Extreme Makeover Toddler Edition

We made the pilgrimage to Snip-Its for Norah’s first haircut this week and came home with the obligatory certificate, tearful Polaroid, and bag of hair…all for only $25 including tip. Unfortunately she somewhat spoiled the effect by adding the cut above her left eye to the bruise on her right cheek. The bruise has now healed and been replaced with a split lip. I think we’re going to have to go back to calling her “Lumpy” instead of “No-No”. The girl’s a maniac!!
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Isabel’s Baby Billy

Yesterday we had a visit from Aliya’s old friend Isabel, her mom and my friend Kelli, and their Baby Billy. He is so adorable! He’s a BIG boy and has the most beautiful shade of red hair. Not to worry…I did NOT find myself wishing for another baby in the house. The mere thought of that unpredictable infant period makes me want to run to BJ’s for a jumbo pack of Baby-Maybe’s. But I digress…we had a great visit and Isabel is due back for a sleepover as soon as Aliya’s new room is ready.

Books I’ve Loved

Right now I’m reading Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It’s GREAT!!! It’s tough for me to find reading time these days so I keep sneaking away long enough to read a few pages before somebody tracks me down for another game of Uno. Even if you don’t support the instant starmaker called Oprah’s Book Club, this book is worth reading. Don’t let the subject (cathedral building) scare you off – this book is not just for architects and clergymen. I’ve already ordered World Without End from Amazon since I have a feeling I’ll be sad to see Pillars end.

Other favorites (in random order):

The Glass Castle: A Memoir, Jeannette Walls
Time Traveler’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden
Forever: A Novel, Pete Hamill
The Red Tent, Anita Diamant
Life of Pi, Yann Martel
Daughter of Fortune, Isabel Allende
Lucia, Lucia, Adriana Trigiani
A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini
Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
A Million Little Pieces, James Frey
Midwives, Chris Bohjalian
Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides
Keeping Faith, Jodi Piccoult
The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown
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