Where the Heck Have You Been!?

Ladies and gentleman, my fellow Romans and countrymen, I Lauren so and so, am so very sorry that I haven't posted in such a long time. It's not that I don't care, because I do. I've just been as always, busy,tired,lazy,uninspired,procrastinating,frustrated,sad,anxious,trapped and hopeful.
There has been a lot going on and it started almost two weeks ago with Noah's first birthday! I knew that a big, emotional, "Happy Birthday Little Guy" post was expected, at least by a few of you. Heck, I expected on from myself too, but when the time came, I was just too tired to think and write and I didn't feel like working up some truly emotional thoughts for the world. I had just come off of a full week of single parenting while Jon was in Las Vegas. Then came the kidney stone ordeal and then I worked at night, getting ready for Noah's party.

So I do apologize for no one year post. Rest assured, I felt like crying when I realized my baby was now a toddler. It was happy too and I think already I like year number two better than one. Babies are precious and sweet, but toddlers are fun and more independent. I like that.

The party went well. Noah only had mini melt downs every 20 minutes. Jon and I felt so loved by all of our friends and family that came by. We even go Jacob and Joel and Bubby up from Toledo. Next year the party will consist of three guests I decided. That's all I can handle, I think that's all that Noah can handle too.

We had a great Thanksgiving at my Mom's. It was great food, but the true great part was that the Maskin Family joined us. They make up for the extended family I don't totally have. I rarely talk to or see my grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins. We've just never been a close family. It's sad but ok.

Jon, Noah and I were invited down to Dayton for his Aunt Diane's famous Thanksgiving party. Unfortunately, we weren't able to make it because as you remember from Cleveland, Noah doesn't travel too well. I heard this year was delicious as usual, it's quite a big affair! Next year, Jon and I would like to host thanksgiving at our house for ourselves and my parents and his if they'd like to come.

Friday we went to Joshua's first birthday party. It was so much fun. We had sundeas at the famous Ray's ice cream. Joshua at a banana split..WITH HIS HANDS! This is the kid that has only been fed the 4 food groups. I wonder what he thought of ice cream. We then went back to Nate and Sarah's house where he then ate a 5 pound hunk of cake. It was blue, yes, BLUE frosting all over. Check out the pictures. Nate and Sarah have THE nicest family ever, Jon and I really loved everyone. We're so happy to have met the Ross's, it's rare you find such true friends. Oh, and add little sister Meagan in there too, she's a total freak, but that's why I love her.

Saturday was the best day ever. Thank you so much to the ever photogenic Ilya, whom we love with all of our hearts for coming over from about 9:30am until 2:00am to get our buts in gear and clean out the basement! Ilya was home from NYC, and he chose to visit with us and clean and organize and talk all day. The kid is amazing! You should see our basement, look, look at those pictures! It used to just be a room basically, that held boxes. Now it's a functioning family room/playroom. How great is that!?
Thank you Ilya. You and Ilana need to come live in our basement. Laura came by too. She was also home from NYC. As always, it was so good to see Laura. She's home to me. We talked and laughed. We were 16 again.

Jon has been cooking! Eggs with wasabi mayonnaise for ilya... fresh, homemade pasta with a lemon caper sauce, chocolate milk.

Oh yes, and one more thing. I went to the emergency room on Thanksgiving. Priya bit me the day before. She bit my leg after pretending to stalk a wilderbeast. My leg was the wilderbeast. The three deep puncture holes kind of hurt on Thanksgiving morning and they were red. I hoped online to see what I should do and ever site said go to the doctors right away! HUh!? So yes, being that all doctors are closed on Thanksgiving, I went to the ER where they proceeded to give me a tetanus shot and antibiotics. I wasn't late for dinner though. See, sometimes it pays to be a net surfing hypochondriac.