Another year flies by

I can't believe today is the last day of 2007. I can't believe that Faith is going to be 2 year in a few months. The year has brought us good things. We uped everything we had and moved to a place where people ask us why we moved here. It really doesn't seem like we are ready to chime 2008 in this evening. Whoever said that children don't change as much or fast in their second year is crazy. I think that Faith changed more this year than in the first. For heaven's sake, she learned to talk with hands and mouth, feed herself, poop in the potty, dress herself and undress, and let us not forget; independence. I hope and pray that our new place will bring better friends and neighbor's than here in Motown. Until then, see you later 2007, welcome in the great 2008

Walking with Dinosaurs

Around here we have this program through the libraries that gives free passes to local musuems. Today we went to U of M to their Natural History exibit. Faith saw dinosaurs bones, fossils, a huge water clam shell and much more. Everything was so new to her she was scared to touch. She wouldn't even touch the petrified log. Which by the way was awesome how it became that way. I don't think that I've ever been to a Natural History museum. To be able to see these huge mastodons was marvalous. Another dinosaur's leg bones almost touched the ceiling. Faith did touch a dinosaur claw (plaster, of course), a tail, and fossils of small dinosaurs but then got scared to touch the club tail of another one. We saw stuffed birds of all sorts, fish, human and primate skulls, and lots of beautiful panoramas. Definitely glad we experienced this before moving.

Just fun and games

As I sit here and reflect on the day, I realize just how blessed I am to be able to be at home with Faith until after the new year. Since my boss didn't let me work this week I have been enjoying the company of my little one. She was such a funny little girl today just full of energy. I was cleaning up the kitchen this evening from supper and she had asked for another bite of banana. I decided to go ahead and give her a piece. When I turned around she was running in circles with the banana in mouth. She knew she was getting dizzy but she didn't want to stop. Just as I finished warning her about watching where she was going, CRASH, there she fell into the Christmas tree. I thought she would start crying but she started laughing. Up she got and around she went again.
Who would think a game of peek a boo with a 21 month old would be so fun? As we sat on the couch this afternoon, she stood behind me and then would pop her head out in front of me and say, "Boo" Over and over she played. When I turned away from her pretending I couldn't find her, she gently took ahold of my face and turned it towards her. "Boo" she said again. I don't know how long she and I played but I was cracking up laughing. Then the blankets came out and we all hid again. After today I realize just how tired both of us are after a day at school. She doesn't want to play and I don't want to do anything either. However, we are all well rested and having fun. The coming weeks will be busy with the move and everything so this week is for us to have fun and not worry about cleaning up constantly.

Silent night

With Christmas completed and all the gifts opened and 10 pounds of weight added, I am so glad to have had my family together for the holiday. Three weeks ago we thought we might be all separated with Bud on his way to the government capital. God works in mysterious ways I suppose. Faith had such a good Christmas. I enjoyed watching her face whenever she ripped off the paper. Last year she had to have help but this year she tore right into it. I am not sure if she understood why she got to open presents. I did tell her last night in a story that it was Jesus's birthday and she remembered all the way till she went to bed this evening. We participated in all the traditional events leading up the Christmas such as baking cookies for Santa and placing them all on the table. When we asked her what Santa wanted to drink she said juice. So... he must have liked it because it was all gone this morning. As the house falls silent while the little one sleeps on this cold night, we are going to finish off the evening with a good ole movie. What better one than Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I love that movie and all the others. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Frosty and kitty

So does anyone remember this kitty? Think hard. Yeah, I think that this used to be my brother's when he was little. But do you know who is in love with this kitty now? Yep, Faith. I think that this is her favorite animal besides Lamby. Kitty goes to school and won't go in her cubby either. "Faith have that." she says. I just can't convince her to give it up. She takes her into class and shows her friends. They just can't keep their hands off of it. Kitty eats at the table and reads stories too. Yeah, she has become a favorite around here.

Frosty was born today at our house. With the snow melting it has accumulated enough moisture to stick together. Faith wasn't sure what to think when we started bundling snow together. But when the second ball appeared for his body, she said, "Frosty... snowman". She gathered snow and threw it on top. As we were building him Bud pulled up from work and helped out. He gathered twigs for arms. Faith was even more excited. She hugged Frosty with his new arms and gave him a kiss. Her scarf keeps his neck warm and my hat warms his head. Two buttons for eyes, a rock for a nose, and a leggo for a mouth. It's not exactly how the song goes but she doesn't know that. When she had to go inside she cried. So she stayed outside a few more minutes to talk with him and then told him "night night. morrow." See you tomorrow Frosty. This girl loves snowmen. Must get that from her mother.

Snow much fun

As Sunday was too cold to venture outside, Faith's first opportunity to experience the snow was yesterday. There was too much snow outside at school. One could lose a toddler if they weren't paying attention. Our yard however had some drifting and the neighbor's yard was just right for walking around. The first step she took she fell into the snow on her hands and knees and yelled for help. "Stuck, stuck, help." she said. As I'm trying to hurry over to help her she starts getting even more frustrated. We decided to venture over to the low snow and every step she took she thought she was stuck. It was so hard for her to move herself all bundled up in her marshmallow suite. But she was warm and here where we live that is important with the wind and everything. With total accumulation between 7 and 10 inches, the snow blower blowed the snow into our yard from the sidewalk. So we have probably 15 or 20 in our yard. Frosty didn't come out to play. The snow had too much air in it. See you next time Frosty.

Snow, snow, and more snow

Does it ever stop? I don't think that I have ever enjoyed seeing this much snow in my entire life. I think right now we have managed to rack up a good five inches. I can barely see the top of my Americana watering can. As I decided to wake up at 5:45am this morning just to watch it; it is so beautiful. When Faith wakes up she will be excited and heading to the bedroom to get her coat, hat, boots and "new mittens" (that is what she calls them. they are already 3 weeks old). I love how the Earth is so pretty with the fresh blanket of white. It really has to be the best time of year. Christmas and snow. They go together like two peas in a pod.

Tis the season

With the holidays just around the corner we find ourselves trying to remain sane. With the big move just around the corner we are focusing more on family this year than anything else. As we set up our tree it was nice to see Faith trying to help decorate. Today she found a butterfly and decided it needed a spot on the tree also. She tried to decorate last year but most of the ornaments ended up in her mouth. As she tried to put the tinsle up on the tree she decided that it looked alot better just thrown all in one place. She helped wrap the lights but I think she had the most fun playing with the snowmen. With this big storm coming in tonight I'm sure that Frosty will be visiting our house in the next few days. Happy Holidays!

The Golden Arches

So when we all went back home for Thanksgiving, Faith and I met up with a friend from the hospital. She has a daughter who is 5 months younger than Faith and we decided to play at the McDonald's playland. Little did my friend know that Faith had never had french fries before. Since she first tried them it has been nothing but talk of french fries at our house. As we played at the park on Saturday we both headed to McDonald's for a special treat afterwards. French fries. Faith told Bud about it that night and then yesterday we had the playdough out. I started looking at some of the toys and there I seen a french fry machine. That was the end of the other toys. She must have pretended to eat those fries that her daddy made for her for 20 minutes. She had so much fun.

Dressup and then makeup

I love to leave the room and come back in only to see Faith in her high heels, feather boa, hat, mittens, scarf and panties. She is trying to learn to dress herself and her dolls. If often comes with moments of tears and frustration but we are learning to ask for help. Why are doll clothes so hard to put on? Who was the inventor anyways? I would like to voice a complaint.

Today is filled with freezing rain and sleet. A perfect day to spend inside. However we still needed to get our Christmas tree. So we headed out into the mess. With the folks coming up, this might be an important thing to have. As I sit and sip on my hot chocolate I am reminded of last winter when Faith first crawled (or sat) in the snow. This year she is running and playing and eating it. She sings the Barney song "If all the snowflakes were candy bars and milkshakes." She sticks out her tongue. "Ehh Ehh Ehh Ehh" she says.

Why does she have to change so much? Why does she have to grow so fast? Her and her cat have become closer. As she walks through the house, she calls for her much like we have all done. "AaaaBBY, AaaaBBY, kitty kitty." "Treat, treat, mamma, Abby" She takes me by the hand and tells me to come with her. She points to the Pounce treats. I think that Abby is in heaven because she gets 8 or 10. I often catch her walking up to Abby on the couch. She points her finger at her and shakes it. "No hitting. Sorry" she says. She does that to me too. Not just at the appropriate times either. She will say sorry first and then smack me. I don't think she means to hurt me but she does it cause you tell her not too.

Another new home

Yep another move. The destination, Washington, D.C. After all is said and done, this will be our sixth home (or place of residence) in 2 years. Poor Faith. I am glad that she is little and will hopefully not remember all of them. I hope that this will be our final move for quite some time. Bud will start his new job right before Christmas as Faith and I stay here with the folks and bear the cold weather. Maybe a white Christmas will be here and make it all better. The holidays look like they will be filled with packing and moving but still time with each other. That is what counts, right? FAMILY

Terrible two's?...possibly

As I sit and contemplate what to write about this week, I sit with goosebumps on my arms. Is it just because it is so darn cold here or is it the fact that Faith is learning so fast and becoming so independent? The days are long gone of her clinging to my legs at school for me not to leave. The sleepless nights are finally gone. Frustration is set in full swing. I hate to say it but the terrible two's might be on their way. Emotions are at a high and she can't figure them out. Self help is on the rise and frustration sets in when she can't do it. Her favorite thing this week has to be her new snow boots and mittens. She wears them all the time. On Saturday she had on her underwear, cow costume, boots and mittens. That girl was ready to go. With the self help skills being learned, her teacher said that she needs to learn to keep her clothes on. I guess yesterday in the gym she pulled her pants and underwear down. I can see why she would do that. It is fun and something new to learn to do.