Really?!?

Today was one of those days where it may have been a good idea not to get out of bed. But since it is almost bedtime again, I guess it can only get better from here. And the weather tomorrow is supposed to be great - so I just keep telling myself tomorrow will be great too.

First Abby decided to help me with the baby afghan I am working on. Her version of helping involved taking my scissors and chopping a big hole right into the center of it. Cool trick, right? So, I had to spend some time taking stitches out far enough back to tie in a piece of yarn and restitch the hole closed. In the amount of time it took me to fix that granny square I could have made two more. I should have known that she'd grab the scissors, but since I need them very frequently for the pattern I had them down next to me.

After I got done dealing with Abby's creativity, Maize decided to get sick and throw up on Abby's doll blanket and zebra toy. It wouldn't have been so bad, but I was on the phone and holding a baby, so I couldn't really grab her and chuck her out the door like I normally do. At least Abby didn't get into the "dog yuckies" and I just was able to grab most of it up on the doll blanket and throw it all away.

And it rained most of the day, so I had a bored out of her gourd little girl. I had to rearrange our furniture because she decided to climb over the back of the futon and walk along the window sills. Not really the best use of the sills and not a safe habit to start once we have the windows open during the summer. I liked the old configuration better, but you have to prevent unnecessary damage to children and window screens any way possible.

Best for last... Abby actually used her potty today, so tonight I put her back on it 2 hours after she had last had a diaper change. She was still dry so I knew she had to go pretty quick. 30 minutes later I gave up and put her diaper back on. I don't think I even had it velcroed before she was peeing in it. I swear this kid will be wearing a diaper to kindergarten. Oh well... then it will be her teachers problem and not mine.

At Home - Day Two

We have survived 48 hours alone (just Steve and I) at home with our two girls and so far I am shocked by how well it has gone. We really haven't had any huge fits or meltdowns from Abby and Olivia hasn't really been inconsolable either. I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop - I hope it is days or weeks down the road, but I'm sure we can't be that lucky with a preemie and an almost 2 year old.

We had a much better night's sleep last night with only about 30 minutes of awake but not feeding time. I have the bassinet arranged so that I can stick my hand into it from bed comfortably, so when Olivia just needs to feel and smell mommy I can let her hold onto a finger or rub her head. I had to lay her next to me for a little while too, but she only needed about 5 minutes of that before she was relaxed enough to get back into her own bed. We are definitely not a co-sleeping family - Steve sleeps too soundly and I sleep to lightly, so between the two of us one is worried about rolling onto a baby and the other doesn't get any sleep with a small person next to them. And the doctor's all said Miss Olivia needs to sleep in her own bed and on her back (just like any other baby) to help prevent apnea and SIDS. We are more than happy to comply.

Abby is still doing great in her role as big sister. She has been very good at following the rules for touching her little sister (no touching her face, no picking her up, etc.) and was very careful to keep Maize away from Olivia while she was in her bouncy seat. Abby also enjoyed a solid hour of time outside with her daddy today. The weather was cold (only 36 degrees) but beautifully sunny, so they went on an adventure around the block and played with Maize in the back yard. And she's been reading books to her daddy and baby sister this afternoon too. She is getting pretty good at having a lot of them memorized. She has also managed to absolutely destroy the playroom since we arrived home. You would never know that someone had it all picked up for us. We may have to have a little cleaning party tonight before bed and make her pick up some of her things. I think she pulled them all out just to make sure they were still here.

Since we've been home things have been pretty quiet, but Steve's office did put together a beautiful diaper cake full of cute things for Olivia (some of which Abby decided she would borrow in the meantime - like some beaded necklaces and bunny rings). As we started to pull it apart (after we took pictures of course), we found surprises hidden inside too. It's nice that Steve has such thoughtful and sweet co-workers. We also had a surprise special delivery for Abby and Olivia last night from Steve's office mate Dave and his family. The girls got two matching outfits, a Beauty and the Beast Barbie doll for Abby (she apparently made them play pretend Beauty and the Beast when they watched her while we were in the hospital the first night) and an Ohio State hat for Olivia. I'm not sure we will let a hat like that onto our beautiful daughter's head, but it was a wonderful surprise and the little outfits are adorable (many pictures to come!).

Whoops!!!

Apparently we aren't quite ready to use our workbook with the dry erase marker. Guess we'll put that away for a few months (and supervise better the next time she is using it!).

Very Messy Lunch Date

Abby played a mean trick on her dad at lunch, right before he had to go back to work. She managed to explode the sippy cup again (she bites the lid and then pulls the cup until it separates). Then, as the picture shows, they both had to have a major change of clothes.

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.

Hurricane Abby

Our house is looking a lot like a mega hurricane hit and I'm not too sure where to start in attacking the mess. I'm sure I had this place pretty much spic and span Friday, so it appears we have one fast mess maker. I guess we will be spending at least part of the next few days cleaning up the messes.

Abby and I took a trip to the library today. She was very excited to be coming home with 3 books. Unfortunately, we were unable to find one of the things I really wanted to pick up - The Lion King. Abby has been obsessed with The Lion King ever since we let her watch some of the songs from the movie on youtube. Unfortunately for her our local movie rental store doesn't have a copy, the library said it has a copy, but it was missing in action, and the movie is currently locked in the Disney vault, so I can't even buy her a new copy. We are heading to Goodwill in a little while for Angel Food, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will have a copy there. If not I guess I will be hitting ebay and half.com later this week.

Abby wore her puffy, fur trimmed coat this morning to play group. She thought she was sure hot stuff. And she had a great time playing with her friends. I'm glad that we have the opportunity to get out and play with other children. It is really helping with her friendliness.

Oh So Helpful

We are having friends over for dinner today, so I have been trying to clean up some of the many messes that seem to appear without any cause. My super helpful helper has been re-making the messes as fast as I can pick them up. What a girl she is. She did learn how to put food back into the bookshelf/pantry today and did help clean up the cans she got out earlier. The bookshelf is a whole new story - she destroys it instantly. I have no idea how I am going to keep the new house clean if she doesn't learn how to put books back into the shelf soon. There will be books strewn all over that place.

I really think Abby broke my nose last Tuesday night when she accidentally headbutted me in the face at full speed. We both got it pretty bad that night, but I have had a headache pretty much constantly since then, including some congestion in my sinuses and sensitivity to smells. Luckily my nose didn't swell or get crooked, so hopefully whatever is bothering my face will work itself out fast. And hopefully Abby can learn some better body control when diving in for a hug.

Tomorrow is Friday :-) We are very exciting for a weekend to relax and start the massive packing project.

Biohazzard!

We are in the midst of a terrible round of the stomach flu. Abigail went from playing and happy to blowing chunks of nastiness out both ends. I'll spare you any more detail, just think of the worst thing you've ever seen or smelled and double it. It was a pretty nasty night last night. And it hasn't really let up much today either. We are on to outfit number four for today so far. Yuck. And boy does this house stink!

If Miss Abigail gets to feeling better she and I are going to try and make it down to Hastings to attend Courtnie's two showers over the weekend. We wouldn't be leaving until Saturday and then would be making a quick trip back here, since Abby just can't bear being away from Daddy that long. We will have to see - I will definitely not be driving down if we have continued diaper explosions! Changing clothes is one thing, changing car seats mid-trip isn't really an option.

And so, I will now be back to the washing, scrubbing, and disinfecting. We are wishing and hoping health for all your family!

The Infamous Laundry Theif Stands Again