I think it's necessary for ever women to own one of these to give fair warning in times of need.


http://www.house8810.com/Browse.aspx

My little project



my new desk chair before



After





AND, just because I love it so much, this is my new favorite anthropologie purchase



A successful first trip to the dentist!  She watched me, then sat in the chair and took her turn without blinking an eye.  Polished, flossed, and left with a new toothbrush, paste, and a little proud of herself (mom was proud too).

Snow, Snow, and more Snow...and a random memory

In retrospect, we were lucky with what part of the snow storm went through our area.  We got a foot of snow.  Some got 20" or more.  It was an old fashion blizzard, and as long as you didn't have to be out in it, it was quit fun to watch.  The second picture is the snow drift at our front door.  Snow was blown into every window frame and Dejan was up e.a.r.l.y. to start shoveling his way out of the driveway.  It was still snowing at 7am, but the sun did make an appearance and has been shining since.

heading out to put food for the birds and squirrels. snow almost to my knees. ava would have
nothing to do with going out in that white stuff, BUT she wanted to take pictures.  haha

My random memory came after taking this picture of Ava and Dejan sharing a cookie last night.  I remembered taking a picture of them when Ava was four weeks old.  Quiet, sweet, and under control.  Not so at (almost) 3 years.  :-)

Five minutes to myself

Ava stopped taking afternoon naps three months ago, so I have almost completely forgotten what it's like to be left alone.  My afternoon workout no longer exists, a couple extra pounds have crept in because of it.  My reading, computer, and TV times no longer coexists from 1-3pm, showers, bathroom trips, and phone conversations generally occur with an audience, and now I have to watch what I say for a whole 12 hours a day.   One good thing about an almost 3 toddler, they like to play more often by themselves, hence the current five minutes to myself. 

Ava and I have had some really great days and some really bad days together.  The bad days generally end in lots of whining, on both our parts, and patience runs thin.  I have to work on this and make sure we stay busy.  Ava likes it and I like it.  Her little mind is in warp speed and every experience, however mundane to me, is important to her. 

She is taller (just about half of me), talks in sentences I didn't even think she would know how to put together, has regressed a little with her potty usage for no apparent reason, has said to me: "don't touch me" which actually made me laugh out loud, "uh oh, me go potty...that's ok...me 'member next time", "mommy, me tell you secret...no.body. take your eye" (?), every morning when she wakes up I hear her say "mommy, sun is out!", the hugs and kisses are still free of charge, preschool is on the horizon this coming fall (which I am only semi-excited about), and my mind has started wondering towards another kid in the house.  I'm still not all the way there, but it does creep in every once and awhile, and only if my husband signs a legal form on what kind of help will be required from him.  ;-)

January is almost over (thank goodness) and I am hopeful the sun will shine a little more each day.  Not only in the sky but in our household.  We need help in the happy department lately.  I am smiling at the same time as typing right now though.  Ava is playing with her Toy Story loot.  She is so funny with creative play and that does make me happy...see the sunshine helped a little today.  :-)

I loved this and wanted to share

FRIENDSHIP...  

"Don't flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become. Except in cases of necessity, which are rare, leave your friend to learn unpleasant things from his enemies; they are ready enough to tell them."

Oliver Wendell Holmes

http://wideopenspaces.squarespace.com/

That's right, Ava and I made these!

No Sew Snuggle Pillows
I'm not a crafter, nor do I like crafts, but this was so much fun.
For those without young kids, and the blessing of Nick Jr. (we are way too plugged in),
these guys are Moose and Zee.