Theme Change?

Lest you think the only two people in the house are Ari and Ashlyn, look, a FAMILY photo!! I was reading old blog (BC: before children) posts and laughed at how much Dan and I posted pictures of ourselves... in a non-selfish way. Blogs allow for that anyway, it is a selfish endeavor to begin with. Hey world, check ME out! Ha... what is wrong with our culture? Anyway, I laugh and digress. I know you guys read to check out our two girls and maybe you care how Dan and I are. I dont know...

We dont take many family photos because they'll turn out like this:

(please zoom in and check out the faces)

The truth is, we do spend time together. Like 6-7 hours of sleep every night. That counts as quality time right? *wink*

Tuesday nights are date night and this week (which happened to be Valentine's-Hallmark-created-fake-comparison-guilt-ridden-Day) we decided to have a 'Teach Your Spouse Something' date night. I taught Dan how to make homemade ravioli, separate eggs for a chocolate pavlova and a few other cooking things...while he explained what a Portfolio is and how as an Advisor, he would sell mutual funds, bonds and the risk/benefits of them for a specific client. We both seemed interested in each other's topics (maybe it was the wine) and had a good time!

Dan's job is going REALLY well. He's working so hard and its paying off. We're staying on task and keeping things as organized as possible. The potential in this job for future success is encouraging and we're very grateful that Dan gets to spend at least one and sometimes all 3 meals with us!

We understand that our marriage is important to have as a priority and we're working on it. Marriage has been a 'job' from the beginning. One must invest time and energy every single day in order for it to last and work. It has not even been 5 years yet and we've gone through a whole lot! We still like each other.

These two are the main focus these days! How can they not be?

Why the happiness?

Ari and Ashlyn are so excited because they found out there's a new Haller cousin! Aunt Jill and Uncle Mark welcomed Lily Jane Haller on Thursday in the wee hours of the morning. Ashlyn even woke up to tell me that she came!!

Oh yeah! We are really looking forward to meeting you.

Potty Training

I can't decide which is more frustrating & difficult: those first 6 weeks of infant nursing/no sleeping/crying/healing from labor

OR

potty training a strong-willed toddler.

Phew.

We've tried most techniques found in books and heard from others. I blocked off the couches and then we'd have accidents in safer areas. We have Elmo big girl panties. We have cookies and cupcakes. We have shown movies and read potty books. We got her a small (low to the ground) potty so she's comfortable. We have a Dora-seat to put on the adult one. There's been talk of Elmo cake and raisins. Basically, its a work in progress and I'm not going to complain. It was our decision to start potty training and we'll keep at it.

The good news: she's adorable in her panties, has peed and pooped on the potty numerous times and tells me when she's going. Time will tell and we're not giving up! This too shall pass right? I'm not wishing her to grow up in any way.

Winter? I dont think so

We've been playing outside most of the last few weeks. The weather has been gorgeous. Breezy, sunny and mild. Ari asks to play 'side often and we walk around the neighborhood or walk out back to the garden to play in the dirt. As someone who left Indiana weather because of the awful winters, I am so thankful for these sunny afternoons.

Making mud pies!

Blowing bubbles!

Dan was able to take Sunday afternoon off away from the desk. We went to a local park and played on the playground.

Ari was devastated when we left the park. Cried the whole way home.