Reasons I am looking into retirement...

A few days ago I had the pleasure of spending some time at a senior center in a neighboring community. As I sat there waiting for an appointment to show up, I heard the distinct sound of someone singing "Pants on the Ground." I went to explore the origin of the singing when I came upon a group of seniors playing Wii bowling. They invited me to play along, which of course, I insisted I couldn't do. I was, after all, working. Despite my numerous protests they had assigned me a character and before I knew it, I was bowling the best game of my life! Great for me. Not so good for the person waiting to see me in the next room. However, in my defense a sassy senior named Louise (not to name names) had offered to be my lookout in case anyone showed up to meet me.

This senior center is amazing! It is only a few years old and it is beautifully constructed. they have a great room with floor to ceiling windows, computers and shelves filled with books, with a baby grand piano that sits in the corner. They have a cafeteria where you are always sure to find a game of dominos or canasta going on. They have a state of the art exercise room with flat panel televisions. And the cost of membership? $5 of folks who live in the city, $25 for people who reside in other cities.

As I walked down the hall, passing a room full of people playing pool and shuffleboard, and another room with seniors Zumba dancing, I thought "I could definitely get on board with this!" It was as I drove away waving at the bus full of seniors heading out to Winstar Casino that I thought that retirement is definitely something worth planning for.

Reasons I would make a good candidate for retirement:

1. I am all about the afternoon nap.

2. I quite enjoy a warm glass of milk before bedtime.

3. I am really great at board games, and with the right practice I think that I could be great at card games.

4. I know more about Social Security, Medicare and Veterans benefits than a lot of retirees.

5. Travel. Need I say more?!

6. Warm weather suits me.

7. I find myself yelling at the television more often.

8. I worry about the future of Social Security.

9. I could definitely eat dinner at 5:30 pm in the evenings. Throw an early bird special in there and I am sold!

10. The Hover Round Scooter. Have you seen the commercials? That lady goes to the Grand Canyon in hers!

Youngest intern ever!

Liam came to visit me at work today and wanted to be put to work.

Personally shredding documents.

Supervising Mommy.

Learning all about important issues facing the country.

His reaction to the healthcare bill.
Finally, he decided that a life in politics was not for him.
Off for a bottle and a nap!

And finally, Liam on his new playmat from Grandma B.

10 Months

I can't believe that my baby is almost a year old! He has started getting to the age where he wants to get into everything. Even though Eric and I lead a fairly clutter-free life, I have a feeling in the next few months we are going to have to reign Liam in.

This past week our satellite went out and we were convinced that the snow had thrown things out of wack. We even called the Dish Network folks to come out and take a look. The day they were scheduled to come, we found the root of our problem. Liam had managed to scoot his way in his walker to the wall where the cables are located and play with them to the point of throwing off the satellite. I know some of you are cringing at the vision of a baby playing with loose cables. I am cringing just telling you this story. Needless to say, we have made arrangements for this scenario to never play out again.

Liam is still only saying "DaDa," "Daddy," and DaD (emphasis on the second D). You will be happy to know that he is also working BaBa into his vocabulary. After carrying him in my belly for 38 1/2 weeks, suffering through a painful c-section, and waking up with him every two hours to feed him the first few months of his life, Mama is still not on the table. Everybody says that this is pretty common, but it never too early to lay the guilt on - just the way our forefathers laid it on to their children.

At 10 months Liam still has no teeth. His gums are swollen and incredibly irritated, but he has chosen to delay cutting teeth. Do they make baby dentures? Probably not. Possibly as a result of not having teeth, he has no real interest in finger foods. Although he has learned that the dogs quite enjoy them.

And finally...my baby is finally mobile! He has recently started Army crawling, further terrorizing the dogs. They have no idea what is to come! Here is a video.

Albuquerque

This past weekend, the Pate Fam left the cold of Dallas...for the warmth of Albuquerque?! It was Liam's first airplane ride and we were a little anxious that he would be the screaming baby that I used to shake my head in pity at before I had a baby. But he actually did pretty well. We did not buy a seat for him so he sat on my lap for almost the entire trip. Except when he was trying to wiggle his way out to chew on anything he could get his mouth on (seat trays, windows, arm rests, the adjoining passenger's book, etc.). Because so many flights were canceled the day before, our flight was completely full. And there were 5 babies on board! Crazy times.

Wandering through Dallas Love Field. Can you believe that Love Field's restrooms, even their childrens restrooms, do not have changing tables? And you can't use a stroller on a moving walkway? And you can't read trashy celebrity magazines or good books, when you are trying to keep your baby from screaming at the top of his lungs? Wow. Travel totally changes after children. Ha!

When you are teething even a nose can become a pacifier!

Liam and his Uncle David.

Liam and his cousin, Haley. My cousin Rachel (Haley's mom) and I are a lot alike - to the point of being comical. Our babies were born the same day, within hours of each other!

From right to left: Debbie, Ryan, Rachel, Haley, me and Liam.
My cousin, Debbie, was nice enough to have our entire family over for a casual lunch.

The great grandchildren of Procopio and Erma Martinez.
This was the best picture out of the dozen that were taken - quite a feat!

I regret to say that because of computer issues (I am sure that my lack of being tech savvy was a contributing factor) I lost a lot of the pictures that were taken on this trip. Eric and I have determined it would be in our best interest for me to not download pictures anymore. But there is no use crying over spilled milk so I guess we will just have to plan another trip to Albuquerque!

We had a really amazing time eating at our favorite restaurants, Dos Hermanos, Dions, The Range Cafe and Flying Star. Upon arriving back home, I was relieved to see that I hadn't gained any weight on this trip! It was great to see most of my family. I even got to see my best friend from high school, Stephanie, for a nice dinner. I was in her wedding last year, and now she is expecting her own little bambino!

Eric's parents were even in Albuquerque the last day we were in town so it was great to catch up with them. All in all, it was a really wonderful (although not relaxing) vacation. Going back home always makes me remember how much I love my family and friends!

Snow Day

When I woke up this morning, I felt like a little kid. From early yesterday morning, until last night, we received about 10 inches of snow. In Dallas! In February! Need I remind people that there have been some winters where I have worn sleeveless shirts? And that for several days in January, we hit the high 70s?

For the first time since we have lived here, I even got a snow day for work. Unheard of! Our Washington D.C. office has been closed for almost a week due to the snow, but who knew the Metroplex would get its own little Snowmegedon? I would like to think that we all remained rational, mature adults. But who I am I kidding?! You have met Eric, right? It I hope you enjoy some of our pictures.

There is nothing prettier than a fresh snowfall.

Liam watching the snow fall.

We never thought he would get to utilize the snow suit that Grandma Gladys bought him!

Liam was not quite sure what to think at first.

Daddy showing Liam snow.

The view from our backyard.

The snow was too much for one of our neighbor's trees.

The indomitable snowdog.

After Liam went down for his nap, the big kids got to play. Derek shaking down our Bradford Pear tree.

If you look close you can see both Derek and Eric under the tree.

Big boys = Big snowballs

One of our neighborhood kids, Joe, decided to get in on the action.

Now both grown men gang up on Joe.

But wait, another grown man decides to join the action.
I am embarrassed to say that all three men took Joe on.

Reinforcements were called in. Neighborhood kids 4, grown men 3.

Eric decides to join the kids team.

Tristan braves the weather to cruise in his Radio Flyer Wagon.

Much like myself, I think Gracie prefers the warm weather.

The Gragert twins take in the sights.