Nursery Time

Well, guess who went to the nursery at church for the first time? Hint: It wasn't Ross or I.

Yes, this turquoise fairy princess went to the nursery at church for the first time this past Sunday because my husband made me take her. I admit, she is getting a little too old to sit in church with us for the mere fact that it is much harder to entertain her during the sermon. But, I just wasn't ready. All service I just kept waiting for her child call number to pop up on the screen, but it did not. When I went to pick her up she was wailing. And, I do mean wailing. Apparently she didn't start crying until other children were getting picked up. Not sure if I believe this?? But, that is what they said. Next Sunday we will try again.

STOP--



I have to tell you that my crazy Mom tried to put my hair in pigtails. I did not like it one little bit, but they sure were cute. You might have to look verrrry closely to see them.


Last night I tried something new. Usually I get up and rock Amelia when she takes her bottle in the night and then when she gets back to sleep we go back and lay down. Last night she took her bottle in bed with me and then I thought I would just see how long it took her to go back to sleep. Umm...one entire hour. Not sure how that happened because when I rock her it usually takes five minutes. Anyway, I feel like I need to somehow be moving toward her being in her own bed and in some weird way that felt like a step. Yes, I need help.

Moving on...have you ever seen a really cute husband? I mean, one this cute? Didn't think so.


And although cute, Ross tells horrible jokes. As in corny. As in, some of them cannot even qualify as a joke, but more of a statement. We had this conversation after one of his "jokes" the other day.

heather: one joke you tell is funny out of one hundred
ross: i live for that one joke
heather: laughing
ross: (in dumb and dumber voice) so you're saying there's a chance?
heather: laughing harder
ross: man, two in a row. i am in for a long dry spell.

:) Have a good day. Oh, and did you know I live with a superhero? Pink capes are so in.

Decisions

Hmmm. Which book?

Maybe this one?




Nah, read it last night. Let's see....


It took her fifteen minutes to pick a book yesterday. Then, she didn't want to read the one she picked. That leads me to believe that she might have the decision making skills of Ross or Steph. Oh help us.

I decided to make a decision for all of us. Let's go to Cozymel's and Target. Never did I think I would take a child that has been sick and fussy "out" to make things better, but I think she was going stir crazy. Sure enough, we get in the car and Amelia was delighted.
That is right. I said car, delighted, and Amelia all in one sentence.

She was perfect at the restaurant and had a blast at Target. Sometimes this doesn't even happen on wonderful nap filled, no fussy days, so we were quite pleased. She carried a huge pink ball all around Target in her stroller. Everyone cracked up, and yes, we bought it for her.
Oh and did I mention Ross got off work at noon? Best day ever. We had so much fun and AC took a big nap when we got home. Things got even better when a girls movie night invitation went out.

Ashley, Amy, Tara, and I all went to Starbucks and the late showing of Up In The Air. I didn't get a picture, but we were cute and had a blast. The movie made me kind of mad, but oh well. George Clooney was fabulous for sure.

Today has been a lot of bubble blowing. Amelia has slowly grown to love bubbles and now they are one of her favorite things. When we say, "Do you want to blow some bubbles?" It seems like she recognizes that question and gets pumped.
And since decisions usually aren't hard for me to make--for myself or other people--let me make one for you. Have a great Saturday.

Happy Birthday to Allison Leigh Tilton from the Halsted's.

Encouragement

Thursday Night--
Last night, Amelia and I were crying. Her for unknown reasons, me, well, for unknown reasons. She had been feeling much better yesterday and the fits were fewer during the day, but then night hit and she just cried and cried. Since this was night four of restless nights and night four of little sleep, I just joined her. I texted my mom at midnight, and said, Encouragement, please. Amelia won't stop crying. And my mom, up at midnight, sent this: Remember all moms have been there.. You are doing a good job trying to comfort her through it all...Love you oodles and poodles.

So, I cried a little more, and then sucked it up. Amelia finally calmed down and went to sleep and slept really well from 2:00 on. She and I also took a great nap today. But, man, this has been a rough parenting week. A few of the nights were maybe the hardest so far, and I fell into a little pool of self-pity and comparison. I won't get into the conversations that I had with myself, but they involved my usual ridiculousness. Thankfully, a ride on Dad's shoulders always helps her mood.



I got more encouragement from Amy, and although this might not seem like encouragement in the traditional sense, it made me laugh for quite a while. Text: Owen just pooped in the bathtub and I thought of you. But I really do hope Amelia has a better night. :)

And my husband reminded me how much he loves me and that counts for a lot. Meme let me tell her all about it as she always does. Derek sent me a random email and my sister talked to me on the phone, which she does not like to do. So, I was reminded parenting is not a walk in the park. Not that I think it is going to be, but some days I definitely feel like I've got a handle on things. On the days that I don't, it is sure nice to be encouraged.

And, it is nice to have this husband who takes your daughter for shoulder rides.

My new year's resolutions are NOT to start flossing, to act calmer, or to stop drinking Dr. Pepper. But, I am preparing some. I don't know if any will be as fun as playing with my new niece or nephew. Nothing can describe the excitement of finding out your best friend is going to have a baby! My sister and Derek will be such insightful and fun parents. Amelia is beside herself to have a new best friend. I love the way that they "announced" their news to Ross and I, but I cannot find the picture because I had to hide it for so long. Still looking...

Friday Morning-
Amelia slept in until 8:30! She had a fabulous night and only woke once for a bottle and went right back to sleep. We are both feeling very refreshed this morning.

Two O One O

I'm a blogging fool this new year. Even when my child is hissing at me. Amelia's fever is down, which is a praise. But, as I told Steph this morning, the hissing isn't. She actually hissed at me today. The fever being gone has given her the strength to let me know even more that she isn't feeling up to par. It is so fun at our house right now.

But, I am carrying on with my post of the day. I don't know how long posts-of-the-day will last, but I don't really care either. My resolutions will be coming shortly. For now, three randoms.

#1-Wii

Derek and Jared both got a Wii this year and my favorite game is tennis. I get bored with bowling halfway through (because I am not good) and I cannot play the golf at all. Mario Kart is fun, and I love watching others (i.e. Ross and Jared) play because they are muuuch better than me. I wish we were all still in a big pile in Meme and Pop's living room playing/watching.

#2- Pictionary ManI LOVED this game. Some say it is just like Pictionary, but die hard game fans will recognize the difference. Now, there were a few thrown objects and a minor fight or two the first time this was played, but by the second time, all kinks were worked out. I wish I owned this instead of Jen...


#3- TOMS

I have been wanting a pair of TOMS forever. Ross totally surprised me/tricked me this Christmas and got me this red pair. Lousy picture, but I still wanted them to have their moment.


They are overpriced, yes, but so comfortable and worldly. By the way, I am talking house shoe comfortable. I love what they stand for too. Have someone else buy these for you!


Absolutely looking forward to American Idol, Amazing Race, Biggest Loser, and potentially even The Bachelor. I am a sucker for these shows and DVR makes it soooo easy to indulge.


My little girl loves her new pink Converse and her new yellow Lego. And, I love her. Along with a ton of other people. :)



Buzzy is asleep with her dad right now. Not a hiss in sight. Fingers crossed she sleeps soundly.

Sick Chick

Went to the doctor today only to hear, "Hmm, I don't know. If she still has fever by Wednesday then we will see if it something more serious." What the heck? Amelia started running a pretty high fever last night and after checking it 3,000 times during the night, we went to the doctor this morning. Had some blood drawn and no infection of any kind. Only fever. Boo. She is pitiful and fussy and whining. I feel so sorry for her. And, I am really not sure how she can just keep feeling so awful with the constant Tylenol. I have high hopes for the morning.

I am going to go ahead and post pictures of Christmas #2 and #3 at Mammaws and G and Pa's because otherwise I would spend many paragraphs talking about how I did anything Amelia wanted today and let her play with all the normal no-no's just to get one tiny smile out of her.

Amelia got an awesome new table from G and Pa and it is the only thing she will even THINK about playing with today. She loves it.

Presents, presents, everywhere!


Amelia loved chasing this inflatable indoor ball around. Neat gift.
This is Darrell's Pet Christmas Squirrel. I think it is his all the time pet actually, but I am trying to tie it in to this post. It is so fat and comes right up to the door for peanuts.


Santa Mammaw

Amelia's highlight of Christmas at Mammaw's was playing with Aunt Jessalyn's iPhone.

We had a blast at both places--I am definitely calling this the best Christmas ever.

Amelia is totally done being occupied by Ross at this point, so this post is also totally done. My poor sick chick.

Resume Now

As each day concludes, I have been blogging mentally. It is actually a lot of fun and requires very little effort. However, no memories are documented, so I have some catching up to do. Lets go back to Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's. These are the coolest people ever.

Excitement. Everything flowed smoothly and Amelia was perfect. I was nervous about how she would handle all the presents and noise and tissue paper. She was so good and did not have any meltdowns. My family loves Christmas. And I love them. It's okay to love presents too, you know? Obviously they aren't the reason for the season, but I will not feel guilty for wanting to get a few...or seven. Plus, as I have gotten older, giving is so fun. I mean, especially if the reaction is like the one below for a mere plastic bag dispenser.

DROID. Big Christmas hit this year...for all of us. No, we did not all get a Droid, but we all enjoyed it when we could pry it away from Dad. Already missing checking Facebook via the phone.




Not just any old camera.

Amelia loved her new stroller. I am tempted to say this was her favorite gift.



I tend to be on the selfish side, but I would be okay with just this gift for the rest of my life. As in, no more presents ever. She is really that incredible.


We took a break from opening presents for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service--one of my favorite things. But Amelia really needed a nap if she was going to have fun during round two of opening, so Ross and I stayed with her while everyone else went. Steph and Derek spent the night with us at the house and we all woke up together to see what Santa brought.

Amelia got a new pink car and a jack n the box. Just what she asked for!



A wonderful and magical time. Merry Christmas. Next, Christmas at G and Pa's.

Traditions

In case you didn't know, it is Christmas and someone is feeling the Holiday Spirit.
I am excited about keeping old traditions alive and starting new ones with Amelia. Ross and I were discussing some possible things we would like to start with her during the Christmas season and it is so exciting to think of all that is to come with this little one.

But for this Christmas, we basked in old traditions-- the kind that just make you smile and know that there is nowhere else you would rather be.

Sugar Cookies-- one of my favorite traditions



Amelia had a fun time and I was surprised by how into making the cookies she was. I thought I might just sit her down for a photo and she jumped right in to the whole shebang. It was great!

We had a blessed Christmas and I must blog about all the memories...later. For now I am going to relax by the glow of the lights on the tree and leave you with this sweet face.