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We went out to dinner tonight and stopped by Karl's office on the way home so that Karl could run up and do something.  Reese wanted to go with him, so he took her along while Mara and I stayed in the car.  This was the conversation on the way home:

 Mommy:  Reese, what did you do today?

Reese: I go with Daddy

Mommy:  Where did you go?

Reese: to Daddy's desk

Mommy:  What did you do there?

Reese:  Daddy give me airplane (he gave her a little stuffed airplane he had at his desk).

Mommy: What does Daddy do for work?

Reese: (silence)

Mommy:  He works on computers.  Do you know what Mommy does for work?

Reese:  Wash laundry!!  

I was looking for "take care of me" or something along those lines.  I guess laundry has become my life's work.  Fantastic.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Outside my window...
The sun is trying to come out.  We're ready for Summer!  I can't wait to get the pool toys out and run around in the sprinkler.

I am thinking...
I really need to get to confession!  I am ashamed to admit that I haven't been since last lent.  Karl and I are going to trade off going this week.    

I am thankful for...
My brother.  He is 33 years old today!  I am thankful that he's married the love of his life and I am looking forward to the day that they give Reese and Mara some more cousins!  :-)  

From the kitchen...
The fridge is empty again.  I am doing a fairly good job of planning meals for a week.  I am going to concentrate on figuring some things out to store in the freezer for those nights when I didn't get anything planned.  Karl has been trying to count points and all of the ready-made frozen items at the store are not very low in calories.  I should find some recipes that freeze well and double them.  This is my dream.

I am wearing...
Khaki shorts and a pink t-shirt.  Still barefoot...plan to stay that way unless we go out somewhere.    

I am creating...
Easter baskets for my girls...or at least a plan in my head for them.  I just ordered some Easter books for the girls and our godchildren.  I am excited to teach Reese about the meaning of Easter, although I know this will include a discussion about death to some extent.  I'm not sure how to approach that.  I am also excited to go to my parents' house and to my grandma's house for Easter egg hunts.  I had so much fun hunting for eggs as a kid.  I am excited to start traditions for my girls, too.

I am going...
To try to take it easy this week.  I have been staying awake way too late and going too many places.  Mara hasn't been sleeping well as a result.  

I am reading...
Still nothing...I am getting more motivated to pick up something so that I can stop being ashamed of this section.

I am hoping...
That Mara sleeps well this week.  She was sleeping through the night for several weeks, but last week she started waking up at least twice a night.  Last night, she finally slept through the night again!

I am hearing...
The crinkling of Mara's teething book and Reese rambling about something.  A minute ago she said, "Baby, you want you passy?"  She then gave her the pacifier.  Mara started chewing on the wrong end and Reese laughed and said, "Baby, you turn it around!"  It's been very sweet to watch them together lately.  No one makes Mara smile like Reese!  

Around the house...
We finally bought some new sheets thanks to the 20% off coupon at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  A few months ago, I dyed our white sheets pink from a red towel.  It was a disaster.  All the bleach in the world and even a color removing aide did nothing but change the sheets from very dark pink to a not-so-dark pink.  After months of sleeping on pink sheets, we finally replaced them with some nice sheets.  So far we think they are pretty comfortable.

One of my favorite things...
Chocolate milk.  It's silly, but I have to have at least a glass every day.  Karl makes it best.  I've craved it since I was first pregnant with Reese and I still crave it.    

A few plans for the rest of the week:
A playdate tomorrow; Taking a friend with a new baby dinner on Wednesday; my moms' group on Thursday; Seeing Seinfeld stand-up on Friday night!  I guess this contradicts my plans about taking it easy this week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
Sisters!

Be sure to visit Peggy for links to more daybooks.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Outside my window...
It is windy!  The weather is supposed to stay warm this week, but the forecast says it will be a rainy and windy week.  Yuk.  We've really been enjoying outside time.  I hope we'll get a chance to have some this week.

I am thinking...
It is almost time to let Mara sleep in her crib.  She is 4 months old today!  She has been sleeping in her swing most nights in our room.  I'm not ready for her to leave.  If I wake up during the night, I like being able to see her and know she is okay.  The girls will be sharing a room, so we'll see how challenging that will be.  I'm concerned that one will wake the other up.  Hopefully it will help them bond a little.    

I am thankful for...
The 31 years I got to spend with my grandma.  She's been gone for over a month now.  In the last week or so several things have happened that I've wanted to tell her and I've reached for my phone before realizing that wasn't possible.  It is just now sinking in that she's gone.  I miss her terribly.  I find comfort knowing that she is with God now and I know she is watching over us.  I am just so sad that my kids will never know her.  

From the kitchen...
The refrigerator is pretty bare right now, so we'll be braving the grocery store today.  I'm planning our deep dish pizza one night, something in the slow cooker tomorrow, and maybe spaghetti sauce for another night.  Karl keeps saying that Reese needs to eat whatever we eat, but it's difficult to plan that.  He and I both like spicy foods and I don't think I could get Reese to eat that.  

I am wearing...
My pajamas still...a purple tank top and my sweatshorts from my senior year in high school!  They say "TR '96!"  I can't believe I still wear them.  The elastic waistband is pretty worn.  

I am creating...
A shopping list.  Does that count for being creative?

I am going...
To keep working on potty-training.  Reese is still doing well, but we have a long way to go.  She tells me when she has to go sometimes, but if she's busy doing something fun, she doesn't want to stop to ask to go.  I'm really looking forward to the day that we only have 1 in diapers.  

I am reading...
Still nothing.  I should concentrate on this area.

I am hoping...
To get the house cleaned up today.  There are many things to do.  Perhaps if both of the girls take a good nap this afternoon, I can get something accomplished.

I am hearing...
Reese saying, "I huff, and I puff, and I blow your house in."  She's really started telling stories and singing songs lately.  I've told her stories and sung songs to her forever...it seems she's been listening.

Around the house...
We're thinking of putting in a laminate floor in the living room and hallway.  There are so many stains in the living room.  I don't think a hardwood floor is best because it 1) is too expensive and 2) requires too much work to keep up.  I just need something that doesn't trap dog hair and is okay to get wet.  It turns out that 2 kids and a dog make messes on the floor!  

One of my favorite things...
My new minivan!  We bought a 2007 Honda Odyssey this weekend.  We traded in my Honda Accord.  I was reluctant to get a minivan and I really loved my Accord, but things were just getting tighter and tighter in the car.  Any time we took a trip, we could barely fit our gear in the car.  One of my biggest complaints with the car was that I didn't have a place to change diapers.  There are instances every week where we are out and changing in the car is necessary.  I like the minivan.  It has lots of fun features (including Reese's favorite...DVD player).  I think we are going to enjoy it for many, many years.  

A few plans for the rest of the week:
A playdate tomorrow; Mara's 4 month check up on Wednesday; and the gym for a "mom and me" playtime on Friday.  We've been going to this gym for a while now and Reese really enjoys it.    

Here are some picture thoughts I am sharing...

The day we brought Mara home

4 months later

Be sure to visit Peggy for links to more daybooks.

We are in full potty training mode with Reese right now.  It is difficult during the day with Mara around.  I can't just drop Mara to run to the bathroom.  Reese still can't manage to get her pants down by herself, so she can't get started on her own.  She's been doing very well the past few days, going at least 3 times a day on the potty.  Just now she was sitting in her booster seat and I wasn't paying attention for a second.  I heard the tell-tale grunts and turned to look at her...

Mommy:  Reese, do you have to go potty?

Reese:  uh huh

Mommy:  Hurry, let's go

Reese:  too late

This whole story would be a lot funnier if you could have seen the look on her face as she said, "too late."  It was hilarious.  Wish us luck!

I'm trying to do a regular weekly blog and love my friend Jenny's format of doing a "daybook."  I have no clue what I'm really doing, so this doesn't look right yet, but hopefully I'll get it soon.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Outside my window...
It is finally beautiful!  I love this time of year.  Reese is really enjoying the ability to play outside.  We bought her a sand/water table for her birthday and she is really enjoying it.  She is old enough now to play outside on her own for 5 or 10 minutes.  I am enjoying the opportunity to get a few things done in the mornings while Mara naps.  I can stay in the kitchen and do dishes, fold laundry, etc and check on Reese every so often while she plays outside.  It is also nice on days like this to leave the door open and let some fresh air in.  

I am thinking...
I love Reese’s naptime.  I do enjoy the sounds of her precious voice while she is awake, but the silence is beautiful.  In the past few weeks it has also been nice to talk to Mara while Reese is sleeping.  Mara and I get very little alone time, so I enjoy the time we do get.  

I am thankful for...
My beautiful girls and my husband.  How blessed am I to be able to stay home with these angels and watch them grow?  Karl does such a great job providing for us and I don’t tell him enough how thankful I am for that.  

From the kitchen...
We have ingredients for a slow cooker recipe for tomorrow night.  I finally have a regular dinner plan for one night a week...Tuesdays.  I tutor on Tuesday evenings, so I make a slow cooker recipe from my Cooking Light cookbook every week on Tuesday.  It is very nice to have dinner taken care of in the morning and if we run an errand and come back, the initial smell of dinner cooking is such a nice smell!

I am wearing...
Jeans, and a green striped shirt.  I am finally wearing most of my pre-pregnancy jeans.  They fit comfortably after I have them on for about an hour.  

I am creating...
Nothing, really.  I just finished painting Reese’s drawing table and did several crafty things for her birthday party.   I am not the craftiest person, so I was quite proud of what I accomplished for her party.  I am taking a break now.

I am going...
To stay home this week.  We are really starting to concentrate on potty-training and I’ve heard and read that I need to be willing to stay home while we work on it.  Reese is wearing pull-ups today and hasn’t had an accident yet.  She is really excited to be a big girl.

I am reading...
Sadly, nothing.  It has been way too long since I read a book.  I have at least 3 Nicholas Sparks books on the bookshelf that I haven’t even picked up.  The only time I have to read is before bed and I fall asleep nearly all the time.

I am hoping...
To get all the laundry done before Karl gets home.  He never makes me feel like I’m not doing a good job as a homemaker, but it is very rare that dinner is ready and things are picked up when he gets home.  I really wish I could get a handle on things so that we could both relax and play with the girls when he gets home.

I am hearing...
Silence from Reese and the extremely pleasant sounds of Mara cooing.  The coos are starting to turn to grunts, though.  She is on her tummy and is getting frustrated that she can’t get over.  She has, however, scooted herself around 90 degrees.

Around the house...
Oh, it’s a mess.  The kitchen table is covered with clean laundry that needs to be put away.  I don’t mind folding it, but I sure don’t like to put it away.  

One of my favorite things...
My new sling.  After trying 2 slings that I didn’t like, I finally bought the Ergo Carrier.   I love it!  It is so easy to get on all by myself and is very comfortable for both mommy and baby.  I successfully completed my first solo grocery shopping trip with both girls today.  We’ve made it a few time for one or two things we needed, but today was a full shopping trip.  With Mara in the sling and Reese in the shopping cart, we made it with very little fussing.  

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Potty-training!  We are hosting my moms’ group this Thursday, so we will be spending the next few days cleaning and getting ready for that.  Karl is considering taking off on Friday to go mini-van shopping...more on that later.   Saturday night, we are keeping 2 of our friends’ little girls (ages 3 and 1).  We will have them for several hours.  It should be fun to have 4 girls ages 3 and under!  

Here are some picture thoughts I am sharing...

From March 2009

My big girl. She loves to put her towel on her head like Mommy. Isn't it amazing how she can wink?

From March 2009

My baby...She's nearly 4 months old!

Be sure to visit Peggy for links to more daybooks.