All is not perfect in the house of toddlers.

One toddler destroys a shoe (at least it wasn’t one of my favorites…*sigh*).

One toddler throws every single toy out of her crib when she is supposed to be napping (which I am told is completely normal).

One toddler still poops in the house. Okay both toddlers actually poop in the house, but one does it in a diaper and the other at least does it on the newspaper that Mike has strategically placed in the music room (what is it with the music room???).

One toddler throws her sippy cup on the floor to signal she is done drinking whatever she is drinking (and did I mention she has learned the meaning of the word milk - thus making us have to come up with all kinds of code words for milk lest she scream us deaf while waiting for us to pour it? Code words = MLK, Martin Luther King, cow juice, homogenized, dairy, white stuff, leche, etc.).

One toddler takes a running leap at the bed, but is (luckily) not big enough yet to actually make it up there (but we know it won’t be long until she is don’t we? :P).

One toddler is perfecting her fake laugh among other noises (she’s quite good at it).

One toddler is learning to bark at strange noises (but not the fake laugh).

One toddler throws her toys out of her play area toward the other toddler not realizing that if the toddler with the sharper teeth gets hold of her toys she won’t have toys anymore (I’ve rescued more toys than I can count - I think I’ll stop giving them back to her!).

One toddler chews the power cord for the electric drums in two (lucky she’s cute or Mike might kill her).

And yet, both toddlers are learning more and more every day. They are not perfect, but gosh they’re cute. :)

Just got the word that Mike and his band will be on the local morning news show tomorrow playing during a live remote. So that’s our excitement for the week…lol! If you are a Phoenix local, email me at karin at three-part-harmony dot com for more info. I will try and get a clip of it online at some point if at all possible. It just depends if the DVR and the computer will speak to each other…lol! (Anyone know if that’s possible?)

On the surface, it didn’t really seem like we had a lot to do this weekend…and yet…I didn’t seem to have much time to do much of anything that I wanted to do. Ever have a weekend like that?

Saturday, Mike had to take Melody on her first visit to the veterinarian for booster shots and since she was only one week away from time for her first rabies shot, she got that one, too. Mike usually tries to get to the Saturday shot clinic (where they only charge you for the shots and not the office visit) 45 minutes early so that he is one of the first ones in, but that didn’t happen this time. So he was there about two hours. Melody was amazing he reports. She was awesome in the waiting room amongst all the other doggies. She was great in the exam room and the vet oohed and ahhed over her (remember this is the vet that did a house call for us when we had to let Majerle go) and told Melody she had a great family and a great place to grow up. So that was nice. Mike took her in the crate in the front seat of his truck and that dog held everything in all the way there, in the waiting room, during the exam, and all the way back. Yeah, I know. Hard to believe. She left a rather large pile of gifts for Mike in the backyard when she got home, though. But hey, at least it was in the yard right?

After she got home, she proceeded to sleep pretty much the entire day. I knew this would come back to bite me at some point and it did.

Then, I finally got Mike to walk through the house with me and make a list of everything, no matter how small, that needed to be done in every room of the house, so that we could actually prioritize and plan and maybe get a project done each weekend. Great thought huh? Well, wait until you see the list which I have posted on a page on this here blog. It’s over there in the sidebar under the “Pages” heading entitled “House Projects”. I would link it but I’m too darn lazy to do so right now. I added in all the things we’ve done since we have moved in and I’ll cross things off as we get them done if you want to follow along. It’s a little daunting, but at the same time, it’s good to know exactly what needs to be done.

Saturday night at about 3:30 am, Melody woke up (she was in her bedroom crate which is much bigger and stays in our bedroom) and wanted to go outside and wanted to play. I was not really awake enough to deal with that, so I called Mike to see how close to home he was. The answer? About half an hour. So yes, horrible mean me made the poor puppy stay in her crate for another half hour, but I knew I was going to have to get up in a few hours and deal with the child and dog again, so too bad. Mike got home, took her outside and played with her for awhile before he finally came to bed.

Sunday we prioritized our lists for each room. And of course Mike added things to them as we went because that’s what boys do, right? It’s weird how this thing hinges on that thing which hinges on this thing which hinges on that thing and so on. But at least we know what to tackle first. Sort of. Then we had to go and do mass and make sure Marlene’s song for next weekend would work and it almost wasn’t going to, but I’m stubborn and was trying to figure out a way which helped Mike figure out a really good way and now it works. So everyone is happy. Whew. Little Girl walked a few steps to show off at church before rehearsal. Then after mass, she crawled up the steps of the altar and crawled around behind the altar and explored. She was eyeing the steps leading into the font and I told her no way was she going up those steps because she already got baptized and I didn’t need to go diving in after her thank you very much (especially since they only heat the water when there are baptisms and there were none. Brrr).

Today, Mike and I had to do music for a funeral, so Little Girl got to hang out in the office with Rochelle during that time. She’s actually VERY good in church, but a bit chatty and we figured chatty probably wasn’t so good during a funeral, so instead she got to play with the gigantic stuffed giraffe in the pastor’s office. AND, she drank her entire sippy cup of wuice (which is what I call juice mixed with water because I’m weird that way). Did I mention that she has finally figured out how to drink out of a sippy cup with a hard spout? Amazing. She has also figured out how to stack two blocks.

So walking, stacking and sippy cupping all in one week. What will she think of next?

Oh, and one more little note of interest. I also added a page on the sidebar that lists the books I have read this year, so if you’re ever interested in what I’m reading, that’s the place to look. You will find a lot of “children’s” books on the list because that tends to be what I enjoy reading most.

How was YOUR weekend? :D

The Blog Olympics have ended and I came away with one gold (for longevity which I think may have worked against me in the other rounds…hehehe) and five silvers. The Olympic Champions were Running2Ks and Uisce who both came away with four gold medals and two silvers. Congratulations to them - good work, good job, and just wait until next year! But seriously, good job to both of you and if you haven’t visited their blogs in the past, make a point of doing so, because such blogging greatness cannot go unnoticed!

Thanks to Barbara for coming up with a great idea and a way to have a little fun and meet new bloggers. Don’t forget to visit her blog either! And thanks to all the people who participated in some way. It was fun!

January 27, 2006 5:35 pm - Little Girl takes her first unassisted steps.

Her mommy cried real tears.

Happy birthday Social Butterfly. I think she did it today because she loves you SOOOO much. :)

And, Marlene’s guess is CORRECTAMUNDO!

UPDATE: Here are her second steps. You’ll have to forgive the camera flying around - Mike has gone to work so I had to get her standing and take the movie all by myself….lol!

On my new schedule, Thursday is the day that I clean Little Girl’s room each week. So, yesterday I spent the morning in her room working working working. I decided that it was high time that it went from being a “baby’s room” to a “toddler’s room” and became not only toddler-friendly, but toddler-proof. We had never fully baby-proofed her room before because to be honest, she just didn’t spend time in there unless she was sleeping. But at some point in a child’s life, it’s only fair that they are able to use their room for more than sleeping, so that was my goal yesterday. I cleaned and swept and rearranged and now she has a play area and a reading area and a whole lot of space in the rest of the room to crawl around to her little heart’s content (and walk too when she gets that notion). All the clothes tubs are put away up in her closet. She has a new trash can that she (hopefully) won’t be able to get into so easily (although she’s already figured out how to lift the lid up on the diaper pail *sigh*). All the plugs are covered and Mike has promised that he will install a plug high up on the wall for the air filter and the nightlight - in the meantime we’ll just have to live without them. Mike bolted her dressers and book/toyshelf to the wall today. We’ve spent time in there playing with her and she just loves it and I feel safe enough to leave her alone in there for a few minutes here and there. Melody is learning that she is not allowed over the threshold (yet - I know that won’t last forever…lol) and so when we’re in there with Little Girl she will lay in the hall and look at us with those sad puppydog eyes of hers. So at least ONE room in my house is organized and clean. One down, and way too many more to go. But it’s a start.

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Now the question of the week (well actually there are two).

First of all, does anyone know where you can get stickers for the bottom of the bathtub? You know the kind that keep you from slipping? I checked at Target yesterday and all they had were the kind that attach with suction cups. We are looking for the adhesive kind. Any thoughts are appreciated.

And also, since I was sorting through some hand-me-down toddler clothes today, could someone please tell me the difference between 24 mths and 2T? Both Marlene and Theresa think that it might have to do with diaper room (as in the 24 mth clothes have more diaper room) and that certainly makes sense, but does anyone know any other differences? I’m thinking they just do it to make us think we have to buy twice as many clothes…hehehe.

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And finally, thanks so much to all of you for playing Flashback Friday today! I’m still looking for some more topics to try and I’m tossing around the idea of making a Flashback Friday blogroll. Your thoughts on these two things will also be greatly appreciated. :)

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Have a great weekend everybody!!!

P.S. If anyone read this before I proofed it, I apologize for my typos. I hit publish before I proofed. Bad Karin!

We’re back! And in honor of the newest member of our family, Melody the puppy, this week’s flashback theme is pet stories. So, post your pet story flashback on your blog, then come back and leave a comment here or send a trackback and we’ll all come read your favorite pet stories! (Read on …)

Thirteen Types of People That Annoy Karin 1. People who watch you struggling in the grocery store to get two carts apart with one hand because you are trying to find one with a seatbelt that actually works while holding a squirming one year old in the other and do absolutely nothing to help you. 2. People who do not put the separater bar down after they finish putting their groceries on the conveyor belt, especially when there is someone behind them. 3. People who do not take responsibility for their children. 4. People who make other people late. 5. People who cut in and out of traffic. 6. People who tailgate. 7. People who do not slow down in school zones. 8. People who call you back after you have dialed their number accidentally when you were trying to dial your husband’s number and expect you to know who they heck they are and what the heck they are talking about and make you miss the ONE news story that you wanted to see because it was about someone you know. 9. People who think they can sing and cannot and then get angry with Simon, Randy, and Paula for refusing to let them go to Hollywood. 10. People who tell people that can’t sing that they can. 11. People who show up a week before a baby is born that is supposed to be adopted by friends who have been waiting forever to have a baby and say that they are the birth father and want the baby and so said friends don’t get the baby and have to start all over again. 12. People who think they know everything about a certain subject and DO NOT. 13. People who keep voting for Master P on Dancing with the Stars. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Lisa 2. Mama B 3. Karen 4. Janne 5. Chickadee 6. YellowRose 7. Killired 8. Nancy 9. Charity 10. Caryn

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Yes, believe it or not, Flashback Friday is returning. I’m not sure if it will return every single week or not, but we’ll just have to see how it goes. So, this week’s theme will be….Pet Stories! On Friday, share one of your favorite pet stories (or a few if you can’t narrow it down like I fear I cannot) in your blog, then come back here and leave a comment in my Flashback Friday post so we can all go read your story.

One year ago today, Little Girl, we took you to the pediatrician for your two month checkup on what should have been the day you were born. You weighed 8 lb, 9 oz and while I realize that you probably wouldn’t have weighed quite that much had you stayed in there for 8 more weeks, I have to admit there was a part of me that was relieved I didn’t have to push out an 8 1/2 pound baby.

You were off the charts on the negative side for quite awhile, but you started catching up and by your 9 month checkup, you were off the charts the other way for weight. Go figure. Developmentally, you’ve stayed pretty much right on track for your actual age and you’ve even done some things way ahead of even your adjusted age. For instance, fine motor skills? You rock kiddo. I guess it’s not a surprise, though, when you have a father who works with his hands and a mother who crafts and types 120 wpm. You will probably always be good at using your hands, even if it’s to take the little Breathe Right sticker off your daddy’s nose every morning.

On the other hand, your gross motor skills have not come quite so easily. You have been in the normal range for your actual age for all of them, and really, it’s not that big of a deal, but your mom is a perfectionist and so sometimes she gets impatient. Hopefully she hides it well, though.

You haven’t started walking yet, but your daddy predicted you would take your first step on this day, so we’ll see what happens. It wouldn’t surprise me one iota if you took your first step today because HE predicted it and boy does HE get a warm welcome when he comes home from work. Both from you and the dog. I guess I’m happy to see him, too. ;)

Little Girl, it has been an honor to watch you grow and develop and I don’t think I could be more excited when you do something new than if it was me learning how to swim or something else I’ve tried to learn over the years. Like today when I wanted to put your cup in the fridge, but it was in the middle of your play area, and I asked you to give it to me, you crawled right over to it, got it and handed it to me. You are brilliant and amazing and obedient. I’m sure the obedient won’t last forever, but the brilliant and amazing will always be there - at least in my eyes.

Today in the grocery store, so many people would catch your eye and smile at you and you’d smile back and wave and they would tell me how adorable and how cute you are. And you know what? It sure feels good to hear other people say that. Because even though I know you are, it’s nice to hear it from strangers as well.

You’ll be 14 months old in just a few days, so I’ll save everything else I want to say to you until then, but I couldn’t let this special day go by without a mention of how far you’ve come. You are my miracle baby. I love you more than you will ever know.

Happy should-have-been birthday sweetheart. Mama and Daddy and Melody love you. :)

• The new schedule is going well so far. Of course, it’s been a whole day and a half, so who can judge, but I actually laid down on the couch this afternoon after Little Girl went down for her nap, set the timer on my cell phone for an hour, and read a book. That was so nice and refreshing. I used to always read when I went to bed, but if I try to do that nowadays, I fall asleep after two or three pages, so taking time out to do it during the day was some nice “Me” time.

• I also finally got to use my sewing machine today! It is SOOOOOO cool. I just love it! I’ve been using a sewing machine that my mother-in-law gave me that’s probably almost as old as I am and just really doesn’t work so well anymore. But my NEW sewing machine? It has an automatic needle threader! I am in love with the automatic needle threader. Because I don’t have to do it! I LOVE THAT! So so cool.

• I got all Martha Stewart today and started making Christmas stockings because I realized too late this past Christmas that I had never bought Little Girl a stocking for her first Christmas (since I wasn’t allowed to drive and all due to the c-section). I made three of these and I’m going to make one more (can’t forget Melody!) and then decorate them. I’ll try and show you the finished products if they come out the way I hope they will.

• Did I mention I love my sewing machine? Because I seriously do. :)

• Oh! I almost forgot! Yesterday’s Blog Olympics competition was about post prolificacy (yep, that thar’s a word) or how often you post. This time having a very old blog kind of worked against me I think, but hey! I still got a silver medal. Whee!

Barbara at Trying to Catch Up is hosting the Blog Olympics this week and I decided to be brave and participate. Round 1 was Blog Longevity and go figure, my blog is the oldest on the list. Woohoo! (Well, if you count from when the original one started and not when I moved it to this site.) So I will now proudly show off my Gold Medal. Whee!

Little Girl crawls around the floor with her yellow ball.
Melody follows her and tries to steal the yellow ball.
Melody gets in trouble.

Little Girl crawls around the floor exploring.
Melody nips at her heels trying to “herd” her.
Melody gets in trouble.

Little Girl crawls almost all the way up the stairs for the first time (with Mama close behind).
Melody follows to make sure she is okay and to see what she’s doing.
Melody gets in trouble.

Earlier in the day….

Little Girl throws her toys out of her play area toward Melody.
Melody takes the toys and starts chewing on them.
They both get in trouble.

Little Girl steals Melody’s toy and drags it into her play area.
Melody lays down and looks sad.
Little Girl gets in trouble.

Little Girl crawls around the floor exploring, finds the dog food, and shoves a handful in her mouth.
Melody thinks, “You silly! Those are not chocolate cheerios!”
Little Girl gets in trouble.

Ah, the joys of toddlerhood. ;-)

I have to tell you this internet. I have to get it off my chest. Here’s the deal - I am not a happy homemaker. I am not good at housekeeping. In fact, I suck at it. Now that is not to say that our house is a disaster of epic proportions because it isn’t. It’s um…just…very lived in! Yeah, that’s the ticket. It’s not like I am horrible at all things Martha Stewart. Not at all. When it comes to entertaining, I can throw a pretty mean party. I can come up with adorable decorations and cute ideas and make everything look lovely. In fact, for Easter one year I made 18 personalized mini-pots filled with little easter treats to use as place markers. And that was when I was still working full-time. I still do crafty things when I’m able - like quilting and cross-stitch and scrapbooking and all of that. Those things I love. But the whole housekeeping thing? Not so much.

One of my resolutions was to get on a daily schedule and stick with it - included in that was a cleaning schedule. But where to start? Where do you start to make a schedule that actually works, that actually gets things done, and that is easy to live with and keep up with when you have a toddler and a puppy in the house? Well, you buy books on cleaning of course! So, I bought two books on cleaning that are actually easy reads and don’t make me feel like a complete and total idiot and promise to get cleaning done FAST and QUICKLIER (I know that’s not a word, but I made it up and I like it so hush) and cut my cleaning time in HALF!

So, today I’m making a list and a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly schedule of cleaning tasks for me and for Mike. And then I’m going to plug all of those tasks into my daily/weekly overall schedule that I will also be making today and we are going to whip this place and ME into shape posthaste!

Honestly, I meant to start all of this right after the new year, but I decided losing our last precious doggy and getting a new puppy allowed me to cut myself some slack. Now, I’m getting SERIOUS! ORGANIZATION!

Oh, and another thing we are going to do around here is make a list of every detail that needs to be done in every room, so that when we have a hour or two here and there we can actually accomplish at least a small project.

So, anyway, that’s my goal for the day. Anything exciting on YOUR plates today?