photos

Here are some photos from the last month or so. It's no easy feat to take a decent picture of her now that she is on the go all the time.

After coming out of the bathroom I panicked when I couldn't find her, and then I found this. She even has her hand on the mouse! This told me that perhaps I spend a liiiiittle too much time on the internet.

First time wearing pigtails. I love it!

This is what happens when we run on the concrete without holding onto mama's hand. it's sort of hard to see but she scraped her mouth and nose :(

photos

Here are some photos from the last month or so. It's no easy feat to take a decent picture of her now that she is on the go all the time.

After coming out of the bathroom I panicked when I couldn't find her, and then I found this. She even has her hand on the mouse! This told me that perhaps I spend a liiiiittle too much time on the internet.

First time wearing pigtails. I love it!

This is what happens when we run on the concrete without holding onto mama's hand. it's sort of hard to see but she scraped her mouth and nose :(

photos

Here are some photos from the last month or so. It's no easy feat to take a decent picture of her now that she is on the go all the time.

After coming out of the bathroom I panicked when I couldn't find her, and then I found this. She even has her hand on the mouse! This told me that perhaps I spend a liiiiittle too much time on the internet.

First time wearing pigtails. I love it!

This is what happens when we run on the concrete without holding onto mama's hand. it's sort of hard to see but she scraped her mouth and nose :(

sigh.

Just to illustrate that it's not all champagne and caviar I will share my most frustrating parenting moment to date. Finley and I just got back from our weekly shopping trip. Normally, I love taking her along (not that I have a choice) because she smiles and waves at all the elderly people, who in turn tell me what an adorable little son I have. It's good times all around. Today however, that was not the case. From the get go Finley resisted being strapped in the cart. After asking her nicely to sit on her bottom several times, she decided to up the ante and start screaming and flailing. So I did what any normal mom would do and I grabbed the nearest box of food and opened it in hopes of distracting her out of the worlds largest (and most embarrassing) tantrum. She took a few bites of the organic granola bar and sent it flying across the isle. Okay, deep breath. How about the binky? That went flying too. It became clear that this fit was going to happen despite my best efforts so I started to rush through my shopping (thus forgetting several key items). It got real ugly. She reached her go-go gadget arms into the cart and started throwing food onto the floor. Black Cherry yogurt was everywhere. Deep breath. Talk to her calmly and sternly. Don't worry about all the people staring at us like I have 6 arms. Another carton of yogurt explodes on the floor. Don't cry. Don't cry. It's not like people have never seen a tantrum before. Eventually we made it to the check out line. Finley distracted herself flirting with the little boy in front of us. I made chit chat with the lady checking us out and by the time we left the store my blood pressure was back down in a healthy range. I loaded Finley in her seat and surrounded her with our bags of groceries. In the 15 seconds that it took to return the shopping cart, Finley pulled out the lettuce and shredded it all over the back seat. I probably should have gotten mad, especially given her behavior earlier. But, I just decided to laugh. She had lettuce hanging out of her mouth and she gave me a look like, "What? What are you looking at? This is normal isn't it?" In that moment I just had to give in to the humor of it all. After calling Brian to share in the hilarity, Finley and I had a nice chat, she signed "sorry" and I quickly forgot all about the world's largest tantrum. I don't suggest addressing every behavior problem by making light of it. That would be irresponsible. But sometimes you just have to. At least I do.

sigh.

Just to illustrate that it's not all champagne and caviar I will share my most frustrating parenting moment to date. Finley and I just got back from our weekly shopping trip. Normally, I love taking her along (not that I have a choice) because she smiles and waves at all the elderly people, who in turn tell me what an adorable little son I have. It's good times all around. Today however, that was not the case. From the get go Finley resisted being strapped in the cart. After asking her nicely to sit on her bottom several times, she decided to up the ante and start screaming and flailing. So I did what any normal mom would do and I grabbed the nearest box of food and opened it in hopes of distracting her out of the worlds largest (and most embarrassing) tantrum. She took a few bites of the organic granola bar and sent it flying across the isle. Okay, deep breath. How about the binky? That went flying too. It became clear that this fit was going to happen despite my best efforts so I started to rush through my shopping (thus forgetting several key items). It got real ugly. She reached her go-go gadget arms into the cart and started throwing food onto the floor. Black Cherry yogurt was everywhere. Deep breath. Talk to her calmly and sternly. Don't worry about all the people staring at us like I have 6 arms. Another carton of yogurt explodes on the floor. Don't cry. Don't cry. It's not like people have never seen a tantrum before. Eventually we made it to the check out line. Finley distracted herself flirting with the little boy in front of us. I made chit chat with the lady checking us out and by the time we left the store my blood pressure was back down in a healthy range. I loaded Finley in her seat and surrounded her with our bags of groceries. In the 15 seconds that it took to return the shopping cart, Finley pulled out the lettuce and shredded it all over the back seat. I probably should have gotten mad, especially given her behavior earlier. But, I just decided to laugh. She had lettuce hanging out of her mouth and she gave me a look like, "What? What are you looking at? This is normal isn't it?" In that moment I just had to give in to the humor of it all. After calling Brian to share in the hilarity, Finley and I had a nice chat, she signed "sorry" and I quickly forgot all about the world's largest tantrum. I don't suggest addressing every behavior problem by making light of it. That would be irresponsible. But sometimes you just have to. At least I do.

sigh.

Just to illustrate that it's not all champagne and caviar I will share my most frustrating parenting moment to date. Finley and I just got back from our weekly shopping trip. Normally, I love taking her along (not that I have a choice) because she smiles and waves at all the elderly people, who in turn tell me what an adorable little son I have. It's good times all around. Today however, that was not the case. From the get go Finley resisted being strapped in the cart. After asking her nicely to sit on her bottom several times, she decided to up the ante and start screaming and flailing. So I did what any normal mom would do and I grabbed the nearest box of food and opened it in hopes of distracting her out of the worlds largest (and most embarrassing) tantrum. She took a few bites of the organic granola bar and sent it flying across the isle. Okay, deep breath. How about the binky? That went flying too. It became clear that this fit was going to happen despite my best efforts so I started to rush through my shopping (thus forgetting several key items). It got real ugly. She reached her go-go gadget arms into the cart and started throwing food onto the floor. Black Cherry yogurt was everywhere. Deep breath. Talk to her calmly and sternly. Don't worry about all the people staring at us like I have 6 arms. Another carton of yogurt explodes on the floor. Don't cry. Don't cry. It's not like people have never seen a tantrum before. Eventually we made it to the check out line. Finley distracted herself flirting with the little boy in front of us. I made chit chat with the lady checking us out and by the time we left the store my blood pressure was back down in a healthy range. I loaded Finley in her seat and surrounded her with our bags of groceries. In the 15 seconds that it took to return the shopping cart, Finley pulled out the lettuce and shredded it all over the back seat. I probably should have gotten mad, especially given her behavior earlier. But, I just decided to laugh. She had lettuce hanging out of her mouth and she gave me a look like, "What? What are you looking at? This is normal isn't it?" In that moment I just had to give in to the humor of it all. After calling Brian to share in the hilarity, Finley and I had a nice chat, she signed "sorry" and I quickly forgot all about the world's largest tantrum. I don't suggest addressing every behavior problem by making light of it. That would be irresponsible. But sometimes you just have to. At least I do.

thankful

Lately, I've been overcome with thankfulness that I am able to be a stay-at-home-mom. It sort of dawned on me that i get to go to bed every single night looking forward to spending the next day with my daughter. I'm doing exactly what I've always wanted to do, and there's not a job out there that could top playing with my baby. And my dear husband doesn't bat an eye at working long hours to make it possible (thanks, babe)! I guess all this is to say that, I that I am thoroughly enjoying this season in my life.

Anywho...

Yesterday, Finley had her 15 month check up and as usual all is well. Still growing along quite nicely. No peanut butter till she's two. Give her Tylenol on the plane ride to Maui. No big deal that she isn't a pro with the spoon. Wean her off the bottle immediately. I knew it was coming, but I still thought I'd ask why. Dr B. answered, and I quote, "I see Suri Cruise and other 3 year olds walking around with a bottle and it just makes me so mad". ohhhhh, well okay then, thanks for the scientific explanation. Who knew Dr. B was so caught up on celebrity babies.

In other Finley news... she is becoming quite the little talker. She mimics almost any word you ask her to say. Some of the words she knows are: mama, papa, yes, no, more, baby, hi, bye, i yuh you (i love you), milk, more, booty (the food, not the body part), cheese, juice, and ewwww ("i'm pooping" as if i couldn't tell by the red face and loud grunting). you get the picture. The ability to answer questions with a "yes" or a "no thanks" is both convenient and hilarious. A few weeks ago I accidentally phrased my request as a question and asked her if she would put her binky in her bed (since we don't like her to have it while unless she's sleeping) she replied quite curtly, "no thanks". What can I say... at least she was polite about it.

thankful

Lately, I've been overcome with thankfulness that I am able to be a stay-at-home-mom. It sort of dawned on me that i get to go to bed every single night looking forward to spending the next day with my daughter. I'm doing exactly what I've always wanted to do, and there's not a job out there that could top playing with my baby. And my dear husband doesn't bat an eye at working long hours to make it possible (thanks, babe)! I guess all this is to say that, I that I am thoroughly enjoying this season in my life.

Anywho...

Yesterday, Finley had her 15 month check up and as usual all is well. Still growing along quite nicely. No peanut butter till she's two. Give her Tylenol on the plane ride to Maui. No big deal that she isn't a pro with the spoon. Wean her off the bottle immediately. I knew it was coming, but I still thought I'd ask why. Dr B. answered, and I quote, "I see Suri Cruise and other 3 year olds walking around with a bottle and it just makes me so mad". ohhhhh, well okay then, thanks for the scientific explanation. Who knew Dr. B was so caught up on celebrity babies.

In other Finley news... she is becoming quite the little talker. She mimics almost any word you ask her to say. Some of the words she knows are: mama, papa, yes, no, more, baby, hi, bye, i yuh you (i love you), milk, more, booty (the food, not the body part), cheese, juice, and ewwww ("i'm pooping" as if i couldn't tell by the red face and loud grunting). you get the picture. The ability to answer questions with a "yes" or a "no thanks" is both convenient and hilarious. A few weeks ago I accidentally phrased my request as a question and asked her if she would put her binky in her bed (since we don't like her to have it while unless she's sleeping) she replied quite curtly, "no thanks". What can I say... at least she was polite about it.

thankful

Lately, I've been overcome with thankfulness that I am able to be a stay-at-home-mom. It sort of dawned on me that i get to go to bed every single night looking forward to spending the next day with my daughter. I'm doing exactly what I've always wanted to do, and there's not a job out there that could top playing with my baby. And my dear husband doesn't bat an eye at working long hours to make it possible (thanks, babe)! I guess all this is to say that, I that I am thoroughly enjoying this season in my life. Anywho... Yesterday, Finley had her 15 month check up and as usual all is well. Still growing along quite nicely. No peanut butter till she's two. Give her Tylenol on the plane ride to Maui. No big deal that she isn't a pro with the spoon. Wean her off the bottle immediately. I knew it was coming, but I still thought I'd ask why. Dr B. answered, and I quote, "I see Suri Cruise and other 3 year olds walking around with a bottle and it just makes me so mad". ohhhhh, well okay then, thanks for the scientific explanation. Who knew Dr. B was so caught up on celebrity babies. In other Finley news... she is becoming quite the little talker. She mimics almost any word you ask her to say. Some of the words she knows are: mama, papa, yes, no, more, baby, hi, bye, i yuh you (i love you), milk, more, booty (the food, not the body part), cheese, juice, and ewwww ("i'm pooping" as if i couldn't tell by the red face and loud grunting). you get the picture. The ability to answer questions with a "yes" or a "no thanks" is both convenient and hilarious. A few weeks ago I accidentally phrased my request as a question and asked her if she would put her binky in her bed (since we don't like her to have it while unless she's sleeping) she replied quite curtly, "no thanks". What can I say... at least she was polite about it.

the great debate

A few weeks ago our house flooded. No, you're not having de ja vu. This would be the second time it's happened in the last year. Last year we fixed the problem area. This time the water came in from a new area, and after a little inspecting Brian found that it would be a major undertaking to fix. By major I mean that it would cost over $10,000 and require digging a trench around the inside of the entire lower floor! That brings us to our dilemna. To move or not to move. I literally change my mind at least 3 times a day. I have been praying my little heart out and still just don't know what to do.

the great debate

A few weeks ago our house flooded. No, you're not having de ja vu. This would be the second time it's happened in the last year. Last year we fixed the problem area. This time the water came in from a new area, and after a little inspecting Brian found that it would be a major undertaking to fix. By major I mean that it would cost over $10,000 and require digging a trench around the inside of the entire lower floor! That brings us to our dilemna. To move or not to move. I literally change my mind at least 3 times a day. I have been praying my little heart out and still just don't know what to do.

suggestions, please!

We've been trying to teach Finley to use her spoon. A typical meal involves her dipping the spoon in the bowl a few times and bringing it to mouth. After a few bites, she starts to put her hands in the bowl and finger paint with the food on her tray. Then, she'll tip over the bowl and pour out the contents. If I'm really lucky, she'll run her hands through her hair.
Now, I know it's supposed to take time. And I'm okay with the mess. I guess I just wanted to know if there's any tips, tricks, or suggestions from parents who have been through this already. Is there some magical spoon that makes learning this skill easier?

Finley and "e-ya" having fun in the cart at Costco.

Having bath time fun with lo lo.

suggestions, please!

We've been trying to teach Finley to use her spoon. A typical meal involves her dipping the spoon in the bowl a few times and bringing it to mouth. After a few bites, she starts to put her hands in the bowl and finger paint with the food on her tray. Then, she'll tip over the bowl and pour out the contents. If I'm really lucky, she'll run her hands through her hair.
Now, I know it's supposed to take time. And I'm okay with the mess. I guess I just wanted to know if there's any tips, tricks, or suggestions from parents who have been through this already. Is there some magical spoon that makes learning this skill easier?

Finley and "e-ya" having fun in the cart at Costco.

Having bath time fun with lo lo.