The Many Faces of Laura

(Photo by ? with Laura's camera)

(Photo by ? with Laura's camera)

(Photo by Linda)

Pinkalicious...or not

(photo by Grandma C)

Laura attended a Pinkalicious 4 year old birthday party today.

Oh my.

I was so out of my element that I had to leave.

That's not really why I left. I left because after about an hour, she loudly proclaimed "Mom, would you leave?" sigh. already. And I wasn't embarressing her in any way. I was very quietly standing to the side talking to the other mom who stayed. In fact, Laura came downstairs from playing with her friends to tell me this. I had told her earlier that I might leave if she felt comfortable and was having fun (and if I felt comfortable with the supervision). I guess she decided she was comfortable! So I got to enjoy some of the party, see her being a crazy little squealing girl in someone else's house, watch her play "Pin the Cherry on the Cupcake" and then I dashed off to parts unknown.

Parts unknown ended up being the yarn store, the woodworking store, and Sonic. I bought yarn, cord to fix the bottom of a chair, and a go cart frame. Yes, a go cart. It was on mega sale and looked too much fun to pass up. It will work great the way it is, or you can build the box around it. It has pedals, a brake and a steering wheel, of course. Pictures in the spring, if I can wait that long!

Joe Cool

"Hey baby, how you doin?"

The end of an era

Another pause in my Christmas rememberings to record something for posterity. Tonight is the first night Adam is going to sleep without nursing. So far it is going about the same as it has the last week or so. That is...not fantastic. I started running low on milk about a week ago and he hasn't been getting enough to fall into a floppy, jelly-like state of sleep before being laid down, like he has since birth. It has just been so easy to lay him down for the last 13 months this way. But I've paid the price because that means I have been here for bed every single night for the last 13 months or if I wasn't here, he was still up waiting for me when I got back. Not to mention that he wakes up in the middle of night frequently because he has no idea how to go back to sleep on his own. But since my supply has been waning, he's been so disappointed and frustrated after nursing that he is very worked up when I lay him down anyway. I just decided to draw the line and call it quits. Its very bittersweet. We aren't planning any more kids and nursing has obviously been a big part of my life since I nursed both of ours for over a year. But its good too. It is obvious that he is able to understand so much of what we tell him and I know he is able to learn to go to sleep by himself. And it will be very nice to get some freedom for myself and for Jim. Most importantly for the whole family, he will ideally start sleeping through the night now. This is when Laura started sleeping through the night, and I'm sure you don't want your sister showing you up, do you Adam? kidding. not going to contribute to sibling rivalry. Actually, he has fallen asleep since I started typing this, so maybe we are making small improvements. I look forward to coming out of this year-long fog of exhaustion!

On to the next challenge - he has learned to climb! nothing is safe!

Some pictures of Adam and I:

Poisson Rouge

No posts today because my sister sent me this website:

http://www.poissonrouge.com/

Those crazy French. I played with this for at least an hour after Laura went to bed.

Bowling

That's right. We went bowling with Grandpa Phil. I know its hard to believe, but its true! And it was fun.

What a punk

We won't discuss anyone's score, but we did all have fun.

I'll leave you with a parting action shot:

Christmas celebration #3

#3 was celebrated at Jim's parents house in Kansas. On the way there, we dropped down to Stillwater for lunch at Joe's with our friends Paul and Karen and their 4 kids. We got to meet our Goddaughter, Emily, for the first time and catch up with their family. I love it when we can work things out during the holidays. It is often too crazy when we come down, but this time worked out great. Then we headed back north to Papa and Grandma C's via Aunt Rosemary's.

Christmas there was lots of fun, with even more people and gifts to celebrate with. It was nice to have a big crowd with Jim's Aunt Rosemary, Uncle Kenny, Bob, Kate, Grandma C and Papa.

Both kids were big fans of Bob and Kate. They really had a good time opening gifts with them and playing. Laura kind of attached herself to them and didn't really give them much a breather. But they are great with kids and knew how to keep her happy.

(photo by Linda)

Laura's favorite gift, a camera. I've considered starting her a webpage of her own, but she hasn't shown much interest, so I haven't pushed it. But I think that would be fun! She recently discovered the games on the camera too, although she doesn't really get how to play them yet.

The kids received awesome blankets handmade by Uncle Bob and Aunt Kate. They are so warm, soft, big, comfy...love them!

Adam with a bow...

and another one...

and another one...

and another one!