More fun from Imogene

Twice today Imogene correctly pointed to her ears, nose and mouth.

When I asked her about her eyes, the first time she kept pointing to her ears back and forth, and the second time she just looked at me. I think after next week she'll know where her eyes are! 

Amy & Susan were so excited to see the video of her pushing the grocery cart today. Amy thinks walking is just around the corner! We'll have to see what Susan says tomorrow!

Lily went to OT with us today and was very helpful. She must have told Amy about 20 stories that started with "This one time..." and about 1/2 of them were things completely untrue or very made up, or things I had completely forgotten about, but little miss memory never forgets!

Best-Laid Plans

So before I tell you how my plans got changed (it's obvious from the title right?) I wanted to share a few things about Imogene. She has started taking steps ... she'll let go of your hand, steady herself and then shuffle her feet once or twice. Amazing. She will also stand on her own for at least 15-20 seconds. She's such a hard worker. Have I shared that she loves to say "oh-oh" for uh-oh? And that she loves to dance? She even learned to move her arms up in the air like Lily does in her dance from cheer camp. When she's not super frustrated or angry or really clingy, she's the happiest, cutest thing ever.
The other big piece of information (in our world at least) is what we heard from the hospital today about her surgery. They called to confirm that we're on the schedule for Monday. We won't know until Friday afternoon for what time the surgery is scheduled, but she said to expect to arrive 2-3 hours prior to the procedure, allow 1-2 hours for the actual surgery, and 1-4 hours for recovery. Yikes. If you go on the long end of their spectrum, that's 9 hours. Hopefully the surgery itself won't take that long. Not sure how I feel about her being under that long, but I'm just not going to think about that right now!

So my best-laid plains. We were supposed to be on vacation in Maine this week. Things got messed up on the rental end, and so we're going in August. Not really that big of a deal in the end, but it's a little disappointing. We could really use some time away together the four of us. But anyway, with a whole day of no therapy scheduled, I planned a trip down to Richmond to see two friends and their girls who used to live up here. Plan to get up early, out the door before 830, enjoy a whole day there, go to the pool or the Children's Museum, totally enjoy catching up with the moms and the kids, eat supper and head home in our pajamas. I contemplated staying overnight and then I remembered whose kid I have! So that was my plan...Except that Imogene was up ALL night last night. This was most likely due to the fact that her legs are covered in 21 different bug bites. Poor Poor baby. I mean this kid just never catches a break. So she's up all night, and up screaming by 630. And so here comes Lily at 640 am. This is REALLY early for both of them to be up. Of course neither Bill or I have the energy to get up and going, so we held them off in the bed until 715 or so. And then of course it took me until after 9 am to get out the door. The drive was fine, except for the big part that was NOT fine AT ALL. I always stop at the first Chick-Fil-A on 95 south. I get gas, and go through the drivethru for my sweet tea.  Except this time we were all the way back on 95 when I realized the tea was not sweet. I cannot, cannot for the life of me drink unsweet tea. It's just such a waste. I even stopped at the next CFA exit down 95 to see if they'd switch it for me. I bet they would have, except that the CFA was 1.2 miles off the highway and I never found it. (As an aside, when I run for President one day, my first platform issue will be "Truth in Highway Advertising." You should not be off the highway when you find out the CFA is 2 miles off the exit. That's just wrong.) So anyway, we finally got to Richmond, and Lily glued herself to my body for the first 30 minutes. Imogene did too, but that's nothing new. There were about 20 princess items to chose from and she would not budge. She got a little better when they played outside. But when our dear friend served a lovely lunch outside, Lily chose to eat at the grown-up table and refused to sit with her friends. She was such a mess by the time we all finished lunch that we came home. Imogene probably wouldn't have napped there, and in the girls defense at making me come home, I totally balked at putting her down for her nap there. I struggle with her at home, I was not excited about trying it elsewhere!  Poor Imogene was so tired though, she slept 2 hours in the car.  But it was great seeing Tess & Meredith and their girls, and I hope we'll get down there again soon - for a longer visit!

And we'll end on a nice note about sweet Lily. After changing out of her princess dress-up outfit tonight she said, "Here I am, back to normal me again."

Weekends are Fun

Weekends are just fun, aren't they? Especially since you get to tag-team your children and not be out-numbered! Friday was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A. So you know where we had supper.

Lily dressed up as a cow. This was not considered "full-cow" and so she only got her nuggets for free and not her entire meal. I find this questionable (She had a tail for crying out loud!) and plan to complain. :)

Who doesn't love posing with a "Fire-Cow" as Lily referred to him?

Again, this was not considered full-cow, even with a tail. The nerve.

Saturday we headed up to Frederick for Bill's uncle's 70th birthday. I have no pictures of this lovely event, because my children were either crying that I wasn't holding them (the short one) or attached to my leg or lap or arms like glue (the taller one). Imogene I figured would be like that, but I was really surprised Lily was so clingy. On the way home we decided to go do something interesting with the gorgeous afternoon (and Imogene fell asleep so we were trying to stretch out her nap), so we ended up down on the National Mall, found a spot right next to the American Indian museum, and so that's where we went! Our visit didn't last too long - the material is a little over Lily's head - and so we went over to the Air and Space Museum. We found a few exhibits there that interested both girls (Imogene like playing with a touch screen computer program, of course!) but it was so crowded. We remembered why we don't go downtown in the summer. Too Many Tourists. 

Lily really wanted her picture taken with this statue. 

She waited patiently for 5 or 6 people to take theirs before she got up there. 

For some reason she's really into posing in crazy positions and having her picture taken. 

Bill thinks she picked up the "posing" from cheer camp. Hmm....

Having a little snack before we head back home.

I love how they are doing the exact same thing, and I didn't tell them to do it!

There she is with the poses again. And that is a cheerleading move I think.

Sunday was the World Cup final. One of our favorite restaurants was having a block party barbeque so we had lunch there. It was really very fun even if we didn't stay to watch the game there.

Who doesn't love a soccer party hat and some lemonade? Not to mention the 25 times she went over and got soaking wet in the 'misting water' fan. That thing kept her entertained the ENTIRE time.

We had a brief, but lovely visit from Grunny & Charlie Sunday evening and Monday morning into the afternoon. They brought the girls lots of fun things from the Crayola factory. We're definitely going to need to make a trip there with them soon! Imogene loves, loves, loves to color. She is showing Charlie these neat "blocks" that fit all together. Great toy for Imogene to use both hands!

Imogene on the Move

This is a big day. First, I finally got a video to upload on the blog! But more importantly, Imogene pushed a little grocery cart around the playroom. What a big day for her! We've had a fun weekend, and I'll post more about it with some pictures later tonight! PS - It looks like there is nothing there, but just click the arrow in the bottom left corner.

One of these Days...

we're going to get Imogene a dog. She absolutely loves dogs. She's started kissing dogs in her books. She about hyper-ventilated when I asked her if she wanted to go see the dog next door, whom she adores. Don't know what it is, but she absolutely loves dogs! She's started also saying something that sounds like "up!"
Lily has strung together three pretty nice days, although I'm sure I just jeinxed myself.
Today is Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A and you get free food if you dress like a cow. You know where we are eating tonight!

Thanks...

to Miss Patty (Maggie's mom) for reminding me about the pre-op fax!

PT went pretty well, considering that Imogene cried or screamed every time the stim-machine gave her the 'juice.' She hates that thing on her arm and her leg. At some point I guess we might get our own for home use, and maybe if she had it on a regular basis she'd get used to it, but I don't know! She walked in her Theratogs, and we talked a lot about keeping her from walking on her knees (her second favorite form of movement after hand-held walking) and about getting her to bear as much weight on her right leg as we can. Next week she's going to try out the Lite Gait system to see if that helps her... oh the gadgets and gear this child has been put through!

Some MORE Pictures!

Trying out the camera on the new iPhone 4! 

You really only get great shots in full, outside lighting. But she's still cute.

I bought this hat for Imogene, but it was way too big. It looks great on Lily!

Our friend Megan took this of our little bartender...she was actually pretty happy here for a while!

Imogene and her first "suitor" in matching bibs and Fourth of July finest!

This is at the zoo Saturday, where we took a trip quick before dinner with the Jurgensens. Look at Imogene in the background - love that face!

Now she's the center of attention!

This is in front of the Elephant yard. Imogene stood at the fence and just yelled and babbled at the elephant and kept saying "Hido" - as in "hi dog." 

Dr. Baldrate & Friends

Phew, what a week we're having! Tuesday morning Imogene had speech therapy. Wednesday morning she had occupational therapy, and Lily stayed home with a new babysitter, named Michelle. This morning the whole Sigler family visited Dr. Baldrate. Then the girls and I picked up Maggie and came home. Imogene and I will leave for physical therapy in a little bit. In the middle of all this, Imogene has been waking up many, many times at night, and refusing to go to sleep at bedtime. And Lily has shown some serious temper this week.
Speech therapy went well. Imogene was engaged by DeeDee and even imitated "ho ho" (there is a santa claus toy she has) and "whee" for when the toys go down the little slide. DeeDee does think she is eating almost entirely on the left side of her mouth, so we are supposed to try and get her to chew things like a pretzel stick or a Popsicle on the left. This would be easy to do, if Imogene weren't really, really feisty and temperamental these days. If she does not want help with something, she will pitch a fit and flail all around. She has such a temper that little girl!
Imogene did not enjoy the electronic stimulation on her arm in OT yesterday. She tolerated the constraint therapy pretty well, but every time the stim machine turned on, she just cried and buried her head in lap. With all the walking while holding your hands she is doing, Imogene is not getting much weight-bearing done on her right arm.  But hopefully once she gets to walking and getting up and down on her own she'll start doing it again out of necessity. In the meantime we'll keep watch to make sure her arm and fist don't get too tight.
It was a pretty good visit with Dr. Baldrate for Imogene's 18 month check-up and pre-op appointment. Imogene weighs 21 lbs 2 oz, which brings her up to 10% percentile. What an improvement! She is 30 1/4 inches tall, which is still 25% and her head stayed in the 50%. For those of you who remember Lily at this age, she was 24 lbs 6 oz and 32 1/2 inches, and her head was 97%! Such a difference! But Dr. Baldrate was really pleased with the weight gain, so we don't have to go back for 3 months, instead of our usual 6 weeks. Of course, 'normally' you don't go back for 6 months, but then what's normal about us these days?
She got her two shots, and cried a little bit. She hated the band-aids so much that she pulled the one on her right arm off on the way home, and fussed until I got the one off her left! Dr. Baldrate filled out the forms for the eye surgery (July 19) and now I just have to remember to send them with Bill tomorrow to fax them to the hospital. Let's hope I remember! Maybe if you read this you should send me an email reminder! :)
In response to the full-body rash from June, Lily had blood drawn (in the arm with the butterfly needle and tourniquet) today to run a wide range of allergy testing. She had a small outbreak of hives on her back while we were in SC, and is just always itching, so we decided to just see if anything comes back. She really was brave, and she cried, but didn't pitch a fit or anything. When the nurse was getting her ready she asked her how old she was and in this sad little voice Lily said, "ffff-our." She said on the way home she wasn't brave because she cried. But boy did she milk that for what it was worth and held her arm all protected for hours afterwards.
Did I mention that it was 102 and 103 here the last two days? We went to the mall Tuesday because I just couldn't bear the idea of taking both of them anywhere, even the pool, that involved being outdoors. Yesterday in the afternoon we took a trip for ice cream and the library and it was still just sweltering to do those tiny activities! It's a little better today, but not a lot!

Fourth of July Celebration

Despite the look on her face, she's very happy to be celebrating the 4th of July. We had some friends over Sunday for a barbeque, where it was so hot you didn't even know the grill was on! We are in a major heatwave. Imogene is making this face because I am taking her pictures and not holding her. She is SO attached to me right now. She either wants me to be holding her or holding her hands so she can walk around. If Lily sits in my lap she gets crazy mad and grunts and screams and shoves at her. Whoa feisty girl we have here! 

Her sparkly tattoo. 

Look at that adorable bib! Megan (she of the adorable pink shirt) made this for her - Connor had a matching one! So so cute. 

Lily had a cute top to wear with her shorts that I bought to match, but it had a small ruffle on the sleeves and she wouldn't wear it, hence the tank-top. We are battling like crazy on clothes. She will not wear anything with ruffles one day, and then wants a dress the next. I cannot figure her out. We give her options and choices, so we're not dictating to her what she wears, but there are only so many things out there without a small ruffle for girls. She is really whiny and fussy and grumpy and mean these days. Other times, when the balance of the world is just right, she's super pleasant and very fun.  You just never know what you're going to get! But she was lots of fun that afternoon (not that morning) and so she got to do this...

Yes, that is our four year old holding a lit sparkler. She loved every minute of it (Ryan she's your niece!) and followed all the rules (I made so many rules I'm amazed she had fun.) 

Tracie took this shot ... such a great way to show how much fun she was having!

Yep, they are running around with lit fire. Only in America! 

What a week!

We've had a really busy 7 days! Last weekend our dear friends Mike & Leslie came into town with their triplets. Leslie & I have been friends for about 10 years(!!!) - and the four of us spent a lot of time together before they moved to NYC a few weeks before Lily was born. They recently moved to Connecticut and we hadn't gotten to meet their three babies! What a great time we had with them. Lily was particularly taken by the three of them, and was a very sweet "big friend." As she just said, "Those silly triplets are so silly."

Imogene thought Mike was hysterical.

Jack was very interested in Imogene - finally,  a girl that isn't his sister!

They went up the stairs 100 times!

Success!

Sunday morning the girls and I drove to Columbia for the week to spend time with Naney. We didn't have the best trip down there - heavy traffic, horrendous thunderstorms, screaming Imogene - but we made it by late afternoon. Monday through Thursday Lily participated in the cheerleading camp at my high school, Spring Valley. She had an absolute blast, which made me so happy! Many, many years ago, I was a camper at the same camp, and then worked the camp all four years I cheered at the high school. The daughters of a few of my dear friends from growing up also were in the camp. It was so neat (and a little bizarre) to see Lily in green and gold cheering for the Vikings.  One day we went to lunch with Granddad after camp and she was doing her cheers all loud and jumping around in the restaurant! She was so cute and excited at the "Camp Show" - I'll be sure to put the video up soon. 

At the "Camp Show" - We put her with the five year olds since that is where her friends were, which was a good idea! 

This is Courtney, who must be magical, because Lily talked about her all week. They did face painting each day, which Lily of course loved!

If you look really hard you can see Lily in the dead middle of the pack.

With Mallory. Her mom, Amy, and I have been friends since we were younger than them!

We spent time with Uncle Ryan and Whitney, but didn't get to see Aunt Susan and Matt (so sad!). Wednesday afternoon we visited with my cousins and their kids, which is always fun! 

Play-doh in the middle of the living room with Catie Jane (in pink) and Sean. My Aunt Cathy is a saint!

Imogene, Beth and Sean.

Catie Jane, Sean, and Imogene.

Yesterday we drove back after a fun lunch with Columbia friends. Arrived in record time of 7 hours and only stopped once. That will surely never happen again! We can't wait to go back in October - we're hitting the fair, a Brown family reunion, and the best part - Lily gets to cheer at half-time of the Spring Valley football game!