Dear Daughter,

Yesterday it seems as though you woke up in a haze of rebellion and as we are approaching the end of day 2 of this haze, I am starting to wonder, how long will this last my dear? You have been pushing the limits lately and I'm about at my wit's end.

I have re-laced your shoes countless times today. And how you can untie a double knot just baffles me...you sneaky squirrel you. Please don't do this anymore. I'm on the hunt for a pair of Crocs, free of those pesky laces, just hang in there until I find the right color. I promise it won't be long. In the meantime, keep your mitts of the laces missy!

You know that we sent the binky off to the binky fairy, and in return you received loads of sweet new Spring clothes. So let's stop asking for the binky, it's just not necessary. I hope you'll think about that the next time you open your mouth to say "binky, I want a binky please". However, thank you for saying please, let's keep that up.

And now, I few things I wish you'd stop saying as they are very quickly getting on my nerves:

"Nopey Nope Nope"

"I do it, I do it" as you try to put your sweater on not only backwards but also sleeves inside out and upside down.

"I want the goldfish", you can't live on friggin' goldfish, so hush up your face and eat your sandwich!! And not just the bread, the whole thing!

I know that you are just 2 1/2 so I'll leave you with these few things for now. Let's convene in a few days to discuss it.

Love you always,
Your Mother

after.... i don't know how long, i've decided to come back to blogspot...because really, my heart belongs to you blogspot. i've missed you.

gripes, joys and omg

How come after being sick for a week it takes another whole week to get back on track? Why is this? I'm feeling so much better but it's taken me literally all week to get semi- back on track. I didn't meal plan for this week so that was completely off and my eating has been less than desirable. Because I didn't meal plan Eric didn't have lunches for the week. Now, yes, he can make his own lunches but he never leaves enough time in the morning to do so. If a lunch isn't made for him he'll forget to eat (too busy usually to even think about it) and will come home famished. I guess my work out's have been okay, but really, since my eating has been so bad than what's the point? Isn't it something like 90% of what you put in your mouth... The house has been a mess. I'm currently looking at a stack of folded laundry that has been on the coffee table for 3 days now. I hope Spring gets here soon because that usually means the end of the cold and flu season. No more! Not to mention this weather has been downright shit and I'm just sick of it! It's cold and dreary and gross! When we start getting into April and the weather is still like this, is when I typically begin looking at Arizona real estate.

In other news...I took Emma to visit the prospective pre-school yesterday. Ever since I mentioned school a few months ago she's been talking about it nearly non-stop. She is beyond excited! She walked into the classroom and was immediately overjoyed. The teacher actually said she'd never seen a kid so excited and then I informed her that she's like that most everyday. Registration is May 12th and I will be there front and center to secure her spot in the Little Learner's 2009-2010 school year! Of course there is a catch: she has to be potty trained. That will be our Spring/Summer project.

This week at the gym I've spent my cardio time watching Ellen. It's perfect because I love her show and it sucks me in for a good 45-60 minutes of cardio. On her show lately she's been doing an "Ellen's Stimulus Package" where her intern goes around the country with the Gold Digger machine giving away cash to those in need. These people are beyond thrilled to have Ellen calling them and then crazy crazy when they find out why she's calling. It brings me to tears nearly everytime. So there I am, balling my eyes out to Ellen's Stimulus Package....then moments later I'm laughing hysterically as she tells a Starbucks Barista in an ear bud what to say to customers. If you don't know what I'm talking about than you clearly don't watch Ellen...

Eric brought home from work today 6 Adirondack chairs and a game table. Yes, a game table. As if we need more furniture in this house. I'll post a photo later and you'll see what I mean. I'm excited about the Adirondack chairs, they'll be great in the backyard this summer but a game table?? Really? Oy.

movin' on up

The Payne Family has moved!!  Wanted to switch things up a bit so I am now blogging at http://alexpayne.onsugar.com

I want so badly to be a runner.  I want the lean, toned body of a runner...but most of all I want to feel the runner's high.  I want to run through a finish line and know that I DID IT.  I ran briefly today, not long enough and not what I had anticipated, but at least it was something.  I will try again on Wednesday and then again on Saturday.  I just hope I can keep the tendonitis at bay.  Wish me luck!

Battle of the Bulge

I don't typically make New Year's Resolutions...and I suppose since I made the decision before the New Year that it doesn't really count, but this year I decided it was finally time to lose the weight that I've gradually put on since having Emma.  In mid-October I joined the new YMCA in Shoreline.  It was slow going at first, and can still be a struggle to get there on some days but I do try to make it almost everyday (with the exception of the arctic blast in December- two weeks stuck at home!).  For the most part I enjoy working out but eating better is definitely the hardest!  I've started eating Lean Cuisine's for most of my meals in hopes of re-training myself to eat smaller portions.  So far that is working pretty well.  I promised myself that I would be bikini ready for our trip to Mexico in August and I can't wait!  I know I can do this!! 

2008

Where​ did you begin​ 2008?​
At home


Were you in schoo​l (​anyti​me this year)​
No

Did you have to go to the hospi​tal?​
We had to take Emma to the emergency room at Children's in January for a high fever and possible pnemonia


Did you have any encou​nters​ with the polic​e?​
An unexpected knock on the door at 3am one morning because of a license plate issue on the Fairlane. Still not sure if it was a mix up or our license plates were actually stolen.


Where​ did you go on vacat​ion?​
Mexico in February, San Francisco in May, Portland a few times over the summer, Priest Lake in August and Vancouver BC in August


What did you purch​ase that was over $500
Layers samples


Did you know anybo​dy who got marri​ed?​
Andy & Jeryln got married on September 6th in Portland


Did you know anybo​dy who passe​d away?​
No


Did you move anywh​ere?​
No


What sport​ing event​s did you atten​d?​
None


What conce​rts/​shows​ did you go to?
None


Where​ do you live now?
Seattle


Descr​ibe your birth​day.​
Dinner with family and friends at El Camino then hit a few bars in Fremont with friends.


Did you get any tatto​os or pierc​ing?​
No


What'​s the one thing​ you thoug​ht you would​ never​ do but did in 2008?​
Flew first class to Mexico, flew first class to San Francisco
Ran a 10k in Vancouver BC


What has/​have been your favor​ite momen​t(​s)​?​
anything Emma related! Crossing the finish line at the Nike Human Race 10k, cozying into my leather reclining seat in First Class on my way to a weekend away in San Francisco


Any new addit​ions to your famil​y?​
No


What was your best month​?​
February- Mexico was a blast, August- vacation at Priest Lake and running the 10k


Who has been your best drink​ing buddy​?​
Eric!


Made new frien​ds?​
Quite a few


Favor​ite Night​[​s]​ out
the oh-so-rare date night


Any regre​ts?​
No


What do you want to chang​e in 2009?​
I'd like to finally lose the 40lbs I've been talking about for 2 years


Over all how would​ you rate this year ?
7


What would​ you chang​e about​ 2008?​
Spent less, saved more​


Other​ than home,​ where​ did you spend​ most of your time?​
Just home really


Have any life chang​es in 2008?​
No


Chang​e your hairs​tyle?​
Got bangs in April- bad idea, went darker, cut off a few inches


Get a new job?
No


How old did you turn this year?​
23


Do you have a New Year'​s resol​ution​?​
Lose 40lbs, save more/spend less


Did anyth​ing embar​rassi​ng?​
Probably


Buy anyth​ing new from eBay?​
Some clothes for Emma



What was/​were your favor​ite purch​ase[​s]​?​
The new washer


Get marri​ed or divor​ced?​
No


Get arres​ted?​
No


Be hones​t - did you watch​ Ameri​can Idol?​
No


Did you get sick this year?​
Not until now


Been snowb​oardi​ng?​
No


Are you happy​ to see 2008 go?
I guess so


Been naugh​ty or nice?​
A little of both


What are you wishi​ng for in 2009?​
For Emma to potty-train and get rid of the binky, to lose 40lbs, run the Seattle Rock N Roll Half Marathon


I Tag: Katrina, Cheryl, Allisun and Tiffany

i love this kid

Snow Day!

Princesses warming up after playing in the snow.

Trying to make a snow angel!

Izzy asked Emma to be her best friend!

If You Have 7 Minutes...

If interested . . . Copy and paste this to your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (on a lake actually)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie/commercial
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (I stood outside the gate . . . does that count?)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (Harry Connick Jr.)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee