Tardy Memories

It occurs to me today that I never posted about my and Jeff's 3rd Anniversary. It was a hectic time for us, so it got lost in the shuffle.

We decided that we could only go on trips and do gifts every other year, otherwise we spend too much moolah. Since 2nd year was a cruise, we decided this would be a low-key anniversary year. We wanted to go to one of our favorites, Franck's, but it isn't open on Mondays, apparently. We didn't find this out until late in the planning game, so we ended up just going to Tucahno's, a Brasilian place. (We spent time together the whole day, but had the girls with us 'til then.) The plan was to go from there to a drive-in (I've never been) but we only liked one movie out of each of the combos, plus... while we were at dinner, I got the message that my grandfather passed away. I'd been at the hospital for 12 hours the day before, and when they took him off life support, but finally had to take my girls home around 3 or 4am. Needless to say, I wasn't terribly in the mood for a drive-in after that. So, we just grabbed the girls and a redbox and went home. We put the girls down and just watched a movie at home, and it was nice. The rest of that week was spent with family, having a viewing, funeral (I sang-well, sang half and cried half of Jesus, Lover of my Soul,) and the burial in Idaho. We also had a night at our condo with my family in between. Overall it was a very sweet experience. He was ready to go (been in the hospital since before our trip to Oregon) and was surrounded by family. I'm glad I got to be a part of it, and especially to be his granddaughter-he was a fiery, funny and yet easy-going soul. I miss him!

So, our anniversary was SO lost in the shuffle of things that Jeff and I can't even remember what we gave each other/got for presents. Amazing. Don't let this weaken your faith in my love and amazement for the awesome husband I have! This year was definitely that year where we started saying "It's only been 3 years now?" It feels like we not only have been together forever, but like we belong together forever. I'm so grateful for the man he is, and especially the husband and father he is to me and our girls. He serves us selflessly and always wants our happiness first. Happy late Anniversary, Jeffrey!!!

Artiste in training

I know everyone has this post-heck I even already have this post. i just thought it was too good to pass up. Amie has always enjoyed coloring and makeup, but is especially jazzed about it lately. The newest horrors:
An entire tube of lipstick on her face and hand.

Look at the guilt in those eyes.

And the masterpiece that is mommy's bedroom wall mural.

Potty-Traning Chronicles, Vol. 3

So, potty training pretty much went to pot the past 2 days... We were out of the house a LOT and the girls were babysat a bit, too, so we didn't really get the chance to work on it. But-I've got a nice stretch of being home ahead of me, so back to business on Monday!

Potty-Training Chronicles, Vol. 2

I have to say, the past two days haven't been quite as successful on the potty training front. Amelie is still telling us when she has to pee, and still in love with wearing her princess panties, but has had an accident each today and yesterday. :(

I think, though, that the problem is full clothing. The first day she was running around bottom-less all day, and with panties and pants/skirt, she doesn't know quickly enough. Instead of running to the potty, she runs to me, and by the time I get her de-clothed, she's soaked.

Oh well-soldier on!

Potty-Training Chronicles, Vol. 1

Soooooooooooo... I believe I mentioned awhile back that we were attempting to potty train Amelie. This didn't really happen, we tried a few times on and off, and only failure. After many months, I thought maybe we (Jeff and I) just weren't making the effort like we should. After more than one time crying for her diaper, though, we gave it another long rest. This morning after I'd already dressed her and everything, almost on a whim, I took her (dry) diaper off to give it a shot. She wasn't telling me anything about potty-ing, and when nothing happened by after lunchtime, I started to wonder if she was tinkling in a corner or something that I didn't know about. We put on a movie after lunch and settled in, then I was jostled from my Beauty-and-the-Beast-induced trance by Jeff, who pointed out that Amie walked over to her froggy potty by herself, sat down and peed by herself without a word. She did this 3 more times through the day! As far as I know, she never missed, never had an accident, and never even asked-just did it on her own! She didn't even wet her diaper we put on for nap time. We did have a little incident with going number 2, but I noticed right away and rushed her to the potty. No cleaning up necessary, she just didn't do it herself or say anything to me. At bedtime, she was sad to trade her Belle panties for a diaper.

Not bad at all for her first day of potty-training! (this time) I'll take it! Let's hope it wasn't a fluke-stay tuned for Volume 2!

My first black eye

I've gotten numerous (but not tons) of inquiries about my little black eye. It looked really nasty, but you can't usually see it if my eyes are open, as the color lines up perfectly with my lashes.
I try to downplay it because I don't even have a cool story... just a black eye. I was getting up in the middle of the night (as usual) to feed Alisa, and was rushing (as usual) cause I didn't want her to wake up Amie. There were no lights on (as usual) and yet, for some reason this time I misjudged and ran (and I mean ran) right into my door frame. I hit it so hard I saw stars and cried. I stopped and sat down right where I was and by the time I got it together, Alisa was back asleep. (She does not usually just fall back asleep...) I had a huge goose egg that went about a half inch below the eye brow to almost an inch above it. It turned a light green then the very bottom went all blood-brown on me. That's all I have left there in the picture, it's almost gone. My glasses even suffered chipping in the glass and paint streaks on the frame. What can I say, I have a big head!

I always thought if I ever had a black eye, it'd sound much cooler. With how much it hurt, though, I hope to never have another black eye as long as I live!

Here are the pictures from actual Halloween weekend (it went for 3 weeks at our house...) Jeff and I were pirates, Amelie was sleeping beauty, and Alisa was a ballerina one night and a giraffe the other... just like Amie last year. ;)
On Saturday, I was worried about getting rained out, so I hauled the girls downtown by myself (Jeff was a few hours off a grave shift) to make sure they'd get some kinda candy. We took the train and went to Gallivan Plaza, where they had trick or treat booths, performances and cookies, masks and bags to decorate. It was fun, though they were a bit of a handful. (Literally the entire time people were-miss, you dropped this, miss, your baby..., ma'am, can I help you? Except never when I wanted help. I must have been a sight juggling my two girls, since I forgot my wedding ring that day and had a black eye!! Good times.


She didn't quite understand the mask thing...

She was so excited to take the pic, then when I out her down up there she was NOT happy!

Wanting to eat candy too... or just the wrappers.

Notice the empty space... Alisa ate hers plain right then and there. OK, with a little help from mom, but really only a LITTLE.


That night, we stopped by Jordan Landing for a short bout of ToT-ing before it started raining, then continued on to my mom's house. We had an excellent dinner, then trick or treated in her neighborhood. It's a good place, cause there are tons o kids.
Amie showing off her little costume namesake, with a ballerina in the background!
Party poopers.

Sucking on the corn cob!
She's in love with pumpkins for some reason.


My brothers went as Dr. Strobe Light (incomplete costume on the left) and Captain Epilepsy (on the right.) Don't be offended, he has a form of epilepsy. We all thought it was hilarious, and not to mention an amazing costume!

Finally, on Sunday, we had the annual Poynor Halloween Party. None of the pics I got were great, but I haven't gotten around to stealing from family blogs and facebook yet, so here ya go.





Those kids did NOT want to cooperate!