Zoo, August 2009

Jantzen Beach Carousel: O at 5 months and at 3 years

Odessa was just five months old when she first went on the Jantzen Beach Carousel. Yeah, she wasn't really into it at that age. We went again today and three-year-old Odessa LOVED IT!

Making Faces

Here is my very silly three year-old making faces/poses for the camera. What a goof!

Should have knocked on wood...

It was just last week that I was noting to myself how Odessa and I haven't been sick very much this year. Especially compared to last year, when it felt like we came down with some version of the cold/flu EVERY WEEK.

Apparently my luck ran out, or fate intervened, or whatever -- Odessa has had a fever on and off since Wednesday (up to 103). Saturday I noticed spots on her face and chest. Today the spots spread to the rest of her. As seems to be the case with kids, once the Tylenol or ibuprofen kicks in they are back to their hyper-monkey selves so I really wasn't sure that she had something going on until Friday. So we stayed home, I got bored and depressed. I don't do well with the lack of structure. And, lets just face it, taking care of a sick kid is really hard work. Then the spots--I have no idea what they are. It'll be up to the pediatrician to figure that out tomorrow.

And because having one ill person in a family is never enough, today I spent twelve hours with the worst stomach pain I have had--maybe ever. The pain was on par with childbirth at times, and I was wishing I had access to an epidural.

Now that the pain has receded, I am left with a post-pain 'high' (in the form of insomnia.) But I am so grateful to be feeling better! And then also nervous the pain will return.

Odessa is the sweetest little girl a mommy could ask for. She spent a couple hours this evening with Auntie Kiki, Grandma, and Grandpa so that I could rest and Larry could do all the fetching. When she came home, she ran into my room, crawled into bed with me, and proceeded to stroke my hair and give me kisses. Then when I had to change position, I could feel her little, baby hands stroking my back. What a sweet, empathetic little love-noodle. But, true to three year-old fashion, our love fest ended when she began jumping on the bed making me fearful for my cramping stomach. So I moved to the living room.

Hoping that tomorrow is better.

Cowgirl Odessa

Odessa's school brings in ponys once a year for the kids to ride, and to get photos taken with. Here is the 2009 Pony Picture taken about two months ago. I have one from 2008 too, but I just now realized that it never got scanned. One more thing for Larry's "to-do" list.

The Bridge

A beautiful summer's evening spent eating dinner and playing in the park

Three Years Ago

Three years ago today, my life changed in a most dramatic and amazing way. Thank you world for giving me my daughter -- I can't imagine life without her.

Birthday Party!!

Last weekend we had Odessa's birthday party at the Elephant House in Washington Park. She had a blast getting to play with her friends, eat donuts, run around, eat donuts and, did I mention, eat donuts? Thank you to all of our friends who could share the day with us -- it means so much to have such wonderful, supportive people in our lives!

Breafast of Champions

Odessa asked for sunflower nut butter for breakfast one morning. Better than donuts, right? And, yes, this is what her hair looks like when she first wakes up (and before I tame it with water and a comb).

Ready to Swim

False Fact

Basically Larry's proudest achievement is getting people to believe things that aren't true. Last summer he managed to convince Kalina that watermelon is highly caloric.

My co-worker's boyfriend has a website where he illustrates and publishes one "false fact" a day. Today he chose mine! Now that is my proudest achievement.

Drinking Milk

Freakin' cute kids hanging out, drinking milk on the porch.

The Countdown Begins

Here is a little calendar that I created to help Odessa understand the concept of her birthday coming up soon. It would be an understatement to say that she is really excited for her birthday this year. It is fun because the other two years she was completely oblivious.

Unfortunately, her enthusiasm comes with its own sets of problems: Everything she sees and wants (which is a lot) she pleads "for my birthday?" And when we went to the park and a family was there having their own celebration, she saw the balloons and exclaimed "my birthday!?" I explained that it was another family having a party, not for us. And, of course, she then cried "but I want that one." I think she was THIS close to approaching their Asian family and asking to be adopted, atleast for the length of their party in the park.

One of those other days

Some days I feel better at this mom job than others. Today is one of the other days. Is feels like EVERYTHING with Odessa is such a battle and I get really tired and really frustrated. It seems like it could be easier if all the tiny steps of every day weren't such a tug-of-war. Is it the terrible twos (soon-to-be threes)? I don't even think that I am all that rigid of a parent either -- she gets to do it her way plenty of time. But then, of course, there have to be some limits -- no more than 2 vitamins a day, no spilling drinks all over the carpet, no running in the street etc. Anyway, today is one of those days and I am sure that most moms can relate.

End-of-School Celebration 2009

Here are some pictures from Odessa's end-of-year school celebration. It is funny because she continues to go all year round -- poor kid doesn't get a break. The pre-kindergartners get to "graduate" though and go on to the "big" school next year.

I was THIS CLOSE to missing the whole thing because I was SO tired -- Odessa had refused to nap and it was just one of those days, you know? I am really glad that we went though. It makes me happy to see all the kids sing and dance, see how proud their families are, and get to feel like a part of a bigger community. And to see how happy Odessa is there is especially awesome.

Bowling

Here are some pics of Odessa bowling last week. She chose her very appropriate bowling-wear :)

Reading "Cinderbella" to Baby

Odessa is very good at taking care of her babies -- here is a picture of her reading her latest favorite book to unnamed asian baby.

Nine Years Ago

Nine years ago, Larry and I got married.

Since then we have had our ups and downs, but we have managed to stay together as a team. He has dealt with my crazy family and my high-maintenance personality with grace. For that he deserves a lot of kudos.

I love you always, Lar.

Four Generations

Odessa the Academic

Here are a few pictures that I took before we were walking out to school/work one morning. I just couldn't believe how kid-like she looks. And very proud of her princess backback!

Odessa Cooking Rhubarb

Cooking up some rhubarb

Her "on-camera" smile. Real attractive, right?

Seaside, April 2009

Duck Neighbors

Upon waking up the morning, I often am greeted by two ducks sitting by the apartment pool which we can view from our balcony.

Spring Walk

Check Em Out

Here are a few blogs that I really like. Thought you might too...

Pacing the Panic Room
http://pacingthepanicroom.blogspot.com/

Marvelous Kiddo
http://marvelouskiddo.blogspot.com/ and I especially like the following post: http://marvelouskiddo.blogspot.com/2008/10/gloria-lemays-excellent-advice.html

Dooce
Who doesn't like Dooce? And she is coming to Portland soon for a book signing
http://www.dooce.com/

Mihow
http://mihow.com/

And I think that its for now.

Like Father, Like Daughter

From the mouths of babes...

Bathtub is running...

Grandma: "Odessa, check the water"

O: "Too hot"

Grandma: "Okay, check again"

O: "Too hot. Too, too hot. Two-three hot"

One Crazy Week

We having been trying to get into a three-bedroom apartment within our complex for a VERY long time. The rent is not that much extra and their is a lot more space. Plus, we are considering adding another child to our family and quarters start to feel pretty tight with child/children around (as most of you know). Additionally, I have a low tolerance for clutter and mess so that adds to my need/want for a larger place to live.

So, after weeks of haggling with the landlords they finally allowed us to switch apartments. The only catch is that we had to be out in 8 days. And three of those days were a planned cabin trip that we really couldn't and really, really didn't want to miss. So we went to the cabin and once we got home, we have been packing like maniacs. Two evenings and one day later, our entire apartment is packed except for the few items that we really would need for our last days here. We received the keys to the new place this evening and the big move kick-off starts tomorrow at about 11 a.m. Larry was fortunate enough to be able to take the day off of work and I only have to attend an am meeting and then I get to home -- And then the fun really begins!. We are lucky to have flexible employers.I think I have been running on pure adrenaline this week because I feel like crap and yet I keep going and going, packing and cleaning away.

The next kink in the plan is that all three of us came down with a nasty cold this week. Great timing, huh? I have a bad case of laryngitis and no almost no voice at all. Aha! But that cannot stop me from rambling on and world called the Internet. I have been using tons of Zycam-ing and Emergen-C so fingers-crossed these will help shorten the duration of my cold.

Odessa has been taking the move way much better than expected -- I didn't want to traumatize her with all our belongings being boxed up. She LOVES to help unfold the boxes and put things in. She also has been using the boxes to build forts, towers, and tunnels. However, in my effort to make the move a positive thing, I think I may have gone overboard. More about that on a later post. I have to at least attempt to catch a couple hours of shut-eye tonight.

So anyway, wish us luck!

Big Girl Panties

Although far from potty trained, we got Odessa her first big girl panties. They didn't have princesses in her size so we ended up with Elmo and Minnie Mouse. Very cute and she is happy and excited to have them!

I never thought I would hear myself say...

"Odessa, princesses don't use their wands as weapons"

Odessa, 2 1/2 years old

I thought I knew what people meant by the "terrible twos"... But that was before I had a 2 1/2 year-old of my own. Some days are awesome. She is beautiful, silly, fun, sweet...all those wonderful things. Then some days are not so awesome.

Here is an example:
wake up, cry because I didn't let her play with the oatmeal before cooking, begin eating, cry because she has a blue bowl instead of a green one, throw bowl on floor, ... (continue this pattern for ten hours)...

It is one, big all-day meltdown. It really reminds me of when she was a super-colicky new noodle, I don't know what is wrong or how to fix it. It doesn't appear that their is any rhyme or reason to the madness. I try to change what I am doing so to give her more (stop cleaning and start drawing or doing puzzles) but it really doesn't seem to help anything. It is like she needs a padded room or a tranquilizer. Just kidding!

Oh, the drama. But, despite all of it, I find myself melting with love for her. That has to be the biology behind procreation. You just love them so much that you want more! Even when life is totally insane.

She just keeps growing and learning and it all happens so fast! She knows all her ABS's and most of her 123's. She counts to seventeen (we have seventeen steps which lead from our apartment to our garage). She pulls down her pants and goes "potty" on her own. But, as Larry said, she just can't put the diaper back on! :) I guess this means it is time for pull-ups or panties or whatever the next step is in potty-training. She gets in bed with her books when she is sleepy. She repeats EVERYTHING which is a big lesson for me that I say some phrases way too often (ex "I'm too tired!"; "Lar!"; "Sit down!")

Current obsessions: princesses, Elmo, the movie Mama Mia, ABBA music, pockets, hearts (as in the Valentine kind), glue, temp tattoos...

Anatomy of a Tantrum

Tantrum Handbook:

Step 1. Do the "crumple"; kitchen-floors and anywhere in public work best.

Step 2. Peek out to make sure that someone is watching.

Step 3: Look damn cute until one of two things happen: 1) be "rescued" by nearby mom/dad/other or 2) become distrated by the cookie you now see that is on the floor, and therefore no longer need to be rescued...because you can't remember the reason behind the crumple in the first place.

I love you my addorable, little drama queen!

Mommy Odessa

While I was taking my shower, Odessa wheeled in both her shopping cart and her baby stroller. Pablo in the shopping cart and not-yet-named asian baby was in the stroller. From there she spent quite a bit of time "taking care" of each of the babies. It is so sweet to watch. I hope that some of my mommy-skills pass on to her (but not all! :)