Toby

Yesterday, Zac and I drove to Louisiana to pick up this cute little fuzzball. We named Toby. He's so adorable and tiny and oh-so-sweet!

My Children 2011

Jac, my Eldest:

• You're almost five! I can't believe you'll be going to school in a few short months when it seems like just yesterday I was holding a tiny, squirming bundle of blue blanket and golden hair.
• You have a fantastic imagination and love pretending. You usually dress up in your Mario costume and create adventures for yourself and Sissy.
• You draw all the time. You mostly draw Mario, but you're so careful to get the lines right.
• You're so so so sweet, even on days that make me question my maternal skills. You're quick to apologize and give a kiss or a hug. I love when you come hug me and kiss my hip and say, "Mommy? Um... I love you."
• You're a great big brother. You give Sissy hugs and kisses and tell her she's your "bestest friend" and that makes me so happy and proud.
• You've been pretending to be a daddy to your stuffed animals. You tuck them in at night and kiss each one of them. Your favorites are Henry, Sharky, and Turtle and you can't sleep without them. You even put them in the windowsill when we go places so they can watch for you to come home.
• You're counting everything. You count one to twelve, then skip to 14, 16, 19, 100, 114. You know your alphabet and recognize the upper- and lower-case letters and can write your name so well! I'm so proud of you.

Leah, my Youngest:

• You're almost two! You've grown so much since I first held you. Time is passing so quickly.
• You've got quite the personality and aren't afraid to express yourself, even if that means screaming like a banshee because you dribbled water onto your favorite shirt.
• You've been really using your imagination lately when you play with Bubba.
• You're so smart and talk all the time, even if I don't understand everything you're trying to tell me. You definitely have much to say and want everyone to hear it! "Mommy, up!" is usually the first words out of your mouth when you wake up in the morning or after your nap.
• You love your B.B. and take such great care of her. She's always with you. You talk to her and rock her to sleep, "Rock, B. Rock, B" and kiss her goodnight.
• You're so girly! You walk on your tip-toes and even keep your pinky up when you drink or eat with your hands. You hate being sticky and messy. Hate it!
• You love to go "bye bye" and run to get your shoes on, yelling, "Shoe! Shoe!" You sit so patiently while you wait for me to help you strap your shoes on.
• You've become so helpful. You know to go get a diaper, the wipes, the Desitin and the changing pad, and then you lay there and wait for me to get the job done.

I love you both so very much. I'm lucky to be your mama.

Random Update

Zac and I brought the kids on a few errands. We went to Bath & Body Works to exchange some lotion for Mom and pick her out other scents. I would so love to work at Bath & Body Works. They aren't hiring right now, though. We went to PetsMart to look at fish. Ever since Oswald died, we've been thinking about getting another Betta fish. A red one (or rainbow!) would be pretty. The kids wanted Backyard Burgers for lunch, then we finished at Target to spend Christmas money. Jac found a plush Yoshi. His happy level is maxed out.

-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Satchel

I finished my satchel. The purple isn't showing up very well on my phone, but it's also a little darker than I like. I am probably going to make another, bigger one. My fingers hurt!

I used Caron Simply Soft yarn in Watermelon, Mango, Lemon, Limelight, Blue Mint, Plum Perfect, and Black. For the next satchel, I'm going to use Grape instead of Plum Perfect. It's much prettier. The entire project was knitted in the round using five size-four double-pointed needles. I'm not sure how many stitches I cast on since the project was spontaneous, but if you want to try this, make sure the amount of stitches cast on are divisible by four.

-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

2011 - A year in review: 2010

My pumpkins are finally in bed for the night after some very silly silly-time. They're sharing a bed tonight, but I might have to move them to their own beds since I'm fairly positive they won't sleep. Tonight, Jac is sleeping in underwear for the first time. I hope he doesn't have an accident, but I'm expecting it, just in case. It's a big step, though! He's proud of himself. Leah also used the potty all by herself tonight. I don't know what I'm going to do with all this growing up.

I've started knitting a purse/satchel, which is incredibly boring because I'm knitting in the round and it's the same motion over and over and over. I also really hate making button holes.

And now for the Year in Review!

A year in review: 2010

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Got my belly button pierced.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I quit smoking and have kept it so far.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Katie had Spencer.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A better car.

7. What events from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory?
Ripping my ear. That was rough.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Giving up cigarettes.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Getting on birth control and having it fuck me up.

10. Did you suffer an illness or injury?
I ripped my ear up pretty bad and needed stitches.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Tattoos!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Katie. She had such a rough delivery, but stayed positive and is such a good mom.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The wasp that stung me.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Tattoos.

15. What did you get really excited about?
Leah learned to walk!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
None, haha.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
-Happier or sadder? Happier.
-Thinner or fatter? Thinner!

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Baking. Reading. Knitting.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Eating out.

20. How did you spent Christmas?
We stayed home, opened gifts with the kiddos.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Still in love with Zac.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office, Dexter.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nah.

24. What was the best book you read?
I started reading the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.

25. What was your favorite musical discovery?
I listened to a lot of Garbage, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Spinnerette.

26. What did you want and get?
Tattoos.

27. What did you want and not get?
A puppy.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, and Resident Evil.

29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
Not much, but for Zac's, we went to IHop for free birthday pancakes and saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 1.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not ripping my ear so we could have a bunny, maybe snow?

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Lots of tank tops and jeans.

32. What kept you sane?
Friends.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Shirley Manson. I'll always love her because she's awesome.

34. What political issue stirred you most?
Healthcare.

35. Who do you miss?
My friends.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Don't recall if I met anyone new.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010?
I breathe better without cigarettes.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"So raise your glass if you are wrong,
in all the right ways.
All my underdogs,
we will never be, never be anything by loud
and nitty gritty, dirty little freaks.

Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas! May your day be merry and bright and may Santa find it in his heart to deliver goodies, despite the damage to his ears and self-esteem.

Holiday Baking

It's early in December for gingerbread cookies (HERE), but it's been cold outside and the molasses in the cabinet has been taunting me. I encouraged the kiddos to help. We're making memories and cookies at the same time.

Sick kids

Both of the kiddos are sick. I brought Jac to the doctor this morning to see what was wrong with him and he was diagnosed with tonsillitis again. I brought him home and found a feverish, coughing Leah. The clinic was already closed by the time I got home, so I had to take her to the E.R. We waited for three hours to find out she's got the flu.

Emily and Alex are moving into my parents' storage garage. They're going to turn it into an apartment, complete with carpet and insulation. Zac and I went with them to Home Depot to purchase paneling. While I was browsing, I came across a really cool standing-lamp. I told Zac that one day we should get one, but he thought it was tacky. On our way home from Home Depot, what did I see outside by the curb? The same lamp! I jogged down the street and picked it up. All I had to do was wipe it down and replace the bulbs and it's like new.

Thanksgiving 2010

Zac and I went to Mawmaw's for Thanksgiving.

Jac watered all the flowers and yard decorations, Francesca demonstrated her newest dance moves and Leah sat and quietly watched.

We met up with Jenny at the park. Jena and Quinn also joined us. We took turns getting dizzy and pushing the kids in swings.

Friends and Pictures

This week has been an adventure. We've been in Louisiana since Monday and so far we've spent some time with Christina and Steve. I've been having severe allergies from Sean's cats, so I'm not feeling well. Fallyn came over to hang out last night so I made fudge (recipe found HERE) and divided it into batches to give to friends as gifts.

Tonight, Zac and I brought our kids to the park to meet up with Olga and Katie. We took pictures of all the kids (kinda) together.

After the park, Zac and I went to Chuck E. Cheese to meet up with Jenny and Reid for dinner.

Birthday, Holiday Shopping, Tattoos

Yesterday was Zac's birthday. I received a coupon for a free IHOP breakfast "on your birthday", so I gave it to Zac and we took advantage of it. The chocolate chip pancakes are amazing. Last night, we went to the movies to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

Today, Mom helped me shop for Christmas gifts, so after three hours, we are done! To celebrate, the kids got tattooed.

Halloween 2010

Halloween was celebrated a day early since the 31st fell on a Sunday this year.

Jac dressed as Mario and Leah went as a makeshift Princess Peach in an Aurora dress since we couldn't find an official costume.

Hattiesburg Zoo

Zac and I drove to Hattiesburg to meet up with Katie so we could take our kids to the zoo.

Ice Cream Truck

Zac and I were taking a walk with the kids this evening and heard the ice cream truck. I never had an ice cream truck pass through the neighborhood growing up because we lived too far into the woods and our streets were narrow. Zac heard the little song being played, so we had to track it down. Both of these kids were so happy. Sonic and Tweety look a little crazy with the gumball eyes, but delicious nonetheless.

Anniversary # 4

It's hard finding costumes. I tried to find pieces of clothes to make homemade Dora and Diego costumes, but I just can't find the right materials. The kids already have their backpack and rescue pack, a plush Boots, and a plush Baby Jaguar, but Jac is wanting to be something else.
I found a Bride of Frankenstein wig for only $5 at Target (Party City wanted $20 for the same wig!!!) and I can see why it was so cheap. The thing is a disaster.

Today is mine and Zac's fourth anniversary. Jena came to stay with us to go to the fair, but we're not going this year. Instead, we let Jac jump on the trampoline in the mall and went to Build-A-Bear so the kids could each pick out a Smallfry. He's been begging to jump on the trampoline for weeks.

Tonight, after the kids were in bed, Zac brought Jena and me to Applebees for dinner. Our waiter, Big Al, was awesome. He was just so kind. He told us how he met his wife and about their kids and even brought us free ice cream.