I Think I Need A Vacation

Did you hear what else my mommy did?

My mind is turning to mush. The same day that I caused a fire in the microwave (it still smells in our house, by the way) I accidentally shut Autumn in a room. We looked all over for her last night. Then, Ryan heard meowing from below our bathroom. We found her in the old guinea pig room with the door shut. I nteresting thing was. . . .I NEVER went in that room yesterday or opened the door, so how did she get in there? We figured out that she must have snuck in the storage room when I went in to get something, climbed through the trusses in the ceiling, over the bathroom and into the guinea pig room where she was shut in for over 6 hours. Either that or my cat knows how to open doors, but I guess if she did she would have let herself out. Poor kitty. . .I felt so bad and I'm usually very observant about where Autumn is. The first thing that she did was run to her litter box. . .she held it that entire time. . .and she really had to go! Needless to say, she has been very spoiled since and slept in my arms all night last night. After all that, Autumn needs lots of cuddles and I need a vacation!

Cooking with Olivia

Stir, stir. . .

Looking yummy. . .

It's hard cooking multiple things at once.

Olivia has started LOVING pots and pans and pretend cooking. Don't tell Olivia but she is getting a pretty cool kitchen from Grandma and Grandpa Sailing. Olivia is pretend playing, stringing words together, activating toys, manipulating objects. . .there isn't much that I'm worried about anymore. Well, except her weight. She still hasn't made it to 21 lbs and I stress over that all of the time. Olivia has become my little secretary. She reminds me when I leave things (like a bottle at Izzy's or her Minnie Mouse cup at grandma and grandpa's.) She reminds me when Autumn is on the table or when I don't do something that I'm supposed to do. Hmm. . .maybe I'll be able to get rid of my planners altogether. . .I'll just tell Olivia about appointments and such. Next time, maybe she'll remind me to add water to the microwaveable mac and cheese.

Thursday, November 12, 2009 - Update

BEFORE

AFTER

I was making macaroni and cheese for Olivia this afternoon. Sometimes this is the only thing that she will eat that actually has calories. I put it in the microwave and went into the other room. When I came back out about a minute later, smoke was billowing out of the microwave. My best guess is that I forgot to put water in it and that's why it caught on fire. How many times have I made this? I figured I could do it in my sleep by now and then. . .I forget to add water? Actually, I'm hoping it was that and not something wrong with our microwave. So, I've spent all afternoon de-stinking the house by cleaning, lighting candles, opening windows, etc. Oh, it still smells awful. I smell awful. Luckily, Olivia had plans to go to grandma's house, so she didn't have to smell it.

Oh, How I Love This Cat

Autumn likes to sleep on her back with her paws covering her face. Of course, she uncovered them when I went to take her picture. I think this picture is begging to be captioned. Submit your ideas! :)

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - Update

I can use remotes now.

I can do a lot of new things, actually.

My friend, Kerry, was off work today for Veteran's Day and the three of us had a fun afternoon together. We went out to lunch and then Olivia and I helped Kerry pick out a hamster. It was so fun and Olivia thought he was pretty cool. Kerry and I had hamsters when we were younger (I had Ralphie and Spencer and she had Scooter and Honey.) So, it was a lot of fun. We brought him back to my house and soon after. . .we went downstairs with Olivia. When we came back up, Autumn was sitting on the counter staring at him. Poor guy was probably scared to death. Autumn is really weird with other people in the house. She runs and hides from everyone except Ryan and me. With us, she is literally attached at the hip.

Don't forget to head on over to Little Worth-While Moments and leave a comment about your favorite thing to cook to be entered in a drawing!

The Letters Came!

My dear friend, Amanda, finished Olivia's letters and I received them in the mail today. Aren't they amazing? I absolutely love them. . .they are so special to me. And, on the L. . . .she wrote Logan William so that Olivia will always remember her twin brother. We have not hung them yet, but I wanted to show them to you. I told Amanda that she should start selling them on etsy. Letters like these sell for $15-$16 per letter and for those of us who have no artistic talent (like me who couldn't possibly make them) there is no other way to get them. Well, unless you have an amazing friend make them for you. Thanks again, Amanda, from the bottom of my heart.

You Are My "Suh-shine."

Sunshine, you are my sunshine.

You make me happy when skies are gray.

You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away.

This is Olivia's new favorite song. When I stop singing it, she says "More suh-shine." She loves that it has the words happy and I love you in it. Ryan and I used to sing this song to her every day when she was in the NICU. It held such a deep meaning for us because our skies were the darkest shade of gray and she was the only light we could see. We sang it with such desperation because we didn't know if our sunshine would be taken away. We needed her and she will never know how much we love her. It's as if the song was written just for us. And, I'm thrilled that Olivia loves it.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - Update

Yesterday, Olivia and I had a playdate with Kyler, Heather and Ella.

Olivia had a blast!

She quickly found the rocking chair.

She was thrilled that they had a trampoline.

Ella. . .the perfect mix of girly girl and tomboy!

Once we headed outside, Olivia would have spent all day in their backyard.

She especially liked playing with the sand.

Hmm. . .we may have to get her a sandbox.

I'm feeling a bit better today. Ryan got home from work last night at 11:30 pm (and that is after going in at 8 am-ish.) Please keep him in your prayers as he's been pretty stressed lately and Olivia and I miss him.

Arghhh

Can't post pictures for some reason, can't get into Outlook, Ryan has been at work almost 14 hours and no word on when he's coming home. I'm tired, my foot hurts (long story) and I'm grouchy. The day started off so good. I'll post about it tomorrow when I can post pics and I'm in a better mood. I'm going to take a shower and go to bed.

I'm thrilled, however, to learn about Stellan. Check out his blog for wonderful news!

Sunday, November 8, 2009 - Update

Today, Olivia got her big surprise. . .a new swingset!! Joel, Laura, Julia and Rebekah graciously gave it to us before they put their house on the market. Yes, they are moving. . . .to southern California. That will, however, be a post for another time because I don't feel like being depressed. Olivia LOVES it and we are so happy to have it. Thanks again!