Friday Five Faves - vol. 4

I am counting down the hours today. Tonight I have a hot date with a certain man in my life AND a certain little girl who continually steals my heart. We're going to Disney Playhouse Live. I would be lying if I didn't admit that part of my excitement is because I hope this will trim down the amount of Barney we have to watch going forward.

By trimming, I totally mean eliminate!

I love being able to take my munchkin to these types of things. I love watching her excitement. She truly enjoys every minute of life. It's such a great reminder for me.

On that note, I thought I would do a Friday Five Fave post on my little reminders this week.

1) A mother's intuition. On Monday my mom noticed a small rash on Zoe's tummy. It didn't seem to bother her and we did just switch lotions, so we didn't think too much of it. By Wednesday this rash had spread to about 85% of her little body. I decided we needed to see the doctor. She confirmed this rash is similar to what they see for kids with strep throat. Fortunately Zoe doesn't have strep, but she does have a significant ear infection.

It's never good when the doctor says significant. If I didn't listen to my mommy intuition, we could've totally missed the fact that she had an ear infection. Now she's on meds and on the road to recovery.

2) Little notes. N and I don't see each other during the week. Monday - Thursday takes us in two different directions. At first I think this helped us "ease" into marriage. Now, it's just plain annoying. While we both know it will pay off in the end, there are some times you just want to sit on the couch with your husband in the evenings and enjoy some time together.

This week he's left me a couple little notes just wishing me a good day. Even though we can't sit on the couch together in the evenings, it is heart warming to see a note on the counter for me. I think I've got a keeper!

3) Little hands. Zoe is turning into such a big helper. She will get her wash cloth in the bath and while she's soaking, she's cleaning the drain with her wash cloth while saying "help."

It is those same little hands that grab my hand as we run around the house or walk across a parking lot. They even grab my chin and turn my head toward hers for a kiss. I love those little hands.

4) Praying. I firmly believe in the power of prayer. While God's answer isn't always the same as we would hope for, He still answers. I've gotten quite a few e-mails this week about people who are sick or struggling. While I have no idea what road God will take them down, I know He hears me when I lift those things up to Him.

It has been put on my heart this week to begin praying for Zoe's future friends and her future husband. We may or may not know these people, but my prayer is they are the ones God wants her to have. The people who will bring God closer to her throughout her life.

5) Pounds and ounces. I have slowly been taking weight off these last 6 weeks. While I haven't had major weight loss, I've been steadily chipping away at it. I haven't always been the best at the dieting and this week I've not been fully interested in working out. However, I've noticed some changes to my habits. I don't crave sugar anymore. Don't get me wrong, a big piece of birthday cake is wonderful, but I don't HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW! My portions are smaller and my bread intake has decreased.

I'm counting all these things as major blessings!

6) I know it's a Five Fave post, but I have a 6th one this week! Perhaps it's because I'm trying to make up for some, okay half the Fridays that I've missed. I found a Quicken program online. It totally categorizes your spending and helps you save or pay off debt. How cool is that? I realize I'm probably coming late to this game, but seriously, I'm a little addicted to the site.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy your Valentine's day!

Boof

We have strong feelings in our house about the types of shows we watch and what we want to expose Zoe to. Typically N and I don't watch much television that we would truly enjoy while Zoe is awake, except Food Network every once in a blue moon.

We typically watch some Mickey, Pooh, Handy Manny or the Backyardigans.

At Grandma's house she has a different standard for her television. One that N & I aren't too happy about. We feel she's been warping Zoe's mind.

Her television viewing includes Barney.

N and I strongly dislike Barney for many reasons. Actually it has little to do with Barney or his dinosaur friends (except that BJ constantly calls Baby Bop "sissy" and I have flashbacks to Urban Cowboy). It mainly has to do with the major over-acting of the children on the show. They drive me nuts.

However, because Grandma doesn't have the same feelings about Barney that we do, it has slowly become one of Zoe's favorite shows. By slowly I mean overnight sensation almost equal to The Beatles coming to America.

Now when we ask her what she'd like to watch we hear, "Boof! Boof!" That is her word for Barney. When you ask about Mickey or Pooh, she shakes her head "no" violently. She needs Boof. NOW.

It hasn't been uncommon for me to hum the Barney theme song in the shower now.

N has been caught humming it too.

We are one "I love you, you love me" away from making sure that all dinosaurs are extinct.

We just keep telling ourselves it's a phase and way better than having to watch Tele-Tubbies. Like my sister!

Might as well face it, she's addicted to...

At church N was asked if he would start playing in the worship team. He plays bass guitar and they would love to have him play on Sundays. The only hurdle is they practice on Thursday evenings and right now N's in school.

They are willing to meet with him on Friday or Saturday evening to practice so he can play.

Can I tell you how cool our worship team is? They are some of the most welcoming and inviting people. It totally made N's day to be asked to play.

In fact he was so excited he came home and started practicing. He had a little help.

I wonder if the worship team knows N's a package deal?

She's a big girl now

Zoe's newest thing is wanting to sit at the table with us. Her high chair is good for breakfast, but beyond that she wants to sit at the table.

We have one of those high tables that have chairs the same height as bar stools, so I've been a little apprehensive to put her at the table.

This weekend we bought a booster seat for her.

Now she wants to sit at the table all the time. To color, to watch cartoons, to drink her water, to talk to mommy, etc. She is in love with her new big girl status.

Recap: The TWOrific birthday

I've been a little MIA on the blog. It's because I've been nursing a cold. If you know me at all, you know I basically shut down, whine and make N wait on me until I'm better. It's part of my charm.

I spent some time catching up on The Office this weekend and playing with Zoe. Because I'm still not 100%, I thought you all would enjoy some pictures from Zoe's birthday party.

The centerpieces. Every two year old need some centerpieces made of paper! Because I get a little carried away.

With her cousin MJ and her new trike. Which has become her chair for snacking and watching cartoons.

Getting ready to plant he seed. Before the mouth full of potting soil.

Our birthday girl. All hyped up on sugar!

I was blind, but now I see

For the last two days I've been seeing something off into the distance. I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me because I've got a cold and my drug of choice is NyQuil. I've been in some kind of stupor for a couple days.

Alas it's not the NyQuil, it's more scientific than that. It has something to do with the earth's gravitational pull and the rotations.

We have more sunlight.

When I come to work it's light out. When I pick up Zoe after work it's light out.

I think this could possibly mean that we are on the downhill side of winter. I don't want to say that too loud for fear I'll scare the sun off.

Can you tell I'm still in a NyQuil stupor? I think if I ever left Neil it would be for a cherry flavored bottle of NyQuil.

Apparently I also like writing it's name because I've said it 4 times in this post.

I realize I'm rambling but I can't breathe out of one nostril and I think the lack of oxygen to my brain is causing me to do some rambling on and on about nothing.

Like cold medicine.

Her palate is very refined

Last night I made cookies for a memorial service at church on Thursday. My mom is the memorial service director and has to round up food for the family meal and cookies for the fellowship time.

If you've ever had a mom that is the director of anything, you know you'll get a call to help. I'm happy to. This lady was charming, sweet and it was my privilege to know her.

I made the classic chocolate chip cookie for the fellowship time. Zoe noticed that I was making "tookies" and needed one.

I grabbed one that had cooled down the most and gave it to her. She picked a small piece off, put it in her mouth and immediately spit it back out. The chocolate chips were cool, but still mushy. Apparently mushy chocolate chips are not enjoyed by the 2 year old crowd. She spent the next 15 seconds trying to get that slime off her tongue.

Zoe's rules: Potting soil = good. Melted chocolate = gross.