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Do you ever feel like a failure? Does it ever seem like the smallest task is impossible? Whatever the reason, I feel that way lately.
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"Several Times"

Annabelle and I were picking up dinner from Chili's yesterday when a man walked in to pick up his food. He said, "I've got an order for Bob."

Annabelle turned to the man and said, "Hi Bob!"

He said, "well hello there!"

And she said, "I've been here several times."

It was hilarious and oh so cute!
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I Live in a Jungle ... Kinda

Walking across campus today was drippy and wet and I felt like I was walking through a rain forest. Humid.
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"Sugar Kisses"

Echo and the Bunnyman!
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Little Grease Monkey :-)

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Mean Girls

Annabelle said the girls at the gym kids club wouldn't let her play. I'm sad.

When I went to get her after my measly 25 minutes on the elliptical, the people working there said, "She's ready to go."

When I asked her, "Anna, did you have fun?" (She's always enjoyed going there before.)

She said, "No."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Bad girls won't let me play."

I was soooo sad, I don't even want to take her anymore. Annabelle is such a sweet, gentle, loving little soul and the thought that she is hurt, hurts me beyond words.
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Off and Running

Annabelle put both tennis shoes on all by herself today.
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"Hi!" Annabelle said when I walked into her room this morning.

"Are you awake?" I asked.

"I awake ... Lawn mowers woke me up!"

I died laughing.
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I miss Neen and Annabelle!
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"I can't like it." That's one of Annabelle's favorite phrases.
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"Hola!"

"I need guacamole over here!" Thus spake Annabelle.
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Chewy

Annabelle is chewing gum -- first time. I tried to slip Andy a piece and she saw it and demanded a piece. Eclipse Winterfrost is the brand. I can't say she loved it. A bit of a chew then gave it back to us to throw away. But another step into big-girl-dom!
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Where Did He Go?

We were sitting having breakfast. Annabelle had a toy horse in here hand whom we were feeding cereal. She'd kind of forgotten the horse as she ate. I'd made some stacks of O-shaped cereal pieces and asked Annabelle if the horse wanted some from the tall stack. And she startedsaying "where horsey? Where horsey?"

I finally said, "he's in your hand!"

And she started to laugh like crazy. She'd forgotten that she was holding him while she ate.

I guess stuff like that happens at all ages. Someday she'll be walking around with the best of us -- her sunglasses on her head -- asking, where are my sunglasses?!"
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*eye roll*

Sometimes I just feel like the whole world -- from people I know to people I don't -- are out to kill any spirit I have. I try so hard to be positive and what does it ever get me? Really?
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Potpourri for $100

Russian is really hard. When I am studying I find myself asking: "Why? Why are you doing this?" Not only is the stuff hard, but getting babysitting and getting down for class and finding time for homework -- it's all tough.

That being said, being on a college campus makes me long to go back and finish my MA. It's fun to be back in class. And, hokey as it sounds, it's fun to learn. I love Russian, so all the hassle of getting there and back with a toddler and cramming in bits of study here and there is worth it. But once a week for a language like Russian seems almost unrealistic. I need to be in a class everyday to keep the momentum going, but once a week is not only all they offer, it's all that is realistic right now.

I am trying to reconnect with old friends. It's like for the past two years Andy and I have been in a battle just to stay alive and we're finally coming out of the really hard part. We've been in [town] for a year now and we've both realized we really have no friends and few prospects. I'm trying to reach out to old friends hoping that, though time has passed, it won't matter. I've come to realize not everyone feels that way. I am really such a naive little girl sometimes.

Andy and I both miss ATL desperately. It has been suggested that it's a golden memory that we miss, not reality. And, I am sure there is some truth in that. But I really miss the friends I had there. I miss Andy's friends that he had at work. I miss cold weather. I miss going to Thrashers' practices. I miss living in a smaller "big city." I miss the beauty of the rolling hills and greenery and kudzu. Our favorite restaurants. The shopping. The church. The general vibe of the city. It's very different here. It's not the town we grew up in anymore. Atlanta, really, is the town we grew up in. If that makes sense. Anyway...

Annabelle is very funny. Her speech is starting to take off. She learns scores of new words everyday -- and remembers them. It really is fascinating to see the light click on in her head when she learns something new. I doubt I look that cute when I learn that a preposition in front of a noun in Russian changes the ending of the word. No, nyet. I am sure I don't. But Annabelle learning? That is something special to see.
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Scary things want you to only think of them.
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On plane and holy cow is it crowded!
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We are at the gate. Plane delayed! I am doing my best to entertain Anna. We just shared a chef salad.
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Praying for a safe and easy flight. Join me, won't you?
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Annabelle just said "My Nana" -- it was so cute.
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Being away makes you realize how wonderful home is.

*

Annabelle has started saying two-word sentences. They are pretty funny too: Like "bean me." Which, of course means she wants you to give her a green bean.

In the past week she has said "orange" and "green bean" and "Bubba" (aka her cousin, Colin).

She's become extremely proficient at repeating words she hears too: "Dance," "bounce," "dog," etc.

And the word "bonk" is the funniest thing to her. It makes her laugh every time.
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Annabelle woke up this morning saying "Mom! Mama! Maaam!" over and over again. I was awake and waiting for her to get up and it was so cute.

*

Andy and I were talking about it last night though. We can now understand why all the books recommend not traveling with a toddler. It was lovely to see everyone though.
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I realized today, I just need to get my powers back!
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Keep On Truckin'!

Annabelle and I are riding in the back of Momi's car on the way to K & C's. Anna is babbling to herself and eating Swedish Fish. (I know it is far too early for that! But roadtrips are special times.)

We had a delightful time in DC. We visited with family. Annabelle got to play with her cousins. Andy and I had a night out. Saw some of my best friends: Jen and Jen from high school/college. It was a visiting frenzy!

Now we are heading south for more visiting. We're looking forward to that. So a belated Happy Thanksgiving from The Road.
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The way annabelle says "wheeeee!" When she's on the swing is worth millions.

"Wheeeee! Wooooooo! Wow!"
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Annabelle was amazing on the plane. She sat so perfectly on my lap, happily holding my hand. She looked out the window and said, "wow!". I tried to keep her ears from popping by giving her a grape lollipop on the way up and Swedish Fish after Swedish Fish on the way down. They are chewy and she can swallow them.

She ate the little sandwich they gave us and a few Ruffles.

We read a book and watched some of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
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Annabelle just pointed to the number nine in a book and said, "nine!". We were amazed.
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We are in the car wash and Annabelle is losing her mind. She used to love going in the car wash! She just yelled, "no!"

Awww!

I had a root canal today. Quite the experience. Amidst the chaos, mouth numb, and flying high on lauging gas, I garbled out promises to never go a day without flossing again.

Oy! I am sure it will ultimately be much better, but right now it is kind of still achy and painful.

Annabelle went trick-or-treating for the first time Friday!!