Countdown

Some of you may have recently noticed a gadget I added at the bottom of my blog.

No?

Well, it's been there, nonetheless. I needed to put it somewhere, and I thought this would the perfect place. If finances are taboo for you, just don't go there...seriously, just avoid the bottom- that's why I put it there! Anyway, encouragement/ideas/congrats as we go along are welcome, but by no means expected. I thought it might add another dimension to the blog, and give me something to look back at when I feel like we've gotten nowhere!
So, here's where we stand today:

• about $1000 is medical

• the rest is student loans (I know, I know...)
  

• we hope to be done with most (if not all of it) before we move out of my parents' place (Mayish of 2012)

Holy Moly

On the left is my mom's first cousin's daughter. On the right is Lucy.

Big Surprise

Earlier this summer I had the pleasure of babysitting two girls (who happen to be Lucy's best friends). I decided to plan a spa day, but I just called it the "Big Surprise."

It was meant to get them excited.

How naive I was.

Who knew that 4 and 6-year-olds could be so conniving?! Not only did they ask every possible round about way to find out what we were going to do, two of them managed to convince the third that they knew what the Big Surprise was- causing tears, begging, diary writing and tattling (on me).



Anyway, the big surprise was a huge success. and the pictures suggest that all three indeed have teenage sisters who have taught them a little too much in the posing arena.

"I look sassy...I'm sassy...Kimmy, I look sassy, don't I?...This is what sassy looks like, right?"

"Jenny, look at my glasses! They were made in China!!"

"I'm going to put the mirror right here in front of me while I eat so I can look at myself since I'm so beautiful."

Improv

When one's head and ears are too small...

and gravity isn't kind,

one must improvise.

We're going to the Zoo, zoo, zoo...

I never understood the big hoopla parents made about their kids going to the zoo for the first time. And, like many things I just didn't understand, I had to experience it myself. It's not for the kids, really. It's made into a big deal because parents do everything they can to make their child look at the animal. In return, the child either

a) falls asleep

or
b) looks at you like "um...so?" The only time you get a reaction is when you arrive to the goat feeding area.

You will either spend the entire time searching for quarters in your pocket to supply the sudden interest and enthusiasm in your child or search for your child in your pocket who is screaming in sheer terror.

In order to not feel so foolish, the parents document it as a momentous occasion, insisting that the kids had a blast so that all the sweat, tears and exhaustion are documented as being worth it.

I'm thinking The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha is in order for the next visit. AC baby! Anyone up for a trip?!

It's About TIME!

So we go to therapy today and Diana takes her into the room.

She shows Samantha a box of balls she has. Samantha then promptly gets on all fours, CRAWLS over to the box, selects one and SITS BACK UP all by herself. She then proceeded to do it for the rest of the session.

Of course, in true mommy fashion, I'd forgotten to bring the camera. So when we got home I crossed my fingers, hoping she'd perform one more time... (I'm not supporting her, just trying to prevent a head dive- she's 1st percentile for weight, 3rd for height and 75th for head circumference...she's just a TAD top heavy!)