Fun Fact of the Day

Well there has been much I could have written about lately, but if I don't get it out shortly after thinking it up it most likely won't happen . . .

So a couple fun facts for today:

Miriam, who three months ago HATED being upside down spent a good 15 minutes begging mommy to flip her upside down over mommy's shoulder over and over and OVER again. Loved it.

Understands "up" and "down." If she's in the mood she will even stand up and bend down when I say up and down. We've also added the word "down" to our vocabulary.

Discovered that - I've got this great pointer finger and whoa! it fits up my NOSE!
(Insert Mommy's sigh here)

Approaching 2009

So I was looking at this post (Approaching 2008) and trying to think ahead to 2009 which is going to be hitting us very soon. So here are some highlights of 2008.

Miriam's baby blessing, the most family we've had together since our wedding

2 visits to Oregon, one in March and one in August. So much fun visiting with my Dad and Dede and Tana and watching them enjoy Miriam. We also saw Miriam's great-grandma Cox both times.

Bill graduates after a few setbacks in April (although the degree technically says March). We go to the graduation ceremony in June, which is loads of fun.

Miriam's first fourth of July, which we spent with the Kearns, is worth mentioning. It was a crazy evening in a (slightly dangerous) park packed with people and fireworks.

In July, we received a tentative offer for a term position with the Army Crime Lab across the country. We don't get any other offers and decide to take it.

In September Miriam learns to crawl and walk within a week of each other.

By October, the official offer comes and (we still don't have any other offers) we make the big move. Boo for missing all of my family and friends. Yay for a 3 bedroom apartment, dishwasher, washer and dryer, 2 bathrooms, a fitness center, and Wal-Mart 5 minutes away!

Did I mention that our niece was born THE DAY we flew out of Washington? Bummer.

November - Miriam turns one!

Mom is NOT back at her pre-baby weight but she is at a pretty happy weight. More on becoming a WW leader later . . .

Bill's mom has bone cancer and has a big surgery in December. She's still recovering and it's a long road ahead but we're making progress.

Thanksgiving and Christmas that were more fun then I had dared hope for.

Looking ahead to 2009

Hmmmm . . .

Paying off our move - hopefully by 2010. This is only a slight exaggeration.

Besides that I don't have many expectations this coming year. I hope that we can visit Washington in May/June - there is a lot going on - graduations, birthdays, SCA 30th year, friends . . . but we'll see. We'll just take it each day as it comes. A little different then my list of hopes for last year. I've still got goals and all that (Did you know Georgia State has a masters program in Nutrition? This can't be a coincidence.), but I have less concrete ideas about what is coming. More German? A masters degree class in the fall? A trip to Orlando? Louisiana? Washington DC? A possible deployment? I dunno really, but it'll be great and it'll be ours.

Loving the Season

I am finding myself really thrilled with my 13(1/2) month old. I never thought it was possible, but this is really my favorite age so far. I wasn't sure if I would feel happy about any age after the walking began - which was quite an adjustment for me. But Miriam is (mostly) easygoing and has so much personality and loves to learn, explore, and play. I think it is just great. My improved attituded may have something to do with the fact that after a year of getting up at least once a night, I NOW GET REGULAR SLEEP. I am a bear without sleep, so I am verygrateful. Most of the time Miriam doesn't even cry when we leave the room anymore. We do our bedtime (or naptime) routine and don't even have to stay in the room for her to drift off. Wow.

This Christmas I found myself revelling in the season like never before. It went by too fast. I didn't get to enjoy enough lights, treats, carols, or parties. I still haven't cut our paper snowflakes and actually ran out of time Christmas Eve to read Miriam her nativity story book. Christmas was great, she helped us tear open presents this year and took an interest in everything. We had dinner with the family of one of the guys Bill is working with. Miriam got to enjoy their animals and their tree. Shortly before we left I found she cut a new tooth (she really teeths pretty well). So that was our Christmas.

Look Who's Been Good . . .

Santa Claus came to our town! This is Miriam getting ready to go. Having fun with another toddler on the way home (all of a sudden she LOVES running around with other kids, squeeling), and sitting with Santa. She even got a present already!

The Great Santa Debate

Disclaimer: No children under the age of 10 should be reading this post.

I'm not sure why it has been on my mind but I've been thinking about the whole whether or not to tell your children about Santa question.

I remember my older step-siblings ruining the surprise for me. But I don't remember getting all upset or bent out of shape at my parents about it. Still, for some children - I imagine it can be heartbreaking to find out . . . well . . . what's really going down.

For those of us that are Christian. We're supposed to be focusing on Christ right? Christmas commercialism has gotten way out of hand - like the Wal-Mart working that was trampled the day after Thanksgiving. Very much NOT the spirit of Christmas . . .
So Santa and presents and all that shouldn't take the place of teaching about Christ.

My step-mom put things pretty good though. They had neighbors that didn't let their kids "do" Halloween. Like at all. And she said, Isn't it really about the kids dressing up, getting out and having a good time? This is a kids holiday!

And she's right. Santa and Reindeer are about children and giving and the magic of the season. And we can still teach the importance of Christ and the gifts he gave us. And when they find out who's really putting those surprises under the tree can't we teach about the Santa living in our hearts, the Spirit of Christmas and the importance of giving to others without their knowledge?

I'm not sure if I'm getting my thoughts across here - but I guess what I am trying to say is being Christan and including Santa in your holiday are not mutually exclusive.
We plan on including Santa in our holiday, by the way.

Still, what have you decided to do and how does your family handle this?

A Few of My Favorite Things

Since I can't break out The Sound of Music and watch it right now, I thought I would write a little post. These are my (current) favorite things about Miriam

• She points at lights - on or off - all day. Sample: Wake up, mommy picks me up, point at bedroom lamp. Walk into living room, point at Christmas lights. Get diaper changed, point at bathroom lights. Eat breakfast, point at light, wait for mom to turn it off and on again.
• She "spins" or walks in circles until a bit dizzy
• When I bring clean laundry into the living room to fold she runs up and throws herself on the pile
• Learned how to shake her head "no" - usually "I don't want that/more"
• Jumped off the couch. Climbed up and just jumped. She landed on her feet/legs/bottom and laughed, but hasn't attempted this again, so I'm thinking it didn't feel so good.
• Sticks face in the water in the bath. Still working on the -blow out. Likes when mommy does it. Usually tries to dunk my head in the water.
• Brings me her dolly to hold
• Likes to watch Wii Sport or the Mii channel (for a few minutes)

How did I get here?

Just a quick note to say that I got a new calling at church today.

I am the Enrichment Counselor for Relief Society.

So, sure I thought that was great - when that was what they put forth to me last week as a calling. I'll take "2nd counselor in relief society" over "nursery leader" any day (Until I've actually served in Nursery, maybe then I'll change my mind). We all have favorite callings and callings that frighten us out of our mind right?

It's making me miss my ward back home though. This ward is considerably . . . older, for lack of a better word. They're hoping I bring some energy in I think.

So, let's hear it what was your favorite enrichment activity and what would you want to see as an enrichment activity?

I would have been happy with the Magic Bullet

We had a holiday party with Bill's work today at a really nice hotel in Atlanta. I got to meet more people - including another stay-at-home-mom (husband works in DNA) with a 2 1/2 year old, so hey! maybe another person to get out with!
Miriam was a pretty good girl, but wasn't very interested in the food. She spilled cold water on herself straight away so we had to take off her pants and she ran around in her onesie (I had a spare onesie but of course no PANTS). Everyone thought she was a boy because she pulled off her hair bow and I didn't notice until we were inside so . . . I'm thinking little pigtails are in order.
There was trivia, and a white elephant exchange and a big raffle. There were Target and Best Buy gift cards, a night at the hotel, a digital frame, a Magic Bullet (all of which I was into winning). They actually drew for the big prize of the day first, but saved the ticket in the envelope until the end. Can you believe we actually WON IT? We won!!!! This is now in our possession. We never win - and we won the big prize of the day! Awesome!
This evening we had a nice - all expenses paid - aka, we had a gift card, dinner at Chilis. We came home and watched the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on abcfamily, and put Miss Miriam to bed. Which is when we discovered - her fever is BACK. Fine yesterday. This evening, back to 101. Which leads me to needing to go to WalMart for more Tylenol at 10pm. Not so thrilled about that.

Santas Little Helper

I've been fairly anxious to get rid of some more stuff so I could get out our Christmas decorations and it's finally happened!

Miriam thought it was fun to climb all the boxes (and she succeeded once not in tights - eek!)

Then you see her helping me get out our Christmas stuff. Most of the ornaments are hanging up about the living room window but I don't have a picture of that yet. As you can see putting on the 8 or 9 ornaments I deemed worthy to uphold through Miriam's destruction took a little while to actually GET on the tree

Fevers!

Ah - we've been struggling with some sickness this last week. Last Sunday Miriam got a fever (102.7! The highest she's ever had) which lasted through Monday with a lovely bought of diarrhea. Tuesday we saw the doctor for a regular well child exam, but ended up having 5 shots - so Wednesday we had a fever again. Thursday - Sunday we were fine. Monday she woke up from her nap burning hot, so I went to work cooling her down and by the time I got her temp she was 102.9. So I'm starting to feel a little uneasy. And feeling like a bad mom because I was getting irritated by her clinginess - turns out she just didn't feel well. She slept from 5pm to 6am this morning, only waking up once at midnight for some food.
Today her fever is better, but still 101. Tylenol still helping and she seems much happier. We don't even have diarrhea (yet) but more frequent bowl movements. Still, I am feeling slightly uneasy. Why won't this crazy thing GO AWAY?
Wish I could say it was teething, but this is a higher fever and Miriam has never been a sick teether. Apart from the extra drool and extra chewing you wouldn't even know the teeth are coming in. This tooth that showed up yesterday was a surprise to me!
Somebody comfort me. I've had trouble getting Miriam down for naps today and I KNOW her body needs rest, so I had to leave her alone in her crib. She cries a bit, then plays and (I think) just went to sleep. Last time she only slept for 1/2 hour. I'm hoping for more this time but I also want to check on that fever. I'm feeling like such a meany-head leaving her there and she's sick, yada yada. She DID go to sleep though so maybe it was a good thing? Right? Right?

We're not alone!

Yes, we made a huge move, far away from family and some of our best friends. Funnily enough though we are suddenly close to friends that lived with us in Cheney before we got married 5 years ago. Jenna (and her new hubby Kevin) live 3 hours away. And Brandon lives 7-8 hours away in Daytona Beach. It made for an excellent thanksgiving! And, we're really not alone out here!

Here we are coming together for the first time in years, Jenna and Kevin in back, Bill and Brandon up front

Miriam wondering if dinner is ready yet

Jenna and Miriam

Me with Jenna and Miriam

Our family

Playing with kitty, they were kindred spirits

Happy black friday!

I like to budget?

It's been a little while since I really (needed to) sat down and did a budget for our family. The truth is, I like doing it. It's exactly like how I used to sit down with the various degree programs I was interested in and plan things out. I would look at; what classes I would take, when they were available, which were pre-requisites for other courses, etc. Who needs an advisor right? I would plan everything out, and examine the results ( I was reading a horoscope thing recently that said Leos like to be extremely organized. Can you tell??).

I am perfectly happy sitting down and crunching the numbers myself on a piece of paper, especially since we don't really have investments or anything very difficult for me to deal with at this point. This time though, I knew I wanted to do some things like a debt reduction plan (this move was pricey y'all), and I didn't want to do THAT on a piece of paper. Jenna showed me the budget sheets she uses with excel. So I came home and was was all prepared to find some good excel templates when I remembered this little thing called Microsoft Money.

Now I haven't used Microsoft Money since 2005, when I got all good at it while Bill was in Iraq. But I dusted it off (figure of speech, it's already on my computer) and started a new file for the coming year. Starting today. It was great because I plugged in all my numbers and it keeps track of when all the bills are due, when your paychecks are. It has a cash flow graph, a place for savings goals, AND a debt management plan - all of which I took advantage of. Supposedly, even with all those crazy bill's we have we might actually have some MONEY at the end of 2009 - or so my cash flow tells me.

Good, because we have several other goals. Like paying off those pesky student loans. Or a PlayStation 3 (which I consent to based on it's DVD/Blu-Ray capabilities). Or you know my computer was purchased in 2003, don't you?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night! Yes, I know, wrong holiday, but I'm feeling pretty good as I turn in, so I wanted to pass on the cheer.
We had a very nice holiday here with the Cronins. Jenna, Miriam and I went for a walk in the morning. We played guitar hero during Miriams nap in the afternoon, enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving Day spread, and then went to see Twilight in the evening (without the baby even!).
(*So I thought Twilight was alright, sometimes made you laugh with the lines and the acurateness of high school. The most fun was being together and discussing the highs and lows of the film. I can say, after some trepidation about the actors picked for some of the characters, they did a good job!)
Tomorrow, we are skipping black friday and opting for relaxing. After all, it is already 12:45 here. Yikes! Back to sleep.

Holiday Traditions

The holidays last year were an interesting experience. We had 2 week old (Thanksgiving) and a 6 week old (Christmas), we were lacking on sleep and family. We spent both holidays with the Kearns - which I must say, I wish I was doing again this year :( I am going to miss seeing Joe and Brenda and their children a LOT.
So I can't say walking around in a sleep deprived haze was my favorite way to spend the holidays - notwithstanding our excellent friends.
This year, having moved across the country, we are still short on family, but I am skipping out on the sleep deprivation and trading it for the 'very active toddler' phase. I don't have to get through the holidays to know which one I prefer.
We will be spending Thanksgiving with my friend Jenna and her husband and in-laws. A new experience to be sure, but I am going to try to make it as good as can be. It will be great to be with Jenna and Kevin.
Christmas, I encouraged anyone to come to Georgia that could, which most people treated as a "haha, very funny" invitation. I wasn't joking, but I wasn't expecting much either. Considering the economy, my dad being in school, my in-laws having a new grandchild in Washington (hard choice eh? Not that anyone bothered to drive the two hours to Cheney for Christmas when we had our daughter but I'm not bitter. REALLY.). Recently we found out my mother-in-law has bone cancer. She is having surgery in December and will be layed up for months to see if the bone graft takes. So we really won't be seeing them. We'll just be hoping for as little pain and as little cancer left as possible.
I'm not sure what exactly happened to our holidays, but it's getting time to make our own traditions take shape I think. Funny how 2300 miles does that to you. We'll really miss seeing all of our friends and family for the holidays . . .in case you were getting the other idea here.

Sleep Chronicles on hold

Well, I think we are finally getting somewhere with sleep. It's still not perfect and it's still not easy, but we finally are back to taking two naps each day AND have had more nights of real sleep in the last few weeks then in the entire last year since she was born.
Tonight, a little while after I put her down, I decided to sit in the rocker near the crib instead of continuing leaning over the crib patting her back (my back can't take it anymore). I just shushed quietly and rocked in the chair and she didn't seem to mind as long as I was there. I thought she was asleep and tiptoed out - she cried for a very little bit - and went to sleep.
Mmm - sleep

I love Innovations

Other names I considered for this post:

Apparently 65mph really means 80mph

It even has a Carters!

Driving through the peach state

This last weekend I went to the big annual WW staff meeting, called Innovations, here in Georgia. It's where we learn about the changes for the coming year to the program. I'm sure I shouldn't say much more than - there are big changes this year and - I think they will be great! Weight Watchers - attend your meeting the week of December 7th.
I am very excited.

I had to drive an hour to get to the meeting, which was the longest distance I've traveled in Georgia so far. It is beautiful out - being autumn and all that. Trees rise up on both sides (kind of like driving on the West side of Washington) and burst into different fall colors. I also discovered we live not 20 minutes from an outlet mall. Cool!

I must say that driving in the peach state, has some quirkyness. I did not pass a speed limit sign until 5 miles after I got on the freeway. AFTER I had driven through a work zone (with signs all over saying 'workzone ahead, fines double') and AFTER I had passed the two police officers with a radar. Luckily was only going 5 miles over the speed limit. Everyone drove 15-20 miles per hour over what the speed limit sign said on the freeway. Other interesting tidbits? You have to have your wits about you because not only is there a Mt. Zion Road but also a Mt. Zion Parkway, Mt. Zion Boulevard, and a Mt. Zion Circle. At intersections one way is such and such a road and the other way is an entirely different road.

So there you have it. The roads are crazy, the people in cars make me nervous, and it's beautiful as can be here.

Oh and something I learned in this last week? I had NO IDEA it got THIS COLD in Georgia. No kidding. I actually had to put on a real jacket. Several days in a row.

Sleep Sack

Continuing on the sleep series I had going (with hopefully very few entrys left . . . unless we have another baby). . . . it's gotten cold in Georgia. I didn't know it GOT this cold in the south. Monday night Miriam woke up three times. It seemed chilly in her room (and you all know about keeping a blanket on a kid). So Tuesday, after my workout, I made a run to Babies R' Us (appox. 7 minutes away you know) to see if they had sleep sacks for one year olds. Did you know Halo makes sleep sacks for toddlers now? I mean, up to 5 years of age. I'm trying to picture stuffing my five year old into one and . . . it's not looking very clear.
I took my chances and put the sleep sack on, even though she was all ready in bed, and what do you know . . . she slept 11 hours straight. I never heard her get up and put herself back down or anything! So we'll see if it was just a fluke or if my poor child was really just COLD. (That's not the only thing of course, she's been doing really well sleeping, but that was the most recent adventure.)

One Year Ago

Couldn't resist sharing these pictures from Miriam's first month.

Brisingr

**SPOILER ALERT****SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT

You can't say I didn't warn you. Again, if you ever plan on reading Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr (and yet unnamed book) you shouldn't read this post.
I'm not really a book review kind of person . . . but the end of this book really sucked me in, and I had to say something about it! I haven't picked up my other book (book 2 in the Dark is Rising) since I finished Brisingr and I'm not exactly sure why that is (except for some WW stuff that will be mentioned in a future post).
Brisingr is my favorite of the 3 books mentioned above. We had less dealing with "whiny lovestruck Eragon" who manifested himself every time he was around Arya in Eldest. One of the best things about Brisingr was dealing with a more mature Eragon.
I have to skip to the end though . . . the part that I keep returning to in my 'waking dreams'
I was glad to see Oromis and Glaedr again. I actually had no idea how attached to them I was until Eragon returned from making 'Brisingr' and they (meaning Oromis and Glaedr) were ready to ride into battle. As the pairs parted ways I had a SAD feeling . . . which as you know turned out to be justified!
Also, I felt very awed by the Eldunari that Glaedr gifted to Saphira and Eragon, just as the characters did. I'm really wondering HOW exactly Galbatorix will be defeated having enslaved so many . . . and I think Glaedr must still be a very important part of the story.
I don't have much more to say. I cried for Oromis and Glaedr and mourned that they couldn't take Murtagh and Thorn with them . . . unless that means there might still be salvation for the two.
Hurry up Paolini!

Miriam Fest

I have to continue with a few more things about My one year old
She likes to dance
She likes to stomp on things
She likes to kick her new beach ball
She likes to play in the bathroom mirror
She likes to blow (taught her that for the candle, but you'll see the result below)
She likes to nod her head yes
She likes asparagus, onions and peppers
In case anyone wasn't sure that Miriam is Bill's child, she is IN LOVE with DAIRY

Miriam's birthday was nice. We got cards from our family and had dinner at a new friends house from our ward. They made yummy steak, we opened presents and had cake. Miriam doesn't think much of cake, but she does like whipped cream and frosting. They had a 20 month old who was very interested in Miriam's new toys but more than willing to share his playroom so . . .
Oh and a dog. Which as we know, is Miriam's favorite animal on the planet.
Here are some pictures from the few days surrounding her birthday. There are a ton, but I thought I might as well document the occasion.

Getting ready . ..

It's story time!
Playing with pretty bow

Playing with new beach ball

Helping mom with the once folded clothes

Uh-oh - these come off

What kind of book is this mom?

Opening our presents

What am I supposed to do with that thing?

Graham and Miriam checking it out

Miri trying out the popper

Swingin and smilin

Blowing out our candle (can you see her trying it?)

Nevermind.. this is easier. Hehe. Freaked everyone out a little

Barely touching that cake

Happy Birthday little one!

My cutie

Mmm-Spaghetti

Couldn't resist this picture of her tolerating a headband for maybe even one whole minute!

Umm . . . mom? I think we should have a talk about this whole 'no candy' policy