Hell Has Frozen

Being a parent means making sacrifices.  Often its your time, independence and freedom.  However, MOST times its your sanity.  What I've learned about Grace over the past 19 months is that she's a sweet, generous, caring soul AND she is also a stubborn OCD toddler.  In recent weeks our house has been taken over by the sounds of the Disney movie, Frozen.  Don't get me wrong, I quite enjoy this movie, probably even makes my top 5 Disney movies -- but what I don't quite enjoy is watching it on an endless loop and listening to "mor le it go" over and over again until Elsa and Anna are harmonizing in my ears.  At first it was endearing to see my little girl smile and dance around, then it became a nuisance to have to listen to "Do you want to build a snowman?" 10x in a row, and now its just plain hell.  I go to sleep humming Frozen tunes, I wake up humming Frozen, I sit in conference meetings humming Frozen, I've become frozen. 

So why don't you just NOT play Frozen? Some of you may ask.

Oh my silly dear friends, in my hell, I mean reality, I either have to listen to the Frozen gang belt out notes or I have to listen to a rather cranky, disgruntled toddler endlessly ask for "Mor."  Believe me, if you were in my shoes, you'd choose Frozen as well.  I've been told by my parents I watched Dirty Dancing and Grease around the clock and that "this is what kids do." I know this Frozen obsession will end as quickly as it started, but until then, I'm investing in good pair of head phones and learning to LET IT GO.

Fours a crowd

I took a summer sabbatical from blogging.  It was a much needed break, but now that I am sitting down writing, I've missed it.  I wish I could report so much has changed in our lives in the past six weeks that I cannot wait to share, but sadly, and fortunately, everything is status quo.  No major changes, but just to recap the past six weeks this is what we have been up to: wedding festivities, birthday celebrations, strep throat, busted eardrum, photography class, physical therapy, world cup soccer viewing parties, laughing with friends, meeting new friends, an MRI, much needed family time, and.....work (womp womp). 

This evening Matt, Grace and I went outside for a little bit to play in the backyard, and as I was snapping photos of Matt and Grace playing I couldn't believe how big my little girl is getting.  She is talking up a storm, her stubborn personality has fully emerged and she has become quite the independent gal.  I guess the outside world is sensing that Matt and I might be getting into the groove of things because over the past couple of months more and more people have asked me when baby #2 is on its way.  I tell them to go to hell.  Just kidding.  In all seriousness, I would be lying if I said I didn't think of adding to our family, but I also would be lying if I said the thought of it excites me.  So instead of thinking of number two, I am going to enjoy my little one.