Welcome December!!!

We wanted to started off this special month (2 special babies were born this month in MY HEART!!) by doing something fun. Libby and I decorated Gingerbread Men (and ladies??) after lunch today. I had a bag of icing that I let her help me squeeze/guide over her 4 cookies. Then she got to decorate them however she wanted with gumdrops and some candy pieces. She kept calling them "balls". I had some Dora snacks on the table to keep her from eating the candy (ha, ha...silly Mommy!). Not one Dora ended up on the cookie, and most of the sugar got sucked off the gumdrops before being placed on the cookies. Libby doesn't like dirty hands so she never even realized the icing was DELICIOUS! Fine with me! We did have fun. See if you can tell which ones are hers??

(The one that ended up with puple "ahem" body parts in the middle makes me laugh.)

Trick of Treat!

While Libby is still my little "baby" (technically, at 23 months old, I can still say that for at least 1 more month!!) I can dress her up as ANYTHING I WANT! This year, I decided to over-extend myself and make her costume. Why, oh Why do I do this to myself??? Anyways, I figured she'd make a pretty cute peacock. Seemed original enough, and hopefully EASY! It took me the better part of two evenings since I just make stuff up in my head, and can't work from patterns and VOILA! We did a test run of the feathers and she liked the way they "wagged" when she ran.

She did NOT want to put them on the day she went to her school party, however. I figured she'd just look like a kid in stripe tights and a onesie---WEIRD. Turns out, her MDO director had her trotting down the hall, showing her off before her class began. I ran back inside to drop off her baby doll for naptime. She looked like a Vegas Showgirl! I felt like THAT MOM!! ha ha! All the other kids were in skeleton pjs or a cowboy hat, but Libby B. looked like she was ready for her first GLITZ pageant! Too funny! She was eating it up though.

We did trick or treat to a few neighbors houses (just to meet them) and L said something at every door. She definitely got the idea when she started receiving candy. Honey and Papa drove out to see her, and she LOVES when she has them as an audience, so she had to strut down the sidewalk for them. The kids that came to our house were super polite--lots of thank yous! I was impressed.

Guess I better start planning for next year. Ha.

Happiest Girl I know

I love this puppy dog

I see you! (can you see my tiny witch hat?)

Mmmm....cupcake (it's really a pumpkin muffin, but don't tell her)

Waving "good-bye" to Yo Gabba Gabba Friends (she said "I lub you" to Foofa!)

So.....

Let's backtrack.....here's what's been going on the past few months!

In July, yes, July. We went to Hawaii. It was my 9th trip, Scott's 1st. It was heavenly. Could've stayed. Too bad I had my own little angel I was desperate to get back to.

In August, Libby and I took our regular puddlejumper flight down to Texas and saw our favorite blondes. We saw dinosaurs, went to the waterpark, crazy fun. I also realized she needed to start Mother's Day Out on the advice of our favorite itty bitty educator.

In September, the three of us met the Boes family for a long weekend in Kansas City. We stayed at a Lodge that had an indoor water park. We went to a petting zoo that was actually pretty great for kids, and the KC zoo. Holy huge. Libby hasn't slept in a stroller in months....til then. Missed most of the animals! We had a great time.

We also decided the to relist my house again. Ugh...the dreaded showings and cleaning, etc. (with a baby and 2 dogs this is a nightmare!). Shocker---we had a contract in 16 days! Thank you awesome realtor. You were worth every penny.

We weren't gonna rush to find a house, but ended up finding one we LOVED. (After an entertaining day of looking at houses. I just cannot believe the way other people live! Some are immaculate and I'm jealous! Others, let us in with their dirty clothes in the floor. Wow.) The owners were having to relocate for work on the house we bought. We found out later that another offer came in just a few hours after ours was accepted. Guess God works everything out, just as he wants it.

Scott had surgery in September on his elbow and has been off work with only one working arm. Very frustrating for him when there is a house to be packed and moved! Fortunately we had AMAZING help. (I PROMISE YOU, DAD, I WILL NEVER MOVE AGAIN. You have gone above and beyond more times than I can count! ha!)

October was hard all around because it was all about change. The move from "home" and the loss of a long time friend. My sweet Lucy girl was lost on the 12th. We knew it was coming, but it's just never easy. Pets fill up such a part of your life. Our little Wrigley was quite pitiful at first, not eating, very lonely. He's adjusting as he is sleeping in our bed and Libby makes sure he's fed. Sigh.....Sharing is a good thing for an almost 2 year old right???

We trick-or-treated just to meet the neighbors, and we're pretty happy to be in our new "home". We feel safe here and love that kids are out playing the yards and people wave to one another. We hope to have many happy years here. I can't wait to spend a lazy Christmas day here!

So far this month we went to Yo Gabba Gabba Live. It was the real cast, which shocked me. Libby seemed overwhelmed at first, but was hopping and clapping by the end. She wasn't scared at all. She is officially OBSESSED with this show as that is ALLLL that she can say when she see's a tv. "gab gabba"

That's enough for now! If I ever get my house where I like it, I'll try and share some cute Libby quotes. The girl keeps me laughing.

Oh.....and by the way, Libby loves Mother's day out!

I Love Lucy......

In the midst that is the chaos of the past few weeks.....(hubby on disability after surgery, packing one house of by myself, garage sale, working on mortgage for new BEAUTIFUL house, working, Honey tearing her hamstring, weird crazy migraine aura WITHOUT A HEADACHE scariness, the "almost 2 year old" tantrums......) my sweet Lucy has gotten progressively worse. She was diagnosed with Transitional Cell Carcinoma April 7, 2010 and has lived FAR longer than we ever imagined. In fact, most of her troubles come from skin, allergies, infection, cushing disease etc.

Sadly, my sweet girl had declined pretty severely and had a pretty miserable quality of life the past few months. Medications stopped helping her and she'd lost her spunk. She was unable to walk in grass, or go without diapers.

After 8 and 1/2 fun years together, I am HEARTBROKEN to say that she is no longer with us. I hope that she is playing in doggie heaven and finally comfortable. No more itching, hurting, or sadness.

Lucy, was one of the sassiest, smartest, most loyal dogs. I have to say I'm better for having her in my life. Tonight there is such a void in our house, and the hurt is very, very raw. Loving a dog--we know it's going to end in heartache one day, but it certainly doesn't make it easier when that day is upon us.

I love you sweet Lucy----you will always be my girl.

Libby's Big Day!

Look who started Mother's Day Out! Scott rolled his eyes when he saw my paper sign for her "first day picture", but I'm keeping a book of all her "first days" and this was one of them! Keep your fingers crossed Miss Sassy will adjust and have a good time with her friends. Her class is pretty small, with mainly boys. She's one of the older kids and her teachers are very sweet. She's adjusting to nap mats and all sorts of new things. They have some great field trips planned, and weekly kindermusik. Sounds like a great day if you ask me! So far, she's loving the playground the most.

For the 3 people that read my blog.....ha!

I am a TERRIBLE blogger.....I just have too much stuff going on these days! Here are a few pictures for the handful of people that like to stay current!

Libby can work her cd player, and loves going to her room for a dance party!
If I ever needed proof my child looks me (she was the spitting image of her dad so long-these amaze me, how much she's changed!)

Enjoying my "yoguuur"! (yogurt is a favorite, but only if she can feed herself)

I LOVE apples (so much so, she calls tomatoes-"apples!")

Mommy and Libby had a Steak and Shake date.....YUMMY! This little girl was in Heaven. Don't be fooled, she loved the hat. So much so, she wore it into the bank after we left.

I say "CHEEESE" every camera I see!

My happy girl!

She'll tell you she's a "Mess"

Hey THERE!!

Fake "night night", with snoring noises and everything!
See a camera---say "CHHEEESSEE"

Everyone always says that Libby has my eyes. Well, that may be true, but she certainly got my ENORMOUS pupils! These things dilate outside the prescription portion of my contacts, don't require drops when having an eye exam, and prohibit lasix. BOO! I'm sorry Libby! I didn't realize you had them until I was wearing out the "RED EYE REDUCTION" tool. ha!