Baby, Make Mommy a Cocktail...

Before I got pregnant I could easily out drink most people...what's my drink of choice? Well, it all depends...on a hot day---a cold beer...over dinner---wine...at an event with an open bar---white rum with a splash of diet coke and a lime....in Texas---a margarita, frozen in some fruity flavor.

After my pregnancy I drink mostly beer, because it helps with milk production. No joke. But every now and then I will indulge in some red vino, or a cocktail...and yes, sometimes my baby is with me.

Last evening I was at the museum for the opening reception of our new lobby exhibit. There was a small food spread consisting mostly of a to die for baked brie and meatballs...and there was a wine, water and soda bar. I had already had one glass when a co-worker (we'll call her Clarice) walked in with her baby (he's 1.5 months younger than C), my work friends and I oooed and awwwed because he is adorable. After about 10 minutes of doting on him one of my friends (we'll call her Max) said "Another vino?" pointing at her sad and lonely empty glass, "Sure" I said without thinking twice...but Clarice said "Ummm, is that appropriate?" and Max said "Sure, we've all had a glass already" and Clarice clarified, "Ummm, no because I have the baby" and I said "Uh, yeah...why not? I drink with my baby all the time" folks...if I could have a picture to share with you of Clarice's face upon hearing this ...priceless....her eyebrows came down over her eyes in confusion and her lips were pursed and then she asked me, "in public?" and I said relaxed without a care in the world, "All the time...sometimes if I am holding her and I've got a beer bottle in my hand she tries to pull it away from me and to her mouth, its funny"...well Clarice did not find this amusing but rather shocking and highly inappropriate. Needless to say Max, her daughter (we'll call her Valerie) and I went out to the bar where the bartender started pouring three glasses of red wine upon setting his sights on us. "To drinking with our daughters" Max toasted...."I'll drink to that" I said. Max then went on to remind me that one day in the distant future C will not only be drinking with me...but there will be 3 C's drinking together...and to that I definitely will raise a glass...

I am of the school of thought that believes in teaching your children to mix you a cocktail when they are able to hold things without spilling them. It can be as simple as handing you an opened beer, pouring you a glass of vino---or the essential task of making mommy a rum and coke (or as my friend A's husband B calls them, Roman Cokes...classic) and making daddy a bourbon and coke.

**note the blue eyed child pictured with beer in hand in this picture is not mine...duh.

Sweet Maggie Anne

D always wanted a golden retriever...and in the spring of 2001 he drove to Winter Park, Florida to get his girl. He says that Maggie went right up to him, the cutest puppy in the liter...pick of the liter actually. The breeders didn't want to sell her to him---but eventually after seeing their interaction they did. D drove home with her that day and that same night while socializing at home a beer was spilled...Maggie apparently went right for it and licked it up. "I knew she was my dog right then and there" D says about that night.
That summer I came into their life and the twosome became a family of three.
People always stopped us on the street to tell us how beautiful she was...and she was. People always told us what a sweet dog she was...and she was. And once the terrible twos were out of the way, people always told us what an obedient dog she was...and she was.

When we threw a party, Maggie was always one of the hostesses. When we got married, Maggie was in our engagement picture. When we traveled...Maggie came with us (vicariously through her hair on our clothes).When I was pregnant Maggie never left my side. For the past 5 months she followed the baby and I around all over the house and sit with me during feedings. She was our baby and a central part of our little family.
...and when they found a mass on her spleen this fall...we knew we had to take care of our girl. I have had dogs all my life...but I can honestly say that no dog compares to Maggie Anne.
...yes, a lint brush was a MUST...and vacuuming was a nearly daily chore...but it was worth it. Maggie brought us tremendous joy...and I am pretty sure we made her happy too.

Today, we were faced with the horrible truth...Maggie was very ill. The best thing for our sweet girl was to say good-bye.
So, thank you Maggie. Thank you for teaching us so much, for loving us so much and most of all for being you.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of Maggie.

venetian pool swin 2008

new years 2009

hurricane wilma 2005

March 2011

with her baby nov. 2010

Maggie Anne 2000-2011

You Win Some...You Lose Some

In April of 2001, Don Slesnick became Mayor Slesnick for our great and beautiful city of Coral Gables. After 10 wonderful years in office, last night "Babo" was narrowly defeated. The Slesnick re-election campaign was always positive and clean (which the other mayoral candidates cannot say)...which is the same kind of spirit that "Babo" brought to City Hall. We know he was the best candidate...and the consolation is that he will have more time to spend with his granddaughters now. Here are some pictures from the campaign over the last month. Chechi with her Babo ready for a "Fun Walk" with other Slesnick supporters.

Neighbors on North Greenway planted their Slesnick support signs in their front yards...and in this case in front of their beautiful and fragrant gardenia bushes.

The Slesnick campaign party last night--- guests watched the board closely to see numbers coming in.

Babo addresses his supporters and thanks them for 10 years of backing. He called the whole family up... and there we are (minus Chechi who was at home sleeping under the caring eye of Coco).

Our final numbers...

So, MANY thanks not only to everyone who supported Don... but thanks as well to Don, for being a unique politician. A politician who served for the sake of bettering his community and keeping politics clean.

We love you Babo!!

5 Months

It's crazy but true. C is 5 months old today...before we know it, this cute bundle of giggly joy will be sitting up on her own. I took this picture of her this morning after another (that's 2 nights now) successful night of 4hrs + 4hrs of sleep (THANK YOU Dr. Tio Ernie for your support and guidance through this process). I know I am biased because I am her mother, but seriously...she's the happiest most beautiful baby ever!