Getting ready to go out on the ice!
It's kind of blurry, but I think you can still tell it's me.
High heels, a biscuit, and a purse - what more could you ask for?
It's just that she's so stinkin' cute...:)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Picture catchup
Getting ready to go out on the ice!It's kind of blurry, but I think you can still tell it's me.High heels, a biscuit, and a purse - what more could you ask for?It's just that she's so stinkin' cute...:)
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Exciting weekend and a note on my little bully
Well, I know I'm a few days late, but we had a great weekend! We started off early with the Predators game on Thursday night! Woohoo! Not only do I love hockey generally, but this game was especially fun because I got to ride the zamboni after the first period! I have always wanted to do this, and I think I mentioned earlier that my sweet boss gave this opportunity to me as a Christmas gift. So cool (both figuratively and literally :))! Our friends Lynn, Kris, Leslie & Skye got to come along, and of course Addie & Holland were there, too - they kept each other preoccupied by exchanging high-fives :)
Friday was a low-key evening at home, which is always fun (and increasingly few and far between), and Saturday was exciting as I got a new cell phone! I got the LG Venus, which is absolutely awesome - it's like Verizon's wannabe of the iPhone. Well, it's actually the smaller version of the Voyager, which is the true iPhone wannabe :) We also went to dinner with the D'Amicos, and even though it went from being a free night out to a not-so-free night out, a good time was still had by all. Well, until Addie ate a crayon and pitched a huge fit. That wasn't embarrassing at all or anything...we were those people leaving with a screaming child. Nice. :)
Sunday was family fun time as we went to Gran & Pop's to celebrate Pop's birthday and also our cousin Katie's birthday, too! Nearly everyone was there and Addie was a charmer!
In other news: Addie was the cause of her first incident report at school last week. Yikes! Her teacher kept trying to give her a bib, and Addie kept pushing it away. So Ms. Dana gave it to another little girl and turned away to finish getting their lunches ready. When she turned back, Addie was pulling at the bib, which was ON the little girl, and she had pulled the little girl OFF OF HER CHAIR and on to the ground!!!! Oh my goodness! I was MORTIFIED when I heard this. The teacher said she had to try very hard not to start cracking up because Addie is (and I quote) "probably the best child in the whole school and she had just lost it!" I'm glad no one was hurt and I'm glad they thought it was funny (I guess?!?). Ugh. She had to sit in time-out for a little while and has thankfully had no more incident reports since then. Hehehehe.
On the bright side, although Addie's tantrums are increasing, it also seems that her ability to be calmed down is, too! I'm [usually] able to ask her "Can you please stop crying?" or "Can you calm down and be a big girl?" and she'll [again, usually] say "Yeahhhh..." and calm down. I am also getting somewhere with asking her if she wants a time-out. I always used to cringe when I heard other parents say that, but hey, if it helps steer her towards listening to us, I guess we'll do what we gotta do...argh.
Now I need advice - Addie is starting to refuse her nap on the weekends. I know she's not outgrowing them, because she'll usually fall asleep if we go for a drive - which I hate to have to do with a 20-month-old. Any hints???
I'll update with pictures tomorrow!
Friday was a low-key evening at home, which is always fun (and increasingly few and far between), and Saturday was exciting as I got a new cell phone! I got the LG Venus, which is absolutely awesome - it's like Verizon's wannabe of the iPhone. Well, it's actually the smaller version of the Voyager, which is the true iPhone wannabe :) We also went to dinner with the D'Amicos, and even though it went from being a free night out to a not-so-free night out, a good time was still had by all. Well, until Addie ate a crayon and pitched a huge fit. That wasn't embarrassing at all or anything...we were those people leaving with a screaming child. Nice. :)
Sunday was family fun time as we went to Gran & Pop's to celebrate Pop's birthday and also our cousin Katie's birthday, too! Nearly everyone was there and Addie was a charmer!
In other news: Addie was the cause of her first incident report at school last week. Yikes! Her teacher kept trying to give her a bib, and Addie kept pushing it away. So Ms. Dana gave it to another little girl and turned away to finish getting their lunches ready. When she turned back, Addie was pulling at the bib, which was ON the little girl, and she had pulled the little girl OFF OF HER CHAIR and on to the ground!!!! Oh my goodness! I was MORTIFIED when I heard this. The teacher said she had to try very hard not to start cracking up because Addie is (and I quote) "probably the best child in the whole school and she had just lost it!" I'm glad no one was hurt and I'm glad they thought it was funny (I guess?!?). Ugh. She had to sit in time-out for a little while and has thankfully had no more incident reports since then. Hehehehe.
On the bright side, although Addie's tantrums are increasing, it also seems that her ability to be calmed down is, too! I'm [usually] able to ask her "Can you please stop crying?" or "Can you calm down and be a big girl?" and she'll [again, usually] say "Yeahhhh..." and calm down. I am also getting somewhere with asking her if she wants a time-out. I always used to cringe when I heard other parents say that, but hey, if it helps steer her towards listening to us, I guess we'll do what we gotta do...argh.
Now I need advice - Addie is starting to refuse her nap on the weekends. I know she's not outgrowing them, because she'll usually fall asleep if we go for a drive - which I hate to have to do with a 20-month-old. Any hints???
I'll update with pictures tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Addie's a little lighter now...
Well, I'm not sure about that, but she is without adenoids, nonetheless! Her surgery was a success - thanks to everyone for your prayers! We really appreciate them, as always. Dr. Mullins confirmed that she did have fluid in her left ear but no infection. Her right tube had come out on its own, also, and was just hanging out in there! He also said that her adenoids were quite enlarged and that was probably the reason she has been having such a hard time with the constant fluid in her ears. Hopefully without that blockage, and with her new tubes, she'll be good to go! Anyway, she was a real trooper at the surgery center and won the hearts of all the nurses and doctors (duh!). They gave her Vercet to ease the transition from our arms to the nurse's and I hate to admit it, but it was hilarious! She thought her nose was the coolest thing and also thought that "Itsy Bitsy Spider" (which is her favorite song, anyway) was HYSTERICAL! Hehehe. They told us the medicine would make her loopy, but I definitely couldn't have imagined. She was a bit fussy in recovery, but that was understandable. Her mood remained pretty touch-and-go all day Friday, but she didn't seem to be in any pain and was playing pretty well. She enjoyed lots of Jell-O and pudding and keeps asking for it still :) Saturday, she was officially back to normal - we even went to a birthday party for one of her school friends! Olivia turned 2 and we had a blast helping her celebrate. No one could believe how well Addie was already doing after her procedure! Again - thanks so much to everyone who was thinking about us. It was definitely nerve-wracking, but we are glad we had it done. Hopefully this will keep her ears fluid-free from now on!
"Mmm...pudding! And applesauce! And my shirt is stained red from my Jello! Life is good..."
"And now, mashed potatoes! I could get used to this!"
"Mmm...pudding! And applesauce! And my shirt is stained red from my Jello! Life is good..."
"And now, mashed potatoes! I could get used to this!"Tuesday, January 08, 2008
I've been tagged - about books!
Emily tagged me, and I'm procrastinating cleaning the house...
1. One book that changed your life:
The Nursing Mother's Companion - I ordered this from Amazon when Addie was about 3 days old - and don't think I could have made it without it! I've since passed on my copy and think I'll buy one for any new mom who wants to breastfeed.
2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
Too many to name, but I can't get enough of James Patterson's books.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
Ha ha - I will go with Lynn and Angelle on this one: How to Survive on a Desert Island (I'm sure it's out there!). Realistically, probably the Bible. I have never read it all the way through and I'm pretty sure being on a deserted island would be a good time to get to know it better!
4. Two books that made you laugh:
Shopaholic and Cocktails for Three (same author)
5. One book that made you cry:
Cocktails for Three (among other things, it's about a mom going through being overwhelmed by her newborn - I read it when Addie was less than a year old)
6. One book that you wish had been written:
How to Get Out of Law School in Under Ten Years While Having a Small Child and Getting Urges to Have Another One
7. One book that you wish had never been written:
I'm drawing a blank - it seems that most books have served at least some purpose...
8. Two books you’re currently reading:
I just started The Time Traveler's Wife and am reading Constitutional Law: Case Studies
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
Okay, so I'll be honest now and say that I haven't really read my Constitutional Law book. So I'll put that here.
I tag anyone who wants to play!
1. One book that changed your life:
The Nursing Mother's Companion - I ordered this from Amazon when Addie was about 3 days old - and don't think I could have made it without it! I've since passed on my copy and think I'll buy one for any new mom who wants to breastfeed.
2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
Too many to name, but I can't get enough of James Patterson's books.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
Ha ha - I will go with Lynn and Angelle on this one: How to Survive on a Desert Island (I'm sure it's out there!). Realistically, probably the Bible. I have never read it all the way through and I'm pretty sure being on a deserted island would be a good time to get to know it better!
4. Two books that made you laugh:
Shopaholic and Cocktails for Three (same author)
5. One book that made you cry:
Cocktails for Three (among other things, it's about a mom going through being overwhelmed by her newborn - I read it when Addie was less than a year old)
6. One book that you wish had been written:
How to Get Out of Law School in Under Ten Years While Having a Small Child and Getting Urges to Have Another One
7. One book that you wish had never been written:
I'm drawing a blank - it seems that most books have served at least some purpose...
8. Two books you’re currently reading:
I just started The Time Traveler's Wife and am reading Constitutional Law: Case Studies
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
Okay, so I'll be honest now and say that I haven't really read my Constitutional Law book. So I'll put that here.
I tag anyone who wants to play!
Monday, January 07, 2008
Cookies and shapes!
Yesterday when Addie was napping, I made sugar cookie dough. So after dinner, we had fun cutting out cookies! Addie helped us make sure we were using the right shapes...
French Toast Casserole!
For Cindy & Amber, and because it's really too easy and too good not to share! Take note that you have to start this the night before you want to eat it.
From Paula Deen (in a couple of her cookbooks) - no one ever accused me of cooking light! ;)
Praline French Toast Casserole
8 eggs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1/3 cup maple syrup (splurge and get the real thing, trust me!)
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
10 to 12 slices soft bread, 1 inch thick (I use challah or english muffin bread, either of which you can get from Publix)
Topping:
1/2 cup (one stick) butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup maple syrup
2 cups chopped pecans
1. Generously butter a 9x13-inch baking dish (don't be stingy with the butter; of course, Pam works just fine).
2. Mix the eggs, half-and-half, maple syrup, and sugar in a large bowl. Place the bread slices in the baking dish and cover with the egg mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and let soak overnight in the refrigerator.
The next morning:
3. Preheat the oven to 350. Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator.
4. While you're waiting for the oven to preheat, make the topping: Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup and cook for 1 to 2 minutes (I usually do this over medium heat). Stir in the pecans. Pour the mixture over the bread and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Allow to sit for 10 minutes.
Kristen's tip - every time I have made this, it has needed the full 55 minutes. BUT - the top starts to get a little dark after around 45 minutes, so I'd suggest cooking it for 45, then covering it with foil for the last 10 minutes. Enjoy!
From Paula Deen (in a couple of her cookbooks) - no one ever accused me of cooking light! ;)
Praline French Toast Casserole
8 eggs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1/3 cup maple syrup (splurge and get the real thing, trust me!)
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
10 to 12 slices soft bread, 1 inch thick (I use challah or english muffin bread, either of which you can get from Publix)
Topping:
1/2 cup (one stick) butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup maple syrup
2 cups chopped pecans
1. Generously butter a 9x13-inch baking dish (don't be stingy with the butter; of course, Pam works just fine).
2. Mix the eggs, half-and-half, maple syrup, and sugar in a large bowl. Place the bread slices in the baking dish and cover with the egg mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and let soak overnight in the refrigerator.
The next morning:
3. Preheat the oven to 350. Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator.
4. While you're waiting for the oven to preheat, make the topping: Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup and cook for 1 to 2 minutes (I usually do this over medium heat). Stir in the pecans. Pour the mixture over the bread and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Allow to sit for 10 minutes.
Kristen's tip - every time I have made this, it has needed the full 55 minutes. BUT - the top starts to get a little dark after around 45 minutes, so I'd suggest cooking it for 45, then covering it with foil for the last 10 minutes. Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Happy New Year!
Two years in a row that we made it past midnight - woohoo! Actually, in our defense, it's been more years in a row than that, but two years as parents :) We had another great New Year's Eve with Lynn, Kris and Holland, and also our friends Leslie & Skye came over, too! Lynn and Leslie helped me break in my new margarita machine (yes, I'm serious) so that was fun. We also had fun playing Catch Phrase and the Wii. You can tell that we party hard!!! ;)
Lynn, Kris & Holland ended up staying the night, so New Year's Day, we ate french toast casserole and baked brie (Paula Deen, will you cater the rest of my life, please?) and watched FOOTBALL! After nearly giving us all heart attacks, the Vols pulled through and won! Each game, I swear that I'm never watching them play again, but of course I keep going back :)
On another note, Addie's new favorite word is "no." I thought we had gotten lucky and missed this stage, but I guess she decided to do it a little late, because we're in it in full force now! I have to admit that it is pretty cute still. I'm sure I'll be saying differently in a few weeks :) It's adorable because she says it when it's appropriate ("Addie, are you ready for bed?" "No!") and also when it isn't ("Addie, where's the cat?" "No!"). She definitely knows what it means, but I think she thinks it's fun, which is more important than anything else, right?
Also, we have scheduled Addie to get a more permanent (2-3 years) set of tubes for her ears and to also have her adenoids removed. Her ENT doctor believes that it is her adenoids that are swelling and causing her eustachian tubes to be blocked, thus constantly keeping fluid in her ears. She will be having the procedures done next Friday, the 11th. Please keep her in your prayers!
Hope everyone had a great New Year's and that your 2008 is GREAT!
Addie and Hops are really becoming good buddies!
She can find this timer anywhere! This time, she found it on Daddy's work bench.
"TOUCHDOWN VOLS!"
Lynn, Kris & Holland ended up staying the night, so New Year's Day, we ate french toast casserole and baked brie (Paula Deen, will you cater the rest of my life, please?) and watched FOOTBALL! After nearly giving us all heart attacks, the Vols pulled through and won! Each game, I swear that I'm never watching them play again, but of course I keep going back :)
On another note, Addie's new favorite word is "no." I thought we had gotten lucky and missed this stage, but I guess she decided to do it a little late, because we're in it in full force now! I have to admit that it is pretty cute still. I'm sure I'll be saying differently in a few weeks :) It's adorable because she says it when it's appropriate ("Addie, are you ready for bed?" "No!") and also when it isn't ("Addie, where's the cat?" "No!"). She definitely knows what it means, but I think she thinks it's fun, which is more important than anything else, right?
Also, we have scheduled Addie to get a more permanent (2-3 years) set of tubes for her ears and to also have her adenoids removed. Her ENT doctor believes that it is her adenoids that are swelling and causing her eustachian tubes to be blocked, thus constantly keeping fluid in her ears. She will be having the procedures done next Friday, the 11th. Please keep her in your prayers!
Hope everyone had a great New Year's and that your 2008 is GREAT!
Addie and Hops are really becoming good buddies!
She can find this timer anywhere! This time, she found it on Daddy's work bench.
"TOUCHDOWN VOLS!"
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