lemon water

Lemon water, I love you. You will be the thing that helps break my addiction to Coca-Cola.


I'm counting on you. Please don't take your job lightly. But feel free to make me lighter.

no!

Lauren has a new favorite word. For the past week or so it has been pretty much a constant from her lips. How I wish it was something nice and sweet and just down-right precious. Instead, it is big and bold and determined.

NO

She's been saying no. Let me clarify that. She has been saying no with gusto and without fear. A normal conversation in our home these days:

Me: Lauren, do you love me?
Lauren: No
Me: Lauren, do you want a drink?
Lauren: No
Me: Lauren, is that your slide?
Lauren: No
Me: Really, because I thought that was your slide and you liked it very much.
Lauren: No, no, no...

What a fun little stage we are entering. And, yes I am praying this is a stage and nothing more. It's funny to me because it seems like just when I get one stage figured out, we enter another one that totally throws me for a loop.

P.S. If your child went through this and you have any words of wisdom for me - I'd love to hear them!

those poor babies on american idol

I've been an avid fan of American Idol for years and I'm gonna be real honest here...I've always been pretty critical of the people performing. I mean I have such expertise on judging people's musical skills *insert sarcastic grin* and all.

Anyway, I have never really experienced the feelings that I have been feeling this year. Maybe it's because I am a momma, maybe I am just PMSing. I don't really know, but all I can think about is that each one of those performers is somebody's baby. And for ever harsh and critical word the judges dole out, there is a mom whose heart breaks in pieces. A mom who aches as she watches her child face rejection head on. A mom who would probably duke it out with Simon and take him. After all, he's bashing her baby.

And so this year I sit and cheer and cry (only a couple of times) and think of those moms out there.

the sickness

We are now on round 3 of sickness in our home. It has firmly attached itself to my husband and he is none so happy about it. Honestly, neither am I. Oh I love the boy, and I love him even when he is sick but coming off of Lauren being sick for two weeks straight and the sinus infection that was out to kill me, I am kind of over it. I want my family healthy. I want to be able to carry on a conversation with my hubby without it involving the color of Lauren's snot, how fussy she has been, or how bad either of our throats currently hurt. I'm ready to take Lauren out of this house. Out where the people are. I want to not be fearful that someone is going to launch their nasty germs on us and get us all sick again - or that we would launch our nasty germs on some unsuspecting person and get them sick. I kind of just want my life back. And, I want spring. I want color and the smell of growth and gentle breezes perfect for sending bubbles floating on. That's not too much to ask now is it? I mean, seriously?!?!

looking for...

UPDATE: I won an auction on Ebay for the Southern Living at Home version of this plate! I am so excited because I have already thought of a million things I can do with it - oh, and it was way cheaper than the one shown below!!!!


The Write Plate:

I am on the lookout for a plate like the one above from The Write Plate. You can weave the ribbon through the slots on the outside and write messages on the inside. Anyone have any ideas? Southern Living used to have one, but it is now discontinued. I've found it on ebay...but it is still kind of pricey! Any help you have would be greatly appreciated!!!

piggy tail love

Yesterday was a big day in our house because Lauren Avery wore her very first set of piggy tails!!! I decided that it was time to try it so after her bath I took her to my bathroom and set her on the sink so she could see herself in the mirror. She watched me make each piggy tail and just smiled at herself in the mirror. It might sound silly, but it was a moment I will cherish in my heart forever.



I was so proud of her because she didn't try to take them out one time all evening. And because she looked absolutely adorable!!! How in the world did we go from almost no hair to piggy tails?


Lauren, I love you. I love your piggy tails. I love your sweet spirit and your silliness. I am thrilled that we have many more girlie moments ahead of us. Oh the trouble we could get into!

i'm sorry, are you sure that's right?

So, yesterday at the doctor's office I got weighed. I was pretty out of it, but not so much that I didn't catch sound of a lot of extra pounds rolling off of the nurse's lips. What? Seriously? Last March was the last time I saw a doctor. At that time I weighed 10 pounds less than I do now. I have gained 10 pounds in one year. I'd be lying if I said that realization didn't really bother me.

Here is how I gained weight:
~I quit nursing, and kept eating like I was
~I took up a mad obsession with Coca Cola
~I stopped exercising
~I took up snacking while watching TV in the evenings (popcorn, pickles, cake, etc)

Here is how I plan on taking it off:
~Stop snacking on unhealthy "stuff"
~Quit the Coke
~Exercise
~No snacks/food after 7 pm

Can I do it? I don't know. I have like no will power so this should be interesting!