jacob and my kitchen window

I have a cute nephew named Jacob. There is also a creepy character on that tv show, "LOST", named Jacob. There's a toddler that goes to church with us named Jacob. But today, I met a new Jacob.

I'd like to introduce you to him:

Today Cecily named her first toy. She set it on the back of the toilet while I was doing my hair and started saying "Jacob! You have a ball, jacob! You have a hat, jacob!" To which Jacob would reply "yeah, a hat!"

Yes, it's a sprinkler. And, if you can't tell (it took me a while) it's an elephant holding a ball. Over the past month or so her little imagination has taken off. She plays with her finger puppets and dolls and talks to them and they sometimes say things back to her. Sometimes I can understand the "cecily language" she speaks, other times I can't, but it's always adorable.

She has always just called her dolls "babies" and her finger puppets are animals, so she just calls them what they are. This is the first time she ever realized that toys could have names too. I'm in love with her. She's great.

Also, this is the view from my kitchen window. I'm a lucky gal. One of the things I love about winter (and this apartment) is that when all the leaves fall off, I can see the temple out the window again. It's peaceful. And ps- if you're a creepy person, please don't stalk me. I kind of just told you where I live, but I'm not that interesting and I have no money, so don't come to my house.............

christmas comes but ...twice a year?

The past week has been pretty darn sweet. We got to see Mike's parents and family at the beginning of last week, then my mom came down and spent a little time with us at the end of the week, and my cute niece Esther got to stay with us for a night. THREE VISITORS IN ONE WEEK! SCORE! Just in-case you don't already know, we are blessed to have a GREAT extended family. Not only that, but they left some Christmas presents (woo hoo) to save on shipping!

As a precursor to this story: Cecily has been really excited about any and all presents since her birthday- the girl can't get enough of 'em.

The presents brought to us by the Vincent's have been neatly tucked away in a box until December 25th, but the presents from the Lay side were sitting out in the living room after my mom left to go back home yesterday.......... and I went to take a shower............ and I came back to this:

That is a fabulous waffle iron from my parents (thanks grammy and papa lay!) and some freeze dried strawberries, which are heaven as far as I'm concerned. Instead of re-wrapping them, I'm just going to put them away and take them out again at Christmas (call me scrooge).

I walked out and Cecily held up the can over her head and yelled "YAY, MOM! PRESENTS! PRESENTS FOR MINE CECILY!"

She then started to open another and was 1/2 way done before I could (dripping wet) stop her. It was actually a gift for her little brother, but since he's still a while away from playing with them, I decided to let her open it and have some fun. She'd already seen it was some sort of toy, and frankly, I didn't want to fight it. When she saw what it was she started saying "Cars, mommy! yittle cars! Cecily's yittle cars!" Ever since then, she's been running around with "mine yittle cars" and putting them in her pockets and having a great time. Again, thanks Grammy and Papa Lay.

Mike got me these candle holders off EBay and they came in the mail a week or so ago, so we're all about the early christmas cheer in this house. When I was growing up, my parents had (and still have) a set of wise men candle holders which hold big 12 inch tall candles. Every Christmas Eve we light them and let them burn all the way down before we have to go to bed. It was one of our very favorite traditions. My parents have had the candle holders since the first Christmas they were married. I found these ones which are almost identical to my parents' and Mike was nice enough to let them be an early Christmas gift.

Another bit of info- I had an appointment with my midwife this morning and there's still confusion about my due date......... On the ultrasound the baby's gestational age puts my due date at the 23rd, but my midwife thinks it's best to stay with the later date just incase. Yeah, I was REAL excited about that one. Anyway, it is somewhere between January 23rd and Feburary 3rd. So, I'm either 30 weeks or 28 1/2 weeks along. I wouldn't count on calling to congratulate us on the 23rd, though................. Either way, it's getting closer! We're getting anxious to meet this little dude of ours. Love him more than anything already.

PHOTOS

Hey all- I just posted some pics on my photography blog if you want to check 'em out. They're of my cute cousin, so if you're related to me you will LOVE them! Actually, if you're related to me, you will hopefully love ALL my pics............

Kisses,

Wendy

www.wendyvincentphotography.blogspot.com

creativity

I have been feeling a little lack-luster lately. A little dull. A little stale.

I feel like I need to be inspired by something.

That's where you come in.

I need your ideas for a new skill I could teach myself, or something that inspires you, or just a hobby you enjoy. If you have a moment- let me know what makes you laugh, or keeps you going, or is just plain fun to do. I want to do it too. See how popular you are?

I also found this and wanted to share. Click here.

PS- I will be teaching myself a new skill within the next few weeks : "How to beging the process of potty training a small, cute, girl child" but something tells me this is not quite the stimulation I'm looking for.

the belle of the ball

HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

We enjoyed the holiday today by going to the church primary party (which I worked my tush off to put together- and it was super- yay me) then by spending the evening trick or treating with some of our favorite people on the planet, Jeff, Celina, Esther, and Stevie. Celina remarked that Cecily was the belle of the ball 'cause she was such a cute little bumble bee, and I couldn't agree more.

This was her first time Trick-or-Treating, and her cousin Esther couldn't have been a better teacher. She helped her say "trick or treat!" at all the doorsteps, and even held Cecily's hand when it was sticky from a sucker. Now that's cousin love!

She wins the award for the cutest bumble bee in the history of mankind.

She liked going around to all the tables and looting the candy buckets....

Esther the Vampire Princess, Cecily the Bee, and Stephen the Dinosaur.

We hit up all the houses of people Esther knew in the neighborhood. They both got quite the stash of candy.

Mike was a super cute proud papa of his girl tonight. He had tons of fun helping her learn to trick or treat. ps- CJ is saying CHEESE!

..this is your life....

Today I instant messaged mike while he was at work. The conversation went like this:

Me: Hey! Do you know where my phone is? I can't find it.

Mike: no

Me: Well, can you call me so I can find it?

Me: how is work?

Me: how were the burrito's?

Me: the girl is poopy. this is my life

Me: at least she's happy, though

Me: and she is giving me kisses

Me: and she is trying to sit on her brother

Me: and she just wrote on your white shoes with pen.

(long pause)

Me: you are busy. i shouldn't message you at work, sorry

Me: but I love you

Me: call me when you have time...... maybe I'll find my phone when you do....

I have no idea why I found it so amusing when I re-read it. I guess the one-sided nature of it made me laugh. Plus the fact that my world is my 2 year old. Gotta love it. Some days when I don't have things to do (shopping, mom's group, etc) I crave adult converstation and it was just funny the way I kept trying to get him to respond. He's a busy man. I think I need a hobby :)

Another funny bit 'o information:

Cecily is convinced that there are 3 babies in mommy. One in my tummy and one in each breast. Every time I tell her there's a baby inside and point to my tummy, she pats my belly and says "hi baby" then proceeds to pat each boob and say "hi baby.... hi baby" Sorry chick, that's not how it works. Cracks me up every time, though.

CONGRATS, MIKE!

I have a smart hubby! He called me a few minutes ago and told me that he got a great score on the GMAT and is going to start his MBA program in January. Utah guidelines for the CPA exam are more strict than most states, so he needs to have a masters degree before he can sit for the CPA exam and this is a great step towards finishing that goal! I'm really proud of him. Hugs and kisses, babe! LOVE YA!