Let the New Year Begin!!

Here we are, on the last day of 2008 - fighting illness, struggling with underwear in the morning and finally enjoying a bit of quiet time. It's been a long month of inner turmoil for the little ones in the house and heavy wine consumption for the bigger ones. I'm sure one isn't caused by the other.. Noelle continues to challenge us in ways that Kyra never did. She's sneaky, goofy and currently abundantly FULL of new words to throw around. I'm still trying to get used to the fact that if you ask her a question, she will actually answer you (most of the time) with something intelligible. On the flipside of this learning curve, she also thinks she has choices about what she eats, when she goes to bed and if she has to be fastened to her carseat or not. Sigh. The battles have begun with the coming of the new year... I'm girding my loins!

The Days Fly By...

I just cannot believe how much time has been speeding along. It seems as though I was just getting out summer togs and now I'm getting out the winter woolies. Of course, here that could just mean a matter of minutes has passed but I find things just a bit more final when clothes actually go into the old Rubbermaid containers.. Another shipment of donation baby things has been loaded into the van, too, so that feels just a bit more permanent when speaking of season changing.

The girls are changing a lot this month as well. It's nice to hear 'please' and 'thank you' come non-chalantly out of Kyra's mouth, after years of DRILLING them into her. She seems also to be calming down in the 'hairy fit' department as well. I still see her having a hard time with us saying 'no' to her on certain requests - this is the typical procedure to begin the hairy fit...

K: "Can I have MY T.V.?" (eyelash batting included here)

Me: "No."

K: "YES!!!" (brows knit together, lip pouts)

Me: "No."

Evil K: "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" (head spins around)

I can stay calm for all this, as I know it's coming now. Some days are better than others, tho'.. As for little Noelle, who can predict what behaviour arises from her??! One minute she's calmly petting the dog and the next minute she's climbing into the dryer! She has been on a voyage of self-discovery though, and dressing one's self is at the top of the list. Keeps us all amused...

No E.I. for Me!

Well, today was the last day of our 'dayhome' stint. Wee Jesse has returned to his Mum and I have once again returned to being the mother of 2 - not the mother of 'twins' and an older girl as so many have asked me in the past 2 months... It was a new experience for me and suffice it to say, not a vocation that I would really pick for myself. I mean, I was never a really good babysitter when I was a teenager (I wasn't really sure just what to do with them, really). And to look after someone else's kids, when you're just learning to really love your own takes a whole new bucket of patience, tolerance and stamina. But I did my duties, didn't kill him through neglect, changed his diapers on demand, fed him when necessary and called off Noelle when she thought he'd make a better hitting target than her stuffed animals. All in all, I think it went well as the little fella didn't really want to leave today, miniature plastic horsies were MUCH more interesting and he was surrounded by cute chicks to boot...

We'll miss ya, Jess-man!

There's a Chill in the Air

..and a gale force wind to follow! Eek. The winter weather is starting to creep into our lives here and I'm not sure if I'm ready.. There is that certain kind of heart-pumping exhilaration when that first blast of cool air hits your face as you step out the door; and that cozy comfort that you get when you're all nestled in a warm jacket & cords. So I do think that winter has its obvious merits but somehow it always comes as kind of a disappointment & surprise that the warm weather of summer/fall has to end. Curses on you, Mother Nature!

And lets not forget that now there are 3 jackets to put on, 3 pairs of shoes to velcro & tie and 3 bodies to squeeze out the door within a set period of time before said jackets start to come off, those shoes find their ways elsewhere and those children start to get bored and wander off to play with something that was previously completely UNINTERESTING - "But I CAN'T leave now, I'm playin' Mum!". Some days it's a well oiled machine, somedays not so much...

Noelle is now 18 months old, officially yesterday. Wow. She's still little and fairly clutzy but she's starting to really throw words out there (even if they are only understandable by me) and make it around the block without the stroller! Those little legs can sure book it! On a not-so-great side of things, she's learned to defend her space with hitting & biting (giving Kyra a nasty circular bruise through her shirt!), she's learned that NO is an answer to things and that she can act pouty when she's mad or doesn't get her way. Exasperating to say the least. But to end on an upnote, she's got a sneaky sophisticated sense of humour and she loves a good book. Phew! Lucky she likes reading or she'd be really the odd duck out in this house.

And what have we been up to for the past 2 months? Well, there's been sickness galore, camping holidays, trips to the zoo, trips to the shopping mall, and numerous aimless walks to interesting destinations within our fair city..because we all know that it's not the destination but how you get there that matters. and getting there with 2 little girls is always a good time!

August? Already???

Where did the time go anyway??

Noelle has made it to her 16th month, started to babble a few words here and there ("bubble", "baby", "milk", "poo-poo") and she's found a way to express her frustrations at her big sister.. Hence the "no hitting" rule we have employed. ahem.

So, it's August eh? Another month of so-so weather and of very little action in the gardening department. I was just lamenting the fact that I seem to be getting NOTHING done in the form of weeding, transplanting, thinning or dividing. Instead I take trips to the library, the grocery store, the laundry room in the basement, the park and just about everywhere BUT the garden. Poor neglected plants.. Oh! But I lie! There is one plant that's not neglected this week, tho' - our raspberry canes! They are fully laden with those little sweet fruits and we're taking full advantage! Today the girls & I spent a good hour polishing off a pile of raspberries and I can only be thankful that the raspberry canes have lots of painful pricklies on them or I'm sure we'd find the girls hiding out amongst them, searching for a few berries that haven't been picked yet! I get a complete earful if I don't throw a few their way whilst picking... maybe I should think about picking when the sun comes up instead? Ha! Right..... This just rounds out our weekend of picking fruit - we went saskatoon berry picking on Sunday. Lots of fresh air, very few bugs and a healthy dose of wine tasting afterwards. Okay.. so I get a bit of 'me' time in there too. I can't complain, really.

No time to make eye contact here... must eat...

Indulgence!!
The Raspberry Hand!!!

Summer's Here, the Grass has Riz..

I've fallen out of practise in the blogfront - too tired, too busy, too drunk? Well, there a whole bushel of possible reasons I could make up. I just haven't gotten to it, suffice it to say. I have watched a few episodes of House and played too many computer games instead (confessions confessions!). Yes, the girls are keeping us busy. And yes, the weather is finally agreeing to some outdoor time. Yay, Summer!!

Noelle is all but sprinting in the house these days. She watches her little feet walking under her and has been speeding up the exercise to the point of light jogging.... before falling on her face. It's amusing yet causing me heartburn as I know what ALWAYS follows the foot watching (crash! waaah! Mommma!!). I know that she'll eventually stop crashing and that one day she won't cry when she topples, that's what keeps me riveted to the ritual everytime she does it.

Kyra has reached the "I can't" stage. Our helpless yet fully empowered toddler is suddenly overcome by inability! "I can't" is always the answer... She CAN'T find her stuffed elephant OR she can't put her socks on, which she so adamantly put on BY HERSELF for the past year. Suddenly she can't even wash her own hands! It's like she's suffered from some sort of stroke after turning 3. Aggravating? yes. Funny? At times. Will it pass? One can only hope.

Beam me up.

Happy Father's Day!

Yup. It came. It went. Zoom. Just like this Lotus that passed us on the highway today...

Unfortunately I only remembered by lunch time (a bit late, I know)..BUT! Luckily I can save my skin by postponing this day until next weekend... If I remember. oops. grin grin. Better write it down somewhere I look often (perhaps on the belly of the baby?).. Anyway, I have a good excuse - we were camping in our new-to-us tent trailer. I think the trip was an overall success with some minor adjustments for next time (like bringing dental floss!). Live & learn..

The Rig

The kids did great! Although, mental note to all those that have little kids with toilet phobias - perhaps the first big camping trip of the year be spent somewhere with FLUSH toilets. Thankfully Kyra only had to hold her #2 for 2 days, so she's much happier now that she's been to her 'own' toilet once again... sigh. One day, we'll look back on this and laugh I'm sure. Little Noelle was a trooper, loved being outside, napped when she was tired and went to bed without too much fuss - there are 2 teeth arriving but she lived without the Motrin even! I made her a sleeping bag (like, the night before we left! Martha Stewart, eat your heart out!) and it was perfect! Both of us couldn't understand, though, when she started cranking out at 4 in the morning - she was exhausted and should be sleeping dammit!.. Eventually, she went back to sleep but when I picked her up in the morning, I realized that her diaper had come off one side.. Soa-king WET! Ick. Sorry Noelle.. The following night went much smoother and quieter. aah.

I think I interrupted a private moment here at the trailer hitch ball.. (oh, that's a boo-boo on her forehead from meeting up with the corner of a speaker, rather bloodily I might add).

We went to a well known bird-watchers campground and caught all sorts of wildlife in action. The bird calls were amazing! Kyra & I scared a few grouse hiding out in the grass and some American Pelicans fishing for snacks in the shallows. And we woke up to Mourning Doves cooing in the tree. Pretty cool.. Even cooler was the fact that Kyra wouldn't get off her tricycle - another milestone event after months of complete cycle-apathy.. phew!

Ride, momma, ride!

This young'un (a Short-Eared Owl)was in a copse of birch trees by the lake, just doing some dancing on the branches. Just amazing to see such beautiful creatures up close! I even got to see my first herd of wild antelope today! Who'd a thought in Canada?! Hope next time is as much of a HOOT!!

Sisterly Bonding..

Now that Noelle's passed her first birthday, Kyra has decided that the two of them may actually play together..most of the time. Sure the squabbles have begun and Noelle has found a voice of protest in her own defence - more like the sound of an injured hyena or possibly closer to a smoke detector sounding off - but, it's her own voice and I'm happy she can defend herself in the rough and tumble world of sisterhood. Those earplugs are now looking more appealing with each passing week. On a more quiet note, the two of them can now snack together (even though the bigger one always seems to control portion sizes for the littler one) and share a sippy cup or two of good old moo juice.

Cheers!

The Video

Our triumphant and fairly excited little walker..

It's FINALLY Happened!

Well, after much coaxing, cheering, teasing and general silliness to get Noelle to walk. Today was the day! Wow.... and so the real toddler begins and there goes any free time that I might have enjoyed during her waking hours. poo. I guess I'm not all THAT excited about the walkiness afterall.. hmph. Okay, self-pity aside, we're all still fairly giggly with the knowledge that our little fledgeling has - fledged.

In other news...

Mother's Day was rough. Very little sleep the night before mixed with too many handfuls of salty snack foods made for a day of dry mouth and half-wakedness (is that a word??). Anyway - I did get some pretty cute cards from everyone and a lovely-tears-to-my-eyes card from Ernie. awwww.

Also today we bought our first tent trailer - a 1997 Jayco 10'. It's the usual kind - tent trailer-y with a fridge (itty-bitty), furnace (also itty), sink (even itty-er), king bed & double bed, an indoor/outdoor stove and 2 tables (that can be moved outside)! I think it comes with an add-a-room screen room (which I've heard tell are a pain in the butt to set up), a portapotty, a couple of organizer things, and some odds & sods that the previous owners thought that we might need. All in all, a good and satisfying buy for us. And just in our budget, too! What more could a campin' family want?!

Oh, and on another note (as things always happen in threes..). I was looking out the kitchen window this morning just in time to notice a funny coloured bird flitting around the trees. With binoculars in hand (we always keep a tiny pair in the kitchen for my bird watching escapades) I focused in on the little fella. He was a Western Tanager - a little yellow sparrow-like bird with a red face. Cute! And so tropical looking for such a cold climate! It was a great start to such a great day!

And speaking of which - I'd better go have a look at our NEW trailer that's being parked in our garage as I type this! Ooo, exciting stuff!

The Slide Into Spring...I hope

Well, here we sit. Housebound. Staring at the snow outside and wondering if spring really did come or if it was all just a dream... The weather people say that this winter weather is supposed to go away by next weekend - but I'll believe it when I see it!

Not much new around here. Planning on a birthday party for Kyra and trying to recover from the horrible sinus cold that has rocked our house and our Kleenex stock (severely depleted now).

Here're a few pics from this month of note. The first 2 I took while hanging out in the hallway. The second 2 are from our budding Photographer, Kyra. I can only be thankful of digital cameras and the ability to DELETE... We are seriously thinking about getting her her own camera next month, I think she'd love it!

'Eye see you!'

Unhappiness? Ha! Laundry baskets are F-U-N!

Hmm... There seems to be something missing here..
We call this one 'Smoosh'. Kinda cool.

A Whole Year Already??

Wow. What can we say? It feels like only yesterday that I was having painful contractions in the yard, in the van, in the elevator and in the delivery room.. Ah, memories...

Noelle was ceremoniously presented with her birthday cupcake and promptly snuffed the wick with her fingers - poof! like that! The shock is the resulting cry and kind of a symbolic way to enter her second year of life on earth (see pic at right). Last night she screamed through the wee hours - fever of 100F and nose running like a faucet. Ugh. Today I noticed 2 molars bulging their way through her bottom gums too, just to really add some variety to the pain into her little head. Poor thing. And to add insult to injury, tomorrow morning I'm taking her for her 12 month immunizations..

It's not easy being small..

Toddler?? You must mean "DAWDLER"!!

I suppose that somewhere between the 'toddler' and the 'school-age' kid comes the 'dawdler' period. The unmistakeable signs are all here -- such as taking 10 minutes to put on shoes; 2 hours to finish off a bowl of cereal (left out on the table for 'nibbling') and tonight's shining example...

Mission: Have a bath, Go to Sleep
Steps to get there: Bathing, Drying, Pyjama donning, Peeing, Story reading, Sleeping.
Estimated total time of Steps after bathing: 15 minutes

Actual Steps: Bathing; draining of tub; standing in tub while draining; rinsing body parts while tub draining; washing toes while 1 cm of water remains in tub; putting away tub toys in empty tub; drying hair in tub before getting out; getting out; being carried by Dad in fancy towel to show how 'cute' she is; unraveled from towel and running around hallway naked; running around living room naked on the pretense of 'looking' for her sleeping buddy (a stuffed elephant); naked child & elephant return to bedroom; going to pee; air-drying privates; deciding on which pyjamas to wear; arguing about which pyjamas to wear; asking 'mom' about which pyjamas to wear (I was putting the baby to bed at this point); pretending to put on pyjamas on while writhing on floor; writhing under Dad's hands in his attempt to put her pj's on; writhing under Dad's AND Mom's hands to get dressed; pyjamas on and deciding what book to read; wanting a cup of milk; drinking the milk; wanting another story from Dad; wanting a story from Mom; Mom reads a story; having belly rubbed/back rubbed/feet rubbed/head rubbed/faced tickled before settling into sleep; asking for a drink of water (getting a 'no' for an answer); sleeping (phew!).
Actual accrued time to sleeping from the draining of tub: 45 minutes
Observations: Amount of frustration directly proportional to level of Dawdle. Amount of silliness directly proportional to level of Dawdle also. Tonight was VERY silly.
Conclusions: Drink more wine...

The Chuckle of the Day..

It's been the usual emotional roller coaster of toddler hell today. But I think I'm adapting to it okay...Chocolate, is the drug of choice. I am looking forward to taking Kyra to her first swim lessons, starting tomorrow - so that'll probably be the highlight of the weekend I'm thinking.. Wish us luck! Oh, and Noelle is now saying 'hi' and waving. Really endearing, we must say!

Whilst driving to Costco today, and taking the slow & un-scenic route during stop-and-go rush hour traffic (what was I thinking??!), Kyra was gazing comatose-like out the window making the odd comment on planes, buildings, construction equipment and the like - when she all of a sudden, shrieked, "Oo, Momma! Look at the little kitty!! How cuuuuuuuuute!". I followed her gaze to a little patch of brown grass and had to stare really hard until I saw it. Then I probably laughed for an hour afterwards.. This is what she saw ---------

----I then had to explain that it's a Ground Squirrel, not a kitty. In her own stubborn-headed way, she twisted my explaination to something she could wrap her head around, "Right, Mum, it's just like a little cat but smaller."

:-)

Sunday...

I can't believe another week has come and gone. And it's certainly been a tougher one on record for me. Noelle has another tooth making its way to the surface (I didn't really want to EVER sleep again...really..) and I've taken Kyra to the Children's Hospital twice with what one would think was a bladder infection (no conclusive results..?? really aggravating..). So, amid screams and cries, we got through the week and we've all lived to see another! On the happy family front - we made a nice trip to the zoo to check out their new 'frog' exhibit; we made a pretty good sized snow 'fort' after a whirlwind storm; Kyra tried her first 'bubble tea' from the local Chinese market (she only gagged a bit on the tapioca/sago balls); we're going to our first birthday party of the year this evening.. Not a bad way to finish the week.

Kyra-isms, Double Entrendres, etc..

Before I forget most of these funny sentences/phrases that Kyra spews forth in all her beautiful innocence, I thought I'd better type a few down..

*(to Ernie at the closed bathroom door) Daddy? Are you getting off in there?

*(about some construction equipment she saw) We saw a lot of big hookers downtown today!

*Mommy, what is Off Uck? (Daddy!! Arrgh)

*(whilst in the yard today) Mommy, let's snow some throwballs!

*Don't get-for Baby Noelle! (I just CANNOT make her say 'forget', I've tried - loads).

*(when she was learning to talk) Can I have some meeps? (grapes)

*Limming Room - the room next to the dining room.

As she gets older, her phrasing becomes far more grown up but I'm fairly certain that she doesn't understand a lot of what she says. I'd use up this entire page with some of the stories she now tells - suffice it to say, everyday we stifle a lot of laughter!!

Bee-Emm (disclaimer*this article may offend those with prudent outlooks and sensitive stomachs)

So, not the most eloquent of titles but apropos for today... I've decided that one of the most talked about topics for new parents and the least mentioned would be the poop situation. Let's face it, it's a pretty big part of our life on earth and up there in importance with, oh, say, a heart beat. So, obviously when it concerns our kids - we place a lot of emphasis on knowing what's going on at that business end - including colour, volume, texture, frequency and least on the list, smell. As your baby gets older, colour moves down on the list (with smell, for sure) and frequency becomes the all important indicator of a good day. And when I mean good day - for us - I mean everyone is HAPPY. I cannot believe just how much NOT having a poop affects the mood of this household! Today Noelle was a crotchety little *%$@ until well after inhaling at least a litre of assorted dinner foods, when, with a grunt and a red little face, the diaper was filled and a happy, gigglepot emerged - phew! And as timing IS everything her big sister couldn't sit still, do anything without pouting or even eat dinner - that is - until a trip to loo was involved. Then I watched the beautiful butterfly emerge before my eyes, like the sun shining after a rain storm - everything had a rosy hue once again. Dinner got et (amid a flurry of compliments to the chef, I might add), pyjamas were put on without asking and bedtime went off without a hitch. All I can say is - I'm glad everyone's intestines are functioning up to par and the day is OVER.. I need a glass of wine now..

Some random photos this past month..

Kyra listens (or pretends to, I'm not sure) to a zoo phone.

The ever smiling Noelle in a rare crawling moment.

Showhome Hobby

Some couples go for dinner; some take romantic walks in the moonlight..We like to wander through showhomes.. In a way it's like playing house, I guess. We talk about where the kids would play, where the computer would go, what square foot would become Dad's space and such. I pretend to cook a 12 course meal in the model kitchen, commenting on the pro's & con's of the countertops and appliances' positions. We poo-poo black stove tops, test out the comfort of the couch and commend giant en-suite bathrooms with corner soaker tubs. It's our hobby, our love, our time to reconnect with why we're together and most certainly our inspiration for home renovations. We get some sort of buzz from these tours like you would from a glass of bubbly. After the girls are asleep we even cozy up to the house plans like a good novel and re-trace our footsteps, lost in dreamy "new house" thoughts... It's the kind of hobby that we can certainly both agree on! And it doesn't cost a thing..

As The Baby Turns..

..into a toddler! Ten Months and going full steam ahead - Noelle is up and cruising furniture, climbing stairs, eating our food and gaining a mouthfull of teeth. Our little baby is growing fast. Don't get me wrong, she's still happy to be carried, content in her bucket seat, pleased to be fed by someone else but far less patient than she used to be. If big sister Kyra gets in her way, we all hear about it! As a big sister, Kyra's learning a thing or two about sharing (not as happily as one would think) and the joys of bathing with a buddy. I can't help but think that things will really and truly never be the same again, we've all fallen under the spell of having a family of four and I think we really love it... Everyday is like a trip down the slide!

Happy Things

Today was a day for happy things I think. We were trapped in our house while Mother Nature froze the outside world and like I've heard so often, might as well enjoy it!

*while I was pretending to be a monster and 'going to eat' Kyra, she squealed at me and said, "No, don't eat me, I'm not tasty - eat baby Noelle instead!!"

*during lunch, Noelle once again jammed her finger up her nose and laughed - to which Kyra replied - "Baby Noelle! Use your spoon instead!"

*at bedtime, after complaining of absolute exhaustion - Kyra had enough energy to streak throughout the house at top speed putting away toys, then once again flopping against my arm and declaring how tired she was..

*during potty time, Kyra stated that she had a bit more poop - enough for just a little story...(with pleading eyes, I might add).

No Matter How You Slice It

Seeing as I've had some time this week in my evenings to ponder life and my own existence (yes, insomnia does this to me), I've been reflecting on parenting styles. And as I've had this conversation with my friend, Kelsie, we've thought that our society's parenting ideals are mostly about "keeping up with the Joneses and just who the H-E-double-hockey-sticks do the Joneses think they are??!". Between us we've decided that the Joneses are an upper middle income family, double incomed, nanny or just possibly daycare and pre-school family with 4 credit cards, juggling their limits, a mortgage up the wazoo, 2 gas-guzzling vehicles, 5th wheel, 4 cell phone numbers, 2 cats and a pure-bred show dog (kenneled at the trainer's house). These people have their children enrolled in gymnastics, music school, swimming lessons, skating lessons and possibly some sort of junior space training program. The children have every toy imaginable (that they don't play with), ergonomic chairs to sit in and their own computers. And the parents think that if you don't do all these things, the children may have stunted social skills and grow up psychopaths or merely unemployed... It may sound a bit dizzying but you'd be amazed at the amount of this belief there is out there.. I was once asked if I had my daughter enrolled in any programs yet (music, baby yoga), as I was purchasing her first pair of shoes..

Children will grow. Parents will always be parents. The question is, will their children grow to be good parents?

Weird Emotions

So. I was reading one of my favourite blogs today. In it, the author & mum of 3 announced that her family was expecting #4 to arrive this year. Oddly enough, I was almost jealous. It's almost as if I really want another child in the house and that I would desire some state of pregnancy at this point... Weird. Maybe it's my highly competitive nature or maybe I have some sort of latent mothering NEED that requires fulfulling but I actually, FOR A SPLIT SECOND, wanted to have another baby. Heck, why not 3 more!? It's not like my uterus is non-functioning! If we menstruate until 50, why shouldn't we have babies until then??? Okay, that's a stupid question. No, really, I can finally understand what drives a mother to continue to have babies - even if by accident (or so called..) - babies are addicting. And good babies, like I seem to have, are moreso.. Thanks a lot Noelle (sarcasm city)...

Just a bit more practice..

..and we'll see the walking begin. Pulling up is the order of the day now and as a baby shall do, she's trying REALLY hard - ALL THE TIME. Even naps have been put to the wayside to conquer these newly acquired skills (much to the chagrin of her mother). Any semi-stable thing is game to be grabbed and knelt next to - including motionless dogs, sisters or mom's hair (ouch). Sigh. Bye-bye baby and hello toddler, I'm not sure I'm ready just yet.

Confessions of a Scrapbook-a-phobic

This is what I feel like. It's not that it's like there's an essay that needs doing or that I'm too tired to get everything out. It's just that every time I have the time to actually sit down and put a page together - to freeze happy moments in an art-like medium - I just freeze up myself. I find a million other things to do and do them instead. Sometimes I just fart around and move piles of paper from one area of the desk to another.. Sometimes I find some chocolate that needs to be instantly devoured (bad Ronnie). And sometimes, I actually get the pictures out and fondly reminisce or just search my memory for when that moment in time truly occurred (the memories just get foggier and foggier..sigh). Procrastination, I'm convinced, is a genetic glitch that I seem to be stuck with - I can only hope that it doesn't get passed down.

Anyhoo...There are a few things that need to go into the scrapbook for this week... Like how Noelle is all of 9 months old and happily eating her way through every food group imagineable. She's decided that large chunks of carrot can be stored for later use in little cheek pouches that I never knew she had - who can tell?! And like how her big sister enjoys feeding her little bits of cereal AS LONG AS she gets to partake of said tasty treat at that moment as well.. "Mummy, Noelle doesn't have any more O's??" I seem to go through more snack food these days. OH, and another milestone moment was when the dog actually licked the baby's cheek while being climbed over - WITHOUT growling... She got a few treats for that one, lucky doggie!

This should all motivate me.. And well, I think it just may have.. Wish me luck! Good night!

You Can't Pick a New Year..

But you can pick your nose.. And that's exactly what our 'proud parenting moment' was this week.. She just laughs when we pull away her finger, so I might as well just pull out the camera and save the picture for future embarrassment.. (insert wicked laughter here). Happy New Year!