Happy Week!

It is spring break, for me at least! So, I'm home with the Poosh--and we're having a blast! Here's some recent pictures:

#1. Lovin' her new backpack (doesn't seem to understand that she can't sit in her carseat with it on... :)

#2. Is that a doo-rag on her head? A Babushka? Nope. Just her choice of a hat for her "shopping trip".

#3 and #4. Coloring Easter Eggs--messy, but oh so fun!

#5. Swinging. Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. Doesn't matter. LOVES IT!

Fun at the Children's Museum

I Am You and You is Me

So, Vivian thinks her name is You. Don't know why...because we DO call her by her actual name...

Must be the whole, Where are you going? Are you hiding? Did you have a good sleep? Are you wet? Do you want some supper? Well, you get the picture.

So we go through names...dadda, momma, papa (grandpa), ramma (grandma), Elmo...then we say, "What's your name?" To which she promptly replies, "You!"

Silly girl.

'Lil Miss No No

Cute Vivster story:
If you've been around our daughter at all lately, you'll know she is OBSESSED with all things Elmo and Sesame Street related. SO, taking a little advantage of the 20 min. of peace it would provide so we can get something else done, we let her watch 20 min. of one of her ELMO videos each day.

WELL, the past few days, when she gets to a scene she doesn't want to watch or a song she doesn't want to hear, she starts in with, "No, No, No, No" etc., getting progressively louder until we skip ahead to something she wants to see/hear. (She especially dislikes Oscar's "I Love Trash"...which goes on...and on...and on...)

SO, I'm driving home with her today and I hear..."No, No, No, No" coming from the backseat. I look in the rearview and she is pointing to the radio station, basicallt asking/demanding me to switch stations...ya gotta be kidding...

Ach, I don't really prefer Edwin McCain either my dear Viv...

First Haircut!

Vivian's Friends!

Some New Pictures!

The Gronau's came over for some sledding fun at the beginning of January. The kids (and we, as well) had a blast! It was fairly warm out-35 degrees-so we were able to hang outside for awhile without freezing every finger and toe!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

I am told that with a new year is a fresh start...a clean slate...a chance for something better. I suppose that is where everyone gets those insane ideas for new year's resolutions...

Regardless, if you need a fresh start in your life--go for it! There is no better time than right now.

Wishing everyone a blessed 2008, may your family be healthy and your wallets be filled (even if just with pictures of those you love). The best gift is to love and be loved. God Bless!

Santa!

Ho! Ho! Ho! (this is Vivian EVERY time she sees a Santa Claus)

So we took her to see Santa today at Rosedale Center. He was super nice and Vivian loved him. She started out by waving as we walked up to him. Then, "HI!" in her cute little Vivi voice. I wasn't sure how she'd react when I actually put her on Santa's lap, but she seemed to like him! (See picture below) She smiled nicely for the super expensive computer printed picture that parents get sucked into and said, "BYE!" as we were leaving.

What a cutie! She is so much FUN!

Some New Pictures...Enjoy!

Thankful...

I never did getting around to posting new Viv stats, nor did I write a Thanksgiving message...

So, here's the scoop...
Vivian is just a little bit taller (32 3/4 inches) and 24 lbs 5 oz. That puts her in the 90% for height and 70% for weight. She's well into being a toddler now, as more and more of her "baby-ness" goes away with each passing day. Kind of sad for me, but we're enjoying this new stage in her life. She's very much into her baby dolls, little people and animals. Nevermind the dogs and cats, she would much rather mimic sea lions, geese, horses, whales, etc. Crazy girl! She has mastered her peg puzzles and her shape sorter...maybe Santa will have to bring a few more things! :)

As for us,
well...

last year we gave to charity...this year it seems as though we ARE the charity.
We are stressed out, tired of school, in need of our own space, poor (until the danged house sells), and generally taking everything out on each other.

But then, we look at each other with a smile, laugh with our daughter, hug as a family...and we know that we are so blessed. We have each other...and know that because we are strong together, we can get through it all. And that, is truly something to be thankful for.

Keep the true meaning of the holidays in your hearts. Don't get swept up by the commercialization of it all. Take pictures...make memories...love each other...

Need Some Prayers...

...to go out to my Aunt Peggy, her kids, my dad, etc. as my cousin Cherie (who is only 31) passed away this morning. Cause, right now, is not known. If praying is your thing, I know Aunt Peggy could use some right now.

Some Humor as We Start Winter...

Jeff Foxworthy on Minnesota :

If you consider it a sport to get food by drilling through

18 inches of ice and sitting there for days hoping that the food will swim by,

You might live in Minnesota .


If you're proud your state makes the national news 196 nights

each year because International Falls is the coldest spot in the nation,

You might live in Minnesota .


If you don't know the difference between 'borrow' and 'loan',

You might live in Minnesota .



If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through June,

You might live in Minnesota.



If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there,

You might live in Minnesota .



If your dad sleeps in his baseball hat, You might live in Minnesota .



If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time,

You might live in Minnesota .



If you know how to say...Wayzata...Mahtomedi....Cloquet . Edina ...and Shakopee,

You might live in Minnesota .



If you think that ketchup is a little too spicy,

You might live in Minnesota.



You measure distance in hours,

You might live in Minnesota .



You switch from "Heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again,

You might live in Minnesota .



You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow in a blizzard without flinching,

You might live in Minnesota .



You see people wearing hunting clothes to church,

You might live in Minnesota .



You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked,

You might live in Minnesota .



You think the 2 major food groups are fish, and deer meat,

You might live in Minnesota .



You carry jumper cables in your car, and your girlfriend knows how to use them,

You might live in Minnesota .



There are always 17 empty cars running in the parking lot at Mill's Fleet Farm ,

You might live in Minnesota.



You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit,

You might live in Minnesota .



Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow,

You might live in Minnesota .



You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and of course, road construction,

You might live in Minnesota .


If "Down South" to you means Iowa ,

You might live in Minnesota .


You find minus 10 degrees "a little chilly",

You might live in Minnesota .

Quick Pics!

We went to Como Zoo Boo on Sunday when Viv was a Giraffe, then Halloween was Wed. where she was an angel...

Sent from a VERY COOL MOM...

Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Our Little Vikings Fan

And She Weans Herself!

Vivian has no attachments to a nuk, blankie, stuffed animal, etc. The only thing that she relies on is a bottle before bed. We only give her a few ounces of milk, and frankly, we're just as attached to that night-time cuddle routine as she is. I love that time--as I'm reminded to relax, slow down and just plain ENJOY her!

Last week, she pushed away her bottle after only 2-3 ounces and rolled over on me, put her head on my shoulder and promptly fell asleep. 3 nights ago, she didn't want any bottle, 2 nights ago we didn't bother giving her one---and that was it. No more bottle at bedtime! What a big girl!

Only thing is...now mom and dad have to realize that our baby is growing up!

Loves Her Babies...

Such a girly-girl! Our Viv is so sweet and gentle. Her most beloved things right now are her baby dolls. She feeds them, rocks them and puts them down for naps and bed (blanket, nuks and all). Sometimes we have to rock them and burp them too! But, when we do, sometimes she crawls in our laps and pushes the baby away...perhaps to remind us that she is, and always will be, our precious baby girl.

A New Look

Like it?

Thanks, Carol...

Carol posted this on her blog and it was precisely what I needed today. Our life feels like it is spiraling out of control and I really feel like I need to anchor myself to all that is truly important...my family. Problem is, bills still need to get paid, jobs still need to be gotten, homes need to be sold, lives need to move forward....
-----------------------------------------------------------
FROM CAROL:

This was forwarded to me today by a pretty cool mom. I thought it was worth sharing. I'm not usually one to be overtly "churchy" or anything - but I like the underlying message in this one. And hey - I know that most of us are not alone in the work of raising our children - I didn't write it :)

FROM COOL MOM:

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more:
Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:
"To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.

They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake
you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction.

But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.