The Scene at Eight19

Slumber party

2012-01-31T09:29:00.000-06:00

Back in December (December 10th), Mirabella had her first sleep over in her big girl bed with her friend Nora as the special guest. Actually, it was a slumber party of eight with Pete, Leah and Henry spending the night too! The kids exchanged gifts while the adults spent well-deserved time catching up and cocktailing. Minus the fact that we were still hearing from two giddy girls in the 11 o'clock hour, things went pretty well!

And while I'm on the subject of December, I still have a Christmas post to get up! This week, I hope.

Special treat: snow!

2012-01-29T16:18:00.000-06:00

Roll it, and pat it, and mark it with an M & V

2012-01-23T12:58:00.000-06:00

It was an all day affair (Thursday, January 5th) when I set out to make cinnamon rolls, dredged in maple icing fit for the sweetest tooth. It was my second time doing it, but this time, I had a couple eager helpers for part of the day. Mirabella and Viviana were having the greatest time playing the parts of little bakers!

It is quite a project, but when the process is over and there are 100 something rolls spread through my kitchen, I feel a sense of accomplishment. The entire house smelled so doughy, so buttery, sugary sweet! We girls had to reward ourselves with one right out of the oven. The rest headed for the freezer, maybe to fill some of your bellies in the days and months to come. At least you'll know they were made with a whole lot of love!

Patting out the dough

Taking turns rolling out the dough (I finally got myself a real rolling pin after this experience, so next time will hopefully go a little smoother!)

Time to add cinnamon to all that buttery mess!

Playing in the cinnamon, sugar and butter mixture

Looks like the dough is ready to roll up and cut...

...and then it's time to start all over again!

Taking in the aroma

Minus the icing that awaits, it's still a masterpiece as far as the bakers are concerned!

Time for Vivi to take sniff

Who wouldn't want a cinnamon roll made from all this sweetness?

Christmas toes

2012-01-17T10:12:00.001-06:00

December 16th became a mini spa day in our bathroom when Mirabella and Viviana got their toenails painted for the first time! They thought it was just about the coolest thing and it was fun for me to do too. When I was painting my own nails with a highly attentive audience, I asked them if they wanted their toes painted like mine. They were very excited, and to my surprise (definitely with Viviana), the two of them sat entirely still for their special treatment. Christmas toes became the name for their new crimson tootsies. They were so proud to show their Christmas toes to everyone they could!

Mirabella's toes

Vivi's toes

A day at the park. In January!

2012-01-13T15:02:00.000-06:00

Temps in the 40s in January! It was even in the low 50s on Tuesday. We could get used to this. These are from Monday (Monday, Januaray 9th) when we had to get outside to one the girls' favorite places.

The unseasonably warm temperatures definitely make today, currently 13 degrees where we are, seem almost unbearable. (Although I suppose that seems unbearable to many outside of the midwest-and maybe even to some who live here-regardless!) What a strange week. Back up to the low 40s on Sunday!

Noelan turns 8!

2012-01-12T13:48:00.004-06:00

Tough to believe, but our nephew Noelan is now an 8 year old. We had a big spaghetti dinner together as a family over at his house on the night of his birthday, December 13th.

Thanksgiving 2011 (but, happy 2012!)

2012-01-09T16:20:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year! So yes, it is 2012, but I have a lot of catching up to do yet from 2011. Today, it's Thanksgiving on the to do list! Both Jeff's immediate family and mine came together to celebrate the holiday at our house. This year was even more fun with the addition of our friends Brent, Kristin, Maddie, Jack and Parker. It was extra special since it was our godson Parker's first Thanksgiving!

Vince took care of the bird and she (or is it a he?) was so beautiful...and tasty!

Everyone helped with the meal and we had a feast!

Jeff and Brent had all the kids (except for Parker who got the lucky end of the deal hanging inside with the ladies) in the hot tub after dinner. It looked like quite a highlight for the kids! It was gorgeous outside. We even had the windows open at several points throughout the day and night.

All dried off, jammied up and...

...ready for a movie (and a snuggle for Noelan and Maddie)! Such a great time.

Pre-holiday photos and post, post-holiday

2011-12-28T18:25:00.000-06:00

Yawn. Christmas is over and we're exhausted! It was very nice, but after all the hustle and bustle, I feel behind on life and can't seem to get caught up! I started this post at the beginning of the month, but like with many things lately, it sat unfinished until I could find some spare time. Spare time, what the heck is that? Allocated time is more like it. If the time was spare, I'd be napping along with my girls right now!

At one (20 months) and two (33 months), Viviana and Mirabella are happy, goofy, angelic, funny, wild, affectionate, giggly, independent and sweet...and sometimes everything opposite of each of those adjectives!

With each day, we never know what we are going to get. There are good days and bad days. The bad days are relative, but a few weeks ago these two were giving me a run for my money daily. For about a week. I shut (locked) myself in my bathroom more than a couple times to regroup for a few minutes. There were days of constant fighting, tantrums and screaming. They were testing each other as much as they were testing me. I am beyond happy that little phase of continuous (can I say terrorizing? No? OK.) madness passed and I am considering myself a sane mama again. This week, anyway! Mostly though, these girls could not be any more lovely. They share with each other, take nice turns, kiss and hug each other, do nice things for the other and try very hard to please each other. But, they are toddlers and toddlers are by all definitions, insane! And at times, terrible. I say that in the nicest way possible.

Mirabella has mastered potty training and has done so wonderfully, really since the day she started back in early October. She was wearing underwear out not long after she began the process and for quite a while has only worn Pull-Ups (actually Easy Ups if I am being accurate) for nap and bed times. Many times they are dry when she wakes up! She has yet to go #2 in them since she started potty training either, which is also pretty great, and hopefully she'll continue that roll. We never depend on her Dora toilet ring insert anymore (mostly because at first I'd forget it in the car, and now I just leave it at home!); Mirabella is great at plopping down on any toilet, she just needs to be held up to keep from falling in. What a gross thought! She loves wearing undies and obliged me in taking a photo of the first real pair she ever wore: purple (her favorite color) with butterflies and guitars on them.

Our friend Matt had been luring Mirabella into potty training well before she stared with the promise of a special Dairy Queen treat. On Monday, October 24th, the wait was over and Matt and Mary scooped up Mirabella for a scoop of her own! Or in Mirabella's case, a StarKiss was her preference. She loved every second of that trip, and the lead up to it. Thank you, Matt!

While we're on the subject of the Smiths, one of Mirabella's BFF's had a recent birthday, and Mirabella couldn't wait for Mary to come over to open her presents! She was getting too sleepy as she waited for Mary to stop by after being out for dinner, so we put her to bed, but couldn't resist waking her up 15 minutes later when she arrived. Mirabella was half asleep in that short time, but quickly grabbed a second wind and was full of excitement!

Mirabella's vocabulary grows every day and the things she comes up with amaze us and make us laugh. As well as she speaks, I just love hanging onto the things she says incorrectly that I do not want to correct, but should. Opameal (instead of oatmeal, once uponta time (when she begins to "read" a story) and don't let the bug beds bite (as we tuck her into bed) are a few of my favorites.

Ever the big sister, Mirabella likes to point out all the things she can do, but that Viviana can't. "When Vivi turns two, she can have (insert whatever Mirabella thinks Viviana is to young for)." She doesn't do it with malice, she simply likes to remind us how big she is and that Vivi is a baby, according to her. She will make an excellent mother someday and very much enjoys taking care of Viviana like she is one of her most prized baby dolls. It is something the two of them reciprocate. If Vivi cries (if it is for a reason that Mirabella did not cause!), Mirabella will quickly bring her a toy to calm her. If it's Mirabella that's crying, Viviana will rub her head or arm to comfort her.

First curls in her hair, just for fun.

Viviana is equally as sweet as naughtly lately. When she is good, she is the best and when she is not good, she is very, very naughty. Her extrememly bad habit is hitting and in the past several weeks, she has been doing it way too much. Mirabella started in on the temper tantrums at 19 months and it's pretty much right on track again with Vivi. Her flailing, out of control body, screaming on the floor seems so much tinier than Mirabella's did. I'm not ready for this, but the unruliness has begun. Although the phrases she says the most are, "Sorry, Mommy," (for very good reason usually!) and "Thank you, Mama," (she says thank you all the time, most times followed by whoever's name she wishes to thank, which we adore!) and she is so darn cute and lovable when she is being her true self. The hugs and kisses she gives are given often, and they are such precious moments we savour. Vivi is especially good at manners and please is one of her most used word.

One of Vivi's favorite things to do is sing. Happy Birthday has been her very favorite, I'd say for a couple of months, and she sings it perfectly! She is getting darn good at her ABCs and tries to sing along with just about any song she can. I am often surprised at how many words she knows to particular songs, and that she can even get the tune correct.

Viviana also loves to dance, jump (about a month or so ago her feet finally left the ground), talk (gab and blab), count (1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10...this is a test, did you pass? Vivi almost always skips the 4 and cheers when she gets to 10 because that's what we do), scream (in excitement), smooch, hug with the widest arms to start and the tightest grib to finish, get herself dressed (partially, anyway!), put on her sister's underwear, be independent ("Nooo, Vivi do it!"), eat (six teeth on top and now six on the bottom really help with that), and antagonize! When she is not being her cute little self, she quite fancies taunting her sister and doing the opposite of whatever it is we are saying no to. "Don't climb on there, Vivi." She climbs faster. And higher.

Here Vivi is standing on the table. Nothing like taking a photo to discourage the behavior!

Mirabella was wearing bows of some sort since she was a baby, but with the exception of a forced photo opportunity or two, it took Viviana about 19 months to get one in! It was a sneak attack and she hasn't kept one in since!

Viviana's morning nap has retired and I think the process of dropping that is partially to blame for why things were so off around her a few weeks ago. Now that she is more used to a one nap routine, things have calmed. Now there is more time during the day to play!

On any given day, our house will be a mess of stickers. It is not uncommon to find stickers on our socks before we turn in for the night, not to mention in both girls' hair. Viviana is usually the willing victim of the sticker attacks by her sister.

(Notice the sticker on her arm, below)

We have been keeping a routine of storytimes at one of the two closest library branches to our house or Toddler Tuesdays at the Mall of America on Tuesdays mornings (and some Fridays in Eden Prairie), but here the girls sport their PJs for a special Thursday (Thursday, November 17th) pajama storytime at the Savage library. Books are read, sometimes songs are sung, and it always concludes with cookies and milk, Mirabella's and Viviana's favorite part.

11.11.11 seemed like a lucky day, so we had a playdate at our house! Maddie, Nora, Josie, Jack, Henry and Parker, along with their mamas, joined us for a day full of fun.

If you haven't noticed, this is Viviana's signature smile these days...eyes half closed with a cheesy grin!

There, now I can relax for a few days! Holiday photos to come! Some day.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T15:54:00.002-06:00

36th

2011-12-02T13:56:00.001-06:00

Jeff turned 36 on November 7th and we had a few parties in his honor. The first was at Vince and Tricia's...

(He still had to have the birthday glass, even though he opted out of having a martini)

...the second party was a party of four on Jeff's actual birthday with a quiet dinner and night at home, as per the birthday boy's wishes. Typical look from Jeff below when I ask for a smile. What a bother. Gee, you're fun!

The festivities were split for the third party between Jeff and Tanya, whose birthday also falls in November and who celebrated the same number of years.

A toast! To the best 36th year ahead, for both of you. Cheers!

September. October. November.

2011-11-22T16:54:00.001-06:00

Fall has been absolutely gorgeous where we live and we have been all over the place. Between birthday parties, playing around outside and Halloween, there has been no shortage of good times around here! Below are some highlights of what we have been up to.

September 7th marked Vince's birthday, but we did his birthday dinner early because he was going to be out of town. Here are a few photos from that night.

Click here for a video

My aunt, Jody, and my friend, Ali, were married on 9.10.11. I guess I should clarify, not to each other! I was able to attend Ali and Dave's ceremony and cocktail hour before spending the rest of the night with Jeff and the rest of my family at Jody and Jeff's reception. Both events were lovely!

On Saturday, September 17th, the four of us went to my godson Henry's first birthday party! He was such a sweet guest of honor at the big bash and we all had a great time helping him ring in the milestone. First birthdays are incredibly special, but they are so bittersweet, serving as a reminder of how fast that year flies by.

My godbabies, Henry and Parker

Big sis, Nora, with her lil' bro

The Olson kiddos

Mak and Mirabella

Click here to see the party singing to Henry

Only fitting that the day should end with the birthday boy in his birthday suit!

On Wednesday, September 21st, Mirabella, Viviana and I had our neighbor, Patch (Patrick), over for dinner for his 18th birthday! Jeff was out of town, as was Patch's dad (Matt), and his mom (Mary) had a commitment that night, so it was just the four of us. The girls adore him, as you'll see by the videos below. He is the nicest guy ever to them and they were such happy girls from the beginning to the end of his birthday visit. He and his family have been in our girls' lives since birth, and I know they will be in them forever.

I couldn't resist getting this avid hunter a camouflage hat complete with mustache and beard attached. The thing was hilarious, and if I may add, quite practical! I thought if anyone would appreciate this goofy gift, it'd be Patch!

Click here to see Patch and the girls doing Ring Around the Rosie

Click here for more Ring Around the Rosie

Click here to see us singing (terribly!) to Patch

Click here to see more fun with Patch

Earlier that day, we went out for ice cream in the spirit of Patch's birthday. Or maybe it was because I just felt like ice cream and convinced Mirabella and Viviana they felt like it along with me. However, Patrick's birthday would have been a good excuse too!

Click here to see the ice cream cones being devoured

It was the annual customer appreciation event for Edina Realty at Utley Park on Saturday, October 8th. Nana met us there and I just love this photo of her with Viviana.

Viviana was afraid to ride the pony, but Mirabella couldn't wait! She did great!

Click here for a video of the pony ride

Click here to see Mirabella riding the pony

In awe of the princess

We had a visitor arrive at our house with a bang-literally-on Saturday, October 15th while we were eating breakfast. The poor creature, that we referred to as a male owl (that we were whoo-whoo-whooing to!), flew into our patio door and we were convinced he was a goner. Five minutes later, its head peered up! We found out later from the Raptor Center, who we called for a rescue, that it was a female red-tailed hawk.

Click here for a video

It was the anniversaries of Mirabella's (10/11) and Viviana's (10/10) baptisms, so at the end of the third weekend in October, we took some time out to remember the days.

A week and a half before Halloween (Friday, October 21st), the girls and I went up to Grandma's work where they all took part in a Halloween decorating contest at their office. Mirabella and Viviana loved it! Here are a few photos from the morning before we left.

(The knee highs were replaced by tights before leaving the house)

On Saturday, October 22nd we took our second annual trip as a family of four to the apple orchard. We packed up for a longer road trip only to find out (luckily before we left our driveway) that our destination was closed for the season. So, we ended up at Minnesota Harvest 15 minutes from our house.

Another pony ride for Mirabella (and another time Viviana was too scared to ride!)

Click here for a video of the pony ride

The day was perfect, fortunately also for the bride and groom, Laurie and Steve, whose wedding Jeff and I had the greatest time at that evening!

Jackie also had a milestone birthday this year: the big 3-0! We had dinner with her on Sunday, October 23rd. I kept calling it her golden birthday, as you'll see a glimpse of in the video below, even thought that was actually last year. Duh!

Click here for the birthday tunes

Halloween this year started with an early jaunt around our street for trick-or-treating, which the girls enjoyed very much. Nana came over to check out the costumes; Mirabella was a pink poodle (thanks to Jeff's aunt Bee who couldn't resist picking it up and sending all the way from Maine!) and Viviana was a monkey, fitting thanks to her love of bananas and goofy personality. We made it to less than 10 houses, but somehow it still took us about an hour! They were having such a good time, and it continued at home while they both (very generously!) passed out candy. There were ear to ear smiles on the two of them every time the doorbell rang.

First stop: the Smith house where they were each spoiled with an entire gift bag!

It's almost time to call it a night, but not before running into Patch for happy Halloween hugs!

On Wednesday, November 3rd, we took advantage of the beaming sun and played outside in the leaves before taking a trip to the park.

Just last weekend (Saturday, November 19th), Mirabella and Viviana had the pleasure of attending their first Pump it Up party for their friend Maddie's 6th birthday. What a treat that was! I was thinking they'd need my help, or be apprehensive about going on the big inflatables, especially the slides; boy was I wrong!

Click here for a video

Garden, I will miss you (and so will my little gardener), but what a fall we have had! I was still getting vegetables for most of it, and even in late November, thyme and rosemary are fairly plentiful.

Click here for a video of us delivering some of our garden veggies

It'll be sad to see the season come to a close, but it has been fabulous. Now, could someone please head over and remove my snow covered mums and pumpkins and replace them with a couple glorious spuce tippy types of arrangements before the dirt in my urns freezes? Feel free to string up a few strands of Christmas lights too. With last Saturday's snowfall, it's quickly starting to feel like winter!

But first, happy Thanksgiving!

(Jeff's birthday photos are to come.)

Sister friends

2011-11-11T15:04:00.001-06:00

There is plenty of taunting, teasing and terrorizing going on with these two lately, so it's fun to look at photos like these when all looks carefree and smooth!

Snack time! Their favorite time.

Growing dinosaurs!

Whenever Mirabella says she has to go potty, Viviana edges her out and thinks she is so cute. She's a little weasle, that one! Quite the instigator and button pusher when it comes to getting to her big sister right now. I thought Vivi's obsession with the potty chair could eventually mean she'd be getting ready to actually use the thing at an early age. Then she peed on me while I was getting her into the bath. So, yeah, now is not the time.

So excited for you to come home...

2011-11-07T10:27:00.000-06:00

...so we can continue celebrating your birthday!

Happy birthday to you, Jeff (...and to you, Daddy)!

32 months old today

2011-11-01T17:06:00.002-05:00

Potty trainer!

2011-10-20T21:07:00.000-05:00

Big news: it's been one week of potty training at our house and Mirabella is doing fabulously!

For almost a week before she started, after one of the many times I had talked to her about the need to start going potty on her potty chair, she said, "I'm going to start going in my potty chair. I will do it soon." I asked when she was going to start and she replied, "I'm going to start on...Thursday." I think it was a Friday when she said it the first time, and then almost every day after it came up with the same response about starting on Thursday. Of course I tried to pull the wool over her eyes and tell her it was Thursday that Saturday, the day after she said it the first time, but she didn't buy it. So, I waited patiently, and finally it was Thursday (Thursday, October 13th, at 31 months old). And low and behold, it was indeed the day potty training officially started in full force for Mirabella!

We tried right away in the morning when I practically shouted from the roof tops, "It's Thursday! It's time to start going potty in your potty chair!" She was apprehensive, as if what she had promised had really hit her. She didn't go right after waking up, but after breakfast, I brought her potty chair downstairs and had her try again while we were playing. We sat for a while, I even told her I'd go too and then I saw the big smile as she said excitedly, "I'm doing it! I'm doing it!" Yay! I was a tad more excited than she was I'm sure. She earned two candy corns, one for pee and one for...poop! We rewarded her with a small treat (an M & M, a bite of a full sized, fancy candy bar) in this way every time for the first two days, but by Saturday, she kind of let it go. She only thinks of it once in a while now, but if there is something on her radar, she won't hesitate to say so.

Showing off her candy corns

Taking her time enjoying every last morsel

I kept telling her how proud everyone was going to be of her, how we had to tell this person and that person and they were going to be so happy. When we were tooling around the aisles later that day at Target, she said, "Everyone at Target is so proud I'm going potty in my potty chair." They were the cutest words coming out of her mouth.

A diaper hasn't hit her bottom since that day. She wears training pants while we are home, Pull-ups in public and for nap and bed times. While we are out, she is encouraged not to go potty in the Pull-ups and she has only had wet ones a few times this week. Her trainers are staying dry for the most part at home too; the handful of accidents have all been pee, and seemed to be explained by being overly excited or startled (after playing Hide and Go Seek, for instance) or being overly upset (after sitting in time out, for instance). Three full days since she started, there were no accidents (no wetness in a trainer or Pull-up) from morning to night.

To our surprise, she was going potty in the public restroom - with her little Dora training ring that fits in the big toilet seat - by Saturday, just two days after starting the endeavor (in a Gustavus college dorm public bathroom while we were there watching a soccer game, no less)! Very impressive to us.

Showing off her training pants

We're still at the asking her dozens of times a day if she has to go phase, but things are progressing well. While Mirabella doesn't often initiate going potty herself yet, she is great about going to try when we tell her to. More often than not, it produces results! She has been eager recently to trade in the trainers with plastic lining for just the cotton ones, and we've let her try that two or three times, once unsuccessfully. She can't wait for the big girl undies to come out of the drawer and become a permanent part of her wardrobe. If she keeps up this good work, that will become reality soon.

Hooray for Mirabella!

PS. Here are a few funny excerpts from when she and Jeff were in the bathroom going #2:

"I went a little one and now I'm going to go a big one. The music will play when I go a big one."
"Look! It's like a cookie! It's like a frog. It's kind of like a frog or a cookie."
And then a second one came and she said, "Look! I'm doin' it! It's hangin'. I'm gonna poooosh it out and I'm not gonna touch it. I did it! I did it! I go a big one! I'm gonna go some more." She didn't.

While discussing using the big, public toilets before she had used them she said to me:

"When you're not holding me, I will sooo drown." A lot of reassurance was given that this was not going to be the case.

Viviana at 18 months

2011-10-18T16:42:00.001-05:00

Our baby is one and a half and going, going and going! Viviana is on the move always, hardly ever taking a moment to just sit and be. We've resumed going to toddler storytimes this fall (after family storytime ended towards the end of summer) and Viviana is the kid who never wants to sit, especially when everyone is supposed to be and when everyone else is following those directions perfectly. Mostly when she is on the move outside of the library, she is chasing Mirabella, wanting to be involved with or in the middle of whatever she is. The little trot she has as she follows her big sister around makes us smile every time.

Surely Mirabella has a hand in how much she talks too. Vivi knows so many words! She has started putting together two and three words together and last night, responded with a, "What? (as in what's wrong) when I said ouch after hitting my thumb, torn up from an incident at the golf course, while changing her diaper. It doesn't seem like much writing it, but I think what it was was that it was so conversational, and unexpected. Jeff walked by as it happened and we both gave each other a look of disbelief that it was coming from her. She also recently started to say, "Bless you," after we sneeze. On the subject of words, it was always a favorite thing of mine with Mirabella, hearing the new ones during the change of seasons. Viviana's new favorite word is pumpkin, which she yells everytime she sees one. It went from sounding like pukkah to punkah to punkahn to punkin. She has figured out the use of plurals and now two banana has become two bananas, paci...two!...has become two pacies.

The garbage can belly on this child never gets full. Vivi never turns away food and as long as there is some in front of her, she is happy. A slightly scary habit she has is to hoard food in her right cheek like a little chipmunk. It might be an hour after mealtime and we'll find her chewing on something that should have been swallowed an hour prior! She's got plenty of teeth now to help her with the food obsession. There are many on top (six) and a few weeks ago, the third bottom one next to the two in the center finally came through. Right after, a bottom molar came through, making the total on the bottom four. Fortunately, we have had no teething issues.

The day Viviana turned 18 months (Wednesday, October 5th) the girls and I packed up and made our way to the beach! The beach, in October! Those words combined don't happen very often around here. The girls were both getting over colds, but it was just too nice not to take full advantage of the gorgeous day. It was a record breaking temp at 88 degrees; 87 was in the lead since 1879, over a century ago!

Thursday, October 6th we had Viviana's 18 month check up. Is it sad I'm a little jealous of Viviana's physical stats? Well, I guess I don't wish I was shy of three feet tall, nor less than the legal drinking age in pounds, but tall and skinny sounds good to me! Viviana weighs 20 pounds 14 ounces (a mere 7th %tile) and is 33.3 inches tall (a whopping 90th %tile). Head circumference is 18.2 (41st %tile).

Vivi was very accommodating to Dr. Judy during the appointment and had no problems being prodded. It went fabulously...until it came time to be poked.

Two babies!

Poor Mirabella had no idea that Dr. Judy would suggest she get her flu shot while there too. Aw, man! Fortunately, she did wonderfully; she wimpered for a couple seconds when the needle went in, but that was it. No crying!

Mirabella did a great job staying entertained (and was oblivious to the fact that a shot for her awaited)

Nezzie got to come along

Mirabella LOVES cameras and took this one of me from my phone!

Oh no, what's coming?

It was time for Viviana's DTaP/DTP/DT and flu shot. Two shots and she was a mess. She cried harder and for a longer period of time than she has ever done in the past. We felt so sad for her! She did not like having the Band-Aid on her arm either and in the car before we could go anywhere, she insisted it come off.

At last, it is time to play!

We just love every (slight) ounce of our sweet, smiley, kissy, huggy - and sometimes tempermental - girl!

The next three photos will be among the last of Vivi with just two bottom teeth showing.

Updates to the cling, cling post

2011-10-13T18:10:00.001-05:00

If anyone wants to check out a few more photos and tidbits from our anniversary day and night, click here for the updates.

A day's evolution of toddler sisterhood

2011-10-12T16:15:00.000-05:00

Cling, cling!

2011-10-07T11:31:00.001-05:00

Cheers! To us! We're celebrating five years of wedded bliss today!

The day's similarities to our wedding day are apparent: the sun is shining brightly (though today's clouds play hide and seek with it some), the temperature is climbing (80 degrees for the high) and the wind is blowing swiftly. It's beautiful, just as the last five years have been having Jeff as my husband. I couldn't mean the words more today than I did at the start of our marriage when I say that having him as my partner makes me the happiest, luckiest, most grateful person.

We've planned a low key evening at home with Mirabella and Viviana, which sounded absolutely perfect to us. Can't wait to feast on grilled kabobs, caprese, rosemary au gratin potatoes, followed by molten chocolate lava cakes with vanilla ice cream for dessert, by far the girls' favorite part. We're breaking out the fancy wine too! Oh, and I forgot to mention the morning started with Caribou coffee in bed, courtesy of that hubby of mine. Mmm. It's a joyous day for sure.

I love you so much, my love. Happy 5th anniversary!

By your side, always.

Update: Later in the morning the day of our anniversary, Papa stopped by with some special treats for the girls and a bottle of wine and a card for Jeff and me from my parents. So nice!

After Papa's visit, the girls and I took a fun trip to the indoor park at the mall. Watch a little video of our park visit here.

After naps, it was finally time for Daddy to come home! The girls got to open a package from Aunt Bee with lots of fun stuff for Halloween, belts, some clothes, and more. Here they are testing out their new flashlight and clown wig.

We had the best time playing with our girls while enjoying a little happy hour for ourselves.

Time for dessert!

After jammies get on, Mirabella gets to do one last thing before bedtime: blow out the candles.

Check out Mirabella blowing out the candles here.

Our one and a half year old

2011-10-05T11:05:00.000-05:00

Viviana is 18 months old today! We love you so much, baby girl.

Cousins' zoo trip

2011-10-03T16:02:00.000-05:00

Back at the end of August (Wednesday, August 24th), Tanya and I took Noelan, Mirabella and Viviana to the MN Zoo. It was beautiful outside and the kids very much enjoyed running around together. The girls just adore their cousin, and Noelan could not be any sweeter to the two of them.

Reminiscent of our first ever trip to the zoo last year, we spent a lot of time with the goats!

As we began our walk back to exit the zoo, we came across another little visitor.

Baby girl (times two sometimes), big girl

2011-09-13T18:42:00.000-05:00

First off, how was it 90 degrees yesterday and today, 70? I suppose living in Minnesota, nothing is atypical, but fall, it is a-comin', and quickly. Good thing I love the fall, but summer came and went in what felt like the blink of an eye. I actually found myself writing down some Christmas gift ideas over the weekend. Does everything - aside from going to the dentist - just seem to move too fast?

That is definitely how I feel about the growth of two certain toddlers, 17 months (as of September 5th) and 2 1/2 (as of September 1st).

I almost have to remind myself that Viviana is actually considered a toddler now; I cannot stop thinking of her as a baby. It's purely emotional for me, not because she really acts like a baby anymore at all. She is noticably more grown up every single day and is indeed, a full-fledged toddler. Although, there are a few things keeping her little in my eyes, and I kind of think I may have a tougher time with her letting those things go than she will. The first of those is that Viviana established a bedtime routine last month that she has been rigid about sticking to: in addition to her pacifier, she is also sleeping with a blankie and baby doll. Likewise with Mirabella at the same age, Viviana has loved sleeping in a sleep sack, so the actual need for a blanket wasn't much necessary. When Vivi moved into the crib downstairs though, I started putting a blanket in with her. Before she fell asleep it would wind up on the floor, but she liked to start out with it over her. Sometimes we find it on the floor now, but more often than not, it is becoming a permanent resident in her crib. Mirabella became attached to dolls at around a year, something I have attributed to the expected arrival of a new baby when she was still so young. This wasn't entirely the case with Viviana. She likes dolls quite a bit, and plays with them, but it wasn't until last month that she became attached to one. Eunice. Yep, Eunice, after my grandma. It seemed only fitting since Mirabella's doll of the same sort's name became Betty, after Jeff's grandmother. Having the attachment of the paci, blanket and dolly has actually helped Viviana get excited for bed! She may not love the idea of going to bed at first, until the light bulb goes on that it's now time for, "Paci!...Blankie!...Niss! (can't quite make out Eunice yet)" which she says now every time before she heads to bed. One other thing that has been serving as a reminder that Vivi is still my baby is that almost every time I am sitting on the floor, my lap is her place for plopping down in. I love feeling like I'm her little safety net, even though she doesn't always seem to need me anymore.

Viviana has recently started to figure out nodding her head for yes, and it is the cutest that it seems like it takes so much effort! It's like her head is going through the thickest syrup as it slowly goes up...and then down. She smiles so proudly at the act. She is the most eager to learn how to jump right now, but doesn't care much that currently her feet aren't leaving the ground. She acts like they are though as her entire body besides them goes somewhat out of control. Then she laughs and laughs like she has done something really cool. There is a new obsession with shoes, but not the one she has had previously with her own. This new obsession with shoes involves wearing anyone else's, as long as they are too big for her.

My last note about Vivi is that there is this newfound sweet concern for Mirabella. It's a role reversal of sorts since this is how Mirabella has been treating Viviana for a long time. Maybe Vivi has just picked up on it and is reciprocating, but she wants to make sure Mirabella is always taken care of and accounted for. For example, if we take Vivi out of the car first, her expression changes as she gets closer to going in the house. "Sissy!" she'll say, making sure sissy doesn't get left behind.

Immensely wanting to skip over the fact (but obviously I cannot) that Mirabella had one of the worst temper tantrums at Target yesterday, and then again at our house later that day, she is a lovely two and a half year old. Immediately after her tantrums, I almost always feel terrible for letting myself get so worked up inside. But in the moment, blood boils. Hot. Then after, she is so nice and her actions and words become such sweet ones. She knows she has done wrong, and will say she is sorry, but more than that, I think she really, really feels badly and takes it to heart. That doesn't help in the heat of the moment, however, but it does help to calm the situation.

At Target after she became rational again, I allowed Viviana to have a snack, but Mirabella's was taken away because of her behavior. Instead of taking some of the snack that Vivi was offering her, Mirabella asked me first, knowing my answer would be no. Vivi then offered her part of the snack every time she had one, and Mirabella without a pause would say, "No thanks, Viviana." A bit later she comes with, "After I get to be a good girl, may I have a snack from Vivi, please? I answered by saying yes to which she replied, "I'll be a good girl again soon." It kind of breaks my heart a little when she says things like that. I never want her to think she is a bad girl, but what is there to do when these precious babies really are behaving so horribly? I have to tell her she is being naughty, don't I? How do you even function when your child is screaming (and she has the loudest scream EVER - seriously!) in the middle of the Target when all you can picture to do is throw a 29 ounce can of diced tomatoes as hard as you can down the aisle? OK, I didn't do that, but can any of you feel me that I could imagine doing it? UGH! My ride home was consumed by thoughts of Supernanny and what advice she would have given me, though I have never watched the show and have no familiarity with the woman. We've had a tantrum-free period (not to be confused with scream-free) for a couple weeks (save maybe one) and life was grand. I hope they aren't flaring up again; I'd like to tell myself that yesterday was just an off day.

A few weeks ago I received an email update about what to expect at Mirabella's age and right there plain as day the topic was regression. That is how I have been feeling about the potty training. For as much as Mirabella wants to act like a big girl, and as much as she verbally reminds us that she is a big girl, she has regressed lately about some things, the main one being her resistance to the potty chair. She concurs with us as we talk about being out of diapers, but in practice, it's another story. At times, she could not be more disinterested in the thing. Similarly, she'll ask for a baby blanket, specifically in those words, or ask for a baby cup, etc. A great eater from about the time she started eating finger foods, Mirabella has slowed down and become pokey. If she really, really loves something on her plate, this isn't the case, but if not, we have to get on her about it. Along the regression lines, she's been asking us to feed her to help along sometimes. It's strange because this regression into babyhood doesn't happen all the time; in most cases she wants desperately to be a big girl and wants the big girl whatever but recently, the baby whatever has been talked about also. Tomorrow will be Mirabella's first day trying out pull-ups. I'm curious to see if Dora has any pull (no pun intended) when it comes to potty training around here. I'm still under the theory of not rushing her into it - I do not want to pull my hair out potty training for six months because she wasn't ready when I started to push - but an interest on her part would be welcomed.

Mirabella's singing is so cute to listen to, and recently she has started to put her own twist on things. She especially loves using Viviana (or at least her name) for material. "Vi-vi-a-na-Vi-vi-a-na," she'll sing to the tune of the ABCs/Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and, "Old MacDonald had a Vivi, E-I-E-I-O," is also on the list. Sometimes it's not so nice when it's, "Vi-vi don't bother me..." to the tune of Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me, or, "Vi-vi go away come back another day," instead of Rain, Rain Go Away. It's still pretty cute though, but of course we let her know the latter two are not nice. Politeness is something Mirabella has done well with, and she has excused herself, mostly with prompting by us, after a toot or burp for a very long time. Probably over a month ago, she started excusing herself much more without us asking her to, but it became one quick phrase, "I toot, excuse me!" usually with a smile. It's funny. Mirabella has her terrible two toddler moments, but the darling, sugary little person she is completely outweighs every one of them.

Looks like we know why Viviana started her fixation with shoes!

With our neighbor, Katie

Another quick note: these girls of ours do not like to be messy. That does not mean they are never messy, however (especially since Viviana has a fondness of running her fingers through her hair while she is eating; almost daily I am not only washing her hands, but dunking her entire head under the faucet)! Anytime their fingers are dirty, it drives them nuts. I have to tell Mirabella several times that it is OK to have paint on her hands while finger painting and she does not need a napkin every other minute! Vivi is the same way. One more thing: I'm not sure why I started this the first time with Mirabella, but one time we went through a tunnel and I told her to put her hands up. Now her hands go up every time we go through one, even under bridges she does it. And in true follow the big sister leader form, Viviana's hands are right up there with her. "We're in the tunnel, Viviana! Put your hands up!" says Mirabella. Things are far from perfect around here when it comes to our children, and dare I say, they aren't always loving each other up, hugging and kissing like I may often depict on this blog. But, the bond clearly runs deep and I hope they stay best of friends forever.

With great auntie Jody

16 and 29, at least for another day!

2011-08-31T11:41:00.052-05:00

Before the girls officially turn one month older [tomorrow Mirabella is 30 months (or 2 1/2), and on September 5th, Viviana will be 17 months...but as of this very moment, they are 29 and 16 months!], I thought I better get some photos up!

Mirabella is cracking us up more than ever with the things that come out of her mouth. It's not always the mere words, but it's the demeanor that goes along with them that makes her funnier. I keep thinking I'm going to write down some of these things, but when I replay them in my head, sometimes they don't sound all that funny. But they are! I guess you have to trust me. I guess you just had to be there, each time.

Continuing on the path of being the best big sister ever, Mirabella is always helping Viviana with anything and everything, even when no help is needed (or welcomed!). She eats up the fact that Vivi is the younger one, but it's more in a protective big sister sort of way instead of a a rub-it-in-her-face sort of way. Lately she keeps saying, "Viviana is a baby, and she's my sister."

It is almost that time. The time when I said I would really start to concentrate on potty training. For months she has gone potty in her potty chair, but the switch to it becoming a habit seems to be far from flipping. It is entirely sporadic when she goes; she was better at using her potty chair several months ago than she is now. I'd be embellishing if I said she uses the chair every few days. Maybe once a week, maybe not? It's like she is resisting the change, but we have not pushed the concept. The promise of undies is alluring though, as are Dora Pull Ups. This coming month potty training will have more of a presence. Wish us luck.

Mirabella is currently in the process of impressing us by knowing all of the birthdays of her family of four and "carrying Vivi", which means lifting her one inch off the ground. Nightly prayers are what Mirabella looks forward to before bed. She is getting pretty good at the Lord's Prayer and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, but special prayers, for people we know going through particularly trying times, are what she likes most.

Mama's shoes are her favorite dress up accessory

First braid

Viviana's manners are top notch with please and thank you being staples in her vocabulary. Unfortunately she thinks she can get anything she wants by throwing a please in, however! And with that temper of hers, she is not at all pleased to find out that our answer may still be no, no matter how many times or how loudly she wants to yell the word please! Unfortunately again, she has also become extremely familiar with the word no. As much as we don't love how often it is used, I hate to say I think it sounds really darn cute when it comes out of her mouth. Speaking of things coming out of her mouth, ask Viviana to tell you what a cow says, and she'll be happy to tell you.

In spite of her growing temper, there is a ton of sweetness to go around with our youngest babe. She says the word happy all the time, which is only fitting because happy is what she is almost all of the time. Her laugh is infectious and adorable. But man, she does have a streak in her and when it comes out, watch yourself. You may get smacked in the face, and hard. Slapping out of frustration has become a very bad habit, and she literally laughs in our faces at the word no after she does it. I know she is only trying to realize her boundaries, and to see what is and what is not acceptable behavior, but we cannot wait for this phase to pass. She appears to understand no consequences. I think the toughest part of this is not the pain of the smack - which really does hurt sometimes - but having Mirabella witness the behavior and seeing that our reaction does not mirror what it would be if she did the same thing. Even though she thinks of Vivi as the baby, I am sure it's still confusing that they do not suffer the same consequences. Or, maybe it is more bothersome to us, not knowing how to discipline Viviana in a way that makes sense, or results in changed behavior right now.

Sometimes Viviana is not simply a daredevil these days, but at times she can be downright reckless! We are continually worried about her safety; she gets so hyper and wants to throw herself around, no matter what is in her path! She spins to feel dizzy, jumps to fall down and runs to crash into things. It is insane and humorous at once.

Food intake is still at maximum levels when it comes to Viviana! Mirabella is usually about halfway done when Vivi's plate is clean. Jeff and I joke that our girls could have full bellies and he and I could have crap on a plate and just because it was ours, they'd want to eat it. They are vultures! Anything we have, they want. Same goes for toys. We have a house full, but whatever we have, they are all over. My apologies to all of you who have received half completed emails as a result of one of our girls' flailing paws prematurely hitting send. But wait, this was supposes to be solely about Viviana. Despite her big temper in a little package sometimes, she is pure perfection! Any time she wraps her tiny, wiry arms around your neck or shoulders to give you a hug, or smooches you at random while saying, "Mmm-ah!" before her lips smack, I think you'll think Viviana is perfect too.

Viviana can't get enough of brushing her teeth! She still only has two on the bottom, but up top, there are about six with a couple more on the way.

This is Viviana's favorite chair, and we're not happy about it...

...sure, it looks harmless...

...but it's not, and she knows it. It is usuall off limits for her because she is a maniac whenever she gets on it. Straight up out of control, getting on it, smashing into the back as hard as the can, hanging off the top of it, you name it. Whatever naughtiness that could take place on this chair, Viviana has thought of it. One of these days I'll be writing about the crack in her head as she topples crazily over the top of it, crashing her head onto slate. (OK, I really hope that does not happen.) Viviana knows no boundaries!

Squeals, giggles and high pitched screams fill our house. I smile just thinking about the companionship between our girls.

Headlock hugs

Coloring

Playdate with Annalise who was in town from Georgia (Wednesday, August 10th)

No idea why these chicks are facinated by the toilet (and really, we don't let them just sit and play by it - or in it - but if it were up to them, they would constantly!); too bad it's not interesting enough yet to actually pee in for one of them!

One of Mirabella's favorite use for Viviana: feeding Vivi her scraps from the table (and Vivi always obliges)!

Helping little sissy take off her bib

Kissing through the door

A brief note about this blog of ours:

I have tried to be diligent getting a bigger post up each month about Mirabella and Viviana to conincide with the monthly anniversary of their birth dates, but I think after Vivi turns 18 months, my format is going to become looser. The last few months my age posts have been getting significantly later, and even though I'd like to partly blame summer (because it just sounds like a good excuse), I think it's time to be a little freer. I have been getting stressed out when these age posts get so delayed! So, I think it's time to change that some. Maybe I'll even post more frequently, not feeling like I have to get a ton of photos up in a massive post by a certain time frame. We'll see how it goes, but there is my heads up that Viviana and Mirabella may turn 19 and 32 months on October 1st and 5th and you just may not hear it from me. :)

Big girl bed

2011-08-22T17:00:00.006-05:00

Buh-bye!

Hello!

Our almost two and a half year old is out of the crib and into her very own bed! And finally, our almost 17 month old is in a real crib! Such changes in the sleeping arrangements around our house as of late. Jeff and I are still sleeping in the same bed, however. And thankfully, in the same bed together.

We decided on bunk beds for the girls and have had them in our garage, unassembled, for a month and a half. Our original plan was to have twin over twin bunk beds, then we changed to twin over full, and then to full over full. For now we will wait on setting up the top bunk and most likely the girls will share the one bed for a while until Mirabella is big enough for the top. Yikes! Viviana will move in with Mirabella within the next six months or so and will graduate to the same floor as the rest of the family. Yippee! I always have to reiterate that it seems I am the one most excited about this; not only has Vivi been perfectly content and an excellent sleeper downstairs, she has enjoyed the close quarters of her pack and play to the fullest! Now that the crib is hers, I think she will soon realize she didn't know what she was missing all those months prior to the upgrade. Ha!

Wednesday, August 17th

Boxes make it into the house, but Daddy soon realizes this is not a job for one person

Thursday, August 18th

Preparing to part ways with the crib

Final nap time

Waking up from her nap in the crib for the last time

(I couldn't help but to get a little sad when it really sunk in that this day was the last my baby would be in her crib)

Pop and Uncle Tom were so nice to come over to help Daddy and the night starts with the disassembling of the crib

The girls are very interested in all that is going on

And just like that...gone! (sniffle, sniffle)

This little giraffe used to hang in Mirabella's crib. When the crib was being taken apart, I thought it was the sweetest thing that Mirabella was walking around rocking her and singing to her. It was like she was saying goodbye to babyhood and letting her little giraffe know that she'd be fine too, in spite of the big changes in store. My gosh, I just want to cry again thinking about it!

One last shot of the pack and play

And the crib takes its place!

Vivi is beaming! She was so happy to take the walk downstairs to bed...

...until it is actually time for bed!

She's not so sure about this thing

There were five seconds of cries until Vivi was off to La La Land. Success!

Popsicle intermission

Jammies on and it's mattress time

Watching patiently

The mattress goes down...

...and Mirabella climbs in!

She kept saying, "I love it!" and, "It feels good!" She was joyful as could be. Soon after followed, "It's not my purple bed." "Nope, not yet," I replied. Then she said, "Tarah's making my purple bedding." Verbatim. My wonderful friend, Tarah, has been in the process of making Mirabella's bedding for roughly two and a half weeks and we received the quilt and shams last night (Sunday, August 21st). Oh my, what a beautiful job she did!!! She is now working on a few pillows and pillowcases. Once everything is put together, I will get the photos up!

The ecstatic girl and the worker bees

It's bedtime and the big girl is giddy!

Luckily, we do have an old comforter in the house in her favorite color, so Mirabella's first night in her big girl bed was complete as she was all tucked in, covered in purple.

While Jeff, Vince and Tom finished up a few things, Mirabella and I laid together (which I LOVED!) and read a couple books and said prayers before her late night ended. I talked to her about staying in bed all night and waiting for one of us to come and get her in the morning. I told her to say, "Mommy, I'm awake!" and then I would open her door. We were slightly nervous about how the night would go, but she went down without a peep, and not a peep was made in the night. Success!

Friday, August 19th

Before I left her room the night before, Mirabella requested an additional friend (aside from her usual three baby dolls) come to bed. It was a musical teddy bear. In the morning, the sounds of that teddy were how we knew she was awake. Such a good girl, playing and waiting patiently in her bed until it was time for us to get her.

Mirabella was so proud to show Viviana the new bed when she woke up on the first morning of the bed being in the room. Vivi loved it too! Every time Viviana has entered the room since, the first thing out of her mouth is, "Bed!" Mirabella will say, "Vivi, you wanna come in my room, Vivi?" with such happiness and pride. To me, Mirabella will say, "I'm going to sit in my bed for a little bit." She's in love.

Pretending to sleep (and snore!)

Loving the life of a big girl in her big girl bed

Every night and every morning (four) since have gone perfectly! The second morning, I opened Mirabella's door after hearing, "Mommy!" When I entered, she said, "I said, 'Mommy, I'm awake!'" What an angel - and such a good listener and direction follower! The next two mornings she called for Daddy, but in the same way. The transition could not have gone smoother. Hooray!

Thanks to you, Daddy

2011-08-17T16:55:00.017-05:00

http://youtu.be/AN-To_uY75k

Because of you, this is what today looked like for us. You gave us this beautiful day at the beach, and then at the park. We appreciate all of your hard work to provide us this time together and we thank you for filling our lives with such happiness.

We love you very much, Daddy!

Love,
Mommy, Mirabella and Viviana

Back up and running (and so is our 15 month old)!

2011-07-25T16:57:00.051-05:00

I didn't plan on slacking off on the blog lately, but along with being busy bees this summer, we had been having some internet problems. All is on the up and up for now and I am back in action! And speaking of action, Viviana is 15 months old (as of July 5th) and is all over the place these days. She runs around like a mad woman and if we try to chase her (usually to do something she just does not have time for, like changing her diaper or bringing her to bed), she takes off and goes faster to try to escape from us.

Vivi is chatting up a storm, using words that make sense and a lot of jibberish that doesn't. Added words since my 14 month update are: me, more (which sounds more like a quick mahh), hot (as she blows), paci, nose, puffs, hug, touch, bite (to give her a bite of whatever it is we have), Vivi, shake, look, cookie (on repeat when she sniffs one out), chair, brush, baby, poop (which she says almost every time she gets her diaper changed while pointing down), pee (when I tell her she doesn't have poop in her diaper, but pee), bib, milk, grapes, gamma/gramma (for Grandma), purple (no doubt her sister's influence), cheers, gentle, button (for belly button), sissy (for her sister), shoes, toes, car, stuck, bana (for banana), cake, pizza, ears.

Right before she turned 15 months (Sunday, June 26th), she increased her tally of top front teeth to four (still only two on the bottom) and mid July, she started to get her first molar (her top back left). Isn't it such a different look when your baby gets teeth? Gimme back my baby!

I'm not sure if the teeth have contributed, but her chowhound eating habits are in full effect. And funny enough, when we took her in for her 15 month doctor appointment (Thursday, July 14th), we were told she weighs 19 pounds, 11 ounces which is only the 6th percentile! She is 31.3 inches tall (74th %tile). I sure wish I had those stats, and that metabolism. Her head circumference measured 18 inches (43rd %tile). Everything checked out great and she received two shots that left her unhappy for only a minute or two. Mirabella just watched, but somehow weaseled a sticker out of the deal! Actually, she bombarded the nurse as soon as she walked in the door to give the shots with, "May I have a sticker, please?" and both of us were very impressed. Sticker warranted.

We had a big scare with Vivi the Friday before her appointment (Friday, July 8th) and when I brought her in to the office, I wasn't able to see our regular doctor. Dr. Judy confirmed that Viviana had a vasovagal reaction that frightening morning which set me into a panic. I am not good at short versions, but I will do my best to be brief.

When I went to get Viviana out of her crib in the morning that Friday, she looked a bit off. She wasn't smiling, laughing or bouncing as she usually does when I enter the room; I thought maybe she was still waking up and in a stupor because of that. I changed her diaper, brought her to the table to sit by Mirabella for breakfast and her mood changed severely. I had puffs and blueberries already waiting for her to eat while I got her breakfast ready, but completely out of character, she cried like crazy when I put her in her chair. I got her up and she threw up all over me, continued to do some dry heaving and then...all panic set in. Vivi was out of it, weak, lifeless, limp and losing consciousness. I had seen her similar to this way twice before, but not quite like this and previously, there were explanations: she fell off the bed and was stunned and on another occasion, she fell out of her high chair, the latter reaction not being as severe. Both times, she was just fine after a short time. But this didn't make sense and I was scared to death.

Vivi wasn't able to support herself in my arms and I had to keep bouncing her to come to. Her eyes were too heavy for her to open; she couldn't stay awake. I wondered if she had eaten something the day before and if it was poisonous. I tried in my hysterical mind to find any reasonable explanation and I could not. I called Jeff first and thought I could be calm, but couldn't and immediately told him he needed to come home. As her demeanor worsened during my short call to him, I voiced the possibility of needing to call an ambulance. I felt terrible knowing what my words would do to him, and the thought of him driving home after hearing what I had told him was awful, but all I could think in that moment was that he needed to be with us. I was terrified that this would be the last time he'd see her. I cry writing it. I hung up not realizing I hadn't figured out where he should be coming to. Our house? The doctor's office? The ER?

I called our pediatrician and after telling Viviana's story to two different people, I contemplated hanging up and dialing 911. Every person asked how far away from the clinic I was and being within a few minutes, I worried if I wasn't, they'd say to hang up and call 911. The third person I told her story to said to come right in. I called my neighbor Mary and in an attempt again to remain calm, I blew it and I am convinced that before I could hang up my phone, she was running past my window, barefoot, to help. Matt, her husband, was seconds behind her and took Viviana and me to the doctor's office. Saying we are lucky to have them as friends is an understatement - thank you again, Matt and Mary! I am crying once again just thinking about your quick thinking and willingness to do anything for us.

By the time I got Vivi in the car, she was doing better. She didn't seem like she was in and out of consciousness anymore, but she was dazed and white. By the time we got in the office, she perked up at the sight of the fish tank and said, "Fish!" By the time the nurse weighed her, she looked better and by the time the doctor came in (Jeff arrived and Matt left) she was eating puffs and Cherrios, walking around the office and I was wondering how bonkers Jeff and the doctor were going to think I was! The nurse said that even from the time she first saw Vivi, noting how incredibly pale she was, to the time I brought her out of the room after getting her clothes off to be weighed, she showed significant improvement.

(Wasn't this supposed to be the short version?) After all this, her throat was severely inflamed, prompting the doctor to do a strep test. He doubted that she had it because of her young age, but it looked bad, so he wanted to rule it out. He did. She had a viral throat infection, causing her to throw up and most likely it scared her into having a vasovagal reaction. Needless to say, I'm pretty terrified of anything that could send her into that again, but at least I know what to look for and that she is prone to having that happen. It doesn't mean I will remain calm, however! Thank the good Lord that her doctor concurred with the theory and she thought no further testing would be needed to say otherwise.

Since that incident, Viviana has gone face down in two public wading pools (with her life jacket on and one or both of us thankfully there to scoop her up within seconds, one of those times with a lifeguard present who reacted slower than we did!), had a 104 temperature, banged her head, face, arms and legs on just about anything, received scrapes, bruises and numerous mosquito bites and I am about going out of my mind with anxiety and worry just keeping these kids safe...and alive! All of the what ifs and what could or what could have happeneds with our own kids, and some recent stories about what has tragically happened to others' (young and grown) kids have left me on edge and I am a ball of nerves. I just love them so much. I really think God gives us thousands of lives and those cats got ripped off at nine - and I have been thanking God a lot for that!

A case of pink eye (on Father's Day) couldn't keep her from smiling through her paci

Fond of blowing her nose

I won't allow myself to call this behavior a tantrum, but this child does have her moments of frustration, kicking, screaming, throwing herself on the floor and all!

Make way for somersaults!

Now that she's finally gotten some hair, Vivi is looking pretty blonde. And her mix of brown/green/gray eyes are turning more brown.

Having a ball, with balls!

Milkshakes!

There are no shortages of scrapes, bruises and bug bites (welts) on Mirabella either, but thankfully, all is wonderful with her otherwise. So many phrases of our own have become hers, which shocks us the first time they come out of her mouth. She picks up and remembers everything it seems like! Things we can't even remember - names of things she has heard once, but we should know and can't recollect, she comes with.

Mothering her sister is something Mirabella takes pride in, and she is very good at it. She is hugging her and kissing her constantly. If Viviana is crying, Mirabella is right by her with a toy to try and console her. Mirabella takes off Vivi's bib after eating and even though Viviana doesn't need the help, Mirabella will insist on feeding her if Mirabealla is done and Vivi still has food on her plate. "Is Vivi big yet?" she'll ask, trying to figure out what is and what is not acceptable for her. Anything Mirabella gets is many times followed by, "Can Vivi have that?"

Headlock or hug? Hard to tell sometimes.

Mirabella likes to pretend that anything is a camera. A necklace, a cup, a shoe, nothing that makes sense at all, have all become a source for her imagination. She holds whatever the object is up to her face and says, "Smile!" Then she holds it out to the person smiling and says, "Look!" The funny part is that she has also picked up on my, "Oh, that's not very good," after looking at it for herself. In the last fews days though, she has pulled out, "Oh, cute!"

Mirabella's big girl bed and mattress is at our house awaiting set up and bedding (the fabric has been ordered!)! Finally, Viviana will inherit the crib, although I am not so sure she gives a hoot! Eventually the girls will be in the same room, in bunk beds. They have proven to be pretty darn good sleepers together, either when traveling, or when we've had the crib/pack and play combo in Mirabella's room, so we'll hope for the best!

Totally 80s

Baking is yummy...for the spoon licker!

I don't at all like, nor am I proud of, the need for reminders, but I have been reminded in several ways lately how precious and fragile life is, and how it can change in the blink of an eye. Take a minute to slow down and appreciate what you have along with me. As I write this post while Mirabella and Viviana nap, I am thinking about and thankful for all of the stress that goes along with being their mom. The joy I experience far outweighs any of the worry, constant concern and at times, total panic, of motherhood.

Playing around in June

2011-07-08T15:38:00.040-05:00

June was a good month for goofing off! We have been doing a bunch of tooling around, and I uploaded all of my phone photos from the month and here they are. (Photo above was taken at Nana and Pop's pool on Tuesday, June 28th.)

On Wednesday, June 1st we made the most of a beautiful day at the Olson house so the girls could play with Maddie, Jack, Parker and Zachary (and mom could play with Kristin and Jen!).

Over the first two weekends in June, along with my parents, the girls and I hit up four farmers' markets (Bloomington, Minneapolis, St Paul and Prior Lake)!

Nana switched schools and to teaching first graders this year, and on Monday, June 6th, the girls and I stopped by for a visit. Mirabella was in awe of all the kids and the attention she was getting. Besides seeing Nana, the highlight for the girls was the popsicles!

Here are a few short videos from our visit:

http://youtu.be/nj6fF8B840A
http://youtu.be/DnZnPuh-sf4
http://youtu.be/1SaD3-gLCoY
http://youtu.be/Wj-9_RNPNlc
http://youtu.be/nFr-vNin-TU

Prior to our visit, Mirabella served as my landscape helper. We got a visit from Wally and Kayla too.

Later that day when Jeff got home from work, we made a run to Home Depot.

And while I mention family shopping trips (as if it happens often!), this one is from the end of May, and look, Jeff made it into our favorite store! How did that happen?

At least a few times a week, we head up to the park by our house. This one is from Wednesday, June 8th.

http://youtu.be/GC1jtTe8G2o

Most Monday and Tuesday mornings this summer we are able to take advantage of celebrity storytimes at two libraries nearby. On this day (Tuesday, June 14th), the local fire chief read stories and brought his firetruck.

We took our first family Canterbury trip of the summer on Thursday, June 16th. Mirabella and Viviana came loaded with a bag of carrots that they got to feed to the horses and each left with all ten fingers!

On Wednesday, June 22nd, we had to make an alternate plan to our park playdate with Tarah, Alexa, Charlie and Sydney due to rainy weather, and we probably had even more fun indoors at their house. No surprise that Mirabella chose the purple attire!

Our friends LeAnn, Jeremy and Claire made a trek down from Superior, WI, so on Sunday, June 26th we were able to see them for a playdate at a park! The three girls had lots of fun together. I think it's the most daring Mirabella and Viviana have ever been at a park - must have been Claire's big girl influence, now that she celebrated her third birthday!

(Special thanks to LeAnn for the below pics, which she had previously threatened to hold hostage until I joined facebook. She has yet to receive my friend request, but she was reluctantly accommodating nonetheless. Thanks, LeAnn!)

http://youtu.be/aK1eJ2HODEc
http://youtu.be/SY_8eQxL3ME

14 and 27 months

2011-06-21T10:15:00.082-05:00

At one and two, 14 and 27 months to be specific, the shorties are growing like the weeds in my garden! And that is way too fast. We are completely smitten with watching Mirabella and Viviana interact. They are so playful and seeing them entertain each other and make the other laugh is the best.

New spring and summer favorites for the girls around our house are their cottage (a birthday gift from Levys, Olsons and Swartzbaughs) and their picnic table for the patio (a gift from Mom and Dad).

The phone and the doorbell make the cottage even more adored. (Yep, that's a hat, needed after dinner at the end of May! Crazy weather this spring.)

Stuffing their faces, what they do best!

With our beautiful neighbor, Kayla, who stopped by on her way to prom (Saturday, May 7th)

It looks like a tackle, but she's trying to give her a kiss

We love our playdates! On Thursday, May 26th, we got to have Tarah and baby Sydney over and the girls were very happy about meeting Sydney for the first time.

The next day (and again on Monday, June, 13th) we were able to have Brandy, Jaxon, Kristin, Maddie, Jack and Parker over to play.

All smiles

Hot chocolate mouth

Fishing

Pucker up!

Viviana wastes no time making her move

We had another playdate on June 1st (photos to come), just days before Viviana turned 14 months old, and the next day, Vivi was on a mission. She was on a mission to make walking her a primary and permanent mode of transportation. It was the cutest thing to watch her not want anything to do with us; she simply wanted to practice walking! With her arms raised for balance, she circled the inside of our house with such determination, such pride. It was awesome to witness.

The next few days were the same and every day after, she became better and walking became second nature. Her arms have fallen to her side now that she is more comfortable, but sometimes one sneaks up from time to time. She tries to show off a little now as she carries anything she can. It still startles me sometimes to see her walking around a corner!

Here she is at the beginning of May, right after she turned 13 months, when she was starting to get more comfortable with walking:

http://youtu.be/RQtw2Loxh48

And here she is at the beginning of June, still at 13 months (almost 14), when she started to walk like it was her job:

http://youtu.be/WdTtMgIN-FE

http://youtu.be/sIdjPSzf4Io

http://youtu.be/kEO80MHVroY

If you pulled Vivi's top lip up, you'd see that we could be in for some real trouble. The outline of her top four incisor teeth are shockingly visable, like they could all come at the same time. And a week before her 14 month birthday (Sunday, May 29th), one of those, her top outside left of those four, popped through slightly. We're still waiting for it to come down more, but the other three look like they'll follow suit in no time. Ouch! Luckily, that first top one cutting through didn't appear to bother her in the least.

Viviana has added the following words to her list: hat, yum, ashes (thanks to "ashes, ashes, we all fall down!"), tick tock (thanks to another favorite song/chant), Patch (our neighbor), cheese, good, and most recently, ball, eyes and dog. She will say the word dog if she sees one, but she also uses dog to describe many other things! It may replace her old favorite word, which was this. One of our favorites of Vivi's new words is please! Music to our ears.

Here's a short clip of Vivi using one of those words:

http://youtu.be/R-W4SOyVLUg

(Many questions that start with the words how are or how is often result in this response from her!)

Vivi has shown less excitement for cold meats and blueberries lately, but other than those, she continues to chow down like an adult. Bananas make her freak out since she loves them, and don't try to eat around her when she has no more food in front of her unless you plan on sharing!

Smile, Vivi! We think these expressions are hilarious, cute and ridiculous, all at once. They are all variations of her smiling on cue.

Kisses for Grandma

I have a bunch of videos I haven't gotten to YouTube yet, but before I conclude about Vivi, here is one of my favorite videos of her from early May:

http://youtu.be/CdnYxlSJG5c

Mirabella plays the role of a big sister fabulously and thinks she is pretty spectacular when she does nice things for Viviana. One thing she does best (though I'd be kidding if I said this is always the case) is share with her. Most things she gets, especially the really great things, she almost always asks if Vivi can have whatever it is also. "Can my have ice cream?", is usually coupled with, "Can Vivi have ice cream?" It is too sweet. Sharing comes in especially handy when one of Mirabella's blueberries is mushy, or a Goldfish cracker is broken, or she wants to make good with Mom and Dad by pulling off the tiniest morsle of something to give to her sister. Oh, how nice. Anything defective in Mirabella's eyes when it comes to food may just end up in Viviana's mouth! At least the principle is there.

I think ever since Mirabella could say the word purple (at 16/17 months), it became her favorite color. Everything that has a color, she wants the purple one. We've been getting her very excited for her new big girl bed (which we have, but have not set up) and every time we talk about it, she lets us know she wants a purple one. Too bad our reiteration of the fact that the bed is not purple doesn't do much, but the search for bedding that contains purple and that matches Firebush (deep orange) walls continues! Even things that do not necessarily come in purple elicit this response: "Maybe...purple one!" She has been using maybe like that a lot. Maybe because Mom starts things like that a lot. Maybe I shall cease. Maybe I won't be able to. Another funny way she starts things is by using the word oh. "Oh, I need my milky." My ohs are usually followed by something I forgot these days. "Oh, I forgot fill in the blank," as I'm trying several times to get out the door. The things they pick up on. Just have a two year old if you want to become aware of your language nuances.

After a very nice lull, time outs are currently on the rise. Mirabella is a boundary tester. That's really all I care to say since I am in a good mood. On to jumping. "Jump, jump, jump!" is frequently heard as Mirabella's body takes her own command. She loves to jump, dance and run. Like crazy. No really, like a crazy person. Her energy is endless and her laughter is contagious.

Swinging
http://youtu.be/wHKLh7bRIA8

Dancing
http://youtu.be/V0Cbx35Jh2o

So many wonderful times to be had with these kiddies!

The end result of Mirabella playing with Play-Doh

Check out these locks! Here's proof that toddler extensions are not a good idea.