October 13, 2008 by Amy Jo.

One of our neighbors has hung a Dracula above their garage for Halloween…  This has sparked Allison’s interest.  She keeps asking Daddy to tell her more about vampires and “Drakeyla”.  She’s a quick study.

Today on the way to Walmart Allison made-up story after story about “super-vampires”.  (Allison and Carter are super-vampires with Mommy and Daddy in occasional supporting roles.)  Apparently, super-vampires can shoot sunlight beams out of their finger tips and burn up the bad vampires.  Then you have to sweep up the dust and ashes of the bad vampires.

Here’s what we’ve been talking about during every car ride for the last three days:

DADDY:  Allison, what don’t Vampires like?
ALLISON:  Garlic.  Sunlight.  Holy water.  Crosses.  And garlic bread!
DADDY:  What do vampires say?
ALLISON:  Blood.  Blood.  I want to suck your blood.
CARTER:  Brud.
MOMMY (giggling):  Great!  My 4-year-old is talking about vampires and my 2-year-old is talking about blood!

Daddy is very proud.

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October 13, 2008 by Amy Jo.

Ok, I must confess that everything is not always roses and happiness here in the Maruschak household.  The truth is, I usually blog only the best two or three moments of our day.  In fact, as many of you know, I have struggled with post-partum depression.  Mildly after Allison was born and much worse after Carter was born.  Throw in a move from Massachusetts to Arizona and you have a Mom still trying to get back to “normal”. 

Mostly, life is good.  The kids are beautiful, we love Arizona, and I have a fabulous and supportive husband!  But, there are hardships and gray days in any life.  After the darkness of post-partum depression, I often find myself wondering if what I am feeling is real or is it my irrational PPD brain taking over?  For someone who has always been as controlled and logical as I was, it’s frustrating to look back and see how illogical depression is!

So…  Last night I was have a heartfelt conversation with my husband about my feelings.  I was telling him that sometimes I wonder if I am actually as likable and as insightful as I used to think I was…  And here is his response:

JIM:  You’re brighter than the average bear.  You’re a
smart cookie.  You’re a nice cookie!

If it had been said with any less love or earnestness, I might have taken offense.  But instead he made me laugh - and I vowed to blog his comments.  So now, instead of wondering if I am insightful and likable, I am left wondering - what kind of cookie?

Oatmeal raisin?       Peanut butter?       Sugar?

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