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It’s not like anything all that notable happened last weekend. It’s just that it was an ordinary few days that I witnessed through a clear lens of presence and appreciation. An ordinary few days that involved dressing up, dressing against the cold, not dressing at all. Cooking, swinging, scooping chicken poop, laundering, lounging.
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| Getting ready to go skiing. (I added some additional detail about how we layer in cold weather in last Wednesday’s post. I love all the enthusiasm!) |
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A smaller photo = I am comfortable sharing
my scandalous dress with you all.
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I went to bed at 9pm last Friday night. I fell asleep in my jeans while reading Ruby Sings the Blues (love this book!) to Margot and woke up the next morning. Saturday night I wore my first ever push up bra with a tight red plungey dress. I didn’t know my girls could look so…buoyant. We went skiing, we had friends over. We cooked a lot.
I turn 33 tomorrow and I always feel introspective and retrospective on my birthday. It’s an opportunity to celebrate where I am and look forward to what’s coming. More in the nuggets, don’t you know.
This week’s mama digs is about a pleasant little kick in the ass we got last weekend when we realized we are emerging (or maybe even have emerged) from the last 14 months of sleepy fog. It’s about leaving my house with my husband and without my kids and not pumping milk or needing to be home by a certain time. It’s about a little liberation. Click to read mama digs: the labyrinth.
56 Comments
Girl, you ought to be proud of that banging body! Big photo! Extra large photo!
I love the colors in M&R’s room. So awesome. I’ve been a nanny in upper class seattle neighborhoods for 7 years and have seen enough ‘tasteful’ beige nurserys with eggshell trim to last me the rest of my life. Hell yeah, rainbow!
Ski boots, climbing shoes, kayaking booties, high heels, chacos, sexy boots, slippers, mismatched socks….my feet have seen it all too! Cheers!
xoxo
melina
http://www.thewildercoast.com
I agree…TOTALLY HOT! Rock it!
Happy Birthday! I’m sure you’re super adorable or H-O-T in that dress. I had my first girls night in a very long time on Saturday and it was quite nice!
Happy birthday!
you ROCK the red dress!!
Day-ummm! Hot indeed! Was Andy standin’ all close again, makin’ Miss Big Girl all curious? LOL
Sounds like a grand weekend! Pretzels and IPA… now that’s a dinner I can get behind.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I’ve been reading your blog for a while, and love how real it all is. Plus, your Margot and Ruby are darling. Happy Birthday! (sorry about the deleted comment!)
(http://forinstants.com)
Happy Birthday!!!!
There is nothing like rocking a little red dress! kudos to you!
Nice!!! Happy Birthday!
Who needs a little black dress when you’ve got a little *red* dress like that! No need to feel intimidated – rock it!
Happy Birthday to you too!
Look Smokin’ MamaDigs!!! And your girls are as precious as ever. I agree with Melina, color is fun, love their room. Have a fantastic birthday 🙂
I had the same realization about 3 months ago when Vivian was 15 months old. We went to a wedding and it was our first time out alone in many months. As we were getting ready things just felt, dare we say, easier. After having a couple of kids and going through those rigorous first years, you almost can’t believe you arrive at this point of it settling down.
And sleep..aaaaahhh, precious sleep. I just started catching up on mine about six months ago when Vivi decided to start sleeping all night- and let me tell you, it’s still glorious…not overrated in the least bit 😉
Seeing you so beautiful in red made me think of this song, and I am sure Andy was singing it!
Lady in Red by Chris De Burgh
Chorus….
The way you look tonight
I never will forget, the way you look tonight
The lady in red
The lady in red
The lady in red
My lady in red (I love you
xoxo
Holy Terror. Red hot smoking dress, P/U bra, and straight hair? Yeah, it’s all good.
I have to tell you that your birthday coincides on the day that my mom left this world. I’ve always been determined to see the day as a good moment; a day that moulded me to be a stronger person who is more aware of today and all of the blessings of my life. And now to add your birthday to the list of great things on the 8th is reinforcement of all the good in life.
Thanks for sharing your writing but moreso your life with us. Wow, the strange connectivity of the internet. I am grateful. Happy Birthday Dig! 33 never looked so good.
xo,
Jennifer from Annapolis
happy birthday! from what i can see, it’s a really pretty, red dress!! 🙂
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“A labyrinth”….a great way to look at your unfolding life. Isn’t it crazy how one minute you can be so tired because a babe won’t sleep and the next you can barely remember it? I can’t believe I am in my last year of my 50′s and tomorrow you will be 33…..I have turned many, many wonderful corners in my labyrinth & look forward to the next!
xoxo
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This was a lovely post Nici. It really makes you see how quickly time does fly by, how quickly things happen and change, and how you adapt to incorporate new challenges and routine into your daily life. It also makes me look forward to the future with my family, to see how we will continue to develop, grow and bond as my girls grow up into little women.
And, for the record, I rarely use my hair dryer either… who has time for that?!
You look super-duper hot in that dress, lady!
So glad you and Andy had such a nice date–you two inspire me with the whole Ruby-sleeping-ten-hours-at-night thing . . .in my fantasy, moving to Berkeley will magically cure all our sleeping woes (;
But it’s so true that the first year of a baby’s life is much more demanding than the subsequent years–or the demands change, whatev. I’m sure there is less sleep in the first year!
Ha–you will appreciate that we are just sitting down to eat while I scramble together gift bags for Avi’s class party tomorrow–I hope you have a fabulous birthday! xoxo!
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Love the analogies in this one! Welcome to the world of being needed in a different way:) yes, the journey will continue to be twisty and turny and topsy….ENJOY!
Jen
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you… just got my shirt I ordered custom today and love it… Happy Birthday and Thank You also for the birthday wish for my birthday on 2-4.
What’s with Dig getting all bashful? Your girls look fantastic. Margot and Ruby are pretty cute, too. I am biting my nails in anticipation of your How-To post on getting Ruby to sleep through the night!!!
What the actual fuck is up with you not posting better pictures of the red dress?!!!!
I even clicked on it to make it bigger but still it wasn’t satisfying.
I am typing this really hard into my computer because I emphatically feel completely baited-and-switched! You can’t give us all that descriptive foreplay and then leave us pretty much hanging. Guys call that a PT.
Now, give it up with an effing better picture, girl!!!
What the actual fuck is up with you not posting better pictures of the red dress?!!!!
I even clicked on it to make it bigger but still it wasn’t satisfying.
I am typing this really hard into my computer because I emphatically feel completely baited-and-switched! You can’t give us all that descriptive foreplay and then leave us pretty much hanging. Guys call that a PT.
Now, give it up with an effing better picture, girl!!!
What the actual fuck is up with you not posting better pictures of the red dress?!!!!
I even clicked on it to make it bigger but still it wasn’t satisfying.
I am typing this really hard into my computer because I emphatically feel completely baited-and-switched! You can’t give us all that descriptive foreplay and then leave us pretty much hanging. Guys call that a PT.
Now, give it up with an effing better picture, girl!!!
What the actual fuck is up with you not posting better pictures of the red dress?!!!!
I even clicked on it to make it bigger but still it wasn’t satisfying.
I am typing this really hard into my computer because I emphatically feel completely baited-and-switched! You can’t give us all that descriptive foreplay and then leave us pretty much hanging. Guys call that a PT.
Now, give it up with an effing better picture, girl!!!
What the actual fuck is up with you not posting better pictures of the red dress?!!!!
I even clicked on it to make it bigger but still it wasn’t satisfying.
I am typing this really hard into my computer because I emphatically feel completely baited-and-switched! You can’t give us all that descriptive foreplay and then leave us pretty much hanging. Guys call that a PT.
Now, give it up with an effing better picture, girl!!!
Seriously smokin’ hot dress there lady… make that picture big & OWN it. Loved “labyrinth” analogy… very well done. Wishing you a very happy birthday!
xo
Kate
happy birthday, red dresses are the best really aren’t they?
Well, I saved my comment for your birthday. So first thing’s first…Happy Birthday, Friend. I wish I was there, waking up in the downstairs bedroom, tiptoeing up to get a cup of coffee and sitting at the table with you for a long time in our pajamas talkin’ birthday stuff. ‘Cuz birthday stuff is good stuff. You know, life stuff. Birthdays are so good for that.
Love the high heel pic of Margot and yes, wish your scandalous self was a really big photo. Love the labyrinth…I’m not quite there yet with Nella and hangin’ on to the far left corner as long as I have it.
Now, go on and enjoy yourself the best birthday ever. I can’t wait to hear abou ti.
I love your colorful pictures of your girls.
And woo woo. Where did you go all dressed up? Gorgeous. 🙂
WOW! You look amazing in that red dress. I would have put a full size picture up, you should be proud!
It’s funny how good things feel when you are getting a full nights sleep lol My 16 month old just recently started sleeping all night too, at least she does most nights lol And I feel like a new woman!
I was just wishing my sister and friend a happy birthday and thought of you … now I’m never going to forget the date of your birthday. Happy birthday!!
Happy Birthday! I like the labyrinth analogy.
I’m sure all of these comments say something like I’m about to write, ha: I was about to comment to say that I really wanted to see those ladies in that v-neck fashion and then saw your caption! ha ha. love it. xoox, lisa
Happy birthday! Love the dress! (And how it’s framed in that mirror! Great photo!) Have you ever read The Bloggess’s post about the red dress? We all need a red dress. (And probably a push up bra as well.)
http://thebloggess.com/2010/05/the-traveling-red-dress/
ok Nici,
I am so glad that I read through the comments prior to posting this. I felt like some kind of gross perp for trying to enlarge your red dress picture.
Happy Birthday Nici. You really are just a stunning woman.
Vavavavoooom. That’s probably not one word – but Lord you look lovely in red! Even if you’re itty bitty. Two things. Happy birthday! 33 is a good year. I just turned 34 and wish I had 33 back to do all over again. And thanks, thanks, THANK YOU for that sleep book recommendation! Eleanor and I had a bit of a night the first night of the shuffle – but knock on every kind of wood that exists, she’s pretty much gone through the night (7:30-6:00) since. She even slept through the Super Bowl, well, until the end when the Packers won and all hell broke loose. But the good thing is, she and I did it together, she was never alone – and yes, she was pretty pissed off that first night. But Goodness, it’s been pretty sweet since then. So thanks. And happiest.
-Abbey
Wowza, that red dress is smokin’! I agree that the photo should be bigger. Love the photo of Margot in your heels…ironically I have many of my son in mine. He wants to do all the things mama does.
Crap…I forgot the most important thing…HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope it is a spectacular start to a new year in your life!
Happy birthday! You look marvelous! I love how colorful your photos are: Your house is so full of life!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY my darling daughter! I hope your day is full of all your favorite things….
I love you, Mom
,,,”dig” the red dress and you wear it oh so well,,,you could slip on a burlap sack and cinch it at the waist with rope and you would “rock” that too because while you’re beautiful on the outside it’s your “inner” beauty that trumps all,,,and when you’re blessed with both well,,,the color of the dress doesn’t matter,,,
,,,love the photo of margot trying the “heels” on for size,,,monkey see monkey do,,,
I’m lame…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
And dude, if I was there, I’d so be down with the skiing and the shifting in the lodge…
Have an awesome day!!!
Yep, I agree, you could totally rock a big picture!
Happy Happy Birthday!
Wow. Nice work on the red dress. I just loved your detail in navigating the labyrinth of childhood and parenting. Sometimes I so want to put a ladder up and climb over the shrub wall to the next phase. But you’re so right — it’s in the slow walking of the path where we gain the most satisfaction in the much awaited arrival of turning a corner. I hope this makes sense. When I was reading your piece, it was a big head nod and *yes, yes, yes* until the end.
Cheers.
Happy Birthday! I hope you are enjoying your birthday with all this beautiful! Celebrate. Relax. Enjoy! That’s what birthdays are for. And as for the red hot dress…my dear…you look hot! Now go enjoy your birthday!
Happy Birthday, dear fellow aquarius! I turn 26 on the 18th!
Welcome to 33!
If you get a chance, I’d be interested to see what blogs you follow.
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Oh wow, how perfectly put! Our heads are down as we trudge in our routines too. I get a little weepy to think of our 2 yr old daughter not needing us as much but also so happy that she has her own independence. Always enjoy your posts.
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it goes too fast – nice Nicci – I read mamalode every week – Shari MT
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My 20 month old started sleeping through the night a few weeks ago (after simply *asking* him to, can you believe?!). While I was walking that particular labyrinth the path seemed so long and so dark so much of the time. But having emerged on the other side – not having to go to bed thinking about getting up in 2 hours, then 2 hours after that, ad nauseum – I can look back and know it really wasn’t that long of a journey. It wasn’t nearly as painful or hard as I sometimes made it out to be. I hope this realization makes me pause in the middle of future labyrinths and know that how ever many turns it feels I’ve taken and however far out of sight the end feels, it’s all doable and easy, so long as I keep plotting along.
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Beautiful. I feel we truly are leading a somewhat parallel life with our 14-month-old and 3-yr-old (girls). I wish there weren’t so much to “hold together” because of the chance of so much to miss. Thanks for sharing these wonderful glimpses into your life.
Damn Nici! You look great in that red dress! I’ve been a lurker until now (found you through Kelle), but that deserved a comment! haha
Thanks for inspiring us all!