Shoe Recognition

Mimi and Grandpa stopped by last night on their way home from the airport. They've been "trailering" in the great nation of Canada for the last month, so the girls haven't seen them for a while.

Kate knows Grandpa by his picture. Almost every time we pass his picture in the hallway, she calls out, "Gapa!" But even though Mimi is in the picture, and we tell her who it is, she has never said Mimi. Until this morning.

Mimi has a pair of shoes that she leaves here. Last night when they left, she left them by the front door. This morning Kate went over, picked them up, brought them to me and said, "MIMI! Mimi shoo!"

At least she can recognize Mimi's shoe.

On a Mission

I came home from Bodega Bay this weekend with a little extra something that I didn't have when I left home on Friday-a throat cold. And while I don't feel terrible or congested or anything, I'm tired. Really tired. Like it's 8:30 and I'm about to go to bed tired.

So my mission? To get rid of this cold before Thursday. You see, on Thursday, Joel and I are going away to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Yes, our anniversary was last month, but who cares? We haven't been away together overnight without children since Padyn was 20 months old. It's about time. And I don't want a stupid throat cold super exhaustion thing to ruin it.

Suggestions? Besides going to bed right now, I mean...

Photo Friday

Friday is here again. I actually took pictures this week just for this post. I still didn't take very many, but at least there are a few to share with you.

This first one highlights a new phase in our life...Kate as an artist. Here the girls are, actually sharing the crayons at the little white table. Since Kate isn't so good at drawing on paper yet, I just tape a big sheet down and cover the table so it doesn't really matter where she hits. I do need to work with her more on where is appropriate to draw and where is not. Paper, yes. Mouth, no. Floor, no. It will be a long road, I'm sure.

And speaking of new accomplishments as an artist, look what Padyn can do. I had no idea she could actually draw a person until she brought me this picture the other day. I'm pretty impressed. She must be getting this at school because I certainly have never shown her how to draw people. And frankly, my people drawing skills are about as developed as hers.

Here's our little artist now. This was her this morning when she was "helping" me make oatmeal. Oatmeal that neither she nor her sister ate, by the way.Let me show you Kate's new party trick. Joel and I discovered she could shut her eyes on command the other day. Here's a demonstration of what she does when you say, "Close your eyes, Kate!" I love how she squishes up her face like that. It's so dang cute. Oops...Padyn would tell me I'm not supposed to say "Dang."Kate is having a bit of a rough morning this morning. Her allergies have been bugging her and underneath her nose is all dry and cracked. She's a bit whiny and needy, which is not helpful when I'm trying to pack up and get out of town. So, I'll do anything to keep her happy. Including giving her her toothbrush to practice with. Can you see it? She's brushing BearBear's teeth.Or his nose, more likely.And I'll leave you with this one. Lying on the floor with BearBear and Paci. This sums up her mood this morning.Happy Friday. We'll see you next week.

Here He Is!

I only have one picture, and it's mostly of Bella, but if you look really closely at the bottom , you'll see Trevor. He's 7 pounds, 19 inches long, and looks a bit like I did when I was born.Bella sure looks cute too, doesn't she? Such a proud big sister.

Random Facts

I don't really have anything to blog about today, but I feel like I've started a trend as I have posted something everyday since last Thursday, and I am compelled to continue. So, in the spirit of my friend, Erin, here's some bullets about today.

• Padyn's school was visited by the local fire department today. Her school doesn't go on field trip outings; they have the field trips come to the school. When I asked Padyn what the fireman said, she replied, "When the smoke is up high, crawl down low." I asked if he said anything else. "No."

• It seemed to me that every other kid in her class was leaving school today with some sort of construction paper fireman's hat, and when I asked Padyn if she had made one she simply said, "No." No explanation as to why she didn't do what everyone else did, but ok. At least she doesn't feel pressured to conform just because everyone else is.

• Speaking of school, the first couple days she was literally crying over the fact that her teachers from last year were no longer her teachers. It was heartbreaking to listen to. She wasn't putting on an act. She was genuinely broken up over this. Today was the first day she didn't tell me she wanted Mrs. D and Mrs. L to be her teachers. Hopefully this is a sign that she likes her current teachers.

• Padyn's been collecting acorns at school. It must be a girl thing. Today she came home with a bag full of them. There were others in the car that she collected last week.

• Now Kate does it. When we picked Padyn up today, Kate lay down on the pavement to reach an acorn that had fallen under the gate. She already knows the word, "Acorn." Padyn probably didn't know that word until last week.

• Kate went to gymnastics again today. She loved it just as much as she always does. I had to pull her out of the room when it was time to leave. Her favorite part of the time is playing with the balls. Like we don't have those at home...

• My kitchen floor is disgustingly dirty, but I don't feel like mopping it. It will have to wait until Thursday since I'm working tomorrow.

• I'm working tomorrow. I'm giving a training for an assessment that I think is fabulous. I haven't given this training in a while, so I'm hoping I sound like I know what I'm talking about.

• I had Padyn bury her acorns that she has been collecting at school in our front yard today were they took out our dead tree. She thinks they will grow into a big tree...like, soon.

• Padyn was really excited for Owen to come over and play this afternoon. Once he got here, she spent most of the time sitting on the couch, pretending to read and ignoring him. He did everything to get her attention short of hitting her over the head. It was amazing to see the battle of the sexes played out by 3 year olds.

• I had a board meeting tonight at BCM. Have I ever told you about that organization? Well, I volunteer as an elementary tutor there and I'm on the board of directors. Actually, I just became the board chair. How a 32 year old woman with no experience in the business world becomes chair of a highly respectable non-profit is beyond me, but there you go. So, it was my first meeting as chair. I think it went well. I wasn't as terrified as I thought.

• I signed up for Facebook last week because my friends from Australia whom I love invited me to be their friends. I have no idea what Facebook is exactly, but my picture is up. I don't like that my last name is on there, but what can you do?

• I'm getting excited about the upcoming weekend. Some of my girlfriends from Davis are getting together in Bodega Bay. (Not the same group that I went to Hawaii with. I have a lot of great friends from college.) I'm coordinating meals. I'm not doing a very good job of it.

• It's fall here. Is it where you live, too?

• My sister and baby Trevor are home. Everyone seems to be doing well. Bella loves her baby brother. I'll post a picture as soon as I get sent one.

That's all. Hopefully, we'll see you tomorrow.

Padyn's Really a Big Girl Now

Even though Padyn has been potty trained for over a year and has woken up with a dry diaper almost every single morning during the past 6 months, she has refused to wear underwear at night. Whenever Daddy or I brought it up, she would tell us she'd do it when she was four. Or she'd cry.

But a couple weeks ago I told her that when we ran out of pull-ups this time, I wouldn't be buying anymore. She was going to be sleeping in underwear. She almost cried. She really fought me on it, but we stayed strong. Well, actually, we just didn't mention it anymore.

Until last night. Daddy came in and said she didn't have any pull-ups left, so it was time for underwear. She actually was excited about it! I was ready for a battle and here she was thrilled. Fabulous! I love it when your kids fool you in a good way.

This morning when Daddy went in to deliver their morning beverages I heard her say, "I slept in my underwear and it's dry!"

What a big girl you are, Padyn. We're so proud of you.

I have the best kids in the universe. No, really.

You know why? Because they both tell me when it's time to go to bed. Well, Padyn used to more than she does now. But Kate. KATE! We got home from the gym at noon today. My plan was to feed them lunch then put them down so I could shower. But as soon as we pulled into the garage, Kate started saying, "Nigh nigh. Nigh nigh."

"You want to go nigh nigh right now?"

"E-Ya."

"Do you want to eat first?"

"Noooooo."

"Ok."

So we tromped upstairs, she saw her crib and reached for it all the while saying "Nigh nigh. Nigh nigh."

I swear, when I lay her down she sighed and smiled at me, as content as she could be.

I guess she'll have a late lunch today.

What's your Nineveh?

Are you feeling like you'd rather head to Tarshish?

Our pastor spoke this morning on the story of Jonah. I don't usually write about my faith or personal issues beyond the love and exasperation that I feel for my children, but God was speaking this morning and I felt compelled to blog about it. I don't necessarily think this is for me. Is He speaking to you?

Most of us know the story of Jonah, or at least the Veggie Tales version. Johan, prophet of Yahweh, is given a directive from the Lord. "Go to Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up against me." (Jonah 1:2). But Jonah didn't obey. Instead, he fled in the complete opposite direction. He bought a ticket on the last boat to Tarshish.

You know about the great storm that came up, and how it began breaking the boat apart. The sailors, they were terrified. Jonah, he slept. The crew cast lots to see whose fault this was, and sure enough, the lot fell to Jonah. These sailors, who didn't know the Lord, were convinced of His power and might because of this terrible storm and they asked Jonah what they needed to do to him to make the sea calm. Now, Jonah had a choice here. He knew what this was all about. And actually, so did the boat crew. Jonah had told them he was running from Yahweh. At this point, Jonah could have said, "Turn this boat around. I need to get to Nineveh." But no. Instead, he would rather have committed suicide. "Pick me up and throw me into the sea and it will be calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you." (Jonah 1:12)

We all know the rest. Jonah got tossed, the sea immediately calmed, the boat sailed on and Jonah was swallowed by a great fish. He hung out in this creature's intestines for three days and three nights until he called out to Yahweh. He was honest with the Lord, humbled himself, gave thanksgiving, and decided to obey. The Lord made the whale vomit him up and he went to Nineveh.

In that whale, he was transformed. The whale was his askesis. This was the first time I'd heard this word. According to my pastor, it is "an environment in which we are at God's mercy to shape us."

Are you in an askesis?

Like Jonah, some of us are in an askesis because of our own choices and actions. Others of us are stuck in one due to no fault of our own. And still others have willingly placed ourselves there. No matter how you get there, this is usually an unwelcome place. Painful and lonely, possibly really smelly, as in Jonah's case, I don't think many of us want the askesis we've been placed in. Yet, it can be the best place for us and a tremendous opportunity for growth. Are you fighting your askesis or are you letting it mold and shape you? Are you being honest and humble? Are you allowing it draw you into a stronger relationship with the Lord?

Maybe this is not for you. Maybe you don't feel like you are in a storm or an askesis. Great. I'm really happy for you. Enjoy it. Because really, if you currently are not experiencing a storm, you will. And then, how will you respond?

We Finally Got A Boy!

When I say we, I mean that in the extended family sense. We did not suddenly adopt a son, although that is a thought...

Anyways, I'm an Auntie again. My sister, Christie, delivered Trevor Thomas at 5:45pm today, September 15th. I don't know all the details, I haven't even seen a picture yet, but I know he's about 7 pounds. That's a huge praise because my sister has been measuring small during this pregnancy and she was concerned about him. There have been other complications that I'll let her tell you about if she wants, but for now we are grateful that he is healthy and here. Everything else is just details.

Bella, Padyn says congratulations on being a big sister. She can't wait to see you! She wanted to come see you tomorrow, but I told her you'd be here in a few weeks and that would be soon enough.

And Trevor, your cousin, Kate, can already say your name. She hasn't even seen a picture of you yet, but she knows you. How cool is that?

Cheatin' Today

Well, it's that time of the week again and you know how many photos I took this week? Three. Oh wait, I'm wrong. I just looked at the camera and I took double that...a huge whooping SIX! Whoo-who. Go me. Here's the best one:

Kate was very proud of herself. This is the first time I'd ever seen her put the blocks together by herself. She clearly knew that was an accomplishment. However, that didn't keep her from tearing them apart and throwing them across the kitchen right after this picture was taken.When Auntie called last night to remind me it was Photo Friday today, I told her I had nothing, so she suggested I put up old pictures. Then when I was falling asleep last night I realized it had been ages since I did a comparison of the girls or a monthly update on Kate. I don't feel the need to do updates that frequently anymore, but I did like the comparisons and would like to do those again with some regularity. Kate turned 17 months almost two weeks ago, but since today is Padyn's 46th month birthday, I thought it would be fitting to start again today. So, this Photo Friday is the Photo Friday 17th Month Comparison Update. I don't think there will be many of these in the future, but it works for today. Here we go...

At 17 months, Padyn had just begun to walk. She was pretty stable on her feet right away, like Katelyn was, probably due to the fact that she waited so long. At 17 months, Kate is very outgoing and social, very opposite of her sister. But while she might be more active, she is not a risk-taker (thankfully!). In that respect, she's more similar to her sister than I used to think. Neither are big fans of climbing up play structures or going down the slide at the park by themselves. They are very fond of the swings, and could spend an hour being pushed in one. Whether it's good or bad, they both show less reserve in the pool, however, which might get us in trouble next summer.At 17 months, even though she was mobile, Padyn was content to sit and play and could read books or watch TV for HOURS. She didn't want to play by herself-I usually needed to be right there with her or she'd follow me around complaining. But at this age I was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel where I could stick a video on and take a shower and she wouldn't go anywhere.Kate loves to play, but wants to play with me or her sister. She doesn't mind being alone if SHE is the one who has left the room, but if Padyn, Daddy or I leave her, watch out. She refuses to sit still or watch TV longer than 43 seconds. Currently eating out with this child is as close to torture as I'm willing to get. Forget taking showers while she is awake. Either she needs to be in the shower with me or in her crib playing with toys.Both girls had and have smiles that make everyone else around them smile. Kate is very free with hers, whereas Padyn reserved her smiles for people she knew. Katelyn is constantly waving and saying "hello" and "bye bye" to most strangers that cross our path. I still can't get Padyn to say "hello" to people she sees on a weekly basis.At 17 months, these girls had many similarities, even if they don't look the same anymore. They were/are both highly verbal, can name most major body parts, love bathing and anything to do with water and dance even when no music is playing. They have their own drummers that they are happy to march to. Both were/are making animal noises, recognize people on sight, know how to ask for common things they want and do not like being strapped in their highchairs or carseats. Kate as recently started throwing tantrums, and I can't remember if Padyn had started doing that at this age or not. It's a struggle not to laugh out loud when Kate throws herself to the floor kicking and screaming. Literally. And just in the past few days she has started to scream, whether she's happy or mad. I'm telling you, it must end soon. Occasionally Padyn tries to copy her and boy does she ever get in trouble for that.One last difference I just noticed in this last picture. See that little ponytail on young Padyn? I could never do that with Kate's hair at this point. Padyn didn't have much in the way of hair, but you certainly won't be seeing ponies on Kate for a while yet.Happy Friday from the D girls. We'll be seeing you next week.

Sentences Out of the Mouth of a Babe

For the past two days I've been keeping track of things Kate has been saying. Many of them are a result of mimicking her sister or me, but not always. Some beauties she pulls out of midair with no prompting like Bye bye, Osh when we leave her little friend. Here's a few so you know exactly what I'm dealing with.

Tali poo poo (Tali went poo poo)

Bye bye, Osh (Bye bye, Josh)

Shooszh ah baby (Shoes of Padyn, or Padyn's shoes)

Momma, are you? (Momma, where are you. She also does this with Daddy and Padyn)

What dat? What is that?

Shooszh ah (Shoes off)

Geh so moe (Get some milk)

Haas (Hugs) or Gih haas (Give hugs)

Ah juszh (Apple juice)

Daddy oh (Daddy's home)

uh righ (All right)

Ets oh! (Let's go!)

Ets oh bye bye (Let's go bye bye)

There's a few more, but I didn't write them down, so they have currently escaped my brain. I'll try to keep the list going. It's just as much fun trying to phonetically spell what she is saying as it is to listen to her.

Oh, and did I tell you she shouts? MOMMA! MOMMA! when I'm standing right next to her. I know she's the second child, but she can't feel so neglected that she has to get my attention by constantly shouting at me. I might develop a complex. Or selective hearing.

A "When I'm Four" Sighting

Today I mailed a box of swimsuits that had been left at our house to the W's girls. Knowing how they feel about all things Disney princess-ish, I put them in a Cinderella shoe box that some of Padyn's sandals had come in long ago. I told Padyn nothing about this, but when she got up from her quiet time, she found the box and peeked inside. The following conversation began right after that peek...

"Mommy, I don't want to give away my princess sandals yet. Probably when I'm four I'll give them away to...who lives far away and has blonder hair than me and hits? (Slight pause for pondering)...

Coley! I'll give them to...ummm...red hair....ummm....little sister....ummm....Coley's sister, Jalyn!

And my Dora box and you have to tape it down when I'm four."

I then asked her how she knew I was sending this particular princess box to Coley and Jalyn. She said, "I saw their suits." It was all highly entertaining, on so many levels. A bit confusing, but entertaining nontheless.

So be on the look out for the princess sandals, JayJay. Apparently they are coming your way soon.

How Many Ways Can You Say Padyn?

Kate has many...

While Kate's language has been exploding lately, she is still having a hard time with her big sister's name. For a long time, it sounded identically to "daddy." These days it changes on an hourly basis, but there are three main contenders that pop up with regularity.

There is still "daddy," which gets used about a third of the time, and especially if she is excited and trying to shout "Padyn!"

There is also "Dah-deh." This one is probably the least used, but it is the closest phonetically, since she can't say the long 'a' sound or the 'n' sound.

The last is my favorite, so I think it's the one I'm going to push. Interestingly, Padyn was called this by her pal, Liam, when they were around 18 months. It's "Pay-bee." Sometimes is sounds like "baby." (She occasionally mixes up the 'p' and 'b' sounds.) I think it's too cute.

I'm sure there will be a few more variations until she can actually say the name correctly. I'll push the ones I like best. And isn't that how many of us get nicknames anyway? Legend is that the nickname used by my family members arose from how my younger sister, Christie, said my name when she was learning to talk. Padyn may be "Paybee" for quite some time.

When I'm Four...

This is what Padyn says when she doesn't want to do something that she knows she probably should be doing. "I'll do it when I'm four, Mommy." Like, "I'll wear underwear to bed when I'm four." Or, "I'll be able to take off my shirt [by myself]when I'm four."

Little does she know that "four" is rapidly approaching. Yesterday J and I discussed writing down all the things she says and presenting them to her on her fourth birthday. "Here you go! You're four now! You must do all these things! See, you said you would!" Can you just see how that would go over? I think something like..."OK, when I'm FIVE I'll do it." That, or hysterical tears.

Well, trying to write them down is realistic. Everyone should get as much entertainment out of our children as we do. I think I also better keep track of what she says about when she's grown up. Almost daily she is telling us what she wants to be when she grows up. Or what she will have, like a baby. (That was our conversation while doing hair this morning. As always, I told her that when she was OLD and MARRIED she can have a baby. We'll see if it works.)

A couple days ago she came to me all droopy and depressed, like her heart had been completely shattered. "Mommy, I don't know what I want to be when I grow up!" That's OK, sweetie. Neither does Mommy or Daddy.

A Couple of Firsts From the Week

I had too many photos to put in my Photo Friday post, so I must write a second one so you can see the rest of what we were up to this week.

First of the firsts, Padyn started preschool again this week and I managed to get a picture of her on Thursday, which was really her first day of school. Of course, we were late, and I took the pictures in the parking lot at school. Clearly, she was not very pleased to get her photo taken. I'm sure she's wondering why the heck we're still out in the parking lot when all of her friends are in class getting a head start on their art projects. Of the 5 or so photos I took, this sad one was the best. Honest. What is it about 3 1/2 year olds and their fake smiles? But forget her insincerity. You must admire her new dress from Grandma...she was very excited to wear it, even if she doesn't look it.

Also on Thursday, Padyn started the dance class that she will be in for the entire year. Because I'm a bad mommy, she was the only one in the class that didn't have tap shoes for the tap portion. Mainly, her lack of tap shoes was due to Mommy's cheapness. I was hoping that I could find another family that wanted to part with some used ones for a reasonable price. Seeing as how that was not the case, I'll have to go out and spend some money on them this week. Apparently you can get them at Payless. Who knew? I guess we'll be making a trip there sometime this week so Padyn is not an outcast next Thursday.

I couldn't get many photos since Kate was running around. It would not have been good to let her run into the girls dancing their little hearts out. As it was, I had trouble keeping her out of the street as we were walking outside to pass the time.

But I did manage to get this photo of Padyn and Marti. I wonder if there's one of me with her from 27 years ago. She looks the same, doesn't she Mom, Christie and Colleen? And she sounds exactly the same. I was transported back in time listening to her give the girls instruction in alligator steps and toe taps. So so fun...

The last first of the week concerns Kate, and there are no photos to document it. You'll have to rely on my amazing memory to make it real for you. Ok, really, you just have to read on. We went to the zoo today. It wasn't actually the first time Kate has been to the zoo, but it's the first time she has been aware and interested in the animals. She was so adorable. She kept shouting at me, "Momma! Momma! Momma!" and when I'd respond she'd wildly point to whatever animal we were looking at and babble very excitedly about it. Ten seconds later, she'd shout at me again. About the same animal.

I did learn that I will have to start some explicit instruction regarding animals. She kept telling me everything was a monkey. I can see how she might be confused by a lemur or a goat, but she was sure the frogs and lizards were monkeys. Hmmm...

Her new words today were "giraffe" and "Abbie." (We were at the zoo with our friends CJ and Abbie and their Mommy). Oh, and she actually ate meat today. And a tomato. AND she drank an entire sippy cup of milk. (Two days ago I banned the bottle forever. She's been forced to drink her precious milk out of sippy cups. She doesn't like it very much. Never will she finish a cup in one sitting. Today she did. Progress is good.) It was a big day for Katelyn. I'm sure she'd tell you all about it if you let her.

Photo Friday-Outside Play

After being unsure of what to do this afternoon, I decided it would be best for everyone involved to just let the girls run around outside. Two balls, two girls, and some wet grass. What a great combination...

Just One More Thing I Don't Have Pictures Of

Did I tell you I enrolled Kate in gymnastics? Well, it's at "The Little Gym," which some might argue isn't really gymnastics, but I would beg to differ. I had Padyn in "really" gymnastics for a few sessions when she was younger. I think Katelyn has learned more in the last two sessions than Padyn did in an entire quarter of classes. And this gym is clean. And all the equipment is her size. And it's real gymnastics equipment. It's so cute. It's not cheap, but we get a lot more than I did at the "real" gymnastics studio. I'm a big fan already.

Today was only the second day we've gone, just Kate and me. And as soon as we walked into the studio, Kate knew exactly where we were. Boy was she excited. So excited, in fact, that she pranced around showing her tummy off to anyone who would take notice of it. (We have yet to figure out why this particular thing is her happy dance, but it just is. When she's happy, she shows you her tummy.)

Just like Padyn's first day of preschool today, I have no pictures of Kate at gymnastics. Mainly because I can't very well take pictures AND spot her on the bars. It would be a bit awkward. But as soon as I can get someone else in there with me to take pictures, I'll show you how much Kate loves this class and why I think she's going to college on an athletic scholarship.

Here We Go Again

Today was Padyn's first day of PreK Preschool. It's hard to believe that it was a year ago already when we started this school thing. In some ways Padyn seems like such a bigger girl than that not quite 3 year old. In other ways, it doesn't feel like an entire year has already passed, making us each a year older and (hopefully) wiser.

But there we were again today. The first day of preschool that wasn't really the first day because you only stay for an hour, and all the parents are there, standing around, hoping their child doesn't bite anyone. Me, I was standing around, talking to my friends, and periodically making sure Padyn was talking to people, not just hanging out by herself in the new reading loft. I can tell her teachers are going to have trouble getting her out of there this year. There's worse things to get in trouble for, I guess.

This year Padyn is in a combination class of sorts. A few of us 4 year old parents were really ticked off when the school originally only offered a 5 day morning PreK (a.k.a. "4 year old") program for this year. I really wanted Padyn to be in school 3 days a week, in the morning. But intially, my only option was the afternoons, which was totally going to jack up our entire weekly schedule. Plus, this child still naps. Almost every day. Why would I want to mess with that? Getting back to my point...a few parents complained and the school's solution was to create a 2 day combo 3's/4's class. It's mostly olders 3's who were in the 2 year old program last year, and the three 4 year old kids from my church who needed to be in the morning, but for whatever reason, can't go everyday. So, they are going to do the 4 year old curriculum with all the kids. I'm happy with that.

Padyn has some of her good friends in the class. These are kids she sees almost everyday anyway, either at church events or playgroup or just at our house for playdates. She isn't going to be lacking in friendships. She won't be getting quite as much academics as I'd like, but really? This is preschool. And she's already a reader. I'm not terribly concerned.

So, have you noticed yet that I actually don't have pictures from today? Yea, I guess that's the other thing about the second year of preschool. It just doesn't feel as big of a deal. (Oh, and my lens is still broken, so that limits my photo taking ability. Gotta get a new one.)

I'm sure at the END of the year, when there's that silly "graduation" from preschool, there will be lots of pictures then. For now, just picture Padyn all smiles, lost in a heap of books in her classroom (same one as last year.) That's pretty much how she looked today.