Quick Takes

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1.
Nesting needs to happen in the 2nd trimester. Every time darling Hubby desires to converse about a project on which we had previously agreed needed to be done it causes his otherwise logical, level-headed wife to totally, uh, spaz-out. Looking around my house right now is a stressful, sweat-inducing event for me, but I have little motivation to do anything about it. I need that driven energy of nesting NOW. Otherwise when the desire and motivation hit me, my body will say "Yeah Right, fatso - you go right ahead but I'm stayin' here on the couch."

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2.
We have had colds all week, complete with phlegm-vomiting toddlers at 3am. (This is where Dave Barry would point out that "Phlegm-Vomiting Toddlers" would be a great name for a rock band.) We seem to be over the ucky-feeling part, and instead I am just chasing noses all day. Not too bad, considering those noses are attached to the children I have to chase anyways.

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3.
Are you ready for some brutal honesty??? I haven't put away all my Christmas stuff yet. Disclaimer: this was NOT intentional. No, I was ready the weekend after Epiphany this year, which is a little early for me but I was ready. Instead, see #1 for commentary on my motivation lately. The worst part is that my husband is waiting *patiently* to put it all away in the attic, and he doesn't want to start until it's all ready. I don't blame him, but in the meantime we are still finding stray ornaments hiding under the couch which prompts Bella to ask all over again where is her Christmas tree. Hey, at least that's put away! Baby Jesus is still very patiently sitting on the end-table though.

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4.
I need to plan some family time on weeknights a little better, I think. We have been on the go so much lately that even Bella is asking to stay home instead of see people. We need a few nights per week that are just for family time. Not that I mind having things to do and people to see, but we need some good quality time around here, too. That could also help explain my exhaustion level lately and why nothing is in order around the house. Hhhmmm, it's all becoming clear. I also know that eating dinner and playing as a family will help us appreciate having friends to see the other nights!

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5.
Funny Anastasia story for today: Bella went to sleep for nap while Anastasia was still happily playing. I took advantage of the time to start the pizza dough in the mixer and try to scrub the kitchen. Then the deafening silence reached my ears, and my brain was struck by the unmistakable concern that ensues when Mama realizes that no one has been tugging on her legs for the past several minutes. I found her in her sleeping sister's room, tugging on the blankets trying desperately to get her sister to wake up and play with her. Bella was unmoved, thankfully!

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6.
With Baby #3 on the way, we are starting to think about an upgrade in vehicle. I mean, just an upgrade in size; let's get real. I found Margaret's post about her 15-passenger van particularly amusing when she talks about how they bought in while expecting #5. (sorry for the mistype, Margaret!) Uh, I'm hoping to hold off a little longer before trading in for the schoolbus model... So, when did you realize your family had outgrown the smaller model, and what do you love or hate about your upgrade/upsize? At the rate we're going (3 kids in as many years) a regular minivan should last us another solid good 2 years! *faints*

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7.
I desperately want more snow. The big snow hit while we were in California enjoying the sunshine, and after we returned we had one opportunity to go sledding. Bella loved it so much and keeps commenting "We don't have any snow anymore!" The irony? We are supposed to be hit with snow/a wintry mix tomorrow morning - the one day of the weekend that we have to drive an hour down to VA.

Jen has more Quick Takes for your enjoyment, including a pretty funny one about English Tea, so go check them out!

Christmas in California

While I am aware that it is the end of January and no one is actually interested in Christmas-related stories and pictures anymore, I am posting anyway. The girls had such an incredible time, and since I've been falling behind on the baby books also this is my way to compensate. Enjoy!

Vegas, Baby!

Patrick's sister lives in Vegas, a mere 4 hr drive, and we were thrilled to get the chance to see her and have her finally meet the kids! She thoroughly spoiled Bella by planning a trip to the Mirage's Secret Garden where both girls fell in love with the dolphins, but also loved the white tigers. I'm not sure how much Bella liked being that close to the lion, though.



We toured several of the famous hotel/casinos and really enjoyed the unique decor. Even the girls enjoyed all the walking/stroller-riding and the sights and sounds. P.S. Aunt Joelle, Bella is still sleeping with M&M Guy ad Fairy Bear.


Our special Christmas present from Patrick's folks was a trip to Desert Hot Springs and a great family-friendly resort. Bella LOVED swimming!!! Anastasia relaxed in the warm water as if she was reminiscing... There are also ducks and black swans to feed, peacocks and plenty of running space. It was wonderfully relaxing for all of us, which is pretty impressive with 2 toddlers running around!


Christmas morning may have started out slowly thanks to 2 overtired babes, but with a little milk and snuggle time soon we were ready to check out the loot Santa left! It did not take long for Anastasia to get the hang of what was unfolding - er, unwrapping. Bella would unwrap a present, exclaim over it dramatically and enthusiastically, and then hand it to Anastasia. Both girls really liked this program!

As always, the best part of our vacation is seeing family. Bella is old enough to really remember family members, and had a fantastic time with cousins Drew and Demi, and still talks incessantly about them! She also had a great time playing guitar with Uncle John, and lots of snuggle and play time with her Gram and great-grandmas. One of the funniest stories from the trip was singing karaoke with Uncle Tony and Aunt Simone. Yes, we all participated. Perhaps they learned their lesson! Bella and Anastasia both LOVED it! They both enjoyed the dancing with the music, and Bella sang "Rudolph" into the microphone, declining any help!

Quotable Quotes

These are way overdue! So much in fact that I've lost track of several of the *charming* phrases that have come forth from the mouth of the Two-year-old. We were sans internet for several days, but I think we're back in business, so hopefully I can do some writing again!

Sharing little cheddar snacks with her sister, Bella feels the rough texture on one:
"Oh, this is nasty." (where did she even get that word in reference to food???)


Oh passing gas:
"oooh, Mama, my bottom burped!"


Upon waking from naptime:
"Mama, I put my pacer in my mouth, my blanket by my ear, pulled the covers up, and settled in for a long winter's nap!"


(especially for Aunt Angela)
Chasing Anastasia around with lots of laughter from both:
"Uh-Oh, Anastasia-Monster is a Stinker-ella!"

Toybox Dilemma Solved

What is the average Mama to do about the constant struggle to pick up the kids' toys??? The problem lies with the one-year-old, who believes it goes against moral conduct to place any toy in a brightly-colored, appropriately placed, toddler-friendly toy receptacle. Do you see where I am going with this?

My "light bulb moment" came when I realized that the problem does not lie with said perfect, angelic Toddler, but rather with my crazy decorative expectations. Therefore, I offer this solution:

Toilet-shaped toy bins.

Given her success and speed ratings with finding the toilet and depositing whatever happens to be in her hand at the moment safely in it, I am sure that this is the logical solution. Just don't mind the change in my living room decor.

Wordless Wednesday

What happens when a Southern California man sees snow:

How Does One Catch Up?

When it has been this long since I last wrote I find myself overwhelmed by the story possibilities. Where do I begin? Do I start recounting tales of Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Christmas, plane rides, New Year's? Do I sum up the atmosphere with another round of "Quotable Quotes?" And what to do about the random thoughts tumbling about in my head with no outlet other than my poor over-talked husband - such as the strange, friendly black guy on the plane home, or the irritating fact that radio stations start playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving but then drop it at Midnight on the 26th? I find the task laying before me daunting.

Because this is somewhat of my baby book for the girls I try to update as many stories as possible. Because this is also my writing outlet, I would like to put a teensy-weensy amount of thought and effort into those stories. Because I have 2 crazy toddlers under my care, neither of those seem to happen regularly. And therein lies my blogging dilemma - How do I balance my desire to write with the time involved? The sheer volume of topics would keep me glued to my computer indefinitely, but I hear that kids need to eat every day, too.

I will be posting pictures and quick stories to update, and as usual end up falling back on quickies to get the job done. Maybe once I catch up.... hahahaha, okay okay, at least when I have covered a few key events I'll try my hand at writing again and see what happens.

For now I'm going to bed - those 2 little distractions, uh, Darlings, will be up and ready for my attention early!