Come Alive

I found this word art quote on this fun, creative blog called Fairy Davis.
My new year's resolution is to Come Alive.

Babytrice

Ella's friend Bailey calls Beatrice "BabyTrice". I love it!

Jam Session

New Year's Day party @ Debbie and Rob's. Check out Ella's killer drum solo.

New Years Eve

We spent NYE with my parents at their house. We were home and in bed by 9:30pm.
Totally awesome.

Penny Wishes

I loved having Christopher home over the Christmas break. He let me sleep in with Beatrice while he took Ella on morning adventures. Some of their favorite places to go together are Cabela's or any pet store to look at "fishies" and bugs, to the Art Museum, to Gymboree to play, to the Webster U library, and to Bob and Anne's music store.

When the Jackson Pollack exhibit was in town, Christopher took Ella to the Art Museum every weekend. Love us some Jackson Pollack. He even got her a book called Action Jackson.

This morning, Beatrice and I joined Christopher and Ella on their adventure to the Art Museum. It was a blast. It's fun to look at the art through Ella's eyes.

When Christopher and I decided we wanted to try to have another baby, we threw a penny into the fountain at the Art Museum and made a wish. Nine/Ten months later, we named our Wish Beatrice.

Today when Ella threw a penny into the fountain, we asked her what she wished for. She answered, "A penny."

Cousins

Ryan, Annie, and Ella at the Science Center

Christopher's brother and his family visited us over the Christmas break. Ella had fun going up in the Arch for the first time and exploring at the Science Center with her cousins Ryan and Annie. Then they all went swimming in their hotel's pool.

One Step Ahead

I think Ella's been reading my blog. Right after I wrote about how great our bedtime routine was going, she pulled a fast one on us and now she's been waking up in the middle of the night and giving us a hard time when we try to put her to bed. Hmmm. Also, the cookie method (eat a bite of dinner, then you get a cookie bite) has stopped working. Man, she's good. Now we need to figure out something else that works. Just trying to stay one step ahead of her.

Merry Christmas 2009

Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve, Ella and I baked cookies and made home made fudge (my Dad's only Christmas request). Later, we all watched A Charlie Brown Christmas and ate take-out Chinese food. After Ella and Bea went to sleep, Christopher and I laughed our heads off watching Lampoon's Christmas Vacation in bed. A good, good Christmas Eve.

Gardenland Express

We went to The Gardenland Express Train exhibit at the Botanical Gardens with my mom. The plants were beautiful. Ella held Christopher's hand and enjoyed looking at the trains. Beatrice slept in the sling while we walked around. We enjoyed a peaceful lunch out together. NOT!



This is how it really went down:
We took the wrong exit, got lost, were late meeting Gramma. Ella darted through the crowd, touching the plants, stepping on the ledges, splashing in the puddles, trying to touch the trains so she could play with them. Can you blame her? A cry-fest ensued on the drive to lunch so we skipped lunch out and came straight home.

But the plants were beautiful.

Ella & Beatrice Now

Time is going by so fast. I need to jot down some notes about my babies before I forget.

Ella at 2 1/2 years:
Is sleeping in her "big girl bed" every night. Big girl bed is our old queen size mattress on the floor in her room. We started a new bedtime routine: eat dinner, pick up toys, watch 15 mins of a video, take a bath, put on pjs, read books with milk and a snack, take "yummy gummy" (vitamin), brush teeth, say prayers, talk about what we'll be doing in the morning, play the game "make silly faces", listen to music while I rub her tummy. Then, before she's asleep, I'm able to leave the room - and she's stayed in bed and fallen asleep on her own. It's completely amazing to me considering she was back to sleeping in our bed until 1 week before Beatrice was born.

Has been pretending to baptize her rubber ducks during bathtime.

Says please and thank you, and "I'm sorry, Mommy."

Asks every morning, "What are we going to do today?" I love that.

Is interested in what time of day it is. Constantly asking, "Is it morning/evening time?"

Is eating better now that we're using the cookie method: eat one bite of dinner, then you get one bite of cookie. Whatever works.

Our good friend recently lost his mom. We went to the wake but didn't explain anything to Ella. When we get together with our friend, Ella has asked, "Where's Aunt Dorothy?" We've told Ella that she's in heaven with Jesus and somehow Ella seems to understand. I wish I could hear what's going on inside her mind.

Loves to paint. Sometimes I wish she would love something that is less messy!

Loves The Wiggles. To death. All about The Wiggles right now.


Loves to get dressed up (dresses over regular clothes) and particular about which shoes she wears now.
Loves to dance. She told me she was Irish Dancing the other day (from a Wiggles movie) .


Sings and makes up songs.
Loves going to Gymboree and "to see fishies" at Cabela's with Daddy.

Processes her day through pretend play with dolls and rubber ducks (in the bath at the end of the day).

Isn't a huge fan of riding in the car with Beatrice, because when Beatrice starts to cry, Ella screams at the top of her lungs. It's been real fun, recent car rides. We basically limit excursions to places within a 5 mile radius of our house these days because I absolutely can't bear the screaming. We bought a dvd player for the car which has helped a little bit.

Understands the Christmas story and can answer questions about story of Jesus' birth.

Is looking forward to getting presents on Christmas. She asked me, "What's in Santa's bag?"

Everything is "mine", "right now", "NO", "do it by myself."

Can go from smiling to screaming tantrum in seconds.

Loves playing computer games (with help from us). Says "PBSkids dot org" and "Want to play wiggles on the computer." Likes SuperWhy games.

Is learning letters and their sounds. Favorite letter is W (because of Wiggles, I think).

Says, "Um, maybe not" when she doesn't want to do something.

Says "This is also pretty good" when she eats something and likes it.


Beatrice at 1 1/2 months:


Smiling, cooing, "talking"

Can lift her head up when on her tummy

Kicking, can bear weight on her legs standing for a couple seconds

Nursing well, sleeping well at night, not sleeping much during the day

Likes her swing, starting not to like the sling

Very social, wants to be held and talked to. Cries when we put her down during the day

Is in 0-3 month clothes. Is almost grown out of newborn diapers

Is starting to drool

Likes to look at pictures on the wall and in the mirror

Has more shoes than Christopher, me and Ella combined. Is that wrong?

Those are MY letters.

Ella's response when asked what E-L-L-A spells.

Chalkboard from friend Bene

Purgatory

Pope John Paul II said purgatory is a "state" rather than a "place". It's a state where your soul is cleansed by God's purifying fire before you enter Heaven. I imagine it's where your entire life flashes before your eyes - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

If purgatory exists, I believe it is equivalent to a one hour car ride with your two babies screaming at the top of their lungs, during which time all of the sins you committed against your own parents become very clear to you - all the times you defied them, all the messes you left for them to clean up, all the heartache you caused them. They didn't deserve it, they were just doing their best, trying to give you the best. I was what you would call a "strong willed child." Sometimes I wonder how my parents survived me. So this is what it feels like to have a strong willed child. Wait, two strong willed children. What goes around comes around. I deserve every screaming car ride these two can muster.

Thank God for the gift of Grace, maybe I won't get what I deserve.

Beatrice's Baptism

Beatrice Louise
Child of God
December 13, 2009
Trena, Father Tim, Christopher, Beatrice, Me, Paul

The gospel reading was about John the Baptist:
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, 'I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.'

The second reading:
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Father Tim made Beatrice's baptism service so personal and special by mentioning her by name throughout the Mass. During communion, Father Tim made sure that Trena's husband Frank could be our Eucharistic Minister. At the end of the service, he invited us to process out first so that we could greet people as they left the church. So many people stopped to say hi to the newest little member of our church. I wish I could remember every detail from this blessed day. I felt pure joy in my heart.

Bethany, Beatrice wrapped in her blanket crocheted by Gramma, Me

Beatrice, Me, Trena, Mary Rene

Trena has a beautiful post about Beatrice's baptism on her blog, The Third Prayer. I'm so glad she and her family are part of our lives.

We had a brunch at our house following the service. Ella was so excited to have a party at her house. She was running in circles saying, "All my friends are here! I'm so excited!" It was a beautiful day full of grace.
CoachPa, Grandma Bonnie, Beatrice

As blue becomes the sky
and warmth, the gracious sun,
and stars, a gift to each clear night,
love is this one
you hold within your grateful care,
a birth within the twofold heart
you've fully shared
since once ungarded words declared
a promise made for keeping.

--A poem for Beatrice's baptism, written by her Godfather, Paul DeMarinis

Here Comes Santa Claus

Santa sent a letter to Ella, asking her to come visit him this morning. She was so excited.

Grandma Bonnie and CoachPa were in town for Beatrice's baptism so they were able to join us for Breakfast with Santa. Grandma helped Ella make things while we waited to meet The Big Guy.

She was so happy when it was finally her turn to meet Santa. She did a little dance for him before she climbed into his lap. She told him she wants a "light blue elephant."

Um, Wind Sucks

It's not "fixable", according to my Dad, who can usually fix anything.

My parents and Bethany came over to help me get ready for Beatrice's Baptism party coming up this Sunday. What would I do without my family?

Kris Kringle

Ella sprinkling the sugar cookies for Kris Kringle

Ella left her shoes out and couldn't wait to find out what Santa left in them.

In the morning, she got confused and said, "Look! Santa left me some shoes!" He left her a Wiggles Christmas video "Yule Be Wigglin'". Guess what we've been watching ever since.

U C

A big smile for Uncle Joe

Our friend Joe came over for chili and to watch the Cincinnati Bearcat game with my gang signing husband. (It's a "U C" for University of Cincinnati Bearcats.)

Tara & Bailey

My good friend Tara and her adorable Bailey came over for a visit. Tara's expecting a baby boy in the spring!

Ella was so happy to have her friend Bailey over. They held hands and pretended to go grocery shopping together.

Before Tara and Bailey got here, Beatrice smiled at me today for the first time! A real smile responding to me talking to her!
Ella's started what I call her "Princess Dress Up" Phase, hence the Snow White dress.

Dear Santa,

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. I love this time of year. Ella helped put the tree up and decorate it with her ornaments. We've been listening to Christmas music. Ella wrote a letter to Santa. She asked for a "light blue elephant" and a Wiggles "Bumpity Lump Bump" movie. She looked at me with a serious face and said, "I need my presents right now." She adds "right now" to most of her requests lately.

Day With Gramma

Gramma and her girls

Precious Pictures by Gramma

Bea's 1 Month Appointment

Had Bea's second dr. visit today. She's 10lbs 4 oz, in the 90th percentile for height and weight. (Ella was and always has been in the 10th percentile.) Bea ROLLED OVER twice from her tummy to her back while she was on the examining table. She can lift her head up while she's on her tummy. She's very alert and bright eyed. She recognizes my voice and follows me with her eyes. She's very "talkative". She's sleeping pretty well at night. I'm absolutely in love with her. Sweet Baby Days, please don't go by so fast!

Crafty Hermits

Ella asks me as soon as she wakes up, "Where are we going today, Mommy?" To which I reply, "We're all set to have another fun day at home!" In an attempt to avoid the flu, we've retired our usual "mornings out" schedule to become hermits. But very crafty Play Doh playing, ornament painting, paper coloring, sticker sticking, stamp stamping, construction paper cutting, letter writing, Wiggles watching.....

Hermits.

If you have any cardboard toilet paper tubes you're not going to use, please save them for us. Our next project is to make cardboard tube "Wiggles".

Thanksgiving

i thank You God for most this amazing day
for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky
and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

e e cummings



"Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done."

Temper, Temper

So far, we've braved 3 car rides with both girls in car seats.

Here's how it's gone:

Beatrice: wah
Ellla: wah wah
Beatrice: Wah!
Ella: WAH WAH!
Beatrice: WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Ella: WWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHH WWWWWWAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!

You get the idea...

Suggestions?

Water Works City

I'm so emotional lately. Someone please turn off my water works. One should not be on the verge of tears over Bob The Builder and his valiant rescue of helpless porcupines. Nor should making Hamburger Helper bring a person to tears (unless you're adding sliced onions OR you're just sad because it's the 3rd night that week that you're feeding your family Hamburger Helper. In these cases, tears may be warranted.)

I cried as I folded her big girl undies out of the laundry. She's still my baby!

I tear up every afternoon when Ella and I listen to her Winnie the Pooh CD before naptime. Curse-ed Kathy Lee and her sentimental singing voice.

Seriously, I have a problem.

Happier days ahead. We're on the brink of a 5 day off stretch for Christopher. I love the night before time off, anticipating how great those vacation days will be. Full of possibility. Going to try to make it the best time off we've ever had.

TWO Elmo Stickers

Ella went number 1 on the potty for the very first time today. She promptly collected her *TWO* Elmo stickers and decorated her pink potty with them. Then she wanted to call Daddy and Grandma to tell them about her big morning.

Potty Time

Some new Ella-isms:

"This blanket is so soft, like ice cream."

"I'm playing with my friend Daddy."

"I'm reading with my friend Mommy."

"Want Daddy to play that jazz music."

Today Ella told me she wanted to wear her Elmo undies and sit on her potty. Out of the blue. My baby is growing up. She had a few accidents today so I've been scrubbing floors (and dining room chairs - luckily not the couch...yet) throughout the day. But the upside is, now our floors are really clean.

Bene came over to visit and play with Ella after work today. When Bene asked Ella questions in French, Ella was able to understand (probably by Bene's tone of voice) and answer her in English.

Happiness Is...

Baby Sleeping



Toddler Eating

What's In A Name?

When baby Bea was born, we still hadn't settled on a name. We had a list but hadn't chosen the name yet. We needed to see her first. So we slept on it. On Tuesday morning, we named our new baby girl Beatrice.

After this Sam Rivers song that he wrote for his wife, Beatrice.

After Beatrice, who guides Dante through Heaven in his Divine Comedy.

After Shakespeare's feisty character, Beatrice, in Much Ado About Nothing.

After Saint Beatrice de Silva.

Beatrice means "Blessing" and "Bringer of joy"
and she surely is
and she surely does.