Introducing...the Incredible "Baby" Hulk

Don't be fooled--Behind those big eyes and sweet smile lurks a fierce little growly hulk. I first witnessed Miss Lucy's alter-ego this morning while getting her ready for school. As I attempted to unzip her snuggly little pajamas, she immediately let out a loud (and might I mention, high-pitched) grunt. "I'm sorry Luce," I said, looking at the furrowed brows and big eyes scowling at me. She responded with another, "Nnghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." This time, it was even louder. That's odd, I thought. I'd never heard our little sweetie do that before. Perhaps she's just sleepy. Not being a morning person, I can definitely relate to AM crankiness.


However, tonight at dinner, the baby hulk returned. Before our food arrived, she was her usual bubbly self. Playing and gobbling up her apple bites and yogurt, Lucy seemed happy enough. It wasn't until I offered her some of my baked potato that things took a turn. Thinking that she was finished with her potato, I made the mistake of moving her plate away.


"Nnnnngghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," she grunted, scowling at me, little fists shaking. Jamie and I looked at each other and laughed nervously. "Ok there, little hulk," Jamie said as I gave her more of my baked potato.


We've sinced joked about our little Lucy "the hulk" Copeland, though I think both of us are a a tad bit nervous. "The temper comes from your side babe," I told Jamie as we drove home. "That's a Copeland for ya..." :-)

July 4th in the Bluegrass and A Very Special Birthday Girl

Last weekend, we loaded Lucy, Poods, and Emmy greyhound into the Subaru and made the slow trek home to the Bluegrass. The trip was long overdue, and I was feeling homesick for all of the trappings of my hometown: our lackluster trips to Tumbleweed during which we'll either find a wadded up dollar bill in our slightly stale chips or we'll wait for two hours for our food only to find out that we've been forgotten, yet the salsa always makes everything OK; our Target pilgrimages during which we must visit at least 3 of the Midwestern strong-holds including the dingy, run-down, slightly "gangsta" store of my childhood and site of my first experience with gainful employment; and not to be forgotten, our favorite pizza dive, Bonnie & Clyde's, easily spotted among the Check Into Cash facades, pawn shops, and gas stations lining Dixie Highway thanks to the bright yellow sign from the 80s and the multi-colored, bottle glass windows. Though our beloved Kiddie Corral (a dangerous, elevated "pin" where parents would dump their kids to watch the pizzas being made so that they could enjoy their goblets of beer in peace) is now gone, just walking in and seeing the tow-headed owner with his walrus mustache and hearing him call out "I have a pizza ready for two of diamonds, two of diamonds" over a loud, crackly microphone, makes me realize I'm home; and last, but certainly not least, is our Amy Willis time. No trip would be complete without experiencing the aforementioned activities with the presence of a Willis. :-)

This time, we headed home for an extra special reason: Miss Macy's first birthday party. Macy's mom, Amanda, is one of my dear friends, and I cannot believe how quickly this year has passed. The party was so much fun. Ever the hostess, Amanda had everything coordinated with ladybugs, including Miss Macy's cake, bib, and dress. I can't tell you how sweet it was to watch this precious little girl discover one of life's true delights--CAKE. But what was even better was seeing the expression on Amanda's face as she watched her baby girl move away from those chaotic, achingly tiring yet indescribably beautiful days of infancy. It's amazing how one finger and one rose-bud shaped mouth, stained with red icing can be so much more.

And now, I must mentally prepare for my own little pumpkin's journey into toddlerdom next month. Kleenex anyone?