Horn Lessons

The world is her horn. A straw, a hanger, sissy's recorder, and tonight a bath toy. Annalie was SO insistent that her sister "learn" to play along with her.




And, for kicks, a video of Annalie exactly one year ago. Somebody slow this train down!!

It's a special day, it's... GRAMMY'S BIRTHDAY!
And a big one at that!





and now the outakes...

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!)

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland!
Hi everybody. Today we got LOTS of snow! I woke up at 7:30 and immediately asked if we could go play in it. Mom finally gave in about 11:00 and I had a great time tromping around the yard in my snow boots. I even made a snow angel and went down the slipper slide into the snow. It was fun.

Here are some pictures of me helping decorate the "big tree" and me with my own little tree in my room.

Just four more weeks until my baby sister is due. I am so excited! Mom has been bringing stuff down from the attic to get ready for her and I am having a great time playing with everything. Flower has been eating lots of bottles and getting lots of baths in the baby's bath seat.

I said some pretty funny things today. Mom thought we should share:

At lunch, I was having a hard time "focusing". I kept jumping out of my chair and smearing spaghetti everywhere and being kind of a goofball. Finally, Mom lost her patience and told me to straighten up and sit down and eat (or something like that). After a few minutes, I said,

"I'm happy when it's a sunny day and you don't yell at me."

Then tonight while Mom was picking up the house, I found one of my Dora movies. I gasped and said "Hey, Mom! I just realized..." I didn't really quite know where to go from there but Mom thought it was pretty funny that I "realized" whatever it was.

Just a Few Funnies
Hi, everybody! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had lots of fun. We went to my Nana and Grandpa's house in Pittsburg and then to Grammy and Poppy's in Fredonia.

Mom wanted to share a few funny things I said today. We needed some funnies. Mom made me wear panties all day in attempt to finally get me over the potty training hump. I'm not there yet, but getting closer. Anyway, here is what I said (Mom says sometimes she forgets if I'm two or twelve...)


I could tell Mom was getting frustrated with my antics as she wrestled me into a diaper before my nap so I said,

"I'm going to cooperate with you."

As I was sitting at the kitchen table eating oatmeal,

"Hey, Mom! Will you bring me a paper towel so I can wipe the oatmeal off the table?"

And finally, as Mom and I were playing kitchen before bed,

Livi: "I'm going to go get a blanket."
Mom: "Okay."
Livi: "Come with me."
Mom: "No, you can do it."
Livi: "No! I need a friend to come with me." (and after a few seconds) "I want you to come with me because you're my friend."

A couple of other things out of my mouth recently:
"That's interesting."
"I'm going to the pyramids."

Princess for a Day
Whew...what a big day! I was a princess for Halloween and it was LOTS of fun (as you can tell by my grin)



Mom was a princess too...and even my baby sister got in on the act! This afternoon, Mom and I made cookies and we took some to my very favorite neighbors when we went trick or treating. Here I am at their house. And this is me with my babysitter, Natalie (Nat). My friend Clara and her baby brother Noah and I all went together to trick or treat. We had a lot of fun (even if I got a little scared by a pirate right off the bat and Dad had to carry me the rest of the evening). Clara was a ladybug. Isn't she cute? Our neighbors had 60 JACK-O-LANTERNS in their yard!!! Can you believe that?! At the end of the night, we headed home to pass out candy. It sure went fast! Lots of love to you all from the princess!

Mom was proud of me...

I had kind of a cold or something today so I didn't get to go to the nursery tonight like I usually do on Thursdays while Mom and Dad are at Challenge. So, Mom and I took dinner to campus and ate with Dad and then left to run some errands. Yesterday we made caramel corn for the nursery workers so we dropped that off and then Mom said,

"Livi, do you want to go look at shoes or just go home?" I replied emphatically,

"I DO want to go look at shoes, Mommy! I very much want to." (Mom says she has passed on her shopping gene to me) Since we had a few free minutes, we drove to Payless. When we walked in the door, the nice lady asked Mom if she wanted her to measure my feet. I wasn't at all excited about that but she tricked me with Dora and Princess stickers. Mom was shocked to find out my feet measured at almost a 9.5! I guess I take after Mom that way too :) Anyway, Mom needed to look at her size so we went there first and then headed to look at my size. I immediately spotted beautiful pink sparkly glitter shoes with PRINCESSES. I grabbed them and started shouting, "THESE, Mommy. I really want these shoes. Please, Mommy. I want these."

Mom looked at them for a minute and then, bracing for a huge reaction, said "Livi, we came to look for tennis shoes. We really don't need this kind of shoes." I think she was holding her breath but I really don't know why. I just said, "Okay, Mommy," and walked off to look at something else.

When we got to the car, Mom said, "Livi, can I tell you something?" She said she was very proud of me for not throwing a fit and accepting that we couldn't get the princess shoes. I didn't think it was that big of a deal but Mom sure did. We had to stop for gas and Mom let me pick out gummy worms. I think I will always not throw fits!

(the pink sparkly Princess shoes are on my Christmas list now - I just don't know it :)

Some recent Livi-isms...

Monday, when we walked outside to go for a walk,

Livi: "What was that noise?!"
Mom: "I think you heard a bird chirping."
Livi: "I think it was an eagle."


This morning, while we were getting ready to go to bible study,

"Mom, you're not new? You're old?"


To Dad the other day, while they were playing,

"Dad, you want some slime?"
"Slime? From where?"
"From my mouth."

Tonight at bedtime, here's how my prayers went...

Mom: "Dear..."
Me: "Jesus"
Mom: "Thank you for..."
Me: "My curtains and...my baby sister."

Apparantly I've been pretty funny today! Here are just a couple of examples:

Tonight is family night. Mom and I had been talking all week about making mini pizzas and watching "Cars" together. But, when Mom went to get the movie at the library, it wasn't there. Before she went to Blockbuster, she wanted to make sure that was still what I wanted to do, so she said,

"Livi, I have a question. Would you rather go to a special park tonight and play or stay at home and watch the cars movie."

"I would rather go to the special park and THEN watch the cars movie. I want to do both."

Mom and Dad laughed a lot and said I already knew how to negotiate, whatever that means.

Later, we were all playing with Play-Doh, my new favorite thing in the world. My baby sister was kicking a lot so Mom asked if I wanted to feel her moving. I was really pretty busy with my Play-Doh but I said okay. I stuck my hand on her tummy for about one second and said,

"Oh. She feels pretty good."

Here's one from one of my friends Chelsea, who watches me while I'm in the nursery:
"Livi, do you have a stanky diaper?"
"No I don't."
"Livi, are you sure?"
"No!! I'm not livi, I'm Snow White."

Last night as Mom was helping me out of the carseat, I told her "You're always sweet." Then later in the evening, for good measure I said, "You're always cute." I think Mom needs to hear nice things like that when she's feeling big and pregnant.

I have been spending lots of time in the kitchen lately. The other day, Mom was craving sugar cookies, which turned out pretty good for me! They sure are a lot of work but we had lots of fun making them. I loved using the cookie cutters. We ran out time before my nap so Mom had to make the frosting while I was sleeping. When she asked me what color she should make, I said, "Ummm.....silver!"

After my nap, I got to sample our work. Mmmm!

Tuesday night is family night at our house. Because Daddy has to be gone so often in the evenings, we make sure to all be home to do something together on Tuesdays. Last week, we all three made dinner together. Daddy and I made the dessert: cherry crisp!

Very carefully buttering the dish
Helping Dad shake everything into place.

Hi there! It's Livi. Since I'm getting really good at lots of things like talking (nonstop) and counting and playing with babies, I decided it was time for a new activity: blogging! I want to keep everyone (especially Aunt Kellie and Uncle Matt) up to date on what is happening with me. Before long I'll be reporting on the new baby too!

As you can see, I really like to do "crafts". I'm VERY careful with glue, to Mom's amazement. Today Mom and I made pictures with buttons and paper scraps. What fun! When I'm ready for more glue, I say "another squeeze!"

Last weekend was a lot of fun. Grandpa, Nana, Aunt Kimberly and Uncle "Kev" came to visit! We played with puzzles and went on an adventure. Grandpa and Daddy had been reading in the paper about the 8 Wonders of Kansas. When they realized two of them were within 30 minutes of Emporia, our day was planned. We drove to Cottonwood Falls to see the Chase County Courthouse and ate at a yummy place called the Emma Chase Cafe. Then we drove to the Spring Hill Ranch and to see the Tall Grass Prairie. I had lots of fun running around pretending to be "Farmer Livi." I don't think Aunt Kimberly had as much fun as I did! Matt and Kellie, we took a special picture for you.

Daddy's birthday was last week and Mom and I got him a bike trailer. I'm having lots of fun in that thing! Last night we all rode out to a pond and threw rocks in. I could have done that all night!

Well, it's time for lunch so I'll sign off for now. I'll leave you with a few of my famous recent sayings:

(to my doll) "Come on baby. Work with me!"
(on our walk) "It sure is a nice day today!"
"What's that noise?" (when I hear ANYTHING)
"Come on, amigos."
"I have a secret. Bike trailer." (when spilling the beans about Daddy's birthday present)