Diet and Exercise, A New Year's Realization

Before Kids
Age 20-24
Diet- elaborately prepared meals and nights out on the town

Exercise- Long walks, going to the fitness center and spending 10 minutes on a machine, doing a couple of crunches at night and calling it good.

After One Child
Age 24-27
Diet- elaborately prepared healthy meals incorporating vegetables and having to eat them myself in order to be a good role model for my child

Exercise- Getting up an hour before my tot to work out in my basement 3 times a week

After Two Children
Presently
Diet- desperately attempting to make some semblance of a healthy meal each night, or let's be honest here, leaving it up to Pizza Ranch where at least there are carrots sticks and cottage cheese. Elder child sniffs out my inconsistencies as they are given carrots and cottage cheese, while I consume whatever I want since all I had to eat all day was the crusts of two peanut butter sandwiches and three M&M's I found under the couch.

Exercise- parking the kids in front of the TV while I try to keep up with a video that requires moving and getting up and down off of the floor without injuring myself; and having abandoned Sesame Street to see what Momma is up to, one child wanders in and sits on me while I attempt crunches and the other child outperforms me in all the advanced techniques.


;)

Snow Day, New Clothes, and a Random Reindeer Pic

Just a few to catch up...those of you with an eye for detail will be able to tell who Eden is voting for in this election! :)

AAhhhhhh....

Who could not love this face?!

Happy 30th Birthday to my wonderful husband on January 7th. This is (seriously) the face that won me over all those years ago...

I love you!

Here's the first of a few birthday gifts I have for you:

I was reading in your baby book, the first thing the doctor said when you were born was, "It's not a girl." The first thing your mom said was, "I LOVE HIM!"

Fatherhood, Dan-Style

Dan has a unique way of relating to the girls...he mostly is just himself, complete with euphemisms and sarcasm that is way over their head, but hilarious to the grown-up observer. Just now, he was reading to them "The Eye Book" and asked them if they wanted it in "regular" or "Jesse Jackson voice." They chose the Reverend.

(I've also heard him use the Al Pacino from Scent of a Woman voice)

My dad once called Dan "the dad that everyone wishes they had." That seems about right to me.

Oh, Eden

Today I sweetly picked Eden up and carried her to the couch and said, "Eden, sometimes I wish I were taller so that I could carry you around like a baby."

[Earlier today I had seen a very tall parent at preschool with his daughter, carrying her and snuggling her as if she were two.]

Eden said, "Well, I'm getting taller, I'll be as tall as my dad."
Me: Then you'll carry me around like a baby?
Eden: NO WAY! I'm not that strong! You're as heavy as ten people on a stick!

Elly's First Trip to the Dentist!

Elly had her very first trip to the dentist yesterday! Eden had an appt. too so she went first (I knew from my flu shot experience better than to let Eden watch Elly do it--she freaks). So Eden did everything (except Xrays--she wouldn't let them do it) and the I sat in the chair with Elly when it was her turn. She did great and the doctor said her teeth looked good, though he did comment on her laterals...the ones I call her dracula teeth...he asked me when she got those in, and I told him, "First!" He was a little surprised, but said all was well.

Eden's teeth looked good too; they always comment on her teeth and how good they are. She's been doing a good job of taking care of them, with only a little help!

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Eden and Elly but Were Afraid to Ask

Name: Eden Lily Grimes
Age: 62 months
Height: pretty much taller than I was in 6th grade
Weight: I think she's about 45 lbs or so
Size of clothing: 6, 6x
Size of shoes: 12.5 or 13 (again, me in 6th grade)
Favorite Foods: Panchero's tacos or cucumbers with Ranch
Least Favorite Food: she's gotten over her fear of oatmeal, there's not a lot she doesn't like anymore--though she turns her nose up at new foods before eventually eating them!
Game: Chutes and Ladders--she has a three game winning streak going right now
Best Subject: ART!!
Favorite phrase: "Shrek, you better get yo'self a pair of jammies!"
Fun Fact about Eden: She has a creative style of dress...there are always lots of layers, colors and patterns. Or as she says, "pat-ter-in."

Name: Elly Lyn Grimes
Age: 28 months
Weight: 27 lbs
Height: I think she is 31 in? Could be off on that one.
Size in clothing: wearing 2t snuggly
Size in shoes: 6.5 (same as Marcus!)
Favorite Foods: LOVES cheese, spaghetti, peas, green beans, carrots, bread, basically everything except...
Least Favorite Food: Mushrooms
Game: she likes to sit on the Chutes and Ladder board and Eden protests
Best Subject: naptime, hands down.
Favorite Phrase: "oh, there you are [whoever]! You're safe now! I love you!" (not really sure what this is all about).
Fun Fact about Elly: Elly has a neatnik streak in her...unlike her sister, she likes things to be put where they belong and does not usually protest about "Peen Up Time."

Quite Ellyquent, Part 5

"I love him, tiny Jackson! He's so coot and white."

[about the boy Tiel babysits for]

"Dat's ak-shu-wee wite Momma!"

A Raucous Caucus

Our whole family (Dan and I with kids in tow) went to the caucus tonight. It was actually quite enjoyable and we were happy to know we were one of the record-breaking 300,000 Iowans who braved the cold tonight! The kids did well with play-doh and a few snacks. Our dear neighbor Kelly was there and helped us occupy the girls.

There were long lines, no parking spots, and tons of people, but it was fun. Thanks Bardwells, for the encouragement to participate in this event!

Dress Up Day

The Willham gals came over on New Year's Day for some dress up fun!

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

Three couslings in the tub!

Baby Bedding!

I found this cute and somewhat African-feeling baby bedding today...didn't buy it, but I think it's cute! We might have to purchase a few "boyish" things if this is a boy (and most likely it will be) because all we have is frilly and pink!

And, on a similar note, if any of you locals are done with a fairly reliable and sturdy crib, we will be needing another. We have been through two used cribs already and neither of them lasted the entire babyhood of our children! Eden's basically disintegrated so we bought one for $25 at a garage sale and finished her out/started Elly in that one...but when Elly was about one the gate completely quit working (or maybe I should say, was working all the time! It would slam down during her naps!) and not even DAN could fix it!!! We just ended up turning the gate side to the wall and using it for another year that way...but as short as I am, with another infant I will need to be able to lower the gate. If you have one or know of one we could borrow/buy/have, let us know! We'd hate to spend $200 on a new one that might not get more than one child's use!

Quite Ellyquent, Part 4

"Hi Eden! I'm oping my atemeal."

Elly's new name for Marcus, a.k.a., Buddy, is "Buddy with the Toofers."

Edenism, Part 13

"Sometimes when I spin around and my hair doees this, it feels like fuzzy lightning twigs."

Stanker Crapids

We were driving up to CR and hit the area of town with all the industry. It has a certain aroma that is not too appealing. As soon as the girls began to smell it, complaints started to rise from the back seat:

Eden: EEEW! Gross! What is that awful smell? EEW [gag]! I think I'm gonna blow a gasket!

Elly, answering: Gas? Maybe. Or cows.