I'm still here

I know I haven't been blogging a lot lately, and when I do post something, it's usually just pictures, but don't worry, I'm still here and I'm doing okay.  Just been really busy lately.  Here's a few random snippets of what's been going on in our lives:

The kids and I have been dealing with minor colds.  Nothing serious, but enough to feel a little crummy (and no sick days in this job!).  Hopefully it passes quickly, and hopefully we don't pass it onto too many others - when we're just "a little sick", I don't like to quarantine.  Sorry if my kids cough on you, but we can't stay at home for every cough and sniffle. :P

Emmett will be one next week!  Where does the time go?  That means planning a birthday party (what do you get for a one year old who doesn't need anything??? Seriously, if anyone has any good ideas let me know!), and lots of other changes.  We're switching from formula to whole milk and from bottles to sippy cups.  The switch is going okay, but it's not great yet.  We've also been dealing with some car seat challenges (I won't go into details here and now, maybe some other time).  Next week is Emmett's one year check up, and he'll be going for his first hair cut on Thursday this week (pictures will definitely follow!).  He now has 4 teeth, eats lots table food (whatever he can gum), and sleeps about 12 hours a night.

Annika has been doing well with her swimming lessons and with preschool.  She's learning to write her name, and sometimes gets the letters pretty neat and clear.  Sometimes she's a little dyslexic, though.  I once saw her print her name perfectly upside-down and backwards.  I joked that she's ready to become a waitress at Montana's. :)  Her behaviour is still a challenge some days (or most days), but we're working on it.  The calm down jar didn't really seem to do much (although I like to give it a shake every now and then), but I have been encouraging her to do deep breathing when she's really upset.  It seems to be working, as it will usually get her to stop crying (or screaming uncontrollably) and talk to us instead.  Now just need to be consistent with it, and maybe she will learn to take a few deep breaths before launching into a tantrum.  One can hope, right? ;)

I haven't really started Christmas shopping, or Christmas present-making (I'm still hoping to have a handmade element to each one of my gifts this year - we'll see how it turns out!), but I've got lots of ideas, thanks to Pinterest.  Lately I've been making a few little crafty things here and there, but I'm hoping to soon get started on some sewing projects.  As much fun as it is to have little projects that you can quickly finish, I also like to have bigger projects, that you can come back to for a few days and keep working on.

I guess that's all for now - sorry that I don't have more exciting or interesting news to share!