Polka Dot Christmas Program

BabyCakes had her preschool Christmas program this week. (polka dots)

She actually did the motions and sang as much as you can expect most kids her age to sing!

There were some yawns and thumb-sucking in there, too, though. :)

When we were leaving I tried to snap a few photos of her but she was already getting tired.  When the thumb goes in the mouth it usually doesn't come out until she's woken up from a nap.
When I told her I'd like to take her picture, she tried to play along a little, but the thumb wouldn't budge.

It didn't take long for her to be completely over it.

She stepped on something that made a loud "snap!" and that got the thumb out briefly.

But as you can see she was not in the mood.

That's okay, I don't like having my photo taken either. :)

(I'll post the pics of her 3rd b-day tomorrow.  The blaaaaahg is going to be pretty BabyCakes-heavy for a while, but that's how it goes sometimes.  Complaints will be handled by the Grandparent/My-grandkids-can-do-no-wrong-and-aren't-they-beautiful? Department... so don't waste you time.  ;)  )

Daddy's lift kids up

We like to move it move it

Now that I have that song in your head...

Here's a link to the Madagascar 3 remix. ;)

Anyway, BigBoy had his first basketball practice this week.  A little strange that I took some shoddy iphone pics, yes, but what else was I supposed to do while watching him?

He's the smallest on his 1st and 2nd grade boys team but he's not short on enthusiasm!

 Neither is BabyCakes!

Unfortunately my curls aren't what they used to be, but it looks like what I've lost -- BabyCakes has found! I think it's neat that we share a trait (other than our tendency to instigate conflicts with siblings during childhood, aka, be a troublemaker).

And just like her, the more she played, the wilder it got!

Y'all know how thankful I am for my two healthy children.

I've been so sad for the loss of those precious children (and adults) in Connecticut. 

I hesitated to share these everyday pics of the kids because I thought they might seem boring, but then I thought about how lucky I am to have had one more "everyday" experience with them. 

Every day has to count -- because that's all we get... if we're lucky.

Meeting Santa for the First Time

Santa Claus came to our neighborhood clubhouse this year.  

Because we weren't out of town, sick, or misbehaving, everyone went to meet the Big Man for the first time.  (Yes, the first time.  Hey!  Lots of kids are scared of Santa and I wasn't going to push my kids on a stranger!  Enough with the mom-guilt!)

Waiting in the short line, BigBoy was pretty excited.  Too bad his mother didn't run a comb through his hair.

BabyCakes wasn't really feelin it.  The crowd, the camera, the forced-fun... she wasn't so sure of it all.

And poor Santa didn't get the warmest of receptions.

BigBoy, on the other hand...

"Yes, Santa, he's been a very good boy this year!"

BabyCakes wouldn't even join them for a group shot.  I think she suspected he was hiding something under that beard.  She did take his candy cane, though.

As predicted, BigBoy was very comfortable in Santa's lap.

And once she got home and changed into mouse ears and "princess shoes" (her name for black velvet dress shoes), BabyCakes was very comfortable too. :)

BabyCakes a Year Later

One year ago:

And today:

It's flying by!

The Baby Song

I don't have baby books for my children.  

I don't scrapbook.  

I have few actual printed copies of the thousands of photographs I have taken in the last 7 years chronicling my brief term as a mother.

What I do have is this blog, and lately I've felt the urge to document a special part of the bond I have with my children.  

It began when BigBoy was an infant: he wanted to be held a lot.  He needed to be soothed a lot.  When you run out of lullabies, old hymns, and even TV theme songs, your instincts just take over.  

One day as I walked and rocked him slowly around our little apartment, holding him pressed to my chest as he liked it,  I started humming and the words came out.  

Years later BigBoy named it The Baby Song, and now both of my children request it when they are especially tired, sick, or just want the comfort that whispered words of love can bring.

I know I'm no singer, but the voice God gave me speaks to the heart of my children.

BigBoy and BabyCakes, this is for you.

*Email recipients have to click over because the recordings are embedded.

Dimples and mouse ears

"Hey kids, let's take a few pictures outside before it gets dark."

 "Look who's home!"

"Hi Daddy! Check out Spiderman and his side-kick Minnie Mouse."

Later, after trick-or-treating at about 10 houses, we hung out on the porch and ate gave out candy.

 Peter Parker BigBoy generously shared his chocolate with his addict mother. (He offered, I didn't ask!)

Dimpled and Mouse-eared jack-o-lanterns pretty much sum up Halloween around here. 

I hope it stays that way. :)

Snapshots of Fall

See you next week!

WW Wednesday

Well look at that -- I'm actually writing a WW post on Wednesday! (But only because Melissa told me to. ;))

This past week I haven't felt great.  I've felt like I was hit by a truck, actually.  Apparently ignoring pneumonia doesn't make it go away, so J has been extra concerned with me resting up and recuperating.
We've had a lot of convenience foods and my tracking was blurry, you could say.
All the same, I was surprised when I had a gain today at the scale.  It wasn't a big one, but I was surprised all the same.
Then I remembered how much less activity I've had lately.  Because I don't go into a job every day, if I'm sick and being told to take it easy, I do that (for the most part).
I think my small gain today was partly a result of my tortoise-like lifestyle lately.

So, my lesson learned this past week was that if for some reason my activity level takes a big hit, I should (duh) adjust my food intake accordingly.    If I'm not going to the gym or even running around my house and community like I usually do, my body doesn't need the same fuel as usual!
Also, comfort foods might be comforting in the moment, but they are an annoyance on Wednesdays!

Goal for the week: track my foods and practice more control over what I bring into the house.  If nap time is my hardest time of the day (and it is), then don't have the foods that tempt me the most!

WW Wednesday: Monday Edition

In the name of anti-procrastination, I'm going to do a WW post (for last week) now on Monday.

...


Aaaand I can't remember how my meeting went.


...


(crickets)


Or my week, really.
(That's why it's best to do it ON WEDNESDAY, Cayce!)

Oh! I got it! (Oh and I had a loss, by the way! :)  )
I was reminded that it's not always comfortable to change how you're eating.  (duh)
If I'm super-comfortable, that usually means I'm not going anywhere.
There needs to be a period of adjustment before comfort sets back in.
So right now I am uncomfortable -- and it's a good thing.  It reminds me of my priorities. It pushes me.  It annoys me.  It's the eating equivalent of a tight, unforgiving waistband.  Once I get used to the changes I must maintain to take this to the next level, I will be able to ease into it and relax in my new routine.

---Ok, truth be told, over the last couple days while recuperating from sickness, I may have indulged my sweet tooth a bit too much.  Come on, I found out the Snickers pumpkins taste just like the Snickers Nutcrackers!  I also may or may not have hidden the two I bought in my purse so I wouldn't have to share with my kids.  I have a problem.  I'm aware of that. ---

Moving on, lesson learned: stay the frick away from the Halloween candy. It does not bring out the best in me.

Goal for the week: Continue tracking and adjusting what I see as my new normal... without the freakin chocolate!

Tricycle time

Have a great Tuesday!

Good Things

BabyCakes, I hope to teach you many things throughout your life.  

(Heck, I hope to learn many things throughout your life.)

One of these things is "How to recognize the good things in life."

For example: You suck your thumb -- something many see as an obstacle to overcome.  

I see it as proof that you will look to yourself before others for comfort.

You don't pose for the camera.  Instead you'd rather engage the person using it.

The food on your face shows you are well-fed and have a healthy appetite.

You smile only because you are happy and not just to please someone else.

And your mischievous spirit shows that you will try to keep life interesting, even if it means you are your own entertainment.

Yes, BabyCakes, there are many good things in life and I hope to raise you to see them.

Go look in a mirror and you'll see one of my favorites.

~Mom