11 months old and busy little bees.

   Can you believe it?  The next monthly update from Jocelyn will be about her 1st birthday party.  Gasp.  Heave. Faint.  I'll be honest, it really did fly by in a sense, but in another sense, it feels like she was born about 3 years ago, so I'm not sure if it feels like it snuck up on me, or if it feels like she's been here forever, and it makes perfect sense that's she turning at LEAST one, if not seven.  It's a strange dichotomy of feelings.

   Must. Update. Blog.  Those have been my thoughts recently.  In my defense, our computer decided to give itself a vacation, and so I'm editing pictures/posting from my laptop, which really isn't very convenient.  But don't worry, one of my New Year's Resolutions (yes I'm thinking about them already, can't help myself) is to post regularly.  I've never done that before, and I'm a little nervous about making a commitment to that, because then I'll feel like I have to stick to it, but I think it's time.  I'm not sure what "regularly" will mean yet, whether it will be every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or twice a week no matter what day, etc.  I will figure that out and let you know, come the new year!  Because everyone knows you can't make New Year's Resolutions early. That, and it gives me time to rethink my decision. ;)
 
   In other news,   Jocelyn is 11 months old.  That means it's time for an update.  But since I usually take all of her pictures outside (due to the fact that I despise indoor lighting), and had to take these inside (due to the rain and cold) these pictures will not be the greatest.  Oh well, it's something.

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Jocelyn here, posting my 11-month-old update.  My new all-time favorite thing, is making this face.

    Finally, after 11 long months of feeling these feelings but having no way to express them, I give you....*drumroll please* the "Grouchy Gretchen".  I do believe I have mastered it quite well, actually. 

    You too, could be an expert, if only you try.  Just scrunch up your nose, pooch out your lower lip, and furrow your eyebrows, and presto, everyone knows exactly how you're feeling about your current predicament.  It's so liberating!  Why didn't I think of this before?

    Here I am trying to show George (my sock monkey) how to make the face.  "No George, you scrunch your nose first, like this!"  He wasn't very cooperative.  But I love him anyways!

   Let's see, what else is new in my life.   I haven't been going outside as much because it is so cold and rainy out.  But the other day we walked to the library and I got some books for mommy to read to me.  Mommy and Daddy went on a date tonight and I was at cousin Madison's house for the evening.  She's so much fun!  I wish I could talk and run like her.  She's SOOO grown-up. 

   I am starting to "talk" more and more, and I especially like to talk to myself while I'm playing with toys, and George the Monkey.  I still love taking a bath, and especially drinking the bath water.  I also love to suck on the shower curtain but Mommy won't let me.  

   I'm so excited for the next few weeks because Mommy said we are having Thanksgiving, and then we're moving, and then we get to go to Iowa, and then I have my 1st birthday party, and then it's Christmas!  I can hardly wait for it all.  Well, that is all for now.  Ta-ta.

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   Like she said, we are pretty busy these days.  Busy with what?  Oh, just a little bit of............

• Getting ready for the Day of Thanks, to which I am taking TWO DISHES this year (the pressure's on!!).  
• After that, it will be Black Friday madness (if I decide to go)
• Civil War game on Saturday
• A week of packing/cleaning craziness and then MOVING on December 1st!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm excited, if you couldn't tell.
• Packing like mad to leave on the 3rd for a week in Iowa/Indiana for a friend's wedding, to which I am traveling with Jocelyn, sans husband. :(  
• Then I will come back, and in one, indistinguishable whirlwind of twinkle lights and cookie cutters, I will simultaneously deck the halls and prepare for both Christmas, and Jocelyn's 1st birthday party extravaganza.
• Then we will party like it's 1999.  
• Then, two days later, we will have an all-day Smucker thing.
• 3 days after that, is Christmas.  
• Then we will have more family things, a friend's wedding on the 31st, and ring in the New Year. 
• Then I will of course make my New Year's traditions, after which I will promptly collapse into a heap on the floor and being to hyperventilate.

Happy Holidays.