Daddy's Girl

Molly has always been a daddy's girl. She demands that Daddy put her to bed, help her get dressed, put her plate on the table, get her milk (but not that CUP, THIS cup), and on and on.

I try not to let this hurt my feelings or start to make me feel like I am doing something wrong. But it is hard. And often my feelings do get hurt and I question if I am treating Molly fairly - am I doing and providing the way I did when I only had one daughter. And while I know I can't do it EXACTLY the same, I think I am doing OK.

Especially when, in the middle of the night, Molly yells out MOMMY first, when she is scared or sick, or just waking up, she yells, "MOMMY". When she doesn't think about it, her first instinct is to reach for me. Yes, often she stops and says, "I WANT MY DADDY" or "YOU DON'T".

But I hold on to that instinctual yell for me. It reaffirms that I am doing OK, or maybe even better than OK. She knows I am here for her - even if she chooses to ask for her daddy. Which I think has a lot to do with just proving to me she can... and get away with it. And that is OK too.

My New Lens OR Christmas Exploded OR Close Ups OR Paparazzi Has NOTHING on Me

So I got a new lens for my D40, it does close ups and it rocks. And I am enjoying it like you wouldn't believe.

I think to say the girls were excited is an understatement, instead I will say that the Pony was a critical component to Santa's Success this year.

Aubrey with her Hannah Montana wig, her Sharpay Doll, her new outfit, and the pony.

The cutest turtles EVER!

This kid is funny!

And can be unbelievably sweet.

Everybody is tired from a long couple of days!

Love of my life.

Christmas Pictures

Happy Holidays! I love creating new traditions that come out of the personalities and group dynamics of the family we have built. But I also love the traditions that come from who I was before I was a wife a mother, when I was just "daughter" and "sister". The history and the excitement are a gift from the traditions my family created and I want that same thing for my kids.


Part of these traditions is forcing my children to get pictures taken for Christmas Cards and a picture with Santa every year.

Seriously had alot more to say but have been fighting with trying to post these pictures since 8am this morning... so hopefully I feel like talking soon :)

The Halls are Decked

Saturday morning we got up early an started cleaning out the toy room/living room to make room for a new tree. We got boxes and boxes and boxes of decorations from the attic and we went to it! The train table is set up the mantle is beautiful. And the tree is up, lights on it, waiting to be decorated. And to make it a truly magical day, there is snow.

Here are some pictures!

Here we are, at the tree farm... just 4 houses down from us! The place was packed! Apparently Saturday was a great day for tree getting.

Grandy and Max joined us. It was very special.

My girls, too cold to cooperate with a picture :)

Daddy is showing Grandy and the girls the Gunpowder River at the bottom of the hill.

Could this be our tree?
Or how about this one?

Apparently this tree hugged Aubrey BACK so this is the one we took home.

And honestly, every tree there was a keeper.

In the front window in front of the globe is the tree, the lights are up, and in the bay window to the right is our train table all lit up.

It really was a fun day. And while the kids were napping I finished addressing our Christmas Cards, in front of the fire, and then started a knitting project.

And at 7:20 this morning, Doug is plowing and salting, kids are playing with the train, I am blogging and drinking coffee. Doug is taking Aubrey to see The Wizard of Oz in DC with 2 other Daddies and their 4 yos. Molly and I are going to bake cookies and candy. I love this time of year!

Tear to My Eye

Last night during bed time chaos, Aubrey asked if she could give her sister a hug and kiss and sing her to sleep.

Molly was throwing a fit, but when we walked in she stopped. Aubrey helped her into bed, put the covers to Molly's chin, leaned down and kissed her, hugged her, and then stood by her bed - while Molly laid without moving - and sand her a made up song (a combination HSM Gabriella song with a couple christmas lyrics thrown in).

It was wonderfully sweet.

For Baby Libby's Parents

Recipe 1 Crock Pot Chicken:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
salt
pepper
1 cup chicken broth
4-6 slices swiss cheese
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup milk
2 cups Pepperidge Farm Herb Stuffing
1/2 cup butter, Melted
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper and place chicken breasts in crock pot. Pour Chicken broth over breasts.
Put one slice of Swiss cheese on each breast. Combine both cans of soup and milk.
Cover chicken breasts with soup mixture. Sprinkle stuffing mix over all.
Drizzle melted butter on top.
Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3.

Simple Grilled Salmon - you can broil instead of grill.

1/4 teaspoon olive oil

1 (4-ounce) salmon fillet

Pinch of salt

Pinch of lemon pepper

Wedge of lemon
Preheat grill to medium heat. Rub olive oil over salmon, coating evenly. Sprinkle with salt and lemon pepper. Grill salmon over medium heat about 6 minutes on each side, or until it flakes easily when pierced with a fork (for ease in turning salmon, a grill basket coated with cooking spray or a wide metal spatula can be used). Remove any skin. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Catchin' Up Picture Style

Since Jessica is complaining that no one blogs anymore, even her, I thought I would post some pictures. I have been having issues with our home network in getting pictures from our shared drive to this blog, so I am doing this the "dirty" way - you know taking the actual memory card and connecting it RIGHT to my computer. Crazy, I know. So here are some extremely random shots of my girls.

Sunday, Aubrey is very sad because GTaw's Hammock is down for the season.

Saturday, Molly was reading a book.

Last weekend, in the leaves in our yard. Aubrey likes to pose.

This is what happens when you ask Molly to smile.

Seriously, Aubrey poses all the time. I don't like this pose.

Mama Said There'd be Days Like This

But seriously?
1) Baby girl still sick with fever, have to go to work for a few hours anyway.
2) Stop at gas station, wait in line, get to pump - NO FREAKING GAS!
3) Traffic backed up about oh you know 20 out of the 30 miles I drive.
4) Elevator is OUT at my building, in downtown Baltimore, with lots of stairs and my laptop I make it, only to find:
5) THERE IS NO DIET COKE!
And the biggest reason my morning isn't great:

I have 16 minutes stuck in my head from HSM3 (the way we play tonight, is what we leave behind, over and over and over and over and over again).

So let's talk about the good things:
1) Margartaville came on the radio
2) Hubby talked Comcast into lowering our bill by more than half - getting core channels only and ending up paying LESS than when we just had Internet.
3) Made everyone at work laugh.
This:

So Cute and So Volatile

This morning Molly was being Molly. Doug turned to her and said, "You are so cute and so volatile".

I can not get over how TRUE that statement is.

I needed to preserve it...so here you go.

Planning and Cuteness and Random

... but not planned cuteness.

So HSM3 comes out this weekend and I am taking Aubrey, she really wants to see it... well maybe she doesn't know what it is but I want to see it, but let's go with the first way I wrote it.

Also, tonight is the Halloween Party at the club. But it starts at like 5. Doug is taking the kids and I will meet them after my late meeting. A hay ride in the dark should be lots of fun?? But why do they plan these things when it is hard to ge there?

I have a bone to pick with the pre-school Aubrey goes to. On Wednesday (29th) they want the parents there at 3:30 so the kids can get their costumes on and trick or treat around the business units. So if Doug or I can't take off (which is looking like the case), Aubrey can't go. That is just not fair! Why plan activities that require parents when the reason Aubrey is there is because she can't be with her parents?!?! Is that just me?

Costumes and Usage:
Aubrey got a beautiful unicorn costume for her birthday, and I was able to find the exact same one on ebay for 2.99 in Molly's size. They are very cute.

Where do you go trick or treating? Do you go? We don't know what we are doing this year but have 4 halloween parties plus ZOO BOO so they will get LOTS of use.

And I have been trying to post pictures of Saturday's Navy Game and the goats, but having issues. Plus, I once again lost the data on my phone... fun times people, fun times.

And the Cuteness from Sunday Morning:
Sunday morning Aubrey has said a couple of things that are melting my heart.

1) Aubrey leaned over and kissed me, then put her hand on my cheek and said,
"Mommy do you know how much I love you?".
I said, "how much", she said as she shakes her head up and down, "a really lot".

2) Molly took a little nap and when she woke up I gave her and Aubrey a taste test of the cookies. Aubrey accidently knocked Molly down and Max ate her cookie and Molly started crying.
Aubrey took Molly's hand, led her over to the couch, got on her knees, put her hands on Molly's face and said,
"Molly, when Max takes your food you say, "Drop it Max", then you tell Mommy Maxie ate it and you don't have to cry and Mommy will gladly fix it".

And not to leave Molly out:
3) Saturday night as I was snuggling Molly during bedtime routine, she says, "I missed my mommy, mommy".

Halloween Prep

Aubrey did not get a "friends" birthday party this year. She had about 7 celebrations but none with "friends". This is so very sad. She did get an invitation for a school friend's party in November and we are VERY excited about this.

Some friends we haven't seen in WAY too long - maybe a year or more? are coming over on Saturday (they have girls the same ages as our girls (2 and 4)). Not knowing this Aubrey asked if we could have a Halloween Party, and I am putting the 2 things together!

Menu (has nothing to do with Halloween)
Chicken Fajitas
Avodado and Tomoato Salad
Spanish Rice
Chips and Salsa
Halloween Cupcakes with Funfetti icing
Margaritas
Pumpkin Pie Dip

Craft Ideas
Salt Dough Ghosts
Evil Eye Baskets
Bony Beads
Decorate Pumpkins - with sharpies or markers?

If any of the crafts work out I will post pictures!

So Emily, where have you been, you ask? Here, working through life as a crazy person.

• Email address was hacked and had to change it
• Cell phone lost all data after Molly licked it - hate that I lost a TON of phone numbers (basically everyone I have added in the last 8 months)
• Bronchitis for me, Sinus infection for Hubby, now Molly has a cough, Aubrey just got over a cough and cold
• Trying to figure out how upset I should be with the losses to our retirement accounts (and you could say, "what loss, did you sell" no we didn't sell but still scary maybe?)
• Going to join WW in the next couple weeks - gaining weight like an idiot.
• How do you put away summer clothes when it is 80 degrees? Blah.
• Started Aubrey in swim lessons - she is doing GREAT! I love it!
• Aubrey is great - her 4yo stats - 42 inches, 40 lbs! None of her 4T clothes fit - unless you want skirts and dresses that don't cover your underwear... and don't get me started on her size 13 feet.
• Molly is Molly. Don't know what to say about that. Other than she has grown about 6 inches in the last few weeks. Her 2T halloween costume is too small for her. But of course LA is helping me out with that :)
• I twitter more than I blog these days. Did you know Santa and Mrs. Clause twitter? Really keeps you in touch - and reminded me only 77 days til Christmas!
• HA, how is that for randomness?

Halloween Bunny

Driving home from swim lessons today:
Aubrey: Where does the Easter Bunny live?
Mommy: In a magical forest.
A: But what can he eat?
M: in the magical forest in his hollowed out tree, well right next door is a special farm that makes carrotts that give that easter bunny energy to make all the eggs
A: That doesn't sound right, are you sure he is real?
M: Of course he is (thinking WTF)...
A: Well then there must be a Halloween Bunny, what does that one bring, again?

HOW DOES THAT CHILD TRAP ME, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!!?!

M: Well honey, I have never heard of a Halloween Bunny, I don't think there is one.
A: Most importantly Mommy, that forest is too big for just one bunny.

Failures and Triumphs

I was potty training Molly this weekend, we gave it a great effort and will keep going but let's just say it was not a success (and that eating Molly poop makes Max barf).

BUT, as easy as it would be to wallow at home, just the 2 of us for 5 days without cooking or cleaning - I didn't do that (well maybe yesterday I did, but not today)!

Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Eggs with Dill and Pepper scrambled

Lunch: Whole wheat tortillas with Low Fast Vidalia Onion Dressing, chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers (served with Pirates Booty and Apple)

Dinner: Marinated Flank Steak, new red potatoes with rosemary, sauteed mushrooms and cheesy rolls

Dessert: Molly and I are making cookie icing sandwiches.

Tomorrow: Shrimp, penne, asparagus

Tuesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs with Caesar salad

Wednesday: Bertolli Froze Meal (9 minutes to make)

Thursday: Pizza Night

Friday: Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries and Green Beans

Besides meal planning, cooking, some baking, I also put together a Consignment pile of clothes and cleaned out my closet for the fall! I may start on Aubrey's closet when Molly goes down for a nap! Did I mention the 17 loads of laundry? That is how many you have to do when your child pees on everything, everywhere, all day.

I do have to say that a few days of just me and Molly is quite eye opening - she is the sweetest cuddliest kid when she isn't trying to keep up with her sister and follow her everywhere!

Oh, and in order to complete the randomness that is this post... I won a pair of pink Uggs for Aubrey on ebay last night... 40 bucks baby!

In The Morning

In the morning I will make sure my daughter wakes up with a smile on her face.

In the morning I will let my daughter have a cupcake for breakfast.

In the morning Aubrey will open 4 presents for her 4th birthday.

In the morning I will make sure we have everything we need for the dinner Aubrey decided we were having:
Bologna Sandwiches
Dill Dip with Pretzels
Kool Aid

In the morning I will take Molly to school and Aubrey to her 4 year check up.

Four years ago "in the morning" was a new life, it was a new family, it was 3 not 2.

In the morning I will wake up with memories of the first time I saw Aubrey, memories of breastfeeding a tiny child, and now that same child stands next to me, and her head reaches my breast.

In the morning I will mourn the babyhood that is gone as I rejoice in the girl that has come in its place.

People ask for Pictures which calls for Picture People

Molly (2) has NEVER been cuter!

My Aubrey Girl (almost 4)

Together!

I used Jen's advice from the Hair post and did both girls hair that way! I have done it on Aubrey with 3 a number of times over the last week - she calls it 'princess hair'. I did it to Molly for the first time at the Picture People while her daddy held her down :)

Hair Decision Input Requested

I need help. Molly has bangs. I was going to try to grow them out. But she won't keep a barrette or tie in them for very long so do I:

1) Give up and just cut them
2) Keep up the dream and just live with not seeing her eyes very often
3) Other options?

I really need input here... yes I am a dork and stress about silly things.

Updated: Took the girls for haircuts last night... we walked out looking like nothing had changed :) Molly's is a little more square around the bottom, bangs are still growing, untouched. Aubrey's was just trimmed a little bit.

THANKS!

Cows are Fast Part 2

A couple months ago, I met a cow on the road. A fast cow.

Yesterday, driving home from the pool, in the same spot on the same road, we saw that same cow; with 2 teenagers who had a stick, trying to get the cow to move.

We stopped, Doug rolled down his window and asked about the cow. It was their cow. And he does live on our road. And the cow's name is.... BURGERS.

I can't make this stuff up.

Not My Proudest Moment

At the pool today, 2 little girls (older than Aubrey) were playing with Mermaid Dolls. They were using our buckets and our ponies. Aubrey went over and introduce herself and sat down. And the girls were not nice to her.

I watched the whole thing and tried to stay out of it. But when I heard the little girl call Aubrey a stupid face, I went over there. I asked if everything was OK. Aubrey told me that the girls wouldn't let her play.

I asked the oldest girl what was wrong, she said, "my mommy doesn't let me talk to strangers so I can't play with her".

To which I replied, "Well, where is your mom, let's get introduced so you can play nicely". The little girl wouldn't go for it so I said...

"Fine, Aubrey if they don't want to share with you, let's grab our buckets and ponies and go play over here". And I dumped their dolls, took our buckets and ponies and walked away.

And I talked to Aubrey about sharing. And I felt like an idiot. Another mother did come up and say I handled that well... but it didn't feel like it.

And on the way out, I made sure that the little girl saw me talking to her mother - who I ended up casually knowing.



What would you have done?

Unspectacular Tag

Here are the directions from the Meme from Lyds.:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 people following bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

Here are my 6 unspectacular quirks:
1) I secretly steal my kids snacks. And I don't tell. And I don't share. This includes french fries to Barbie "fruit" snacks to bites of their pizza/hamburger/whatever.
2) Sometimes I think having the right pair of jeans means I don't need to lose weight.
3) Whenever I eat something with high fat or sugar or have a beer, I actually make a decision before taking a bite, "Eat this or be thin" and then I eat it. And always regret it.
4) My husband is better at taking both our children out than I am. Or does it more often or is more comfortale doing it. Either way...
5) I drink too much caffeine and soda.
6) Aubrey knows that I don't sew and tells me that Ms. LA will fix her tights/skirt/shirt, etc. I don't correct her because she is right.

Random 7 - I don't like doing these because what if I took it too far or it is too weird?

I am not tagging... but do it, it is fun.

Mollyisms

I keep thinking I need to write this down so I don't forget...

When looking at a picture book and Molly sees a pair of shes she says, "Don't Fit" instead of "shoes".

When asking about a barrette for her hair or if I am brushing her hair she says, "Haircut"

When she sees the shape of a star she says, "Starfish"

When she wants me turn on the water while she is brushing her teeth she says, "Wash your hands" instead of Turn On Water.

When she wants the door closed she says "door open", light off is "light on"

When she wants me to help her she says, "Help you mommy".

When she wants me to wash her hands off she says, "Me wash your hands mommy".

When she wants to do something herself she says "I-SELF", but 3 seconds later she says, "help you mommy".

She says thank you when you hand her something or put her somewhere, even if it is the time out chair.

She still uses the sign for please when she says please.

She says I love you, a lot.