Looking forward to 2010!

Cocoa-tine

Jillian's beverage of choice is "cocoa milk" aka, Ovaltine.  She loves it.  This morning I was making her a glass and said, "uh oh Jillian, we're almost out of Ovaltine... better go shopping!" To which she replied, "I don't want Ovaltine, I want Cocoa-tine!" Then she looked for my reaction, tilted her head back and laughed (her fake throaty laugh) hysterically.  She's so funny!

Merry Christmas!!!

AND, CHECK OUT THE SLIDESHOW BELOW OF OUR CHRISTMAS MORNING!

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AND, CHECK OUT THESE PHOTOS FROM OUR CHRISTMAS EVE IN NYC!

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Blizzard 2009

I'm sure you've heard there was quite a bit of snow this weekend on the East coast. Well, here in Maryland, we got 17 inches.  More in some areas! Wowzer!  Despite the fact that I'm still sore from shoveling our driveway with Ryan (and Jillian) I have to say that it is quite beautiful.  Really makes you feel like it's Christmas!

Peanut:

Our back yard:

Jillian, all dressed up to go out: Our little helper with her "first snow gift", a shovel!

The snow was too deep for Jillian to scoot around, so she had a "snow tea party":

Sledding with Mommy and Daddy:

We had a great time out there, and still have snowman making to look forward to... maybe tomorrow!

For now, enjoy this video which shows a little slice of my husband's brilliance. I love this guy:

Little girl bed...

Okay.  We did it.  Jillian has officially been in a toddler bed since Friday (Dec. 11th) and she's doing a GREAT job.  Jillian loves rules, so keeping her in bed has been no problem.  In the morning, she has to "wait for the eight" on her clock, and then she can come out by herself.  She loves this.  She's been quite a fan of reading the numbers on the clock for some time, so this really appealed to her.  

The last morning I went in to take her out of her crib could not have been more perfect.  Honestly, it made me tear up when it happened, and puts a lump in my throat now...  When we give Jillian a bath, I sing a Beatles song to her when we rinse the shampoo out- "Close your eyes and I'll kiss you, tomorrow I'll miss you...."  When I went in on Friday morning, she started singing this song to me.  I joined in, and right to the end, "I'll send all my lovin' to you" we sang together and then touched each others noses on the word you.  I melted.  Then I said, aw, sweet baby- I love you so much Jillian!  She replied: "I love you more more Mommy."

Pretty awesome memory for the last time I went in to get her out of her crib.  :)

Here's Ryan taking the front off of Jillian's crib:

And one HAPPY GIRL checking out her, "little girl bed"
Do I lay like this?:
And then, here is step two of moving Jillian out of a crib.  Her crib is convertible, so once we're done using the toddler rail, the back of the crib will become the headboard.  Once we put a full size mattress in her room, she'll need new bedding.  Our wonderful friend Shere has agreed to help me (aka, I'm just suppling fabric and ideas- haha) with a big quilt project.  I want to use some of the materials from Jillians nursery set to incorporate into a quilt. It's going to be fabulous.

These are the extra fabrics I've purchased, and a few of the butterfly squares off of her crib bumper...
Close up of fabric:

More fabric:
More: (The dark brown flower print on the right of this picture was actually the fabric used for MY baby blanket!  My mom found a large piece in her fabric box recently so I just had to incorporate it!)
And finally, a nice comfy butterfly print that will be the entire back of the quilt:
Jillian and I went to a couple of fabric stores to get all these pieces, and she was a big help in the selection process (seriously!)  

I can't wait to see the finished product!

Ballet Class- November '09

This video is from Jillian's final ballet class last session. It's a little long, but my sister would be mad if I never posted it. So, Marilyn, this is for you...

Jillian says the pledge

Since I'm in the mood to share video, here is one of Jillian saying the pledge awhile back. This is one of our favorite "show off what our little girl can do" tricks. :)  Visit the blog directly to view it: www.kulesfamily.blogspot.com

and have a wonderful day!

Singing Christmas Songs!

Okay- you can't HELP but be impressed by Jillian singing the 12 days of Christmas!  Thanks Kathy for this great book!

If you get this update via email, click on this link: www.kulesfamily.blogspot.com to view this video without having to download it... 

Love

No further description needed.  :)

First Dec. Snow '09

This morning was our first snow here at the house. Jillian helped pick out her outfit (and button the jacket- haha) and really enjoyed playing in the cold. Last year I started a tradition of giving a little snow related gift on the first snow of the year. The snow today was on and off though, and didn't stick to the patio or sidewalks. So- no special snow gift just yet... it's gotta really stick to count. I know, I know... I'm a mean Mom! :)

We sent Jillian out without gloves on so she could touch the snow. She really liked wiping the snow off the deck/chairs, but after a few minutes came to the door and said, "Mommy- I need mittens. I need TWO mittens!" Sweet girl.

Have a great day- we're lighting a fire, and making s'mores for lunch!

Nancy

I found a new way to share the rest of the photos in an event... Check out the Shutterfly slideshow below...

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Decorating the House for Christmas...

I would like to take a moment to document the fact that in the midst of our oh-so-merry Christmas decorating, Jillian looked like this:

And like this:
And like this:
Yup, I guess she didn't get the memo that this was a happy, exciting, family moment and chose to be a cranky face instead.  

Of course, a few minutes later she proudly displayed our felt Christmas stars:
and was up on Daddy's shoulders reaching the top of the tree:
Can you tell by the grouping here how tall Jillian is?  lol:
The finished look in our living room:
Here's Jillian opening a few early gifts:
This part, she LOVES:
To check out the rest of the photos we took while decorating, click this LINK!

Hope you are having fun preparing for the holidays!

Nancy