Thanksgiving Weekend Highlights

So, the USB cable for my camera is shot and I have ordered a new one. Until then, no new pics. And I really have some great one's of Olivia and Bea on Thanksgiving.

Highlights of the weekend included:

Olivia got her FIRST tooth - that puppy is razor-edged.

Bea enjoyed playing with her nieces while they were here for a visit.

I got my own gibble-free stuffing, courtesy of Josh's mom.

Josh made pies with the nieces and kept everyone moving.

The food, of course, was scrumptious.

Neither of the girls feasted like I would have liked, but they both did have a few bites.

So...until I get my new cable (it has just been shipped!), here are a couple pics of Bea from last T-giving. My how that girl has grown.

Olivia at 9 Months

Dear Olivia,

Today you are nine months old. And I cannot believe it. This past month has been somewhat challenging, but it has been more than a joy.


You have started babbling quite a lot, and have stopped the cooing that I love so much to hear. When I used to give you kisses on your neck or your face, you used to coo in delight, with a simple “ah” as if you were telling me you love the attention. Instead, you now smile and will instead grab my hair for all its worth. When I try to pull my head away from yours, I often feel a hard yank on my hair and scalp, so sometimes I will hold your hands while I kiss you so that my hair will not be pulled. Continuing on with the babbling, your big thing right now is to go “Da da da da da da da”…over and over again. It’s so incredibly cute. And, sometimes when I want you to do it, I just say it to you and then you repeat it. You are amazing, little girl.


We pulled out the jumper because you are such an incredible kicker, and we thought you would love to bounce. You aren’t too sure what to do with yourself while you’re in it – as the first time proved this. You just stood up straight-legged, and would not for the life of you bend those legs. The other night you were in your excersaucer, and you were jumping up and down, so I pulled out the jumper again. First, you just sat there like the last time. Then you bent your legs and turned yourself in another direction. Then you stood up straight and appeared to attempt to take a few walking steps. I kept clapping my hands and yelling “jump, Olivia, jump” which drew your sister over to us to see what the fuss was all about. She knew how that thing worked, so she grabbed the side of it and started yelling “jump jump jump” at you while making it go up and down. So, then what happened? You started jumping. It wasn’t anything really to write home about, but there were quite a few times when you would bounce 3 to 4 times and then suddenly stop yourself.

Your father has said that you are drawn to me. I know this is probably true because I spend a lot of time with you and I am always so happy to be with you. Whenever I am not in the room you turn and look for me, and if I am in the room, you don’t stop staring at me and trying to get my attention. I like to spend a lot of time with you because I know that you are soon going to be off doing your own thing and I am trying to enjoy my Olivia that is still so babylike as long as I can.


Yes, you are growing, and you are doing new things. Though I do want you to stay like a baby, we are trying hard to get you to crawl. We have made a lot of attempts over the last month to get you moving. None of these have been successful so far. First, your father decided that we should probably give you more tummy time. You are okay for a few minutes, but then you start crying and are easily distracted and not sure what to do with yourself. You are crying for someone to pick you up because you are out of your realm. One night I read something online to put you on your tummy and place a towel under your arms and lift you up so you appear to be crawling. While that was pretty cool to see (because you appeared to be crawling), you had had it with me and that towel, and you ended up throwing up because you got so upset. So yesterday I read another story that sounded like it would be good to try. Since you sit up now and play without issues, you sometimes will lung out for toys in front of you that you can’t reach. I usually move them to you. No more. The lung part of the whole thing is supposed to get you to the crawling position. Last night we did that, and it proved to be successful, as you lunged out for toys and I did not help you. You looked like you were going to get there soon…However, after one of your many lunges, you pushed back to your sitting position and it was a little too hard. You fell backwards and hit your head. Then you started crying and wouldn’t stop and gave me the evil eye after your father decided to comfort you.


We have also started giving you finger foods and people food. Your favorite so far has been banana bread and oranges, but you also adore the cherry puffs. I love to hear you eat. You are so cute with no teeth, munching just like a person who has them…those gums just smack together and make such a cute sound. I guess you could say that you are a loud eater, but you definitely are enjoying the food we give you. As for your sleeping, you are somewhat intermittent as to how well you do at night. Some nights you will sleep ten hours straight. Some nights you will wake up once or twice. The nights that you sleep better are the one’s where you’ve gotten two naps that day. The night’s that are not good are when you take only one nap. I think you need your two naps, baby girl.


You’ve definitely shown us that you like being a part of our family, and we are so happy that you are a part of it. Your sister, if she could say the actual words, would tell you how much she enjoys catering to you and bringing and sharing her toys with you, and that she cannot wait until you are walking and talking so that you two can play together. Little Livey, you brighten our every day and we are enjoying watching you grow. Your sunny disposition has a way of always making things better, and happier. I love each moment I spend with you.

Love,
Mama

The Mullet

Help me, please!

Josh kept telling me she had a mullet. I kept ignoring him. Turns out, as I look at some of these recent pictures, she indeed has a mullet. I am not a fan of the mullet. She looks fine when her hair is up in ponytails, just not when it is down. The girl has some pretty funky cowlicks, so it is hard to cut the hair in any suitable manner. We have ONLY cut her bangs. How in the world did this happen, and how in the name of all things unhick-like, do we get rid of the mullet before Thanksgiving dinner?

For the Love of Pudding

Take one happy toddler:



With a bowl of pudding made from this stuff:



And you get this:






The pudding: was mooshed to death
The cleanup: not pretty
The Beatrice: had about 15 minutes of fun with that pudding before being thrown in the tub that produced a brown cloud in the sparkling clean water

A toddler with pudding: Completely priceless

Beatrice

Dear Beatrice,

I ultimately have a fear that you are going to hate your name as you get older. Yes, your name is old-fashioned, but it has a lot of meaning – and I do have to tell you that I love it because it is quite unique for this day and age.

Your first name, Beatrice, was decided on the day we found out you were a girl. Your great-grandmother’s name (on your father’s side) was Beatrice. There are a lot of stories about her that have been told to me – how strong of a woman she was – but, she was also quite creative and there are many paintings she did that are still around in the family. When you get older, you will have to have your father and grandfather tell you stories about her. Your father and I love the name we chose for you. It’s quite a possibility you might get teased because you get a “cool” phrase when shortening your first name to “Bea” and then adding our last name. But, you know what? I can’t even say how much your name suits you.

As for your middle name, that is a completely different story. We couldn’t come up with anything and struggled and struggled with it. At my baby shower, we had everyone fill out a slip of paper to give three different options for your middle name. I thought it was a nice idea, but I had no time to sit down and go through them thoroughly since you came two days later. So, while in labor and having contractions, your father read all of them to me when you were just hours away of coming into the world. He had to read through them twice, and then we had a couple that we liked. Samantha was our favorite, and so that is what became your middle name.

So, if you really end up not liking your first name, we are happy to give you a second option, something that you can shorten to “Sam” if you preferred. But, I do hope you like it, my Bea.

Beatrice: happy, bringer of joy

Believe it or not, your name suits you perfectly. You are pretty much always happy (even when you are sick) and you bring your father, sister and I so much joy.

I love you,
Mama

Olivia

Dear Olivia,

It’s funny because I had been thinking about writing this for a while now, and the topic came up last night between your father and I about your name. We love the name Olivia, so why did we choose it for you?

Your father had phoned one of his friends who has a daughter the same age as your sister. Their daughter was having a birthday party, and your father thought that her name was Olivia. He asked his friend about his daughter’s name – “Her name is Olivia, right?” and his friend said, “No, her name is R.” So, when he got off the phone, we both looked at each other and said, “That’s it!”

But, let me backtrack a little bit. I wanted to give you a name that was so very unique and one that wasn’t on the popular names list for the last five years. We were drawn to the names Hailey and Bailey and Madison. Unfortunately, all were very popular. I even liked Emma and Isabella. Those were popular, too. One day I was thinking about names and “April” came to mind. Your father really liked it, and I did, too. It wasn’t on any of the popular lists, so I had thought that was going to be your name for sure. And I loved it. It reminds me of that time of year when it is still a little cold and rainy but everything is starting to bloom and turn into spring...a very pretty time of the year.

Then, Olivia came along. Your chosen name became Olivia April. The name Olivia has become somewhat popular, but it is rare that we call you that. You have many nicknames, one of which I hope will stick and one that you can use if you don’t like your full name. Those being:

Olive (your father’s favorite)
Livey (my favorite)
Liv
O

You could always go by your middle name if you like that better.

It’s funny how parents choose the names of their unborn before they are actually around. Who knows if the name will suit the child, right? That’s a fear I had with you...what if the name just doesn’t fit and you don’t look like an Olivia? We’d have to start all over. But, the second I saw you, I knew that it was a fit. You’re an Olivia, a little olive, my little livey. You don’t fit any of the other names I mentioned above.

Olivia: Symbol of Peace, Olive Tree

I love you,
Mama

What do you get when...

You have a temper tantruming toddler?

Plus an 8 1/2 month old about to cut her first tooth?

Add a mom on PMS.

And a dad just trying to deal with a home full of females?

Well, it's just a minor road block that will pass in a few days...and all will be well with the world once again.

Beatrice at 22 Months

Dear Beatrice,

Today you are 22 months old. You've changed a lot in the last month, with quite a few interesting developments. There's a lot I want to tell you about the little girl that you are becoming, so I'll start where last month left off.

This year we went to the pumpkin patch to get ready for Halloween. You had a great time, and you took your first train ride. You were so excited to be on that train. Also, we picked out pumpkins and your father and you were off all over the pumpkin patch. You wouldn't leave his side, and shortly after that you said the word "pumpkin".


For Halloween, I got you a pretty fairy costume, complete with wand, tights and new shoes. You rarely wear a dress, and you have never in your life worn tights or fancy little black patent shoes. The morning of Halloween I got you ready in your costume because there was going to be a party at your daycare. You screamed at me and kept saying "No" over and over again. "What is this girlie outfit?" you appeared to ask. You seemed to hate it. I took your picture anyway. When I dropped you off at daycare, I feared that the costume wouldn't make it but a half hour. When I got home that evening, you were still in it. I asked your father if he put you in it and he told me that you wouldn't let anyone take that costume off you all day. Sometimes I just don't understand. It's almost like you know it will make me happy so you rebel, but then when I am not around you do things like it's no big deal.

So, on Halloween we decided to take you trick-or-treating. We put your sister in her costume, too, and went around to a few houses. Our neighbors were going out later and said we could join them. Your father stayed home with your sister because we had a lot of people coming to the door, and you and I went out together with the neighbors. You were not happy, but I think it was because you were disoriented with being outdoors when it was dark. We had a wagon with us, and you sat in it most of the time and wouldn't come out to go up to the doors. Everytime I tried, you started crying or you just wanted to be held. Oh well, maybe we will have better luck next year. I still think you had a good time, though.


This month has also brought on quite the vocabulary. My favorite words include: help, pumpkin, choo choo, Beatrice. Yes, you said your own name. You also started saying "owie", as in having a cut or scar or something else that is not normal looking on someone's body. This month when I got a blister on my foot, you saw it and kept saying "mama owie" over and over again, until you came right up to it and poked it. Then you would continue to do that to me every day. It was funny, but it did hurt, and that's ok. You pick up on words and phrases very quickly now, so your father and I have started watching what we say around you. One night I yelled "Oh my gosh!" and then right after you repeated it. So I said it again and you repeated it again. Three times this happened. When you noticed that your father and I thought it was cute, you immediately clammed up and refused to do it anymore. A week has gone by now, and everytime we say it, you yell "No!"


You've also become quite the singer this month. Even if you don't know all the words to a song, you get the ones you know in there at the right time and say them in tune with the song. I actually remembered more nursery rhyme songs this month and found out that you already knew them and learned them at daycare. So, on the way there in the morning, we sing songs the whole way. Your favorite at the moment is "Twinkle, Twinkle". You know what a lot of words in the song are, too, which makes it special to you, I think. One night when I was putting you to bed, you started singing to me. At that moment, I wanted to pull you out of bed and have you stay up just a little longer. Instead, I smiled at you, told you I loved you and that you did a good job singing. Additionally, you can do the Olivia rap without flaw. You rock, Punks!


Your enthusiam for things has grown tremendously this month. When you used to see an object you knew the name to, you would often just point it out: a plane, a tree, a flower, Elmo, Moo Moo, etc. You would say the name of it and point. This month you have wanted me or someone else to share that experience with you. So, for example, when you see a plane you scream, "Plane! Mama Plane! Plane!" You do this with just about everything. You're so excited and you want everyone around you to be excited, too, and to tell you truth, it is hard not to be excited about those things which are so often taken for granted. It's one of those stop and smell the roses types of things. Thank you for making me slow down this month.


This month has been a rocky one for your mama. I have been sick with different things for almost the entire month. My energy has been less than it usually is and I have had some moments of depression. I hope that you weren't able to see a lot of that because I really tried hard not to let you. I want your world to be perfect, and if not perfect, then pretty darn near close to it. Though you've been quite a daddy's girl, there are times when I know I mean a lot to you. When you get up at night and your father puts you in our bed briefly while he gets some milk for you, you whisper to me. "Mama," you say. And then you make your way over to me in the bed and hug some part of my body. You then make your way back to where you were before your father returns. How much do I love you? So incredibly much...

Love,
Mama

P.S. - I can't forget to mention that I taught you the "MMMWAHHHH" that goes along with a kiss this month. You do it with everyone when you give them a kiss. But you and me have a secret "MWAH". We can do the "MMMMMM" part of it for a long time and then make the "WAH" sound at the end at the very same time. It's our thing, something I am glad we have together.

A Believer No More

When I blew out my birthday candles in the year 2000, I wished that I would become engaged to the man of my dreams. I did.

In 2002 and 2003, I wished to become pregnant, and I made sure I blew them out with a single blow. It took two years for that wish to come true, but it did.

As for every other year of my life, the wishes have been somewhat materialistic. Except for this year. This year I wished for something for myself AND my family. I can already tell you that my wish has not come true and is well beyond coming true, at least for me.

Without saying exactly what I wished for (because maybe there is a glimmer of hope and I don't want to break the "don't ever tell your wish" rule), I will tell you that it doesn't even have a chance right now of breaking even. Why? Because the worst cold ever flew through our house knocking everyone on their butts right after my birthday. Since then, I have had a kidney stone. And now? Well, let's just say I have the worst sore throat that could be one of two things - Strep or some new irrating cold. But, maybe it is just a side effect of going off of those nice pain pills. It hasn't even been a MONTH since my birthday!

My wish that I put a lot of thought into? Out the window, folks.

Next year, I could be wishing to win the lottery instead. Because with that, my friends, I at least have a one in forty-two million shot at.

Everyone else here is healthy right now, except me. And it's fine...really, it is.

How I Have Felt Lately

I figured I should post the great pumpkin carving Josh did before it becomes 2007. It also depicts the way I have felt lately to a "T". An update to come soon.

Kidney Stone? Yes, Kidney Stone.

Or??? Kidney Stone.

Did anyone watch Friends, or still watches the re-runs? I keep thinking about the episode where Joey has a kidney stone. It’s so similar, people.

This post is about me.

Last night I woke up to excruciating pain on my right lower back and also in the front. I instantly thought it could be two things:

I somehow threw out my back.
Josh kneed me violently in his sleep, yet I think I would have woke up to that.

I could barely move. Advil didn’t help. At 3 am, I told him I was going to the emergency room.

So, after blood work, a urine test, an ultrasound and a CAT scan, I learned two things:

I have kidney stone.
I have an ovarian cyst.

Fun times, right? Well, at first they thought that I had a ruptured ovarian cyst that was causing the pain, but supposedly it is a normal one that will go away on its own. The CAT scan proved what it was...and as I lay there in pain, I was thinking that was what it might be. Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t do well during emergency room visits, as I tend to go ape shit on innocent people doing their jobs as they should. Generally I am a good patient, but when I don’t know what is wrong and have to sit for long periods of time, I get very impatient and take that out on other people. I am sorry, hospital workers.

Last night wasn’t any different as I was sitting in some pain that was easily comparable to contractions that were constant. No break here. After I supplied what little pee I could, they did not want to give me any sort of medication until it was confirmed that I was not pregnant. People, please! I have two babies who are very young, do you think I want #3 (if there is to be) right now? No way I am pregnant, people. No way. But they had to be sure and they were doing their job, but seriously, it took over an hour to get those results. I wanted to tell them to just bring me an EPT so we could quickly confirm and I can get some pain relievers. No can do.

I cannot describe the pain. Plus, I do not want to relive it. As I sit here, I am awaiting the passing of my new little frenemy, the kidney stone. And as I wait, I am happily taking some prescribed ibuprofen and vicodin.

Did I mention that I am on jury duty and might have to go in? Hopefully, this would be excusable.

I am very uneasy about this next part of this entry...and I am not sure I am making the right decision to post it or not.

I have been thinking a lot lately about this blog. I love my blog. Judging from the meter and what google analytics tells me, other people like my blog, too. However, some of the other blogger sites that I read daily have recently had their children exploited in some ridiculous ways over the Internet. Sad when it comes down to that. Though I do not have as many readers as these people, I do wonder if what I am doing is a good thing by having this open to anyone.

I started this blog for a few reasons:

--To keep track of my girls and document things because I easily forget things now
--To have stories to share with the girls when they are older
--If something should ever happen to me, I want the girls to be able to have something to hold on to that was for them specifically, and from their mom - to know how much I love them
--To keep family and friends that are located far away informed

Additionally, I have come to really like people who have stumbled across my blog and comment from time to time, like Scribbit and Jenn and Haggalicious. I don’t know these people personally, but I love their blogs and enjoy reading them, and I want them to continue to read mine. Though I would love for everyone who reads this to comment, I know that some people do like to remain anonymous. Every comment I receive makes me smile. At the same time, I have these feelings that I am letting people in to see bits of my life and my family and my fears and accomplishments, while not getting anything in return. I know that might sound selfish and I am sorry for that, but I like to share and hear about other people, too.

At this juncture, I’m not sure what to do. Do I make this private or keep it the way it is? Please bear with me as I pass my stone, because maybe the medication and pain is going to my head, but I felt I needed to get this off my chest.

P.S. – Both girls are doing great. Josh stayed home today to cater to me – picked up my meds and got the girls off to daycare.