So...

So...I'm really busy and work a million hours a week and it is super not fun.  This year is super not fun. BUT-

                there is a but-

as of the moment, we are half way there.  I've been feeling so overwhelmed with way too much responsibility and no relief (& wretched post baby V health issues) .  In fact, last night Q and I opted out of dinner with friends because we haven't had one day with nothing scheduled since June.  JUNE.  Also, I'm extra sure we haven't been out, just the two of us, since June either.

To whom much is given, much is required. 

We are all sick as well.  Since Thanksgiving.  I haven't slept more than 3 hours consecutively since Turkey day and we are going on one hour of sleep for the last three days total.

My students told me I was saying delirious things in school today.

They were quite enjoying my Darth Vador impressions with my classroom microphone.

Life is good.

How about a little catch up shall we?

I have at least 50 thank you cards that should be written.  Will I always drop this many balls? 

I also have one very obstinate little  girl.

She is intense.  And so difficult.  And have I mentioned she does NOT sleep.  Like at all.  Like ever.  But she is all mine and I only have to share her a little bit.  I get to keep her forever and beg Q to build her a playhouse.  She is pretty awesome.  Downright defiant, but awesome.

So... my first semester of clogging is a success.  I have several new and returning students, all of which are fabulous.  We performed way early this year at the Spooky Town Fair.  Sorry no photos of Dickens.  I'll have to track some down.  This dance stuff has been stealing some major time this year.  I can't wait until I can just focus on this and not have so many other balls in the air...

(you know- those ones I keep dropping).

We have this awesome park nearby.  The last time we were there, we took Lailee.

Out of nowhere, a HUGE rain storm   burst from the sky.  We were stranded for a bit.

Silly Annie.  Favorites:  Boots (and nothing else); sitting on the bar; chocolate.  She will do anything for chocolate.

Love these two!  I am such a "lucky mommy" as Annie says.

Violet:

• Chubby!
• Loves watching Annie and me
• A fan of Baby Einstein
• Super cuddly
• Hugs dolls

Annie:

• Loves "two girls"
• "Annie too"
• Will not wear socks
• Drew all over the couch (10 foot stretch) with pen
• A big fan of "s'ment"

Big Sister Annie

Annie is going to be a big sister!
June 20th, 2012

We have a small pocket of beautiful grass in our mammoth yard. It is a gorgeous sight and I can only imagine the whole thing finished. Imagine is all I have until who knows how long... a decade? In the mean time, we let Annie out today and she loves the little patch of grass as much as we do! St. George weather is pure bliss. I am assuming there aren't as many of us left in the U.S.A. who still turn on their AC's when driving home from work. I am pleased that I can count myself among them. (The part about the AC, not about the work. I've decided it's time to become independently wealthy and sit home collecting royalties instead of grading 100 essays every other weekend).

After much pleading and begging, Q finally started our first fire tonight!
Ironic that he is the one lounging on the couch enjoying it whilst I am blogging in the library.
It is a positive DREAM! I even pictured myself roasting a duck on an open spit
should the world end and it ever come to that. At least we have the option.

Poor Duke. It's been super cold at night so we broke down and let him in
the mud room. Don't tell his owners who live in our downstairs apartment.
Annie and Q and I LOVE Duke. I hope they let us keep him when they move.
He is the sweetest dog on the planet and Annie tries to ride him like a horse.

I brought home this massage chair cover from the cabin and it entertained Annie
for at least an hour. It took all of 60 seconds for her to figure out the remote.

I've been a wretched photo-taker as of late. This it it from Thanksgiving.
We had a mix of family members and some terrific food.
The most entertaining part of the evening was Megan bringing home her
serious boyfriend whose family owns Pasta Factory.

We spent Thanksgiving weekend at the cabin with Q's family.
Annie was not her usual self.
There was much whining and crying and gnashing of teeth.
Oh Annie. She's got spirit, we'll put it that way.

Annie was the cutest Halloween Chickie on the planet!
I have been dying to document her choice of costume. Last year I spent months pouring over thousands of costumes to find the perfect zebra but this year, Annie wasn't letting me have anything to do with it. When she saw that chickie costume across the store at Costco, it was beyond love at first sight! She begged for me to put it in the cart and completely shunned any other costume I tried to show her. She spent the next hour hugging it tightly as I loaded the cart with large amounts of everything you never knew you needed (because that's how Costco is).

Annie spent over a month before Halloween crying every day for me to get the chickie costume down and put it on her. Then she would spent 20 minutes in front of the mirror admiring her costume and wiggling her fluffy tail while she crawled. She cried every time I tried to take it off and once I even broke down and let her nap in it. Halloween was her dream come true because she wore that thing all the live long day, everywhere we went, and was content as could be.

She is a unique child. Halloween confirmed her immense love to be scared. I'm serious. She can't get enough of the genuine adrenaline rush of being terrified. I am probably the only sick and twisted mom that took their 1-year-old to the haunted corn maze, but she thrilled with delight whenever a ghoulish fiend or crazed zombie jumped out and terrified her. I must admit, it is quite rewarding to hold her while she is being scared. She gasps and cuddles right into your chest and then starts giggling to beat laughing gas. We had to leave the screaming motion ghost up a week after October 31st because she kept looking for it and clapping her hands so it would scream and scare her.

Annie is currently super cuddly. It is the best ever.

October also marked Lailee's birthday party. I would pay some
good money for the recipe of that incredible Italian cake I keep dreaming about.

Annie & Lailee; Domestication Earns Applause

This Really Happened:
Yesturday during Annie's nap, I decided to finally put some Halloween decorations up. I hung some pumpkins, ghosts, and bats from the window curtain rods with fishing line and then taped the rest around the house. I knew Annie would notice them (she is the most aware and observant baby in the universe) but I did not expect applause! Kid you not, when I brought her out from her nap, she saw the decor instantly, squealed with delight, and then looked right at me and applauded my efforts for a good five minutes. Domestication should always earn applause!

LAST WEEK:
Katherine came home from her mission and our little girls had another chance to play together. There were some terrific photo ops at Kris's house. L is totally leaving A in the dust when it comes to walking and eating. We can't wait for L's big party later today!

Cousins, Best Buddies, Best Pals:

L was being completely photogenic {Unlike A who had to be bribed and coaxed to look away from Sarah's little rocking chair- Annie love love loves little furniture}.

I don't want to forget these cute funny faces:

Lailee: 1 year - 6 days.

Annie: Almost 15 months

Last night I made homemade CAKEBITES {after cleaning the entire house, mopping, and baking a fabulous dinner). Results: Marginal. They look pretty, but I put too much frosting in with the cake.