Giving Thanks

I know it's almost a week after Thanksgiving but you know there are these two little beings who have taken up residence in my house wanting my attention 24/7.

Let's just get this out of the way, I am thankful for my family, friends, life, the roof over my head, good health, being able to stay at home and raise the young-ins. I am very much thankful and these things humble me on a daily basis. In fact, when I loose my sh*t after the 15th episode of Team Umizoomi, I feel guilty for not being more grateful for the beautiful life that I live. Oh the guilt for not always being 100% thankful, 100% of the time.

Moving on... in my 2011 Thanksgiving post, I am going to proclaim my thanks for those little things that I sometimes breeze over because poop is up the hairy one's back or I am trying to gather the troops to actually make it somewhere, somehow on schedule. Learning to treasure those moments of insanity because before I know it, it will all be over.

I am incredibly thankful...

For the ability to always enjoy a good dessert.



For taking time to walk with Nona & great-grandma



For witnessing first experiences like the wonder of Christmas lights.

For Jacques the Peacock who keeps a certain someone occupied for more than 30 seconds.

For getting near Santa without tears

For Best Friends

For the cutest dimples in the world.

For hikes together



For the magic, splendor and horror of a daughter- x2!



For helping hands and awesome hair styles

For favorite blankets that look like bathroom rugs



For calm moments, pondering our place.




For delicious toes




But most of all for laughter and being together.



Happy Thanksgiving my little Nora-bean and Lu-bear. How deeply thankful I am for your presence in my life.





Ashley's Promise

I know I promised to update and get caught up before Thanksgiving. Especially since we have had some amazing Thanksgiving adventures with family and friends and more are to come tomorrow at the Festival of Trees. However, as promised to Ashley, who loves my video production skills, I am posting a video of a rousing round of ring-around-the-rosy. Try saying that 5x fast!

We all know that you and Ashley are BFFs, mainly because Jessica and I are best friends. But. BUT! Recently, the desire to be together and play is not prompted by either Jessica or I. You two have developed a relantionship and better yet, a friendship, completely seperate from the proding of your moms. Your constant badgering of when / where you will get to see Ashley is evidence of this friendship. I am so glad that you love Ashley so much.

Here are some pictures of our last playdate with Ashley and her little brother, her dad, her dog and her very kind & gentle kitty, Logan. Ashley- please scroll down for your video!

Fall into Family

This fall we were pleased to have Thisbe & family visit for a weekend. Unfortunately the weekend they came was already jammed packed with events including my first overnight away from Lucy. In order to make sure you received enough Thisbe time, we allowed you to spend the weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I was not there nor your poor father who was dealing with Lucy's 2 hour scream-fest feeding sessions. Your father and I both survived and you had a great time playing with your Minnesotan cousin. Our beautiful camera was still broken at this point so the pictures are blurry at best. My archaic back-up camera was so delayed in taking pictures, you two would move too quickly to get a good shot. The video is even worse.

I wish you could play with Thisbe every Sunday afternoon. Although you two don't see each other that often, when you do, you both know how to have a good time!

Halloween, Finally!

I am going to try and catch up with life / posts so by Thanksgiving Day I can do a Thanksgiving post and not 3 weeks after Christmas.

Halloween & Freak October SnowStorm is up first!

Halloween was fun and low key. We went trick or treating in the neighborhood. You loved every moment of it once you caught on. The first house you played shy and would not participate. By the third house, you had the routine down. "Trick or Treat!" the candy would be placed in your bucket, "THANK YOU!" Turn around and look up to us and say "Another house!" This went on for almost 2 hours. You did not get tired of free candy. Lucy on the other hand, who was the world's cutest pea pod, zonked out around the tenth house. Holidays with you are becoming more and more fun. You get so excited and it's just heart-warming. You are nuts about Christmas and Santa already. I can see why parents enjoy reliving their childhoods through their kids. Seeing you on Halloween in awe of the spooky costumes or lights or bonfires was so satisifying. Seeing you enjoy life and getting excited for things like trick or treating or seeing Santa or making pumpkin bread for Thanksgiving is simply contagious. I haven't been this excited about the holidays in a really long time. Thank you Nor, for reminding me how wonderful and beautiful this time of year can be.

The snowstorm was the weekend before Halloween and it hit in one day left a few inches. The snow stayed around for a couple days. In contrast, the weather in November has been mild and I love spending the beautiful fall days outside with you two. The day after the snow fell, in my eagerness, I insisted on taking you sledding. Marta came and held Lucy (thank God!) while we traveled down the huge hill. This was the same sledding spot from the incident last year. We zoomed so quickly I couldn't stop when I saw the grate at the bottom of the hill and we were headed right for it. I managed to hit the grate at my back, you were on my lap. We slammed into the grate, my neck / head getting the worst as I curled my body around yours and let you go as we rolled in the grass. I was stunned, couldn't stand but I stumbled over to you because you were screaming. I was so afraid. You were fine, scared. But fine. My head was ringing, I was nauseous, slight concussion. Marta had to drive home after running down the hill to see if we were ok. I hugged you and told you how brave you were and how stupid I was. How sorry I was. You looked at me with tears in your eyes and said, "Not again!" I promised I would never do that again. But couldn't we go sledding again, if the hill was smaller and not so fast. You looked at me, I was bleeding from a cut on my forehead and you said, "Ok sledding on Nora-sized hill." Alright I agreed, on a Nora-sized hill next time. I truly believe someone was looking out for us that day. You or I could have been seriously hurt, how fast we were going and hitting the metal grate. The force could have snapped your neck. I was so very stupid and so very grateful there are so many souls who love you as much as I do.

The pictures are in no particular order. I can't stand trying to re-order pictures in blogger. It's so darn messy!

Snow! In pajamas! I promise she has shoes on!



Ready to go sledding! I lost my sunglasses too, which is the worst thing that happened. I am glad!

 

Nora with the pumpkins she painted, I carved. She was the famous hotdog, as previously seen in the dog show.




A rare sight of a Halloween snowman.




One of the first houses, Nora was still not sure what this was all about



Lucy the pea pod with Mr. Kevin!




Lucy awoke from her Halloween night nap!



Trick or Treating

Lucy's first snow... in October?!?



Do they look alike? Everyone comments on how much Lucy looks like Nels.

Onto visits from cousin Thisbe and fall hikes through the woods and playdates with BFF Ashley. All before Thanksgiving. I promise.


Fall Photo Shoot FAIL

One would think a mild fall morning and matching outfits would make for a perfect picture day. I didn't account for an obstinate two year old or a four month old having a horrible hair day. But knowing my kids, I should have.

Sorry for the lack of posts. Sorry for not getting my new blog off the ground. For the record, I have no idea what happened to the days between Halloween and Thanksgiving (which is next week?!?!?). I added some other photos since our fall photo shoot was an utter fail.



Please note the out-of-control hair and typical two-year-old-behavior.





I'm in love with Lucy's shoes.




Maybe the best picture from the day.
But you aren't looking at the camera. Sigh.



Playdate with Teddy in his handsome vest.





Making cookies with Nonna






When did you give up being a toddler?
 You look so mature here. Much older than two and half.
I guess my baby isn't a baby anymore.

 

Look who's eating food that doesn't come from my boob! YUM!



And here they are: my most beloved motley crew.



I need to update on Halloween adventures, including a freak snowstorm in October that had us going sledding which resulted in Mommy getting a slight concussion from slamming into a drainage grate. Don't worry my head/neck broke our fall and you were fine. On second thought, maybe that's why I can't remember what happened to all the days in November?! Now it's starting to make sense!!!





K.I.S.S.

How is it already November? What happened to October? Or September. Thanksgiving & Christmas are just around the corner.
Some days the three of us (me, you and Lucy) are running around like crazed maniacs. Barely stopping to eat or nurse. Those are the days I loathe. Every time we have a big adventure or jam pack our day where there is no official naptime, it always ends up being disappointing and stressful.
Since it's the beginning of the craziest time of year I will proclaim my bit of learned mommy wisdom for you to soak up:
Always remember to KISS.
Meaning: Keep It Simple Stupid.
Referring to me as the stupid one.

Of course I want to absolute best for you and Lucy. I want to provide all opportunities and experiences possible. But I shouldn't try to do everything all at once. I need to remember your perspective. An hour at the park playing alligator or swinging in the sun is just as fulfilling as a trip to the amusement park. Playing a pretend game of choo choo is just as good, if not better than traveling to the train museum. Putting you both in the car for three hours is not fun. Schlepping both of you and all your stuff is not fun. Melt downs b/c of missed naps is not fun. Eating at restaurants b/c we are out and about is not fun. As a mommy I need to remember to keep it simple and it's our time together that matters. Afternoons at the park, evenings in the playhouse, mornings in the grass on our blanket. How much more enjoyable life is when I just keep things simple and treasure the moments we have on our ordinary days. And it's much more relaxing too which we all need more of during the holidays.  

Lucy was having a bad hair day  so I found her an adorable hat with a very large flower attached. I can't help myself. She really is like a living doll. I want to sqeeeeeeeze her so much!!!!

And just for Ashley, upon special request: Nora pictures!!! Nora will allow pictures of herself while indulging in her most favorite activity: swinging. Please note that she always has to swing herself before going down the slide.