And Happy Birthday Nick!

I'm a mess!
I'm a mess!
I'm a big, old messy mess!
From Laurie Berkner's song "I'm a Mess!"

Ever since I first heard it, I've considered that Nick's theme song.

As his daddy likes to say, he's about as subtle as a train wreck.

Our family's been on that train for five years now and it's been quite a ride. I never saw a little boy who's so outgoing, fun-loving, imaginative, whip-smart, hilarious, sensitive, sweet and so gosh darn cute all at once! I know the rest of you think your kids are all that, too, but as I said Wednesday, this one's different, he's special -- he's mine!



He and Vivian are really close. I've always called them the Bobbsey twins or Frick and Frack. Nick really looks up to his big sister and I hope they always get along so well. I can also tell Nick will be a good big brother to Olivia. A few weeks ago we were headed to a Mardi Gras parade and I said Olivia wasn't going because I was afraid she would get hit by beads. Nick assured me that if any beads came her way, he would step in front of her so they hit him instead. Too sweet!

So happy birthday to my little man! Just remember if anyone picks on either of your sisters, punch 'em in the nose! But please son be gentle with the pets. The cat doesn't like to be held all the time, and if he scratches you trying to get away, you have to just suck it up and move on.

And when daddy hurts your feelings and breaks your heart by fussing at you, it breaks my heart too, but being tougher on you now will make you a better man down the road... and I can't wait to see how you turn out.

I love you -- Mommy

Happy Birthday Vivian!

7 years ago today, Vivian burst into our lives and we've never looked back (except to wonder what the heck did we do with ourselves before kids? We must have sat around and wasted a lot of time).

I remember looking out the window of the LDRP suite and watching all the cars go by during morning rush hour. They were buzzing along as if the place they were going to was more important than what was going on in my room, like that day was just any other day. But it wasn't, I was having a baby!!!!! I wanted to bang on the window and shout at them, "Hey! Look up! Don't you know something big is happening up here?" I know people have babies every day, but this wasn't just any baby, she was SPECIAL!

She was mine.

And now she's 7 and I can't believe how beautiful, smart and sweet she is. She loves to read and write. She also loves to play with her stuffed animals, particularly her Webkinz. Her BaBa is taking her out after school to get yet another one--the Himalayan Cat. I think this will make 7 or 8, I lose track of them. She did point out to me that her Golden Lab, Vanilla has her birthday on the same day as Vivian's party so they'll celebrate together. And both of their names start with V so it's extra-extra special. And they'll both need crowns to wear.

Happy Birthday Viv! I hope you always take joy in the little details most of us fail to notice. And I hope you always focus on the things you have in common with others, instead of the differences.

I love you sweet girl! -- Momma

Another year older

It's a big week in the Satterlee household. This week Vivian and Nick both have their birthdays. Vivian turns 7 on the 20th and Nick turns 5 on the 22nd. Then my BMILITW, who I wouldn't dare insult by stating her age because she might no longer babysit and do my laundry (yes she washes my clothes and I'm not ashamed to admit that because I'm secure in my womanhood), has her special day on the 24th.

Vivian is having a sleepover this year. Her daddy designed cute Webkinz invitations for her and now they're printing them and getting ready to send them out. We haven't quite decided what we're doing for Nick's birthday. I'm sure he'd love to have a sleepover too since Vivian is, but we're also thinking about options where the party is offsite and we only have to deal with it for a couple of hours as opposed to all night.

At least this year with Olivia we got away with just a few neighbors and grandma over for cake, ice cream and cheese dip. Next year she'll be old enough to understand that something is up and she'll want to make sure she gets the same treatment as the other two. I know banks offer Christmas club accounts, but has anyone ever heard of Birthday Party accounts?

Welcome!

Okay, I feel like I need to have some kind of intro post first, so here it is. This is my blog. It will be a combination of my diary and family updates. If you don't know me or my family, read it at your own risk because the minutiae of our lives might bore you into a comatose state. If that happens, don't bother suing us because you were warned and you probably wouldn't ever see any money anyway (think squeezing blood from a turnip).