A Leap of Faith

I turned in my resignation to my employer of 12 years! Things are falling into place and my prayers are being answered positively, allowing me to be able to make the decision to stay home with our children and be a work at home mommy, I really thought I would never be able to be a WAHM! It is a very scary thing to do, especially in this economy...but so important. I have faith we will be fine. I will miss my career which I have worked hard for but will never regret my decision. It will be hard to turn in my badge, but it will be bitter sweet. Besides, I get to throw Taser Parties, make stick horses and teach women how to defend themselves!

What I won't miss is the schedule, the politics, the jerks (well, ok, sometimes they are kind of fun to deal with believe it or not) but most importantly I won't miss his first steps, her dance lessons, finger painting, cuddling, building sand castles, opening gifts on Christmas morning...just simply being here with them.

A Two-Year-Old's Logic

Just a couple quick snippets of Danae's logic that makes me smile. We've been working on potty training and this is sometimes how the conversation goes when she doesn't want to be interupted of her play time: "Danae, did you poop in your diaper?" "Nope, I farted" "It sure smells like poop" "Yeeeep, I farted" (she draws out her yeps) Although, the other night when we asked that question at the dinner table, I thought Anna was going to blow water out her nose when Danae said excitedly "I got diarrhea!" When its nap time, or bed time, this is sometimes how the converstation goes: "Danae it's time for your nap" "I wake up" She thinks since she woke up this morning, she doesn't have to go back to sleep. (Blogger is ticking me off...I can't get it to do separate paragraphs, sorry)

Chocolate Fish

We got Danae a fish tank about a month ago, to try to get her to sleep in her own room...and it has helped! She has been very good at only putting the fish food we give her in the tank. Sometimes she sticks her hand in, but until today...that was it. So, I'm in the living room with Corbin and talking to my mom on the phone when Danae comes in and says "Where did the fishies go?" I figured they were hiding in the plant and she just couldn't see them. But she was very persistant in wanting to know where the fishies went. Another minute later, she brings me her empty sippy cup which had chocolate milk in it and asked for more chocolate milk. I had given it to her about twenty minutes ago, so I wasn't surprised that is was all gone. She still wanted to know where the fishies went. Then I went to her room to show her where the fishies went and the tank was so clouded with chocolate milk the fish couldn't be seen...where did the fishies go! I hate cleaning fish tanks.

Old Dogs and Children

On Saturday March 12, I said goodbye to my buddy of 14 years. I adopted Tukir from the shelter when I was working there. He was a sick puppy found on the reservation. He was a great dog, despite trying to gnaw on several of my friends when he entered his grumpy midlife. The last year or so, he mellowed out again to the happy dog he was (with everyone...he always stayed happy with me and Michael). I only wish I could have taken him to the ceek one last time, he LOVED the water!

I believe he was also part goat too. He always tried to eat paper, plastic milk jugs, socks, trash and even a ball of lint from the dryer. So in his true fashion, as I was holding him as the vet was getting ready to do the deed, he quickly grabbed the tissue I had in my hand and gobbled it up...I just had to smile...he never lost his spirit despite how horrible I'm sure he felt.

We had Corbin blessed on Sunday March 6. My dad gave a wonderful blessing and Jason, Jon, Jim and Kevin stood in the circle as Michael held Corbin. I of course forgot to hand Michael the pacifier before he walked to the front and Corbin was a bit noisy during the blessing.

Danae was having a meltdown before we left for church...she has more and more of those and she usually isn't a morning person. She was refusing to smile or even show me her mouth and the look on Corbin's face just makes it even better.

Danae loves to fix...or "fhic" as she says...things and help daddy. She got a big girl bed with a under bed hideout and lots of drawers for her toys.

She also got a fish tank! She loves to watch the fish whenever we see a fish tank so we thought it might help her want to sleep in her own bed between the fish and a new bed...and it worked! She has to show everyone who comes over her fish and she'll sit in front of them and just watch them sometimes. She has actually been very good at not putting anything but fish food in the tank.

Welcome Corbin Rafe

Corbin arrived on Thursday January 20,2011 at 11:49 am. We began the enducement, AKA eviction process, at 5:00 am...and boy was I ever ready! He weighed in at 8 lbs 12 oz... no wonder I had been sooo tired. He was 20 inches long. My Mom and Michael were my support crew for the delivery. It didn't take but a few pushes and he was here...much different than Danae's delivery. His eyes are blue...Grammie and Michael are hoping they will change to brown. His hair is on the light side too...again...hopes for brown from Grammie and Michael.

Danae has only told Corbin to "go away" once. She has had to adjust but she is doing well with "baby Corbin". She helps mommy burp him, she kisses him on his head, she stuffs his pacifier in his mouth and she brings me wipes for changing his diaper. She tries to help mommy pump, she puts the lanolin on herself just like mommy and she wraps up her duck in a blanket like a baby...but I absolutely draw the line when she asks for a "bite" of Corbin's milk!

I want to thank Anna & Nando for watching Danae while we were at the hospital, my Mom for being there for me, watching Danae and helping out, to all the ladies who brought meals to us for the first few nights home from the hospital, to Jim Mathis for bringing me my 'traditional' after delivery blizzard from Dairy Queen to the hospital, to Grammie for helping out for two weeks and to all my friends and family for their support in the many forms...all those diapers, blankets, clothes, gift cards, cash, etc have all been very helpful!

Chocolate Cherrios

Before I start my little story, I want to preface it with the fact I know they make chocolate cherrios now, but I have not bought them, I have not pointed them out to Danae, and as far as I know she still can't read and hasn't noticed them for herself.... with that said, this is the conversation I had with my little sweet-toothed 2 year-old:

Danae had recently woken up and its time for her to eat her breakfast. She comes to me and asks for chocolate.

I say: "its too early for chocolate, you need to eat some cerial"

Her eyes go deep in thought and a smile crosses her face as she says: "Chocoalte Cherrios!"

Striking a compromise already! So I poured her a bowl of Cherrios and drizzled a touch of chocolate syrup on top....happy girl. ...and no, I'm still not going to buy the chocolate ones from the store :)

Finding the time...and energy!

Just thought I'ld update everyone a little on our happenings. Sorry, no pictures...I will post some later.

Danae's birthday went well, except for the fact the poor girl was sick most of that week. She has been sick on and off since going to preschool, which is expected. Lots of family and some friends showed up to help her celebrate. The smile on her face when she realized everyone was singing Happy Birthday to her was priceless! She isn't much into the unwrapping of gifts, but gets interested once you show her what's inside. This cutie just can't get enough of balloons and elephants right now.

Thanksgiving was good, we had Bear and Jenni with their two boys, Jodi, John and Lizard and Tonya and Ronin come over for Thanksgiving dinner. Bear and Jenni stayed the night before to help make pies and relax too.

Danae had a Christmas program and got total stage fright. Can't blame her! When a two year old is paraded into an auditorium of strange adults then walked right past her mommy and daddy...all she wanted was us. She threw a fit and never made it to the stage. That's ok, we have been having our own little performance from her. She loves jingle bells and has been singing jingle bells for weeks...which is the song her class was performing. She had also been at preschool since 7 am and the program was at 7 pm...long day for our little girl!

Lizard threw me a wonderful babyshower the weekend before Christmas. A small group attended...it's just a difficult time of year...but we had fun regardless! Thank you Lizard and Jodi!

We took Bear and Jenni on their 4th annual Christmas Tree Hunt on our family's property in Williams. Then to lunch at Pine Country. It was a fun day....no snow this year....just lots of mud!

Danae met Santa, but wasn't too impressed. She grabbed the candycane and wouldn't get close to him.

We spent Christmas in Williams with my family. There was snow on the ground, so it was basically a white Christmas. My mom and I stayed up way too late on Christmas Eve (4 am) making a bean bag chair for Danae. I was determined to have it under the tree on Christmas morning. My mom stuck right in there with me. I'm not sure how I managed to stay up that late...I have been so exhausted all the time. If Danae didn't sit in that bean bag on Christmas, I was going to tie her in it because we worked so hard to get it done. Fortunately, she loves it and plops in it. Only at a Cureton gift exchange would the game FART not be considered a practical joke gift. The game is actually quite fun!

I had my 36 week ultrasound just before Christmas. Corbin is measuring just under 7 lbs, give or take a pound. He should gain about 1/2 lb a week until he is born. I have been having tons of Braxton Hicks and just overall uncomfortable! But, I am grateful for this gift and hangin' in there. Yep, I'm still at work, at a desk of course...no chasing the crooks with this big belly!

Danae is learning new words and things every day and its a blast! Its so much fun watching her learn and grow, there is nothing more I'ld rather do!

Our Etsy shop reached its 100th sale! I made about 8 hobby horses/hobby unicorns in about two weeks...I'm sure they were all Christmas presents. The hobby horse pattern is also still selling well.

The Matco business is going well. We got into it in the slower season, but we're holding our own. Michael is enjoying it and now he is the one who gets recognized and talked to when we run errands...he's not too sure what to think about that.

Well, thats been our life in a nutshell the last two months.