Miss Ivy Lynn

The Library

2009-06-23T19:53:00.005-05:00

I am feeling very political today. I found out this morning that Governor Ted Strickland's proposed budget for 2009-2011 includes cuts to many, many worthwhile and vital Ohio programs.

The ELI (Early Learning Initiative) will be eliminated. There will be cuts to mental health funding. Physically and mentally handicapped individuals will not receive as much aid as they currently do. It sickens me that the people who need help the most are the people who are losing the small amount of help they already have.

One issue stuck out as directly affecting me and my family is the 50% cut to the Public Library Fund. This would cause many libraries to close, cut hours, cut programs. We attended a program today and the librarian told us they already have a book buying freeze. This cut would eliminate way more than just new books.

I emailed the Governor, my representatives and the budget committee members. I also emailed the director of the Toledo Lucas County Library to see if there are any plans for a rally to bring more attention to this issue for those who don't know what is going on.

The budget needs to be finalized by June 30. There is only seven days to make your voice heard, so email or call if you feel strongly about this.

In case you are curious, this is the email I sent. Usually, when I write about issues I send form letters. I'm lazy like that, and it's all politicians do in return anyway. This time, I actually wrote my own letter. Must be a special cause to me, eh?

I am saddened to hear of the proposed cuts to the Public Library Fund in the Governor's 2009-2011 proposed budget. I understand that cuts need to be made somewhere, but I feel strongly that this is not the place to make them. The library system is not a luxury, an extra piece of fluff that can be cut out. The library is important to many people for many reasons, myself and my family included.

With the economy in the state that it is, our state can not afford more job loss. Our unemployment rate is nearing 11%. It is at the highest point since October 1983. Cutting funding to the PLF would not only add to the unemployment in our state, it would also limit access to necessary resources for those who are already unemployed to look for work, including the Internet and resume writing materials.

The library system is important to families. I have a four year old daughter who is already reading. If not for the story times, programs and reading materials available to her, I do not think she would be this advanced. Being summer, a loss of programming would hit us especially hard. While I am lucky enough to have my husband gainfully employed, times are still tough for us. The library affords us the opportunity to attend programming that is both fun and educational without taking money away from our budget. Just today, we attended a program at the Sylvania Library which kept her entertained and out of the ninety degree heat. She absolutely loved it and is ready to go back next Tuesday to see what the new program is.

I realize making a state budget is hard work. I realize there are cuts that need to be made. Please don't make those cuts to our library system. Libraries are not a luxury - they are a necessity. Don't take this valuable resource away from our families.

Thank you,

Jamie Ritchie

I'm taking my toys and going home!

2009-06-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

Or, in Ivy's case, she's leaving and going to Guh Guh's.

Guh Guh is my mom. It started when Ivy couldn't say Grandma... but now all the other Grandma's are "Grandma" and my mom is still Guh Guh.

Ivy plays ToonTown online. I wish I would have never let her start playing, but she loves it and I supervise her while she's playing, so what's done is done. She loves her some ToonTown so it makes a fantastic bargaining chip. Not listening? No ToonTown. Won't pick up her toys? No ToonTown. Won't ~~give me a massage~~ put her plate in the sink? No ToonTown.

So last Sunday, she wasn't listening and the computer was shut off for the day. She huffed away, then came back and asked for a pen and paper. Then she huffed away again.

She returned with a paper rolled up like a scroll and told me solemnly, "Tomorrow, you have to take me to Guh Guh's."

I could see where this was headed, so I reminded her that she had swim class the next day.

"Fine, you have to take me the next day."

"But the next day you have T-ball AND swim class."

HUGE SIGH. "Fine. Next week."

She gave me the paper and told me not to open it until she left forever, but of course I did. And then I scanned it. And then I posted it on the internet so I can make sure I have a record of it for the future.

Click image to see it larger. It's freaking hysterical.

Anticlimactic much?

2009-06-18T10:38:00.002-05:00

Sooooo.... three months later, here's the follow up. Totally not important anymore, but I know y'all are hanging onto the edges of your collective seats.

Ivy was obsessed with the toilet. For a good couple months, whenever she couldn't find something she would ask, with tears in her eyes, "It's not in the toilet, is it?"

Of course, it never was, and she is basically out of this phase. At the time I wrote the last post it was really a major concern to me. She was SO preoccupied with the toilet. It was actually disruptive to our existence. But things have balanced out and we rarely get asked if something is in the toilet. Ahhh, kids.

Prelude

2009-03-08T12:18:00.002-05:00

I have a post brewing in my head, but I need to post this story first, as I THINK it is the cause of the next post. Clear as mud? Okay then, just listen to the story.

About a month ago, Ivy and I went to Cici's. As mentioned before, she always gets a toy out of the machines when we leave. This particular trip, she got a bracelet that was made of little teddy bear beads, maybe half the size of your pinky nail, if that. Teeny tiny. In the car, she was pulling on it and snapped the elastic. She was sad, but was okay once she realized she could play with the teddy bears.

I really thought nothing of it, as she is FOUR YEARS OLD and has never been a child that mouthed things a ton. So we came home, I settled down to watch Guiding Light in Erin's room and she played in the living room. Next thing I know, she's in Erin's room, saying she can't find the teddy bears because she swallowed them.

WHAT?!?!?!

Apparently, she put them in this little horn that she has and was going to try to blow them out. When she inhaled the big breath to then blow the bears out, she sucked them in instead and swallowed them. She was soooo unbelievably upset. I was worried she was going to die instantly of lead poisoning, being pieces of a made-in-china-only-cost-a-quarter-bracelet had just been eaten. I called some people for advice and we all concluded the bears would pass on their own. So then I had to explain THAT to my child who actually said she was going to go puke so she could get the bears out.

We had a brief anatomy lesson about small "intenines" and large "intenines" and Ivy learned that everything you eat comes out in your poop. And then she asked me to get the bears out of her poop. I politely declined, in case you were wondering. I didn't think the teddy bears were worth it. Were it my wedding ring, or a million dollars or something, I may have considered. But not for two plastic teddy bears.

I quit

2009-02-24T01:22:00.003-05:00

I've smoked on and off since I worked at Six Flags the summer after my senior year. That's nine years. I'm quitting on Monday.

It started as a financial decision. Nathan's child support just jumped from around $330 a month to $980 a month. First of all, holy shit, man. We have to find $650 extra dollars a month. While it seems like he makes good money, the more you make the more you spend. There's the health insurance we can actually afford now, the 401K he can contribute to. But there's the day to day expenses, too.... the preschool tuition, the house payment, the two cars we need to have. My lease is up in April, so if we can reduce the payment on my car, that will be a big plus. But if we both quit smoking, that will save about $7 a DAY. That's over $200 a month. And without all those trips to the gas station for cigarettes, we probably won't spend as much on other things, like coffee. So it will definitely be a big help.

Lately, though, the health thing has been weighing on my mind, too. Don't get me wrong, I've never been ignorant enough to deny that smoking is bad for you. But taking a step back and looking at all the people in my life who have been affected by cancer is really quite devastating. Not all of them smoked either. Grandpap, way back in 8th grade. Grandma. Uncle Ernie. Aunt Marge. Uncle Thom. Bob Pay. Grandpa. My odds look slim. Why raise the chances by putting poison in my body? Just last week, Andrea's sister in law had a tumor removed from her brain. From two inches inside of her brain. She has a metal plate in her head because they had to remove part of her skull. She is 25 years old. I mean, GOD. How can things like that happen to young people who don't make bad, unhealthy choices?

I thought I would write this all out so that the eight people who read this can hold me accountable. I don't want to die in 10 years. I want to see my baby grow up. I'm not going to consciously put that in jeopardy any longer. I know there are other things that need to change in my life, too, but I have to do this one step at a time. I think this is a good first step to take.

Good thing she's still innocent

2009-02-10T17:19:00.002-05:00

The scene: Leaving Cici's Pizza with Andrea after lunch. Ivy always gets one of those quarter toys out of the machine when we leave. Today, she had gotten a tiny monkey. Here's what she had to say about him:

"Oh, my monkey is just so cute. He is so tiny. And he is unbreakable, because he is made of rubber. RUBBERS NEVER BREAK!!"

Uh, sorry, kid, I'm sure there are plenty of people in the world who who beg to differ on that one. Don't worry, I didn't explain that to her.

Happy Birthday, Husband

2009-02-07T10:30:00.004-05:00

Nathan's birthday was yesterday. We had a really nice day as a family.... well, I had to do an audit in the morning, but after I got home, it was a nice day. Ivy helped me decorate Nathan's cupcakes, then we went out to eat and bowling. Apparently that is the new birthday tradition around here, since it's the same thing we for my birthday last year.

On to the cupcakes. I have these brilliant ideas in my head that just don't come out right. Let's start off by saying that Ivy decided the frosting should be pink. In my head, it was white, so it matched, but I was happy to let her help and just have the frosting (the yummy homemade delicious frosting) clash. BUT, I have decided I am going to take the Wilton cake decorating class so that I don't keep embarassing myself with the lack of decorating skills. Things tase good, but just aren't so pretty. Take, for example, what YOU may inturpret as a steaming pile of pink dog poo. Really, it's just the first cupcake I frosted, before I said "ohmygodIneedtouseadifferenttip!"

After that, things looked up. Here's the display both on fire and not. I couldn't afford as many candles as Nathan needs these days, so I just went with 12. I loved how they matched my like fondant streamers.

Happy 37th birthday to the love of my life!

CPSIA

2009-01-18T02:10:00.004-05:00

I just found a FANTASTIC article on the CPSIA which goes into effect February 10th. If you don't know what I'm talking about, the CPSIA is a new law that will require all products intended for children 12 and under to undergo third party testing for lead and phthalates. While in theory this may sound good (who wants their kids exposed to harmful things like that?) in reality it is a poorly written law that will put myself and many many others out of business.

Here's the article I'm talking about. Very well written and explains the "other side of the coin" very well, in my opinion. - http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

I've written to my congressmen and senator about this law. I've received the standard form letters back, which disappoints me. Will you do the same?

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T12:50:00.003-05:00

Stocking are hung, presents are wrapped, candy is made.... I think we are all set for the holidays. We have some heavy traveling ahead of us, but I am looking forward to spending the next few days with all of the people who are near and dear to my heart, and for Ivy to have a chance to spend time with those she doesn't see often enough (it is her blog, right? Had to link back to her somehow. :p )

Happy Holidays to everyone.... enjoy whatever it is that you are celebrating and more than that, enjoy the time you are lucky enough to have with your loved ones.

For crying out loud

2008-12-17T23:01:00.004-05:00

Christmas is just not meant to be this year.

All the parents at preschool have been charged with the task of bringing nine (apparently so I can eat three of the dozen I make?) homemade cookies to the Christmas Program tomorrow. Here are the cookies I decided to make.

Aren't they beautiful? I'm the mom who makes stuff, sews her daughters clothes.... I have to bring inpressive cookies, right? Cookies that will make the other mom's talk, right? Oh, they would be talking alright. Check out what I just took out of the oven:

what. the. heck. is. that? They taste FANTASTIC, but I don't think the teachers would count one large blob as nine cookies. I guess I could be wrong, though.

So google has helped me to come up with another idea. 11:06pm.... and take two it is!

Update

2008-12-17T17:48:00.004-05:00

Ebay sellers can still kiss my butt, but paypal is invited to be my bff.

Within 24 hours I was notified that the seller of the super duper top secret gift for my mom would be refunding me my money once he receives the item back in the original condition. I swear on everything holy if he tries to pull any crap with that one, I will drive to Houston myself and introduce him to my foot in his butt, because I didn't even take the thing out of the bubble wrap. Soooo, I should (fingers crossed) have the money back in my account in plenty of time to brave the stores and get the same thing for slightly more money not on the internet.

And the unworking DVD player? That can get sent back, too. Prepaid UPS, so that's good. I don't know that I'll have that money back in time to get a new one before Christmas, though, which should make for a fun 14 hours in the car.

Oh Internet Shopping, why must you mess with me?

2008-12-16T13:17:00.002-05:00

I was doing soooo good. I have found some KILLER steals on Amazon for Christmas presents. Free shipping. Fast free shipping. $28 for toys that would cost $60 + tax in the stores. I was on cloud nine. Then, karma had to come bite me in the ass.

Who am I kidding? Not karma. Ebay. I think I am officially over ebay. I made two major purchases and they are both causing nothing but grief. A present for mom came missing parts and the seller won't accept a return. I filed a paypal claim to get my money back, but he has until 12/26 to respond. Did you notice this is AFTER Christmas?

I also bought a used personal DVD player so Ivy can watch movies during the 14 hours we are going to be spending in the car over Christmas (no exageration there, seriously). Got it yesterday, it's beautiful. But the one million dollar question.... does it work? What do you think? Would I be writing the post if it did?

I am beyond flustered. That's almost $200 of crap that isn't what I wanted and won't serve it's purpose. I sure hope the paypal gods are looking down on me this season and get me some refunds. Ugh.

Ivy's Quote of the Day

2008-11-09T16:32:00.002-05:00

"After four I'm gonna be five, and after five I'm gonna be six, and after six I'm gonna be seven and that's big enough to drive the car."

An Election Story

2008-11-04T09:00:00.002-05:00

In honor of the election today, I wanted to share a conversation Ivy and I had sometime last week. It started with me asking if they had talked about the president at all in school. She said they hadn't, so I started to try to explain a little.

Me: The president is the person who is in charge of the whole country.

Ivy: I call Daddy president sometimes.

Me: I bet he likes that! On Tuesday, we get to vote for who we think should be president. Do you want to come with me so you can see how it works?

Ivy: Sure. I know who I am going to vote for!

Me: Honey, you have to be 18 to vote. Only grown ups can vote.

Ivy: Okay, I know who I would vote for. Some one who starts with a "buh" "buh" B

Me: BARACK OBAMA?? (thinking: "YES! I am raising her right!!")

Ivy: No! Brandi (this kills me that she still talks about Brandi so much)

Me: Oh, there are really only two people we get to pick from, Barack Obama or John McCain

Ivy: JOHN MCCAIN!

Me: (Insert internal screaming here)

Ivy: I like his name. J is my favorite letter.

This, people, is what is wrong with America today. I don't doubt there WILL be people voting based on what letter they like, or that Obama is young, or that McCain was a POW. Take a look at the issues and make your own decision.

Did YOU vote today?

What?

2008-11-04T01:05:00.002-05:00

I was reading through the Halloween post and noticed that I mentioned Jamaica. So I scrolled down to re-read the post about vacation. Huh what huh? There isn't one! That is SO on my list of things to post about this month.

I wasn't going to mention it for fear of jinxing myself, but it's National Blog Posting Month. I tried this whole "post a day" thing last year and I believe I made it to November 3rd. So this year, I am NOT posting every day for NaBloPoMo. I am just posting "more." Not a very specific goal for myself, but one that I am already doing quite well on, thankyouverymuch. In fact, I already have a post written for TOMORROW. How's that for being on top of things? So, my five faithful readers, keep checking back. This month will be way more productive than previous months. I hope.

More Wedding Goodness

2008-11-03T10:49:00.003-05:00

I feel like I should run a caption contest for this one. Of course, there's about four people who read this blog, so it wouldn't be much of a contest now, would it?

SERIOUSLY? What was she thinking in THIS one? I told you she was getting her groove on on the dance floor, but what kind of a groove was that?

You can see how red and tired she was, though. For her to ask to go home before the "party" was over was amazing to me.

By the way, she has asked me more than once when Andrea is getting married again. I'm going to go with never, so apparently we need more friends who aren't already married so Ivy can go to more parties.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-01T15:45:00.004-05:00

Oh, my child is a loon. She wanted to be - get this - a garbage can for Halloween. I showed her princess costumes and other somewhat normal costumes, but she would have none of it. She wanted to be a garbage can and that was it. So Nathan and I made her a garbage can costume.... admittedly, Nathan did a lot of the work on this one. He can be crafty, too! Here she is in the Halloween parade at preschool on Thursday. She immediately tripped, basically on the way out the door, so I had to "march" with her for awhile. Then she decided Mrs. Turner (the director) would do as well as me, so I got to take a few pictures. By the end of the second lap around the building, she was "marching" by herself.

My one consolation in this whole "my daughter wants to be a garbage can" thing was that it was an original costume. Right? Right?? No. There was another garbage can at school that day. Whatever.

Here's the costume WITH the lid, right before trick or treating.

When she got tired and didn't want to walk anymore, she "had an idea." She thought we should get a taxi. That was a throwback to vacation in Jamaica, where a taxi would stop you every 27 seconds, if not more often. I explained there were no taxis in our neighborhood, lazy bones, now get to stepping. I thought she got tired pretty quick, but by the time we got home, it was past 7:00, so I guess she did pretty well. She got a lot of loot and is already talking about next Halloween. Halloween 2008 was a success!

The Wedding

2008-10-21T16:33:00.003-05:00

The wedding is over. Ivy was so excited, and I don't think the festivities disappointed her in the least. There's actually a ton to blog about, but for now, I will put up the pictures my dear sweet sister took and leave it at that. Well, that and Ivy's closing comment to my mom on Saturday..... "That was the best party EVER."

Ivy and Corrine walking down the aisle. They did a fantastic, albeit sloooooow job.

Ivy on the steps outside of the church, after the service. It was coooold. You can't see it, but her dress is starting to rip. By the end of the night, almost the whole skirt was ripped off the bodice. Jordan Fashions is SO getting a strongly worded letter.

Ivy cheesing for Aunt Jessie.

Me and Andrea at the back of the church after the ceremony. She looked so beautiful and perfect!

Me, after the ceremony. I loved our dresses and our flowers.

Infomercial Queen

2008-07-11T17:25:00.002-05:00

Ivy loves commercials. She especially loves those "as seen on TV" infomercial type comercials. The girl can tell you all about Aquaglobes and Roll and Grow and Blendy Pens. And don't forget Green Bags. "Spoiled produce? Not again. Stop THROWING AWAY YOUR MONEY MOMMY." You should see the hand gestures that go with that one.

We were sitting on the couch cuddling earlier this week. I was on my laptop, Ivy was watching TV. I wasn't really listening to the TV. This conversation ensued.

Ivy: Mommy, do you love me?
Me : Of course I love you.
Ivy: Then you have to get me Zoobooks. See them on the TV?

I mean, at least she was asking for something educational. But still. I didn't think I had to start buying her love for at least another eight or ten years. Crap.

Wedding crazy?

2008-07-10T11:32:00.001-05:00

Ivy is officially obsessed. Every time she picks a flower she says it's for when she is in Andrea Nelson's wedding.

Every time she puts on her white sundress she wants to know if that is her dress for Andrea Nelson's wedding.

She's found a box of envelopes and is always writing us letters. You know, three year old letters, which consist of wavy lines that only she can read. She can write her letters and read, but no way is she actually writing a whole letter!! Anyway, half of the time she writes letters to us, they are from Andrea Nelson.

What's up with that?

This elephant.....

2008-07-06T15:27:00.002-05:00

he's a better artist than me.

Had to post this somewhere because I find it amazing.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2246645/Pictures-of-the-day-4-July-2008.html

So few updates, so much time

2008-07-06T12:06:00.002-05:00

So many things have happened in the past couple months that actually have made me say "I need to blog that." And we all know I am by no means a professional blogger. They don't pay people who post once every couple of months to blog.

Of course, now that I am sitting down to blog, I can't remember any of them. So I'll tell you about our holiday weekend, since that is fresh in my mind.

Ivy is deathly afraid of loud noises, to the point that we didn't even consider going to fireworks this year. We did, however, buy some sparklers. Of course she was afraid they would make noise. Of course I was nervous she would set something (namely, herself) on fire. Of course she stayed up way too late so we could wait until it was dark to do them. But oh, was it worth it when I saw the look in her eyes. I truely can not remember a time where I have seen her so happy, glowing from the inside over something so simple as a sparkler. Her eyes sparkled (and not from the reflection of the flaming stick in her hand) and her grin was as big as her face. Of course, I didn't get a picture of the first sparkler, but I did run and get my camera so I could document her first sparkler experience, even if it wasn't the first sparkler. We then retired to the couch to watch the downtown Toledo fireworks on TV. Not quite the same, but a brilliant idea to be able to turn down the volume on fireworks, no?

Yesterday we took Ivy to Par 2 golf course. As she would say, the "pupp pupp course". She's been talking for awhile about wanting to play miniature golf, and we bought her a cheap little set of golf clubs at Big Lots, but she wanted to play "real pupp pupp." So we went. And we played. And she was so annoying. For some reason I had a very low tolerance for the rock throwing and not listening yesterday. The first 6 holes or so were very cute, but then I got frustrated and moody. Anyone surprised there? No? Okay, moving on then.

We also did the Go Karts. Ivy LOVED them. They are apparently race cars. Daddy drove her and I drove my own car. I don't know if he was coaching her or not, but as we sat in the "pits" waiting to go she was yelling things like "See you at the finish line" and "We're gonna win, nah nah nah nah nah nah" at me. Actually very cute at the time. She really loved it and wasn't afraid at all. Even when they got in a wreck and the front of their go kart was wedged under the side of the road. The workers had to get the crow bar. Very exciting time.

The princess dress

2008-05-28T16:02:00.004-05:00

Andrea says these are the dresses. I LOVE them both, especially mine, lol. :op

Here is my dress:

Too bad I don't look like the model, lol.

Here's Ivy's dress.... had to save the best for last, because it really is just about the most beautiful flower girl dress in the world:

Beautiful, no?

What Andrea Has Been Waiting for

2008-05-22T15:01:00.003-05:00

This post SHOULD have been posted about five months ago. Whoops. This is take 6 and I was DONE with the video taking, so it's as good as it's going to get. :o)

So October 18th, 2008, Ivy will be in her second wedding and I will be in my first... unless you count mine. :o)

I'll share when the important decisions get made, like Ivy's "princess dress".

Day three - we have pee!!

2008-04-13T20:49:00.002-05:00

This afternoon, Ivy peed next to the potty, on the step stool we have in front of the sink so she can brush her teeth and stuff. This also included peeing on the roll of toilet paper that was sitting on the stool. Did I mention this is directly next to the potty? I was pissed (no pun intended). I put Ivy in a time out for four minutes (a full minute longer than normal, so you can tell I was mad, lol). After she was done with time out, I talked to her about how it's not okay to pee on the floor and pee belongs in the potty. If she puts her pee on the floor, she's going to have a time out. She understood.

I know that might seem harsh (it sounds harsh when I read it back) but I really feel that she isn't having accidents.... she's choosing not to pee on the potty. So I was trying to give her incentive, ya know?

So, a couple hours later, I was cooking supper. Ivy came into the kitchen whining that there were no diapers. So I said "well, go sit on the potty then," and reminded her what would happen if she peed on the floor. SO SHE PEED IN THE POTTY. Completely on her own then ran back into the kitchen to tell me about it.

There were a couple messes after that, but I really feel this is the beginning of the end of diapers. I can't freaking wait.

Another First

2008-04-12T13:09:00.002-05:00

Ivy had her first "manicure" today. Every time I have ever tried to paint her nails, she flips out. She's ASKED to have her nails painted and then freaked out. Today she told me that she changed her mind and she likes nail polish. So I gave it a try and lo and behold, we have matching nails. I will get a picture later.

Oh, and happy birthday to me! We are going out to dinner and bowling with Ken and Lisa.

Yesterday's final score.... three pees on my floor, no pees in the potty. Today.... one pee on the floor so far. Sigh.

Operation: For crying outloud, you are too huge to wear diapers!

2008-04-11T15:34:00.002-05:00

After seeing Dr. Amy a couple of months ago, I had backed off the whole potty learning thing. We had talked, and decided that Ivy is stubborn and will do the potty in her own sweet time. Well, fast forward to now and I am just so sick of this!! Her diapers are getting too small and they don't MAKE them bigger. They leave marks on her sometimes. She's almsot four years old, for crying outloud and there's SO many things she can't do because she doesn't use the potty. Something has got to give.

So, the new plan is to just not wear diapers (at home) any more. Tomorrow is my birthday and we are going out for supper and probably bowling, so she will have to wear a diaper then, but after that.... we will stay homebound until dance next Thursday and just wear all those cool new underwear we picked out. Ivy keeps saying, "Mommy, are you making me wear underpants again today?" What a turd.

Today's count so far - 2 pees on the floor, no pees in the potty.

Too much computer?

2008-03-07T10:57:00.004-05:00

Ivy LOVES to play pretend. One of her new favorites is putting one of her blankies around her shoulders and morphing into Super Ivy. Of course, since there are three blankies, I need to become Super Mommy as well. So as we were "flying" up the stairs the other day, having fun in our imaginative, not electronic or battery powered play, what does Ivy say?

"If you want to learn more about Super Ivy or Super Mommy, just click on them."

Apparently, the computer has done more than help her learn her alphabet and other educational things.

Mini Me

2008-01-28T23:56:00.000-05:00

Well, not mini me, but mini Aunt Jessie.

Ivy loves helping Aunt Jessie get ready to go out. She watches Jess do her hair and put on her makeup (or as Ivy calls it, "frosting") and the Jessica lets Ivy put on a little makeup, too. Last weekend, Ivy really liked Jessica's earrings, so she took the two bracelets that were sitting on the counter and made her own earrings. They could be twins, no?

(Definitely click the picture to see the big version.... it's way cuter!)

Three Year Old Logic

2008-01-11T00:56:00.000-05:00

My friend Lisa is pregnant. She's due February 20th, so she's getting pretty big. When baby comes, and Lisa goes back to work, I will be watching the baby, so I've been starting to talk to Ivy about babies and how to treat them. She knows there is a baby in Lisa's tummy.

Tonight, the baby was rolling around a lot... you could see it if you looked at Lisa's stomach. Lisa was showing Ivy where to put her hands to feel the baby move. Ivy, of course, lifted Lisa's shirt numerous times to see the baby. Then, the best quote ever:

"Let's squeeze it really hard and see if the baby pops out!!"

Smart ass

2008-01-03T22:07:00.000-05:00

Pardon the language, but there just isn't a more appropriate title for this post.

This afternoon Ivy and I went out to lunch. While we were waiting for dessert (lucky girl that she is) we were playing I Spy. You know.... "I spy with my little eye, something [insert color here]."

Fast forward to bed time. Ivy picked out a book, hopped into bed and announced we needed to play I Spy before reading Burger Boy. The following conversation ensued:

Mommy: I spy with my little eye something..... [pause]
Ivy: RED!!!
M: Okay, I spy with my little eye, something red.
I: Your zits!!!! Your zits are red, Mommy! They are really really red.

Thanks, kid. Way to stomp my self esteem.

A Very Jammies Christmas

2007-12-27T14:21:00.001-05:00

All that preperation and it's over.

Ivy spent the day in her pajamas. The whole day, travel and all. She isn't feeling well, and honestly, either am I.

Nathan's parents came for dinner Sunday night. It was nice. I love cooking for company.... I don't understand why I find that enjoyable but loathe cooking dinner every night. I made a ham, broccoli and cauliflower casserole, wilted spinach salad and a chocolate pie for dessert. Yum.

Christmas Eve was very uneventful. I did go to church at 11pm.... it was different than the service at the church in Brecksville, but still nice. The sermon actually made me tear up. The pastor was talking about having a place to belong and not shutting people out. It was moving to me.

Christmas morning -- the best one yet. Ivy is so into the whole Santa thing, it makes me smile just thinking about it.

Susie and Jack

2007-12-13T23:33:00.001-05:00

While we were in Cleveland last weekend, Ivy started calling my sister Suzie. She's had an obsession with the Laurie Berkner Band lately, and I think the nickname came from this obsession, but I can't quite tell. Jessica, in an effort to call Ivy something silly in retaliation, began calling her Jack.

I find the whole thing absolutely adorable. For the longest time, Jessica was convinced that Ivy didn't like her, as many times as I tried to explain that Ivy didn't know her. Now they are quite the pair, bickering like an old married couple and coming up with loving pet names like Suzie and Jack. I love it.

Jessica hates this picture, but it's all I could find when I googled her. Any resemblance? Perhaps slightly.

ETA: Jessica made me change her picture. She contributed this one.

I want to Officially Say....

2007-11-21T16:28:00.000-05:00

...that Ivy is reading. She's been really "getting" the whole letters and sounds thing for awhile and I've been saying that she is starting to read. Today we went to the library and got two Thanksgiving books out. She asked to see one in her carseat.... so we hadn't read it at all yet. She read the last page outloud.... "Come one, come all and fast (feast) with us this Thanksgiving Day." I think I will always remember that sentence!! I can't believe my thirty nine month old is reading.

Dance FX

2007-11-09T18:34:00.000-05:00

Ivy takes dance class on Thursdays. She loves it. It's a combination class of tumbling, tap and creative movement. Isn't is ALL Creative movement when you are three?

This Thursday was Parent Observation Day. Of course, I forgot my camera. Another mom was great enough to e-mail me the pictures she took, and Ivy was next to her daughter, Claire, so there are quite a few. Here's the slideshow.

Failed!

2007-11-03T16:45:00.000-05:00

I get a big fat "F" for National Blog Posting Month! At least I blew it on the 2nd and didn't get all the way past Thanksgiving and mess it all up. I have less to live up to now.

I am learning to crochet. Because, you know, making bows and sewing clothes and trying to be Susie Homemaker and SuperMom is not enough for one person. Which may explain why things end up half finished an awful lot. Anyway. I bought the pattern to make this adorable hat for Ivy. So I figured I better learn to crochet so I could use said pattern.

I've been watching videos from NexStitch and also found some how to videos on You Tube. Apparently, I have been watching them more than I thought. I found Ivy sitting on the couch with my laptop, a crochet hook and a skein of yarn, literally saying "yarn over, pull through two" just like the lady in the videos. She's a sponge, all right. Here's a picture or two.

National Blog Posting Month

2007-11-01T22:20:00.001-05:00

According to another blog I read (and you all know, what you read on the internet is akin to the gospel ;o) ) November is National Blog Posting Month. In honor of this event, I am going to try to post every day that I am home. I hate to set myself up for failure like that, but I think it could be fun. Zoot is posting daily prompts, so I can't say I don't know what to write about. Plus, I have quite a few things that I've been wanting to write about, but never get to because I always end up "updating" instead. So, Happy NaBloPoMo!! Come celebrate with me!

Halloween 2007

2007-10-31T18:29:00.000-05:00

It's over! Ivy had a fantastic time.... we went in our neighborhood, just us, for the first time. We've always gone with Brandi and her boys, but that didn't come to fruition this year. Our neighborhood is actually really good for trick or treating, though. We started out on our street.... at the end of the block, Ivy took off running, tripped and slid across the asphalt. A nice lady saw it happen and took us back to her house, since she lived closer than us to the "scene". She got paper towels and ice so I could wipe the blood off of Ivy's face and try to stop it from swelling. Her husband let Ivy pick her own candy from the bowl. Of course, Ivy wanted nothing to do with the paper towels or the ice, but I got her cleaned up pretty well. She kept on trucking. We made it up and down several streets and back to our house around 7:15. Now we are holed up in the basement so no one rings our bell. :) Here's the "after" picture of her bloody lip.

Moonlight Meanderings

2007-10-18T00:17:00.000-05:00

We went to the zoo tonight for a special program called Moonlight Meanderings. Basically, they let you in the zoo after closing and you get to see some animals sleeping and see the animals that are nocturnal and are usually sleeping when you are visiting. We ran with wolves (next to the cage) to see if they followed us... they did. We also got "stalked" by a tiger. It's amazing to see the animals exhibit their instinctual characteristics. Sometimes I forget that they are wild animals and not just big pets in cages.

Ivy enjoyed herself thoroughly. I think she may have been a little young for the information, but she made a littel friend. One of the librarians from the branch closest to us was their with her family and we were chatting. Ivy latched on to Mick, her son and they held hands for the evening. Very cute. Ivy also got to touch a gi-normous centipede, a dead bat, a guinea pig, a tiger skin and an elephant foot. Definitely a great experience.

Mama's Girl

2007-10-17T14:57:00.001-05:00

Long Awaited

2007-10-14T11:38:00.000-05:00

First thing first. I started a new blog to showcase my crafts so I don't clog things up here. I plan on taking pictures of the things I make for work as well as for Ivy, although lately it's all been for Ivy. I am loving my sewing machine!! Anyway, check it out at crafty-me.blogspot.com. Bookmark it. Leave comments. Whatever. :)

So.... what you've all been waiting for.... an update. I don't even know where to start, so I guess I'll just go. Forgive me if this turns out disorganized.

Ivy is really growing up. Physically, she looks like a five year old, I swear. At her three year check at the beginning of September, she was about 41" and 42 pounds. That's off the growth charts, but still on her curve. She's always been a big girl. She's wearing a 5T, though.... just seems so big to me! We were reading the book I made her shortly after she was born today and I teared up... she was just so little.

Intellectually, she is growing up, too. I don't even know what to work on with her anymore. She knows pretty much everything I taught my preschoolers, so now I'm stumped. She does like to work in workbooks, and I want to set up a "homeschooling" corner somewhere in the house. I don't necessarily plan to homeschool (although it's something that I plan on researching) I believe that everyone with a toddler or preschooler is homeschooling every day. At this age, children are constantly learning and absorbing. I want to keep more materials in the house that can help her in that journey. I also really want to have an art nook somewhere in the house. She got an awesome easel for her birthday and we don't really have a "home" for it yet, so it is being neglected. I feel bad about that, because I know she loves the thing. She loves to create.

Speaking of, she is still very creative. Right now, she is sitting behind me just chit chatting with a bunch of toys. I believe her new kitty is going ice skating if I heard her correctly. :) She loves playing pretend with her stuffed animals and My Little Ponies.... and her hands and discarded papers and anything else she can give a voice to. She is rarely, rarely quiet. My dad says that's karma.

Oh gosh, now she is singing Veggietales songs.... adorable.

We go to story time at the library every Wednesday. She loves Mr. Eric, the librarian. She is normally really well behaved there and has a little friend, Molly, that we usually sit by. Thursdays she has "dancing school." It is adorable. Right now she is in the Star class, which is a combination tap/tumbling/creative movement. She looks forward to dance class and Miss Michelle all week. It's a very good motivator as well.... "Ivy, if you don't start listening you can't go see Miss Michelle!" Works every time. Here's a picture of Ivy before her first class.

I'm really trying to be the mom I wanted to be since she was born. I wanted to be the mom who did things, who went to story time and music class and had playgroups. Instead, I've struggled with a lot of things. Some things I think were always a part of me (the sloppiness) but a lot had to do with depression. Things are improving around here, from Ivy and I getting out of the house, to me keeping things nicer. I'm proud of myself, and hope I can keep things the way they are. I love Ivy too much to not give her the kind of childhood she deserves.

Quick post

2007-10-11T12:58:00.000-05:00

I hear it all the time from multiple sources that I don't update here anymore. And I know, I don't. And I need to. But it's not going to be right now.

Right now, I am just going to share a couple pictures of Ivy in her Halloween outfit/costume. Super cute out fit by day..... add a cape, broom and hat and it's a witch costume for trick or treating at night! Ta da!

Budding Comedian

2007-03-08T00:05:00.000-05:00

Two scenes that have occured in the past month:

At Old Grandma's house. Ivy opens the fridge door and stares inside.
My mom: Ivy, what do you want? What are you looking for?
Ivy: An egg.
My mom: An egg? Okay, how do you want it cooked?
Ivy: In a cake.
******************************************************************************
Ivy: Pee-me.
Anyone who will listen: what?
Ivy: Pee-me.
AWWL: What are you talking about?
Ivy: Pee-me.
AWWL: What are you talking about?
Ivy: Pee-me.
AWWL: Pee-you.
Ivy: Yeah, pee-yew. Hahahaha.

What a stinker.

Cute Quota

2007-02-03T16:01:00.000-05:00

Here's a few cute Ivy stories from the past week or so:

After Ivy's balloon from the last post deflated (of course it was dead by the next morning), I bought her a mylar balloon at the dollar store to replace it. When I walked in the house with the new balloon, she said, "For me, Mommy? Oh THANK YOU. This one works!"
*************************************************************************************
I bought Ivy a new wooden food playset.

(On a side note, if anyone can tell me what the orange thing in the set is supposed to be, I'd appreciate it. I'm stumped.) She took all of the pieces off of the shish kabob and told me that it was a hammer. I said, "No, it's not a hammer. It's a... kabob stick." She repied, "Ohhhh, an Uncle Bobby stick."
*************************************************************************************
Her new fun thing to do is hide things. Of course, she always hides them in the same place: on her dirty clothes pile in her room. So Nathan was getting ready to leave for work and she took off with his coat. She cam back into the dining room and said, "You'll never find it now! Ha Ha Ha!"

Like mommy like daughter

2007-01-27T15:28:00.000-05:00

While we were in Cleveland, Ivy discovered the Winnie the Pooh movie at my mom's house. She really enjoys watching it. I have always been a big Pooh fan myself.

We went to Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner a couple of nights ago. Ivy got a blue balloon from the hostess. She spent the whole ride home in the backseat saying, "Tut tut, looks like rain." How cute is that?

A New Year

2007-01-10T22:09:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post. Who am I kidding, I can totally believe it, I just don't want to admit it!

I've had a request for a Christmas update. :o) Christmas was great. Nathan's parents came over for brunch on Christmas Eve, then we traveled to my Dad's and spent the night at my Mom's. It was GREAT not having to do a ton of traveling on Christmas Day. Would you believe I don't have any pictures from Christmas? Me, the one who took over a hundred pictures in Ivy's first couple of weeks.... not a single picture from Christmas. I did videotape the festivities, though. I'm hoping my dear, sweet Dad will give me copies of whatever he's got. (Hi, Dad!)

Santa was good to Ivy this year. She got some classic toys like Playdough, which she calls "my colors." She doesn't play with it too much, but loves to watch us make things with it. She also got a Mr. Potatohead ("Mr. Way-toe head") that she absolutely adores. It also had extra peices so you can make him into a princess. Santa also brought Snap and style dolls, three extra outfits for those, two books for her Little Touch Leap Pad, a Read with me DVD with three books (I think I have watched the Corduroy DVD at LEAST 100 times in the past week), a mommy and baby dinosaur, and a sleeping bag. And that was just Santa!! Her big presents from the Grandparents were a drum set from my mom and the Little People Amusement park from my dad. She plays with them both a lot.

She is such a little person now and smart. I can't believe the things that come out of her mouth sometimes.... so creative. For example, we were coming downstairs from nap one day....

Ivy: Neigh!!! Neigh!! Listen Mommy. I hear a horsie.
Me: You do?
Ivy: Let's find him. Horsie! Horsie!

We got to the bottom of the stairs and she ran to her toybox and got out her "horsie pants" (her Halloween costume.)

Ivy: Oh! There he is!

Some current favorite phrases include "No way", "you're my best friend", and "just like you!!" whenever there is a mommy in a book.

She knows all of her colors, all of her shapes, all of her letters and numbers 0-10, although she confuses six for nine a lot. Her imagination is the best part of this age, though.... sleep is the worst. She has a big girl Dora bed, but she won't sleep in. She insists on sleeping in "my big bed", which is actually MY big bed. We move her into the Dora bed when we go up to sleep. The thought behind that was if she woke up in the toddler bed, maybe she would start going to bed in it. No dice. The child hates to sleep in general. She lays in bed and "reads." In fact, it's 10:24 right now and I still hear her reading. But really, you can't force someone to sleep.... although I do force her to stay in bed. I think I should buy a book about this whole sleep business.....

Fall is in the air

2006-11-20T16:23:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, we had a really warm, sunny day. I took the opportunity to introduce Ivy to the fine art of leaf jumping. She couldn't get enough of the leaf pile that we made. Don't you wish you could still be completely entertained by a pile of leaves? Ahhh, to be two again.

Long Time Gone

2006-10-30T14:07:00.000-05:00

Ivy and I were at my mom's for the past month..... it was absolutely great for everyone involved, I think. Ivy and Mom got a chance to spend lots of time together, Grandma got to see Ivy often and I didn't have to be home alone in Toledo while Nathan was out of town for work.

Last night, we were at my Grandma's eating supper before the drive back to Toledo. There is a little xylophone there that Ivy plays and sings with. She was singing and I wanted to take a video, but as usual, as soon as she saw the camera, she just wanted to look at the pictures on it. I told her she had to sing first, and here is what followed.... (sorry for the poor quality, there isn't much light in Grandma's living room)....

On my own

2006-09-25T15:59:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I went to Mom's house without Ivy. This is one of very few times that I have spent the night without her. I think the only other times this has happened were the two trips I took to visit Nathan in Oklahoma and the weekend I went to Cincinnati for a bowling tournament.

The difference in this trip was that Nathan was the one taking care of Ivy, not one of her grandmas. I don't know why, but this actually made me miss her more. Like I was missing out on some special, private family time that I will never get back. From the reports, they played all day both days, which must have been fun for Ivy. I really felt like she probably didn't even miss me.

But alas, she did. You should have seem the little booger when I got home last night. I opened the door and she said, "Mommy's home!" and ran as fast as her little feet could carry her through the living room, dining room and kitchen and grasped my knees in a big bear hug. She probably gave me at least five more ginormous hugs before we fell asleep in the big bed together that night.

It's good to know you are missed. And loved.

Is it a full moon?

2006-09-22T15:33:00.000-05:00

Ivy has been so different lately. It's not all bad things, just not her usual way of being.

Anything having to do with sleep is evil. Nap time? Screaming for at least a half hour sounds like fun. Bedtime? See above. I hate letting her cry. It rips me apart. But I just don't know what else to do. I think that Operation Toddler Bed is commencing. It's the only change I can think to make.

She is a little OCD with some of her toys. For example, I bought her the Fisher Price Little People Palace probably six months ago and she hasn't touched it. Yesterday, she played with it. All. Day. Long. She played with the king who came with it. She drove a fire truck and train in and out. It didn't matter what she was doing, as long as she was playing with that pink castle. Oh, and it had to be on the couch. She spewed fire if I tried to put it on the floor. Today, she has been carrying around a bucket of "people" all day. A little pink bucket I have tried to contain her Weebles and Little People in seems to be super glued to her palm. Once again, it doesn't matter what she is doing with said people, as long as she is playing with them on the couch.

Eating is always a surprise. I know this is a typical toddler-ism, but one day she'll only eat hot dogs (she literally had them for breakfast, lunch and dinner once... I couldn't get her to eat anything else) and the next day she declares, "No like it!

Seriously, is it a full moon? I know life with a toddler is adventuresome, but one mommy can only handle so much.

Cute story of the day

2006-09-21T15:34:00.000-05:00

This story is far better in person, but typing it out will have to do.

I was on the phone with Brandi earlier. Ivy was cooking in her kitchen, and I was sitting at her table, eating whatever concoction she served. Under my breath, I said to Brandi, "God, she is too damned cute!"

Ivy solomnly looked at me, slowly nodded, and whispered, "yes."

(The picture is from 9/9/06, at Alex's birthday party. Ivy was taking the first swing at the pinata. I think the look on her face is priceless!)

Really a toddler

2006-09-05T20:30:00.000-05:00

Look at that face. There is no denying that the girl is growing up.

24 months

2006-09-04T22:24:00.000-05:00

Dear Ivy,
Yesterday you turned two. I was at Walmart doing a little shopping while you napped and the was a little girl in line behind me. I struck up a conversation with her mother, asking how old she was. I learned she was eighteen months and I responded that I have a little girl at home that turns two today. The lady came back with a comment that caught me off guard. She said I was pretty calm to be having my baby turn two. I was calm. It was nowhere near as dramatic for me as your last birthday. Maybe that's because every day with you is such a joy and an adventure that your birthday became just another day. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. I think it just means that every day is special to me and I cherish it. I don't need it to be a birthday to realize how lucky I am and how special you are.

I don't know how it's possible, but I think toddlers must know when they turn two. It was like a switch flipped and you went into terrible two mode today. Hopefully it was just an anomily and won't be an every day occurence. You are usually so fun. You repeat everything we say, so you've helped me clean up my language. You always have so much to sayand are, at times, really bossy. "Play, mommy." "Mommy. Sit. Couch." You have always known exactly what you want and expect everyone to accomadate that. That hasn't changed. At times it's frustrating and downright annoying to not be able to do what -I- want, but I really can't complain. I have a beautiful little girl who wants me with her. It can't get better than that.

You still love to read stories. You are so smart! I know I am biased, but you really do seem advanced. You know all your colors, can count to somewhere in the teens, recognize the numbers 1-9, can say the alphabet and even recognize some letters. I should send a thank you note to Playhouse Disney and Nick Jr.

I have never been as happy as I am being able to stay home with you. It was the best decision I've made. Sometimes I miss interacting with adults, but the happiness you bring to me outweighs that ten fold. I can't wait to keep helping you grow and learn. I love you baby girl.

Love
Mama

Random Thought

2006-09-01T23:14:00.000-05:00

It is not the best idea to try to decorate a cake at midnight. Especially if you suck at doing it in the first place. I think my best option is to wait until morning, even if that means Ivy will be up to "help".

New Template

2006-08-31T01:49:00.000-05:00

Don't fear, I haven't changed it for good. I love my old theme on here, it is so perfect for my girl. It has Ivy all over it and the colors match her bedroom, and, coincidentally (or not so much) my website. I've been getting a little bored with it lately, though, and I'm sure you have too, as you check here daily for an update that HAS GOT TO COME SOON, DARN IT, IT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS!!

Have no fear, Ivy's birthday is Sunday and if I don't post for that, then I really will win the award for World's Worst Mom.

Addict

2006-08-31T01:33:00.000-05:00

So, now I am addicted to making video montages. I suppose there are worse things to be addicted to, right? I think it's just such a fun way to share all my pictures in one shot (no pun intended.) So, without further ado, here are pictures of Ivy from the Sandusky County Fair last Wednesday.

Sandusky County Fair 2006

Video Montage

2006-08-18T14:29:00.000-05:00

A woman on my September Mommies group sent us a copy of a montage she made of her kids.... it was absolutely beautiful. Her work really made me want to make one for Ivy, so I did. You can see it here:

Ivy Lynn - Two years go by too fast

Counting

2006-07-05T23:47:00.000-05:00

I know, I know, I skipped the monthly post (like that's never happened before) but I felt the need to share this video right now. I took down some of the older videos so hopefully the blog will load a little faster. Anyway, here is a clip of Ivy counting. She usually gets to ten with a little help, but yesterday she was not interested. She was in a mood... didn't want her picture taken, didn't want to count, didn't want to do anything I wanted her to. Watch carefully for when she flips me the bird (and don't worry, it wasn't intentional.)

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Already obsessing over her butt......

2006-06-27T21:34:00.000-05:00

Ivy loves butts. I try to convince her that it isn't called a butt, it's a doopah. I just don't like the word butt coming out of that beautiful face.... but she repeatedly says butt. She points out her butt when you are changing her diaper. She points out her butt at random times during the day. She even points out butts on TV and on her toys.

Today, she did the cutest thing, though. As much as I don't like her saying butt, I literally laughed out loud at this one.

She has a green bucket that was an Easter basket from Brandi. She wears it as a hat a lot of times and also likes to use it as a drum. Nathan was sitting on the glider and wanted to drum on it with her, so he said, "Ivy, bring me your bucket." She walked her diaper-clad booty over to him, turned around and smacked her bottom. "Butt! Butt!"

Tell me the kid isn't smart? Or absolutely adorable?

Twenty one months

2006-06-03T20:18:00.000-05:00

Dear Ivy,
I can't believe how big you are getting. Soon you will be two... TWO. I just can't wrap my mind around that.

Cheryl and Andrew stopped over today while they were out walking their dog and Cheryl commented that you don't look like a baby anymore, but a toddler. I've thought that for awhile, but to hear someone else say it puts it into perspective. You are a little sponge, soaking up new things every day. Each day adds new words to your repatoire, new things for you to do. You love to watch Blue's Clues and even sing the words to some of the songs. Although I don't like that you watch it so much, it's a great way to bribe you to do things.

You dance all the time. You dance while you brush your teeth, you dance to music in the car or on TV. You make everything you do fun. You are also getting a little bit of an attitude, which you displayed often today. Not to point fingers, but I think you learn some of it while mommy is at work. For example, you say "mine" entirely too much. Not only do we always encourage you to share, but we never say that something is "mine", but say "That's Mommy's" or "That's Daddy's". I guess good things and bad things come from being around other kids.

Mommy only has four more days of work and then I will officially be at home with you. All. The. Time. I'm really excited to not miss anymore of your growing years, but I am also nervous that life will get too monotonous. With summer coming, I hope we will spend lots of time outside and at the park. I also want to see how you handle storytime at the library, and am considering investing in Kindermusik.

Well, pumpkin, Mommy loves you. Keep being such a doll.... you brighten my darkest days. You've helped show me why I'm here.

Love
Mama

Singing

2006-04-17T21:50:00.000-05:00

Lately, I've noticed Ivy likes to sing. She'll sing when she plays her xylophone, or she'll just sing to herself. Here is a video of her singing with Nathan. We were all playing in the basement and she kept parroting his singing. I thought it was far too cute to not take a video of.

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Nineteen Months

2006-04-04T14:43:00.000-05:00

Dear Ivy,

Yesterday you turned nineteen months old. I look at you now and see a child where my baby used to be. You are changing so fast and in so many ways. Mobility is now a non-issue for you. Now that you have completely mastered walking, you've taken to running, walking on your tiptoes, walking backwards, and (my personal favorite) spinning in circles. You spin yourself dizzy then sit down and try to get back up. I think I laugh harder than you do, but you seem to find it fun.

You are signing and talking like crazy, too. I think you know every sign on the first three Signing Time videos (I wish the library would hurry up and get the rest of them!) and you are constantly jabbering. Today you said "yellow" (lellow) for the first time. I am always floored when a new word comes popping out like you've always known how to say it.

You love Elmo and Blue's Clues. I never wanted to be a parent that sits their child in front of the TV all the time.... but it's so hard when you come up and ask for particular things. You say "LALALALA" for Elmo (that's from the Elmo song), "coos coos" for Blues Clues (plus you do the little movement that Joe does on the TV when he says Blues Clues) and "DOODOODOODOO" for the Doodlebops. At least you know what you want. And when we say no, it's the end of your little world.

You are sick again. Last month you were sick, we beat it and you were back at the doctor's yesterday. While I really like Dr. Amy, I'd prefer to not see her so often! You are really congested and your chest is "junky", so we have to give you breathing treatments, Pediapred (a steroid to help you fight it off) and Singulair (to hopefully prevent things from getting worse or coming back once you kick this round). I hate giving you so much medicine, but I hate seeing you so miserable as well. I feel guilty that you are sick all the time, like maybe I'm not a good enough mommy or maybe it's something genetic. I know it's not my fault, but I can't help the guilty feelings. I think that's part of my job as a mommy.

Even when you are sick, you are a happy girl. You give everyone hugs and kisses. When I say everyone, I mean everyone.... from me to Daddy to the animals at Trina's, to the dirty clothes pile, you are definitely a giver. Who could refuse love from you, though? Not even the dirty clothes.

You've had a rough time sleeping ever since you spent a week with Grandma. I'm hoping this is just a phase, and I'm REALLY hoping it ends soon. You cry every time we put you down for a nap or bedtime. It's such a heartbreaking cry, too. It physically hurts me to hear you scream like that, but usually all it takes is one or two "Ivy, you're alright, go night-night"s and you lay down and go to bed. I don't understand why you need that extra reassurance, but I will gladly keep giving it you you.

I love you, honeybear.

Love,
Mama

Potty Time

2006-01-31T13:51:00.000-05:00

I can vividly recall barging in on my mom in the bathroom all the time as a child. I guess it's just something kids do, and upon having a child, I accepted the fact that I would never again get to use the bathroom in peace. Little did I know exactly what was in store....

Last night I was using the bathroom before leaving for a staff meeting. I hadn't seen Ivy much all day, so I didn't protest when she followed me into the bathroom. She proceeded to get a single sheet of toilet paper off of the roll. "How cute," I thought, "she knows what the toilet paper is for." She then started to try to put the toilet paper in the toilet, with me still on it. At least, that's what I thought she was trying to do. She repeatedly shoved her little hand between my legs and I repeatedly coached her to put the paper in the potty. After six or seven times, I finally realized what she was actually trying to do was WIPE for me! I suppose she figures we do it for her, she might as well return the favor. Thanks, but no thanks, kid. I do think this is just one more sign that it's time to get a potty chair for her, though. I can't even fathom that she is old enough to start potty training, but the signs are there.

New Knowledge

2006-01-28T15:29:00.000-05:00

It seems like every day Ivy starts doing something new. A few days ago, I was reading her the Care Bears book she got from Grandpa and Grandma Bergkessel (is that what you guys want her to call you, Jan?) for Christmas. On the back of the book, it says "This book belongs to Ivy Lynn Ritchie." Of course, she wants us to read that page to her, too. Whenever we start reading, she starts pointing to herself. She knows that -she- is Ivy Lynn Ritchie and that the book is -hers-. I wonder when she will learn to say "mine." Then the fun will start.

Sixteen Months

2006-01-11T21:32:00.000-05:00

Dear Ivy,

Mommy's late again. I kept thinking about what to write and how I always write the same things.... that you are beautiful, intelligent and funny. Well, those really aren't horrible things to be, so I guess I shouldn't complain that I have to keep writing them!

You are growing up so much! Mommy got the Signing Time! videos out of the library so we could start trying to do sign language with you and you picked it up so quick!!! You can sign more, please, banana, cracker, bird, full and cheese. You also have your own sign for all done. Lately, though, you are starting to talk. I mean, you still jibber jabber -all- the time, but there are words thrown in there, too. Actually, to prove what a little overachiever you are, you are skipping to phrases pretty quickly. You say hello (which comes out as "hewwo" and is the most adorable thing in the world), puppy (or "duppy"), kitty, here ya go, uh-oh, thank you, go-go-go, mommy, daddy. You call Trina Na-na. It is so fascinating to watch your little mouth try to make words. It seems like every day you come up with something new. I have so many stories I should be writing on here for you....

You are walking EVERYWHERE now. You even kick it into turbo sometimes. You really need to start practicing for Brandi's wedding. I can't believe you are going to be a flower girl already! I'm not too sure you will actually make it to the alter, but I know you will look like a princess while attempting it. I can't believe how worried I was about the walking and talking thing. I just have to keep remembering that you are your own person already and you will do things on your own schedule.

I love you I love you I love you. Sometimes I get tears in my eyes just watching you.... I love watching you grow up, but miss the little baby you used to be. Every night I wonder what new and wonderful thing you will learn tomorrow...

Love,
Mama

Mommy Ivy

2005-12-30T15:14:00.000-05:00

IMG_1765
Originally uploaded by ivysmomma.

Ivy got a baby doll for her birthday from our September Mommy gift exchange. To be honest, it scared her a little at first.... she didn't like how the eyes open and close. Now she loves it and has even started actually playing with it instead of just dragging it around. She feeds it, hugs it, and even pats it on the back.

Jammin'

2005-12-30T15:13:00.000-05:00

IMG_1739
Originally uploaded by ivysmomma.

Erin and Kyle got MP3 players for Christmas this year. This is a picture of Erin letting Ivy listen to hers. Ivy loved it.

Christmas Eve

2005-12-30T15:10:00.000-05:00

IMG_1745
Originally uploaded by ivysmomma.

This was after opening all of the presents on Christmas Eve. Ivy was Miss Crankypants that night and really didn't want much to do with opening the gifts.

Christmas Portraits

2005-12-20T16:45:00.000-05:00

Here are Ivy's Christmas portraits we had done last week.

We have a walker

2005-12-19T15:11:00.000-05:00

Yes, the time has finally come.... my toddler is actually toddling. Last week Ivy started walking.... of course she started when I wasn't around and didn't find the amazing achievement important enough to share with me when I returned home. For two days she wouldn't walk when I was watching. But now she is walking everywhere.... of course, she still gets down and crawls when she feels the need to get somewhere quickly. I guess all my worrying and complaining paid off.... I'm just happy that she that she walked before kindergarten.

Fifteen Months

2005-12-10T22:00:00.000-05:00

Ivy Lynn,
You turned fifteen months a week ago. I was going to change the date on this entry, so I don't look like a slacker, but face it, I am. You might as well get used to it now.

You are turning into such a big girl. You crawl to your highchair when you are hungry. You get your binkie and your blankie to let me and Daddy know it is time for night-night. There are so many things that you want to do all by yourself, like use a fork.

Although you don't have many words yet, you are starting to sign. We watched the "Signing Times" videos just a couple of times and you have started signing "more". It's your own version, of course, but Daddy and I know what you are saying. You also have your own sign for "all gone." You can point out your belly, your nose, your teeth and your toes. You help me and Daddy get you dressed. Really, you love to help us with whatever we are doing.

In all the ways you are growing up and changing, there are some things that have stayed the same. You still don't have much hair. You still refuse to walk. And you are still my baby girl. I have faith that someday you will grow hair and that you won't crawl to your first day of school, but please, Ivy, stay my baby girl forever.

Love,
Mama

Bubbles

2005-11-14T21:32:00.000-05:00

Ivy's newest trick is blowing spit bubbles. She started doing this last weekend while we were in Erie. She was making this "mwah" sound, which I thought was just a cute new noise. I realized, though, that every time she does it, she blows a spit bubble. Very classy, I know. It's even classier when I do it, too.

I know I haven't posted pictures recently, so here's a couple somewhat recent ones to tide you over. This one is Ivy in her first cloth diaper.... the one that immediately caused a rash.

This one, I hope you can tell, is from Halloween. I dressed up in my old Ren Faire costume and Ivy was a dragon. I only got TWO pictures that night (I'm failing as a mother, do you remember all the pictures I got last Halloween??), so I'm hoping other people got cute ones, too.

Fourteen Months

2005-11-03T23:07:00.000-05:00

Ivy Lynn,
It's been a long time since Mommy has written on here. We've had a busy month! Daddy broke his foot and had to come home early and have surgery. He's fine, even though he acted like a big baby for awhile. You really enjoyed your week with Grandma. I think she enjoyed it more, though. You are so lucky to have a Grandma that loves you as much as she does. I can tell just by looking at her all the happiness you have brought into her life. Tomorrow we are leaving to go to Erie and visit your great-grandparents. See, I told you it's been busy.

You celebrated your second Halloween a few days ago. You helped pass out the candy. It amazed me how carefully you picked up just one piece of candy and dropped it in the trick-or-treaters bags. Some of the bigger kids with scary costumes scared you, though.

I just can't believe how fast you are growing up. The other day, I couldn't find you. I know that sounds horrible, but all the gates were up and the door to the stairs was closed, but you weren't where you normally are, in the living room playing. I looked in all the corners, and then started searching. You were in your room.... you had found your blocks and were making a tower. All by yourself. With no help. I didn't even know you could do that. It made me so happy that you are so smart and independent.... and so sad that you are growing up already and need me a little less every day.

You still aren't walking. I really think you could, you just don't want to. I know I've said that before, but that's really what I think. You've been standing by yourself more and more. You have finally realized that you can just turn around to get from the chair to the couch and that you don't have to sit down.... but you still haven't taken a step. I think as soon as you do, you won't stop.

You are very expressive. Even though you don't have many words yet, you find a way to get your point across. When you are in your highchair waiting for me to get your food, you yell (and I mean YELL) "MAAA" repeatedly, with the volume all the way up. I really think you are yelling at me. I keep trying to tell you I don't respond to anything but mommy or mama. None of this "Mom" stuff already. You have to call me Mommy until you are at least 4. I also think that you say "go" and "tickle." The tickle thing started as more of a "dicka-dicka-dicka" whenever Daddy would say "getcha getcha getcha." It sounds like "tickle" now, though. The cutest is when Daddy is sitting on the glider and you take his slipper off and grab his toes and say "tickle tickle tickle." A close runner up is when you tickle your own feet.

Oh, one more big thing this month. Mommy decided to start using cloth diapers for you. They are super cute, but you got a rash right away. We went back to disposables to give your bum a chance to heal, but Mommy did some research and we are going to give it another go next week.

Thank you for making every day an adventure..... and a gift.

Love,
Mama

Missing Ivy

2005-10-11T21:43:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, I went to visit Nathan in Oklahoma City, where he is for work. Mom watched Ivy for me, but I can't go pick her up until Thursday. I didn't realize how much I would miss that little booger. I mean, I knew I would miss her, but I REALLY MISS her.

Mom told me two adorable stories today. First, Ivy has mastered clapping on cue during "If You're Happy and You Know It." She has a frog that plays that song. Mom and Ivy were driving in the car and Ivy's frog started singing the song. Ivy clapped -the frog's- hands together at the right place in the song. How flipping adorable!

Second, as I have said, Ivy is working on learning her body parts. She much prefers pointing to other people's parts instead, though. So Mom was asking her "Where's my eyes?" "Where's my nose?" and other parts. (Oh, I forgot to mention Mom had her glasses off and sitting on the table.) So she asked Ivy "Where's my eyes?" and Ivy pointed to her glasses on the table! Genius baby, I tell ya.

I miss my genius baby.

Project time

2005-10-11T21:36:00.000-05:00

Since Nathan is gone, I got it in my head that I need to do a project. I decided to turn the basement into a playroom for Ivy. So far I have the walls painted green. Tomorrow I plan to tape it and make a border with blue and orange. It should be very fun and bright. I hope Ivy loves it as much as I do. Here's a sneak peak at the colors.... I will take pictures as soon as I am done, which will hopefully be tomorrow!

Thirteen Months

2005-10-03T22:08:00.000-05:00

Ivy Lynn,
Today you turned thirteen months old. It was an uneventful day, spent mostly at Trina's for you, and running around for Mommy. Then you got to go to a staff meeting with Mommy, where you poured toys all over the floor and screamed whenever I said "no." But when you knew people were watching, you performed. You laughed when the teachers laughed and pretended to drink out of a big girl cup. You are too darn cute.

You continue to amaze me every day. I know Trina is teaching you things while I am at work, and it makes me sad that it's not me teaching you everything. You are getting better at pointing to body parts. Whenever I ask you where your nose is, you point to your cheek. Then when I ask again, you point to -my- nose. And usually pick it for me. You are soooo close to walking. You stand up by yourself a lot more than you ever have. I love it when you do it all by yourself, but don't realize what you are doing. That's when you stand the longest.

You are starting to throw tantrums already. I try to look at this positively, and tell myself that you are growing up to be a strong woman.

I love helping you learn things. I love hearing your laugh. I love seeing your two-toothed smile. I love waking you up in the morning and I love rocking you before bed. I love the way you toss and turn in your sleep. I love every little thing that there is to love about you.

Love,
Mama

Follow Up

2005-09-28T21:51:00.000-05:00

Ivy had her post surgery visit with the ENT today. All is good. He said her ears looked beautiful and let me look through the otoscope. I said they looked gross, but he's the professional. We have to go back every six months to make sure they are still in place and are working well. He told me he put in t-tubes, which stay in place longer than the other type of tube that is typically used. Actually, they sometimes have to be removed, but if that happens it is an in office procedure. I am ecstatic that this surgery has helped to make Ivy a healthier child.

We also went to Marianne's for dinner tonight. She invited us, as well as her sister and her two kids over for dinner. Her sister's husband has class Wednesday nights, so we were all "single moms" for the night. Cooper, Laura's son, will be one on Thanksgiving. He is already walking and looks like the cutest old man you have ever seen. I loved watching him and Ivy interacting. It was a very enjoyable evening.

smartypants

2005-09-26T06:32:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to work with Ivy to teach her different body parts. I think she's mastering "head" because every time she touches her head or her hair, I say "that's your head." Well, yesterday I kept asking her where her nose was. She was sitting on my lap and I said, "Ivy, where's your nose?" She smiled, and touched my nose. Then she took one tiny finger and put it in my left nostril. Her other hand shot up and a finger went in my right nostril. Yep, I think she knows where a nose is.

almost there

2005-09-21T15:59:00.000-05:00

Last night, Ivy -almost- walked.

For her birthday, Jon and Jodi got her a Corn Popper. She absolutely loves it. She will sit on the floor and move it back and forth to watch the balls pop. Nathan will stand her up and help her walk with it. Well, last night he let her go and she took three or four steps. Granted, she had the corn popper, but I just don't see how that could offer her much support. I think it may be any day now.... of course, I also thought she was teething when she was four months old, and she didn't get that first tooth until almost 11 months.

Goodbye, Snaggletooth

2005-09-17T22:57:00.000-05:00

I can no longer abuse Ivy by calling her Snaggletooth. Her second little tooth FINALLY broke through at the end of last week. At this rate, she should have all of her teeth by the time she is three.

Party girl

2005-09-10T22:43:00.000-05:00

Ivy had three parties for her birthday. They all went really well and I really enjoyed being aboe to spend time with people that I don't see often enough. Ivy caught onto the whole cake thing by the third party.... at my dad's she basically mashed the cake, eating very little. At my mom's she ate actually quite a bit. And at the party in Toledo this past weekend, she ate off all the frosting and rubbed the actual cake on the walls. That's my girl.

Here's a few picture's from the parties:

Ivy got a new car for her birthday, lucky girl! Here she is pushing Peyton around, with Bobby's help.

I absolutely love this picture of my mom with Ivy. They both just look so happy!

Here she is opening her present from Trina at our Toledo party.

I love this picture too. I can't belive I actually snapped the camera in time to catch it. This is Ivy kissing my Grandma.

One Year

2005-09-03T19:28:00.000-05:00

Dear Ivy,
Your birthday has come and gone. Your neglectful mama has neglected to update your blog for nearly a month.... but that doesn't mean I love you any less.

On the three hundred and sixty fifth day of your life, I spent the day in a secret, emotional fog. Each minute I relieved what had happened a year ago. I remembered arriving at the hospital, getting my IV, waiting until after Guiding Light was over to get my epidural. It is absolutely amazing where a year can take you.

This year has taken you from a wiggling, sighing, drooling blob to a crawling, standing, stubborn toddler. Toddler. Not a baby. You definately have a mind of your own and you know how to use it. You explore every little thing you see.... you are so inquisitive and in turn, so intelligent. You are still a crawling machine. I have faith that you could walk if you wanted to, you just don't want to yet. You have the strength and coordination, but you lack the confidence. I hope this is the last time you lack confidence. You can do anything you want to do, Ivy.

This year has brought me to a whole new place, too. I don't shop for myself anymore.... I just want -you- to have everything. I don't sleep in anymore. In short, I've grown up. I truely realize that life isn't all about me.... now I think it is all about you. I think that being your mama has made me a better person. I never knew it was possible to love another human being as much as I love you.

Happy birthday, baby.

Love,
Mama

Dress Dilema

2005-08-27T21:40:00.000-05:00

Ivy now has three dresses to chose from for her birthday parties this coming weekend. Being that she isn't going to make the choice, I suppose I will have to make it for her. Any opinions on which dress she should wear?

I just won this dress on ebay. I'm not sure it will arrive in time for the parties, but it should. Those flowers in the skirt aren't attached, they move around!

I got this dress at Once Upon A Child for $5. It's adorable on her, but she is really preoccupied with the ribbons. I'm not sure how that will end up working out.

I got this at OUAC for $5, too (the best part was that on my way out of the store, I won a $20 gift certificate, so they actually paid ME for these dresses... but I digress.) It's super poofy and has the matching hat (which won't stay on her head for more than 12 seconds) but I'm afraid it's too casual.

Shopping trip

2005-08-25T21:19:00.000-05:00

We went to Savers today and I really made out good! It didn't seem like a ton of clothes until I started taking pictures of them!!! Here is what I got for about $16.....

Three pairs of jeans... from L to R - Little Legends ($.75), The Children's Place ($1.49) and Old Navy ($1.99)

Tops --- three longsleeved onsie; The Children's Place Red onsie ($.75), Two shades of purple Baby Gap onsies ($.75 and $.99), shortsleeved Baby Gap flowered onsie ($1.49), white Carter's top ($.75)

Overalls --- Baby Paris Jean overalls (big, but way too cute to pass up! $1.50), pink velour Disney baby overalls ($1.50), Gymboree jumper ($.75)

Here's a close up of the detailing on the jean overalls:

The Children's Place fleece sweats ($.75).... they have adorable heart detailing in the sides and little zippers on the back of the leg that open up to a mesh material.

Little Legends Jean Dress ($1.50)

Not too shabby for $16, eh? Ivy is quickly running out of clothes that fit her, though, so it was well worth it!!

New toy

2005-08-19T22:45:00.000-05:00

Ivy got a new toy today.... Nathan says he's been wanting it for her, but I think he just felt bad because of her surgery today. So we went to K-Mart and purchased the new Fisher Price Baby Gymtastics Monkey Chase. It's a monkey that runs and wiggles it's arms and the baby is supposed to chase it... the monkey then turns around and looks at you, like it is waiting for you and when you touch it, it starts going again. We thought this was a great toy since Ivy loves to play this game with humans. Well, we got home and took it out of the box and showed her waht to do with it. She is completely afraid of this monkey. The girl who doesn't cry when left with people she barely know, dives off the couch head first, and climbs stairs at the speed of light is afraid of a plastic monkey. She insists on being on my lap or on Nathan's when the monkey is on the floor. We are hoping she will get used to it and eventually enjoy it, but for now I don't think it was $15 well spent.

Tubes

2005-08-19T22:35:00.000-05:00

Ivy had her tubes put in today by Dr. VanderMeer. You have to love any doctor that says "crap" when describing what may come out of your daughter's ears. Anyway, we arrived at 6:55, ten minutes late (did you really expect anything different from me?) I filled out some paperwork and we got called back. A nurse took all of Ivy's vitals and gave us a cute little hospital gown to put her in. There were quite a few other babies there getting tubes, too. A doctor from anesthesia came to talk to us and told us they would put Ivy to sleep using a mask and as soon as the surgery was over, they would stop giving her the gas and as it left her system she would wake up. Then Dr. VanderMeer talked to us. He asked if there were any problems he should know about, like if she had a cough or anything. I said "Well, she has another ear infection," and he replied "Well, I can fix that." Funny man. At 7:45, right on schedule, a nurse came and took Ivy. Nathan and I went to the waiting room and I read maybe three pages of a magazine before they told us she was awake and we could come back. Ten minutes, tops, to put her to sleep, do the surgery and have her awake. Dr. VanderMeer talked to us once more and gave us a prescription for ear drops. We went back to see Ivy and she was so upset. Screaming, screaming, screaming. I held her, but it didn't help. Nathan tried, too. The nurse brought us a sippy cup of apple juice for her, thinking she was probably hungry (and as neglectful parents, we forgot a bottle!!) The juice helped for a second, but not long. They moved us to the other side of the recovery room so we didn't disturb the older people who had had surgery. They had all the kids on one side of the room. Anyway, once Ivy got her binky, she was good to go. We were home by 9am. Overall, she had a little bit of a fussy day, but nothing major at all.... it was probably just because she had to wake up at 6:15. Hopefully my little honeybear will be infection free now.

Eleven Months

2005-08-09T12:30:00.000-05:00

Ivy,
You turned eleven months last week. Every day you grow and change, getting farther and farther away from the little baby you were and closer to a toddler. You are so smart. You can figure out how to work your toys.... your first word was "wow" and now you say "daddy" and I'm sure I've heard "mommy" once or twice. You are still a little cautious about standing on your own, but you pull up on anything you possibly can. You love to clap your hands, and take pleasure in clapping for yourself after every accomplishment. Andrea taught you how to give high fives last weekend when she visited and you are an expert of that, too. As far as eating, you are a piggy! You will eat just about everything we give you and it seems like you always want more! You love bananas, hot dogs, bologna, cheese, toast.... just about everything.
You are losing interest in your bottle, though.... just one more sign you are not just a baby anymore.
You know what you want and think you know how to get it. When Daddy tickles you and you aren't ready for the "game" to be over, you grab his hand and put it back on your belly, like you are saying "No Daddy, don't stop yet." Want to know a secret? You really can get whatever you want because your Daddy and I and everyone else love you so much.

I hope you stay as happy as you are now, Ivy. You find joy in everything you do, no matter how mundane. I love every minute I spend with you, and wish there were a million more minutes in every day so I could be with you that much more. I love you, honeybear.

Love,
Mommy

Eleven Month pictures

2005-08-04T11:14:00.000-05:00

These are Ivy's 11 month portraits. The last one, where she is holding the shell, is what we bought the package of.

One little tooth

2005-07-30T11:18:00.000-05:00

Today was the first day you could actually see Ivy's tooth. Her first little tooth is just peeking out from under her gum. I thought she was going to wait forever to start getting teeth! Just one more sign my little girl isn't going to be a baby forever.....

Growing every day

2005-07-26T22:27:00.000-05:00

It's amazing how quick things change in the life of a baby. Today was a huge day for Ivy. She had three major "events" in her little life.

- She's been toying with the idea of standing without holding on to something. When Ivy and I go to wake Nathan up every day at 3, we lay in bed for awhile and she acts like we are her personal jungle gym. For the past few days she's been pushing up on him, standing for about a second and a half, then falling on her butt. She thinks this is by far the coolest game she's learned yet. Well, today she was standing by Kyle and he let go of her and she stood by herself for a good five seconds. Won't be long now.......

- Ladies and gentlemen, we have a hole! No teeth yet, but you can really really see where one is coming. I thoroughly believe that will be any day now, too. Maybe she is waiting to hit 11 months first. She's only got 8 days left until that milestone.

- I -think- she said her first word today. She's been babbling for what seems like forever, and she says mama and dada and things of that nature. It sounds like she says hi, but I've never been as convinced as I was today that she says these things on purpose. Kyle was playing with Ivy in the living room. Right after he got her to stand up like I mentioned above, he looked and her and said "WOW!" She looked up at him and made her little lips into a little circle and said "wow" right back. She worked so hard to form her lips just right to make the right sounds that I really think she knew what she was doing. She still won't say it every time you want her to, and a lot of times she keeps going and it turns into wowowowowowow, but I still think I will put this one in the baby book.

Who needs sleep?

2005-07-23T21:04:00.000-05:00

Today, Ivy decided that naps are for sissies. Her morning nap lasted about a half hour, and her afternoon nap.... well, that one didn't happen at all. I put her in bed about a half an hour ago, and I'm crossing my fingers that that is where she will stay for the rest of the night.

On a separate note, took her back to the doctor yesterday..... her ears are still pink, but no longer have puss in them, so they look like they are clearing up. She has an appointment on August 8th with the ENT.

Darn ears

2005-07-18T21:42:00.000-05:00

All through vacation, Ivy was still tugging on her ears. She figured out that her cute little finger fits exactly in her ear, too. Anyway, I figured she still had her ear infections, so on the way home from Cleveland Monday afternoon, I called the ped. They said to go ahead and bring her in and low and behold, both ears are still infected. Now she is on Augmentin again and Nathan and I have decided to call a different ENT and make an appointment. I just can't see the sense in letting her keep suffering.

Doctor's visit

2005-07-11T21:36:00.000-05:00

Since I am very late in posting this, I am just copying a post I sent to my Mommies group about Ivy's appointment on July 11th.

Ivy had a doctor's appointment. She's been super fussy, running a low grade fever, has a snot nose. Could it be teething? Could it be nothing? Had to check it out before we leave for "vacation" Wednesday. So I took her in and what is it, ladies????? Ear infection in both ears. My poor baby girl!! This is her 5th (or 6th?) one. She's had two that were really persistent, too. Dr. Amy said we'll see how this one goes (if it sticks around or clears up quick) and if it's hard to clear or she gets another one, she would definitely reconsider the ENT.

More Finger Food

2005-07-03T22:39:00.000-05:00

Ivy is getting to be a pro at this whole eating thing. Today for lunch she had a biter biscuit and some frozen carrots I cooked in the microwave. Here she is during her "meal". Needless to say, Daddy gave her a shower this afternoon.

Happy 4th of July

2005-07-02T22:31:00.000-05:00

Today we went to Darlene's annual 4th of July party. It was a lot of fun seeing a lot of friends I just don't see often enough anymore. Ivy got to wear her new patriotic dress... she also got to meet some itty bitty kitties. She absolutely LOVES animals, and the cats were no exception. Darlene and Dennis put on a fantastic fireworks show, as usual. Ivy lso ate crackers.... she really liked them and wanted everyone else to see this as well. :o)

2005-07-02T22:22:00.001-05:00

Ivy eating a cracker... she really wanted to let everyone know she was enjoying it

2005-07-02T22:22:00.000-05:00

Erin showing Ivy one of the kittens

2005-07-02T22:21:00.000-05:00

Ivy in her patriotic duds

Gone bananas

2005-07-02T13:58:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally did it... I gave Ivy table food. I've been putting it off and putting it off, and honestly, I'm still scared she is going to choke, but yesterday she had most of a banana for lunch. It was so fun to watch. She had a hard time picking the pieces up because they were so mushy, so she'd try to pick one up and when she couldn't get it, she'd just move on to the next one until she found one she could grasp. I probably won't be trying much else for a little bit, but I'm proud of myself for this banana (and proud of Ivy, too, of course!)

Swimming

2005-06-30T21:58:00.000-05:00

Ivy loves her kiddie pool that we got her.... it's little, but we knew we wouldn't take care of a big pool with chemicals (we tried that last summer and it got scummy a couple of times) so we figured we would just get a little one that we could empty and fill easily. Anyway, she acts like she is really swimming. Oh, and she knows where the pool is, too.... as soon as you walk outside, she looks at it and gets all excited.... adorable.