6 days and counting.....

Julia has now had the stomach flu for six days....and counting. At this point, I have lost track of how many times I have washed her sheets and clothing over the past week. Blake and I both had it for 24 hours several days ago and we are fine. Lucky Mike never had it, he just had to take care of all of us when we were sick-unlucky him.
This week has made me REALLY grateful for my otherwise healthy kids. And hopefully, I will be released from "house arrest" soon. And I am also grateful for a good washing machine. And a helpful husband.
Anyone have any tips for getting rid of this? (when I called the doctor this morning, she very nonchalantly told me to keep her on the BRAT diet and call her back if she is still sick in a WEEK. Are you kidding? This could go on for another week....)

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from a cute little pink bunny,

A headless horseman(Blake's cousin Jeffrey), a tiger

and a deranged Easter bunny. I couldn't resist wearing my costume one more time. Mike could not be persauded to suit up again. (I don't blame him)

How could I love her more?

May I present for discussion our little Julia Jean. (I think she looks a lot like me as a baby in this picture)

We had breakfast for dinner tonight and obviously the whipped cream was so good that she had to lick it off her plate. Aren't we doing a good job teaching eating etiquette?

I heard her, but I couldn't find her for a few minutes. Julia decided she wanted to be one of the toys in her toy closet.

This was taken after we discovered that Julia had so thoughtfully unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper. Julia will be 2 in a few months. My little baby is not such a baby anymore. She is into everything and my house is in constant tornado/natural disaster mode due to her. But oh how I love her. Growing up all I ever wanted was a little sister. I was surrounded by way too many brothers and my 2 sisters were both out of the house by the time I was 7. I never got a sister. I did get wonderful nieces to love and great friends. A lot of people see me as being the type of person to want only boys since I am not really a girly girl. I don't really like wearing makeup, I hate princess stuff, I can't do hair and I will never put a garter belt bow thingy in my baby's hair. But oh how I love being a mother to a little girl. There is just something magical about having a daughter. So although I never got a little sister, I got something even better, my very own baby girl to love, cherish and hold. I must kiss and hug her a million times a day. (it also happens to be working in my favor that she is still pretty much bald. I'll try to learn some hair skills soon)

"You look like a deranged Easter bunny"

Yes, we were deranged Easter bunnies (from the movie A Christmas Story) for our friends' annual Halloween party this year. It was a lot of fun to craft this costume and it was nice to have something I could actually sit down in, unlike the Tin Man from last year. Mike looked all over for a pair of glasses so he could look just like Ralphie, but alas only found sunglasses. He popped out one lens for the "you'll shoot your eye out look." Happy Halloween everyone.

Missing Michigan

For 5 years of my life my family lived in Michigan. One of the best things about Michigan is the Fall. I loved trips to the local cider mill for fresh cider made from Michigan apples, warm yummy donuts, and decadent fudge!!!!! I loved the beautiful array of colors from the many many trees. I loved crunching the fallen leaves as I ran many a cross country race on scenic courses. I loved the chill in the air.

Thanks Michigan for teaching this California girl that seasons are a real thing. Sometimes I forget, since summer seems eternal this year. Please note the temp inside my home below THIS WEEK!!! Enough of summer. Give me some good Michigan cool weather. But not too cold:)

And I hope all the Michiganders reading this enjoy a nice glass of apple cider soon!!!

Blake's new favorite toy

Our friends passed along this great dollhouse to Julia the other day, but who do you think has been playing with it all week.

What I do all day!

Halloween is fast approaching and that means 4 costumes need to be sewn. Have I started them? NOPE Do I even want to start them? NOPE Every night, dinner needs to be made, do I make it? NOPE I pull out the ingredients and watch my poor husband make us food. The house is a mess, but do I clean it? NOPE Do I exercise? NOPE Do I eat healthful food? NOPE Do i sit around the house and lay on the couch and eat things like Doritos all day? YES Does my body feel like it is growing fatter and grosser everyday because of lack of exercise, gross food, and sitting around all day? YES Am I happy about this? YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!
May 1st 2009 will be a great day for our family!!! Can you guess why??????