Sayonara, Nukies?

Grammy says, "They grow up so fast..."
Papa says, "She won't go to college with it."
Pediatrician doesn't say anything because she doesn't know about it.
Dentist says, "What's the story with those teeth?"
Daddy says, "The nukie is driving me crazy!"
Elly says, "I love my nukies!"


What's a mom to do?

It Takes Tubes to Tango

I am not certain, but I have a suspicion that Ellafritz is working on her fourth ear infection in 4 months. I have yet to take her to the doctor, but I have looked into her ears with my otoscope and I see lots of murky fluid and redness...(I know I don't have an M.D. but I call myself a Mocktor and I have a very good rate of accurate diagnoses!). I am wondering if she shouldn't get tubes as well. They were so helpful with Eden. I know that some people don't have wonderful experiences with them, but for Eden it meant a total end of ear infections for the past year.

I believe some doctors recommend tubes after multiple ear infections (3 infections in 6 months or 3 infections in 12 months), and Elly would qualify under those guidelines since she has had one in November, December, January, and then if I am right, February. We shall see! Like I told Dan, I am waiting til it's good and inflamed before I take her in...there is nothing worse than going there, paying $25 copay and then having them tell you to bring her in 2 days later to see if it has "declared itself." Uggh. Elly's behavior certainly backs up my thought though...she is just awful right now! She doesn't get the typical lay around, tired, naughty thing...she gets hyper, aggressive and destructive! Today she threw a small stool behind the couch and then while I held her she bit my shoulder and broke the skin. This is NOT like her, she is usually quite active but not aggressive and certainly doesn't bite! She loves her mommy!!

Oh, and it would mean a trip to my handsome ENT, Dr. Viner. Read about my crush here.

Marcus!

Potty Training Update

She is still doing great, though today we had a little accident due to too many accesories and rituals needed in the bathroom to complete the task...Elly likes to do this all herself:
1. Turn on light
2. Open toilet lid, look in curiously
3. Insert Elmo comfy potty seat, turn it around, then turn it back to the right way
4. Pull foot stool up to toilet
5. Mess with something else while completing 1-4.

Be it hairbrush, toilet paper, etc. it seems interesting enough to a two year old to make her forget the task at hand. Unfortunately she is not quite at the stage where she can predict with much certainty how much time she has to work with :)

She is however a rock star at naptime and overnight. I quit putting her in pull ups at naptime but we use one at bedtime. She is always dry after naps and almost always dry in the mornings. Last night at 3:45am (I guess that makes it this morning) she came stumbling into our room and hoarsely told me, "I have to tinkle!" in a voice I am sure Betty and Ray (our elderly neighbors) could hear. Gotta give her credit for the tinkling, though at 3:45am I would have gone for the pull up...

;)

I swear this is my last potty training post...unless she says something hilarious...I am just so proud of her and I can't believe this stage that I have been dreading basically went off without a hitch!!

Quite Ellyquent, Part 6

"Awe you sinkin' what I'm sinkin'?"

--Elly

Even Carnies Know Where to Draw the Line

Eden and I were playing Circus today (I know, I know, we've had to get really creative since we're couped up), and she was standing on my back and doing little moves. She got off and I said, "Ok, now I will stand on your back." She willingly got down on the floor and I laughed and said, "I'd break you in half!" and swatted her buns a couple of times. She yelled at me, "They don't do THAT in the circus!"

My sentiments, exactly...

As Eden was coloring today, she said, "See this yellow and blue, Momma? This makes me think of spring! Spring meadows, clouds in the blue sky...I want spring!"

He's Back

Due to an unfortunate flu strain at Marcus' daycare, he is at our house today! It feels good to have the little sack of flour back in my arms :) He's getting very big and very ornery! I love it!!

Santa's GPS

It must be because there is so much snow on the ground, but the girls still think it is fun to sing Christmas songs and talk about Santa. Tonight Eden said, "If it rains ice (sleet) in the North Pole, it would probably break Santa's GPS."

Popcorn Slide

The girls enjoy using part of our staircase as a slide for different objects. Dora and Diego figurines frequently slide down the stairs. The other day as I was typing, I heard a different noise- and this is what I discovered:

She's Our Valentine

My beautiful grandmother, Dorothy Katherine Cavner, celebrated her 78th birthday on the 12th! (it is 78, isn't it grandma?) Doesn't she look fabulous?? I hope I inherited those genes! Really, both sides of our family age well, so I am counting on that!

Eden and Elly helped her open her presents and presented her with the cutest little cake that was in the shape of a puppy! It was adorable. It was nice to be in town to celebrate with them. We headed south after our fingerprinting appointment in DSM (for the adoption).

Edenisms, Part 16

Today Eden was getting wild running around the house and jumping on pillows. Despite the blizzard conditions outside, she got hot, and, like a good Grimes, began to take off her clothing. [Disclaimer: She does not get this from the Stanton side. We are a modest bunch. The Woldruff/Grimes side are the nudists--known for their love of snuggling under blankets in their skivvies] Anywho, Eden stripped down to her tights and continued running around. Between shouts of "Cowabunga!" and "Canon Ball!" we cracked up as we heard her say, "Goodbye, pants - Hello FREEDOM!"

Great Stuff

I found this on my friend Holly's site, but she had borrowed it from someone else...so not sure who to credit here...but here it is anyway:

You Know You're an Adoptive Parent If...
http://garcias2chile.blogspot.com)

YOU KNOW YOU'RE AN ADOPTIVE PARENT IF ...

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love & family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who've experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.
7. You've been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)
8. You'd no idea how you'd afford to adopt, but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing He'd provide. (& He does!)
9. You've taken an airplane half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart's for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart & family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word "Dossier" means & you can actually pronounce it correctly!
13. You've welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child's so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you're the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

Stuff Really Unworthy of Complaint, but...

Sometimes I feel as if I am the one in preschool. This week is a little crazy since we are going to leave for DSM (fingerprinting appt for adoption) on Thursday and then we'll travel to Clarinda for Friday and Saturday...so our week is short and we still have just as much to do as ever. Eden's preschool is wonderful. I absolutely love it and I think they do a fantastic job. But sometimes I feel like I am the one in school again! Wednesday we (I) have to remember Pink Day, Valentine Party, Treat Day, Show and Tell, Letter "Q" magazine cut outs, the "ABC" bag that needs three things that begin with the letter "Q" (for future reference, Q is hard, but we found Q Tips, a quarter, and Queens from a deck of cards.). We are also missing Friday so I have a note to the teacher, along with someone else's tuition receipt that got in to Eden's bag, and Eden's snow boots, hat, mittens and extra clothes (just in case) that are appropriately labeled ELG in case anything should happen to them. Wow. I thought it was challenging to parent an infant, but I think it is crazy to have school-agers. This is tough! (read in Billy Madison voice)

They Might Be Giants

The Growth Chart was marked today...

Eden Lily measured in at 3'8" (a mere foot and 2 inches shorter than her mother)
Elly Lyn measured in at 35 3/4"!

Sprouting up like weeds!