01.30.06

So, we are getting back in the swing of things since our return from the cruise. Lily had a dentist appointment today and she is way ahead of the curve on her tooth loss meter. She is up to 7 missing teeth! They assure me that this will taper off soon. Lily received her report card today and is doing so well. I am very proud of her. Here is a scrap layout of a few cruise pictures.

01.28.06

So, we came back from our trip safe and sound. We had a super time together and loved reconnecting as a couple. It was fun to take afternoon naps and stay up until 2 AM. I was addicted to the non-stop unsweetened iced tea with real lemons. We missed the girls so much and I had a few days of teary eyes just thinking about them. The end result of a vacation like this is that we are all stronger...stronger mom, dad, wife, husband, child, and sister. It is good for the soul, the mind, and the family! I highly recommend it.

01.20.06

I just finished and printed a five page document to assist my MIL and parents on the care of my two daughters! I think that sounds ridiculous. These people have raised 7 children among them and can easily care for two small children. But, being the control freak that I am, I insisted upon leaving a detailed list of their daily agenda and a phone book full of numbers for them. We leave tomorrow morning...early...for our cruise. I am excited, nervous, and giddy all at the same time.

Shelly had her two year check-up yesterday and we are once again being referred to a therapist. This time we are headed for a speech evaluation. Shelly's vocab at 2 is somewhere between 10 and 20 words. At the same age, Lily was up around 65-70 words. So, I understand that Shelly is a bit behind, but I also feel she understands and communicates with us, beautifully. All of these referrals are getting old and I am consumed with the idea that Shelly is different. As a teacher for 10 years, I told myself (prechildren) that I would not dismiss someone who thought my child might need help in an area. So, I am being proactive and planning to go to the speech therapist. And, as a result I hope that it will just be another little blip in her happy and content life.

Here is a picture of Shelly on her birthday with her set of golf clubs from sissy. These were hand me downs and definitely her favorite item.

01.16.06

Wow, another day of great numbers (see date above) and, more importantly, my baby's 2nd birthday. Just a mere two years ago, we welcomed a little girl into our hearts, our home, and our lives. What a very special day it was. Shelly lived for about the first 12 hours without an official name. We called her Brooke Lin (didn't like the whole thing together) for about 30 minutes. Then we opted for Karley Lin, but decided against that, as well. And, finally, out of nowhere, John said, "I like the name Shelly." And so it was! And, of course, Shelly is the perfect name for my little angel. Her name means "meadow on a ledge" (what in the world does that mean???), but to me the meaning of a name isn't nearly as important as the virtue of the person who owns the name. And Shelly is full of virtue.

Yesterday, we celebrated Shelly's birthday with a small gathering at our home. Today, we spent the day doing rather ordinary things with Shelly and Lily. We went to Steak 'N Shake, Target, and Kohl's.

So, here's to you my little 2 year-old. Have a wonderful day and sleep tight.

01.14.06

Big day here! Lily lost her second top tooth at about 9 p.m. She was overjoyed to come tell me that daddy had just pulled out that wiggly thing. I was thrilled for her. We hugged and kissed and got started on her TF letter. She included a small treat and napkin along with her note. I thought that was extremely thoughtful of her. Our TF brings money and a small gift, as well. So, she is getting a bit of cash and a cute little Lizzy McGuire cosmetic kit with nail polish and lip gloss in it. I think Lily will be thrilled with it.

In other news, Shelly appears to be a bit under the weather. She had two instances of vomit tonight while we were out to dinner with some friends. Lovely way to begin the evening. Then she came home dragging and had yet another vomit episode (I so don't care for the vomit part of mothering). She headed off to bed looking less than upbeat and I pray that she is feeling better in the morning. Her second birthday (small) celebration is planned with a few neighborhood friends and I am hopeful she will rally round.

01.13.06

Today is my niece's golden birthday. She turns 13 on the 13th and Friday, the 13 at that! Cool. I hope she has a great day. I vividly remember the first time I laid eyes on her, I truly thought she looked just like an angel! Happy Birthday, Krissy!

I wanted to post a couple of photos of my girls. Here they are...Lily who is 5.5 years old:

Lily is struggling with a top tooth that is loose and ready to come out. All week we have been working to remove that tooth, but no luck, yet. Lily is a kind and loving little girl. She is a terrific daughter.

And then here is my almost 2 year old, Shelly:

Shelly turns 2 on Monday and we are having a small get together for her on Sunday afternoon. She is the happiest little girl I know. Shelly rarely gets upset and seems to be smiling all the time. I love her to pieces!

01.06.06

Cool...I like the above date...1.6.6...I like numbers. I am not quite sure I have this blogging thing down. I love and I mean love to read the blogs of others. But, I just don't know if I am real blogger...whatever that might mean.

Our computer was recently rededicated to the working world. It is now faster and appears much happier. I can actually do things on the computer in a timely fashion. This new speed has also caused me to read more and more blogs. I am a big fan of the digital scrapping bloggers and their creativity. I am so energized by their words and pictures.

One last thought, a couple and their two children were recently murdered in Richmond, Virginia, and although I didn't know them directly I am thinking of them daily. God Bless them.

December 18th

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Love singing that tune to get me in the holiday mood. I am pretty much done with my shopping...a few odds and ends here and there. We had our dinner last night and I think it was a big success. Hope we make it a tradition. Today, we will be Caroling in the neighborhood...another fun tradition. The weather seems to be pretty good here today, so it should be fun. After a very late night, I am hoping to relax for a bit this afternoon. The house is clean and the apple cinnamon candle is lit. All is well.

December 15th...9:21 a.m.

Well, today was my last day without children to finish up some shopping, get my hair cut, and have my eyebrows waxed. Guess what? It's not going to happen. Schools in all of the nearby counties (including ours) are closed for the day. So, we are going to sort through Lily and Shelly's toys to donate items to Hurricane Katrina victims (Lily's idea). I am sure they will also spend some time chasing one another throughout the house and leaving their precious toy items in spots from room to room. So, although none of my to-do list will be accomplished, we will laugh and snuggle all day.

December 12th...8:40 a.m.

Your Signature...what makes You You! So here is mine:

Color – Pink!
Word I most like to be described as – Creative, Fun
Best meal I cook – Chicken stuffed with spinach
Best Dessert – Chocolate Tower
Book – The Notebook
Outfit – Black pants and a V Neck top
Bedtime – 10 ish
Sound - My daughters' laughter
Wish – Happiness for my daughters
Style – Trendy/Classic (clothing), Pottery Barnish (home)
Word – Contentment...feels peaceful to have things just so
What I crave - Unsweetened iced tea with lemon, love, laughing out loud
Surround me with – family, pictures, magazines

Brainstorm your own list and post it to your blog. What are your signatures?

December 8th...1:12 a.m.

Well, this is my first official blogging. I believe my blogs will be a more frequent item than my Ramblings. I am obsessed with reading other people's blogs. I really am not quite sure that the word obsession is accurate enough. If I find someone who is a great blogger, I will constantly check their site for new blog entries. I am convinced it is part of some weird OCD issues I have.

Today, I talked on the phone with my mother and father for about 2 and a half hours. All the time completing various projects. I miss them so much. I really need to create a Rambling just for them. I am eager to go to VB in a couple of weeks to see them at Christmas. Lily loves being in VB and especially at Christmas.

Shelly has the sniffles and a bit of a cough. I am bummed for her and of course fear it will run its course throughout the family. I put one of those nifty Vapor nightlight things in her room and I hope it works. I love that smell. It reminds me of being little with a cold and after a warm bath, my dad would rub Vicks on my chest and wrap a warm towel around my neck. Then he'd stuff it into my pajamas. I feel toasty and warm just thinking about that.

Well, my first blog has come to an end. Good night.