Two years ago Mark and I went to a Scottish festival out in St. Charles. There we bought a really cool shortbread mold (with lovely thistles) that came with a few different recipes. I decided today was the day to actually use it! Perhaps it will be "sick day" tradition - as this was the second day Mark stayed home from work.
Here's how my fabulous classic shortbread turned out:
I'm so proud. Plus it's super tasty with jam and cottage cheese. It's almost gone! I'll have to make more tomorrow...
I turned from my computer just now to find Taylor sitting on her little green potty, making her squeaking pushing noises (which usual indicates her need to eliminate), and signing "toilet" to me. It was adorable - more so for the fact that she was still wearing her undies and leggings.
However, she didn't actually go! Strange. But she obviously has the concept down. She's now bare bum and will likely leave a puddle on the floor...unless (fingers crossed) she gets it right this time and makes it to the potty again.
Potty! potty! potty! potty!
I'm rooting her on.
Mark was feeling sick today so he stayed home from work. We all got some much needed rest.
Then, in the afternoon we went over to the Y.M.C.A. for our fitness equipment education sessions. I now know how to use all those fancy machines! My favorite part are the exercise bikes with personal TVs. I can't wait to start training on the treadmill and doing a little bit of muscle sculpting.
Taylor was super cute tonight, doing laps around her little princess chair while hugging a DVD case. I wish I could have grabbed the video camera fast enough, but I missed it. She's really been fine tuning her walking skills this last week.
Here's a photo of the beloved princess chair:
Inspired by The Biggest Loser (one of our all time favorite weekly shows), we joined the Y.M.C.A. today! This month they were offering 100% off their joining fee ($80) so Mark and I figured it was a perfect time to hop on board. With a few cuts to our usual budget we can afford the extra cost - at least for the next few months.
We toured our local branch on Sat and thought the facilities looked good. I signed up to take an aerobics class on Tues and Thurs evenings while Taylor is in their child care room, and that means Mark can work out with the weights and other exercise machines during that time too. The class starts next week. I wanted to do a yoga class too, but child care isn't offered during that time (and Mark will be in work).
The plan is to go to the Y at least 3 times a week so we can get our money's worth. I want to get going on the treadmills too so I can get in shape for the BoysTown Memorial Day 5k, or even the St. Louis Family Fitness Day 5k in April. I plan on dragging Mark along with me for these runs. Mark's ultimate goal is to lose 20-25lbs.
When the next sign-up session rolls around in April, we'll put Taylor in a beginner's swim class to prepare for a summer of fun in the pool. During these next few months we'll have the chance to slowly acclimate her to the water, so the class won't be terribly traumatic.
Come summertime, we're going to be a fit and gorgeous family! You just wait and see!
That's right, Taylor is now walking. Though she's still crawling about half of the time, I think it counts anyway. Here's a video:
She's getting so smart and capable! She's been playing with the toy that has beads on wire and she was really studying it last night, figuring out how everything worked. She knows that toilet paper is for wiping her bum and then it goes in the toilet. And when I was holding her the other day and she was playing with my hair brush, she began brushing MY hair. Very cute!
I'm in the process of buying the next size of Motherease Sandy's diapers for her (used from DiaperSwappers, of course). They're Mark's favorite because the snaps on the side make it really easy to put on - even when she's on the move.
1 Year growth update: Taylor is now 20lbs 2oz and 27.25in tall. She is on track to be very petite, height-wise.
I forgot to mention a few other things Taylor has been doing:
My little groundhog (or monkey for that matter) is 1 year old today.
Mark and I were remembering how exhausted we were this day last year, holding such a tiny, brand new, little baby. Mark is thankful he is not sleeping on that awful hospital couch bed tonight, and I'm glad I haven't just given birth (hehe).
