Still Thankful

I set out a goal in November to blog daily about something that I am thankful for. I failed. However, I am no less thankful even though I didn't take the time to sit down and write about it. Being the stubborn person that I am, I am determined to finish my list. Maybe I'll do better next year (by setting a more achievable goal for myself).

Day 22: Blogs. I bragged earlier about Kira's impressive sleeping fluke(s). Sadly, long stretches of sleep have not been her norm of late. So, I've become an avid blog surfer. I've always loved following blogs of friends (and that's still my favorite), but there are some entertaining writers (particularly moms) out there who keep me entertained day and night. I blame/credit Jamie for this new found form of entertainment.

Day 23: Pinterest. I love everything about it. If you aren't on this site you are really missing out. There are so many great ideas out there and Pinterest is the place where these ideas are shared. I've gotten home decor inspiration there, craft ideas for Quinn, and have recently become obsessed with the plethora of recipes that can be found on pinterest. And, when I decide to start wearing anything other than sweats again, I plan to look there for some style inspiration, too!

Day 24: New recipes. This could be linked in with Pinterest, but I've been cooking new things each night (nothing particularly healthy, unfortunately) and it's been so fun, and DELICIOUS! I do plan to start trying some of the healthier recipes out there too, but something about this time of year and healthy just doesn't mix.

Day 25: Exercise. All of this unhealthy eating can just be balanced out by exercise, right? Like, once a week? Because that's what I've been averaging. But seriously, I am thankful for exercise, and Stroller Strides (my mommy exercise class) most specifically. Those endorphins are real, and if it were a little warmer and if Quinn didn't scream through the classes, I'd be going 5 days a week (okay, maybe 4). Instead, I'm hoping to take up some home video exercise routines. Pat, if you're reading this, I'm thinking some Yoga or Pilates might be good for me. :)

Day 26: Sunshine. I haven't been seeing much of it lately, but when I do I sure am thankful for it. This time of year can get pretty dreary around here, and so when the sun makes a visible appearance it's that much more appreciated.

Day 27: Family pets. Had I completed this list in November when I was supposed to, I probably (most certainly) wouldn't have thought to include our pets. However, on our sixth wedding anniversary Pat and I lost our cat Jules, unexpectedly. I don't want to get too heavy right now, but it has been really difficult. Loss is hard, and we're still adjusting to our new family dynamic without Jules. She was loved and is missed. On a positive note, her death has caused me to appreciate Jerry (her brother) and Lucy much more, and my hope is that Jerry will become less reclusive now that he doesn't have Jules to hide away with each day.

Day 28: Showers. If I'm really going out on a limb, I'd say showers alone. But honestly, I'll take a shower any way I can get it. And, I do. I manage to shower each day (but it usually isn't until the afternoon) and it has become one of my favorite pastimes. My, that makes my life seem pretty pathetic, doesn't it?

Day 29: Friendships. I am so thankful for my friends, even though my few closest friends live so far away. I am also thankful for Quinn's friendships and am working at developing these relationships for both of us.

Day 30: Date nights. Pat and I haven't had many date nights, well, since Quinn was born (if I'm being perfectly honest). However, last weekend Grandma Cathy took the train up from Salem so that Pat and I could attend Pat's work party and go out for our anniversary. Although our anniversary date turned out to be quite sombre (since we lost Jules that day), our first date to Pat's work party was a lot of fun and reminded me how important it is for us to still remember to date, even though we are parents now. So, I'll add that to my New Year's Resolution (aka: 30 Before 30) list. Thank you Grandma Cathy, and I love you Pat!

There, I did it! 30 (although not consecutive) Days of Thankfulness!

Puzz's and Jump-Jacking

I plan to finish my thankful list in one quick post, but first I want to share a couple of videos of Quinn. I just downloaded about a years worth of photos/video to filter through from my phone (and I'm not great at filtering) but I've narrowed it down to two for the evening (both taken yesterday).

This first video is of Quinn doing what he does best, "puzz's" (translation: puzzles). He is obsessed. We've been spending close to two hours a day doing puzzles for the past couple of weeks and I filmed him several times last week. His average time was 10 minutes, and so when he did one yesterday in 6 I was pretty impressed. So, here you have it. All 6 minutes of Quinn and his favorite animal puzzle. I simply share this to document Quinn's speech and puzzle skills at 2 1/2. If you actually watch the whole thing, I'll be impressed! :)

The last video is of Quinn and Pat doing jumping jacks. He's not quite coordinated enough to do them yet, but in the beginning you'll hear him count to ten (Pat gets him started). He says it quickly so you'll have to listen closely. I've tried to capture his counting on video in the past, and he totally played dumb every time. Little stinker.

Day 21

Today I am thankful for a decent night of SLEEP!!!

Apparently it just took a little (pseudo) public complaining about Kira's sleeping habits to get her sleeping through the night. Well, last night at least. I'll take it. And for my own personal records, I feel the need to document just how well she did. You see, Kira is our night owl. She goes to bed at midnight. In the beginning I welcomed any one-on-one time with her that I could get, and this was just easiest after Quinn went to bed. I recognize that I am to blame for her disinterest in a "normal" bedtime. The more rational side of me knows that this is not the kind of routine that I should be encouraging and so I've been slowly trying to get her to go to bed a bit earlier (quite unsuccessfully).

Enough backstory.

Last night Kira went to sleep (in her swing downstairs with me) at 8pm, right after Quinn went to sleep. She woke up around 11, ate, and then went to sleep in her bassinet in our room until 6am!! That's 7 hours straight!! And as I type this (just before 10am), she is still asleep. Good girl, Kira!

*Unfortunately, my body is so used to her being up every couple of hours that I didn't get the best sleep (engorgement=ouch), but if she can continue to be a star sleeper my body will adjust. So today, I am thankful for sleep.

*confession: I just back read a few posts and realize I have been thankful for sleep more than once and already told about Kira's night-owl behaviors. Sorry for the repetitiveness. Clearly this is my world right now. :)

Day 17-20

Day 17: I am thankful to Quinn for keeping himself entertained in his room until after 9am. Kira has been eating every two hours 'round the clock, and then taking some work to get back to sleep. Needless to say, I've been exhausted. Quinn's lazy mornings have been very much appreciated.

Day 18: I am thankful for coffee! I'm embarrassed to let something like coffee make my thankful list this month, but it's true. Coffee has been helping me get through the days lately, and for that I am grateful!

Day 19: I am thankful that today is the first day of nine that Pat gets to be home with us as a family! We hope to spend some time being productive, some time relaxing, and time with our extended family in Walla Walla! Yay for a Thanksgiving break!

Day 20: Today I am thankful for Will. He is a selfless friend to Pat (and our family), a loving uncle figure for Quinn, and is always so patient with my never ending want of photos. This patience carries over to our overtired and hyperactive children as well. Thank you Will, you're the best!

Day 16

As I sit here by the fire, waiting for Pat to get home so we can enjoy the homemade creamy chicken noodle soup that is waiting for us on the stove, I can't help but be thankful for WARMTH. It is getting so cold around here lately, and there is nothing more comforting than warm soup by a fire on days like today.

Seeing Quinn thoroughly engaged in the Disney classic, Dumbo, and hearing him belly laugh throughout is pretty fantastic, too.

Day 12-15

I sure have fallen off the wagon. What made me ever think I would blog everyday for a month? It's just not in the cards for me. So, I'll continue my thankfulness challenge but know that the daily updates just aren't happening. :)

Day 12:

I was thankful for cousins. Quinn and Kira have cousins that are close in age to them, and Quinn's closest friends are already his cousins, Chloe and Ruby. He loves those girls so much, he just wants to tickle, hug, and play with them all day (well, a lot of the day. He has his moments, he is two afterall). He will ask for them often (even though they live a state away), and this weekend they came to visit us! I look forward to the family continuing to grow, and am thankful that my kids will be close to their cousins.

Day 13:

Grandparents. I am thankful for my grandparents, and am lucky enough to still have three of my grandparents living. They are some of the sweetest people I know, and I look forward to the times that I get to spend with them. I am also thankful for my kids' grandparents. My parents and Pat's parents love our kids very much and go out of their way to have a relationship with them. It isn't easy either because it means frequent traveling (and Quinn is not always outwardly appreciative of these efforts).

Day 14:

Sleep. Sleep deprivation comes in waves around here and my lack of sleep is definitely catching up with me. I am thankful to Pat for taking over extra Quinn duty to give me an opportunity to catch up on some rest, and I am feeling a bit more refreshed because of it. I guess it's time to start implementing some sleep routine with Kira though, as opposed to just soaking up one-on-one time with her after Quinn goes to bed. I knew that would backfire at some point. :)

Day 15:

Jamie. Jamie is such a great friend to me, and I am so grateful that our friendship has remained strong over the years and has not only survived, but thrived since Pat and I moved to Washington. I look forward to our daily conversations and appreciate her constant openness and honesty. I am also inspired by her wonderful creativity and love that our kids are so close in age. She is and always will be like family to me.

Day 8-11

It's time to play a little catch-up!

Day 8: Kira's laughter!

On the 8th we were able to capture Kira's little laugh on video, just two days after her first laugh. Video coming soon!

Day 9: PAINT!

Yes, this is kind of silly, but I truly was thankful for paint on the 9th. Pat agreed to my relatively spontaneous desire to add some paint to a few walls downstairs. Special thanks to Jamie for her constant willingness to help with concept and inspiration, too! It's amazing how much cozier a space can feel with a little paint on the walls.

Day 10: My husband.

He's the best, what can I say? But seriously, lately he's put up with my constant desire to work on home improvement projects and he's had a great attitude about it as well.

Day 11: Company.

Pat and I do a lot of traveling to family, and this weekend family is traveling to us! I am so excited to have a houseful of family (and kids), and am grateful to them for making the effort to come up and see us. Thank you!