What Do Ya Mean I'm Too Big?

This Ain't Your Father's Station Wagon

For the past few months Brian and I have been talking about replacing his car. We were trying to hold off for a few more months until the weather got better so it would also give us more time to save towards the down payment. However two weeks ago, Brian discovered a nail in his tire and it wasn't fixable. We didn't want to put any more money in the car for a couple of replacement tires, so we decided to take the plunge and get something new. Luckily we had been doing research on cars for the few weeks prior and we agreed on looking into a Pontiac Vibe. I had actually spent my lunch hour the day his tire went flat looking on-line at cars in the area, so I had a good idea of where to look.

We found a 2008 Vibe at a local dealership close to his parents house. So the next day, we dropped the kids off to their house so we could take a test drive. The car passed the first test....could it fit the double stroller? It fit perfectly with enough room to spare for a diaper bag and other small items. We were pleased with the car and decided to purchase it and have been happy with it so far.

I have to say, never in a million years did I think that I would once again be riding in a station wagon. We had one growing up and I was very happy when my dad turned it it...just before I started driver's training.

Allison was very upset with us that we chose the Pontiac Vibe. She had her eye on a new Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, however we didn't think that would be very practical for a family of four. We decided however, that since she is such a good kid, that we would splurge and buy the 30th Anniversary edition of the Cozy Coupe for her. Nothing is too good for our kid!

A Good Night Visit

Last night I went out to dinner with the girls (including Mia) and Brian and Allison had a daddy-daughter date night.

The two of them went out to dinner and then to the mall, so Allison could ride the carousel. The last two times Allison has been there, Brian had both girls with him by himself, so he couldn't take Allison on the carousel. Much to their disappointment when they arrived at the mall, they found that the "animals were sleeping", which is the mall's way of saying we don't have anyone running the carousel for the next hour. So off to the play area they went, where Allison spent the next half hour playing. They then walked the mall until the "animal's trainer's" lunch hour was over. At the appropriate time, they went back to the carousel for their long-awaited ride, only to find it still wasn't open. Brian, being the wonderful father that he is, patiently waited another ten minutes until the operator came back. It was worth the wait though, as Allison enjoyed the ride.

I also enjoyed my evening out with the girls. It was nice to spend some time with them and also to enjoy Mia. She was in great spirits and loved smiling at everyone. We didn't get home until almost 8 pm, so I was disappointed that I missed Allison's bedtime, however due to the carousel incident, Brian and Allison didn't get home until late, and he just put Allison to bed. I decided to sneak into her room to say goodnight. She was laying in her crib and when she saw me she got a big smile on her face, like she was so surprised to see me, and held out her hand. I rubbed her face for a minute and gave her a good night kiss. She was content with a quick visit and didn't fuss when I left the room. I was content with her smile, as it melted my heart completely.

Settling In...

It has been about two and a half months since I have gone back to work and we are settling into our routine quite nicely. I have to say it has gone smoother than I expected, other than Brian and I being sick for 6-8 weeks straight...which I actually did expect but hoped that it wouldn't happen.

Allison is becoming more outgoing at daycare and is playing with the other kids. Needless to say, going to daycare hasn't suppressed her appetite. Deb said that Allison loves to eat and wants to eat all day. Amelia is getting used to daycare also. She is getting a little bit better about not wanting to be held all day while there.

We do have the occasional rough patch here and there. A few weeks ago, Allison went on a nap strike while at daycare. She wouldn't sleep during nap time at all, although today she did nap for an hour and a half. Hopefully the strike has ended.

I am getting used to being away from them too, although it was hard for me to leave them today. I had to work most of the day on Saturday, and Sunday was spent running errands, so I didn't get to spend a lot of quality time with them this weekend. Plus I still haven't seen Mia roll over yet. I had a hard time with the fact that I missed her first time rolling over because I was on my way to work. However, I am very excited that Brian got to experience that since he was at work when Allison first rolled over. I wanted to stay home with Mia today so I could see her roll over for myself. When I left work today, the guilt trip machine started to rev up a bit. I had one of those days at work where nothing was going right, which made it even tougher to be away from the girls. When I came home, Brian told me that for the first time after dropping Allison off at daycare, she walked right in and started playing. She left him standing at the door. Ironically what brought a sense of relief for me, brought a slight twinge of sadness for Brian.

Breaking News...

Mia rolled over from her back to her front this morning. Of course she waited until just after I left for work, so I missed it by two minutes. Sigh........why don't they cooperate on this kind of stuff?

Five Months Old

Amelia celebrated her 5 month birthday on Friday the 13th. This past month her personality has really come through. She is a very happy and easy going baby. Although, she does like to be held. I guess at daycare she has had a few fussy weeks because she always wants to be held. Mia won't let poor Deb put her down. We are thinking that now she is more aware of her surroundings and can sit in more places like the bumbo chair and such, that she will be more content with being on her own.

We celebrated two milestones this weekend. On Saturday, Mia rolled from her belly to her back. I had her laying on her stomach in her crib while I was folding clothes. I looked up after putting my head down for a brief moment and she was laying on her back, looking at me through the slats with a big grin on her face. So I put her on her belly again and sure enough, Mia flipped right over again. I think rolling from her back to her stomach is just around the corner. She is rocking back and forth when she is on her back and getting so close to flipping over. I think one of these days she is going to surprise herself.

Mia is wiggling and moving around at lot more. The other night she did a 180 in her crib. I had her head at the top and in the morning her head was facing towards the bottom of the crib.

Our 2nd milestone was a true laugh. Mia has been giggling for a while, but you could tell that a real, true laugh was still to come. Brian was tickling her this evening and she let out with a big laugh. I was wondering if she was going to get to that point or just have her giggle laugh. We weren't sure how to fill out Mia's baby book for the "First Laugh". We now have an exact date to fill in.

Mia loves to talk and "sing" especially in the morning when she first wakes up and now also at nap time when she is supposed to be sleeping. On Saturday it took her forever to fall asleep because she kept squealing and yelling. It was too much fun to go to sleep.

I am looking forward to seeing what this next month brings. I keep reminding myself to slow down and enjoy these moments with her. It is going by way too fast.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

St. Patty's Days Out Takes

We knew taking this year's St. Patty's Day pictures was going to be difficult. A dog...an infant...and a toddler that won't sit still. Let's just say I didn't have high expectations. However, I was pleasantly surprised when we got the group photo rather quickly. I just didn't expect it to be so hard to take a good photo of the kids by themselves.

awww...I don't know what was in that bottle mom gave me, but it was soooo good.

(Note: no actual beer was consumed for these photos, other than by Ozzie)

I'm the one with hair, mom. I don't think you need to put a bow on my head. It's not me that people keep calling a boy.

Don't cry Allison, it doesn't look that bad. Really.

It's that time of year again, huh?

Here Ozzie, why don't you put the hat on. It looks much better on a blond.

Egads. How did this get on my head.

Sorry to poke you in the eye Ozzie, I'm hoping they put me in timeout and forget all about this picture.

I'm running out of ideas Ozzie, they won't leave me alone. Its just so frustrating.

I guess for a roll of Smarties I can sit here. I don't have to like it though.

Maybe if I stand on my head, that will distract them.

I know I saw a Leprechaun run under the couch, Ozzie. Do you see him?

Wacky Tacky

This past Friday, Allison and Amelia had "Wacky Tacky" day at daycare so Brian and I dressed them up for the occasion.

When I was in high school and I used to dress up for spirit week, I would always have dreams the night before that it really wasn't "mismatch day" or whatever the day was. Even though I knew it was spirit week (since I was on Student Council and we planned the week) I always had this fear that I would show up to school and no one else would be dressed up.

I have to admit I had that uneasy feeling when I left for work that morning. When I got home from work that night, Brian told me that he didn't see any other kids dressed up; their parents had forgotten about it. I'm sure some of the other kids that came later were dressed up, I just thought it was funny that one of my greatest fears came "true" some 15 years later.

Don't Laugh at Me, Mom!

By the way, mini Oreos do not equal mini mess.

Big Shoes to Fill

Bath Head