I have a baby sitter that comes to watch my daughter every Wednesday afternoon.  I fought this idea at first (my husband was on "Team Sitter" long before our daughter was ever born).  I thought if I was going to be a SAHM, I should treat it as a full time job and would give it nothing less than 100%.  No night nurses, no nannies, no baby sitters during the week, period.  Yes, my husband travels every week and when he is home he works really long hours but this stubborn Mommy was looking forward to the challenge.

It only took a few weeks, a few days without showering, with the desire to start working out again (or rather sick of hearing my thighs rub together any time I wore pants), and with even a simple trip to the grocery store felt like running a marathon; I finally caved and agreed to having a sitter once a week.  Little did I know how much those 4 hours each week would do for my energy level, giving me the break I so adamantly denied I needed.

But I digress...Wednesday afternoons are reserved for running errands, cooking a real dinner, getting my toes painted, working out or lunching with friends.  Four hours to myself, four hours to recharge my Mommy batteries.

This week I found (shockingly) my to-do list was short, my meal planning caught up and I decided to giving myself a break from the gym.  What was left to do?

Shopping, of course. 

Too bad I hate shopping....REALLY hate it. I do 99% of my shopping online. No crowds to avoid, no fitting room attendants to give me "that look" when I ask for a bigger size, no overwhelming sales racks to comb through. I swear the mall gives me an instant headache; I have a negative physical reaction to something most people enjoy.

My last few shopping trips I had my baby with me, making it hard to traverse the racks and even harder to squeeze into a dressing room with a stroller. BUT I have found I don't mind shopping with the nugget. She makes me streamline my shopping and most importantly.... she makes me feel skinny. 

What? Did she just say her baby makes her feel SKINNY? 

Yes, yes she did.

You see, when I am trying on clothes a size (or two) above my norm, I find it painful. BUT when am doing this with my nugget, I feel empowered, confident, even skinny. 

What? Please explain yourself crazy woman.

It's simple, really. When I tote my little one around with me, suddenly the same fitting room attendant that otherwise took pleasure in my request for a bigger size would tell me instead how FABULOUS I look. I stand taller, pushing the stroller through the abyss, I look forward to the compliments and the smiles.

I have a confession, though. 

My daughter is a peanut, a little sweet tiny nugget. She was only 5 lbs 12 oz when she was born and although she has caught up now and is in the 45% for weight and 75% for height in her age group, there were a few months where the average onlooker would guess she was a month or two younger than she really was. 

CONFESSION: I would agree with them when they guessed she was younger than she was....I would lie about her age to make myself feel better about how I looked (insert shameful head shaking and gasps).

Yep.  That's right.


Until she was about 7 months old, when asked how old she was (while out and about with her Mommy) I would proudly say, "She's four months." Sometimes maybe five.


I know, I know.  SHAMEFUL.


But I did it.  I wasn't holding onto much baby weight and I knew once I stopped nursing those last few pesky pounds would likely fall off (I was one of the lucky ones who RETAINED weight while nursing - my body was under the impression I still needed to keep an extra 10 pounds of food source handy just in case there was a famine in Georgia). But still, it made me feel better to say she was younger than she was and like clockwork, it elicited compliments galore. 

Shopping alone I feel self conscious, head down grabbing duplicate items in different sizes not knowing what may fit this post baby body of mine.  I mention the fact that I have a daughter to anyone who will listen and wait for the compliments, but they don't come. 

CERTIFIED CRAZY.


But come on, please tell me some of you have done the same? No? Never? 

REALLY?

I have decided I DO like shopping after all.....

.....just NOT on Wednesday afternoons....and just NOT without....

....my best accessory.

MMM Monday! - Week 3

Corned Beef and Cabbage & Yorkshire Pudding

I used to think I was half Irish, half Italian.  But no...that would be my Mom.  My Dad is English and Scottish, so that would make me a quarter of each. My husband is very Irish with a side of German which makes our daughter a wee more Irish than her Mommy.  LUCKY GIRL!  

We celebrated half of our honeymoon with a 9 day golf tour in Ireland and I am certain I felt more Irish after that trip than ever before.  The scenery was breathtaking, the people so sweet; I know I certainly loved having Guinness for breakfast.

Traditional Irish food is not the most exciting or fancy fare.  It consists mostly of fish, potatoes and beef without a lot of extras.  But when it's done right, it can be delicious.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day next weekend, I would like to share two very traditional Irish recipes - Corned Beef & Cabbage (crock pot style) and Yorkshire Pudding.  In case you aren't familiar, Yorkshire Pudding isn't pudding at all but a delicious, fluffy roll to accompany your corned beef and cabbage.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Ingredients
2.5 - 3.0 Lbs. Organic Corned Beef Brisket, with spice packet or spice marinade, cut in half
4 Medium Organic Red Potatoes, washed and quartered
1 Medium Organic White Onion, peeled and cut into wedges
7 -8 Medium Organic Whole Carrots, peeled and cut into 1.5 inch pieces
1 Small Organic Head of Cabbage, washed and cut into wedges
2 Cups Water
3 Organic Garlic Cloves, peeled and minced finely
2 Organic Dried Bay Leaves
2 Tablespoons Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Organic Agave Nectar
1 Teaspoon Organic Ground Black Pepper
8 Oz. Guinness

Directions

• Place potatoes, onion, carrots garlic in the bottom of a large crock pot

• In a medium mixing bowl, combine water, apple cider vinegar, agave nectar, bay leaf, pepper and contents of seasoning packet; pour over vegetables

• Top contents in crock pot with corned beef halves and cabbage

• Pour Guinness over meat

• Cover and cook on low for 8 - 9 hours or until meat easily pulls apart and vegetables are cooked through

• Drain excess liquid just prior to serving, enjoy!

Yorkshire Pudding

Ingredients

3 Large Organic Eggs

1 Cup Organic Milk

1 Cup Organic White Unbleached Flour

3 Tablespoons Organic Unsalted Butter, softened

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• In a small mixing bowl, whip together eggs and milk for 3 - 5 minutes

• Fold in flour, stir with a spoon to combine

• Cut butter evenly into the bottom of a cupcake tin (12 count)
• Place in oven for 3 minutes to melt
• Spoon liquid evenly on top of melted butter in the cups
• Bake for 5 minutes, reduce heat to 350 and continue baking for 25 minutes or until rolls are puffy and brown, enjoy!

Linking up MMM Monday! with Yeah Write again this week; don't forget to go back tomorrow and vote for your favorite five!

Friday Wrap-Up - Week 2

After leaving my husband and daughter home for the weekend, I was not surprised when I returned home to find he hadn't yet brushed his teeth or showered that day (it was 2 pm).

The house was surprisingly in pretty good order, yes there was a pile of unfolded laundry on the couch but hey, the clothes had found their way into the washer AND the dryer so I was pretty impressed!  My husband commented on how he doesn't know how I get out of the house on a daily basis, let alone work out, take our daughter to music or swim class or maybe even the park, go to the grocery store, shower AND cook dinner.  I chuckled a bit knowing all too well what a good thing it can be to leave him to his own devices every once and awhile. 

As my Mom would say, when your husband watches your children it is not BABYSITTING....it's PARENTING. 

TRUE DAT.  

He (admittedly) could not do what I do every day.  I (admittedly) could not do what he does every day.  

His job requires travel, lots of it, several places in a day, crossing the country over the course of a week.  A Million Miler on Delta (that in and of itself is crazy considering he still in his 30's), more miles logged on an airplane than he would ever care to count, than I would ever care to travel.  Long days at the office, really long days.  I used to think working anything over 9 hours was going to be the death of me but he works 10, 12, 14 hours EVERY SINGLE DAY...and then often stays up late working even more once he gets home.  Late nights and weekends, he is never unavailable to his clients or co-workers.  The only time I have ever seen him actually peel away from work was on our honeymoon and even then, he had to take a few conference calls here and there.  

But he is good at what he does, REALLY good.  And he loves what he does, he would have to in order to keep this kind of schedule.  He doesn't get to see our daughter as much as he would love to but he knows the time he spends with her is that much more important, that much more gratifying. Likewise, if I was a working Mom, I have no doubt I would be a hot mess.  A stress-case.  Not able to give the best of myself to our girl or my job.  

NO.  I could never do what he does. 

He says he admires and respects what I do as  SAHM....what I think he means is he would NEVER want to do this job.  I tell him I admire him and respect what he does....what I know I mean is that there is NO WAY IN HELL I would EVER want to do what he does.

Lucky for me, my husband gets it.  Lucky for my husband, I get it.  Lucky for our little lady, she gets the best of it....the best of us.

MMM Monday! Week 2

Rosemary Salmon

One of my favorite ways to prepare salmon, the rosemary and brown sugar add a delightfully sweet balance to the subtle saltiness of the fish.  Extremely easy and minimal ingredients, you can be dining on delicious in no time!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 2

Ingredients

2 Fresh Water Organic Salmon Filets (6-8 oz. each)

2 – 3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3 Tablespoons Dried Rosemary

2 Tablespoons Organic Brown Sugar

1 Teaspoon Garlic Salt

1 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

Cooking Spray

Aluminum Foil

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

·      Spray broiler pan with cooking spray, place salmon filets on pan approximately 2 inches apart, skin down  

·      Brush olive oil evenly on filets to coat

·      Sprinkle brown sugar evenly on each filet

·      Sprinkle rosemary, garlic salt and pepper evenly on each filet

·      Cover filets (loosely) with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.  Enjoy!

Friday Wrap-Up

HELLO FRIDAY....what a week. 

Monday kicked off with a severe case of mastitis for this Mommy and an awful cold for my little nugget.  My husband was traveling, I wanted to curl up in a ball and stay there....for a very long time.  My daughter and I were quite a site to see on Monday; she with snot and drool running down her face and a cough that would make even the most seasoned Mommy shutter, I with a ta-ta the size of Egypt and flu like symptoms, barely able to pick her up.  

I found myself at the pharmacy Monday afternoon (finally getting some antibiotics for the crisis in Egypt), snot-nosed baby on my hip and wearing what was essentially pajamas (I managed to put a coat on before I left, thank goodness).  I was standing in line behind a pregnant woman when I noticed that "deer in headlights" look come across her face. In that brief glance I saw something all too familiar to me.  Shock.  Horror. Fright. 

I remember being that woman.  That Mommy-to-be who was convinced I would NEVER not allow myself to shower every day.  No, not this Mommy.  I would NEVER let my child be in public with things running down her face, bananas in her hair from breakfast (which in fairness I didn't see until I was standing in line with her on my hip), and in pajamas herself (which had a big brown stain from her morning vitamin on the front of them).  I quickly zipped up her jacket to cover the stain, did my best to remove the (now crusty) banana from her hair and tried to muster a smile. 

I remember being that woman.  THAT WOMAN WHO JUDGED. My pre-baby self would often see Mommies with crazy hair, no makeup, Uggs over their plaid pajama bottoms and the "dirty" children; and I judged them.  I ADMIT IT.  I JUDGED.  Never out loud and certainly never with ill intent, but judge away I did.  

Damn you karma.  

As I stood in line feeling more than slightly embarrassed I wanted to tell this woman ahead of me that I knew what she was thinking, I knew she was judging me.  I wanted to tell her that I was her not so long ago and to take a good look at me now. I wanted to tell her to buckle up because the ride (although the best one she will ever go on) was going to be ROCKY most some days.  I wanted to tell her no matter how hard she tried to avoid it, no matter how loudly she was telling herself right now that she would not be like me, eventually it would happen.

I wanted to tell myself her it didn't matter.  We were in a pharmacy, picking up medicine, not in line for the red carpet at some fabulous event.  I wanted to tell myself her not to judge what she hadn't yet experienced. I wanted to tell her that when she finally had that baby in her arms she has been carrying for 9 months, all she would care about is the way THAT BABY LOOKED AT HER. 

In spite of how awful she was felling, my daughter mustered a smile and grabbed my cheek as if to say "You look crazy, but you're my crazy."  That was all I needed to swagger up to the counter, smile at the pregnant woman (looking back for one last mental note of what she would NEVER do), and remember the pure joy I have knowing I get to spend every day like this.  With my little nugget, comforting and nurturing her, being her world.  

Take that Monday, take that mastitis and crazy pajama wearing, unkempt-haired woman.  You're welcome karma.

I gave her a kiss on the way to the car and promised her I would get it together before she was was old enough to be embarrassed by me.....I am hoping she doesn't understand embarrassment until she's at least 18 13, just to be on the safe side.

Linking up again with Yeah Write! Check it out - so many great blogs!