progress

I have now discovered the final light switch mystery. our tiny house
in STL had 3 light switches, 3 remote lights and 3 pull cord fixtures
and here we have 7 different switches just in our kitchen. oi vey, am
I spoiled!!!

well, there's been one mystery switch that I haven't figured out -
until just now. apparently the architect who designed this house felt
that the recessed light in front of the laundry room and garage door
needed not one, not two, but THREE different light switches. how very
considerate of him...

especially since all three locations are within 10 feet of said light.

a christmas story

a few weeks ago I impulsively picked up a copy of Mickey's Christmas Story (or whatever it's called).  since the Bug loves Mickey and it's 3 or 4 separate stories I figured it would be a hit.  and I was right.  we watch it about once every other day; because she hasnt seen a christmas movie she doesnt love so we have a good rotation going.  

I'm going to pause the narration here and explain something else: Matilda loves Santa to death, but has no clue about "presents".  and by that I mean she recognized wrapped boxes, but hasn't figured out that she can ask for something and then get that thing.  I very rarely buy her "stuff" or toys and so it's still kind of a foreign concept... for now.  so if you tell her, "santa 's coming!  are you getting presents?!" or anything in that vein, she'll just get excited at the thought of meeting the Big Guy.  it's made this year really easy and manageable.  woot!

so, going back to the story...

Scott is on call and so it's just the two of us.  Matilda and I have opened our Xmas jammies and are watching Mickey before bed.  the last story is a take on "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.  At the very end, Mickey and Minnie are sitting on a couch exchanging their (useless) gifts.  suddenly, Matilda's eyes get wide and she jumps out of my lap and takes off. 

moments later, she comes running back to me.  but in her hands she's holding one of the presents I had wrapped and left on the table.  her face was beaming and as she came up to me she handed it to me and said, "mommy present!" and hugged my knees.  

it was one of the sweetest mommy moments and of course I started welling up.  my little bug didn't want the present for herself - but something had finally "clicked" and she understood that it's about loving others and showing them that affection.  she wanted me to see that she loved me.  

it was a perfect moment and I hope I can hold onto this memory and feeling forever.  this is my first real parent christmas - where I've stayed up too late (it's almost 2am!  ugh!).  but for once I don't mind.  I spent the night getting her Christmas ready.  stockings are filled, presents are under the tree, everything is clean and beautiful.  

I did that because it shows her how much I live and appreciate her.  it's not about the presents, but about giving her as much joy as she brings me.  my little bug.  my angel.  

I feel like I've found a whole new layer to this feeling of the "christmas spirit" and I pray all of you may find it. Merry Christmas my friends!

florida pictures

i would love to narrate my trip to florida with the bug.  but im not going to do that.  

i keep a word document for Matilda that i update periodically with "letters"to her that detail what she's been up do or doing lately and i already chronicled the trip for her there.  so it's recorded, but not here.  and since im on the computer that doesnt have that file, it wont be posted.  it's not laziness, it's being 29 weeks pregnant.  

i did, however, grab a handful of photos that i have from the trip that i really love.  some of them are "good" pictures, and a lot of them are decent.  but more importantly, they all capture a moment that i want to remember or an adorable snapshot of my little girl.

the bug is definitely a little fish.  she would have spent all day every day in the pool if we let her and loved every minute of it.  do you LOVE her 2 piggies (translation: pig tails.  every day she tells me how many "piggies" she wants.  "one piggie, mommy!" or "no piggie.  no."  "two piggies mommy, puhlease!").

some people get lots of kisses.  sammy and grampaw (and always daddy) get lots.  others (everyone else) has to beg for them.  and yes, i am bitter.

this is a pretty good snapshot of how things would go.  grampaw was *always* willing to hold his little Tillie - something i was extremely grateful for.

this was about 15 minutes into Disney.  she was unhappy that we were making her wait in line.  i promised her we would ride on a train after, but she was still very impatient.

even though she LOVES cars, trains, dinosaurs and animals, she does not love space rangers (yet).  she was very put out about having to take a picture with him.

this is not the best quality, but i was definitely the best moment.  i cant tell you how much she loved the carousel.  she lit up once i strapped her onto the pony and she squealed the entire ride.  i think she ended up riding cinderella's carousel about 8 or 9 times during the evening and every time she had the same reaction.  she would pat the horse and tell it, "good girl" and then once the ride was over she would blow it a kiss and tell it thank you.   

we stopped for a few minutes to plan our next move and she was looking around taking in the sights.  everywhere she looked there was something "cool" and "awesome".  i LOVED how curious and excited she was, even over the smallest of things.

you cant see the fountain in the picture, but when she spotted it she just HAD to stop at it for a minute and splash her hands around.  so of course gramma came over with her to explore.

it was a crazy 11 days, but we made the most of it!  there was an amazing visit with Bon Bon, a brief stop at Coco Beach and the Ron Jon Surf Shop (a family tradition), a day at Sea World, a day at Discovery Cove (you should all be ridiculously jealous), LOTS of swimming and floating down the lazy river, Disney, long nights hanging out and playing with my family, INCREDIBLE food and the best part was just being able to spend time with some of the most important people in my life.

while matilda might not remember this trip, going forward she'll have the bonds she made with everyone.  she's old enough now that she knows who people are and recognizes them in pictures and when we FaceTime.  Uncle Eric is no longer just a name she hears, but a person she knows and loves and cares about.  the picture of carol on my wall represents happiness and laughter.  and THAT is what made this trip so incredible.  well, that and the snorkeling.