16 Weeks

Time to count down to our one year anniversary and graduation of language school.
112 days. 16 weeks. 2688 hours.

Lately, I have been so confused with the fact that it is spring in November. Winter in July didn't really seem that strange b/c the temperature was never cold. Strange.

Also I would like to say that my days of nursing K have come to an end. The end of an era. Do any other mom's feel happy and sad at the same time? I set a goal when I was pregnant to nurse for one year and we did it. It wasn't always easy, no, it was horrible at the beginning. But it was so convenient! Never had to wash bottles or prepare them as I was running out the door. Not to mention the health benefits for both mom and baby! I think if I had to have another job besides the one I have now and I couldn't bake all day I would be a lactation consultant.

I would also like to ask for some help. Help! I am really struggling in the meal preparation part of my life. How do you plan? A month in advance? Week to week? Do you have a filling system for recipes? How often do you repeat a recipe? I'm talking basics here people.
Since Karis is now eating everything we eat I've become a lot more aware of how slack I was in this department. I need healthy stuff that doesn't take a long time to prepare. I'm a huge fan of making a lot of food and using in different ways throughout the week.
I found a website to plan meals. Is this a good idea?

Last but not least, Karis is almost walking. She will take a step or maybe two then sit down. Stay tuned b/c I think it will be soon.

First time...

Karis has experienced many "first" times these last few weeks.

Subway sandwich, ice cream cone, spaghetti, pancake, refusing a nap all day and falling asleep at 6pm sleeping until 8:30am only waking once for some milk.

Also she got to go to the zoo! Mostly she was tired and glazed over b/c she hadn't taken a nap (same day she fell asleep at 6pm). She did like the toucans, monkeys, and ducks.

Long Weekend

Normally when I hear long weekend I think, "great! more time to do fun stuff". So we planned a trip to visit friends in a nearby city. However, my immune system decided, once again, to let me down. So instead of a fun trip I'm sitting on the couch blowing my nose. I have only left the house once since Thursday.

On to more encouraging words... We received not one, not two, but THREE packages in the mail last week. Wow! Feel the love! Yes, they were all for Karis. She really has enjoyed all of her new toys over the past 3 days (since we haven't left the house). Thank you for showing your love in a very tangible way! It really is wonderful to know you haven't forgot us here.

Here today was the presidential election and Brazil elected the first woman president. Who just happens to have never held an elected office. Many of the educated people are astonished because of her lack of experience and "unpatriotic" history. The fact that her opponent was the "obviously" better choice since he has served in multiple federal positions and as the governor of Sao Paulo. Well, I've said too much. Read more for yourself here.

Happy Birthday Karis

The big event was the party on Saturday. So yesterday we enjoyed just being together. Karis slept in and I (emily) skipped the first two classes of school. For breakfast we had cheerios together. We then walked (well, I walked and push Karis in the stroller) to school and Karis swung in the hammock while I learned.

After lunch she was so tired so she took a 3 hour nap! Then, we continued our day with a trip to the best ice cream shop in town. Karis indulged in her first ice cream cone. Too bad it was melting faster than she could eat it. Thankfully there was a sink nearby. Then, it was off to the park to visit the ducks.
After sweating so much we needed a bath and then we headed to get Karis' present from Grandpa and Grandma Clayon.

It was a fun filled day. We love her so much!

Birthday Party Video

Check out the party video here

Made by Tia Rebecca.
Thank you!

Happy Birthday Week

The preparations have begun! I have a whole new respect for moms now. We planned a simple party with a few friends that is now grown into a huge event. Guess that's what happens when your daughter is the most friendly, loving, beautiful, curious, and wonderful little girl in the world.
Yes, I am up late... waiting for the cake in a bowl to cool. It only took 2 hours to bake! After a small slip up in my awesome attention to detail, I gave a quick cake emergency call to Molly (who, I'll have you know, did not know the answer). Leave it to me to stump the expert.
I have plenty of things to do, but I need to have a break from studying verbs and doing crafty things.
On a frustrating note: Our external hard drive is still not working. We have the click of death apparently. Thankfully we made a cd of pictures for my mom before we left the states. Too bad the only way for us to get them asap was through the internet. Shout out to my mom and all the PC users! You all have a lot of patience. Not me! Mac has changed my whole understanding of pictures and videos. Soooo easy and fast. Thank you Mac Book Pro.
Now time to research the best way to freeze a cake.

How do you like the pictures?? I'm trying to see all the similarities. Do you see any?

Thanks for the help!

Google reader here I come!
Thanks for all the responses!