Grace in Small Things - 28

1. The arrival of the first Girl Scout Cookies.

2. Knowing that yet another order of Girl Scout Cookies is still coming (I love knowing more than one girl scout!)

3. The fact that Thin Mints are still Thin Mints. (I wish they would stop changing the cookie names... it just confuses me.)

4. The yummy caramel and coconutiness of Caramel deLites (although they will always be Samoas to me).

5. The fact that Zoe was more excited to see Emma (the neighbor girl scout) at the door than to see the cookies being delivered.

Grace in Small Things - A Break

I'm enjoying the Grace in Small Things posts. They seem to be short and sweet. I think I'm going to take a break from them, though. Or, kind of change up the "rules" a bit. I like doing them... and I know the whole idea is to do the 365 posts thing... but, I think I'm going to do every other month. I did one a day for the whole month of February. Now I think I'll take March off. Then you'll see them again in April. It'll take me 2 years to make it to 365 (yikes) instead of 1. Hmmm.... what have I gotten myself into?

What do you think? Do you like them? Do you think I should forget about the break and just keep doing them? Are you bored with them? Are they just not enough? Is every other month a good idea? Should I just give it up altogether? They definitely don't get the comments my normal posts do. But... sitting down on a tough day and coming up with 5 "happy thoughts" is a nice way to end a day.

Opinions people... I need opinions.

Grace in Small Things - 27

1. A tricycle ride on a 64 degree February day.

2. Having Zoe make the coffee (with careful direction). It could be an amazing skill for her to have.

3. Flipz (milk chocolate covered pretzels). Yum. (Except I strongly advise against eating a whole bag... not that I did that.)

4. Ana taking a 3+ hour nap.

5. The clip clop sound that comes from dress up shoes.

Grace in Small Things - 26

1. Knowing that after a busy week... tomorrow there are no plans. A big free day.

2. Having Zoe read me a bed time story.

3. Having Zoe ask me to get under her covers to "snuggle in and get toasty warm."

4. A silently quiet house (except for the happy hum of the ice maker... heehee).

5. Deciding tidying is done by 8:30 and getting cozy on the couch.

Grace in Small Things - 25

1. A quiet (but VERY busy) birthday.

2. A shelf full of birthday cards.

3. A phone ringing off the hook and an answering machine full of birthday wishes.

4. Birthday wishes from friends on Facebook... too numerous to count.

5. Chocolate cake.

Grace in Small Things - 24

1. Hearing that Zoe's dance for the recital in June will be tap. I don't know why... but I'm just giddy with excitement over her tap dancing in the recital.

2. Ana's love of naps. No fussing, no fighting. Rubs her eyes, whines a little, goes in her crib, goes right to sleep. The girls loves her nap.

3. A fully functioning shiny new fridge. The water line installers showed up right when they were supposed to and did a quick job. I hear ice cubes being made!

4. Coming downstairs from putting Ana to bed and finding the house completely dark... except for the light of 2 flashlights as Zoe and Daddy play "sleuthing".

5. A clean house. (I would not give my once a month cleaning lady visit for anything.)

Grace in Small Things - 23

1. Just knowing that one day... I will find the time to write an actual post that isn't just 5 happy little things.

2. The quick and easy delivery of my shiny new refrigerator. I'm in love with an appliance... and the water isn't even hooked up until tomorrow.

3. Peanut M&Ms.

4. The site of Zoe walking around the house fully adorned in her new bike helmet, elbow pads and knee pads. Heehee.

5. A busy crazy life.

Grace in Small Things - 22

1. 2 freshly bathed girls smelling of lavender.

2. The excitement I have over the idea of tomorrows new refrigerator delivery. How weird to be excited over the arrival of a kitchen appliance.

3. The effect Lecithin gel capsules have on clogged milk ducts. (I hope I'm not just imagining the improvement.)

4. The sound of Zoe giggling and laughing after a night of being sick and throwing up. I wish I could bounce back so quickly.

5. Climbing into bed after a long day.

Grace in Small Things - 21

1. Listening in on conversations Zoe has on her toy cell phone.

2. A 2 year old Nina trying to fight her siblings in order to open her own birthday presents.

3. Little girls playing with baby dolls.

4. Cupcakes with sprinkles.

5. Finally being able to drink wine again after too many days on an antibiotic.

Grace in Small Things - 20

1. Zoe announcing "We need to make something so I can use my stirrer!" (It was a whisk from her play kitchen) and then actually having something in the cabinet to make.

2. The smell of cupcakes baking.

3. Hearing that people have started receiving their girl scout cookies and knowing I have at least 6 boxes headed my way.

4. A day where we didn't have to leave the house at all. No packing up the diaper bag. No piling on the warm coats. No struggling into the car seats, and out, and in, and out. Just a day at home.

5. Zoe's obsession with a book I ordered and got in the mail. She has claimed it as her own. The girl loves books... it doesn't matter if she can read it or not. It doesn't even matter if it's got pictures beyond the cover. This book does have a castle on the cover... and she's announced that it is her pretty princess castle book. She flips through the pages and makes up princess stories as she goes. Once I read it myself (if she lets me have it) I may end up reading it aloud to her later.

Grace in Small Things - 19

1. A quick dentist visit.

2. A walk around Babies R Us... with no kids.

3. Zoe having a clean face when I picked her up from school... even though 3 of her friends had drawn on their faces with markers.

4. Flipz (nestle chocolate covered pretzels)

5. Dancing to the Backyardigans.

Grace in Small Things - 18

1. Ana sleeping from about 7:30pm until 7:30am (My 5th clogged milk duct in 5 weeks was screaming... but I'm still considering it Heaven)

2. Dancing around the coffee table with Zoe.

3. A dinner time where Zoe ate every single bite on her plate with very little coaxing.

4. A hot bath (to help soak the clogged milk duct, sigh).

5. A quiet evening.

Grace in Small Things - 17

1. Grandma and Grandpa coming to babysit on a Tuesday morning.

2. Getting my nails done on a Tuesday morning at the quiet empty nail salon.

3. Food shopping ALL BY MYSELF on a quiet Tuesday morning (instead of all by myself on the weekend... or on a Tuesday morning with Ana.)

4. Enjoying a caramel latte while perusing the food store aisles.

5. Coming home to find Zoe out on a tricycle ride with Grandpa... and Ana playing happily on the floor with Grandma and having time to slowly put away the groceries without rushing.

Florida in January - My girls and my grandparents

Grace in Small Things - 16

1. Meeting friends at the mall for a play date at the indoor playground.

2. A countdown to our new refrigerator. (Only 4 days left!!!)

3. Sitting and coloring with a 3 year old.

4. Heart shaped lollipops.

5. A dress-up skirt found in the dollar bins at Target.

Florida in January - Gracie's 1st Birthday Party

Zoe and Ana's cousin Grace turned 1 at the end of December... but we were lucky and they postponed her party for a couple weeks so we were able to be there for the festivities. I can't believe that Gracie is over a year old already!!! Where does the time go?
One proud PopPop had all his girls in one place.
Zoe and Avery declared themselves "BFFs". They played together SO well. We barely saw them during the party because they kept so busy. (If you didn't notice... Zoe gave herself a makeover with Avery's princess make-up. She had purple eyebrows for 2 days.)

Time for presents.
"Presents are cool... but I like this paper."
"But seriously... who needs presents when you've got a big blue bag???"

"Yippee!!!!!"
"Yum! Sprinkle cookies are my favorite and my best!"
Hi Gracie! Wanna come outside?
Then it was cake time.
"Why are you making me do this? Get this stuff off of me!"
"All these people around here just watching me with this mushy stuff. They say they love me... but not one of them is saving me. humph!"
"Oh... wait... cake is yummy!"
"Yeah... I like cake. I could have this again."
"Hey Gracie.... I don't know... it only took me one finger-full to tell that this cake stuff is deee-licious!"
Happy Birthday to our silly Gracie-girl.

Florida in January - From snow to sunshine

We took a 2 week trip to Florida in January. If you've been reading my blog for any length of time I'm guessing you can tell that I like to visit my family. I'd visit every month if we could swing it!

Zoe was ready to get traveling as soon as she saw the suitcase.
It was Ana's first trip to Florida... and her first flight. She was exactly 6 months old on the day we flew. (She beat Zoe... Zoe was almost 9 months for her first trip to Florida/flight.)
This is what it looked like as we left New Jersey. Dreary, gray, snowy.
Let's get flying!
"Yeah!!! We're going to see Grammy, PopPop, Uncle Jim, Aunt Erica, Avery, Grace, Nanny, Pop George, Travis, Mayci and ALLIGATORS!!!"
We had a great flight (although Ana only snoozed about 20 minutes). When we arrived at my parents house it didn't take too long to start the relaxing.

Ahhhh.... sunshine and shorts.

Grace in Small Things - 15

1. The fact that I have actually done 15 of these things in a row without missing a day. Small victories.

2. The Imagination Movers Live. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit how much I enjoyed seeing them. It was exciting being just 3 or 4 rows away from the stage too. There was an open space behind our row and Mover Rich actually walked behind us and tussled Zoe's hair.

3. My Aunt Pru's butter cookies. Usually a Christmas favorite... but today we got a can of them shaped like hearts. Yum.

4. Slobbery goober smooches from Ana.

5. The way Zoe just loves her sister to pieces.

Grace in Small Things - 14

1. A stop at McCool's Ice Cream and Coffee Bar. (Yummy Caramel Frappe... a frozen espresso concoction)

2. My brand new, first ever, iPod. (Now if I can just finish getting my cds converted and then figure out how to get them on the little tiny iPod we'll be in good shape.)

3. Chinese food delivery.

4. Two girls napping. Ana from 3:00-6pm. Zoe from 3:30-6pm. I had to wake them both up or they would have kept sleeping. Snoozing late... yes. But, very much needed (by them and by me).

5. The anticipation of watching the Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice crossover show on the DVR.

Happy Valentine's Day!

My sister-in-law, Erica e-mailed this to me. It gave me a chuckle so I had to share it.

Grace in Small Things - 13

1. Having vouchers for Sesame Street Live at Madison Square Garden and being able to use them on Daddy's Friday off.

2. A traffic free drive into New York City.

3. The way Zoe's eyes just glazed over as she took in the show. How exciting to see Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Zoe, Telly, Oscar... etc. etc. etc. And man... are they colorful!

4. The way Ana started bouncing on my lap the second the lights dimmed, the music began and the "monsters" starting dancing.

5. Rush hour traffic that allowed 2 worn out girls to nap for an hour.


I promise... pictures to come. We are one worn out family tonight.

Grace in Small Things - 12

1. Lollipops in the shape of hearts.

2. The delivery of a meatball and onion pizza.

3. A new night light.

4. Putting on pajamas and curling up on the couch after a long day.

5. The excitement that comes from knowing you're going to do something extra special the next day. (New York City... Sesame Street Live... here we come!)

Grace in Small Things - 11

1. A February day that feels like Spring.

2. A spontaneous playground playdate.

3. 2 girls exhausted from the warm spring-like fresh air.

4. Having the 4 free ticket vouchers in my hot little hand. Sesame Street Live... here we come.

5. 2 napping girls and 1 Mommy watching General Hospital.

Grace in Small Things - 10

1. A healthy, happy 7 month old. Ana is 7 months old today. How did that happen?

2. Picking up Zoe at school and finding her class on the playground. No words describe how she has missed the outdoors.

3. A walk through town to buy sneakers, lunch and ice cream. Gotta shake off that cabin fever any chance we get.

4. Zoe's joy at new sneakers. "Look! They make me run fast!"

5. Sharing a grilled cheese sandwich.

Grace in Small Things - 9

1. Finally finishing the Christmas posting (now on to January vacation!)

2. Winning tickets to see Sesame Street Live at Madison Square Garden. (Thank you Mamanista.com!)

3. Satin ribbons.

4. Remote doors on a shiny new minivan (how did I become the driver of a minivan???)

5. Empty food stores at 9:30 in the morning.

Zoe's Version of "Olivia"

Do you know the book "Olivia" by Ian Falconer? (Which, by the way, is now a new show on NickJr. It started today.)
I have read this book to Zoe quite a few times. The book actually reminds me of Zoe VERY VERY much. (And I'm sure if you've read it... it reminds you of a child you know too.) In 32 pages the general story goes...

"This is Olivia." "She is very good at wearing people out. She even wears herself out." It tells about Olivia's family and how Olivia spends her day. How when she gets dressed she has to try everything on before deciding. It tells how Olivia is good at all kinds of things. How when it's time for nap and bed "of course Olivia is not at all sleepy". She makes messes, fights with her brother, moves around the cat, argues about how many bedtime stories to read, etc. etc. etc. My favorite is the very end... when Olivia's mother says "You know, you really wear me out. But I love you anyway." And Olivia says "I love you anyway too."

Boy... it could be a book about Zoe. It's one of my current favorite kids books.

Anyway... Zoe's newest story time thing is that she needs a turn to read the book. Usually her turn is first. Then we get to read the story to her. The other day she picked out Olivia and announced "I need to read this!" And, she did... sort of.

Zoe - "This is Olivia. Um... this is Olivia."
(It actually says "This is Olivia. She is good at lots of things."

Zoe - scans page, scans page, scans page. "Olivia is dead. The end." Closes book.
(It actually says "She is very good at wearing people out. She even wears herself out."
Bad mother that I am... I cracked up laughing. I'm sorry... I think my daughter is hysterical... whether she means to be or not. Seriously... click the picture to see it full size... and imagine a 3 year old "reading" Zoe's words. heehee

Christmas in February - Part 2

Christmas day started with Zoe coming into our room around 7:30 and whispering "Mommy, I don't think Santa came. I didn't hear the jingle bells." I told her I didn't hear them either... but maybe Santa came after we were all fast asleep. Zoe said "I don't think so. I didn't hear him." So, I told her we'd better go get Ana... and check it out.
We went downstairs, where the tree lights were magically on and waiting for us. Zoe actually seemed a little shocked by the whole sight.
Once the initial surprise had passed the present opening began. Zoe was very helpful in making sure that all of Ana's presents got opened and worked properly.
"Silly Santa! He puts socks in my stocking!!!" (And on further checking... Santa put socks in ALL of our stockings. heehee)
Zoe was a tiny bit excited that Santa had actually left her presents. AND they had big bows just like she said they would. (Did you know that Santa always wraps his gifts with BIG bows? I didn't either, until Zoe told me 2 days before Christmas.)
Zoe got a "raggy doll and hair bows" from Santa... just like she asked. She must have been quite a good girl.
Ana seemed to especially like the presents that came from Zoe. (like this giraffe and ball toy). Ana got presents from Santa too! Bibs and spoons... because that's exactly what Zoe said she wanted. Zoe's words... "Ana told me she wants bibs and spoons". Santa sure does listen well.
At one point we had one very pissed off baby. It seems Ana does not like bows.
Don't worry though. She was quite quick to cheer up once those bows were gone. Well, at least the bows she knew about.
And then the present excitement was over. Everyone calmed down and all that remained was a large pile of wrapping paper and boxes... with new toys and clothes strewn all around.
After finishing the unwrapping extravaganza two very happy little girls enjoyed candy canes for breakfast. OK OK fine... it wasn't all they had for breakfast. And Ana didn't REALLY get to have the candy cane. It still had the plastic wrap on it.
Little did Mommy know... if a baby sucks long enough on a plastic wrapped candy cane she will start to get some out through the overlap of said plastic wrap. Ana's thoughts... "mmm... candy cane."
A little while later we had a visit from Dora the Explorer. Who knew Dora could be so grouchy... especially when riding around inside the house on her brand knew girly scooter?
I suppose it could have been because her shoes were too small. heehee. Can you tell me what 3-5 year old child has feet that will be fully covered by these bottomless shoe covers?
Finally grouchy Dora left the house. She was replaced by a happy Zoe that was thrilled with all of her new play-do tools.
While Zoe and Daddy played play-do Ana took a snooze. While everyone was occupied I started getting organized for Christmas dinner. Nick's parents and his brother's family, along with my Aunt Pru were joining us for dinner. We were set to have a very cozy meal (11 people).

Dinner went very well. The food was delicious and the bellies were made very full. We all enjoyed the each others company and were left grateful to have had such a wonderful holiday.

Right Ana? Hey... get away from that messy plate and the last beef rib.
What? A girl's gotta eat! How do you think I keep this healthy girlish figure?

Oh... and by the way... Mommy got a Wii. Yippee!

And with that... Christmas posting is done at least until December.

Grace in Small Things - 8

1. The joy Zoe gets out of the mere thought of a birthday party.

2. Picture this... a little girl is turning 5. Her chosen party theme is "Rock and Pop Stars". (Um what???) The invitation says "dress as your favorite rock or pop star!". (There is an out that says you can also dress as a princess or super hero... just have fun!) You show up, the little girls are mostly in sparkles and sequence and the little boys are mostly super heroes. But one little boy... he is dressed as a member of KISS.

3. Zoe's random use of Spanish words.

4. 60 degrees in January.

5. Snuggling in bed with a book (yes... and actual book) at 8:30 pm.

***and FYI... Zoe went to the party as an Imagination Mover. More a fan than a Mover. She didn't really want to BE Scott, or Rich, or Smitty, or Dave. But... she wore the t-shirt and was excited. What can I say... we're lame parents and didn't come up with something as creative as KISS. Next time we'll do better.

Grace in Small Things - 7

1. Being completely caught up with the DVR. (The 2 week vacation away from my regular TV viewing was a killer!)

2. Just knowing that a brand new refrigerator will be showing up at my house in a mere 13 days. I have wanted a new fridge since Nick and I got married 7 years ago and I became co-owner of the already owned fridge. It had duct tape holding together the shelf on the fridge door. And it has no ice maker. And... I'M GETTING A NEW FRIDGE!!!

3. Warm fuzzy socks.

4. The way Zoe "reads" books aloud.

5. The Big Bang Theory. It could very well be the funniest show ever. I seriously laugh out loud at every single episode. I don't remember the last show where I laughed so much while watching.

Grace in Small Things - 6

1. The way Zoe can make Ana do these full belly laughs.

2. Being done with gynecologist visits until December.

3. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

4. A 4 hour nap. (??? I guess Ana is growing some more ???)

5. Frozen pizza from California Pizza Kitchen.

Grace in Small Things - 5

1. The speed with which antibiotics work on Mastitis. (Breastfeeding is nearing it's end)

2. A Starbucks caramel latte picked up at Stop and Shop while food shopping.

3. The automatic re-load feature on my Starbucks card.

4. The sheer joy Zoe gets out of stomping through fluffy snow.

5. Being able to rest on the couch while Zoe is at school and Ana is napping. (Mastitis really really sucks)

Grace in Small Things - 4

1. Getting a postcard in the mail. (I love Postcrossing.)

2. Charlie and Lola.

3. The Binky (pacifier).

4. A sweatshirt right out of the dryer.

5. Our DVR.

Grace in Small Things - 3

1. 3 year old ballerinas in 1st position.

2. A healthy baby at her 6 month check up (even though she's really almost 7 months).

3. An e-mail saying "your order has shipped" (it doesn't even matter what your order is).

4. The first sip of coffee first thing in the morning.

5. Having someone pay you to put an ad on your blog (!!!).

Christmas in February - Part 1

I know, I know... almost everyone posted Christmas pictures in December. And then, whoever didn't post in December posted in the early days of January. Well... I didn't. Sorry. So now you get Christmas in February! In 2 parts even! It actually seems almost right today as the snow lightly falls here in NJ. Just call up a little Christmas spirit and enjoy Christmas Eve.

No... not feeling the Christamasy spirit yet?

How about now? Smiling girls... holiday shirts... tree and ornaments. OK? Good.
We spent our Christmas Eve finishing up our last minute decorating and wrapping. Zoe LOVED getting to wrap her own presents for Ana and Daddy. It made it all that much more special for her knowing that the packages were taped up by her and that her name was on the little tag.

Nick had to go to work on Christmas Eve. When he came home we got ready to go out for an early dinner before church. Zoe was excited that she and Ana were "twins". Ana was a little concerned/curious about the layer of tulle under her dress. I absolutely loved these little dresses and couldn't resist them. (I think Carrie felt the same way!)
We had a lovely and delicious dinner at Bensi and then headed to the Christmas Eve church service. I was very proud that both girls behaved so well at the church service (actually... they both do quite well every time we go to church).

After church we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house. For a number of years now our tradition has become Christmas Eve at their house. We all exchange some gifts, enjoy some wine/beer, and get excited about Santa.

Our little Christmas family.
Ana was actually quite "done" before we even started. It was bedtime for her... and I think if she could talk she would have been saying "Hey! Mommy! Where is my bed? What in the world are you thinking? Get me out of this party dress. Please tell me you packed the pjs."
Poor Ana. Her sister and cousins were just bursting with present opening energy.

Zoe loves her easle.
Ana and Zoe both got towels with their names embroidered onthem.
Nina was a little whirlwind at ripping paper.
Alex couldn't wait to get the toys out of the boxes.
And Larisa, she seemed to be taking on her roll of oldest and most mature quite seriously. She was a very calm present opener.
Nick got a nice pink tea set. Oh, wait. That was Nina's.
Once the presents were all unwrapped and the paper was scattered everywhere the cousins went to their favorite activity at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Run around the carpet. This round rug causes them all to run around in circles for a ridiculous amount of time. It makes me dizzy just thinking of the spinning and twirling.
Grandma tried to get Ana to relax a little bit. But my Ana... she's a girl who likes her schedule. She has her bedtime nursing session, rubs her eyes a little, pops into her crib, and is immediately off to dream land. She wasn't too happy with the whole change in routine.
This picture of Grandpa shows you exactly how all of the adults felt at the end of the evening.
We loaded up the car with kids and packages and headed home to get ready for Santa. When we got home Ana went immediately into her crib. Zoe got cookies and milk ready for Santa. She set out some carrots for the reindeer. And then we all hurried off to sleep hoping that we weren't up too late. We would hate to think we had missed Santa!!!

But, Santa never fails. He made it to our house and added his touches of Christmas magic. He and the reindeer enjoyed their snacks and left sparkling bow covered gifts for Zoe and Ana.
It was a wonderful way to start Christmas.

Grace in Small Things - 2

1. A Google Reader that says "your reading list has no unread items."

2. Zoe and Ana napping at the same time.

3. Circling the Y looking for a parking space for 20 minutes... and then finding one right in front just before giving up on going to Ana's first swim "lesson".

4. Frequent flyer miles.

5. Baby giggles. Full body baby giggles.

Grace in Small Things - 1

1. Waking up each and every day to Zoe saying "Mommy! It's a sunny day!" (even when it is just barely after 6am on a Sunday)

2. The way Ana snuggles her face into my neck after her early morning nursing session (but not any other time). It makes getting out of bed in the wee morning hours worth it.

3. Sunshine and blue skies on a winter morning.

4. A large cardboard box that I'm told is a rocket ship.

5. Blowing raspberries.