Bathtime

I love my little people when they're in the bath. They love that water like fish love the sea. They could be in it for days if I let them! Miss M is especially fond of her splashing and newfound "freedom" in the water. I love how their wet eyelashes glisten and seem so much longer than normal.

Do you think we have some oral fixation issues?

I love the big smiles that come across their faces when they send Spiderman over the edge of the faucet. It's so simple and so grand!

Eating Like Big People

Is this really all you have to offer?

Let's keep working on that

Miss M has hit her milestone month marks and now consumes "big people" food - if you count prunes, pears, oatmeal cereal and zwieback biscuits as such. She is a fan of prunes, peaches, sweet potatoes, applesauce and bananas. She is not a fan of squash, green beans, and carrots. We haven't tried peas yet, but we're getting there (I hate them but I'm trying not to impose my food preferences on my children). She also likes the butt of sourdough bread. She has even become great at picking up her "Puffs" and bits of cheese. All hail independence (or something like unto it for now).

A Bucket List of Sorts

I saw this on my DH's cousin's blog and really liked it! It made me stop and think and reminisce. I always like to do that. Anyone else interested?

What have I done?
Rules are: Anything you have done has to be in bold. How much have you done?
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a Mountain
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo (and you're thanking me that I haven't)
11. Bungee jumped (I really wish)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Been to the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (best feeling)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (many, but I think my favorite was atop Mt. Sinai)
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (only one, but it was a blast)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke (have you met my in-laws?)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (great idea)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person (and it's amazing)
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (must go with my honey next time)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (St. John and Hawaii are atop that list)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving (I really really wish)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (Panda, anyone?)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Tied a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (does my pinky count?)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (don't tell my mom...and, have you met my DH?)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (freshman year of college)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (thank you, high school in a small town!)
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club (my Bee Sisters are still my all-time fave)
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy

Wow!

Driving home from the church Christmas party, Mr. A insisted on listening to his second favorite song (his #1 favorite: "The Ring Song" as he calls it - "If You Like It..." by Beyonce - I kid you not), Jingle Bells.

We pulled into the neighborhood and he INSISTED that we not turn the car off until the song was over.

Me: "Ok, bud. We'll wait until the song's over"

We pull into the garage ..." oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh."

Mr. A: "Wow, Mom. That a GRREEAAT song!"

Seriously?

Shhhh!

A few weeks ago:
Said in a loud whisper:
Mr. A - "Mom, I tell you a secret?"
Me - "Sure, Mr. A" leaning my ear towards his lips
Mr. A - "SEEEEE-CRET!"

Tonight:
Mr. A - "Mom, I tell you a secret?"
Me - "Yes, I love secrets."
Mr. A - "I LUFFF You!"

I really do love good secrets.

Seis, Six, SIX

And here we are again with another month having ticked right on by. Can anyone direct me to the pause button on the DVR remote of my life? Sheesh.

Actually, in my final beach run in HHI, I borrowed my sister's iPod and enjoyed her Workout playlist. Some of the lyrics from a song called "Breathe" have been running through my head since:

"Life's like an hourglass glued to the table, No one can find the rewind button girl..."

I loved the metaphor of life and the hourglass that can't be flipped over. And, I ALWAYS say that I'm searching for the rewind or pause button. Apparently I'm not the only one.

I digress.

This is really all about Miss M. She's 1/2 way to her first birthday. WHERE DID THE TIME GO??? Yikes. She's working on her sitting muscles, rolling up a storm or trying to roll off the bed as the case may be, started eating solids (pictures of that in a later post but applesauce, bananas and sweet potatoes are favorites), jumping her little heart out, grabbing at and eating my hair (gross, I know, but it entertains her and there's something about her little noises so close to my ear), grabbing on to anything and everything - nose, lips, eyes, ears, jewelry, ties, etc; and delighting us all with her laugh - she's ticklish, you know. And did we mention her expressive eyes could light up a room? She really is a delight.

The details:
15 lbs 9 oz
26 inches
17" around the head

Stinkin' it Up

Tonight Mr. A and I were snuggling in his bed reading Madeleine in London as his bedtime story. We're almost done with it when he pops up from his bed, begins to walk toward his chest of drawers and announces, "Mommy, I need new jammies. These (pointing to the freshly-laundered ones he was wearing) stink."

Me: "But Mr. A, those jammies were just washed."

Mr. A: "No, Mommy. They stink."

Well, alrighty then. And so my wish for you this holiday season: May your jammies not stink either. Mr. A's certainly don't.

Thankful for Heaven

As I mentioned in my previous post, Mr. A confused Heaven and Hilton Head an awful lot. The morning we were packing up to leave for Hilton Head he was talking to DH's parents and said, "Nana & Papa, I go Heaven tonight." I admit I was a bit concerned that he knew something I didn't.

So, with an extra special prayer in our hearts as we embarked on our 12+/2 day driving journey to Hilton Head, off we went. Fortunately, Mr. A was just a bit confused. What he really meant each time he said "Heaven" was Hilton Head. And, he was kind of right.

Hilton Head has always been a special place for me. Growing up I visited my grandparents there, vacationed there, and then took full advantage of the home my parents once owned there. I have tried to share the love with my DH and my Mr. A. I think they've caught it and have developed their own little love affairs with that island.

Our equation for the week: Beach + ocean + people we love = Heaven

Here's what we were thankful for:

Miniature golfing - speed/toddler style - now I know why they don't charge for anyone under 4 - they don't stay on the course long enough to get their money's worth

Biking on the beach

Ice cream with the Salty Dog

A quite tasty Thanksgiving meal at the Old Folks Home that we didn't have to cook, clean up from, or even set the table for

Running on the beach - rain or shine - my favorite route - and the last day running with Coldplay cheering me on - they're so nice like that

Walking on the beach with Miss M in the Baby Bjorn (the only peep she made in our hour-long walk was the smacking of her lips tasting that yummy salty air)

Digging sandcastles on the beach

Swimming in the ocean (the crazy ones - Uncle C. and Mr. A)

Watching the dolphins play around in the ocean with one another

Seeing alligators sunning themselves on the shores of the lagoon

Black Friday shopping at the Outlets at Midnight with my sisters (I really did like our divide, conquer, take turns standing in line method so as to maximize time and money)

Black Friday online shopping later in the day (3 computers, 3 stools at the counter, 3 bargain shoppers)

Wii tournaments - for adults and kids alike

Hot tubbing

Napping

Playing at the park in Harbor Town

Delicious food at San Miguel's and Hudson's

Reading books

Cousins playing

Madagascar 2 with Grandpa - the secret - a ubiquitous supply of popcorn and treats

Big Boy Golfing

Sweater shopping for the boys (not on Black Friday - wimps)

I don't think there was one thing left undone. We even managed to eat a hearty amount in there. The kids had so much fun together and the house was beautiful and spacious.

And one other note: DH and I have contemplated setting up Miss M's pack 'n play in our dark walk-in closet since she seems to sleep so well in those. She slept LIKE A ROCK while we were there - in her pack 'n play, in a dark walk-in closet. Such a gem.

We'll be coming back soon, Heaven, I mean Hilton Head. Save us a brick red rocker in Harbor Town. You know, the ones right next to the Lighthouse. Hopefully we won't be too long.

An Outing Outfit

Mr. A likes to ask to wear his pajamas when he takes his nap.

Some days we concede.

Some days we compromise (you can wear the bottoms or the top - not both).

We were headed out the other day shortly after his nap (it was snowing here) and he didn't want to take his pajama bottoms off.

And he wanted to wear his froggie boots.

And he needed a coat on.

This is what we got:

Jumpin' Fool

Miss M loves to jump. She spends a lot of time in this sweet jumping machine and is quite happy when she's there. We're quite happy for her and love watching her get sweet air and squeal with delight as she impresses herself with her abilities.