Reason #1 I am proud I don't drink coffee

Every time this commercial comes on, I cringe in embarrassment for all those involved.


Remember, it's a long way from West Africa.

I can't wait till Friday, when Claire opens her Christmas gifts (so carefully chosen and thoughtfully planned) and gets more satisfaction out of the paper than said gifts.

Only a few more days till we sail away!

I realized yesterday how much easier my life will be if I can get Claire weaned off bottles by the time we go on our cruise. That gives me a little less than two weeks. She has been taking sippy cups well for a while, though she prefers a straw, but not a FULL serving of milk like she will a bottle. We are now down to a bottle with breakfast at 7:30, with lunch at 11:30, after nap at about 4:00 and with dinner at about 6. Since she is finally predictable, I am starting to feel like I can REALLY do this. Does anyone have any tips? She likes the sippy, but I can tell her annoys her when it hits her nose, and I don't blame her. She also tends to suck out more than she can swallow, and nothing annoys me more than seeing the precious milk I have rationed in the freezer go pouring down her chin! Any advice is greatly appreciated!

The Pie

This photo was taken in December 11, 2006. Chris and I had been dating a couple months.

The following was taken last week. I'm pretty happy with where the last three years have taken me.