she made out like a bandit

Plethora of New Pictures

Plethora of Old Pictures

John on his first birthday
me at 1

page in the photo album

close up of me on mom and dad's bed around 1 year old

close up of me on the kitchen table

Dad holding me up in front of the farmhouse

Highlight of This Past Week

She's walking!

We bundled her all up and picked out a tree on Saturday.

Christ-mas

The whole commercialism of Christmas really has me thinking this year. Maybe it started with the story about the worker who was trampled at Walmart on black Friday. That image really disgusts me. What's wrong with people? Then I watched both versions of the Grinch on tv, and even the Grinch can figure it out. I thought I would be more excited this year. Maybe it's because her birthday and Christmas fall so close together. What does she need? Nothing. She would like a new toy or two. I think she'd look cute in a new outfit or two. Maybe it's because I never carry cash anymore, so I have no money to give to the bell ringers. Maybe it would help if I went to mass a Sunday or two. Maybe it's because our financial status is a little overwhelming right now. Maybe it's because we're really busy right now, and we haven't had too many minutes to relax and enjoy this beautiful season. I really do like Christmas. I'm not sure I love it. I'm not sure it's the most wonderful time of the year. I do think it could be better, and that doesn't include more presents. I need to find a way to show Cecilia that Jesus is the reason for the season, not Santa, not the tree or the cookies or the shopping or the hurried opening of all the presents. I need to do some more soul searching and research and one of my chores for next year (while juggling two babies instead of just one) is to find a way to volunteer my time or energy or to somehow spread the Christmas love.

Dinner Conversation

As mentioned in the last post, we are entering the world of sippy cups. The one Cecilia used tonight has Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian on it from The Little Mermaid. On the side it says, "Life is the Bubbles" which I told John is a line from the song Under the Sea. John said he thought I was too into the Little Mermaid and referenced a recent conversation where I said I would name our next girl Ariel, a name he vetoed promptly, just like he vetoes every other name I suggest. He said he had seen Beauty and the Beast in the theatre, which came out in 1991. Let me mention that he was a junior in high school in 1991.

So I ask you this very important question...

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Nearly One

Time for more advice seeking. All sorts of things are supposed to change once she turns one, and I'm wondering how it all works exactly.

Like the formula for example. We are almost out of formula and she is now 11 and a half months. Do we buy more because she's not officially one or do we buy more until she has her one year checkup and the doctor gives his o.k.? If it's ok to switch now, do we do it all at once, or give her formula and milk for a day or two and then straight milk? When she starts getting milk all the time, do I need to pay a whole lot more attention to her fruit and vegetable intake since she might be getting less vitamins and minerals? Is it worth the money for the organic milk? She drinks the formula warm. Do I have to warm up the milk? Is that safe?

Then there's the sippy cup. I think we won't have a problem with that, we have a couple and she does o.k. with them. Melissa said she switched to milk and a sippy cup at the same time. Is this what everyone does? Do you do this on her first birthday or the day after? Also the sippy cups have numbers on them. So far I have bought number 3. Will she graduate to something else in the sippy cup world? I bought an insulated sippy cup, how well do these work?

Then there's all sorts of food she could possibly eat now. She can all of a sudden magically at one eat honey and citrus and egg whites and peanut butter?

More questions about the crib. Can she sleep with a blanket now? What about a stuffed animal or glow worm? When do I put the crib bumper back on?

One last question about the car seat. They suggest if you can to keep the baby facing backwards for as long as possible. Does anyone keep their baby facing backward after they turn one? Anyone suggest a good car seat to purchase? Does everyone buy two; one for the mom's car and one for the dad's car?

I thank you in advance for any and all comments and suggestions.

Friday Night Entertainment

GaZoonTight!

We took over 200 pictures today, trying to get one just right for a Christmas card. I erased over half of them, and narrowed them down to 8 and after much deliberation, we have decided to ...try again later.

This is not going to be on the card in your mailbox, but I do think it's funny.

Bird's Eye View

She Won't Fit in There Forever

My Own Little Kewpie Doll

Music is My Aeroplane

Most of the farmhouse looks lots different now, but this is the red room, and it is so far untouched. I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it that way. Many Thanksgivings were spent in my younger years around this piano, goofing around with Heather and Natalie, making up new lyrics to Over the River and Through the Woods. This year we gathered around and listened to Emily play the viola. I'd be lying if I said it didn't warm my heart.

Here we go again

We had another ultrasound this morning. The baby weighs 8 ounces, and my due date could be anywhere between April 29th and May 5th. The big news is that it's another girl. I guess we're having a Sally and Jill, or Heather and Natalie, or Valerie and Louise. John is imagining feeling even more outnumbered, and I am imagining all the matching outfits. =)