happykiddo

Happy (one day after) Mother's Day!

To my mom, Buffy and all the Mommies who have loved and shaped me - a very Happy Mother's Day to you! 

And a super-special bunch of love to the Ella who has made me a Mommy :)  Just to show you what a rock star kid she is turning into (and a lucky mommy I am), I have included a short video of Ella rocking out in the back seat to the Eagles of Death Metal.

She is a little like a New York hipster kid in that she typically is too cool to smile or look like she's enjoying herself during the good songs and, when she knows you're watching, won't rock out until your back is turned.  Then she lets loose.  And yes, at about 26 seconds in she is playing air guitar - I didn't get the camera out in time for her ripping solo a moment before.

I adore this child.

Just to keep in line with the rocker Mommy's Day theme, here are some fun quotes from moms of up and coming indie rocker bands.  My personal favorites:

OK Sun Uh, mother of SuSu's Oliver and Andrea:
So this is what you do? Hmm. [long pause] Oh, is that you singing? You know, I think this is future music. Yes, music for the future.  This is really good, sounds Eastern to me. The girl can really play guitar. What's "Anarchitect"?

Debbie Kube, mother of Team Robespierre's Ty Kube:
Team Robespierre is generating fun and spreading joy. Their passion for their music is infectious. Does it get any better than that? You are living the dream. GO TEAM! All those piano lessons are coming in handy. I love you, Ty.

One day I hope that an indie rock magazine interviews me about Ella's upcoming albums - I promise not to be *too* embarrassing, although everyone will know me anyway as I'll be the crazy one at ALL her shows in the back wearing a t-shirt with Ella's face on it kicking butt when people aren't singing along or clapping loudly enough.  Or something.  And you know it's true.

Happy Mommy's Day :)  You are all rock stars to me.

BlogHer photo hunt fun!!

This is my first year going to BlogHer and I am beyond excited!   If you are attending, please do ping me and we'll have a drink together.  Also, be sure to bring your camera for the very fun Cool Mom Picks photo hunt :)

Ella hits the bar(s)

Ella accompanied her mommy to both a non profit technology NetSquared meetup last night AND a memorial gathering.  She was perfect at both events and enjoyed her very first taste of bar-hopping (ahem).

Luckily, she supplied her own bottled beverages - which is good for our bar tab as she typically goes through like 5 or 6 a day.  Geez!  :)  Photo thanks to JayMac the Awesome.

Strike a pose and hope for babyGap stardom

If you think that your little one is one of the most beautiful children in the entire history of mankind as we do (most humbly and respectfully of course), then this is for you: a babyGap casting call for the upcoming 2007 advertising season.

If your kiddo is chosen, you stand to win a $5000 college scholarship, a cool Kodak camera package, a year's worth of Gap clothing and your photogenic baby's professionally photographed face plastered on Gap ads and in Child Magazine.  Not too shabby eh?

Wish us luck!

Adam, Ella and I are now on our way to the hospital for labor induction. 

I'm feeling great and Adam is as excited as can be - this is the biggest and most exciting thing that either of us have ever been through and our hearts are thumping and our arms are aching for our little chiquita.

Much love from the 3 of us - we love you all and will talk to you / email you / post photos for you soon.  Thanks again for all of your hugs and belly rubs!!

An early Ella celebration

Good things come in small, medium and large packages
Originally uploaded by happykatie.

We attended another lovely Baby Ella shower yesterday - this time with la familia and other special friends in attendance. 

The shower was just exceptional, with yummy treats to snack on (fresh flowers on the cake!), beautiful ladies to chat with and lots of love for the happykiddo. 

Buffy (the abuela-to-be) and Jennifer did a tremendous job - I couldn't have asked for a more thoughtful and loving set of hostesses.  My every need was attended to, including flowers for my hair and fresh glasses of lemonade constantly at my side.  :)

Our wonderful family and friends made this pre-baby time a special one.  This was one of those days that will always make me glow when remembering.

I love you all so much and feel lucky to have so many warm hearts and arms to share our tiny Ella with.  Many, many thanks from all three of us for making us feel so loved and supported - that's something we will always carry with us.

Surprise Ella shower and loving the ladies in my worklife

I've been horrible about posting cool happykiddo news (it's been physically impossible for me to sit in front of our home computer, but that's a lame excuse), so I've got some major catching up to do!

Awesome pre-Ella activity of the June month: our first baby shower, with love from the Schipul girl-gang!!

The luncheon (at the tasty Hungry's Bistro) was a complete surprise.  Such a surprise that I almost walked right by the table full of Schipul ladies and 'It's a Girl' balloons on my way to check out the menu.  I'm a focused person when it comes to food, what can I say?  <grin>

We had great lunch munchies topped off with two lovely cakes - including a gorgeous homemade vegan raspberry chocolate cake that Adam and I are *still* impressed with :)  Go Kathryn!  Everyone brought such sweet and thoughtful gifts for Ella, I really felt like a mom-to-be princess.

Thank you so much, gals!!  It was a fun surprise and such a nice time to spend with such special people. 

A brief tangent on co-workers and having happy babies:
When I started off in the full-time business world, it always struck me how funny it was that you really don't have control over who the people are that you spend the most time with every single day (your co-workers).  You get a job and you're stuck with 'em -- they are who they are, you are who you are and you deal.

I am exceptionally lucky in that I work with some of the brightest, most interesting, funny and kind people that I have ever met.  This effects not only me, but I know also has a huge impact on Ella's growth and happiness.  Being in such a positive environment has really made all of the difference to us.  For this I am so appreciative.  It's awesome being part of the Schipul family!!