Some Days...

Some days...

...I manage to forget life is a blessing. That my life is a blessing. I have a loving husband, a beautiful daughter, a supportive family, wonderful friends, and even two dogs that are loyal as can be, despite being relegated to second class citizens the past 22 months.

...I manage to take things for granted, like a roof over my head, food in the pantry, fridge and freezer, a zillion channels on TV, a multitude of clothes to choose from, the ability to transport myself where ever I need to go.

...I am able to justify to myself snapping at my husband, losing patience with my daughter, and throwing my hands up in the air in defeat when the day isn't going well. My worst days are nothing compared to so many.

...I feel overwhelmed by my blessings.

...I just want to cry.

...I feel sorry for myself and eat a whole bag of cookies.

...I try to hard to keep up with the Joneses, even though I don't know why.

...I need to remember that I need to be me and not care what others think.

...I want to act like a child and cry and yell and shout "Life's Not Fair!"

...I actually do. Those aren't my proudest days, and they are happening a little too often for my liking lately.

...I just need to slow down, step back, and prioritize my life. I need to cherish what matters and forget about what doesn't.

...I just need to breathe.

On the Mend

It's Friday. It has been a loooong week. Chickie has been pretty much attached to me since Sunday. I love my little girl, but my back hurts from holding her so much and I could really use some sleep. But we seem to be on the mend. After 36 hours of a fever that would only come down with Tylenol, we found out the culprit was a double ear infection. Ouch! A dose of antibiotics, some Motrin, and some Vicks Vapor Rub on her feet (who knew? well actually, apparently every mommy out there but me) and we ALL got a decent night's rest last night.
So here's hoping we are kicking illness to the curb for (ever? - too optimistic?) a good long time.

Spring, you can't come fast enough!!!!

My Little Sickie

Lily has a cold. A rather bad one. She hasn't had a good night's sleep since Friday night. You guessed it, I haven't had a good night's sleep since Friday night either. It started with a croupy cough. And after her coughing fits she would cry to me "Mommy hurts." The doctor said she looked fine except her throat was a little red. It then moved into a congested cough with lots of head congestion. Now she is pulling on her ear. She has also intermittently had a low grade fever. She is eating less, super cranky (who can blame her!) and just generally not my spunky, spirited little kid. I just want to cry for her. And I'll be honest...for myself a little.

When your child is sick, there is nothing worse in the world.

Let Them Be Little

by Lonestar

I love this song and it is such a good reminder of how fast our babies grow up!

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink
Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around
It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

Let them be little

Yay!

Lily went pee pee on the potty!!! I am ridiculously, absurdly, insanely proud! She, on the other hand, really isn't fazed. Not by the sticker. Nor the happy dance. Nor the shouts of glee and hugs I have been doling out since she did it. All she said was "Duck singing". Apparently she did it only to get off the pot and back to Word World which had just started in the other room. Duck was indeed singing, but I will concern myself with the fact that my child can identify the voices of cartoon characters another day. On a day when I am not so stinkin' excited.

Lest you all think I am totally delusional, I don't really think that we are anywhere near potty trained. It is a baby step in the right direction. One that started yesterday when she actually asked to sit on the potty. And sit we did, (and nothing else!) for 20 minutes and two books. Turns out she doesn't really like her little potty. What she doesn't seem to mind, however, is sitting on the potty seat on the big potty with me sitting on her little potty (with it's lid shut, it becomes a stool) at her feet. She does have my full attention then and she happily chats away.

Man, I love that little girl!

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My little fairy


likes to bring me presents.

Snowing!!

It's snowing! And it doesn't show any signs of stopping. And if the weather people are to be believed - and the are only right about half the time! - then we could have up to a foot by the time this snow system moves through.

But the snow is okay by me! As long as the roads are cleared by tomorrow morning (HA!). I don't have any errands to run. I don't have any obligations today. I already had plans to make a yummy chicken florentine casserole for dinner, along with some Italian bread in my new bread maker. Lily has some play dough she received for Christmas that I think we might try out. I have a couple new yoga DVDs I might check out since I am not going to the gym. If I am really brave I may try my new Jillian Michaels DVD. And if all else fails, we borrowed Up from my in-laws, so we can always cuddle up on the couch and watch it.

And of course, there is always the chance to watch the beautiful snow fall and contemplate life...and I do love to watch it fall!

Opinionated...sigh

Gone are the days of putting anything on my darling little angel and walking out the door. Oh no siree, we are no longer going to just wear anything. I mean, I knew this day was coming, I just didn't think it would be here so soon. Lily insists on wearing pretty shoes now. Nevermind the fact that they aren't the best fit. The other day she insisted on wearing black patent leather shoes around the house that are a size too big. Yep, I have a girl on my hands. Sure, I could put her in appropriate foot wear, but sometimes it is just easier to cave to get out the door. Sad thing is, until a couple days ago, all she wanted to wear was her boots. You know, the snow boots most aptly suited for the snow and artic temperatures we are experiencing. At least I was able to pry the fairy wand out of her hand.

I am glad she has opinions. I am glad she makes choices. It is fun to let her pick out what color diaper she wants, or what she wants to wear when we are just around the house. I like giving her the opportunity to decide between grilled cheese and jelly for lunch. Clementines or applesauce. But now, well now she is rather insistent.

I believe the battles are just beginning....

I have a feeling there will be a lot of tears in this phase...

...MINE!!!!

Toodles!

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

I've made some changes...what do you think? I am trying to perfect my blog layout, so it may look different every time you visit until I find just the right look. Thanks for your patience!

Caught Up!

Well there you have it! I believe I am all caught up. Sure, the past couple posts are light on content, heavier on pictures. But most of you tune in to see the Chickie, be honest!

We have a rather low key couple months on the books for the next couple months, which is fine by me. We are still struggling to get back to a normal routine. Matt was off between Christmas and New Years, so we got a lot done around the house. Major purging. Two big van fulls to Goodwill. Some organizing, some little projects finished up, that kind of stuff. While it was great having Matt around and getting stuff done, it really threw everyone off. I am craving some normalacy, some routine, some easier bed times!

I am so excited for all this new year has in store for us. Stay tuned for all the new adventures as I learn, grow, mature, and hopefully survive toddlerhood. Oh yeah, there will likely be a bunch of pictures of Chickie, as well as stories of her antics.

Later!

Happy New Year!

2010!!! Woohoo! This is gonna be the best decade yet, I can just feel it. Although, the aughts (that is what I heard the first decade of the 2000's called) pretty much rocked as well. I married my best friend (didn't meet him though, we go way back to the 90's!), bought a house, had a kid and grew spiritually, emotionally, and ahem, horizontally. But that is another story and soon to be remedied, provided I stick to my resolutions more than a week this year!

Every year I vow to have a super low key New Year's Eve. Like, not leaving the house low key. Last year we did pretty much. We had my sister and sister in law over, but didn't leave the house. This year was pretty low key as well. Just a different kind of low key. We went over to our friends and hung out with a small gathering of friends. All present also had kids, so the kids weren't bored and we adults got to talk, eat, and enjoy being together.


Lily is sporting some of her new duds she received for Christmas. Ain't she cute?



The kids are watching some Sesame Street before hitting the sack. Bedtime - after 10! We are still struggling to get back on a schedule!




Me and Big Sexy!



The Guys!



The Gals! Poor Wendy has a broken foot, which she broke chasing after a toddler. I am telling you, toddlers are dangerous little people!

Hope everyone has a great 2010!

Sledding!

Last Wednesday, the last semi-warm day we had, you know, warm for December, we went sledding. Lily L-O-V-E-D it! Every time we got to the bottom of the hill, she would jump up and shout "MORE!" Thankfully there were lots of people to help trudge up and down the hill!



Isn't my baby cute? Too bad she isn't really a baby anymore! And isn't my hubby hot? You can't have him, he's spoken for!





I know I have a goofy expression, but Chickie is actually looking, so you get what you get. The sacrifices I make!


I may be 30 now, but I am still a kid at heart!

Promise

I promise to TRY to get up to date tomorrow. Blogger is being dumb and it is taking me a year just to upload my photos. And I should mentioned that I downloaded 682 pictures from the second half of December. Yeah, I went a little crazy. So stay tuned for sledding and New Year's Eve, which should be up tomorrow afternoon, if blogger decides to cooperate. I could just tell you all about those days, but admit it, you come for the photos!

Later!

Snow!

December in the Chicago suburbs doesn't always mean snow, but there is usually a good chance of it. We got hammered the day after Christmas with about 8 inches. My poor sister had to change her birthday plans. I feel your pain Steph! It has happened to me before too!
Anyway, we headed out to play in the snow while Daddy shoveled. It wasn't too cold, so Lily had fun, though she isn't a big fan of mittens. BTW, anyone know where you can get some good kid's mittens? And then how to keep them on said kid?

Christmas Day

What is there to say about Christmas? It was a wonderful day. We started out opening presents, just the three of us. Santa brought Lily a little kitchen. Then we headed to my parents' house for a day of lively conversations, good wine and great food. And of course, presents for Lily. Everyone spoiled her. I think some pictures sum the day up best.

Christmas Eve

This year we spent Christmas Eve with Matt's side of the family. We were all spoiled, but Lily especially. A few pics:

New

In October we re-did our bathroom. Our only bathroom. Good times! When we moved in 4 1/2 years ago, it was the only room we didn't touch. It is kinda hard to tell from the pictures, but the walls are a light green, not blue. It turned out really well, and the lighter color makes the room look so much bigger. We painted, put in a new floor, new toilet seat, new light fixture, new hardware, new towel racks and toilet paper holder, and a new sink.





I was also getting sort of bored with our bedroom. To change it up a little, we removed the headboard and bought a new quilt and pillow shams.



Just removing the headboard made the room look so much bigger. And the new quilt tied in nicely with the curtains (which I love - bought them at World Market about 4 years ago...they really keep the room dark and warm!) and the throw pillows we already had.

And of course, our new baby - the van. Lily loves her "blue car" and really seems to enjoy car trips better in the van. And that is even when the DVD player isn't on!