mgk

Now I'm just bragging

2011-10-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

Can I brag about my husband for a minute? Ok, good.

He is good at many things. He won't tell you that, but I will. Without him I would be technologically illiterate instead of just mildly dumbfounded. If he wasn't around I'd never know where my keys, phone, slippers, camera, sanity or children* are. Not to mention his ability to make me smile even when I just. don't. want. to.

Before we married I knew he was handy. He could rip down walls and ceilings (without my knowledge) and change furnace filters without searching for where it goes for 15 minutes first and he knew the difference between a reciprocating and circular saw. (I do now too but I wouldn't if it wasn't for him.)

Our previous house was so small that we just didn't need a ton of furniture and what he and I had before we moved in together filled most of the house. The one room, a family room in the basement, that we finished/redecorated we purchased inexpensive matching furniture for.

Now that we are in larger home and we intend to stay in for a much (if not indefinite) longer time we want to furnish rooms the way we want them instead of (what Kevin lovingly refers to our former style) dorm-room-shabby-chic.

The budget hasn't changed though.

In the last year, however, he has really impressed me with his woodworking. First there was the frame for our bed.

And now I give you, Madeline's book shelf.

Isn't it lovely?

Ooo, even better with her books on it, ey?

The bead board backing was my only contribution to this piece. I thought it would add some interest in dimension. I love the clean lines, the solid frame and he was able to build it so that even her tallest book, Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans would fit without a fuss.

See it there on the bottom left? A perfect fit.

It is solid as a rock. Painted beautifuly AND it cost us less than half of what an almost identical book shelf at a upscale retailer would have charged.

So yeah. I'm bragging.

__________
*Just kidding about that children part.

Three things

2011-10-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

I found this in my drafts folder from way back in the spring some time.

I can't recall what we were making. I can however assure you of three things:

It probably involved chocolate.
They probably ate a lot of it.
They totally made a mess of my kitchen.

Three things I love about this photo you may not have noticed:

Lydia and Madeline are standing on the same chair.
Madeline's chef's hat is down over one of her eyes because that is the only way it will stay on her head.
Madeline is wearing a ballet leotard and skirt over her clothes but under her apron.

Three things you can't see but I know because I was there:

Madeline and Lydia's aprons are from my childhood.
One says "This sure beats the hell out of reality" but I always tell them it says "It sure is a good day to make (insert name of item we are baking that day)"
The other says "Eat, Drink and Be Quiet". That one speaks for itself.

Om nom nom nom

2011-10-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

One of Lydia's favorite things to do these days is talk about eating. She like to talk about eating just about as much as she loves to eat. I took this video on Lydia's birthday.

I have no idea where she picked up that hand gesture while saying "nom nom nom" but I am going to guess it is from me. Even if it is just genetically ingrained for her to hand talk and use nonsense words to get her point across!

When did she get so big?

Happy Birthday Lydia! Love, Your Sister

2011-10-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

Madeline was more excited about Lydia's birthday than she was. She sang Lydia Happy Birthday 20 times today.

I wish I could say that is why her voice is horse, but that would be the cough/fever combo she's been fighting. :(

Happy Birthday Lydia!

2011-10-19T21:31:00.000-05:00

Today my baby turns two. Two. Yep. Two.

I love this photo. She is my funny guy, my face mugger and my little trouble maker. You can see all of that in this one photo. I tried at least three different times during the day to get a photo of her. Can you believe that THIS is the best I could get from her. You ask her to smile, she frowns. You ask her to stand still, she runs away. You ask her to frown and run away, she does. She spunky and lovely. Cuddly and vicious. Hot and cold. I love every inch of her.

Today wasn't a typical birthday celebration for us. Madeline is sick and has been home from school for the last two days. (And will be home at least one more day.) So we stuck around the house and tried to make the day as much about Lydia as we could. It is freezing and raining outside anyway so why leave?!? I am really just saying that to make myself feel better. I like to make a big deal out of birthdays. I had plans to spend a fun morning with her while Madeline was as school and then a yummy lunch, naps and a party for cake tonight with her grandparents, aunts and uncles and her cousins.

Instead she got a full day of play with her sister. (Who, although feeling crumby, did an amazing job of playing with her sister and acknowledging her sister's birthday. This is NO EASY TASK for a 4 1/2 year old.) A yummy lunch and cake with just her grandparents. All that to say she was none the wiser. I am more disappointed that she was!

I always forget how resilient kids are because I am not.

I have more to share from today but for now I leave you with a photo I took a few days ago.

If that photo* doesn't sum up Lydia I don't know that any photo ever will.

I love that girl.

PS. All the photos in this post were taken with this:

My new birthday present from Kev and the girls. Although I still love my DSLR I am excited to play with this little gal and the convenience of just slipping it in my pocket is going to be awesome. Maybe this means more blogging? Who knows!

__________

*Why yes, she IS licking the table.

Did ya miss me?

2011-10-01T21:13:00.001-05:00

Did ya miss me?

Aww. That's sweet! I missed you too!

So I have heard you. (I'm talking specifically to Aint B, Sue, Deb and Jenny!) I have started to blog too many times to count just to get interrupted or not knowing what to say. I look at that last photo of Lydia I posted and I am shocked by how quickly she is growing up even just since early July.

I started this blog as a way to keep a running journal of our life. Which in the begining was super boring. That is until Mads showed up!

Mom, my audience deserves better than this!

I love being able to look back on those early days of parenthood and see how much our life has changed. But maybe the neglecting of the blog is just as much a representation of how our life has changed. I have said it before: I want to keep up with recording our life. I want a record of our daily life, not just the milestones the girls reach. I want that.

Whether or not that will happen, that is another story. :)

Need a smile?

2011-07-10T21:56:00.002-05:00

One of the many photos I have that she will hate me for when she is 15. For now, it is just bligityblog gold!

Happy Fourth of July

2011-07-04T23:02:00.002-05:00

Madeline + heat + two hours in a bounce house - a nap + crowds + mud - close toed shoes + two hours past her bed time = massive freak out on side of the road

I guess we will try fireworks again next year.

Third time is the charm, right?

Read about FoJ 2010 here.

A world full of awesome

2011-06-30T11:12:00.003-05:00

I am currently blogging while sitting at the pool. Madeline is taking the last class of four weeks of lessons (she's the blur with the orange noodle in the above photo) and I am roasting on the pool deck.

I am so excited this mobile blogging thing worked. I mean now I can blog about how the pool deck social structure reminds me of an sixth grade lunch table WHILE sitting at a table ALONE. Honestly. Why have social situations gotten no less awkward as I age? And I am super extroverted and will talk to ANYONE! Just ask my husband, I drive him nuts sometimes with my ability to go to the super market for cheese and come home with a new BFF.

Ok, I exaggerate... A little.

Why is it that the pool deck, or playdates or play grounds can magically transport me back to junior high?

See?!?! This phone blogging thing is going to be legen...wait for it...dary!!!

Testing..1,2,3!

2011-06-30T09:19:00.004-05:00

I may have figured out how to post with photos from my phone. This could be awesome!

Lydia at MoBot, June 24

Madeline is 4, part 1

2011-06-22T22:04:00.006-05:00

So over a month ago Madeline turned four. Yeah, I'm behind. Like very very very behind. Don't remind me.

So although I never intended it this way it seems we have a tradition of going to the zoo to celebrate Madeline's birthday! This is the third year in a row we've spend her birthday at the zoo with friends. (Read about her second and third birthdays by clicking on the links.)

We started the day on the carousel. I should have cropped these photos better than I did, but click on it to see her HUGE smile a little better.

And did you see Lydia's terrified expression? I'll wait while you go back to look.

Totally worth a second look huh? Comedy gold I tell ya!

And because I am posting this way after the fact but just a few days after father's day I wanted to post this photo because if that expression isn't the look of love I don't know what is.

Good God I love that man!

Back to the zoo....

As soon as I snapped this photo I remembered a similar photo I took almost three years earlier. This girl needs to stop growing up so fast. Stop it I tell ya!

Although Madeline loved the zoo animals there was one person who really made her day:

This is Scott, Kevin's best friend and Madeline's birthday buddy. He and his wife and brand new baby girl (eep!) just happen to be in town for Madeline's birthday (which also happens to be Scott's birthday). This might just be one of my favorite photos of Madeline ever. She and Scott have a very special bond and the love and admiration is mutual.

A huge thank you to Anna, Madeline and Cullen and Scott, Becky and Eliza for joining us in celebration of Madeline's 4th birthday! It was a great day and I am so glad she got to share part of it with you!

Well hello there!

2011-06-21T21:28:00.006-05:00

You ARE still there, right?

I've had conversations with a few of you (my mother and mother-in-law, auntie B, Michelle, Adrienne, etc...) and heard through the grapevine (am looking at you Deb!) that there are still a few of you out there looking in on our little bligity blog.

Life is crazy but I am here to give you what you really want:

I like to think I am witty and clever*, but I know the reason y'all are here is for those little smileys.

With faces like this

and this

I simply can't blame you.

I have the pleasure of seeing these lovely faces each and every day. Why wouldn't I share?

I also know that I should be blogging the ridiculous stories of my life. Like how Madeline is enjoying swimming lessons while I stand on the side of the pool deck with the other mothers feeling like I am back in Jr.High as one of the uncool kids. Or regaling you will all of the hilarious stuff that comes out of Madeline's mouth on a DAILY BASIS! Instead I am going to bed at 10pm and silently kicking myself for leaving my laptop cord out where the cat could chew on it and (yet again) short it out.**

Oh, and just to show how on top of things I am today (yeah me!) today is the summer solstice and the official start to summer. In celebration! I give you, A BRAND SPANKIN' NEW HEADER! (Click here if you are using a reader!)

So until we meet again, which I hope won't be so very long!

__________
*Why is it that I can't type clever without first typing cleaver. I should cut that out. {insert cheesy rim shot here} Cleaver, cut that out, get it? Yeah, I didn't think so.
** I won't use that as an excuse because I wasn't blogging before she got her pointy little teeth on it but I soooo want to!

25 questions: Madeline, age 4

2011-05-09T20:50:00.004-05:00

I started this tradition last year and I love seeing how her answers change (or don't change).

1. What is your Name? Madeline Lastname

2. What is your favorite color? Purple

3. What is your favorite book? Curious George Goes to the Hospital

4. What is your favorite movie? Harold and the Purple Crayon (Which was her answer last year and probably haven't watched it since about this time last year. We don't watch many movies and I guess it shows.)

5. What is your favorite food? Shrimp and Bratwurst

6. What is your favorite TV show? Fresh Beat Band, but also Olivia and Wonder Pets

7. What is your favorite song? ABCD...

8. What will you do when you grow up? A zoo keeper, and when I am not at work I'll be an artist.

9. What is your least favorite food? brussel sprouts

10. Now that you are 3 what do you think you'll do? (what is your goal) Bake!

11. What is your favorite thing to do with mom? Making projects and baking

12. What is your favorite thing to do with dad? Playing Mario Kart

13. What is your favorite store? The one with the little carts (Trader Joes)

14. Who are your best friends? Sara* but not Stanley* (those are two kiddos in her preschool class)

15. What does Mommy say? No. (hmmm...)

16. What does Daddy say? No and Yes.

17. Where is your favorite place to go? The Magic House

18. What is your favorite restaurant? Bread Company

19. What makes you laugh? Jokes

20. What is your nickname? Maddy

21. What is your favorite toy? The Caterpillar that sings. (which I think is her favorite because it is her sisters favorite right now...)

22. What is your favorite thing to do with your sister? Play with the Elmo toy.

23. What makes you sad? Pulling and pushing.

24. What is your favorite thing to drink? Lemonade

25. What is your favorite thing about school? singing with Mrs. A

____________

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent!

4 Years

2011-05-04T21:49:00.002-05:00

Today my big girl turned 4 years old. Her Golden Birthday*! It was an amazing day spent with wonderful friends. Four years seems like a long time but trust me when I say it has passed in a flash.

Dear Madeline,

Happiest of birthdays to you my little Loula Belle. You are amazing and I love you more each day.

Love Forever and Always,
Your Momma

__________
*Turning 4 on the 4th**!
** Which reminds me, May the 4th be with you***)
***That goes out especially to my loving (yet geeky) husband and my awesome(ly geekier) brother Elliot.

Madeline's very big day

2011-04-30T21:26:00.007-05:00

I skipped the Tuesday Ten this week for a very important reason.

Madeline had her spring concert.

Now if you have never been to a preschool concert you have never fully lived. Why you ask? Because the 40+ kiddos in Madeline's school invite their 200+ family members and we all crowd into the sanctuary of church to watch our little darlings sing songs and fidget with their clothing.

And they there are the mama and paparazzi, aka. the swarm of parents trying to get the money shot of their child. You know the one. Where they are smiling adorably and don't have a finger up their nose. Yep, that's the one.

Then the 40+ preschoolers and their 200+ family members crowd into the fellowship hall where these hyped up 2-5 year olds are then presented with a table full of sweets just minutes from bed time. (or after bedtime in the case of my little sleepy darlings!)

OH and the PUNCH!! It isn't a church function without punch! Red punch which ends up mostly on the carpet or clothing. I don't know if I've ever ACTUALLY tasted church punch... Hmmmm...

It is truly a cultural experience.

But I digress... This post is about Madeline right? Right.

To say that Madeline was excited about her concert was an understatement. Kevin and I have learned when it comes to events it is best to give Madeline very few details and general time frames.

For example: Her birthday is coming up so we keep telling her it is next week but give her no more details than that.

But this concert was the talk of the classroom and she was amped up to the max for it. She started asking the previous week when her concert was and if we could go now and who was going to be there and what she was going to wear and what treats we were going to bring and if there were other parents and if they were all there to watch her and if she could wear tights and what the temperature was going to be and if all her friends would be there and what color the carpet was and how long we would all stay and and and

Catch my drift?

By 2pm the day of the concert Madeline was already in full on crazy mode. Jumping up and down, talking non stop and asking the above questions just at the rate of the micro machines guy.

By 3pm she took it upon herself to get dressed in her "fancies." Even after I explained that she had to STOP JUMPING UP AND DOWN if she was going to be wearing fancy clothes. (This kinda worked.)

By 4pm she was pacing the floors and asking every 20 to 30 seconds when we were going to be leaving.

At 5pm we were having dinner and she temporarily forgot about the excitement to come but by 6pm she was back in full out BRING IT! mode. (It is imporant to note that during dinner Madeline went the the bathroom three times.)

At 6:30pm (after visiting the rest room one more time) we left her in her classroom with her teacher who afterwards told Kevin that she was literally bouncing off of the furniture. (The teacher made note of this because this unusual behavior for Madeline at school... at home all bets are off.)

At 7pm the program started.

skidamarinky dinky dink, skidamarinky do

I love you!

I don't know if you can tell from her flailing hands, but Lydia was impressed and very entertained!

It is at this point, a little more than half way through her program that Madeline runs out the side door with her teacher. Why? So she can go to the bathroom! Ugh.

But she returned to finish the show with flair!

Madeline was fantastic.

By 7:10pm it was all over.

We stayed just long enough to eat a cookie and thank her teachers and then we were out of there. Madeline was so proud of herself but not as proud as we were. It is amazing to see how fearless she is. She knows no stranger and loves to perform with her class mates. What an amazing love for life this girl has. She teaches me more about living each and every day. Amazing.

Oh and what did 8pm look like?

Lydia is 18 months old!

2011-04-25T21:30:00.001-05:00

Stats
28# 8oz
33 3/8"
Both weight and height are in the 90th percentile. She is looking good and large and in charge! She has 12 teeth, 6 on top and 6 on bottom, including four molars but none of her canine (or eye) teeth.

Gross Motor
Lydia loves to climb. She's been able to navigate up the stairs for some time now and just in the last month or so she has really been working on going down stairs. I honestly think it is because she wants out into the yard! There are four stairs to get down into the yard and to the play set and that is totally her motivation! She scoots down on her bottom, which isn't my preferred method of descending stairs at this age, but she has a mind of her own.

In just the last few days she has mastered climbing up on to the dining room chairs. She has now begun pushing chairs up to the table, the windows, the kitchen counter.... this opens up a whole new world of trouble.

She loves to run and is getting much better at navigating uneven ground, like the promise land that is our back yard. In an effort to be just like her big sister she does her best to skip and jump. It is truly one of the most adorable things I have ever seen.

Fine Motor
Unlike her older sister Lydia eats most of her meals with her fork or spoon. While Madeline has to be reminded that her utensils are RIGHT THERE Lydia uses them consistently. She is relatively neat too which is an added bonus. It is when she puts them down and throws the food off her tray that we have the real mess!

Lydia likes to color, but only because she finds crayons delicious. We are working on it though!

Language

Dada
MomMom
PopPop
PawPaw
MawMaw
Gigi
Ma
Baby
Kiki
Bop-oo
Cheese
Bath
Yeah
No
Ice
Up
Down
Elmo (and let it be known she has watched Sesame Street twice in her life... that little red guy has made a huge impression on her!)
mo (more)
peas
pees (please)
um-nums (m&ms)

and I KNOW there are more. She has a language explosion a couple of weeks ago and I know she has more words, I just can't think of them at the moment.

Social Development
Lydia loves her family and friends. When we are around those she is familiar with, she warms up quickly and is a happy little bits. But in public, she is my shy guy. I think she is used to having her sister as a buffer when we are out in public so when someone she doesn't know talks to her or she feels I am too far away she expresses her concern.

Although she has a little more stranger danger she is still a very social girl. She loves singing songs and doing finger plays (like if your happy and you know it and itsy bitsy spider, etc.) and initiates these songs and games.

When we were sick last month she got into a pattern of being whiny and clingy that hasn't really stopped even though she is feeling better. She can be a challenge and has learned exactly what buttons to push to get the full attention of each family member.

She likes to bite me or walk off with items from the kitchen
to get Madeline's goat she takes her toys and pulls her hair
and to get Kevin's full attention she sticks her sticky little fingers on the televison or computer screens.

At least we know she is smart, right?

She loves her big sister and wants to be just like her and do everything she does. That relationship is amazing to watch. As a parent there something unique and amazing about watching the love between siblings grow!

That is our 18 month old. Time is going so quickly. Somedays I just want to yell slow down!
__________
Lydia at 1 year, 9 months, 6 months, 4 months, 3 months, 2 months.

All photos taken with my iPhone and processed with the instagram app.

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T20:48:00.003-05:00

Happy Easter everyone!

Today we:

let Madeline climb into bed with us so we could squeeze a little more sleep out of our morning (it didn't work)
hunted eggs filled with 'um-nums' (Lydia's word for M&Ms) left by the Easter bunny
ate bacon and eggs for breakfast
had a "lazy" morning around the house with sugared up squirrels running from room to room
spent lunch with Kevin's family and had a truly lovely time as the girls were spoiled and sugared up
ate ham
went straight to dinner with my family where the girls were spoiled some more and given more sugar
ate more ham
AND I got a photo of the four of us! This is HUGE. (for me at least...)

I'd say it was a pretty awesome day.

How did you celebrate this wonderful day?

Adios Sugar Maple

2011-04-20T21:11:00.002-05:00

Note: I have no idea why but I can't get the captions to format near the pictures so I apologize in advance.

Way back in the day, otherwise known as early March, our house was caught in a pretty strong wind storm that took out a large portion of a large maple tree in our back yard. After consulting with a few tree guys it was determined that it would be best if the tree was removed. We hated to see it go, but without yearly maintenance it was unsafe to leave up. It fell on the play set in March and the parts left were the ones that would have fallen on either the house/deck, or our cars. We got lucky the first time and we didn't want to tempt fate. The tree removal was a multi-day process and kept the girlies more entertained than I would have imagined.

We knew the tree was big but it wasn't until the stump was exposed that we realized just HOW large it was.

Once the tree came down Madeline asked me how old it was. When I told her I didn't know she told me we needed to go out side and count its annual rings. I had no idea she even knew about the rings on a tree so I was impressed. Kids really are sponges and take in way more information that we give them credit for. Poppy was kind enough to help us count them. Our estimation was about 85 years old!

We are sad to see it go. It provided way more shade and wind protection than we realized. We have plans to plant another tree but in a different spot. Any suggestions? I want it big, Kevin isn't so sure... any thoughts?

The Tuesday Ten, vol. XVI

2011-04-19T14:11:00.003-05:00

I have recently discovered Pinterest and I am *kinda* addicted. (and by kinda I mean very) So to honor my new found love of this combination of social media and blogging this week's Tuesday Ten is Ten of my favorite finds from Pinterest this week!

Enjoy!!

-1-
I couldn't find these exact zinnia at our local garden center, but they inspired me to plant two different varieties in our garden this year. I think zinnias are lovely!

-2-
I love these wall butterflies! I want to whip up a few (dozen) and hang them in Madeline's bed room ASAP!

-3-
Fun Food Fridays? Yes, Please!

-4-
This post makes me want to head to the fabric store to purchase yards of satin to turn into the gorgeous bouquet.

-5-
And from the same blog as the flowers above I found this tutorial. I need these.

-6-
I believe this to be true with ever taste bud I have. Dr. Pepper is the key to world domination.

-7-
As soon as we have a storm door and I feel like it is safe to put wreaths on our front door again I am totally making one of these. Genius!

-8-
I am planning a rainbow birthday party for Madeline and this is on the top of my list of things to make!!!

-9-
Pinterest as also introduced me to a menagerie of sweets that I can not wait to try. Like this owl cup cake that is almost too cute to eat. And homemade Girl Scout Samoa Cookie bars? Oh Yeah. And who is going to make these for me? Anyone?

Ok, now I'm hungry.

-10-
So you want to know more about Pinterest? Check our their information page here. Right now they are still in the Beta phase so you have to request and invitation, but if you know someone who is a Pinterest user (like me!) you can ask them to invite you to join the pinning. Why do I love it so much? I read a million blogs with google reader and although you can star specific posts there is no way to organize them by subject. For someone as visual as I am Pinterest is a perfect way for me to organize all the cool stuff I have found on the web in a way my brain can process it! I LOVE IT!!! Will you?

The Tuesday Ten (on Thursday), vol. XV

2011-04-14T22:48:00.002-05:00

-1-
I am late again with my Tuesday commitment. Ah life.

-2-
I have kid birthday parties on the brain. I am way more excited about this kind of stuff than I should be. Especially since there are all of three other kids coming to Madeline's birthday party in a few weeks.

-3-
Lydia is a challenge lately. She spends a lot of time following me around the house requireing my full attention. I feel loved and smothered. I can't be pleased.

-4-
The weather here has been divine the last two days! In the 70s and sunny. We've spent quite a bit of time outside taking it all in. The rain sets in tomorrow. Ugh.

-5-
I was the mommy helper at Madeline's preschool today. I am exhausted and have come to the hard conclusion that I really don't like kids. That is unless they are mine, or very well behaved.

-6-
Of course I am kidding.

-7-
Kinda.

-8-
I feel like I have a ton on my plate right now when in reality I've been a heck of a lot busier in the (even recent) past. I just hating feeling this disorganized and out of control. I could do something about that. I could.

-9-
I recently discovered Pinterest and I am hooked. A way to visually capture and organize everything I find on the internet? Yes, please and THANK YOU!!

-10-
I painted my toes this week and it makes me feel more like a human being. They are a lovely shade of hot pink.

Why yes, I did let them dress themselves.

2011-04-11T20:46:00.000-05:00

Why do you ask?

Technically I dressed Lydia. She is wearing her pajamas but the rest she chose for herself.

Madeline, on the other hand, picked 100% of her outfit.

Holiday socks scream March to me. Don't they?

And the sweat pants under the terry shorts... fashion genius.

Who says more than two patterns is a no no? They never saw Madeline in her two different sets of horizontal stripes! Runway ready!

As for Lydia, need an easy way to change your outfit for the different seasons? Fleece vest on top for the cooler weather months... (and don't forget to exercise!)

and sandals on your feet for the spring and summer.

Oooooh La la!

And no, we did not leave the house. Although I guess posting these on the internet is actually worse... but they can resent me in 10 years if they want!

The Tuesday Twenty, vol. XIII and XIV

2011-04-05T22:20:00.004-05:00

I missed last week, so I am going to try to do twenty this week.

Wish me luck.

-1-
After weeks and weeks and weeks of illness I finally feel like we are all mostly healthy. The girls still have slight coughs and I worry about Lydia because she can't tell me if she is feeling unwell, but I really just think we all need a few more good nights sleep and we'll have kicked this junk out the door.

-2-
I recently bought a pair of shoes that are biodegradable. I was worried they'd melt in the first rain, but they are surprisingly sturdy. :)

-3-
I am watching What Not to Wear on TLC and although I'd love to go on that show I am realizing that I am not nearly enough of a mess to be a guest. Although the idea of having money and guidance to build a whole new wardrobe is a fantasy.

-4-
Saturday was Olive's 9th birthday. It is hard to believe that she has been our kitty for 7 years. (We got her when she was *estimated* two years old.) Madeline and Lydia picked out some treats for her and I gave her a very thorough brushing, her favorite.

-5-
Our best friends had a baby a week ago and she is totally adorable. (See for yourself.) It is taking all of my restraint to not pack up this circus and head for Georgia.

-6-
My next 48 hours is crazy busy and I am kinda stressed out. But it is all fun stuff and I just can't let go and enjoy it. I have about 12 hours to start having fun. I need to get with the program.

-7-
Madeline's birthday is fast approaching. I have been working on her friend party (her first one, eep!) invitations and I am beyond excited about them. I love party planning.

-8-
What to assure your children develop hearing loss? Buy them this toy. Madeline played with it today and I am pretty sure she is now partially deaf. It will be re-hidden in the closet asap.

-9-
Speaking of which, my master closet is eating at me. I have a one foot square to stand in there. It is about time for yet another clean out. Anyone else have one area of their house that is the catch all for the stuff you don't know where to go to when you have guests over? No. just me huh?

-10-
TEN! I'm half way there! I can do this... maybe!

-11-
I am kinda obsessed with Harvest Cheddar Sunchips. They are delicious.

-12-
My feet are freezing.

-13-
I got this book in the mail today. I am very excited to start reading it, but I know I am going to need Kleenex nearby!

-14-
I recently got a new to me sewing machine and am really enjoying the simple projects I've been able to create with it. That being said, I need to work on some new projects but I feel like I've maxed out my skill set. I bought a pattern to make dresses for the girls, but I am so confused by it. It is intimidating.

-15-
I only have 24 minutes to publish this. Eeep!

-16-
When Madeline was little her hair was super curly. This meant it stayed out of her face without much fuss. Lydia on the other hand has very little curl in her hair. I am constantly swiping it out of her eyes. Why not put a bow on her? Because it ends up in her mouth. I think, no, I know, she does it to get my goat. This little stinkas know how to push momma's buttons early.

-17-
Do you watch Jimmy Fallon? I wish he wasn't on so late. He is freakin' hilarious! He's the reason I am not going to post this before midnight.

-18-
I have at least 5 loads of laundry in need of folding. Two are left over from last week. I hate laundry.

-19-
I discovered the instagram app for my phone this week. I am obsessed. I'll have to do a post with my favorite photos soon. They are awesome.

-20-
There you go... the Tuesday Twenty. I hope I never have to do this again!

Sickapaloosa 2011

2011-03-26T21:53:00.004-05:00

I started this blog what seems like ages ago and barely blogged. Then we had Madeline and I began my life as a stay at home mom. I blogged a lot. (Well a lot more than I did in the beginning.) Then Lydia was born and life kind of got in the way of me blogging. I try, but I just don't know where my time goes most days.

Back when I was a mother of one and a much more frequent blogger I used this space as a journal of our life. Our life as we know it. Right here. Right now. These days will fly by faster than I can remember them and I want to remember them. The good, the bad, the sick, the healthy, all of it.

I want to get back to that. I feel like I need to get back to that. I make no promises, other than the promise to my self to try to do a better job of recording our lives. Because some day I will want to remember this.

Even this,

We are all still sick. Monday will mark two full weeks of illness in our house and if the girls' colds last as long as mine and Kevin's we are in it for a while longer.

After my Tuesday Ten post Lydia's rash got worse and the next morning I took her into the doctor where they confirmed the rash was probably an allergic reaction the antibiotic she'd been taking since the previous Monday. She hadn't yet developed hives so the nurse practitioner suggested I continue giving her the medication.

I refused.

I am so glad that I did.

Later Wednesday and all day Thursday my baby was miserable because the "benign" rash turned into full out hives. What if I had continued the medicine? How much worse could it have gotten? Parenting is full of really hard choices and I am so very glad to have listened to my instincts and to have guidance from some really awesome friends (wink, wink) and an amazing husband to stand beside me.

As of yesterday I thought we were, again, on the mend. So, being awesome I sent the girlies to spend the night at my parents. Sorry Granny and Poppy. I hope you sleep better tonight! :)

When I collected them today, Lydia, who had been ok according to Granny and Poppy was a clingy, crying, miserable mess. See the above photo for proof. She stayed that way until bedtime.

Madeline, well it seems that this cold virus has finally caught up to my high spirited big girl. When I got to my parents Madeline was taking a nap. Yep, a nap. As in the first nap that girl has willingly taken since July 2009. And get this, she ASKED to go back to bed. HUGE RED FLAG that my home girl is S.I.C.K.

When we got home she had a low fever and spent most of the day sacked out or playing quietly. Totally, not herself. At bed time she had an even lower fever and was starting to get some of her normal spunk back, but she also didn't fight the bedtime routine at all (not normal) and fell asleep quickly.

So we will see how my squirrels are doing in the morning. Kevin is still hacking up a lung, but feels better. I am coughing but not with the intensity or frequency of my husband. I have my fingers crossed that if the girls really do get this funk that it is quick and less severe than Kevin and I had it.

Will you cross your finger's too?

I'd like to leave my house for something other than doctors visits, medicine and popsicles. Please?

excuses excuses

2011-03-25T19:42:00.002-05:00

I've got a lot of them.

Instead of blogging today I spent way too much time watching YouTube videos. So as an apology for not blogging, I will share with you some of the wonderful gems I have found.

I am a self admitted anamated Disney movie fanatic. Even if you aren't, this is funny.

Hate the Eminem version, LOVE this:

Because I love this guy, even if I'd never heard of him before 12:30pm today...

And this makes me laugh every single stinkin' time I see it. This girl is hilarious!

The Tuesday Ten, vol. XII

2011-03-22T20:50:00.003-05:00

Week of sickness edition

-1-
Last Monday Lydia was seen by the doctor and started on a round of antibiotics for a sinus infection.

-2-
Tuesday I was ready to say we are all better. The sky was rosy. All was well.

-3-
Wednesday I ended the day with a sore throat but blamed it on the fact that I taught my first class since before Christmas and talked almost non-stop for four hours. I was wrong.

-4-
Thursday I feel pretty crappy. It was St. Patrick's day and I wanted to head to the parade but decided to go for a walk and then rest in the afternoon hoping my throat would feel better. Then when I picked Madeline up from school I noticed she had junk in her eye and it was red.

-5-
Back to the Dr for the second time that week to have her diagnosed with... pink eye. When I asked if this was the same eye problem Lydia had the Dr explained that it was, to which I told him that I was seriously upset that he wasn't clear about this earlier in the week because who knows who we may have exposed that too... ugh.

-6-
Have you ever tried to put eye drops in a 3 1/2 year old's eyes? My 3 1/2 year old makes noises that might lead you to believe she was being tortured. I guess you could argue that it was torture. I know she would.

-7-
Friday, I am still feeling cruddy, but I decide I don't feel bad enough to go to the doctor. I'll just ride it out. Famous last words. I end up at a Walgreen's Clinic Saturday morning because I feel like heck. My diagnosis, a virus that will run its course in 7-10 days.

-8-
I feel worse every hour for the next two days only made worse by a stomach bug that is seriously unpleasant. Oh, and Kevin starts with a sore throat on Saturday. Sunday night the girlies spent the night at my in-laws. I slept horribly and didn't even get out of bed until 10am. Madeline and Lydia came home happy and super tired. By bedtime Madeline had a little cough and Lydia was running a fever and had broken out in a rash and low and behold... her pink eye is back.

-9-
Do you know what is worse than giving eye drops to a 3 1/2 year old? Giving eye drops to a 1 1/2 year old.

-10-
Today, Madeline is doing fine. Lydia's fever is hanging tough but she seems mostly unaffected by it. I am feeling better, not awesome, but better. And Kevin, well he's in it for the long haul.

My words of wisdom for the week: don't visit without a face mask and hand sanitizer. Deep cleaning will commence as soon as possible.

The Tuesday Ten, vol. XI

2011-03-15T20:51:00.003-05:00

-1-
Lydia woke up 110% better than she was yesterday. Her eyes have cleared up and she was a happy smiley girl all day long.

-2-
I cut my finger whilst making myself a sandwich, yep a sandwich. I am trying to type with a band-aid on my finger and it is stupid difficult.

-3-
We are currently watching a history channel show about if a presidential book of secrets exists. They can't say presidential book of secrets without sounding ridiculously dramatic. I giggle every time.

-4-
The Warblers sang Blackbird, one of my favorite songs of all time, on Glee tonight. It was lovely. Not as good as the original, but I liked it.

-5-
Yep, I watch Glee.

-6-
I'm ok with that.

-7-
It snowed yesterday only confirming my desire, no need, for spring. Like, now.

-8-
The only problem is that my feet are totally NOT ready for flip flop weather. I just last week removed the last of the toe nail polish that was applied on August 4th of last year. It was a sliver of paint, but still. I want a pedicure like no body's business! If I had unlimited funds that is totally something I would treat myself to. I love having my nails done (both feet and hands) but can't justify the expense. Maybe some day.

-9-
Madeline has been talking about taking swimming lessons lately and informed me today that she can't go swimming until she has lessons. Why? Because it is against the rules and just wouldn't be safe. That girl is so much my daughter it is scary sometimes. She's my little rule follower.

-10-
I feel like sewing something, but I have no idea what project to start. Any suggestions?

World's Worst

2011-03-14T22:33:00.004-05:00

Warning: If you have a weak constitution, have trouble dealing with illness or your heart breaks when you see a miserably sick kiddo I'd say this post isn't for you. It doesn't involve vomit, so at least it has that going for it.

Last week the squirrels had colds. They weren't too bad and in fact neither of them ever had a fever or developed the cough that so many of the kiddos seem to be hanging onto for weeks on end.

Then came Friday. Friday I noticed Lydia had a little gunk in her right eye before bedtime. Not to bad and I wiped it away and that was that. Saturday it was still there, but not too bad and I only wiped her face two or three times. Yesterday it spread to both eyes and was a fairly constant stream of ick. I called the Dr's exchange (I swear childrens immune systems have a clock that is set to only go off during the doctors no working hours...) and ultimately decided to bring her in to the doc this morning.

The diagnosis? A sinus infection that is "seeping" out of her eyes to release the pressure. Of course after her visit and the first dose of antibiotic she got worse. (Which I know happens all the time, but it is still hard to see my baby so unhappy.) She woke up early from her nap with a 100.4 fever feeling and looking all around gross. Until this afternoon Lydia hadn't run a fever at all.

So world's worst sinus infection? Maybe not. Grossest I've seen? Heck yeah. After her second dose of antibiotics and a round of fever reducer she was almost back to her normal cheerful self this evening. I just hope she doesn't wake up with her eyes matted shut again in the morning. Yuck.

Facebook Friday

2011-03-11T21:11:00.003-06:00

I realized recently that part of the reason I have neglected this blog is because I have been using Facebook a whole lot more. It is just so simple to get online, get what ever is in my brain out quickly and move on.

So I thought it would be a good idea to record some of what I've posted on Facebook during the week. That way it is recorded here for all of posterity as well as on Facebook.

I am not going to re-post everything. Some things need not be repeated. Anything that is notable, or any photos I post I will re-post here.

So let's get started!

March 4 at 12:09pm
Kev is doubting my sensibility because of the way Lydia is dressed today. I'll admit she is a little bold with her colors but the hat was all her idea.

March 4 at 3:02pm
I just had a new (to me) sewing machine brought to my house by a dear friend. Let the fun begin!

March 7 at 10:41am
I guess Lydia's still feeling crummy. She just asked to nap two hours early and passed out almost as soon as I put her down. Worried what this means for the rest of the day!!!

March 7 at 6:00pm
Me: I love you Madeline.
Madeline: I love that rug.

March 9 at 10:08am
Dear Sun,
It was fun while it lasted. Could you please come out again soon? Like, now?
Love, Maureen

March 11 at 2:35pm
Conversation at the park is going something like this: "Up!" So I put her up. Immediately she says "down" so I take her down. "Up!" "Down!" "Up!" "Down!" When will I learn?

Just 'cuz

2011-03-10T22:04:00.003-06:00

Today has been a hectic day around here. Run. Run. Run.

But that always makes me feel better. How about you?

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-09T21:09:00.003-06:00

If you know me in real life or have been following the bligity-blog for a while you know I really just can't keep my mouth closed. Even on wordless Wednesday...

You know you love me anyway!

We checked out the first Molly book from the original American Girl series from the library this week. These books were first published in 1986, when I was in grade school and I devoured the Molly books. I thought maybe Madeline would dig them as much as I did. We've read this book from cover to cover four times since last Thursday. I'd say it's a hit.

The Tuesday Ten, vol. X

2011-03-08T20:47:00.004-06:00

This was hard this week. Promise to be more cleaver in the future...

-1-
Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Happy Mardi Gras! I celebrated this "holiday" by eating leftover Cajun Chicken Pasta. It wasn't nearly Cajun enough for my taste and much better as a second day dish than it was last night when I originally made it.

-2-
After last week's storm and a tree falling in our yard crushing the slide on our play structure we were very surprised to receive a new one today at no charge. It's a long story, but we were very happy to catch a break after a few weeks of stressful events. Thank you Leisure Time Products!

-3-
We are currently watching Chicago on TV and I forgot how much I love that movie. Richard Gere as Billy Flynn? Genius!

-4-
Why is choosing a preschool classroom so difficult? I mean why in the world are there so many choices and WHY is it so hard? Please someone tell me the right choice to make. Please?

-5-
Is it spring yet? I miss being able to feel my toes (because they are always cold) and sunshine.

-6-
Increasing the amount of water you drink in a day means frequent trips to the bathroom leaving your children more time to destroy things in your absence. Not a consequence I could have projected but a reality none the less.

-7-
Charlie Sheen = train wreak I can't stop watching

-8-
I am kinda embarrassed about #7. Don't hold it against me. I just have really poor taste in reality TV and this week has been like gold for reality junkies like me.

-9-
I'm even more embarrassed about #8.

-10-
I think I'll end the embarrassment here. 'night!

Many Moons Ago

2011-03-07T22:00:00.004-06:00

Weeks ago I took a million photographs of my squirrels in order to get two usable photographs for Valentines Day.

So as not to mislead you into thinking that my children are in fact perfect in every way and sit, smile and are even remotely still on command I give you the out takes.

I call this the "I think I'm gonna sneeze" shot.

"What is that in your hand?" shot.

"Who invited him*?" shot.

"Mom, I have a hair on my tongue" shot.

"Mom might be missing an eye, but at least I'm cute" shot.

"Not him again?" shot.

"Man are we cute but I should really be wearing makeup" shot.

So in order to gain Madeline's compliance on this entire ordeal, I told her that if I could take pictures of her for 5 minutes she could direct me for five minutes.

This is her artistic vision of a valentines day photo shoot.

The girl is an artistic visionary. Santa and play toast on a plate. She is going to make tens. I'm sure of it.

Then we played with the camera's timer and I handed her my remote shutter**. You can see it in some of the photos below. This activity was wildly popular and I am a bit disappointed that I didn't think of this earlier in the winter. She was highly entertained and I found the photos highly entertaining. Win-Win.

That second to last one cracks me up every time.

_________
*Meet Mr. M. He comes to play with us on Monday's so you might see him around the bligity-blog from time to time.

**It is simply a remote that operates the camera's shutter so you can move freely with a fixed camera. (It is also how I took the family photos from this post.)

Photo Phun

2011-03-05T19:31:00.004-06:00

Aren't I phunny?

Both of my children are in this photo. Can you find them?

It's kinda like an episode of Hoarders: toddler edition.

I want to assure you that Lydia was enjoying herself. At least I think so. I mean she wasn't wailing or anything. Madeline piled her in there with all that stuff and both of them laughed the whole time. When Lydia decided she was done, Madeline happily unearthed her.

And what Madeline is doing with a hamper on her head I may never know. That girl, she keeps you guessing.

Where I reitterate: home ownership isn't for the weak hearted

2011-03-02T21:07:00.004-06:00

What a week we've had.

Sunday night a potentially tornado forming storm we woke the squirrels up from their oh so important beauty sleep to hang out in our basement. I told them it was a fun adventure. I lied.

After getting them back into bed Kevin discovered that the 70+ mph winds felled 1/3 of the silver maple in our back yard. Falling on the play set in our back yard and revealing the severe amount of rot in the tree.

The play set will be ok. It wasn't smashed, just knocked severely out of whack. Fingers crossed it is easy to rectify. The slide however is toast. (Which reminds me, what in the hell are plastic slides so expensive?!?!? We priced a new one, thinking it would be between $5-=$75 bucks. Nope, $160! It makes me sick to even think about it. I digress.)

The tree is not so lucky however. Although we don't want to get rid of the tree (and we especially don't want to pay for removal) based on the amount of rot in the tree it is just a matter of time before more of the tree comes down and we may not be as lucky (if you count falling on the play set lucky) next time. We'd hate to have the tree come down on the deck, or the house, or the cars. So it is coming down.

What a miserable start to our week.

Then today. Oh today. At 2pm the water main broke on our street. We have been without water since. It is now 8 hours later and there is still NO SIGN OF THE WATER COMPANY!!!!!!!!!!! They told us when we called this afternoon that the water would be back on within 8 hours. That is 10pm. So when we called them back at 8pm to find out what was going on they told us it would be back on within 8 hours.

So who knows when we will have water service back. Oh, what a week.

The Tuesday Ten, vol. IX

2011-03-01T19:53:00.004-06:00

10 things I ♥ about Madeline

-1-
When she smiles at me like the photo above I just can't say no to her. Please don't tell her that. She would use it against me.

-2-
I love the way she "coughs" and "sneezes" to get sympathy, gain attention and, I think, relieve stress in new situations.

-3-
I love how helpful and loving she has become with her sister.

-4-
I love when she blows kisses to me at bed time. There are always four. One for my cheek, and three to put in my pocket for Kevin, Lydia and Olive.

-5-
She loves to cook just like her momma.

-6-
I love the way she says "Wydia." It melts my heart and I am savoring that little speech snafu because I know one day we'll wake up and it will be gone along with the last little traces of my little baby girl.

-7-
Madeline makes up songs to narrate her day. Just today I heard her making up a song about cleaning up the blocks in the playroom. They were being bad and she was sending them to their "room."

-8-
"I know just what to do!" is her favorite phrase.

-9-
She is teaching me patience. I lesson I desperately need and am still working to master. My guess is she will continue this lesson for years to come.

-10-
I love the way she laughs at her own jokes. They are the worst jokes I've ever heard but she thinks they are the funniest bits of language ever.

Mmmmmm.... Monday

2011-02-28T22:00:00.000-06:00

I'm no Ree Drummond.

Don't know Ree? She is The Pioneer Woman, blogger, author of two best selling books, mom, cook, photographer, home schooler and all around wicked awesome ranch wife. I started reading her blog in '09 after her cookbook was published. Just this month her second book, this time an autobiography, was published.

I whipped through that sucker in the first 48 hours I had it in my hands. For anyone with two small children, you know that is quite the feet.

Saturday night was her book signing in STL. Now I know she is popular, but I had NO IDEA how crazy it would be. The signing was to start at 6pm, so I wander up at 5:30p and there is a line around the building to get in and according to the woman counting at the door I was number 480-something into the building. The final count, somewhere around 700. Multiple people I met drove in from out of town, the farthest being 6 hours, to meet her.

I finally met Ree, who complimented me on my purse, at 9:45pm. I know that makes me a little crazy. (But hopefully not as crazy as the people who drove 6 hours, right? Right?)

She couldn't have been any nicer. Honestly.

I had her sign her cookbook as well as her biography (seen above). Did you notice the bonus autograph at the top there?

That's right, Marlboro Man (Ree's husband) was there as well holding his own impromptu book signing.

Please excuse the blurry cell phone photo. MM was equally as gracious.

SO...

In honor of The Pioneer Woman and her recent STL book signing I am posting my own tasty kitchen recipe today. If you are familiar with PW and her recipes, complete with photographs, you will be disappointed. However, I am giving you the oft requested....

SPUDTACULAR POTATO SOUP RECIPE!!!!!!

1 med-large onion, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
2-3 T Olive Oil
6 potatoes
1 t seasoned salt (like Lawry's)
1/4 t rosemary
1 t thyme
32 oz Chicken stock
2 c milk
1 c cheddar cheese, grated

Saute the onions, celery and carrots, (sometimes known as the trinity) in olive oil. Once they are tender, but not mushy, add in the potatoes, seasoned salt, rosemary, thyme and chicken stock. If the stock doesn't cover the potatoes you can add a little water until they are just covered. Boil until potatoes are cooked through. Remove from heat. Use a potato masher and smash the soup by hand in the pot it cooked in. Once smashed, add the milk and cheese mixing constantly until the cheese is melted and combined.

How simple is that?!?!

I've made this soup a million times and there are a couple things I've learned along the way that I thought you'd want to know.

1- I wrote the recipe with Olive Oil but you can also use 3-4 tablespoons of butter. I am trying to cut down on the amount of butter in my cooking and olive oil has the better for you omega-3 fatty acids. Go fatty acids!

2- I use fresh herbs from my garden when they are in season, and from what I can tell, the thyme is ALWAYS in season. I've dug it out of the snow three or four times this winter to use. If not, dried herbs work just fine.

3- I use a potato masher to hand mash the veggies after they are cooked. The first time I made it I blended it but it had too much of a bisque consistency, but if that kind of thing gets your juices flowing by all means, blend away!

4- Recently I substituted a butternut squash for the potatoes and it was delicious. I recommend. Look at that two for the price of one soups!

So I may not be The Pioneer Woman but I promise this soup will get you through until spring... how many more weeks again?

The Tuesday Ten, vol. IIX

2011-02-22T22:52:00.008-06:00

It's been a week. That's all I have to say about that.

For this week's Tuesday Ten I harassed my children by following them around with my cell phone camera all day. I hope you enjoy it more than they did.*

-1-
Today was hat day at school. Madeline borrowed Granny's crazy bat hat. It was the craziest hat by far.

I promise she smiled like .45 seconds after this photo... but doesn't she look pathetic?

-2-
While Madeline played at school Lydia and I played at home. Well, we tried to play. She is in the point and scream and throw a fit stage.

But she's cute so that makes up for a lot of it.

-3-
Then we went to target and we found out what freedom smells like. It's kinda like a crisp fall day in October.

Man am I funny or what? Don't answer that.

-4-
After naps Lydia gets ready for Mardi Gras.

...kinda.

-5-
I made potato soup for dinner. I am totally obsessed with this soup. I'll share the recipe soon.

It isn't really that yellow in person. Honest.

-6-
The squirrels occupied themselves while I cooked.

Be advised, this is rare.

-7-
Dinner was yummy.

And very colorful.

-8-
Lydia likes to smear food into her hair.

Her hair stuck like this until bath time.

-9-
You can't head to a bath without a little dessert...

Why yes that is Redi Whip in a can? No, you can't have any.

-10-
Bath time might just be Lydia's favorite part of the day.

Madeline tolerates it, at best.

Bonus -11-!!!
Then I got to deal with the three foot pile of laundry in my bedroom.

I am happy to say it is now all folded.

Happy Tuesday!

__________
*Of course I am kidding. They didn't really hate it. Ok, maybe Madeline hated it a little (see #1), yikes!

The Tuesday Ten, vol. VII

2011-02-15T22:23:00.004-06:00

Keepin' it real edition.

Just in case you might be laboring under the impression that I am super mom after I admitted to cooking not one, not two but five different homemade items for Valentines day yesterday I thought I'd give you ten true to life snip its of the world as I know it, today.

-1-
My back hurts crazy bad and nothing I have taken seems to help. Laying flat seems to work, but there are two crazy (sugared up) squirrels running loose in my house so laying flat all day isn't really an option.

-2-
I ran the dishwasher twice yesterday but have yet to unload it for the second time which means my sink and counters are full of dirty dishes including the dinner dishes from last night, breakfast from this morning and lunch today.

-3-
I mooched dinner off my parents. See #1 and #2.

-4-
I have two baskets of clean but needing to be folded clothes on my bed room floor.

-5-
Yet, all of Kevin's work shirts were dirty this evening when we discovered there was no clean shirt to iron for tomorrow.

-6-
Doing laundry at 10:45pm is fun. (or at least that is what we are telling ourselves...)

-7-
Madeline's bookshelf has three shelves. There are approximately 15 books on all three shelves. The rest are scattered to the four walls of her room. It isn't pretty.

-8-
There are three laundry baskets in Lydia's room. I am pretty sure all of the contents are clean. I mean, pretty sure.

-9-
I don't think I brushed my teeth today.

-10-
I did shower though, so that is at least one win for me.

How Valentines Day Beat Me Into Submission (by the numbers)

2011-02-14T22:00:00.004-06:00

Number Valentine's day related crafts done in the last five days: 4
1- foam valentine hearts with heart stickers
2- marble painting
3- Madeline's school valentines
4- roses for Madeline's hair (assembled at 6:15 AM because I woke up thinking about crafting and couldn't go back to sleep until those damn roses were made and OUT OF MY EVER LOVING CRAZY MIND!!!!)

Number of photos taken to get valentines for the girlies: 78

Number of photos used: 2

Number of items cooked, from scratch, in the last five days for Valentine's Day: 6
1- Cupid crunch
2- banana nutella crepes
3- heart shaped quesadillas
4- soft pretzel bites with sharp cheddar dipping sauce
5- bacon wrapped meatloaf and
6- creamy mashed potatoes

Number of those items cooked JUST TODAY: 5 (numbers 2-6)

Number of hugs and kisses and I love yous and Happy Valentines days exchanged by our family of four: too many to count :)

Although the crazy of Valentines Day totally sucked me in and spit me out I think I still win.

Proof that I reign supreme:

After lunch Madeline gave me a conversation heart that said 'real love'. And said "Mom, this is for you because I love you sooooo much!" Followed by a HUGE hug. Totally worth it.

Now I'm off to ice my back and have my valentine rub my feet.

Happy Valentines Day!

Gearing up

2011-02-11T23:14:00.004-06:00

We are gearing up for Valentines day around here. Monday we had a Valentines themed photo shoot. I'll share more from the "shoot" next week.

We made valentines for Madeline's classmates and celebrated the holiday at school yesterday.

Today we made Cupid Crunch, aka. puppy chow with valentine m&ms. Yum.

Tomorrow who knows what we will do! I'm sure there will be lots of hearts and red and pink and sweets and lovey!

Here's to a weekend full of sweet love!
____________

and just because I love you too!

Cupid Crunch

8-9 cups rice Chex cereal
1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
1/4 t. vanilla
1-1 1/2 c. m&ms

Melt chocolate and peanut butter in a sauce pan over low heat stirring frequently. Once completely melted remove from heat and mix in vanilla extract. Pour over cereal in a large bowl and mix well. Pour your powdered sugar in a large paper bag and add the chocolate coated cereal and shake, shake, shake. Finally spread the cereal on a baking sheet to finish drying. Once dry, mix in the m&ms.

Oh come let us adore him

2011-02-09T12:00:00.000-06:00

December 2010

The Tuesday Ten, vol. VI

2011-02-08T22:29:00.004-06:00

-1-
Whilst doing laundry tonight I bent down to get the reds out of the dryer and came face to face with a cricket the size of my thumb. I freaking hate crickets.

-2-
Madeline's valentines day party is this Thursday. I am stoked. I have her valentines all ready for her to 'sign.' Madeline seems completely unaffected. Just my luck.

-3-
I went to Target to get one thing today. I came home with 5. Within an hour of returning home I added two more things to my Target list. Life is cruel some times.

-4-
Agh... I just can't stop thinking about that stupid cricket. It was gigantic. Huge. Colossal. Gargantuan. Mammoth. Humongous. Immense. Jumbo. Monstrous. Whopping. Ample. Mutant.

-5-
Lydia cut another tooth this week which makes a total of 8.

-6-
If there were such a thing as the magic laundry fairy wouldn't ask her to do my laundry so much as locate my laundry on the main floor so I didn't have to deal with mutant crickets.

-7-
I read a (real, grown up) book in less than 48 hours this week. That hasn't happened since my undergraduate days. It was awesome.

-8-
I'm pretty sure that beast is going to haunt my dreams. They are just so jumpy and springy and you never know where they are going to land. (This may have something to do with the fact that most crickets in our basement are missing one of their back legs- Thank you Olive the ferocious beast- so they leap in circles)

-9-
Thanks to my 6 year old cousin Mia, Madeline has discovered the joy of Pop Rocks. Her world is a brighter, happier place.

-10-
Did I mention I freaking hate crickets.

Olivia

2011-02-07T22:00:00.001-06:00

One of the first books my parents read to Madeline at there house was the original Olivia by Ian Falconer. There is something magical about that book for Madeline and my mom in particular.

When Madeline had just turned two she knew many of the pages by heart and hearing a 2 year old 'read' Falconer's words is precious. To continue the theme, Madeline got this for Christmas from my parents.

For the first time she will play alone without trying to engage me. Because of the very small pieces (much too small for Lydia) Madeline plays with this house/pirate ship at the dining room table and she will play, alone, for 20 or 30 minutes at a time.

Although she has a lot of fun playing with it I really think I have more fun listening to her imagination at work.

On this particular day, Olivia was having chicken for dinner in her bedroom because her mother had sent her out of the kitchen for being a wild animal.

I just don't have the heart to tell her that serving a whole parrot isn't really that appetizing.

tap tap tap.... is this thing on?

2011-02-04T23:00:00.002-06:00

I had one guess. One. (and thank you Michelle for that one guess)

I give up.

Are you even out there people. Jeez.

I'm done pouting because I am over joyed to tell you that this:

Became this:

Is it not beautiful?

And guess what else?!?!

My husband MADE IT. I know I am crafty, but the sheer amount of math that it took to determine what wood to purchase had my head reeling. (Math and I, are. not. friends.)

We recently bought a new mattress and up graded from a double (yeah, yeah, yeah, I heard you gasp and ask out loud 'what were they thinking'?!?) to a king (and we will never look back). Our previous head board was only as big as a queen, so we had to come up with another solution.

And what a stunning solution it is.

If you are looking for me I think you know where you'll find me. Curled up in our giant bed with the sheets pulled up over my head (so the girlies can't find me) and probably thanking my lucky stars that I found a man who is so much better at math than I am.

Hallelujah!

and good night.

Ya know?

2011-02-03T22:12:00.005-06:00

So Kevin has been busy in the last three or so weeks.

I'll give you a hint:

That is a bunch of 2x4s, a couple of 2x12s, some 2x10s and a smathering of other pieces of solid pine (and please, ignore the mess that is the rest of our basement).

Any guesses as to what this is in its rawest form? (and if you know you don't get to guess...)

Any guesses on how many band aids Kev's gone through in three weeks? (I kid, he is super safe and wouldn't need band aids, ever... no really.)

I'll give you a hint. It is wicked heavy. Wicked I tell you.

Playing Catch Up, vol. IV (aka. Wordless Wednesday)

2011-02-02T12:00:00.001-06:00

The Tuesday Ten, vol. V

2011-02-01T20:41:00.003-06:00

-1-
Today was SUPPOSE to be snowpocolypse 2011. Instead of the 1/2 inch of ice and then 16-20 inches we got a minimal amount of ice, a couple of inches of sleet and we MIGHT get some snow, but only a little bit. Kinda a let down really.

-2-
I did a redonkulous amount of laundry today. I still have a redonkulous amount I could still do. (Sheets and towels and the like...) but I think I'm done at least for today.

-3-
None of us left the house today. We probably won't leave the house tomorrow.

-4-
We are a little bored.

-5-
We are catching up on our DVR tonight.

-6-
But I spent the last 30 minutes on the IKEA website after a reference to the Grunka spoons on the TV show Chuck.

-7-
Why isn't there an IKEA in the greater STL area? WHY????

-8-
Why is it that TV newborns are always the size of three month olds? Not that I suggest newbies should be acting, but I mean, really?

-9-
Madeline announced today that she was going to have 5 children all at the same time and there names are going to be Acra, Bacra, Ama, Rama and Crama. I could not contain my giggles on this one. I hope someday I get those 5 grandchildren named Acra, Bacra, Ama, Rama, and Crama. I just hope I have enough arms. :)

-10-
And just cuz...

Gene Simmons has nothing on this girl

2011-01-26T19:36:00.010-06:00

In honor of G. G.'s birthday I wanted to make sure we took a family photo. I knew the party on her actual birthday would be too hectic so I brought my camera (with a remote shutter) to my in-laws for Sunday dinner. When Kevin's family gets in front of a camera least one of us has their eyes closed or looks like they are about to sneeze but on Sunday I took what I consider to be the best family photo to date. Everyone is happy and smiling, even 15 month old Lydia.

But wait, did you see Madeline? Let me zoom in for you...

Oh wait, that is Gene Simmons from KISS. My mistake.

Here...

Yep, that's my sweet heart all right.

Of my two children common sense tells me that it would be harder to get a 15 month old to smile for a camera. Especially an un-manned camera as we used a remote shutter control so NO ONE was standing on the opposite side of the room. Essentially my 15 month old is smiling at nothing and I get this...

Oh where did I go wrong?

And does it end there? Of course not. There are quite a few photos where Madeline looks like this...

and Lydia looks like this...

There is only ONE photo where Lydia isn't looking at the camera with the big cheesy grin on her face...

And did you notice Madeline?

There's my angel.

Any one know how to photo shop this...

Into this...

Good grief.

The Tuesday Ten, vol. IV

2011-01-25T22:30:00.000-06:00

-1-
I am beyond ready for spring.

-2-
Santa brought Madeline wings for Christmas and they have lasted 31 more days then I expected them to. They've been bent, sat on, smashed, pushed and pulled almost in two. Today they were closed in the bathroom door. There is barely a scratch on them. Although they appear to be nylons and wire hangers I think they must really be made of titanium and gortex.

-3-
I slipped on a patch of ice this morning before taking Madeline to school. I am sure my knee will be a beautiful technicolor mess by tomorrow. See #1.

-4-
I made turkey stock over the weekend and although I got a lot of comments on Facebook about how I was crazy and why wouldn't I just buy it I felt super proud of myself and was totally excited about it. That was until this morning when I measured it and realized I cooked it for E-V-E-R and I only got 96 oz of stock, or the equivalent of three pots of potato soup out of it. It's a good thing it was a low maintenance project. I'm gonna be extra peeved if it tastes like shoes.

-5-
We are in so much trouble.

-6-
Yesterday Lydia had her first (and hopefully only) case of nursemaids elbow. We are unsure of how it happened because she was just getting up from a nap when she started crying (so we didn't see anything). I am pretty sure after all of Madeline's trips to the Dr. for this condition we are on some sort of watch list, moments away from being hot lined by a mandated reporter. You can read about Madeline's forays into the world of NME here and here.

-7-
Madeline let me do her hair today. It may have been the highlight of my day. Just maybe.

-8-
Please tell me I'm not the only person who saves bananas for banana bread but never gets around to making it. If not, please lie.

-9-
Negative: Kevin's schedule today kinda sucked.
Positive: We had dinner alone when he got home from work.

-10-
Last, but in no way least: One of my oldest friends (who I've known since kindergarten) lost her grandmother today. Although I am supremely sad for the family I know that Grandma Joan's love will continue to bless them as they move through their grief and begin to heal. The love she gave will be carried on by not just her family but by all who knew her, including me.

Happy Birthday G.G.

2011-01-24T20:04:00.006-06:00

Friday was a huge day in our family. Kevin's grandmother celebrated a very special birthday. If I told you how old she is I'd be in a lot of trouble. She really doesn't want people to know even though I want to shout it from the rooftops if/when I reach that age.

Don't think you can twist my arm. I'm not telling. Instead I am going to give you some interesting facts that a close family friend shared with us to celebrate her birthday. (Thank you Deb!)

In 1911* there were only 144 miles of paved roads and gasoline was sold in cans at the grocery store. And speaking of cans, canned beer had not yet been invented but you could walk to your corner druggist and buy marijuana, morphine and heroin over the counter without a prescription. Wild!

To celebrate G.G.'s birthday we all had dinner at her apartment building and celebrated with cake for all the residents.

Madeline snarfed down her roll.

I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that my girls are getting to know their great grandmother's. (My maternal grandma is still around too...) The bond that Madeline, in particular, has with G. G. is something to see. We are so very lucky to have such a strong role model for our girls.

Happy very special Birthday G.G!

__________
*Shhh.... let's keep that our little secret now won't we. You can read Grandma's 99th birthday post (and the story of how Lydia got her name) here.

Playing Catch Up, vol. III

2011-01-22T22:00:00.000-06:00

How about a wordless weekend post...

October 30, 2010

The Tuesday Ten (on Thursday), vol. III

2011-01-20T22:40:00.000-06:00

-1-
So I know it is actually Thursday and I am two days late with my Tuesday Ten but I have no excuses and this is my bligity blog and I am totally ok with that. Mmmm-K?

-2-
It snowed 5.5 inches at our house today but we feel a little gypped because not to much further north got up to 14 inches of snow. I should consult my husband before making this statement though because I didn't get out of my pajamas until 4pm and he shoveled our super long drive way.

-3-
Anyone know a good recipe for snow cream? We've never done it but since a million of my facebook friends keep talking about it I must try it.

-4-
My mom just sent my brother to my house with a piece of chocolate cake. It was yummy.

-5-
I need to stop eating chocolate cake and brownies and snow cream.

-6-
Madeline had her second snow day in a week and a half. She didn't cry today. :)

-7-
I made bacon and pancakes for breakfast. I love snow days with the whole family at home.

-8-
I watched the movie Friends With Money tonight. I'd take a pass on that one if I were you.

-9-
This post has taken me far to long to write because I keep getting distracted.

-10-
Oh... shiny!

The Guide

2011-01-17T22:00:00.001-06:00

I have a friend who is expecting twins. Although she still has two months ahead of her, after a conversation with her on Friday I gathered that she was feeling kinda done with the whole pregnancy thing.

I GET THAT.

Although I've never carried twins, I totally get the feeling of being done growing beings inside you. So in order to lift her spirits, maybe make her chuckle and know that someone is thinking about her I present:

Madeline and Lydia's guide to twins.

#1- No matter how you feel inside always keep a smile on your face.

#2- Cleaning is a snap with two kiddos in tow.

#3- Clothing makes a great handle while getting those tough to reach spots on your floor clean.

#4- never. stop. smiling.
(thumbnail is enlarged from the photo above...)

#5- Who needs two high chairs? Although you might want to situate them better to avoid brain injury or broken bones.

I hope you're smiling... Who loves you? *een does, that's who!

Playing Catch Up, vol. II

2011-01-13T21:23:00.004-06:00

October 19. 2010

So after celebrating Lydia's birthday with about 60 people we spent her actual birthday very low key.

This (mini) cup cake I did make!

She devoured her first birthday cupcake.

So did Madeline.

We decided not to go totally crazy with gifts for Lydia's birthday. We usually don't go to wild with birthday gifts in general. Knowing that Lydia would get a ton of stuff from family added to the fact that we have accumulated a ton of stuff in Madeline's 3 1/2 short years of life Lydia wasn't really in want or need of anything. We chose to let Madeline pick out a gift for Lydia instead.

At her party she had no interest in her gifts. She was way into this one though.

Look at that happy face!

Madeline chose this blue haired friend for Lydia all on her own. If you've been around this bligity-blog since the dark ages you might remember this post from when Madeline got her Grover. Lydia had recently taken a liking to Madeline's Grovie and although she never really protested I think Madeline was really sick of sharing her lovie. Lydia's Grover has been a favorite since her birthday and, just like her sister, sleeps with Grovie each and every night.

Lydia did get some light reading materials as well.

It is hard to believe Lydia is one. She is a bucket of fun and cuter ever single day. I mean how can you not smile when you see that face?

That is unless you are dead inside.

Just sayin'.

The Tuesday Ten, vol. II

2011-01-11T22:30:00.000-06:00

The Tuesday Ten-1.11.11 edition!

-1-
It snowed today. We played outside. Madeline and Kevin went sledding. I made chocolate chip brownie bars. Not one cup of hot chocolate was consumed. I think we need a do over.

-2-
We had a new bed delivered today. It is huge. I may never leave it. If you don't hear from me ever again you know where to find me.

-3-
Scott and Becky arrived back in STL today. We've decided we need to tell Madeline that Scott and Becky are arriving one day later than reality to avoid the constant stream of "are they here yet? is that their plane? are they coming here now? is it time yet? when are they getting here?"s spewing from her mouth.

-4-
Madeline played independently for almost 30 minutes yesterday. That is HUGE! I am half way to an episode of Oprah. (I'm (half) kidding!)

-5-
It is 10:15pm and Lydia is currently screaming from her room. I don't know why. I kinda hate this part of motherhood. (The not knowing why your baby (or 14 month old) is screaming therefore not being able to fix it.) (edit: it is now 10:27 pm and she isn't crying, fingers crossed...)

-6-
Kevin has to go back to work tomorrow after being off for three days in a row. I like having him around. I know he likes being had.

-7-
I am currently obsessed with potato soup. Snow is perfect soup weather. I think I may have to cook up a pot tomorrow. That would make five pots in four weeks. I tell you, this stuff is guh to the ood!

-8-
Or maybe I'll try a butternut squash recipe I was introduced to last week. It's pretty much potato soup - potatos + butternut squash. I bet it is just as yummy. I'll let you know.

-9-
Today I got a comment on this post from a blogger I L.O.V.E. Do you read Are We There Yet? You should. (but then again don't because you might like her more than me and then this here bligity-blog will seem even lamer... so never mind, forget I said anything.)

-10-
We had dinner out tonight. With other adults. It was ten kinds of awesome. (Thanks again Mr. H!)

I made it through another Tuesday Ten! Now it's your turn. Post as many as you'd like in the comments or post your own on your blog then leave a comment so I can read yours too!

Playing Catch Up, vol. I

2011-01-10T22:45:00.003-06:00

I have a lot of catching up to do on this here bligity-blog. I have decided not to overwhelm you my dear reader and slowly catch up. So let's start way back in October of 2010. Do you remember October? After September, before November? Usually the peak of the beautiful fall colors. At least it is here in the Gateway to the West. Do you remember 2010? It was just 10 days ago? No? Me either.

I'm not here to talk about the past. (10 points to the first person to identify that reference...)

Ok, I apologize for the detour. I think I'm done.

Let's catch up...

Invitations, designed by me.

On October 16th I turned 31 and we threw Lydia a first birthday party. If you've been around this bligity-blog a while you may remember we threw a similar party for Madeline's first birthday. First birthday's are a big deal for us and we want to share it with all those who helped us get to this point in our lives. Even if that is 40+ people!

The Birthday Buffet

No, I did not make this cake.

I didn't make this one either.

Usually the more shy of our two kiddos, Lydia did enjoy a room full of people singing to her!

She barely got messy. She may not be my daughter.
Wait, I was there when she was born so, I take that back.

Before opening presents she took a moment to enjoy a spot of tea with Aunt Beth.

She had such a good day!

It really was the best way to celebrate Lydia's big day! Thank you to all who were physically there, as well as there in spirit!

Cleanse

2011-01-08T22:30:00.002-06:00

What is it about this time of year that makes me want to clean out my closets and eat nothing but flax seed and quinoa?

It's like a life cleanse both inside and out. Was that TMI? No? Good.

Last Saturday Kev and I overhauled our second floor. I cleaned out Lydia's closet. I put away all of my laundry (which hadn't been done since at least Thanksgiving) and all of Madeline's clothes. I organized my closet and finally put away my maternity clothes. No worries I haven't actually worn them in over a year... ok, most of them. Kev deep cleaned the bathroom (what a man I have!) cleaned up the office/guest bedroom and cleaned/rearranged the furniture in our bedroom.

It is cathartic to clean out the proverbial and occasionally real cob webs.

But I want more. The master room closet, known as 'the junk room' is full of, well, junk. Problem is, when I enter the closet I have two little shadows that follow me in. There is hardly room for me. I'd take a photo, but I am afraid of showing the word my really dirty little secret. Then there is the kitchen. No matter how often I clean the kitchen it is the center of life and it gets messy in a heartbeat. Let me stress it isn't unsanitary it is just messy. Those flat surfaces accumulate a massive amount of "stuff" over the course of a day. The hall closets are a mess and not being used in the best way. The basement, oh don't even get me started on the basement!

The real dilemma?

These two lovies. (and what a cute two they are...)

In the wise words of Phyllis Diller, "Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing." (Phyllis Diller's House Keeping Hints, 1966)

Now I'm not asking for an immaculate home. Long before we had kiddos our home was far from immaculate but when I got fed up, like I so often do at this time of year, I could take the time to do something about it without having to line up a full day of babysitting.

So where do I find balance? I know this is a common feeling for mothers but I feel like I am the only one who doesn't have this figured out. I know that reality is more likely that I have it more figured out than most.

Which to me, is a very scary thought...

so how hard can it be?

2011-01-05T19:40:00.004-06:00

How hard can it be to get a photo of my 14 month old's first real set of piggies?

Really.

Stinkin'.

Hard.

I took way more that just the three photos below. Way more.

But chose these three because they are my favorites. Let me explain.

When I get out the camera Madeline tends to run away from me. Lydia, on the other hand, makes this face. That shot is blurry and grainy and ten different kinds of wrong but that is so Lydia right now. So, very very Lydia.

So again with the blur (what would you expect from a 14 month old ball of energy) and the grain and the wrong but that smile, THAT smile is her sister smile. That is the smile that only Madeline gets. It is equal parts adoration and joy. I love it.

And last, the best photo of all the shots I took today. You'd think I JUST started using my camera. For some reason I just couldn't figure out the manual settings today. So I switched to full auto and turned on the flash. Not my best work but at least I captured this moment. Lydia's first piggies, her two bottom teeth and that sweet chubby smile. Oh how I love my little girlie!

The Tuesday Ten

2011-01-04T21:28:00.004-06:00

As a way to keep me blogging I've decided to add some regular features to this here bligity-blog. So starting today, I will post ten things that are on my mind but may not be posts in their own right.

Feel free to play along and post one or two of your own in the comments, or if you have a blog of your own, you can join in. Just leave a comment with your bligity-blog url in the comments so I can check it out too! (I am operating under the assumption that more than 5 people visit this site, which I know is kinda a stretch! Here's to wishful thinking.)

Without further ado:

-1-
We took down the Christmas tree tonight. That is always bitter sweet for me. On one hand the house feels cleaner and less cluttered. On the other hand it means Christmas is over, yet again, way to quickly.

-2-
I kinda feel like junk. Of course this is just in time the last of my family (4 of them are teachers) to go back to work tomorrow. Isn't that just my luck.

-3-
Madeline started back to school today. She spent most of the afternoon totally whacked out. I hope this trend does not continue.

-4-
Lydia has been teething for the last week. That can not be over soon enough.

-5-
Before blogging I snuck into Madeline's room and smeared her chin with Vaseline. Her face is chapped and she won't let me put it on thick enough when she is awake because it "feels so icky!"

-6-
I made bread from scratch this week. It is a no knead recipe that you can store in the fridge until you are ready to use it in small batches. I might be my own hero.

-7-
Lydia cried the entire time I cooked dinner tonight. See #4. Most of that time she was hanging from my pant leg.

-8-
I made a batch of potato soup today but didn't have enough regular potatoes. I added a sweet potato instead. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I'll let you know.

-9-
Madeline and I took Olive to the vet today. Just before Olive got her shots Madeline said, "It's ok Mom. Olive will remember to be brave." Love that girl.

-10-
Why didn't I choose two? The Tuesday Two could have sufficed.

So? Whatcha think?

Before I catch up, let me tell you about my day

2011-01-02T22:04:00.005-06:00

So I am trying to keep this bligity-blog* a-rollin'. Don't go getting your hopes up that I will post every day. I do have two small children. And a cat. (Did you forget about the cat?!?! No worries, I do too.)

Although I will play catch up in time, for now I am moving forward and how much fast can I move than to tell you what we did TODAY!!! Yep, a blog post about an event that happened 8 hours ago.

Today's high temperature was 33*F so we bundled up and headed to the zoo. Each Sunday in winter they have a penguin parade.

At 3 1/2 years old we work on patience a lot. Today was one of those days. I am going to venture a guess that tomorrow will be too. Madeline must have asked me when the parade was going to start every 10 seconds for at least 15 minutes.

Lydia, she was chill in her stroller.

"Mom, I'm cold. Where are these 'penguins' you promised me?"

"Mom, when does the parade start? Is it going to start now? How about now? Ok, now?"

Once the parade did start it was wild to see the penguins so up close. A couple of them stopped just inches (like maybe 3 or 4") from where we were sitting. They ask you not to pet them, but that if they touch you that is ok, and to try not to scream so they don't get anxious.

Man are they pretty things!

Although even out of their house they still smell of fish.

We braved the cold a little longer to explore more of the zoo.

We ran into the cutest family of river otters ever.

Lydia was almost eaten by a hippopotamus.

And Madeline learned she is just inches away from being as tall as a pygmy goat**.

Lydia is more of a Koala.

A big thanks to Poppy for being my photographer (aka, poppy-razzi) for the day! It felt so nice to be outside even if it was a little chilly. The sunshine made it well worth it.

___________
* My dear husband lovingly made fun of my use of this totally made up word in my last blog post. Therefore I feel compelled to use it ad nauseam. That's just how we roll.
**My goodness there has been a lot of goat references on this blog...

January 1st usually calls for resolutions of one kind or another

2011-01-01T23:59:00.000-06:00

You will find none of that here.

None I tell you.

I've been an absentee blogger. We've been busy. Want to know what's taking all my time?

Me too. When I figure it out I'll let you know.

I think it might have a little to do with this:

Oh boy are we in trouble one of these days.

and some of this:

Just when we thought it was impossible for her to get any cuter. I just want to eat her up!

And maybe this:

Ok, most definitely not that last one. But look at how happy he/she is! Who knew goats were such jovial creatures. I sure didn't.

So I'm back and I have some catching up to do. I've changed the header and it is boring. I will have to revamp sooner than later and with that I hope to make a few other changes to this here bligity-blog. I started this as a way to write and record life with small children, because have you seen these two?

They don't stay little nearly long enough.

So it's November

2010-11-10T19:54:00.003-06:00

Yep. November.

I am so behind on this here blog that I feel like my online community card must be expired by now. Is that even possible?

So what have I missed... a lot. I have Lydia's birthday part and a one year update for her and Halloween and I am sure there is a million other things I should be blogging about.

And yes. I am fully aware my header says September. I should never have started a monthly header. EVER. Lesson learned. Look for something less timely in the future. (but don't count on it being the near future... )

And the photo on this post? Part of a blog post that I may or may not EVER get around to writing. It is a good one. Now I have set you up to be disappointed. Isn't that great? Now I feel guilty. Maybe I will write that post sooner than later. I hate to disappoint people.

Don't tell me I'm a disappointment. Even if I am... just lie to me. Please. Then maybe I'll post more. See, it's all on you.

Love ya.

mg

The post where I admit I might have a problem with crafting

2010-10-28T00:05:00.003-05:00

So in preparation for Lydia's first birthday party I realized I am crazy.

My house was a mess and I needed to clean almost every inch. So what did I do? I made a birthday banner out of felt!

My self refelction continues as Halloween approaches.

Tonight I needed to grade papers, prepare lecture and activities for the class I'm teaching tomorrow night. So what did I do? I sewed Madeline's halloween costume.

I promise photos of the craziness. Until then, can you send me resources for craft a holics? My husband would really appreciate it.

mg

A letter to my second daugther on her first birthday

2010-10-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Top to bottom, left to right: October 2009 through September 2010

Happy Birthday Lydia.

Today you turn one and, as cliche as it is, I can hardly believe it. To mark this occasion I have decided to finally write the story of your birth. It wasn't dramatic, but it was ours. I hope you enjoy it.
__________

Friday, October 16, 2009

Three days before you were born I celebrated my birthday with a doctors appointment. (Not exactly how I thought I spend my 30th birthday but what ever!) According to the doctor I was getting closer to your delivery, but it could have been an hour or a week away.

I was ready for you to be born. Really ready.

Your Dad couldn't wait either not to mention your very excited big sister.

So, on my 30th birthday, I scheduled an induction for 12am Monday morning. I was going to meet my second baby, my #2.
__________

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

After dinner at Maw Maw and Paw Paw's, Dad and I kissed your sister goodbye and left her in the capable hands of your grandparents. At home we packed the last minute items into a bag, tooth brush, deodorant, chap stick. It felt like we were packing for a weekend away. At 10pm I called the hospital to make sure they had a bed for us. They asked us to come in at 12:30am. So we waited, we tried to sleep a little and as I rested you kicked around. I like to think you were excited too.
__________

Monday, October 19th, 2009

We left the house about midnight and as your dad drove I sat very uncomfortably next to him. I was having small contractions all the way to the hospital. Once they checked us into the hospital and hooked me up to the monitors it showed that I was in fact having some contractions. You were as ready to meet us as we were to meet you. They started my induction at about 1:25am. Dad tried to sleep a bit. I rested as best I could hooked up to machines and IVs and all.

At some point in the mid morning hours (around 7:25am I think) the doctor came in to check on me. She had just finished an emergency C-section and wondered if she had enough time to go home for breakfast. She didn't.

What seemed like moments later I was ready to push. With the doctor and Dad at the ready I pushed for a total of maybe 10 minutes. I think it was three pushes and you were here. At exactly 8am my second daughter was born.
_________

Now, a year later, there is so much that could write about: How you have changed our lives. The love that you and your sister share. Your very first steps. The silly way you dance. Your goofy ear to ear grin. Instead I will just say that you are a perfect fit for our family and you will always fit perfectly in my heart.

Love,
Mom

mg

Thirty One

2010-10-16T22:05:00.004-05:00

Today we celebrated Lydia's first birthday. The party will be a post of its own but I am really hear to tell you that I am just not ready for this.

In the last two weeks Lydia has started walking. She is talking more and more every day. She is full of energy and silly to the bone. I love Lydia at one.

I am just not ready for this.

As I welcome Lydia the toddler into our lives, that means saying goodbye to Lydia the baby. Although I do not miss the sleepless nights or the hour long crying jags of infancy, it is still hard to say goodbye to my baby.

I am just not ready for this.

I wasn't ready for her to wean from nursing, which she did a month a half ago. Much to my chagrin.

I am just not ready for this.

It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Madeline's first birthday. Madeline has grown up so quickly I just want to stop time and take this all in because it feels like it is going too fast. Before I know it, Lydia will be a high energy 3 1/2 year old and Madeline will be 5.

I am just not ready for this.

__________

P.S. Today is my birthday. Leave me some blog love, eh?

mg

So cute it hurts to look at her

2010-10-14T22:28:00.002-05:00

Well, either that or I need to consider her wardrobe a little more critically in the morning.

mg

Best grandma photo EVER

2010-10-11T12:04:00.002-05:00

Mainly b/c Granny looks so very happy and her girls look 16, 14, and 13 instead of 3, 11m and 2m old. There were about 20 photos of Granny and her girls on my camera when I uploaded to my computer (taken by my dad I think). This was hands down the best one.

At least Granny looks good.

And a note to Granny: I hope this makes your day a little better... :)

mg

It will be better when...

2010-10-07T15:15:00.004-05:00

This has been a mantra of mine for as long as I can remember. At least since I entered my 'adult' years starting with college. And although it helps me get through life, I hate it. I feel like I'm wishing my life away.

It was almost exactly a year ago that my mind was focused on how much better I'd feel once the new baby was in my arms and not in my belly. Then it was how I'd feel better once I was getting more sleep. Which changed to thoughts of how much more I would get done once Lydia was taking solid scheduled naps. Then I focused on how much nicer it would be when the weather got warmer. Then, after the super hot summer we had, how nice it would be to spent time outside when the weather cooled off. And I looked forward to Madeline starting school with more hope and desire than I can explain in a blog post.

So what is it now? Life will settle down after Lydia's birthday. But will it?

But it never gets easier. There is always something next. Always something else that stands in the way of me feeling like I am on top of life.

So far, my family has not starved, no one has gone without clean clothes (although Madeline has come very close to going without unndderrppannttss*, which isn't a surprise to some (I'm looking at you Auntie Maine)) and my house isn't imploding from dust bunnies and dirty dishes.

ARGHALAFARGHALADARGALARARGALA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, instead of blogging about feeling behind I need to work on Tuesday's to do list.

Yep, Tuesdays.

__________
*I'm sorry I don't want pervs finding my blog by googling the correct spelling of that word so unndderrppannttss it is...

mg

This girl has got quite the style

2010-09-29T23:36:00.002-05:00

She's my own little Rachel Zoe.

I die.

mg

Iowa 2010, fin

2010-09-27T21:46:00.002-05:00

After a sleepless Friday night, Saturday night both of the girls went down (relatively) easy. AND they stayed asleep!

Sunday morning we were looking at a five hour road trip ahead of us so after a super yummy breakfast we packed up the car to head home.

But not before getting some group shots of the kiddos.

Do you know how hard it is to get a "good" photo of three kids three and under?

I know Q is a cutie, but look over here girls!

Madeline? Madeline? Madeline?

Well I guess that works.

It's kinda like trying to organize a bunch of squirrels.

Lydia practiced her walking.

So a HUGE thank you to Aaron and Jenny! They were the most wonderful hosts (for the second year in a row) and had a fantastic weekend! I am sorry Madeline got sick in your bathroom... although I am not sorry I cleaned it for you! You are welcome at our house at any time and we can't wait to meet your number 2!

mg

Iowa 2010, Part II

2010-09-26T21:01:00.004-05:00

And by tomorrow I mean two days later of course.

In order to move on to Saturday of our trip I must first address Friday night. Friday night was eventful. Madeline didn't want to go to bed. She was so wound up from being in a new place, with new people, and a new bed that she wouldn't calm down. To add to the crazy Lydia was equally crazy. She didn't want to sleep in the pack n play. So after three hours of crazy Madeline finally settled down and fell asleep. Lydia was shortly there after. That was until an hour later...

Madeline slept through, but Lydia cried every time we tried to set her in bed. For the rest of the evening she slept in 45 minute shots whilst being held by Kevin or I. None of us woke up rested.

Lydia had no interest in napping in the pack n play either. She konked out in the sling instead.

So we made guacamole.

Her neck isn't nearly as strained as it looks in this photo. Promise.

Madeline and Quentin got along famously. They played together all morning and kept each other entertained for most of the football game.

Did I mention the football game? The whole reason we headed up to IA was for a barbeque with Kevin's friends from his Iowa State days. The Iowa State vs. Iowa rivalry game.

This is Lydia watching some other game.

So now for the story you've all been waiting for.

During the game the big kiddos were playing outside in the sand box. Somehow Madeline got sand in her eyes. In order to clean them out as quickly as I could I used saline solution to wash her eyes out.

I have to stop here and interject a bit of commentary. Madeline hates getting water in her eyes. Bath time leads to a huge melt down if water even comes close to her eyes. So me spraying saline into her eyes was probably her personal idea of hell.

By the time I had washed all the sand out of her eyes she was really upset. So upset in fact that we had a repeat of the infamous crying induced vomiting episode. That's right. She puked all over Aaron and Jenny's bathroom, the floor, the shower curtain, herself and me. I had to launder my clothes, Maddy's and the bath mat. I washed the shower curtain separate (because that is what the instructions told me to do) and I cleaned their bathroom.

I couldn't have felt worse. Now I know that it wasn't on purpose. I also know that they felt bad because of the sand getting into her eyes in the first place, but I don't know that I have ever done two loads of laundry and cleaned a bathroom with so much apologizing afterward!

After that was behind us, Madeline recovered quickly. There were cupcakes involved. I truly believe cupcakes cure all.

mg

Iowa 2010, Part I

2010-09-22T22:21:00.003-05:00

Two weeks ago (because I am about that far behind on everything in my life including laundry and dishes (just kidding (sort of))) we hopped* in the car and headed north to Iowa.

It was a very eventful weekend. The weekend started with a 5 hour car ride with two small children. That is not fun. Period. I know there are a million websites that will tell you that traveling with kids is great if you have the right stuff to keep them entertained, but that is just a bunch of crap. You know what I need? A never ending supply of DVD's for my three year old and a intergalactic transporter a la 'beam me up Scotty" for my 10 month old. Just kidding of course. They don't let children that young transport alone.

So after a short nap for Lydia and about an hour of mild fussing by both the girls we stopped for lunch at a park. I was navigating and as we got off the highway the road I directed Kevin onto turned into a gravel road only 100 yards off the highway exit. He was more than skeptical.

But I didn't lead him astray and we found a park with picnic tables and a play ground for the girl to burn off some energy.

Did I mention it was freezing? It was freezing.

Eventually we got the girls to go back into the car. It was like we were torturing them or something. Hell in a Nissan. We are so flippin' mean.

Eventually we made it to Iowa to hang out with Quentin and his parents.

Madeline promptly found a even smaller spot to hang out in. See! She loved torture by Nissan.

They didn't spend all weekend in a bucket.

The train table was pretty cool too.

Tomorrow's installment: How Aaron and Jenny got me to clean their entire bathroom, do two loads of laundry AND apologize for it! Stay tuned!
__________
* and by hopped I mean we spent hours packing to leave the house for only three days and two nights.

mg

Doing my part to "green" my daughters

2010-09-17T20:30:00.002-05:00

Do you read a million blogs like me? Do you need one more?

One of the newer blogs I read is Greening Sam and Avery. I love her blog because she focuses on simple activities and crafts to do with her children (who are about the same age as mine) that focus on getting out into nature and caring for our earth. She is a very passionate naturalist and is sharing her ideas for all of us who may not be like minded. I mean I try to live by reduce, reuse, recycle. Try.

Each month Abbie presents a challenge for her readers. In August it was camping. That wasn't going to happen. This month she as asked her readers to make something new out of something from your recycle bin. Although I have a larger project for some glass jars I rescued from the recycling bin, but who knows if I'll get to that in time to meet the deadline. So today, when an idea for a VERY simple craft and reuse hit me I thought of the Greening Challenge.

I emptied this small plastic spice jar today.

So I had Madeline clean it out and we dried it really well. See that part with the holes on the right? I threw that back in the recycle bin.

Then Madeline filled it up with dried pinto beans.

See?

We only filled it a third of the way because:

The shake is just so much more satisfying in person. Promise. Lydia loves anything that makes noise. She shook that can for ever and carried it around under my feet as I cooked dinner.

It is a tiny little project I know. It took all of 10 minutes. That is my kind of project.

So go check out Greening Sam and Avery and let's hope there is more time in my life for her wonderful activities!

mg

Too much

2010-09-16T22:51:00.003-05:00

random Lydia photo to please the masses (or the 4 of you)

I have too much going on.

I need a second set of arms.

No, you know what I need? I wife.

Many moons ago, when I was paying my way through school and working 35+ hours a week as a nanny the mom once referred to me as "her wife." I thought that was very fitting. I cooked, I cleaned, I did all of the laundry and I cared for the children. I was, for all intents and totally gender stereotypical purposes, her wife.

There is a new TV show staring on TLC called Sister Wives. THAT IS TOTALLY NOT WHAT i AM TALKING ABOUT HERE!!!! Although I haven't seen the show, and I have no desire to really, I am talking about someone in the house to do all the stuff I am not so good at.

Case(s) in point:

1. The last load of laundry is in the drier. It has been there for over 24 hours.

2. My dishwasher is full of dishes. They are dirty. I probably won't go back downstairs to run it tonight. Which means that after breakfast tomorrow I will have a dishwasher full of dirty dishes AND a sink full of dirty dishes.

3. We went out of town last weekend and although we've been home for 4 days, I still haven't unpacked my suit case.

4. There is very little visible counter space in the upstairs bathroom. Most of the junk is mine.

5. Our floors are kinda gross. By kinda I mean really.

So who wants to come be my wife? Anybody? I'll pay you in banana bread, Madeline hugs and Lydia kisses. Anybody?

mg

My First...

2010-09-09T22:26:00.003-05:00

Day of preschool!

Ok technically today was the second day of preschool but wouldn't know know it a bug kept her home for the "first" day. So today was HER first day.

She couldn't be more ready to go to school.

She busted out in a first day of school dance.

I gave her a perfect 10.

I always give her a perfect 10.

Her new back pack is from here. She picked it out herself. It is the junior size and it still looks like it might swallow her up whole. I guess sometimes she's still my little Loula Belle.

She'll always be my little girl.

Go get 'em bits.

mg

This photo about sums it up

2010-09-07T20:38:00.002-05:00

The look on her face is how I feel on the inside lately.

Madeline came down with a stomach bug on Saturday night. Of course it was after she spent the entire day at my brother's house with my month old niece. After her one bought, she slept through to morning. She woke up and ate and ate and ate. Girl was hungry. She was fine and didn't have any symptoms of her previous night.

She did, however, have a cold. So did her sister. So I've been dealing with two stuffy, crabby, slimy girlies since Sunday morning. This is the head cold that just won't leave. Today both girlies have developed the most devastating cough. Each time Lydia coughs it breaks my heart a little bit.

Then to add to the crazy, Madeline woke up with about 4 dozen little welts on her legs that I thought was bug bites or a rash. Upon further inspection it was dozens of splinters. We had dinner on my parents deck last night and at one point she was sitting on the stairs. I can only assume that is where the splinters came from. I spent a hour this morning picking tiny splinters out of her legs (and one out of her hand) with tweezers, a straight pin, Follow That Bird and M&Ms. Don't worry, I sanitized them before hand. (The tweezers and pin, not the movie and candy...)

These are all things I can handle. Illness and crabbiness and splinters and stress is what mothering two small children is all about. So why do I feel like Lydia in the photo above? My weekend was NOTHING like I thought it would be. My week has not started out the way I thought it would. My life is not what I thought it should be in the last 4 days. That's hard for me. I like to know what is going to happen in my world. I like plans. I like clear expectations. This weekend did not fulfill my expectations. That kinda stinks.

Exacerbated because my brother and one month old niece have come down with something and I can only assume it is the same thing that my girl(ies) have. Although I have no control over that and I had NO idea Madeline and Lydia were ill when we saw them on Saturday (because the LAST think I would have done was expose her to an illness) I feel bad. Real bad.

AND

Because today was Madeline's first full day of preschool and I was scheduled as the parent helper and she missed it. I had to call in sick on her very first day of preschool. I know it isn't that big a deal, but it still makes me a little sad. As a child I missed my first week of kindergarten due to a major illness. Of course I didn't even remember this until my mother reminded me yesterday. Will Madeline remember her missed day? No. Did she even realize she had missed a day of school today? No. Thursday it is. (be assured there will be photos!)

I will survive. Thanks to my husband I did get a couple of errands run today. Because of those errands I was able to cross to major projects off my to do list. Then tonight the girls and I ran out to Target and scored a major deal on some sheets for a twin bed. I was thrilled! the combination of those things make a huge difference in my day. If I feel like I got something accomplished I am a much happier person. Even if my sink is still full of dirty dishes!

mg

A perfect STL day

2010-09-06T22:21:00.004-05:00

I hate heat. I hate humidity. Honestly I do and I know that I live in the wrong part of the country, but this summer where was the right part? I digress... Because of this hatred we haven't spent too much time outside. We would spend some time at the park in the mornings, but only until I couldn't stand it any longer. And when you wake up at 8am and it is already 85 degrees day after day, you don't stand much of a chance.

A few weeks ago, after the summer heat wave (of 95 degrees or higher days) broke, we ventured out doors.

First stop, the St. Louis Zoo.

No trip is complete, for Madeline, without a ride on the conservation carousel. Most of the time Kevin is her riding companion. That day I got the pleasure AND we were the only two people on the entire ride. Although she looks like she might marf, I promise Madeline had a good time.

Lydia watched us pass with amazement and waved frantically. Totally adorable.

Too cool for zool... or something like that.

By the time we rode the train Madeline was worn out and it was past Lydia's nap time. The managed to muster up the strength for a couple of not-screaming-crying-or-whining- photographs.

Second stop, Gus' pretzels.

We told Madeline there was a surprise in the center. Her face tells it all!

mg

September 2010

2010-09-04T12:03:00.003-05:00

When exactly did they get so big?

New month, new masthead.

mg

How do you grill with two small children under foot?

2010-08-29T22:45:00.002-05:00

You wear one of them.

Although she wasn't terribly happy in the back pack, she enjoyed her dinner.

A lot.*

Your welcome little girl!

__________
*did you see the left side of her head? That is some serious post dinner hair. Lydia, like her sister did, tells us when she has finished eating by spreading as much food as possible into her hair.

mg

Loves

2010-08-25T22:53:00.002-05:00

What 10 months looks like

2010-08-24T22:53:00.002-05:00

For the past two days this is what 10 months looks like:

Let me be clear. She was smiling seconds before this photo was taken. She was smiling seconds after as well.

Lydia has discovered her voice. She breaks out in shrieks whenever she needs attention.

As the second child and, more importantly, as the little sister to attention monster Madeline Opal, Lydia is always trying to get more than a scrap of attention.

I know her shrieks are shrieks of love.

I just wish she'd show her love a little quieter.

mg

August has disapeared before my eyes

2010-08-22T22:03:00.003-05:00

Three weeks ago I started teaching again. For the first time since Lydia was born.

I love it.

I love my students, or at least most of them.
I get out of the house a couple of nights a week.
I get to teach what I know and love. (Public Speaking and Interpersonal communication)
I like money.

I hate it.

I hate the extra time it takes out of my already full life.
Although I know I said I loved getting out of the house, it is always very hard to leave the girls and Kevin.

There is only so much time in my day and the blog has been back burnered. I know there is so much that I am missing. I loved May because I made a point to blog even the little parts of our days. Now I miss that. That is what this blog is about for me. With Madeline's start of preschool just around the corner, a short trip and the fall birthday season approaching hopefully I will get on the ball. Until then, enjoy the real reason you visit...

Maddy in my bathrobe!

Meet Manny

2010-08-12T21:37:00.003-05:00

Manny came into our lives way back in 2002. Kevin has a thing for Manatees and I picked this stuffy up on a trip I took to Florida while we were still dating.

Lydia has taken a liking to Manny as we now call him.

Ok, it is more like a loving. He is her bedtime lovey and she loves him dearly. Could I have used the word love any more times? I guess I love that lovely word. (I make myself sick.)

Today I had a little photo shoot with Lydia and Manny.

I imagine this is the smile she will give me when she is 12 and no longer wants to smile for her momma. That might be wishful thinking, because this is still awful cute.

But not as cute as this:

Man is this little girl a happy thing. I love how she smiles with every inch or her face!

mg

Now that is what I call love

2010-08-08T23:14:00.002-05:00

My first...

2010-08-05T22:00:00.006-05:00

Niece!!!!!

Meet Juliette Adrianna.

She was born this morning at 7:17am. She is so very small and it makes me wonder if my girls were ever that small. I have have been assured that they were.

The very tired, but very happy parents. I can hardly believe that my little brother is a dad. He is going to be a very awesome one at that.

Madeline is even more excited about Juliette than I expected. She couldn't wait to visit her and spent much of the time there rubbing her head and giving her kisses. She must have asked to hold her a million times. Right after this photo was taken Madeline leaned in close and whispered, "I love you" to Juliette. Then I died. But came back as I didn't want to harm my beautiful *little* niece. (MY NIECE!!!!)

She spent the longest time just staring at her. Then reality hit, and she remembered she was a high energy 3 year old and she wanted to run around and play with the hospital bed.

And this guy...

not only is he a natural newborn baby holder, but he is an uncle now too!

Now for my favorite photo of the day!

Madeline isn't at all possessive. Nope, not Madeline.

Congratulations Elliot and Kathy! She is the perfect addition to our family.

Welcome Jules! We are thrilled to welcome you to our family! We can't wait to see the shenanigans you and your big cousins will get into as you all grow. For now stay small, stay sweet and stay beautiful. Some thing you are very good at already!

mg

A conversation with Lydia

2010-07-31T20:34:00.002-05:00

What? You don't believe that Lydia and I can hold entire conversations... I disagree.

Me: Lydia, I have my camera out... why don't you give me a smile?

Lydia: Oy Vey Mom. Can't you just get that thing out of my face?

Me: But Lydia, it is my job to document your life and I have yet to take as many photos of you as I did of your sister at (almost) 10 months old. So be a dear and just smile for Mommy.

Lydia: I just don't know. What is in it for me?

Me: I'll let you finish my Cheerios.

Lydia: You're going to have to do better than that.

Me: I'll let you play with the TV remote.

Me: That's my girl!

Lydia: Where's my remote?

mg

"in and out" day

2010-07-27T22:31:00.001-05:00

Today is a celebratory day in our household. Today we celebrate "in and out" day. Lydia was born 40 weeks and one day ago. This marks the day that she has been in our arms longer than she was in my belly.

I think Lydia is happy about that too.

Oh this girl. She is all smiles and a laugh a minute at only 9 months old. I can't wait to see what the next 40 weeks brings for her!

That smile will be getting a post all its own very, very soon.

Read about our first "in and out" day here.

mg

Just when I start to think she can't get any cuter

2010-07-26T21:26:00.001-05:00

July 13

Somebody loves her big sister

2010-07-23T21:55:00.002-05:00

And the feeling is mutual.
__________
*I have been making an effort to shoot with my camera in manual. I am learning... slowly... I kinda like how dark these turned out however. Girlies in silhouette.

mg

Comments enter grade school

2010-07-21T23:17:00.003-05:00

So on my last post I got a comment that was totally wacky. It wasn't anyone I knew, nor did they have anything to do with my post. I'd say it was clearly spam. This being said, I am turning on word verification and moderation for the time being so that I can control my comments.

Although I hate that, it is like grade school: One person has ruined it for all.

At least for now.

mg

Lydia is 9 months old

2010-07-21T21:01:00.004-05:00

9 months.

Wow.

Lydia is 9 months old.

I mean really? Really.

She was given a clean bill of health yesterday at the doctor's office. 70th percentile for height. 30th for weight. (she is shorter by an inch and lighter by 10 oz. than her sister at the same age.) Perfect in every way he knows to assess her.

She is a total love. She loves to give hugs and kisses.

She is a momma's girl. She clings to me whenever we are out in public, like she is afraid I'm going to trade her in. (never going to happen) Even though her love for me is apparent she is totally enamored with her daddy and big sister. She loves them with all her heart and now that she can crawl she follows her sister from room to room. For the longest time Kevin was the only person she'd give kisses to. I was totally jealous.

Her *smile* is hilarious.

See, I told you so. She just started making this face this weekend and hasn't let up a bit. Total cheese ball but how can you not love that face?!? It kept Aunt Beth and Uncle Bryan laughing for a very long time.

Finally, nothing makes me happier than seeing my girls love each other.

Now that Lydia is mobile Madeline is finally seeing Lydia as a potential playmate. I am often telling Lydia not to grow up so fast. And although right now Lydia is a threat to Madeline's games and toys M has also quick to correct me and make sure I know Lydia must grow up so she can play and so that Madeline can teach her everything she knows. Now that is love.

Lydia is crawling with abandon. She pulls up on most everything and has gotten into anything within her reach. She loves playing with the play whisk in the playroom kitchen and the Dora the Explorer microphone. I prefer the quiet whisk to the grating microphone but that is motherhood.

She has two teeth, the second popping through just this morning.

She has the bluest eyes in our family.

Most days I think her hair will be stick straight like mine, but every once in a while it looks like it might want to curl like Madeline's did.

She naps twice a day without fuss.

She hates going to bed at night. (In fact tonight we cried it out for the first time and it sucked and I don't want to talk about it because I don't even know where to begin so I won't because she is asleep now anyway. Sigh.)

Her lovies are her kiki (blanket) and a stuffed manatee. Although it seems she prefers the stuffy to the kiki for now.

She loves chicken. She doesn't like yogurt.

She is still nursing three times a day. I love that time with her but wonder how much longer it will last. (if you remember I nursed Madeline for 366 days... I wonder if Lydia will wean then too. Half of me wants my body back, half of me doesn't want to loose that bond.)

She is happy almost all of the time.

She loves the pool and the bathtub.

I call her my little punk-a-poo.

I can't believe she is 9 months old.
__________
*All photos were taken with my phone so I apologize for the poor quality.

mg

Where did Lydia go?

2010-07-11T23:19:00.001-05:00

There she is!

mg

Memphis

2010-07-10T17:00:00.000-05:00

Three weeks ago Kevin and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary. For the first time since Madeline was born we left our children and took a few days to ourselves.

It was awesome.

We headed to Memphis, Tennessee and

We ate BBQ in the basement of a building you can only get to through an alley.

We took a nap in our totally awesome hotel room. I never thought I wanted a king size bed... I might be changing my mind.

We spent the evening at the ball game.

There was a bit of rain, but the night was saved by the rainbow afterward.

It was a very low key and amazing weekend. The girls spent the time with Kevin's parents and I am almost positive they had as good a time as we did.

When we got home I expected Lydia to be a little clingy, but was totally unprepared for her reaction. At first she was surprised and then she was confused. I took her into a quite room to nurse, figuring we both would need that moment together, and she nursed well. Then we headed back to play with dad, Madeline and the grandparents. She then spent the next 30 minutes eyeballing me nervously. She would crawl away and once she realized she was more than an arm's reach away from me she would cry like I had abandoned her all over again. She wanted nothing more than to be with me, but she wanted to play with toys too. She recovered very quickly and by dinner time (about an hour later) she was doing much better and even let me go to the bathroom without her.

Madeline was not phased and probably could have spent two more days before she knew we were gone...

mg

A taste of summer

2010-07-09T17:00:00.001-05:00

I could eat this salad everyday and never get sick of it.

Paired with a ice cold sun tea and a slice or two of watermelon, it is exactly what summer tastes like to me.

Maureen's favorite summer salad:
red leaf lettuce- torn into small pieces
feta cheese
walnut halves
fresh blueberries
sliced strawberries
about a tablespoon of Briannas french vinaigrette

mg

Madelisms

2010-07-08T17:00:00.001-05:00

While grocery shopping:

Madeline: Lydia, you can't have a cookie. But you can have a hug!!

Then I melted into a puddle on the floor.

I love my girl.

mg

July 4th

2010-07-07T22:23:00.005-05:00

So the holiday, part 2.

After the festivities of Saturday here and here we spend Sunday the 4th even busier.

We stared the day by getting Lydia all girlie.

I could just melt into those eyes.

Then it was lunch with Kevin's family and dinner with mine. It was really nice to spend time both sides of the family. Even if I revealed myself as an emotional whack-a-do.

Then the real holiday excitement began.

A town close by does a huge carnival for the 4th including rides and fireworks. Madeline had a blast at the carnival!

The carousel was a hit which comes as no surprise.

And the cars that go around in a circle were a smash too. OMG I love this photo!

She was in carni heaven.

Glow necklaces and a juice box. What more does a girl need?

After her first trip to a port-a-john (which we both survived, thankfully) we settled in to watch the fireworks. I love fireworks. Probably more than the average spectator. I find them mesmerizing and the closer I am the better. This year we opted for much further away for obvious reasons.

Now here is where I'd like to say that she loved them as much as I do and it was magical. I'd like to. But I can't. She kinda freaked out and a huge thank you goes to my father in law who was sitting with us because he took Madeline back home and let Kevin and I stay to watch the fireworks.

I don't know what exactly bothered her about the fireworks. I just know that I really didn't expect her to have such a negative reaction. I guess three is still a little to young to enjoy all of the 4th of July festivities.

mg

Madeline and the Sarcophagus

2010-07-06T22:20:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week we spent the morning at the Missouri Botanical Garden. (Thank you Anna, Madeline and Cullen!) While there one of the volunteers gave each of the big girls a scrap book featuring some of St. Louis' museums. (MoBot, the Science Center, Missouri History Museum, etc)

One of the locations was the Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) and the art featured in the book was the Egyptian mummys. Madeline has been talking about the sarcophagus all week long.

About four months ago we borrowed this book from our library and part of the story line involves "the bad guy" being locked in a sarcophagus. What amazes me, is that she remembered the story with more detail than I did. I am pretty sure she is going to ace reading comprehension in school... much like her momma.

Any who we are lucky enough to have a world class art museum that has a decent collection of Egyptian artifacts at SLAM so Granny and Poppy set off with Madeline on an adventure to find the sarcophagus.

I've been told she was impressed that this railing was just her size. :)

After the quick rest, they headed to find the sarcophagus.

We found it!

Posing with the "mumma". For some reason Madeline can say sarcophagus without much trouble but she has been calling the mummy a mumma. Who knows what goes on in her silly head some times.

She also found the blue hippo!

After the Egyptian art they visited some of the other pieces of art.

A Monet.

A Degas.

Then they headed back out into the heat and played around Art Hill.

And the Grand Basin.

St. Louis joined in the fun.

Taking the long walk down the hill back to the car.

Thank you Granny and Poppy. What a wonderful adventure for Miss Madeline!

mg

July 3rd

2010-07-05T22:35:00.005-05:00

So this holiday was weird. Not only was I missing my friends, but because it was on Sunday the festivities were spread out over two days. This is one case where I am going to say two is not better than one.

So the 4th of July parade was on the 3rd of July. We still had fun. The weather was perfect.

Although blurry I feel it necessary to post this photo of Lydia before we left for the parade all decked in her red, white and blue because she has been sadly absent from my posts in the last month. I am going to have to make it up to her. How can you not fall in love with that face? I mean come on!

Waiting for the start of the parade with Maw Maw.

The fire engine started off the parade and Madeline was not too keen on the noise.

She did however love chilling between Uncle Bryan and daddy in the back of the car.

I feel like I must have just told her she couldn't have a pony. Look at that face. And the posture... if I didn't know any better I'd say she is 8 months going on 13 years.

Madeline was most looking forward to the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales, but not for the horses, but for the puppy that rides on top. Totally her favorite part.

My favorite part is usually the marching band. That's about all I have to say about that. (Except that the drummer right in the middle of the frame is one of my dad's drum students and I've known him since he was 11 and he all grown up and I loved seeing him!)

Madeline took her turn on Maw Maw's lap taking in the sights with Jane.

Before I knew it, the parade was over and Lydia was sleeping in the sling.

mg

Tonight, I proved myself to be completely emotionally unstable

2010-07-05T00:18:00.002-05:00

Happy 4th of July.

Today was kinda crappy but for totally boring reasons except for one.

Tonight I proved myself to be completely emotionally unstable.

Let me back up. The 4th is generally my favorite holiday. This year it just hasn't felt right. I thought it might be because it was on a Sunday so the festivities were unnaturally spread over the course of three days. This is one case where three days is not better than one. Tonight I proved that there was way more to it than that.

After finishing dinner I sat at the table with Kevin and Kathy (my SIL) conversing. Kathy, very innocently asked if our friends Scott and Becky were in town for the holiday and I BURST into tears immediately and without warning. Not just little tears, like a full out sob. Immediately. So it turns out I really do have emotional problems.

Kevin had to answer her because I couldn't. As it turns out I miss them more than I was letting myself feel and although I couldn't put my finger on why I was so unbalanced this 4th of July at that moment I knew that it didn't feel right because they weren't there. I was missing them in a way that I totally hadn't expected.

Where were they? Well Scott is a member of the US Army and is currently deployed to Iraq. Becky, is living in Hawaii where he is stationed until the end of this year sometime. This is the first 4th of July in at least 6 years that we have spent without them.

It sucked.

To top it off we went to see fireworks tonight and stopped by 'our usual spot' to say hello to Scott's mother and upon telling her this story I began crying all over again.

It's official. I need serious psychiatric intervention.

Now.

mg

July 2010

2010-07-03T22:13:00.007-05:00

We all knew she was growing up, but she is actually a giant.

Actually.

Reader? Read here.

Photo credit: My parents.

mg