Thoughts:

Just wanted to jot down a few thoughts running through my head:

• I noticed the girls played at their table today at the same time doing different things for the very first time. Maddie was coloring with chalk on paper and Izzie was doing a puzzle. They usually want to do the same things at the same time.
• Maddie and I have been butting heads all morning. That girl is fiercely independent.
  
• I'm getting ready for my 3rd Christmas party in 4 days. I think that is a record for me. Thankfully my wonderful hubby made me some cookies to bring to the party. He made this recipe 2 years ago a couple of days before the girls were born.
  

Seeing Santa

Maddie and Izzie coloring at the PAMOM Holiday Party


Izzie is airborne!


Maddie


Maddie and Izzie jumping in unison.


Izzie and Maddie's 2009 Santa Photo (the one Mom too, I should get one from the photographer later.)
Okay, so yesterday was my birthday. As far as 30th birthdays go, it was nothing to write home about. In a couple of years when someone says, "so hey, what did you do for your 30th?", I'd like to mumble and say, "It was a night I'd like to forget." Maybe make it sound like I did something crazy or some such. In truth, I went to Chiloso's a little Tex-Mex bistro with my mom, Chris and the girls. That was just so I could do SOMETHING on my birthday. Not to make anyone feel bad. John has a terrible head cold and there is just no way he'd have been able to make it to the fancy diner and movie we had planned with friends. I was only feeling so-so and that's why I thought Chiloso's would be okay, I didn't have the energy to sit through a long dinner. I am sad that I missed out on a fun dinner with friends but perhaps we can reschedule and still have a big dinner sometime soon. I did get many well wishes and they were all very much appreciated!

Today when the girls woke up I got to tell them that we were going to meet Santa! (Santa was going to be at the Annual PAMOM Holiday Party.) Both girls were so excited. All morning they were saying, "Santa! Toys!" I talked to the girls about sitting in Santa's lap and telling him what they wanted him to bring to them on Christmas. I was half worried they were going to want the toys today but that didn't happen. We went and picked up my mom. John was originally going to go but he was still sick so Mom came with instead. I'm glad she went, even though I could have done it alone it's always nice to have a second set of eyes.

When we got there, we decided to do Santa first since the line was short. While we were waiting we told the girls that they were going to sit in Santa's lap and look at all the other kids, etc. The closer we got, the quieter Maddie got. When it was our turn, the water works started. I don't think we got any "happy" pictures. Izzie has a puzzled, "What's wrong with sissy" look and Maddie is just NOT HAPPY. Your typical Santa pic. Mom snapped a few shots, there was a photographer who I think is going to post the shots she took later.

After Santa we went to the bounce house where I think the girls would be happy to live for the rest of their lives. Bouncy Bouncy Bouncy! A bit of coloring and running around the huge gymnasium and they were pooped out. We went for a quick lunch at WhichWich a terrific sandwich store and then home for naps. What a fun filled morning!

Happy Birthday to me From Sammy

I got this in email and thought it was so special. Here is my nephew singing me Happy Birthday!

Snow Day (er... Morning)

Izzie and Maddie reading books in the windowsill.


Izzie and Maddie playing with Playdoh


Maddie and Izzie sorting through colorful cookie cutters.


Izzie and Maddie in looking out at the snow falling. Maddie got ahold of my magazine and was reading the letters.

Today has been COLD! It was supposed to be story time at the library day, but since Izzie's been sick, I didn't want to take them, then when it started raining freezing rain that turned to snow, that sealed the deal. We stayed in our pajamas for a while this morning before heading back upstairs to get dressed. I'm going a bit stir crazy, hopefully we'll have some outside the house activities soon!

Sitting together in a photo

Izzie and Maddie

Izzie and Maddie


Maddie


Izzie


Izzie and Maddie


Izzie and Maddie


Izzie coloring a print out I did of a picture of them in photoshop. I tried making a coloring book page, still need to tweak the process.


Maddie


Turned the fire on today for the first time. Here is Ripley in his favorite spot. He doesn't even care that he's sitting on a pink and purple bean bag chair.

Two Ears Old

This afternoon the girls and I were cuddled up on my oversized comfy red chair and I was talking to them about birthdays. I told them I was going to have a birthday in a few days and everyone would sing Happy Birthday to me. Then I told them that they were going to have a birthday soon too. I said, "You will be Two Years Old!"

Izzie gave me a big smile, grabbed my ears and said, "One, TWO EARS!" Then Maddie tugged on her own ears and said the same thing.

No pictures

John went back to work today after being off for a week. We had a good long holiday. The battery in his car was acting flaky before the holiday and I think sitting for an entire week just about killed it. So this morning when he went to go start his car, dead. He took the van to work instead (taking hostage the caffeine, uh... Dr. Peppers, that were in the back!) I went about a week of no cokes, but that didn't last too long. Anyway, the girls and I were home bound for the day, which actually was fine since I didn't have any plans.

Izzie kept us up a lot of the night last night. She had a stopped up nose and had a hard time breathing. No other symptoms at all. She didn't really even get that fussy except that she kept loosing her paci and would get upset looking for it. I both look forward to and dread the day we try taking the paci away. Originally I thought 2 but as that is rapidly approaching, I'm getting nervous about it. They gave their paci's up for day time use pretty much on their own. I'm crossing my fingers the same will happen for night, but I just don't see it happening. Anyone know of a toddler that willing gave up their paci? I keep talking about how babies use pacis and that we can send our paci's to baby Lucy (their cousin) if they think they are too big for them. So far, not taking the bait.

But because of Izzie, I didn't get very good sleep last night, and well obviously she didn't either. Surprisingly though, the day went very well. We didn't really do anything super exciting, mostly hung out reading books and doing some cleaning. Maddie actually came to me this morning demanding we empty the dishwaher. Thank goodness it was full of clean dishes because she doesn't quite get that sometimes they are dirty. Both girls love handing me one item at a time and they take GREAT pride in the fact that they get to put up the pots and pans by themselves! (It's one of the few things they can reach without being breakable.) They also swept the entire kitchen floor and living room. That entertained them for a solid 30 minutes.

I had to keep putting vaseline under Izzie's nose that was raw by the end of the day because of the leaky faucet it had become. Despite the runny nose and not feeling her best, she was a trooper today. Maddie could tell she wasn't feeling well because she kept giving sissy lots of hugs and kisses. Maddie can be so incredibly loving. Today while playing with their little animals she gave each and everyone of them a kiss and then had them all kiss each other.

Tonight at bathtime I filled the water a good 3 inches higher than I normally do and they "swam" in the bathtub. This was a ton of fun for them! I wish I had my camera up in the bathroom with me, they were just a kicking and enjoying themselves to the max. It was a good day filled with lots of sweet moments.