My Baby, I mean, Little Girl

It's easy to see that she's not a baby anymore. This is a classic NGK smile face. And she does look like she's up to something, so she probably is.



















She loves to hug and kiss everything right now, Mom, Dad, toys, little boys at the park, and even trees.















She is a girly, girl, carrying purses and picking up shoes, but she also loves to explore and get dirty playing in the dirt.















She now loves to smell flowers and blow her nose in a tissue.





















What I'm glad that she still likes to do is cuddle with her mommy. Right now she likes to suck her thumb and play with my hair all at the same time.

A Bad Car Wreck

That's the only way I can think to describe the ending to the latest season of The Bachelor. You hate to watch, and you know it's hurting someone else, but you just can't pull yourself away from it. I will readily admit I watch it, though I wouldn't say I'm addicted. And last night was so sad and bizarre, CDK said (oh yes, he was watching it with me and I know of at least 3 other hubbies doing the same - you know who you are) "I didn't know this was a comedy". I'll admit I was laughing at parts. I don't think it's funny that anyone was hurt, but here are my questions for those on the show:

1. Do you really think you can fall in "love" when you see someone so little?
2. Why do you all seem to be falling from the guy for the moment you meet him - I'm mean he has bad qualities too (the obvious being that he is dating 15+ women at once), why are you so blinded to them?
3. I think this resembles a modern-day harem, did you realize you were part of a harem (especially if you get down to the date with the fantasy suite)?
4. Are you that surprised that he wasn't the one after all?
5. And why, oh why, do you chose to subject yourself to that sort of public humiliation? Because face it, you all end-up humiliated in one way or the other in the end.

Harsh, I know, but not as harsh as Jason last night!

Switching Sides

So how did you chose your side of the bed when you started sharing it? I'm not really sure how I chose mine, but I picked the left, if you're lying down, on your back. And for almost 8 years now that's what it has been. CDK has always begged me to switch just for one night. I told him someday in our marriage I would, for one night, but don't know that I planned on following through.
With the arrival of our new bedroom furniture there weren't many options in arranging it and my dresser had to be put on Chris' side of the bed. His side is also closer to the bathroom. So with that we decided to switch, and he said it will also be better for whenever I'm pregnant again to use the bathroom a million times a night.
Last night was the first night and I didn't sleep well. I kept waking up disoriented and wondering why Chris was on the other side of me. How long will it take to break an eight-year-old habit? I don't know, but hopefully I'll sleep better tonight.

Hmmm...

I guess it says something about your current blogging activity when you forget your password. Sorry for those that actually care about what's going on around here. Here's a short list:
1. My washer is broken, this stinks. I would like to get it fix and not spend the money on a new one, but secretly both CDK and I would like to have to get a new one. The front-loading ones seem so nice and are much more efficient, plus some come in really fun colors. And if I'm going to do a lot of laundry, and at least I could have a pretty color to look at.
2. NGK has the flu, poor pitiful thing. It's not stomach related, thank goodness since the washer is broken, but a cough, runny nose, and fever. I hope she gets better soon and we don't get it.
3. Some of our dearest friends are moving to our town. There are some unfortunate reasons why they are moving here, but we are thankful that we'll get to spend some time with us. They'll also be staying with us for a week and a half before their place is ready. So with 1500 sq ft in the house, 4 adults and 4 children, what do you think that's going to be like ?!
4. We're continually excited about the people we are meeting in our neighborhood and the relationships we're developing. It's so much fun to know our neighbors and be able to walk to the park with our kids together. God has really provided a great place for us.
5. I think Facebook is taking over my blogging time. For some reason I more readily "play" on Facebook than update or read blogs.

A Great Week

There is a good week in the making at the K household. Here's why:
1. The weather has been beautiful today and will be tomorrow. That means walks and playing at the park. Which is always nice in the "dead of winter".
2. Some friends from our old town are moving here tomorrow. We haven't seen them in at least 4 years and they now have a little girl near NGK's age. They'll only be living a few minutes down the road.
3. We're having a New Year's Day party with our neighbors. I'm really excited about this as it's another attempt at getting to know our neighbors better. I think it will be fun, if anyone comes, so far only 1 RSVP.
4. CDK has two days off of work. Yipeee!
5. My oldest (as in time I've known her, not her age) friend and her husband are coming in town and we're going to hang out. I can't wait to see them.
6. We might, just might, order new furniture for our bedroom. This would be extremely exciting (I guess I'm getting old when furniture goes in the exciting category).
7. I'm having lunch with three friends on Wednesday, just the girls!
8. And I'm sensing the "I can do anything" attitude this week as the New Year approaches. So we'll see what happens.

Why Didn't I do this Sooner?

I know that sending out the Christmas card photo combination isn't a new idea. I've just never done it. This year I realized how easy, and cheap it is. I can get 50 for about $15 at Sam's. Plus they have tons of layouts to choose from. Very cool!

Here's where you come in. Which card should we use? We always said we wanted to send out a family pic with our card, not just one of the kid (or someday kids). But these are cute and we aren't sure how much we like ourselves (me and CDK) in the family pic. So please vote. There are three options. The only difference in the last option is the coloring of the photograph. And of course this is highly important - it could end-up on your refrigerator and you wouldn't want someone saying "Why did your friends pick that card?"

A Christmas Gift

At this point in NGK's life there isn't much she actually "needs" for Christmas. I don't know that she will ever actually "need" anything, since we really are more than provided for and if we can't get it, we have family that is usually willing to pitch in and help.

So, as parents, we weren't sure what to get her for Christmas. We figure the grandparents will give her all the fun stuff they want to spoil her with, and that's great (just as long as we can fit it in our car!). So we are trying to very deliberate and careful about what we get her.

Then we got the idea from some friends. We are going to get NGK a season pass to the local zoo. The pass will actually be for me, since she's free till three, but this way her and I can go as much as we want for the whole year. Plus you get free parking, and discounts on many other things in the zoo. Also your guests receive a small discount. The pass will pay for itself in 3.5 visits, so I figure it's a good deal. And we have other friends that have the pass, so we can all go together.

I think this is something we will try and do for several years and as she gets older we can see if museums and other local places offer season passes. I'm really excited about taking her to the zoo and watching her discover all the animals. And I love it even more because it's a great deal!