My favorite month

May 3, 2007


and May 3, 2008:

What a difference a year makes!

I'm so glad my favorite month of the year is here. Growing up, May was the month of birthdays (my dad's, Molly's, my granny's, MINE, my best friend's, and my mom's just a few days into June) and getting out of school, which often dovetailed with my birthday. Now, it's still my birthday month - and I'll be honest, even though I'll be 30 this year, I still get just as excited for my birthday. No one ever has to worry about forgetting my birthday, because I still announce a countdown to it just like I did when I was 9. My husband is grateful, because he'd always forget the right date - when he picks up a prescription at CVS and they ask my birthday, he freezes like it is a pop quiz. But now I also get to celebrate Mother's Day as a mommy, and I look forward to the beautiful spring weather. Of course, California can be a bit of a bummer in that, because May is often associated with "May Gray" when it is cool and overcast most of the day, and it is the precursor to the "hot as hell" summer.

My dad's birthday was Saturday. He always liked celebrating his birthday (and Christmas and other gift-giving occasions), just like I do. I made some spice cake cookies this weekend, probably because my dad's favorite cake was spice cake with caramel icing. Much like pumpkin pie and boiled custard, I think he and I were the only ones who liked that concoction. I'll have to introduce Rebecca to it when she is a bit older. Saturday was also my best friend Molly's birthday. Ha ha - she's 30 now, and I'm still in my 20s (for three whole weeks more). Eh, I don't care. I never complain about getting older - I'm happy for all my birthdays (what can be bad about a day with cake, presents, and lots of attention!?!?).

This weekend went by really quickly, it seemed. Friday afternoon, Ramy came home early. He had some people come by to give estimates on the concrete work we're having done in the backyard. Rebecca managed to go through three changes of clothes, between playing in the dog water bowl and toilet and finding a tube of Neosporin and getting the cap off. She and I met my friend Julie at Baskin Robbins to gossip. Rebecca had a little bit of ice cream but mostly enjoyed being able to walk around and look at other little kids, while Julie and I chatted about department gossip. We got home just after the Knights of Columbus guy had gotten there. So we got to see the black and white of how we're doing financially and what shape we'll be in for retirement and if/when either of us kicks the bucket. We also decided on a long term care insurance policy. To celebrate the fact that we can live well in retirement and that we'll be able to go to a nice nursing home or have someone come in and take care of us at home, we ate a late dinner at Rubios. Saturday morning, Ramy got up at the crack of dawn and got his car smogged. Myrna and Jessica came by to see Rebecca and visited us for a bit. Here's a pic of Rebecca and Jessica:



In the evening, we went into Pasadena and ate at Ramy's favorite place - the Gaucho Grill. They have a dipping sauce that he loves, and I think I figured out what is in it so that I can re-create it at home. Afterwards, we walked around in Paseo Colorado. Rebecca loved walking instead of being in her stroller. The fact that we creep along at a snail's pace because her little legs are so short doesn't bother any of us. Yesterday morning, we got up and went to mass and then bought groceries. Ramy took my car to get a tire repaired (it had a screw in it and had a small leak) at Costco, bought gas for me, and then took Rebecca with him to see his dad. He said that his dad had a big smile when he saw Rebecca. That was awesome, because he hasn't really shown any acknowledgment of anyone in a long time. I did laundry and cleaned some of the house. Then Rebecca and I left the house for a bit so that Ramy could do some work on his trial. Ramy grilled bratwurst and corn on the cob last night, and I did roasted potatoes and zucchini. After I cleaned the kitchen, our (gas) stove started clicking the way it does when it is trying to light the gas. We looked at the igniter was flashing, even though no gas was coming out. So that was a little scary, but after unplugging it, it stopped. So I don't know if there is a short in it or what, but it isn't doing it now and we'll have to get it serviced.

The Singulair and Zyrtec seem to be helping Rebecca. She isn't sneezy or snotty now, and she isn't growling and rubbing her eyes and nose and ears anymore. We will be going back to see Dr. Jeng next Monday, so we'll see what he has to say about things. I think I'm going to take her to see Keegan Smith - who I grew up in church with and who is now a pediatric allergist/immunologist - when we're at home. I think Dr. Jeng will want to refer her for allergy testing, so we'll have that done here probably and then see what Dr. Keegan says. I have more confidence in him than in random allergists out here that I don't know. I'm still debating about whether or not we're going to get her MMR shot on time or not. I am considering delaying it until she is 2.