Mulberry Street

I am getting better at Genevieve's hair these days. It helps that she wants to sit and have her hair done. I almost cut it again because we just can't keep it in two regular pig-tails without lots of clips and mess...but then I figured out the method below and it works very well to keep all her hair back. It is hard to remember the hair she had just a year ago but funny to reminisce. Genevieve loves to be silly . She even requests we take her picture when she is being silly, illustrated below. Genevieve also loves to color. The problem arises, however, when she uses a permanent marker on her dolls. Genevieve dislikes mint flavored anything, including toothpaste. She used to get into my purse and eat all my orange Tic-Tacs, so I proceeded to only carry mint-flavored varieties. With all her mischief at least she fesses up to it. When she emptied the Tic Tac carton she brought it to me and said, "They're all gone." Then I think, "Really? I hadn't noticed....

Eric. Over the holidays Genevieve’s family spoiled her with girly shoes, necklaces, and tutus. Genevieve was ecstatic to receive all the gifts which inspired her to dance around like a princess, grinning from ear to ear. Consequently, Eric bought Genevieve the following items: the Barbie Nutcracker movie, a doll toothbrush, ballet slippers, fairy wings, and a new Barbie set. Eric claims he is tired of missing out on the immediate gratification awarded to those who gave her similar items in the past, so he decided to cash in and collect some for himself. The Barbie set has since been justified by the fact that it follows a potty training theme. Barbie and Kelly came complete with a flushing toilet, sink, and change of clothes. Maybe Genevieve will be inspired to start potty training again. We do have proof that the Barbie Nutcracker movie has inspired Genevieve to dance (see two previous video posts here and here ) so there is some hope. I don’t care to attribute the increased p...

Today I walked two miles with Genevieve in the jogger. We stopped at the park and played, just the two of us. I felt badly because we hadn't been for so long. Our winter has been unusually cold, snowy, and windy keeping us inside most days. Then we walked home slowly. Genevieve pushed the jogger until she spotted some rocks. Genevieve carried six rocks for the remainder of our walk. We met Bisous outside and he rolled around on the sidewalk until coming inside with us. After lunch, Genevieve and I snuggled on my bed and took a nap. She laid her head next to my belly and the baby kept kicking. They must be bonding. After our nap we played. Yup. Today was pretty much perfect.

I was able to fly to Portland for Amber's wedding. It was fabulous. Every last detail about the wedding was "so Amber" (as I have described it to others). Amber was a beautiful bride. Richie was very sweet and admiring. The weather was cold, but graciously stopped raining for the duration of wedding day. I am very happy for Richie and Amber. I had a great time helping set up the reception, hanging out with Amber's family, and staying up (much too) late on the Pacific Coast. I also enjoyed traveling without a little one seated next to me on the plane. Although, I did miss Eric and Genevieve during the dancing portion of the reception. It was a party and MacKenzie only agreed to get up and dance for the very last dance. You can view all the photos at: http://bristowstahrwedding.shutterfly.com/

The finale

Only Barbie could keep up with the intensity of this dance. Kelly had to sit it out.

Why bother making New Year’s Resolutions without the full knowledge of the future? Our solution this year is to step back in time, to the beginning of 2009, and set some Hindsight Resolutions that we will be sure to fulfill (in 2009). Genevieve 1. I will, despite my parents’ best efforts, declare myself a “princess” and obsess over all things pink. I will also eschew the standard mindless forms of entertainment such as Finding Nemo & Yo Gabba Gabba, and demand repeated viewings of the abysmally empty Barbie’s 12 Dancing Princesses. 2. I will enjoy an on-off relationship with potty training, and will compose my ugliest diapers of the week during nursery. I will start preschool with my friends and excitedly don my backpack each week. I will go to the Oregon Coast and the Tillamook Cheese Factory for the best ice cream I’ve ever eaten. I will also visit Portland during the hottest recorded temperatures and Idaho during the coldest recorded temperatures to hone my adaptability. 3. I w...

Here Comes Santa Claus... Eric and I haven’t decided what/how big a role Santa will play in our children’s lives, but since we were still undecided…Genevieve met him again this year. We tried to talk him up and tell her how nice he is, and how he would give her a present. Then I realized we were teaching her to sit with a stranger because he would give her something. Hmm. Haven’t I already begun teaching her about strangers? This definitely needs to be rethought. In any case, Genevieve didn’t cry. She even smiled after she received her book from Santa and thanked him afterwards. Eric considered the visit successful, and we praised her for her bravery. Thanks to the Jones family for the great shindig. Christmas Eve Dinner Can you believe I handled raw meat without vomiting? I actually prepared the turkey (with Eric’s assistance of course). I washed it, rubbed it down with olive oil, salt and spices, then stuffed it with onions and garlic. I believe the turkey cooked up ver...