I've Come to the Conclusion

That...

Being a parent is the best way to become aware of your weaknesses and faults...Very humbling indeed.

Exercise IS good for you. Espcially when done with a friend who makes you get up before the sun and can somehow still hold a conversation (with me) when words are basically shouted at her in between gasps for air. (Thanks Jackie)!

Good friends and family and good vacations are an absolute necessity in order to get through this life with any amount of sanity.

The amount of happiness on any given day for a stay at home Mom is directly related to how much and the quality of sleep she got the night before, how clean and organized her house is and how clean and cute her kids look that particular day.


It's hard to clean up the same things over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over (you get the idea) again. The monotiny may kill me!

Money REALLY is a necessary evil.

People are funny (and by that I mean FUN-NY)

And last but not least:

God loves us and wants us to be happy.

These conclusions may be a bit obvious but I'm not sure I could come to a conclusion UNLESS it was obvious...Hhhhhmmmm, maybe I should re take that philosophy class...

The Life and Times of Ethan, for today anyway...

Ethan loves to play outside and has recently discovered once again one of the not so fun parts of living in Texas. FIRE ANTS (he was introduced to the mean little pesks last year but I think he forgot all about them). Apparently we have some nice accomadations for the ants and they like to set up residence in our backyard. Ethan's made several trips outside with no shoes which has resulted in a couple of ant bites on his little feet. Which he's usually pretty tough about, he comes inside and tells me 'Ants, bite, feet...' Well, he's discovered the way to combat the 'ants, bite, feet' is to wear Mom's or Dad's (in this case both) shoes outside to protect his little piggies...

Unfortunately the shoes alone could not protect him from those fierce and nasty fire ants today. And...well...because he had shorts on, they got the best of him. I think the ants thought he looked like a nice fresh piece of corn on the cob, his entire shin and calf were covered in ant bites. Poor kid! Yeah there was much screaming and crying from both me and him... We got him doctored up with some rubbing alcohol which didn't really help. Then I tried baking soda, which seemed to work great, got a couple Cars band aids and he survived. Hopefully the trauma of it all won't stick with him forever.

Here's a few pictures before the tragic events of being almost eaten alive occured...

And...

Apparently if you consider yourself any kind of artist you must wear your Cars sunglasses when coloring, especially at night. I imagine the crayon colors take on a whole new hue when wearing sunglasses unlocking loads of color potential for Cookie Monster and Elmo... Look out Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Seurat here comes E-town Dondo with his Sesame Street masterpieces...

(I realize that the impressionists and post impressionists mentioned are dead and aren't really looking out for anyone since they're in heaven---presumably)

Happy "Balentime's" Day

Roses, Cards, Sugar Cookies (made with an awesome helper), jammies with hearts on them, funny kids and lots of love...Makes for a great Valentine's Day! Hope yours was great too!

My Big Girl

Here's a few shots that we had done at Target this week...

Funny the one day Abby decides to NOT take her morning nap is the day we scheduled her pictures to be taken.

She was not too happy about the whole thing and didn't want to sit still...

But all things considered I think we got some pretty decent pictures...







My cousin made this cute little tu-tu for Abby...Thanks Michelle!
I thought it would be cute on her chubby almost naked little body...
I think I was right...Was I right?
Thanks Kelly for help with the headband and flower...

Help a sister out-P.S. to the Happy to Report Post

I wanted to also mention what a good big brother Ethan was when Abby was getting her shots...First they pricked her little finger (oh the horror! with much crying) then they held her down and stab 3 needles into her chunky little thighs (More horror- poor baby and lots more crying). Ethan was so sweet and stood at the end of the table on the step stool and was saying so sweetly in a gentle little voice "AAAAbbbbyyy" trying his best to comfort his screaming sister. So even though he doesn't really like her, at least he loves her enough to recognize when she's in pain and tries to help a sister out!

Happy to Report...

I took Abby to the Doctor today and I'm happy to report that she is one healthy girl, with no sinus or ear infections to speak of-YAY!

She weighs 24 lbs. 8 oz. (almost as much as some of my friends)
Her height 30 3/4" (almost as tall as some of my friends)
And her head is 18 1/4" (slightly bigger than some of my friends)

To my friends aforementioned, you know who you are, you know I tease because I got nothin' but love for ya!

Seriously have I mentioned that Abby is our chunky monkey? She's in the 92% for weight, 90% for height and 90% for head size. She's basically square.

We sure do love our little square chunky monkey!

More Celebrating!

In true Peterson/Arredondo fashion, we celebrated Abby's birthday again! This time on Sunday with Linda and Virgil (Alex's Mom and StepDad)...

Abby had lots of fun, eating beef stew, eating a roll, eating yogurt, eating mashed peas (OK not the peas so much) and lots of cupcake--again in true Peterson fashion it's ALL about the food!

She also had fun opening some great gifts, Ethan also had lots of fun helping Abby open her gifts.

Not to beat a dead horse or anything but here's some MORE pictures of the birthday girl!

Poor Abby, she's been sick for a while now and it's obvious by the red nose/mouth/cheek area because we've had to wipe her nose so much! (Don't worry we're going to the Doctor Wed.)

Someone give that girl some cake! Obviously she's starving, she's resorted to eating her birthday cards!

Fun new toys! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa and Grammie and Pim and Everyone!

Love you lots!