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.