Strawberry Picking

Today we went strawberry picking! It was a lot of fun. We ate apple cider donuts and headed over to the field. Jordan and Lilly ran through the field having a good 'ol time.

This is what Lilly did when she wasn't running with Jordan...

She ate so many strawberries! I am really hoping the berries weren't sprayed with pesticide!

Lilly and Jordan searching for the right berry and the crew minus mommies trying to find the biggest strawberry. We were competing but after all the fun forgot to see who the winner was!



All done and ready to head home!

Friday

Today was a busy day for me and Lilly. And when I woke up I thought to myself, "I have nothing to do today!"

Visited with Babcia (Andy's mom - Babcia is polish for grandmother) all morning and had lunch together. Lilly played in her very large backyard feeding the birds, chasing the cats and dogs, and just messing around. She had a ball.

After Lilly woke from her nap we headed to Target and Pottery Barn Kids for 2 "quick" errands. Well Target turned into a whole event because they double charged me and I realized it after I was in the car with Lilly strapped in. I had to lug all the bags and Lilly back into Target to plead my case. As I'm waiting for the girl to figure it all out Lilly decides it's the perfect time to take a poop. So she's grunting in the center of Customer Service while saying, "Mommy I pooping!". It's 85 degrees outside and I'm in pants since I have no shorts that fit. I take her back to the car and change her diaper on the floor of the van (the van DOES come in handy big time for things like this). Then I head to PBK's to exchange something. Uneventful trip. Made it home just in time to greet Andy and my friend Stephanie and her son Jordan. They joined us for dinner.

By the time I came into the house to put Lilly to bed it was 8:05pm! She usually goes to bed by 7:30pm but we lost track of time. The kids were barefoot and playing in a mud puddle in the driveway/street. They were having so much fun and it was gorgeous weather. I gave Lilly a quick bath (no time for hair) and put her straight to bed without books. She's still tossing and turning but is quiet.

Tomorrow we're going strawberry picking so I'll be sure to get some pictures!

Sweetness

My sweet girl. We had a really nice day together. Took her up to my former school to watch the spring chorus concert and she was such an angel and everyone loved her. She sat on a folding chair and watched the whole thing and clapped after each number. She also showed a shy side (GASP I was shocked) which was endearing. People would say, "Hi! What's your name?" and she'd say, "I Lilly. I am TWO!" and hold up 2 fingers. I was melting. This evening the weather was breath taking and we sat on the front porch watching the robins pluck worms from our front yard. Lilly loves to be outside (barefoot or naked preferably) and it was just so nice sitting there chatting with her about nature and our day.

Best Buds

I don't know how he does it... Jordan is a saint. Saint Jordan. Lilly has abused the hell out of him and he still smiles and loves her more than ever even though she has been known to hit, kick, and torture him. And I must say that she is really starting to love him too. She wakes up and asks me if she's going to see Jordy and will get very excited when we talk about him. So sweet that she has such a nice little friend.

Baby #2

*Head on the left looking up, body then legs bent. Spine underneath. Profile shot.*
This might be hard to see but it's a BABY with a beating heart, 2 arms, 2 legs, and a spine! Well that's what I was able to see anyway. I am so happy that I was able to get a glimpse of him/her today and know that everything looks good. I am in my 16th week. Had a normal appt. today but due to some concerns from my last visit the doctor was kind enough to take a look for me today. He's a very wonderful doctor which is why I drive all the way to U of Penn. Well worth it!

Milestones

This is a first...

Lilly ate her ENTIRE lunch. It consisted of half of a ham and cheese sandwich (with mayo for the first time!), strawberries, pineapple, cantelope, blueberries, and 2 pretzels. This is the first time in 2.3 years that the child has eaten a "normal" and complete lunch. I'm excited. I don't expect you to be.

Ahhh, how the small joys in life give me happiness!

*Disclaimer - while she DID eat the entire lunch I failed to mention I let her eat it in my bed while watching Caillou. But it still counts!!!

Memorial Day

We had a very nice cookout with our friends Steph, Mike, and Jordan. Lilly and Jordan played while we all chatted and enjoyed the gorgeous weather. We enjoyed burgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, caesar salad, corn on the cob, and fruit with whip cream for dessert. It's so nice to have such wonderful friends to spend days like this with.

Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day weekend!  Thank you to all the men and women that give their lives and those that are fighting for our country.  I always keep them in my prayers and hope that you do too.

We've had a nice weekend so far and I will take some pictures to post tomorrow.  Thought about taking my camera with us to a BBQ tonight but didn't and am glad for that decision since it was a pool party for 11 year old boys ... water everywhere.

Yesterday Andy and Lilly went to gymnastics while I made a quick WalMart stop. Then we met the photographer at our house to review the pictures he took of Lilly.  THEY ARE GORGEOUS if I must say so myself.  This guy is brilliant.  I love how he can make the scenery in the background really pop.  The unfortunate news is I wrote a check for a lot of money.  How could we watch him delete the pictures of our Lilly?  At least Andy and I are on the same page with this and without hesitation signed the check over to Mr. Bruce.  I have got to make sure I only call him once a year.  I don't know what we'll do when we have baby #2 - back to Babies R Us or Sears.

Yesterday evening I was pleasantly surprised when my friend Jackie asked me to go get a pedicure with her!  What a treat!!  I put cash in my wallet and headed out with no cell phone or bag.  It was wonderful and my toes look nice.  Lilly has been spending a lot of time with me lately since Andy is at the end of a busy school year so I have noticed a pique in her separation anxiety this weekend (I never really leave her I guess).  She got very upset when I dropped her and Andy off for gymnastics and again upset when I left with Jackie for the pedicure.  But Andy assured me she only cried for a minute each time.  And I know it's good for her (and me?) but it's NOT easy, that's for sure.

Today I had another treat!  Big weekend for me!  I went with another friend (Donna) to a new church (Hope Methodist where Lilly will be attending preschool in the fall).  I love our church but Donna raves about this one (it's not even her church she's been following a book study) and I figured it would be nice to make a visit.  I also thought it would give me some insight into their worship since Lilly will be attending in the fall and it is a very Christian-based preschool.  I really enjoyed it (Donna was right).  It is very similar to the contemporary service we attend at our church... live music/band, words on a screen, casual attire, contemporary Christian music (blended with some traditional), very friendly people, clapping, hands raised in worship, etc.  I love that type of service and the icing on the cake was they said the Lord's Prayer which our contemporary service does not and I miss greatly.

After Lilly's afternoon nap (and a nap for myself) we went to a BBQ/birthday party for Thomas our friend's son who is turning 11.  We go every year to his party which always is celebrated on Memorial Day weekend.  They have a pool, great food, good company, music, old friends, and the weather was AMAZING.  Lilly had a blast.  She wanted to swim which I wasn't prepared for (thinking the big boys would be splashing wildly which they were) so she went in naked at first and then with a regular diaper.  It was ICE COLD so she sat on a boogie board while Daddy held her. *Poor Daddy - he threw his back out and has been in great pain all weekend long.  Holding Lilly on the boogie board almost did him in*  Lilly did have one 2 accidents while we were there.  She walked in front of a little girl swinging and it knocked her down (she was fine) and she slid down the slide with a large (think 4.5 ft) piece of wood with a nail in it and when she hit the bottom the wood cut her.  She has a large abrasion from her rt. shoulder do her rt. elbow (inner arm).  It could have been much worse so we are grateful.  I of course kept rehashing the incident in my head wondering if I could have done anything different but think I did as much as I could provided it happened very quickly.  I helped her climb up the back of the play house then I walked around to the front to spot her on the slide.  By that time she'd picked up the piece of wood that was apparently in the playhouse and was sitting to slide.  When I saw the wood and got close enough she was already down the slide.  Thank the Lord that she was ok.  I cringe thinking about what could have happened.

Tomorrow we are cooking out with good friends (Stephanie, Mike, and their son Jordan). I am excited.

Good night.

Lilly's Favorite Breakfast

Lilly is not into food like her mommy! She wakes around 6 a.m. and will not ask for food (if ever) until at least 9:30 a.m. It's amazing to me. And the strange thing is Andy nor I eat breakfast. But of course she's been raised having breakfast. I think it's in the genes! My mom didn't eat breakfast either and I'm pretty sure Sherry or Steph don't really eat it... Hmmm... Can't yet be learned behavior because I always sit with Lilly while she eats and I'll eat dry Cheerios or something so she's not eating alone. She surely doesn't have Papa's affection for breakfast but maybe she'll get there one day.

When she does eat it's like a bird. Some dry cheerios, 3 bites of a pancake, a small bowl of cereal, fruit (the child will ALWAYS eat fruit of any kind), french toast if I'm a really good mommy and make it for her, and eggs if Andy's home and makes it for her but even that she's starting to turn away.

But I did find something she loves!!!



The child loves her some good smoothie! So does her momma! So I often make us a smoothie that we split and everyone's happy. I figure she's getting yogurt, fruit, and juice so it can't be bad for her. I have always loved fruit smoothies so maybe she is a little like me after all (though I can't believe she doesn't share my love of french fries! *gasp).

"Where da soap Mommy?"

We hid the soap because Lilly always goes in the bathroom and washes her hands. So she took matters into her own hands and was looking for the soap. I was watching TV assuming she was just in there washing... forgot Andy hid the soap.

St. Andrew's Picnic

Yesterday was Lilly's end of the year St. Andrew's picnic. It was a really nice time. We actually ended up eating inside the church since it was muddy outside and then the kids played outside. We took a big blanket, spread it on the floor, and enjoyed a yummy lunch with Lilly's friend Braden and his mom Amanda. The rest of the class was there as well and Lilly enjoyed playing with them.


She even shared her bag of cheetos with Riley.


For the last 15 minutes of the picnic when most kids had gone home Lilly, Joseph, Riley, and Braden chased Riley's dad around nonstop. It was really funny watching them run and run and run in circles and never tire. Mr. Crouse however was sweating and exhausted! It was right up Lilly's alley. When we got home she passed out on the couch snoring and all.


Lilly with her teacher Mrs. Meloche.

My Alma Mater

Andy's guidance counselor was so sweet and thought of Lilly (and me) on her visit to JMU a couple weeks ago. She brought Lilly 2 sweatshirts. I'm so glad because I don't have any JMU clothes left and I loved it there.

First Haircut

So today we decided to take Lilly to get her first haircut. There is a local place called Kids Cuts that specializes in just kiddie haircuts! I was actually worried Lilly would get upset since she was repeating, "No haircut Mommy, no cut" but I reminded her that she would get a sucker and then she smiled (I was hoping they gave suckers and they did). It was really cute inside. The kids get to pick an animal to sit on. While Lilly was obsessed with the horses she picked the frog. So cute! The lady, Laura, trimmed up the back and angled the sides (I had specific instructions of no bangs - the straight across kind - for fear of a Julie Andrews look-a-like cut). Lilly was very very good and seemed to enjoy it. I suddenly felt like sobbing my eyes out and started to tear. I had to bend down and pretend I was messing with Lilly's cape so people wouldn't think I was a freak. Then I looked at Andy and said, "I could totally cry" and he said, "I'm feeling a little choked up" so I figured it was a normal reaction!! Our baby girl is growing up! I remember feeling like crying at her 2 year birthday party also.

She has told everyone about her haircut. It's really cute and she's very proud.

Mt. Misery

Well, Andy's been gone just about all week but yesterday we got to see him with his students at Mt. Misery. This is a gorgeous campground in the pinelands of NJ. Most 6th graders in southern NJ go for a 2 night stay to learn survival skills and other fun stuff. Andy was there with 5 bus loads of 11-12 year olds. And he stayed in a cabin with 26 prepubescent boys...

He needed a few hours of coverage for the nurse on site so having healthcare provider CPR (EMT stuff) I was approved to take the shift. Thank goodness of the 10 kids I saw no one had a serious injury. That would have been just my luck.

Lilly enjoyed playing with Daddy and watching the big kids (she LOVES bigger kids). There's a little girl who lives on the campground and Lilly played (not so nicely) with her. The little girl actually told me, "Lilly threw sand on me and her daddy didn't give her a time out." Story of my life.

As we were leaving Lilly was running ahead to the car (we were starving since we were unable to stomach the dining hall food that was served) and suddenly her pants fell to her ankles! She's my little skinny minny! So I grabbed the camera out of my bag and caught the shot. She proceeded to run with the pants around her ankles which I cannot share but still have the image in my head. It was so funny.

It's the only picture I took while we were there but it captures the night perfectly.

Sweet Girl

This morning I had Lilly's 2 year pictures taken (finally). We had a photographer come to the house and I'm so excited to see the results! I won't get to see the proofs until May 24 so I have to be patient. Lilly did a great job! It was hardly 50 degrees and I had Lilly outside in her Easter dress (short-sleeves) and barefoot in wet grass! She never even complained. *I did have a sweater and socks/shoes in my bag if she had complained!!*

After the photo session Lilly and I went out for a bagel. She sat like a lady in the bagel shop and had her bagel and milk and we chatted :-).

I realized as we were walking to the car that I needed to stop by Commerce Bank (in the same shopping center) to get her nursery school teachers an end-of-the-year gift (Visa gift cards) so we walked to the bank. As we enter the bank Lilly is all smiles and says, "Hi!" to every single patron and extends her hand to shake. They called us over and she climbed into the big chair while I sat next to her. The lady asked Lilly if she wanted a coloring book and crayons and Lilly said, "Yes ma'am" and I could have just melted. I have worked on this with her (very little) and sometimes she'll say it to me but never to anyone else and I always have to remind her. The lady was completely smitten with her. Lilly proceeded to sit and color and sing while I got the gift cards. One of the other ladies came over to ooh and ahh over her and Lilly held a nice little conversation with her... such a charmer when she wants to be. As we left Lilly went to every single desk in the bank and waved, blew a kiss, and said, "Bye bye!" in the cheeriest voice you've ever heard.

As we walked back across the parking lot I was glowing. I love her so much. I love her spunky and friendly personality. She can be such a doll.

Just thought I'd share...

High Class

Lifestyles of the rich and famous here I come! I love high end hotels! Woo hoo! I am a changed woman!! Ok, back to reality.

Today I was fortunate to receive an invite to lunch at the Four Seasons in Philly. Lilly and I changed out of our sweats and headed there (during nap time) with our friends Stephanie and Jordan (aka "Jordy" by Lilly). Stephanie's husband, Mike, has worked for the company for 15 years and this weekend will be his last. He will be moving on professionally so we went in for a last hoorah. It was very very kind of them to invite us and to treat us like royalty! What a treat. Doors were opened, lots of introductions, smiling faces, gifts for the kids, any food prepared for the kids, etc. It is evident that Mike is well respected and loved by all.

I had a delicious meal! Me - the picky eater! I ordered a turkey sandwich with provolone (NO spinach please) and was thinking in my head, "What will I put on it?" but there was no need. It was the tastiest turkey I have ever tasted. It was like turkey au jois. Scrumptious. And the fries were to die for. My kind of meal. I am sill suffed! Lilly had chicken fingers and fries but ate very little since I took so much fruit and bribery food that filled her before the meal arrived. But Jordan was glad to take it home to eat later - he's our chicken fingers boy!

Days like this are so much fun. Spontaneous fun with a great friend. I am glad I took my camera to capture the day.

Baby Accesories

Today I made my first purchase for baby #2!! I have not even thought of buying for this baby or 2 kids but was at a baby store buying a gift for a friend when of course Lilly disappeared. Thankfully it was a tsunami outside so I was the only crazy person out shopping and we had the store to ourselves. When I finally found Lilly she was strapped in a stroller, sitting perfectly still, with the sun shade pulled down. I actually walked right past her the first time saying, "Lilly?" and on my way back saw her footie pajamas. Pajamas... yes you read that right. Lilly wore her footie pajamas out to do errands. It was a battle I just chose not to fight today. (On our second set of errands this afternoon she wore the pj's AND ladybug rain boots over top of the footie feet). Anyway, it happened to be a stroller I've heard a lot of good things about from people that use double strollers. And the way Lilly runs frequently, I know we'll need a double stroller. Hell if I'm pushing new baby in the stroller and trusting Lilly to walk next to me, lol.

I called Andy and consulted with a good friend (thanks Krissy!) and ended up buying the stroller. It was on sale so I didn't get to pick the color but charcoal is a neutral color and while they did have an apple green (think Granny Smith apples) I do not need to stand out in a crowd when half the time I'm in sweats and a pony tail.

So here are some pictures of the new stroller off a website I used when researching (I did come home w/out buying it and did some research and then went back to get it).

The selling point for me was that it's the width of a single stroller so shopping in stores and going through doors won't be crazy like it would with a side by side double stroller.

Happy Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day and I'm feeling so blessed to have such a wonderful family. Last night Andy and I went on a date! Unfortunately, the need for the event we attended is a sad one. One of our dear friends' sister-in-law (31 years old) has thyroid cancer that has spread throughout her body. Sadly there is not anything left to try. In her honor her family, with her help, threw a fundraiser to raise money for thyroid research. We went and had a really nice time together. Thanks to Jackie (our dear dear friend) we had the luxury of spending our evening alone and together and knowing that Lilly was in the best hands possible. We talked with friends, laughed with one another, and even won TWO of the raffles (an Asian vase and Ralph Lauren cashmere blanket!). Andy held out to the bitter end for the 50/50 but we had won enough and our number was not called.

I appreciate my husband for all he does to provide for and love me and Lilly. He is a wonderful man, hard worker, great father-son-friend-husband-student-principal... I look forward to bringing our 2nd bundle of joy into this world and this family. We have many things to be thankful for. We are blessed and I thank God for that every day.

I hope you all had a nice Mother's Day.

Backyard Fun

We got a swing set in our backyard thanks to Andy! We ordered this months ago during a big sale and got a rain check. Finally last week they called that it was in. We picked it up and Andy spent last Saturday building it. It came in pieces. I was impressed because he was very patient and calm during the process. I didn't have him assemble the monkey bars (that would go out from the left by the clubhouse) because I figure Lilly would try them on her own and that's how Bailee broke her arm at 3. So for now she can swing, climb, and slide which is plenty. She loves it. Stays on it as long as we let her. Swinging is her #1 favorite by far.

Oh Holy Mess

Every morning I take a shower and Lilly plays upstairs in her room or in the bathroom. The other day I got out of the shower and noticed she hadn't been in the bathroom as she usually is during my shower. And she was very very quiet. I started getting ready and realized it just wasn't normal to hear NOTHING from her so I went into her bedroom to find this...

And I really wish the picture did it justice. There was powder in the drawers, on the blinds, in her toy boxes, baby stroller, crib, rocking chair, furniture (dripping down the sides and in the crevices) and on her head, face, and pj's. She was standing there shocked (worried?) with a deer in headlights gaze. I could hardly see her through the unsettled powder in the air (did I mention it's not good on the lungs?).

I'm sure you're thinking, "And you rewarded her by taking a picture?" and well yes and no. I was like, "OH MY GOSH HAVE YOU LOST YOUR EVER LOVING MIND?" first and then I said, "Well Mommy's going to have to take a picture to show Daddy and then you're going to have to tell him what you did!" and that was how I tried to disguise my need for the picture. And we did call Daddy and she did tell him.

It was really pretty funny except for the fact that my morning sickness is back in full swing and I had to get the vacuum and clean it all up while sweating and dry heaving.

Gotta love my girl!

Smart Girl

"I know this will get me a popsicle from the ice cream truck. All I had to do was get it out of Mommy's wallet. So easy."

Blog

If you are interested in crying your eyes out night after night I suggest you check out this blog...

www.mattlogelin.com

I cannot stay away.

Is this for real?

Ok, so I made a decision last night that I would not take Lilly to any of her activities for at least a week (no school tomorrow and no music next week). Instead I am taking her with a friend to Pump It Up tomorrow - huge indoor inflatable slides and jumping thingys. I think it's right up her alley.

Today was a nice day. I had an orthodontist appointment where she was a total angel sitting in her stroller with snacks for an hour. This afternoon I ran to the grocery store to get ingredients for dinner (delicious beef stroganoff - new recipe). When we got home and I unhooked Lilly from her car seat she pulled her same 'ol escape trick that she's been pulling for weeks (months?) now. She quickly slithers out of the seat (of course my hands are full of groceries) and takes off. Keep in mind it's a van and there's TONS of room in there. It's like a bus. She leaps over the back seat, hides from me, will NOT get out, takes DVD's and tries to shove them in the DVD player, turns on the wipers... you get the gist. It's something that bugs me SO VERY MUCH. Lately I have been really good about having my hands free and grabbing her right out of her car seat so we haven't had to deal with it. Well today she was having a standoff with me. She was up against the opposite side of the van up on an armrest and leaning against the window grinning. So I said, "Ok Lilly, what's it going to take for me to get you out of here?"

And she says, "Count Mommy, two, one..."

*sidenote - I have been trying to use a strategy I picked up from my pediatrician and many mothers based on a book titled 1-2-3 Magic. It makes wonderful sense. The idea is when there's a behavior you don't like or want to correct you say, "That's 1." If the behavior continues, "That's 2" and so on to 3. You are calm and unemotional. If you get to 3 you take the child to their room for a little break for (in Lilly's case) 2 minutes. It is not a punishment and you do not get angry or lecture. You put in room and close the door. They can play in their room. After 2 minutes (the age of the child) you open the door and you DO NOT rehash the incident. You resume your day/activities. Eventually the child will learn that they don't like being taken away and will learn to make decisions to stop the behavior before 3. I like the concept. But it doesn't take into consideration if I'm on the deck or in the family room I have to hike up 12 steps with Lilly to put her in her room for a measly 2 minutes. Call me lazy. I am. So I've been doing it halfass (which I'm sure doesn't help matters). She doesn't like to go in her room but it doesn't change her behavior when I count. Also, I can't keep my mouth shut and insist on reminding her why she's in there and rehashing. So I'm breaking all the rules.

Back to the story...

So I say, "One , t..." and at this point she's smiling and leaps into my arms and exits the car without a fuss.

Are you kidding me? It was that easy? I just had to ask her how I should discipline her and it would work?

Amazing.