Mothers

Already knows more about electronics than I do.

See this photo? Nori found the camera while I was packing, smiled at it, and then said, "see?" requesting to look at the digital image. Suddenly her language skills are in full force! Favorite words include: sock, shoe, teeth, bluuuueee (for blueberries), dog, yeah, baby, moo moo (for milk) but she can repeat just about any word you say. I swear she said "Minnesota".

"Grandpa, why don't we have a yard at my house?"

I managed to get packed up, be the only driver downtown Minneapolis with a baby in the back and a yellow lab sticking her head out the window, pick up Jake, and drive Winona for the weekend. When we got to town, Gramise Hol and Papa Michael went with us the park to enjoy the warm weather. That night Nori played on the swings with Grandpa Steve and we had some Rocco's pizza. Charlie refused to make us his signature cookies because he is on a health kick. But, since we have given up on ourselves, after he left we we guiltily enjoyed Liz's hot brownies.

We miss you, Grandma!

On Saturday we went to Rollingstone for my Grandma Audrey's burial. The headstone looks beautiful and she has a lovely resting place overlooking a pond with lots of trees. Afterwards, Toni & Jodi hosted lunch for the family at their house. Later, Nori found the best toy ever at her grandparents house, her little booster chair. She literally spent hours sitting in it, buckling and unbuckling the straps. That night we enjoyed great steaks & shrimp on the grill and sat in the hot tub outside looking at the stars.

Casey reminds Nori that Mozart had already composed a symphony at her age...

This morning Hol & Casey joined us out at Seltzes for a Mother's Day brunch. It was special to able to spend the day with our moms and we are very grateful for them! It is proven that the mother-child relationship is the most influential one in your whole life so if you don't like me, blame my mom...I think she held me too much as a baby. To our moms and Nori's grandmas: We love you! Happy Mother's Day!

Grandma Liz + Nori = BFF's forever

3 generations

My dad brought me these! We didn't get to see Linda but we sent her flowers, too.

Nori painted this at daycare- it's a pen for my desk!

To my daughter, thank you for making me a mom! I love you sooooooooooo much!

I'm a jet setter!

I was selected for a site visit!!! After weeks of checking my mailbox for news, today I finally received the phone call telling me I was "one of the top choices" and will get to go abroad to have my own little study abroad experience!! Contrary to what my mother thinks, I will not be leaving my baby and husband for months on end. It will likely be only a week of "work". The woman who called me did say that they are not sure if New Zealand or rather London would be a better fit for my student population so I have some homework to do to look for courses and departments that will work for my students. Originally, I was set on New Zealand but now I am thinking London would be equally cool because odds are better that we could afford to have Jake & Nori fly over so we could travel for a week as well. I am so grateful!!!

Eltit (title backwards)

I remember the first time I ever heard the term "blog". It was described as an online dairy which seemed like an oxymoron because aren't diaries supposed to be private? Little did I know it would catch on and be the perfect way to simultaneously embarrass yourself and show off your bad spelling and punctuation skills to everyone who knows you!

Lots of action coming my way in the weeks to come. Tomorrow we head down to Winona to see our families, inter my Grandma Audrey's casket in the Rollingstone Cemetery, and celebrate Mother's Day with our moms! I already have a mental list going of everything I need to pack for Nori and it's getting longer every minute. If I forget her "baby" (a.k.a Curious George), she will not be happy. Then, I am wisely taking Monday off as special MOM's Day for myself! I hope to get some flowers for outside and do some planting. And cleaning and laundry and groceries.

Next weekend is the big baby shower for the Harringtons hosted by us Winona Girls so we have final preparations to do for that. I hope Katie doesn't mind when we surprise her by insisting she strip buck naked so we can all help do a cast of her belly at the shower. Then we can play that really fun game where she pre-enacts the birth, yelling at Jeff for getting her into this predicament and swearing up a storm like she usually does. Another big party on the agenda is the Palbicki Party we are hosting at the end of May. Us poor Pal.B's have had a rough year with the loss of Uncle Jim and then Uncle Knob's cancer diagnosis, so we are overdue for a get together to celebrate our Polish-ness. I asked my Grandma Sylvia to wear her Polish Heritage costume so we'll see if she is a true team player or not.

Also, we are having a blast planning our trip to Peru...look for a preview of our adventure in the days to come. Off to keep up on the latest in the Jon & Kate Plus 8 saga...

Cinco de Mayo!

You are welcome to come over for dinner...we are making fajitas! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Knob News

Uncle Knob had his oncologist appointment today and as feared, the news was not good. The doctors think that with treatment, he could live a year or so. His onc did say he has one miracle patient who has made it nine years. He will also be part of a clinical trial so there is a chance he may receive some band new wonder-drug but of course, there is a chance it's a placebo. Please keep Rick & Dana in your prayers as Rick starts chemo and prepares to fight! The good news is that Rick wears a toupee (what, it's true...all the Palbicki men are bald) so no need to worry about hair loss. My dad said Knob has been really touched by all your cards so thank you for putting a smile on his face!

Overheard

"Let's brush your teeth........brush your teeth.......brush your teeth. Honey, I just want to brush your teeth, not have you play with every dangerous thing in the bathroom!". Jake to Nori 7:22 p.m.

My 1,000th post!

Actually, it's not. No idea what number I am on. But, what if?

Tube girl

Thanks to my Aunt Jill for babysitting Nori on Friday while I attended an advising conference and to Aunt Ellen for babysitting on Saturday while I worked Commencement. After my double shift, I dipped into my birthday funds (you know, that cash I have in my top drawer next to my dry-fit shirts that I am saving...the cash not the shirts) to get a real pedicure. I must say, my toes look lovely!!

Naked ladies

Jake, Nori & I had Family Date Night at the Blue Door Pub on Friday. Other than that, we have been sticking to our mostly healthy eating with lots of fruits and vegetables. Nori loves her red peppers, carrots, and even spinach as well as blueberries and blackberries so she is easy to please. I wish I could say we got more done this weekend but just caring for, feeding, and cleaning up after a one-year-old seems to take up the entire day.

Playin at the park

Jake did however lend Pat a hand building Liam's new swingset...in just three to five short weeks it might be half done. We were handsomely rewarded for his efforts with a delightful dinner we did not have to cook. Ahh! The kids had fun playing together and have big plans for a secret club that will meet in the new fort. The password is...never mind, I will keep that a secret, too.

Jake & Andy screwing around (get it?)