Success

Genevieve is cranky after her surgery, but fine.  We almost never give her juice, but they recommended giving it to her after her surgery to keep her hydrated, and she's drinking it like it's her job. 

The doctor said her adenoids were enlarged and appeared to be infected; so I feel like we made the right choice.  Hopefully she'll stop getting so many sinus and ear infections now.

The doctor also replaced both of her ear tubes.  He said that the hole was slightly larger after taking them out; so he had to use a different shape tube.  He said that a lot of doctors actually use that shape tube to start with though; so it wasn't really a bad thing.

I hope this all was worth it and that she enjoys a long period of good health.

Adenoids and Tubes

My Vieves has to get one of her ear tubes replaced and her adenoids taken out.  Her surgery is tomorrow morning, 8:30am.  My poor little baby :(

All dressed up for Christmas

Three of my favorite four girls, all dressed up for Christmas.

My big girl loves dresses and skirts, but she HATES getting her hair done
and will rip it out almost immediately.  SIGH.

Mom, I am so over getting my picture taken.

Pia, my niece.

2012

I can't believe 2012 is here already.  And not only that, but today is my, ahem, 29th birthday.  

I'm hoping it's a lasting phase, but I'm camera happy again.  I think I've gotten better, and I'm at least somewhat happy with a bunch of the shots I've gotten of the girls recently.  

This first one has G's face slightly out of focus if you zoom in, but I think she looks adorable anyway.

I think this one captures A's sweetness.

Neither of these pictures have been edited at all.  These are the original JPEGs that came out of the camera. My recent frustration with my pictures is really that I'm not good at post-processing them.  I see the shots that our professional photographer friend has taken, and they are awesome.  And I know that some of that is  due to his mad photoshop skills.  He manages to make the skin tones look right while making the other colors pop and everything look crisp in a way I love.  I honestly think that some of my recent pictures have a lot of potential.  So I've signed up for a photoshop class.  I'm excited for it.

Hopefully this will mean I do a better job posting pictures to the blog as well :)

75

My Grandpa would have been 75 today.  I still can't believe he's gone, and I still miss him every day.

Birthday Wishes

I've been asking Annabella what she wants for her birthday off and on for the past couple of weeks.  Invariably, she says something about food.  The most recent:

Me:  Annabella, what do you want for your birthday?
Jason:  Do you want cookies or cupcakes or brownies? (she'd been oscillating between those choices)
A:  Brownies
Me:  What else?
A:  Ice cream
Me:  Yes, we'll have brownies and ice cream, but we have to have something else.  We can't just eat brownies and ice cream.
A:  Brownies and ice cream and brownies.
Me:  OK.  We'll have brownies and ice cream and brownies, but we have to have something else.  How about pizza?  Or hot dogs?
A:  No, I want brownies and ice cream and brownies.
Jason:  How about spaghetti or pizza?  (we often have to repeat options at this age)
A:  No, I want brownies and ice cream and brownies.
Jason:  How about bunnies and cheese?  (bunny-shaped macaroni and cheese)
A:  Yes.  Bunnies and cheese and bunnies and brownies and ice cream and brownies.
Me:  Okay.  Well that's what we'll have then.  Bunnies and cheese and bunnies and brownies and ice cream and brownies.

You'll never guess what she asked for for breakfast this morning after I sang her happy birthday :)

I think it's safe to say she's looking forward to dinner tonight.  Here's hoping she likes her presents too.

3 years old

My dearest Annabella,

Today you turn 3 years old.  Three!  I can hardly believe it.  And yet here we are.  We have officially exited the terrible twos (you hear that, Boo, you can stop being so stubborn all the time now...)  You are able to do more and more every day.  I'm starting to get glimpses about who you are, who I think you'll be, and I'm just so excited for you.

This past year has been a big year for us, but I think the biggest change for you has been getting used to your little sister.  Watching you two learn to play together is so sweet, and so frustrating (you can knock off all the fighting now too, please...)  I love how you want to give her hugs and kisses and play peek-a-boo with her, but I just wish you knew how to do those things without smothering her and knocking her over.  I love how you share your toys with her, but I wish that you'd share all your toys with her, not just the rejects you've decided you don't want at that moment.  But really, you two are great together.  Nobody can make Genevieve laugh like you can, and I know you're a great big sister, and that you two will be such great friends one day.

You are very sweet-natured.  When G pulls your hair, you say, "don't pull my hair baby".  Or when she pinches you, you say "don't pinch my skin".  And can I say that I'm very thankful that your first inclination isn't to just sock her.  You are very cooperative with your daycare teachers (though I've heard that they've seen your stubborn streak a little more recently right around nap time.)  You love to sing and we can often hear you singing quietly to yourself in your carseat.  You whisper when you are uncomfortable.

You are starting to understand the world, to remember things, to grow up.  Watching you watch movies melts my heart, because I see you light up and laugh at the funny parts.  If I say that we can do X after Y, then when we finish Y, you ask about X.

You love scissors, sweeping the floor and using the dustpan, coloring, reading books, swimming, Monkey Joe's, the park, the ball pit, Little Mermaid, CinderBella, Shrek, getting snuggles, cooking with us, getting and wiping off kisses, and playing with stuffed animals (especially putting them to bed).

I can't wait to see what this year brings.  There are so many things I want to do with you, and you are right on the cusp of being able to do them.

Mommy loves you to the moon and back.  Just don't grow up too fast.