Cute Quota

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!"
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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."
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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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

24 months

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

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

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

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

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

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......

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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'

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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

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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

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

We have a walker

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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)

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

Erin showing Ivy one of the kittens

Ivy in her patriotic duds

Gone bananas

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

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.

Camping

Monday night and Tuesday night the family went camping. We were planning on tent camping, since we have all of the gear, but changed our minds at the last minute. Erin wasn't crazy about going at all, and with Ivy being so little, we decided a cabin may be the way to go. So I found a place on the internet and we drove out. It was in a little town called Big Prairie.... and it was beautiful. Not that TOledo is really "big city" life, but being in the country was so refreshing.

The first night there, we all went swimming.... that was when we realized we forgot Miss Ivy's stroller and A LIGHTER TO LIGHT THE FIRE. So we asked the person at the desk where the nearest Wal-mart was. It's amazing, we were in the middle of Amish country and there were still two Walmart's within a half hour of us. Anyway, so we went to Walmart, got our forgotten supplies, and returned to the campsite to cook dinner (on the grill).

Tuesday we went canoeing.... definately an adventure with a wee one, but still very fun. Nathan, Erin and Kyle were in the canoe (Nathan and Kyle paddled) and Ivy and I were in an inner tube dragging behind the boat. The water was cold, but we still had fun.... until Ivy decided it was way past her naptime and started screaming bloody murder. I kept telling her she was disturbing the peace of the wilderness, but she didn't care. She cried until she fell asleep on my chest, about 5 minutes before the canoe trip was over. We'll have to work on the timing next time.

Tuesday night we cooked on the grill again and made s'mores over the fire.... yum. Wedsnesday was basically spent packing up and driving home. It was a really nice trip and I definately think we'll try to do it again this summer.

Oh, and by the way, camping in a cabin is STILL real camping. I had to walk to go th the bathroom, walk even further to take a shower, there was no A/C and plenty of bugs... oh, and a raccoon who was stalking our cabin, causing me to go sit in the car and read my book. Definately real camping. :o)

Ivy's Ears

Yesterday we went for Ivy's recheck.... it was supposed to be Tuesday, but we are going camping so it had to be rescheduled. Once again, I didn't think she was any better.... still tugging at her ears, a little cranky. Well, I was wrong. Her ears are clear once again. Yay! So now hopefully they STAY THAT WAY!

Well Check

Ivy went to the doctor today for her nine month well check. Here's the stats:

Length - 28" (75%)
Weight - 20.0 pounds (75%)
Head - not sure on this one, but it was past the 100 percentile!!!

So her noggin is still huge, but the pedi said not to worry, one of her parents must just have a big head... my vote is for Nathan because it sure can't be me, lol. Everything else is looking good.... Dr. Amy said Ivy has an umbilical hernia(!!) which kind of made me mad because no one has ever mentioned it before. Also, she said she was totally fine with me not starting table food yet, especially with the distinct lack of teeth. She admitted she is conservative when it comes to table food because she had some issues with children having a "rough time" with it during her residency.... all I can figure is choking?? She said her reccommendation would be to wait until a year if that is what I want.

Here's some bad news.... when we got there and they took Ivy's temp, it was 99.2. Girly usually runs pretty low, like in the 97s, so right away I thought "ear infection." And I was right. Her right ear is fine, but her left ear hasn't cleared up from the last infection (two weeks ago). Dr. Amy said she hears from lots of parents that they don't like the ENT's, that they don't listen and just reccommend surgery, and said our decision to wait through the summer is fine, BUT if after this clears up Ivy gets ANOTHER infection, she wouldn't wait if it were her daughter. So now that's on my plate again. Only time will tell.

HOT!

For crying out loud, it is soooo hot here. Yesterday, the high was over 90, right now it is 84 and it is supposed to be in the 90s all week! This is Ohio, not Texas FTLOG! We drove all over town looking for a pool for Ivy and had a really hard time getting one. We finally scored one at Toys R Us. It is filled up, in the sun, warming up so it is ready when Ivy wakes up from her nap. We've been keeping her as naked as possible and she has a rash that I think is heat related. Her nine month well check is tomorrow, so we will see then.

nine months

Nine months? Where has the time gone? Ivy pulls up on anything and everything now.... she is even starting to cruise a little bit. I think she may FINALLY be getting a tooth---she chews on her tongue all the time and the drool has kicked up a notch. She's getting to be a stubborn baby.... when you take something away or make it so she can't get to what she wants (usually someting she shouldn't have!) she throws a miny fit. She's also very into pulling mommy's hair and taking glasses off people's face. She doesn't seem to give other people a hard time with hair pulling and pinching like she does Mommy.... testing the limits already, I guess. She occassionally gets on all fours and crawls, but it's still usually the Army crawl. She adores the bird and loves it when we take her into the kitchen to have a peek. I finally started giving her fruit puffs to munch on, so she sits in her high chair while we eat. She semi-chokes on them still, so I am not sure she is ready for other table food. I still lay wih her to put her to sleep and I love that time.... I look forward to it every day. I love that baby more than anything in the world.....

Eight Months

I can not believe that my baby is eight months old today. She is turning into such a little person. She crawls around using just her arms.... the army crawl. She has just started pulling up onto her knees, but hasn't mastered getting from her knees to her feet without a LOT of assistance from mommy or daddy. She says mamama, dadada, bababa, gagaga and I've also heard goo a couple of times. She sqeals a lot and does funny gurgling noises too. I just can't hold her or hug her enough. For her eight month birthday she gave us two presents..... she went from laying down to sitting up by herself and also held her bottle for the first time by herself.... she usually uses bottle time as pure relaxation, with her hands thrown behind her head. I just can't believe how fast they grow up......