Remember when trophies were cool...

Well, I do.  I also remember not having many of them because, I don't have an athletic bone in my body.  I did, however, receive a trophy in late high school for a Speech Team, dynamic duo performance.  5th place baby.  Oh yeah.

So.  Trophies.  Didn't have many as a kid - but today - or rather a few days ago - I was gifted the equivalent of a blogging trophy!  YAY! [cue much rejoicing]  Allie, from Guten Strudel, which is a most fantabulous and  hilarious blog you should all be reading, tagged me for the Stylish Blogger Award.  I feel so loved.  :)  As a thank you, I am going to play along with the rules.

The Rules:

Uno. Link back and thank the person [Thank you Allison!!!]  who gave you the award. [check-done]

B. Share 7 things about yourself.

3.14 Award 5 recently discovered blogs.

Lastly. Contact them and tell them about their award.

On to "B" then, shall we.  :)

1.  I am a piler.  Like, the tv show Hoarders kind of piler.  No, really.  I have trouble parting with items that might some day, at some point, come in handy.  I have two boxes of empty, glass baby food jars in boxes, in the attic.  Why?  Because some day I might have a cool project that will necessitate them.  When husband says, "Hey where's the water bill?" I generally respond with, "It's in the second pile to the left of the dresser, halfway down, under the yellow folder."  Now, it may seem unorganized, but, darn it all, the water bill is right where I tell him.  If I organize the piles, everything falls apart and I can't find anything.  Thus, I will continue to hoard and pile.  :)  Sorry family.  :)

2.  I enjoy changing my hair style frequently--much to the chagrin of my husband.  :)  Here, let's look at the past 4 years:

Aw... Wedding... Skinny... Looooooong hair = husband's fav.

This is how I surprised husband when picking him up from work after 2 months of marriage.  SURPRISE!  I cut all my hair off.

He was surprised.
He was not elated.

I, however, think this is one of my all time favorite hair cuts.  :)

If I could rotate this for you, I would, but I'm lazy, so I'm leaving it.  :)

This is the "in-between" stage.

Here we are back to looong locks again.  [sigh] Ah.  I do like very long hairs.

 

Then, this cut came to us this year.  ADORE.  I'm sporting a longer version now, because I'm growing it out again!  Shock.  Dismay.  :)  There were a couple other styles between Sesame age of 0 and 18 months - but photos of myself stopped occurring during those years.  I was like a ninja.  Never seen, but always there.  :)

3.  I am a C.  I am a C-H.  I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N.  :)  I love the Lord.  Like, hard core, Praise Jesus, love the Lord.  Husband and I are trying to live a life that glorifies Him daily.  It ain't easy, but we do our best.  We were both blessed to be raised in strong Christian homes that taught us what it means to be a follower and what Ephesians 2:8, 9 really mean.  I am beyond grateful that our parents laid a foundation in us that is unmoving--and hope we can instill that same love of Christ in Sesame and Squirt. [Stops, wipes tear] Moving on...

4.  I cannot stand: slow drivers in the left lane, ants in or out of my house (now I'm itchy) or people who talk/text on their cell phone in line at any store.  I mean, really, what is so important that you can't put down your phone for 5 minutes to check out.  Honestly.

5.  I randomly start singing and dancing at various points during the day.  Like, no-one's-watching-sing-at-the-top-of-my-lungs kind of singing.  Generally oldies or Broadway.  What is the most awesome part of this???  My daughter has decided it's cool and now joins in.  :)  I heart her.

6. I am a ginormously huge pregnant woman.  I increased to a rather large size whilst pregnant with Sesame:

Approximately 29 weeks with Sesame.

And that trend seems to have only been magnified during my pregnancy with Squirt:

Yeah...this is only 27 weeks with Squirt.

It's all good though.  I'm a fan of birthing large, robust children that I don't feel I can break.  At our 24 week ultrasound, Squirt was weighing in at an estimated 2 pounds.  I might give birth to a whale.

7. I heart:  sewing, ironing (it's true...I would iron my pillow cases if I still had the time), pedicures, a large glass of ice water with lime, cinnamon toast, blogging (had one since like 2004...on xanga...it still exists...even though I don't write on it...and no, I'm not linking to it.) digging in freshly tilled dirt, spinning til I'm dizzy, Thanksgiving and Sci Fi.  (That last one is thanks to Husband dearest!)  :)

Okay...now to pass on the love.  If you aren't reading these, you so should be.  :)

1. Naptime in Naptown or Heart Gone Walking - both are a fantastically hilarious read by my real life friend, and former college roomie, Katie.
2.  In Sock Monkey Slippers - the food.  Oh.  The food.  Every recipe I have made from her blog has been scrumptious.  Especially the butternut Squash Mac and Cheese.  Oh baby.
3.  Joy's Hope - Julie is so stinkin' funny and real.  I love her blog.  She is awesome at all things crafty and has some wonderous tales of how Christ has worked in her life - through thick and thin.
4. Lots of Scotts - A grand Momma who loves the Lord and recounts how everyday occurrences are teachable moments.
5.  Vintage Dutch Girl - Amanda is just funny.  :)  She has some mad sewing skills and isn't afraid to be down to earth and honest!  Did I mention she's hilarious???

YAY!  I think I'm done!  It only took me like week to actually finish this post!  :)

Why Being 2 Is Awesome.

Yesterday and today have GORGEOUS outside here in the midwest.  The gray, rain clouds have departed to bring us a brief reminder of why we live here.  :)  Thus, the cleaning has been put on hold and the laundry is piled in the hall, because, let's face it, playing outside is waaaaaaaaaaay more important.  :)

Which brings me to the age of 2.  I heart this age so much.  I honestly can't recall a better verb or phrase to describe it.  Sesame is so capable and full of curiosities.  She LOVES to jump.  She LOVES to throw.  Throw anything.  Balls.  Rocks.  Homer's leash.  She loves to skip.  She loves EVERYTHING.  Which, is making me realize how awesome all these things really are.  :)

Example number one:

This lovely green ball cost a grand total of 2.00 at Wally World.  We purchased it about a year ago.  It lives on (miracle) and entertained Sesame for 30 minutes yesterday.  Did I mention all she did was throw it, run after it and throw it again.  I didn't even help.

Example #2:

She loooooooooves airplanes.  The kid can spot them with her ears alone.  She perks up, cocks her head sideways and loudly proclaims: "DADDY AIRPLANE!"  I'm looking.  I'm listening.  I don't sense a single sign of any flying object.  But, sure enough, a minute or so pases and there is the airplane.

Note: It's also cute that every plane is "Daddy's airplane."  Husband dearest is an aero engineer,which; in 2 year old land, means every airplane is Daddy's.  :)  Awesome.

Example Numero Tres:

This next series will give you a glimpse of the joy Sesame experiences when throwing a single rock.

Oh yeah.  Those faces are only a 10th of the expression she exudes on a daily basis.  We have no problem with animation in this household.

I love this kid.  I love this age.  I am so blessed to stay home and experience every moment of it.  :)

Post

This is the third time I have tried to write a post.

This is the third time I have come upstairs without my camera.

My daughter is also now repeating the mantra, "I have to go pee-pee Mommy" from her bed.

I think this post will be delayed yet another day.

Random.

1.  Dear Kohl's - I think I might have to leave you a neatly folded note that says, "I am breaking up with you."  What is with all the girl toddler clothes!?  I have been a faithful infant clearance rack shopper since January 2009.  You have never disappointed, what with your cute jumping bean play clothes and Polo dresses for a mere 2.00.  When the time came to graduate to the next section I wept.  Why?  Because every piece of clothing - clearance and not - seems to have giant photos of Disney princesses or Dora the Explorer brandished across the front.  Now, I recognize there will be a time when my daughter falls madly and deeply in love with princesses.  But on all her clothes?  I think not.  Please, bring back the cute, colorful, fun, comfy clothes.  I miss them.

2.  Dear Target - You are my new retail love.  You have replaced Kohl's.  My daughter is, at this moment, wearing navy and off-white polka dot leggings (gathered at the ankle), an empire waist Peter Pan collar knit navy coat, with a sweet off-white, ruffle-necked T underneath.  How much did this entire, adorable outfit cost??  $7 dollars.  Oh Yeah.  I can't find an outfit this cute, at this price, used at Once Upon a Child!  Thank you for being reasonable and having simple, cute items for my 2 year old.  You rock.

3.  Why do I have 13 sewing projects cut and half sewn??  I mean, really, why!?  Does anyone else do this?  Am I alone?!

4.  I have now entered the beached whale phase of Squirt's pregnancy.

5.  I love being a beached whale.

6.  This:

Made me laugh.  Very hard.  And for a long time.  I'm not ashamed.

7.  I am also not ashamed that my husband and I played Paper, Rock, Scissors to see who would change Sesame's dirty diapers as a little tyke.  Nor am I ashamed that as she grew, she would walk up to us and try to play when she had a dirty diaper.  :)

8.  I leave you with some Sesame-isms:

Conrad: "Sesame, are you sleepy?"
Sesame: "No." pause "I'm just restin' in my car seat."

Conrad: "Sesame, Num-Num time is over.  Give it to Daddy please"
Sesame: "Okay." walks away dejectedly. "That's a big bummer."

Me: "Sesame, would you like to have blueberries or apples?"
Sesame: "I would like ice cream"  pause "Chocolate." pause "with a spoon."

Me: "Sesame, what should we call baby Squirt when he/she comes out of Momma's tummy?"
Sesame: "Ummm....Jesus."

You Might Be Feeling Better If...

Your Momma catches you jumping on your bed...

Fever free, happy, playful, asking for food, requesting "piggie-toes" (pig-tails) in her hair, asking for food, using the potty, playing with Homer...I think it's safe to say, she's feeling better!  :)  Praise the Lord!

Livin' in the Momma Hood

This week has been particularly trying.  Sesame woke up on Monday morning sounding like Darth Vader and Chewbacca had a love child.  Come to find out, she has Croup and a sinus infection.  If this winter were labeled for posterity sake, it would be titled "A Plague of Illness Upon Our House."  We just can't seem to make it more than a weekend with all of us well.

That said, and also noting we currently have one operational vehicle, amounts to a fair amount of time quarantined in our own home.  I love being home, don't get me wrong.  Usually I relish in the hours spent finger-painting and playing in cookie trays of beans.  I don't mind staying in the confines of our adorable house.  But this week has been a bit different.

Sesame has gone from no fever to 101 in the span of half an hour.  This means were coloring pictures for Grammy and five minutes later she's a limp noodle wanting nothing more than to have Momma "hold you." (aka hold her).  My patience has been worn.  After going several days sans potty accidents (including an accident free day whilst traveling!) she had five accidents in one day.

My house looks like a tornado hit.  The load of laundry in the dryer has been there since 7:00 this morning.  The are dishes piled on the counter from the past two days.  The batcave (aka bathroom) looks like a brigade of pre-schoolers came in and played "Win, Lose or Draw" on the walls, and left towels and wash cloths draped over every drape-able surface.  We ate frozen pizza for dinner last night and Kraft Mac and Cheese tonight.

And I have been home since Sunday evening.  How is this possible?!

I lamented my frustrations to my Momma tonight on the phone.  "I just feel so lazy!  Nothing has been done in our house and I haven't left for three days.  Not even to run to the grocery store!?"  "Emily," she said, "You haven't done nothing. You've taken care of a sick little girl.  She hasn't been hysterical or crying the whole time, despite being sick.  You are doing something."

It's hard to remember that sometimes.  It's hard to remember among the piles of toys and laundry that snuggling my fever ridden daughter, is part of my job.  It's hard to remember that watching "The Kite" episode of Shaun the Sheep 5 times in a row, is part of my job.  It's hard to remember that being pooped on, is part of my job.  Mostly, it's hard to remember that all of those things are contributing to the character of Sesame.  How I react to everything establishes a portion of her personality.

In the end, she won't remember the dirty dishes, the laundry and Mac and Cheese.  She'll remember the "goodest blanket" that we snuggle under, in Momma's bed, when she's sick.  And the chicken noodle soup.  And the two baths a day.  And the book reading.

That's what I remember at least.

I suppose my prayer in all of this is to learn patience and contentment.  To be resting in the role the Lord has placed me in during this time and season of life.  Hopefully, I'll get the hang of this soon, what with the family growing and all! :)