The mother's twin

I received a copy of this poem long before I was thinking about children or even married for that matter. I think I was in college. Because I'm a "paper junkie" and hold onto ANYTHING I deem referencable, I kept it. Now I unearth it every year with my Christmas decor and somehow, each year as a mother, it seems to apply even more. This one's for my mom-friends who, like myself, get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas and sometimes relish a reminder of the true honor of being called "Mommy." May we never take that sweet name for granted.

"The Night Before Christmas for Moms"

It was the night before Christmas, when all through the abode

Only one creature was stirring and she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,

While visions of Dora and Diego flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the t.v.,

With a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.

So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,

Which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?"

With the toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,

She descended the stairs and saw the old man.

He was covered in ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug.

"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho-Ho-Ho!" cried Santa. "I'm glad you're awake."

Your gift was especially difficult to create."

"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone."

"Exactly!," he chuckled, "I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she asked. "What good is that?"

Run along Santa, I've no time for chit-chat.

Then she saw it, the mother's twin:

Same hair, same eyes, same dimpled chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.

You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young and the Restless!"

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream come true!

I'll shop. I'll read. I'll sleep a whole night through."

From the room above, the youngest began to fret.

"Mommy?! I so scared...and very wet."

The clone replied, "I'm coming sweetheart."

"Hey," the mom smiled, "She knows her part."

The clone changed the small one and hummed a sweet tune

As she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.

"You the best mommy ever. I really love you."

The clone smiled and sighed, "I love you too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry Santa, no deal."

That's my child's love she's trying to steal."

Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear.

Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child and tucked her into bed.

"Thank you Santa for clearing my head.

I sometimes forget it won't be very long

when she'll be too old for my cradle song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.

Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."

With the clone by his side Santa said, "Good night.

Merry Christmas Mom, you'll be all right!"

-Author Unknown

Phoebe Cate Parr

Not that you can really see what this is...but IT'S A GIRL! Three little lines and two big smiles on her parents' faces! Coco doesn't know it yet, but she will love having a sister. Sometimes I fought with mine and I'm sure I got on her nerves, but I love having a best friend forever. And Donald is happy with his lot in life: to be surrounded by beautiful women. Does it really get any better than that?

Hot Mommas

Small town living is wonderful. I feel sorry for people who never get an opportunity to embrace its charm. Where else do you have a group of friends honored with a Thanksgiving celebration of new life? I jokingly call it our "Congratulations, you reproduced party!" All kidding aside, Georgia, Amy, Mylea and myself were the "hot mommas" honored last Saturday and we had such a wonderful time. All 4 of us are expecting our second child and have dear friends who wanted to celebrate this remarkable gift of life. We know 3 of the babies are girls...baby Parr #2 shall (hopefully) reveal itself Monday.

Coco and "The Croop"

It's beginning to look a lot like...cold season, runny nose season, ear infection season and even croop season. I didn't realize croop was a real MD diagnosis. I guess it's because I always hear it phrased with 'the' in front of it: "the croop"; somehow that takes away the legitimacy of the name for me. Today I learned it is real and our sweet Coco has it. I am probably to thank for her getting it as I pushed her into a hayride last Friday night that I knew better than doing. Anyone on the ride with us can testify we probably should have sat this one out. Again, the poor first born gets to be my guinea pig. Next time, I will surely listen to that mother's intuition and stay home. We did get two cute pictures out of the (extremely long might I add) hayride. My how pictures can deceive. It really looks like she and Donald are lovingly gazing at the stars doesn't it?

Lots of sweet Halloween fun

This was the first Halloween we really got to experience the full reality of the season as parents. Candy! Candy! Candy! Our precious 22 month old has culitvated quite a sweet tooth and an eagle eye...she can spot the shiny wrappers across the room! I think the first picture is what Coco's idea of heaven is, an endless (and unattended) bowl of the sweet stuff. Candy addiction aside, we had LOTS of fun this Halloween: a Kindermusik costume party complete with heavily iced chocolate cupcakes brought by an unwitting grandmother, Fall FunFest at church where I am now convinced BlowPops can reproduce and last, but my personal favorite, handing out candy on Halloween night at Grammy and Namps's house. Coco had trouble understanding why we kept telling her "no" to the candy but gave it to perfect strangers by the handful. It's a tough life for a toddler. After some minor repair, she got to wear the clown costume my mother made for me as a child to our last 2 events. I am extremely sentimental about things and it thrilled my soul for her to wear it. My guess is she will be counting down the days until next Halloween so she can fill her "purse" with goodies. That is, until she figures out what Christmas is all about.

I wonder how much she would have eaten had I left her alone?

Cute, but a little late in the evening for a photo opp with cousins.

"Coco the Clown"

Her adorable Kindermusik class



Hula girl or pop star?