Clips of Nora and Henry

I swear he jibber jabbers, and I can never catch it on camera!

Biggest Losers Ever

Willis is doing a "biggest loser" competition at work (I'd so be in on that action if I were back at the office). There are 29 people in the running, and I've decided that I'll do my own "biggest loser" thing as moral support. That means I'm actually kind-of dieting. Yep. I'm counting calories, and I'm exercising. I'm going to do it for as long as Willi's competition lasts (which is about 20 weeks).

I've never done a diet before, so I'm a little freaked. It's already been a bit overwhelming. I've never even looked at how many calories are in the food I eat. Isn't that nuts? I just had no idea how many calories everything has! I'm going to do it, though. I have to try it! My goal is to lose about 20 pounds in those 20 weeks.

I'm using www.livestrong.com/myplate as a means to count calories and fitness activities. It's fairly addicting. My only concern is that I couldn't factor into my plan that I'm breastfeeding. So, that may throw a big stick in the spokes. We'll see. I'm supposed to be at 2005 calories a day (and that's without this thing knowing that I'm currently breastfeeding). So, I'll try to stick to that and see what happens. If I feel like I'm going to, like, die, then I'll reevaluate that number.

Once I actually lose the weight, I'll consider posting before and after pictures. For now, I'd rather not jinx myself by posting the before photos right now. Besides, people need to see those images side by side to get the full effect. Am I right? Willis refused to participate in any sort of photo-taking regarding this matter. So, you'll just have to use your imagination.

I actually kind-of started everything yesterday. It was a trial run day for me. Today was more serious. So far, so good! I'll just be interested to see how good naughty foods start looking once I'm about a week into it (and maybe not just naughty foods, but ANY food). We've tried to rid the house of such nonsense. We'll soon find out how we did.

Dilly out!

Old-School Nora in the Johnny Jump Up

Just for fun, I had to go back and dig up a video and a photo of Nora in the Johnny Jump Up for comparison.

Nora is about Henry's age in this video.


She's a little older than Henry in this photo.

They're Almost Playing Together!

I wish I could catch them smiling and looking at me at the same time!












This is Henry's first time in the Johnny Jump Up! He's finally strong enough!



















So fun!

Henry's First Time in the Johnny Jump Up

Nora wanted to help. I kind-of figured that would happen.

Li'l Sweeties

Nora has been saying some new sentences lately. My favorite happened yesterday. I was rushing to get the kids and me ready to go to an eye doctor appointment (Willis was picking us up to take us all there), and I must've looked stressed. While I was changing her diaper, Nora looks at me (all serious-like) and says, "What matter, Mommy?"

I immediately had to laugh, and I explained that nothing was wrong: we just had to hurry! So funny. That's the first time she's ever really implored about something regarding feelings.

Yesterday, Nora also clearly said, "I love you," after I said it to her first. It was so stinkin' sweet, I about cried.

Her two-year molars are coming in (she's drooling all over the place and shoving her entire fist in her mouth lately), and she'll occasionally say, "Teeth hurt!"

Poor kid.

When penguin is missing (which is often lately), she'll wander around the house going, "Penguin! Where are you?"

Sometimes, she'll also say, "I [will] find him!"

She genuinely seems to like Henry, but she'll still get a twinge of jealousy now and then (especially now that the holidays are over, it seems to have kicked back up a notch or two). I don't have to be afraid of her being close to him or alone with him, though. She would never hurt him (not purposely, anyway). She still gives him her penguin when he's crying, and that is still a big deal.

What's more: Henry absolutely loves Nora. He will chuckle at her across the room when she's dancing around and being silly. Sometimes, he just laughs at her to get her to look at him. When they interact, it's so awesome. I really need to get a video of it if it's even possible. Even a photo would do. It's so hard to catch them both at the right moment!

It's so nice having little sweeties. I'll keep 'em.

Just Some Photos (Some Involve Snow)

One of several new outfits for Henry boy.




He's grown rather tired of the flash.


Nora gets braids sometimes.


This was the day she peed in the potty AND on the couch.


Henry passed out after playing particularly hard.




A pair of several new pajamas of Nora's.

SNOW!


Nora wanted to swing.






I had to go back and help her get down. She couldn't quite move like she'd like.




We got even more snow after these pics were taken.


























She wanted me to pick her up and lift her onto the higher snow so she could see the snowman up close. What she forgets is that she would sink to the bottom of that snow if I put her in it.








She wanted to stay outside forever.


Going to see the fish pond at the neighbors' house across the street. (They have goldfish in there, and they're in there all year round!)