Upstairs Reveal

We're still working on finishing touches upstairs (touch up paint, trim, hang photos, etc), but here is a taste of what things look like now at our place!

Things to Do on a Snowy Weekend

It was cold and blustery yesterday, so we stayed in, and got busy! Keith was a cleaning machine while I slept in until 930...wahoo! After a trip outside to attempt to clean off the cars, and watch Em's lips turn blue as she tried to make a snow angel (note to self, must by this kid some approriate snow gear), we made hot chocolate and warmed up. I made homemade mac & cheese, crock-pot meatballs and a batch of chocolate chip cookies...yep, that's the ticket! We hung some new B&W photos in the stairway, which look awesome! Last night, Keith came down with some GI nastiness (Em's had a mild case of it since Tuesday), and he's been in bed all day, feeling feverish and crampy. I'm keeping my distance, and bringing the occasional glass of Sprite. Em and I went outside this morning, where at least it wasn't so cold. We got another inch or so of snow overnight, but the temps were so cold overnight that everything is sort of hard & crunchy. The roads are pure slickness, and I predict a snow day tomorrow. I'm sure Em's school will be closed, and probably the PA school will be as well. I think we'll break out the Wii tonight, as I'm tired of watching Eloise, and the Tinkerbell movie just doesn't sound appealing to me! We've done cutting & pasting, play-doh, and made a batch of pancakes & sausage for breakfast today. Not sure what we'll do tomorrow!! Maybe hibernate!

Snow Day

We got 6 inches of snow last night, and it's still spitting a wintry mix today...looks pretty, but we aren't going to be able to go anywhere for a while!!! We explored the snow a bit this morning, and Emmy got wet/cold/miserable, so we came in for some hot chocolate.

Almost Three...Sigh

Em's birthday is coming up very soon, and she'll be three. Not sure where the past 3 years have gone, because it really does seem like yesterday we were celebrating milestones like rolling, crawling, talking and walking. Now, she never stops moving, speaking or letting us know her opinion. She's wonderfully independent, smart and curious (and at times, exhausting). Today's milestones are transitioning to a big-girl bed, potty-training successfully, and learning Spanish. She's also begun to ask questions about when she'll be getting a baby brother or sister, or telling us stories which include said sibling. We've been trying for 2 years to have another baby, and aren't sure whether that will become a reality. We have an upcoming appointment with a fertility doc, but fear the risk of twins almost more than the risk of not having another child. We have lots to discuss with the doc, and the decision to move forward with fertility treatments remains unmade at this point.

Overall, life with an almost three year old is getting easier in many ways, and in some ways harder. A trip to the grocery store is almost incomplete if she doesn't poke her head out of the race car cart and yell, "Mommy, I've got to go poop RIGHT NOW!", and I race around the store trying to locate the bathroom. She asks a lot of questions, and surprises us by what she already knows. She likes to be a helper in the kitchen and when we do major house cleaning. She'll be thrilled with the pretend vacuum cleaner she's getting for her birthday. Pink, of course!

We plan to take her to the Build-a-Bear store on her birthday weekend, and will probably take her to get some pictures taken as well. I want to get some of her in the ever-present tiaras, fairy wings and tu-tu's that she's sporting these days.

I can't help but think how lucky we are to have this little girl. Lucky because she was our miracle baby after so much heartache, but also lucky because she has made our lives fuller, richer, happier and definitely more sparkly! She's such an easy kid, filled with a wonderful sense of humor, compassion for others, and utterly overflowing with charm.

Movin' On Up!

We got Emmy a toddler bed this weekend, and she was so excited to have a "big girl bed"! Dad put it together, just in time for her afternoon nap!

Wearing her "Gobbles"!

A New Year

I'm still having a hard time believing 2009 is gone, and left to ponder how one indicates 2010 in shorthand...0-10? 10? aught-ten? I'm confused. I haven't made any resolutions for this year yet, which is unusual for me. I normally have a small list of things to accomplish, but feel like I haven't had time to process my goals and prioritize.

A few things I'd like to cross off my list this year:

--get pregnant/stay pregnant

--run the Flying Pig 5K with Jen in early May

--paint what needs painted in the house and finish reorganizing rooms/furniture

--focus on better diet, ie: try to drink more water, eat more fruits & veggies, etc

--transition Emmy into a big girl room, with a big girl bed

--read more for fun

I wouldn't exactly call those resolutions, just my To Do List for 2010.