Pigtails!

I would never have tried it myself ... never thought Nessa had enough hair for pigtails but this Sunday Megan proved me wrong as she put pigtails in Nessa's hair (and Nessa sat still for it!).




Sitting still for a photos was an entirely different matter!



OK, I just have to say "Isn't she totally adorable???"

And, mom, am I dreaming or does that look a lot like my 2 year old birthday picture? I'll have to dig those pictures out!


Nessa loved her pig tails and kept them in most of the day Sunday and wanted Megan to put them in again today (Monday) so at least this morning she had them in again! I wish she would leave barrettes in the same way. :-)

Mom and Nessa

This was supposed to be a photo to show everyone my new (short) hair cut! But the one of just me was with my eyes closed (some things never change) and this one doesn't really show the haircut well (and I don't have time to try to enhance it digitally for better light/color).

It's still a good picture though that Shawn snapped quickly before work last Thursday (?). We love catching those Nessa smiles!

Turn, Turn, Turn

Nessa has been learning about sharing, both at home and at daycare, and is pretty good about it most of the time. Whenever she's sharing something, she'll say "Megan's turn" (or Mommy's or Daddy's) then "Nessa's turn," back and forth until the food item is gone or it's time to play with something else.

Now "turn" has another use. This morning, Megan offered to help Nessa pick out her clothes, and Nessa said "Daddy's turn!" Whoever she wants to help her, it's their 'turn.' You gotta love toddler logic! :-)

Weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Groth

Here are a few quick pictures from this weekend.







It was wonderful for the girls to see Grandma Karen and Grandpa Don, and it was also nice for Shawn and I to get out late in the afternoon for an early movie and dinner out.

By the way everything you see in the photos that was knit (sweaters, hats, socks) were all made by Grandma Karen! :-)

More special features!

Ahh the sign of a modern toddler!

So, by now you have the idea that we watch Signing Time DVDs, um quite a lot (it's been every day this week I think). I console myself with the fact that Nessa doesn't watch any other TV/cartoons (the fact that we only have the most basic cable helps us resist that one!). So, Nessa is very used to DVDs.

Last night Nessa was watching Signing Time with Daddy (volume 5 I believe "My Day") and afterwards they watched all of the special features. And Daddy must have called them special features. This morning Nessa was again watching Signing Time, but this time with Mommy (Daddy's day to sleep in ... it was about 6 a.m.). Afterwards I wanted the special feature that showed additional signs and then the one that just went through all of the songs so I could practice. When those were done, I started turning it off and telling Nessa it was "all done." She looked at me and said "more special features?"

And there was much laughter! :-)

But there were no more special features as it was time to move on to less exciting things like folding clothes. :-)

Pizza Rose Brooks

Last night we had pizza for supper (in Tami's case, something resembling pizza). Nessa loves pizza. We were talking about the sign for pizza (technically you have to finger spell it but some shorten it to a two fingered Z), and Nessa started finger spelling and saying letters. Since started doing this while Shawn, Megan and I were all talking in a rather animated way, I only caught the end as she said and signed "a." I got Shawn's attention and said "she just spelled pizza!" I was so excited as she started smiled and started to do it again. Very carefully she signed and spelled: N E S S A and exclaimed "Pizza!"

And much laughter was heard.

We've been doing a lot of ASL finger spelling, especially of names. And we have been so proud the last few days when Nessa could correctly spell (say and sign) her name. Nessa has also been signing along and spelling along when we say and finger spell each of our names as well as some of her friend's names. She often asks us to do this. It's been great fun. And of course we were so proud of our smart little girl ... last night's funny proves what a normal funny toddler she is! :-)

Of course we still think she's brilliant and beautiful, and ... and has parents that are just a wee bit biased! ;-)

TWO snow days in ONE week!

Yes, folks La Crosse must no longer be considered one of the last schools to cancel. I suppose we can blame the bus company for Monday's lack of school since the buses were literally snowed in due to a broken snow plow (http://www.wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=6144525), but still it was interesting how many kids made it to the mall or mount La Crosse for skiing that day!

Today, on the other hand, was just one of those winter storm days that was hard to call so, like most schools today, La Crosse I'm sure was just being cautious. This second storm has been very unpredictable but in the end pretty kind to us. We got a little bit of freezing rain and ice yesterday but not nearly as much as predicted and the snow today hasn't been too bad. We had about 3.5 inches overnight and another inch or so this morning.

This time around the real blizzard weather went north and west of us ... I haven't had a chance to check on details in all the cities/towns that way but I hear it was pretty bad (if you're reading from that area, drop a comment and update everyone).

Last weekend is now being referred to as the Blizzard of 2007 around here. I hope that means there won't be another one this year. :-) I believe our official snow totals for that blizzard here on the south side of La Crosse was 22 inches. The most I heard was the Winona, MN area with 29.5 inches!! (I don't know how much they've received in this most recent storm but likely more than we have.)

Megan is making me proud as she is out helping the neighbor (elderly lady) shovel her driveway! :-)

Megan also said that later this weekend she would help Nessa make a friend for our snowman (I think he needs a little help first between a little melting, freezing rain and now snow covering his hat, etc., but then a friend would be good.)

I'm working from home today and right now I'm waiting forever for an import as I evaluate a new documentation tool that I need to write up an ROI for by Monday...

Hope all of you are warm, safe and well.

If You Hum A Few Bars I Can Fake It

I sing a lullaby to Nessa most nights before she goes to bed (a song called "River of Sleep" that I found on a CD years ago). I also sing to her at other times if she is upset and crying, in an attempt to calm her down. In those situations I'll sing anything that comes to mind for which I know the lyrics. Well almost anything--I know the theory that "anything sung softly enough is a lullaby", but so far I haven't been brave enough to stress test it. Perennial favorites include "Frere Jacques", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and/or "The Alphabet Song", "Do Re Mi" from The Sound of Music and "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)" and other Christmas carols.

If it's working, Nessa normally just snuggles in and relaxes. Lately, however, she's begun making requests. A few nights ago I finished one song and Nessa raised her head and said "ABCs ABCs!". Last night she wanted "Twinkle Twinkle". How long before she starts asking for "Freebird?"