Bramasole

Millie is sick with a cold. Non-stop runny nose and yucky cough. I am trying to keep her away from Ivy but I'm sure her germs are all over me (because she always wants me to hold her) and then I probably pass them to Ivy when I hold her. I'm guessing she picked it up in nursery, although she sits on my lap in there for 75% of the time (she won't go without Mark or I) and they put santizer on the kids' hands before snacks, but yeah it's basically a breeding ground for illnesses.

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I finally ordered my flatware! I did a lot of research and asked a guy at the Silver Super Store a lot of questions and got the best set I could afford (or at least I pretended we could afford). I got an 85-piece set with service for 16! I'm guessing that I will never buy flatware again in my life so I wanted a huge set so I could have matching silverware for large family gatherings now and later in life so that's how I justified what I paid. Also the author of flatware.org really convinced me that it is an investment. When I first saw the set in January, it was $19.95 a place setting which made it $299.95 (which I already thought was a lot) but when I went back to order it a week later it was $34.95 a setting bringing it to $494.95!! I was so dissapointed that I e-mailed the store and asked if I could get the previous price. The guy said that the manufacturer, Ricci, had raised its prices and that the new inventory had been purchased in January and that the 85-piece set cost them $330 and that they could sell it to me for $350, which is still compartively inexpensive compared to other quality stainless flatware. Since I had already started a correspondence with the store I asked a few more questions before deciding that this really was the best set for me. I finally ordered it on Monday and it should be here today! It was a total splurge, but luckily my mom helped pay for it as part of my Christmas present. I am so excited. I keep looking out the window for the big brown delivery truck.

So without further adieu, here's my set: http://www.horchow.com/store/catalog/productImagesPopup.jhtml?

You can read more about Ricci on the Silver Super Store's "Ricci" page or at flatware.org.

Lovely

I am so not motivated to blog without photos, but since I haven't taken any lately, I am getting creative and getting images from the Web. 

My mom gave me a set of flatware for Christmas. I decided to exchange it for a pattern that better fit my style, but the search for a different pattern led to an interesting education. I now know more about flatware than I ever imagined possible. How many of you know the difference between silverware and stainless flatware? Or the difference between 18/10, 18/8 and 18/0 flatware??? If you want to know the answers visit www.flatware.org, it will open your eyes to the quality of your eating utensils. And if you don't care, don't bother.

OK, now here's more about my life: Millie has been saying the funniest things lately. The other day she starting singing "Ding, dong the witch is red, the witch is red." But my favorite misinterpretation is from a new song I downloaded the other day. It's called "Bubbly," by Colby Caillat. The lyrics read "Everytime I see your bubbly face, I get the tinglies in a silly place. It starts in my toes makes me crinkle my nose . . ." Anyway, I think it's a cute song and have listened to it a few times with Millie. But when Millie decided to sing the song on her own, it came out like this: "I paint my toes and I pick my nose!" Love it! And I love Valentine's Day. Hope you're all having a lovely February!

The Mickelson Clan

Here is my humongous family. From left to right: Deanna, 14; Alexis, 27; Christopher, 29; Max, 9; Me, 24; Mandie, 21; and Ariel, 17.
This was taken after Ivy's blessing. We all hate this group shot tradition because there is inevitably going to be a melt-down. It used to be Mandie who wore the "I-don't-want-to-be-here" face, but the past few years that face has belonged to Max. (Doesn't every family photo have one of those?)
Deanna, Christopher, Mandie and Ariel are all used to Max's tantrums and so it doesn't even phase them (hence the perfect smiles) but Alexis and I see him on a limited basis, and as you can tell our smiles are forced. Now if Max could just get used to himself maybe he could look normal in a family picture. He is going to kick himself when he looks back at these in his later years.

Ivy Girl

We blessed Ivy on Sunday, Jan. 6. It was so nice to have all my family here to celebrate Ivy with us. She is such a blessing and such an angel!

I loved Ivy's dress. It was a heavy knit, appropriate for the winter weather.

I just had to share this picture of Millie and Ivy. They are so cute together. Millie has been a bit jealous of her little sister, but she has her moments of sweetness when she wants to help and love her little friend. Lately she calls her "Ivy girl." I love it. All-in-all, I'd say she is adjusting very well. And I love my girls!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Last year, Millie was terrified to sit on Santa's lap!

But this year she did so much better! She was happy to tell him that she would like a pair of slippers for Christmas (which she got!)

Here she is trying to show Santa that she is two years old. She loved that candy cane from Santa and blew him kisses as he left. What a reversal from last year. After experiencing Christmas this year, I think she is going to be even more excited for Santa next year! Now that Christmas is over she has finally learned the words to several Christmas songs (mostly about Santa) and insists that we sing them every day.

My Big Fat Pregnant Birthday

I wish I had Christmas photos to post, but they're still undeveloped in my camera. So here are some older pictures from my birthday. In this one, Mark and I are getting ready to go to dinner. I wanted to go to Iron Gate Grill (I was craving their sweet potato fries) but it is closed on Mondays! So we had to change our plans and we headed to Fire House. Then we hurried back for a little cake and ice cream with Mark's family. Oh, and as a side note: Mark hates that sweater, he only wore it because he knows I like it.

Here we are posing with the beautiful birthday cake Mark made for me. You can't really see it in the picture, but it's covered with huge coconut flakes. It was delicious to boot! I was 37-weeks pregnant in the picture. Ivy was born 8 days later.

Mom's girls

I'm not feeling so great at this point (hence the pink puke bucket at my left) but I was so happy to have my sweet baby.

Mark brought Millie to the hospital to meet her little sister. She was so cute to just hold her and love her. I hope they always love each other.
The other day I was snuggling with both Millie and Ivy and said, "My girls." Later Millie laid her head on my lap and said "girls." I think she really liked the idea. Now I think I want four girls, just like the March family in "Little Women." I love that movie (the Winona Ryder version). I really think of it as a Christmas movie because of all the snow and the Christmas scenes. Anyway, Millie can be "Meg" and Ivy Josephine can be "Jo." Now we just need a "Beth" and an "Amy." So feel free to suggest "B" and "A" names :)

Here is a head shot of our sweet Ivy. You can really see the jaundice in her coloring. Luckily she doesn't have it anymore. She changes so fast. I just love this girl. It's amazing how much you can love a little person who can't even talk (or smile) yet. Actually I'm glad she can't backtalk me yet. Millie is getting good at that!