Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Snow-maggeddon 2013


 If I would have written this yesterday, the opening line would have been, 

"Day 7 of my captivity . . ."


 We were basically snowed in from Wednesday until Tuesday. 
Emma had the stomach flu and quit her crib. 
 
I have averaged 3 hours of sleep a night due to her illness and new found night-time freedom.


 This is what Emma's room looks like now. We converted her crib into a toddler bed, and after sleeping on the floor a few nights brought in the new twin bed (which will eventually be hers) for me to sleep on. Emma loved the princess sheets on the new bed so much she gave up the toddler bed cold turkey and has only slept on the twin for the past 3 days. I have slept on a fraction of the twin bed, the rocking chair, and . . . .sigh . . . the floor. Why am I sleeping in her room? Because Emma has attachment issues. She doesn't like to be alone - ever. Not even when sleeping. She will scream and cry (and eventually make herself throw up from rigorous crying) if she finds herself alone. I'm sleeping in her room so that Paul can get some sleep (he has a real job after all).

 Lexi was sssoooo bored after just two snow days that she requested a transfer to Nana's house. Since Emma was still a little sick on Saturday, permission was granted and Lexi got to go play with Nana and Papa (who are way more fun and always have gummy worms). 

 


A few more pictures to round out what is hopefully the last snow day post until next winter: 


 The auxiliary toy bucket - I was getting desperate by Tuesday afternoon.


Why?

Friday, February 22, 2013

The Blizzard of Oz

Ok, so let's start with how I stole the storm title from somewhere on facebook. I didn't make that up, but it kind of sounds like something I would make up, so roll with it. 

Well Winter smiled on me. My fair city got over 14 inches of snow - and not just any snow but THUNDERsnow. 
I didn't even know that existed. 
When the rumbling began in the wee hours of the night on Thursday morning I started cussing out the neighbors - I thought they were messing around with their trash cans again. 
Our neighbors let their kids play around with their trash bins - kick stuff at it, move them around, etc. It's gross and rude and loud and makes me cuss
So neighbors whose names I don't know (but still don't like) - I'm sorry. But how about NOT letting your little kid play with your car keys anymore? Because he likes to hit the car alarm button and that makes me cuss, too. 

But I digress . . . .

So the thundersnow cancelled school. I was actually dancing ridiculous dances of joy Wednesday night. 
Thursday morning at 6 a.m., I was not. 
Here's why: 


Paul wakes me up at 6:03 telling me to get out of bed. His car got stuck in the street and I have to help him push it out of the deep deep snow. 
I threw on 2 sweatshirts, a heavy coat, my boots, and gloves and went out to save my husband. 
And the second I stepped outside I ceased to be useful. 

When a crisis hits, Paul scares me. He is very calm in a scary way. Stern. Angry-calm. It freaks me out. 
 Well I couldn't drive the car through the tracks well enough so we opted to shovel his half of the drive instead. We have one snow shovel. So Paul got that one and that meant I had to get resourceful. I found a push broom but that was highly ineffective. Paul eventually saw my pitiful attempts to sweep the snow away and gave me a garden shovel. No joke. I tried my hardest (to over zealously shovel that heavy snow with a garden tool) and I have the sore back to prove it. We eventually got the car safely back into the garage. 
Praise Jesus! 
Let's have a cup of HOT coffee and maybe go back to bed. 

I was able to drink half a cup of coffee before I heard the familiar gagging sound of a child throwing up coming from up stairs. When I got upstairs Emma had thrown up and was running a fever. 

OK, let's bathe her and then maybe I can have a cup of coffee and snuggle up with her. 


 NOPE. 
Paul informs me he will be working from home. 
This is both good and bad news. 
GOOD because I know he is safe, but BAD because it is impossible to keep the kids away from him, quiet, and occupied while he tries to work. 
They love him lots and pretty much think he is the best. I eventually banished him to the basement - he was distracting the children. 
Paul also expects food that is more labor intensive than a banana, so I had to get cooking. 

Paul took a few breaks to go out and shovel the drive and Lexi went with him. After coming in cold and wet she decided she was DONE with the snow. 



Friday promised to be a better day. Emma seemed to be doing better - no more vomiting, and just a slight fever.





Emma was up for a few hours during the night and then at 6 a.m. I woke up to her opening the door to her bedroom. This is unusual because she sleeps in a crib. The little acrobat figured out how to flip herself out of her crib. She's fine - she really knows how to stick her landing. 

Ok - I'm up. This was not the morning I had envisioned. Snow days are supposed to be about sleeping in and being lazy! 

The day didn't get any better. Emma refused to nap - despite 4 hours of trying to put her down. One time she escaped her crib only to get naked and poop on the floor. True story.


Currently, we wait for Daddy to get home from work for that means Mommy is off duty. The house is a mess. The dishes aren't done. He's lucky I managed to sneak in a shower. 

I'm done with the Great Blizzard of Oz - can I click my heels three times and go back to work now?

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Long Weekend Photo Diary


I was looking through my phone this morning and realized I had taken quite the chronicle of our 4 day weekend. That's right - I had Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday with my girlies! 

This was their special popcorn snack one day. Notice Roxy patiently waiting to sneak her snout in the popcorn bowl. 

Lexi was introduced to sock bun curls. When I tried this with my hair, the results were somewhat different (I looked like I had been electrocuted). She has been asking to "be a bunhead" every night because she loves her curly hair. 



 On Sunday, I took the girls to the zoo while Daddy worked on the deck. For the first time, I let Emma walk instead of ride in a stroller. She was so excited that she was running for the first 10-15 minutes. This means I was saying, "Emma! WALK!" on repeat. After she fell down twice, she would repeat, "Emma. Walk." to herself over and over. 

Here is Lexi's sad face because Emma wouldn't take a single picture with her.

This is Lexi's reaction to chocolate cupcakes. She's easy to please. 

For a couple of weeks now, 
Emma's favorite thing to say is "I Love You!"   
Today she started adding "much" as in "I love you so much!"

Sweet, sweet girls!
I love them  . . . much. 

Monday, February 18, 2013

Family Portraits Christmas 2012

 While we were in Columbus over Christmas we had a chance to take family portraits with the Holding family.

This was LONG overdue - Emma has NEVER had studio portraits taken and it's been several years since Lexi has had a photographer other than Momma!
 Just so you know, Emma had been throwing up a couple hours before these were taken so that should explain her glassy-eyed look in some of these. 
Lexi is just a diva, that should explain her little poses.

 More explanations: I am not tall. 
  Paul knew this when he married me.
 I am 5'5" and Paul is 6'6". 
Everyone else in his family is tall. 
There is at least a 3 inch gap between me and anyone else at Holding Family functions. 
I wore 5 inch heels and still only came up to Paul's shoulder. Shortness. 

 But we scrub up nice as a group, huh?
  

 Aren't these babies precious?
 6 grand-kids aged 4 and under.


 And a couple more:




Friday, February 15, 2013

Valentines 2013



Lexi loves Valentine's Day. 
L.O.V.E.S. it - it's her favorite thing. 
She got to be the 'Super Kid' at school on the day of her class Valentine's party and she could barely contain her excitement! 

This year we made treat bags with Teddy Grahams and Gummy Bears. The tag says, "I'm BEAR-y happy we are friends!"
If Pinterest asks, this was my idea first.  
When I was growing up, we always got a little spoiled on Valentine's Day with a special breakfast and a present. I couldn't let that tradition die considering Lexi's love of the holiday of hearts. 

I decorated our kitchen table (hmmm . .. these decorations are starting to look a little familiar) and set out gifts and cards for the girls. I made Blueberry muffins, too! This is incredible considering I normally think that slicing a banana equals cooking breakfast. I am not a morning chef.
 Lexi 's day started very well - direct quote: 
"This is most my favorite thing!"
 Em was pretty excited too, but I think her joy was food related.

 Happy Valentine's Day from the Holding Family!

 Lexi - 4/12 
Emma - 21 months

Monday, February 11, 2013

I Love You


Just in time for Valentine's Day, Emma's new favorite phrase is "I Love You!"