The Sigler Family

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day 2011

2012-01-04T22:19:00.000-05:00

Christmas Catch-Up

2011-12-23T23:12:00.000-05:00

we so rarely see her asleep - that this was picture worthy! She fell asleep during books at bedtime!

Every Westminster child is highlighted as "artist of the month"- Imogene's turn in December!

We had a wonderful time surprising the girls with a trip to see Sesame Street Live. Lily said that even though it was really a surprise for Imogene (since she's too big for SS) - she had a great time. We all did!

Lily had a Monday off in December, so we went with friends to see ICE at the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor. It was fascinating. But freezing inside (2 degrees to be exact) and Imogene was really freaked out by the ice statues. They both Loved the Ice Slides though!

Perhaps the high-light of the school year to this point, Lily's Hip Hop performance. She had a blast and really, really knew her stuff. We LOVED every minute of it.

Imogene's Christmas Party at school.

Her favorite thing - the "happy hearts" prayer!

Showing off the cookie she made and decorated!

I cannot count the number of hugs and "Merwy Chriwsmas" she gave out that day! Such a loving girl.

OF COURSE P loved the hugs!!!

One for the Burke too!

Christmas isn't complete without a trip to see Santa. Lily decided tonight that the Santa we see is in fact the one and only. He's that good. Such a dear, sweet man. He makes everyone believe.

He rubs his nose and makes it snow inside!!!

December Fun

2011-12-13T23:16:00.000-05:00

We took our letters to Santa to Macy's - and they donated a $1 for each to the Make a Wish foundation. We had lots of fun!

That says, "I want a Castle Tent."

The tree-trimming was a family affair, and Lily was a huge help. I'm so glad she had as much fun as I do decorating the tree!

A sheep for the Christmas Pageant. She did a great job, and had so much fun. I think she'll be up for doing choir with the church in January. She learned that she CAN do it, and it's fun! She told me afterwards, "Mom, people really thought we did a great job. And I really was inspired by myself!" I think she really liked being part of that group performance.

Maybe she has the Brown-girls theatre gene?

She had fun - despite the hands on the face pose here.

She liked wagging her tail.

Imogene was very proud of her sister!

Lucy was not so pleased with her part in the performance. Next year they can be angels I think.

We are decorated for the best time of the year!!!

She Noticed

2011-12-08T20:56:00.000-05:00

Today when Imogene was getting ready for school I asked her to go get ready to put her shoes on. She asked if she needed her brace, which I said yes, please. And she didn't fuss at all. And when we were putting it on she looked at me and said, "Everybody not wear brace at school." Her face wasn't sad or upset, and it wasn't happy or proud either. It was just the announcement that she knew it wasn't the same for other kids. I was sure to tell her that she was so, so special to everyone and the brace just helped her run and jump and how special she truly is. But I cannot tell you in words how much my heart hurt with that simple little sentence. Our sweet little Imogene. Again, I know that we are blessed, but sometimes it just stinks the card she drew.

Visions of Sugar Plums

2011-12-03T22:42:00.000-05:00

We took the girls to see the Nutcracker ballet today, performed by the studio where Lily takes ballet. It was really fabulous. We were all really impressed - and had such a great time. The girls both did wonderfully, even if Lily asked 1000 questions. (Which Bill says gave me an idea of what it's like to go with me to the movies.) Imogene said "I like dat movie" when it was over.

Clara (also known as Miss Amara, was Lily's assistant last year in ballet.)

November Pictures

2011-11-27T22:21:00.000-05:00

Celebrating Bill's Birthday!

Our very happy Thanksgiving.

No we have not turned into longhorn fans.

Bill brought the girls those footballs home from one of his trips to Texas.

It's just the right size!

Sitting down to a beautiful table with delicious food!

She is ALWAYS playing with her hair.

This is from the dentist the week before thanksgiving. They were both SO good and had a completely clean check up!!!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-26T20:19:00.000-05:00

We had a great trip to Columbia to have thanksgiving with naney and ryan. Except for the part where it took us over 3 hours to get to Richmond Tuesday afternoon, and a total of 9.5 hours to get to Columbia. And the last hour of that Imogene was screaming. Bill and I got to spend Wednesday night hanging out and catching up with my friends from high school. And we were all so happy to have our friends Erin & Andrew (all the way from London!) eat with us on Thursday. We'll see them again for their wedding in May in Charleston!

On the way home today Imogene was singing away on her own - old macdonald was the choice - and she stops and completely serious says, "I wanna get a dog. And a kitty kat." So funny!

I'll post pictures soon.

Young Love...

2011-11-09T22:24:00.000-05:00

Imogene is in preschool with the little brother of twins that were in preschool all three years with Lily. His name is Luken. They were born two weeks apart. And Imogene LOVES him. She talks about him all the time, and he is really become her 'friend.' The best part is that she says "yuken."

Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T22:23:00.000-04:00

These are from IBS's school party (where we did not have ears in the beginng, cue very sad face. Then we had ears, cue happy face.) We also hit the Del Ray halloween parade, but this year we just watched. Still tons of fun. And then of course tonight's very fun Halloween on our wonderful street. A great weekend!!!

Before the ears.

After the ears.

This is Mallory. Imogene is IN LOVE.

Walking in her class parade.

They seemed confused. Why did we walk in the cold to have our pictures taken?

The other minnie.

Super Girl.

She loved the nose, and loved it so much she slept in it.

She was not so sure about the parade.

Out of order, but these are more from Halloween night.

We're Here!

2011-10-27T22:51:00.000-04:00

It's just been crazier than I could ever imagine our life would be. Bill has been working ALL THE TIME and just went away to Texas for 2 weeks. Fortunately he has returned, another trial win under his belt! Congratulations to Bill and all his KS friends!
So I'll just put some pictures up to make it seem less awful how long it's been since we blogged.
I promise, promise to get it back together soon.

Pumpkin Patch

Fun at one of Imogene's First Birthday Parties that was for HER Friend!

Of course Lily was there too!

Visiting Our Old Friend Tennyson during her visit to DC!

A big project with the jones boys. They colored in every single square on the front deck!

Lots of Fun on her very first kindergarten field trip to a fall festival.

Drama Queens

2011-09-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

This picture might be the all time cutest thing we've ever had of the girls. I didn't take it, and neither did Bill, so we can be especially braggy about it :) Bill was in Texas and I was working - so our wonderful other Lauren :) took it. How classic is this!?!? I think it's so perfect because Lily is wearing that "I'm 5 okay? Just take the picture!" face. And Imogene has on the big "I'm 2, so my 'cheese' face is really exaggerated and silly" face. Lily even has her head cocked in that "yeah, yeah, yeah" look. Too too perfect!

Apple Picking

2011-09-17T21:43:00.000-04:00

We had a fun day - rather chilly and a little wet - at Homestead Farms today. Our friends Christine, Jack and Grace came too. And we were so happy that Erin and Naney could both come. Poor Naney, she's still on crutches from breaking a bone in her knee - so the apple farm was a little difficult!

Imogene's First Day

2011-09-17T21:40:00.000-04:00

Imogene is officially in preschool!
She has handled things pretty well so far. I was sure she would absolutely go nuts when I left her, but she hasn't - yet!! She seems to be really happy in the room, and has made a friend! When she went in on Friday, her friend said to Miss Susie, "Do you know who that is? That's Imogene." It is so sweet to see her making her own friends. She has really never had a chance to make friends that were her friends - of course she has a few buddies - But they are siblings of Lily's friends. These will be HER friends! We ran into one of the girls on Friday afternoon, and she asked "Is that her big sister?" Finally, someone will associate Lily with Imogene instead of the other way around!

Lily was in such a strange mood - maybe she was worried about Imogene, or she didn't like her getting the attention! She did tell me that morning that she hoped Imogene would be happy and not cry.

As we were headed into school she decided she was mad and grumpy.

and then she changed her mind. She loves having a backpack. The long-sleeves and the backpack has brought out the difference between her arms. She cannot keep the strap on the right side, and then Friday she wore a dress that I could not keep the right shoulder on her! That one was a size 2, and today she wore a dress that fit her perfectly - it was a size 12/18 months!!! Oh my little peanut.

Getting the routine down.

Miss Susie took these for me. I was not about to go in there after she went in without crying!

Silent Treatment

2011-09-13T22:45:00.000-04:00

Lily is not reporting much from school this week.
Yesterday was music, and she said it was not fun. (This may just be drama, but who knows.) She had art, which she was basically like - "yes, I liked it. Of course I did." She had her first homework assignment last night. We came home from therapy at 5 - all of us exhausted. Imogene and I were gone from 9 am - 5 pm running around - we drove to therapy for her, and then ran an errand and then went and got Lily and went to her therapy. It was a marathon day. So we get home at 5 pm, and the ice cream social is at 6 pm at school. So I tell Lily to enjoy vegging out on the couch with her new favorite movie "Ramona & Beezus." And then I open the folder from school and see that she has homework. And we both just panicked. It was not a pretty scene. She had a to draw a picture and then write a sentence about it. Hello??? Write a sentence. She drew the picture and then we worked HARD on the sentence - it was torture and she was miserable. But we did it. So today I immediately opened her backpack on the playground after school to make sure we didn't have any for tonight. That's my new promise to myself - not walking in the door without knowing what's ahead of us! We have ballet and choir tomorrow after school, so she did her homework for tomorrow night today! Whew.
Yes, I said Ballet and Choir. And she's doing soccer on Thursdays. It's SO much to keep up with for me - but it's so good for her. I really think the more she sits around the more she just wants to watch TV and then she just whines and loses her mind. So we'll be active!!! OT will be every other Monday starting in October, which is nice. So we'll have Tuesdays and Fridays completely free (until she wants to do an after school program that the PTA offers!!!) ... We can always change our schedule. Just doing what I think works best for her ... and she is SO excited to sing in the church choir - I could not turn that one down. These two are definitely into music, dancing and singing.

And now I'm off to bed, since Imogene keeps waking up at night wanting me to sleep with her in her toddler bed - which remember, is just a crib with one of the railings taken off ... it's NOT.BIG.ENOUGH. for the two of us!!!

Remembering

2011-09-11T21:17:00.000-04:00

Ten years ago, during my second year in law school, after taking my walk, I had walked into my apartment on West Franklin Street in Richmond that I shared with my dearest friend Jenny Markham.
I turned on the Today Show, and Katie Couric was explaining what they knew (which was nothing) about a fire in the World Trade Center ... and then it turned into knowledge that it was a plane. And sure enough, a few minutes later, the second plane. And then we all just knew. I know what chair I sat in that day in our little apartment. I know I tried to get a hold of Jenny, and of Bill, who were both in class ... and just wishing I could be with someone. We had computers and the internet in our classes (both at Richmond, and Bill at UVA), so we were all on IM (that was the big thing then, Pre-Facebook and texting - yes, there was a pre-facebook time!) I know I talked to my mom a lot, and absolutely lost it when the towers fell. And how terrified it made me to think of my friends still on Capitol Hill... do any of us not remember everything about that day? I was such a news junkie (if I could still be, I would) and I watched way too much TV that week. I remember how much I appreciated that our First Amendment professor let us just talk the next day in class. The teacher in the hour before, Wills & Estates, had gone on with the class as if nothing had happened. Of course I have so many other memories about all of it - the small vigil we had that week at school. How happy I was to finally be with Bill later that week. But it's strange to look back now and remember what sticks out so much.

And so hard to believe how much has happened in my life, our lives, since then. And that this will probably be the last year, or maybe two, that Lily won't know a lot about what happened that day. While I would love for her to never know anything about it - I know that's not possible. I wondered today if there is a chapter in US History school books about that day. Lily knew that today was a big anniversary for the USA, and that a really sad thing happened. There have been huge US flags up on the overpass bridge near our house, and of course, lots of talk has gone on. But I think at least for this year, the details of it were spared her.

And then there is today, where our sweet girls were so well-behaved at church. Lily LOVED that she now is part of Creation Station (Sunday school) and the Children in Worship program that she will now participate in after the children's sermon. (First-graders and kindergarteners go to a story-time)
We drew with chalk in the front yard this evening while Bill was an usher at the 9/11 service at church. Imogene told me as she was falling asleep that the following people would call her to "see how my day was" on Thursday after school (I kid you not, this all came from her) Uncla Ry, Shushan, Naney, Chahlie, and Gunny. (Y'all have been warned.) From the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show, she has learned the days of the week - not in order, but she knows them, and now likes to talk about what day it is. And the other day she just ran off a string of numbers - and she got to 13. Who IS this kid?? She is not eating anything though - absolutely the biggest food waster of all time. If it weren't for chocolate milk and fruit chew snacks, I swear she would not get any calories in her at all!

As Lily reported to Naney today, "She's all set for another great week of kindergarten."

Weekend Update

2011-09-10T21:47:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's big news from school was that MR. Weitekamp brought them their class pet (or pets, I'm still confused how many of them there are.) Hermit crabs - Lily was not super impressed, but very focused on what they will name them. There was some sort of obstacle course in PE. We were able to play on the playground after school, finally. It's going to be tough with Imogene trying to play on the playground. There are two playgrounds, and unlucky for us, the one that is on the school side - right outside of the kindergarten wing - has a huge jungle gym. Imogene does pretty well on it when it is just a few kids, but when ALL the kids are out there, it's just not a safe situation. It's going to be a long fall.
Mrs. Weitekamp called tonight and told us that Lily is adjusting well to school and making friends. It was such a pleasant call and it made me feel really good about this year going forward. She said that she is fully aware of the fact that Lily is with her more than she is with us (Sniff, Sniff) and that means that she owes it to us to be very open and accessible about how she is doing. Love her!
We saw a little girl in Imogene's class at the church bbq tonight. When I reminded her that they would be in school together and could play together Imogene said, "yeah I so eggsighted." Oh I hope she feels that way on Thursday!

Water Update

2011-09-08T22:15:00.002-04:00

Someone now claims we are up to over a foot of rain...areas very close to us are being evacuated. We are so lucky so far!!!

This is Getting Crazy...

2011-09-08T21:29:00.000-04:00

Our house is actually humid. It's been raining since Monday (rained a little bit Saturday and I think Sunday too.) I just found something that said we've gotten over 8 inches of rain since Monday afternoon. Parts of the major beltway around Washington are flooding, and there are tons of areas that have the roads blocked by water. This is insane.

Lily's report. Today was the day they went to the library. Her takeaways from this visit. You get to check out a book. You are allowed to keep it for JUST 7 days. You cannot eat while reading the book. Your hands should not be sticky while reading the book. That's pretty much word-for-word how she told me. She's attaching herself to a cute, outgoing, very social (sound familiar?) girl named Ellie in her class. There was talk of "best friend"... I'm happy that she is making friends so easily, but for some reason I really don't want her to get too attached to any one child just yet. I want her to be open to all kids and really, I don't want to imagine her ostracizing any sweet little girl her class! Another thing I'm just going to have to let go, and hope that sweet Lily will prevail!
According to Lily, it is not going to rain tomorrow, because her principal said something of that nature about the weather on the speaker this morning. She's been very captivated by the whole 'speaker' thing. Imagine that though - people just talking out of the ceiling every morning. Must be such a funny thing to experience for the first time! Oh, she drew something she "liked" and it was her playing in the puddles. I have not actually seen this in person, mind you.

Imogene had her open house at school today (and then got to be the only kid at the teacher/preschool board luncheon - she's lucky those WWP ladies love her so much.) She was very, very interested in the coat hooks, and her cubby, and a little pink playhouse they have in the room. She said hello to people and sort of to the kids, but she really did not want to interact with anyone. Of course she went across the room to see Pam when she came in, and then pretended at lunch like she didn't want to see her, and then sat in her lap and rubbed all over her face and played peekaboo with her shirt. That girl knows exactly what she is doing!!! She did say tonight that she is going to stay at school, and I'll come get her and she won't cry. Hmmm...we'll see about that.

We Call it the Gym

2011-09-07T22:33:00.000-04:00

Lily's big news today was P.E. Which she talked about the whole way home and then said, "What does PE mean anyway?" Her new favorite word is 'gymnasium' ... and then she says, "but we just call it gym."
She walked out of school (it's STILL pouring rain by the way) and said, "Okay, we have PE on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 in the morning until 11 in the morning." You know she walked into the room this morning and drove Mrs. Weitekamp crazy until she answered that question.

Ballet started today and of course, she was very happy. She waited to be the last one in so she could give Ms. Mulligan a hug. :)

I missed Lily a lot today. I think Imogene did too...the minute we left therapy she said "okay, less gogeh Lily!" Poor thing, it took 3 and a half more hours to get to that time!

There's a lot I need to say about therapy, but I'm too tired. Let's just say that I went into it being so sick of going, and after seeing two girls who have it so very much worse than we do, I remembered to count my blessings and just take one day at a time.

So lucky!

2011-09-07T22:22:00.000-04:00

I just got this in an email from our new 'nanny' (named Lauren!!!). Is she awesome or what? I am so thankful that we were able to snag her for Tuesdays for Imogene so I can work. I guess it's okay to call her nanny - she's not really a "babysitter" ... she's so wonderful. And she's already on the schedule for us about 10 times between now and mid-October. Bill is just swamped at work, and business is busy for me too (yeah!!!) I am so thankful to have someone who can help us out and really be our "go-to" person for the girls. Such a relief!!!!

Day 2

2011-09-07T07:52:00.000-04:00

She bounded down the stairs and said, "I'm ready for another great day of kindergarten!"
Very worried that she has PE today, and this messes up her plan to wear dresses every day.
So the dress she has on is really too short now as a dress, so we put little shorts on underneath. Crisis averted! Hoping she will go with this plan for a while, and I can find some biker shorts for her to wear until she is in leggings or pants the rest of the year!
She really wanted to just walk with Bill, but Imogene absolutely panicked about not walking to school. Sobbing ... doesn't' help that half the neighborhood congregates outside our door to walk down together. So there she went in tow in her cute little raincoat holding her daddy's hand. Wish I'd gotten a picture.

Kindergarten is Here!

2011-09-06T22:13:00.000-04:00

Well, we did it. And without any (major) tears from Mommy. Lily was anxious/nervous when we got there. She told me later today that she almost cried when she sat down but she kept it in. (I wonder SO much whether she is being dramatic or if that really happened!) She made us wait in the room until her friend Grace arrived, and then she let us go. We got lots of hugs ("I am going to miss you Mommy" got me with some well-hidden tears!) and then she was done. She ran out of the building and yelled "That was so fun" when we picked her up. She has repeatedly said that art was her favorite thing. She even drew a panda bear for us tonight. It really was a legitimate picture with the panda and grass and sky and a sun. I cannot tell you how long I've waited to see if she'd be at all interested in anything like that! And she is - which is fun to see. She was a complete mess this afternoon - absolutely SO tired. She did say later this evening that she was sorry that she got like that. We'll see if she remembers that tomorrow - although she has ballet right after school tomorrow, which I think is a good thing! She won't have time to sit and think about being tired which turns into grumpy, especially since I've said no to TV this week. I sorta regretted that this afternoon!! But she is ridiculously attached to watching TV, and I don't want her to just expect to come home and watch a bunch of TV right after school. We'll see how long I can stand it :)

Tomorrow...

2011-09-05T17:17:00.000-04:00

There is SO much I could post right now, but I will just share this picture right now and hopefully blog more later tonight. This is our Lily exactly 5 years ago this weekend... Time has just gone too fast.

Back to School Shopping

2011-08-30T20:58:00.000-04:00

If I hadn't been completely harried and way too tired, I would have taken more pictures.
But the girls and I went shopping today for socks and underwear and a pair of jeans for Lily. Of course we came home with one pair of socks for Lily, lots of underwear, no jeans, and three other outfits. How does this happen to me? Imogene wanted a pair of wings (out for halloween) at a store and kept saying "pittypeese" (pretty please) and I said, no, but here, have these two pairs of socks. She was ELATED! "A whiy (white) one, and a pink one!" She can be very sweet and very, very cute.
Lily picked a dress for the first day of school (another tradition from my childhood that I have to carry on) that is really adorable. She insisted on a dress, and it was the last store we went in when we finally found it. It is so cute on. Can't wait for you to see it on TUESDAY!!! Less than a week to go. She found out today that a buddy from soccer is in her class and she is super excited about that. She made me show her the email the little girl's mom sent me so she could "read" it herself.

Other really cute thing Imogene says right now, "I meetcha theya." (I meet ya there.)
She also loves to tell Lily, "I comin Lily."

Happy Girl!

2011-08-29T14:32:00.000-04:00

Lily got a note in the mail today. I read it to her, and then she recognized the name at the end, and was SO excited. It was from her teacher, Ms. Weitekamp! This is the same teacher she had at K-prep, and she seemed to really like her, and the assistant too. She said, "Mom, I cannot stop reading this note. I am so happy she's going to be my teacher." Whew, step one complete!

Therapy Update

2011-08-28T21:42:00.001-04:00

Lily had her evaluation with Child Find two weeks ago. I will not go into the very, very long diatribe I have about the system that is set up in Alexandria city for finding out if your child is eligible to receive any additional services in school. Let's just say it's a complete mess, and I almost gave up.
Which I guess I could have done, because it turns out neither of them will qualify for any additional help at this time. Lily is age-appropriate for everything they'd help her with - I guess I figured that was coming - and it is a good thing. Of course I don't want her to be behind her peers. She is really starting to draw more 'things' - a sun and a flower this past week. Yes, more than not her drawing is scribbles. But she's progressing a bit. The system that they use to evaluate basically tells them if she is delayed in a manner that will hinder her education. It's too long to get into it, but my worry remains that her inability to focus is going to be a huge factor in her ability to enjoy school. And they could not have seen that in the short time they spent with her. So we wait to see how Kindergarten goes, and then we can ask her to be re-evaluated afterwards. And we make sure the teacher (we find out tomorrow!), the school OT, and the principal are all aware of what she's been working on with Amy these last 10 months. Lots of vigilance on my part, which is fine. I figure someone has to be the over-zealous parent, might was well be me.
The woman I've worked with the most at Child Find is great. And she spent some time with Imogene while we were talking and waiting on Lily. And while Imogene has an appointment with CF in October, she all but told me it was a waste of time, that she wouldn't get any services. She's going to be able to "function" in preschool and while she has CP and diminished use of her right side, that's not going to hinder her education. Or so they say. I'll say that everyone who sees her on a regular basis disagrees (me and the therapists) but I think that it's just such a standard system they use, and from what I've seen, they are completely overloaded and just can't help everyone. Honestly, I think that's part of it. We are clearly capable parents who are at a wonderful preschool, and we just don't fit in the system. Maybe I'm wrong and she really will 'function' - but I don't want her to just 'function' - I want her to soar to the highest place she can!
She starts WWP on September 15 and we are THRILLED that she's going to be with Miss Susie and Miss Brandy. Lily had Miss Brandy in the 3's and was so fond of her. And we love Miss Susie already. I think Imogene (once she gets past the initial separation trauma) is going to be so happy at school. I just want her to be safe and be able to keep up as much as she can.

We saw Dr. Morozova during the never-ending week of therapy/doctors visits. Imogene is 'beautiful' she said :) She is dragging her right foot - mostly her toes - and so we go tomorrow to be fitted for a new brace. This one will have an angle to it that should help her use her muscles along the top of her foot that she basically ignores. She was impressed with how her muscles have adapted to a huge growth spurt (height, not weight of course!) she had since we were last there. In a CP situation like Imogene's, the muscles respond by getting tighter when the bones grow, and Imogene does not seem to be getting to that point just yet. Which is Great! She also said that when she is age-appropriate, she'll do well to be in dance, piano and tai kwon doe classes. That's fun to imagine!!

Swing, Swing, Swing

2011-08-28T21:29:00.000-04:00

The girls had OT back to back two weeks ago, so we ended up doing some stuff as a 'duo-therapy.' - Like swinging in these cool swings! For Lily it gets her upper body going more, and for Imogene it was a good way to get her to put pressure on her right side, and use her right arm.

Argh

2011-08-28T21:22:00.000-04:00

Yes, it has been two weeks since I posted, again. Bill was gone for a week, and during that week we had 6 therapy or doctor appointments. It was nutty. Then I packed up the girls and we headed to Columbia to spend the night with Naney before picking daddy up from Dallas for a week at the beach. Which of course was cut short by Irene. But a good week nonetheless. I will attempt get caught up!

Rolling By...

2011-08-14T22:21:00.000-04:00

Yes, it has been 2 weeks since I last posted. We have been on the go all day every day.
Between my work, Bill's never-ending work, the girls' therapy schedule, Lily at K-prep, trips to the pool and all the other stuff that I feel like sucks the time out of every day, I just haven't posted on the blog. And this week doesn't look too good for me having time to blog - between the two of them the girls have 6 therapy/doctors' appointments. Plus a playdate, a visit from some wonderful old friends, and haircuts! All before we leave Friday to head to SC for our week at the beach!

Bill did get a cute picture of Lily at the DC United game last night.

We have spent a ton of time re-organizing the basement with an amazing new shelving system that came in 9 boxes ... Bill spent hours building it, and then I spent hours getting all the stuff into it. It has made a HUGE difference in how we all enjoy playing in the basement. I'm so glad we finally decided to get what we needed! It actually looks even better than this now ... but you get the idea.

The boxes before ... (There were two others that arrived three days later!!)

So here are some random pictures from our last few weeks.

They had a blast at our friend Emory's birthday party - a music teacher came and did a little music together class. Both of course loved that. And Lily was very attentive to imogene the entire time.

These two are loving their cake!

Lola and Imogene, such sweet pals.

Another set of pals ...

Someone absolutely loves chocolate.

Wouldn't want to leave any behind!

And finally, Lily and her buddies from K-prep camp. They had so much fun that week I think!

(We took them out for ice cream on the first day. And of course had them line up to preserve the moment. In front of the cooler. :)

Kindergarten Prep Has Begun!

2011-08-01T11:53:00.000-04:00

She's there right now! And we get to go back and get her in an hour! YEAH! I miss her and I'm feeling a million emotions. For now I will say that despite the fact that there was not a single familiar face in her classroom, and that the two kids sitting at her table neither one spoke a ton of English, she did really well at the drop-off. I am bursting to hear what she thought. This is not her regular class or maybe even her teacher for the year. They use these two weeks to assess the kids and see where they would fit best. But the kindergarten is in a pod- so they are all right there together. KINDERGARTEN!!! Ahhh.... I did pretty well today - but when we drop her off with all the other kids in September and she is there from 745-235 I know I'll be a wreck.

Walking with her buddy Will.

This is in the classroom.

I could not get her to smile ... or take a good picture all morning because she could not stop talking!

Aquarium

2011-08-01T11:47:00.000-04:00

Bill took the day off Friday, and after swim lessons, we headed to Baltimore to visit the National Aquarium. We were there for over 2 hours, and we saw everything! About 20 minutes into it Lily looked at Bill and said, "daddy I did not think this was going to be fun, but this is great!" Apparently she thought we were going to see a shark, a turtle and a fish and turn around and head home! Imogene wanted to see turtles, which she saw plenty of ... we saw the divers feeding the fish and the dolphins swimming around. It really could not have turned out better - but wow, taking those two anywhere for

almost 3 hours wears mommy and daddy out! :)

Her last day of swim lessons. She improved drastically and will stick her face in and swim around! We were so thrilled with the progress. She's going to do lessons with the instructor again this week.

She sees a turtle!

This is kinda freaking me out looking at it!

Lily loves to look at maps and tell us where we are going.

Not really the best picture taking opportunities, but I like how it shows how much Imogene wants to be just like Lily. All. The. Time.

Half-Birthday

2011-08-01T11:24:00.000-04:00

Lily really wanted to give Imogene a present for her half-birthday. So we got her one too :)

The big two and a half year-old celebrated with Minnie Mouse doll and a set of little elephants to go with a set they have called Calico Critters. She was really tickled and I was so impressed by Lily wanting to make it a nice day for her!

It's Almost Here...

2011-07-26T22:20:00.000-04:00

Alexandria does a k-prep camp for kids going into kindergarten. it starts August 1.

August 1 is THIS MONDAY!!!!!!! Argh how in the world are we going to send our first born child off into ELEMENTARY SCHOOL? Granted, she'll only be there for 4 hours, but it's for two straight weeks, and then three weeks later we send her into that massive building full of BIG KIDS for almost 7 hours a day. My poor head and heart can hardly stand it. I mostly just worry that she's not independent enough to be without a parent (or her loving preschool teachers) for that long - especially at mealtimes. I know I'm going to be a basket-case next week. And I know my stress is coming out in the things I say to her. She just is so helpless sometimes. At her OT session this week they 'practiced' getting ready for school. We brought her clothes, her toothbrush, her backpack - everything she needed to get ready for the day. I think they even pretended to eat breakfast, and I know they practiced opening containers and Ziploc bags, which she had a hard time with. Amy said it's due to her decreased fine motor skills, and her belief that she cannot do anything on her own. DID WE CREATE THIS? I fear that we did. Amy reported that during the 'test-run' Lily needed prompting or prodding for every single step. We've got lots of work to do with this kid.
But she's sweet as can be when she wants to be, and despite the fact that she's ridiculously whiny lately, I think she's a little bit more than nervous/anxious/excited about being in K.
(notice I am not typing out the word anymore.)
She has been doing swim lessons this week (she writhed in pain all night Sunday night because her stomach hurt - all due to anxiety about the lessons.) and she even got the swim instructor to buy her distraction techniques.
"Lily, try putting your face in to get your feet off the ground."
"Watch me - I can hold my nose and go under water."
And wouldn't you know that 17 year-old just let her distract him. I'll be speaking to him about letting her run him around like that! (And maybe I'll listen to myself!)

Wonderful Weekend

2011-07-23T21:47:00.001-04:00

This is a really good representation of what a nice weekend we are having. Bill had to be in Chicago yesterday, but the girls and I had a nice dinner out followed by ice cream at our beloved Dairy Godmother. Imogene absolutely loves all things chocolate. This is how much - she literally drinks the 'soup' leftover at the end.

Bill had a very unenjoyable night at the O'Hare airport, but got home around 1030 pm.

We took the girls to see Winnie the Pooh this morning, which they both really liked. Mommy & Daddy liked it too. A lot of the humor really isn't on kids' levels anyway!

It was packed - there isn't much else to do when the heat index is over 110 degrees.

And my day was made complete when we had lunch at Chick-Fil-A.

We have been putting off cleaning up an absolute disaster area in the basement where my "office" used to be. Leave it to that 110 degree heat index to get us motivated. It's finally cleaned up and we both feel so much better about it. The girls (with the help of a little Backyardigans and Dino-Dan) even let us work and didn't try and play with everything we were cleaning up - for the most part!

We even had the chance to make a nice meal together, thanks to Lily talking to naney on the phone and Imogene running around playing in her diaper with her pull-toy doggies. (She had an incident with some chocolate milk, and I never put clothes on her again! Yes, very classy I know.)

We had an absolutely wonderful meal (thank you Real Simple) and a fun conversation with Lily at dinner. She told us the longest story that combined just about everything she has come across in the last week. It was pretty funny and clever, and then again made no sense at all. Meanwhile, Imogene was making a complete disaster of herself eating, what else besides chocolate. She spilled some on her belly and was trying to lick it off. Hysterical. And so typical of her eating habits!

It was a completely great day and we really feel lucky tonight to be where we are.

(and I am only partly thinking of being in air conditioning :) and partly about being mom and dad to these precious children!)

It takes a Village

2011-07-22T13:13:00.000-04:00

Thanks to our absolutely wonderful neighbors Delaine & Blanton, Lily had her first sleepover last night. Bill was called to Chicago last minute, and I had a show I really didn't want to cancel. After trying 7 people to babysit, Delaine was kind enough to offer to keep the girls. Everyone did so well! Lily had a hard time going to sleep - but Imogene was asleep on the couch with her boyfriend Blanton kindly watching over her in the dark when I came in. How lucky are we to have such great friends next door? Imogene came home with me, and Lily stayed the whole night - and then played with Will the entire morning. Such sweet pals they are. Of course Lily is exhausted today and really fussy. But since it's over 100 degrees outside, I have no problem letting them have a movie day and going for ice cream later.

Our Life In Pictures

2011-07-11T10:11:00.000-04:00

Hi my blog family!
I'm just back from the most amazing week in San Francisco for Stella & Dot.
Best part of being back, I slept for 10 hours last night, and Imogene now says "I love you so much!"
I do have a lot of pictures of the girls from the last few weeks, so thought I would share!

Fun at therapy. They played with jewelry too in my honor :)

This kid loves to play in a sprinkler.

Lily and I got our haircut that day, and Imogene wanted in on the action. We didn't actually cut any hair, but she felt very big!

Family trip to the DCUnited Game.

Has to be one of the only times she has fallen asleep anywhere.

Visiting with Uncle Ryan while we were in SC

Very, very classy kids playing with water in Naney's backyard with no clothes on.

Post Cheer leading camp "Show"

We visited the butterfly exhibit at the Children's Museum in Columbia.

Both girls really loved it.

Fourth of July parade in downtown Fairfax, VA

Happy Fourth of July!

2011-07-04T22:48:00.001-04:00

Probably the best part of today is when Larry the Cable Guy came on TV, and we said, "Lily, close your eyes and tell us who that is talking." "HEY THAT'S MATER!!"
We are so proud.

Although later when she got to stay up way too late and watch the fireworks on TV, she said, "Hey, this guy is on the first Cars soundtrack." It was James Taylor. And then she said, what is this song called, and we said, "The Star Spangled Banner." She responded, "It sounds just like the National Anthem."
Whew, we are redeemed :)

We took a trip to Fairfax for their parade, which was fun - although next year we will get there earlier and with chairs! The girls had to be held and our backs and necks were aching by an hour in! Imogene did not like the band at the beginning and wouldn't even open her eyes. "I go home. I go my house." And then she was okay and said "Hi Mama. I open eyes!!"

We went to a party this afternoon and Imogene had an ice cream cone and we put sprinkles on it "like Lily." She looked at me after she made Naney eat the sprinkles off and said, "I no like pinkles." Clearly she liked the rest of it!

Hope you had a wonderful Independence Day. It's yet another day where I just can't get over how lucky I am to be this mom, this wife, this daughter, this sister, this friend, this business-owner!!, this lady living this life!!!

And CONGRATULATIONS to my amazing husband for a huge win at work last week. It was a really big deal for him and the team he works with, and an even bigger deal for our family because it looks like he won't have to go to trial at the end of the month!!!!

We're Still Here!

2011-07-03T22:05:00.000-04:00

The girls and I spent a week in SC for Lily to attend Spring Valley cheer camp last week.
Sorry for the lack of posts! She had a great time again this year. Asked if she could grow up and be a cheerleader at Spring Valley. She also asked me "What do they call Spring Valley in the winter when it snows?" I will get a video of her 'show' on the last day up soon.

How cute is this picture our sweet sitter Megan took before she went to France?!?!

We finally made it to the pool this weekend. We've been twice already - it's only been open for a couple of weeks because of the fire. Lily should be a pretty decent swimmer by the end of the summer. Imogene wants to be a swimmer! She can't really hold herself up with water wings or an intertube, so I'll be looking for something that will hold her up and allow her to be without me holding on. She so wants to just go on her own!

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T21:05:00.002-04:00

What a nice day! We went to brunch this morning, and then did some fun stuff around the house like clean out the cars. Lucky Bill! And then Bill took Lily to see the US soccer game, and Imogene and I played a game and then planted flowers in our front porch pots! It was really a very nice day ... we had a late dinner - which probably wasn't the best idea since Imogene has stopped taking naps. It's too much to even talk about, but we're surviving. Better than we were when I was spending the entire afternoon trying to get her to nap! But if you let the night go on too long, she turns into a lunatic. So tonight we let it go on a little too long. But Lily had fun presenting Daddy with his father's day ice cream cake, so it was worth stretching it out. And it was worth it when Imogene said "I hav my dert" (dessert) AFTER she ate some ice cream cake and a little bit of a Popsicle!!
I hope Bill enjoyed his day as much as we enjoyed a day where we get to spoil him. He's been working a lot -and will be doing so for the entire summer into the fall :( - and we miss him. It's not the same in the mornings and evenings without him. So it was a great day to just do whatever Bill wanted!!! I know people say this all the time, but I could never have imagined (and never really thought about it!) how wonderful and dedicated Bill would be to our kids. He really is the best father and husband I could ever ask for. LUCKY LUCKY ME!!!
Imogene is really talking a lot, even though there is still a good bit that is unintelligible. She is saying "I luh you" and "I mihs you" ... she is doing a ton of imitating which is great. That was one of the first things that worried me over a year ago about her speech. She never repeated anything we said. Now she always says back the last word. She's really such a fun, happy girl.
We were sweeping off the front porch after we did the pots and she said "ceening?" Yes, Imogene we are cleaning up. "Ceening houf? Daddy Lily happy come home?" For some reason that really tickled me! She loves it when you clap for her. She is starting to understand emotions a lot more and if you pretend to cry she'll rub your face and say "no cy, no cy baby. it's o-k." If someone has a frown in a book she'll say, "He no happy." "She's happy, he no happy."
And she LOVES elephants. If only we could get her to say "elephant" and not just "ella!!"

Sheer Joy

2011-06-16T23:06:00.002-04:00

Summer Fun

2011-06-16T22:54:00.002-04:00

After the last day of school we went to a "Sprayground" with two of Lily's school buddies. Very fun even though it was pretty hot! The girls had a blast - Imogene was so tickled with herself about how wet she way. Kept saying "Mama, I All Weh!!!"

We also did some home nail salon on the last day of school afternoon.

Lily was very proud, so she snapped these pictures with my phone in the car!

I had a trunk show last weekend in Maryland, and on the way home I called Bill to tell him that I had met the sales goals I needed to meet to go on an all-expense paid trip with Stella & Dot to a resort in Mexico (we'll worry about the violence there later.) (And we'll worry that Bill will be too busy with a trial to get to go with me in October later.) ANYWAY, while I was driving the hour home, Bill got the girls together and made me that precious sign (please note it is complete with mexican flag and a sombrero) and had James Taylor's "Mexico" song playing when I got in the door. He also had guacamole and chips and champagne for me and a margarita for him. (I hate tequila.) It was absolutely worth all that I have worked on these last 5 months to have their support and excitement for me - so worth it. And I hope they feel that way too! The celebration they gave me was as good as making the trip. I LOVE YOU BILL SIGLER.

Miss Pam always makes shirts for the class at the end of the year.

This year's shirt was "We Wish You Well, and Send It Out."
Of course Lily loves it, wore it two days in a row and asks me every day if I've washed it yet.

We are also having a blast listening to the cd that Miss Pam made for the class.

Lily (And Imogene!) sing those songs with such joy and love listening to P read them books on the CD. She's having a blast this week getting to have Miss Patty as her teacher for Summer Camp. She loves getting to roam into the different classes that are set up for fun "Without even asking for permission!!!" She is also quite fond of the two middle school/high school age sons of one of the other teachers who are helping out!!!

"I Che my Eeeyyeess"

2011-06-16T20:58:00.000-04:00

Imogene had her follow-up with Dr. Madigan, her ophthalmologist today. It was over an hour of four different people looking at her and shining lights in her eyes and asking her questions. Not to mention the three different eye drops. That sweet thing never fussed ONCE. She truly could not have been better. I was dreading being there for that long by myself and so stressed about the drops. She blew me away with her performance! All four of the doctors and nurses were so complimentary and kept asking me if she was always like this! HA, no she is not!! But I think she has been poked and prodded so much that she has just learned to deal with it. It's really cute when she points to both eyes separately and says "I che my eeeyyyeess."Her exam was perfect too - she doesn't need glasses anytime soon, and the results of the surgery are still perfect! Woo Hoo!

There was a 'tween' show on the disney channel in the waiting room. one of the characters was on hold with a help desk on the phone and he kept yelling, and she would say "He no happy."

Pizza Pizza!!!

2011-06-14T15:19:00.000-04:00

Miss Pam took the class to see her husband (Big John's) restaurant, Zio's, which makes the most delicious pizza ever. I'm not just saying that, it was incredible. We can't wait until Miss Pam will escort us again sometime soon!

Getting ready to make her very own pizza.

Her pizza was cheese only. No sauce. Never wants sauce.

I honestly think her favorite part of the trip was wearing the special name tag.

Ballet "Recital"

2011-06-14T15:14:00.000-04:00

Lily's ballet class was open for "observation" a couple of weeks ago. I love seeing how much she enjoys it, and how well she pays attention and if I do say so myself - is really good :) As good as you can be at pre-ballet :)

Watering Day...

2011-06-14T15:08:00.000-04:00

On the next-to-last day of school Pam has all the kids over for an ice cream party and sprinkler play. Our water baby had a blast. She was SO excited and had so much fun running around the water, and of course screaming anytime she got wet, like it was a surprise. Every. Single. Time.

They are wishing you well and sending it out :)

That's our pisces. And I have to think Pam enjoys it a little bit getting to hose down her kids :) It was like watering your plant with Lily - she just wanted to stand there and get soaked!

And then run off and scream.

Too Many Tears...

2011-06-10T22:25:00.000-04:00

Seriously everything made me cry today. WWP is over for Lily, and it's just hard to think about. I really can't write too much tonight, it just makes me so sad that this chapter of her life is through. There really is no better place for a child than that school, and it's just hard to believe she's been there for three years and now it's time to move on. I'm really not sad about kindergarten, just sad that her days at WWP are done. Not to mention that the ladies of that school have kept me from going completely insane, and I'll miss seeing them every day!

Here's our sweet Lily on her first day of Westminster.

And her last day of Westminster.

Coming to an End...

2011-06-08T17:52:00.000-04:00

Lily's preschool days are almost over (Although she has two weeks of "Summer School" after this week).
But her last days with Carey & Pam are tomorrow and Friday. I will attempt to type this without crying. I know we will see them when Imogene is there in the fall on Thursdays and Fridays. But it just won't be the same. Until she starts their class in two years :)
The teachers write a little something about their class and each child. I thought I would share with all of you what Pam and Carey said about their class, and about Lily.

"This class has been the quintessential "WE WISH YOU WELL" class. (This is when you can send out a hug to someone who isn't at school, or a loved one who is sick or you just miss. Lily always wondered if her friends were wishing her well if she wasn't at school. And when she "sends it out" - she closes her eyes very tight.) Each year an organic theme emerges ... and this year has been the WISH WELL year. I think that we have Lily to thank for really keeping it front and center and the rest of the class for embracing it so wholeHEARTedly!! It is quite moving to see and hear this outward response of love being expressed. Our hope is that this will be carried on in their lives from this day forward. We could ask for no more lasting legacy."

"Lily -- What would we have done without you? You remember EVERYTHING, see EVERYTHING, and love EVERYTHING! You keep us on our toes and the class running the way it should!!! You are the quintessential WISH WELL LEADER - always sending love, good thoughts and good wishes to all."

For all that we deal with with these two girls, I have to always remember that they have the biggest hearts, both of them. My watery eyes, and my cup, runneth over with love for them.

Early Father's Day

2011-06-04T09:10:00.000-04:00

Bill, Lily and the plate she made him at school for Father's Day.

He received it at the Four-Year-Old classes' year end picnic this week. It's SO hard to believe that Lily is going to be done with preschool on Friday. Fortunately she has two weeks of camp, so she doesn't have to say goodbye to WWP just yet, but she will say good-bye to being in Miss Pam & Miss Carey's class on Friday. BOO HOO HOO HOO HOO!!!!

Catching Up More ... Happy Memorial Day 2011!

2011-05-30T21:19:00.000-04:00

Here are some more pictures of Lily flying her kite at the family church retreat.

She got the hang of it pretty fast - and she had a great time!

Imogene is sitting around the campfire here singing. And by singing I mean, singing. She was "following along" and swaying and singing. SO serious about it. Of course she just wanted to do what Maggie and Caroline were doing.

I think this is the part where Lily says "I just remembered I don't like marshmallows."

And here we are ... the wheel day parade!

Let me back up a little bit.

Mommy and Daddy had the wonderful pleasure to sneak away for two days

to celebrate our EIGHTH anniversary this weekend. Thanks so much to Naney for coming and keeping the girls - who were apparently quite the pair all weekend. Lily was a great big sister, and Imogene only really got upset once - when it was time for her playdate with Lola and their cats to be over! We went up to a really nice Hyatt "resort" on the Chesapeake Bay. Complete with a wonderful pool with lounge chairs under an umbrella (thank goodness since I am NOT ready to get sun yet - or ever. I instantly burn. Instantly. We have many, many stories to prove that.) We had two great dinners, laughed at two really bad lounge singers, enjoyed seeing other peoples' kids playing and having fun, missed our's but not quite enough to give up the time to ourselves.

ANYWAY, we returned home in time for lunch with the girls and to get ready for the Wheel Day Parade. Imogene and Naney met us there - it was really hot, Imogene needed a nap, and she hasn't been feeling so hot this weekend. In less than 30 minutes, Bill and I came up with "SuperPink" for Lily's entry into the parade. Had we not been late and grouped with the "Fashionably Late" crowd, for which there were no awards (read gold ribbon), I am SURE she would have won something. She looked cute. Which you can see below.

poor kid, we are SO behind in getting her a bike that is actually age-appropriate. She just never shows a ton of interest, she's never really gotten going on her tricycle, and we just don't have a great place to ride around our house. But she really, really needs a bike her size. We will work on that this summer...

especially because it looks like we're going to have a lot of time to kill.

We had planned to take a trip to the pool today. But the pool.is.closed.

Yep, closed. Indefinitely. Apparently there was some sort of electrical fire there last night.

Thank goodness no one was there and no one was hurt. But it took out part of the house that is used for the lifeguards and part of the men's bathroom. And the electricity, plumbing and hot water.

Apparently it may only take 2-3 weeks to get it open, but I'm not holding my breath. Instead I'll be sweating a lot. It is HOT here ... upper 90's already!!!

So we went to Home Depot, the grocery store, and the mall for the girls to play at the indoor area (which conveniently also houses Chickfila - mommy's no dummy.)

It was an all-American Memorial Day alright!

And then we did this!

Lily watches this show (How many times have I started a sentence with that?) where they do a craft ...

she saw this - silly animal headbands - so we had a silly afternoon with doggie ears.

And then they played doggies for a while. Pretty cute.

And at bedtime Imogene kept doing the little puppy "whine."

She's a hoot that kid!

Bill wanted her to go upstairs with him today and she wouldn't at first. So he did his best crying act upstairs, and she kept saying "Daddy khy" "Daddy khy" ... "I coming Daddy. I comming. No sad Daddy, I coming. Give Daddy big kug. Big kug Daddy."
All the way up the stairs.

Spring Time Fun

2011-05-24T22:47:00.000-04:00

Bubbles with lola

She loves walking around this tree on the playground at school. Here she is "singing" ... or loud talking or something ... but who knows what she is saying or who she thinks is listening!

Another favorite hangout on the playground.

She has started making 'friends' lately ... she is obviously in love with the friends that lily has, but she's really started playing with more kids on her own. She has seen Annie (in the middle) a 100 times, but this day she really 'took' to her - and now asks for her all the time!

Yes, that is a TV in the grocery store cart. No I did not worry one minute about that - it was such an easy trip to the store - except the part where I felt like I was driving a Mini around the grocery store. They were in SHOCK. And VERY well behaved!

Heading to Will's Graduation from Preschool. She looks really grown-up.

One of the activities at the retreat this past weekend was kite flying. Lily absolutely loved running and flying her kite. She did a great job! I have better pictures on my other camera - this was on my phone!

We're Okay!

2011-05-24T22:39:00.001-04:00

So two of my dear friends and loyal blog readers checked in today to see if we were doing okay. It's been WAY too long since I posted. Honestly things have just been busy - good busy - but busy. We went on a great family retreat with church this past weekend, Lily had her last soccer game of the season, we are starting to get some warm days again ... we are all coming out of the winter / spring fog and ready for a fun summer. And yes, I've been way busy with Stella & Dot. Which is great, but I need to make more time for the blog. I promise, promise I will.

A funny story. Reading books tonight and Lily says, "That penguin is just a regular mom." What kind of mom am I? "You are a jewelry selling mom!" Is that okay with you? "Yeah Mom - you can buy me stuff now." She went on to tell me that I was GREAT and she is really glad I'm her mom and she wouldn't want another mom. I think I must have looked panicked that she was harboring some ill-feelings toward S&D!
I know that someday she's going to see that being a "jewelry-selling mom" has been so much more than financial for all of us. I know one day she'll realize what a LIFE-CHANGING experience this is for me every single day. It really has brought me out of what I thought would be a world full of nothing but what was going on for the girls. Which is FINE, really I know what a gift it is that I am home with them. But I have a CAREER again, and truly I never thought that was going to happen for a long while.

Imogene is just plugging along. Her speech is really taking off, although she's having a hard time with certain consonants and switching a lot of sounds. But she talks all day - and people understand her a lot more than I thought they would! She seems a lot younger than Lily did just before she turned 2 1/2 ...

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-10T22:03:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures from Mother's Day. It was a really great day, and in a couple of weeks I probably won't even remember how much I wanted to leave lunch because Lily was being such a complete and total pain! Bill always makes me feel special, but he makes it a big deal to do so on Mother's Day every year. I'm a lucky mom and wife.

It is so hard to take a picture with Imogene because she wants to do exactly what Lily is doing.

But this one turned out amazing I think! It's one of my favorites ever.

Lily's new thing is to pose with her head all "posy" on her shoulder.

So of course who runs up next and says "me, me, me" " my tuhn" She's such a mess.

With Daddy feeding the ducks. Our Mother's Day tradition.

Very excited about throwing pieces of bread off the edge of the railing. And not nerve-wracking at all for their parents.

Pretty cool sky.

We had some time on our hands, so we FINALLY took Lily to get up close with her favorite thing in D.C. The Washington Monument. Of course it was worth of the head-pose.

When she saw this picture she said, "oh that's me saying OH MY GOSH because I can't believe I'm finally getting to see the monument my very own self."

The sky started getting a little ominous.

We were in the car about 2 minutes before it started pouring down rain.

Lily is trying to stand as tall as the monument. And Imogene is still holding the bread for the ducks. She would NOT give up that we would feed them again. And we did! This time a new group of ducks - a mom, dad, and six baby ducklings! There is nothing cuter than baby ducks. or Imogene screaming "ucks. Baby ucks. Beahd for baby ucks."

Imogene Times 3

2011-05-08T20:35:00.000-04:00

Here she is on the pony!

Some recent beautiful shots that Tracie took of her recently.

Congrats to Tracie, who has started her own photography biz!!!

A Mother's Day Letter

2011-05-07T22:42:00.000-04:00

My friend from college who has an autistic son, posted this today on Facebook. It made me cry. In a good way, but it made me cry. I truly believe that we were picked as Imogene's parents, because God knew we could do it! It also hit home because I've been thinking a lot lately about how much I'm looking forward to the day I can understand it when Imogene says, "I love you." (By the way -she rode a pony at the school bazaar today. Our friends took a picture - can't wait to see it!)

The Special Mother by Erma Bombeck
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure and a couple by habit. This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children.
Did you ever wonder how these mothers are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth Selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew." "Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia." "Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."
Finally he passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a handicapped child." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy." "Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a handicapped child a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel." "But does she have the patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off she'll handle it."
"I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of it's own. She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?" God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says momma for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see--ignorance, cruelty, prejudice--and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life Because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."
"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air. God smiles.
"A mirror will suffice."

Still Streaking

2011-05-06T09:59:00.000-04:00

Another day down without chocolate. As I just told my friend Tiffany, who is joining me without chocolate - and Alexis who is also joining! - this is NOT easy. I had no idea how much chocolate I ate every day. If there was some way to figure out if I was addicted - you'd probably find that I was in fact addicted.

We've had a pretty uneventful week ... I wish I was on twitter because Lily and Imogene do the funniest things day-to-day. I can just never remember them when I sit down to write on the blog.
Imogene has started wearing the kinesiotape on her arm and shoulder now. She's starting to lose a little bit of her external rotation in her shoulder. We'd really like to see her do more supinating and pronating of her arm.

Lily had "Mother's Day" at school yesterday. It was a lovely tea party, and I got to eat off of a plate that Lily drew for me! (I will get a picture up soon.) Of course I couldn't help but notice that all but three of the kids drew actual pictures of flowers and rainbows and people, and Lily just scribbled. It's fine - she wrote Mommy and Lily really well considering how she was writing in the beginning of the year. It was just the tiniest bit sad for me. I don't plan on her being an artist or anything - and I love her to pieces, but I know that part of why she doesn't do that stuff is because she just can't get the pen to work the right way! And that makes me sad for her. But anyway. It was a sweet morning and Lily was really proud of all of it, which made me so happy and proud for her.

New streakers

2011-05-04T16:53:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Grunny - who is exercising longer each day, Charlie who is forgoing his morning talk radio show, and Maggie who is giving up gum - for joining us in the streak for stroke!

Day 1

2011-05-03T22:05:00.000-04:00

Imogene hasn't napped much for me in over a month. She did yesterday and Friday and then not so much today. That made my giving up chocolate pretty hard. But it made me realize that a lot of times I open the cabinet and eat chocolate even when I don't want to! I've been so frustrated by the nap thing.
Here's why - she is still needing a nap and still really tired. She fell asleep sitting in my lap at 6 pm.

Streak for Stroke

2011-05-02T22:22:00.000-04:00

May is Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month. (I believe it is all stroke awareness month - not actually sure.) The Children's Hemiplegia & Stroke Awareness group is encouraging people to "streak for stroke" - meaning do something every day to be more positive in your life ... a streak. I missed the first two days, but I'm giving up chocolate. If you know me, you may know that this is going to be HARD. Especially if you know how much chocolate I have in my pantry right now. I absolutely cannot turn down chocolate, I eat it all the time. And it's been actually bothering me how often I go to the pantry for a snack, and get something sweet. So I'm giving it up. It's not going to be fun, and maybe some people think it's not that hard. But trust me, this is going to be hard. But then I think of how hard it is for Imogene to do the simplest things that we take for granted every day, like hold a yogurt cup - big challenge this morning. Yogurt EVERYWHERE. How hard it was for her to walk through a straight line of plastic rings at therapy this morning. How hard it is to do something simple like walk up the stairs without a railing to hold onto, with her left hand. So I'm giving up my absolute favorite food group.

Bill is going to write Imogene a little note every day before he leaves for work or before he goes to bed.
(his sounds much nicer than mine doesn't it?). But Imogene loves chocolate SOOO much, that one day she'll appreciate what I did in her honor. :)

Want to streak with us? Join us! It can be anything - exercise every day, write every day, give up a bad habit, call an old friend every day, pick a flower from your garden every day ... whatever you can do that would make a little change in your life.

And be sure to let me know what you are doing!

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T21:36:00.000-04:00

So here it is! A blog post the same day the pictures were taken. AMAZING!

We had such a wonderful day. The weather was perfect - it almost felt weird to be that warm after such a cold start to Spring.

The Easter Bunny brought the bubbles that they love to play with when DeeDee the speech therapist comes. Imogene was REALLY excited about this.

Lily loves her new blue sunglasses. Blue is her new first favorite color, just so you know. Lily said, "what a nice Easter Bunny. He knew just what I wanted!"

Notice that Imogene is holding onto her chocolate bunnies. Kid loves chocolate.

This is her new elephant. "Ella" - we thought she'd be more excited to see her. Elephants are her favorite animal. She's forever talking about the elephants at the zoo. She picked it out the basket and threw it on the ground. Well, then. I have high hopes for this elephant. Really want her to have something she attaches to so that it MIGHT make me leaving her easier. I said MIGHT.

Isn't always more fun to play with paper grass than toys?

Helping with the Easter pancakes.

Loving their little water color sets. Who knew???

The carnage that is Imogene and Easter grass.

She would not make a normal smile.

Nor could we get those blue sunglasses off.

And if Lily squats to be next to Imogene, Imogene squats too!

I love this picture of them. Even if Imogene isn't smiling or looking at me!

Imogene again - not happy to be in a picture. But I got the bow in!

Please look a those curls and that precious little face. She can be such a cute, dear little thing.

Both girls both big fans of how twirly their dresses were.

The best shot I got of them together all day.

Again with the dress.

This one I just had to include. She is cute.

Will I Ever Catch Up?

2011-04-23T22:19:00.000-04:00

I'm so behind on the blog I don't know where to start.
We have Lily's Special Week at school from two weeks ago, plus our Spring Break trip last week to Columbia. But since I'm not sure how long it's going to take me to get to those pictures - I thought it might be fun to see what the girls looked like last year on Easter, so that we can compare tomorrow!
Lily definitely looks older, but not that much different - if that makes any sense. And Imogene - at least she has a lot more hair! And she can walk and run around and talk so much! A big change for her.
We are looking forward to a very nice day tomorrow - even if we do have the duty of the 4 year-old room at church :) !!!!

I Just Had to Help

2011-04-16T10:30:00.000-04:00

So I wanted to share a way you can shop for Mother's Day, and help out a really courageous mom. Through Stella & Dot I have come to learn about a young mom in my area recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I am so impressed by her spirit and attitude, and decided to do something! She loves jewelry, so we've set up a trunk show on my website for her. I am going to donate 50% of my commission to help her family. If you'd like to do something fun for yourself (and take care of Mother's Day!) go to my website www.stelladot.com/laurensigler and when you're shopping, enter Danielle H. in the hostess box. Thanks for letting me talk business on the blog :) But what a deserving way to talk business right?

Deep Thoughts from Lily

2011-04-15T20:49:00.000-04:00

When I told Lily we could only do one book tonight because it was late, she said "Then can I talk to you about something?" So after we read our one book, she said "Okay, I want to talk to you about something. Yesterday, I realized that I was being nice to my friends. And last night it was interesting me that I couldn't sleep because I don't want those things on my room anymore." (the pink Christmas balls we hung up 2 years ago a la Fancy Nancy.)" And that was all she needed to talk to me about. And for a second I had worried that it was going to be something big.

Baseball Bat Singer

2011-04-05T22:16:00.000-04:00

These are from a couple of weeks ago. Imogene runs around the backyard holding a baseball bat like a microphone. Lily always says, "Oh Imogene it's a baseball bat!"

I was particularly "proud" of this outfit Lily put together. Note from what everyone else has on that it is NOT warm outside.

Fashion Designer In Training

2011-04-05T22:09:00.001-04:00

Lily put on the cutest fashion show ever this afternoon. Unfortunately it was inspired by a Barbie movie (I try, but I'm just not a fan) - but it was so fun to watch her. She laid out a long piece of tape from when I tried to make a tablecloth hem (don't ask) and that was her "fashion row." She did the hand on the hip and twirled in the middle with her wrists bent just so ... she would nod her head at me before she started, as if to say "okay, I'm ready. Are you ready?"She had the music up really loud and loved telling me how she had designed all the clothes herself and wasn't I just so impressed? When she told Naney about it (she arrived tonight for her spring break), she said "Naney, I am a fashion line designer. And I am also a Power Ranger. I have a lot of business." I took a lot of pictures. This may be the only time I get her to wear all the dresses I got her from Just Ducky.

Meanwhile, instead of changing clothes, Imogene decided she'd rather just dump all of her clothes. Including her diaper. At one point she was wearing her little pink winter boots and a diaper. And nothing else. And she wanted to change her diaper, but didn't want one of the ones we had downstairs. She had to go upstairs and pick out an Elmo diaper from her room. She is SO two years-old.

All she wants to do is take her own clothes off and put her own shoes off and on, and she gets so, so frustrated by all of it.

Uncle Ryan is headed on a Caribbean vacation for a wedding tomorrow morning.

Safe Travels Uncle Ry!

Sunshine Again

2011-04-04T22:22:00.000-04:00

So I'm going to be a little less doom and gloom now.
It was 86 degrees here today. CRAZY warm - I was talking to Tracie, and it was almost too warm too fast, it made the little ones totally crazy outside at the park. Of course tomorrow it is going to be 54 and raining. Our weather has just been so unpredicatable - I'm really ready for steady warm weather.

Lily had her very first soccer game on Saturday. I was in Kentucky spending a wonderful weekend with some girlfriends, and of course, Stella & Dot. Bill reports that Lily had a great time, and thanked him for helping her not feel too nervous. How cute is that!?! It started raining right at the end, and apparently was pouring and hailing and just a big mess. But fun nonetheless. When I asked her about it, and she immediately told me - "There were no scoreboards."

Imogene has not been sick for so long, and of course got a high fever Friday night when I was away! She was fine the next day, but is still coughing so much and really not herself. Leave it to the Siglers to let the entire winter go by without any major illnesses,and then the first day of warm weather get sick!

A friend of mine today told me Bill should be cloned. I agree :)

It's Just the Way it Is

2011-04-04T14:10:00.000-04:00

Going to therapy can be depressing. There I said. It's depressing. Not necessarily about Imogene's progress specifically, but about all that is going on there with so many kids. And I feel guilty for how well she is doing, and ache for the parents who have children who will never walk and never talk and I just want to hug and cry with them. And then I want to switch places with the moms who are there for what will certainly be short-term therapy. Not that I don't want Imogene, I just don't want the cards we've been dealt lately. I want a child who can go to sleep on her own, and stay asleep for longer than 3 hours, and one that will still take a nap. I know I'm complaining a lot lately and I KNOW we have so much to be thankful for. It's just one of those days when I'm so tired of therapy, and so tired of all the bad luck kids are dealt before they even have a chance to fight it. And I hate that Imogene can't walk up the stairs or down the stairs on her own. And that she can't really sit and look at books like other kids because her hand won't open the way it should. And that when she wants to wash her hands (Which she LOVES) she can't reach the water with her right hand because her arm is so tight that she can't get it forward enough.
So yes, she's doing great, but it can be really overwhelming thinking about how far she has to go.

I promise I'll be back later with a more positive post. You are all so kind to read, but this is also in a way my journal, and so sometimes you have to deal with the good and the bad.

How Could I?

2011-03-30T07:23:00.002-04:00

We are two days late in wishing Grunny a VERY, VERY Happy Birthday!

Hear We Go Again!

2011-03-29T22:41:00.000-04:00

Get it, HEAR we go again? This is going to be about Lily's ENT appointment. Aren't I clever? :)

Bill and Lily went bright and early this morning to see the ENT and have her hearing checked. As we suspected, the fluid is back in the right ear. He asked us to wait six weeks and bring her back, and then we'll see if it clears up on its own, needs medicine, or a tube. (By the way she could tell you all of this exactly how the doctor told them today.)

Bill and I are overly frustrated with insurance and our bills from therapy and all the mess that goes into having a child (actually children) who need constant care and services. I know it could be so much worse, but sometimes I allow myself to get too bogged down in how long all of this is going to last. I'll admit it - it wears me out to think of going to therapy for another 10-15 years. It just does. Imogene has made such progress with all of it - especially her speech - WOW is she a talker these days. It doesn't make a ton of sense unless you know her pretty well. But she's started saying things like "mommy's car ~ mommycah" and "i want that" and "one more book" ... most of her words are all strung together in one, and that's one of the big things we are working on. But she's tough - she's very, very 2 years-old, and has started fussing a lot about wearing her brace. I think she knows that Lily changes her shoe choice every day and gets to pick what shoes she wears, and Imogene is stuck with the brace and the same shoes every single day.

Lily's writing is getting a lot better, but a lot of her issues remain, and I try very hard to take it one day at a time, but with all the stuff getting ready for kindergarten registration right now, it's hard not to worry just a little bit more than I usually do about how she will do. My main concern, and I think Bill feels this too, is that I want her to love learning, and love school, and I don't want frustration with her skills and her sensory issues to get in the way of that.

Five Years & Two Shots!

2011-03-28T20:38:00.001-04:00

Lily had her five-year-old check-up today. She did a great job, but was not happy AT ALL about the two shots she got, and then milked that for all it was worth for a while. We went to eat lunch afterwards, and she actually asked me to feed her because she couldn't move her arms. Oh the drama.
She did 'refer' for the hearing screening again - which is convenient, because she has an appointment with the ENT tomorrow morning!
Imogene had her weight checked, and has moved up to the 15%tile! That's great news. Dr. Baldrate still wants us to come back with her over the summer and have her re-checked. Especially because she's going on maternity leave in July with her third boy! Congrats to our favorite pediatrician!!!

Model for A Night!

2011-03-27T22:53:00.000-04:00

Last Thursday night I had the great fortune to model in the Junior Friends' of Alexandria's Toast to Fashion, which supports the Campagna Center. The center helps children in the area through literacy programs and other activities. It was SO FUN! These are just two of the outfits that I got to wear - I am hoping that I will have other pictures to share. It really was fun to be all glamorous for a night. And it was fun to spend the afternoon and evening with my friend and fellow Stella & Dotter, Molly. Friends Tracie and Christine also came out to support my modeling debut! What a fun night!

Special thanks to Grunny and Charlie who came to help with the girls while I was gone Wednesday night and most of Thursday!

Lily and I went to her kindergarten open house on Friday. I cannot believe I typed that! She is BEYOND excited about kindergarten. We went into the school library for the open house, the kids were with teachers playing, and the parents were in another room for the informational portion of the day. Lily went right over to her buddy from school and didn't look back! Mommy, on the other hand, almost cried when I started imagining her gone from us all day, and eating lunch in a cafeteria!!! The only time she was at all fussy or sad was when it was time to leave! She starts Kindergarten camp on August 1. That lasts for two weeks and then school starts August 29. I love the idea of Kindergarten camp for all of us, but boy does it make the summer seem short!

One on One Time for Everyone!

2011-03-21T22:16:00.000-04:00

Lily and I had a great weekend in Raleigh. We stayed with my dear friend from VT, Lauren and her family Friday night, and then with Jenny, my dearest UR friend and her family Saturday night.

It was a short, slightly whirlwind trip, but it was really so great to see Lauren & Jenny.

We also got to spend the day with my old RNC friend, Anne on Sunday for her Stella & Dot show.

The weekend reminded me how lucky I am to have had so many amazing opportunities to make so many amazing friends!

Rachel and Lily watching Ellie's soccer game.

(I did not take enough pictures at Lauren's house!)

We went to a nice playground/park with the boys and Jenny Sunday morning. It wasn't quite warm enough for our liking. We were looking for warmer weather. SO Ready for Spring we are!!!

Running to watch the train at the switch yard!

Waving to the train.

If only Imogene could have come with us (just for the picture). She and Daddy had a wonderful weekend together while Lily and I were away. They went to the zoo and played with lots of friends and went out to eat and really enjoyed their time just the two of them!

Will and Jack really liked Lily! She had celebrity-status with those two!

The Vosburghs Visit

2011-03-17T22:18:00.000-04:00

We had a lovely visit with Nancy and Conner last week. Nancy was my roommate after college for two years, and is a dear person with a heart as big as can be. She really is such a true friend, and wouldn't you know it, her five year-old son, Conner, is just the same. Such a sweet kid he is. Thoughtful and sincere and so inquisitive. Boy did Lily absolutely FALL IN LOVE. She was nervous at first, but after 2 minutes together in the car they were thick as thieves. Her only complaints the whole time he was here - that he was going to leave, and that she couldn't have a slumber party with him in the basement!

They could not stop talking. All the way through the American History Museum.

Playing out on the National Mall after our Museum visit. Such happy kids!

They had a blast running around and throwing pebbles in the puddles. Oh to be 5.

Would you look at her face? Is that love or what?

I am not sure they "got" what we were trying to get them to do!

Lily White Shoes

2011-03-17T22:12:00.000-04:00

The career has begun. Lily Sigler started soccer today. She told EVERYONE within earshot that today was her first day of soccer practice. I finally found her cleats, shorts and shinguards (also known as "protectors") - she was not a fan of the black cleats. So she picked the white ones with blue and pink on them. Just like her Daddy wore back in the late '70s / early '80s ... so now it's not Billy White Shoes, it's Lily White Shoes. She was bursting to get there. What a big girl walking down to the park for practice carrying her ball and wearing her gear. How did she get so big so fast? She looked at me when we were getting her cleats on and said, "Mom, I'm so excited about this."
Tonight at dinner (and several other times after practice) she said, "Were you really impressed with how I practiced today?" She stayed very focused the whole time - the only thing she didn't like was the dirt on her knees, but she didn't really fuss about it, just didn't occur to her to just keep playing. Came right over and asked to be cleaned off. Such a girl, such MY KID!

Those are two brave Dads right there.

We practice at 4:30, or a certain Dad we all know and love would have been out there too!

Off to play on the playground with Maggie.

Carrying the ball with your elbows. Not easy for Lily.

Ah, the water break.

Back at the action!

Waiting her turn.

She had a blast today. Makes her Daddy, and her Mommy too!, very happy!

Go Team! (They are supposed to think of ideas for the team name. She is very concerned about what she will come up with.)

Yeah for Lily and Will! Finally big enough to be on the team and not watching Wade play anymore! I love Lily and Will together. They are so sweet to each other and really just like each other so much. Hopefully they always do. Somehow the other night we were discussing how sometimes boys don't like girls (it was from a "Lilly" book when a boy in her class thinks it's gross that the teacher is getting married I think.) Lily said, "Well not me and Will. We will always love each other. He's my bud forever and ever."

What I'm Not Going to Do...

2011-03-08T20:54:00.000-05:00

I will not post about how Imogene won't let me leave the room without following me or screaming. Or about how she basically refuses to do anything but have me hold her or sit in my lap. Or about how she is still screaming like crazy when I leave her with dear, sweet babysitter Alice.
Instead, I will post that Imogene loves to sit and read books to herself. When I am helping Lily with her shower or getting Lily dressed or any other number of things Lily should do by herself but doesn't - I often find Imogene in her rocker or Lily's rocker just reading away. I will post that she is really starting to say a lot more. "Paahk mommy's cah" (we were going to the park. and she's obsessed with which car she will ride in.) She pointed to a gift bag and said "mommy hooopy buhday too uuu" I swear that is what she said. I am sure that she was actually singing it too. As Alice was saying today, she understands absolutely everything that is going on. Tonight she even help me set the table, and put everything at the right seat! After she spent the weekend a few weeks ago with Naney and Aunt Susan and saw Uncle Ryan, she considers them one group. She will say "nah-ney" and then "ry" and then "dudan" ... as if she is checking them off her list. When she likes something she is eating she has started saying "mmm" and giggling.

Somehow Lily and I got to talking about people's full names versus nicknames. She ended the conversation by stating that she would tell her kindergarten teachers that her name was Lillian. Apparently she meant it, because she told Miss Pam that she would be Lillian when she went to kindergarten.

Overheard on the playground, "Hi I'm Lily. I"m 4 1/2. No, wait, I'm 5."

She also told me while we were in NYC (in the bathroom at American Girl of all places) that I was a "nice mommy when that crazy Imogene isn't around." I think what she was trying to say is that I seem less harried, less hurried, less frantic and frenetic when it is just us. So that's my 'resolution' for this Lenten season (starts tomorrow - hooray Easter is only 41 days away!). I'm going to try giving up being harried, hurried, frantic and frenetic with my two children (With Life in General maybe!) Because I really don't want to get short with them and rush them through the day (although I swear Lily moves through molasses). I know that these are very precious times, and I should be proud of Imogene wanting to put her own coat on, and try and empathize with how frustrating it can be for Lily to try and do the same. I should try so much harder to live in the moment and take deeper breaths. So I am going to try and be a nicer mommy, even when that crazy Imogene is around.

Wish me luck.

Trip to NYC

2011-03-06T22:08:00.000-05:00

We took Lily to NYC this weekend for her birthday. Everything went wonderfully - thanks to Bill's excellent planning, and Grunny & Charlie's excellent care of Miss Imogene. Here is a link to some pictures. I will get them on the blog as soon as the computer stops running so slowly!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=280174&id=691297886&l=3f3b7a3185

Her First Public Performance

2011-03-02T22:20:00.000-05:00

Finally Five

2011-03-02T22:10:00.000-05:00

She loved her new guitar. Who knew a kids guitar was so affordable? And it actually doesn't sound that bad! I swear!

The ladybug stuffed animal from Aunt Martha & Uncle David was a big hit.

Happy Girl in her Birthday Jammies.

Imogene got a notebook with Glee pictures on the cover. She just kept saying "gee" "mine" "gee."

Hello Kitty Boots from Aunt Susan. Another big hit.

Her school celebration. Of course there's Imogene, right with the big kids. Miss Pam & Miss Carey are so sweet to her, and made sure she was right there in the middle of everything. Imogene even calls Carey "Cay-key"

A very happy girl.

This is Henry. Henry absolutely adores Imogene.

It's also Book Week at WWP. Daddy obliged Lily, and read a book to the class. Apparently it's one of Miss Pam's best performances, so he was nervous! I would have been! He did a great job with the Penguin Finds a Hot Dog!

Yes, she did play her guitar during "Happy Birthday."

I love that kid. She can drive me up the wall and all the way back down again. But I absolutely could not imagine any other Lily ... she is just too much!

Our traditional family Birthday picture!

Lots of hugs with her best girls.

Maggie made Lily a picture calendar ... such a wonderful gift - such a wonderful young lady that Maggie C!

A perfect way to end the day. A surprise call from Tennyson in Texas! Lily was so tickled!

Her Last Days of Four

2011-03-02T21:51:00.000-05:00

Talking to Uncle Ryan on the phone. They both look so much older than they really are!

A cold trip to the park yesterday. We were the only people there - no kidding - it was way colder than I thought it was going to be. But I think they were both pretty excited to be outside. This winter has lasted forever!!!

Serving me food at the "Kisses Restaurant."

She's Five!

2011-03-02T09:49:00.000-05:00

It has finally arrived. Lily is Five. She's a bundle of energy today. And she's already serenading us with her new guitar she got for her birthday! Yes, they make very cute kids guitars for her size. She's actually holding it and strumming with her pick pretty well!

February Fun

2011-02-27T19:14:00.001-05:00

Lily went to a precious birthday party yesterday - the theme was Ladybugs. They had beer and wine in a tub labeled "adult nectar."

She is really into playing her toy violin as a guitar these days. She has always been into music ... she and Imogene could sing and dance all day. We had a little "Taylor Swift dance party" Friday while I was putting the laundry away (please try and not be jealous) and she said "watch how I play it like this mom!"

Fun to find them playing together!

Imogene had a birthday party this month that was just little girls. One of the activities was decorating a cupcake, and then they got a cute chinese take-out box to bring it home in. Driving home I realize that she had reached the box and taken the cupcake out and was eating it! In Bill's NEW car! Very, very proud of herself.

And finally, my attempt at getting a picture of my three loves on Valentine's Day.

Outside!

2011-02-27T17:42:00.000-05:00

It's been almost pleasant outside here this weekend. We took advantage and played in the back yesterday and today, and got the new trees we had planted some needed water! For those of you that may remember, a large tree fell back in May and took out the "fence" of bushes we had between us and the building next door. We are so happy with our new side yard. It has completely changed the face of our house!
I also finally got some pictures taken of the girls (well mostly Imogene) outside today. It gave me a chance to try out two new lenses I got for Christmas.

Look at her go! Wish this had come out clearer!

I know I'm biased, but gosh she's cute.

Lily and will decided to practice for soccer.

The new trees (this is to the left of our house for those of you that have been here!)

My roses that were in the front have been moved to line the driveway. I cannot wait to see them with color, especially when the crepe myrtle blooms!

The trees and the liriope (it was there already, they just split it up) line a nice little path! One day we'll make it stone so it won't be mud :)

She was so tickled by Bill throwing the ball up in the air.

Look at all that hair!

Laughing at Rusty.

We Wished Her Well

2011-02-21T21:35:00.000-05:00

Bill's sweet grandmother, Gladys, passed away on Friday. She was 99 years young! We went to Maryland today for her funeral. We were really nervous to talk to Lily about today. Our neighbor's dog died the day before Imogene was born, and I'm still not 100% sure that she understands what happened. So we talked to Miss Pam a little bit, and decided to tell her that Grandma Sigler lived for a very, very long time, but it was time for to go live with God. We told her that we were going to Maryland to tell Grandpa Roy & Carol how sorry we were, because we will all miss her, and that we will wish Grandma Sigler well, and Grandpa Roy and Carol well too. She asked virtually no questions - just curious as to who was going to live in "her office." (Grandma Sigler lived in a nursing home, and so that must have looked like an office to Lily.) We went to the funeral home, but I took the girls out and about during the service and burial. I just wasn't ready for all that and Lily! She was very sweet to everyone, and she told both Bill and I that she planned to have her class "wish Grandma Sigler well" at school tomorrow. I think that would have made sweet Gladys very tickled!

A Good Tired

2011-02-20T20:46:00.001-05:00

We are exhausted - but for good reason! Bill and I spent the weekend in Charleston with my oldest and dearest friends from high school. It was so much fun, but we stayed up WAY too late both nights hanging out and catching up. One of the best parts - my friend Libby made a mix on her iPod of all the songs we loved in high school. Brought back so many memories and was so fun. All the songs had to have a release date of August 1994 or earlier. I was shocked that some of the songs that in my head were just on the radio are over 20 years old!

Meanwhile, the girls were having the best weekend too! Naney and Susan took wonderful care of them in Columbia. They went to the zoo and the Children's museum in ONE day! They also took a trip to Wingate to see Uncle Ryan at a basketball game. They were both so happy to see us when we got back, but I can tell from all that Lily told us that they LOVED being spoiled with so much fun and love. Thank you so much Aunt Susan and Naney!!!

Randomness

2011-02-16T22:39:00.000-05:00

So if I were on Twitter (which I am, but I don't 'tweet') here are some of the things you might have heard from me.

Lily to me: "mom, are you happy with your two kids?"
Me: "Yes of course Lily - do I not seem happy?"
Lily: "I was just thinking you might be happy with three kids, because I really want a baby brother."

One day I hope to go to the bathroom and have no one follow me into the room.

I do not feel at all badly that two people sent my children McDonald's gift cards for Valentine's. I take that as a very nice gesture that Grunny & Aunt Jill know the girls love happy meals, and that mommy loves not having to make, serve or clean-up after lunch. Or Daddy after dinner, as it so happened last week - when they had McD's for both meals. (Did I share that story already?)

It also does not make me feel at all guilty that Imogene saw the Chick Fil A logo and said "lemmomomade" and can say "Lay" when we arrive at CFA. I am very proud of her brand-recognition at such an early age.

What was I thinking teaching Imogene "No" and "Mine."

What in the world is this "Bubble Guppies" show supposed to teach?

Will I ever get to watch TV ever again?

When Imogene can really carry on a conversation, I do so hope she will explain what she has against sleeping.

That's all that I would have this week I think if I were a tweeter.

Whenever we pull up to therapy Imogene starts saying "Ahmay" or "Dudan" ... if it's Monday, she says "diddyahmay" or if it's Wednesday she says "my ahmay" ... today we were getting out of the car and she said ahmay, and i said, yes we are going to play with Amy. She said "ca" ... and them "ahm" and I said, "yes, Imogene we are going to wear your cast on your arm." Her immediate response: "poppop" - her favorite thing about therapy now - the lollipop at the end!

We started with a new babysitter, a lovely woman named Alice, who wants both girls to like her very much. Neither of them are being very nice to Alice. Especially not Imogene, who cries hysterically with her, unless they are outside. Not exactly what I had in mind when I hired her so I could get work done in my new office while they played in the basement. Lily is just being Lily to her, and won't let her do anything that she would rather I did for her. You know, things only a mom can do, like ZIPPING HER COAT. I mean for real.

2011-02-12T22:34:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the Moss Family! They welcomed baby Hunter to their family yesterday in Atlanta. He is doing great, and mom is recovering slowly, but well. XOXO to you Friends!

How does it go that I sit down to post on the blog and realize that it's been a week since my last post? Things have been crazy here, but I swear every week I think they are going to be less crazy. We spent last Sunday working to get our new office set up in the house.
Let me back up. We've realized lately that this place is just one giant mess. My Stella & Dot business was all over the house. And let me tell you that's no way to run a house or a business. So my sweet, wonderful husband came up with a way to turn our TV room into 1/2 tv room and 1/2 office. We've spent the last week and a half ordering furniture and picking it up and cleaning ... we are A LONG way from finished, but it appears that we will actually have all things 'business' - family papers and the like, plus my work stuff, all in our office in our TV room, with the arrival of a new couch for the TV room in April to look forward to. Our plan is to have that project done this month, so that next month we can move on to our next project - the basement and the 1,000,000 toys that our children never play with, because well, they have 1,000,000 toys all over the place. That's the project for March - all toys gone through and organized or donated to someone who actually needs them, and all closets in the basement cleaned up, and the bathroom too. (I am partly writing this to hold myself accountable.) And then April I am attacking our kitchen. The cabinets are always out of whack, the pantry (that's my fancy word for the cabinet that houses our dry food) is always overflowing, the fridge is always a mess, and well frankly, it could just work better. And then May I'm attacking the attic and our storage shed (okay I'm going to have Bill do the shed - I just don't like that thing for some reason) and we'll both have to do the attic. My goal is to have our entire house organized and the way we'd actually like to live by the time Lily is out of school in June. Lord only knows if we can get it all done, and we can actually stick to it, but I really, really want to be a more organized mother, and business woman! I believe in my heart that if my life were organized, my brain would stay in one place. And by that I mean that if it didn't take me 15 minutes to do something it should take me 5, then maybe I'd be more of a mom when I should be mom, and more business when I should be business. I am just such a mess right now. And I hate it. So I'm working on it. And may I, for the 1,000 time, thank my sweet husband for helping me get things in a better place. I had no idea you'd be such an amazing husband and father and just all around teammate ... I mean I must have had some idea - but my wildest dreams really did come true :) (and really, who would have known to dream to have a husband who helped you get your entire house back in order 12 years after you met him? ;)) ... but I digress.

We had two birthday parties today for Imogene. This morning was just 6 little girls, and then this afternoon was mostly boys and their parents ... it struck me this morning how delayed Imogene seemed, especially in speech, but also motor skills. Then this afternoon she definitely seemed behind in motor, but not so much in speech. Perhaps that is just the way boys and girls develop! She's such a little thing!

Lily remains quite a challenge, but I'm hoping with Miss Pam and Miss Carey, and Amy's help, and Dr. Baldrate too, we can get her in a good place by the time school starts in September (really August, since she has two weeks of "kindergarten camp" then).) Yes, we're thinking about school already. The open house for kindergarten is March 25!!!

Ride 'Em Cowgirl!

2011-02-05T21:30:00.000-05:00

Lily went to a cowgirl birthday party today.
Bill got a picture of Lily riding the pony that was there -hoping the mom got pictures of Imogene!!!! who also rode the pony today... she kept saying "neigh" when I was putting her to bed.

Check out the smile on Lily's face.

We had a family dance and sing party tonight to Glee Kereoke. Lily singing "true colors" and her little voice was just so dear.

Chatter Box

2011-02-02T22:29:00.000-05:00

So not much of it makes sense, but Imogene is talking up a storm these days. Here are the words she says, or at least says a 'sound' for (and I am partly doing this for my own records, especially since i kept a list like this for Lily)- mommy, daddy, lily (diddy), lola (her best, clearest word), juice (shoosh), kaka (cracker), dodo, lemonade (the best! lemomomomade), ahhdun (alldone), Hado (hot dog), Gee, nighnigh, elmo, abby, kikky, hat, coat, school (skoo), bah (ball), Ahmay (Amy, her OT), She is trying to say a lot more, and will repeat a sound similar to what you say - she says "help" and "peese" ... really trying to say more names.
I just asked Bill to help me with the list and he said "mommydobed" ... which is what imogene says at bedtime. she also says "ba" for bath ... and just recently has created a sound for potty. She is very interested in the potty and has gotten the child seat out of the cabinet a few times, and will sit up there, and then try and flush the toilet and wash her hands. Tonight she even went to the bathroom! (Sorry Imogene when you read this in 10 years.) The only way I got this to happen was that I know her - and she likes to go the minute you take her diaper off to get in the bath!
She was slightly impressed with herself, and raised her hands above her head. She absolutely loves to sing and sing and sing. Loudly, with this little hitch-step dance move.

We did an evaluation for OT today. She is so proficient with that left hand that we had to use a test that would take into account things that require 2 hands!

And, my biggest treat of the week - and yes, it's vain - we found some new shoes. No more white chunky lace-ups. A cute little pink t-strap. This time the nice lady at the different Stride Rite sold me two pairs, but gave me 25%-off. The brace is just so wide in the back. We go see Dr. Morozova in 2 weeks and I definitely want to know if we are always going to be in something that makes shoes so hard.

2011-01-31T07:38:00.000-05:00

This is Lily in her starsuit at therapy. It's very stretchy, so it requires her to work her arms and legs to keep it open. Apparently a lot of Lily's issues deal with her spatial and body awareness - and this gets her to seek a lot of input from her legs and arms. I'm still getting my head around the science of a visual motor delay.

Imogene loves to sit in a baby doll stroller!

And had to share (I hope I haven't already) this is me and the gorgeous, brilliant, fun Jessica Herrin - the founder of Stella & Dot. Had to give her a little shout-out, considering what a gift I feel like her company has been in my life.

And while I am shouting-out, let me again say thank you to Bill who has absolutely been the absolutely best husband/best friend/teammate in the world. It has been an insane month for me - 6 shows, 5 new people on my team - and he has kept all the trains running, and cooked some very delicious meals in the process. I know how lucky I am that he supports me 100%, and that he actually misses me when I'm away working!!!

pretty in pink

2011-01-31T07:31:00.000-05:00

Imogene and I got to go watch Lily's ballet class for "observation day" this month. Lily loves her class and her teacher, and I have to say - despite the million times I day I have to ask her to focus or get back to what we were doing (like getting dressed!) she was really very attentive to everything she was doing! So fun to watch her dance!

So behind

2011-01-25T08:03:00.000-05:00

I am just behind in my life in general right now, and the blog is just another example.
But I wanted to share this story about Lily. Even though she is a complete pain and will do absolutely nothing we ask her to do no matter how we ask or tell or plead, she's a pill right now.
But, we were sitting at chickfila the other night and there was a couple sitting close to us at a booth and they were so sweet and affectionate with each other. It wasn't obscene, it was just really dear. So as they were getting up to leave Lily looked at me and said, "Mom, do you think they are really married, or just really in love?" It was a very cute observation!

Check-Up Check-In

2011-01-17T20:12:00.000-05:00

Today was Imogene's 2 year-old check-up with Dr. Baldrate. For once, it was completely routine. She weighs 23 lbs 8 oz - still in the 10th percentile. She is 32 1/4 inches long, still in the 25th percentile. She's just going to be a little thing! Her only rough patch at the appointment was getting one shot. She really only cried for a minute or two. Last year she had bloodwork which showed a slight protein C deficiency, so at some point in the next month or two, we'll need to run that again. We just weren't up for getting the full blood draw today. When Dr. Baldrate told us last year we should repeat it at age 2, that seemed so, so far away. It's already here! She ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich today and loved it! Yeah for no more food restrictions!

It's Her Birthday...

2011-01-16T20:59:00.000-05:00

A few pictures from our little party we had today for Imogene. It was just the right thing ... she wasn't too overwhelmed and seemed to be very happy the entire time! She loves, loves, loves reading books to herself and dancing!

She loves balloons.

Dancing and Singing.

This is our sweet, sweet 2 year-old!

Loving the balloon.

Kiss for Charlie.

Happy with Daddy.

Kisses with Grunny.

Loving the new laptop! Thank you Lola & Lucy.

Reading her new book about Elmo.

Instruments from Naney.

Lily did a good job putting up with it not being about her ... some "big sister/unbirthday" presents helped, and she basically opened all the presents for Imogene :)

Happy 2nd Birthday Imogene!

2011-01-16T14:59:00.000-05:00

Dear Imogene Blanche,
Two years ago this moment, Daddy and I were just minutes away from meeting you for the first time. You made a statement right away, and let us know that while you were gorgeous, you were going to make a name for yourself. Daddy would get to hold you for a few minutes, and then it would be a few hours before you were ready to come and be in mommy's arms. Funny, thinking about it now, maybe that's why you make me hold you all the time - making up for those first few hours! You have taught us so much about ourselves, and what it means to love with your whole, entire heart - every single ounce of it. You turned our little two, almost three-year-old, into the best big sister in the world (most of the time!). She loves you, and you love her, more than I ever dreamed you would. You remind me that life is not always what you plan it to be, but sometimes that it's just exactly the way it was supposed to be anyway. What a happy, loving and precious baby you are ... but now I guess you aren't a baby are you? A two-year-old! walking around the house in your pajamas that are way too big for you, with your purse on your arm, telling everyone 'bye' as you go off on your trip to the kitchen. You sit next to Lily and imitate every move she makes, but you also march to the beat of your own drum, and boy do you like making sounds! My heart is truly over-flowing with how cute you are in this age. We all love you more than you will ever know, and are so excited to watch all that you will do when you are "TCHU!"

Home!

2011-01-12T22:51:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Bill and Bunny & Charlie, I have returned from an AMAZING three nights in Dallas with Stella & Dot. It was supposed to be 2 nights, but thanks to the crazy weather the south and northeast are having, I was delayed a day. It was great to have that time to focus on my business. and Not have to take anyone to the bathroom or change any diapers! But am I exhausted. We were up late and early! And my brain was swimming the entire time. So much to grow with and so much fun to be had with this amazing job I have found. Promise to update more on the family this weekend.
Imogene is going to be 2 on Sunday! And she can say 2 - 'tchu.'

ESPN Here She Comes

2011-01-06T21:42:00.000-05:00

Lily is a sports-lover. She woke up Tuesday morning, and the first thing she said to me was, "Did the Hokies win?" Alas, they did not. Poor kid, disappointment comes early. Tonight we were talking about how she can sign up to play soccer soon (Side note: there is a team of boys and girls going into kindergarten at her future elementary school. So many aspects of that sentence make me want to cry or throw-up. We'll leave it at that.) So she says, "Mom, I don't have a costume!" "Well Lily, I think we'll get the shorts and shoes, and they'll give you a shirt." "What will our team be?" "I don't know yet sweetie." "Oh gosh, I hope we aren't going to be blue. I really don't want to be blue like Chelsea." Her daddy has trained her well. Chelsea is a rival of Daddy's beloved Manchester United Red Devils, of the English premier league. She is so well-trained, that when Susan started talking about her trip to London, and how she and Matt looked for Chelsea tickets but they were too expensive, Lily says, "We don't like Chelsea Aunt Susan."

Please Be Kidding Me...

2011-01-06T14:35:00.000-05:00

Imogene is back to terrible sleep. Up for four hours the other night. Waking up a bunch. Terrible to get down. And she's not napping. Since Sunday, she's napped 40 minutes. I cannot tell you how panicked I get from the thought that a)terrible sleep is back again or worse b) she's dropping her nap!!!!!!!!! She's not yet 2. I CANNOT.HANDLE.NO.NAPS. I need that break from her. I love her, but we need the break. Plus it makes her a nutcase by dinner time.
But Lily is dealing with this fine. While I was upstairs trying to get Imogene to sleep, she took the high chair Imogene's baby doll got for Christmas and climbed up on the counter, got her own cup and lid out of the cabinet, then went over and repeated the process for the apple juice in the fridge. I am trying not to think of how badly that could have gone. She's very proud of herself.

One of These Days

2011-01-04T21:40:00.000-05:00

There are just so many pictures from Christmas, I cannot sit down and get them posted! We are settling back into the grind after a wonderful week of resting at home, traveling to SC, and then resting and hanging out at home again. One day over the weekend Imogene stayed in her pajamas the entire day. What a way to celebrate the holidays! Lily is so very happy back at school. Imogene and I picked her up today and we ended up staying and chatting with Miss Pam Miss Carey Miss Patty and the Burke (what we call Carolyn, the director, thanks to Lola)... Imogene was laughing so hard at all of them and was clearly thrilled to be back with her favorite ladies. Of course makes my heart sing. Not as much as it did one day last week - we can neither one remember how it started, but the conversation ended with lily saying, "but I'll still be your little girl right?" Lily did pretty well with the holidays and all the commotion and no routine.
She's especially in love with the Wii game console we got. She Loves playing tennis on it, and even when it looks like she's doing terrible at something, she usually does pretty well. The best is the Glee Kereoke game that we all love playing. Imogene is a big fan of holding the microphone and singing her heart out. And asking for "gee." She really loves singing and dancing. There is no way I can put into words how cute this is ... she just sings and sings so loudly and so happily. Is there anything better than watching your child find joy? She is also talking up a storm, although admitedly very little of it makes any sense. She has come up with her first real sentence, "Mommydobe" ... which is mommy do bed. Wonderful, loving, best dad ever Bill usually puts her to bed because she just does better when he does it. But she's been pitching a fit for Mommy to do it. It's frustrating for everyone. But it does lighten the mood when she pulls out , "mommydobe mommydobe."
She is also now in love with wally, the green monster. yes, that wally the green monster, mascot of the Boston Red Sox. She says "wajee" ... and then calls every player in the book we read "daddy."
Her birthday is in 12 days! Where in the world did the last 2 years go? We are going to have a very, very little celebration for our little girl. Mostly because we want Imogene to have her own thing, and most of the kids we know are 4!!! And really, after what we saw at Christmas - she really doesn't care much right now. She is just happy dancing around the house to "gee."

Getting Close to Christmas!

2010-12-30T21:02:00.000-05:00

Naney came to visit for a few days before Christmas. We all bundled up and went to see the lights at the Zoo ... fun, but not as fun as would be if it weren't really, really cold!

This hat might be the cutest thing Lily has. She doesn't love wearing it, but boy do we love her in it!

Imogene is asking to be held, and poor Nane is having to hold Lily's doll that she insisted on bringing.

Look at how messy that face is! combination of her cold (yuck) and a blue-sprinkled sugar cookie.

Imogene and Lily got to open their presents from Maggie early. Maggie gave Lily a Rapunzel doll, which as you can see, was a huge, huge hit.

This girls Loves Elmo.

Nutcracker Tea

2010-12-30T20:56:00.000-05:00

Lily's ballet studio puts on a traditional Nutcracker performance. They also do a Nutcracker Tea, that includes a shortened version of the Nutcracker, a 'tea party' and a chance to meet the stars! Bill and I took Lily the Sunday before Christmas. She loved it! Thanks Naney for keeping Imogene (who apparently sat by the front door when she woke up from her nap crying for us. Poor Naney having to deal with that!)

She brought her Clara doll with her, and got to chose a Nutcracker to take home!

The children were invited to sit right in front to watch the dances. Lily said that sometimes their skirts made it windy in her face :)

This is Amara - she is an assistant in Lily's class. (Lily's smocked ballerina dress was a huge hit. Who knew how perfect it would be when I bought it over the summer on sale! She felt very proud that all the dancers were complimenting her on it!)

Clara - Lily wanted to meet her more than anyone else.

This girl was very sweet and saw Lily just standing waiting to get up the nerve to talk to more of the stars!

Bubbles!

2010-12-30T20:47:00.000-05:00

We had a blast with DeeDee at our last therapy session before Christmas. Imogene was so, so tickled by the bubbles. She loves them, but that day for some reason she loved them even more! There are a lot of pictures to look at - I just couldn't pick from them - they were all so precious of her.