chris.reese.girls1.2.3.4

I don't know what's happening...I can no longer stay current on my TIVO-ed shows. The backlog gets longer every day. Chris says the solution is to cut back on the number of shows I watch, but how can I chose between my heroic Jack Bauer, the adorably mean Gregory House, and my new favorite Charlie Crews??! It's impossible! (I watch more than those 3 shows, but I won't actually divulge the embarrassing little detail of how many shows I do record.) I think it's all a product of the chaos of the last three months and the changes to our daily schedule and routine, which means less time at the end of the day to vedge and watch. Either way, every time Paige asks to watch Madagascar or Madagascar 2 for the umpteenth time, I slightly cringe and think of the shows I would rather be watching... I miss you, my sweet DVRs... (yes...there's two)

This video makes me smile so wide! Baby giggles are the best!

It only took me four months to get Brynn's name on the wall. People were always asking what that purple rectangle on the wall was for...I've been a little busy, okay!

Paige has been doing some interesting things lately: This is Paige and friend, Lena, making sugar cookies. They ate a lot of dough and frosting, what more do two little girls need! Paige is trying to convince me that she can nurse Brynn. This was her attempt the other day. You can't see Brynn's face in this picture, but she's wailing! And this is a random afternoon when Paige was snuggling Brynn on the couch upstairs and then asked, "Take a picture with me sleeping!" She loves seeing herself "pretend" sleeping in pictures, she thinks it's hilarious. And in an attempt to curb the "attitude" that's swelling in our lovely 3-year old, we've instigated the "Apken House Rules", which include: "No jumping on furniture" and "No slamming doors", along with many others. It seems we haven't had much of a steady routine for the last four months, what with a new baby, the holidays, a broken arm, etc. Along...

The trusty KIA was crunched to its death last Monday. Sniff Sniff. My parents bought it for me my sophomore year in college...I wasn't even married back then. It's been a GREAT car for us, with few problems. I have 100k+ miles of memories and road trips in this car (although Chris put most of the last 50k miles on it commuting to and from work the past few years). We are grateful Chris was not hurt, but we are now in the market for a cheap commuter car! (grumble grumble...I hate car shopping...)

In the past Chris has declined requests for tax services, but this year he's thinking he'd like a little extra work on the side. So for anyone needing such services, let me know and I can put you in touch with the boss. And if you will recall from this post , Chris recently passed the CPA exams... so you can get REAL tax help from a REAL accountant! Happy Tax Returns!!

If it's not one thing, it's something else. We are now sick in the Apken household. Chris has managed to stay healthy, but Paige and I seem to have it the worst. The good news??...Brynn is finally sleeping "better"...we are getting solid 4-hour increments. I will take it for now...

I saw my orthopedic today. I am officially out of the sling!! I should burn it in celebration... I've also been cleared to lift 2 pounds! That is a cup of coffee...or in my case, a can of soda. I start Physical Therapy this week and have at least six weeks worth of "The Torture Chamber" (as my aunt calls it). The bone is still healing, but looks good. I have lots of scar tissue and still some swelling in my elbow because of all the bleeding and drainage from the injury. The scar tissue will start "popping" as it gets broken up through PT and other movement. Sounds fun, huh?! So stay posted...it's progress!