I cannot believe that we’re nearing mid-December! Where is the time going? And good grief, it’s been busy. The week before last I shot a maternity shoot, and then on Saturday I was in Oklahoma to shoot my cousins wedding. It’s been so much fun being able to really get out and get creative again. It’s definitely keeping me busy though. (My poor blog, each month it is neglected just a little bit more.)

Oh, speaking of blogging, I wanted to say that I started a healthy weight challenge with Fit Photographers. You can keep track of me over there under my name, “Manda.” I have some gouley “before” pictures posted, so enter at your own risk.

We launched the FIT Photographer’s challenge on December 1st. Just after Thanksgiving, on my middle child’s birthday, right before MY birthday and my cousins wedding. Before this month is out I will have to survive a church potluck, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, my eldest daughter’s birthday, and a New Years Eve Party. I figure if I can make it to the other side of December and manage to loose my targeted goal of 8lbs, then I’m doing fantastic.

In other news, DD1 had her first dance recital last night. It was too adorable. Her Ballet class danced to “You’re a Mean One Mister Grinch.” She was so great up there on stage. Made me so proud. After her recital she showed her Grandma P her lipstick (did I mention DD1 is obsessed with makeup?) and then declared, “I’m a STAR!” Hee hee.

The only bummer for the night was that I forgot my camera at home and our video camera (which I DID bring) was out of batteries and only turned on long enough at the recital to tell me that the batteries were low before it turned off.

I can’t believe I don’t have one picture from her first recital! Talk about bad mommy moments.

I’m hoping to ask some of the other parents from her class to see if anyone has a copy to spare. Who knows, maybe someone has it up at youtube as I type. That could happen.

About the only other major thing happening on this end is that DD2 was just re-evaluated for Speech. She graduated ECI and is now moving into private therapy. We met her therapist this morning and everyone loved her. We’ll find out in a few weeks as to what she continues to qualify for. I’m especially curious to see the improvements she’s made in the last year. When we first put her in speech she was 26 months old speaking at a 9 month level. I’m hoping that the work this year has helped her gain some ground. Although, it’s still painfully clear she needs more help. She can say 2 word sentences fairly clearly, but gets bogged down with anything longer. Often only saying the first and last words of the sentence. So, what the listener hears is something similar to, “No uh-uh-uh ball.” rather than, “No, that’s my ball.”

Speaking of therapies. DD1’s therapy for her SPD is really going well. She’s on a prescribed sensory diet that includes things like body brushing and bear crawls. Our most successful days are the days that we are able to adequately meet her sensory needs. So, we continue to work on that and work on helping her recognize how to meet her own needs as well as how to ask for help in meeting those needs for her.

Anyway, I guess that pretty much rounds us out. I’ve got plans to send out a Christmas letter this year, but think I’ll probably be sending it as a New Years letter at the rate I’m getting it done. lol.

Merry Christmas!