Merry Christmas, Y'all!

We've had a wonderful Christmas holiday. From travels in a packed to the gills car to the live nativity with goats, donkeys and rabbits. We came back late last night and Rosa Jane has been obsessed with her newest baby so tenderly called Baby Angel. Honey and Granddad babysat while Pixie, Donr and I went to see Juno in Humble. I LOVED that movie and I think I cried 5 buckets, while Donr cried 3 buckets and the Pixie cried none. We've been watching marathon back-to-back episodes of Friday Night Lights on DVD. It's the best thing on TV. Right next to the inspiring The Biggest Loser.

I'm thinking about my new year's resolutions -- like really keeping my Journal of Gratitude, having a goal of running a marathon, or at least 10 miles straight.

What about you? How will you make 2008 great?

Christmas Is Coming!

The goose is getting fat. Please put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny. A ha'penny will do. If you haven't got a ha'penny, then God Bless You!

The Pixie arrived last night and the Peanut is overjoyed.

I can't believe Christmas is just five days away!

Santa 2007

If I hadn't forgotten that Santa was going to be appearing live at the library yesterday, then I would have dressed RJ up in her christmas wear. Still, we waited in line and I told Rosa Jane that she would soon see Santa Claus and she could tell him what she wants for Christmas. She said she wanted, "Big."

I think she meant she wants to be big? Who knows. She was happy until it was time to sit in his lap and then I guess she had flashbacks to last year and got this worried look on her face.

She kept saying, "I no like Santa."

But she didn't cry and he gave her a candy cane.

Cowgirl Rosie Shops for Western Wear

I've posted some old shots that have been sitting in the camera for a while. This was taken while Willard and Robyna were here shopping for cowboy boots. I said, "Let's try these red boots on, Rosa Jane." She had them on for two seconds and said she wanted to try on her crocs.

I guess she didn't like the fit, which is way too sad.

The Neighbor's Gift

Christmas came early this year. Our next door neighbors moved away and left behind this great playscape for Rosie Posie. She LOVES it with pretty much all her heart.

We already miss our neighbors a ton and await anxiously who will be the next to move-in. Will they be the quiet type with a no-barking dog? We can only hope . . .

Hot Off the Presses

Here's a sneak peak at the best gift on the market:

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Yay! Robyna Is HERE!!

Robyna* and her new beau, Willard*, are staying with us for the week. We're having a wonderful time eating late-night brownies, happy green stuff (aka guacamole), and telling stories to catch us up on R+W's whirlwind match.com romance. I'm starting to regret buying new pants in a size smaller than I normally wear. Dang the holidays and delicious sweet eats!

*Not their real names.

Bye, Bye Sweet Pie. I'll Miss You.

I already miss you. I love pie. Pumpkin and Cherry Pies are my favorite. But with everybody gone and a boy who won't help eat them, I had to dump them down the disposal. Otherwise I could have just added them to my butt.

Some of you will be shocked to know I've started running. I pretend a big black bear is chasing me on the treadmill and that keeps me motivated. Three miles overlooking beautiful hill country with Gnarles Barkley screaming, "CRAZY!!" in my ears roughly 2-3 times a week. I love the way I'm feeling -- I can get through a basket of laundry, washed, dried AND folded in no time.

Still, I love pie. And I miss you.

Cousins

Eleven kids rounded up for a very short time. You wouldn't believe how exponentially the volume increased when they were all together. Some had travelled from as far away as Las Vegas and Denver to all the way across town. It sure was nice to see them all together.

And the beat goes on . . .

Happy Turducken Day!

Yes, the cajuns have influenced their way and now we no longer celebrate "turkey day." Instead it's the new hybrid chicken, duck, turkey concoction of deliciousness with crawfish jambalaya thrown in for good measure. My cousin Becky and I did most of the cooking with Honey pinch hitting for the stuffing and giblet dressing. YUM!

It's an important part of being Two

This toilet training business and we've definitely been spending a lot of time on the pot, but I've struggled with wanting to write about it. For privacy's sake. But then this afternoon, Rosa Jane said that Baby Sara wanted to sit on her toilet. So I helped her get the toddler toilet out from the cabinet and she stripped Baby Sara down to her birthday suit. She's reading to her right now and she waits oh so patiently for Sara to do her business.

On Rosa Jane's front, we've had three successful times and each time has been very exciting and full of pride. She now has little tolerance for a wet/dirty diaper but doesn't demand to always use the bathroom.

We're going with the flow and we'll see if we can wear big kid pants soon!

Just when I thought we were back to normal

RJ awoke with 104 degree fever yesterday afternoon. I was all ready to tell you how she's sleeping late -- 6:30 and taking regular naps. So we've been homebound while running a few errands. I don't know how kids do it, or especially RJ. With her high temps, I just know she has to be feeling bad, but she's still singing songs and playing and running and skipping and wanting to go for long walks around the block.

On Monday we went to a playgroup event and it always makes me question whether I'm doing the right thing. Since there are so many other mothers out there doing the fulltime stay at home with absolutely no outside help, i.e. preschool/daycare, whathaveyou.
Then comes a day like today. A day when RJ is regularly scheduled to be at school and while I enjoy the time with her, I'm still chomping at the bit to get more done, whether that's mopping the floors or putting together outstanding photo work.

Balance. It's so delicate and delicious when accomplished.

my workspace

click on the picture to see what inspires me....

The Stomach Bug Strikes Back

Since the middle of October, the Roedner clan has been struggling with a stomach bug that won't die. On top of that, Rosa Jane wakes us way before the crack of dawn, sometimes before 5 even. Nobody goes back to sleep.

I wish we could just blame it on the time change and write a love note to Mr. President to please have mercy on households with children and forego all future time changes, but alas, this pattern has been going on since we left for Chicago.

Please, Lord, let this be just a phase and but a fond memory.

So if you've been checking in on us and wondering why haven't they updated...well, we're just plumb worn out.

My horoscope today

Aesthetically pleasing Venus is your key planet, making you sensitive to her current visitation to your sign. The days and weeks month ahead remind you how important it is for you to take care of your need for beauty. Start out by making a commitment to yourself to make new friends, be more social, and to indulge your senses. Don't let anyone talk you out of your pleasures.

Three Cheers For...

First and foremost for my sweet husband for standing by his woman throughout her creative urges.

Second for that purple dinosaur that kept Rosa Jane from putting nail polish on my new carpets or finding some other trouble while I was busy painting over the weekend.

Third for my sweet friend Sally who inspires me to create.

Four for Mika Beth who told me about the dill pickle color in the first place.

The cutest Little Red Riding Hood This Year

Francis was Little Red Riding Hood last year so we don't want to take away from her by saying that Rosa Jane is the cutest EVER, but I think you know what we're thinking anyway.

We had a wonderful time telling everyone "happy Halloween!" and "The Candy's up there ===>" as we directed the some 200 people who must have stopped by Matt & Sally's during the 60 minutes we were at the house still getting ready.

After carrying around three unwrapped Tootsie Roll lollipops like a bouquet for hours, Rosa Jane finally decided to eat one. Boy, was she happy she did! She really loves chocolate the most.

Happy Halloween, Yall!

We're having big fun despite being exhausted. We're about to go trick or treating so stay tuned for more pictures and of course... wish us the best of luck for getting all the available chocolate and then some.

Honk if you love Rosa Jane

in the Conservatory with art.

Ice Cream for Breakfast

The Girls

Here we are at the Pixie's house. We love Chicago. See more pictures....

Photo Day at School

It's Rosa Jane's second time to have a photographer at school today. I took more care to dress her this morning and thought, I better get a picture of this, JIC (just in case). hahaha.

In any event, doesn't she just look adorable? And more importantly just like somebody you'd like to know . . .

Assignment Theme: Growth

A couple friends and I are challenging each other to be creative and think outside our typical shooting styles. This is my interpretation.

Post-Thomas, Mid-laydown

She's not necessarily screaming her headoff she's just curled up with the gravel and dirt on the sidewalk because it's comfortable to her.

EEK! a Big Hairy Spider!

All day thursday I carried this bag around town, filled to the brim. Friday morning I cleaned it out only to find this big hairy spider that I thought RJ had made it from pipe-cleaners. Sure it was realistic, but my two-year old is amazing, dontcha know. When I saw it flinch I about jumped outta my skin. I still can't figure out what kind of spider it is.

If you can figure it out, please tell me. It's big, with black hairy legs and a brown flat-ish body. Very hairy. and did I mention CREEPY?

First Baby Parade

Well, we can cross it off our list. Our first baby parade and everyone had fun and ate a lot of SNACKS! The Theme was Mighty Molar says, Brush away those SugarBugs! So we had a dentist and a mighty molar and 10 little candy corns. Many more pictures will be uploaded to my faux-toes site in the coming week. Password under the clients link will be "parade."

Stay tuned for more.

Fleeting moments of serenity

My sister and I have spent the last few days together. Over breakfast on Friday, Caren made the comment, "see how fun it would be to have another 2 years apart" as we watched Brett and Rosa Jane eat breakfast together. Then a mere moment later they were fighting over spida-man.
Our photo session didn't go over so well. I think it's mainly because of the mother/daughter relationship with the peanut that she smiles, but won't look at the camera. She's a silly kid and I don't fight her on it. There are much bigger issues in the world.

Click on the picture to see more of sweet moments between a 2 and 4 yr old.

She is my sunshine

Today started off shaky. She threw up shortly after awaking and so all regularly scheduled activities were off. We cleaned the kitchen and started some laundry. We played on the porch while we watched the trash collectors come and go. We jumped up and down when the UPS came to our door on the early round and dropped off my brand new camera, a Canon 5d. I am in love with it. And I feel so proud because I've saved and saved and saved for it over the past few months and was able to pay cash for it. Sweet joy.

Rosa Jane asked to hold my hand as we walked through the house picking up toys and putting shoes away. I love holding her hand and she never wants to when it's my idea. She squeezes tightly and I hope I'll never forget how lovely that feels.

We went to Sonic and sat at their picnic tables to enjoy our lunch of a grilled cheese cut into quarters, tater tots and a jr burger for me.
Next we ankle-expressed it next door to the nursery to fetch some bluebonnet seeds for my true love. The secret is to plant them in October so they will bloom in the spring. He's in charge of this project and I can't wait to see the results come April.

Next we went to the grocery store. I never like going to the grocery store, but Rosa Jane doesn't mind as long as I strap her baby in the shopping cart next to her.

We came home and I hoped and hoped and hoped she'd nap, but to no avail. After an hour in her crib, I fetched her and brought her upstairs to my studio set up. She played along for a little while, but as you can see from the pictures (click through to see the entire set), she really liked playing on the ottoman anywhere but on the backdrop. Oh well, I still love her.

Welcome to my Studio, Little Girl

While Rosa Jane slept, or shall we say sang songs loudly in her crib until she passed out, Momma was upstairs playing with her new backdrops and lighting. Yum!! I could eat this up all day long.

Mommy, Sit down. Mommy, Sit down. Sit down, Mommy.

Sometimes (on very rare occasions) I'll find myself engrossed in my computer, catching up on the news or email or just looking at photos. My darling daughter will stand next to me and repeat herself until she's blue in the face and I look up to assess the situation. Today, I looked up to find this scene.

Funny, Rosa Jane. I do believe I will have a seat. Thanks.

In other musings, I admit to being terrified that my once cute-as-pie and could do-no-wrong-ever daughter has grown up to be a monster toddler who pays no attention to her mother. Yes, I know she's testing me, but to have her repeat back to me the things we've said to her is a bit unnerving. For example, she now demands her milk saying, "i want some milk right now, mommy." And for a while she could take or leave Baby Princess, she now seems to be a staple that we have to lug around everywhere. No other baby will do and she is the largest, by now rattiest-looking cabbage patch kid ever.

A grateful journal

I'm starting a grateful journal so I'm trying to think of at least two things each day for which to be grateful. Today, as I lay in bed in the wee 6o'clock hour, I am grateful for a sweet husband who fetches the babe before he gets in the shower and for the subsequential pitter patter of little feet on the hardwood floors. Later this morning on our long fast walk/partial run, I was thankful that Hank didn't get runned over when he was just two inches from the tire of a big white truck going way too fast on a blind hill.

Rosa Jane's Preschool

It just occurred to me that I've fallen far, far behind in blogging about Rosa Jane's current perculiarities. I just picked her up from preschool and she has all her babies on the couch with her, along with her cooking supplies so she can feed them when they awake. Click on the picture to see the special notes.

King Tut and Rosa Jane

We took our friends to Richland with us this weekend. It was lots of fun hanging in the country and fishing all day. We won't talk about how little sleep we got b/c of the kids.

Click on the picture to see more...

Rosa Jane Made Breakfast for You!

Our busy little bee has been ever so busy slaving away in her new kitchen. Hard boiled eggs and extra EZ macaroni and cheeze are on the menu. Which do you prefer? Let us know and we'll ship some straight to your door.

Enjoy the new pictures!

Happy Silver Birthday, Rosa Jane!

We all had a wonderful time at the birthday celebration yesterday. It always seems that the party never lasts long enough for the weeks of preparations and thought that go into it. Cousin Braden said it was the best birthday party he'd ever been to. His momma was a little disappointed he'd said that because ours didn't even have ponies like some others he'd been to. ;-)

Despite our best efforts to deter gifts, Rosa Jane got some great ones: books, a new kitchen set, dress up shoes & tutu, a mini diaper bag made by Lauriez Threadz, and a new "Baby Honey." Gift opening time turned chaotic when all Rosa Jane wanted to do was care for her old babies, Baby Amy and Baby Caren, while they were sitting in real Baby Sloan's car carrier seat.

We took polariods of each guest in front of this sign and gave them as take home gifts. Rosa Jane posed for each one. What a star! Momma is so proud of you, little darling!

Also, check out RJ's new silver shoes!! Click on the picture to share in the celebration with us.

A Sweet Scene

I came home from running errands yesterday and found my sweet people like this. Of course by the time I ran to my camera and out to the porch the scene had to be recreated. Good thing Rosa Jane is such a natural poser when it comes to not looking at the camera.

We're fired up and all abuzz for today's Silver festivities. Stay tuned for the follow up pictures...

Today I was schooled

we went to church this morning to participate in a mom2mom group. rosa jane and i quickly had to go our separate ways, but we weren't quite ready. they said, "it's better just to leave." it felt the most terrible. i think she was set off by the chaos of other children's crying, because she is happy as a clam at her other school group. today her cries caught me off guard and as i went to find my seat i could help but fight back tears, too. well, i didn't fight them off so well. as the morning worn on it was wonderful for me and her teachers said she sang the loudest. i'm looking forward to this new weekly routine. hopefully rj will fall in line, too.

PS i write this as she is playing in her crib... again defying her nap. i'm being schooled about who's in control. certainly not me.

The Girl Who Would Not Nap Lives at My House.

I don't have to tell you how bonkers this is making me. As far as I can tell she naps easy breezy at preschool.

I can't believe there was a time this summer when I was thinking I'd take her out of preschool to have more time with her at this fun stage.

Rosa Jane is officially driving me crazy with her way of doing things. The very idea!

Impossible not to love these two

Man, I love watching these girls together. They get so excited to see each other. They squeal with delight and bounce up and down-- just like girls!

Here are some pictures from Cole's fabulous third birthday bash -- live with a pony! It was a well-run/well-organized party and will be the gold standard to which all parties are compared to well until RJ's sweet 16th, I'm sure. Good thing we've already decided to keep next week's birthday bash real small and more for me than for her. ;-)

ah hahhahahahahahaha.

Okay, so she's not really Abigail

What do you think of the ad copy?

Another Ad...

family.jpg
Originally uploaded by ..Kristen...

An advertisment for the paper

I spent the afternoon designing this. and I'm no designer, who am I kidding?

Any comments left appreciated muchly!

kbr

If you think you've lost Honey or Rosa Jane, first search by the cake.

I love sunflare on my sunshine head.

I found some more pictures from Richland to post.
Check 'em out!

So cute!

Come spend the afternoon with us on the front porch. We sure wish you would...

Lainie and Grayson

I heard through the grapevine that my college friend Lainie is moving away from her beloved Austin. She called on Monday and we quickly scheduled a time to get together. Precious Grayson cat is just two tiny weeks old and smaller than Rosa Jane ever was. I can't believe how much I have forgotten about newborns and that neck thing in particular.

Enjoy the pictures.

Picture People Star

Check out our little star coming to a email inbox near you soon... that is if you're on the Picture People email list.

Happy September, Y'all!

So, it's officially the 5th day of September and as a Wednesday, that means it's trash day in the hill country. But more importantly I feel it's safe to start pumping up the birthday festivities we'll soon be celebrating in our home. I have been accused of making too big a deal about my birthday and I was ready to just have a small party for the peanut's second, but lo and behold I got a kick-in-the-pants wakeup call when Donr reminded me last week that it's the peanut's SILVER birthday quickly approaching.

In case you've forgotten about the order of birthday specialness as spelled out in black & white in the October 17, 2005 journal entry, it's worth a look back.

Over Labor Day weekend Honey was bellyachin' about how all her most special birthdays have come and gone and no one noticed.

I ask you, "If a tree falls in the woods and no one hears it, does it make a sound?" I think not.
You gotta gather up the troops and make a racket!!

So there I was sitting on Honey's bed racking my brain about other significant birthdays. We added up all the digits: 9+2+3+1+9+7+3. And that's when it came to me! Another grand reason to celebrate: It's my "digi-licious" birthday! The sum of all my birthday numbers = 34. Rock on! and Fire up!

Make no mistake, no presents are necessary. I just need to be reaffirmed that I'm still the coolest person on the planet even if motherhood has subtracted a bit from my starshine power.

teaparties are fun!

Before we left for Richland last week, Sloan came over for a teaparty. Check out her bonnet. There's no accounting for a mother's taste.

The Tribe

Here's the gang from the 2007 gathering. This seemed to be the most chaotic year. It probably had to do with me having my own toddler to look after. We all had a great time despite the low turnout of the doves at the annual roundup.

Put yer thinking caps on. We're trying to figure out a way to out do this year's $10,000 in fundraising for the United Methodist Church of Richland.

Yikes. What a year to follow!

Down with Enterprise RentaCar!!

Because I really hate being taken advantage of in a business/customer relationship, here is the letter I will be mailing today. Read and Heed, My Friends!!

Enterprise Rentacar
Jessica Soroski
Senior Loss Control Administrator
4210 S. Congress Ave,
Austin TX 78745



Dear Jessica,

Thank you for contacting us regarding Enterprise File Number DX6520435.

As you have coerced, I have enclosed the check for $475.20.

We are dissatisfied Enterprise customers and will take our future business elsewhere. After we broadcast this news to our friends and family, you will lose their nationwide business as well.

We feel that we were unfairly charged and were not given options for the repair work. How do we know you didn’t get the most expensive quote imaginable and use that one? We have leased cars repeatedly and are never charged $475 for minor bumper repair work. How outrageous!

Enterprise should be ashamed of this file record. I will be contacting the Better Business Bureau in the matter.

Thank you for settling our records. I hope you have a nice day and are never taken advantage of in this way. It’s not nice.

Good luck! (If it can happen to us, it can happen to you, too.)

Sincerely,



Kristen Roedner

New Bloggers

Fire up all you Buttercuppers!

We got a new blog to read: Emo & the City.
KBR and Erin were pals in Beantown while Kristen advised the Tri Delta's at Boston University.

Also, I updated my childhood friend's link and affectionately called it, The Garfield Gang. I may not be able to remember much about my past, but I do remember in the second grade Laurie and I created a members only sticker-collecting group and called it Garfield Gang. Laurie and I have been through so much together and after years of going different ways we're now finally closer together. Separated by about 50 miles and that's just nothing when it comes to true friends and Texas highways.
Although she doesn't update her blog that much, you'll be glad to know the link now works.

Bye now.

Taking communication to a whole new level

Last week I asked aloud to anyone that could hear, "Where are my tennis shoes?"

Rosa Jane answered, "n da baffroom."

Really?

Shore enough there they were.

I was blown away.

Over the weekend, Don was playing with the Peanut and writing names for her on a note pad. He started with "Mommy", then RJ would ask for "Daddy", "Hanky" "Pixie", then out of the blue she asked for "outside" and "couch" to be written.

Yesterday she was playing as she usually does. She would whine about something and I'd ask aloud to anyone that could hear, "What's wrong, peanut?"

Rosa Jane answered, "I hurt foot."

She's speaking six word sentences. I'm not lying or just trying to brag. I think she might be a freak. She's not even two yet.

Donr and Hank have a meaningful exchange

Hank pleads to go outside to do his business. Donr looks at him with " You will never measure up to Purdy" eyes.

Still, I love this photo. It makes me giggle.

Here's my other new favorite:

Rosa Jane LOVES cake

Good thing we had a birthday party to go to this weekend and free cake to enjoy! Rosa Jane gets so excited when there's cake to be had.

Click on the picture to see more from Sam's wild and crazy birthday bash at the jumpin' place.

inside the actor's studio

not really. i just liked the feel to this photo. it's my set up for the executive headshots.

killer. isn't it? ;-)

Rosa Jane on Fast Forward

Pictured is Rosa Jane from one year ago this week. I decided to compile a set of pictures from one a month over the last 23 months. I just looked at the set I made and there are 169 photos... sooo it looks like I have some editing to do to get it down to one a month. Let's see how I do. Check out the set and watch RJ grow!

It's like getting one of those toys you put into water and it grows before your very eyes!