29

That would be 29 days until Christmas if you are wondering. The good times, they are here my friend. Yes, they are here.

I worked Thanksgiving, and today, this weekend too...but it's ok... it gives me time to plan in my head where I want the Christmas tree to go and think of ways to sneak out decorations when the kids aren't looking.

I can sit and plan what is on the menu for Breakfast after the stockings and for Christmas dinner. I can look for Christmas Jammies for the adults that match the ones I got the kiddos. I can make a list and check it twice.

Because I've got the spirit...

Rockin' around the Christmas tree sort of spirit...

Deck the Halls , fa la la la la la la la sort of spirit...

Do you hear what I hear? sort of spirit...

No Grinches, Scrooges, or lines at the post office shall hold me back.

Giving Thanks

For a family which I love.

For a God who loves me.

For a bounty of food at my table.

For a home which keeps me safe.

For technology which allows me to be close to those far away.

For Pepsi with ice and other favorites that really are "little things".

For people who protect us, serve us, believe in us, and motivate us.

For friends who we wish we saw more but love just the same.

For laughter, when things (much like this picture) just don't turn out the way you expected.

For sisters who love each other even if they refuse to sit together.

For playing pretend, making messes, dancing on the furniture and snuggling for naps.

For husbands that love well, look hot, and take out the trash without being asked.

For movies, music, art, science, and books which inspire us to just imagine what it would be like outside the box.

For butter because it really is better with butter.

For chocolate when you need it and cupcakes when chocolate just isn't enough.

For curly topped babies with fuzzy pajamas who rub your face until they fall asleep.

For confident little girls who never shy away from having a life lived in BIG moments.

For pictures that speak a thousand words...or just one.

For loved ones we miss but will see again some day in heaven.

For the chance to change.
For the traditions that are always the same.

For dreaming big, living with adventure, and for being content with what you've got if those other two things aren't working out.

For forgiveness.

For hope.

For tomorrow is another day and this too shall pass.

For standing up for what you believe in.
For standing up for someone else because you believe in them even if they don't believe in themselves.

For a world that is only as big as are hearts let us see and as small as our ambitions let us experience it.

For children of a global culture.

For one more day, hour, minute, second, glimpse of what the future holds.

For that ability to find more things to be thankful for than I could possibly ever get around to listing.

For you. Yes especially for you.

For days when we give thanks even if it's not thanksgiving and days of thanksgiving to remind us if we ever forget...

For we are thankful...

so very very thankful.

Counter Gremlins

When this posts, I'll be cooking. I should start Wednesday morning with dough making, pie baking, side dish prepping and general clean up so that Thursday all I have to do is ...well...everything else. I love to cook, I actually look forward to these holiday meals more than you could possibly imagine.

The cooking bug...it's viral around here. Layla already has it and it doesn't matter if I am scrambling eggs or prepping for dinner guests... my little helper becomes a counter gremlin until I let her help. If I don't let her help she'll lay across the counter and watch me like I'm doing my own cooking show.

I usually let her help.

Anyah already loves to watch us cook and I know by this time next year I'll have two counter gremlins. Which I guess means that in a few years I won't have to peel my own potatoes anymore, gotta love that.

Plus, worse things could happen then spending time teaching your kids an awesome skill and bonding together... I mean she could like golf...*yuck*

The Places You'll Go - Winter Addition

Autumn is a quick season in the central valley and we didn't come close to finishing that list of things to try out...but that's ok, it's not a to do list, it's a list of ideas in case we're looking for something to do.

Winter is gaining on us fast and we're all ready to go. The cupboards are stocked with supplies for big hearty pasta dishes and simple simmered soups. Jackets have been purchased, as well as, hats and mittens in preparation for the first big cold streak.

The rains have come. Thanksgiving is just days away. I think it's time to start thinking about what we'd like to try out this winter.

• I would still like to try and make it to the Discovery Museum
• We have plans already to paint some pottery at Color Me Mine
• I took off time from work so we could Attend the Downtown Turlock Lights Parade
• We need to make a trip to Christmas Tree Lane once it's open
• In family tradition, Anyah will need official Santa pictures this year to document her first Christmas
• Layla and Mommy have some Christmas crafts and decorations to make
• We've started pulling out Christmas movies but we're going to have a Claymation Movie Marathon soon
• I invision Homemade Christmas Sugar Cookies and eat them with Hot Chocolate stirred with a Candy Cane
• We're going to make and use an advent chain this year
• We have to take a family trip to the Hallmark store so that everyone can pick out their ornaments for this year
• Layla has expressed interest in going to the post office and mailing a package and since so much of our family lives far away, we'll get to do that eventually.
• There will be new Christmas Jammies on Christmas eve and all the magic and wonder that comes with Christmas morning
• We are going to attempt *again* to make fudge, maybe this year it will be yummy
• Lastly, I'd like to take the girls to the snow

What about you? What would you like to do this winter?

To Anyah @ 7 Months Old

My Ani,

You are watching me type this, your sitting up (straight) on the floor, staring at me like I should stop what I am doing right.this.second. and come play with you. Pay no mind to the fact that I just started typing... you want to be PLAYED WITH. I think you'll survive until sister gets up from her nap to entertain you... so we press on.

This month several things have changed...you became very interested in toys, you sit up unassisted all the time, you eat solid foods (by yourself with your fingers) and you have discovered that in a sitting position you can scoot yourself across the floor or that on your tummy you can turn in circles, plus you're not above rolling to get somewhere quickly. Your sister loves that you're suddenly so interactive but she'd greatly appreciate it if you would stop trying to eat her Fisher Price Lil' People... bless her heart she really believe's your going to hurt one with your single tooth.

You're still a little people watcher but recently you decided your not necessarily a people lover and now strangers occassionally reduce you to tears by trying to make eye contact and say hi to you. That's always interesting to watch. It's sort of like a tiny adorable time bomb I can throw at people whenever I want.

You like to bounce in the bouncer, ride in the car, and sit in swings at the park now. You still don't like mushy foods, loud noises or (as it turns out) most socks because girl you are VERY picky about socks and hats...they must be soft...but not fuzzy or thick. You've totally changed tides on that whole bath thing since we started putting you in a big bath with your sister. There is nothing more fun then kicking and splashing other people (unless of course you are the other person).

Layla and you have a special bond. Yesterday I gave Layla a cookie and she broke off a tiny piece and put it in your mouth. True love is actually evident any time a toddler is willing to share chocolate chip cookies. I think it was all the time you spent bonding over Backyardigans, because you both LOVE to watch that together.

We went to take family pictures earlier this month. They didn't go over well. But, in a moment of calm this little gem of a picture was taken of you. Your curly hair, your impish grin and tiny little elf ears... you look so much like your sister and yet so different, both beautiful but different... different is good.

This week is Thanksgiving, you'll have turkey and mashed potatoes and some sweet potatoes and more green beans (because you love a good green bean) and then all full and happy we'll cuddle in for a group afternoon nap (which has become a trend since mommy started working nights) and it will soon become my favorite thing about Thanksgiving, better than any parade or any feast... my two girls cuddled up with me and taking a nap.

Then Christmas will come to town and you'll see your first Christmas lights, and we'll sing silly songs (we already started that part actually) and you'll cry at Santa and watch the Christmas lights parade...and you'll have another milestone, and another tradition will be started, and another day I will spend marveling at how perfect you are as an addition to our family, just what we needed, like finding the last piece of a jig saw puzzle and snapping it into place.

Because love is always the perfect fit. And we love you, more and more every day.

Mommy

On having your cake & eating it too

Anyah's first Chocolate Mouse

(a family favorite from Olde Thyme Pasteries here in Turlock)
Layla and Mommy made sprinkle cupcakes on Mommy's last day off before moving to the night shift

Around here I have the firm theory that you can't have it all but damn it you can sure try! I let the kids eat cake when they want it and you know what, they don't want it as much as one might think (at least not most of the time) because when you're allowed to have cake, it's good, but it's not *forbidden food of the God's* type of good.

Sometimes I feel like I am tanking the mommy ship. I feel like a complete and absolute failure at being Super Mom. But who doesn't right? I mean no one is super mom...and maybe someone out there is damn close but it's not gonna be me. At least not this week. But, dang it all, I am still going to TRY.

First week of night shifts officially almost sorta done (ok more like 2/3rds done because I started with 8 days in a row- stupid rotation). I'm not as tired as I expected and I seem to be doing ok with it. The girls don't really know I'm gone so they're doing well. Jon is having to cover for me while I sleep, that's tough on him, but he's growing... it's the growing pains we're not so fond of lately.

But it seems like an ok choice. I love the staff at nights, I love the work, I don't feel stressed and I'm getting better pay. But you can't have your cake and eat it too... or so they tell me so we're stretching thin on some things this week and I am hoping that all works out for the best soon.

Because I'd really like to try and get as close as I can to that next slice of cake.

Ta Da!

So I am getting ready for my second work day on the night shift...or work ngiht...oh well you know what I mean. I am remarkably awake both during the day and at night when I need to be so for that I am grateful. My wonderful husband picked up the slack today letting me nap whenever a baby was napping or a toddler was napping and entertaining whomever was left.

The thing I seem to be struggling with so far is that overwhelming tummy confusion that comes from having a lunch break at 4:30 am and then not knowing when the heck you're supposed to eat the rest of the day.

I loved being able to come home and snuggle my babies still in their toasty beds this morning and I enjoyed my cuddled naps and the time downstairs listening to Layla play using her imagination and watching Anyah roll herself towards things she's not supposed to have.

I think I might like this.

Yes.

I think I might.

...loading...adventure...loading...

Today was my last "day shift" at work for awhile... you know... like a year. I celebrated in true adult style...I bought a snack from the vending machine, gave myself hives, and had to take benadryl...not once...but twice in order to get the swelling in my head to go down. I eventually finished my shift, stumbled home and took an hour nap. Then Jon and I went to the grocery store, and got dinner (since I had a migraine)...now that the babies are in bed and the house is cool and quiet I feel a little better (or at least like I am not dying).



I have grand plans for tomorrow and the rest of my last weekend off for 4 weeks (also I work 8 days next week so that should be interesting). Plans like cleaning house, sorting baby laundry, hanging out in my pajamas, possibly walking to the park and letting the girls play in the grass and playground.



Jon's car died, so we've been down to one car for a few weeks now. It's a special kind of interesting juggling two opposite (yet overlapping) schedules. Tomorrow I won't have a car. Sometimes not having a car has perks, for instance, it's not like I can be expected to go somewhere this weekend with two kids and nothing to drive.



In other interesting points of note, I recently volunteered to work Thanksgiving and the day after. My shift is at 10 pm so it's not like that will muck up my turkey day plans and holiday pay is always pleasant, plus I'm the "new" girl so I think it probably looks nice. I've started gathering my Turkey Day supplies, I wish there was room in my freezer for a turkey because those are really inexpensive at Safeway this week.



Family pictures are scheduled for next week. The girls both need jackets. I can't find my tiny travel diaper bag. These are the things on my mind at 10:15 pm on a Friday night, this means I am officially a boring adult, right?

Layla has decided that she must verbally narrate every single thing that happens all day long. I feel like there is a sports commentator following me whereever I go. While I know that this is a stage in development, it is officially driving me and Jon crazy. CRAZY. crazy.



Lastly, Anyah's 6 month old appointment was this week. She's 17.4 lbs. She is 26.5 inches long. She's 65% for height and 50% for weight. Perfectly average but a tiny bit tall. She is ahead on milestones (sitting up, swapping things hand to hand, rolling speed). The Doctor confirmed her cat allergy treatment again. He also encouraged my co-sleeping, baby-wearing, and table food giving parenting tactics. I love our pediatrician.



So that's it here. Every thing changing, growing, adapting, loving...

Out Back

It's that time of year again... park time. I hate being hot so when the Autumn weather kicks in and it's finally cool again we find ourselves at the park. Any park will do. We've been to three parks in the last week.

Swings. Slides. Shady spots to look at the trees. Running as fast as you can on cool clipped grass. Things we'd do in the backyard every day if only we had a real back yard.

So for now... the park is our backyard...when we can find time to go there.

Hall-O-EENN

Layla can't say Halloween...she says "hall O Eenn" and she would rather you said trick or treat and she gave you candy... but she was still the most spirited pixie I've ever seen... there was a lot of dancing going on in this costume.

It was like something out of a fairy tale, watching a little girl experience life...

And Anyah was a true kitten, all playful one minute and then sassy the next minute...

But, like any good 6 month old she was 'purr-fect' once she got some treats in her tummy...

And me? Well I had a wicked good time too... the hubby (not pictured) went with us trick or treating some local family and we truly enjoyed most of our Halloween.

Hope you and yours had a Happy Halloween!

*one more thing off the list*

Autumn List...Check & Check

I wanted them to attend a Halloween carnival or festival. We ended up at the Downtown Turlock Harvest Festival Farmer's Market...There were balloon animals, music, trick or treat candy and pizza for dinner so I think it totally counts...

We also made it out to Pa's ranch finally, only it rained the day we went so we settled for visiting horses and feeding them instead of riding them...

Two more things off our Autumn list...

My Christmas Wishlist

I would like the Supernatural Deluxe Charm Bracelet made by Laughing Vixen and available on Etsy.

I would like two of the sets of silver finger print charms sold by smudgeprint on Etsy. This is probably my most desired item this year.

I keep putting a True Jelly Roll Pan like this one from Target on my Christmas list every year.

I want more Sinful Perfume from Anchor Blue.

I still need the first 4 Mercy Thompson Books by Patricia Briggs in hardcover.

I think I'd look charming in an XL Cupcake T-Shirt by Bakerella.

I would like Old Navy gift certificates because I could honestly use more clothing that fits.

Ten on Tuesdays

Almost every Tuesday I see Ten on Tuesdays on Courtney's blog because she's a regular contributor so I hopped over about a month ago to Roots & Rings to check it out and I decided I really liked that blog, too...so now they are both in the blog reader and you know what... I wanna play too!!

So here is my first Ten on Tuesdays...

1. What is your favorite decor item in your house?

I am a big fan of pictures. We obviously have pictures of both of our daughters, of our friends, of places we've been and of our wedding... I love walking down memory lane no matter where I look.

2. What is your favorite hair product?

I use Dove shampoo, Dove conditioner, and Dove detangler... I am a Dove girl. Products, I really don't use those. I tend to put my hair in two pig tails every day, that doesn't really lead to an addiction to styling products.

3. Are you a good dancer?

That depends, are you 3? Because I can rock the hokie pokie or I'm a Little Tea pot. Just sayin'. But, as far as adult dancing goes... I'm alright unless I've been drinking in which case I think I'm awesome and you might want to get out your camera for black mail later.

4. You get some good news, who’s the first person you call?

Call? Um... I text. I would send a text to Jon for sure. Usually I also text my mom and my two best girl friends. I rarely call though.

5. Would you rather take pictures, or be in pictures?

I would rather take the pictures I am in while smashing my face up against someone I love to spend time with. Self portrait for Facebook anyone?

6. What is your shoe style?

I'm a 9 or a 9 and a half which is ironic because before I had kids I was a 10 and usually that works in the other direction. Most of my shoes are flats in various colors although I do have a hot pair of knee high brown boots and a pair of black and white checked high heels that make regular appearances. I prefer to be flat on the ground though because I am not so good with the balance since I developed vision and vertigo problems this year and am usually carrying a baby.

7. How often do you eat out?

That depends, is it September? We usually eat out about once a week. The exception to that is birthdays/anniversaries/celebrations done with other folks. September has always been our hot ticket month. I think this September we ate out more than in.

8. If someone has food in their teeth, do you tell them?

Yes. I would want them to tell me.

9. Do you fold your underwear?

No, in fact I am usually far enough behind on putting laundry away that I just grab them from the nicely sorted basket (now torn to shreds of chaos) my loving husband has washed each week.

10. Milk, dark, or white chocolate?

Milk to eat, dark to cook with and white in my truffles and coffee.

For more Ten on Tuesday you can go here.

Ho Ho Ho & Stuff

61 days or so left until Christmas and boy am I busy... I decided after last years HORRIBLE Christmas experience this year we were going to be getting a head start.

I've already made a list and checked it twice and I've decided (as far as we're concerned) who's been naughty or nice. And while the girls are sleeping all tucked up in their beds I'm scrolling online catalogs for presents and doing wishlists in my head.

The girls big presents have all been taken care of. I will still have a few small things to pick up and stockings to stuff.

Several other gifts have been arranged for or taken care of as well. I want to be done by November 1st. No Black Friday shopping for me this year...at least I hope not.

In other news, I already started the very small list of things I want to do with the girls this winter. I am so looking forward to Christmas that I have been thinking about my own very small wishlist.

Perhaps, I will post my wishlist in the near future...all 10 things on it... lol... good times.

To Anyah @ 6 Months

My Ani,

When did you get so big? I was doing laundry and you decided you wanted to be sitting up on the bed talking in my general direction and waving your sisters old Happy Meal Toy around with wreckless abandon and I was washed over by that feeling... where did the time go? my baby is so big!

It happens to every mom. That moment when the person they used to swaddle close to their chest and whisper quietly to sleep starts rolling over with the speed of a Nascar Racer and the next thing she knows you are sitting on the bed playing while I get something done and as a mommy I have to admit that you are a part of me but that you are not a part of me...you are you. You are your own little you.

So in addition to sitting up you decided this month to cut a tooth all the way. You also decided you HATE baby food. No seriously, HATE! There are 3 flavors (maybe 4) you will tolerate if you are hungry. You prefer bites of what we are eating. You beg and squeel for table scraps. It's cute. And you know what? I feed them to you because in other countries babies eat what everyone else is eating and you my dear are a little tiny part of a global culture...a big big world... and I like following my instincts (and I like the look on your face when you discover a yummy bite of pasta on your tongue).

Likes this month include but are not limited to things that light up (like the toy in this picture), things that make a clicky jingle sound, squeeling, Backyardigans music, riding in the car, the sound of rain, bubble baths, blowing bubbles, the bouncer, squeeling, sitting up, rolling over to your tummy to reach things, squeeling while watching your sister do...um...anything, when Daddy says "ahhh", grabbing people's hair, making motor boat noises, squeeling, socks or blankets that are fuzzy, rice, squeeling...and I think I got everything...did I mention the squeeling.

Dislikes are a short list now-a-days... loud noises, things that make you itchy, baby food, green beans (in any form), mashed potatoes, loud noises, strangers (or family you don't know well) who talk to you, and mostly loud noises.

You're still the little people watcher and I can't wait until those little squeels turn into words and you can finally tell me what you're thinking over there. I mean I am dying to know why you chuckle at people in the grocery store sometimes and why you giggle like crazy at your sister when you roll over and she's sleeping next to you. What's so funny about sleeping? I gotta know, kid, I gotta know.

You a half a year old. A HALF A YEAR! oh my...

when did my baby get so big

While part of me wonders where the time went as it flew past so much quicker than I imagined there is also a part of me that feels like you have always been a part of our family and you've always been here. I am taken aback by pictures before there was you because you are missing, something is missing, you...belong. You will always belong with us. You are a perfect little addition to our group...calm, peaceful, and watching...

Half a year... and already AMAZING and oh so LOVED

Love,
Mommy

Ch Ch Ch Changes...

It's the season of change. Every day it gets a little darker a little earlier. Every day the temperature changes a few degrees cooler and the autumn showers become a little more common place. Every day the foliage outside changes a little more and the colors of summer fade away.

Inside the changes are trickling by as well. Anyah sits up unassisted and she has her first tooth. Layla has mastered unlocking my iPhone and has tripled her vocabulary in the last month. I am training for my emergency certification this month and soon will make the move to working the overnight shift. Jon is making his way down a honey-do-list of car repairs, toy repairs and general unfun that will some day (hopefully) help clear up that cluttered life feeling.

Everything changes and everything remains the same.

When Layla was born I made a commitment to her that I would always stand up for her and support her no matter what happens. I made a commitment to Jon when I married him that I would always be supportive of his life goals and love him faithfully with all of my being. I made a commitment when Anyah was born to teach my daughters about family the way that I remember my grandmother teaching me about family...to invest in a tradition of togetherness and to involve my girls in an everyday life that is meaningful and excepting of who they are.

So I just take it all in. I have a toddler that has more get up and go then anyone I've ever met. The other day someone offended me by joking that Layla needed Ritalin and I simply replied that she was more spirited than most but there shouldn't be anything wrong with living a big life. And I believe that. I believe we live in a culture that teaches people to medicate away parts of themselves because it will make them more "normal" and we forget how beautiful being unique really is.

On the other extreme of that, Anyah is the most watchful and observant child I've ever encountered. She gets upset if she notices someone or something appears to be having a bad time. She can read the vibes in a room in seconds. And because of this her "normal" is one that is keenly aware of every change around us. She may not understand what is happening but I assure you her body language and her appetite can tell you whether or not she thinks there is something worth worrying about.

They change and they grow and yet some parts of them will always be the same, the core parts of who they are and the fundamental building blocks that Jon and I try to invest in them as a culture, as a religious family, as people who are part of a big big world... those things they are starting to show up as statements of opinion and declarations of emotions and that change to little people who know they are part of a big world and can influence it...

It has always been the change I am most eager to see.

It's Coming

I see the weather turning. I feel the chill in the morning. I put little feet into little striped socks and I make sure that the long sleeve shirts and jeans are in the dresser drawers.

Autumn, late arriving as always here, seems to finally be coming to the front lines.

I wait with eager anticipation for the smell of other people burning wood in their fireplaces and I browse the soup recipes and bookmark bread making ideas for once the weather turns the rest of the way (perminantly) and I can turn on the heater and pack away the last of the sandals until next year.

I look at my Halloween decorations and take a deep breath of the Autumn scented candle burning on top of the piano and I know that soon the colors outside will make those inside and I can take Layla to pick apples and to gather leaves for craft projects.

I satisfy the overwhelming desire to stand outside in the rain and listen to the windchimes whipping in the night air by watching yet another movie from my collection of favorites and planning the Thanksgiving menu on my laptop.

I know it's coming... I can sense it... I can feel it in me... it feels like coming home.

Night & Day- Peek a Boo Version

When Layla was little I would cover my face and pop open my hands like shutters and say "PEEK a Boo!!" and she would laugh, kick, giggle and SQUEEL...wash/rinse/repeat. Good times. Fun game. The height of tiny person entertainment.

Also, with Layla she had a lot of tummy trouble from being a premie so we fed her baby mush for a long time. She was probably 9 months old before table food made regular appearances instead of being sneaky bites from people when they thought Mommy wasn't looking. She loved to eat baby food. When we switched to soft table food she loved her mashed potatoes and hated most of the sturdier cooked foods.

So now it's Anyah's turn and I cover my face and she gives me this (what on earth are you doing that for look- see above) and then I pop my hands open and she sighs. But, unjaded I try "PEEK a Boo!!" and she makes bitter beer face and cries.

So I bounce around and play and tickle until she laughs and think... ok she didn't know what to expect maybe I scared her so I'll try a softer approach. Dude- We.Can.Do.This.

I cover my face with her birdie blankie. She whimpers. I say "where's Anyah-bean?" and I start to pull it down (the whimpering continues) and when my face is revealed I say "there she is!" and she twinkles her eyes for about half a second before the single tear escapes her little eye.

I wait 2 weeks. Wash/rinse/repeat.

This baby HATES peek a boo.

She also hates mashed potatoes. This last weekend while at lunch with my mom she got to witness the 'mashed potato face' which is similar to the bitter beer face but with sound effects like a hair ball. Amusing...yes...practical...no. (Least you think it's the table foods so early...she munched down some spinach, a little brocolli and some mushed up pasta-ness and her tummy -and the rest of her for that matter- are just fine).

Today I asked her if she was confused and perhaps thought she was Canadian because everyone likes mashed potatoes. She laughed. I think that's a no.

I honestly believe she is concerned for my sanity when I ask where she is when I clearly know she's right there. I also honestly believe any game where people pop out from behind things is not going to be popular in this house for a long time because the little one...she so doesn't like suprises.

Going Places

Layla is in the "I go too" phase of little kid-hood. So imagine her suprise when she discovered the play area at the mall had little cars that you could pretend to drive. Even better, they had a "Nannie Blue Car" which she immediately recognised and asked me to take her picture in.

She's full of imagination this one. She pretended she drove to the store and got out and asked me if I wanted to walk or ride in the cart. Hopefully, that's a trait we can keep incouraging in her.

Because having imagination and being able to think outside the box isn't something I want my child to grow out of any time soon...preferrably never.

Do you see it?

For the person who asked...yes her hair on top is long enough to do a Fraggle Rock Pony Tail.

(Although, she hated it and I had to take it out pretty quickly but we'll work on that)