"Mom, I have a wiggly tooth!"
Taylor has his first loose tooth! His left lower central incisor! (I looked up teeth nomenclature/dental anatomy... ;) )
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
In All Their Glory...
We had a crafty afternoon today! Taylor and Averi started painting while Ella was down for her nap. When Ella awoke, she joined in very nicely, to my relief! Taylor was quite gallant about sharing his paints--another relief!
Don't Averi's eyes look stunning!? ;) Not perfect, but much better.
Averi is also the lone lefty... Just like Aunt Liz! ;)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Ah, the movies of my youth!
Taylor expressed an unprompted interest in watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I couldn't help but watch it with him. The memories were fun and Taylor actually enjoyed the film.
My baby's growing up!
Taylor expressed an unprompted interest in watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I couldn't help but watch it with him. The memories were fun and Taylor actually enjoyed the film.
My baby's growing up!
Cookies
I bought several pails of cookie dough from one of Taylor's school fundraisers. Since Taylor's Spring Break pretty much started today, we all watched eagerly for the colorful candy-filled cookies to bake. When they were finally done, I informed the kids that they still had to cool.
Ten minutes later...
Busted! ;)
Ten minutes later...
Taylor: Why are two cookies gone?
Mommy (somewhat guiltily): I had to test them to see if they were done...
Taylor: But why did you have to test two?
Busted! ;)
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sweet Ella
Ella keeps getting easier to handle, especially in public places. One of the cute things that she does is blow kisses to passers-by...
Awww!
However, sweet Ella is also my first stripper child... When at home, she can have her PJs or pants off in seconds! Occasionally, her diaper, as well... :(
She's also our first pooh-painter. Not for me, not at my house. But for poor Linda, her caregiver!! I was mortified!
That story, however, doesn't beat the story of Taylor's caregiver, Michelle, who had twins doing it!
Awww!
However, sweet Ella is also my first stripper child... When at home, she can have her PJs or pants off in seconds! Occasionally, her diaper, as well... :(
She's also our first pooh-painter. Not for me, not at my house. But for poor Linda, her caregiver!! I was mortified!
That story, however, doesn't beat the story of Taylor's caregiver, Michelle, who had twins doing it!
Garlic Spread
I purchased a tub of garlic spread from the grocery store to make our own garlic bread with. (Yes, I realize I could make my own garlic spread but it's always better when someone else makes it...)
One evening, a couple of weeks ago, Shawn informed me that the dip I bought was terrible...
Um, yuck!!!
One evening, a couple of weeks ago, Shawn informed me that the dip I bought was terrible...
Um, yuck!!!
Lindsay's Baby Shower
Lindsay's expecting her first baby, a girl, next month! Look at the shining mother-to-be!
We took the whole family down to Lethbridge; Shawn and Uncle Kyle kept the kids occupied elsewhere while we had the baby shower. Averi stayed, however, and was pretty good.
At the end, she pulled up a giant gift bag and some of the presents to make a sort of pallet to lie on!
After that, the giant gift bag became a peek-a-boo game...
After that, the giant gift bag became a potato sack that she hopped around in! Vickie got some great photos of that and I await them!
We took the whole family down to Lethbridge; Shawn and Uncle Kyle kept the kids occupied elsewhere while we had the baby shower. Averi stayed, however, and was pretty good.
At the end, she pulled up a giant gift bag and some of the presents to make a sort of pallet to lie on!
After that, the giant gift bag became a peek-a-boo game...
After that, the giant gift bag became a potato sack that she hopped around in! Vickie got some great photos of that and I await them!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
The Money Shot
I finally got a good close-up of Avi's healing eyes...
Due to the swelling, her eyes are pointing in all different directions... But she's doing just fine!
Due to the swelling, her eyes are pointing in all different directions... But she's doing just fine!
Monday, March 14, 2011
She's Oooon the Phone!
To explain the title: One of my favorite spoofs by John Bytheway is "She's on the Phone" set to the music of "You're Not Alone" by Michael McLean.
Ella likes to turn everything into a telephone: thermometers, remote controls and, of course, the portable shower heads...
She's always happy to say "hello" on real phones as well!
Ella likes to turn everything into a telephone: thermometers, remote controls and, of course, the portable shower heads...
She's always happy to say "hello" on real phones as well!
Avi's Surgery
Averi opened her eyes this morning.
Her eyes are still quite swollen and the lateral aspect of each eye is incredibly bloodshot. She's been lovingly referred to as our "vampire child." :) She is, quite obviously, very happy.
Her surgery on Friday, March 11th went excellently. She took some time to revive from the anesthetic but was much more reasonable than last time. She drank plenty of fluids right away, as well as a popsicle and some jello.
Her superbly dedicated surgeon has called once or twice a day to check up on her over the weekend. Avi's next appt with her is on Friday.
The helium balloon in the photo is from her caregiver, Linda. It came along with a care package that included crayons, a coloring book, Dora cards and snacks (which she couldn't eat until after the surgery). I was quite grateful for these activities as the wait for her surgery always seems to take forever...
I was unable to accompany her into the OR this time. I was of two minds about it anyway, since last time was somewhat traumatizing... It's very difficult to watch your child fight the strange smelling gas and then go completely helpless. The reason I didn't accompany her this time, however, was due to an injury I received while dropping Ella off at her caregiver's home... I slipped on some ice and bruised my knee (enough to limp for only a little while) and seriously sprained (my guess) my arm. I thought I had dislocated it at first since I could barely move my right arm/elbow/wrist without acute pain. I was left to guard it for the remainder of the day, disappointingly useless to my daughter while she was in the hospital. The staff were considerate and fashioned a makeshift sling for me (I believe it was a baby blanket).
While waiting for Averi during her surgery, a code blue was called in the Daysurgery department. A code blue indicates some sort of serious medical event, usually cardiac or respiratory arrest. Every parent in the room stopped what they were doing and held their breath. One mother then proceeded to panic and wail, requiring comfort from her mother and reassurances to her young son. Another mother started crying quietly. I just stared at the Daysurgery doors and waited for news. The code blue team rushed through the waiting room into Daysurg, inciting more panic to those present. I can't stand dramatics... Anyway, it turned out that a PARENT accompanying their child into Daysurgery had passed out, due to lack of food. (I think all parents go without food when their child also has to... I just went to the cafeteria as soon as they took Avi away... ;) ) It was a relief to hear but I couldn't help rolling my eyes at those who had chosen to engage in theatrics instead of waiting for an actual announcement.
The most mortifying thing about the whole experience was that the surgeon herself helped me to my van with Averi after discharge. No, wait... the most mortifying thing about the whole experience was that the surgeon paid for my parking because my debit card had become damaged in my pants pocket, where I had left it for easier access due to my injury. Of course, I'm paying her back but it was just a terrible day, in general.
Anyway, my range of motion has improved, though I still can't wash dishes (tee hee!) or write very well. Typing is much easier. ;)
Her eyes are still quite swollen and the lateral aspect of each eye is incredibly bloodshot. She's been lovingly referred to as our "vampire child." :) She is, quite obviously, very happy.
Her surgery on Friday, March 11th went excellently. She took some time to revive from the anesthetic but was much more reasonable than last time. She drank plenty of fluids right away, as well as a popsicle and some jello.
Her superbly dedicated surgeon has called once or twice a day to check up on her over the weekend. Avi's next appt with her is on Friday.
The helium balloon in the photo is from her caregiver, Linda. It came along with a care package that included crayons, a coloring book, Dora cards and snacks (which she couldn't eat until after the surgery). I was quite grateful for these activities as the wait for her surgery always seems to take forever...
I was unable to accompany her into the OR this time. I was of two minds about it anyway, since last time was somewhat traumatizing... It's very difficult to watch your child fight the strange smelling gas and then go completely helpless. The reason I didn't accompany her this time, however, was due to an injury I received while dropping Ella off at her caregiver's home... I slipped on some ice and bruised my knee (enough to limp for only a little while) and seriously sprained (my guess) my arm. I thought I had dislocated it at first since I could barely move my right arm/elbow/wrist without acute pain. I was left to guard it for the remainder of the day, disappointingly useless to my daughter while she was in the hospital. The staff were considerate and fashioned a makeshift sling for me (I believe it was a baby blanket).
While waiting for Averi during her surgery, a code blue was called in the Daysurgery department. A code blue indicates some sort of serious medical event, usually cardiac or respiratory arrest. Every parent in the room stopped what they were doing and held their breath. One mother then proceeded to panic and wail, requiring comfort from her mother and reassurances to her young son. Another mother started crying quietly. I just stared at the Daysurgery doors and waited for news. The code blue team rushed through the waiting room into Daysurg, inciting more panic to those present. I can't stand dramatics... Anyway, it turned out that a PARENT accompanying their child into Daysurgery had passed out, due to lack of food. (I think all parents go without food when their child also has to... I just went to the cafeteria as soon as they took Avi away... ;) ) It was a relief to hear but I couldn't help rolling my eyes at those who had chosen to engage in theatrics instead of waiting for an actual announcement.
The most mortifying thing about the whole experience was that the surgeon herself helped me to my van with Averi after discharge. No, wait... the most mortifying thing about the whole experience was that the surgeon paid for my parking because my debit card had become damaged in my pants pocket, where I had left it for easier access due to my injury. Of course, I'm paying her back but it was just a terrible day, in general.
Anyway, my range of motion has improved, though I still can't wash dishes (tee hee!) or write very well. Typing is much easier. ;)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Amicable Averi
Averi made some fast friends, children and adult!, in the Costco checkout line. As we were leaving, she stopped, turned to face the line and exclaimed, "Good-bye, my friends!"
Ella's Verbiage
Ella has added the following words to her vocabulary:
- "No!"
- "Mine" (she's had this one awhile... I think Grandpa Nelson teaches it to all the grandkids right off)
- "Why?" (already??)
- "I don't know..." (seriously?!)
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Ella: Verbally Progressing
Ella seems to be really taking off verbally! She can replicate a lot of words that we ask her to repeat.
Her versions of "cheese," "juice" and other words along those lines come out as "ch--" with a lot of crackling spit in her mouth. Sounds very German. ;)
My favorite is her version of "Dude-y," which is the nickname we frequently call Taylor. Ella says "Du-du" which rewards her with hysterical laughter every time. :) It takes a little bit of time to get her to say it in the following footage, but by the end you can hear it very clearly. :)
Her versions of "cheese," "juice" and other words along those lines come out as "ch--" with a lot of crackling spit in her mouth. Sounds very German. ;)
My favorite is her version of "Dude-y," which is the nickname we frequently call Taylor. Ella says "Du-du" which rewards her with hysterical laughter every time. :) It takes a little bit of time to get her to say it in the following footage, but by the end you can hear it very clearly. :)
School Volunteering
Although it has been detrimental to our finances, I have been blessed with the opportunity to volunteer a few mornings in Taylor's Kindergarten class. It is such a pleasure to witness him in his school environment and I have learned several things about teaching children his age.
This morning, the children were learning how to spell the new month: M-a-r-c-h. The teacher remarked that the 'ch' sound also begins the train sound "choo-choo."
Taylor's words:
"Choo-choo-choose the right!"
Such a pleasure to hear! ;)
This morning, the children were learning how to spell the new month: M-a-r-c-h. The teacher remarked that the 'ch' sound also begins the train sound "choo-choo."
Taylor's words:
"Choo-choo-choose the right!"
Such a pleasure to hear! ;)
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