Busy, Busy, Busy

Gosh, we've been busy lately.  Too busy, as I'm sure most of the world has been, what with all the holiday nonsense going on.  Last week, we were busy preparing for Christmas.  The weekend was busy celebrating with family.  And this week is turning out to be just as busy, as I try to organize my house and find places for all of Laci's new things.  I've also gone on two shopping trips in an effort to restock my kitchen with food that has more nutritional value than sugar content.  Fortunately, I've taken pictures of almost everything we've done, with the exception of grocery shopping (I'm pretty sure I don't need to photographically document that), so I can record for my posterity exactly how crazy the holidays have become.

Just a few of last week's highlights: 
I baked sugar cookies, and then Ryan (and others) ate about half of them before I could even get the icing on.  I wrapped a mountain of gifts and then stacked them vicariously on the dining room shelf so little fingers couldn't rip them open.  And I made a practice batch of the Pioneer Woman's version of Parker House Rolls, since rolls have become the item I bring to dinner each year.  They were buttery, and delicious, and much more work than picking up a package of rolls at the store.  If rolls are my responsibility next year, I think I may take the easy way out.

Somewhere in there, I managed to also feed my child, although clothing was pretty much out of the question most days.



Each year, I try to do at least one handmade gift.  I never succeed in hand making something for everyone, but I think, over the years, everyone has received something I've made.  This year, I wasn't very good at planning ahead, so I did a little semi-homemade gift and I think it turned out alright.  Just a few fleece blankets from Walmart (just $3 each), and some felt and embroidery thread that I already had in my stash, and...

Walaa!  Three little personalized blankets in under an hour. 

Laci helped too, by becoming completely engrossed in the TV and being content to wallow in her own mess while I crafted away.  Sometimes, she knows just how to help me out.  Of course, this is certainly not all of the time.  In fact, most of the time while I was baking and crafting, she was whining, crying, and fit throwing, but we both survived.  And to top it all off, she ate a bunch of beads, which made for very festive diapers over the next few days.

And, as if I didn't have enough on my plate, I decided to turn my front room into a studio.  I bribed Laci with ornaments, lights, and a stuffed snowman, all so I could get that one priceless Christmas picture.  Or at least one that was worthy of printing for family.  Yet again, I wasn't organized enough to put together a card, but I'll just have to accept that I may never be one of those moms that sends out the Christmas card to family and friends each year.  I think I can accept that, I think.

Anyhow, the bribery and the furniture rearranging paid off when I was able to capture this one.  Pretty, isn't she?

I think preparing for the holiday is at least half the fun:  the baking, the crafting, the picture taking.  It's exhausting, but worth it.  The shopping part isn't so much fun for me, but also, very worth it in the end.

For our holiday celebration, stay tuned...

...sixteen months...

I haven't done one of these monthly posts in a while.  Even though she turned sixteen months on Saturday, I think this still counts as close enough.  Especially since she went to the doctor today and had an official checkup.

The stats:
29 1/2 inches tall
17 lbs 11 oz

She grew 2 inches since her last visit, which makes me feel a whole lot better about thinking that I shrunk all her clothes, and bumped her up to the 10th percentile for height (if you're in to those statistical things).  Ummmm, not so much weight gain.  In fact, she fell off the growth chart, and nearly fell out of the scale as she was trying her best to fling herself out of it.  Given her genetic background (daddy's side), we're not concerned about her tiny size, but we'll go back in three months just to make sure she keeps growing.

When the pediatrician asked me today how many words she said, I didn't really have an answer.  She talks constantly in some language I clearly do not understand.  I have no doubt she will soon be chatting our ears off, but in the meantime, our communication involves various high pitched whiny sounds, mixed in with a good amount of gibberish that goes something like, "diiidiii di di diiiii diiii di di da."  In other words, "I want some raisins and I might wilt if you don't give them to me now."  Side note:  if you are what you eat, then my child will be a raisin by Thursday.

For those concerned, there are a few words we can clearly understand.  Daddy is clearly "Daddy," although Mama has somehow become "Da."  Yes, that is how I am addressed.  I am "Da."  It works.  I am only called "Mama" when she is hysterically crying, and it sounds more like "MAAAAAAAMAAAAAAAA."  She says "Hi" clear as a bell, to everything that walks, talks, or crosses her path - people, animals, and inanimate objects included.  And just this week, she has learned Hot, which sounds more like "HA" and requires putting your hand out in front of you like a crossing guard.  She knows the wood stove is hot and she can't touch it, and really, who needs to know more words than that?  Especially when "Diii diii dii" gets you everything you ever wanted and more.

I'm sure there are a jillion milestones I'm forgetting, like she has six teeth on the bottom now, which makes for ten teeth total, although the arrangement in her mouth is like nothing I've seen before.  She runs like a maniac, climbs everything, and thinks she's jumping when she bends her knees and stands up really fast.  She is a joy, and a headache all at the same time.  And, she has determined the tub is not just for baths anymore.

More Games We Play

Sunday evening is here.  I have survived Day 3 of what is supposed to be seven days of rain.  SEVEN days of rain.  This type of weather pattern is detrimental to my emotional well-being, but it appears I am surviving, and since I've been out in the weather quite a few times, I can confirm that I will not melt.  If you know me at all, you probably already knew that I'm not sweet enough to be made from sugar, but then again, didn't the Wicked Witch melt when wet?

Anyhow, Day 3 of rain means we have not been doing much playing outside.  Which means that someone hasn't been napping at her usual times.  Which means that the rest of her sleep schedule is all out of whack.  Which means the amount of sleep this house has been getting lately has been...shall I say...Inadequate.  I'm not sure that the weather is directly related to our lack of sleep, but since I hate rain AND I hate being tired, I'd like to link the two together.  And to be perfectly clear, it isn't so much the rain that I hate, as the lack of sunshine.  Is there a way I can get both sunshine and rain at the same time?  That would be great.

Nearly two weeks ago, we went outside to play, and I took some pictures.  We have been outside since then, but my camera hasn't, so this is what I've got.  Pictures of a great game called "picking up the olives".  I don't mind the green olives, except when she puts them in her mouth and threatens to choke on them, but the ripe black olives make a terrible mess and like to stain things purple.  I don't like olives.  Unless they are in a jar with lots of salt and garlic.  Then I like olives.  I also like peppers in a jar with vinegar and lots of salt and garlic.  Remember when I talked about canning/jarring peppers?  I can't remember if I mentioned it, but I actually followed through and canned about ten jars.  After sampling them, I can say they are awesome.  Especially with cream cheese and salami.  Although, I'm thinking it's more the garlic and salt that I like, so really I could probably eat anything with enough salt and garlic, and possibly vinegar.  But now I'm totally off track.  Back to playing outside.

Another great game is "picking up dirt."  Go figure.  I think there is a theme here with picking things up. Except this game also involves carrying a handful of dirt to your daddy, putting it in his hand, returning to the dirt pile to pick up more dirt, returning to daddy to dump it off, and repeating this pattern about thirty times.  After that, you start dumping the dirt on the cat's back, but the cat thinks you're petting it, so it just purrs and rubs against your leg while you dump more dirt on its back.  All the while, I'm trying to get pictures of this hilarious baby, dirt, cat exchange, but can't seem to get it all in the frame.  So, I just give up and stop taking pictures.

Carrying the dirt, which apparently, is very serious business based on the facial expression.

Dumping dirt in daddy's hand.

Returning for more dirt.

More dumping.

Looking at these pictures makes me realize that even though everything is dead and grayish brown, I still like it.  It's my yard and I love it, and even though the area you see above is currently under about an inch of water, I know it will turn green and lovely again in a few months.  Looking at these pictures also makes me realize that my dogs do weird things sometimes.  I can assure you that Lunati is not dead in the third picture above, although it looks like she might be, and also, there are VERY few things that can distract Bailee from chewing on a stick.  Stick chewing is very serious business, just like dumping dirt.

On a less "grayish" note, this week should be a whirlwind of wrapping, baking, and last minute errands, culminating in two days of eating, presents, and good family fun.  Which all sounds significantly less depressing than the current weather.

Relief

I breathed a huge sigh of relief as I was walking out of Barnes & Noble today.  Not only because it was a madhouse in there and I was lucky to have escaped unscathed, but also because my Christmas shopping is officially done.  I'm a terrible holiday shopper.  I always wait until the last minute, and then agonize over getting the "perfect" gift for each person.  The logical part of me knows that, given my budget and time constraints, the "perfect" gift is impossible, not to mention the "perfect" gift isn't always necessary.  However, the idealistic, slightly perfectionist, side of me insists on getting just the right thing for everyone...or at least as close as possible.  This has been our first full year on a single income, so shopping seemed even more challenging than usual, but even so, I feel like I did the very best I could.  And for the time being, I can finally put away the holiday stress and just enjoy getting ready...baking, wrapping, and filling our home with good smells, sights, and songs.

Light Parade

On Saturday, we did something I've been meaning to do for the past 15 years.  We went to the downtown Light Parade.  I couldn't argue with the unseasonably warm temperature this year as I have so many years before.  I had fun.  I'm not so sure about Laci, who was irritated that she could not run around in the street, and was more entertained by the butterfly wand she stole, than by the brightly lit floats.  Technically, she didn't steal the butterfly wand, it was being "shared."  However, once it became Laci's turn to hold the wand, there was no prying it from the death grip she was using to hold it.  Shortly after this picture, Aunty Kristina broke the wand and no one wanted it.  Problem solved.

We live in a small town, so the parade was enjoyable, but nothing like what you might see at Disney.  We saw Frosty, Santa, and Snoopy...trucks, cars, and even a school bus covered in lights...floats with sparkling holiday themes...middle school marching bands, complete with flag girls which brought back some memories for me (yes, I was a flag girl in junior high, one of my best memories of growing up).  You know, the usual holiday things.

And a fire breathing dragon.

Yes, a fire breathing dragon.

Not your classic holiday creature, but he was wearing a Santa hat and beard, so at least he was festive.

He is a made from old pieces of metal: car parts, cans, basically metal trash found at the dump.

I'm not sure if you can see him clearly enough in the picture,

but you're looking at him from behind.  He "breathes" fire from his nostrils,

has huge wings, and a long tail towards the left of the picture.

I'd love for this to become an annual tradition for us,

but I'm doubtful that next year's weather will be as favorable,

so I'll hold off on making that decision for a while.

It was fun to have both sets of grandparents, plus aunts, uncle, and cousins to share the evening.

At least I can finally say, I've been to our light parade.

Games We Play

With the weather changing everyday, from cold to rainy and back again, we've been stuck inside more than a certain little person would like.  She, of course, is oblivious to being cold and could care less if rain is falling on her.  I, on the other hand, prefer to stay warm and dry inside.  It just makes keeping her entertained a little more challenging.

The good thing is, she doesn't require very complicated things to play with.  Her latest, and greatest, game is putting alphabet magnets into a cup, then taking them out, then putting them in another cup, then taking them out again, then pouring them from one cup to another, and on and on and on.  In fact, putting things in containers and taking them out is a theme lately:  pens in the pen holder, goldfish crackers in plastic bowls, and water in cups in the tub.

We've been doing other things too, and I realized I've been taking quite a few pictures of her playing lately.  I could probably do a week's worth of posts just on Laci's playtime.  Since she rarely holds still for the camera, I've resigned myself to capturing her constant movement.  As I was browsing through our recent photos, I saw playtime with a giant knot of yarn, olives that have fallen from the tree, dirt (dirt is always a great toy) and even the mail.

I submit exhibit A:

I believe she's reviewing our electrical bill.  I'm hoping she has some suggestions on how we might conserve. HA!  I'm just glad she decided to play in front of the window so I could take a picture of her without that terrible "I'm caught in the flash" look.

This should make Christmas shopping for one little girl very simple.

The Story

As it turns out, the story really isn't much of a story.

Laci, who happens to be very independent, wanted to walk on the rocks around the tree without any assistance from me.  She was doing fine until she got to the corner and decided she wanted down.  Like any fine parent, instead of helping her, I stood back and took pictures of her thought process.

See, not much of a story.  I know...whole lotta buildup, whole lotta letdown.

But if I were to pretend I knew what Laci was thinking,

I think the story would go something like this:

"Hey Elmo, see how far the ground is from here?"

"Yep, it's pretty far.  How are we gonna get down from here?"

 

"Hey mom, could you give us a hand?"



"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
(This part actually happened.)

 

"Well, Elmo, looks like we're on our own."

I'm sure that was more excitement than you can handle on a Tuesday evening.  So, to add to the buzz, I can finally say Laci is officially done nursing.  The fact that we are three months later than I had originally planned has more to do with my motherly emotions than her demands.  Overall, I'd say the transition has been much less emotionally painful than I anticipated, but my chest is currently experiencing some different "emotions."  I'm of the mind that there is no such thing as "TMI - too much information," but for the sake of time, I'll leave it at that.

Even more exciting, more for me than for anyone else on this whole earth, is that Laci has finally figured out what "sleeping through the night" means.  She is still a ridiculously early riser, 5:30 on a good day, 4:30 on a terrible day, but for the past two weeks, she has only been up in the middle of the night maybe once or twice.  It has been so nice to not stumble through the dark, across the house, half asleep, like I've been doing for the past 15 months.  To those of you who can relate to my lack of sleep, I'm sure you can imagine the elation I am experiencing right now.  Well, elation that's been watered down with pure exhaustion.  Someday, probably when I'm 80 and have nothing better to do with my time, I'll take naps.  Lots of long naps, and then maybe I'll feel rested.

Shopping Panic

Late last night, I was struck with panic when I realized I hadn't even begun shopping for Christmas yet.  This is nothing new for me.  I am a Procrastinator with a capital "P".  But for some reason, I felt the need to get all my shopping done...TODAY.

With my husband and toddler in tow, I braved Costco.  That's where the shopping began, and that's where it ended.  We barely survived.  I tend to exaggerate.  Laci nearly had a complete meltdown in the cart, until I solved all her problems with a plastic container and a slice of apple.  I am not exaggerating this time.  (Note to self:  I am awesome for remembering to pack a snack and even more awesome for guessing which food she'll actually eat today.)

I love Costco. Who doesn't?  However, I do have a complaint.  Why must they place the TV's, and, more importantly, the new Canon cameras, in such a way that I cannot possibly avoid them?  I am forced to drool over them and dream of when our budget will be "new camera friendly."  I do not appreciate it.  Having taken a few marketing classes in college, I'm well aware of the real reason WHY they do this to me, but really?  Is it really necessary?  (Note to self #2:  When entering Costco, hold your breath and practice tunnel vision until you are safely out of the electronic, aka awesome cool things, area.)

After visiting Costco - the world of a million baby pajamas, but not a single pair in the correct size - we decided it was best to get some food and return home.  The only place where our child can behave as wildly as she pleases.  We stopped at In N Out, which happens to be one of my new favorite places (yeah, I'm slow to catch on to things sometimes).  I fed Laci french fries, because I'm really into feeding my kid healthy food like that, and she proceeded to eat them like they were going to disappear. Which they did, into her mouth.  I'm pretty sure she may have swallowed a few whole.  To finish off, she rubbed her greasy, salty hands all over her head, taking the "wet look" to a new level.  So fun.

By the way, I only succeeded in crossing one person off my list at Costco.  Since I was still feeling panicked about gift buying, I did what every other agoraphobic American does:  I went shopping online.  I've crossed off about half of my shopping list, and the panic has subsided.  (Note to self #3:  When Christmas shopping next year, just go online first.  You will save time, fuel, and possibly money, plus you will not be forced to walk past completely awesome items that are completely out of the question.  In addition, you will avoid public.)

***There is an explanation for the picture at the top, even though there isn't even the slightest hint of an explanation in the babbling above.  However, if I have time, and if I remember, and if I feel like it, I might tell the story tomorrow.  I just can't handle a post without a picture.***

THE jeans

Check out these snazzy duds, saved by my mom for the past .... years.

These are THE jeans I wore when I was a baby, as did both of my sisters.

Levi's, size "00".

Do they even make these anymore?

Certainly not in the armpit hugging version you see pictured above.

And I'm pretty sure Levi's doesn't use the red tag anymore.

Wow, these are vintage!  Or just old.

My mom couldn't wait for Laci to wear them.

Thanks to the 1979 styling (oops, guess I just aged myself),

my baby could barely breathe in them unless they were pulled up past her belly button.

And little shorty that she is, I had to roll them up.

Aren't jeans the most terrible thing you can put on a baby?

They can't bend, breathe, or nap properly.

Laci made the best of them, though.

And it made my mom's (and dad's) day to see her in them.

I imagine their joy might have a little something to do with

how she reminds them of me when I was little.

I forgot to grab a picture of me in the jeans, but I did snag this one from my mom.

Just in case you were confused as to why Laci would remind them of me.

A little younger than Laci, and pretty faded (the picture...not me),

but I think you get the idea.

The big question is:

will the jeans survive another 31 years so that I can see them on my own grandchildren?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they will.

A few of my favorite things...and teeth

Cookie Monster beanie from my own babyhood,

(I think it's appropriate that the "monster" part is in front).

Novel, not sure which one, but I'm sure I've read it a time or two.

Cute little baby, with an independent attitude.

Just a few of my favorite things.

Can you believe this girl has two molars?

I'm not a tooth expert, not by a long shot,

but I'm pretty sure that the sharp little nubs I see (and feel) are molars.

This makes a total of nine teeth.

Four in the middle up top, three in the middle on the bottom,

and two new nubs growing in waaaaaay back in her mouth.

I didn't even know they were there until she yawned really wide on Thanksgiving.

I hope this is not an indication of our dental future together.

Seriously, who grows teeth in this order?

I'm told anything with teeth is normal, but I have my doubts.

By the way, teeth are definitely not some of my favorite things.