number 2 for number 2

My baby turned two today. I'm not sure where the last two years went. What seemed like yesterday, she was a teeny, tiny little thing. Now, her favorite thing to say is, "I want to do it myself." It makes me sad and proud at the same time. So, to commemorate this occasion, and remember just how she is on this day, here's what I would say, if I were speaking for Grace:

"I am Grace. I am two. I can usually be found with my right thumb in my mouth and hate to be parted from my blankie. I always tell Gordon 'no, no' no matter what he's doing.

I love to ride in the wagon with Sam. I think my brother is hilarious and laugh at everything he does. Unless he hits me...then I tell my mommy. But most of the time, my mommy doesn't see me when take a toy away from him and run away laughing right before he hits me.

I love to give my daddy big hugs and pat him on the back. I love to give my daddy nice little kisses on the cheek. Then I love to smack my daddy. Or grab a handful of his face and pull.

I love to have pretty hair, but don't always love to sit to get pretty hair. I am a great little mommy to my baby dolls...Kennedy is my favorite and I always give her her pacifier. I love to brush my teeth and picked out my own Barbie tooth brush.

I love to sing songs that I learn at school. One of them goes like this...'A, B, C, D next time won't you sing with me'...that's all I know of that one so far. I can also sing the 'Itsy, Bitsy Spider' and 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star', among others.

I can name all of my extended family in pictures and my latest obsession is Grandma. I love to talk on the phone...even when no one is there. I love to talk to my family on the webcam...I call it talking to Grandma & Papa on the 'puter'.

I can count pretty good and can even count a little in Spanish. I get excited when the Rescue Pack comes on Diego. My mommy and daddy are amazed at how well I talk. I can say full sentences very clearly. I got a tricycle at my birthday party last week...but I call it my motorcycle. I was a big girl last week and told my mommy that I needed to get out of the bath to go pee pee on the potty. My mommy was so proud.

I love to cuddle. I like to play trucks with my brother. I always fight my brother for my mommy's lap. Did I say that I love to cuddle? My favorite foods include yogurt, sausage and french fries.

When I have an owie, I talk about it all the time and show everyone I see at the store. I'm pretty clumsy...my dad says that I get that from my mommy. I stand up for myself when the other kids try and take toys from me. I'm a little mischievous and sometimes get into a little trouble.

I always climb up on my chair to turn my music on and my light off before bed. Then I dance to my music on the chair for a minute before I get down and get into my own bed. I'm an awesome dancer. And I love to say 'awesome'.

I take after my Great-Grandma Pat...I think my birthday is two weeks long.

I'm a big girl, now. I'm two. Happy Birthday to Grace."

highlights in pictures

Memorial Day weekend 2008

Grace's 2nd birthday party:

When we brought out the tricycle she asked, excitedly, "motorcycle, Mommy?"

Cake!

Playing outside:

Sam's new best friend, cousin Garrett:
Fun:

A day of honor and remembrance:

technological idiot

My loving husband and children gave me a new camera for Mother's Day. A thoughtful and appreciated gift. I started taking pictures with it immediately and now am finally sitting down to get the software loaded and download my first 214 photos. I had hoped to post pics this evening from our weekend in Michigan, but since I'm pretty much a moron when it comes to anything beyond design with my computer, they will have to wait until tomorrow. Memorial Day weekend highlights to come.

hotdoggies!

I was on my way home in the car with the kids the other day. We were talking about who we were going to see on our upcoming weekend in Michigan and naming them off…

Mommy: “Grandma.”

Grace: “I want to see Grandma!”

Sam: “Papa.”

Grace: “I want to see Papa!”

Mommy: “Aunt Sarah.”

Grace: “I want to see Sarah!”

You get the idea. We continued to rattle off everyone. Then I said “Uncle Bill.”

Sam got a huge smile on his face and said, “Is he going to say ‘HOTDOGGIES!’ He he! He always say that.”

I guess I better give Uncle Bill the head’s up on the high expectations since he doesn't exactly "always say that." Good thing hot dogs are on the menu for the weekend.

design solutions

My parents and one of my sisters and her husband and son announced that they’ll be heading down to our house for Thanksgiving this year. We're thrilled because we love having our family visit and because we don't have to drive anywhere to celebrate the holiday with people we love! We gained a guest bedroom when we moved to this house and we hit the jackpot for living space when we negotiated the builder finishing the basement into the price of the house. Unfortunately the basement is a long as a bowling alley…no walls for a second guest bedroom.

I was stewing over creative solutions for a bed for down there so we can easily accommodate more guests. At first, I thought we’d just get an air mattress and call it a day. But I started to think of the possibilities of multiple family members 55+ coming to visit in the future and wanted to try and avoid making anyone get on and off the floor.

My dad mentioned considering getting an air mattress with a frame, which is doable…I’d really need to look into how small the frame folds up, though, because I don’t want it taking up my whole storage room when not in use.

Kris thinks we should get a daybed with a trundle which I guess is a viable option, but a daybed still looks like a bed to me, no matter how many pillows you pile on it, and really don’t want a permanent bed plopped down in the middle of my family room.

Then I had a stroke of genius…a Murphy bed! It would be perfect. We could get one that has nice cabinetry on either side for toy storage and we could order one to match our existing furniture.

I was so excited about the idea! So I looked them up online.

And found out that they cost around $2,500.

Sorry future guests…I didn’t even spend close to that on my own bed. I probably won’t be smashing my piggy bank for this piece unless it comes with a maid to prepare for your arrival and fold up the bed and wash the sheets when you leave.

Conversing with a Toddler 101

Kris was grilling burgers for dinner the other night (yes, we have cleared it of it’s inhabitants). He came to the door and asked me to grab him some cheese slices. I reached in the fridge and grabbed the last three pieces of cheese in the drawer and handed them to him. He headed back out and Grace proceeded to throw herself to the floor and scream for cheese. I tried to explain that there was no more cheese, but unfortunately she couldn’t hear me over her wailing and kicking.

Time to exercise the art of distraction. I picked her up and went and sat on the couch to try and occupy her until the food was ready. Once I got her calmed down a little, we started to play the name-that-part-of-your-face game. The conversation that followed went like this:

Mommy: “Where’s Mommy’s nose?”
Grace, smiling and pointing: “Right dere!”

Mommy: “Where’s Grace’s nose?”
Grace, smiling and pointing: “Right dere!”

Mommy: “Where’s Grace’s chin?”
Grace, smiling and pointing: “Right dere!”

Mommy: “Where’s Grace’s hair?”
Grace, smiling and pointing: “Right dere!”

Mommy: “Where’s Mommy’s hair?”
Grace, smiling and pointing: “Right dere!”

Mommy: “Where are Grace’s eyes?”
Grace, smiling and pointing: “Right dere!”

Mommy: “Where are Grace’s teeth?”
Grace plays silly and tries to hide her teeth while smiling.

Mommy: “Come on…show me those teeth!”
Grace still plays silly and hides her teeth with her hand and laughs.

Mommy, tickling: “I want to see those teeth!”
Grace laughs while trying to press her lips together to hide her teeth.

Mommy, tickling: “I want to see those teeth!
Smile…say CHEEEEEESE!”

BIG mistake.

a stroll with angelina

Apparently Grace is rubbing elbows with celebrities behind our backs. People have mentioned before that she looks like little Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, but I never really saw a similarity...until now.

Want a better look? Click here.

not the best comparison shot, but you get the idea...

I wonder if she could introduce me to Brad.

Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain...

Martha I am not. Yes, I’m crafty. At work, I am defined as a “creative” (or at least I was until I went clientside where somedays it feels like they’re trying their damndest to crush your creativity). Friends and family sometimes enlist my help with choosing paint colors for their homes or positioning artwork and frames on the wall in the right arrangement. Occasionally, I handmake gifts, but seriously don’t have the time to do so on a regular basis. I will bake here and there, but mainly to satisfy a craving or make a fun kids’ birthday cake rather than for the sheer enjoyment of it. And you definitely won’t find a green thumb on these hands.

We are creeping up on our sixth month in Kentucky. The end of winter and beginning of spring took us by complete surprise here. February ended and just like that the birds were singing, the trees had leaves, everyone in the neighborhood emerged from their winter hibernation and the sidewalks had constant jogger/walker/stroller/dog traffic. We northerners weren’t quite sure what to do with ourselves...we were used to hibernating for at least two more months.

As the days crept on, I started to fall in the love with the weather so much that almost two weeks ago...are you ready for it...I was inspired to plant flowers! This is completely unlike me. Out of the six years we were in our previous home, I worked on developing the landscape one year and that was because we were getting ready to sell the place. I’m the girl who’s been afraid to repot my two houseplants for the last five years for fear that they will die. So instead I’m letting them choke themselves in their teeny, tiny pots...which will probably end up killing them anyway, but at least it won’t be because I shocked them by moving them out of their cozy little homes.

Anyway, back to the flowers. I was in Lowe’s to pick up a couple of things and decided to roam through the garden center. I picked up some marigolds and zinnias, took them home and planted them in the front flower beds. And then Heaven smiled upon me.

Kind of like that time we were driving through our own little town down a very familiar route with a sick baby late one Saturday morning discussing what we’d like for lunch that day after we got out of the doctor’s office. Kris mentioned wishing we had a Penn Station subs nearby when we looked to our right and what to our wondering eyes should appear? That’s right...there sat a brand-spankin’ new Penn Station. I spent the next couple minutes of the drive planning my order and scanning the sky for the beams of light shining through from the heavens as I was sure God had just set that building down for us as the words “Penn Station” left my husband’s lips.

Okay, maybe not quite that amazing, but, as I was saying... this beautiful Kentucky weather turned crappy. Yes, I do consider this good fortune. Since the day I planted, I’ve only had to water once! 80° and sun have been replaced by 60° and rain. Thank you, Mother Nature! Hopefully these little buggers will have a good shot at making it through the summer since they got such a great start without having to rely on me to keep them alive.

And I really don't mind the "break" in the nice weather. This Michigan native and former Ohioan is feeling right at home in this temporary gloomy haze.

future aspirations

I got to daycare at the usual time to pick up the kids tonight. I always go to Sam's room first since there's a good chance he'll have to use the potty before we go and I don't want to have to keep track of Grace while helping him. It's always interesting to walk in the room and see what he's up to. He usually doesn't notice me right away so I get to observe for a couple of minutes. Some days, I'm so happy with what I see and some days I'm completely appalled at what I see. I've walked in on him playing nicely with his friends and I've walked in on him smacking one of his friends or whipping wooden blocks across the room. It's hit or miss with that kid.

I've never been prouder than I was tonight, though. It was a funny little scene when I walked in the room. The teacher was at the end of the room by the door and all the kids were down at the other end on their fishy mat on the floor where they generally read stories or have lessons. And there was my son (my baby!) sitting on a little chair at one end of the fishy mat, wearing a plastic, patterned smock and playing teacher! It was one of the cutest scenes ever! He was holding up construction paper shapes glued to popsicle sticks in various colors. He held up one at a time and called on one of his "students" to tell him the shape and color. And get this: if someone got it wrong, he didn't yell "no, you're wrong!" Instead, he helped them figure it out. Bella told him the pink rectangle was a pink square and, pointing to the shape, he said, "try again, Bella...look, this side is longer than this side." When I was finally able to get him to leave the room, on his way out he proclaimed, "Great job, boys and girls!"

I guess we can add "teacher" to his long list of possible future professions. As long as he never has to teach his sister, I think he could work wonders in the classroom! It will now rank somewhere amongst firefighter, daddy, politician, priest (wow, does that kid ever love going to church), sanitation engineer (for about a third of his life, all he talked about was the garbage truck hence last year's Halloween costumes), doorman, helicopter pilot, UPS man, etc., etc.

Sam, the garbage man & Grace, the bag of garbage (or white trash, if you will)
Halloween 2007

dating again

Everyone says that they can't figure out how I could work with my husband. But, in reality, we really only actually work on a shared project a handful of times a year. Yes, those times admittedly probably drive both of us nuts...he drags his feet on his parts and I give him a harder time than anyone else, because, well, I can. (Afterall, I did give birth to his children.) Those projects are few and far between, though.

Lately, I've really started to realize the advantage of working together. Before we moved, I was the new girl in the work environment he had known for years. He had a lunch routine in place and a regular crowd he ate with. I joined sometimes, but won't lie...I kind of felt like I was cramping his style. Now, we're both the new kids. We've gotten to know a few people that we're comfortable sharing lunch with, but two to three times a week, we usually dine with just each other. And since we're new to the area and haven't established any evening babysitters, it's kind of nice to take advantage of having a meal together, alone, while the kids are at daycare.

So, apparently we're dating again. A shortened version of the dates we shared before kids, but I'd say one quality hour a day is pretty good for mom and dad of a three-year-old and almost-two-year-old. Even if we do have to go back to work afterwards.

old friends, new addition

One of my oldest friends came to visit this weekend with her husband and daughter. It was a pretty big event since we hadn't met their new addition, yet, and, over the last few years, we've been lucky if we've gotten to see them twice in one year. Sam was amazing with the baby and I was amazed at how nurturing and kind he was with her when nurturing and kind is such a rare occurrence with his own sister.

Even though half of the (waking) visit was spent rounding the kids up for bed, it was still so nice to have them here. We have shared every stage of life starting with our pig-tailed, care-free, playing at her grandparents' farm days through the emotional roller coaster that made up our teenage years. When she lost her brother, I tried to absorb as much of the pain as I could. When I had a devastating diagnosis, she helped me see that I had the support of friends to help me through. Miles between us during college didn't phase us. The year after we graduated we stood beside each other as we both said "I do" two months apart. We've seen miscarriage, two births, infertility, another birth. Now, finally, we get to compare stories as mommies, too.

Saturday night we shared our joys and frustrations that come with motherhood while cleaning up the dinner dishes. A far cry from the happenings of the old days, but definitely the same quality. And, as always, the visit was way too short. I'm now left counting the days until we can squeeze in another few hours in July.

for the birds...

Friday night: Kris bought a new grill, brought it home and stuck it on the deck.

Saturday morning: I spent the morning chasing a bird off the deck. Was getting really annoyed because the little bastard was pooping all over the rails.

Saturday afternoon: Kris walks outside to admire his new grill and get it ready for cooking ribs for dinner. He opens it up to find the pretty substantial beginnings of a bird's nest. He immediately drives to Lowe's to buy a cover.

I'm still laughing. He's still claiming that he doesn't see the humor in it.

major development

Sam has conquered his fear of the vacuum. Along with the potty training, the last three weeks have been pretty major in the life of this 3-year-old.

growing up

Tonight at dinner, Grace said she wanted to sit in the chair next to her brother instead of in her booster. And she sat there and ate her whole dinner without screaming or throwing one bit of her food on the floor.

And all of the sudden it hit me that my baby girl is going to be two in just three short weeks. And somehow I missed her transition from baby to big girl.

And while I'm afraid she may hang on to the thumb sucking until she's 21...

and I'm sure we'll still get to see this every once in awhile...
...I know she'll eventually grow out of this, too. And I know there will be amazing stories to share as she grows and that one day I'll be beaming with pride at the woman she has become. But I also know there will be days along the way when I'll wish I was able to stare at this for just one more moment:

Grace, 4 weeks

goal set

The day job's okay, but lately I've been itching to do more of the "fun stuff". So, I'm setting a goal for myself to start an Etsy shop sometime this fall. Hopefully, by then, I will have accumulated enough projects to have a nice size showing when I start it.

I'm a little torn on what to focus on for the shop--thinking it may just be a potpourri. I've been doing custom weddings here and there for a few years:




I've also been designing ready-made printed pieces that I could sell there, like this:



And lately feeling the need to do another wedding veil. (If only I had a detail shot of this one!)

I haven't gotten to make one in a while since most of the friends and family are married off and having babies...although, that has let me do fun projects like these:





So, the goal is set: Etsy shop in the fall. I'll post on my progress and a link once I actually get set up. Wish me luck!

our new favorite past-time...

It took seven years, but I can now say that Kris is fully trained to appreciate antique furniture. We've been antiquing lately and are starting to fill up some of this wide open space in this house. A couple of our latest finds:
Hopefully soon we'll get some paint on the walls in these rooms so these pieces look a little more at home!