it's the little things...

I'll eventually have pictures of all the owl-infused festivities of the first birthday party but until then... Chicken's first year: Untitled

Twelve months. One entire year. Over the weekend I was thinking, "This time last year I started having contractions." "This time last year, my water broke." "This is when we went to the hospital." I've been working on a video and photo slideshow for your birthday party (that we're having on Saturday). It's been fun to go through the entire last year. I can't get over how small you were. And then I can't get over how much you changed so quickly. And, finally, I can't believe how many details I've already forgotten (like when you did what). I'm so glad we took so many pictures and that I wrote so much down. I hope you appreciate it one day when you're a mother. Keeping good records for you this first year was definitely a priority. As this was the last day for monthly pictures, I'm really proud of myself for making it through (with Daddy's help). I'm also proud of us all for making it through the year. This mon...

I'm way, way behind on end-of-year blog activities. So it goes... Here's the reading list from 2011. Sadly short but I was busy keeping a baby alive for nearly the entire year. Mostly read: Baby 411 I'm Too Sexy For My Volvo What to Expect the First Year Read: 16. Hello, My Name is Mommy 15. The Helps 14. Sizzling Sixteen 13. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet 12. The Complete Adventures of Curious George 11. Charlotte's Web 10. Baby Massage 9. Healer 8. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt 7. The Girlfriend's Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood 6. Because I Said So 5. Pregnancy Day By Day 4. Homebirth in the Hospital: Integrating Natural Childbirth With Modern Medicine 3. The Everything Pregnancy Book 2. What to Expect When You're Expecting 1. Happiest Baby on the Block While the pregnancy/baby books were quite helpful (especially "Happiest Baby on the Block"), I really enjoyed the other books and highly recommend them all. So I guess while I...

I think Christmas is a pretty good reason to be behind on writing to you, don't you? We did take pictures on Christmas Eve, though, so Mama has made it 11 months taking pictures on the 24th. I'm pretty impressed with that. One more to go! Let's see. What's been going on with you this month? Your eating is pretty much the same. We're trying to start the weaning from the bottle. We really need to put more effort into this one. So far you drink really well from the sippy cup. Unfortunately, that means you are very efficient at getting water out only to let it fall right back out of your mouth. We've recently started giving you a cup with a straw and, while you still spill some, you swallow some as well. Progress! You're still a good eater and are eating more table foods as the weeks progress. Sleep has been a bit of a challenge at times this month. You've taken to waking up somewhere between 2 and 4:00 to cry. I don't know what's going on with that....

Oooh, ahhh. A little blog re-design. I'd imagine more tweaks are possible. What's everybody up to? Is anyone still out there?

Chicken, can I start this out with some whining? For the second time this year, your month birthday is landing on a major holiday. This time it's one of my favorites--Thanksgiving. Mama woke up feeling ok, walked Maggie, took your monthly pictures, and then started feeling bad. I was hoping it was just my non-gallbladder acting up but I think it's a stomach virus. Woe is me. So I had Daddy help me finish food prep and sent the two of you to your aunt and uncle's. I'm so disappointed I'm not there with you--your entire family is there (both sides of our family--Mama's and Daddy's). Sigh... But I'm sure you're having a good time and that everyone is enjoying the kick-off to the real holiday season with not one but two babies. Ok, rant over. What all happened this month? You got bit by the other little girl at daycare. Sometimes she doesn't want to share with you (meaning she wants what you have) and you give in but I've heard that other times y...

Interesting article: I've been watching the news lately. I'm amused by the hordes of people camping out and demonstrating (or whatever they're doing). They say they're "occupying." Well, occupying isn't enough. A rock occupies a spot on the ground. Does the rock do anything? Not much. And that's the point. A rock can be a formidable weapon (if it's a big enough rock, or if it carries a significant velocity), but when it's just occupying a space on the ground, all its energy is "potential" energy. It doesn't do anything but have potential. Money can be used for great good, but until it's put into motion, it's got a lot of potential, but it really doesn't do a lot of good (except make those of us who worry a lot feel a little better). People have great potential -- but unless they/we use that potential, move in the right direction, and do more than occupy a spot, people don't do a heck of a lot of good. The key in al...