The Bravest Ballerina

This day started with Olivia insisting that I call her "Ballerina Gennebee." At 10:00, B.G. had her very first dentist appointment. She had been pretty unsure about the idea for several days leading up, so I told her that if she was very brave, we would go get a treat at Amanda's (our favorite restaurant, which happens to be next door) after her appointment.

She was feeling pretty feisty this morning and marched right in, climbed up in the chair and was actually giving the dental assistant a little "what for."

"What is that for? What are you going to do next?" Why do I have to wear this?" etc., etc.

The idea was that we would do a "happy visit" today to get her used to the office and equipment and if she was doing okay, they'd go ahead and clean her teeth. She was totally calm so they not only cleaned, but did x-rays. She was such a brave little trooper all the way through. I watched closely as they put the little water squirter and the "slurpy straw" in her mouth. Her little lip quivered but she never flinched or cried at all. So many new sights and sounds! By the end of the cleaning, she'd had enough though, and said "I don't want to do this anymore!" and big tears rolled down her cheeks. We opted for a cup of water and a quick rinse at that point instead of any more hoses and air :) She did tell the dentist she was going to be a dancer when she grew up, and when he asked her what she like to dance to, she replied "Music."

Stinkin' Mom forgot her camera so you'll just have to imagine it.

Livi-isms

Some of these go way back, but I need to get them documented...

(while playing with a hair clip in the bathroom...maybe we've been reading too much Old Testament lately :) "...and then God became angry at the clip."

"My shadow looks like I'm eight."

"Got it, girl?" (after giving me lengthy instructions to a game she had just invented.)

Me: "Liv, what are you thinking about?"
Livi: "Uh...whales."

"It smells like poop in here!"

"...heaven cries holy, holy, holy" (singing)

(digging through her box of barrettes and bows) "I want some princess action."

"There's something familiar on my nose."

"Don't cry, Dora! Jesus is here!"

(while "reading" a magazine) "Once upon a time, Jesus and Sponge Bob..."

(Liv, looking at her baby doll) "Your head is plastic!" (then turns to look at Annalie), "You're made out of skin!"

(climbing up on Jason's lap) "Daddy, you're so handsome!"
Jason (chuckling) "Thanks! Where did that come from?"
Liv: "From my heart."

"Here you go. (handing us Play-Doh canisters full of "ice cream") Enjoy your life."

"Are you going to put that on your facebook?" (after she said something funny)

"No, mommy! You can't sing OR shake your bottom!"

"Do princesses wear bandaids?"

"I get the funkies out of my nose and put them in the street!"

"Mom, when Annalie grows into a person, she can eat M&Ms?"

"My brain is too small."

"Mom, I melted down." (after I lectured her for screaming and crying while I was on the phone)

"Naked! That boy's running naked!" (when a jogger without a shirt ran by our house)

"I've got a kitchen. I've got a teaset. I make octopus stew."

Bye, Mom. (pause) High five!

And She's Off!

Watch out Learning Center Preschool, "It's Olivia's big day!" (her words). I hope Mrs. Suzanne and Mrs. Dona are on their toes this morning because she is feeling "great and strong" and "pleasant." For six months, she has asked - almost daily - "When is it time to go to preschool?" It is time. And boy, is she ready!

Sitting pretty (wasn't she just in diapers?!)

Pink sparkly shoes are essential for the first day of preschool.

Princess backpack

Walking into school

and up the stairs to her classroom (give me a break, it's therapeutic ;)

hanging up her backpack

I'm getting impatient trying to load all the photos here. To see the rest, go here.

Here's a little first day of school interview:

Veggie Tastin'

Over the last couple of weeks we've been introducing new foods to little Annalie. She is an old pro at rice and oatmeal cereal by now so it was time to move on to veggies. The first...carrots. She wasn't sure at first but as you can see, she

warmed up to the idea. (Sis even got in on the feeding action).

Annalie gave a little "mmm" of approval for the camera.

And then there was squash. It was so entertaining, I kept giving her bites just so I could record the reaction. Hope these make you all laugh!

Oh kids. They're so funny.
Livi, while "reading" a magazine after dinner this evening,

"Once upon a time, Jesus and Sponge Bob..."

Five Months with Annalie
Our littlest hobbit turned five months old last week. In honor of her first five months of life, I thought I'd share five things we love about our girl...

1. So Happy -- If I had to use one word to describe our little Annalie, it would be "joy." Happiness is serious business to her. She grins, giggles, and blows raspberries so readily...we don't even have to coax them out of her. She almost never fusses. Really. I keep waiting to wake up from this baby dream! She is truly the embodiment of joy!

2. Her Noises -- It's hard to believe that something so adorable could sound so much like a velociraptor. It all started with the squawk. As SOON as she discovered her voice, Annalie began emitting LOUD squawks of delight. It might be while as she watched her sister play in front of her, or it might be at 4:00 a.m. when she woke up and realized just how happy she was! For weeks on end she woke us up at 6:00 a.m. sharp with her "sweet little noises". Ha! The squawk evolved to an ear-splitting squeal and seems to have landed on a growl for now. We'll keep you posted.



3. She's so "Chill" -- This is one laid back baby. It's interesting how early on we were able to pick up on the differences in personality between our girls. Olivia is intense. Annalie is...not. That may help us all maintain some sanity in the days to come:)

4. She loves her lovey. You know Livi and her lovey. Well, finding the perfect lovey for Annalie was of utmost importance. High five to Aunt Laura for stumbling upon the perfect soft, rattle-free (a big priority of mom's -- so it doesn't wake her if she rolls over and shakes it) pink lovey. It is obviously a hit.


5. The ankle twirl -- It's really hard to explain this but it sure makes us laugh. She does it when she's really excited, mostly when she's eating cereal in her high chair. (The phonics lesson in the audio background is a bonus :)



6. This is a bonus -- She has a really great big sister! Olivia continues to be such a loving and gentle big sister. I have NEVER seen her lose patience or get ugly at her sister. I'm sure the day will come, but it has really warmed my heart to see how much she loves Annalie. She is such a big helper too.

That Funny Hobbit
This story has to come from Mommy's perspective - it will be much easier to tell! Livi and I were going through her bedtime routine this evening—read a book, read a bible story, pray, sing a song. Her bible story was Cain and Abel. Each of the stories has a series of questions at the end. The prayer at the end of the story said something like, "God, help me to do things that make you happy." On cue, Liv said,

"Like pick up my toys..."
"Right!" I said "And what else? Does it make God happy when you are kind to your friends."
"Yes," says Liv. "But sometimes people come over to my house and knock me down and hit me!"
"What?!" I exclaimed, ready to call a mother on the phone and have a word. "Who does that?"
"I don't know."
"Olivia, has that happened before?" I demanded.
(long pause)
"Not yet."

This evening found the three of us girls scampering to the basement when the tornado sirens sounded. There was horrible weather all around us but thankfully no tornadoes touched down in Emporia. I had packed up a basket a week or so ago when terrible storms were predicted. We grabbed it on our way down and Livi was thrilled to pass out the snacks I had packed along with blankets and the radio. After a half hour or so crouched on the dirty floor in a dark room shushing Liv so I could hear the radio, I determined we were out of harms way. As we climbed back up the stairs, Livi said

"That was fun down in that little room!"

Babysitter Band

Two afternoons a week, while Mommy works, my babysitter Sara comes to take care of Annalie and me. Sara is so much fun! She is studying to be a teacher so she is very good at helping me learn things. Mom and Dad say she is a "jewel." Sometimes if we read a story that says something about a faraway country, Sara gets out Daddy's atlas and shows me where the country is. One day we made a book. Lots of times we do crafts or play cards or have dance parties. Monday, Sara made a recording on her computer of us singing. Here it is! (Well, Mommy can't get it to upload, so just know that Sara is really cool!)

Music to My Ears
Hi everybody! Sorry it has been so long since I posted...it's been a busy couple of months around our house. I really love having a baby sister! She is lots of fun. There have been lots of milestones in Annalie's life this week! Tonight is night #4 that she has gone to bed around 8:00 and actually gone to sleep! She will sleep 5-6 hours before waking up to eat, eats twice then sleeps until around 8:00 a.m. Go, Annalie! The colic seems to be behind us. We are rejoicing! Now for the REALLY fun milestone! Annalie laughed out loud for the first time today! It was so precious. She and Daddy were playing pat-a-cake and she giggled and giggled. Here's a video.

Mom had lots of fun dolling us up in Jayhawk attire today. I had to go to bed before the game started but I heard lots of yelling from the living room. Rock Chalk! (Congrats Grammy and Aunt Stephie!)