just eat it

I got to spend three whole days in a row with Little Miss J over Christmas and I discovered all the new foods that she likes including -

snow crab legs
paella
spinach and mushroom quiche
feta cheese
corn souffle

I'm still trying to figure out the whole parenting thing, but one thing that both Gus and I agree on is that Little Miss J should typically eat whatever it is that we are eating for dinner. So far it's worked out fine and just like her Mommy and Daddy, Little Miss J loves delicious food. I am so grateful she is such a good eater.

and so it begins

Little Miss J sitting in a box with a laptop and a phone. Kind of like being at work. Does it start so early? Makes me die a little on the inside.

A workaholic in training, just like her Daddy.

let it snow

Our first Christmas in Arizona and we even managed a little falling snow. There is an outdoor mall where it "snows" every evening. We met up with our friends, Tracy and Andy and their daughter, Cicily, tonight after dinner. Dinner was Chinese food - a new Christmas Eve tradition for the Chunglunds.

Little Miss J and Cicily had a good time playing in the snow and running around the giant Christmas tree.

It was our first real Christmas without family of any sort. In the days leading up to the holidays I was feeling a little bit sad and missing my family, but today was a relaxing day where we had nowhere to be and could just hang out at the house, take a nap, go out to play, meet up with some friends. Now the child is nestled all snug in her bed, and we've got the rest of the evening to hang out. 

So what have we learned today - (1) Little Miss J LOVES crab legs and (2) where to find snow in Phoenix. 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

chung & berglund, LLP

Happy 4th Anniversary to Chung & Berglund, LLP! This partnership was formed in a rented Mercedes at a drive-thru window ...  no really, it was. SEE!

It has been four years filled with several moves (including one cross country), pools of tears, fits of giggles, and unimaginable joy and love.

We have spent the entire year training our newest associate, Little Miss J. With "NO" being one of her favorite words, she seems to be getting the hang of objections. Watch out opposing counsel! She is still developing her writing skills and I have to imagine they will improve once she can use something besides a crayon. Overall, this little rookie has been a fantastic addition to our firm and she has been voted Rising Star 2011 by us. In the midst of training our new associate, we also closed up shop in Minnesota and hung our shingle in Phoenix, Arizona. We are currently renting temporary space, but are hoping to move to something more permanent in the coming year. Oh, and of course we are enjoying the sunny weather. After a winter of shoveling every single day, Mr. Chunglund is pretty happy that you don't have to shovel sunshine!

I am so very proud of our little organization. Life is often hard and full of the unexpected.  No matter what life throws at us, We seem to come out in tact. It is our resilience during the hard times that reinforces my certainty in knowing that I've found the right person to build a life with.

A very merry happy Chunglund anniversary to us! Love you, Mr. Chunglund!

thank me later

In my opinion, one of the biggest let downs in life is opening up the best Christmas present ever - the one you wished for, the one thing that made you think twice about writing on the wall with your red crayon - only to have your dad tell you that "we aren't going to open that right now" or "let me figure out how this thing works." This is why I have taken the liberty of assembling (it didn't take much work) Little Miss J's big present prior to wrapping it. This way she can open it up and start playing with it immediately. She won't have to pretend to wait patiently while thinking that her head might explode if she doesn't get to play with that super cool toy right now.

Little Miss J, I have saved you at the v. least, several minutes (which in toddler time is probably hours) of agony having to watch your dad reading directions and fumbling with the air pump. You can thank me later.
Love, Mommy

letters to juliet

I've tried to keep track of Little Miss J milestones via blogging. My good friend, Jenn (who is coming to visit next month and I can't wait!) mentioned that she hoped I was saving these letters some place permanent. While not totally permanent, I wanted to share a little idea that we've been using. I set up an e-mail account for Juliet and I try to send her an e-mail once every week. I thought it would be fun for her to read through them all someday. So yes, I've been C&P some of the blog posts into e-mails for her!

family sunday

Last night was our office holiday party so I got to spend the entire evening with my husband and some fun coworkers. The icing on the cake? Gus had today off from work! I got my long run in outside in the sunshine - 8.3 miles. I actually need to be doing more short runs during the week because this morning really took it out of me. My legs still hurt and I have been pretty worthless all day. In spite of this, we took Little Miss J to the park where she rode the carousel and went on the swings. Then off to Costco where she loved all the samples. She ate chicken tamales, artichoke and jalapeno dip, crescent rolls, and meatballs, it was a regular buffet for the munchkin. I used to get the Sunday blues - now that it is typically the only day that I get to spend with my whole family I look forward to it. Hopefully, today has recharged me for the week.

raindrops on roses

Dear Little Miss J,
You are 14 months old today. Here are a few of your favorite things.

Favorite foods: tofu pad thai, steamed baby carrots, bagels, dog food
Favorite toys: mostly things that are not toys, such as alarm clocks, tampons, toothbrushes, etc. But really, you like the rocking horse, tricycle, and kitchen at daycare, you love things you can shake like maracas or jingle bells - you will walk around the house shaking them all.day.long.
Favorite nighttime friends: IKEA puppy from John and Karen and the monkey from your Grandma Amy
Favorite dog: Carl. You've learned how to pet him nicely and give him hugs. However, he is not your favorite dog when he eats your bagel.
Favorite game: You love it when mommy chases you around the house and pretends to "get" you. It makes you laugh and smile like crazy. Sometimes you laugh so hard you fall over.
Favorite things to do: play outside, ride the carousel, swing at the park,
Favorite bath toys: the cup that I rinse your hair out with and the mesh sponge
Favorite words (aka the only words you say): mama, puppy, bubbles, no, mine (Daddy taught you this one and I'm not so happy about it), bye-bye, night-night.
Favorite thing to do to make Mommy smile: Give kisses. You kiss with your mouth wide open like your going to eat my face. I love it.

This goes without saying, but you are an actual little person. Both your Dad and I enjoy watching your little personality develop. For the most part you are a happy little girl. When you are walking and laughing at the same time, you typically fall down. I chalk it up for your enthusiasm and exuberance for life. Pretty much everything you do (even the naughty stuff) is the best, cutest, or funniest. Keep it up.

Love you always,
Mommy

zoolights aka my redemption from the arizona balloon classic fail

Last year we did Bentleyville. Little Miss J was only 2 months old and it was pretty chilly. This year it was Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo. Still a bit chilly for Phoenix standards. Holiday music, some hot chocolate, and lots of Christmas lights-it was the perfect family outing for us despite the chilly weather.

At first glance, I am clearly more excited than Little Miss J about the whole Christmas lights in the shapes of animals.

She did however perk up when she saw the carousel. If you need a refresher on Little Miss J's love for carousels, you can find it here. As we walked past the carousel at the zoo, she pointed and shouted "da," her standard exclamation to most things.

She had so much fun on the ride that there was a bit of an incident when she realized that she had to get off and there was not going to be another ride. Fortunately, she got over it pretty quickly with the help of some milk and twinkly lights.

Hopefully we can make this a holiday tradition ... minus the carousel meltdown. Oh, and my holiday cards have been delivered! Time to start addressing!

she's crafty

Tonight's project inspired by Pinterest