An early gift

Sometimes it really is the little things that mean the most. My aunt was going through old photos and found a picture of me, at 1 year old. She couldn't believe the resemblance to the holiday picture of Katie. She scanned them both and emailed them to me and I am just shocked.

The two pictures are below. I can't even stop looking at them...it just amazes me. Obviously this wasn't meant as a Christmas present, but it is one of the coolest things anyone has ever sent me. It almost makes me want to cry looking at it. My baby looks just like me!

Good deal

If you know me, you know I love online shopping. Today is "free shipping day"...who knew? See the site for a list of retailers.

http://www.freeshippingday.com/

Holiday party #1

At this time of year, it seems that the gift we need most is TIME. I don't know where the time goes and just hope I'm using it wisely! I've been busy preparing for the holidays, finishing school work (on time) and spending time with Katie. She went to the Exxon Mobil holiday party last weekend and had a blast. She did go last year, but was more like a lump of coal (3 months old).

This year was quite different...she ran around like a mad woman and made friends everywhere she went. Luckily, she looked adorable in her cream colored dress with little pearls (even though she spent some time running and sliding on the floor).

Some kids may be scared of the toy soldier on stilts or the fairies with wigs, but not Katie. She took there hands and I think she wanted to bring them home with her.

LOVE THIS PICTURE!

She even sat with Santa and Mrs. Claus. We didn't get any big smiles, but she did like the fact that Mrs. Claus had a stack of holiday books.

Katie went to her a couple times during the party, saying her favorite word "booooohhhk boooooohhhhk".
We all had a great time at the party and look forward to more festivities this holiday. Next up, my first cookie exchange. Ack...I better get cleaning!

Car seats - rear vs. forward facing

For those of you with car seats, you know that rear facing can be a pain when trying to soothe a crying child...or retrieve a toy, which is often the case when Katie flings them around the back seat.

It is mandatory to have the car seat rear facing up to 1 year of age, but there is a huge movement towards keeping children rear facing for as long as possible. As my pediatrician to us, it is easier to fix broken legs (if they jam into the rear seat) than a broken spine (which often happens when a child is forward facing).

I received the below site today that has a video depicting crash tests in both scenarios. I'm not saying what is right or wrong (ok, maybe I am), but just wanted everyone to be informed.
http://www.joelsjourney.org/curriculum.html