Nikki Noodle

Ushering in the New Year with Mr. Brainwash

2012-01-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012 everyone! Enjoy each day as if it were your last, because the Mayans were right about chocolate, so they just might be right about the apocalypse, too.

Cooper and Ruby are magnificent. They are my favorite humans. Jakob's in that category, too, but I met him when he was already 21 and I've know these two little cherubs their whole lives!

I took Cooper to his first art show--Mr. Brainwash's ARTSHOW 2011 exhibit on La Brea Ave in Hollywood. He had a blast running around several floors of the humongous warehouse.

There was a floor covered in old stuffed animals. Despite the fact that I said that we were not allowed to touch the art, the guard told Coop he could jump on in. Well, nobody has to tell Cooper twice to launch himself into objects, so he jumped in! Other mothers were freaked out about germs. They wouldn't let their children frolic. I feel bad for those kids. Their lives are healthier and more boring.

Cooper saw several images he recognized, such as this Snoopy dog made out of tires. Coop was really into the fact that Snoopy was banging the wall apart.

There were lots of animals covered in paint.

I really like this picture. Coop told me at the show that he was going to be an artist and make even more art than all the stuff we were looking at. Something inside me is sure that he will. And I knew the artist inside him was really impressed by one piece in particular:

He ran up and screamed, "It's Mr. Potato Head! He's GIANT!" There were a few giant items...

Cooper said he wished he could paint with this brush.

There was also a giant Polaroid camera and a giant boom box that took up a whole wall.

Coop rocked out.

Cooper really liked this chair and wanted to take a picture of me sitting in it.

Since the guards were being so lax, I had Cooper jump into the driver's seat of one of the art cars. He was so excited to a.) be touching the art that I originally said we couldn't touch and b.) sit in the front seat of a car! and touch the wheel!

It was a spectacular, spectacular day and the end was the best part. We saw Mr. Brainwash as we were leaving the show. There were some guys ushering him past the people in line and I should have snagged a pic, but it all happened so quick. I told Cooper that Mr. Brainwash was the artist and he went up to him and said, "Thanks for the art!" and MBW shook his hand and said, "Thanks for coming!" and then went inside.

So...when Cooper Kingsley White prints start selling at $2K a pop, let's hope he remembers this day and thanks his mom with lots of original pieces :)

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-10-15T17:12:00.001-07:00

Even if you only know me a little, you know that I love October.

I miss the brilliant foliage show that the trees back in New England throw every autumn, but I like fall here in California, too.

And Halloween is the craziest holiday which makes it the best. We spent some of this weekend making the front yard a bit more spooktacular.

Someone placed the bat on this skull like a hair piece. It's the new, all natural Rabies Toupee...now for bone heads!

It's Memere's last weekend here in Tujunga. For the past to Octobers, my mother has flown 3,000 miles to help me juggle it all. This year she came out to save my sanity whilst hubby was in India. I can't even begin to thank her enough. I'm going to miss her so much.

She's the grandmother anyone would want. She's always in the mood to play or color or do puzzles or cook or read a book. That's what a grandma should be; someone who treasure you non-stop. And she fosters Coop's creative side. We all put together this twisted scarecrow for the front yard using Daddy's old clothes and a burlap mask and some paint.

We noticed that our frightening monster scarecrow lost a lot of his evil swagger when we put a hat on him. Now he looked more,"festive." More like Truman Capote.

Put a smaller, more cutesy scarecrow next to him and now he's a ventriloquist!

"Hey folks, it's great to be here. I wasn't sure if I was going to perform tonight but then I thought, 'What the hay?' Get it? What the hay! HAY-ohhhhh."

Three weeks ago, Cooper wanted to dress up as The Joke for Halloween. Two weeks ago, he changed his mind and wanted to be Darth Vader. Last week he switched it up again and said he wanted to be a pirate. This morning, he says he has made his final decision...he'll be Batman.

Remember when the hardest decision you had to make was what you were going to be for Halloween?

Ruby's Dance!

2011-08-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

I don't need to buy another light bulb again, because this lil' lady lights up a room!

Ruby's been a little under the weather with a yucky cold. Never in my whole life did I imagine that I'd have so much snot to deal with. I thought maybe she might be mutating into one of the X-Men and her power was massive booger production.

But it looks like she's on the mend and Cooper has been such a big help. He looks out for his little sister all the time.

He makes her laugh. They play. They get silly and THEY DANCE!

You think you can dance? Not like my toddler. Take it away Ruby Girl!

Ruby's Birthday!

2011-06-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

Ruby is a year old. Yup...ain't that a kick in the head.

The theme for the party was WONDER WOMAN! We encouraged everyone to wear super hero apparel. Ruby was outfitted in a Wonder Woman onesie.

She ate cake for the first time. That's the prize for surviving 12 months...you get to ingest cake!

She was more cautious about it than Cooper was. She took a little taste on the tip of her finger. Then she chomped on some crumbs. After about ten minutes, she started digging her hand in and going for it.

It just goes to show you, girls = careful. Boys = dive right in.

Ruby is now walking everywhere. You can't stop her. She's a powerhouse forged in steel! My baby gal is heard as nails. Ruby Zu don't take no mess.

Happy Birthday, Ruby. You are my wonder woman.

Now THAT's Sadness...

2011-06-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom...

Yeah, I'm crying! Why you ask...well, let's see...

Cooper's major milestones appear to be typed out for all the blogosphere to read and relish.

What about me, Ma? I turned one year old back in May. Where's my post?

I also have gas from the garden vegetable puree.

Love,

Ruby

Dear Ruby,

Life is full of waiting for others to hurray up and do! I'll try my best not to make you wait, but I'll tell you right now, it's gonna happen. I'm a super busy lady with way too much on my plate. It runs in the family. I'm sure you'll be a super busy lady with no time one day, too. With a purse. And a phone.

I'll get a birthday post up soon with video. Will that dry those tears?

No? Well, that must be some strong gas. Fart it out, sister. Better out than in.

Please forgive your procrastinating parental figure.

I love you,

-Mom

Winter for the Westerners

2011-03-28T11:18:00.001-07:00

The second we stepped off the plane in Boston, both kiddies looked different. They were excited, but shocked at the temperature. Yes, children, this is the east coast and things here are a wee bit more freezing.

Cooper got to experience snow for the very first time. He wasn't sure about the sled contraption. He watched Grampy do it and then simply said, "No thanks."

He did LOVE building a snowman. It was all he could talk about and as luck would have it, Mother Nature kept some snow on the ground for us in New Hampshire so snowman building could commence.

The snow was very dry...not the best for construction. But they managed. Cooper named him Frosty, naturally.

We spent three days in New Hampshire and four on Cape Cod.

Ruby had some stomach issues (hey, we all get "travel tummy" from time to time) but she was a bundle of joy.

Both grandfathers got to meet Miss Ruby Zuzu for the very first time. She was immediately smitten with both of them.

Coop convinced Memere that he had to build a snowman at her place, too.

But this snow was also hard to manage, so they built a mini snowman on a picnic table.

And Mr. Potato Head's parts added the perfect finishing touches. VOILA!

We even took Cooper to a clown show at a local theater. At first, he tried to play all "too cool for school." I guess that's what happens when you put your kid in a punk skull beanie hat.

By the end he was laughing and clapping. He enjoyed the juggling and pie-throwing.

It was a lovely vacation. It was hard to leave. Part of our hearts remain back in New England.

But our cold butts were happy to return to the land of sun and fun :)

Going to Bed with a Good Book

2011-03-15T00:15:00.000-07:00

I don't eat enough vegetables. I don't exercise enough. And worst of all...I don't blog enough.

It's 12:19am. Believe me when I say that it is the first free moment I've had in 11 and a half weeks. True story.

I should sleep. But before I pass out, I'll leave you with a promise to post more and this photo of Cooper:

Jakob found him asleep like this and called me in.

The open book...the little flashlight...the delightfully sleepy expression...the glowing purple hippo with goofy eyes. Perfect moment of childlike whimsy.

I'll post again. You'll hear all about our trip and Ruby and Cooper and Jakob and a little bit about how I'm doing.

But first things first. Snores galore. Good night.

Who Wants a Silent Night? I Wanna Rock.

2010-12-18T20:54:00.000-08:00

I did make it to Cooper's recital on Friday.

I was thirty-one minutes late thanks to traffic caused by the rain.

Hear me, people of Los Angeles...consider staying in when the big, bad water falls from the sky. Driving here is Hades.

There were no spots left anywhere near the school. I parked several blocks away and ran as fast as a gal my size can run in heels. Rain spat all over my hair, my dress and my camera. I came into the kids' school swearing. Then I saw my Ruby and I had to smile.

And there was my Cooper performing in his elfin garb.

When they told us via school memo that the kids would be dressing up as elves for the holiday concert, I thought, "This is a racket orchestrated by The Oriental Trading Co. to get me to buy a costume." But it was $12 well spent. The goofy pictures of my one and only boy in that get up are well worth the twelve-hundred cents.

He didn't see me at first. I was dancing with Ruby in my arms and beaming at him with unabashed holiday cheer. All the tension from the drizzly, accident strewn freeway disappeared and I enjoyed watching my kid.

Daddy had brought him. And it had been a nightmare for Jakob getting two kids ready and out the door in the rain whilst coordinating an impromptu trip to Albertson's to pick up a fruit plate at the school's last minute request.

Coop searched the crowd and when his eyes landed on me, they began to shine with a look that said, "Hey! That's my Mommy!" I know the phrase, "my heart melted," is cliche, but when those moments with your kid happen, that is what it feels like. Something inside your chest losing itself.

Then the elves were rushed to the back classroom for a costume change and the kids came back out to dance around to a classic Christmas carol of old...

WHAM's immortal 'Wake Me Up Before Yo9u Go Go." No holiday celebration is complete with it.

Check out the way Coop plays that bass. Oh, did you think that was a guitar? Well, you would be wrong.

After the show, I told Cooper that I liked his guitar playing. He gave an exasperated sigh and said, "No, that's not a guitar. That's a bass!" Oh, a thousand apologies, Mr. Entwistle.

The evening concluded with this festive folk dance. I wanted to ask the meaning behind the dance, but I didn't want to seem ignorant and my entire family is still sick with a cold that's been clingy on for the past eleven days. I thought it best that we do quick waves goodbye and head home for rest. But if anyone knows what this dance signifies besides, "Behold the young gents dancing with napkins and the lovely lady with a parasol," I'd love any info.

Cooper and I ran to the car in the rain. We talked all about the show. I told him I was so proud of him. He told me Christmas was his favorite holiday. I took him home the long way so we could see all the houses decorated with Christmas lights. And each time I heard him say with excitement from the backseat, "Oooo! There's more Christmas lights, Mommy!" I felt true Christmas magic.

Halloween is done and done!

2010-10-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

Ruby was a little bat this year.

She was really using her upper register this evening, too, so it was like she was perfecting her bat screech!

She and I stayed behind in case we got any trick-or-treaters and daddy took Coop out through the neighborhood.

Cooper was Wall-E the robot. The whole family pitched in to make his costume. Well, Ruby didn't help much. She was more of a supervisor.

Daddy brought him to the UPS store to be fitted for a box.

When Cooper gets real mad at me, he screams, "I want my other mother!' So, I dressed up as The Other Mother from the film Coraline. Buttons for eyes.

Cooper got the candy he wanted (lollipops and fruit chews) and he gave me the chocolate candy rejects (Almond Joy and Butterfingers.) It was a happy, happy Halloween. Now I'm going to wash this black spray out of my hair and call it a night.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

2010-10-31T13:05:00.000-07:00

I've been working so hard at the new job that I nearly missed the month of October. I blinked and it was my birthday. I coughed and it was Halloween.

The pumpkin patch game has changed. Used to be just pumpkins and some places offered cider. Maybe some face painting.

The place we went to had Hover Tee Ball, a bounce house, a petting zoo and ponies!

I asked Cooper what his pony's name was. He say, "Boinkers. Boinkers the pony."

The crazy number of activities! The crazy number of kids! The crazy number of dollars these people were charging for pumpkins! It was all a bit much.

Ruby was less than impressed. It was damp and there was a chill in the air.

My girl prefers sunshine.

But no matter how gray a day, her daddy always makes her smile.

Ruby, Cooper and I decorated the front yard.

We added a cheesy Wolf Dude to our pumpkin display.

Look at Wolf Dude's tense expression. Must have been driving on the 405.

We also hung ghosts and put up spider webs.

Cooper really wanted me to cut holes in a sheet so her could be a ghost. He saw It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown on tv and it stuck in his mind.

I quickly cut the hole without any real measuring. He played in the costume for a good long while, but he couldn't see. Watching him try to navigate the backyard in fitted sheet was pretty hilarious. I caught some video.

Tonight is Trick-Or-Treating. I know Cooper will come back and hold up each piece of candy and ask, "Is this chocolate?" He hates chocolate. He only wants fruity candy. And then we'll watch Scooby Doo. And then we'll read the book Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich. And then another October will be over, done with and gone.

A Valuable Piece

2010-08-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

Like the necklace? Well, my friends, soak up the tale of this treasure hanging 'round my neck. You'll find a suitable moral at the end.

(In an attempt to be delicate, the words "yummy candy," will be substituted for the word 'vomit.')

Cooper was supposed to get a haircut today, but he woke up this morning covered in yummy candy. There was yummy candy in his bed, yummy candy on the floor, and yummy candy in the hallway.

I washed off all the yummy candy and put Coop on the couch with a blanket. He was a bit warm. I pushed fluids and made him rest. We watched cartoons. He eventually fell asleep watching Phineas and Ferb--a new favorite in this house.

Then, Ruby started to fuss. I fed her and played with her as I watched over Cooper. There are moments when nothing else matters but being a mom to your kids. This was one of those.

By the afternoon, Cooper was awake and trying to convince me that he was fit as a fiddle. I made him drink water and eat plain macaroni.

"What are we going to do?" he asked.

"Rest," I said.

"Can we rest outside?" he pleaded.

"No,"I said.

"Oh, rats!" he complained, "I want to DO something!"

His eyes scanned the room.

"Hey, we could make something with those," he said pointing to the newly opened box of macaroni. A grin filled his face. He was in love with his suggestion.

"You want to make a necklace?" I asked.

"Yes! Yes!" he rejoiced.

I handed him the box of pasta (a mistake) and went to get string. Next to the string was a bag of beads so I snagged those, too. That's when I heard the entire box of macaroni being dumped onto the table.

"I'm ready to make the necklace, Mommy," he cheered. I was annoyed with the mess, but I couldn't yell a him because he was a.) sick and b.) so thrilled to be doing an activity with me.

"Here," I said, "We can use these beads, too."

"OOOOoooooooo," he cooed with approval.

He was stringing beads and macaroni and talking about colors.

"I like orange. I like pink. You know what red and white make? They make pink! And you know what happens when you mix all the colors together, Mommy? It turns black!"

While we were discussing color theory, Ruby started to cry. She needed to be changed. I guess that's why she was complaining earlier. Something was brewing.

"Coop, I'll be right back. I gotta changed your sister," I said leaving the table. (second mistake.)

I finished changing Ruby and was singing the alphabet song. I was at "K" when I heard Cooper scream. He ran into my room in a panic. He cried out, "MY NOSE!"

I rushed to him. I looked in his nose and saw a green bead stuck in the right nostril. I pressed on the outside of his nose to tried and free the bead.

"Blow out, Cooper!" I commanded. It wasn't moving.

He was hysterical. "It's stuck! It's staaaaaa-haaaaaa-huuuuuck!" he cried.

I could feel where it was. It wasn't past the point of no return, but I thought I might have to load both kids in the car and head for the emergency room.

"Cooper, look at me. Calm down. Mommy's gonna try and fix it."

I gently pushed down until the bead emerged like a turtle from his nostril and fell on the floor.

"Mommy got it!"

We hugged. I teared up thinking about how he had come to me immediately. What if he had decided to try and fish it out on his own? This could have gone way worse.

"Cooper. Don't ever put anything up your nose again! Ok?"

His sickly face held onto the fear that was just coursing through him.

"Ok, Mommy."

I saw my chance to nip something in the bud.

"That goes for fingers, too. NOTHING up the nose. Got it?"

"Got it," he whined. Perhaps this near tragedy will put an end to his rampant nose-picking.

I asked if his nose hurt. He shook his head. I asked if he was ok. He nodded. Crisis averted.

After a beat, I asked him to come and help me pick up.

"No, Mommy. I want to finish the necklace for you!"

I could see that this was very important to him. We scooped up Ruby and headed back to the table to finish the necklace. I will wear it with pride. It's a valuable gift from my son. And I just love jewelry that comes with a story.

What have we learned, kids?

Don't stick stuff up your nose!!!

What have we learned, adults?

Moms do it all. They change dipes. They clean up yummy candies. They cook hundreds of meals. They even remove foreign objects from your body from time to time. Show your mom some love today. It will mean the world to her.

No Matter What's Happening...

2010-08-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

One look at Ruby and my attitude goes from Wha Whaaaa to TA DAH!

Hey Ruby, we have a few minutes to ourselves today. Do you wanna watch Classical Baby and be lulled by the sweet sounds of Bach while mommy cleans? Or would you rather say blow to housework and watch Kill Bill Vol. 1?

Yeah. Beatrix Kiddo does kick butt.

Let's Go RED SOX (clap-clap-clapclapclap)

2010-08-05T22:02:00.000-07:00

It was an outing for the boys, so I don't have much to write about the game.

I do know that Cooper was REALLY excited to eat peanuts and throw the shells on the ground.

He looked at me, smiled and said, "When you eat peanuts at the ballgame, the GROUND is the TRASH!"

I asked him who won the game and he just kept talking about the food. He ate a hot dog and had ice cream. Those were the highlights for him.

Owl Hat + Cupcake Pillow + Ruby = ADORABLE

2010-07-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

Conversation From the Future

2010-07-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

Ruby: "I like that picture of me lying on the poop-colored carpet from the Tujunga house."

Cooper: "Yep. I'm looking down at you and I'm wearing my French Fry shirt. I love that picture."

That's a conversation I imagined them having in 2021. Just for fun, You can vote on what the next line might end up being:

a. "That's back when dad had a beard."
b. "The Tujunga house had lizards, fruit trees and a fireplace!"
c. "I don't even remember the Tujunga house.
d. "Mom's a cuckoo."

Ruby Rawk Gurl at Two Months

2010-07-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Ruby Zuzu,

First things first...rawk is actually spelled R-O-C-K and gurl is actually spelled G-I-R-L. Sorry. It's a habit I picked up last decade. I wonder how your generation will talk and spell. I wonder how the language will adapt/erode. I'm sure I won't "get it," because I'll be, "elderlier." (That's how kids in the future say "old.")

The other day I was looking at you and I thought to myself, "My goodness...she's beautiful." In fact I started singing, "You Are So Beautiful (To Me)."

It wasn't so much the Joe Cocker version. It was more like the version from The Simpsons when Homer has hair and an assistant named Carl voiced by Harvey Fierstein and he hires a guy to sing it to Marge on her anniversary. Remember? Yes, everything CAN be categorized in Simpsonese!

And then my next thought was, "My goodness...before I know it she'll have a purse and a phone."

You see, now that your brother is four, I realize how fast this all goes by. You'll be talking, walking, eating real food, and zipping around in L.A. traffic before I can say, "I don't care that nobody else on the planet has a curfew, YOU HAVE A CURFEW."

I'm trying to enjoy these little moment while you're still little. After all, you'll never be this small again.

You've made it through month number two! You're smiling. You're sleeping through the night. You're growing. You're moving all around. I can see how eager you are to get up and run. Honestly, it fills me with both joy and worry. I always want to keep you safe.

And yes, you still have cranky fits and atrocious gas. But every now and then you look at me with this expression that seems to say, "It's ok, Mom."

And that makes me feel better.

And so thank you.

Artist CKW...the early years

2010-07-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

"Turtle" by Cooper Kingsley White

TOY STORY FUN ZONE!!!

2010-07-11T16:48:00.001-07:00

Cooper has been waiting for Toy Story 3 to come out since he started seeing the billboards in late April. It was his first, "I-can't-wait-for-that-to-be-released-in-the-theater!" cinema anticipation experience.

So...why not do it right and go to the INSANE SUPER CRAZY FUN ZONE area that they have constructed by the El Capitain in Hollywood.

Disney took over the football field of Hollywood High and turned it into a hyperactive preschooler's paradise.

There was a playground, a bounce house and games.

There was also a LIVE SHOW!

Coop made himself very comfortable in a bean bag chair and watched the "Dancing with the Toys" program in its entirety.

And got to MEET THE STARS THEMSELVES.

Can you believe it? He met THE Woody and THE Buzz.

I wish I could go to a fun zone and meet my heroes. Please tell me if David Lynch, Tim Burton and Julie Taymor come together to make a fun zone. I'm there! I'm a little terrified, but I'm there.

Violet's Birthday

2010-07-04T12:42:00.000-07:00

All Cooper wanted for his birthday was a play date with Violet. And in return, Violet was kind enough to invite Coop to her birthday last weekend.

It was a lovely tea party complete with yummy cupcake fun!

At first the kids ran around screaming and laughing wildly, as kids do. Then when tea time began, each child sat in their seat and sipped tea like the most civilized of civilians. You could practically hear the classical music in the background!

They were perfect ladies and gentlemen. Well, gentleman. I had to say it was a good day.

So You Think You Can Dance, Pre-School Edition

2010-07-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

Cooper had a dance recital at his school.

There are three girls and three boys in dance class. One boy jumped off the stage, too scared to participate. The other little boy stayed on stage, but cried the whole time. Cooper was the only boy to perform...and perform with GUSTO!

Did you hear that, "YEE HAW"? That's showmanship, people!

I love when he takes the crying boy's hands and forces him to do-si-do. If not for Coop, I doubt he would've moved at all.

Here he is running off the stage. Hey, I understand. I always want a bigger
stage. I enjoy the space I take.

Like how he tosses those pom poms?

Now...I will admit that at one point, Cooper and another little boy started fighting on stage. He was NOT a boy from dance class. For some strange reason, the dance teacher invited ALL the kids to come on stage and join in dancing. Odd, in my humble opinion, since this was a RECITAL and as much as I'm all for the "everyone can be part of the club" mentality, I was cringing when she put this boy right next to Cooper. It was someone he has been having issues with.

It was not a proud moment. It was me yelling from the audience, "Cooper, STOP! NO HITTING!" No one, not the teacher or the director or anyone interceded to stop the violence. I was embarrassed. I didn't tape that part.

But I'm still proud of how Cooper did at the show. Let them look at me and shake their heads. I'll just stick my head up high and say, "Well, at least my son gave you a show, people!"

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

When I was 15, a guy who could play guitar was sexy.

When I was 20, a guy who could make me laugh was sexy.

Now that I'm 32...

a guy who can multitask is the sexiest man alive!!!

Happy Father's Day, Jakob.

Ruby Zuzu - One Month Old

2010-06-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Ruby,

You made it through the first month. Congrats to both of us.

You're a healthy gal, but you spit up a lot. You also fart quite a bit, too. We dress you up like a pretty, pretty princess and then witness you puking and barfing on everyone as they talk about how gorgeous you are.

You fooled me. I thought you were quiet. Not so. Three weeks on the planet and you decided to show your true colors. Now I know that the day I pushed you out, I released the Kraken.

You stick out your tongue. You're very strong. You're already holding your head up. You grab onto my hair and clench your fist with the tenacity of a pit bull with lockjaw. Momma's precious angel.

You're an amazing human being. I'm going to say that to you every day of your life.

I love you, Ruby Zuzu.

Xoxo,

Mom

Birthday Buzz

2010-06-16T19:42:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday we had a birthday party for Cooper.

The theme: Toy Story. Of course.

Since Coop is always running around in his Buzz Lightyear wings, I thought it would be fun to have Jakob come out as Evil Emperor Zurg (Buzz Lightyear's arch nemesis).

To make Zurg's appearance all the more exciting, I filled up 50 water balloons and distributed them among the party guests. This way we could all thwart Zurg together!

NOTE: I constructed Zurg's costume entirely out of whatever I found around the home (file folders, trash bags, tin foil). Having a newborn to care for did not leave a tremendous amount of prep time.

Check out the video of Cooper and friends defeating Zurg:

I love when Cooper gets the hose. He's a man of action!

I also love my husband. Thanks, Jakob, for participating in my "Parenthood," inspired vision.

Here's the cake I stayed up way too late making the night before.

Cooper saw it and said, "Yay! Now I want a Slinky the Dog cake and a Rex the Dinosaur cake and a Mr. Potato Head cake and, and, and..." I kindly said, "This ain't Ace of Cakes, kid. This is what ya got. Eat it. And like it."

I'm not sure who had more fun, Cooper or all us aged hipster thirty-somethingers. Give people water balloons and cake and you will inspire smiles.

It was a spectacular celebration and a great end to Memere's stay with us.

Happy Birthday, Cooper White!

Cooper Turns 4

2010-06-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Coop's 4th birthday.

He awoke at 6:00am, crawled into my bed and watched 'Follow That Bird' with Ruby and I. Then we all ate blueberry pancakes with whipped cream. Cooper dipped each piece of bacon in the whipped cream before scarfing it down.

Daddy had offered to take Coop to an amusement park or Sea World for his birthday, but he wanted a play date with Violet instead. Jakob joked that Coop has already blown off his old man to spend time with a girlfriend.

We're having an official birthday party on Sunday, but I made a small Woody cake to mark the actual b-day. (What cake will I make on Sunday? HINT--he's a space ranger.)

When Violet arrived, Coop rushed to the front yard and screamed her name through the hedges. "Violet! You're here! I can't wait to see you! I love you!"

Little did he know that Violet was yelling back from her car, "Cooper, I want to hug you!"

He adores her. Just look at this glance across the table.

He got a Super Why costume (pictures to come!) and insisted on getting Violet a Princess Presto costume so they could play Super Why together. I hid tons of letters in the backyard so they could find them. If you don't watch PBS, then you don't know Super Why from Adam and none of this means anything. But if you're in the know, it's freakin' adorable!

Violet gave him an awesome robot making set. They took time building robots, having a tea party, playing store, playing instruments and playing Nintendo Wii. It was a full day.

There were many amazing presents (we WILL be posting Coop modeling the Woody the cowboy towel that Mimi sent. It's hysterical.) and now we're gearing up for Sunday...there are some big surprises ahead! Stay tuned!

Ruby Recap - Week 2

2010-05-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

Ruby is a very agreeable baby thus far.

She hates getting her diaper changed, but other than that she only cries when she's hungry. Her cry is so different from Cooper's when he was an infant. His cry repeated like a schrill stutter over and over again until he was finally appeased.

Ruby's cry sounds like a bird of prey. She screeches like a hawk.

If we can get her to cry like a hawk during the day and howl like a wolf at night, we may nickname her Ladyhawk.

Kate and Sean stopped by before their jaunt to Costa Rica to meet Ruby.

Sean performed an invaluable service as uncle by wrestling with Cooper while Kate held Ruby Zuzu.

Cooper's taking it all in. This is a tough period of adjustment for him.

He loves his sister, but does not like when she cries. He's facinated by the whole breastfeeding thing. He really wants to touch her eyes and head. I have to remind him about forty times a day that she is delicate.

There have been some bumps. Yes, he did headbutt a teacher...but she MAY have been asking for it. Law & Order PRESCHOOL UNIT is still looking into it. And he has taken to wearing his old pajamas that do NOT fit anymore:

It's like a Cirque Du Soleil costume. And I'm not sure why he's posing this way, but overall he's been a fantastic kid.

We'll see what next week brings...

Ruby Monday...

2010-05-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

We went into the doctor's office on Monday morning thinking to ourselves, "Today could be the day." And it was!

I had the choice of being induced or waiting another week and undergoing a "stress test." NICOLE TRUTH #212: I don't handle "stress" or "tests" well. We opted to get her done that day. GO TEAM WHITE!

We checked into St. Joseph's at 10am. Ruby made her grand entrance into the oxygen breathing world at 7:15pm.

She came out in two pushes. Dr. Han said I made it look easy. That struck me funny since I tend to fret and make things overcomplicated. My daughter's already helping me out.

She came out screaming, but quickly calmed down in Jakob's arms. He's head over heels for her. And he's become a master at swaddling! You've never seen such swaddling. If there was a swaddling team, he'd be captain.

We always liked the name Ruby. It's one of those names that works for both a young girl and an old lady. "Look at cute, little Ruby!" Cut to 80 years later, "That's Old Ruby. She's a firecracker!"

The middle name, Zuzu, is a reference to Frank Capra's classic 1946 film, "It's a Wonderful Life." Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey, a man who learns in a time of crisis that one's life touches so many. One of George Bailey's kids in the movie is named Zuzu. I've always loved that name and it happens to be my dad's favorite movie. Since Jakob picked 'Kingsley' for Cooper based on a movie ('The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou') I thought it was only fair that I get to work in Zuzu.

Ruby Zuzu and I were beat. Birthin' be hard.

She was born with hair. And enormous feet! Seriously, folks, the paws on her are huge. She'll most definitely be an online shoe shopper.

We made it home late Wednesday. When Cooper met Ruby, he kissed her lightly on the forehead and said, "I love her." I burst into tears. I've never seen siblings meet before. It was the sweetest thing I've ever witnessed.

Sure, there's ups and downs...but it's a wonderful life.

Hello, Ruby!

2010-05-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

Ruby Zuzu White
Born Monday, May 17th 2010 at 7:15am
7 lbs, 11 ounces
20 & 3/4 inches

We're home. We're doing great. We're exhausted. More deets after some sleep...

My Super Cooper

2010-05-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Cooper,

You sister will be arriving any day now. She'll need me a lot. WARNING -- She'll probably fuss and cry and stink. I know you'll love her, but there may be times when she seems like a real pain.

But there will be times when it's awesome! You will be a big brother. That's a lot of responsibility and I know you'll be great at it.

I just wanted to let you know that even if these next few weeks seem nutty and hectic, we'll still play together, paint together, have picnics, blow bubbles, cook pancakes, and sing Yo Gabba Gabba songs. I promise.

You'll always be my #1 son.

Xoxo,

Your mommy.

Girlie Tea Party

2010-05-05T16:16:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, we had friends over for a girlie, feathery, glittery, hats on, pinkies out, fancy tea party.

(Not to be confused with the insane people who picket from lawn chairs wearing tricorn hats who call themselves "The Tea Party." Those folks are...well...I haven't used this term since the early 90's, but they're WHACK!)

We just wanted to lounge and tea and tea and lounge...

I laid out some extra hats and accessories in case anyone felt under dressed. We nibbled on gourmet sandwiches with the crusts cut off. We sipped tea and celebrated the upcoming (ANY DAY NOW!!!) arrival of our little girl.

Thank you so much to everyone who made the day one of the happiest of my life. I mean it. I felt so loved. I felt so happy. That is no small feat when you are THIS PREGNANT. You are all amazing friends.

I am a little weirded out by the New Improved Rainbow Brite (SO BLONDE!) but I am willing to accept change. That's what being a mom is :)

Hello, Handsome!

2010-04-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'll admit it. I dressed him like an Easter egg for picture day. But every preschooler needs a picture that screams, "Mommy Picked This Outfit." And yes, that outfit usually involves a sweater vest.

Egg Hunt

2010-04-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

PREEster

2010-04-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

We had some folks over on Saturday for a Pre-Easter celebration.

There was candy, ham and an egg hunt. I took some video with the new camera, but I can't get the audio to play back. At 30-something years old, I really should start reading owner's manuals. That would be more efficient than my trial-and-error method to learning gadgets. Maybe next year.

Each time Cooper found a new egg he would let out a blood-curdling scream of, "I FOUND ANOTHER ONE!" There were 50 eggs.

Kate had a hilarious happening at the local Albertson's. I won't give you the deets. It's her story to tell. I'll only say that it involved indecent exposure and shattered glass.

The egg hunt was halted for about 15-minutes so we could all admire this awesome lizard. Cooper kept looking at him and saying, "HI MR. LIZARD!" The lizard didn't want die, but he didn't want to move either.

Alex and Edy were visiting from Colombia. It was good to have everyone around. Once PJ went off on a drunken rant about how the characters on Grey's Anatomy were all "childish idiots", it felt like a true family gathering.

Cooper played hide and seek with Carrie, made a magic soup with Edy and forced Alex to play, "Chef."

The following day, Cooper woke up to an Easter bucket. Apparently, the Easter Bunny thought my little boy would use a bucket much more than a basket. He's a clever bunny.

Inside the bucket was a Toy Story flashlight, which Cooper used to find his hidden bunny gift.

(FYI--the Easter Bunny who visited me in the 1980's and part of the 90's never left gifts. He left candy and maybe some socks. This new bunny leaves gifts. I guess he's doing well despite these hard economic times.)

Coop finally found an Evil Emperor Zurg toy in mommy's speakeasy liquor cabinet. (Hey, Mr. Bunny! Did you help yourself to my hooch? I'm checking the levels in those bottles!)

The toy has a maniacal laugh and three evil sayings:

1. "DESTROY BUZZ LIGHTYEAR!"

2. "I AM YOUR FATHER!"

3. "COME TO ME MY PREY!"

Coop hasn't stopped pressing the button since Sunday morning.

I'm hearing "DESTROY BUZZ LIGHTYEAR" in my sleep.

Thank you, Easter Bunny.

Happy Afro Fools Day

2010-04-01T13:18:00.000-07:00

I've been in this wig for an hour and Cooper keeps asking me to take it off.

"Mommy...you're hair is NOT your hair!!!"

I'm going to keep it on until Jakob gets home. After a long day at jury duty, he needs to witness my awesomeness. Or, at the very least, roll his eyes at me.

CALENDAR is finally done.

2010-02-17T11:00:00.001-08:00

"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." --Douglas Adams

Illustrations were done last week.

Captions were done Valentines Day.

Then I ate too much and fell asleep.

Now the calendar is ready.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW & ORDER

My next project will be trying to get a gallery show in Downtown Los Angeles.

And, of course, giving birth. Hey, I'm so creative, I make people!

New Debacle Calendar...

2010-02-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

Yes, it will be done by Valentine's Day.

Yes, those are tater tots on a fun face plate.

SPD

2010-02-03T17:56:00.000-08:00

This is what they think Cooper is struggling with:

Sensory Processing Disorder

Do you squint at bright sunlight?
Do you dislike having messy hands and feel the need to wash them when they're dirty?
Are you bothered by itchy clothing?
Then you, too, could have sensory processing disorder!

Or, maybe, like most people, you are annoyed by annoying things.

I'm not sure what to make of this. One of the suggested therapies is wearing weighted clothes. The teachers say he responds better in social situations when he has a backpack on. They suggested I look into getting him a weighted vest and seeking occupational therapy.

There is nothing more important to me than Cooper. I want to do what's best for my child. But weigh him down? At 3 years old? I just think that the weight of the world ends up on your back soon enough in this life. Isn't childhood the one time when you should feel free?

Or maybe I'm in denial. He's crashing into others at school. It needs to end. I'm all ears, people. Any advice?

Photos from Team Powellstein Nuptial

2010-01-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Karen and Jason on taking the plunge!

Thank you for allowing us to take part in such a beautiful event. Much love and luck to both of you.

I have the physique of a bloated whale moose thanks to the pregnancy, but I still tried to cute it up for the wedding.

They had temp tattoos of their "Team Powellstein" logo available on all the tables, so I slapped mine on with pride.

Flying Powellstein.

Holiday Cookies 2009

2010-01-27T14:01:00.000-08:00

I know I'm a bit late to post this Christmas photo, but I wanted to share.

I rarely use the word, "charming," but it is.

Perhaps Cooper will pull this photo up on his computer/phone machine someday to show someone and he'll say, "Here I am making cookies with my mom." And that someone will say, "Holy Soap! Look how young your mom was!"

(In the future, "Holy Soap," is something the kids say.)

Mr. 88 Keys

2010-01-15T12:27:00.000-08:00

She drinks tea now instead.

2010-01-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Debacle missed whiskey as if it were a dear friend who left town and never spoke to her again.

New 2010 calendar is in the works. Sorry for the delay.

And how are you feeling today, Mrs. White?

2010-01-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

To Infinity and Beyond!

2010-01-01T11:52:00.000-08:00

Just three months ago, my kid wanted to be in The Electric Mayhem.
Today, he wants to join Star Command.

The helmet was his idea. And a good idea at that! It both adds to the costume and protects the noggin when "falling with style."

I like that he couldn't even wait for the paint to dry to strap on those wings.

Well, honestly, how could he? The Evil Emperor Zurg was threatening the galaxy! There was no time!

Hello There

2009-12-23T12:16:00.000-08:00

My second trimester ultrasound was today. The baby is healthy. She has a strong spine and excellent kidneys. It runs in the family. It has to.

And yes...she is a she. We watched our daughter wave at us today.

At least, I hope that was a wave. Look closely at the scan and you'll see her hand at the top. It could very well have been a dramatic hand to the forehead. Is she already a drama queen? Is she reciting the 'Sir, spare your threats,' monologue from 'Winter's Tale'? Uh oh. She's her mother's daughter.

Merry Christmas, little lady. I can't wait to meet you face to face in May.

Cooper Christmas Concert

2009-12-18T09:48:00.000-08:00

You know what's a great movie...'Parenthood.'

There's a scene where they go to the school play and their rambunctious toddler runs up on stage and disrupts everything. Uptight moms and dads in the audience start yelling at Steve Martin, "Your son is ruining the whole play!" He hears the ominous roar of a roller coaster in his mind and begins to feel the sensation of a wild ride take over his whole body. He looks to his wife and she's smiling.

Here we are at Coop's first holiday concert.

They put a golden halo on him. Looks like an angel, don't he?

He sang a lovely version of 'Away in a Manger," complete with choreography. And folks laughed out loud when during their rendition of 'Jingle Bells,' my child yelled out, "HEY DADDY! LOOK AT ME!!!" After that, he kept running over to play the piano. The teachers had to redirect him back onto the stage about 19 times. I was fine with that. Hey, the kid just wanted to rock out on the ivories.

It was after the singing was done that this roller coaster of an evening picked up speed. He must have been all hopped up on sugar cookies or something.Cooper was running around like a maniac. He wasn't listening. He was knocking things over. He grabbed a present from under the tree on the stage and stepped on it. He turned the dials on the microphone amp and caused a feedback sounds that made the whole room gasp.

"Thank you, TUJUNGA! Good night!"

Despite his not listening and openly defying me when I said, "Stop! Don't touch that! Quite please! Sit please!" I still stuck around and let him sit on Santa's lap.

When Santa asked, "Have you been a good little boy?" Cooper had nothing to say. Pleading the 5th, huh?

But I suppose the holidays make us all act a little crazy.

When I looked over at Jakob he was smiling. That made me happy. Jakob's always been a guy that hated roller coasters, but he's grown fond of this one.

Animal For Lollipops

2009-11-15T16:12:00.000-08:00

I recently got a job and so you know what that means...blog neglect! But better late than never! Am I right? Right? Please say I'm right...

Ok, here's some pix from Halloween night.

Our pumpkin. Oogie Boogie, to go along with the whole 'Nightmare Before Christmas' theme. A women took pictures of my front yard paper mache display. I felt honored.

Cooper went to about ten houses. Everyone thought he was Elmo.

I stayed at home while the boys went out. There were not a ton of trick-or-treaters, but 3 princesses, 2 Batmen, 2 zombies, 1 wizard, 1 Mexican wrestler and an alien all came begging for candy at my door.

I told Cooper he could have one candy before bed. He started digging out all the lollipops and unwrapping them and trying to eat several at a time. I had to clarify that I did not mean one TYPE of candy--I meant one, SINGLE piece.

And who eats many lollipops at once? Yick! Yeek! Yuck! What's appealing about a lime, coconut, cotton candy, root beer lollipop flavor combo? According to Cooper, I'm missing out on a flavor explosion. That's just fine by me.

He won't touch any of the other candy. He says he hates chocolate. Um...that's fine by me, too. (Insert sound of a fun sized Milky Way wrapper being ripped open here.)

Happy Halloween 09' - OOGIE BOOGIE!

2009-10-30T10:58:00.001-07:00

We've never had much money, but this year we were a whole new LOW level of broke, so I had to show restraint when it came to decorating for Halloween. But it was also our first year with a yard so I HAD to do something...

These are gravestone I made out of cardboard and paint.

But the real decorations are my paper mache Lock, Shock, Barrel and Oogie Boogie.

Yes, Ooogie is covered in paper towels. I couldn't afford the burlap. (Yup. Burlap's a luxury, peoples. I need that money for Coop's lunch.)

But perhaps it adds to the whole 'Eco-Etsy' look that's oh-so-chic right now.

Cooper likes to hug these creepy creatures. He says he loves Oogie Boogie. He sings the songs from The Nightmare Before Christmas to them.

Daddy's taking Cooper (or should I say, 'Animal') out for trick or treating. I'm on candy duty at home where I'll be watching every Simpson's Treehouse of Horror.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

WILD THING

2009-10-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

If you know my kid at all, you know that he has a sick obsession with The Muppet Show. It's my own fault. I always loved it when I was young and so I introduced it to him. Now he's addicted. He watches it every night before bedtime.

For Halloween this year, he wanted to be "Animal." Big surprise. He IS Animal. I didn't have a lot to spend, but give me some feathers, faux fur and Styrofoam and I can conquer the world!

It came out pretty good. Not perfect, mind you, but pretty darn good. What did Cooper think? Well, take a look...

He REFUSED to take the costume off once he put it on. I told him he had to save it for Saturday. He was outraged. To him, this outfit is perfect for any occasion, any day, any time, from now on and forever...I've created a monster.

It Came, It Saw, It Made Me Old...and Joyous, Too

2009-10-28T09:51:00.001-07:00

Birthday week began with our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. We didn't venture to the super deluxe primo patch in Sherman Oaks that we usually patron. We stayed in our Tujunga neighborhood. We've been keepin' trips close to home...evil car woes. Don't get me started on car repair. I mean it. DON'T!

When traveling to a lot full of stinky hay...always wear your enormous sunglasses and pearls. You won't look out of place at all!

This pumpkin patch did not have the bells and whistles of our previous patch. There was no hot cider, no fun wagons to pull around, no face painting. But they did have a Spiderman Bounce House WITH A SLIDE...

To Cooper the place was Dave & Buster's.

We picked out a small pumpkin for him to take to school for an art project and a big fattie 20-pounder to carve on Halloween. Cooper already said, "Mommy, don't cut it!" Hate to break your heart kid, but pumpkins are here to be gutted and turned into ghoulish gourd art. And we're going to eat the seeds. Welcome to your new annual barbaric holiday ritual.

On my actual birthday, I made myself some cupcakes. My boy sang to me.

My husband gave me a Snuggie. EXUBERANT YEAH! Make all the fun you want. I've used it EVERY DARN DAY since I got it. I can relax on the couch and read, knit, talk on the phone, and catch objects that are being thrown at my face, all while staying comfortably warm. Why? Because my blanket has sleeves and yours doesn't.

I had to end birthday week with a bang. On Saturday I kicked the boys out of the house (they had a sleep-over at Uncle Sean's) and invited my gal pals over for a slumber party. I hear your thoughts. "Oh? Did you turn 32 or 14?" Answer...I'm forever 14. Not Forever 21. Their clothes are too small for me.

My friend Jess Trimble (and yes, I WILL always refer to her that way) flew in from New York. Sichi, Turnip, Carrie, Chantal, Kayla and Kenny (the only male aloud to attend) all came to party down. We made our own pizzas, did our nails, talked about stupid boys, played games, won prizes, ate candy, chips, and ice cream. I wish I had some pictures, but I was too busy laughing. I don't know if anyone else took photos. They were all really drunk! I wasn't drinking, for obvious reasons. More on that story as it expands, grows, bloats and takes over my body. Happy birthday to moi :)

Smile Like You Mean It

2009-10-19T12:50:00.000-07:00

It's the day before my birthday. I'm suffering from the same "becoming elderlier" malaise that has plagued me on this day for the past several years. I'm glum. Why? Because I don't like getting older.

It's not a looks thing. I've dealt with having an appearance that has oodles of, um, "character," for most of my life. Seeing my body sag and drag is not worrisome. It's just more character, right?

What irks me is the idea that I'm running out of time to actualize my dreams. I think back to an idealistic college grad who was certain that by 30 she'd have a job as an actor or artist. I put my eggs in two baskets thinking if one falls, well, I have the other.

PRESENT ME TALKING TO YOUTHFUL ME: "Hey, Miss Ebulliant! Double checked the durability of those baskets! They're not those fancy baskets woven by hand in Nantucket. They're the plastic ones sold around Easter in CVS...cheap rubbish. One of those baskets should have more than just eggs. It should have skills and a career plan!"

I told you I was glum.

And when I'm that way, I put on a good face for my kid. That's what mommies do. They smile like they mean it. They make lunches that spell out their affection.

If you really mean it, say it with alphabet cinnamon cookies from Trader Joe's.

I do really mean it. And when my boy saw the plate and said, "That's for me! That says COOPER!" I didn't have to fake a smile. It happened quite naturally.

Triptych

2009-10-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

When we moved to Tujunga, we had a big wall that needed art. Jakob wanted to hang work I'd already completed. I begged him not to. I wanted to make something new.

I started this painting in August. It took nearly 3 months, but I am done. At over 160" long, it covers the entire wall.

The first panel features Cooper looking into the fish tank. I was going to add more color and detail to his hair and shirt, but there's something about the soft, almost out-of-focus quality of the image. I decided to leave it be. I don't make that choice often in my work. I usually futz with stuff until I futz it up.

The second panel is where I let things get nutty. There are Chicken Fish, fish with spectacles and mustaches, (kinda resembling R. Crumb) a stingray because one once jumped up at Cooper, and a Rock-A-Billy Fish. The Crossword Fish was a last minute idea for a fish that I just didn't have an idea for. It has grown to be one of my favorites.

The third panel is the most busy and the most representative of Cooper. There's a Peanut Butter and Jelly Fish. There are Jack-O-Lantern Fish, Santa Claus Fish, Dog Fish, Dinosaur Fish and an octopus--all things he digs. Oh, and a sea anemone, 'cause that's where Nemo lives.

This painting is for Cooper. I'm sure it's too big and too loud and too crazy...but I suppose that's indicative of his mommy. I hope he likes it.

I think he does.

Devo's First Birthday!

2009-10-11T16:53:00.001-07:00

Thank you so much to the Gantz Family and to Devo for being born! Way to go, kid! Here's some pictures from the celebration...

We've Only Just Begun

2009-09-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the poor quality of these pics. I busted my digital camera when we were evacuated for the fires. (BTW--we didn't burn! In the words of Ice Cube, "I gotta say it was a good day.")

Anywhose, here's a sneak peek of the painting I've been working on:

No, those are not real fish. I made them up. I meant to do that.

This here is a Joker Fish. The pink guy behind him is a Ziggy StarFish.

These are Hunter S. Thompson Fish. Yes, they ARE wearing fishing hats. This is the first of three panels. Each canvas is 54" X 42". I'll keep you updated on my progress.

And because there's no rest for the wicked, I started on Halloween, too!

Cooper and I are going to decorate the front yard with characters from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Here are the humble paper mache beginnings of Lock, Shock and Barrel.

And...(drum roll, please)...I did my hair, too!

My hair in curlers, my pearls around my neck and my sunglasses on the end of my nose. That's how I painted outside today.

I know I'm ridiculous. I'm ok with that.

Nine Times

2009-09-09T17:47:00.000-07:00

Today, 9/9/09 is my 9th wedding anniversary.

Is something magical supposed to happen? Tonight after dinner, I'll try to convince Jakob to take hands with me and spin around nine times whilst chanting "number nine" aloud...nine times, of course. Perhaps we'll be transported to The Goblin Kingdom or turned into Vermicious Knids.

I can't believe I've been able to hang on to Jakob for so long. I was pretty sure he'd bolt after the first six years, but it looks like he's in it to win it. He tolerates me so well. That's really a quality I admire in a man!

He'll even put up with me watching weepy women movies like The Hours over and over again. Thank you and Happy Anniversary, Jakob. I'll let Virginia Woolf put it better than I ever could...

"What I want to say is that I owe all the happiness of my life to you. You have been entirely patient with me and incredibly good...I don't think two people could have been happier than we have been."

Ooooo De Lolli!

2009-08-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

Coop's good behavior at Dr. Arboleda's earned him a rainbow lollipop.

He was determined to eat the whole thing, but the lolli won.

Thank you, my son

2009-08-09T09:08:00.001-07:00

Dear Cooper,

Daddy left for New York at the crack of dawn this morning. You woke up to kiss him goodbye. As he drove away, I expected you to demand your breakfast. Instead, you climbed into my bed and we slept for another two hours. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you letting me sleep until 8 o'clock.

I won't forget this.

Love,

Mom

Progress Charts

2009-08-07T12:44:00.001-07:00

I don't know how it happened, but Cooper has this wacky idea in his head that he deserves presents every day.

Each time I pick him up from school he asks, "Do I get my present?" I tell him that presents are on birthdays and Christmas only. He starts wailing, "but I want a present!" Heck, I want daily presents, too! But that just ain't the way we live, child o' mine.

On Monday, we talked about earning presents. Since potty training is something we're working on, Coop and I made an agreement that if he uses the potty and not his diaper FIVE TIMES then he can get a present. He says he wants the Lou Zealand muppet figurine. He claims it's his favorite muppet. (Really? The flying fish act guy? Ok. Hey, whatever's clever, just as long as we're phasing out the Huggies.)

Cooper and I made this chart. He gets a star for each successful trip to the bowl. As you can see, he had a good morning.

This morning he asked, "Where's mommy's chart? Where's mommy and daddy's chart?"I told him that we got rid of our diapers long ago and so we don't need charts.

But then I thunk on it. Maybe we do need charts.

Here's Jakob's Wii Fitness chart. 20 workouts of 30 min. or more and he can purchase Wii Sports Resort.

And here's my art chart. 20 projects COMPLETED and I get something fantastic that I want. I'm just not sure what that is yet. But I'm committed anyway.

Look! Because I completed these charts, I already have a star.

Eastern Standard Time

2009-08-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

I have been out west to Californ'.
But I miss the land where I was born.
I can't help it.
Dum-de-dum-de-dum-dum-da-dum-day
Oh, New England.

-Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers

No matter where I go, there I am. But when I'm in New England, I'm back at the beginning. All my childhood memories are set in Boston, Wareham, Bourne, and Falmouth. It's a place I wanted to run from, but it still has hold of my heart.*

Now Cooper is making his own East Coast memories. Mimi and Grampy took us out on their boat in New Hampshire. Coop and I took a dip in Bow Lake. Some would say it was cold, but I'll say it was, "brisk." I can't remember when I last swam in a lake.

Each day was more New Englandier than the last. Deep fried seafood. Soft serve ice cream. A cruise along the Cape Cod Canal.

And here's Coop's version of digging for clams:

My child has my husband's features. What did he get from momma? Boundless enthusiasm and volume, volume, VOLUME! The kid has excellent projection.

Being the amazing grandparents that they are, Mimi and Grampy took us to The New England Aquarium. Ok, let's all sing-say it together, "I can walk like a penguin!"

The SMELL of the penguins brought me back to when I visited there as a child. My dad held me up so I could get a better look at the penguins jumping off the rocks and slipping into the water with playful grace.

I heard more than one toddler say, "There's Dori! There's Crush the turtle!" (Oh, Disney/Pixar. You are gospel to anyone under 6.

Honestly, I was dreading the Pick-up Pond. Last time we tried this at Sea World, Cooper nearly murdered a starfish by launching it in the air while screaming, "Patrick!" (Oh, Nickelodeon. I kinda hate you.)

But Cooper listened when the aquarium staff kindly told him to place the urchin back in the water so it could live. Then he made her laugh by scrunching up his face and saying, "It's sooooo prickly!"

The task of tracking a raucous 3 year old in a crowded, dark enclosure with many exhibits is not easy. But all the, "HOLD MY HAND! COME BACK HERE! PLEASE LISTEN TO ME! DON'T RUN AHEAD! STAY BY MOMMY, PLEASE! WAIT FOR ME! WAIT YOUR TURN!" is worth it.

I think my next art piece might have something to do with this last image.

Thanks to our families for an unforgettable summer vacation. We miss you. We started missing you before we left.

*pattern recognized, I assure you.

Makes Yer Heart Go Bang Bang

2009-06-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

I like that the cymbal falls off and he keeps going. The show must go on.

When I Feel Low...

2009-06-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

I think of Cooper...and I can't help but smile.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COOPER!!!!

2009-06-09T23:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Cooper,

Today you are three years old. You woke me up this morning and talked all about how we're going to blow the candles out and have cake and pizza. I was weepy thinking that not too long ago you could not walk or speak. In the past year you have learned so much. You learned that life has many twists and turns.

You changed schools.
You made new friends.
You had your first trip to the hospital.
You rode a horse.
You started using the potty.
You can sing Elton John songs.
You play a mean drum.
You say 'please' and 'thank you' and 'excuse me.'
You love fruit and hate chocolate.
You love playing in your tent.
You love playing with your daddy.

You are so brave.
You impress me every day.
I love you more than there are words to say, Cooper.
Happy Birthday!

VICTORY DANCE!

2009-05-29T12:03:00.001-07:00

I'm so busy at work, but I can feel your yearnings for some Coop.

This vid is older, but I like watching it. It reminds me to take pride in my accomplishments. I don't think I'm proud enough of me. The truth is, I'm not so awful and Cooper is proof of that.

BEHOLD! The Power of ELMO!

2009-05-03T13:08:00.001-07:00

Thank you, Mimi, Grampy and Uncles!

There Are Few Upsides to a Hospital Stay...

2009-05-02T19:19:00.001-07:00

But free ice cream is one of them.

Pneumonia Infection of the Left Lung

2009-05-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

The first movie I remember seeing was E.T. I went to a drive in with my parents. I loved it. Except for the part where E.T. was sick and dying. Tears were rolling down my face. I felt red hot. My heart hurt. But (SPOILER!) E.T. gets better.

I hate sickness. I'm no good around it. Even when Jakob gets so much as a sniffle, I make some soup, pick up some drugs at Ralph's pharmacy and then run for cover. I have a hard time dealing. SERIOUS things like HOSPITALS and IV's and X-RAYS leave me feeling a sense of horror that I just can't describe to you right now. Hospitals are scary places and this impending "pandemic" has made them even more terrifying since I can't see ANYONE's mouth (patients, nurses, doctors are all wearing masks) and all I hear are children coughing, wheezing and crying in agony.

I am currently sitting in Room 533B at Los Angeles Children's Hospital. Cooper has been on a steady regimen of antibiotics to counteract the pneumonia infection. It has made breathing difficult for him.

We spent nearly 12 hours yesterday waiting in a "respiratory room" for a hospital bed to become available. Cooper was amazing. He was so brave and even chatty with the nurses...especially the cute blonde named Lindsay. He was sort of in love with her even though she gave him an "ouchie" when she put in the IV. He said, "Mommy gives me a Band-Aid and kisses and I feel better!" He was trying to tell her how to do her job. She tried to distract him by pointing to the Nemo stickers on the wall.

"Look, that's Nemo!"

"No!" Cooper replied, "That's Nemo's daddy, Marlin."

"Oh." She looked the sticker over. "You know, he's totally right. Nemo would have the gimpy fin. That is Nemo's dad! He's the first one to point that out!" (My gosh, he's soooo Jakob sometimes!) She immediately won him over by giving him a dinosaur sticker...triceratops, his fave!

His numbers are still struggling. Yesterday, he was at a blood oxygen level of 80...nope, that's not good. Today, he's hovering at 90 and 91. He's still asleep. Jakob's asleep. I...well, sleep wasn't coming to me last night. I'll sleep when his eyes and complexion look a little less, "Children of the Damned."

Thanks for all your well wishing. I'll keep you all updated as best I can.

New Fave Band:

2009-04-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Geklefins...please enjoy the musical stylings of...

COOPER AND THE UNCLES!!!!

CLICK HERE to see Cooper and Uncle Sean rock the guitar

CLICK HERE to see Cooper go solo

Breakfast of Champions

2009-04-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

Superman cup + Batman pajamas + Krispy Kreme donut = SUPER COOPER flying around the house for nearly half and hour

Fashion and Vegetables

2009-04-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

This style is so versatile. It works for a 2 year old who digs Yo Gabba Gabba or a 22 year old enjoying their 5th year at Emerson and still living at the Little Building dorm...who also digs Yo Gabba Gabba.

Those are the slippers that Jakob got for me to wear in the hospital when I was giving birth to Cooper. Simpsons fans will know that famous fish.

Cooper told me last night that he wanted to be a green bean. I was confused.

"You mean you want to eat green beans?"

"No, I want to BE a GREEN BEAN!"

Hey, we all have dreams.

Inspirational...Celebrational...MUPPETATIONAL!

2009-03-31T09:16:00.000-07:00

The family that plays together, stays together.

When our dear friends Josh and Kayla Cagan gave our family the incredible gift of designing our very own MUPPET WHATNOTS, well, we took it very seriously!

Cooper's Whatnot arrived first. Coop went with a lounge singer dressed in a burgundy tux. SO CLASSY! We believe he picked this attire because it looks a lot like something The Great Gonzo might wear. In fact, he named this new friend 'Gonzo.' And because he already has a smaller stuffed animal of that other Gonzo, he calls this one 'THE BIG GONZO."

Jakob's Whatnot looks like a crazed economist. I feel like he should be yelling at me about our current feduciary crisis. The plaid suit, bald head and glasses made me laugh as soon as I saw him.

My whatnot is a showgirl, actress, performer, fashionista, poet, artist, drunkard, tough cookie with a big heart...just like me! Cooper named her...her name is "Pretty."

Thanks, Cagans!

The Essence of Democracy

2009-03-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hey, where the dilly have I been?

Well, today I've been called forth to serve Jury Duty at the Foltz Criminal Court Center in Downtown Los Angeles. A judge just walked us through orientation. She called us "the essence of democracy." I'm waiting in a humble and odorific assembly room for my name to be called. What a perfect time to blog.

There's a lot going on. I started a new job. I commute from Burbank to El Segundo every day. It's murder. Not "flock of crows" murder. More like 'suffocating' or 'drowning' murder. I take three highways (which feel more like parking lots) and it usually clocks in at around 90 minutes or more of me sitting in traffic.

As some of you know, I have a lot of anxiety when I drive. The freeways of this city make me tense. It's not fun. However, the show I'm currently working on is by far the most rewarding and emotionally draining television I've ever produced. I can't reveal too much about it, but keep an eye out for 'Obsessed' when it premiers on A & E this summer. You'll find my name in the credits under Assistant Story Producer.

Now, on to the real reason anyone visits this blog - COOPER! My next post will have more pix. Here's one from my friend Robert's blog:

My lil' Coop is growing up fast. His verbal skills are quite extraordinary. He now tells me about his day at school. He says he has a friend named Sam. I guess last week Sam hurt his lip and Cooper was concerned about him. Now he tells me that Sam's all better.

I love talking to my son. He's hilarious. In his best Fozzie Bear voice he shouts, "Ahhhh, I am so funny! You don't know funny. I'M FUNNY!"

He loves looking at himself in the mirror, especially when he's wearing a cape. He has Batman pajamas and a Superman shirt. Both have little capes on the shoulders attached with Velcro. (Hook and Loop Tape for those of you who work on craft shows. Tee hee.) He dances around and pretends to fly. It's so freakin' adorable.

COMING SOON: Cooper's new PUPPETS...Cooper sings with Daddy...More Cooper Fashion Trends and Cooper Cooks.

Check back for those delights.

FeBLUary

2009-02-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

The month of February kicks me right in the balls.
A thousand pardons if you find that expression vulgar, but it's how I feel.

I can never think of what to do for Jakob's birthday. I wish we had more money so I could buy him LOST:THE GAME.

The good news is that Cooper has started his new daycare and they adore him. He had his first three days last week and they had nothing but glowing things to say about him. He went to the potty. He shared. They even commented on how advanced he is verbally. Teacher Stella explained to me that she has the children sit on the blue circle rug and wait to go outside until she calls their names one by one. Cooper piped up, "Could you please call my name. I want to go outside!" She said she was blown away. (Language delayed my butt!)

I was just so overjoyed to have a daycare professional say positive things about my kid. I got a little weepy when she talked about how great he was doing there. I think the other daycare experience filled me with a tremendous amount of shame.

Speaking of shame, I'm working out everyday, but I'm still gaining my weight back. Also, I haven't painted in weeks. Also, I still don't have a job. I really thought I'd be hired by now. I guess the tv news is right, things are the worse they've been in 34 years.

Meeting Mr. Claus

2009-01-16T18:24:00.000-08:00

Things to remember for next year's trip to see Santa:

#1. Don't go on Christmas Eve day. In fact, avoid the Burbank Mall entirely on December 24th. T'was madness. Like being trapped in a Hieronymus Bosch painting, but with cheesy holiday decor.

#2. Have back up. We waited in line for over 90 minutes. It was just me and Cooper and as I scanned the long, long, long (one more) long line, I saw that it was mostly parent "A" holding a spot while parent "B" was off occupying their child. Good plan. Wish I'd thought of it.

#3. Have toys on hand. All I had for Cooper to play with during that painfully slow-going hour and a half was some spare change. He got 17 minutes of joyous play out of five quarters, three dimes and 2 nickles.

He did the best he could, but Cooper became agitated and cranky and grouchy, all at the same time! I nearly gave up at mid-line. I thought, "Next year is fine. He won't even remember this."

But then Santa stood up and waved to all of us in line. I heard Coop say with such clarity, "SANTA?!" He tried to get Santa's attention by yelling lines from the classic stop-motion animated version of 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,' which had quickly become his fave holiday film.

Picture my kid yelling these lines at the top of his lungs at Santa's throne while other children are sitting on his lap and making memories:

"You have a SHINY NOSE?"

"You a MISFIT?"

"You a SNOWMAN!"

"You can't fire me, I QUIT!"

The last one made me laugh. The little dentist elf sings it with gusto and my child captures the feeling behind the line perfectly. Cooper deserved a chance to meet the big man in the red suit, so we hung in there.

We finally got to the front of the line and Mr. Cooper could hardly speak. He didn't say a word to Santa. He became shy and quiet. Look at the little hands and the closed mouth. After all the freaking out and the screaming, I was shocked that he became so docile.

But then again, it is Santa. He is magic.

Pure Imagination

2009-01-03T13:49:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, I had a vivid imagination. Some folks even thought that I had an overactive imagination. Some folks think I still do. (BTW--That's fine by me.)

Whenever I pretended to be She-Ra, I'd fashion a tube top out of aluminum foil, wrap it around my torso and I was The Princess of Power.

And when I pretended to be Jem (the same costume as She-ra, just with matching foil skirt!) I was truly, truly, truly outrageous.

I would get lost in play and everything seemed colorful and fun.

Now I watch my son act out Shakespearean tragedies with Gonzo and Zoe.

Better than any play I saw in college. This kid fully commits.

CHRISTMAS 2009...The Holly & The Jolly Of It All!

2008-12-29T18:52:00.000-08:00

Holy Pop Tarts! I'm so far behind on the Coop Bloggy Blog.

After enduring the nuttiest November EVAH, I was looking forward to a Feliz Navidad. For those of you who don't know, Cooper was kicked out of daycare for unruly and aggressive behavior. (BABY'S FIRST EXPULSION!)

Fortunate for Coop, Santa knew the whole debacle was bullspit.

Cooper loved the Christmas tree. He was very into the star. "Star on top of da TREEEEEE!" he'd sing.

I attached some paper snowflakes to the ceiling fan so that when it turned all the snowflake's shadows swirled around on the walls of my dining nook. Sure it was just a goofy paper craft, but it was a tad magical. The shadows slowly circled around and I heard a Danny Elfman score play in my brain.

We had a pre-Christmas dinner with Uncle Sean since he was journeying east to spend the holidays with his main squeeze, Kate.

(I really wanted to use the term "main squeeze," just then.)

Kate got me the pricey shampoo that helps me wash away my low self-esteem. Sean got Coop an electronic drum kit and he's been playing it quite a bit. He's a wee Ringo...or maybe a wee John Bonham, or perhaps, god help us, Lars Ulrich.

We decorated cookies and set them out for Santa. Cooper actually met Santa this year at the mall. (More on that insanity in a future post. I just don't presently have the energy.)

Christmas morning started in front of the computer. Thanks to our new web cam, we were able to have Cooper open a few gifts as Mimi, Grampy and Uncle Jordan looked on from New Hampshire. Thanks computers! You're tops!

Coop loves puzzles and he got several for Christmas. He also got some percussion instruments, books, Fraggle Rock, Yo Gabba Gabba, a Spider Man clock, a keyboard and a NEW set of tools. (Mommy left the old tools on the road by the car and they were stolen. None of that matters now. Mommy can shed her guilt.)

Memere and Pepere joined us for holiday feasting and boy did we feast. Scallops and bacon, ham, pineapple stuffing, braciole, butternut squash soup, cheesy potatoes...I ate so much I felt like a big, bloated tick.

Cooper refused to nap and since it was Christmas, I refused to make him. I drank nog and watched "It's a Wonderful Life."

Christmas 2009 = success.

Wave Bye, Baby - The DJ Danger Diaper Remix

2008-12-06T12:25:00.000-08:00

Class Photo

2008-11-06T09:22:00.001-08:00

Is it just me, or does Coop look GIGANTIC?

I've avoided writing about daycare thus far. After all, this blog is public and I want to be sensitive to everyone, most of all to Cooper.

Coop loves school. He adores his teachers. He lights up around the other children.

However, he has had some trouble adjusting. There have been reports of aggressive behavior, pushing, hitting and biting.

I always thought that two-year old boys were supposed to be tiny maniacs. First of all, they are TWO. Secondly, they are BOYS.

I never imagined that I would be in parent/teacher meetings that included words like "attention deficit" and "autism" and "Asperger's syndrome." Not so early in his little life, anyways.

No, I didn't arrange regular playdates for Cooper prior to entering school. Yes, we read together every night. Yes, I let him watch television--an hour of Sesame Street in the morning and 30-minutes of Muppet Show or Fraggle Rock before bed. No, he doesn't eat his vegetables.

And, no, I don't think there's anything wrong with him.

I've been told that I'm wearing love goggles.

I've been told that I'm too close to step back and see.

They do have more experience with children that I do.

My gut and my heart says he does not have a developmental disorder. I think I need to listen to my senses first and go with my instincts.

Isn't that parenting?

Halloweenie Treats

2008-10-31T11:42:00.000-07:00

"Ladies and gentlemen...

Mr. FOZZY BEAR!!!!"

Cooper officially loves Halloween. He was such a good boy at pre-school this morning. (More on that in another post.)

Here's an Insane Clown Pumpkin from the pumpkin patch trip.

JAKOB ZOMBIE from our Day of the Dead shoot.

ONE-EYED GANTZ ZOMBIE!

Most of you know about the famed Detroit Street Party. Every year these crazy wackos we went to school with convert a charming home into a scary movie explosion! This year's theme was 'Ghostbusters'.

ECTO1 car

Spooky librarian..."Shhhhhhhhh!"

And, finally, my Goblin Gourd that I carved at 1:00am:

Happy Halloween, kids!

Pumpkin Patch - Year 2!

2008-10-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

Cooper had so much fun at the pumpkin patch last year that we just had to return.

I knew he wouldn't sit long in that cart. 3 minutes and 10 seconds went by and then he had his leg up over the rail ready to jump wagon.

He touched every gourd in the place. He also liked throwing the hay.

When he started throwing the pumpkins, I became concerned. I didn't want to pay for a bunch of busted squash. More importantly, there were infants and wee babies at the lot that day and I certainly didn't want my kid to commit assault with a deadly pepo.

Check out that Super Mario Bro! They spared no expense.

We ended up getting a HUGE pumpkin that I have yet to carve. I want to get some better tools. I want it to be impressive. I have not decided on the design, but I have two days and I work best under pressure, right :)

My boys. My Halloween. My oh my.

Music News!

2008-10-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

Here's singer/songwriter, Cooper Kingsley White with his latest single, "Wave Bye, Baby."

This is the original acoustic version.

Rumor has it that a remix is in the works and may be released sometime early next week--depending on how much mommy can get done. There is, afterall, a Halloween costume to be made.

The Dead Poet Dinner

2008-10-21T11:06:00.000-07:00

31

2008-10-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

The best presents are not found at the mall
in the glass cabinet at Macy's.
Nor can they be found at the Melrose flea market,
Or the specialty food shoppes of Brentwood,
Or the fancy liquor stores in the North Hills...

The best birthday gift is someone you love letting you know that they love you, too.

Welcome Baby Gantz!

2008-10-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

DEVO RYAN GANTZ

Born October 8th, 2008.
21" long, 9lbs, 5 oz.

Congrats Ryan and Jenny!
And welcome to the world, little Devo!

Click here for more pix.

Pimp My Ride

2008-10-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

Coop's carriage was looking dull and dingy. It was time for a makeover.

A MONSTER MAKEOVER!

Art Therapy & Ear Medicine

2008-09-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

I really should have rested yesterday, but I painted instead.

Something in my head kept yelling, "Get up and paint, Snarky! Sleep only cures fatigue...drink a real soda and let your loud, stinky art out."

BTW - My inner dialogue sounds much like the Scullery Maid from Disney's Sword in the Stone.

Cooper was up all night. He had a slight fever. He was saying that his ear hurts. Every couple of hours, "My eeeur hoits...my eeeur hoits." He slept in our bed for most of the night and then we were off to the doctor's in the morning.

Here's a word that Cooper now knows and hates with every lil' fiber of his being:

"MEDICINE"

He's not a fan. Nope. Not at all.

This particular antibiotic (Azithromycin) can be taken with food. I tried to get him to swallow using the fave drinks and desserts, but he wasn't falling for it. I offered a cookie ice cream banana sundae. He still scrunched his face and whined as if to say, "If I have to deal with that "medicine" stuff, then keep your sugary goods, Lady."

But he seems like he's on the mend.
And he's been asking for school.
I know he misses it.

All Aboard

2008-09-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

Memere and I took Cooper to ride the train at Griffith Park.

That smile is worth more to me than a trunk full of treasure.

He kept laughing and screaming, "Chooooo Chooooo! ALL ABOARD!"

I have a parent/teacher conference this evening. Cooper has been a bit of a challenge lately, but I'm pretty sure that's typical of a two-year-old.

I know that sometimes he doesn't listen, but I suspect that it's not an obedience issue. I can shout, "Cooper, please come here," fourteen or more times and he won't budge. Then I whisper "Muppet Show" from across the room and all of a sudden there's pep in his step. It's "selective hearing" and it's an unfortunate Charbonneau trait. I suffer from it myself. HEY! I can feel all your sarcastic "No, really?" eye rolls!!!

My New Year's Resolution will be to be a better listener.

And, of course, to post more often :)

UnDead

2008-09-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

I acted like a zombie last Sunday.

Look, Ma! I'm in the movies!

To at least a dozen people in this town, I'm still an actress.

Eight Years Ago...

2008-09-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary, Jakob.

I love you.

Tense Neck

2008-09-08T07:42:00.000-07:00

The eggshells I've been treading
Couldn't spare me a beheading...

Zoot Suit

2008-09-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

Cooper has learned two new phrases.

He says, "I'm so angry!" then he growls and giggles. It's acting!

Also, he says, "But I don't want to." Get used to that feeling, kid. Sticks with you.

Also, he's been performing dissident music and saying things like, "The moon is banana gonzo!" Perhaps he's emmulating someone?

Yeah, you're right...it's probably this guy:

Too cool, Coop.

The First of Firsts

2008-09-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Cooper,

You came into our bedroom this morning with a smile on your face. Your toothy grin told me that you knew something was up. You were excited.

I made you breakfast. "Here's some yummy pancakes!" I said handing you the plate. "PANCAKES!" you shouted, "I LOVE PANCAKES!" My eyes were wrapped in tears. I was already missing you.

I packed your Animal lunch box with your favorite lunch: half a peanut butter sandwich, green grapes, Goldfish crackers and a Juicy Juice.

I put a change of clothes and a blanket into your SpongeBob pillow case for you.

Your teachers suggested that I provide a "transitional item" just in case you need comfort. Yes, I know you'll be fine. At two years old, you're already adaptable and strong. But if you need him, I sent along your Gonzo doll. Your name is on the back of his shirt.

I put on your lucky green socks, too.

As we walked out the door, I said, "Come on, we have to go to school."

You shouted, "SCHOOL? I LOVE SCHOOL!"

There you are all ready to go.

I dropped you off and you immediately ran to play with the other kids. I had to force you to hug and kiss me and say bye. You wriggled away from my arms and you were off. You were laughing as I waved.

Before I could reach my car, I started bawling. Your teachers saw me in the parking lot and gave me a pack of tissues. Apparently, this happens to every mom on day one and so they have them ready to hand out. They gave me a card said I could call to check up on you if I wanted to.

The day I left for college, my mom cried all morning. I've been crying all morning and you're just down the street at the Y.

Watching your children grow is amazing. And it breaks your heart.

I know you'll be a good boy and make friends. I want to hear all about it when you get home.

I love you, Coop.

-Mommy

We Hurt, But We Smile

2008-08-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

It's been difficult...

I've had a hard time trying to...

There's so much going on inside me...

Grrrrrrrrr.

No sentence I write is right.

This is the eleventh time I've tried to start this post. I'm going to lead with that. If I continue to struggle with how to talk about my sadness, well, it ends up being yet another struggle and that makes me sad. See how that works?

Last week, Cooper and I went to do our "sit in" at the YMCA. Mommy observes as baby explores the new and exciting world of pre-school.

The first twenty minutes were splendid. We met Teacher Porsha and Teacher Jill. Both were amazing.

Cooper played well with the other children. He loves fake food. I don't know what it is about plastic fruits and veggies, but kids can't get enough of pretending to cook it, eat it and serve it up on plates with a combo of tastes that do not traditionally go together, like bacon and chocolate cake. (Mmmmmmmmm. I'd eat that.)

Then, it was time to clean up. The whole class started organizing toys into bins and placing them away on shelves.

As the other children formed a circle on the carpet in preparation for story time, my son went ballistic grabbing at everything. He threw musical instruments. He screamed and stomped. His trantrum continued throughout, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. (Some consider it Geisel's filet, but I've always favored McElligot's Pool.)

I tried to comfort my child with a hug. He pushed me away with a , "NOOOOOOOO!". My heart shattered.

Instantly I remembered saying awful things to my mom. I called her an ugly old witch once when I was five.

I smiled and told him it was all going to be ok. I felt awful. "I'm a bad mom," has surpassed, "I'm so fat," as the negative phrase that repeats in my head. Perhaps I have not prepared him enough. My concentration was never on manners. Mostly, I just loved him, played with him and prevented him injuring himself via electricity or sharp objects.

I think I gave the appearance of a cool, calm mom. The teachers assured me that that it's always overwhelming at first and Cooper will do just fine.

I'm sure he will.

It's mommy that's questionable.

Family Vacation - Part 2

2008-08-19T09:06:00.000-07:00

They say Maine is Vacationland. I agree with they! They be right!

Maine is both beautiful and mysterious. The jagged rocks, the twisted trees and the old homes hold countless secrets. If you listen closely to the coastal breeze, you can hear the faint voice of deceased actor Fred Gwynne saying, "Sometimes...death is bettah." ('Pet Cemetery' ref. Some local author named Stephen King wrote it. )

Coop enjoyed picking up shells and playing with starfish in the tide pools on the rocks.

He wanted to continue climbing, but the rocks were a bit treacherous. He kept crying, "UP! UP! UP!" Perhaps he'll be one of those nuts who climb Everest!

It's tough being a continent away from Mimi, Grampy, Uncle Jay and Scott. Coop had the time of his life.

I like the face he's making here.

Jakob took this photo of me lounging on the rocks. In fact, that's a perfect title for this image: "On the Rocks."

"Aye, Captain! I see a mess of red hair."

The rock pictures are a family tradition. I've seen pictures of Jakob, Sean, Scott and Jordan as small children playing with their dad on the rocks at Pemaquid.

Now I have photos of Cooper playing with his dad on the rocks of Pemaquid.

Our fave place to eat ended up being Shaw's--a wharf restaurant where the lobster boats come in and unload their fresh catches of the day! Sure, it's a tourist magnet, but the food was BEYOND DELECTABLE!

If I counted correctly, Jakob had onion rings at every other meal and three platters of fried scallops.

I tried to refrain from fried foods. ("Vacation" and "diet" do not go hand in hand.) I did have some onion rings (beer batter is brutal for the belly bulge) and I had to have chowdah!

I hate this picture, but Jakob loves it. What is being slurped down faster at this meal: the raw oysters or the martini?

It was great to see Cooper play amongst the trees. My own childhood was filled with adventures in the forest or at the beach.

Now Cooper is having his own adventures. He found a tree frog and shouted "Riddit! Riddit!"

Here's Coop spending some quality time with Uncle Scott.

And here's Coop spending some quality time with some heavily buttered corn on the cob.

Jakob did find some time to smile, despite work woes.

This summer has been a stressful one. I look forward to a time and place where my husband can slow down and relax just a bit. Before he knows it, his little son will become a young man. ("Cats in the cradle and the silver spoon...")

Life is both short and long. I'm glad I have my family around to help make it joyful, too.

Oh, and I had a mad love affair with a pirate, but that's a post for another blog.

After Maine, we spent time with Great Grandma and Grampa Bonin on Cape Cod before we flew back to Burbank.

Those two weeks were fabulous. But it's good to be home. There's some time to adjust before autumn comes and changes everything.

Family Vacation - Part 1

2008-08-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

The first stop on our grand East Coast tour was Jersey.

We visited my sis Danielle, her hubby Owen and their amazing new addition:

JOSEPH...my devastatingly handsome nephew!

He stole my heart right away. I suppose I look like (and sound like) his mom, so he took to me. And my bosom. He's a boob man. I like a guy who respects a woman's curves.

He's a smart baby with wise eyes. He barely complained and when he did, it was the tiniest "wha, wha, wha," as if to say, "um, hey, guys, I don't mean to be a bother or anything but there seems to be some pee in my pants and, not to rock the boat, but I'd really appreciate a dipe change. No super rush. When you get a moment. M'kay? Thank you ever so much."

My sis, being a teacher, researched "the best toddler activities in the greater New York area." The Liberty Park Science Center had a hands-on exhibit for ages 2-5. PERFECTO!

Cooper was glued to the Wondrous Ball Thingy! It was a Dr. Suess-esque contraption where you hurled balls into a basket, turned cranks, pulled levers and pushed buttons to watch your ball whiz about inside the gigantic moving machine.

There was an area with parts to build your own miniature wooden car and watch it careen down a series of hills. Cooper liked it so much that he went and grabbed the balls from the Wondrous Ball Thingy and started placing them on the series of hills to watch them roll with the cars. My friend Jessica pointed out that he was the only kid who thought to join the two experiments. Cross-pollinate...a forward thinker!

Did I mention that seeing Jessica Trimble in her hospital scrubs and white nursing clogs filled me with joy to the point of tears because I am so proud of her? It's true.

There was a long troth filled with rice. Cooper started counting rice at one point and I thought to myself, "Well, this could probably occupy him for...well, forever."

Not so. We moved on to a coloring corner with a block building station.

Then mirrors and body mechanics...oh my!

Then, the Sound Experience Podium where you push buttons to hear a heart beat or a nature sound or your own voice echoing over the speakers. At one point, a four-year-old blonde girl sang into the microphone. She was softly treating everyone to the sweetest rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." Then my boy ran at her, with all his might, and TACKLED her to the ground. I think he had a crush on her. He likes pretty blondes who sing. We might have to work on his communication skills with the opposite sex.

Oh, and then there was the Oversized Xylophones! Would Coop be into smacking things with sticks?

You betchya!

I kept the crazy red eyes in this pic because they really capture his xylophone mania.

My sister is an excellent mother. In fact, she seems happier and calmer. Parenthood suits her. She shines when Joseph is in her arms.

I wish we did not live so far apart. But I can see these two cousins becoming friends despite the distance. And when they are pre-teens embarking on mischievous adventures together, I'll show them this video so they can witness the first time they hung out:

Still to come...Part 2 of Family Vacation: Maine!

While You Wait...

2008-08-08T09:31:00.001-07:00

Just got back from the East Coast.

I promise to have a post with all the deets and pix soon.

But for now, enjoy this picture I took of a deformed green grape.

I was about to just eat it, but then I noticed that this grape was no ordinary grape.

Doesn't it look like it has a bum? This grape totally has a butt.

A perfect grape for Sir Mix-a-lot.

words words words

2008-07-16T22:01:00.001-07:00

Caught Red Handed

2008-07-16T08:15:00.001-07:00

Let me just say that when Revlon calls a product "ColorSTAY", they totally mean it.

Cooper found my "Red Velvet" lipstick and decided to make himself pretty.

After quickly taking this photo, I plopped him in the tub.

No matter how much soap I used or how hard I scrubbed, the lipstick remained.

I called my mother in a panic. She suggested baby oil. It was miraculous.

Cooper enjoyed how slippery his skin felt. He kept rubbing his arms together and smiling.

I told him that he'd have to stick to the same exact rule that my mother had for me when I was young:

No makeup until 16.

The Laundry Monster

2008-07-15T10:53:00.001-07:00

When I got the invitation to Ryan and Jenny's baby shower, I knew I was going to make a gift that was strange...strange and furry.

My goal was to create something that looked like it belonged on The Muppet Show.

The year I left for college, my sister made me a hamper that had eyes and teeth and was covered in fur. It was one of the best gifts I've ever received. I bought a flip-top hamper and started concocting my laundry monster for the Wee Gantz's nursery.

I ordered turquoise and neon green fur.

I carved a foam nose and some ears. I painted eyes. I added feathers.

Many hours and many, many, many hot glue sticks later, the hamper was complete.

The finished product looks like a cross between Falcor from The NeverEnding Story and , Sully from Monsters Inc.

It sort of looks like a big, blue beaver, too.

Cymbalta

2008-07-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

Side effects may include the following...

* Nausea
* Dizziness
* Diarrhea
* Insomnia
* Fatigue
* Loss of appetite
* Vomiting
* Decreased sex drive
* Shakiness (tremors)
* Blurred vision
* Anxiety
* Vertigo
* Chills

The positive effects of Cymbalta can be hindered, reduced or reversed by the following:

* Listening to more than six songs by either Elliott Smith or Aimee Mann.
* Getting a haircut that makes you look 40.
* A cranky toddler throwing instant oatmeal at your face.
* Watching "The Brave One."
* Poor posture and a large bum
* Being alone and scared

Nikki Doodle

2008-07-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

My husband recently left a collection of R. Crumb comics in the "library." (BTW-that's the bathroom!)

I was in high school when I saw Terry Zwigoff's documentary on Crumb and I instantly became a fan. His stuff was ugly and beautiful and satirical and sexual and attractive and uncomfortable. I liked the way he drew woman. I knew people thought his work was misogynistic, but I saw girls that were big and round like me and I liked it.

Jakob put the book in there on purpose. He wanted me to sketch. He knew that I'd start sketching if I started thumbing through Crumb comics.

I've always been a doodler. I'm constantly clogging the margins of my journals with odd illustrations of tree people and pigs and such.

I drew this one after my workout at the YMCA.

I was wearing my Pixies shirt and two different people said "nice shirt."

I hate exercise. I hate dieting. I love being sedentary. I'm way good at it.

My doctor has advised me to lose weight. I'm really going to try this time. I'm using my son as inspiration. I want to be the best mom I can be and that means being healthier.

Sea World

2008-07-03T17:04:00.000-07:00

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

Dickens was talking about San Diego, right?

Sea World recently opened what I can only describe as "Elmo's Ultimate Toddler Chaos!" It's a Sesame Street themed section of the park.

It's basically a lot of well-padded areas where kids can scream and freak out. Cooper loved it, but he kept crashing into other kids and making them fall over. An uptight one-year-old in a floppy hat HATED my son. It was hard to see his expression beneath the ridiculously over-sized hat, but I did hear him yell "Stop, you!" right at Coop and then (I think) he rolled his eyes and shook his head.

Then, it happened.

Cooper met Cookie Monster. Yes. THE Cookie Monster.

He was overwhelmed. His little brain blew a fuse. He got to see and touch his fave tv celeb.

A line began to form so I started to pull Cooper away. "Say bye to Cookie," I said gingerly. Then my lovely little child lost his s**t! He began to yelp, "Wait! WAIT!" His little hands were trying to grasp at the blue fur. He sobbed. He begged. For several minutes he was simply inconsolable.

Ice cream eased the suffering.

The stingray pond was very crowded. You could pay $1 for some fish to feed them, but since Coop seemed more interested in splashing the water rather than viewing the marine life, I decided to save my 100 cents.

Coop's favorite thing (besides meeting his furry, blue idol) was the aquarium. Each section we entered, he would yell 'FISH!"

He watched them swim. He saw a frog and said, "ribbit."

There were more meltdowns and tantrums.

I wish he'd stop flopping on the ground like a mackerel. I'm not a fan of that move.

Party Animal

2008-06-26T08:53:00.001-07:00

I'm going to be better about posting.
I'm going to be better about posting.
I'm going to be better about posting.

There. That's three times I promised.

I made two cakes for Cooper this year. One was the Blues Clues cake for the big birthday bash and the other was this Animal cake for his actual birthday on June 10th.

As I was working on the cakes, I thought about my Aunt Tricia and how many cakes she's made for the family over the years. So much effort and love goes into each cake. I don't know how she does it.

Coop likes cake. We even got him to blow out the candle and sort of sing something that may have sounded a bit like "Happy Birthday."

He wanted to eat the whole cake and when we tried to just give him a slice, he was angry. Like, real angry. Grrrrrrrrrr. Like, punk riot stomping screaming angry.

It being his birthday and all, we caved and gave him the whole cake. A calm fell over the room.

I hear Bill Murray's Caddyshack voice when I see this picture. "Yeah...uh...cake's pretty sweet. I like cake. Like the way it tastes. I'm studying up on cakes. Gonna, uh, find out which cake is my ideal cake, you know."

Why use a fork when a fistful of cake is so much more festive!

Coop requested pizza for his birthday. He learned to say it, so we order it.

He's asked for pizza every day since then.