EGG . . . ZACTLY

Last night Megan, Julie and I were in the kitchen doing some cooking and Carly wandered in. I opened the refrigerator door to grab something off the top shelf and didn't notice Carly had gotten into the bottom. A few seconds later I heard Megan gasp and then start laughing. I turned around to look and Carly had made it a few feet from the refrigerator and then tripped and fallen flat with an egg in her hand. The egg had cracked and was smushed all over the floor and Carly had the most confused look on her face.

She has had this intrigue with eggs now for months. The egg basket in our fridge is on the very bottom of the door and to Carly, I know, all these little white eggs look like little white balls. For a long time she tried to grab them every time we opened the door so we started keeping the eggs in their cartons up higher so we didn't have the problem. But when the holidays came and we started putting more food in the fridge I put them back at the bottom and I didn't realize she had noticed them. Oh well, guess I have egg on my . . .
FLOOR.

MY LITTLE GIRL IS GROWING UP

Carly's hair is finally long enough that we can put it up in a couple of small ponytails or "puffs" as they are called. We have been doing this hairdo on her for almost a week now and I can't believe the difference it makes in how old she looks to me. It changes her from a baby to a little girl. I kind of want to put her little 'fro back in and tie a bow around her hair. It's kind of hard to have her grow up so quickly--although she is awfully darn cute!

CARLY'S CONVERSATION

We took one of our Christmas trees down today--the one we put our wooden toy soldiers in front of and all the presents under. When Carly went down for a nap the tree was still up and when she woke up it had been taken down. All that was left in the spot where it had been were the six toy soldiers our friend Joyce had made to represent each child in our family. Although, she didn't seem to notice them.

Carly said, "Mom, tree, gone." I said, "Yes, we took it down and put it away." She seemed to accept that and I didn't think anymore about it for awhile. Later I was in the kitchen doing something and I heard her talking to someone in the living room--I mean talking like she was actually having a conversation. I turned around to look and she was having her own little conversation with the toy soldiers. I almost laughed outloud. I probably would have except I didn't want to interrupt the conversation or embarrass her. Now, mind you, I couldn't understand what they were talking about. Lol! I have a such an adorable and interesting child!

MY DAILY MUSINGS

Julie is still out of school for Christmas break and I'm glad. It gives me some help to get things back in order from the holiday rigamarole. She and I cleaned and sorted and put things away today. We took out the trash and wow, do we make a lot of trash! We cut up all the boxes we got things in for Christmas so we could fit them in the trash. We were busy beavers and still we didn't get everything done. We still have the tree up--well, both of them actually. We had planned to take one of them down and leave the other up until New Year's but didn't even manage to get one down. Guess that happens when you have a munchkin or two running around--not geting your list of things done, that is.

Grandma managed to make it out to exchange a few things today and even do a little shopping. I think she got her fill of standing in lines, though. She was pretty worn out when she got home. I refuse to stand in lines. If I have to exchange anything I wait until a few weeks after the holiday when no one cares anymore and the lines are gone. They would pretty much have to be bread lines to get me to stand in them. There's nothing I want that bad (at least that I can think of at the moment :}.

I didn't even leave the house until almost 8:00 p.m. and it was probably a good thing. It was only 10 degrees outside. I just had a quick errand and I was glad to get back inside where it was warm. I sound terribly boring tonight.

Jonathon and I are both leaning against pillows having a staring contest to see who falls asleep first. I think I need to let him win this one. Darn.

Night. :}

VISITING DAY

Went to visit Rob's parents today. They are about an hour away from us. We took them their Christmas. Carly is trying to assimilate in her mind what it means to have two Grandma's and two Grandpa's. It was the first time she really thought about it today I think. She's really becoming verbal and she had to stop and think before she called Rob's mom Grandma because she's been calling my mom Grandma. She just looked at her for a long time and we were encouraging her to call her Grandma but she just stared at her. She's done it before. Finally, I explained to her by saying each Grandma and Grandpa's names with their last name attached and she finally got it. Then she just called her Grandma. It was kind of neat to watch her brain work on it.

Dad stayed downstairs again today but he did get up and walk around so I think he is doing a bit better. I think we will be able to get him into the doctor tomorrow. I know we are all exausted from the rush of the holidays. Maybe that is some of it for him, too.

Sara left to go back to her college town today. Carly was not happy about that. Sara has definitely been the flavor of the week. Carly has loved walking around saying Sara's name over and over and over and over! Plus, she loved having her here. She cried any time Sara left the house. Hopefully she will be back to visit in February.

Julie has another week off of school. Rob and Megan are jealous because they have to go back to work tomorrow. Well, that's about all the news for today. Love ya, :)

DUM ME

It's almost midnight and Rob just looked at me and said, "Done your blog yet?" Oops! I am just mindlessly surfing the web when I should be sleeping. I am so tired and yet, I can't seem to fall asleep but I had honestly forgotten to blog. Silly girl!

Grandpa hasn't been getting around very well the last couple of days. His good leg (which is his bad leg) has been giving him trouble. He's been having some muscle spasms in it and some weakness. Hopefully, he just needs some physical therapy on it and it will be temporary.

I spent a good part of the day writing Christmas cards. Yes, that's what I said. I am slow but sure. I don't get very many out and the ones I do usually get there in the new year. Aren't I cute? Generally the people who send me cards are the ones who get them back. I try to be more proactive than that but it just never works out. (Did I just say I was lazy or busy? hmmm.)

Well, better get some sleep before time for church. Night.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Silly me, I didn't take any pictures today. We had the video camera running so I didn't take any stills. Just lazy I guess. We had a happy day. Carly was funny opening presents. She would open one and the want to just open and play with that one. It took some convincing to get her to move to the next present. Finally, the other girls had to finish opening her packages for her. She had no interest in them until she saw what was in them. Kind of crazy.

Sara, Megan and Julie enjoyed themselves too. Jonathon was the only observer. He seemed fine with that, though. Next year he will probably be a bit more interested. My parents seemed to have a good day, too. Rob's brother Steve came over with his kids and had their Christmas with us, too.Rob and I had fun watching everyone open their presents and enjoy each other. It's been a great day. Now, time for beddy bye. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

PICTURES FROM GRANDMA'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

She was so surprised! It was really fun.

SURPRISE GRANDMA!

My Dad pulled a good one on my Mom today. He surprised her for her birthday which is December 24th. (Maybe the biggest surprise is that he planned something way in advance for her birthday!) Ummmm, don't tell him I said that. Actually, I think most men are that way. For several weeks he has connived and planned with each of us girls to arrange a surprise birthday party. He wanted to have a luncheon with all of her kids and grandkids in the same place for her big day. We managed to pull it off today sans one kid who had a mandatory athletic practice and the best part was Grandma was truly surprised. It probably helped that we did it the day before her actual birthday. It was great to see her face when she saw everyone there. Especially, when she didn't think Sarah and her family were even in the state. Yah, it was pretty great. Happy day!

Oh, by the way Mom. Happy Birthday. I love you, Nancy

GREAT, STUPENDOUS NEWS!

Dad had a test at the cardiologist today. This doctor has been working with him on some things and the test showed tons of improvement! His heart is a lot stronger AND they OK'd him for his knee surgery in February! Yay! Thanks for all the prayers you have sent our way. Please keep them coming. We need all the help we can get!

CAKE MONSTER

I went to Sam's Club today to order Grandma's birthday cake. I had Carly with me and she was sitting in the cart while I was writing out the order for the cake. Trouble is she was sitting right next to the display of cakes that were for sale. I didn't think much about it at the time. While I was writing out the order she was doing her usual chattering to which I respond without doing a lot of thinking, i.e., "Cakes mommy!", "Yes, Pretty aren't they?" Well, I finished the order and turned it in and then turned and started pushing the cart away from the cake area. Holy Toledo! My 22 month old popped a cork! "NO MOMMY! CAKE! GET A CAKE!

I tried to explain to her that we had just ordered one and would pick it up in a few days . . . but it sounded like this to her 22 month old ears: "BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, NO CAKE FOR YOU! YOU CAN NEVER HAVE CAKE AGAIN! BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!" In other words she threw a screaming mimi tantrum and the only words I could understand were "need", "get" and "cake". It took a few minutes but once I got her out of the cake section and got her mind on other things she calmed down. It occurs to me that I think I've created a sugar monster--at the very least a cake monster. I'm in trouble. :}

WEEKEND UPDATE

Rob and I spent Saturday trying to finish up the Christmas shopping. Think we got most of it done.

Went to the viewing of one of my friend's fathers tonight who died really suddenly. He was only 67 and was apparently really athletic and healthy right up until he had this fatal heart attack. I guess you just never know when it's going to be your time. We had a really nice visit with my friend and her husband and got to meet their three boys for the first time. They are really cute.

We took Carly and Julie with us and they were pretty impressed with our beautiful girls. Bubby had to stay home with Grandma and Grandpa since his immune system is still so at risk. Not to mention he is still sick right now--so I don't want him to give anyone else the crud he has either.

Took Carly to see her first Christmas lights on the way home. She was so cute. She kept saying, "Awesome" over and over.

Saw on one of my cousin's status last night on Facebook that another of my cousin's--Lana, is in the hospital with gall bladder problems. Apparently, her sugar level is pretty high, too because of the gall bladder so they are trying to stabilize the sugar level before they handle the gall bladder. They still think they will have her home by Christmas. Prayers would be much appreciated.

Well, that's all for now folks. Take care.

BREAKFAST WITH CARLY

I was in the kitchen doing something this morning when my little munchkin ran in and said, "Mommy, I need cake!" I couldn't decide whether to be excited that she had just said a brand new sentence very clearly and actually new what it meant or be concerned that my 22 month old wanted (excuse me "needed") chocolate cake for breakfast.

Oh, who am I kidding--my Dad taught me to eat chocolate cake for breakfast like it was cereal. By that, I mean pouring milk over it in a bowl and eating it with a spoon. So, Carly and I sat down and had a bowl of chocolate cake cereal together. After all, she needed it!

GOOD DAY ~ FRIDAY

Today was a really good day. We had a great appointment with the cardiologist. We really liked him a lot and things look pretty good. He ordered some tests to determine if things look good enough to go ahead with Dad's knee surgery scheduled for February. We should know what that looks like soon but it does seem hopeful.

Rob and I took Jonathon to visit some friends who hadn't met him yet tonight. That was fun. Unfortunately, there are lots of our friends and even family members who haven't met him yet. His preemie immune system causes us to be careful about taking him into crowds and places where there are other small children who may have coughs or colds. One day he will get to meet everybody. In the meantime, we will take lots of pictures and post them. Um, but not tonight. This mom's only had 2 1/2 hours of sleep today since he didn't let me go to sleep until almost 4 a.m--Maybe tomorrow. :}

WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD

Today (it's still Thursday to me even though it's 3:45 a.m. because I haven't finished this blog yet)has been a long day and I'd like to say I got a lot done but I can't remember what I did before noon. That could be a product of sleep deprivation and not just old age speaking, couldn't it? Seriously, couldn't it?

Everyday I get up with a list of things that have to be done. Cleaning the house is always on it. At least straightening it and putting things away--I'll settle for that. No, scratch that--something else just got priority. Probably a naked toddler running through the house with something breakable. OK, what's next on the list. Does it matter. Something else I wasn't planning on will take it's place. What happened to my 80/20 rule. I think they call it being a mom to a toddler and a baby at the same time. Do you think I will ever figure it out and get organized? I sure hope so!

Oh, so look at that. I did it again. Got off my list and my topic. We are off to see one of Dad's doctor's today (I'm almost done so this today is for Friday). This is an important one. Keep us in your prayers. He doesn't need a new heart--just a good one. Well--he already has a really good one--but you know what I mean. Wizard, here we come!

HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN! THE LEERS HAVE BROUGHT US CHEER AGAIN!

Jonathon was so happy when the mail came today he wet his diaper! Or was that me? I can't remember. Lol! We are so happy and excited at our house!

You might remember a month or so ago when I posted a picture of Jonathon with a bunch of adorable wooden soldiers with a caption that said "What's wrong with this picture?" Well, of course Jonathon was really sad in the picture because there was a wooden soldier for all of the girls in the family but not one for him. He had found them all and felt really bad because he couldn't find his. (You can roll your eyes at me here and say "Crazy Mama!)

Anyway, these wooden soldiers are precious collector's items because they were made by a wonderful, whimsical artist named Joyce who has been a friend of our family since long before I was born. She always made my childhood holidays magical by painting the windows of all the stores downtown with glorious holiday scenes. It was the most fun place to go--so full of life and wonder! She is simply amazing and has talent that flows from every pore. This time, though, she pulled off a Christmas miracle because I found out after I asked her (see: emotionally coerced)if she could make one for Jonathon that she had retired and thrown out all of her patterns and paints. (J & L -- I owe you BIG! See: HUGE, XXXL, EL GRANDE.)

I just want everyone to see how much Jonathon loved his wooden soldier. He was so happy when we opened it he started dancing and singing! Too bad we didn't get it on the camcorder! Darn! Here are some stills, though!




See how big I am now?



Sweet Joyce did not leave Carly out. How thoughtful! Thank you! Carly loves her Raggedy Ann!

She is a little camera shy these days. When she gets embarrassed she closes her eyes and thinks we can't see her anymore. Hmmm. Maybe she's right--too bad the camera still can, Miss Raggedy, Raggedy, Raggedy Carly!



Thank you, thank you, thank you! We love you!

HAVE YOU SEEN THESE PEOPLE?

We have and we think they are cuter than spotted pups! If you are missing them feel free to give them a hollar! Happy Hollar-Days!

A NOT SO GOOD, YUCKY DAY

Wow, today has been no fun at all and that means starting today from midnight on. Jonathon or Jon-uh-non as Carly calls him has been one miserable little boy. He has been coughing and weezing and really having labored breathing. I think I slept an hour while he was asleep on my chest. Rob didn't sleep at all. We gave him breathing treatments and everything and nothing seemed to make it better. This morning we finally took him to the ER since we know our doctors would just tell us to give him breathing treatments or send us to the ER. We spent most of the day there with them giving him X-rays and breathing treatments, suctioning out his nose, sending off tests, etc. It looked for awhile like they might keep him overnight but his chest X-rays came back clear so they let us bring him home. There is still a possibility he could have a viral pneumonia that the X-rays don't pick up but the tests they sent off should tell us whether he has anything serious going on or not. Luckily, he was doing better enough that we have him at home. I will keep you posted on how things go.

LOOK WHAT SANTA LEFT UNDER MY TREE! WOW, SANTA, YOU'VE BEEN GOOD TO ME!

WHAT'S A MOM TO DO?

I can't remember if I've told you this before or not. If I have, oh well. Carly can't stand to have anyone close a door on her--especially a bathroom door. She will stand outside the door and pound on it and plead to be let in. She will cry and whine and try the door and give you absolutely no peace until you come out or give in and allow her to come in.

I've gotten to the point where I don't even bother to close our bathroom door anymore. Of course, our bathroom is in our bedroom so it's a little bit protected from the rest of the house. But, I don't close the door very often because even if she doesn't see me leave to go the bathroom she seems to have a sixth sense about it and shows up not long after I go in. Of course, when I did use to close the door, she would always wait to show up until I was seated and then bang and scream for what seemed like an eternity. Her timing was so frustrating it just wasn't worth it.

She has a brand new thing now. She learned the word "up" some time ago for when she wanted help climbing up the stairs or wanted you to pick her up. Grandma has taught her to add the word please to that. So, now her favorite phrase is "Up peas". She used to come straight in to the bathroom and pat my bum when I was sitting and say "Mommy's bum" and just laugh. Now she comes in immediately turns her back to me and backs up and says "Up peas. I say "No, not up peas. Mommy busy." She repeats, "Up peas" with more urgency and we go back and forth until one of us gives up or gives in. (Guess who wins most of the time? :}, Yah, not me. lol!)

Well, I just learned from others in the house (who don't and really can't leave the bathroom door open for matters of decorum) that Carly has learned to open the childproof locks on the doors and just walk right in. In fact, she has surprised them right in the middle of their bathroom breaks! "Up Peas!" Lol!

I say this is crazy! She is not even two years old yet. Why can she outwit a child proof door lock? What age child was this lock made to proof? Surely it was supposed to last for more than their first year. Holy crap. We are in trouble. I mean, yah, we can start locking the bathroom doors from the inside when we are using them. No problem. But what do we do about all the sharp things and cleaning poisons, etc. these child proof locks are supposed to keep them away from? Her little hands are not supposed to be able to manuever these things. Carly is not only smart; she is strong.

Wow, do we have our work cut out for us! I am sitting here patting my head. "Work Mommy brain, Work"

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW . . .

Hey, we might as well sing about it--not like we can control it. Just saw the weather and they said that minimum by Sunday we will have between 2-5 inches on the ground and it could be more. The benches could have 6-12 inches and the mountains are supposed to get 12-24 inches. It's supposed to start tomorrow afternoon and keep snowing into Sunday. Sounds like a fun weekend! It never really bothers me when it snows. I like the change of seasons and I especially love snow on the ground at Christmas time. My kids (older ones) on the other hand get cranky about it. I thought kids were supposed to like snow. They never have. Whine, whine, whine. It gets old. I say, if it's going to happen anyway you might as well enjoy it!

This is the first year Carly has really seen snow and she loves it. We haven't really had any snow of substance yet that she can get out in and learn how to build a snowman. I can't wait to see her do that. Hopefully, this weekend there will be enough to see her enjoy doing something fun in it.

Grandma and I went and did some more Christmas shopping this afternoon. Just a few quick things. Slowly but surely we are knocking things off our list. Well, Grandma is much farther ahead than I am. Not that it's a race but if it were she'd be winning. lol!

I made a scrumptious dinner tonight; swiss steak and homemade mashed potatoes. It was delish! Sad thing was Rob ended up having to work late enough that he had to just grab a quick McDonalds. What a drag. Good thing there are leftovers.

Did you hear that? Yah, me too. It's chocolate calling my name. I can't tell which direction it's coming from. I'd better go investigate. Talk to you later.

OH, THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL . . .

O.K, maybe not exactly frightful, but it's pretty durn cold! It got down to 13 degrees today and that was without the windchill factor added in. Sure doesn't make a girl want to spend any time outside. Although, Mom and I still had to brave the cold and the snow on the ground and go do a little Christmas shopping. We art tackling it a little bit each day. She is much further along than I am. I've decided to do the last minute panick. Until then, I am going to remain calm and rather unbothered by my "Icouldcareless" attitude about shopping. I figure whatever I get done before then I get done; whatever I don't I don't. I know I can always panic about it at the last minute! Crazy eh? Yah, that's what I think but then, I couldn't care less right now. :}

So, the last week or so I have been experimenting with putting Carly in her pajamas backwards and I have to say it has been 100 percent successful. She cannot unzip them from behind -- meaning she cannot get her behind out of her diaper and cause problems in her bed before everyone wakes up! Yay! Trouble is--I don't keep her in her P.J.'s all day. Thus, we still have to figure out how to overcome "Naked Bum Naptimes! We are open to suggestions! (Uh, no handcuffs, please. She'd just get out of them!) Lol!

YOU KNOW DASHER AND DANCER AND PRANCER AND VIXON . . . NOW MEET THE CUTEST REINDEER OF ALL!

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR . . .

If that's true then why have I spent two days in bed with a migraine? Don't worry, nothing serious. Probably just a little too much stress and a little too little sleep. I am all recovered.

We have snow on the ground. It's actually pretty outside and I'm not complaining. I like the snow. It is a bit cold. It got down to 12 degrees tonight--although it felt warmer than that to me. It wasn't really biting cold. I guess it was because it didn't have the wind chill with it.

We have most of our Christmas shopping done. Still little bits and pieces to do--but none to mail this year! Yay! Everybody is here. That is nice.

Jonathon kept me up until 3:40 a.m. this morning. It's only 11:45 and he's asleep so I am going to hurry and finish this so I can join him. Hopefully, he will stay that way until morning.

You should hear Carly talk these days. She's a bundle of new language. It's so cute. Grandma is trying to teach her the proper way to say things. Some times she actually gets it right and some times she only gets some of it. She is one funny kid. You'd have to actually overhear a conversation to get what I mean but let's just call her Princess Chatterbox for now.

Well, better get to bed. Night.

I LIKE THIS ONE!

OUR FAMILY PICTURE

CUTE KIDS

PERSONALITY PLUS

Jonathon is just starting to really show us his personality and he is so darn cute! He has always been a happy little guy but it is fun to see him smile and laugh. He talked and cooed to Grandpa for quite awhile tonight. He is so fun!

SANTA BABY

Can you believe this? My daughter, the child with the best smile in the whole world who would not smile for the camera?! Go figure. I guess it's lucky she wasn't scowling or crying. Still, it's a cute shot. She's such a funny kid!

Grandma has been getting her up in the mornings the last little bit because Jonathon has been keeping me up until the wee hours. This morning when Grandma opened her bedroom door she again found her completely disrobed only this time she had hucked her diaper clear across the room. When I went to lay her down for a nap later I found that not only had she disrobed and thrown her diaper but she had then relieved herself afterward in her crib. Yep, sopping wet! Guess I should be thankful it was just wet! That's my girl!

HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN JULIE!

Wow! Wasn't it just yesterday you were eleven? Where does the time go? You are growing up much too fast for me. Happy Birthday Baby Girl! You are beautiful and I love you. Mom

ME AND MY HONEY

I think I'll keep him. He followed me home and he's awfully cute! Don't ya think?