So Confusing.

Really?

Happy New Year?

Christmas was a joy this year. Audrey's favorite gift has been the doctor kit from my parents. I've had my temperature checked more times in the five days since she received it than I have in my entire life. Of the many sweet gifts I received, Lindsey bought me this print from Etsy, and I adore it.

My computer crashed a few days before Christmas and while he was able to recover all the data since the last back-up, I now have to get a new computer. And our dryer is on the fritz. The repairman is coming for a second visit today. Two things I didn't exactly want to spring for...

So my posts will be sporadic until I have a new computer. Even downloading my photos from Christmas is kind of a pain right now.

Happy New Year!

THREE!

My baby's birthday is December 19th. For her first and second birthday, we were able to get away with low-key celebrations with immediate family. But this year, Audrey was old enough and had been to enough parties to know she wanted one of her own. So we had a party planned at Gymboree a week before her birthday, trying to avoid impacting everyone's busy Christmas schedules. I made a ton of cupcakes, a tiered cake and we were all so excited. And then the morning of the party it snowed four inches and the temperatures dropped dangerously low. But we prevailed. The party went on and she had a blast. Her cousin did not get to come (snow) so on Thursday, we had another little celebration at our house with family. Then today, her real birthday, we went to the train exhibit at the Missouri Botanical Garden after a berry pancake breakfast. So for her third birthday, she got three celebrations. I can tell you, it has kind of kicked my butt. I don't know how I will handle next year, but I will. She is worth everything. The sweetest kid ever. So lovey dovey. When I put her down for a nap she hugs me and squeezes my cheeks saying, "I love you so much." She received a wand and fairy wings as a birthday gift and with great gusto has been turning us into frogs, bunnies, horses, balloons, ballerinas, and Christmas trees. She winds up the wand like she is pitching in the major leagues and then stirs it around as if in a pot of molasses. Quite serious.

I can't believe she is three and starting pre-school in a few weeks. I will have five hours a week alone. I'm looking forward to that but sort of in a mental wildnerness. It is hard for me to care about much else but her, Lindsey, and family. I do care about friends and try to keep up, and I try to do things for myself when I have time. But I don't often have time. And that is ok. She only gets one childhood. We are having fun.

So operation birthday is over and I am officially finished with all Christmas preparations. Downshifting and ready for some family time and relaxation. Peace out.

Painting & Poetry

{Birds Over Sky: Milton Avery}

Concord Hymn
by Jack Spicer


Your joke
Is like a lake
That lies there without any thought
And sees
Dead seas
The birds fly
Around there
Bewildered by its blue without any thought of water
Without any thought
Of water.

Dancing Machine

Sometimes I just need to laugh. (Thanks, Kurt!)

Incredible

I love Ron Fountenberry (The Incredible Moses Leroy). This is one of my favorite Christmas songs...followed by more for Ron/Moses/The Softlightes. I'm all teeth and smiles.

North Carolina Thanksgiving

We are back from a long vacation in North Carolina, where we spent time with Lindsey's family. We had fabulous weather and a wonderful time. Audrey got to spend some real quality time with her cousins at the beach. Things have been a whirlwind since we've been home--annual holiday shopping trip with my mom, aunts, and cousins, and doing all the final planning and preparation for Audrey's first real birthday party. Not to mention, Christmas. In spite of a rocky start with my mom's heart attack in February, 2010 has been a good year for us. We are so thankful for all that we have. Below are some of my favorite pictures from our vacation.

{1, 2, 3 / Emerald Isle; 4 / Duke Gardens, 5 / my angel in backseat of car, worn out and with cheeto face}