Happy Birthday Uncle Paul!

Happy 29th to one of the best uncles Baby Spurgeon will ever know!

BBQ, Blizzard cake and a Wing win

On his birthday, Will skipped his weekly golf league to hang out with me and the boys. His request? Lazybones BBQ eaten in front of the television as we took in Game 6 of the Red Wings/Sharks playoff series.

Being that I am Betty's daughter, and that the kid's bathroom was decked out in birthday regalia every November 4 (me) and January 26 (Pete), I had to at least toss up some balloons. (Though admittedly, I nearly passed out and died during the inflation process. That "baby putting pressure on your diaphragm" bit is no joke.)

Unfortunately for the boys, Will was not interested in sharing his Texas Sampler. But did torture them with dangling nibbles. It's no meat cake, but they'll take it.

Lazybones is an unassuming, mostly carry-out BBQ joint located in Roseville, a bit of a hike from Milford, but for birthdays, I'll make a sacrifice. (They have a relatively new place in Clinton Township as well.) The evening's Texas Sampler included "tastes" of all of their to-die-for delicious meats: brisket, pulled pork, rib tips, burnt ends, spareribs, chicken, cajun pork sausage and turkey breast. For good measure we tossed in a half-pound of their "only offered on Tuesdays" smoked corned beef. Of course, sides are included. We chose broasted ranch fries and baked mac and cheese. Add 7 sauces for dipping and Marge enlarges.








To end the evening? A peanut butter cup Blizzard cake for "Daddy Will" and watching the Wing pull off a third period victory. It was a good night.







Leftovers for Thursday's 9 p.m. Game 7! Go Wings!

Happy Birthday Will!

Happy 33rd birthday to my best friend, an amazing life partner and who I am sure is going to be a fabulous father of a beautifully strong daughter.

I am happy you were born.
(Thanks Grandma Katie!)

13+13

So, this is a horribly unflattering photo, and my self-conscious-self was screaming not to use it, but the environs are amazing. It was snapped at the top of Mount Constitution, the highest point on Orcas Island, part of the San Juan island chain, during our weekend sojourn to Seattle to see friends Mary and James.

Stay tuned for more Seattle shots. We had a super sonic time.

MOM

To all the mothers out there, Oh Happy Day!

And to my own, Rome-touring mama, I LOVE YOU!

This Mother's Day feels distinctly different than any other. My "wow, moms are amazing" senses are heightened. I can think about my mom and speculate what she went through during her pregnancy with Peter and me. Was she ever scared about having a baby? About becoming a mom?

And I can marvel at the amazing job she's done raising me. If I can parent, or rather mother, like she has and does, Baby Spurgeon will be one lucky little lady. A few lessons I'll take from my childhood and my mother (in no particular order):

• Everything's washable.
• Imitation is the highest form of flattery.
• Read to your kids a lot. And read a lot yourself. And use your library.
  
• Support and engage the arts.
  
• Believe in the magic of Santa Claus.
  
• Spend at least 30 minutes outside every day.
• Little kids are people too.
• Farmer's markets are good places to shop.
• Why drive when you can bike? Or walk?
• You're never too old to (fill in the blank).
  
• Marvel at your surroundings.
  
• Just be nice.

I love you, mom.

RLP update

A few weeks ago I blogged about my penchant for purchasing maternity support bands. Though I really like my heftier Gabrialla belt, I rarely use it. Round ligament pain levels have lessened. It’s a toss up whether they’ve already done the initial, most painful stretching and have loosened up, or whether my weekly chiropractor visits are helping out (more on that later).

I do, however, think that the Gabrialla will get increased use in the last leg of this pregnancy. It offers awesome lower back support, which I imagine will become important in weeks 34-40.