because...

it's now dark at 4:30 and sometimes i just need stuff like this...

>>> NYC all the freaking time.

>>> TEENAGE POST??? Amanda Post #2801.

if this even half makes your day like it made mine... you're welcome:)

mental note:

amanda,

remember this phase of life. it's one you'll want to remember.

remember that her little waddle/run kills you. she just wants to be like the big kids which means you're constantly jumping up to save her from breaking her arm.

although you have at least one day a month where you HATE new york, remember that it really does have SO many great things to offer. frankly, most of the wonderful things require some sort of trek that is not child friendly... but do it; for now at least.

remember that these days she's more interested in bugs, sticks and rocks than almost anything else outside. and when you look back and wonder why she is so good at saying "bug"... well it's because you have a lot of fruit flies. those dang things... can't keep them away!

if there is only one thing she does that is "all you"... it's how she wanders through museums. hands behind her back, just like you.

this is the most wiggly phase of life yet. she is constantly running. squirming. tossing. turning. standing. these days you need her 2 naps just to recuperate.

and don't forget that time when you took a little fashion risk to look like a bear. NYC allows you to do these sorts of things and be okay with it.

and when you live in the middle of arkansas and no one wants to come visit you... remember that you had lots of great visitors when you lived in new york. although it wasn't like staying in a disney resort, it was still fun to have everyone squeezed in together.

i don't even need to remind you about the RANK smell in the 51st street subway elevator. you'll never forget that.

there is nothing sweeter than watching your kid be interested in just about everything. she has discovered that candy is for eating (darn it), but in (very) small quantities she is a kick to share with!

these days her version of kisses is to "touch tongues." truly, sometimes it's gross, but other times it's too cute to resist.

best purchase yet: her backpack.

doesn't matter where she is, as long as she's out of the stroller and walking... she's happy.

sometimes she does act like she's from the middle of nowhere arkansas. she loves corn and usually can't even wait for me to cook it. but you let her eat it because it's too darn cute to watch her work on it.

again back to those days when you HATE new york: remember days like these when the weather and leaves are just to die for.

if she had her choice between a tv show and a book, she'd choose a book. and we don't complain.

remember, when you try to be a "fabulous pinterest mom" who does everything from scratch and creates wonderful art projects for her kids... sometimes you win, sometimes you fail. despite what these pictures say, she really didn't like shaving cream painting. and you didn't either. shaving cream doesn't really adhere to paper, which left you a huge mess ...

what does adhere? m&ms... after discovering them at target one day, there was no going back. the squeal of delight coming from her lungs as i opened the bag was enough to bring you to tears. oh yeah, and she also grabs everything in sight during this stage. we left target with a stuffed sheep, tylenol and a food pouch we didn't buy... that was a fun trip back to target.

and you know how she doesn't eat any meat (oh, i guess she is your child after all)? well, remember she does like turkey! so thanksgiving dinner every night?!

note, looking back at all of these pictures she sure is eating a lot. true. but luckily, she eats pretty healthy. she's got some hard core molars and she puts them to good use!

other things to remember: she waves to almost everyone in our neighborhood that she recognizes. although she spends way more time with you, she constantly yells out "DAD!" like he's just going to appear from the nearest door. she sleeps in her toddler bed now and has yet to realize that unlike the crib, you can crawl out. when she wakes up, she'll just sit in bed talking until you come and get her out. it's lovely. i wonder when she'll realize there is actually nothing keeping her in bed...

you're in your 3rd trimester now and you have yet to workout. what happened to that "first pregnancy fit mama" we saw 2 years ago?? thank goodness you walk 25 miles every day to get milk. and those days when you randomly burst into tears when remie ruins a whole roll of toilet paper?... well you get over it. it was just one of those days.