Quick Takes Vol. #75

1. Today is in the 50's and very spring-like which is nice ~ though Monday into Tuesday we had snow. I'm actually enjoying watching the seasons change ~ it is nice to begin to anticipate spring without being completely over winter.
2. However it was in sense a very ill timed snowstorm as the last part of our roof repair was scheduled for Tuesday morning ~ quote our contractor "If we didn't have bad luck we would have no luck". Hoping for better luck in March!
3. New favorite game of the Toddler, borrowing Dr.Dad's stethoscope and making us all take deep breaths as she listens to our hearts, back, arm, nose.
4. Praying for the victims of the earthquake in New Zealand.
5. Have largely sorted out my plans for Lent ~ book, and discipline, though still discerning options and ideas for almsgiving.
6. Project Toddler Room off to a good start; the room is 80% cleared out, next step select bedding and coordinating paint color and pick up the bed.
7. Plans for the weekend: Family birthdays!!

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Happy Weekend!!

Small successes:February 23rd

1. Former storage room 80% cleared in preparation of becoming Toddlers new room.
2. Presents for this weekends birthdays bought
3. Master bedroom's carpet 50% steam cleaned

Giving Thanks this Thursday:

for baby laughter

toddlers pretend adventures

home cook dinners cook by my husband

white snow on a sunny day

good friends to laugh and haul boxes with

grace abundant and love everlasting

Please visit Faith and Family Live to share of your successes

Quick Takes Vol. #74

1. We are enjoying a couple days of spring-like weather and it is wonderful to ditch the heavy coats and play outside. Yesterday ~ blowing bubbles, Today ~ playground time. However Elisabeth is still insisting on snow boots; given the amount of mud around, works for me.
2. I'm so torn about the latest Grand Jury report; on one side I am so sick that this stuff is still happening, but I feel that the adjustments that the Archdioceses are making are appropriate and good.
3. My favorite toddler can now get out of her crib; this has added about an hour to nap and bedtime as we have to return her to her bed. Has also kicked getting her new room ready seriously up the priority list.
4. Thanks to everyone who commented on my First Food Wondering. I'm now sure of what I want to start with, still unsure of when but someday soon we will get to find out what Little Man thinks of avocado.
5. Crazy week and computer troubles prevented me from participating the wedding dress review this week of which Betty has posted a wrap-up ~ but suffices to say it was in a Juliet styling with belled sleeves and I loved it!
6. Valentines was low-key but there was Chocolate at the end of it: Done!
7. Plans for the weekend: Project Toddler Room!

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Wordless Wednesday:5 months old

Quick Takes Vol. #73: Where I'm from

A fun idea I've seen in a couple places, most recently Faith & Family Live and thought might make a fun theme, and so with no further delay: I'm from

1. Dunkin Donuts on the weekend
2. Hoping the daffodils will bloom by Easter
3. Crepes for dinner on Candlemaas
4. Leaving my shoe out for St Nicholas
5. Coffee Frappes to drink
6. Requesting an over-seas operator to call my grandparents
7. Where it is never too cold for ice cream

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Wondering Wednesday: First Food

with a spoon that is.

As Second Chances correctly pointed out one of the benefits which comes with the second child is greater confidence in what you are doing and the ability to ignore advice ~ yet here I am dreading 'starting solids' for fear of doing it all wrong.

Should I start soon at 5 months or wait for six? Start now ~ he may wean sooner, wait and he may become finicky about texture.

Do I start with cereal which Lisbeth fairly consistently hated and I was never sure I was making right but what his doctor ( and most books) advise as the first food ~ or avocado which I have read in some alternative literature is a great first choice and one I find intriguing.

Thoughts, suggestions, pep talks??

Wondering Wednesdays: inspired by Maggie of From the Heart

Quick Takes Vol. #72

1. Tough 'mom' week; the littles who used to overlap their afternoon naps a bit have decided that alternating is much more fun! Did manage some alone time yesterday while the toddler was a MDO and the infant napped ~ bliss!
2. Adding to the fun ~ I've started postpartum shedding and as I have long hair it is a bit of a mess (yay dust-buster) add the fact that Liam has started yanking at my hair ~ I'm hoping to have some hair left when this stage is over.
3. Having now enjoyed a wide range of winter water ~ the opinion of the toddler: Snow = Fun, Ice - Less so! Can't say I really disagree..
4. That said I am really looking forward to someday introducing her to ice skating.
5. Managed to meal plan and make a big Shepards Pie last weekend ~ loved one less thing to stress over in the evening.
6. Even when really tired in the morning ~ being greeted by an almost three year old saying "Good Morning Mommy" warms my heart
7. In the last couple of weeks I celebrated a blogaversary and posted my 300th post. Thank you to all my readers. Blessings!

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Small successes:February 3rd

1. Laundry caught up (again).

2. 300 posts!!

3. Agreed to play in the snow (almost) every time asked

Thankful this Thursday

Never lost power

My kids

My husband

Sunshine after the clouds

Please visit Faith and Family Live and share your successes