HaHa

Eliza is hilarious, just ask her. Every time she does something funny and we giggle, she cracks up. Which makes us laugh harder. Which makes her laugh harder. We look at each other all the time and remark on how funny this kid of ours is.

Last night we blew up a mini swimming pool for some balls (think Chuck E Cheese) she got for her birthday. We poured them in and she had a grand time banging them together and handing them to Mr. Knip and I. Then she accidentally knocked some out. She made such a face that we started giggling. Of coarse this mean she does it again, but bigger. Within 30 seconds we were all cracking the heck up.

I love having a toddler so much. In the same way that the smallest thing can send them in to an epic meltdown, the littlest thing can be so freaking awesome. I know I should wax poetic on the meaning of it all, but I won't. I'm too busy having fun.

Menu Monday

Well it's no secret that I like to make menus. I get all fired up and then, poof, I fall of the wagon. I'm starting a weight loss challenge/biggest loser type thing with some friends. I'm hoping my competitve nature will help me keep up with my menus. If I don't plan (and plan things that are realistic) I won't cook. This week I'm doing some easy sides. Things that can be ready in under 30 minutes and pair well with a quick piece of chicken. I'm also trying a fun shrimp recipe. This is a pretty light meal to stretch through the week, but leftovers are a big help when I don't get home until 6:30 most nights.

Also, thank MM for linking me to skinnytaste.com. LOVE IT.




Sides:

Cuban Rice and Black Beans

BLT Macaroni Salad

Potato and Green Bean Salad

Pasta with Asparagus

Shrimp:

Bangin Good Shrimp

So, there it is. My hopefully awesome, kick ass, easy, get some weight off and COOK menu!

12

What a fun, and fast, year this has been. Also, I love the last picture of us. Her new thing is to pull up and then snuggle into me when she gets tired. Love. it.

A teaser

I promise that she had a wonderful time. But this five second melt down is too funny not to share. Having a toddler is a hoot.

12 Month Letter

My sweet love,

What an unbelievable 12 months it has been. You are SO much fun. I cannot wait to see what comes with this next year. I can already see you shedding your baby ways and barreling head first into being a toddler. You know what you want and are not afraid to demand ask for it. You reach when you want us to pick you up. (and cry when we don't) You point when you want something. (And cry when you can't have it.) You've mastered the tears, both real and fake, and we laugh often because you are just funny. I know that sounds awful, but you turn it off as fast as you turn it on. You've figured us out. You know we are wrapped around your finger and just how to push our buttons. Obviously we have some work to do on the concept of no.

You are really starting to sleep well and can even self soothe in the middle of the night. I know it's thanks to your tubes. I love coming into you room in the morning. You are almost always kneeling and talking with your little arms reaching out for me. Your entire face lights up when you see me. It takes my breath away.

You are still my girl through and through. Sometimes it's hard, but I know these days are fleeting. I love that at the end of the day, you have missed me just as much as I've missed you. You have this way of lifting you legs and planting yourself on my chest, like a little jockey. It won't be long until daddy needs to get you a pony!

You are such a mimic. You love to copy everything we do. Last week we played tea party with your new tea set. You watched and watched. A few hours later you crawled over to the tea set, poured, and made the same smacking noises we did when you pretended to drink. Hilarious. You crack up when we mimic you too.

You are still a tall girl (79%) with a big noggin (97%) for all your brains. You haven't gained any weight since your 9 month checkup, so you've dropped into the 64%. You are still a nommy little girl though.

You say dada, mama, TAT (cat) DOP (everything you want) and we swear you've said nack (snack) and milk. You love to click, blow raspberries and make the same sounds we do when we pretend to eat or drink your food. You've started babbling again so much since you got tubes. I love it!

How has this year been so fast? In some ways I feel like you were a newborn just a few moments ago. Then I think of all of the things we have done and ways you have changed, and it feel like it's always been this way. Us. The greatest change I've seen is in my heart little miss. I dream bigger, laugh longer and love so much deeper than I ever thought possible. Thank you Eliza. You healed my heart and soul. You are my world.

I love you so, Sweet Liza Jo.

Twas the night before.

A year ago today I headed in to my OB for the last of my pregnancy checkups. On modified bedrest, I knew we wouldn't be going to my original February 21st induction date. What I did not expect was the following conversation with my husband.

"Hi honey, I have some news."

"OK, what?"

"You're going to need to take tomorrow off."

"OK?"

"I'm being induced tonight."

"Tonight, tonight?"

"Tonight. We have to be at the hospital at 7:30."

I could literally hear him getting flustered on the other end of the line. He planned to leave work a little early (it was 10am and he was going to leave around 4.) By the time I left the OB, he was so worked up that his boss was like, Go home. So he did.

I don't remember a whole lot about the day. I know we called and told people. I know we packed. I do remember making Mr. Knip Nair my legs. (Sexy)I think we went to our favorite spot for lunch. I remember being so nervous and thinking "I'm not going to be ready in time." (Again, what I had to get ready, I don't know.)I remember sitting in the hospital lobby willing them to hurry up. It was so surreal. It still is. I remember being hooked up to monitors and how painful the Cervadil placement was. I loved listening to her heartbeat on the monitors. That night was so bizarre. Trying to cherish the last moments with her all to myself, while bubbling over with the excitement that she was almost here. There was fear mixed in too. I think I peed 27 times (I'm a nervous pee-er.)

It was like the Night Before Christmas. But like all my childhood Christmases in one. And way better. Way, way better.

Freedom!

Who is this big girl living at my house? The one who still wants to be held and rocked when her teeth hurt but pulled up and LET GO of her PBK chair yesterday? 1.5 seconds of independence. To my heart, it felt like a lifetime.

She just started crawling a week ago!