Photo Catastrope

We've had a little photo catastrophe. Or maybe a big one... depending on which side of the family you are on. I can't load my card right now, for some reason my card reader doesn't like 8 gb cards. But in trying to load my card I realized that all of my pictures from the Obreiter Christmas were deleted. Melissa and I combined our photos onto mom's computer and then put all the photos back onto our cards. The only problem is Melissa deleted everything from my card unintentionally, so I got back all the photos from the wedding and the Hodges Christmas, but since they didn't need my pictures from the Obreiter Christmas those photos never got put onto mom's computer or back onto my card. So, to Steve's family I am very sorry that all of the photos I took at Christmas got deleted. Next year we'll need to make sure someone else is taking photos too.

We are back from our visit downstate to see family and attend (and participate in) my cousin Meghan's wedding. She was a beautiful bride and it was a wonderful time celebrating the love she and Ron have for each other. I'm sure they have many, many happy years ahead of them. She was so excited to be marrying him and the look on his face as she came down the aisle was priceless. Congrats guys!

So, besides all the wedding stuff and two family Christmas parties, we have been battling the flu. Big time. I had it before we left (December 8th, for those of you keeping track). I spent the two days before the car ride laying on the couch feeling miserable. Abby wasn't feeling too well by Wednesday night either and she ended up throwing up in the car on the way down. Of course she had to choose the most desolate location to throw up, so we ended up stopped on a random exit with only a cell phone tower drive to pull into. It was a very long ride after that, but she managed not to be sick in the car again. We got to mom and dad Hodges' house and they had also been battling the flu around there, so it wasn't a big deal that we were coming sick. And Steve and Olivia almost made it out of there without getting the bug, but they both got sick on the 19th, right before our drive home. So we had two tricky drives, but we made it down and back.

We had a lot of fun visiting and helping out. I was able to clean out a good portion of mom and dad's basement - we took two full car loads of old toys, shoes, and other random things to Goodwill just in time for Christmas. It took a lot of time, but it felt good knowing that someday soon Abby and Olivia will be having a great time playing in the space that used to be overflowing with rubbermaid tubs full of things my siblings and I had played with as kids. I've learned to use cleaning as my form of stress relief instead of eating, and for the most part it's made my life a lot better. Melissa, Mom and I also got to help decorate for the wedding reception. We put together some amazing vases with sparkling sticks, jeweled feathers, and calla lilies. Meghan had great taste and Grandma Jennie did some amazing work. I almost kind of miss working at the flower shop.

Abby and Olivia got WAY TO MANY great things for Christmas. Lots of dolls, especially barbies which Abby is way into right now, a bike for Abby and a trike for Olivia, a ball popper, cool little people sets, some nintendo games, and "real talking Woody." I knew, sort of, that Abby wanted the talking Woody doll from the Toy Story movies - I'd had to drag her out of that aisle at K-Mart a couple times as she sat and talked to the toy in the package. When Grandma Mary asked her what she wanted for Christmas all she would say is "real talking Woody." So, lucky for her Grandma Mary decided that Abby did need a real talking Woody. And she's been enjoying him every single waking minute of her day since we got him. Olivia has been enjoying having her own things that Abby doesn't swipe immediately. She got her own doll house and Abby has come to grips with the fact that its for Olivia to play with and not for her exclusive use. Now we just need to work on that for the rest of our toys, movies, and books.

And... onto the funny to you, but not really to me. In the last couple weeks Abby has decided that bathing is the worst thing in the world. I know it sounds ridiculous, but when I bathe her it sounds like I am wrestling a rabid dog. She goes totally postal. I had to get into the tub last Saturday and hold her in so that I could get her clean for the wedding. It was a punching, kicking, biting mess. We got some bath crayons and gels and that made her a little more interested in bathing today, but she also had an accident that required bathing, if you know what I mean. Olivia on the other hand loves the bath and was trying to crawl and lay down while bathing today. She has no fear of anything. I am going to be totally gray within weeks.

And, finally, I chopped my hair back to a chin length bob today after 18+ months of growing it out. I'm not sure if the stylist wanted to chop off all that hair - she kept commenting on how long and healthy it was - but I am sure I don't want to deal with wet hair or spend the time necessary to blow dry that giant mess of hair I'd grown. And I think I lost a whole pound getting it cut.

Bathing Breakthrough

Olivia generally hates bathing. Up until last week, when I started letting her sit in the tub unassisted, she would scream as loud as possible and cry crocodile tears at the thought of being near the tub. Now we are down to freaking out only when I wash Abby's hair. I'm not sure what it is about Abby having sudsy hair that freaks Olivia out, but it does create quite the reaction. At least now I can get Olivia to spend some time in the tub playing, which makes bath time a lot easier than our old way (scrub one, dry, dress, scrub the other).

We are leaving tonight for Disney World! Abby was so excited this morning when she woke up and it was finally Disney Day. Now I just have to find ways to keep her occupied until Steve gets out of work. It may be a very long day for her, but it is so much fun to watch her little girl excitement. She insisted on wearing all Disney things from head to toe. She should have a great time even if playing in the pool with Grandma and Grandpa is all she does.

And... the best news of the week... Olivia actually slept the WHOLE night last night. Finally. I'm sure it was a fluke, but it was nice not being up in her room at 3 am. Not that I didn't wake up, since I've been doing it for almost two months now, and I didn't get right back to sleep, but hey... I was in my own bed, so it was wonderful. And of course it was just in time to leave and get her out of her bed and routine, so I'm sure it will be weeks and weeks before I sleep all night again, but it was a very pleasant surprise.

First Real Bath

Olivia had her first real bath today at the same time that her big sister Abby was washing up. We just put the little tub right next to the big tub so that I could see both girls and then we did some major scrubbing.

Olivia also had her first playtime outside. She rode in my baby carrier, so she was pretty much snuggled up next to me and with the new moby wrap carrier I have she was totally covered in fabric. Abby had a great time with her sidewalk chalk and we all enjoyed the 65 degrees and sunshine. I even planted some seeds so I'm counting on the weather staying warm enough for them to make it.

Miss Mess

Well... you would think that after yesterday morning's yogurt incident we would be set for the day on gigantic messes. WRONG. Abby had a full glass of milk at the dinner table (with just a touch of chocolate milk that was left from Wendy's the night before). We were trying out the bigger girl sippy cups (you know... the tupperware kind with the snap on lids). Abby learned the hard way that you can't bite down on the lid while simultaneously pulling the cup backwards away from your mouth. We had a light chocolate milk explosion. Everywhere. And then she really needed that bath, which luckily she hadn't taken yet. And I needed to do laundry, again...

We are cleaning and reorganizing our playroom today. Last night Steve and I moved the t.v.'s around, since we've been spending most of our time in the playroom now that the heating in the room works (and since Abby is way into toy time). Now I just need to finish going through the toys and putting them back into their proper bins. And sweep up the floor, which somehow got covered in cherrios. Abby is a neverending supply of messes.

Some Random Abby-ness

Here are a few random things Abby has done to make us laugh in the last few days...

1. Abby has made the switch from always saying "uh-huh" when she wants to say yes. Now instead she says "yeah." It is simply adorable. Except when she is being naughty or having a fit.

2. Last night I really wanted to soak in the bathtub, since Baby O. was not being a nice girl. I didn't say the words bath, bathroom, tub, water, or anything resembling those. I told Steve I was going to go soak for a while. Faster than lightning, Abby said "Abby take bubble bath, yeah!" and she was up the stairs within about 1 minute. So much for a nice soak...

3. Abby no longer wants to sleep in our bed, at all, ever. Hooray!!! Last night Steve was tired from work and shoveling out our driveway, so he accidentally fell asleep in Abby's bed while they were playing in Abby's room. So, Abby came into our room where I was putting away clothes. I put her in bed with me when we were done with our chore. She lasted about two minutes before she asked to go lay down in Abby's bed. I've been waiting and waiting for this moment :-)

4. Abby is over the mom holding another baby jealousy - at least for the most part. This morning Abby and I went over to her friend A.J.'s house to lend a helping hand, since they received a tiny little infant foster child yesterday. They already had 2 girls 2 and under, so we figured that some extra hands would be helpful, especially since A.J.'s dad was going to be at work all day. Abby was very good about touching the little boy gently and letting me hold and feed him so A.J.'s mom could do some laundry, shower, and get ready for the meetings she has to go to this afternoon.

Bubble Bath Time

Steve took Abby upstairs to "put on her pajamas" last night and after 30 minutes they had still not emerged, so I went to see how they were coming on the change from play clothes to pajamas. Somehow Abby accidentally fell into the bathtub, which evidently filled itself with water and bubbles in the process. And Abby and her dad were having a great time making bubble beards, bubble shirts, and doing bubble high fives. Abby even made a bubble beard for Steve. It was pretty funny! I am glad that I don't have to worry about my girl when her daddy is around.

Abby has been practicing her reading skills a lot lately. She can tell what the title of the book is and will often say the title to us when she brings the book over to be read. She can also read quite a few pages from "Hop on Pop," especially the "All Tall" page. We obviously are a little biased, but we are pretty sure she is way smarter than most kids her age. She even has been practicing her good manners lately and has been using the phrase "excuse me" after she has a little burping or tooting going on. And because she has been using her manners she also now knows that "me" refers to her, so last night when we were playing ball and I asked her who I should throw the ball to, she said "me" instead of Abby. Again... this girl is way to smart.

Splish, Splash, Bath

Eating More Cookies

Abby sure loves her cookies! She doesn't ever turn them down, even after scarfing down a whole tub of baby food. She is sure a character :-)

Abby watched her first Michigan/Michigan State football game, but unfortunately it was not the type of game she wanted to see. Oh well, at least Grandpa Harley's team won. More importantly, Abby got her first light saber at Walmart today. Her dad told her to pick the red one, so apparently she is going to be Darth Vader for Halloween. But I have a feeling that she is going to be a little kangaroo instead and that the light saber will be used in the passing out of candy.

Abby and her dad did lots of other fun playing today and she also got to take a warm bath. Unfortunately our house is pretty cold, so the bath was cut short by shivering. But before she got wrapped up she did have a good time with the tub toys.

Happy Ocotober!

We are working on a couple of baby teeth. They are not coming easily. Poor Abigail has been having lots more crabby time, lots less napping and is about to pull her poor little ear half off her head. We hope those teeth get in soon!

The only thing that is keeping us sane is playing in the bathtub. We've been letting Abby have a lot of extra baths this week. She usually only gets a Wednesday scrub and a Sunday scrub, but so far she's had two baths this week already. It doesn't help that she smeared prunes all over her head since she didn't feel that great during dinner last night. Poor kid.

Abby is getting really good at sitting up and now takes her baths sitting up instead of laying down. This is a great thing because it makes it a lot easier to get her rinsed off without giving her a mouthful of soapy water. And it makes it easier to clean under her little chin, which is impossible if she is laying down. After the water park she is really into swimming, so the bathtub is the perfect place to practice her new skill.

It is going to rain here again today. Hopefully one of these days it will dry out enough so we can take Miss Abigail to the park and get some pictures of the pretty fall leaves. Otherwise our pictures may go straight from beachy summer to snowy winter. That may just be the most realistic view of the weather up here. Hope you all have a wonderful October!!!