Sacrifice

I'm giving up Facebook for Lent.

John and I are not Catholic or part of a Protestant denomination which typically practices Lent, but I have decided to participate this year. What do I hope it will do for me? Lots of things...become more like Jesus, closer to God, more connected to the spiritual in me. Jesus sacrificed so much during his 40 days in the wilderness and then ultimately sacrificed his own life, so what is forty days of my life? Besides, I can find myself so tied up in "the social network" it is ridiculous--valuable time that could be spent with my kids, my husband, and God.

I came across this Lent calendar yesterday online at Busted Halo. Check it out.

A Post Just For Nicolaus

As parents of two, John and I are begining to understand how everything has to be equal between siblings, at least according to one little man. Snacks should be the same, they should play with equivalent if not the same toy, and they both should be held by their mommy at the same time. (Good thing I have been working out). So its only fair that I should have a blog entry just for Nicolaus since so much seems to be about his sister's achievements and milestones.

Nicolaus is very sensitive, and does not like to see his sissy cry. He will give her kisses, pat her on the back and say "It's OK sissy." He loves to sing his ABC's and can recognize when something is a letter or a number, but won't sit still long enough to learn which one is which. We are practicing colors, currently everything is green. His favorite book is Curious George and loves Toy Story (which he calls Play Toys). One of his favorite sayings is "No way mama!" He is developing quite an imagination and already enjoys pretend play. He loves to tickle and be tickled, dance and just be silly.

9 Months!

Baby Girl you are swiftly approaching one year and you show no signs of slowing down, ever. This has been one heck of a busy month! You are doing so many new things Mommy and Daddy cannot keep up.

* 17.75 lbs
* 2 teeth (though a 3rd seems to be just about here)
* Waved and Clapped for the first time
* Said "Ma-Ma" (can I just note that I am thrilled here)
* Pulling yourself up to standing
* Like to put the balls in the Drop and Giggle
* You want to be wherever your brother is
* Can play "So Big!"
* You got the flu!
* You love pulling hair--your own as well as others

A Day to Remember

What a day to remember. Nicolaus asked to sit in his potty and actually went pee pee. AND, Carleigh finally ate three meals of solids. What a great day with my two sweeties! Now Mommy needs to get on the ball and figure out what should be next in this whole potty training experience and decide how the heck I will coordinate feeding Little Miss while the rest of us are also trying to eat...or throw our food (but I'll let you figure out who is doing that).

No More Muffin Top!

I am so incredibly pleased to announce that I am no longer sporting a muffin top with my favorite pair of pre-pregnancy jeans. For those of you so blessed to not know what a muffin top is, well its that spill over the top of your pants of extra fluff. I have been known in the past to call it my innertube or lifesaver. I've sported a muffin top since about my third year in college. Anyhow, yesterday I put on my jeans and discovered I actually needed a belt. Then, low and behold, when I looked in the mirror, my sweater was smooth all the way down. No double lumps on either side!

How did I do it you ask? Well, John and I have been exercising when he gets home in the evenings instead of plopping down in front of the TV. It is great together time and is actually working to get us fit! I have lost all the baby weight from both pregnancies plus an additional 2 pounds. I know I've lost inches and gained muscle too, but I haven't had time to take my measurements. I guess this post is my own cyber pat on the back :-)

Holiday Memories

There is no way I could post all the pictures we took over the 2010 Christmas season, so I have chosen to showcase a few favorites here. In no way could these few images convey the wondrous times we shared with all our family and friends or the joy I felt experiencing Christmas through our children.

8 Months Old!

Our Sweet little girl is already 8 months old! What a busy month it has been! You celebrated your first Christmas, started crawling, sitting up on your own, and even caught your first cold. You now enjoy playing with toys and don't scream or cry when mommy is out of your sight. You are so beautiful and looking alot like your brother did at the same age. We love watching you learn and grow!

* 17 lbs
* 2 teeth
* Stage 2 foods - has no real interest in eating
* Sleeping better though still getting up 2 times a night
* Crawling
* sitting up on her own
* making LOTS more noise
* Loves to "play farm" with her brother