One Of Those Super Good Days

Dear Diary,

Today was a great day. Most days around here are good I'd say, but today was especially great. And really for  no other reason than the girls and I enjoyed each others company.

I spent my morning getting some work done and Liva took a nice little nap. We all 3 sat down together and ate our lunch and then it was the usual hour long escapade of everyone getting dressed (including myself) and shoes on and bags packed and waters made, etc. before heading out the door to the "new park" as Addy was referring to it.

We go on walks or to the park regularly, but usually only in our neighborhood. Today I decided to drive to Antioch park because I knew there would be tons of room to run around and plenty of kids to entertain Addalyn. Not to mention the little town they have set up with dozens of miniature buildings that I even enjoy as an adult.

We loaded up, stopped by Sonic for a Diet, Vanilla Dr. Pepper for Mommy and were on our way. The girls had a great time. I ran my ass off chasing Mrs. "Thinks She Can Climb Everything" and Mrs. "I Run In Every Direction That Mom Isn't." But despite my shortness of breath and sweatiness, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the girls have a good time.

We played for what seemed like 10 hours (60 minutes) and then loaded up to hit the grocery store. By the time we got home Addy was ready for her mandatory nap on gymnastics days and Liva was nice and refreshed after her nap in the car. I made dinner (new, easy recipe that was delicious) and Addy and I headed off to gymnastics!

As if our day wasn't good enough, we hit the jackpot at gymnastics. The big girls weren't having class today SOOOO the Parent and Tot class got to go use "The Pit" for warm up. I don't think Addy even knew "The Pit" existed because it is all the way at the other end of the gym, but I have been eyeing it from day one. "The Pit" is a huge hole with a trampoline floor that is filled with giant, foam squares. The kids had a blast and I have never seen a smile so big on Addy's face. THEN we got to end the class with the parachute - by far the funnest activity at gymnastics.

See why our day was good? And tomorrow may be a repeat because Addy has already asked to "go to park again next time?" Antioch could be seeing us again tomorrow =)

Sincerely Yours,

 

Shots & Suckers

Dear Diary,

Today was Olivia's 1 year checkup. It was also a 2 bath kind of day if that tells you anything (Ravioli for lunch is not a good idea on a DR's visit day). Soooo after bath #1 we headed to the ol' pediatrician's office.

Olivia checked out great. She is still on the smaller side, but healthy as healthy can be. As usual, I came home and compared her checkup sheet to Addy's 12 month checkup sheet. Olivia was in the 5% on weight, Addalyn was in the 25%. Liva was 20% on height, Addy was 45%. And little sister has a small 27% head circumference, whereas big sister's sheet said 97% with an arrow pointing up - the nurse may as well have wrote "fat head" next to her measurements, haha.

And while I was on a roll, I looked through FB pictures of when Addy was 1 year old and after I shed a few tears (not kidding) I decided to do some side by side compare/contrast pictures. Please don't judge, both the girls are in bed early and the current book I am reading hasn't sparked my interest quite yet so I had nothing better to do.

Addalyn & Olivia: Smiley Goobers

Addalyn & Olivia: In Deep Thought

Addalyn & Olivia: The "No Look" Look

Addalyn & Olivia: "Yum, Cake."

These two are extremely alike, and extremely different, which is why I think having kids is so incredible. I can't believe I have such big girls! Time goes too fast and makes me cry... LOVE THEM!

Sincerely Yours,

Olivia's 1st Birthday!

Dear Diary,

One year ago today, at 5:00AM, Garrett and I said our goodbyes to Addy as we got in the car and headed to the hospital. I remember being extremely anxious and hoping that all went smoothly, but I also remember being incredibly excited to see the new little lady that was going to become the newest member of the family.

We were early to the hospital, of course, so there was plenty of time to get me ready for surgery, leaving what seemed like hours of time for Garrett and I to sit in the prep room watching the early morning news and feeling what I believe were contractions - evidently Olivia was ready to come on March 22nd whether surgery was scheduled or not.

Our "waiting" room was across from the nurses station and I remember watching everyone show up for work that morning. They walked in telling their stories from the night before (someone did not clean up something they were supposed to clean up, leaving a mess for the next shift) and I remember feeling a somewhat calming feeling as I realized all of these people were here to help bring my baby into the world, doing what they do best day in and day out. While it was an extremely nerve racking and monumental day for me, it was just another morning at work for them and their calm mood helped ease my rather anxious one.

Olivia Ryan Forsythe was born at 7:43 that Thursday morning, March 22nd, 2011. She was healthy, beautiful and screaming, just how we wanted her! I cannot believe it has been a year since that morning took place.

When you have your first child, it is hard to imagine that you can love anyone else as much as you love them. Then your second (or third or forth..) child is born and it is like you grow an extra heart and all of the love you have multiplies. Only a parent knows that feeling and I don't care how many children I have, I will never stop being amazed at how quickly and hard you can fall in love with someone you have just met.

We didn't even realize we were missing a piece of our family until Olivia was born and now I don't think any of us can remember what it was like without her. She has brought us more joy that I thought possible and while her and her sister have many similarities, Olivia has a personality all her own.

She was born a Mommy's girl through and through and it took several months before she realized that other guy wasn't such a bad person to have around. Like me, she gets used to a routine and does not like to get off track, even to the point where for awhile if it wasn't oatmeal or a cracker, she wasn't eating it. Thankfully we have developed a larger appetite, but it didn't happen without some serious effort.

She is extremely hard headed, even at such a young age. If she wanted to walk at 8 months, by goodness she was going to walk. If wants to eat paper like a total weirdo, then you bet she is going to eat paper. If she wants to climb up on the couch, stand on her toys, or do whatever it is that her sister is doing, then you not dare stand in her way or else a fit like you have never seen will be thrown in return.

She is incredibly strong, abnormally short, and ridiculously sweet. She gives more hugs than you can imagine and if I could pay our bills with her cuddles then we'd be all set. She is obsessed with her sister, in love with her daddy and she lives to torment her dog. Running off with Philly's toys has become her favorite past time and I gotta say, it's pretty hilarious to watch.

But, out of all her habits and quirks, there is one thing that fills my heart the most. There is not a single person in this world that loves me more than that little girl loves me. Not Addalyn, not Garrett, not even my own Mother. And believe me, those people love me a GREAT deal, which is why it is so amazing to feel the love that I feel from little Liva. She absolutely loves her Mommy and while I love her just as much (as I do Addalyn), the love I feel from her is amazing beyond words.

Happy Birthday Olivia Ryan. Thank you for a year's worth of awesome! Mommy, Daddy and Addalyn love you SO SO SO much!

Sincerely Yours,

Worth Remembering

Dear Diary,

Well this weekend didn't exactly go as planned. Garrett hurt his back first thing Saturday morning which resulted in a million things not happening - no yard work outside, no getting ahead of my orders, no thrilling St. Patty's Day, no family trip to the park, and no progress made on Project "Olivia's 1st Birthday." I have so much to do and only a week to get it done. BUT, that's why they call me Super Mom. Okay, that's why I call me Super Mom.

I am thankful to be sitting here on Sunday night with the windows open and the attic fan on, allowing the cool breeze to fill the room while Garrett rests on the couch and the girls play as nicely as they can. The KU game is about to start and The Walking Dead series finale is set to record. So even though my weekend wasn't as productive as I would have liked, at least we can enjoy a casual Sunday evening.

And while I am typing this Addalyn knocked something down from the shelves and is currently crying her ABC's in the timeout corner (our timeout punishment is to make her practice something educational, if she could only get the colors down, then we'd be set. Those damn colors...). So much for that casual Sunday evening. Never a dull moment...

One of the reasons I write this blog is to remember the things that happen in our life. As I am coming to find out, my memory isn't what it used to be, so a diary to help me out in the future will be helpful. So, I'd like to take a moment to list a few things that I believe are worth remembering someday.

1.) Olivia's 1st Black Eye: Due to her sister hitting her in the face with a toy camera for no apparent reason whatsoever.

2.) Going outside to play has proven to be the simplest solution to restless, upset children. Coming back inside however leads to 30 minutes of crying and pleading to go back outside. It's a vicious circle.

3.) There is nothing in the world that makes my husband as happy as the start of baseball season. The anticipation is killing him.

4.) I can sit and watch Addy make Olivia laugh, and vise versa, all day long. It is my favorite sound.

5.) At 12 months old, Olivia is still eating paper as often as she can. She has a built in radar and finds it no matter how hard we try and hide it. It's weird.

6.) Addy calls herself Addy Borsyfe. I find it ironic that she can get the "F" sound at the end of her name where it doesn't belong, but not at the beginning of her name where it does. She also calls rice, "grice," and chooses to call Olivia "Yiva" even though she is perfectly capable of saying Olivia.

7.) Olivia is an early riser. I wonder if I will be up between 6:00-6:30AM for the rest of my life?

8.) I secretly kind of like going into Addy's room in the middle of the night and laying down with her when she needs me to. I especially like when Liva wakes up and we all three lay down together for a few minutes. Memories I have no doubt I am going to miss someday.

9.) Addy is 2 1/2 and wears a 3T in clothing. Olivia is 12 months and wears 9 month clothing. Nothing exciting but something I may find interesting some day.

10.) Every day I am more and more impressed at how fantastic of a father Garrett is. Life is awesome.

Sincerely Yours,

What I Learned Today

Dear Diary,

Here is what I learned today:

OLIVIA IS TERRIFIED OF THE VACUUM: I have always known this, today I just realized she isn't going to get over it anytime soon. Every week I have to vacuum and every week she cries hysterically until I am done and then gives the vacuum death glares the rest of the day. She screams and cannot get far enough away from the thing and with as bad as I feel, I can't help but laugh at her. Drama Queen? For sure. You'd think she'd get used to it by now, but nope, she's going to make house cleaning day interesting for a long time to come. But how can you be upset with that little pumpkin face:

ADDY IS NEVER GOING TO POTTY TRAIN: I don't fear that she is behind - just turning 2 1/2 this month - but Lord knows she isn't early and with as much as I'd like to say she is well on her way, she is NOOOOOTTT. She has zero desire. We have bribed with candy, with new books, with ice cream, with toys... not happening. Today I tried putting panties on her, which she LOVED, until she pee'd in them, and then she was disgusted and didn't want to put them back on and insisted on her diaper and pants. Our conversation today:

Me: Did you like what you were wearing today?
Addy: I like my panties.... Uh, I pee in dem.
Me: Yeah you pee'd in them. That's why you need to go pee pee and poo poo on the potty.
Addy: Noooo, I too little.
Me: No you are not too little. You are a big girl. Don't you want to go to preschool someday?
Addy: See kids?
Me: Yes, you will get to see kids, but you have to go poo poo on the potty.
Addy: (grunting and pretending to poop then looking to me) Like that?
Me: (laughing) Yes, Addy. Like that.

ONLINE SHOPPING IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO: Today I purchased several things I needed for the girls and never had to leave the computer. I rarely buy anything without getting free shipping and I almost always get a discount of some kind due to online promo codes. Now, I could never buy things for myself online as I HAVE to try things on in the store, but for the girls it is definitely the way to go. Today I was looking for Easter outfits, but most days you can bet I am finding anything and everything I need on Amazon.com - who doesn't pay me to advertise for them but they should because I LOVE Amazon. I NEVER pay for shipping and there really isn't anything you can't find on there. So I save on gas and don't have to drag the girls through store after store, shopping for what I need. It can all be done during nap time from my laptop!

THERE IS DUST UNDER THE BEDROOM FURNITURE: In case anyone was wondering, dust does collect underneath your furniture that never moves and it's disgusting.

I AM ADDICTED TO MY KINDLE: I love this stupid thing and I would spend hours talking about it to anyone who wanted to listen - which is no one. I have been busy the past two days and I haven't gotten to read and it's like I am having withdrawals. How do I know I am addicted? Garrett got to take the day off work and go to the Big 12 Tourny today. I jokingly said, "When do I get a turn to do something?" and he said, "Whenever you ask for one." and I said, " True, I never ask because I never have anything to do." and he said, "You can spend an entire night reading your Kindle." Obviously if someone thinks my idea of a good time is sitting alone all night reading my Kindle, I must be addicted to the thing. Or a loser. Or both.... Yes, definitely both.

Sincerely Yours,

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Dear Diary,

"Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes. Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes. Eyes and ears and mouth and nose. Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes."
 
Head: I love the thought process that goes in a child's head. I am constantly amazed at the things Addy knows and more impressive, the things she remembers. Sometimes this memory is a good thing and sometimes, not so much.

For instance, yesterday we were at the store and I told Addy to go pick out some yogurt. She quickly responded by saying (very loudly), "Oh, I take my shirt off?" giving the older woman next to us the impression that taking our clothes off in public must be a regular occasion for this family, when really she just remembered that we usually take her shirt off with yogurt because she always ends up dropping it all over herself. Or like when I told Addy I needed to go change my clothes and she asked me if I peed on myself. I can only assume she got to this conclusion because if she ever pees on herself, we change her clothes. I am just thankful that comment wasn't in public. Or all of her fun little responses that seem to be taking over our conversations:

Me: "Addy, you need to help clean up."
Addy: "No thanks, I'm too busy."

Me: "Addy, it's time to go take a bath."
Addy: "But, I'm too siiiiiicckkkkk."

Me: "Addy, you need to get down from there right now!"
Addy: "OKAY! I'm fine!"

Oh the fun is just beginning isn't it? =)

Shoulders: It seems as though I go week to week trying to balance a million things that need to get done. There is always one thing to finish, and the next thing to start. Lately, however, I feel like a small piece of the weight on my shoulders has been lifted off. I am not even sure why things seem less hectic right now, but I am thankful for the lull until the storm hits me again, which is surely only in a matter of time.

And because I am not constantly jumping from one thing to the next, I have spent more time than normal playing. I have said it a million times and I will say it a million times more, but my girls are awesome. Sometimes I get caught in the mind frame that as long as they are surrounded by toys, they should be having the time of their lives. Reality is, they'd much rather have no toys in front of them, but instead, their Mom to play with. The girls can be perfectly content doing whatever it is that they are doing, but the minute I walk over and sit down and start to play it is like I carried a circus with me. They get so excited and so happy and it instantly makes me feel like there is nothing greater in the world, which there isn't. I am sure we all take for granted how important it is to just spend some time playing, but I guarantee you'll remember how much fun it truly is once you do!

Knees: It was windy yesterday but I was caught up on the idea that I needed to get a project done that involved burning the edges of some paper. Sooooo last night I went into our backyard and scrunched down to the ground trying to block the wind with my back while I lit several pieces of paper on fire. I decided to go with the ol' "bend at the knees with my butt barely off the ground" technique, to which after several minutes in this position served to be a very bad idea. When I finally stood up my knees felt like a sumo wrestler had been sitting on them. I obviously am not 5 anymore and need to remember to avoid sitting like one.

And

Hands?: I realize this should technically be titled "Toes" if I was going to go along with the song, but my toes don't have the problem, my hands do. I am bleeding from at least 6 places on my right hand and from almost as many on my left. This pathetic winter has done more damage to my dry hands than it ever has and I can't seem to make them better. I know for a fact it is because of how often my hands are in water. If I am not washing bottles, I am doing dishes. If I am not cleaning my own hands, I am bathing little girlie's. If I am not scrubbing paint off my fingers, I am wiping tables clean. My hands are in water all day long and I don't see a way around it. So I guess I will just deal with having the dryness of a desert nomad, the wrinkles of a 95 year old farmer and the cuts of a 200 pound cage fighter. Attractive huh?

Sincerely Yours,