Snow!

I'll admit it- I like snow. Most people react with horror to that statement, as though I was proclaiming that I liked something terrible, like kicking puppies or Russell Crowe movies (to be fair, I don't hate all Russell Crowe movies, just almost all of them...). But I do, I like snow. I don't love driving in it, or the cold that can come with it, but if it's winter, I prefer to look out and see the beautiful blanket of white rather than a dingy, brown yard.

This year was Q's first real experience with snow. Last year she was just a bit too little to really appreciate it (crawling through a foot of snow? Perhaps not...) But this year, this year she was ready. So when we got our first "real" snow, we bundled her up, and took her outside. Overall, she did well. There were a few lost mitten mishaps, and she was not always the best at navigating the terrain, but I think it's safe to say she's been initiated into winter now.

Some more pictures- the Canada trip...

I realize now the phrase "some more" seems to indicate there would be just a few photos. That is not the case- here are many photos from our recent trip to Canada. From top to bottom, Mont Tremblant, Quebec City, Montreal and Ottawa.

Some photos...

Since I stared this blog mainly as a place to share photography... you'll have to bear with me as the next few posts do just that. In truth, I'm just happy that I've got pictures of things that aren't Q for the first time in months. Enjoy!

These were taken at Holy Hill, in Wisconsin.

Princess Biz Markie

I admit it. My biggest fear when having a daughter was that someday she would arrive at the princess phase. I loathe the princess phase, I fear the princess phase, I hope to avoid the princess phase.

Why? Because I am SO not the princess type. Yes, I can be somewhat girly, but I'm not a pink, frills, manicures, etc. type of girl. So, if Q decides she will be this type of girl, I am in trouble.

A few months back a dear friend of mine loaned us some Little People playsets. This is huge, as Q loves these, and they aren't cheap, and they take up a bunch of space, so getting the ones her daughter was done with was nice for us. We received 3, a farm, Noah's Ark, and a princess castle. The farm received top billing in the family room, Noah's Ark went to Q's room, and the princess castle hid in the guest room.

About a week ago, on a detour to the bath, Q discovered it. "Oooooh!" was her exclamation, and the purple and pink unicorn had to accompany us to the bath. Tonight again, we detoured, and this time the other unicorn and two princesses had to join us in the bath. Seeing how much she loved it made me cave, I brought the pink and purple princess castle to her room for her to play with.

She loved it, oohed and ahhed, made the girliest noises ever. And then the best part happened. She leaned forward and put her mouth against the majestic trumpets on the castle's spire, and started beat boxing into it (well, her version at least...) Yes! Perhaps the "Biz's Beat of the Day" segments on Yo Gabba Gabba are wearing off! Either way, if she wants to be a rapping princess, I'm all for it.

And given my love of all things 80s rap, I can be certain with this act that she is most certainly, her mommy's child.

Finished- my latest project...

After several months, I finally finished. This is perhaps the most ambitious knitting project I've taken on thus far, so of course I have to post it and share. Now, to get to work on that blanket for the next baby on the way...


The pattern is from the book Mason-Dixon Knitting, if you're interested.

If you're happy and you know it leave a quote...

I like quotations. However, my problem is that I rarely remember the ones that I find most inspiring, so when an opportunity arises to share a quote, my mind blanks.

So, if anyone is actually reading this thing, please share with me some of your own favorites. Something that makes you smile, makes you laugh, has become your mantra, anything really.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll remember one of these in the future...

Children's Music

As a music lover, and a mom, it has become a personal mission to find child appropriate music to share with Q, particularly music that does not drive me crazy.

So far, I have put together a CD for her 1st birthday that we shared with the guests, and another as a lullabye cd for her.

I have to admit, I was pretty pleased with myself... so I'm sharing.

Birthday Mix

1. The Mighty Quinn- Manford Mann
2. Crazy ABCs- Barenaked Ladies
3. Getting Better- Gomez
4. Farm Song- The Laurie Berkner Band
5. We’re Going to be Friends- The White Stripes
6. Mahna Mahna- Cake
7. I’m a Believer- The Monkees
8. Rainbow Connection- Sarah McLachlan
9. Alphabet of Nations- They Might Be Giants
10. Itsy Bitsy Spider- O.A.R.
11. You Are My Sunshine- Elizabeth Mitchell
12. Wheels on the Bus- Kyle Andrews
13. Just Happy to be Me- The Fugees
14. The 3 Rs- Jack Johnson
15. Drive My Car- The Laurie Berkner Band
16. Octopus’ Garden- The Beatles
17. Seven Days of the Week- They Might Be Giants
18. Doin’ the Pigeon- Bert
19. Here Comes My Baby- Cat Stevens
20. 7 8 9- Barenaked Ladies
21. Meow Meow Lullaby- Nada Surf
22. What a Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong
23. Lullaby- Jack Johnson
24. Good Night- Matthew Sweet

Lullaby Mix

1. Somewhere Over the Rainbow- Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
2. California Stars- Billy Bragg & Wilco
3. Hold You in My Arms- Ray LaMontagne
4. Blackbird- Sarah McLachlan
5. You Are My Sunshine- Elizabeth Mitchell
6. See the World- Gomez
7. 1234- Feist
8. Which Will- Nick Drake
9. Falling Slowly- Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
10. Anything Else But You- Michael Cera & Ellen Page
11. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star-Elizabeth Mitchell & Lisa Loeb
12. Rainbow Connection- Sarah McLachlan
13. Meow Meow Lullaby- Nada Surf
14. Naked As We Came- Iron & Wine
15. Lullaby- Jack Johnson
16. Good Night- Matthew Sweet
17. Go To Sleep- Sarah Harmer
18. Pink Moon- Nick Drake

A few of my favorite things...

As a new mom, my priorities have shifted a bit. Things that used to make me really excited (a new book, new movie, new album from a favorite band, concert) have fallen to the wayside or go unnoticed. Things I would not have guessed I'd be excited about have emerged. I try to stay on top of things that I should be in the know about, but at times it's difficult with an opinionated 18 month old in the house.

So, while some of my favorite things are different now than they might have been a few years ago, that doesn't make them any less cool, at least in my book.

• Olivia (the Pig)- the books by Ian Falconer are great, but it's the TV show (now on Noggin) that has become a staple in our home. Q is known to wander over, point at the TV and ask "Via?" I perhaps should be ashamed by that, but it's pretty adorable.


• A Sippy Cup Leash- as someone who gets tired at meals of bending over and retrieving a sippy cup, or pausing on walks to go back 10 feet and retrieve the cup, this might just be the best invention ever. Can be found easily at most stores, or for those crafty folks, I even found a way to make them yourself.


• Target's $1 section- Some of Q's favorite, and most often read books come from the $1 section at Target, great finds in there.


• Penny People Designs (@etsy.com)- Great, reasonably priced prints- more "mod" artwork for your child's room. Great shower gifts, if you know the baby's name ahead of time.


• Yoplait Whips yogurt, frozen- Need that something sweet and feel you should indulge in a bowl of ice cream? These hit the spot, and keep you in check on portion control.
  
• Jack's Big Music Show- I tend to prefer "not annoying" shows when it comes to kids TV (don't we all, really?) And this one is great- lots of fun, different kinds of music, and no large purple dinosaurs.

Some updates...

It's been some time since I've posted, but I'm trying to get back into it.

However, since my last post, some things have changed (the title of the blog for one). Other life changes... a. we moved into a new house (which we built), b. we had a baby, who is now a busy, busy toddler, c. we've settled into our "grown up" life. Oh, and d. I got a new camera!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the last 18 months or so. I've been taking many pictures, they've just all been of the same subject, so I'll try to branch out more (or at least not make this an "all Q all the time" blog.

Enjoy!

The lovely Miss Q...