Quick Takes

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First, an update on last week's quick take in which I mentioned how much I am loving Josh Groban's Christmas album. I have one small annoyance - with his incredible reverent voice he changes two little words of "What Child Is This?" What is with artists thinking different words to traditional, classic songs sound better? Was it all that hard to sing "the Virgin" instead of "His mother?" Now that I'm done griping about yet another unimportant minute detail, I will reaffirm that I still love the album.

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We had SNOW! A solid 4 inches which provided fun and entertainment and childhood bliss this past weekend! Bella absolutely loved it; she climbed mountains, slid down the sides, made a snow angel, and helped Daddy shovel. The only way Patrick got her back inside after an hour was old fashioned bribery. What child can resist hot chocolate???

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Anastasia is really walking! It's a early, unstable, little toddle and involves a lot of falling, but she has discovered a new mobility and is on the move. Sunday was her first long walk across the floor, and since then she's stood up by herself from the middle of the floor, changed direction, and stopped to pick something up and kept going. It certainly doesn't take kids long, *sigh*.

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How's your Advent preparation going? I have read all across the blogosphere people talking about feeling unprepared or slacking in their Advent goals. Well, this year I am.... right there with them, as usual. I did manage to get our purple tablecloth and Advent wreath. I set up our Nativity set with the pregnant traveling Mary and Joseph in the center, and have enjoyed listening to Bella tell them how they have to ride a long way to have the Baby sleeping on the hay. Since we are leaving in LESS THAN A WEEK (!) for California our decorations have been minimal, and instead we're just reading about the Christmas story and enjoying the little moments of joyful anticipation. Funny, not being able to do much Christmas preparation has allowed a lot more Advent focus around here. *ssshhhhh* Don't tell my husband I said that.

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3 days ago we got rain/sleet mixture that washed away most of our snow. Today it's 29 degrees and windy with no precipitation. Our weather here drives me crazy.

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I need ideas on quick, convenient protein-based breakfast foods. But no egg or yogurt. Lately I can't stomach the idea of carbs first thing in the morning, I NEED protein, otherwise I end up feeling blech all day. I ate those microwavable sausage sandwiches the other day at my brother's house and they were great for my tummy, but not so great for either the food or calorie budgets. Any suggestions???

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WE ARE FLYING TO CALIFORNIA IN 6 DAYS!!!!! We are more than a little excited about seeing family and spending Christmas with them for the first time in several years! I will most likely NOT be doing Quick Takes next week, unless they are "7 Ways I (presumably) Survived the Plane Ride." The following week is Christmas. Hopefully I will be posting other things before then!

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As always, JEN @ CONVERSION DIARY has wonderful thoughts to share at a whole list of people's Quick Takes, so go check them out!

Wordless Wednesday

Well child of mine, if you would just sleep in your bed...

Quick Takes

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Dear Mr. Children's Clothing Manufacturer; Why does cotton children's play clothing stain? There are certain substances with which kids regularly come in contact such as, but by no means limited to: mulch, food, grass, nasal mucus, rubber, and sand, often at the same time. These substances are part of normal childhood development, and can be found on toddlers everywhere. What really really confuses me, though, is that these aforementioned outfits were matching, came home with the same residue, and yet ONLY ONE IS STILL STAINED. Please work on that.

Dear Mr. Clorox Manufacturer; Thank You for getting the stains out of almost everything.

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Unfortunately, both girls are sick. Last night Bella quite suddenly announced that the inside of her ear hurt. A trip to the doc earned her an antibiotic for her double ear infection and albuterol neb for her bronchiolitis. This seems to be par for the course with Bella, who manages to start wheezing every time we're around someone with a cold. Anastasia earned herself a trip to the doc this morning which revealed a single ear infection and minor bronchiolitis, so more of the pink stuff for her, too - this one's just 3 weeks after her last ear infection! It's going to be a long winter...

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Anastasia celebrated her birthday (besides being sick) with cake, giggles, and MANY toddler renditions of "Happy Birthday" which earned us smiles every time. Yeah, that girl does love attention!

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I love Josh Groban's voice. I just opened his Christmas album and instantly fell in love with his rich, classic sound. I love that he makes each song signature without altering the original melody.

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Anastasia is a crazy child. I spend way too much of my day chasing behind her while she, for example, tries to plug the space heater into the toilet. We have a decorative fountain in our dining area that survived an active, curious Bella just fine; Anastasia pulled it over yesterday... from her seat at the table! But my favorite of the week was my own ice-capades demo courtesy of that little Sneak. While I was brushing my teeth, (a task done in record time when she's hanging with me), she was apparently playing with a bottle of bubble bath unbeknown to moi. Later in the day the unsuspecting Mama walked into the bathroom, only to display a most ungraceful rendition of "Bambi on Ice" but with more arm flailing.

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Check out Jen's Quick Takes, hosted every Friday at Conversion Diary.

Happy 1st Birthday, Anastasia

Little Baby Anastasia is ONE YEAR OLD. I guess it's about time I admit she is not a tiny baby anymore... perhaps. She has really changed quite suddenly over the past 2 weeks, turning into quite the playful, mischievous little girl.

She is definitely a climber - something new for us! Her world goes mostly UP - on the sofa, on a chair, up the stairs, a stack of boxes, anything.

She loves Bella's singing and play-songs. She recently started trying out the hand motions to "The Wheels on the Bus", "Shake My Sillies Out", "Happy and You Know it." My favorite of all, though, was as I was telling my cousin about Bella's favorite song "gonna wash that man right outta my hair" and Anastasia started rubbing her head with both hands!!!

Miss Social just loves attention from anyone and everyone. The sound of her own name brings a smile to her face, and her attitude very much displays that she knows the world is full of adoring fans. She's right, of course.