What E's Learning

E's interest in the alphabet has made me think more about what she can learn. I don't formally school E, but i definitely focus on teaching her certain things throughout our day.

Some things I focus on are...

• upper & lower case letters




• numbers




• colors




• shapes




• animals & animal sounds




• food




• identifying the words: yes, no and me

All pretty standard stuff. Eliza knows the entire upper case alphabet. However, depending on her mood she may pretend she doesn't know any letters. hee hee I have been reading her Chicka Chicka ABC and she seems to be picking up the lowercase letters. Other than that I point them out at the store, on boxes, in books and magazines and clothing etc. I use what she is interested in and go from there.

I know a lot of people like to do a letter of the week with their little ones- and this is often done in many schools. I NEVER did this when I taught Kindergarten because I think it is an ineffective and unnatural way to learn letters . Much research supports my conclusion. I never saw the point in spending an entire week around a letter. It bored me to tears! I will say people come up with many creative activities to go with letters but it just isn't for me- and I think the activities would be better served if used during a theme. I base what I teach E around what interests her at the moment. In K I taught one kid the alphabet using super heroes. That is what he loved and it worked. Another student, who started out with no knowledge of the alphabet- not even his own name- quickly moved to the top of the class after we started learning about sharks and the ocean! You have to use what kids love if you want them to learn.

One of my favorite teaching resources is a book called Words Their Way.


and here is what E is reading these days...

a rant and some tv theme songs

Something has been bothering me for quite some time and so I am going to rant just a lil...

If you had asked me about co sleeping before Eliza was born I probably would have responded by saying 1) I will never do it and 2) it is dangerous. My husband would have backed me up 100%. I also would have explained that my daughter would sleep through the night in a crib and CIO if she had other plans. Like I said this is BEFORE my sweet Eliza was born, when the only information I used as a basis for decisions was my mom's account of my own infancy. My mom and dad believed in letting me cry, so they did, and here I am today only partially screwed up. hee hee I don't fault my parents for their decision. They are amazing parents and I believe you can screw up your kid however you choose. That is one of the many joys of becoming a parent.

However, time, research and experience have definitely changed my entire outlook on nighttime parenting and parenting in general. I no longer believe children should sleep alone. I refuse to see Eliza's waking up at night as an inconvenience even at 16 months old. I know better than to expect a baby or small child to sleep through the night. Some kids do sleep and that is super, but most don't and that is ok too. Parenting is a 24/7 job and I have accepted that getting up at night is in my job description. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying I enjoy it tremendously. However, when I accepted the simple truth that Eliza sometimes needs me in the middle of the night I finally rested a little easier. When I learned to stop listening to other people and started listening to my heart, my instincts, parenting became much easier.

I believe in co sleeping. I believe in it big time. Whether it means a bassinet in your bedroom, a co sleeper, or bed sharing (our choice!)- I believe that babies and parents should be close together for optimal development. I think it a viable choice for all families who are interested. I think it is a shame that it has a bad reputation and that many people are misinformed about the safety of sleeping with baby.

I do NOT think cribs are the safest place for babies. I think a baby (especially a newborn) in a crib in a different room is dangerous. You can agree to disagree and that is fine. I never felt safe with E in a different room. I always felt the most at ease when I could feel her breathing body next to mine. This is what felt right to me.

I am NOT attacking your sleep arrangement or your parenting choices. I am defending my own- because I am often chastised for co sleeping. I am given opinions when I don't ask for them by people who think they know what is best for my family. I listen to others being praised for letting their children cry and I listen to people put me down for sleeping with my baby. I have also experienced eye rolling, knowing looks and whispering behind my back. People warn Eliza will never want to leave the bed. HA! and why do you even care..it is my bed -not yours. When she wants to sleep in your bed then it is your issue.

It is wrong to put down the parenting choices of other people. I would never put down your choices...because I believe you are entitled to do as you please. If you disagree with what someone is doing- do them a favor and zip your lips. If someone asks for your advice or opinion then by all means let those loose lips fly!

I think one of the hardest parts of being a new parent is fielding the enormous amount of advice people throw your way. Do this. Don't do that. I did it this way. We used to do it this way. Your gonna do what? The truth is, that if everyone would pipe down long enough to give the new mom and dad a chance to think-they would know the answer that is right for them.

Follow your gut.

and remember different strokes for different folks



man i loved that show

and now because i love all tv theme songs


and i bet those crunchy Keatons coslept :)

Tasty Toddler Thursday

It has been quite some time since I reported on what Eliza has been eating. Since I spend LOTS of time thinking of food, preparing food and cleaning up I figured I would give a run down of E's current meal faves.

What's for breakfast?
Eggs /w/ cheese, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower.

French Toast- Daddy's treat
Pancakes- I make either whole wheat or buckwheat pancakes in a big batch on the weekend and then freeze them. This way i can give her pancakes during the week with just a little effort. I have made the recipe using applesauce but hope to branch out in coming weeks. Other stir in ideas include berries and cheese!

Waffles- I don't have a waffle maker and am guilty of giving her frozen waffles. At least they are organic. I usually serve waffles with fruit. I would love waffle maker. then I could make and freeze these as well.

Oatmeal- I love oatmeal but lately E hasn't been a huge fan. I love it for the versatility. You can stir in so many different things. I am hoping the tide turns and E decides oatmeal is her friend.

Cereal /w/ milk. E is getting good with a spoon and cereal with milk works for me when I am too tired to cook or think!

Yogurt- Yogurt and fruit is always a hit. I also might add a piece of whole wheat toast.

Fruit- E loves fruit. At breakfast she loves to munch on bananas, orange, kiwi, or melon.

I made a blueberry sauce (no added sugar) to put on E's waffles but she seems to hate blue food. It was quite delicious and I ended up eating it on some vanilla ice cream. Her loss!

What's for Lunch?

How I love the quesadilla. Let me count the ways...

1. cheese

2. avocado

3. broccoli

4. spinach

5. chicken

6. ground turkey

7. anything goes! have fun

Needless to say the quesadilla is a big hit around here. Plus you can whip one up in a jiff.

Other lunch options include

• Grilled cheese /w/ spinach, broccoli or avocado


• Noodles


• Mac-N-Cheese /w/ something healthy stirred in like cauliflower, sweet potato, spinach, peas,asparagus, green beans etc.


• Turkey and cheese roll-up


• Leftover Dinner :)

*usually some fruit or veggie as a side. Avocado is big in this house!

What's for dinner?

Eliza pretty much eats whatever I make for dinner. I separate her portion before I add the spices I enjoy- like cayenne!

However Eliza hates mashed potatoes and usually white potatoes in general. She moves them to the side of her tray with a look of disgust. She did eat some small cut up red potatoes in a corn chowder I made the other night- which is progress! White potatoes don't have much nutritional value so it is no big deal- but c'mon who doesn't like mashed potatoes!

Random

I write this Friday- and just realized i forgot to post. Talk about random...

Switching from two naps to one AGAIN has made for LONG days.

Finally getting a land line makes me me feel like I accomplished a mission.

Not being able to get on the Internet yesterday was a modern form of torture! I fixed the problem and now I have my Vonage land line and my Internet. Yay!

Knowing my mom is coming to visit makes it a little easier to get up on a cold, dreary morning.

Keeping Eliza out of the cat's food and water bowls has been a week long struggle-one I am clearly losing.



Getting my eyebrows waxed after 10 weeks makes me feel like a new woman.

Interview Time!

I got this from Dana at Just Talk.  She is a great friend with another great blog...if you haven't visited her blog yet, go check it out.  

Before posting my answers, here are some rules so you can participate:

1. If you want to participate, leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” (And your e-mail address, please.)

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

So... Here are the questions she asked me:

1. How did you know Ian (the hubby) was the one?

I think that when you can't stop thinking about someone and couldn't imagine living the rest of your life without them.  Also if you know EVERYTHING about them and they know EVERYTHING about you...and you are still in love with them then that's how you know they are the one.  Also I believe you should live together before getting married so you can see upfront how they really are so that you don't get surprised by anything!  Men don't bring out all of their annoying habits while you are on dates, you have to move in together to learn all those extra little tidbits about them...and if you can live with all the extras then I think you should go for it!  Shout out to Dana for setting us up in college!!!

2. What is the hardest thing you've ever done?

Having to watch my mother in law go through cancer treatment and dealing with the reality that nothing worked...

3. What is one thing you couldn't live without?

Other than the obvious answers - food, shelter, money, friends & family...I am going to say blankets.  I have a hard time watching tv, reading, or sleeping without a big fluffy, snuggly blanket.

4. What are your 3 favorite foods?

#1 - salad bars or make your own salads

#2 - cheese fries

#3 - smoothies (they are kind of a drink but are made out of fruit which is a food so does that count?)

#4 - (in case the last one didn't count) Fettuccini Alfredo

5. What is one thing you have always wanted to do but were too afraid to try?
Good question!  Tricking the hubby into getting me pregnant  :)  No way I would ever try it, because we would be in divorce court...but it would be pretty awesome if I could pull that off.  My backup answer would be a zip line through a rainforest...I have seen people do it on vacation but I am too paranoid that the rope would break.

Leave me a comment to play along!

Wordless Wednesday

What change do you want to see?

I will be breaking my own rule today and watching a lot of TV! Why? I want to see all things inauguration. It is a historic day and one I have been looking forward to since November. No doubt I will shed countless tears.

Additionally, I will teach Eliza the ASl sign for president! Here is a link to an ASL video dictionary if you are interested in seeing the sign!

http://www.aslpro.com/cgi-bin/echo/aslpro.cgi

It is time for change. Good thing E already knows that sign. :)

However, I am not talking poop diapers- this time!

The other day my mom told me that I couldn't change the world. She is right. Alone I probably can't change things, but together WE certainly can.

" You must be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi

There are so many things I would love to see change. Aside from economic change, protecting our environment and protecting our future, our children, (both human and animal) top my list.

Today is a fresh start. What changes are important to you? What will you do to be the change you want to see?

Silly Pizza!

I am dedicating this video to Rose! She is way better than me at Silly Pizza! I only mess up a handful of times in this one...take number 597. You can tell Eliza finds me enthralling by how she watches me the entire time. HAHAHA

and much thanks to my darling husband who loves to point out how Fab I look in all my videos.

Weekly Winners

Weekly Winners January 11-17

Time to make the donuts!

What's for dinner?
Walking on the moon!
I'm not messy.
Maybe if i concentrate a lil bit harder...something...will...come out!
Future Contortionist?

I'll keep you my dirty little secret

Having paper blinds is one of my dirty little secrets. I have a very good reason for this home decor faux pas. When Peter and I purchased our condo I didn't plan on living here for more than two years. I saw it as something temporary and not my home. Here I am almost four years later, staring at my $5 paper blinds, and it still doesn't feel like home. I have paper blinds on almost every window. I must admit that I really have zero interest in decorating-but paper blinds. C'MON!


Now people are saying it will be 10 years before we can sell without taking a loss. WHAT? How am I supposed to live somewhere for ten more years that isn't my home. REPEAT I am not supposed to be here. This isn't where I am supposed to live. But the reality is that I am here at least for a good while. The second reality is that I definitely do not have the money to purchase treatments for all of our windows. And I can't sew a stitch so making curtains seems to be out of the question too. So it would seem I might be eligible for the Guinness books of World records for worst window treatments EVER!


Did I also forget to mention that Pete and I never painted our bedroom, or hung anything on the walls and we currently have as light bulb and not a light fixture hanging in the middle of our ceiling. It is really pathetic. We haven't painted the bedroom and now it is time to repaint most of the other rooms. Where did the time go?We always talk about making changes an improvements but we never seem to have the time or the $$$ especially since I am now a SAHM.


So now I need to figure out how to make this place feel like home for practically no money! Any suggestions?


Oh well...at least it seems I have about ten years to figure it out.

I would have taken a picture but it is not something I want to capture forever!

Take a few minutes

...watch this video and then tell yourself that all of this exposure to toxins is no big deal.

patting myself on the back...

Yay! I was a runner up over at My Charming Kids for the photo caption contest. I am not one of the top three but was a fav out of 891 entries! Sweet. So now go vote for your fav so the winner can get a miracle blanket.

My caption was

Do these mittens make my hands look big? By Danielle

and remember it is not whether you win or lose -it is how you play the game ad I always play for fun!

I Smell a Rat!

So word got out that I was dissing cell phones on my blog. Apparently, the phones got to talking and someone told my phone I was complaining about how they are harmful cancer causing nightmares etc. etc. yada, yada, yada

So guess what my little chocolate chip mint monster decided to do today? Stop working! That's right. It just fell apart. The battery won't even stay attached. and I think I heard it laughing at me. I am on to you, you sneaky piece of overpriced metal. I don't even care that you are green and match my diaper bag beautifully. Your days are numbered LG!

Yes friends. My cell phone has decided to teach me a lesson. I have no land line. I have no cell phone. My car battery is dead. I am officially a hermit. I am like Tom Hanks in Castaway. Except I am stranded in a cold condo in NJ with a 16 month old instead of on a sunny island with a volleyball.

My mom works for FedEx. It could happen.

Has anyone seen Wilson???????????

and lastly, I looked out the window and guess what...all those verizon people that are supposed to be following me around-my NETWORK- are not out there. Now I have to go deal with the sandwich eatin EMO lookin tween at the mall who is apparently Verizon's only employee. Or I can call insurance and pay $50 for the same crappy phone that has already died on me twice.

Not that I am complaining or anything.

I've been accused

of complaining too much. Seriously, is that even possible?

My husband decided to keep a tally of my complaints. He then was gives me averages. Why oh why did I marry a numbers man. I say I am not complaining but after looking at the definition of complain I think I am guilty as charged.


com⋅plain   /kəmˈpleɪn/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kuhm-pleyn] Show IPA Pronunciation

–verb (used without object) 1. to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault: He complained constantly about the noise in the corridor.
2. to tell of one's pains, ailments, etc.: to complain of a backache.
3. to make a formal accusation: If you think you've been swindled, complain to the police.

Let me give you an example. When I woke up this morning I commented (not complained) that we need to turn the space heater down at night. I might have mentioned that the inside of my nose was dry as a bone, my lips were chapped and my throat was dry. I was merely backing up my assertion that the heater was too high; I was not complaining.

My husband said I was complaining.

Later on I may have muttered something about being crampy under my breath. Darn. Complaint number two. I said it didn't count if I was talking to myself under my breath.

I then suggested I wanted all of my complaints reviewed by a complaint department to see if they actually were in fact valid complaints. You see what I sometimes consider conversation my husband considers complaining. I am sorry if I like to chit chat about what ails me. I am sorry that I am often cold, hot, tired, cranky, stressed bored, ill etc! I don't excel at many things but I am really good st complaining, I like to think of it as an art form that I have mastered. If I could get paid to bitch and moan I would be rich.

Did I complain when my car battery was dead this morning? NO! Now someone did complain and bitch about doing manual labor in the cold while someone else watched out the window- but it wasn't me.

The way I see it I am going to have to either A) stop talking to my husband or B) sensor everything that comes out of my mouth before it leaves me mouth C) Move into a nursing home where the people complain as much as I do.

None of these options appeals to me in the least. I am being picked on and it stinks; Not that I am complaining or anything!

In memory

Lately I have been thinking back to the first time I was pregnant and consequently my first miscarriage. Maybe it is because I so frequently hear about miscarriages and my heart always goes out to these women. I also know that no two situations are the same but I do know from experience how difficult it can be to get over a loss.

I found out I was pregnant a little over a week before Thanksgiving in 2006. We had been trying to get pregnant for a few months and when I found out I was overjoyed and terrified. However, I felt like something was off from the beginning. I worried. I worried a lot. People told me not to worry. I didn't listen. I was crampy and felt icky- pretty normal pregnancy stuff. I told my parents I was pregnant and they had passed on the info to friends and family. I was excited and so were they.

I remember it like it happened this morning.

On Thanksgiving morning Peter and I got ready to go to my mom's house. We were about to leave and standing in the kitchen. I don't remember exactly what Peter said to me, but I am sure he was busting my chops about something. I felt a stabbing pain and said, "Ouch! Stop! Are you trying to make me loose the baby." Because while I was worried I didn't really think I would miscarry-hence the joking. I figured I was worrying for nothing...that is what I normally do- worry for no reason. I ran to the bathroom before we headed out the door and saw I was spotting.

Although I knew spotting could occur in normal pregnancy, I was sure at that very moment that things were bad. I felt like someone had turned up the thermostat to a zillion degrees and then down to zero. I wanted to throw up. I didn't want to leave the bathroom or the house but knew I had no choice. I was crying and trying to get calm enough to drive an hour to my mom's to spend a happy day with family.

I love Thanksgiving. I love to eat. I love everything about the holiday. But in that moment that day changed for me forever. I still love Thanksgiving but not a year will go by when I won't think of that day.

I was crying the entire ride to my mom's. I made Peter call her and tell her I was spotting because I couldn't even get the words out. I probably went to the bathroom a zillion times that day because constantly checking to see if you are spotting makes the spotting go away. Or not. People arrived and congratulated me on my pregnancy. I cried. I rested on the couch with my feet in the air. I sat in front of food but don't remember eating a bite. I felt angry and sad and every emotion possible that day- but what I didn't feel was thankful.

I miscarried just a day or two later. I returned to work after a long weekend and in a way felt like only a shadow of myself. I had a miscarriage I whispered. You didn't even know I was pregnant but I was and now I am not. And then I talked to people- a lot- and shared what happened-because that is what made me feel better. I learned that I was not alone. And people said stupid things- but it was OK because they were just trying to help.

I was in a dark place after that first loss. Friends and family tried to pull me out but I knew it would take time. I spent a lot of time on a After Loss message board and then on a TTC after loss board. It isn't for everyone but it helped me tremendously. I will always take time to talk to someone who is dealing with loss because I understand it is a time when you feel absolutely alone even when you are surrounded by people.

I was pregnant with Eliza just two months later.

I didn't even know what blogging was back then- maybe it would have helped in my healing. Regardless, I felt like I needed to write about the experience for myself and maybe for others. I don't think people talk about miscarriage enough. Of course it is a personal choice- but I feel that sharing story might make others feel less alone. It also makes me feel a little bit better-to remember-and to know I will never forget.

Wordless Wednesday

A Minute to Gripe

I feel like the U.S is always behind when it comes to the safety of our children. It seems to me that in the Sates it is all about making money with little regard for the health and safety of the citizens. The current culprit- CELL PHONES!


I have written previously about the ban on television for kids in France. Now they are again one step ahead of us warning about the dangers of cell phones to kids. Here is what their ban entails.

Why are we always so behind! I know I use my cell phone way too much. My father has warned me over and over about the dangers of excessive cell phone use. I don't even have a house line-something I have been meaning to remedy for a few months. I try very hard to keep the cell phone away from Eliza but she is of course fascinated with the device. My goal is to get a land line by the end of the month so I can use my cell as little as possible. The cell phone will stay in my bag in the closet.

and while I am griping... I still can't get over this post I read about how much TV some children see in a week. I have been thinking about this again and again for the past two weeks. It just leaves me with my jaw hitting the floor. I don't like to let E watch any TV- but I am not perfect. I absolutely try to limit TV time to one half hour a day (A Signing Time video) and I feel terribly guilty about that. Sometimes I feel like getting rid o the TV altogether. I can't stand that glazed over look people get when the TV is on- and how the conversation dies on impact. I digress!

My rant is almost over but I just want to add that I strongly believe advertisements aimed at children should be banned altogether. I don't think companies should be permitted to advertise to children. PERIOD!

Sometimes I am very scared about the direction our culture is headed and today is one of those days.

Come, out, come out wherever you are

to meet the young lady who fell from a star! Ok so maybe I am not from kansas- but my sister-in- law is! And maybe I am more Elphaba than Doprothy but that is sooo not the point.

Yesterday was delurking day- but I forgot. I am not even sure if I have any lurkers because my blogging lately has been almost nil- but if you are here please let me know!

Not Me Monday

I know it has been a while- but I figured I would give it a go...

Make sure to check out My Charming Kids for some more hilarious Not Me Monday action!

I am not going to need my fingers surgically removed from my new Acer Netbook! Thanks Dad! I might actually get some blogging done now!

I did not finish the M & M's from Christmas just because I wanted to put the bowl away.

I have not been spoiling Eliza by rocking and singing her to sleep at each and every nap. And I didn't make her promise never to grow up. This isn't because I see my little baby growing bigger each day and is makes me sad.

I didn't whine to my husband about everything this week. I never whine or complain about anything-Especially not about things like doing dishes and giving Eliza a bath.

I didn't wipe Eliza's nose on the sleeve of my robe because I didn't have a tissue or rag handy. That would be waaaay gross.

I have not been slacking on cloth diapering lately. I always wash my diapers every night so they are ready for use the next day.

I didn't have to check E's poop for a bell she might have ingested while I was watching her like a hawk blogging. Nope not me.

Weekly Winners 1/4/09-1/10/09

Eliza teaches Alessia how to ride!

X marks the spot!

I am afraid it will take more then a broom to clean that toddler mess! Who looks the most comfy? I think it is a three way tie!
Hee Hee!

All smiles!

Check out Sarcastic Mom for more Weekly Winners!

Alphabet Fun!

Lori reminded me I need to take more video of Eliza. I have been a huge slacker in this department. Pete and I made a little video of E this morning. She seems to pick up more of the alphabet each day.

Enjoy!

A New Venture!

I have blabbed on here plenty about how I dig signing with kids and babies! So now I have made the jump and I will hopefully be teaching a baby signs class very soon! I still have a lot of things I need to get together but I am psyched to share my love of signing.

Here is my page at My Smart Hands!

Please check it out and let me know- What do ya think?

Yummie Tummie...My New Favorite Article of Clothing

How many of you eat way too much crap over the holidays and then after New Year's decide that you are going to start eating healthy and exercising? I would say I fall into that category with probably about 95% of the population. The only problem is that most likely you have come to this decision because you have gained a few pounds in your tummy area and don't look as cute and sexy as usual in your clothes. I am super self conscious about what many refer to as "muffin top" which is when there is some extra tummy popping out over your jeans when you zip them up. If you want to look great and not show the world the extra few pounds you got from way too many holiday desserts, Yummie Tummie has you covered.

It's the first shapewear brand that is comfy, sexy, and meant to be seen. Yummie Tummie tops will visibly slim, shape and smooth you. It’s the first shapewear line on the market that is actually comfortable enough to wear all day and evening and it will automatically take 5 pounds off of your tummy area. Sounds pretty good right...

The coolest thing about them is that they look just like a regular tank top to everyone else! The top and bottom are made out of super comfy cotton...the microfiber midsection panels are the secret. They go from underneath your bust down to your hips and secretly smooth and camoflauge any unsightly lumps and bumps. They make great layering pieces and there are so many styles to choose from. Women of all shapes and sizes, especially new moms will love the comfortable support they will get from yummie tummie...there's even a tank top designed for breastfeeding!

I am not really interested in posting before and after photos of my midsection on the internet, so here is a model to show an example of what the Yummie Tummie will do for you.

I tried the original tank long style in white and love it. The ordering process is so easy and since the yummie tummie is meant to fit snugly, they provide a sizing chart on their site so that you can be absolutely sure that the size you are ordering will fit perfectly.

I love to try out products designed by women for women, and since the creator also has the same name as me, I was even more excited! Yummie Tummie was designed by a woman named Heather Thompson who has been a fashion stylist for the past 15 years - so she definitely knows what she's doing. She has also worked with Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, and P Diddy to develop their clothing lines.

So if you've had your holiday fill and overindulged like the folks at eatdrinkandbeyummie.com

Yummie Tummie has you covered with slimming shapewear available in multiple styles and colors.  If you want to shop, get more information about the products, or read about how the Yummie Tummie was developed, check out their website.

Wordless Wednesday

Detergentastrophe

I never got around to my Not Me Monday yesterday. I started my post but after 11 hours the only word I had typed was laundry. That pretty much sums up my day yesterday. Laundry! I was so swept up in the holidays I forgot to do the laundry. So now I am paying the price. Oh and as an added bonus the detergent fell and leaked all over the floor. It is really a blast trying to clean up detergent while a 15 month climbs on your back trying to see what all the fuss is about. I used an entire load of darks to soak it up and was actually surprised when the washing machine did not overflow with bubbles. I did start trying to think of how I was going to explain that ONE to my husband.

Hopefully today will pass without a detergentastrophe! I can only hope. I have a trip to the library planned because I am out of reading material. The big trip out of the house. woo hoo.


Is it summer yet?

Letters, Letters Everywhere!

One of E's favorite toys are the giant foam letters pictured below. She started playing with them about two weeks before Christmas. At that point I only gave her the letters in her name-hoping she would at least learn the E. Alas, she found the rest stashed in the computer room and broke them out. Ever since she has been running around with all of her ABC's. O is one of her favorite letters-most likely because she loves to eat o's. At this point she can identify about half of the uppercase letters by name. She grabs the letters and runs around saying their name...it is really very cute. She can also identify some letters in ASL- which I guess she has picked up from singing and signing the ABC's. To Eliza learning her letters is purely play which I think is amazing. I do play games with the letters as well. She enjoys playing, "Hide the "B"" I hide the letter and then sign, "Where is the "B"?" and she scurries off to find the letter. Sometimes she tries to hide the letters for me too!

Want to beat the winter blues? Check out some fun signing activities here-Dr. Jeans Page! I especially love the idea for making personalized ABC books. It is a CHEAP way to make learning fun!

A Mighty Fine Year!

New Years for me is always about reflection and looking ahead. Tied together with my birthday it is a chance to start fresh, make important changes, and be thankful for another year of life.

Looking back- 2008 or my 28th year- was kinda an amazing year!

I had so much joy

• I discovered baby wearing
• I started learning ASL and started sharing that gift with my daughter.
• I left work to take on my greatest role- SAHM
• I shared a wonderful vacation with my family in Hatteras, NC!
• and one in Kansas too!
• I celebrated Eliza's first birthday
• and my 3rd wedding anniversary
• I co-slept with a smile
• I spent half the year Vegan
• and tried to live a little greener
• I enjoyed blogging on an almost daily basis
• I started new family traditions
• I read more books than I can count
• I watched dear friends get married
• and held newborn babies in my arms
• I spent time friends- but not enough-never enough!
• I rocked my daughter for hours on end- and cherished each second
• I loved, laughed and lived more than ever before...

And a little sorrow

• Suffered through Eliza's never ending sickness from day care
• Lost a pregnancy

All in all I can say that 2008 was really FABULOUS!

and I am really looking forward to 2009!

Happy New Year!

Oops- or not!

It seemed good in theory!