tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656Wed, 06 Nov 2024 02:51:36 +0000ElizabethReidMy FolksAlexCateThe In-lawsPartiesMountaineersHolidaysFriendsHomeAddicted to TVMortonsFunnyFairmont GolfRed SoxWheelingKennedy PuppyWest Liberty UniversityCraftyGolfWorkfamilyDems RuleRikki and DougAnne and SeanRecipesMaggieShoppingVacationcool findsFairmont StateMy Pintrest ProjectPoliticsSchoolUSPS Suckswelcomehttp://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)Blogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-7439436012033400067Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:54:00 +00002012-10-14T21:54:43.367-04:00So far in the pinning, I have pinned quite a few crafts.  Some of which I am hopeful Elizabeth can do with me, others are just for yours truly.  Here are two crafts that Elizabeth and I did together. Balloon Wreath: The one I saw on Pintrest didn't look as full as I would have liked, but I thought it was super-cute and festive.  I don't remember how many packs of balloons I went http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-pintrest-project-wreathes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-619759294371283928Thu, 04 Oct 2012 03:19:00 +00002012-10-03T23:19:06.326-04:00My Pintrest ProjectI love Pintrest!  It's highly addicting...I've gotten a lot of great ideas from other pins -- too many to likely ever see them come to fruition.  In an effort to Blog with more regularity again, I've decided to try to document my opinions on how each pin matched up after I have first-hand experience with them.  Some things that I've already tried (recipes in particular) have been http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-pintrest-project.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-230143302468480440Mon, 01 Oct 2012 01:39:00 +00002012-10-03T22:23:58.304-04:00CateI'm so long over-due for a post it's not even funny...and Cate's language has exploded since my last post.  I'll try to list all of her words here, but I'm sure there are some I will forget.  Ones with a * she also signs: Mommy Daddy Sissy Dog* Stop it (typically spoken to the dog, Kennedy) Cocoa Piggy (for the Piglet blanket that is the new addition to the growing list of items she http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/09/cates-growing-language.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-6880652850614607969Mon, 25 Jun 2012 02:51:00 +00002012-06-24T22:51:57.697-04:00Cate's language acquisition is unbelievable.  She's saying new words nearly every day.  Here's the latest: Pweese (Please) in addition to the sign...she can get nearly anything she wants with this Tink You (Thank You) - amazing how good the manners are with our sweet 18-month-old Sissy (Sissy) - it sure beats trying to say "Elizabeth" MINE (MINE!!!) - as in if it is in my sight, has http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/06/out-of-mouths-of-babes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-7665649203657836961Wed, 30 May 2012 21:15:00 +00002012-05-30T17:15:44.846-04:00CateCate is jabbering away these days...every time she says "something" (even the jabbering), Elizabeth will tell me, "Mommy, you need to add that to the list!" Here are some of the latest: Wawa - water What'sthat -- (all one word wazztha) -- what is that -- we get this a lot Ammaw -- Grandma Papa -- Papa Nana -- Nana (come on folks, work with the near 18-month-old!) RaRa, Do -- Rikki/RaRa (when http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/05/cates-jibber-jabber.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-211692684784296674Sat, 05 May 2012 15:21:00 +00002012-05-06T19:50:25.895-04:00CateFor months now, Cate has been holding court with her own talk "speewka na wha za booka is ga na doota..." complete with hand gestures as if we are able to understand every syllable.  With every new sound, we think it's all going to click in her head and that she will start talking in words that we can understand.   Cate tickling her belly button (April 2012) Here is what she http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/05/cate-says.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0Wheeling, WV, USA40.0639616 -80.720914939.9667441 -80.8788434 40.1611791 -80.5629864tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-2648741240375838863Fri, 04 May 2012 23:00:00 +00002012-05-05T12:04:40.436-04:00AlexPartiesAlex's birthday is right around the corner...and he, too, is having a Star Wars party!   The invite looks pretty cool, if I do say so myself!  Most importantly, the soon-to-be-five-year-old is happy!!! I went from this picture (thanks to Anne, Sean, & super model, Alex): To this: Looking forward to what all we're going to be doing at his birthday party. May the http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/05/alexs-5th-birthday-party-uber-cool.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-3639710876871833983Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:36:00 +00002012-03-27T22:05:35.011-04:00Anne and SeanCateElizabethKennedy PuppyReidAt 15 months, Cate is built more like a Weeble Wobble and less like a toddler -- she's 30-1/2" tall (50th percentile) and weighs 23 lbs, 8 oz. (60th percentile). She has finally cut the fourth upper tooth, one on bottom (making it 3 in front) and 3 molars - 2 upper, 1 bottom. She's still cutting teeth, either that or we're not feeding her enough so she is constantly drooling and putting her http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/03/baby-cate-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-6421005592773994832Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:30:00 +00002012-05-05T11:50:45.484-04:00ElizabethSchoolElizabeth had a cool school project: craft a plastic egg to look like a character from literature.  She loves crafts.  She doesn't love books (yet, we hope).  So, I wanted to make this really fun for her -- and to get her at least a little excited to read a bit more about her character.  I wanted her to do the egg by herself (although the instructions said parents could helphttp://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/03/elizabeths-cool-school-project.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0Wheeling, WV, USA40.0639616 -80.720914939.9667441 -80.8788434 40.1611791 -80.5629864tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-2180773648075693641Sun, 04 Mar 2012 02:18:00 +00002012-03-27T21:36:15.455-04:00ElizabethWest Liberty UniversityYes, it should be fun to play hoop at the YMCA, but there is an annoying little ball hog on Elizabeth's team...and his dad is their "coach" (if you can call the guy who's only coaching tip all freaking season -- no exaggeration here -- came AFTER his son, who's actually a year older than all of the Kindergarteners, mind you, fouled one of his own teammates to take the ball so he could shoot it...http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/03/it-should-be-fun-to-play-hoop-at-ymca.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-4680914827146614160Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:12:00 +00002012-03-27T21:17:56.303-04:00Here's the latest on crap that annoys me (feel free to laugh at my expense):Being so damned tired that you walk into the men's bathroom at the airport (6 AM flights from Pittsburgh, making me depart my house at 3:45 AM may have had a role to play here...)Toilet water hitting my backside (when I'm standing with my pants pulled up no less) as it automatically flushes. Who needs that much flushing http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/01/crap-that-annoys-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-8539276899356633922Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:32:00 +00002012-03-27T21:08:54.821-04:00ElizabethPartiesA very Star Wars obsessed birthday girl got just what she wanted - a Star Wars themed event. I went a little crazy with the cupcakes, but think they turned out uber cool! Who am I kidding, I went a bit overboard for everything for this party. It was, after all, the first birthday party where she invited more than her BFFs, Campbell & Will. We were delighted, in addition to the Koeglers, http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/01/elizabeths-6th-birthday-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-7459625586752905572Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:14:00 +00002012-01-05T22:32:34.314-05:00Elizabeth has become quite obsessed with Star Wars these days. She nearly leaped out of her skin when she saw the movie poster for Star Wars Episode I in 3D (coming on February 10th!) when we were at The Muppets. (It will be our Valentine's date!) I've been squirreling away Star Wars party supplies like a squirrel with nuts in November. Even Nana got into the act and bought out nearly every http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2012/01/elizabeths-impending-birthday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-5490606601926823228Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:53:00 +00002011-12-31T15:52:13.234-05:00AlexAnne and SeanCateElizabethMaggieMy FolksReidRikki and DougThe In-lawsWest Liberty UniversityWhat a year 2011 has been! Fun and eventful...memorable...frustrating and precious...some times all in the very same day!Here's the year in review - Amos family style:January - Elizabeth's 5th birthday was celebrated in Dr. Seuss style. It was a typical too-much-over-the-top party for our small gathering of Grandma & Papi, Nana & Papa, and the Koeglers. We had a lot of fun, though, so http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-year-in-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-6498424780094190195Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:14:00 +00002011-12-31T15:52:56.214-05:00CateElizabethWheelingOnce again our best in the world neighbors, the Ritzes have outdone themselves with spreading Christmas cheer - especially in the spoiling of Elizabeth & Cate! (For anyone who is reading of this tradition for the first time, each day from December 1st - 24th, the Elf (aka: Marie) hangs a stocking on the back door and puts wrapped treats in the stocking every day as we count down to Christmashttp://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/12/neighborhood-elf.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-6009828140959519429Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:52:00 +00002011-12-13T13:04:30.872-05:00CateElizabethMaggieMy FolksPartiesReidThe In-lawsJust like the invitation to the Very Hungry CATErpillar party stated, "We can't believe a year has passed..." Seriously? How is my baby a freaking year old already???Cate celebrated her 1st birthday a few hours early as Reid had to be on the road with the Hilltoppers. Elizabeth helped me make Kitty Cat Cate a Hello Kitty cake. Cate was quite funny when it came to consuming her smash cake - http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/12/cate-1-year.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-5032195663937301399Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:41:00 +00002011-11-29T21:00:28.539-05:00MaggieRikki and DougWelcome to the world, Margaret Alisse Eckstein! My beautiful niece was born at 2:24 AM, Tuesday, November 29, 2011. She weighs 7 lbs., 1 ounce and is 20" long.Here are a few pictures that I just had to share...Maggie and Rikki - face-to-face...isn't this sweet???She's so smart - she's saying, "Touchdown Mountaineers!"Congratulations Rikki & Doug!!!http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/welcome-maggie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-4033689001991306936Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:49:00 +00002011-11-19T13:47:45.735-05:00AlexCateCraftyElizabethPartiesIf I do say so myself...over the past few years, I've done some pretty cute birthday party invitations for Elizabeth and Alex as evidenced below:Elizabeth's 1st Birthday:Alex's 1st Birthday (where I learned so much more on Photoshop):E's 2nd Birthday (was a book of pictures of her throughout the year...) E's 3rd Birthday (definition of over-the-top, the entire Candyland party was actually), http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/cutest-party-invitations-ever.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-6010750740927806160Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:50:00 +00002011-11-15T16:54:40.478-05:00CateElizabethReidThe In-lawsWhere, oh where, has the time gone? I can't believe it's now officially days until Cate is celebrating her first birthday!!!Cate officially has 4 teeth - two lower and two upper. She is still drooling like a St. Bernard. We may have finally beaten the diaper rash that plagued her for more than a month...thanks to the diaper cream that Anne sold me on by Arbonne.She took her first independent http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/cate-11-months.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-6280681397191529532Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:04:00 +00002011-10-25T23:05:21.610-04:00CateHow many steps must Baby Cate take before we consider her walking? 1, 2, 3...6 independent steps tonight!!! (10 months, 3 weeks, 3 days old!) Hope to get some video of it soon!!!! Amazing!!!http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/10/these-boots-or-bare-feet-are-made-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-616531574532373964Sun, 23 Oct 2011 22:18:00 +00002011-10-28T13:31:31.862-04:00CateElizabethI may be partial, but my girls are quite beautiful! We took them to Oglebay today to get some pictures...how they warm my heart!!! (Click on any of the images to view them larger...)http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/10/beauties.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-8491966885704315607Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:05:00 +00002011-10-28T13:17:53.553-04:00ElizabethElizabeth is becoming such a big girl these days. Despite her resistance, she is learning to read...she's joined the Girl Scouts (Daisies, more precisely)...and is playing basketball.She does really well with reading, when she takes the time to stop what she's doing to focus. Therein lies the problem. She doesn't want to have to stop what she's doing to do something else. We're working on http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-big-girl.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-3553574215079074543Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:55:00 +00002011-10-27T11:08:34.471-04:00ElizabethOn September 20th, Elizabeth had her first school picture day. The outfit I ordered for her pictures came the day after picture day (my luck!), so we had to spend the evening before shopping like a mad woman to get something that would look good from the chest up (because I'm THAT anal-retentive...and despite the fact that she and I had just purchased some school clothes a few weeks before, http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/10/elizabeth-kindergarten-picture.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-730144146073512029Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:21:00 +00002011-10-09T14:42:34.273-04:00CateElizabethKennedy PuppyJust as I was about to write that with the maturity that 10 months has brought and Cate doesn't seem as cranky all the time, the crying commences. Good times.10 months has just seemed to fly by -- it won't be too long before I'm planning her first birthday party. (Oh, who are we kidding? I have the first draft of the invitations -- which are going to be darrrrrliiiing -- on my scrapbook table.http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/10/cate-10-months.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159823985019101656.post-3985588752884387559Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:44:00 +00002011-09-15T19:58:17.147-04:00CateTeething sucks!But a cute hat from an awesome aunt for whom you are named makes getting 2 teeth in one day a wee bit better!Mommy capturing you standing up on your own (5 days after when you did it for the first time), not too shabby!Good on you, Baby Cate!http://wvu-mama.blogspot.com/2011/09/milestones.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (WVU-Mama)0