I got a package in the mail today. It makes it even more exciting that I had to pack Eva up, and drive to the post office get it. As I was signing my name for the package, I took a peek at the return address.

United States Consulate General
American Citizen Service Unit

What we've been waiting for! We will find out if Eva is officially a United States Citizen.

Now, I'm kinda nervous, because I had to send in so much paperwork to back up my "claim" for Eva having a right to US citizenship. They wanted my work records, school records, college trascripts, and ... the toughie, Grade School Report Cards! Well, thank heavens my Dad keeps everything, and I had my Pennsylvania Report Cards for Grades 4-6. Unfortunately, I never kept any of my report cards from Middle School or High School. So, I sent in what I had, half-expecting a big, fat red "REJECTED" stamp on her application.

But, lo and behold, I tore open the package, to find an official (drumroll please):

United States of America
Consular Report of Birth Abroad
of a Citizen of the United States of America

Eva is officially a citizen of the good ol' USA. Now we just have to work on Nich..

Christmas is over already! I am always amazed at how fast it goes by. You'd think I would be ready for it, considering that I've been listening to Christmas tunes since November. But, I'm still surprised it's over.

Eva had a merry Christmas indeed. Her toy baskets are now overflowing with a TMX Elmo, Dora accessories, a Cabbage Patch doll, etc etc. Yet at this moment, she is still playing with my car keys. Huh, go figure.

Here are some pics from Christmas Eve.

Eva took her official first steps today! I stood her up halfway across the living room from Nich, who was sitting on the couch eating Frozen Yogurt. She looked longingly over at him, and I told her if she wanted some frozen fruit goodness, to walk over and get it. And she did! She almost ran she was so excited. She took 3 big steps and on the 4th step, she kinda lurched into Nich's lap.

So cute!

In other exciting news, our friend Angela got married last night. It was a beautiful evening wedding, and of course, Angela was a glowing, gorgeous bride. I cried, as always. And, once again, I forgot kleenex. Seriously, weddings are so amazing.

Well, Merry Christmas! And, no, I don't have pictures of Eva's first steps or the beautiful wedding. I know. I am lame.

Christmas is almost here, which means two things. A wonderful holiday weekend is just around the corner. And full-time work is just around the next corner.

I'm kinda freaking out. I can't imagine doing everything I already do, and working full-time on top of that. The only thing that is keeping me sane, is that it's only temporary - 12 weeks tops. But I'm also thinking I should hire some part-time help for the jobsite, so I won't get overwhelmed. Anyone like cleaning? It will be hours of fun and laughter, I promise. Oh and did I mention, flexible hours? And only 1 or 2 days a week. Temptimg, isn't it.

So, in my head I am making lists of ideas to make life easier as I head into the "working mom" position. Here are my ideas thus far:

-Prepare lunches the night before

-Throw random things in the crockpot before work, so dinner is ready when we get home

-Clean and tidy every evening before bed.

-Do Laundry on the weekends

-Ask Nich to do some chores around the house (but not laundry, because so far his track record consists of: shrinking our shower curtain to half its size, shrinking at least 4 of my shirts, and of course, mixing darks and whites)

I still haven't figured out when I will be doing the budget, paying bills, oh and of course, bookkeeping for the companies I take care of. I have a feeling I will need to start pushing back my bedtime to midnight.

...back to our regularly scheduled programming. All about Eva.

A couple days ago I learned that she is capable of undressing herself. It was mid-morning and I guess she was tired of wearing her pajamas.

Spa Utopia. An experience I will never forget. They had a door man. They had a hostess. And they even had a coffee bar.

On Saturday afternoon, I will be indulging myself in luxury at Spa Utopia. Well, I'm getting my hair done, anywayz. I got a little cashola for my birthday, and there is nothing I enjoy more than pretending I'm rich, and going to a posh Salon to get my hair done.

I think I'm gonna go for the traditional "Bob" again. My hair has been so messy and uneven, I'm looking forward to a nice, clean cut. Just in time for the holidays! My New Years resolution for the past 3 years has been to work on my hair. Unfortunately, my efforts in the past have all trainwrecked...did I tell you about my last haircut? As the hairdresser was reaching for the Blow Dryer, I had to inform her that she only trimmed the left side of hair. Enough said.

I'm hoping this salon trip will go better. And maybe I will accomplish my New Years Resolution just in time.

Let's start off with a cute picture of how normal and well-behaved Eva can be. Just playing with the wood puzzle her Great Grandma gave to her for her birthday.

Yeesh, what a morning. I'm trying to stretch Eva's awake time, so she will only have one nap. She has been waking up earlier and earlier every morning, and everyone keeps telling me to move her to one nap. So, hopefully this works, and she starts sleeping better.

Yesterday was my birthday, I got lots of fun prezzys like striped socks, kitchen gadgets, yummy treats, a sweater, and a tanning salon gift certificate. Yup, i like to fake bake. I've been pasty-white since I was pregnant with Eva, and I'm about done with it. Can't wait to have my fake golden tan. And ahhhh, it's so relaxing laying in a tanning bed. No screaming baby (well, i guess she's a screaming toddler now?), no t.v. noise, no leg attachment (yup, she still hangs onto my leg for dear life). Just a relaxing 15 minutes of silence. Can't wait, I'm gonna start tonight.

I just realized that I don't remember the last time I gave Eva a bath. Last week sometime maybe?

I don't know why, but it just hasn't made the evening baby routine lately. I think it's because I just finally got on the "brush their teeth" boat. So, that has been a nightly occurance for the last week. And apparently my brain can't handle more than one pre-bedtime activity. So there you go.

-I have a small brain

-Eva is now a smelly baby