Mama, do you believe in following your dreams?
Sure.
Good, because last night I dreamed we went to Walmart and got the same backpack as Maddie, the one I've been asking for.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Extra Love
Lolly. My sweet Lolly.
Lolly is seven months old now. How'd that happen so quickly? This is one of my favorite ages. She's a total monkey right now (I don't lift her up, but she won't let go). If she's lying down, she hooks her legs around my arm, her arms around my wrist, and she hangs on. She loves climbing things as much as her little body will allow. She's still an itty bitty thing, but she's getting big chunky thighs. Have I ever mentioned how much I love baby thighs?
I love her toothy grin. She's been working on getting her two bottom teeth. Poor baby, they both broke through on the same day. If you ask her, "Where are your toovies (that's what Linus called teeth when she was a baby)?" she'll open wide, stick her bottom jaw out a bit, and smile a big ole smile. I can't get enough of it. I ask her constantly. :)
I love listening to her babble. There's nothing sweeter than hearing "Mama" even if it doesn't have any significance to her yet. I still love it. I also love listening to her inflection. You can tell her mood by her babble. When she's happy, it's such a sweet babble. If she babbles a bit, but doesn't get the attention she wants, she gets louder and more direct.
She's obsessed with her feet. She holds them constantly, and they often find their way to her mouth. Her feet are finally starting to fill out a tiny bit. They are still really narrow, but we're getting there. Until recently, her feet looked like newborn feet, only a tiny bit longer.
She's far more into the oral stage than Linus ever was. If Lolly can pick it up, it's in her mouth. If she can't pick it up, she leans her head toward it so she can get her mouth on it. She's also much more analytic (can you even say that with a baby this young?) than Linus was. Linus was the most content baby ever. NOTHING bothered that child. Lolly is determined to figure out how things work. She's twist, turn, manipulate, etc objects until she can figure them out. We used a binky clip for about 30 minutes before she figured how to unclip it from her dress. She studied it and studied it until she could get it off.
And best of all, she's a cuddler. She loves to put her head on your shoulder and pat your back. I love it more! She loves to be cradled in your arms. If you lie down with her on your chest, she's transformed instantly into peacefully sleeping baby. It's instantaneous. Of course, that comes with the flip side too--she can't stand for me not to be in sight, and she does not like strangers at all.
Linus is still her favorite person in the world. I hope they are able to share the fantastic friendship that my sister and I have!
I remember wondering the same thing I've heard several friends wonder as the birth of their second child approaches: How on earth can I love this second one as much as I love my first? I remember everyone telling me that it wasn't just possible, it was a given. I secretly thought they were wrong. I simply could not fathom loving another child like I love Linus. I was so wrong. Turns out there was room in my heart to love another child with everything I have.
Lolly is seven months old now. How'd that happen so quickly? This is one of my favorite ages. She's a total monkey right now (I don't lift her up, but she won't let go). If she's lying down, she hooks her legs around my arm, her arms around my wrist, and she hangs on. She loves climbing things as much as her little body will allow. She's still an itty bitty thing, but she's getting big chunky thighs. Have I ever mentioned how much I love baby thighs?
I love her toothy grin. She's been working on getting her two bottom teeth. Poor baby, they both broke through on the same day. If you ask her, "Where are your toovies (that's what Linus called teeth when she was a baby)?" she'll open wide, stick her bottom jaw out a bit, and smile a big ole smile. I can't get enough of it. I ask her constantly. :)
I love listening to her babble. There's nothing sweeter than hearing "Mama" even if it doesn't have any significance to her yet. I still love it. I also love listening to her inflection. You can tell her mood by her babble. When she's happy, it's such a sweet babble. If she babbles a bit, but doesn't get the attention she wants, she gets louder and more direct.
She's obsessed with her feet. She holds them constantly, and they often find their way to her mouth. Her feet are finally starting to fill out a tiny bit. They are still really narrow, but we're getting there. Until recently, her feet looked like newborn feet, only a tiny bit longer.
She's far more into the oral stage than Linus ever was. If Lolly can pick it up, it's in her mouth. If she can't pick it up, she leans her head toward it so she can get her mouth on it. She's also much more analytic (can you even say that with a baby this young?) than Linus was. Linus was the most content baby ever. NOTHING bothered that child. Lolly is determined to figure out how things work. She's twist, turn, manipulate, etc objects until she can figure them out. We used a binky clip for about 30 minutes before she figured how to unclip it from her dress. She studied it and studied it until she could get it off.
And best of all, she's a cuddler. She loves to put her head on your shoulder and pat your back. I love it more! She loves to be cradled in your arms. If you lie down with her on your chest, she's transformed instantly into peacefully sleeping baby. It's instantaneous. Of course, that comes with the flip side too--she can't stand for me not to be in sight, and she does not like strangers at all.
Linus is still her favorite person in the world. I hope they are able to share the fantastic friendship that my sister and I have!
I remember wondering the same thing I've heard several friends wonder as the birth of their second child approaches: How on earth can I love this second one as much as I love my first? I remember everyone telling me that it wasn't just possible, it was a given. I secretly thought they were wrong. I simply could not fathom loving another child like I love Linus. I was so wrong. Turns out there was room in my heart to love another child with everything I have.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
An Extra Eww!
Marketing people should ask Linus for her opinion before they use their ideas on products.
At Costco this evening, Linus noticed this product:
Hey, look, they have wipes for WonderDog now!
Wait. Ewww, that's gross.
Ewww, I'm never wiping WonderDog's bum! Ewwwww! Mama! Ewwww! Gross! WHY, Mama, why would they make that?
Ewwww!
Army and I somehow stifled our laughter...until a lady walked over to check out what the commotion was about and cracked up!
Moral of the story: Don't put a DOG on a wipes container. There's nothing cute about poop, so don't try the puppies and babies angle! Linus will call you on it!
At Costco this evening, Linus noticed this product:
Hey, look, they have wipes for WonderDog now!
Wait. Ewww, that's gross.
Ewww, I'm never wiping WonderDog's bum! Ewwwww! Mama! Ewwww! Gross! WHY, Mama, why would they make that?
Ewwww!
Army and I somehow stifled our laughter...until a lady walked over to check out what the commotion was about and cracked up!
Moral of the story: Don't put a DOG on a wipes container. There's nothing cute about poop, so don't try the puppies and babies angle! Linus will call you on it!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Spring Break Review
Our Spring Break can be summed up in two words: great and horrible.
Monday--rain, rain, rain, and more rain. We didn't get to do nearly as much as we wanted to.
Tuesday--portraits. We actually got a few good shots. As expected, Linus worked the camera while Lolly refused to smile. I can't wait to get a good look at them. All in all, it went much better than expected. Of course, in our book, it's always a success when we are not asked to not return.
Wednesday--the begin of the decline. Lolly stuck her finger in my eye. Not just a little poke-- she really stuck it in there. I called Army to complain and see what I could do for the discomfort (not much, we didn't have anything in the house to help). He called back to check on me, and decided to run home to bring me some numbing drops. They helped immensely, and he decided to stay home, which helped even more! He never ever cancels appointments. Thankfully his partner wasn't busy Wednesday. It seems my complaining was justified. The numbing drops held me over until I could get it looked at, and when I did, the dr said Lolly had not only scratched my eye, but she also damaged a muscle when she stuck her finger in the area between my eyeball and where it meets the head! Ouch! I still can't see well out of that eye, but it doesn't hurt as badly as it did.
Thursday--Lolly to the babysitter so I could spend some one-on-one time with Linus. We ran some errands, then we had a really nice lunch at a local bakery. We ran another errand which was a total bust, but other than that it was a great day. We didn't get to plant the seeds Linus picked out, but we knew we could do it the next day.
Friday--I got a new niece! She weighed one ounce more than Lolly, and she was the exact same length. I can't wait to see her and hold her! I planned to plant seeds this morning, but Linus slept late. When she got up, it was windy. Really windy. It was a no-go on the seeds. My ear started hurting, and by Saturday I had a raging ear infection. I'm wondering when my body is going to get the memo that I'm in my thirties, so I should not be getting EIs anymore!
We didn't get to do many of the projects I had planned, nor the ones y'all suggested because of my eye. We'll spread them out for after school fun, weekend fun, and summer fun. Thanks so much for the great suggestions! They all sound great! I'll try and post pics of what we did get to soon.
Monday--rain, rain, rain, and more rain. We didn't get to do nearly as much as we wanted to.
Tuesday--portraits. We actually got a few good shots. As expected, Linus worked the camera while Lolly refused to smile. I can't wait to get a good look at them. All in all, it went much better than expected. Of course, in our book, it's always a success when we are not asked to not return.
Wednesday--the begin of the decline. Lolly stuck her finger in my eye. Not just a little poke-- she really stuck it in there. I called Army to complain and see what I could do for the discomfort (not much, we didn't have anything in the house to help). He called back to check on me, and decided to run home to bring me some numbing drops. They helped immensely, and he decided to stay home, which helped even more! He never ever cancels appointments. Thankfully his partner wasn't busy Wednesday. It seems my complaining was justified. The numbing drops held me over until I could get it looked at, and when I did, the dr said Lolly had not only scratched my eye, but she also damaged a muscle when she stuck her finger in the area between my eyeball and where it meets the head! Ouch! I still can't see well out of that eye, but it doesn't hurt as badly as it did.
Thursday--Lolly to the babysitter so I could spend some one-on-one time with Linus. We ran some errands, then we had a really nice lunch at a local bakery. We ran another errand which was a total bust, but other than that it was a great day. We didn't get to plant the seeds Linus picked out, but we knew we could do it the next day.
Friday--I got a new niece! She weighed one ounce more than Lolly, and she was the exact same length. I can't wait to see her and hold her! I planned to plant seeds this morning, but Linus slept late. When she got up, it was windy. Really windy. It was a no-go on the seeds. My ear started hurting, and by Saturday I had a raging ear infection. I'm wondering when my body is going to get the memo that I'm in my thirties, so I should not be getting EIs anymore!
We didn't get to do many of the projects I had planned, nor the ones y'all suggested because of my eye. We'll spread them out for after school fun, weekend fun, and summer fun. Thanks so much for the great suggestions! They all sound great! I'll try and post pics of what we did get to soon.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Extra Crafty
Spring Break began for Linus today. I had planned "Camp Spring Break" for around our house to keep her occupied, but today was rainy, so we went through more than I expected. We've got tons of outside activities and toys, but until the weather clears up, we're stuck with indoor things. We are members of a great science center, so that's on the list, but things like the zoo won't work in the rain.
We're doing portraits tomorrow, and that should take a few hours of our time. I'll likely come home from that in need of a very stiff drink (why, yes, we did have a photographer tell us that our child was the most camera happy child she'd ever seen, but please find another photographer because she couldn't keep up with her). Stiff, people, very stiff. Recipes welcome! Funny side story, that photographer has pics of Linus on the wall because, yes, she is in fact camera happy. You're shocked. I can tell.
I'm not against down time at all, but Linus is definitely a child that needs planned activities too. This is the child who told me no more ballet lessons because she had to stay too still. She loves gymnastics. Imagine that.
So far, we're making:
*a kite
*soap
*another bulletin board for her room (possibly)
*ice cream the old fashioned way once we finish reading Farmer Boy (Little House on the Prairie series)
*we may do another butterfly garden, but that's not exactly time consuming
*chalk (possibly--she has tons, but I think making some would be fun too)
*a mirror for her bathroom--I'm letting her bling it all up!
So, all you crafty and not-so-crafty people out there, I need some more ideas. What were some of your favorite things to do with your children or when you were a child?
We're doing portraits tomorrow, and that should take a few hours of our time. I'll likely come home from that in need of a very stiff drink (why, yes, we did have a photographer tell us that our child was the most camera happy child she'd ever seen, but please find another photographer because she couldn't keep up with her). Stiff, people, very stiff. Recipes welcome! Funny side story, that photographer has pics of Linus on the wall because, yes, she is in fact camera happy. You're shocked. I can tell.
I'm not against down time at all, but Linus is definitely a child that needs planned activities too. This is the child who told me no more ballet lessons because she had to stay too still. She loves gymnastics. Imagine that.
So far, we're making:
*a kite
*soap
*another bulletin board for her room (possibly)
*ice cream the old fashioned way once we finish reading Farmer Boy (Little House on the Prairie series)
*we may do another butterfly garden, but that's not exactly time consuming
*chalk (possibly--she has tons, but I think making some would be fun too)
*a mirror for her bathroom--I'm letting her bling it all up!
So, all you crafty and not-so-crafty people out there, I need some more ideas. What were some of your favorite things to do with your children or when you were a child?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Noooooo!
Linus slipped a little gem in on the way to school Friday morning.
L: Mama, Quinn asked me if I wanted to kiss him yesterday.
Me: Um, uh, really?
L: Yeah, but it's ok. I told him no. Not just no, but no because we are too young. No because I'm not his girlfriend and he's not my boyfriend. I told him we're in kindergarten!
Me: Good for you Linus!
L: Mama, I'm not even thinking about marrying him, so there's no way I'm going to kiss him!
Ugh! Why does it have to start so young?
L: Mama, Quinn asked me if I wanted to kiss him yesterday.
Me: Um, uh, really?
L: Yeah, but it's ok. I told him no. Not just no, but no because we are too young. No because I'm not his girlfriend and he's not my boyfriend. I told him we're in kindergarten!
Me: Good for you Linus!
L: Mama, I'm not even thinking about marrying him, so there's no way I'm going to kiss him!
Ugh! Why does it have to start so young?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Picking Up Linus
Every afternoon, I'm treated to the best show. It all starts when I put Lolly in her carseat. The tears begin to fall, but they are immediately replaced with a smile as soon as I utter, "Let's go get Sissy." She babbles on for most of the ride to get Linus. We usually have to wait a few minutes before they dismiss, so Lolly looks at the clouds and carries on one-sided conversations with them. Sometimes, if I'm lucky, she'll even sing to the clouds. After dismissal, but before carpool line begins moving, Lolly will begin to fuss just a bit. It's as though she's saying, "Where's my Linus? Let her out! I'm ready for her." As soon as we begin moving, Lolly begins squealing with delight. As we pull up to the loading area, Lolly becomes quiet. She waits in great anticipation for her sister. The second the car door opens, Lolly's head turns quickly and she gets the biggest smile on her face. As Linus climbs into the car, Lolly's smile grows even more, and she begins kicking her feet. As soon as Linus is buckled in, she turns to Lolly. Day in and day out they have the same conversation:
Linus: Hi there. Did you have a good day?
Lolly: Aaaaaa
Linus: AAAAAA yourself
Lolly: AAAAAAAAA
Linus: AAAAAAACCCCKKKK!
Lolly: AAAAAAA AAAAAAA AAAA AAA
Then Linus begins making silly faces and Lolly giggles. That makes Linus giggle as she continues to make silly faces. Lolly's laughter eventually graduates to a belly laugh. Their eyes never leave each other.
Every single day this exact scene occurs, and every single day it makes me smile. It never gets old. :)
Linus: Hi there. Did you have a good day?
Lolly: Aaaaaa
Linus: AAAAAA yourself
Lolly: AAAAAAAAA
Linus: AAAAAAACCCCKKKK!
Lolly: AAAAAAA AAAAAAA AAAA AAA
Then Linus begins making silly faces and Lolly giggles. That makes Linus giggle as she continues to make silly faces. Lolly's laughter eventually graduates to a belly laugh. Their eyes never leave each other.
Every single day this exact scene occurs, and every single day it makes me smile. It never gets old. :)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Extra Info, Linus Style
Leia sent this to me so that I could ask Linus the questions. Her daughter had great answers! I hope y'all enjoy Linus's answers as much as I enjoyed the answers her daughter gave! :)
How Well I Know Mommy
Linus, March 2009
1. What is something Mommy always says to you? I love you.
2. What makes Mommy happy? When I'm on green. (Behavior chart at school)
3. What makes Mommy sad? When I'm on yellow.
4. How does your mommy make you laugh? tickling me
5. What was your mommy like as a child? Linus & Lolly
6. How old is your mommy? I don't know. 20 or 21.
7. How tall is your mommy? Stand up and let me think. (Stands up to measure me & accidentally bops me on the head)
8. What is her favorite thing to do? give hugs to me
9. What does your mommy do when you're not around? She finds me!
10. If you mommy becomes famous, what will it be for? helping people cook...at home and never eating out...ever...never ever again. (Ya think she's still a little bitter?)
11. What is your mommy really good at? cooking
12. What is your mommy not good at? I don't know, maybe not being nice to Daddy (as she giggles)
13. What does your mommy do for a job? She makes me hot chocolate and makes sure I'm on green.
14. What is your mommy's favorite food? club sandwich
15. What makes you proud of your mommy? that you hug me and give me kisses and make me grilled cheese
16. If you mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? It'd have to be on the cooking channel.
17. What do you and your mommy do together? sleep
18. How are you and your mommy the same? we hug cheethother (each other)
19. How are you and your mommy different? She's taller.
20. How do you know your mommy loves you? she always gives me hugs
21. What does your mommy like most about your daddy? they dance together and throw snowballs at cheethother (it snowed last week)
22. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go? out to eat (gee, Linus, is that a hint?)
How Well I Know Daddy
Linus, March 2009
1. What is something Daddy always says to you? clean up your playroom
2. What makes Daddy happy? hugs & feeling his beard (she calls his 5 o'clock shadow 'beard seeds' and she loves to run her hand across it and giggle)
3. What makes Daddy sad? when I get in trouble
4. How does your daddy make you laugh? tickles me
5. What was your daddy like as a child? he was a child?
6. How old is your daddy? I don't know, 20? (So that makes us what, 14 when Linus was born? Just call him Alfie!)
7. How tall is your daddy? (jumps up and raises hands) this tall
8. What is his favorite thing to do? hug me
9. What does he do when you're not around? finds me
10. If Daddy becomes famous, what will it be for? a rock star
11. What is your daddy really good at? helping people who are sick
12. What is daddy not good at? behaving and changing Lolly's diapers (not true, he's very helpful)
13. What does your daddy do for a job? work
14. What is your daddy's favorite food? Pizza with green olives
15. What makes you proud of your daddy? that he comes home from work
16. If your daddy were a cartoon character, who would he be? Jerry (from Tom & Jerry)
17. What do you and your daddy do together? throw snowballs at cheethother
18. How are you and your daddy the same? we walk the same
19. How are you and your daddy different? he's tall, he has short hair, his hand is bigger, his eyes are green
20. How do you know your daddy loves you? he gives me kisses
21. What does your daddy like the most about your mommy? he likes her lips--I know because he kisses them!
22. Where is your daddy's favorite place to go? I wish he liked McDonalds & Wendy's!
How Well I Know Mommy
Linus, March 2009
1. What is something Mommy always says to you? I love you.
2. What makes Mommy happy? When I'm on green. (Behavior chart at school)
3. What makes Mommy sad? When I'm on yellow.
4. How does your mommy make you laugh? tickling me
5. What was your mommy like as a child? Linus & Lolly
6. How old is your mommy? I don't know. 20 or 21.
7. How tall is your mommy? Stand up and let me think. (Stands up to measure me & accidentally bops me on the head)
8. What is her favorite thing to do? give hugs to me
9. What does your mommy do when you're not around? She finds me!
10. If you mommy becomes famous, what will it be for? helping people cook...at home and never eating out...ever...never ever again. (Ya think she's still a little bitter?)
11. What is your mommy really good at? cooking
12. What is your mommy not good at? I don't know, maybe not being nice to Daddy (as she giggles)
13. What does your mommy do for a job? She makes me hot chocolate and makes sure I'm on green.
14. What is your mommy's favorite food? club sandwich
15. What makes you proud of your mommy? that you hug me and give me kisses and make me grilled cheese
16. If you mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? It'd have to be on the cooking channel.
17. What do you and your mommy do together? sleep
18. How are you and your mommy the same? we hug cheethother (each other)
19. How are you and your mommy different? She's taller.
20. How do you know your mommy loves you? she always gives me hugs
21. What does your mommy like most about your daddy? they dance together and throw snowballs at cheethother (it snowed last week)
22. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go? out to eat (gee, Linus, is that a hint?)
How Well I Know Daddy
Linus, March 2009
1. What is something Daddy always says to you? clean up your playroom
2. What makes Daddy happy? hugs & feeling his beard (she calls his 5 o'clock shadow 'beard seeds' and she loves to run her hand across it and giggle)
3. What makes Daddy sad? when I get in trouble
4. How does your daddy make you laugh? tickles me
5. What was your daddy like as a child? he was a child?
6. How old is your daddy? I don't know, 20? (So that makes us what, 14 when Linus was born? Just call him Alfie!)
7. How tall is your daddy? (jumps up and raises hands) this tall
8. What is his favorite thing to do? hug me
9. What does he do when you're not around? finds me
10. If Daddy becomes famous, what will it be for? a rock star
11. What is your daddy really good at? helping people who are sick
12. What is daddy not good at? behaving and changing Lolly's diapers (not true, he's very helpful)
13. What does your daddy do for a job? work
14. What is your daddy's favorite food? Pizza with green olives
15. What makes you proud of your daddy? that he comes home from work
16. If your daddy were a cartoon character, who would he be? Jerry (from Tom & Jerry)
17. What do you and your daddy do together? throw snowballs at cheethother
18. How are you and your daddy the same? we walk the same
19. How are you and your daddy different? he's tall, he has short hair, his hand is bigger, his eyes are green
20. How do you know your daddy loves you? he gives me kisses
21. What does your daddy like the most about your mommy? he likes her lips--I know because he kisses them!
22. Where is your daddy's favorite place to go? I wish he liked McDonalds & Wendy's!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Happy Birthday My Baby!
Happy Birthday
my sweet Linus!!!
Today you are SIX! My goodness, time flies!
Thank you for six of the best years of my life!
When you were one, you discovered your grandmother's velcro rollers (which, thank goodness, she doesn't use).
You got a musical set for your birthday, and you loved to climb in the drum!
The day before you turned two, you fell down and bumped your head on the coffee table. I rushed you to the dr's office, and thankfully you were fine. It never even bothered you!
That year Easter was less than three weeks after your birthday.
You loved to curl up and pretend you were watching tv.
You loved playing in your 'house' when you were three and for many years to come.
You got a bike for your third birthday. "Please may I ride?" came out your mouth ever single time we pulled into the garage and you spotted the bike.
At four, you discovered make-up. Give it a few years, Sweetpea.
Dance, dance, dance! You loved the parade!
At five, I took you for a haircut. They knew it was your birthday and treated you like a princess.
You picked out a cupcake that night. We had a real cake at your party.
And now you've turned six. This morning when you got up, you asked me, "Mama, are you proud of me?" Yes, my sweet, I sure am.
"And, Mama? Are you a little heartbroken too?" You can always make me smile!
I love you Linus!
I love you Linus!
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