Wow

So my wow doesn't really mean much besides the fact that I was getting caught up on my blog posts and was thinking 'wow' at how behind I was.

I was able to get a few things posted tonight and some go as far back as Brett's b-day on December 18th and a merry go round ride before that. Most of these recent posts have been dated correctly so they will now be swallowed up in the mess of posts.

But if you (whoever you are) have any desire to fill in the blanks of my amazing life and adventures you are welcome to scroll down and see what you missed!

Fun with stamp pads

Ho hum

First haircut

Brett has been wanting to cut Afton's hair forever but I kept saying no. I finally gave in and I'm glad I did. Afton's hair looks so much better!

We went to Cookie Cutter's and they did such a great job. Afton was so excited! She chose a little pink car as her seat and loved the smock they wrapped around her shoulders. She did exactly what she was supposed to and was happy watching Dora on her own personal television. She even let the young boy cutting her hair use a round brush and a blow dryer.

Afterward she got a balloon and went down the slide a few times!

We saved a little lock of hair and felt it was well worth the 15 bucks!

Afton

Moments

Right now

It's really the little things that make up every day and I love the little things.
Here's what life is like at our house lately.

AFTON:

Takes a bath every night and loves to play with her turtles, Dora, a baby bottle, and a little whale with holes in it. Dad usually does bath time unless he is playing ball.

Doesn't have a very big appetite. She likes a little milk in the morning but doesn't really want breakfast. Sometimes I just put instant breakfast in her milk. She's pretty good when it comes to lunch, but it depends on the day. She likes chicken nuggets, vegetable beef soup, bean and cheese burritos, cucumbers, corn, peas, green beans and oranges. Dinner can be a bit of a fight as well. I'm not big on pushing her to eat but sometimes I know she needs a little food in her tummy.

Takes a nap every day around 1:30 - 2:00. She will sleep anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. I love it. Sometimes I lay down, sometimes I watch tv or work on my computer. I have a hard time focusing on a project when she's asleep. The house is so quiet I feel like I should have quiet time too.

Loves to read 'The Rain Came Down', "Little Raccoon's Big Question", and "The Bear Feels Sick' before bed. I always rotate the books in each of her baskets and it's fun to see which of the new books become her favorites.

Sleeps in her crib still and has two bunny head blankets and a silky cream blanket she can't sleep without. She loves to wear her foot pajamas. She has frogs, pandas, and stripes with a bear on the front.

Weighs about 28 pounds. Her tubes are still in place which has been wonderful. I can't believe how much time we spent at the doc and on antibiotics before.

Goes back and forth between her kitchen and her doll house. She has some little brown horses she carries everywhere and spends a little time with her baby dolls. She has a tool set and she loves to work on things.

Loves to play Horsey with daddy and laughs and laughs as he riles her up. She cries when it's time to stop. In fact, I can hear her now...

Doesn't want me to cut her nails. She won't let me near her feet but tolerates her hands for brief periods of time. For a while she would come and ask me to get the clippers.

Loves to play with my hair. She is slightly obsessed with it actually and will sit behind me and 'do' my hair. She will say round and round while she flips it in circles.

Likes to put a paper towel UNDER her plate when she eats. She also likes to wipe her hands during her meal.

Loves the mini handrail on our stairs. She always holds on with one hand and carries whatever it is she wants up or down in the other hand. If she forgets something she likes to go back and get it herself. Ok by me

Loves doing laundry. The only problem is that the clean and dirty tend to get a little mixed up and who wants to sniff to re-sort? Not me

Favorite movie is Spirit: Stallion of the Cimaron. She really loves horses.

Likes to say Oh Dear and it is adorable. Sometimes when I play with her I am so fascinated by her I don't play well because I can't stop staring.

HEATHER:

I've subbed twice this month. I do like getting out but find it a little boring and I am always grateful to be able to stay home the next day. I couldn't imagine working right now.

Having a hard time getting to the gym. I know it makes me feel better but it's definitely hard with a 2 year old and I am so unmotivated.

My monitor hasn't been working so I have neglected my blog.
I haven't been taking very many pictures lately either and I am a little behind on Afton's scrapbook.
Now that my monitor is working I am hoping to quickly get caught up.

I am ready to paint and redecorate my house.

I read every night and whenever I can during the day.

I feel tired a lot.

My hair is kind of short again but I like it. One day I'll realize it looks better this way and quit trying to grow it out.

I am excited for American's Next Top Model and Project Runway to start over for the year!


BRETT:

Just finished a week long work trip to Houston. We missed him.

Still playing basketball with his rec. league team.

Climbing whenever possible. (whenever I'll go)

Anxious for spring. He can't wait to get in the garden. He spent yesterday outside in the freezing cold spreading fertilizer before today's storm.

Can't wait to get home every day and play with Afton.

Loves to watch football and basketball and anything on the nature channel.

It's hard to remember everything about right now so I'm sure I'll keep adding to the list.
Basically, life is good and we are healthy and happy!

Afton's words

I've been so good at documenting everything Afton says or does, until lately. It all happens too fast. One day I am amazed that she knows something and the next day I am amazed to hear her talk about it. I want so badly to remember every little thing but sometimes I get so caught up in our day to day play and activities that I don't take the time to write stuff down.

Yesterday I picked Afton up from my mom's and in the car -
Me: how's your diaper
Afton: grandma changed it
Me: no she didn't
Afton: ok, daddy changed it

We went to go upstairs yesterday-
Afton: no mom, that is waaaay to high

Afton didn't feel well-
Afton: go get the Tylenol mom

Opening the door to see how cold it is outside-
Afton: (deep breath) hmmmmm, tastes good

Afton to Dad: Are you crazy?

Afton to mom: I feel icky.

Playing with father and mother doll-
Mother doll to father doll: You are so clever

In the car on the phone with my mom-
Afton was trying to get my attention and I wasn't responding fast enough so she starts yelling,
Heather, Heather, Heather, Heather

One of my favorite things to hear Afton say is "I'm ok" Anytime she falls down, bonks into something or makes a funny sound I am immediately saying, Are you ok Afton? She cracks me up because she almost always answers, I'm ok.

Afton climbed onto my lap as I was sitting at my desk and said "I want to do some crap mommy."

Oh Dear

Much, much, much more to come!

A little hand print

Our stairs are divided and halfway up there is a landing where a huge mirror hangs. Every time I walk upstairs I see a little hand print. I noticed it months ago but for some reason I don't want to wipe it away. It was a moment in time, a moment with Afton and although I can't remember the exact moment I can picture her in my arms, watching her reflection. I bet she made some faces, turned her head sideways watching, or maybe even stuck out her tongue. Her curious little hand reached out to make sense of it all and left a perfect little mark.

I have Afton's hand print on numerous pieces of paper and such but for some reason this one on the mirror always tugs at my heart. I feel like time goes too fast and you can't hold onto everything but if I leave the print there, she will be little and curious and still small enough to be in my arms.

Glad it's being used for something

For a little while Afton was showing interest in going to the bathroom on the toilet. I thought that was a good time to go and buy a little potty just for her. She was so excited when I set it up and she wanted to try it out. Before her bath Brett always sat her on the toilet so she did have some idea as to what was going on.

She soon decided that she didn't like this little potty or the big one for that matter and I figured I'd take a break to avoid trauma and frustration.

Anyway, the other day I walked into the craft room upstairs to find Afton sitting in the middle of the floor with her turtles and her toilet. She had all of the turtles inside and would shut the lid and carry them around. Of course I had to take pictures but as soon as I was done we talked about it, picked it up together and carried it back to it's spot on the bathroom floor.


She hasn't sat on it since but she hasn't played with it since either.

Wedding ring

I love my wedding ring! I remember when it first arrived. I suddenly became so aware of my hand. As I was driving I would be checking out my ring, when I got ready I would see it in the mirror. I loved the feeling of it sliding to the side a little when it got cold outside and I when I was typing it was hard not to stare.

Well...somewhere during my pregnancy it didn't fit. I had heard about people having to get their ring re-sized after pregnancy but it wasn't going to happen to me. As soon as I have my sweet baby I will lose my pregnancy weight and my ring will slide back on.

I was wrong and in denial. Afton is 2 years old and somehow I kept thinking it will fit, it will fit. Well, it didn't fit. It hasn't fit for a long time which means I haven't been wearing a wedding ring. I have a band but it isn't the same.

So I finally decided to take it in. It took 5 minutes to drop it off, 1 week to re-size and it was free. What was I thinking? Sorry Brett.

But now here I sit typing and once again, my eyes are drawn to my ring. I have missed this ring and I'm so glad to have it back. It feels new all over again!

Now for the jeans...just kidding. I don't want to talk about that!

New Year's Eve

This year for New Year's Eve we went to my parents house. Dan and his family were in town from Boise and Afton was excited to see her cousins!

We had such a fun night. We ate pizza, watched a show about bugs, ate ice cream, and best of all, had our own personal firework show. Dad and Dan braved the freezing cold weather to keep the kiddies entertained. They went out onto the deck and the little kids were able to stay warm and dry but still have a front row seat. There was squealing and laughing, jumping, and shouting. The kids all loved the show and I think Uncle Dan liked lighting the fireworks.

I loved this year because we were actually home by 9:15. The holidays can be exhausting and Afton was tired and overwhelmed. Her schedule had been off and she really needed a normal night and some good rest. And honestly, she wasn't the only one. I needed it too!

I also loved it because Brett and I were able to spend some time together watching a movie. The movie was ok (some werewolf movie from the redbox) and the little candy bars were delicious but we were ready for bed by 11:30. We watched as long as we could and as we were finally climbing into bed we heard fireworks and peeked out the window.

I was not the least bit sad to be home in bed by midnight on New Year's Eve. I love my life and I love my family. I've had a lot of great New Year's celebrations but this felt good. Knowing my sweet Afton was cuddled up safe and sound in her bed and knowing my amazing husband was home spending time with me was exactly what I wanted.

It was the perfect way to start a new year!