Monday, March 30, 2009

The Negotiator

Maybe my darling girl has a future as an attorney, because she thinks everything is a negotiation. Her favorite new phrase is "How about...?"

Me to Chris: Oh, I can't forget to get new Easter shoes for Evie to go with her dress.
Evie: How about clack-clack shoes?

Me to Evie: Do you want to have lunch first and then go to the grocery store, or do you want to shop and then have lunch?
Evie: How about McDonald's?

Me to Chris: We should probably start making dinner soon.
Evie: How about gum?

Me to Evie: After your nap, we'll play outside for awhile.
Evie: How about right now?

Me to Evie: It's time for you to put away your crayons.
Evie: How about no?

Oh, boy. Maybe I should put someone on retainer myself.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Bars Review & Giveaway


Being a woman is hard work. Being a mom is hard work. Between the whole IVF-thing and chasing around a two-year old while pregnant, I think I deserve a little break. So when the nice people at My Blog Spark offered to send me a spa gift basket (sponsored by Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Bars,) I happily accepted.

My gift basket arrived with pretty wrapping and it was full of goodies! It had a bath pillow (which Evie has taken over,) a chocolate-scented candle, handmade chocolate soap, chocolate bath salts, chocolate lotion, and the Chocolate Mocha Fiber One Bars. Could they have thought of anything else to make me happy?

I first tried Fiber One Bars in my cousin's pool last summer. They were so sweet and yummy, and they took the edge off my hunger. (Um, they still didn't stop me from pigging out on Thai food later that night!) And, most impressively, due to all that fiber they were only 2 Weight Watchers Points. Chris and I were hooked and we now buy them in bulk at Sam's Club. I've tried other brands, but they all have some sort of tree bark in them that hurts my teeth. Trust me, just buy the Fiber One brand.

I love this new Chocolate Mocha flavor. They really do taste like a mocha - only you're getting 35% of your daily fiber. I wish I could say I enjoyed the new bars while soaking in a hot bath with my new bath salts and candle, but that would be a lie. The truth is that I only ate two bars before the box disappeared. It seems Chris is a fan of this new flavor, too.

Before you get all jealous of my spa basket, you have a chance to win one, too! Just leave me a comment before Saturday, April 4th and tell me why you need a spa break. Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll choose three random winners to receive the gift basket above.

Good luck!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Twenty-Six Months

Sweet Evie,

Last week you turned twenty six months old. Like every monthly birthday, I am surprised again at how quickly you grow. But TWENTY SIX MONTHS? I just can't believe it!

With the spring weather, we've been spending lots of time outside. Tonight Daddy noticed you have a little bit of a tan. We've played for hours at the park. You love to swing and you are a daredevil on the slide. Friday, you taught kids (who were several years older) how to go down the slide on their tummy. I was worried a mob of mothers would hunt me down because their children were going dangerously fast - face first - right off the slide!

You love to play with the neighbors in the evenings. You ride bikes and chase them and color the driveway with chalk. You like to drag your little chair from the garage and watch the runners and dog walkers go by. Daddy takes you for a special walk almost every day. The two of you walk around the neighborhood or on the trail by our house. He always comes back with a funny story about you.

You and Daddy have grown so close the past few weeks. You have your walks, of course, and lots of special games. You love to play hide and seek. Daddy hides and you sit in the living room, close your eyes, and count to five. Then you look over at me and ask "Go now?" and I hear you run to find him. Since Murphy joins in the hunt for Daddy, the two of you often find him quickly. When it takes longer, Daddy says "Psst!" to help you. You squeal and run in his direction.

Daddy has met us for ultrasounds each week, and for lunch last week. Now that you've figured out that he can leave work during the day, you ask for him all the time. "I want see Daddy!" is a new phrase you use often.

You just love the Disney Princesses. You think you are Sleeping Beauty. You've declared I am Cinderella, and Daddy is Prince Charming. (And you are right about Daddy.) You and I attended a cookie decorating class, and the instructor asked your name. You spoke right up, "I'm Sleeping Beauty!"

You like to dress up more than ever. Sometimes you wear your bee wings from Halloween and pretend you can fly like Tinkerbell or Abby Cadabby. You have a few pairs of dress up shoes you love to wear in the kitchen. They make a clacking noise on the floor, and you've dubbed them your "clack clack shoes." You love to put on tutus. And you insist on wearing these outfits in public. I let you, because I think it's adorable to watch a little girl with a big imagination. Even if the wings pose a problem in your car seat.

You are such a loving girl. You always tell me how much you love me, and it makes my heart melt. "I love you so much, Mommy!" And I love you so much, my darling girl.

Love, Mommy

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Heart

Evie has had a million "blogworthy" moments lately. She keeps pointing out things that "make her crazy." My car radio makes her crazy, but not the radio in Daddy's car. Green Tootsie Rolls make her crazy. Too many papers on the table and not being able to use my cell phone her "own self" makes her crazy.

She's also so over the color blue. It was her favorite a few weeks ago, but now she insists on pink. Last night she begged for pink ice cream from Maggie Moos, NOT BLUE ICE CREAM. I said to Chris "Oh, blue is so last month," and Evie said "Blue is out!"

You see, I have much to blog about. But instead I've been spending far to much time watching television. And worrying.

I'm in that part of pregnancy when you're bone-tired. All the time. And I have a lot of nausea. So I'm not feeling well most of the day. Plus, I've been anxious about our new baby-to-be. Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy we have this blessing. But I love our life now. Am I about to mess it up? With more than one child, will I become one of those crazed mothers who can't get out the door? Will I ever be able to have a quiet cup of coffee again? Read a book? Take a shower?

Mostly, I am apprehensive about my heart. Evelyn is my everything, and I could not love her more. She owns my entire heart. So I worry I won't possibly be able to love this baby as much. Can I? It keeps me awake at night, the pressure already that this second baby will know it's not loved as much as it's big sister.

But I had an ultrasound Tuesday morning. On that screen, I saw my baby's heart beating for the first time. Beat-beat-beat-beat-beat. And a tear slipped out the corner of my eye. My heart swelled with love, and I realized my heart has been growing along with the baby's. It's big enough to love two children.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Our Little Daredevil

Evie is just two years old. She weighs only 23 pounds. She is fearless. And she is amazing.

"B" is for...

Evie's imagination continues to grow, and she "pretends" all the time. One of her favorite things to do is pretend she's holding something in her hand - Mickey Mouse, Tinkerbell, a jewel, a bug.

Early this morning, Evie woke up and called to me from her room. As I lead her to my bed, she kept her hand cupped around something. When we reached my room she held her hand out and said "Here, Mommy." I opened my palm so she could deposit her imaginary treasure.

But she wiped a few grains of sticky stuff onto my hand. Uh-oh. I said "What is this?" and Evie nonchalantly replied "Boogers!"

Motherhood continues to be full of surprises.

Friday, March 6, 2009

At Last

Right now, the radio is on. The windows are open and the curtains are blowing slightly in the breeze.

Evie and I are both barefoot and bare legged. She's behind me, sliding the screen door open and closed, letting the dog in and out, running back and forth on the deck. She's giggling as Murphy barks at the little dogs next door. She has sand stuck to her feet.

The crocus and tulip flowers are poking up their first green shoots. I see tiny buds on the trees.

The sun is shining. It's 81 degrees outside.

Welcome, springtime.

It all matches what's in my heart. This day is a living metaphor for the life growing inside me, for the sweet daughter I am able to care for each day, for the wonderful partner I have in Chris. Everything is new and fresh and just perfect. And I am so thankful for the blessings in my life.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

From Evie

So Evie just came up to me and said "I want to type on Mommy's computer. I want to post, Honey." Just in case anyone thinks a two-year-old doesn't pick up on every single thing that goes on, this is proof that mine does.

Here's her blog post. Please don't ask me to translate. She made me leave because she "needs privacy to post," so I have no idea what was on her mind.


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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The Sweet Life

Oh, I am blessed. And I know it.

I AM PREGNANT! After everything, I am actually carrying a baby. I am so very grateful to God for this miracle. It doesn't quite feel real yet, but I am loving this dream-come-true! Although my due date is still far away on November 4th, I'm already thinking about what this baby will be like.

And I'm already picturing Evie as the Big Sister. The other day, I was talking to her about where the baby should sleep. Did she want to stay in her room, or move into the guest room so the baby can have her room? She said "Baby sleep with me. I cuddle her up." Oh. My. Goodness.

See? Things are so very sweet in our house. Evie has even started calling me "Honey," instead of "Mommy."

"Honey, I love you," she said while stroking my cheek. "You take a nap, Honey?" she asked when we awoke, still snuggled together, one afternoon. "What you doing, Honey?" she'll question as I'm driving or cooking or reading.

My wonderful, beautiful miracle baby - and another one on the way. Yep, how sweet it is!