Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Christmas 2005 part 1 007

Did Santa come see you personally?

'Cause he did for us! Lauren liked it (read: didn't run from the room screaming), but didn't want to sit on his lap, even after Uncle Mark did. Santa also had a cold, so he didn't talk, but did wave, nod and pat Lauren on the head on his way out the door. He brought her a cute red velour sweat suit and the jacket has a fringe of white fur, just like Santa's outfit! Too cool!! Hope your holidays were as jolly as that old elf!

Monday, December 26, 2005

Fantastic Christmas!!

We had a great weekend and got lots of nice gifts and ate SO MUCH food that we still may pop from it. Lauren's favorite gift was her "bike" (tricycle) that is "...just like Daisie's!" and all of her M&M's. She also liked all of her new clothes and her toys and craft stuff. We are so fortunate!
John and I got so many great things too, I can't list them all here.
I think Lauren is ready to go home and start playing with everything!! I am putting off going home and having to find a place to put everything!!
If only this were everyone's biggest problem...
I'll post pictures on my flickr.com account as soon as I can and I'll let you know when.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

12-12-05 080


12-12-05 080
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood.
What a group!

From left to right, the little one in the front is Nate, behind him is Ethan, Lily, Hailee (standing in the back), Lauren, Cassie (sitting in chair) and Libby.

Never realized how hard it was to take a picture with that many kids ages 1-2 1/2. Hats off to all photographers.

The countdown begins...

Monday, December 12, 2005

12-9-05 017


12-9-05 017
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood.
The snow was so much fun! How did she know how to make a snow angel? Perfectly too, I might add. She also attempted to make snow balls (handfuls of snow) and throw them at me (bring them over to me and put them on my jeans and laugh and run away).
Bright smile, bright eyes and a brightly colored hat. So cute and warm. She would have stayed out all day long, but I don't have snow bibs and such a warm hat and coat. Maybe during the next snow we will attempt to build a snowman. Nothing like last year's attempt at snow. She hated it. This year, she longs for more.
The gloves are a big hit

While on a recent trip to a store, John found some gloves for Lauren. He and I agreed that we always hated mittens, so maybe she would like gloves. Guess what? She loves them. She is wearing them right now while eating a Pop Tart. We figured she might want to wear them to bed instead of the traditional socks-on-her-hands, but alas, it was socks at night, gloves during the day.
Funny girl.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Would you believe...

Both of our trucks broke down and were undriveable on the SAME DAY??? Last Thursday was not a happy truck day in our house. Thank goodness Lauren didn't freak out in the rental car. My truck is now fixed and John is getting a new vehicle. This was also the busiest weekend we have had in a long, long, long time and we had company that we were so glad to see, but barely got to because of previous commitments and looking for a car and closing loans and life.
*****************************************
The next few weeks will be hectic for all of us, but keep up the Christmas spirit and love each other, will ya'? Be nice out in traffic and in lines at stores. Donate what you can to those who need it. Sit with your loved ones around the tree and enjoy the lights and down time. Remember family and friends and strangers and your postal carrier and your trash man and everyone else.
Merry Christmas!!

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

It's "chicken"

Sorry for the late Thanksgiving post. Thought I would update you on our festivities.
Lauren ate "chicken" (turkey, but if we called it turkey, she would have never touched it), lots of rolls, mashed potatoes (only homemade ones for her) and corn. Of course, she also ate almost everything sweet we offered, with one exception...
I love the holidays! Bring on Christmas!!!

Monday, November 28, 2005

Picture 126


Picture 126
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood.
Awww!!

Hope you all had a great, filling Turkey Day. Gobble, gobble!! Don't forget, Christmas is coming!! Woo hoo!!

Monday, November 21, 2005

11-21-05 and Fruits 052

Two of my all time favorites!!

I love these two people so very much, I wanted you to all see how sweet they are together.
Amazingly beautiful together, aren't they?

Monday, November 14, 2005

11-14-05 018


11-14-05 018
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood.
A girl and her cat

What more could you want? According to Lauren, nothing. According to Gracie, freedom. She is a really good cat and Lauren loves her more than maybe anything else in the world. Truly, it is very endearing.
Straight to kitty heaven for her one day.

Sunday, November 13, 2005

The sippy cups

Let me tell you, sippy cups are not what they seem. They seem to be the "fix" for avoiding a spilled drink. Not true. They leak. And they leak a lot!! Not matter the brand, no matter how dry the seal, no matter how tightly or losely you apply the lid, they leak. Those with valves leak, obviously those without valves leak and I am going mad trying to make them leak proof.
The best solution I have is to use a Playtex cup with a valve and try hard to keep it upright. The Munchkin cups, even new ones ALWAYS leak.
Straw cups are even worse. This is a no win situation, unless you know something that I don't? I thank you and so does our new, once unblemished couch.

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

A night at the movies

Last night Lauren, Aunt Rebecca, Uncle Bryan and I went to the Princeton Theatre to see the new movie "Chicken Little". She thought it was really good. She paid attention throughout and only got up once to potty. Her description of the movie goes something like this:

"I got sad?"
"Why?"
"Baby Orange raindrop got sad"
"Did he find his dad?"
"Yes. The Orange raindrop has one eye. Two eyes. And one mouth. The daddies..."
"What about Chicken Little?"
"He sad. He saw the Orange raindrop. He played baseball with lots of balls and he loved his dad"
"Did you like it?"
"Uh-huh."

Sounds like two thumbs up to me.

Sunday, November 06, 2005

FYI

We are safe and sound. The storm did not affect us other than lack of sleep. Lauren slept through the 2 storm sirens and John and I monitored the storm until 3 a.m.
Not enough warning was given by the National Weather Service. Thank goodness for local weather people.

http://www.14wfie.com

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

10-19-05 003


10-19-05 003
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood.
Having so much fun at the pumpkin patch!

This is one of our fall traditions. We go pick out pumpkins and gourds, normally 2 or 3 times. It is a neat place that has all kinds of pumpkins and gourds in addition to straw and mums and a dog and kittens and a lake and a fish tank. Lauren loves it and so do I. Love this part of fall.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

My nurse

I have been sick the last few days and Lauren has been so, so good. She has been quiet, helpful, easily entertained and even a couple of time said, "Momma, I know how you feel." It makes my heart melt. Late of the first night of my sickness, I said, "Lauren, you are such a good girl," to which she replie, "I the best girl in the whole world!" It's true.
I love her so much!!

Saturday, October 22, 2005

12 hours on, 12 hours off

So...naps. Yeah. They've pretty much stopped. That means she's awake as much as she's asleep which works out really well some days, and then other days, well...I need the break a nap gives me. When she doesn't nap and I need a break, I resort to DVDs. I need to thank the DVD Gods for allowing me to have a break. Some days, I need a nap. Any ideas on how to convince her momma needs a nap too?

Sunday, October 16, 2005

FYI

I turned off comments since some people couldn't resist spamming my comments. If you know us, please send us comments to our email.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Testing, 1-2-3, Testing...

Let's just say, Lauren isn't listening. To anything. Well, that's not entirely true. She always hears, "Let's go to the library/park/outside/to Princeton", but things like, "Eat your supper/waffle/lunch etc., Please come here, Please turn on your ears," and other such statements go undetected by her perfectly hearing ears.

Hope this testing ends soon. I've never been a very good test taker.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

10-6-05 005


10-6-05 005
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood.
Man!!

That was so funny!! It is so cool to hear them playing and giggling down the hall. When did time start moving so fast??

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

5-2-03 011


5-2-03 011
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood.
Smaller than a pillow

Seems so long ago, and yet it seems like yesterday. She wasn't yet a month old and already had all of us wrapped around that teeny tiny finger. Time flies when you're not looking. Seems like I am always looking and trying to remember every single detail, but pictures certianly help!!

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

When will these mean bugs go away?

Mosquitos love Lauren, and me. We were outside yesterday for 10 minutes in the middle of the afternoon and she got 6 bites and I got 5. GO AWAY ALREADY!!
This is tourture for a kid who loves to be outside and with the beautiful weather we are having, she wants to be out all of the time. So do I.
I certainly don't want to bring on winter too soon, but a good hard frost would do us a lot of good and kill those buggers so we could enjoy outside again!

Friday we are going to the pumpkin patch with our friends, I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Tiny dancer

When we asked Lauren recently what she wanted to be for Halloween, she said, "A ballerina like Trina" (there is a show on Disney called JoJo's Circus and her friend Trina is a, you guessed it, ballerina). So a ballerina she will be.
As a matter of fact, last year she went as both a ladybug and a ballerina since our temperatures varied so much in a matter of two days. One costume was built to keep her warm (the ladybug) and one was to keep her cool (a cheap ballerina costume from Old Navy complete with shoes).
Now comes the hard part. The shoes are her favorite part. This year. Last year's costumes shoes, on this year's feet. See where I'm going with this? She wants to wear them all of the time. She doesn't seem to care that they are too small. She loves them. She wants to wear them all of the time, including to bed (and for those of you following along, I allow the shoes in bed in order to get some much needed sleep).
I need to get her some new shoes so she doesn't get bunions.
Good thing she's a great dancer, and so darn cute!!!
I'll post pictures when the time comes for trick or treating in the final costume.

Sunday, September 18, 2005

3 nights and counting

Last night she slept all night in her bed, the two previous nights she got up only once. Yay!!! I think her Grandmomma figured out what was going on. Lauren was getting too hot, having bad dreams (like I do. Why didn't I think of that?) and then not being able to go back to sleep, would come in search of me.
Now with less cover, there seems to be more sleep.
Problem solved, at least for now.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Ah, the days of sleep...

Recently, just about the time I was getting really comfortable with Lauren sleeping in her big girl bed, she stopped. Stopped wanting to go in her room, let alone in her bed, and if you could get the first two things done, she certainly wasn't going to sleep there. Are you crazy? Sleep in her bed AT NIGHT?!?! COME ON!
At least that's what's what it seems. She will occasionally sleep in the hallway and on nights of desperation, sleeps on the floor of our room.
I don't want to think she's manipulating me into letting her sleep somewhere other than her bed, but that seems to be what's going on.
Grr! This is hard for me, but it seems to be hard for her as well.
I'll keep you updated.

Monday, September 12, 2005

Friday, September 09, 2005

Just a quick update...

We left for Chicago early Wednesday morning. Got in about 4:30. Walked and walked and walked and walked...I got up Thursday morning and went to the taping of Oprah. It was awesome and after it airs, I'll tell you all about it. I'll also let you know when it will be on, once I know. John and Lauren spent the day at the Shedd Aquarium where they had an awesome time. Lauren saw lots of "Dory" fish and the dolphins and beluga whales were among the favorites. Friday, we spent all day at the Museum of Science and Industry. It was cool, but lots of displays seem/look/feel old and several hands on displays simply didn't work.
Tomorrow, we are going to Michigan City to the outlet mall and the dunes and then to Indianapolis for the night. Home Sunday. I will post more later.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

9-4-05 020


9-4-05 020
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood.
First night in a big girl bed. I can't believe when I walk in her room, ther is no longer a baby bed. Where'd my baby go?
Thoughts...

The recent disaster in New Orleans made me think about a lot of things. If we were in the situation, we would have gotten out, but would we have taken strangers with us? People we didn't know, people with less than we are fortunate enough to take for granted everyday?
We have so much. A home. Food. Clean water. Good health. All of our family, in tact and accounted for.
I feel helpless. I wish I could do more than donate money. I think about every mother and every child and how, though they don't need material items to be happy, they do need some things. Space to run. Swings to swing on. Trees to marvel, clouds to count, birds to listen to. Not military trucks, M-16s and MRE's. Not that they are not greatful for the help that FINALLY came, but they need so much more.
I have always known we are lucky. Now I know for sure.
We will be sending money and maybe a box of "stuff" for the refugees. We wish them a speedy return to a normal life. What else can you do?

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Please, do what you can.

Below is a link to a list of places you can donate to help the victims of Katrina. Please, keep these people in mind and do whatever you can. Every bit helps.


CNN.com Specials

Saturday, August 27, 2005

My little person

She walks, talks, sings, potties, sleeps in a big girl bed, eats with utensils, drinks from a regular cup (sometimes) and has an opinion. Today, she is wearing khaki shorts and a pink colared polo shirt. A person.
WOW!

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Recent conversations in our house:

Lauren: My diaper's dry!
Momma: YAY! Maybe tonight we'll sleep without a diaper?
Lauren: OK!!
(she woke up dry in panties!)

Lauren: Wanna see a magic trick?
Momma/Daddy: Sure!
Lauren: Hocus, pocus, ocus, croakus. TA DA! (then while bowing) Thank you, thank you, thank you
(a magic trick is putting several things in a pile, putting some sort of cover on them and then yanking the cover off to reveal the pile)

Lauren: My tummy hungry. I KNOW! I want yogurt.
(at least it's yogurt and not a Ding Dong)

Momma: Lauren, what are you doing?
Lauren: I dancing.
(with or without music)

Lauren: See how my hair so long? I brush it.
(thanks Dora. By the way, she brushes it all forward)

She is so funny. I love her so much!!

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Easter


Easter
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood.
Man! We are such a good looking family. I mean, we should be on the cover of Happy Family magazine.

Lauren has now slept in her big girl bed 3 nights in a row. She was a little hesitant at first, but she goes in fine now. She uses a night light, has on music and her door has to be slightly open, but she does it great. Her bed is so high, she needs a step stool to get in or out of bed.
I keep saying to anyone who'll listen, "Just think, 2 weeks ago, she was in diapers and a baby bed. Now she's not."
Time flies...

Sunday, August 14, 2005

IMG_5540


IMG_5540
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood.
What a sweet smile!!
Please visit this very awesome site and donate what you can. Anything will be greatly appreciated. Lauren, John and I donate regularly. You don't have to support the decision to be at war, just support those who are there.

http://www.anysoldier.com

Saturday, August 13, 2005

A little about our sleeping...or lack of

Last Friday night, Lauren started refusing to sleep in her crib. Refusing by screaming and crying until her face was completely wet, eyes swollen and hyperventaling-type breathing was happening. Being the quick thinking parents we are, John suggested getting her new princess tent for her to sleep in and she loved it. Ever since then, she has been sleeping in her room, in her tent, with her crib mattress on the floor of the tent.
Without bars to keep her in place, she has gotten out of bed a few times. Usually, between 2 and 4 a.m. I have successfully gotten her back into her own bed, but I am wiped out the next day since I am used to sleeping all night, or at least having that option.
Tonight, she will have her big girl bed to sleep in. We are going to Sam's this morning to buy it. I hope she likes it and stays in it.
Sleep is good.
How old do you have to be before you realize this??
ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...........

Sunday, August 07, 2005

A day of family fun

Yesterday, we went to Holiday World with my mom and dad and my sister and brother in law. Last year when we went, John had to work, so we were very happy he could go with us this year. It was HOT and crowded, but still lots of fun. Lauren rode a few rides and ate a little lunch and played for two hours in the water park before falling asleep immediately after being put in her stroller. She really enjoyed the water park most of all and there is a slide in the baby pool that allows several children to go down at once. John and I figure that she probably went down the slide a minimum of 15 times. One of us was at the top, one of us at the bottom and Lauren was in between on the slide or on the stairs on the way back up to do it again!! She had to be worn out, but we had to stop her in order to go on to another activity or we might still be there.
She also liked the Wave Pool and it knocked her down 6 times or more and took her under the water and she'd stand up and say, "Momma, I almost fell down!" and she'd do it again.
My little Daredevil!

http://www.holidayworld.com

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Monday, August 01, 2005

My little fish

Have I mentioned that Lauren loves the water? To play in, bathe in , swim in and now boat in. Yesterday, she went on a speed boat for the first time (my first time, too!) and on a pontoon boat as well as swimming in a lake. She had a ball and was exhausted from all of the activities. The night before, we had stayed in a hotel and went swimming there, but she didn't sleep well in the hotel bed and then yestereday napped for maybe 20 min. in the car before starting all of the watery fun.
Maybe I should search her for gills and a fin...

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Today, my favorite is nothing like what it will be tomorrow

Lauren has gone through lots of favorites fazes. For example, she used to love applesauce and mac and cheese, now she loves pizza pie. She used to love Blue's Clues, then Nemo, then Toy Story and now it has shifted to Dora and JoJo.
I guess her tastes will change more and more the more stuff she is exposed to, but it's hard to keep up. I suppose I need to hold on tight since right now her tastes change based on what I expose her to, but when she starts having friends on her own and going to school, I'll never stand a chance.
Why do I feel like that is just around the corner? I'm not ready.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

We made it, but not without our own issues

John got back on Friday and the house had not burned to the ground, everyone was clean and sort of rested, but...
A storm Wed. night/Thurs. morning had awakened Lauren and me during the night causing her to cry, "Momma! Please come! Momma! Please come!" over and over and how could I not go? So she slept in our bed with me with the understanding that Thursday night she would be back in Lauren's bed, and she was. The truck overheated, but was able to be limped home, but that left us trapped at home. Fortunately, it was really to hot to be out anywhere anyway, and we have a good friend who was more than happy to act as our taxi.
We can do it without John, but who would want to?

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Just us girls

For the next couple of nights, John will be out of town on business. SO, it will be Lauren, "Big Libby" (Lauren's name for the dog), "Baby Grace"(Lauren's name for the cat who weighs 18 pds.) and me. Lord help us.
We do have some plans. Tomorrow for lunch, Chuckie Cheese with some friends, loan closing tomorrow night, Thursday evening an open house for Hands on Discovery. Friday maybe swimming.
I know we can do it without John, but we don't want to. We will miss him. The dog will be a basket case. The cat will cry and try to get in out bedroom. Lauren won't sleep well so neither will I.
We will try to have fun, after all isn't that what girls want? They just wanna have fun!
I'll let you know...

Friday, July 15, 2005

Off to the fair with friends

Last night Lauren and I went back to the fair with some friends. They had never had the pleasure of experiencing the Gibson County Fair, let alone the fact that this was the 150th anniversary. It was so much fun and was SO hot. Lauren rode a lot of rides, saw the "fair zoo" complete with a baby cow and a baby horse. She really liked it and then had an ice cream cone just before we left. Overall, I'd say the fair was a huge hit!!
YAY FAIR!!

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Nothing like the fair!!

Lauren is a fan of the rides, the lights and the spectacle of people she saw. And the people are a fan of Lauren. She was the cutest kid at the fair and I'm including the baby goats we saw. She kept calling it the "Fair Zoo" since she really liked the 4H animal exhibts. I think that she was most impressed, however, by the snapping turtle in the creek that we saw on our walk back from seeing the "Fair Zoo".
I always loved going to the fair and I have very wonderful memories of going with my mother and grandmother and eating fish sandwiches, elephant ears, Malone's State Fair taffy and playing BINGO! and on the last night of the fair, I always got a mylar balloon that stayed up for weeks!! I hope Lauren has similar memories.

Thursday, July 07, 2005

The reality of terrorist attacks

On 9/11, I was afraid. I was actually terrified and I live no where near any place threatened by terrorists. I was afraid for me, my family and friends and all of the children in my care at the daycare. We were just blocks from the airport and all of the planes overhead were suddenly disappering. It was surreal.
Today I am afraid for an entirely different reason. Before, it was really just me to worry about. Now it's a whole different story. What about Lauren? She is my whole life and I am worrier by nature, so now it's a lot more real.
Before 9/11 when I watched the news and there had been a terror attack somewhere, I thought "How sad" and moved on. Now I cannot stop reading about what just happened in London and recounts of what happened in NYC. It's sadly so much more real now.
Be safe.

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Not a fan of the FUNDER WORKS!! (fireworks)

Not that Lauren hated them, she like the sparkles, but hated the booms! You know, the chest rattling, scare you out of your pants noises that accompany the 2 seconds of beauty in the sky. She is certain the trade off is not fair. The further we were from FUNDER WORKS, the better she liked them.
And then, Tuesday morning when she woke up, she asked for more FUNDER WORKS so I guess no long term damage was done.

Monday, June 27, 2005

A resounding success!!

Vacation was great, although long at a couple of points. If you take a 2 yr. old off of her schedule long enough, there are bound to be some repercussions.
We went to the Nashville, TN Zoo and the Knoxville, TN Zoo. We went to the Ripley's Believe It or Not Aquarium which Lauren loved. If you have been following our story, you know Nemo is a big deal in our house. We also went to Dollywood and Dollywood Splash Country. One word for you, SUNSCREEN. Use it, love it, believe it. John and I didn't, and are still burned from last Thursday and John is peeling. Lauren was slathered twice and has not a hint of color. We also spent a little time in the mountains, ate a very good meal out and had an awesome view from our cabin. (see link below) http://mountainchalets.com/viewt.html
All of our site seeing aside, I think Lauren's favorite part of vacation had to be the bathtub in the cabin. It was a two person jacuzzi tub and she had a bubble bath every night. She LOVED it!!
Gatlinburg, TN is some place you can count on not to change, to be busy, to have t shirts you wouldn't be caught dead in, but laugh at anyway, and to have beautiful scenery year round.
Overall, I give this vacation a big thumbs up!

Friday, June 17, 2005

On the road again...

John suggested that I title this post Blogging at 70, m.p.h. that is, not years. I decided to include it, but go for the Willie Nelson reference.
Currently, we are driving 70 m.p.h., I am on the internet, Lauren is watching a dvd, we are using GPS and have at least three phones with us. Man! We are geeks!!
We are going to the Nashville Zoo today and the Knoxville Zoo tomorrow and Lauren is excited! I'll post as often as I can, and be sure to check John's moblog as well.

www.jmcgarrah.textamerica.com

More later...

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Can you believe it?

It's time for vacation already. We leave Friday and I am almost done packing for us all. We are trying something new this year. We are packing in plastic tubs. I read it makes packing the SUV easier. I'll let you know...
*************
We were rearended today. Yes it was in my truck. Yes I exited my truck completed pissed off. Yes I know that's how people get shot. No, no one was hurt. Yes the truck is still completely fine except the paint on the bumper from the other car (which was a piece of crap and probably an uninsured driver). My bodyshop guy is going to love this.

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Tiny napper

Today, my great napper, decided no nap. No fit of anger either, so why complain? She was in bed for 30 minutes when she said, "Momma I wake. Momma?" I let her go for about 10 minutes and when I went in and said, "Aren't you supposed to be napping?" and she said, "Oh! Cute sunglasses Mommy!" I wasn't wearing sunglasses, just regular glasses. Then she smile that cute smile and reached for me. And with that, naptime was over. Sigh...Not a good sign.

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Less naptime, more outside time

I know I keep saying Lauren likes to be outside, and just so you know, I am not kidding. The kid lives and breathes the out of doors and constantly talks about going out, being out and when she can go there next.
She also has a strong interest in rocks. Not just pretty, neat, smooth and shiny rocks. I mean, all rocks. Driveway rocks, broken pieces of cement, pebbles...anything that resembles a rock. I am afraid that on our upcoming vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains, we will need to rent a U-Haul on the way home in order to transport our newest rocks.
Like mother like daughter, I too was a rock collector. Maybe she will be a geologist...

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

I just can't emphasize enough Lauren's needs!!

She NEEDS to be outside and "Pay basketball, pay colors Mommy!!" or "'Mon Mommy!! Bubbles!" When I even hint that we may need to go inside, even for just a minute, she throws herself onto the ground in protest.

The other day, I was leaving our house with Lauren in tow, and when we turned out onto a busy street, she said, and I am not making this up, "No Mommy! Wees other way!" Translation: 'Hey stupid, go to the park. I have told you all day I want to play outside, swing on the swings, play in the sand and now you are going to wrong way. Do I have to do everything?'

She is an outside, going, doing, finding, investigating, giggling, running, coloring, bubble blowing fiend. And I love her for it!!

Monday, May 16, 2005

Saturday, May 14, 2005

She knows

She is sure of what she wants. An example conversation follows:

Momma: What do you want to do?
Lauren: Eat, play
Momma: You want to eat and then play?
Lauren: Yeah. Eat first, then play.

See? No doubt what she wants. She also sometimes wants things that I cannot understand which leads to her saying whatever she already said again, but this time with exasperation. Anyone know where I can get a translator?

Friday, May 06, 2005

A big hit with the little people!!

The zoo was perfect. The weather was nice, sunny but not too hot and a beautiful blue sky. The animals were active. The kids stayed in their strollers for more than half of the trip. They ate snacks. They saw geese and their babies in different stages, ostrich eggs being guarded by parent ostriches, snakes (YUCK!), birds, rhinos, lions, zebras, keekocks (peacocks)...The works!!
After that we ate lunch at McDonald's and then took naps.
All in all it was a fantastic experience!

Thursday, May 05, 2005

Zoo trip today

Later today we are going to the zoo with a group of friends. We talked about the zoo last night before bed and when she woke this morning, I asked Lauren where we were going today. She said, "Ammalls" (animals) and I said, "YES! To see the animals!" She is a genius!!
More later...

Sunday, May 01, 2005

And then it hit me...

All of my last few posts have been regarding our wreck or the repercussions from it. Enough already.
Lauren is still loving to play outside, wants to go out daily rain or shine, loves to use the hose to "hep Momma use wash" (help Momma use the water). She also wants to "hep Momma fee keekee" (help Momma feed the kitty), she wants to "drum" on the counter with her CD, she loves to eat "ch" (cheese) and "sup" (ketchup).
She is a talker, not sure where she gets that, and a lover. She wants "ug! ug!" (hugs) all of the time which I love and then "mo ugs!" (more hugs).
What a super person she is!!

Friday, April 29, 2005

It's Pearl. No, it's black. No, it's blue. No, it's white

No, it's gold. This is the list of colors of vehicles that Lauren and I have used since last Friday's wreck. She is not amused. She never knows which vehicle to expect, she isn't a big kid to love change and she is hoping, "Mommy car all done" will be a saying from the distant past very, very soon.
I had never made the connection between Lauren and our truck. She was brought home from the hospital in it, rides in it all of the time, plays near it when it is in the driveway. It's part of who she is.

Monday, April 25, 2005

Seconds from possible disaster

On Friday, Lauren and I were in a wreck. We were hit while going to a loan closing. We are fine. The other people are fine. My truck is not so fine. Actually, it is possibly totalled, that is still up to the insurance company. I was scared to death, but luckily didn't see it coming. Lauren was in her car seat and sleeping. She was fine. However, my active little girl who seldom wants to be held, never even once wanted down to "pay" (play). She held on tight to me, and just watched while repeating over and over, "Mommy car all done?" and I would say, "Yes. Yes I think it is." Then I would cry. But not much, because she doesn't deal with that well.
She had a little mark on her neck from her seat belt, but other than that no one had a mark on them. I was a little sore the next day, but fine otherwise.
Life can change in a second which I have always known having grown up in a family where my mother worked for the newspaper and I went with her to many a car wreck, house fire or train wreck. I just never thought that I could have been that sad story.
My whole life was riding in that car seat. I can't even let myself go to the place where what if something tragic had happened to Lauren. I don't know if I could go on. Thank God, I don't have to know.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

My photogenic baby

For years (2 to be exact) Lauren has been extensively photographed by us, my parents, my sister and professional photographers. She is a great subject. Beautiful, cooperative (most of the time!), easy to pose. All of those things are true and make for great pictures.
Of course, for all of the money spent of pictures, I have taken some pretty great ones myself, as has John. Most recently, I took a picture of her playing in a waterfall outside of a friend's house. She is looking at the water, the trees are still bare and her hair is mussed up. She looks stunning. WOW! What a photogenic baby, even when she's not trying.

Sunday, April 17, 2005

She just keeps going, and going, and going...

Last week we went to approximately 8 different playgrounds, the zoo, to a friends house, played outside during as many daylight hours as possible and had the best time. She runs and plays and swings and slides and wants to be "outside" as often as she can. I am getting worn out!! Why does sun zap your energy so unmercilessly? It is still that wonderful time of year when bugs are not out in full force, meals can be eaten outside without ants and mosquitos eating you and the sun is up for so many hours that it is hard to judge time by the sun. I love spring!!

Monday, April 11, 2005

Sound?

Most kids ask, "What's that?" Our kid says, "Sound? Sound?" anytime she hears anything. Even if it's a familiar sound like a car or a bird or a dog, she will ask, "Sound?" Pretty cute.
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Keykock

We went to the zoo today and she saw the peacocks and thought that they were beautiful and now is talking and talking about them. Everyone she talks to she tells.
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Hello?

For the first time today, Lauren answered the phone. Fortunately, it was a friend with a 2 yr. old, so she understood Lauren, but I'm sure it was odd to hear that little voice on the other end of the call when you didn't expect it.

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

And the party continues

Today was our friend party. Lauren got lots of nice presents and had lots of fun. I think she is pretty happy to have one friend over to play, but a total of five 2 yr. olds may have been a bit much. She was not very "cool" with people touching her stuff. She wanted every book/toy/ball that anyone else had, even if it was a long ago disregarded toy. I know it's very typical behavior, but you just hope your child will be different. She's not. She's normal.

By about 2:00 p.m., I asked her if she was going to nap and she said, "No", then crawled in my lap and I almost caught fire. She was running a temperature. I feel like we just went through this. Maybe this explains the tears at the party over very minor things, maybe she's just two or maybe it was three solid days of PARTY! PARTY! PARTY! It can be overwhelming to be so popular!!

I think she'll be better soon and I learned something about Lauren today. She LOVES the taste of Tylenol. Good. One thing to make a sick girl, a happy girl!

Monday, April 04, 2005

Happy Birthday!!

We spent an amazing day with Lauren. Woke up, played, went to Chuck E. Cheese to play for a couple of hours, napped, went to the park and played and came home and, can you guess? Played. What a great way to spend a beautiful day!!

Happy Birthday sweet beautiful baby! Don't grow so fast!!!

Love always,
Momma

Sunday, April 03, 2005

Day 1 of the Birthday Extravaganza!!

So much love and happiness fills our house daily, and today was no exception. We had the first of Lauren's birthday parties. Yes, I said partieS. We had the family party today and everyone who could be there, was. Parents (obviously), grandparents, great grandparents/uncle, aunt and uncles all hanging on her every word and gesture. How else would you want a second birthday? Did I just type SECOND BIRTHDAY PARTY???? How is that even possible? That's for another day... Tomorrow John and I will be taking Lauren to Chuckie Cheese for fun, frolicking and pizza. Then, on Tuesday, the day I may actually pull out my hair, is her friend party. There will be 6 children around age 2 in my house, thankfully with their parents. Expect updates.
More later...

Monday, March 28, 2005

Two word sentences, building blocks...

We went to the Dr. today and Lauren is perfect. Like I needed a dr. to tell me that;) She can make sentences, stack blocks, jump with her toes off of the floor. She is in the 80% for height and weight. She is growing well. She is opinionated, she is talkative, she is ours. And she is perfect.

Monday, March 21, 2005

who could ask for more

What a fantastic birthday!! Great lunch, great day at the park, wonderful family, great gifts. 31 is looking like a great year.
Thanks to everyone for the cards and presents and nice thoughts!!

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Update:

Lauren is better and it has been a long week of loan closings and fast approaching terrible two's. More later I promise, but now we must rest...

Sunday, March 13, 2005

I have never been so scared...

A few nights ago, I felt helpless and scared and I cried. Lauren was sick, and I don't mean run of the mill sick, I mean fever sick. 103.8 in one ear, 106.1 in the other. Sick-sick. And I didn't know what to do. This was one hour after medicine and it was bedtime where she was not going until she felt cooler to me. She acted fine but felt like fire, and I knew we should do something, and fast.
Calls to friends with older children went unanswered, calls to parents (ours) scared me more, though they certainly didn't mean to, the internet is full of information that you are told to believe with a grain of salt, so I went to a site I trust and I called our pediatrician. The wonderful night nurse who called back recommended a "tepid" bath which we were already doing and to monitor her. She also told me that I had the "mother's eye" and I would know if she took a turn for the worst. I watched her like a hawk. She didn't get worse, thank God, but I still worried. At least her fever didn't go up anymore.
I know that there will be several times over the next lifetime that I will feel bewildered, scared, and more than a little bit unsure, but when someone so small, with so little real ability to tell me how she feels, is so sick, I feel more helpless than I can ever remember feeling.
I think we are now on the upswing, but thinking about it makes me tired all over again.
We were all sick, but Lauren was the sickest in my opinion. Gotta love the flu...

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Baby, sun, eyes Momma

Translation: Why on earth did you not bring my sunglasses when it is obviously as bright out here as if we were on the surface of the sun? Geez, woman! Get with it.

OK, maybe that's a lose translation, but I bet it's close. She is talking so much these days that I barely remember when I was worried she wasn't talking enough. That's a lie. I remember very clearly, but now I worry no more. She knows what she wants and when she wants it, but it is still often a guessing game and I am not the best guesser, I guess...
A living, breathing, thinking, moving, talking, opinionated, singing, dancing, reading, jumping, flipping, chasing, swinging girl. That's what I've got on my hands now. Watch out world, here she comes!!!

Sunday, March 06, 2005

Favorite pasttimes (besides Blue's Clues)

Swinging. I promise you that everytime we leave the house, she says, "Wings? Wings? Wings?" until I answer her. This time of year, the answer is usually, "Not today sweetheart. It's too cold. Maybe if it gets warm later, OK?" to which she answers, "OK Mommy." It breaks your heart, that sweet little voice. And I truly do mean it. If it gets warmer, watch out park, here we come!! I love taking her to the park and she loves going. She gets to "wing", run, slide, play in the sand, feel the wind in her hair and the sun on her cheeks. And so do I.
Bring it on spring! I'm SO ready!!

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

Her first crush

I think Lauren's official first crush is on Joe from Blue's Clues. She really only wants to see episodes with him in them, says, "Joe? Joe?" when it is clearly Steve on TV and was very excited to see him at the Blue's Clues Live Birthday Party a couple of weeks ago.
How sweet! And the best part, he's on TV. No where near here. He is perfect in her eyes and will always be there for her.
That is, until her interests change and she moves on. Then Joe will be a distant memory. Until then, Joe it is.

Friday, February 25, 2005

My big girl/my baby girl

How can one person be all of that? Today I saw both in Lauren. She is so big and independent minded, and then, she cries for "Momma!" I took her to a daycare for a trial day, actually just for a trial few minutes. She was fine until two little boys screamed in her face. After they were scolded, they came over to apologize and she screamed, "NO! NO! NO!" Guess she learns quickly to stand up for herself...
I still see my baby when I see her, but her big girl side is starting to show. Damnit...

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Isn't she lovely?

Everywhere we go, people comment on how cute Lauren is! I mean everywhere. Like I didn't already know. ;)! Anyway, I think she is beautiful and she is turning into such a person. I know, she has always been a person, but now she seems more like a person and less like a helpless baby. She even put on her own pants after her favorite aunt changed her last night. She has also mastered socks (almost every time they are on with the bottoms on the bottom) and she loves her shoes, my shoes etc.
Earlier in the week, she was clomping around the house in two of my (mismatched) high heels and a long sleeved t-shirt draped over her like a cape while wearing a headband and sunglasses! What a beauty! She just glows! Even when she is sleeping, she is the most beautiful person I have ever known.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Today

We went to the park for an hour and a half, ate lunch, Lauren napped for 3 hours and then went back to the park and played for another half an hour and then came home and played in the backyard. Lots of fresh air will wear a girl out. She was asleep 10 minutes before bedtime.
Sleep well my beautiful girl!!

Saturday, February 12, 2005

Not about Lauren, but read anyway!!

I have a new link at the bottom of the page. It is a link to my stuff I am selling on eBay. TOO COOL! Feel free to look and buy as often as you like.
YAY!!
If it's not nailed down, it's for sale! (kidding, I'm only kidding. Kinda'...)

Friday, February 11, 2005

Peees Mommy! No!

Every day at naptime, I hear these words while walking down the hall toward Lauren's room. This is followed by 2 minutes of crying then who knows how long (since it varies day to day) I hear "Uh-oh! Mommy? Apple. CaBry?", then music from her crib toy, then singing and jumping, then "Uh-oh!" then more singing. On and on and on.
I'm sure she would love for me to let her have one whole day without forcing a nap on her, but that day is so long in the future, I can't even begin to imagine it.
At least the crying is short lived and truthfully, the talking is sweet to hear and I like that she can entertain herself.

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

Words, words, words, words, words

Talking all the time. All of the time. I mean, non-stop. More words everyday. Just today, she added:
Seeds
Cups
Cow
Horse

And recently:
Mulk (milk)
Juice
Done (feed me, I am starving)
Chhh (cheese)
Coke (sprite)
Red
Orange
Bluh (blue)
Purple

Man!! What a girl!

Saturday, February 05, 2005

Days like today

Days like today are the best days of all. We ate lunch, went to the park to "wing!" (swing), went window shopping, came home and played outside where we used our"wing!", played with two hoola hoops and played fetch with the dog. We did all of this together. Outside. In February. I feel like an all American family. Later this weekend, we might even grill out for our First Annual Super Bowl Bash. (Still working on the name...)
Gotta' love Indiana weather! And, gotta' love family time. Together. No real plans. Nothing pressing that has to be done. Just us and our girl.
Perfect.

Friday, February 04, 2005

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Curly Girly (kinda')

I have now put hot rollers in Lauren's hair twice and twice the curls are there just for a split second and then fall ever so slowly out of her beautiful, shiny baby hair. This time I added mousse in order for the curls to stay. It didn't help. She is just as beautiful with the little wispy curls, I just wondered what she would look like with "little orphan Annie" curls. Maybe if I wait a little longer, she'll get those curls. For now, she's my sweet little princess with the hair God gave her.
So beautiful!

Sunday, January 30, 2005

The Shoe Bandit

I don't know if everyone's child is as obsessed with shoes as Lauren is, but seldom can I find matching shoes without searching corners and under chairs and behind speakers and near the doors...She loves shoes, and not just mine. Any shoes not on someone's feet are fair game. John's tennis shoes, dress shoes, house shoes. My high heels, tennis shoes, slides, house shoes. Her shoes even (which really make her mad since they actually fit and are harder to put on!).
In her defense, I must say she is very adept at putting on her own shoes ON THE CORRECT FEET when I ask her to, and even sometimes when I don't. Genius!

Thursday, January 27, 2005

who could ask for more

The above link is to John's moblog. Almost every picture is of our darling baby girl.
Enjoy her smiling face, I know we do!

Sunday, January 23, 2005

Saturday, January 22, 2005

Words cannot express

Jabberbox. That is how my dad affectionately refered to me when I was little. And Windjammer. I think I know where Lauren gets it. For the last few days, she has talked almost non-stop. Some of what she says, I understand. Most of what she says, she says so matter-of-factly that I feel dumb not understanding what she is saying.
I love it!
Although, I have had to shush her a few times, I love it!!

Thursday, January 20, 2005

Quickly, quickly

I have to give Lauren eye drops for the next five days. In order to do that, I have to say, "Quickly, quickly!" and then "All done!!" or it won't happen. She can move her head away from me so fast, it's unbelieveable!! She can also squint her eyes shut so tightly I can barely get the drops in.
It sucks, but it's gotta be done.

Sunday, January 16, 2005

Our list of recognizable words is ever growing. Here is just a sample:

Buppy (blue, blue puppy, puppy, anything she LOVES!)
BuppyJoe (please for the love of all that is good, let me watch Blue's Clues!)
Kitty
Shoes
Schocks (socks)
Washer (water)
Keys (her newest obsession)
Ball
Boon (balloon)
Happy
Sad (said in a low, slow tone with chin on chest)
Ease (easel)
Peeeese? (please)
L-l-libby (Libby, the dog)
Libby (the friend)
Ca-Bry (Aunt Rebecca & Uncle Bryan)

And our personal favorites:
Mommee? Mommee? Mommee? Mommee? Mommee?
Daddy? Daddy? Daddy?
Mommee? Mommee? Mommee? Mommee?

Just a sampling of life in our house...

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Things I have learned from reading children's books...

Baby rabbits are called kits or kittens until they get older, baby owls are called owlets or owl chicks (depends entirely on the book you believe) and that there are numberous ways to teach the alphabet.
I also know that time is no more precious than when Lauren looks up at me and says, "Weed! Weed!" And I nearly always do. She also loves when John "weeds" to her. What an amazing little critter!!

Saturday, January 08, 2005

And now, on with the show

We are broadening Lauren's TV watching horizons. I know. Such a lofty goal. Anyway, last night she was so tired she could hardly stand up and kept wanting to see "Buppy! Joe!" (translation: Blue's Clues) and I told her no because we only watch that during the daytime. I don't know why, but I don't have many rules and this is one I do. Moving on. I tried, in desperation, to show her something else. Anything else. I landed on Finding Nemo which I find to be a fabulous movie, but I fear I will soon be hating it because she LOVED IT! The actually first words out of her mouth when she woke this morning were, "Bish? Bish?" (translation: Fish? Fish?) I think I am creating a monster. But a cute one!

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

This time with a fever...

Lauren is teething and just 2 teeth from now, she will have them all. Therefore, last night when she was running a low fever, I figured teething.
Guess not.
This morning she woke up with a much higher fever, and felt crummy all day. Later in the day, I thought the fever broke, but I was wrong. She went to bed with a fever and I suspect will wake with one in the morning as well. I hate this. I wish I could make her better RIGHT NOW!!

When will I stop worrying about her? When my last breath is drawn I guess...