Amelia needs a haircut. I've trimmed her bangs, but we haven't cut the back at all. I don't want her to lose the curls. They're so cute. But I think she may have my hair and those will be the only curls she ever has. I am way more conflicted about this than I thought I would be. I think it's that it makes her officially a kid and not a baby any more. I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I know she's already way more kid than baby, but this feels like the dividing line.
Actually potty training will be the dividing line. Because of class sizes, she will probably be in her current classroom until at least June. None of the kids in there are potty trained. In the next classroom up they start with potty training. There's no point for us to do it unless she's doing it at school too. She mentions going potty, likes to watch me go and gives me directions, checks to make sure I don't have a dirty diaper, and can tell you that Teddy goes potty outside and where that comes from. She does have a small potty in her bathroom, but she's kind of afraid of it and won't sit on it. So, we've still got some time on that one.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Amelia in 2011
Ok, the first two were technically in 2010 at Christmas, but i think they're so cute I wanted to post them again.
Amelia having tea with Boo Boo Bear in Florida.
The birthday girl! Right before she twirled herself right off the couch.
With Daddy at her birthday party.
With her cousin Erik hunting for Easter eggs. Rosie the dog is waiting to eat all the jelly beans they spilled in the yard. I realized over Christmas that I will feel like I've been in DC forever when Rosie passes away. Elin and Mike got her as a puppy just as I started college.
Feeding herself lunch.
Smiling for the camera.
Waving to Daddy while he was on a business trip.
Please let Teddy and I out to play in the front yard.
Mother's Day
Professional photo taken while at Camp Grandma and Grandpa.
Swings at the Roger Williams Zoo in RI
Running in the sprinklers while wearing her tutu.
First day at preschool.
Practicing for the Hawaii flight.
Checking out the view in Hawaii.
With Uncle Will after lunch.
Proof that she actually can sit still for 2 minutes.
Checking out the beach.
Hi, have I mentioned that I love the beach?
With Daddy at Salt Pond Beach
With family at Bunny and Pete's "Engagement" Party.
Totally exhausted after all the fun in Hawaii and California.
Totally exhausted after all the fun in Hawaii and California.
Reunited with her best friend.
First pigtails!
What happens when you treat ice cream as finger food.
Hurricane Amelia takes out her barn.
First Margarita, or at least water from the glass after Mommy finished.
Lunatic Fringe.
Sick with Daddy.
Pretending to be Abby Caddaby.
Cheering for Stanford.
Amelia Bear.
Twirling in the park.
Swinging at the local park.
Sleepover with Teddy.
Curling up on the chair. She has taken to sleeping there occasionally. For the record she likes the picture Bible because of all the bright pictures.
Clapping for herself.
Ready for the cold.
I can't believe how much she's grown in the past year. She already thinks she's two (when asked her age she will answer two because she wants to be in the older classroom at school.) I mean look and listen to our little girl. She's definitely not a baby anymore. Happy 2012!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
A Year In The Life
So, I am stealing this from Jen, who stole it from someone else, but I think it's an interesting exercise.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
So many things, but the biggest has to be selling the old house. That was harder emotionally than I thought it would be. But it went to a cute couple who should have had their twin boys by now, so I wish them patience.
Also, I watched Teddy eat Amelia's fingernail clippings, which was not on my bucket list.
2. Did you [live up to] your New Year’s [word], and will you [select another] for next year?
I didn't set out with a word for New Year's, but if I had to choose one it probably would have been patience. This year was a bit like Chinese water torture. Nothing too big at once, but enough little things to drive you mad. My word for next year is going to be Grace. I struggle with it daily in different forms, but I'd like to be better at it. And I don't mean graceful. I've given up on ever being that.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I had a cousin and a cousin's wife both give birth to baby boys. I am honored and excited to be the godmother to Alex.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
For the first time in too many years there were no deaths in our families. I'm hoping for a repeat in 2012, but I'm not holding my breath.
5. What places did you visit?
In order, Miami, Daytona Beach, Las Vegas, San Francisco (about 7 times), LA, Dallas, Chicago, Rhode Island, Kauai, St. Louis, Philly, scenic Dublin, OH, and Chicago. I considered renting an apartment in SF I was there so much, but almost every time I was on the ground less than 24 hours, and once less than 12 hours.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A fully unpacked house and a potty trained toddler. And a vacation for just Matt and I.
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 8, Amelia's first birthday, self-explanatory. September 18, the day we woke up in the new house. And August 26 because my sister got married and I got to see it. I still don't quite that believe that one.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
While I'm sure that most of Amelia is still nature, she amazes me with what she knows and can articulate. The fact that she's still alive (she has no sense of self-preservation) and thriving is nothing short of a miracle.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Work/life balance. I've been given great opportunities, but they have sucked up valuable time with family. I think this hit rock bottom when I couldn't find my car in the parking garage at Dulles because I had parked there so many times in the month prior. I had to set off my car alarm to find it.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
For the first ten months I did pretty well. Then I had an ovarian cyst removed, came down with what I thought was food poisoning but turned out to be a virus that I passed to Matt, then we both came down with the sinus infection from hell. I think we're good with the illness for right now.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Aside from the house, I would say the iPad. It's great for Amelia, but Matt and I have gotten great use out of it as well. And Amelia having her own seat on the Hawaii trip.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Matt. He doesn't get the credit he deserves for helping to raise Amelia and on top of that he deals with me. I love him and I don't know how he handles everything that he does. Plus, he gets up with Amelia in the morning. That alone makes him husband of the year.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Anyone remotely related to the Tea Party. I mean, come on. Grow up and learn to share the pain.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The Money Pit we call home. We knew that almost all of it was coming, we just didn't think it would all come this year. Also, diapers. See - potty trained toddler as goal for the year.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Decorating the new house for Christmas. I even did a couple of DIY projects to complete the house.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Baby Beluga and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I hate that whale.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
More time alone with Matt, more time with friends, more patience with Amelia and myself.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worry and work.
20. How did you spend Christmas in 2011?
At the new house and with Matt's parents. And sick in bed.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
With Matt, Amelia and life all over again.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
It was Holmes Report, then we moved into the new house and now it's Property Brothers.
23. What did you do for your birthday in 2011?
Drove a convertible from Miami to Daytona Beach. Got to have the top down for over an hour.
24. What was the best book you read?
Hooray For Fish. It helped inspire Amelia's room. I know I read The Help, and I liked it, but other than that there wasn't brain space for anything longer than a magazine article.
25. What did you want and get?
A permanent home. I haven't had that since I graduated high school and it feels so good to know that this is a forever house. I loved our old house, but always knew it wasn't forever. This is forever, or at least as long as I can see into the future.
Related, I have now jinxed us and we will be moving to Bentonville next month.
26. What did you want and not get?
More patience. I love Amelia and I love that she's the smartest baby I've ever met, but that comes with it's own set of challenges. All I can say is that I'm exhausted and I will never be a pre-school teacher.
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
Bridesmaids.
28. Did you make some new friends this year?
A few, but more deepened existing friendships and rediscovered some family.
29.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time alone with Matt when we're both awake, healthy and rested.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Dog hair covered jeans with cardigan.
31. What kept you sane?
God bless the pharmaceutical industry.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Elizabeth Warren
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Planned Parenthood attacks.
34. Who did you miss?
I found myself thinking about my grandparents, all of them, and missing them more than I have in the past. I think it's part of the generational shift from being the grandchild to the child/parent.
I've also missed my friends, even those who haven't moved across the country, because I haven't had the time to see them.
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
It's about the journey not the destination. Let the little things go and enjoy the moment. I learned it multiple times, but still working on it.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
So many things, but the biggest has to be selling the old house. That was harder emotionally than I thought it would be. But it went to a cute couple who should have had their twin boys by now, so I wish them patience.
Also, I watched Teddy eat Amelia's fingernail clippings, which was not on my bucket list.
2. Did you [live up to] your New Year’s [word], and will you [select another] for next year?
I didn't set out with a word for New Year's, but if I had to choose one it probably would have been patience. This year was a bit like Chinese water torture. Nothing too big at once, but enough little things to drive you mad. My word for next year is going to be Grace. I struggle with it daily in different forms, but I'd like to be better at it. And I don't mean graceful. I've given up on ever being that.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I had a cousin and a cousin's wife both give birth to baby boys. I am honored and excited to be the godmother to Alex.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
For the first time in too many years there were no deaths in our families. I'm hoping for a repeat in 2012, but I'm not holding my breath.
5. What places did you visit?
In order, Miami, Daytona Beach, Las Vegas, San Francisco (about 7 times), LA, Dallas, Chicago, Rhode Island, Kauai, St. Louis, Philly, scenic Dublin, OH, and Chicago. I considered renting an apartment in SF I was there so much, but almost every time I was on the ground less than 24 hours, and once less than 12 hours.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A fully unpacked house and a potty trained toddler. And a vacation for just Matt and I.
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 8, Amelia's first birthday, self-explanatory. September 18, the day we woke up in the new house. And August 26 because my sister got married and I got to see it. I still don't quite that believe that one.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
While I'm sure that most of Amelia is still nature, she amazes me with what she knows and can articulate. The fact that she's still alive (she has no sense of self-preservation) and thriving is nothing short of a miracle.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Work/life balance. I've been given great opportunities, but they have sucked up valuable time with family. I think this hit rock bottom when I couldn't find my car in the parking garage at Dulles because I had parked there so many times in the month prior. I had to set off my car alarm to find it.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
For the first ten months I did pretty well. Then I had an ovarian cyst removed, came down with what I thought was food poisoning but turned out to be a virus that I passed to Matt, then we both came down with the sinus infection from hell. I think we're good with the illness for right now.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Aside from the house, I would say the iPad. It's great for Amelia, but Matt and I have gotten great use out of it as well. And Amelia having her own seat on the Hawaii trip.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Matt. He doesn't get the credit he deserves for helping to raise Amelia and on top of that he deals with me. I love him and I don't know how he handles everything that he does. Plus, he gets up with Amelia in the morning. That alone makes him husband of the year.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Anyone remotely related to the Tea Party. I mean, come on. Grow up and learn to share the pain.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The Money Pit we call home. We knew that almost all of it was coming, we just didn't think it would all come this year. Also, diapers. See - potty trained toddler as goal for the year.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Decorating the new house for Christmas. I even did a couple of DIY projects to complete the house.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Baby Beluga and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I hate that whale.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier, and more importantly, more at peace
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner. Seriously, hurricane child will magically drop pounds. Everyone who babysits needs a nap, a drink or both afterwards.
c) richer or poorer? Richer in whole, but it's hard when you see the number of repairmen who come through here. First world problems to the extreme.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?More time alone with Matt, more time with friends, more patience with Amelia and myself.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worry and work.
20. How did you spend Christmas in 2011?
At the new house and with Matt's parents. And sick in bed.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
With Matt, Amelia and life all over again.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
It was Holmes Report, then we moved into the new house and now it's Property Brothers.
23. What did you do for your birthday in 2011?
Drove a convertible from Miami to Daytona Beach. Got to have the top down for over an hour.
24. What was the best book you read?
Hooray For Fish. It helped inspire Amelia's room. I know I read The Help, and I liked it, but other than that there wasn't brain space for anything longer than a magazine article.
25. What did you want and get?
A permanent home. I haven't had that since I graduated high school and it feels so good to know that this is a forever house. I loved our old house, but always knew it wasn't forever. This is forever, or at least as long as I can see into the future.
Related, I have now jinxed us and we will be moving to Bentonville next month.
26. What did you want and not get?
More patience. I love Amelia and I love that she's the smartest baby I've ever met, but that comes with it's own set of challenges. All I can say is that I'm exhausted and I will never be a pre-school teacher.
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
Bridesmaids.
28. Did you make some new friends this year?
A few, but more deepened existing friendships and rediscovered some family.
29.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time alone with Matt when we're both awake, healthy and rested.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Dog hair covered jeans with cardigan.
31. What kept you sane?
God bless the pharmaceutical industry.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Elizabeth Warren
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Planned Parenthood attacks.
34. Who did you miss?
I found myself thinking about my grandparents, all of them, and missing them more than I have in the past. I think it's part of the generational shift from being the grandchild to the child/parent.
I've also missed my friends, even those who haven't moved across the country, because I haven't had the time to see them.
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
It's about the journey not the destination. Let the little things go and enjoy the moment. I learned it multiple times, but still working on it.
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