A Resolution Worth Keeping

In 2011, I am only making one resolution...

I resolve to slow my life down and enjoy the precious moments I have with my little kids. I resolve to cherish every spontaneous snuggle, kiss, and "I wuv you, Mommy". I don't want to get so absorbed in the hustle and bustle of life that I miss watching them grow up.

Goodbye 2010, you've been great!

Welcome 2011 and all the amazing experiences you promise!

Christmas 2010 Highlights

• Andy had to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day which stressed me out, but he was able to go to work on Christmas day from 4 am until 7:30 am, come home and do Christmas with the kids and me, go to my parents' house and then go back to work from 4 until 7. Not too shabby.
• Jackson seemed to understand the excitement of Christmas and that Santa comes and gives presents to good boys and girls. He was excited to meet Santa and then called Santa on Molly's toy phone to say "Hello, Santa? Fank you for my presents!" and we didn't even tell him to.
• I made the Christmas tree kid-proof and I'm glad I did since they were very interested in the ornaments. I also didn't put out my Christmas stars this year for fear that making a little 2010 star would make Natalie come early (her birth would mean that I would make a big Natalie 2010 star and the little 2010 star would be null and void).There is a note in the star box that I didn't make a star this year and will need to make a 2010 star next year.
• My favorite thing this year was making a "special project" with the kids for the Grandmas and Grandpas. The kids painted their handprints onto ornaments and then I turned the fingers into snowmen. Jack LOVED helping with this project and the mess wasn't too bad!
• Andy and I decided not to get each other anything because we're cheap...errm frugal... and are planning on buying a new washer and dryer (maybe tonight!).
• Andy's favorite gift = beer making kit. Stacey's favorite gift = weekend away with no kids (after Natalie sleeps well). Jack's favorite gift = remote controlled tractor from Santa. Molly's favorite gift = all Jack's toys. Natalie's favorite gift = Christmas cookies.
• Both kids loved putting stickers on their Advent calendars each day, watching "A Very Monkey Christmas", going to see Christmas lights, wrapping paper, anything penguins, and the special treats they got (M&Ms, popcorn, etc.).

Overall, Christmas was wonderful and magical and exhausting (especially for 35 week preggo Mommy) and we're already looking forward to next year.

On a baby note, Christmas was my unofficial goal, so Natalie is welcome to arrive anytime!

A Letter to my Husband

Dear Andy,

Thank you for being such an amazing father to our kids. As I type, you are in Jack and Molly's room making a "Cave of Darkness" and snuggling and making them giggle uncontrollably. You already told them that you missed them so much this weekend while you worked and asked them what they did today. You let them pick which pajama pants you would wear this evening and you encouraged them to pee pee in the potty. All this shows that you are an awesome daddy who encourages our kids to make their own choices, scolds when they make bad choices, shows them just how loved they are, and brings joy to their lives.

I can't wait to have another little baby with you in six weeks.

I love you.

Me

Cute Stuff the Kids Have Said and Done Lately

Jack...

• "Jackson is all done apple. Put away"and then he put his half-eaten apple back in the apple drawer at my parents' house (I think he was saving it for Uncle Kurt to find)
• "Molly is a pretty princess"
• "Mommy stinky. Mommy needs new diaper" (after I tooted...I blamed it on Natalie)
• at 345 am this morning I hear him jabbering "Jackson watch Birdhouse on the 'puter"
• "How about Mommy/Daddy/Molly/Blue Puppy!" (aka "I'm particularly pleased with you and I would like to give you a little shout out")
• "Arms in the air. All done!" as he and Daddy celebrated getting his flu shot.
• Sitting on the top step of our basement stairs to take his shoes off...just like Papa.

Molly...

• "All done schweepin" (sweeping). "Put away".
• "Noooo" as she laughs and giggles to tease us
• Getting mad at Andy when he put her in time out and she buried her face in the wall and refused to look at him when he went to get her out
• Climbing on my lap and lifting my shirt to give Baby kisses...right on my belly button because that is the mouth, of course.
• When we put Jack to bed, she pipes up from her crib and sings Appletree with us
• Sings the ABCs
• Grabs the dishtowel EVERY time we turn the water on in the kitchen

2 1/2

Today, Jack is 2 1/2 years old.

Today, Jack said "Bob Dylan" much to his father's delight.

Today, Jack almost boxed Molly when she offered him his juice like a boxing trainer offers water.

Today, Jack counted 20 stars.

Today, Jack ate 1 1/2 pieces of garlic toast and lots o' noodles.

Today, Jack told the cable guy that his name is "Puppy Shirt".

Today, Jack waved at me from the front window and met me at the garage door with a big, welcome-home, hug.

Today, my little baby boy seems so big.

Molly's Stats

Molly's 18 Month Stats (Really, they are her 19 month stats because we are too busy to take her to the doctor!):

Weight: 29 1/2 lbs. (95th percentile)
Height: 33 1/4 in. (75th percentile)

She is growing wonderfully and you would never know she was premature. She has really started talking a TON lately. She says a couple sentences and fifty bajillion words. She likes books, music, Jack Jack, food, and trying to jump.

When she got her shot at the doctor, she cried and asked for Jack Jack. I love that!

This s*** is Bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S

I am not the type of mom that likes to buy my kids character clothing. We don't have many things Elmo, or Dora, or Clifford, etc. However, I did pick up a pair of pajamas for Jack at Once Upon a Child with Curious George on them. They are the old man style with a button top and pants and little monkeys all over them.

Jack HEARTS them...BIG TIME! He goes bananas for them. How appropriate.

He calls them "Curiousisis George jammies".

He throws a royal fit when he wakes up wet and he can't wear Curiuosisis George jammies again the next night.

He does little happy dances when we wash Curiousisis George jammies with the promise that he can wear them, tonight.

I would buy him another pair, but I don't want him to be That Kid in preschool who wears his monkey pajamas to class every day. Even though they would be too small by then. And you know he would...

In other news, Molly ripped seven keys off of our laptop keyboard... k, p, m, 2, 3, 7, l. I have no idea what that says about her personality. We're amazed that we found them all. I had visions of taking her to the Emergency room and explaining that we can't find the p. And then we would be digging through her poo, looking for it.

That s*** is bananas.

(My apologies to anyone who doesn't like a good Gwen Stefani reference)

That's all.