Inevitably Keely

It's funny how becoming a parent changes you. We went from being a couple to being a family and our priorities have changed. When Daniel and I first started out we weren't entirely sure we wanted a child. When we got pregnant we talked about how we wanted Zoe to get to have a sibling (I have two half brothers but was essentially an only child) like Daniel does. As time has gone by and we've gotten to enjoy Zoe, the prospect of a larger family is not as threatening to us. I grew up with four aunts and four uncles and a slew of cousins, there is a part of me that wants that for my grandchildren. My family got to celebrate a few family reunions together and I want that for our family as it grows. We're not trying to extend our family right this minute, but at the same time we are planning for the future and no longer putting a limit on ourselves. Well, maybe that's not true. Our previous limit had been two and now? Maybe three or four. Maybe. I think one of the biggest...

Twenty nine days go by of constant posting and I have writers block. I'm tired and frankly, ready for a break. Daniel is off tomorrow. I think we're going to actually hang some things on our walls, do some recycling and maybe even make some chili. Saturday night we're having friends over. Daniel will play Brock on the new PS3. Melissa and I will chat. Zoe might play with Remy who is almost a year old now and we'll all try to entertain Mazzy (age 3 ) and Phoenix (age 8). I'm excited to have them over because now we can actually do so and not be cramped in our tiny dark living room. What else? We still haven't gotten our security and pet deposits back from the landlord who said we were "tenants from heaven". California law says within 21 days and it's been 29. I've called and emailed. She responded Monday and said she'd get back to me Wednesday. She hasn't and I'm pissed. But I'm trying to take a deep breath since it's the hol...

Twelve years ago, I was not a good friend. I was horrible at it. I was young and naïve and had put all my energy into a guy who turned out to be an assface. I let him control my time, and me and I let my friendships go to the wayside. And then I really screwed up and got married which only separated me from my friends more and then the assface tightened his grip even more. Things were rough and I needed my friends (or just a friend) and I’d all but physically pushed them away because he wanted me to and it was easier to do that than put up with his abuse (which I got regardless). Eventually I mended some of those friendships and I attribute my finally leaving to the strength that those friends gave me. Ashley, Alison, Sharon, and Max… they helped me realize I was not alone and wouldn’t be if I chose to stand up for myself and walk out the door for good. So I did, and they were there for me when I needed them. I wanted to be the girl they’d laughed with and had memories with, and for a...

Today you are six months and four days old. Every month that passes I feel like it moves too slow and too fast all at once. On one hand, I am so excited for you to crawl, to walk, to call out for your father and I (and all the other exciting events). On the other hand, I look at you and am amazed at how big you have gotten and how much you have changed. I've loved getting to be Mommy to my sweet little monkey and I can't wait to watch you grow up into a woman. It's hard to believe that just six months and six days ago your dad and I were checking into the hospital so that we could meet you! I thought I'd go ahead and tell you that story now before the details escape me: Your Birth Story Monday, May 21st Twitter post: at 12:13PM (web)- Just finished watching last night’s episode of Brothers & Sisters. Cried like a baby. Damn it. Twitter post at 12:42 PM (text) - On our way to our last pre natal appt.for this pregnancy! 12:45 pm - Your Dad and I were at the doctor’s...

Today was Zoe's 6 month "Well Baby" visit. I'm not even going to talk about the entire insurance debacle where I had to physically resist the urge to freak out at the front desk girl who talked down to me and tried to get me to pay $352 that we do not in fact owe even if the office and our insurance company have their wires crossed. We do not owe the money. The office has made a mistake that they said they'd corrected last month, but now have forgotten. I was irked. Seriously irked. But I am not going to write about it here so don't get me started. Mkay? Zoe is now 25.5 inches long and 15 pounds 1.25 ounces. The doc says she is gaining weight at a good pace again and is healthy. He pointed out her chub and said she was "obviously healthy". So that's awesome and a huge weight off my shoulders. Also cool is that we don't have to get any more shots until February. My goodness! I absolutely hate Zoe getting shots. She does so well with the first ...

Daniel, Zoe, Bailey, Max and I got home from visiting my parents in San Diego a couple hours ago. The bags are unpacked. Ornaments my parents gave us have been added to the tree. Daniel vacuumed the entire house. Dogs and baby fed, husband out picking up take out because we're too tired to cook. Actually, I'm too tired to blog as well. I've got Zoe sitting in her "magic seat" watching Baby Einstein's: First Signs while I try to catch up on all things computer related. My parents don't have wireless and I'm too lazy to actually sign on to things like Flickr and Twitter when we're there, (and as awesome as the iphone is; it just wasn't convenient) so I have a lot to catch up on... like all those blogs I've got listed in my links. OY! Tomorrow promises to be busy: Zoe and I go for her 6 month check up. Keep your fingers crossed that her weight gain has continued at a good pace. I'm happy to report that she's eating like a little piggy ...

Daniel, Zoe and I braved "Black Friday" yesterday. I figure after years of being in retail, I might as well see what the day after Thanksgiving shopping is like on the other end of the register. In my opinion, it's a lot better than being the person stuck behind a register or being all cheerful to crazed, maniacal shoppers who are usually not so nice. We went to Babies R Us and got a couple Baby Einstein DVD's since I'm getting tired of watching the same four over and over again. They were $5 off, but the rest of their sales seemed pretty unremarkable. We walked into Old Navy, did a circle and walked right back out the door. The line was too long and too many people for our tastes. Then we had a leisurely lunch to prepare for the rest of our shopping. We checked out Bombay since they are going out of business. Nothing. Great sales, but the store isn't really our style and well, it sort of freaked me out being in there after that company being my livelihood for...

Todays roster is full. We've got shopping, shopping, leftovers and relaxing to do. Oh, and we're going to decorate my parents house for the holidays. So blogging, isn't really going to happen in abundance today. But consider this a place holder for my letter to the monkey. Our baby is six months old today, time has moved so quickly. I looked at pics of her from her first week all the way up to yesterday and she has grown so much. She'll be a teenager before we know it. AACK!!!

Since today is Thanksgiving, I'm going to keep this short. I've got a baby to gobble on, a parade to watch and family to spend time with. I am thankful for so many things this year: Daniel, Zoe, well adjusted dog children, family, friends, our health and happiness, a good friend just finished her first trimester and her and baby are doing well, getting to be in a show again soon, Daniel's parents coming for Christmas, our new house, etc. I could go on and on... but I won't. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. "Gobble, Gobble!" Oh... and I should also say I'm thankful for blogging and all the friends I've made by doing this. Some of you I have "known" for quite a while. We've followed each others lives: wedding planning, weddings, pregnancies, baby's, illness, travels. It's been fun and I'm looking forward to the next year and all it's possibilities.

Nope, not pregnant again. We're enjoying having Zoe to ourselves for a while before that becomes a focus again. She is really getting to be a handful now! Also, not a new blog design. Still tossing the idea around though. I've considered starting a new one up using Wordpress. And then there's really utilizing this Mac and building a page from scratch.... but that requires knowledge and time that I am lacking. And really? I'm starting to feel like six people read this blog even though my stat counter says otherwise. Sometimes I feel really good about a post and I get no response at all and it makes me question why I do this. I mean, I know why I write... but why publish it if it feels like you have no one responding. It's early, I'm a little cranky and I'm just being honest. The big change is that I'll be in a show in January. I auditioned last Sunday for Imaginary Friends by Nora Ephron. I got the part of Mary McCarthy (one of the leads). It's a come...

Ever sing along with a song and kind of fudge your way through the lyrics? Add an extra "la" or make up words that you think sound right with the melody. Ever since I was a kid, I've been singing along to what I hear on the radio. Doesn't matter if it's the first time I've heard the song or not, I'll soon jump in and sing whatever words I've gathered that the actual artist is singing at the top of my lungs. I have this feeling it might be annoying to just about everyone except my mom as she's always begging me to sing and I kindly refuse. There are times though when I am absolutely positive I am singing the right words. So adamant that when I'm singing the song in bed to be funny and my husband tries to correct me, I tell him that he is wrong. I KNOW the lyrics! And when I start acting all excited and wronged by his doubting he asks me to not run into the living room to look up the words on the internet... and I obey his wishes, but reach for...

Currently I am walking around Best Buy,blogging on my iphone while on a date with my husband. This shows two things: technology is awesome and I am way too commited to NaBloPoMo. Seriously. Later.... So, I felt guilty for only posting a few sentences earlier. Not much more to add except tonight has been divine. Zoe is with Cheryl. Daniel and I got to have some "us time" before we go to San Diego this Wednesday. We had a nice dinner. I had an adult beverage. We walked around Pier One and Best Buy and Target. We joked and flirted and talked about things besides cute baby, poo and spit up (and then, we might have talked about all those things too). I feel refreshed having had tonight. I am in a blissful mood. Date nights absolutely rock and I highly recommend them. Excuse me while I go snuggle with my man. - Keely P.S. - This is not a drunk post. It's not even a tipsy post. This is just happiness, folks. Cheers!

The house is looking pretty darn fabulous with the help of Daniel. We ran around cleaning and straightening like sick fools. Nothing is hanging on the walls yet, but when we were done I was grateful to my husband for all his help and excited for my parents to arrive. So yeah. That's pretty much all you're going to get from me today. If it weren't for NaBloPoMo, I would not be posting at all. But I've got a funny story to share with you tomorrow. Oh, and some new possibilities just around the corner*. Care to guess? *I'm thinking I'll reveal my little secret on Wednesday if all goes according to plan.....

My parents are going to be here in about ten hours. It's the first time they will see the house with our stuff in it (we showed it to them before everything was official). It's the first trip they've gotten to take since my dad started radiation (now we're in the waiting period, we'll know how it worked in about three months). It's the first time we've had guests in the new house. The house is a mess right now. Pictures still not hung. Things not organized or put in their places yet. We've been in a messy state ever since I got sick, and then Daniel was sick and then Zoe. Now we're all sick: Partaay! It's been one big sickie party over here. It's a good excuse, but it still drives me crazy. Looking around makes me feel anxious and panicky. If you were to see it, you'd probably think it doesn't look bad... but you’re not me. I get obsessed with the details. Daniel often has to tell me to make sure I relax and not do all the things I fe...

I am so proud of Max and Bailey and how they’ve adjusted to all the change they’ve had in their lives recently. First they had to get used to not being able to pounce on my tummy whenever they wanted because I had a resident. Then, they had to get used to a new little human in their house: a little human who demands a lot of attention and cries. If that wasn’t enough, we relocated our family across town and they had a new house and yard to contend with. To make things even more interesting, they don’t have a doggie door so they have to “ask” to be let outside. They are the awesome and haven't had a single accident (knock on wood). And then? Zoe has recently started to really take notice of her “brother” and “sister”. She "pets" them and watches them and grabs on to their collars and fur without a grumble from them. It's like they're finally getting what they've wanted from her: attention. The dog children have been little angels (aside from stealing burp cloth...

It seems the alphabet is a theme this week! I saw after I'd posted yesterday that I was tagged by the fabulous Jolene with this cool meme. Rules: List a word or words that describes you for every letter of the alphabet. Offer as much or as little explanation as you wish. Please keep the words positive and feel free to get creative. Tag as many or as few people as you wish. A: Actress , Animal lover, Artistic B: Blogger, Bootilicious... I couldn't resist. C: Candid, Committed, Creative D: Daydreamer, Domestic Diva Wannabe, Detail oriented E: Eager, Entertaining F: Forgiving, Flickr addict, Friend, Funky G: Grateful, Guarded H: Happy I: Independent J: Jewelry (especially necklaces) K: Kindred Spirit L: Loving M: Musical, Music lover N: No Nonsense O: Open minded, Opinionated, Organized P: Photography, Private, Protective Q: Quiet R: Real, Romantic S: Sentimental, Shy, Smart, Strong, Survivor T: Talented, Thoughtful U: Understanding V: Vivacious, Voluptuous (yeah, I said it) W: ...

If you were a fly on our wall, these are some things you would hear daily: The ABC's of Zoe A Aaaaaa! Apple. Are you poopin'? Atchoo! Awwww. B Baaaah! Baby Einstein . Baby girl. Backyardigans . Bailey! Bailey, no. B-A-N-A-N-A-S! Big Poopies! Binkie. Boobie-Snack. Boogers. Booger-Snatcher. Bottle. B-O-T-T-L-E. C Cereal. Cheryl. Cheryl’s house. Chuck. Cranky McCrankersons. Crazy. Cuddle-time. Cutie Pie. D Daddy. Daddy, Zoe, Daddeee, Zoeeeeee! E Eeeeeeee! Elephant. F Food. Funny baby. G Gaaaaaa! Good Girl! Goodnight. Goodnight Moon. Goofy baby. Grammy. Grandpa. Grumpy McGrumpersons. H Haaaaaa! Ha ha! Happy girl. Hello! Hi! How big are you? Hugs! I Icky! I love you! J Jump! Jumperoo! K Kid. Kisses! Kookoo. L Lalalala! Little One. Lovey. M Mmmm! Magic Seat. Mama. Mama's Mac. Maxie. Mirror. Monkey. Mommy. Mommy, Zoe, Momeeee, Zoeeeee! N Nana Bear. Nana K. O Ooooh! Oh. Om nom nom nom nom! Oy-Oy! P Pajamas, pajamas! Pattycake, pattycake... Bakers man. Peak a boo! Poopies! Poopy. Q ...

At some point (early on) during my first marriage, I gave up on superstitions . I didn't believe things could really get any worse than they were. I balked at the superstitions about black cats (I prefer black cats over any other), the number thirteen, spilt salt, etc. Working for Bombay and Pier One, I broke a few mirrors (accidentally); and I did not fear the subsequent years that would follow. Co-workers would warn me against walking under ladders extended or leaning against walls and then squeal at my obstinacy as I purposely chose the path they warned against. I would laugh at their silliness and continue on like nothing had happened, because nothing really had or would. To believe in these superstitions meant I had to believe in good luck as well, and no four leafed clover or shooting star was going to save me, give me good luck or grant wishes. I was stuck with the life I had and I had no one to blame but me. But when I left Assface, I found myself gazing up at stars and mak...

After years of retail there are a few things that drive me absolutely bonkers: 1. Rudeness, ignorance and projecting. I'm putting them all together because, from my experience if a customer has an issue with one they have all of them. Yesterday we were at Target (the best store in the world) waiting in line at the Returns desk. I needed to return a shirt that fit funky (in a bad way). I was cheery about the entire thing. I had my receipt and it wasn't anyone's fault the shirt looked ridiculous on me - I just had to return it. Well, before I could do so I had to wait for this woman to freak out. And she really freaked; in front of her toddler. She was cussing and yelling and demanding corporate numbers. The woman did not have a receipt and was returning something that looked really used, like "Hey, my kid used this all last winter and now it doesn't fit him so I'm returning it." used. The sales people gave her the number and did it without stooping to her l...

This blog has been around for a while and it's been renamed a few times. It started off as "Little Miss Sunshine Girl", but that was such a long URL to type in and a long moniker to comment with. Then I renamed it "Sunshine Days". It was fitting for where my life was going, and it just worked. And then I took on "Inevitably Keely", because I grew tired of the sunshine attachment and wanted more of my real identity connected to my words. I've written as a recent divorcee; a singleton ; a girlfriend; a cohabitator ; a fiancé; a wife; a mom-to-be; a mama. I've written about a horrible marriage and what it took to heal from it, friendships gone bad, falling in love, living with my boyfriend, adopting puppies, planning a wedding, coping with my Nana's battle with cancer and later her passing , my own health issues , my adoring husband, our infertility journey and hopes to start a family, my pregnancy and our amazing baby girl. My words have ta...

My little monkey is sick. Last night we could hear little coughs through the baby monitor and this morning we heard her coughing in a series of bursts. When I went into her room, she was coughing but happily playing with the mirror in her crib. My baby LOVES the mirror, being sick isn't going to screw that up. I took this smiling, happy baby out of her crib and layed her on her changing table. The plan was to take her temperature, but she started coughing so much that she was choking just a little and yellow mucous came out of her mouth.* The weird thing is, that as I'm freaking out about the mucous and feeling guilty that I've passed on my creeping crud to her (and Daniel, poor thing is sniffling right next to me) she squirming around and smiling and being a morning person in spite of it all. Where's the wallowing in misery? I wallow and her dad? He's looking pretty miserable too. Zoe? She a happy (sick) camper. But we called her pediatrician anyway. "My daugh...

He loves the sunlight, revels in it. He does not like Daylight Savings. He is happiest on a sunny day and loves to see me in the sunshine. He turns on every single light in the house (not just the room we're in). He likes curtains open so the rooms are bright and cheery. I prefer moonlight; it relaxes me. I like the dark days of winter and was happy to see the changing of the clocks. I shade my eyes from the sun and wish the sky would just cloud up and rain on me. Storms are my favorite, I love walking in the rain and seeing the lightning across a dark sky. I follow him around the house, shutting the lights off and closing doors. Dark places, tight spaces are my favorite; they make me feel safe. I like the curtains shut. I feel more secure when no one can see inside my house, my world. I have trouble sleeping if even a glint of moonlight shines through the window. The funny thing is, my childhood nickname was Sunshine. Our new house is bright and open and I love it. High ceilings, ...

The other day, Daniel had to call Apple about our damaged power cords. We purchased the Apple Care plan for both Mac's so the whole process was relatively painless. Well, it was completely painless for me as I played the sick card and requested Daniel make the call. I usually am the one who takes care of things like this because of my experience in retail and customer service. After years of dealing with horrible customers, I do not hesitate to voice my opinions and concerns politely but with conviction. And if someone is rude to me or doesn't do what is within their power to do? Well, I can get a little frustrated and I will ask for a supervisor. Don't make me ask for a supervisor! Daniel had a nice rep from Ghana. I know this because I overheard him making chit chat with the guy and the guy asked Daniel to guess where his accent was from. This was funny to me. What was even funnier? When Daniel was giving one of the Mac serial numbers to the rep, he did so by naming some...

Long time readers (or heck, people who have just been reading for a couple months) will not be surprised to read that I am sick. I know, play that violin... give me some cheese with my whine. But for reals. I've got the creeping crud that won't stop creeping. This time I'm sort of ticked off about it. I should not be sick! I don't drink and I don't smoke. I don't stay up late and I get eight hours of sleep (even with a baby and THAT is awesome). I eat somewhat healthy and at least three times a day, if not five. So what's the deal? I dress appropriately for the weather conditions and I'm a happy human. What the hell!? The only thing I can come up with is that this is my lot in life. I just get sick; it's what I do. And every year around this time I will get very sick for the rest of my life. There is nothing I can do except just give in to the damn thing and ride it out complain on my blog until I feel better a couple times. So there you have it. R...

I'm having technical difficulties. Actually, Daniel and I are both having them with our Macs. Our lovely, beautiful, perfect little Macs that we adore and use every single freaking day. BOTH of our power adapters are pretty much dead and this pretty much ticks me off to no end. Fraying power cords = suckage. I'm currently typing like a mad woman because I have 46% battery and I'll be darned if I'm going to let that stop me from posting every single gosh darn day of NaBloPoMo! Grrr. Gah! So, the people at Apple are sending two new cords. They say they'll be here Friday. FRIDAY!!!??? Grumble, Grumble. Gah! Scrooge. 45%!!!! Damn. Posting and powering off.... now. ------ Later: OK. So I wrote this like, two hours ago and blogger was not cooperating, so I couldn't post it. You can imagine how well this went over with me. Not well, let me tell you. But I'm feeling much less Scrooge-like at the moment because Apple has delivered. That's right, my faith is resto...

It amazes me how even though I can be completely grossed out by something someone I love does; I love them all the more. Is that the true test of love? Loving despite differences and in spite of gross habits or maladies. I don't know. What I do know is I love Daniel no less when he is sick; I love him more. And Zoe can throw up all over me (and if I'm not careful - in my mouth) and I still adore her. In just a few short months she has made poop, throw up and pee a part of my daily life and conversation and I love the little monkey to pieces. Right now you're probably thinking, "She's my daughter, of course I love her." Well, yeah. But what about my love for the dog children? Max? He eats poo. Almost every single day, I think. When he's craving a snack and I've not given him enough treats to his liking, he goes outside and gets some poo. Sometimes he brings it in and eats it in front of me. This is really gross. Disgusting. But I still love him. I spray...

Last night we introduced Zoe to bananas: And the entire time we were feeding her I kept singing (in my head) : This sh*T is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!* But she liked it! I swear! She kept reaching her little hands out for more and when we gave her more she made that face. And stuck her tongue out. But she liked it! I think she was just confused by the newness of the texture and the taste. Bananas were everywhere. It was fun for the whole family! So much fun, that I'm sort of looking forward to more feedings. Peas are going to be awesome! * Oh, Gwen Stefani... you do sing catchy tunes.

I always say “You're never really at home in a new house until you've stayed up all night praying to the porcelain god, O'Rourke.” Yeah. I've never actually said that, but in a way it's sort of true. I woke up at 12:30 this morning feeling less than spectacular and spent a lot of time feeling like hell. Daniel was there with me every step of the way, holding hair back that did not want to be controlled and covering me with blankets on the bathroom floor. I had the chills. I was burning up. It sucked ass. I wish I could say it's a brand new day and that I'm feeling SOOOO much better, but technically it's the same damn day and feeling better... not so much. Except! I've got an amazing husband and the most adorable daughter watching me as I type my post here. And really, they make my worst day seem pretty fabulous. Excuse me while I go get some hugs and kisses.

I'm sick. Sore throat, drainage, achy bones, migraines, cranky sick. So sick that I catch myself frowning and groaning in misery. Except of course when Zoe is in the room with me. When Zoe is with me I am squealing, smiling, dancing around, and making that growling noise into her neck that makes her laugh with a snort. While I may be sick, when Zoe is around I do not have the luxury of acting sick because who wants to drag a five month old into their misery? Not me. And truthfully, her presence makes me feel less sick and less grumpy. That said, Zoe is at Cheryl's today so that I can wallow in misery rest without feeling the need to entertain and so that I can get better. I really need to feel better, people. So I spent all morning sleeping. Well, most of the morning. At around 8am I woke up with a (ok, ANOTHER) horrible feeling. Bladder infection. No, I haven't been officially diagnosed but I know that's what it is. Time for even more water and cranberry juice and jus...

So, here's my first post for NaBloPoMo . Yay! Er. Yes. So my head says "Yay!" but my body and specifically my throat say "Shut up and go back to bed already!" I'm sick. It sucks. I'm feeling a little grouchy about the whole thing. What I'm not feeling grouchy about is last night. Zoe's first Halloween was fun. I dressed her in her pumpkin outfit and then pulled together my costume quickly. Overalls+Green Checked shirt of husband+Boots+Cowboy hat= Pumpkin Farmer (or if you really want to milk the connection, Pumpkin Grower. Zoe got a kick out of my hat and watching me put on my makeup. She was all smiles for most of the evening and I got some cute shots of us together in Photo Booth: When Daniel got home we loaded the pumpkin up and drove to Cheryl's to trick or treat. We took some pics and then Chuck videotaped us so we could share with the grandparents... and all of you. We'll have to do more video more often. I have quite a few waiting ...