The Cycle

Where do I even begin?  This past month has gone by so quickly, I can't even begin to think of all the things that have happened.  Gretta turned 5, that's obviously the biggest deal of all.  She thinks she needs to go to Kindergarten.  Right.NOW!  That kid is awesome.  I love her.  I love all my kids, of course. 

In fact, lets talk kids for a moment. 

I have the best ones there could ever be, I'm pretty sure.  They have been through Hell, and it just keeps coming.  Luckily, they have a great support system between Sean and I.  He is a great dad.  The kids get shuffled back and forth every other weekend, and on Wednesday nights, and they are handling it amazingly well.   Emma was student of the month at her middle school, Maggie is understandably the smartest kid in her class, and Gretta is just about the cutest sassiest kid I've ever met.  But even through all this turmoil, they have managed to keep going.  Not giving in to the temptation to turn on one another that so many kids face when their parents split up.  The just keep going.  I attribute this to a lot of things, but I know that the many many many many prayers I've said, and some of you have said on their behalves, are working.  I always knew they were exceptional.  I always knew they would shine when life got tough, I just never thought this would be the kind of tough they would deal with. 

Let's hope this is the worst of it for them. 

In the meantime, life just keeps on going, whether we like it or not.  Things are hard.  Then they're better.  Then they're hard again.  It's a cycle, albeit a  more exaggerated cycle than anything I've ever experienced before in my life.  I hope one day it will all settle in like it's supposed to, and "normal" will reappear. 

Open Dialogue

Around our house, we keep a very open dialogue about things. We've always taught the proper names of body parts, and keep a light yet educational mood when it comes to learning about life and our bodies.

Especially now that I have a Tween.

We tend to throw the word "Vagina" around a lot in this house. I mean, with 4 girls around, it tends to come up now and then. It comes up in the strangest places, though. Some of you know that my minivan is nicknamed the Vangina. So the kids sort of call it that, and I chuckle every now and then. Then there's the time Maggie and I were learning about China. Somehow it turned into VaChina. Yeah, so there's that. Then there's the time Maggie spilled water on her seat in the Vangina. She said it went onto her vagina, and asked if she watered it, if it would grow. That girl, she kills me.

Well, last night, Gretta got on a roll. She repeatedly had to go through the family stating who had a vagina. It was pretty hilarious, and I didn't want to scold her because I don't want her to think it's wrong, especially considering it's the correct term and all. But I don't want her to think she can just say it whenever she wants, because I know other people might not be as open about things as we are.

But for now, I'm just enjoying the innocence of a little one, and the fact that she's smart enough to know who keep the vaginas around here.

It's A Girl

That title got your attention, huh?

Gotcha.

This is all about my Gretta, my baby, the one and only fetus of which we knew the sex, turning 4 years old today.

She got a new bike and a new helmet. She was in heaven. She said "Thank you" a million times today. It was adorable.


She also got a new snowglobe. The one she had from Christmas broke, and she was devastated. Emma was very thoughtful and found this one for her at the hospital gift shop. (That's a whole nother post.)

I can't believe my baby is 4. Where has the time gone? She was once a sweet, wriggling mass of babyness, and now she is a preschooler, and a stinker.

I miss those days of she and I chilling at home, her in her helmet, me in my, well, not helmet. I miss her crazy flailing arms and her pterodactyl scream. I miss her crawling, her crib full of stuffed animals, and the swish of her diaper as she toddled around the house. Those days pass so quickly, it's hard to remember what the day to day life was like back then.

Now I love having her as my eternal sidekick, always intent on being right in the middle of whatever I'm doing. I love that she'll talk and talk, and talk, and then suddenly be asleep, practically mid sentence. I love that she can buckle her own seat belt! I love that she will get dressed by herself, and help herself to my cookie stash under my nightstand. I love that she loves to fall asleep in my bed at night, and that she will tell me she has "logged off" the computer when she's done playing.

She is such a big girl, and a great helper. I love having her home with me and Maggie to keep us both company. She is a great little sister, and I'm lucky to have her.

Happy birthday, Gigi. We love you!

When It's Cold, We'll Skate

We went ice skating at the Olympic Oval on Saturday. It was a pretty good time. I'm still a little sore. Apparently ice skating uses muscles that bowling and blogging don't. Go figure. My left butt cheek is getting pretty rock hard from bowling, and now my right cheek is sore and stiff from ice skating. My rear end is pretty much a mess. Now I know how J-Lo feels.

Enjoy the rare glimpse into my life with these adorable videos (just a few seconds each) of my kids "ice skating". More like ice walking, but whatever.

Moving The Lawn

Sean likes to mow the lawn. He has never been the mower in the family until now. Now that we have a riding lawn mower for him to borrow. Of course, all these years that I've mowed the lawn, I've always done it the hard way. I don't mind giving him this pleasure, of course, because I'm too scared of this behemoth to drive it around all the various lawn obstacles.



But Gretta, she's all in. Every time this thing is fired up, she is out the door, and begging for a ride. She will sit with Sean for an hour and help him move the lawn. That's how she says it. Move the lawn. I think it's darling. If you want to hear something else she says that's darling, ask her to say truck. Yeah, that's a good one.


And here she is. I love that Sean has hearing protection, but not G. Eh, she'll be fine, I'm sure. But the lawn looks great, and Gretta is in a good mood. Can't ask for much more than that, huh?

G.H.C. Turns 3

3 years ago this very day, at this very hour, I was waddling through Target picking up a few last minute baby items. I was so uncomfortable walking, but I had been on bed rest with dangerously high blood pressure for weeks, so being able to waddle uncomfortably was like heaven for me. Pounding headache, scraping pelvic bones, and leaking urine were all a small price to pay for freedom.

At 4:00 we checked into the hospital, and at 4:45, miss Gretta Holland was delivered by C-Section. She weighed in at 5 pounds, 15 ounces, and though she was a month early, she was perfect.

I instantly felt better, the SPD having disappeared almost instantly upon her birth. The next day, despite a little friction from Sean, we were both discharged and sent home happy and healthy.



It has been a wonderful 3 years. Gretta has been such a blessing to our family. She was probably one of the best babies, not fussy or high maintenance at all. She loved her binky, and she loved "nursing", though it was never enough to keep her alive. She has always had a silly personality and great hair. Despite a few months when people thought she was handicapped because she had to wear a crazy helmet around, she has always been outgoing and crazy. I said if she was awake, she was moving. It's still true, today. She talks and talks and talks until bedtime, then she talks and talks and BOOM! asleep.

I love my little G. I'm more grateful for my family each time I see how fast she is growing. I don't think there are any more kids for me, my poor body just can't take it, so it pains me to see how fast she changes. I'm glad we're here in Utah to celebrate this birthday, so she can have her family around.

Love you little G. Happy birthday!

Okay, Here You Go

So we headed to Kentucky over Labor Day. It was great fun! The drive was long, but our kids are seasoned travelers, so it wasn't a big deal. I still cannot get over the greenness of Illinois and the surrounding states. It's amazing how lush it is.

Here are just a few of the pictures, I'll do another post tomorrow with more pictures. I know how much you just love looking at my kids and our super exciting life.



Here we are at Tootsies Landing Ferry. It took us across the Mississippi from Missouri to Hickman, Kentucky. We didn't know it at the time, but it saved us about 2 hours of driving. We were just along for an adventure, and when we saw the sign for a Ferry, we thought that would be perfect. The ride took about 15 minutes, just long enough to eat the picnic lunch we packed, and then it was off to find our way back to camp.


Here are the girls playing on the beach at Kentucky Lake. Ken Lake is the second largest man made lake in the nation, I'm guessing second to Lake Powell. It's so beautiful, and the water was nice and warm. This picture takes me back to my childhood. I bet we have a zillion pictures just like this from when we were kids playing on the beaches of Lake Powell.


If you look closely, you can see that is all 3 of my girls on the tube. Yep, I never thought I'd see the day that Mags would be brave enough to conquer the tube without Mimi. Not only did she love it, she went alone for a good 20 minute ride, too. Gretta loved it, and didn't want to get off. Of course Emma loved it, too. I think she secretly likes getting thrown in the lake by dad.


And here is our littlest captain. She took to driving like a fish to water. Shortly after this picture was taken, we sort of ran aground and bent the crap out of the prop. Oh well, it was a rental. In her defense, there were no buoys marking shallow water, or any other hazards, so how would she have known? Please notice Gretta asleep on the couch in the background. She had the best nap with the rock of the waves and the hum of the motor.


After our day at the lake, we went for a little hike. First thing we saw was a couple of deer hanging out just a few feet from the parking lot. That was about it as far as large wildlife goes. We did see lots of possums, racoons, and turtles, though.

So that's it for today. I'll post more pics tomorrow.

Vacay Day 6

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Wednesday dawned bright and clear, and it seemed like a good idea to grab a couple of extra kids, and head to Lagoon. We picked up Madison and Kinney, and headed with the in-laws to Farmington. It was Mimi's work Lagoon Day, so we got the kids in for free. Then, leave it up to the FIL, as we were getting there to buy tickets, he spots someone selling them with the Stake Lagoon Day price. Only in Utah. So we got in for a pretty big discount. Nice.

This next paragraph will probably bring the wrath of Karma upon me, but I have good reasoning behind it, I promise.

You see, not only did we get into Lagoon for cheap, we also scored a very.front.row parking spot. Like as in, front row next to the ticket booth. Like as in the Handicap parking. (shaking head in shame), I know, I know. But do you want to hear my reasoning? You see, when my mom was so sick, the doctor gave us a Handicap placard to use in her car. They only gave her 3 months to live, but the placard doesn't expire for 2 years! Ironic, I know. Anyhoo, I figure there are very few advantages to having your mom die of cancer. Hell if I'm letting one tiny little thing that I can benefit from, and give the cancer the finger in the process, slip by me. Dont' worry, there were a bazillion Handicap spots, so I didn't take on from someone who needed it, I do have my standards. But we did use it at Wal-Mart, which was totally awesome, because finding a spot at Wal-Mart is like finding a needle in a haystack. We may have also used it at P.F. Changs. And Sam's Club. And the mall. But that's it, I promise!

Okay, stop passing judgement, and just look at my cute pictures now. Even though you think less of me. If that's possible. ;)


Mimi, Josh, and Maggie going on Ladybug Bop. It's like Bouncin' With Wags for you Six Flaggers out there. Mimi screamed like she was on Colossus, though, and it was funny. And yes, my kid has no pants on. Just swimsuit bottoms. She sort of dropped her shorts in the toilet while she was changing. Don't worry, the water was clean.


Gretta on the boats. Not sure who the other girl is, but Gretta didn't seem to mind sharing.



And Gretta on the whales. Shortly after this photo was taken and the ride began going, she broke out into complete hysteria, and screamed until it stopped. Like snot running down her face, gasping for breath kind of screaming. It was hilarious!

So that's it for now. I've got to step up this day by day crap if I'm ever going to finish this darn vacation. I promise, I'll be better.

I Would Love To Continue, But

You see, I have these 2 daughters. The middle and the youngest. They cannot get along to save their lives.

And honestly, that is about the only that is going to save them, these days.

I have had it up to here with them fighting over every.little.thing all.the.time! If it's not toys, it's food. If it's not food, it's something, anything, else. (Don't think we don't have any food and it's every man for himself around here. It's not like that kind of fighting over food. They just can't seem to get over the fact that one of them can have something without the other being involved.)

So I've locked them in Gretta's room together until they can learn to get along. I don't care if it takes all day. They will learn to be friends. Or they'll learn self defense in a darn tootin' hurry.

So stay tuned for more of the vacay updates. I promise there will be more. That is if I can live through today.

I Live And Breathe

I'm here, I promise.

I'm in Utah enjoying family time and hot, hot weather.

Heat makes me bitchy. It makes my back hump sweat, and it makes me swear.

It's not pretty.

We've had a good trip so far. The kids did great on the flight to LA. We had a great day at Six Flags Magic Mountain. We stayed with Aunt Barbara, who we all love, and had a great visit with Donna, Mary, and Grandma Mary.

We drove to Vegas, and Gretta is lucky she didn't get drop kicked on the way there. She has this high pitched squeal, and when she doesn't get exactly what she demands, when she demands it, the squeal comes out in full force. I just about lost it. But, luckily for her, I brought along some extra happy pills, and life was soon good again.

Jill's was fun, as always. She has the best drop in house. Everytime we stay there, it reminds me of my mom's, and how people just automatically felt at home there. Jill's is the same way. We also enjoyed Elise's new pool, which at 12 feet deep, is one of the funnest to dive to the bottom of.

Now we're here at the Clayton's for a week, and soon there will be a wedding to attend. Life is good. I miss my family so much. I love being here seeing them. But I think I'm making a turn for adulthood, because I miss my life in Chicago, too.

And Noel, I totally owe you for watching the ferocious beast for me. Love you long time!

FFF

Well, today is the day. Stitches come out. I'll be handling this myself, since I am qualified, but that certainly doesn't make it easy. I know she'll be freaking out, and I'll need some restrain assistance for sure. But we can do it.

On another note, Emma will be going to the doctor today to get a prescription for her allergies. They have been so bad this year. The Zyrtec isn't doing a dang thing for her, so it's time for something stronger.

Maggie will also be going to the doctor today (goodbye, $40 in copays!) for a different kind of problem. You see, I took the kids to the Forest Preserve yesterday for a little hike. We did a 2 mile loop, and the kids didn't have to stop once! Maggie was so proud of herself. I was very proud of her, too. You see, Maggie is not a nature lover. She hates anything that flies, crawls, creeps, or wiggles. So she was basically in her own personal Hell yesterday. But she was a trooper and made it through.

We were nearly done, when she feels a bite on the back of her left knee. She swats at whatever it was, and brings her hand up, and it's covered in blood. I thought she had just gotten a mosquito mid-bite, and perhaps it had tapped an artery or something. ;) Well, on the way home, she said she didn't feel well, and the rest of the day, she was limping all around. This morning I checked it out, and there is a red hot swollen area the size of a dinner plate from the back of her knee, around the side, and up and down from her thigh to her ankle. It's probably something that needs to be checked out, and perhaps treated with a steroid.

So today isn't really FFF. At least not for you. I, on the other hand, get to play doctor, which will thrill the heck out of Sugar Daddy.

In The Doghouse

We went camping up in Wisconsin. Again. I love it up there. The green everywhere, the lakes everywhere, the rednecks everywhere, it's like home sweet home.

Friday was beautiful. We spent the afternoon on the sandy shores of Lake Wisconsin, letting the little ones frolic in the shallows. After a picnic lunch, getting sunburned like no other, and a quick nap for Gretta, we headed back to the trailer to start dinner.

We had a few hours to kill before we needed to eat, so Noel and I decided to hit the Ho-Chunk casino. I do like myself a chunky ho, and a casino to boot!

I lost $20.

Noel won $300.

She sucks. Now I'm not paying her back the $1 I owe her.

Saturday it rained. All day. And it was freezing. We spent the better part of the day in the trailer, though we did catch Night At The Museum 2 at the local theater. It was adorable. I love Amy Adams, and her hair is so dang cute in the movie.

Afterward, we headed back to the trailer to settle in for the night. By 10:00 we had the kids tucked in tight, and were just mellowing into a game of Apples to Apples when I heard the sound every mother fears.

Not the puking sound.

Not the fighting sibling sound.

The sound of a dog biting. Hard.

And instantly I knew we were headed to the ER.


Here's G just moments after arriving at the ER. She's guzzling down some Diet Coke. She was thirsty, okay?



Here you can see the cut above her lip. There is also a nick inside her left nostril, and 2 more little spots on the right side of her lip. The middle one is the only one that needed stitches.



And here she is post-stitch. 4 to be exact. She fought the doctor the entire time, even after a dose of Versed.

We finally returned back to the campground just after 4:30AM on Sunday. We were pooped.

As for Bebe, she is in the doghouse in a major way. She had to stay in Wisconsin for a mandatory 24 hour hold, or until they could get her Vet contacted and get her shot records. She checked out fine, thanks to her recent Uterine infection that not only cost us a fortune, but also our money to go on a cruise. I'm really starting to resent this dog.

So yesterday I had to drive all the way back to the Dells to pick her up. 3 hours. Each way, mind you. She is now on home quarantine for the next 10 days, or until we decide what to do with her. She has never bitten before. She'll growl and nip if the kids are teasing her, and I don't blame her for that, but biting is totally different. I'm sure she just nipped and caught G's lip on accident, but do I dare chance it?

What would you do? Should I keep the dog and hope it doesn't happen again? Do I get rid of her on Craigslist, hoping some loving couple with no children will take her? Do we just euthanize her? I can't really decide, although I'm leaning toward one of those options.

Gretta is fine, she hardly notices the stitches at all. They come out on Friday. Hopefully there won't be a big scar.

Change of Plans

Well, unfortunately the camp out was canceled on Friday night due to extremely bad weather. Like as in Tornado-bad weather. That is one thing I will never get used to out here, is watching the skies during a storm and praying we don't hear the tornado sirens.

It was supposed to be the father's and sons camp out on Friday night, and then the girls and I were going to meet up with Sugar Daddy and some friends for Saturday night. Since it was canceled Friday night, and I had a lot to do on Saturday, we just canceled the whole weekend altogether.



Part of it has to do with poor little G. Saturday morning she starting throwing up again. This is how she spent most of the afternoon on Saturday. I had a baptism to attend, and when I returned home she was still pretty sick. I was worried about dehydration, but by that evening she was drinking a little bit at a time, and not throwing it up, so I could tell she was on the mend.

Yesterday she stayed home with Daddy while I took the girls to church. It was so nice to be able to sit through Sacrament meeting without a kid climbing all over me! Those of you that know me at all might be surprised that I went to church even though I had a perfect excuse to stay home. I was surprised as well! I had just been feeling a sense of importance that I attend church yesterday. So I went, and first thing in Sacrament they change our first and second counselors in the bishopric, our Elders Quorum President, and the Ward clerk. Our good friends are now the holders of responsible positions! Obviously it hasn't rubbed off.

So I thought that was why I had been impressed to go to church. I went through the rest of the meeting just half paying attention. But during Sunday School, our lesson was on Temples. I was reminded of how important the temple is in our lives. Maybe that was why I needed to go that day!

Then in Relief Society we learned about Spiritual Gifts. Oh boy. This was definitely why I needed to go yesterday! It was really just what I needed to hear. I have been so angry about why other people can be healed and saved by their faith, when my mom and her obedient spirit were not. I have never had doubts about this before, because I have been on the positive end of healing so many times. But to see that the Lord has a plan for us, and despite our faith, if it is our time to go and work on the other side, it will be done. Knowing she serves a higher purpose on the other side of the veil brings me some comfort, but I'm sure this isn't the only time I will feel betrayed. Definitely something I'll be working through for a while.

I guess there is more than one way to deal with a change of plans.

Keli Can't Come To The Blog Right Now

There has been an eruption of vomit at her house. She is busy cleaning it up, soothing the sad baby, and making sure enough fluids are taken in.

Please check back tomorrow. Hopefully the patient will be fully recovered by then.

Thank you for your patience.

Pop On Over

I woke up feeling good today. I know! It's a miracle. I think part of it had to do with the fact that I took 3 Klonopin before I went to bed, ahhh, drug induced sleep, and part of it has to do with the fact that Emma has her school talent show try-outs today. I have a little nervous energy by proxy, I guess.

So I needed to keep busy this morning. I wasn't in the mood for a shower yet, so I started on dinner. I have a dentist appointment tonight (again), and knew I needed to get dinner made in advance, so I got the noodles going, and the meat browning.

Then I remembered a recipe I had come across in a book I had been reading. It sounded good at the time, so in the middle of the night, I snuck down to the computer and made a copy of it.

Today seemed like as good a time as any to try it out. So here it is.

Oh, and this has nothing to do with the noodles or meat. Completely different recipe, that one.


Popovers. Basically eggs, milk, flour and salt baked at high temperatures until they look like this. Now, the recipe said to use muffin tins. I have a handy dandy Popover Pan courtesy of Sugar Daddy and his sweet hook ups, so I thought I'd break that bad boy out and see what it could do.

Judging by the height on these things, I'm thinking a muffin tin would have been better. But how cool are they? They taste like a round German pancake.


Here's Gretta enjoying her popover. No, really, she is. I know the look on her face doesn't show it, but she was very concerned about me sitting on the floor and blocking her binky. You know, priorities. Next time I will definitely use a muffin tin. Or maybe just fill the popover pan half full. Or is it half empty?

I finished getting dinner ready in the time they were cooking. How cool do I feel right now? Yeah.


Here's the recipe for you recipephiles.

4 eggs, should be about 1 cup of eggs.
Beat for 1 minute with a whisk, just to incorporate them.

Add 2 cups milk.
Whisk again, just to incorporate.

Add 2 cups flour and 1tsp salt all at once, and mix with a wooden spoon. It will be lumpy, so don't over mix.

Bake in a preheated oven at 450 for 30 mins.

Don't peek, because if you open the oven door, they will fall flat.
When they're done, take them out to cool and pierce with a sharp knife to release the steam.

Serve with butter, mmm, or jam, or honey butter, or cashew butter, or orange marmalade, or road tar. They are that good.

Biggest Girl

The other day, Gretta woke up from her nap and she was soaked. Sometimes this happens when she falls asleep in the car, and I can actually move her into her crib without her awakening. The problem with this is that the diaper she is wearing usually needs changing, but no way in Heck am I tempting nap fate with that one. It's just a risk I'm willing to take.

So she's wet. I change her, and her crib sheets, and the zillion blankets inside it. She likes it when they're all clean, she says they have a "rate mell", translated that means great smell. And they do. I love Bounty.

Fast forward to that night. Time for bed. Jammies on, prayers said, tucking in has commenced. Problem. No crib sheet. Or zillion blankets. Still in the washer. Hmmm. So I get this crazy idea to tell Gretta her crib is broken. She has to sleep in the bunk bed. Bottom, of course, what kind of mother do you think I am? She agrees, I tuck her in, give her a book, an extra pillow, a little blankie, and her glow worm.

I leave the room fully expecting her to return to the balcony asking for her crib. A few minutes pass, and nothing. Hmm. I settle in to watch some DVR'd shows, thinking certainly as soon as the plot gets good, she would poke her head out. Nothing. So and entire show goes by, and still not a peep. I see this as two things. Very good, as in she is sound asleep, and happily making the transition to a big bed, or very bad as in she has found the lotion and is becoming Degas on the walls as we speak.

So up the stairs I stalk. Quietly quietly. This girl is the lightest sleeper in the world. I open her door ever so slowly, expecting a whiff of lotion or wipes or anything naughty kids would find to occupy their time. Nothing. I peek around the corner of the bunks, and sure enough, there lies Gretta, snug as a bug in a rug. Sound alseep. In a big bed. It was a miracle.

So for three nights now, her crib has been "broken", and she is fine with sleeping in the big bed. I worrry a little because there aren't any railings holding her in, but she hasn't fallen out yet. And even if she does, it's only a few inches to the ground, so I doubt she'd really care. Now the discussion. Do we take apart the crib? Or find another body to fill it?



On a different note, let me just tell you. I am in the midst of the worst depression I've ever experienced. I cannot for the life of me get above it. I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I had to say the opening prayer at church yesterday, and I completely sobbed through the whole thing. The opening prayer, people. It went pretty much downhill from there for the rest of the day. We bailed out of church and decided to take a drive into Wisconsin to see if I could relax and compose myself. I cried for 3 hours. I am on new meds, and even a supplement of a relaxant, but still, there are times when even the simplest of tasks seems overwhelming. My kids think (know?) I'm crazy, and they're tired of me always yelling at them or crying for no reason.

I don't know why I'm telling you this. Maybe I just need to get it off my chest. Maybe I just need to have another pity party. But this isn't really a pity party. It's more than even Post Partum Depression. It's more than anything I've ever felt. Someone actually told me it's because of the time change. Yeah, genius, I'm sure I've been depressed for weeks because of the time change. Idiot. Maybe I just need some advice on how to get over it. I've turned to many sources. Friends, prayer, prayer, prayer, and even had a friend over last night for a priesthood blessing. I just don't know what else to do. When will I finally learn the lesson I've been given?

Whatever it is, I know big girls aren't supposed to cry.

I'm -----This----- Thankful

Gretta received a package in the mail the other day. She was instantly in heaven. Although, after seeing what was in the package, I think Maggie was just as thrilled.

All the girls showing off together.

And here it is. The ultimate dress up dress. Aunt Kelli and Aunt Troy are the best. They know exactly what will get Gretta going. She carried it around for a good 10 minutes before Maggie finally forced her to put it on. Otherwise, Maggie would have worn it herself. Of course, once she had it on, there was no taking it off. Even for bed. But that's just fine with me.

An action shot of the opening ceremony. Even Bebe got in on the action. She's that big mess of fur to the right.

So thanks Aunt Kelli and Aunt Troy! You guys are the best!


And for the record, I'm not going on the cruise as some have previously mentioned. My dumb dog had to have emergency surgery a few moths ago, and that basically took up our cruise fund. Dumb dog. So for the next week and a half or so, I will be freezing my patootie off in Chitown, while my bro and sis and their respective spouses gallivant through the Caribbean. Suckers. But if it gets even one of them to update their blogs with the pictures I'm sure they will take, it will be worth the jealousy.

Also, thanks for all the sweet comments yesterday. I have the best friends ever. I even received a giant Coke delivered to my front door. Knowing I had so many of you out there giving me hugs really made a difference. I do feel better today, but I'm sure the Valium is helping with that. ;)

A Walk In My Shoes

Gretta has taken to a nifty new habit as of late. She thinks every pair of shoes left unfilled or unattended can be used as her new toy. She started out with "Moots Boots" the other day. As she clomped around in Maggie's boots, she kept repeating, incessantly, "Moots boots, Moots boots," until I wanted to pull my hair out. For the uninitiated, Maggie's middle name is Moots, and Gretta thinks it's hilarious to call her that.


Here she is, Miss America. Please disregard the binky. I'm so tired of the binky, and trust me, I've been admonished to rid her of it several times, by several different people. Problem with that, is that if she doesn't have her binky handy, she's just as content to suck her thumb, like Moots. I'd rather have her on the binky thankyouverymuch.


Wearing one pair of about three pairs of heels I own. Somehow she finds them in the waaaaay back of the closet, pairs them up correctly, and parades around my bathroom in them. I guess it's all that practice she had with her Disney shoes.


But really, someone should tell her that socks and sandals are out. This is actually her least favorite pair of shoes, because the foot bed is quite slippery, and she can't walk so well in them.

Oh, how we love our Gretta. She's learning so many things so quickly. Her new thing is to say "a show?" right before bed time. She thinks this gets her out of going to bed. It doesn't. Most of the time. She also loves to be read to. Repeatedly. Over and over and over again. The same stupid "This Little Piggy" book. She knows the words, but she wants someone else to read it to her a million times in a row. And her newest favorite thing is the shower. If she hears that upstairs shower turn on, she is up the stairs, naked and opening the door before the steam has even started. Gotta love the 2 year olds.

Totally Random

I realized yesterday that it's been a while since I posted any pics. I guess my thoughts have gotten better of me than my camera has. But here is some proof that I do indeed take pictures most days. I just don't get around to uploading and posting them like I should. Bear with me.


Emma playing dress up with Mags. This is a pretty rare occurrence around our house these days. Emma is growing past the dress up stage, and to be honest, she and Maggie rarely play anything together anymore. Unless it has to do with the computer or the DS, Emma pretty much stays away from having much to do with Maggie. I think she sees her as the annoying little sister. I remember being that annoying little sister. It's a hard stage.


Here is Gretta enjoying opening up her birthday present from Poppa. When we were in Utah for the summer, my mom had this little fox that graced the bottom shelf of one of her cabinets. Gretta always found it and carried it around the house. I had completely forgotten about it until it arrived as part of her package. You can see she pretty much thinks it's the coolest thing ever.



This was her first expression after ripping open the paper it was wrapped in. She was as shocked as I was. But then she hugged it, kissed it, and tried to ride it around the house like a horse.


Pre-tearing of the goods. She also got an outfit that she thinks is pajamas, a pack of Care Bears playing cards which have mostly found themselves shoved into every nook and cranny of the toy room, and a fancy schmancy card with Minnie Mouse on it. She loves it all!


Here is Maggie showing off her Valentines boxes she made for her dance class. We only had to make like 10 valentines, so instead of buying a huge pack of cards for $3.00, we went to our local craft store, bought 10 pieces of paper for $1.00, and used their die cut machine to cut the design for the boxes. She folded them, I glued the bottoms, and she filled them up with candy hearts. They were the hit of the class for sure.

So that pretty much sums up the most interesting pictures I've taken in the last few weeks. I'm still on the lookout for a funny Friday image, but I'll keep looking. I have the best one, but for the life of me, I can't find the picture to go with the story. I'll do my best, just for you.

*I have been asked about the origin of the fox. I can honestly say I have no idea from whence it came. It's just always been around the house, and I never thought to ask my mom about it. You know, it wasn't one of those important things you think about in the last few weeks of someone's life. I find myself having a lot of those moments. I wish I could call her up and ask her. Anywhoo, if any of you know where the fox originated, I would love to know.

I Heart Faces

This weeks theme over at I heart faces is Black and White. I just love this picture of Gretta. It was taken right after we got her ears pierced. So cute. You can barely see she has one teeny tiny tooth coming in on the bottom.



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