I know it's been a while since I've actually posted. We are down at the lake on a mini-vacation with Greg's folks. Before that, I'm not sure what my excuse was? Work? life?
Thursday night I tried to go to bed early, but my brain was so wired and I just laid there wide awake tossing and turning, mind racing for a long time before I finally decided to get up and actually do something. Seems like I've read or been told in my pregnancy books, not to just lie awake, but get up and do something to help tire you out. I went downstairs and sorted through/cleaned out our overflowing "To Do/Junk Mail/To File" box of mail and such. As I was doing so, I ran across the brochure and paper from work about a free online Will service available through our company's insurance. I had intended to do it for a while (hence being buried in the "To Do" pile) and felt motivated, so I actually sat down and went through the steps. It's something we've talked about doing and thought about, but actually doing it was just one of those things we kept putting off. Parts of it were nice and straightforward, but then there are parts where there are so many different titles to things and successors and it's like, can't I just have a box that says, "if I die, I want everything to go to Greg. If he's dead, too, it goes to our kids, equally?" But, then, there's the whole if they are too young to handle it, who takes care of them? And the money? Some people separate out someone to actually deal with raising the kids while someone else has control of the money. That seems complicated to me and I understand some people have better handling of people and some of money, but to have one person dictating what money the person caring for the children can have, seems like it would cause a lot more tension to me. And it's recommended to tell the people you are listing for these big responsibilities, but my thoughts are that, hopefully, this won't go into effect for a long time, if ever and why create a stir (by revealing we chose this person over that person) if we don't need to?! Also at the moment, there's nothing I'd really list out specifically for anyone to have, other than I'd want Dellaina to have my necklace that Greg gave me when she was born. But, especially not knowing if the next child is a boy or a girl, it's hard to say what either may want. Does Dellaina have use of wedding rings? Or would, say a boy, be better suited and might reset them or something for his future bride? Would either want the "fancy china" or the furniture? It's hard to say. So for a while it just stays divided equally and they can fight it out once they have opinions. But, it's been recommended that it be listed out if it can be later on, just to prevent difficulty dividing it. Anyway, I felt very accomplished finally at least getting started. Now just have to get Greg to fill his side out and then we just need to get that Life Insurance we've been putting off for so long, too!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
New toys
We had a nice quiet weekend at home. Thursday evening, Dellaina & I actually went up to the pool for an hour or so. 
I had class at the gym at 7:00, so looking back, I'm not sure how I squeezed it in, but I must have gotten off a bit early. It had been rainy so much lately and just had a moment of the sun peeking through, so I thought we'd take advantage of it. I managed to get some pictures this time, too, without harming my camera; now that she's a little more steady/familiar with the water.
We were the only ones up at the pool and it was nice to have some good bonding time with her. She did really well and played in the water - blowing bubbles and even laying her head back to let it get wet. 
She even found a pair of "orange glasses" and we suctioned those to her head for a while, too. I finally got them loosened up for her enough. She did start straining though, so that helped us get back home in time for me to make it to class.
I had class at the gym at 7:00, so looking back, I'm not sure how I squeezed it in, but I must have gotten off a bit early. It had been rainy so much lately and just had a moment of the sun peeking through, so I thought we'd take advantage of it. I managed to get some pictures this time, too, without harming my camera; now that she's a little more steady/familiar with the water.
We were the only ones up at the pool and it was nice to have some good bonding time with her. She did really well and played in the water - blowing bubbles and even laying her head back to let it get wet. 
She even found a pair of "orange glasses" and we suctioned those to her head for a while, too. I finally got them loosened up for her enough. She did start straining though, so that helped us get back home in time for me to make it to class.Saturday morning we all went to Wal-mart to get a training toilet for Dellaina and then to the grocery store. We naturally had to pick out the Pooh Potty (pictures to come later - just of the as yet unsoiled toilet, not anything grotesque!) and she was very excited by it. So far, we've just been sitting on it with clothes on to get used to it a little bit. While we were there, we got some new bath toys and a float. 
Educational, numbers and letters, of course. The package said for ages 3+ years! She's had a big time with them, even if it is a little overstimulating at times and she's so anal, it's difficult for her to not have total control and knowledge over them all at one time already. 
Then, we went to Publix and I was walking through the aisles and saw a big Harry Potter display in the main center aisle in front of the cashiers. At first, assuming it was just more hype, I didn't pay it much attention, but then I did a double take and realized it was THE 7th book. Right there, in front of me. Available. Other people already had it and were reading it. I had ordered it to be delivered so that I wouldn't HAVE to go anywhere to get it, but seeing it so readily available before I'd received my own copy was torture! Mine did arrive with the mail around 12:45 when we got home! Dellaina laid down for a nap and I walked the entire neighborhood putting Newsletters in mailboxes. It started out fine, but I was hot and tired and sore by the end. Dellaina had already been asleep for an hour and a half by this point, but I managed to read the first 2 chapters of HP and then take a nap. I still got in over an hour, so it was great. I was up until 4:30 Sunday morning reading and got about halfway. I read until 12:30 Monday morning and finished up last night. I won't make any comments here, but if anyone is interested in checking out thoughts and join in discussions, Ashley has kindly set up a separate blog to do so collectively and without overwhelming our regular blogs!
Educational, numbers and letters, of course. The package said for ages 3+ years! She's had a big time with them, even if it is a little overstimulating at times and she's so anal, it's difficult for her to not have total control and knowledge over them all at one time already. 
Then, we went to Publix and I was walking through the aisles and saw a big Harry Potter display in the main center aisle in front of the cashiers. At first, assuming it was just more hype, I didn't pay it much attention, but then I did a double take and realized it was THE 7th book. Right there, in front of me. Available. Other people already had it and were reading it. I had ordered it to be delivered so that I wouldn't HAVE to go anywhere to get it, but seeing it so readily available before I'd received my own copy was torture! Mine did arrive with the mail around 12:45 when we got home! Dellaina laid down for a nap and I walked the entire neighborhood putting Newsletters in mailboxes. It started out fine, but I was hot and tired and sore by the end. Dellaina had already been asleep for an hour and a half by this point, but I managed to read the first 2 chapters of HP and then take a nap. I still got in over an hour, so it was great. I was up until 4:30 Sunday morning reading and got about halfway. I read until 12:30 Monday morning and finished up last night. I won't make any comments here, but if anyone is interested in checking out thoughts and join in discussions, Ashley has kindly set up a separate blog to do so collectively and without overwhelming our regular blogs!Greg got the front yard cut and edged and blown off Saturday, expecting to be able to do the back yard Sunday once it'd had more time to dry out. 
Unfortunately, when he woke up Sunday morning he watched as a good rain storm came up. We did all manage to make it to the pool late Sunday evening for about an hour and had a big time. We just had marginal success trying out the new float, but seems like most things take a 2nd time before she warms up to them, we'll see. . .
Unfortunately, when he woke up Sunday morning he watched as a good rain storm came up. We did all manage to make it to the pool late Sunday evening for about an hour and had a big time. We just had marginal success trying out the new float, but seems like most things take a 2nd time before she warms up to them, we'll see. . .Encounters
*Dellaina & I stopped by Publix on the way home this evening. There was a buggy in the front of the handicap parking space and I was moving it out of the way, to use, as a truck was pulling into the space. The man rolled down the window and offered the advice "it might be hot, check it before you put her in it!" Good thought, thanks, but just interesting how people feel the need/right to advise, isn't it? He then proceeded to get out of the truck and come walk with us into the store and I mean, right with us; no sense of personal space, which was unnerving to me, not to mention how Dellaina reacts. He told me a joke: "Two antennae get married; the wedding wasn't much, but the reception was great." so, yeah. He wasn't really a threatening man and perhaps was a little "off?" It was still uncomfortable, nonetheless.
*On the way out of the store, I'm loading the bags into the car and Dellaina's crying for "more chips" and we're walking back towards the store to return the buggy (it's a big pet peeve of mine, if you haven't noticed) and a man on the other side of the lane that's loading his groceries calls out an offer to "take your cart back for you, if you'd like" and I pause, thinking "that would be great" and alternately, "I hate to ask anyone to do that, when I'm perfectly capable" so I reply, "oh, thank you so much, but it's not a big deal" or something to that affect. I was really touched by his offer, though, and I kind of felt guilty for turning him down, because I didn't want him to think it hadn't meant something to me that he offered. He was a clean cut man with a graying beard and I've always had a soft spot for men with beards. It was something I might have done for someone else and perhaps if he had actually just been entering the store or was already done unloading his own buggy and on his way to return it and removing Dellaina wasn't such a process, I might have agreed, but it seemed like too much trouble to burden him with, despite the genuine offer.
*Tonight after class at the gym, Greg had asked me to stop by the other Publix to see if they had his box o' wine and the White Truck brand bottles he's been getting that haven't been available at the other Publix. I didn't think anything of it when I agreed to do it before the gym, but as I'm filling my basket with bottles of wine and lugging a box 'o wine through the store to the checkout, I feel a little more. . .judged for it! Being obviously pregnant at this point, even though I'm not drinking it and there could be plenty of reasons for stocking up on mass quantities of wine (other than my husband's a lush) like having a party or something, I felt the need to make comments or excuse myself somehow. But then I thought, I don't need to assure anyone else and thought about getting offended if someone had made a comment to me, neither of which happened. It was just another weird moment in a series of interacting with people. I don't have much interaction, really, on a daily basis and sometimes people float by you without a thought, but sometimes the interactions between you stand out for a moment and seem worth sharing. . .
*On the way out of the store, I'm loading the bags into the car and Dellaina's crying for "more chips" and we're walking back towards the store to return the buggy (it's a big pet peeve of mine, if you haven't noticed) and a man on the other side of the lane that's loading his groceries calls out an offer to "take your cart back for you, if you'd like" and I pause, thinking "that would be great" and alternately, "I hate to ask anyone to do that, when I'm perfectly capable" so I reply, "oh, thank you so much, but it's not a big deal" or something to that affect. I was really touched by his offer, though, and I kind of felt guilty for turning him down, because I didn't want him to think it hadn't meant something to me that he offered. He was a clean cut man with a graying beard and I've always had a soft spot for men with beards. It was something I might have done for someone else and perhaps if he had actually just been entering the store or was already done unloading his own buggy and on his way to return it and removing Dellaina wasn't such a process, I might have agreed, but it seemed like too much trouble to burden him with, despite the genuine offer.
*Tonight after class at the gym, Greg had asked me to stop by the other Publix to see if they had his box o' wine and the White Truck brand bottles he's been getting that haven't been available at the other Publix. I didn't think anything of it when I agreed to do it before the gym, but as I'm filling my basket with bottles of wine and lugging a box 'o wine through the store to the checkout, I feel a little more. . .judged for it! Being obviously pregnant at this point, even though I'm not drinking it and there could be plenty of reasons for stocking up on mass quantities of wine (other than my husband's a lush) like having a party or something, I felt the need to make comments or excuse myself somehow. But then I thought, I don't need to assure anyone else and thought about getting offended if someone had made a comment to me, neither of which happened. It was just another weird moment in a series of interacting with people. I don't have much interaction, really, on a daily basis and sometimes people float by you without a thought, but sometimes the interactions between you stand out for a moment and seem worth sharing. . .
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Ad placement & Bed bugs
On the way back to work from lunch today, Tyler noticed that the words scrolling across the radio - where it's usually listing the station information or perhaps, if you're lucky, the artist and song title - were "Your World Delivered. . . AT&T" !!! That's some inventive (or invasive?) ad placement. It was scrolling while other advertisements were playing on the actual radio. I'm not sure how I feel about it just yet - I think negatively.
Another place I've noticed for a while, but haven't commented on here yet are the signs in the fronts of the buggy at the grocery store (or sometimes the handles have them). I think that's a clever space and don't feel it's out of place, because it's in the right environment/context. I have been meaning to tell Granny that there's a new roll of Brownie mix - like the cookie rolls you buy to slice and bake. Not that brownie mixes require a lot of trouble to make, but I thought it was an interesting idea and wondered what it would taste like and if it would be easy to spread in a pan or not. I'm assuming you still spread it out as one, it's not some slice and bake idea for brownies, because that doesn't fit.
Also, the new thicker gas pump handles that hold advertisements are an interesting invention.
I also just saw an ad for the complete Harry Potter box set, in a trunk! I can't find a better picture at the moment. It's coming out this fall and is quite pricey, but oh so cool!
This next topic might be a little too personal or even gross for some, but it's part of what's been going on lately, so I'm going to write a little about it. Dellaina must be really sweet, just like her Daddy, because she gets bitten by bugs and gets nice big red whelps. Hank has been itching and scratching a lot more recently. He's had issues in summers past with what we assume is allergies to certain outdoor grasses, etc. I'm just recovering from two rather gruesome bumps of some kind - on on the back of my right arm, thankfully near my armpit, so not too obvious on a daily basis, and one on my lower back - right along the pants line, so it's sure to rub and continue to irritate. I noticed the back one first and it was very tender and red and itchy and looked like a regular pimple or whatever. Then, it started getting a dark center. It was super tender and sensitive and I'd have to cover it with a band-aid some days to keep my pants or underwear from bothering it more. About a week or so later, the one on my arm was becoming more and more like the one on my back. I'm usually one to squeeze or pick at bumps, but not these, they already hurt too much and somehow seemed to be something else. Like a spider bite? I don't know, just something. The dark center turned out to be blood and eventually scabbed over and is now in that flaky, trying to heal stage! One night over the weekend, I go to pull down the covers and crawl into bed for a nap and I notice little white spots on the NEW brown sheets. Upon closer inspection I realize the spots are actually tiny holes showing the white mattress protector beneath! What the heck?! There were like 7 or more tiny little holes, all up near and under my pillow! I showed Greg that night and demanded to know what kind of bugs were biting me on my back and eating through my sheets?! I don't know, maybe the dogs caused the holes, I have blamed them on the other sheet sets (usually they are much larger - dog rips, though) or possibly my rings catch at night when I'm putting my arm under my pillow? Or the sheets are the jersey kind and do seem super thin? Either way, thinking about itching makes you itch, so raise your hand if during this story you have started to feel creepy crawly things on your skin.
Another place I've noticed for a while, but haven't commented on here yet are the signs in the fronts of the buggy at the grocery store (or sometimes the handles have them). I think that's a clever space and don't feel it's out of place, because it's in the right environment/context. I have been meaning to tell Granny that there's a new roll of Brownie mix - like the cookie rolls you buy to slice and bake. Not that brownie mixes require a lot of trouble to make, but I thought it was an interesting idea and wondered what it would taste like and if it would be easy to spread in a pan or not. I'm assuming you still spread it out as one, it's not some slice and bake idea for brownies, because that doesn't fit.
Also, the new thicker gas pump handles that hold advertisements are an interesting invention.
I also just saw an ad for the complete Harry Potter box set, in a trunk! I can't find a better picture at the moment. It's coming out this fall and is quite pricey, but oh so cool!
This next topic might be a little too personal or even gross for some, but it's part of what's been going on lately, so I'm going to write a little about it. Dellaina must be really sweet, just like her Daddy, because she gets bitten by bugs and gets nice big red whelps. Hank has been itching and scratching a lot more recently. He's had issues in summers past with what we assume is allergies to certain outdoor grasses, etc. I'm just recovering from two rather gruesome bumps of some kind - on on the back of my right arm, thankfully near my armpit, so not too obvious on a daily basis, and one on my lower back - right along the pants line, so it's sure to rub and continue to irritate. I noticed the back one first and it was very tender and red and itchy and looked like a regular pimple or whatever. Then, it started getting a dark center. It was super tender and sensitive and I'd have to cover it with a band-aid some days to keep my pants or underwear from bothering it more. About a week or so later, the one on my arm was becoming more and more like the one on my back. I'm usually one to squeeze or pick at bumps, but not these, they already hurt too much and somehow seemed to be something else. Like a spider bite? I don't know, just something. The dark center turned out to be blood and eventually scabbed over and is now in that flaky, trying to heal stage! One night over the weekend, I go to pull down the covers and crawl into bed for a nap and I notice little white spots on the NEW brown sheets. Upon closer inspection I realize the spots are actually tiny holes showing the white mattress protector beneath! What the heck?! There were like 7 or more tiny little holes, all up near and under my pillow! I showed Greg that night and demanded to know what kind of bugs were biting me on my back and eating through my sheets?! I don't know, maybe the dogs caused the holes, I have blamed them on the other sheet sets (usually they are much larger - dog rips, though) or possibly my rings catch at night when I'm putting my arm under my pillow? Or the sheets are the jersey kind and do seem super thin? Either way, thinking about itching makes you itch, so raise your hand if during this story you have started to feel creepy crawly things on your skin.
Second verse, same as the first
When I went to pick up Dellaina on Monday, she was wearing her new yellow sun hat they had made that day, that can look like a bonnet at times and pushing a toy shopping cart around. 
She looked like a little old lady, which Greg & I think a lot - especially when she's wearing her gaudy princess earrings! They drive Greg nuts. 
She liked wearing her hat that evening, too. Not sure where she learned to adjust her hat, but it cracks me up to watch. 
It was good timing, because we'd left her cherry hat at Granny & Granpa's. Thankfully, Granny mailed it back to us and we got it yesterday. 
She was wearing a flowered Fisherman's bucket hat when I picked her up yesterday. It's like she gets to play dress up and is starting to really enjoy it.
Tuesday, Mammie came up and picked Dellaina up a little early to go back home and play. That night, we went down to Daniel & Emily's house for dinner. It was a lot of fun to visit and the food was dee-lish! 
Dellaina had a big time chasing Marble around (which comes out "mama" when she tries to say her name) and found her sunglasses in my bag and enjoyed wearing those for a while. 
She looked like a little ski bunny or something. 
At one point she was looking for her Boppy (when she's tired, it comes out with a French accent - Bop-pay) asking "where did it go?" with her little arms out and then she came up to mom and said, "Mammie, get it!" 
She knew the biggest sucker in the room to approach with her plea for Mammie to come help her find it! It was pretty sweet. 
At one point, she came up to me and looked up at me and I swear she said, "poopie" or something similar. I was trying to figure out what she meant (because I normally talk about it as "stinky") when she started grunting. I was super impressed she knew enough to come tell me before she had to go to the bathroom! I told Georgia about it this morning and realized that she uses the word "poopie." She is definitely giving some signs that she's getting close to being ready and I think that's wonderful! I'm overwhelmed with how to even start the potty training process, but I think we've been talking about it and that's a good step. Guess I need to get a training toilet to advance to the next step! It would be a wonder to have one out of diapers before the next one gets here! Under 2 years seems early to me, but what do I know? I know Megan's big tactic was getting Big Girl Underwear that Miss Ella did not want to soil and really helped her accomplish it this year. When Dellaina moves up into the next room (August 6th!!!), they have a little training bathroom, that has a small toilet and high windows so the teachers can see in, but gives them privacy from classmates. 
We waited until Anita, Mema and her dog, Maggie arrived to give them hugs and say hello, but it was late, so we headed home for bed. Greg was already fast asleep by the time we got back. Dellaina was sleeping hard Wednesday morning when I tried to wake her up.
This morning, rather than eat her breakfast, Dellaina felt like dancing and playing music with me. We turned on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse CD and got out her instruments and danced around. It was a lot of fun. She's been doing really well this week when I drop her off, too. I usually stay for a few minutes, talking and holding or sitting with her and then she gets ready to move on and waves and says, "bye, bye, mama!" And will blow me kisses and give big smiles. It's such a welcome change again! She's even been talking about "Purple hand" and her "friends" and "teachers" a lot more at home, too, so I know she's enjoying it again and looking forward to being there to play. I asked if she talked a lot at school and if Georgia understood what she was saying and she said, "oh yes, she makes perfect words and it constantly walking around pointing things out and talking about them." I just wondered, because she talks a lot at home, but we know what she's talking about when she starts listing things like Mammie, Grandad, Mema, Mia, Dakota, lake, etc. Or Granny, Granpa, Anra, Bake. Or just things that relate to us and things we've done together. And I didn't know how much other people would be able to understand, but apparently she has another set of phrases for school, so that's good. Georgia said she's the only one that knows all of her colors and is helping the other kids learn; when they get it wrong, she'll point to the correct color or the color they just said and show them what they were saying.
She looked like a little old lady, which Greg & I think a lot - especially when she's wearing her gaudy princess earrings! They drive Greg nuts. 
She liked wearing her hat that evening, too. Not sure where she learned to adjust her hat, but it cracks me up to watch. 
It was good timing, because we'd left her cherry hat at Granny & Granpa's. Thankfully, Granny mailed it back to us and we got it yesterday. 
She was wearing a flowered Fisherman's bucket hat when I picked her up yesterday. It's like she gets to play dress up and is starting to really enjoy it.
Tuesday, Mammie came up and picked Dellaina up a little early to go back home and play. That night, we went down to Daniel & Emily's house for dinner. It was a lot of fun to visit and the food was dee-lish! 
Dellaina had a big time chasing Marble around (which comes out "mama" when she tries to say her name) and found her sunglasses in my bag and enjoyed wearing those for a while. 
She looked like a little ski bunny or something. 
At one point she was looking for her Boppy (when she's tired, it comes out with a French accent - Bop-pay) asking "where did it go?" with her little arms out and then she came up to mom and said, "Mammie, get it!" 
She knew the biggest sucker in the room to approach with her plea for Mammie to come help her find it! It was pretty sweet. 
At one point, she came up to me and looked up at me and I swear she said, "poopie" or something similar. I was trying to figure out what she meant (because I normally talk about it as "stinky") when she started grunting. I was super impressed she knew enough to come tell me before she had to go to the bathroom! I told Georgia about it this morning and realized that she uses the word "poopie." She is definitely giving some signs that she's getting close to being ready and I think that's wonderful! I'm overwhelmed with how to even start the potty training process, but I think we've been talking about it and that's a good step. Guess I need to get a training toilet to advance to the next step! It would be a wonder to have one out of diapers before the next one gets here! Under 2 years seems early to me, but what do I know? I know Megan's big tactic was getting Big Girl Underwear that Miss Ella did not want to soil and really helped her accomplish it this year. When Dellaina moves up into the next room (August 6th!!!), they have a little training bathroom, that has a small toilet and high windows so the teachers can see in, but gives them privacy from classmates. 
We waited until Anita, Mema and her dog, Maggie arrived to give them hugs and say hello, but it was late, so we headed home for bed. Greg was already fast asleep by the time we got back. Dellaina was sleeping hard Wednesday morning when I tried to wake her up.This morning, rather than eat her breakfast, Dellaina felt like dancing and playing music with me. We turned on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse CD and got out her instruments and danced around. It was a lot of fun. She's been doing really well this week when I drop her off, too. I usually stay for a few minutes, talking and holding or sitting with her and then she gets ready to move on and waves and says, "bye, bye, mama!" And will blow me kisses and give big smiles. It's such a welcome change again! She's even been talking about "Purple hand" and her "friends" and "teachers" a lot more at home, too, so I know she's enjoying it again and looking forward to being there to play. I asked if she talked a lot at school and if Georgia understood what she was saying and she said, "oh yes, she makes perfect words and it constantly walking around pointing things out and talking about them." I just wondered, because she talks a lot at home, but we know what she's talking about when she starts listing things like Mammie, Grandad, Mema, Mia, Dakota, lake, etc. Or Granny, Granpa, Anra, Bake. Or just things that relate to us and things we've done together. And I didn't know how much other people would be able to understand, but apparently she has another set of phrases for school, so that's good. Georgia said she's the only one that knows all of her colors and is helping the other kids learn; when they get it wrong, she'll point to the correct color or the color they just said and show them what they were saying.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Knocked back down a notch
Mema has been at my aunt's house in Memphis for the past week or two and Anita is relaying her back tonight. Mom came up a little early so she could play with Dellaina before picking up Mema and driving to the lake. I just went to meet her at the day care and as we are walking in, Tracie, at the front desk reaches up to give me a boo-boo report for Dellaina. The good thing is, I guess, Dellaina didn't actually have a boo boo. Unfortunately, it was written to explain how she'd bit one of her friends at lunch for trying to take her food! The note said Georgia explained to her how she made her friend cry and she said 'sorry.' We go into the classroom and they are singing the "Wheels on the Bus" (which ironically, had just been playing in the car when I got out) and she's having a big time. She finally notices us and turns around and has a big sticker on her forehead, too. I get her daily report and it shows she had +3 servings on her chicken crispitos! And under the "Today I really liked:" section it said "Pointing/Naming objects and colors" and I thought it said "Biting!" I was like, not funny. I stopped by to show Tracie these things lamenting how she had 3 servings and still had to bite someone for taking her food. Tracie pointed out, maybe that's how she got the 3rd serving. *sigh. Then, we were putting her in the car and mom had 2 little stuffed animals - one was a bear and one was a duck. She was excited and reached out for them, right as mom squeezed the Duck and it starts saying "Aflack!" and she flung it back out the door at us so quickly, I couldn't stop laughing. She didn't really have much to do with either one after that! We just startled her too much with it.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Baby/brag book
I know I've been doing more and more of these Dellaina posts lately, but it's my way of recording it all -so whenever I try to go back and actually fill in her baby book, I'll be able to look somewhere for dates, etc.
She's started making this huh/hm? noise after you say something to her that she doesn't quite understand. If you ask her a question, she'll look up at you and squeak a little "huh?" I don't know where she got it, exactly, much like her "um" from before. Thankfully, it's not quite the annoying factor of a real vocal "huh?" or "what?" as it's still in the curious, cute stage, but I don't want it to progress and become a bad habit!
She's also contradicted the Broken Record Syndrome where she will repeat and repeat and repeat things over and over and over again. "Where's Daddy? Where'd Daddy go? Where did he go?" over and over or "Bye Andrea, Bye Blake. Nite Andrea" again and again, long after we've parted company. I know she's not even that advanced into speaking fluently, so maybe things she can say just stick for a while, before she can move on to the next repetitive topic. She's also able to answer herself sometimes when she's looking for something - "where's x? There/here it is!"
She is getting a lot of teeth and has started smiling really big, exaggerated and funny that shows them off really well. Where her eyes are just slits and her nose crinkles up and her mouth shows all of the teeth and gaps! 
On the other end of the spectrum, she makes this lovely scowl when she's around people she doesn't know/trust yet. She acts shy and clings to you and it's really awkward in the store when people are trying to talk sweetly too her and she just gives them this mean look! I try to explain she's shy, but the look suggests she's angry!
She's learning her shapes and knows circle, triangle and star pretty well/consistently. She knows the letter "O" too and will point it out. She's starting to sing a long more and more to songs and getting closer and closer to the actual words, not just mimicking the sounds she hears. She knows school as "purple hand" now because of the graphic they have around the school of, well, a purple hand. And as she lists off names, I usually talk about how they are her friends at school or teachers and she said, unprompted "friends" for the first time over the weekend after listing off Amber, Aden, Piper, etc. It was cute.
Yesterday, we were coming up the steps outside and were counting. I got to 6 and got distracted by the dogs, but she continued on without me to count steps 7, and 8 out loud! Then in the bath tub she started at 1 and counted all the way up to 8 completely by herself! I was so impressed. She had her hand up under the faucet like she was counting the water droplets! I counted with her to 10 once or twice and then she was able to do it on her own, adding 9 and 10 to the string!
This morning when I was leaving her at school, rather than a meltdown (which had been threatening only moments before) I got a big smile and a wave when leaving! It was really nice to leave her happy, it's been a while. I called to check in this afternoon and Georgia told me she'd woken up with a "big cheesy grin" AND that she'd slept on a mat and not in a crib for the first time! I felt a sudden moment of desperation to cling to her being small and not wanting her to be so independent, but it's hard to deny that she's becoming such a big girl. It's too wild and overwhelming at times. Georgia was asking Dellaina if she wanted to say hey to mommy, that I was on the phone and then she said, "don't stick your tongue out at her!" and we continued on a conversation about her thoughts about how she didn't want to be embarrassed in front of her friends - I was like, "yeah, she already thinks it's bad enough I'm the only mom that still calls in everyday, you don't have to announce it to everyone! How embarrassing!" I just like Georgia's updates, because she'll actually tell me little stories, not just "she's fine."
She's started making this huh/hm? noise after you say something to her that she doesn't quite understand. If you ask her a question, she'll look up at you and squeak a little "huh?" I don't know where she got it, exactly, much like her "um" from before. Thankfully, it's not quite the annoying factor of a real vocal "huh?" or "what?" as it's still in the curious, cute stage, but I don't want it to progress and become a bad habit!She's also contradicted the Broken Record Syndrome where she will repeat and repeat and repeat things over and over and over again. "Where's Daddy? Where'd Daddy go? Where did he go?" over and over or "Bye Andrea, Bye Blake. Nite Andrea" again and again, long after we've parted company. I know she's not even that advanced into speaking fluently, so maybe things she can say just stick for a while, before she can move on to the next repetitive topic. She's also able to answer herself sometimes when she's looking for something - "where's x? There/here it is!"
She is getting a lot of teeth and has started smiling really big, exaggerated and funny that shows them off really well. Where her eyes are just slits and her nose crinkles up and her mouth shows all of the teeth and gaps! 
On the other end of the spectrum, she makes this lovely scowl when she's around people she doesn't know/trust yet. She acts shy and clings to you and it's really awkward in the store when people are trying to talk sweetly too her and she just gives them this mean look! I try to explain she's shy, but the look suggests she's angry!She's learning her shapes and knows circle, triangle and star pretty well/consistently. She knows the letter "O" too and will point it out. She's starting to sing a long more and more to songs and getting closer and closer to the actual words, not just mimicking the sounds she hears. She knows school as "purple hand" now because of the graphic they have around the school of, well, a purple hand. And as she lists off names, I usually talk about how they are her friends at school or teachers and she said, unprompted "friends" for the first time over the weekend after listing off Amber, Aden, Piper, etc. It was cute.
Yesterday, we were coming up the steps outside and were counting. I got to 6 and got distracted by the dogs, but she continued on without me to count steps 7, and 8 out loud! Then in the bath tub she started at 1 and counted all the way up to 8 completely by herself! I was so impressed. She had her hand up under the faucet like she was counting the water droplets! I counted with her to 10 once or twice and then she was able to do it on her own, adding 9 and 10 to the string!
This morning when I was leaving her at school, rather than a meltdown (which had been threatening only moments before) I got a big smile and a wave when leaving! It was really nice to leave her happy, it's been a while. I called to check in this afternoon and Georgia told me she'd woken up with a "big cheesy grin" AND that she'd slept on a mat and not in a crib for the first time! I felt a sudden moment of desperation to cling to her being small and not wanting her to be so independent, but it's hard to deny that she's becoming such a big girl. It's too wild and overwhelming at times. Georgia was asking Dellaina if she wanted to say hey to mommy, that I was on the phone and then she said, "don't stick your tongue out at her!" and we continued on a conversation about her thoughts about how she didn't want to be embarrassed in front of her friends - I was like, "yeah, she already thinks it's bad enough I'm the only mom that still calls in everyday, you don't have to announce it to everyone! How embarrassing!" I just like Georgia's updates, because she'll actually tell me little stories, not just "she's fine."
Questions and Anticipation
I just finished re-reading book #6 - The Half Blood Prince last night. I had forgotten a lot and it was good to go through it again. I have so many questions and even more so thanks to Ashley's lists and can't understand how we are going to possibly get all of the answers and all of the loose ends tied up in this final installment! Can it really be the end?! I am very eager to see how it all will unfold, but at the same time, I really want to kind of take my time, because of the finality of it all. It will be hard to avoid any talk as people finish up at their own pace, but I'm sure I will be eager to join in the conversations, too. I've asked some of these of Ashley and Megan already, but thought I'd post anyway. . .
*What does Dumbledore see when he's drinking the potion at the horcrux and crying out? Is it significant?
*Why can't Dumbledore do anything in the end without his wand? There had been mention before that great wizards could do certain things without the use of their wand - was he that weakened?
*Why didn't Harry try to do something non verbally? He'd successfully managed to refill Slughorn & Hagrid's glasses earlier and he had his wand, right?
*I still think Snape is going to somehow prove to be a good guy - somehow twisted, maybe, but nonetheless working under Dumbledore's orders. I think he had to kill Dumbledore because of the unbreakable vow he took with Narcissa at the beginning of the book and Dumbledore accepted this (their fight was about how Snape just needed to accept what was done was done and move on, making sure to fulfill the vow when the time came) and was prepared and was "begging" for him to kill him in the end, not begging to be spared or for his life. I still want to know what he had done that made Dumbledore trust him so intensely, though.
*I'd completely forgotten Harry wasn't going to come back to Hogwarts. That sounds so out of place. But his quest will take us to the places we need to go to get all of the answers, I suppose.
*It's interesting there will be a wedding in the midst of everything. Bringing up that event in the closing lines of the book makes me wonder if it's more significant, somehow. It definitely is a celebration of love. . .hmm.
*What does Dumbledore see when he's drinking the potion at the horcrux and crying out? Is it significant?
*Why can't Dumbledore do anything in the end without his wand? There had been mention before that great wizards could do certain things without the use of their wand - was he that weakened?
*Why didn't Harry try to do something non verbally? He'd successfully managed to refill Slughorn & Hagrid's glasses earlier and he had his wand, right?
*I still think Snape is going to somehow prove to be a good guy - somehow twisted, maybe, but nonetheless working under Dumbledore's orders. I think he had to kill Dumbledore because of the unbreakable vow he took with Narcissa at the beginning of the book and Dumbledore accepted this (their fight was about how Snape just needed to accept what was done was done and move on, making sure to fulfill the vow when the time came) and was prepared and was "begging" for him to kill him in the end, not begging to be spared or for his life. I still want to know what he had done that made Dumbledore trust him so intensely, though.
*I'd completely forgotten Harry wasn't going to come back to Hogwarts. That sounds so out of place. But his quest will take us to the places we need to go to get all of the answers, I suppose.
*It's interesting there will be a wedding in the midst of everything. Bringing up that event in the closing lines of the book makes me wonder if it's more significant, somehow. It definitely is a celebration of love. . .hmm.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Wedding
We got to Granny & Granpa's around 8:30 on Friday night and Dellaina clung to us pretty tightly the rest of the evening, which is nice to know she misses us. Andrea & Blake had gone to the Rehearsal Dinner for Michael & Shannon's wedding that we were in town for. They called afterwards and said that the preacher had been kicking a little ball around with some kids at the church and had tripped and fallen through a glass door!! he'd been taken to the ER a few minutes before they got there. He was ok, after some stitches and made it back for the actual dinner! It could have been really bad, so thankfully, it wasn't. Also, the bride had been cooking with some grease earlier in the day and it had splattered up and burned her chest and chin! Lesson: don't plan your Rehearsal Dinner for Friday the 13th!
I met Marcy, her mama and the bridesmaids Saturday morning to try on and order bridesmaids dresses. She had narrowed it down to 2 beautiful choices and although the first one was really beautiful, those of us with hips would not be able to pull it off successfully, especially those of us with "birthing" (or even recently birthed!) hips, tummy and chest. So, thankfully, the decision was made for the 2nd option, which is a very beautifully unique shade of what I would call raspberry sorbet, but the official name is garnet. It has a pretty sash in the back, too, that's a shade or two different, with slightly more pink tones, I think. I ordered big, so hopefully there will be plenty of room to take in/hem, rather than chancing needing extra fabric a month after the baby comes! Then, we all went over to IHOP for a nice brunch. It was fun to get together and hang out with a gaggle of girls for a change! I got back in time to join Dellaina for her nap, too. She'd already been down for an hour - hour and a half, but managed to keep sleeping for at least that long!
Once we got up and she ate, it was basically time to get ready and head over for the wedding. We counted and this was Dellaina's 6th wedding!! 2 cousins of mine in Savannah last summer (both of which we skipped out on the big Catholic ceremony and just hit the receptions) both sister's weddings last Fall (Emily & Andrea), then Greg's uncle's and father of the current groom last month. 
Greg & I have been to one other wedding without Dellaina in between, too! This one was in a church, but Dellaina did really well, for the most part. She would just ask a little loudly "where'd it go? where'd music go?" whenever the music stopped playing. Or point out Aunt Andrea up at the front or when a baby cried, "baby! crying" 
There were other kids in attendance and other moments that made the ceremony relaxed, so it was nice and relieved the pressure. The Matron of Honor went back up the aisle as we thought we were waiting for the bride to come down, so I was kind of worried what might have happened, but turns out, she was just going to try to help her daughter, who was the flower girl, make it down the aisle. The little girl then just ended up crying up front and she took her to her dad and grandparents in the audience. When asked for the ring, 
Greg's uncle, who was the best man, pulled out this HUGE toy ring (seriously 5 inches in diameter ring, with gaudy glass diamond on top - big enough to be seen easily all the way to the back of the church, if not the parking lot! Since Michael had taken his dad's ring out of a plastic toy dispenser at his own wedding last month, we'd figured there would be retribution). 
The reception was downtown Athens at the Georgian Terrace/Trumps and was nice, but was divided into two rooms, with the band, food, cakes in one room where most of the tables were reserved for I guess the wedding party and out of town guests. We snagged a table in the secondary room - where the drinks and presents were, at least (no alcohol, though) whereas some people kept wandering around looking for a table. We had a nice time visiting with the family we saw, just couldn't catch much that was going on in the other room. 
Dellaina refused to let me take a decent picture of her, never looking at the camera fully for me. *sigh. The food was good and Dellaina enjoyed it. Greg's littlest cousin, Tanner, who is a few months older than Dellaina, did manage to pull some curtains down off the huge old windows, without anyone much noticing, so that was our amusing story of the evening. We didn't stay to actually taste the cake, but saw the cutting and shoving of the cake up the poor Bride's nose!
Greg & I have been to one other wedding without Dellaina in between, too! This one was in a church, but Dellaina did really well, for the most part. She would just ask a little loudly "where'd it go? where'd music go?" whenever the music stopped playing. Or point out Aunt Andrea up at the front or when a baby cried, "baby! crying" 
There were other kids in attendance and other moments that made the ceremony relaxed, so it was nice and relieved the pressure. The Matron of Honor went back up the aisle as we thought we were waiting for the bride to come down, so I was kind of worried what might have happened, but turns out, she was just going to try to help her daughter, who was the flower girl, make it down the aisle. The little girl then just ended up crying up front and she took her to her dad and grandparents in the audience. When asked for the ring, 
Greg's uncle, who was the best man, pulled out this HUGE toy ring (seriously 5 inches in diameter ring, with gaudy glass diamond on top - big enough to be seen easily all the way to the back of the church, if not the parking lot! Since Michael had taken his dad's ring out of a plastic toy dispenser at his own wedding last month, we'd figured there would be retribution). 
The reception was downtown Athens at the Georgian Terrace/Trumps and was nice, but was divided into two rooms, with the band, food, cakes in one room where most of the tables were reserved for I guess the wedding party and out of town guests. We snagged a table in the secondary room - where the drinks and presents were, at least (no alcohol, though) whereas some people kept wandering around looking for a table. We had a nice time visiting with the family we saw, just couldn't catch much that was going on in the other room. 
Dellaina refused to let me take a decent picture of her, never looking at the camera fully for me. *sigh. The food was good and Dellaina enjoyed it. Greg's littlest cousin, Tanner, who is a few months older than Dellaina, did manage to pull some curtains down off the huge old windows, without anyone much noticing, so that was our amusing story of the evening. We didn't stay to actually taste the cake, but saw the cutting and shoving of the cake up the poor Bride's nose!
We actually got packed up and pulled out of Granny & Granpa's before noon today, so felt like we had a full day at home. Dellaina & I took our nap when we got home while Greg worked out. Then, the race was on and Dellaina did well playing and entertaining herself. 
Apparently the new game is moving her chair or rocking horse or whatever furniture she can manage. Then, we all went for a walk together, including the dogs. It was nice. Dellaina & I took a bath and then tucked Daddy in and read stories and put her down as well. I had plans to just transfer my pictures from the camera and then go read HP, but somehow have been sitting here typing and uploading pictures for an hour.
Apparently the new game is moving her chair or rocking horse or whatever furniture she can manage. Then, we all went for a walk together, including the dogs. It was nice. Dellaina & I took a bath and then tucked Daddy in and read stories and put her down as well. I had plans to just transfer my pictures from the camera and then go read HP, but somehow have been sitting here typing and uploading pictures for an hour. 6 months!
24 weeks down, 16(ish) to go. I was a day behind taking these shots, too, but close enough. Feel like I'm carrying high again - but looks like it's all over (at last when you start pulling clothes up! sheesh.
And for comparison to last time around. My camera was still dying it's slow, painful death and guess this was the week the first time around that I faced the wrong direction. oh well. You get the idea. 
And for comparison to last time around. My camera was still dying it's slow, painful death and guess this was the week the first time around that I faced the wrong direction. oh well. You get the idea.
Friday, July 13, 2007
HP review - major spoilers alert
I have to agree a lot with what Ashley said in her review so poignantly and in fact found it hard not to add my own thoughts already in her comments section, but thought I'd do my own post anyway on the movie. While, I went into it knowing that some of the reviews had been bad - claiming poor CGI or "slow points" and reading the first few words of Ashley's review before I had to tear myself away so as not to become completely disillusioned or be allowed to have my own thoughts - and with an understanding that the movies cannot possibly capture everything within the 800+ pages of complex emotional turmoil and intricate story lines, I still walked away feeling very let down, disappointed and just confused. Why had they made such drastic changes in the characters or plot? Gone were any references whatsoever to Mundangus, The Quibbler, unicorns, the bigger impact of the Centaurs, Draco Malfoy, essentially Percy Weasley, Quidditch (while I'm not too disappointed in that, overall - the fact that Harry was permanently banned and Ron was on the team, were two rather large stories wrapped around it, suddenly missing) Pensieve (now, I haven't seen the 4th movie, so I don't know what was left out previously - the Pensieve, Dobby, Winky, scenes on the Hogwarts Express, Rita Skeeter, Harry giving Fred & George his Triwizard winnings?) Gone were Hermione's constant nagging to Harry to keep practicing Occulmancy, but his struggle to really want to see behind the door and overwhelming impact of those dreams and the connection he had with Voldemort. Just so much emotion and relationships were glanced over and I felt like Ron and Hermione could have just been any other fellow classmates, not really knowing what a great impact they have in Harry's life. I did think they were building up Ginny's powers and her stealing looks at Harry a bit. She's really cute and I like Fred & George, too. I LOVED Luna, too. She was really great and just as glazed and misty as Rowling penned her. Overall, I'm still glad I saw it, in a way, just wish it had been longer and done a better job. If you haven't read the books, I'm not sure it wasn't slightly entertaining. Emily still seemed to have a good time, having only seen one or two of the movies and despite the fact I kept leaning over to her saying, "that's NOT how it happened!" She was a bit lost at times and I think the movie jumped around too much, that if you hadn't read the books, you really would have been lost! Not enough was explained or was just glanced over. And you really loose all of the emotional impact or significance that's building. One funny moment, though, was in the beginning of the movie, Harry had arrived at the OOTP headquarters and was talking seriously to Ron and Hermione when suddenly Fred & George Apparate behind him. Emily jumped 10 feet out of her chair and squealed SO loudly. It was hilarious. The whole theater had been so quiet (waiting for the movie to still actually start or explain something) and now was laughing at her! The guy next to us fell asleep in the middle, too, slumped over in the chair. So, I guess he agrees there were some slow parts. Here's hopping Rowling can redeem and validate our great anticipation and enthusiasm for the last installment and have continued Potter allegiance to the bitter end, despite dreadful movie renderings.
Daily report
Granny came to get Dellaina yesterday morning and they've had a big time with her, going out to eat at the Cracker Barrel last night with Andrea & Blake. The study we've been waiting for final approval to ship all week, isn't going to happen until next week, so I knew my afternoon was looking a little slow. I mentioned to Emily trying to go see the 4:00 matinee of Harry Potter! When I brought it up to Kirby around 2:20 he laughed and said to "go have fun!" It sounded like I could leave right then, so I tried to get in touch with Emily to see if she wanted to try to make the 3:15 showing instead. It was nearly 30 minutes before I got in touch with her, but we still decided to attempt it. I'll save my review for another post. I was glad I got to go see it. Afterwards, I ran over to Bed, Bath & Beyond to pick up a wedding gift for the wedding we are going to this weekend. We knew what we wanted to get and the only reason we hadn't just ordered it online is so I could use up some of my vast collection of 20% off coupons that are only valid in the store. It's not exactly convenient and when I got there and finally found the comforter, they didn't have the Queen in stock. The computer showed they should have one, but that didn't seem to be the case. The computer showed the Athens store had 12, so she called and put one on reserve for me. Of course, it won't show up on the registry that it's been purchased, so hopefully no one else will get it before we can tomorrow. We also got 2 of their bath towels and I HATE looking for bath items off a registry. Trying to match the brand, style, color and size is just too overwhelming for me. I had 2 towels picked out, but the lady at cash register kindly pointed out they were different - one was the one they wanted from their registry and the other was actually a slightly different size. I went back to try to get 2 of the correct one and ended up coming back with the ones that weren't on the registry. argh. So, one more attempt to leave the register and get the correct towel sizes and wait in line again! While standing in line, I saw these little sock change purses that were cute and the sign I thought said 99 cents, so I grabbed one for Dellaina. I had 20% off coupons for everything and when I was told the total, I was a little surprised and then realized the sock change purse had rung up at $6.99. By this time, though, I was beyond wanting to go through the process of taking it back off and ringing up again. I was trying to make it back in time for my boxing class at the gym at 7:00. When I got in the car, my gas light came on. I didn't want to push my luck, so I stopped and filled up. I called Greg so he could go ahead and give me my lecture about how I have "no sense of time at all" and "what was the point of going if I was going to be 30 minutes late?" I got home, ran in and changed and then hopped back in Greg's truck that I usually take and immediately the low fuel light came on! Argh! Not knowing how long it'd been on and been ignored, I just hoped it'd get me to the gym. It obliged and I filled it up afterwards, too. Then, we managed to have a nice, relaxing evening together, chatting and then finally finishing the season finale of 24! I woke up early this morning with a bad cramp in my right calf. The kind where you have to attempt to stand up out of bed and hobble around, trying to put pressure on it to straighten it out and flex it. It's still sore now. I was reminded of how many cramps I got last time around - weird ones, like inner thigh?! Guess it's about that time, since my doctor said they can be related to contractions - 6 months along tomorrow! wild. My belly has definitely started having tightness and uncomfortable feelings of stretching lately, too.
Things are quiet here again today, so we'll see when I get out of here. I'm going to meet Marcy tomorrow morning for our bridesmaids dress selection, fitting and ordering (should be challenging given my current state!) I'm super excited to see her in person since her engagement and realized I hadn't posted an official CONGRATULATIONS or announcement yet. So, Congrats again, Marcy, I'm so happy for you and can't wait to celebrate. Hope everyone has a nice weekend. I'll catch you on the flip side.
Things are quiet here again today, so we'll see when I get out of here. I'm going to meet Marcy tomorrow morning for our bridesmaids dress selection, fitting and ordering (should be challenging given my current state!) I'm super excited to see her in person since her engagement and realized I hadn't posted an official CONGRATULATIONS or announcement yet. So, Congrats again, Marcy, I'm so happy for you and can't wait to celebrate. Hope everyone has a nice weekend. I'll catch you on the flip side.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Dellaina stands by her prediction
There has been a little patio set outside Publix for weeks now. It's bright yellow with bugs on it and I thought it was so adorable, but gawked at the price they were asking for. Yesterday, as I was casually strolling by it, coveting it, I noticed the sign had been changed and it had been marked off $50! Obviously, that gives an indication of what the original price was if they can take off that amount! I called Greg to ask him about it - if he'd noticed it and what he thought. If there was a new set and I thought it was worth the money that was still being asked and if it looked sturdy enough, he didn't put up much protest. The sale price was unfortunately on the display model that was outside as it was the only one left. I still wanted it and after walking away yet again, I passed by it once more and turned around and went back to buy it. Tyler & I put it up on the deck at lunch and I barricaded it in with the other chairs to hopefully prevent the dogs from tearing it up the first day before Dellaina OR Greg had seen it. 
When she got home, I let her play around until she noticed it through the window on her own. She was walking by and kind of stopped, did a double take and gasped at the same time. It was too precious. I asked her what was outside and she ran to the window saying "chair" and "umbrella" and "yellow" and "bugs." Here's her first glimpse of it. 
We went out to check it out, and since it has been storming in the afternoons had to spread a towel for her, but she didn't seem to mind and had a big time. 
We had snack outside and played music and just hung out for a while, even though it was wet. I felt validated for the purchase. Hopefully, it wasn't just a first day thing!
When she got home, I let her play around until she noticed it through the window on her own. She was walking by and kind of stopped, did a double take and gasped at the same time. It was too precious. I asked her what was outside and she ran to the window saying "chair" and "umbrella" and "yellow" and "bugs." Here's her first glimpse of it. 
We went out to check it out, and since it has been storming in the afternoons had to spread a towel for her, but she didn't seem to mind and had a big time. 
We had snack outside and played music and just hung out for a while, even though it was wet. I felt validated for the purchase. Hopefully, it wasn't just a first day thing!
Hiding! Where's Dellaina?
How do these things work again?
Now we've got it!
Being silly and clapping her feet?
This is what we do when she asks for Daddy - he's downstairs, working out, building muscles "grrr."
I had a HOA meeting last night that lasted nearly 2 hours again, even though, we thought it would be short. Greg & Dellaina had a big time together and when I got home, he ran to the grocery store to pick up a few things. The plan was for me to get Dellaina in the bed while he was gone, but she was so wound up and we just sang, danced and played the whole time. She was running around and making laps and really enjoyed the new interactive songs I was doing with her (Ring around the Rosies, Hokey Pokey, Where is Thumbkin, London Bridge) It's funny, because she'll start hiccuping when she gets laughing too much. She runs around squealing and laughing and it was just fun. Then, when I did get upstairs to tuck her in, as I was rocking her before putting her to bed, she was very chatty. She was going through all the names we could think of for people she knows (and it's quite extensive from family to school to friends that have visited to dogs/cats that we know!) and just talking. She said Daddy enthusiastically and I asked if she loved Daddy and she responded, "Daddy, I love you." It was very sweet. She's saying "I love you" more and more and it's becoming more clear, but it was sweet that she didn't just repeat what I'd said, but actually knew to say it like she would tell him. When I was running out of names to supply her (usually, I'll say a name and she'll repeat it, and she'll add a few on her own in between that I'll repeat or confirm with some other information tacked on) I asked her what we should name the "baby in mama's belly" and she pops her head up saying, "baby in mama's belly" and patting, well, my boob, but it was dark and she was trying to prop herself up at the same time. I asked her if it was a boy or a girl and she laid her head back down and said, "boy." So, there you have it folks, another assurance from Dellaina that she'll be having a little brudder. I think Daddy's still convinced we'll be having another little girl. We'll see. . .
In the name of progress
On the way to work/day care Monday morning, I was stopped at the red light just in front of our neighborhood and looked diagonally across and saw that they were starting to clear off the corner. There was a big yellow machine that was just barreling it's way through the undergrowth and over the toppled trees it had already managed to conquer in it's path. It had these pinchers on the front that reached out and grabbed a bundle of the saplings at one time and shook them violently until it uprooted them and dropped them carelessly into the pile. There was something so violent, invasive and sad about watching it; it just really struck me and affected me in a way I wouldn't have expected. I thought about how the trees and wildlife probably have fanciful "stories" to explain the magical power of our world, much like the Harry Potter books create this magical universe that helps "explains" things. The yellow machine made me think of Gwarp shaking the nests and eggs out of the trees and uprooting them for sport.
By the time I came home at the end of the day, the entire hill was cleared out. I was taken aback with how much "progress" they had made in one day. Leading up to this corner, has been the addition of cookie cutter home neighborhoods on both sides of the highway. At this light, one corner has already been recently developed into a little strip mall that's been waiting to open for months now. I was hoping it might at least be something good - like a movie theater that was talked about, but no. Not sure what's going on this newly cleared corner - hopefully no gas stations. There is a fire station near the corner of our neighborhood entrance, but I think they still might try to squeeze something there eventually, which will not be great for our entrance! We're just in an area that hasn't been that grown up, it's the longest stretch of trees on the road and I am sad to know it's being overtaken with structures as well. *sigh
By the time I came home at the end of the day, the entire hill was cleared out. I was taken aback with how much "progress" they had made in one day. Leading up to this corner, has been the addition of cookie cutter home neighborhoods on both sides of the highway. At this light, one corner has already been recently developed into a little strip mall that's been waiting to open for months now. I was hoping it might at least be something good - like a movie theater that was talked about, but no. Not sure what's going on this newly cleared corner - hopefully no gas stations. There is a fire station near the corner of our neighborhood entrance, but I think they still might try to squeeze something there eventually, which will not be great for our entrance! We're just in an area that hasn't been that grown up, it's the longest stretch of trees on the road and I am sad to know it's being overtaken with structures as well. *sigh
Monday, July 09, 2007
The latest
Thanks in large part to Grandaddy, Dellaina's newest phrase is "Hold you!" when she wants someone to hold her. Apparently that's what my brother, Doug, would say when he was little, so my dad is always scooping Dellaina up saying, "hold you, hold you!" And it's too cute for me to be correcting just yet.
One other phrase she's recently coined as well is, "I'll get you!" She uses it while she runs away from you and it's more of a request for you to start saying it to her. Much like, she used to run towards you when you used the phrase, she now knows to actually run away and be chased, but still uses the phrase she has heard repeatedly. Thankfully, you don't even have to move off the couch, you can just say the phrase and she'll make the laps around and come back giggling and sputtering and laughing and keep on running, perhaps diving in for a brief hug.
We got out her baby doll over the weekend to work on some more "training." Other than the one time she got mad and threw her across the room, I think it went well. She's even sharing and thinks the baby needs her own color-coordinated Boppy! Sweet girl!
There was an adorable moment while we were all sitting around the table and watching Dellaina eat when she mimicked Greg wiping his forehead (most likely in exasperation of her attempts at eating with a fork that inevitably result in food all down her front and in her lap at some point). It was a subconscious move on his part, but one she picked up on and completely copied. It was too cute. It's just so wild to be "called out" on things you don't even realize you do. But, we immediately thought of how Granpa rubs his forehead and started trying to show her that move to show him next time we see him. :)
One such habit of mine, that I'm not aware of doing is biting my bottom lip. I do have little imprints from my teeth if you look carefully, though, so I must do it quite frequently. During the weekend, we'd turned up some music and Dellaina was really getting into the dancing with me. She even took out her Boppy, so she could bit her little lip in concentration!
At one point during the course of the weekend, Dellaina started repeating "not nice, Piper" and hitting the new music shaker bee we got. Then, she said "not nice, bee." I'm not sure what prompts her to think of her "friends" sometimes, but it intrigues me.
We got another great package from Mama Megan & Miss Ella (and finally started some of the shipments back for the new Baby Girl to enjoy, mailing 3 boxes back out!) Dellaina was very excited about the new foam books! She sat right down to read them. I knew you'd be proud of the GA shirt, too! (Hope these multiple posts have appeased you!)
I think it was Saturday (probably due to our shortened nap and running on fumes) Dellaina suddenly decided she wanted "cake" for dinner! I have no idea where it came from or what made her think we had anything that even remotely resembles cake (I guess her little muffins are about as close as you could get) but it was a hard fought battle to come up with a suitable substitute and stop the meltdown!
One other phrase she's recently coined as well is, "I'll get you!" She uses it while she runs away from you and it's more of a request for you to start saying it to her. Much like, she used to run towards you when you used the phrase, she now knows to actually run away and be chased, but still uses the phrase she has heard repeatedly. Thankfully, you don't even have to move off the couch, you can just say the phrase and she'll make the laps around and come back giggling and sputtering and laughing and keep on running, perhaps diving in for a brief hug.
We got out her baby doll over the weekend to work on some more "training." Other than the one time she got mad and threw her across the room, I think it went well. She's even sharing and thinks the baby needs her own color-coordinated Boppy! Sweet girl!There was an adorable moment while we were all sitting around the table and watching Dellaina eat when she mimicked Greg wiping his forehead (most likely in exasperation of her attempts at eating with a fork that inevitably result in food all down her front and in her lap at some point). It was a subconscious move on his part, but one she picked up on and completely copied. It was too cute. It's just so wild to be "called out" on things you don't even realize you do. But, we immediately thought of how Granpa rubs his forehead and started trying to show her that move to show him next time we see him. :)
One such habit of mine, that I'm not aware of doing is biting my bottom lip. I do have little imprints from my teeth if you look carefully, though, so I must do it quite frequently. During the weekend, we'd turned up some music and Dellaina was really getting into the dancing with me. She even took out her Boppy, so she could bit her little lip in concentration!At one point during the course of the weekend, Dellaina started repeating "not nice, Piper" and hitting the new music shaker bee we got. Then, she said "not nice, bee." I'm not sure what prompts her to think of her "friends" sometimes, but it intrigues me.
We got another great package from Mama Megan & Miss Ella (and finally started some of the shipments back for the new Baby Girl to enjoy, mailing 3 boxes back out!) Dellaina was very excited about the new foam books! She sat right down to read them. I knew you'd be proud of the GA shirt, too! (Hope these multiple posts have appeased you!)
I think it was Saturday (probably due to our shortened nap and running on fumes) Dellaina suddenly decided she wanted "cake" for dinner! I have no idea where it came from or what made her think we had anything that even remotely resembles cake (I guess her little muffins are about as close as you could get) but it was a hard fought battle to come up with a suitable substitute and stop the meltdown!
HP questions
Ok, so I know Ashley has much more involved pondering about Harry Potter on her blog, but after re-reading (I'm just starting book #6) I did have a few questions of my own I wanted to bring up. Clearly, if you have not read the HP books and intend to, stop reading, as I do not want to be responsible for ruining anything for anyone). I tend to ask questions like this often and Greg tries to tell me not to question so much (like feasibility in 24, etc.) but in ways I enjoy picking out inconsistencies. I always liked to notice those things in TV shows or movies where the door that had been left open was mysteriously shut in the next frame/shot or the rumpled bow tie was more or less so in the next angle, etc. I thought it would be a neat job to be in charge of thinking those things through and making sure they were done correctly. Then, I found out it was actually a real job and that was pretty cool, too! Anyway, back to my own quandaries. . .
(1) Hermione continues to proclaim that you can't Apparate or Disapparate within Hogwarts, but don't the house elves *snap* around, even within Hogwarts? And if they can. . .?
(2) Why didn't Harry notice the Thestrals at the end of book 4, right after he saw Cedric die? There was a passage talking about getting back on the horseless carriages to go back to the Hogwarts Express when going home for the summer, so it just seems odd to me that it wasn't until Book 5 that he notices them.
(3) I wonder why Rowling didn't make a bigger deal (guilt trip) for Harry to use the 2-way mirror to contact Sirius in book 5. He discovers it at the very end while trying to deal with his death, but it just makes him think he'll still be able to contact him, not that he should have thought to open it before and use it rather than Umbridge's fire and he would have been able to actually get through to him and not Kreacher (which obviously, would have altered the events of the book dramatically) but I'm just surprised, as much as she delves into his emotions and inner struggles and turmoil, that it wasn't a realization for him or addressed at all.
(4) Who can be my date to go see OOTP in the theatre? I'm really intrigued to go see it soon, because I know everyone (that is nowhere near me, physically, unfortunately) will be talking about it and I think it will be a really good one. I realized, though, that I have only seen 3 of the movies, I think! So, I had wanted to re-watch those as well, but I'm just not sure that I will be able to hold off seeing the movie that long, now that it's out! It'd be nice to see one in the theatre for a change!
(1) Hermione continues to proclaim that you can't Apparate or Disapparate within Hogwarts, but don't the house elves *snap* around, even within Hogwarts? And if they can. . .?
(2) Why didn't Harry notice the Thestrals at the end of book 4, right after he saw Cedric die? There was a passage talking about getting back on the horseless carriages to go back to the Hogwarts Express when going home for the summer, so it just seems odd to me that it wasn't until Book 5 that he notices them.
(3) I wonder why Rowling didn't make a bigger deal (guilt trip) for Harry to use the 2-way mirror to contact Sirius in book 5. He discovers it at the very end while trying to deal with his death, but it just makes him think he'll still be able to contact him, not that he should have thought to open it before and use it rather than Umbridge's fire and he would have been able to actually get through to him and not Kreacher (which obviously, would have altered the events of the book dramatically) but I'm just surprised, as much as she delves into his emotions and inner struggles and turmoil, that it wasn't a realization for him or addressed at all.
(4) Who can be my date to go see OOTP in the theatre? I'm really intrigued to go see it soon, because I know everyone (that is nowhere near me, physically, unfortunately) will be talking about it and I think it will be a really good one. I realized, though, that I have only seen 3 of the movies, I think! So, I had wanted to re-watch those as well, but I'm just not sure that I will be able to hold off seeing the movie that long, now that it's out! It'd be nice to see one in the theatre for a change!
22+ weeks
So, I was late posting my 20 week pictures, and then was late taking my 22 week pictures and think perhaps I should have waited a little longer, until I was looking a little better. oh well. 
Plus, I was all flustered by continually forgetting to take them, I went and faced the "wrong" direction. At least I try, for comparison's' sake, to generally face the same way, but I was thrown off by being late and in a different room, etc. 
Alas, without, further delay, here there are, my 22 1/2 week pictures with currently expanding belly alongside my 22 week pictures from the first time around. A tan really helps things look better, I think. *sigh.
Plus, I was all flustered by continually forgetting to take them, I went and faced the "wrong" direction. At least I try, for comparison's' sake, to generally face the same way, but I was thrown off by being late and in a different room, etc. 
Alas, without, further delay, here there are, my 22 1/2 week pictures with currently expanding belly alongside my 22 week pictures from the first time around. A tan really helps things look better, I think. *sigh.
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