Blogworthy by megan

Phoebe and I have been spending an awful lot of time together since we are both out of school for Christmas break. We go to lunch, the mall, Monkey Joe's, Target, the mall, playdates with friends. Did I say the mall? We really have become quite a pair. So because of all the time we have been spending together, she has become overly clingy to me. I am the only one who can get her ready for bed; I'm the only one who can get her out of her carseat; I'm the only one who can hold her; etc. You get the point.

This morning Shawn was making breakfast for all of us when she did this really cute twirl in the kitchen. He looked at her and said, "I love you, Bits." You should know that we have called Phoebe "Bits" or "Bitty" since she was tiny. The name has kind of stuck.

Anyway, she looked back at him and replied with gusto, "I'm not your Bits! I'm Mommy's Bits!" Shawn and I both died laughing. I am trying to enjoy this phase because I know the day is coming where she won't want anything to do with me. I teach high school, remember. Sigh.

Christmas 2010

Every morning for the last two weeks I have been asking if it's Christmastime yet. This morning I finally got the answer I have been looking for... YES! I could hardly contain myself. My first stop was to inspect the cookies and carrots that we left out for Santa and his reindeer. There were only crumbs remaining. I was beside myself at the thought of Santa and his eight reindeer sitting in my living room eating a snack. We finally moved on to the good stuff... gifts! I took quite naturally to the role of "Santa," handing out gifts to make sure everyone had one to open. And it was me who made sure that everyone pay attention while someone was opening his gift.

I think it is pretty safe to say that this was the year of the princesses.

Here I am looking for the perfect branch to hang my new Snow White ornament.

And I love my new baby that I can take in the tub with me.

My other favorite gifts include my very own microphone, a fairy flower tent, some puzzles, a Zippity, a new pink bathrobe, some books, and a new jacket. A very, very special gift from my great-grandmother is a homemade down comforter and matching pillow that fits my little bed just perfectly. My G.G. is so talented.

Merry Christmas!

Always time for friends!

Mommy and I met some friends for lunch a few days ago. From left: Jocelyn and her son Gavin; Rebecca and Julia; Mommy and me. Mommy had not seen Jocelyn since high school. She now lives out in California with her husband and baby boy. It was so good to see her and meet Gavin.

Haircut #2

Over the weekend I caught some kind of a bug. I started throwing up on Sunday and didn't really stop until about 4 a.m. Monday morning. Mommy stayed home from school with me on Monday so that I could get better. I still wasn't 100%, but I was able to keep down the little bit of food I had eaten in the morning. Around 11:00, Mommy decided to treat me to a haircut. I was getting a bit "shaggy." We went to the cutest place called Halfpint Haircuts. I got to pick out a movie and watch it while I got my hair cut. I am now sporting a shoulder-length bob. Ponytails are out, but now Mommy can resurrect all my old bows.

This event was about all I could handle for the day. We went home and I proceeded to take a

3 1/2 hour nap. I'm still not eating very much, and I am very clingy to Mommy, but I am certainly on the mend.

This has been a special week of birthdays. My nana celebrated her birthday on November 28th, and my papa's birthday is today, December 2nd! Here is a token of my celebration for their special days... Happy birthday, Nana and Papa!

The Pink Pig 2010

Last night, Mommy and Daddy and Nana and Papa took me to Lenox Square Mall to ride the Pink Pig-- an Atlanta tradition. This was my third time riding the train and listening to Priscilla's story. At 7 months, I really could have cared less; at 19 months, I was horrified; and now at 31 months, I loved it!

All the right moves...

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Movie was on tv tonight. I ran for my microphone and put forth all my best moves... take a look.

Early Thanksgiving

Today was a big day for me. Today I had my follow up appointment with Dr. Williams, the doctor who performed my surgery. As you know, there were some a-typical cells discovered after the removal of a mole this past summer. Dr. Williams cut out a fairly substantial amount from my inner thigh on the right leg. Well, the pathology report came in and it indicates "no residual nevus identified." What does that mean? The margins are clean! He said that my scar is looking good and he won't need to see me again any time soon. Mommy burst into tears and gave Dr. Williams a huge hug. She was a nervous wreck the entire week.

After my doctor's appointment, Mommy came to have Thanksgiving lunch with me at my school. It was so much fun-- she got to eat with all my friends and me at our table.

This is Patrick; he is one of my best buddies who I talk about ALL the time.

This is Andy; he is also one of my best buddies.

Here we are-- Patrick, me, and Andy. My teacher told Mommy today that the three of us are inseperable. We do EVERYTHING together-- our nap cots are all in a row, we play in the same "playball" group, and we are at the same lunch table.

This was the scene as they were preparing for all the parents that came to lunch. It was a great day--- so, so much to be thankful for.

Halloween 2010

Halloween has come and gone, but I still thought I would share some pictures with you. Here I am looking over the horizon at the sunset... if only I was horseback.

This was my first Halloween that I could actively participate and sort of know what was going on. I got the hang of it real quick.

Checking things out...

So pleased with my treats!

Back home. Now we get to hand out candy to the kids that come by MY house!

Yup! It's another milestone!

A few days ago, Mommy and Daddy decided that it was time for me to be a "big girl." So, off came the side of my crib and on went this new part. It still keeps me safely in my bed, but now I have the freedom to get in and out on my very own through the window (that's what I call the little opening). So far I have been very marture about it and not taken advantage of this new priviledge. Although, I am sure some people are worried when I tell them I get into bed through the window. Mommy and Daddy get strange looks and then feel the need to clarify.

My Surgery

Here I am sitting in the pre-op room waiting for Dr. Williams to come talk to us. I got a bracelet to wear on my ankle and some cool stickers.

Dr. Williams was really busy so I killed some more time shooting hoops in my room. I got pretty good.

Still waiting for Dr. Williams... so the clown doctors decided to pop in and sing me a song.


Moving along... Dr. Williams came to talk to us (finally), marked the area he was operating on, and told me I had to put on this pretty, purple dress. There was a bit of a draft.

Here I am just in my post-op room just coming out of anisthesia.

I was so out of it. I didn't really know what to think.

I'm still in post-op waiting to be released. I fell in and out of sleep.

What a stressful day.

The incision that Dr. Williams made was about 2 in. long and 1 in. deep. He sent the sample to pathology, and we are all hoping the margins come back clean. We should know more in about 3 weeks. He said the scar would be fairly insignificant.

First Haircut

Friday, October 1st. Mommy picked me up from school and took me to get my very first haircut. Saed, Mommy's hairdresser since high school, held me when I was only a few weeks old, so we thought it was only fitting for him to give me my first haircut.

Watching with a bit of concern.

This feels strange.

Thanks, Saed!

First haircut. Check!

Potpourri

I love walking around in Mommy's shoes.

This shot completely violates my privacy, but I get it. I'm going through a really exciting time right now- potty training! It's super cool- I get to wear these really cool pink diapers that have princesses all over them; I can even pull them up and down all by myself- although, I tend to have trouble getting them up over my bottom. Mommy obviously took this shot during my daily constitutional.

The teachers at my school love to play with my hair. Mommy often picks me up with a different do than when I first arrived.

If I see a plug, I'll unplug it. If I see a top, I'll take it off. If I see a knob, I'll turn in. Just so darn curious about everything.

Who says I have to wait until Halloween to wear my costume? I try it on every day when I get home from school. This cowgirl costume was worn by my Aunt Holly when she was about my age. Grandma saved it all these years just in case!

To Grandma's house we go...

Last weekend Mommy, Daddy, and I went to Michigan to visit Grandma. It was an extra special visit because my twin cousins from Denver, Lily and Ella, were there too! We are only 6 months apart, so the bond was instant! Here are some shots of us at the table playing with playdough.

Left to right: Ella, Aunt Holly, Lily, and me.

Here we are at the park...

... jumping on the bouncy bridge...

Friends!

Bath time was always fun!

We would wake up in the mornings and have tea parties. Here we are in the jammies that GG made us.

Having breakfast with Lily.

Thank you for a great visit, Grandma! See you in a few weeks!

"Blogworthy" by megan

For several months now Phoebe has only been allowed to use her paci around family. She could have it in the car and at home. The other night, however, Shawn and I decided it was time for the paci to slowly make its exit from our lives. We told Phoebe that the paci is only allowed at naptime and bedtime. She still asks for it all the time, but we tell her that the Paci Fairy comes every morning to pick up her paci from the night before, shines it up and cleans it during the day, and delivers it again at night while she is taking a bath.

The logistics: When Shawn is giving her a bath, I am usually downstairs cleaning the dishes. Just before she is ready to get out of the tub, I vigorously shake a rattle (a.k.a. the fairy's bells) from downstairs so she can hear it. I hear her squeal with excitement that the Paci Fairy has come to make her special delivery. I run up the stairs with a paci only to be greeted by the most excited little girl you can imagine. While Phoebe loves the idea that a fairy makes a special trip to her house, she also informed me that she NEVER wants to meet the fairy. I don't think we'll have any problem there! ;)

So after a long day missing her paci... only contentment.

Sundays are for baking cookies...

This afternoon I helped Mommy bake some cookies. We went to the store, and I picked out the most colorful cookies we could find. We got pink icing and rainbow sprinkles for the top. Here I am adding the finishing touches...

... and here I am sampling my work. Yummy!