Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Settle In!
There is so much to update our loyal readers. So settle in for a long winter's read!
We had a wonderful Christmas. Naney, Susan & Ryan were all here to help us celebrate. Church on Christmas Eve, followed by dinner with our friends Stephen, Lindsay & Sydney. We opened our traditional Christmas Eve gift - pajamas for everyone. This year Lily, Imogene and Mommy all received matching pj's. Lily loved this! Poor thing though - she had known for several days that she got to open that one present on the 24th. One day she actually said, "Mom, I'm opening this now. I know I can't, but I'm going to." Her head was about to explode with excitement by the time she finally opened it.
Both girls actually slept past 7 on Christmas morning. Lily came right into our room and said "Merry Christmas!" Keeping yet another tradition, everyone has to be awake and ready before anyone can go see what Santa brought. So, Lily had to wait for all of us to be up and ready to go! When she did start down the stairs, I said "Lily, Santa came." She stopped dead in her tracks, with this look on her face of fear. I think she thought he was still in the living room! She walked right up to her new doll, Emily, and gave her a hug and then said "Why did Santa give this to me?" At one point during the morning she took Emily into the playroom to meet her other dolls. She actually had Emily shake hands with one of them! She was really sweet all day - kept talking about what a wonderful, amazing Christmas it was. She thanked everyone and made the day so magical. Right up until Imogene opened her new baby doll and Lily took it right away. The pictures from the day are much more fun than my ramblings, so I'll get some posted soon.
Imogene had lots of fun too - except for about 15-20 minutes during present-opening where she just bawled. She was either miserable from the FIVE new teeth that are coming in, or just overwhelmed by all of it. Her daddy, who she loves the most, got her to calm down, and the rest of her day was great. She especially loved getting to eat her breakfast and her lunch in the living room. What's not to love about being entertained while you partake in your favorite pastime - eating!?! Imogene received several of her favorite toys that she plays with in therapy.
Lily was just fun on Christmas. During dinner she said "Wow this a great Christmas dinner, wow, isn't this great Mom?" She would only eat crescent rolls and brown rice by the way! She even handled the end of the presents pretty well, but definitely wanted to open as many gifts as possible.
Aunt Susan and Mommy took Lily to see "The Princess and the Frog" Saturday afternoon. Lily sat so cute in her own seat, feet touching the edge of the chair with popcorn in between her legs and for the first 1/2 of the movie just watched and ate her weight in popcorn. Then she moved and sat in my lap and drank a juice box. With just a little bit left in the movie, and probably not coincidentally when it got a little scary, Lily started sobbing. When I asked her why she was crying, she wimpered all pathetically, "I am crying because my juice box is empty." We had to try very hard not to laugh. I really think she was just overwhelmed by all of it - the big theater, the loud-nature of the movie, and the fact that it was a just a tiny bit 'dark' - lots of voo doo and scary shadows. So we might not be ready for Disney just yet, and may stick to the classics, like "White Christmas." I mean really, what almost 4 year-old doesn't chose Bing Crosby over Snow White?
Sunday was our day to stay in the 3 year old church-school room. Naney and Aunt Susan stayed home with Imogene. Lily of course had to take Emily the doll with her (and then did not touch her the entire time). She was a riot with the other kids. One interchange between Lily and a boy named Colin, upon seeing a picture of the Princess from the movie.
Colin: "I saw that movie with my mom and my sister."
Lily: "I went to that movie at the movies with my mom and Aunt Susan yesterday. Did you see Calista (another girl at church) there? She saw it too. I'm three and a half. How old are you? Okay, let's go play with those blocks now, Colin."
At which point Colin follows.
I don't get what it is that makes Lily the little bossy-pants. I'm sure she gets it from her mother a little bit, but she used to be so afraid of other kids. At one point over the holidays, when we had neighbors over, Lily and her two friends Owen & Will come up from the basement and Lily is leading them around the house while they hold onto a jump rope. When asked what they are doing, they reply, "Following Lily." Boys, come on! Stand up to the bossy-pants!
Imogene has had some rough nights of sleep lately. We took her to see the pediatrician yesterday. Since she's had a runny nose for almost 2 months, and a cough off and on during that time, they decided to put her on antibiotics. Last night she had one of her best nights of sleep of her entire 11 months of life! Not sure if it was the antibiotics, or the tiny bit of benadryl the doctor also recommended! A huge milestone for Imogene is that she can sit herself up from laying down! What a big, big deal this is for all of us. As she gets more comfortable with this, we're hoping it will help her be less frustrated. She really wants to get up and get around more than she can. She loves to take your phone and hold it up to her ear. How quickly these babies pick up on what's going on around them! At her OT appointment today, Amy (her OT) wrapped her left arm in an ace bandage and "constrained" her so that she had to use the right. Bill reports that she handled it pretty well the first two times, but the third time she had enough! It is really hard to believe that she is going to be one year old in just two weeks!
Lily is very into having babies in her belly. She will show you her baby doll, and say, "would you like to meet my born-baby? You are supposed to say 'gratulashun' to me Mommy." At one point she told me that there was no daddy for the baby (I think this was because Bill was not here.) and I told her how that sounded tough to be by herself with a 'born' baby, and she replied "Yes, I'm trying hard to keep it up." So funny with she comes up with.
Bill took the girls out for a little bit while Naney and Mommy took the Christmas tree down. Jokingly on the way out the door Bill said "maybe they'll even have the lights off when we get back." Lily opens the door upon returning and her most disappointed/critical voice says "Oh Dad, the lights are still on the tree."
Bill and I were talking last night about how unbelievably sweet it is when Imogene reaches out/jumps out of your arms to hug Lily and love on her. She makes this cute little 'oh' sound and is just so happy to be with her favorite person. It really makes every trying or difficult moment as a parent worth it ten-fold. What lucky parents we are to welcome in 2010 with our girls!
Happy New Year!
We had a wonderful Christmas. Naney, Susan & Ryan were all here to help us celebrate. Church on Christmas Eve, followed by dinner with our friends Stephen, Lindsay & Sydney. We opened our traditional Christmas Eve gift - pajamas for everyone. This year Lily, Imogene and Mommy all received matching pj's. Lily loved this! Poor thing though - she had known for several days that she got to open that one present on the 24th. One day she actually said, "Mom, I'm opening this now. I know I can't, but I'm going to." Her head was about to explode with excitement by the time she finally opened it.
Both girls actually slept past 7 on Christmas morning. Lily came right into our room and said "Merry Christmas!" Keeping yet another tradition, everyone has to be awake and ready before anyone can go see what Santa brought. So, Lily had to wait for all of us to be up and ready to go! When she did start down the stairs, I said "Lily, Santa came." She stopped dead in her tracks, with this look on her face of fear. I think she thought he was still in the living room! She walked right up to her new doll, Emily, and gave her a hug and then said "Why did Santa give this to me?" At one point during the morning she took Emily into the playroom to meet her other dolls. She actually had Emily shake hands with one of them! She was really sweet all day - kept talking about what a wonderful, amazing Christmas it was. She thanked everyone and made the day so magical. Right up until Imogene opened her new baby doll and Lily took it right away. The pictures from the day are much more fun than my ramblings, so I'll get some posted soon.
Imogene had lots of fun too - except for about 15-20 minutes during present-opening where she just bawled. She was either miserable from the FIVE new teeth that are coming in, or just overwhelmed by all of it. Her daddy, who she loves the most, got her to calm down, and the rest of her day was great. She especially loved getting to eat her breakfast and her lunch in the living room. What's not to love about being entertained while you partake in your favorite pastime - eating!?! Imogene received several of her favorite toys that she plays with in therapy.
Lily was just fun on Christmas. During dinner she said "Wow this a great Christmas dinner, wow, isn't this great Mom?" She would only eat crescent rolls and brown rice by the way! She even handled the end of the presents pretty well, but definitely wanted to open as many gifts as possible.
Aunt Susan and Mommy took Lily to see "The Princess and the Frog" Saturday afternoon. Lily sat so cute in her own seat, feet touching the edge of the chair with popcorn in between her legs and for the first 1/2 of the movie just watched and ate her weight in popcorn. Then she moved and sat in my lap and drank a juice box. With just a little bit left in the movie, and probably not coincidentally when it got a little scary, Lily started sobbing. When I asked her why she was crying, she wimpered all pathetically, "I am crying because my juice box is empty." We had to try very hard not to laugh. I really think she was just overwhelmed by all of it - the big theater, the loud-nature of the movie, and the fact that it was a just a tiny bit 'dark' - lots of voo doo and scary shadows. So we might not be ready for Disney just yet, and may stick to the classics, like "White Christmas." I mean really, what almost 4 year-old doesn't chose Bing Crosby over Snow White?
Sunday was our day to stay in the 3 year old church-school room. Naney and Aunt Susan stayed home with Imogene. Lily of course had to take Emily the doll with her (and then did not touch her the entire time). She was a riot with the other kids. One interchange between Lily and a boy named Colin, upon seeing a picture of the Princess from the movie.
Colin: "I saw that movie with my mom and my sister."
Lily: "I went to that movie at the movies with my mom and Aunt Susan yesterday. Did you see Calista (another girl at church) there? She saw it too. I'm three and a half. How old are you? Okay, let's go play with those blocks now, Colin."
At which point Colin follows.
I don't get what it is that makes Lily the little bossy-pants. I'm sure she gets it from her mother a little bit, but she used to be so afraid of other kids. At one point over the holidays, when we had neighbors over, Lily and her two friends Owen & Will come up from the basement and Lily is leading them around the house while they hold onto a jump rope. When asked what they are doing, they reply, "Following Lily." Boys, come on! Stand up to the bossy-pants!
Imogene has had some rough nights of sleep lately. We took her to see the pediatrician yesterday. Since she's had a runny nose for almost 2 months, and a cough off and on during that time, they decided to put her on antibiotics. Last night she had one of her best nights of sleep of her entire 11 months of life! Not sure if it was the antibiotics, or the tiny bit of benadryl the doctor also recommended! A huge milestone for Imogene is that she can sit herself up from laying down! What a big, big deal this is for all of us. As she gets more comfortable with this, we're hoping it will help her be less frustrated. She really wants to get up and get around more than she can. She loves to take your phone and hold it up to her ear. How quickly these babies pick up on what's going on around them! At her OT appointment today, Amy (her OT) wrapped her left arm in an ace bandage and "constrained" her so that she had to use the right. Bill reports that she handled it pretty well the first two times, but the third time she had enough! It is really hard to believe that she is going to be one year old in just two weeks!
Lily is very into having babies in her belly. She will show you her baby doll, and say, "would you like to meet my born-baby? You are supposed to say 'gratulashun' to me Mommy." At one point she told me that there was no daddy for the baby (I think this was because Bill was not here.) and I told her how that sounded tough to be by herself with a 'born' baby, and she replied "Yes, I'm trying hard to keep it up." So funny with she comes up with.
Bill took the girls out for a little bit while Naney and Mommy took the Christmas tree down. Jokingly on the way out the door Bill said "maybe they'll even have the lights off when we get back." Lily opens the door upon returning and her most disappointed/critical voice says "Oh Dad, the lights are still on the tree."
Bill and I were talking last night about how unbelievably sweet it is when Imogene reaches out/jumps out of your arms to hug Lily and love on her. She makes this cute little 'oh' sound and is just so happy to be with her favorite person. It really makes every trying or difficult moment as a parent worth it ten-fold. What lucky parents we are to welcome in 2010 with our girls!
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Gingerbread Tradition
For the second year we decorated a gingerbread house with Uncle Ryan. Lily decorates a little and then eats a lot of icing and candy. She is a big fan of gumdrops.
She actually said "Mom no pictures until it's done."
Visting the Big Guy in the Red Suit
We all went to see Santa today. Lily was a little anxious, but when it was over was so excited that she'd made it through. She kept saying "I did it! I saw Santa!"
Imogene felt the same way about this Santa as she did the Santa on the train.
So not happy.
They are both thinking, "what's the deal with the baby?"
Guess where Mommy is standing!
She was happy before it!
Admiring her new toy from Santa.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Catching Up on Pictures
Imogene's 11th Month Photo Shoot
She's really into feeding herself :)
Visting the National Christmas Tree in front of the White House. Lily loved the trains that ride around it. She could not stop talking about how big the tree was, and how much bigger it was than our tree at home.
Cute cute lion - she got her face painted at a birthday party!
Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow!
(this is on Saturday afternoon, when we still had so much snow left to fall!)
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Walloped
We are in fact getting walloped by this snowstorm. It's changed some plans we had today, but it really is beautiful, and based on the weather forecast, should still be on the ground on Christmas! A White Christmas!
So far Lily hasn't even asked to go outside. She isn't a huge fan of being freezing and several times today she has said "boy, it's freezing today." She put a sweatshirt on over the summer pajamas she chose to sleep in and then said "Good thing I'm wearing a sweatshirt. It's good to wear a sweatshirt on a cold, wintery day." We have at least 8 or so inches, maybe 10? right now, and apparently the "heavy snow" is still to come.
Imogene had one of her worst nights in a while last night. Her second incisor is taking a lot longer to come in. Poor thing, it's all puffy and red where the toothbud is. Wonder if it's a coincidence that this slow-to break-through tooth is on her right side. She is doing a lot of cute baby stuff these days. She likes to put things on her head (like my glasses) to play peek-a-boo. Imogene also loves unpacking things like boxes of toys and the books on the bookshelf. It's really fun to watch her explore where she can. Sometimes I feel sad for her because I know she wants to just go go go, and she's sort of confined to the area she can worm to, and then when she gets there she can't get herself to a sitting up position to play with the toy she worked so hard to get! But she's so determined, and PT Susan says that works in her favor - feisty, determined kids do well! Susan also mentioned the other day that Imogene has good awareness of her right side. She said many hemiparetic kids have very little recognition that their affected arm will do anything, and Imogene knows her right arm is there, it just takes her a while to remember, and it doesn't have the strength or muscle tone to do what she wants it to do.
You have never seen a more tenacious, frenetic eater. This baby loves to sit and eat. You cannot put the finger food on the table fast enough for her. She will literally bang on her tray until you put food on it, and if she gets down to one or two pieces on the tray she gets very worked up. She likes to know where the next bite is coming from!
Hopefully we'll have some snow pictures to post this week, and more from last week since I should have plenty of time to download pictures this weekend while we're snowbound!
So far Lily hasn't even asked to go outside. She isn't a huge fan of being freezing and several times today she has said "boy, it's freezing today." She put a sweatshirt on over the summer pajamas she chose to sleep in and then said "Good thing I'm wearing a sweatshirt. It's good to wear a sweatshirt on a cold, wintery day." We have at least 8 or so inches, maybe 10? right now, and apparently the "heavy snow" is still to come.
Imogene had one of her worst nights in a while last night. Her second incisor is taking a lot longer to come in. Poor thing, it's all puffy and red where the toothbud is. Wonder if it's a coincidence that this slow-to break-through tooth is on her right side. She is doing a lot of cute baby stuff these days. She likes to put things on her head (like my glasses) to play peek-a-boo. Imogene also loves unpacking things like boxes of toys and the books on the bookshelf. It's really fun to watch her explore where she can. Sometimes I feel sad for her because I know she wants to just go go go, and she's sort of confined to the area she can worm to, and then when she gets there she can't get herself to a sitting up position to play with the toy she worked so hard to get! But she's so determined, and PT Susan says that works in her favor - feisty, determined kids do well! Susan also mentioned the other day that Imogene has good awareness of her right side. She said many hemiparetic kids have very little recognition that their affected arm will do anything, and Imogene knows her right arm is there, it just takes her a while to remember, and it doesn't have the strength or muscle tone to do what she wants it to do.
You have never seen a more tenacious, frenetic eater. This baby loves to sit and eat. You cannot put the finger food on the table fast enough for her. She will literally bang on her tray until you put food on it, and if she gets down to one or two pieces on the tray she gets very worked up. She likes to know where the next bite is coming from!
Hopefully we'll have some snow pictures to post this week, and more from last week since I should have plenty of time to download pictures this weekend while we're snowbound!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A quick update
So for all 5 of our loyal readers - a quick update. We're up to our eyeballs in Christmas baking and cooking here and the nights have been late ones, but wanted to report that Imogene has TWO new teeth. She was playing in my lap on Tuesday morning and I looked down and there is one incisor on the top sticking out, and the other one just about ready. That brings her total to 10. Yes, at 11 months (TODAY!) she has 10 teeth. I think Lily was over 1 1/2 before she had that many teeth. Oh that Imogene, never one to let things go normally.
We had a great time with Naney and then Grunny & Charlie here this weekend. I'll post pictures soon of that and of Imogene's 11 month photo-shoot. I can hardly even type about how crazy it is to me that time has flown by so quickly-only one more photo shoot, and that's for her birthday. Where has the time gone with this little baby?
Also, if you'd like to sing along with Lily to "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," you should know that it's "you'll go down in sistery." NOT history, as she has told me 100 times. Also, she has volunteered to be baby Jesus in the Christmas pageant at church when she's five (you have to be in kindergarten to participate). She said she'd be happy to wear the costume. Never mind that baby Jesus is a doll. But don't call her Lily, just call her Jesus. And if they don't need a Jesus, she'll be "present-girl."
If only I walked around with a tape recorder all day, the book I could write.
We had a great time with Naney and then Grunny & Charlie here this weekend. I'll post pictures soon of that and of Imogene's 11 month photo-shoot. I can hardly even type about how crazy it is to me that time has flown by so quickly-only one more photo shoot, and that's for her birthday. Where has the time gone with this little baby?
Also, if you'd like to sing along with Lily to "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," you should know that it's "you'll go down in sistery." NOT history, as she has told me 100 times. Also, she has volunteered to be baby Jesus in the Christmas pageant at church when she's five (you have to be in kindergarten to participate). She said she'd be happy to wear the costume. Never mind that baby Jesus is a doll. But don't call her Lily, just call her Jesus. And if they don't need a Jesus, she'll be "present-girl."
If only I walked around with a tape recorder all day, the book I could write.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Give Me My Toy!
Imogene attempting to retrieve a toy from her faster friend. Of course later when I gave it to her, she wanted nothing to do with it.
Examines the other toys available. Decides that she definitely wants the rattle back.
Maybe if I just reach really hard she'll just give it back?
Don't make me come over there.
Gingerbread Fun
With Maggie in tow, we went to decorate gingerbread houses with two other families that we've become close with through church. Five kids and two gingerbread houses and a million little candies and a ton of messy, yummy icing - it was a blast and the kids all had such a good time. And what's a gingerbread party without a little dance party to none other than Taylor Swift?(God Bless Maggie. And I'm not just saying that because she is a loyal blog-reader. We are all so thankful for her in our lives. Lily is just in love with their entire family! Who can blame her?)The moms that we were with today are such good women, and such great moms. It is always nice to spend time with them, and reminds me yet again, how lucky I feel to be a part of the Westminster Presbyterian family.
Funny Lily story. We read a wonderful book called Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown (you may know her as the author of Good Night Moon). It's such a dear story with beautiful illustrations-we highly recommend it. The words include "what child is this who is born here?" Lily screams every time we read it, "It's BABY JESUS!" Nothing gets by her.
Making a big mess and loving it.
Dance party time!
Maggie and Lily love dancing whenever they are together!
Therapy Thursday
Today was not our best therapy day. Imogene was so cranky and uncooperative. Who does she think she is? A baby? Really Imogene. We did learn what the call from Susan was about last week. They want us to start occupational therapy with Imogene. I was pretty much expecting this. Fortunately our insurance covers this, but unfortunately they do not cover both PT and OT on the same day. So we'll have to find a different day and time to go out there for OT. I know this has to be done, but boy, twice a week sounds daunting!
. Lily has a dance recital on Saturday. The dance recital is for a local assisted living facility - so we just drop her off, which is kind of disappointing. Wouldn't we love to see what Lily thinks of that!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Santa Train 2009
We had a great time on the Walkersville, Md Santa Train on Saturday. We drove up to Frederick and visited with Bill's grandmother, and then met our friends for the fun. The best part, it was snowing the entire time. Lily was so excited about Santa when he was on the train and asked 100 times when he was coming. Then it came time for her to sit and talk to him and she would not look at him and only gave him a high-five. The best part was that Santa kept telling Lily that "mommy always visited me and sat with me each year." That's actually not true, Santa. Mommy was terrified of Santa Claus (and the Easter Bunny) and NEVER went to see him at the mall, until she was 12. That year sweet five-year-old Ryan begged her to go with him, and she did. So Mommy can't really blame Lily for her reaction. And just see for yourself what Imogene thought of the big guy. But both girls loved the train ride and Imogene was so tickled by the snow falling down and kept trying to catch it with her hand - even her right hand!
Our house is decorated for Christmas- the boxes are put away. Yeah! Lily was a big help in her own way. She adopted several ornaments and has picked out her favorite that she would like to keep once Christmas is over. Everything was "so beautiful" and her "most favorite ornament ever." She really was so cute about the whole thing. It really makes you realize how special it is to be surrounded by children this time of year. And yes, baby Jesus is still a girl. Even if he is swaddled in blue. Still a girl.
Happy Girls on the train.
Not so happy about this guy.
Her only contact with him.
But see how happy she was that he was on the train? She was just beside herself!
This guy she never liked, but he really wanted the kids to take pictures with him (Santa-envy I guess?) She really wanted him to just take her ticket and be on his way. Had to include the picture because you can just tell she's not liking this guy at all!
Friday, December 4, 2009
It's beginning to look ...
like a giant mess! We have boxes everywhere in our house right now. Decorating for Christmas used to last over the course of one or two days - plus the time to do the tree. With two children in your house, it takes a week-plus! It doesn't help that every time I take something out of a box Lily takes something else out and hijacks it for her collection of things she's taking care of in the playroom. Each morning she gets an ornament in the Advent calendar. They go on her little table-top tree in the playroom, where they last about 5 minutes. Instantly they turn into a daddy or a mommy or an animal that needs her. Currently all the ornaments are taking a nap on my nice needlepoint Christmas pillow. She has asked me approximately 10 times today when Santa is coming. We are hoping to get our tree this afternoon, and I can't imagine how many times I'll have to ask Lily to put the ornaments back where she found them. I just know she'll have a special family in the playroom for them!
She loves her new stocking (she and Imogene got 'kid' stockings with their names on them) and is very curious about why Bill and I have stockings too. She does not think Santa will bring us toys since we aren't kids, but accepts that we might get things in our stocking.
Lily " Where does Santa get the toys?"
Me "He makes them with his elves in the workshop at the North Pole." (and then I waited for what followed...)
Lily "But does he know how to make the dolly I want?" (Ha! I knew that was coming.)
Me "Sometimes he shops from magazines or catalogues if he has to."
Lily "Oh that's good."
I asked her to focus on something today. She is so easily distracted and so good at procrastinating. She said "I am focusing!" To which I asked her if she knows what it means to focus. She said, "Umm no Mom I don't."
Imogene had a decent therapy session yesterday. She's really close to being able to go from laying down on her tummy/side and get herself back to sitting up. Of course we couldn't get her to show this to Susan at PT. During PT, Lily was playing rough on an exercise ball and fell over and scraped her arm, while I was trying to focus on Imogene. I only saw it because I could see her in the big mirror on the wall in the therapy room. It was a little bit of a mess of a session on that end. Lily just does not handle all that attention focused somewhere other than on her, especially when she knows I need her to play on her own - without getting hurt! So yesterday afternoon I got two calls from Susan - home and cell phone - with a message she wants to talk to me about something. She has not called back. Why do I feel like I've been called into the principal's office??????
She loves her new stocking (she and Imogene got 'kid' stockings with their names on them) and is very curious about why Bill and I have stockings too. She does not think Santa will bring us toys since we aren't kids, but accepts that we might get things in our stocking.
Lily " Where does Santa get the toys?"
Me "He makes them with his elves in the workshop at the North Pole." (and then I waited for what followed...)
Lily "But does he know how to make the dolly I want?" (Ha! I knew that was coming.)
Me "Sometimes he shops from magazines or catalogues if he has to."
Lily "Oh that's good."
I asked her to focus on something today. She is so easily distracted and so good at procrastinating. She said "I am focusing!" To which I asked her if she knows what it means to focus. She said, "Umm no Mom I don't."
Imogene had a decent therapy session yesterday. She's really close to being able to go from laying down on her tummy/side and get herself back to sitting up. Of course we couldn't get her to show this to Susan at PT. During PT, Lily was playing rough on an exercise ball and fell over and scraped her arm, while I was trying to focus on Imogene. I only saw it because I could see her in the big mirror on the wall in the therapy room. It was a little bit of a mess of a session on that end. Lily just does not handle all that attention focused somewhere other than on her, especially when she knows I need her to play on her own - without getting hurt! So yesterday afternoon I got two calls from Susan - home and cell phone - with a message she wants to talk to me about something. She has not called back. Why do I feel like I've been called into the principal's office??????
Monday, November 30, 2009
Dear Santa and Baby Jesus too
Lily's Letter to Santa as dictated to Mommy today. (which we 'mailed' at MACY'S, where each letter dropped off means a dollar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation!).
"Dear Santa,
I want a dolly. I would like new clothes for my dolly. And a special closet for my dolly's clothes that has a pink window. I love you Santa. I think you are the best Santa Claus ever. Please bring me some candy. I like you and I like American flags and I like pink, red, blue and green.
Lily"
Imogene's Letter to Santa, as dictated to Mommy by Lily.
"Dear Santa,
My sister Imogene would like toys, pink toys, that talk.
Love, Lily
Imogene's Big Sister"
There was an decoration in our house right next to Lily that was red, white and blue, so that's where she came up with the flag thing when I asked her if she had anything she wanted to tell Santa. Don't worry, I made a copy of both letters to show the girls when they get older. It was a fun activity! And yes, Santa is bringing her a closet for the doll clothes, but it doesn't have a pink window! Where did she come up with that????
We started getting some decorations out, and every time I took anything out of a box, no matter how mundane, Lily would say in her best dramatic voice, "Oh Mom, that's the most beautiful flower I've ever seen. I love it. Thank you so much for putting it in our house. (Kisses my leg.) Are those kissing flowers?" A Clara doll (from the Nutcracker), gets "Oh my goodness my doll. I just love her. She's so beautiful. What's her name again?" Clara was invited to sleep in the bed with Lily, which is a sign of cherished status in Lily's hierarchy of animals and dolls.
Lily has two Nativity scenes, one plastic and much bigger than the other which is a carved wooden set. The wooden baby Jesus is 'little baby Jesus" and the plastic one is "bigger baby Jesus." Despite many attempts, she refuses to accept that baby Jesus is not a girl, even though she agrees that Jesus as an adult is a man. While playing with it, baby Jesus and Mary had many conversations, and each time she had Jesus say "Mommy" I would think she was talking to me and I would say "yes, sweetie?" and she'd reply, "Mom, I'm not talking TO you, Jesus is talking to his mommy." This went on a few times and she thought it was so funny. Sadly, I kept forgetting what she was doing, I'm so programmed to respond anytime anyone says "mommy!"
She set the 6 wisemen and the sheep and shepards and animals and two Josephs and a Mary (we're missing one) all mixed up between the two mangers (I think she decided one was a house and one was a barn?), and is all taken with the angel that sits on top of the plastic one, which of course sings a song, and she is just captivated by all of it. She then looks over and asks me in complete amazement at his absence, "Mom, where's God?"
I was just overwhelmed by her awareness and what a profound thing and here was this opportunity to talk about the whole Christmas story, and then about 10 minutes later she's still playing and says, "It's okay Mom, you can just be God for now." Oh goodness.
"Dear Santa,
I want a dolly. I would like new clothes for my dolly. And a special closet for my dolly's clothes that has a pink window. I love you Santa. I think you are the best Santa Claus ever. Please bring me some candy. I like you and I like American flags and I like pink, red, blue and green.
Lily"
Imogene's Letter to Santa, as dictated to Mommy by Lily.
"Dear Santa,
My sister Imogene would like toys, pink toys, that talk.
Love, Lily
Imogene's Big Sister"
There was an decoration in our house right next to Lily that was red, white and blue, so that's where she came up with the flag thing when I asked her if she had anything she wanted to tell Santa. Don't worry, I made a copy of both letters to show the girls when they get older. It was a fun activity! And yes, Santa is bringing her a closet for the doll clothes, but it doesn't have a pink window! Where did she come up with that????
We started getting some decorations out, and every time I took anything out of a box, no matter how mundane, Lily would say in her best dramatic voice, "Oh Mom, that's the most beautiful flower I've ever seen. I love it. Thank you so much for putting it in our house. (Kisses my leg.) Are those kissing flowers?" A Clara doll (from the Nutcracker), gets "Oh my goodness my doll. I just love her. She's so beautiful. What's her name again?" Clara was invited to sleep in the bed with Lily, which is a sign of cherished status in Lily's hierarchy of animals and dolls.
Lily has two Nativity scenes, one plastic and much bigger than the other which is a carved wooden set. The wooden baby Jesus is 'little baby Jesus" and the plastic one is "bigger baby Jesus." Despite many attempts, she refuses to accept that baby Jesus is not a girl, even though she agrees that Jesus as an adult is a man. While playing with it, baby Jesus and Mary had many conversations, and each time she had Jesus say "Mommy" I would think she was talking to me and I would say "yes, sweetie?" and she'd reply, "Mom, I'm not talking TO you, Jesus is talking to his mommy." This went on a few times and she thought it was so funny. Sadly, I kept forgetting what she was doing, I'm so programmed to respond anytime anyone says "mommy!"
She set the 6 wisemen and the sheep and shepards and animals and two Josephs and a Mary (we're missing one) all mixed up between the two mangers (I think she decided one was a house and one was a barn?), and is all taken with the angel that sits on top of the plastic one, which of course sings a song, and she is just captivated by all of it. She then looks over and asks me in complete amazement at his absence, "Mom, where's God?"
I was just overwhelmed by her awareness and what a profound thing and here was this opportunity to talk about the whole Christmas story, and then about 10 minutes later she's still playing and says, "It's okay Mom, you can just be God for now." Oh goodness.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
We enjoyed a wonderful day with Naney, Grunny & Charlie. Lily and Bill ran in the Alexandria Turkey Trot with our neighbors and Erin. Lily had a really good time, and also enjoyed watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Dog Show on TV. She wanted to help with everything involved in the cooking for Thanksgiving supper and was so excited to sit down and eat. And then she ate about 5 bites. Big fan of the raw pie dough, crescent rolls and cranberry sauce. That's Mommy's little girl! Imogene loves sitting and eating, and she absolutely loved everyone being together sitting and eating for an hour. Her favorite part was everyone clapping for her and saying "yeah Imogene" - she would then do her fisted-clap and laugh. Precious.
This Thanksgiving Bill and I just want to say thank you to all of you who have been there for us this year. It's been such a blessed but challenging year for us, and we are reminded today of how lucky we are. Sometimes it can be hard to remember that, but we know we are lucky parents of these two beautiful, happy girls.
This Thanksgiving Bill and I just want to say thank you to all of you who have been there for us this year. It's been such a blessed but challenging year for us, and we are reminded today of how lucky we are. Sometimes it can be hard to remember that, but we know we are lucky parents of these two beautiful, happy girls.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
New Gear
Imogene is going to be sporting two types new physical therapy gear soon! The first is the pair of Hip Helpers that I mentioned last week. She tried them out at therapy today. They are just like bike shorts, only the legs are sewn together. We ordered her first pair today - in a very bright hot pink! She will wear them for 30 minutes to an hour a day to start with, and then we'll see how she's doing. This should help with her hip abduction.
Imogene does not engage her abdominal muscles very much, so she'll start wearing kinesiology tape in an "X" pattern around her tummy soon. She's wearing a test-patch this week to make sure she doesn't have any allergies to the tape. It's an interesting therapy tool, this tape. You may have seen athletes wearing it during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. This website has a good explanation of what the benefits of the tape are.
Naney is on her way here right now for Thanksgiving and Grunny & Charlie arrive Thursday morning. Imogene is going to love Thanksgiving because she Loves to eat! She could sit and eat all day we think. Funny thing is she isn't that big of a baby for all the food she's consuming!
We're excited for the holiday and then to head to Charlottesville on Saturday to cheer on the Hokies against UVa!
Imogene does not engage her abdominal muscles very much, so she'll start wearing kinesiology tape in an "X" pattern around her tummy soon. She's wearing a test-patch this week to make sure she doesn't have any allergies to the tape. It's an interesting therapy tool, this tape. You may have seen athletes wearing it during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. This website has a good explanation of what the benefits of the tape are.
Naney is on her way here right now for Thanksgiving and Grunny & Charlie arrive Thursday morning. Imogene is going to love Thanksgiving because she Loves to eat! She could sit and eat all day we think. Funny thing is she isn't that big of a baby for all the food she's consuming!
We're excited for the holiday and then to head to Charlottesville on Saturday to cheer on the Hokies against UVa!
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Little Things
I couldn't replicate it if I tried, but the girls and I had the silliest 20 minutes today. Imogene was sitting in my lap and Lily was spinning in a circle (You know when you can get a good spin going on hard wood floors in socks? It was like that.) Imogene was besides herself in giggles. She could not have laughed harder or with more complete joy. Two minutes later, Lily was being silly sliding off a little chair in the playroom. Cue the giggles. There is nothing better, and nothing that makes my heart soar more than watching the two of them make each other happy.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Happy Birthday to Bill!
We celebrated Bill's birthday yesterday. He took the day off and instead of working in the office, worked really hard around the house, specifically by cleaning out our storage shed and making it 'animal-proof.' Apparently some furry friends had been taking up residence inside. What a great guy to do all that on his birthday. We finished the day off with some yummy dinner and then had the neighbors over for cookie cake! And Imogene gave Daddy a nice present and only woke up at 1 something and 5:30 this morning. She went back to sleep then and might have slept past 7:15, but at that point, her sister had been up for 30 minutes, begging to "go check on Imogene." Oh, Lily. We hope Bill had a great day because we enjoyed getting to celebrate him!
The birthday boy and his girls.
All birthdays must include help from the Jones boys to blow out your candles!
Happy Birthday Daddy! (Can you tell that Lily and Mommy got haircuts yesterday? Lily's looks beautiful here - she had a big girl blow-dry after the cut. Mommy's looks a little rough here! It's a little too short, but hey, it's hair and it will grow!)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Hills Are Alive...
with the Sound of Music. In our house, it's all about Maria and Captian Von Trapp and "the children" as Lily calls them. She has the movie and Naney sent her the cd, and so she's always singing and asking random questions about the movie and saying things like,
"Maria lives in Austria."
"Why is Gretel five?"
"What's the littler boy's name again?"
She bit her hand at school yesterday while eating raisins (or so I hear), and at first I thought she might have done it on purpose to be like Gretel. I'm sure you remember the part when Freidrich bites Gretel's finger. WHAT? You don't remember that part? You haven't seen the movie 4 times in the last week and a half? So today she presented the following to me at dinner. I'd been wondering when this was coming. FYI, Liesel is the oldest (16 going on 17...)
"I want to go see Liesel."
"Sweetie, Liesel is just in the movie."
"No, she lives in Austria." Never mind that to Lily Austria could be a 5 minute drive away.
"Lily, the movie was made a long time ago."
"I know, in Austria. Where is Liesel?"
"Sweetie, I don't know. She's older than Mommy and might even have granddaughters."
"No, Mom, she does not, Liesel is a KID!"
Imogene had therapy today and Susan the PT said she's seeing a lot of improvement in her hand and arm. Specifically she's opening her hand up more, reaching out with her right arm more, and bearing a little weight on that arm. Of course after all that she gave us about 5 more new things to work on, and mentioned that at some point Imogene might need "Hip Helpers." These are like shorts that would help Imogene with her hip rotation. Basically when she's laying on her stomach (which is "supine" - all these things I'm learning) her hips are 'abducting' which is not helpful when she one day starts to push up on all four limbs. Yet another fun piece of gear to keep up with for the Siglers - hopefully she won't need them, but we'll see.
Speaking of gear, we need get GPS for the splint. When the Brown kids were growing up, we had a friend who lost her retainer everywhere we went. She would wad it up in a napkin and it would get thrown away. I have many memories of our parents all searching trash cans at restaurants and at our houses. These memories have come back to me lately because we (read Lauren) keep losing Imogene's splint. Yesterday a restaurant and a store were called in the search. Fortunately it was found, stuck to a toy in the bottom of the stroller. The thing is just so darn tiny and it's purple and it gets lost in the mess that is life with two small children!
Hope you can all get some sleep tonight. We know it will be hard since you're all so excited that tomorrow is BILL'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday to the most amazing and dedicated father and husband you'll ever know. People might throw those terms around, but I mean it. We are so blessed and lucky that Bill is the man in our lives! What a treasure he is to each of us.
Happy Birthday Sticky!
PS ... is the Memphis Basketball coach a dead-ringer for Bill or what?
"Maria lives in Austria."
"Why is Gretel five?"
"What's the littler boy's name again?"
She bit her hand at school yesterday while eating raisins (or so I hear), and at first I thought she might have done it on purpose to be like Gretel. I'm sure you remember the part when Freidrich bites Gretel's finger. WHAT? You don't remember that part? You haven't seen the movie 4 times in the last week and a half? So today she presented the following to me at dinner. I'd been wondering when this was coming. FYI, Liesel is the oldest (16 going on 17...)
"I want to go see Liesel."
"Sweetie, Liesel is just in the movie."
"No, she lives in Austria." Never mind that to Lily Austria could be a 5 minute drive away.
"Lily, the movie was made a long time ago."
"I know, in Austria. Where is Liesel?"
"Sweetie, I don't know. She's older than Mommy and might even have granddaughters."
"No, Mom, she does not, Liesel is a KID!"
Imogene had therapy today and Susan the PT said she's seeing a lot of improvement in her hand and arm. Specifically she's opening her hand up more, reaching out with her right arm more, and bearing a little weight on that arm. Of course after all that she gave us about 5 more new things to work on, and mentioned that at some point Imogene might need "Hip Helpers." These are like shorts that would help Imogene with her hip rotation. Basically when she's laying on her stomach (which is "supine" - all these things I'm learning) her hips are 'abducting' which is not helpful when she one day starts to push up on all four limbs. Yet another fun piece of gear to keep up with for the Siglers - hopefully she won't need them, but we'll see.
Speaking of gear, we need get GPS for the splint. When the Brown kids were growing up, we had a friend who lost her retainer everywhere we went. She would wad it up in a napkin and it would get thrown away. I have many memories of our parents all searching trash cans at restaurants and at our houses. These memories have come back to me lately because we (read Lauren) keep losing Imogene's splint. Yesterday a restaurant and a store were called in the search. Fortunately it was found, stuck to a toy in the bottom of the stroller. The thing is just so darn tiny and it's purple and it gets lost in the mess that is life with two small children!
Hope you can all get some sleep tonight. We know it will be hard since you're all so excited that tomorrow is BILL'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday to the most amazing and dedicated father and husband you'll ever know. People might throw those terms around, but I mean it. We are so blessed and lucky that Bill is the man in our lives! What a treasure he is to each of us.
Happy Birthday Sticky!
PS ... is the Memphis Basketball coach a dead-ringer for Bill or what?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Classic Lily
Lily: "Mom, what's softball?"
Mom: "It's what they call it when girls play baseball."
Lily: "Why?"
Mom: Gives very bad explanation, because could not come up with good one. The kid had a good reason to ask why here.
Lily: "What do they call it when girls play soccer?"
Mom: "It's what they call it when girls play baseball."
Lily: "Why?"
Mom: Gives very bad explanation, because could not come up with good one. The kid had a good reason to ask why here.
Lily: "What do they call it when girls play soccer?"
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
If you were watching the Georgetown v. Temple basketball game today, then I'm sure you saw Lily and Bill on TV. What, you didn't see them in the far lefthand corner of the screen when the ball was in front of the Georgetown bench? Well, they were there and if you watched really, really, really closely you would have seen Lily! I watched for a long, long time and only saw them once! Thanks to our wonderful friend and neighbor, they were treated to courtside seats for the Hoyas' home opener today. Lily watched about 2 minutes of the game, Bill reports. She was too enthralled with the cheerleaders and the band and the student section to bother watching the main event. Bill, on the otherhand, couldn't take his eyes off the game for fear he'd miss an errant ball or flying player headed straight for Lily's head!
What a fun day! Before the game, the girls met Daddy and his friends from KS for lunch. After lunch Lily rode back to the office and stayed with Daddy until the game. She got to ride the Metro, too. Such a big day, she fell asleep in the car on the way home!
What a fun day! Before the game, the girls met Daddy and his friends from KS for lunch. After lunch Lily rode back to the office and stayed with Daddy until the game. She got to ride the Metro, too. Such a big day, she fell asleep in the car on the way home!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Not an Ear Infection After All
We're sending good thoughts to our Uncle Ryan today. He is laid up with a nasty case of the flu. Get better soon Ryan!
Lily woke up in the night with a cough, so we kept her home from school to be safe. Both girls were seen by wonderful Dr. Baldrate this afternoon. Lily has just that, a cough, and is fine to be around her friends and go to school tomorrow! She was pretty bummed this morning to miss school. Dr. Baldrate said that Imogene does not have an ear infection. So no more amoxicillin, which is great, because it was doing quite a number on her stomach. (Of course it's really mild, so go figure it would mess up Imogene's stomach!) Because she was having such high fever, Dr. Baldrate ran a flu test which was negative, and a CBC blood test which came back fine. So, it's just a virus and should clear up, at least the fever part, by Wednesday or so. If she's fever free on Wednesday she can have her shots as planned Thursday. Oh that poor Imogene. She has been put through the ringer! The office does not have the flu shots for Lily's age yet, so we'll have to wait a little longer for her to get vaccinated. Not sure what to make of the ER pediatrician telling us she had an ear infection. Good thing he told us to follow up with our own doctor.
And today is her 10 month birthday. It was a short photo shoot!
This was the other morning.
Happy 10 Month Birthday Imogene!
I'll just take a look over here.
Success!
Investigating her find.
Lily woke up in the night with a cough, so we kept her home from school to be safe. Both girls were seen by wonderful Dr. Baldrate this afternoon. Lily has just that, a cough, and is fine to be around her friends and go to school tomorrow! She was pretty bummed this morning to miss school. Dr. Baldrate said that Imogene does not have an ear infection. So no more amoxicillin, which is great, because it was doing quite a number on her stomach. (Of course it's really mild, so go figure it would mess up Imogene's stomach!) Because she was having such high fever, Dr. Baldrate ran a flu test which was negative, and a CBC blood test which came back fine. So, it's just a virus and should clear up, at least the fever part, by Wednesday or so. If she's fever free on Wednesday she can have her shots as planned Thursday. Oh that poor Imogene. She has been put through the ringer! The office does not have the flu shots for Lily's age yet, so we'll have to wait a little longer for her to get vaccinated. Not sure what to make of the ER pediatrician telling us she had an ear infection. Good thing he told us to follow up with our own doctor.
And today is her 10 month birthday. It was a short photo shoot!
This was the other morning. Working hard to drink of out a sippy cup.
She usually just spits it all back out.
Happy 10 Month Birthday Imogene!
I'll just take a look over here.
Success!
Investigating her find.Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday Update
Imogene is still running a fever of 103 (as of early this afternoon). Surprisingly the night didn't go so terribly. She was only up from 2:45 until 4:15! We'll call in the morning to get her an appointment to see our pediatrician tomorrow. Hoping for a somewhat restful night with another dose of the antibiotic in her!
Lily went with Mommy to a meeting this morning before church. On the way in she said, "I'm sure that people are going to be excited to see me." (We must often encourage her to get out the door and get wherever it is we're trying to go by telling her that such-and-such is waiting to see her. For example, her teacher.) She was an angel and sat so quietly on a couch in the church parlor while we welcomed new members into our congregation. So many people came over to tell her how grown-up she was and how impressed they were at her behavior. I have to admit that I was very proud ... and befuddled at how she was the same little girl who was kicking and screaming on the floor not 1/2 an hour earlier about putting her shoes and socks on. Oh, Lily.
Our little Imogene will be 10 months old tomorrow! And then Friday is Daddy's 35th birthday! What a big week we'll have, and then we will start getting ready for Grunny, Charlie and Naney to join us for Thanksgiving. November is such a great month - especially since it's right before Christmas and that's without a doubt Mommy's favorite time of the year. The other day Lily asked me if Uncle Ryan could go with her to see Santa because "I think he'd really like that." This should be a really fun age for all the magic of Christmas with Lily and hopefully Imogene will get into the spirit as well!
Lily went with Mommy to a meeting this morning before church. On the way in she said, "I'm sure that people are going to be excited to see me." (We must often encourage her to get out the door and get wherever it is we're trying to go by telling her that such-and-such is waiting to see her. For example, her teacher.) She was an angel and sat so quietly on a couch in the church parlor while we welcomed new members into our congregation. So many people came over to tell her how grown-up she was and how impressed they were at her behavior. I have to admit that I was very proud ... and befuddled at how she was the same little girl who was kicking and screaming on the floor not 1/2 an hour earlier about putting her shoes and socks on. Oh, Lily.
Our little Imogene will be 10 months old tomorrow! And then Friday is Daddy's 35th birthday! What a big week we'll have, and then we will start getting ready for Grunny, Charlie and Naney to join us for Thanksgiving. November is such a great month - especially since it's right before Christmas and that's without a doubt Mommy's favorite time of the year. The other day Lily asked me if Uncle Ryan could go with her to see Santa because "I think he'd really like that." This should be a really fun age for all the magic of Christmas with Lily and hopefully Imogene will get into the spirit as well!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Never a Dull Moment
So the last three nights Imogene has slept amazingly well. Only waking up once to eat around 4 or 5 and then going back to sleep until 6:30 or 7:30. Three days in a row she took 2-hour naps.
We should have known something was up and that we weren't turning the corner towards regular sleep. Today she had a fever that got up to 104.3, so we called the on-call doctor who recommended she see someone today. Seeing as the pediatrician's office was closed, that left us with no where to go but the ER. Thank goodness Whitney was still here, so we didn't have to take Lily with us. We were sure they were going to tell us she had H1N1, but turns out she has an upper respiratory infection (which I believe is doctor-speak for a cold) and a touch of an ear infection in her left ear. She was given amoxicillin and sent home. So it was definitely better than it could have been, but makes us wonder if that was the cause for the great sleep. We'll have to just wait and see!
We should have known something was up and that we weren't turning the corner towards regular sleep. Today she had a fever that got up to 104.3, so we called the on-call doctor who recommended she see someone today. Seeing as the pediatrician's office was closed, that left us with no where to go but the ER. Thank goodness Whitney was still here, so we didn't have to take Lily with us. We were sure they were going to tell us she had H1N1, but turns out she has an upper respiratory infection (which I believe is doctor-speak for a cold) and a touch of an ear infection in her left ear. She was given amoxicillin and sent home. So it was definitely better than it could have been, but makes us wonder if that was the cause for the great sleep. We'll have to just wait and see!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Again with the reverse order (I need to figure that out, huh?) This is Lily and her friend Jacob getting ready to pass out water at the BA5K, last Saturday. It was freezing, but these two had the best time and were so cute handing the racers water. The race is held by our friends Lindsay and Stephen Moss, which raises money for Johns Hopkins, and their center which works to help children with a rare liver disorder, one of which is their adorable daughter Sydney, who is almost two, and was born with BA. Check out their website for more information!
A fun playtime in the crib after Imogene's afternoon nap. They are really in love with each other. Every now and then, Lily gets a little snatchy with any toy that Imogene wants to play with,but she is usually just so sweet. Lately she has been calling Imogene "sweetheart" and is always cheering and calling our attention when she uses her right hand.
Another meal 'al fresco' - this time on Halloween night helping Daddy hand out candy.
Lily and Will trick-or-treating. They held hands almost the whole time.
Happy Halloween from the Sigler hive!
Ready to trick-or-treat. She had such a blast and told us about 10 times how much fun it was. She kept asking if we 'had' to go to more houses, which we think meant, can we go to more houses. At one point she told her friend Will, "it's okay Will, there's nothing to be afraid of. "Such a big girl she is.
These pictures are reverse order. This is from the night before Halloween. Imogene got to eat outside while we all carved pumpkins with our neighbors.
Daddy ended up doing most of the dirty work, but Lily tried to help as best she could.
Her school Halloween party day. She kept talking about how Macy (her classmate) was going to be a princess, and how she had to be a princess, too. What a beauty she was!
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