We had not seen our deer in quite awhile until it snowed. They tend to show up when we are usually at work. We did notice LOTS of deer tracks through the backyard. Yesterday I saw about 8 of them come through in the early afternoon and then another bunch of them came through later, but up on the ridge behind us. Unfortunately, Stella was asleep and missed the action.
It's so hard to believe that exactly a year ago we started our week-long stay at Children's due to Stella's staph infection. We are so blessed that everything went smoothly at the time and that we had so many friends and family supporting us. Today the only reminder is her scar from surgery and you can barely see it.
'Round and 'round the house they went as I prepared dinner.
Faster! Faster!
Too much fun!
This phase of preparation is to be subtitled "Return from the Basement". We spent part of today digging out the newborn items we'll be needing in a few short weeks. The pack 'n play is back up, the car seat and swing covers yanked off and ready to be washed, the "baby bins" stripped of newborn items (clothes and toys). I've got about 2-3 loads of laundry to do, but then we should be all set. Next weekend's focus will be the hospital bag...Andy prefers that it is actually packed before my water breaks this time. Yes, for someone so organized, I probably wasn't as prepared to actually leave for the hospital last time around as I need to be this time. In my defense, I never expected Stella to be a week early...everyone said your first baby is always late.
Finally, a happy girl in the morning. Hasn't been that way in awhile, so I had to document it. 
Stella got this baby doll stroller for Christmas, but not all of the pieces were in the box. We've been waiting for Toys R Us to get more of them in and finally got one on Saturday. Stella LOVES it. She strolls her baby everywhere. Thanks Pates!!
Andy and I still love Xavier basketball. We were season ticket holders before we moved to Nashville and Birmingham and became season ticket holders again when we moved back to Cincinnati. Today is home game #9. Sadly, this is my first game to attend this season and only Andy's second. Sickness, weather and laziness caused us to miss most of the games this season in person...however, we always watch them on tv. We knew this would probably happen this year, but didn't want to give up our tickets. We love our Muskies! 
For some reason Stella thinks this is hysterical today. She has also been walking around with it over her face acting like a ghost. Doesn't take too much to entertain her. 
The cartoons may have changed, but curling up on the couch on a Saturday morning is still AWESOME.Another fun neighborhood "swap" toy. Brand new to us and providing lots of entertainment. At some point when we're "bored" with it...it will trot back down a few houses.
Months ago, my mom brought me a shoebox full of old jewelry for Stella to play with some day. Well, that day has come. Stella is a huge fan of the red necklace. She's been wearing it for a couple of weeks. This past weekend she discovered two bracelets that are also now favorites. The funny thing is that she doesn't understand that she can keep them on while playing with something else. When Stella wants to grab another toy or book, she takes off the necklace and two bracelets and leaves them in a pile. Once finished with the other object, she goes back to the pile to reclaim the jewelry. 
One of Stella's Christmas gifts was the magazine Highlights' newer magazine for little ones called High Five. We got our first one in the mail. Stella loves it!!
Stella finds a stash of Walmart & Kroger bags and a laundry basket.
Stella begins to load the basket.
"This pot will go nicely right here."
"This Whole Foods bag should fit on top as well."
And don't forget the post-it notes.
Now that it's all loaded, let's start all over again 5 feet from the original location. 
She plopped down and dumped the entire basket and was at it again for 15 more minutes.
