And We Begin the Third Year.

The three of us, our little family, moving from this great celebration to the glories of spring: outside and things growing and playing sand and running barefoot through grass and weeding and patio furniture and sunscreen and hats and flip flops and plans to shop for shorts.

Our lives are full.

And thanks for this photo, Sue.

The Official 6:37 Shot.

Yup, she's two. And loving it.


And an official bubble shot (though there's sure to be more), thankyouverymuch Amy, Rich, & Baby Hayden. She thinks it's magical.

Ten on Tuesday.

OK, to be honest I'm just truly exhausted and there's such a long list of things to do tomorrow that I'm wishing Tara was still here to watch Alla for a few hours, not even for my sanity, but for Alla's. Because she doesn't understand that we're running all these errands for her birthday, and I'm not sure I want her to understand yet. Let her believe the birthday fairies just run around flicking their wands and making everything magical for a few more years.

So, since I'm wiped out and just want to get over to the TV and veg while watching American Idol and eating a zucchini cupcake with a frozen mug of milk, I'm going to go the lazy Ten on Tuesday route, i.e., here are ten photos of my littlest love...

And So We Begin.

The week leading to two. And I'm excited, I tell you. It's like Christmas, when you know all the surprises for your little one, and you know how excited she'll be, but she has no idea yet. No concept of the anticipation part. Except Nana Pappi come visit you next week which she has been anticipating for at least a month now. Oh but there's more, little love, just you wait.

Change of Scene.

Firstly, this is the look I get when I ask her, beg her to look up at mama just for a sec so I can set my exposure and she finally indulges me and if I'm quick I get it. But I also know that in just a few years this look will reveal much more exasperation.

A little self-timer action yesterday. I love it like it is, but even more cause she thinks the self-timer is hilarious for some reason and cracks up after the photo is taken. I will always remember that.

Here's hoping wherever you are, that you are getting a chance to feel warm and take photographs in a new light.

Hey, Elephant!

Her new favorite song. Learned it in class on Monday. If you're not familiar with the words, let me share them so you and your family can sing along.

one elephant went out to play on a giant spider web one day
he had such enormous fun that he called for another elephant to come
hey, elephant!

Ten on Tuesday.

1. I bet you didn't have to explain to your almost two-year-old daughter today that bananas don't have vaginas.

2. After that conversation, I indulged her rhinoceros have to go to work ideas.

3. Playing hide and seek with Daddy at the park:

5. Alla about flipped her lid at Walgreen's this morning over a 3-for-$11.99 baby doll stroller. Like the kind of crying cause she wasn't going to get it where I have to tell her to breathe.

6. Maybe she'll be a soccer star. Watch out Mia Hamm.

7. Nine days? Is that all I have left of ONE?

8. Should have gotten a sandbox last summer instead of a sand & water table because I've been catching her climbing up onto the table to sit in it.

9. Her favorite word? NO. (No laughing, Mom.)

10. She's just so happy that the weather is park-worthy. I couldn't tell her when the snow melts and the sun comes out and warms everything up and dries everything out too much longer.

Fair warning: next Tuesday's Ten may very well be mushy gushy due to the impending birthday.

Fresh Air.

That's what's going on here. Everyone's getting their fair share of fresh air, making up for all those lost frozen months. Running, biking, walking, digging for worms, wondering about ladybugs, buying fresh new sand and sunscreen, getting white sneakers dirty. All these things are making us all super happy today.

Ten on Tuesday.

1. Please take a moment to go look at our weather forecast. Now take a moment to flip off the weather forecast.

(OK, now that I have that out of my system, let's move on.)

2. What a cool article I came across today written by a woman who nursed her daughter way beyond infancy. I'm certain this will be similar to Alla's eventual weaning. I cringe just typing that word, though.

3. I came across said article on Apartment Therapy: The Nursery. This site rocks.

4. I am taking lots of pictures. Taking pictures everyday. Just not taking time to edit them, post them, etc. Busy busy. But I'm not sure with what.

5. About to finish this up and head over to the television for American Idol. I can hardly bear it. What on earth is going on with that show?

6. Her favorite color is blue.

7. She says nope.

8. I know I've mentioned Rolla. Baby. She loves her baby. Goes nowhere without her. Sleeps with her. Plays with her. Sings to her. Tells her stories. Gets her blankets, wraps her up and kisses her.

9. Lately it's Baby fall down. Baby cry. Baby sad. No tears, baby. Shhhh, it's okay, Baby. I love you.

10. I love these two.

Happy Easter!

Hope you're all having a wonderful-family filled day. Alla is way more intrigued with Easter grass than Easter eggs or jelly beans. Loves her little lamb, bunny house and ducky, and Charlie Brown. We love that it's Sunday, so long breakfast (yummy old Cooking Light french toast recipe), coffee, and newspaper. Lots of lounging time today. And don't forget to watch Tiger.

Ten on Tuesday.

1. Can you even resist this cheek hanging out of her diaper after napping without pants?

2. Have you tried the family kiss, in which one parent holds the child and you all simultaneously kiss one another? Alla adores this, started asking for it tonight, and has since found utter joy in the family hug as well.

3. What she told Daddy on Saturday morning when he went in her room to get her out of bed: 'Daddy, I have a filthy diaper.'

4. April [snow] showers bring May flowers. Yes it's snowing. Yes it's 27 degrees. Yes it was 81 last Monday.

5. Have you tried Cover Girl's Lash Exact mascara? I have been a Great Lash Girl since junior high. I will never go back. Lash Exact rocks.

6. I've been thinking of all the lovely birthday gifts and outings for Alla later this month. Her favorite things. All in one day, one weekend. One of those should really be bubble wrap. In fact that might be all she needs. The big size.

7. Missing Megan and missing out on the new one.

8. My daughter sat on the Easter Bunny's lap today. Sat. For awhile.

9. I hope my DHC order comes this week. That would really make my week.

10. Just a lunch photo. Applesauce and pastas.