Lazy Sunday

We're having a lovely Sunday all alone. No t.v. (a perk of Daddy being gone), just Christmas music, some reading, the crossword puzzle, and lots of fun playing with my girls. It's a beautiful fall day today... not too cold, not too warm, just a slight breeze, and lots of sun.
Today is like the feeling you got as a kid on a Sunday morning. You just got back from church, had the brisk walk from the car to the house, changed into comfy clothes, have some hot chocolate and read the funnies while Mom is doing the crossword and Dad is reading the paper and watching some horrible black and white western on t.v. Maybe you'll start doing some holiday decorating today, maybe you'll go for a Sunday drive, maybe you'll take one last spin on your bike before putting it away for the year, or maybe you'll just nap on the couch and enjoy a lazy Sunday. (Smile and sigh).

Lesson learned

With Duane being gone, I thought it would be a good time to get a few beauty things out of the way. So this morning I got out the wax and warmed it up in the microwave, ready to do my eyebrows. I was extremely careful (moreso than usual for some reason) because I've been badly burned by the wax before when it got too hot. So I very carefully stirred it up, took it to the bathroom, and put it far back on the counter so tootsie couldn't reach up and get it. I looked up to brush my eyebrows quick and I hear, "OOH! What's dat?" SHIT!! I look down and she has her WHOLE hand in the tub of wax. I guess she's taller than I though... that dang kid!!! So I quickly picked her up and put her hand under cold water to harden the wax and get it off her fingers. Expecting horrible screams from my badly burned daughter, I was surprised to hear her giggle instead. The wax came off with no problem and there were no burns. HUH? Thanks God... and I'll try to be more careful in the future.
This just goes to show that what you focus on and put out into the Universe, the Universe brings right on back to you. No more blogs on mommy guilt!! Cuz I focused, and it came!!!!!!
Hey Universe, I've got a healthy and happy family (focus, focus, focus)... and ten million dollars will come in the mail in one week!! (Hey, it doesn't hurt to try).

Daddy's girl

This video needs little explanation. It's just bliss.

Spaghettios

So, most of you know that Danica doesn't usually get food like this. But I figured that Spaghettios are a rite of passage for any kid, so I picked some up. I also figured I'd better document it, so when she's 12 years old and screaming that I never let her do what she wants or have junk food, I can pull this out and show proof that she did indeed have some and she enjoyed it very much!

Mommy guilt

It was a nice chilly fall day today... LOVE that weather! We went out to play and swoosh in the leaves a bit. She is loving her new hat and insisted I take a picture. (Well, not so much insisted as I asked her if we should take a picture and she said okay... but that's close to insisting!)
The old "bucket on the head" game... always a crowd pleaser.

So something happened tonight that is really minor, but still brought up enormous feelings of past and present mommy guilt. And I'd like to know when this is all going to go away.

Dani was playing in her crib and getting herself to sleep tonight and suddenly started crying. It was a bit of a different cry than an "I'm sad" cry. So after a minute Duane went in to see what was up while I cold-heartedly sat on the couch with my glass of wine. He was in there rubbing her tummy for about a minute not noticing anything, then she matter-of-factly says, "stuck." Turns out her foot was stuck in the slats of her crib and was twisted so she couldn't get it out. Duane couldn't get it out either, so he called for backup. We finally got it out without breaking her or the crib, but what did break was my cold rotten heart! Of course my mind goes to the thoughts of what if we hadn't gone in there and just let her "cry it out," what if that happened when a sitter was there and she didn't go in to help, what if that happened (or worse) when we were doing the crying it out phase and she was seriously hurt and crying for an hour while we thought she just didn't want to sleep. And then I start remembering all the things from the past that I still have mommy guilt about and feel even worse. Does this mommy guilt ever go away? Do men have daddy guilt? WILL THIS HAUNT ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE??? I think I'll get another glass of wine.

And so it begins

It's a historic moment for me. I'm introducing Dani to "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at this very moment. She's far less interested than I am, but I do see a slight sparkle in her eye. Maybe there's hope... maybe she's got the Christmas gene after all!!
At any rate, I figured I should show her who Pig Pen is so she can see why we call her that.
Good Grief, Charlie Brown!!

Swooshing

Dressing herself?

Our alone weekend

This is the big perk of being alone for the weekend. Making cookies and getting both beaters all to myself... yum!!

This is what Dani was doing while I was making cookies.

All our flowers are dead for the year (apparently you have to water them or something), but there are two beautiful roses that bloomed for our viewing pleasure.

Not sure what this is. It's been showing up all over the front and back yards and even in the driveway. Any ideas?

Dani loves her nature!

Our pretty trees... and there's Emma by the firepit looking cute as can be!

Dani was so proud of her new orange clogs, so we had to take a picture.

Daddy called and is having a great time in Kansas with Randy. All your girls miss you Daddy!

Pics from Grandma

Poor Grandma got dragged up there quite a bit!

Brushing da teeth!

She like to wear her pants low like a gangsta.

CHEESE!!

Never a dull moment

This is Danica's handywork. She was being a monkey on the chair; standing on it and rocking back and forth with her tummy against the back of the chair. In slow motion the chair went backwards and then over sideways. And not a peep out of her the whole time (she loves that kind of action). When she hit the ground I was sprinting toward her waiting for the cries, and all I got was a, "DOH!" (Homer Simpson style). What a kid. Notice Emma looking on in the top picture. I'd give my pinky toe to know what she's thinking most days. I'm sure it's something like this, "Honestly, what's wrong with these people??" Never have I seen a dog that can make you feel like an idiot with just one "you're a dumbass" look.

We were folding clothes and it turned into a trying on Mommy's undies thing.

She was caught in the act of ripping a page in one of her books today. As soon as she saw me looking scoldingly at her she says, "No ripping paper... YOU HEAR ME??" Now I ask you, how am I supposed to keep a straight face during that?!?!

Warm fuzzies

I love a good naptime day.
After reading "I Love You, Mouse" three times, I told Dani it was time for a snooze. While I picked her up and carried her to the crib, she looked up at me, gave me a gentle smooch on the lips, and said, "Night night sweetie pie."
It only takes a moment to make the whole day worthwhile.

The joys of fall

I just realized that I rarely blog if I don't have any pictures to share. That's so silly since there are things to share all the time! So here goes...
A few days ago we all went out to dinner (which is always an adventure). When we got home we decided (Dani decided) we should play outside a bit. We hardly ever venture outside in the evenings anymore, which is a shame since the weather is beautiful now in the evenings. Dani and I found ourselves in the way back of the yard where all the pretty yellow and brown leaves have fallen. So I took advantage and taught Dani how to swoosh through the leaves. WHAT A SOUND!!!!!! I'm convinced that the sound of dried leaves, the smell of fall, the soft evening light, and the crisp cool air is the ideal portal to back to childhood. I was immediately 6 years old with my mom, walking on Bennett Street. Going back in the house, I half expected a cup of hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows and some of Amma's Special K bars, but I guess I had already gone back through the portal... cuz a dirty diaper and whiny baby brought me back to reality. It was good while it lasted! And the thought of her someday teaching her daughter to swoosh through the leaves left me with some very watery eyes.

Deer

Weekend

Mornings are my favorite time of day!

What a profile!!

Yup, stuck again.

She was loving her new shoes and wanted Mommy to take a picture.

Loved the new gloves as well! It was in the 60's, but she insisted on wearing them outside that day!

SO happy Grandma came to visit!

There are dear back by the pole (hard to see), video to come in the future.

Having fun with Grandma.

Duane and I had lots of fun in Milwaukee, even though it was such a short trip. It sounds like Dani had lots of fun with Grandma while we were gone. When we got back, she definitely let us know how she felt about our absence!! Although it's always hard to be away from our precious girl, it made it much easier knowing she was home with Grandma safe and sound and having a great time. Thanks Mary!

Playhouse

@$&% #@&*

She LOVES to brush her teeth and LOVES to put on Daddy's hat.

Look closely in the playhouse window. Where's Waldo?

She has so much fun in this playhouse, it's impossible to get her to go back inside.

Having fun in her house.

This was an Austin Powers moment. She somehow got the car stuck between the couch and the coffee table. Forward an inch, backward an inch, forward an inch, backward an inch.

Help?

I've been debating whether or not to tell this story, as I'm afraid what you'll all think of me and my friends. But it's just too funny not to tell. I brought Dani to work with me the other day so I could meet with my manager for a bit. Dani usually plays on her own in the playroom while we work, so I wasn't too concerned with her whereabouts. My manager Cheryl, the office manager Brianna, and I were just chatting about random things. Somehow the conversation got around to a subject we probably shouldn't have been talking about at work. Cheryl was telling of a friend of hers that does something disgusting with her husband (you'll catch on in a minute). She said, "Ya, I told my friend that her husband is gonna get a ---- ----." Dani must have been right outside the door, because she came in, looked at us, and said very matter-of-factly, "POOP DICK!" I nearly vomited from laughter. I guess it's time to censor the conversations.

Party pictures

Watching Barney and rocking away!
Get outta the way, dude!

This is my boss Cheryl, her husband Lance, and their neice Bella.

Dani and Bella hugging (Dani's on the right)

I just put this on to show how darn fast these little ones are. When I started pushing down the button on the camera, they were still hugging. When the picture flashed, Bella was off and running! Either I'm turning into Amma or that's a seriously fast toddler!!

Super Readers!!

Danica has a new favorite cartoon called Super Why. The other night Duane and I were reading her stories, and apparently we weren't exciting enough, cuz she yelled out, "Super Readers to the rescue!!!" That's one of the catch phrases of the show. That's the first time she's ever quoted a t.v. show like that, and it took us about 10 minutes to stop rolling on the floor laughing at her.

We had our party yesterday. It was a lot of fun. A few of the people couldn't make it, so there weren't as many kids there for Dani to play with, but the one that counted was there! Her bestest friend, Bella (you may know her as Bel-la-la). OH BOY was she excited to see Bella! They were awfully cute together playing all day. They even got a few hugs and mooches together! We had a pretty good turnout... about 16 or 17 people came and brought some yummy food and fun games. Dani and I cleaned up this morning and all that's left are a couple more sneaky flies. But I'll get those buggers!!!! How do flies know when you're going to get the fly swatter? That's what I'd like to know. I think we greatly underestimate the brain of a fly.

Random pictures

Our new potty! Dani says, "Wanna go pee?" Not sure who taught her the word pee. I'm trying to change it to "potty," but she's pretty stuck on pee. ??
No training yet... just getting used to the potty and sitting on it with clothes on for now.

Cutie little Emma all cuddled up in the blankie. How can you not love her???

Big D and Little D... reading and brushing teeth.

CHEESE!!!!

Love those piggies!

Dani found the word no. A couple days ago she started trying it out on Daddy. Now everything is a big fat, "NO!!!!" And it's not a nice polite no, it's a screaming in your face no. UGH!!