New Year's Resolution #5

Enjoy life more. Stress less.

mg

Christmas 2008

Before the year is over I feel it necessary to post our Christmas photos. Let's just call it a wordless Wednesday post so I don't have to write any more... :)

I love this photo... do you see the paper being flung from her left hand... that it totally what this Christmas was all about for Madeline!

mg

New Year's Resolution #4

Walking is good for me. Cookies are not.

mg

New Year's Resolution #3

De-clutter.

mg

Caution: Poop ahead.

My mom suggested I give a warning. Consider yourself warned.

As a mother of a young child I deal with my fair share of poop. Today has been no exception.

I'm not going to go into the details of it all...(your welcome) but I have heard too much information about two of my extended family member's BM's today. I have reached my limit, even with my sky high tolerance for that kind of stuff. I just find it funny that today of all days I get this icky information. (If you don't get it... go back and read the last post.) I guess today is better than Thursday though... when I have to put my New Year's resolution into action!

mg

New Year's Resolution #2

Talk about poop less. Poop isn't as interesting as I think it is. Or at least that is what I've been told.

mg

New Year's Resolution #1

I must remember not everything that comes to mind should be shared out loud.

mg

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Half of the felt "Merry Christmas" banner that hangs in our dining room.

Life has been crazy with holiday festivities, poop and lots of wardrobe changes. (Did I mention all the poop?) I should be back in a few days with some photos of Christmas, which far exceed my expectations by the way! (despite all the poop.) It was an awesome two days and my heart is brimming with love for my husband, daughter, family, and life. To think I was one of those bah-humbuggers not that long ago!

mg

Merry Christmas Eve

I didn't have to go out onto the porch for this one. :)

mg

The Weather-Blog Hypothesis

The colder the weather gets, the less likely I am to blog.

It is true. I can prove it.

Fact #1: When the weather gets really cold, we shut the sun porch/office door. The windows on the porch are still the old windows (the only windows on the first floor we didn't replace in '04) and that room gets really cold which makes our bedroom really cold, which makes the hallway cold, which makes the heat run a million times a day.

Fact #2: Since Madeline came along our office is out on the porch. Along with the computer that holds all of our photos.

Observation #1: I don't like blogging with out photos. I feel like blogs with photos are so much more interesting then just words. Who really cares what I have to SAY! They want to see my daughter and what our house looks like! (It's true, don't pretend you don't want to know!)

Observation #2: With the porch door shut, I am less likely to open the door to turn on the office computer, especially since I have a perfectly functional laptop in a "warm" room in the house.

Conclusion: When the weather is cold... I am less likely to blog!

Which is a shame, because I have some really cute photos to share from the past few days. Maybe I will put on my long underwear, hat and gloves and head out to the porch this afternoon. I can be extreme!

mg

Toddler lesson #4

Fork too.

I'm at lunch at my parent's house today. We were just sitting down to eat and Madeline asked for a spoon. When I came back without a fork she asked for a "fork too."


Now imagine a nineteen month old saying "fork too" over and over again. Yep, it isn't pretty. She was screaming this almost obscenity and my parents were laughing themselves out of their chairs.


Toddler lesson #4- You must listen very closely to be sure they aren't actually saying F-you!

Alternate post title: My First... obscenity!

mg

The Nativity

This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. I got it on clearance at a boutique in Clayton (Missouri) five or six years ago. It was hand cut, hammered, and painted in Mexico, and it is wicked cool. Aside from Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the angel, there are three wise men, a donkey, an ox and a sheep. To add to the festivities, our Lego cake topper bride and groom look on with painted smiles!

Merry Christmas!

mg

From the always funny Garfield minus Garfield.

mg

Holiday Spirit

Christmas can be found all over our house.

Madeline's door wreath.

mg

Finally

When I found out I was pregnant in 2006 I bought a needlepoint stocking. I had grand plans for that stocking and I started working on it that December. I got about a third of it done before life got busy with work and Madeline's birth that spring. I thought I could pick it back up and finish it with out any problems before Christmas 2007.

Christmas Day 2007

As you can see I was still only about 1/3 of the way done with it on Christmas Day last year. So Madeline didn't have her stocking last year, not that she noticed.

This year is a different story. Two years after I started this stocking (almost to the day) I finished it. Here it is!

Isn't it wonderful?!? If you don't think so, then don't tell me. I don't want to hear it. I think it was worth the hundred + hours I estimate it took me to make it.

Madeline digs it. She loves that Oli is on her stocking.... b/c the cat totally looks like Olive.

We may not be having another baby just yet, but I really should start working on the next stocking. You never know how long it is going to take to get a second stocking done!

mg

Sweet thing

Kevin is always sweet. But he has done two especially sweet things this week that I have to share.

First
Today was a cold and snowy day in the STL. It was just down right icky. Madeline was at day care and I only taught a half day so I spent most of my day cleaning up and getting laundry done. I was pretty productive, but I digress. I left to pick Madeline up from daycare and Kevin ended up beating us home. When I got home he met us in the garage to help me get Madeline and my bags (from some errands I ran) into the house. Did I mention it was icky and cold and wet outside?

We walked into a winter wonderland! Kevin had turned on the tree and mantel lights and started a fire! I had made beef stew and rolls , which Kev baked, so dinner was ready when we walked in the door. I have sat in front of the fire all night long. I am still sitting there. I don't want to move. He is awesome.

Second
This was a couple of days ago, but it is a much funnier story, so of course I had to save it for the end. I had stayed up later than Kevin, working on school work or something, and he had gone to bed without me. Thirty minutes later when I was getting into bed, I couldn't find my nightgown so I just got another one out of my drawer.

I went about my business, brushing my teeth and the like and then headed to bed. Kevin woke up as I was getting in and said, "Oh, No!" I asked if he was ok, to which he responded, "Oh, No!" I thought he must be dreaming... that is until he said, "I got these warm for you!" as he pulled my night gown out from under the sheets! He was distressed to see that I had a different nightgown on! I promptly changed my pajamas (into the ones prewarmed with LOVE) and curled into bed to cuddle.

I love my husband.

mg

9 & 10

I'm not good at blogging these days. On to days 9 & 10!

Our Christmas tree is up and decorated! Madeline hasn't taken too much interest in it. Every morning she wakes up and turns the corner and says, "hi, pitty, t." (hi, pretty tree.)

She had fun decorating it though!

Our new tree topper on our little girl! Look at that tongue!

Madeline didn't get the topper part.... next year. (See the photo from last year below...so cute!)

I wish I could say her happy face was because of Christmas, but really Kevin was dancing a jig behind me. She thought it was hilarious! And don't you love that shirt. It says Christmas Rocks and has a guitar on it!

And look at how much bigger both Madeline AND the tree have gotten since last year!

December 15, 2007

Look at my chubby cheeked 7 month old! Oh how I want to smooch those chubber cheeks! She's growing up way to fast!!!

mg

The 11 days of Christmas (because I forgot to post yesterday)

I've decided this blog should be a blog of lower expectations. No longer will I appologize for not blogging, no! I am turning a new blogging leaf. I'm not quite sure what that means... but let's find out....

So back to the reason I am posting. There are 11 days until Christmas. So I am going to do my own version of the 12 days of Christmas. I will have a post a day until the 25th!

On the Monday after Thanksgiving, Kevin told me that he needed felt and cotton balls because he had a craft project to do. For any of you who don't know my husband, please know that Kevin is not the crafter in the family... and I think he barely tolerates my love of craft.

But he did a wonderful on this holiday craft project:


Yes, that is a Santa light switch cover! Kevin hung it in Madeline's bedroom and Maddy loves it.

She and Kevin stood there for at least 10 minutes turning the light on and off. It was a wonderful way to kick off our holidays! Now every time Maddy walks in to her room she turns, points and says, "HO, HO!" It's love.

mg

my life this week

Last night, I pushed aside a sink full of dirty dishes to wash the pizza stone so that I could make myself cookies from store bought dough.

The dishes didn't get cleaned up until this morning.

The stone is still dirty.

The cookies were delicious.

mg

things I should have learned by now

I have said, more than few times, in the past few weeks that life would be calmer once my regular semester ended. I should have known that this was a guarantee that it would in fact get harder.

Yes, my regular semester classes are over. I have gone from 4 classes to just 1. My work load is drastically reduced.

Enter, Croup.

Yep, Madeline has croup. It is exhausting. For any mother out there who has had a child with croup, you know what I am talking about. I'll explain.

Sunday Madeline had a runny nose. Nothing strange really. By Monday afternoon Madeline was coughing a bit. But at 4pm she started a fit of coughing that lead to her choking on phlem and panicking. (Her and be both). She didn't turn blue or anything, but she would cough, which would loosen the phlem, which would make her choke, which freaked her out, which made her cry which made it harder to breathe.... you get the picture right.

I took her to the doctor and they said not to worry about it. Her lungs were clear by the time they saw her. Really early Tuesday morning (4am) she woke up with another fit of coughing and choking. This time I just brought her into bed with me because she was so freaked out... and frankly so was I. When I called the doctor they heard her cough over the phone (like a seal's bark) and confirmed that it was probably Croup. Of course there is nothing to treat croup, except rest, humidity and warm liquids. (Darn the AAP for banning decongestants for small children!)

Fast forward to last night. Madeline had been feeling better all day. She hadn't had a choking fit since Tuesday morning, and she hadn't had a fever all day. Things were looking up. I thought to myself, "I guess she'll go to daycare tomorrow and life will be back to normal." WRONG! As we were finishing dinner she was coughing so hard trying to get rid of some of the massive amounts of phlem in her throat, that she threw up. Twice.

It is at this point that I realized our washing machine isn't fast enough (do you know there are machines out there that wash an entire load in 9 minutes!), our water heater isn't big enough (I can't do a load of hot laundry and give Madeline a bath at the same time), and this cold/crupe can't go away soon enough!

She is feeling better today. But you never know. I know better than to say things are going to get easier... because I don't want to see what worse looks like...

So I am days behind in my house work, the cat has decided the tree skirt is her new bathroom, and I have a head-ache. Someday I will get back to my neglected blog and my even more neglected blog friends. I love you all, please come back. Please?

Until then, I leave you with... well nothing because I'm tapped, but maybe I'll have a photo or two this afternoon that I can share. (no promises though...)

mg

learn from my mistakes

Don't feed your toddler Castle's and turkey meat balls with gravy in the same day. It is a silent but deadly combination, if you know what I mean.

And if you can avoid eating it yourself, that would be an even better idea.

I will be back today or tomorrow with an awesome holiday related post! I finished a Christmas project I have been working on for TWO years! (Yep, two whole years!) I have to post about it!

*My regular semester ends this week so I should be better at this blogging thing. No promises though.

mg

My dog ate it.

I am horrible at excuses. Even this post title is a sham because we don't even have a dog.

In the last post I promised photos from our family packed holiday. I got my camera out once, took two photos (both of which are blurry, only had Madeline in them and were all around bad), and then put it away. So two huge family gatherings and I have nothing to show for it.

We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was a grand old time and Madeline loved being the center of attention (at my in-laws at least, she had Mia and Maz to contend with at my parents.)

I hope everyone's holiday was awesome. Now it is time to clean and put up the Christmas decorations. I have been looking forward to this for weeks. I will try to take more than 2 (very cruddy) photographs!

I am thankful for...

...my blurry but totally lovable family! (we took this photo with our tripod... not so good...)

...little girls with smiles as heart melting as this one. (I know it isn't the greatest photo, but look at how happy she looks! That is totally Madeline right now.)

...a husband who is the most amazing father to our daughter. (Why yes, that is a pop-oo in his mouth!)

...that Winne the Pooh is machine washable. Yep, dip #2.

I hope you all have wonderful Thanksgivings! I will have photos of our family packed day after the holiday!

mg

Childcare anyone?

Madeline has been a two day regular at DoodleBuggs! Love and Learn Childcare for almost four months! It is an in home daycare with small numbers and big hearts! Madeline loves her buddies and Angie, the woman who runs the day care. Why am I posting this? Well there is an opening (which is rare) at DoodleBuggs! So if you or anyone you know is looking for a place to send your little ones (in the Kirkwood, Glendale, DesPeres, Webster Groves area) leave me a comment and I will get back to you with Angie's contact information.

*logo courtesy of Jodified Designs! Go visit Jodie's blog, she is an awesome designer and photographer!

Dentistry?

Christy commented on the shirt my brother was wearing in the previous post so I have to tell you all the story behind it. Then you will understand why I love my family and my brother so much.

First go back, way back, to this post and read the comment under the photo I originally posted of my brother wearing this shirt. (The shirt was my Christmas gift to him so that is why he is wearing it over his other clothing.)

Welcome back. What took you so long? And did you see how little Madeline was!?!?! AWE!

So the story:

Many many years ago, before most people had computers in their homes, we were at a close family friend's house for a party. These friends had a computer. It played games like number munchers and of course, Oregon Trail. Elliot, who was about 7 or 8 at the time, was in the play room on the computer playing the wondrous game. His wagon was fully loaded. He had successfully forded the river, twice! He had only lost one ox and 3 pounds of food. He was cruising right along.

At some point he came out into the living room where all the adults were hanging out and asked, "Mom, what's dentistry?" She explained what dentistry was and then he went back to the play room. About 5 minutes later he came back into the living room looking a little paler than normal. "I just died of dentistry. I didn't know you could die by going to the dentist?!?!"

At that point my mom went back into the playroom and saw the computer screen.

"Elliot has died of dysentary."

This story always makes my family laugh and when I saw that shirt I had to get it for him. I don't know how happy he is that I told that story to the world but I hope he thinks it's funny too. I am sure he will. Right Buddy?

mg

whiskers off kittens

Christmas 2007

When we were kids, my brother and I collected the whiskers of our cats. It wasn't anything cruel. Cats shed their whiskers just like their fur and when we would find one on the ground we would put them in a bowl in the roll top desk.

This is only one of the thousands of happy memories that involve my brother. Happy Birthday Elliot. Here's to many more years of happy memories!

Love,

Your sister

mg

I have been in a funk. This happens at this time every year. The sun sets too early in the evening. The beautiful colors fall from the trees and turn a cruddy color of brown. The weather turns cold and I have to pack on the clothes and although I love my hoodie and sweats, I could do with out my coat. I feel stuck.

I'm stuck without sunshine. I'm stuck without color. I'm stuck in my darn coat.

I am fighting this funk really hard. In the past I have just succumbed to it but that does me no good. (just ask Kevin, I am no fun when that happens) I am trying to see the positive, be glass 1/2 full and soak up the sun when I can. So instead of focusing on what is wrong, I am going to focus on what is making me happy right now.

• Madeline Opal. I mean she might be a crazy toddler, but when she walks up and gives you a kiss for no reason, I can't stop my hear from melting.
  
• Kevin. I enjoy my time with him more than he knows.
  
• Crafting has always been a way for me to get my mind relaxed and although I don't have much time I have found time over the past few days. I'll share photos some time soon.
• Tea. I have a hot cup next to me now. Ahhh.
• The semester count down. I only have three more days of classes for my regular semester classes. I have some really interesting students this semester. I wish I could share my stories with you all. Although I have one that I don't think anyone would believe. Maybe someday I can share... until then.
• And this is making me feel better too.

mg

behind the time

I am feeling a little (or a lot) behind. But I don't want to stop posting. So another photo from two weeks ago.

When I asked Madeline to smile this is the face I got. It is almost cartoonish. I have never seen that face before. Nor have I seen it since. But isn't it adorable?

mg

what the...

Madeline is down to one nap a day. (unless she is at Doodlebugs, then she still takes two, but I digress.) I try to have her nap in the afternoon. It works best with our schedule. Today however, at 10:45am Madeline and I had the following conversation:

Maddy: Momma, nigh nigh.
Me: Madeline, do you want to go to bed.
Maddy: Yesss. Mad-line bed.
Me: are you sure?
Maddy: Yessssss.

So I changed her dipe, read her a book and put her down. She slept for 3 hours.

*******

Now, fast forward to 4pm, only two hours and 15 min since she woke up from this 3 hour nap.

Maddy: Nigh nigh.
Me: You can't really want to nap again can you?
Maddy: Nigh nigh.
Me: You want to get in bed with Grover and Kiki?
Maddy: kiki! go-vie!
Me: Ok.

So I made sure she was dry, put her in bed, and I haven't heard a peep from her since. I think I am living in the twilight zone. My big hope is that this doesn't mean she is sick. She isn't acting sick... but you know how that goes. One minute fine, the next minute pukie, pukie...

For now I am creeping around the house trying to be quiet!

mg

I suck.

I have been a lazy blogger. I don't even have a good reason. I need another week to catch up on my life and then maybe I can get back to my bloggy business. Until then, know I love you.

And here is a fairly good photo of a ridiculously cute little girl.

mg

Happy Birthday Poppy!

Thank you for being the best Daddy-o I could have asked for and an awesome poppy to my little Loula Belle. We love you and I hope you liked your snickerdoodles!

Love, Maureen, Kevin and Madeline!

mg

Toddler Lesson #3

Poo and Pooh may not be the same thing to you, but to a toddler there is no difference.

Toilet training is going well. So well in fact, Madeline 'Pooh'ed in the toilet this morning. And no, that isn't a misspelling.

For weeks we have been discussing, as best you can with an 18 month old, that pee and poop goes into the toilet. She has even been asking to sit on the toilet, and has successfully peed multiple times. Today, as Kevin was getting read to head to work she walked into the bathroom lifted up the lid and proclaimed "POO!" very proudly.

Milliseconds later her sweet Winnie the Pooh was hurled into the toilet. Gross. Boy am I glad the tag says its machine washable.

mg

I'm back

But it doesn't look like anyone missed me anyway.*

The above statement is very representative of the mood I am in today. I am embracing my glass 1/2 emptiness today because I know tomorrow I have to go back to working on my 1/2 full mentality. Today I am wallowing in it. Soaking myself in a bath 1/2 full. Drinking until my thirst is 1/2 quenched. Eating until I am 1/2 full and whining until you are 1/2 sick of me.

Only a few more hours until tomorrow. I have to go wallow some more.



*Wow, that was a loaded statement wasn't it?!?! Do you feel guilty for not commenting yet???

mg

So much to say, so little time

I have so much I want to get out, but not a lot of time in which to do that so I am going to do a quickly post and touch on everything, but no nothing justice.

1. Madeline had her 18m check up today. She weights 25#7oz (average) and is 33 1/4 inches tall! (that is the 90th percentile!) She is healthy as can be. She did get three shots today though. Bummer.

2. Sunday night EMHE (extreme makeover: home edition) that was filmed in STL will be on TV. It is on ABC, but I forget what time. Check your local listings (... or set your DVR like us!)

3. I am taking a mini trip this weekend with my grad-school girl friends, Janine and Colene. It is an "een" Reunion! (Get it? MaurEEN, JanINE, ColENE?!?!) So I will be away from my computer, and away from my blogs. I hope you will miss me as much as I will miss you.

4. I will be back in the STL and posting by Monday, I know you will be waiting with baited breath right? I promise to show you all the goodies that I purchase on my trip! (Did I mention the entire reason we are going is IKEA?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!) (!!!=total and utter excitement!) (I think I need some sleep.) (I am a little obsesed with my parenthesis) (I loose all literary creativity when I need sleep)

5. Is anybody else obsesed with Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on VH1? (Hense the lack of sleep) I mean what is with Gary Busse? He is totally off his rocker!

Ok, good night. See you all in a few days.

mg

Madeline is 18 months old!

Tuesday I taught all day long, then I stayed up way to late watching election news on TV. It was worth it though.

Tuesday was also Madeline's 18 month birthday! Remember last year when I made her 1/2 a cake? Back when I was a 'good' mother? Ok, I know I am a good mom... it was some light humor. Well I didn't get around to it this year. We did however have Jimmy John's for dinner. That is totally a celebration if you ask me.

So I am finally getting around to it. The last update post can be found here and much of the stuff talked about there is still accurate. So you can go back and refresh. I'll wait right here.

Madeline, pointing to the Mummy on her shirt.

Welcome back.

As for new info:

Gross Motor:
She is still dancing up a storm. She as mastered up and down stairs and can now climb the ladder at the playground near our house. On Monday she tried to climb a ladder at her uncle Bryan's new house. I wasn't there, but from what I heard she didn't get too far up. (Although I am sure she could have!)

Madeline is much more sure footed and runs with ease these days. Good for her, bad for me. She's as hard to catch as a greased pig at the county fair! Ok, not really but didn't that sound cool?!?!

This week she has started spinning in place and getting totally dizzy, then falling to the ground. I thought maybe she was playing ring around the rosy this way at day care, but when I sing the song she looks at me like, "what is your damage? I'm spinning here mom!" I am guessing that isn't it. She is still not jumping, but I know that is coming. She's still trying!

At the butterfly house with Madeline (Maddie) and Madeline (Maddy).

Fine Motor:
She still loves to draw. Although it isn't keeping her attention like it used to. I may have to mix it up and let her color odd stuff like paper towel tubes and paper plates.

She still prefers her fingers to a fork, but we have been giving her a spoon with her apple sauce or oatmeal and she manages that really well. That is until she gets fed up and shoves her hand in the bowl!

Momma and Mads, hanging with the "but-fies"
Please click on this photo to make it larger. We are totally out of focus, but I love it anyway. I love that face!

Language Development:
She is busting out new words every minute. Or at least it seems that way. I have recorded the ones I can remember below. Just like last time, I am going to list the real word and then her pronunciation in parenthesis.

bread (bed)
ham
egg
waffle (awful)
Rory or Ro Ro - a little girl at day care
bubble
pop - what a bubble does
apple
apple sauce (apple suc)
home
green beans (geeen beeeen)
toast
hockey
Blue note
puck (you don't want to know, but I am sure you can guess)
sleep (seep)
yummies
beans
oh my
oh no - this is one of my favorites, when accompanied by "the face", I'll get it on video!
hotsie-totsie
lock (ack)
cook
please (pees)
nigh-nigh
a piece (a pees)
me
mine
balloon (boon moom)
momma's or daddy's or maddy's
airplane (airbut)
bus (but)
pocket
Kathy (Kat E)
Elliot (El ut)
G.G. - Kevin's grandma
Ma -my grandma
fork (oak)
spoon (oon)
burp (buup)- totally one of my favorites!
bed (ed)
pillow
ho ho ho - what Santa Claus says
brush (bu sshh)
butterfly (but-fye)
hat
shoe (oooo)
tea
Lovies - what we say at bedtime as we are tucking her in
pasta (ah pa)
juice (ju sshh)
pretzel (pet sel)
pumpkin (pucket)
pancake (pnake)
bag
blow
kiki - what she calls her blanket, as blankie
whine - I said, "Maddy don't whine" She says, "WHINE!" in return. I was told.
turkeys (ukies)
high chair

And my least favorite?
no

Of course this doesn't include the first list that included 45 words which brings the grand total to 106! I know there are more. I'll update when I can.

Social Development:
Yesterday, when I dropped her off at Doodlebugs daycare, she ran right up to Rory and gave her a HUGE hug! She is also much more interactive with other kids at day care and her good friend Maddie! They are so cute together, even when they are fighting over the toys!

I don't know if this is really social, (maybe more emotional development) but she has gone to the bathroom in the toilet at least 5 times! Yesterday she told Kevin she had to pee and so he put her on the seat, and she did! It was a big moment. We celebrated with mini m&ms. Then before bathtime I put her on the toilet again and she peed AGAIN! No m&ms this time... she had just had a cookie. (I am going to have to write a post dedicated solely to my "word issues" in relation to toilet training. They are big issues. That post is coming. I can feel it in the air.)

Food:
Madeline eats just about everything still. She doesn't like rice or potatoes. I think it is just a texture thing. I am going to keep trying. She has finally given in to broccoli, but only if it is covered in cheese or cream sauce. It's a start right?

Madeline, with her "pucket" or pumpkin to you

Growth:
Madeline goes to see her doctor on Friday so I will have official stats then. She is at least as tall as a Koala, according to the chart at the zoo!

As for teeth, she is working on her canines as we speak. It has been a rough week because of that. These are the first teeth that have really bothered her. Or more likely, it is the first time she has been able to understand and communicate where her pain is. Before she was just crabby. Now she is unreasonable at times. I love me some children's Tylenol!
__________

That's it! You are all up to date. We are totally looking forward to this Christmas with our big girl! She is going to be so excited! Next year will be magical... this year is going to be pretty great though.

mg

I should be doing work

Instead I found Pork Chops, with Vincent Price.

And the Darth Vader Theme on Ukelele, penny whistle and tuba.

It's been a productive evening.

mg

Lula Belle

I have always been huge on nicknames. I have at least half a dozen myself. I am not very good at giving them normally, that is until I became a mother. Before we even knew our child was a Madeline, Kevin and I had chosen the name and we knew that we would shorten it to Maddy as a nickname. But I couldn't just stop there. This girl is so much more than a Maddy.

Madeline's nickname is Lula Belle.

Why Lula Belle? Well it took a while to get here. My mom calls my cousin Adeline, Adeloo. So she naturally started calling Madeline, Madeloo. Then I took that and changed it to Madelooloo. Then just Loo, then Lula and doesn't that just scream for a Belle? Say it out loud, "Lula." Then say "Lula Belle." Isn't that much better!?!?!

Sometimes I call her Talula Belle... but I don't want to infringe on Bruce and Demi. (They have a daughter named Talula).

It is the perfect name for her. And it is MY name for her, so don't try to call her that! It is all mine. (Wow, possessive much?!) I hope she will love it as much as I love the nickname I have from my mother. (It's Mutzie and yes, there is a story behind that one too!) I have a student who hates the pet name her family gave her. I hope that never happens. Because I think she will always be my Lula Belle.

mg

"Democracy is... the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people." -Harry Emmerson Fosdick in Harper's Monthy Magazine (November 1925)

Go





mg

Easy like a Sunday morning

* Music for this post, Easy by Lionel Richie.
"Everybody wants me to be, what they want me to be. I'm not happy when I try to fake it. Oh no. That's why I'm easy. Easy like Sunday morning."

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Why Blog?

I have been asked that question a lot. I have many different personal reasons. Fern sums one of those reasons up with ease. Go here and read this. Then check out her blog. Because she is also one of my reasons. I hope to be half as witty. Blog on Fern. Blog on.

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Jokes heard on Halloween 2008

Why did the mouse steal my joke? Because it was cheesy.

Where were the first french fries made? In grease.

Knock knock. Who's there? Silent Cow. Silent Cow who? ......................

Why did the chicken cross the internet? To get to the other site.

What did Tennessee? The same thing Arkansas!

Where does the hamburger like to dance? The meat ball.

What runs all around the yard, but never moves? A fence.

And my personal favorite:

Why was the math book so sad? Because he was full of problems.

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Happy Anniversary!

Five years ago today Kevin and I moved into our house.


I like our house and our neighborhood. Although we aren't ready yet, it will be hard to leave when the time comes. I am going to have so many memories of this home. Don't you just love Olive in the window?!?! Happy Anniversary Home!

mg

H. A. double L. O. W. double E. N.

Spells Halloween!

Does anyone else remember that song? Kevin and I both have memories of listening to that song on a record (like real vinyl people) when we were in grade school. And we only know the one line... but it is the best one. **update: I found this site with the song and lyrics!!! You have to get to about the minute mark before the words start! Any who,

I wanted to post more photos from our Halloween! What a great day it has been. There are so many things about Halloween that make me happy. First, my 1st muse for Madeline's costume.

Travelocity anyone?

I bought this wreath on clearance two years ago. It makes me happier than anyone will ever know. The next time I have a bad day I might just go pet it b/c that is sure to make me at least 30% happier!

Muse #2- This is my garden gnome. I blogged about him here. He still doesn't have a name. What about Gerard? Or Morton? He sure is happy though isn't he? Although I don't have a photo of this, my third muse is my garden gnome jammies by Nick and Nora. I wore them tonight, but alas no photos! I think I might like gnomes a little more than I thought.

And b/c no self respecting gnome can go with out her satchel, I made this one just for our little gnome. And you thought the costume was adorable!

Just in case you didn't think I was super mom yet, I baked and decorated cup cakes. They are the yummiest pumpkins on the block!

And now for the main event:

The Garden Gnome, in our garden!

Next to our wonderful jack-o-lanterns! Which have only been lit for a few minutes b/c we were not home!

We had a visitor stop in to say hi today.

Wait, where is Waldo?

OH, there's Waldo! (aka, my brother Elliot)

Madeline wasn't fooled. She found him right away. That might be b/c he wasn't at the circus, or on the beach, or the train station, or an amusement park, or a baseball game, or...

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