Ted toys

Unlce Ted has provided some of Josie's favorite toys.

The teddy bear she sleeps with each night is sweet.

The computer she got for Christmas is educational.

The Elmo guitar she got for her birthday is obnoxious...........but what she does with it is so cute!

(Note: she usually walks a path from room to room while singing but was kind enough to hold still for this performance so her viewers don't experience motion sickness)

So thanks Ted for the wonderful toys. And always remember.............you'll have kids someday too and paybacks are coming your way.

Down on one knee

4 years ago today Brent proposed. Wait a second, scratch that. 4 years and ONE day ago Brent proposed for the first time. Yes, you read that right. For the first time. He came home from bowling and apparently had plenty of liquid courage in preparation for this ever important moment. I was still on crutches from knee surgery number 1, and was hobbling around trying to get ready for bed. He kept following me around like a lost puppy and finally asked me to just sit down. He came and sat next to me and started rambling on about how well the team bowled that night. Brent must have sensed that I could really care less about bowling and just wanted to get some sleep so he moved aside and said good night. As I was just about falling asleep he said he wanted to ask me a question and basically mumbled something about wanting to marry me. Of course I shot right up and asked him to repeat himself and he responded with a “never mind” before rolling over and passing out. A marriage proposal is nothing to “never mind” but I didn’t see a ring and he was already snoring so I figured I misunderstood him.

The next night, after bowling and far less liquid courage, Brent came home, sat me down (after conveniently moving my crutches out of the way so he knew he’d have my full attention) and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. This time he pulled out a beautiful ring so I knew it was for real. Even though I participated in a dress rehearsal the night before I was still a bit surprised when Brent proposed. We had only been together for about 6 weeks at that point, but when you know, you just know.

4 years, a wedding, another knee surgery and a 2 year old daughter later, I can’t believe how much my life has changed since that day. We’ve lived in 3 different houses (with 2 brief stops back at the Fairclough Temporary Housing Unit- thanks guys!), endured a flood, lost 2 cats, had a baby, and grown closer together every day. At the time I would have never pictured Brent cleaning up after a poop-in-the-tub accident last night (true story!) but I admire the father and husband he has become. I can’t wait to see where we’ll go in the future. And Brent, I’d say yes all over again.

Our little Valentine

had a very busy day!


Josie started her morning by giving mom some roses and breakfast in bed!

Then she helped mom and dad paint the bathroom.

Josie was very excited to open her valentine from Great Grandma Karen and Great Grandpa Denny.

Finally, she took a moment to record her American Idol audition. I think we have some work to do!

But mama- the puddle is over there!

The weather finally warmed up this week! We took a chance being far away from a toilet and walked up to the park this morning. Josie wasn't too sure about the cold or the ice or all the melting snow but she eventually caught on to the idea that we were heading to a place that had swings. Cautious as always, Josie wanted to ride in the stroller because she felt that it was safer than walking. When we made it through the final bend before the path to the park her memories from fall must have finally caught up with her and she demanded to walk to the rest of the way to the park. As it turns out, she only made it about 10 feet before asking to sit back in the stroller. Something about slipping on the ice and ending up in the splits made her reconsider. Go figure! Maybe she's missing the extra padding her diaper used to provide.

Josie has been pretty timid walking in the snow this winter. The bitter cold hasn't helped much so she hasn't had many opportunities to practice. As she bumbled around the playground she finally decided to try and make it to the top of the slide. We can tell she spends ample time around Grandma because she kept a tight grip on the hand rails and repeated the mantra "I be careful, I be safe" over and over until she reached the top. Unfortunately Josie had a tough time working through the boots, snow pants and mittens and couldn't quite get herself positioned to sit down. She ditched the slide and headed for the swings instead.

After a long time of hearing "I want to go higher mama" we finally convinced Josie to take a walk around the playground. We practiced lifting our feet high to get through the snow and then taking baby steps when we found ice. Finally the light bulb went off in her head and Josie went straight for the biggest puddle she could find. She had a good time jumping and splashing until she decided to stick her mitten in the water. Fun was over.......until she found the next big puddle.

It was an even mix of "I want to splash" and "I no wanna fall on the ice" as we headed back home from the park. It was obvious that all 3 of us are eager for warmer weather and less snow. The forecast this week seems to promise the warmth but along with that will be some rain, snow and ice. I guess you have to take the good with the bad. Hopefully spring is just around the corner and the rest of winter will fly by. Until then we'll keep the shovels handy and keep practicing the art of walking in the snow.

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

To celebrate Josie's potty successes we took a trip to the zoo on Friday. Josie's good friend Lydia and her mom Jen joined us for the trip. This was Josie and Brent's first trip the zoo and we all had a good time. We saw lots of animals, got in some good walking and made many trips to the potty. With both girls in undies I think Jen and I spent about 60% of our time in the plethora of wonderful bathrooms the zoo has to offer. Unfortunately there was some mental trauma resulting from the automatic toilets so our potty breaks were not very successful. All in all a good time was had and we bought a family pass so we'll be making plenty more trips throughout the year.