Covergirl

So it is a constant thought in my brain that I should put Hailey in modeling. I watch TV and see kids in commercials and 9 time out of 10 not only do I think, but I KNOW my kid is cuter than them. I like to think that I will get around to it sometime, but then I think, what if she's good at it and then flash forward 15 years and I have a little Hailey Miley Cyrus on my hands. And I just don't have it in me to be a mom-ager. I have no desire to be in a support group with Dina Lohan and Kris Jenner, nor do I have the tan.

But Hailey is just really coming into her own right now. It's weird to think that at 15 months old, she can somewhat already tell me what she's thinking. We've already established what syllables mean what and she fully understands and usually can complete the tasks asked of her, provided you end every request with , "like a big girl." Those are the magic words. And almost everything is responded to with a kiss...or a slap in the face... we're working on appropriate timings for both. She is an absolute girl when it comes to getting ready and shopping.. She loves my makeup bag and absolutely adores a good pair of sunglasses. But then again she also likes to eat dirt and chase the dog with her toothbrush. So maybe she's just well rounded?

Everyone says you need to set firm boundaries and make sure you establish your authority, but there are times when it is hard to keep a straightface when I'm trying to do all of those. When she looks at you with a face full of spaghetti-os or when she's not so secretly sneaking dog food into her pockets, or even when she has perfect fart timing.... THAT's RIGHT I SAID IT.... fart timing. How can you get mad at her when she calls for your attention in the middle of an argument with your spouse and she just rips it.... again, Lee has never been prouder.

There's Really No Excuse.

I would like to say that I have some super awesome excuse for not jotting down my thoughts since... when was it... OCTOBER? FAIL! Sorry. Raising a spider monkey of a child is no excuse for not having time to unload my topsy turvy brain on to a public internet site. Ok so... REWIND.... I'll go with the abridged version.

Halloween:
My sister and I had the great idea of dressing the dogs and Hailey as Alice in Wonderland. So one trip to Target and I had everything I needed ( naturally). Excpet when I went to put Hailey in her adorable little costume, it got stuck. Not the zipper... no no... the dress got stuck on Hailey's head. So much so I had to CUT.IT.OFF. So scratch that idea. So now the dogs are from Alice in Wonderland and Hailey is a make shift ballerina. The cutest darn thing I ever pulled off. It made me want to rush her to a ballet studio.

Hailey's First Birthday:
Pretty much your typical first birthday, all grown ups and high hopes of cake smashing... She had absolutely no interest in the cake and cried, and I mean CAH-RIED when we sang happy birthday to her. It wasn't until her presents came that she somewhat calmed down. As demonstrated in the photos below.

Thanksgiving:

Ok now this actually went off a lot smoother than any other event. Through Hailey's first year we kept meat pretty much out of the picture. I'm not a vegan or a commune farmer or anything, I just felt that since I breastfed her exclusively the first year and she ate nothing but heaps upon heaps of leafy greens that she'd turn out ok. I also was none to excited for that particular type of diaper change. Anyhoo... so as we sat down to the turkey table with Hailey's little high chair tray full of all the delectable fare that is Thanksgiving dinner I awaited her first choice. Her hand grazed over the sticky rolls, the potatoes, and the green beans... and she went straight for the HAM. Lee had never been prouder. *** she did however devour the spinach souffle... most of her ham went to the dogs***

(I will save a separate post for CHRISTMAS)

NEW YEARS:
Who are we kidding, we were all asleep by 9:30, and no that is NOT lame. This is Vegas- people treat this town like New Years all year long- I can debauch anytime...

And now we are just about to approach Valentine's Day, which will sadly be spent on a plane to Fargo ( yes that Fargo; yes I have seen the movie, yes they really talk like that and yes I'm aware it is currently in a tundra state) but we will be going for Lee's grandmother's funeral. She passed away on Thursday and will be sorely missed. So as we remember to celebrate US on Valentine's Day, we remember to love those who loved others to make our lives possible and send our thoughts and prayers to the Soderling family.

Margaret Soderling (1930-2011)