Birthday Shenanigans Final Edition

Well the party is over. It was as annoying as I thought it would be. It was also more fun than I thought it would be.

When we arrived at FIL's house, 30 minutes late, FIL wasn't home. 2 of his friends were there decorating. A few other people were arriving (no idea who they were, I had met at least one of them before but no clue who she is or what her name might be) so I let them in and pretended to be happy to see them. We changed Stowa into her Indian outfit and I helped put up decorations. The decorations were a mixture of birthday and baby shower.

FIL showed up and told Itchy to go buy beverages. Yep, he invited 50 people to his house and had NOTHING to offer them except tap water. He easily could have picked up sodas or something since he was at the grocery store picking up the cake. Whatever. Itchy went to get soda. Leaving me with all of them. Thankfully, my Itchy's brother and his wife showed up. Sister in law (SIL) and I teamed up.

Itchy's other brother and his wife and their brand new baby also showed up. That took away a lot of the attention. People love new babies.

FIL only commented on my clothes once. He asked if I wanted to go change. I guess that means he didn't like what I was wearing. Oh well.

One of the relatives was disappointed with Stowa's outfit. She was mad that it didn't fit her properly and that I didn't have the whole outfit on her.

Another relative (maybe?) informed me that I needed to get her into daycare ASAP so that she'd "grow up". I'm still not sure what that means.

When SIL and I were getting food, an old lady told us not to eat the food. She thought it would be too spicy for us. The food wasn't spicy at all.

After we ate, FIL gathered everyone into the kitchen for cake cutting. He asked Itchy for a knife. Itchy hands him the knife and then he GAVE IT TO STOWA. Yup, hands a huge knife to my kid. Good decision. I was standing right there and took it from her though.

I gave her a homemade little cake to smash and that was that. FIL wanted to give her a taste of the other cake but someone asked him something about New Grandbaby and he got distracted.

A lot of people left after that. SIL wanted to open gifts so we went to the living room to open gifts. She got a lot of stuff. Cute stuff.

After most everyone had left, just some of FIL's friends were still there. We were sitting around chatting. FIL started his "grandfather of the year" junk. He has apparently taught her everything she knows. Clapping, dancing, waving, high fiving, meowing, etc. All from FIL. Good thing he's around otherwise my kid would still be learning to breathe.

We left soon after that.

All in all, it was ok.

Happy Birthday

One year ago today I had a baby. A little girl. Well, not so little at 8 lbs 2 oz and 22 inches, but she still felt so tiny when I first held her. I may have mentioned her here a few times. I call her Stowa. She is my little Stowaway from The Island.

Birthday Shenanigans Part 4

Last week Itchy's brother (the middle son) and his wife had a baby. Beautiful little boy. If FIL and Itchy's brother got along AT ALL, Stowa would be chopped liver. FIL would be done with her. Life would be so much easier. Alas, Itchy's brother and FIL do not get along. FIL will not be spending much time with New Baby.

On Friday night we got to go over and meet the new little guy. Itchy's oldest brother, his wife, their son, and FIL also went over. Don't worry, the new parents ok'd this. Besides we didn't stay long. Everything is going well. FIL is behaving. I suppose it's because he hadn't talked to Itchy's brother (middle) for months. FIL was on his best behavior.

Itchy and I were mentally playing a drinking game. Take a mental shot every time FIL says "That's how you can tell he's a LASTNAME". He said it ALL THE FREAKING TIME when Stowa was born. Everything single thing she did. Every face she would make. "Look, she blinks! That's how you can tell she's a LASTNAME". It was obnoxious. I wanted to punch him in the throat. He didn't say it once. Not even once. I was shocked. But again, he was on his best behavior.

How does this relate to Stowa's party? Well, I overheard him inviting Itchy's brother to the party. This isn't just a birthday party. This is some Muslim prayer thing for MIL. FIL is trying to pretend that it's been a year since she died. Traditionally, you would have a prayer get together (not sure what the proper term is, but it's a bunch of people getting together to pray) on the anniversary of someone's death. I knew this and I was expecting this to happen in January. On the anniversary of MIL's death.

I suppose I come off as a selfish bitch by having a problem with this. FIL is throwing the party, he can do what he wants. It's a nice gesture. People loved MIL and want to say prayers for her. What's wrong with that? Why am I bothered by this? First of all, a birthday is suppose to be happy and fun. Having all of MIL's friends there praying for her, on the "anniversary" of her death is beyond sad and depressing.

My other issue with this is that FIL never said anything to me about this. Not a word. It's not like he just thought of this. It was his plan the whole time. I guess it wouldn't really change anything. But let's say I hadn't over heard this. I show up to this very somber prayer thing with my birthday girl. I bring her highchair and a fun cake for her to smash. And balloons! She loves balloons. Then I look like an ass. Because what asshole brings balloons to a funeral (essentially the same thing). I don't understand why he didn't just tell me.

Birthday Shenanigans Part 3 Clothing Edition

Things seemed to have been toned down quite a bit. A couple of MIL's best friends talked FIL out of renting the reception site. He thankfully listened to them. Still a ton of people but it'll be at FIL's house.

The last time we were over at his house he mentioned to me that I needed to wear traditional Indian clothes. Yeah. He asked if I had any. I don't. I have a few of MIL's saris* but none of the other stuff. No pants or cholis*. But honestly, I don't want to wear that stuff. I'm already uncomfortable being around all FIL's friends. They speak a language I don't understand. I'd like to at least be in comfortable clothes. It's not like I'm going to wear jeans. I can put on nice clothes. Anyway, FIL tells me that he has an outfit I can wear. I tell him that I'd rather wear my own clothes. FIL is annoyed with me.

Stowa will be wearing a little Indian outfit. One of MIL's friends gave her an outfit so she'll wear that. It's not a sari, but I'm not sure what the heck it's called. If our stupid computer would let me upload pictures I'd totally post a pic of it. It's a long sleeved shirt and pants. The pants are HUGE. I think she'll have to wear other pants (jeans! that would really piss FIL off) but she'll wear the shirt.

*No freaking clue if that is the correct spelling!

Stara

Hey Stara if you are reading this, you need to email me.