Temper Tantrums

Are we in the terrible 2's already or what?! Here is Ilana in the throws of a typical temper tantrum. Thankfully we haven't had any "public" ones yet, but I'm sure they're coming soon.
I don't even remember what this one was about...I almost never do. I've adopted the "ignore and smile" tactic to deal with these. It works well so far and the tantrums end fairly quickly. Then she gets a hug and kiss from me, as well as a reminder that I love her.
Paul and I are still feeling a bit sick today. I skipped MOPS (DANGIT!!), but we're going to run some errands to get me some Sudafed and get Ilana a potty...I'm starting to think in that direction. She's VERY curious in the bathroom these days. :) :) :) Hopefully the Sudafed will help, and a good nap.
-H

You know you're in Texas when...

1. you wake up and this little guy is hanging out in your bathroom...
He was only about 1 1/2 inches long, but I did see him leave the bathroom and I haven't been able to find him since. :) Maybe he'll show up again one day, big and green...!

2. your marching band goes into a state-shaped formation at the beginning of every football game to play the official state song.
Yes, this shot is upside down, but you can see the shape a lot easier. We were on the wrong side of the stadium apparently.

More pictures to come. It's been crazy here lately. Paul and I are both sick, we're doing our best to keep Ilana healthy. Maybe after I get a nap today I'll blog a bit more. :)
-H

ps-I wish the rain would go away. You also know you're in Texas when it floods every time it rains. It makes taking the dog out a little more...adventurous.

Toddler-hood here we come!

Well, ever since Ilana started walking life around here has drastically changed. It's a good thing Ilana's super cute, because there are some days (i.e. EVERY) that are a real challenge. Apparently, for Ilana, walking has made her a true toddler and with toddler-hood comes OPINIONS. Ilana is making her opinions known...very clearly. However, she still doesn't have words, but they are coming any day now - she babbles all the time. The one word she has completely down is "bye-bye." She says is anytime a door closes (even the oven door), the phone is hung up, we finish reading a book. She even says it in place of "night-night." She has that one down - any time anything ends or we're done using it, it's "bye-bye." She understands a lot, but doesn't say much. So, the challenges of raising a toddler begin.
On this day we were trying out pig-tails. I'd say they work! My word, she's way too cute!
We finally have an excuse to wear a rain jacket - we've hit the rainy season here in TX (which means the temps are also going down!!). I might just have to put it on her for no reason some days - SUPER CUTE!
We give her proper utensils at every meal now. She knows she's supposed to do something with them, but she hasn't quite gotten it all down yet. Still, she's on her way.
On this particular day she picked out her outfit - she pointed to it incessantly one morning with her "ah!" that she uses whenever she wants something. Later that day she proceeded to eat the crayons we were using to color.
Then when we took the dog out, she decided to take her sunglasses.
She's pure trouble, but growing up every day. She's such a sponge, absorbing everything I do, my reactions, my faces. It's kind of scary because I catch her "practicing" my faces - AH!! It's a good thing she's super cute!
-H

The most beautiful thing

Ah, perspective is EVERYTHING! I know that to some people this might seem crazy, but yes, one of the most beautiful things I have seen in almost 13 months is a half-sized portable dishwasher hooked up to our kitchen faucet...
It even works! Well, it disinfects, but it disinfects WELL!
It's on the small side, but so is our space and our plate and bowl selection.
Paul has made me a happy happy wife. :)
-H

Family Picnic

The weather has finally gotten down to the mid-90's (it's in the 60's at night!!) - SO BEAUTIFUL!! We had no choice but to have a family picnic last Sunday night out at Baylor's challenge course - one of the only places we can let Moses roam off-leash...
while we enjoyed our feast!
The homemade bread was delicious!
Ilana thoroughly enjoyed playing in (covering herself with) the mulch.
After about 30 minutes of pure sniffing, Moses finally sat down.
We went on a short family walk.
Ilana found a stick to chew on.
We had such a great time we might just have to make this a Sunday night Miller family tradition!
-H

What are we doing??

a) Practicing our moving skills
b) Getting rid of our ant infestation
c) Creating a BIG run-around area for Ilana
d) Getting our living room carpet cleaned
...
...
...
The correct answer is: D!! We have THE BEST housekeeping staff in the North Village. They spent 3 hours in our apartment last week steam-cleaning our nasty carpet. I didn't realize how smelly our apartment was until about 30 minutes into Miss Sonya's work. Our carpets are officially the cleanest they've been since we moved in, and now we're moving back into our living room. :)
And of course, here's a video of Ilana enjoying the fan we used to help the drying process along...

As far as the other options go, we haven't had any ant infestations what-so-ever this summer (YEAH!!) and as much as I'd love Ilana to have a big area to run around in, we also need a living room. Maybe some day. But I have a feeling we'll need to practice our moving skills before that day comes along. :)
-H

a confession

Well, I must confess that now that I have a Facebook account and my internet time is divided between it and blog-land, recently Facebook has been winning out. Sorry...I'm back...I'll try to be better in the future. So for those who still don't have a Facebook account, for whatever good reason, here is an update...
We are completely back to normal, or at least the "new normal" now that Ilana is walking. She is being very... "helpful" around the house these days. She loves to help unload the groceries...
unload the paper shredder...
help me keep the pictures on our computer organized...
and even sort the laundry!
Who knows, in a few weeks, she might even be doing the dishes. Now THAT would be a miracle!
Here's a recent video, so you can see her in "full action." Yes, this activity was her idea, don't worry the diaper is clean. Enjoy. :)

-H