Beca

Random stories that I've remembered to write down.

11/21/2010 - doing homework one night , she had to write 3 H words.  She wanted to write 6.  The first ones were horse, here and have so we were talking about silent "e" on the end.  head and hair and then hat but she wanted to put an "e" on the end and I told her that would spell "hate".  she said "I don't want to do that, it's mean.  we should just leave it 'hat'".

11/30/2010 - Beca was getting ready for bed and suddenly said "Mom, if Meredith liked chocolate ice cream while she was in your tummy, do you think she'll like chocolate ice cream when she gets bigger?"

12/1/2010 - when Beca got completely bent out of shape about not being allowed to go outside, her Daddy asked her why she was so upset.  Her response "that's just the way my life is".

Sweets Bubbles

I think I was waiting for a picture to put this up but as the camera still sits by, I might as well just post it and then go back later for the picture.

Meredith figured out how to roll from her front to back already. Last weekend, she did it during tummy time.  She has tried several times in her crib but gets too close to the side.  Then Monday morning, she woke up early and was making her "just come get me" whine.  And when I came in and turned on the light and looked over the edge of the crib, she looked up at me and gave me her big open mouth grin (which is nearly impossible to get in a picture!).  She was sooo proud of her self.  She's not even 4 months so how did she do it?  Probably because we are bad parents and don't listen to the "put your baby on their back".  And guess what?  Meredith actually sleeps.  She's found her fingers and thumbs.  The fingers are the same two on her left hand that Beca sucks.  But then she changes it up and gets her left thumb in her mouth and then wants to flip her head to the other side and need to suck on her right thumb.  Maybe she'll settle on one of those things.  Maybe not.  But with her fingers and thumbs, we were able to stop swaddling, put her on her belly and just let her sleep.  Steve gets her home and i usually have about 15 minutes to play with her or let Beca chat with her.  Sometimes it isn't even 15 minutes because she's starting to fall apart. Then its all-smiles for bath time, while she kicks the water and splashes and giggles.  She loves it!  Then as soon as she's wrapped up in her towel, she starts this "ACK" noise off and on which just gets more pitched as she gets dressed.  As soon as her arms are in her pj's, she's ready to eat and gets mad.  Then she eats and goes to sleep.  Generally before 6pm.  And she gets fed while sleeping about 10:30pm and then doesn't really wake up until 6am, except when she's having a growth spurt or practicing her rolling over.  UPDATE - This week has been 3-4 am waking up.  I'm going to miss this schedule once she decides it doesn't work.  But I'm going to enjoy seeing her a little more too.
I keep forgetting to talk about her adorable chubby legs. Beca had these skinny limbs with almost no rolls to them but Meredith has these fantastic chubby, rolly-polly legs.  so cute!
All of us call her "Bubbles" because she always has bubbles around her mouth and is very happy with that.  I call her "sweets" sometimes because she's soooo darn sweet and I could just eat her up like a bowl of sugar!  We are so very lucky that she is such a good baby!

The adults have wishes too...

Yeah, so we need nothing.  Our wants aren't cheap any more.  Our daily loves are fulfilled with the grins and giggles of two little girls.
Steve would most like World of Warcraft financial assistance to support his habit (which apparently could also support Make A Wish for purchasing particular pets).  Also more Starbucks, Best Buy or iTunes, all to further support other habits.  Maybe REI as well.  We will need some additional winter gear for a ski trip and I'm sure he wants more toe socks for his five finger shoes (like a glove for your foot).
I'm all for more iTunes and McDonalds.  Yeah, the sweet tea is a requirement for Meredith and I to each have a good day.  Land's End, REI, Ann Taylor are all good too.  I know it's vague but I am honestly so exhausted lately that I can never think of what I want except when I'm in the car and hear a song that i want from iTunes. (aside - I know I have said that Meredith sleeps but that doesn't necessarily mean that I do, especially since I'm the one that wakes up for every little fuss that she has).
And Target for the whole family.  We're a Target house.

Baby Meredith's wishes

Oddly, Meredith's wish list is short.  World peace is what she told Zoe but then such young darlings can ask middle aged poodles for that kind of grandeur.  I'm sure in a few years, it will be as encompassing as her sister's.
Her existing stack of toys is large, as is her extensive wardrobe.  She is now in 3-6 months and they fit her well after the latest round or growing.  So 6-9 winter stuff will be in order sooner than later.  We have a lot of great hand-me-downs of both the clothes and toys.  Our only big thing that we will need next summer is a big car seat.  I want the cow print Britax one.
What we really need are diapers and wipes.  I know that sounds so basic but she's already in size 2 diapers (Pampers Swaddlers fit really well) and that's honestly what we actually need/want for her.  She'll smile greatly about those too as she does not really like to be wet or dirty.
What we would also love to have is contributions for her college fund.  Those would be good gifts right now or donations to charities focusing on children.
I still haven't hung anything in her room except her name.  She doesn't seem worried about it so I won't either.
Meredith is greatly amused by people and things moving at this point.  Things that crinkle in her hand and things that she can get to her mouth, although she doesn't quite know what to do with it once it is in her mouth.  She'll just grin at you and be happy that someone is talking to her so don't worry about things for her!
So while her current goal of world peace isn't actually attainable, just a little snuggle with her may bring you some holiday peace.  So please just visit! (Call/email first, of course)

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat... (Beca's wish list)

Please to put the penny in the old man's hat...

Beca went through a lot this summer - presents pretty much the end of May through August - for weddings, birthdays, starting school, becoming/being a big sister.  She said recently "when am I going to get more presents?"  Steve and I talked with her about being greedy.  It did not sink in.  But we also reminded her that Christmas was coming up.  So, for all those wondering and those who have already asked, here's the list of things Beca would enjoy.  I know I did not say things she asked for.  Most of the actual list is specific Barbies that don't exist, like Batman and Spider-man Barbies for when the boys come over, even though the boys just sniff out Steve's Nerf gun collection and drool. "but Mommy, Santa's elves will just make it." or the Disney princesses and princes that are hanging out in the elves crawlspace already.  just saying.  so, here it is...

1) Books - miss thing is getting so close to reading.  She loves chapter books that I can read to her (we're working on The Secret Garden right now).  But she very much enjoys books she can work on herself so more of the early readers are good.  She especially wants more of the Sleeping Bear Press Books (the Alphabet books like "P is for Princess") and anything in the Pinkalicious series, except "Pinkalicious" and "Goldilicious" which she has.  She's all about collecting more.  I'm listing what we have at the bottom of the blog page (not this posting but the actual blog).
2) puzzles - 100 piece puzzles are starting to be easy for her.
3) games - so far, we have Trouble, Boggle Jr, Scrabble Jr., Memory games (Princess, Dora & Toy Story 3) Pardon My Pixie Dust, Silly Switch (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), Cootie, Tinkerbell card games, UNO (Princess and the Original Toy Story), Toy Story 3 Yahtzee Jr, Toy Story 3 Buckaroo, Chutes & Ladders
4) Legos - she has one small house set but wants to be able to build so much more.
5) Barbies - although I mentioned it in the beginning as being something that doesn't exits, I meant that the specific ones she asks for are non-existent, except the ones already in the available queue.  She loves her Barbie stuff.  But she's full up on the Disney princesses Barbies.
6) Strawberry Shortcake - anything.
7) Coloring books, Activity books, workbooks, etc.  Also, she would love to have the Brain Quest packs for anything above 4-5.  She was able to finish that pack entirely on a bus ride between Orlando and Port Canaveral.
8) Craft/Art projects
9) Tinkerbell and the fairies - she loves the movies (which we have).
10) Larger dress up things - most of Beca's costumes are size 6 or smaller.  She's much closer to a 7 now.
11) Contributions for the college fund.  she's going to need it.

12) I forgot a biggie in my original posting - she asked for a 2 wheeled Razor scooter in either pink or purple.  A used one (not too beat up) would be fine because I'm pretty sure she'll try it once and be apprehensive for a while before actually using it.

13) Rapunzel from Tangled is now being requested.

How many Halloween things can we do?

Yeah, I totally meant to get this up earlier.  A little late but here's the October run down!

Ah, October. It was mostly hot and sticky which meant that even though Meredith started on her 3-6 months clothes at just over two months, she was able to wear some of the cute summer things before it got cooler. Of course, that meant she didn't get to wear a whole lot of the warm clothes that were 0-3 months.

And Meredith started daycare!  She got the schedule down pretty quick and mostly learned to keep her eyes open during the day with a few short naps (15-30 minutes usually).  Then at night, as soon as she got home, she was ready for getting a bath, getting dressed, getting fed and getting put to bed!  It's been amazing!

Here's pictures from early October:

Sisters!

Beca helped me pick these out last spring.  Meredith only wore hers a few times before it was too short.  :-(
Beca cried about not have the metallic sparkle sunglasses on her monkey.  oh, waaaaahhhh!

This was my background at work for a while - Meredith does have touches of red in her hair, while Rebecca has her Uncle Kyle's hair (thick, straight and dirty blond).  Meredith has my skin tone while Rebecca has Steve's.

for Uncle Kyle - "aunt" Stephanie took the T-shirt and added the awesome skirt with ruffles.
Everyone that sees it loves it!!

Zoe just plopped down next to Meredith and kept trying to get closer and closer to her until the top of her pom was touching Meredith.  Zoe also wanted me to rub her belly and she loves to lay on any blanket that is on the floor.

Meredith loves this book - it's all pictures either white on black or black on white and she will stare at it for a while.  By the end of October, she started talking to it more.

Baby's first Hanna Andersson!  Got to throw it on once!

October 9th, we went to pick out some pumpkins on a farm in Apex.  It was so hot that day but the sky was gorgeous and we got a few pictures while there.  The pumpkins are beautiful but we never did get to carve them.

we actually got our pumpkin from the pile but decided to walk through the fields a little.

or run, as Beca preferred...

the girls!

Beca loved this tractor

She actually climbed up on this step all by herself before I really realized what she was doing.

Beca had so many Halloweens! 
1) She got to trick or treat on the cruise ship in her Jessie costume - they had little stations set up on various decks.  Everyone loved her Jessie costume.  I was sort of surprised at the number of people who just said "cowgirl" though.  They were even playing TS3 on the ship so Steve and I finally got to watch it all the way through!

ready to go!

Sassy Jessie

waiting for the candy table to open!!

Along the costume parade route - after the trick or treating, there was a dance party on the pool deck and then they had all the kids make a parade line.  It was a little chaotic but Beca had fun, mostly by asking Wonder Woman to dance with her (one of the cast members).

A bonus picture of Meredith from the day we got back from the cruise.  She was so good and such a sweetie for Oma while we were gone.  And a good sleeper!

2) A visit to the SAS Children's House Fall Parade (but seriously, since all the kids are dressed up in their HALLOWEEN costumes and walking around their circle, shouldn't it just be the Halloween Parade??).  We got to see the Sullivan's (Kate got to come too because she was tracked out), the Leahy's (with the bigger Spider-man of the house, Aidan), and the adorable Dorothy-dressed duo of Caroline and Kaylin!  Meredith watched in amazement the whole time.

Meredith in the Moby wrap - picture by Beca!

Kate and Rebecca in the 20 seconds we could get them to stand still

3) Parata-ween trick or treating - the kids get to go around at both buildings of my work and stop by the desks of those that want to hand out candy - you just had to find the balloon.  It was the day after we got home from the cruise and we took Meredith too who just watched everything.

At Mommy and "Aunt" Cynthia's desk before finding the rest of the candy at Ops.  Jessica and Evelyn soon joined in the fun and Beca was so funny making sure they were having a good time.  Beca wasn't too sure about my friend Tracy (dressed as Cher) when she told her she was going to get her boots but pretty much liked everything else.  And she kept talking about Mommy's new building versus the old one.

4) bonus Birthday party for Aidan Leahy, which ultimately meant more time with Kate!  Meredith had fun watching the bouncing for a bit but then got hungry and tired.  So she spent the rest of the party asleep in the Moby wrap!  Everyone had a great bounce and was tired at the end!

5) pre-Halloween dinner with Payton, Kate and Melissa!  This was so much fun!  Meredith went to bed before we got into dinner and the girls had a picnic on the floor of the living room while the adults had some good food and good conversation!

3 funny girls with a sneaky one!

the fab 4 in their costumes!

6) Halloween!  finally!  But it was a really fun time!

Mommy and Meredith

Jessie waiting for her friends

Wonder woman Riona, Supergirl Drew, and Jessie the Yoddelin' cowgirl Rebecca

Ghost hat, skeleton jammies and black cat socks - we covered most of the Halloween stuff!

Mmmmm candy!!  Why are we giving this out when it's so fun for me to look at.

October was crazy busy but we made it through!!  I wish it would have been a little cooler but it was great to have some time outside!

My favorite holiday greeting cards

Get ready for a blog explosion...  I've got several posts started.

One of my favorite things about the holidays is the cards, pictures and newsletters from friends.  At the end of the season, I pick my favorite ribbon and wrap all of them like a present.  One day, I'll actually do something with them.  But because of this, I'm very particular about picking out my cards.  So, when another friend had this cool blog posting about Shutterfly cards (thanks Jaclyn!), I had to do the same!  Admittedly, there are 50 free cards in the deal for me but since I love their cards and books and use several Share sites, I knew I could speak a little piece on some of my favorite products from Shutterfly.

The cards.  I end up ordering cards year round from Shutterfly.  And that way I can personalize it so much.  For Mother's Day, Steve took a couple of pictures of Beca hugging my belly (with Meredith still in) and I quickly put 4 different pictures onto a card and was able to send those out!  Took less effort than a Hallmark visit and was way more personal! )  The Christmas card designs and layouts are always fantastic and  I have such a hard time choosing.  I know people who don't think through it at length as I do  probably spend a lot less time and can just put 2 or 3 pictures on and click "Order".  I spend 2 or 3 weeks going back and looking at it. So far, may favorite for this year from the collection -http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards  is: 

Of course, that could change when I get some pictures together.

Some of my other favorite items to get from Shutterfly are the magnets, mugs and Photo books.  Beca's friends love getting magnets of themselves at Christmas. And the coffee drinkers in our lives often find a happy little mug on a mug for birthdays or Mother's/Father's Days.

I think my favorite gift to give is our family book.  It's the year in pictures for those very close to us.  I honestly have started that on a few other sites to get it cheaper but never liked the layouts and backgrounds and options that I have on the other sites.  Shutterfly always makes it a great project and I can keep adding and tweaking and saving until I'm totally happy with it!  We always keep one for ourselves.  Beca has the best time looking back at them and "remembering" the trips and fun days.  It's also a stop-gap measure to truly scrapbooking the pictures we have.  One day, I'll get to do more of that but for now, the little book suffices.  This year should be interesting with either trying to compress the pictures onto the number of pages or buying more pages.  I'm thinking there might be some thicker books!

So I love Shutterfly and even when other sites offer up deals, I've always found myself back uploading to them.  It generally means kicking Steve off World of Warcraft to gain the bandwidth necessary.  But it means that I have photos that I can put on all kinds of products and then be able to pass on something that someone else might want to tie a special ribbon around and save forever!

Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly, follow the arrow à  http://bit.ly/sfly2010  

Truly funny things

I'm listening to Beca sing in the bathroom while Daddy dries her hair.  She alternates some random words to the tunes of Pink's "So What" and the Kinks/Van Halen's "Girl, You Really Got Me Going".  Both are songs from "Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel" so they are actually either songs by "the boys" ("Alavin, simon, and Theodore" is how she says their names) or "the girls" ("Brittany (pronounced fully), Janette, and Eleanor (who she called "the fat one" the other day, not intending to be mean in her mind but just providing a description - i asked her not to say that again).  Thanks to Nici for providing that soundtrack.  It has provided hours of entertainment for Beca - and for us.  She corrects us with "I can sing it how I want" whenever we try to help with the lyrics.  oh well.
Meredith just laughs at everything, except the dog.  She's not a fan of Zoe getting too close to her.  But Zoe tried to make up for it last night.  When Meredith was squawking in her crib, Zoe got up before any of the rest of us could from downstairs and bolted up the steps and sat outside Meredith's door like 'Don't worry folks!  I'll take care of it!"  wonder dog she is not...  Meredith ended up finding her fingers and sucking very loudly.  Zoe ended up coming downstairs very satisfied that her trip to sit in the hallway ended in the desired "no more screaming from baby".
We were discussing Beca's upcoming field trip to the pumpkin patch/corn maze/farm on Friday and there was a note from her teacher that my volunteer status had been cleared.  I told her I should be able to go but I have to ask my boss.  She said “well, Mom, all you have to do is go in and tell your boss that I have a field trip and you’re going to leave but you’ll be back in just a sec.”  I relayed the story and he said "of course".  She's deliciously charming, even from a distance...
So then my mom was telling us this story after taking Beca to ballet/Chick-fil-a on Monday nights (it's their new thing):

"[Beca} said “do you two know about my surprise vacation?” I said, well your mommy said it was a surprise. She asked if we were going and we told her we were watching Meredith. She said, “well, you need to be very, very careful with my baby sister… and don’t wash off the kisses. I kiss her on the forehead and sometimes on her nose, so be very careful and don’t wash off my kisses.” She also mentioned something about us taking good care of her…"

Meredith would be quite content if we would put her to bed at 5pm, feed her at 10pm, again at 5am and not wake her up until closer to 10am and then let her be awake until 5pm with lots of feedings during the day.  Sorry kid, that's not going to work.
Speaking of work, I'm making it.  The lessening of sleep (because I enjoyed going back to bed and sleeping in until 8:30/9 am while Meredith slept) is a little difficult but I get a good 6 hours usually.  the worst part is the allergies/cold/weather change mess of the fall that always gets my system a little shocked.  This too shall pass.  In the meantime, I'm sure Beca will sing me a little bit of her version of Katie Perry's "Hot 'n' Cold" as sung by "the girls" and I'll just laugh the rest off.

Meredith and everyone else in September

 Yup - more pictures.  i'm on a roll.

Beca drew a family picture of us on the white board

Meredith, Mommy, and Aunt Traci

Beca is ready for her ride on the tag-a-long with Pop-pop

Um, Daddy?  Why is that in your mouth?

This is a much better place for my pacifier.  And to take a nap.

Rebecca drew a picture of herself holding Meredith - soooo sweet!!

Best napping spot ever

Oma gets the best smiles and biggest giggles

Bea's new Halloween tee might be too accurate.

Melissa Rose and Meredith Grace (or "Merdiss" as Melissa says) - she had to hold her right away and did not want to give her up for a while.  Until Kate and Beca got to where they sounded like it was just too much fun!

Kate finally decided she should hold the baby too!

Pictures from September - just Meredith

There's a lot more pictures from September - here's the ones of just Meredith:

Sleeping next in a wedge that Daddy made with pillows and Beca's blanket - thankfully. she's willing to share.

A favorite sleeping spot for a while - Beca's flower bean bag that she got her first Christmas.

Stephanie made this - its one of my favorite outfits on Meredith and I'm going to be sad when its too small/too cold.

Beca helped pick this outfit in early summer - and even told me the day I took the picture that we decided not to get the matching hat because it was just too expensive (it cost more than the outfit).

Meredith's "friends" - she especially likes to watch the monkey.  When she was really tiny, she liked the parrot more.

Happy girl!

Monkey dress!

tummy time - she looks at the words more than the pictures.

she likes the happy face that's on the star - probably because it lights up too.

2 months old!

caught her mid-chatter!

laughing at Oma

laughing at Oma and Pop-pop

2 months - for good comparison to the 1 month picture in August.

yeah, I'm that good...

blanket by my Robin, and the best kind of shoes - they can't come off!

Never would have been able to get a bow in Beca's wisps...  Meredith's hair even curls in the back already!