Christmas Card Pictures

Well, its that time of year again... you know, where you're freaking out because you realize that you need to send out photos for Christmas but you didn't plan far enough ahead in advance to schedule your hair appointment for BEFORE your photo rather than after so you have really bad black roots that emphasize the fact that your blond hair is really artificial. Not to mention the fact that you also failed to pick out your 'outfits' until 30 minutes BEFORE you're getting the photos done so you're just HOPING that you have clean pants/shirts/socks/whatever.
Or maybe that is just the Lesiw household.

Anyway, our little 'photo-shoot' actually went really well, and Claire did a good job of being pleasant, even though it was around nap time. A big shout-out and thank you to the Moulton's who took our pictures and made us feel like our procrastination wasn't an issue. Christmas cards should start going out next week, and if you're reading this, and haven't been contacted by me via email for your mailing address, its probably because I DON'T HAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS and would love to get it! So just leave me a comment with your email address and I'll contact you! (and I'll delete your comment so it's not floating around in cyber space)

Hope everyone is enjoying the countdown to Christmas!


This was actually a close 2nd. The photo we went with 'showcases' Claire more. And when it comes down to it, isn't that all that really matters? I doubt people are disappointed if Bob and I aren't in it. (and seriously, no 'pitty comments' about how you'd love to see us in the picture because then I'll know that you really are a liar.)

We didn't use this picture for many reasons...
but honestly, I laugh really hard every time I look at it.
And that has to be worth something!

Someone got a new camera

For my birthday I got a new camera so I'm trying to learn how to use it. So of course I turn to my favorite 'model' - dear little Claire. Granted, these aren't the most interesting pictures, but they sure are pretty cute!

Grace Group Christmas Party

So we just got back from the Grace Group Christmas Party and I have to hurry and get my photos posted as Sara and I have many of the same ones! The costume theme was 'entertaining Christmas attire', or something to that effect. Not everyone dressed up (and you know who you are!) but a lot of people did. I don't have full representation of all the costumes since my computer won't let me load some of the photos and I don't have the time, nor the patience to figure out why. So here is a small taste of what was there.

The Host and Hostess.
They came as 'The Night Before Christmas' and got to wear their pajamas.

'Three French Hens'
You know, it was a pretty clever costume. And I have to admit that I'm rather jealous of their creativity skills. The small details that you may not be able to see are the little scrolley french mustaches. Seriously, double click the photo for a full-sized view. You won't regret it!

I know. I think they're ridiculously cute too. Kind of makes you want to throw up a little.

We went as a 'Gingerbread Couple'.
Looking at this photo makes me think, 'Is it funny? Or just kind of sad?'

(Its amazing what you can do with felt and a glue gun.)

It's been a while...

Well... it's pretty crazy how time can pass by quicker than you think. I was giving Sara a hard time about never updating her blog, and here I am, a few 'events' behind. Let's see.. what did you miss...

1. Thanksgiving. Not that special. Claire was super sick, and I forgot my camera at my parents house so I never got around to posting pictures. Of course there was excellent food, fabulous family (to hang out with) and we received these super cool blankets from my cousin Genalee. (Go to the Garate blog to see a photo.)

2. Christmas Decorating. Again, not that special. I opted to use a 4 1/2 foot tree that sits on top of a table. No, it isn't real, but from the outside of the house you'd think that it was 'full size'. We'll probably have Bob pick up a 'real' tree from Longs and stick it outside by the front door. That's what we've done in years past (okay, so only two other times) and it works out pretty good. With Claire moving around so much (and trying to pull herself up) I figure that a full size tree in the house is WAY more trouble than it's worth. I'm actually pretty happy with this set up. We can put gifts on the table and I don't have to teach Claire the meaning of 'No Touch'. I can save that for another glorious day.

3. My Birthday. Not bad, but not that special either. HAHA. I mean, I turned 32 and I feel like I'm REALLY an adult now. (in the 'old' sense of the word) Bob and I went to Reno for one of his continuing education classes/my birthday (but mostly his continuing education class) and once we got up there I realized that I forgot my ID, and credit cards. I had taken them out of my purse when I was using a smaller one earlier in the week. Anyway, I was slightly freaking out about being in the casino (while he's in class) and not having my ID and getting kicked out and me not having any place to go while he's learning about diabetes. Bob just looked at me and said, 'I don't think you have anything to worry about.' Hmmmm. I guess what he's really trying to say is 'You don't look like you're under 21, and no-one is going to mistake you for a teenager or ask for your ID so I think you're making a big deal out of nothing.' Of course I prefer his 'gentler' version. Maybe what he really meant was 'You're so stunningly beautiful that all the casino workers will be too intimidated to ask you if you're actually old enough to be gambling'. Yeah... I think I like that one best. To be honest, I did have this little plan in my mind that if by some chance some-one DID ask for my ID I was going to act like I couldn't speak english.

Okay, one more casino story and then I'll shut up. When we checked in The Peppermill (yes, I know you're all jealous right now) Raelin at the counter was giving us 'tips' as she was also a self proclaimed VIP gambler there. She said that we should sign up for a players card and then bill everything to your room. When you're playing slots, use your card, and then before you check-out go to the information booth and ask what you're eligibility is for comps. She said, it doesn't matter how MUCH you spend, it's how LONG you play, and to 'take it from her, because she's VIP'. So Bob and I go to a decently expensive steak dinner, which was decent - not great, but decent, and then we start to gamble. Bob's super tired and he has to get to registration for his class at 7:30am. So I say that I'll take one for the team and keep gambling so we can get our comps, because obviously I won't have time to gamble in the morning before we check-out since I'll more than likely be sleeping. Anyway, to make a long story short, I gamble until 3am, only to find out the next day that our comps equal $13. Yeah. That was TOTALLY worth my time. Thanks Raelin, you're the best! Good news, is I made $100. So I'm cool with it.

The best part of my birthday was going swing dancing. There's a place in downtown Sac that has dancing on Friday nights with free lessons. So the Garates and a few other couples all went down for a night of fun. And honestly, it WAS pretty fun! For those of you who remember, I used to be really into swing dancing back in the day. I think it was at least 8 years ago since I went dancing last. No joke. Well, there was this guy there (think mid-50's) that was really good and I knew my 'style' of dancing would work with his, so I asked him to dance. It was great to see that some of the moves came back. I would say like 'riding a bicycle' but I really stink at riding bikes, and I'd like to think I was half-way decent that night. Anyway, it inspired me to get 'back into it' and I think Bob and I will end up taking lessons. Bob actually is a natural. (at least I think so!) Its also a great cardio workout. As soon as the second song started I thought my heart was going to explode. But I survived.

Okay, enough babble. I'll post pictures soon. Of what, I have no idea.

New Milestones

Our dear, sweet Claire is definitely growing. I can't believe that its already been 7 months since she was born. I remember bringing her home, and dealing with the sleepless nights and asking Sara when it would end. She said around 12 weeks, and I thought that sounded like FOREVER. And here we are, sleeping through the night like a pro, and becoming more and more MOBILE!

Yes, Claire started moving across the floor at 6 months, which turned into an army crawl, which is now a full-fledged-on-hands-and-knees crawl. A couple of nights ago Bob was on the floor and Claire crawled over and started to pull herself up on his legs. We moved her back to see if she would do it again, to which she did. Not bad. Kind of cool even. Well, now what we thought was just 'cute' is apparently going to be an 'issue'.

I put Claire to bed and went downstairs so Bob and I could finish watching 'The Next Great American Band' (don't laugh, its a cool show: Friday nights, 8pm, Fox) and we're startled to hear Claire crying. And not just crying, but the I-hurt-myself-really-bad-so-come-help-me crying. I literally run upstairs (which is actually pretty hard for me and I don't like to make that a habit) to find Claire holding onto the end of her crib in tears. I'm guessing that she bonked her head or face or mouth somehow while trying to pull herself up. Bob was only a few strides behind me, and we just look at our cute little munchkin and think 'well.. now what?' Realizing that the crib mattress will now have to be lowered (but there's no way Bob is tackling that job tonight) we try and figure out what to do. The easiest and quickest answer is to set up the pack and play. So for tonight, Claire is sleeping in there and if she tries to pull herself up and falls, at least it'll be a soft landing.

So now a new phase of motherhood is starting for me. The whole 'make sure your kid doesn't hurt themselves too bad since they're trying to learn how to balance themselves' phase. I used to think (in the not so distant past) that things would just be easier with Claire once she started moving. Hmmm. Guess I was totally wrong on that.


Oh yeah... my house still isn't finished.

It's Monday...

... and there are no photos to post. But the good news is that we ALMOST reached our goal. For the most part, all the big furniture pieces are moved. The floors are finished, and look pretty FANTABULOUS if you ask me, and now its just getting all the 'extras' put away or thrown away, or destroyed.

So hopefully we can still work on this stuff, but Bob is back at work and will be working this weekend. The positive, is that he should have next Monday and Tuesday off.. so worst case scenario is things get done early next week. We'll see what happens.

I'm taking Claire to get her 7 months photos done tomorrow. I can't believe she's already that old, and that another month has just flown by. Crazy. Christmas will be here before we know it.

Anyway, it's after 10pm and I really need to take a shower.

Taking a break...

Sorry, but there will be no pictures in this post, so some of you may want to pass on this one.

I'm just sitting at the computer, procrastinating. So I figure I'll be some what productive and update the ol' blog. Bob and I are in the middle of re-organizing the house. This is a project we've been talking about for months, but now we're finally getting the time to do it. Bob had a couple of extra days off of work so it's worked out nicely. Claire has been more than cooperative, so we've been able to get a bunch done. Well... at least it seems like a ton. But we still have a ton to do. I was explaining the process to Sara and I said that yesterday we were like.. 25% done. Today, we're like... 27%.

We decided to switch up the layout of quite a few rooms. The 'bonus room' is now our office/workspace, the old dinningroom/livingroom is now just a big livingroom, the familyroom/breakfast nook, is now a dinning room/sitting area, and the old office is now a play room for Claire. The only thing that looks partway done is the play room, and that's because - for the most part - it's empty. Currently we're working on finding a place for everything that was in the office. Which is actually a HUGE job considering you could barely walk into the room before all this started. Bob has been doing a ton of filing, and I'm finally organizing all my scrapbook paper. (but I still have all my ribbon, so I think I have my work cut out for me)

Our goal is to have this all done by Monday morning when the installer comes to take the CARPET OUT OF ALL THE BATHROOMS! I'll be so glad when we have NORMAL floors in there. We're skipping the tile option (too expensive) and we're doing lenolium. (not sure how to spell that) Its nice stuff, really hardy, 'tear proof' or something like that, but it's also a really good price. The next project will be getting the bathrooms either re-painted, or wallpapered, or something. But that's for another time... no rush on that.

Well, Miss Claire woke up and its now time for her to eat dinner, so I shall bring this post to a close. When everything gets finished and filed away, I'll post a few pictures. If it's not up by Monday, then you know we didn't reach our goal.