Good Night "Lullaby"

Remember way back when Hannah was only a few weeks old and Justin had his own little play list of songs that he would sing to her during her crabby times? Well if you do not remember, visit here for a refresher. Oh how I wish this little phase of his would have passed. But no, it's only gotten worse. Now he is teaching Hannah the lyrics. So each night when they have their bedtime routine- it now concludes with their own little rendition of O Canada. This is the best video that I could get, she gets a little distracted with her hair- but you get the point. She is totally trying to copy his words!

Too True...

This was all too funny to pass up. Especially because my little lady is in such a "mommy" stage and I cannot go anywhere without her stuck to my side.

What If....

...Hannah was raised by Justin and his best friend Jeff?

I would hope that for her well-being (and safety) some of my female friends would step in!!

Jeff came up to see the new house the other night and along with him he promised to bring some dinner. Dinner being a huge plate of straight up meat. Nothing else. Just meat. I love meat, don't get me wrong. But watching these two grown men eat meat is like watching a wild animal destroy and devour their prey. (And that statement was probably a compliment to these two guys.) They sucked, tore, grunted and sighed with pure pleasure as they ate. They discussed how great it is to feel like a "wild carnivore." ....is this normal?

Notice the lack in use of their utensils?!?! Just when I think things cannot get any worse, they teach Hannah how to suck meat off the bone.

This all only became full-circle when Hannah farted two times at the dinner table (while the boys hoot and hollered her on) and then completely unprompted, lifted up her shirt to expose her bare belly to Jeff and patted it with satisfaction of a delicious full meal.

When you think things cannot get any worse...think again.

Then it was play time- and at least Hannah had one thing right....

She tried to shut Jeff up by shoving one of Cookie Monster's cookies in his mouth.

:)

I put Hannah down for the night and walked down the stairs to hear Justin and Jeff giggling like little school-girls. (This should have been my first hint to turn and run back up the stairs) But against my better judgement I walked into the living room to see them giggling over HUGE bowls of ice cream. (Because apparently they didn't get enough meat) Their FOUR whopping scoops of ice cream were covered with chocolate, caramel, Reese's peanut butter cups and M & Ms.

So in conclusion...Hannah would basically be raised by two children.

God, please keep me safe.

Hannah-Monroe

A Reminder to Stay Alert as a Parent

I work in the kindergarten hallway...and although it is loud at times, I have come to adore and love the little rascals. My friend, Anya, a kindergarten teacher showed me a homework assignment that one of our shared students had completed. It's kindergarten, so it is simple: Cut out photos of things that start with the letter "Z." Well, our little dear brought this back in to present in front of the entire class:

It is a good reminder to us parents to wake up. As innocent as the assignment might be...stay alert. Oh, and Google Images doesn't guarantee "clean" images.

You can't make this stuff up- Happy Monday.

Our Little Christian

Hannah has a new trick....We say,

"Praise the Lord!..."

and Hannah yells,

"Halleluja!"

(Except it comes out, "Halle-la-la!")

We're trying to get in on camera. Dang it's funny.

It's even more funny because she carries around one of my books. It's a soft covered chapter book, all words and no photos. It's a book based on faith and God. It's filled with prayers, bible versus and other religious text. She carries it everywhere with her and it is the only thing that keeps her calm on the changing table. See Dad!...we obviously go to church.

"Halle-la-la" to that!

Cookies 'n Milk

Nature Walk

Tonight we took a nature walk through a local Prairie Restoration Park. It's filled with long grass, tall trees and colorful wildlife flowers....the cool breeze kept the mosquitos away and it was the perfect evening for Hannah to explore.
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Keeping in the "nature" theme, after dinner on the deck, an all out Johnston wrestling match ensued after Justin chucked a football at my head. (Another episode for our poor neighbors to witness.) Hannah and I full out pinning Justin down on his back while we all screamed out wrestle-mania-lingo at one another. Phrases like, "Get her!....Go for the knees!...and Pin him!!" were echoing from our backyard. (And obviously all appropriate phrases to be teaching to your toddler.) While Hannah and I pulled off an obvious win as we held Justin's shoulder blades to the ground for three whole counts, he screamed, "something bit me on the butt!".....(yeah, it's Minnesota and we're rolling around in the grass, of course you're going to get bit.).....but then he screamed again. As he rolled over onto his side- there laying on the ground was the hugest hornet flailing about. I did what every good wife would do.

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I dropped to my knees and cried as laughter overwhelmed me and I could hardly breathe...but still managed to gasp out the words, "You just got bit on the ass by a bee....not once, but twice!" The laughter continued over Justin's poor humiliation. But seriously, it was hilarious and I do not doubt for a second that he wouldn't find humor if the tables were turned.

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Now I don't want to leave you all with the visual of Justin's naked butt- so here are some photos from the prettier parts of this evening.

I decided to get a little artsy-fartsy on this last photo and add a watercolor layer to the portrait...I like the added texture.

hi.

Hi, my name is Nicole and it has been forever since I truly updated the blog. Sorry about that! I really have no excuses because Hannah and I are going stir crazy inside. The heat hit just as my little walker wants to spread her wings and walk all over the outdoors. Bummer- so we're killing time in other ways....

...like dreaming about this:

...okay, that might be a little extreme. But really...what is with this heat?! Back when it was a little cooler out- we hit the beach so that Hannah could play in the sand, NOT to go swimming. But the little lady just marched her fanny right down to the water (Oh the freedom of walking) and fully clothed walked right into the lake. Here are some sand shots before she realized the water.

Pop Quiz: Who is having more fun?

Answer: Duh, Justin.

But now that the heat has hit....we're stuck inside making up ideas of how to pass the time.

I swear to you that I did not stick her in this shoe box...she just plopped herself right in and played with mama's stiletto. (atta girl.)

Did I ever mention how graceful she is?...

In other news- Hannah has learned a new "trick."....(I say that as if she is a dog...but you know what I mean.) Being in the photog business, it's only right is my girl knows how to "smile" on cue. So, she learned to "say cheese!" She is in the very awkward stage of controting her face and looking at me for reassurance that she is "smiling." It's hilarious. Here are a few of her "smiles."

Oh goodness this girl has her mama's heart right where she wants it.

Stay cool everyone!

RaNdOm

This is funny:

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I really like to play with my drumsticks...I wave them around like a crazy person...I have absolutely no control of my arm motions...so...

...sometimes I hit myself in the eye.

My hair is also getting long- I have a baby-perm.

Mom and Dad are so stupid. They have not learned their lesson yet, so I continue to try to drown them in their own kitchen.

...I also try to pull myself out of the sink, "Hello! I am way too big for the sink- time for the bathtub people!!"

2pm-8pm

We are getting our furnace fixed, and that is the time frame that we were given for our repair person to show up at our house. Really?....you need a six hour window?....

So Hannah and I are home bound for the afternoon. She refused her morning nap- but why would you want to nap when you slept in until 9:45? Nonetheless, I finally have the tired babe down for her first nap. I have this whole week off with her and I must say that it is nothing but a "tease." A little moment of, "haha- this is what your life used to be like!" In just three short weeks Hannah has become so much more fun to be with. (I didn't think it was possible- but it is.) She laughs all the time now, talks all day and you can just see her little mind turning as we play the same games over and over again. Here are a few photos from our afternoon:

(Notice, I am holding a little remote in the pictures. That is because Justin got me a remote to go with my new camera so I can finally be in some of the photos!)

Lately Hannah's favorite games are peek-a-boo and being chased around the house. (a.k.a. One of us is holding her and the other one is chasing "her.") She laughs hysterically and thinks that it is pretty funny. Justin and I just bought a digital video camera- so stay tuned for good video clips of her!

For the record, I would also like to post the following two photos of Justin "bathing" Hannah. He was supposed to be giving her a bath, but really they were checking up on his fantasy football teams. Apparently he's in the championship for both the leagues he is in...whoop-dee-doo.

Well that is it for today- if you need me- I'll be waiting for the furnace guy....for six hours......

Snowed In

What a storm.

Since we were snowed in, we had to get creative so we wouldn't go stir-crazy. Check out Justin's newest game that he plays with Hannah....

Poor babe. She is going to look back at these photos some day and wonder what the heck her father was thinking!! He made up for it later by giving her some wild shoulder-rides all around the house.

Hope you all survived the snow...stay warm!