Elisabeth's new shoes that she bought with her own money:)

Can you tell she dressed herself?? She certainly doesn't take after me in the 'matching' area. She wanted new shoes that matched Elisabeth's:)

Mothering 101

When you hand a 2 year old an ice cream cone from McDonald's and you have taken the time to dump most of it in an extra cup so that she doesn't drip it all over herself, also remember to take off the paper wrapper on the cone. Apparently the paper tastes just like the cone. Just ask Isabella.

Who knew???

that you could have a chest cold AND get the stomach flu?? Who knew, after kissing and cuddling with your sick baby girl, that you too could catch what she had?? I certainly didn't know THAT!! Which is why I was quite surprised to get the pukes on Tuesday night. YUCK!! I thought I would escape this round because I already had had it at Christmas time (and for those of you who think that it could be something else, it's not). Apparently these 2 illnesses go hand in hand where we live. Good news---Bella is all better:) Better news---she didn't take a nap today at Bonnie's and we all know what that means!!! EARLY BEDTIME!!!!

"Please call us at the nurse's office"

That is the message I got Friday afternoon on my cell. After almost driving off the road, I quickly dialed Elisabeth's school to find out that she was in the nurse's office threatening to throw up. She quickly explained that Elisabeth had been too ill to go home on her own and that Todd was on his way to pick her up (I hadn't taken my phone in with me when I picked up Bella from Bonnie's so they tracked down Todd at work). The nurse also mentioned that she had been in earlier for an ice pack. Apparently, while in gym, she hit herself on the side of her head, near her eye, with a plastic bat. The stupid nurse told her to use an ice pack and if she started to GET DIZZY OR SICK TO HER STOMACH, to come back. DUMB THING TO SAY TO "MINI ME"....the hypocondriacs that we are! Plant the seed and it will grow. Luckily, upon returning home, she was able to wolf down a can of bean and bacon soup and felt all better:)

Blame it on Edward and Bella....

for my horrible lack of posting. And it is all Edward's fault. I won't admit how many time I have gone to the dollar theater to see that movie. It would be embarrassing. I am almost through the 4th book. I think I definitely need to see someone about this obsession of mine. (Elisabeth snuck in, posted the picture, and typed: She has seen it 5 times but don't tell my mom I said that!!!)

It is also Bella's fault and, no, not the Bella you were thinking. My Bella got the stomach flu on Friday night. Yuck. That is all I can say. Threw up in her sleep and then rolled her face in it. I don't know how one tiny pile of puke can get everywhere so quickly! Todd opted to sleep in another room-so nice of him-so Bella could sleep with me. I had her face in the bottom of a Pampered Chef veggie steamer most of the night-praying to GOD she would not puke on me. As you can guess, I didn't get much sleep. She only got sick one more time around 4 and then bounded out of bed at 6 am more than ready for the day.

Princess Pissy is back-at least until the next germ hits her:)

On the mend, again.

Isabella is back at Bonnie's today. I am only leaving her there for half a day-the other 2 kids that are there have the stomach flu going through their family. It is only a matter of time before they start puking. I just can't handle THAT again (remember Christmas??). I am hoping the antibiotics are what is turning her into Princess Pissy. WHOA! She is nasty, demanding, bossy, and mean. "Go get my milk!" "I am not eating that!" "Don't touch me!" "I am not going to bed!" And when she isn't using those delightful words, she is grunting like a cave man. Where is that sweet baby with the high fever who wanted me to hold her morning, noon, and night? Can I have her back-without the fever part??? :)

I think I am going to start a blog count for how many times I will see "Twilight". I thought I had my obsession under control after I saw it for the 3rd time last night-but I haven't. I think once I hit 10 viewings, I will go to ECA (Edward Cullen Anonymous). Just kidding, MOM!

My new obsession...

would have to be "Twilight". Not since Ralph Macchio in "Karate Kid" have I fallen for a character. Looking back, that first crush was ridiculous. I could have broken him in half when I was 12! But Edward Cullen-now he is a hotty. Yes, I am almost 40 BUT come on, what woman in her right mind wouldn't fall for that hunk!?! And to top it off, he can fly, he doesn't sleep (hence he could get a lot of cleaning done), and he doesn't eat (more for me!). Elisabeth and I went to see it TWICE yesterday-at the dollar theater. I am considering going back again a few more times. What else could make me this happy for a dollar????!!! And I get to spend quality time with my daughter!! For me, it is a win-win situation. Todd gets to stay home with Bella and I get to go drool over Edward. Perfect. Elisabeth would like to go to Hot Topic and get matching "I LOVE EDWARD" sweatshirts. I am thinking it might be a little over the top....maybe not. I do love him.

Speaking of Bella, the poor baby is still sick. We took her to the doctor's office yesterday-ear infection and possible pneumonia. They didn't want to x-ray her as they build up in her system over time but they are treating it like she has pneumonia. She is on a double dose of antibiotics twice a day. Her fever is down but her coughing is still awful. I actually find myself holding my breath through her coughing spells. We are keeping her home for a few more days as there is a stomach bug going around her sitter's house. We don't need to add that one to her list of problems:)

A Happy Valentines Day:)

The girls got the hair cut, Elisabeth played soccer, Bella slept for 3 hours, we drugged Bella up and went to church (no one came near us), we went out to eat (at a place where we were 1 of 3 tables) and then we went ice skating. I figured there would be no germs passed in the freezing cold when everyone had their gloves on! Anyway, Isabella did not want the skating aid-everytime I put it in front of her, she would shove it away. She did discover the snack bar, though, and frequently requested that "we take a little break and get a snack". I kept telling her the money was in the car and I WASN'T going to unlace the skates that took me 400 hours to lace up to go and get it. "Get your purse. I want a snack. Take a break! Get a snack!" I do believe I finally have a daughter after my own heart. We lasted about 90 minutes and then went home-where she wouldn't eat.

No she is laying on the couch coughing and her fever is back. She must be sick because she actually ASKED to go to the doctors to get some medicine! I will keep you posted.

Funny pictures....what else is there to do?

Isabella HATES herself in these pictures...they scare her:) I, being the best mother in the world, laughed my ass off. We used the Photobooth part of the MacBook. I have to do something while I am sitting with the sick baby-might as well get a good giggle out of it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

You may be wondering what we are doing on this lovely holiday?? Why spending time with a sick kid!! Isabella has a runny nose, cough, and yet another fever! Luckily we went out to dinner last week:) She isn't acting sick except for the intense, non-stop whining. We attempted to shove cough medicine down her throat last night-the kind that even adults hate. She was so mad! About 1/10th actually made it down her throat. She was still bitching about it when she got into bed....she said to me, "Spank daddy's butt, Mama!! He made me take yucky medicine. Spank his butt!!" I probably shouldn't have laughed and I did give his cute butt a good smack. At least she didn't say 'damn butt'.

Preschools??? AHHHHH!!!

After this year, our current babysitter will not be taking care of Isabella. Bonnie only takes kids from 0-3 and then feels they need 'more' than she can give them. We are looking at 3 places and have to decide quickly as they fill up way before September. Our choices are:

1. Montessori - Elisabeth went to this preschool. A little too structured but beautiful rooms with nice teachers and a good reputation. It is also in between my 2 schools so I could see her at lunch time, kids 3-5 years old work together most of the time.

2. Preschool - Also close to my schools, kids 3-5 years old work together most of the time, run by the same 4 women for 20 years, much more creative than educational, smaller number of children, very loving teachers who went to school in the 60's-they work on conflict resolution way too much for my taste. Isabella needs to be told what is right and wrong-I think she would feed into this idea way too much. Large house that needs a good scrubbing, as far as I am concerned.

3. Daycare - Near our house, very new/very large, Christian-based, cameras in every room so I can watch what she is doing daily, huge gym, lunch included, classes are separated by age, teachers look bored to death. We walked in and Bella wanted to leave immediately. Not a good sign.

According to my mother, there really is no decision to make-she thinks (and I agree) that Bella should go to the Montessori school. I do know that but I want to make sure it is the best decision for Isabella and she is a VERY different child than Elisabeth was. She is extremely social with adults but 'doesn't play well' with other children, especially younger ones, to save her life. She walks into Bonnie's every morning, complains all the way down the stairs that she doesn't want to play, and then shoves the 20 month old on to her butt when she tries to hug her. She rips toys out of their hands. She scratches. She SCREAMS bloody murder if they even think of touching her things. Maybe this is all normal but come on! It gets exhausting. Yesterday when we were visiting option #2, she was playing well-running with the other kids and looking like she was having fun. We came in and WHAM..she kicks a kid. No reason. Probably just to see what I would do. I need a place that will work on that socialization without too much discussion as to WHY things happened and HOW she is feeling about it. Maybe I am reading into this way too much. I'll let you know.

Jo

We just got back from Ohio where we attended the funeral of a very good family friend. Jo and Nobie were my grandparents best friends. They met 50+ years ago when Nobie and his young family rented a cabin on the lake from my grandfather. Nobie's kids and my mother and aunt spent time together each summer. Then they grew up and had children and we played together. Three generations. Of the original 4, only my grandmother is still alive at 91. As sad as it was to say goodbye to Jo, it was wonderful to see everyone again and listen about the wonderful life she led.

On a side note, the four of us had a great time as a family. We stayed in a Hampton Hotel and went swimming and in the hot tub. Bella had a blast. She loved the elevator and running in the halls. Elisabeth liked the fact that we could go through the red lights when we were following everyone to the cemetery. She even suggested we snag the flag on top of our car:)

Super Saturday

What a great day:) It started off with me sleeping in-which is always a great way to start the weekend. We then went to visit a possible preschool for Isabella next year once she turns 3. It is the same Montessori school Elisabeth went to when she was Isabella's age. It has its pros and cons - for the most part we were impressed and Bella LOVED it! She walked right in and sat down on the teacher's lap. She wants to get a backpack and go to school NOW. We keep telling her that she can go after she turns 3 and the summer is over. We have 2 more places to look before we decide. We went to Elisabeth's soccer game-she did a super job. While she was playing, Bella and I found a summer fair for children who need camps once school is over. She bounced in the bounce house and decided she was going to be a Baby Ninja when she turns 3 (she is going to take Karate and that is the name of the class). Three is the new 21:) After that, Elisabeth and I watched Lifetime Movies (our all time favorite thing to do together) and Bella had a nice LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG nap. We went to church at 6:30, dinner, and then ice skating. This was the first time for her trying out her new skates and she L O V E D it:) We couldn't keep her off the ice. She was a maniac. Next time, we are going to put a helmet on her head and pad her butt and let her go. Everytime we looked, she was letting go of the metal helper and trying to skate on her own. She was better than the 3 of us put together. Hopefully she will sleep well tonight with all of the exercise. I know we will.

Buster

My youngest brother Aaron just had to put his sweet dog Buster to sleep. He got him for Christmas 15 years ago when he was only 12. It was the first Christmas without our grandfather, who had died only 1 month before. We actually traveled to Canada that Christmas in 2 cars-Aaron in one with my dad and us in the other with the dog. Do you know how tough it is to hide a puppy for 3 days???? Luckily, Aaron is the ultimate lover of television and was easily distracted. That dog brought more fun and joy!!! He was obsessed with food-he even tried removing my father's lip one day when he raced across the room to grab the muffin hanging out of Dad's mouth. One time we stupidly took him to a neighbors house near my grandmother. The guy had about 20-30 geese roaming in his large backyard. Buster saw this as an opportunity to hone is chasing skills. That dog went after every singe goose....and each one of them, scared shitless, decided to flap their wings and try to fly. There were feathers EVERYWHERE and honking EVERYWHERE. We didn't know whether to duck for fear of being pooped on, chase Buster (who was having the time of his life), OR run for home. By the time we left, the geese were exhausted, but still squawking, Buster needed a drink and a nap, and the yard was covered with white feathers.

Buster, you will be missed:(

Damn Duck Pictures

Daddy Duck-loved but not her favorite.
Damn Duck...notice the well-worn, much loved face:)

Damn Duck Photos

I promise to sneak up to her room tonight and take pictures of the Damn Duck (aka Mommy Duck). "She" stunk so bad we had a little ceremonial washing-Daddy Duck joined in. Isabella stood on the side of the open washing machine and threw them both in the hot, soapy water and told them to have a good swim. She reached her limit of separation when the Damn Duck was only half dry so off to bed she went with her little owner....wet head and all.

Damn Duck

Isabella doesn't move without her duck, lovingly referred to as 'mommy duck'. It is actually a small blanket with a duck's head at one corner and his feet and hands (if a duck could have hands) at the other corners. We have tried replacing this mangy thing with a newer one we found on ebay but that one became 'daddy duck'. There is also baby duck and friend duck. Don't get me started. Anyway, this dirty, smelly thing made its way into our bed last night with its adorable little owner. After she tossed and turned and flipped and flopped, she almost started to settle down when I heard, like always, "Where's mommy duck?" to which I replied, "I don't know where your damn duck is!".... She then said, "Where is that damn duck?? I can't find that damn duck!! Oh look, it is my damn duck! I found the damn duck, Mama." I felt like saying, "Then shut your damn eyes!", but I didn't:)

Great weekend

Blake would open the book, Isabella would put her hand in, and then she would try to pull it out quickly before he shut it. It must be some kind of torture maneuver they teach in the army. He actually caught her hand once!! It hurt so much she had to start playing with her other hand.



She LOVED his bald head:)

She also loves to jump!! Here she was jumping from her chair into Blake's lap.

We had a super weekend:) On Saturday, we drove to Harrisburg to meet up with my brother and his wife. We had dinner in a really nice restaurant and even got to go shopping at Costco...my FAVORITE place on earth. I frickin' love shopping there. Next time we go, I am going to bring a cooler and do all my shopping for a month:) Todd returned home on Sunday from his trip and Mom left for Syracuse. I am really hoping for a snow day sometime this week so I can get caught up on my sleep!

Family Update

Dad is doing great...he gets his stitches out of his shoulder tomorrow. Carole, Todd's mom, is home already and recovering well. Lucky lady can't lift anything (ie a dust cloth, vacuum cleaner, toilet bowl brush) for 2 weeks. She must be waited on hand and foot:) Todd is in Florida for the PGA conference and to give a training on the golf program he developed. The weather was horrible here so he left, in a whirlwind that only Todd can create when he is getting ready for something, for Harrisburg early. I got him a real nice deal in a 1 star hotel....I thought MAYBE he wouldn't notice it was a 1 star but he did. Oh well, we have to cut money somewhere!! The girls and I are on our own until Sunday....if the weather stays good, Mom will be joining us for some fun:)

Bella was walking down the stairs yesterday morning, yet another snow day, and I said, "Good morning, princess!" She replied with, "I'm not a princess. I'm Bella. I don't have my princess dress on!" Got it. I will have to let all royalty know that unless they are dressed in their best, they are just ordinary people.

A girl and her shades...