Snow in Atlanta

So much for global warming! It snowed in Atlanta, in February, I thought winter was supposed to be over by now? On the bright side, Christine made her first snow man! I don't think she could decide if she liked the snow or not. She would cry and then would be happy. I finally decided to take her inside, but then she threw a fit and decided she wanted to put more stuff on her snowman. It was fun, but I am ready for spring!

Tired of Chicken Nuggets

Christine is officially a toddler! Yay! No more baby food! However, I've found this to be a new challenge in my life. I want her to eat healthy and try new things. (although I am not opposed to chicken nuggets and mac n' cheese) Also, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that she can eat whatever we are eating, which means I eat a little healthier as well. And I'm tired of eating chicken and sandwiches and veggies, so I tried something new and it worked! (I LOVE when things work!)

I found a recipe in a baby cookbook for orzo pasta with peas and cheddar cheese. The picture looked good (don't you love pictures in cookbooks?) so I decided to try it. PLUS it said it was easy for toddlers to pick up with a spoon. It was super easy too. Boil the orzo according to package directions, during the last minute add frozen peas, drain, then add cheddar cheese. I was a little nervous about it because Christine doesn't like Mac n' Cheese (I know, she's weird) and this was sounding a little similar. Anyway, then you top with grated parm. AND Christine LOVED it and she was able to use her little spoon (which made me cry a little). You could just tell how proud she was! I even ate it (it was a little bland...so i recommend adding salt for adults), but it was a success, which made me feel successful! (it's the little things!)

Then we had chicken and yellow rice for dinner and she was able to use her spoon again. Ahh...what a great day!

Duke's position whenever Christine is eating

P.S. If anyone has anymore ideas for toddlers, please let me know!!

Domestic Anointing

I've never thought of myself as domestic, but I think it's starting to kick in. Maybe it's because the dreaded 3-0 is coming up soon...too soon!

Anyway, here are some of my attempts at being domestic. Let me say this started because I wanted a sewing machine and Brian kept saying I would never use it and I HAVE to prove Brian wrong. (the problem is he knows this and uses this information as reverse psychology...and I let him..and it works...what is wrong with me??) So, the Wilhite's moved to India and Michelle decided to sell her sewing machine and guess who bought it? That's right, I did. AND I've used it.

My first attempt at sewing were these crib protectors. Not my best work, but they do the job. Christine can no longer put bite marks on her crib rails. And they look cute! I did it without a pattern...just made it up. It didn't take long after I figured out how to wind the bobbin (that's right, I know what a bobbin is) and thread the machine. That part took a while...thankfully Michelle kept the instruction manual.

Then the big project. We needed curtains in our breakfast nook. I measured and used a sheet to make my first set and it was slightly successful. Luckily my mom came into town and she helped. When I first showed her the old curtains (which I was trying to copy, again no pattern) she said "no problem, we'll knock it out in an hour." Five hours later she said "this may be the most complicated thing I've ever sewed." We even had to make an emergency midnight trip to Walmart to finish it. But, we did it!! And I LOVE them! So, what would have cost me $90 a curtain at Pottery Barn, ended up costing me $50...how GREAT is that??? (Have I mentioned that I am also starting to love finding deals and coupons, and saving money...seriously my husband is starting to wear on me...don't tell him I said that!)

My next project didn't involve a sewing machine. I wanted to decorate the house for the fall and someone introduced me to Thrifty Decor Chick and I got some ideas. I didn't do too much, but it was fun...I can't wait for Christmas!!

By the way, I didn't come up with the phrase "domestic anointing" on my own. (I'm not clever enough for that.) I got it from Beth Moore. My bible study group just finished her study on Esther and it was amazing...highly recommend it!

October Happenings

Back in October (I can't believe it's already November!) we had a Skyline/Pumpkin Carving Party. It was so much fun! Brian and I have tried describing Cincinnati Chili to our friends here in Georgia, but it's really hard to understand unless you have it, so that's what we did. We bought cans of Skyline, spaghetti, cheese, oyster crackers, and hot dogs and had a party. I thinkeveryone pretty much enjoyed it. I got a lot of "it's different." After we consumed Skyline we decided to carve pumpkins. It was very cool to see everyone's creativity.

Then there was Halloween. Unfortunately, it was rainy so we didn't take Christine trick or treating, but we did go to our neighbors house for a bit (so someone was able to see her dressed up!). She was a little pink monster and if I do say so myself, she was the cutest little pink monster EVER!

The Duke

Not only to I have the best husband and kiddo, but I also believe I have the best dog. The Duke is going to be 5 years old next week...that's 21 in dog years, right? Until Christine came along, he was my baby. He's definitely had to take a step down (poor guy!), but he's handled the past year very well! Here are some updated pics of Christine and her "doggie." Happy Birthday Duke!

On Christine's birthday

He loves her and is protective of her

Seriously, could the two of them be any cuter?

Rudolph

When I picked up Christine from daycare on Tuesday, the first thing I noticed was her big red nose. Apparently, she walked out the back door, where there was a step, and landed face first on the outdoor rug. She has a rug burn on the tip of her nose...but she's still smiling!

Christine finds the weirdest places to play. Today she pulled out one of the drawers from toy storage, took everything out of it, and then sat in it to play.

We also tried coloring for the first time. It wasn't a huge success, but I think she got the concept and it took up a little bit of time. It's been raining for WEEKS (at least it feels like it) so I am trying to be creative with things to do indoors. We usually go for walks and play outside.

EnterTRAINment Juction

Christine's 6th plane ride landed her in Cincinnati, OH. Brian and I had to go to Cincinnati for an all company meeting and we brought her along. Grandma and Grandpa Walden came to Cincy to get Christine and they took her back to Indiana for a few days. It was really hard for me at first, but then I was so busy it actually turned out to be OK. Plus, Christine had a blast!

Then Grandma and Grandpa Sampsel, Great-Grandpa Sampsel, and Gloria (Great-Grandpa's friend) came down from Beach City to hang out for the weekend. On Saturday we went to EnterTRAINment Juction. For those of you in Ohio, you should go! I'm not big into trains, but it was fun and Christine had a lot of fun as well. It's this huge building with model trains everywhere and they have an area for kids as well. http://www.entertrainmentjunction.com/

Daddy holding Christine so she could see the trains.

Christine and Great-Grandpa Sampsel. I love this picture!

4 Generations

hanging out in the kiddie area

Sleeping after a long day!

A little note about the above picture...

So, Christine woke up at 6am hungry, so I had to run down to the hotel lobby to warm up a bottle for her and when I got back I fed her and decided to just leave her in bed with us. Brian wakes up and says "are you really going to leave her in our bed?" I think he was somewhat annoyed. Then Christine rolls next to him and cuddles up. I waited a few minutes and asked Brian if he wanted me to move her back to the pack-n-play and he said "I don't care" which in Brian language means, no. I think he like snuggling with his little girl! :) When I got out of the shower this is what I saw and I HAD to take a picture.