this week

downs:
-my love/hate relationship with my camera. right now we're at a low point. i hadn't hardly touched the thing since valentines day (that's a really long time for me). i only pulled it out again because not documenting a birthday would be a mom-crime. when it comes down to it, mama needs a new camera.
-that time i wore my favorite dress while cleaning toilets and left a huge bleach spot across the front of it. vanity-crying on the bathroom floor - check.
-when Roo stuffed a bath towel in to the toilet and closed the lid ("set the towel on the potty" sounds an awful lot like "put the towel in the potty")
-the way Ruby keeps saying "it's my birthday soon!" (now that her birthday is over). she's been asking me when her birthday is for a month and a half. all i could say is "your birthday is soon!" but now how do i tell a 2 year-old "nope. it's all over champ" without being a scrooge? i guess she'll need to learn about disappointment sooner or later, eh? either that or i could start saying "it's your birthday in a year!"

ups:
-the way Roo says "come on, mommy!" "look at me, mommy!" she is speaking in complete sentences and there is nothing she can't communicate anymore. she recently started saying things like "oh man!" and "my goodness!" and it's just too cute to handle.
-partying with the Rooster. she has been so darling about the whole thing. she's been talking about her "happy birthday party" and "happy birthday cake" and telling me "i so excited!" for over a month! i don't know if the actual party lived up to the hype, but it sure was fun!
-that time we were walking through a parking lot and a nice man stopped his car just to tell me my daughter is adorable. i mean!
-Roo learning how to give eskimo kisses
-my awesome sister who helped me so much with Ruby's party. and i got extra time with baby Pearl this week (it helps with the baby fever)! bonus!
-sunshine! we have finally seen bits of sun and warmth recently and it's been so nice. if you want to know what mood i'm in, just check the weather and that'll give you a pretty accurate clue
-playing in the snow with our little snow bunny. after about 5 minutes outside her cheeks could probably glow in the dark (no, she is not wearing blush in those pictures)
-getting a new camera strap. i may not have my new camera yet, but this camera strap is pretty great
-giant birthday balloons
-the look on Bub's face when she got to blow out her birthday candles. pure joy