Happy Birthday, Miss Liss!

Elisabeth is 2 years old!!! Holy Cow, time escapes no one!  She has become quite a dictator, which I’m trying to somewhat curtail.  “Momma, sit down,” “Momma, come on,” “No want it,”  and of course, “I do it!” 

She is learning the art of negotioation, as well.  For example, she often (daily) does not want to get dressed for pre-school.  While she certainly doesn’t want to wear her clothes, she offers to hold them, as though that is an acceptable alternative.  She received a goldfish as a birthday gift, and she wanted to hold it, desperately, I might add (she is the most dramatic person I’ve ever known).  I explained to her that we don’t hold fish, we look at them, and sometimes we eat them.  Now, she wants to hold the fish, and eat the fish.  “Eat fish?  Eat it, please?” 

Grandpa John, Grandma Alex

Mom and Dad

She LOVED her cake

Watching TV with her babies

 

Happy 2010

Doesn’t it seem like yesterday we were ringing in 2000?  How does time go so quickly.  I don’t like to think about it too much, it makes me sad in a way. 

Liss and I had a great holiday season, and were so happy to have seen so many of you!  I was lucky to have several vacation days to use, and spent them hanging out with family and friends. 

But today we took down our tree, and are putting away decorations.  I’m sure I’ll be dragging them back out for Christmas 2010 before I can blink.  Elisabeth also got a pre-birthday birthday party before we headed back to Indy.  She didn’t know what to think of everyone staring and singing to her!

We went to a kids New Year’s Eve celebration last night downtown, and on the way home, I was talking to Liss about New Year’s resolutions (I’m making a few myself) and I asked her what her’s was.  She said, and I quote, “more cereal bars.”    Oh, to know how the brain of a toddler works:)

I went back and read my post from last New Year.  And I must say I did fairly well.  I definately cleaned house, literally and figuratively.   But now my house seems a little empty, literally and figuratively….maybe that’s where my 2010 resolutions should kick in.

Under construction

Christmas Day

Nana

Cousin Brandy

Sam n Ella

Liss, Ella, Harper, Hazel

I’m (almost) 2!

Perfect hiding spot

You better watch out, you better not cry…

We visited Santa Claus at the Childrens Museum on Saturday…sheer terror ensued.  Poor Santa, I’m not sure who was traumatized more, him or Liss.  We got a super awesome new tree this year, too.  The pics below don’t do it justice.  I have a traditional one in the basement with red and gold decorations, but wanted something smaller and funkier for a change.   Elisabeth likes to walk up to it, turn to me and say, “No touch, Mommy, no touch” as she begins to pull ornaments off.  They are all plastic, for this reason.

Santa needed a kung fu grip to keep her on his lap

Yum

This one scanned really dark…

Liss enjoying “Pum Pie” with Great Gpa

Grandma Elbert’s great grandchildren @ Thanksgiving

And I thought I was the last person to have read Twilight

Our 2009 Tree

 

 

 

Now, I must begin my Christmas shopping this week. 

Silver Lining

So it turns out Elisabeth actually had H1N1 last weekend…how do I know this, now?  Well, Liss made a speedy recovery, by Monday the fever was gone and she was in good spirits, albeit a little tired.  Naturally, I’m running a fever by Monday PM, and continue to into Tuesday.  Getting by on an every-four-hour dose of Motrin, I’m feeling basically better by Wednesday. 

All is well until I wake up Thursday morning with a skyhigh fever (102) plus all symptoms of the flu.  I drag myself into the doctor, and, yup, H1N1.  So two days on the couch later,  Saturday I’m fever free, and almost 10lbs lighter.   Now that, my friends, is the silver lining.  I know, totally twisted, but 10 lbs is 10 lbs in my book.  Not to mention, better to have pig flu this week than next and completely miss out on Thanksgiving yummies and seeing the family.

 

Warning: Political rant about to ensue…I had been trying to get both Liss and I the vaccine for weeks.  However, in IN, most of the vaccines are given away at free clinics during designated hours.  Sounds great, right?  No, for someone like myself, gainfully employed and insured, I don’t have 3-5 hours to go and wait in line for a shot.  But, if you don’t have a job, you have all the free time to wait in line for a ‘free’ vaccine.  Now, if you are willing to take time out of your day, like I was, and go to your doctor and pay for the vaccine, you are SOL, because they don’t have them to give, the state is giving them away at the free clinics.  How about that for government run healthcare….prepare yourself if this health bill passes, it will get a helluva lot worse.  One word…filibuster, repeat, filibuster.

Unders

As a way too ambitious mother, I brought home a package of Elmo underpants, and Liss was thrilled with her “unders,” as she calls them.  She immediately insisted on putting them on, all seven pair at once, over her clothes, naturally:)  She was especially upset that we took them off at bath time and really wanted to sleep in her unders.  My compromise is below.

 We’ve been blessed with two fabulous weekends in a row, weather-wise.  70 and sunny!  November, no way!  We spent so much time with the Moshes’ that Liss even ended up in their bathtub after a long day of playing.  In fact, Elisabeth loves them so much, she actually woke up in the middle of the night recently and asked for YaYa (Sarah).  She seemed a little disappointed to see me! 

Momma’s compromise

Liss hosting a luncheon with friends

Just fit

First OREO

BFF

Aren’t those the cutest buns you’ve ever seen!

I think we fit 6 ponies in her hair

 

 

Unfortunately, we spent the last few days battling a fever and cold.  Liss was pretty much miserable, which was terrible to see.  However, she was super duper cuddly, which I loved.  She would say, “Momma, couch?”  Meaning let’s cuddle on the couch and watch Elmo.  And, if you are almost 2 and have a fever, that is perhaps the best way to spend a Sunday morning. 

BIG photo update

Great Grandpa; Liss spent HOURS in this swing, literally!

Cousing Jed, Liss totally digging her watermelon

Fridge raid in 3 inch heels, why not?

Home from work a little early:)

Well Hello!

Did I mention Liss love Elmo?

I was heading to a costume party, Liss just wanted her helmet and tutu.

Tights a little too big, waiting for trick or treaters!

We’re ready to head out!

Here we go

Trick or Treat, Moshes’!

I thought Liss was a dinosaur, until I saw the wings! Dragon!

With Grandma:)

My lil’ gypsy

 

Pics from the past 2 weeks:  From a last minute trip home, Grandma’s visit, and finally Halloween, naturally!

We’re Back

We’re back, and recovering from a slight case of jet lag.   San Diego was great.  Good food, great company, and wonderful weather.  Aaron got some surfing in, and I got some beach time in.  We stayed in a beach cottage at Camp Pendleton, which was right on the water and had a great beach playground that Elisabeth went nuts over.  72 degrees and sunny everyday, too!  As usual, I didn’t pick up my camera as much as I had intended, but here are a few pics to share:

Beach Playground

Love me some corn on the cob

mmmm

Cold Water!

Beach Baby

Love this one

I’m officially on vacation! Yay!

Alexandra studies for her big exam

I know this is a horrible pic, but usually I’m behind the camera.

Laura, Grandma Alex, Liss, Aunt Alexandra

 

Just a couple pics from last weekend.  I’m now officially off till October 13th:)  We fly out Monday morning….

Photo update of my sweet pea

Let’s see…Liss and I have been enjoying the last days of summer.  Little bit of traveling, lots of hanging around the house/neighborhood.  Tomorrow is Elisabeth’s first day of school!  Kind of:)  She’s starting a day care/pre school program Tues-Thurs.  So tomorrow morning will be interesting.  She loves to play in her pj’s until late morning, and usually throws a fit if I try to get her dressed before 10am.  My goal is to leave the house, Elisabeth fully dressed and fed at 7:20, wish me luck!

I’ve been trying to keep Liss from snacking after 2pm, so she’s got a healthy appetite come dinner.  I actually use the phrase “you’ll ruin your dinner” with her.  Well tonight it worked:  She ate an entire bowl of broccoli, followed by hummus (her favorite flavor is garlic) and then about 1/2 of my salmon.  We’ve been trying to ‘eat clean.’  Which means fewer hot dogs, more fish; fewer cereal bars and more oatmeal; you get the idea…

My mom is visiting, Liss is in heaven.  I get her out of her crib, and all she says is “Nana?  Nana?”  Then proceeds to sprint upstairs and jump in bed with grandma.  Grandma Alex and Aunt Alexandra (Aaron’s mom and sis) are even coming for a visit next weekend!  Elisabeth will eat all of the attention right up:)

Then we’re off to San Diego for a vacation, so likely won’t post until we return…until then:

Hiding: Before

Hiding: After

“Goggles” is a new favorite word

My little beauty

Playing in her dollhouse

Temper tantrum

Cozy and warm on a rainy Sunday morning, watching Thomas

The end of Summer

Buh bye  sweet summer!  See you next year, when we’ll all be a year older and wiser.

Back yard gang: Noah, Sarah, Gabe, Aila, Liss

We spent a lot of time in the sand this summer

This is when I asked everyone to say “cheese,” Liss’s response was this

Love a popsicle