Goo

Merry Christmas

The night before Christmas

Christmas morning



My mom would work extra jobs every year and keep a stash of bills in her purse. I never realized how much money she carried around in her purse. She used it to take me school clothes shopping, but it's primary purpose was for Christmas. My mother loved to splurge on Christmas. I mean, she received no greater satisfaction than watching us open our gifts and watching us recieve the coveted items we pined after. Actually I think she most enjoyed watching me and her grandkids, probably because I was the girl and grandkids are just ... extra special. She loved it so much she worked numerous extra hours in order to provide us with a storybook Christmas. I remember many Christmas mornings where I'd walk out to find Santa's gifts sitting out; a video game system, a VCR, a little TV. I remember My Little Ponies and Care Bears plus a stocking that was buldging with gifts and candy. The magic of Christmas, for me as a child, is so pervasive that I am passing it along to my children. I loved the feeling of Christmas. I loved the wonder and excitement of Santa Clause. I was older when I realized his true identity, but continue to believe in the Spirit of Santa. I hope my children capture and retain that same spirit. I can't imagine a life without the spirit of Santa as part of our Christmas tradition. We always begin Christmas the night before by opening one (sometimes two) gift. Growing up it was usually pajamas or a game. I miss my family and my childhood Christmas. I miss being able to celebrate with both my mom and dad, miss opening that first gift with them, miss my Santa Clauses. They continued to set out Santa gifts for me (and Ryan) for their entire lives.



This Christmas Madeline left Santa a little note. She drew a picture of him and left a short list of what she'd like. She left a plate of assorted goodies (candy cane, cookies and Santa shaped chocolate) with a glass of hot cocoa. She fell asleep quickly and woke up early. I am not sure of the exact time but I think it was around 4am. I coaxed her back to sleep. When she woke up she told me Santa had come and filled our stockings. She hadn't seen the gifts in our front room with the tree. We finally convinced her to go into that room and she couldn't stop screaching for joy. She told us that she thought she was too naughtly to receive gifts from Santa this year and she was surprised she got presents! She really believed she was going to get coal! What a goofball. Anyway, she really enjoyed Christmas this year. Santa brought Ryan a Wii, Madeline dress-up dresses and Barbies, Annie a bunny backpack, paints and pounding bench. Santa brought me a pair of new gloves and kabuki brush. We all had a fabulous Christmas. Maddie wanted to play Barbies ALL DAY LONG. That and Webkinz. The Webkinz website bombed on Christmas and is still not functioning. I'm more than a little frustrated about that, but I'll get over it.

Anna with Grandma

Maddie trying to prevent Anna-destructo

Posing with her (and Mary's) webkinz. She's looking into the sun.

Anna wanted to pose with the webkinz too

It's a Jolly Holiday

Just a quick post regarding the Holiday Exchange with Ryan's family on Saturday.

Everyone (Ron II, Mary, Ted, Tony, Grandpa and Grandma came over on Saturday. Ron II made dinner (beef rolls, herbed potatoes, steamed vegetable, mushroom pie and chocolate mousse). He started at 4pm and dinner was served around 7:30 after which we exchanged gifts. Madeline received Junior Scrabble Disney Edition from Gma and Gpa and Cranium Mask and Encyclopedia of Nature from Mary and Ted. Annalise received Architect Blocks and an Angel ornament from Mary and Ted, and a wooden train set from Gma and Gpa. We let Madeline open a couple of our gifts since she was having a strong urge to rip off wrapping paper (a unicorn Webkinz and a Robert Sabuda Christmas book). Madeline gave a teddy bear figurine to Gma and a foam football to Chloe the cat. (she earned money for two weeks and bought things from her school holiday shop). Ryan received an indoor grill from his secret santa (Ron Sr) and I received a pretty red/white vase and nail salon gift card from mine (Ted). After gifts we had the mousse. Annalise shared with Gma and I gave my cup to Madeline. I did get a little taste that was pretty yummy. The younger folks went to the bar after the festivities in order to buy additional holiday cheer. The older folks (Ryan and I) cleaned the house and put the girls to bed! Madeline wanted to wear her Cranium mask to Sunday School yesterday but unfortunately we wouldn't let her. We are such party poopers.

Tis the season

I haven't been very good about writing lately so I wanted to provide a quick update. It's been hectic around our place. It seems like everyone wants to get everything done before the end of the year, everyone wants to get together one last time before the end of the year. Baking exchanges, potlucks, helping the kids make Christmas cards and gift for their teachers. It's all very exhausting. Next year I think I will designate the Thanksgiving holiday for making teacher cards and gifts. I should become a little more like Scrooge and be less willing to participate in every potluck and cookie exchange. Though my co-worker tells me I should put on a happy face because it's scientifically proven to better my mood. But what about the added stress of participating in all of this crap? Okay, back to the point of my message, which is to update you on the girls!

Madeline is very spirited. She has energy that would be priceless if bottled and distributed. She has a few great interests which are 1. playing Barbies or Polly Pockets, 2. Playing with our neighbor MacKenzie (she's a 5th grader) and 3. Playing Webkinz. She loves her Barbies. She loves dressing (with SHOES) her Barbies. Shoes are very important to Madeline. We bought a pair of white Barbie shoes at a craft show this fall and she uses them every time. She wished she had loads more shoes for her Barbies. Apparently she's going to be a shoe-girl. She still loves to dress up. I think she'd love a cape. Some kind of cape (white maybe with frillies on it). She loves to accessorize with "fancy" stuff. I wish I had more time to paint her nails because she's really into nail polish and make up (as Mary discovered at Whole Foods last week - where Mary put "Roxanne" red lipstick on her lips) Madeline turns to me and says excitedly "people will think I am older!" (imagine that with a great big smilely expression on her face) Madeline is reading very well. In fact I think she's going to read a poem/story for her "talent" at her dance studio Christmas party. Maddie did tell me that she'd like a new baby for Christmas (Oh Good Lord! Not as in a human baby, but a baby-doll) She said that her Baby Lila is a little too big and she'd like a smaller baby. I think she loves Baby Lila and all of her baby functionality, just a little smaller. Baby Lila (by Corelle) cries, has a pacifier that stops crying, drinks from a bottle making swallow noises and laughs when you tickle her tummy. She told me this kindof late in the game so I never looked for a new baby-doll for her. Baby Lila is 15 or 18 inches. I think Maddie would like a 12" baby-doll.

Madeline was fitted for her flower girl dress last weekend. She's very very excited about being the flower girl in Mary and Ted's wedding. She's very excited that Ted will "become" her uncle.

As for Annalise - she loves her pegs; putting them together and ripping them apart. She loves anything that makes music (aka: noise). There was a ball-toy thingy at a toy store. She puts the ball in the top, it rolls down the slide all while making copious amounts of noise. There were farm animals too that made noises when put in the correct stalls. Anyway, you get the jist. She seems to like interactive noisy toys, but who wouldn't?! We were hoping to aviod anything made in China so we could avoid looking at the endless recall lists. I didn't knowingly buy her anything from China but it just stinks that the toys she most enjoys are from China. Anyway, it's a soapbox item. Anna has nine teeth. A stubborn tenth on the bottom refuses to come in so she has three little teeth on the bottom. She crossbites occassionally because it's uneven on the bottom. She doesn't do it often and it looks like she's just feeling around with her teeth. She is talking a lot. She says night night, cat, kitty (kee), dog, ball, hi, momma, dada, Maddie, yum yum and a number of other promted words. She shakes her head no and yes to communicate. She runs and loves to dance. She does a cute little happy feet dance where she does a little jig with her feet. It's cute.

Last week I presented to the Department of Roads for a trails grant on behalf of the city and we were awarded a $500,000 grant. I prepared some maps for the grant as well. That was pretty exciting because the Public Works Department has tried for three years to get this grant approved. I'd like to think it was my involvement that got us the grant. Actually I am just going to go with that. It was me! :)

Ryan is planning a trip to Virginia soon in order to punchlist his federal courthouse. Poo on his job.

We celebrate this weekend with Ryan's family for the holiday gift exchange. They're coming to our house and Ron will prepare a meal. It will be nice to keep the girls at home with their toys and let everyone come over to our place.

Santa at Regency

Santa at the City holiday activities

Anna at the gallery playing while Maddie made cards

Madeline making a card for the military overseas

Anna on Thanksgiving with the Horners

Happy Thanksgiving

At this very moment my children and husband are eating vegetarian pretend turkey with his family. I am here at home in front of this computer. I didn't feel like celebrating the holiday today, for obvious reasons. I am sure many people think I am a poo-head for sitting this one out, but I don't really care. I don't mean that in a rude or condescending way, just matter of fact. It's been much better for me to be at home today. But I wish everyone out there a happy healthy holiday filled with laughter cheer and loved ones. My loved ones will be home soon enough and we are going downtown to enjoy some activities and lightings.

Holy Molar!

Anna has a bit of her first molar poking through her gums. It's on her upper left side. No wonder she was such a crabby arse. Still she only has three on the bottom in front, which is a little funny. They say teeth come in pairs and they're usually the associated pair but apparently Anna's lower front side tooth is associated with her upper left molar. Who knew!!!

Aside from that it's been a crazy busy week. Monday was a holiday for me, YIPEE, so I spent the day studying for my AICP exam, cleaning, and running errands. Ryan and I attended a conference today where we were able to hear one of the nations foremost planners speak, as well as one of the TIME magazine most important environmental stewards (also my former boss), and a law fellow from the environmental law and policy institute. I was able to speak to each person individually before they left to their respective homes. It was great! It didn't hurt that I am in the middle of reading one of the planners books and had recently read two magazines on environmental planning issues. Can you tell I am on cloud nine?!

Everything else is status quo: Maddie did all of her Maddie things. Annie did all of her Annie things. Ryan and I continue to exist without sleep.

We are going out to dinner with some friends and their kids tomorrow. All the kids used to go to school together and are very excited to get together again. We go to a local pizza place where they give the kids some pizza dough to play with while the food is being prepared. Maddie has an all-day foray with Audrey on Saturday, Ryan becomes president of the College of Architecture Alumni Association on Saturday, we have a wedding to attend (oh crud I need to buy a gift) and then we get to all collapse from exhaustion! yay! :)

November

It's been one year of posting on this blog now. I just thought of that as I wrote the title of this blog.

Anna is trying to get over a nasty cold. I've seen enough boogers for the rest of the year! Madeline got a cough from it, but really didn't get congested. I got a little sore throat and some congestion but nothing too bad. Ryan did get any of it. Figures! This past week Anna missed two days of daycare.

Madeline informed me yesterday that she had gotten two papercuts on her fingers and needed to stay home from school. I was speechless, and went back to getting ready for work. Last Sunday Madeline finished a six week program for Sunday School. They did a little singing. Maddie had a friend, Jamie, over to play last week also. Jamie told me that our food tastes different because it's vegetarian and normal people food is different AND that she read that in the newspaper. By the way they ate mac and cheese, pickles, tater tots, cooked carrots and beets. I did tell her that those foods are always vegetarian but they may be a different brand than she's used to. She was pretty funny though.

Last weekend Madeline told me that she's never going to change a dirty diaper. I told her that she would have a baby someday and would probably need to change its diaper. She informed me that her husband is always going to change the diapers. I will have to make sure and tell that to all of her dating prospects! That may be a pretty effective tool for me to use on any unworthy loser who tries to date her! :) Maddie's got expectations man and if you can't handle them; take off!

Annie walks everywhere now and is picking up speed. She talks more too. She signs "all done" when she's done with dinner. She enjoys pulling on earrings so make sure to protect your ears if you're holding her. She also broke a glass last night by getting her ubber sticky fingers onto the edge of one and tipping it over off the counter. All while I was holding her. So there you have it: Annie has go-go gadget fingers!

This weekend Audrey is coming over to play. That's all folks!

Happy Halloween!

Annalise is all tuckered out (from this morning before I awoke her)

Ewww, eye and nose boogies!

School Harvest Party

Madeline with Andi and Jamie her buds

The trick or treating troup; Lissa, Lauren, Lindsey, Madison and Quentin.

Scary dinner tacos

Anna during dinner with a scary messy face and dress.

Uh-Oh

Annie's new phrase is uh-oooooohhhhh. It's cute. She waves, says dog, mama, dada, cat, and that. She points to an object and asks "that" so we tell her what it is. She did moo when I showed her a cow last night. Her vocabulary is growing a lot right now. She is walking a lot more now. I guess she decided it's time to get off the ground and that walking really is better. She still loves to stick everything in her mouth. I pulled a piece of foam out of her mouth this morning before I fed her. She loves to be doing anything the big kids are doing. Last night she colored pictures with the Daisy troup and pretended to paint a pumpkin just like them. Then, of course, she ate the remaining portion of Madeline's cupcake. You know, the part WITHOUT the frosting. Anna loves sweets just like her mom. Thank goodness the girls got that from me. I need someone to eat my treats.

Madeline can now write sentences. She's very good at sounding out words and identifying the different sounds in the word. Today she had to write a sentence about a pumpkin that she drew. She wrote "It is a Halloween pumpkin". I know it's not rocket science but she's doing well. She is well above her peers. Art classes continue to go well. The teacher has repeatedly noted her natural artistic talent. She enjoys her weekly Spanish lessons and is working on the different sounds in the alphabet. She joined Daisy's. I wasn't too keen on that but she wanted to try it out for awhile to see if she liked it. She's had two meetings so far. Yesterday's meeting was actually a Halloween party. I secretly hope Daisy's is a short lived membership because I am not really into the Girl Scout thing (even though I was in it as a child). I did agree to help them with any government, city planning, or mapping patches that they might want to earn. Dance class continues. She'll have a recital in May.

We attended conferences for Madeline last week. We found out that Madeline is very social *shocker*, that she doesn't like to follow directions *again, shocker* and often has trouble keeping her mitts to herself and staying in her seat *wow, that came out of left field*. She's doing well in all of her subjects (math, social studies, reading and science). Ryan was in Las Vegas yesterday and during dinner the babysitter (8th grade) said she was doing a report on Egypt. Madeline said something about not knowing much about Egypt. Sarah (the sitter) said "you'll learn about Egypt sometime" and then I asked Maddie if she knew anything about Egypt. She propmtly replied "Tombs, mummies and pyramids. The mummies have white wraps on them". I think Sarah just about fell off her chair. I kindof chuckled because of her reaction. It was probably the Magic Treehouse books that reminded Madeline of Egypt but who knows. Regardless, Madeline is doing well. She still needs to be evaluated by the High Ability Learner liason at the school. Obviously, we believe she'll be noted as gifted and receive additional challenges through the HAL program. At this point I don't think there's any subject that is more difficult than the others. She does need to work on the names of letters in the alphabet because the Montessori program ingrained the idea of "sounds" rather than "names" of letters. So she can read perfectly well, but couldn't spell out the word for you using the names of the letters as easily. Once we spend a little bit of time on it I am sure she'll pick it up right away.

Visit with relatives and Boo at the Zoo

Dinner with the relatives after the Sunday baby shower for Sarah

Madeline DOES have a serious side. She smiled 1 second after the flash.

The willow tunnels

Annalise enjoyed boo at the zoo after she woke up

THERE's the smile we know and love.

Spooktacular

Madeline and I at the Spooktacular event Saturday evening

Annalise and Ryan taking a walk

Madeline jumping onto the slide on the obstacle course.

Tinkerbell at her finest.

Halloween Party

Party food, Sarah and Lissa in the background

Kids party good. Jumbo cookies, cupcakes, juice and milk

The kids (Blake is the vampire)

Playing the scavenger hunt (Sophie's mom helped)

Madeline and her best friend Kara (the Ice Queen)

Blackmail

Does everyone have one of those "blackmail" photos from their childhood? You know, the one where you're either sporting the worlds worst hairdo or outfit, or better; you're buck naked?

I do.

I was around 2 or 3 years old. I can't ask my mom how old I was and there's no guarantee that she would have remembered anyway. I had received one of those plastic spring horses as a birthday gift and was thereafter nicknamed "Lady Godiva" for obvious reasons. I had/have a real obsession for horses. It's one of my "romantic" ideas to be horseback riding through a field. Anyway, I loved to ride my spring horse sans clothing. It's the the ultimate childhood accomplishment to be able to combine your two favorite things; running around naked with riding horses. Lady Godiva thought it was a good idea too! I think that's why it was so important for my mom to buy Madeline her plastic spring horse. I remember being so irritated by that gift for Madeline because it took up so much room. But I realize now that it must have been so satisfying for my mom to give it to her, remembering my personal love for my own spring horse. I am so glad she bought it for Maddie. She still rides it, more than two years after she received it from my mom. I wish I could have been more understanding of my mom's perspective that I can only now grasp after she's gone.

I haven't been able to get a photo of Madeline doing the "Lady of Godiva" but that doesn't mean that Madeline doesn't like to streak through the house. I mean, honestly, who doesn't like to streak a little now and then. Anna seems to have inherited that love, as she gets out of the bathtub and runs for the hills before I can strap a diaper onto her bum.

It's hard going through this season because we're getting close to the one-year anniversary of my mom's death. I think about last year how she was holed up in the nursing home, I wasn't able to share Anna's birth with her, I wasn't able to celebrate any holidays with her. Last night Madeline became sad and told me she didn't want me to die. My poor baby has to worry about losing her parents because I lost mine. She's five and shouldn't have to worry about these kinds of things.

I have traditions that no longer feel "right" and the recent loss/ruin of two family objects that reminded me of both of my parents. But I do have memories and pictures. Blackmail pictures of me streaking through the house and riding on a spring horse.

Lessons learned

Madeline with her Tinkerbell wings

The lighted trampoline

Anna's artwork

The product of 375 degrees.

This past week has been busy as usual. Madeline started with her Spanish tutor and had her second art class. They're going very well and happen before dinnertime. Annie is getting better at walking and loves to scribble on paper now.

We (as in Ryan) did learn a few things this last week.
1. don't let Annie climb the stairs alone because although she is very good at it, she will cartwheel down the stairs and land on her head if you're not there.
2. don't hide plastic dishes in the oven and not tell anyone (me) about it because they burn when the oven is on 375 degrees.
3. flour will not put out an oven fire.
4. a fire extinguisher will.
5. (this one is all me) don't allow someone from church to take an important family heirloom platter home with them because they will be irresponsible and let their children break it.
6. 40 year old heirloom platters are impossible to replace.

I think that's enough life lessons for one week; you?

Another tooth makes seven!

four on the top and three on the bottom. I noticed it yesterday poking out on her lefthand side. I am guessing the lower second right one is on it's way.

Also she still has a lingering ear infection. She's on a new antibiotic now. Hopefully that will take care of it!

Steps!

Annie's been taking steps for the last week. Starting last Saturday she's been going longer distances. We were practicing last night and she was walking across her bedroom toward the rocker. She was walking at daycare today too. She needs a goal but she can go pretty far. She's very good at stopping, balancing and starting again. She loves it when you give her lots of cheerleading praise. Anyway, just had to report that she's walking.

Fall weather arrives

It's so nice outside now that we're into the 60-70 degree weather. Fall is my favorite.

I thought I should update you since Anna's one-year appointment last week. She's 19 pounds 12 ounces, 28.5 inches long. She's in the 25th percentile for both height and weight and in the 75th percentile for head circumference. Her weight hasn't changed much in the last few months, which they believe is due to her increased mobility. She burns a lot of calories moving around. She is very active. She doesn't like to walk alone though. She prefers to hold, tightly, onto your fingers and practically run around the house. Due to her lack of weight gain her sizing has stabilized and now she wears the size of her age (i.e. 12 months old = 12 months clothes) It's nice because she's fitting better into Maddie's old clothes) Her ear is still a little infected and I am going to have her re-checked because I think she needs another antibiotic. She has been crabby lately so she may be working on her molars.

She now usually takes only one daily nap during the week but on the weekend she usually takes about three each day. She now takes a sippy cup in the afternoon for one of her feedings. She doesn't drink as much as I'd like her too, but I think she'll get used to it soon. She does fine though without the nursing session.

Madeline is doing well. She writes so many words and can write many more just by sounding them out. Her writing skills are phenomenal. She started art class this week. It took her awhile to warm up to the teacher. The teacher said she can tell Madeline gets her talent from Ryan and that she has a lot of natural ability and is very detail oriented. Now we just need to work on her dedication. ha ha

Ryan was in Virginia earlier this week. It may be the first time his flights were all on schedule. We attended an awards banquet for our chamber of commerce that was very nice and we met some wonderful new people.

This weekend Maddie has dance class and a pool birthday party. We're going to the zoo on Sunday. I decided Maddie could have a Halloween party this year too. We had one two years ago. This one will include her entire kindergarten class and a few other friends besides. I am catering the party with hours de oeuvres and desserts. (thank GOD I won't be making everything myself like I usually do - I don't have the energy for that anymore!) I hope to get to know several of the parents better. It should be fun.

Infections

Anna still has a fever and is not feeling too great. She went to the doctor today where we discovered an ear and eye infection. She's now on oral antibiotics and eyedrop antibiotics. She has a nasty cough and a puffy draining eye (which was totally matted shut this morning)



And on an unrelated note, my mom's estate was finalized yesterday. Nine months after her departure the court made closure. If only our emotions were so easily closed.

All about Annie

I thought I should update her milestones since she just had her birthday. Today she took a step by herself. She's very close to walking but not quite sure if she trusts herself yet. She can stand in one place for a long time, but then lowers herself to the ground when she's ready to go forward. She is physically capable of walking, but you can tell by her expression that it's a little scary for her.

She drinks out of a sippy cup very well, when I remember to give it to her. She still nurses about 7 times each day. She eats her food really well and prefers feeding herself. Her favorite fruit is raspberry. I am not sure what her favorite veggie would be; she tends to change her taste daily. It's like she thinks "I am not in the mood for that today" I think she's going through a growth spurt this past week or so. She has a fever and a cold right now. I am a little worried that her fever indicates a secondary infection so we'll be keeping a close eye on her the next day or so. She will stay home with us tomorrow as well.

She "talks" to us, points at things she's interested in (like her new Care Bear book). She say's "that" but clearly doesn't have a clue what "that" means, just that her mouth can say it when she points at something. She understands a lot more words than she can say. If I ask her "where's the kitty" she will look all over like crazy for the cat. She LOVES the kitties. She can walk behind a walking toy and regulate the speed really well. (when Maddie had the same toy she always fell forward because she couldn't manage her weight very well - Ryan had to tape the wheels so it went slower) She does really well at keeping it slow even though the wheels spin pretty fast on the cork floors.

She's been pretty good at taking a longer stretch of sleep at night; around 5-6 hours. Since she's sick she doesn't go longer than 4, but hopefully she'll get over the cold soon.

She loves to play with her sister, cuddle with mom and get tickled by dad. She's a very happy baby. She hasn't been screaming lately either, which is a Godsend! There you have it; Annalise in a nutshell!

ONE moment in time

First gift; a sound book from Joyce - She LOVES it!

Thomas enjoyed himself at the party

Annie's cake

Maddie enjoyed a cupcake (see remnants of the sprinkles)

Annalise Renee is now one. One year ago today I was still in labor. She was born at 6:53pm Friday September 29, 2006. So about 2pm I was probably 5 centimeters just hanging out in the shower at the hospital. No big deal. :)

We just finished up her party, which started at 10am. We had several special guests. My Aunt Deb and Uncle Rich joined us, Ron Sr., Mary and Ted, our friend Joyce (Seve had to work) and the Hunts (Scott, Marcie, Ethan and Caden). It was a wonderful brunch. Ryan made a great quiche, fruit, pasteries, and for dessert we had cupcakes (Madeline sprinkled them with candy dots), cheesecake squares and Napoleon Torte from the Lithuanian Bakery. Everyone was very full. Anna enjoyed her cake delicately by poking her index fingers into the whipped frosting and picking off the fresh raspberries. Madeline enjoyed doing the same.

She is now playing with her fun new toys and book. She got a few clothes to wear this winter and next spring as well. She is truely loved! The only thing that could have made the party better would be my mom and dad, but I believe they are celebrating from above.