Valentine's Day

This Valentine's weekend Ryan is in Vegas so us girls celebrated on our own.  I set out their treats this morning, and all they really cared about was the chocolate - go figure.  Even Evie Sis is a little chocoholic these days.  It was a fun, low key day which included a trip to the pharmacy for Lyla.  She came down with pink eye.  But I guess if you're going to get something on V Day it may as well be pink.

I forced the girls into another of my silly photo sessions this week.  It's funny, I feel this need to continue these photo sessions because I want to capture their cute little stages, and to be able to look back at all the fun times we had.  The irony being that none of us have very much fun.  I swear as soon as I set them down to take a picture it just immediately triggers the biggest meltdowns.  Luckily I'm one half of where they got their stubbornness from, and so I persevere.  :) 

- K

Date Nights and Christmas Parties

Last night  Ryan and I got a babysitter and went out on the town.  We had an amazing dinner at this swanky steak and sushi place called Seven.  Unfortunately I can't have raw sushi, which is my favorite, but we did get a great cooked roll, delish truffle mac and cheese with lobster (YUM) and I'm pretty sure the best steak I've ever, ever had.  It was a pregnant lady's dream come true.

Not a pregnant lady's dream come true?  Heading straight to the Drake concert and apparently being sat in the cigarette/cigar/joint chain smoking section.  Indoors.  We'd been looking forward to the concert forever, but as soon he got started the place went up in smoke...and I headed straight for the doors.  It was kind of a bummer, but I honestly should have known better.  On the positive side, it was fantastic people watching.  Being totally sober at events where most people are far from that is just hilarious.

The cutest part of our weekend though was a little Christmas party we took Lyla to on Saturday morning.  Lyla wore her Christmas Eve dress for the second time already (thank goodness I got a back up ;) and was little miss fancy pants with her sparkly shoes, bow and tulle galore...and then couldn't put down the boy's toy trucks.  She just might be a heart breaker some day.  You know, when she's like 30 and we finally let her talk to boys.

The party was so fun and Lyla had about a week's worth of sugar.  She wasn't so sure about santa, but seeing her slowly back up into daddy's arms for protection was the sweetest.  Makes my heart melt all over again just thinking about it. They're my favorite.

- K

Halloween

Am I the only mom guilty of having these magical fairy godmother expectations of all holidays, and then getting sorely disappointed when your sweet little child doesn't care and/or throws a huge fit and crushes all of your dreams? 

We had a bit of a rough start to our Halloween festivities last night.  It's hard enough to get anything done in the two hours between work and bedtime, and getting an almost 21 month old fed, in a costume, out the door and back by 7 is somewhat rushed and hectic.  Being in a rush turns me into that Snickers commercial where I become a nasty, sour version of myself (it also happens when I'm tired.  Or hungry.  Or pregnant.  No wonder Ryan has all these "away games" for rugby lately.  ;)

Anyways, I'm pretty sure Lyla inherited these qualities from me because the girl does NOT like to be rushed.  And rushing is what happened.  And then tantrums happened.  On both of our parts.  But I'm glad to say that we both managed to pull it together and L had what I think turned out to be the best night of her life. 

First we went to the party the fire station down the street had and she ran around like she was born for this.  There was a puppy jump house that she was obsessed with, and she was not shy about collecting her candy from the stations the fire fighters had set up.  She wasn't even shy about taking seconds or thirds from some.  Have I mentioned how much she likes chocolate?

After that party we stopped at a couple of houses for trick-or-treating, and she had the most fun.  She kind of said trick-or-treat, obsessed over puppies that greeted her at the door, said "BYE-BYE!" and ran as fast as she could for the next house.  Her favorite stop was the house that gave out full size candy bars.  She refused to put in her basket, and held it in her little hand for the rest of the night.  I think she would have slept with it if she could. 

As soon as she woke up this morning she remembered all the candy, and the "choc-WA?!" requests started early.  We had to settle for chocolate milk to get her past noon, the official chocolate happy hour.

So, it ended up being a pretty cute, perfect Halloween night.  Tantrums and all.  ;)

- K

 

so proud of her loot

 

my favorite face

 

spotted the puppy with his tongue hanging out :)

 

check out this candy, puppy!

 

always the gracious guest, stopped to clean before leaving

 

 

hurry, dad!!  more chocolate!!!

 

creepiest house on the block

Chocoholic

Last week I had to go to Virginia for work.  The first time in more than 3 months that I've gone more than 2 waking hours without my sweet little girl.  So, in a way, I kind of like these quick trips - they allow me to get out and about and remember what my pre-baby life was like. 

HOWEVER, I do not like coming back after less than 3 days - 65 hours to be exact - and seeing HUGE changes in her.  I kid you not she had more hair, was walking LIKE A PRO, could finally do the arms in the air "so big" thing, AND would put her one little finger in the air when you ask her how old she is.  She also apparently became a chocoholic, the way she practically jumped out of my arms to get the chocolate chip bag when I opened the pantry.

Sorry to get all "capsy" on you, but seriously, not fair. 

Also, for the record, we have the absolute best nanny ever.  EVER.

Also, also for the record...she couldn't stop saying "mama" once I got home.  And that makes a girl feel gooood.

- K