What's different?

Naomi got her ears pierced. I thought about this for a long time. I mean a long time, way before I ever knew I was going to have a little girl. I read all sorts of forums and asked the opinions of other Moms out there. I had my mind made up that she was going to get her ears pierced... and then I held her in my arms for the first time. This really screwed things up. The idea of piercing this beautiful little babies ears all of the sudden seemed like something I could NOT do. How could I hurt my little baby?

So, pretty much since her birth I had changed my mind. There was no way I could do it. Yet, there was one slight problem. Every single time I saw a little baby with her ears pierced I just loved it! So I would ask the Mom how it went and would she do it again. Do you know what? I got the same answer from all of them. A resounding, yes! Yes, they would do it again and they are really happy with it. When I asked Moms who waited until their daughters were older (almost all) said they wished they had done it when their daughter was smaller. The problem is when you wait until the child is older the child will mess with it and it inevitably gets infected. I'm not saying that this will happen all the time, it's just what I have personally been told by friends (other Moms who I trust and I know love their children as much as I love mine). So I made the choice for my daughter and I hope she will thank me when she gets older. Who knows... she could decide she hates them and decide not to wear earrings. If she does, it won't hurt her one bit to take them out and simply not wear them. If she does like them, well she can give me a big kiss and say, thanks Mom... that didn't hurt a bit (at least not that I can remember).

Did she cry? Yes she did, for a minute.

Did her brother cry (when he saw his sister cry)? Yes he did, for a minute.

Did I cry? Yes I did, for a minute.

Then I gave both my kids a big hug and an even bigger kiss.

Would I do it again? Yes.

Brrrr...

The weather has been downright cold here this winter. This fall I was out shopping and ran into a local farmer who told me that we were going to have a very cold, very long winter. I thought, ok we'll see. Well, he was right. This is my 4th winter in Wisconsin and it has been by far the coldest and snowiest. When it's -20 out with a windchill of 36 below you just have to find ways to pass time indoors. That is exactly what my kids have been doing. Mikey loves his leapfrog game and I love it because he is actually learning things, like his letters and numbers. Which is fantastic. Naomi is working on mastering how to work those beautiful little hands of hers. She is always reaching and trying to grab at everything lately. It's just fun to watch her.

Thank you for this soft and beautiful jumper Babcia.

Naomi not only looks great in it, it's super comfy soft cotton.

On the thank you list is a big thank you to my dear friend Becca. Last weekend we received a package in the mail from Omaha. It was filled with some super cute clothes for Naomi and some art supplies for Mikey, which is also helpful when you are spending as much time indoors as we are. I realized that if I didn't get Naomi in this adorable little number than she would never have the chance to wear it as it's going to be too small very soon. In an effort to get some cute pictures I thought this outfit was perfect. It's so, so cute! So I turned the heat up, put out a soft blanket and turned the camera on.

Playing with big brother.

Cheese!

Looking at big brother, which is her favorite thing to do. Naomi tracks Mikey all around the room. She loves to watch him... who can blame her, he's very entertaining.

Daddy love.

Mama love.

When life gives you snow,

make snow ice cream!

It's been snowing like crazy here, so what better way to make use of ALL this snow. It was my first time making this and it sure is yummy! I think it will be a new tradition. Just a little milk, vanilla, sugar and of course snow and you're set. Delicious!

Can I have some now Mom?

Dig in!!!

We took a family trip to Minneapolis this weekend. It was a great trip. The kids were very good for the 3 hours each way. We had some wonderful food (man I miss restaurants... Marshfield lacks in that area). We stayed at a nice hotel and got some good old family snuggling in.

The Mall of America!

Naomi had a great time watching everyone and everything at the Mall of America.

I can already tell we're gonna be great shopping buddies.

Mikey rode every single ride... and did he ever have fun.

He slept in his room all night that night for the first time in a VERY LONG TIME.

The fly boat!

I thought for sure some of these rides would scare him (like they used to).

I guess he 's growing up because nothing scared him this time.

Bumper cars with Daddy...

Good times.

Happy 3 months!

Naomi and her giraffe Sophie... she's been consumed with trying to hold onto Sophie and chew on her. I do believe her first tooth is in the near future. Crazy, I can't believe that 3 months ago today she came into our lives. She is really and truly as sweet as they come.

Christmas 2010

We all went on a horse drawn sleigh ride and it was a magical X-Mas Eve!

Mikey's class had a play called The first Christmas and he was a King

and Naomi guest starred as baby Jesus.

Happy New Year!