May 1995

Do you know my mom? Let me give you a little background...
My mother was a very young mother. Too young. She had my sister very early in her first marriage and I followed two years later. It didn't take long for that marriage to end and then she was left with two small girls alone. How does a single mother do it? Seriously, I want to know.

My mother did it. She raised my sister and I to be confident and strong. She told us we were smart, pretty, gifted, talented, the best. We always came first, were number one. She would believe our story over anyone else's. She gave us little things to make us happy and feel appreciated.

I always felt loved by my mother.

Yesterday she sent me a package, completely out of the blue. That, in itself, is not surprising; she sends the kids things all the time. In the package was stickers for the Ms and a book, Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch. I'm sure we have all read this book. I have read it a million times and probably cry every time. I saw the book and thought how sweet that my mother had bought this book for us. When I opened it I saw this note that I had wrote almost 14 years ago!

(May 1995)
Mum-
I hope raising Wendy and me wasn't too much trouble. I hope the three of us will always be together. Save this book for Chance and possibly my future kids.
I love you,
Niki

My mother wrote this note to me:
I read this note you wrote me and cried. How wonderful you are. Trouble? Never! I was such a terrible mom. I think that's why you turned out to be a Great Mom. I wish I could have been a mom like you. I love you.

Michael's belated birthday

In my absence and with the holidays encroaching I never publicly wished my dear husband Happy Birthday. You see, at the time of Michael's birthday Seattle was under a blanket of oppressive snow. Happy Belated 37th Birthday, Michael, we love you!

You're how old!?

Madeleine helping Daddy blow out the candles.

Max waiting patiently for the cake to be cut.

Madeleine helping Daddy lick off all the frosting.

Potty Training

We have been working on potty training a bit with hopes that we will be diaper free by their third birthday in June. Madeleine has pretty much done the job herself (with a few exceptions) but Maxy has absolutely no interest. If put on the potty he will go, usually, but he never initiates.

Madeleine prefers the big potty with the toddler insert.



Playing with playdoh, notice the underpants.

Maxy likes the little red potty on the floor.

As long as he can multitask he has no problem sitting there.

What I have been doing lately....

I know I am loooong overdue to update. Here's what I have been up to:

1. Working- I have managed to launch a fairly successful consulting biz, even in today's economy. I'm swamped with students/clients and very happy to serve.

2. The nanny gets the benefit of nap time- The kids are sleeping later and I'm working earlier, therefore I don't have as much time as I use to.

3. I've been researching preschools and programs for 3 year olds- don't get me started on over-priced preschools that claim that they have an 'enriching curriculum'. Seriously, spending $1200 per month for two to three days of 3 hour 'play school'.... puhleeze.

4. I got sucked into the Twilight saga- need I saw more?

5. I've gotten sucked into watching nearly every speech President Obama does- I still cannot get over this, it deserves its own post.

6. Seattle Snow- didjah know that Seattle was paralyzed under a blanket of snow during the holidays? It sucked. I moved to the city so that I could avoid the snow.

7. Michael set us up with a brand spankin new computer- I was holding out to use the 'insert memory card here' feature.

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How are the kids, you ask? They are marvelous. They are the cutest, brightest, most musical, little artists you have ever seen. They keep me moving and keep me laughing. Not a day goes by that Michael and I don't share the funniest freaking story about them. Here's a few:

a) Max sat up this morning with a gasp and uttered a small "oh". When I asked him what was up he said, "Where are the firemen? I thought there were firemen here" He was dreaming!

b) Madeleine made up a new word: googie

c) Max told me that he couldn't take his medicine because it didn't feel good on his throat.

d) Madeleine pronounced that she needs to take Swimming Lessons and then she mimics swimming while roaming around the room.

e) Max made up a song about his orange fish. It goes a little like this:
His name is Orange Fluffy
He's a puppet
Orange Fluffy is so cute

I swear, they are a hoot and a hollar!

That baby doll pees all the time!

Madeleine got a new baby doll for Christmas. She also received all the accoutrement like diapers, a changing pad, wipes and the other necessities. Madeleine has become obsessed with her baby. She holds her, nurses her and most of all, changes her diaper. All the time. She will put a fresh diaper on the baby and then exclaims, "Oh my goodness, you peed again!" Sometimes she follows that with a 'good job' or a 'I'm so proud of you' (those are direct quotes from her daddy and me while Potty Learning).

That baby doll pees constantly.