Isn't she cute?

January in Review

2008 started with Mike and I making some goals for the upcoming year. We are both committed to add regular workouts into our lives. Mike has been faithfully using our Bowflex three times a week and playing basketball at the rec center two mornings a week. I'm really proud of my sweetie, but if he keeps playing basketball I am sure that his medical bills will start to pile up. Last week he got elbowed in the throat and lost his voice for a few days, or at least the voice quality that is needed to make sales calls all day. Today he came home with a bloody toe. Sheesh, who knew exercise could be so dangerous? I have been using the Bowlex three times a week as well as going on short walks through my neighborhood with the girls. I am down 6 pounds, a pants size, and actually have tops that look too big! Mike's goal is to build muscle mass and gain a few pounds. Instead he has dropped a belt loop and is getting ridiculously strong.

Mid-month my parents flew out to celebrate a late Christmas. It was frigid the entire week they were here so we kept to the house. We had a great time visiting, eating yummy food, and opening gifts. My parents got me a strange gift that I love. I got a pair of moisturizing socks. I know, crazy! It is super dry in Colorado and my feet get really dry and rough. I wear them for an hour or so before bed and they totally work. I'm sure Mike appreciates them too since I have been reprimanded for scratching him with my heels. I may have to purchase the matching gloves. My hands could use some TLC too!

We enjoyed a nice warm week last week and made use of it with many walks and a trip to the park. It was nice to get out of the house daily and revisit the great outdoors. Aubrey is learning so much too, as we walk she was points out numbers in people's addresses and tells me all about her surroundings. It's fun to have an active participant on our walks. It is also nice to wear her out and get her down for her nap at a decent hour! Mike also started playing the electric guitar at church last week. It is a lot of work for him to master a new instrument, but he loves it. Yes it is still a guitar, but he has to learn how to use the effects and I don't think you strum, it is more of both hands moving crazy fast doing different things at the same time. We are finishing up our month with having a few friends over for dinner the next few nights and gearing up for the Lost season premier on Thursday!!! 2008 is already flying by, I cannot wait to see what is yet to come!

I should probably mention Ainsley in this post too. She is starting to walk forward while pushing a toy and eating many more table foods (rice, noodles, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, shredded cheese, graham crackers...). Her tooth finally broke through mid-month. It is totally crooked, I hope that is not a trend or we may be purchasing baby braces! And she is finishing off the month with a winter cold. Bummer!

my thankful kid

This is a picture from Thursday. It has been so nice the last few days that our street is visible again. Woohoo! It's a lot nicer to drive on street than icy packed snow! On to the post...

As I was putting Aubrey down for her nap today she refused to sit on the potty. She was holding onto the potty and holding her body above it while screaming no. I used all my force to get her to sit and asked her if I could pray for her. Her response was "NO PRAY MOMMY!" I then told her I was going to pray for her. I prayed that God would calm her down enough to go pee pee and pop poo in the potty. Then Aubrey says "Pray Mommy, Daddy, Whoha, Baby." So I did. Then she said, "Pray milk." So I did. Then she said, "Pray houp (soup)." So I did. Then she said, "Pray toast." So I did." Then she said, "Bye Mommy, shut door!" I left and she went to the bathroom. After I got her into her bed she continued to pray on her own as I left. How sweet is that? I love my thankful daughter!

Expiration Dates

Do you follow them 100 percent or try it out for yourself?

This question has come up three times this week. At the beginning of the week a friend asked me if I would use expired powdered formula that was still sealed. YES! It was only a month past the date. I was talking to Mike today while he was at work and he asked me if I would use expired creamer. It was the same situation, it was a little sealed container. Again I said YES! Then just thirty minutes ago I gave Aubrey canned jellied cranberries that expired on the 3rd of this month. Hopefully the three victims of my expired goods will remain well. I would have never given anyone expired milk though, that's nasty!

Ahhh... Better!

6:27 and all is well! Aubrey is still awake so we still have a few toys out. We generally play with puzzles after Ainsley goes to bed at night. I loved all the comments today! Some totally cracked me up. To all the faithful readers out there who don't know me, I am a parent in progress who prays for patience beyond measure each morning. I give 110 percent to my kiddos while they are awake which sometimes leaves the house in a state of chaos. This is my choice. I am a mother first while my husband is at work. I'm a wife first when he is home, or at least I try to be :) I am a maid when I have to be, it is not a passion of mine. I clean for the sake of a clean house that is it.

Aubrey is an amazing two and a half year old with a spit fire personality. I wouldn't dream to squash that. She has her whole life to be told to conform. She obeys when it matters and pushes where she can, and yes eventually with lots of direction she will do what is asked. Of course she thinks she can tell me what to do, she's two, it kinda goes with the age.

Ainsley is a nine month old eager to explore her world. I'm sure it won't be too long before she is off and running. She wants to be where the action is, and even though a good thirty times a day I pick her up and say "no no Ainsley, your toys are over here." she continues to test my resolve and see if I really meant it. I did! I love my girls and wouldn't have them any other way!

How do other moms do it?

This is how my house looks RIGHT NOW! Well at least two rooms of it. The loft is equally messy. Seriously, how do you guys do it? I know the best hope is to have Aubrey clean up her toys before taking a nap but I can barely get that kid sit on the potty for two seconds, and by the time the toys would be picked up Ainsley would be back awake and I would have zero minutes to myself. Yesterday I got a whopping five minutes with both kids sleeping. The kitchen is MY mess, but in my defense Ainsley makes cleaning impossible. She pulls up on the dishwasher and tries to pull all the plates out, so here I sit with a clean load of dishes in the dishwasher and half a dirty load on the counter. My only hope, cleaning my kitchen when Ainsley has a snack in her high chair around three. So after I publish this I am going to try to move several toys back up to the loft, we have an unreasonable amount down stairs right now and that is definitely adding to the mess.

My second question... What do you do while your kids are napping? I have at most an hour and a half and that's when I take a shower and regroup for a few minutes while watching a bit of mindless TV and eating a snack. I just started a 10 week Bible Study that has 45 minutes of homework a day, so now I am adding that first to this little window of time. I know me, and if I try to squeeze it in later it will never get done. That's enough about me, these toys aren't going to clean themselves up!

44 degrees and loving it!

Aubrey enjoying a light snack of snow.
Ainsley's first time outside in the elements without being held or strapped into something.
I went to put the camera on the table and Ainsley took off after Aubrey.
She isn't wearing snow clothes, but her outer suit is pretty thick so the wet didn't go through. Apparently she likes snow. She is such a weird kid and surprises me everyday.

Ainsley's 9 month stats

Head: 17 inches, 25th percentile
Height: 29 inches, 90th percentile
Weight: 16 pounds 15.5 ounces, 20th percentile

I called Mike on the way back from our appointment to tell him Ainsley is huge! 17 pounds is pretty huge to us anyway, her checkup went fine. I was also lucky to have it too. Last week I noticed a rash in her diaper area that wasn't a typical diaper rash. She has contact dermatitis and it is getting infected. It spreads pretty easily and can break open and ooze. So I am glad that we had a doctor's appointment today, I tend to ride things out and probably wouldn't have made an appointment until it was actually oozing. The treatment is pretty easy, dab some neosporin on it a few times a day and change her diaper more frequently for a few days. Hopefully that will take care of it. It's always nice to have a doctor tell you that your kid is doing great.

Aubrey's second favorite word

AWAKE. If you tell Aubrey it is time for a nap or it is bedtime she informs you that she is awake. Clearly sweet little girl, that is why mommy wants you to take a nap. It is cute, but getting not so cute. It becomes quite the argument. Why am I arguing with a two year old? Along with being awake, she wants her door ajar to allow "more ight." I'm sure fear of darkness is normal, but this allows her to continue to interact with us after bedtime. I am on the search for a bright night light that will give enough light for her door to be closed. If you were wondering what her favorite word is, it is NO, or NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. That is her standard response to ANYTHING you say or ask her. I'm so naive, I thought we already had this stage, I had NO idea what was in store for me!

Mike gave it an 8!

I was at the store and found chunked pork for $1.97 per pound. That's cheaper than ground beef! So I bought it and then came home to figure out what I wanted to do with it. I had everything on hand for this recipe and decided to give it a try. It is rather sweet, and everything tasted like apples, but Mike said it was an eight. So I think I would make it again. It isn't really a once a month meal, but definitely a goody for a few times a year.

Apple Cider Pork Stew

INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds boneless trimmed pork shoulder, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices
4 medium potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 cup chopped onion
1 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
2 cups apple cider
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 cup cold water
1/4 cup flour

PREPARATION:
Combine 3 tablespoons flour, salt, thyme and pepper; toss with meat. Put carrots, potatoes, onion and apple in slow cooker. Top with the pork cubes. Combine apple cider and vinegar; pour over meat. Cover and cook on LOW for 9 to 11 hours. Turn slow cooker to HIGH.
Blend 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 cup cold water, stirring until smooth. Stir into hot liquid in slow cooker. Cover and cook 15 minutes longer, or until thickened. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serves 6.

Still Winter

On any given day one of the three of us stays in our jammies all day, this was Aubrey's day. She likes these because they have piggies on them! But that's not what I am posting about. My parents are flying in tomorrow to celebrate a VERY late Christmas with us! We are so excited. And to give them the best ever Colorado welcome we are expecting a high of 18 tomorrow and morning snow showers, right when their plane is coming in. I guess this trip with temperatures in the 30's on the warmest day will paint a better picture for my parents regarding any future moves to Colorado.

A look down memory lane

Oh yes, the Body by Jake Buns and Thigh Rocker, guaranteed results in 14 days or your money back. And the best part, you can do it in just three minutes a day. I bought this lovely piece of equipment during my engagement. I wanted to look toned for the big day. Yeah, I gained three pounds while I was engaged and used it maybe once a week for a year. It currently resides in our basement and I have been doing the three minute workout after my other twenty minute workout. So, maybe after six and a half years I am finally getting my monies worth.

Which brings me to my next great purchase. The Firm! This is definitely a goody. My friend Tammi told me about it and she had (has) a rockin' body so I was in. It was actually the instrument that grew our friendship from surface level friends to great friends who share everything with each other. Now that's a great piece of workout equipment! I would go to Tammi's house every Saturday morning (post marriage) and workout with her. We would then drink numerous cups of coffee and chat about life. It was great! The Firm was a catalyst for workout buddies. For awhile my friend Tara would come over two days a week after work and we would workout together and then life got frantic and it didn't happen anymore. Then Jenna stepped in and joined me for some workout time. Then I got pregnant with Aubrey and any lifting at all would make me vomit. So, the Firm starter kit and numerous other DVD's that I purchased have been collecting dust for two and a half years! I know it is killer cardio and want to start using it again a few days a week. Hopefully I will be able to add it in to my routine in the next few months.

When we moved into our new home with a gigantic basement Mike decided to get a home gym. Now that I was a mom, it was a bit difficult to get to the gym, and Mike had never been one for exercise and wanted to be healthier. I was very clear to Mike that I would most likely not use this item and that The Firm was good enough for me. We got it anyway and started working out together. It was actually a great workout and I loved spending time with my hubby/workout buddy. A few weeks after it arrived I found out I was pregnant.... and... any type of exercise made me want to vomit! Trend anyone? So one miscarriage later, followed by another pregnancy with lots of vomit (I was in a walking groove before that one) and I was back to no workouts. Well, little Ainsley is almost 9 months old, and with no looming pregnancy in the near future I am at it again!

Drum roll please, Mike and I are using the Bowflex three mornings a week, and just to make my conscious happy I also use the bun and thigh rocker (which is now a redundant piece of equipment). I also do an ab workout nearly everyday since that is the place that has the most damage from three consecutive pregnancies. My only challenge is reincorporating cardio. It snows frequently enough that our sidewalks are not passable with a stroller, and I'm not ready for the hour commitment to the Firm Cardio Sculpt. So while at Target today I bought a light weight jump rope. I figure I can make it downstairs (the basement has a concrete floor) and jump rope for five minutes here and there. That's my plan at least. I really want to be at my best when I enter my thirties so here it goes 2008! This is MY year!!!

One more thing, I have been drawn in by the add for Hip Hop Abs. It's another DVD collection that lets you get your groove on and burn fat at the same time. He guarantees 3 inches off your waist in 6 days. Hmmm... it sounds too good to be true. I haven't dialed that number yet, but it is on my radar. Has anyone seen this program, it looks really fun. It reminds me of a Cardio Hip Hop class Erin dragged me too that made me feel very WHITE, but it was a blast!

beyond comprehension

This little girl of ours is growing up before our eyes and it is happening in lightning speed. We were discussing how when she turned eight months she was acting like a ten month old. She is so coordinated! She crawls, stands, inches along, stands without holding on for a few seconds, claps, drinks from a sippy on her own, even if it uses a valve, holds her own bottle, self feeds with finger foods, and climbs the stairs! Wow, we are just marveled by little Ainsley everyday. We figure that Aubrey was more "normal" when it came to all of these milestones and Ainsley is just a little "advanced" with her motor development. I know she will flatten out eventually with all of these skills, but right now it is crazy to see our almost nine month old growing so independent. A few other little observations... her hair is really thickening up in the back and even getting a little mullet-like. It is also much darker than Aubrey's was at this age so she may keep her light brown hair. That would be great since I have lost all of my once blond luster and would like to have a similar hair color to one of my kids. I hope this post helps are friends and family far away feel a little closer to our precious daughter. Happy Friday!

mealtime

"You guys, I'M EATING!"
"Fine, I'll smile, but remember, I didn't want too!"
"Oh yeah, peas! This sure hits the spot!"
"Mmmmm, food with texture. Now that's what I'm talking about!"

I am much loved!

Ainsley loves me so much that she wanted extra mommy time today and woke up at 5:30, a whole hour early! In the midst of Mommy/Ainsley time Aubrey had another nightmare, apparently about me putting her hair in a pony tail. Yikes! So I went in and woke up Mike and asked him which one he wanted. He choose Aubrey since Ainsley freaks out when I pass her off that early in the morning.

Well... Aubrey wanted mommy too. Once Aubrey saw (heard) that sister was awake, there was NO

way she was going back to sleep. So I got to have both my kiddos up with me before the sun. I am definitely loved, but already pooped and it is only 9:30! Hopefully this extra early morning will bode well for nap time around here. It is really hard to be "on" when it is still dark outside. I am fortunate that my kids sleep so well most of the time. It is nice that they love me so much, but it would be nicer if they called out for daddy at 5:30am...



In other news, Aubrey is picking up tons of words each week. The other day she told me we were "erase(ing)" her picture and this morning when I suggested that she lay back down in her bed she informed me she was "wake." She is a different kid now that she has more confidence with her vocabulary. Vocabulary acquisition is a fun stage, it makes the rest of the two's more bearable. I hope all of your Tuesday's started a little less action packed.

My little loves

Aubrey and Ainsley are becoming great friends, it is so fun to see them playing together. Yesterday they were playing in the kitchen and Aubrey was cracking Ainsley up. I went and picked Ainsley up because she needed a diaper change. Aubrey stood up and started pulling Ainsley out of my arms yelling "Bye Mommy!" So I left and let them continue their little game for a bit longer. Of course it isn't all peaches and cream, but the moments that are make all the other moments worth it!

First Tooth

Aubrey's first tooth came in around ten months. She was a bear when she was teething. Her sister is proving to be no exception, just a little sooner. She has been cutting a tooth since 2007! Really just late December, but 2007 sounds more dramatic. Her gums are inflamed and if you push into the swollen part you can feel the little spike poking through. You can't see it yet, but it is right under the surface. All the books and doctors say it takes three days to cut a tooth. They are crazy and wrong. My kids take weeks for those little buggers to poke through. I'm the mom, I know! We are all working on lack of sleep in "08. Apparently that little pokey thing in her mouth means no one gets any rest. Oh well, just 30 or so more to go... Oh and notice the glistening chin in the above picture. She is pouring drool!

Aubrey's 1st Masterpiece

I know it is a bit blurry, but I was trying to get close up since this was about an inch in size. Aubrey asked me to draw a turtle. After I did, I asked her to draw one. I think it's an amazing turtle. Way to go Aubrey! Mommy is so proud!!!

Happy 2008!

Mike and I brought in the New Year with some friends last night. We had a sitter so we were off the clock and able to spend the last few hours of 2007 together. Well, that's not entirely true, I had to share Mike with the Karaoke machine, and even though he dedicated every song to me, he had a love affair with that microphone. His faithful fans were spurring him on and we all had a blast. We got home around 1:30 and by the time I got back from dropping off our sitter it was 2am. And, as predicted, Ainsley woke up at 6:30am. For me, four and a half hours is more of a nap than a night of sleep. Hopefully I can get a nap in this afternoon sometime. I really look forward to the day when I can leave some pastries on the table and tell my kids to help themselves, but let mom and dad sleep in. Anyway, it was a great night and a great year! I welcome 2008 with a big ol' smile. Bring it on!