Lots of photos :-)

Happy November!

Kitty got her learners' permit! She drove to the community theatre that night (with Dave in the passenger seat). None of us had thought that through...it was rush hour on a major road. I think it's fair to say they were both stressed. Her second driving was with me coming back from church, with a ~ 20 minute detour for extra practice. Unfortunately, she hasn't had many opportunities because we only let her drive when her sisters aren't in the car and that's rare.

Kitty is extremely busy with theatre stuff. It's crunch time for her school production. She worked on the set and ran lights for another community production. She attended a theatre competition and a conference at two colleges with her school theatre group. And, she was accepted into the high school volunteer program at the theatre where Broadway shows are performed. With that, she'll get to attend several theatre workshops and usher shows ... which will allow her to see the shows for free!

Fatima wrote a great story that Dollbaby and I heard her read aloud at a recent Writing Celebration her class had for the parents. She's really enjoying chorus. I just wish she could practice without getting the songs stuck in MY head. I've caught myself humming "525,600 Minutes" way too often this week!

I played Bunco with ladies in my newcomers' group last week -- the first time since my second trimester with Dollbaby! It was a lot of fun. But, Dollbaby didn't fare so well without me that night. Dave and Fatima told me she screamed and cried the whole evening. She finally wore herself out and actually fell asleep in her highchair! Dave said she didn't even wake up when he changed her or put her to bed. Poor thing.

Other major Dollbaby moments:

* 1st Pair of Shoes ... The first Stride-Rite clerk put her in a shoe that was too advanced and she hated it and would not wear them. After several attempts, I returned them and the second clerk put her in an appropriate shoe, which has worked great. She doesn't even fuss when I put them on her anymore, although she often still curls her toes up making it hard to get them on!''

 First 1st pair -- wrong kind

 Second 1st pair -- the right kind!

* 1st Favorite Book... She has started bringing a book to me to read to her. She'll even sit on my lap for it! So sweet!! Her #1 fav is Baby Touch & Feel Animals (thanks Aunt Mary N.). Her #2 fav is Who Says Moo?

* 1st Cold :-(

* 1st Birthday!!! We had a sweet, low-key celebration with our family. We played, took lots of pictures, had cake, and took Dollbaby for a nature trail walk.

* 12 month checkup ... 29" (50th percentile) and 17# 2oz (8th percentile)

* 2nd Halloween ... Because it was cold, I didn't take Dollbaby with Fatima on the neighborhood parade or trick-or-treating. But, she had fun "helping" me pass out candy. She said Hi and giggled at some of the kids, many of whom ooohhed and aawwed over her :-)

   A southern-style pumpkin "patch"...transported pumpkins set out on the ground.

Fatima carved her pumpkin completely by herself this year!

Fatima dressed as a Athena.  

While trick-or-treating, Athena met Medusa!  (That little girl's costume was very creative, with foil crimped in her hair to make the snakes sticking out on her head.)

Dollbaby was a little fairy.

And a few more highlights from the past few weeks:

Dollbaby loves it when Fatima gives her a blanket ride!

Cuddling with Kitty.

More fun with Fatima :-)

 

Hope you enjoy this post.  I'd sure love to hear from you!
You can post a comment below or just email me :-)

Finally a new post!

Happy Fall!

Sorry it's been nearly 9 weeks since I posted an update. So much for staying current!
It's been so long, here's a reminder:  for security/privacy, from oldest to youngest I call them Kitty, Fatima & Dollbaby in the blog.

Kitty's in 11th grade now.  This semester, she has Honors Pre-Calculus, AP English III, Theatre II, and Honors Spanish III. She says Junior year is a killer! We're very proud of her for earning an award for having all A's last semester! She's been incredibly busy with theatre. She ran lights for a local community theatre production of Annie, working 100+ volunteer hours. Just as Annie was winding down, she started production of Jungle Book at school. She's the Technical Director in charge of designing and creating sets and costumes! Her ideas are really cool and I'm eager to see them transformed from paper to reality. She attended a day-long theatre seminar with a group from her school held at the college she hopes to attend. Then, a few days later, we went to a "first look" night for that college. Admissions staff, faculty, students and alumni came to our city to give a presentation. This weekend she attended her school's homecoming game and dance. And, today, she's at the local Renaissance festival. All typical of her busy, busy life!

Fatima's in 5th Grade.  She's doing great with her sewing lessons. She made a dress & matching purse that she wore to her cousin's wedding. (You can see them in our family photo below.) She also made an apron for me and is now working on a shirt. We went to see Toy Story 3 -- a fun movie! She also saw Alpha & Omega with my Mom. She's in the school chorus this year and was selected as a roving reporter for the school TV broadcasts. Yesterday was our community garage sale day. She and a friend set one up in our driveway. But, she spent more at other sales than she made at her own!

Our final stay-cation this summer was a trip for the entire family to the nearest zoo - about 90 minutes away. We had a great day. Since Dollbaby's "ugly time" kicks in after about 2 hours in the car, she was pretty good.

The trip to Atlanta for our niece's wedding was a different story. Just as at Easter, she was miserable (and therefore so was I) the second half of the trip. The visit itself was wonderful. It was the first time Dave's family had all been together since his father's funeral 11 years ago. It was great to see everyone. The wedding was lovely and the family gatherings, rehearsal dinner and reception were tons of fun! As a bonus, our nephew's daughter was born just a few days before the wedding, so we got to see and hold her :-)

Fatima, me, Dollbaby, Dave & Kitty after the Nuptial Mass.

We've had the pleasure of visitors twice. Our niece and her family came for a weekend. Dollbaby and her second cousin got to spend lots of time together :-) And, we all had a great visit -- wish they lived closer instead of having the Atlantic Ocean between us!

Dollbaby & Lilia

My Mom came for a week. We relaxed, read, played games, made doughnuts from scratch, went for walks, and visited a local botanical garden. It was wonderful that my sister Anne stayed with my Dad that week so Mom could get away.

Fatima & Grandma making homemade doughnuts!

Their Monopoly game lasted 3 days!

Grandma & our Dollbaby

My mom and her Dollbaby
(that's what she called me until I was 3yo).

Dave's been working on various house projects, as usual. The boat was finally repaired a few weeks ago. He & Fatima have gone out together twice.

Life for me is still pretty low-key. Dollbaby and I stay home except for walks and occasional errands. While nursing, sometimes during her naps, and some evenings, I enjoy watching various dvd series. I finished JAG, as well as seasons 1of Shark, NCIS LA and The Good Wife and seasons 1-3 of The Closer. Thanks to everyone for asking how my health is. I'm still improving from the Guillian-Barre Syndrome. Regaining strength and endurance is a long, slow process. I cringe every time I hear promos for the flu shot! The only activity I'm involved in this year is teaching 2nd grade Faith Formation (catechism) on Sunday afternoons. My class is a great size this year (only 14 students). They participate and are a lot of fun, which makes it a joy to teach. August & September are the months for Fall Consignment sales. The girls and I love to go treasure hunting! My best deals this season were for Dollbaby -- a $4 upholstered chair and a $5 stroller, plus clothes and toys.

Here she is in the chair, playing with a toy ~
found both at a consignment sale :-)

Everyone helping Dollbaby play with her new
walking toy (another great consignment sale find).

Dollbaby is getting more like a toddler and less like a baby, which is bittersweet. She's so fun and is developing her own personality. Yet, it's sad to see babyhood go.

Here are some of her feats since my last posting:
* 28.5" (~ 39th percentile) and 16.6# (< 3rd percentile)

* Climbs the stairs

* Her 2 top front teeth came in

* Plays ball (we roll it to her, she hands it to us)

* Has tried lots of different foods (her favorite is apples & blueberries -- she'll eat anything else if we add that to it!)

* Ate first table food (mashed roast & potatoes)

* Walks!

* Saw a dermatologist who confirmed the marks on her leg are birthmarks and will eventually fade

* First visit to a zoo!

* First non-family babysitter. (They both did fine.)

* Met her 8mo & 4 day old second cousins :-) :-)

* Attended her first wedding (she and I were in the narthex for most of it - I was so glad it was glassed in so I could still see!)

* Says Mama, Dada, and Hi - and means it!

* Started putting things in her mouth (after playing with her younger cousin who did it!)

* Waves bye-bye

* Trills (rolling r sound) - she does this when she's playing, but the funniest is when she does it fast and loud when she's angry!

* First big scare - fell down the stairs :-( -- someone had left the gate open :-( Blessedly, she was fine, just scared.

* First pair of jeans -- she couldn't move! ~ had to change her back to regular pants :-)

* Raises her hands high when we say, "How big is Dollbaby? This big!"

Likes:
* Taking all the books off the shelves
* Playing in Kitty's old garden toy
* Snuggling just before bed (but I have to hold her while standing -- no sitting!)

* Taking the top off her toy table and climbing inside

* Eating her socks!

Dislikes:
* Room temperature food (likes it cold - right from the fridge!)
* Loud noises - especially the scarry, scarry vacuum (also the popcorn popper, hair dryer, game buzzer, ...)

So Sweet:
* Wakes up happy & playful in the morning (even if it is 5-6am)
* Squeals in delight when Dave, Kitty and Fatima each come home after school / work

Some bonus photos of our little bundle of joy:

And, two videos of Dollbaby...

Early Walking

Advanced Walking...

Hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into our family!

Lots of Firsts

I can't believe it's been over six weeks since I last posted!

Kitty finished her Drivers' Ed. classroom and behind-the-wheel sessions. We haven't yet had a chance to go to the DMV to get her permit - or even to the school to pick up the certificate. That's on our to-do list for the next week or so. Then, she starts driving with us - yikes! She's been working on her online science class. She had a great time with the two-week community theatre intensive in July. She worked tech, helping to build the set and ran the lights for the show! The program billed her as "Master Electrician" - pretty cool sounding.
They asked her back for as many productions as she can fit into her schedule. She has already started working tech for their next show.
The second week of the theatre intensive was very intense for her, as that was also our VBS week. She worked VBS from 8am-12:30pm and theatre from 1pm-10pm! For VBS, she headed up the decorations, was the assistant skit director, and worked in the nursery. This past week she had an incredible experience at the Wisconsin Teens for Life Camp, returning last night very pumped up and full of zeal!

Fatima has been having a pretty low-key summer. She's enjoying playing with Dollbaby, Webkinz and friends. Her sewing lessons continue. She has now completed two dresses, one of which she hopes to wear to her cousin's wedding next month. She had her last VBS as a participant - next year she graduates to a volunteer. After VBS, we celebrated with a very cute movie - Despicable Me. She and Dave are in Atlanta this weekend. They also went there for the 4th of July weekend. She always loves to visit the cousins! This past week was a special treat - one the cousins spent the week with us! They had such a great time together, we pretty much only saw them for meals and the pool.  Here they are in matching outfits they chose:

Fatima, Dollbaby and I have been having some "stay-cation adventures" this summer. So far, we've gone to an art museum, natural history museum, and science museum. Dollbaby has been a great trooper and it's been lots of fun to see how much Fatima enjoys the outings.

                                       Art Museum - Queen Charlotte Painting

                                  Natural History Museum - T. Rex Model

                                  Having fun at the Natural History Museum!

            One of the new aquarium exhibits at the science museum

                      Hands on building fun at the science museum :-)

Dave seems to be fully recovered from his injured ribs. However, he still hasn't been able to ski much as the boat has had its own "injuries." Currently, it's in the shop for something extensive. I only remember the painful bottom line, not the reason. Hopefully, he'll get some good ski days in before the season ends. He's also done a few home projects. Mostly, he's having to work a lot lately :-( He did take a week of vacation, solo. Our original idea months ago was for all of us to travel north this summer. But, we nixed that idea after the unpleasant car ride to/from Atlanta with Dollbaby at Easter. Dave ended up having a great time. He went to Indianapolis and visited his aunts, brother, sister and friends, including a group of friends from high school. He also traveled to northern Kentucky to visit and ski with a friend - the same one with whom he went to Florida a few months ago (when he got injured). And, he spent a day in Dayton at the Air Force Museum.

My VBS program was well received. It was a fun week and was exciting and humbling to see the Holy Spirit at work through me. A few Directors at other parishes are reviewing it for feedback. I have a vision to publish it...we'll see where God leads. Dollbaby was great during VBS! Each day when we arrived (early), Fatima took care of her. Then, after the Opening Assembly, Kitty took her to the nursery and helped. I fed her during our daily prayer time in the sanctuary. Then, she'd fall asleep and I'd lay her in her port-a-crib in a big storage closet near my table. She would sleep until time to go home! 

My Dad, who has Alzheimer's, has had some setbacks the past few months. Dollbaby and I went home for a weekend visit in early July. He was blessed with good days while we were there and we had a great visit with my parents, sisters, sister-in-law, and nieces and nephews. 

                                     Grandpa, Dollbaby, Grandma

Dollbaby was, of course, the big hit. She was a little shy with everyone, but very taken with their dogs! While in Ohio, my sister and her kids introduced me to the game Banana Grams. I loved it, which is funny, because it requires some "jumble" skills, which I usually lack. But, I find it much easier and more enjoyable than Scrabble. I bought our own set when I returned. Fatima and Kitty have indulged me. When Fatima discovered that there are Apple and Pear Grams, she wants to try those, too. 

Since VBS ended, I've been able to kick back and relax for the first time in months. I read a great book, "No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy" by Fr. Donald Calloway. It's an absorbing, very well-written story of his conversion from a rebellious teen/druggie/Dead Head/atheist to a priest! I highly recommend it. I've also been watching the JAG dvds my Aunt lent me. I'm now into Season 8. I remembered several episodes in the early seasons, but the past few seasons were full of ones I'd never seen. The first few of Season 8 I remember, but I think this is the season when NCIS spun off, which I never saw, so I expect I'll soon reach the point where they're all new again (to me). Dollbaby and I went to a going away party for a friend of mine from my newcomers group who moved to Atlanta. Interestingly, Dollbaby wouldn't let my lady friends hold her, but went to their husbands without a problem!

Dollbaby is now 9 months old! She's a petite, lean little thing: 27" (25th-50th percentile) and 14# 13oz (less than 5th percentile). She has had many firsts over the past six weeks! Here are some key ones:
FIRST
* teeth (2 bottom front)
* clapped
* cruised
* big bathtub (with Mama)
* injury - fell on a toy and got a big "goose egg" and bruise :-(
* plane ride - to/from Ohio
* saw Grandpa, Uncles, Aunt Teri, and Ohio cousins
* VBS and first nursery (with Kitty)
* museums - art, natural history and science
* solid foods (rice, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, peas so far)
* climbed up stairs
* said "Mama" and meant it!
* library story time (won't do that again -- picture 30 babies and their parents and all the parents talking the whole time -- can you say CHAOS!)

Adding solids has had the opposite affect on her sleeping habits than conventional wisdom says -- she has regressed to waking up to nurse 2-3 times a night now. I'm hoping this is a VERY short-lived phase!

Here's Dollbaby's first clapping, which we just happened to capture on video!


 
And, a few fun pictures of Dollbaby...

                                    She loves to tear napkins and tissues!

      Climbing under the table Grandpa's Grandpa bought for his bride.

                                              Silly face :-)

    She always grabs the spoon, so I just give her an extra one to hold.

                                  She does NOT like the bib!

                                 Along for a ride while Fatima cleans :-)


I'm going to try to resume blogging more frequently and consistently. I'd love to hear from you, too!