Award

DH's Aunt J (who I call my Aunt J as well) gave my blog an award. I'm going to pass it along to bloggers that I read regularly and admire. Many are famous, so I'm actually going to break the rules and not notify them because... well... I doubt they would care.




Each Day is a Gift - these are some old friends from Georgia and their blogs let us keep up with each other.
Williams Family Blog - a blog written by a mother dealing with her son Jonah's EB.
Judy's Genealogy Blog - Aunt J's blog about the Harper genealogy
Amalah - famous blogger, been reading her for years
Miss Zoot - another famous blogger who actually lives in Huntsville. Shockingly, I've never met her in person. I know it will happen one day. I've been reading her for years as well.
Dooce - also very famous blogger. Can be hilarious.
Lag Liv - a working mom lawyer whose blog I enjoy very much.
Kelly's Korner Blog - just a fun read. She is such a southern belle.
Pioneer Woman Cooks - if you like food, you will love this blog.
Miss Doxie - hilarious Atlanta lawyer back from a very long break (like a year long break)
The Spohrs - this family lost their first daughter when she was around 15 months old due to complications from prematurity. They are now pregnant with their second daughter. Heather, the mom, is a tremendous writer and their daughter, Madeline, was beautiful.
At Round Earth's Imagined Corners - This is Aunt C's blog which she has just begun. I'm choosing her to push her to continue writing for us! She's super smart!
Tranny Head Rawks - a law graduate, SAHM of one, pregnant with #2. She apparently has a big head, thus the name.
DoctorMama - a doctor blogger. There aren't enough doctor bloggers.
Old MD Girl - an MD/PhD student

1) To accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have recently discovered and think are great! Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Just completely ignoring the fact it's been awhile

I completed the Breast Cancer 3 Day 2 weekends ago. I wanted to wait and post until I had pictures (I didn't bring my camera with me) but I realize if I continue to do that, I may just quit blogging altogether.

The 3 Day was an amazing journey. It's hard to complain about blisters and sore muscles when the top fundraiser walked in between chemotherapy treatments. My mom (in whose honor I walked) and dad came to cheer for me at Atlantic Station the last day and we ate lunch together. Then they went to closing ceremonies to watch me cross the finish line.

We didn't stay for closing ceremonies because we had a 4 hour drive ahead of us and I missed M.P. so badly I could hardly see straight. I woke her up when I got back, which she did not appreciate. She started crying for "Dada! Dada!"

She was happy to see me the next morning and was a little extra-clingy last week.

I was glad to be able to participate and finish the 3 Day. I might do it again, but it won't be next year.

Swing!

Dad caught some great pics of MP swinging this afternoon. The quality isn't the best because he used my phone, but I had to share!

Overheard at lunch

Scene: Our house. Dad and I eating lunch on the couch while watching Everyday Italian.

Me: I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like fennel. I don't like anise flavors.

Dad: Anise flavor?

Me: You know, licorice.

Dad: Fennel doesn't taste like licorice.

Me: Yes it does.

Dad: Haven't we had this conversation? And wasn't I right?

Me: We may have had this conversation, but I'm not wrong. I mean, when was the last time that happened?

Dad: It happens more often than you think.

Me: You're right, it happens probably 4 or 5 times a year instead of just once.

Dad: [mumbles] Maybe 4 or 5 times a Mercurian year.

Fin.

P.S. AHEM!

I guess she really is tall

It's fall break for us here, and so there's no MMO or Bible Study. MP and I went to the Madison County Library today for their story time, since we were free. Several of the moms from my playgroup were there.

One of the moms mentioned that her son was born June 30th.

"That's my daughter's birthday!"

"But she was born in 2007, right?"

"No, 2008."

"Oh my goodness, she's so tall!"

There were several other moms that told me how tall she was. I guess so, if people thought she was over 2 already. When you're with the kid all day you never really notice. Dad says that MP is going to get a basketball scholarship. I pointed out to him that she is still encumbered with my DNA. Hopefully the Harper will win out in the athletic ability arena.

Hodge Podge

Today MP had her 15 month appointment today. She got 2 shots. Other than having to go back for a second flu shot and for the H1N1, she is done with all vaccinations until she is 4!

Weight: 24.5 pounds
Height: 32 inches (he measured this twice because he didn't believe it the first time).
Head: 48 cm

I didn't get any of the percentages. He was pleased with everything. I pointed out that MP is slightly pigeon-toed, but he said that pediatricians now believe that's not something that needs treatment unless it causes excessive tripping.

I spent the ride over to the doctor counting how many words that MP says. Now, admittedly, not all of her words are those that people outside of the family (or folks other than me, for that matter) can understand, but I stopped counting at 32.

At the appointment he asked, "Does MP say four to six words?"

"Um, yes. Yes she does."

However, I'm not sure she can walk backwards, and she won't point to her own body parts. She'll point to others' eyes, nose, ears, mouth, but if you ask her where hers are, she tends to miss.

But if you ask her what a duck says, she'll get it right every time. :-)

*************************************

I have been really busy the past few weeks and there is even more coming up.

Two weekends ago my church choir had a retreat to Marantha (near Scottsboro) to learn all of the Christmas music. That was exciting - it's been a long time since I sang so much. Plus I'll be singing a solo/duet in church in a few weeks. I'm nervous!

In 2 weeks I'm going to be hosting an event for moms in my playgroup to learn Bridge. Of course, my bridge skills are pretty weak, so I've been reading a lot and playing (and kibitzing) online. I'm fairly certain bridge is a game that takes a lifetime to master.

I'm also training for my Breast Cancer 3 Day. I have surpassed my fund raising goal, and have raised over $2,800.00 to support breast cancer research so far. I'll be walking 60 miles over the weekend of the 23-25th. I would appreciate your prayers!

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but I am involved in Community Bible Study. The study so far is extremely interesting. We are studying the gospel of Luke, and I am learning so much and thoroughly enjoying myself.

I guess that's it for random updates.

Dear M.P.

A few days ago you turned 15 months old. I had to go purchase your fall wardrobe, and it breaks my heart to buy 18-24 month, 24 month, and 2T clothes, but that's what you wear. All of your 18 month stuff is really snug.


You amaze Dad and me every day by how much you understand. You love going outside to collect "a-koh" (acorns). When you want to go outside I tell you that we have to put your shoes and socks on first. Instead of throwing a temper tantrum, you grab your socks "ock!" and shoes "sues!" and tell me to pick you "up!" so that I can put them on.

While we walk you pick up acorns and show me grass "gass" and we hunt for dogs "dadu." You also like to touch the flowers "flah-wur." I always have to remind you to be gentle with the flowers.

You also love going to look at the rabbit "rabu." You are generally pretty gentle when you pet him now, although you like to point out his eyes, which means you've come pretty close to poking him in the eye a few times.
You love MMO. Usually on Tuesday you are bit hesitant and might cry just a little, but on Wednesday you run to your teachers and turn to me and say "bye-bye!" I'm really glad you have fun there.

Lots of people have told me that 15 to 18 months is a tough age. You understand so much, but your ability to make yourself understood is really limited. You've figured out creative ways to get your message across. When you're hungry, you point to your high chair or ask for a cracker. You still tell me when your diaper needs to be changed. But there are some times when your desires are either too complex to be made understood, or are something we can't allow you to do, and you simply dissolve. You throw your head back and collapse on the floor and wail. We'll get through it!

You have finally started calling me "Mama." Or actually you call me "Mamamamamama." I finally convinced you to call me that by cheering crazily every time you said it. Of course now you look for applause when you say it. Instead I usually just say "yes, that's me! Thank you!"

Your love for doggies (which hasn't wavered at all) has Dad and me seriously considering getting one. When you see one, you run towards it as fast as you can saying "Dadu, dadu, wff, wfff (woof woof)." We were going to wait until our children could ask us for a dog, but I figure that's what you're doing.

We love you so much,

Mama