Oh wait, another triumph!

So the day after Christmas, Beca woke up early and I was up early and Steve was passed out (and I didn't know how sick Beca was yet) so I took Beca shopping (wearing her "Buy Me Stuff." shirt). I initially wanted to go to the Disney store (which oddly did not have any of its registers actually working so they took all the information down by hand). I took her around most of the mall which was not full and was easier to deal with than any other day I've ever been there. My first purchase actually surprised me. I found a really cute strapless fuchsia dress at Belks and tried it on. It actually fit pretty well and the tag said it was on sale for $40. I thought that was reasonable for something that I was going to wear on the cruise. When she rang it up though, it rang up at $14.98. No kidding. Talk about a triumph! I am so ready to pack for the cruise. For that matter I'm ready to go on the cruise.

The triumphant win

We finally opened the dang "Meeba". Not hard, just tedious. And slightly annoying - lots of weird giggle noises. And inside...
It's maybe 3 inches by 3 inches and not even an inch thick.
I am not looking forward to elementary school years. Thankfully, I have a little while...

However, poor Beca has not had a good few days so she is easily amused by her Meeba. She started by being crabby Christmas day. Ok, not too odd but Friday she was miserable and actually asked to go to sleep in the middle of the afternoon. Very high fever. I joked with Stephanie because Emiily was sick and she mentioned something about seeing us a tthe pediatrician on Saturday. Sadly, that's exactly what happened. Beca's fever was almost 104. She actually fell asleep on the table waiting for the FNP. I love the FNP's at our practice - they are all so nice and this lady didn't wake Beca up until she had to. Beca was actually really good but she was burning up. She drank some ibuprofen, coughed, gagged and then threw up. Well, spewed juice because she wouldn't eat anything really solid. And lucky for us, there was nothing but a swim diaper in her bag. Oh goodie. The official diagnosis was a really bad ear infection in one side and the start of something in the other ear. It's no wonder she's been cranky crabby-pants. She's still feeling a little puny and wouldn't do anything when trying to ride her bike today. We've watched a lot of movies the past few "stay at home days". I counted. There's eleven of them before she goes back to school... Maybe I'll go to work one day.

Not for children under 6...

Beca had a very exciting Christmas. Christmas Eve was rather amusing - out of Beca's entire class, there were only 3 kids and 4 teachers. the 3 kids all came from the same 2-year old class. And since the parents had been released at noon, I decided to pick her up early and go visit her old class. She had fun playing on the old playground and seeing her "Jeffy" (Beth), Meghan, and Dana. And all the other teachers that were there. She knows everybody... We had a very interesting conversation with the three teachers regarding their plans for the Cottle baby conception calendar countdown in January. They are expecting a baby from us in 2009 regardless of what our plans are. they even gave my mother instructions to keep Beca and lock us in our cabin on the cruise as much as possible. Weird on so many levels.

We had a nice lunch just the 3 of us complete with Cafe Carolina Cupcakes (oh, my, yum). Then a drive to Wilmington listening to most of Beca's Christmas DVD collection. Not so bad though. Wilmington was warm - 70 degrees. Beca got a little bath to help with the rash still on her bottom and then wore her Minnie Mouse Holiday skirt and sweater so she was quite happy. We spent some good time out side.
Me, Beca, and Ema (Steve's mom, Becky)
We spent the evening with Steve's family and good food and some fun and then drove home. There were lots of presents for Beca, including a Tinkerbell costume:
Beca enjoyed playing with Aidan (especially with his little bug):
And just before we left, Beca put on her new PJ's and snuggled up with Tracy, Steve's cousin.

While Santa was ready to deliver gifts when we got home, Mommy and Daddy were not ready with the gifts for Beca from us. So the night was late but thankfully not too late.
Christmas morning - 6:30 am. I don't think Beca knew why she was awake exactly.
She ended up finding a present under the tree in her room from Santa but really wanted to take it downstairs. She was only allowed to open her presents that Santa brought but she was so excited about her White Christmas movie, princess bike, princess scooter, princess fishing game, and princess "panino". Each item was repeated about 10 times with increasing levels of excitement.


Oma and Pop-pop came over (did it really have to rain on Christmas morning again?) and brought Zoe back to our house. She was not happy with the further changes to her living room and sulked frequently on her bed (which had been moved to my office area). More presents were opened but we were all so busy watching Beca so we didn't open our gifts.



Steve made bacon, grits, eggs, and biscuits and I made chocolate chip pancakes because Beca would not have eaten anything that Steve had made. After breakfast, the meltdown started. With no more presents with Beca's name on them, she turned to her demon-child side. Oh, and there was the singing Ariel shell that my brother inadvertantly sent with the rest of her present. It sings the Ariel "ah-ah-aahh, ah-ah-aahhh" from the Little Mermaid when the sea witch is taking her voice. Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over. I think it has been hidden for a little while. The good part of his gift was the armoire for Beca's costumes. It's pretty neat to have something to put all the new costumes in!

So, after lunch, a nap was necessary and Beca slept for over 2 hours before we went over to Oma and Pop-pop's for dinner and more presents. She also rode her scooter for a while.
There are presents, presents, presents everywhere. Hmmmm, I have no idea where all this stuff will go.


There is one present that Beca got that has Steve and I frustrated. I love you, Jen, really. But the "My meeba" clearly states "for ages 6 and up". We have been taking turns trying to get all the little games played and grow the creature on the screen so we can get the damn creature out of the box. Steve even tried unscrewing and couldn't get in it. It isn't hard for an adult but Beca just doesn't get what to do with it. but she wants to know what is inside. So you "grow" this creature by playing 3 different games and earning hearts after playing each game like 4 times. Earn three hearts and the creature on the screen "evolves" to a larger creature. It takes forever but I can see where a 7 year old would love this activity. Beca is enjoying her books and puzzles that she got as well as all the dress up items while we curse the creature.

December happenings

Oh my, it's been a busy month! We started by going to see the show Chicago (I think season tickets to the Broadway shows that come to town should be my anniversary present every year). It was really good. The guys thought it was great because there was very little fabric on most of the women.
My friend Kristin had her twin babies on the 4th! A boy - Alec, and a girl - Addison! They are absolutely precious and still so tiny - I've held Addison twice now and got to hold both of them on Friday (19th). Kristin took pictures so I'll post them eventually. They are definitely growing already but it is so fun to hold a little one that doesn't kick and squirm!
Beca had Payton come hang out for a few hours at the beginning of the month and we played lots of dress-up and made cookies. Both just had to lick the mixer wand:

That first weekend, we also made ornaments at Oma's house. We have several albino reindeer.

And I took pictures of my friend Jenny one month before the due date of her first baby. It will be a boy and I can't wait to meet him!
I spent almost the entire second week in December in doctor's appointments for my jaw. I finally got a lower jaw splint that was developed using technology rather than guess and check - we'll see how that turns out. It was an interesting week as Mrs. Santa also attempted to figure out where all the presents had gone over the last few months. We had a visit from my grandparents and went to see A Christmas Carol. For those that are not from here, this production is amazing and is in it's 34th year! The man that plays Scrooge has for years and it just gets more amusing as they throw in little current happenings. I still love it and can't wait to take Beca next year.

The second weekend of the month, Beca and I went with my mom to Virginia Beach to visit my cousin Missy and her boys Noah (Beca's age) and David (the amazingly charming but devious 19 month old). And when you get to the Santa thing at the mall and they are closing to feed the non-existent reindeer for an hour, this is how Oma entertains 3-year olds (thank goodness for a full purse of junk!):Getting closer to Santa... (inside the snow globe with some snow-like substance)
Beca's bravery with Santa inspired Noah to sit on his lap as well. Beca asked Santa for a Princess Bike and White Christmas (the movie). Luckily, while we were gone, Santa's big elf was assembling the bike.
The children were dropped in a bath tub in the evening together so hey, why not some pictures of that too!We also made cookies and opened presents while we were there!
A "nap" with Aunt Jill and the poodle party (Bridgette, Joie, and the "mini Zoe", I mean, Laci)
Dressed for mixing (Missy uses sleeveless hoodies as aprons - they zip up and don't come untied!)
Pouring in the flour (everyone was really careful and hardly spilled any of it!):
The finished cookies:

It was a really fun weekend and ended with a trip to Disney on Ice with Payton and Kate. All the girls were a little freaked out by some of the loud noises (especially during "Cars") but liked the rest. Especially the Ariel and Tinkerbell parts. It was a good show. And the 3 Musketeers had a good time.

And here we are in the third weekend of the month. Beca spent Friday night with Oma and Pop-pop while Steve and I went to a Christmas party with folks from work. We found a new favorite spot to eat and it is really good. It's called Humble Pie in downtown Raleigh. I had bites of tempura asparagus, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits (in "broth of the gods"), and a delicious dessert of cinnamon flan and something they tried to call sopopillas but they were more like little logs of fried dough. They were still good just not what I had grown accustomed to in New Mexico.
Saturday, Beca and I spent all day at Oma and Pop-pop's baking cookies. Payton, Kate and Elijah came to help paint the cookies and the girls exchanged presents and posed for pictures. They are still so cute together.


Pop-pop's magnolia Christmas tree:

Unfortunately, the night did not go as nicely. I am fighting a cold and Beca had really bad diarrhea. It seems to have stopped now that we are watching what she is eating but it sure kept us in the house for the day. 3 yogurt pops later (and we fed her other things) she's a much happier girl.

And thanks to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Beca gets great joy in asking Steve "Guess what?" and when he says "What?", she answers "Chicken Butt!!!" and giggles furiously! She even asks Zoe! Thankfully, only 2 days of work left for me and 2.5 for Steve. We can't wait for Christmas morning! (I wrote that Sunday but finally put the pictures on here Monday).

Birthday cake rules apply to Jesus

Soo, the other night, my parents took Beca to the Hanging of the Greens and Birthday party for Jesus at the church. And there was a big cake and birthday note to Jesus. And Beca mumbled something about the first piece. So Mom said "Beca, are you having the first piece?" And Beca replied "No, Jesus gets the first piece - it's his birthday"!

And there is a growth spurt in progress. She's eaten massive amounts of food at dinner - one night, it was 1/2 a curly noodle soup (Raman) and 1/2 a pack of saltines. Another - 6 pieces of pizza! And always with dessert!

More later but I am still trying to catch up.

November's start

So far in November, I have gotten a little more time outside but I am having a really hard time with the adjustment in the sun. I had gotten so used to coming in when it was dark and leaving when it was not yet dark. So now I always feel like I am late since it is a little lighter in the mornings and way darker in the evenings.

I also got to take some pictures outside. The sunlight in the fall is a wonderful thing. The sky is brighter, the leaves reflect so many colors and everything is beautiful. I was very excited to capitalize on this and take a few pictures of one of Steve's original college buddies, Jeremy, and his beautiful fiance, Anna. Beca was with us all day and she did really well as long as we let her into a couple of pictures every once in a while. The day was bright, shining and a wonderful trip down a twisted memory lane. I say twisted because NC State University's campus has undergone quite a number of changes since our days there (generally for the better and it certainly looks cleaner). And it has been a really long time since I did anything over at Meredith, which is still a beautiful campus regardless of what changes they make to it. Here's a few of the adorable couple:

And a few of the pirate princess:

And a few more of the pirate princess on other days this Fall:

This one is showing off a quick outside project. We keep trying to find ways to keep Zoe from digging up the yard as she rounds the corner off the steps to chase a squirrel or bird in the trees (hellllooooo, they are in the tree and you cannot climb that high or fast!). The latest was to add 4 pavers which Beca believes are for her to jump on. Good jumping though!

I don't think I ever told the hammock story. Soooo, we've had a hammock sitting in the garage for MONTHS, as well as a hammock stand in the box in the garage. I had requested it be put up on several occasions but my DH has such a short memory for tasks that do not provide immediate and direct assistance to him and might mean that work has to be performed that is not on a computer. So, one afternoon (I think it was early October), I came home early from work on an absolutely grogeous day - not hot, perfect sun, light breeze - and I was determined that the hammock stand would get put together. The amazing part is that it took me longer to carry all the heavy tubing to the back yard than it took me to put it together. I had the hammock on it in less than 15 minutes and was using Zoe and her ball to make my hammock swing. Now the hammock stand is out whenever we want to use it and the hammock isn't far away. It's been lovely on these fall days except that Beca believes its sole mission is to go "SUPERFAST" like Rocket on Little Einsteins. and she likes to flip in it.

blur....

The past few weeks have been a blur. I've managed to work very few hours at least one day a week and still put in about 65 hours most weeks except last week. And it was still kind of crazy. The hardest part is that I am physically and mentally exhausted and I have no idea what happens after this project is over. Maybe some laundry will actually get completely done and really put away. Maybe I'll get cards made before the day before whatever event I need them for. Maybe I'll sleep through the night without dreaming of drug names or inspecting cells.
So, firstly a big thank you to those who have worried over my state of being. I'm really blessed to have family and friends who are willing to give me a lecture stare when I come by to drop something off. I know this isn't the best for me but I have made sure that I absolutely made it to things I have to.

So, here's some pictures:
Beca dressing up in a dress that I used to dress up in that Mom used to wear.
This was at Kristin's shower (beginning of October) - Beca and Rachel were the shower helpers and passed out paper, pens, and presents on cue as asked.
Also at Kristin's shower - Beca poses for pictures. I love this dress on her.
Beca at Bike day at school. Mommy missed this one but Daddy was able to take her tricycle over.
So, the first week of the truly insane work schedule, I pulled a 12 hour day shift, took a nap, worked from 10pm to 3 am, slept a few hours until Beca woke me up, went back to work for a little while and then took the afternoon off to go to the fair! Cynthia and Jason went with us and it was a lot of fun. We mostly looked at the animals and ate. Beca's corn dog. On the bench is the largest thing of ice cream I have ever gotten from the NC State ice cream booth. It's taller than the cup next to it.
Hushpuppies! They all had pickles too! We also visited my photo that I entered into the Fair - it at least got hung up.

The last weekend in October, I had to work but I escaped during key moments! Aidan's second birthday party was so much fun!! It was a Diego party!
And the next day, Emily's 1st birthday party. Needless to say, the child loves cake...
So Halloween day, I went to Beca's Halloween parade at school (and a doctor's appointment before and after). She was a very cute Minnie Mouse. Behind her are her friends Flora (an angel) and Erin (a princess).
After the parade, the parents went back into the playground to give out candy to the class. It was fun to have them trick-or-treat around!

Oma and Beca (Oma gave out candy too!):
Beca's class!
After a short trip to work and a short nap in the hammock, Steve picked me up and we went to Payton's house (one of the Bella Trio).
Here's the family pictures before trick-or-treating:
The Chapman family (Rebecca, Payton, and Jonathan)
The Sullivan family (Kristen, Melissa, Neil, and Kate)
And the Cottles - Beca, Chewbacca, and me!
We had to beg the girls to take a picture with Chewy - Kate was ok as long as Steve didn't have the mask on but as soon as he did, she would watch him like a hawk.
Trick-or-treating little girls - and they got good at this quickly!

And finally, enjoying some loot (the lollipop party)!Sorry these took forever to post. I finally got to go through it all!!