Morning Greeting

It was only a matter of time. She is only 3 years and 2.5 months! So I expected this from her over a year ago.

This morning, while still in bed, I heard the crack of her bedroom door. I thought, "Shadow!" as I accused the cat of pushing the door open. Annabelle was already awake, but I was ignoring her because she sounded content, and I was trying to catch a few extra z's after a rough night.

I only had 2.5 hours of sleep after attempting to go to bed at 12:30 a.m. only to hear her cry for me as I closed things down for the evening. I didn't leave her room until closer to 1:00 a.m., and I was awakened again at 3:30 a.m. Then, I didn't leave her room again until 6:00 a.m. God (and Annabelle) are apparently trying to prepare me for a newborn.

But, at 9:00 a.m., I was greeted to pitter patter of little feet and a beautiful smiling face at my bedside.

"Annabelle!" I exclaimed with shock.

"I didn't fall out," she said.

I couldn't scold her. She is, of course, three years old, and in all honesty, she should be in a big girl bed by now. How could I scold her when she was smiling so sweetly?

Of course, just last night, I had a conversation with an old college friend about how Annabelle had not yet climbed out of her crib. I should have known!

And, just yesterday, she climbed into her crib all by herself for the first time while I was in a different room. She decided to use it as a trampoline.

It is obviously time for that big girl bed! Mommy and Daddy just need to get on the ball and get that girl's big girl room ready.

Random Thoughts by Annabelle

"Mommy, does tee tee bring carrots out?" she asked me this evening as she lay in bed trying to fall asleep.

She's been learning that poo poo and tee tee is food that her body does not need. I just wonder what made her think that one up! We didn't even have carrots to eat at all today.

New Year's Resolutions 2010

New Year's Resolutions according to a three year old:

"Probably...to eat more McDonald's," spoken very matter of factly.

When asked on New Year's Eve what her New Year's Resolutions were, she responded with the above. Of course, I first explained to her the definition of New Year's Resolutions by describing some of my own resolutions for the new year.

If You Give a Moose Daddy's Shoes

The True Meaning of Christmas

This afternoon, while dressed up in purple fairy wings, Annabelle said the following to me:

"Mommy, I have good news for you. You are have a baby. And you will name him Jesus."

(Pause).

"You are Mary."

I guess maybe she is starting to understand the true meaning of Christmas! I was getting a little worried after all the presents she received from family this Christmas. Unfortunately, the emphasis of Christmas has become the quantity of presents instead of the true meaning.

For those parenting young children during this era, we have a long battle ahead to teach our children that "things" are not important at all.

Get your drink on!

Annabelle is preparing for the new year already! Last night, as we were requesting that she try and tee tee one last time before bedtime, she responded as follows:

"I on't to get my apple juice on!"

Neither of us could stop laughing because all we could think of were "Get your groove on," and "Get your drink on."

And in all honesty, we have no clue where she learned that phrase! She just wanted to drink her bedtime allowance of apple juice.

My Favorite Christmas Card

A Blessing on Your Home

When Jesus is the carpenter,
a home is safe and strong.
It's built with care and happiness,
it's filled with love and song.
His joy is found in every room,
peace whispers through the halls.
And He gently blesses everyone
who lives within its walls.

With a Christmas prayer
that Jesus the carpenter
will bless your home,
and that Jesus the Savior
will love you and keep you safe
always.

Love,

Uncle Loyd & Aunt Mable
Christmas 2009