meadow | ville | usa

Our first big “Uh oh…..”

zoobride1 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:58:48 +0000

love. loveeeeeeeee.

zoobride1 — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:30:32 +0000

I am reading a new book: ‘How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm’ by Mei-Ling Hopgood. A few weeks ago, there was a bit floating around Facebook about how pressured parents are to make every single second of their child’s day stimulating, perfect and crammed with learning. This pressure can make a parent go wack-a-doo. In Hopgood’s book, she examines cross-cultural differences about parenting from potty-training to bedtime to eating habits. I am only beginning this illuminating book and realizing how we operate the Akel household, is perfect, because it is perfect for us (and no one else). I strongly suggest you pick up this book. A fantastic read for any veteran parent, future parent or new parent. Yum yum, this is deliciousness for my brain cells.

new love. new hate.

zoobride1 — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:39:33 +0000

eat that frog

zoobride1 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:48:02 +0000

I have posted this once before. Now, more than ever, I live by this wisdom. It will change your life.

welcome 2012

zoobride1 — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:25:58 +0000

Have you thought of your goals, resolutions, aspirations, etc.?

I always think of resolutions as what-I`m-doing-for-the-first-2-weeks-in-January-and-then-never-more.

Why is that? Are the goals unattainable, too big, too lofty, unrealistic???

Maybe our resultions are to be small, bite-sized and easily digestable….such as:

I will make my bed everyday.

I will drink one thermos of water a day.

I will eat breakfast each day.

I will read a book each month.

I HATE and I mean HATE the fitness and health resolutions. “I will lose 852 pounds and eat only broccoli every third day.”

Are you bleeping kidding me?!!? Why set yourself up for failure?! Set yourself up for success!!!!

So as we welcome Mr. Twenty Twelve, think smaller and more realistic. You can always beef up a goal, but it is disheartening to water one down.

To a new DAY!

Welcome!

Sea World New Year’s Eve 2011

zoobride1 — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:42:54 +0000

After the "Pets Rule" Show, coaxing the animals towards her

First experience with snow- went over with mixed reviews

Thinking about touching the snow...

Screw Shamu, they have a squishy blocks pit

Her new best friend, Baby Brittain

True love

Coaxing Brittain to crawl towards her

"Mommy, can we keep her??!?!?"

Delicious

Telling secrets

Meadow was saying, "Come on Baby, come on. You can do it!""

Nap time

And she's off again!

Twirling on the "Abby the Fairy" teacup ride

She loveeeeeeed it!

Happy Girl

Be safe and enjoy the last hours of 2011! See you next year!

Pic a day, keeps the chaos away

zoobride1 — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:38:07 +0000

I am ~~hoping~~…~~trying~~…wishing, that I can keep a goal of mine to take a picture a day. A pic of our life as a family, of Meadow herself, the dogs, special field trips, etc. I am such a happy camper behind a lens, that if I make it a goal to be a better friend to my Nikon, that pure happiness will follow. Here are today’s shenanigans.

Glitter and Glue. Two key ingredients in our house.

Loving lettuce and mushrooms lately.

Tubby time

I told you that she had hair.

Playing shark.

Her bath baby- cleanest toy in our household.

So start today. Do something you love, a little bit, each day. That glimmer of your happy place in small appetizer morsels will keep you grounded, focused and internally glowing. It will give you something to race out to do- sewing, blogging, photography, rollerblading, underwater basket weaving, whatever it may be, make it a priority in 2012. Your enjoyment in your special activity should take center limelight just as your friends, family, career and health. Here’s to filling 2012 with your heart song.

2011- A Year in Review

zoobride1 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:45:55 +0000

Strider Bike 101

zoobride1 — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:02:43 +0000

Christmas Morning / Day 5 of Hanukkah 2011

zoobride1 — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:06:53 +0000

Nail painting for Santa's arrival

Pink on one hand, purple on the other

Squealing in delight

Let the excitement begin!

Wow!!!

Doe and Daddy

Cheese!

Thank you Santa!

Concluded with a candy cane