Drip, Drip. Crab, Crab. No Sleep.

I usually love Fridays. End of the week. Weekend is upon us. Time with the family.

This morning, however, started off with a warning of how the day would go. There was a drip-drop coming from our new bedroom window. Interesting since it is so freakin' cold out right now that it's hard to imagine anything melting. Plus, considering we just spent a wee bit of money on a new roof and windows, one wouldn't expect it. Contractor is on vacation right now. Hope it can be evaluated soon before our nice, new (and in my mind expensive) window treatment gets installed in a couple of weeks.

Lunch with Daddy - usually a happy and much anticipated event. Nope. Not today. Olivia and Emma wanted to sit next to me. Poor Daddy, all alone. Emma expressed great disgust with the thought of having to sit next to him instead of me. She sat down on the edge of the seat, huffed and crossed her arms. Muttering about how she didn't want to sit there. Threats of leaving were thrown out. Crying began. Crab. Crab. Eventually bribed with a chocolate malt. Still not happy with seating arrangement, but managed.

God love the little munchkin, but Olivia is still awake, despite having been in her crib for about an hour and a half. All animals have been chucked out. Screaming on and off. I have heard a lot of sputtering and laughing as well. I went in once and released the poor kitty who I didn't know was being held hostage. Thought I got her re-settled, but obviously I was wrong. No sleep = *@"{ mommy.

The Sock Bandit

So when Emma's socks went missing this morning, I figured they just rolled off the bed or one of the cat's had stolen them. No biggie. Just got her another pair and sent her on her merry way.

Shortly after they left, Miss Olivia appears with the missing socks - on her hands. She has become totally obsessed with socks lately. She is constantly grabbing them out of her drawer and putting them on, mismatched and all. She's even put mine on a couple of times. I should have known it was her. Normally when she swipes something, though, she isn't very stealth about it. Must have been the one-year old in her telling her to flaunt it and run because that's her usual m.o.. Perhaps she is honing her craft now. Turning two must have brought that on.

Oh, and she posed for these. She made sure that I got a picture of each hand. Very much the photo op kid these days. Kind of like a celeb with less money and sometimes less attitude.

Back to 'Normal'

Finally. We have our van back. Good as new (at least according to the dealer). What should have been something so easy turned into a mapquest debacle. Before leaving home, I asked Jason 'do you know where we are going?'. His response should have sent me running inside to the computer to check. Had I done so, we may have arrived home earlier and not taken a 45-minute scenic drive to the dealer - in addition to the hour we had already driven.

Regardless of what happened or how long it took ,the van is back in the garage and Emma is thrilled to have a sense of order back. She did the unthinkable last night - she stayed at Grandma's on a school night! It was easier to explain why we were camping out there for a while when we had the work done on the house - something about showing her the gaping hole where the windows and door used to be in the living room really did the trick. Last night, however, would have required more explanation than she needed.

Emma really likes and truly thrives on consistency and routine. We don't have a very rigid or strict routine, but she can pretty well predict how most days are going to play out. If there is some huge change - especially if it consumes a day or two - it can really throw her off. Take the other day - Jason went to pick her up at school. She was expecting me. She wouldn't budge off of the sidewalk. She just stood there. "Where is mommy?". No answer was correct and she wasn't buying what he was trying to sell her. Eventually, of course, she relented and begrudgingly got in the car. Not happy. Or when I went to get her yesterday. I got the look of 'what the heck & disgust' all rolled into one little five-year old face. I thought it was the car (using Grandma's). Nope. I had a different scarf on. Who knew.

At any rate, all car's are back with their rightful owners. My father is a God send and I don't know how we would have possibly managed without him, or my mom or MIL. You guys rock and we promise, only the best old folk's home your money can afford you when the time comes.

Birthday in Review

It is official - Olivia turned 2 yesterday! The fam packed into the van and ventured to 'the farm' (aka my dad's) for a family party. Since she is still too young to truly voice her opinion, it was a farm theme - hence the John Deere tractor cake complete with barnyard animals. Loved it.

It was a nice party, complete with crazy kids hopped up on sugar and presents. We decided to head home around three since it was Sunday and Em had school today and Olivia had her doctors appt. this morning at 8 am. We were cruising along and getting ready to get off the freeway to get some gas when the car just died. No warning lights or craziness, just plain old died. Luckily, we were close to the off ramp that we were going to take so Jason pulled onto the shoulder and we coasted along. Thinking that maybe the gas gauge was off and we had somehow run out of gas, Jason walked to the gas station and returned to replenish the van within several minutes. Unfortunately, it didn't help. The van still would not turn over and now began to make a really unpleasant sound every time he tried. So, a phone call to my dad and the tow place later, we were bundling up and preparing to take the kids and MIL to the gas station.

A few moments after we started walking a very nice woman with two kids pulled over and offered up a ride to the gas station to myself and the girls - which was most welcomed considering it was very cold outside. Thankfully, the girls were dressed appropriately, but still, they should not be out in this weather for very long. Upon arriving at the gas station, we assembled a crude snack of what was sold as 'corn dogs' for the girls and the MIL ate a Subway sandwich. My dad and mom arrived shortly after that - thankfully since Olivia had decided that running throughout the entire store, including behind the counter, in her footie jammies was awesome. We re-piled into my dad's car and drove home while the MIL hitched a ride home with my parents.

All and all, not how I would like to look back and remember my baby's 2nd birthday, but at least she isn't old enough to remember or severely whine about how we ruined her life and her birthday all in one swift action. Throughout it all, we were just thankful that it wasn't colder/later out and that I have awesome parents who didn't tell us to call a cab.



Happy Birthday my little bip - mommy loves you.

Baby Girl is 2!!!!!

I can't believe my baby is 2! Long day, lots of excitement - including a breakdown (of the car variety) on the way home. Pics & details tomorrow - too tired to type.

Movie Night

As if I had any doubt shen would have fun...

Preparations

The birthday weekend is upon us. The girls' cousin Caroline is turning two today and Olivia will turn two on Sunday. My SIL and I were in a race to see who would deliver first. Had Jason gotten his wish of the 19th for the scheduled c-section then Olivia would have been first by a few days. But, the schedule was already full for that day, so Jason's dreams of a tidy set of numbers (his bday is the 18th, mine is the 21st, Emma's is the 22nd and Maddie's is the 20th - not all in the same month, but he still liked the idea of the sequence of numbers - who knows) went by the wayside.

Anyhow, Emma is about ready to jump out of her skin. After school today, I'm going to take Emma to meet my SIL so that she can go home with her - and her two cousins - to stay the night tonight and tomorrow. Caroline's party is tomorrow so Em will get to partake in those festivities. Then, we'll head to the farm (dad's) and have Olivia's party on Sunday. As far as Em is concerned - best weekend ever. Two nights spent at her cousin's house and a trip to grandpa's and two parties! Pizza and movie night tonight at the cousin's - cake tomorrow - cake Sunday. Could it get any better for a five year old?

I love when Em gets to spend the night somewhere. I know she has a lot of fun and it gives her a chance to 'get away' and spend time with assorted likes of family. It gives us a chance to spend some one on one time with Olivia. It makes the house eerily quiet, though. Every time she isn't here we say how quiet it seems - even when she's in bed sleeping, there is her presence here in the house. Without her here it seems even more quiet than it usually is at bedtime. Weird, yes, but there's just something about not being able to peek in and see her sleeping. And of course, there are the times like this that you miss out on too.

Emma's Wit & Wisdom

This second post just couldn't wait.

At dinner tonight, J asked Olivia to chill so her head wouldn't fall off. Emma's reply: Daddy, don't worry, her head is screwed on tight.

Wisdom of a five-year old. Inherited from me. Spoken with no profanities - not sure whose side that is from.

Importance of a Day

So today is perhaps one of the most important and historical days we will have experienced in a while. With all the festivities and goings on today, how can we possibly think about anything else?

It's easy - you have an attention span of a two-year old and take pictures of your old, blind cat settling into the Build-a-Bear rolling dog thing. I mean come on, the thing is meant for stuffed dogs and such. Or, for my kids, whatever they can cram into it that day.

It's amazing how my girls can re-purpose just about anything to suit their needs for that moment. Dog dishes easily carry around the magnetic letters from the fridge. Dish towels are perfect doll blankets. American Girl pants double as foot warmers for Olivia. The 'Rose Petal Cottage' changing table doubles as a step stool for Olivia to reach her wall switch. Emma's hamster's are fodder for everyone - it really is hard to tell who enjoys them more when they are out in the little exercise balls. Could it be Zoey, the old dog who stalks them within an inch of their lives? Or is it Olivia, who delights in picking them up and shaking them and when asked to put them down, lets them plummet from two feet up?

See, lacking attention span - no wonder most days are a blur and a battle. Back to the importance of today. I am by no means interested in the several hours of TV coverage that will be devoted to today's events. I will however, watch the swearing in. Why would I want to watch the motorcade or listen to a bunch of political analysts spin their ideas and opinions into ten hours of broadcast? I have never actually watched an inauguration, but today, I will and so will the girls. At least Emma will remember witnessing history. Olivia, sadly, will be more interested in her sock hand.

The Disappointment of a 5 year old

Most kids are thrilled when school is cancelled. They jump for joy. They get back in bed. They settle in for a lazy day. Maybe that's most kids, but it's not mine. Emma was devastated when they called off school today due to the freezing cold temps. But you try to explain why it's too cold outside to a five-year old. She doesn't care about our reasoning's and explanations. She wants to go to school.

Part of why she was so upset was her class had earned a 'movie & popcorn' day today and she has been looking forward to that for weeks. But even without that, she genuinely loves going to school (I'll try to remember these days in about ten years as I drag her teenage booty out of bed).

When J brought her home, she wouldn't get out of the car. Being the good parents we are, we didn't watch the news to see if her school was closed. The last time it was, I received an automated voicemail - one of the benefits of not attending public school. A downside is that even when a lot of other schools are closed, hers isn't. There is no transportation to this school - it's strictly on the the parents to get their kids to school. Anyhow, we assumed that if it were cancelled we would receive the message again. No such luck this morning. J bundled her up and took her there only to find that no one was there.

The day will be salvaged, though. I told her we could do a movie and popcorn day here. We have already made cookies and she is very excited at the prospect of vacuuming, yet another memory to cherish. I may have to break out the camcorder.

Ignorance is Bliss

Nothing I love more than being ignored by an almost two-year old.

Meow, Meow

Olivia's speech. A wonder and sometimes an oddity. Whatever it is on any given day, it is freakin' cute. As I've mentioned before, Emma never did the baby babble thing. Now I feel like I missed out 'cause it is really pretty sweet. As much as I want to hear more words coming from her, the cute nonsensical babbling that only she understands is quite comical at times.

She has dubbed the kitties 'meow, meow'. I keep saying kitty. She says meow, meow. Currently she is trying to entice our old, sight-challenged (since the day he was born) kitty to play. Not the smartest move since he does have claws and is really not able to see what he is doing. Never mind, now she has moved on to 'helping' me on the computer.

Anyhow, her communication skills may not be exactly what I would have hoped for right now and a part of me is worried about her upcoming two-year check up. But, I also know that she is healthy, happy and well cared for. So if she is a little behind in her speech, I will take that as a blessing and be grateful that nothing else is wrong. My sense of what I should be grateful was forever changed several years ago. That will all be explained in my entries coming up February 20-26th - an anniversary for me.

For now, here's to my babbling brook of nonsense and her meow, meow.

a quiet start

I can't remember the last time I had a morning to myself. Emma is off to school and Jason is on his way to work. I am showered, fed and am sipping hot cocoa on this snowy cold morning - alone. Except for the noise from the hamster wheel, it is peacefully quiet in this house right now. The dogs are all cozy and sleeping (again). The reason for this peace and quiet and my ability to relax for a moment for the first time in years - OLIVIA IS STILL SLEEPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I almost don't know what to do with myself. There are so many things that I should and could do, but it has been so long since she has slept this late I am just giddy with laziness. My un-motivation continues this week - why mess with a good thing. There's something about cold, snowy days that just don't make me say 'come on Olivia, we're going out!'. Taking her out to the store, mall or wherever when it's like this is such a task and from what I can tell, it isn't her most favorite thing to do. Her dream day is staying in her jammies and trying on all of her socks with different pairs of shoes. Who am I to argue with that?

So, here I sit, in my cozy home, listening to the peaceful and wonderful sound of my baby still sleeping. It is a great start to the day.

Then there are the Little things....

So maybe I am not an avid blogger. Taking care to post daily, take pictures, etc. This is mainly an outlet for me and a way to keep family connected. I guess it's just nice to have somewhere to drop thoughts from time to time without having to call someone or text or email or whatever.

My days are filled with sweet little voices, craziness and pets. I sometimes think I would like to be back to work, but then I would miss out on so much. I hate the thought of not feeding my girls lunch. Or not being able to pick Emma up from school. Or having someone else put Olivia down for her nap. I like the 'Dora afternoons' Em and I have sometimes while Olivia is napping. I love the time I have with just Olivia in the morning while Em is at school. I like being able to make cookies in the middle of the day.

All the little things about my day that sometimes I may take for granted are the most important things that I will miss when they are gone. The girls will grow, get older and move into stages of life that won't be so cute and cuddly. I just want to stop and remind myself that I have an amazing opportunity to spend this time with my girls and every little second counts. Life is too short and goes by too fast to let anything slip away. I have been made all too aware of that on several occasions and do not wish to regret any moment in time.

Lazy Days

Is there anything better than just curling up with a squishy little being and enjoying the life that you have? Here's to being lazy and soaking in the goodness.

Back to the Grind

So, as I watched Olivia happily sitting in her little rocker watching 'Sesame Street' this morning clad in her big girl jammies - which, by the way she is still wearing right now taking her nap - I wondered if I really had a 'daily grind'. I don't get up and go to a job outside the home, my job is here, taking care of the girls. I suppose I do have some sort of rough routing - when I get up, when Olivia has her morning snack, when to pick up Emma (nothing rough there, time is not negotiable!), when Olivia takes her nap, etc. I guess I just don't think it would be a whole lot of fun to think of my day as a 'grind' or maybe there is some special mystical meaning behind it all. Don't know. Don't much care.

By the time Jason gets home from work most nights, I am worn out from chasing kids & dogs, running errands, cleaning (well, if you can call it that), chasing kids, picking up Miss Em from school, chasing dogs, oh, and chasing the kids. Who knew that playing with the Calico Critters would be so strenuous and demanding. Or that skating around the kitchen on a Leapster game because you didn't realize there was a trail of them on the floor would be so exhilarating.

My 'grind' is so much more than just a catch phrase. Can you really call your day 'work' when you get to stay home and play with your kids all day? Granted, not all days are fun and games. Don't get me wrong, we have our fair share of 'what the f*#@ is going on around here?' days too. But, the good far out weigh the bad and on days like today, I love my grind.