Amelia and Evie

Sweet...

2012-01-27T18:42:00.006-06:00

Sometimes the sweetness can be overwhelming.

Our bedtime routine includes standing in front of the crib holding Evie and swaying gently back and forth in the quiet, darkened room to soft music. She takes this as her cue to settle in and get snugly. Her own routine involves adjusting her lovey upon my shoulder (or Ford's), laying her head down on my shoulder, and often patting my arm while she starts to doze. Tonight she did her normal routine and I had one of those moments where I felt extra happy and grateful just to be holding her, feeling her little hand pat my shoulder and listening to her soft breathing and sucky sounds. I spent a few seconds trying to ingrain that feeling into my brain...knowing this stuff doesn't last forever. I whispered "night night sweet baby, I love you...can mommy have a kiss?" She picked up her head, smiled behind her sucky and giggled softly. She nodded her head as if to say, 'Sure Mama, you can have a kiss.' Then she leaned in and I kissed her soft cheek, she turned her head away without a sound and laid back down on the lovey, upon my shoulder...and went to sleep.

Love this laugh...

2012-01-21T13:49:00.004-06:00

Evie and I stayed in today while Ford took Amelia to the sledding hill. Great sunny day but pretty cold. Caught this moment of hilarity on tape while we played in our tree tent set up indoors...fully equipped with sleeping bag, books and toys. Evie loves it in there. Check her out.

Happy Christmas, Happy Birthday and Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T19:41:00.004-06:00

I can't even believe the whirlwind of events that have taken place these past few weeks! So much activity and so much to be thankful for. Let's start with our birthday girl...
Evie is ONE! One whole year with sweet little Evie rounding out our little family. Joy, laughter and amazement are the 3 main words that come to mind when I think of her. She is growing leaps and bounds and like her sister, tends to act older than her age. She is testing out her legs lately. She took her first step on December 13th with Amelia and I there to witness the exciting event. She has been practicing ever since! She's speedy with her walker and loves to just stand up and balance. She just hangs out for a while, standing, pointing at things, making her talking sounds. Speaking of speaking...she's been working on her vocabulary! Dada, mama, up, duck, wawa, uh-oh, Santa, soft, star, grandpa, sister (some of these words sound a bit like "dada" but we know the difference), she says "huh?" with her hands turned up when she is perplexed or looking for someone. She also makes a multitude of animal noises...monkey, dog, horse, bear, lion, rooster. She is great at communicating, with words and with sign language. She laughs, almost with relief, when we understand and say back to her what she is requesting. And what she is usually requesting is food or milk. Those signs she has mastered.
She thoroughly enjoys food. She hums her food songs while eating. She has different songs for different foods. I thought today, I wonder if she will always hum while eating. After lunch today, Ford was changing Evie's diaper in the bedroom and she must have been asking him for more food as I heard him say to her..."Evie, you get three meals a day, and a few snacks. Got it? You just ate, kid." I had to laugh out loud.
It's great fun watching Evie and her sister develop their relationship. They love each other so much and yet, like sisters do, they fight...often. So far, for the most part we have been letting them work it out on their own, unless someone gets physical. It's usually Evie. We are teaching her to be "soft" and "gentle" but she is automatically on the defense when big sister comes around as Amelia at times displays her senior status...likes to show who's boss. I often over-hear Amelia saying things to Evie like, "Evie, if you do that again, there is going to be a consequence." But, truth be told, Evie can hold her own. Let's just say, I'm not all that worried about her. We've got two strong-willed little ladies on our hands. Should make for some interesting teenage years.
We introduced cow's milk to Evie this past week. So far it's a no-go but I said the same thing about solid food 6 months ago and look at her now. She spits the milk out and makes terrible faces.
She's got 4 teeth now, 2 on top and 2 on bottom. Cuteness.
I had an Amelia deja-vu moment with Evie yesterday. Ford was trying to read to her before nap and she was not sitting still, as usual, for book-time. This is common with Evie and book-time, she's much too busy and has too much exploring to do. So I said to her "Evie do you want milk?" She laughed and made the sign for milk. I said, "okay, but first you have to lay down and finish book-time with Dad and then you can have milk." She totally laid down and waited for Ford to finish reading. Stinker understands everything we say. Amelia often shocked me like that at this age as well.
Christmas was fun and crazy and exciting and full of memorable moments. Amelia was so excited for Santa to come and was amazed at all of the magic Christmas brings. Love seeing Christmas through her eyes. She was the most enthusiastic present opener this year, announcing each gift with a loud and truly excited voice. She was just as excited for her sister's birthday and did not forget about Evie's important day despite all the Christmas activity. Amelia LOVES to give gifts and I love to watch her give them. She talked for weeks leading up to Christmas about all of the things she wanted to buy for Ford and I. A very giving girl and I am thankful. I got a bright pink sweater and a Rudolph ornament from my sweet girl on Christmas morning.
Amelia has had a fun and exciting Christmas break but misses school terribly and I am so glad for that! She cannot wait to go back tomorrow. What a blessing to have a child so enthusiastic about school, and what a blessing to have her enrolled in such an amazing pre-school with teachers we've missed very much. I've already cried about Amelia's graduation from ONS. Sigh...
Here's to a fantastic and exciting and blessed New Year! Hopeful for good things in 2012.

Tis the Season...

2011-12-19T11:46:00.008-06:00

Evie cheering for the Christmas tree!

Looks like Evie's celebrity mug shot. But really, just fun with food in the hair. Aw, poor Ev.

"Look, Mom! I drew the whole 'activity' scene!" Did it all on her own. The sweetest. Warms the heart.

Someone is FIRED UP about Christmas! She dressed as a Christmas cheerleader and cheered in front of the Christmas tree...it went a little somethin' like this..."I SAY BABY, YOU SAY JESUS...BABY! JESUS! BABY! JESUS!"

The season is upon us. The season for Christmas trees and decorations, Christmas music and Christmas cheer, snowflakes and coziness, and anticipation...not to mention law school finals and midnight Christmas shopping and hurried Christmas baking and wrapping...when I am going to do the wrapping??...and not enough sleep and Christmas rushing and sometimes, yes, sometimes Christmas stressing...
So...I have attached a few images that remind me what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown. And I have two little presents of my own who make it all worth while...one who was even delivered Christmas Day one whole year ago...

Winter

2011-11-30T23:19:00.004-06:00

Winter is here. The first snow came last night. Lots of it! Turned out to be the perfect winter's night for a 4 year old. The best part was it was totally unplanned. Amelia was adamant that she would be playing in the snow after dinner. We tried to explain that it was very cold out and the snow was really wet, she didn't care. She was out the door with Ford all bundled up to "take a walk" in the snow. She came in one snowman later covered in wet icy snow, drippy nose and rosy cheeks but pleased with her first snowman of the year. She jumped in the bath, hot cocoa with mini-marshmallows waiting. To top it off, a little Rudolph was on television. Amelia's first time. Cozy in her jammies, hair still wet from her bath, warm cocoa in her tummy and tucked under a blanket between Mom and Dad on the couch (Evie was asleep in her crib), she watched Rudolph and the Abominable while she nervously chewed on the blanket in anticipation. Her first experience with the Abominable and all his scariness...and she couldn't stop talking about him afterward. And how come he wasn't as scary after her had no teeth, anyway? :)
A four year old's winter memory.

Mama Mia!

2011-11-05T21:45:00.010-05:00

It seems Evie is learning a trick or two every day now. Some new ones and some new and improved...
Mama Mia (pictured above)
Waving...she's been doing this for a while but now she waves at EVERYONE. Random strangers even.
She is getting the gist of blowing kisses although her hand starts at her chest instead of her mouth...but she's got the swinging out action down and her intentions are good.
She says "Uh Oh" in response to anything that is dropped, whether it's on purpose or not.
She goes to sleep by herself! I almost gave up thinking this would ever happen for one of my babies...but she does it. The set up: Sucky, lovey, soft music, sound machine, dimmed room and a little snuggle, swaying and humming...lay her down. She's out without a peep. It's truly awesome.
Singing. She's been doing a lot of singing, in her crib in the car, while she's getting her diaper changed...I love it.
Tantrums. This is a nice one. She's continues to arch her back and scream when she doesn't want to partake certain things, namely getting in her car seat, being placed on the floor to play when she'd rather be held, or being placed in her exer-saucer. Feisty that one.

And perhaps my favorite is this...
While playing with her big sister on the floor recently another fight ensued. Amelia was hoarding the nesting/stacking blocks with her back to Evie. Evie was trying hard to get a few. A scream and then a scream in response...back a forth a few times. I encouraged Amelia to teach Evie to share by giving her a few blocks. It worked. Amelia shared, Evie shared back. The rest of the playing session was amicable.
Later, that same day...the same scenario, same blocks...but this time, Evie hoarded two blocks right off the bat, held them close to her chest and stared right at her sister and shook her head "NO." Wow, 10 months and taking her stand. Right on.

The 9th month

2011-10-17T22:25:00.007-05:00

Evie is quickly approaching 10 months! Her 9th month has been action packed. She's officially on the move. She's crawling! She took her time a bit on actually moving forward...mostly she'd just hang out on all fours, rock back and forth, go up to downward dog, down to her belly and then push herself up to sitting. Next, she invented her own way of getting about thus negating the need to travel via hands and knees...more of a roll or two up to sitting, then roll again up to sitting. It worked for her until one day I put some Gerber Sweet Potato Puffs on the floor a few feet in front of her...wa la...now she crawls. She loves herself some Puffs..who knew they'd be so motivating.

Some other tricks she's pretty much mastered this month...
Loves to clap! All the time. Claps to music and for happiness.
Itsy Bitsy Spider may be her favorite song and she does the moves! So cute.
She's also enjoys and participates in patty cake.
Still thinks peek-a-boo is just as hilarious the 700th time as it was the first.
She is, already (and has been), quite musically inclined...loves instruments, loves music, loves to dance. Bounces and smiles and claps when she hears music.
She's enjoys eating now! Eats it all. Well, mostly the baby food I make, and Puffs and Cheerios. :) She's had baked potato chunks and pieces of banana...about to embark on the world of soft table foods.
She does the sign for "more" when she wants more to eat or drink. We are working on other signs.
She's got a temper! Watch out for this one. When she's got something on her mind and things don't quite go her way...she throws back her head, arches her back and wails. It's all very dramatic and reminds me a lot of somebody else I know.
She's go 2 teeth! Both on the bottom.
Her 9 month appointment went well. She's doing great and developing normally. She's even right on time for separation anxiety...she didn't care so much for the nurses doing their thing...cried a bit when she got weighed and clung to me.
She says "uh oh" when she drops (or throws) something to the floor. She says "ma ma ma" and "da da da."
She enjoys roaring. Most animals do roar, in case you didn't know...lions, bears, cats, scarecrows, even ducks.
She thoroughly enjoys the fish tanks at Meijer. Total happiness when she sees them. Giggles and laughs the entire time and then cries when I pull the cart away. Kind of sad.
She LOVES her sister. Today, however, I believe they had their first fight. Screamed back and forth at each other until Evie cried. Then they made up, and love each other once again.
She was baptized last weekend. It was a great day and a special moment for me. Emotions still well up when I think about how God granted me not one but two miracles. God bless Evelyn!

Some important things...

2011-09-08T22:54:00.003-05:00

Oh my. Posts are few and far between because this life is BUSY! I wish I had more energy to write. I wish I had more time to write. I think of things to write about almost daily. But...husband in law school, a 4 year old, an 8 month old, and of course it would help if I had my own computer...excuses, yes, but good ones. So I write when I can, and I wish it was more.
So...some important things:

1. Evie cut her first tooth! And it was hard for everyone. She was so cranky these past few weeks. But now she's happy. Until the next tooth. The front bottom right tooth has arrived. I can't believe it. This does indicate that time is truly flying by.

2. Evie is up on all fours! She spends a lot of time of her tummy excitedly moving her arms and legs in and out...much like a pollywog swimming. But in the past few days, she's done a few push-ups with tummy off the floor and then up on her knees. Crawling is next!

3. Amelia decided, on what seemed to be the last weekend of summer, to swim. I mean really swim. Goggles on, held her breath, went all the way under and paddled...until she was swimming almost half-way across the width of the pool. Just like everything else in her life, she just decided that it was time. She was ready. And now she swims. It was awesome. A really proud moment.

4. Amelia has an exaggeration number. 120

5. Evie is falling asleep on her own these days. She welcomes her bed and I am so grateful. Maybe it really is a little easier the second time around?

6. Amelia and I have started reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I actually have the book series from my childhood. She LOVES listening to them. Her first chapter books. I have to admit...I love the influence these little girls and the way they lived are having on her already.

7. Evie LOVES herself some puffs. I mean she can eat some puffs. She's currently 75/25 as to what she actually gets in her mouth and what ends up elsewhere...floor, under her butt, stuck to her cheek...

8. Amelia attended her pre-school open-house tonight. Excited for year 2 of pre-school! Ford and I laughed at how much different it feels this year....for all of us it seems. We were all a little nervous at last year's open-house. This year? No chance. She acted like the senior of the school.

9. Life is busy and full and hectic and at times stressful and going by much too fast. And I love my girls.

Birthdays and Stuff

2011-08-17T22:49:00.006-05:00

Girlie update:
Evie is hilarious, and still rolly. She is not crawling yet, but she rolls everywhere! All around the room. She discovered the magazines under the coffee table and enjoys pulling them down. She even rolls toward me to try to get to me when I am far from her. She's still a mama's girl, though she and her daddy have been getting reacquainted these past few weeks he has been on break. Her new favorite thing is to shake her head "no." Though she seems to do it for fun most of the time, there are moments when she does use this new skill at the appropriate times. She LOVES her big sister. Amelia has taught her how to scream. Which is fun. They scream back and forth to each other and then they both crack up laughing. Evie gets so excited...she gets her little hands and feet turning and turning and her pretty eyes get huge when Amelia comes near her and then Amelia proceeds with taunting her and making fun noises 2 cm away from her face. They love to be close to each other..to play or to snuggle. Evie grabs Amelia's hair and tries to pull her close so she can eat her nose.
She is eating solids...which she hated at first. But we are working on it and she's learned to enjoy quite a few things. I continue to introduce her to new foods regularly. So far she's had cereal, sweet potatoes, squash, beans, pears, prunes, apples, and peas. Loves the fruit of course.
She continues to dodge taking real naps during the day. True cat-napper. My goal has been to change this sleep behavior before school starts. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone were on some sort of schedule??? That would be a dream. Getting her to fall asleep on her own continues to be a challenge. She is literally exactly like her big sister was at this age. Which tells me their behaviors in the sleep arena must have more to do with me, and the patterns I've helped established, than I thought. It's difficult to listen to my babies scream. I just hate it. Period. But I've been working it out and she seems to be getting the idea...the idea that going to sleep in one's own crib when one is so extremely exhausted, is not actually torture.
She gets cuter everyday. And more fun. And it's all going way too fast..

Speaking of...Amelia turned 4 a week and a half ago. So exciting and so unbelievable. We have been so busy with birthdays and then a family trip Up North, I have not had the time to post recently about all of the exciting things going on. Shame on me, as this blog does serve as a bit of a baby book/journal. But as I look back and read this someday, i'll be reminded about how crazy exhausted I was at the end of each day...because let's face it, having kids is exhausting...only in the best way that a person can be exhausted of course.
And you know what else is exhausting but totally fun? Birthdays. Amelia had 4 celebrations, 4 cakes and lots of gifts from friends and family. She got a guitar this year. She told Ford the night she opened it..."Dad, I have a great idea...instead of getting up tomorrow and watching kid shows, let's have a jam session." He couldn't have been happier.
Sure enough, first thing the next morning she ran to his side of the bed, tapped him firmly and whispered loudly..."Dad! It's time to jam!" :)

And now, another Amelia story:

Last night while putting Amelia to bed, she asked if she could rock with me. We don't do this very often anymore, for a few reasons...I do miss it, and I was happy to oblige. As we were rocking, we were discussing the events of the day, namely her 4 year well visit at the pediatrician's office. She was not too thrilled with being at the doctor's office, (at all).

Me: Just think Amelia, you won't have to go back to the doctor for a check up for a whole year...you'll be five! You'll be so big then.
Amelia: Yes, so big you won't even be able to hold me.
Me: Oh yes I will! What you have to understand is no matter how big you get, you'll always be my baby...so I will always hold you.
Amelia: Even when I'm 19???
Me: Of course.
Amelia: Even when I'm YOUR age?
Me: Even when you're my age, I'll still hold you.
Amelia: Welllll...how about when I'm your age, I'll hold YOU.
Me: Aw, you would hold ME?
Amelia: Welll, actually...how about we just hold each other?

Me fighting back tears: "I'd like that."

2011-08-13T22:37:00.006-05:00

2011-08-01T23:07:00.009-05:00

It has been quite some time since I've posted. There are a few reasons for that...but mostly it's just been very a busy summer with a 3.75 year old and a 7 month old in tow! Evie is growing leaps and bounds before my very eyes. She is a healthy, happy girl and has the sweetest personality. She had her 6 month appointment a few weeks ago and is in the 90th percentile in height (26.5), weight (17 lbs 8 oz) and head circumference (43.7 cm). Ninety percent across the board...she's perfect! She still has a reputation for having the cutest rolls around but in my opinion she is actually trimming up a bit. :) She is getting stronger and in the past few weeks has been sitting up by herself. She has discovered the art of mobility by rolling all around the room...just waiting for her to take off crawling soon. She has been a bit clingy to mama...but it only takes her a few minutes and she eventually warms up to everyone. She LOVES her sister...she thinks she's pretty hilarious most of the time, other times, after she gets over the shock or being bombarded with hugs and loud crazy noises, she just watches her every move. They are already becoming good friends. One of my favorite things...watching their relationship grow.
She has started eating solids but it has been a slow go in that department. She absolutely did NOT care for rice cereal or oat cereal for that matter. I have since introduced sweet potato, squash, avocado and peas. She loves the sweet potatoes but can take or leave the others. Ford seems to have the magic touch with feedings, as she does much better for him.
Naps continue to be a challenge. She does not seem to have a regular sleep schedule during the day. So we work on it.
As she grows and her personality develops, I find myself laughing at her most of the day. She is sweet and funny and super snuggly...she is truly a gift and I can hardly remember what our lives were like without her. Our Evie.

Cheeky

2011-07-14T22:50:00.000-05:00

Doing some growing...

2011-06-08T17:28:00.009-05:00

Evie update. She had 2 pokes yesterday. Poor bugger...but she only cried for 10 seconds...then it was done. Ford says he thinks she's going to be a tough cookie. We shall see. She is growing at an alarming rate and is still sporting some beautiful rolls. She is sturdier and stronger and seems to enjoy tummy time a little more. She giggles every time she rolls to her tummy and looks about like, "look what I just did" and she thinks it's big stuff when she is stood up on her little/big legs..giggles in delight every time. She is showing more and more personality everyday. She'll be a sweet one...that's my prediction. We shall see.

She is still exclusively breast-fed although she is beginning to show interest in what we are eating...so sad as she watches the fork go from the plate to the mouth...or as she reaches out with flailing arms and wild drool spilling from her little pink lips while watching Amelia eat an ice-cream cone. Think I might start her on some rice cereal soon...though she doesn't need any extra calories. :) She sleeps like a champion at night...usually all night long which is so great for everyone involved. Naps are a bit tougher. When Evie shows signs of tiredness, we have become accustomed to saying..."time for Evie's 10 minute nap." She's a cat-napper all the way. When she does pull out a long 2 hour nap, we all celebrate. Guess I'd rather have her sleep all night than sleep all day...if I had to choose. She is cute as pie and sweet as punch. I find myself calling her Sweet Evie, especially when we are alone together and all is quiet, and she smiles up at me with a look of contentedness and sometimes she even lets out a sweet little sigh...almost like she's saying, "there's no place I'd rather be, mama."

Ford is working at a law-firm in Grand Rapids this summer. Which means he does not get home at night until close to bed-time. Dinner time is a bummer because I have found that when I am alone with both girls, cooking a large meal for everyone is tough. I'm starting to get the hang of it but Evie is still so needy and completing any project is difficult. So, I find myself scrambling to get Amelia a healthy meal before she begins to melt-down from hunger. Sadly, she often eats it alone at the table while I am cooking, feeding Evie, or trying to put her down for one of her many cat-naps. Amelia does not complain about this. Even when I am asking her for the hundredth time that day to please be quiet. Tonight I got her dinner ready then went in the other room to feed Evie and put her down. When I came out a bit later, Amelia was finished eating and was putting her plate up on the counter without being told. I felt sorry I had missed her dinner time and that she had to eat alone. I picked her up and gave her a huge hug. She felt so heavy and big...long arms and legs...kid...no more toddler. I said to her..."When did you get so big? Stop growing okay? Can't you just stay little forever?" She very seriously placed her soft hands on my cheeks, tilted her head and said, "but Mom, I just can't stay little forever." I replied, "But why not?" Again, very seriously she answered, "Because I have to be a grown-up." Me again, "But why do you have to be a grown up?" Without hesitation she responded, "Because Mom, I have to be a mom...and have my children."

I got a bit of a lump in my throat. As if she knows that her life is a journey, and that growing up is inevitable and amazingly, she already can't wait to meet her own babies.

Last Day of School

2011-06-01T22:19:00.009-05:00

On her way to school

All done!

Big girl is 5 months!

Big day today. Last day of the first year of preschool. So hard to believe that a whole school year is behind us. I cannot express how grateful we are to have found such a wonderful and unique preschool for Amelia to attend. The experience was nothing short of amazing for Amelia...and her parents.

One of the primary intentions of the teachers at ONS is to allow our children the freedom to discover the world on his/her terms and at his/her own pace. Our daily rhythm is slowed such that the children are afforded the necessary time to see projects through. They are stimulated and enthralled by "provocations" which draw out natural curiosity and creativity. Although academics are not presented as "subjects," the children discover that to successfully convey ideas, many different "languages" must be incorporated into their daily work---painting, drawing, verbal language, photography, reading and writing plus countless more.

It was amazing to witness first hand this amazing approach to early childhood education and to watch Amelia flourish and thrive in such an environment. The use of nature as another teacher has opened up a world of wonder and has fostered a relationship with the environment that I am confident, and thankful, will stay with her always. Weekly visits from "specials' teachers in dance/creative movement, music, art, as well as visits from a naturalist spur great conversations between Amelia, Ford and I about what she did and learned at school each day...and already at 3 1/2 she is teaching her parents a few things.
She has made some great friendships and learned about what it means to be part of a community as well as part of a family outside of her own. Attending ONS has allowed her the opportunity to think outside her own little box, away from mom and dad, and through different experiences that have happened to her...good and bad...allowed to her the opportunity to problem solve and cope away from the comforts of home. That alone has given her a new sense of confidence. All of these things...invaluable.
Amelia is sounding out and reading words, writing all of her letters and loves to count...to 100 I might add. Learning has been anything but a chore...and she initiates most of it. We are so happy to have Amelia at ONS again next year..her pre-kindergarten year...and can't wait to see what amazing discoveries she makes about life, learning, nature, and herself.
So proud of you, Amelia!

Four Months...that's how we roll.

2011-05-10T21:30:00.006-05:00

Let's just get it out there...it's tank top and short season and everyone is going to see them anyway...Evelyn's got rolls. Lots and lots of rolls. She turned 4 months old on April 25th. When I took her to her 4 month well visit, she weighed 15 lbs 15 oz and was 25 inches long. I looked back at Amelia's 4 month measurements and she was 16 lbs 2 oz and was 25.5 inches long. Virtually the same size! Yet Evie's rolls seem a bit more abundant for some reason. :) She's a healthy happy baby and is spending her first night a a crib tonight! She's been zonked in it for hours now...let's hope this means she loves it in there.

The Many Faces of Evie...

2011-04-30T17:16:00.003-05:00

Genius

2011-04-29T00:21:00.007-05:00

Holy Canoli, I just have one thing to say tonight. NUK GENIUS! It is just that. Genius.
Evie will not take a pacifier....never thought I would want my baby to take a paci so badly. I've tried 2 types so far. She has reached the point where she is unable to fall asleep unless she's nursing. A tired momma and an over-tired (and at times inconsolable) 4 month old who just cannot fall asleep. I had to find something...so...a trip to Meijer at midnight tonight. The paci aisle. I studied them all, and then I spotted it. The Genius. It's new! I bought it. I boiled it. I stuck it in her mouth. She gagged. I thought it was over. Then, I laid her down and I tried it again. She took it, she turned her head, she closed her eyes...she sucked and sucked. She fell asleep. Amen and goodnight.

Sweet Milestones

2011-04-20T22:04:00.001-05:00

Evie belly laughed for Amelia and I today.! Nothing sweeter. Although her first belly laugh was for Grandma Claudia last week. I missed that one but managed to capture it today. :)

Roll Over Day!

2011-04-20T22:02:00.002-05:00

Two big milestones in a weeks time! Evie rolled over, and over and over again! Just out of the blue. Big stuff!

Meatloaf all around...

2011-04-04T21:42:00.002-05:00

Lounging after a bath...so serious.

Sister love

At dinner time, I asked who might be interested in some leftover meatloaf. "Who wants meatloaf for dinner?" I called out to the masses. Amelia said, "I do!" Ford called out, "I do! Evie does!" The he said, "Just kidding, Evie can't have meatloaf." Amelia replied quite seriously, "Yes, she can. If mom eats it then Evie can have milk-loaf."

Reading Time!

2011-03-23T22:51:00.005-05:00

Amelia is learning to read before my very eyes. And write. And spell.

Today she spelled "octopus" on the fridge. :)

Sick and tired...really.

2011-03-22T14:36:00.006-05:00

The girls are sick. Amelia has a cold and low grade fever and cried last night about her ear and the "back of her mouth" (throat) hurting. Inconsolable as usual but I finally convinced her to take some delicious berry flavored stuff in a super fun dropper to make it all feel better. She actually agreed and drank it down. (In the past, Amelia and medicine have not been good friends...like pink vomit on the kitchen floor resulting in 10 creative ways to hide pink medicine in various food and drink items). We may have turned a corner. Miracle.

Evie's first sickness. It came much too early for me. Stuffy nose and a fever. My heart was pounding a little faster and my nerves became strained as my mind danced frantically through all the scenarios...and lack of sleep does not help...at the thought of my infant having a fever. Amelia was never sick this early in life. Uncharted territory. I was not prepared. I sent Ford out to Meijer at 3:00 am for some Infant Tylenol, some saline drops and distilled water for the humidifier. Her fever reached 100.6, not too alarming but it's the unknown of what's to come that gets to me. God heard my prayer and after a little Infant Tylenol and a few more hours of sleep, she was cool as cucumber.

Today, after a trip to the doctor who gave us the all clear, we all seem better, with the exception of exhaustion. But I'd rather be exhausted with cool kids than exhausted with, well...not worth mentioning. Counting down the minutes until bedtime. For. Sure.

2011-03-13T19:08:00.001-05:00

Just today...

2011-03-04T22:39:00.006-06:00

1) Climbing up behind Ford as he sat at the table working on the computer, Amelia wrapped her arms around him and hugged his back..."Dad, you're my favorite guy."

2) Ford had left the weather channel radar open on the computer this afternoon...Amelia spotted it, climbed up on the chair and studied it in silence for a few minutes, then announced, "Yup, it's gonna rain." Ford replies from the kitchen, "Oh really? Is that what the forecast says." Quick as a blink she replies, "No. It's the five-cast."

3) Tonight I ventured out to Target on own, yes, absolutely, kid-less, leaving Ford alone with the girls. Evie has become a bit of a mama's girl and thus making alone time with her a bit hard on Ford. He spends most of their time together holding her while he bounces around the house repeating, "Shh, shh, shhhh. Shh, shh, shhhh." All this to keep her from crying. Apparently, Amelia was more than patient the entire time I was gone and found ways to entertain herself...despite her many efforts to get Ford to play with her. "Dad, do you want to play a game with me now?" He had turned her down so many times already because of Evie's neediness and he was feeling bad about having to reject her once again. "I'm sorry, Bug, I just can't right now." By now, bed time is approaching for both girls and he moved to Amelia's room to attempt to rock Evie in the rocking chair. As he rocked the fussy baby, he noticed Amelia getting some things out of her closet. He was about to get impatient with her for pulling out more toys, "Amelia, let's not get anything else out right now, it's time for bed."

With her back to him she did not stop her task and she quickly replied, "I'm packing my bags."

Surprised, he asked her, "Packing your bags?? Where are you going?" In a firm and serious tone, "I'm packing my bags and I'm moving to Florida." Laughing to himself a little, he played along, "To Florida!?? Do yo know anybody who lives there?" Still so serious Amelia said, "Well, no...but it's just so beautiful there." (She's never been). Ford replied, "Well, we would really miss you if you moved to Florida."

Wanting to get her point across but clearly not wanting us to be sad about her absence, she replied, "Well, I'll only be gone for one day."

Her first attempt at running away because little sister was getting all the attention? I think so. Glad she decided to stay. :)

2 Months!

2011-03-03T20:36:00.007-06:00

Grand Hotel hat courtesy of Mackinac friends Penelope and Stella.

Evie's first band aid from her first poke today...I know, strange picture...

but her little drops of blood made a perfect heart! Aw.

Evie turned 2 months on February 25th! Oh how time flies. We took her for her 2 month check up today. Healthy baby! She weighed 12 lbs 12 oz...98th percentile. She measured 23 1/4 inches in height...94th percentile. Her head circumference is now 39.4 cm...85th percentile. It was a great appointment...until the poke that is. She had her first two vaccines today. One oral and one poke. You'd think that after all we've been through with these two girls in the NICU and of course Amelia's round of vaccines, that I'd be an old pro at this. Not so much. As soon as the needle went in and I heard that baby cry out and make the saddest face ever, my tears began to flow. Out of nowhere. There's just something about it that reaches that deepest part of me. Ugh. She was a trooper and cried for all of 10 seconds, my tears lasted the better part of two minutes. :) Feeling very thankful for a healthy baby today. Very thankful.

Heaven

2011-02-25T22:46:00.003-06:00

Big sister helping little sister with her suckie.

Little Evie...on the brink of a smile.

One sunny afternoon this past week Amelia and I snuggled together, as we often do, on my bed while little Evie took a nap in her bassinet. We talked and laughed about the day and other random things when Amelia picked up a framed photo of she and I off of my night stand. Though it was taken only 2 1/2 years ago, it seemed like such an old photo, me looking like a young(ish) new mother and Amelia with her big round eyes propped up on my lap... all of 9 months old. I asked her "who is that in that picture?" She replied, "You. And me. And Evie." I corrected her, "no, Evie wasn't there, that's just you and me." To which she quickly reminded herself, "Oh, cause Evie was with God." I smiled, "yes, she was, with God in Heaven." She turned to me with big inquisitive eyes...

A: "Mom, is Heaven a city?"

Me: Well, kind of, but it's not really a city you can visit.

A: Well where is it then?

Me: Well, it's not here on earth, but it is a big and very beautiful place.

A: If it's not on earth then how do we get our water?

Me: Oh, there's lots of fresh clean water there.

A: And JUICE, and MILK????

Me: Yes, and juice and milk.

A: And so there must be a grocery store there?

Me: Yes, not to worry, Heaven has absolutely everything we need and more.

She had slid off the bed and this point and was off to the next thing...but I wish the conversation would have lasted longer. I'm not sure why she needed to know about what type of refreshments are available in Heaven...but I just realized as I am typing this that in her 3.5 years of life we have not yet had that discussion about death and life in Heaven with God. We've only talked about babies being in Heaven with God until they are born. I am realizing that she wanted to be reassured that water, juice, milk and a place to shop for them would be available to us. It's as if her little soul already knows without really knowing that Lord willing, we'll being going back there one day, and we'll be having ourselves some milk, and juice.

Good news!

2011-02-19T19:18:00.006-06:00

Evie partying at Noodles & Company.

Great news. Evie's ultrasound results came back completely normal! Thank goodness. :) We took the girls out for dinner and ice cream to celebrate. Evie's first restaurant outing! Since Evie only likes milk, Amelia got to pick the spot.

Also, her belly button finally fell off, which is quite exciting around here. Way back when, the NICU docs could not get a line in her little hand so they ran her IV line right into her belly button and used sutures to hold it in. The sutures remained after the line came out and so her belly button hung on for quite some time. Amelia is happy it finally fell off so her real belly button can now get totally wet in the bathtub. She loves to help give Evie her bath. Evie doesn't even mind it when Amelia accidentally wrings her washcloth out right over her face.

Things are feeling, dare I say, just a little normal around here. With each day, Evie changes and grows (she's over 11 lbs now) and peels. :) I looked back at this blog when Amelia was about to turn 2 months, right before her visit to the dermatologist at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. What I describe Amelia's skin to be doing at that time is exactly what Evie's skin is doing now. Amazing. And just look at Amelia today. We are on the right track and it feels good. Do I still worry? Yes. Am I still just flabbergasted and still a wee bit angry that this happened again? Yes. Do I still wonder WHY? Yup. But each day that passes brings a little more peace, more joy and more and more love for both of these beautiful girls. I didn't know my heart could hold so much.

When it rains it pours...

2011-02-15T13:10:00.006-06:00

Off to school on Valentine's Day.

Evie getting ready for a doc appointment.

Amelia lined up her little princess figurines

in front of Evie and said to her:

"Well. These are the girls."

Guess it was time for her to meet them.

It's been a while since I posted. There are a few reasons for that. Appendicitis is one. Yup, almost 6 weeks after Evie's birth by c-section, I find myself in surgery again. Apparently, having a c-section and then a premie newborn in the NICU with a genetic condition was just not enough excitement! I'm told the appendix issue was completely unrelated to the pregnancy and/or the c-section. Just really bad timing and really bad luck. Lately, I keep hearing the phrase from various friends and family members..."when it rains it pours." Apparently.

It's been a week and a half since the appendix came out (worst pain of my life by the way...the appendix, not the surgery...although that was not fun either) and I'm feeling almost back to normal. A HUGE shout out to Hank and Claud for being here with us almost every minute and whenever we needed them...taking care of both girls' every need, cooking, cleaning, driving everyone around, picking up groceries, and playing, playing, playing and playing. We truly don't know what we would have done without them these past few months. I am truly blessed to have such loving and wonderful parents. I love you.

In other news, Evie is growing like a weed, she is now 11 lbs! We were finally getting the hang of breastfeeding almost exclusively and then the appendix surgery interrupted all of that. We are getting back on track but surgery has affected my milk supply. Bummer. Luckily she takes a bottle without a problem if we need her to. We took her yesterday for an ultrasound on her hips and head. The hip ultrasound was ordered because they check for hip dysplasia on all breech babies...just to be sure her hips are in the right place and growing normally. Evie was breech for quite a while. The head ultrasound is to check to be sure all of her cranial sutures are still open. Evie has a bit of an oblong head shape which could be due to her being in the breech position. This can also be a typical head shape for premies too, we're told. This will more than likely resolve itself in infancy but checking to be sure none of her sutures have fused prematurely just eliminates the need for worry. FYI, I, being a paranoid mother, brought this issue up the to doc who offered the head ultrasound. She is not too concerned at this point. We should hear back in a few days.

I am ready to be done with all of this craziness. These past few months have been a mixed bag of emotions and feelings...you name it, we've felt it...joy, worry, sadness, happiness, anger, frustration, thankfulness, confusion, exhaustion, delirium, and hopefulness. But this is life. This is our life. Even on the days that I feel I just can't take one more thing, and there have been quite a few of those days lately...I remember all that we have been blessed with, all that is good and right in our lives. One day at a time.

Our story has only begun.

Amelia Funny:

Amelia got a heart shaped Ring Pop sucker from her sister for Valentine's Day. She asked if she could eat it after lunch today. She excitedly opened it up and took a few licks...

Amelia: I don't like this.

Ford: Why?

With crinkled up nose Amelia said: It stinks.

Ford: It stinks? Like what?

Amelia (very seriously): It stinks like roastbeef.

Happy One Month, Evie! 1-25-2011

2011-01-27T19:18:00.006-06:00

Happy one month birthday to Evie! Strange to think she should have just been born. Her due date was January 24 and her c-section date was scheduled for 39 weeks on January 17th. She decided Christmas would be more fun...I was only 35 weeks and 5 days at that point but from the size of her, you'd think I was full term. She was considered a preemie at birth and would have gone to the NICU anyway (regardless of her skin condition) to be monitored. Even though she was considered premature, she had none of the typical preemie issues; eating, breathing, etc.

At her 4 week doctor appointment, the nurse asked all the typical developmental questions of a 4 week old born at term. Evie is keeping right up. She is gaining some pounds and inches as well! At 4 weeks she is 9 lbs 4 oz and 21 inches long. Wow! Considering she got down to 6 lb 13 oz after birth, she's not doing too bad! They adjust the percentages for her 4 week early arrival and therefore she's in the 92nd percentile for weight, 89th for height and 86th for head circumference.

However, when the doc asked me if she was giving responsive smiles yet and not just the random smiles during sleep (or because of gas)...I was not able to say yes. I hadn't seen her really smile at me. The doc said not to worry, she should be doing that in the next week or two.

The next day, after a bath (which she LOVES by the way), I had a wide awake Evie stretched out on the bed while I dressed her. Grandma Claudia was here and was talking to her while she kicked and played. Next thing we knew, a huge (responsive) grin for Grandma. Aw. Her first smile. And then another cheeky smile for me. What could be better?

Evie's smile = joy.

Oh so little sleep.

2011-01-23T21:31:00.004-06:00

It seems that little Evie has her days and nights mixed up. It's been two weeks out of the NICU and we have had lots of sleepless nights around here. I am at a loss for words on this one as well as a major loss of sleep. She naps like a champ during the day. Like. A. Champ. LONG stretches of 4 even 5 hours of peaceful, snugly sleep. But as soon as nightfall hits, she's a cat napper and nits and fusses every time she's put down in her bassinet. Perhaps she's just accustomed to the round the clock bright lights and the hustle and bustle of the NICU. For example, during the day, I can run the hairdryer or even the vacuum...she's out like a light. Amelia can run around laughing, yelling, general banging about...Evie is still as a stone. Dishwasher, television, washer/dryer...not a peep. But once the sun goes down, sister is sleeping, all is quiet...I turn on some nice ocean wave sounds, turn down the lights...and it's party time for Ev, and therefore, the mom. To make matters more interesting, big sister has been getting up 2, even 3 times a night. Oh, and throw the cat meowing at all of the activity into the mix and you have yourself a not-so-funny but rather hysterical situation. In fact, I find myself laughing out loud (just to keep from crying) and saying things like "are you kidding me?" under my breath as I go from room to room trying to get both girls back to sleep. Ahh, the joys. And I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Just some pics...

2011-01-17T22:35:00.002-06:00

19 days old

2011-01-13T21:30:00.005-06:00

Just a tiny peanut.

Great Grandma Anne S.

Great Aunt Dionne

Little Evie is 19 days old! There is not much new to report today. She's doing well and we are all getting used to life with new baby sister around. Amelia continues to adjust well. I've read to watch for signs of regression in the older ones when the new baby comes home. None to speak of so far. A little attention getting behavior maybe, but nothing major. She enjoys helping with diaper changes and feedings. This morning she woke up and came in our room. Ford and Evie and I were already awake and Ford had put Evie between us in the bed (don't worry...she doesn't sleep there) so we could talk to her. Amelia, who comes in every morning to snuggle, came in and noticed who was in her "spot." "Hey! She's laying where I lay. There's no woom for me now." Aw, so sad.

We assured her that no one could ever take her "spot" and that there's "woom" for all of us to snuggle in the bed. Looks like we'd better get a king sized bed. :)

We have had limited visitors due to Evie's prematurity and susceptibility to RSV. Doc advised us to limit visitors at first. But Great Grandma Stornant has been dying to come and snuggle the new babe. She and Great Aunt Dionne came today. Lots of snuggles.

First trip to the doc.

2011-01-10T23:26:00.005-06:00

Evie had her first doctor appointment today. She slept through the whole thing. She now weighs 7 lbs 13 oz. She has gained almost 8 ounces since she came home! She is 20 inches long. Doc said she looks great. Still a little residual jaundice, she looks a tad yellow, but no reason to treat it at this point as her numbers were good when she left the NICU. No pokes today. Her pediatrician has seen only one other collodion baby when she did her rotation in Grand Rapids. She did not treat that baby but I was kind of amazed she had actually seen it before. She had been filled in already by the NICU docs here so she was well aware of Evie's NICU stay. Her next visit is in two weeks.

Evie's skin is doing well, her arms, legs and face and head are clear at this point. She is still peeling in some areas and will likely peel again. Amelia did this as well, on her trunk mostly. The whole process takes a few months. So we wait and keep praying.

She just seems to get sweeter and sweeter everyday. Ford and I were reflecting today that it hasn't really sunk in yet...the fact that we have 2 girls now. Since her arrival, life has been so hectic and busy and rushed...we are looking forward to slowing down and settling into this life that God has planned out for us. Should be quite a ride. :)

Home!

2011-01-08T23:19:00.003-06:00

BABY EVIE!

"I'm done."

Evie is home! We picked her up last night. Big sister was so excited she could not contain herself. She jumped up and down and clapped her hands and covered her mouth and giggled. Sooo much happiness. She held her for 45 seconds and then she was done. Today she fed her twice, fixed her hat for her often, and gave her the suckie repeatedly. Very sweet. Oh and Amelia stayed in her pajamas all day today because Evie did.

And p.s. Ford and I slept maaaaybe 2 hours last night, maybe. She's a night baby. :) Oh and Ford and I are sick. Which is fun.

But we are home.

And we are blessed.

Day 13

2011-01-06T17:27:00.003-06:00

Hard to believe 2 weeks is almost up. What a road. It feels unreal in a lot of ways, I am still trying to wrap my head around it. Evie is doing great. She has peeled 75% of the way. What has peeled is beautiful underneath. I wish she's hurry up and finish! I can speculate a few reasons why it is taking a little longer...one reason may be because the docs at Sparrow have been reducing her humidity for quite a few days now in an attempt to ween her before she comes home. I however, would like to take full advantage of the her little jungle while she's there, the humidity along with the Aquaphor is what really helps the process along. We have had many discussions about the humidity during her stay. A bit frustrating but either way, she is doing great. Things are looking good for discharge this weekend. Tonight she has to pass her car seat test. She has to sit in her car seat for at least an hour while they monitor her heart and breathing. This is because she was born prematurely. Even though she is a hefty 7 lbs, her lungs are still not fully developed. I feel blessed that she at least made it to the middle of her 35th week. Though this is not ideal, she has had few problems regarding being born early. This is a truly a blessing considering everything else she's had to deal with. Yesterday they did a chest x-ray and a CBC and all was normal.

As excited as we are to finally have her home, I am a little nervous about bringing her out into the cold dry winter environment. Her sister was born during a hot/humid Tennessee heat wave. Quite a difference. We pray for a smooth transition and for Evie to continue to thrive at home.

So...please continue to pray for Evie's complete healing! I cannot ask this enough. Prayers, prayers, prayers!!! And more prayers.

Thank you to all of you who have delivered food to us. The regular, everyday tasks of life are much harder to do post surgery with a 3.5 year old at home and a newborn in the NICU. We appreciate the kind gestures. Thank you.

Day 11

2011-01-04T18:57:00.004-06:00

Today's quick update...Evie's bilirubin levels were great. No lights in her future, thank the Lord! They continue to ween her off the humidity in her isolette. Today was around 55%. She is really peeling and what is revealed underneath is beautiful soft baby skin. She has been getting regular "baths" from her nurses and this really seems to help. We got her out twice today to feed her. Her first trip out she drank more than the second. She just gets so cozy and would apparently rather snuggle than eat when we hold her. That's okay. She eats well from the bottle and she continues to get breast milk which is the most important thing right now.

It seems Evie is following in her sister's footsteps in more ways than one...she has an uncanny ability to wait until just the moment when she is passed off to Ford and then decides to poop. Just the way Amelia did during her NICU stay. But even better than that, she is totally entranced with him, when she is awake that is. She just stares at him and listens intently to his voice. Just the way Amelia did. Looks like we have two Daddy's girls.

Her NICU doctor talked to Amelia's pediatric dermatologist, Dr. Smith, at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital today. He didn't have much insight other than concurring that Evie's progress and membrane sounds a lot like Amelia's. He assured Dr. Gewolb that her course of treatment is exactly what he would recommend and told him to rely on the parents for information and insight regarding her care. It's unanimous, according to all of Evie's doctors nurses, even the geneticist, we know more than they do. I have a hard time deciding if that fact is comforting or distressing. The truth is only God has the answers, and Evie. Onward.

Keep praying.

Day 9

2011-01-02T21:58:00.002-06:00

Day 9 in the NICU. It seems Evie's bath yesterday really helped speed some things along. She is really shedding today and I am anxious to see tomorrow's progress. We were able to hold her tonight and I fed her, she drank 22 mL from me! Her minimum is now up to 50 mL per feeding so she drank half from me and half from a bottle. She has been very calm and content in her jungle-like isolette. They have turned her humidity down slowly over the past few days and she seems to be tolerating it well. Today it is set at 70 % humidity. Before her evening feeding she was wide awake, making faces and staring at me. I talked to her through the glass of her isolette and she smiled big cheeky smiles up at me. I could see her dimple. :)

Tomorrow she gets her bilirubin checked again. I am prayerful that her numbers are okay, I'd like to avoid the bilirubin lights if we could. Those lights and her skin might be tricky. Please pray for good numbers. She will also get another bath tomorrow.

Ford is still on break from MSU as well as teaching. Thank goodness. It has been so nice having him free during this whole ordeal. He gets up every morning and heads right to the hospital with milk for Evie. I join him later after spending the morning with Amelia and we come home around dinner/bed time to be with Amelia. As soon as she's asleep, he heads back up the hospital to be with Evie. He has been amazing through all of this and has had nothing on his mind but caring for his girls, all three of us. We are so blessed. I am so grateful.

Please continue to pray for Evie's complete healing. I know I ask this every time I post, but prayers are what we need above all else. Thank you and love to you all.

Day 8 - Happy New Year

2011-01-01T21:28:00.003-06:00

Today Evie is 8 days old. Day 8 in the NICU. Her blood work came back with good results. Hematocrit and hemoglobin levels went up and her electrolytes were fine. Her bilirubin is a little high, but nothing to be alarmed about. She is eating like a champ and maintains her weight around 6 lbs and 14 oz. I've been able to try to nurse her twice, the first time successfully and the second she was just too sleepy. She continues to get breast milk as I pump every 3 hours! Brings me back 3 1/2 years...I pump, Ford makes the milk run. :)

The membrane around her eyes, mouth and ears has begun to crack and peel. She had her first "bath" today, which consisted of being wiped down with some purified water. Some of it she enjoyed and some she didn't.

Overall she is doing well and is following suit with her sister's progress. The waiting is hard. The hardest. Please continue to pray for her membrane to shed and reveal beautiful healthy skin underneath.

Amelia is handling it all so well. She has spent lots and lots of time with my parents, my sister and her cousins this past week. I've been so proud of how mature she's been, she just seems to be just taking it all in stride. She's had four "sleepovers" at Grandma and Grandpa Loto's house and handled the separation beautifully. Knowing she is happy has made this whole NICU ordeal so much easier. She is sooo excited to have a baby sister. I can't wait for the two of them to finally meet.

Thank you for your prayers.

Merry Christmas Evelyn Frances Turrell

2010-12-31T22:57:00.005-06:00

Welcome to baby sister Evelyn Frances Turrell!

Born: December 25, 2010

Time: 8:17 am

Weight: 7 lbs 1 oz

Length: 19. 29 inches

Beautiful little Evie, born 4 weeks early, is in the NICU since birth with the same skin condition big sister Amelia was born with. We will be posting her progress here. Check back for updates and please, please pray for Evie's complete healing and good health.

It is a bittersweet New Year's Eve as I sit on the couch updating this blog as Amelia sleeps...while Ford rings in the New Year in the NICU with sweet baby Evie. But we are thankful, hopeful, and faithful. Here's to a healthy and happy 2011. God is good!

Country Roots

2010-12-05T19:47:00.003-06:00

My Nashville born baby. Though Amelia's memories of living in Nashville are fading, if not sadly erased from her memory, Ford and I still talk to her about our life there. For example, when we see a country music star on television or hear a country song on the radio (I might point out we are not huge country music fans), we usually point out that the person singing lives in Nashville, where we used to live. She nods and listens intently. Tonight we flipped to the GAC station where a few Nashville stars were singing at the Ryman Auditorium...the original Grand Ole Opry. She wanted me to stop flipping so she could watch, well, mostly to check out the sparkly dresses. Rodney Atkins came on and she immediately jumped up and said..."Dad, he sounds like you!" Not sure how to take that, since Ford has never written or sung country music, he just laughed. She was then quick to point out..."and he's singing about beavers!" Well, there you go, Ford Turrell couldn't be any more like Rodney Atkins. :)
Listening to Carrie Underwood next, Ford pointed out that if he had written that song she was singing then we would be "rich." Amelia understanding only one context of this word, looks at him puzzled and said, "we'd be sweet, Dad?"
Yup, we'd be sweet.

My Neighbor

2010-11-19T13:14:00.006-06:00

It has been a long week...wait...a long few months of illness around this house. Seems pre-school has introduced us to several new viruses and Miss Amelia has caught them all. The latest...she was home with me this whole week trying to lick a sinus infection. So sad. Especially sad in the mornings when she would wake up, eyes crusted with green gook, hoarse voice, stuffed up nose, cough and a warm forehead. Every morning, she'd crawl into our bed to snuggle, and cough, and cough some more...

Yesterday Ford was up getting ready for work and school while she and I snuggled. Since we were both awake, he came in before he left to say goodbye and give her a kiss. It was still fairly dark, but of course Amelia, regardless of her feverish, stuffed up and so sad state, noticed what he was wearing...khaki pants, a white button-down shirt and a gray cardigan sweater.

She quietly said, "Goodbye, Dad" and then as he walked away, she very seriously whispered to me...

"Mom, do you think Dad's friends and teachers will think he's Mr. Rogers?"

Halloween Treats

2010-10-28T23:01:00.003-05:00

Pumpkin Patch

Ford carved a kitty! I am so proud of his artistic skills this year.

Treat for Amelia's first ever school Halloween party!

I know my blog posts have been very few and far between. A lot happening in the Turrell household these days. Hoping to catch up on this blog soon. But for now...a few pictures of pre-Halloween fun!

I'm Eighteen

2010-10-08T20:12:00.003-05:00

Amelia and Ford came in from playing outside for dinner tonight.

Ford: "Did you know Amelia is eighteen?"

Me: "No I didn't! You're eighteen, Amelia?"

Amelia: "Yes!"

She begins to list her reasons that she came up with while playing outside...

Amelia: "My feet can touch the ground when I swing...I can skip and hop...and I can watch for cars! I'm eighteen!"

Prayers, the Moon, Donuts and Mammals

2010-09-30T20:12:00.004-05:00

Prayers

Ford joined Amelia and I at the table for breakfast after we had already started eating. He folded his hands and closed his eyes to pray. Amelia interrupted him and said, "we already prayed, Dad." I then explained to her that it's okay to pray by yourself, before you eat, before bed, when you want to pray for someone or something, even yourself...any time of the day. She then hopped down and laid down on the floor underneath the table. Thinking she's was goofing around and avoiding breakfast, I didn't hesitate and began to instruct her to get back up in her chair when I heard her whisper..."Dear God, please bless my wholllllle family. Amen." Then she hopped back up in her seat. Guess she wanted to try out praying when she was by herself.

Moon

Amelia" "Mom, maybe tonight, after dinner and my bath and pajamas, we can go out to look at the moon. And if it's a new moon...then no moon. And it's it's not a new moon...then moon."

Donuts

Amelia was munching on and enjoying a yummy cider donut from Uncle John's with us at the table. She was studying the donut when she asked, "Why is there a hole in my donut?" Ford responded, "that is a great question, Amelia, I wonder why too." Amelia says, "I think it's the done hole." Ford, "the what hole?" Amelia, "the done hole. Because when you eat all around it, and get to the hole, then it's done."

Mammals

After watching an episode of "Dinosaur Train," Amelia learned a little about what mammals are. I asked her later about it and she said, "mammals are small mice." I reminded her that mammals can be any animal that has fur. I asked her, "do you have fur?" She said, "No, but Dad does, so he's a mammal."

Our last Friday...

2010-09-10T22:24:00.005-05:00

Today is Friday. School starts Monday...and doesn't end until 2025. I just had to do the math...Amelia will graduate high school in 2025. I have many mixed emotions about this very important Monday. So much of me wants to keep her home with me until kindergarten. To sleep in, snuggle, stay in our jammies until lunch time, play...just be little. Really little. The kind of little that I take for granted every day. The kind of little that I already wish I had more photos of, more video footage of...so I will never forget what she was like when she was little.

So she goes off to school, 3 mornings a week, starting Monday...to learn, explore, socialize, create, grow and get to know herself away from home, away from me.

But today is Friday. We slept in, just the two of us. We snuggled together, laughed and talked in my bed until we got hungry for breakfast. We stayed in our jammies until lunch. We packed a picnic. Stopped at the community center to sign up for her very first ballet class. Went to the park, ate our picnic lunch under a shade tree, and then played and played. We walked by the river, just the two of us. We pretended to fish with long sticks, catching sharks and yellow fish. We wrote our names in the sand by the river bank. We explored among the old trees and sat on their low branches and imagined who lived in their hollowed out knots. We played in the cool September air until we were tired. We stopped at the shoe store on the way home to try on ballet shoes. We went home and rested on the couch while we ate a snack, and talked and played until Ford came home. We finished our day together as a family. Doing our family thing. And then we kissed her little 3 year old face goodnight and tucked her in.

Our last Friday, not to be forgotten as we head into this bittersweet Monday with excitement, a few nerves, and really big hopes...

My school girl. My big girl. We're ready.

I love the doctor!

2010-08-29T21:46:00.006-05:00

If you've followed this blog, you may remember in previous posts regarding doctor visits, Amelia has never been a big fan...of any type of doctor let alone being examined by one. As a baby, when we would visit Dr. Frank's office in Nashville, all she had to do was spot him in the hallway on the way to the exam room and the tears would flow and the clinging would begin. I remember having to virtually yell over the screaming/crying in order to communicate with the doc. Doctor visits were brutal, and exhausting. Something we all came to dread. This was one of those things about her personality I thought might continue on as she got older...but yesterday, the bugger proved me wrong.

All three of us have had a nasty cough/virus for about a week. I decided it was time to have her checked out. I told her about an hour before we left the doctor that we were going to visit Dr. Chapin so that the she could have a listen to her chest as well as check her ears and throat.

She excitedly got ready to go. Really? She smiled and sang all the way there. For real? She even said..."I looovvve going to the doctor." What? Ford and I just kept looking at each other like, "who is this kid?" And the doctor bliss only continued once we got to the office. She excitedly viewed the fish in the fish tanks while we waited our turn. She willingly walked into the exam room, with purpose I might add, and then followed the nurse to the scale to be weighed. She laughed and read books while we waited for the doctor to come in and when she did...Amelia smiled, engaged in conversation and willingly did everything she asked, even sat up on the table and laid down so she could check her tummy. No crying, no clinging. Just a happy cooperative kid.

Knock me down with a feather. I could have cried I was so relieved and proud of her. But I didn't cry, because I was just too happy that the drama seems to have come to an end...at least in regard to doctor visits. :)

Falling In Love.

2010-08-19T20:09:00.004-05:00

This afternoon Amelia and I were eating lunch while listening to music. She apparently was listening to the lyrics and told me the girl was singing about falling in love.

I asked her, "Do you know what that means?" She replied, "No. What does it mean?" Thinking carefully I replied, "well, it's like when I met your dad. We liked each other and he asked me on a date...then we fell in love," Looking very inquisitive she asked me,"was I there? In your tummy?"

I smiled, "no, you weren't there. You were born after Mom and Dad got married." Pausing, she thought for a moment..."and then did you fall in love with me?"

Still smiling, "I sure did."

Woke up a 3 year old...

2010-08-19T20:01:00.003-05:00

Amelia turned 3 on August 7, 2010. When she woke up she ran out into the living room. I said "Happy Birthday!" She said with a big grin..."Mama, am I THREE??"

Here she is on her new bike (from Grandma and Grandpa Turrell) looking so big and so three.

Last day as a 2 year old...

2010-08-06T21:55:00.005-05:00

Went to bed a 2 year old...

Big Sista!

2010-07-08T21:02:00.005-05:00

1-24-2011. Amelia is going to be a big sister!! We are almost 12 weeks already! 28 to go! Here is Amelia proudly sporting her new big sister t-shirt. So proud. And the next photo...well, tonight Ford went in to check on her and found her like this...asleep with her baby (doll) in her tummy. She must have been thinking about baby brother or sister when she fell asleep. So sweet.

If I were...

2010-06-17T15:01:00.003-05:00

Below are a few unprompted quotes from Amelia...

"Hey Dad! I can smell the sunshine! If I were a superhero...I would fly up into the sky, lift my head, and smell the sunshine."

"If I were a butterfly...I would stay in a cage so I wouldn't be so tickly."

Just cute.

Pink Medicine

2010-06-09T07:21:00.004-05:00

Much has happened since my last post. We moved. We moved from a condo on a golf course where we lived for almost 6 months into a town-home where we will reside for probably a year. We are hoping Ford will land a summer job next year at a firm out of town, and if that's the case we will move again.

A lot of moving for a toddler. For an adult too. :) But Amelia has handled it all really well. The fact that summer is here helps since we have been spending a lot of time outside. We have even taken a few trips to the beach and Up North. She is a true Michigan kid. Looking forward to the rest of the summer.

We have been blessed with good health this past year. I feel especially blessed that Amelia has been such a healthy kid. Just a few days ago however, she began sneezing, the dark circles under the eyes appeared and her little hands felt warm to the touch. I knew something was coming. She awoke the next morning with a fever and a full on runny nose. She's has low grade fevers with a runny nose before, and sure it slowed her down, but she pretty much played right through them. Not this time. She was on the couch or in my arms the entire day. She did her best to play but would collapse with exhaustion and frustration into my arms after a few minutes. Hard for a little one to understand why they feel so bad.

We took her to the doc and to my surprise she tested positive for strep throat. Strange since she never complained of a sore throat, even when asked. So we were prescribed a round of antibiotics. I knew what this meant...

She was quite excited at the though of pink medicine and wanted it right when we got home. Great, pink! Her favorite color! I told her she could take it after she ate dinner. I held her and Ford gave her a taste on the spoon. She smiled, bubblegum flavor. He gave her the rest. Her face shifted and she began to cry and gag at the same time and then...up it came, with all of her dinner and all of her juice. All over her, all over me, all over the floor and counters. Two times a day for ten days? Right.

I called the doc and they said the alternative antibiotic was even less tolerable. I hate this.

When she was one, she was prescribed the same medicine for a bacterial infection...and the same exact thing happened. I tried hiding it in her food. She knew and would not eat it. That time the doc said don't worry about giving it to her. She made a full recovery and all was well.

But step is much more serious. She has to take the medication.

I made the mistake of giving it to her in full form. Should have hid it from the start.

So, that night I made a milk shake and put some pink fizzy in it along with the antibiotic, hoping she wouldn't notice the pink bubblegum flavor she had previously puked up. (She's NEVER had soda in her life by the way...I was desperate). She drank it, hesitantly. She acted suspicious. I told her to drink all of it. She said, "why, Mom, why??"

Yesterday morning it was smoothie. Last night another milkshake. 8 more days of this. Come on.

When I asked what our alternative were...the answer was "injections." Plural?

So, I will do my best to lie and hide and sneak pink medicine into yummy foods and drinks.

It's going to be a long 8 days. :)

More tales from the potty...

2010-05-17T14:15:00.003-05:00

It finally happened. I don't think I've blogged about this before but today is the day.

Amelia is pooping on the potty.

Hallelujah!

Today is day 4 and there's no stopping her.

She's been peeing on the potty for a long time now, no problems there. But #2 was another story. She refused. She cried and whined when we encouraged her to try to go on the potty. And while we haven't had diapers in the house for months and months, there were still the trusty Pull-Ups on hand. Always conveniently there when she had to go.

When asked why she didn't want to poop on the potty she said it was just "too scary." Why, I still don't know, other than the first time she did poop while on her potty seat last winter, she freaked out at the sight of it...obviously not ready.

After giving it some time since that incident, we tried everything. Encouragement. A Poop Chart. Talking about her friends who pooped on the potty. Asking her friends to leave her messages on my voice-mail about pooping on the potty and how awesome and totally fun it is. Bribery with jellybeans (her favorite). But no matter what, it was always a no go.

Sometimes I pushed, and other times I just let it go holding onto the notion that it would just happen one day. Now I will admit, I did have some concern always in the back of my mind that I would have a 5 year old in kindergarten who refused to poop in the toilet and would ultimately end up holding it for the entire day until she got home. Thoughts of tummy aches and constipation. A poop saga.

As of late I've been in one of my "let it go" stages, I had even taken the poop chart down off of the bathroom wall...and then it happened. Just like that.

Ultimately, I think she just surprised herself. She got up to pee and it just happened. The look on her face was priceless and she laughed out loud! It was great. We cheered and clapped. She got to put stars on her poop chart and we proudly hung it back up on the wall.

So, like the suckie, the diapers, the sleep issues (well, most of them) these things just resolve, in time, with patience, and encouragement, and love. Even when you think there is no possible way it's ever going to happen...that your child will be married with a suckie in her mouth, snuggling a mommy shirt, and wearing adult diapers...it just happens.

And when those moments do finally happen, they are great, and prideful, and unforgettable. :)

I Was Going to Repaint That Anyway

2010-05-02T23:19:00.007-05:00

Well, a first for us today. Amidst a busy morning, Ford told me he needed to tell me something but did not want to say whatever it was he had to say in front of Miss Amelia. After church and lunch and nap...he finally remembered to tell me as we finished our dinner dishes.

"Did you see Amelia's dresser?"

"No, what about it?"

"She wrote all over it. I didn't see it happen and I'm not sure when she did it but I thought we should talk about it first before confronting her."

A bit shocked but thinking 'how bad could it be?' I put down my dishes and walk into the bedroom. Ford and Amelia followed.

No, it's wasn't just a few scribbles. She wrote on every drawer.

With a pen.

Calmly, I said. "Amelia, could you come here for a minute?"

She walked right over. I said, "what's on your dresser?"

She looked on top of it and saw a card from her Great Grandma and said, "a card."

Obviously oblivious.

"No, what's this on the drawers?"

"I wrote on my dresser," she said happily.

I reply calmly, "Yes, I see that. I need to tell you that it's not okay to write on the furniture. We only write on paper. Do you understand what Mommy is telling you?"

"Well, I was just writing my name."

(Ford and I both had to hold back smiles...already making a case for herself).

Again I repeat, "It's never okay to write on any furniture. We only write on paper."

She pipes in, "not couches, not dressers..." (Was she thinking of moving onto the couch next)?

"Right, did you use a pencil or a pen?"

"I used a pen, the white one."

Can you tell me why you did that?

"I was just writing my name." She scrunches up her nose. "But it's okay...but...I'm sorry, Mom."

"I accept your apology, Amelia. Now you are going to help mommy try to wash it off."

Ford got some rags and she willingly ran to the bathroom, to get hers wet and get some soap.

She rubbed and rubbed to no avail. "It's not coming, off," she huffed. "I just have to scrub harder." Oh brother, somehow I'm feeling kind of bad for her at this point.

We all scrubbed but alas, the pen remains.

I had a 'what was she thinking' kind of moment on this one. It clearly was not a malicious act. Just looked like fun...to write your name...in pen...on your dresser drawers...all of them. Because maybe she just couldn't find any paper and felt like being creative, or maybe did she just wanted to see what would happen, how we would react, or maybe that's not it at all...maybe writing your "name" on your dresser in pen is just a good time.

I'm pretty sure I'll never know.

Brett's Battle

2010-04-24T22:10:00.005-05:00

I added a new blog to the list of "other blogs you may like" on the left side of the screen. Brett's Battle. Aunt Amy Jo's husband, Brett, or brother as I call him, is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy in preparation for a bone marrow transplant in 3 days. He recently fought his 3rd battle with cancer (first battle he fought as a child with leukemia) and the next step is the transplant.

Pray for healing, strength, courage and hope for he and Amy.

To keep updated on his progress you can read the blog Amy started.

More prayers, more miracles...because they happen.

p.s. to hear the music, you now have to push the play button in the playlist box to the left.

Duck, duck, goose...

2010-04-15T22:30:00.002-05:00

Let it slide...

2010-04-02T23:18:00.006-05:00

Amelia loves the park, always has. She does not, however, care for the slide. She used to at least try the slides, and even with some enthusiasm. But for the past year or so there has been zero slide activity, flat out refusal. Could have something to do with another toddler giving her some "assistance" early on in her park visiting career, or maybe it was a slide that was a bit too fast and scary. Either way, no slides.

Until now.

Since the weather broke, we've been visiting the local parks quite frequently after a long winter hiatus. I thought maybe now that she's a little bigger, older, and wiser, she perhaps would have forgotten about her fear. Nope. She didn't forget. But at least now she is able to verbalize her fear...turns out it's just "too scary." No problem. I didn't push it.

A few days ago, Amelia and I ventured out after dropping Ford off at school. I gave her a choice...we could either visit the horse barn (at MSU) or we could go to the park. She chose horse barn. As we drove along, she announced that she would rather go to the park. Okay. A few quiet minutes passed and I watched her from the rear-view mirror as she stared out of her window. Out of the blue, with no mention of what we might do at the park from me, she announced calmly and confidently, "I am going to go on the slides today."

I smiled..."You ARE??" She smiled back kicking her feet up and down pridefully, "Yup!"

We got to the park and we headed straight for the little slide. Up the steps and right down, without hesitation, I was at the bottom to catch her of course. I clapped and cheered, told her I was so proud of her. She beamed. "I'm going to do it again! And I'm going to tell Dad when he gets home. But step back, Mom, I don't want you to catch me."

Well, okay. I stepped back, as she requested. She flew down the shiny metal slide, but this time a little quicker and she landed in the wood chips, on her butt and then fell back a little, hitting her head on the edge of the slide. She held it in for a minute but the waterworks started. Bummer. This could be the end of it for another long while...no more slides. But I was wrong. She wiped her tears and with a little encouragement, got back up there and went down again and again.

I was so proud of her. It may seem like a small thing, going down a slide, but to her it was a pretty huge fear. I was mostly proud that she came to the decision all on her own. That she carefully and thoughtfully decided, before even reaching the park, that that sunny warm day would be the day.

It was a first for me..watching her tackle an obstacle like that and it warmed my heart in a new way. I love when that happens. Way to go, Amelia!

Thank goodness.

2010-03-09T13:18:00.005-06:00

Yesterday, Amelia, mid-play, alerted me that she had to use the potty. Since we were at Grandma and Grandpa Turrell's house, I knew she couldn't climb up on the big potty by herself so I followed her in there.

She said to me, "No, go out there, Mom. I can do it myself."

Me: "Okay, but I have to help you get up onto that big potty since there's no stool here."

Amelia" "But I need privacy."

Me: "Okay, I'll give you your privacy after I help you up."

Satisfied, she let me help her. When she was done, I helped her finish and tried to lift her off the potty...

Amelia: "No, I can do it myself, Mom."

Me: "I'll just help you get down."

Next I tried to help Amelia pull up her underpants but she stopped me again...

Amelia: "I-I-I can do it!"

Me: "Oh, I know you can, I'm sorry, go ahead. "

Then she stops, drops her shoulders and and says, "I need to get back on the potty."

I lift her up and wait.

About 20 seconds go by and though she still hasn't gone she says she's done, gets down (I help a little), pulls up her own underpants and her pants and reminds me... "See, I can do it by myself."

Realizing she had to have a "re-do" so she could do it all herself from start to finish, I smile and say...

"Oh, I see, you didn't really have to go potty again, you just wanted to do it by yourself."

She smiles and says reassuringly..."Yea. But you're still my mom."

Oh good. :)

Bliss

2010-02-28T22:43:00.005-06:00

Memory not to forget:

Tonight, after our bed-time routine of books, prayers and snuggles, I tucked in an especially tuckered two year old (who refused her nap today), cozy in her green flowered footy-pajamas and snuggling her "pink" mommy shirt. I kissed her soft cheek, whispered "goodnight, I love you." Her eyes...half closed and begging for sleep, but Amelia, not wanting me to leave managed to whisper back..."Mama, sing me a song..."

And so I did.

She sleeps.

Barbie

2010-02-17T20:52:00.007-06:00

So Amelia loves to play with my Barbies. I still have them. Two of them. They can still rock the awesome 70's Barbie clothes (that yes, I still have) including an orange satin disco one piece complete with gold braided belt and golden collar. Amelia has named them "Barba" and "Barbie." They are still going strong despite kitten chewed hands, "bang trims" and generally being a little worn from all the years of "playing Barbies."

In addition to our two 30 something year old Barbies we have welcomed newcomer "Polly." A dollar store beauty that Amelia won at our family "Camporama" last summer.

One morning last week, Amelia and I "played Barbies" and chit-chatted as we dressed them to the hilt. Once they were all dressed and ready to go Amelia said in her best Barbie voice... "Hey! Where do you guys want to go?"

Me in my "Polly" voice, I responded: "I don't care, where do you want to go?"

Amelia, bounced her Barbie along her bed in small hops: "Let's go to a dance party!"

At this point I am not looking directly at Amelia and her Barbie but next I hear her say...and still in Barbie character...

"Oh! But my leg fell off!"

...then happily and without missing a beat she continues...

"That's okay, I'll just take it with me!"

That's my girl. Party on.

School Girlie.

2010-02-05T23:04:00.006-06:00

Today was a big day for the Turrells. We think we may have found a preschool for Amelia to attend this fall...and as far as first impressions go, it's amazing. We heard about it from one of Ford's law professors who could not say enough good things about it. Both of his kids attend.

After meeting with the director, touring the school, and watching Amelia explore with glorious wonder...Ford and I both knew this was the place Amelia would spend her first days away from home, away from us, away from me.

I had my list of questions for the director and I found myself pleasantly surprised and excited as I listened to her share with me the philosophy of the school and the concept from which they base their curriculum. As I listened to her speak, I found myself welling up...imagining Amelia participating, engaging, dancing, singing, creating, exploring, learning and growing in this joyful little place. What an amazing feeling.

Remember, Amelia has been with me since birth. No daycare, no regular babysitters, (only a handful of babysitters at that) just us, everyday for 2 1/2 years. Even just a few months ago, I could not imagine Amelia not being home with me, part of me wants to keep her home as I long as I can. I knew she was ready...she lights up at just the mention of going to school. I knew this was coming but letting go did not feel quite right...not just yet.

Today I feel differently. I feel hopeful. Excited. Ready.

As we pulled out of the school driveway, Ford said, "well, what do you think?" I knew it was the perfect fit...I felt the tears begin to blur my vision and I was unable to answer him, so I just nodded. He turned his head away and I knew he too was fighting back a few.

It's almost time to let go. Just a little.

Some of the best compliments...ever.

2010-02-03T22:23:00.007-06:00

A few days ago while eating dinner, the three of us were laughing and giggling while we recapped the fun day we had just had. We did some pretty fun stuff that day, things that Amelia really enjoys, so I asked her...

"Amelia, what was your favorite thing about today?" Expecting her to answer to be one of the many fun events of the day, she smiled and said, "living with you."

Lately, while riding in the car, Amelia has been requesting fast music to bop her head to. Today I put in the new Patty Griffin cd, which we both really like by the way. Amelia asked me, "Mommy, is this you?" Feeling flattered already I said, "No this is Patty Griffin." She replied, "I want to listen to you!" This is actually the first time she's requested to listen to either one of our cds. I complied and put in a lullaby cd Ford and I have been working on. I watched her from the rear-view mirror as she listened intently for a few minutes while looking out the window. She looked at me and said, "Is this you, Mom?" I said, "yes, this is me." She smiled and said, "are you a princess???"

Couldn't be any sweeter.

I smiled, "No, I'm your mama." She pointed at the radio, "But are you a princess on this cd?"

Perhaps the best compliment ever...and from a 2 1/2 year old. I thanked her and then watched her as she looked out the window and tried to sing along to each song. The cutest.

Warm weather baby...

2010-01-24T20:42:00.008-06:00

Amelia has had a bit of a runny nose and tummy bug this past weekend, poor bugger. Sooo, we haven't been out of the house much.

Today brought a warm rain melting all of the snow (including our snowman "Frosty" and our snow girl "Lily".) When it finally stopped, I announced we were going for a family walk to get some fresh air. Amelia was excited to go but still managed to exhibit some grouchiness while we put our coats on.

Amelia in her rain boots and winter coat wandered outside and immediately her mood changed. She was smiling ear to ear, there was a pep in her step and a rosiness in her previously pale cheeks.

With a contented grin, she looked Ford and said, "I'm happy now."

Ford said, "What makes you so happy?"

Amelia replied with another smile, "The grass."

Tales from the potty.

2010-01-15T23:10:00.008-06:00

Potty training...easy. Sort of. I knew Amelia understood the concept of potty training a long time ago...she just never presented an "emotional readiness" if you will. I knew well enough not to push the little one in this regard...the more pushing the more chances for her to resist, and resist she did. So, one day, I simply told her I spoke to Elsa's mommy (my good friend Elizabeth in TN) who said Elsa only wears underpants...no more diapers! Well, for some reason, on this particular day, this was enough. Not only was she so excited for Elsa, but she too only wanted to wear underpants. She ran to her room, picked a pair out of her bottom drawer, and has been wearing them ever since. Now, she doesn't want to wear anything but underpants which now presents a bit of a struggle when I have to put a diaper on her to sleep in. How confusing, we make a big deal about "no more diapers! Yeah! No more diapers!" but then still make them wear them at nap and bedtime. She actually cries to wear her underpants during these times...the irony. Oh, and get this, she won't poop in the potty yet, so she does request a diaper for this activity. Her resistance to pooping on the potty and the love of the underpants means she's figured out how to hold it. Not good. So now there's that.

We're just going with it, as I've learned, things will be different if you give it a week.

Now let me just say that public bathrooms present a whole new bag of issues. Most of us agree that most public bathrooms are disgusto. They are. Ford took Amelia to the bookstore and brought along her fold-up potty seat (sits on-top of big potties to keep little butts from falling in, plus the don't have to touch the seat...great invention). She felt the urge while reading books, told her Dad, and headed for the bathroom. He set her on the potty seat, she tinkled and they cheered (first time in a public bathroom cheer). Then she said, "I don't want to flush that one". We laughed later about this thinking she too thought the mens' public bathroom was disgusting. Turns out, there was a different reason....

Today, while at the mall, she had to "tinkle." I took her to the rather clean Macy's bathroom and set her on her potty seat. She did the tinkle while I held her up. She said repeatedly with conviction that she did not want to flush that one. I said okay, assured her she didn't have to and said that I would flush it for her. Then she said, "no, don't flush it, mommy, it scares me." Then I realized, how intimidating that big loud potty must be to her little 2 1/2 year old self. I mean, really, when flushed, those public toilets are unnecessarily loud, fast and forceful. At times, even swirling whooshing water out of the bowl, splashing droplets of cold toilet water out and onto our clothing, purses, even foreheads...and without warning. You know it's happened to you. And you know you've flushed with your tip of your shoe, turned your head away from the bowl, and then made a dash for the stall door as to avoid any chance off this happening. Now imagine being 2 1/2 in that scene. You'd be scared too.

So, we left it. No flushing. We washed our hands and met Ford in the hallway. He hugged her, told her he was proud of her. She told him she didn't flush it and asked him if he wanted to see it. He explained he couldn't see that particular tinkle due to the fact that that potty was only for girls. Again, confused. Just then a nice lady walked out of the girls bathroom where we had just been, and Amelia looked up at her and asked...

"Did YOU flush it?"

Bedtime Queries.

2010-01-11T22:40:00.008-06:00

Tonight while putting Amelia to bed, I tried to ease her anxieties about going to sleep alone in her big girl bed...

Me: Every night when you go to sleep in your bed, Amelia, I am always here. You are never alone. We would never leave you. Plus God is always with you. You can talk to God whenever you want. You can pray to Him and tell Him how you feel.

Amelia: Is He a Daddy?

Me: Yes! He's Jesus' Dad.

Amelia: I love my Daddy.

Me: And he loves you very much too.

Amelia: And I love God.

Me: And God loves you too.

Amelia: Does He drink beer?

"Why, Mama?"

2009-12-20T23:23:00.007-06:00

Amelia's first sled.

She picked out this outfit and wanted to dance by the Christmas tree.

Pretending it's raining inside.

"Why?"

It started. The one word question that dominates our conversations as of late.
It started last Thursday and has been used more and more frequently as the days go by.
I knew it was coming. I had been waiting for it. And now it's here.

"Don't tip your sippy cup over." "Why?"
"We have to go to the grocery store." "Why?"
"Be careful. The sidewalk is icy." "Why?"

So, Amelia wants to know why at 28 months. An amazing signal that her mind is expanding quickly and that she's really beginning to understand cause and effect.
Another developmental milestone. I'm just making a note of it.
Hilarious Amelia-isms to follow regarding this topic, I'm sure...

Amelia's Letter to Santa

2009-12-13T17:59:00.005-06:00

Dear Santa Claus,

I want some presents. I want an Elmo toy, a dolly with crazy hair, and that's it.

What do you live in? This is my new house.
I got a horsey-rocker. Do you have reindeer, Santa?
Dear Santa, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.

I need some buttons for my gingerbread.

Love,
Amelia

And you're how old???

2009-11-15T21:44:00.003-06:00

Tonight as Amelia fought with me about going to bed...

"I don't need sleep. I need to play and that's the truth."

Well.

Growing Pains...

2009-11-10T21:43:00.004-06:00

The girl is growing...FAST. No really, she's having a growth spurt. How do I know? Pants that were way too long a month ago are fitting perfectly. Her legs are finally catching up to her long torso. She's eating everything in sight. She's moody. Now the latter could be caused by several different things, she is 2 now, but I'm going with growth spurt. Her sleep patterns are changing, again. And tonight at bed-time, she complained of pain behind her knee. She was confused by it and wasn't sure if it itched or if it hurt. Poor girl fell asleep holding her knee up to her chest. Again, all signs point to growth spurt and growing pains.

Amelia had her 2 year well check with a new pediatrician here in Lansing. Visits to the doctor have always been...how do I say...painfully painful. However, another sign that she is growing (although she did cry through the entire visit) is the fact that she actually did what the doctor asked; opening her mouth while tears streamed down her face, letting her listen to her chest and back...all the while crying and interjecting an occasional "don't check me! I don't want a check-up. I don't want to, I don't want to...." Heartbreaking. I even told her before the visit that there would be no pokes and that nothing would hurt this time...just a check up. Well, surprise. Though I didn't mean to, I lied...hemoglobin check means prick to the toe. Wow, she was NOT happy. And I felt terrible too.
Gratefully, she understands more therefore she can prepare for what's to come when it comes to the doctor, she can ask questions, reassure herself by playing doctor on her stuffed animals, and she even asked the doctor personal questions about her family...responses regarding her 2 year old son seemed to please Amelia and made the doc seem a little less scary. She acted like a big girl despite all those tears. And I was very proud of her. Lots of praise and hugs as well as a trip to the diner across the street for a post doc visit vanilla shake seemed to erase the pain. At least most of it.

She's healthy. All that growing turned out the following results: At 27 months she weighs 30 lbs putting her in the 78th percentile for weight. She is 37 1/4 inches tall...96th percentile. And her head is, as always, off the charts...this time at 99 cm.

She's growing and sometimes painfully fast. Whether it's my heart aching for things to slow down just a bit, or Amelia's little legs aching from sprouting up so fast so she can one day tower over her mother, it's the growing that is the journey and it's those painful moments that makes all the others so sweet.

Songwriter

2009-10-25T22:12:00.002-05:00

Amelia's First Song...

I like roses
I like snow
I like snowflakes
when they on my nose.

Her Dad is so proud.

The Story of the Suckie

2009-10-18T21:26:00.007-05:00

It has been one month and 13 days since Amelia has used her suckie.
It all began 2 years and 2 months ago when my peanut was born and was swept away to the NICU even barely before the fog of c-section meds wore off. All the plans to snuggle, take pictures and videos, pass her around to family and friends, open new baby gifts...were replaced by this new and scary and almost incomprehensible situation. Suddenly the plans had changed. Suddenly the control was handed over to these (wonderful) strangers to make most of the decisions regarding her care. Suddenly, I was unable to hold my newborn...Amelia could not be removed from her "giraffe" and therefore could not be held but once a day. Can you imagine? We couldn't snuggle her and she couldn't snuggle us. We did our best to soothe her with our voices and the touch of our hands...but a baby needs more. And what about when we couldn't be by her side in the wee hours of the night?
Enter the suckie. Enter the caring, reassuring and pleasant nurse with the loud southern accent who ran to find her one when Ameila was wailing and the nursery seemed to be out. Boom. There it was. Decision made.
You see, pre-Amelia's birth, I had planned on forgoing the use of a pacifier all together. I thought after our baby was born I would do my best to be sure she didn't rely on a pacifier for comfort. Well, that didn't happen. And rely on it she did...for 2 years.
When we finally brought her home from the hospital, Amelia relying on her suckie was at that point insignificant, (as were a lot of other things I had planned) compared to the miracle of just being able to bring her home. I was just grateful that there was something that worked to comfort her during those weeks. The green suckie became a very important part of our lives. VERY important. Like most kids addicted to a pacifier, Amelia grew more and more fond of hers as the years passed.
Along with the sucking came the always cute twirling of the hair at the early age of about 5 months. It started with Amelia touching and playing with my long hair while I nursed and rocked her to sleep, which I always found totally endearing. Later, closer to 10 months to a year, Amelia started twirling her own hair to fall asleep while either nursing or sucking on that green suckie. Don't forget the "mommy shirt," which Ford introduced at 4 months of age in an attempt to calm Amelia's hysteria while I was out Christmas shopping. So the magic three...the sucking, the hair twirling, and the sniffing of the mommy shirt became Amelia's vices, her necessities of comfort, the magic that put her in that trance before she drifted off to sleep each and every time...

Amelia loved her suckie. Wanted it all the time. Enjoyed it when other babies and toddlers had one too. She understood the happiness it brought to them. Amelia only enjoyed the "Soothie" type pacifier, the green one handed out at the hospital. I tried other brands, offering different sizes, shapes, firmness...nope, she had her fav and she was sticking to it. During Amelia's first trip to see Santa at the mall, I remember seeing a little boy of about 2 years sitting on Santa's lap with his green Soothie in his mouth and thinking to myself, there's no way Amelia will still be using that green infant suckie at that age, no way...

Our pediatrician in Nashville told me the pacifier had to go by the time she turned 2. Said it would affect the development of her mouth if she kept it any longer. I had horrible visions of buck teeth, of mouth pieces to correct a suckie induced overbite, braces with rubber bands and head gear...
But the older she got, the more attached she became. I tried to limit her usage to nap-time, bedtime and car rides. But she would find them, stick them in at will. And admittedly, we gave in often, knowing the immediate and soothing affect it had on her. Amazingly, it really does do what it says...not only does it soothe a crying infant but it actually pacifies a whining toddler, immediately and effectively. There were some days where I too loved that green suckie.

Flash forward to Labor Day 2009. Amelia and I take a trip to Cross Village, MI to spend the weekend with family (minus Ford...home studying) at Uncle Mike's cozy cottage on Lake Michigan. All is well, Amelia sucks the suckie all the way on the 5 hour ride north. But something unexpected happens that night...at bedtime, jammies on and mommy shirt in hand, exhausted from our day at the beach, she is distraught. Something is wrong with her suckie..."something hurts" she repeats. She often says this not because something actually hurts but because something doesn't feel quite right. I noticed one of the 2 suckies has a small tear. I offer her the other one. She is equally distraught. I do some inspecting, though she won't let me look in her mouth, and notice there is a dog hair on this suckie. Maybe that's it. I wash it. Still a no go. Amelia refuses, but is very upset about it. After hours of suckie drama and crying, she finally falls asleep. Without. The. Suckie.
With support from the family vacationing with us, I use this never before available window of opportunity to detox Amelia of her vice.
The next day, to my shock and amazement, she does not ask for it until nap-time. I offer her the sole suckie. She tries it. Again, something is not quite right. Exhausted from playing again on the beach all day, she falls asleep quickly and painlessly. I am thrilled, and the same that night...a little complaining but fairly smooth sailing. Are we home free? Could it be that easy??? NOOOO...really?? No binky fairy? No purposefully altering the suckie to make it undesirable, no forcing the issue and going cold turkey? I virtually had to do nothing. I was feeling VERY grateful for this free pass. But it didn't last. When we returned home, things took a turn for the worse. Back in her own bed, Amelia asked for it. Wanted it. Needed it. Uh oh. I got a little nervous. After reading a little about it and talking it over with Ford I had decided that if this very thing happened, I would encourage Amelia to pass on and hand down her suckies to the many new babies that had been born that month, including her new baby cousin Will. She was thrilled with this idea. Whew. She climbed down off my lap, helped me pick out wrapping paper and a bow, wrapped up one suckie and put it in a very special spot on her bedroom floor so we could take it to the post office after nap. She was happy with this. But sadly, she could not fall asleep. The affects of suckie-withdrawal had set in. She could not relax, she could not sit still, she could not find the comfort she needed to get sleepy, not from me, not from rocking, not from anywhere. She was upset. I felt terrible. No nap. We mailed the suckie to Baby Will. We all praised her and told her how proud we were of her. What a big girl she was now. She seemed generally okay with this.
However, the withdrawal scenarios lasted the next 2 weeks and although there were several times I wanted to cave and let her have it just to fall asleep, so she could rest, I didn't. And it was hard. I tried to remind myself that this too is just a phase. That one day we will know what it is like to not have the green suckie in her mouth or on her mind.

That day is here. It can be done. Amen.
It is bittersweet to me. I admit, I am thankful I don't have to worry about carrying those things around with me, worrying about dropping it on say...a public bathroom floor (nasty), I don't have to battle with her about taking it out, and I no longer have to think about how I'm going to go about getting rid of it. But sadly, along with the giving up of the green suckie, came the disinterest in hair-twirling, and lastly she could care less, most days, where her mommy shirt is.
Shoot. Apparently, one goes they all go. Amelia does not want to talk about the suckie. She has started to in the past and quickly stops herself and moves on to something else. It almost seems too hard for her to talk about it or even to think about.
It may seem small, but it is in fact a big, no huge, step toward being a kid. A big kid.
She did it.
No more suckie.
Next...diapers.

More of the best...

2009-10-02T23:11:00.006-05:00

The cuteness just keeps coming. Yesterday, during our pre-nap ritual, we snuggled on the bed and read books together. This time we read books we had checked out from the library. I read to her "My Favorite Things" which is just the lyrics to the familiar song from the Sound of Music put to wonderful illustrations. She asked me to read it (well, I actually sang it) a total of 3 times and after the 3rd time she commented on the last line of the song: "And then I don't feel so bad." She doesn't like it when anyone feels bad, she gets very concerned. I explained to her that sometimes when we are sad, if we just think of our favorite things, we feel better. She liked this explanation and lay there next to me looking content. I asked her what some of her favorite things were...
A: "um...flowers."
Me: "oh that's a good one!"
A: "and Mommy"
(my heart grows and I respond with "awwww" and then she says quickly....)
A: "yur my friend..."yur my BEST friend."

Amazing.

The Best

2009-09-23T22:47:00.003-05:00

While watching Amelia eat her applesauce snack at the table in her blue polka-dotted dress...
Me: Amelia....Amelia....
(she looks up)
Me: I love you!
(she smiles)
Amelia: yea...to the WORWLD!

Just some thoughts on toddler hood...

2009-08-23T22:22:00.007-05:00

The blog is changing. I just looked back at some earlier posts and realized I have become less insightful about parenthood and have focused more on reporting things that are new, funny and cute and, well, factual.
Does this mean I've become a seasoned parent? And that I am no longer as enthralled with the newness of parenthood and all its wonder? Absolutely not. Just the opposite in fact. But I do think I have become a bit more confused...

I have been thinking a lot about this phase in our lives, the toddler phase. I have been thinking about how quickly the baby phase went by and how from now on I will be spending the rest of my parenting career actually communicating, I mean really engaging in conversation, with this little person. She can talk back now. And talk back she does. With every day I wonder if I am responding the right way, teaching the right way, phrasing my comments correctly. If I'm being too lenient, too firm. If I am picking too many battles or letting too many things slide. Everyday is like a test that I didn't study for. I feel like I should have some notes to refer back to when a new situation arises. A study guide, a cheat sheet if you will. I mean sure, instinct seems to carry me pretty far, but sometimes, just sometimes, I wish I already had 3 or 4 toddler behavior books read and under my belt, and committed to memory. Don't get me wrong, Amelia is really truly a great kid. She's not even that challenging of a toddler. We deal with some whining and the occasional defiant "NO!" or "don't" or even when I lead her gently or pick her up and away from something of interest she pulls out the "don't pull me, Mom!" Oy.

Will she be fighting me from here on out? Calling me out when she feels wronged. Standing up for herself and putting into practice her words of power...like "NO," and "DON'T" and maybe eventually "I don't care what you think" or even an "I hate you?" Really? Does toddler hood really give us a glimpse into the teenage years? So I've read. (Okay, so I've started to read a toddler behavior book).
Okay, that was a bit of a tangent and maybe a bit dramatic...I mean I'm talking about a two year old, but stay with me here...
They push and test and try to pull away from us as they become more and more independent and more drawn to the world outside these safe and familiar parental walls. Yet we press on in faith (and I do pray a lot) that we are raising decent, respectful, confident and loving human beings as we continue to guide and teach and respond in the right way, at least we hope. All the while we achingly long to keep them close...and we secretly live for the moments when they succumb to needing us, wanting us and openly loving us more than anything. "Hold me, mom." "I snuggle you." "I want you."

I heard on NPR tonight while driving in the car, an author talk about the theory that she keeps in mind while writing her books. That God is depicted in the Bible as being like a parent who guides and teaches and remains very involved in the beginning but by the end of the story He has stepped back, has become more silent and ultimately lets his children live out their lives, with the hope that what He has taught them will resonate in their minds and hearts and continue to guide them, even when He is no longer talking.

2009-08-07T10:24:00.002-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Amelia-isms

2009-08-05T22:14:00.005-05:00

An update on Uncle Ed. His surgery was very successful! Praise God! The surgeons were able to remove the whole mass, which is so amazing. We are all so grateful and relieved. He has spent some time recovering in the hospital and was able to return home yesterday only to run into some other post-surgery complications. He was airlifted back to Detroit where he is resting comfortably but will need to remain there for some time to undergo more tests. Please continue to pray for him...for good test results and ultimately for the best possible scenario...healing. And please continue to pray for his family...for peace, comfort and strength.

Some Amelia-isms...
We took Amelia to Mackinac Island this past weekend. We were able to visit our friends there, whom we have missed so much, and at the same time we were able to have a bit of a family getaway. Probably our last vacation for some time. We talked about it plenty before our arrival, the boats, the horses, the bikes. When we got off the boat, she just took it all in and seemed to love the whole experience, well...with the exception of the ferry...she wasn't so sure about that. On the last night, as she lay between us tossing and turning...she was having trouble falling asleep...my back to her, she finally became still and I thought for sure she had drifted. Then suddenly, I felt her hands on my back and felt her breath on my ear...it was then she whispered loudly...
"MOM! WHERE MY CAR???"
Smiling I said, "your car?"
"WHERE MY CAR GO? I SEE IT."
I explained to her that her car was in a parking lot and we were going to take a boat in the morning to get to it and then drive back to Grandpa and Grandma's house. She was content with this and laid back down. Later Ford and I laughed about the fact that she must have been lying there thinking 'well, this must be it...horses and bikes from now on...no more cars...I wonder if I'll ever see it again.' Ha.

Yesterday, as Ford sat down at the table to share a snack with her, he suggested they say a quick prayer. She agreed, put down her snack and folded her hands. He said the quick standard prayer but was surprised to hear Amelia chime in. He looked up to see her with hands folded and eyes closed...
"Um...Bess you Lord...annnnd Jesus loves me." :)

Today Ford took her to the pool after he got home from work and on the walk back he asked her, "Amelia, should we take the sidewalk home?" She exclaimed with glee..."YEAH!!" A few seconds later she ran up to him with her hand extended...
"Herego, Dad, herego."
He responded, "What's this?"
She said happily, "A piece!"
"A piece of what?" he asked.
"Sidewok. Take it home!"

Prayers for Uncle Ed

2009-07-27T11:06:00.005-05:00

Prayer request today. Please add Uncle Ed, my Dad's older brother, to your prayer lists. He is undergoing surgery in Detroit to remove a brain tumor this morning. Pray for a successful and thorough surgery, a quick recovery, minimal pain and complete healing! Please pray for his family as well, for strength, comfort and peace to fill their hearts during this stressful time. Thank you!

An update.

2009-07-22T23:37:00.005-05:00

Amelia napping in her "clickers."

We've been in Michigan for some time now, a month actually. We've been living with Grandpa Hank and Grandma Claudia...they were kind enough to take us in during this big transition...even during their own transition from the UP. Amelia has her own room, which has been really nice. I tried to bring as much from her room in Nashville to make her feel comfortable...I think it has worked with the exception of the first few nights when she awoke confused and crying in her familiar bed but in an unfamiliar setting. Overall, the transition has been smooth. The packing process and actually getting ourselves out of Nashville took so long, I think she too was actually ready to get on with things. So hard for a little one to understand. In fact, about mid-way through the packing, while living amongst boxes and in total disarray, Amelia was enjoying her breakfast at the table with my mom one morning when she showed her the cup of water she was drinking and said, "ice, Grandma?" My mom looked in the cup and said.."no, there's no ice in there," not realizing Amelia was actually asking for some ice. Amelia then peeked back in the cup, looked at my mom and said..."no ice, it's packed." And on another occasion while playing amongst boxes, boxes and more boxes while we busily worked around her...she exclaimed..."all done packing!"
How do you explain to a 2 year old that once we put everything we own and that is familiar to her in big brown boxes and then load them all into a "big trailer" that we will drive for 10 hours and 500 miles away from the only home she's ever known...not to mention never to return to again...and then we will live with Grandpa and Grandpa until we can find employment and a house of our own to live in where she will have a new room on a new street, and we will go to new parks and meet new friends to play with...but we will still talk to our old friends on the computer and over the phone and see them only "sometime soon...and..." As best you can, that's how.
What has helped is the fact that it's summer, and and she is having an awesome Michigan summer vacation, ie a trip the Petoskey and Lake MI for the 4th, G & G Turrell's cottage, visiting grandparents, aunts and uncles and playing with her many cousins, G & G Loto's POOL! She's having a great time. However, along with the move and her rapid approach to age 2, has come some new and undesirable behavior. Plenty of whining most days and the word "NO" in all it's glory, has a become the word of choice in her times of distress, confusion, anger, sadness, tiredness, and of course just plain defiance. There are some days that I wonder if I actually counted how many times that word left her lips, if the number would exceed 50...100? But no matter, it is a phase and the more she tests, the more I am reminded that her new 2 year old self is becoming more aware and independent and at times feeling less secure. So, boundaries, in what seems to be at times a boundary less new world, are what keeps it together. Knowing what to expect from us, even when we don't know what to expect ourselves. Tough some days. But what's not tough...hugs, kisses, snuggles and lots of I love yous...even if our normal routine is all messed up and even when we don't know what is to come.
And what is to come? Well, after much anxiety and nervousness about moving to Michigan during such economic turmoil...this just in...Ford was hired to teach at Lansing Community College this fall (thank the good LORD!) and he is also interning for Senator Clark a few hours a week where he has been put in charge of some big projects and thus gaining invaluable experience and networking opportunities. He starts law school at MSU at the end of August. We have started looking at houses...houses to buy. A first for us. And that is where we are now. Faithful and hopeful for good things to come. Once again, the Lord has blessed us, life is good and we are together.

Roll with it...

2009-06-11T23:27:00.010-05:00

How will she react to leaving Nashville? Her house and yard? Her room? Her friends? I try not to think about it because it really does make me sad. Sad mostly to leave the place where she entered this world. The place in which she is the most familiar. There's something big about that...even if she doesn't remember. Today she understands the concept of "home" in the tangible sense anyway. When we've been out a while, and especially when she's tired, she'll pleadingly say..."home." And lately when she walks in the front door, she shouts gleefully "HOME!" She even knows which street is ours and loves to exclaim, "OUR STEET! OUR STEET! when we make the turn onto Beechwood. But no matter where we are in the future, she'll forever be able to say, I was born in Nashville, TN.

So we are leaving for the North in 11 or so days. We have begun the arduous task of packing. Slowly. I did, however, pack up all of the framed photos around the house. That really made the place feel a bit empty. Those pics, along with phone calls, Skyping, conversations and night time prayers are what keep her in touch with our far away family and friends. The frames that sat up on a ledge behind the couch were amongst her favorites to look at. She would stand up and peek her little nugget over the couch cushions, touch them all of course, and talk about all of the faces displayed there.
And then one day, when she woke up from her nap...those familiar faces simply were not there.

"Mommy, pitures?" with palms turned up and eyebrows raised.
"I packed them, in a box, so we can take them with us. Remember? Where are we going?"
"Mitchigun!"
"Yes, that's right! Who lives in Michigan?"
"Grampa....Gramma..." she begins to make a list...
"That's right, and who else?"
"Mommmmy..." she says.
"and Christopher" I add.
"and Mommmy..."
"and Sofia," I continue.
"and Mommy...."
Ford pipes in..."I think she wants to make sure you'll be there too."
"Yes, Mommy will be there and Daddy too..."

So, she's aware, as aware as her almost 2 year old mind can be, that something is up. And all I can do is make it fun, include her in the packing, and pray that she transitions smoothly. But what I think it comes down to for her is the reassurance that we will still be together, that no matter where we are; no matter what state, what house, what bedroom...all that matters is that we are here for her, and that we love her...when she has questions, when she's sad and when she just doesn't understand.
Then again, she could have a total party through this all and I could just be projecting my sentimental sappiness on her...via this blog only, of course.
Either way, here's hoping she can just roll with it, with lots of love and reassurance and of course with a little piece of these first few years of her life, this house, our friends, and Music City always stashed away somewhere in her subconscious...onward and Northward.

Bless her heart.

2009-05-26T10:17:00.008-05:00

It's official. An official announcement. We are moving back to Michigan at the end of June. Ford is going to attend law school at Michigan State University. They've offered him quite a hefty scholarship that's too good to pass up. So, we pack up or little lives and move on Up North. More to come about the move but for now...
My brain works differently from most people...(well, especially my husband's brain) when it comes to organizing, planning and packing for that matter. I realize my methods may seem random, erratic or even ridiculous to some...but they make perfect sense to me. That said, we have so much to do to get ready to go. Most of the house is in shambles...we have begun sorting and pulling things out of drawers and cupboards in preparation for a yard sale on Saturday. Well, one project leads me to another room where I see another project needs attention and so on and so on...well somehow last night I randomly started a photo project...Amelia's photo album. Yes, I've been a slacker with the photo albums and baby book, but I figure the blog gets me off the hook in that capacity. I've only taken 3000 pictures of the kid and have the first 2 years of her life backed up on disc...just haven't printed them and placed them in a album yet...waiting for a whole day to myself to do that? Right. So, last night was as good a night as any....
I got as far as the pregnancy pictures...you know the proverbial side view photos of my tummy from one month to the next to see the growth progression from (semi) flat to ginormous.
This morning. I showed Amelia my work. I showed her how my tummy grew and grew and I explained to her that it was her in there, when she was just tiny, growing inside my tummy, getting bigger and bigger...
She listened intently, wide eyed and intrigued.
I asked her if she remembered. She nodded and said "suckie."
I asked her if she had a suckie in there, she nodded and said..."uh huh."
Next I asked her if it was warm and cozy in there. "Uh, huh," she said.
"What color was it in there?
Confidently she replied, "GREEN!! PINK!!!"
Nice. "Really?" I asked.
"Uh, huh."
And then she opened up my robe, paused and then patted my tummy and said..."get in."
"You want to get back in my tummy?" I asked her.
She smiled, "Yeah."
Bless her heart.
Sometimes I wish she could.

Saturday morning...

2009-05-16T13:00:00.009-05:00

ZUMBA!

pink ship shops

We are on our "summer schedule" as I like to call it. Amelia has been sleeping late, taking late naps and ultimately going to bed late. Too late for a one year old, in my opinion. I have been working on getting Amelia to put herself to sleep...yes the saga continues. (Another blog in and of itself). But let's just say that it's taking her longer to fall asleep than usual. So...this morning Amelia woke up not at 8:00 am like every other day as of late...but at 5:45 am. She's napping now (and so is Ford) and as I sit here alone listening to the thunder (it's been raining here for what seems like 2 weeks straight) I have been thinking about what a memorable Saturday morning this one has been...

Ford had Amelia out for a walk in the rain, outfitted with rain coat and umbrella at 6:30 am, followed by a yummy breakfast of daddy's scrambled eggs and waffles. When I woke up Amelia was quick to tell me about the snail they had discovered crawling up her blue plastic cup, that had been left out on the porch overnight. She then she showed me the fort she and her daddy built between the desk and the couch equipped with pillows, blankets, dollies, stuffed animals and books. Next, while changing her diaper in her room, she discovered her "simming suits" in her drawer and immediately began to put on the purple floral bikini with sarong...with a little help she was ready to go...where? ZUMBA class at the YMCA. On Saturday mornings there is a parent/child ZUMBA class, which is really a dance/aerobic/free movement kind of exercise class and I have been wanting to take Amelia to...and today was the day. Ford came too, knowing it was going to be something to see, no doubt. Upon arriving, Amelia was a bit intimidated and clung to my neck...I jumped in and started dancing while holding her and encouraging her to watch the other kids and their fancy moves. I took her to the back of the class and set her down on her feet where she finally loosened up a bit and agreed to hold my hands and dance with me. Soon, she was in the center of the room, shaking her booty with the best of them to African beats, Latin grooves and even a little Ton Loc...yes, Funky Cold Medina...and she was loving every minute of. The best was when the instructor yelled for everyone to go get an exercise ball and when all the big girls went running to the back of the room, Amelia did not hesitate, or even look to see where I was, and she was off like a shot, following the masses. I'm pretty sure she had no idea where everyone was going, but she sure wasn't going to miss out. Hilarious. As ZUMBA class was winding down, Amelia was just getting started. She pleaded to the instructor in her little voice and used her toddler sign language "MORE, MORE!" But class was over, we thanked the nice lady and off we went...
And to top off our eventful Saturday morning, we stopped by the little shop that sells pink flip flops (we were waiting for her size to come in) and picked hers up. Thinking Amelia would crash from exhaustion on the ride...she actually did not stop talking and babbling all the way home..."zumba, dance?! booty? booty? booty? um zumba...um girls...dance...ship shops, pink ones!...yah!" What a day, and all before nap.

p.s. check out the music on my new playlist feature...well, it's already playing, right? Turn it up! Dance! It's fun!

Did I just say that?

2009-05-14T22:19:00.006-05:00

Amelia is almost two...as sweet as she is, there are times when she certainly acts like a two/three year old. I find myself being caught off guard at times with some of this new and interesting emerging behavior. I haven't read any books about this topic yet, like I have with most other topics. At this point, it's all instinct. As a mom in my (mid) thirties, :) I feel like I should have the maturity and patience to handle whatever this little tiny person has to dish out, right? Should all be a breeze, right? I'll just know what to do and say, right? For the most part, yes, this is usually the case. But I have to laugh at some of the things that have come out of my mouth in the midst these toddler tantrums. I have been surprised some of my off the cuff responses on more than one occasion and have had to ask myself, "did I just say that???"

"THAT is unacceptable behavior." (Super Nanny influence).
"Mister doesn't like it when you scream." (Blame it on the cat).
"Amelia Sava!" (Yes, this is the ultimate. Utilizing the middle name means Momma means business. Who am I kidding, she doesn't even know that's her middle name yet...and for real, did I just say that???)

Loves to pray.

2009-05-05T14:44:00.009-05:00

Amelia loves clicking in her patten leathers...handed
down from cousinsSofia and Kate. She often makes me wear my high heels too.

Amelia hiding behind the chair (from the thunder).

Christopher, Amelia and Sam on Easter.

Amelia loves to pray. Lately she folds her hands and closes her eyes when we pray at dinnertime. We usually say the traditional "Bless us, oh Lord and these thy gifts..."

Amelia interjects a word here and there when she can. This morning I had a chuckle when I overheard she and Ford praying before they ate their cereal...
Ford continues..."from they bounty, through Christ our Lord..."
Amelia interjects:
"my bouncy.....amen."

Did she just say that?

2009-05-01T00:04:00.007-05:00

I sneeze. "Bess you, Mommy." And then continues eating her cottage cheese.

After an outing to Radnor Lake with Ford and upon returning, Ford says, "Amelia, tell Mommy what kind of bird we saw up in the tree."
Eyes all big with wonder she replies, "ooood-pocka." (Woodpecker).

Playing with Ford on the side porch: Jumps up and down continuously, for fun, and then says, "Dada...jump...I woch." Pulls herself up on a chair, pushes back her hair and waits for Ford to start jumping.

Walks up to me after finishing a snack, holds up her hands and says..."Mommy, wosh honds...wipe honds...Meesta...ped heem." (Apparently she wanted to pet the cat but her hands were covered in hummus.)

As she listens to me talk to my mom on the phone about how I have been on the look out for some cute summer sandals for Amelia...
"Mommy...um, sheep-shops...pink ones...mall."
Did she just ask me to take her to the mall to buy pink flip-flops?
I believe she did.

Oh, the talking! And talking and talking....

2009-04-18T08:50:00.006-05:00

First of all. My camera is still broken. I have been taking film photos these past few weeks but sure enough have not gotten any developed. So no new photos. I've posted an older one, of Amelia trying to dress herself. I found her this way. She had gone to her room to find a shirt (to put on top of the one she was already wearing) and climbed up on the couch and spent the next 10 minutes quietly trying to put in on. The kid is determined to dress herself. She even has a thing or two to say about what I pick out for her to wear at times. This morning she went and found a flowery knit skirt to pull on over her hippo pajamas. She is currently outside with Ford wearing the above described outfit. Self expression. One and a half years old and already picking out her outfits. I may be in for it.

An update: If you read my last blog, Baby Finn is home now. He is doing much better from what I understand. He will have to be on a strict diet for the rest of his life. As far as neurological damage, I'm not sure that they know yet...so the keep praying for him! I know the prayers are greatly appreciated.

What's new with Amelia these days...it's been some time since I've posted about her. The biggest thing is the TALKING. She's saying it all these days. Three to four word phrases even. Like "mommy sirt lellow." This morning she was talking to herself about Ivey and Elsa coming home from their trip to Colorado..."ome, Ivey airpane...ome, Elsa airpane." She actually spouts off entire monologues of which I can understand every third word or so. And I smile and nod and and reply when I can or say enthusiatic things like "really?" "woww" to which she replies all wide eyed "yah" and then just keeps talking...It's amazing how all of those words are just up there in her little brain and they just form and come out of her mouth at will now. Everyday we hear words she's never said before and it couldn't be more fun. She has started calling us "honey" because we say that to her and she hears us say it to each other.

One of the reasons I did not post a blog these last few weeks was because we had a string of visitors. First cousin Anna, then Uncle Tom, Aunt Maryellen with Sarah and Kera, then Grandma and Grandpa Turrell. Then for the the Easter weekend, Grandma and Grandpa Lotoszinski with Aunt Michelle, Sam and Christopher. It was a busy and fun filled few weeks. Easter was great complete with Easter bonnet (from G & G Loto), an Easter egg hunt, Easter baskets featuring such goodies as a brand new jump rope, books, bracelets, stickers and plastic eggs filled with coins for the water fountain. (How nice to believe that the only purpose for money is to throw in the "wa-wa.")
So a last random "picture this" if you will...
Sam and Christopher had an unusual string of good luck playing "The Claw" game featured at the hotel in Indianapolis on their trip down south. Literally upon arrival, (bless them), they could not wait to shower Amelia with at least 8 - 10 of their prizes, so sweet. Apparently they "could not lose." Amelia became the happy recipient of such carnival quality prizes as a large pink pig, a kelly green lamb, a difficult to describe bright blue and green multi-colored bunny...and you get the idea.
As I spent the week cleaning up and putting away Easter remnants after all had departed, I decided that our house was already over-flowing with toys and so I chose a few of our "claw" friends to take out of circulation, for now, and store in the basement. I placed them strategically by the basement door with the empty Easter baskets, etc. to put away after Amelia went to bed. Last night, right before she went to bed, Ford decided to take a few things down...Amelia happened to round the corner and caught a glimpse of Ford as he walked down with an armload, pink pig peaking over his shoulder. I could see the panic hit her and right then I knew that she knew the fate of her new friends...Ford had shut the door behind him but that did not stop her...Amelia immediately dropped to her tummy and pushed up the flap to the cat door, poked her little face through the opening and cried out to save who she could "PIGGY! PIGGYYY!" Tears and more crying out...heartbreaking. Ford was caught in his tracks and of course he felt he had no choice but to turn around and come back upstairs, with piggy and friends in hand to return them to their rightful owner.

Baby Finn

2009-03-29T23:08:00.003-05:00

No photo today. Our digital camera is broken, again. Not sure when it will get resolved at this point so bear with me.
This blog is a prayer request for a little baby here in Nashville named Finn. He is the newborn son of a friend of my good friend Elizabeth. I met Courtney once at a play group at Elizabeth's house where Amelia and Courtney's 3 year old daughter, Maggie, played.
Courtney gave birth to Finn on March 18th. Within a few days of life, Finn was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Isovaleric Acidemia and he was admitted to the PICU at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital where he remains for now. From what I understand, this is a rare disorder in which the body does not break down protein and thus overproduces ammonia. The high levels of ammonia caused some major problems for Finn early on they weren't sure at one point if he would make it...but thankfully they have managed to get his levels down and he improved. He is still in the ICU and has a ways to go. Amazingly, his doctor at Vandy, happens to be one of the leading authorities on this disease and even developed the protocol for treatment for it. Huge blessing! Though he continues to show signs of improvement, his parents have been prepared for Finn to have possible neurological damage.
This is where you come in...please pray for little Finn. For his comfort, for NO neurological damage and for complete and total healing of course! Please pray for his parents and family to find peace and hope during this very difficult and stressful time. We all know and have seen what amazing things God can do and we all know the power of prayer. So lift him up and add him to your daily prayer list. I know his family appreciates it. Healing happens.

2009-03-24T21:58:00.004-05:00

Outfit by daddy: wool winter scene sweater, polka dot shirt,
pink capri pants,polka-dot socks, green sunflower shoes...

First ponytail!

First spring breaker! Cousin Anna came down to Nashville for her spring break from Interlochen Center for the Arts in Northern Michigan (where she works). We were so happy to have her and Amelia loved her. Wish I had a picture of them hanging out but I failed to take any at first and then our camera broke...could be a while for new blog photos. The above were taken with Anna's camera. Much fun was had by all, Amelia and Anna bonded, and Anna was able to witness many firsts this past week...

1. First ponytail! Her hair is finally long enough in the back to make the teeniest pony...regardless of it's size, she was so proud of it and she pointed out that she was now like Mommy (who wears her hair in a ponytail almost everyday these days) and Anna, and of course "I-I" (her pal Ivey). I have to admit, I got a little choked up...again.
2. Shoes! Amelia puts her own shoes on now. Somehow she knows which shoe goes on which foot. She even velcros them closed, hops to her feet and then claps for herself.
3. While coloring in a coloring book, Amelia dumped out the contents of her crayon box, (I'm talking the big box of Crayola crayons with colors like "Tumbleweed" and "Mac and Cheese"). I decided to take advantage of the moment by encouraging Amelia to practice taking turns with us putting the crayons away. We each took a turn and as I encouraged Amelia to put another crayon away, she hopped to her feet and walked away declaring "mommy turn!" Hmmm.

Anna left this morning and Amelia is still talking about her. Sad to see her go but her visit kicked of a slew of spring break visitors! Can't wait for more fun!

Melting...

2009-03-14T13:32:00.005-05:00

Outside at dusk, in jammies, on a warm spring evening...chasing Mister.

Breakfast with Bearw.

One of my favorite things about being Amelia's mom are the surprises. It seems that she manages to pull them out at just the right times. The kind of surprises that remind me she is becoming an independent, sweet and loving little girl. A little human that I have the privilege of guiding and teaching, nurturing and loving. As scary and challenging as it seems some days, and as I often find myself questioning myself at every turn, it's the most important job I have ever taken on and absolutely without question, my very favorite. The rewards are immeasurable and sometimes, well, surprising.
Lately, after a few books and only a few minutes of rocking together in her big cozy rocker, she has been asking to lie down in her bed to fall asleep in her favorite position. On her tummy, knees tucked in, bum in the air, hands placed under her belly with elbows out (to keep them warm I imagine) with her mommy shirt tucked on up under there too. But yesterday was a little different...as I was laying her down in her crib and she assumed this cozy position, she picked her head up, turned her big brown eyes up at me and for the first time, without me saying it first and without prompting, she sweetly and softly said "ub youuu." For those of you who don't read Amelia language, that means "I love you." I swear if it was possible to melt away, I think I might have right then and there. And surprisingly, as if my heart wasn't full enough, I actually felt it grow. It was quite possibly the sweetest surprise.

Happy 19 months!

2009-03-07T23:03:00.005-06:00

Elsa and Amelia sharing a hug at the zoo.

Amelia and Ivey checking out the iguanas.

A little sidewalk chalk with GiGi.

So excited to go to the pool with Daddy.

Warm and sunny spring evening on a blanket in the grass.

Amelia is 19 months today. Hard to believe in just 5 short months she'll be 2. She had her 18 months well visit this past week. Happy to report all is well and she did great. She is a healthy toddler top to bottom. She did cry the entire time we were there...beginning in the parking lot. I think we have a bit of a reputation at the office now. :) She is 24 lbs and 12 oz which puts her in the 60th percentile for weight. She is 32.5 inches tall...75th percentile for height and her head is 49 cm...97th percentile. :) Yes, overall the visit was a bit stressful, but as promised mid doctor visit we took her out for a pizzie when it was all over. She ate almost 2 pieces and seemed to forget about how upset she was and even hi-fived us when we told her how brave she had been. Poor little nugget.
Some new things in our world. Amelia has started calling herself "Mimi" as this is what her little friend Elsa across the street has stated calling her. Admittedly Amelia is a tough one for the little ones to say. Where before when Amelia would try to verbalize when she wanted something or related herself to something going on around her, she would point to herself, eyebrows raised, and make kind of a questioning high-pitched "mm?" Now it's pointing at herself while asking, "Mimi? Mimi?" As if to say, "can I have some of that?" or "it's my turn?" or "i have one of those too?" It's pretty cute actually.
She has also started calling me "mommy" instead of "mama." It's bittersweet in a way since she's been saying mama since she was a wee one. Lots of new words, even tougher ones like "bookstore" and "outside." She likes to point out when people have on "jeans," which is interesting to me since she hardly ever wears them and I don't recall talking about them extensively at any point. She is intrigued by Smokey the Bear on the back of her Little Golden Books as he wears jeans...no shirt or shoes mind you but he does wear a hat and he carries a shovel. It is a little odd, can't blame her for wondering.
Oh, and tonight after her bath, she ran her little naked self down the hall and into the kitchen to see Ford who was doing the dishes. I stayed behind to clean up the bathroom and after a few minutes I heard..."OH, YUP, that's your poop, don't step in it." I walked in to find Amelia had pooped on the kitchen floor. A first...only took 19 months.

Tea with monkey and pee pee on the potty!

2009-02-26T22:09:00.006-06:00

Tea.

Crumpets.

Isn't it a lovely morning, monkey?

Well, today was a big day. It started off like any other day, morning tea with monkey, playing outside in her tutu, the usual. But what made today different was actually quite a big event in our world! The first pee pee on the potty! And isn't that just the way it goes that it caught us all a bit off guard. Here's the story:
Ford and Amelia were playing in the living room as I cooked dinner in the kitchen. He noticed she was fidgeting with her diaper so he asked her, "do you have to go pee pee?" She nodded. "Do you want to go on the potty?" She nodded again.

Now keep in mind, Amelia has not been all that interested in actually sitting on her potty, and when she does, it's very brief and nothing ever happens, but the wheels are always turning so we act out the whole thing anyway.

So, off to the bathroom they went...off with the pants and diaper as she sat down on her little green and blue, ten dollar, plastic potty. She stood up after a few seconds, turned around, looked down at her potty and waved goodbye to her pee pee...as usual, there was no pee pee there but Ford went along with it as we always do. She decided to sit down again and Ford asked her if this time she wanted to look at a magazine. Again, she nodded. She flipped through the pages and they exchanged small talk when suddenly, Ford caught a glimpse of something glistening...pee pee! He called for me and I ran in...she stood up, looked at her real live pee pee but seemed a bit oblivious as to the magnitude of what had just taken place. So, we clapped for her and congratulated her and the bigger deal we made of it, the happier she was. Ford gave her some toilet paper and she even wiped! (She's been practicing wiping for a few weeks now). She beamed with pride as all three of us sat in the bathroom, Amelia still on her potty, clapping gleefully as she looked back and forth at Ford and then myself, still trying to figure out what the all fuss was about.
It was then that I had one of those moments...when I feel like it's all happening too fast. How did we get here...already? Really? Ford and I exchanged a knowing glance as we continued to clap and I swallowed over the growing lump in my throat. She's big now, I kept thinking, not just because she finally peed on the potty, tomorrow she may want nothing to do with it, but because she can. Next thing I know she'll be attending her first day of school, riding a bike, losing her first tooth...
Next, there was hugging and more praise and I asked her if she wanted a treat...more excited nodding...and she ran down the hall with her little bare butt, toward the kitchen, still clapping.
I didn't even care if reinforcing the whole potty thing with a treat was the wrong thing to do, because it seemed like the right thing to do and she enjoyed every little bit of her little dish of vanilla ice-cream, very much.

OUT!

2009-02-10T20:43:00.005-06:00

Library story hour.

Exploring.

Amelia and GiGi...kind of look alike in this one...she is her mommy.

Ford and Amelia out looking at the moon.

Enjoying soup and bread with GiGi. She insisted they sit together.

Determined.

Bubbles.

It has been very warm here in Nashville...spring-like even. Which is good, great actually and we are enjoying every minute as I am reminded by native Tennesseans, it will get cold again. Since the warm weather started, we have spent every free minute outside, playing...ball, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, lots of walks and pushing the dolly stroller up and down the block and even a trip to the zoo. Amelia LOVES being outside. In fact, as soon as she wakes up she heads for the door enthusiastically yelling, "OUT! OUT!"

Lots of perks about being outside right now...the temp of course, seeing neighbors out and about, lots of "doggas" on walks with those neighbors, no chiggers or mosquitoes, and all of the running around and fresh air makes for one sleepy kid at nap and bed-time. Love it!
Above are a few photos of Amelia enjoying this sneak peek of spring.

Up and Down

2009-01-25T22:17:00.003-06:00

Trying out undies, sort of.

Playdoh horse. She had some help from Daddy, they make a nice team.

So, notice anything about the two pictures above? Same exact expression, green suckie in mouth and hair twirling. This is what Amelia looks like when she's tired. But the fun ensues regardless.
I think the blogging has slowed, not because there is nothing to write about, but because there is too much to write about. One and a half is an exciting and fun and busy and challenging age. I'm just not sure how to choose a topic these days, there are so many.
So a brief run down on what's new...

Amelia is talking A LOT, lots and lots of new words and two word phrases at the most. She tries so hard to speak in sentences, bless her heart, it's just not quite understandable yet, she's getting there. The language development is a constant source of entertainment for me. Love it.

The potty is intriguing these days. We read potty books and she gets excited, points at herself, climbs down off of my lap and runs to the bathroom to look at her little plastic potty (which has never been used) and then runs back to finish the book. She does not want to actually use it yet, but she's making the connection.

Amelia was sick for 2 weeks upon our return from Michigan. Boy, that was a challenge. She had a viral bronchial infection with a fever that lasted the whole first week. She was absolutely miserable. Of course, the mommy was sick too, oh my. Neither of us were sleeping and we were both pretty cranky. This was the sickest she's been in her short little life and it lasted the longest as well. What comes next is too long of a story and a bit too graphic, but midway through the illness, we were introduced to the big wide world of toddler constipation. Scary at first as Amelia was having episodes of severe belly pain and I did not know why...who would think constipation? She poops every day! And to make it even more exciting, the first episode occurred on a Saturday which meant our pediatrician referred us to Vandy ER since the office was closed...Vanderbilt Children's Hospital ER on a Saturday evening...not fun. They were able to get to the bottom of it (no pun) and were able to get things moving in the right direction (again, no pun...awful). The whole constipation thing was actually a big surprise to me, like I said, she never gave me any cause worry about this. So, now we rethink the diet a bit, cut way back on dairy, she loves, loves, loves cheese...and add more fiber. Things seem to be working themselves out and she's pretty happy these days! Poor kid. What a crappy few weeks...the puns just keep flowing out...i don't mean to, really...

Okay, what else...books continue to be a huge influence in her life. So many real life scenarios will remind her of a story or a book we've read and she'll smile and laugh and say "book!" and try to tell me which one. It's so cool to watch her wheels turning. She's also making the connection between herself and the outside world by pointing at herself when she recognizes something she has, or does or knows. She is also getting into her opposite books these days, recognizing up and down, near and far, happy and sad, etc. She likes to act them out even. She's taking interest in learning colors, counting, and letters as well. So fun.

Next...while in Michigan, much to my devastation, she picked up the undesirable behavior of hitting. Not hard luckily, but it's still hitting...herself, me, Ford, and other kids. I wasn't ready for that one...even reading in several of my toddler books that hitting and biting (luckily she is not into biting) are a normal part of a toddler's development did not make me feel better. Thankfully, the behavior has subsided since returning home to TN. We've been working on it but I also think she was a bit overstimulated by the traveling, many visits and and new environments while home for the holidays. Hopefully it's over, keep you posted on that one. Oh, if she hit any of your kids while in MI, I am so sorry. She's not a bully, really...

One other challenge that keeps coming around, and I know I am not alone on this, is sleep. One and a half seems to be an in between stage...getting almost a bit too big for a crib but not big enough for a big girl bed. On one occasion, while upset and not wanting to be in her crib, she figured out how to swing her leg over the rail while exclaiming "out! out!" and managed to actually make it out...and not gracefully I might add. Scared me silly. She was totally and completely fine and I don't think she'll do it again, as I think it scared her too, but now I am like lightning to her crib side when she wakes up as to not give her the chance to even think about it. This is a challenge, as well as very tiring, since she is not quite ready for a toddler bed and I'm not ready for her to be wandering around the house in the middle of the night! Although she has not attempted it since, I am exploring different options...any suggestions would be appreciated...???

See, I could keep going on and on with the daily happenings...this blog would be a mile long and I'd never ever get any sleep... and you'd be bored to tears probably, but think of it this way...someday Amelia will read the pages of this blog and maybe, hopefully, find it pretty interesting. She might like to learn about the many exciting happenings during her young life, the things she did and how old she was when she did them, how cute and smart and funny I think she is, how challenging and scary and rewarding and wonderful being a parent is, and how totally miraculous it is to be her parent.
I'll just end here for today.

Just a laugh...

2009-01-11T22:27:00.003-06:00

Well, it's Sunday night, we have been sick...since Wednesday might I add...and I have had very little sleep but to keep up with my New Year's Resolution, I had to post this quick blog. It's 10:28 pm and I'd like to be in bed by 10:30 pm here it is...just a laugh.

Here is Amelia with Bella and Camille Angebrandt, daughters of our good friends Scott and Jessica back in Michigan. We stopped by for a very quick and much too short of a visit over the holidays and the girls played! It was so fun, especially the dressing up...if this doesn't make you laugh, then...well I don't know what...

Christmas 2008

2009-01-02T22:32:00.010-06:00

Amelia loved the rug in Grandma Turrell's kitchen.

She missed Mister.

First sit-in with the Storey's (minus Dom).

She's not officially a member of the band.

First snow/sledding experience.

This was the most enthusiasm we got from her out there.

Nice boots, Ford.

Pink Christmas tutu from Auntie Michelle.

Daddy put it on her backward. No matter.

Bestest gift of Christmas...the dolly stroller from Santa.

Loving the tutu back in Nashville.

Oh my, has it really been almost a month since I posted. I am a blog neglecter I found out today. I don't want to be known as a blog neglecter. So, among others, my New Year's Resolution: post more blogs, more often. I can't believe I let the month slip by without noting some important moments. Busy with holidays, preparing, traveling, a certain toddler...but still.

So, happy holidays and happy 2009! December was a great month. We had fun preparing for the holidays here in TN and ultimately traveling to MI for an almost 2 week visit.

Amelia has done a ton of growing up this past month. She always grows in leaps and bounds when we visit MI. Constantly surrounded by family and friends, she absorbs it all and always seems a different kid once we get back home to Nashville. I can safely say that she is in full-on toddler mode. I guess the start of 2009 marks the official end to baby-hood and the beginning of the wonderful world of toddler-hood.

Amelia is talking so much more, repeating words like crazy and even putting together a few phrases. She has started adding "a" to a lot of her words. My favorite: pizza = "a pizzie (sounds like a-pete-see)." Christmas and our trip to MI was great for expanding her vocab as well. Lots of talk about Santa and snow, singing new songs about jingle bells and reindeer. We practice the names of friends and family regularly but seeing everyone really helped to commit them to her memory. Good stuff.

We spent the first half of our trip with my family in Rockford where we were literally snowed in for quite a few days. Tons and tons of beautiful lake-effect snow! Amelia had her first experience "playing" in it at Aunt Michelle's house. By playing in it I mean allowing someone to hold her well above the ground and never having the need to come into any sort of contact with it. Her reaction was much like that of her reaction to sand this past summer. She did not care for it. But after we brought her in the house, she cried hysterically to go back out. Guess it takes some getting used to. So back out we went and she did warm up a little. She even went sledding with Ford and Grandpa Hank a few times. The photo above is the most she smiled the whole time she was out there. Can't you see how much fun she's having on the inside? :)

Christmas morning we spent at Michelle's and then we headed off to Lansing to see Great Grandma Alice and lots of the Lotoszinski clan; then off to Aunt Stefeni's for dinner and more gift opening and Christmas enjoy with the Stornants! A very busy day but Amelia loved every minute, she was in on all of the action and showed no signs of slowing. See, big-kid stuff.

The fun wasn't over as we packed up the next day to and headed to Grandma and Grandpa Turrell's house to celebrate with the Turrells. Amelia noticed Grandma Pat's kitty rug in the kitchen immediately and spent some quality time talking to the two black Christmas cats. She even sat on it during the gift opening. Poor kid missed her cat.

We stayed with G & G Turrell the remainder of our trip visiting and playing with cousins, aunts & uncles and a few friends.

Sidebar and humble plea for forgiveness: For those of you whom we did not see this trip (and I'm going to throw in a "whilst" here) whilst we were in Michigan, we are deeply saddened. Please forgive us. Matt, Sarah, you are never will be on our "short list." I didn't even have the where-with-all to make a list. But if I had, you would be at the top of it, along with everyone else whom I would add to that list.

We headed out on New Year's Eve and rather than drive straight through we split up our trip and stopped for the night in Indianapolis where we rang in the new year in a Holiday Inn Express. Well, one of us rang in the New Year with Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve and all of Times Square. The other two didn't quite make it.

Anyway, we are back in Nashville. Amelia is extremely happy to be home. Upon our arrival, she walked around the house excitedly, pointing and naming all of the things she apparently missed. "Chair! Beawr! Bed! Meow-meow!" etc.

By the way, this was a bit of a boring post, I admit. More of a documentary of sorts. If I had been up to speed with posting previous to this, I may have been a bit more interesting, maybe even a little funny. However, it's 12:15 am...I fear that if I don't go to sleep, my toddler will wake and I will never even make it to my bed. You see, my toddler has begun some new toddler-like behavior...but I will save that for another day...

Hysteria at the doc and tales of teething...

2008-12-08T23:04:00.009-06:00

No, she's not crying. This is her response when I asked her to smile for the camera.

"Dtar"

Her new favorite activity: taking the bottom out of her dolly

cradle and sitting in it (on the floor).

Amelia had her 15 month check up recently. She weighs 23.8 lbs, 83rd percentile if I remember correctly, she's 31 inches tall which puts her in the 97th percentile for height (wow, I was surprised by this one) and her head is still off the charts. No surprise there. She's still got some cradle cap going on her scalp, stubborn stuff. Not much to report as she's tip top as usual. We are always so thankful for this report. What we are not thankful for is the hysteria that ensues when the doctor simply walks in the room. That's all he has to do is just walk in and one look at his long white coat and his black stethoscope wrapped around his neck and she's in full on hysteria mode. He's not even the one who gives her the shots, for crying out loud. We love doctor Frank but if I thought switching to a different doc would help the situation, I'd do it. Unfortunately, we've found it's this way with all medical personnel. So we pray that it's just a phase, a very sad one at that, and that will end soon! It's terribly difficult to conduct any type of conversation with Dr. Frank while this goes on as she clings to me, and buries her face in my neck while screaming. Amazingly, Ford has been able to be at every appointment so far and bless him, he does his best to distract and entertain her (though she won't let anyone hold her but me). Sometimes this works, for half of a minute and as soon as Dr. Frank moves in his squeaky chair, she's clinging harder and crying again as if to say "mama, don't let that guy come near me!" So sad, poor kid. Doctor visits stink.

Onto teething. Amelia has 12 teeth now. Top 4 incisors, bottom four incisors, and 1st molars and she's eating chicken and turkey with the best of them. She is now cutting her eye teeth, otherwise known as canines or cuspids. I have heard and read that these 4 can be the most painful for babies. She's certainly acting as if this is true. Biting on things, chomping on her mommy shirt and wash cloths, even bitten down Ford and I a few times. She's been displaying general crankiness and poor sleeping at night. It's amazing how these poor sleeping spells come around again and again...just when you think you've got it licked, we're up 3 times a night or for an hour or two at a time. And I find myself questioning myself all over again, just like I did when she was 6 months, a year...is it really her teeth or is she playing me for some mommy snuggle time? After analyzing it all, this time I do believe it's teeth and am treating it as such and this has helped with the sleep trouble a bit. But just a bit. So we take it a night at at time and pray for the best!

The latest obsession in Amelia's life...toe jam. Yes, she's discovered the sock fuzzes between her toes. She spends great lengths of time sitting down and pulling her foot up as close to her face as she can get it so she can inspect between all of her toes. In the morning while I'm changing her diaper, she sticks her feet in my face and spreads her toes...her way of asking me to do the inspecting for any footie pajama toe fuzz. I do it. Yes, I do. And she's always so happy and satisfied when all is free and clear. Clean toes, so liberating.

Mama and Dada

2008-12-02T21:28:00.010-06:00

I've mentioned before that Amelia thinks that all images of princesses are "Mama." But today, while Ameila and I did a little shopping at the grocery store, she finally revealed who "Dada" is...

Thanksgiving and Uncle John's Donuts

2008-11-29T10:30:00.005-06:00

Ameila enjoying an Uncle John's Donut. Pumpkin variety.

mmmm...donuts.

Hard at work painting a Christmas tree complete with "dtar"

Happy Thanksgiving. We continue to give thanks for our many blessings. For health, for family, friends, for the food on our table, warm beds to sleep in, and for miracles. We are truly blessed as a family and thankful to have all of you in our lives. It's hard to believe a whole year has gone by since Amelia's first Thanksgiving. If you remember, we made the long trek to Michigan, by car, and zipped around from place to place over the short weekend to share in the many holiday festivities. And if you also remember, Amelia was OVERloaded, I'll never forget it, and she and I spent most of the holiday tucked away in various bedrooms! This year, although a year older and a much different baby, we stayed in Nashville for Thanksgiving. It was tough not being with family but we enjoyed a quiet day with our own little family and even prepared the entire Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings. Amelia, however, did not care for Thanksgiving dinner, except the cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie of course. Maybe next year.

Big news and also a reason to give thanks...three dozen Uncle John's donuts made their way down to Nashville this weekend. After mentioning on my facebook page back in September, that I was wishing for a warm pumpkin donut from Uncle John's Cider Mill in St. John's, MI, close to where I grew up, Aunt Mary Sue made it her personal quest to get us some of these delectable treats. (One of the things I miss about fall in Michigan are the trips to the apple orchards. Tennessee does not produce apples, at least in our area, and therefore there are no apple orchards and consequently no cider mills and ultimately, no freshly baked pumpkin and cider cake donuts). The donuts finally made it South, along with a gallon of fresh Michigan cider, via personal delivery by the Cole family, friends of Mary Sue, who traveled to Nashville to visit their daughter for Thanksgiving. Can you even believe it? Above you will notice Amelia enjoying a nice pumpkin donut. A special THANK YOU goes out to Auntie Mary for working so hard to make sure Amelia did not miss out on this fall tradition! We are thankful for you, Mary. :)

2008-11-17T23:03:00.002-06:00

Language EXPLOSION!

2008-11-10T21:06:00.006-06:00

Saturday morning...relaxing in the sun and twirlin' hair.

Pumpkin and chalk purse.

Little old lady, or what?

Big girl.

...it's happening. She's trying out all kinds of words. Some she's commited to her vocab for regular use and others she just tries out, or repeats if she's asked to. It's amazing to watch it happen right before our eyes. She's jabbering more than ever before with hilarious inflection and animated facial expressions, just like she's talking and asking questions. Her favorite jabbering phrase, is: "jaba-jaba-jaba-jaba-joe". To which I answer" "jaba-jaba-jaba-jaba-joe?" To which she replies..."butha-butha-butha-babeeee, baby."

old favorites: baba (bottle, which is acutally a sippy cup or any type of drink), baby, mama, dadee, up, bear, and of course the ever popular animal sounds...

New ones include: star, wa-wa (water), down, boo, bath, please, cheese, Jesus, cracker, Gi Gi (her dolly), bumpa, mam-ma, Pat (Grandma Pat), juice, blue, I-I (her friend, Ivey)

Phrases: "mama, bath!" (this was a demand, actually, made to me after Ford already told her she didn't need a bath). And her first phrase was actually: "dada baba" which was in reference to Ford's beer bottle :) Nice one.

It just happens, all of the sudden! You can actually see the wheels turning and the determination and desire to communicate. She is growing up, right before my eyes. Any minute now she's going to be asking for a puppy.

And perhaps one of my favorite things she communicates right now is this...

Usually at meal time I am in a scramble to get the cooking done and the kitchen cleaned up and the dishwasher unloaded...and all the while, Amelia tends to try to roam about freely into other rooms and out of my sight. So that I can keep my eye on her, I put her in her high-chair and get her started with some food while I cook. So, she's well into her meal before I sit down to eat with her at lunch time. The same usually goes at dinner time when Ford and I both sit down with her, she's usually already started her meal. So, here it is...without fail, whether it's just me or both Ford and I, as soon as we take our seats, all on her very own Amelia stops eating and folds her hands to pray.

Every time.

As soon as we are all seated as a family, she knows it's time to pray. Sadly, I have to admit, in the craziness and hustle to get everything done and everyone fed, I tend to forget sometimes. I am always so grateful for the reminder and, everytime, so amazed that she remembers this very important activity...praying as a family and thanking God for our blessings.

Girls' Weekend

2008-10-27T20:55:00.009-05:00

Playing in the rain.

Breakfast in my cow hat.

Let me see, mama!!

Oh, that's a funny hat...

Participating in fall fun fest at the Nashville Library.

All serious about her crafts.

"How's it going? Wanna play beads with me? You have nice hair...I think I'll touch it."

...and the boy runs away.

Well, Girls' Weekend was a success. It was long, challenging at times, but a good weekend. Ford attended a music festival in Florida, which was also a success by the way. He had a good time but missed us greatly and we missed him. Here's a quick recap of our weekend together...

Friday, rain, all day. We decided to try out Ameila's new raincoat and played for a bit in the drizzle and puddles. Amelia seemed quite serious and melancholy during our little romp in the rain...it was just that kind of day I guess. After that we headed out to search for a Halloween costume which is proving to be harder than I thought. We have a perfectly cute and appropriate lion costume sent to us from her cousins however, Amelia will not go near it. She thinks it's pretty cool from a distance but there is no way she's going to actually put it on on Friday. So, what will she agree to be for Halloween? A princess? A fairy? A butterfly? If I can't find an appropriate costume in the next few days, she may just be a homemade cow. See photo of cow hat above..another hand-me-down from her cousins, she loves this hat. She actually enjoys wearing it. Anyway, looking back, it seems that the best costumes of childhood were the ones we made up, improvised, dug in the backs of drawers and our parents closets to find just the right ensemble. So stay tuned. But, she might just be a baby. :) That night we went out for dinner where we shared a bowl of broccoli cheese soup and a baguette. She quite enjoyed it and so did I.

On Saturday, we headed to the Nashville Library to participate in the Fall Fun Fest activities which turned out to be a very crowded craft hour. After creating a few fall masterpieces for her Dada, we moved on to the play area where she continued to mingle and approach and talk to everyone and anyone...whether they paid attention to her or not. I have to admit I am a little amazed at how much she has changed and come out of her shell, for some reason I thought she would be a shy one, I think not. It's fun to watch her try to make friends move about freely with confidence but then every now and again turn around to check that I'm still nearby and sometimes even run over for a quick hug. The rest of the day was low key; a nap, a walk, sidewalk chalk, dinner and a bath and I even let her watch a little "Best of Kermit" before bed. I actually got a little teary when the original "It's Not Easy Being Green" skit came on and I watched her watch it for the first time, all big-girlish sitting in her rocking chair, cozy in her footy pajamas with that silly suckie...our version of a movie night.

Sunday, just a quiet day at home and Ford arrived mid afternoon. Though happy to see him, she was extra clingy to me. A bit out of sorts I think after a busy few weeks and then Ford's absence, can't blame her, I was too a bit out of sorts, actually. But now we are back to life as usual however we are both feeling a bit under the weather. The snotty nose is back...

To wrap up, I'd like to just document that my little angel has discovered hitting, a new behavior she decided to develop while Ford was away. She hits me and then herself when she's feeling frustrated and cranky. To be expected now that we have entered the toddler years I guess, but what wasn't expected is when I tell her "no," in a firm, and serious tone, she pauses, starts to crack a small grin and then actually laughs and does it again! That's right, not sad, or surprised or the least bit afraid that I have raised my voice and given a new kind of disapproving look all for the very first time. So, this is new territory for us all, she's exploring the boundaries, expressing herself in a whole new way, testing the limits and then waiting for the reaction...classic...and this is going to be interesting.